Sacred Gear Omnitrix Ch. 8

Chapter 8: Shadows and Blades.

-0-

No one would have ever imagined that I was the grandson of an exorcist—let alone one of the most renowned among the church’s ranks.

Even Akeno, standing beside me with her usual composed demeanor, had been left utterly speechless when the truth came out.

“Oh… seems I let a little secret slip.”

Valper said it with a wry smile, his voice mocking yet strangely calm.

I stared at him in disbelief, unable to picture my grandfather as some sword-wielding crusader, cutting through devils with holy blades blazing in divine light.

But Valper wasn’t done.

“The important thing, however, is your Sacred Gear,” he continued, eyes gleaming with obsession. “Imagine the discoveries we could make if we studied it properly.”

His grin widened, the kind of grin that sent chills crawling down my spine. His gaze lingered on the Omnitrix—my Omnitrix—with far too much fascination.

I was still in Wildmutt’s form, but I knew instantly that I couldn’t allow him anywhere near it.

The Omnitrix wasn’t supposed to exist in this world.

If its true power were ever revealed, every faction—Heaven, Hell, and everything in between—would tear the world apart to claim it.

And me? I’d become nothing more than a hunted prize.

“What is it you want with us?” Akeno asked. Her tone was sharp, but I could hear the pain in her voice; she was still recovering from her earlier injuries.

It was odd, though—why would a rogue priest like Valper take an interest in us now? Even she could feel that there was more at play here than old grudges or holy duties.

Valper chuckled softly.

“Nothing much,” he said, almost casually. “Just fulfilling the wishes of my master.”

Beside him, Freed stood grinning, his manic smile stretching unnaturally wide. The gleam in his eyes promised nothing but chaos.

Then, without warning—he attacked.

But something was off. My instincts screamed before my mind caught up.

The Freed standing before us flickered for a second—and I realized it.

An illusion.

The real Freed was behind us, moving through the shadows for a surprise attack while Valper distracted us.

He lunged, blade first—but Wildmutt’s heightened senses caught it in time.

I twisted sharply, his sword slicing through nothing but air.

“Damn, that dog is fast!” Freed cursed, his eyes wide in disbelief. “How could you sense me? I used Excalibur Nightmare!”

I simply tilted my head, pretending it was a secret, though in truth, I barely understood it myself.

“But whatever,” he sneered. “I’ll still slaughter you.”

He charged again. Akeno tried to rise, but her wounds held her down. It was on me now.

And that’s when it happened.

The Omnitrix began to beep—slowly at first, then faster. My heart throbbed as a red glow engulfed my entire body.

“No, no, no!” I muttered, panic clawing through me.

A flash—and Wildmutt was gone. I was back to my human form, gasping, defenseless.

“Damn it,” I hissed. “Why now?!”

Valper’s grin spread even wider at the sight.

“Well, well,” he said softly. “Seems fortune favors me today.”

He leapt forward, both Excalibur blades raised high, ready to slice me clean in half. I braced for the worst—but steel met steel before he could reach me.

Clang!

Freed blinked, stunned, and jumped back. Standing between us was a figure in a white cloak.

“Who the heck are you, mouse?” he snarled.

The figure pulled down her hood—it was Xenovia.

Then, from behind her, another figure appeared—a blonde girl with orange-tinted hair and striking violet eyes. I recognized her immediately.

Irina.

“We’re with the Church,” she said, voice firm and righteous. “And you’re going to return those swords. Your filthy hands aren’t worthy to wield them.”

Freed’s grin only grew darker. He dragged his tongue across the blade, eyes gleaming with insanity.

“Over my dead body,” he hissed.

Valper laughed softly. “Ah, the Church sent its little elites. How very predictable.”

His mockery was enough to make both Irina and Xenovia’s expressions twist with fury. Their aura alone spoke of divine wrath.

“Valper Galilei,” Xenovia growled, “you will die for your sins.”

But Valper only chuckled, shaking his head.

“Are you sure this is where you should be right now?” he asked cryptically.

“What do you mean?” Xenovia demanded.

Valper smirked.

“The Kuoh Academy… that’s where my master is headed. In fact, I believe he’s already there by now.”

The words struck like thunder.

Akeno, Irina, Xenovia and I froze. So that was it—this whole encounter had been a distraction.

“We thought we could lure the Gremory family out,” Valper continued, “but I suppose that failed. No matter. The plan moves forward regardless.”

Then, as suddenly as they’d appeared, Valper and Freed vanished into the shadows.

Irina took a step forward, wanting to chase them—but Xenovia held her back.

“No,” she said. “We need to focus. Kokabiel… he’s already at the school.”

Irina hesitated, then nodded.

She turned to us and spoke gently, “Sorry for bursting in like that. We can explain everything later—but your school is in grave danger. We’ll need your cooperation.”

I nodded immediately. Akeno didn’t speak, but the look in her eyes said she agreed.

---

When we reached Kuoh Academy, destruction met us.

Half the school lay in ruins. Smoke, fire, and light clashed violently in the distance.

Rias’s peerage was scattered across the courtyard—most of them injured and barely conscious.

Only Issei was still standing, though barely, his body bloodied and trembling.

Asia was kneeling beside the fallen, her hands glowing faintly as she tried to heal whoever she could.

“How dare you hurt my family!” Issei shouted, fury breaking through his pain.

Kokabiel only laughed, forming a massive spear of light above his hand.“Join me, Red Dragon Emperor,” he mocked, “and perhaps I’ll let you live. I could even make you the Harem King you dream of!”

It was a tempting offer for Issei but he refused as then Kokabiel hurled the blazing spear down at Issei.

Issei tried to move but collapsed to his knees. At the last moment, Xenovia leapt in front of him, raising her sword to intercept the attack.

I set Akeno down gently beside Asia; she was barely conscious, the loss of blood making her pale.

I looked down at the Omnitrix. Still red. Still locked.

“Stupid thing,” I muttered bitterly. “You never work when I need you.”

The battle raged on. Xenovia and Irina fought with everything they had, but Kokabiel’s power was overwhelming. I stood frozen, useless, watching them struggle—watching them bleed.

And then—I felt it.

A sharp, burning pain pierced through my back.

I looked down and saw a blade jutting out through my stomach, red staining its silver edge.

Freed’s laughter echoed behind me.

“Hehahahaha! Got you this time!”

He pulled the sword out slowly, savoring my pain. Blood spilled from my mouth as I stumbled forward, vision blurring.

And the world started to fade.