(Chapter 11: The Devils and I)
The date for when Issei would battle against Rias and her peerage and he couldn't be anymore excited at the chance to crush them underfoot, as well as the fact that he would be able to unleash himself upon them and show them how far out of their depth they truly were in the order of things. Because of this he had been doing everything possible in order to ensure that his victory of her and her peerage would be nothing short of overwhelming defeat, because he wanted her to realize and know that for all her worth she was nothing compared to the real dangers of this world.
Yet through all of this he was surprised by one thing and that was the fact that Asia was on surprisingly decent terms with Kiba for some odd reason, as he couldn't explain the reason why behind it but so long as he didn't try to trick or harm her then he was alright with it. Because the fact was that despite him knowing that Asia was more than capable of handling herself in a fight that it something were to happen to her, he'd more than likely fly into a blood rage and destroy and massacre everything with striking distance of himself.
(January 20th 2017, Fake Kuoh Academy, 2:10 Pm)
The tension was thick as Issei was ready having set up his traps and was ready and waiting with both Boosted Gear and Stormbreaker out to fight against the quartet that was Rias and her peerage.
"Well, well, well what do we have here. If it ain't the world's most flat chested midget." Issei spoke as he saw Koneko in front of him at the gymnasium
"Give up pervert you can't win." Koneko spoke irritated at the snide remark
"And what are you gonna do about it, because last I checked I flattened Sona's people and that was before I'm as roided out as I am now? So tell me how's the midget who has no tits and an ass flatter than a chalkboard gonna do anything to me." Issei questioned as that was enough to set off the white haired rook
"Bought it hook line and sinker." Issei thought as out of his hand popped a flash bang grenade
With that he threw it at Koneko's feet which exploded with a deafening crack and blinding light that stopped the small rook in her tracks, while Issei soon took a deep inhale and breathed a white hot torrent of flames at her that hit her dead on as she stumbled back from now being set ablaze. For she soon found herself stumbling about to try and put herself out, only for a gash to open up on her back as her vision cleared after rolling on the ground to put herself out that Issei was standing over her like an undead giant before bringing his axe down.
With her bringing up her arms to defend against it only for it to bite through her flesh as muscle and tendons were violently severed as it was left bleeding along with her 2nd degree burns, so in retaliation she went to throw a punch at Issei's face that while it did hit it served more of an annoyance than anything. For Issei after these 4 months of having gone up against minotaurs, oni's, werewolves and stray devils and et cetera felt insulted at the force behind the blow that was barely enough to bruise him, with him soon enough rearing Stormbreaker back and hitting her dead in the stomach enough that she coughed out blood from the axe blade reaching her innards.
Before bringing it down in a one handed cleave that broke her right collarbone as he then followed it up with a close fisted backhand that sent her spiraling dead into the entrance of the gymnasium, with blood trailing behind her from her wounds. With her stumbling and staggering back up bloodied and huffing at the fact that she'd been backed into a corner so rapidly, as Issei breathed out another gout of white hot flame that she managed to get out of the way from yet it was all a set up as Issei grabbed her by the legs and slammed her back down.
"Tell me something what did you expect to happen when you fought me? Because I didn't expect really all that much from either of you with Kiba being the exception, since all you guys do is sit with your thumbs up your asses. Meanwhile I've been going at it these past 4 months making myself as roided out as possible in order to fuck up anything in my way." Issei stated as he dragged Stormbreaker across the ground as Koneko held up her good arm against him
"Shut up I'll...defeat you...you stupid pervert." Koneko huffed out as Issei closed the distance
"Sure you will and by the way this is a bit of payback for all the times you beat me up." Issei spoke as he slashed downwards leaving a jagged line from sternum to navel as she fell to the ground a bloodied mess
"Well that takes care of that, as now onto to the creepy sadist." Issei thought as he Incredible Hulk leapt out of the gymnasium towards his next target
With him waiting until Akeno was within range of the trap set up and once she was he proceeded to grab one of the benches and jump into the air and beat her over the head with it so hard that it shattered over her, before Issei punched her in the small of her back to send her further declining down in her descent as she tumbled to the ground. For once that happened Issei soon clasped his hands together as his traps went off in the form of stainless steel foot long canisters opening up and spraying holy water mist into the air, with such density that it seemed like a heavy fog evident by Akeno soon screaming out in pain as caustic burns formed on her person.
For she tried to fly out and escape only for Issei to grab her by the wings and send her careening into a tree with him standing within the mist like a silent predator, while she fired out a blast of lightning out at him which he used Stormbreaker to block with and mitigate the damage to where his hair was smoking and his clothes were singed. Before striking the ground and using the added on energy of the lightning bolt to empower the thunderous wave of force that hit her, with her being blasted back through the tree as large chunks of wood surrounded her as the the heavy mist of holy water still burned acidicly around her.
Because despite her efforts to try and escape it Issei would drag and slam her back down to earth as he continued to systematically tear her apart, with an axe swing there or a slice to keep her confined to the ground to make sure that Akeno wouldn't be able to escape her imminent doom. With Akeno having fired out blasts of lightning in order to try and hit Issei who was hidden away within the heavy mist of holy water, yet it was to no avail with her either hitting a tree or nothing at all or with it being absorbed by Stormbreaker and rendered useless.
"So I heard that you were supposed to be this Barquiel guy's daughter and so far I'm just not seeing it; considering that I heard about how you were supposed have his crazy strong lightning. But so far I'm not seeing it...I guess the only thing impressive about you is your awesome rack." Issei remarked as Akeno angrily fired out a bolt of lightning from where his voice was
"You know nothing of what that bastard did to me!" Akeno wailed furiously
"All I know is that you got daddy issues, as what did daddy not give you that pony you wanted on your birthday is that it. Or maybe its because like Rias your just another princess who's had everything handed to her on a silver platter." Issei taunted as Akeno fired off another blast of lightning that Issei absorbed
"What's the matter is the poor princess all mad because she's got daddy issues?" Issei asked as another lightning bolt struck as Akeno angrily looked for Issei as she felt the constant exposure to the holy water taking it toll as the angry caustic burns furiously gnawed at her body
"Where are you so I can make you pay for bring his name up in front of me?!" Akeno furiously questioned
"I'm right here and by the way let me show you one of my axe's new tricks I've been wanting to try out." Issei spoke as he soon was behind Akeno as a bolt of cobalt blue electricity punched through Akeno's stomach and left a slightly large fist sized hole in it as it pierced through 8 other trees before dissipating
"So tell me how does it feel knowing you got taken out like a bitch by the one power you're good with, because I imagine it must suck immensely." Issei spoke as to prevent her from calling out for help Issei began strangle her and choke away her air supply until she soon turned a deep blue from lack of oxygen and slipped into unconsciousness
"Well Ddraig that takes care of that." Issei spoke as he soldiered onwards from the holy water mist that soon enough began to clear
"Agreed now the only real major threat to worry about is that Kiba boy and then you are all clear to obliterate that Gremory girl where she stands." Ddraig spoke as he carried Stormbreaker with him towards his imminent battle with Kiba
"Oh don't worry Ddraig I've got this, besides out of all of them he's the only one who makes me excited to fight." Issei answered as he rushed throughout to track down Kiba
"I can tell since out of all of them, he's shown the most promise to become something greater. Which is why I have to ask will you fight him on even ground or do what you did to the other two?" Ddraig questioned the revenant
"Simple I'll fight him on equal setting. Since I will give him that much of a courtesy for being able to make me see him as a capable warrior and as the only one out of them who's taken the initiative to get to know me as a person." Issei responded as he soon came towards Kiba who was wearing splint armor in the fashion of The Hound from Game of Thrones
"Well Issei congratulations you've made it this far." Kiba spoke as the tension was thick between the two
"Not to sound rude or anything, but those other two weren't that hard to take out. Since I initially expected more from them; yet I realized and remembered just how low caliber they are compared to everything else I've thought." Issei replied as Kiba sighed
"Yes but then again they and Rias aren't like us, for they don't train themselves day and night to get to their chosen path. Because here's the thing Issei and a little history lesson for you, that Devils are in some way shape or form fueled by a deadly sin. With Rias it's her pride and sloth, Koneko her gluttony and Akeno her lust. Yet for me I'm fueled by one of humanity's greatest sins of all time which is wrath." Kiba told him as violet divine energy began to seep out of his armor
"Really now you as wrathful I can't really see you as that." Issei spoke feeling that Issei wasn't what would classify as the sin of wrath
"Well that's the common mix up between anger and wrath. Since unlike them I've been angry all the time and like you I want revenge, but until you came along I've never really had the agency to do so. But with you having come out of the woodwork and become something far greater than what anyone could've expected. Which is why in part to you I finally have my motivation reignited and to celebrate this I can finally stop hiding my real power." Kiba replied as imperial violet divine energy burst into existence surrounding Kiba like the spiraling waves of a hurricane
"So then Issei let's see which is stronger the dragon or the crusader?" Kiba questioned pulling forth into existence a broad bladed neon green falchion that had an almost nauseating stench to it
"Bring it on since out of everyone here your the one who's got my attention, besides Rias." Issei spoke as the two collided with each other
With Stormbreaker clashing against the falchion as both tried to overwhelm the other before engaging in a rapid fire clash of blows, before Kiba maneuvered around the cleave to his sternum and slashed Issei across the inside of his forearm with Issei gritting his teeth as he felt a potent poison in the form of a neurotoxin race through his body to try and paralyze him. But managed to use the combination of power from Ddraig and his constitution as a revenant to resist its effects and soon lay into Kiba with fierce axe swings of his own, with them denting his chestplate and finding purchase in the gaps of the lower portion that was comprised of chain mail.
For he pressed on and activated his Reaper's Mark on Kiba as the thick black smoke soon surrounded Kiba, yet Kiba remained undeterred as he stabbed Issei in the right shoulder and pinned him in place with a shortsword by stabbing him straight in his foot. With Issei soon smashing Stormbreaker into Kiba's sternum pushing him back 15 feet allowing for Issei to yank out the shortsword and crush it underfoot, before leaping towards Kiba and widening the dent with a few axe swings that caused rivulets of blood to form before Kiba countered by conjuring a sword of flames to impale Issei with.
With Issei catching this at the last moment as he luckily gained a resistance to flame in his time with Ddraig yet Kiba only smirked as it left him open for him to channel his divine energy into the falchion, causing it to form as a spiraling torrent of imperial violet around the blade. For he let loose with a slash across Issei chest forcing the flesh open, as it broke nearly 3 of his ribs in the process causing him to stagger back from the blow as Kiba stood their with his poisonous falchion in a one handed mid guard stance.
"So then I guess by what you just hit me with, that your some kind of paladin?" Issei questioned as Kiba's smile remained unchanged
"I've the powers of one yes but not one in name. Because if you win this battle then I'll tell you how I was able to have these powers, but more importantly I'm surprised you withstood that since it was a step away from being fully powered." Kiba spoke as Issei used a boost to speed up his regeneration
"Well that's the thing about me Kiba and you should know by now I'm full of surprises." Issei replied as he re-engaged Kiba in combat
That in mind Issei hit the falchion in his hand hard enough to send it flying out of his hand and out of reach, yet that didn't stop him from summoning forth another sword that in the form of a dark red colored and serrated arming sword that he lunged at Issei. Whom it barely missed and allowed him to riposte in the form of him using a good deal of his great strength to bury Stormbreaker into the chainmail portion of his armor, the result the thunderous force tearing through the links and cutting into his flesh yet Kiba remained undeterred by this.
With him taking his arming sword that seemed to almost hum like a bowie knife against broken glass as he stabbed it into Issei's chest the blade almost hitting him in the lungs had it not been for Issei grabbing at it, so with that in mind Issei soon jumped into the air as Issei soon put Kiba into a chokehold in trying to suffocate him. Yet Kiba refused to go out so easily and soon used his divine energy within to soon turn into a thick cloud of violet mist that teleport 10 feet above Issei with his arming sword at the ready to impale him, yet Issei would not let himself become subject to this as he soon caught the blade with his greater strength.
For Kiba did try to stab Issei in the neck but Issei used his free hand to catch this as well as Issei began headbutting Kiba as the two plummeted back down, with them crashing like a meteor as a small crater lay in the aftermath. With the dust subsequently dispersing to reveal the two engaging in fierce combat as they went at it with each other, for the two had looks of determination and thrill on their faces with Kiba having felt more lively than he felt in any threat he faced with Rias in years past or in the short times he fought alongside Issei.
With the two clashing against each other as Issei managed to duck under a swing from Kiba's arming sword and used the hooked end of his axe to pry open the chestplate so that he could follow up and sunder two of Kiba's ribs as blood seeped out of his mouth from the wound. So to even the odds Kiba used the parrying dagger he summoned to stab Issei in the nose causing a spurt of dark brackish blood to burst forth, that was followed up with 2 quick stabs to his lungs that caused Issei to stagger before he summoned forth divine energy to launch another divine smite at Issei that was met by Stormbreaker.
"So Kiba...you give up yet...because I'm...still on a full tank….while you seem to be….running on empty?" Issei questioned knowing that Kiba wasn't a stamina monster like him
"I refuse to yield, besides it'll take more more than what you've done to ever make me surrender." Kiba replied as the two opposing forces began to shake and crack at the ground
"Funny you should say that since I've got something for you that'll put you out of commission and allow me to move forwards." Issei spoke as lightning crackled around Stormbreaker
"Well played Issei, well played indeed." Kiba thought as he tried to evade the lightning aimed at him
While Kiba was more than confident in his speed he was unluckily not fast enough to evade a lightning bolt at point blank range and as such was forced to withstand the attack, as the electrical attack pierced through him like a bullet from a sniper rifle. For he staggered back at the the baseball sized hole in his midsection as he stumbled and staggered back, with him forcing divine energy into himself that although painful due to his being a Devil allowed him to mitigate some of the damage dealt and allow him to continue fighting.
For he launched after Issei once again with twin swings one that was blocked by Issei and one that found purchase in nearly hitting a kidney, for Issei could see it in Kiba's face that this was a mere demonstration of his sin of wrath being used as a outlet; as he could see the knight visualizing him as the target of his wrath as each thrust and stab was made with an almost lethal intention. Yet Issei as he fought against him could see the precise control over it as they fought as Issei continued to release himself and steadily overpower him as time went on, yet Kiba wouldn't go down without a fight as he powered up another divine smite against him.
This time it finding purchase in his right thigh and nearly tearing into the femoral artery as the divine energy covering the serrated arming sword tore a jagged and nasty gash into it; that bled dark spurts down his pant leg as he refused to let out a scream of pain. For Kiba went in for a stab to his throat with the parrying dagger he made, yet Issei caught it and snapped it like cheap glass before bringing it down onto Kiba's right collarbone and slashing him across the shoulder with all the might he could carving through armor and muscle.
For Kiba knew that there was only so much he could do so gathering as much energy as possible he charged up a fully powered divine smite evident by the arming sword now looking like a lace of imperial violet, with him taking brief flight and going into impale Issei. With Issei going in for a swing towards the wound on Kiba's stomach as both attacks met their mark with Issei taking the attack to his both lungs and Kiba having Stormbreaker's axe blade hilt itself into his gut from the two powerful axe swings as he felt it tear through and into his organs such as his stomach and liver as both refused to go down as their eyes met in a battle of wills to see who would go out first.
"Well Issei...at least I met...my match in you…." Kiba spoke as a gout of blood was spat on Issei's shirt
"Yeah….same here…." Issei spoke as Stormbreaker's blade with drew as Kiba had collapsed to his knees with a hand over his stomach to prevent his innards from falling out
"But...before I go... I want to tell you something….something that I feel you deserve to know." Kiba spoke using the remainders of his divine energy to allow him to speak coherently enough to tell Issei what he deserved to know
With that he whispered into Issei's ear for 2 minutes as a small pool of blood formed around him before he soon faded away with an X shaped scar left on his gut, while Issei felt pure hate well up within him towards Rias.
"Well then at least this makes so much sense as to why no one came to your rescue when you died and why she wants you so bad." Ddraig spoke as Issei sat down for awhile to let his wounds regenerate
"I can't believe I was that cunt's fucking get out of jail free card." Issei thought internally seething at what his death was going to merely amount to
"So what will you do now Issei? Because now that you have everything connected together how will you go against her?" Ddraig asked as a moment of silence was taken as Issei waited for both his lungs to heal up from the divine smite
"While I can't kill her, I'm gonna go and tear her right in fucking half." Issei declared as he trudged towards Rias
With him trudging towards the O.R.C building to see Rias waiting for him as he glared at her with killer intent so potent that the image of an undead dragon with skeletal wings behind him, because now that the truth had been given to him by Kiba which allowed him to connect the events of his death in place he was to put it lightly very furious with Rias.
"You know Rias your knight told me something very interesting before I took him out." Issei spoke his bloodstained clothes giving him a much more menacing appearance
"And what did he tell you?" Rias questioned as Issei stood there as his revenant features came to surface as the illusion wore off
"Oh simply that you knew about Raynare and her buddies being out to get me and that you decided what better way to get a possible W.M.D on your side than to come in at his final moments and resurrect him as your loyal slave. And then it gets even better sense he told me even more that you planned to use and have me as your ace in the hole to get out of some arranged marriage mommy and daddy dearest put you in, so please tell me if at any point in my story am I wrong." Issei replied as he glared daggers at her as she tried to refute the truth
"Damn it Kiba why did you have to tell him this, as there goes my chances of trying to convince him to help me." Rias cursed internally at that fact that her last chance to convince him
"Issei please you have to understand.." Rias spoke as Issei's furious glare silenced her
"What I understand is that you cost me my life, because you wanted to take the easy way out. What I understand is that your being a spoiled princess is what made me into what I am today and into an undead killing machine. Yet what I understand the most is that you're gonna pay for having set me up to die just so you could use me as a deus ex machina." Issei declared as his illusion fell away as necrotic energy in the form of black smoke billowed out of him
"For I'm the not just the Dragon of Domination but a goddamn revenant and while I can't kill you Gremory. I'm gonna snap you in half!" Issei exclaimed as the Power of Destruction surrounded Rias
"Since I can't convince you to turn over peacefully then I'll do this the hard way then to make you my loyal servant." Rias replied as crimson and onyx power surrounded her like a deadly cloak
With that Issei launched himself at Rias as she blasted him with a torrent of the Power of Destruction with Issei being covered in it, for Rias thought that it was enough to overpower the revenant yet a damaged hand soon came out from it and grabbed her by the face and chucked her through the O.R.C room and out the other side of the school. Luckily her wings emerged to stop her while a half naked Issei albeit having portions of his flesh torn away was otherwise more annoyed than anything else, with him then subsequently charging after her like a mad bull.
For he soon concentrated on the necrotic energies within himself to make a large buckler shield made of it in the form of thick black spiraling smoke; while it didn't completely negate the damage of the beams of highly destructive power fired at him it did enough to let him continue onwards towards her. Until he soon closed the distance and tackled her with him swinging at Rias's back and in one go sliced off one of her wings, forcing her to plummet to the ground along with him as both crashed down with Issei ready and raring to go against her.
For she fired out another volley of beams at Issei yet he countered by breathing out a searing gout of white hot flames that exploded against the beams and kept this going until he couldn't feel more of them being fired, with the smoke clearing to see that Rias had run off to try and gain distance from the revenant. Yet Issei wouldn't let her get away from him so easily as his vengeful mind was dead set on tearing in half, so with that in mind he quickly rushed after her and summoning his shield made of necrotic energy to defend himself against her Power of Destruction while he gave chase to her.
"You can't run from me Gremory, so you might well stop and take your punishment like you deserve!" Issei called out as he continued to follow her trail
"You don't understand I had to do this!" Rias retorted as she fired out a burst of the destructive energy that was blocked by Issei's shield
"Bullshit! You had the time to get strong enough to not set me up to die, but instead you had to be lazy. So you're going to pay for it in blood." Issei yelled out as he soon closed the distance
With that he dispersed his shield and slashed her across the back with her letting out a yelp of pain as she nearly fell to the ground as Issei followed through with another to her side, this one biting through flesh as it stained her shirt red. For she raised her hand and blasted him in the face with it in order to buy herself time to get away and charge up an attack, yet Issei using his Boosted Gear sent out 2 boosts to speed up his regeneration and healed the damage done to himself before he continued to go after her.
For he slammed the ground and let loose a thunderous wave of power that sent Rias sprawling across the ground and luckily towards one of Issei's traps he set up along the way, with her stepping onto a tripwire as small canisters sprang forth and shot out small projectiles that she tried to fry with her Power of Destruction. Yet she couldn't get them all as she soon felt them pierce and shred her legs as she looked down to see small jagged cross impaled into her legs, as they bled crimson while she fell to her knees but not before Issei grabbed her by the back of her hair and chucked her face first into a tree.
For she landed in a daze where she tried to raise her hands to fire off a beam to impede him yet Issei caught on and quickly rushed and slashed at the inside of her forearm, landing a jagged gash across it as she clutched it in pain. With Issei clocking her across the jaw until teeth came out and she soon enough had a busted lip, for he soon proceeded to lift her up and like what Bane did to Batman brought her down onto his knee breaking her back as she landed onto the ground but not before he began raising Stormbreaker for a malicious idea he had in mind.
"Now then Rias let this be a reminder to what happens when you not only cross me in setting me up to die, but also to show you that your lack of drive and refusal to work hard for what you want gets you. Because I want you to wake up every single day and realize that everytime you take the easy way out; things like this will happen to you." Issei spoke as he activated the Reaper's Mark
So he slashed her with Stormbreaker across the face the result was her screaming bloody murder as a wound that cut from a little bit right of her left temple and curving down to her right cheek that was deep enough to nearly cut through the bone. For Issei walked away at the partially necrotized scar that while it would heal would never fade and serve as a permanent reminder to Rias, that her trying to take the easy way out and use Issei as a means to an end and disposable tool was her downfall this day.
(The next day, Grigori HQ, January 21st 2017, 12:25 Pm)
It was the next day after as Issei had came out victorious against Rias and her peerage who had suffered what could be determined only as a heavy loss, so to celebrate this Azazel decided to let him have a party to let him revel in his well deserved victory.
"Guys can I just say that as of right now I feel on top of the world right now." Issei spoke as the mood right now was one of celebratory joy
"Agreed as let's give it up for my student having crushed that spoiled princess!" Kalawarner cheered as the assortment of people gave smiles and cheers of their own
"Well the thing is that I couldn't have done it without you people and throwing support behind me. Because I'd like to thank Asia for being a constant source of support to me ever since I met her, I'd like to thank Mr. Azazel for having given me the chance to be something greater, yet most of all I'd like to thank my teacher Kalawarner for having helped train me. So I'd like to give my thanks to all of you guys, because without you I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have." Issei thanked them as those 3 were a main source of what helped him along the way to where he's been now
"So then with that being said let's continue this party!" Issei exclaimed as those within Grigori let out cheers of their own
That in mind the large room was filled with good music and people just having a general good time as Issei felt right at home amongst some of the members of Grigori he got to meet, with him feeling that he belonged more so here in Grigori than what he ever did at the Academy as he even got to dance a few times with some of them as a smile never left his face whatsoever.
"Oh hello there Lord Azazel told me about you and more than likely mentioned me due to my talents in sorcery and being in the department of making and crafting items." One of the Grigori members spoke as he accidentally bumped into Issei
"Yeah your him?" Issei questioned the sorcerer in front of him
"Correct as one of Grigori's best sorcerer's and up and coming crafters for all your magic items, the one and only Giorno Hansi Strada." Giorno introduced himself in a mild accent that was a half and half of German and Italian
For Giorno was a man of 21 years of age going 22 with two different colored eyes one being a bright emerald and the other a vibrant navy as he had olive colored skin, as he had a mop of ear length black hair with a few shocks of grey in them. With him standing at the same height Issei did as he had a face that had a face and shining smile that made him look like he could charm the pants off a Satan class enemy, for he had bags under his eyes at the many nights he spent both crafting items and perfecting his spells.
In his attire he wore two rings for each hand one being a silver ring with an quarter sized emerald set in the center and the other a brass ring that had a bloodstone ruby of equal size in the center, with him having a necklace that had the Cross of Confusion upon it. For he wore a Blind Guardian t-shirt with a long-sleeved denim jacket over it that had scorch marks and some other stains on it, with him wearing black jeans that were held up by red and black suspenders and emerald and black steel plated boots .
"Well then it's a pleasure to actually meet you then Giorno." Issei spoke extending a hand towards Giorno
"Likewise my good man as it there's anything I can get for or make you in the future then let me know, since I am more than happy to help you. Especially it it's to stick it to the church and those overgrown pigeons." Giorno told him since he was more than happy to help out when given a opportunity
"So I guess that your not a big fan of the church as well?" Issei questioned the young man
"Well I'm no fan of them at all, because take it from someone whose had personal experience with them. That they're only men of God in name only, because it word got out about what they do behind closed doors then it'd show their true colors as lords of hypocrisy and self absorption." Giorno replied having some bad blood with the church that made him have a good deal of scorn for them
"Huh well my only experience with them is fighting off their clerics and paladins. Whom by the way are zealous assholes." Issei spoke since that was really his only experience with them
"Oh trust me the majority of them are like that, because sadly enough there are only a handful out of them that can grow and look beyond the doctrine of the church that's brainwashed them into what they are. But at least they're mainly just cannon fodder, so it evens out either way." Giorno replied having dealt with them and was personally disgusted that a great deal of them lacked any individuality to them beyond their belief in their God
"But regardless of that nonsense I'm just glad that you won your battle. Because I'm quite keen on having you test out some stuff I've been making recently." Giorno told him as Issei had a smile on his face
"Sure why not as I'm mainly up for anything, because so long as your up front about what you want then I'm all good for it." Issei answered back because the one thing he was all about was people being transparent and upfront with what they wanted
"Excellent and I do hope you can take some punishment, because some of what I've been working on is a bit experimental so it there's any recoil or kickback then I hope you can handle it." Giorno spoke since some of what he'd be making from time to time did go on more of the destructive side at times
"Oh I'm fine with that, but just give me a head's up about how big of a destructive yield were talking. Because I'd rather not have my arms blown off..since I do need them for taking of people's heads with Stormbreaker." Issei replied with a shrug, because all he requested was that he'd been at the very least given a heads up
"Don't worry I'll give you one always, since as long as you've got my back then I'll have yours." Giorno spoke before Every Little Step by Bobby Brown started playing
"Well it you don't mind I'm gonna go start dancing, because this is one of my favorite jams." Giorno said since he did like some of Bobby Brown's music
"Same here as let's do it, because I love this song too damn much not too." Issei replied as the two went out onto the dance floor
With that in mind the Grigori members watched in attendance as Issei, Giorno and even Asia were doing the dance sequence to Every Little Step, as they had to admit it was a pretty amusing and entertaining scene seeing all 3 of them dance together in unison.
"I've got to admit I never would see this happening." Azazel said to Kalawarner watching the 4 dance to Grigori's entertainment
"Yeah as he's earned this, because he more than did alright by my standards." Kalawarner replied with a smile as she watched her student enjoy himself
"As one thing you've got to admit is that there's a pretty good chunk of you in him and your brother you talked about from your younger days." Azazel remarked as Kalawarner couldn't help but smile at that
"Yeah he's sure got my brother's drive and attitude that's for certain." Kalawarner remarked noting that Issei had her brother's drive to improve and upfront and keep it simple attitude
"Then again he does have your viciousness and your tenacity." Azazel responded as to the other traits that Issei had from his teacher in kind
"Fair enough but then again he's my student after all and I couldn't be happier to have him, because after all this time of being a battlemaster for Grigori that I finally have my own protege. So at this current moment I couldn't be happier." Kalawarner replied since she was quite proud to have Issei as her student
Because the young revenant was hardworking and diligent to put her lessons into action and everytime during their spars he gave it as much as he could and then some, for Issei was a student in which she was happy to have on her side for the fact that not only was he a great kid in her opinion but also someone whom she knew was gonna make it big in this world.
"Well then Kalawarner I think here's to Issei and the many victories along the way, since I've no doubt that he's gonna go far in this world." Azazel spoke as Kalawarner grinned widely at that
"I'll most certainly drink to that." Kalawarner spoke as they drank their whiskey and gin respectively as they watched Issei and his companions dance
(1 week and a half later, January 30th 2017, O.R.C Room, 3:45 Pm)
It was a week and a half later as mostly everyone had been healed from the very one sided match against Issei and suffice to say the atmosphere was quite dreary, especially due to having their egos crushed by the perverted revenant utterly decimating them like it was nothing.
"Why did you tell him that Kiba, as I could've had so much of a better chance had you not?" Rias questioned as Kiba looked at her evenly
"Well none of this would've happened had you just asked for his help from from the start Rias, because he deserved to know the truth." Kiba countered since had she just asked for help to begin with then her current predicament would've had a better chance at being resolved
"Besides that scar he gave you shows that this is what you get for trying to take the easy way out, because this is what you get when try to play with people's lives, as why you thought it would be a good idea to set him up to die is beyond me." Kiba added as Rias internally recoiled from the scar that now lay permanently bare on her face for all too see
As streaking itself across her face was a 2 and a half inch wide scar than ran quite deep into her face marring her beautiful features, as it stretched it's way across her face like the jagged ridges of a canyon to forever remind her of her loss against Issei.
"I had no other choice Kiba as I'm being forced to marry him the end of this spring and I needed something to give me a definite advantage to win over him." Rias responded as Kiba despite his wounds still held a stern and quite disapproving gaze towards his King
"Don't you dare use that excuse Rias, because it there's one thing that I agree with Issei on is that you have no drive at all. For you waited far too long to try and start acting serious now, because had you actually been serious about wanting to get out of this then you would've gotten off your butt and trained us to help you win." Kiba lambasted Rias in her lack of drive to do anything since had she been truly serious she would've been making every serious effort
"You're wrong Kiba as there's still the Rating Game and there is a chance no matter how small for us to win that and stop this farce of a marriage." Rias responded as Kiba remained unconvinced
"Yes the Rating Game the one thing in which Issei who had it be a no limits version of one completely and without fail overwhelmed us at each and every turn. Because the real disappointment here Rias is that I was able to hold my own against him longer than you and you are supposed to be my King and leader. So tell me Rias what do you have planned to best Riser it you can't even win against someone who's of equal it not greater strength than Riser?" Kiba asked as disappointment in his king's inaction and own weakness
"I will figure something out Kiba as I am the heiress to House Gremory and I will not lose to him at all." Rias swore
"Really you proclaim that you are the proud heiress to your house, but so far all your actions have proven to the contrary. Because it you truly are the proud heiress you claim to be then you would be doing everything you can to be stronger for your house, yet I see you do nothing of the sort and that Rias is something that truly angers me. Since how can you proclaim to be the successor to your house when you can't even truly defend yourself, as for all your saying your the heiress to House Gremory your inaction and lack of ambition bring shame to that title." Kiba lambasted her once again as Rias's eyes turned crimson at that biting remark
"Watch what you say Kiba as I am still your master and I will not tolerate you speaking to me in that manner, for I am more than worthy of my title as heiress to my house. And I will not have you tell me otherwise!" Rias responded heatedly in defense as she refused to let anyone tell her she was unworthy of her title as house heiress
"Someone needs to give you the harsh truth Rias, because take a good long look at all of Rias because what happened to us against Issei is a prime example of you being unworthy as a successor to your house. But also to the fact that you do poorly in your role as King." Kiba reprimanded her as he remained unfazed by her attempts to intimidate him
"All he did was get lucky and nothing more than that, as something like what happened then won't happen again." Rias countered refusing to believe that Issei was so easily able to have decimated them
"No Rias it wasn't luck at all it was the fact that unlike you he took the initiative to better himself and plan ahead for his engagement with us. For he showed determination, the will to work hard for what he wanted and drive to get there. Because he showed the one thing you lack and that is the will to work as hard as it takes to win, so no Rias it wasn't luck it was pure skill that he beat you no matter how much you try to deny it." Kiba refuted her because of the fact that unlike her Issei had been planning and working towards his goal with every intention to succeed
"That's not even considering Rias that how would you even defend us should there be a threat equivalent to or greater than Issei's level of power? Because we may be your loyal servants, no questioning that but there's only so much we can do when our own leader can't even pull her own weight to lead us to victory." Kiba added because that was quite a valid point he raised since there was only so much they could do when there king wasn't pulling her own weight
"I would use my family's power obviously, as there's nothing with it that I can not destroy." Rias answered since it was 2nd nature for her to use her family's Power of Destruction
"Rias that doesn't work...because Issei proved that what you've got is not enough. Because he's proved that he's that 1 out of a 100 that can take whatever you can throw at him and then throw it back at you even harder. And the fact that you don't have the strength after all this time to overcome enemies like him on top of your lack of drive makes me so angry as befitting of my sin as a Devil." Kiba spoke as fury within surged forth
"Why are you angry at me Kiba for I've taken you in and gone over and above in treating you as my loyal servant?" Rias questioned as to why Kiba had anger in her
"It is because of the fact that while yes I am thankful for you having taken me into your household and I will always be grateful for that. It is the fact that you not only are a weak and inept King, but also you've not helped me with my goal and you know it." Kiba answered vehemently in controlled anger
Because it there was one unspoken thing between the peerage it was the fact that Kiba did hold resentment towards Rias in hindering him from pursuing vengeance against the church, for he was angry with her at the fact that his own king would not help him gain revenge and retribution against his enemies and slayers of his comrades and brothers and sisters in arms.
"I didn't want you pursuing that because I did not want you to become consumed by your need for revenge, but also I thought that it I could steer you enough away from it that you would eventually move on." Rias told him as to her reasoning behind doing so
"Rias I will never move on from my wanting revenge. Because what they did to me and everyone I knew and cared for back then they not only experimented on us but trained us to be soldiers in their holy war. For I was trained to be a child killing machine Rias, something that I am not proud of that I had to but as a former paladin under them I did it because I not only believed in doing God's work. But also because as long as I had my friends and comrades in arms then I knew I could persevere through anything." Kiba replied as imperial violet divine energy manifested into existence
"But ever since that day where I was left the sole survivor of that day and still having survived since I took up and swore an oath of vengeance that I wouldn't rest until they were brought to heel by my sword. For I will never stray from this path Rias, because to stray from it would be to turn my back on everyone I had served alongside and befriended during that wretched project and I in good conscience will never do that to them. So go ahead and think what you want Rias but my need for it has already consumed me, since I can't sleep at night knowing the people who discarded us without a 2nd thought lie there alive while I'm the only one left." Kiba answered as the imperial violet energy surrounded his hands
"Kiba please I don't want to lose you." Rias spoke in now trying to placate her knight
"Forget it Rias as your too late, since you've wasted 5 years of my life in being an incompetent king and I will not stand for it any longer. Because I may serve as your Knight but hear me now….that I will not tolerate it any further. Which is why it you don't shape up now and or after Riser then consider me gone." Kiba stated dismissively as his almost silent rage sent fearful shivers down her spine
"Kiba you can't be doing what I think you're implying?" Rias asked her longtime Knight
"That I am Rias because make no mistake that I will always stand by you, just as I have for half of a decade since you brought me back to life. However, it you don't make a change and start trying to better yourself as my King then I will do what I must to complete my vengeance. For I will not let their memories go in vain because of your ineptitude." Kiba retorted as he began to leave the O.R.C room
"Kiba please reconsider I…." Rias tried to say as one look from Kiba told her all she needed
"End of story Rias, as either change your ways and start taking things seriously or I'm gone." Kiba replied with a tone of finality that was punctuated by the closing of the door
(Several Hours later, Issei's mindscape, 11:01 Pm)
It was a soon night time as Issei was within his mindscape going over his up and coming mission, since soon enough he would be going after Kokabiel's men and currently he couldn't be happier.
"Well Issei congratulations, as you're finally on your way to be going after Kokabiel and be one step truly closer to attaining your revenge." Ddraig spoke as Issei felt quite giddy at being given this opportunity
"Yes as finally I can now make my start in going after that bastard and I couldn't be more happy Ddraig." Issei replied with a wide smile on his face
"Because finally the path to killing that wretched and conniving crow and mounting his wings on my wall can finally begin." Issei added as he felt almost manic glee at being able to get a start on killing him
"Yes but don't get overexcited Issei. Because I know that this is quite an occasion for you, but remember to keep your head in the game. Since one mistake and it can be game over before we know and we're back to square one or worse." Ddraig reminded him that Issei needed to keep himself focused on the goal at hand it he wanted to succeed
"Believe me Ddraig I know this, since these guys were gonna be fighting aren't anything like Raynare and her groupies. So believe me when I say that I am more than staying on track, because right now killing Kokabiel is the one thing that I'm laser focused on. Because excuse me it it sounds weird but it's mainly what I mostly think about." Issei answered back to the ancient dragon
Because the thing was that Issei was hyper focused on killing Kokabiel as his thought process was all but directed towards killing the rogue cadre, since his mind and spirit wouldn't rest until he saw Kokabiel with his head cut off and his cold dead corpse lying at his feet.
"It doesn't sound weird at all since you've found something that gives you true agency in your life and while it may not be exactly noble in nature; it is something that motivates you to be something greater. So because of that my support is at its greatest towards you in your endeavors." Ddraig answered back because Issei's goal for revenge is something that motivated him to better himself so in turn Ddraig had no true problem with it
"Thanks I appreciate it and I will have my work cut out for me, since I'm dealing with a warlock which is gonna be tricky to deal with." Issei thanked Ddraig for his support
"Yes as my prior hosts have thought a good number of them and while their knowledge of spells is limited the amount of power they wield with them due to their bond with their patron can be devastating." Ddraig noting that while warlocks didn't have as many spells under their belt like a wizard or sorcerer would the destructive power behind them was still immense
"Which is why I'm glad that teach has been teaching me how to be a mage slayer. Since that really helps me out against their kind and this warlock I'll have to fight this coming weekend." Issei replied happy that Kalawarner was teaching him how to be effective as an anti mage type fighter
"Because considering the amount of people that know magic it definitely helps to know how to both counter and ruin their efforts to cast and maintain concentration on their precious spells." Issei added since he was glad that his lessons in being a mage slayer were going to get their true test soon enough
"Indeed as I can attest to the fact that learning such lessons are very much needed, since some of my prior wielders who in fact were such type of fighters have proven to be able to slay some of the best mages of all time. Because be it regardless of it they were human, Devil, angel or anything else meant nothing as my wielders who managed to succeed in that chosen path were quite effective against them." Ddraig responded making note of those who were prior wielders of him who followed being a mage slayer proved to be effective in their chosen path to where they could slay even archmages
"Well it you've got anything to help me out when I fight against the rat bastard that'll be great, since I don't know how strong this guy will be. But what I do know is that I need to be having my A-game and be on guard for anything this guy could throw at me." Issei replied since he knew that even when fighting his lackeys he'd have to stay at his A-game
Because the thing was that now that Issei was stepping it up to the big leagues he now knew that he couldn't afford to dick around like he did with Raynare, for even against Kokabiel's minions he had to make every blow count as a lethal or nothing attack. Since he knew that Kokabiel wouldn't have chosen the people he did now it they weren't at the very least capable or had something up their sleeve; therefore he had to do what he had to and ensure that with all that he did that every blow was something would be an assured killing or lethal attack against his foes.
"This is what happens when you step into the real world Issei, because now we are are at the point where we are about to be facing true threats in this world. Because that's why we must always be ready to crush our enemies with overwhelming force and not allow them to gain the upper hand in any capacity or more than what they already do. For at any given moment it we let our guards down for any a fraction of a moment it can very well mean that your revenge stops as it is." Ddraig told him since they were in the big leagues now and as such couldn't afford to be reckless with their actions
"So then what does this mean as far as things go, because I'm pretty sure that come the end of this spring of somewhere along those lines that I'm reaching the limitations of what I can do with this. Since I've still got the feeling that it I want to kill Kokabiel then I'll need more firepower at my disposal." Issei spoke manifesting the initial form of the Boosted Gear
"Yes as I must admit that your progress in what you've been able to accomplish thus far has been most impressive. But you are right Issei. Which is why soon enough I think you'll be able to gain access to the Sacred Gear's most powerful form and the one thing that can make sure you stand on equal footing with the Vanishing Dragon." Ddraig told him gaining Issei's attention at the mention of this
"Really and what is it that you've been holding out on me Ddraig that can have me stand on even ground against him?" Issei asked as to what Ddraig was going on about
"I didn't mention it to you at the time because of the fact that you weren't ready for it at the time, but with circumstances as they are now; I believe that you are fully ready." Ddraig answered him before continuing
"For what I'm talking about is the Balance Breaker. Which is the ascended state of a Sacred Gear and which is when it is at its full power, for many aren't able to achieve this due to the fact that they both aren't physically or mentally ready to maintain or withstand such power. But as your rate of progress stands I believe that soon enough you shall prove able to grasp it." Ddraig spoke as Issei had stars in his eyes at the fact that he'd be able to wield such might
"Well then Ddraig when can I get started on trying to get Balance Breaker then? Because it its as strong as you say it is then I'm gonna more than need it it I'll be able to slay Kokabiel. Because while I'm strong now I need to even stronger if I want an assured victory over him." Issei asked knowing that he would need every single bit of power to kill Kokabiel
"By the end of March hopefully, as while you are strong and have massively improved from what you once were. You still need improvements before your physically ready to handle the power that comes with it." Ddraig told him as Issei nodded in acceptance of the answer
"Alright then, since I guess it means that I need to double up on my workload then. Because oh boy do I got a lot ahead of me this year." Issei spoke knowing that he was going to be nothing it not extremely productive this coming year
"The only thing left I can say is that good luck Issei because for what's ahead of us; we'll need some of it if we're going to be able to triumph over our enemies and crush them underfoot." Ddraig replied as Issei's smile never wavered
"Don't worry Ddraig by the time we have to fight Kokabiel; I'll have most of my bases covered to fight him and it not then I always have some spare parts to sacrifice. Because here's the thing, in that I'm ready give and do what I have to in order to destroy him and it that means giving up my kidneys or my liver or my lungs then so be it. Because if it all ends up with me being the stronger to destroy me enemies with then so be it, since it'll all be worth it as at least my solace is I've finally found somewhere I belong." Issei spoke willing to sacrifice what he had to in order to defend what was his
"You really like being there don't you?" Ddraig asked the young revenant
"You can count on that much, because along with having Asia in my life. I've finally found something that I feel like I can belong and where I'm genuinely wanted. Unlike at the academy where I'm either used as a fall guy by Matsuda and Motohama or being scorned and in some cases beaten by every other person there. Not to mention that in Grigori I feel like I'm actually valued for who I am and what I do as a person." Issei told the ancient wyrm as to the fact that in Grigori he felt himself in a place where he wasn't wanted but also valued for who he was and liked as a person
"Yes as you truly lucked out here and am happy that you joined their side. Because I would far rather see you treated as you have been than being used as some spoiled brat's servant or a zealous super soldier." Ddraig remarked as Issei nodded at Ddraig's words
"Oh yeah since had I wound up on either faction, things would've ended far worse for how I've been now. Which is why in review of my decision to join in was one of the best decisions I've ever wound up making." Issei spoke feeling that he made a fantastic decision in having joined their side
"Indeed but still remember that we've got a long road ahead of us that we've only just begun, so keep your eye on the prize Issei as we've got many months to come before we can possibly get a chance at killing the warmonger." Ddraig told him as Issei nodded at that
"Don't worry as like I said, by the time I'll fight him. I'll have most of my bases covered and nothing shall stop me." Issei swore to himself as he was excited to finally get started on hunting down Kokabiel
So with Issei having decimated Rias and her peerage as well as Kiba having set the stage for mass change in Rias's peerage things are beginning to shift, for how will things follow suit from here on out. Well you'll have to find out next time on Red Dragon Revenant.
And cut as oh boy was this one hell of a chapter to write, but you know it was all worth it because I loved every bit of it, but with that being said let's get down to it now shall we.
First up we've got Issei going up against Rias and her peerage which I loved doing for the simple fact that while he obliterated her peerage outright excluding Kiba, I want to say he did this because unlike Rias he took the initiative to not only get himself stronger but also plan and maneuver the battlefield so that he could have the tactical advantage something that Rias in her pride and actual sloth failed to do.
Next up we've got Issei having his celebration at Grigori over his victory which I thought would be pretty dope to have done and introduce a new character in the form of Giorno, whom will be having his role to play within the story which I can't really wait to expand and delve into.
Following that up we've got the aftermath of Rias's match against Issei in the form of an argument between Rias and Kiba which in essence I thought would not only be cool, yet also make sense when you think about it. Because the thing is considering how I've begun to base him off of Wrath from Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and taking his abilities and some of his motivations from the Oath of Vengeance Paladin, it made more than definite sense as to why he'd feel justifiable anger and disappointment at Rias's inactions.
Finally we've got the bit between Issei and Ddraig about him going after his 1st target on his quest to kill Kokabiel which I thought would be nice to do, since it marks the fact that now he's shifting himself into gear and focusing himself onto killing and tracking down Kokabiel and to a smaller extent realize that now he's fighting in the big leagues.
With that being said please remember to favorite, follow, review and share this story out as possible for I hope with your guys help that it can become a real good story, so please help get this out there so it can become a great and well known story; please and thank you. Also remember flames will be ignored and constructive criticism is welcome so long as it well thought out and reasonable.
That being said this is Pravus666 signing out until next time as next up we'll have Issei going after one of Kokabiel's minions among other things so stay tuned for that.
Part 1 Theme Song: Reborn by Stone Sour
Random End Song: The Devil and I by Slipknot
