Arthur's Awakening

The inside of the closet rattled faintly with each explosion from outside, muffled by the scripture-lined walls but still powerful enough to make the floorboards tremble.

Smoke crept through the cracks, and the heat pressed in around Arthur like a tightening grip. His breath was heavy, his body sluggish, but his mind raced.

He pressed weakly against the wooden door.

It was locked, his mother had made sure of it for his safety.

But all he could think about was her.

(That explosion messed her up… she can't hold on her own…)

"Mom…"

He whispered, his voice hoarse and trembling.

He felt powerless.

A useless spectator while the only person who ever loved him fought alone, injured and surrounded.

He clenched his fists, ignoring the sting in his bones.

(There had to be a way... Anything...)

He slammed his fist on the door and gritted his teeth.

He paused.

There was something he could try.

He shut his eyes tight, forcing his breath to steady, focusing everything he had left on the one presence that always answered him in his lowest moments.

(Ddraig… please…)

The world around him began to fade away.

And then he found himself back within Ddraig's inner world.

The endless red skies stretched above him.

The barren field of stone and scorched earth beneath his feet cracked as he stumbled forward, calling out with desperation.

"DDRAIG!!"

His voice echoed across the crimson horizon.

There was a moment of silence, then a powerful gust of wind stirred the air.

From the far end of the plane, the massive form of Ddraig emerged from the mist, his enormous crimson body towering above, wings folded, eyes sharp as emerald.

The dragon looked down at him.

"You seem distressed, boy."

Ddraig rumbled.

Arthur was breathing hard, trembling as he looked up.

"We're under attack! My mom's out there fighting them off alone, and I-I can't do anything! I'm too weak! I can't summon my Longinus! I can't use Dad's powers yet! I don't even have a sword! I don't know what to do!!"

Ddraig lowered his head slightly, examining him with a curious gaze.

"I see…"

The dragon mused.

"So… what is it that you want from me?"

Arthur clenched his fists.

"Anything! Anything that can help me save her! Please, Ddraig, I need your help!"

There was a long silence.

Ddraig tilted his head and asked quietly.

"Tell me, Arthur. Have you ever wondered why my legend is tied to King Arthur?"

Arthur blinked in confusion.

"What? Why are you asking that now?! I don't have time for stories!"

"I'm getting there. You see, long ago, King Uther begged for my audience. In exchange for gold and treasures, he asked me to bless his newborn son."

Ddraig replied calmly.

Arthur stared in stunned silence.

"I agreed. And so I used Transfer to give the child my power. I removed his human heart and replaced it with my Dragon Heart."

Arthur's eyes widened.

"A Dragon Heart?"

"Indeed."

Ddraig said.

"My heart granted the young king incredible strength. Enhanced senses. A body beyond mortal limits. It was one of the reasons he could become a legendary figure."

Arthur stepped forward, desperate.

"Then can you do that to me?! Can you give me that kind of strength?!"

Ddraig closed his eyes.

"I can. But listen closely, Arthur. If I do this… there is no going back. The process will be mind-breaking. Agonizing. King Arthur had Merlin with the pain and the voices. You have no such help."

Arthur didn't flinch.

"I don't care!"

He said immediately.

"If it means I can protect her, if it means I can save my mom, then I'll take it. No matter what it costs."

Ddraig opened one eye and gave a low hum of approval.

"…You are truly Arthur's descendant."

He raised one massive claw, the sharp talon glowing faintly with power.

"But understand this, if your body and mind fail you during this, if you succumb to the madness… you will die."

The claw plunged toward him.

The tip of Ddraig's claw stopped just above Arthur's chest.

"Transfer!"

A blinding light erupted as the power surged into Arthur's body.

He screamed.

He collapsed to his knees as a burning pain tore through his chest.

It felt like fire crawling inside his veins, like molten metal replacing his blood.

His heart throbbed and cracked, a soundless scream of agony echoing through his soul.

Countless voices whispered and screamed inside his mind.

Memories that weren't his.

Emotions too vast and ancient to understand.

He writhed on the floor of the inner world, clawing at his chest as crimson scales flickered across his skin and vanished.

"FOCUS, ARTHUR! FOCUS ON WHAT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR OR YOU WILL BE LOST! FOCUS ON THE ONE THING THAT KEPT YOU SANE!"

Ddraig's voice boomed. 

Arthur could barely hear him.

The pain was too great.

The storm inside his mind too chaotic.

He felt himself slipping. Falling.

Then...

An image flash.

His mother's smile.

Her hand brushing through his hair.

Her whisper as she kissed his forehead everytime he goes to bed.

"I love you, Arthur."

Tears streamed down his face.

(I'm not gonna die here… I will save her… I will save her!)

He forced his limbs to move.

He pushed himself upright.

He let out a roar of defiance, pain, and determination.

His body trembled.

His eyes glowed.

A burning symbol flared to life on his chest.

A crimson pillar of light exploded upward, piercing the red skies of Ddraig's world.

The pain didn't vanish, but it was no longer stronger than his will.

Ddraig watched from the sidelines, unmoving.

His great eyes blinked slowly as the boy stood tall in the center of the storm.

"He survived it on his own."

The dragon murmured.

A proud grin crept across the Heavenly Dragon's face.

"Well done, Arthur."

He chuckled.

"Now give those bastards hell."

DxD

The closet door exploded outward in a blast.

Arthur stepped out, smoke curling from his body as a red aura shimmered around him.

His eyes, once warm and gentle, now glowed with an intensity that was not his before.

He looked down at his hands, pulsing with energy.

He could feel it.

His heart is no longer human.

It beat with power and heat, like an engine.

Every breath he took was filled with strength.

Every movement felt fluid, enhanced.

The flames licking through the hallway didn't harm him as they left like a cozy blanket.

Then footsteps were heard.

From the corner of the hall, two cloaked figures skidded into view. One pointed.

"There he is! The halfbreed!"

The first one lunged, a curved blade in hand.

He swung without hesitation, blade arcing toward Arthur's chest.

But Arthur didn't even flinch.

With effortless motion, he stepped to the side, reached up, and drove his fist upward into the attacker's jaw.

*CRACK*

The cloaked figure's body lifted off the ground, crumpling into the far wall with a dull thud, unconscious before he hit the floor.

The second figure backed away and hastily formed a magic circle.

"You little-!"

Arthur didn't let him finish.

He shot forward in a blur.

The attacker had just begun to mutter a spell when Arthur's palm slammed over his face.

With a guttural yell, Arthur lifted him off his feet and drove him into the wooden floor hard enough to shatter it.

The magic circle fizzled.

Arthur stood tall, the red aura still flaring, his breath steady.

Then he turned toward the front of the house.

Toward the screams, where he knew she would be fighting.

"Mom…"

Without another thought, he sprinted through the hallway.

The heat intensified, fire spreading everywhere, but it didn't faze him.

The floorboards cracked beneath his steps, debris falling from the ceiling.

He smashed through furniture, over broken walls and collapsed beams.

Until finally, he burst through the front door.

The flames behind him roared as the house continued to collapse, but none of that mattered now.

He had made it.

He was outside.

"Mom! I-!"

His voice died in his throat.

His feet froze.

His eyes widened, unblinking.

Time slowed.

Just beyond the front yard, amidst scorched grass and the bloody remains of battle, he saw her.

His mother.

On her knees, bloodied and trembling.

Standing over her, gripping the hilt of Excalibur Ruler, its blade buried deep in her chest.

Euclid Lucifuge.

Arthur's breath hitched.

"M… Mom…?"

Her eyes locked with his.

They were wide, shimmering with tears and full of sorrow.

Euclid looked over his shoulder, saw Arthur, and a cold, vile smirk emerged.

Without a word, Euclid twisted the sword in her chest.

Artoria gasped, a choked cry of pain spilling from her lips.

Blood gushed from her mouth as her body arched.

And then Euclid let go.

The sword remained lodged in her.

Her body fell.

"NO!!!"

Arthur's scream tore through the air as he stumbled forward.

He dropped to his knees beside her, pulling her into his arms, cradling her trembling body.

Blood coated his hands, her clothes, everything.

He could barely hear Euclid behind him giving an order.

"Let him be. Let him mourn."

Arthur didn't care.

He didn't even hear it.

He was too busy stopping the bleeding.

"Mom… please-no, no, no, no-stay with me! Just hold on, okay?! I-I'll stop the bleeding-just don't move, I can fix this!"

Her trembling hand rose, blood trailing from her fingertips, and softly touched his cheek.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"A… Arthur…"

"Don't talk! Just stay awake. I'll fix this—I'll—!"

He sobbed, clutching her closer. 

But her smile, even now, was so gentle.

Her fingers traced his cheek, leaving behind crimson smears.

"There's… so much… I wanted to see…"

She murmured, her eyes glassy.

Your first love… your first mission… the man… you'll become…"

"Stop it, please..."

Arthur begged, pressing her hand to his face.

"You're gonna be there. I need you there. I need you."

She coughed hard, more blood trailing from the corner of her lips.

Her voice shook.

"You remember… your promise…?"

Arthur bit his lip, nodding violently, tears streaming down his face.

"Yes, I remember! I do it! I'll live! I'll keep going, I swear, but please don't leave me!"

She smiled.

"I love you… Arthur…"

Her eyes dimmed.

Her hand slipped from his face and fell limp.

Her chest stopped rising.

And just like that...

She was gone.

Arthur didn't move.

Didn't speak.

Didn't breathe.

He held her close, rocking slightly as he trembled.

"No… no, no… please wake up… please…"

He shook her softly, then harder.

But she didn't respond.

His cries came next, silent, yet soul-wrenching.

He buried his face into her shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably, calling her name.

And behind him, Euclid chuckled.

"What a tragic little picture."

Arthur didn't respond.

His body trembled, his aura flickering.

Euclid slowly approached, summoning a simple revolver in his hand.

"I must say, this was rather amusing. Seeing you cry like a whelp over some bitch's corpse… it almost brings a tear to my eye."

Euclid said, calm and mocking. 

Arthur remained silent, still holding Artoria's body.

Euclid leveled the gun at Arthur's back.

"But it's not my fault. If you wanna blame someone, blame your deadbeat father, Sirzechs."

His smile twisted cruelly.

"If your father hadn't antagonized my master… if he never met her… if you were never born… she might still be alive."

The hammer clicked into place.

"Remember that in the next life, halfbreed."

Arthur's aura flickered once more.

The air grew heavy.

Euclid narrowed his eyes.

"Any last words?"

He said softly.

But Arthur remained silent.

Until the aura around him began to rise.

Slowly, Steadily, Burning.

And then...

Red light surged.

The sky was burning red, clouds scorched by the fury of a broken boy.

Arthur's breath shook.

He gently lowered his mother's lifeless body onto the soft grass, brushing a strand of golden hair from her blood-stained face.

His hands trembled.

His heart beat harder.

Every second he looked at her still chest tore deeper into his soul.

Then he stood with his fists clenched so tightly his nails pierced his palms.

Blood dripped to the ground.

He gritted his teeth, eyes shadowed by sorrow and rage.

"You…"

His voice cracked.

His emerald eyes, once soft and bright, were now twisted by hatred so deep it made the very air shudder.

"YOU BASTARD!!"

A deafening roar of crimson aura exploded from his body, blasting outward like a hurricane of wrath.

Shockwaves tore through the battlefield, flinging debris, flame, and even Euclid's soldiers away like ragdolls.

The earth cracked beneath his feet.

Euclid stumbled back, shielding his face as his coat flared in the burst.

His eyes widened when he saw what stood before him.

Arthur had transformed.

Red gauntlets clad his forearms, each gauntlet bearing a shining green gem that glowed brightly, the Boosted Gear.

In his right hand, he now held an ornate sword, bathed in blood of his loved one, the Excalibur Ruler.

In his left hand, a volatile orb of red and black energy swirled like a tiny collapsing star, the Power of Destruction.

Two Devil wings burst from his back, long black horns curled from his head, and a black tail emerged.

Euclid's face twisted into disbelief.

"What… what the hell?"

Arthur's eyes locked onto him.

"DIE!"

Euclid, regaining his composure, snarled and raised his hand.

"Kill him!!"

The remaining cloaked Devils charged from all sides.

But Arthur didn't hesitate.

In a red blur, he dashed forward, Excalibur Ruler slicing through the first Devil cleanly in half.

The others swarmed to block him but he tore through them like paper.

Limbs, blood, and weapons flew in every direction.

A Devil tried to fire a spell but Arthur grabbed his face and slammed him into the ground, vaporizing him into nothingness.

More came.

More died.

[Boost!] echoed from his gauntlet.

His power doubled.

Another group leapt from the rooftops.

Arthur spun and cut through them mid-air, severing wings and skulls in one breathless moment.

[Boost!]

His power surged again.

He kicked one Devil so hard their body broke every tree in a fifty-foot line.

[Boost!]

A dozen more rushed him from behind.

Arthur opened his palm, black and red energy roared out, erasing them from existence.

Nothing remained.

The battlefield was drenched in carnage.

Screams were replaced by silence.

Bodies burned as the soil was painted red.

Euclid backed away, eyes wide with a tint of fear.

He clenched his jaw and summoned a new magic circle.

He was weak and tired.

The battle with Artoria had drained him far more than he admitted.

"Stall him! Buy me time!"

The last of his loyal Devils surged toward Arthur with suicidal intent.

Arthur turned.

His breath was ragged, furious.

His vision zeroed in on Euclid, who was beginning to vanish within the circle of escape.

"YOU!"

He swung his left arm.

[Transfer!]

The multiplied Power of Destruction flooded into Excalibur Ruler.

The holy sword vibrated violently, wreathed in dark demonic light.

Arthur roared as he raised it overhead.

The Devils swarming toward him screamed in unison.

He brought the sword down.

A single, sweeping slash.

The world split.

The Devils vanished.

The ground tore open.

The surrounding trees disintegrated in a wave of red-black energy.

When the light faded, only silence remained.

No enemies.

No sound.

Just Arthur, standing in a field of smoldering ruin, panting.

His eyes darted to where Euclid had stood, only to see the space empty.

Gone.

He was gone.

"NO!"

Arthur's roar shook the skies.

The clouds churned above, lightning flashing in the distant heavens.

"EUCLID!"

He screamed until his throat gave out.

His strength faltered.

The Excalibur Ruler slipped from his hand, landing with a dull thud in the blood-soaked earth.

The Boosted Gear vanished from his arms.

His wings, tail, and horns receded.

Arthur collapsed to the ground.

He breathed in shallow gasps, barely able to stay awake.

His muscles burned.

His body gave up.

He turned his head, just enough to see her again.

His mother.

Still lying in the grass, untouched by the carnage and ruin around her.

A single tear slid down his cheek.

"Mom…"

His eyes fluttered.

And then the world went dark.

DxD

In the inner world, Ddraig watched everything unfold.

Through the connection of their bond, he had seen it all.

Arthur's transformation.

The bloodshed.

The rage.

The heartbreak.

Ddraig stood silently within his space, his massive wings folded close, his emerald eyes reflecting the final image of Arthur collapsing beside his mother's body.

He exhaled slowly, smoke curling from his nostrils.

"Hmph…"

His voice rumbled low.

"So in the end, you have failed, partner."

The great red dragon turned his gaze upward to the red sky above.

The silence stretched, broken only by the distant echoes of Arthur's final cry, still lingering in the air.

"I've seen many hosts. Hundreds. Most of them, weak. A few of them, powerful. Some pure-hearted and others mad with ambition."

He turned slowly, his tail sweeping a trench in the rocky earth.

"But none have ever lost so much this early."

He sighed again, closing his eyes briefly.

"My condolences, Arthur."

The flames shimmered, glowing softly as if mourning alongside him.

"There is no pain greater than losing a loved one… especially when you have the power and yet were too late to save them."

He lowered himself to the ground, his claws dug gently into the stone, and he rested his enormous head on his forelegs.

Then, he stared quietly at the image of Arthur's unconscious body.

The boy looked so peaceful now.

But Ddraig knew better.

He'd seen the fire in Arthur's eyes.

"That power will grow… and so will the hatred within him."

He closed his eyes, breathing steadily as a faint glow pulsed in his chest.

"Those who lose all connection to their world are free to fight against it."

The words echoed across the empty world like a prophecy.

A soft rumble of mirth escaped his throat, though it carried a heavy weight.

"I almost pity the ones foolish enough or brave enough to stand in his way."

A long breath escaped the dragon's snout.

The flames in the sky calmed.

Ddraig's massive eyelids slowly fell shut.

And in the silence, he curled his wings around himself.

"Rest, Arthur. When you rise again… the world won't know what's coming."

And with that, Ddraig fell into slumber, waiting for his partner to awaken.

DxD

Hello readers!

This one's a little longer, so please throw me your Power Stones.

Thank you everyone and see you later!