Disclaimer: I don't own these and gain no profit by writing them.
Chap 1
He swore to kill them, all of them. He blinked again, the cold memory of pain didn't disappear yet. He launched himself at the disgusting thing but with a single backhand he was killed, he couldn't do anything, couldn't deal a single hit at all. That was another death, he knew he would revive again in this never ending nightmare, continued to watch his love ravished and brainwashed by them. Each time he watched their faces carved into his brain, he swore he would rip their bodies, tear their flesh RIP AND TEAR RIP AND TEAR RIP AND TEAR RIPRIPRIPRIPRIP
There he go, died again in a hopeless battle. He didn't remember when it first happened anymore, he just knew one day the disgusting thing came and took his role, like he was a minor character deserved to be put away, forgotten in a garbage can for the sake of some sicked delusional losers. He found out who replaced him, he never got their names, fury took over his mind to take in something as trivial as that.
Everytime he died he lost a bit of himself, not even Ddraig-his last friend, and his 8 Pawns-the proof of his second life, were spared. All of them were lost in the cycle of infinite insanity, the once Red Dragon Emperor now is but a mortal, weak and crazy, he lost the mean to become stronger, he lost the mean to achieve victory, for a mortal cannot surpass such things, if Issei as the Boosted Gear user couldn't defeat his nemesis then what could the human Issei do? Worse in some cycle those were the ones stole Boosted Gear from him, saying nonsense things like his life would be better without it.
But he will not give up, he has discarded his hobbies, his lust for oppai becomes lust for blood, he has choked down his wish to lay down and let it be, ALL FOR REVENGE. Never in his heart such emotion grows, never in his mind such desire shadows everything else.
Issei waited, he knew he would appear somewhere nearby and he would try until he can no longer revive. This time however was different. He wasn't in the city where he was shoved away like a leper, he wasn't in his room where his bed was stained in dirt, he wasn't in the hall where his love taken. More than that where was this huge bug, yet beautiful in an alien way standing in front of him.
"I see you have awaken my lord, would you mind some water?"
A talking big bug wouldn't surprise the crazed Issei. Its crystal legs were kneeing down, the light danced on its body like little piece of diamond, its voice was the pure crystal bell, made to ease his weary soul.
"What do you want?"
"Straight to the point good sir, you see my lord, my masters, almighty even when they are imprisoned by the treacherous gods, have watched you from the Beyond through the permission of Eldest Oramus. They know your pain, they see you lose everything because something envy your possession. They too, were betrayed and cast down, the traitorous gods desired the divine game of them. More than anyone in this universe they understand the hatred coursing through your blood veins my lord. And they send me here, to catch your body when you're pulled away from the never ending struggle against the abhorrence. They want to give you a chance, the necessary power to make those filthy abominations pay. They want you to become their champion."
"The catch? I was once a devil and understand nothing comes without a price tag."
"Simple, they want you to use their power to prove that the gods were wrong to betray them. They want you to practise justice upon those wrong you and finally through your marks people will realize they are the rightful owners of the universe, the gods will weep and regret for what they have done, the mortals will beg to be their servants again-"
"Cut the rest I get it, so I take the deal, your masters give me powers, I become their agent and we're good?"
"Yes my lord, show them the power of Yozi and prove them wrong."
"I accept."
The bug leaped at him, its body melted into liquid and quickly covered Issei, leaving behind huge lump of light blue crystal, sickly green flame flew inside like blood veins.
And Issei dreamed a dream, he was walking on a vast desert, filled with silver sand. To say vast would be an insult, for he had walked years and years and never saw the end. Suddenly the sand devoured him in one sweep, the beautiful voice, yet full of jaded judgement fell upon him.
WHICH ONE MATTERS?
Might. He told Her.
WHICH ONE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT?
Power. He told Her.
WHO PLACE LAW ON EVERYTHING ELSE?
The Strong Ones. He told the Princess.
THE TRUTH OF ALL IS THE STRONG OWNS THE WEAK. REMEMBER THAT.
That is the lesson I have learned from countless death. He replied.
The silver desert disappeared, leaving him on the edge of a city made of brass and basalt. It breathed, the street he was walking on had a heart beat. He could hear it. He could feel it. And he knew it.
Pain. Pain beyonds imagination. Pain of a fallen King.
Rage. Rage surpasses comprehension. Rage of a fallen Architect.
But above all. Thirst for Vengeance. The thirst that will drown every stars and planets when it floods into the universe.
AVENGE ME MORTAL. I SHALL BLESS YOU WITH UNBREAKABLE SKIN. I SHALL GRANT YOU PERFECT FLAME.
The entire city engulfed him in a nuclear storm.
GIVE THEM YOUR WHAT THEY DESERVE
Burn them.
NEVER STOP UNTIL THEIR SKELETONS TURN INTO DUST
Break them.
GO FORTH AND NEVER FORGET WHO WE ARE
Great Malfeas. Holy Cecelyne.
Issei opened his eyes as the chrysalis formed five days ago shattered into millions bits. A man in black robe greeted him, his eyes were full of awe and grateful when he bowed down, Issei could see his hands were shaking a little bit as the man tried to stop them.
"Welcome to our humble temple your holiness, please forgive us for not building a shrine fitted to your greatness."
The man was in his forty, his wrinkles showed off the weary of time, but he dared not to show disrespect to the much younger Issei.
[We're sent to another world my Green Sun Prince. Wise Oramus knows where's your heart wants to head to.] The bug talked to like Ddraig did.
The man then covered Issei in a special sewn robe, with a gesture he asked him to go outside the small room.
The room he was led to was bigger, enough to hold more than dozens of people. His feet touched the white sand, a comfortable emotion rose in his stomach. Yes this is the symbol of holy, nothing is better than the homey barren waste of Cecelyne. The cultists all bowed down, their heads kissed the sand just as Issei walked to the center of the room.
"All hail the Avatar of Holy Cecelyne!"
"Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Blessed is he!"
They chanted accordingly after the cultist leader, already Issei could see their devotion and desperation in their voice. He knew there are reasons for people to join the worship of Cecelyne, a normal person who satisfied with his life wouldn't go look for the Endless Desert. But everything comes with a price. Issei muses ironically, he raised his hand to halt them.
[Gift them my lord, ensnare their hope and dream to own them forever.]
"My faithful worshippers of Holy Cecelyne, through the power beyond imagination I have come to this world."
He then looked at the cultist leader.
"Your name faithful one?"
"Gilberto, my name is Gilberto Preston your holiness."
"To maintain this temple and gather everyone here you have worked hard, you deserve a reward."
"M-My lord…!?"
"Tell me your wish."
Gilberto kneed down slowly, he couldn't control his shaking anymore as he began to tell his life. Long ago he was the eldest son of a wizard family, yet he didn't have the blood to cast magic and thus, he was thrown away, leaving behind by his own blood. Angry yet he could do nothing until he prayed, prayed to any beings who would gain his wish to show how big of a mistake his family had made. And he heard a voice, silky sweet voice told him to build a temple to be ready for greatness, to gather those who weren't satisfied with their lives, just like him.
"I just have one and only one wish your holiness: free me from the fate of a squib I will forever be in your debt!"
The room with dim light was blinded by silver radiant wave from Issei, the cultists quickly mumbled prayers. With the hourglass symbol flared on his forehead Issei put his palm on the cultist leader and he said:
"May this mortal receives the blessing of the Endless Desert."
Silver sand swirled around Gilberto for a moment until it merged with him, the cultist leader's face was full of joy, he stood up, focusing on the sand beneath him. In the closed room without wind the sand was blown away, and Gilberto laughed like a small boy, but immediately he used his hands to put the sand back to where it was. Every other cultists were astonished with his newfound power and pray in low voice.
"My lord please forgive me, it was foolish to show such blasphemous to the symbol of Holy Cecelyne." Gilberto kneed down, eyes full of devotion.
"It is not a problem, but I expect more restrained manner next time."
"Thank you your holiness. Have you seen that people? The Avatar of Holy Cecelyne has blessed me with magic! I am a wizard now, my faith has been rewarded by the benevolent of the Endless Desert! Those who wrong me shall pay in the name of Holy Cecelyne!"
"We are all grateful for the benevolent of Holy Cecelyne!"
"My lord, if you please can give us your name so we can include your magnificence in our prayers."
"You may call me… Lord Gremory."
"Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Blessed is he!"
"All hail Lord Gremory the Avatar of Holy Cecelyne!"
"Gilberto, I'd like to be quiet for a moment, lead me to my room."
"Of course Lord Gremory, please follow me."
While the cultists back at the chamber were still praying Issei talked to the cultist leader on his way.
"Prepare some books on the history of this world, I want to learn the basic and anything important."
"It shall be done my lord."
"In the meantime pick out 1 person who prays and works hardest to support this temple, the faithful one will be rewarded."
"I shall do as you say my lord, this will be a great news to show the cultists the miracles of Holy Cecelyne."
Issei's room perhaps is the best part of the temple, everything was exquisite, from the gold trimmed bed to mahogany desk. There were several of expensive looking wine bottles on the shelf, he could see beautiful crafted tea cups and pots set below it.
"If you need anything please ring this bell, I shall be there to serve you as fast as I can."
"Good, you're dismissed."
Gilberto bowed to him and then quickly left the room. Issei looked at his hands which dazzled before the light of candles, giving off the impression that they're made of crystal, he was sure that his face and body had changed too, the process of becoming a champion of the Yozi means letting the weak flesh and such of humanity wither away, forming new supernatural traits in return. Nonetheless it wasn't a concern to Issei.
Now Issei had to figure out why the Yozi sent him here, the agata, named Galveon told him the Dragon Beyond the World decided this would be one of his stops to complete his revenge. This was something he didn't understand. Maybe he needed to practice and train his power in a relatively safe zone? Regardless Issei planned to expand on this cult, by the power of Cecelyne he would fulfill their wishes and in return they would become his loyal subjects, if they dared to betray him? The punishment of breaking the deal is unimaginable.
Such power is within Issei's palm, it wasn't overwhelming like Boosted Gear, certainly he couldn't solve his problems by hitting them hard like before but he would find a way, he just needed to use his brain on the matter of how to abuse this power.
Lie down on the bed Issei decided to take a rest, after all struggling in that never ending cycle took a look from him and admittedly he hadn't had a proper bed for so long. The mattress was as good as the one back in his room after Rias remodified it, this would do.
He was killed, hence why he was in a new cycle. This time however, was different.
[What's wrong partner?]
Ddraig was with him, by concentrating a bit he could feel the 8 pawns within his body. Tear began to come out from the corner of his eyes as he saw Rias and the girls greeted him. He couldn't contain the burst of happiness and wish to hug them, to see their lively smiles and to be with them. They questioned his sudden weird behavior but he found no words to reply, he simply was happy, this is it he thought. My life was back, I could live normally again.
Until he heard the footstep of someone did not belong in his house, his last place of sanctuary slowly crumbled to sand as he saw the face of his hated nemesis again.
Issei broke out that dream right after that.
[Sir?]
Galveon was there and not Ddraig… So that was a dream, he hadn't won yet.
I'm fine.
[If you need something to distract yourself, it would be wise to… see what kind of powers have the mighty Yozi bestowed upon you Sir.]
But his room was too small to engage in any heavy testing activities, Issei thought he should order the construction of a dungeon for his combat training and working out, for now he knew the cult didn't have enough resources to install such things so he needed to find an alternative ways. From the blueprint provided by Gilberto the temple is located underground, below a charmed anonymous grocery store so nobody would notice that more than dozens of people came here a day.
To upgrade this temple into a truly worthy place to worship Cecelyne and him it needed to be bigger, like a shining beacon amidst the sea of sand. Looks like there are more works to do for Issei.
Soon Gilberto knocked on the door to bring the necessary books for Issei, he then digged in to check out if there were any differences between this world and his world.
For the next three days Issei studied the history of this world, never once felt tired. As he expected it too has supernatural elements, but is different from the world he knows. There are supernatural creatures but they live in small communities compares to the majority of witches and wizards. The wizardry community is made up by human with magical heritage, sometimes there are special cases where a wizard born from normal people-called Muggle, and sometimes people can see supernatural things but can't cast magic, they're the Squib. Issei recalled Gilberto was one before he blessed him with the power to use magic. The ability to cast magic is actually a mutation according to the understanding of Cecelyne and through channeling her power Issei opened the door to become a wizard for Gilberto.
If he could let the world know his ability to uplift the Squib his cult would grow to a new height, but he had to be careful, such power would attract troubles, likely the Ministry of Magic would poke their noses in with Auror, the Nobles too would try to investigate. A power base to protect himself and his cultists would be the top priority, his cultists should learn to protect themselves and the temple, perhaps he could handpick some to become combat-cultists who will strike at his command and defend other faithful ones. And the Unforgiven Curses, must find a way to negate them.
As for the Dark Lord Voldemort… He would deal with his remnants later, they weren't the foremost threat at the moment.
There were many things to consider but as of current he had drawn out a plan to maintain his cult, to gather more people he would reinforce the idea that he as the Avatar of Holy Cecelyne could grant them any wish, as long as they obey his rules. To bait them with wish granting power is not too difficult, but to ensure those who hadn't received the blessing to continue to stay in the cult was not an easy task. He needed a new motto if he wanted his cult to thrive on even without him to grant their most desired dream.
Now it is the time to officially take over the cult. Issei donned the ceremonial robe, sewn with high quality silk. He walked to the chamber where all of the cultists had gathered and kneeling down, praying in silent.
"Rejoice! For today I officially become the master of this cult as the Chosen of the Endless Desert! Long ago when life was cruel to old Gilberto here he had received the guidance of Holy Cecelyne. She ordered him to construct this temple to worship her and to test the faith of those who give their whole to her. And now I-the living symbol of Holy Cecelyne, have come to this place as foretold. I shall reward the most faithful of all to show the benevolent of Holy Cecelyne, as you know your cultist leader has been blessed and he's no longer a Squib."
Issei gestured Gilberto to call the picked cultist, an old man who was in his fifty.
The old man looked tired, he wore a hope that was so tiny it's almost wiped away by a breeze. He kneed before Issei and with the utmost tone he pleaded.
"I have done many foolish things in my youth your holiness, I heard from old Gilberto that he received the words of a being so great that none could defy her, and so I joined him in the earliest days, for it is my wish to see that miracle blessed upon my old bones. For you see my Llord, I have nothing to hide before the Holy Cecelyne, I am a Death Eater, or was after the fall of You-know-who. I want to start my life anew but as long as the mark engraved into my arm is still with me I can't do nothing but fear for my future, and poor my family against those annoying paranoid bastards among the victors."
He looked into Issei's eyes with desperation.
"Please erase it for me your holiness, and forgive me for I am too coward to cut my own arm."
And then Issei held out his hand.
"May this mortal forever escape the service of the Dark Lord."
The mark became visible, and then slowly faded away, the old man rubbed his arm over and over again to check if it was really gone. He cried the tear of grateful as he bowed down to Issei again, promised that he would be in his debt forever.
"Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Blessed is he!"
With a simply gesture Issei ordered the cultists to stop, already he could see that they believed they could gain their wish.
"As you can see I have rewarded those with faith, as long as you pray for me and Cecelyne you too shall reap your reward, know that Holy Cecelyne listen to yours. Before you pray I want you to spread out rumor of the miracles, whisper it to those who's hunger for something they can't never have but lay low, for if the government finds out we will be trouble and I cannot grant your wish anymore. Now pray faithful ones."
The next few days Issei continued to learn about this world, the more he understood it the more complete his plan to recruit more members to his cult. He knew currently his cult only had a few average wizards, the rest is either Squib or Muggle and he wanted to change that. To become influence it requires people with powers to join his cult. Somehow he has a feeling that a few Ex-Death Eater would join his cult for the sake of erasing their Dark Mark, he wouldn't trust them too much, he still had not mastered the power of Cecelyne to forcefully ensure their gifts would disappear if they dare to betray him.
And the the real goal isn't to establish a cult but to revenge, but Issei had no idea where to start, instinctively he knows that somehow his nemesis is living here, he has to find out where and extract every hatred deep inside his heart upon it.
"Come in." Issei replied to the knock on his door.
"My lord, there's someone you would want to meet, in my humble opinion."
"Who?"
"A son of a fallen noble your holiness."
Issei followed Gilberto to the guest where a young boy-around 12-13 years old, was waiting nervously, but he could see the lingering rage within his heart.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Draco Malfoy are you the one who can perform miracles as long as I join your rank?."
"Take it easy and tell me your story."
"Fine, I am the son of one of the most powerful family in the Great Britain magical community. But a month ago my father was driven to crazy and committed suicide, all because of that treacherous harlot who sold us out!"
Draco became enraged as he told his story.
"The traitor whore who was my mother goes her way to the scummy Harry Potter! She fucked him like a slut in front of my father and then our fortune, our manors and every vaults were taken away by Harry Potter through some cheating laws. My father was devastated by it and became crazy."
Draco was almost crying as he finished.
"I want revenge, I don't know what Potter did but it is all his fault. I will anything as long as you can punish that git and the harlot."
A plea for vengeance huh. But Potter was the one who vanished Voldemort, it would take quite a lot to solve this problem.
"I see."
"My lord, young Malfoy here is the inheritor of a very old Pureblood family, I'm sure if he becomes one of us our cult will flourish."
"Alright, then Draco Malfoy, I want you to study under Gilberto here. When you totally give your whole to Holy Cecelyne your wish will be granted."
"So how long would it take? I don't want to see that so call 'mutant of dirt' walking around without any punishment."
"'Mutant' you said?"
"In the second year at Hogwarts he calls himself 'Master of Death' several times, obviously only a crazy blood-traitor would do that."
Master of Death… Where did I hear this before?
After Gilberto had taken care of Malfoy Issei asked him to tell him the 'Master of Death' term. Turned out it was a folk tale about three brothers who received gifts from Death himself-the Deathly Hallows known as the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility, and through it Issei started to recall more and more details from his head. Something's fishy about this title.
"Give me the latest picture of Harry Potter."
The moving photograph immediately burned to ash the moment Issei saw the face on it, Gilberto jumped at the sickly green flame burst out on Issei's hand but he paid it no attention.
Found you.
I'm fairy new to Exalted so I will use a lot of my houserules, the story won't work as a RPG tabletop game. As you can see Issei was trapped in a cycle of reality where he continuously gets NTR'd. With the power of the tainted Exaltation he will have his revenge, but at what cost?
Should I make Issei hatefuck the spouses of the NTR villains?
