Chapter 96: Izashi steps into the Sky Battle
Izashi stood silently, his golden eyes tracking the battle unfolding above. His sharp gaze flitted between the movements of Azazel, Katerea, and Vali. Though the clash was far above him, his heightened senses allowed him to discern even the faintest of details. A small smirk curved his lips as he deciphered the conversation from the lip movements of those in the air. When Vali declared that Ophis would help him achieve his goal of surpassing the Great Red, Izashi couldn't suppress a low chuckle. "How foolish," he murmured under his breath.
Above, Azazel's expression remained composed, but there was a glint of something unreadable in his eyes. Despite the casual tone in his voice, the weight of his words carried an edge of disappointment. "Vali, I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this. After all, I've known you longer than anyone. Raised you, even. But tell me, do you truly believe Ophis will help you? Do you really trust her?"
On the ground, Issei stood among his friends and allies, his gaze darting between the combatants in the sky. His confusion was evident. "Who's Ophis?" he blurted out, turning to the group. The question hung in the air for a moment before Serafall stepped forward, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.
"The Ouroboros Dragon," she began, her voice steady but grave. "Ophis is the being of infinite power. The strongest entity in existence. And if what Vali's saying is true, then the Khaos Brigade isn't just a terrorist group—they're being led by the most dangerous force in the universe."
A heavy silence settled over the group as the implications of her words sank in. Even Rias, who was usually quick to maintain her composure, looked unsettled. Kiba's grip on his sword tightened, and Xenovia muttered a silent prayer under her breath.
Meanwhile, Vali smirked at Azazel's question. His eyes gleamed with confidence as he folded his arms. "Still playing the skeptic, Azazel? Or are you just refusing to accept the truth? Let me spell it out for you. The leader of the Khaos Brigade is none other than Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon."
Azazel's golden eyes narrowed as he absorbed the confirmation. His lips pressed into a thin line as he whispered, almost to himself, "So it's true. Ophis really is the head of the Khaos Brigade. I didn't want to believe it, but hearing it from you, Vali… it's hard to argue."
For the first time since the confrontation began, Azazel's casual demeanor shifted. His wings flared behind him as a surge of power rolled off his body, his presence suddenly dominating the battlefield. The air seemed to grow heavier, and even Vali's confident smirk faltered ever so slightly.
"You know," Azazel said, his tone deceptively light, "if you're going to throw your lot in with someone like Ophis, you'd better be ready to pay the price. Because I promise you, Vali, it's not going to be what you think."
Katerea, who had been focusing on freeing herself from Azazel's light bindings, flinched under the oppressive weight of his aura. She staggered, her once-confident posture betraying her exhaustion. Though she had expended a significant amount of her power to break free, it was clear she wasn't in any condition to fight at full strength.
Despite her weakened state, Vali remained undeterred. His smirk returned as he spread his wings, radiating a powerful aura of his own. "Words won't change anything, Azazel. My path is clear, and I'll walk it with or without your approval."
Back on the ground, Issei clenched his fists, his Sacred Gear glowing faintly as he took in the tense atmosphere. With a deep breath, he activated his Balance Breaker, his red armor gleaming as he ascended into the sky. His arrival didn't go unnoticed by Azazel, who spared him only a fleeting glance.
"At your current level, you can barely hold your own against Vali," Azazel said, his voice firm but not unkind. "But it'll have to do. Keep him occupied. I've got other matters to deal with."
Before Issei could respond, Azazel vanished in a blur of motion, leaving only a faint ripple in the air. The next instant, Vali lunged toward Issei, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Finally," Vali said, his voice filled with anticipation. "Let's finish what we started."
Issei barely managed to parry Vali's strike, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the air. He gritted his teeth, pushing back against Vali's strength. "If you're so eager to fight, then let's do it," Issei shot back, his voice steady despite the strain. "But don't expect me to go easy on you. I'm not letting you be a threat to the people I care about."
Vali's grin widened as he took a step back, his stance relaxed but ready. "Good. Show me how much you've grown, Hyoudou."
From below, Izashi watched the battle with a mix of amusement and interest. "Not bad, Issei," he mused, his tone laced with approval. "You've come a long way." His gaze shifted to the small bottle in his hand, its contents pulsing faintly with an ominous energy.
The bottle contained a fragment of Ophis's power, a condensed piece of the Infinite Dragon's limitless energy. Izashi turned it over in his hand, his golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. 'So this is what they're after. The power of infinity itself. I wonder… if I could integrate this with my Devil Sphere…'
The thought was tempting, but he knew the risks. The power was too volatile to be handled recklessly. With a final glance at the chaotic battlefield above, Izashi pocketed the bottle. 'Not here. I'll need to get far away before I even think about testing this.'
In the sky, Azazel reappeared in front of Katerea, his expression unreadable as he observed her labored breathing. She glared at him with defiance, though her trembling hands betrayed her fear. "You think you've won, Fallen Angel?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You have no idea what's coming."
Azazel tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I think I've got a pretty good idea. And judging by the state you're in, I'd say you're fresh out of tricks."
Katerea's eyes burned with fury as she summoned a surge of dark magic, the energy crackling dangerously around her. Azazel didn't flinch, his calm demeanor only serving to enrage her further.
Meanwhile, Issei and Vali's clash intensified, their blows sending shockwaves through the air. Despite the pressure, Issei held his ground, matching Vali's attacks with a determination that surprised even himself.
"You've gotten stronger," Vali admitted, his tone almost grudging. "But it won't be enough."
"We'll see about that," Issei retorted, his fist glowing with power as he launched a counterattack.
On the ground, the magicians who had infiltrated the school were quickly being dealt with by Rias and the others. The barriers erected by Sirzechs and Michael held firm, ensuring the battle didn't spill over into the surrounding area.
Vali and Katerea found themselves back-to-back, their movements tense and synchronized. The tide of the battle had turned sharply against them. With Azazel's relentless assault and Issei's surprising resolve, it was clear that neither of them could prevail alone. Their eyes briefly met, a silent understanding passing between them. It was time to retreat.
Vali exhaled sharply and stepped forward, raising his voice to ensure it carried through the battlefield. "Azazel, before I take my leave, let me enlighten you on something. From what I've seen today, you're still in the dark. There's someone far more powerful than you—"
Before he could finish, a brilliant crimson beam tore through the air, striking Vali's Balance Breaker and shattering his helmet. The impact forced him to stagger, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch the broken fragments of his armor. The battlefield fell silent as all eyes turned toward the source of the attack.
On top of the building stood Izashi, his posture relaxed, hands casually tucked into his pockets. His neutral expression betrayed no malice, but the crimson aura radiating from him told a different story. The energy around him pulsed like a living thing, wrapping his figure in a reddish, vermillion glow. His piercing eyes, the color of freshly spilled blood, locked onto Vali and Katerea with unnerving intensity.
"So, Vali-san," Izashi said, his voice calm and level, yet carrying a weight that sent a shiver down their spines. "If I'm understanding this situation correctly, you're our enemy now, aren't you?"
It wasn't his words that chilled them—it was the aura he exuded. The sheer magnitude of his power pressed down on the battlefield, forcing even the most seasoned warriors to instinctively take a step back. Vali clenched his fists, his expression shifting from surprise to resolve as he straightened his posture.
"Impressive," Vali muttered under his breath, his gaze sharpening. "I didn't expect you to reveal this much, Izashi."
Without hesitation, Vali began his chant, his voice echoing across the battlefield, growing louder and more resonant with each word.
"I, who am about to awaken,
Am the Heavenly Dragon who has taken the principles of supremacy from God
I envy the "infinite" and I pursue the "dream"
I shall become the White Dragon of Supremacy
And I shall take you to the limits of white paradise"
As his chant continued, the orbs embedded in his Balance Breaker began to glow, their radiance intensifying with every syllable. The armor around Vali expanded, growing more intricate and powerful. His aura surged, growing dense and electric until it rivaled even Azazel's.
"Juggernaut Drive!" Vali roared as he completed the chant. A blinding light enveloped him, and when it faded, his enhanced form stood, radiating immense power. The golden eyes of his armor glowed ominously as they locked onto Izashi.
The faction leaders watched with grim expressions, their minds racing to formulate a strategy. The sheer pressure of Vali's new form made the air around them tremble. Even Azazel's eyes narrowed slightly, though he remained silent, observing.
Izashi, however, was unfazed. His aura shifted and pulsed as the reddish energy surrounding him began to coalesce. The air around him shimmered as the aura expanded into a massive humanoid shape, a protective manifestation of his power that encased him completely. He rose into the air, his form eerily calm as he floated directly in front of Vali.
Katerea's eyes widened as she took in Izashi's display of power. Her thoughts raced, her lips tightening in frustration. 'How did we overlook someone like him? This kind of power rivals a Maou… and he's still so young. Just a brat, really—a 17-year-old brat!'
She bit her lip, jealousy and fear warring within her as she analyzed the battle. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached into her bosom, pulling out a small glass bottle. Inside, a serpent-like creature coiled, radiating an ominous energy.
Izashi's gaze flickered briefly to the bottle, but he showed no interest. To him, the fragment of Ophis's power he already possessed was more than enough. Azazel, however, eyed the bottle curiously, his brow furrowing. "Now what's that supposed to be?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Katerea didn't offer an explanation. Instead, she uncorked the bottle, releasing the serpent within. The moment it was free, a surge of power coursed through her, the force of it so intense that it rippled across the battlefield. Her aura expanded dramatically, her power spiking to a level that surpassed her usual limits. The ground beneath her cracked as the air around her seemed to warp.
Azazel's eyes narrowed further, the realization dawning on him. "Now that's an interesting little trick," he said, his tone laced with both curiosity and caution. "You've got my attention, Katerea."
She didn't respond, her focus entirely on Azazel. The animosity in her eyes burned bright as she launched herself at him, her magic swirling in chaotic waves. Azazel barely had time to raise a hand, blocking her initial strike with a shield of light.
"You're still holding a grudge, huh?" Azazel quipped, his tone light despite the ferocity of her assault. "I guess some people just can't let go."
As Azazel and Katerea clashed, the battlefield seemed to split into two. On one side, the former Maou unleashed her newfound strength against the Governor-General, her attacks relentless and fueled by personal vendetta. On the other side, Izashi and Vali faced each other, their auras clashing in a silent battle of dominance.
Vali's voice was calm, almost conversational, despite the overwhelming tension. "No hard feelings, Izashi. This isn't personal."
Izashi's lips curved into a faint smile, his tone equally composed. "Of course not. But that doesn't mean I'll hold back."
The air between them crackled with energy as Izashi moved first, closing the distance between them in an instant. His humanoid aura surged forward, its massive hand reaching for Vali. In response, Vali opened his maw, charging a brilliant white beam that crackled with draconic energy.
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A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.
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