A collaboration between myself and Code-Emperor07, the author of many fantastic words, such as Fractured Existence and Tokyo Ghoul: The One-Eyed Swordsman, yada yada yada... Might be rude, but I am not one for foreplay.

Now, before we begin, I will state this once again: I AM NOT NERFING SMT, or anything related to it. Seriously, you do things a bit differently, and people get butt-hurt (Yes, I'm talking to you. You know who you are.) and start to whine and bitch. Seriously, unattractive. Just take a minute to READ carefully.

Well, I'm done with my rant. Anyway, here's the rundown: this chapter is set three months after Issei wakes up in the new world. At this point, he's status as a reformed pervert is well-known now. Also, before the events leading up to cannon, I shall be introducing you to a brand new arc. I hope you shall all enjoy it... for the False God has descended upon the mortal plane once more.


Episode 2: Melancholy Reunion


"Dead Face... Delivery Site..." Issei repeated the words, staring at them as if they were foreign. "What the hell does that mean?"

'Dunno, Partner.' Ddraig shrugged. 'I don't know much about application workings.'

"Still, why did I get it?" the teen wondered before he began to fiddle with it, typing on his phone. "Can't delete the message? What?"

'Maybe you should check it out. Could be interesting.' Ddraig offered.

"Interesting? Well, the Dead Face thing seems a bit off putting." Issei pointed out. But he clicked on the message anyway, trying to figure out if it had anything that could make sense.

Once he fiddled with it more, two silhouettes appeared, each shaped as either male or female.

PLEASE CHOOSE A CURATOR TO CONTINUE

"A curator?" Issei frowned. "That's pretty unique... Hm, which should I pick, do you think?"

'Knowing you, the girl.'

Issei cringed at his partner's blunt words, but it was true. Issei clicked on the female figure. Once the male vanished, the female appeared fully. She had light purple hair and eyes, dressed in a mix between a butler outfit in the form of a playboy bunny dress, complete with a pair of black bunny ears atop her head. She had a cheery smile on her face, and strangely, she had star-shaped pupils.

"Hi hi~ Welcome to Nicaea, your images of death website!" the girl grinned cheekily, raising a hand in greeting. "I'm Tico Tico! It's 'beary' nice to meet you, mister!"

Issei blinked. Once, twice, then three times.

"...I should have picked the guy, huh?"

'Yeah, you should have... she is insufferable, and she's only spoken a few words.'

"Haa...well, too late now. We just gotta put up with her for now." Issei sighed.

"...So help me, partner."

"Now, please enter your name, master~" Tico winked.

'Seriously, Issei!'

Issei ignored Ddraig and began inputting the information.

"It's very nice to meet you, Master Issei!" the girl winked at him. "Let me be the first to, like, welcome to Nicaea!"

"On this website, you'll get videos of the friends you're tied to be fate. So not just random shmoes you meet, but people you get to know like, rilly, rilly well." She explained cheerfully.

"Rilly...?"

'...Really? She is insufferable.'

"We'll show you ahead of time when they end up all dead and stuff, bummer! You get to see exactly how they croak from the movies we upload to the site."

"...What the hell is this?!"

"We'll give you a ding, like, whenever a new video is uploaded!" Tico chirped. "Well, that's it for now! Have a nice wheeeee!"

With a cute twirl and hop at the end, Tico bounced and landed on what looked like a piece of her outfit, keeping her balance. She winked at Issei, with her tongue stuck out. The screen then cut back to Issei's original screen, except now the Nicaea Application was featured, stylized in the form of a heart located on the upper left corner.

"...Again, what the hell is this?!" Issei frowned. "I mean, seriously!"

'Well, at least we won't have to listen to that woman's insufferable chatter.' Ddraig snorted. 'I wanted to bite her head off.'

"Jeez, she really pissed you off, huh?" the reformed pervert chuckled before slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Well, enough with this stuff... let's head on home."

And with that, the duo made their way back home. However, the words that Tico spoke stuck in his mind.

Videos that show your friends' deaths, but not your own? That's pretty freaky. Issei tried to ignore it, but couldn't help but think. If those vidoes were real...then would he see the deaths of Buchou and the others?

He shook his head to clear away such thoughts.

Those videos won't happen. He won't let his friends die. Not while he still drew breath.


Kiba groaned in pain, clutching his side. Blood dribbled down his chin, every part of his body feeling as if his skin had been torn off. "D-dammit..." he gasped. He looked at his shoulder, finding a blade impaled. It was one of his own... deflected from his attack against Arcturus. "E-everyone... You have to..."

He found himself coughing up blood. Crimson splatters formed on the ground, red blotches against the shattered against the ground.

From the corner of his eye, he could make out a black shadow, slowly advancing. Even from where he groveled, he could feel power beginning to gather up. "D-dammit... This thing..." he let out a mirthless chuckle. "...really is... a monster..."

The power was unleashed. Kiba closed his eyes, awaiting the end as it coming straight for him...

...

"GAGH!" Kiba screamed, launching himself upward from his bed, sweat pouring down his face profusely. His breathing was labored, and his chest felt heavy, caving in before expanding. "W-what... Everyone's..."

He looked around. He was still in his room, everything where it should be. Nothing was out of place. There was no signs of destruction, no city covered in flames. Once he looked at his own shoulder, which was still flesh and clear skin, he let out a heavy sigh, and palmed his forehead. "That was... just a dream..."

"...A dream...that was too vivid to be just a dream..." Kiba murmured softly. He looked at the clock next to him, and saw it read 3:00 a.m. Sighing as he realized he wouldn't go back to sleep, he got out of bed to take a walk to clear his mind.

That dream...everyone was there. Him, Rias, Akeno, Gasper, Koneko, and a few others he couldn't recognize, yet seemed to familiar. For some reason, Issei Hyoudou was present as well.

It was all so strange...he wondered if Rias and the others could make some sense of it if he told them. But still...that name...Arcturus...why did that name seem to instill a sense of dread within him?

Kiba didn't know why, but he could feel a sense of foreboding when he recalled that name, as if hell was waiting for him the moment he would utter the name. He felt as if the name itself would bring death.

It terrified him.

"I can't think about this..." Kiba muttered, shaking his head. "A walk will clear my head..."

He was not aware that he was not the only person to possess such a dream.


The next day, Issei was met with stares. And these were not just ordinary stares, either.

They were stares of curiosity, disbelief, and shock. Guess word has gotten out that Issei would stop being a pervert.

'...Do they really have to stare like I'm a zoo exhibit?'

'Well, what do you expect, Issei?' Ddraig chuckled. 'Up until a few days ago, you were the biggest pervert on campus. Now, you're a regular kid with... abnormal... dreams, and a knack for getting involved in some strange shit.'

"Heh, ain't that the truth?" Issei chuckled.

"What is the truth, Hyoudou-san?"

"HOLY MOTHERF-" The boy cried in alarm, jumping back as he whirled around, going into a defensive posture until he realized who had snuck up behind him. "Oh, geez... Don't do that, Miyako-chan!"

A frown settled on the Vali-look-alike's features, crossing her arms. "I believe I asked that you not address me so casually, even if you technically the senpai here."

"Ah...right...sorry about that..." Issei rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "...I forgot..."

"...It's fine..." Miyako's expression then softened. "...Anyway, what were you talking about earlier? The truth of what, exactly?"

"Oh, er..."

'Great, me and talking out loud!' Issei cringed. 'What do I do?!'

'Why the hell are you asking me?!' Ddraig retorted. 'Think of an excuse!'

"I was just... thinking about... the truth of... life?"

Miyako just stare at him with a look of confusion, her eyes meeting his.

One second, two, then three seconds passed. Four, and five seconds passed.

...

"...Hyoudou-san," the girl cracked a slight smile. "Are you taking a page from Kakashi Hatake's book and pull off his infamous, Road of Life excuse?"

'I...can't believe that actually worked.' Issei thought in shock. "Ah...uh...sure?" Then he realized. 'Wait, she watches Naruto, too?'

"Hmhm...I never really pegged you to be an Otaku." Miyako said in amusement.

"Ah...Well, some things I see from anime just stick."

"Ah, I see..." the younger girl nodded her head before noticing the stares. "Why is everyone staring at you as if you are an anomoly?"

"It's because I'm something of a reformed pervert..." he said. "Anyway, did you get your schedule?"

"Hai." Miyako smiled. "It appears I am in Class 2-A."

"S-seriously?" Issei grinned. "Looks like we really are in the same class!"

"Hm. I guess we are. Will you show me to the classroom?" She asked politely.

"Of course. Just follow me." Issei led her into the school and through certain hallways before reaching their destination.

As he passed through them, however, he was soon met with a familiar figure. "Oh, Kiba-san."

"H-Hyoudou." Kiba stammered, looking slightly pale. Issei frowned at this. He also noticed the slight bags under his eyes as well. Had he not gotten any sleep. "May I... talk with you for a moment?"

Issei tilted his head, but nodded, looking at Miyako. "Sorry, can you give us a minute?"

Miyako nodded, allowing the two boys to themselves.

"So, what's up?" Issei asked curiously. "Are you alright? You look like hell."

'More than you think, because of that dream...' Kiba thought bitterly before he decided to get straight to the chase. "Hyoudou, may I... ask a strange question?" The teen raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Have we... met before?"

Issei's eyes widened by the sudden question. Did...Did Kiba regain his memories?...No...no that doesn't seem to be the case. If the Knight did, then his reaction would be different. If so...then why was he asking Issei this now?

The brown haired teen was unsure how to respond. If he spoke the truth, then it may add to his anxiety. So, he decided to go with the second option.

"Hm...Well, aside from passing by each other during classes, no, I don't think so."

"A-ah, I see..." Kiba smiled, his eyes looking towards the ground. "So, it was just a dream after all..."

"Dream?"

"Y-yeah... Call it weird, or maybe it might be from exhaustion, but... Last night, I had this dream where I was killed... I remember everyone in the Occult Research Club being there, and even those from the Student Council, but there were a few people I didn't recognize... and you were there too."

'A dream involving ORC and Student Council? Wait, could Kiba be dreaming about...?!' Issei's eyes widened in realization as to what was going through his head. Kiba's dream was a retell from the past, or the future, or whatever the hell you wanted to call it.

"What... happened...?"

"In all honesty, I don't know." the Knight of Gremory confessed. "All I can remember is that I was killed by something called... Arcturus, I think..."

At the sound of that name, Issei...froze...

His face immediately became blank and distant. His eyes were glassy, a drop of cold sweat dribbled down the side of his face. His heart rate and breathing spiked.

Even now, the memories of the destruction that the Invader caused plagued him. He remembered it all. The flames. The scent of blood and rubble. And...everyone dying...!

"H-Hyoudou-san?!" Kiba was surprised by his schoolmates sudden reaction. It was as if he was reliving a horrific memory.

It was like watching reliving a horrifying memory, the memory that was better off forgotten. He was completely still, his eyes blank, and sweat pouring down his face like a waterfall. It was a scary, and terrifying sight to see. "P-please, snap out of it, Hyoudou-san!"

Issei returned to the real world, yet the horrifying memories lingered. "W-what?"

"Are you alright?" Kiba asked, his hands on his friend's shoulders. "You looked like someone suffering from post-traumatic stress."

'You have no idea, Kiba...'

"I...I just...I was just..." Issei wiped the sweat from his brow. He quickly shook off the tragic episode. He wouldn't let anything like that happen again. If Arcturus did come again, he WILL stop it. "...I'm fine..."

"Are...are you sure? You didn't seem okay before." Kiba asked in concern.

"Yeah...I'm okay. Although...we should probably get to class now. Homeroom starts in two minutes."

"Yeah..." Kiba nodded. "Perhaps I'll... meet you again...?"

"M-maybe..." Issei nodded. "G-gotta go."

Before Kiba could tell him anything, the teen ran off, nearly bumping into him, hurrying to catch up with Miyako. Kiba, however, frowned as he watched the boy go. "What was that about...?" he wondered. "When I mentioned this Arcturus thing, he suddenly goes cold... Wait, does that dream have anything to do with him? Buchou mentioned that he has a Sacred Gear... Could they be connected?"

Kiba thought of this. WHile he had yet to make sense of his dream(more like nightmare), it seemed that it was safe to say that Issei Hyoudou was somehow connected.

Perhaps he will be able to get answers. Little did he know that it wasn't just him who needed answers to their questions...


"So, I take it by that look that I wasn't the only one who had trouble sleeping?" Akeno asked when she noticed the slight sluggish movements in her King. Rias sighed heavily, her head laying in her hand. "Watching yourself get killed with your friends already dead around you isn't as fun as I thought it would be."

"Wait...what did you say?" Rias turned to her friend/Queen. "Were you...killed and watched everyone else die?"

"Y-yes...why?"

"That...that was my dream as well..."

"Really?" Akeno's eyes widened. "I remember being in a city engulfed in flames... and I remember Kiba-kun looking like a porcupine." Despite the morbidness, she could actually pull off a slight smile.

"I recall being nearly blown all to hell." Rias groaned. "And to make matters worse... I saw everyone dead in front of me..." Her voice was starting to shake, her shoulders trembling while her head sat in her hands. "Even brother was...!"

"Rias." Akeno placed a hand on her shoulder, ceasing her shaking body. "Stop, no need to remember it all at once... In fact, it's better you forget it."

"How can you expect me to forget that?" Rias asked humorlessly. "I mean, everyone was... All because of this damned... Arcturus thing...!"

"...I know...I'm still having difficulty believing it myself. Just one being...had the power to decimate every one of us. But even so...we shouldn't let this vision get to us. For all we know, it could be just that: a dream."

"Yeah, but...It's just too unsettling. I mean, it even included people we never even met."

"And that isn't all." Akeno nodded in agreement. "Our kouhai, Issei Hyoudou, was also involved... By the by, do you recall that gauntlet on his arm?"

"Yes." Rias nodded. "That was definitely his Sacred Gear... even more than that, I definitely recognized it. That was the Red Dragon's Gauntlet, Boosted Gear."

"One of the Longinus, Sacred Gears with the power to kill even a God..." the raven-haired Queen said in astonishment and silent awe. "Who would have imagined he would possess that Sacred Gear?"

"Not I, that's for sure..." A mischievous smile then appeared on her face. "...Now I really want him to join us..."

"Ara...Looks like you cheered up rather quickly."

"What exactly are you implying?"

"Oh, I don't know." the girl shrugged her shoulders, a sly smile on her face. "I just found the way he tried to protect you from this Arcturus was quite... intimite. Who knows? He might be your future husband!"

Rias sputtered. "Wha-A-Akeno?!"

"Well, you have to admit, it was rather heroic of him. Plus, he seems to be well built. And he doesn't look too bad either. And in that dream, I can't help but notice that you seemed...attracted tot him..."

"A-Akeno! Stop that!" Her face was now red.

"Fufu~ Look at that blush!" Akeno giggled, becoming more amused by the second. "I haven't seen such a blush in a long time!"

"S-stop, enough!" Rias snapped, her face now as red as her hair. "F-for now, we should just concentrate on the matter at hand! A-anyway, have we found out anything more on Issei-kun or Miyako?"

"Oho, first-name basis already?" the sadist grinned, making Rias glare at her, practically feeling embarrassed all the way down her body. "Well, Hyoudou-kun is now a member of the martial arts club, while Hotsuin-chan is already being considered of being apart of Student Council, as her aptitudes more than enough."

"Is that so...? Damn...looks like Sona might get Miyako instead...But aside form that, you said Issei-kun joined the martial arts club?"

"Hai."

"..." Rias paused in contemplation.

"Is something the matter, Rias?"

"...It's just that...why choose to join a club now of all times, when he hasn't in the past?"

"That, I don't know..." Akeno shook her head. "First he declares he quits being a pervert, and now he chooses to become a member of the club? It's almost like he's undergone a complete change of heart."

"Change of heart indeed..." Rias nodded. She looked up when she saw the doors leading to the room opening, revealing a familiar girl of short stature. "Oh, Koneko."

"B-buchou." the Nekomata said, her voice slightly shaking. Rias' eyes narrowed.

"...Did you dream of being killed by something known as Arcturus as well?"

Koneko flinched in surprise...but nodded. She small frame was still trembling.

"I see...come here..." Rias pulled her Rook into a warm hug to to calm her down. Eventually, the shaking stopped, and Koneko remained still. "It's okay...Akeno and I had the same dream. We were just trying to make sense of it."

"I... I remember..." the girl sniffed. "A-a boy with a red arm... he... he tried to... pro-protect me..."

Akeno smiled once again. "And once again, yet another proof of intimacy." the girl said. "It appears our kouhai is quite the ladies man... and quite the chivalrous type."

"Hard to believe he's really a pervert." the voice of Yuuto Kiba rung out as he stepped inside the room. "So, did everyone else... have that..." he cringed when the word fell from his mouth. "...God-awful dream."

"...So you had it as well? Getting killed by Arcturus?" Rias deduced. Kiba nodded.

This...was way to convenient to just be coincidence. They all had the same dream of getting killed...by Arcturus...none of them were spared. The being just decimated every last one of them.

But aside from the unfamiliar faces, why did the brown haired second year student seem to have the most significance in it all?

"Yes... I... I think was the first one to be killed. I had a sword sticking out of my shoulder." the prince chuckled. "Hurt like hell from what I remember..."

"But, I don't get it..." Rias bit her lower lip, her thumb pressed against her chin. "Why did we receive the same dream? Who exactly is this Arcturus? And why is Issei Hyoudou involved?"

"Actually, Buchou..." Kiba spoke up, recalling his encounter with the boy. "About that... You should know... I... I think Hyoudou-san might actually know something about it."

This caused everyone in the room to stare at him. "You're sure of this?" Akeno asked, tilting her head. "How do you know for sure?"

"When I mentioned this Arcturus thing's name... he suddenly froze up. His eyes looked blank, sweat rolling down his face, cold as ice... I swear, it was like he had post-traumatic stress cranked up to maximum."

"..." Everyone in the room became silent. They all tried to process this information.

...Issei Hyoudou...has some idea of Arcturus...maybe even the dream they all shared? If so...then it is imperative that they discover an answer from him.

"...Buchou...?"

We need to speak with Issei." Rias stated, her face stern. "He might have an idea of what exactly that dream entails."

"How do we approach him?"

"Not directly. For now, let's observe him... perhaps we can learn something. If we don't learn anything from that, then we confront him."

"Understood." Akeno nodded, turning to Koneko and Kiba. "Alright, you two. You're on watch duty."

"right." the knight and rook responded.

"good. Now...what do you all think of Miyako Hotsuin?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Kiba shrugged. "Prim, proper, the perfect student. In addition to her possible magic prowess, I'd say she would be one hell of an addition."

"...Perfect, yet unsociable." Koneko added monotone.

"ah, yeah...she mostly keeps to herself and avoids conversation with her fellow students. Although she is rather polite about it." Kiba added.

"I see..."

"The only person I think she's really interacted with is Issei."

"really?" rias raised an eyebrow. "so Issei-kun and Miyako have some sort of relationship?"

"that seems to be the case, but it seems to be nothing more than casual conversation."

"Although, the fact that both of them have Sacred Gears does make things interesting." Akeno stated. "Perhaps she sensed his own potential?"

"We'll have to keep an eye on this..." Rias muttered, looking down at her hands. "We have to know what exactly that dream entails..."


"My name is Miyako Hotsuin." the girl stated with a slim smile, performing a formal bow before the class. "I will be in your care from today onward. I look forward to our time together. Please, take care of me."

The class was then filled with nonsensical chatter and comments.

"oh wow...she looks hot!"

"She looks so refined and elegant!"

"Her hair looks beautiful."

"that tie and coat makes her look cute...and sexy...!.

"Oh man...I wonder if she's available..."

"those breasts of hers...man..."

Issei cringed at the last few comments, as they were from the few male classmates. Really, was he THAT annoying in the past? They all just sound desperate and creepy.

'I am so glad I met the girls.' he said in prayer. 'Thank you God for allowing me to meet such beautiful and devoted women... I am not worthy!'

A second passed. Two, then three.

'...Is it wrong when I miss the occassional sudden sharp pain in my skull?'

'You only get it when your a Devil, kid. Can't get it if you ain't a devil.'

"Well then, Hotsuin-chan." the teacher nodded her head, pleased with her introduction. "Please, take a seat. Where to put you..."

"Ano, sensei?" Issei lifted up a hand. "The seat next to Katase is open."

"Ah, thank you!"

Instantly, the Perverted Trio, or rather the Perverted Duo now, having been downed one man, glared at Issei.

"Yo man, what gives?!"

"Dammit Issei!"

He responded with a glare. "Oh, shut up. Seriously, your whining is pathetic. I can't believe I actually hung out with you idiots..."

"What the hell did you call us, bastard?!" Matsuda growled.

"You asking for a damn fight?!" motohama glared.

"No...but I can easily kick your asses..." Issei responded.

or emphasis, Issei cracked his knuckles, and flashed a dangerous grin. Instantly, the two perverts backed off, sinking in their seats. The class looked on in awe, while the teacher tried to diffuse the situation.

Miyako, however, looked amused. "Ah, so those are the infamous Perverted Duo... I have to admit, I was expecting something... normal."

And cue the chorus of laughter and the face-faults. Issei was among the former, busting a gut and holding his stomach, trying to wipe a tear from his eye.

He had a feeling that he was definitely going to enjoy having Miyako as a classmate.

"Dammit...now the new girl is laughing at us!"

"So unfair...!"

'Ha! Karma is a bitch, guys.' Issei mentally laughed.

"Alright, class!" the teacher raised her voice to settle things down. "Miyako-san, please take your seat."

"Hai."

The girl took her place next to one of the kendo-wielding demons that Issei used to fear. With that, class went underway. Issei ignored most of the class, and stared at his cell phone.

'Nicaea... a dead face delivery site...' he wondered. 'This wasn't in the past, so... why is it here?'

'The future is never truly set in stone, Issei.' Ddraig told him. 'Never forget that.'

'Yeah... guess your right.' Issei nodded before he took notice of two familiar presences. He smiled a bit. 'Looks like Kiba and Koneko are watching me now. You'd think they would be in class.'

'Probably the Gremory girl.'

'Yeah...maybe...but why do you think she wanted to keep an eye on me now? Last time, she didn't detect my Sacred Gear till a few months later.'

'Not sure, partner. Maybe it has something to do with the world being reset, or maybe that dream that the blonde haired boy told you about.' Ddraig offered.

'Oh yeah...Arcturus.'

Every time the name echoed in his head, Issei could recall the experience, and the slaughter that came with it. Unconsciously, his hands balled into fists, and his teeth grinded against each other harshly. 'I won't let them die...!' he swore.

'It's curious, truly. It appears that, while their memory is gone, they are still there... in a sense.'

'Do you think everyone had that dream?'

'Possibly.'

'I see...' so they all have that vision...the vision of them and everyone dying.

Not a pleasant thing to have in mind.

Issei sighed, laying his head on his desk. 'Man, Kiba looked like hell... I don't wanna know how everyone else felt.'


Xenovia had never felt like this before, and it confused her. She was currently out on the training yard, wielding her Excalibur of Destruction. However, if anyone saw her, they would immediately know that her mind was elsewhere, as her blade was sluggish.

'That dream... God, why can't I get it out of my head?'

It was difficult to rid of such a vision...visualizing your own death. But it was strange seeing the people she was unfamiliar with dying as well.

Yet...why did her heart ache when a certain blonde girl met her demise?

She recalled watching a woman being impaled, her body was stabbed through with steel, iron rods. Her limbs, and her skull, were stabbed through. Strangely, however, most of the people she watched die, or rather, nearly all of them, were Devils, evident by their bat-like wings.

She felt her heart race when she remembered the boy with the crimson gauntlet on his arm, bearing the shining green jewel. She saw the determination blazing in his eyes, the fierce prowess he boasted... yet it all proved pointless.

"Dammit!" Xenovia scowled, swinging her blade. Unlike the previous times she practiced her bladework, she only left a jagged scar across the steel, iron structure.

She breathed heavily, her mind racing in frustration.

"...what on earth is wrong with me?" she asked on one in particular. These thoughts are distracting her...and yet...she can't seem to rid of them.

Just who were those people? And what is this...Arcturus...?

"Oh, Xenovia." Said Exorcist turned to see her friend, Irina Shidou, standing off to the side, a slight look of depression in her eyes along with a sense of weariness. "You're practicing."

"Yes." the girl nodded. "I wished to get something off my mind... but it proves difficult."

"I know what you mean...the nightmare I had last night was...horrifying..." Irina shivered.

"Really? What was it about?" her friend asked curiously.

"It was horrifying..." the Japanese Exorcist shivered, clutching her arms tightly. "I watched you... and other people... Everyone around me was being killed... Even Issei-kun...!"

Xenovia's eyes widened. "Wait... Dead...?"

"yeah...why...?"

"...I think that was the same dream I had..."

"eh?!"

"I remember...you were one of the people that died...at the hands of that...thing...Arcturus..."

"So... I wasn't the only one...?" Irina asked, her hands clasping together tightly. "Do you think... It could be a message from God?"

"If it is..." Xenovia said solemnly. "Then I do not like what is to come in the future."


"Finally, schools out." Issei groaned, rubbing his shoulders. "Time for some more training of the body and of the mind!"

'Heh, even though you aren't a Pawn of the House of Gremory yet, you're still working hard.' the Great Welsh mused. 'Then again, that's always been your defining feature.'

"I know right? After fighting strong guys like Riser, Kokabiel, Vali, Kuroka, Loki, Shalba, Cao Cao, and Sairaorg, I learned that I needed to keep getting stronger, for their sake."

'I know, partner. I'm not saying you should stop. Just make sure you don't overdo it. No sense in training if your body ends up breaking down.'

"I got it. Don't worry."

"Ah, we meet again, Hyoudou-san." Issei stopped his mutterings after Miyako stepped toward him, not wanting to have yet another repeat of this morning. "How are you?"

"Pretty good." he told her, smiling a bit. "So, how was your first day of school?"

"It was...adequate." she answered after thinking of the appropriate word. "although, so many people kept pestering me with their constant questions. It was tedious."

"Ah, I see..." issei chuckled nervously. It was sort of routine at school. When a new student arrives, the class tends to bother them with many questions, to the point of asking about personal issues. "I hope they didn't bother you too much."

"It's alright. I tuned them out after the first question."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." he told her. "Anyway, I gotta jet. Talk to you later."

"Of course." Miyako said with a quick bow. With that, the two parted ways.

Unbeknownst to the future Pawn, Miyako began muttering to herself. "So I was right, Tia. He still possesses the Administrative Authority..."

'He is but among the first, however.' a deep, female voice bellowed, crackling with thunder from within it's confines. 'There are still others to find.'

"Yes, but still, this is good news." the girl muttered. "I need to only find the others."

'They shouldn't be too hard to find. After all, that boy will lure them all right to us. Hosts of that red bastard have a tendency of attracting strong people and females to them.'

"That is true..."

'Still, I must confess, the boy feels... different... compared to his other hosts.'

"How so?"

'It is hard to describe... I can't quite put it into words.'

"I see... Still though, we must keep tabs on them. Who knows when they come across one of the other individuals who possess the Authority."

'So...you plan on stalking him?'

"Of course not." Miyako scoffed. "What gave you that idea?"

'Oh, I don't know, perhaps the fact that he's the current Red Dragon Emperor? They always get the opposite sex around them.'

"Compared to most imbeciles, I am only attracted to those I feel love for." the girl said. Afterwards, a sad expression came upon her face. "And you and I both know that such a day will never come for something like me."

'Miyako...' the voice spoke in sorrow. She was well aware of her Hosts true identity...and couldn't help but pity her...as she would never know true love like humanity or other beings do.

"...it doesn't matter anyway..." the girl steeled herself. "emotions like that would just interfere with my mission. I will complete it without fail."

The dragon known as Tiamat sighed. 'I truly hope your mission is truly for the best, Miyako...' she said sadly before falling silent.


"Come on, Ukita!" Issei taunted as he ducked underneath a quick, overhead strike. "Show me what you got! I won't back down!"

"you got it, Issei!" Ukita grinned. He followed up with a reverse roundhouse kick. Issei raised his arm to block it before countering with a straight punch.

The two continued the exchange, with Issei switching between being on the defensive on going on the attack, with Ukita counterattacking every time. As they sparred, other members who were not engaged in activities watched them with looks of intrigue and curiosity.

"Hey, that kid is Ukita, the first year, right?"

"Yeah. They say he won the junior martial arts championship back when he was in middle school."

"Who's the new guy?"

"What? You haven't heard? That's the reformed pervert, Issei Hyoudou! He joined our club three months ago man!"

"Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah! I was surprised that he joined our club, but he puts up a good fight!"

"Who would've thought he had good combo skills?"

"Seriously glad to have a good addition like him!"

As the cheers kept coming, the captain chuckled. "Three months, and the kid's improving." he said. "I have to admit, this kid is something else!"

"yeah, it's like he has a gift for martial arts."

"I hear that he's been training hard for this type of thing."

'Man, they've got no idea!' Issei chuckled as he ducked underneath a quick sweep of the leg. "Looks like we've got an audience!" he said with a smirk. "Why not give 'em a show?"

"Heh," Ukita returned the smirk with one of his own, leaping back and cracking his fingers. "Took the words right out of my mouth!"

With that, the two charged straight back in. Meanwhile, off to the side, Kiba and Koneko watched the spar with interest. The swordsman was vastly impressed with Issei's combat prowess, able to fight on par with someone as strong as Ukita, who was considered to be a prodigy of martial arts. His fighting was quick, straightforward, and versatile. In a way, it was hard to predict what Issei was about to do.

Koneko, on the other hand, was quite intrigued with his style of preference. It was reminiscent to her own, yet he also possessed some characteristics from Kiba, being light on his feet. "...Very good."

"I agree. He's kick on his feet and knows when to strike. Plus, his stance leaves barely any openings. He must've trained hard to acquire such a trait." Kiba nodded. "Although, I can't help but notice in some similarities in our fighting styles in his."

"...Yes. It is a bit strange."

When Ukita came in rushing straight forward, Issei was quick on his feet, meeting him head on. Once he saw the smirk on his opponent's face, he greeted it with verocity, and stopped his advance, waiting for the moment to strike. 'Wait for it... wait for it...'

Once he was close enough, Ukita switched his stance and swung his leg up for an overhead ax kick. Issei raised both of his arms in a cross block to catch it and flung his leg aside. Once his opponent lost his balance, Issei finished him off with a sweep kick and pinned him.

"Issei five," he said, smiling. "Ukita, four."

Once he removed himself, Ukita sighed. "Dammit, I thought I had you that time."

"Same here. But when I saw you smirk at the last moment, I felt that something was up. So I just moved cautiously." Issei held a hand out to Ukita.

"Ah, I see. Man, I gotta work on my poker face in matches." The teen accepted the hand and Issei pulled him up.

Once they left the ring, the other members started to get back to their usual routines, though Gozen was grinning from ear to ear. "Nice work you two!" he congratulated them. "Keep this up, and we'll be the top contenders for the championship for sure!"

"Roger that, taichou!" the boys saluted. Pleased, the captain nodded his head, and left. "Well, let's get back at it." Ukita said, smiling. Issei nodded, and the two parted. Issei, however, stopped when he noticed Kiba and Koneko watching him. "Oh, Kiba-san. Koneko-chan." he greeted. "Didn't think I'd see you here. Don't tell me you guys wanna sign up too?"

Kiba smiled. "Oh no, nothing like that." he said. "We just came by to see you. I have to admit, you were pretty good out there. Are you sure you've never taken up marital arts before?"

"Well, not formal martial arts. I only knew about street fighting before I joined." He partially lied.

"Yeah, my man Issei here was an awesome opponent! If he had been using a formal art style when we fought, I would've had a harder time!" Ukita grinned as he placed a hand on Issei's shoulder.

"Oh, please." the teen rolled his eyes. "I could barely get a read on you the first time we fought!"

"Hah! Says the guy who took me down under ten moves!" Ukita laughed.

The two Devils couldn't help but laugh at the scene in front of them. It was like watching two friends bicker over the smallest thing. "The two of you are almost like brothers." Kiba pointed out. "You guys must be close."

"Eh, not really." Issei shrugged. "I mean, we've only been friends for three months now. So, anyway, what's up? Did you guys need something?"

"Huh? Oh, yes...!" Kiba realized, trying to come up with an excuse. He couldn't just say that he and Koneko were sent to watch over him.

"...We wanted to talk to you about something..." Koneko came up.

"Well, I know when I'm not wanted." Ukita said, deciding to take his leave and get back to training. "See ya, Ise."

"Hai!" the boy nodded, watching his sparring partner leave before turning to the two. "What did you want to ask me about?"

"Well, we were wondering..." Kiba rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Do you... have anything planned after school?"

"No, I don't think so." Issei shook his head. "Why? Something up?"

"...We thought we could hang out."

Issei tilted his head in surprise. Did he hear right? Did Kiba and Koneko want to hang out with him? Did they remember who he was? ...No...it still wasn't it. They don't have that look in their eye. It gave off the feeling that they wanted answers.

"Ah...okay..."

"If it's an inconvenience, we understand." Kiba told him. To his surprise, Issei shook his head. Even if they didn't remember, and even if they wanted information, he still wanted to be with his friends. Ever since returning to the past due to the possible intervention of Vali, he wanted to spend as much time with his friends as possible, but this made things difficult, due to the fact that no one actually remembered him. He also didn't know if it was possible for them to regain their memories from the previous world, so he kept his mouth shut, lest he sound like a madman.

"No, it's fine. Where did you want to meet?"

"hm...how about the train station? Would that be acceptable?"

"yeah, that's fine."

"Alright then." Kiba smiled. "See you then."

With that, the two bowed and left. Once they were gone, Issei looked at his left arm. "So, wanna bet they're gonna ask about that dream?"

'If the theory of the moment leading up to their death being transferred to being a memory to a dream as a means of progression is accurate, then definitely.' Ddraig answered. 'Who knows, this may be the perfect opportunity to see if they can have their memories restored.'

"I hope so, partner..." Issei sighed. "I really do."


"...Hang out?" Koneko deadpanned. "Really, senpai? Really?"

Kiba chuckled, scratching his head. "Hey, it seemed like a good idea to me." he offered. "Besides, it gives us some isolation, if things go bad."

"...You think we might win in a fight against him?" the Nekomata asked. "He has Boosted Gear, according to Buchou."

"that may be true...but she did say that he hasn't been able to summon it, yet. So we may be able to stand a chance, even against his martial arts skills."

"...What a drag." Koneko muttered, eliciting a laugh from her friend. "Stupid dreams..."

"Well, nothing we can do about that." Kiba said gently, not wishing to bring up those particular memories. "By the way, Koneko-chan. Have you heard of that new application going around lately? This, Nicaea, or whatever?"

Koneko nodded. "...Buchou got curious, so she asked me to sign up for it." She looked at him. "What about you?"

"I signed up for it myself, though it was more or less out of curiosity." Kiba flipped open his phone. "Images of Death, huh? I have to admit, I'm kinda interested to see where this goes."

He stared at the blue screen, which held the logo of the dead face delivery site.

"...seems creepy to me." The Rook stated as she opened her own phone.

"well, I won't deny that. But still...it seems intriguing."

At that moment, his cell suddenly started to vibrate. Koneko's phone sounded off as well, eliciting the sound of a cat yawning. "Getting a message at once?" Kiba said, smiling slightly as he turned to the Rook. "I don't suppose this is fate's way of saying we're destined for each other?"

Koneko rolled her eyes at her senpai's attempt at making a joke before taking out her phone and accessing her message. Kiba did the same, though he later frowned as once he opened it up, his screen shifted to the Nicaea web page, revealing a young male who appeared to be a male version of Tico, bearing purple hair and a black suit, similar to those worn by butlers. His name was also Tico, but while the girl acted giddy and happy-go-lucky, this Tico acted more mature and gentlemanly.

"Master Kiba," Tico bowed respectfully. "A new Death Video has been uploaded."

Koneko received the exact same message, having been informed also by a male Tico. The two frowned, and looked at each other.

"...Jinxed."

"that is possible. This seems more than a coincidence." Kiba agreed."still, maybe we should check it out?" he clicked the accept button.

"...I'm curious." Koneko clicked accept as well.

The screens were consumed by blackness as a buffering video took over.


It was like a scene straight from hell. Everyone they could see, corpses surrounded them, debris having fallen everywhere. Mountains of rubble surrounded them. The roof was broken and cracked, bringing sunlight to reveal the mangled, destroyed corpses. The train was on it's side, one of it's cars standing up right.

It was slowly falling downwards on three figures, high school students. Two were boys, one with brown hair and one with blonde. The other was a small girl with white hair.

Then the train fell on top of their bodies.


The death clip ended there.

"..." both the Knight and Rook of Rias Gremory were speechless at what they've seen. Did they just...die...? And that was Issei Hyoudou with them.

"...what...was that?" Kiba muttered nervously. It was almost as bad as being killed by Arcturus.

"...So creepy..."


"W-what the hell is this?!" Issei screamed, his eyes wide as he stared at the screen, watching him, Kiba, and Koneko being crushed beneath a falling train car. "Is this some kind of joke?!"

Shocked was too weak of a word to describe his reaction. After all, he had just seen a videos of himself and his friends killed.

'...I...don't know partner. That video seemed too authentic to be fake.' Ddraig voiced. He couldn't explain this phenomenon either. The concept of this...Nicaea was too foreign to him.

"I don't fucking believe this...!" Issei growled, shutting his phone and slamming it in his pocket before smashing his fist against the wall. "Are you telling me we're going to die AGAIN?! To a fucking train wreck?! Bullshit!"

'Calm down, Issei!' the Great Welsh Dragon advised with his familiar stern voice. 'We have no idea if this true or not... for all we know, it could be a prank. Besides, it hasn't happened yet, has it?'

"N-no, but..." the boy wanted to scream and shout about the unfairness of it all. It seemed like things were on track for a peaceful time, back when things were good and before all of this crap with the Triangulum... and then he received a Death Clip of his friends being killed. "Dammit all... What the hell is happening?"

'Look, just meet up with your friends for now. We can make sense of this later.'

"...Alright..." Issei finally relented...but the video still plagued him. Wasn't it the train station the place where they were killed? He felt hesitant to go, but he didn't want to stand up his friends. Sighing, he mentally reasoned with himself that since he saw the clip, then maybe he could prevent their deaths IF they did happen.

But for now, all was uncertain. So with that thought in mind, he headed for the meeting place. He didn't even sense the silver haired girl watching him from a few meters away.

"So, he already has awakened to Boosted Gear." Miyako said, eyes narrowed. "And from the sound of it, they've already established a solid relationship... But, how is that possible? I didn't feel all that much power radiating from him? How could he have awakened to his Sacred Gear already?"

'That is not all I sense.' Tiamat chimed in. 'There is something else... I feel great power residing within that boy... It could be that he has even established Scale Mail as well.'

"He's already achieved Balance Breaker?" Miyako's eyes widened. "But... that isn't possible... not with his level of power."

'I know. That is what is most unsettling.' Tiamat frowned. Ddraig's host had managed to achieve Balance Breaker on his own? That mere notion was impossible given the boy's current capabilities.

"...Could those 'training sessions' he has been talking about be referring to training with the Boosted Gear?"

'Perhaps.' the Chaos Karma Dragon said. 'For now, let us observe the fledling... this may prove to be interesting.'

"Perhaps." the girl nodded, and turned to leave.


"Ah, Hyoudou-kun." Kiba smiled slightly. "Sorry for taking you all the way out here... hey, are you alright? You look a bit pale."

"Huh?...Uh, yeah...Sorry..." He apologized. He was still shaken up by the death clip.

"...What's wrong?" Koneko asked in concern.

"...Have you guys heard of Nicaea?" Issei asked, trying to clarify what was plaguing him.

"Oh, you signed up for it as well?" Kiba asked, intrigued. "We signed up for it ourselves... Actually, to tell the truth, we got a Death Video not too long ago." A grimace soon followed. "Never thought I would go out being crushed by a train."

Issei's eyes widened at this. "Wait, you got that video too?!"

"You received it as well?" the Knight said, startled. "Perhaps Koneko-chan is correct when she said I jinxed it..."

"...Told you." the Rook said, only slightly disturbed. "Anyway, enough about Death Videos. We wanted to ask you something, Hyoudou-senpai."

"Uh, sure. Go ahead..." Issei spoke calmly. But in reality, he was anxious. Why were his friends given that death clip as well? And why did they receive Nicaea as well?

Things were not making sense. This DEFINITELY was not like the previous world.

"Well, how shall we put this..." Kiba muttered before shaking his head. "Never mind, I will be blunt. Hyoudou-kun... do you know something about a creature, or perhaps a person, known as Arcturus?"

Crap, he should have expected that when he had that damned near PTSD attack. "Er... Are we talking about astrology here? Or a book?"

Koneko tilted her head. "...Astrology?"

"Y-yeah. Arcturus, along with Spica and Denebola, are both apart of a constellation called the Spring Triangle."

Oh...Honestly...I never thought of it that way-Wait..." Kiba suddenly shook his head, trying to get back on subject. "...I'm not talking about Astrology or a book. I mean the being I was talking to you about earlier. Do you know who, or what, Arcturus is?"

Issei gulped. So...they were set on asking him about their murderer. The Administrator of the Triangulum, the one who lead Denebola and Spica to destroy mankind, Arcturus.

Issei gritted his teeth. 'Dammit, I...'

...

The boy had a sad smile as he sighed in defeat. 'I can't lie to them... not after everything we've been through.'

"Arcturus, he's..." Issei began. "...a monster, in all sense of the word."

Kiba's and Koneko's eyes widened, their senses fully alert to what he had to say. "...A...monster...?"

"Yes...Although, if I would have to give him another name, it would be Invader."

"Invader...what do you mean?" Kiba asked. While he wanted to know who Arcturus was, he still felt terrified by the name alone.

"Arcturus...is the leader of a group of beings called the Triangulum."

"The what?"

"To be honest, I don't really know what they are myself, that striped guy called the Anguished One or whatever didn't really us the specifics." Issei said. "The Triangulum are beings hell bent on obliterating everything: humans, Devils, Angels, Fallens... Everything."

At this, the two servants paused. Obliterate humans, Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels...and Everything...? That was...that just can't be!

"...Th-that's impossible!" Kiba shook his head in denial. "To just destroy everything, and every living thing, there couldn't be anything that has that kind of power! And who the hell is this, Anguished One?!"

"...R-right!" Koneko agreed with him.

Issei sighed. He had a feeling it would turn out like this. He then looked at the both of them, right in the eye. "...You all witnessed Arcturus' Power first hand. After all, you had the dream where you were killed by it. Didn't you?"

The two immediately froze. "Y-you... had that dream too?" Kiba said, his voice now barely a whisper. "That means... you saw all of us die, right?"

"It was more than that." Issei chuckled darkly. "I was the last one to die, Kiba. I had a giant hole in my stomach."

"...What does that mean?" Koneko asked, her face slightly pale.

Issei sighed again. This was it. He had to bet on this. He had to hope. For once, he had to hope on God's rotting corpse that they would remember... remembering everything that transpired. All of their hardships, all of their grievances, all of their pains and sorrows... and all the good times.

"Koneko, Kiba... The truth is... Arcturus, he-"

He got no farther than that when suddenly the whole world suddenly went Topsy-turvy. The ground shook violently, nearly forcing the three to the ground.

"W-what the hell?!" the teen cried out. "What's going on?!"

"I-I don't know!"

"Dammit! What the hell?!" Issei growled.

The sound of a train could be heard. It zoomed through the tunnel and out towards the platform. But before it could reach it, the tremors through the cars off track. The long segments of the vehicle soon piled up on top of one another as the head car couldn't move. The train cars piled up until it was precariously tall. It begun to tilt towards the platform, right over the area where the three teens were standing.

'Oh no...'

It was the same scene as before... the scene that had been shown to him.

It was the scene on the death video Nicaea had shown.

'Those videos...!' The train car finally began to fall. 'They show the future!'

Then, darkness consumed his vision. He shut his eyes tightly, and brought up his arms, not wishing to see the end. For a while, it was a deafening silence... he couldn't feel anything. For a moment, he wondered if he had died again, crushed to the ground by the train with his friends.

Then, the silence broke.

"Hi hi~ Master Ise, looks like you're gonna croak!"

"H-huh...?" Issei cracked his eyes open. He saw nothing but inky blackness. He was lying on his stomach, feeling the cold hard floor beneath him. "Wh-what...?"

"Over here!" The chipper voice continued. Issei turned his head to the source. It was his phone "It's Tico-Tico~Knock knock... You up?"

Issei forced his eyes to open up further to see the device. it was blinking, and the mascot girl was on the screen. "So...yeah, this is how you're gonna die." She said bluntly.

'...Dammit! So I...couldn't stop this...!'

"However...if you till wanna live, that "demon summoning app" is gonna be a big help!" She smiled broadly. "So what'cha gonna do? Are you gonna give up?"

"HELL NO!" Issei shouted out his answer. He was given a Second Chance after Arcturus' Invasion. And He was not going to kick the bucket here! He has friends to save!

"Awesome sauce!" Tico offered him a thumbs up, grinning like a maniac. "I've confirmed your strong will! Good luck, and survive!"

Then, finally, a bright light danced all around him. Slowly, his senses began to return to him.

His vision cleared. His hearing became attuned again. And the sight before him was horrifying. He was sitting before the scrapped remains of the derailed train. Smoke arose from its broken form. He could smell the blood in the air that came from those who weren't fortunate to evade the falling cars.

Kiba and Koneko soon came to consciousness as well. But it wasn't the sight of the train that horrified them...it was the beings that stood in front of it.

"So...This is the human world..." The first being before Issei deduced. It stood tall, its form well defined by the golden bandages wrapped around its muscular frame. It's hair was just as golden, wavy and long. On its head were curved, golden horns. Wrapped around its shoulders and hips was a green tunic with red edging. Its left arm was golden and plated by the metal wrappings, while its right arm was silver, in the form of some sort of scoop that resembled one from a lacrosse stick. On its back were two metal, bloody spears. "...It has been a long time since I was here last."

"That indeed." The second figure agreed. It stood as tall as the first. It's entire body plated in blood-red armor. A Pink ribbon wrapped around each of its limbs. From its helmet, long, black hair flowed from the hairline. Two horns were on top of its cranium curved forward. In its hands were twin swords with flames ignite at the pommels.

"Nya~It feels soo good to stretch after soo long~" The third figure mewed. Unlike the last two, this one was female. Her body was completely covered in white fur. The only piece of clothing she had on was a short, orange tank top. She possessed feline features, evident by the cat-like tail, pointed ears, and small, pink nose. Long, wavy, purple hair flowed from her head. Her eyes were also bright green and feline.

"Wh-what the hell?" Kiba cried out, immediately leaping to his feet. Koneko held the same reactions, bracing herself as she took on a battle stance, slipping on her gloves. Issei got back up to his feet, albeit shaky, and brought up his arms.

"Hm?" the crimson figure turned it's head, seeing the three. "Ah, they must be the ones who summoned us... Though only one of them is human."

"Ooh, one of them's a Neko-Neko, like me!" the cat-like being brought her arms up. "Nya~ This should be fun!"

Koneko's eyes widened, taking a step back. "W-what...?"

Issei's eyes became focused on the beings in front of them. "What the hell are you?"

"We are demons." the golden figure stated. "However, I regret to inform you that I obey only one master... hence, I must defeat you."

"Wh-what?! Why?!" Issei shouted back in alarm. Demons? Master? Defeat? What's going on?!

"Brace yourself, boy..." From the golden figure's scoop-like arm a condensed ball of metal wrapped in yellow and green energy appeared. He brought his arm back. "...You will die..." He flung his arm forward, the ball of energy shooting forth like a fast ball.


"So...you are the one who summoned me?" The red figure asked Kiba. It brandished both of his swords. "...Very well, then. I will defeat you to earn my freedom."

"I see..." Kiba's eyes narrowed. "So, you use blades as well, huh?" In response to the figure's challenge, Kiba extended his hand. Black energy flowed into his hand, extending outward before it soldified, becoming a blade encompassed in darkness. "Then, as my honor as a Knight of the House of Gremory, I challenge you to a duel!"


"Nya~ Time for some fun!" the cat-girl giggled, getting on all fours. "No matter what happens, let's have some fun, since were both Nekomatas!"

"...I don't know what you are..." Koneko glared, regaining her lost fierceness. "However, I will not lose to you."


Issei was quick to try and dodge the attack, the blast scorching on the ground. "Okay, I don't know who you are, but..." the teen snarled, bringing up his arm. Instantly, crimson armor began to plate his arm. "I don't fancy dying a third time! You wanna take me on?! Fine! I'll show you just why I'm called the Red Dragon Emperor!"

"Wait...Red Dragon Emperor...?" The gold figure hesitated. But that hesitation was quickly replaced by sheer rage. "...You DARE desecrate my Master's Title?!" With his golden hand, he pulled out one of the bloody spears sheathed on his back. "...Boy...for that insult...I shall end your miserable life!"

"Wait... what?" Issei stopped in confusion. But jumpd back to avoid being skewered by the Demon's spear.

'Wait, hold on, is that who I think it is...?' Ddraig frowned, staring at the figure with a sense of nostalgia. The appearance was certainly outlandish, yet the presence... If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn he was looking at one of his comrades, or rather, one of his dearest friends.

Kiba dashed forward, his blade clashing with that of the crimson figure. "A Knight of Gremory..." the creature chuckled. "How interesting. I know of only one Gremory, but if you indeed her Knight, then this shall be interesting. I am Rakshasa, he who challenges the pathetic Gods. Now, come!"

With that, the two broke away, leaping back before engaging in yet another duel.

Kiba charged in with his swords poised for an overhead strike. Rakshasa parried it with one blde before following up with an underhand slash to slice the Knight in half at the waist.


"Nya~ WHy do you hide your cute features?" The Nekomata asked as she smashed her fist into the ground where Koneko used to be.

"...Shut up!" The Rook leaped forward, her fists clenched and aimed to pound the white feline creature into the earth.

The creature leaped back. Koneko's fist completely obliterated the ground, allowing several chunks of debris to go flying. Once the catgirl landed back on her hands and feet, she purred. "So violent! Are you sexually frustrated, nya?" Koneko's face turned red, and a deep scowl formed on her face.


[BOOST!]

"Whoa, shit!" Issei scowled as he brought up Boosted Gear, managing to deflect the spear from critically injuring him. Sparks began to grind while the golden figure began to increase the force behind the attack, slowly pushing the teen down with an overbearing glare. Issei scowled, and began to push back. "You said you a Demon, but you look more like a damned dragon!"

"That is what I am!" the figure retorted. "I am Lugh, the Dragon of Divinity! All things shall be burned asunder by the light of my spear!" More power was applied to the spear. "And you will pay for sullying my master's title, you arrogant human!"

'Lugh?!' Ddraig exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock. 'I don't believe it! He's still alive?!'

"Wait, you know this guy Ddraig?!" Issei shouted out. The sound of his Master's name made Lugh pause. It was this chance that Issei slipped away from the overbearing weight of the attack.

'I do...He is an old comrade...no...a very good friend of mine from when I was still in my true form...'

'Back during the early days of the Great War, there was a time when the dragons began to quarrel. Some of the old fools believed it would be better to side with one of the factions rather than stay on the sidelines. Only a handful of us refused, because of our stubborn pride. We wouldn't hear of it. Myself and Albion were on one side, and the old fools on the other. Among our numbers was Lugh.' Ddraig closed his eyes, recalling the days of yore, back when he was still the proud and noble, and perhaps the most arrogant dragon of all. 'He was the first friend I had ever truly made back during my days as a fledgling... more than that, he wished to make my goal of surpassing Great Red a reality. However, I had he died sometime ago. To think he is still alive...'

"But, he said he's a demon." Issei looked back at the figure, who looked at Issei in confusion. More accurately, he was staring at the crimson gauntlet on his left arm, Boosted Gear. "So, how the hell can he be a Dragon? Moreover, why doesn't he mean Devil?"

'I don't know, Issei.' his partner answered. 'What I can tell you, however, is that Lugh's power seems to be vastly weaker than what it was back then. If you were facing him at full strength, I guarantee you... You would be crushed.'

"Great..." the teen groaned before going into a battle stance. "This is gonna be one hell of a ride!"

[BOOST!]


Kiba deflected the crimson figure's attack with another blade, this one with a silver blade with a black, ornament hilt, resembling a pair of dragon wings curled around the hand that gripped the handle.

"Do you believe conjuring another weapon would give you an advantage?" Rakshasa questioned. The demon is ambidextrous, being able to wield two swords at once with ease. Even though his opponent wielded the same number of weapons, he could tell that Kiba lacked the vast experience the demon had accumulated in his time of existence.

"Maybe...especially if it can do this!" The Wings of the sword unfurled, revealing a dragonic eye in the center of the guard. From the slitted pupil, a gray beamn of energy shot out. The red warrior was quick to evade it. Instead, the beam struck a fallen piece of rubble, quickly incinerating it.

"Infernal Eye...The Demonic sword that can burn anything within its gaze."

Rakshasa looked at the quickly deteriating piece of rubble, then back at Kiba. If it had a mouth, Kiba could swear he would see a demented grin. "Interesting... This may prove to be fun."

Kiba smirked, and prepared himself for the next bout.


Koneko was quickly becoming frustrated as she tried to hit the Nekomata, but no matter what she did, it would always manage to evade. She knew that her species possessed incredible agility, but what this girl was demonstrating... it was far beyond what they should be capable of.

"Nya, catch me if you can~" the girl teased, winking at Koneko before she backflipped, landing on a giant piece of rubble. Her fur suddenly stood up, and electricity danced around her. "This could be SHOCKING~"

Koneko jumped back, avoiding being electrocuted. "Tch..." she scowled deeply, cracking her fingers. "...So annoying."

"Nya, that's not nice!"

The Nekomata appeared behind her. Her palm was laced with electricity. Koenko whipped around and jumped away, narrowly avoiding another shock.

"Nya, why are you so tense and jumpy? Was I right in you being sexually deprived...?" SHe tilted her head in question.

This question made the white haired rook's face red again. "...Shut up!"


Lugh sighed, shaking his head. "For goodness sakes, the Nekomata are truly something of a strange race." he muttered before turning back to Issei. Power once again formed in his scoop-like appendage, and his spear became laced with power. "For now, I must focus on defeating this arrogant human..."

'Still... I cannot shake this feeling... Had he truly uttered the name of my master?'

It had been countless years since he heard someone speak the name, Ddraig. And for a mere human to utter it...was peculiar. But he couldn't let it bother him. He had a human to defeat to regain his freedom.

He threw the ball of energy then hurled the spear at the brown haired teen. Issei narrowly evaded both attacks, but the edges of his uniform were singed from the intense energy.

"Shit that burns!" Issei cringed in pain, feeling his skin charred slightly. He returned his focus to the battle, and once again gathered power.

[BOOST!]

'That makes three boosts.' he thought. 'I can handle five more, and after that, I have to reset! All I need is two more!'

"Impressive agility, for a human." Lugh praised, charging straight forward. His spear clashed with Boosted Gear, the gauntlet bouncing the attack back before the wielder threw himself off to the side to avoid being skewered. "You've been trained well."

"You chatter with every guy that brings you out?!" Issei asked as he avoided having his skull impaled before throwing a punch straight at Lugh's face. The golden dragon humanoid caught it easily with his strange limp. "Or am I an exception?!"

"Hmph, do not flatter yourself."


"Twroaaagh!"

With a flourish, Kiba performed with Rakshasa what could only be described as a dance of blades. The two countered with each parry, and defended with each strike. The blonde Knight brought his blades forward, and the crimson warrior brought both scimitars up, defending against the strike. However, the force behind the attack was enough to nearly send his knees.

"Most impressive..." the Jaki praised his opponent. "I have not witnessed such swordsmanship since the days of when I fought with Bres. Who are you, Knight of Gremory?"

"Yuuto, Kiba."

"Kiba..." Rakshasa's eyes gleamed. "I shall carve that name unto your tombstone!"

The Jaki's blades gleamed a malevolent aura. He crossed his swords before him before bringing them down in an X-formation. A cross blast of energy shot out from the movement, aimed straight for the Knight. The attack cut through anything that obscured its path.

"Dammit!" Kiba summoned a wall of swords in front of him to stop the energy blast, but it just tore through the summoned weapons as if they were paper. He leapt to the side to avoid being cut down. As he rolled, he flung one of his swords at Rakshasa.

"Heh, pathetic." The demon swatted it away with one of swords. "Was that your best shot?"

"No...just a diversion." The blonde teen grinned.

"Wha?" the red demon then felt something on his arm. He looked down to see the sword that he touched last clinging onto his own weapon, with many thorns creeping up his arm.

"Winding Thorn. A Demonic sword specifically built for trapping. Once touched by the enemy, it wraps its vines around them , hindering their movement.

"Two demonic blades...?" Rakshasa glared. "Ah, now I see... So, this is a Sacred Gear... I had not imagined I would encounter one. Still..."

The vines were obliterated, as if snapped apart by something with immense force.

"It shall take more than a simple demon blade to stop me!"

Kiba clucked his tongue. "Damn... This isn't going to be easy. And here I thought Xenovia was... Huh?"

Xenovia...? Where had that...?

...wait, shouldn't he be dead?

"Grugh...!" Kiba pressed a hand to his head. These names...these identities...Who are they? His mind was racing, his head was throbbing from the recollection of thoughts locked away.

What...was going on?!

"Kiba... It's alright..."

The knight's eyes widened as he felt images rush through his head. It was like watching a movie on fast forward, rushing through without stopping or being hindered. Out of all the images, however... it was the memory of seeing his friends... the family that he had left behind all those years ago... all gathered around him, smiling encouragingly at him.

"There's no reason to be scared..."

"So long as we're together..."

"We'll be your strength..."

Finally, the memories settled into place. Kiba's hand left his face, a look of bewilderment and confusion clear. "I... remember now..."


Koneko gritted her teeth as she felt her arm go numb, having been struck by the bolt of lightning. "Tag, you're in, nya~"

"...Annoying...!" The Rook glared. Honestly...this Nekomata was just as irritating as Kuroka's behavior. Especially when she flirted with Issei...

...Wait...Issei? Why did she even think of that? She was certain that her sister and senpai never met but...why did the mere thought made her flustered?

...Wait, how was she alive? Hadn't she been killed by...

"Gugh!" Koneko grabbed her head, feeling as if it was about to split. People she had never met before flashed by, their names and faces all so familiar to her. Memories that did not belong to her, yet so comforting, began to play in her mind.

"W-wait, hold on a sec, Koneko-chan! What do you mean by, marking your territory?!"

"Koneko-chan...thank you for using Senjutsu on me..."

"…I won't let you touch Buchou and Koneko-chaaaaaaaaan!"

"Kuroka. What did you tell Koneko-chan?"

"Koneko-chan...I'm sorry for being a pervert!"

"You may be Koneko-chan's onee-san, but…I won't forgive you for making Koneko-chan cry…"

"...Senpai is my senpai. I will never give him to you Nee-sama!"

"So you are Shirone's friend nyan? Hmmm. Lots of people are appearing one by one, who are always concerned about her."

Like a jigsaw puzzle, all of her memories began to fit into place. Koneko's eyes widened, confusion at first, but then bewilderment, similar to Kiba.

"My memories... They've..."


"Don't lose focus of your opponent, boy!" Rakshasa shouted, charging at the still blonde figure before him. He made no movements, and his bangs clouded his eyes. It made it impossible to see what he was going through in his head. However, this mattered little to a warrior, who relied on strength than trying to figure out what his enemy was thinking.

He hadn't noticed the slight smirk on the boy's face.

Kiba raised his head. His eyes steeled and his posture strong. Once Rakshasa was close enough, the Knight snapped his fingers.

At once created Demonic swords of all types erupted from the ground, the blades quickly impaling the approaching demon.

"Gragh!" The Jaki grunted. He dropped his scimitars. His limbs and torso skewered by the copious amounts of blades.

"Sword Birth," Kiba informed Rakshasa with a steel-enforced smirk. "That is the name of my Sacred Gear. It allows me to create every demon sword in existence. Of course, that isn't all it can do."

Kiba allowed his blades to drop, and extended his hand. From his palm came a new blade, completely unlike the blades that now skewered Rakshasa. It bore a golden hilt with an obisidian black blade bearing crimson edges. "The Sword of the Betrayer, a blade born from both the powers of Heaven and Hell... in other words, a Holy Sword and a Demon Sword, all in one package."

Before the creature had time to blink, it found the blade running through his chest. Instantly, he let out a pain-filled scream, throwing his head back as unimaginable pain coursed through his body, far worse than any blade that had touched him before. "I do not know who or what you are, Rakshasa..." the boy said, his tone confident and steely. "But you had best not underestimate me. After all..." he flashed a smile. "I am a Knight, after all."

Strangely, once again, if it had a mouth, Kiba could swear the demon was grinning. "Haha... At last... I've found a worthy master." he said, causing Kiba to frown. "I am the Jaki, Rakshasa... call upon me when the war begins."

Jun 6Right before the Knight's eyes, Rakshasa broke apart in particles of blue light. The particles were then sucked into his open mobile sitting not too far away from him. The screen glowed brightly before displaying the Red Demon and information regarding it.

Kiba walked up to his cell phone and picked it up. He closely inspected the device and screen, questions running through his mind. "What in that...?"


"Nya, Rakshasa got beaten, huh?" the cat creature mewled, licking her paw. "Guess it's me and-NYA!"

She quickly leaped out of the way when Koneko rushed at her, bouncing off the ground with her fist raised. The demon was glad she moved out of the way in time, but she still found the level of power her fellow Nekomata possessed to be terrifying. She had never known that they could possess that level of power before.

And there was also another difference from before...or two differences. Koneko now had white cat ears sticking out from her head and a feline tail growing from her backside.

"...I'm not afraid of myself anymore..." balls of white flame gathered and danced around the petite Rook. In secession, they shot out toward a single target, the Nekomata.

"Nya! You're fast! Nya!"

"...Thanks." the girl said with a slight smile before she jumped into the air, intercepting the Nekomata. The girl's face paled when she grabbed a hold of her tail, and then swung her down. Her body crashed straight into the ground, creating a small crater. "Burn!"

With a quick thrust, white flames were shot forth, smashing straight into her target.

"NYA! So hot! NYA!" The demon cat tossed and turned in the dented earth. Her body was burning. It hurt like hell!

After several more seconds, the flames died out, revealing the charred form of the Nekomata. Slowly, she pulled herself back up. Koneko readied herself for another fight, but paused when the Demon smiled in genuine.

"Nya, you're strong. I hope you can go far, master. Also, be sure to find a good mate, Nya!" The Nekomata winked before she vanished like Rakshasa had. In the next moment, her image and data was displayed on Koneko's phone.

"...She really reminds me of Nee-sama..."


"Hm..." Lugh and Issei parted from their battle, the former observing his comrades. "Most impressive..."

"Heh, what do you expect?" Issei flicked his nose. "They're my best buds! I don't know if you guys have any sense of comraderie, or whatever, but me and my friends been through hell, LITERALLY."

"Is that so..." the Divinity Dragon mused, smiling beneath the steel armor mask that hid his lower face. 'Human he may be... but his actions are worthy of praise. He reminds me of how my master and I used to be, back in those days...' He shook his head. 'But, no matter. Once I defeat him, I can search for him, without delay!'

"Come, boy." Lugh taunted, aiming the tip of his spear at Issei. "It is time we finish this."

BOOST!

Issei looked at his gauntlet. He was at seven boosts now. It was now or never. He looked up to meet the gaze of his opponent and grinned. "I couldn't agree more!"

TRANSFER!

A small orb of crimson light gathered at his fingertips. He aimed his armored hand at Lugh, who encased his spear in energy.

"Dragon SHot!"

At that same moment, Lugh threw his spear, thus colliding with the burst of power.

The force of the explosion exerted from the collision forced the two away. Issei landed on his back while Lugh landed on his knees.

"Whoa..." the boy groaned. "Okay, note to self..." he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Crap, I feel like I just got whacked...!"

"This power..." Lugh muttered. "Though it was faint... I could feel it..."

It was a power he recognized...A power he hadn't felt since so many years ago...not since his master disappeared.

"This boy...How does he have the essence of his power?"

Issei shook his head as he tried to stand up, dusting off his jacket. "Crap does my back hurt...!" he groaned as he flipped to his feet. "Sheesh, did you have to toss me to my back?!"

Lugh blinked. "...You are a strange human."

"...He's also a pervert."

"A reformed pervert now! Wait, what?" He tried arguing, but paused by the sound of the voice. he turned his head to see Koneko waving at him with a smile on her face. Her feline features exposed to the world. Kiba was right next to her, giving him a thumbs up. "Wait...you guys..."

"Sorry it took us so long, Ise." Kiba said with a giant grin. "You wouldn't believe how terrible traffic was."

"...Sorry."

"G-guys..."

Tears started to fall from his face, his voice choked. From within Boosted Gear, Ddraig was grinning, nodding his head. "W-what the hell...!" he tried to say, trying to rub the tears out of his eyes. "...Took you so long...?!"

"Again, we're very sorry." Kiba bowed his head in apology. "But...it's good to be back."

"Damn right!" Issei sobbed. He wiped the tears from his eyes. He was just filled with joy that his friends remember.

"...I don't know what you all are on about..." Lugh interrupted. "...But we have a fight to finish."

"...Ise-kun." Koneko pumped her fist. "Knock 'em dead."

Issei grinned, flicking his nose as he turned back to Lugh. "Sorry 'bout that." he apologized. "Kinda got lost in the moment. Now then..."

[BOOST!]

"Where were we?"

"...We were when I was about to kill you." Another ball of energy gathered in Lugh's silver hand. In his left hand, he grabbed the remaining spear from his back and focused energy upon the tip.

"Correction...It was where I kick you ass!"

[BOOST!]

Finally, the two charged at each other. Lugh seemed to be faster, his arm holding the spear reared back, ready to impale him while Issei gathered power at the base of his palm.

'Damn, not much power after those two Boosts! Gotta make this hit count!' At the last moment, when Lugh twisted his body to run Issei through with his pike, the brown haired teen side stepped the Dragon and pressed his palm against his mid torso.

[TRANSFER!]

"Dragon Shot...Point Blank!"

Unlike the previous Dragon Shots, this one was true to it's name. The energy that had been compressed into a ball exploded, straight into Lugh's body. His eyes widened as he felt his body scream out in pain, the energy blast bursting straight through his body, and exploding out through his back. The blast was more powerful than Issei thought it would be, as it destroyed everything behind Lugh as well, leaving only flying pieces of debris.

"Gah-GAAAAAGH!"

"Yipe-kai-yay, MOTHERFUCKER!" Issei screamed, pouring all of his strength straight into the blast. The force behind it was enough to send the dragon humanoid flying, his body smashing straight into the wall. Some of it collapsed on him, creating a cloud of dust.

"Yatta! I got him!" Issei cheered as he did a little victory dance. Normally, he wasn't the type of person to do this sort of thing, but this had been his first victory against a powerful opponent as a HUMAN! SO there was something to celebrate.

Unfortunately, however, Issei's celebration came to an abrupt halt when he suddenly felt all the adrenaline from the battle leave him. Exhausting filled him completely down to the bone, and he fell flat on his rear, the only thing keeping him upright being his arms. "Oh boy... I...I'm so freaking tired..."

"Well, given how strong that... man... was, I'm not surprised." Kiba said as he and Koneko walked over to him. "Still, very well done. Although... did you seriously have to quote from Diehard at the end?"

"Oh, shut up!" Ise snapped. "I was lost in the moment, okay?!"

"...I-Ise-kun..."

Said soon-to-be Pawn blinked, turning to Koneko just in time to see her leap on him, wrapping her arms around his arms and chest, her face buried in his neck. "K-Koneko-chan?" he stuttered before he could hear the faint sounds of her sobbing.

"I'm so glad...you're alive...and...and...I'm so sorry that I-I forgot about you...!" He could feel the tears that she shed. Nevertheless, Issei gently smiled. He slowly wrapped his arms around her, missing this feeling.

"I know...It's okay..."

Kiba chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head as he turned away. 'Issei, there is a time and place for everything...' he wanted to say, but instead, kept his words as mere thoughts. 'Though, given what's happened... I suppose I'll keep my mouth shut.' For now, he focused his attention to the cloud of debris. It was starting to clear away, revealing Lugh's battered form. His armor was cracked, his spear shattered, and dark blood flowing down the side of his face.

But nevertheless, he still stood tall, despite his injuries. He glared at the brown haired teen through the smoke. Issei caught his gaze. He gently moved Koneko away as he stood up on his own. His movement was sluggish due to exhaustion, but he was not going to back down.

He was not going to lose.

"...Impressive attack...human..."

"You're not so bad yourself, Lugh-san." Issei said with a slight grin. "Man, Ddraig was not kidding when he said you were gonna be tough!"

"You...Know my master...? How?!" He demanded.

[Oh by the Great Satans and God's rotting corpses, Lugh, will you quit calling me that?!]

Ddraig's voice boomed out from the glowing jewel of Boosted Gear.

"Th-that voice...Mas...no...Ddraig?" Lugh spoke in disbelief. He couldn't tell what he was unable to believe more, the fact that he was in his master's presence, or the fact that his master was within the the red gauntlet in a human boy's arm?

[No, it's Albion. Of course it's me, you dolt!] Ddraig growled. [More importantly, where the hell have you been? I heard you DIED back during the Great War! And what's this I hear about you being called a demon?]

"Er... well..."

[I'm. Waiting.]

Issei sweat-dropped, giving Lugh a sympathetic look. "I think it's better if you tell him the whole thing, man. He gets more cranky than an old man somedays."

[Watch it, partner.]

"Hey, it's true!" Issei argued back.

Lugh stared blankly at this exchange. Never before had he seen his master converse so casually with a human. The times truly have changed.

[Well?] Ddraig pressed.

Lugh sighed. He knew there was not way out of this. So he begun to talk.

Signing off tonight. Heading to dreamland.

"To be honest, even I am unsure... Before my death, I and several others were on our way to a battlefield when we encountered a group of Fallen Angels and Angels engaged in combat." Lugh recounted. "And you know how we dragons are, stubborn and arrogant, thinking that are the strongest. We interfered in their battle, but what we didn't realize at the time was that they were being led by Gabriel, one of the Cardinal Archangels, and Kokabiel, a Cadre of the Grigori."

Issei scowled upon hearing the name of the wretched crow that had nearly destroyed Kuoh.

"By the time we realized who exactly we were trying to pick a fight with, it was already too late. It was a massacre, I tell you... even though we had killed several Fallens and Angels, we were still outmatched. By the time the dust settled, I had Kokabiel in my jaws, but the old crow managed to get away at the last second. I didn't realize that Gabriel was already coming at me until it was too late. By the time I realized it, she had already lodged a Light Spear in my skull."

"Ouch." Kiba winced. "That had to be one hell of a headache."

Lugh chuckled. "That was putting it rather mildly... Anyway, when I awoke, I found myself in a blank space. Strangely, information I never knew had been implanted, and when I had realized what this information was, I couldn't truly believe it. When a living creature, be it human or otherwise, perishes, the substance within them, Magnetite, returns to a realm known simply as The Expanse. It is a collection of magnetite, made from all living creatures. It corrolates without a form to take. However, if the will is strong enough, we can force ourselves to rebuild our bodies, except, once this is done... we are not who we once were. We are born anew, and our power stems not from our own strength, but from the will of others of those that summon us."

"So, that's why you called yourselves demons, not Devils!" Issei said, pulling off the trademark 'I got it!' gesture, slamming his hand into his palm. "So, then, wait... If you're a demon, then does that mean you're not technically a dragon anymore?"

"No, I still retain some of my original power." Lugh shook his head. "I assure you of that."

[Hm...]

"Mas-er, Ddraig... If you do not mind me asking, why are you residing within that human's gauntlet?"

[Oh, that? Well, you weren't the only one who got knocked off.]

Lugh's eyes widened in both shock and horror. His old friend had been killed?! When had this happened?!

[It was back during the Great War, hell right near the end of it. Me and Albion got into another fight for dominance, and we took it straight to the battlefield of all three factions. They told us to stop our fighting and take it somewhere else. Did we listen? No, we continued to fight, and dragged them in it. Eventually, though, we were defeated, and sealed inside Sacred Gears. This kid here is my partner, the current Red Dragon Emperor.]

"Issei Hyoudou." the teen introduced himself, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry we had to meet like this."

"No... the fault is mine." Lugh shook his head, bowing respectfully. "Please, forgive me, Lord Hyoudou. Had I known that you were Ddraig's host, I would have submitted earlier on."

"Ah...no..,that's fine. You couldn't have known. You were just defending your masters honor." Issei raised his hands in defense, uncomfortable with the sudden show of respect that Lugh was demonstrating.

"Still, that is no excuse. Of I had killed you, I never wouldve found out what happened to Ddraig."

"Hey, water under the bridge now." the reformed pervert waved his hand. "Anyway... I suppose this makes us partners now, huh?"

Lugh nodded. To the group's shock, the divine dragon kneeled before Issei, a hand pounding at his chest. "I am the Deity, Lugh. I am now at your service, Lord Hyoudou. Use me as you see fit." With that, the humanoid dragon vanished in the same manner as the previous to, bursting into a blue light and dashing straight into Issei's cell phone.

"What in the heck?" Issei frowned as he picked up his cell. On the screen was Lugh, along with his information. "Seriously, talk about weird."

"No kidding." Kiba said in agreement. "Still, what in the world is going on, Issei? I know for a fact I got killed."

"...Same here." Koneko nodded, still uncomfortable with the memory.

"I honestly have no idea either. But I do know for one thing, the world seems to have been reset, since when I awoke, it was six months before Buchou made me her Pawn." He told them.

"You were awake for that long? But...why didn't you tell us anything?"

"It's because your memories weren't awake at that time. If I just told you everything, you probably would've thought I was crazy."

"Well, I suppose that's a reasonable excuse..." Kiba said. "Even still, you could have at least told us."

"Heh, sorry." Issei chuckled before his face became serious. "Anyway, whatever happened, it seems like things definitely aren't going how they should."

"Yeah. I don't recall this Nicaea ever appearing in the past, nor do I ever recall something like THIS ever happening." he gestured around the ruined station. "We should be glad that there wasn't really anyone here."

"...Ditto."

"Definitely. By the way, have you guys seen that striped dude, Anguished One or whatever the hell his name is?"

Both Kiba and Koneko shook their heads. They only encountered the being a minimal number of times in the previous world, but they knew his appearance well enough.

"No...we've never encountered him. Based on what happened, I would've thought that he'd approach us when this all started."

The figure known to them only as the Anguished One was truly an enigma, being something that was not human, but neither was he Devil, Angel, or Fallen. Ddraig had mentioned that his presence was similar to that of the Triangulum, yet unlike the otherworldly beings, he did not possess their hostility. His words were often cryptic, but they provided useful information. It was thanks to him that they were able to fight against Denebola and Spica, though the battle against Arcturus... it held the obvious results.

"Yeah, especially since he seems to care about humans a great deal." Issei nodded his head in agreement. "Also, what the hell is up with this Nicaea thing, anyway? Who made it, and why? And how come we've never heard about these... demons... up until now?"

Kiba placed a hand to his chin. "Yes, that is the question, isn't it? Lugh-san mentioned that demons couldn't sustain a natural body unless they managed to possess a strong will. In addition, all demons used to be something else up until their demise. It's a curious thing, indeed."

"...Yeah. It's like this app was made to convert those former beings into Demons." Koneko added, her thoughts back to the Nekomata, one of her own species.

"I would say that it is a blessing, yet a curse. A blessing because it grants them a second chance at life. A curse because it remakes their entire existence." Issei spoke.

"No kidding." the Knight of Gremory nodded his head. "Can't imagine what that must be like. Anyway, Buchou will definitely want to know about this."

At the mention of Rias, Issei's face became tense. "Do you think... her memories might have returned too?"

"I don't know, Ise-kun." Kiba shook his head. "Our memories only re-awakened during our battle with Rakshasa and Nekomata... Hold on."

Koneko tilted her head. "...What's up?"

"What if this Nicaea application is the trigger?"

"What do you mean...?" Issei urged his friend for elaboration. This death clip site...was a trigger?

"Think about it. We didn't regain our memories until during our fights, but that only happened after we saw our own deaths from Nicaea. It may be a long shot, but ever since we got this app, a chain of events has been set in motion that led up to this point. So maybe having possession of the app, or fighting the demon that comes out of it, may be the key."

"...You know...you could be right!"

"The question is, how do you get the others to get into it?" Issei frowned, crossing his arms. "Buchou and Akeno, they'll definitely sign up for it once they hear about this demon thing, but what about Xenovia, Asia, and the others?"

"...We deal with that when the time comes." Koneko stated. "For now, let's deal with the present."

"Yeah, got a point there." the teen nodded. "Now, I don't know about you guys... but I don't want to be here when the cops show up."

The two Devils laughed at this, and the three quickly made their escape. By the time the authorities arrived, all the discovered was a station in complete ruins, and damage that just couldn't be explained, no matter how much the try to rationalize.


In a plane of existence, not unlike the one Sanat Kumara resided in, a figure closed their eyes, having witnessed the events in the material world. "How disgusting..." they muttered in absolute distaste. "Humans, Devils, Angels, Fallens... All of them have strayed from their proper course. The world I created has become stagnant, and polluted..."

Six wings erupted from his back, each in different color. When he opened his eyes, four different colored irises glared out in the endless void. "I must correct this mistake at once."

His voice was cold...cold as the creeping hands of death. An intense pressure filled the area, as a manifestation of the being's distaste.

Lighting crackled around his form. His face grim.

He had witnessed the errors of the living beings in the material world.

He exists to rectify them.

Though the Angels did not acknowledge his nature, Michael had. Though the Fallens had not accepted him, Azazel had. When the Devils did not scorn against him, Lucifer had.

Those were the three that chose to defy him... Defy the Holy Father of Heaven.

Well no more. Only he possessed the ability to judge and correct humanity and their faults. Only he can bring about true prosperity to the world.

Only he can rule and guide all living beings.

He was Demiurge...and this was his destiny.