Chapter VIII

"Woah, can you feel that?" Yuuto asked as he looked at Koneko. "Yeah" Koneko confirms as she looks around with glowing glaring eyes. "There must be a lot of priests in there, or some kinda foreign threat." He clenches his fists as he harnesses his power. His eyes turn green as they grow in size. Everyone looks at Issei, concerned for their own safety as they feel the presence of a demon growing around them.

"Hang on Asia…"

We're coming.

"Ha ha, glad we're on the same page Issei" Yuuto adds as he draws a blade. "I wish Jesus would take me in, because if you wanna know something I hate more than anything in this universe. It's them….Those fallen freaks." Keneko kicks down the doors as Issei's eyes act as flashlights. He looks around as Yuuto aims the edge of his blade around and Koneko gets into a constant fighting stance. The three hear clapping as a priest walks out from the back of the empty church.

"Looks like they took a hold on this abandoned church." Yuuto says as he is among the first to enter. "Looks like this is their territory now" Issei adds. "Why would God's empire leave this colony sight? They're strong so why abandon bases like this?" Yuuto asks as suddenly a faint clapping noise could be heard from a distance.

Clap, clap, clap!

"Well well well it's you guys. You just had to come back and rub it in." The three all look at the priest tensely. "If there's one thing I won't stand for it's being mocked by a bunch of devils in the house of God!" Issei feels himself roaring with laughter as he draws more power. "What?" The priest asks rather insulted. "How ironic" Issei says as he grits his teeth and pulls out his weapons. "LET'S FINISH THIS THEN!" The priest roars as he then flips his gun and licks it. "The idea of tearing apart your flesh and eating it makes my mouth water!" Issei shivers as he charges up a laser.

"Where's Asia?! TELL ME NOW!" Issei roars as he charges straight into battle. "Oh right I forgot you came for that devil loving dirty whore. She's down in the basement under the altar we're on! But don't think I'll let you down there!" Yuuto starts to swing his sword around as he pulls his hand behind his head, pointing the blade right at the priest. "Sacred GEAR!" Issei yelled as his gauntlet appears over his arm. Koneke rips apart a bench and throws it at the priest while the priest slashes it in half before it can crush him. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I pride myself in taking on a devil only once! You'll go down as legends!" Issei smirks a little. "Yeah long after you're dead!" Koneko suddenly appears behind the priest. "Suck it." She says as she throws some more benches at the priest. He fires back his pistol as he dodges each throw, causing a whole fire fight to break out in the church. "Koneko! We'll need some for cover until he spends all his ammo!" Koneko nods. "Alright he has the advantage with his gun. We won't be able to throw all the benches at him, overwhelming him without the risk of one of us getting shot. However this isn't too big a deal." Issei thought to himself. Suddenly Yuuto leaps up to the roof and lands back down, slashing at the priest. The two duel with their swords as Yuuto dodges his bullets.

"If I can empty his magazine he'll lose that advantage!" The two get into a stalemate as their swords push energy into each other. "You're quick. I can assume you're the Bible Mercenaries that work for the fallen angels? Whatever those guys are called!" The priest confirms Yuuto's suspicions with a smile as their swords lock. "Yeah. Why do you suddenly care about the church of Satan now?" He asks rather sarcastically. "Of course not, just wanted to know. You're good at this." Yuuto says rather flattering. "You're also not bad. Just makes me wanna kill you even more!"

Suddenly he pulls out a gun and fires at Yuuto. Yuuto dodges by doing a backflip, kicking the man's chin and causing him to fall back. As he's in the air he fires some rounds at Issei. Issei however shoots a shot at the priest but misses. The priest fires three rounds at Issei but Issei is tackled to the ground by Kenoko as she saves his life.

"Thanks!" Yuuto yells. "No problem." Koneko exclaims with a very blunt expression of tone. "Alright if you wanna get serious…." His blade turns into a dark like saber while the priests had remain blue. "I can get plenty of serious." Koneko replies back to Yuuto.

The priest crackles with laughter as he sticks out his tongue, all while the two rush at each other to continue the duel. As Yuuto and his blade clash he sees his blade fade.

"What?! A DARK BLADE! Shit it'll consume all the light from the hilt!" The priest thought. "AGAIN!" Issei roars as he leaps up into the air and throws a laser ball at the priest. He pulls out his gun firing back.

Meanwhile outside on the church grounds. Rias and Akeno stood in front of three Fallen ones with their wings out. "Now why would God let his son pull out troops from here. No way you guys could have taken them out, this is God. What he says goes. The fact we're even in a war right now is impossible, what's going on here?" Rias asks.

"Oh who cares, it's ours now. Maybe they're seeing how useful we are." Millet, the blond fallen angel responded. "Psh you're done for. You followed Lucifer and you suddenly realized how bad that was. At least recognize that you messed up." Rias says with a smile. "I'm not the one who messed up!" Millet screams. Suddenly a portal opens behind Rias and Akeno. Revealing the other two fallen ones. "Good work Milliet" Kalawarna says. "Shoulda kept your servant in check lady Gremory. Too bad we had to meet again." Dohnaseek says with a saddened sorrowful look. The two fallen angels stand side by side as they join Millet in a tree.

"Well well the gang's all here." Rias says sarcastically. "Are we supposed to be scared?" She asked.

Meanwhile Issei's screams could be heard from the church as he slammed his fist into the ground, breaking the floorboards. "What the?" The priest asks as Issei lunges at the priest. His bullets are blocked by tiny pentagrams. "Yup I'm fucked." Issei suddenly basts the power of the sun from his eyes as he unleashes every ounce of built up tension within his body. "I'M GONNA MAKE SURE YOU REGRET EVER BECOMING A PRIEST YOU DAM HERETIC!" He then slams his fist into the man's face, breaking his jaw and all his teeth. He then slams into the broken debris Kenoko made. As he gets up he dusts himself off and looks at Issei with rage.

"YOU BASTARD!" The priest yelled as he fell to the ground. He reaches for his other sword and leaps up into the air.

"You damn devil!" As he lunges at Issei Koneko grabs a bench and throws it at the man, sending him flying into the wall from the hard projectile. He then jumps back as Yuuto almost slashes at him with his blade. He leaps onto a couple more pillars before looking down on the three "devils". "You may have won the battle but not the war! I'll be back one day!" He throws several gas bombs and flash bangs, stunning them as he leaps away. However Issei forms an iron suit that allows him to breathe and see through the mixture. The priest notices this and decides not to try and attack Koneko or Yuuto. As the smoke clears the three all look around for the priest. "Dammit he got away!" Issei yells. Meanwhile The Priest runs in the woods with around twelve more, all of them wearing grey priest attire and holding guns. "Alright. It looks like they've taken a hold on this place. Tonight we launch our attacks on the Church of Satan. That way all of our forces will be busy." The head priest says to the rest of the group.

"You heard the man, let's move let's move!"

Meanwhile inside the church, Koneko clears some rubble, revealing a hidden staircase to the basement. "There she is. Come on!" Issei roared.

Meanwhile Rias and Akeno powered up as the three fallen angels surrounded them. "It seems very clear to us that you're just trying to obstruct our ritual. And we're not gonna buy any bull crap or allow it." Dohnaseek says. "You'll pay for this with your lives!" Karlawaner adds. The two suddenly grow wings and fly off, leaving feathers behind. "Oh no you don't!" Akeno says says with a sweet smile on her face. She then suddenly finds herself turning into her worrier form as she elevates into the air. Electricity strikes her as she emits large amounts of energy all around her.

She then giggles as she stares her opponents down. "No fair I wasn't told we could wear costumes to this fight!" Akeno chuckles. "Oh I thought you were wearing one already so I brought mine. Whoops!" She then creates a barrier around the three fallen angels as she licks her finger that sparkles electricity on it. "Being trapped in this cage gets me so hot!" Akeno yelled as the others grow more worried. "Crap! This was your plan the whole time!" Karlawaner yelled. "Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! Yup! I hope you're all into BDSM because I am!" Milliet begins to fly away disgusted as the rest get into a defensive positon. "Ewww that's so gross!" Millet yells.

"End of the line ladies and gents." Rias declares. "You won't stand a chance! Act cocky all you want because the ritual is almost done. And once it is we'll be stronger than all of Hell!" Dohnaseek proclaims. "And still not in Heaven. He he!" Rias teases, that enrages the three and causes them all to power up.

Meanwhile in the church

"Come on in devils. You're too late for the party but I can treat you well" Raynare says with a rather devilish smile. Issei looks at the cross that Raynare is standing under. He sees Asia chained to it as her powers are slowly drained from her being. A hammer and nails laid on a trey in front of Raynare. "Oh, it's you."

Issei.

"ASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh Issei. Why did you come?" Raynare asked heart broken, her face was pale and full of sadness as she created a light spear. "Good thing I held onto this squad, all the others are out attacking the churches of Satan for us." Issei freezes, horrified as he looks at Raynare like a terrorist. "But, they're not devils! They're just people!" Raynare laughs. "Anyone who supports the devils is our enemy!" She declares. "RAYNARE THEY'RE JUST LIKE US! THE REAL ENEMY ISN'T-" Raynare interrupts Issei. "What? Flesh and blood? You know Issei, sometimes innocent blood needs to be shed in order to win a war!" Asia lifts up her head as the chains on her rattle. She looks down from the cross she's hung on to see Issei with Yuuto and Koneko. "Issei?" She asks tired. "The ritual is already over. But it's okay the party isn't though." Raynare says with a grin of pride.

"Raynare I'm going to kill you! NO SPOTS LEFT ON MY ROYAL SQUAD I CAN FIND PLENTY LIKE YOU!" Raynare flies around as she smiles her pearly, all while her tears flow from her eyes like waterfalls and rivers. "My that sure hurts to hear Issei!" Issei joins her in the air as he leaps up. "DIE!" Ryanare shoots a spear at Issei. Yuuto pulls him back before it can hit the boy. Raynare then laughs as Issei stares at her with anger. "Oh you make me laugh Issei!" Issei chimes back. "You make me cry! I wish we never met!" Raynare shakes her head as she feels her heart crack. "STOP YOU'RE TRICKS WON'T WORK ON ME!"

They're trying to take whatever is making Asia able to heal.

Her sacred gear.

That's why you guys are so Hell bent on making sure this ritual is complete.

Rias says to Akeno as she looks at her three opponents, who laugh from the treeline as they look down on the two devils. "Wait, what is that gonna do to her?" Issei asks as he too comes to this conclusion.

"You guys realize that taking that away from her will take her life?"

Asia screams bloody murder as she feels her soul ripped out of her body. The dreaded pain that she felt on that cross made even Kenoko crack through her emotions.

"ASIA NOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Oh God just kill me!" Asia yelled out in pain as her chain chokes her. Tears stream from her eyes as she feels every cell in her body shake and burst one by one. Her soul is on fire as it's raised into the next life.

"OH GOD MAKE IT STOP!"

Issei panics as he looks around for an instant solution.

"HANG ON ASIA I'M COMING!"

Asia lets out her last breath before her head falls down towards the ground, rattling her chains. She hung on the cross as Raynare collected her sacred gear. A small green orb with two crystals floating inside it.

"At last. We'll stand a fighting chance now!" Issei looks at Raynare horrified. "You, killed her." Raynare turns around and sees Issei shedding some tears. "Issei?" Raynare asks. "You, you really just killed her?" His eyes glint an angry green as Kenoko and Yuuto ready themselves for combat. "You've done it now." Raynare begins to sob as she looks down at Issei. "No Issei! WAIT! I've been lusting for this power for years! It's finally in my hands! We can share it together!" Issei grits his teeth. "AFTER WHAT YOU DID YOU THINK I CAN TRUST YOU?! In this world I can't even trust the woman who saved me, and you want me to trust the one who killed me?" Raynare pauses. "Issei! Just listen-" Issei shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. I have my plans set in motion. In fact every second you're allowed to live I'm wasting time not being King." Raynare sheds tears as she inserts the two small green hearts into herself.

"THEN LEAVE YOU DEVIL! I'll be the most beloved Fallen Angel there is! I'll make those pricks who screwed me over regret it!" Issei narrows in on Raynare. "I'll make you regret screwing me over!" As he charges at Raynare all the priests pull out their weapons and fire at the devils. As the bullets are about to pierce Yuuto and Koneko, Issei creates a barrier from the energy from his gauntlet. He coughs up blood as the bullets bounce off the shield. However before they can hit the priests they melt mid air. Koneko and Yuuto rush towards the group as Issei takes one by one down with all he knows about fighting. Beating them into the ground as he uses their own swords and pistols against them. Koneko does the same as Yuuto duels each one. A path is cleared for Issei, he rushes up and sees Raynare just standing there as he slowly walks up to Asia's corpse still on the cross. "You know I was gonna hammer her in with these, but I thought about you and decided not to." Issei smiles as he looks at Raynare with murderous intent. "And you think that's considerate?" Raynare smiles faintly. "Look, you can have her now."

She snaps her fingers, causing the chains to unbind themselves to Asia and let her fall to the ground. "I got you!" Issei yelled as he catches her. The battle between the priests below rages on. "You monster. I'm gonna kill you."

No.

"You snapped just like I did when I slayed that demon." Issei states. "Oh that was you? You did the world a huge solid, I hope you know that." Raynare states. "I do. And you know what?" He then creates his gauntlet and looks Raynare in the eyes. "I'm gonna do it another one. I don't just wanna become the Harem King and rule the universe. No, I'll do that afterwards. Before I relax I'm gonna do the universe more solid. I'm gonna slay every last mythical beast I dislike. Devils and Fallen angels, Titans and other gods. I'm gonna rule all of existance with an iron fist." Raynare bursts out into laughter.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Oh you're such a child. I like that about you Issei." Issei slams his foot into the ground. "I'm serious." He then looks at Asia as she breaths faintly. "I can't believe I actually wanted to be with you. I can't believe I actually liked you!!!!! " Raynare then creates a voice that reminds Issei of her more human self. "Oh my you're so used to saying that. I swear if you keep going I might start to actually hate you. I mean you're really milking that insult." Raynare adds. "It's not an insult to me anymore. It's just a fact." Issei states.

He then grabs her neck and raises her off the ground. "You killed Asia. Over power? You think that you can get away from me after doing that to someone like her! YOU WORTHLESS WHORE! DO YOU THINK I'M THE HERO WHO GOT PLAYED?!"

He then takes his gauntlet and pulls Raynare's stolen healing powers out of her.

"AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

"Man you guys are dumb. I bet the shield is draining." Millet yells as she stares down Rias."Who's idea was this?" Karlawaner asks. "Whoever it was, it's a bad one. Not thought out well enough" Dohnaseek taunts. "Tell you what if you let us go we'll let you leave." HA NOPE sorry better get comfy!" Rias says as she and Akeno just smile as they look up at them. "I bet that stupid pawn is already dead!"

Rias smiles as her red golden eyes begin to simmer. "I wouldn't underestimate him. He's quite the trooper compared to you three. In fact he's the most powerful pawn I've ever seen. Issei keeps choking out Raynare as he holds Asia with his other arm. Suddenly he sees Raynare grow fangs and kick him off the giant altar they stood on. As he falls he holds Asia in his arms and lands on the ground. He then looks back up at Raynare and stares her down as he holds Asia in his arms.

"I may be a devil, but you're evil." Raynare laughs. "Says the boy who wanted every bitch in this universe on his lap." Issei sighs as he looks back at Raynare. "Desperate creatures."

"Ah yes a class act gentleman" Raynare scoffs. Issei then grits his teeth and runs with Asia in his arms. "You'll be fine Asia. I won't ever let her hurt you again!" As he runs Yuuto and Kenoko fight off the last of the priests before facing off against Raynare. As the two walk over to her Raynare creates a spear of light. "Guys?" Issei asks. "GO ISSEI! WE GOT THIS!" Yuuto roars.

"But-"

"ISSEI JUST GO! WE'LL BE FINE WE PROMISE!" Yuuto insists. "Just run already." Koneko adds as Issei hesitates. "But-" "Standing there won't help anyone!" Issei begins to stand still. "Yeah, you're right!" He finds himself tearing up as he dashes through the doors. "You two! You've earned my trust! THANK YOU!" He keeps running down the hallway as Asia slowly falls asleep in his arms. "When this is all over I'll use my strength to save you all, you hear me?!"

"This war will end with a snap of my fingers!"

"And every time I snap those fingers, I'll remember you Raynare, and how you ruined my life! The blood of trillions will be on you! YOU HEAR ME?! YOU MADE ME A MONSTER!"

Meanwhile outside the church.

"A pawn? Aren't those the weak things in chess? No wait, you name your servants after chess pieces?" Millet asks. Rias nods her head as she stares dead into Milliet's soul. "How sad" She responds. "Aren't pawns the sacrificial piece?" Karlawaner asks. "Oh we don't sacrifice anyone here. We're family no matter how bitter we are to each other. That's what family means. Even so they're called pawns because they can copy the ability of their teammates and use that energy for their own." Akeno reveals. "Psh. I'll believe it when I see it." Milliet adds.

Back in the church, Issei puts Asia down on the church floor where they fought the head priest. "Hey stay strong for me we're almost out of here!" He holds her hand as she looks up at him in her nightgown. "I know it hasn't been too long, but..... I'm so blessed to have met a friend like you." Asia says softly. "Stop it, we're gonna be friends for a lot longer than that!" Issei insists as Asia looks up at him with gentle eyes as she puts on a smile. "When we're done I'll go teach you how to do some karaoke or bowl. Come on, you can't give up now!" He then drops a tear on her hand as he holds it with both of his. That tear would be one of many as he looks at her with denial of her dying. "We're gonna go on many adventures. Climb mountains and explore the depths of the ocean. We're gonna have so much fun! What shall we do tomorrow?" Asia looks at Issei and puts her hand on his face, wiping some of the tears away as she smiles brighter than the sun. "It would have been more fun, growing up in this country, going to your school. Life I mean." Asia says as her voice grows ever faintly. "You still can!" Asia chuckles. "I'm sorry for all of this. I didn't mean to make you cry Issei. Thank you..."

Goodbye.

"No, no, why did you have to die! GOD WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?! SHE WAS A HEALER SHE COULD HAVE HELPED PEOPLE! I SHOULDA BEEN THE ONE TO DIE! I WANTED TO DIE! ALL SHE WANTED WAS A FUN LIFE! I SHOULDA BEEN THE ONE TO DIE ON THAT CROSS!"

Issei screams sobbing as he holds Asia's body.

"You had a purpose for her! So give her back damn you! Give her back and take me instead I'm more deserving! Dammit why does it feel like you're punishing her! Am I really a devil now?! ARE YOU PUNISHING HER FOR MAKING FRIENDS WITH A DEVIL?! I'M SORRY OKAY?! I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING!"

Issei hears Raynare crackling with laughter as she walks over to Issei. He looks around angrily as Raynare sat right next to him. "A devil asking for forgiveness in church? Oh what insidious sickening irony to behold."

Issei looks at the Fallen Angel smiling at him. "You're friends down there were really hard to fight off. I almost lost." Yuuto coughs on the ground as Koneko helps him up. "Thanks. We should get out of here." Yuuto insists. "No. We need to rest for a little bit or we'll be caught out there weak and weary." Yuuto smiles. "Right."

"Issei, take care of yourself." He thought.

Meanwhile outside the church Akeno jumps away from a light spear thrown by one of the three fallen angels. "It doesn't matter how strong your pawn is. He doesn't stand a chance against Lady Raynare!" Dohnaseek chants while creating another light spear. "Then why are you so defensive about it? Clearly your confidence is lacking!" Dohnaseek takes offense as he yells "SHUT UP!"

"Yeah come on there's no way he'll beat her. Even if he's stronger, which he isn't, he's too heart broken. She was his ex-girlfriend and literally broke his heart!" Milliet yells as she flies around Rias's barrier. She laughs sinisterly as Rias gives the three a death glare. She feels her own heart rage as Issei's anger towards her fuels her wrath against her enemies.

"You four, all ruined my prince. He hates me now, and it's your fault. I hate you all!" Dohnaseek laughs "Now stop Mitellit, you're evil!" "What a joke!" Karlawaner adds as all three take flight. Suddenly the three all fire their spears at Rias and Akeno. As the three spears all combine into one giant harpoon Rias finds a hidden strength and deflects them all. "You three!" They all look at her with fear as Rias's hair flies around like a cape. "You're all the reason why my love is angry. I'll see you in Hell!" Akeno laughs as Rias summons an orb of red and black colored energy that shines as brightly as the sun. "Whoopsy on you! He he he!" Akeno snickers as she watches her master unleash the power of the red star upon her enemies.

"Now die!"

To be Continued......