It was Tuesday, the evening sky a bruise of gray and purple. My team had tracked Freed to an abandoned church on Kuoh's northern outskirts, its steeple crumbling, stained glass shattered.
Sona's peerage-Tsubaki's tracking skill-had pinged a holy aura cloaked by Transparency. Raynare's nose for "holy stench" confirmed it, her devotion snarling: "Freed's here, with some Church scum."
Rias's intelligence from Sirzechs revealed Valper Galilei, an exiled Church scientist, aiding Freed's fusion experiments. The church was a nest of rogue priests, wielding holy daggers and light-based magic. My girlfriends and Rias's peerage would handle them; Freed and Valper were mine.
I gathered my team outside the church, rain misting, the air thick with holy rot. Rias's crimson hair glowed, her bond kissing me. "We'll clear the priests. Freed's yours-be careful."
Sona's aura was glacial, her grip firm. "Valper's experiments are dangerous. End them." Raynare's spears flared, Kalawarner's fists clenched, Mittelt's illusions shimmered-her devotion ready.
Asia stayed back with Gasper, worried. "Issei, don't die!" I hugged her, Dragon Slayer's weight hidden. Luke and Lila, on standby, texted: "We'll guard the perimeter. Call if Kokabiel shows."
The system chimed, unseen, Gamer's Mind steadying me.
Quest Update: Excalibur's Bane
Objective: Kill Freed Selzen (Level 60, stats 350, HP 35,000, MP 17,500; wielding Excalibur Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare) and secure four fragments. Eliminate Valper Galilei (Level 40, stats 100, HP 10,000, MP 5,000; abilities: Holy Constructs, Light Barriers).
Location: Abandoned church, Kuoh outskirts.
Status: Target confirmed. Engage.
I teleported inside, Excalibur Ruler glowing, silently. The church's nave was a desecrated ruin-pews shattered, altar defiled, sigils pulsing with unholy light.
Freed stood at the altar, white hair wild, eyes manic, four Excalibur fragments in hand: Mimic (shape-shifting blade), Rapidly (speed-enhancing rapier), Transparency (invisibility dagger), Nightmare (fear-inducing scimitar).
Valper, a wiry old man in tattered robes, tinkered with a glowing orb-fusion device. Observe pierced:
Name: Freed Selzen
Level: 60
HP: 35,000/35,000
MP: 17,500/17,500
Strength: 350
Endurance: 350
Agility: 350
Intelligence: 350
Luck: 350
Abilities:
Excalibur Mimic: Shape-shifts into any weapon, 800 damage.
Excalibur Rapidly: Doubles Agility (700), 600 damage.
Excalibur Transparency: Grants invisibility, bypasses detection below 300 Intelligence.
Excalibur Nightmare: Induces fear, -50 Intelligence debuff (10 seconds).
Thoughts: "The dragon boy dares challenge me? I'll carve him with holy steel!"
Name: Valper Galilei
Level: 40
HP: 10,000/10,000
MP: 5,000/5,000
Strength: 100
Endurance: 100
Agility: 100
Intelligence: 100
Luck: 100
Abilities:
Holy Constructs: Summons light-based weapons, 200 damage.
Light Barriers: Blocks 500 damage per hit.
Thoughts: "Freed's blades will birth a new Excalibur. The boy's too late."
Outside, chaos erupted-Rias's Power of Destruction blasted priests, Akeno's lightning fried, Kiba's swords danced, Koneko's fists crushed, Gasper's time-stops locked. Sona's water magic drowned, Tsubaki's mirrors reflected, Raynare's spears pierced, Kalawarner's explosions boomed, Mittelt's illusions confused. My girls had the priests handled.
Issei vs. Freed Selzen
Freed's eyes locked on me, Transparency fading, Mimic morphing into a greatsword. "Hyoudou! You're too late!" He lunged, his agility (Rapidly's boost) a blur, greatsword slashing, damage grazing my arm (HP 39,200/40,000).
I countered, Holy Command flaring, intelligence resisting, but staggering him. Divine Edge slashed, 3,200 damage (unholy bonus) carving his chest (HP 31,800/35,000).
Nightmare swung, fear aura hitting-Intelligence dropping to 350 (HP 39,100/40,000). I shook it off, Luck resisting.
He vanished, Transparency cloaking. My Intelligence pinged faint holy traces, Phoenix Force forbidden. Ruler slashed air, missing. Rapidly's rapier stabbed from nowhere, damage piercing my side (HP 38,500/40,000).
I spun, Holy Command forcing him visible-kneeling briefly. Divine Edge thrust, damage to his shoulder (HP 28,600/35,000).
Mimic became a spear, thrusting, damage to my leg (HP 37,700/40,000). I parried, my agility matching his own, Divine Edge slashing-3,200 damage to his arm (HP 25,400/35,000).
Freed roared, Nightmare's fear aura hitting again-Intelligence 300 (HP 37,600/40,000). Rapidly doubled his speed, spear flurry-three hits, 2,400 damage (HP 35,200/40,000).
I endured, holding, Holy Command staggering him. Divine Edge flurry-three slashes, 9,600 damage (HP 15,800/35,000). Transparency cloaked him, rapier stabbing my back (HP 34,600/40,000). I pivoted, Luck sensing, Ruler slashing, damage to his leg (HP 12,600/35,000).
Valper intervened, Holy Constructs summoning light daggers, damage grazing (HP 34,400/40,000). I ignored him, focusing Freed. Mimic became a hammer, smashing, damage to my chest (HP 33,600/40,000). Nightmare's fear hit-Intelligence 250.
I roared, Holy Command forcing Freed down, Divine Edge thrusting-3,200 damage to his core (HP 9,400/35,000). Rapidly's speed slashed, damage to my arm (HP 33,000/40,000). I countered, Divine Edge flurry-9,600 damage (HP 0/35,000). Freed collapsed, fragments clattering.
Valper's Light Barrier blocked my slash. He summoned daggers, damage hitting (HP 32,800/40,000). I charged, shattering the barrier, Divine Edge piercing his heart (HP 0/10,000). Valper crumpled, orb shattering. I claimed the fragments-Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare-into my inventory, plus Excalibur Blessing, a glowing hilt pulsing holy light.
Quest Complete: Excalibur's Bane
Rewards:
Excalibur Fragments (Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare) stored in inventory.
Excalibur Blessing (6th fragment, holy sword) stored in inventory.
Observe confirmed:
Items: Excalibur Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare, Blessing
Level: Transcendent
Durability: Indestructible
Effects:
Mimic: Shape-shifts into any weapon, 800 damage.
Rapidly: Doubles Agility, 600 damage.
Transparency: Grants invisibility.
Nightmare: Fear aura, -50 Intelligence debuff.
Blessing: Enhances holy magic, 500 damage.
Status: Stored in inventory.
The church shook, a dark aura descending. Kokabiel, fallen angel warlord, landed-ten wings black as night, Excalibur Destruction (stolen from Xenovia) in hand, a jagged blade radiating ruin. His voice boomed: "You've taken my blades, dragon. Give them, or burn."
Rias, Sona, and the fallen trio burst in, priests defeated, their auras flaring. Sona's stats matched mine, Rias's fierce. Raynare's spears gleamed, Kalawarner's fists ready, Mittelt's illusions swirling. Asia arrived, Boosted Gear glowing, worried. Luke and Lila teleported in, their veiled stats hiding their might.
I gripped Ruler, sword blazing, five fragments in my inventory. "Kokabiel, your war's dead. Try me."
He smirked, Destruction raised. Excalibur's light against a fallen's wrath.
_________________
The abandoned church in Kuoh's northern outskirts stood as a crumbling monument to the Excalibur arc's escalating chaos, its shattered stained glass glinting under the moon's cold light. The air was thick with holy and unholy residue, the ground scorched from my battle with Freed Selzen, his corpse now ash alongside Valper Galilei's, their deaths sealing the Excalibur's Bane quest. Four fragments-Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare-rested in my inventory, joined by Excalibur Blessing, a glowing hilt pulsing with divine promise.
Kokabiel, fallen angel warlord, loomed before us-ten black wings spread, Excalibur Destruction (stolen from Xenovia) in hand, its jagged blade radiating ruin. His aura, pulsed with menace, his voice a growl: "You've taken my blades, dragon. Give them, or burn."
Before I could respond, the Gamer System's chime rang out, a blue screen flaring in my vision, unseen by all, Gamer's Mind steadying my pulse, the soul-erasure restriction binding my tongue.
System Directive: Fallen's Wrath
Alert: Kokabiel, fallen angel warlord, escalates threat level. User's survival critical to prevent Great War ignition. Lucifer Morningstar designated as ally intervention.
New Quest: Endure the Fallen
Objective: Survive Kokabiel's assault (Level 100, stats 1500 at full power, HP 150,000, MP 75,000; wielding Excalibur Destruction) until Lucifer Morningstar intervenes. Use any abilities except Dragon Slayer.
Rewards:
Excalibur Destruction teleported from Kokabiel's hands, stored in inventory.
Failure Penalty: Death; Kokabiel claims fragments; Great War odds rise by 50%.
Time Limit: Until Lucifer's intervention (estimated 10 minutes).
Activation: Immediate engagement. [Y/N]
The stakes were apocalyptic-Kokabiel's full power at 1500 stats dwarfed mine, his HP 150,000 a mountain against my 40,000. Surviving until Luke stepped in, with Excalibur Destruction as a reward, was my only path.
Dragon Slayer's dragon-killing power was useless here, but Ruler, Phoenix, and Twilight gave me a chance to endure. My Intelligence strategized: stall, defend, leverage my team. I selected Y, gripping Ruler, Phoenix flames coiling. "Kokabiel, you want a war? Try me first."
Rias's bond flared, her Power of Destruction ready. Sona's stats shimmered, water magic swirling. Raynare's spears gleamed, Kalawarner's fists clenched, Mittelt's illusions danced.
Asia's Boosted Gear roared "BOOST!", her aura blazing. Luke and Lila stayed back, their veiled stats masking their true might, eyes watchful.
Issei vs. Kokabiel
Kokabiel smirked, his aura spiking-40% power. Observe revealed:
Name: Kokabiel, Fallen Angel Warlord
Level: 100
HP: 60,000/60,000 (40% power)
MP: 30,000/30,000 (40% power)
Strength: 600 (40% power)
Endurance: 600 (40% power)
Agility: 600 (40% power)
Intelligence: 600 (40% power)
Luck: 600 (40% power)
Abilities:
Excalibur Destruction: 1,000 damage, 10-meter ruin blast (2,000 vs. unholy).
Fallen Light: 800-damage spears, 20-meter range.
Warlord's Aura: -50 Intelligence debuff, 15-meter radius.
Thoughts: "The dragon boy dares? His fragments are mine!"
Kokabiel lunged, Destruction slashing-a 1,000-damage arc grazing my shoulder (HP 39,000/40,000). I countered, Holy Command flaring-600 Intelligence resisting. Divine Edge slashed, 3,200 damage (unholy bonus) carving his wing (HP 56,800/60,000). He roared, Fallen Light spears raining-three hitting, 2,400 damage (HP 36,600/40,000). Twilight Healing flared, restoring 40,000/40,000. Phoenix flames burst-1,200 damage scorching his chest (HP 55,600/60,000). His Warlord's Aura hit, Intelligence dropping to 350.
Rias's Power of Destruction blasted, 500 damage grazing Kokabiel (HP 55,100/60,000). Sona's water blades slashed, 800 damage cutting his arm (HP 54,300/60,000). Raynare's spears pierced (200 damage, HP 54,100/60,000), Kalawarner's fists landed (150 damage, HP 53,950/60,000), Mittelt's illusions confused, buying time. Asia's Boosted Gear doubled her stats to 300, claws raking.
Kokabiel laughed, aura spiking-full power unleashed, stats 1500 (HP 150,000, MP 75,000). Observe updated:
Name: Kokabiel, Fallen Angel Warlord
Level: 100
HP: 150,000/150,000
MP: 75,000/75,000
Strength: 1500
Endurance: 1500
Agility: 1500
Intelligence: 1500
Luck: 1500
Abilities:
Excalibur Destruction: 2,500 damage, 20-meter ruin blast (5,000 vs. unholy).
Fallen Light: 2,000-damage spears, 30-meter range.
Warlord's Aura: -100 Intelligence debuff, 20-meter radius.
Thoughts: "All will kneel to my war!"
Destruction swung, a 20-meter ruin blast-5,000 damage slamming me (HP 35,000/40,000). Twilight healed (40,000/40,000). I telekinetically hurled pews, 800 damage grazing (HP 149,200/150,000). Divine Edge slashed, 3,200 damage to his leg (HP 146,000/150,000). Fallen Light spears rained-six hitting, 12,000 damage (HP 28,000/40,000). Twilight healed again (40,000/40,000). Warlord's Aura dropped my Intelligence to 300.
Rias's blast hit (1,000 damage, HP 145,000/150,000), Sona's water prison trapped briefly (1,500 damage, HP 143,500/150,000). Raynare, Kalawarner, and Mittelt struck (500 total damage, HP 143,000/150,000).
Asia's claws, boosted to 600, raked (600 damage, HP 142,400/150,000). Kokabiel's Agility outpaced, Destruction slashing-5,000 damage to Rias (HP 7,900/11,900), Sona dodging (400 Agility), fallen trio grazed (HP ~12,000/14,500). Asia's Twilight healed them, her 450 Endurance holding.
I warped reality, slowing Kokabiel (3-second lag), Divine Edge flurry-three slashes, 9,600 damage (HP 132,800/150,000). Fallen Light pierced my chest, 2,000 damage (HP 38,000/40,000). Twilight healed. His ruin blast erupted, 5,000 damage (HP 35,000/40,000).
I telekinetically lifted the altar, smashing-1,000 damage (HP 131,800/150,000). Holy Command staggered him, Divine Edge thrusting-3,200 damage (HP 128,600/150,000). Warlord's Aura hit, Intelligence 200.
Kokabiel blurred, Destruction slashing-5,000 damage (HP 30,000/40,000). Twilight healed. Phoenix flames burst, 1,200 damage grazing (HP 127,400/150,000).
His spears impaled-4,000 damage (HP 36,000/40,000). Twilight healed. My team struck-Rias, Sona, Asia, fallen trio dealing 3,000 total damage (HP 124,400/150,000).
Kokabiel's ruin blast hit all-Rias at 6,900/11,900, Sona 35,000/40,000, fallen trio ~10,000/14,500, Asia 13,500/15,000. Asia's Twilight restored them.
I was losing ground, his stats overwhelming. Divine Edge slashed, 3,200 damage (HP 121,200/150,000). Fallen Light rained, 6,000 damage (HP 34,000/40,000).
Twilight healed. Kokabiel raised Destruction for a final 20-meter blast, his voice a snarl: "End, dragon!" My HP braced at 40,000, Resurrection ready, but death loomed.
A blaze of Pride's Flame erupted, Lucifer Morningstar-"Luke"-teleporting in, unveiled (HP 300,000, MP 150,000). His obsidian eyes burned, black wings unfurling, aura dwarfing Kokabiel's. "Playtime, warlord," he growled, fist slamming Kokabiel's chest-10,000 damage (HP 111,200/150,000).
The church quaked, Rias gasping, Sona stunned, Asia trembling, fallen trio frozen. Lila's aura flared beside him, ember eyes gleaming.
Quest Complete: Endure the Fallen
Rewards:
Excalibur Destruction teleported from Kokabiel's hands, stored in inventory.
Observe confirmed:
Item: Excalibur Destruction
Level: Transcendent
Durability: Indestructible
Effects:
Ruin Blast: 2,500 damage, 20-meter range (5,000 vs. unholy).
Status: Stored in inventory.
Kokabiel staggered, Destruction gone, his stats no match for Lucifer's. My team stared, awestruck, as the Morningstar faced the warlord, my six fragments-Mimic, Rapidly, Transparency, Nightmare, Blessing, Destruction-secure. I endured, but a god had entered the fray.