Disclaimer! No matter how hard I wish I do not own High School DxD in any way, shape, or form!

" " – Somebody Talking

' ' – Somebody Thinking

" " – Flashback

" " – Ddraig Talking

' ' – Ddraig Thinking

[ ] – Boosted Gear

Issei was sitting on the ground were the battle between him and Kokobiel took place. 'Man, look at all this carnage. If only I remembered what happened here.' Issei was looking around at everyone when he noticed someone was missing.

"U-Umm, guys. W-Where's Irina-chan?" Hearing Issei's words everyone put a scarred look on their faces and Xenovia began to get watery eyes.

Xenovia mumbled her name. "Irina" Xenovia turned her face and started shedding tears. Seeing this Issei had a good idea of what happened. 'N-No. What happened to Irina?'

"I-Irina-san went back home." Kiba said trying to hide what happened. Issei then started thinking to himself trying to figure out what happened. 'Wait. I know that I would never voluntarily go into the Juggernaut Drive. I was thrusted into it. But, in order for that to happen, I would need to have felt rage at least three times more powerful than when I was thrusted into the Balance Breaker.'

"You're lying!" Issei put on angered eyes and clenched his fist making them shed blood. "I would only be thrusted into the Juggernaut Drive if I had anger that surpassed Ddraig's capabilities to handle. So, I know that you're lying." Everyone put on a scared face when they could feel a foul aura coming from Issei. Everyone was ready to run as they knew what would come next. However, before everyone ran, Sona stopped them.

"It's okay. He won't be thrusted into it again. Seeing her death and hearing of it is different." Hearing what Sona said everyone was relived.

Hearing what Sona said Issei's eyes widened and he mumbled to himself. "I-Irina's death? So, Irina is, d-dead?" Issei started punching the ground making his whole hand start to bleed. "Why! Why her! Why do I always have to be too weak! I'm sorry Irina, I couldn't save you! It's all my fault!" Watching what Issei was doing Asia began to break down and fell to her knees sobbing, the scene reminding her of the time Raynare killed her.

"Issei. It's not your fault. No one is blaming you for what happened. Irina sacrificed her life to allow you to continue living on." Rias said while trying to get closer to Issei to try and comfort him however, as she got close Issei's aura exploded and threw Rias on her back.

"What? What do you mean Irina sacrificed her life all to allow me to continue living? You're telling me, the reason Irina is dead, Is because I couldn't keep myself alive!" Issei screamed as his aura kept growing along with his rage. Issei hadn't stopped punching the ground yet, and at this point the only thing left of his hand was blood and bones. "I promise you Irina. I will not waste this chance you gave me. I am going to kill him. Along with anyone who decides to get in my way." Hearing this, everyone put on worried looks and shuttered, knowing that this resolve would most likely start a war, and no one here was powerful enough to stop him from waging it.

"Issei! That is not what Irina would have wanted! She did what she did, so you could go on living a peaceful life. Not so you could throw away your life away over revenge. Her sacrifice was not intended to make you into an avenger!" Rias shouted while trying to get close to comfort him again. Rias was successful in getting close to him this time and managed to hug him. "It's okay Issei. Everything will be okay." Issei didn't budge and instead talked in an irritated tone.

"Rias-san" Hearing what Issei said everyone put on a shocked look and questioned him.

"Rias-san? Why did you call her that? Is this you saying you're leaving her household?" Sona questioned. 'This isn't good. He won't be thrusted into the Juggernaut Drive, but his rage is making him make rash decisions.'

"Rias-san, get off me" Rias put on a shocked and terrified expression.

"W-What did you say?"

"Did I stutter? I said, get off me! NOW!" Issei yelled scaring everyone and started to make most of the Gremory group cry. Rias pushed off Issei. Issei stood up, turned his back on everyone and began to walk away.

"Does this mean you are becoming a stray?" Rias was still sobbing and was being comforted by Akeno.

Issei stopped and stood where he was temporarily and began to speak. "No. I'll still do my contracts, however, don't expect to see me at the ORC or any of the meetings." After saying what he needed to say, he started to walk away again.

"Hyoudou-kun!"

"What is it Sona-kaichou? Say it quickly I'm on a clock."

"Hyoudou-kun, you do realize by doing this you are breaking your blood oath." Issei stopped and stood where he was at for a few seconds, but soon began walking again.

"Yea, we'll just have to see about that."

"Sekiryuutei wait!" A blue haired woman said while running towards Issei.

"Nothing you say will make me want to stay. I am going to kill Kokobiel and everyone who stands with him. And none of you are going to stop me." Rias and everyone started sobbing harder, knowing that Issei had been emotionally scarred by what happened to Irina.

"I know that, and I am not going to try and convince you to stay. Quite the opposite. I am coming with you, I as well want to kill that bastard." Issei chuckled at the thought of someone from the church trying to kill a leader class fallen angel.

"Very well, however, I want to know why you want to. I find it hard to believe the church would let you do something like this."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that. Know that I know that god is dead, I will be declared a heretic and be exiled. Without god I have no purpose in life. I want to find one, and I'm hoping you can show me one." Nobody knew how to react but stare and try to comprehend what just happened.

"What are you talking about?" Issei said with a curious look.

"What do you mean? I thought I had a good explanation." Xenovia said, genuinely confused.

"Yes, the explanation was good, however, you are speaking of god being dead. What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, that's right. You were not there when Kokobiel told everyone. Kokobiel told us that god had died along side the devil kings in the three-way war. We didn't believe him at first however, Valper Galilei proved it when Yuuto made a sword with both holy and devil powers. Because god and the original devil kings are dead, Yuuto was able to combine devil and holy powers." Issei with shocked eyes understood why Xenovia was joining him on his vendetta now.

"But still, it's a shock to find out that god is actually dead."

"Yes. I don't know what to think of it. All I know is that the one purpose I had in life is now gone, and I want to find a new one. I'm hoping that this vendetta will be my new purpose. To avenge my fallen comrade."

"I understand. Well, if we don't hurry, we won't ever find out were Kokobiel is." After talking to Xenovia, and deciding if he wanted to take her with him, he sent her ahead of him, so he could say his goodbyes. But, suddenly Issei heard a familiar voice.

"I-Issei-kun" Issei's eyes widened and his hand began to shake. 'T-That voice. That's Irina's! I'm already going insane.' Issei hit his head a couple times and turned to where the voice was coming from. When he turned, he saw Irina standing behind him.

"I'm already losing my mind. I'm sorry Irina-chan, I'll make all of this right soon enough." Issei said while he summoned his armored wings and jetpack and headed towards Xenovia, still convinced that the Irina he saw was a figment of his imagination.

"Issei-kun wait! It's really me!" Irina said but, Issei was already too far away to hear her.

It had been a few hours and everyone except for Sona and her household were at the ORC. Everyone had found their composure again, except for Asia. Asia was still sobbing. Not only did she find out god has been dead for centuries, but, she watched Irina die right in front of her, she watched Issei almost go into the Juggernaut Drive, and saw Issei lose his mind as he beat his hand to a bloody pulp. And after all that, the person she loves more than life itself, left her alone when she needed him the most.

"What are we going to do? Not just about Issei-kun, but also Asia-chan. The poor girl has been emotionally scarred." Akeno said while running her hand through Asia's hair, but, Asia didn't even acknowledge anyone was in the room.

"Well, to be honest I don't know what we are going to do about Issei or Asia. But, one thing is quite apparent to me. Asia won't get better until Issei returns." Rias said, though she started to cry thinking about everything that just happened. 'Issei. Please, come back. Not just Asia needs you. But I also need you. So please, come back to me.' Akeno who noticed Rias crying, knew that there was no trying to comfort her right now. After all, Akeno knows about Rias' feelings for Issei.

"We need to think of where Issei-kun would go. It is obvious that he is going to be looking for Kokobiel, or wherever he is being held. With his current situation, I believe he is going to try and force those answers out of someone. Does anybody know where Issei-kun would go to do that?" Kiba said while looking at everyone, but no one gave a response or even acknowledged Kiba said anything. "Guys. I know that Issei is gone, but us sitting here, hoping he will come back, won't do anything!"

"Yuuto is right you guys. We need to formulate a plan." Rias said.

"Wait. What about his fist. He's not going to be able to go far in his fist's current condition. My guess is, he's going to seek out treatment. But who do you think he will call for help?"

"No, my guess is his fist is fine. When Issei gets angry enough, he unleashes a weird aura that heals him. No one knows what this is but I'm sure he is fine."

"Not only that Rias-san, but Xenovia has a bit of knowledge in the medical field. She might not be on par with Akeno-senpai or Asia-kun, but I'm sure she could at least bandage him for the time being." Irina said. It was then that Kiba remembered something he saw the other day.

It was in the ORC and Issei had just gotten back from fulfilling one of his contracts.

"Buchou. Would you mind if I took a shower here? The contract I just did got a little messy." Issei was covered in honey.

"Well, I would ask why you are covered in honey, but it's probably best being untold." Kiba said while chuckling.

"You are right. It's better off not being explained."

"It is fine Issei. Just remember to get a change of clothes before getting in the shower."

Once Issei had gotten in the shower, Kiba could see a blue light glow underneath the curtains and Issei was talking. 'Is Issei-kun talking to himself? Might as well listen in." When Kiba started listening to Issei, he could hear another person's voice.

"No, I haven't gotten the chance to ask Rias about the two from the church yet. But, I promise if anything comes up, I will fill you in immediately Serafall-sama."

'Serafall-sama? Issei-kun is talking to Leviathan-sama? And what's this about people from the church?' After thinking to himself he saw the light disappear and Issei went quiet. 'I guess their conversation is over.' Kiba thought as he returned to his seat

After remembering what he heard the other day, and what Issei said when Sona confronted him about a blood oath, Kiba figured out a way to find Issei.

"I believe I know how to find Issei-kun. I'm sure that Issei will respond if Leviathan-sama contacts him."

"Leviathan-sama? You mean the mauo? What makes you so sure of that?" Irina asked Kiba

"Well, you see, Issei-kun's goal in life is to gain the respect of the mauo's and pursue a relationship with Leviathan-sama." Irina looked at Kiba in shock and questioned him.

"Well, even if that is Issei-kun's goal, how do you know that Leviathan-sama will even help us?"

"Judging by the way she acted before, Issei-kun is not the only person that is hoping for this goal to be achieved. It seems that Leviathan-sama has grown romantic feelings for Issei-kun." Irina's eyes widened, and she looked over at Rias. Rias knew what the way Irina was looking at her meant.

"Yes Irina, what Yuuto says is true." Irina's eyes widened even further as she looked down at the ground.

"Well, considering what you say is true. It is most likely the best option." Irina says while still looking at the ground with widened eyes.

"Yes, I agree. Akeno." Rias says, signaling Akeno to try and contact Serafall.

"Right away Rias." Akeno stepped out of the room and began trying to contact Serafall.

"Rias-sama. In order to gain the mauo's respect, what will Issei-kun have to do?" A worried Irina asked.

"Well, to start off, he would have to far surpass his current power. Right now, Issei has just scratched the surface of his power. Once he grows strong enough to control the Juggernaut Drive's power, he might gain the respect from one or two, or at least the eyes of them."

"And how close is Issei-kun to this?"

"Well, that is hard to judge, the only person who knows this for sure is Ddraig, but Issei has just recently been able to go into his balance breaker and still has a decently long timer till he can go into it. However, Issei's growth rate is unheard of. It only took him a month of being a devil to become powerful enough to defeat a marque among the devils."

"Really? That is impressive. So, what I am getting from this is that normally, it would take decades, but with Issei's growth rate it might take months."

"Yes, however, strength is not the only thing. Yes, brute strength is a big deciding factor, but he will also have to gain knowledge as a strategist, and knowledge of many mythologies."

"What made Ise-kun decide this as his path in life? Do any of you know?"

"No. Nobody knows why. But, one day he did say something quite strange and unexpected to me." Rias said as she looked down into her lap and remembered back to the day he saved her from Riser. 'I'm sorry Buchou. I thought it would be different. I thought I would feel different after saving you.'

"What was it?" Irina asked as everyone started to listen closely.

"Oh, don't worry about it, I'm sure it was nothing." Rias said as the clubroom door opened. It was at that moment they could feel the temperature in the room drop almost instantly. "I guess Akeno made contact." Rias said as Akeno walked in the room with a beautiful girl standing behind her.