About two months later.
Horror.
Horror was one of the words that could be used to describe the situation in the further territories from the capital of the Hell.
Terror, dread, cruelty and savagery could also be used to describe it.
Khaos Brigade had let beasts roam free and their soldiers run amuck. Some devils and fallen angels tried to fight back, but it didn't take long for them to be ran over by the sheer amount of enemies.
Buildings were burned to the ground, devils and fallen angels killed and their corpses desecrated. These people, if they could even be called that, didn't care for mercy.
Through the screaming, crackling of the fire and sounds of magic explosions, a fair amount of alarms went off. Quiet alarms of their wristwatches. They stopped for a moment, and pulled a red scarf from their jacket's pockets.
A minute passed, as the ones with their beeping watches tied their scarfs around their necks, arms or legs.
The watches stopped beeping and they had turned around. A person with the red scarf around his arm decapitated the two other Khaos Brigade members. A burst of magic disintegrated another few of the Khaos Brigade.
''H-HEY, THERE ARE TRAITORS AMONG U-!'' – A Khaos brigade member had tried to scream, but he was lifted off the ground by a tall guy and his neck was twisted around before he could finish the sentence.
One by one, the Khaos Brigade members were killed by the ones with the red scarfs. A young devil got up, as the person who was trying to kill her had been just decapitated.
''Are you...saviors?'' – She asked the black-haired man who was holding a bloodied sword, the red scarf twisting and turning in the wind.
''Look at that wall.'' – He answered, nodding with his head to a wall behind her.
She did. A few posters had been put up, all around the underworld. She had seen them around everywhere, just hadn't really taken notice of what was on them.
The biggest one was decipting a white haired, brown eyed man with an angry scowl. One of his eyes was colored over with a black marker. Above the picture, it simply stated.
[WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.]
[ISSEI ''DDRAIG'' HYOUDOU]
[SSS-RATED CRIMINAL.]
[5'8, 18 years old, muscular frame, dark clothing.]
[All high-level or below devils should run on sight.]
The person who saved her wasn't this Issei person. Her eyes traced to the side, looking at the posters depicting a slightly blurry picture. Straw yellow hair, green eyes, petite neck and very sharp collarbones.
[WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.]
[MARIA*]
[SS-RATED CRIMINAL.]
[Approx. 5'1, small frame.]
[Age, real name and surname unknown.]
[All high-level or below devils should run on sight.]
Her savior was a boy, so she was obviously not. The next poster depicted a beautiful girl with black hair and hazel eyes, in the picture she was slightly smirking.
[WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.]
[KUROKA.]
[SS-RATED STRAY.]
[5'3, 22 years old, dark clothes, usually seen together with Issei Hyoudou.]
[All below high-level devils should run on sight.]
Not it either. The next was a picture of a handsome blond-haired guy, his red eyes were burning with intensity.
[WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.]
[GILGAMESH*]
[SS-RATED CRIMINAL.]
[Approx 6'2, dark clothes.]
[Real name, age unknown*]
[All below high-level devils should run on sight.]
She looked at the last poster. A young woman with short black hair, her bangs covered half of her face. Her expression was completely missing. A stone-cold poker face, null emotions.
[WANTED DEAD OF ALIVE.]
[FLEIMEL*]
[SS-RATED CRIMINAL.]
[Approx. 5'6, dark clothes, fire magic.]
[Real name, age unknown.]
[All below high-level devils should run on sight]
Now, she was confused. Why had the man that saved her life would turn her attention to those wanted posters?
''Did you see, woman?'' – The man asked. –''The one with the white hair is my boss. He is like a king. So please don't blame me for this. Blame him.''
His already bloody sword was raised upwards, and swung down like a club, tearing through her head. In that second her body lost control and fell over, spilling her brain, the sticky, transparent fluid and blood everywhere.
''I am only the executioner.''
The man spoke, as he rejoined others of the Zero Army in the slaughter of the few of Khaos Brigade that were left.
Another small city, or rather village, had been completely wiped out by the Khaos Brigade. At least, that was what people would think.
It had slowly become painless. Moving, thinking, existing. Maybe not existing – that still hurt. It always had hurt.
A large bathtub was standing in the middle of an equally large bathroom. Marble tiles on the floor, the walls covered in unique and even slightly disturbing artwork. A carved statue of a naked woman was covered in dry blood. The whole floor was slightly illuminated from the reflection, since it was covered in the bathwater.
The bathtub itself was probably from gold. It had some carved ornaments on the outside, coupled with jewels that Issei had no way of knowing what they were called. Or rather, he didn't care what they were called.
Issei was staring at the ceiling...or what could be considered a ceiling. Mosaic, colored glass that covered a dome-like ceiling, throwing dull light from the outside. Half of the mosaic windows were cracked, broken, or missing, destroying the immersive, passive lighting.
A single ray had pushed itself through a broken piece of it, somehow shinning right into his eyes.
Issei moved his head downwards, only to be assaulted by the back of Kuroka's head. She was sitting in his lap, her legs extending all the way to the end of the bathtub, while his were bent, pushing against the bathtub's sides, while his knees were out of the hot water, like two small islands.
Other than that, his whole body just slightly below his neck was submerged. His arms, that had previously hung over the bathtub, moved upwards wrapped around Kuroka's shoulders.
She purred, pressing her body against Issei's even harder.
''Anything wrong?'' – She asked, her voice was sugar-sweet.
Issei didn't answer, only crossed his arms over her collarbones. She lowered her head, snuggling against his scarred forearms.
Kuroka's slender arms gently captured Issei's head from below, as she leaned it against the back of her head. She scratched his head and ruffled his hair with one hand, as her other trailed over to his leg. She drove her arm over his shin, towards his knee.
The hot water was making him feel sluggish and tired...but it also felt good. And at that moment, it was all that mattered.
''Do you think the poison is gone by now?'' – Kuroka asked, her voice slightly echoing over the bathroom.
''Probably. Doesn't hurt anymore.'' – Issei answered, his voice slightly muffled by her silky hair.
''Good. We can finally make our move, don't you think?''
''Probably. I need a bit of time to regain some lost weight and muscle. Flexibility too...''
Kuroka chuckled, cutely. –''You don't need to. Ophis' power remade you. Your muscle couldn't be stronger even if you tried. I mean, even before you could throw cars in the air, right?''
''Mhm.'' – Issei nodded as well, messing up Kuroka's hair. –''Now I could probably throw a train without any kind of power boosts.''
''That's pretty manly.'' – Kuroka answered, snickering.
''Bite me.'' – He answered, sighing playfully.
''How is Ddraig, anyways?'' – She asked, slightly shifting her weight in the water, making Issei uncomfortable.
''He is sleeping now. He was been doing it a lot since the Samael's curse. It took a toll on him.'' – Issei answered, becoming silent.
Only the dripping of small droplets of water echoed through the room.
Kuroka suddenly raised up, creating a wave of water that splashed over the edge. Her naked body, her back, legs, butt, everything in his face. She stood there for a small while, but turned around, and sat back down, only this time, facing Issei.
She leaned against the end of the bathtub like Issei. She looked at his face, tracing the scant particle of emotions. She knew, easily, how much of a mess he was. Even if almost two months had passed, Issei was still...disturbed.
His hair had been cut, by her. She had done it a bit different than usually. It had grown long, overly so, thus she cut the back and sides more than the front. His bangs on the front were parted above his right eye, but covered the gaping hole in his head on the left. Because of the extensive damage, he couldn't even have a glass eye.
A wide strip of acid-like burned skin ran over his left cheek, all the way down to his chin. It was just another scar, like always, in his words.
Always, always, always trying to assure others that he was fine. Always lying through his teeth about it. Always having that stone-cold expression of indifference, even if killing, torturing or simply existing.
Kuroka sighed, remembering the fact that she hadn't seen Issei's aloof smile for a long time...it was a fake smile. Always had been fake, since the day he joined Rias Gremory's peerage.
But now, they shared another thing in the world – they both were strays, escaped from their masters. Kuroka found it funny, it gave her the kind of a ''Bonnie and Clyde'' feeling.
She was glancing at Issei the whole time, while he had leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling again.
''Anything particular on your mind?''
''About Balance-Breaker. Ddraig said he felt some ''changes''. I have no idea what will happen once I balance break.''
Kuroka froze for a second. –''Because of Ophis? It would make sense.''
''Because of Ophis and the Samael's curse. I'm afraid that the armor could be damaged or brittle somehow.''
''Can something even impact it like that?'' – She pondered.
''I don't know, but if something can, then it is definitely Samael's poison.'' – He answered, sighing.
Only the sound of water droplets enveloped the room again.
''Cheer up.'' – Kuroka spoke up, jabbing at Issei with her foot.
She gently kicked Issei in his stomach a few times, he simply smirked, not feeling a thing. He caught her foot, tickling it underwater. She tried to tear it away, but that failed, as water splashed around.
''You know, I feel sad when you hide things from me.'' – Kuroka spoke, once Issei had released her foot.
''M?'' – Issei asked, leaning his head to the side, his single eye curious.
''I know your body is breaking down.'' – She spoke. –''Especially after what happened. I know.''
Issei straightened his head, sighing gently. –''I can't hide anything from you, can I? I just did it to not worry you.''
''I know.'' – She smiled back, revealing her teeth. –''But I can help you. I already am doing it, after all. You seem to forget you are not alone anymore.''
''...Ah, so this is why I'm so dazed?'' – Issei asked her, dodging her last sentence.
''Yes. I'm using Ki and some other techniques while we have sex.''- She answered, smirking promiscuously.
Issei froze, widening his eyes for a short while, but then began to laugh. –''There is a technique to heal while having sex?''
''Of course. Having sex is very...close. Exchange of all kinds of liquids, sweating, heat...holding hands...you know how it is. Besides, using that technique makes it more pleasurable, don't you think?'' – She asked, her cheeks having a shinny red daze.
Issei couldn't tell if it was because of the hot water, or because even she was feeling somewhat embarrassed talking about it. But it was cute, nonetheless.
''Don't tease me, you perv.'' – Issei smirked, leaning towards her, running his palms along her legs. She smirked, fluttering her hazel eyes, that seemed to glow in the badly lit room.
Her perfect skin glistened, her curves, her toned stomach. Her slightly pink lips, everything about her was perfect. The perfect lack of scars on her body was the exact opposite of Issei's body.
Issei wanted to take her, wrap his hands around her, enjoy her.
Before he could move closer, Kuroka reacted as if reading his mind, moving forwards, pushing Issei back and wrapping her hands around his neck, laying on his stomach, making the water splash over the edges once again. She looked him in the eye, and after a small while of looking at each other, she moved her head closer, biting on his lower lip, and moving her tongue over his teeth.
Issei moved his hand from her back down to her butt, grabbing into it, and pulling her in his lap. She released a small yelp, inhaling, but Issei drove one of his arms through her hair, as he moved his head to the side, kissing her neck and biting into it playfully.
She ruffled his hair, while he felt her nails scrape over his neck and upper back. He liked it. His lips moved up and met her lips, as he bit on her lips, and after a small while found her tongue.
The hot water, mixed with her healing technique made Issei have tunnel vision, but making out with Kuroka was the only thing on his mind.
She couldn't believe two months had passed. Not to mention what had happened in the span of two months.
Rias was sitting in the room in which she didn't think she belonged. Azazel and Baraqiel, her brother, Serafall, Ajuka and even Michael and Gabriel. They were discussing things and what had happened, but she was hearing only a buzzing sound in her ears.
...was she disoriented as well? How long had passed since she sat down?
But she was brought out of the trance by her brother. He had asked her if she was ok.
She wasn't.
''Yes, I was just thinking.'' – She answered, showing her brother a small, gentle smile.
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes, but turned back to the discussion at hand.
''It is completely ridiculous. I'm asking you again, Sirzechs, how did you not know about his plans? Not even in the slightest?'' – Baraqiel asked, crossing his arm. Azazel looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped.
''...I am naive. I wanted to trust him, a monster born out of others doing. I wanted to give him something he never had.'' – Sirzechs answered, glaring back. –''There is no use focusing on the past, so let's focus on the present. I called you all here to understand the situation and to create a plan.''
''That sounds good. Tell us about the situation currently, I'm out of touch.'' – Micheal spoke, calmly.
''Two months ago, Azazel, together with Saiaorg fought against Cao Cao and Khaos Brigade, and with the help of Yu Long and Sun Wukong stopped and calmed down Yasaka, who had been taken hostage. Everything is fine now in Kyoto. Nothing to worry about.''
''That's good to hear. What about Khaos Brigade? The wielder of the True Longinus?''
''He has been keeping low, hiding and not making a move. Khaos Brigade has, though. They are attacking outskirt towns and villages of the Underground. Many deaths, but we are trying to wrestle control back to us. It's hard to judge their power.''
''What about Hyoudou?'' – Azazel asked, meeting Sirzechs' eyes. By the looks of it, he didn't want to talk about it.
Sirzechs sighed. –''...He's been lying low as well. As most of you know, he was poisoned by Samael's poison. Hard to understand how he survived, even...but I guess that is just how he is.''
''Excuse me...'' – Gabriel spoke up, as Sirzechs widened his eyes. –''What I understood, you were there, at the time, that he betrayed your sister, right? Then how come he got away?''
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes slightly, remembering that day. –''He had backup, supposedly his underlings. A women, known only as ''Maria'' somehow broke my barrier and got in. Together with his 3 other underlings, they fought back and escaped.''
''I can't believe you couldn't use your destruction power to kill them all.'' – Ajuka stared at him with cold eyes. Was he judging him? Or was he simply curious for the reason.
Sirzechs of course remembered what had happened. That woman, who looked like a child had used a power that was exactly the same as his. Besides, she had called him a ''little brother''. That didn't make any sense. His mother swore on it.
''It was a quick exchange. Somehow, Koneko appeared...and Yuuto attacked Issei.''
''...How is Kiba, anyways?'' – Serafall asked, turning towards Rias. –''Recovering well?''
Sirzechs opened his mouth, but then closed it, noticing Rias, who opened her mouth.
''He died.'' – Rias spoke, her voice devoid of emotions. It seemed like her eyes had lost the crimson red shine. –''A few days ago. The impact of Hyoudou's punch was so severe his heart, lungs, kidneys...everything else was completely destroyed.''
A collaborate silence suffocated the room. Rias sighed, her vision becoming fuzzy. Was she crying? The scene of Kiba, her knight, barely holding onto consciousness. Wires, tubes, electrical devices strapped to his body. A ventilator to try and keep him alive.
He barely could hold onto living. She even wanted for Kiba to receive transplants...but it was useless. Even Kiba's spine and nerves were obliterated. And that was how he died, trying to grasp for the last breath he wasn't able to inhale.
''Hyoudou finally...didn't hold back. It took too long, the damage was too severe and the doctors couldn't do anything, even with Pheonex tears.''
''...I'm so, so sorry, Rias.'' – Serafall answered, after a small while of silence. –''My condolences.''
Suddenly, Rias stood up. –''I don't want condolences, or for you to feel sorry about me. I just for Issei Hyoudou to die. I want him to suffer and then die.''
She stormed out of the room shortly after.
''I agree with her.'' – Sirzechs spoke up, surprising Azazel. –''Her other knight, Xenovia is in a comma right now. Her head was bashed in pretty bad.''
''Bloody hell.'' – Michael spoke up. –''We have to regain the control. It would be ridiculous to be defeated after the Three Great Powers combined.''
Azazel wanted to speak, but suddenly a small magical ring appeared around his ears, creating an eery silence. He responded, his eyes widening.
The ring disappeared, as he turned to face everyone. –''Bad news. Three or so weeks ago, a few cities on the outskirts of Fallen Angel territory were attacked, mostly burned down to the ground. Few people escaped. In the ruins, some things were found. As funny as it sounds, a few cellphones were found. We always assumed it was the Khaos Brigade, but I just got back some recorded footage from one of the villages.''
Azazel snapped his fingers, creating a magical ring on the table in the middle. A holographic screen appeared. The footage began to roll.
Screams, howls. The footage was shaky, as the person was running and recording the attackers at the same time.
The attackers all had red scarfs somewhere on their bodies. He turned a street, running straight ahead, but froze, the camera focusing on what was in the front. In the middle of the street, Issei Hyoudou was standing, staring right at the one who was recording.
[P-please don't kill me!]
The owner of the voice was scared...and young. Issei stared at him with his right eye, completely poker-faced. The black hood was almost-hiding his white hair. His eyepatch was black, with a white zero on it. On top of his black, slim combat clothes, coat was thrown over his shoulders, reaching almost to his knees. His arms hidden from view, he leaned his head to the side.
After a few seconds, he spoke. [Kill him. My head hurts.]
[Yes, sir.]
An equally cold and distant voice responded, appearing from thin air next to him. Her rather short black hair fluttered, as the kid holding the camera was set on fire, scorching him alive. His screams could be heard for a few seconds, before the camera cut off and the hologram disappeared.
''Why the fuck is Hyoudou killing harmless fallen angels?'' – Azazel shouted. Other's in the room widened their eyes.
They of course didn't know the deal between him and Issei.
''There are rumors here and there that he is leading a bunch of other criminals.'' – Sirzechs spoke. –''Calling themselves ''The Zero Army''.
''You're joking, right?'' – Serafall asked, but received nothing in response. –''HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!~, such a stupid name!''
''...The previous one was ''Suicide Squad.'' – Sirzechs sighed. –''That fits him better.
''How much is ''a bunch''?'' – Ajuka asked, after Serafall's and Sirzechs' dialogue.
''I don't know. Not too much, around ten or twenty.'' – Sirzechs responded.
Silence once again followed those words.
''What is our game plan now?''
''Get ready. Get your best men, protect the children, the cities. We can't fall against them.''
''My informants say that something big will probably happen soon.'' – Azazel answered Sirzechs. We need to be ready.''
''Of course, we will. No one like them can overtake us. ''
''Anything else?'' – Sirzechs asked, watching the responses.
Nothing. –''Dismissed.''
''Mou~, once again you are acting like our leader!'' – Serafall pouted, acting her usual magical girl role.
Sirzechs chuckled slightly, smiling for a little while.
Everyone had stood up, and Serafall had walked over to him, landing her fist gently on his chest, looking upwards at him. –''Take it easy. Stress is never good.''
''...I have a lot to do, a lot to fix, most of which I broke.''
''Don't blame yourself, Satan~.'' – Serafall spun around, walking away.
Everyone teleported away after saying goodbye, except for Azazel.
''Anything you need? Or do you want to drink again?'' – Sirzechs asked.
''...you wouldn't mind if I took up the task of finding Issei?''
''Right, you understood him better than me, right?'' – ''Sirzechs nudged the bridge of his nose. –''Sure, go ahead, I have other things to fix.''
''...I wouldn't say I knew him. I thought I knew him.'' – Azazel answered, putting his arm on Sirzechs' shoulder. –''Keep up the good work. The underworld won't fall with you in charge.''
He nodded, and Azazel disappeared.
Outside was cold. They were in the mountains, somewhere, after all. Blood still stained the streets, but most of the bodies were moved away somewhere and burned. The city, that his feet were taking him through had previously been a town of vampires.
Issei was dressed in his now every-days, somewhat magic resistant clothes – slim, black cargo pants, black boots, and a black hoodie, but above that was thrown a coat that stretched halfway down to his knees. The sleeves were rolled up a slightly, as they were a bit too long. His red scarf ruffled in the wind behind him as he walked. His silhouette looked larger and sturdier than usual.
The small city was bustling with soldiers dressed in black, walking, jogging and carrying things all over the place. Only it was different from usual. They parted to make way for him, not because they were afraid.
They let him pass and saluted by raising their hand to their chest.
They were his soldiers, after all. He nodded, and continued his walk, the small clouds from his breath dissolving in the wind. The amount of snow underneath his feet was small, the mountains surrounding the city were shielding it from the snow as well.
Where the snow had melted, some signs of fighting had remained, together with some of the buildings having been burned down or demolished.
His feet led him to something that resembled a chapel. Of course, it wasn't a chapel, because vampires had a weakness to holy, same as him. He opened the doors, and his eyesight blurred for a while. One part, because of the murky, low light of the ''chapel'', and second part because his vision had become shitty recently. He walked in, the long hallway having many open archways to the sides. He glanced to the side, looking into one of the rooms.
It was covered in blood. After all, that one had held kidnapped human children, specifically. Other rooms held females or males. Vampires needed to suck blood, after all, and this family had decided on a ''chapel'' to keep the humans and their children and suck them dry of their blood. It was easier, and a lot less messier.
They had killed all the children, women, and men that had been there, of course. Letting them run would be a waste of time, they would have died in the mountains anyways. Besides, Issei wasn't compassionate enough to give the traumatized humans a chance.
He climbed up to the second floor. It had a large room, basically stylized as a place to relax and drink human blood. Maria was laying down on a cube chair, sideways. Her legs and her head was over the edges, as she was messing around with a phone that looked way too large for her petite hands.
''Issei-chaan, we have a slight problem right now.'' – She spoke, not looking up from her phone. She was still wearing a cute dress, only a hoodie that was too big for her had been thrown over.
Issei remained standing, waiting for her to continue.
''Remember Vali and his gang? And Ophis. They are looking for you.'' – Maria continued. –''However, the problem isn't them. It is you.''
Issei didn't really react.
''What I want you to do is befriend them and make them join our cause.''
''...Vali won't just do that for no reason.''
''Oh, I have a very great reason. A few, even. You just need to listen to me.'' - Maria smirked. –''Can you do that for me? Not fight him the first second you see him?''
Issei sighed, looking her in the eyes. She stared back at his black, slightly triangular eyepatch.
''I can do that. If it's Vali, now, then I can talk with him. Should I bring him here?''
Maria shook her head. –''Only if you are able to get him on our side. Before that, don't even hint at our location. We have a lot of barriers on this place. Once you exit the barrier, they will find you. ''
Issei nodded. –''Then tell me what you know about Vali that I can use to get him our side.''
Maria gestures for him to sit down. –''First off, as you know, you are the leader of all of this. You are the boss, not me.''
And so, she spoke, as Issei sat down and listened.
A few hours later.
Vali was training with Bikou, when LaFey disrupted their spar.
''I found Issei Hyoudou!'' – She shouted, from afar. –''We need to go, now!''
Vali slid backwards after a staff hit to his crossed arms, and lowered them, sighing. His silver hair was ruffled up and sweaty, while the monkey stretched.
''It's a good thing we got a warm-up in, we won't tear or pull anything when we fight Hyoudou.''
Vali shook his head. –''Don't attack him, unless he attacks first. We need to talk with him. Bikou gather everyone, we need to go. I'll find Ophis.''
Vali jogged along, exiting the hanger that they had used as an arena to fight in. He jogged towards the abandoned, but prestigious house. It looked like a castle straight out of a horror movie...but it had worked as a base. Ophis liked it. In her own, odd and completely inert way.
He found her in the stairway, siting on a window sill, glancing into the distance.
''Do you want to go and meet with Ddraig?'' – He asked her.
''...Yes.'' – She answered, after a few seconds of silence.
''Then we need to move now.'' – Vali spoke, understanding that she wouldn't move.
She floated off the ledge, spinning air mid-air.
''Follow me.'' – He spoke and turned around, heading outside of the castle-like house. Ophis had nodded and followed, walking behind him.
As he exited the house, his little squad was already waiting for him. Vali raised his arm in surprise and caught the flying, gray jacket. Only then did he realize that it was pretty chilly outside.
''Thanks.'' – Vali put it on. –''Ready to go?''
Everyone nodded.
''Let's go. Remember, don't attack if he doesn't attack first.
Bikou's staff hit the ground, and they began to sink. After a few seconds, the world bent out of shape, and they his legs hit the ground somewhere away. He raised his arm in reflex, to shield his eyes from the wind, that had raised up a bit of snow.
When he lowered his arm, he was staring at the back of Issei Hyoudou. He was standing a few dozen feet away, staring at something in the distance. They were on top of a mountain of somekind. His black coat and the red scarf moved in the wind.
Next to him, stood a women with long black hair, she was wearing very slim, black clothes, but her red coat was odd. It covered her arms, and it looked more like a cloack that a coat. Below her breasts it split into strands, like feathers, that ruffled in the wind.
On the edge sat a tall, blond guy with leather jacket on his back. A small, red scarf was tied around his left bicep. He didn't even acknowledge their presence.
Issei turned around, and so did Kuroka. He lowered his hood, his white hair shaking in the wind, uncovering the eyepatch. Kuroka remained standing, but Issei moved forwards.
And so did Vali. When there was less than a few feet between them, they stopped. Issei took out right arm from his pocket and raised it towards Vali.
''...Truce?''
Vali looked into Issei's dull brown eye, judging his expression. He was sure Issei wouldn't attack him, not now.
He raised his hand, grabbing into Issei's arm. It was a firm, powerful handshake.
''We need to talk.'' – Vali answered, releasing his grasp.
''Of course.'' – Issei answered, looking past him, at Ophis.
''Kuroka, Gilgamesh, you can go now. I trust them enough not to attack.''
Gilgamesh got up, dusting off the snow from his black pants. Kuroka glanced at Issei, then at Vali and his team, and disappeared, along with Gilgamesh.
Vali turned around, and simply spoke to his squad. –''Everyone but Ophis, get out of here, I'll talk with Hyoudou on my own.''
After a small pause and a friendly wave from Bikou, they too disappeared, leaving only Issei, Vali and Ophis on that mountain. Issei gestured for Vali to follow, as he went to the edge of the overhang and sat down. Vali did the same, and so did Ophis, who was still dressed in her uncovering, gothic loli dress.
''...You're not cold at all.'' – Issei commented, looking to his side.
She shook her head.
''Figures.'' – Issei nodded. –''...So, where do we start?''
''Tell me about your plan. Was it always...?'' – He asked, his voice trailing off, but Issei quickly began to answer.
''Yes. It was a setup from the beginning. I attacked Gremory for the sake of becoming a devil.''
''Why?'' – Vali asked. –''Why did you want to become a devil?''
''One was strength. You, born a half-devil, could never understand the plight of a human. But that wasn't the only reason.'' – Issei stated, sighing, looking into the distance. –''I was ill. Terribly so.''
''As in...cancer?'' – Vali asked.
''No. You surely know of Juggernaut Drive. It spends life-force. The amount of years you can live. Your whole existence can break down.''
''Yes, I know of it. I can use it, as well.'' – Vali answered. –''I can use magic instead of lifeforce.''
Issei widened his eye. –''Oh. I see. That is a good strategy. I can never use it. My anger, together with Juggernaut Drive spells death.''
''I figured something like that.'' – Vali responded, looking at Issei, ready to hear more.
''Something similiar to Juggernaut Drive happened to me. Ddraig, through anger and the necessity somehow forced the Balance Breaker when I was 16. I could use it only for a few minutes, and when I came out of it, I fell into a coma. I met Ophis, on that day, too. She came to look at me, for some reason.''
''...Indeed, I, did.'' – She answered, dully. –''I felt you anger. When I arrived, you fell by my feet, and some people teleported to you, and took you away.''
''...Something like that. I was in a coma for about a month. When I came out of it, I almost died because my lungs refused to listen for a while, and some other problems. I got therapy for my rusty muscle, and somehow regained most of my ability. However, that wasn't all. I was in pain, and my health and endurance was fucked. I could barely fight for more than 5 minutes, and I couldn't even run a few miles without stopping from pain in my legs. My bones were brittle, my heart was weak...so in a way, using that Balance Breaker armor was like cancer. Every single time I used Balance Breaker I would bleed from my mouth, more and more, every time.''
''...I don't quite get it. How could it have such a great impact on you?''
''I was a tortured human kid, Vali. A weak, fucking human to the bone. When I balance broke, everything in my body was opened, like floodgates. A single punch I threw tore my muscle.'' – Issei smirked. –''The doctors gave me only a few years to live. 5 at max. I drank a fuckload of pills, used painkillers...it was such a blur.''
''But becoming a devil fixed all of it?'' – Vali implored, looking at Issei.
''Yes. It did.'' – Issei's violent smirk disappeared. –''The pain was gone and I was stronger than ever. I didn't need painkillers, nor medication.''
''I see. It was an elaborate plan from the beginning.'' – Vali answered, becoming silent. –''Wasn't it...scary to become a devil?''
''Not really. I was already a demon, I just took the next step and became a devil.''
Silence, until Ophis broke it.
''My power, is your body used to it?''
Issei looked at her statue, her black hair fluttering in the cold wind.
''Your power is what kept me together after Samael's curse. I owe my life to you. Without you, I would have died.''
Ophis looked at Issei, then at Vali and then at the dark horizon. –''What should I say to those words? I don't understand.''
'''...Nothing, I guess. I am telling you that I owe you. A lot.'' – Issei sighed, smiling a bit. –''Vali, I have a proposition for you and Ophis.''
''What?''
''Join me.'' – Issei answered him. –''You get to move freely, and you won't be an ordinary member. Only difference would be the fact that when I call for you, you'd answer.''
''Tell me a single reason for why I'd want that? I don't even know your group's purpose.''
''Your grandfather.'' – Issei answered, leaving Vali bewildered, and that expression turned to anger.
''How do you know about him?'' – Vali grabbed Issei's collar.
''Rizevim Livan Lucifer.'' – Issei spoke, slowly. –''You hate him, right? Well, he basically leads the Khaos Brigade, did you know that?''
''...How...how do you know all of this?''
''Doesn't matter.'' – Issei responded offhandedly. –''My army will fight Khaos Brigade, and that means Rizevim as well. You want to fight strong enemies, right?''
''Yes.''
''I will probably fight Great Red, also, that would help Ophis.'' – Issei spoke, and raised his head, looking straight into Vali's eyes. –''So, what do you say?''
''Tell me your goal. Your target.'' – Vali implored, after thinking for a few seconds.
''The Holy Grail.''
''Huh?'' – Vali was bewildered, once again. –''Why do you need one of the 13th longinus Sacred Gears...?''
''Rumors say that you can revive people with it. That is the only reason I need it.''
''...Are you telling me you want to gamble everything on a rumor, that a Holy Grail can revive a human? It's ridiculous. No, wait...your wish to revive someone is even more ridiculous.''
''It is. But I don't care.'' – Issei answered, smirking. –''I'm working together with a very strong and smart woman who wants the Grail as well.''
''I see. Fine. I agree, but on one condition.'' – Vali spoke, standing up.
Issei stood up as well, and as soon as he did, Vali lightly punched him in the chest. –''After we defeat Rizevim, after we defeat Great Red...we will fight to the death.''
Issei grabbed Vali's shoulder, pulling him closer. –''The stronger one will live on, while the weaker one will perish to the depths of the purgatory...isn't that how the chant goes?''
He smirked. –''Your wish is ridiculous...but maybe, if the two Heavenly Dragon Emperors join forces, it becomes doable.''
''I know it is ridiculous...but I don't care. It is my target, it has been for a while now.'' – Issei answered, sighing...
I will bring her back to this world, for that is the least I can do as a thank-you to her.
Author's notes.
*clears throat*
DON
DON
DOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN
Issei's reason. Issei's target is revealed. Finally, after 35 chapters of you not knowing it. Did anyone of you reading guess it, or thought about it? I guess someone probably did. I think someone guessed that Issei wanted the Grail, I'll check later.
Is he crazy? Is he mental? he is, yes probably. But put yourself in his shoes. Anyways, that is it. A shorter chapter, as an interlude to what happened after the big betrayal. Kiba died. yes. What, did you expect for him, the armorless knight to not die from Issei's Ki punch enhanced with Ophis power? Rip in piece, sweet prince. Xenovia is in a comma as well. Did you know, that the longer a person sleeps in a comma, the smaller is the chance of said person waking up?
Honestly, the talk between Vali and Issei is how I assume it would go. They hold a truce, for bigger reasons than themselves. They are both criminals, Vali was a criminal in the source material, you can't forget that, so I think him joining Issei is believable.
That bath scene doe, I hope it was good. It was fun to write it.
BuddyitsDerek - Yes, Margit's name and appearance is based on Margit of Majikoi, I never hid that.~ However, how high were you when you wrote that second review?
TheLaughingStalk- Sirzechs' mother didn't cheat. Did you really trust what Maria said? Hehe, got you! EVERYONE LIES! It's not that simple~! You can bleach your hair, you can wear contact lenses, all of that cool stuff. Remember, her hair is straw yellow. This is in an anime universe, but still, specifically straw yellow...think about it. I am pleased the shit flew everywhere! *awkwardly laughs*
CommissarStalin - Thank you so much!
YuukiAsuna-Chan - Maria is odd to me. I can assure you, she plays a very big role in this story. She will appear a lot from now on.
FateBurn - Thank youuuuu!~
Thanks for reading! Please leave a review of your thoughts! (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧