The Change of a Dragon

by IluLugal

What would happen if after sealing Trihexa, a change occurred in the everyday life of Issei? A change that will completely break him, a change that will put him into a new path, a change that would force the entire supernatural world to take him seriously? A change that will affect everyone, and everything in the world...

10. Chapter 9 - The Ruins of the World

Chapter 9

(Thoughts)

'Important Words'

"Dialogue" -

Attacks, Boosted Gear

[Good Old Ddraig]

{The Albion}

*Magic Circle Communication. Among Others*

Chanting!

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The Ruins of the World.

---

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Ever since finally forming his team, Ise became far more relaxed than before, maybe because the biggest problem in his list was now solved. But even with that solved he still had a few... dilemmas.

Thanks to the little stunt pulled by Ericia, the Underworld now had suspicions about them. Add the fact that the Shinto Faction was also looking for them and well, you have a headache.

In fact ever since they came back, a couple of days passed and all of them were either training or looking around the place.

Everything was fine except that the movements of the Shinto Faction were starting to reach all the way here, to Nasuno. They actually got here a little later than he expected. Therefore, after making sure they avoided the scouts sent to find them, Issei finally decided to follow the next part of his plan.

Now the three team members were outside, at the main garden.

"I believe that is finally time for us to leave. At least, until everything here in Japan calms down." - His words sounded harsh, but the pair of women knew that he was right.

The Vampire crossed her arms under her chest and started to talk, Ise just ignored the pair of attributes that were just too obvious.

"Yes, I think that we need to leave. The sooner the better." - She turned around and looked at the Fox, who surprisingly was quite calm.

"I know we need to leave..." - She sounded kind of sad.

"~But I made my mind a long time ago!~" - She had a serious but childish look on her face, stars seemed to be present inside her eyes.

Ever since discovering the group of scouts too close for her own personal comfort, she decided to leave the place.

"~Iseee~" - She looked at him. - "~We're are we going?~"

Issei, on the other hand, was thinking.

"Make it interesting, Ise." - The Vampire quickly added, she wanted to go somewhere interesting and cool, a place were not many dared to adventure.

Issei moved from his thinking position and looked into the beauty's eyes. Seeing the glow in his eyes, she knew he had something planned.

"I have been thinking, and I believe Kuwait should be a good option!"

The place was rather famous, it was a beautiful location in the Middle East. An excellent place to tour around, filled with a lot of different things.

It was a technological super-power, and if one investigated deep enough, a city that has almost everything; tall buildings, beautiful sceneries, excellent food, among other things.

"Kuwait?" - Ericia never heard of a city like that, but it indeed sounded interesting.

"~I've never been there~" - Fuuki tilted her head. She was the same as the Vampire.

"A city where its the epitome of human technology, and one of the most modern cities across the globe."

He liked that, it sounded like a place that will show you more about human culture. He mainly decided this destination thanks to this. If he could show how human culture grew to the pair of women, then he could keep his promise of not boring them.

Ericia needed to see the world and how far it has reached. How the difference in human beings was as compared to now. And he needed to show Fuuki how big the world is, that way she will feel better about herself and see that not everyone persecutes her because of her existence.

"~Oh!~" - The Fox was interested in the city.

Ericia just smirked and thought. - (You never cease to impress me, Issei. I like that!)

Seeing the light in the eyes of the pair of women, he knew that he was right in his choice.

"Good! We'll depart in an hour. Make sure you don't leave anything behind, and also, erase your presence from the Shrine." - Issei ordered and the females just nodded their heads and went inside the Shrine.

"I'm quite excited myself..." - He said once everyone was gone, but the Dragon in his head answered.

[Interesting choice Partner. I have also never been there but by the research you did, I'm quite curious myself.] - The Dragon in his many years as a Sacred Gear has never been in that territory, so for him, it was also a new experience.

(Yes Ddraig, everyone is quite interested.) - He mentally talked to the Dragon.

After an hour passed, everyone finished doing whatever they needed to do.

At the same garden that they were just at, they met again.

The females didn't hold a single bag with them, but Ise knew that they should have used a personal pocket-dimension to keep everything stored.

"Ready?" - He asked the females, who only nodded their heads.

Looking back at the Shrine, Ise did a quick check-up with his senses. Not finding anything odd, he nodded in approval.

"Do it." - He looked at Fuuki and ordered.

She nodded her head and the bracelet on her left wrist expanded and started to spin in front of them.

She then chanted. - "Break the Boundaries between worlds Yasakani-No-Magatama, Transfer!" - The space in front of them distorted, and a new portal was quickly made.

"Let's go." - They nodded their heads as a sign of going after him.

Issei just went towards that space. - *Foop!* - An odd sound was heard, it was too quick, like a car that just sped by.

The Vampire was the second to go inside.

By recommendation of Issei, she took off her greaves and gauntlets leaving only her deep black bodysuit. Instead, she decided to wear a pair of high heels and black stockings that covered much of the skin of her legs, but it made her a walking bombshell. As an extra, she tied a long-sleeved, black jacket on her hips making her look even better than before.

Fuuki was like always, in her short black dress with red accents. The strips of her sandals were tied all the way to her calves yet the image she gave was no less astounding than the Vampire. Those red eyes of hers were for Ise, too flirty, making her look exactly like a seductress.

The pair of women crossed the portal, but Fuuki just turned around and smiled as she looked at the place. Soon after, like the both of them, she left.

The Shrine was officially empty, and no one will know that the three of them were actually here all this time.

---

—-Scene Change / Kuwait / Late Afternoon, Beach—-

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Thanks to the time difference, it was almost night at Kuwait. And thanks to that, the beach was empty. The cold winds and the absence of light made the humans leave the place, yet right now a portal was made in the furthest ends of the beach, near the ocean.

From it, three figures appeared; a man and two beautiful women.

"You actually didn't send us to a weird location, that's new." - Issei decided to tease the Fox a little.

She just crossed her arms and turned her head away, but her blush, even with the little light they had, was still visible.

"Let's go, Kuwait at night is even more beautiful than in the day." - He walked past the women while giving them a small smile.

The two of them turned around and witnessed a beautiful sight.

The tall buildings were lit up, shining with multicoloured, artificial light. The tallest of the buildings had even more bright lights that suited them perfectly, making them stand out from the dark sky.

The sky was an odd mixture of orange and black, giving to the entire city a calming atmosphere. The only thing they could hear was the sounds of cars passing by the roads, and the noise of the rustle of leaves on the trees. The entire place was worthy of remembering it.

While the two women were looking around with a light in their eyes, Issei was just smirking at the sight.

He then placed his hands in his coat pockets and started to walk at the buildings' direction. The women watched him walk past them and soon started to follow.

After walking away from the beach, they reached a highway. Thankfully, a bridge used by the natives was here, it was at one side of the road so they could safely walk across the highway without much problem.

Once in the bridge, the lights of the city became even prettier and the view they managed to capture was three times better than before. But it didn't stop them from continuing their walk.

All were silently looking at the different parts of the city, at some times they made comments about the location in general, talking amongst themselves about nothing in particular or just messing around. Clearly, they were far closer than before.

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—-30 Minutes Later—-

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The three of them reached what they believed to be the center of the city. Stores were at either side of the polished, stone road and some nightclubs were finally open, with their music to the maximum.

"~Where do you want to go?~" - The Fox asked while ignoring the eyes of other males present.

Issei was thinking. - "How about the 'Liberation Tower'?" - He pointed at the tallest tower they could see and proposed to them.

The Vampire just nodded her head while giving a death glare to the human males near them, frightening half of the males watching them. Fuuki just smiled, causing the rest of the male half to blush.

"Good." - Issei turned around and decided to head at the tower, it wasn't that far away.

He walked with confidence and pride, guiding his two teammates to their next location.

Unknowingly for him, most females were looking at him in an odd fashion. Forcing Fuuki to change her smile to a threatening glare. Ericia was also annoyed at the looks of the females, but the glare of Fuuki was just enough for them to stop.

After walking around the streets, buying some food from street vendors, going inside some interesting-sounding shops, and basically touring around, they reached their original destination.

"~We're here!~" - Fuuki threw the stick of her popsicle stick away.

"Finally." - The Vampire just crossed her arms and looked at the tower in front of them.

Issei soon noticed that there was a large queue in front of them.

(We can't stay in line, it will close before we even move.) - Thinking about something, Issei noticed a sign right at the steel gate, although it was written in a different language he learned a useful spell for this kind of situations.

Discreetly using his trusty spell, a black magic circle appeared on his hand, that was still inside his coat pocket. - (Open since 8 A.M, closes at 7 P.M.) - That was what the sign said.

(We don't have much time left.) - He noticed that it was rather late.

Soon, he planned something. He then smirked and turned around. The Dragon inside the Boosted Gear was smiling, he liked his plan.

"Fuuki." - She turned around and looked at him.

Seeing his scheming face and the craftly glint in his eyes, she discovered that he had something planned.

"I want you to use your Yōujutsu and hide us. We don't have the time to line up." - He pointed with his thumb at the queue.

The female then noticed the huge line and the sign, therefore, she smiled beautifully and nodded. Ericia just laughed silently, quite scheming he was.

Soon after, the Yōkai used her powers and a mysterious looking mist covered the three of them. After that, they literally vanished from their spot.

Calmly walking to the entrance, the three of them dodged the guards and skipped the line.

After some time, they reached the inside of the tower. Issei just made a sign to Fuuki for her to dismiss the spell. Like that, the mist that surrounded their bodies soon left, as if carried by the wind.

"Excellent." - Issei patted Fuuki's head, she liked that after all.

"We're here. Thankfully, nothing happened." - They all started to climb up the stairs of the building.

After climbing all the way up they reached a single, circular room in which all the tourists that were lined down below were currently at. Looking around the place, they noticed that the circular room held no concrete walls, just windows.

Walking near an empty spot they looked out the windows and saw the entire city.

All of them were silent, not saying a word.

Ericia just saw the incredibly tall buildings, standing as proof of the change in their society. Her eyes held amazement and even curiosity, she was dazed by the modern human culture.

Fuuki was just silent, her eyes widened in surprise and excitement. She loved the scenery of the city and she definitely liked how beautiful the world was, outside of Japan.

Ever since being with Issei the pair of women felt satisfied and happy about their current situations, their choice of coming with him was definitely the right one.

Issei was different from the two.

He leaned over the rail and relaxed. His tense eyes finally calmed down, only at this kind of moments would he really feel that he was free.

It would be a lie to say that he didn't think all of this was a dream. After all, spending all that time in such a terrible state still left some sequels on him. But by looking at the scenery of Kuwait, at the beautiful night sky, and the artificially illuminated buildings. He felt free of everything and his entire self was more composed.

[Partner. I know that you're still wounded by what happened. But let it pass, that is already part of your past. It's time for you to finally move on. The first step you did it a long time ago, now is the time for you to continue your journey.] - Ddraig acted as a mentor and soon gave his advice.

(That's right Ddraig. The reason I travel is to seek peace and to convince myself that the world is far too big for me to just live inside a little Town all of my life.)

Issei was different from the past, now he had good companions and with Ddraig at his side, he knew that whatever that happens to him, he won't be alone, not anymore.

Looking at the city, his eyes were filled with nostalgia and other complex emotions.

He just leaned there, taking the scenery to heart and trying to move on with his life.

Although the first step is always the most difficult, continuing what you started is no less complicated. But he thought that he was doing a good job, and sooner or later, he will finally leave all of that, all of what he experienced, behind.

Soon he was lost in thought. The people inside the tower started to leave and after some time, it was empty.

The pair of women just got out of their thoughts and started to look around, quickly finding Issei. However, Issei was still as before, looking out the window.

Since the three of them were separated inside the room, the Fox and the Vampire silently decided to go where Issei was located at.

Meeting halfway, they saw Issei leaning over a rail looking directly at the heart of the city.

Stopping some meters behind him, they talked among themselves.

"What's wrong with Issei?" - The Vampire asked as she saw the many emotions inside the eyes of the Dragon.

She saw many emotions, some of which she knew quite well; Nostalgia, Pain, Anger, and Hopelessness. Seeing him with those eyes made her blood freeze.

"...Ise..." - The Fox noticed the same thing as the Vampire, but she also understood a bit more.

His eyes held some kind of burden, something that was annoying him a great deal. She knew that those emotions had something to do with his past.

"Fuuki, has Ise ever told you why was he so different than what they put him as?" - She asked the women at her side, curious and slightly worried over him.

The Vampire, when alone with the Fox, would sometimes ask more about Ise's past. But aside from anecdotes of his many adventures, nothing more was known.

When they asked him about more private stuff he would sometimes talk about it. About some of the things that he went through, but when any of them asked what happened after the war, he would completely ignore their questions. His eyes will also turn like this; dull and devoid of emotions. Neither of them knew what to do.

"He's hiding something..." - Fuuki narrowed her eyes and reached the conclusion, Ericia was also the same.

They both knew that something extremely horrible must have happened to him. Since some time ago they had their suspicions but seeing him like this... they knew it was something terrible.

Fuuki also talked with Ericia about the words she heard from Albion the day they escaped from Kyoto's Imperial Palace, so they knew that something happened, but they didn't know exactly what.

Right now they just knew each other for a couple of weeks, so they decided that after more time passed and after Issei finally trusts them even more than now, at that moment, they will ask about what happened. Even if they needed to tie him to a chair and force him to talk! However, for now, they could only wait until that moment.

Issei returned back to himself after sometime passed, he turned around and saw the eyes of Fuuki and Ericia. Fuuki had worry written all over her face while Ericia was looking at him with an uneasy look on her face.

"Sorry..." - He apologized to the both of them, he knew that he needed to explain, but right now he wasn't ready, not yet.

They both nodded their heads, understanding his words, not pushing the issue at hand.

After that, he walked in past them and decided to leave the tower.

While on the stairs Ddraig talked to him.

[Partner. You need to say it. I know they are important to you and you don't wish to talk about it because you hate it, but sooner or later you will need to do it.] - The wisdom of the Dragon made him think.

(I know Ddraig, but I... I am confused, I feel scared. I think that it will happen again, and this time I will certainly die, nothing will save me.) - His voice sounded raspy and sad.

[Partner... I know that you feel uneasy about something like that happening again. But in the couple of days we spent with both of them, I noticed that they are vastly different from the rest. Just look, right now they know you are hiding something, but they don't force it and give you your own space and time to willingly talk about it.] - Ddraig was trying to help his friend.

(...…) - Issei was just quiet, listening to his words.

[If it was the Gremory girl then she would have asked until she either succeeded in her attempt, or she would have cried saying that you don't trust her, making you feel even worse. Yet, they are different.] - Issei knew he was right but he was doubting.

[The rest are the same, just remember. The Fallen toyed with you because she thought it was fun, the white cat insulted you because you were too honest with them, the church warrior wanted your genes because of the Boosted Gear. Do you want me to continue?] - The Dragon was quite strict with his words.

[They are different. The Vampire is a troublemaker, but she's an excellent woman. She listens when it's needed and because of what she experienced, she gives your own space to think and calm down. Because she knows what it feels to have someone all the time ask about something you don't want to talk about, and because she knows how cruel life can be, she gives you time.] - Ddraig wasn't holding any punches.

[The reason the two of you communicate and understand each other so easily is because the both of you lived something extremely similar. She was left alone by everyone, not because of choice but because of chance, and due to that she was sealed inside the ruins of a lost Empire.]

[And you were left alone by choice rather than chance, slowly dying a painful, horrible death I wouldn't wish even for my worst enemy!] - He was just silently hearing his words, thinking about them.

Issei kept his head low and continued walking down the stairs, not taking his eyes off the ground, completely focused in his own thoughts.

The women, when they saw him like that, went uneasy. But they soon noticed a small green glow on the reverse of his left palm.

They knew he must be talking with the Dragon. And by the looks of his face, it was something rather big and important, maybe even related to the reason behind his change. Because of that, and the severity of the aura surrounding him, they were just quiet, only looking at him.

Issei was silent, digesting Ddraig's words.

[The Fox obviously has feelings for you, yet she doesn't force it. She knows that if she forces it, all will be for nothing. An unstable relationship like the one you had will once again be created, and if that happens, in the long term, you will separate yourselves from each other. She's waiting for the right moment, a moment in which you are mentally ready to accept a woman.]

To support his claim Ddraig made him remember something.

[Or have you forgotten? The moment in which the Gremory and the rest of her Peerage yelled at you at the club before the match against the Bael?] - Issei widened his eyes and stopped walking, turning his left hand into a fist.

[At that moment they selfishly 'attacked' you, because you couldn't understand her feelings. And because of that, they couldn't start their own plans.] - Issei bit his tongue.

[They completely disregarded your own feelings, having a trauma because of the Fallen, your first girlfriend, the sole woman aside your mother who once 'loved' you.] - Issei had a somber look in his eyes as he remembered that woman... Raynare.

[They ignored you, treating you like the bad guy of the movie. And when you asked, why were they like that? They scorned you and said you were horrible for not understanding, when the ones that didn't understand were them!] - Each word was sharper than a knife, but it was necessary.

[You were confused and kept thinking, 'Why?' They left the room and only you were remaining, they left you to think about what 'wrong' had you done! When the ones that did something 'bad' and 'horrible' were actually them!] - Issei started to walk again, soon he reached the main door.

[Issei, you need to learn how to differentiate people. Once you learn how, you will never pass through something like that again. Not every woman is evil, just like not every man is good. Life is just like that, and not because of someone bad you met should you think that everyone else is like that.] - Ddraig finished his speech.

Issei, after opening the door at the bottom of the stairs kept walking with his hands in his pockets, thinking about his words.

(You're right.) - He decided to listen to the Dragon, to his Partner and friend that has helped him through so much.

(I can't keep myself like this. But I just can't forget what I went through.)

Issei reached a conclusion. - (I will tell them. But I need time, once I'm ready, once I don't let my past affect me, I will say it!)

Ddraig was satisfied, his Partner was certainly different from before.

He needed time, just like everything did. Rome wasn't built in a day and for his Partner to rebuild what was destroyed, will take time. Yet the resolve was there, he was now more relaxed. His Partner just improved even more!

This journey was, after all, something good. The goal of it was to understand the world but mostly himself. Call it a journey in search of enlightenment, an adventure that will help him grow mentally and spiritually.

He then turned around and looked at the women in question, he smiled and told them. - "Please wait until I am ready, I know that there is something you wish to know but I still feel bad about it. Once I'm done with it I'll tell you, I swear!"

The women looked at each other in shock, but quickly smiled. Then they looked at Issei and nodded their heads.

Seeing them like this Issei felt a sense of relief. He knew that what he asked was selfish, but he really needed some time.

He smiled as a response to their agreement and turned around, there were still many things that they needed to do before they left for another place.

He walked away from the tower, this time calm and sure about what he needed to do.

The two women walked a step behind him, but they still were worried about what exactly happened to him. They knew Issei rather closely but for him to not tell about what happened, it must have been something traumatic.

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—-Scene Change / Port of Kuwait / Three Days Later—-

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"Ok. How did you get that?" - Ericia asked Issei while looking at the thing behind him. Fuuki stared at it with stars in her eyes just like a little child.

"About that..." - He scratched his cheek. - "I already had it with me. A gift from someone a couple of Months ago." - He replied, proud of what he thought off some days ago.

After touring around Kuwait, he decided that after finishing looking around this place they should go somewhere else. However, the how they should leave was never on his head, until just Yesterday.

Ericia went wide-eyed at his response, her mouth open a bit due to surprise. She just kept looking at the vehicle he chose to leave Kuwait.

A big red sailboat was behind Issei, it was big enough to be called a luxury yacht.

Its red color was similar to his own eyes and some black parts could be seen in the Hull. The mainsail was a lighter tone of red but the whole boat caught the eyes of everyone in the port.

It was big, around two floors in height. And thanks to some magic, he made it look like a normal boat.

This boat was no other than 'Ryuuteimaru', his own familiar.

After spending the entire day of Yesterday on the beach and all over the coasts of Kuwait, he thought of something. Seeing the many humans on their ships sailing the coasts, he remembered about his own 'Boat Familiar'.

Then, after leaving the women behind, he went to check the size of Ryuuteimaru. At first, it was a big surprise to see the huge size of his familiar but at the same time, he was also happy about it. With this, he decided his means of transport to leave Kuwait!

"Where are we going?" - The Vampire asked him with a deadpan look on her face.

Issei smirked and answered. - "We shall sail through the Persian Gulf!" - Clearly excited.

"After that, we will arrive in Iran and although having a bad reputation, it is quite beautiful and has pretty much every biome known by mankind. Whether Deserts, Jungles, Cold Mountains, Tropical Forests, or others." - He sounded like a Vacations advertisement on T.V.

Fuuki was excited so she agreed completely, nodding her head continuously.

Ericia was without words, but she decided to leave her shock behind. So she slumped her shoulders and gave up.

"With you, I will certainly not get bored." - She then recovered and walked towards the boat, Fuuki right behind her.

Issei was left standing there. Looking at his own boat a sense of pride and accomplishment filled him.

"Time to go." - He then walked towards his boat and climbed upwards.

Once up, he saw that women were at either side of the Hull, looking at the Persian Gulf they will now sail in.

Issei went towards the steering wheel and turned on the boat, however, he forgot about something.

(How do you drive this thing?) - Issei thought as he looked at the controls of the ship.

[Let me help.] - The voice of the Dragon was heard inside his head.

(You know how to sail a boat?) - He was surprised at his words.

[Yes. A past possessor was an extremely good Pirate so I learned a thing or two.]

Issei then asked. - (Who was he?) - He was intrigued by the words of the Dragon.

[You should have heard of him, his name was Francis Drake.]

Issei widened his eyes in shock.

('El Drake!' The one that fought against the Spanish fleet and the sole reason why the Spanish didn't rule all the seas?!) - He has read about him.

[Where do you think he got his nickname? He was a past possessor of the Boosted Gear, that's why they named him like that!] - He was shocked at the new information the Dragon told him.

[Now follow my instructions!] - Ddraig ordered his Partner, making him stop his thoughts.

Issei then placed his hand in the steering wheel. Thanks to Ryuuteimaru being a magical ship the controls of the ship could be changed into whatever he wished, however, because he has never driven anything in his life, he was taken off guard.

[Start the engine and turn the steering wheel, we are going ahead!] - Ddraig officially became the captain of the ship.

---

—-A Couple of Hours Later / Persian Gulf—-

---

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After almost crashing the ship twice, Issei started to get the hang of it.

However, now the sun was high in the sky and was already passed the middle of it, so in few words, it was past mid-day.

Issei was now sitting at the back of the ship, Fuuki and Ericia were far at his sides doing whatever they wanted as they reached Iran.

Issei was with a fishing rod he bought just before coming to the Port. Ericia had a book on her hands and was reading it while laying down on a couch at the side. Her smooth, shiny skin and the beauty she had while looking like that was ridiculous, even for him to say.

Fuuki was sleeping on the other couch at his right, her head on a pillow and her body curled like a cat. Whenever they didn't do something important she would always fall asleep, a lazy Fox indeed.

Since the journey will take a day, and according to Ddraig he didn't need to always be at the steering wheel, he decided to try fishing. Azazel was fond of it, so it must be good.

Issei had to agree that fishing was relaxing. For now, he has only caught three middle-sized fish, they were going to be their dinner Tonight.

"Haaa..." - Ericia sighed, she was bored. Closing her book, she stood up from the couch and walked closer to Issei. Moving her hips sensually.

"Tell me something, I'm bored and I want to hear a story."

Issei was taken with the guard down and almost dropped his fishing rod into the sea due to his surprise.

"Something?" - He asked back.

"Yeah, whatever is fine." - She agreed and sat right at his side, waiting for him to start telling a story.

She was close to him, less than an arm away. One of her legs was crossed on top of the other, so her sexual appeal was obvious.

She had her normal black bodysuit, but the armour on it was completely gone. Leaving her pure white skin exposed and making Issei move his eyesight away from her long legs.

"I don't have something to talk about, you already know about pretty much everything." - He told her, trying to calm down.

Ericia then asked. - "You said you were once a pervert, How did that work out for you?" - She was curious

Issei was surprised at her question, but he just smirked and thought. - (Maybe this is a good way to start.)

He then answered. - "Awful."

"How so?" - She asked back.

While looking at the sea, he started to explain.

"Everyone treated me like trash. Now I know that my attitude was bad, but it still hurts being treated like that. Everyone treats you like filth, however, that was how I was. I wouldn't change how I was just to make some people I didn't even like to approve of me." - He shrugged his shoulders, those were his words and in a sense they were right.

The woman was quiet, not interrupting him.

"I know that my attitude at that point in time wasn't good, but I never crossed a line." - He added while turning to look at her.

"Sure, I peeped at them, but that was it. When my 'friends' tried to make me steal clothing or even worse, I stopped peeping and distanced myself from them. Unfortunately, that was just recently, at the beginning of this year. I don't know why they wanted to steal clothing nor what they actually wanted to do with it, but if things kept escalating like that, sooner or later, they would do something unforgivable." - He explained with a normal voice.

She was shocked at his words. - "You mean those friends of yours wanted to do something else!?" - She asked a rather important question.

He nodded his head and replied. - "Yes."

"Why did you get close to those types of people?!" - She asked with disgust at the mention of those guys.

"You see, ever since I was small aside from my parents and a close friend I had, there was no one else. Because of that, I grew up to be desperate in search of being close to others. And with the ones I'm close with I treat them even better than myself, maybe because I didn't want them to be away from me." - He explained to her.

"With those two, I valued that 'Friendship' we had even more than my life. That's why whatever they wanted to do and because I was afraid of no longer being friends with them, I followed after them just to 'fit' in that group of ours." - His words were shocking to say the least.

"Foolish, now that I think about it, but I realized that too late." - His tone sounded heavy, his life ever since after the War was certainly bad.

"What about the Supernatural World? You told us you were once normal, how did that change?"

She asked Issei, curious about his former life, that was something neither Fuuki nor her knew about him.

Issei looked into her eyes and sighed, he then talked about that part of his past.

"The moment I first discovered about the supernatural world was by accident. See, a girl told me that she loved me and wanted to go out with me, being the guy I was, I got far too excited. I thought about our future; Christmas, Birthdays, College life together, even Marriage, just like a fool. Due to that, to the fact that I was too open to everyone, I suffered." - He explained with an emotionless voice, as if what happened was to someone else.

"The first date resulted to be a trap. She was sent with the purpose of killing me because of the Sacred Gear I possess. She purposely waited till the end of our date and after it, everything I cared for was ruthlessly destroyed. My feelings became a squashed piece of meat on the ground, my mind was broken and at that moment, when I actually opened to the first woman aside from my mother..."

He looked at Ericia with cold eyes, obviously, not directed at her.

"She looked at me into my eyes, and stabbed me through my chest. Saying horrible words to a heartbroken dying man at the side of a fountain." - He turned his head away.

"After that, I was resurrected by a girl at my school. She resulted to be a Devil and I became her newest servant." - The Vampire was silently looking right at him.

"See, my life as a servant wasn't bad. I learned many things, among them how to control my Sacred Gear. Later on, I became closer to Ddraig, and due to being someone that didn't think of him as a weapon, we became quite close." - He smiled at that thought.

Ddraig was also smiling inside the Boosted Gear, he was happy at those words.

"After the Months passed, inside the Peerage we became close, almost like a family. For me, this was the best outcome I could have ever dreamt of! Beautiful women at my side that didn't treat me like filth, a close friend that I could call my brother, a Junior that idolized me as a role model." - He smiled at those words, a nostalgic air around him.

Ericia was silent, not daring to say a word, she just kept thinking about his words.

"Slowly, those women started to develop feelings for me, and as for me, well you can answer that on your own." - He turn to face her and told the beauty at his side.

After that, he saw Fuuki stand up from the couch and walk at his side, sitting on the opposite side of the Dragon and hugging his arm.

She was awake ever since Ericia asked him to tell her a story, however, after hearing the first question she just continued laying down, feigning sleep. But right now she stood up and went to his side, maybe as a sign of support for him to continue telling the story.

Issei saw her and understood what she was doing, he felt grateful to her.

He then looked at his fishing rod and continued talking. - "They fell deeply in love with me." - The pair of women already had their suspicions when he mentioned it before.

"But the how I actually confessed to the woman I 'loved' the most, was kind of forced. At some point, due to me having a trauma with women, I was afraid of getting closer to them, fearful over the fact of them doing the same as the first woman I loved once did to me." - He explained as he looked at the horizon.

"I created a mental barrier for me to not cross a line with a woman, but they didn't notice. When they started to seduce me, to make me cross a line and to finally say those words... I couldn't. I was afraid and mentally refused the fact of them falling in love with me. Thanks to that they exploded, reprimanding me for not understanding their feelings. The woman I loved the most was especially aggressive, she yelled at me, screamed at me, saying. 'Why couldn't I understand her!?' " - Issei was calmly explaining everything.

"The rest did notice how I couldn't understand her feelings and because of that, they reprimanded me saying; 'You're the worst!', 'How awful could you be?!', 'Why don't you understand!?', among others." - Both of the women were silent.

Hearing this was certainly quite bad, they as women could understand them a little, but explode like that to him? Sorry but that was just wrong.

Fuuki was especially affected. She has extremely strong feelings for Issei, but she could see how he was carrying something with him. And when spending time with him she also noticed how sometimes, he was uncomfortable, call it a woman's sixth sense.

So because of that she didn't push the matter, instead, she waited and started to get closer to Issei, and it was working. Now she understood a bit more about him, not the entire story, but some part of it.

Ericia was looking at him the entire time, she felt something on her chest when she saw him like that. That something made her feel awful, never would have she expected that he went through all of that due to some women that thought they understood him when they didn't even notice something was wrong with him.

Even her, that spent all of her life, fighting in a War noticed how Issei was sometimes acting weird. Now she understood why.

"After that, they left me alone to "think" - He quoted those words. - "About my mistakes."

"I spent quite some time thinking and talking to myself. At some point I said something that made me remember the first woman I loved. However, they heard it from the other side of the door since they were spying on me, and at that moment, they more-or-less understood what I was thinking. After some comforting and what not, we 'fixed' our relationship, but they still told me that I should apologize to Rias and tell her what I felt."

Unconsciously Issei slipped and said the name of the woman, both of them memorized it, something about her made their blood boil.

"After many things, during a Rating Game, I got too excited and screamed my feelings in front of everyone. Thanks to that our relationship became better, saying that she also loved me. And after some ups and downs, she finally became my girlfriend, the so-called woman I loved the most... end of the story." - Issei told them half of what he experienced, the other half will come when he feels that it's right.

The women were silent, thinking over his words. They were unsatisfied because they knew he was still keeping something, but just like until now they will give it time.

Issei pulled his fishing rod and with it another fish. Then he stood up, grabbed the bucket at his side filled with three fish, and went towards the control room of the boat.

He never looked back, but he felt how a weight was lifted from his shoulders. He knew that after some more time he would need to tell them what exactly he went through, but for now, he was happy at his progress.

[You did it, Partner. I'm happy for you, soon you will let all of that in the past. At that moment everything will change, I guarantee you!] - Ddraig told him with pride in his voice.

"Thanks, Ddraig. Slowly I'm improving, later on, I will finally leave all of this in the past." - He thanked the Dragon and reached the steering wheel.

"Now, where to?" - He smiled and asked the captain of the ship.

[Ha! Turn right and keep holding the steering wheel for a couple of minutes, we might arrive sooner than planned, the wind is on our side!] - He was happy at those words and did as mentioned. After that, the day went peacefully.

---

—-Some Hours Later—-

---

.

Seeing the coast of their possible destination, Issei yelled at Fuuki.

"Cast an illusion on us so that no body can see us." - The Fox nodded her head and used her abilities.

A mist covered the boat and the boat vanished from the waters.

Navigating towards the coast Issei was calmly driving the boat. The pair of women were at his sides, prepared for anything.

Thankfully everything went without a hitch and they reached the 'coast' of the country.

Seeing the rocky risk at the distance Issei screamed at them. - "We need to fly over! It shouldn't take much to reach solid land!"

They nodded at his words, Fuuki with a flirty smile as usual and Ericia with a smirk on her face.

After telling them his story the three of them felt closer to one another. Even Ericia was smiling even more in his presence, Fuuki was trying to stick even closer and Issei was actually letting her do it.

Seeing their changes, Issei was satisfied. It seems that everything went better than he thought.

"On Three!"- They nodded at his words.

"One, Two, Three!" - When he finished counting they jumped high into the air.

Issei dismissed his familiar, vanishing it from the sea.

They flew over the dark sea and reached a small risk of what they thought to be the coast of Iran.

All three of them landed perfectly, without a single error.

Then, they finally payed attention to the scenery of the new country they were at.

After spending less than a day in the sea, night finally covered this part of the World. The sky was a perfect deep blue, shining with many stars that seemed to be closer than they actually were. The moon was right above them, it appeared closer than ever before just a finger away, its perfect craters could be seen even without a telescope.

The view left the three of them without a breath. Not a single cloud covered the sky so everything could be seen without much trouble.

Issei was the first to look away, seeing now what was below them.

A huge risk was below them, a small beach was seen at the bottom of the risk, pointy rocks covered the vast majority of it. Not a single trace of sand, just rocks.

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was the only thing he could hear, and the sea breeze was the only thing he could smell.

The horizon was covered with stars, making the sea shine with a mysterious light.

Reaching his hand out he pointed at the horizon, they had come all the way from there.

A sense of accomplishment filled him, pride was everywhere inside his body. How many have they done what they just did? How many have the experience to tell; 'I crossed the entire Persian Gulf.' He was sure that not many were capable of this feat, and he was one of the few that actually did it.

"This is only the beginning." - Smiling, he turned around and looked at the women at his side, both of them still looking at the night sky.

"We need to reach a town or a city, we have to sleep somewhere." - His voice made the two women turn to look at him.

Understanding the indirect, Fuuki decided to use the Yasakani-No-Magatama.

They used the treasure only for this type of situations, not for everything. Traveling all over the world with only this was far too boring, it took away the emotion of traveling. So they only used it on special occasions or when it was needed, like now.

The familiar portal appeared in front of them.

"~I made it so that it gets us to the Capital!~" - The normal voice of the Fox was heard.

Issei was suspicious of her words but just sighed and nodded his head.

Walking through the portal he was the first to leave the risk, quickly followed by the Vampire and the Fox.

---

—-Scene Change / Capital of Iran, Tehran—-

---

.

Appearing at the top of an oddly built tower the three travelers came through the portal.

"~Where are we?~" - The Fox was the first to ask, Issei ignored those words that were just to tease him and looked around.

"Fuuki, where did you sent us?" - The Vampire asked the Fox who only shook her head, not knowing where they were at.

Issei went close to the edge of the building and looked around.

Below them, he saw a huge green plain with some people walking on it, seemingly looking around the place. He then found out where they were.

"You have a talent in sending us to the most random locations, Fuuki." - He was impressed where they ended up in.

"Ise, you know where we are?" - Ericia turned around and asked him, he only nodded with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, I know where we are." - He then turned around and looked at them.

"Welcome to the 'Azadi Tower' in the Tehran!"

Those were his words. After the information settled in, they quickly widened their eyes in shock, they were at a rather famous place!

During the boat trip, Issei informed them about the special places here in Iran. And this was one of them, this tower, was one of the few.

It was an observation deck and also a museum which held an Underground part. The whole building was located at the Azadi Square. This location was an incredibly important piece of Architecture for the Iranians.

"Let's go. We need to look for a place to stay at." - Nodding at his words the three of them started to look for a door, quickly finding it just behind them.

After forcing it a little, it was opened.

They walked quietly down the stairs to avoid any suspicion and reached the bottom of the building. They soon opened the main door and went out to the square.

The artificial light of the building and the square illuminated everything without a problem. Some humans were walking around the place but because it was late at night not many were seen.

Crossing the entire Square they reached a small bridge that took them inside the city.

All of this time was spent looking around and talking about random things amongst themselves, mainly about the country and its History.

The City was really active during the night, many restaurants were open and even some stores were as well.

Reaching the center of the city, they found the Hotel Area. Seeing a rather beautiful building at the corner of the street, all of them got their interest peaked and walked closer to it.

They couldn't read the words at the facade of the building but they did understand a specific word, 'Hotel'.

They looked at each other, nodded their heads, and went inside the place.

Due to being late at night the Hotel obviously didn't accept any guests, but after some magic cast by Fuuki, everything went smoothly. They got a huge single room for more than three people, but since it was the only one available they had no other choice.

They were guided by the bellman to their room. A small kid not even in his teens.

Thanking him, they entered the big room.

A huge hall with a big living room was what filled their view. The place was big and open and at the bottom of the hall, there was a huge window that covered the entire wall. Two doors were the only thing aside from the living room, each at one side of the Hall.

The whole place looked quite expensive and thanks to the furniture, it actually was expensive.

"Our rooms are separated, mine is on the left and yours on the right. Have a good night, we'll talk more tomorrow, for now let's rest." - Issei walked towards the left door and opened it, walking inside. He then turned around and said. - "Goodnight!" - He even smiled at them

Ericia just nodded her head at his words while Fuuki smiled at him and said. - "~Goodnight!~" - As well.

Afterwards, they were both looking around the place they currently were at. But Fuuki, in Ericia's eyes, was acting suspiciously. She seemed eager about something, she even had a weird smile on her face.

Ericia then turned the lights off and went towards her room, however, the Fox did the opposite. She walked towards the room of Issei, grabbed the doorknob, and started to gently turn it.

But before she could open it, a hand gripped her right shoulder.

"What are you doing?" - Ericia asked while looking at the Fox with a not too friendly look in her eyes.

"~I'm going to sleep with Ise!~" - That was her response, the Vampire had a twitching eyebrow due to her answer.

"And why is that?" - She asked back.

"~Because I want to be closer to him, and nothing like sleeping together!~" - Her words sounded, logical?

"No, you won't." - Ericia didn't like the idea of her sleeping with Ise, maybe even something else could happen. That thought alone made her feel sick, really sick. Therefore, she decided to not let the Fox sleep with him.

"You're coming with me." - With a cold and serious voice, Ericia grabbed the resisting Fuuki by the neck and dragged her to the room.

"~NOOOO!~" - She screamed as she tried to free herself, but it proved useless.

"Why are you not permitting me to sleep with Ise?!" - Fuuki yelled at Ericia with a shocked voice.

"Because I don't like the idea of you sleeping with him, you might do something else." - That was her response.

Hearing this Fuuki was astounded, never would have she thought that the Vampire would say that!

"~Don't tell me you also love Ise?~" - That question hit her like a hammer.

"...…" - However, she didn't answer.

Instead, she grabbed the Fox with greater strength and threw her inside her room.

Closing the door and ignoring the pleas of help, she stayed outside.

(That can't be true!) - She shook her head, refusing to believe Fuuki's words.

Her face had a decent blush and her thoughts started to spin, quite the opposite from the normal Ericia.

(I don't like—) - She stopped her thoughts and started to remember everything she went through with Issei. Her eyes held confusion and her face was bright red.

Silence was her only answer.

After being like that for some time, she gave up thinking about it. She then opened the door of her room and closed it, completely ignoring the thoughts she just had.

Fuuki saw her blushing face and smiled, it seems her guess was right, even if the Vampire denied it.

Although she disliked the idea of another woman being with Issei, she needed help in making him open up. And since the Vampire was starting to experience these feelings, there was not a better companion for her plan to succeed!

(~HuHuHu~ It seems Issei will fall earlier than I thought.) - She licked her lips sensually.

If the Vampire allied herself with her then everything will go twice as fast with half the effort! And although she didn't like the idea of sharing him with another woman, it was far better than him not falling in love with anyone at all.

With those thoughts on her head, she laid down on her bed covered herself, and went to sleep. For now, she needed to get closer to him and help Ericia out a little. With a mischievous smirk the Fox went to sleep.

---

—-Some Days Later / City Center—-

---

.

The three of them were walking in the city center, the part of any country that was the most interesting to be at.

Seeing the stores at the sides and the little businesses on the streets covering part of the road, they looked around, curiosity in their eyes. Ever since first coming to Iran they went to really common tourist attractions and some rather... special places.

They never thought that they could ski here, seemingly this place has pretty much everything. So after spending their time looking and messing around for a few days, they decided to go to the city center.

A lot of people was seen everywhere, most of them humans. Of course, others were supernatural beings, but they just ignored them.

As they continued walking, Issei spotted something that took his attention.

Walking close to a shop window he saw something tapped at the other side of it. His interest peaked, he read it.

"Looking for personnel for an excursion to the east of Iran. Suspicions of possible ruins in the middle of an unexplored and dangerous Jungle. Looking for volunteers, they need to have their own gear and enough courage. No pay will be given but if anything is found it would be distributed accordingly." - After casting his translation spell, Issei read the piece of paper.

(Such horrible conditions, no wonder they don't have enough people.) - He then turned back and looked at the shop in question. An old antique shop was his guess. No sign was on the shop's facade but many things were inside it.

(Seems interesting.) - He was thinking of going inside the store.

Thinking for a few moments he saw the pair of women come close to him, they were just on the other store at the side of the road.

"What's up Issei?" - Ericia asked him as she saw the store in front of him.

"~Ise?~-" - Fuuki asked as she looked at him.

"Sorry about that I was only thinking about this." - Turning around, he pointed at the piece of paper on the window with his thumb.

The women got closer and read it as well. A curious look was present on Ericia's face, and on Fuuki's, there was a mysterious light in her eyes.

The women looked at each other and smirked, then they grabbed Ise by both of his arms and dragged him inside the shop. He couldn't even say something before they crossed the entrance to the shop.

*Ring!* - The sound of a bell ringing echoed inside the store.

After some seconds, steps were heard and in the room they were currently in, a middle-aged man maybe around his early thirties came to greet them.

The man was not a normal human, they felt the presence of a Sacred Gear in him. He had long, black, messy hair that reached below his shoulders and a perfect chin beard. He had brown eyes that were filled with maturity, and he had a healthy tanned skin.

He was a head taller than Issei, maybe around 6 foot 6. He wore, worn military pants with brown combat boots and a military tank-top, showing off his muscular arms.

Issei finally freed himself from the grasps of the pair of women. Ignoring the man, he looked around and saw the dusty shop they were currently in.

The entire place was quite messy, having multiple things scattered across the floor such as; books, ceramics, bases, and dust, a lot of dust.

The walls were painted in a brown tone and some bookcases could be seen against them. Weird titled books not even Issei knew about were on the shelves, gathering dust.

The most interesting things in the store were; maps, pieces of armours and some swords that emitted a magical aura, clearly not your normal piece of equipment.

"Who are you?" - The man spoke with pretty good English, much to Issei's surprise.

Issei stepped in front of him and looked into his eyes.

With his cold and sharp voice he talked. - "We got interested in the paper tapped on your window so we came to ask more about it." - His voice shocked the old man, but he just nodded his head and said. - "Follow me."

Then he crossed the curtains at the bottom of the room, the three of them right behind him.

After walking across the curtains they reached another room, this one being far cleaner and more good looking.

The place was small and aside from a roundtable, a couple of chairs, and bookcases against the walls, there was nothing more. The man sat on a chair near the table and looked at them.

"Sit wherever you want." - His voice casual.

Issei walked to the opposite side of the man and sat on a chair that was near him. The two women were behind him, looking at the things on the table with curious eyes.

"So you wish to become part of the expedition?" - The man asked as he lit a cigarette.

"Sounds interesting." - That was Ise's reply.

"Interesting? You could lose your life!" - He tried to scare them off but it didn't work in the slightest.

"And? What's your point?" - Hearing the response of Issei, the man looked at him with a fierce glare.

"Huh?" - He was stupefied. - "Possibly you won't come back from this journey, you will probably die even before reaching the location! I don't want to go with useless people that will—" - His words stopped as he felt something against his neck.

Issei was still sitting on the chair, his feet on the table. However, Ericia and Fuuki were behind the man.

The first with her nails against his throat and the second with a dense Senjutsu hexagon pointed at his head, ready to blow him to pieces at any moment.

"Okay, I understand that you don't want someone weak at you side for this. But, don't you think it's too much for a simple test?" - Issei explained as the man was sweating bullets.

"How about you tell us more about this expedition and then you'll decide if we are worthy of going or not." - He then looked at the pair of women behind the man, silently communicating with only his eyes, telling them to come back.

Ericia scoffed and retrieved her hand, slowly walking towards Issei. Fuuki got rid her Senjutsu and did the same.

The man was pale, never has he felt so close to death before!

"You saw that we are no normal beings, we do know about the supernatural. So cut the crap and start explaining! I do know you're no normal human, Sacred Gear possessor." - He smirked just like the Devil and, in a sense, threatened the man in front of them.

The thirty-year-old man was bitting his lip, never would have he thought these brats were actually monsters!

"Fine." - He put out his cigarettes and grabbed a long parchment on the table. Extending it, it soon covered the whole table.

"This is a map that was found by my father many years ago. This guides us to some undiscovered ruins in the east part of the country." - He pointed at the well-elaborated map and said to them.

Looking at the map, Issei was secretly surprised. It was really well made, extremely detailed.

(I wonder what this thing hides...) - He thought as he discreetly looked at the women behind him.

They were also surprised, one more than the other.

"My father didn't specify where he got it but he did say that the map guides you to the ruins of an ancient civilization! Ruins no one has even heard about! Ruins that have many riches!" - The man was definitely excited.

"I'm looking for people that don't fear death! I have gone to the place before but the path is too dangerous, with many animals and plants that could kill human beings in the blink of an eye!" - He tried to scare them but it proved ineffective.

"I have gone before, but even I almost didn't tell the tale. I have invested everything on this last expedition in hopes of finally finding them, that's why I need capable people!" - He finished explaining, Issei was still as stoic as ever.

"Hmm..." - That was his only answer, he then turned around and looked at his team.

"What do you think?" - Issei asked his team.

"Sounds interesting. Besides we already went to pretty much every place of our interest here, so why not?" - Ericia was the one that answered.

"Fukki?" - He asked the other woman.

"~No Problem!~" - Her flirty voice made him smirk.

(Ddraig?) - He asked his Partner.

[No problem at all.] - That was his answer.

Smiling Issei turned around and looked at the man in question.

"It seems you just got three new companions, when do we part?" - He smiled at him in a threatening way, it was clear for all that a 'no' wasn't an answer.

Fearful towards the young man, the owner of the store nodded his head and answered. - "You're lucky, we are leaving tomorrow. Aside from us four, six more people amongst them my son will come with us." - He told the three of them.

"Where do we meet?" - He asked the man, satisfied with his response.

"Tomorrow, at 5 A.M sharp, here in the shop. We'll part from here and after a long car journey we should reach the Jungle in a day or so."

Issei nodded and lifted his feet off the table, then he stood up and looked at the man.

"Understood, by the way my name is Hyoudou Issei. The women behind me are Ericia and Fuuki a pleasure being with you in this expedition." - He smirked.

That same smile scared the man a little, but since they were going to be together during this he needed to accustom himself to it.

"My name is Behnam Mirza, a pleasure." - He extended his hand to perform a handshake, Issei nodded and completed the handshake.

"See you tomorrow, Behnam." - Issei turned around and walked out of the room, the two women following him.

After leaving the room and hearing the bell at the entrance ring, the man finally relaxed and fell down to his chair.

"What are they?! They don't feel like human beings at all!" - He has met a couple of Devils before, but aside from that, his contact with the supernatural was extremely small.

He even knew that he had a Sacred Gear! That was no normal feat!

"Oh, Allah. Please protect me and my son during this trip..." - He muttered as he lit another cigarette.

Meanwhile, the team was walking in the center of the city, talking about their new adventure.

"Whose ruins do you think they are Issei?" - The Vampire asked the cultured man.

"That, I do not know. Many things happened here after many eras, so it could be almost everything. Sumerians, Persians, Buddhism, I think even Christians, but of that I'm not sure." - Those were Issei's guesses, but he wouldn't know unless they went there.

"~Sounds intriguing!~" - The fox told them, they had to agree with her words, this was certainly quite the mystery.

"Indeed it is." - Ericia smirked with satisfaction while Issei looked at them, a small smile adorning his face.

(I wonder what exactly is going to happen now...) - He thought as the three of them got lost inside the croud of people.

---

—-Tomorrow, Early in the Morning / Meeting Point—-

---

.

"Father! Exactly who else is coming with us?" - A young man maybe in his early twenties asked the one known as Behnam.

He was fit but not tall and was a head smaller than his father. He had shortly-trimmed black hair and hazel eyes, making him stand out.

He wore a short-sleeved black t-shirt as well as form-fitting dark-blue cargo pants. Alongside them, he had a pair of construction boots, brown in color with a yellow sole.

"Be patient Jesper! They will come soon, it's not even late yet!" - The man crossed his arms and scolded his son.

Exactly after his words they saw a group of three coming towards them. All the men, aside from Behnam that had a serious glint in his eyes, were surprised.

The group of three was guided by a really dangerous looking male.

He had black eyes similar to an abyss that held a red tinge to them. His hair was dark brown in color but it was far closer to black. His height was tall, maybe the second tallest aside from Behnam, his clothes were a grey coat and a black shirt with black pants, completing his get up with brown boots reaching his knees.

The six men sitting in the pair of Jeeps were shocked, not by him, but rather by his companions.

The two most beautiful women they have ever seen were at both of his sides.

One had white hair and red eyes, giving off a threatening vibe. The other had pitch black hair and also red eyes, her entire being emitted a cautious feeling.

They were both beautiful, and they were sure that just a smile from either of them could cause any man to fall in love.

"Sorry we're late, I thought we still had some time." - Issei told Behnam with a direct tone of voice.

He just answered. - "Don't worry, it's not even 5 A.M so it's not late at all." - He explained while walking close to them.

"I see. Then it's perfect." - Issei was glad they made it on time but before anything else, the young man at the side of Behnam spoke.

"My name is Jesper, Jesper Mirza! A pleasure to be with you ladies." - He did a small reverence to the women that only ignored him.

"Let's get going!" - Behnam noticed the look in his son's eyes so he decided to intervene before something went out of control.

Everyone heard his words and started to get inside the Jeeps, preparing for the journey. Issei went to a Jeep that was almost empty.

Getting inside, he went towards the back part of the vehicle and sat on it. It seemed that the Jeep was a convertible so it was quite comfortable.

The girls ignored Jesper and sat at both sides of Issei.

Before departing Behnam grabbed Jesper and took him to the side.

"Don't try anything with any of them! They are not normal at all, even for us to say! So don't piss anyone of them off! Especially the young man, he's dangerous." - He advised his son, who only rolled his eyes as a response.

"Pfft! Don't worry, nothing will happen. Now let's get going!" - He turned around and went to the Jeep that had the women.

"Oh, Allah. Please help us in this journey." - He then went to the Jeep that was only missing a driver and sat at the driver's position. He was with his son, and unfortunately, with that young man.

*VROOM!* - He started the car and soon left, slowly being followed by the other Jeep.

After leaving the city the roads were completely empty not even a car, aside from the pair of Jeeps, was near.

The scenery was beautiful, a concrete road that had some trees on both sides, mountains could be seen in the distance and the clear blue sky was empty from any cloud. The road was quiet and peaceful, that was only before a certain young man started to talk.

Issei had both of his eyes closed, leaning all the way over his center seat, enjoying the breeze of the air that hit his head.

Ericia was calm, only looking at the side thinking who knows what.

Fuuki was trying her best not to move, she was leaning on Issei's shoulder faking being asleep. But her small Heaven was destroyed by the voice of someone.

"So what are you doing here? Beautiful women like yourselves coming with us seems intriguing. Don't take my words wrongly I'm only curious." - Jesper turned around and started a conversation.

His words aroused Issei from his nap and made him move himself, much to Fuuki's displeasure. Ericia just glanced at him and then looked back at the scenery again.

"...…" - No one answered, everyone was just ignoring him.

Issei looking at the blue sky, Ericia looking towards the passing trees, and Fuuki trying her best to lean her head on Ise's shoulder again.

"So what made you decide coming with us?" - Jesper didn't give up, so he asked again.

Sighing in defeat Ericia was the one that answered with a voice full of thorns.

"None of your business." - Her voice was sharp, and made the smiling young man gain a drop of sweat on his cheek.

(I won't give up that easily!)

"Is that so. But we are going to be together for some time, so why not know each other better?" - He proposed but the three of them ignored him again.

"I'll start. You already know my name so I'll tell you something else. I have a Sacred Gear! And a really good one!" - His words were filled with pride but the pair of women ignored him.

His father was so shocked he almost lost control of the vehicle.

(That's not something you tell others?!) - His thoughts were right, telling someone about that will essentially paint a target on your back.

"Oh..." - Seeing that the guy was too pitiful Issei answered, but his response almost made the young man cough blood. It seemed as he was just angering him.

(You dumb piece of—) - Swearing inside his head, Jesper was angered. Then on his left arm, a red, fingerless gauntlet appeared. Seeing the gauntlet, Issei was surprised and was also internally laughing.

(It seems that thing is really common.) - Jesper seeing the small light of surprise in Issei's eyes smiled as if being superior.

"Ha! It seems you're surprised! Well let me tell you, this is a rare Sacred Gear named 'Twice Critical'! It's capable of doubling my entire strength for a specific amount of time!" - He was too proud for having something like that.

Seeing the gauntlet Fuuki for the first time talked.

"~Oh!~ The lower version of the Boosted Gear and a common Sacred Gear, quite ironic seeing it here." - The last words were directed towards a certain man at her side.

Issei just ignored her words while trying to hold his laugh, Ericia was also almost the same.

"Haaa!? Common?! Certainly compared to the Boosted Gear it's not much, but it still is a powerful Sacred Gear!"

[(No it's not.)] - Both of the Dragons thought.

Seeing the mocking glare in Issei's eyes Jesper was angered.

"What are you laughing at!? You don't even have a Sacred Gear, you're just a normal human!" - His words this time made Issei angry, his left eyebrow was twitching.

"Sorry, what did you say?" - His tongue seemed to be filled with venom.

Since he was a Dragon he hated being confused with something else. Even if he was first a Human he still doesn't like being called like that, let's say it brings back bad memories.

Jesper was slightly scared at his tone, but ignorance is a bliss. He wanted to impress the women at his sides so he was too courageous.

Behnam thought. - (You dumb piece of shit! The first thing I tell you not to do and there you go do it!?) - He was cursing at him, but because he was driving he couldn't grab his son and give him a beating.

"You heard me! A normal human shouldn't make fun of something like this! You have no right to!" - Issei thought differently.

(I have the Boosted Gear that alone is sufficient to make you shut up! But you wish to impress both Fuuki and Ericia by insulting me? Do you think I'll let you do it!?)

Ddraig agreed with his partner. - [Scare him a little Partner, he should be taught respect.] - Issei smiled at the Dragon's words.

(Fine by me!) - He then prepared to mess with the human a little.

"You dare call me a Human? Open your eyes wide brat, I'm no human!" - He then released a bit of his Aura and changed his eyes into those of a reptile.

Both of the Humans were shocked, Jesper at seeing those eyes and Behnam at sensing that horrific aura!

(What the fuck is he?!) - Those were Jasper's thoughts as he stared at the man with shock.

(Oh Shit! Allah, please tell me you're fucking with me!) - Behnam was more knowledgeable, he read about certain species a long time ago, thought to be the strongest and also the proudest.

"You don't even recognize what I am? I'll give you a hint, to what species is related that Sacred Gear of yours?"

Behnam was frightened at those words, he was right! The thing that was sitting right behind him was nothing less than a Dragon!

(Son of a bitch!) - That was his response.

Meanwhile, Jesper was thinking. - (Related to my Sacred Gear? The only thing related to my Sacred Gear is a Dra—) - Widening his eyes at the realization he felt as if a truck just hit him.

"Y-You a-are a D-Dragon?!" - He stammered in his response.

"It seems you do have a brain. Yes, I'm indeed a Dragon!" - Looking into the eyes of the Human Issei smiled.

Jesper was left without words, then he looked at the women and asked. - "T-Then Y-You a-are—"

He was interrupted by the words of Ericia. - "No we aren't Dragons." - He signed in relief.

"But we aren't Human." - He swallowed his spit in shock.

"T-Then?" - He stuttered and asked.

"I'm a Vampire." - Scaring him with her red eyes, Ericia answered his question.

Jesper just turned to look at the other beauty.

"~I'm a Yōkai!~" - Her voice carefree, as it was something common and normal.

Jesper was astounded! He never thought that different creatures would be sitting right behind him!

Behnam was just driving, he decided to just ignore everything and look at the beautiful scenery.

(Wow! Look what a beautiful place, filled with vegetation and animals, trees and flowers.) - Nothing aside of big grey rocks were in front of him, so he was definitely in shock.

Jesper turned around and sat in silence, not messing with anyone again. He was lost in his own thoughts not paying attention to anything else.

The three of them smirked and laughed discreetly.

*Smack!* - Ericia and Issei did a high five while smiling at each other.

Fuuki just covered her laugh by leaning her head on Issei's shoulder, he just smirked at her actions and caressed her head a little, maybe to prove to her that she did an excellent job. Their plan thought in the spot actually worked, and better than he thought!

---

—-Scene Change / Jungle in Iran / A Day Later—-

---

.

After the little 'experience' in the car, no one dared to talk. Due to that, the journey was really peaceful in Ise's eyes, and now they finally reached their destination.

Getting down from the Jeep, they saw a really deep and thick Jungle. Tall trees, putting some buildings back at the capital in shame, could be seen everywhere. Vines were all over the place, and for the first-time different animal noises were heard.

"This is our destination! We need to go by foot from here on." - Behnam told all of the team.

The rest just nodded.

All of the men took different tools, some took out machetes to cut the vegetation down, others took rifles and guns to protect themselves, but Behnam just took a simple looking sword. However, Ise and the girls felt a rather peculiar aura that was emitting from the sword.

(A Sacred Gear that is a Holy Sword, probably a replica of a famous one.) - Those were Ise's guesses.

"Let's go! We need to reach the ruins before nightfall!" - Behnam went at the front and started to guide. Jesper was right behind him with the map open, trying to guide them through the best route.

The six men were just behind them, cautiously looking at the sides.

Issei and the girls were at the far back, relaxing and enjoying the view, sometimes they even talked about the random stuff, laughing and joking among themselves not bothered by the Jungle at all.

They soon went deep inside the Jungle. Clearing the vegetation with whatever they had, they went further in.

After less than three hours they could only see thick plants and vines everywhere, trees covered the majority of the sky and the humidity of the place was terrible.

Through their small journey, they did find rather dangerous animals; Panthers, Leopards, Gorillas, Venomous Snakes, Spiders that could kill a human with a single bite, among other weird things.

After walking through the Jungle and seeing the rocks covered in moss, the spider webs carefully placed so that they caught something to eat, and the many carnivorous animals, the humans began to get desperate.

Walking through a dangerous Jungle in such a bad climate with the terrible heat and the humidity, took a toll on their stamina. Actually, some of the men that came with them already gave up, well they were just normal humans so they couldn't be blamed.

Thankfully, those guys got lucky and didn't die in the journey up until now. But the journey back was a different story, they wished them the best.

Behnam continued guiding them through the messy and humid Jungle, due to the heat Issei took his coat off and kept it inside his personal dimension. Ericia was at his left side looking around the place, a bored look on her face. Fuuki was walking in front of them acting as a guide.

"Issei, where do you think we will end up in?" - Ericia talked to him as she was walking at his side.

"I don't know. But whatever it is, it sure is away from civilization." - Issei didn't even know where they were currently at, so he just expected to find something.

"Haa... I hope anything will happen soon." - Those were Ericia's words.

Seeing her like that Ise rested a hand on her shoulder making her look at him.

"Don't worry about it, my guess is that we will soon reach the place, call it instinct." - Ericia was grateful at his words, however, her mind played a slight trick on her and made her recall that night at the hotel and the words from Fuuki.

(NO! I don't think of him like that!) - Trying to hide the blush on her cheeks, Ericia turned around and tried to keep herself in check. But she wouldn't stop thinking about every special moment she spent with him.

From the moment they first met, to their training routines, to the words they talked during that Night at Nasuno, to his explanation back at the Persian Gulf, to even the meaningless conversations they had ever since their first meeting. All of those things made her experience a clash of feelings, a part of her liked the fact of being with him like until now, and another just wished to become even closer.

After walking with those thoughts in her mind they were forced to stop.

Before them, Behnam, Jesper, and Fuuki were looking at the map, staring at it as if something was wrong.

"What's the problem?" - Issei asked them while being cautious of his surroundings.

"About that..." - Behnam was the first to talk. Sensing that something was wrong Issei stepped closer and looked at the map.

It looked really ancient, still made of an animal's leather. Drawn on it there was the Jungle alongside a couple of clues for them to notice that they were actually following the right path.

At the bottom of the map, there was what he believed to be the entrance to the Jungle. Following the red-dotted line they reached the first proof of them following the right path.

It was a huge rock, but on its surface, a perfectly engraved eight-pointed star could be seen. They had seen the rock before, it was five meters in height and the engraving covered its entire surface, so it was kind of hard to miss. That was the first clue, they passed it hours ago.

Following the path, there was the second clue, a tree trunk that crossed an entire waterfall. Many vines were drawn on it, and it looked extremely detailed and well made. It was a bridge, they passed that around an hour ago if Ise's guess wasn't wrong.

The third clue was more special, it was actually a sculpture, or rather, a natural rock formation in the shape of something.

It was a Bull, or at least, that was the general image it had.

Apparently, some rock formation had the shape of a Bull's face and teeth alongside its eyes. And the shrubbery of the mountain with a couple of flowers gave form to its fur.

The dotted line then went down the Bull and finally reached the final destination. It looked like a temple or the ruins of one. That's when the problem presented itself.

They hadn't seen the Bull, but that was the least of their problems.

In front of them, there was nothing, no more path to walk on, just plain nothing.

"Shit! Not again. Why does it always ends like this?! Always that stupid Bull is the problem!" - Behnam was screaming with a lot of anger and rage.

They could understand him, after all, he should have spent a lot of his time, resources, and effort coming here.

The path was rough for any Human, so coming here was not easy, and spending your own money alongside your time, not just once but many times and in the end never finding anything could be quite frustrating.

Issei went closer to him and grabbed the map, he thought of something rather obvious.

He went to the edge of the cliff and peaked, but he didn't find anything at all. The trees below him were the only thing that filled his view.

(This shouldn't be right. There's something we are missing...) - He thought and looked around, thinking of a possible solution, the map was his only clue.

(Mmmmm...) - He searched all over it but he didn't find anything.

Then Jesper angrily grabbed the map in his hands and yelled.

"Nothing! Absolutely Nothing?! This map is a farce! All of this is a farce!" - His emotions were made a mess and his Twice Critical appeared on his left arm.

"All for nothing!" - He yelled, a red aura surrounded him, it seems his Sacred Gear was activated.

*BAAAM!* - In his fury Jesper kicked a big rock, around the height of a tall human.

The rock was sent flying and went down the risk, Issei casually dodged it since he was at the edge of the same cliff.

(Don't make a tantrum.) - He thought as he turned around and looked at the view of the cliff.

---

.

Issei stood there for some minutes but then he noticed something that should have happened.

(Mmm? How tall is this risk? The rock should have already reached the ground by now.) - He peaked over the edge again and looked, but he didn't saw a thing.

"Wait..." - His thoughts started to spin.

(Ddraig... What do you think about this?) - He needed a second opinion, so he asked his Partner.

[Odd, if you ask me. That rock is big enough to actually make a mess when it lands, but there's nothing... quite odd.]

Due to the mass of the rock and the initial force it was given when sent flying, plus the gravity, it should have broken a few trees and with that, a huge noise should have been heard, but neither of the two happened.

"Hmm..." - Issei started to think.

[What are you thinking Partner?] - Ddraig was quite curious.

(What if the ruins are not man-made? What if 'Someone' else made them and hid them from the eyes of Humans?)

His words managed to make Ddraig think deeply.

[It's possible, ruins of supernatural beings... they aren't unheard of, but are rather rare, even more so in the Human World.] - He told his Partner.

"There's only one way to figure it out!" - His words were loud enough to be heard by everyone, but before they could ask what he meant, Issei jumped off the cliff!

""Ise!"" - The women screamed when they saw that, they knew nothing wrong would happen to him from this height, but seeing him jump off like that made their hearts reach their throats.

They ran at the edge but they didn't see a thing, nothing was present.

Not seeing him made the both of them feel like something clogged their throats, even their hearts seemed to stop for a moment.

""Issei!"" - They screamed again this time louder, worry was a distinct emotion on their voices.

Jesper and Behnam thought. - ((Why did he jump?! Is he suicidal?!)) - They were frozen on their spots only thinking about the Dragon.

The four of them peaked over the risk. They only saw more Jungle below them but aside from that, nothing else could be seen, this weird them out.

After some seconds that felt like hours all of them saw a black blur flying at an impossible speed. It came from the bottom of the risk and reached their location almost instantly.

"I found it." - Issei was floating right above their heads and with a normal tone of voice he told the four of them.

Not understanding what just happened Behnam and Jasper just looked at the pitch black wings of Issei.

(So that's a Dragon...) - Behnam thought as he saw those weird black wings that appeared to be floating above Issei's back.

"...…" - Jasper was silent, not really believing what was in front of him. And because of that, he was just silently staring at him with wide eyes.

"Issei! What were you thinking?!" - Ericia screamed at him in frustration and anger.

"What were you thinking?! You scared the life out of us!" - Weirdly enough, Fuuki was scolding him.

Seeing them like that, Issei smirked angering the women even more, but his thoughts were different.

(It seems they really worried about me after the little stunt I pulled.) - He was happy that they really cared for him, but before they could scold him more, he spoke.

"If you wish to know why I did it, then come down." - He crossed his arms against his chest and just looked at them, then he flew down.

The four remaining people looked over the risk but yet again saw nothing.

Ericia and Fuuki looked at each other and nodded their heads.

Fuuki then created a Senjutsu circle at the side of the risk, big enough for all to stand on. Afterwards, she looked at the two humans.

"Get over here." - Her words were short, but the men soon walked closer and stood over the circle.

Then with all the people on board the magic circle started to float and slowly descended down the risk.

---

.

The journey was slow maybe because Fuuki was being cautious about the location.

While descending the four of them looked around and found nothing in particular, just a huge risk behind them and a lot of Jungle up front, but some seconds later those thoughts were gone.

*BAAANG!* - The Senjutsu circle Fuuki made hit something right below them, impeding their movement.

Ericia was surprised, so while moving towards the edge of the circle she peaked down below trying to figure out what just happened.

Looking around she finally saw something. She tilted her head and watched what it looked like some kind of ripple right below her, it looked as if a drop of water fell towards a pond.

After some thinking she reached a conclusion - "A barrier."

Her words made Fuuki widen her eyes slightly while the other two passengers seemed really confused.

Fuuki now understood why they couldn't see anything below them! She was surprised that Issei figured this one out, her Dragon was quite smart.

She then decided to increase the amount of power on her spell. After pumping more energy into it, the many different engravings on it became much more visible, even the 'Taijitu' symbol at the center seemed more vivid and lifelike.

After some resistance, thanks to the barrier below them, the circle slowly started to breach the transparent dome down below.

After some thought, she discovered that this barrier was built not only for hiding something but also to destroy whatever came into contact with it.

She then frowned and started to prepare something. Both of her hands started to glow with different lights, black for her left and white for her right. Many, much smaller Senjutsu circles started to encircle her wrists, spinning constantly.

She then slowly moved as if she was dancing, making different stances in less than 10 seconds, after that she stopped moving and extended her left hand up and her right hand down. The light on both of her hands became dimmer and after some seconds it was gone.

Afterwards, many different engravings appeared on the circle below her and started to form a sphere covering all inside of it. The sphere had many different symbols that no one could understand, but they left it all behind when they started to move downwards.

Soon, they passed through the barrier and saw a different scenery from the one before.

They saw something they never expected to see.

Finally landing on the ground and dissipating the black and white sphere, all of the present saw what one would call an Ancient Golden City.

The entire location was golden in color as if made out of pure gold, with only a few parts being black or white.

Everything looked brand new as if the city was recently built. The orange sun was behind the whole city and gave it a vivid, reddish glow that made everything in front of them shine with an elegant light

The buildings at both of their sides looked like houses, of course, much older and not advanced at all. Engravings with either drawings or what they thought of as writing, could be seen in all of their walls and in all of the houses.

The place didn't look old, but the style of architecture, as well as the location itself, looked an felt ancient. More so than many ruins in the whole world.

Admiring the golden scenery, Ericia slowly turned around and looked right behind her.

She saw the something that they were looking for.

"The Bull." - Her words were loud enough for the rest of them to hear.

They quickly turned around and saw a big Bull against the stone wall, right behind them. As if it was man-made, the Bull almost looked chiselled against the wall, but some parts of it proved that it was natural.

Its 'fur' was filled with golden flowers and on its eyes, there were big red gems. Its teeth were also made out of stone but they actually looked sharp enough to pierce through flesh, even the horns looked the same.

"Where are we?" - Fuuki asked to no one in particular. But contrary to everyone's expectations, a voice was heard, answering her question.

"That, I do not know." - They turned and looked at the origin of the voice ready for anything. However, they only saw Issei who was leaning against a nearby golden pillar and was smirking at them.

Issei saw their faces and actually held back a small laugh. He saw them descend and thought about something to make a good entrance. Nothing like the good-old, cool pose of leaning against something while looking uninterested, he mentally thanked all of those moments with either Azazel or Vali.

But the expressions that were written on their faces were rather... interesting.

Ericia and Fuuki looked at him with similar but different expressions.

Ericia looked amazed and a slight blush could be seen on her cheeks, she turned her head away not wanting to keep eye contact for long.

Meanwhile, Fuuki looked at him with almost hearts on her eyes. That look scared Issei slightly, however, he played it smooth and just ignored it.

Behnam and Jesper looked shocked and startled respectively. Their mouths were open and both of them looked ridiculous, but he already guessed why, after all, they saw him jump off a risk twice just to only appear before them as if nothing happened.

"I think we should look around this place and find out where we are exactly." - Issei's words brought everyone out of their daydreaming.

"I agree." - Behnam nodded his head and started to look around, then he proposed. - "How about my son and I check the surrounding buildings and you check the center?"

Behnam knew that this place was far from normal thanks to the fact that there was some magic cast all over the ancient city. That barrier was the proof of it, he knew that if anyone touched it they would become dust in the wind. So he thought about searching the not so dangerous or obvious places that the golden city had.

He then pointed at the tallest building here, a golden pyramid-like structure that dwarfed everything near. He then said.

"You should go there, something must be at the top. Meanwhile, both my son and I will look around this place. If we find anything at all we will tell you!"

Jasper was about to say something but seeing the glare in his father eyes directed at him he stopped himself from doing it. He just stayed silent, that look in his father's eyes really scared him, never has he seen his father like that.

"Then so be it." - Issei agreed with him, but he didn't let Behnam plot go unnoticed, he just decided to ignore it since it wouldn't harm them at all. He knew that even if they found anything at all the best should be at the center, but being cautious like that was something he could respect.

He stopped leaning against the pillar and started to walk away, towards the center of the golden city. His hands were in his pockets and both of his eyes never left the majestic building ahead.

Fuuki and Ericia also discovered the little human's plot but ignored it as well.

Fuuki scoffed at them and walked towards Issei not sparing a glance at all.

Ericia just walked after her, repulsion written on her face.

After seeing them reach the center of the city Behnam sighed and talked to his son.

"Well, we need to get as much as we can from the outside buildings, it's better if we hurry."

Although the place looked safe, Behnam was feeling unsure. His gut told him to hurry so he just told his son and started moving towards a nearby building.

Jesper just stood there, unmoving, but soon after he thought the same as his father and went to the other side of the 'house' his father was in. Right now he just wanted to get as much as possible before anything happened.

---

.

Ericia and Fuuki caught up with Issei and the three of them walked closer to the edification at the center.

It was a pyramid-like building that at the top had a square building that looked empty, maybe it was a religious center?

The whole surface of the building was golden, however, some red and blue gemstones were encased in some of the engravings.

Black tiles similar to obsidian were also scattered all over the place, maybe to change the looks of the building a little.

Issei was silent, he just kept thinking about what exactly this place was.

(Those drawings portrait many stories, different stories. And those symbols... I've seen them before, but where?)

He started to walk up the golden slabs that were just like a staircase.

Fuuki and Ericia were really cautious, both of them were at his sides and just kept looking around prepared for anything.

After some time, they reached the top.

They saw the other square-like edification in front of them.

The sun was shining ahead of them so the whole building seemed to be gleaming and sparkling with an extravagant light.

This structure was just an open space, with many pillars supporting a flat ceiling. No walls could be seen, just a ceiling with engraving all over it.

"Stay near me, and don't drop your guard." - Issei ordered them, he didn't want them to be separated. At least, not until he figures out if this place was actually safe or not.

The women silently nodded and went closer to him.

Fuuki took advantage of the situation and hugged his left arm in between her breasts. Ericia just stood really close to him, touching Issei's arm with her own.

Seeing this, Issei sighed in defeat and walked towards the center of this little building.

After crossing what he thought to be the entrance, he took notice of a small pedestal at the center of the room.

It was small, not more than a meter in height and was golden in color. However, its engravings were by far more skilled and detailed than the ones he saw before. They looked lifelike as if it was a moving picture.

The image at the front was that of a man dressed in expensive, antique robes. He was holding a really odd sword that didn't have an edge, it looked almost like a club.

The image seemed to be constantly moving and soon after, his dominant arm made a swing with the edgeless blade. After that, a huge gale could be seen coming from the sword, erasing everything in its path.

Shocked by this, the three of them kept their eyes on the pedestal, then they walked around it analyzing everything of it.

Issei looked at the backside of the pedestal and once again was amazed.

He saw a woman standing at the top of a mountain. She looked angered and she seemed to have horrendous amounts of power concentrated on her fist.

As the image moved she crushed the mountain with her own fist. The engraving seemed to be moving again and the mountain, when struck, turned into particles dust. Then, the woman was arrogantly on top of the remnants of the same mountain, proudly displaying her deed.

"What is this?" - Ericia mouthed as she looked at the images of the front and back of the pedestal.

"A story." - Issei answered her question, not completely sure.

Both of the women looked at themselves and then at him, their eyes demanded an explanation.

"At least part of one, a fragment you could say." - He explained and looked at the pedestal itself, really intrigued by this thing.

After looking around the pedestal, he saw the top of it, nothing was there. The top was completely smooth and clean, but his instinct as a Dragon that found a treasure screamed at him that there was something there, and really valuable.

Covering his hand in his Darkness he reached on top of the pedestal, as if grabbing something.

Soon after, his suspicions were proven right. He grabbed something and a brilliant golden light filled their vision blinding them momentarily.

---

—-Scene Change / Location Unknown—-

---

.

After the light died down the three of them could finally open their eyes. However, the scenery was not what they expected.

They were now inside a huge golden room with many colossal pillars at its sides. There were no windows but rather holes in the sides of the walls, showing an ever-changing colorful sky, one Issei unfortunately recognized.

The same engravings from the buildings could be seen on the surface of the pillars, but no images were seen. Instead, many symbols which they could guess to be some kind of writing covered their whole surface.

"Well seems were are no longer in the same place." - Stating the obvious Ericia said to herself.

"~Indeed~" - Fuuki seemed to be liking this and just agreed with her words. Still not letting Issei's arm go.

"Hmmm..." - Issei looked around the place and only saw a staircase in front of them, clearly going to a much higher level than the one they were at.

(This writing, if I'm not wrong...) - His thoughts were interrupted by Ericia

"Ise, what's that on your hand?" - She asked while seeing a golden piece in his right hand.

Issei looked surprised and turned to look at his right hand.

He was grabbing something, but he wasn't sure what exactly.

It was rather big and golden in color though a hint of black could be seen on its surface, however, it looked really out of place.

"What is this?" - He asked Ddraig, while looking at the golden contraption in his right hand.

[Not even I know what that is Partner.] - Ddraig told Issei while feeling curious about the object.

In his hand was a thick, golden tube that extended a foot into the air. It looked like many puzzle pieces stacked on top of each other, and was moving at random intervals like some kind of mechanism. The object kept shinning in a golden light and just kept moving, never stopping.

Seeing the complex artifact, Issei took a closer look.

"What are you exactly?" - His interest piqued, he looked at the artifact and just started to inspect this thing.

He saw some red light inside of the whole tube, and the complexity of its making could put anything modern to shame.

Issei felt this object was rather important and the energy he felt from it was dense and ancient.

"Issei, we should get going." - Ericia told him while shaking his shoulder, trying to dispel his thoughts.

Issei widened his eyes and nodded, he was too distracted by this little thing.

He decided to keep the object in his hand in case anything inside this place could react to it, after all, they needed to know more about this thing and their only clue was this place.

Walking onwards, they reached the golden staircase.

While looking around they noticed that nothing, aside from precious gemstones and gold, was what conformed this entire Palace.

Looking up, they saw the pillars extend towards the sky for hundreds of meters, soon losing them of their sight. There was no ceiling and only a weird fog was present on top of them, covering the roof of the Palace.

They walked up the stairs for what they felt like hours, but no one ever said anything. Each of them was prepared for a fight and a distraction would prove fatal.

Seeing the end of the stairs, Issei looked at Ericia and just communicated with his eyes.

She immediately understood what he meant. - (Be ready.) - She nodded her head and looked at Fuuki who also understood what was happening.

Reaching the top they saw some kind of throne, it was elevated off the ground and some obsidian slabs could be seen below it.

The throne, as always, was made out of gold, but its surface was completely smooth and shiny.

Stopping just as they reached the end of the stairs, the three of them were actually shocked, not because of the throne, but rather by who was sitting on it.

It was a woman that had her eyes closed while leaning her head against her right hand. Her legs were crossed one on top of the other, and she looked and gave the impression of being extremely bored. But her presence... now that was something else.

They all felt a really thick aura coming off of the woman in question. It was dense and thick and in a sense, dangerous.

Ddraig and Issei knew this aura perfectly well, after all, they have been with this type of existence before and in more than one occasion.

[Partner, she's—] - Ddraig mentally talked to his Partner, but was abruptly stopped by Issei. - (I know...)

He felt his body tense before her and quickly activated his Darkness in case of anything, hiding the artifact in his hand just in case.

Ericia and Fuuki, similarly to Issei, knew what was in front of them, so they both prepared themselves.

Ericia used her 'Deceased Dragon Portrait' and a huge shadow swallowed the ground below her, painting it in a pitch black.

Fuuki covered herself with a dense and thick white layer of Toūki, and used her Senjutsu to form a series of hexagons that spun on her left wrist.

Then Issei talked while being cautious. - "Goddess."

At those words, the woman opened her eyes and stared directly at him.

"Dragon?~" - Her sweet voice that seemed to be a melody, echoed all over the place. Even Issei felt goosebumps when he heard that voice filled with interest and something else, something bad.

[No simple Goddess Partner. Be careful, she's not someone you can mess with.] - Hearing his Partner's advice Issei agreed.

"Goddess, would you please tell us how to get out of here?" - He cut to the chase and asked while looking into the eyes of the Goddess.

She looked at him and smirked.

Slowly with an almost hypnotic movement, she stood up from her throne. She descended down to the obsidian slabs beneath her with grace and elegance, and once on solid ground she walked closer to him, disregarding the women at his sides.

When she was 3 meters away she stopped and talked to him.

"And why would I do that?~" - She cynically placed a finger against her cheek.

Issei was silent, instead of talking he just looked at the Goddess, analyzing her completely. He had to admit, she was beautiful enough to compete for the title of Goddess of Beauty.

Her black hair reached her waist and seemed to be as dark as the abyss itself. It cascaded down her back and seemed glossy and soft to the touch.

Her skin was as white as alabaster and as smooth as jade, not an imperfection could be seen. Her eyes were a bright dark yellow as if it was molten gold and they glowed with a powerful light that was filled with authority.

She was quite small, almost a head smaller than Issei. But her proportions with that height were just perfect, she wasn't filled to the brim but rather, she was filled with just the perfect amount to make any man that laid eyes on her body be completely infatuated with her for a lifetime.

She wore seven pieces of clothing that were mixed with armor.

Two of them covered her most precious parts but left no room for imagination. Her right leg was covered with a black stocking with golden like armor and royal blue metal pieces that contrasted with her person.

Her left arm had a long, black sleeve that reached her bicep and a just above it, also with the same elegant pattern and armor as her leg.

As her fifth piece, she had a dark golden crown that seemingly tied her hair into a pair of twin tails at both sides of her face, excluding grace and authority.

Her sixth piece was a necklace with a red jewel at the center, landing right on her cleavage, inciting to look closer.

Her seventh piece, if it could be considered that, was a cape that extended from her waist to her ankles, it was black with gold with pieces of gold armor around it, and seemed to be worth an entire country.

Issei kept staring at her analyzing all of her motions and movements, but was soon stopped when he heard her voice again.

"Do you like what you see?~" - She moved her body in a seductive way. That melodic voice was heard yet again, but this time far worse.

"Beautiful indeed, but you haven't answered my question." - He seemed unfazed by her beauty and that cold voice even made her feel a slight chill.

"Hmmm?" - She tilted her head and played dumb making Issei slightly angry.

"Goddess. Answer." - He made his voice colder and walked closer to her.

She turned around and walked at a random direction while hiding the smirk on her face.

(Interesting Young Dragon. Not being affected by my beauty at all, I feel kind of insulted.) - She then stopped walking and answered his question.

"This is my realm." - She waved her hand around. - "Darling, be welcomed!~"

She clearly was teasing him, her movements irradiated a sex appeal that would make everyone her slave. Ericia and Fuuki were kind of worried but seeing the stoic face of Issei managed to calm them down.

"Realm?" - He asked back but her response was a teasing flick of her finger and a smile on her face.

"Of course!~ I made all of this to spend the eternity." - Her smile was astounding and that teasing voice that begged for someone to do more was difficult to ignore.

"From the simple pebble, to the huge throne behind me. Even that city which you came from was made by me." - Her pride in those words was obvious.

(Why you did all of this?) - He asked himself. He was almost sure of the identity of the Goddess but he needed more information.

"I see, then why you did it? Do you really have the free time when your Pantheon might need you?" - He made a dangerous question but he soon got his answer.

The Goddess frowned momentarily but soon changed her expression to a flirty one again. However, that change was caught by Issei, soon he reached a conclusion and if he was right then everything will change.

If her identity was really her, then everyone across the supernatural globe will go mad!

"Darling doesn't need to worry about that~ They have everything under control!" - She smiled at him.

Her answer was perfect, however, Issei was no normal being. Seeing her answer like that made him smile with coldness.

He then decided to make another bold move, it was all or nothing!

"I see, then they wouldn't care if I take this with me." - He showed her the golden artifact he had with him.

When he first reached the throne he decided to hide it by covering it with his aura, so his hand in her eyes, should only look like a huge black claw.

Seeing the artifact the face of the Goddes finally changed for good.

"You're also after the riches and treasures in this land!?" - She gnashed her teeth. Her voice sharp and venomous, the look in her eyes was frightening.

"How about we talk Goddess." - He felt confident. - "You give the information that I want and I'll give you something in exchange." - He smirked wickedly and played with the golden artifact in his hand.

"What do you want Dragon." - Her true persona was shown, a malicious devil like voice and an expression that seemed as if she wanted to gut him. She even lifted her guard and expelled a part of her aura trying to intimidate them, unfortunately, these three were not normal supernatural beings.

"How do we get out of here." - More than a question it was an order.

He knew where they were since they first appeared here, he could recognize that colorful sky at any time thanks to his many experiments when he first tried his 'Hell Gate', he knew the Dimensional Gap quite well since those days. But because of that, he was quite nervous, this was quite a bad situation.

He knew that the Yasakani-No-Magatama wouldn't work here. That thing wouldn't work in the Gap, the reason still unknown, maybe it was related to Great Red, who knows?

His 'Hell Gate' didn't work in sealed spaces, and definetly not in a sealed realm created by a Goddess. So reaching a conclusion... they were fucked.

The Goddess kept looking at him, her eyes constantly moving between his person and the golden artifact. Then she answered.

"Unless I want you to, no one leaves this place." - Her smile made them feel a chill down their backs, even her voice sounded unnatural and bloodthirsty.

"Open the gate Goddess." - He frowned and expelled his own aura equaling the one she had. The entire place started to decrease in temperature some places even began to crack.

"Why would I do that?~" - She teased him, no... she provoked him! Even her smile signified that!

On the other hand, Issei was calm and collected.

He then looked into her eyes and calmly said. - "Because I rather not kill the last Goddess of an extinct Pantheon." - His words made everyone widen their eyes.

The three females looked at him in shock, however, this Goddess looked frightened.

Seeing her like that, Issei thought on continuing his proving, maybe he really was right...

"I know your real name, Goddess." - He told her and started to explain.

His voice sounded as sharp as a knife.

"I am the starry Lady of Heaven; my power enlightens dusk and dawn, mountain and sky, furrow and seed, animal and human, woman and man, love and division, and war, always war." - His words confused the women at his sides, but the Goddess looked shocked.

(So I was right?! Fuck this isn't good!) - He thought while the Goddess was in silence.

"Those, are the words of the beginning of a certain story. A story about a Goddess and her journey to the Underworld!"

As if his words had physical strength the Goddess retreated a step.

"But not to the darkness; not to the clay and dust, not to Death; not to the great land below, where my sister reigns. That land I did not know. So I abandoned the known lands and traveled to the threshold and found that entrance and beat on that cold door, I banged on it until I was let in. Into that Great Place, I descended, down through the gates, one by one"

He quoted while looking at the Goddess who seemed in shock.

"I never expected to see someone from that Pantheon which was thought to be extinct. And the Goddess that was as famous as she was strong."

Issei wanted to unmask this Goddess who seemed to be fond of hiding her real identity.

Ericia and Fuuki were in complete silence. They were amazed that Issei actually knew who they were facing! So they stood at both of his sides and kept their eyes on the Goddess, not losing her figure for a second.

She, on the other hand, was furious.

She, that was the last of her race, the last of the first Gods.

She, that lost her everything due to her foolishness and dumb pride.

Every word of the man in front of her made a wound on her heart, a wound that she knew she deserved! She always disliked her story because it showed what she once was. A spoiled Goddess that lost the most important to her and didn't realize it until it was too late!

"The greatest Goddess of old, known as a Mother Goddess and the strongest female on her Pantheon."

Unknowingly, the Palace started to creak, not because of his words but rather because of the Goddess in front of him.

Clutching her hand into a fist, blood started to fall from her palm. She even gritted her teeth to stop herself from trembling, she knew she deserved this but it hurt far too much. It hurt being reminded about that tragic past...

"...Stop..." - Her voice a murmur but her words echoed all over the Palace.

"Down I went through the seven gates, down to the realm of my sister. At the first gate, my Queenship was stolen. At the second gate, my Knowledge was taken. At the third gate, I lost my voice." - His reciting was stopped by the Goddess.

"Stop!" - She demanded and looked at the man in question with a horrifying glare.

*BAAAANNG!*

Her golden aura started to circulate around her body and the floor gave in. The quakes on the realm became even more noticeable than before.

"Let us go, Goddess! I know that if I give you this artifact then you will kill us at the same moment!"

Issei wasn't dumb, thanks to all he lived through he knew when someone wanted to kill him or not. And this Goddess since the beginning was practically oozing killing intent. Even behind that smile, he knew everything was fake.

After actually talking with her, in those few exchanges of words he discovered that if this Goddess got what she wanted then she would have attacked with her all.

She wanted to attack right after his talk about her Pantheon, but he showed her the artifact, actually, that was also a gamble. He didn't know if it would actually work but for now his only way out was to talk about her past, weirdly enough it hurt her, so she either concedes or he will spill the beans!

The Goddess was angered, no... she was furious!

This Dragon came here, just like many did in the past and wished to get her riches, her treasures, her memories of her people and her family! And now was blackmailing her to get out of here because he knew that only she could open the gate back to the Human World!?

(How did he figure all of this out?! My story and my people were lost in the river of time! No one should know that much about us, not even the Faction Chiefs of the modern world would know that much about me!) - She started to think.

(More so for a Dragon, they don't care for anything other than themselves, who exactly is he?!)

The Goddess knew about Dragons quite well, but never has she even heard about someone like him! Taking human form, having other species accompanying him, who was he?!

[Partner be careful, this Goddess wasn't exactly worshipped for her temper. I know that you want to provoke her to let all of you go, but you're treading on thin ice, be careful.] - Ddraig told his Partner.

(I know, but unless I make her angry and force her to actually let us go then she would just kill us!)

(We're trapped in here and she's the only one with the key to the outside world. I count on her temper to actually either let us go or create an opening wide enough for me to mortally wound her. If we actually fight her at her best then we wouldn't last!) - He explained his plan.

[I see! So you want her emotions to take control of her and actually, attack you! And at that moment you will hit her with everything you got, creating an opening for your women to strike her down!] - The Dragon understood and was actually surprised by the plan of his Partner.

(Correct, either she lets us go or she will make a mistake, and I will take that opportunity!) - Issei smirked, making the Goddess even angrier than before.

[Ok Partner, I'll be ready for the moment when it happens. However, be careful, you don't know how strong she is and her Legends explain a lot about her strength. She's not someone even your team can take on at the moment.] - Ddraig told his Partner and started to prepare himself for the opportunity to come.

(I know Ddraig, but we need to risk in order to gain!) - He cut communication with his Partner and decided to continue his plan.

"At the fourth gate I ceded my Beauty. At the fifth gate I gave my Divinity. At the sixth gate I offered my Self. At the last gate, I left my Life, and it all falls away and death comes."

He continued provoking the Goddess who seemed extremely angry.

(Just a bit more.) - He thought

"This is your last chance Goddess, or I will say everything!" - He screamed at her.

"NO! I won't let you get away!? I won't let you get away with what I treasure the most! Even if that was once the thing I hated the most! It's what's left of my time as a true Goddess." - She screamed at him.

"Then so be it Goddess, it was your choice!" - He decided to continue his speech.

"Time passes and does not, and two strangers come to the Queen, bearing water. But they ask of her one thing, and that one thing is granted. So then the loosed spirit is breathed back and bound into that which remains, and I am borne to Life once more. What did they give the Queen, that she turned her ear to them?"

His words for her were ruthless, tears formed on her eyes.

"No, please don't! Please stop! Don't make me remember those days!" - She pleaded with tears streaming down her face, but he only answered with the only thing she couldn't accept.

"Let us go Goddess and everything will stop." - He told her, feeling kind of bad to do this.

They needed to escape this place, and the Goddess truly didn't want to let go of them!

"I can't! I won't! Not while you know about this place, not while you know about me, not while you have that artifact with you, not while you have the key to the treasury!" - She screamed and wiped her tears off with her arms.

Issei felt a twinge of remorse but continued his words.

"This darkness knows the Law, the Law which says, that for one released there is one ransomed."

Those words made her look at him with horrible eyes, but that glare was never directed at him, it was weird. It was as if she actually wanted him to continue, as if she wished for this to if she wished for him to tell her story to all present, especially to herself. As if she wished to be punished for something she did.

But she never said a word of approval...

She didn't hate the man, he was just doing what was necessary to get out alive, but she couldn't let them go! If he knows about this place and actually lets him go, more will come and will destroy this place for their own greed!

Her treasures collected over the millennia will be stolen again and she will be left without anything to remember them. That key in his hand was the last memory that remind her of the past, the last memory of her time...

She hated herself because of what she did in the past, and even at this moment she hadn't forgiven herself, so in a way, she was grateful that this man was doing this... maybe after this, she would have finally paid for her crimes against her loved one...

Issei breathed and continued his story.

"There was no question, really, who it should be, and down I send my husband in my stead."

His words echoed in her head, he actually felt how her heart twisted and cracked at the memory.

She closed her eyes and remebered that scene, that memory that hunts her till this day...

---

—-Start FlashBack—-

---

.

In her search of more power, in her search of arrogance blinded by her pride. She went to the down below, to the place filled with death that her sister reigned.

Arrogantly she reached the main door, the first door, and threatened to bring it down if she was not let in.

After all the threats she could think, she was let in by the gatekeeper, a young woman who wore nothing but drags. Yet the plot of the Queen of Hell, already started.

As a trick, she was told that due to customs set by the god of heaven himself every single traveler must let a piece of jewelry or clothing at the gate. This was the plot, not knowing that alongside that piece of clothing or jewelry a part of her own self will also be left behind.

So she accepted and her journey began, the first gate was crossed, and alongside her crown, she was stolen her queenship.

Letting that behind, her mind was set free, no longer blinded by her arrogance. Yet her pride still remained, and soon she decided to continue her journey.

At the second gate her front cover was lost and with that, her knowledge.

Not knowing exactly why she came here in the first place she thought the only path was ahead and so she walked. After seeing things no mortals should see, and talking to all death in this realm, her mind started to change, but she didn't notice...

At the third gate she left behind her stocking with many treasures sealed into it, and with that, her voice was lost.

Not capable of speech, she continued her journey, now lamenting her choice of continuing, yet she could no longer stop... Seeing the great evils that plagued below the earth all the torture and pain, she was mourning for the ones that were trapped here.

She then reached the fourth gate, and she ceded her beauty and with that, her cape was lost.

She closed in on the Underworld, to the throne of the mighty Queen, but now being weaker than before she felt different...

While wailing on the long road filled with nothing but darkness, she thought about her life. About her deeds, all good and wrong, about her plays and tricks, about her so-called loves, about the many things she did...

Reaching the fifth gate she was stripped of her necklace and with that, her strength left her.

All the power she held and was proud of was now lost! Not capable of fighting against anything nor anyone, not different from the low Gods that governed useless stuff in her eyes.

Yes! just like her husband that she left on top of the Earth!

Shocked by this, her thoughts started to get even worse, feeling emotions she never experienced before, feeling guilt and regret to all that she used as toys, to all she scoffed at, and to all she hurt...

Reaching the sixth gate, she gave her sole sleeve, adorned with jewels that shined with the brilliance of a thousand stars, and with that, her Divinity was stolen.

Not different from a mortal, she continued her journey. Swearing to everything above the Heavens that if she escapes she would change for the good! But that proved to be an empty promise...

The last steel gate was in front of her, resigning herself to her fate she crossed it... and her sole piece of clothing was also left behind.

With the last piece lost, her sense of self was taken. Not being different from a corpse that held life, not different from a body that held no mind.

She was taken prisoner by her sister and ridiculed. As punishment, she was cursed to die a slow death! Hit by sixty plagues that would make her suffer before soon taking her life!

The Gods, discovering that the Earth was changing with her loss, sent a young being, not divine in nature, and a young man close to the Goddess to take her back. The being was given the water of life as a gift to the Queen of Hell, but it was meant to be given to the fallen Goddess, the other man acted as his companion and guide in this long and tough journey.

Reaching the end of their journey, the being sprinkled the water onto the living corpse of the Goddess.

It was a success! The Goddess returned to life! But without anything on her just like before, her sense of self alone was returned and only that, no power, no beauty, no voice...

Furious, the Queen of Hell demanded an explanation! Soon, she was told about the orders of the Heavens above, she understood, but she wanted something. She demanded a life for a life!

The being proposed its own, but she was unsatisfied with it, saying that it was not the same. The life of a God to that of something not divine in any aspect, it wasn't equal at all!

Not having anything left to offer the being wanted to give up but another person appeared, the companion revealed himself!

The Goddess at the moment she saw him, started crying in bliss. Happiness filled her being yet the words that came from his mouth made her sorrowful.

The man announced himself as the husband of the Goddess and proposed the life of a god for another. The Queen was satisfied with this deal and accepted his proposal, yet the Goddess was mourning, sadness and despair filled her completely.

She repeatedly asked; Why he did it?! Why after all she told him?! After he cheated on him! And after all the horrible things she did to him! Why did he decide to give his own life for her own?!

The man smirked and explained.

"Because, I'm not the one that's supposed to be by your side. I as your husband, shall love you, but you do not feel the same way as I. The reason for that is because although being a Goddess of Love you haven't experienced love. The one that will love you shall come, and at that moment don't give up. My time in the world of the living as well as my journey end here, but yours will just start."

The man went towards the Queen of the Underworld, not removing the smile in his face.

The Queen touched his forehead and retrieved something from him a little ball of light...

The cold body dropped to the ground and the Goddess that came here was soon free to go.

Tears fell from her face, regret and sorrow embedded onto them.

The being, after many moons, talked her out of her grief and convinced her to start her journey back up, and so she did.

But not for a moment did she forget about the sacrifice and the words of her husband, even after she retrieved all that was rightfully hers!

The experience she gained from this changed her entirely, and she became like another Goddess!

Trying to pay all the wrongs she did on Earth, she did her job as a Goddess and did it splendidly! But time passed, yet not for a day did she forget the words of her husband...

---

—-End FlashBack—-

---

.

The Goddess was standing still and not moving, only crying at the remembrance of that memory, of that sin she committed.

"That's the story of this Goddess, that due to her greed and pride lost everything in her life. What happens afterwards is not written in any record, that is for the Goddess to know." - Issei told his companions.

He then looked at the Goddess that seemed to be awaked from her thoughts.

(She lasted long enough, but I still have something else.) - He looked at her and without any mercy, he told her.

"I haven't said your name Goddess." - He told her while hoping for the best, but only silence answered him.

Ericia and Fuuki were seeing all of this with some guilt written on their faces, but they also knew why he was doing this. He was doing this to save them! To live and see another day! Although it was bad, it was a needed evil!

"Fine." - The executioner continued his words.

"She's a goddess of beauty, good harvests, and war from Mesopotamian Mythology. Said to be the most pampered, or rather, most beloved goddess by the other deities."

The Goddess looked at him with a face that spelled dismay but also... hope.

"Her Sumerian divine name is Inanna, and this name is actually the older one. A goddess of Venus, a goddess that rules over good harvests which brings prosperity to people, and also a goddess that rules over war and destruction. Having even dispatched a fearsome divine beast called the 'Bull of Heavens' to the city of Uruk!"

He was hoping for her to be angry, but either she hid it really well or wasn't angry at him at all!

"Famous for having numerous loves, it has been said that she would make advances with all her energy on those who she took a liking to, regardless of those being humans or other deities. On the other hand, she also displayed a demon-like cruelty towards those who did not bow to her will." - He thought about his next words but decided to continue.

"Her Akkadian divine name is..." - He breathed in and then said the words that made the Goddess accept her fate with a smile on her face.

"Ishtar, Queen on the Heavens! Goddess of Beauty, Harvests, Sex, Love and War. The strongest Goddess of Sumerian History and called the strongest in all of Heaven!"

The women at his sides widen their eyes, that was a name they recognized!

Ericia heard from her before the Civil War started, but was only the story of how she unleashed the 'Bull of Heaven'. Never would have she thought that she would be here, alive and actually in front of her!

Fuuki was shocked, she did hear of her but never of her story. Never would she have thought that it was actually that bad. No wonder she didn't want to hear it, after all, it was pretty bad, but for a Goddess of her calibre to actually have a past like that, it was rather unsettling.

The Goddess now named Ishtar looked at the man in front of her and actually felt different from before. Even if it hurts like crazy she felt that now she could actually forgive herself for what she did in the past. She felt free!

"How did you know?" - That was her question, the only thing she wished to know.

"I had my suspicions since before entering the city. But I would have never thought that you were here, after all, on the outside world everyone thinks everything related to you and your Pantheon ceased to exist. So I ask you this, How are you here? Alive and actually, quite strong?" - He asked his own question, his curiosity got the best of him again.

"I'll tell you if you answer my question." - She needed to know, How? Many have come through many eras but no one knew about her, not at the level this man knew.

"It was written in an ancient text I read some time ago, your story Ishtar, everything was written on it."

He didn't want to say he actually read it in his house.

After reading about Tiamat and the Sumerians he started to investigate more about this culture in particular and found some Legends that didn't appear on his personal Library. His interest piqued he kept reading and searching until he was satisfied.

(Google is really a blessing in disguise, but they don't need to know about that.) - He mentally thanked his savior and hoped this would be a really well-kept secret between him and Ddraig.

"When I first entered the Jungle, I thought about the location in general. After some thinking, and the clues in the map that lead us here, I found out that the city was related to the Mesopotamian Period." - He started to further explain.

"The eight-pointed star was a symbol related to you but just that wasn't enough. The vegetation that seemed far too dense for even a Jungle kept my head spinning for some time. But then we saw the Bull, a Symbol that was used to represent you." - He pointed his finger at her.

Ishtar was quite amazed by this man's intellect and deductive reasoning, so she kept listening to him.

"Then I thought the city was built as a sanctuary, as well as an offering to you, so I let it rest. Then I saw more about the city, the cuneiform writing on the surface of all the buildings only supported my theory even more. But then we went to the pyramid and found that pedestal." - He stared at her and kept walking around trying to find the best spot in case she attacks.

"Seeing the moving pictures made me think; 'The first was probably related to the city itself rather than to who was created.' However, the other picture didn't make sense..." - He stopped moving and looked at the women.

"A woman destroying a mountain with her fist? It just didn't make sense." - He shook his head and smiled.

"Then I remembered a Legend about a Goddess that destroyed a mountain just because it was on her way. The Legend of you destroying the Sacred Mountain Ebih!" - He looked at Ishtar.

"And after accidentally grabbing this artifact, we ended inside here. After walking up the staircase I saw you and joined the pieces together but I still felt doubt, so I asked you about the Pantheon. Your answer gave me the information I needed, then the rest was a simple deduction." - He dismissed the rest of the explanation but was actually quite proud of it.

"That's how I figured out who you were. Now answer my question, How are you alive?" - He asked her.

Ishtar was amazed once again by this man, truly a unique being in the whole world!

Fuuki and Ericia were the same as Ishtar, but Fuuki was actually looking at him as if she wanted to eat him. Her heart-shaped eyes didn't help her image at all.

Ericia looked even more shocked, her heart was beating wildly inside her chest and her face was blushing furiously.

(Maybe Fuuki was right... maybe... I... actually fell for him...) - Thinking that, she felt a sense of relief and satisfaction fill her body as if she was actually better than ever before in her life!

But her thoughts were stopped by the voice of the Goddess.

"I'll be direct." - She told Issei while mentally preparing herself.

"Belief is where Gods come from, Gods are born due to human nature. Humans wish to explain everything in the world and when something doesn't make sense they attribute it to the power of Gods." - She started to explain.

"That belief is what gives the Gods their power. The stronger the belief, the stronger the power they will possess. However, there exists a... repercussion." - She said with a sad voice.

"If humans stop believing in the God that they thought made that natural phenomenon or that unexplainable event occur, then the God will stop gaining power, and if something isn't done then they will start to decline in strength and slowly dissipate." - Her words made Issei widen his eyes in surprise, he never heard about this!

"Humanity started to evolve, and with that, their thinking changed. My Pantheon started to decline in power and when we figured out what was the reason why, when we tried to make the humans believe in us again, it proved to be a worthless effort." - She was quite sad at the remembrance of that scene.

"At that time I already came back from the Underworld and I became a hermit since I no longer saw anyone. I was the first to figure this out and after some years, I cut off my existence from the power of belief that humans gave me. But due to that, my strength stopped growing and because I wasted far too much time, my power diminished."

Her words made Issei think about the current Pantheons.

"I tried to warn them but it didn't work, it was too late and there was nothing left for me to do. Slowly I was the only one of my Pantheon left alive and was left alone in the world. So I made this place and hid, waiting for my end to come." - Her words seemed to be the truth but Issei still had a question to ask.

"Then the current Pantheons—" - He was interrupted by Ishtar.

"They learned from our mistakes and actually survived with almost all of their strength. Once the time that Humanity evolved came, few Pantheons experienced the same destiny as mine." - She finished her explanation and looked a the Dragon who seemed to be thinking.

"...…" - Issei was just silent, processing her words. Now that did explain some things.

(So that's why the Three-Biblical-Factions are feared and why the Hindu Gods have that much power! People nowadays still believe in them!)

He then saw the woman stop her walk and started expelling her aura.

He then remembered the main problem of this situation, they were still stuck in this place with her!

"Now Dragon, sorry to tell you this but, I will kill you~" - Her voice changed to flirty one and she soon vanished from her spot.

Using all of his senses to the maximum Issei used his Darkness and covered his body like usual.

*BOOOOMMMMM!*

A blow hit him from the side but he managed to guard against it. However, it didn't stop him from flying away and crash against the wall.

*CRRAAASSSSHHH!*

The wall cracked in some spots but Ise was still guarding against the hit from the Goddess.

(Damn! She packs a punch!) - His thoughts started to spin as he decided to remove himself from the wall.

Falling down to the ground, Issei noticed how the Goddess seemed different from before. She looked more calm and... peaceful.

(Damn! My plan backfired!) - He never thought something like this could happen!

"Dragon I deeply thank you for what you did. I have never felt better, and to prove my thanks I'll kill you as quickly and painlessly as I can, to that I swear!"

The Goddess genuinely smiled at him, but only made him mentally scream. - (That's not what I wanted!)

[Ha!] - Ddraig found the situation quite funny but didn't dare laugh out loud.

Then, in a burst of speed, she disappeared from his eyes and appeared next to him.

His instincts kicked in, and soon he covered his arms in his Darkness and started to trade blows with her.

*BAAAM! BAAAAM! BAAAAAAM!*

Everytime they clashed fists, the aftershocks literally shook the entire realm.

After minutes passed both of them were still trading blows never stopping, fatigue was visible on Issei but he knew that if he stopped even for a second it would spell his death.

His team was watching him, hoping that he would create an oportunity for them to attack.

The reason they didn't do anything until now was that the Goddess was very wary of them, she never left her guard down for them to take advantage of, even when Issei landed a couple of blows, she never stopped keeping an eye on them.

Sweat formed on Issei's brow, his body was burning. Never ending combat with a Goddess of War exhausts ones body very fast.

Every time he tried something, she canceled it by increasing her speed and landing a heavy hit on him, making him cough blood. Or she just made him lose his concentration by using faints, he was starting to get anxious.

Desperate, and seeing that he was at a disadvantage, he activated his 'Combo Star' and Issei started to increase his offensive speed using all of his remaining energy.

*BAAANGG! BAAAANGG! BAAANG!*

He wanted to reach a high-hit combo as fast as possible!

Then to increase his odds a bit more, with a quick glance he looked at Ericia in the eyes and discreetly asked for her help.

(Understood.) - She stopped searching for an opening and sped towards the Goddess.

In conjunction with Issei they both fought against her in Close Quarters.

---

.

Issei directed a punch right at her chest, but she just pushed his arm with hers and made him miss his target breaking his former Combo.

Ericia, who was behind her, watched this and as fast as she could she twisted her body and went for a high kick aimed at the back of Ishtar's neck.

The momentum and force she generated managed to create a strong air-current that was sensed by the Goddess

Ishtar felt her and managed to dodge the kick with minimal effort and just sidestepped to the left.

Seeing the kick fly past her head she went for a counter-attack, however, Issei stepped in before she could punch Ericia and went for an elbow blow aimed at her chest.

She widened her eyes and dodged the blow that managed to create an aftershock when it passed her, she then created some distance in between them.

*CRAAAACKKK!*

Ericia's kick made contact with the ground and dented it inwards, creating a big crater.

The crater that was just formed made the Goddess lose her balance momentarily, and taking the opportunity Issei closed his distance with her.

Issei punched her and she only managed to block with her forearms forming an 'X' shape.

Increasing his speed he used his whole upper body to strike at her, punches and some elbow blows directly connected with her ribs and chest but nothing was broken, not even a bruise was seen.

*Foosh!* - Ericia jumped from the crater and joined Issei with his attacks.

Fighting side by side both had a perfect teamwork. Issei would create openings by using faints or just receiving the blows of Ishtar and then Ericia will use her own martial arts and land powerful hits that destroyed the land beneath them, hoping it would damage the Goddess.

Ishtar, frustrated, grabbed Issei's wrist when he threw a punch right at him.

(You're mine!) - She pulled Issei towards her and released his wrist, but the momentum made him fly at her.

Ishtar collected a lot of golden aura on the same hand she used to pull him and threw a fierce punch at his face, Ericia prepared to do something but was to late, the blow landed on him.

*BAAAANNNGGGG!*

It echoed all over the place making the land quake at the force

[Partner!] - Ddraig knew, that blow did serious damage.

Issei was sent flying against a pillar - *CRUUSH!* - and managed to destroy it.

His speed barely decreasing, he was sent right towards the wall behind him.

*BBAAAAAAANNNNNGGGG!*

Issei was embedded against the wall and Fuuki, that was thinking about a plan to hurt the Goddess, was shocked by seeing this.

"Ise!" - The scream and worry of Fuuki managed to make Ericia lose concentration for a second.

(Chance!) - Ishtar took the opportunity and closed the distance between Ericia and herself.

Ericia on the other hand was startled and as reflex threw a kick aimed at her face. Ishtar smiled and caught the kick with both arms not planning to let her go.

"I won't release you!" - She told her with a emotionless and cold voice. She was planning on doing the same as she did to the Dragon!

Ericia was shocked by this but soon thought of something.

"Please don't." - She gave her a disturbing smile managing to astound Ishtar for a brief moment.

(This blow is for you, Issei) - What happened next was... numbing.

Using the leg that was caught by the Goddess, Ericia twisted her body with all of her strength and purposely twisted her leg making it break into pieces. That movement made her positioning less awkward and corrected her 'stance' for her to land a blow.

With the momentum she generated she passed Ishtar's guard and with her right knee she aim and landed a serious blow on the Goddess right temple.

*BAAAAAANNNNNNGGGG!*

Ishtar was sent flying at the side, crashing against a pillar and possibly with a broken skull.

Landing on the ground, Ericia gruesomely twisted her leg to stand properly. Then with worry on her eyes she took a peak where Issei was currently at.

Seeing that he was standing up and his Darkness was healing him, she released a breath of air filled with worry.

---

—-A Minute Earlier—-

---

.

Issei the moment that blow hit him lost consciousness, but as soon as he struck the wall he gained it back due to the shock.

(Damn my head!) - He thought as he let his Darkness heal him, that blow clearly broke his skull and almost caved his face inwards.

(If I didn't have my Darkness then I would have died!)

That blow was aimed for a swift kill, nothing more, nothing less. That thought send a chill down his spine.

(I haven't been so close to death in some time, maybe less than a month?) - He mentally told a joke to try and calm himself down.

[Partner, I think you should use your other abilities. She's far too strong to fight her in close quarters, both you and the Vampire are barely keeping up and that's because you don't let her take the offensive.] - Ddraig recommended.

(You're right, lets change strategies.) - He gave a confirmation and waited for the healing to be done.

After some seconds, he healed and stood up from his place. Seeing Fuuki at the far left he thought of something.

"Fuuki! Prepare something that does a lot of damage! Ericia and I will buy you time, after we create a big enough opening aim for it even if we are in the middle!" - The face of Fuuki changed but with difficulty she nodded her head.

"Don't worry you know how special both of us are, so we have a way to survive, don't forget who we are."

He told her and tried to calm her down, then he just winked at her making her blush.

Seeing him like that Fuuki nodded her head and with determination in her eyes she replied.

"It'll take some time but I have something that will destroy the entire palace if needed." - Issei smirked at her and nodded his head.

(Well let's buy some time.) - Then he used his Darkness and summoned his blades, 'Rebellion'.

The seven blades appeared around him as if they were guarding him, then he grabbed his favorite curved blade.

Speeding up he arrived next to Ericia who just landed a serious blow on Ishtar.

"Ericia we need to buy Fuuki some time, she has something that can probably damage her badly." - He told her in a low voice only the two could hear.

Ericia curved the edge of her mouth and - "Hm." - In acceptance.

*BOOOOMMMMM!*

The pillar at the distance was broken into pieces and from it, the Goddess emerged, blood falling from the side of her head.

(That girl actually hurt me...) - With a cool head, she looked at the white-haired beauty and smirked.

(Seems this will be better than I thought. Time to up a gear or two.) - The Goddess made a stance and prepared herself.

Issei went first. He covered his blades with his 'Hell Blaze' and he sent six of his blades to hopefully create an opening, however, something happened.

Ishtar moved arms in front of her and gathered her aura, it circulated around her arms and then, like his own 'Hell Gate', a golden portal was opened. Said portal swallowed the flying blades and closed soon after.

(So I can use it like that...) - Seeing his distraction literally fly out the window, he covered his body in his maximum amount of Darkness and increased his speed to the top. Then with his sole remaining blade still covered by his flames, he slashed at her.

*Swish!* - The sound of wind being cut was heard.

Ishtar, seeing that he didn't stop his assault, decided to dodge the blow by moving backwards.

The blade passed her by a few centimeters and only cut some strands of her hair. It went right by her eyes and down to the floor. However, Issei knew that she would dodge so the swing of his blade was a faint.

He smirked coldly and muttered. - "Kami Chigiri!"

Then the flames from his blade erupted and were launched from the sword with a curved shape. The flames were fired at such a close distance that she couldn't escape the impact!

*BOOOOOMMMM!*

The Goddess was sent flying once again, right towards the wall behind her.

Issei, seeing that his blow landed, felt the fatigue of his former combat against her and the heavy wound she gifted him.

He started to breathe heavily and kneeled on the ground. - *Pant! Pant! Pant!*

That attack took a toll on his reserves and stamina.

[Good thinking Partner. Using your swing as a faint just to hit her with a strong attack. But I doubt that would be enough.] - Ddraig congratulated his Partner and also warned, he knew that attack was far from enough.

(I think I will need to use the Boosted Gear.) - Issei was getting desperate and will soon need something else.

(Damnit! If only I had more things in my repertoire I wouldn't be like this!) - His thinking made the Dragon ask.

[Indeed Partner, but what can you think of? According to you, almost every move you have, came from a fight. So why not try it now? It might be useful even if it's dangerous.]

His idea was crazy. Experimenting while fighting a Goddess, only a Dragon had the gall to think that and not believe it was insane!

(...…) - Issei was meditating his Partner's words.

(Maybe you're right. It's crazy but it could work and it will help me grow further.) - He wanted to try it.

[HaHaHaHaHa, now that's my Partner! I'll help you out, two heads are better than one.] - Without wasting time the Dragon asked his Partner. - [So any ideas?]

(I need long range, until now I have only my spheres of 'Darkness' my 'Drill', 'Hell Blaze', 'Purgatory Flame Bird', and that's pretty much it, 'Flare up' is used in medium and close range and the rest is close range...) - He numbered his attacks and told Ddraig.

[Hmmm... Have you thought of an attack coming out of your 'Hell Gate'?] - Ddraig asked.

That made Issei freeze, he hadn't thought about it!

While looking at the flames that were burning fiercely he started to think even faster than before, barely seconds have passed since he launched his attack, so his thinking speed was put into use until now.

(Maybe...) - He thought of something that was rather cool, but before anything else, the Goddess acted.

*Swoosh!*

A pillar of golden light came from the flames making them retreat. The Goddess was at the center, light burns that were not even sunburns on her skin.

"Incredible, Dragon. Certainly, you are something. No one in a couple of millennia has managed this. You remind me about a certain King I fought long ago, your schemes and power alongside your wisdom and pride are certainly like his."

The Goddess started to walk in his direction, golden light covering her from the flames in her surroundings.

"A pity we met like this, if it was in any other situation then we could have been quite close, truly a pity." - Then the Goddess stopped walking and looked into his eyes.

Her eyes briefly lit up with a pink light, making Issei feel lightheaded and tired. His body became numb and he slowly fell to the ground.

(What did she!?) - He placed a hand on the floor to stop his body from falling.

Ishtar was thinking. - (Wow! It only paralized your whole body? My eyes hold the Authority to Charm any living being I can make them mine! Dragons are no exception, but you resisted! You are making me feel excited Dragon. I like when my eyes don't work, it's proof that the other being is worthy of everything I have!)

(Fuck! She got me!) - Issei thought as he saw the almost sexual smirk of the Goddess, it seems he made her very interested in him.

[Partner! She tried to charm you but proved to be useless! Be grateful that you resisted, otherwise, you would have been her slave for all eternity!] - Those words made Issei sweat bullets.

(The Goddess had something like that?!) - He was slightly frightened.

[You, yourself said it, she's a Goddess of Beauty, Love and Sex. So her eyes and charm are quite strong even among Gods. But now that her strength diminished and she's not fighting seriously, you managed to resist. You're lucky.] - The Dragon then saw how the Goddess disappeared from his sight in a golden light.

Light appeared in front of him and the Goddess held a golden sword on her hand. It was short, maybe two feet in length but the power it had was no less than some famous swords he has seen across his life.

[Move Partner! As long as it doesn't hit anything vital you can live!] - Ddraig told his Partner.

Ericia, that was behind him, decided to act.

His fight with the Goddess was seen by her and she decided to not intervene, that and the fact that she was exhausted of fighting her.

Her body couldn't take the punches of the Goddess without breaking, so she's been using her shadows as means to reinforce the interior of her body, that way she could fight and not suffer that much.

But that costs a lot of energy, and the fatigue the moment she relaxed hit her rather badly, so seeing that Issei was buying time for both; Fuuki and her, made her take a breather.

But the moment she saw those eyes shinning she went on maximum alert. For some seconds her consciousness was robbed from her and when she gained it back the Goddess was already in front of Issei.

(Shit! Issei resist for just a minute!) - She mentally screamed.

(I need to use 'Lord of Vampire'!) - She decided.

She breathed in and a pillar of red light surrounded her, then her skin slowly started to changed into the color of ash and her shadows merged with her. She just needed more time and she would be there to help him!

Fuuki was surrounded by tons of Senjutsu hexagons, many in different colors but all mainly dark in tone.

Six red and black Talismans were floating in front of her, they had an eerie purple miasma coming off them.

This attack she was preparing was her best. But she needed a lot of energy, almost all she had to successfully activate it.

Her concentration also needed to be pin-point perfect and even with all of that after this attack, she would be out!

"Please handle her for a bit more! I still haven't finished, I still need some time!" - She screamed for him to know.

She knew things were going rather poorly, and both Issei and Erica were exhausted, but she needed them to be strong, just a minute or two more!

Back with Issei he saw the Goddess appear in front of him, smiling and with a respectful light in her eyes.

"...A pity..." - She mouthed but it was heard by Issei. Then the short-sword on her hand moved.

*Stab!* - The sound of flesh being pierced was heard.

The short-sword went through Issei, but thankfully she missed his heart by centimetres.

*Cough!* - He violently coughed blood. That blood spread over the face and arm of the Goddess.

"I regret how things ended up this way Dragon. Maybe we could have been quite close but that will not be known." - She told him while looking into his eyes. Regret visible inside of them.

"You're right Ishtar maybe we could have been great companions and friends, but we won't know that." - He then extended his left arm and grabbed hers, stopping her movements.

"We certainly won't know." - He smiled at her, the light in his eyes still there.

Seeing him grab her arm she increased her aura and started to pull it back, slowly she was succeding. Seeing that, she smiled.

"Dragon you're noble, trying to tie me in place so that your companions attack me. But you're too weak, your body has barely any strength left, you won't be capable of making me stay in place!"

Her eyes lit up in with a pink light and she tried pulling her right arm from his grasp. She was freeing herself from his binding!

Half of the blade was already out of his body and as seconds passed it was pulled further and further back.

(Damn!) - He screamed inside his head.

He used whatever Aura he had left and covered his left arm, increasing his physical strength. This bought him some time but it was just useless.

Ishtar increased her aura and the blade started to glow in a golden light, burning his insides with the heat it generated.

"If you won't let go, then you will suffer Dragon! I don't want your end to be like this, so give up!" - She taunted him.

"Never, I refuse to give up! I have given up enough in this life! I will no longer run away, I will no longer suffer like I once did! I will no longer be used, those memories I have will no longer hold me down! I will prove to everyone how different I am, and if I need to die to show the world who I truly am, then so be it!" - His eyes held a different light than before.

Seeing him like this the Goddess was remided of her past, when she was strong and still had her loved one by her side. She remembered all those good things and seeing this Dragon's will she was awestruck.

(You... I really think that maybe, just maybe, you could be...) - Her thoughts stopped as she watched something amazing.

The Darkness surrounding Issei pulsed and started to glow in a purple light. Then she felt how the magic reserves he was so proud of were slowly drained dry. However, his strength increased by ridiculous margin, and with that new-found strength he managed to stop Ishtar from taking her blade out.

(This is...) - He then heard his Partner's voice.

[Partner! You magic reserves are depleted, falling to rock bottom. But instead your physical strength shot through the roof! Quite the amazing Aura you have, capable of changing to suit your needs.]

Issei understood this and asked.

(A new ability?) - [Indeed.] - He got his answer.

[By sacrificing your magic you improved your physical power. A double-edged sword but really powerful nonetheless. But now we need to focus, we can talk about that later! Your reserves are really low so this won't last long, make full use of it!] - Ddraig told his Partner.

(Then I'll use my everything to keep her in place! Ddraig be prepared, I'm using the 'Gear'!) - Ddraig was happy at his words, it was all or nothing!

Then from his left arm a red glow appeared, that light momentarily dazed the Goddess but after it died down she was stunned.

"The Boosted Gear?!"

She screamed, momentarily she stopped putting strength into her arm making Issei gain more valuable seconds. He knew that Ericia will soon come to help him. It seems that due to her fatigue she took longer than he thought to use her Trump Card.

"Indeed Goddess. Not only am I a Dragon, I also have one of the 13 Longinus; The Boosted Gear!" - He was proud of that, then he heard a familiar voice.

*Boost!* - He felt his strength increase and that caused a smirk.

"How?! Only humans could have a Sacred Gear?! How can you have it?! What kind of ridiculous existence are you!?" - She yelled her question, but before he could answer another voice was heard.

"That's not for you to know!" - Ericia appeared in a flash of red light and stood in front of him.

Her skin was the color of ash and her eyes were shining with a red light. Then, with all of her power, she clenched her fist.

Seeing this, Issei grabbed the Goddess with his other arm and prepared for the incoming impact.

*Boost!* - Thanking the increase in power Ericia released her blow. It struck the Goddess.

*BOOOOOOOMMMMM!*

Ericia's punch landed right on her cheek, making her turn her head away. Blood was dropping from the edge of her mouth.

Issei managed to resist the force of the blow and didn't let go of the Goddess.

"Ha! You think something like that can seriously wound me?! Keep on dreaming!" - Ishtar taunted, but Issei only smirked and said.

"Do you think she's alone?" - That made the Goddess look at him in shock, she remembered the other ability of the 'Welsh Dragon'!

*Boost!*

The third Boost was heard and soon Issei grabbed the side of Ericia, right at her abdomen. That made her blush but since he was on his knees, there was not much that could be done.

*Transfer!* - The Boosted Gear announced.

The red light on Ericia's body increased in density and managed to crack the ground beneath her.

She viciously smiled and said. - "You're Fucked!"

She clenched her fist and focused her power on her knuckles. Her entire fist turned bright red due the power that it contained.

Then she released the punch and twisted her fist at the last second, making use of the entire physical strength in her body.

*BBAAAAAAANNNGGGGG!*

The sound echoed all over the place and the ground behind the Goddess was decimated!

Ishtar, feeling her other cheek being hit, momentarily lost her senses. That blow managed to twist her head in the other direction.

*SPAAT!* - As a bonus, she spat a mouthful of blood that painted the ground at her side red.

Issei felt the repeling force of the blow land on him, but he refused to let go.

[Partner! You have a few seconds left! Use them!] - Ddraig told his Partner as he felt his strength diminish.

*Boost!*

"Whatever you're doing, finish it now! I won't last for long!" - He screamed at both of his companions.

Ericia nodded her head and prepared herself to start a barrage of punches. She healed her cracked knuckles and prepared another punch.

Fuuki hurried her preparations, she was just about to finish.

Cocking her fist, Ericia went for another blow.

*BBAAAAANNNNGGGG!*

Like the last one it made the Goddess turn her head to the side and spat another mouthful of blood.

Seeing her disoriented she mercilessly continued her attacks.

*BAAAANGG! BAAANNNGG! BAAAAANNNGG!*

She just kept throwing punches. Issei was still keeping the Goddess in place, refusing to let her go flying due to the force of each blow.

Ishtar felt her head go numb due to the pain of each hit.

(Need.. to... get out...) - Those were her thoughts.

She used whatever will she had left and created another short-sword on her other hand. Then she made use of her strength and swung it towards Ericia that was just delivering another punch.

*Swish!* - The air was cut apart.

*Drip... Drip... Drip...* - Blood hit the ground. The blade cleanly cut her arm-off, sending it flying.

The Goddess smirked when she saw the arm fall to the ground. Then she looked at the Dragon and prepared her move.

Turning her blade, she did a backwards grip and swung it, aiming to stab his skull!

Issei saw her sword aimed at his head and released his grip.

The Goddess lost her balance due to the momentum of her swing and tripped.

Falling to the ground due to that unexpected move, she felt the blows of the Vampire finally take a toll on her body.

Her head ached and she felt lightheaded. Those precious seconds in which she was down were properly used.

Fuuki finished her preparations and started to chant.

"The thought that burns my chest postray this world as a living hell..." - She then concentrated her entire reserves on the six talismans in front of her, making them glow.

The Senjutsu hexagons started to fuse into a single big, black, concentric circle right behind her.

"The incarnation with an obsession that brings forth tragedy..."

Sensing the energy from this, both Ericia and Issei retreated at full speed.

(That amount of energy, that's ridiculous!) - The energy being emanated from that spell made his body shiver.

[Incredible... For her to control such amount of power and so perfectly, she's a true genius in the field of Japanese Arts! Maybe not even in another a thousand years will someone like her appear again!] - Ddraig rarely praised someone and Issei knew it.

Hearing his Partner, The Heavenly Dragon 'Y Ddraig Goch' praise someone aside from his host, and even complimented her like that was extremely rare. Maybe in the entire Dragon's existence he has only done so no more than five times, so hearing the praise made Issei—for the first time in a long time, feel genuine shock!

Fuuki surrounded herself in Tōuki and sprinted towards the Goddess while chanting. But Ishtar soon felt the huge amount of energy charging at her and went slightly pale.

(I can't let that hit me! Not even touch me!) - The Goddess tried to escape by increasing her speed but was soon stopped by Issei.

"As if!" - He concentrated and remembered his past idea.

[Partner! You don't have any Aura left!] - Ddraig said.

(Oh, but I'm not fueling this with Aura.) - He smirked at that.

Ddraig soon understood those words.

[You're trying to use your Life Force?! Partner don't do it, who knows how many years of your lifespan you will lose!] - He screamed at him.

(We'll find out later!) - He smirked and focused even more.

A black portal appeared on top of Ishtar, it was pitch black with a purple light inside of it. Static was heard from the portal and it echoed across the destroyed Palace.

From the Portal, small black lightning bolts started to surround it, they were sizzling continuously due to their huge energy and seemed to threaten the Goddess.

Issei extended his right hand, black lightning on it. Then he mouthed.

"Begone with the Thunderclap." - At those words, the Portal started to increase in size, soon reaching 10 meters in diameter.

*RROOOOOAAAAARRR!*

A roar came from within the Portal, petrifying all of the present. Then Issei dropped his right hand towards the ground.

"Day of Wrath!"

A huge lighting bolt as thick as the pillars that supported the Palace came crashing towards the Goddess.

It had the shape of a Black Dragon that jumped towards the neck of its prey! It seemed to want to swallow the Goddess whole, not leaving a piece of her behind!

Ishtar was astounded! Never wound have she thought that the Dragon used his lifespan for an attack!

Her vision was covered by the attack and soon, - *CRACKLE! CRACKLE!* - it struck her with ease.

*BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!*

The power it held was tremendous, completely vaporizing the gold and the pillars in her surroundings.

Various, terrible 1st-degree burns soon covered her skin, blood flowing from them. But she knew that this attack was to stop her movements.

(Another distraction!)

She then forcefully turned her head and looked at the Dragon, who was smiling while panting heavily. A silhouette, for her, formed behind him and took a humanoid shape.

That person was someone Ishtar knew very well, after all, it was the man she loved the most... her husband.

"How are you—" - The silhouette seemed to smirk and then vanish into thin air.

Her thoughts stopped as she heard another voice and a huge amount of energy being aimed at her.

"Let thy, long-cherished, wish, pain this entire world!" - Fuuki finally completed her spell.

"Hell Thought Flame!" - The words rang across the desolate land.

---

.

Purple... That's the only thing that they could see.

A brilliant, noble, purple light, that covered the entire palace.

No sound could be heard, nothing could be seen. Just bright purple light and intense heat.

The heat was ridiculous and even made Issei sweat rivers. He never felt this degree of heat, not even his prided 'Hell Blaze' was capable of this!

After what it felt like hours, the light diminished in brightness and they all could see again. What they saw made their faces turn pale.

The palace was in ruins. The location where the spell landed was... gone, nothing remained.

Only the bright colorful sky of the Dimensional Gap could be seen.

With that attack more than half of the palace was gone. With a snap of the fingers, just like that!

The throne and whatever was behind it turned into dust, even the stairs that were somewhere around that place vanished as well.

What was now left was the other half of the palace that was demolished. More than half of the pillars were turned into rubble and craters filled the ground.

(This is the result of a battle against a God...) - Issei couldn't believe what just happened, the entire realm created by a God was destroyed!

(If this happened on the Human World, even worse, in a populated Area, then...) - He stopped his thoughts as he remembered something.

"The Goddess!" - He turned around and searched for her... but found nothing.

"Does this mean, that we—" - He then heard Fuuki's exhausted voice. She was panting heavily, sweating all over and he felt her reserves were lower than a Low-Class Devil.

"No." - Those words were like a bucket of cold water for both, Ericia and him.

"The spell didn't touched her, I felt how it hit nothing. She just vanished." - She told the rest of the team.

Their complexions worsen, now they were truly scared.

"Indeed!" - A voice echoed all over the ruins.

"You're right Fox, it didn't touch me. But for you to know, and use a spell of that magnitude, that's certainly scary. If it landed, then I would have certainly been mortally wounded and I would probably die!" - They looked around the Palace, but nothing was seen.

"Oh! Forgot about that." - She seemed to be able to see their confusion.

"Break the Void, Maanna." - A crack appeared from the void itself and Ishtar appeared from it.

She was still wounded, blood fell from both sides of her mouth. The burns and bruises on her body were still there, and even the damage from Issei's 'Day of Wrath' could be seen.

However, there was something different from her.

An object was at her side, floating as if ignoring gravity.

It was a huge... bow?

It's height surpassed her own by at least a head and the bow itself looked really weird. It looked like two royal blue pieces of metal with golden engravings that seemed to pop out of the main parts of the bow.

It was separated into two main pieces, two curved metal poles, one in front of the other. A huge hole was seen in the middle of both pieces seemingly for the arrows. A chain tied both pieces of metal by the ends and it looked like it was made to resist anything.

The bow was floating right at the side of Ishtar and was glowing in a royal blue light.

"What's that?" - Ericia asked the Goddess, but her only response was. - "He should know, after all, he knows everything about me~' - Her voice sounded sweet but it seemed different from the past, maybe she sounded expectant?

Issei squinted his eyes and stood up.

"That's Maanna, 'The Boat of Heaven' I never thought it was a bow as well." - He sighed.

"Maanna is the boat of the gods that soars across the Mesopotamian World, it was gifted to her by the highest God and it seems it's her weapon. This certainly isn't good..." - He told them.

That made Ericia and Fuuki nod their heads not really understanding. Ishtar on the other hand was overjoyed.

"Correct again! Darling!~" - She tried teasing him, it seemed she was happy.

"You really know me well, to be expected about you!~ Now that I think about it, I have never heard your name?" - She asked him while tilting her head.

Issei seemed to be taken by surprise by the lack of killing intent on her part, so he mindlessly answered.

"Hyoudou Issei." - Her eyes gleamed with... pleasure?

(A weird Goddess...) - He thought. - [Mn-Hn] - Ddraig agreed with him. One moment she was fighting and aiming to kill him, next she seemed all smiles and happiness, it was weird.

"I see!~ You're the first that managed to make me take Maanna out, amazing! But now that it's out, I won't hold back. This time I won't let my guard down, I'll fight with everything I have!" - Her words were serious but they lacked the killing intent from before.

"So do your best to survive!~" - She told him and waived her hand towards Maanna.

*VOOMP!* - The bow at her side seemed to extend as if ready to shoot something. Then a pure white and blue energy arrow as thick as a tree trunk appeared at the middle of it, right inside the hole it had.

The energy that arrow had managed to make them widen their eyes.

(That's?!) - Issei screamed but Ddraig finished his thoughts.

[No wonder she was called the strongest goddess. Just a casual arrow from her weapon has enough power to level a Town. That should have at least, a fourth of the power of the attack from the Fox, maybe more.] - His words chilled him to the bone.

(She was holding back this much?!) - He thought as he grouped together with his team.

"I can't take that arrow." - Ericia told him.

"That makes us two." - Fuuki agreed.

(Three. My reserves are low and I can't regenerate anymore. Ericia should be the same and Fuuki is running on fumes...) - He thought.

"Seems this is the end~" - She seemed to notice that they were exhausted.

"Ishtar, I'll never give up. And if I die, I'll die fighting trying to defeat you!" - Issei's words and confidence made the Goddess widen her eyes.

(You're so similar to him. Never giving up and always protecting those you care about...) - Her eyes seemed to turn misty.

*CRACK-CRACK!*

The barrier around the palace seemed to crack and the entire realm started to quake.

(Damn! The attacks we did made the barrier crack! Soon it will dissipate and we will all fall into the Dimensional Gap!) - Ishtar thought as she saw the place crack like a mirror.

"Seems this place is breaking apart and it will soon vanish from existence." - She told them making the arrow from Maanna disappear.

"Even I can't survive inside the Dimensional Gap for long. So I need to leave~" - The Goddess activated her bow and soon a crack appeared behind her.

"Take the treasure back with you, Ise~ I'll come for it, and at that time you better be ready." - Her words sounded like a threat but her thoughts were a bit different.

(You're so similar to him; courageous, brave and never willing to give up. But I need to confirm it. You certainly are different from anyone I have met Ise, you're really special~)

The Goddess seemed to be interested in him. Well it seems that for a Goddess of Love and War her way of accepting someone was through a fight.

(It seems his words were right, I should...) - With a new goal on her mind the Goddess gave him a quick glance, a wink and then left, disappearing from the Palace.

Seeing her leave, the three released a breath they didn't know they were holding.

"We were really lucky..." - They nodded at his words.

*CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!*

The entire realm was falling apart and the shaking of the Earth became more intense.

"We need to leave!" - Fuuki yelled.

"How?! The treasure doesn't work and we're exhausted!" - Ericia replied with worry on her voice.

[Fox! Use whatever Senjutsu you have left on my Partner! Try to make him regain enough energy to use the 'Hell Gate' that's the only choice!] - The gauntlet on his left arm told the three of them.

"Yes!" - Fuuki nodded and reached Issei, then a Green Senjutsu Hexagon appeared on her hands and started to transfer her power.

*QUAKE! QUAKE!*

The Earth trembled and started to fragment into pieces, everything started to fall into the Dimensional Gap due to a hole on the barrier that kept them here.

The three were anxious, they knew that using this was their only hope. And since the barrier that kept this place sealed was destroyed after their combat, they hoped that Issei was capable of taking them out of this place.

"Hurry, hurry." - Fuuki kept telling herself while Ericia was at the other side of Issei with an anxious look on her eyes.

Seeing her like that Issei grabbed her hand and told her.

"Don't worry, we'll leave this place together, I swear." - His voice sounded soft and conforming something really odd in him.

Ericia was amazed at his words, but soon she just thought.

(If you keep saying and doing things like that, I'll turn out like Fuuki, madly in love with you.) - She finally accepted her feelings for him. Those words made any doubt she had on her choice, vanish.

Then she smiled at him and nodded her head.

"I trust you." - Her smile made him blush, never had he seen her like that.

"T-Thanks..." - He blushed and stuttered while he answered, making Ericia smile.

(You look cute like that.) - Her thoughts made her blush as well.

Fuuki saw all of this with dead eyes. - (Well, seems my plan will start even before I thought.) - As she thought that, she smiled beautifully.

(~Soon we'll become a couple!~ And then we'll do a loooot of stuff. ~HeHeHe~) - Her perverted thoughts made her drool.

Soon the place deteriorated even more and managed to wake the three of them from their daydreaming.

"We need to leave, now!" - Issei then started to gather his Aura and with great difficulty formed a messy 'Hell Gate'.

The gate seemed bent and tattered, obviously his current Aura level wasn't suitable.

"Damn! Not enough!" - He knew that amount of energy wasn't sufficient.

"Seems I need to use something else." - He decided to do what he did before.

Connecting his 'Hell Gate' with his heart, he used his Life Force once again to fuel the gate properly.

The gate stabilized itself and soon looked normal, however, he didn't know for how long could he mantain it.

"Quick! Before something happens!" - He urged them to go first, but they shook their heads.

They didn't want to go first, not without him by their side.

Then they grabbed him by the arms and surrounded their necks with them, helping him move appropriately.

Thankful, Issei focused on the gate and soon after before the palace was destroyed, they crossed the gate.

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—-Scene Change / Golden City—-

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The three appeared from a portal right at the bottom of the pyramid.

The three kneeled on the ground and for once they felt relaxed and happy they made it out alive.

That Goddess was certainly something else, they couldn't fight her when she was serious, they only fought her adequately thanks to their teamwork and planning.

"Oh! There you are!" - Behnam was actually near their location and seeing something weird happen, he came to check it out. He thought it was the other three that came with them.

Seeing it was indeed them he walked closer, but never would have he expected seeing them in such a bad shape. It seemed as if they just went through a war.

The black-haired woman looked sickly pale and her body was trembling, barely capable of standing up on her own. Her dress was ripped and blood came from her left leg and her shoulder.

The white-haired woman was covered in dry blood and was panting heavily, she seemed wounded and exhausted. The sleeve of one of her arms was gone and her armor was dented and cracked in different places. Her hair was messy and was spiting some blood from her mouth.

The man looked barely conscious, he was heavily wounded and was being held by the two woman. His chest was bare and his clothing was bathed in blood, many bruises were seen on his sleeveless arms and on his face. He had a bloody nose and cuts all over his chest.

The three looked really bad. Seeing them like that Behnam couldn't stop his scream, scared of what they just went through.

"What happened to you?!" - Behnam asked while frozen in place. His face looked pale thanks to seeing the terrible states they were in.

"What's happening here?" - Jesper came from a building behind his father but soon stopped as he saw the three of them.

His eyes went wide at the sight in front of him, his brain barely registered the scene. The three of them looked as if they just survived a battle to the death!

"You don't want to know." - Those were Issei's words. He didn't even look at them.

The women at his sides nodded their heads and tried to catch their breaths.

Issei then told them. - "We need to leave, being here is dangerous with her on the look."

This place was her territory so they needed to get out, and fast.

"Yes, I know, give me a minute until I can use the 'Magatama'. " - Fuuki told him while finally calming her breath.

"Where are we going?" - Ericia asked as she stood properly, finally feeling better than before.

"Anywhere. Better if it's a place that has a Faction. That way she won't be capable of getting near us that easily. Aim for a deserted spot not far away from civilization, we need a place to rest and heal." - Issei explained while feeling dizzy, his sight blurry.

(Damn! Using my Life Force made my body go weak.) - Issei knew that he was barely hanging onto his consciousness.

"I agree, we should leave now." - Ericia agreed with Issei. She was anxious, she could see him about to lose consciousness and that made her worry.

Their conversation fell onto the ears of the two humans, but they didn't seem to care. Their only wish was to get out of here, and fast!

"Break the boundaries between worlds, Yasakani-No-Magatama, Transfer!" - Having just enough energy to use the treasure, Fuuki started the chant.

Soon the portal appeared right behind them and increased in size, just enough for the three to pass it.

Without making a noise the three of them vanished from the ancient golden city, hoping to appear in a decent location so they could rest.

"What just happened?" - Behnam, that just watched this, was confused. He did really understand what just happened.

"I don't know." - Jesper was also the same.

Both looked at each other with a confused look in their eyes. They just witnessed three supernatural creatures come out of the void and talk about something that didn't make any sense for them and after that they just left.

They stood there not moving for quite some time, staring at the position the three were currently at, but nothing happened.

This moment, for them, became one of the weirdest experiences in their lives.

They never really understood what just happened at that moment, nor what they were talking about and not even in the future did they understood this. But of one thing they were certain, whatever it was, it was something that they will never talk about.

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END

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(Edited A Random Day Around April)

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New chap, long and really fun to write, hope you like it.

Sorry about not posting but things with my family were tough, two close family members were hospitalized during the same week and that just killed my mood.

Right now I'm ending my semester so many projects needed to be done, finals are also right around the corner so I've been busy, but after everything is done I'll go back to normal updates.

Thanks all for your words really helped me in writing this chapter, especially to those that PM me.

Also thanks to those who like my story, It means a lot that you guys like it, it makes me want to do more and more and gets me inspired!

(Interesting fac: While writting this I was downing a bottle of whiskey and a couple of beer bottles while watching a childrens movie I loved as a kid, the name is 'The Road to El Dorado'. Hahahaha really helpful)

Thought that comment could cheer anyones day, if they were having a bad one. Hope it helped!

Ps: I edited the former chaps to make them easier to read, well at least in my opinion, also corrected Grammar mistakes, hopefully now its better than before.

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Answers:

Laserbr0: Thanks for your words makes me think I'm actually doing a good work writing this story. Every time I upload a chapter my stomach feels the same so I undertand, maybe the nerves? Who knows! Rose won't be on his team sadly, but I'll make their interactions interesting, hahaha. Don't worry I undertand you, she will certainly be with Issei.

alabamaman: I did my best with their interactions but I know I can still improve! Next chaps will be about them and their talks so I hope I can do a good Dialogue between all of them.

J0K3R: You guessed right! That should be the amount left before the games. His pieces I took some of the reviews suggestions and actually took some characters and added some (no spoilers). About that, you gave me an idea with that last comment! Hahaha that will certainly be fun to do!

Hippie Painter: Thanks! I think I've been improving and sooner or later I'll do a really great chapter for you all to enjoy!

vercingetorix2: Thanks! I have been thinking about it, maybe I will, depends on how the chapters go.

TatsuyaShiva4: Next Chapter should make you reallyyyy happy. It will be fun that's for sure. About Shiva I thought it would be more fun to give him those pieces that way it would sort of balance it out. Issei been brothers with him... ok sounds good! Sorry about the confusion with the Pieces but when I wrote it I just got too excited, haha... well it made the story more interesting in that regard!

Tanker 17: No there will be a make but I need to flesh out the details for that one, needs to make sense. Leonidas... hmmm... maybe I can do something about that but not with him, sounds like an interesting character to write about! A trap? Hmmm... curious about that but for now no. The Shinto? Of course, it's the whole world. He will, my friend, he will to that I promise!

freeforall546: Ban won't be added, an apology. I don't think I can write his personality accurately, plus giving him a backstory to actually fit in, sounds like a mess.

Dracaris5470: Think about it like its your own family, for me I certainly wouldn't want them to know something that will practically mentally scar them. But that's up to the person. They are actually doing it because they thinks is the best for them, and well I do it because... the drama... certainly good for the plot, hahahaha! Yes it would be harsher but once again I need a plot and that will certainly be something to write about!

Psychosync: Thanks! I really hoped you liked this one took me a lot to write, soecially her backstory almost made me have an aneurism. Millichas won't know about it until later on in the story it should be like Rias Parents, after all is a top grade secret. One again Thanks for your words! Really makes me want to write even more!

adislt: No, Issei just gave vague words and reasons, he wasn't mentally stable. Yes I should think about more personal motives for the ORC to cheat on him, give me some time, I'll have something! I already have some ideas! Who says that alcohol isn't a good friend to help you write stories or give details? The whiskey on my side and the beers I had to drink to get some kind of inspiration while writing this say otherwise!

Mario (guest): I think I'll fuse ideas. Yours isn't bad, plus I think I can do some things and get you and someone elses recomendation to appear in the story. But need to think of a way to actually work...

mir19: My friend, Thanks for your words, really made me get back to finishing this story. The HolySwords, at least those four, were indeed created by the God of the Bible, I think I missed something need to check it out...

Gammagyro: Good songs, helped me while doing some projects I had on the to-do list. For now, I need the plot armor strong! I really need to, things need to get going and for now I'll just blame his ill luck. I think you should start writing your own story, you have great ideas and I think you could do great! Some things, due to my own convenience, can't be written on this story. I should get Ophis and the rest some screen time, but I just don't have the time, but I think I have an idea of how to do it. But yes that mode in a way could be his Trump Card. Reconcile... nah. To boring for me. Painless Deaths, hahahaha, oh! I can't wait to start writing that, man it will be fun! Don't worry about it, I also love Darksiders, just bought a PS4 just to play that beauty!

Czeschus: So Yandere Rossweisse for the win? Hell Yeah! Yes it would be Heaven! I wish to write that response, oh man, it will be so fun. Ericia can win in a battle of attrition, if he uses his everything for a single attack then she could lose, after all, she's too confident and proud, that's due to her own experience in life. The team name came to me thanks to a rather famous novel (I think you should have heard of it) so I thought that it was a good name, you know with theirs goal of fighting and traveling. His parents... shit... forgot about them, but for now they'll enjoy their cruise, need them there for a while, thanks for the reminder btw.

wahyubison: Glad you liked it! Hahahah, next chapter I should give them some screen time show how they been doing.

saliki2 (guest): Thanks for the words! I hope this chapter turned out good enough, maybe it did? Not entiredly sure.

MidnightRider01: Thank you, means a lot! Really it does. Hope you liked this one, it cost to write far more than you can think.

Tacbon20: She won't be, as tempting as that is I can fall for the temptation! New Characters mainly, but in the end who knows? The story at least to how I originally wrote it changed a lot! Mainly due to everyone's opinion and thanks to that is this story, in my words, is quite good. Decent at least, everythings has flaws but I just hope to not have may or rather too obvious flaws.

leader dbz: Thought it would be interesting, well that and I... well...forgot... I have too many things in my head and slipped but oh well turned out fine! (I hope...)

Lightning-Squall: Thanks! You really think so? I think this story is decent enough still a long way to reach the high leagues!

DrakeAedus: Just Today (Friday... I hope I didn't delayed it more...) Trihexa, nope, that's too much of OPness even for me that would just be broken as fuck. I need it to be balanced, sort of...

TheReaderofGods: Amatersau, I will think about it, sound intriguing and fun. Maybe I will, huhuhu, definetly... interesting...

OsteoPoro: Thanks! I just think that with some characters I can't give them a good personality so that's why I don't step into those realms. Soon in about 3 maybe 4 chapters tops will the game begin, sorry for the long wait.

JohnnyBoi: Yeah I thought they needed it too. Glad you liked the interactions of the Faction Leaders made me angry as well hahaha. About Rose she won't be on his team but she will always be with him after all she threatened to castrate the strongest Fallen-Angel in History for him, I think that's proof enough of how much she likes him. The guys, I still don't have any plans for them, not yet, but good ending for them? Ha! Good joke, made me laugh a bit. About Vali, I certainly am, just haven't thought too much about it.

Dominus1389: Sure!

Andr Neto: Justo hoy, o mañana... pasado mañana? perdi la noción del tiempo hace días!

Erza Rutherford: Thanks?

Just a Guest (guest): I need to think about it, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, for now; team, game, guys, ORC and some others. (cool name btw)

Tjboomer83: Thanks! It makes me want to write more, that's for sure.

Bluefang129: I'm grateful, I thought about that one for a looong time. Yeah the reason was better in my head once I wrote about it, it became really, really difficult to explain. Well I can only blame myself for that one, but for now I'm also glad that's done, kind of compesated it with the Leaders reactions, that was my intention, glad it worked.

Ocean of Neon: Happy to hear that. Hope you liked this one.

HeavenAsunder (Guest): It will take some time but for now things will go kind of slowly... nah who I'm I joking, max 4 chaps before tournament!

hcook10: Thank you! The team members I already got them but for other teams I'm willing to hear them. If you wish, through a PM or a Review whatever is easier.

Chibi Chibi Chibi Sensei: Glad to hear of another author! The tournament should start at some point in three or four chapters. And about his reactions to the guys, that will be fun to write! Already have some insults planned, hahahaha. They won't know right off the bat, rather by other means still need to think it through. The girls... lets just say... a tour around the 9 Circles of Hell with you experimenting the punishments would be by far better... Thanks for your words, I hope it turned out well!

Havenot14: She will like her, in his own way, well that's for now. Hahaha, yes my native language isn't English so I thank your words. (I'm trying to improve though!)

Salaver: Yes I'm positively thinking about it, great Trump Card to have, that's for sure.

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But well Thanks for reading and...

See you Later!