Go, Occult Research Club!!

3rd Person POV

Kuoh Academy

Issei opened his brown eyes, followed by a sharp and deep falling onto his back. He heaving dry and heavy gasps to catch his breath and regain his bearings.

"Issei?!" The others called to him.

The brunette rubbed his hands against his face as he pondered. 'Did-Did it work? Did I really go to Purgatory? It felt like a dream. So damn surreal-" he looked to his left arm, touching it and feeling his own touch through his crimson red claw. He chuckled darkly, remembering having offered his arm to Ddraig for more power. 'So it was real.' He acknowledged, sitting back up. "How long was I out?" He asked.

The others looked at him and each other confused.

"Like...less than half a minute?" Akeno guessed.

"Really? That long?" He asked surprised. "Felt like hours." He mumbled.

"What did?" Asia asked.

Issei looked to the blonde Bishop, unsure how to answer her. He quickly looked up and saw the Fallen Angel General still sitting on his throw, seemingly waiting as he said he would before he left. He shook his head and focused. "Later. How's (Y/N)?" He asked.

"After you did whatever you did, his Sacred Gear started to regain its shape and color. Any sign of decaying completely disappeared." Rias informed.

(Y/N)'s eyes flickered, slowly opening as he awoke from his mental entrapping coma. "I feel like ass..." He groaned.

"(Y/N)!!!" Everyone yelled, smiling with utter joy at their friend's return. Some even crushed him in a collective hug.

"Hey...guys..." He gasped for air.

"We were so worried!!" Asia cried. "When we got here, we thought-we thought..." She shuttered remembering the condition they found him in upon arriving.

"We saw your Sacred Gear decaying and you would wake up, we were so scared."

(Y/N) looked to the one holding onto him, a look of regret on his face slowly formed. "Sorry guys. I let my anger get the better of me. Now..." He looked up and saw Kokabiel in his new transformation. "We're in for one hell of an uphill fight."

"Glad you're back, (Y/N)." Kiba looked back, smiling at his friend.

"Someone took their sweet time waking up." Xenovia teased.

"How're you feeling?" Asked Akeno.

(Y/N) rose his hand, trying to squeeze it tightly and ignite it with his emerald and ebony flames, but to no avail. "Well, physically I'm fine. But my magic's completely tapped."

"I gotchu bruh!" Issei chimed, tapping his friend on his shoulder and giving him whatever energy he could manage. "Boosted Gear: Gift!"

Transfer!

(Y/N) felt the small amount of magical energy flow into his body. While it wasn't much, he was still able to use magic again.

"How's that?" Issei asked, falling to his rear in exhaustion. "Got enough in ya now?"

"Well..." The young devil extended his hand, summoning Oath Maker into being. "I'm able to summon one of my swords. And maybe enough for a few spells. But I've got to play it smart." He said. "I think I have an idea."

"OH, GOD!!! THIS IS GETTING BORING!!!" Whine Kokabiel from atop his floating throne.

The devils looked up and watched as he slowly descended towards the ground.

"Broken little Pawn is up now, yes? Let's get back into it!!" He demanded impatiently.

Everyone looked to the fallen angel with hesitant anger.

"If what Issei said is right and magic isn't going to work, then close quarter is our best option." He analyzed. "He kinda does look like my True Shadow from, I'll give him that." He added. "Everyone. I'm sorry I've caused you trouble again." (Y/N) said, slowly raising himself up. "But I need to clean up my own mess. So just sit tight and rest up. I'll take it from here." He advised.

"Excuse me?!" Rias questioned.

"(Y/N), you just woke up after having almost died-" Akeno worried.

"For the umpteenth time!!" Koneko added.

"And you have hardly any magical energy! Just rest for a bit! Please!" Akeno pleaded.

(Y/N) clenched his hand in anger, the events of Purgatory still fresh in his mind. "After the shit I went through in Purgatory, there's no way I'm sitting in the sidelines right now. Besides..." He looked to Kokabiel, who had an arrogant and cocky smirk on his face. The young devil's gaze turned into one of furious rage. "I'm still pissed." He said, walking towards Kokabiel, but halted briefly. "I've got an idea. I make an opening and get him vulnerable, you go for it and pin the bastard. Try and get him to be wide open and still. Wish me luck." He said, continuing towards the battlefield.

Kokabiel watched as the Azure Dragon Emperor approached. "Oh ho, you're approaching me?" The darkness swallowed fallen angel smirked.

"Can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer." (Y/N) snapped back.

The Fallen Angel General chuckled. "You didn't fare so well the last time. Are you sure you want to do this? You barely have any magical energy left."

"Maybe. But you and I have unfinished business." He said, suddenly releasing the hold of his white sword. "Promotion: Knight."

Kokabiel followed its descent, only to realize it was a distraction. He looked up quickly, only to be clapped in the face by his opponent. He felt his entire body and senses rupture from shock as if the entire foundation of his mind erupted and his body was shocked at high voltage from within.

"No way! He really pulled that on him?!" Issei was shocked his friend's tactic worked.

"Issei, what did he do?" Rias questioned. "It looked like he just stunned Kokabiel just by clapping in his face."

"That not too far off actually. But it's apparently a really effective stun tactic. He said it's called the Stunner Clap. He said there are certain criteria to pull it off. Guess Kokabiel fit one of 'em." Issei explained.

(Y/N) took advantage of Kokabiel's daze and grabbed his Oath Maker, leaped up, and slash it across his face.

Kokabiel screamed in agony and was kicked away while he held his face in burning pain. "This...This pain!! It burns!!" He bellowed, revealing the darkness around his face had disappeared from where (Y/N) attacked. "I knew it!! That sword!! That's Oathkeeper!! That's a Holy Sword!!"

Everyone was shocked. A devil using a holy sword, let alone two now in existence.

"No way..." Asia was baffled.

"He's one too?" Kiba marveled.

"I always had a feeling. Every time he summoned that sword, I always got this odd chill." Rias mentioned.

"So it wasn't just me." Koneko chimed.

"No. I felt it too." Akeno added. "There's no doubt about it. (Y/N)'s Oath Maker is the Holy Sword: Oathkeeper."

Kokabiel glared at the Azure Dragon Emperor, summoning a spear of light and darkness, and charged at him, only to be blocked by the Holy Sword.

(Y/N) parried the spear and slammed the wing-shaped guard into his stomach, knocking the wind of out him briefly enough for a quick upward slash to the torso.

The fallen angel screamed from the pain, looking down to see more of his darkness disappearing. "YOU BASTARD!!!" He roared summoning another spear and swinging it at the devil.

The two continued to clash at incredible speeds, creating a dome of sparks from their weapons.

(Y/N) wide-swiped an oncoming attack, quickly evaded another attack to his head, allowing him to grab Kokabiel by the collar of his shirt, pull him closer, knee him in the chest, kick him under his jaw, and crack his gauntlet against his face, pushing him back. He quickly spouted his devil wings and blasted towards the staggering fallen angel.

Kokabiel summoned many spears of light and darkness around him, launching each one at the oncoming devil in a malicious barrage.

(Y/N) evaded as many as he could, sudden stops, ducking, rolling, even taking flight and having some of the spears track and follow him, targeting Kokabiel once again, the spears of light following him.

"Really?! You seriously think that million-year-old trick is going to work-?!" Kokabiel mocked, only to watch (Y/N) grab him by the shoulders and leap over him, the spears now targeting their summoner. He quickly summoned a barrier and blocked the incoming spears. 'Clever Dick!!' He growled, only to feel a burning, seething pain from his wings. He turned around and saw two of his ten wings fly in the air and ignite into white holy fire. "You-My wings! YOU CUT OFF MY WINGS!!!"

"Only two so far. Gimme some time and I'll get the rest!" (Y/N) replied coldly.

Kokabiel used the darkness around his hand and sent tendrils at the devil at his back, pushing him back as he blocked the oncoming attack.

(Y/N) quickly began cutting away at the tendrils of darkness, running after the fallen angel as he cut his extensions down. Once close enough, he leaped up and readied a downward swing. However, his blade was knocked away from a ferocious swipe from Kokabiel with a spear of light.

Kokabiel glared at the devil while (Y/N) just looked down, already calculating his next move.

(Y/N) kneed the fallen angel in the face then roundhouse kicked him away, only dash to him and unleash a barrage of punches.

Kokabiel tried to attack with his spear, but was caught by (Y/N)'s claw and was crushed before getting it slammed in his face.

The two celestials continued to trade blow for blow, each move mirroring the other before punching the other, releasing a massive shockwave. Grabbing onto the other's hands, they continued to try and push the other down. But Kokabiel kneed the young devil in the ribs, punched him across the face, and tossed him back.

The devil rolled before regaining his footing, only to be grabbed by the face and tossed further away.

Kokabiel gave chase and grabbed the devil's leg and proceeded to slam him into the ground multiple times before spin-throwing him into the air.

Outside the Perfect Dome, the Sitri devils and Whis continued to halt the growing Perfect Dome. However, many of their members were beginning to grow exhausted.

"Hyoudou. Come on." Saji pleaded weakly. "I'm about to hit my limit here."

"Saji!!" Tsubaki rang out. "Do what you can to keep focus!!" Instructed the Vice President and Queen of the Sitri Peerage.

"Yes, ma'am!" He replied, continuing to hold the expanding hellfire dome.

'Other than Whis, Tsubaki, and me, everyone else is running out of power. Hurry, Rias.' Thought Sona.

Whis' head lightly perked up, noticing something in the distance from within the dome. "Mister Genshirou." He addressed.

"Y-Yes Mister Angel Whis sir?" He replied nervously.

The Angel smiled. "You may want to brace yourself." He said.

"What-?" Saji was interrupted by a loud and powerful crash from inside the dome.

The fire inside parted briefly from the impact, slowing a clearer view of what was happening.

The devils looked and saw that it was (Y/N) who had crashed into the side of the blazing barrier.

"(Y/N)?!" Sona questioned.

"What the-?!" Saji felt baffled but was silenced once he saw what was approaching.

Kokabiel crashed into the young devil, slamming his face with this fist and bouncing him off the Perfect Dome wall. He continued to release blow after blow, constantly bouncing (Y/N) off the walls only to be hit again and again, releasing a hearty laugh as he did.

"Promotion..." (Y/N) ducked down and propelled himself towards the Fallen Angel General, launching his foot into his stomach, causing the crow-winged man in shadow to cough and gasp violently. "Rook!!" He then kneed the fallen angel in the back of the head and kicked him to the wall, effectively swapping places. (Y/N) proceeded to hard stomp Kokabiel constantly into the hellblazing wall, eventually grabbing his head and slamming it hard before dragging it across, creating a long, thin window for the one on the outside to see before throwing him away.

Kokabiel recovered from his brutal beating and charged at the young devil, only to be met with a brutal punch to the face and sent pinwheeling towards the forest below.

(Y/N) gave chase, landing by a couple of the nearby broken and destroyed trees. He watched as Kokabiel continued to stand, grabbed two of the broken trees, and flung them at the fallen angel one by one.

The slightly dazed fallen angel saw in incoming bushed logs and summoned a spear of light and darkness, cutting them down as they approached, only to be rammed by another held by his enemy.

(Y/N) slammed the tree and Kokabiel into a nearby boulder, pulling back to get into position. He gripped the three and slammed it against the Fallen Angel General, sending him flying towards the track field.

'Here we go!' Chanted the young devil, using little of what magic he had to summon two Ouroboros chains. "Ouroboros!!" He yelled, sending the snake-like-headed chains at the dazed fallen angel, binding and constricting him tightly.

Kokabiel was pulled upwards into the sky.

"Azure Dragon..." (Y/N) charged his claw with as much magic as he could afford, using his second planned magic attack, and plunged it into Kokabiel's face. "CLAW!!!" The speed of descent picked up with each second. "BREAKER!!!" The impact of the two created a giant dust cloud, followed by a giant sonic boom and a crater to be formed below.

Kokabiel tried to stand but was pushed down back to the ground when (Y/N) stomped on his back. "How...How is this possible?! You were nowhere near as strong as you were before!! Nothing about this makes sense!!"

"Sucks, doesn't it?" He replied, pushing the fallen angel's head deeper into the ground. "Now..." He rose his hand towards his Oath Maker, calling it back to his possession. "You're gonna answer my questions. If you don't, then I'll finish what I started with your wings."

Kokabiel's eyes widened from (Y/N) surprising threat. But simply smirked in response. "And empty bluff, surely. Your threats don't scare me, boy!"

(Y/N) said nothing. He simply positions the star-shaped part of his blade under one of the black wings, and yanked it up without warning, cutting clean off.

Kokabiel screamed in agony at the pain of his severed wing.

"I'm not playing games, Kokabiel. Talk. Now."

Kokabiel growled, clawing his fingers through the ground. "Don't. Get. COCKY!!!" He roared, his remaining darkness exploded with incredible and wild force, blasting the young devil off his back.

"Red Thunder, GO!!!" (Y/N) yelled.

"Alright, ladies! Showtime!!" Issei cheered, smacking Rias' and Akeno's hands. "Boosted Gear: Gift!!"

Transfer!

Magical energy surged into their body and quickly took to the skies, releasing an incredible amount of magical energy.

"Ready Akeno?" Rias asked, conjuring multiple magic circles that fused into larger ones, forming into two spheres of Destruction magic.

"You bet! Let's show him what we can do!!" Cheered Akeno, lightning crackling from her hands. "Now ring out, Thunder!!" She cried summoning a giant bolt of lighting.

Rias unleashed her Ruin Fire towards the bolt, creating a violently surging yellow, red, and black bolt of pure destruction.

"Unison Raid: MEGATON BLOOD BOLT!!!" The two girls roared, unleashing the devastating attack onto their foe.

As Kokabiel was encased in the blast, he cried out in pain, only to slowly develop into a chuckle of confidence, and eventually evolved into full-blown laughter. "Impressive display, I must admit. But as long as I still have Demon blood coursing through my veins, you're practically just giving me more energy!!"

"More power, Akeno!!" Rias said, unleashing more power herself. "Turn his body to ash!!"

Akeno roared, releasing more magical energy, causing the Unison Raid to continue and grow more violent.

The Fallen Angel General struggled against the intense force of the unified attack, his darkness covered hand raised while the rest of his body took the damage, all while slowly absorbing the magical energy. "I wonder. Could it be she who possesses the power of Baraqiel standing before me?"

Akeno looked at the fallen angel with seething hatred. "Don't speak his name. I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT CREATURE!!!" She roared, unleashing more power.

"What's a Baraqiel?" Asked Issei.

"One of the Fallen Angel Leaders. He can use lightning and thunder. So basically, Akeno's power." Answered Xenovia.

"Well, that's a strange coincidence." Replied Issei.

Kiba simply lowered his head.

'Baraqiel...' (Y/N) pondered. 'That name...It sounds...familiar.' He thought, only for a pounding headache to erupt in his head, but only for a brief moment as he moved on. 'Questions for later.' He decided, looking up to Akeno, who still had an enraged look on her face. 'Still, I don't think it's a coincidence.'

The female powerhouses of the Gremory Peerage eventually broke their Unison Raid, running out of magical energy, and slowly descended back down to the ground in exhaustion.

Kokabiel simply laughed heartily, slowly standing back on his feet. His body slightly burned, yet somewhat protected by his remaining darkness "Oh dear, say it isn't so. Why choose to fall so far as to be a devil?" He questioned mockingly. "What an amusing house, Rias. The Red Dragon Emperor. A ruined Holy Sword Project subject. The cursed Azure Dragon Emperor and the last of his kind. And Baraqiel's daughter!"

"What?!" Issei was shocked.

"No, it can't be!" Xenovia fell shocked as well.

(Y/N) was slightly surprised at this revelation, his earlier hunch was correct. "Akeno...your father...was a fallen angel?"

Akeno looked down in dejection as if she were ashamed that her secret had been revealed. Most likely to the one she didn't want to know.

Kokabiel simply smirked. "How terribly amusing. A propensity for inferior products must run in the family."

Rias gritted her teeth in the fallen angel's insult. "You're insulting comments about my brother will not be tolerated! But for insulting my servants, you will pay the ultimate price, and die!!" She declared.

Pure darkness erupted from the fallen angel, unleashing a mighty force that nearly pushed the others back. "By all means, go ahead and try. Possessor of True Dragon, accursed kin of the ruler of darkness, Crimson Haired Ruin Princess, and the Devil King's baby sister!! Please tell me you realize you're confronting the archenemy of devils. One who has the blood of the most powerful beings coursing through his veins. If you really think you can kill me, you might as well take advantage of this opportunity. You may never get it again!!" He goaded.

"HEY!!!" (Y/N) yelled. "Don't think we're done yet, asshole! We still have unfinished business! Don't go thinking insulting my girls is gonna do you any favors! It'll only give me more reasons to beat the shit out of you!!"

Rias and Akeno's faces turned red at (Y/N)'s declaration.

Kokabiel smiled, spewing a small chuckle before laughing like a madman. "Really? You truly must be a suicidal fool. You barely have any magical energy left. And yet you still continue to fight? You must truly want to die." He said, summoning a sword of light.

"Even with hardly any magic, I've still been beating this shit out your sorry ass. Besides, I can't die yet. You need to answer my questions before I send you to oblivion!!" He roared, dashing towards Kokabiel.

"(Y/N) no!!" Rias called to him in fear.

Kokabiel's smile never faded. He threw his light manifested weapon into the air, only for it to multiply into spears of corrupted light that blanketed the sky above. "Fool." He said, snapping his fingers and sending the spears of light and darkness shooting directly towards the young devils.

(Y/N) saw the incoming projectiles and halted himself as quickly as possible, readying to defend against the attacks. "Promotion: Knight!!" He chanted before deflecting each and every one of the projectiles. Every maneuver he could manage, every evasive tactic he could pull off, every blade he tried to deflect, repel and counter, he managed to do so. Though he had taken some damage from some than managed to break past his defenses, they were little more than scratches, however, one managed to pierce his left shoulder. The young devil flinched from the burning pain and his knees briefly buckled.

"(Y/N)!!!" The others cried in fear.

Kokabiel summoned two more swords of light and a cross-shaped wave attack at the teetering devil.

Xenovia jumped in front of (Y/N) with her Durandal raised, blocking the attack and destroying it.

"Xenovia?" (Y/N) questioned weakly.

"We've got your back. I think we can buy you a little time!" She declared.

"Akeno! Asia! Just focus on healing any of the severe wounds!" Kiba advised before taking off with Xenovia.

"(Y/N)!!" Asia called as she ran to his side.

"Just sit tight for a second." Advised Akeno, kneeing down to her junior's side. "Is it just the big one?"

"Y-Yeah. Hurry! Please!" (Y/N) pleaded.

The girls immediately began healing the hole in his shoulder, transferring some of their magical energy while doing so.

The two Holy Sword rushed at the fallen angel, swinging at him as hard as they could, only to each be blocked by his own swords, holding them in place in struggle.

"Oh!" Kokabiel smiled excitedly. "What's more fun than Holy Sword and Holy Devil Sword at the same time?"

"This." Koneko descended on Kokabiel.

However, he unfurled his remaining wings and smacked the sword-wielders away while using his remaining darkness to create tendrils and uppercut Koneko, ripping her clothes and injuring her severely.

With all three of his attackers flying, Kokabiel just laughs at their futile attacks as he watched them struggle to stand again.

"Koneko!" Issei cried, running to the Rook's aide. Grabbing her and getting back to Asia and Akeno, who were still healing (Y/N).

"Come on! Come on! Come on!" (Y/N) said eagerly.

"Almost done!" Informed Asia.

Kokabiel smirked, crossing his swords of light and sending another cross-shaped attack at the devils. 

The two defended against the attack but were blown back from the sheer power and their own exhaustion.

(Y/N) summoned a barrier to shield the others from any remaining damage.

"I'm really starting to hate this prick!" Issei fumed. "You guys okay?"

"I'm fine." Asia informed.

"Same here. How's Koneko?" Akeno asked.

"She seems dazed, but she's breathing." He informed. "You good, man?" Issei asked his friend.

"I can't afford to use any more magic. Not yet. If I do, my plan won't work. How're Kiba and Xenovia holding up?" He questioned, concerned for his allies and eager to rejoin the fight.

"We're not done yet!" Xenovia declared, clearly exhausted. She panted heavily, gripping her sword's hilt to remain standing.

"Still wanting more, huh? Well, hop to it already!" Kokabeil taunted.

Kiba glared at the Fallen Angel General, gripping his Holy Devil Sword fore slowly rising back up. "SWORD BIRTH!!!" He roared, summoning a ring of magic circles around Kokabiel, creating multiple Holy Devil Swords, and launched them straight at him.

Kokabiel shielded himself yet wrapping himself with his remaining wings. "Cute, but is that all you've got?" He questioned, releasing his wings and destroying the swords.

Kiba charged at Kokabiel, his sword aimed right for his chest, but was caught by the corrupted fallen angel by pinching the tip of the blade with his darkness-covered fingers.

Kiba summoning another Holy Devil Sword and swung at him from the other side, only to be caught once again the same way.

Kokabiel laughed. "Give up, yet?"

"Never!" Kiba declared, summoning another Holy Devil Sword in his mouth. Holding the blade by his teeth, he swung it across Kokabiel's revealed face.

Kokabiel screamed in agony having more of his darkness be destroyed and his face more wounded. "You cut me!" He growled. He summoning a ball of corrupted light and shot it at the Knight.

Xenovia rushed in front of the blast, blocking it with her Durandal. The sphere of light and darkness slowly pushed her back, but using all her strength, she cleaved the projectiles and dispersed them.

"Why fight so hard for a group of losers who don't even know they've lost their master?" The Fallen Angel General questioned, confusing everyone.

"What?" Baffled Xenovia.

"Mind clarifying?" Rias asked.

"Kokabiel, tell me what "lost their master" is supposed to mean!!" The confused bluenette demanded.

"Whoops. That just slipped right out." He taunted, turning away with a knowing smile.

"Answer my question now!!"

Kokabiel began to chuckle, which slowly evolved into a fit of hysterical laughter. "I guess I am trying to start a war. There's no point in hiding it any longer; I might as well tell you the brutal truth." He jerked his head back to the battlefield, looking from one fallen enemy to another, excited to see their reaction. "In the previous three-way war, God was actually killed along with the four great Devil Kings!!"

Everyone was shocked and horrified by this sudden revelation, everyone but one of the devils.

"No way. God's dead?" Xenovia shivered.

"He's what? God has been dead? How is that possible? You're lying; I've never heard anything about that!" Said Rias in shock.

"Back then, the devils lost all their Kings and most of their high-level devils. The angels and fallen angels lost almost everyone except for their leaders. Pure angels could not increase their numbers, and Purebred devils are just as rare, aren't they?" Kokabiel said mockingly

"It's not true. It can't be." Asia denied, nearing the verge of tears.

"All sides have been ruined to the point where they have to rely on humans to survive. Angels, fallen angels, devils. The leaders of the three factions had to seal away this information. That way the God-fearing humans would keep on fearing."

Asia was in a state of total shock.

Xenovia's knees eventually buckled, collapsing to the ground, unable to accept this revelation. "Lies. They're all lies. It's not true."

"Now, try to remember I couldn't care less about any of that. What drives me crazy, is that after God and those Devil Kings died, it was decided to stop the war!!" Kokabiel yelled, clearly enraged. "Why would they do something like that in the middle of winning?! How dare they try to keep me from squashing my enemies just when it was getting fun!! We would have won!! Even that bastard Azazel declared there would never be another war!! WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"God doesn't exist anymore? Then where is the love that is being given to us coming from?" Asia asked, managing to stand on her feet once again.

Kokabiel simply scoffed. "Michael has been holding his own so far. He's the one that's been keeping the angels and humans together in God's stead."

"The Archangel Michael is acting as God's agent?" Xenovia asked. "That means...all our prayers...?"

"As long as the system works, prayer and exorcisms will endure to a certain extent. I'm sure someone has been listening."

Having lost the will and strength, Asia faints but is caught by Koneko before she bit the ground. 

"Asia!" Issei called worriedly.

"It's a natural-a natural reaction." Xenovia said. "I'm surprised that I can still think right now."

Issei picked up Asia and leaned her against a tree, looking back to the fallen angel with anger.

"Well, I suppose knowing the number of believers in God has drastically dropped probably doesn't help anything, does it? But without anyone to manage the balance between good and evil, it's no wonder that something contradictory like the Holy Devil Sword would appear or the fact that someone like that boy was able to be born in the first place. Which means the war must continue! And I'll keep it going by taking your heads if I have to!!" Kokabiel declared.

Rias grew towards the verge of weeping herself, having the feeling of defeats swell inside her heart. It reminded her of her defeat against Riser, when (Y/N) was nearly killed protecting her.

Akeno turns to her friend concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Again. I let my pride get in the way. It's my fault." She shivered in despair.

Kokabiel looked up, pondering. "Huh, you know, the more I think about it, given the current state of the world, I guess not having God around hasn't really done much. I mean, it's not like he would've done anything to begin with!" He laughed, looking back to the shaken devils, only to realize one was missing. He looked around, almost panicked. "Wait. Hold on. Where-?!" A sudden sharp, burning pain erupted from his right arm. He looked and saw it flying in the air, completely cut off from his body. He screamed in agony as he gripped his severed limb, looking back to see the one responsible, gripping his Holy Sword.

"(Y/N)?!"

Kokabiel's arm fell to the ground, becoming engulfed in white, Holy fire before turning to ash.

"You-You little bastard-" Kokabiel barked but was silenced by (Y/N) punching him in the face and sending him flying across the field.

(Y/N) sprouted his wings and launched himself towards the fallen angel.

Kokabeil used his remaining darkness to create an arm to restore his lost limb. He summoned a spear of light and darkness and lunch it towards the devil.

The Azure Dragon Emperor released a heavy downward swing and destroyed the oncoming projectile and continued towards Kokabiel.

Kokabiel summoned a sword of light and darkness and clashed with the renamed Holy Sword, Oath Maker.

The two celestials' weapons clashed relentlessly, creating a dome of sparks and powerful wind around them.

"When did he-?!" Rias began to question.

"He hardly has any magical energy left! How is he still able to fight?!" Kiba questioned.

"It's his will." Akeno answered. "(Y/N) will continue to fight no matter what. Even if all his magic is exhausted, he'll rely on his inherent capabilities to keep going. He won't give up. Not while there's still something worth fighting for in his eyes."

"It seems that knowing God is dead hasn't shaken you one bit, boy." Kokabeil tried to provoke.

"It doesn't matter to me if God dead or not! I don't give a shit!!" He yelled, slamming his fist across Kokabiel's face, before continuing their clash. "He's been dead for thousands of years already! World's been spinning just fine on its own without 'em!"

Everyone was shocked by his words. Through this ideal, many began to grow resolve once again.

Rias smiled. "He's right. Even if God is gone, the world and its people are still here! We haven't lost yet. You only lose when you give up! Let's lend (Y/N) a hand guys!"

"You got it, Rias!" Everyone replied.

"(Y/N) said he has a plan and he just needs Kokabiel to be still. Once there's an opening, pin him down!!" The King ordered.

"Right!!"

Kokabiel growled as he continued to slash at the devil.

"Don't think my blinding rage will save you this time. I'm going to use every ounce of my strength to make you talk!" He roared, slamming his sword down and smashing Kokabiel's sword of light. He followed up by kneeing the fallen angel in the face and punching him back down to the ground.

Kokabiel slid through the ground before propelling himself out, only to be met with a roundhouse kick aimed for his head. Using the attack to his advantage he spun around and kicked (Y/N) on his still injured shoulder, only to be met with a brutal punch to the gut.

The two celestials continued to beat and pummel each other at incredible speeds, moving all over the track field as they brawled.

Kokabiel backed away a great distance, sending multiple spears of light at the devil, only to be cut down as he advanced with haste. He quickly and heavily his foot on the ground, creating multiple spikes of light and darkness to erupt in a wave streaming towards the young devil.

Before the ground piercing spikes made contact, Xenovia slid in front and destroyed them with a powerful swipe of her sword.

Kiba jumped before (Y/N) and deflected any incoming spears of light.

The three nodded and ran towards Kokabiel once again, cutting down any and all obstacles in their path. They all kept up and prepared to deliver their each heavy blows down onto the Fallen Angel General, but missed as he quickly shot up into the sky.

The enraged fallen angel concentrated as much corrupted light he could, using it all to encase the three sword users in a dome of spears. He threw his hands down and launched them all.

The Holy Sword users wasted no time in defending each other or themselves, deflecting each and every one of the many seemingly endless projectiles. It felt as if there were no end, yet they pressed on.

Kokabiel laughed as he watched their struggle, only to be blasted by Ruin Fire. He was then attacked by lightning from behind, breaking his concentration on the cage of light spears, freeing the devils, and sending him down to the ground.

Kiba, Xenovia, and (Y/N) we're finally freed from their exhausting imprisonment and charged at the downed fallen angel.

Kokabeil used his darkness and created a giant claw and bashed it into Xenovia, pushing her back with incredible force.

Kiba rushed ahead, swinging his Holy Devil Sword but was met by a brutal crash against his side by a spear of light. The Knight looked to his oncoming comrade, quickly releasing the hold of his weapon.

(Y/N) grabbed the Holi Devil Sword and proceeded to cut, slash, and bash away Kokabiel with unrelenting fury. He leaped up and over the fallen angel, and severed all but four of the blackened wings on his enemy's back.

Kokabiel screamed in utter agony, having lost six of his ten wings. Though Holy weapons should've had no effect on a fallen angel, because of the demon blood through his veins, he had made himself more susceptible and vulnerable to things of Holy properties. "This...This can't be happening! This can't be happening-" As he continued to deny himself, he felt himself being suddenly forced still.

He looked down and saw Xenovia and Kiba holding him down by his arms.

"Let...Let me go!!" He demanded of the two.

"Promotion..." (Y/N) leaped over Kokabiel and swung his Oath Maker down towards his face. "Bishop!!" His Holy Sword began to glow brightly, the intense magical power of Holy magic grew with each passing second. "Piercing HEAVEN!!!" He roared, unleashing a massive stream of Holy light at point-blank range.

Kiba and Xenovia lost their grip from the sheer force of (Y/N)'s attack, which blasted all the way to the nearest wall of the Perfect Dome, scattering across in multiple streams from the impact.

(Y/N) unleashed a mighty roar, putting every drop of magical energy he had into the blast, prolonging it as much as possible.

Suddenly, a burned hand grabbed (Y/N) by his head, proceeding to crush it with all its strength.

The severely wounded Kokabiel appeared from the dispersed blast with multiple scars and burns all over his body. "I've had just about enough of you!" He growled violently.

"(Y/N)!!!" Everyone cried, lunging towards the two as quickly as possible.

The fallen angel's remaining wings sprouted out, smacking away any and all who attempted to save him.

(Y/N) attempted to pash the side of his arm with great force in hopes of breaking it and freeing himself from his grip, but only pained the evil celestial. He grabbed his head and proceeded to knee him constantly until the grip around his neck tightened.

"You said you wanted answers, boy?" He asked the suffocating devil, using the tip on his wings to pierce the young devil's wrists and ankles, hanging him suspended by his wings. "I believe showing is better than telling. So how about-" His arm of darkness formed a sharp blade, aimed right at his chest. "I SHOW YOU INSTEAD!!!" He roared, plunging his hand forward.

"NO DON'T!!!" Kiba pleaded.

"DON'T DO IT!!!" Akeno begged.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!" Issei yelled.

"KOKABIEL DON'T!!!" Xenovia yelled.

"STOP IT!!!" Kokeno cried out.

"(Y/N)!!!" Rias screamed.

Kokabiel's hand was ran through the young devil's chest, bursting through to the other side with a gush of blood erupting from his mouth and chest.

"(Y/N)!!!" Everyone cried out in helpless horror.

As Kokabiel slowly retracted his hand, the blood from (Y/N) began to change color. He grabbed ahold of something inside of the young devil and yanked it out. "Here. You see this?" He asked.

(Y/N), somehow still alive, looked down in utter horror for what he was in Kokabiel's hand. His still-beating heart. However, something was off about it; it was smaller than a human heart, and was pitch black and covered in black blood, the very same black blood that continued to flow outside of his body.

"In regards to us celestials, we share some anatomical traits with humans. After all, we are all made in God's image. So we all should have one heart. However, seeing as how you're still breathing with one ripped out of your chest, and it's still beating, shows how different you are. Even with regenerative abilities, a normal devil would have perished, just like a human. And look, it's pitch black. Even after being reincarnated into a devil, neither your heart nor blood should be black." Kokabiel explained.

The Azure Dragon Emperor was utterly dumbfounded, confused, horrified, and traumatized. He was hardly able to comprehend any of this. For all he knew, his whole life was a life. 'I don't understand. Even before I was a devil...was I...was I even human?!"

Kokabiel let go of (Y/N)'s still beating, black heart, only to watch it slide back into the traumatized boy.

"If you still don't understand after seeing that..." Kokabiel released his hold of (Y/N), simply to let him fall. "Then there's truly no helping you." He said, kicking him away and sending him flying.

"(Y/N)!!!" Rias cried, flying over to him as fast as she could, catching him in her arms before landing. "(Y/N), baby, talk to me! Are you okay?!" She asked in a panic.

(Y/N) said nothing and simply stared blankly, his (E/C) eyes lifeless and devoid of any other emotions other than horrified and confused.

"(Y/N)!! Please!! Talk to me!! Say something!!" She cried, gently shaking him before breaking down in tears over seeing her love in his current state.

Akeno jerked her head to the fallen angel with utter malice. "You!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!"

"I simply illuminated something he seems to have forgotten." He said, sprouting a sickeningly pleased smile. "He can try to live like a human all he wants, but it won't change that fact that his kind are doomed to suffer for their entire lives!!" He cackled loudly. "Tragic upbringings must really run in the family! Though I'll admit, I was more than happy to kickstart the constantly spinning downward spiral of his despair, along with the many others who aided in destroying his home and everyone he loved. Only to do it, not once more, but three times in a row!!" He laughed louder, holding his head and stomach from the pain of his laughing fit. "And this'll make the fourth!" He declared, calming his laughter before glaring at the ones below him. "Now then, big brother should be arriving shortly. But how should he find you? Mangled, barely hanging on to life? Or cold and lifeless, dead on the ground?"

'I was...never human?' (Y/N) was more confused than ever before. 'But...what does that make me? What was I? Why can't I remember anything from before Kuoh?! Why does my head hurt when I try to remember?! Why won't anyone tell me?! WHAT AM I?! WHO AM I?! WHAT WAS MY LIFE BEFORE?! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY?! WHY IS THIS MY LIFE?!?!?!?!' His head started pounding, his thoughts were uncontrollable and were spreading throughout the corners of his mind. He grabbed his head, hoping the pain would stop. He glared up at the Fallen Angel General, his (E/C) eyes turned pitch black as his black mark on his head appeared and grew to a more violent shape, covering the larger majority of his forehead. 'He will talk...I will make him...I will know the truth...' He slowly rose up, his anger had reached the highest it's ever been than before in a very long time. 'You say you were responsible...?'

"(Y/N)?" Rias asked with concern.

Everyone turned and saw his body releasing small waves of pure darkness.

"I will..." He muttered, his eyes turning bright green. "MAKE YOU PAY!!!" He roared, darkness erupting everywhere around him, pushing everyone away with its unrelenting force. Through his pained cries and violent roar, he slowly changed into his True Shadow state. Yet was now more detailed with a bulkier appearance and more green marks on his body. He launched himself towards Kokabiel but was instantly blocked by a barrier.

"How pathetic. This is what you've been reduced to?" Kokabiel asked with a pleased smirk. "A mindless beast with no reason? How delightful. Toying with you again shall be the highlight of my day." He said, flicking the devil back down to the ground, sending him crashing into the school building.

He rose back out of the debris, roaring before launching towards Kokabiel again, only to be blocked and sent flying back down.

"He barely had any magical energy left! Where's all this power coming from?!"

"Oh, God!" Xenovia's eyes widened in shock. "It's his life force."

Everyone looked to the Durandal user, confused.

"He's using his life force energy in exchange for power!" She deduced.

Koneko's eyes widened in the horror of realization. "If he uses that all up then-"

"He'll die!" Akeno claimed

(Y/N) crashed into the ground again, covered in numerous blood-spewing wounds. None of them were healing. But that didn't stop him one bit. He simply roared and leaped back up towards Kokabiel, only to be blasted down again.

"(Y/N), please stop!!" Akeno begged, grabbing onto her junior to try and restrain him.

"You have to calm down! You're only hurting yourself!" Xenovia claimed, wrapping her arms around his waist to push him back.

"Come on, (Y/N)! Snap out of it!!" Kiba pleaded, grabbing him from behind.

"Come on, man! I know you're pissed, but this isn't gonna help anything!" Issei tried to reach out, grabbing his other arm.

"(Y/N), please! You have to stop! If you don't then-" Rias pleaded, grabbing (Y/N) by the head, trying to look him in the eyes, but was silenced by a malicious roar.

(Y/N) blasted everyone off him as he propelled forward again.

There was no longer any remnants of (Y/N). All that remained was a mindless beast. It's only desire to unleash its unbridled wrath upon its foe.

The beast of darkness roared violently, charging at the protective barrier around Kokabiel once again. He crashed his fist into Kokabiel's barrier, which proceeded to rip his arm apart the longer and harder he tried to push through.

Kokabiel simply looked at the violent beast of darkness, utterly unamused. "Enough." He said snapping his fingers.

Before (Y/N) could even make it halfway, his torso was run through by a large spear of light. It burned inside him, yet he ignored the pain as he tried to reach out to the fallen angel, only to be pierced by many more spears. He violently coughed out black blood, his body nearly resembling a black and green pin cushion.

"This isn't even fun anymore." Said Kokabiel, sending another giant spear of light down at (Y/N), sending him crashing into the ground.

(Y/N)'s nearly likely body simply laid in the crater, multiple spears of light through his torso.

Everyone looked at their fallen comrade. Having seen him in such a state, not once but twice, unable to help him, subdue his wrath, had led them all to lose one of their own.

Rias' looked at the impaled Pawn, tears forming in her eyes before falling down her face. "(Y/N)...NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" She wailed in misery.

Empty Void

(Y/N) laid in the deep dark abyss, his body riddled with holes. No emotion or expression on his face. "Why?" He questioned himself. Angered, he clenched his fist hard enough to where it drew blood "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ME?! WHY CAN'T I DO ANYTHING RIGHT?! FOR FUCKS SAKE, I HAVE ALL THIS POWER AND I STILL CAN'T DO JACK SHIT!!! WHY DO I HAVE TO BE SO GOD DAMN STUBBORN?!" He raged at himself. He looked at his hand, seeing the black blood coating. He growled and began digging his claw into his chest, ripping and tearing as his own body. Blood and bones erupted the deeper he dug. Though he felt no pain, he ripped out his own black heart. He curled up into a ball and simply began to cry. "I just...I just wanted to know...I don't even know what the hell I am...I don't even know what's what anymore. Who...who even am I?" He questioned, slowly falling deeper and deeper into the endless void.

Suddenly, a warm glowing light shined from behind the despairing young man, enveloping him in its living warmth.

"You are you. Nothing more. Nothing less. Hasn't she told you that?" Said a familiar voice.

(Y/N) looked behind him, seeing the woman from the Final World by his side, embracing him tightly. "You went too far again." She said.

(Y/N) said nothing and just put his head back into his huddled arms and legs. "It doesn't matter anymore. Honestly, this is for the best. I keep hurting the people I care about with my reckless actions anyways. I've been slowly killing Starvlador because I rely on my dark powers so damn much. Everyone gets upset with me because I try and do things on my own. Why the hell hasn't anyone given up on me? I'm a joke. Some freak trying to play a human. They should just let me go and move on with their lives. I've always been on my own. Ever since Kazuki and Satoko died, I've always been on my own. Never had to consider how others felt 'cause I thought they never gave a damn. I was just convenient to have around since I could do things others couldn't. Maybe...it's better this way. Maybe I should just accept my fate and just die-"

"Do you honestly believe that?" She asked. "Think back. After everything that you've been through, all the countless miserable things you've endured, have you ever once been alone?"

(Y/N) remained silent.

"You have people who you can rely on. People you can go to when you need help. People whore willing to sacrifice themselves for you-"

"They should never have to do that."

The woman was silenced by his sudden response.

"I'm not worth it."

The blonde woman was disheartened by this, growing slightly angered. "This stops right now! I don't know where you got it into your head that your life isn't worth anything, but it needs to stop! That not the man I married!!"

"Probably because I'm not. I don't even know who you are." He replied coldly.

The woman looked dejected. Looking away in shame. "I'm sorry. But I'm not allowed to say."

(Y/N) simply scoffed. "Of course not. Nobody can tell me anything."

The woman flew in front of the young man, grabbing his head by the sides, and raised him up, looking at him directly in the eyes. "Let me ask you something. Do you care about the people in your life? The people you know in the present. Do you cherish them?"

(Y/N) looked to the woman, tears still welling in his eyes. "Of course I do." He admitted. "I love the people in my life. And I...I just want them to be happy. But how can I make them happy when I o do is cause them problems?"

"You said it yourself, silly boy. You're family." She reminded, pulling the young man in close. "Family helps each other. Through thick and thin. Often, we must sacrifice ourselves for the ones we love, but we must also remember how our actions will make others feel. I know that all too well." She said. "You're not alone. You have people to depend on. People who will happily help you. It may take time, but you will have the answers you seek. But first..." She released the young man from her tender embrace, seeing him still crying. She smiled genuinely and wiped his tears away. "You must go back and protect that which you love. Your friends. Your family. Your home. Your girls?" She reminded, smirking teasingly at the last motive. "You're fight's not done. You can do it." She leaned forward, delivering a tender passionate, power-filled kiss onto (Y/N)'s lips. "I believe in you, my love."

Everyone suddenly shined brilliantly, encasing the two in a bright light as they fade away from the disappearing void.

Kuoh Academy

"Now then, since the annoying little dog is out of the way, why don't we get started?" Smiled Kokabiel.

Everyone still shaken from the loss of their most powerful friend and ally braced themselves for whatever their enemy was to throw at them.

Kokeno and Issei shielded the still unconscious Asia.

Kiba and Xenovia gripped their swords with determination and steeled resolve.

Akeno and Rias were still rather shaken, still processing that (Y/N) had perished right before their eyes, unable to do anything to help him.

"I'm eager to see what big brother's reaction will be seeing you all in a state of-"

The air suddenly went silent, a warm radiating pillar of holy light erupted from (Y/N)'s crater, releasing a powerful force of wind.

Everyone was nearly blown back from the sheer force. They looked towards the chill-inducing pillar of light and saw a figure slowly rise from within, almost as if they were straining from pain. As the figure calmed himself, the light slowly began to fade into himself. Revealing (Y/N) (L/N) alive and standing, his wounds healing from slowly dissipating white fire.

Rias and the others slowly smiled at the reveal of their suddenly revived Pawn. "(Y/N)!!" They all cried.

(Y/N), however, looked rather different. His hair was slightly spikier and more solid, with silver highlights and some loose strands, and was coated in a complex silver, purple and blue aura consisting of rippling, fire-like energy, with sparkling particles traveling upwards all around him.

"No way! Is that really him?" Issei questioned. "He's giving off chills, like the kind you get when near something Holy."

'I feel it too. But, it's not a chilling sensation. It's...warm and tingly.' Thought Xenovia, analyzing the young man's appearance. 'A devil with Holy properties? It's unheard of. Unless, he's a fallen angel like Akeno. But that doesn't seem to be the case. What in the world is he?'

"Well now, this is certainly interesting." Said Kokabiel.

(Y/N) simply jerked his head slightly back, not even gazing at the fallen angel.

"And here I thought I pierced all your hearts. Guess I missed a few. Oh well." He chuckled, simply shrugging. "If you're finally ready, why don't we start the final round?"

He slowly turned his head to the Fallen Angel General, Kokabiel. Delivering a stern and ferocious glare with his silver-colored eyes.