DXD - The Presence Chapter 51 49 - When Infinity Stares Back

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[POV - Rito] [Neutral Dinsion - Battlefield]

CRASH! BOOM! ZAP!

The confrontation between Issei and Vali was reaching its climax when sothing changed in the air. A new presence, different, approaching fast like a storm on the horizon.

Whoosh-thud.

A figure landed between the two Dragon Emperors with feline agility, interrupting the epic combat like a referee stopping a boxing match.

— Enough! — the voice echoed with casual authority.

Monkey business.

It was a guy with a youthful appearance, disheveled golden hair and that mischievous smile that scread "professional troublemaker." I recognized him imdiately — Bikou, the descendant of the Monkey King.

— Bikou? — Vali lowered his guard, confusion clear in his voice. — What are you doing here?

— Rescue mission, obviously — he replied, spinning a golden staff between his fingers like a majorette. — The boss doesn't want to lose the White Dragon Emperor so soon.

Sigh.

I sighed. Of course the Khaos Brigade had an evacuation plan. It was never simple with organized terrorists.

— Hey, Vali — Bikou gestured casually — the party's over. Ti to go.

— But I haven't finished with him yet! — Vali protested, pointing at Issei.

— Orders are orders, man — Bikou shrugged. — Besides, we have special visitors coming.

Chill.

Suddenly, the dinsion's temperature dropped about ten degrees. Not literally, but sohow everything beca... quieter. Like the universe itself was holding its breath.

Spatial crack.

RIIIIIP.

The sound of fabric tearing echoed, but it wasn't fabric — it was reality itself opening like a cosmic wound. A space rift appeared, edges shimring with energy that made my eyes water.

Small footsteps.

Pat-pat-pat.

Small, delicate footsteps echoed through the rift. Like a child walking in church during a funeral — quiet, but sohow commanding absolute attention.

And then she appeared.

Holy shit.

A little girl erged from the rift as if she'd stepped out of a gothic lolita magazine. Ornate black dress, ribbons and bows that seed to absorb light, long dark hair that floated as if she were underwater. But the eyes...

Ancient.

Her eyes weren't those of a child. They were ancient. Infinite. Like staring into the abyss and having the abyss stare back, but without malice. Just... emptiness. The void personified.

— Ophis — I murmured, recognition hitting like a brick wall.

Stare.

She looked at . Directly. Through the crowd of angels, demons, and fallen angels, through all the confusion and chaos of the battlefield — straight at . Those infinite eyes studying like a puzzle piece she couldn't quite categorize.

Silence.

The entire battlefield went silent. Issei stopped breathing. Vali froze mid-movent. Even Azazel and Michael seed to instinctively back away from the small figure that radiated power beyond comprehension.

Infinity.

Her presence wasn't overwhelming like mine when I let it expand. It was different. Like standing next to the ocean — you know it's there, know it's vast beyond asure, but it's just... existing. Neutral. Indifferent.

Head tilt.

She tilted her head slightly, like a bird examining sothing interesting. Still staring directly at . Not challenging, not threatening — just... observing.

Recognition.

And then I realized what she was seeing. Through all my human facade, through the student appearance, through the diplomatic pretense — she could see exactly what I really was. The Presence. The Source. The one thing in all creation that was technically her equal.

Interesting.

— Ophis-sama — Bikou broke the silence, bowing slightly. — Ready when you are.

She didn't acknowledge him. Kept staring at for what felt like hours but was probably only seconds.

Nod.

Finally, she gave the slightest nod. Not respectful, not threatening — just... acknowledgnt. One cosmic entity recognizing another.

— Vali — she said, voice completely flat and emotionless. — Co.

— But... — he started to protest.

STARE.

She turned those infinite eyes on him, and whatever he was going to say died in his throat.

— Okay then — Vali muttered, deactivating his Scale Mail. — Guess playti's over.

Retreat.

Bikou grabbed Vali by the arm and started pulling him toward the rift. Other Khaos Brigade mbers who were still conscious began retreating too, ergency evacuation clearly being called.

— This isn't over, Red Dragon — Vali called back to Issei. — Next ti, I won't hold back!

— Neither will I! — Issei shouted back, though his voice had a slight tremor.

Last look.

Ophis stopped at the edge of the rift, turning back to one more ti. Those ancient eyes boring into mine as if she were morizing every detail.

Then she smiled. Barely. Just the slightest upturn of the corners of her mouth. Like she'd figured out sothing amusing.

Gone.

And then they disappeared into the rift, space sealing itself behind them like a wound healing.

Exhale.

Everyone released the breath they didn't realize they were holding.

— What — Azazel said slowly — the hell was that?

— Ophis — Michael responded, voice grave. — The Infinite Dragon God.

— And she was staring at you, Rito — Sirzechs observed, approaching with Rias and her peerage in tow. — Any particular reason why?

Shrug.

I shrugged as if it were no big deal, but internally I was processing that encounter. Ophis recognizing ant complications. Lots of complications.

— Professional curiosity, probably — I said casually. — One cosmic entity checking out another.

Reality check.

I looked around at all the injured, scattered mbers of the three factions. The battle was over, but we still had business to discuss.

— Anyway — I continued, clapping my hands together — where were we? Ah yes. Peace treaty.

Stares.

Everyone stared at like I'd grown a second head.

— What? — I asked innocently. — Just because we had a terrorist attack doesn't an we can't finish our diplomatic eting.

Michael steps forward.

— Rito's right — Michael said, folding his wings. — We need to address what happened here and solidify our alliance.

— Agreed — Azazel nodded, though he kept glancing at where Ophis had disappeared. — But maybe sowhere more... secure?

— And quieter — Sirzechs added, looking at the destroyed battlefield. — My office?

Nod.

— Works for — I said. — But first — I gestured toward the scattered wounded — let's take care of our people.

Healing ti.

I raised my hand and let a small fraction of power flow through the dinsion. Nothing dramatic, just enough to heal serious injuries and stabilize everyone.

Golden light.

A warm golden light bathed the battlefield, wounds closing, broken bones nding, exhaustion fading. Within minutes, everyone was back on their feet.

— Much better — I murmured, satisfied. — Now, shall we continue our discussion in a more civilized setting?

Portal.

I opened a portal back to the normal dinsion, where Kuou Academy waited.

— Ladies and gentlen — I announced formally — let's finish what we started.

Because peace treaties don't negotiate themselves, and we had a world to save.

Step forward.

Ti for real diplomacy to begin.

Especially now that we knew what kind of enemies we were facing.

Ophis staring at ant she knew exactly who I was. And if the Infinite Dragon God was interested in my existence...

Well, things were about to get very interesting indeed.

Let's go.