Bare This Curse

Chapter 8: {Judgement: Overdrive}

"Well, that was..."
I placed a hand on my forehead as I walked down the sidewalk near the park.
"One HELL of an explanation."
-----
"While somewhat rare, Nephilim strive in the Underworld and Heaven, treated with respect. All had a place and title in the balance between the Three Factions. However, when the Great War arose, the Nephilim were the first targets because of their supreme power that dominated the Three Factions. Soon, the race of Nephilim began to diminish, and only five remained. The Blood Red Nephilim, Rage; The Magenta Nephilim, Peace; The Copper Nephilim, Order; The Black Nephilim, Discord; and the Indigo Nephilim; Judgement. These five Nephilim were relentlessly hunted, never once going without a day of engaging in firefights with the Three Factions. Once the remaining Nephilim were defeated, they sealed themselves into Sacred Gears and dispersed around the globe, remaining hidden in chosen hosts. They're Sacred Gear names are the Gauntlets of Rage, which are a pair of crimson gauntlets that enhance the offensive power of the user with the drawback of drawing that power from their defense; Amulet of Peace, which is a golden amulet with a pink gem in the center that drains the user's magic every time it's ability is activated; Eyes of Judgement, which is an indigo blue glow in the user's eyes. This Sacred Gear enhances the user's power as the fight continues at the cost of their stamina. The process is slow, so they will not drop too quickly; Horns of Discord, which are a pair of horns that allow the user to shell the opponent with several types of attacks made of dark matter and magic; And the Wings of Order, which are a pair of copper colored Nephilim wings that doubles all capabilities as soon as they're activated and continue to double the more they take damage. The users of the nicknamed Nephilim Gears are usually incarnations of Nephilim themselves, but only on occasion do they go to other species. The only way one can unlock the Nephilim Gears is to unleash the Nephilim inside them and surpass their limits. And each Nephilim Gear has a different Balance Breaker. Gauntlets of Rage Balance Breaker is called the Armor of Aggression, which encased the user in fiery red and nearly impenetrable armor. Peace Amulet's Balance Breaker is called Heavenly Wind, which surrounds the user in a gust of magic that incapacitates the opposition's life force within every physical contact. Eyes of Judgement Balance Breaker is called Suppression Overdrive, which transforms the user into a giant creature. The type of creature reflexes off of the user's heart. It could be a Titan, a Dragon, a Leviathan, etc. The main ability still, however, continues to be in affect and will continue to build up power in the host. The biggest and main drawback is that it costs a lot of stamina and magic to use, and will leave the user exhausted after deactivation. Horns of Discord Balance Breaker is called True Hell, which transforms the user into a pitch black, human sized, bipedal dragonoid Nephilim creature. In this form, they are able to unleash all attacks without exhaustion or limit, hence the name True Hell. It's literally bullet hell. Wings of Order Balance Breaker is called Divine Justice, which is a pair of golden Nephilim wings that enhances the users speed capabilities, giving them an edge to dish out more punishment with an amped up maneuver capability to dodge incoming attacks. These five users are said to be strongest Sacred Gear users in existence and can only be strong if they're strong and capable with magical power and abilities, hence why they're either cherished eternally or destroyed quickly. Order, Judgement, and Peace are considered the Builders of the balance, while Discord and Rage are considered the Destroyers."
Ophis put her finger on my forehead.
"Neito possesses, the Eyes of Judgement, and Neito, is a Nephilim himself."
-----
I wiped off the sweat from thinking too hard, then sighed in exhaustion. It was a lot to take in, and I had so many questions still. I sighed as I walked to my diner. I saw new staff, but the old manager. I smiled and waved at him. He waved back.
"Y'know what? Since you're free, why don't we hang out together?"
I stopped when I heard Issei's voice. I looked over and saw him with Asia in a booth.
"Hey, bro."
I walked over to them as they both looked up at me.
"Oh, hey, Neito."
"Hello, Neito! How are you doing?"
"Pretty good, Asia. You?"
"I'm doing great! I met Issei at the park and he treated me to lunch."
"Heh, you going at it, bro?"
He groaned at me as I chuckled.
"So, what's this I hear about hanging out?"
"Issei just invited me to spend the day with him!"
"Really? Do you mind if I come along? I got nothing special going on right now and I'm a little bored. Need some time to kick back."
Issei nodded.
"Sure, little bro. You can come along. Come on! I know a few places we can visit!"
We all walked out of the diner, going from place to place, having fun.
-----
"You know what? I can't remember the last time I had so much fun."
Issei grinned at Asia as we settled down at a familiar place in the Strip.
"Yea? Good. I'm glad. I had a pretty great time t- Ahh..."
He held his arm in pain when he lifted it. I glanced over at him, then sighed.
'Must be an injury he got from Freed.'
"It's your wound from the other day..."
Issei nodded at the blonde nun.
"Yea. It stings."
"Here. Sit down."
He did so and she began working her Sacred Gear magic on him.
"Is that good?"
"Huh?"
He stood up, flexing and stretching his arms and legs.
"Yea. Wow. It already feels like a thousand times better, and check out this kicka** flexibility."
I smiled at the two, knowing Issei is gonna get along with the nun pretty well. He grinned back at her ecstatically.
"Awesome! Thank you so much, Asia!"
She giggled in a flush, then sat back down on the bench. I leaned up against the pillar near the water, knowing what was coming. Issei sat down next to her as she began to speak.
"When I was just a baby, I was abandoned by my real parents. They left me in front of a church in a small town in Europe. I was told that when they found me, I couldn't stop crying. The sweet nuns there took me in. One day, when I was about 8, a sad little puppy who was hurt real bad found its way into the church. I prayed with all my heart that God would spare him, and a miracle happened. Because of my power, I was immediately taken to a larger church. Men and women from all over would visit me if they were sick or injured, and I was told to heal all of them. The idea that I possessed this power to heal others made me so happy. I finally felt like I had a purpose. But then, came the day I came across someone who had fallen and was in bad shape. I was able to heal him... but it wasn't a man."
I closed my eyes with respect as she kept going. Issei seemed to get the picture as well.
"They said anyone with my kind of power was nothing but a witch and a heretic. I had no choice but to run away."
Issei nodded in understanding.
"That's awful. So, after you took off, is that when you decided to join the Fallen ones?"
"Yes. But... I'll never forget who I am. I say my prayers and try my best to live a good life, but those Fallen Angels... They're horrible. They do such awful and evil things all in the name of God. This suffering has to be a test of my faith, but if I can overcome these trials, someday, I'll know my hopes and dreams will come true."
"What are your dreams, Asia?"
"To make lots of lifelong friends and get to know them and do cool things. I want us to have fun together, and care for each other. It's kind of silly."
She gave Issei a kind smile.
"Honestly, I'd be happy just to have any friends."
"..."
"..."
Issei stood up, walking up to the pillar beside mine and resting his hand on it as he stared out at the water.
"I don't care what other people say. I'm your friend. I mean, after what we've been through, how could we not be?"
Asia widened her eyes at him as he smiled back at her.
"It's true. I'd say we've gotten to know each other pretty well, wouldn't you say? And... I, uh... won you that stuffed animal, so that happened. Eheheh..."
I shook my head at Issei, then looked to Asia.
"I think it's safe to say he definitely cares about'cha, Asia."
She smiled sadly at him, her lip quivering.
"W-We can't... I care about you too, but we can't. Issei, no. It's forbidden, and I don't want to cause you or Neito any trouble."
"Oh please. None of those Fallen Angels hold a candle to my power. The only one who was able to match me was that Anba girl."
"Speaking of which, are you still trying to find out about those Nephilim Gears I overheard Yuri was talking about?"
"Yea. Apparently, I have a new Sacred Gear somewhere inside me that I just haven't seen yet. I've been figuring out ways to unlock it, but so far, my attempts are duds."
He nodded, then looked back at Asia, walking over to her.
"I'm sick and tired of people telling me what I can and can't do. We're friends, and that's the way it is."
"Neito too?"
I shrugged.
"There's not that many things that I have the strength to care for anymore, but one of those things that I can care for is you, buddy. We're cool, too."
"R-Really? Alright. Thank you, Issei and Neito."
*Drip*
I glanced back to the pond, then turned and stood at the center of the pillars, looking out at the water.
"Heh, I know you're there, Fallen Angel. Come on out. Don't be shy."
Issei and Asia shot their attention to me as a collection of feathers fell from nowhere. They became more and more numerous until they became a cocoon of feathers. They opened up to be Raynare's wings.
"Well, isn't this all SICKENINGLY sweet?"
Issei choked on his words.
"Crap. It's her."
"L-Lady Raynare."
Issei stared at Asia from the corner of his eyes, then furrowed his brows as he glared back at Raynare.
"Right. She's a Fallen Angel. Almost forgot..."
Raynare smirked smugly.
"So the rumors about your downward spiral into the wickedness of devildom are true. And I had such high hopes. DON'T even try to run, Asia."
"B-Begone! I want no part in the evil you and the other Angels are up to! I ran away! I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand to be with them any longer."
"Don't apologize. I'm glad. Your better off than with those has-been, wannabe Angels anyway. What do you want with us, Raynare?!"
"Oh, I didn't come here for you. My business is completely separate from you, little boy. Though I guess we could finish what we started, couldn't we?"
I scoffed.
"So? What? Did you come all the way here for Asia, only to have your priorities changed to try and kill Issei?"
"Don't you speak to me, lowly human."
"Lowly human? Coming from you, that's funny. I always thought you Fallen Angels were idiots. At least, you and your friends."
"What did you just say?!"
"You heard me. Surely they warned you about me? Kalawarner and Dohnaseek?"
She blinked, showing her confusion. I snickered.
"Guess not. Oh well. I guess we can have some fun before we get serious."
I summoned two Indigo Circles and pointed them right at her. She summoned her spear and glared at me.
"Issei. Get your Sacred Gear out and protect Asia."
"But Neito-"
"JUST... Just, do it. Alright?"
He cringed, then nodded, backing Yuuma away as Raynare flew towards me. I dodged a strike, then blasted her with the Circles. She flew up as Issei summoned his Sacred Gear. She laughed at it.
"Is that really all you got? It's nothing but a Twice Critical!"
"A Twice- what?"
"It's also called a Dragon's Hand. That thing only doubles your power temporarily. You might as well be fighting me with-"
*GAAAAHHHWWWW*
She flew back to a pillar when the Circles blasted her again, now accompanied by two more Circles coming from above.
"Sticks and stones, right? Well, I can still even beat the sh** outta you with that kind of inventory. I take it word upstairs is that Issei's a Devil to watch out for. Well, they foolishly forgot to include his little, tough as sh**, brother."
She burst from the rubble of the pillar, flying right for me with great speed. I shielded Issei as I dodged.
"They should also say that Issei's Sacred Gear is a force to be reckoned with. That's what my little bird told me when she told me about a little story."
I ducked under a spear and uppercutted her.
"And I'll guess that's why you put on the dumb little girl act."
She wiped some spit from her lip and grinned. She mimicked perfectly what she sounded like when she was still faking it.
"Oh Issei! Please go out with me!"
She laughed.
"Ridiculous, is it not?! He sure bought it though. Hook, line, and-"
*SHINE*
A blue glow surrounded my fist as I squared her right in the stomach, throwing her back.
"Sinker? That's enough taunting. Get up, and fight if you are as high and mighty as you claim. Issei? You wanna get in on the action?"
"Hell yes!"
I put a shield over Asia, letting Issei run out next to me.
"Hope you put that temporary boost to use, brother."
"Hope you put that magic of yours to use."
Raynare stood back up, glaring at us. I grinned.
"I always will."
We sprinted at her, then I got flung back when my arms were constricted by something. I looked to them and saw two pinkish tendrils wrapped around my arms. I looked back at Issei, seeing him get thrown out into the water. Anba walked around me, the tendrils connected to her hands.
"Anba! Wh-What the f*** are you doing?!"
"Sorry, Judgement wielder, but I don't have a choice yet."
"Yet? What the hell do you mean?"
"I spared their lives on purpose. If I had wanted to, I could have dealt a lethal blow to Issei and ordered Anba to finish off Neito. Your friends would have shattered to pieces."
Raynare used a spear to get past my weakened shield. Asia looked down.
"I'll come with you..."
"N-No! Asia! Don't do it!"
Raynare giggled.
"Good girl.~ No need to fret. After the big ritual tonight, your worries and troubles will be gone forever. I'll see you soon, Issei."
Anba let go of me and stood next to Raynare as she teleported them away before I could retaliate.
"D*** it! Too slow..."
"No..."
I looked over at Issei as he was knee deep in the water.
"Why couldn't I save her?"
"Get up, bro."
I held my hand out to him.
"No sense groveling there in the water. We have all day to get her back. We still have a chance."
He perked up, then took my hand. I helped him up, then we went back to the ORC.
-----
*SLAP*
"Grrrrrgh..."
My eyes glowed a faint blue, unknowing to me, as a little bit of my Nephilim Gear showing. Rias had just slapped my brother.
"Let me try one more time! When I say 'don't', you DON'T. You have to forget about Asia. You are a member of the Gremory Family now."
Issei glared at her.
"Fine. Then maybe it's time you released me from your household, because I refuse to just let her go."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
I scoffed.
"Yea, because you want to keep your precious pawn. Can't do without your most important piece, can ya, red head?"
"That's enough, Nei-"
"F***. You."
She jumped when I swore at her. I pointed at her.
"Don't think I haven't pieced together what you want with my brother. Don't think I don't know your plan. You are keeping him around so that he can bail you outta a problem, is that correct?"
I chuckled as memories washed back into my head.
"Then after he's done you your little deed, you plan on tossing him aside, don't you?"
I didn't give her time to react before I turned to Issei.
"C'mon, bro. They aren't going to help us. We'll pick up Yuri and fight our way to Asia ourselves."
Issei looked to me, then back at Rias. He nodded and we began walking out.
"Issei! Get back here! Don't you walk away from your-"
I threw my hand at her, changing her gravity and throwing her to the wall.
"His what? Master? Senior? Please. Don't make me laugh with that bullsh**. If you won't take the god d*** time to f***in think about an innocent life that's at stake right now rather than your pathetic exploits and desires, then you're f***in useless to me AND Issei."
I let her go, towering over her. I grabbed her by her collar and gave back the hard slap she gave Issei. She held her cheek as she looked up at me.
"You're no leader. You're just a spoiled, selfish b**** who doesn't give a d*** about anyone. Go get yourself another guy who'll bow down to your feet through your trickery."
I turned away to the door, walking back to Issei.
"It's the only thing you're good at doing."
I slammed the door behind us and walked through and Indigo Circle with Issei. Ophis was there on the couch, watching TV.
"Oph- Yuri. Get ready."
She tilted her head at me.
"What's, going on? Why is Big Brother Issei's, cheek red?"
"Rias slapped him, and she's refusing to help storm the church."
She growled.
"Why will you not let me, erase her?"
"Because I'm handling her myself. I've got Issei protected, and so you, but we can't kill her. Not until I'm sure that I'm not wrong."
She stared at me, then up at Issei.
"Let us, go save Asia Argento."
Issei smiled and followed us through another Circle. We appeared outside the front of the church while Ophis appeared down at the perimeter, taking out guards. She met back with us and sat in a bush, peeking her head out and looking at the door. Issei grimaced.
"Oh man. Can you feel that?"
"Oh yea. Stray Priests, and about a hundred of them."
"Seriously. I think I'm glad you guys are here."
I smiled at him.
"What are brothers for, right? I'd never leave you. Besides, I may dislike Rias, but I freaking hate Fallen Angels. I'll never forgive them for what they've done to you or Asia."
"Oh, yea..."
"Speaking of powerful adversaries, if we see Anba in there somewhere, you leave her to me, and if I can't defeat her myself, let Ophis deal with her."
"Ophis? I thought her name was-"
"I lied, Issei. It's not something I'm proud of doing, but Ophis would have been a 'problem' to Rias. It would have scared her into attacking. Her name and title is Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon; AKA, the Infinite Dragon God of Nothingness."
Issei widened his eyes as Ophis looked to him.
"Please, call me by my fake, name when around your tyrant and her, posse."
He nodded with a slight gulp. Ophis tilted her head.
"What is wrong, Big Brother Issei?"
"I-I... guess I'm just overwhelmed, and also taking note never to piss you off."
Ophis's body was engulfed in a black haze. She appeared now as a young adult, walking over and holding out her arms to hug Issei.