CHAPTER TWO: ASCENSION
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any profit from High School DxD.
One week had passed since Issei had woken up in Rias' bed, and in that time much had happened. He had spent much of that first day speaking to Rias, never really leaving her bed or putting on any clothing. For some unexplainable reason it just felt right.
During their long talk, Issei had breached her well placed defenses and gotten to know the real Rias, even getting her to talk about some of the things that seemed to trouble her. Though he had been unable to figure out what the biggest cause of her apparent distress was, as she refused to speak about it, but he decided to leave it alone. If she wanted him to know, she would tell him. They also spoke about the extreme calm they felt around one another, which both had definitely noticed. No matter the effort put into finding an answer, they could come up with none. So they put the matter to rest, saying that it could be figured out later.
The second day was spent introducing Issei to Rias' peerage and eventually Sona's peerage as well. Issei found that he very much liked everyone in both groups, but was more at ease with the Occult Research Club than the student counsel. Kiba Yutto seemed to be a good man, but carried a burden that no one else understood. Koneko Toujou was quiet, but kind, and radiated an aura unlike the others, one his Godly knowledge said belonged to a Nekomata. Finally was Akeno Himejima, while she appeared to be a perfect woman, she was in fact the ultimate sadist and held a dark past. Issei felt a weak, corrupted connection with her. His Godly knowledge told him she was half Fallen, the daughter of Baraqiel and a human woman.
After meeting them, Rias went with Issei to speak with his parents about his absence the past two days. With a bit of hypnotism and some clever excuses, Issei was kept out of trouble and given the all clear to stay out with the Occult Research club in the future.
The rest of the week past as normal, with the exception of Issei to starting a new reputation as a smarter, non-perverted man and hanging out in the old school building with the OCR. It was currently Saturday morning and Issei had told Rias that he would be unavailable today and possibly the next.
Today was the day he planned to meet with Michael and retake control of the his system. After digging into his Godly knowledge, Issei found that he could summon any of the angels at will. He could also raise up Fallen, resurrect the dead as angels, and change any of the rules that governed the angels actions. But he could only accomplish this, except summoning, after taking control of the system.
Taking a deep breath, Issei concentrated on bringing the Archangel Michael to him. A moment later a bright white magic circle appeared on the ground before him and a man with twelve golden wings, a halo and white robes rose out of the light.
The man had a look of shock written on every corner of his face, he obviously hadn't expected to be summoned. Then as he saw Issei and the unmistakable aura that only he could recognize, his face contorted into an expression of immense joy and a bit of worship. "My Lord! I'm overjoyed to see this day come! It's been years since you disappeared, I was worried you might not be coming back!"
Smiling at Michael's reaction, Issei spoke to the angel. "Please Michael, when we're alone call me Issei. I'm still getting used to this whole being God thing. Honestly it's a bit disorienting."
Already taking a liking to the new God's personality, Michael responded positively. "Of course, Issei. I trust you've spoken to Sanctus then, you seem to understand most of what's happening so this isn't on accident."
"Yes I have, quite a story about that actually. But I'll tell you later. Now, before we go to the system I have something you should know as my closest confident." Issei switched to a more serious tone.
Michael's reaction was imminent, he went from joyous to serious in less than a second. "What is it, my Lord?"
Raising an eyebrow, Issei continued without correcting the Archangel. "Due to my previously having human blood, and not having awakened my powers until recently, I was born with a sacred gear."
Slightly widening his eyes, Michael leaned in. "Which one, sire?"
Rolling his eyes at the title, Issei answered. "The Boosted Gear, the Longinus that contains Ddraige."
That shut any responses Michael could have provided down, he couldn't quite wrap his head around it. God wielding a Longinus gear? It was unthinkable, a god who used a god killing weapon. Had it come out of any others mouth he might have laughed.
Chuckling, Issei ended the awkward silence. "Ironic isn't it?"
All Michael could do was nod his head.
"Well, let's go to the system. Shall we?" In a bright flash of white light, they disappeared.
UNKNOWN LOCATION IN HEAVEN
In a golden room that overlooked all of Heaven, stood Issei Hyoudou. Before him was a sphere covered with numerous runic patterns and impossibly complex glyphs. The sphere itself was made of pure red diamond while the grooves that marked the runes and glyphs coursed with golden liquid. All together it was a truly beautiful piece, one that seemed to pulse like a heart.
Lifting his hands to the sphere, Issei focused on reaching out with his power and latching onto the sphere. This sphere was the core of God's system, and the best conduit for power in existence.
As his power attached to the system, Michael's was released and a visible pulse of energy rushed from the core and out into the world. The pulse traveled the length of Heaven, onto the Earth and beyond. When it ended Issei felt a rush of euphoria that marked his true ascension as the Biblical God. As the system recharged and once again reached its peak performance levels, Issei could feel the Holy energies flowing throughout the world. He could hear the prayers offered him, he could see every sacrament completed and feel the very faith that so many held.
"I feel. . . complete. The system is back up and running, balance has returned, and I have claimed my seat as God. Wonderful, now back to my life in Kuoh." An ear splitting grin marred Issei's features.
"But sir, why go back there? You've just returned and the people will want to hear from you. They've been pleading to hear from you since your disappearance. Only the upper echelons of the Three Factions knew of your death, everyone else thought you to be alive and simply shunning the world at large." Michael was visibly upset.
"I want to keep my identity secret for a while longer. And I'd like to spend a bit more time with my friends in Kuoh before they realize who I am. But don't worry, I suspect I won't have a choice but to reveal myself in the near future." Despite the topic, Issei still sported a goofy smile.
"Very well, my Lord. You know best, after all." Michael brightened after hearing Issei's honest words.
"No, thank you Michael. Without you things would have been a disaster in my absence. I owe you a debt, one I will pay in full some day." With those words, Issei flashed out of the room.
CHAPTER END
A/n: Thanks for reading, please review. Constructive criticism is welcome. Posting chapters this quickly in succession will not be a regular thing, it will generally take about a week to two weeks for each chapter. But that schedule is not definite. Again, thanks for reading.
