High School DxD: The Man Who Surpasses God

[ARTHUR'S POV]

...

(a....r...)

...

(A..hur.)

...

(Arthur!)

Gaia's voice rang out urgently in my mind, pulling me from the heavy haze of unconsciousness.

(Arthur, wake up! You can't die here!)

My eyelids felt like lead, but I forced them open.

The sight that greeted me was grim.

The blood moon looming ominously in the sky, casting an eerie crimson glow over the battlefield.

My body screamed in protest as I shifted slightly, the pain stabbing through every nerve, a cruel reminder of the beating I'd just taken. 

"What… happened?"

I rasped, my voice barely audible. 

Gaia's tone was sharp, tinged with both fear and exasperation.

(Absalom knocked you into next year. I've been screaming at you to wake up for the last minute! Get up, Arthur, or we're done for!)

I struggled to move, every muscle in my body feeling like it had been set on fire.

Even with Major Pain Resistance, the agony was overwhelming.

Forcing myself upright, I glanced at my HUD.

XxX

Health: 159/900,000

Mana: 321/900,000

XxX

My health bar was now in the triple digits and my mana reserves weren't any better. 

"Great… just fucking great."

I muttered bitterly, the metallic taste of blood on my tongue. 

Before I could make another move, I felt a cold, sickening sensation wrap around my torso.

Blood tentacles coiled tightly around my body, lifting me effortlessly off the ground.

I thrashed weakly against them, but it was no use as my strength was nearly spent. 

Absalom rose into the air, his presence as oppressive as ever.

His bloodstained figure floated toward me, the remnants of the battlefield swirling with debris and chaos in his wake.

His crimson eyes bore into mine, a predatory gleam reflecting in them as he lifted my battered body higher. 

I tried to pull free, but the tentacles only tightened, constricting my chest until it became hard to breathe.

I glanced at his health, and my disappointment was immeasurable.

XxX

Health: 219,010/300,000 [Former: 3,000,000/3,000,000]

XxX

After everything I'd thrown at him, that was all the damage I could managed.

"Is that really all I could do? Damn it…"

I whispered, despair creeping into my voice.

Absalom's right arm began to shift, transforming into a grotesque dragon-like head made of blood.

Its fanged maw opened wide, dripping crimson as if eager for its meal. 

"You've fought well, human child."

Absalom remarked, his tone carrying an odd mixture of respect and mockery.

"Of all the humans I've slaughtered, you are by far the most formidable. Bravery in the face of the inevitable… it's almost admirable." 

He paused, his mouth curling into a wicked smile as he prepared to strike.

"Stand proud, human. You are strong." 

Despite everything, I found myself grinning.

My lips split painfully, but I didn't care.

"Heh... That's… quite the compliment... coming from a Nephalem..."

I managed to say, each word a struggle. 

Absalom froze mid-motion, his glowing eyes narrowing.

"You… know what I truly am?" 

I coughed, blood splattering my lips as I nodded.

"One of the many things I can do... Gotta admit… I thought your kind was just a myth..." 

His expression shifted, a mix of intrigue and suspicion crossing his face.

"No one… not in centuries… has ever deciphered my true lineage. Yet here you are, a mere mortal child, seeing through it with ease."

I smirked weakly.

"Guess that makes me special." 

Absalom tilted his head, his curiosity evidently piqued.

"Impressive… and foolish. Knowing won't change your fate, as my vessel." 

"Yeah, probably not..."

I admitted, the weight of my exhaustion making it hard to keep my head up.

"But hey, since you're about to kill me anyway… can I ask for one last thing?" 

He narrowed his eyes.

"What are you scheming, human?" 

"No schemes, no bullshit... just… call it the dying wish of a curious human... I want to know... how did you end up like this?" 

I said, forcing the most defeated smile I could muster.

For a moment, silence hung between us.

Gaia's voice cut into my thoughts, her tone frantic.

(Arthur, what in the world are you doing?!)

'Trust me, Gaia. I've got a plan.' 

I responded in my mind, forcing my panic into a calm tone. 

Absalom stared at me, his gaze searching, before he chuckled—a deep, sinister sound that sent chills down my spine.

"Very well, human. As a reward for managing to entertain me and provide a decent challenge upon my return, I shall grant your wish." 

He paused, his smile widening.

"I will share my origins with you. And then… you will die." 

I nodded weakly, trying to hide the faint flicker of hope stirring within me.

"Fair enough."

Absalom shifted his posture, his expression almost contemplative as he began to speak.

Absalom's deep, resonant voice filled the air as he began his tale, his tone calm yet laced with an ancient bitterness.

"Before the Great War, before the Creation of Man... there was the dawn of creation. Genesis had only recently occurred, and the lights of creation had just been lit, illuminating a vast, blank canvas waiting to be painted upon." 

I hung limply in the grip of his blood tentacles, every muscle in my body screaming in protest, but I forced myself to listen.

"In those times, the One Above All, tasked his first creations, the Angels, with safeguarding this fledgling existence. Their greatest threat was the Demons, beings of malevolence that rose seemingly from nowhere. Their origins are unknown, though rumors whispered that they came from something... opposite to God. A counterpart." 

Absalom continued.

That caught my attention.

My battered body twitched slightly, and I croaked out.

"A counterpart? Are you saying God himself... had an opposite?" 

Absalom glanced at me, his crimson eyes gleaming with faint amusement.

"It is speculation. No such entity existed at that time, not that anyone could prove. But in my own research, I uncovered fragments that hinted at the possibility. I call this potential force... the One Below All." 

I blinked, genuinely surprised.

"Wait, hold up. You do research?" 

The faintest smirk crossed his lips.

"Even gods need a hobby to pass the time, boy. But that information is irrelevant. Focus." 

I bit back a retort and nodded weakly.

"Right… carry on." 

"The Angels and Demons were natural enemies, destined to clash for eternity."

Absalom said, his tone dipping into something darker.

"But as with all things in creation, exceptions exist. Among the Angels was Amenadiel, the first of God's creations and His mightiest servant. Among the Demons, there was Zatanas, a powerful Demoness who stood above all others in cunning and strength. They were opposites in every sense of the word." 

His voice lowered, almost wistful.

"And yet, against all odds, they fell in love." 

My brow furrowed.

"An Angel and a Demon... falling in love? That's... kinda poetic and ironic?" 

"Perhaps... But it happened. And from their union, I was born."

Absalom conceded. 

I stared at him, my battered mind struggling to process the revelation.

"So… you're originally part Angel and part Demon?" 

"Precisely, and that was a problem for both sides. My existence was... unnatural. The Angels feared me, viewing me as an abomination that defied their sacred order. The Demons despised me, seeing me as a threat to their dominion." 

Absalom replied, his voice losing its wistful edge and becoming colder. 

I frowned, the puzzle pieces starting to click into place.

"So they what? Teamed up to kill you or something?" 

Absalom nodded, his smirk returning.

"Correct. My birth united Heaven and Hell in their hatred of me. The Angels and Demons called a truce to eliminate me." 

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, despite the pain it caused.

"Wow. That's… pretty messed up. Two natural enemies working together just to destroy one kid." 

"When faced with a threat they cannot control, even enemies will ally."

Absalom said, his voice laced with a quiet rage.

"And their efforts did not stop with me. My birth parents paid the price for their love. They were punished. By none other than God Himself." 

I swallowed hard, as I became more curious of his story.

"What... kind of punishment?" 

Absalom's gaze darkened.

"Amenadiel was stripped of his rank and cast down, his name erased from the annals of Heaven. Zatanas… was consumed by Hell itself, and her soul scattered. As for me? My existence was well hidden, left to drift in the seas of Chaos." 

There was a long pause, his voice trembling slightly as he continued.

"But Chaos... she took pity on me. She raised me, nurtured me, and shaped me into her Avatar. I became a god with authority over blood, vampires, war, and rage. My purpose was vengeance. My first act as a god was to destroy those who wronged me." 

I could feel the venom in his words now, each one sharper than the last.

"Let me guess... You went after Heaven, didn't you?" 

Absalom's grin widened, exposing bloodstained teeth.

"Indeed. I invaded Heaven alone, fueled by the power Chaos bestowed upon me. I carved a path of destruction through their holy halls, nearly succeeding in my conquest. But Heaven has its protectors. The Seven Archangels, led by Helel, stood against me." 

I flinched at the name.

"Helel… you mean Lucifer?" 

"At that time, he was still God's Morning Star, his so-called favorite. Together, they stopped me. I was struck down, my body destroyed, and my soul sealed by God Himself. Yet, even in defeat, I left my mark. My blood was scattered across creation, seeping into the earth, the air, and the hearts of men." 

Absalom said as his smile grew darker, his voice almost triumphant.

"My blood gave rise to my first champion, the First Murderer, Cain. And through him gave birth to the creatures of the night, the natural predators of mankind, Vampires. But that… is a story for another lifetime." 

I couldn't help but be fascinated by the sheer scale of his story.

"That's… that's insane. I mean, I always thought that you were just a bad guy, but…" 

"You pity me, don't you?"

Absalom interrupted, his tone sharp. 

I hesitated, unsure how to answer.

"I mean… yeah, a little. Your story… it's pretty tragic if you think about it." 

Absalom stared at me for a long moment before shaking his head.

"Save your pity, human. I need none of it. Now… your time has run out. Prepare to die." 

The blood tentacles around me tightened, and the dragon head on his arm lunged forward. 

"That.. is an option. But the thing is..."

Then, it happened.

A flash of holy light pierced the air, and my blade, Excalibur Destruction, emerged from Absalom's chest, radiating holy energy. 

Absalom roared in pain and in shock, his grip on me faltering.

I fell to the ground, landing hard but free.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to move.

I teleported behind him, grabbing the hilt of Excalibur Destruction with both hands.

With all my strength, I yanked the blade, twisting it deeper, before hurling Absalom into a nearby building.

His body crashed through the structure, debris, and dust erupting into the air, but I left the sword embedded in his chest, disrupting his regeneration. 

"... I'm not planning on dying tonight."

I muttered, activating Second Wind and Major Healing Factor.

Both skills worked in full force as my health and mana began to recover, albeit slowly.

XxX

Health: 459,500/900,000

Mana: 371,300/900,000

XxX

My breathing steadied as I prepared for my next move. 

"No time to waste."

I raised my hand, summoning hundreds of Gaster Blasters, Magic Circles, Bladed Weapons, Heavy Firearms, and Elemental Spirits around Absalom.

With a single command, they all opened fire, unleashing a relentless barrage of destruction toward the ruined building where Absalom lay. 

The noise was deafening, beams of light, shards of elemental energy, and bullets rained down like a cataclysmic storm.

The air itself seemed to vibrate from the sheer intensity of the assault. I stood there, directing the onslaught, panting but resolute.

A full minute of non-stop, unrelenting firepower. 

When it finally ended, the battlefield was silent, save for the settling dust and the faint crackling of energy.

I took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from my brow.

But I wasn't done.

Not yet. 

I snapped my fingers, summoning a giant Warhammer, its head made from diamond.

Gripping the massive handle with both hands, I strode toward the wreckage.

"You're not walking away from this alive, Absalom."

I growled. 

With a roar, I swung the Warhammer down, smashing it into Absalom's bloodied form.

The impact caused the ground to quake, a massive crater forming beneath us.

Absalom let out a guttural growl, but I didn't let up.

I activated Berserk Mode, my body surging with adrenaline and raw power, and followed it with Triple Impact, each strike hitting harder than the last. 

I lost count of how many times I brought the Warhammer down, each swing fueled by my pain and determination.

Meteor Strike followed, adding an explosive burst to each hit, the shockwaves rippling outward and leveling the nearby structures. 

Finally, with one last, mighty blow, I left the Warhammer buried in Absalom's body and stumbled back, leaning against the hammer's massive handle to catch my breath.

My chest heaved as I surveyed the devastation, sweat dripping down my face. 

Gaia's voice chimed in my mind, sounding both impressed and exasperated.

(So... that was your plan?) 

I nodded weakly.

"Yeah..."

I said, my voice hoarse but triumphant.

"While Absalom was busy giving me his sob story, I marked Excalibur Destruction during our earlier fight and slowly moved it into position. Then I used Silence to conceal its presence from him. The Holy Sword disrupts his regeneration, so I left it in him as a core piece of the assault." 

Gaia chuckled.

(I have to admit, Arthur, that's quite the ingenious strategy. Risky, but brilliant.) 

A small, tired grin crept onto my face.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Gaia. But thanks." 

For a moment, the battlefield was quiet, the tension thick in the air.

I knew better than to celebrate too early.

*ROAR!*

From the wreckage, a massive five-headed dragon made out of blood emerged.

"*Groan* Of course that wasn't enough."

I complained under my breath, the blood hydra's glowing red eyes stare at me with killing intent.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Hello readers!

... Power Stones, please.

Thank you everyone and see you later!