~ I have added this Fanfic to my Patreon. If you'd like to read advanced chapters, feel free to check it out!
~ I'm planning to increase the number of advanced chapters to +50 this weekend!
~ I've edited some of the previous chapters to remove anything you might consider "cringe" or "unnecessary." I'll continue reviewing them from time to time!
~ Very soon, we'll return to releasing two chapters daily, including bonus privileges for Power Stone contributions
<><><><><><><>
He ducked and a lance quivered where his head had been a second ago.
"Fuck me."
They stopped, suddenly. The swarm of shadowy figures ceased their attacks. Remained hovering in midair. A few of them descended to the ground and planted their spears into the floor. They leaned on them as though expecting something, waiting for something. Their gazes were locked onto what was behind him.
Issei chanced a glance back over the jagged edges of his cover. What he saw made him sigh the next few words out with surprising politeness.
"Fuck me sideways."
We are the hammer!
They charged in a V-shaped formation, surged forward in a flying wedge, halberds lowered in gauntleted hands. From the outlying ruins of the academy they came, pouring forth in a wave, running like gods.
We are the spear in His hand!
Their ranks had been savaged at the cathedral, and their once pristine armor bore the scars of battle. They had lost comrades that night, but that merely fueled their anger, fed their zealous rage, and they had scraped up what remained of their numbers to form this small but lethal fighting force.
We are the blade in His fist!
Tabards whipped in the wind. Armored boots crashed into the ground. The reddish sky cast an ominous glow over sigil-engraved plate, covered ironclad forms with a terrible sheen. Helmeted heads glared at the outcrop of debris. That was their destination, and they homed in on it in perfect formation.
In one smooth motion, the halberds were raised, not to strike, but to throw. The distance was long, and revenge would not wait. As one, polearms were lifted over shoulders and cast in a single volley towards their intended target. The sigils carved onto each blade glowed with angry fire, and like homing missiles they found their mark, each sinking deep into vulnerable flesh.
Corrupted angels fell from the sky like leaves in an autumn forest. Clutching at the thick hafts protruding from their bodies. Grappling with the steel transfixing them from end to end. They tumbled to the ground in disorganized jumbles and lay where they fell amid the broken wreckage of their own wings.
Gauntleted hands reached out, and the halberds flew back, slapping into armored palms once more. Along with them came the first words of the catechism, renovated and restored for the occasion.
Wreathed in darkness, we have been misled! Cleansed by Uriel's flame, we have seen the truth! Redemption calls and we shall forge it through blood and fire!
They vaulted over the outcrop of cement, bladed polearms sweeping in great disemboweling strokes. Dark, twisted shapes fell before their advance like wheat before a scythe, giving ground in surprise-induced panic. That panic turned to fear as plated forms muscled bulky weapons into the fight. Their ends lit up with tapers of flame before becoming streams of them, coating the pavement, setting Fallen Angels on fire, turning them into screaming, flailing torches. Those few that took to the sky did not escape. The second rank carried crossbows, seen but not used during the battle at the cathedral. They were used now, and shadowy figures writhed in the air as the bolts found them, shot with unerring accuracy by keen-eyed marksmen.
Halberds swinging, crossbows spitting death, flamethrowers flinging dragon's breath in hissing gouts of holy fire, the Knights Templar flung themselves into the teeth of Kokabiel's second wave and shattered it utterly apart.
Behind them, among the outcrop of cement, a lone head popped up and gazed at the sheer annihilation that surrounded it.
"Okay," Issei said slowly, almost hesitantly, "that was kind of awesome."
Parts of the ceiling collapsed and separated her from her allies. The rubble created a wall between them and she could hear them shouting at her, telling her to find another way around. This, she had been trying to do for the past few minutes and failing. Kokabiel had continued to hurl his spears of light, and Kuoh Academy had continued to suffer for it. The once pristine roof was now marred with craters, and crimson light shone where the craters had become holes. Debris piled high in the hallways, blocked doors and entryways, and turned once familiar paths into mazes of obstruction.
Asia turned the corner, hoping to find familiar faces, and instead ran smack-dab into rune-engraved plate. She let out a soft cry as she rebounded from the indomitable mass and fell on her behind. The figure she had crashed into glared down in deep disapproval. She swallowed as the sharpened tip of a halberd stopped centimeters from her face.
"The witch."
Ten more were levelled at her as the Templar's comrades made their presence known. One of them gestured disdainfully towards her.
"Should we kill her?"
She winced.
"Peace, brother," another Templar said, "We are here to repent for our deeds. Purgation can wait for another day."
"But she is a witch."
"Lord Uriel spoke with her," another pointed out.
"He answered her questions," a third confirmed, "In his wisdom, he has deigned her worthy of his words."
"Lord Uriel," half of them muttered in reverence.
"Cats," the other half muttered with equal reverence.
Asia blinked. Then blinked again when it became apparent they were serious.
"Indeed, brothers," the lead Templar nodded his head, "When we arrive back at our monastery we must adopt as many as we can to preserve the sanctity within our sacred halls."
<><><><><><><>
~ If you like the story, please leave a review!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power
Stones]
~ (Soon +50) Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Anshufanfic