"Did… did we get him?"
Reya Kusaka's voice trembled as she and the others stared at the spot where Kokabiel had vanished. Tsubaki's divine mirror had reflected his own attack back at him, amplified—surely even a fallen angel cadre couldn't walk away from that.
The smoke cleared. Kokabiel's silhouette emerged, swathed in ten blackened wings. He looked battered, his feathers scorched and ragged… but he was still standing. Not even close to defeated.
"No way…"
Hands flew to mouths. Hope crumbled into despair.
How do you beat a monster like that?
"Sacred Gears, huh? That's quite a trick. Even gave me a little scare."
Kokabiel unfurled his charred wings, his gaze turning glacial. He'd always scorned the "toys" God left behind, but even he had to admit—they could be a real pain.
"Rias Gremory. Sona Sitri. You've put on a good show, but if this is all you've got—"
He smiled, cold and wolfish.
"—then it's time to end this."
He raised his hand, energy gathering at his fingertips, ready to erase them all.
But—
"KOKABIEL!"
A voice, raw and defiant. Xenovia burst from the rubble, bloodied but unbowed.
"Tch. The holy sword user. Still alive, are you?"
Kokabiel's eyes narrowed. He flicked his wrist, redirecting the deadly energy blast toward her.
Slash—BOOM!
Xenovia met the attack head-on. With a furious cry, she swung her sword—Durandal—and the blast exploded in a shower of light.
"Durandal!"
Face twisted with pain and rage, Xenovia charged, pouring every last ounce of strength into the holy blade.
CLANG!
Kokabiel conjured a sword of light, blocking her strike. The force drove him back, the ground beneath his feet fracturing. He scowled, then lashed out with a savage kick, sending Xenovia flying.
"Ah—!"
She crashed into Irina, who had just staggered out of the rubble. Both girls went down in a heap.
"Ugh… Xenovia, you're going to be the death of me…"
"Cough… Sorry, Irina…"
They hauled themselves up, leaning on their swords. Exhausted, battered, but their eyes still burned with stubborn resolve.
"Still fighting, even after losing your master? Michael and the church really did a number on you two."
Kokabiel's tone dripped with mocking amusement.
"What did you say?"
Xenovia glared, voice sharp as steel. "What do you mean, 'lost our master'?"
"Oh, did I let that slip?"
"Answer me, Kokabiel!"
She pressed him, voice rising with desperation.
Kokabiel smirked, turning away as if he'd misspoken.
Then he laughed—a sound too loud, too cruel.
"Hahaha… HAHAHAHA!"
"That's right! I was going to start a war anyway, so why keep hiding it?"
His eyes glittered with malice.
"You pitiful, deluded sheep. In that ancient war, your God and the four original Demon Lords died together!"
His words hit like thunder. Xenovia stared, stunned. Sona, Tsubaki, and the others looked equally shaken.
Everyone knew the original Demon Lords had died. But God, too?
"You're lying!"
Xenovia's voice broke, raw and furious. She refused to believe it. The great and almighty Lord couldn't possibly be dead. She wouldn't—couldn't—accept it.
"In that war, the devils lost their Demon Lords and most of their high-class kin. Angels and fallen angels lost nearly everyone but their cadres. Pure-blooded angels can never increase again. Pure-blooded devils are almost extinct. Every side fell so low, they had to rely on humans just to survive."
"The leaders of angels, fallen angels, and devils sealed this truth to keep humanity's faith alive."
"Poor holy sword users. You worship a corpse. Isn't that deliciously ironic?"
He laughed again, savoring the moment. The idea of revealing God's death to the world—watching the faithful break—was almost too tempting. After the second war, he'd make sure everyone knew.
"You're lying… you're lying… The Lord still grants us blessings, still listens to our prayers…"
Xenovia's voice was barely a whisper, her faith fraying. But she clung to hope—surely, if the Lord still answered, He must be alive.
"That's just Michael, running the show in God's place."
"God may be dead, but the [System] He left behind still works. Pray, and you'll get blessings. It even helps with exorcisms. But you're the only one here who didn't know. Rias Gremory and your friend? Not surprised at all."
Kokabiel's sneer grew sharper.
"Irina… you knew?"
Xenovia turned, searching Irina's face for denial—for comfort.
Irina's expression was pained, but she nodded. Remembering Tenra's instructions, she chose honesty over mercy.
"Yes, Xenovia. Our Lord died long ago."
Xenovia's legs gave out. She looked to Rias, who nodded, solemn and silent.
"The Lord is dead… The Lord is dead…"
Her lips moved soundlessly, then—suddenly—she coughed up blood.
Her body was already battered. Now, her spirit and faith shattered, even Xenovia couldn't hold on. She collapsed.
"Xenovia! Xenovia!"
Tenra flashed to her side, catching her before she hit the ground. Irina rushed over, panic in her voice.
"Don't worry. She just fainted from the shock. She'll recover."
Tenra gave Irina a reassuring look, then gently brushed the unconscious girl's cheek.
His gaze shifted to Kokabiel, a strange smile at his lips.
"Kokabiel, thanks for telling Xenovia the truth about God's death…"
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