Vengeance

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

Shortly after separating from the rest of the group, Issei, Asia, Irina, and Touji stepped inside the Hyoudou residence. When they arrived and announced themselves, Issei's father and mother, Gorou and Miki Hyoudou, were quick to welcome them. Naturally, they were pleasantly surprised when they noticed Touji, who they had not seen since he and Irina moved overseas ten years ago.

After some small talk, catching up, and the exchange of Christmas presents, which took a little more than an hour, Touji decided that it was time for him to return to his lodgings, a hotel near the abandoned church. Sad that her father was leaving so soon, Irina chose to walk him outside. However, just as they were saying their goodbyes, they were interrupted.

"I've finally found you, Shidou Touji." A man with long black hair said as he approached the father-daughter pair.

While the man approached, both Irina and Touji noticed the black tachi, Japanese long sword, in his right hand. Seeing that sword, they knew that this man had no good intentions when he approached them. While Irina immediately went on guard, Touji was confused and surprised after he recognized the man's face.

"Who are you?" Irina asked while materializing a sword made of light in her right hand.

"Masaomi?" Touji asked with shock in his tone. "But how is this possible? I saw you die."

Yaegaki Masaomi, formerly an exorcist of the Protestant Church who lived in Japan. He was also the lover of the former overseer of Kuoh Town, Cleria Belial, before they were both killed due to the forbidden love between a devil and an exorcist.

"Of course, you did." The man, Masaomi said with venom in his tone. "You were the one who killed me, after all. Not before betraying me first, though."

"Dad, you know this guy?" Irina asked as she glanced at her father while keeping her senses trained on Masaomi.

"He was a member of my squad of exorcists when we lived her in Japan." Touji replied, still not understanding how Masaomi could be alive.

"Your squad, huh?" Masaomi said with a creepy chuckle. "I guess they can't be called that any more. Seeing as you're the only one left."

"What do you mean?" Touji asked while furrowing his eyebrows.

"They're all dead." Touji said with a manic smile on his face. "I killed them all! And I'll kill you too! All of you who took me away from the woman I loved have to pay!"

With that, Masaomi decided that talking any more would be pointless. So, he charged forth with his sword aimed at Touji. With his revenge so close, the insane smile on his lips grew wider. However, before his sword could pierce its target, it was intercepted.

*Clang!*

The sound of the collision echoed around the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Irina was surprisingly pushed back, while her sword of light was destroyed as she crashed into her father. Touji had not even reacted as he was still in shock from seeing the friend he knew to be deceased. At the same time, many of the residents in the neighborhood were alerted by the loud sound.

Quickly standing up, Irina materialized another sword of light, spread her wings, and shot forward at Masaomi. Making sure not to block the sword directly, instead doing her best to either dodge or parry strikes, Irina and Masaomi engaged in high paced, close quarters combat. Unfortunately, Irina was unable to gain the upper hand. Even though she had grown to become a six-winged angel under Scathach's training, she could not overpower her opponent.

'Who is this guy exactly?' Irina thought to herself as she exchanged sword strikes with Masaomi. 'He's at leasst at the intermediate-level of the high-rank. And that sword, it feels like a holy sword, but I don't' know which one it is.'

Eventually, Irina and Masaomi separated. Something that Irina was thankful for. While Irina observed Masaomi, Masaomi looked at his sword with a happy smile on his face.

"He was right." Masaomi said. "I really do have the aptitude for holy swords. And seeing as I'm Japanese, there's no better sword for me than Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi."

"What? That's impossible." Irina exclaimed. "Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi broke centuries ago."

"Hahaha! Well, it's fixed now." Masaomi said with a manic smile on his face. Then, he pointed the sword at Irina and spoke once again. "And it's been upgraded. [Eight Headed Snake Bite]!"

After Masaomi's shout, eight serpentine dragon heads grew from the sword's tip and shot forward at Irina. Naturally, Irina was surprised. But she did her best to cut down all the heads. Although she was able to deal with seven of the eight by cutting them off or deflecting them away, one of them made it through her guard. However, it shot right past her. Instead, it opened its mouth and bit down on Touji's left arm.

"Gah!" Touji shouted in pain before falling to his knees with his face going pale instantly.

"Dad!" Irina shouted in panic.

Before Irina could move toward her father, however, the street where Irina and Masaomi were fighting was engulfed in shadow. Then, Masaomi and Irina were pulled into the shadow. A moment later, the shadow disappeared. Then, Asia ran out of the Hyoudou residence and began treating the Injured Touji.

A few minutes ago, just as the first clash between Irina and Masaomi rang out, Issei and Asia were laying in Issei's bed cuddling. Ever since they crossed the line while Irina was escorting James and his peerages up to Heaven, Asia had put her foot down and stopped letting Irina influence her actions when it comes to Issei.

Just as the two lovers were about to get frisky, the loud clang of two swords colliding could be heard. Immediately, Issei jumped out of bed in irritation and quickly got dressed. Asia followed suit, though with much less irritation. When they were both dressed, they rushed down the stairs to see what was going on outside. When they opened the front door to see what was happening, they were just in time to see Touji get bitten by a serpentine dragon head.

"Asia, contact Buchou!" Issei said while the [Shadow Claws] appeared on his arms. "Tell her that I'm taking an enemy to the outskirts of the town on the south side. Then, I want you to take care of Touji-Jiisan."

"Got it." Asia said as she created a communication magic circle. "Be careful, Issei."

"Don't worry, I will." issei said with a perverted grin on his face. "I'm still waiting for that Christmas gift you were talking about."

After that, Issei sank into his shadow, leaving a heavily blushing Asia in the house's entry way. Then, Issei expanded his shadow and engulfed Irina and Masaomi, whisking them to the town's outskirts, not too far from Devil May Cry.

A few moments later, Irina and Masaomi rose from a shadow outside of the town. Naturally, Masaomi was confused. Irina, on the other hand, knew what this phenomenon was very well. She had spent a lot of time training with Issei, after all.

"Where are we?" Masaomi asked while looking around. "Who did this? Not that it matters, after being injected with Yamata no Orochi's poison, Touji will die for sure. I finally got my revenge.! Hahaha!"

While Masaomi laughed uproariously and had tears of joy flowing down his cheeks, Issei rose from Irina's shadow.

"Irina, who is that guy?" Issei asked, a bit put off by the insane laughter.

"Issei, my dad was bitten!" Irina shouted with tears forming in her eyes. "He said that it was Yamata no Orochi's poison."

"Don't worry, Asia is there taking care of him." Issei said, doing his best to comfort Irina. "She unlocked her [Balance Breaker] recently, remember? Touji-Jiisan will be fine with her healing ability."

With that, Irina calmed down a bit. The concern in her eyes could not be hidden, however. On top of that, Masaomi seemed to hear what Issei had to say. Though instead of acting aggressively, Masaomi began to laugh even harder.

"You think healing Yamata no Orochi's poison is that simple?" Masaomi asked. "You would need a [Sacred Gear] like [Twilight Healing]. It would take its..."

At that moment, Masaomi fully registered Issei's words.

"Did you say Asia?" Masaomi asked. "As in former Holy Maiden, Asia Argento?"

"So, what if I did?" Issei asked, taking his fighting stance.

"Issei, you have to be careful." Irina whispered as she took her own fighting stance. "That's a holy sword he's holding. The strongest one from Japanese lore, Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi."

"Seriously, this could be bad." issei said, remembering how strong even the fragments of Excalibur were. "I hope Buchou and the rest get here quick."

Back when Asia ran out to Touji with a communication magic circle floating next to her left ear, Rias was just as irritated when she was interrupted by an incoming communication. AS a matter of fact, just like Issei and Asia, James and all his lovers were about to have a good time for Christmas. The fact that Irina's father was attacked outside of Issei's house put a damper on that, though.

Quickly, Rias and Akeno conjured some clothing. Then, they contacted the rest of Rias' peerage and rushed to the southern outskirts of the town. Naturally, the rest of the group were no longer in the mood for some sexy time. So, they also got dressed and prepared themselves just in case they were needed as back up.

"Seriously, who causes trouble like this on Christmas?" Mizore asked with a pout on her face.

"Someone who feels they have nothing to lose." Moka replied.

"James-Sama, would you like me to go ahead to the battlefield and perform surveillance?" Ayame asked.

"I hate to ask this of you on Christmas." James said while running his fingers through Ayame's hair. "But if you could keep us updated on the progress of the battle, I'd appreciate it."

"Of course." Ayame said. Then, she leaned in and kissed James on his cheek.

A moment later, Ayame disappeared from her spot while blushing lightly.

At the same time, Rias and her peerage were flying towards the southern outskirts of the town. When they arrived, Masaomi had just asked about Asia.

"If you intend to harm my cute servant, we'll have to put a stop to that right here and now." Rias said as she landed.

A moment later, the entire Gremory peerage landed behind her, standing between Masaomi and the town.

"Hey, Issei-Kun." Akeno said with a smile. "Wouldn't it have been better to put yourselves between him and the town? That way if he wanted to rush back to Touji-San, he would have to go past you."

Hearing Akeno's question, Issei's eyes opened wide. Then, he scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"I guess you're right." Issei said with a sheepish smile on his face. "I guess it's good he was too confident in the poison, then."

"What poison?" Rias asked with a frown on her face.

Irina then explained that the sword in Masaomi's hand was Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi and how it could create the eight heads of Yamata no Orochi to attack. Also, that those heads could inject the Evil Dragon's poison into those they bite.

While Rias and the others were conversing, it was obvious that Masaomi was having a breakdown. However, it was clear to anyone watching that it was not just any mental breakdown after failing a task. Instead, his aura was fluctuating. One instant it would be that of a high-ranked human. Then, in the next instant, it would be that of an Evil Dragon at the peak of ultimate-rank.

"No! I won't let you have my body!" Masaomi shouted, putting an end to the devil's conversation. "I, Yaegaki Masaomi, will be the one to exact my revenge. Not only those traitorous exorcists, I will take the lives of those devils connected with Cleria's death too."

After Masaomi's rant, Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi began to pulse with a deep purple light, as if it were responding to Masaomi's outcry.

"No, this body is mine!" Masaomi shouted again. "And I don't need your help taking my revenge."

"Has this guy lost it?" Issei asked.

"[No, you moron.]" Skiadrum said in Issei's head. "[it's obvious there is a soul inside the sword. And if I'm guessing correctly, it's probably yamata no Orochi, or part of it at least.]"

"Seriously!?" issei exclaimed.

"Issei, what's wrong?" Rias asked.

"Skiadrum thinks that if not all of it, then part of Yamata no Orochi's soul is inside the sword."

"That makes sense." Irina said, having finally been able to calm down. "Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi was broken centuries ago. But if the soul of the dragon it was made from was added to it, then it makes sense how it was repaired."

"No, I'll get my revenge myself!" Masaomi shouted before dashing at the group of devils standing between him and the town.

"Everyone, get ready." Rias said as Masaomi drew closer.