Before you all read this chapter entitle Life 03: My Fallen Angel, I have a couple of things to say.
1) To begin this, I want to reveal the stats of this story. Within the first three chapters, we already hit over 5,000 hits. Plus this story is number 9 in the Favorite Story list from the Archive and number 7 in the most follow story in the DXD Archive We also have over 50 reviews. let's keep this up! I want over a hundred reviews by the end of the first arc!
2) I orginially wanted this chapter to go up to 7,000 words not over 9,000 freaken words! So please leave a review after your done. I spent everyday working a 1,000 words a day. This is chapter going to be the only longest chapter within the Ante Plot Storyline Arc. Don't suspect to write something this long for this Arc (Unless it's necessary, which I believe it might happen.)
3) I would have update this chapter soon if I didn't have a rough week. I had many appointments and I lost my only copy of this chapter, so if you review, please write "Praise the Lord that you didn't lose this chapter!" If I did lose this, then this chapter would've become short.
4) The Beta of Celestial Rebirth is following this story. I'm really pleased that you enjoy it. Now if only Zeke154 could check this story out and tell me his opinion on my story.
5)1st makes his/her debut.
6) The story rating has change into Rated M for foul language and sexual situations that are going to happen later on the story.
7) I decided to delete College Life. Do you think what I did was wrong? Well I decided to delete for many purposes. For starters, I want to focus on this story because I'm getting more reviews, hits, favorites, and followers. I might save the plot for a possible sequel, but I may not. Who knows.
I don't own anything, so please review and subscribe to favorites and follow to this story. I'm trying to get this story into the top five in both Favorite Stories and Follow Stories of this Archive. Also Beta done by Triplesquidge
I, Rias Gremory, was simply walking through the Gremory's main castle garden with my Onii-sama.
"A-Achoo…!" I sneezed.
"Rias, what's wrong?" my Onii-sama asked worriedly.
"It's nothing," I assured him.
But I was wrong. I made a louder sneeze then before.
My Onii-sama became even more worried than before.
"A-Alright, I'm taking you to bed!" he said worriedly, dragging back to my room.
"B-But I'm not sick!" I complained.
"You sneezed twice in a row!"
"But that's doesn't mean-Achoo!" I sneezed even louder than before.
After the third sneeze, my over worried Onii-sama was convinced that I was truly sick.
Now I'm strapped between my mattress and my blanket that's been coated a powerful magic seal to prevent me escape.
"But Onii-sama, Sairaorg and Sona are going visit me today!" I protested to get out of my bed.
"It's alright. They can come and play in your room and I'll supervise."
Oh no! If Onii-sama supervised my play date with Sairaorg and Sona, I can never show my face to them again!
"I'm fine! Really! I'm not-Achoo!"
Onii-sama panicked. "T-That's it! That's it! That's it! All week you're getting best rest! I'm going to get the week off and watch over you!"
"H-H-Hey Onii-sama, if you're getting time off, then you should go stay with Onee-sama! She's bears your child in her belly!"
"W-What are you talking about Rias? Grayifa doesn't have a baby in her belly. No, she's just fat. Babies come from the delivery stork."
Good job Onii-sama. That's probably the last time you ever get laid if Onee-sama finds out of what you just said.
I put on a skeptical, half eye look. "I already know how babies are made Onii-sama. A man and a woman just have to-"
"Blah, blah, blah, I'm not listening!" Onii-sama exclaimed, covering his ears with both of his index fingers.
"Um…am I interrupting something?" a new voice awkwardly asked, coming into the room.
It was Onii-sama's knight, Souji Okita leaning against the door frame.
"Souji-chan, please knock some sense into stupid Onii-sama!"
"Oh no!" panicked Onii-sama. "Her condition are getting worse! She's not remembering how great of a brother I am!"
Both Souji-chan and I stared at Onii-chan with half open eyes.
"So Rias-hime is sick then?" Souji-chan asked, who decided to play along with Onii-sama's scene, walked up to my bed.
"Oh yes," Onii-sama sobbed. "You wouldn't believe how many times she sneezed today."
"Oh how many?" Souji-chan asked, placing his hand on top of my forehead.
Onii-sama putted up his hand and hid his thumb behind his palm. "F-Four times." Onii-sama cried.
"Well her temperature is alright." Souji-chan muttered quietly, removing his hand from my forehead.
He turned over to Onii-sama. "Um…Lord Sirzechs, I think I know why she sneezing without being sick."
Onii-sama looked at Souji-chan as if he was crazy. "What the hell are talking about Souji?"
"Well there was an old saying in Japan. If you're not sick and you sneeze, that means someone is talking about you."
Now Onii-sama put on a blank look on his face. "Don't talk nonsense Souji. My beloved baby sister is now sick and it's my responsibility to stay by her side till she gets healthy."
"Sorry to inform you but you can't stay with your so called sick sister." Souji-chan said after sighing.
Onii-sama raised a brow. "What are you talking about Souji? There's nothing you can say that can make me leave this room."
"Is that so?" Souji-chan snorted, cracking his neck. He coughed before he spoke. "It's your wife. She's in labor."
Onii-sama became speechless. "… She's what!?" he exclaimed loudly, cupping his checks and looking like the screamer.
"She's in labor." Souji-chan repeated clearly.
"Oh Fuck! I thought the baby was supposed to come next week! What am I going do? What am I going to do? I'm not mentally prepared for this! Someone, anyone, tell me what I have to do?" Onii-sama panicked crazily, pacing back and forth.
"How about release me from my bed?" I suggested.
Onii-sama quickly reverted back to his normal self. "Ha, yeah right." he laughed.
I sighed…Well I at least tried.
Souji-chan walked up to Onii-sama and gave a bitch slap him so he could snap out of his panic state. Oh… Onii-sama's face has a huge red hand mark on his left check.
"First I need you to calm down." Souji-chan ordered Onii-chan calmly. "Next take in a good nice big breathe."
Onii-sama slowly inhaled and exhaled heavily. Souji-chan smiled and placed his hand on Onii-chan's shoulder.
"Look Sirzechs, it's really common thing for a woman to go into labor before the due date. Many men go through a panic state. But you have to calm down and show you're not that kind of man who panics when an unexpected situation happens last minute."
Onii-sama took in one more last breathe before calming down. "Sorry for my rude behavior, Souji, Rias. I just realized that I'm going to become a parent. I never thought that this day will actually come."
"Well it did." Souji smiled. "Now let's go to the hospital. You have to be there when you're wife gives birth. But before you leave, I want to leave you smiling when you arrive to Grayifa's side."
"So think something funny huh? Has Beowulf been info yet?" Onii-sama asked.
"Nope." Souji snickered. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when we inform him a week later."
Onii-sama laughed. "Ah~…Seeing Beowulf's misery does bring me joy."
Sigh…Why does everyone is Onii-sama's peerage pick on Beowulf? I hope my peerage don't make fun of my future pawn.
Ophis' POV
Every morning, I always wake up before Ise does. What I usually do before Ise wakes up is simply look at his sleepy face and listen to his sleep talk.
"Rias…I love you…I want to grope your…Oppai…A-Achoo!"
Oh someone is probably thinking of him. Is it First?
1st POV
"Achoo!" I sneezed.
I rubbed my noise. "I wonder who is talking about me?"
Rias' POV
After the Souji-chan's pep talking Onii-chan, Onii-chan went via magic circle to the hospital located in Stiri's territory.
"Now let me release that seal that your idiot brother put on your bed" Souji-chan said, trying to remove his seal.
After the seal was removed, Souji-chan took noticed of my evil pieces on my mini table.
"Oh? Are these you're evil pieces?" he asked.
I happily nodded. "Yes, they are."
Souji-chan examined my pieces carefully. "As I suspected, you have a mutation piece just like your brother, though it's a bishop piece. But may I ask you something?"
"Sure." I said.
"Where are all you're pawn pieces?"
I put on a bitter smile when he noticed my pawns weren't with the rest of my other pieces. "Well there was a problem with my pawn pieces."
"A problem with your pawns?" asked Souji-chan, who raised his right brow.
"Yes. When I received them, they were emitting red static. They were too dangerous for me to hold." I explained.
"Static?" Souji-chan questioned. "So where are they now?"
"They are with Beelzebub-sama," I answered. "He's checking if there is something wrong with my pieces."
Souji-chan put his hand under his chin and hummed. "For evil pieces to do something like emitting red static and hurt its owner, that's a strange case indeed. Well if the pawn pieces are with Ajuka, then we have nothing to worry about. Let's go to hospital and see your great Onee-sama give birth to a healthy baby."
"Yeah." I agreed enthusiastically, grabbing on to Souji-chan's hand.
Issei's POV
It was a clear sky morning of a summer day. I, Issei, woke up early in the morning in my room and properly getting dressed for today. I had a special date with a special little lady today and I have to dress properly for it.
"Are you going to visit her again?" Ophis, who's playing my old Gameboy on my bed, asked.
"Of course," I replied, finishing off my attire. "Are you going to do your errands I ask you to do?"
Ophis, who continued staring at my Gameboy's screen, waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, I'll do them as soon I become a Pokémon Champion. Right now I'm battling against the so called "Dragon Master.""
I really should take away Ophis' video game privileges, but I'm in a rush, so I left my house as fast as I could. I got on my bike and rode off to the other side of town.
It's been three years since Ophis, Ddraig, my past Senpais and I went back in time. Since then Ophis have been staying at my house. I started to think back three years back to what Ophis said about the other rebound effects.
Three Years Ago
"What?" I asked with a puzzle look on my face.
"I've been split into two halves." Ophis repeated herself after she rolled her eyes.
"How…? Why?" I was too confused to understand this. Why did Ophis split herself into two halves?
"I really don't know myself why I split into two." Ophis admitted truthfully, shrugging her shoulders. "But I know two things. One: my other half doesn't have memories of us and two: the Khaos Brigade will still be formed."
I feel relieved that the main cause that formed the Three Factions will exist, but I'm actually bit saddened that the other Ophis must go through suffering of being alone.
"Plus this me is currently in a weakened state," Ophis added. "I have only twice the power of the two Heavenly Dragons during their primes."
So she's in the same state she was when she was weakened by Samael.
"Since I'm in this weak state, I can't create any snakes to produce power, but I can still transfer power." Ophis revealed.
"You can still transfer power? How…?" I asked.
"Like this," Ophis said, leaning her head closer to mine.
"O-O-Ophis…?" I asked, before her lips touched mine. Since my mouth was opened, Ophis entered her tongue inside of my own. I-I could taste the tongue o-of Ophis! So this is the t-taste of the tongue of a g-god! It something I imagine it to be!
Ophis pulled her head back and continued to speak as if nothing happened. "I can only transfer some of my powers via transferring salvia to the mouth of others. What I just transfer into you was special type of Senjutsu that allows you to see auras of others."
"W-Why did you d-did you transfer t-that power into me?" I, who am completely baffled, asked.
"Ise, try to read my aura." Ophis commanded without explaining the purpose of this power and ignoring my question.
"Alright." I agreed to her words and activated my aura reading powers.
The color of Ophis' aura was crimson red. I told Ophis the color of her aura. Ophis then tells me to look at the aura of someone from outside. I did that and noticed the aura of a bystander near our home. It was gray. I told her the color aura of the bystander.
"What I gave you is the aura to see the people who will remember you." Ophis explained the power she gave me from that kiss. "If the aura's color is crimson red, then they are the people who remember you. If the aura's color is gray, then they don't remember you at all."
Oh so that's why she gave this ability in the first place.
"This ability will be very helpful for you when you look for First." Ophis added.
First...Just who are you? Where are you? If you did remember me, why didn't you come to me as soon as you can?
"Ophis, do you have an idea who is first?" I asked while thinking multiple people of whom First is.
Ophis placed her hand under her chin and thought about with a monotone hum. "I really don't know who is first. If I had all of my powers with me, then it would be easy to identify who first is. But I know one thing. People like your master or leader of the Grigori. If it was them, then they would've come here in the first place."
Ophis made a good point. If it was someone like Rias or Azazel-Sensei, then they would've come to me. I shouldn't be scared about this right? So what if First didn't come to me. Wait-
"Ophis, what if it was someone like Kiba, Xenovia, or Asia?" I asked. If they were first, then it would make sense then! They didn't have any magic to teleport to my home in the first place! All three of them are currently under the authority of the church in Europe!
"Hm...You might be right," Ophis said. "When I have enough power to make snakes, I'll use them to scout Europe to locate them."
As if Ophis remembered something important she continued talking and started to dig something from her pocket. "Ise, can you put your hand out?"
"Alright…?" I asked with a question on top of my head and offering my hand to her.
"Here." Ophis said, putting something into my hands.
I took a look at the small item place in my hand. It was an old medieval ring with a small crystal clear gem in the center.
"Why did you giving me this?" I asked.
"Ise, do you know the man named Sir Lancelot?" Ophis asked.
A man named Lancelot? Is he someone I should know? Wasn't he someone from the Knights of the Round Table or something like that?
By the expression in my face, Ophis could easily tell that I didn't know much about Lancelot.
"Sir Lancelot was the greatest knight out of the round table and best friend of the original King Arthur," Ophis clarified as if she was reading my mind. "But he was also the man who brought Arthur's kingdom, Camelot, to collapse after he had affair with Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere. This is his Ring of Dispel."
"The Ring of Dispel?" I repeated curiously.
Ophis nodded. "Yes. This enchanted ring was given to him by his foster mother, Lady by the Lake. Just like its name, the ring power is to dispel any enchantments. If you wear this ring, you'll be able to seal your Boosted Gear powers from the presence of others. This ring is also powerful enough to even to change enchantments of other items or spells around you. You can even hide your own presence if you have to."
This ring can disable the powers of enhancement? Wait, if this ring could cancel the power of Boosted Gear, could it be possible cancel the power of Ophis' snakes per chance? I looked back at the ring and back to Ophis. She nodded as if she was reading my mind again.
"How did you manage to obtain this ring?" I asked.
"I obtain this ring when I was there during Lancelot's death. I took interest in it and took it."
"So you basically stole it?" I asked with a sweat drop.
"Yup." Ophis replied with no hesitation whatsoever.
This dragon god really does whatever she wants do and takes whatever she likes. If she's going to live here, then I really should teach what's right or wrong before I get in trouble with the police or my parents.
"Ah yes is there one more rebound effect," Ophis remembered. "This effect is for those other people who were close your heart, but weren't the chosen ten people to remember."
So there is one more effect that goes the other people weren't chosen to remember me huh?
"When the other people close to your heart who won't remember you will be have a familiarity with you. The second they see you, they will either feel fear, love, disgust, and etc. It really depends on the person. If it was your master girlfriend, she'll fall in love with you in first sight. If it someone like Shalba, he'll fear you the second he sees you."
Both this rebound effect and those other nine people who are supposed to be awakened are like a double edge sword to me. This effect will cause my enemies to become more alert of me and won't hesitate to kill me on the spot.
"And Ise, make sure you wear Lancelot's ring at all times," Ophis advised me while she place her hands on top of my hand where the ring was. "We won't know who first is nor will we know who we're going met in the future since you weren't aware of supernatural world."
I still have that Dispel Ring Ophis found (I mean stole). Since I can't put the ring in small fingers, I decided it around as with a thread like a necklace. This ring will be very helpful to me later on the future, especially against those people who will use Ophis' snakes.
Ophis did find Kiba, Asia, and Xenovia, but their auras were gray. Well I'm somewhat glad that they didn't regain their memories. If they did, then I have to go all the hard work to bring them here in this weak state and there are some many obstacles that I can't do alone with this nine year old body of mine.
I stopped my bike as I arrived to a familiar shrine. A girl with black hair as the night and violet eyes wearing a maiden shrine outfit took noticed of me.
"Ise!" she smiled cheerfully.
"Morning Akeno." I greeted her.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to see Priestess of Thunder and Lightning?" Ophis asked with doubtful eyes.
"Of course." I replied without any hesitation in my words.
"Ise, does a friend give other friends advise right?" Ophis alluded.
"Of course." I said, not liking where is this is going.
"I think you shouldn't go see her." Ophis advised me.
"What? Why?" I asked confusedly.
"If it was true what you said to me about the childhood of that girl, then it's better off you don't allow her to get attached to you," she explained. "The time her mother died, she wouldn't go to your master, but you instead for shelter."
"But what if she's one of the other eight or first?" I asked.
"If she was first, then she would've come straight to you after awakening," Ophis countered. "But if she is one the eight, then it's possible, but I think it is better you don't come in contact with her till years later."
"But why can't I awaken her as she is a child?"
"Even if you do awaken her, there are two problems." Ophis pointed out. "The first problem is going to convince her father not to go on that mission on the day of her mother's death. But if you do that, there's a second problem. How is she going to meet your master if both her mother is still alive? Both of her parents aren't going to allow her get in contact with your devil master and your master might get a new queen instead."
Ophis made good points. Maybe I shouldn't go see Akeno, but at the same time I really think I should.
As if she remembered something, Ophis continued. "I have one more thing I want to tell you Ise. If you awaken this girl at such an early age, are you prepared to hurt her?"
Those last words of what Ophis told me still haunt me. I know she's just watching over me as a friend, but I also want to bring some joy to Akeno's childhood before the day her mother gets killed.
"Ise...?" asked Akeno worriedly. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head and smiled. "Nothing, I was just thinking about something not so important."
"Alright," Akeno said cheerfully. "I'll be right back. I'll need to change first."
I nodded and Akeno run off to her home.
"Oh?" a voice said from behind me.
I turned around to see a familiar middle aged, gruff-looking man with black hair, matching beard and a muscular body man. It was Akeno's father, Baraqiel.
"It's good to see you again Ise-kun. Are you here to see Akeno?" he asked.
I happily nodded.
"I'm going to take Akeno into town with my bike." I said happily, patting the handlebars of my bike.
Baraqiel smiled. "That's good. Hey Ise-kun, how did you do in your green belt tournament?"
"I came in first place thanks to those moves you taught me." I replied gracefully.
Baraqiel then snorted. "Of course you won. Those cliché and pity moves they teach in dojos these days won't help you at all if you fight a powerful opponent. I know true material arts. If I only had more free time, I would love to teach you all ancient fighting styles that I learned when I was your age."
"Well you are somewhat right about that." I admitted bitterly. My Sensei is very talented, but compare to Baraqiel, he's very weak.
Ever since Baraqiel knew the fact that I was learning material arts, he taught a few moves that he learned from ancient times. He even taught some sword fighting techniques that going to helpful for me when I use my Ascalon.
Suddenly Baraqiel placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Say Ise-kun, I have a favor to ask of you." he spoke with a serious tone.
I put on a puzzle look on my face. "What kind of favor?"
"What do you think of Akeno?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.
I placed my hand under my chin and hummed thoughtfully.
"Akeno is a good girl who is very important to me." I replied.
Baraqiel smiled. "That's good. You know there are going to be times that I won't be able to be there for her when she needs me. I wonder if you-"
"You wonder if I can stay by Akeno's side." I said, finishing Baraqiel's sentence. "Don't worry, I will. It's a man's job to protect the woman they care about, right?"
Baraqiel looked relieved and sighed. "That's right. I'm glad your Akeno's first friend."
"Daddy!" a voice not far shouted happily. "You're home!"
Both Baraqiel and I turned our heads and noticed Akeno, now dressed with a white blouse, black mini shirt, white bucket hat with a sunflower attach to it, and her hair was loose, not tied up.
I became completely speechless with her appearance. Even her father became speechless as well.
"W-What?" Akeno asked shyly. "I-Is there something wrong with my outfit?"
Both of us nodded our head no. It was just…she just look so…I can't explain in words. She was truly looked a child of her age.
"I'll leave her in your hands." Baraqiel whispered that into my ear and tapped my shoulder before he left back to his house.
"S-So a-are y-you ready to go?" I stuttered nervously.
Akeno nodded cheerfully. She got on the back set of my bike and we rode off to town.
We first arrived at the convenient store in the shopping district of town. Akeno was looking at dental hygiene section of the store and an examining at electric tooth brush.
"Why do you need a new electric tooth brush?" I asked while examining electric tooth brush last night as well.
"I have to throw away the one I had this morning." Akeno said, taking an electric tooth brush that she has selected.
"Why?" I asked.
"Well Daddy came home last night," Akeno began telling her story. "So he and Mommy decided to do one of their daily "Breathers" and used my tooth brush in the process. The next thing I knew, my electric tooth brush had a stinky smell and the brush was completely brown."
Blood gushed out from my noise. I nearly lost my posture when I knew exactly what happen.
Ever since the defeat of Loki, Akeno became more open about her childhood with me. She talked about her mother and how she was the S and her father was the M. She even told me that there are times she watched her parents playing S&M! How sick is that?
"Ise-kun, your nose is bleeding." Akeno took out hankie from the pocket of her black mini skirt and gently wipe off the blood.
"Thanks Akeno." I replied shyly.
"Ufufu, Ise is a naught boy." Akeno giggled with a sadistic smile! Oh no! I activated her S mode from my nose bleed.
Akeno leaned closer to my ear and whispered seductively, "You were thinking something naughty, weren't you? Does the naughty boy need to be taught a lesson? Should we buy a second electric tooth brush and use it on you?"
More blood gushed out from my nose. I staggered back and fell on the back of my head.
"Ouch." I groan weakly, rubbing my over exaggerated bump on my head.
"Ufufu," Akeno giggled cheerfully. "Teasing with Ise-kun is very fun."
[Sigh…]
What's wrong Ddraig? Why are you sighing?
[How can an idiot like you become Harem King if you continue to bleed out senselessly? You need some self-control! If you don't, it would lead you to your death! Remember the Bishop girl of Sairaorg? You nearly fell for your trap because you couldn't attack that her because of a simple strip tease!]
B-But I was able to beat her!
[Only because you weren't satisfied with how she stripped herself!]
Hey! I take strip tease very seriously! If any girl in my harem is going to do a strip tease, she has to do it right!
[Sigh… I give up. Your lecherous thoughts is going to haunt me for the rest of my life… Someone…anyone… just euthanize me right now.] Ddraig begged depressingly.
W-Whoa! Calm down Ddraig! Don't get too depress! I can change! Really! I'll control my nose bleed! It just a quit a bad habit! That's it!
[You're twenty year old stuck in a nine year old body and you're getting seduced by a ten year old girl!] Ddraig snapped.
This isn't any ten year old girl! It's Akeno! Please try to understand Ddraig.
[Sigh…I'm done. At least you're not gushing out too much blood like you did in the past. Or is it the Future? I give up.]
"What's wrong Ise?" Akeno asked concernedly, noticing that I was looking down at my left hand.
"Nothing." I quickly replied.
Akeno quickly finished her shopping and we left the convenient store.
"So where do you want to go next?" I asked.
"Hmm…I think i know a good place that we can go play in for a while." Akeno suggested her next location by whispering it by my ear.
"Alright," I said. "If the little lady wants to go there, then I'll drive her there."
I rode my bike a bit away toward the woods that a few meters away from town. I stopped my bike and both Akeno and I got off.
"So why did you want to come here?" I inquired curiously while Akeno walked straight into the woods.
"Come." Akeno said, waving her hand to follow her.
"Alright." I said, following Akeno from behind.
After a few minutes walking in, Akeno stopped in front of a creek.
"Why did you stop?" I asked.
Akeno turned around and smiled. "I wanted to bring you here."
I raise a brow.
"You brought me to a creek? Does this creek have any significant meaning to you?" I asked.
"Yes," Akeno replied sincerely. "This is where my parents met."
Her parents met each other here in this lake.
Akeno turned back at the creek and continued. "My daddy was injured from some very scary people and hid here in the woods. He was on the verge on death till my mommy founded him on his spot and nursed him back to health."
I walked up and stood next to Akeno and stared down at the creek.
"It was love at first sight for them. This place was where my father told my mother he loved her for the very first time. He even proposed to her here. When I was younger, we always came here for a picnic. My daddy always retold the story of how he met my mommy."
Akeno sounded more bashful and quiet. Akeno's hand clasped with mine. I interlocked of fingers and gently squeezed. I could see Akeno's reflection from the lake and noticed a light blush on her face. I looked at my reflection. I also had a small blush on my cheeks.
"It's a touching story." I said honestly.
"Hey Ise." Akeno spoke my name timidly.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Do you remember the day we met?"
"Yeah I do," I replied happily. "It was three years ago. For some reason I wanted to visit your shrine. I begged my parents endlessly till they agreed to take me. We went walking and…"
Three Years ago…
Hurry up!" I shouted impatiently.
"We're…*Puff*…trying our best." my father huffed.
"Why …*Huff*…did you want to come…here?" my mother asked wearily.
"I just wanted to." I half lied.
While I was walking ahead, my parents were talking behind my back.
"Do you think our son wants to become a priest when he grows up?" my father asked.
My mother shrugged. "It could be. Maybe Irina's religiousness could have rubbed off on him."
"What are you two talking about?" I asked with half open eyes. I wasn't listening, but I could easily tell they were talking about that.
"Oh nothing." my father replied sarcastically with a sweat drop on his face.
I rolled my eyes and continued up ahead. I'm really thankfully that neither one of them remembered the future.
I was the first arrived to the shrine. My parents arrived a few minutes after I did.
"We're here now," My father stated. "Are you happy?"
"Well kind of." I said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"What's wrong?" my mother asked, noticing that I looked a bit sad.
I shook my head. "Nothing." I lied.
"Ara, I knew I heard voices somewhere." A voice said from behind.
All three of us turned around and noticed a young woman and a small girl wearing matching shrine maiden uniforms. I couldn't close my mouth when I first lay eyes on the small girl.
"Oh, are you two the shrine maidens of this shrine?" my mother asked.
"Well I am," the older shrine maiden answered. "My daughter isn't."
"D-Daughter?" asked my father shockingly. "Y-You look s-so young!"
The mother shrine maiden smiled. "Thanks for the compliments. Oh you have a son? He's about the same age as my daughter. Why don't you say hello to him, Akeno?"
The daughter of the shrine maiden hid behind her mother. She looked very timid when she looked at me. I knew by fact that Akeno was more fragile than Rias, but I never knew she was also shy.
I could feel someone tapping me behind my back. It was properly my dad who wanted me to introduce myself to Priestess of Thunder and Lightning.
I took in a big breathe and walked forward towards the shy fallen angel girl.
"I'm H-Hyoudou Issei," I introduced myself with a cheerful smile.
Akeno's face turned red and she quickly buried her face in her mother's shrine maiden outfit.
"What's wrong Akeno?" her mother asked gently.
Akeno pulled her face back away from her mother's clothes and looked directly at me.
"I'm Himejima Akeno." little Akeno introduced herself sheepishly with a quick bow.
"After that we spent the whole day together. Then I spent the rest of my summer coming to the shrine just to be with you and your family. And now we're here." I said, finishing the story.
"…" Akeno became very silent. She let's go of my hand and walked into the creek.
"Akeno…?" I asked.
"Hey Ise, do you believe in stuff like the supernatural?" Akeno asked suddenly.
Don't tell me she's going to reveal me her secret? I'm not sure if I should be relieved or not if she does!
"Um…I somewhat do believe in the supernatural," I said in the best way I could. "The world is….is hard to explain right? There are things that we don't know about."
Akeno turned around and looked at me with sad emotionless eyes. "What would happen if I told you if I was not completely human? Would you fear me?"
"Why do you ask me that?" I asked, ignoring Akeno's question.
"I'm just wondering what would happen if I told you if I wasn't completely human. That's all." Akeno implied earnestly. "So would you fear me if I wasn't completely human after all?"
I thought about her question deeply. Then I thought about Raynare. Both girls are fallen angels, but they're completely the opposite of each other.
"That's depends," I replied warily. "If you weren't completely human, would you harm me?"
"Of course not!" shouted Akeno defensively. "Ise is too important to me…I…I…"
Akeno stopped herself from confessing what she wanted to say to me. I could easily guess what she wanted to say to me. She wanted to confess her love to me.
I sighed in relief and walked into the creek. Akeno became puzzle I stood right in front of her. I place my left hand on her cheek.
"If you're the same Akeno I knew and love on the inside, then I don't care if you're not completely human." I answered Akeno's question.
Akeno slowly started to shed tears. "Love…?" she asked tearfully. "D-Did you say love?"
"Of course I did." I assured her wiping off the tears on her face.
"Ise!" cried Akeno happily, tackling down on to the creek.
"Uwa…!" I exclaimed as I was tackled down.
"I…I love you! I love you! I love you!" Akeno repeated emotionally as she buried her face into my shirt.
"Akeno…" I whispered while I wrapped my left arm around her back and used my right to gently stroke her head.
Ophis' POV
I, Ophis who remembers the future and Ise, am currently working an errand for Ise in the underworld.
"Ara, I overkilled Blue's team," I gloated emotionlessly, playing Pokémon Yellow with Ise's old Gameboy. "He was no match for my powerful Charizard."
"Slow down Nee-sama," a sweet little voice pleaded. "I can't catch up."
"You're really are a slow poke Shirone, nyan~" an older woman's voice purred.
I quickly saved my game and turned off my Gameboy. I, who was hiding within some bushes, took a peek and noticed two girls playing in front lawns. I was able to recognize them. They were Vali's black cat and Ise's white cat.
I heard they were sisters. I don't see the resemblance. Their appearance and personality are completely different, even their eye color has different shades. Even though they were completely different on appearance and personality, they seem very close like Ise and his parents.
I see why Ise send me here to in the first place. I remembered the story about them. They were close back then, but the former master of Vali's black cat was a cruel man who lust for power. She took the risk of being a wanted criminal to protect Ise's white cat.
Ise told me that friends and family take risks to protect their love ones. Both of us risk ourselves to protect one another. He risked his life to protect me from Shalba and I risked saving his life by sending him back in time.
If I remembered correctly of how the story ended between the two Nekomata siblings from what Ise told me after they've been separated for all these years, his white cat couldn't forgive Vali's black cat for leaving her and she was afraid to use her Nekomata powers.
Ise send me here to protect the relationship between these girls. He knew for a fact that Vali's cat didn't go berserk and killed her former master by mistake, so I'm here to gain some evidence. After three years after being with Ise, I regained some of my strength. I wasn't able to regain all of my original power, but I'm powerful enough to make snakes to act as my recon.
When the time comes, I'll send my snakes to the four Maous, for them to see the treatment that Vali's cat had to go through. Ise guessed that if the four Maous see this, then there is a possibility for a new anti-cruelty law for reincarnated devils or devils who are being used by evil pieces.
I took one last glance at the Nekomata siblings, they really love one another. I felt a something weird inside of me. I didn't like the feeling nor did I like the feeling of the Nekomata siblings getting along. Maybe I'm feeling this way because I was a born a lonely child with no one being with me by my side.
But that feeling left when I have two people that came into mind: Ise and Vali. Vali…if I had all my powers, I will also go directly to you as well. If I consider of what Ise told me what is a friend, you were also my friend, right? You told me that about your childhood and how lonely you felt.
I no longer feel lonely since I have Ise, but you Vali…I really wish I knew where you were.
My job here watching over the Heavenly Dragon's pets are over. I have other errands I have to do. I don't have much time left before 'it' happens.
Ise's POV
After Akeno confessed to me about her loving me and tackling me to the ground, we're both strip naked and letting our clothes dry in the sun. We lean against each other by our backs touching each other.
My body is a lot calmer for some reason. If I even touched a girl's bare back, I would have nosebleed to death. But for some reason I'm not, though I'm still a bit nervous standing back to back naked with Akeno.
"Ise…" Akeno said my name peacefully.
"Y-Yes?" I asked nervously.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Y-Yes," I said after I nervously gulped.
Akeno placed her hand on top of mine. "I was always afraid of meeting new people. I didn't know how to act with them at all. Every time my parents made me interact with other children, I always had a fear of making a fool of myself. I didn't want to meet anyone really. I was just happy being with my family and nothing else."
Akeno was a schizoid? Well no wonder why Azazel passed down the responsibility to me. That and she's a fallen angel that couldn't reveal her secret identity. It also explained why her parents have been so consistent of me visiting Akeno multiple times.
"But that all ended when I first lay my eyes on you," Akeno continued soothingly. "When I first lay my eyes on you, I felt something warm inside of me. I couldn't explain it. I wanted to talk you very badly and I felt happy when you became my friend. All the times we spent together made me happy…so, so happy. I was probably happier spending time with you rather than my family."
Akeno wrapped her arms around my chest from behind. She rested her head on top of my right shoulder. "I love you…Ise-kun."
I smiled gently and placed my hand on top of one of her wrists.
"I love you too, Akeno." I confessed happily.
As if she remembered something, Akeno continued talking. "Ise, do you love someone else?"
My eyes widen in surprised when she said that. "W-What did you just say?" I asked.
"Do you love someone else more than me?" Akeno asked clearly.
"I-I…I…" I couldn't figure out what to say to Akeno. H-How did she find out that I love Rias more than her? Is this going to be a future issue since I haven't told her my dream of having a harem! She already became too dependable on me after the battle with Loki! Maybe Ophis was right! Ah…! I don't know what to do!
Akeno smiled gently. "It's alright if you do love someone else."
Huh? What's going on? Have my ears gone mad?
"It's alright if you love someone else," Akeno continued. "Just promise me that I'll become your mistress."
"I-I don't u-understand!" I stuttered confusedly.
Akeno giggled in response. "Isn't it your dream to have a harem?"
H-H-How did she know that? I escaped from her arms and checked her aura. It was gray!
Akeno continued to giggle happily. "You must be wondering how I know about your life's dream right?"
I nodded warily while swallowing a chunk of saliva.
"You've always talk in your sleep. Remember when you slept over in my house during the winter? You've always talked about being Harem King and this girl… Every time you speak of this girl, you seemed really happy."
Is she talking about Rias?
"I don't mind if you love someone else. Just don't forget about me. If you marry someone else, please…let me become your mistress."
Akeno…you're just like your future self. You always were obsessed of having an affair with me. Well if Akeno is alright of me having a harem and marrying Rias, then it will save me the complication of explaining things in the later future.
As if she remembered something important, Akeno continued to speak. "By the way, what's her name?"
Huh? If I talk in my sleep, wouldn't she know Rias' name by now?
"Every time you say this girl's name, I always forget her name at the end." Akeno added, leaving me more confuse.
Is there more to the rebound effect than Ophis thought? Akeno couldn't remember Rias' name for some reason even after I repeatedly say her name over and over again.
I started to test something.
"Her name is Rias Gremory." I said loud and clear.
"Who…?" Akeno asked, not catching Rias' name.
I looked shocked and confused. Why can't she hear Rias' name? Is it because she not to supposed to hear her name till later on in the future?
"Well her name isn't important," Akeno said, waving her hand. She noticed something between my legs. "Ah, is that Ise's little friend?"
My little friend…? I look down between my legs and quickly covered my "little friend" from Akeno's eyes. I'm so embarrassed now! I can't become a groom! Wait, I already can't become one! I showed my ass to everyone when I was getting a vaccine eight years in the future!
"Ara, you're more aroused than I thought you were Ise." Akeno remarked with a sadistic smile on her face. "You know you look cute when your blush, Ise-kun."
Akeno crawled closer to me. I-Is she going to do what I think is she going to do? Akeno slowly wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her mouth next to my ear.
"Hey Ise-kun, if you make a harem, please make me your third favorite," Akeno whispered seductively.
"T-Third…?" I asked weakly.
Without looking, I knew by fact Akeno had was in her S-Mode and having a suspicious smirk on her face. "Yes third. You have heard the old saying. First is the worst. Second is the best. And third is the one with the treasured breast."
A-And third is the one with the treasured breast? Is there such a saying like that? Wasn't it treasured chest not breast? Is there even an old saying like that? If it is, I'm so glad I heard something like that. Oh why am I getting an erection from this? I'm not a lolicon!
[Sigh…]
Don't even get me started with your sighing Ddraig!
What does she mean by first is the worst and second is the best? Is she talking about sex life with Rias and Asia? N-No, I don't s-see Asia like that! I love her, b-but I don't want Asia to be part of my harem! What am I saying? Of course I do! Wait, no I don't! Uwa…! I don't know what I thinking anymore!
What? Does this mean my first time with Rias isn't going to be a good thing? But since we're both inexperience...Ah! I don't know what to think of that either!
Akeno continued to giggle at my dismay. "I love you Ise."
Huh? I turn my head towards Akeno's and noticed her head leaning closer to hers. This is a-a kiss!
It was the just like first time I kissed her. It was very light one and I could only feel the tip of her lips touch the tips of my own. Her lips were just as soft just the time before.
She pulled her lips back and smiled. "That was my first kiss."
"Akeno…" I said, speaking all suddenly calmed.
"What the hell are you two doing?" an angry voice from behind asked.
It was none other than Baraqiel! B-But how did he find us here?
"S-She's still pure!" I shouted defensively.
Baraqiel shook his head violently. "That's not important right now! Akeno, your mother is in the hospital!"
We became speechless from what we heard. We quickly got dressed and rushed to the hospital with Baraqiel.
It's been over a week since Shuri Himejima, Akeno's mother, was sent to the hospital. The reason why she was sent to the hospital was because she fainted from a snake bite. Though she was fine, I have a feeling that it wasn't any original snake that bit her.
Akeno and I were back to the same creek her parents met and where she confessed her feelings to me. Both of us were sitting next to each other at the edge of the creek with our feet soaking in the creek water. Akeno was leaning her head on top of my shoulder and peacefully sleeping.
"Hey Akeno." I said quietly.
"Yeah…?" Akeno asked with a big yawn.
"How's your mother doing?" I asked her.
"She's fine," Akeno assured me. "She's just going to need some bed rest. That's all."
Everything has been very peaceful as of now. So far I haven't activated Akeno's key word or action to awaken her yet. Her father comes and goes every day for his job with the Grigori so I don't know when that day will come, when her mother's dies. I don't know how much longer I could keep this up. The more I spent time with Akeno, the more I have the urge to tell her the truth of her mother soon to be dead.
"Um Akeno, there something I-" I stopped talking the second I sense something nearby. Akeno also sensed it as well. We both turned around and noticed them.
There two giant like black vipers with cold predator eyes stared at us as if we were their prey. Both of them stick out their tongues and hissed. They slithered quickly directly towards us. I quickly grabbed Akeno's hand and ran for it.
Why are we being chase by these snakes? Could be possible it 'First' is actually one of my mortal enemies? No, I refuse to believe that! But who is attacking us?
"Ah!" I tripped on a twig and Akeno fell behind on my back.
I looked back and noticed the serpents were hot on our trail. I got back up and quickly took off the Ring of Dispel. Looks like I need to use Boosted Gear.
"Boosted Gear…!" I chanted out, putting out my left hand out. Now it's-
Something went wrong. My red gauntlet didn't' appeared at all. Why? Ddraig, it's an emergency! Please let me use your power!
[Forgive me…]
Ddraig…?
I tried to move my own body, but I was completely frozen. Ddraig, is this you're doing?
The only part of my body I could only move was my head. I looked back and noticed one of the serpents appeared in front of me with its mouth opened.
"Ise-kun…!" I heard Akeno screamed my name in horror.
The next thing I knew everything went black…
"Ise… I... love… You..."
Those were the only words I could hear after everything went black. It was a bit blurry to hear, but I recognized the voice. Akeno…
*Pat, Pat*
Huh? I felt my face being patted roughly.
I opened my eyes and noticed Ophis sitting on top of my chest and patting my face!
"O-Ophis…! What the hell happen?"
"You just passed out." Ophis pointed out the oblivious!
"What happen during the time I was passed out?" I asked, clarifying what I meant by my last questions.
"Oh, the snakes I made were easily destroyed by the Priestess of Thunder and Lightning." Ophis replied emotionlessly, getting off from my chest.
"What? Where's Akeno?" I asked while getting up.
"She went home." Ophis said, pointing to the other direction.
"Wait, why?" I asked confusedly.
"She panicked after you saw it." Ophis replied, leaving me more confused.
"Saw what?" I asked.
"Her wings." Ophis replied quickly.
"What? I'm so confused." I answered while rubbing my forehead.
[Um…Partner, may I tell you something.]
Ddraig…? What the hell didn't you lean me your powers? I could have save Akeno! Just why didn't you let me move my own body?
[You did hear that Ophis made the snakes right?]
Yeah… and so-
I quickly processed what Ddraig and Ophis just said. WWWHHHAAAAT…!
I turned towards Ophis, who still remained calmed and emotionless.
"It's today." Ophis stated.
"Today…? What do you mean today?" I asked.
"Today is the day that her mother dies." Ophis answered back. While she didn't look or sound by it, I could somewhat tell she regretted to inform me this.
"I-Is Akeno's mother dead…?" I asked.
Ophis nodded her head, no. "Has her family attacked the shrine, yes? Has Priestess' mother's body become a corpse? Yes. Has her soul gone into the afterlife? No."
"Huh?" I asked with a puzzle look on her face.
[Ise, do you remember when Akeno's mother was bitten by a snake and was sent to the hospital?] Ddraig reminded me.
"Yeah, I do remember. It was strange that she was bitten by a garden snake though. It wasn't poisonous at all and yet she fainted."
"Well it was one of my snakes that bitten her." Ophis said it with no hesitation.
"What?" I asked, sounding completely dumbfounded.
Ophis took out a purple gem that had the same shade color as Akeno's eye. She tossed it over to me and I caught it.
"I used my snakes to absorb the Priestess' mother's soul," Ophis explained. "With a little magic, I was able transport the woman's soul into this purple gem after her body was killed. Ise, just close your eyes and search deeply within your heart. There a small chance you might feel something."
I did what Ophis command me to do. I closed my eyes, closed my hand with the purple gem inside, search deeply within my small ten year old heart.
"Akeno…Baraqiel…"
I recognized the voice. It was definitely Akeno's mother voice. I could easily feel betrayal and despair within this gem.
I looked back at Ophis. "Why?" I simply asked.
"That family hasn't done anything wrong to deserve this kind of punishment." Ophis began explaining. "So I decided to save this woman's soul. I believed the Fallen Angels have technology of cloning. We can create a new vessel for this woman when you meet the leader of Grigori. The Priestess and her father will be thankful to you for saving this woman's soul. When they reconcile with one another, it won't start out so rocky."
I didn't know what to say to Ophis. I just became speechless on what the Dragon God just did. She was able to save this woman's life and transfer her soul into this gem. By the time I meet Baraqiel in the future, Akeno and Baraqiel can find closure and reconcile within one another a lot faster.
"Hey Ophis…"
"Yeah Ise…?"
I gently squeeze the purple stone that contained the soul of Shuri Himejima. "You're really are a good person."
Later that night, I found out that Ophis and Ddraig planned this out behind my back. They knew by fact I couldn't keep the secret of her mother's death so they decide to save Akeno's mother's soul instead. Though I scowl them for not telling them this, I was still graceful for what they did to me.
It's been a few weeks since the death of Akeno's mother death. Ophis explained what happen to me while I passed out when her snakes attacked Akeno and I. Apparently I didn't pass out when the snake was about to devour me. Akeno saved me by using her Fallen Angel powers.
Akeno killed off both vipers with such ease. Since my body was frozen because of Ddraig, Akeno thought I was frightened by her. She decided to erase all of our memories we spent together and fled back to her home.
[You memories of Akeno were erased. But I was able to save a copy of all the times you spent together since you removed the Ring of Dispel.] Ddraig explained the details of how I still remembered Akeno.
I see. So the next time I see Akeno, she'll believe that I won't recognize her. Should I be grateful for that?
"You shouldn't be sad." Ophis, who's walking beside me, said.
I sighed. "Don't worry, I'm not."
Both Ophis and I were walking towards the park where we met. For some reason Ophis enjoys coming here for some reason. I don't mind accompanying her. I feel at ease when we go to the park.
"Hey Ise, what's a best friend?"
"Well a best friend is…" I became speechless when I noticed only one person at the park. Ophis noticed the person too.
We couldn't believe our eyes. This person was someone we both were familiar with. He was the same age as us. I quickly checked his aura and noticed it was gray.
The person took noticed of us. He quickly curled himself into a ball. "W-What do you want?" he asked timidly.
Both Ophis and I became completely speechless on his timid behavior.
"Vali…?" we both asked simultaneously.
I really want to see your reaction on 1st debut. True i didn't want to reveal his/her identity, but I have some good news! Right here and right now, I'm going to interview 1st right now!
Gunmare: Hello 1st. How are you been doing.
1st: I've been fine.
Gunmare: So ist it alright I ask you some questions?
1st: Sure, I don't mine.
Gunmare: First Question: What's your favorite video game?
1st: Pokemon Gold
Gunmare: Second Question: What's your favorite type of food?
1st: Seafood
Gunmare: Third and Last Question: What do you think of the reviewer's guesses on you so far?
1st: Well there are many people getting on the right tract, but they always blow it at the end.
Gunmare: Is there anything you want to say to the readers?
1st: Our identity will be revealed by next chapter.
Gunmare: What? What do you mean "Our?"
1st: You have to wait and see.
Gunmare: Um...I really don't know what's going on but let's go to the preview of next chapter
Next time in A Second Chance: Rias takes the POV... The mysterious behind her Pawns...Vali's timid behavior...1st Identity(Identities?)
Life 04: Best Friends
P.S. Since you guys are giving positive feed back, I decided to reveal what news girls are going to be in Ise's harem: Murayuma and Katuse from the Kendo Team from Highschool DxD anime, they were also mention in Life 0 of Volume 1 of the novel. I decided to add them to Ise's harem.
P.S.S. You guys may have one more chance to guess who is 1st is (Who they are?) If you do, I reveal to you something juicy that I'm going to do to Ise in the story.
P.S.S.S. Next chapter will go up 2,500-3,500 words (Hopefully)
