His body was oddly light. His left arm didn't hurt or feel heavy anymore. The whiteness of the world fell back, as an image came into view. It was blurry, out of focus, jumbled up. The voices were wrong – missing words, too fast or too slow.
After a while, the whole scene, picture fell like a castle made of sand.
Issei found himself standing in a white field, once again. Only this time, there was a small sign there, on the ground.
[Missing.]
It said.
Issei looked around, understanding that indeed, something dear of his was missing. He could hear muffled sounds once again, incomprehensible, completely foreign, as if speaking a whole different language, unknown to him.
''Do you not understand?''- A voice asked him, his own voice, once again. –''Your memories are slipping away.''
Issei turned around, facing himself. That him was wearing the same black pants and white shirt, together with the leather shoes as he had previously. He had both of his eyes, and his face wasn't as scarred.
''You probably don't remember, when you were poisoned and your marbles scattered. Here.''
After those words, the world appeared, only jumbled up. They were standing in a giant box of black and white checkers.
Issei was there, screaming his head off.
''MY MEMORIES-!''
''DON'T TAKE THEM-!''
''I NEED THEM!''
The view, the screaming Issei, the checkers disappeared, and Issei was once again facing himself.
''Your left arm is rotting. Your nails are splitting. Your memories are fading away. You are dying. Nothing can cure it, this cancer of yours. Your curse.''
That Issei pulled the real Issei by his collar.
''Just find a ditch in which to lie down and die.''
Issei's eyes shot open. Wrong, his one eye.
The other still felt like it was there, but it wasn't. Pain was, however.
Phantom pain, as it was called. His left arm was tingling uncomfortably. The upper part of his body was uncovered, as Kuroka had wrapped herself in their blanket. Issei sighed playfully, and got up from the king sized bed.
Of course, he was in the same house as before, the one they had killed the owners of. He put on his black cargo pants and stuffed the ends of them into his boots, throwing a black hoodie over his scarred upper body, and exited the room.
As he walked outside of the room, he silently closed the door. He walked down the stairs from the second floor and exited the house, out into the small street.
The cold, nighttime wind hit his body, but he didn't really care for it – his body wasn't really too sensitive to cold, or hot in that matter. Frostbite on the nerves worked wonders.
The usual bustling had calmed down, but soldiers still were all over the place, only in their small guard groups, talking, looking and most – smoking.
His feet carried him over to a 3 guard group, standing near an alleyway. They were leaning against a building's side, and smoking. One of them was telling a story, but his voice trailed off, when Issei stopped in front of them.
The storyteller was a tall, black male, looked about 30 or so, with a stubble. His eyes widened, the cigarette in his hand falling out. He quickly raised his hand to his heart and closed his mouth.
''Sir!''
The two others, one a Caucasian male with long, dirty blond hair, the other a shorter, boyish looking male, that looked pretty young.
Once they realized who it was, that was standing in front of them, they also saluted.
''Sir!'' – They shouted, in unison.
''Lower your arms, men.'' – Issei nodded slightly. His glance lingered on the patch on their left shoulders. It was a diamond shaped patch, with a large zero on it. A line crossed over it, stating two simple words, ''Zero Army''
Issei smiled slightly and asked the trio. –''Care to give me one?''
The tall black guy looked slightly dumbfounded, but then quickly took a pack out of his dark jacket's pocket and gave Issei the whole pack, together with a lighter.
Issei lighted the end of a one, as he inhaled a few times, just to make sure it remains on fire. After that he inhaled deeply, feeling the warm smoke wrap his lungs. He exhaled, letting the smoke swirl upwards, to the half-moon in the night's sky.
''...So, do you guys like it here?'' - Issei asked, looking at the three soldiers, with his single eye.
They nodded, in unison.
''It feels like a true army. We eat together, we train together, we get dispatched together.''
''...I was surprised. We three are kind of a squad from way back when, and we didn't even need to ask to be deployed together. We simply were, from the beginning.''
Issei smiled, exhaling more smoke. –''The upper ranks of this army are very much elite. They know everything, they will know everything.''
Issei let out a small sigh, together with even more smoke. Of course, ''they'' was Maria. The sadistic genius.
''Can I ask you a question, sir?''
Issei looked up, nodding.
''Is it true that you were there in Africa, 3 years ago...when Zero army destroyed a whole village?''
Issei's eye narrowed. –''Yes. I was one of the main perpetrators.''
''...And you are the only disciple the Bloodhound of Germany took?''
''Also yes. I was her first and last apprentice.''
''So she really is dead, huh...''
Issei cracked his middle finger, not answering. The silence was enough for the three soldiers to understand the answer.
''...How did you guys get here?'' – Issei asked, after a while of quiet thinking.
''We are a trio of stand-alone skills. The short one is good at using a sword, I am good at using rifles, and the trash-blond is good at magic.'' – He answered, half-joking. –''We took jobs in a lot of places. Honestly, we were afraid of Zero Army.''
Issei widened his eye slightly.
''You see, we knew the legends. You may not know, but this army...you are a legend for those who are in a constant state of battle. For mercenaries, for soldiers...all over the world. You were then, but now...even more.''
''...But then you disappeared. For a year. For that year, I still kept looking over my shoulder, scared from people with red...or white hair...and then it turns out Zero Army is recruiting. I thought it was some kind of a joke.'' - The short one took over the talking.
''But it wasn't.'' - The dirt-blonde answered, with a smile. –''All kinds of people, from different kinds of walks of life. Black, white, asian, poor, rich...none of that matters in zero army. We proved our worth, and we were welcomed with open arms, like long lost brothers. Weapons, equipment, clothes, food...everything...''
''And now, we are talking to the legendary ''Ddraig.''... or rather Bloodhound the Second...our boss. Life turned out pretty good.''
Issei smiled. – ''Good. This was our – my hope for this army. We are a brotherhood of soldiers. An unrelenting, combined force.''
Issei took another cigarette from the pack and lit it up, giving the pack back, but the soldier shook his head, smiling.
''You can keep it, we have enough around to spare a few.''
Issei nodded, and began to walk away, when he heard their boots hit against each other, as they saluted. He raised his hand, and continued to walk.
To go from fighting against armies...to having one of your own...he still felt awkward. As always.
His walk led him around the small city, the bustling soldiers, the sun had even began to rise. When he arrived to his ''home'', he found her, dressed in her black clothes, with the unique, red, feather-like jacket, sitting on the window sill, looking outside.
She froze and sniffed the air. –''You stink.''
''Guilty.''
''...Smoking, really?'' – She let out an disappointing sigh. –''You smell like him now.''
''Kind of nostalgic, I suppose. Any news?'' – Issei asked her, since she wasn't sleeping anymore.
''Yes, Maria will gather the men in an hour or so.'' – Kuroka jumped down from the window sill. –''On top us putting pressure on the underworld, we also have Khaos Brigade and Cao Cao. Now, he has unleashed some kind of shadow monsters.''
He remembered them. Small, weak, useless.
''Apparently they are colossal giants that destroy anything and everything in their way. Roaming at the moment, a lot of devils are mobilized, fighting.''
''Any big-shots out there?'' - Issei raised an eyebrow.
Kuroka hummed, in affirmation. –''Saiaorg, Sirzechs' maid and even Cao Cao himself. That is why we are going, after all.''
''We are?'' – Issei sighed.
''Yes. Are you afraid?'' – Kuroka asked, her eyes remaining narrow.
''I've done everything I can to prepare myself.'' – Issei leaned backwards. –''But you can't really prepare yourself for him.''
''...I see.'' – Kuroka touched his face, grabbing into it, surprising Issei, who remained with a neutral expression. –''So this is why you've been so distant. You are afraid.
Kuroka titled her head to the side, her long hair flowing over her face. Her eyes, cold and narrow, her lips pursed tight, in an expression of disappointment. –''Don't give up on me now, dammit.''
Her hand dropped from Issei's face down to her side, as she walked outside of the house.
''Don't fucking insult me.''
His voice, hoarse and loud at the end, echoed through the empty house, as he remained standing for a while, his grimace turning into anger.
''Fuck, fuck, fuck.'' – Issei looked upwards, his expression relaxing back into his usual, neutral one. –''Hold it together.
After taking out another cigarette and lighting it, he followed in Kuroka's footsteps.
However, he didn't get far. Outside of ''his'' house, Vali was waiting for him.
''Can I speak to you?'' – He asked, raising his hand.
Issei grabbed it, shaking his head. –''What do you want to hear?''
''I heard about the deployment, soon. What is the plan?''
Issei inhaled once again, letting the smoke fill his lungs. He exhaled through his nose, and began to walk. –''Come. I don't know the details myself.''
Later, the Underworld.
The front line fighters knew that the Underground had turned into a endless war-zone. Devils and Fallen Angels dying every day – it was just something normal now. Devils cared for their family, but for other devils – not as much. The anger of other devils dying was not because of their death – it was because of how they died.
It was shameful, for a devil, to die to some humans with a holy swords and rifles. Thus, devils fought back with rightful anger.
This...was different.
A few cities, in a straight line, were mauled, completely wiped off, flat. Piles of bodies, rubble, kids running and crying. That was the scenery for the last few hours, since the monsters of shadows had been dropped into the middle of hell.
Saiaorg and his peerage, together with Grayfia Lucifuge and many other youth devils had arrived to help in defense.
So far, it was futile. They could only incapacitate the monsters for a few minutes, no longer, not to mention killing them.
Saiaorg brought down a bunch of Khaos Brigade soldiers with ease, shattering their bodies to nothingness. He had seen Cao Cao...and that was his plan. To take down Cao Cao, who was floating somewhere in the back, seemingly waiting for someone.
At the moment, he, Sona's peerage and Grayfia had took down a 10 story high monster of shadows. He would be out for a small while, and Saiaorg had to try to stop this madness.
He signaled to his peerage, and kicked off the ground, lounging himself in the air, towards where had last seen Cao Cao.
He froze, mid-air, sensing a feeling of dread.
Cao Cao, was standing on the ground, that was covered in blood. He turned and faced Saiaorg, with a poker-face. Saiaorg narrowed his eyes.
It was obvious, that Cao Cao didn't think of him as a threat.
Within a split-second, Saiaorg fist was crashed against Cao Cao face...or so it should have.
He had appeared at his side, instantly having disappeared from his previous position. Before Saiaorg's honed body could react, his knee was shattered by the butt of Cao Cao's speak, and as he spun it around, he was struck right in the jaw, catapulting him upwards, away.
He tried to get up, but failed miserably, as his right leg was limp and unresponsive. Cao Cao began to walk towards him, giving him enough time to run away, if he so chose.
But Saiaorg wasn't a man who was about to back away. Cao Cao sighed, as he swung his spear.
The ray of light, that was about to cut him in two was deflected by a large mirror. He glanced backwards, Sona Sitri and her peerage were making their way towards him...but he knew it was pointless.
''Don't be stupid, Sona!'' – Saiaorg shouted. –''It's only going to be more blood spilled!''
''I'm disappointed in you, frankly.'' – Sona spoke, touching her glasses. –''Even if we are powerless, I'm not going to run. None of us are. I am not fulfilling such a shameful act.''
Cao Cao watched absentmindedly, as a thin line tried to catch onto him, but it obviously failed.
''President...I'm not so sure I can catch him.''
As she was about to speak, Cao Cao interrupted her. –''Hyoudou could not even touch me, why do you hope to stop me? A pointless endeavor.''
''Don't fucking mention that name to us!'' – Saji spoke, stepping forwards. –''BREAKDOWN THE BEAST-!''
Cao Cao spun his spear, cutting apart a bunch of lines coming out of Saji's armor, as he and the rest of Sona's peerage fired a bunch of magic attacks towards Cao Cao.
Their leader, Sona, was a strategist. She knew close-quarter combat wouldn't work against that man, so they tried to remain back.
Tried.
Instantly teleporting next to one of her knights, she barely had enough time to block, as she was knocked backwards, but Cao Cao had to dodge the next attack, as Saji and Tsubaki attacked him.
With ease, he back-flipped, using the butt of his spear to spin even further, higher into the air.
''You can teleport, but you chose to dodge. What exactly are you waiting for?'' – Sona asked, sighing. The spectacle in front of her eyes was plain disgusting. –''Do you find some kind of a sick pleasure from playing with persons that are weaker than you?''
Cao Cao chuckled. –''I'm waiting for Hyoudou. With this racket, I'm sure he will-!''
A line of purple, mixed with slight white went just past Cao Cao's right arm, as he teleported to the side.
The whole battlefield froze.
Sona widened her eyes, recognizing the man that had sneaked up behind them all, the man that had masked his presence from everyone.
''Hyoudou.''
He looked much wilder than previously. Even though he was wearing a coat over his body, it was easy to see he had not lost a single gram of his muscle or frame.
''Sorry, I MISSED.'' – He stated, his single eye going wide. –''Cao Cao, did you really go easy on them?''
Issei talked straight to him, dismissing the rest entirely. He kept the right side of his body twisted towards Cao Cao, as he slowly moved forwards.
''So you did arrive. Alone, once again?'' – Cao Cao sighed. –''I didn't take you for such a fool.''
Issei smirked, taking out a pack of cigarettes, and taking one out. –''You see...I'm not a rabid wolf anymore. I have my own pack.''
He put the cigarette in his mouth and raised his hand. After a second, his arm flexed, as he made a fist. The front of his cigarette scorched, and after he exhaled the fumes from his nose, a giant wave of fire washed over Cao Cao, Saiaorg, Sona and her peerage, turning the rubble to ash.
Issei remained standing in the middle of the scorching field, that had turned black and red. He inhaled deeply, as he glanced at Fleimel, who was standing right next to him, her hands in her black, long-coats' pockets.
''Cao Cao was teleported away by someone, sir.''
''I see. Where is Vali?'' – Issei asked, after taking out the cigarette from his mouth, shaking off the remained ash.
''He is at the west side, fighting off one of those giant monsters.''
''I keep it that he is locking down that side, right?
''Yes.'' - Fleimel responded, touching her ear. -''All sides are good?''
The radio silence in Issei's ear was interrupted by his men, responding.
[Squad Alpha, ok]
[Squad Beta, ok]
[Squad Delta, ok]
[Squad Messiah, ok]
[Squad Valkyrie, ok.]
[Squad Escape, in position.]
[Squad Trojan Horse, ready.]
[Team Vali, fighting at the moment.] – Vali responded, after a few second delay, others were mostly hoarse, deep voices, except for squad Valkyrie, from which he heard a strict woman's voice.
[Magicians, in position. Barrier up in 5, 4...]
A barrier went up in the sky, enveloping the sky in a dark red hue.
[No one is getting out now sir. Go wild.]
He glanced in the distance, only seeing the statues of Sona Sitri's peerage, slightly fuzzy. His vission wasn't good anymore. Most of them had ran away...except one.
A boy, giving off Vitra's aura was still standing, staring down Issei. He was angry, Fleimel could feel the intent, but Issei was disinterested in him, she could tell.
''Is it true, that it was you, who killed Kiba?'' – Saji asked, his voice sounding distorted through the armor.
Issei recognized his anger. It was a just, rightful anger of a man whose friend was killed.
''So that shitty knight died?'' – Issei scoffed, letting out a single chuckle, unnamed.
Saji's aura flared out of anger, as lines were launched right at Issei, who didn't move a muscle.
Fleimel raised her right arm, the lines scorching completely, blasting Saji backwards from the pressure alone. His muscle reacted instantly, as he slid backwards on his feet.
''You have changed since the last time we fought, in that gym. However, there are three ways for a person to be - talented, lucky, or a try-hard.''
Issei blocked a kick, that Saji, who had appeared in-front of Issei, threw without fear. A few different punches and kicks, that Issei deflected with a single arm, without his armor, went on to be useless.
Saji grunted and twisted his whole body in his roundhouse kick, that was sure to injure, or even kill Issei Hyoudou.
Issei stepped forwards, and used his momentum against Saji's own, as he raised his left arm, bent at the elbow. His fingers convulsed into a claw-like shape, as he flexed his whole arm, and it gave off a purple glow, for a second.
In that split of a second, Saji's leg armor shattered into a million pieces, and his leg went bent into a direction that it never could and should have.
He flew backwards, but Issei caught his neck, and lifted him into the air. –''I am lucky, and I have trained very hard. You on the other hand, only trained hard.'' – Issei sighed. –''With two, you maybe could have defeated me. But only one of the three – you only serve for me to trample over you.''
As more lines shot out of Saji's armor, Issei simply clutched his grip harder, completely shattering Saji's neck.
His body hit the ground with a loud thud, the armor beginning to crack and crumble. Issei took out an another cigarette, which was lighted by Fleimel, who had been watching the whole time, without emotion.
Before Issei could say anything, the small radio in his ear made a crackling sound, and a man, with a nervous voice spoke. [Magicians here, we have a problem with the barrier, Ms. Fleimel, can you please assist us?]
She looked at Issei, who nodded.
''Coming.'' - She spoke, glancing at Issei a single time more, before kicking off, and disappearing from sight.
He sighed and touched his own ear.
''Boss here, where is the target?''
[Gilgamesh here, boss. He's here, south from your position. 4 kilometers.]
''Is Vali with you?''
[He's busy fighting with Eucilid.]
''Who?''
[We have no idea, sir. Vali team is held up, team Morpho is hurt, bad.]
''Morpho, don't you dare to fail me.''
[Of course not, sir! We can hold them down, don't worry.]
He heard a voice of the Morpho team, that was familiar...it was the same man who gave him the cigarettes the night before.
''Keep up the good work, men. I'll wrap this up soon, we'll be home by sundown.''
He inhaled deeply, as the cigarette burned away completely. After a second of holding the smoke in his lungs, he exhaled through his nose, dropping the butt out of his mouth, and before the smoke had disappeared, Isse had kicked off towards Cao Cao, leaping in the air, covered in the purple glow.
While flying through the air, his vision tried to focus on the enemies below, but he could only see the red pieces of clothing his soldiers wore, fighting against the enemy. After a few seconds, a giant monster of shadows came into his view, behind it, he saw Cao Cao, talking with what looked like Rizevim Livan Lucifer himself.
Vali was shooting all along the sky, using his Juggernaut Drive to fight against someone with Silver hair, his vision couldn't track them completely.
''Everyone step away from the beast!'' – Issei spoke into the small earpiece, and waiting a second, still floating through the air.
Everyone, except for Vali and the man he was fighting, froze when the deep voice echoed over the sky.
[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER-!]
Brilliant red shone, as Issei disappeared high into the air, leaving behind only a zig-zagging trail of red, mixed with purple.
[BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST BOOST]
He spun around and crashed his fist, together with the boosted Ki, into what could have been called the head of the monster of shadows. An ear-shattering pop echoed over the field, rubble shattered everywhere, and a shock-wave washed over everyone.
When it calmed down, Issei was kneeling inside a crater, his right arm giving off a purple glow, as flickering sparks died off around him. He stood up, cracking his neck. His helmet's left, green glowing eye flickered a few times, before going dark, while the other one just shone brighter.
He raised his arm, towards Cao Cao and Rizevim.
''Why did you run?'' – Issei's voice sounded deeper, through the armor. –''Have you become a coward?''
Cao Cao stepped forwards, but Rizevim raised his hand, holding him back. –''It's about time I finally met you, Issei Hyoudou. I've heard a lot about you.''
Issei's face didn't move a muscle, under his helmet. –''I can say the same about you.''
Issei was about to attack, but Rizevim appeared right in front of him, in a matter of that split second.
Now, they were standing eye-to-eye against each other, with Issei, of course having his right side turned towards him. The fighting, death, and stray magic attacks around them had continued.
''You made waves far before becoming a devil, but I took an interest in you when you decided to become one.'' – He began to talk, in a casual tone. –''Because it was interesting. Seemingly a monster of a person, who attacked a Gremory, and then became a body guard. Completely changed his ways, overnight! It was just funny, honestly! I had a nice, long chuckle at the current Satans. They're all bloody idiots, aren't they? But you knew how to be a true devil. You killed, you slaughtered, you were greedy.''
Issei stared him down, not responding. The man infront of him was odd...and terrafying, honestly. He reminded Issei of Maria.
''I heard you liked talking, but you won't do it for me?'' - Rizevim scratched his head, beginning to walk clockwise, around Issei. –''That's too bad. So, anyways, I followed your footsteps back into the past, digging up that, whatever was left behind. The trinkets, the nooks, crannies, the breadcrumbs...and I barely found a thing. Of course, I found a lot of stuff that doesn't matter...but boy, that woman can sure bury fuckin' everything! She's talented...your little Maria, that is.''
Issei sighed. –''Listen, old man. I don't care for your chatter, shut the fuck up, before I shut your face for you.''
''...Or should I say, you are the small Issei, that belongs to Maria?''
Issei was about to shatter Rizevim's head, but Cao Cao teleported between them, raising his spear.
''I am stronger that Cao here, do you think you can take me? I'd like to see you try...mutt.''
He laughed, sensing Issei's hostility.
''Going around, parading yourself as a lone wolf, when now, and always before, you were and are just a mutt who is yanked at the chain, ruling over nothing. Not a single, fucking thing! Hahahahaha!''
Rizevim snapped his fingers...when suddenly an army, hundreds, of Khaos Brigade troops appeared on the ground. Many armed with Sacred Gears and swords.
''These aren't even a half of the Khaos Brigade men. They will overwhelm and defeat your small squads, who even now, are injured.
Issei let out a big sigh. –''This is the reason why I really dislike old men like you. I can't ever tell if you are senile, or just plain stupid.''
He raised his arm...and after a crackle, two people appeared by his side. Gilgamesh, covered in blood, and Kuroka.
''Consistency is better than numbers. My men are loyal to the bone...and strong. They all liked the legend, they all like what we stand for.'' – Issei raised his arm towards Rizevim, who had stopped in front of him. -''The strong take, the weak give.''
''Oh...that voice. I like it, a lot.'' – Rizevim smiled. –''It sounds like a voice of someone strong. You even have my grandson in your team. You became strong, unlike my grandson. He was useless...but then again you are too.''
Rizevim raised his hand, but Issei simply shouted.
''TROYAN HORSE IS A GO!''
His voice echoed over the field, and Rizevim looked behind himself...and began to smirk, when he noticed the soldiers that had turned on their own...with the red pieces of clothing on them.
''WONDERFUL!'' – ''Rizevim shouted. –''NOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN MAKE ME HARD!''
''Gilgamesh, go.'' – Issei spoke, ignoring Rizevim. –''Kuroka...I don't think it's safe.''
''It's fine. I'll help...boost me.''
[BOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOST!]
Issei touched Kuroka's shoulder.
[TRANSFER!]
Ki crackled around the two of them, and she asked. –''Do you need help?''
''No, I will take Cao Cao down with my own two hands. Help Gil.''
''Mhm.'' – She nodded, and teleported after Gilgamesh.
Rizevim was pushed back by Gilgamesh, who simply asked a single question. –''ARE YOU STRONG, OLD MAN?''
Between the clusterfuck of fighting, dead bodies, rubble, and everything else, Cao Cao was waiting for him.
He leaned to the front, crossing his arms above his head, blocking the spear's swing-down, below the blade itself, as Issei's leg went to kick Cao Cao, he teleported away, behind Issei, but he was faster than before...and he followed after him, enveloped in that purple glow.
If previously Issei had ran from Cao Cao, then now it was the other way around. Issei followed the path on his foot, where Cao Cao teleported, but he soon understood it was pointless. Suddenly, he spun around, swinging his spear wildly towards Issei, who leaned back, and threw himself over on the arm, spinning back.
''Ophis' power is impressive.''
Issei didn't respond, as he was dodging another swipe of the spear, and then another, and another, countless swings that he could dodge, not just run away from.
He sidestepped another, trying to get into his range, but as his fist went for his stomach, Cao Cao disappeared behind him, as Issei spun around, kicking backwards, but he wasn't there – he was above.
His arms, lighting fast raised, as his right hand developed the ''Phantom Bullet'' to block, while he lightning-quickly raised his left arm, expelling Ki in a line, to cut apart Cao Cao, but he disappeared long before that.
It was a game of cat and mouse, to be frank. They both stopped, but Rizevim crashed into the ground behind Cao Cao.
He quickly jumped back up, with a flexibility as if he was no older than 20, and laughed. There was a claw-like slash over his chest, and it was bleeding.
''That nekomata is amazing, Cao Cao!'' – He spoke, excited. –''That knight's sacred gear is very rare also! Where'd you find these people, Hyoudo?''
Issei used the pause to think about it clearly. He wasn't using Ophis power to its full potentional. He knew himself, that he could be faster.
Stronger.
Better.
[BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST BOOOST]
He disappeared in a split-second, and appearing in front of Rizevim, planting a fist straight into his solar plexus.
Rizevim was thrown away, where Kuroka and Gilgamesh intercepted him immediately, as Issei used Ki to leave an afterimage, and appeared behind Cao Cao, his fists glowing purple. The air crackled with sonic booms, as he punched and kicked at Cao Cao, who could only back away, as he blocked from time to time.
Cao Cao swung at his neck, he leaned back, and as he leaned back, he kicked, only for Cao Cao to be enveloped in fire point blank.
The kick was a bluff, but Cao Cao had called it, as he appeared out of the smoke, spinning his spear as a shield.
''Have to hand it to you, Hyoudou. You've become stronger over these two months.''
''It's Ophis' snakes, nothing more. Don't pretend like it's my accomplishment.'' – Issei grunted in disgust, just as he was going to attack, but Cao Cao narrowed his eyes.
''You have been serious in fighting me the whole time, it's time for me to become serious as well.'' – He pointed the spear towards Issei. - ''Balance Breaker.''
The ground shattered, as Issei dashed to the side, around the waves of light, that hit the people around them, but he didn't manage to care. All he could think of was winning against Cao Cao, who was going all out.
They exchanged places, dodging each-others blows.
Suddenly, Issei felt someone crash into him, as he was lifted off his feet for a second, before he pushed the person off. It was Gilgamesh, whose sword was stabbed right through his own stomach.
Before he could say anything, held him up, as he looked at the side from which he flew.
Kuroka was kicked away by Rizevim, who had finally showed his true power, towards Cao Cao, who was charging his attack for Issei, and as she flew towards him, Kuroka recovered and spun around, readying to attack Cao Cao. He widened his eyes, changing targets split second, as all aura completely disappeared from her body.
One of the orbs floating behind Cao Cao shone brightly.
And time froze for Issei. He didn't think, as he kicked off, letting Gilgamesh fall to the ground.
Kuroka's powers were taken away, as Cao Cao's spear swung down on her. Issei saw her wide eyes, in disbelief. No one knew that Cao Cao had such power – to seal away an enemies power.
Issei's entire body, enveloped in purple, barely made it to Kuroka, as he touched shoulder, pushing her out of the way.
Issei, in the slow-mo like state, could see her scream – in horror. His ears didn't register the sound, though.
He also saw his own arm go into a direction it should never go. Not only that, it flew. Away from his elbow. His trusty, muscular and scarred left arm went flying into a different direction, as the red armor from it scattered, shining and dazzling, together with his dark red blood. A lot of it.
He smashed his legs into the ground, and spun around, backhanding Cao Cao in the head, with his right arm.
Without any Ki, without any Boosts, without anything supernatural...Issei's regular punch knocked out Cao Cao cold, as he flew in an opposite direction of Issei.
Issei noted that he could hear his heart very loudly beating in his chest. His vision went black, but he didn't fall over – someone held him up. He heard some jumbled up screaming in the background, together with the familiar warmth.
[PARTNER, DON'T FUCKING PASS OUT!]
He heard the dragon, his partner, shout in his head...and he gathered his bearings.
You're right, Ddraig. I can't be this weak. I am the leader of this pack. The strongest wolf.
With a hard inhale, his vision came back, together with the sounds of the world of the living. He was lying down on the ground, with fighting going on all around him.
''...crap, crap, crap...won't...ttach-!''
Kuroka was screaming.
''THE ARM IS ROTTING!''
His eyes flickered, to the scene of Kuroka trying to attach his left arm. It was a straight cut below his elbow. It was surreal. The contact point wasn't bleeding anymore, but he was in pain. It was burning. The armor had scattered off until his shoulder.
Fleimel was leaning over him, with wide eyes.
Ddraig, remove the helmet.
His helmet scattered into a sea of red dust, and both women looked at his disheveled face. He smirked. –''...It won't attach because it's gone. The arm. I can feel the curse.''
Kuroka suddenly twitched, seeing a lot of small, purple snakes come out of his arm, and scatter towards Issei's feet. They went upwards his armor, towards the stump on his arm. The arm she was holding began to dry up...and simply turned to dust.
He pulled himself up, shaking off Fleimel's grasp, who tried to keep him down.
''Now, I decked Cao Cao pretty hard, but make sure he can't move. Get him away.''
They both looked at him, as if he was crazy. For how long had he been out?
''NOW!''- He shouted, as Fleimel teleported away, while Kuroka just stared at him, with her wide, doll like eyes. – ''Go, get Cao Cao, get out of here!''
She kept staring at her own arm, from which Issei's arm had disappeared. -''It's my fault...I should have..''
He tried to grab Kuroka's shoulders, but only grabbed one. The other awkwardly touched her shoulder, with the stump.
''This is no time for regrets. We'll talk later, for now, LISTEN. GO!''
She nodded nervously, and disappeared in the same direction as Fleimel had.
He touched the earpiece, and spoke. –''Target is ours, get away, now.''
[Can't, sir, too much enemies.]
[Likewise.]
''I DON'T CARE. GET AWAY, ANYWHERE, NOW!''
He shouted in his earpiece, and dodged a sword coming for his head from someone of the Khaos Brigade. As he raised his back, he kicked the attacker in the stomach, that shattered, throwing his intestines everywhere.
The barrier that his Magicians had created collapsed.
He kicked off, towards Gilgamesh, using his right arm a shield, he summoned the Phantom Bullet, pushing Rizevim away from the bloody Gilgamesh, who had recovered whilst he was out.
''Where did your arm go, Red Dragon Emperor?'' – He laughed, while Issei grabbed Gilgamesh's shoulder, leaping away.
''RUN, HYOUDOU, RUN!'' – He screamed, loudly. –''I KNOW IT'S ONE OF YOUR TALENTS~!''
Gilgamesh was barely conscious, but still in his fight-or-die mode. -''Sorry boss, the old fuck is strong...''
He landed on the ground near a group of his own, wearing the red scarfs, as they took down another devil, whilst Issei, still holding Gilgamesh, kicked someone in the back, killing them instantly.
''Sir!'' – A woman with short, blond hair noticed him first.
''Move back to base, now!'' – He shouted, and the group instantly dashed towards Issei, one of them holding his teammate the same way Issei was.
The women spoke some words, and the world twisted around them, as they disappeared from the battlefield. His vision went black, and he only came back when his knees hit the ground, as Gilgamesh's unconscious body almost pressed him against the ground. His armor had turned to dust somewhere in between that time, and the teleportation.
A pair of doctors came over, together with nurses and got Gilgamesh, and the other soldier up on a stretcher and carried him away, after he waved and said them that he is fine, for about 5 times.
His stump was burning and hurting. It was probably because of the light...if he didn't act soon, it could start to rot away, like the missing part of his arm.
He stumbled through the bustling and rolling corridors, out in the open. His soldiers, covered in blood, running around, helping each other, calling for help from other soldiers, sharing food and even more - water.
He smiled, raising his head high, looking at the sky. This reminded him of his days way back when...and that was a good thing.
''Too early to relax, my dear, one-handed Issei.'' – Maria spoke, from his side. –''Come, we need to act fast, before Cao Cao dies. You punched him too hard~.''
''How did the whole battle go?'' – Issei asked, following her.
''Honestly – very good. We killed a lot, you defeated Cao Cao, but that arm is gonna cost you.''
''I can get a robotic one, right?'' – Issei asked, looking at his bloody stump of an arm.
''Yes, I already set it up. You're not the only one who lost a limb, that I can say as well.''
''Is everyone back? What about casulties?''
''Vali and his team isn't. Yet.'' – She spoke, not looking back. -''23 dead, a few more are in emergency surgery.''
Issei sighed, trying to fish out his packet of smokes. When he did, he realized it was empty. He sighed once again, throwing it away.
They walked into the building that looked like a chapel, where 5 men and 2 women, with their Fallen Angel wings out, raised their arms to their chests.
He did so as well, with his right arm. In the middle, Cao Cao was chained to a cross.
As Jesus Christ himself, he was crucified.
Issei let out a laugh at the sight. –''I fucking won.''
Cao Cao opened his right eye, that wasn't swollen. –''...you did. Should I congratulate you?''
''No. I can forgive what you did to me...but what you tried to do to her... that I can never forgive.'' – His eyes narrowed, as he walked closer. –''I won. I fucking won over you, Cao Cao...and that is just because you refused to kill me when you had the chance.''
Maria shook her hand, speaking. –''Yes, yes, Issei-chan, you won over him. Stop talking, he has a brain-bleed, he can die any second.''
Issei looked back, glaring at her, but then turned back. –''Do it.''
He spoke, to the fallen angels around himself. They raised their arms in unison, and closed their eyes. After a few seconds, Cao Cao's chest began to glow. Issei stepped forwards, and drove his arm right into his chest...until he felt something metallic.
He grasped it, and pulled on it. His entire arm felt as if on fire, but he pulled it harder, and it began to move. The butt of the spear came out first, and after that, it simply slid out.
The edge of the spear cut the floor, and the 7 fallen angels passed out, hitting the floor with a thud. Issei looked at Cao Cao, who coughed up blood.
''So this...is what you wanted from me. I see. That greed...'' – He trailed off.
''You and me, Cao Cao, are not that different. We both are fighters, on the frontlines, who do it for our own agendas, for our reasons and dreams. I shall take, and take, everything I can to become stronger. This greed will feed my blackened heart.''
He raised the spear.
''An eye for an eye.''
A simple stab, and Cao Cao lost his left eye. Same as Issei had.
''Hand for hand.''
The left side of the cross fell to the ground, together with Cao Cao's left arm. Same as Issei had.
''Dust to Dust.''
The spear drove through his heart, killing him instantly.
''Ashes to Ashes.''
Issei pulled the bloody spear out, and turned around, seeing medics run into the room, for the fallen angels.
He stepped forwards, but lost his balance, as the world went black, only seeing a smirking Maria.
Right. He was tired. Very tired. He had won, so...he could sleep now, right?
Writer's notes.
I have returned to the world of living. How are you, my dear readers?
And I did so with a boom.
I'm depressed, honestly. It hinders my writing, plus, there is school and other things, but fuck drinking, never again. I'm tired.
I also played through MGSV, and I fucking loved it. I loved it.
I'm gonna speak about something. Some MGS fans might notice a few similarities, ex. Margit=Boss, pride and greed, the war's toll on people, the loosing of an eye, now - an arm...but honestly, I never knew about MGS story before I began to write. I was on chapter 32 or something like that when I began to explore MGS lore and the previous games. In my draft, from the beginning I have circled two things - ''loses an eye, loses an arm or leg''. These two things were set from the beginning. There will be a thing inspired for the future, but not fully, also.
Fallen - No, Koneko didn't die. She is just out of the frame, for now.
As for why the devils can't find Issei...was it a mechanism like that? I thought that asshole who made the pieces could tell if the owner of the pieces is still alive, nothing more, no?
Thanks for reading, leave a review if you liked...or if you didn't - criticism is good, also! See you next time. Hopefully.