DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 60: Dead Things

Apex Manor, November 20: 34 days until Trihexa's release

"The Dragon God's Blade? What the hell's that?" Issei asked, sitting at Vali's desk in his bedroom. He held a manila folder with the words "DRAGON GOD'S BLADE" written on the front.
"Not sure," Vali admitted, sitting cross-legged on his bed. "An einherji sent by Odin dropped it off this morning with instructions for us to look through it together, hence why I asked you to come."
"Well, let's find out." Issei opened the folder as he sat down next to Vali, and the two began to read through its contents together.

It took them almost an hour to get through everything. "Huh... a Fusion Gear. Never heard of that," Issei said as he put the folder aside. "Sounds pretty sick, though."
"Incredibly powerful too," Vali agreed. "I'll be honest, after you stole Divine Dividing's power in our first fight, I thought about the possibility of what might happen if our Sacred Gears were combined. But to think that this Dragon God's Blade was so strong that its users were able to keep Trihexa sealed... that's something else."
The Dragon God's Blade didn't keep Trihexa sealed. It was used by Ddraig and I's hosts at the time to keep that monster at bay long enough for its seal to be repaired by others, Albion corrected, speaking out loud so Issei could hear him.
"Who were your users back then?" Issei asked.
Coincidentally, they were a pair of twin sisters, Ddraig recalled. The odds of siblings being born as our hosts are roughly a million to one, even less so for twins, but it happened just that once. I believe it was the 17th century. They were both quite impressive, likely within the top five of each of our hosts, though their lives were short, so they never truly reached their prime. And like you two, they operated as allies first and rivals second. The details escape me at the moment, but they were recruited to help with keeping Trihexa at bay. They attempted to do so with just their Juggernaut Drives, but even that was far too weak. So they performed the ritual you just read about, combining their Sacred Gears into the Dragon God's Blade. Using an ability they called Omega Drive, they were able to do their job, but it cost them both their lives. The combination of Trihexa's debilitating aura and the strain that Omega Drive put on them was too much to handle.
"Huh... but wait, doesn't that mean we can do the same thing?" Issei realized. "If the leaders can figure out how to reseal Trihexa while we keep it busy, then we're golden!"
Are you prepared to die, partner? Ddraig asked. Those two young women were stronger at that time than you are now, and they didn't survive the fight against a still-partially sealed Trihexa.
Issei clenched his fist. "The way I see it, I don't have a choice. It's either I die and Trihexa is sealed, so everyone can live happily, or I live and Trihexa destroys everything so I still die. If I'm dead either way, I'd rather die making sure everyone I love is safe, or at least trying to."
Vali crossed his arms. "Speaking of people you love, what about your parents? Are they alright?"
"They're not hurt or anything, but they're definitely shaken up." Issei sighed. "I ended up telling them everything about what we've been through and the magical world and all that. They're not upset or anything like I was worried they'd be, they just wish I'd told them sooner. And if that wasn't enough, apparently Rizevim also granted them what he calls 'Truesight,' so now the Veil is useless on them."
"Better be ready to defend them," Vali suggested.
"What?"
"Now that they know, there's a massive target on their backs. In the past, they were constantly getting sent off on long vacations to keep them oblivious to what you were doing, right? But now they know the truth, and they can see past the Veil. Fat chance that they'll be content with just going off to Italy knowing what they know now. They'll want to stay with you, and staying near you means they'll be easier for our enemies to find."
"Shit, I hadn't thought about that... what can we do?"
"For the most part, just be vigilant. And see if whoever put the protective spell over your house can strengthen it."
Issei's frown deepened. "What if... what if we made them forget?"
"Forget you're a devil?"
"Forget me."
Vali's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Do what Azazel did to your mom. Erase their memories of the magical world, and make them forget I was ever part of their lives too, and then we send them somewhere safe, or-or I go somewhere else so they're safe here." Issei sighed. "I just don't wanna see them get hurt. They didn't ask for any of this, they don't deserve to be looking over their shoulders forever, so maybe-"
"That's enough," Vali said forcefully. "I'm not about to let you throw away the family you love so much. You can't possibly be that stupid."
"You did it," Issei argued.
"That was different, it was the only way to save her from Father and heal her trauma. But you have a chance, Issei." Vali gripped Issei's shoulders. "You have a chance to live happily with a family that knows who you really are now. Don't you dare squander that. Got it?"
"Vali, I-"
"Promise me."
"I... I can't do that." Issei looked away from his rival. "If I wanna keep them safe, it's the best move from- shit, what is it Zach says?- from a 'tactical standpoint.'"
Vali sighed deeply. "Okay. We'll talk about this another time. For now, how about we go back to that arcade you took me to the other day? My treat."
Issei did a double-take at Vali's sudden shift. "Whoa, you're the one asking me to hang out? Did hell freeze over or something?"
Vali chuckled. "Maybe I just feel like playing some games."
"That's weird. Usually one of us has to practically drag you out of the house. What's up, seriously?"
"Nothing's up, Issei. C'mon, let's go." Vali stood. "Unless you're afraid to lose at every racing game again."
"Oh, it's on now!" Issei stood as well. "You're gonna eat my dust today!"