Happy Birthday to me! I am 25 as of this chapter being posted on the 20th of September! Woo hoo! I shall be going to get some Thai food for my bday dinner today so im in a fantastic mood!
So! Here's the next chapter. Multiple time skips as I needed to get out of the little hole I put myself in and this was the best option. So yea. Enjoy the chapter.
I own nothing.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
A week passed and Issei was still in pain, though he was up and about without help from Artemis. He could walk on his own, though Artemis stuck with him and refused to let the teenager out of her sight. Technically, he wasn't a teenager due to being stuck in that sarcophagus the way he was, but body wise he was still a teenager. His body was still in pain and he was still hopped up on pain pulls, but it did not slow him down. He wouldn't show he was in pain but Artemis knew… but also because he asked for the pain pills.
A week passed since the date and Issei was no longer bedridden. He was currently in a training room owned by Ares and his people, currently training. His body was still strong but his motor control was completely gone. He had to retrain from scrap and train he did. He worked out his hand to hand combat first due to his decision on his new weapon choices. A person could be disarmed of their weapon, but the one weapon that cannot be removed is your fists and there are weapons that can be used with your fists.
So right now, he was using a boxing heavy bag filled with sand and was just punching at it rapidly. The bag was shaped like a male warrior so Issei was punching the weak spots on the body. Groin, solar plexus, liver, floating ribs, throat, face. He would dance around the bag as well, striking the sides as well as the back of the bag. The bag was magically enhanced to show where his fists hit and how hard it hit based on the numbers on the bag that appeared in magic lettering. He struck with his fists, elbows, knees, and even headbutted the bag. He grappled with it to practice delivering knee strikes and elbows. He had been at this for two hours straight, not even taking a break for breath or water.
Artemis was laying on the couch, laying on her side and watching Issei with interest. She had never seen anyone train as hard as him at anything. Even Ares hardly ever trained. Artemis trained once a week with her bow, but she was so confident in her ability that sometimes she didn't train at all that week. So seeing someone take training so seriously was a new thing and if she was truthful to her self, it was extremely attractive. Issei had a goal in mind and he set out to conquer that goal. He wanted to protect his friends, his family and his loved ones and he would stop at nothing to do so. That was a big reason why Artemis fell for the boy.
'I really love the guy… I…. I feel more for him than I did Orion… Issei is… I don't know but… I love him'
As Artemis watched a shirtless Issei beat down the human shaped sandbag, she began to entertain not so clean thoughts. She couldn't help but think what it would be like to be grappled by Issei almost as roughly as he was with the bag. Of course, less clothing would be involved. 'Oh I haven't entertained these thoughts either since him… I really do love him… I hope Issei really wants me around him.' She begged in her thoughts.
With a powerful kick with his shin, Artemis was awoken from her thoughts by the magic bag exploding into particles, having taken enough damage to disintegrate essentially. Issei took several deep breaths before taking a water bottle and just downing it in one session, inhaling it really. Artemis smiled.
"You done for a while?"
"Yea. Going to take a break. My body is getting sore and im hurting a bit more again. I'll do some basic exercises tonight and train tomorrow."
"Alright, so what shall we do now?"
"Going to call my friends. I had promised them I'd call every night and I haven't even called them once."
"You kinda got screwed the night you came in. Can't be blamed but understood. I shall give you some privacy." The Huntress said, getting up and leaving the training room.
Issei smiled at the Goddess who left and quickly set up a large magic circle and sent the call to Rias due to her being the second in command of his peerage. It took only five seconds and Rias appeared.
"Issei! It's so good to see you! Are you ok? I heard that you were in Greece and it got attacked!"
"Yea. I was taken to Olympus. Apparently Zeus wanted me for somethings."
"Oh? Like what?"
"Well, I got a new girlfriend. It's a Goddess."
"Of course you did." Rias said with a sigh. "You're always getting girls."
"It's not like im actively trying to." Issei said with a grunt. "They are falling out of the sky like raindrops."
"Pretty much. So are you ok?"
"No… I am not doing ok. I'm better than I was but Olympus was attacked by the Khaos Brigade."
"So were we. We didn't take too much damage but we got injured as well. Well Koneko did. She's fine though. What's wrong Issei?"
"I died on the operating table for ten minutes. The Gods brought me back but… I lost any ability to fight. All my skills are gone..." He frowned. "I'm useless again."
"Issei… you're not useless. You need to stop… I hope you feel better. Alright, well let me give the call to Akeno. I think you should talk to the peerage."
"Sure. Put her on." Issei said with a genuine smile.
For the next hour, Issei spent time talking to each member of his peerage, including Koneko. After that, he walked out of the training room and decided to head to Artemis's room, thinking she might be there. He was getting hungry so he would ask her to walk with him to get some food. Upon entering, he came upon a sight he did not expect. A naked Artemis three knuckle deep into herself. She had forgot to lock the door.
She was startled at the door opening and yelped, immediately covering herself with a blanket and removing her fingers from her lower body. Her face was flushed red as she stared at Issei who had a very amused look on his face.
"Shall I leave?" He asked in good humor, entering the room further and taking a seat on the couch in the room.
"Y-You could've knocked!" She stammered, flustered. She was so hot and bothered by what she saw in the training room she left to her room to relieve herself of her stress. It took her about half an hour to actually get the courage to do something she thought she'd never do. Masturbate.
"I didn't think I had to knock to enter the room I stay in."
Artemis huffed and looked away. "You're such a pain." She said, taking a deep breath and removing the blanket from her body. She got dressed in her garb of clothing which consisted of basically a catsuit. It was a light green leather catsuit. She had on a brown belt as well as two shin guards that were overlapped like scales.
"Who me? Never." He laughed a bit. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt such a thing. If you wish, I can always assist you in such activities."
"I'm not ready for it yet…" She admitted in a low voice.
"Alright." Issei said with a smile. "Whenever you are wanting me to."
"You… aren't going to push me to do it?"
"Why would I? What's the point of doing something with another person if they aren't into it? Seems boring." Issei said. "Plus its wrong." He followed up with.
Artemis quickly hugged Issei around his abdomen, laying her head against his chest. "I'm… so happy to have found you." She muttered in his chest. Issei would smile and gently rub the back of her head.
"Likewise Artemis." Issei said before his tummy rumbled, which got both of them to laugh.
"Another date?"
"Anytime you want." He said.
It was two months after Issei arrived on Olympus that he was being called by Sirzechs. The Lucifer smiled at Issei from the hologram.
"How are you doing? Heard you were in bad shape for a long while."
"I'm much better. The pain is gone, though I get so tired easily. I won't be fully recovered for another couple months… but I am fine. I can even fight again."
"That's good news because you have a game. I could not put it off any longer and I am sorry. I did what I could to stall the game and it worked for a while, but I can't anymore. The high devils want this game."
Issei sighed. "I hate your society." He said with a grin. "But I understand their motives as well. It's good that they allowed this much time to pass. How much time do we have?"
"A week from now. I also thought you could come back tonight as we have a party tonight with all the younger devils participating in the large rating game event. As well as the higher ups getting to talk and discuss things."
"That sounds good. I will make preparations to appear in my house within the next three hours."
"Wonderful. Glad to have you back on your feet Issei." Sirzechs said before disconnecting the call. From behind, Artemis frowned.
"You… have to go?" Artemis asked.
"Yes. I can't stay here forever. My place is with the Underworld. Why don't you come with me?"
"My place is here though I can always visit often." Artemis said, smiling. 'He's so sweet.'
"Good. I will just be gathering my things and make a very important call before I head out." Issei said, walking up to Artemis and capturing her lips, his right arm around her waist, holding her as he deeply kissed the woman. The Goddess was surprised at how forward Issei was, not expecting the kiss but she didn't complain. Oh no, she enjoyed it and kissed him back just as deep. He'd rub her waist and lower back and she'd just curl her hands in his shirt as she truly enjoyed the kiss from her boyfriend. After a minute, Issei pulled away and smiled. "Alright, gotta make that call and get going. I will miss you Artemis. Visit soon."
"I will." She said, watching as Issei walked out of the room and went somewhere where he could make the call privately. He entered the training room and put a magic circle under his feet, which formed a bubble around him. He then formed a magic circle over his ear, though it was actually three magic circles.
"The plan still in place?" Issei asked.
"Yes." The voice over the call stated. It was distorted. "The plan is ready to go. I hope this works as my life is on the line."
"Mine is as well but this is our best chance."
"Agreed." The voice said before ending the call. Issei grinned and removed the magic circles before he teleported away.
Issei arrived shortly in his bedroom, finding that it was changed from the last time he appeared. The bed was now much bigger in all directions and his room seemed larger over all. Magic was a wonderful thing it seems. Issei grinned and left his room, sneaking down the stairs with silent footsteps. He heard the TV on and he figured that at least someone was in the living room. Upon arriving, he noticed that everyone was gathered in the living room, watching a movie. Issei walked in and leaned against the wall, looking at the movie. He was still unnoticed.
"Whatcha watching?" Issei asked, startling the girls and Kiba who paused the movie and all ran at him, except Kiba and Koneko who just stood up and waited to greet their comrade. The girls all charged at him, vying for a hug from their boyfriend. With her speed as a knight, Xenovia was the first to reach Issei and quickly hugged the man. Issei laughed at the scene of him being bum rushed but he hugged Xenovia tightly before hugging the rest of them. "I am going to guess you missed me?"
"You asshole. Making us all worry." Akeno said, smiling at the King.
"Not my fault. Blame Khaos Brigade."
"More fun to blame you." Irina said, laying her head on Issei's chest. Issei smiled. Irina was opening up to him too.
"I guess that would be more fun. So, whats the plan for the week Rias?"
"We got the party for tonight and then we prepare for the rating game in a week. Actually we should be getting ready to leave now, was just distracted by the movie."
"Ah well, let's get going. I think I look nice enough for a party."
"You could be shirtless and still look good for it. You're different after all."
"I do like being shirtless." Issei said grinning. "But for the sake of modesty and not embarrassing you, I shall wear a shirt. Alright Rias, let's get going whenever you guys are ready."
Rias smiled and the girls went off to prepare for the party. Kiba was already spiffy looking so he was good and Issei didn't really care about fancy party clothing so he was fine in his T-shirt and cargo shorts.
Half an hour later, they were in the underworld, at the party. Issei was currently at the dinner table as that was his first stop. Issei also had an appetite much bigger than before he got hurt. His body had some catching up to do. He was wolfing down sandwiches with meat, hot-dogs in biscuits, small steak bites, and other protein foods. His shirt was pulled and with a face stuffed with food, messily so, he turned and faced none other than Ravel Phenex.
"Of Rafewl." Issei said, with his mouth full before swallowing. "What can I do for you?"
"Can't you act better in high society?" Ravel asked, wiggling his nose.
"I could, but if im acting then im not me. If im not me, then well I don't wanna be anyone but myself." Issei said with a shrug.
"This is why… ugh. Well whatever. I wanted to give you this. As a token of no ill will between the Phenex family and the Gremory group."
"It's the Hyoudou group now, but thank you. I had no ill will at all for you guys. Well, I did for your brother. Speaking of, how is he doing?"
"Oh he's absolutely terrified of you. Hasn't been the same since he lost. Seeing you single-handedly destroy his peerage really knocked him down a few pegs. Serves him right for being so arrogant and trying to do something when it was obviously wrong."
"Well, that's… well thats interesting. Not good though. Don't need him terrified of me. Just need him to know right from wrong." Issei shrugged. "Well, maybe some day." He chuckled. "Quite harsh for someone serving under his peerage and for his sister."
"When he lost, I got transferred into my mothers peerage. Since she doesn't do anything, I am essentially a free bishop and I can do anything."
"Oh, so you can join any other peerage you want just by trading an empty piece for you?"
"Yes. I can ask and there is no bargaining. Just my choice. Surprised you knew about free bishops for someone of your stature."
"Well aren't you a little shit to me. You know if you can acting like that, I'll have to punish you." He grinned. This got Ravel to blush and look away.
"A-Anyways, I wanted to give you this as a token of friendship." Ravel said, holding out what looked like an eyeglass case. Issei took it and opened it.
"I'm going to guess Phenex tears." Issei said. "Well that's awfully kind of you, thank you."
"Y-Yes. So uh… L-Lord Issei… how about the next time we meet, I give you a mouthful of my Tea's?"
"What?" He snickered. "My my Ravel, such a dirty mind." Issei teased. He was almost twice her size so he felt good teasing her. All she could do really was kick his shins.
"S-Shut up! What I meant to say was, I've been learning how to bake cakes… and they go great with tea… so how about you try some later?"
"Sure. That would be wonderful." Issei said before he turned his head, as something caught his attention. "Though it would have to wait." Issei said, heading off towards the elevator. As he reached the elevator, Rias also entered it, staring at Issei.
"You spotted her too?"
"Yea. She's been on my radar for a while plus… I have a feeling something's about to happen. Need to be prepared." Issei said. Rias nodded and both of them descended on the elevator.
Read. Review. Moo.
