[Vali's Perspective]
The world of illusions crumbled away, and reality came rushing back.
Across the battlefield, the roar of explosions and the thunder of combat reverberated. There was no mistaking it—I had returned.
Standing before me, the three-headed Evil Dragon narrowed its eyes and asked, "Was it a good dream?"
"Yeah," I replied. "The best dream I could have asked for."
It was a world of 'what ifs.' A world where I had a younger brother, a sister, and my mother. As for my father… heh, it's a bit embarrassing to say it out loud.
It really was a beautiful dream. And because of it, I've found a new level of resolve. I can still fight—I'm nowhere near finished.
Suddenly, Azi Dahaka's demeanor shifted. The mockery vanished, replaced by an expression of grim intensity.
"Vali Lucifer, the White Dragon Emperor… you did well to shatter my art. I apologize for attempting to ensnare you with such a base deception. From this moment on, I recognize you as my greatest rival!"
The playful malice was gone from his killing intent. This was the real deal.
"The feeling is mutual, Azi Dahaka. I consider it an honor to fight you with everything I have! I will strike you down—I will strike all of you down—to protect that family!"
Something inside me snapped into place. The fog in my mind cleared, leaving my heart as transparent and bright as a cloudless sky.
To protect.
That sentiment, blooming within me for the first time, set my soul ablaze. It gave me the strength to stand tall.
Albion spoke then.
"Vali. In that phantom world, I witnessed your resolve. If that is the case, then I, too, shall reclaim the name I once cast aside."
Just as Albion moved to embrace the self he had once rejected, the jewels across my armor began to pulse with a light more powerful and gentle than ever before. It was a radiance that carried the warmth of the time I spent in that dream.
Then, a voice reached out to me through the Sacred Gear.
"—Vali. Can you hear me?"
It was Ophis. She was supposed to be recovering at Issei Hyoudou's home. Since she wasn't physically here, she must have projected her consciousness directly to me.
"Vali, it is time to move to the next horizon. Time to let the power sleeping within you bloom. —Chant with me."
Chant? If I am to sing with you, then it must be something truly magnificent.
"This is possible only because Vali accepted Vali, and Albion accepted Albion. I am merely the catalyst."
The Dragon God herself was reaching out her hand to me. I couldn't have asked for a more reliable ally.
"—Vali, thank you for talking to me."
Back when Ophis was the leader of the Chaos Brigade, I was the only one who really spoke to her. It started simply because I'd see her sitting alone in a room at the hideout. Nowadays, you can catch glimpses of emotion on her face, but back then, she was a void. Yet, to me, she always looked lonely.
No, she was lonely. Shalba and Cao Cao used her as a figurehead, but they gave her nothing but solitude.
Ophis, let's keep talking from now on. About anything. Whatever makes you happy…
"I shall join the song as well, Vali, Ophis." Albion's voice resonated in agreement.
I see. You're in on this too? Then this is a triple chorus—the Dragon God, the Heavenly Dragon, and the Lucifer. A song between a comrade and a partner.
"O pure White Dragon dwelling within me, bring forth the laws of supremacy—"
The silver armor, which had already surpassed the heights of 'Supremacy,' began to be stained with a deep, bottomless jet-black.
"O silver Morning Star dwelling within me, ascend to the throne of dawn—"
In response to Albion's voice, the wings of light on my back turned black. They multiplied, spreading wide and majestic.
"O infinite God of the raven-feathered sky—"
Ophis's voice followed mine.
"O profound Father of the devils—"
Twelve wings, six pairs of pitch-black feathers, erupted from my back. The armor's silhouette grew sharper, more organic, shifting into a lethal, elegant form.
["Accept our covenant as we transcend the ultimate limits—"]
As my voice overlapped with Albion's, the crest of the Demon King Lucifer manifested upon every jewel on the armor. Then, the entire suit erupted in a blinding, divine light that illuminated the entire region!
The final verse was a chorus of three.
"""Thou, prostrate thyself before our brilliance, as radiant as the dawn!"""
[LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLucifer!!!!!!!!!!!]
An alarm-like roar shrieked from the jewels, followed by a new, thunderous announcement:
[Dragon Lucifer Drive!!!!!!]
The armor exploded with a massive burst of aura and light!
As the storm subsided, I stood transformed. Twelve Lucifer wings sprouted from my back. The armor was a masterpiece of silver and jet-black, possessing the organic fluidity of the Juggernaut Drive but refined into a sleek, majestic form. I could feel the overlapping waves of power: the White Dragon Emperor and the Demon King Lucifer.
"The power of Albion Gwiber, the White Dragon Emperor, and the power of the Demon King Lucifer. I have manifested everything I am in this form… Azi Dahaka, I'm bringing it all to you!"
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