The clash escalated instantly.
Arthur surged forward, Boosted Gear empowering him as his Excalibur Mimic expanded into a massive meat cleaver.
He swung once, and five Bandersnatches were cleaved apart at the waist, their massive bodies collapsing in smoking halves that slammed into the wasteland.
Arthur laughed.
"That felt like cutting butter with a hot knife."
But before the dust could settle, the severed halves began to writhe.
Red cores pulsed violently as torn limbs dragged themselves across the ground, reforming torsos, shoulders, and heads where none should exist.
New Bandersnatches rose from the wreckage, identical to the originals, their numbers swelling even further.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Persistent little bastards."
Jabberwocky didn't give him time to admire the trick.
The colossal Anti-Monster lunged forward, its movements shockingly fast for something of its size.
Its palm slammed toward Arthur, fingers crackling with condensed energy.
Arthur twisted mid-air, letting the hand graze past him, then planted his foot against Jabberwocky's forearm and kicked off, flipping backward just as a concentrated laser beam tore through the space he'd occupied a second earlier.
The beam carved through the wasteland, vaporizing rock and leaving molten trenches in its wake.
Arthur whistled as he landed.
"Heavy hitter, high output, adaptive responses… Leo, you're really something today."
Above, Leonardo stood rigid atop Jabberwocky's shoulder, his jaw clenched, eyes locked onto Arthur.
He raised a hand sharply.
The Bandersnatches responded immediately.
Dozens of massive fists came down at once.
Arthur dashed forward instead of back, weaving between impacts, the ground exploding around him as each missed punch cratered the battlefield.
He ducked low, spun, and kicked a Bandersnatch square in the abdomen.
The force sent the Anti-Monster flying backward, causing it to smash into the ones behind it.
One fell, then another, then another, collapsing like dominoes until half a dozen of them were piled together in a tangled heap.
Arthur stood atop the pile for a moment, arms spread slightly.
"C'mon, Leo. Show me more. Entertain me."
From a distance, the observers could feel the shift.
Heracles had stopped cheering, his grin replaced with something sharper.
"He's not even breathing hard…"
Valerie swallowed, hugging her arms.
"They're not doing anything to him."
Lavinia narrowed her eyes.
"Leonardo's getting frustrated."
Georg watched silently as he studied the battlefield.
Leonardo felt it too.
No matter how many Bandersnatches he created, no matter how aggressively Jabberwocky attacked, Arthur remained calm, amused, and in control.
His fists clenched.
(This isn't enough... Then I'll make this last shot count.)
Leonardo thought, breathing hard.
His eyes snapped up.
(All Bandersnatch units, surround Jabberwocky.)
Leonardo commanded mentally.
The battlefield stilled.
All fifty Bandersnatches abruptly halted their assault and moved, converging around Jabberwocky in a wide circle.
The sudden pause made Arthur slow to a stop mid-air, his Holy Sword resting casually on his shoulder.
"Huh? What's this?"
Arthur tilted his head.
The spectators were just as confused.
Heracles blinked.
"Uh… did the squirt just call a timeout?"
Lavinia frowned.
"What's he doing?"
Regulus' golden eyes gleamed faintly within Heracles' mind.
(Heh. Clever boy.)
Georg's eyes widened slightly as realization struck him.
"So that's it…"
Before anyone could answer, the Bandersnatches acted.
All fifty opened fire, a continuous barrage of crimson laser beams, converging not on Arthur, but directly onto Jabberwocky.
The massive Anti-Monster roared silently as its body was torn apart by the relentless assault, chunks of armor-like flesh burning away under its own allies' fire.
Valerie gasped.
"He's attacking his own summon?!"
Heracles' eyes went wide.
"That's insane!"
Arthur stared, then slowly grinned.
"You sly dog."
Ddraig grunted in amusement.
Jabberwocky's core began to glow brighter and hotter.
Each second of damage made its presence swell, the air vibrating violently as power condensed into its chest.
Cracks spread across its body, light bleeding through them like molten veins.
Georg muttered.
"Jabberwocky grows stronger with every injury… He's force-feeding it power."
Lavinia's lips parted slightly.
"But… is it enough?"
As the light intensified, Arthur grinned as he yelled.
"Bring it on, Leonardo!"
Jabberwocky raised both arms in a T-pose.
The core flared blindingly bright.
And then it fired.
A colossal beam of annihilating light erupted from Jabberwocky's chest, engulfing Arthur.
The beam tore across the wasteland, swallowing mountains, vaporizing everything in its path.
The ground split apart under the sheer force, a massive canyon forming as the attack carved through the pocket dimension.
The light lasted several seconds.
When it finally faded, silence fell.
Smoke and dust rolled through the battlefield as Leonardo slumped forward, panting heavily.
Sweat dripped down his face as he stared at the devastation below.
"There's… There's no way… no way Arthur... came out of that... unscathed."
He gasped, barely able to stand.
"Only if the beam hits."
A voice spoke calmly behind him.
Leonardo froze.
His blood ran cold as he turned slowly.
Arthur hovered behind him, devil wings spread, not a single scorch mark on his body, his expression relaxed and almost gentle.
Leonardo's eyes widened.
"W-What…?"
Arthur floated closer, landing lightly beside the boy.
"That was clever. Really clever. Powering up Jabberwocky by attacking it with your Bandersnatches? That's the kind of thinking that wins battles."
Leonardo's shoulders slumped.
"But that trick only works if your opponent is either clueless… or is weaker than me."
Arthur continued, his tone firm now.
Leonardo's knees gave out.
He collapsed onto the surface of Jabberwocky's head, fists clenched tightly.
"My final attack failed…"
Arthur stepped forward and placed a hand on the boy's head, ruffling his grey hair gently.
"No, it worked. It's just that you have to work on your aim."
Leonardo looked up weakly, ready to speak.
"I… I give-"
His vision went black.
DxD
Leonardo stumbled forward, confused, his feet touching something cool and liquid.
As his eyes adjusted, he realized he was standing on water, its surface perfectly still, reflecting a pitch-black sky.
There was no horizon, but a peaceful, endless sea beneath his feet.
Leonardo swallowed.
"What? Where am I?"
Leo looked around the endless sea, his small boots making ripples as he shifted his weight.
He opened his mouth to call out, his voice was ready to call anyone.
"Are you lost, my child?"
The voice washed over him, warm and gentle, carrying a strange weight that made his heart skip.
Leo spun around.
Behind him stood a woman.
She had long light blue hair that flowed down her back like water, her body clad in black restraints around her arms and legs.
Large, curved horns rose from her head, and her crimson eyes glowed softly, each pupil marked with a clear X symbol that seemed to stare straight into his soul.
Leo instinctively took a step back, his body tense.
"W-Who are you?"
The woman giggled, the sound oddly comforting rather than threatening.
She leaned forward slightly.
"No need to be afraid, my child. After all… I am the one who has been with you since the beginning."
Leo froze.
His mind raced back to Arthur's lessons.
The Thirteen Longinus.
Each one housing the spirit of a powerful mythological being, which is why they could grow, evolve, and slay Gods and Satans.
His eyes widened as realization slowly crept in.
"A-Are you… the spirit inside Annihilation Maker?"
The woman tilted her head, smiling wider, almost playfully.
"You could say that."
Leo swallowed.
"Then… what's your name?"
She hummed softly, tapping her chin as if genuinely thinking about it.
"I have been called many things across the lands. A dragon goddess. A demonic calamity. A mother of monsters."
She leaned closer, her eyes softening.
"But you… You can call me Mama."
Leo blinked.
His face slowly heated up.
"M-Mama?! Why would-!"
He shook his head hard, flustered.
"N-No, wait, that's- that's not what I'm asking. Why am I even here?"
She chuckled again, clearly amused.
"Oh? I'll answer that… but only if you call me Mama."
Leo hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin line.
His embarrassment made him refuse, but curiosity and something deeper tugged at his chest.
"Fine... Why am I here… Mama?"
He muttered.
Her smile softened instantly, almost radiant.
"Good boy."
Leo looked away, embarrassed.
"You are here because I saw your battle. Through your eyes."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"You fought the host of Y Ddraig Goch. And you lost."
Leo's shoulders slumped. His fists clenched at his sides.
"I wasn't strong enough… I didn't-"
In a blink, she was in front of him.
She knelt so they were eye level, then leaned forward and gently pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Leo yelped softly and stumbled back, his face burning red.
"W-What was that for?!"
She laughed quietly.
"Because my baby boy is sad. But don't worry… This time, you are not alone anymore. Because Mama is here to help you."
Leo stared at her, conflicted.
"How… how are you going to help me?"
Her eyes gleamed with something mischievous, yet wrapped in warmth.
"That's easy. But first..."
She opened her restrained arms wide.
"Give Mama a big hug."
Leo stiffened.
"What? N-No way. Absolutely not."
She pouted exaggeratedly.
"Oh? After calling me Mama, you refuse to hug me?"
"That's not fair! You're trying to guilt-trip me on doing it."
Leo protested.
They went back and forth for a while, and with her crocodile tears, Leo grew more flustered by the second.
Eventually, with his face fully red and his resolve shattered, he groaned.
"…Fine. Just… just once."
He stepped forward and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her neck.
The moment he did, warmth flooded his body.
Leo stiffened in surprise, then slowly relaxed without meaning to.
Her scent was fragrant and gentle, protective in a way that made his chest ache.
Deep down, it felt way better than Lavinia's hugs.
She smiled, resting her chin lightly on his head.
"That's it. That's Mama's good little boy."
Leo swallowed, his voice small.
"Y-You're weird…"
She giggled.
"Now… let Mama give you a little boost against that red meanie."
She leaned down and whispered something into his ear.
DxD
Leo blinked.
He was back.
The wasteland stretched around him, fractured and scarred.
He was still kneeling, his breath heavy, his heart pounding.
In front of him stood Arthur, his Excalibur Mimic in hand, his devil wings folded, watching patiently.
Arthur tilted his head.
"You good, Leo? You just spaced out for almost thirty seconds."
Leo slowly stood up.
Something felt different.
"I…"
Leo clenched his fists.
"I'm not giving up just yet, Arthur."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering across his face.
"Oh? And what exactly gave you that idea?"
Leo took a deep breath.
"This."
He closed his eyes.
"Balance Breaker..."
He muttered.
"Annihilation Beast..."
He opened his eyes.
"Godzilla."
DxD
olleH sredaer!
yhW seod eht ydal kool ekil emmeF elataF tamaiT morf etaF?
oslA, I eriuqer erom rewoP senotS dna enieffac ot tsoob ym latnem sseworp.
knahT uoy, enoyreve, dna ees uoy retal!