High School DxD: Sons of Satan

The countless cloaked figures silently faded away, leaving only Arthur, Ddraig, and the two legendary Red Dragon Emperors, Belzard and Elsha, standing directly in front of him.

For a moment, the silence settled again.

Arthur opened his mouth, closed it, and then scratched the back of his neck before muttering.

"Alright. I've a lot of questions. Like, at least five. Maybe more. I don't even know where to start."

He looked between the two of them, shoulders tense, mind spiraling.

"Like... Why are you both so fashionably dressed for being soul fragments?"

Belzard gave a warm chuckle at that.

"As much as we'd like to spend time answering all those questions and getting to know you better, Arthur, we're here for something more important."

Elsha stepped forward, her expression kind but firm.

"We're here because of your use of the Juggernaut Drive."

Arthur blinked.

"Wait, what about it?"

Belzard folded his arms, expression sharpening.

"That power… It's not something to be used lightly. You used it twice already, didn't you?"

Arthur hesitated.

"Well, yeah. First time during training, and then just recently. Against the vampires."

Elsha's eyes narrowed slightly, not with suspicion, but concern.

"Tell us, Arthur. Think back. How did it feel, both times? Compare them."

Arthur stood in silence for a moment.

He looked down at his hands, hands that had turned to blood-soaked claws for a split second, the whole area burned in crimson flames just like back at the battlefield.

"The first time... It was in a controlled environment. I activated it, and I felt so powerful that I felt like I could take on a god. But I only held it one for a whole minute before Ddraig told me to change back."

He paused, his eyes dimming slightly.

"But the second time… It was like all hell broke loose. I could barely think because of the voices. All I wanted was to destroy them all. All of them. The vampires, the castle, the land. I didn't care who got in the way. All I saw was red. I..."

He stopped, clenching his fists tightly.

"I wanted the world to burn."

Ddraig stirred from where he lay, his eyes narrowing.

"And that's exactly what makes the Juggernaut Drive so dangerous. That second time wasn't just you activating it. You were almost consumed by it."

Arthur looked back at him, uneasy.

"So what, I got lucky?"

Ddraig nodded.

"Very lucky. The will of the past Red Dragon Emperors, those that fell, was clawing at your soul the whole time. I felt it. One more step, one more second in that form, and you would've lost yourself. Forever."

Elsha stepped closer, the gentleness in her eyes softening.

"Arthur, the Juggernaut Drive isn't just temporarily removing the seal placed on the Heavenly Dragons, but it's also the manifestation of the unbearable wrath, pain, and grief of those who came before you. It amplifies not just your power, but your deepest emotions."

Belzard nodded in agreement.

"And in the heat of that moment, surrounded by horror, blood, and death, you gave that rage fuel. The crimson flames you wielded were not just from Ddraig, they were from you as well."

Arthur turned away for a second, running a hand through his hair.

"So what now? Are you guys saying I can't use that power again? Because I can't guarantee that I won't be using it during the worst-case scenario."

"Not at all, it's the opposite."

Belzard said, stepping forward, placing a firm hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"You will use it again. But this time, you'll need to learn how to control it better. Because sooner or later, you'll probably be facing your greatest challenge yet."

Arthur looked at him, his expression serious now.

"The White Dragon Emperor."

Ddraig gave a low rumble.

"Precisely. Your destined rival. The host of Albion."

Elsha's expression darkened ever so slightly.

"But not only that, Arthur. Gods, Satans, and powerful beings who see you as either a threat or a tool. What you've done tonight is just the beginning of your path towards your dream."

Belzard grinned again, that fire returning to his eyes.

"That's why we're here. To prepare you for it. What you did in Romania will look like a warm-up compared to what's to come."

Arthur took a breath and stepped forward, more composed now.

"Alright then. What's the plan?"

Belzard's grin as he squeezed Arthur's shoulder and leaned in slightly.

"The plan is actually pretty simple."

Then he let go and turned away, hands behind his back.

"But that'll have to wait until your next visit."

Arthur blinked.

"Uhh… what? What do you mean by that?"

Elsha approached gently, brushing a hand through his hair and patting his head.

"Our time's up, Arthur. You're starting to wake up. But don't worry, we'll meet again. Sooner than you think."

Arthur blinked again, suddenly feeling himself fading.

"Wait. Hold on. I-"

And then he vanished.

Belzard stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the spot where Arthur had just disappeared.

A small smirk crept across his face as he exhaled through his nose and muttered.

"Man… Ddraig, you really have your work cut out for you with that one."

Ddraig, still lying nearby with his wings half-folded and his enormous head resting on his claws, let out a low, rumbling laugh.

"No kidding, Belzard. But…"

He glanced over to where Arthur had stood.

"I'm glad it's him. He's reckless, stubborn, even a little emotional… but he's got spirit."

Elsha gently stepped to Belzard's side, a soft giggle escaping her lips.

"He's a polite young man. A little rough around the edges, but he has a kind personality. And I could see it in his eyes. So much pain and regret hidden deep within him… but he still kept moving forward."

She clasped her hands in front of her, looking thoughtfully at the now-empty space before them.

"It'll be a fine experience to train and get to know him better. Someone like Arthur doesn't come around often."

Belzard raised an eyebrow.

"You're not gonna go easy on him, are you?"

Elsha smiled sweetly, almost too sweetly.

"Oh, not in the slightest."

Ddraig let out a chuckle, his chest rising and falling.

"Good. He's going to need all the help he can get. After what just happened in Romania, things are going to get harder for him. Enemies won't sit idle. The world's about to change, and I've got a feeling Arthur's gonna be right in the center of it all."

Belzard's expression turned serious, the smirk fading.

"You're right. His little stunt won't go unnoticed by the other pantheons, especially the Three Factions."

Elsha nodded, her eyes narrowing as she spoke softly.

"They'll come soon enough. To either test him, control him, or even oppose him."

Ddraig's eyes gleamed.

"Then we make sure he doesn't fall."

The three stood in silence once more, as if agreeing to what was about to happen next.

DxD

Arthur's breath came in slow, shallow draws as his blurry eyes adjusted to the night sky above.

The stars shimmered above him, barely visible through the residual haze that still lingered from his devastating rampage.

His limbs still felt like lead, his entire body ached, and the skin under his clothes stung with every breeze.

He blinked once, twice, then muttered groggily in his mind.

"How long was I out this time?"

Ddraig's voice echoed gently in his mind.

(Only five minutes, Partner.)

Arthur blinked again.

"Really?"

Arthur groaned softly as he slowly sat up, rubbing the crust from his eyes.

"I feel like my entire body went through a meat grinder, a furnace, and a blender… all at the same time."

"You're lucky that's the only thing you're feeling right now. The Juggernaut Drive burn-out should've left you unconscious for days and possibly crippled."

Ddraig added. 

Arthur sighed, letting his upper body fall back against the scorched, broken earth beneath him.

He closed his eyes again, silently enjoying a moment of silence.

But something happened.

His instincts sensed something was off.

He opened his eyes slowly.

And there she was.

A small figure stood inches away from his head, casting a shadow over his face.

Arthur's heart skipped a beat.

Innocent, doll-like features, long, silky black hair that reached her hips, skin as pale as moonlight, and a pair of black-grey orbs stared down at him, unblinking, unreadable, unsettling.

Arthur didn't hesitate.

In one smooth, reactive motion, he rolled to the side, twisted up onto his feet, and leaped back several meters across the ground.

His breath caught in his throat as he landed in a crouch, his hands already raised in front of him in case he needed to summon the Boosted Gear again.

But nothing came from her.

No aura, no intent, no sound.

The girl simply tilted her head slightly, the hem of her gothic Lolita dress fluttering slightly in the breeze.

Her expression hadn't changed, blank and emotionless.

Arthur's body tensed despite the absence of hostility.

His senses, enhanced by both instinct and experience, hadn't even registered her presence until he saw her.

Ddraig's voice entered his head again, but this time, far more seriously.

(Arthur. Whatever you do, do not under any circumstances antagonize her. And don't be fooled by her appearance. That's the Infinite Dragon God itself. Ophis.)

Arthur froze.

Of course, he already knew about Ophis in his past life, especially that she took the form of a little girl.

But he never expected her to appear here and now.

(Shit. She probably was around the country when she felt my final attack.)

Still breathing carefully, Arthur lowered his hands slightly.

Not relaxed, but no longer on edge.

He cleared his throat, trying to hide the tension in his voice.

"Uh… greetings, Lady Ophis. It's quite the honor to meet you."

She said nothing at first.

Arthur glanced around the broken field, suddenly very aware of how alone he was here.

His allies were still far off, and he didn't even know if Cao Cao was alright after the blast.

He looked back at her.

Her eyes never left his.

"May I ask… why exactly you're here?"

He said carefully.

Ophis stood silently, staring.

The silence stretched awkwardly, unnaturally.

Then, she finally spoke, her voice flat, barely louder than a whisper.

"Strange…"

Arthur blinked.

"…You are a strange one."

(That's… not the answer I expected.)

Ddraig growled low in Arthur's mind.

(Just keep being honest and respectful, Arthur. Otherwise, she will erase you from existence with a thought.)

Arthur gulped slightly but kept his posture firm.

"Thank you? I think?"

Ophis stepped forward once.

Her steps made no sound against the scorched ground.

"You smell human, but also Devil. How strange."

Arthur didn't know what to say to that.

Then she spoke again.

"Join me, strange one."

He stared at her blankly.

"Excuse me?"

She repeated, unblinking.

"Join me."

Arthur blinked, utterly confused.

"For… what reason exactly?"

"To return my silence."

She said simply.

Arthur's expression fell.

He knew what she meant by that, but Arthur didn't know how to feel about it.

Just the idea of facing the True Dragon of Dreams was absurd.

Great Red was not just powerful, he is currently the strongest being in existence.

Arthur knew he wasn't strong enough to challenge him, not even close...

Not yet, at least.

Ophis raised her pale hand toward him.

Her hand seemed small and delicate, but it felt like it could crush the stars if she willed it.

"Tell me... What is your answer?"

DxD

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Thank you, everyone, and see you later!