One should never deny their own nature you are lucky enough to have two to choose from don't deny either one them, Nor do you have to choose between them either.
Man's greatest folly is to believe that he is the very centre of the universe. It is also the very hight of his conceit to believe that the universe functions in only one particular way. When faced with facts that contradict his beliefs he will wall himself up in his own fantasies and deny it so that he can maintain some illusion of comfort, despite the evidence looking him in the face. As such man is a very selfish creature stuck forever pursuing his own ends to fulfil his desires and his supposed needs no matter the cost his actions may bring upon himself and those who are around him. To that end Mankind, Humans, Homo Sapiens are truly revolting creatures at times.
However humanity is not without good in it too. Humans possess an immense will to live, a determination that cannot be swayed no matter the given circumstance. In in the face of a hopeless situation certain individuals are capable of displaying immense courage and personal heroism being able to inspire those around them and spur them forward. Mankind has been known to be resourceful given the situation and if they put their mind or minds to it can find a solution to almost any problem. So in short Humans are not without their good points as well they are a mix of both good and bad and can never truly be just one or the other.
Who am I to say such things? I will tell you I am no-one, no-one at all. Now as to my opinion I will leave that to you to decide, thought I care not what conclusion you reach to. However know that only you can decide only you should decide what you choose to believe in. and that you shouldn't need me to tell you that. Only you can change yourself. Is it for the better? One can never know if the path they took was wrong or right unless they take it. This I will and have you and others.
Was this relevant yes it has everything to do with those poor souls you will find out later. Now at this I will leave you to watch the fates unfold. But always remember only you can decide your own fate n-one else can do it for you. Now go your have tarried here to long. Where is here? That is irrelevant now as it is with who I am. Maybe later you will discover the importance of this meeting but that is only if you are able remember it. Now go time is short and time does not wait for anyone.
Underneath the ruins of Benora Doctor Hollander was working ceaselessly working out calculations in front of a human sized test-tube filled with mako-fluid. Every now and again he would make some adjustments on his computer to keep his 'subject' stable. The unfortunate subject of the doctor whose fellow colleague labelled 'a worthless doctor who couldn't even cure a common cold' was a human infant that looked under 6 months old. Protruding from the child's body were several cables attached to several points in its body where the main arteries were. "yes Hojo, Shinra I'll show all of them" Hollander thought to himself.
Suddenly doctor Hollander heard footsteps approaching him. Usually he would of disregarded the sound but for some reason he felt on edge. Only when the person entered the room he used as a lab did Hollander know that his fear was well warranted. Standing in the doorway was the former second-in-command of soldier Genesis the seemingly failed product of project-G, Hollanders project.
The former soldier crossed his arms and frowned at the doctor. "well?" he said leaving the unspoken question of 'what are you doing?' hanging in the air.
"ah Genesis, I presume you are interested in the progress I've made?" Hollander said trying to change the subject.
The frown never left Genesis's face as he answered "yes I am interested". Before Hollander could respond he continued "but I am more fascinated" there was a strain on that last word "in what you are doing here". The former soldier gestured towards the Tube filled with mako holding the infant.
Hollander was visibly sweating "well I was. Well I was trying to make use of the sample that Lazard had acquired" knowing better than to lie to Genesis.
"oh and I presume that you are using that infant as what, a test subject I take it?" The disdain was clear from Genesis's tone.
"well uh, yes given the samples of Jenova's cells I was given I believe I could replicate the process of making Sephiroth to acquire the S-cells you need". Hollander said partially telling the truth.
"Well I would be inclined to agree with what you are doing" Genesis said. "but I think I will disagree this once".
"what are you saying" Hollander almost yelled horrified at the prospect of loosing his work.
"well from what I can see on the screens there you have not only injected Jenova's cells into his bloodstream but those of mine and Angeal's as well" Genesis said in a dangerous tone.
"uh well I was not able to get a person who would willingly give an embryo willingly I decided to use some of yours and uh Angeal's cells to make a suitable host." Hollander explained knowing that depending on what he said he would either be leaving or not leaving this room alive.
Genesis his his rage at the prospect well "I see then you will have to forgive me at what I am about to do" he said in a level tone.
"no don't do this think it could no it will give you a cure surely the life of a child that has yet to be born cannot be of that much significance to you" Hollander asked desperately not wanting Genesis to destroy his work.
Genesis smirked at this "I may be a monster but I am only against Shinra those who have died because they followed me did so willingly. As such I will not gain my cure by killing a child"
"you won't kill it!" Hollander breathed out a sigh of relief, at last his work would not be destroyed.
Seeing his reaction Genesis smiled "oh come now you're not getting off the hook that easily" extending his hand Genesis showed Hollander a needle. "no I think you will better find me a cure if you suffer the same ailment as I"
Hollander paled Visibly as several Genesis copies came in and took him away. Turning to the occupant of the test-tube Genesis asked himself "now what to do with you?" he mused to himself "oh wait I think I know just what".
Standing in front of the goddess materia Genesis held the infant wrapped up in a cloth in his hands. Looking at the sleeping Infants face he said "I pray that the Goddess may grant you her gift too. In a sense we are brothers I guess so maybe she will take you someplace safe? But then again to ponder the nature of her gift is in itself a gift" with that said Genesis laid down the child and walked away not looking back even once. After Genesis had left there was a large influx of the Life-streams activity in that area. When the light caused by the life-stream's influx had died down the infant was nowhere to be seen.
Outside a local Shrine Mr. and Mrs Hyudou were praying when they suddenly heard the cry of a child. Upon looking for the source since they knew there was no-one else at the shrine at this time of night they found a six month year-old infant crying in the cold. "what do we do?" asked Mr Hyudou evidently confused.
"what do you mean what do we do we just can't leave this poor child here" Mrs Hyudou said "he'll freeze to death". Picking the crying child up in her arms she cradled him whispering that it was okay"
"sweetheart we can't just take him we don't even know who his parents are or if they are nearby"
"what do you mean 'just take him' its obvious he was abandoned what type of parent leaves their child alone in the night like this that too at some remote location. And beside you know how much I wanted children despite the fact that I am barren" Mrs Hyudou stated
Mr Hyudou sighed in defeat knowing he could not win this argument "okay dear okay, We will take him in though what are we going to call him?" he asked defeatedly.
"how about Issei I like that name how about you?"
"Issei Hyudou does have nice wring to it ok I guess we can call him that and take him in but only on two conditions" Mr Hyudou said suddenly firm and stern.
"what are these conditions then?" Mrs Hyudou asked.
Mr Hyudou raise his index finger "One we will have to take care of him properly and wholeheartedly though this really should go without saying but I have said it anyway". Seeing his wife nod in agreement Mr Hyudou raised his middle finger to join his index making the peace sign (just so you know he isn't giving his wife the finger) "two he will not be able to date any girl until he has a part-time job and can afford it".
"okay those are appropriate and acceptable conditions though I have a feeling if you had kids those rules would have been applied anyway" Mrs Hyudou said in a somewhat mischievous tone while smirking.
14 years later
Issei had grown up a quiet and well mannered boy. His grades were always high though he rarely chose to participate in sport activities due to a certain incident when he was younger. At the age of fourteen his parents had to move over-seas for work he asked to be left behind having to move he decided to rent an apartment at a town outside of Tokyo named Kuoh the town had a prestiges school that only the best could enter. Wanting to make his parents proud he without their knowledge he did the entrance exam and passed with flying colours scoring a 99.5% and got offered a place. Though his intelligence was a noticeable feature what attracted more attention were his eyes. The pupil was somewhat slanted like a cat and barely noticeable but the most defining feature of them was that his aquamarine eyes seemed to glow or at least shine.
"My, my Sona it seems that someone has scored higher than you did" a Girl with long red hair and blue eyes stated as she moved a chess-piece across the chessboard.
"who are who talking about Rias?" Sona Asked raising an eyebrow at her friend.
"the new student word is he scored 99.5% in the entrance exams" the now named Rias said smirking impishly.
"Oh I did not know that" Sona stated. "I take it you have met him?"
Rias just shook her head "sadly no according to the girls in his class he is 'cute' though. He seems to keep to himself usually not coming into contact with others. I had Koneko approach him from what she has reported his aura is unfamiliar to her and definitely not human". Seeing that her friend was about to speak Rias held her hand up and said "now I thought he was a potential threat too but from what Koneko told me about his personality it seems he is just shy and does not know how to act around others well" she finished with a smirk.
"so just exactly did his aura feel like then?" Sona asked her curiosity piqued knowing that Rias was not being rash but suspecting that her childhood friend was being deceived if that was possible.
Rias frowned in concentration "Koneko best described it as unfamiliar and somewhat frightening in contrast to his personality she believes he is unaware of it in general. Given that from his history his meek personality is just as constant as his grades".
Sona looked at Rias's face and saw there was something troubling her "what is it that bothers you then Rias?"
"its just that while his parents are real he is real there seems to be no birth-certificate or record inside Japan of his birth. This I find peculiar and quite vexing" Rias answered.
"Is it possible that he was born in another country' Sona suggested.
"No I checked all the other possible and impossible locations he isn't there on any of them"
"Then I believe we should keep an eye on him" Sona stated "for now" she added
"I already have Koneko doing just that but she can't find anything. Either he is that good at covering his tracks or."
"He really does not know" Sona finished frowning. "would you like me to look into it as well?"
Rias thought for a moment before responding "no not a the moment I will let you know if anything does happen".
Sona nodded in agreement trusting that Rias would handle the situation responsibly. "in the meantime checkmate"
Walking back from school Issei was confused. Why did the girl that sit next to him Koneko constantly stalk him everyday? "ah well I guess if she comes to talk to me at during the lunch-break tomorrow I can ask her about it and why maybe she just lives in the same area. Yeah probably and most probably she'll take offence and won't talk or come near me again" he thought to himself. While he was unused to interacting with other people because of various reasons Issei did enjoy being in other peoples presence and while he did not mind being alone he would be happy if someone was there with him.
"why do you want to be with them? why do you want to be like them? You should let lose of those inhibitions and embrace what you are" a deep male voice spoke inside Issei's head. It had been there ever since he could remember. Mainly a male voice inside his mind berating him for trying to fit in and telling him that he doesn't need anyone. Then sometimes a soft, sweet and gentle female voice was there, though it was worse. This voice suggested that he do certain things, when Issei was younger he accidentally made the mistake of listening to them. The result was that people who were close to Issei got hurt because of him. Ever since that fateful day Issei always tried his best to ignore them.
"uh excuse Issei-kun?" a sweet and innocent voice interrupted him from his musings" the owner of this voice looked like a girl about his age with extremely dark purple hair and an innocent countenance and a genuinely attractive figure not that any of this mattered to Issei in the slightest. "um Hyudou-san?" this stranger asked again. How did she know his name? Who was she? What did she want with him?
Even though she did not look threatening Issei felt something within himself distrust her immediately. Doing his best not to let this show he asked. "who are you?"
At this the girl seemed to act flustered and blushed. Issei realised it was an act "well my name is Yuma I've seen you around and I, I thought I would like to get to know you" the girl who named herself Yuma said.
"damn she's good" Issei thought "a believable enough story an alias not mentioning her acting skills its as if she has practised". "so Yuma what is it you want with me?" Issei asked in a casual tone.
"well I thought we could get to know each-other and well um you know go out on a date" Yuma said blushing slightly as if she was embarrassed that she was asking him.
"she plays the part of the flustered school girl well. Don't trust her" the voice inside his head said.
"for once you and I are agreeing on something" Issei thought back. "Uh please explain to me why you are asking me out? Is this some sort of dare or initiation thing?" Issei asked a confused look upon his face. "or is it a prank".
Yuma on her part took on the look of being hurt "what no, why would you say that?" she replied.
"alright so I know that it is something important because she did not emphasise any of those words more than the others" Issei thought. "well uh you didn't answer the first part". Issei stated looking a bit embarrassed, he in truth slightly embarrassed by what a passerby would see and the conclusions they would come to, but only slightly.
"Well uh I think that you are a nice person and I would like to get to know you better" Yuma answered.
"play along for now it could get awkward if you flat out reject her" the inner voice stated.
"I really believe that I am going to regret this, immeasurably" Issei thought to himself. "uh ok um when is fine with you?" Issei asked Yuma a little awkwardly for the words themselves did not feel right on his tongue.
"would you like to go this evening if you are free" Yuma asked her mood brightening.
"uh I guess so, well where do you want to meet and are you bringing anyone along?" Issei asked.
"Would the arcade do for a good start?" Yuma asked enthusiastically.
"well I guess so" Issei said he knew where it was vaguely as he had only passed by it during his weeks here.
"great I'll see you there at 6 then ok I am so looking forward to our date" Yuma said before leaving.
"alright now I know I shouldn't be going there not after she put the emphasis on the 'so' word" Issei thought. Before he turned the corner he waited long enough to confirm that Koneko was still following him.
Issei was dressed in some of his good casual clothes when he arrived at the arcade at 6. Yuma was already waiting there for him. "alright now I know that I am going going to be regretting this" Issei thought. Walking up to Yuma he said "Hi Yuma I hope I didn't keep you wait too long?" He asked making a little reconnaissance by fire.
"oh no I just got here five minutes ago my father dropped me" Yuma stated.
"so what do you want to do first?" Issei asked
Issei and Yuma walked through the park "so did you enjoy yourself?" Issei asked.
"yes thank-you for this wonderful time we spent together. And thank-you even more for this wonderful bracelet that you got me Issei-kun" Yuma answered him cheerily. "Though Issei-kun is there something you could do for me?" She asked as if the world depended upon him saying 'yes'.
"well that I guess depends on if it is possible for me to be able to do it" Issei answered warily.
"could you die for me?" Yuma asked.
Issei frowned and answered but it was not the answer Yuma wanted it was not 'can you please say that again' no what Issei said was "no" then to her surprise he made a break for it. What was even more surprising was that if she didn't do something soon he actually would get away.
Transforming Yuma said in her real voice "you cannot escape from me my dear Issei-kun" throwing aspear of light to impale him.
Issei dodged it. Issei felt Yuma gaining on him. She was boring down on him from above on wings? Now was not the time fro questions they can come later now the was the time for survival. Waiting until the right moment She was almost upon him, Issei then leapt into the air striking her in the chest with his fist. Resulting in a sickening crack as he struck he right in the collar bone.
The being that was Yuma gasped for are as she coughed out blood as she descended with Issei on top of her to the ground at a frightening speed. What she felt when Issei first punched her paled in comparison to what she felt when he crashed her straight on the ground. Coughing up more blood she could only at first manage one word "how?" she said weakly.
Issei loomed over her no longer the gentle and kind child whom she had been lead to believe had been an easy target No when Issei loomed over Yuma it was as if he had grown taller only now did Yuma realise that his eyes were slightly different. Where there was only a small almost unnoticeable shape of his pupils now they where like those of a cat. And when Yuma made eye contact with them she felt a chill go down to her spine as if she was looking death in the face.
"In truth I do not know how or what I am" Issei answered. "but you are going to tell me what you are and what you hoped to achieve by killing me" he added coldly and sharply. The usual gentleness that was in his voice was replaced with razor edge steel that seemed to cut to the bone, metaphorically speaking of course.
"no" she said weakly. She would not yield to a human no less a man.
"I wonder if your opinion would change if I started to break every bone in your body starting with your legs and working my way up from there. Or maybe I should start with these wings perhaps first breaking them and then ripping them out will do, then I guess we can move on to your legs and work our way up from there shall we begin?" Issei asked rather nonchalantly though a hint of menace could be detected in his voice.
Yuma's eyes widened "no not that please no anything but that" she begged.
Issei was sure that if their positions were reversed then he would not be receiving any. "Those who are without mercy have no right to plead for it, I thought you would be made of sterner stuff. Now speak quickly before I decide do what I said just to cause you pain. Lets start with your name shall we then what are you?"
"My name is Raynare" Yuma now identified as Raynare answered. "I am a fallen Angel"
"Quite Ironic isn't it that you were defeated by falling eh?" Issei commented sneering in hate at her.
"I was sent to observe you to see if you had a sacred gear?" Raynare continued.
"I guess that is something powerful and dangerous since you took it upon yourself to kill me when your orders were only to observe." Issei noted. "does that count as insubordination?"
"if you look at it that way on both accounts yes" Raynare said. "what are you?" she asked weakly she was losing a lot of blood and she was barely able to keep conciousness.
"I don't know but I can show you" Issei stated before something dark, vast and twisted sprouted out from his back on his left side, showering Raynare in a rain of black feathers.
The fallen angel's eyes widened when she saw a single black wing extending onto Issei's left half of his back. But what was more shocking was how deformed it was not like her wings that similar to an eagle or a raven. No his was more like someone had twisted the wing of a vulture. "so any ideas?" Issei asked not perturbed by the look of horror on Raynare's face, either that or he just didn't care more likely the latter.
"what are you?" Raynare asked the terror now evident in her voice.
"so you don't know either well this is my first time killing someone I am a little nervous and you were the first girl ever who asked me out on a date. Also on a side note remind me to never go on one again for a first date this was a disaster" Issei joked trying to add some levity to the mood for his sake more than anyone else's then his face hardened and became cold. "But since you were trying to kill me I am sure I will be able to get over it" as he spoke a form of power glowed in his hand.
Panicking for her life Raynare said "No Issei don't I love you please don't do this you'll regret it, I love you please don't kill me you can be bigger than this and walk away and still have me"
Her pleas fell upon deaf ears "if you actually meant anything of what you said I would actually believe you" Issei stated before he destroyed her by burning her to ash. A blank and emotionless Issie Stared as Raynare screamed in the pain caused by her destruction.
After the deed was done Issei turned around and with an elaborate bow addressed his hidden audience. "so Koneko, my sempai's did you enjoy my performance?"