The Crimson Dragon

by Daemon of Wrath

There are times when weakness is a sin. The strong survive. If a broken heart is the reason for such weakness, then he'll discard it to become strong. Strong enough to protect them.

2. Chapter 2

Co-Written with Demons Anarchy of Pride, the author of many BRILLIANT stories such as Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R-eset, Code Geass: Miraculous Birthday, Code Geass: Lucian of the Paradox, Infinite Stratos: For Answer, Devil Survivor: Destiny Rewind, Code Geass: Suzaku of the Counterattack, RWBY's Reaper, TOKYO GHOUL: Requiem for a Demon, Tokyo Ghoul: Black Dove, Fractured Reality, Those that Defy Fate, Tokyo Ghoul DxD, Other Self Online, Code SURVIVOR, Tokyo Ghoul:reBIRTH, Tatsumi ga Kill!, and now...Highschool DxD: Shatter Destiny, Highschool DxD ALT, and many, many more!

His latest creations: Highschool DxD: Shatter Destiny, is a crossover between Devil Surivor 2 Record Breaker and Highschool DxD, where the world has been destroyed once by the Triangulum, and Vali resets the world. In Highschool DxD AL, it is the result of the idea of Vali and Issei's positions being swapped, Vali in the ORC, while Issei in the Grigori.

He is a good friend of mine, and I highly recommend all his stories! When any of you get the chance, CHECK THEM OUT!

I am truly grateful for his help in making this story possible! You are the best man!

This story was started off from the idea from Stray Red Dragon Emperor by IllusionDrawer and A Fragile Heart by Gunmare, with Issei's friends not choosing to go back to comfort him after their condescending remarks.

We also added the dark twist of Tokyo Ghoul to it.

This takes place around volume 10 of the Light Novel, yet before :re of Tokyo Ghoul.

Warning! From this point on, it gets pretty morbid and brutal.

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 2: Bloodstained Dragon

"O-oh, shit, what the fuck is this thing?!"

"Don't panic, just keep shooting!"

"What the hell are you bastards afraid of?! It's just one fucker!"

The 10th Ward was nothing but absolute chaos. Everywhere you looked in the abandoned hotel, which was rumored to be a possible Aogiri hideout, the corpses of several dozen Ghoul Investigators could bee found. Some had died without realizing what had just happened. Others had expressions of sheer terror. A large number of them had giant red crystals embedded into their bodies, and the few unlucky ones were seemingly crushed by something.

As it stood, only fifteen of the original fourty-five were alive, all of them laced with panic. In front of them was a single Ghoul, strolling casually towards them without even so much as a scratch on his body, the bullets practically bouncing off of him. His hair was white, the bangs overshadowing his eyes while the rest fell down to the collar of the white trench coat he had on. His ears were covered, and most of his face was hidden either by the high collar of the jacket, or by the crimson mask that adorned the bottom half of his face, bearing a design similar to the snarling mouth of a dragon. Beneath the jacket was a dark red hoodie, and beneath that, a worn out buttoned shirt. The figure had on torn black slacks, and worn sneakers, blood splattered along the soles and the tops. From his back were a pair of plume-like wings, red in color, though they bore a dragon-like form to them, while a lashing tail trailed behind him.

He had killed over half of their comrades in only a few seconds.

"Th-this is just batshit insane! We're not even making a dent in him! He's just causally walking through the bullets!" One scared investigator cried.

"Grow some balls and just keep shooting, dammit! We're not going to let this thing get past us!"

The figure said nothing, he continued to walk. He appeared to be humming something, something like a lullaby of some kind. Of course, no one could hear what it sounded like over the raging shouts of bullets.

"Dammit, where the hell is back up?!" an Investigator shouted. "We can't handle him alone?!"

"The Squad Leader is on his way! ETA five minutes!"

"Five minutes?! We can't hold out five minutes!" he cried out, starting to grow panicked. "Dammit, die you bastard-!"

He suddenly found himself pinned to the wall, a hand at his neck. His eyes widened, bulging from their sockets when he finally saw the figure at full view.

It was a kid, no older than 19 or 20. His right eye bore the Kakugan, but his left remained a normal shade of brown with a white sclera.

'It can't be... A One-Eye?!'

Those were the man's last thoughts as the boy snapped his neck, a loud crack ringing in their soldiers ears. They all stood there, both horrified and stupified, their rifles shaking in their grasp. The boy tossed the dead human aside, smashing the corpse against the wall and creating a small dent. He slowly turned to the rest of them, his gaze neutral and cold.

"...So noisy..."

His vast wings crystallized and fired hundreds of blood red shards. In retaliation and out of fearful impulse, the remaining Investigators fired back. However, the quinque bullets still possessed no effect on the individual, and the crystals his fired ripped through and bullet that got in their path.

They were helpless to stop the young man's attack. The shards he fired pierced each and every one of them in seconds. They dropped their guns and fell to the ground, lifeless.

"...Peace and quiet..." The man sighed. But the sound of grunting cut through the supposed silence. A single, wounded Investigator was trying to crawl away.

"Got...to...get away! M-m-monster!" Tears and mucus dripped down his face, his hair and expression disheveled.

"..." The young man only watched him for a second. A second later, he was already on top of the half-dead individual, his leg crushing his spine and his hand wrapped around his throat.

"...All this talk is making me hungry..."Without hesitation, he tore the pleading man's head from his body, and took a bite out of it. "...Crunchy...like potato chips. Rich...like pudding."

He hadn't noticed that one of the Investigators was still alive, his breath withheld and his eyes snapped shut. His heart was thumping hard against his chest so loud he could hear his heartbeat. He couldn't risk making a peep. If he made a sound...

"Kurimuzon-kun...~" a childish voice pouted. "Don't get wondering off by yourself!"

(Fact: "Kurimuzon" means Crimson)

The boy stopped and turned to see his superior, Eto, skipping towards him. "...Sorry..."

"It's okay!" The girl waved it off. She then looked at the carnage around her. "I guess you had some fun here. Were any of them the slightest bit of a challenge?"

"...No...all of them were just insects." Kurimuzon shook his head, the blood still dribbling down his chin.

"Well, don't worry!" Eto assured him. "Anyway, it's time to head back!"

Kurimuzon nodded, walking away with the girl. He took one last look at the pile of corpses that surrounded them.

The blood all over the walls and floor... It used to remind him of something, but what?

Oh well, he supposed that wasn't important. He had enough free time anyway. Besides, he was wondering if Yotsume-sama was around. He kind of liked her. She seemed to remind him of someone, almost like a sisterly figure, but he couldn't figure out just who she reminded him of.

He long forgotten who he used to be when he stopped hearing the voice in his arm.

XXXXXXXXXX

Issei groaned, feeling as if the world had exploded all over him. "Gaaaah... shit..." he hissed in pain, trying to move. He failed miserably, falling back to the cold hard floor. Everything was so dark. He could only make out some bars and a light hanging from the ceiling. "What..."

"Oh, you're awake!" someone shouted. "Takizawa-san! The boy's up!"

"Really? Let me see him!" The source of the voice requested. By the sound of it, it appeared to be a young man.

Issei tried to lift his head. He could see several dozen people, some huddled together closer. They were all wearing dark red cloaks... the same one worn by the man with the face mask. The one in front of him, with a lighter shade of brown hair than him, smiled in relief. "Oh man, thank goodness..." he sighed. "You looked like hell when they brought you here."

"Brought me...?" Issei wheezed. "Where... am I...?"

The man's face turned solemn, as if he were the bearer of bad news. "...You're in a holding cell, deep below Aogiri's headquarters."

"Aogiri?!" Issei shot up, recognizing the name from the news once. It was supposed to be an organization of terrorist Ghouls, or something like that. He honestly tuned most of the broadcast out. "H-how did I even get here?"

It was then that Issei remembered.

Fighting the white-haired man who was practically toying with him.

Getting a piece of his body bit off by that monster called Noro.

Watching his friends being defeated, one by one.

He scowled in pain, his arm reaching for the stump that used to be his left bicep. However, his eyes widened when he felt pain running through something else, all the way down to the hand.

He looked down.

His right arm looked as good as new.

'T-that shouldn't be possible...' Issei thought in shock. 'I shouldn't be able to heal this quickly...!'

"Noticing and wondering how the hell your arm grew back?" The man asked him. Issei looked at him in confusion. He didn't seem to be dangerous, then again, he shouldn't judge based on appearances. But he did actually tell him where he was...so he couldn't be that bad of a person.

"Y-yeah..."

The man sighed heavily. "You may not like this..." the man informed him before looking to one of the people. "Hey, can you of you guys grab a piece of glass?"

One of them, a girl in her late teens, nodded. She scurried off somewhere near the edge of the cell, close to the corner. "My name's Seidou. Seidou Takizawa." the man introduced himself with a light smile, offering his hand. "You?"

Issei regarded him hesitantly. He slowly wrapped his fingers around the man, Seidou's hand. "...Issei Hyoudou."

"It's nice to meet you, Hyoudou-kun." Takizawa smiled.

"The same, Takizawa-San." soon the girl came back with the large, transparent fragment.

"Well... you might wanna prepare yourself." Seidou warned him, taking the glass from the girl's hand and showing it to Issei. His face was reflected in the shard.

His breath nearly stopped.

His right eye was exactly the same as the eyes of the man he had fought.

"This is what they do to their prisoners..." the man said with sadness and loathing in his tone. "Every one of us here used to be human... and then we met Kanou."

Issei was staring to shake violently. N-no... no way... this couldn't be real...!

There was no way he was a Ghoul!

"No way...no way...NO WAY! Th-this can't be real! It-it's gotta be a big, fat joke, right? Haha...very f-funny guys...! Seriously, stop pulling my leg..." Issei stammered in denial. However, the looks of pity, sympathy, and solemnity told him otherwise.

"...I'm sorry. Believe me...I wish it were all a hoax too..." Takizawa admitted.

Issei didn't know what to say. He was fine with being a Devil. In a way, he couldn't really have it any other way. In fact, he was thankful. He could have his chance at becoming a Harem King at long last! Plus, he got to be with some seriously cute girls, so that was a major plus!

But... a Ghoul... Of all the things... A Ghoul? Why? Why?!

"T-this..." he sobbed, tears starting to fall from his face. "This can't be... This is just a joke... right?"

Takizawa said nothing. He could only laugh at the silent response. "Oh man... T-this is just..." he continued to cry, not wanting to believe his current situation.

How... how as he... supposed to face Buchou and the others...?

How would they react to this?

What would they think?

Did...They even want him to face them...anymore...?

Did they...even want to see him anymore...?

He...was only a monster now...He has no where left to go...All alone...

All alone...

All alone...

Those words dragged down his heart, mind, and spirit like an anchor on a ship.

'Partner, you know damn well they would still want you.' Ddraig answered, having been silent for a long time. 'If they didn't, then they wouldn't have fought that monster... Still, I never would have imagined there was something as powerful as him to be able to defeat your friends... and so quickly.'

"...Don't remind me, Ddraig..." Issei responded silently. He couldn't believe it either. All of his friends, his comrades...his family, were utterly decimated, even worse than when they all fought Kokabiel and Loki.

It terrified him to know that a monster like that existed... and it was all the more terrifying to know that he had easily demolished Issei, even with his Scale Mail.

Seidou looked confused about his mutterings until his face became serious when footsteps began to echo. Everyone in the cell became tense.

Stepping in front of the steel bars was a man with short blonde hair and red eyes, dressed in an expensive white suit. His face had the world's biggest grin. "Hello everybody!" he greeted cheerfully. "How's everyone on this fine day?!"

"Shit." the man scowled. "It's him..."

"H-him?" Issei frowned. "Who is that?"

"A sadistic son of a bitch named Naki."

XXXXXXXXXX

Kurimuzon and Eto were met with a few people, all of them members of Aogiri. At the head was a man wearing a black rabbit mask. He wasn't sure why, but Kurimuzon didn't really like him all that much. Maybe it was because he was cold and a complete ass? "Eto-san." Ayato Kirishima greeted, removing the mask before looking at the dragon-masked Ghoul. "...Kurimuzon."

"...Kuro-Bunny." he responded quietly and bluntly. Most of the men with Ayato grew tense when the man narrowed his eyes, but then refocused his attention to the bandaged girl.

"You said you wanted to meet with all of us regarding...a delicate matter you wanted to address."

"Yep! Yep! That I did~" Eto chirped cheerfully.

His eyes gazed to Kurimuzon. "...Does the pet need to be here too?" he asked almost condescendingly. He nearly flinched when he saw traces of anger flash in the Ghoul's eyes.

It was pretty much common knowledge that the mental state of the one known as the Crimson Dragon was anything but stable. The slightest insult, the slightest act of aggression, well practically anything that pissed him off was enough to set him off. The outbursts were usually bloody and messy.

It also did not help matters that it required Nor, Tatara, and even Ayato to restrain or calm him down. Of course, if it was just Eto, he would settle down pretty easily. How, no one knew. Some speculated that the two were in a relationship.

Then they were properly introduced to her Kakuja. The rumors ceased at that moment.

"Of course he does!" Eto pouted childishly. "How come you don't like him, Ayato-kun?"

The scowl told her everything she needed to know. "His outbursts are a pain in the ass, and more often than not, I end up nearly losing one of my damn limbs." he growled. "Learn to control your temper, pet."

Kurimuzon glared. "...You're noisy, Kuro-Bunny." he said flatly, his Kakugan flashing. "I hate it when it gets noisy."

"Stop calling me that!" Ayato roared, his own Kakugan flaring.

"Then shut up. Otherwise I'll have to rip out your tongue to make you." Kurimuzon retorted.

"Now now!" Eto got between the two. "No fighting!" Ayato was about to refuse, wanting to teach the brat a lesson and get payback for his last outburst from three days ago, but then the girl turned to Kurimuzon. "Kurimuzon-kun, no fighting! Not today! Understand?"

The hostility vanished almost instantly, and the Kakugan reverted. "...Okay."

He quietly sat back down. He remained to be calm and rather docile.

No one ever did find out how Eto managed to tame the raging Dragon. Then again, nobody ever tried to again.

Personally, it annoyed the hell out of Ayato. "Che..." he spat before regaining his composure, and looking at his superior. "So, what did you want to discuss with me?"

"Wait a bit." she told him. "Tatara and Noro will be arriving shortly. In the meantime, how was your mission?" she asked curiously. "Anyone exciting show up?"

"No. It was boring...as usual..." Ayato scoffed. All the missions he received involved exterminating those who opposed Aogiri. Many of them were Investigators and fellow ghouls. Yet in the young Kirishima's eyes...they were pathetically weak.

Then again, there had been a reason he became an S Rated Ghoul to CCG.

"At least you accomplished your tasks, Kirishima." a cold voice spoke from behind. Instantly, Ayato's body became straighter and looked to see Tatara and Noro arriving, Naki with his usual group trailing behind him. "Ah, I see the dragon is here as well."

Kurimuzon didn't react. Noro said nothing, as usual, and sat beside the boy.

"Well, since everybody's here..." Eto giggled. "Should we get started?"

Tatara nodded. "Indeed." he said in agreement, turning to the rest of his allies. "We've received word that the CCG plans to infiltrate tonight's auction. Their target is Big Madam... as usual."

"I see. So they plan to try and kill her again? Yeah, like that worked in the past." Ayato scoffed.

"Agreed. That is why we will be intervening to crush their forces."

"I hear they've got those Quinx guys coming around here too!" Naki said excitedly. "I hope Eyepatch will be there too! We're gonna rescue him, right?"

Tatara snorted. "And what good will he to us?" he asked. Ayato scowled, his fists clenching. "He had his uses... if only for a short while."

Kurimuzon saw barely contained anger with Ayato. Nobody knew why, but anything regarding the Eyepatch, apparently a former Executive before his 'death', was a touchy subject for him.

"B-but..." Naki looked like he wanted to protest, but flinched under Tatara's glare. "...Fine, but first chance I get, I'm taking him back!"

"Do what you will." the leading Ghoul dismissed him. "Another important note... it appears one of our agents has found a curious piece of information. It is in regards to the rogue faction of the Grigori and the Old Satan Faction."

Eto did not miss the slight tension in regards to the names.

"...What did he find?" Eto asked. Her voice, in contrast to earlier, possessed a serious tone.

"It's regarding the invasion of the Underworld, which matters little to us, and the planned strike against us." Tatara explained.

Noro tilted his head in a questioning manner, while Ayato gave a 'hmph' in response. "Oh please, as if those pissants can deal with us!" he said coldly. "You'd think they would have learned their lesson after the pet got through with them."

With the exception of the Executives, the other members of Aogiri visibly paled. None of them had forgotten that incident.

It was that night that he earned the name Crimson Dragon. A name truly worthy of the carnage he had raged on that night.

It all began when groups of Rogue Fallen Angels, and members of the Old Satan Faction, chose to invade Aogiri Headquarters to finally erase the monsters they all so feared. They were foolish. Every last one of them. They each possessed incurable arrogance that they were superior to Ghouls. Their egos were further heightened when only a single ghoul was present to oppose them.

It was the biggest and final mistake of their lives.

To this day, not a single one of them has forgotten. Red rain fell upon them when they arrived, hearing the sweet symphony of screaming echoing long into the night. The piles of corpses were a testament to how powerful Kurimuzon was, despite the name Ayato had given him. In addition to his outbursts, he was a walking time bomb just waiting to be blown up.

"How will we handle this?" Eto asked.

Tatara looked at Kurimuzon, who had been silent alongside Noro. "The dragon will take care of it. The meeting is to take place within next week, in Ikebukuro."

"Ara?" the small Ghoul tilted her head. "So close?"

"Yes. Apparently, Big Madam wanted to hold the Auction soon. Although, the timing shouldn't be an issue. It doesn't even matter to us."

"Alrighty..." the girl nodded in understanding before turning around, looking at Kurimuzon. "Okay, Kurimuzon-kun, time to head on home!"

The boy nodded, and stood up. "...Will we play again?"

She giggled in response. "Sure!"

With that, the two left. Ayato shook his head. "I don't get that pissant." he said, turning to Tatara. "I get the fact that he's the first One-Eyed Devil Ghoul we've met, but what the hell makes him so special?"

Tatara chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough, Kirishima." he told him. "Also, I do believe the fact that it requires myself, you, and Noro to restrain him when he goes mad should tell you why he is with Eto at all times."

"Yeah, I get that." he scowled. "But why is she always with him? And with the way they talk, you'd think they were married!"

"Hm...Well, you're not that far from the truth." The white haired man answered enigmatically. "As for your first question...Eto was actually the one who wanted to keep him as a pet."

"...Why doesn't that surprise me?" Ayato deadpanned.

'Although...' the white-haired Ghoul added mentally, looking at where the two left. 'There was also another reason for her wanting to keep the boy with her.'

One would say that it was because Eto was interested. Kurimuzon was unlike other One-Eyes that Kanou had crafted. It wasn't just because of his background as a Devil. It was something more...the power he was blessed/cursed with. However, another would say that she wanted to keep him close...to prevent him from remembering.

No, it wasn't from remembering the days of when before he was Kurimuzon... it was more like she was trying to make sure he wouldn't remember something, something specific. What, he didn't know. Oh well, it didn't matter to him. Because of Eto, he was their obedient hunting dog, albeit a wild one.

Of course, Naki was also partially responsible for that as well. He actually praised Yamori that time, for having taught the Ghoul so well. Although, Naki had deviated from the same manner of torture with one detail.

He hadn't used a centipede.

XXXXXXXXXX

Issei screamed from the top of his lungs as he felt his fingers being torn from his hands. "Hoho, man, that's one hell of a set of lungs you've got!" Naki cackled, enjoying the spectacle. "Oh man, you being a Devil is awesome! You heal so fast! Just take a look! You're fingers are already starting to grow back! Ooh, I wish Aniki was here to see this!"

"St-st-stop...THIS!" Issei gurgled, barely maintaining consciousness from the constant agony. The torture had begun hours ago. This was the tenth time that Issei's fingers had healed after being torn off by a pair of metal pliers. He wanted to break free, to escape. But whatever the stuff that Naki injected into him through a needle into his eye prevented him from doing so. He couldn't find strength. Yet he still felt pain. He just wanted it to stop.

"Stop?!" Naki loked at him as if he grew a second head. "No...no no no! We barely even gotten started. I haven't even pulled out your teeth or toes yet!"

"J-just stop-AAAAAAGH!" Issei screamed again, feeling the pliers now moving to his feet. The toes were removed one by one with a swift tug.

"You know, when I first heard about you, I didn't really believe it!" Naki told him, his grin still present. "Aniki told me about you guys, but I really didn't believe him, ya know? Then I heard you can turn them into Devils! Ooh man, I felt so excited, you couldn't believe it! I always wanted to know what you guys are like!"

Issei could barely talk, his throat soar and screaming from yelling for so long. "You must be going crazy at this point, huh?" the blonde torturer asked, throwing the pliers to his work table and reaching for another tool, a small drill. "Aniki taught me this trick a long time ago, when I first started. Start from 1000, then subtract it from seven, and then subtract the answer to that question from seven again, and continue! If you manage to reach zero, I'll stop the torture!"

Issei couldn't see the deranged grin the man had as he walked back over to him, already firing up the drill. "Start counting!" he said with glee, slamming the drill into Issei's knee, effectively shattering all of his bones in that area.

He let out an ear-piercing scream.

"Nine hundred...Ninety..three...AAARGH!" His other knee was drilled into. "...Nine hundred...Eighty-six...!"

"Keep counting~!" Naki sung cheerfully. He dug the pliers into Issei's shattered kneecap, cruelly pulling out the fragmented bone and joints.

Blood and flesh were beginning to splatter everywhere. Issei could barely hear himself now at this point, wondering if he had finally gone deaf. 'C'mon partner!' Ddraig tried to encourage him, but he was so angry with himself. How would he just let this happen to him?! Why couldn't he break out of here dammit?! His partner was suffering! 'Hang in there!'

"N-nine hundred...!" Issei was starting to sob between screams, the pitch becoming coarsed with tears. "S-seventy nine..."

"Good, good!" Naki smiled wider. "Keep on going!"

"N-n-nine...hun-hundred...seventy...t-two..." He silently begged to whoever out there to make this stop.

"You better hurry if you want me to stop now!" He took the drill and dug it into his shoulder.

"N-nine hundred..." Issei's voice was starting to fail him. He felt some of his blood splatter across his face. "Six-sixty..six..."

"Eh?" Naki tilted his head when he saw his toy starting to ebb away into unconsciousness. "Oi, no sleeping! We're getting to the good part~"

Just then, the metal doors opened. Naki quickly grew annoyed, wanting to yell at whoever was interuppting his "Play Time" to leave, lest they want to die, only to stop and find Eto walking inside. "Yo, Naki-kun!"

"Oh, Eto-san." Naki greeted his superior. "Did you want to watch? I just got done with his shoulder and was gonna work on his hands next!"

"Sorry, but you're work can continue off later." she told him, much to his disappointment. "Tatara wants you for something."

"Whaaaaaaat?" the blonde whined, throwing his drill back to his work place. "Oh, fine..." he complained, turning to Issei. "Don't go anywhere."

How could he? With how much pain he was in, he doubted he couldn't even so much as crawl with how much pain he felt his body was in. Once he heard his tormentor leave, the small Ghoul walked over to Issei. "Looks like he played with you pretty roughly, huh?" she asked with a giggle. "Though, this is really light, compared to what Yamori-chan did to Kaneki-kun!"

"K-K-K-K-Kan...neki...?" Issei slurred.

"Mmhm!" Eto nodded childishly. "He was the Ghoul we brought in before you. It's too bad that he left. He was so much fun to be with!"

'What in the hell is wrong with these people?!' Ddraig roared. 'Bastards! Issei, try to release Boosted Gear!'

He had tried to... but he felt so weak. He could barely even talk right now.

"Wh-what... do you...w-want...?" Issei muttered, feeling his head droop.

Eto giggled. "We want to remake Kaneki-kun... And you'll be the new masterpiece!" she told him, tapping his forehead. "Actually, I'm kinda curious about you! I'm Eto, what's your name, mister?"

He didn't answer.

"Aw, don't be like that~" Eto pouted. "If you won't tell me, then..."

She took one of his fingers, and twisted.

"I-Issei!" he yelped. "I-Issei Hy-Hyoudou!"

"Ah! Issei-kun, is it?" Eto stopped twisting and clapped in glee. "It's so nice to meet you, new Ghoul-kun!"

"H-h-h-hi..." At this point, Issei couldn't quite tell what he's even thinking or saying. He wanted nothing more than to pass out.

"Aw...don't sleep...Otherwise..." Eto roughly placed her hand between his legs.

Almost immediately, all pain left Issei and felt blood rushing to his face. "W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-wait!" he instinctively slammed both of his legs together, trying to hide his private area. "W-w-what are you doing?!"

"Aw, is little old me not allowed to have fun?" Eto asks, pouting childishly.

"B-but your a kid!"

Eto giggled. "Actually, I'm 24."

If it weren't for the blindfold over his eyes, she would have seen him looking at her with eyes the size of dinner plates. How in the hell was someone who sounded like a kid an adult?! Did she not hit puberty or something?!

"Eh? Are you thinking that I sound like a kid?" Eto asked.

"H-how did you...?!"

"Know what you're thinking? Simple! You're so predictable...I guessed! And for your information, I just happen to appear younger than I really am. I would've thought most men would've liked that."

'What the hell is up with this lady?!'

'Beats me, partner...' Ddraig answered, his hostility replaced with confusion and bewilderment. 'She definitely looks like a kid, but she's covered in bandages...'

"So, Issei-kun, I'm curious." Eto tilted her head, a finger at her cheek. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Issei's eyes widened beneath his blindfold. At that mere sentence, he finally remembered what caused his inner turmoil before. "Why...why would you ask me that?"

"Why not?" she asked, puzzled. "You're the Red Dragon Emperor, so of course I'd be curious about you."

'She... doesn't seem so bad...' he thought for a moment. 'I think I can trust her... But...'

"...No. I used to, but she..."

"Died?"

He shook his head.

"...She...asked me out on a date...but she...killed me...toying with my feelings, calling me her entertainment and scum." The memories were painful. Usually, he would refrain from revisiting them, but he could care less now.

"Ara, is that so..." Eto said, her cheerful voice gone. Issei flinched when he felt her clothed hands intertwine around his. "So... you know what it's like then... To be betrayed."

"You...do...?" Issei raised his head up to her. Did this girl really understand how he feels?

He felt one of her hands gently cup his face. "Of course I do..." she told him. "We're a lot alike... not just that you're a One-Eye and I am too... But it's just a feeling."

He didn't know why, but he felt a bit disappointed when her hands left him. "Well, gotta go!" Eto said, regaining her cheerful voice. "Talk to you soon, Issei-kun!"

XXXXXXXXXX

In the end, there was some sort of strange attachment between me and her, the Ghoul called Eto. Whenever that man, Naki, stopped our sessions, she would come by to visit me. I didn't understand why she came around to visit, but the constant number and her talking about things with me... I think they were the only things keeping my sanity. Talking about everything with Eto provided me with some strange relief, like a moment of peace.

I would be allowed to leave every five days, going back to my cell. Takizawa-san and the others looked pretty worried, not that I blamed them. Naki's sessions were brutal. After every day, I would feel exhausted, so riddled with pain. No matter how hard I tried, I could still feel the pain coursing through me. Ddraig was the only thing that was keeping me conscious during those times, and yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bring out Boosted Gear.

Had I lost the ability to call it out somehow?

I didn't know... all I knew was that these days here were Hell on earth.

XXXXXXXXXX

Eto giggled as she leaped over Kurimuzon's Bikaku effortlessly, bouncing off the wall and using his back as a spring-board, evading each of his wings with ease. "Heehee~" she giggled again cheerfully. "Catch me if you can!"

"…Challenge accepted." Kurimuzon flapped his wings and took flight. He rose into the air before diving down in her direction. The chase was on. Eto ran on her own two feet. Once the Chimera-type came close. She back flipped over him.

"Strike one~" she shouted playfully. Kurimuzon bounced off the ground, rebounding after her. He stretched out his hand, as if trying to grab her.

The girl easily evaded it, using his tail as a stepping stone and then grabbing one of the large slabs of debris and tossing it at him. He used is wings to sever it, only to see her gone. "...No fair."

He scanned the area looking for her. But he found nothing. Where did she go? Suddenly, his vision was cast to darkness, and he felt someone behind him.

"Guess who~?" Eto whispered into his ear.

He looked over his shoulder to see Eto on his back, her arms wrapped around his arms, and her own Ukaku blades piercing his own, keeping him pinned. Her legs were currently keeping his Bikaku restrained.

Her bandages were gone, having discarded them when they began 'playing'. Even though her child-like persona was just a facade, she liked to play around with Kurimuzon. It was one of her favorite past times.

He regarded her with a childish look. "...Cheater."

She stuck out her tongue. "No, you're just a sore loser."

"...Cheater..." He argued childishly.

"Now, now...I know how to make it up to you." Eto licked her lips.

Kurimuzon understood what this meant, and looked at her with anticipation. "...Please?"

"Fufu...such a spoiled child you are." She brought her lips closer to his.

Their respective Kagune dissolved, and Eto was able to relax her legs. Contrary to her own strength, trying to keep that darn tail of his was hard work.

The green-haired beauty pressed her lips against his, removing her arms and cupping his face, pressing further.

Kurimuzon moaned, a deep shade of red on his cheeks. Eto giggled when she decided to take things up a notch, slipping her tongue inside of his mouth. The action surprised him, evident by the widening of his eyes, but closed his eyes, feeling bliss.

'You're mine.' Eto thought when they parted, much to the male's disappointment. 'You don't belong to that red-haired master of yours... You belong to me, and me alone...'

She smiled when she saw the loving look in his eyes. 'Issei-kun~'

XXXXXXXXXX

Issei groaned when he felt the screwdriver being removed from his neck. "Ara, ara..." Naki giggled. "You're pretty sturdy... No matter what I do to you, you just heal right back up." He undid the boy's eyefold, allowing the Devil to see his grin. "Aniki always told me that the strong will always destroy the weak... It's a way of life, you know? Say, by any chance, Hyoudou-kun, do you know about the Komoto Dragon?"

"You...m-mean...that huge...carnivorous lizard?" He questioned.

"Bingo!" Naki chimed.

The boy's widened when he saw a familiar sight being lifted up from the small work table.

"Their claws are pretty sharp, even as hatchlings..." Naki grinned. "Their bite is especially hard... and believe me, you don't wanna know how terrible their breath is."

The grin became sickening. "I'm going to put this in your ear... you don't mind, right?"

"E-eh?! How the hell is that lizard even going to fit in my ear! I mean, look at it!" Issei yelled with what even sanity he had left pointing out the ridiculous. With his head, he gestured to the baby lizard the size of a human hand in the ghoul's hand.

"Oh don't be a baby. It's not THAT big. I can still cram it inside no problem...probably."

"N-no! Don't you dare! Don't you fucking dare!"

"Hahaha!" Naki grinned from ear to ear, laughing like a madman. "You sound like you have a choice in the matter!"

Before Issei had a chance to respond, Naki grabbed a fistful of his hair, and then began to cram the dragon inside Issei's skull violently.

The pain was far worse than what he had been sentenced through than anything before.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

"His cries of agony were heard all throughout the Building. It was even audible in the Dungeons. Every one of the prisoners cringed and were fearful for what Issei was going through at the moment.

"St-stop! STOP! STOP! STOP! GET THIS FUCKING LIZARD OUT OF MY EAR!" He shrieked with cracking mentality. His sanity was starting to break.

'ISSEI!' Ddraig yelled out. However, his voice was deaf on Issei's ears, which was now filled with Lizard and his mind was focused on the searing pain.

"If you want me to stop...then reach Zero already! No don't lose count now~!"

"F-f-four...hundred...f-f-forty...!"

He continued to count off. The squirming inside his skull was excrutiating. It felt as if the damned thing was actually trying to eat inside his skull.

"F-f-f-f-our hund-dred and f-forty...! F-four h-hundred th-th-thirty three!"

"Thatta boy!" Naki slapped Issei on the back. "Now that THAT's taken care off..." He took another Komodo Dragon baby from the cart. His free hand picked up the drill "...I wonder how this little guy would like living in your shoulder?"

"F-f-f-four h-hun...hundred...twe...enty s-six...!"

Issei's ramblings were interrupted with a painful scream as Naki began to tear open his shoulder, the baby dragon squirming in his grasp. The first one was trying to find a way to get outside of his skull. It was starting to poke at one of the nerves at his eyeballs.

"G-get it out!" he begged. "Please, for the love of God, get it out!"

"Hey now, you know the rules!" Naki said as he slipped the dragon inside the slit in his shoulder. "Keep on going! You're almost there!"

"AAAAGH! FOUR HUNDRED! NINETEEN!

"Good, good!" Naki cheered. "Now...let's see how this one like's your kneecaps!"

"FOUR HUNDRED...! TWWWEEEEEEEEEEELLLLVEEEE!" Issei screamed. The first was now clawing at the inside of his skull and lick the back of his eyeballs. The second was burrowing into his flesh, trying to escape from the blood that's drowning it.

"FOUR HUN-HUNDRED AND...FFIIIIIIVEEEE!" He screeched again as Naki tore open his knee again.

"Hoohoo boy!" Naki clapped once he leaned back, watching the baby dragons make a mess of things inside the poor boy. "Better hope none of 'em lay eggs! Hahahah!"

Issei felt tears streaming down his face. Every part of him was numb. "K-kill me..." he begged, wanting everything to end. "Just kill me now..."

"Eh, nope, sorry." Naki chuckled. "Tatara wants you alive, so... yeah, no. Just keep counting, and you can have those pesky little critters outta you!"

All Issei could hear at that point was nothing but the chewing of flesh.

XXXXXXXXXX

In the end, I ended up passing out after reaching 200. Eto took them out when Naki left. God, I can still feel them crawling around inside of me... It was so horrifying... I felt like I was about to go mad.

Just...what did I do to deserve this? Was it because I was a pervert? Was it because I let my parents down? Was it because...I let my friends down? Was it...because I couldn't understand...Buchou's feelings? Why...? Why...did this happen to me...?!

It hurts...It FUCKING HURTS! I just wanted it all to stop!

XXXXXXXXXX

"You okay, Issei-kun?" Eto asked him once she undid the blindfold over his eyes. They were red from crying so much. "Naki-chan really is mean to you, isn't he?"

"It hurts..." he sobbed. "It hurts so much... No matter how much time goes on... I can still feel them crawling...!" His body began to shudder violently.

Ddraig was trembling with both horror and rage. Naki had been torturing him for over a damn month, for nearly thirty days Issei experienced the same sort of torture, and each time, it was quickly growing worse and worse. Oh wouldn't he give for the chance to break out of his prison and demolish Aogiri! He would show them why he was called the Crimson Emperor! He would show them the true wrath of a Dragon! There would be no mercy!

And yet, here he was, confined and helpless. 'Issei... just hold out a little longer!' his partner begged of him.

Issei couldn't respond. He could feel them crawling around, even now... He could hear them eating away at him from the inside...

They were eating him... Oh God, make it stop... make it stop... Make it stop!

MakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstopMakeitstop-

He found himself embraced by a pair of slender, warm arms. For a moment, he wondered if it was Rias or Akeno, or maybe Asia... They were the only ones he knew of that could provide him with such warmth.

"It's okay..." Eto soothed him, whispering in his ear. "It will be all okay..."

"E-Eto..." Issei sobbed in her arms. He just wanted the pain to stop. Yet here she was, slowly easing the pain in his heart and mind.

"It will be alright, Issei-kun. Please, just hold out for a little while longer..." She gently stroked his head.

For the first time in weeks, Issei felt...safe. As if he were in his true zone of comfort. He felt secure...and warm...He wanted this to last.

XXXXXXXXXX

After that... I started to cherish more of Eto's company. My time with Takizawa-san and the others were limited, yet no matter what, my thoughts were always going back to Eto. I've always wondered what she looked like beneath those bandages... to me, she just doesn't seem like a Ghoul. There was that nagging voice in the back of my head, telling me that she would be like Raynare, and betray me... but I refused to listen.

Eto... She was the only thing keeping my sanity going. Although, I knew these good times would end soon.

I just didn't know how soon.

XXXXXXXXXX

Issei's eyes widened. "A jailbreak?" he asked, almost disbelieving as he looked at everyone. "C-can we... pull this off?"

Takizawa shook his head. "We won't know unless we try, Hyoudou-kun..." he said. In the last month, his hair had started to grow shaggier, much longer. It was also beginning to become pale, like white. "This could be our only chance…"

"If...If that's so...then I say we take it! Let's get out of this hell hole!" Issei spoke shakily. He wanted out. He wanted away from all the pain and suffering.

He wanted to go back to his family...

...But...

A large part of him...only desired to be with Eto.

A part of him felt slightly guilty for thinking about that. His friends had been his sole reason for living up to this point... without them, his life really didn't mean anything. Although, after that incident with him possibly hurting Rias' feelings, he was beginning to doubt whether or not he really did still have a place with them, or if they still thought of him as his friend.

Eto was... different. She would come to see him every time Naki's sessions came to an end. She comforted him, helped him ease the pain... In a way, he felt... safe... with her.

He wondered if he was starting to fall in love with her.

XXXXXXXXXX

It was decided that we would try to escape Aogiri. Naki had also decided to let me off for a week, probably because he was trying to think of new ways to make me suffer.

Our chance to escape would come within that week, exactly five days from now. Beneath the HQ was a sewer system that connects to the 24th Ward, a giant network of sewers and mazes. If we can use it, we can find a way out of this hellhole. The problem was that Naki, two of his lankies, and someone called Miza would be on guard duty.

The only way to get our shot at freedom was to find a way to slip past them...

But it would never happen.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Just keep running!" Takizawa shouted as he ran to the front, his Kagune outstretched. Panic and determination were etched on his face. "Don't look back!"

"I know! B-but...I can't...go on much further...!" The teenage girl cried, her wounds from earlier bouts getting to her.

"We're almost there! Just hang on for a bit longer!"

Issei scowled as he looked over his shoulder. Three members of Aogiri, red cloaks bearing skull-like masks, chased after them. "Dammit all!" he cursed, looking at his arm. "Ddraig, can't we use Boosted Gear?!"

'I don't know, Issei!' Ddraig replied back. 'Whatever the hell this Kanou guy did to you, it's interfered with your ability to summon the Sacred Gear! You'll have to rely on your own strength!'

"Dammit!"

"Aah!" one of the members yelped, falling to the ground. The group was already ahead of her when they realized what had happened. The Aogiri men were already catching up to her. Instantly, Issei pivoted around on his food and went straight forward.

"Hey, assholes!" he cried out. "Special delivery!"

He threw a powerful right hook. The sound of a neck snapping, as well as the breaking of the mask, could be heard. The aggressor was sent flying, tumbling to the ground.

"I-Issei-san..." The girl spoke to her savior.

"C'mon." The brown haired teen quickly pulled her back up. "You guys go on ahead! I'll buy you some time to put some distance between you and them!"

"Are you crazy?!" Takizawa yelled at him in concern. "You'll never make it! Just run with us and let's get out of here!"

"This isn't up for debate, Takizawa-san!" Issei shouted back before glaring at his opponents. "Just go!"

"But-!"

"NOW!"

Takizawa wavered, biting his lower lip in frustration, as if unsure what to do. Everyone was just as conflicted, they did not want to leave him all alone at the mercy of Aogiri, especially if returned to the hands of Naki,
but they also didn't wish to be capture either.

"...You better stay alive!" Takizawa shouted as he finally made his decision, leaving with the others. "We'll come back for you! I swear it!"

Once they were gone, Issei smiled bitterly. 'Okay...' he thought to himself, taking a deep breath through his nostrils and letting out a large sigh. His eyes were closed for a moment.

When he opened them, his right eye bore the Kakugan. "Okay, you bastards!" the Red Dragon Emperor declared, throwing his arms forward. "Come and get me!"

XXXXXXXXXX

I don't know what happened to Takizawa-san or the others after that, but I was able to hold off Aogiri.

That is, until some guy wearing a black rabbit mask showed up. That was when everything went to hell.

Ten seconds... that was how long I lasted against him. Before I even knew it, I felt my legs being slashed and hacked away, and once again losing my right arm to these bastards. After that, I don't know what happened. When I woke up, I was sore all over.

And I was back with Naki, chained to the damned chair.

Months... That was how long he tortured me without end. Months. I don't know how many. Three, maybe for? Dammit, the pain... it just won't go away...

Eto didn't visit me when our sessions were over, but I knew why she couldn't. When Naki left, he had two of his lackies beat the ever loving shit out of. I felt several bones breaking and mending themselves together.

The only thing that kept my sanity together was the numbers. I understood why I was asked to subtract 1000 from 7 several times and repeat the process. It helps you keep whatever sanity you have.

I desperately clinged to those numbers... I begged for someone to save me. I didn't care who it was. Buchou, Akeno, Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, Gasper, Kiba, someone from the student council...

Eto...

I wanted to get out of here... I couldn't stand the pain anymore! Someone, just kill me now! It would be such a merciful blessing! This pain is too much to bear!

But... Naki wouldn't hear of it. After all... he had finally found a way to break me.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Ara, ara..." Naki smiled as he undid the blindfold, dropping it to the floor. Issei was just barely breathing, his chest rising and falling rapidly while his fingers, toes, and his throat began to mend themselves together. "You're very strong, Hyoudou-kun... All this time, you've been handling yourself pretty well. I'm sure Aniki would have the time of his life, playing with you. But, I have to ask..."

He leaned in, whispering in the boy's ear. "Are you as strong mentally as you are physically?"

"Wh-what...are you...ta...talking about...?" Issei slurred, trying to raise his head to face Naki in the eye.

"Well...hypothetically speaking...say that two lovers are in death's grasp. And you have the power to save one of them while the other dies a miserable death. Which one will you choose?"

Naki snapped his fingers. The metal doors were thrown open, revealing his cronies in white suits.

Issei's eyes widened in horror. All the pain and weakness he felt was gone as he tried to break free from his confines. 'No! No no NO!'

The two people they were holding were among the prisoners Takizawa looked after. They were lovers, as Issei learned. They had hoped that, once they escaped, they could build a good life and have a child.

And now...

"So, let's find out if you're strong enough, shall we?" Naki grinned sadistically, walking over to the two. His Kagune emerged from his shoulder, a light green shell that formed into a sharp blade near the wrist. "So... who do you want to kill, and who do you want to save?"

"N-no..." Issei shook his head. "Y-you can't do this! You can't!"

"Oh yes I can! Sorta in the job description buddy!" Naki grinned at him. He pressed the tip of his Kagune to the neck of the female Ghoul. "Now...who will you choose to be killed. Just to make things interesting, you have a time limit. So ready, set, go!"

I-I can't...I can't choose...! I-I know! Just kill me instead!" Issei pleaded.

"Tsk tsk..." The sadist waved a finger in disappointment. "That's against the rules. You can't die. But one of these two can. So take your pick."

"Bullshit!" Issei barked back. His anger was slowly restoring his sanity, even if temporary. "If you really wanted to torture me, then just keep on doing it! What's next a Jellyfish down the throat? A Snake in the spine?! ANOTHER KOMODO DRAGON?! Anything! I'll Take anything! Just leave them out of this!"

"Ooh, thanks for the ideas!" the blonde laughed hysterically. "But... you've got fifteen seconds to decide." He pressed his Kagune forward.

"I-Issei-san...!" she weeped, recoiling and trying to struggle against the bindings. "P-please... help...!"

"Hyoudou-san!" the male Ghoul screamed out in panic. "Just kill me! Please! I don't want to see her end this way! Kill me! Please!"

Issei gnashed his teeth against one another. "Dammit, stop all of this! Just kill me already!" he shouted, tears running down his face. "Isn't more fun to see someone's face when they're about to die!"

"Oh, it is!" Naki said with glee. "That's why I'm doing this, remember? Eleven seconds left!"

"Hyoudou-san!" The male creamed once more, this time in greater desperation. "Please! Just let him kill me! Let Tabane live!"

"I-I can't...!" Issei was getting closer and closer to breaking. This weight...this pressure...slammed onto his shoulders. Why...How...HOW could he even choose who gets to live and who dies?!

"I-I-Iss-Issei...san..." Tabane weeped.

"Seven seconds now!"

"Stop it! Leave them alone! Just kill me now!" The teen was thrashing in his chair, desperately wanting it all to stop.

"Nope! Five seconds!"

"HYOUDOU-SAN!"

"H-HELP! ISSEI-SAN! YUUUU!"

"Three."

"Kill me!"

"Two..."

"HYOUDOU-SAN!"

"KYAAAA!"

"On..."

"Kill the man!" Issei snapped his answer, finally breaking. His breathing was heavy; his hair was even more disheveled, sweat dripping down his face, which was contorted with regret. He really didn't want to make this decision. Not at all.

Tabane snapped her head up, eyes wide with fright while Yu was sobbing with relief, his head pressed against the ground. Naki removed the blade from the girl's neck. He gave Issei a wide grin. "There, see?" he said. "Not so hard, was it?"

He jammed his Kagune into the man's chest, the blade poking out the back. Tabane screamed in horror while Issei struggled further against his restraints, saliva flowing from the corners of his mouth alongside his tears.

His anger was on par with even Ddraig's immense flames.

"She's free to go." Naki told his flunkies. They nodded, and removed her bindings. She was dragged out, kicking and screaming, calling out Yu's name all the way until the door closed. "Still, looks like I was right... You're as strong as I thought you'd be."

"Naki..." Issei gritted his teeth, his glare deadly, sharp, and fierce. His right eye became black and red, while the left became green with a black slit n the center. "I swear... When I get free... I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" He smashed up against is restraints, his words nothing but snarls. "DO YOU FUCKING HEAR ME?! I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU LIKE A DAMNED FAT PIG! I SWEAR, SO HELP ME GOD-" He ignored the flash of pain the stung through his skull. "I WILL FUCKING TURN YOU TO A BLOODY MESS!"

Naki was laughing like a madman. "Hahahahahha! Is that so!" he said with a giant grin, allowing Yu's body to fall from his Kagune. "I'm looking forward to that!"

The next thing Issei knew, he found himself being skewered in the stomach. He let out a loud scream, blood spurting forth. "Now then, let's continue where we left off... shall we~?"

XXXXXXXXXX

The pain... Oh god... the pain... It keeps getting worse...

I can hear them crawling around... The Komodo Dragons are eating me away from the inside...

I can hear Yu's voice, begging me to kill him while Tabane is being skewered in front of me, only a strand away from death...

This is so wrong...

Why...

Someone...

Anyone...

Please, help...

I don't care who you are... Just please...

MAKE IT STOP!

"Fufufu..." a familiar voice said with a low, amused tone. "My word... what esquisit pain you've been forced to endure... Issei-kun~"

I flinched when hearing that voice. I felt my eyes being freed from the blindfold. In front of me... was Raynare.

Haa...hahah... So, I'm hallucinating now... Hahahahah... Hahahah! O-oh man... I'm so fucked up, aren't I, Buchou?

"Well...you could say that you ARE going insane, Issei-kun." My ex-girlfriend giggled at my despair. Her existence confused me. I saw Buchou kill her before my eyes. The hell is she doing here?

"How am I here, you ask?"

"It's simple, really." the Fallen Angel waved her hand around, positioning herself on my lap with one hand curling at my chin, bringing my eyes to hers. I wanted to smash that smug face of hers... I wanted to tear it off after all she's done to me and Asia! "I'm here as a result of your little madness... and what wonderful madness it is!"

I hated her haughty laugh. "Look at you, all beaten and broken! So tell me, how does it feel to be at the mercy of beings superior to you? Oh, I wish I could meet Naki myself! He's quite the specimen! He and I would have gotten along just fine!"

"...Shut the hell up."

"Oh? You don't like me talking?" She fake pouted. But her face twisted into a sinister sneer. "Well, deal with it!" She got off my lap and walked around me.

"You know...its funny how things came to be like this..." She stopped to face me. "...It all begun after your decision to take a walk...away from your so called family, who called you cruel for not understanding your master's feelings.

"Shut up! You know nothing!" I snapped at her. I know I was playing right into her hands at enraging me, but I could care less right now.

"Then you got your ass handed to you by those Ghouls!" she continued to mock me. "You had even lost your arm!"

"Dammit, shut up!"

"And when you tried to escape with the others like you...You chose to play the pathetic, tragic hero to buy them time to escape, only to get captured again in the end."

"I'm warning you...SHUT UP YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

"And to top it all off...You had to choose who to live and who to die from that loving couple!" She grinned maliciously in my face. I wanted nothing more than to crush that pretty little face of hers...and eat it!

"You chose to kill the man, just to save the girl!" she cackled maliciously. "Admit it! You loved it!"

"JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU BITCH!"

"Hahahah!" the woman mocked a hand at her chin. "So easy... By the way, how long do you keep thinking you still have a place with those filthy Devils?"

Her question made me stop, but my anger did not.

"You've gotten so attached to that little mummy..." Raynare giggled. "I bet that, the first moment you get out of those chains and the next time she visits, you'll fuck her like a dog in heat, right?"

I felt my teeth beginning to crack from how hard they were grinding up against each other. "Must be so easy to forget who your friends are if you hang out with a bitch like her."

My right eye became black, with red in the center.

"...Honestly...being with that bandaged brat is a step up for you. Much better than that Gremory-bitch and her whore of a Queen." She cackled.

That was it...

She...had just crossed the line...!

Forging strength from my fury, I tore apart the Quinque steel bindings that immobilized me. I jumped out of the wooden chair and wrapped the chains around the bitch's neck.

"Fuck you!" I growled at her, tightening the grip around the chains. Raynare growled, trying to throw me off.

She grabbed hold of the chains, and threw me into the air. When I landed back on my feet, I felt something warm flow down my throat.

"Y-you...!" she howled with rage. Wait, when had she gotten blood on her face? "How dare you bite me, you filthy Devil!"

Bite...?

Oh... yeah... I think I did bite her...

That was when I finally felt her blood touch my taste buds.

"...That's nice..." I muttered, my hand coming to my mouth. "So rich... it's almost like chocolate."

"You'll pay for ruining my beautiful face...you damn Low Class Devil!" Like a broken record, Raynare insulted me as she materialized a spear of light. Compared to the spears of light I've seen Kokabiel and Azazel use...her's was nothing more than a toothpick.

Seriously...why the hell was I such a wuss about it before?

"Taste the pain of light you filthy One-Eye!" Her shouting never ceased.

Honestly...

...It was so noisy!

I leaped into the air, avoiding light spear after light spear. Her screaching was starting to annoy me without end. It felt like they were about to bleed from how loud she was yelling.

When she was within range, I swung my leg at her. She caught it easily, a dark grin with her sharp molars revealed. "I won't let go, even if it breaks!"

Even if it breaks...? Why would I care about that?

I twisted my body around. The flesh split apart, and the bones cracked, nearly breaking from the strain. I swung my other leg, slamming into her face. She was sent flying, slamming into the wall.

When my feet touched the ground, my leg twisted back into place, looking as good as new.

"...After what Naki put me through..." I muttered, looking at the hazy form of Raynare through the smoke. "...This doesn't really hurt me anymore."

Naki... Wait, who was that again?

I forgot.

"Y-you...!" The Fallen bitch stammered as she pulled herself up. One of her arms was bent at an odd angle. Her face was beset with fury. "YOU FILTHY SON OF A BITCH! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY WITH YOUR DISGUSTING FEET?!" Two light spears appeared in her hand. "I WILL OBLITERATE YOU!"
She hurled both glowing lances straight at me. I looked on with disinterest. I felt a pulsing sensation in my shoulder blades in tailbone, as if something was trying to come out. I didn't stop it.

I felt slight pain erupt all over my backside, but it was quickly replaced with a sense of euphoria, as if relieved of a heavy burden. From my back spread silvery plumes, almost like feathers with a sharp blade, and from the tailbone was a dark green tail, shaped like the tail of a lizard.

The tail swatted the spears away while the plumes shoot several red crystals at the woman in front of me. She leaped into the air, her black wings trailing behind her.

I felt something burning in my arm, like an annoying itch. A light shined from my hand, but I ignored it. I could have sworn I heard someone trying to talk to me.

The plumes and the tail began to change. Their skins shed, like a snake, and out came forms that seemed to be familiar. The plumes had become dragon-like pinions, the blades located below where they intersected with my shoulderblades, and the tail resembled that of a dragon, spikes at the tip.

I couldn't help but smile, a cruel smile, as I looked at a befounded Raynare. "It's my turn now..."

Two more wings appeared from out my back. Unlike the ones from earlier, these were black, shaped more like the wings of a bat.

With one grand flap, I hoisted myself up into the skies. It was an exhilarating feeling. No, it was more than that...It gave me a heightened state of mind that I never felt before. It was intoxicating, yet so clear. Addicting, yet sound.

I loved it.

In a mere matter of seconds, I had already caught up to Raynare, who seemed surprised and horrified by my sudden appearance in the air.

I savored that look of terror. It felt oh so satisfying.

I soon flew right above her. My red wings turned into twin masses of crimson crystals. Without warning, I shot off dozens of them. The Fallen Angel couldn't defend herself well at this altitude. She managed to materialize two spears to deflect most of them. But a few escaped her guard and struck her.

Most of them tore through her wings.

Her cries of pain were like music to me hears. Much better than her constant babbling.

However...It was still too noisy. So, to shut her up, I lifted the tail behind me...and slammed it on top of her. Her body crashed to the ground with so much force that a crater formed.

It was like a reanactment of how Lucifer fell from grace and found himself in the depths of hell. When the smoke cleared, Raynare was on her stomach, her body bruised and broken. The sight itself was satisfying... even more so when I saw her weeping like a helpless child.

I flew down on top of her. I noticed how she flinched, how she quickly became terrified... That was a beautiful face she was making.

"You killed me before... didn't you?" I asked her, taking a hold of her wings. She hissed in pain, her teeth clenched. It was like she was refusing to scream. "Did you...? I don't remember. I think you killed me... Yeah, you did. I think I remember you laughing."

I gave a quick tug. She let out an ear-piercing scream, like a sweet symphony. It was music to my ears. I tossed her wings aside.

"Let me return the favor... okay?"

She saw my hunger, my desire... and so she began to plead and beg for her life.

"I-Issei-kun! W-wait, p-please! D-d-don't kill me!"

Issei-kun... I think I've heard that name before? Who was he again? Was he... me...?

...You know what? I don't care anymore. I'm so hungry.

I leaned in, and opened my mouth wide.

The moment I clamped my teeth down on her soft, tender flesh, I tasted the most incredible thing ever... I think I want more of this.

XXXXXXXXXX

Eto had to admit, she was not expecting this.

Naki's entire playroom, which was modeled to look like Jason's old from the 11th Ward, was completely smashed up all to hell. The bucket of blood containing small digits was tossed aside, its contents spilled all over.

The ground was smashed and cracked apart, almost like something had blown through here like a tornado. However, in the center of it all was the one person she had begun to grow fond of this last year.

Issei didn't look the same anymore. His uniform's jacket was gone, the tie forgotten, the shirt worn and torn apart, and the slacks reduced to torn shorts. His shoes were gone as well. His brown hair was now as white as snow.

She giggled slightly. He looked a bit like Kaneki now. "Ohayo, Issei-kun~" she greeted, walking over to him. He was currently feasting on one of Naki's lackeys. He was likely to throw a fit later on.

The Devil Ghoul stopped and looked up. His eyes were blank, almost empty. However, when his eyes found her, a child-like smile found its way to his face. "...Eto.'

"Ara? So you remember little old me?" The girl tilted her head before jumping up exuberantly. "I'm so happy, Issei-kun!"

"I...iss...Iss...sei...?" The young man repeated the name, as if it were foreign to him. "...Who's that?"

That caused Eto to stop. She carefully examined him, dancing around his form before looking at his face.

It was old and worn, like he had been through hell. "...He's..." she said slowly. "...Someone unimportant." she finally decided before giggling. "How's your meal?"

"...It's good."

"WAAAAH!" Naki's annoying scream echoed loud into the room. "YOU BASTARD THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

Eto turned to see Naki trembling with rage, accompanied by his twin lackeys and a rather amused-looking Tatara.

Issei gazed at the blonde. "...So annoying..." he muttered before going back to his meal.

"WAAAH! You trashed the room! YOU TRASHED MY PLAYROOM! THE ROOM I WORKED SO HARD TO BE LIKE YAMORI ANIKI'S TORTURE ROOM!" Naki screeched again. The feasting Ghoul paused in annoyance; his meal was interrupted once more. However, his irritation escalated as the torturer kept talking.

"WAAAH! HOW DARE YOU EAT MY SUBORDINATE?!" He yelled at the white haired teen, who was devouring the remains of what used to be a hulking beast of a Ghoul. He was about to continue his rant...

...until a blood red dragon tail shot out of nowhere, and flung him to the far side of the room high above their heads. Naki crashed hard into the wall, where he remained for a few seconds before flaking off and hitting the ground. His two subordinates, who seemed to be twins wearing matching masks rushed to their boss to help him up.

"...So damn...noisy...!" The teen pulled away him his meal, blood still staining his hands and mouth. From his back erupted two, crimson, scaly wings.

Tatara's eyes widened, though Eto was clapping her hands. "Yatta!" she cheered. "Kanou's Chimera theory was right on the mark! Haha! Sugoi! Look, Tatara! He looks like a dragon!"

The white-haired Ghoul said nothing. Instead, he just chuckled. 'Congratulations, Akihiro Kanou...' he credited the man. 'You've created something far beyond our wildest expectations!'

Naki groaned, shaking his head before glaring back at the dragon-like Ghoul, who regarded him with disdain. "That's it... THAT IS FUCKING IT YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" the blonde howled with rage, bringing out his Koukaku.

The Ghoul simply huffed, and arched his back. To their shock, another set of wings, resembling those belonging to bats, emerged. With one might flap, he took to the skies. "Hey, no fair!"

"...Sore loser."

"...FUCK YOU BASTARD!" Naki swung his Koukaku blade around madly, doing no good against an airborne opponent.

"...Shut up!" In mid air, his red wings crystallized before shooting several bloody shards. All of them were aimed at the blond torturer.

They obliterated the ground, some of the crystals bowing off chunks of Naki's body, causing blood to erupt from his body. He didn't stop there, however, and slammed down his tail.

That strike alone forced Naki to the ground, rendering him unconscious. The Ghoul floated down to where his opponent was, grabbing a fistful of hair to reveal Naki's bruised face. He opened his mouth, leaning in to tear out his neck when-

"Ah-ah-ah~" Eto wagged her finger, suddenly next to him now, crouching. "No eating Naki-kun. We kinda need him."

The Ghoul, immediately, closed his mouth and let go of Naki. "...Okay." he said, albeit a bit disappointed that he didn't get another meal.

Tatara chuckled. "My, how obedient."

"Teehee..." Eto giggled in response. "He's like a little doggy. Ne, ne, Tatara. Can I keep him?" SHe asked the taller figure.

Tatara said nothing at first. He was thinking about it. If a Ghoul of this much power and potential remained loyal to Aogiri through loyalty to Eto, then what's stopping them? "...I don't see why not." He smiled thinly behind the mask.

"Yay!" The bandaged girl wrapped her arms around the white haired teen.

He turned away, blushing fiercely. "...Embarrassing."

"Oh, you're so adorable!" Eto gushed over him, rubbing her face against him. "What should we call you... Oh, I know! How about Kurimuzon?" she looked at her new pet. "Well?"

"...I like it."

"Yay~" Eto squealed, going back to hugging.

"Oi, Tatara..." the voice of Ayato Kirishima came from behind the door. "What the hell is up with all the racket? Is something-"

He stopped when he saw the current state of the room, Naki's current state, and the newly named Kurimuzon.

He blinked. Once, twice, three times. Finally, he turned to Tatara.

"...What the hell just happened?" He questioned his fellow executive. Just what happened while he was away?

"Hmhmhm...We have a new member joining our ranks, Ayato." Tatara stepped aside and gestured to Kurimuzon...who was still being glomped by Eto.

"...No way...You saying this freak did all of this?!"

"Oh, hush, Ayato-kun!" Eto admonished, clinging to Kurimuzon. "He's no freak, huh Kurimuzon?"

The ghoul simply looked at Ayato, noticing the black mask around his neck. "...Kuro-bunny."

A tick mark appeared on the dark haired teenager's forehead. "...What the fuck did you just call me...?!"

"...Kuro-bunny." Kurimuzon repeated mockingly.

"...that's it, you fucker!" Ayato screeched in anger, charging at him...

...only to be swatted away by his Bikaku tail, slamming into the wall.

Tatara sighed, shaking his head. 'Well... things will start to become more lively around here, thanks to our new dragon.' he thought, making his leave.

Eto, meanwhile, continued to hug her newly acquired pet. 'Issei-kun...' she thought warmly. Her bandages were hiding her blush quite well. 'You'll be mine from now on... Forever and ever...'

Kurimuzon's Kagune receded. His body started to sway slightly. Eto took notice.

"What's wrong, Kurimuzon?"

"...Sleepy..." he yawned.

"Heehee..." she giggled, releasing her embrace and taking one of his hands into hers. "Come on! Let's go home!"

Kurimuzon nodded, and was led away. Ayato, meanwhile, groaned as he lifted himself of the ground and shook his head, trying to shake off the dizziness. "Agh... dammit..." he hissed, glaring up at the Ghoul, only to find him missing. "What the?! Dammit, where'd he go!"

Needless to say, Ayato was pissed. No one got to make a fool out of him and got away with it!

With that in mind, he left the room and went out the door.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kurimuzon slept soundly beside Eto's naked form, curled up next to her. His head rested between her bosom, and his arms near his chest, his leg intertwinted with her own. Were it not for the fact that he was still fully clothed, one could easily mistake the scene for something else entirely.

Eto giggled, gently stroking his hair. She had to admit, Issei had really grown in the last two years rather splendidly. She loved how he never left her side, even when he was given some free time to roam around. She loved how he listened to her, how he adored her and would never leave her. It was like she had the perfect lover.

She actually saw him as such, really. Ever since she first met him, she had grown curious about him. At first, it started out with simplicity, wanting to learn more about him and what he was like. This way, it would be easier for Naki to break him, to make him more like Kaneki.

Then she learned how he became a Devil, killed by the woman he loved.

She fully understood such feelings of betrayal. After all, her own father left her as an infant, left to fend for herself in the hell that is the 24th Ward. She was surprised she managed to survive. But she took those feelings into heart, that the strong survived while the weak perished. It was the simple Law of the Jungle.

After seeing the pain and despair that was etched on Issei's face upon recollection of that spiteful memory, she saw a little bit of herself in him. Betrayed by one who you initially trusted, left alone to die while someone else picked up the pieces.

After that, her curiosity began to grew. She began to learn more about him, about the sort of person he was and what sort of life he led. She found it amusing that his lifelong goal was to become a Harem King. Of course, she could easily see through such obvious lies. What Issei truly desired was the feeling to not be left alone... to protect his friends.

She never really truly understood those concepts, but she found it intriguing. She began to visit him more frequently as a result.

'Rias Gremory...' she thought bitterly. That name left a nasty taste in her mouth, worse than the Ghouls she had eaten. 'You couldn't protect him when it counted... I'm not like you.' She gently held her lover tightly. 'I can protect him all by myself.'

Kurimuzon shifted, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, she saw a small smile on his face. "...Warm..."

Eto smiled warmly, resting her head against his scalp. "Heehee..."

XXXXXXXXXX

Yoshitoki Wasshu was tense.

A tense Wasshu meant many things to the CCG, and usually, it was never good. The Wasshu were reknown for their excellent combat prowess, for being nearly unmatched out on the battlefield. For proud warriors, the founders of Commission of Counter Ghoul, to be tense, it meant that something big was happening... something important.

In the room, nearly every Special Class Investigator was present. Iwa was as stone-faced as ever, his arms folded over his chest. Chuu looked disinterested in the whole thing, resting back against his seat with a bored look. Mougan's fingers played with his mustache idly, waiting for the news. Koori was waiting patiently for the commander to speak. Suzuya was toying around with one of his Quinque knives. Marude looked pretty tense himself, unsure of what his old friend had to report.

Arima was missing... as usual.

It had been like this for several months. Ever since the Owl Extermination mission, Arima had been acting rather unusual. For starters, he actually proposed a project that the CCG could use when combating Ghouls, especially the growing amount of One-Eyed Ghouls.

Project Quinx.

Of course, the Director and the Chairman had given their approval, and were in the process of appointing someone to lead it. Akira Mado, a Rank 2 Investigator, was a potential candidate.

Secondly, Arima had also introduced a new Investigator to CCG... A Ghoul by the name of Haise Sasaki.

Nobody in CCG were accepting of this. A Ghoul fighting in the very organization whose purpose was to eliminate those of his kind? Preposterous.

Everyone had thought that Arima was joking, but the Reaper was dead serious.

It boggled the minds of all the Investigators, but Yoshitoki had confirmed for them. Haise Sasaki was a Rank 3 Investigator, and would be paired with Rank 2 Mado. There were also some ground rules: the most important being that he was to be treated as human, not as a Ghoul. Secondly, there were not to disclose this information to anyone outside of CCG. If they were discovered, they would be silenced.

Nobody wanted to know what would happen, so they all agreed to these rules... but they didn't have to like it.

"Arima-san isn't here." Koori stated the obvious. Yoshitoki nodded his head.

"That is fine. We can begin the meeting immediately."

"So, Yoshitoki-san..." Marude began, his face pensive. "What exactly is this meeting about?"

His friend's face became grim as he delivered the news. "Just yesterday, we received intel that that 8th Ward, the 10th Ward, and the 14th Ward were all taken over... in a single night."

Everyone gaped at the shocking news. Even Suzuya dropped his Quinque knife, the metal weapon clattering to the floor.

Three Wards...conquered in the span of a mere 12 hours?!

"H-how...How is this possible?!" Marude shot out of his seat. "How could we have lost so much territory in so little time?!"

"According to the survivors, the attacks were committed by Aogiri..." Yoshitoki informed them. "...All personnel were obliterated by a single Ghoul."

If the previous news hadn't stunned everybody...then this piece sure did the job. Everyone was astonished beyond belief. Everything...all of those attacks...from a long Ghoul?!

"I-I-Im… Impossible...!" Marude collapsed into his chair. "A-a-a-a s-single...ghoul...?!"

"And what's more..." Yoshitoki added. "...the survivors claimed that it was the Dragon."

Instantly, the room became deadly silent. Chuu couldn't help but chuckle. "And here I thought those little fairy tales were just that, nothing but rumors." he said. "So, there really is a monster like that out there."

Iwa's grip on his sleeves became tighter. "...I never would have thought anyone besides the One-Eyed Owl was that powerful."

"...That I agree, Iwa-san." Koori voiced his opinion. Truly, the bout with the One-Eyed Owl was the toughest one in his career. Even then it paled in comparison to when another Owl appeared, this one possessing a complete Kakuja.

But this...This dragon...is nothing like the first Owl...

...He was much more vicious.

"Mmmmmm, boyo..." Mougan breathed out, looking at Yoshitoki. "Do we know the current whereabouts of this beast?"

"Unfortunately, no." the Chairman shook his head. "All we know is that the Dragon is a formidable foe, far beyond what we originally thought he was capable of a year ago."

"So," Suzuya spoke up. "Is there anything new?"

The man nodded gravelly. "Yes... According to the Survivor, the Dragon... is a One-Eye, just like the Owl."

In that one moment, everyone become deathly silent.

Marude shook his head in his head. "Kami help us..."

"...First the Owl, then Centipede, and now Dragon? Just what the hell is Kanou thinking? Making all these one eyed ghouls."

"Can we even be sure this is one of Kanou's experiments?" Koori asked, frowning. "The One-Eyed Owl has been around since back during the days of when Kanou was still our coroner. The only One-Eye we know to be artificial is Centipede."

"While on the subject..." Chuu looked at Wasshu. "What exactly happened to him? I hear Arima brought him rather than killing the brat."

Yoshitoki sighed. "The one called Centipede... is the young Investigator that will be acting as the mentor of the Quinx Squad."

Marude raised an eyebrow. "Yoshitoki-san... don't you think that's a bit risky?" he asked, concern plain on his face. "I mean, the kid is..."

"A Ghoul?" the Chairman retorted. "Marude... if he really were a monster... would he carry the corpse of an Investigator to us, without attacking any of the soldiers there? Even when they held him at gunpoint?"

"...He has a point." Koori inputted.

It was very unusual that a Ghoul just walked right up to a large mass of investigators without any sign of hostility, and carrying one of their fellow investigators to them.

That night had shaken everyone up. It had been something straight out of a dream, something that no one could believe. It had been after the CCG's 'victory' against the first Owl, and the 'defeat' against the One-Eyed Owl. Even though Arima had driven it back, Aogiri had still done some extensive damage.

From that damage came a boy with white hair, carrying the corpse of a young man, dressed in the garb of an Investigator.

He harbored no ill-will. He didn't even glance at the wounded Investigators. He kept looking straight ahead to his destination. Towards Arima and the Mobile HQ.

No one had ever spoken about that night. They just couldn't comprehend that Ghoul at all.

"...So then." Iwa brought the conversation back to the main point. "What do we do about the Dragon?"

"For now, all Investigators are to be cautious and wary." Yoshitoki spoke, his words being taken to heart by all Special Class Investigators. The screen behind him showed a blurry image of a figure with white hair, wearing a white coat with a red hoodie, and a dragon-like mask on the lower half of his face.

His face became stone-cold and rigid like iron. "The Ghoul known as the Crimson Dragon... is hereby rated as an SSS-Rated Ghoul."

To Be Continued…

"I don't recall much, really... All I remember is someone comforting me when I felt so lost... broken... and alone... It felt as if I was asleep for so long, waking up from a nightmare... I don't remember my own name... What I do know... is that this place... Aogiri... It's the only home I know. Eto is someone very precious to me... I know that deep down... That is why... I will destroy anyone who gets in my way, come heaven or hell... Nothing will stop me from protecting her...

Nothing."