Cocytus
Vali Lucifer wasn't normally this temperamental. One could even say that he was a calm and collected guy of sorts.
"Albion?"
(Yes?)
"Where are we right now?"
(We're in Cocytus.)
"And where's Issei Hyoudou?"
(He's not here.)
"I see. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Cocytus the location Hyoudou said he was going to be in?"
(…Yes?)
"Yes, indeed. Now answer me this question."
(Yes, Vali?)
"Where the hell is Issei Hyoudou?!"
But for reasons unknown to even Vali himself, Issei Hyoudou had a habit of bringing the worst out of him. That wasn't to say he hated his rival. Indeed, he considered Issei Hyoudou a worthy opponent. On Issei's side however, he considered Vali to be a close friend, a fact that often befuddled Vali. Then again, his rival wasn't exactly a social expert, so he probably had no idea what a 'best friend' truly was.
The host of the Vanishing Dragon sighed in irritation. He had to give Ophis and Leiko Hyoudou props for the amount of time they spent dealing with his rival. Vali could never understand the boundless patience the two had towards Issei Hyoudou.
But the love that Ophis held for Issei was said to be 'infinite'. Leiko Hyoudou's affection for Issei on the other hand, stemmed from the typical notion of a massive 'cousin-complex'.
'God, Issei Hyoudou's family is weird.'
(Vali.)
"What is it, Albion?" He answered, a bit peeved that his train of thought was cut off.
(Why didn't you take the Phoenix Tears up to Mount Kailash?)
"Because the tears of four Pure-Blooded Devils aren't enough to heal the large number of solar deities. That's why I sent the tears to Azazel so he can use that machine of his."
(We have not seen the Fallen Angel in a while, Vali.)
"So?"
(That means he's not aware of what has been happening lately. Someone is going to have to explain what's going on. Otherwise this plan is worthless.)
"Not to worry, Albion. I wrote down a summary."
(A summary?)
"What's wrong with that?"
(Nothing, nothing! I'm just suggesting that perhaps you should have told him face to face.)
"We're all in the middle of a crisis, Albion. There's no time for chit-chat."
(I'm just saying…)
"Back to the subject at hand." Vali said as he rolled his eyes, "Where is Issei Hyoudou? If he's not in Cocytus, then-"
"Oh my god, would you shut the hell up and stop talking to yourself?!"
Vali's expression darkened as he turned to find the source of the voice. His eyes immediately narrowed at the sight of a certain bisected Fallen Angel floating in a purple stream of energy.
"Kokabiel?"
"Don't say my name in such a questioning manner!" The Fallen Angel shouted.
(Being trapped seems to have taken a toll on this Fallen Angel's sanity.)
'What sanity?' Vali quipped mentally.
Looking over to the Fallen Angel, Vali crossed his arms.
"Did Issei Hyoudou pass by this realm?" He asked.
"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't!" Kokabiel sneered.
"Ok, Kokabiel." Vali blankly began, "I'm going to give you five seconds to tell me where Issei Hyoudou went, and if you don't tell me, I'll kill you right here, right now."
"…He went to the Underworld." Kokabiel muttered.
The host of the Vanishing Dragon narrowed his eyes as he shot his hand forward. Kokabiel widened his eyes as he watched Vali manifest a crimson sphere of energy from his palm.
"If you're lying to me-"
"I swear I'm not lying!" Kokabiel shouted, "He really is in the Underworld!"
"I was just up there, Kokabiel."
(What part of the Underworld did he go to?)
"You heard the Dragon." Vali said, increasing the size of his energy blast, "What part?"
Azazel's Laboratory
"Ah! It feels so good to be out of that ice prison!"
Azazel smiled as he rubbed his wrists, his muscles loosening from the tight feeling. The Fallen Angel looked over to see Asia staring at him in concern, while Izanami remained at her spot, leaning on the wall. Sporting a thankful smile, Azazel gave the Primordial Shinto Goddess a nod.
"Thanks for freeing me from that trap." He said in gratitude, "It looks like after Asia healed you, some of your strength and vitality returned. So you should be feeling better than you did before."
Izanami gave Azazel an unreadable stare, before she looked down to the blonde-haired girl next to her.
"Mortal child." She began as her half-lidded eyes widened, "What was that power you summoned upon me?"
Asia widened her eyes at the question, before she gave Izanami a warm smile.
"It's my Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing." She answered, "It's a blessing that God gave to me."
'God?' Izanami questioned in her thoughts, 'Is she referring to the Biblical God? The supreme being that derives from the Christian mythology?'
For all her time trapped in Yomi, Izanami had almost been completely unaware of the events that pertained to the rest of the mythologies of the world. She could remember long ago that she had made a deal with the Greek God Hades, which consisted of the Olympian bringing her 'adorable grandson' to her, in exchange for a few lost souls that existed in the realm Yomi.
Replaying the memory in her head, Izanami's eyes narrowed in a look of melancholy and disappointment. What a fool she had been back then. Being trapped in Yomi had taken a massive toll on her sanity, deteriorating to the point that her feelings and emotions were forever twisted beyond repair.
And yet, after everything she did to Issei, he forgave her. She had passed her murderous rage towards Izanagi onto her little grandchild, and still, he had saved her. The thought of it was still hard for Izanami to comprehend. Her grandson decided to free her from Yomi, the cursed world where her former husband had trapped her in.
So…what now?
She certainly didn't want to go back to Takamagahara. Yes, it was her place of origin. And yes, it was her home-world. But she didn't want to go back. She wanted nothing to do with the realm. The horrible experiences she suffered, along with the chilling ambiance of Yomi itself were torturous to her mind. She couldn't go back.
But where could she go?
Earth? There was no possibility. Before Izanagi completely sealed her in Yomi, she vowed that for every fifteen hundred lives he brought to existence, she would destroy one thousand of them each day. Six months ago, she had almost succeeded that vow when she manipulated Rizevim Lucifer and told him how to unseal the Trihexa.
But even that wasn't enough. Her little grandchild cared too much about the people that resided upon the planet; specifically his human parents, and especially that mortal cousin who wielded an almost abnormal amount of affection and love towards him. What was her name again? Reiko? Leiko?
'…Huh.'
And people said she was obsessive.
"E-excuse me? Miss?"
Her thoughts coming back to reality, Izanami brought her sights to Asia, who looked up at the Shinto Goddess with her ever-present smile.
"Are you all right now?" She asked kindly.
The Shinto Goddess of Creation and Death was a bit marveled on how the mortal child was so concerned about someone she barely knew. Long ago, she would have called the girl a sentimental fool. Then again, Issei had done the same.
'Foolish grandchild...' Izanami muttered, her pale face blushing with suppressed gratitude.
These new emotions were going to take longer to get used to.
"I am fine, mor-" Izanami stopped her words, struggling to resist the tendency to call the girl 'mortal', "Asia."
Asia's smile widened in response, and she moved her attention to Azazel.
"Azazel-san. Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'm feeling better than ever, Asia-chan." Azazel answered good-naturedly before looking towards the window, "The Earth on the other hand, is a different story."
Asia's smile disappeared as her eyes went over to the window, and she sighed sadly. Izanami was silent as she followed the other two's line of sight. At their looks of confusion, Izanami narrowed her eyes.
'Have they not realized what has happened? Even the mortals that exist on this planet are completely unaware of what is happening. The Sun has been obliterated, and the Earth is just beginning to feel the after-effects.'
Izanami's eyes lifted as her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
'Amaterasu…'
No doubt the Goddess of the Sun was devastatingly weakened. And so was her little grandchild. Both were severely weakened at the hands of the first Kami to come into Shintoism. The being who summoned her and Izanagi into existence and had charged them with the job of creating the first land.
'Amenominakanushi.'
She never would have expected the 'god who came into being alone' to target Issei. Why would the Kami even think to attack her little grandchild? Amenominakanushi had no vendetta against Issei, and only Izanami's consciousness had become part of the supernatural world to influence the events around Issei. So what did Amenominakanushi have against Issei?
…No! It couldn't be! Amenominakanushi couldn't be that petty!
'Is he targeting Issei because he released me from Yomi? But that is completely unnecessary! My grandchild did not know what would happen after my release!'
How could the first Kami of Shintoism be so spiteful? Sure, she had no right to criticize Amenominakanushi, but still.
Looking over to Azazel and Asia, Izanami inwardly sighed.
"It seems you are not aware of what has transpired." She started.
"What do you mean?" Asia asked.
"…The Sun has been destroyed."
The Fallen Angel and Human widened their eyes in shock.
"T-the Sun?!" Asia exclaimed, "So that's why the sky looks so strange at this time of day!"
"Humph." Azazel huffed as he put his hand on his chin, "Whoever did this must be really angry with Issei Hyoudou."
"Wait, hold on!" Asia exclaimed to Azazel, "Who did you say?"
"What? Issei Hyoudou?"
"That's Leiko-san's cousin! She talks about him all the time! She told me he was some sort of 'Super Saiyan' or something!"
'Super Saiyan?' Izanami tilted her head, a bit confused by the name.
"Super Saiyan, huh?" Azazel asked in amusement, "That sounds like something she'd say."
"The one who destroyed the Sun is the progenitor of the Shinto mythology; Amenominakanushi." Izanami explained, "His reason for doing so was because my grandchild freed me from Yomi."
"Humph. That's a rather petty reason for trying to destroy someone." Azazel deadpanned, "So the Sun's dead. That means Amaterasu and the other solar deities are in a bad situation."
"But what are we going to do, Azazel-san?" Asia asked in urgency, "The Earth needs the Sun to survive!"
"…That's a good question, Asia-chan." Azazel mused.
As if on cue, a silver magic circle suddenly manifested on the ground. The three occupants in Kuoh Academy covered their eyes from the bright light. The glow from the magic circle dimmed, revealing four large vials filled with clear liquids. Lying next to the vials was a single piece of paper in a folded fashion.
"What are those?" Asia asked curiously as she watched Azazel walk over to the note.
"Well let's find out, shall we?" Azazel answered as he looked at the first part of the note.
The Fallen Angel narrowed his eyes, his orbs of sight trailing over the paper.
"…Huh. It's from Vali."
"Vali-kun?" Asia questioned.
"I sense a strange power in those four vials." Izanami muttered.
"You'd be right, Izanami-no-Mikoto." Azazel commented as he smirked, "They're filled with the tears of a Phoenix."
"The Phoenix Tears?" Asia asked before she tilted her head, "Why would Vali bring us that?"
"His note says that Issei Hyoudou is fighting an opponent from the supernatural, and that he's going to join him in the battle," Azazel explained before commenting, "Hmm, sounds like something Vali would do."
"What else does the note say?" Izanami questioned.
She hoped it would explain more about those Phoenix Tears. They couldn't be for the people of Earth, despite the planet no longer receiving the energy of the Sun.
"It says to take the Phoenix Tears to Mount Kailash." Azazel read before raising an eyebrow, "Mount Kailish, huh? That's where the Hindu God of Destruction lives."
Noticing that the paper was still folded, the Fallen Angel opened the rest of the note.
"Hmm," Azazel hummed as he looked it over, "Apparently Shiva's holding a meeting of the Gods in his realm. Predominately, the factions of the Shinto and Greek mythologies are there."
Izanami widened her eyes in shock at the information.
'Shinto?! So Amaterasu is present at Mount Kailash! And if that is the case, then that means the Phoenix Tears…'
"Ah, I see." Azazel smirked in amusement, "Issei Hyoudou and Vali are planning to use the Phoenix Tears to revive the solar deities on Mount Kailash. But four vials aren't enough to heal all of them. What were those two thinking?"
"They probably thought you would come up with an idea, Azazel-san." Asia suggested, "Maybe they thought you could make more or something."
Azazel widened his eyes, and he turned to look at Asia in astonishment.
"Asia, repeat what you just said."
"Huh? U-um, they probably thought you would come up-"
"No, no. The very last part."
"…Maybe they thought you could make more?"
"That's the one!" Azazel exclaimed with a confident smirk as he walked towards the four vials of Phoenix Tears.
The Fallen Angel picked the vials up and ran towards the farthest part of his laboratory, spotting the parts of an old invention. At the sight of the machine, Azazel frowned in disappointment.
'I used Issei Hyoudou as a test subject for this machine, and because of that a part of his personality was able to dissociate from his psyche.'
Azazel had learned his mistake. He really was telling the truth when he said that he never meant to harm Issei Hyoudou. But maybe, just maybe he could actually use this machine for more useful purposes.
Looking down at the vials, Azazel smirked and set his sights over to the remnants of his machine.
'My doppelganger machine. It should be able to create more of these Phoenix tears if I tinker with it correctly. Rebuilding it should be a piece of cake.'
Turning to look at Asia and Izanami, Azazel sent them a nod.
"Asia-chan. Izanami-no-Mikoto." He said, "I'll need some assistance from the both of you. I have a plan that might be able to bring the Sun back where it belongs."
Asia's smile returned as her green eyes shined.
"That's great! Of course I'll help you!"
"…"
At Izanami's lack of response, Azazel raised a questioning eyebrow at the Shinto Goddess of Creation and Death.
"So what do you say?" He asked her, "You wanna help save the world?"
Izanami stared silently at Azazel, her half-lidded eyes narrowing slightly.
Heed my words, Izanagi! If you leave me, then I shall destroy one thousand residents of the living forever!
Then I will give fifteen-hundred lives in return!
The Shinto Goddess' heart beat painfully against her chest at the memory. The memory of the last words exchanged between her and Izanagi. Just thinking about it made her head hurt.
Now that she was free from Yomi…could she really go through with her long-declared promise? Did she really want to save Earth?
Aside from her grandson living upon it, Izanami had no significant attachment to the planet at all. Even before her imprisonment in Yomi, the Earth never garnered any of her interest.
"Izanami-san." A soft voice pulled Izanami out of her thoughts.
The Shinto Goddess turned to look at the large green eyes of Asia staring up at her.
"I…I'd really appreciate if you would help us. There are a lot of good people on Earth, and they don't deserve what's happening right now." Asia said sweetly.
If not for the bright emerald color, Izanami could easily compare the girl's eyes to the eyes of her grandchild. So pure and full of innocence.
Unfortunately, she and a number of other supernatural creatures had brutally destroyed Issei's innocence a long time ago.
"It wouldn't be far-fetched for you to do so," Azazel pointed out after a long silence, "You are the Shinto Goddess of Creation and Death after all. You've been a deity of Death for so long, I think it's about time you've changed your status back to Creation. Don't you think so?"
Creation and Death? That was her title, wasn't it?
She had tried many attempts to kill her 'adorable grandson'. Those attempts failed miserably, due to the insanity that clouded her mind. But she was sane now, a feeling that bothered her more than it should have. So now that her sanity had finally returned…
Izanami lifted her face up as she looked over to the Fallen Angel. The Earth didn't interest her, but her grandchild resided on the planet. And he seemed to have a close relationship with his human parents, and that mortal cousin of his.
Inwardly sighing, Izanami slowly nodded in assent, causing Asia's smile to widen in excitement.
"That's wonderful!" She exclaimed as she clasped her hands together and looked over to Azazel, "Ok, Azazel-san, what's the plan?"
Azazel smirked as he walked over to his doppelganger machine. Turning around to look at Izanami and Asia, the Fallen Angel sprung his arms out.
"We rebuild this machine!" He declared.
There was an awkward silence as both the Shinto Goddess and human girl looked at the Fallen Angel blankly. Azazel noticed this and placed his arms down in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"U-um," Asia stuttered as she twiddled her fingers, "I'm not really good with technology, Azazel-san."
"…" Azazel was silent as he looked over to Izanami expectantly.
The Shinto Goddess, with an expression that was akin to annoyance, sent Azazel a blank stare.
"I have been trapped in Yomi for over millennia, Fallen Angel." She reminded him, "What would you expect of me?"
A bit amused by Izanami's attempt at snark, Azazel chuckled as he shook his head.
"Not to worry, ladies. I've got the technological stuff all covered. I just need the energy from the two of you to enhance the properties of the Phoenix Tears."
"Enhance?" Izanami questioned.
Arena of the Underworld
The forms of Amenominakanushi, Issei, and the Evil Dragons manifested in the arena. Issei, the only one familiar with the location, narrowed his eyes. He immediately hated the atmosphere of the realm. Despite everything that happened, he still had bad memories of this place.
Ahh~~~such nostalgia. This is where it all started, 'Ise-itoko'.
Issei slowly turned to look at Amenominakanushi, his face set in a ominous snarl. The Kami had the audacity to use his cousin's form against him.
'He doesn't deserve…to wear her face!'
{Partner, calm down! He is trying to drag you down by taking her form! Remember that the woman in front of you is not Leiko Hyoudou!}
Issei tried to listen to the Welsh Dragon's warning. But it was so hard to ignore that face sneering in front of him. Leiko had been with him since the very beginning. Her presence was something that brought a sense of warmth and normalcy in Issei's erratic life, but she was much more important than that.
"Hey!" Grendel shouted to the Shinto Kami, bringing Issei out of his thoughts, "Where the hell is Samael?! You said it was here!"
Amenominakanushi scowled at the belligerent Western Dragon.
Are you that eager to die so quickly, Crime Force Dragon?
"Not to die! To kill!" Grendel retorted.
Glaring at the Crime Force Dragon and the rest of the Evil Dragons, Amenominakanushi set his sights over to Issei.
You must be desperate, Issei Hyoudou. Out of all beings, you choose the Evil Dragons as your comrades.
"You're trying to send Samael after me, and you took my cousin's form to throw me off!" Issei shot back, "And you're calling me desperate?"
The scowl on Amenominakanushi's face deepened, and the Kami quickly shot a silver sphere of energy towards the Evil Dragons.
"Look ou-GAH!"
Issei widened his eyes as he shot out a small black hole in front of his 'comrades', only for the Shinto Kami to summon another black hole near Issei's foot, causing the godling to trip. Amenominakanushi smirked ominously as the sphere of energy encased the three Evil Dragons.
"?!"
"What the-?!"
"The hell, man?!"
Issei regained his footing and flew away from the black hole. He quickly looked up to see the trapped Evil Dragons, and widened his eyes.
"No!"
"What the hell, brat?!" Aži Dahāka shouted to Issei, "You didn't tell us he could do that!"
"I didn't know he was going to do that!" Issei insisted.
"Issei Hyoudo-" Crom Cruach began, before Grendel rudely cut him off.
"Well you better find a way to free us!" Grendel threatened, "We didn't come with you just to be trapped aga-!"
Grendel's threat was cut off when another layer of Amenominakanushi's energy covered the sphere, muting the noise within it entirely.
Issei sent his glare over to Amenominakanushi and gritted his teeth.
"What are you planning to do with them?!"
'Leiko' rolled 'her' eyes in annoyance.
Come now. Did you honestly think I would let you have an advantage against me?
The veins on Issei's cheeks hardened, bringing a slight pain to his skin. With Leiko's form, Amenominakanushi adopted a sinister smile.
But you know what? You've survived this long, foolish child. I suppose I'll give you a gift for managing to make it this far. Would you like to know what my gift is to you, my 'Ise-itoko'?
"Change back, Amenominakanushi!" Issei warned, "Stop using Leiko's form and her voice."
I believe I already told you that I've decided to stay in this incarnation, Issei Hyoudou. Now back to your gift. Your present will be to see the arrival of Samael, and the destruction that will fall upon the Evil Dragons. You will be the first to see the power of Samael.
"…Why?"
Amenominakanushi's smile disappeared as he adopted a serious look. His eyes narrowed in suppressed curiosity.
What do you mean, 'why'?
"Why are you doing all of this?" Issei asked, his tone neither angry nor curious, "What have I ever done to you?
What sort of question is that?
"Are you doing all this because I freed Grandma from Yomi?!" Issei questioned, "Is that really the reason why you're trying to kill me?!
You truly haven't realized it, have you?
"Realized what?"
Amenominakanushi stared at Issei as he adopted a scowl.
…Think about what you have done, you foolish child! In the past, you've disrupted the cycle and concept of Shintoism and the other mythologies!
"What do you mean, 'disrupted'?!" Issei exclaimed.
You know exactly what I mean! Aside from you freeing Izanami-no-Mikoto, you obliterated Riser Phenex, and destroyed both Susanoo-no-Mikoto and the Heavenly Emperor Indra, for your own selfish purposes!
"SELFISH PURPOSES?!" Issei roared.
The poisonous aura of the black hole formed around Issei, causing the arena of the Underworld to shake in tremors. The son of Amaterasu clenched his fists in suppressed fury.
"Riser used his peerage to capture Leiko-san and tricked me into believing that she was killed! Susanoo threatened Ophis, Great Red, and Leiko-san, and then tried to kill me all because he wanted the Kusanagi sword back!" Issei shouted to the Shinto Kami, "Then Indra sent those two bastards Heracles and Siegfried to test my skills right after they tried to hurt Leiko-san! An-"
AH-HAH! Now the pattern reveals itself!
Issei widened his eyes when Amenominakanushi suddenly pointed to him with a triumphant smirk.
"What are you talking about?"
It's her! It's always been about her! Think back to your first fight in the supernatural world. Your battle with Riser Phenex. Why did you fight him? Because he ordered his peerage to kidnap Leiko Hyoudou! And let me ask you this question, Issei Hyoudou. How did your first solar transformation emerge?
The Shinto Kami felt an extreme bout of sadistic pleasure as the look on Issei's face turned to an expression of despair and horror.
It manifested when Riser Phenex forced you to watch as his queen 'destroyed' Leiko Hyoudou in front of your eyes. And even after he revealed that she was still alive, you obliterated him. Do you realize the pattern yet, Issei Hyoudou?
The answer was all on Issei's face as his body shook. Amenominakanushi smirked as he used Leiko's form to hug himself.
Some of the enemies you encountered have done one thing in common, son of Amaterasu. They THREATENED Leiko Hyoudou. The moment they did that, you lost your sense of restraint. And I know why.
Issei's breath hitched in his throat.
Leiko Hyoudou…keeps you SANE.
The son of Amaterasu widened his eyes in horror. What did Amenominakanushi mean? What was he saying?
Think about it, foolish child. What would you have done if Riser's Queen had legitimately killed Leiko Hyoudou? I know exactly what you would have done. Not only would you have destroyed Riser Phenex anyway, but you would have obliterated everyone that was present at this arena!
"That…that's not-"
You know, it is puzzling how a mortal like her has so much influence on you. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that Leiko Hyoudou is the ONLY reason your sanity remains intact. She is the only thing preventing you from going on an endless rampage of gore and destruction.
Issei's fists tightened, causing small droplets of blood to seep out from his skin. He didn't want to hear any more.
Don't believe me?
Using Leiko's form, Amenominakanushi adopted a look of sadness, causing the incarnation's eyes to grow brighter.
Issei? What would you do if something ever happened to me? You'd protect me, wouldn't you?
"Stop that!" Issei hissed ominously.
Oh poor 'Ise-itoko'. What would you ever do without me? You wouldn't be able to live with yourself, am I right?
Another ghastly image of Issei's face stretched off of his head. 'Leiko' sent the son of Amaterasu a small pout as 'her' lips puckered slightly.
We both know that no matter how many times you save me, it would only be wasted effort in the end. No matter what you do, I'm not going to live forever. I'm only human. And you'll outlive me, my precious 'Ise-itoko'. But then again, you might not.
Issei's breathing grew ragged and harsh as he struggled to control himself.
After all, you'd do anything for me, wouldn't you? You'd do ANYTHING.
Issei involuntarily tensed as 'Leiko' once again sauntered over to him. 'She' placed 'her' arms behind 'her' back, and leaned in to give the son of Amaterasu a pleading and wide-eyed stare.
You've saved me so many times, and protected me for so long, my 'Ise-itoko'. So would that mean…you'd DIE for me?
What happened next was so instantaneous that neither Issei nor Amenominakanushi were aware enough to catch it.
FALCON PUNCH!
Amenominakanushi's body suddenly ejected as he crashed onto the ground, causing cracks from within to emerge. Heavily surprised, the Shinto Kami grunted as he struggled to lift the body of his new incarnation.
Rubbing the sore mark on his face, Amenominakanushi widened his eyes as he removed his hand, only to see dark-red blood. Widening his eyes further, the Shinto Kami set his sights over to Issei, who glowered ominously at him. The Solar God's arm was shot forward, his fist clenched in a tight fashion.
Y-you punched me!
"You destroyed the Sun, and sent me into a black hole," Issei quietly emphasized through gritted teeth, "And don't even think for a second that the other punch makes us even."
What other pun-
{BOOST!}
FALCON PUNCH X2!
Issei rushed over to the disguised Amenominakanushi and sent a devastating punch to his face. As the Shinto Kami recoiled from the attack, he tensed when Issei suddenly tackled him, causing both of them to roll onto the ground. Recovering his balance, Issei stood up and grabbed Amenominakanushi by the foot, and proceeded to smash his body on the ground repeatedly.
Sto-stop this!
Issei didn't heed the Shinto Kami's words. Amenominakanushi had the gall to continue using Leiko's voice. Did the Kami think that just using her voice would be enough to stop his attack?
Narrowing his eyes, Issei lifted Amenominakanushi by the neck, and threw him onto the ground, keeping his hand on his throat. The son of Amaterasu balled his other hand in a fist, ready to strike.
"I would never die for Leiko-san." Issei began menacingly, "Because I'll never stop protecting her!"
Leaning his face forward, Issei bared his teeth and tightened his fist. Amenominakanushi struggled to keep his composure, his surprise at the turn in situation revealing itself.
"You don't deserve to wear her face!" Issei bellowed as he embedded the Shinto Kami deep into the ground.
Amenominakanushi couldn't count the amount of hits the son of Amaterasu had inflicted upon him. Issei's punches were relentless, the poisonous power of the black hole increasing his strength. More veins manifested on Issei's cheeks and forehead, causing a slight wince of pain.
As he continued to rapidly punch the Shinto Kami, Issei tried to ignore the battered image of his cousin. The Kami was still using Leiko's form, bringing Issei further down the road of despair. But his anger was increasing to a large degree.
As Issei went to land another punch, he was suddenly sent back by a powerful kick from Amenominakanushi, causing him to crash onto the ground. Issei quickly shot back and looked to see Amenominakanushi struggling to get up.
Lifting himself up, Amenominakanushi snarled to himself.
'What is going on here?!
'Leiko' sighed in irritation and suddenly looked up at Issei with wide and pleading eyes. The Solar God almost lost control right then and there.
'I-ise-itoko', Why? Why would you do this to me? How could you?
Amenominakanushi was too late to react as Issei suddenly sped up and punched him upwards, causing the Kami to soar up to the sky. The godling quickly floated above the Kami and kicked him down towards the ground. As soon as Amenominakanushi crashed onto the hard surface, Issei flew down and stomped onto his stomach harshly.
AHHHHHHHH!
The Shinto Kami screamed out in pain, but Issei only heard Leiko's scream, and that alone made him more furious. Manifesting the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in his hand, Issei tightened his hold and stabbed the Kami in the chest.
{BOOST X4!}
The power of the Welsh Dragon increased the sharpness of the Kusanagi, causing Amenominakanushi's pain to soar to new heights. Issei gripped the Kusanagi with both hands, and drove the sword deeper into Amenominakanushi's body.
GAHHHHHHHHH!
"Change! Back!" Issei ordered.
Amenominakanushi, wincing at the intense pain, snarled as he struggled to eject the Kusanagi out of his body. He force-pushed Issei off of him, and went to remove the sword, only for Issei to rush back and manifest the sword of the Vanishing Dragon. He stabbed Amenominakanushi in the leg.
((HALF DIMENSION!))
Amenominakanushi widened his eyes in horror as the size of his incarnation began to diminish. Widening his eyes further, the Shinto Kami summoned a black hole from under his body, allowing him to escape. Narrowing his eyes, Issei quickly grabbed the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and the Blade of the Vanishing Dragon, and clasped them in his hands.
He gritted his teeth as he looked around to search for Amenominakanushi.
"Don't you dare run away from me, you coward!" He roared, his voice echoing out through the arena of the Underworld.
"Humph. Now this is the Issei Hyoudou I prefer to see."
Issei widened his eyes and turned around to see a familiar person with dark silver-hair and ice-blue eyes with a light ultramarine color. The Solar God tensed as he took on a defense position.
Vali Lucifer inwardly sighed as he looked at his rival.
"Calm down, rival." He reassured, "It's me."
"…How can I be so sure?" Issei asked threateningly.
(Hmm. I haven't seen Issei Hyoudou this serious in a long time.)
'I do. Remember the first time we met him?'
(Ah, yes. When he bisected Fallen Angel Kokabiel. He's wearing the same expression.)
Vali looked at his rival, a bit put off by the look he was receiving.
((Kid…it's Vali. I'd recognize the presence of my original incarnation anywhere.))
{Albion's clone is right, partner. It's really him.}
Issei looked at Vali with a serious glower, unknowingly giving his rival chills. A few seconds later, his expression softened as he moved into a more comfortable position. Vali looked his rival over, and walked towards him.
"Looks like you've been through a lot, Hyoudou."
Issei didn't respond, his body trembling. Noticing his rival's silence, Vali looked up at the silver sphere of energy floating in the sky.
"I assume those are the Evil Dragons trapped in that sphere?"
Once again, his rival was silent. Vali narrowed his eyes at the lack of response, and he firmly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Issei."
The host of the Welsh Dragon looked towards the host of the Vanishing Dragon. Vali had never seen Issei this broken before. Narrowing his eyes further, Vali tried to think of what to say.
"I got the Phoenix Tears."
A bit of light shined in Issei's eyes at the information, a sight that Vali was slightly happy to see.
"I was only able to get four," Vali explained further, "I thought it'd be best if I sent them to Azazel so he could manufacture them."
Issei's eyebrows furrowed a bit in confusion, before his eyes widened in recognition.
"The Doppelganger machine…"
Vali raised an eyebrow in response.
"How did you know?"
"Because he used that machine on me a long time ago." Issei's voice was flat, the memory of his dissociation present in his mind.
Not wanting to make his rival relive any more unfortunate memories, Vali looked up at the sphere that encased the Evil Dragons.
"You must have been really desperate to beat Amenominakanushi if you're placing your dependence on the Evil Dragons. Come on, Issei. Out of all the plans you've come up with, this one was a little far-fetched."
"What was I supposed to do, Vali?" Issei asked quietly.
"You were supposed to find the right people that can actually help you." Vali responded.
"…"
Vali frowned as he noticed the pulsating veins on his rival's face.
"Your energy's decreasing, Hyoudou. Does this have something to do with you apparently becoming a black hole?"
"This isn't my body anymore, Vali." Issei admitted, "Well, not my original body anyway."
"I'm not following."
"Before I contacted you to get the Phoenix Tears," Issei began, "I was battling Amenominakanushi in space. One thing lead to another, and he ended up summoning a black hole to destroy me."
"All right, go on."
"So in order to survive, I told Albion's clone to decrease the size of the black hole, while I used Ddraig's transfer ability to seal a portion of my soul into the swords."
"…Ah." Vali hummed in understanding, "So the black hole that tried to destroy you, ended up melding with the portion of your soul."
"Right."
"So what happened to your body?"
"Well after I was destroyed, the rest of my soul was sent to Yomi. So I broke out and reunited with my soul. But…even though my soul became full, my original physical body didn't return."
"So essentially it's a body that was born out of death."
"And all it can do is die." Issei finished solemnly.
"…You've really put yourself into a bind, haven't you Hyoudou?"
Issei sighed as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah, I guess so."
You fools…
Issei and Vali widened their eyes as they turned to see a black hole manifesting far away. The original form of Amenominakanushi stumbled out, his body struggling to mend itself. The Shinto Kami glowered darkly at the son of Amaterasu, and the appearance of the Vanishing Dragon.
"So you're the guy who's been giving Hyoudou so much trouble." Vali stated.
So you've acquired yet another ally, Issei Hyoudou? How desperate can you be?
"You're one to talk, Shinto Kami." Vali snarked, "You're so desperate to beat Issei Hyoudou, you're willing to use the Dragon Eater against him. It's almost amusing."
How so?
"If you alone still can't bring Issei Hyoudou down," Vali began with a smirk as he shrugged in nonchalance, "You'll never beat me."
GAH?! How dare you?!
"Humph," Vali huffed, "You think you have the power to control the Dragon Eater? To use it as your trump card? Good luck, because it won't work."
Amenominakanushi scowled at Vali's insolence.
You underestimate the will of my power, Vanishing Dragon!
"If you want to, go ahead and summon Samael. See what happens." Vali goaded.
"Vali-" Issei spoke before he was cut off.
'Relax, Hyoudou. I know what I'm doing. You've already run out of plans, so it's about time I made mine.'
You'll regret those words, you fool!
Regaining his balance, Amenominakanushi placed his hand forward, his palm glowing with an threatening aura.
The time for the emergence of the Evil Intention of God is now!
ZUOOOOOOOO…
Manifesting behind Amenominakanushi was a gigantic magic circle. Issei widened his eyes as he felt an ominous and overwhelming aura emit from the circle. The arena of the Underworld shook from the intense vibration. There was a freezing air that gave the son of Amaterasu chills. He'd never sensed anything this harmful.
{Partner! Be very careful!}
Issei's eyes widened in horror at the tone of Ddraig's voice. He sounded completely terrified.
A gigantic ominous being with strange features appeared out of the magic circle. Issei could see the regular characteristics of a Fallen Angel, such as the head and torso and the black wings. But he also saw that the being was impaled on a cross. There were tools of restraint binding the being, with unknown letters written on the tools. The letters were placed on its eyes, with tears of blood dripping from them.
Issei's breath hitched in his throat as the full body of the creature appeared. It appeared to have the body of a Asian Dragon, with nails driven through its scales!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…
Do the two of you hear its wail?
Both Issei and Vali looked over to Amenominakanushi.
Pain, jealously, suffering, resentment. Most of the well-known emotions of negativity.
The Welsh Dragon and the Vanishing Dragon both narrowed their eyes as a glowing black mist emitted out of the creature. Issei felt bile rise up in his throat at the feeling of needles poking his skin. Smirking at the son of Amaterasu, Amenominakanushi turned around to look at the creature behind him.
The poison of God. The Evil Intention of God. The being that seduced the people of Eden to consume the Fruit of Knowledge. That was the first crime, son of Amaterasu. A crime so devastating that the Biblical God himself cursed this creature.
Issei stared at the creature in surprise.
Issei Hyoudou, allow me to introduce this beast. The one that will end you. This…is Samael. He is a being that was made of the evil intentions of the Biblical God. A entity who received many kinds of poisons and curses on his body. Not only can it extinguish Dragons but it can affect other beings besides Dragons, so it was sealed in the depths of Cocytus. The curse it received from God is the ultimate poison to Dragons!
Issei grit his teeth in pure rage, while Vali looked on solemnly. Suddenly, Vali let out a amused laugh, causing both Issei and Amenominakanushi to look at him in confusion.
The silver armor of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gear manifested as it covered Vali. The gleaming aura of the armor brightened as white lights were released.
"So our opponent is you and Samael," Vali declared, "I certainly have no complaints. It's been a while since I've had a good fight!"
Issei stared at his rival in astonishment.
'Why is Vali so happy?!' He exclaimed in his mind, 'doesn't he realize how dangerous this is?!'
Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Amenominakanushi looked up at Samael and pointed directly to Issei and Vali.
Dragon-Eater Samael! Bring me victory by devouring the Welsh Dragon and the Vanishing Dragon!
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