This awakening was quick and annoying.
''Wake up, I'm a busy man, Issei.''
That voice, yes. He recognized it, of course he did. The man who took care of him when he was in a coma for a month, 2 years ago. The man who helped him regain his muscle. He also allowed Issei to juggle between taking steroids, medicine, pain-killers, anti-psychosis drugs, immune-boosters, anti-inflammatory drugs and bisphosphonates, and the list went on.
Without a doubt, this man was genius of his art – medicine...and his voice was still as cranky as it was always.
Issei's eyes flickered open. He was in a hospital bed. A man was sitting on the end of his bed, with his legs crossed, looking down on a clipboard. He had round glasses, thin, gray hair, coupled with a thin, messy beard.
He glanced at Issei, who shuffled himself up, resting his back against the hard wall behind himself.
''Good. You're finally up.'' – He glanced back down to the clipboard.
''...Mengele. What made you come around?'' – Issei asked, speaking his name. Of course, it wasn't the doctors real name. He used this cover-up, and Issei didn't really care why. Some people tried to hide their pasts.
''That girl paid me to. You know me, ''If the money is there, I don't care.'' Of course, I am not here only for you, but just taking a quick glance at you, your analysis, tests, MRI, and some x-rays...I just need to talk with you.''
''Surely, it can't be that bad?'' – Issei raised his brow.
''It's much worse than you can imagine. If you go on like this, I can't guarantee you 5 years of quality life. 3 maybe, no more.''
Issei was about to say something, but the doctor simply spoke over him. –''What you need to do is this – rest. No more physical straining, stress, fighting, training. Nothing. For how long, you surely want to know? Forever. Your body is a medical miracle. The fact that you are still alive baffles me to no end.''
Issei remained quiet for a small while, only to come up with a simple answer. –''Can't do that. I will fight, even more and stronger.''
The doctor sighed, touching his glasses. –''Of course. I knew that you would say that. Then, there are some pointers you need to hear. Your arm.''
Issei widened his single eye, looking to his left side. There were three steel rods stuck into the left side of his chest. He tracked lower, noticing the bandages around his elbow...and the black, metallic arm that spanned out from under the bandages. The forearm part was thick, and slightly boxy. He raised the arm, and it did, slowly.
''Don't worry, in a week or so, the arm will be as good as your old one.'' – The doctor spoke. –''Top of the line, technology of the Grigori. It was such a pain to get one for you. Now, let's do some basic testing.''
He stood up, and came closer to Issei.
''Extend the arm towards me.''
Issei extended the arm towards the doctor. It moved almost instantly, listening to his mind. It was surreal.
''Make a fist.''
Issei imagined making a fist. The arm listened to him, as the odd, boxy fingers with odd, oval ends pulled into a fist.
''Good. Here, catch.'' – The doctor threw a pen, from his white coat.
Issei's fist opened, as he tried to catch it, but failed, as the fingers closed about half a second too late.
''That's expected.'' – He confirmed, with a nod. –''Don't worry.''
Issei got up, standing on his own two feet. It was early morning, he could tell by the sun outside of the window.
''Here.'' – the doctor gave Issei a glass cup. –''Shatter it.''
He imagined squeezing the cup in his hand, and together with the glass shattering, something else went awry, as Issei narrowed his eyes.
''What?'' – Mengele looked up from his notes.
''...My arm hurts.''
''Right one?'' – He asked, reaching for it, but pulled back when Issei shook his head.
''The left. It feels as if it's on fire.'' – Issei spoke, touching the metallic arm with his real one.
''How much does it hurt?''
''...Trust me doc, if I was anyone else I'd be screaming in pain right now.''
Mengele touched the arm in 4 places, holding it there for about 10 seconds, as Issei felt vibration...and the arm came off.
Issei looked at the stump. There was a complicated groove implanted into his bone...but it still hurt. As if his arm was there.
''Phantom pain.'' – Mengele said. –''I'm not surprised at all. Someone with a mind like yours...your eye, it hurts too, right? The one that's gone?''
He nodded, taking the fake arm and looking at it closely. The joint, where the palm met the forearm was a gyro, surrounded by the forearm and the palm from both sides, leaving a small space between.
Mengeles took the arm, and placed back in.
Issei stretched his body, as Mengeles wrote something down. All of his bones cracked and popped, unnaturally loud.
''Hey Doc, won't you tell me how to get rid of the pain?''
He smirked, chuckling. –''I'm a doctor, not a miracle maker. Want a processional's opinion? Quit this god's forsaken job you do, get a psychiatrist, get anti-depressants, settle down somewhere nice and warm. Fix your mental problems slowly, forget about the past. The pain will disappear in time.''
It was Issei's turn to chuckle, and the doctor continued to speak.
''Honestly, I can't help you, not anymore. I helped you regain muscle, I helped you learn how to walk again, but I can only do so much. Your scans show millions of abnormal cell, muscle and bone growths. Your body, that has been broken beyond the human limits, has been invaded by foreign bodies...those snakes...you truly are beyond saving, Issei. My mortal hands can't help you anymore. I can only send you off, wishing you the best.''
''Thank you. For everything.''
He sighed. –''I like you, as a patient. You refuse to die, like a stubborn old man. It's nice, to see someone fight against the odds.''
Issei smiled. –''You said that you aren't here only for me?''
''Yes. Your men...I gave them their limbs back. Legs and arms. That which they lost, I have given back to them. That will raise the morale right?''
''Wait, if you did so...for how long have I been out?''
''Two days.'' – He answered, nonchalantly.
Issei's single eye narrowed. –''...I see. I need to go.''
''Do so. Just remember to eat. Your blood-sugar level is pretty low. You'll loose that muscle quickly, if you don't.'' – He answered, putting his arms behind himself, together with the clipboard. –''Your arm is pretty low-effort maintenance. It doesn't need a battery, since it uses your nerves and electrical impulses. I left some notes with your girlfriend, so just speak with her.''
''Thanks for always saving me. Are you staying around?''- Issei asked, standing by the doorway.
''Of course. Your soldiers, I'll look after them. It feels kind of weird saying that, kid. Your soldiers. People sure do change.''
Issei raised his arm. –''Oh no. Not me. I have not changed one bit.''
He waved, and exited the room, walking through the corridor, that was stained by blood. He walked down the stairs, and outside.
A cold wind hit his face. He wasn't wearing anything more than a black henley shirt and pants, together with his usual boots.
He raised the mechanic arm in front of his face, realizing he couldn't feel. Of course he couldn't feel the wind flow through his fingers. He did feel the scolding burning from the Spear that killed God himself.
The corners of his lips pulled upwards, as he smirked.
He began to walk towards Maria's ''office'', tracking past his soldiers, who saluted. They seemed to be on the edge. Issei sighed, but changed his movement towards the noise.
A group of his men were gathered around in a big circle, seemingly looking at something, cheering from time to time.
It was Vali, Issei could feel it. What was he doing, exactly?
Issei quickened his pace, until he placed his metallic arm on the shoulder of one of his soldiers. He looked back, and quickly moved out of the way, raising his arm to his chest.
''Sir!''
The men all stopped for a second, and turned to him, saluting.
About 40 or so men, gathered around. Issei knew this could only mean two things – either a fight, or a lesson.
Vali was standing in the middle, holding one of his soldier's arm behind his back, with a sword on the ground.
His left cheek had a long scar, and his left ear was missing a piece. He was wearing black pants, combat boots and coat with the Zero Army emblem. On the other shoulder, the Suicide Squad initials.
He released the soldier, and he stepped back into the crowd around them.
The wound was about two days old, so Issei had to assume it was the guy who fought with him.
''Finally up, Issei?''
Issei stepped forwards. –''Yeah. When did you get back?''
''About 15 minutes after you passed out. You have Cao Cao's spear?''
Issei nodded. He knew that if he needed, he could summon it. –''Who was the guy you fought?''
''Do you know of Sirzechs' maid?'' – Vali asked, but continued without waiting for an answer. –''Turns out it is her brother.''
Issei's eye narrowed, as he looked downwards. –''Was he strong?''
''Incredibly so. I injured him, but boy did I have to fight for it.''
''Good. Your squad all alright?'' – Issei asked, picking up the sword from the ground.
''Yes. They are resting now.''
Issei nodded, and threw the sword towards Vali, who caught it by the handle.
''Now men, I believe Vali here showed you a technique on how to disarm an swordmen by using the wrist-bend version of it – and it isn't a bad technique...however it is dangerous to use, especially against devils. I'm going to show you a different way to do it.''
He spoke, with his ''teacher's'' voice, and nodded to Vali, who smiled and lunged at him, covering the few meter distance between them in a second.
Issei sidestepped to the left, letting the sword pass by him, and grabbed his wrist, spinning around. Their backs touched for a brief milisecond, as Issei kicked his right leg backwards, spinning around once again.
Vali's legs were kicked out from under him, as his body was now perpendicular to the ground, mid-air.
Issei's metallic arm lightly touched his chest, pushing Vali into the ground.
He caught the sword with his right arm, and threw it into the ground.
Vali laughed, as the soldiers looked with wide eyes. Issei outreached his metallic arm towards Vali, helping him get up.
''It's amazing that you can be so nimble with the arm so quickly.''
Issei cracked a smile, before turning back to his soldiers. –''I don't want you to be amazed by what I do. I want you to observe and to understand – and eventually – to utilize. Most armies don't think of soldiers as a singular. I do. Every single man is responsible to become stronger. If you won't put in the effort, then you won't grow. And if every-single one of you won't grow, then we as an army worn't grow.''
Issei turned around, looking at this soldiers. –''Now, tell me about the most important part of that move.''
After a few seconds, Issei heard a familiar voice. The same black male, with his arms crossed on his chest spoke. –''You would assume that the wrist grab part is the key, but actually the leg-swipe is. You arched your leg, using it as a hook, almost, but...''
''What?'' – Issei asked.
''Some of us lack the raw strength to use the move. Most of us can use the move that Albion showed.''
Issei smirked. –''That's where you are wrong. You can use the move with raw strength, or technique. If you practice, you will get the hang of it – all of you.''
Issei looked at him, and smirked slightly. –''But good job, captain of Team Morpho. You guys came back in one piece.''
He laughed a bit, before knocking against his leg. A dull, metallic sound could be heard, as he did that. –''I lost a piece...but you did, too.''
Issei looked down on his arm, raised it up and pulled it into a fist. –''A old friend of mine, a physicist, a medic...a whole bunch of titles I can't pronounce correctly, you know, I'm just a soldier, I don't work with my brain.'' – Issei chuckled. –''Has arrived to help us all. If you have any medical problems, complications or pain – go see him. He's here for that.''
Issei turned around. –''Keep up the good work, I need to go see some people.''
''Before you go, let's spar, Issei.'' – Vali said, smirking. His sky blue eyes narrowing down to slits.''
Issei sighed. –''We are going to destroy everything here, and around us.''
''With just our fists, without Ki, without magic, without anything like that. Just two guys, duking it out.''
Issei looked downwards, rolling his shoulders, and stretching his arms. He glanced at the metallic arm, and spoke. –''Can't promise you anything, the arm still doesn't feel right.''
He shrugged. –''Oh c'mon, the great Bloodhound, who is the best at close-quarters combat, won't fight just because of that?''
Issei sighed, and grinned. –''I could fight you with no arms, Vali.''
Vali raised his arms, opening them up to the sides. –''What are you waiting for?''
''Someone take time. 3 minutes.'' – Issei spoke to his soldiers.
One of them raised his hand, uncovering a black watch. –''I have chronometer on this thing. Just start, I'll keep the time, sir!''
Issei nodded and turned back. –''I let the beginners start, Vali.''
Issei's feet immediately slid into a fighting stance, and his metallic arm raised to guard his own face, as his real one always had – the reflex and instinct, that had saved him countless times, had not changed one bit.
He could not feel it on his metallic palm, but he could feel the force on his upper-arm, as he blocked Vali's fist, and pushed it aside, and he pushed himself forwards, and leaned downwards.
He was about to slam his open fist into Vali's stomach, but his face almost met Vali's knee.
So he leaned himself to the side, going past Vali and spinning around, his leg flailing high. His boot cut the air just above Vali's head, as they had exchanged places.
Just as Issei before, Vali had stepped inside Issei's range, as his fist was about to strike Issei's solar plexus, he suddenly lacked the reach to do so – and he was thrown backwards, sliding along the grass, still on his feet.
He scoffed, smirking. –''You are really flexible.''
Issei smiled. Of course, he was. Issei had used his leg to kick Vali back, whilst he was mid-attack.
It felt nice, to just spar like he had done in the past, without the scheming, or using the ridiculous powers.
Vali came back much faster than before, throwing various kicks, punches and jabs, but Issei deflected them all, as he moved backwards, inside the circle.
He recoiled back, as he was struck in the cheek – the metallic arm hadn't bent the way he wanted it to – he needed more time to get used to it.
Vali followed him with a big punch, but Issei slid his metallic arm above his wrist, locking his arm down, and flipping his own, and Vali's arm to the side, and it that second, Vali reacted to Issei's punch, by grabbing his wrist, but it wasn't enough.
Issei's elbow struck him right into his temple.
That disoriented him, and Issei had already grabbed his wrist, his leg slid between Vali's feet, and he was midair for the first half of a second, and over on his back for the last half.
He tried to unlatch his arm from Issei, but he quickly spun around, still holding Vali's arm, and stepped around it, placing it in a complicated armbar.
If he wished, Vali's arm would break in 3 different places.
He released the arm, and Vali quickly jumped to his feet, and jumped forwards. His fist stopped about an inch before Issei's face, as the soldier shouted ''time''.
''Nice spar. You have improved a lot.'' – Issei smiled. –''I'll go now. I have a lot to do.''
Vali nodded. –''Sure. I'll teach these guys some more stuff. No reason not to, right?''
''Of course.'' – Issei began to walk away, but he stopped in his tracks.
''Sir! May I ask a question...'' – Someone rather timid had called out to him.
He turned around, walking towards the person. He was wearing the usual, dark battle-dress, but he had a bandage around his face, covering one of his eyes.
''Lost your eye?'' – Issei asked.
''Yes. How do you fight so well, with only a single eye?'' – He asked, slightly bewildered from the sight Issei showed before.
''Years of training about the fighting part.'' – Issei looked the man in his eye, with his only eye. –''However, notice that now I always stand with my right side slightly turned to the fight. It doesn't give you back your depth perception, nor your full field of view, but it comes close to it.''
The man was still looked unsure, so Issei decided to do what a leader would do.
''Remember, even if you injured like this, you are still strong and useful. Don't let something as insignificant like an eye or an arm to keep you from fighting. Just look at me.'' – He smirked, and turned around, walking away.
''THANK YOU, SIR!'' – His soldiers shouted, saluting.
Issei raised his metallic arm, waving. First, he had to find something to eat. He didn't want to eat – his appetite was completely non-existent, but he needed the energy. Second, he had to find some pain-killers. Third, he needed to speak with Maria.
Her light footsteps didn't echo through the hospital hall. It was a reflex by now, to mask her presence. She hated the air that hospitals had...it reeked of death, and now – more than ever.
More and more people were being put into hospitals...actually – no. The correct way to say it would be this – more devils and fallen angels died than those who were put into hospitals. It was chaos. It was horrifying.
And the villain standing behind it was no one other than her teacher.
Koneko was wearing a black hoodie, with the hood on, and a white, cheap, medical-facemask. Her gait came to a stop at a private room, without a number. She opened the door, and walked inside.
Sounds of complicated, medical machinery entered her ears. Beeps, that made sure that the patient was alive...well, at least, had a heartbeat.
She walked closer to the bed. Her blue hair had grown a lot longer, spanning over the bed sheets. Her cheekbones had become more visible, since she had lost some weight. A facemask for breathing covered her dry lips. Her yellow-opal like eyes had not opened since that day, when Issei had betrayed them all.
Her elbow was still wrapped in bandages, since her arm was basically destroyed. With magic and doctors, it was fixed...but it didn't matter. None of it mattered, since she was still a coma.
Xenovia, her aloof friend, her teammate...the last knight that Rias Gremory had...was most likely not waking up.
The doctors told her. ''The Attacker'' had used Ki energy in his punch, and the Ki shook up the brain, the small dents, the arteries...basically, it was on purpose.
Her teacher, her sister's lover, he was a monster. A true monster, who played the part of being a kind, but strict, to her. He and her sister...both had put on a perfect act for her, only to show their real faces, unmasked, when their plan began to fall down like a house of cards. Not to mention Kiba. With his own hands, Issei had ended Kiba's life that day.
Maybe, just maybe Koneko could have forgiven for the betrayal, if he properly explained everything to her. Perhaps, he had a reason, a reason that was valid enough to grant a pass for the things he did.
But she knew that she could never forgive him and her sister for that, what they did. A monster, who killed two members of the ''family'' that he belonged to for a year? He was beyond saving.
Her mind was still spinning, remembering all those fake, aloof smiles that he made. All that smalltalk that he had with Kiba and Xenovia...
She narrowed her eyes, her fists straining. She sighed, and took an envelope from her pocket, dropping it down on the nightstand next to Xenovia's bed. She went into the bathroom, dropped her hood, and took of her mask.
Her hair had grown out way too long. It was white, like the snow. Her hair always had been that white...but she couldn't look at that white in her hair anymore. She closed her eyes, focusing on the Ki inside herself.
When she opened her eyes, her eyes shone back to herself, underneath blood red hair. She pulled gathered them at the backside of her head, and cut off a good chunk of it, with Ki.
It fell to the floor, and she released her hair.
The hair dropped down to just under her shoulders, and she pushed her bangs, that went over her eyes to the side, uncovering her narrow, hazel eyes.
She put back the mask on her face, and walked outside of the bathroom, before glancing back at the sleeping beauty.
''Goodbye, Xenovia. I'm sorry.''
She too, decided to become a stray, after all, partly, it was her fault, too. Her burden to carry.
His footsteps echoed, as he stopped in the middle of the room. Letting out a sigh, together with the cigarette smoke, as it remained in the cold air.
He was standing between coffins. 26 coffins, to be exact. Most of them had the Zero Army jackets thrown over them. Some torn, most bloody.
''26 is the final kill count, out of our barely 200 member army. How does that make you feel, Issei-chan? That these 26 men gave their lives just for you. I wasn't the one who called them here, I wasn't the one who they idolized...it was you, in all your ruthless glory.''
Issei turned around, facing Maria. She was wearing the Zero Army jacket over her shoulders, as the empty sleeves just hanged down. Under that, a nice-fitting red shirt, black leggings and red leather boots, with a slight heel. Her long, straw-yellow hair was pulled into a tail at the back, letting a long strain of hair fall down her back.
Issei looked back at the rows of coffins.
''You're right. I killed them. However, they gave their life away to me the day they signed up.''
''And that makes it right?'' – Maria asked, licking her lips.
She loved to ask these things to Issei...she judged his moral compass. She tried to mess around with his mind...but he knew better.
''I don't care about what's right...but that doesn't mean I won't honor them.''
Issei turned around, walking outside of the ice-cold room, leaving a trail of smoke in his wake.
Maria stood in the middle, sighing. –''Don't get ahead of yourself, little one.''
He found a shovel near the building that Maria used as her base. It made sense, since that place looked like chapel...and it used to keep the bodies of human, before and after draining their blood.
Issei unbuttoned his blood-dirtied henley shirt's top button, and touched the carved zero on his chest, near the collarbone. He channeled a small bit of magic, but nothing happened. He narrowed his eye, but then felt another presence next to himself.
Fleimel had appeared near him. She glanced at him, and then she glanced at the arm. Issei narrowed his eye, and so she didn't ask anything about it.
''What did you do?'' – Issei asked her, with his commanding tone.
''...Your level teleportation is way too dangerous to use. People who know how could trace you...and you know well people want to find you. Lots of them.''
''Fine. Then you do it. Teleport me to that Island. The resting place of the Zero Army.''
''...What are you going to do?''
''Since when do I need to explain myself to you?'' – Issei asked, snarling.
She widened her eyes.
''Do it.'' – Issei ordered.
With a single snap of her fingers, Issei was gone from the field...but soldiers came running, trying to understand the situation...since that had caused quite a bit of commotion.
Issei inhaled deeply, after having dropped the cigarette. The wind of salt, from the ocean, stung his face and other wounds. He raised his metallic arm towards the sun, feeling the burning sensation.
He turned around, and walked downwards the sandy slope, dropping the shovel, and his jacket down on the sand.
He stopped at the very edge of the water, lowering his hands into the water. His right hand felt the cold ocean water, while his metallic one didn't feel at all.
The burning pain along the whole metallic arm didn't stop, nor did it become weaker...it was just there, indefinitely, as if reminding him of his mistakes.
He sighed, standing up, and turning around. He tracked upwards the previous slope, picking up the shovel.
Before he could really notice it, lost in thoughts while walking, he was standing in a field of white flowers, swaying in the wind. He looked back the water, a few hundred meters away from him. He remembered, her voice in his head.
''These flowers grow here, in springtime. They have been here since the Zero Army started to bury their soldiers here. You know, these flowers aren't wild...someone planted a few, but the seeds were thrown everywhere, by the wind...and they planted their roots all along the soil of this island...Supposedly they symbolize ''innocence'' and ''being pure''. Quite the interesting choice, for the Zero Army men, don't you think, Issei?''
He smiled.
''...This will do.''
He outlined an about 7 feet tall, and 4 feet wide rectangle in the soil with the shovel, and then drove it inside the middle, beginning to dig. Once he had broken the upper-layer, the rest was easy. His Ophis' snakes infused muscles were way stronger than a regular humans...digging was easy. The soil was light.
And so he dug a grave, throwing the sands on the side of the outline. His metallic arm became easier and easier to control – just for digging, as it became smother and smoother with every time the shovel's edge hit the soil...and before he knew it, before his wandering thoughts had caught up with him, he was already standing 6 feet deep.
''Need a hand?''
He saw a metallic arm being extended from above.
He grabbed into it, climbing out.
The one who grabbed him out of the hole was a soldier...who had lost an arm, just the same as he himself.
There they were, a few people of his own...and Kuroka.
''We can do this with magic. You don't need to do this, boss.''
Boss or Sir...they called him like that. His soldiers. Truly...his own. Not Maria's...not Margit's...but his own.
''No. This is exactly what I need to do. I will honor my men. I won't turn them to ash...I won't scatter the dreams and hopes they lost to the lonely wind. I will give them a proper burial...together...that is the least I can do...for them...for the men who gave their lives just for my agenda.''
Kuroka remained looking at him with a complicated expression. Was it sadness? Her eyes traced down at Issei's metallic arm. Her eyes narrowed.
Issei had given his arm for the life of Kuroka.
It was a fair deal. More than that. He would give his leg, and the other arm too, for her.
He turned around, and began to dig another grave. One was ready, another 25 to go. Even though the digging was easy, it still took time.
While digging, his metallic arm moved like his real one...without any extra movement...it was simply precise and responsive...and that mean that his doctor hadn't lied – he just needed to practice his fighting moves.
In time, another grave was done. He threw the shovel over the edge, easily climbing, even with the use of his metallic arm.
The soldiers were gone, only Kuroka remained, having sat down in the middle of the white flowers. Her black hair and clothes made her stick out like a sore thumb...but only she wasn't a ''sore'' thumb. She was beautiful...looking at him with a serene glance...watching, as Issei did that what he wanted to do...what he needed to do.
She understood.
He outline the same size, and began to dig another grave. 2 down, 24 to go.
Suddenly, he heard a crackle of magic...and his soldiers had appeared, once again. Only this time, they were about 30, or even 40. Most of them had shovels...some didn't, but they had bandages or casts.
''...We're your soldiers, right?'' – One of the soldiers spoke, he had a bandage around his forehead. –''And the ones who died were our family. Our friends...we'll help.''
Issei looked bewildered for a few seconds, before cracking a smile. –''Start behind me, 7 graves a row...we need 19 more.''
He stated, and continued to dig the 3rd grave, as his soldiers bustled around him, beginning to dig themselves. Some dug in pairs or groups, while others remained alone, but their goal was combined.
Issei continued to dig. After the 3rd one, he wiped his forehead...it was sweaty.
...
After a while, Issei was digging the 7th grave, while others had already finished. The soil parted easily...and he was done.
He threw the shovel over the edge, and climbed out. While he wasn't looking, even more of his soldiers had appeared...It looked like almost 200 hundred people...was it everyone?
They all looked at him, sweaty, tired and dirty.
Was he too?
He looked down at his hands. Both of his hands were dirty, same as his boots, his shirt and his pants. He was dirty, with the soil.
''Just say the word...and I'll bring the coffins here.'' – Kuroka stated, standing behind him.
''Do it.''
Suddenly, 26 coffins appeared on the island, floating a few feet above ground. Long, thick, wide, and red scarfs were wrapped around them, ending at the top. The soldiers, without Issei asking, ran over and caught them, holding them up. Issei took the first one, holding it alone on one side...and on the other side, a man with golden-blond hair held it up.
''...You are way too nice, boss.''
''Thanks for the help, Gilgamesh.''
As the 2 of them began to walk, his soldiers followed. They arrived at the first grave that Issei dug. They held the coffin above the grave with one hand, as they took hold of the two ends of the long scarfs with the other...and slowly lowered the soldier.
With a thud, he was down, 6 feet under.
''...Boss, your left arm is covered in blood. The coffin probably leaked.''
Gilgamesh stated, nodding at his side.
He looked down at the ever-burning left arm. Thick, red blood had covered his metallic arm, and now his pants and boots as well.
He stared for a few seconds, before bringing the metallic arm to his face.
''...''
He drove it over his face, covering it all red. Some got in his white hair as well.
The other soldiers had all lowered the coffins. They all held serious expressions, standing with their arms behind their backs...in the midst of white flowers.
They all looked at Issei...at their boss.
Issei looked downwards, at the grave, and the coffin...with the soldiers name, and the ''Zero'' engraved on the top.
''...When I was a boy...I was taken from my home. I was robbed of innocence, pride, choice and language. Ever since I've been 14, I have been a dog of war. I crawled through the dirt, trying to piece together the scraps of my sanity...along the way, I lost many comrades. Friends, teammates, soldiers that were stronger and weaker than me...I even lost my teacher...and my parents.''
He looked to his side, staring at a mountain in the distance, inward the island.
''I thought that this feeling would fade. I thought it would hurt less...but no. I still feel as angry now, about my soldiers dying, as I felt back in the day, when I was a young brat, completely oblivious of the world.'' – He looked at soldiers, who were staring back at him, listening intensely. –''But I became something more than that. I became a wolf of war...complete with my own pack.''
Issei grabbed into the dirt at the side of the grave, and threw it on the casket.
''You are not just an ordinary soldier.''
He leaned down, taking another pile of dirt, as some slid through his fingers.
''You are one of mine...not a dog...but a wolf. I won't forget you gave your life for me.''
He released the sand, letting it hit the top of the coffin and leaned down, grabbing another handful of sand.
''I...no. We will avenge you.''
With that, he released this third handful of sands, and raised the same hand to his chest, saluting.
His men did the same...and one by one, they began to talk.
''I won't ever forget you, since you were my best friend.''
''You always had my back when I needed it the most...what am I going to do now?''
''I will avenge you...at all costs.''
''I won't forgive, I won't forget. Blood will spilled in your names.''
...and so on. Every single soldier that was placed in the coffin, was found by their friends. After a long while, when they had stopped talking and said their goodbyes, Issei took the shovel, and began to throw the sand back into one of the graves...slowly closing it up. His soldiers, the Zero Army, followed in his example.
Their closest friends stood by, holding the dogtags of the soldier's who died.
...
Issei stood in a field of white flowers. The sun was setting. The soldiers had said their goodbyes, buried their friends, made headstones from the big rocks they found laying around...and hanged the dogtags, so they would always be remembered.
They deserved at least as much.
He picked the tall, white flowers off the field, gathering enough to hold with both hands. He had to be gentle while doing that...since his arms only knew how to kill. His footsteps led him through through the rows of the graves, as he threw a single flower on all of them...but a lot still remained.
Of course, it was because the flowers weren't really for his soldiers...it was for the soldier that led him this far.
He walked, his dirty boots slightly slippery, up the hill, inside the island. A stronger breeze of the ocean wind hit him, making him inhale the salty sensation. The old graves were still the same way as usual.
He walked forwards, closing in on the rather ''secret'' burial grounds of the Suicide Squad, and before he could realize it, lost in thoughts of previous times...he arrived at the grave of his teacher.
Her old jacket, together with the dogtags, still fluttered in the wind, same as always, hanging from the old, now rusted sword.
Of course, it made sense. The salt in the seawind corroded metal fast...Margit had been there, 6 feet under, for more than 2 years.
He dropped the flowers by the sword, grabbing his own dogtags. The scratched, damaged, rusted dogtags, that had his name on them...and put them around his neck.
''...It's time, Margit...teacher. I'm sorry I can't live peacefully. I'm sorry I can't follow your legacy...the dream that you left. I have always been a failure in that regard, haven't I?''
Issei took out a pack of cigarettes from his pants' back pocket, and took out one, together with the metallic lighter.
Inhaling deeply, he lit it, feeling the smoke rush through his lungs...and exhaling. –''When you died, I began to smoke, together with Slade...I drank too, but that was for the pain. You weren't here to tell me not to.''
He inhaled once more, reminiscing. –''Not that I blame you. It became a habit, but I quit cold turkey when I found Slade dead. He killed himself, after all...he couldn't take the pain of losing someone as great as you.''
Issei pushed the smoke through his nose, letting them be carried away with the strong wind.
''...But everything is falling into place. I became a living legend. I am strong...and my soldiers are too. They carry my agenda along with me. The plan is a go...I will finish it all soon.''
Issei smoked, staring at the grave of his teacher. His face pulled into a complicated expression. Anger at first, them he smirked...and it all was disfigured by the fact that his face blood red - from his soldier's blood.
''The end is nigh.''
After a while, he turned around, and began to walk away, taking off his wolf's teeth...the bracelet that connected him and Fleimel. His back was enveloped in the glaring-red sun, sinking into the ocean, making the white flower fields shine even brighter.
Nuclear of world's, I'm breaking up inside...
Heart of glass,
Defiled.
Writer's notes.
Yo. How have you been? I'm here, with a new chapter, quite soon...but I loved to write this. The beginning part, the burial scene...it was lovely. l-o-v-e-l-y! I was listening to the MGSV OST ''Return'', ''V has come To'', etc. It is very lovely...anyways, more references to MGS!
What to tell you about this one? Truly, the beginning of the end, right here.
If anyone thinks that this is ''out of character'' for my Zero Army Issei..well...just think carefully.
About Issei and the Longinus Spear...don't you know me, by now? It's not that easy...especially for Issei, the boy who is haunted by sorrow and tragedy. OP AND I DON'T MIX!
Thank you for reading! Please leave a review with your thoughts - negative, positive...any kind, really.