DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 22: Dueling Dragons

This chapter marks the end of Volume IV: Khaos.

BGM: Destiny: The Taken King - Path to Oryx

"It... it can't be true!" Rias stammered. "A descendant of Lucifer and the White Dragon Emperor? That's not possible!"
"No, it makes sense," Sirzechs corrected. "Being half human allows him to use a Sacred Gear... but there's no way we could've ever known."
"While you have the blood of a Devil King, but are also human, you're able to be possessed by Albion. So basically, your very existence is a joke," Azazel taunted.
"I personally prefer the term 'miracle,' but to each their own." Vali's devil wings appeared behind those of his Balance Breaker: ten in total.
"Something tells me this one will be the best White Dragon Emperor of all time. Past, present, and future," Azazel predicted to himself.
Vali looked down at Issei. "Issei Hyoudou. Fate can be cruel, wouldn't you agree?"
Issei glared up at his fated rival. "Yeah, maybe."
"I am the strongest dragon, and I carry the blood of the greatest devil. But you are just a lowly human. Before becoming a devil, you weren't even an impressive student. Simply put, aside from that Boosted Gear of yours, you are nothing. It's so disappointing that it's almost funny. We may be rivals, but we are as far apart as the heavens to the depths of Hell. No, more than that."
"You got a point, or are you just here to confirm what I already knew?"
"I do. My point is that you should try harder. Maybe you could be an avenger. I could kill your parents if that would help. If I take away your precious family, surely you'd be able to act on that. Your parents would likely be grateful to me. Any death would be far more exciting than suburban life. Yes, let's do that."
"How can you be so cruel?!" Asia cried.
"Why the hell would Mom and Dad have to die just for your goddamn convenience? You think I'd sit by and let it happen? I'll never let you take ANYTHING!" The bracelet that was given to Issei by Azazel began to glow. Welsh Dragon: OVERBOOSTER! Issei's Scale Mail materialized over his body. "Nobody hurts the people I care about, no matter who they are!"

BGM: Destiny: Rise of Iron - Eyes Up

Vali was simply amused. "Look, Albion. His power has increased exponentially."
His Sacred Gear relies on strong emotions, Albion noted. You're facing pure, blind rage. Well done. That is one of the best ways to draw out a dragon.
"So what you're saying is, I'm better at drawing out his dragon than he is."
"Keep talkin', douchebag!" Issei leaped into the air. "ASCALON!" The blade of the Dragon-Slayer shot out of his left gauntlet. He attempted to strike Vali with the blade.
Vali quickly moved out of the way.
Ascalon? I won't be able to defend against even one cut from that.
"Then I won't let him cut me. Easy." He and Issei hit each other head-on, surrounded by bright auras of white and crimson light, respectively.
"Issei!" Rias attempted to help him but was stopped by Sirzechs. "Let me go! He needs me!"
Her brother shook his head. "Both of their auras have surpassed their natural limits. If you get too close, you'll be incinerated."
"But... I can't just watch!"

BGM: Destiny: The Taken King - Surge of Light

Far above Issei's fight, Zach's flesh burned away, replaced by a body of pure blue flames with two pairs of large, fiery wings to match. His eyes glowed white hot. Violet electricity crackled over his body and long golden chains materialized, orbiting around his body like Saturn's rings. "Now we can really play." He fired massive blasts of blue flames at the Corrupted woman, clashing with attacks of scarlet light.
"Jūsu laiks ir uz augšu!" she screeched, advancing. Despite not having visible expressions, her fear and desperation were apparent.
Violet lightning crackled along Zach's fingertips. He pointed at his adversary and the electricity was unleashed, striking her with intense force. Zach kept up the pressure with a flurry of fiery punches and kicks, pushing the Corrupted woman higher and higher into the sky. Within seconds, they had climbed well above the height that airplanes fly at and were in the stratosphere.
The woman countered with a spear of light, jabbing it into Zach's shoulder with a loud roar.
Zach winced, holding in what would've been a cry of pain for fear of not being able to breathe. We've gone too high... Can't use much lightning and I can't breathe if I go too much further. Time to bring her back down to Earth! A massive fireball gathered in Zach's hand. He slammed it into the Corrupted woman's head, detonating an intense explosion and sending her flying back to the ground. After a brief moment of rest, Zach bolted after her.