Chapter 2

Author's Acknowledgments: Thank you everyone for reading the first chapter, and encouraging me to continue. And just to clear things up, Issei will not actually become a pawn, it will simply be his cover.

"Come now Issei, focus." Keiran said.

Issei had his hand stretched out, standing on a long grassy plain of land. 20-30 yards in front of him was a massive brick wall. Keiran stood next to him, tall as ever, bearded face with a mustache. He wore human American Military clothes as a symbol of training and the seriousness of the situation.

Issei concentrated on the wall itself, and the energy around it. He picked a focal point, dipped into his power, aimed, and released. What followed was blue and white lightning, striking the far away brick wall hard, creating a huge hole in the center of it. The bricks that were destroyed were now ash and smoke.

"No Issei, I told you 'no lightning.' We are working on your magic." Keiran said as he waved his hand, and the brick wall was once again whole and solid.

"I can't do it!" Issei yelled sitting down on the ground, "Magic is so hard…"

In reality, that is what house Dawn was known for. Some families were known for their strength, others for their intelligence, battle strategy, sword play, silver tongues. But Dawn was magic. By far the most magical family in heaven. And right now, little Issei, barely 8 years old my immortal standards, was having the hardest of times honing his craft.

"You just need to focus." Keiran said.

"How focused can I be? I'm better with the elements."

"You are best only at what you practice. You haven't been working on your sorcery or your conjuring, so we will get you up to speed."

But Issei was still discouraged.

"You know," Keiran started to say, "I was never the best at attacking of defense magic."

Issei looked up at him, a little surprised and said, "What?"

"Oh yeah, I was pitiful. Still not the best at it, but I make do. My specialty was always healing magic. Restoration, growth. I personally preferred the more peaceful side in the art of magic. You saw how easy it was to rebuild that wall. By the time the teachers at the school realized I was only honing one side, it was too late. Sure, I learned what I had to, and passed my tests, but it was a lot harder for me. I made up for it in healing magic, but it still would have been a load off had I mastered them both. I want that for you little brother."

Keiran knelt down and put his hand in Issei's hair.

"I want you to be what I was not. Better than me. I know you have it in you. You are a Dawn. The gift of magic flows through Dawn veins stronger than any other alive or dead. One more time?"

Issei looked past his brother's hands, into his eyes. Green eyes he noted. Issei had always wanted to be just like his older brother, but could never force his eyes to turn green like his. The 8-year-old had true Dawn eyes, and would never make them like Keiran's.

"Fine," Issei said standing up, and wiping the grass off of his pants.

"Good man." Keiran said, "Alright, concentrate now. Breathing is everything. Feel the blood beneath your skin Issei. Feel its magic."

Keiran was behind and to the right of his little brother now, and knelt down.

"Listen to its promise. Elements come from outside, but magic is from within. Out stretch your hand. Good, just like that. Open your fingers, fists are for hand to hand. Stop holding your breath, remember, breath. Good. You're doing good. Now, think of your objective and concentrate. The wall. What must it do? What must you make it do?"

"Explode from within." Issei said.

"Also known as?"

"Imploding."

"Feel the magic within you Issei. It is alive. Bring it to the tips of your fingers, send it to the bare of your palm. Use it little brother."

Keiran saw Issei had a floating white circle a centimeter in front of his hand.

"There you go. Ok, you've got the magic. Now, all that's left is to focus, aim and release."

Issei began to get nervous yet again. His arm wasn't steady, he was scrunching his eyebrows in concentration. His legs threatened to give out, and his doubt threatened to take over.

Keiran put his arm out the same way Issei was.

"Your ok Issei. Just think of the smile on mother and father's faces when we tell them what you accomplished."

That made the boy determined.

"Focus."

Issei felt the magic within him, and breathed,

"Aim."

He adjusted the position of his arm, and steadied it, making his target.

"And release."

The entirety of the brick wall flew apart in hundreds of thousands of pieces. What was once a wall, was now grass with multiple pieces of brick.

"I DID IT!" Issei shouted at the top of his lungs, "I DETROYED THE WALL!"

"That's the ticket Issei!" Keiran yelled picking the boy up and placing him on his shoulders. "Didn't I tell you that you could do it? Never doubt yourself Issei."

Keiran then looked upwards at his little brother on his shoulders and said, "I sure won't ever doubt you."

Keiran put him down, and brought out his wings, 8 of them, before saying, "Race you back home." And took off into the sky.

"Cheater!" Issei shouted before bringing out his own wings. He had 6, but hoped to gain more with time. Angels had different rules when it came to power and wings. As it stood, the more wings you had, the more powerful you were. Majority of the families in heaven had a max of 2 to 4 wings. Hal humans could only have 2. However, very few pure angel families such as the Dawn's, the Crucifix's or the Psalms and others, had the potential to gain more wings, the more Christ like they became. Others like the fallen, got their number of wings only after they fell.

The two brothers flew into the sky, and as they passed the clouds, day turned into night in what seemed like a flash. But it felt normal.

"Thank you Keiran…" Issei said. The were in a smooth and peaceful glide above the clouds.

"No need to thank me Issei," Keiran responded, placing his hand in his hair again, even while flying, "I'll always be there for you little brother."

Issei smiled, as happy as he had ever been. He couldn't wait to tell his parents the amazing news. They'd want to see it, and he would gladly demonstrate it for them. Flying above the clouds, his brother by his side, what more could he want.

"But," Keiran said, "Why didn't you do the same for me?"

Issei was stunned, and looked to his brother.

"Wh—what?" he asked.

"Why weren't you there for me Issei?" Keiran said. The world around them began to turn black. Everything, dark.

"I—ow!" Issei said as Keiran yanked on Issei's hair.

Pulling his face so it was directly in front of Keiran's, he asked again, and this time, in a terrible voice that wasn't his, and a face that no longer belonged to him.

"WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE FOR ME ISSEI!?"

"NO!" Issei shouted.

"DOES BEING A BROTHER MEAN NOTHING TO YOU!?"

"Stop it!" Issei shouted, tears now in his eyes. Both out of the pain from his hair, and from the fear of his brother.

"YOU DESERVE THIS!" Whatever the thing was yelled, and held him at arm's length.

"Please!" The young boy pleaded, "I'm sorry!"

"You deserve this…" It said one final time, before letting the boys hair go.

Issei began to fall out of the sky, his wings completely gone. He screamed at the top of his lungs, begging for God to save him. The world completed its transformation into darkness, and Issei fell. Down. Down. Never ending.

#DxD#

"Guh!" Issei said, taking rapid breathes.

He shot up in his bed in a cold sweat. His hands behind him as he looked all around his room and saw his was in total darkness. He could see in the dark as if the lights were still on, but the knowledge of being in the dark made him instinctively summon a were-light and throw it into the air. His massive room then lit up with a soft blue light.

"Just a nightmare Issei" he said to himself, "Just a nightmare."

His breathing instead of small and rabid began to become slow and deep. He relaxed, and doused the lightning he saw running up and down his chest and arms. Judging by the level of darkness outside, he guessed it was around 2 to 3 in the morning. The sun wouldn't rise for another 5 hours. He full calmed down, and brief flashes of the nightmare, he was able to remember.

"Keiran…" He whispered into the were-lit room.

He couldn't recall most of the dream, but he definitely remembered seeing his older brother. And from what he could tell, he had been dreaming of a memory before his mind took it in another direction.

Issei shook it off, and successfully hardened himself again and returning to normal. He could already tell he wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon.

That's fine, he thought, I like the night time flights better anyway.

He would be taking one of the Dawn private jets to the capital today. Might as well just tell them he wanted to fly at night instead. One would wonder why an Angel wouldn't just fly on their wings or use magic to transport themselves. Wings were great to use, but it was also very tiring, and planes were the way to travel between land in heaven so as to preserve muscles. And not everyone was the best when it came to magic, especially because transporting across great distances such as that could prove tiring as well. Ergo, heaven had wonderful planes.

"Rayla," Issei said.

"Lord Dawn," A woman said opening the door on the other side of the extremely huge room.

"Again," Issei said once more 200 years straight, "You don't have to call me Lord Dawn. Issei is fine."

"My apologies Lord Dawn. I will work on that." She said.

Rayla was on the taller side, and had dirty blonde hair. Her eyes were hazel with a touch of orange around the iris. She was 9 centuries older than him.

"What can I do for you my lord?" She asked in a rich voice.

Issei shook his head and said, "Please inform Damien I'd like to leave in an hour. My grandmother is likely already at the Capital making preparations, so it will just be me."

"As you command my lord. Can I bring you something to eat as well before you leave?" She asked.

"You don't have to do that Rayla," Issei said. Indeed, he was royalty, but all Dawn's encouraged any and all staff to treat themselves as equals and friends.

"Please my lord," She said with a smile, "It is my pleasure, and you shouldn't leave on an empty stomach."

She always treated Issei like a son.

"Please eat something." She said.

Issei sighed and said, "If you insist, yes, it would be nice if you could bring me something small. Thank you Rayla."

She bowed, said "My lord," once more, and closed the door.

Issei lifted his blanket, and hopped out of bed, his were-light following him. The lush blue carpet underneath his feet suppressed every foot fall, making it seem as if no one was walking at all. He made his way over to the far left of his room, and opened the door to his bathroom. Using magic, his clothes disappeared off of him in a wave. He opened the shower glass door, stepped inside and turned the water on.

Just a nightmare, He thought to himself again, quit being so weak.

He closed his eyes, and dropped his head, letting the water run down his neck and back as well. He finished washing his hair and his body, turned off the water, and got out. Grabbing a towel, he tried himself on, and magically put on his clothes.

Coming out of the shower, Issei walked into his room, and saw that on his bed were two sandwiches and some kiwi, his favorite fruit. Also, his bed was made as somehow Rayla always managed to do it whenever he was busy just for a minute. He prayed for his food, still aware of God's departure, and ate quickly. He had about 15 minutes till his jet took off. It was still quite dark outside, just the way he liked it. He also looked on top of his dresser and saw his necklace. It was a simple dark brown string with 3 white feathers on it. Keiran's feathers…He grabbed it, and put it on, before turning.

Issei made it way to his huge bedroom double doors, and as he approached, Rayla opened them not a second too soon.

"Thank you Rayla," He said.

"My lord." She responded with a bow.

Before Issei completely walked out, he turned around, and looked into his room. Uncertain of the next time he'd see it again. Or if he'd be killed, and he'd never see it again. Either way, he was leaving it behind and in the care of the workers at the Dawn palace. He tapped the door once more, and nodded to Rayla before he walked forward, and she shut the door behind him, and walked quickly to catch up to keep in pace next to him.

"I'd like to head to his crypt for a minute before I go." Issei said.

"As you wish my lord Dawn." And guided him down the numerous halls.

#DxD#

"I will wait here my lord." Rayla said, opening the doors.

"Thank you. I'll only be a minute." Issei said.

He walked into the room filled with candles and flowers, bibles and holy water. A fallen and a Devil would be destroyed in a place like this. Issei made his way to the back of the room. Giant statues of Jesus on the cross were along the walls, and scriptures were etched into pillars along the hall. At the end, laid a big marble made casket. And above it on the wall, were 8 angel wings sealed behind a glass case.

Keiran's burial place.

Issei walked over to the marble casket and looked at the picture on top of his older brother. He didn't let himself feel any emotion in this moments, as it wouldn't do. Clenching his Jaw, he placed both hands on the marble, and bowed his head before speaking.

"Hey bro," he started, "you are never gonna believe what is happening. That dream you were so determined to happen, it is. Grandmother told me just yesterday. I am to begin my mission today. In reality I didn't have a choice, but it is what it is. I won't let you down. I'll do my best. I promise."

And with his last words, he put his hands back to his sides, picked up his head, and turned, making his way back out of the doors. Rayla closed them behind him, and they walked the rest of the way till they got outside. Issei turned and looked at the entrance into the castle. Just above the double doors, the last part of the Dawn motto was inscribed.

THE DAWN WILL COME

Issei was correct, at this time, it was around 3:00am and the perfect time to fly. The two of them walked around the side of the massive palace, and 20 mins later, arrived at the Dawn airfield. They guards of the blue and silver gates noticed him right away, and opened the passage immediately. He thanked them both by bowing, and made his way over to the jet he'd be taking today. The Jet was able to Pilot itself, but Damien would be at the front just in case.

"Lord Dawn!" Flynn said as he saw Issei approach. Flynn was part of a house that was willingly in service of Dawn.

"Honestly, you people keep calling me that, its really just Issei." He said shaking Flynn's hand.

"The plane is all ready for you. Kinda dark though, are you sure you wouldn't prefer to leave a few hours from now my lord?"

"This is my ideal time to fly." Issei said approaching the steps up.

"Please have a save flight lord Dawn!" both Rayla and Flynn yelled to Issei.

"Safe flight for sure," Issei said, the door sliding in securely and cutting off most outside noise, "Safe mission, not likely."

Issei sat down, and buckled himself in. The plane wasted no time in its incredible speed it built up, and took off into the night. He watched as his home became smaller and smaller, the entire Dawn kingdom shrinking. He still had a pretty great view of it, even at night, until the plane turned at an angle that blocked the rest of his home from his sight.

Issei sat back in his seat, and closed his eyes, letting himself drift. He listened to the sound of the holy engines churning and the vibrations of the air. His chest rising and falling, his head bobbing and enjoying the feeling. He didn't take much joy in many things. This was one of the few he did. And in the midst of the ride, he drifted in and out of conciseness. Albion insured he'd let Issei have dreamless sleep.

#DxD#

"Issei!" Lilly said, glad her grandson had made it to the command center, and early. She had her usual long straight brown hair down, and what appeared to be armor on her shoulders. Michael was dressed the same.

"Welcome Issei." Michael Crucifix said in a very mellow and smooth voice. He was tall, with long light blonde hair down his upper back. "I trust you got here with no trouble."

"None at all Michael," Issei said attempting to bow.

"Come now Issei, we are all friends and equals here, no need to bow." He said.

"Understood." Issei said, a little nervous that the time was nearly upon him.

"Quickly," Lilly said to her grandson and co-Seraph, "You and I will be entering the passage soon Issei."

She was going to accompany him down to the mortal world, and to his parents.

"I'd like a word before you go Issei, if that is alright?" Michael asked.

"Sure," Issei said.

They were currently in the passage building of the capital. Because there were 7 stages to heaven, some levels more hidden than others, the prison, and the 7th stage, the passage was created so that only those approved would be able to exit and enter certain levels of heaven without going to the wrong place.

"What's up?" Issei asked as the stood around the outside of the Ring of Passage.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok with such an assignment. It was ungodly for us to spring something like this on you so suddenly, and for that, you have my personal apology and gratitude."

"It is alright Michael," Issei said, "Truth be told, I am not the biggest fan of the human world. But I know my duty."

"A steadfast heart," Michael said respectively, "I admire your willingness."

"I didn't have much of a choice, but no one is forcing me either so…"

Michael nodded, and said "She wanted to go with."

"Gabriel?" Issei asked.

"Indeed. She was a little beside herself when I informed her only you were going. She still considers you her closest friend."

"I wish she was coming too," Issei admitted.

"I will tell her you said as such. And lastly Issei," Michael said, "When it is ready I will personally bring it to you."

Issei crossed his arms and looked to the circle in the center of the room, the passage, and said "You still believe Ascalon will choose me?"

"I am certain of it White Dragon Emperor."

"It's been years Michael," Issei said, "Besides, I'm no good with swords…"

"Have faith my friend and give it time. For we will surely need it in the storms to come."

They shook hands one last time, and Issei made his way to the center of the circle where his grandmother was standing talking to some other people before leaving. She nodded to them and they went about their business.

"Ready little wing?" She said.

"As I'll ever be…" He responded.

"This is a good thing Issei. I promise." Lilly responded, magically changing her clothing into something mortals would see as normal.

"I know," he said, "Let's go."

Lilly smiled and looked to her right, nodding to Michael.

"Spirit go with you Issei Dawn."

And in two golden crosses of light, Issei and his Grandmother were gone.