Note: this is an AU, and I have modified it, so don't mind the changes—tolerate the unexplained stuff. And since I don't have a beta, I'd appreciate if any of you readers would just leave a review or PM me on any drastic errors I probably have.

Issei's face contorted in pain as his father sent blasts of energy at him, and Issei was unable to block all of them. "Again! You must be stronger if you wish to retain your position in my peerage. Even if that position is a mere pawn—albeit three of them." Lucifer said with a snarl as he looked down upon his son.

Issei reflected on what got him into this mess in the first place. He has been training with the original Lucifer's descendant, Rizevim Livan Lucifer, Issei's father since he had been practically forced into joining his peerage at his notable power of three pawns, and the discovery that Issei held the Longinus Divine Dividing. He had begun training when he was but 4 years old, and today was his 16th birthday.

Brutal training sessions were all that made up Issei's life, and he had little interaction with anyone other than his father, which he had long since despised for treating him so harshly, and for never rewarding him for his endless suffering and hard work. Issei's three pawn pieces had long since mutated, but as they had started out small, they didn't take any more pawn pieces than the original three.

Issei! Do not let yourself be distracted! The voice of Albion boomed in his head as Issei once more gritted his teeth in pain as his reminiscing had caused the balance breaker wings to overload slightly when he failed to dodge the bolt Rizevim had thrown.

It would be a fateful day for his life of misery, though he knew it not yet.

After Training

Issei struggled to the living room of the mansion, and collapsed onto a couch, chest heaving with exhaustion.

A knock on the door interrupted him just as he was about to drift off into the realm of blissful unconsciousness.

"Rizevim requests your presence at the dining hall today for dinner." A servant said through the door, and without waiting for acknowledgement, the servant left.

Man, he sure got you good today, didn't he? Usually you aren't this exhausted, remarked Albion.

Yeah, he sure did. Issei replied after grunting noncommittally.

You'd better get ready for dinner. You know how foul of a mood he gets in if we're late.

Issei sighed and merely struggled to his feet before changing to "look proper" before making his way down to the dining hall for dinner.

Said dining hall was quite a grand affair, with stone walls with red draperies, and various candles lit in the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. Issei didn't bat an eye, used to the opulence of his father.

"You called for me, Father?" Issei opened politely.

"I have decided that you must rule your own household eventually, and so, I shall entrust you with you with this King piece. I would expect your household to be of a sufficient competence level, and it not to be filled with junk. Do not dishonor the devils." Risevim said brusquely.

Issei merely nodded, but mentally sighed. This was just another responsibility heaped on his shoulders.

Having tended to business, but having made no move to dismiss Issei, Rizevim said, "Now, you must learn how to rule, so pay attention as I deal with business today."

Waiting for no reply, Rizevim immediately beckoned for a sevant, how immediately came, and showed the reports from their spies. Rizevim shifed through the notes, and took out a few to give to his son.

"You must always know your enemy, so that's why such extensive spy networks are necessary. Of course, the sensitive stuff I've filtered, but take a look at these," handing Issei a stack of papers.

….why is he doing this? Asked Issei. He's actually treating me like the heir to a household or something.

It matters not. Perhaps he feels repentance for the extensive pain he's wrought upon you, or perhaps he's merely trying to manipulate you. I'm sure he has noticed your, ah, "plans" to escape, all of them having crashed and burned rather promptly.

Issei has been planning his escape from Rizevim for some time now, and had indeed been caught several times when he attempted to sneak away. He was casually stopped at the door, and punished severely. Issei winced at the memory, but the fresh pain in his mind only managed to further his resolve. However, it was what Rizevim said next that drove him over the edge.

"I should expect you to uphold the strength of our family by recruiting others into our peerage, and you should be able to do that through any means possible. Nothing shall stop us from being the greatest Devil Peerage!" said Rizevim, with a fanatical glint in his eyes.

He thinks of me as merely a tool, Issei realized, and a slow burning anger began to burn within him.

A tool, with his sole intention of furthering his own power… Issei and Albion both took affront to the very implication.

Take the King Piece and leave. We'll not suffer this indignity of being a mere TOOL! The gritting of teeth was audible in Issei's mind.

Where can I go, though? There's not a chance in hell he'll let me leave voluntarily, and I don't plan on remaining a stray devil for the rest of my life. Bemoaned Issei as he realized what would happen if he were to leave.

Then find another peerage to join! Or find a way to make the current Devil King, Sirzechs understand. But I will not suffer one of my hosts being used in such a demeaning manner. Look at those handouts to see if there is a tolerable peerage that we can join, counseled Albion.

Issei nodded, and immediately began sifting through the reports on the other peerages.

Sirzechs Lucifer's Peerage- Issei immediately ignored this one. Based on the reports, all of the positions in his peerage were filled except for a few pawns, but Issei doubted that he would be able to fit in only 2 pawn slots, even if they were to mutate.

Sairaorg Bael's Peerage- Also ignored as all of the slots except for one pawn.

Diodora Astraroth's Peerage- Full

Raiser Phenex's Peerage- Full

Sona Sitri's Peerage- Only 3 pawn slots available.

Rias Gremory's Peerage- No Pawns to speak of… Hmm…. Interesting

Perhaps we can join Rias' Peerage? Remarked issei.

If we can't then there isn't a peerage, we can actually join. Why don't we plan on going over there? Pointed out Albion.

Very well. She appears to be in… the city of Kuoh. We can get there pretty quickly, right Albion?

It would seem so. Just remember to remain undercover, a tone of excitement at their imminent departure from here.

Having made up his mind, Issei prepared to depart now, rather than even attempting to sneak out, as that had not gone well. He set the papers back on the smooth, wooden table, and without having touched his food, he left the table.

"I need to think on this." He said, as a quick excuse.

Rizevim raised an eyebrow, but paid no heed. He was more interested with the contents of the paper in front of him.

Issei took a shaky breath, and then left the mansion right then and there, prepared to leave the mansion located somewhere in rural Japan. He paused once at the door, and then spread his devil wings, and flew out into the dead of the night.