It kind of seemed like a lot of people jumped the gun, based on what I've read in the reviews. From a certain number of people, it seemed like they assumed that the story was over. Well, not gonna lie, it did feel close to being final, but that wasn't the case. It just didn't seem right to go for any other ending because it wouldn't make sense with how this version of Issei was. In this story, he's a hurting person and not only that, but he can never resist fixing a horrible thing. He just has to do it because he wants to help.

If I'd had him live, then he'd be miserable because the Fortium would be dead again and seen as even more villainous than before. He'd go down a path where he'd feel even worse than before for living happily while others were stuck in terrible places in history and life when he was responsible for it.

That's just how I feel anyways. Now, on to the story.


Final Arc – Salvation

Chapter 52: The Loss and Gains of War

In the aftermath of Issei's sacrifice, so much had changed after 6 months had passed. During the battle with Praegorn, countless were slain, with the entire planet coming under attack from the Fallen Heralds' forces while Issei and the others were in another dimension. This had allowed a second wave to exploit the chance to attack. Unexpectedly, the Alliance and the Vicizula Order had been set up to counter the second invasion, saving the World from Praegorn's wrath a second time. Still, the costs were still high. Nations were ravaged, pantheons scarred, and several truths were exposed as a result. Unsurprisingly, there were traitors, but they'd been eliminated by the Abyssal Legion, as instructed by Issei.

In contrast with the slain, there had been a flood of revived individuals who'd come back to life, namely the Fortium. When Azazel did a final head-count, everyone they'd lost in the conflict had come back to life, which was cause for unrivaled joy for the Alliance and the Order. It wasn't just the people who'd been killed during the final battle in the alternate dimension, but also the people who'd been killed since the start of the war that were granted another shot at life.

It was surprising to see the rejoice amongst the gods when Zeus and several others came back, having been believed to be dead by all who'd returned from the alternate dimension. It was a fresh and flabbergasting experience to know that even gods cared about each other.

Hera had practically dashed right into Zeus's arms when he showed up, despite having been told that he was dead. When this happened, he was thankful that he and the other Olympians had changed. Before, they'd never give a damn about each other but now, now they actually felt like a family.

It made people like Ilkynos and Azazel curious as to whether or not Issei allowed their deaths to push the deities along, to make them acknowledge that they did care about each other. Or was it done to make them appreciate each other and life more? Nobody knew the real answer, since Issei always kept the truth to himself. All that they knew, was that despite his extreme methods, he had achieved something that very few could. Change.


As for the Fortium, they were all returned to this world, surrounded by their loved ones, who'd been told to expect their return. It had been an absolutely monumental event in the history of the Atlantis immigrants. Despite going down in history as villains, they were welcomed back strongly, the truth being exposed.

However, as Zaylen had feared, a few were feeling hatefully accusational of Issei. He had wanted to avoid this, having made sure to tell the whole truth, pinning the blame on its source: Praegorn. Of course, he had left out the part that Praegorn was an alternate Issei, since that would cause the more rabid parts of the masses to hate Issei and the Grim Heralds as a whole. After some time, much to his relief, a massive majority of Mu citizens still supported Issei, overshadowing the angry fraction of the population.

He had to admit, he was very disappointed and grieved at what Issei chose to do. He had been one of the few that Issei had told his real plan to and he remembered the very destructive argument they'd had. No matter what he said, Issei wouldn't listen. He stuck to his guns and kept going. He had tried to remind him that there were still people waiting for him, but he didn't stop. He never stopped.

Issei had always told him that what he was doing, would have an extremely major impact on the world. He'd kept believing that his plan would cause change, despite the massive doubt it brought to others. Unfortunately, nobody knew if it was a good or bad change. Issei was always so secretive about his motives ever since he became the Grim Herald, that it was difficult to tell just how he felt.

To see what his old friend meant, Zaylen kept tabs on the Wold's current events. Crime rates were at a new low, barely reaching 10% in total amongst all landmasses and there were talks of peace conferences among several nations. Not all of them were in accordance but an 83.4% was still a very promising number. Nuclear weaponry had ceased development and unveiled technology meant for dealing with energy problems had been unveiled. Several philanthropic organizations had received massive amounts of money and new institutes dedicated to medicine and helping the homeless were opened.

Zaylen had been surprised that so much had been happening behind the scenes. He'd always wondered what Issei did when he wasn't doing his duty as the Grim Herald and now he knew. He was trying to build a strong foundation for the entire world to rebuild itself on. It had all been set to go off once the chaos had blown over.

It was no secret that much of humanity was aware that something was going on in the world around them. The questions they were asking was what was going on and who was involved? Luckily, that was before Ilkynos had engaged in a memory wipe of the world, attempting to keep the supernatural and mortal worlds separate until it was safe.

However, it had been no secret among many that Issei had been in contact with normal human leaders of the world, warning them of their behavior and courses of action that would warrant his intervention. That was something that Ilkynos could not erase, lest his work be reversed.

Regardless, Zaylen didn't have time to keep brooding. Issei had done enough of that for the both of them. Right now, he needed to stabilize the public and regulate infrastructure so that the Fortium could be reintegrated back into their society. It would be a long and arduous road, but that wouldn't deter him. He and so many others owed Issei for the millions of times he sacrificed a piece of himself for their wellbeing.


Whilst Zaylen was helping the Fortium catch up with the times, Ilkynos was helping to deal with the aftermath of Issei's death, specifically how it affected the women he left behind and the Abyssal Legion. With Issei gone, Arsyla had been given command. In his stead, she continued their usual duties while following any directions that he had left for her.

That left Ilkynos to monitor the women that were shattered by Issei. The damage that he'd done to them was horrendous. Each of the women had gone their separate ways, their unity having shattered easier than thin ice. He was alarmed and significantly disappointed when Issei didn't return with them. He had hoped for better but obviously, the Grim Herald decided to make one final sacrifice. Indeed, he'd been the other person that he'd told of his plans and he knew that this was coming.

He could still remember the shape the women were in when the Abyss brought him to the Grim Tower. Not a single one of them were able to speak. Instead, the Chaos Queens had to speak on their behalf. He could remember it as if it were yesterday, when he saw just how harmful love was when mixed with grief and regret.


Flashback

(Owari no Seraph OST: 1hundredknight: M. Play Song.)

Ilkynos had just finished cleaning up the mess that had been left behind from the army of the Fallen Heralds, erasing the memories of the masses while he was at it. It had been Issei's intentions to slowly break the existence of the supernatural to the Mortal Realm, but now wasn't the time for that. The Mortal Realm would fall into mass hysteria if allowed to linger on the subject.

Returning to the Citadel, he was whisked away by the Abyss, who required him to take the Queens back. When he arrived at the Tower, he wanted to marvel at its majesty but there was no time. The Abyss rarely contacted anyone other than the Grim Heralds and its orders were absolute. Arriving at the top room of the Tower, Ilkynos was met with a despairing sight. It was heartbreaking to see so many strong women, utterly broken, deteriorating into dust.

All of the women involved in Issei's life, were crying their very souls out. Some were stifling their tears, shielding their faces from one another. Others were staring off into the distance, unable to register the world going on around them. However, the absolute worst was Sylderia. Still shuddering violently whilst sobbing audibly, she showed no signs of normal grief, having completely collapsed and sounding…hollow, as if there was nothing left of her.

"What happened?" He turned to Anti-Sylderia.

The reason why he displayed no animosity to the others was because he was made aware of their allegiance, via Issei. There was no need for distrust nor complications right now. What he wanted to know now, was why so many strong people were breaking down.

"Torviark sacrificed himself. We don't know what exactly he did, but he faded away right before our very eyes." Anti-Sylderia grimly explained.

Right when she said that, Ilkynos could've sworn everyone's cries got worse.

"And Praegorn?"

"Dead. The battle's over and our side won but…we lost too."

Ilkynos rubbed his eyes in exasperation, disappointed and unwilling to truly believe that Issei was dead. He wasn't too close to him, but they shared a working partnership. He could even consider him a friend, almost. What was most damaging, was that the universe had been robbed of an unrivaled man, who finally went out with one last sacrifice.

That was when it happened. At that moment where no more words came, Ilkynos heard a sound that sparked urgency and dread.

"Pfft!" It was quiet. The room had gone so quiet that even time was audible. The sound had been low, barely hearable, but it was still loud enough to chill everyone to the bone.

Looking up, wondering who made the sound that resembled laughter, he scanned the eight crying women. He knew for a fact that this situation didn't warrant laughter and these women had been trying to get Issei to come home for months. There was no way anyone would make any squeak that resembled a laugh, unless…

"Ufu…ufufufu…" There it went again.

Everyone turned to see who it was and it was none other than Sylderia.

"Ufufufufufufufufuahahahahahahahaha."

Slowly, and then rapidly, the sounds of laughter became quicker, sounding more and more unhinged as the seconds went by. Rising off the ground, kneeling, Sylderia's laughter became more unsettling, genuinely worrying those around her.

"Sylderia?" Amaterasu managed to snap out of her own grief to ask of her status.

"Ahahahahahahaha!" The Princess merely continued to laugh as her gaze grew more distant, her eyes widening in accordance with the ever-growing damage on her psyche.

Clutching the sides of her head, the Champion of Light continued to descend, her mind rapidly corroding from the weight of everything that had happened.

Anti-Sylderia and Ilkynos wasted no time in zooming over to her and knocking her out with magic circles. As if stopped in time, she froze before her eyes quickly closed, falling limp to the ground.

"Why did you do that?" Soludar was stunned. Just what warranted that?

"Didn't you see how broken she was? If we didn't stop her now, she'd have gone completely insane." Anti-Sylderia sighed.

It seemed ludicrous, but that was a testament to just how important Issei was to her. He was the pillar of support for her sanity now. To be frank, the same thing had happened to Anti-Syldiera, hence why she knew that she had to stop her counterpart before she fell off the deep end.

"I never thought this sort of thing would happen…" Even Ilkynos was amazed by how much people depended Issei on an emotional level.

"It's what happens when you fall in love. If you lose that love…you lose yourself, maybe even your sanity." Anti-Eldesa sadly explained.

She wasn't insane, but she understand just where that breaking point was.

Looking around, there were no signs of the others snapping like Sylderia. Only time would tell if any more damage would come. Whatever the case, they had no way of dealing with this issue since the one needed for the solution was dead.

Flashback End

(Owari no Seraph OST: 1hundredknight:M. End Song.)


Ilkynos, as promised, had kept tabs on the women that Issei had left behind but he had done all he could. He tried to console them, but he had nothing to give them for closure. He only had words that held no real weight. Eldesa would've been perfect for the job, but she was also out of commission. Peering out of a window, he mused on his uselessness. He had no solutions and no ideas on how to fix this situation. He could only observe. That was all he was good for and he could only accept it without any fuss. All he could do now, was watch vigilantly as the World kept on spinning as he waited for some saving grace.


Sylderia had been watched over by Anti-Sylderia, who decided that she couldn't be kept alone. She didn't want to scare Sylderia's parents, so she took her counterpart to Issei's home in Kuoh to sleep quietly, kept away from going insane. If she had brought Sylderia back, then it would've caused some chaos if there was suddenly a black-haired version of their daughter on their doorstep. Secondly, she didn't want to imagine the kind of reaction they'd have to this situation. She feared that they'd hate Issei completely if they laid eyes upon their daughter's destroyed stability.

Ever since she'd been induced into a coma to stop her from going insane, she didn't move or anything. It was extreme, but at the time, this had been the only solution. Anti-Sylderia didn't know what her other self was dreaming of, but she hoped it was something to help counter the grief of reality.

She was thankful that Cleria and Yaegaki were understanding. She had no idea where else to keep her, aside from the one place that she knew to be most reliable. After a thorough explanation and a test to see who they really were, the couple allowed them inside the household. When Cleria and Yaegaki heard about what happened to Issei, they were both struck silent. They now understood why ownership of the home had been transferred to them. Issei wasn't intending on coming home. He'd even went as far as to make the estate self-sustaining for countless generation to come.

Even in death, Issei had come up with ways to look after people. Cleria was crying quietly as Yaegaki comforted her, disappointed and melancholy over the fact that they'd never get to repay Issei for all that he'd done for them. There had even been a large amount of money designated for their children and he had left some gifts for them and their future offspring.

Anti-Sylderia was impressed to the point that she was giddy with amazement, not even her own Issei was this meticulous. Now it was a no-brainer as to why the women in this universe were so madly in love with Torviark. He was so selfless and attentive, despite his stoic exterior.

Having put Sylderia to rest in a random room, she watched her alternate self, wondering about what to do.

Issei had told her and the others that he'd make things right by them, but she was unsure of just what he meant. She had been tempted to return home but she couldn't just leave her other self alone, locked within a coma in solitude with no one else related to help maintain her. She didn't want to leave her with her parents either, since she was rather distrustful of them. She knew how they'd treated Issei when he told them of Sylderia's apparent demise, and she was not going to trust them with this new incident. Perhaps it would be fine to stay here for a while longer, at least until a solution came about. She had no one to go home to, so this was a fine arrangement.

Even after 6 months, within present time, she'd been unable to interact with Sylderia's mind, lacking the skill to go in and 'fix' her. The foremost problem was that it was emotional, so someone like her, who only shared the same face and origin, had no chance of being effective.

She had nearly given up all hope after having people like Anti-Morrighan and Anti-Eldesa look at her. As it turned out, putting her in a coma was also a bad move. Now, she had slipped so deeply within it, that there was no knowing if she'd wake up from it. Perhaps the trauma was just too strong for her to snap out of it.

Anti-Sylderia now only regretted the hasty decision, but she didn't see any other action at the time.

Sitting outside Sylderia's room with Anti-Eldesa and Anti-Morrighan, the alternate Champion of Darkness discussed their current plans, and the course of action that they needed to take.

"We've already been here for too long and there's no signs of any of them improving. Torviark's Sylderia is in a coma, this world's Brynhildr has disappeared, my alternate self has locked herself down, crying without pause, and no one else seems to be fully recovered. At this rate, we'll go nowhere." Anti-Eldesa grumbled.

They'd tried to befriend their alternate counterparts and stuck by them, trying to do what they could in Issei's stead, but it was all futile. They were running out of options and there had been no progress at all with their work.

"I can't really blame them. We were all the same when our own Grim Heralds died." Anti-Morrighan admitted.

There was a silent pause that passed through; nobody could counter that argument. They had been just as bad as this dimension's Queens.

"But still, we came here to make sure that Praegorn lost. That happened. What else are we to do? We can't stay here forever." Anti-Eldesa crossed her arms.

"True, but for once, someone needs to repay Torviark. Unlike us, people don't remember his sacrifices. At best, people only know about a handful, not the rest. I think we should stay until a way to heal the damage comes up." Anti-Sylderia shook her head.

As it so happened, Anti-Eldesa and Anti-Morrighan had done a round of visits before coming here last.

"Please tell me things are better." Anti-Sylderia sighed, afraid to listen for what was coming next.

"It's not." Anti-Morrighan flatly replied, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Eldesa's also a mess. She's locked herself in his old room at the Citadel. When Ilkynos gave her Issei's jacket, she took it and has been clutching it while crying her soul out. Ever since things started settling down, she's been crying nonstop, wishing for Torviark to come back."

"She hasn't budged at all? She won't even respond?" Anti-Sylderia felt her mood drop considerably.

"She barely does. She won't do more than the most basic things."

"What about the others?"

"Artemis, to say the least, is completely broken. One of our own has been reporting that she's become catatonic. She just stares off into the distance, unable to eat or drink. Sometimes she sleeps, and when she does, we're told that she's constantly reliving the past with Issei. When she's awake, she doesn't talk and she doesn't register what goes on around her. She's just a vegetable." Anti-Morrighan ruffled her hair.

"I can't believe things got this crazy." Anti-Sylderia groaned.

"Brynhildr…lord, she's just as bad." Anti-Eldesa rubbed her temples.

"What else could have happened?" Anti-Sylderia was full of dread.

"She's become suicidal at some points, and grievous at others. She's firing between so many mood swings that we're considering putting her to sleep too. At this point, she might reach the point of no return. The first time, she tried to poison herself. I don't know where she got it, but it wasn't enough to outright kill her. After that, we had to confiscate all of the sharp objects around her when talking completely failed. Our version of Brynhildr even had to tie her up with restraints from the Dwarves. Thankfully, the Abyss saw it fit to shut off her warping. At this point, I won't protest putting her in a deep sleep."

"I don't know. We did that to Sylderia and…well, you see what she's like now." Anti-Sylderia sighed.

She was not eager to see what would happen if Brynhildr was put to sleep too.

"As for Amaterasu, she's started behaving like Torviark. She works nonstop, doesn't eat, doesn't sleep, doesn't even spend more time than necessary to talk with others. She just handles her affairs and helps clean up the aftermath without saying a thing. Behind closed doors, she's taken to writing her thoughts down. None of them are pretty, to say the least." Anti-Eldesa went on.

"Grayfia's done the same. She's completely shut down her emotions and just does whatever with a blank look in her eyes. Sometimes, she has nightmares at night and cries and sobs herself to sleep."

"Morrighan has shut herself off from others. She doesn't leave Hy-Brasil and has gone back into seclusion, making it almost impossible for anyone to find her."

"What about Camilla?"

"She's lost her singing and what's more, she's become as reclusive than Morrighan. She's completely unwilling to leave her room and has even shown fearful behavior of others. Now, she pretends to be ok, when it's pretty clear that she's scattered, lost, and hurting."

"Torviark's behavior's really rubbed off on them."

"I'm curious as to how he'd handle this situation. From what I remember, he's not as much of a 'people' person as other Grim Heralds. Soludar's done his best but he's pretty much given up too. They're just so lost and stubborn now."

The three sat back in their seats, fresh out of ideas and growing more anxious. Not even someone who shared Issei's face and voice could snap them out of their individual trances.

Suddenly, they heard the door to the house open as glass fell, shattering quite loudly as Cleria's gasp reached everyone's ears.

"Cleria?!" Yaegaki yelled as thundering footsteps creaked down below.

"Oh, what now?" Anti-Sylderia growled.

Rushing downstairs, they now saw what caused the alarm. When they saw what came, even the Chaos Queens were frozen. Materializing from blue mana that shined as brightly as the Sun, was a humanoid shape. Its features grew more defined as the mana slowly faded, revealing their identity.

Everyone gasped, not believing what they were seeing. They thought everything was over, but they were wrong. Another piece from the previous game had come back to the board.

(Final Fantasy XV OST: Somnus – Instrumental Version. Play Song.)

Standing in front of them, was Torviark, or rather, this universe's Issei Hyoudou. Rematerializing brilliantly from blue anti-matter, the Grim Herald looked around as if nothing was wrong, as if he were just coming home from a stroll. He looked healthy and reasonably more alive than before. His face had more color to it and his eyes were just a little bit brighter, despite retaining 85% of the jaded look they had before he died. He was dressed in the same black attire that he had on just before he disappeared, making it seem as if nothing had really happened.

Issei looked around, grinning. Despite having been gone for half a year, not too many things had changed. He walked inside, but the others feared him to be a ghost or some sort of malicious deception, prompting them to take aggressive stances with him. The fact that he had a blue aura sparking around him didn't help their suspicions. Anti-Sylderia and the others came between Cleria and Yaegaki, wary of the fact that this might be a trick.

"Issei?" Cleria softly spoke.

"Yes, it's me." Issei smiled, nodding.

That was another odd thing. When was the last time he smiled so casually?

"How do we know that? How do we know that you're not some sort of trick?"

"I swear, I'm the real Issei. I'm the real Torviark."

"Anyone that wants to lie would say something like that."

"I can prove it."

"Really? What's something that only Torviark has ever said to only us?"

"I recall that before I died, I'd make right by you all. As you know, only you and the others that fought in the final battle heard those words. There's also the fact that I had you and the others set up as double agents, with Soludar being the second one. And also, you keep your wedding rings tucked in your left pockets, which you've revealed to no one, aside from me, boy coincidence." Issei spoke knowingly, lowering some doubt that the others felt.

"How did you come back? Your soul was extinguished." Anti-Eldesa turned to him, not amused by his cryptic response.

"I'll explain later. Where's Sylderia?" Issei shook his head, not wanting to waste time.

He wanted to see his love immediately.

"You're not going anywhere until you answer us." Anti-Sylderia stepped in front of him, her hands covered in dark fog.

Issei sighed.

"I'll tell you once I've taken care of this. You're free to follow me, if you want."

Bypassing her, Issei kept moving. He'd waited too long and left Sylderia alone for too long. Despite feeling a bit fractured and disoriented, he focused himself, intending on repairing the damage that he'd hoped wouldn't be incurred by his death.

Anti-Sylderia turned around, ready to get more aggressive out of suspicion but was suddenly stopped when navy clouds wisped together, creating a ghostly armored humanoid. It was the Abyss.

"What is going on?" She demanded.

"A rectification. You need not worry. He is the real Torviark. He was resurrected by my hand. Now, we merely wait and allow him to do what he needs to do." The entity calmly answered before leaving as quickly as he came.


Issei, now returned to life, walked over to the door that separated him from the comatose Sylderia. For a second, he paused. He had paid a visit to Ilkynos before coming here, and learned of what had happened in his absence.

As expected, the world's human governments had bore witness to a world-wide war that came without warning or relent. Most of all, they saw the consequences of their actions and the terrible cycle of fate that would continue if they didn't change. It took a fool not to notice that this all came from greed and depravity, with Issei directly telling them this. Of course, it was protocol to do a memory wipe of the world in such events, but he made it so that world leaders knew, excluding them from it. He wanted them to know just how wretched humans could be and he wanted them to learn. It made him feel a bit better to know that things hadn't spiraled downhill yet. He was even a little happy to see so much unity happening from heartfelt concern, rather than fear.

Adding to his satisfaction, Odin and Zeus were now leading a movement to interacting more with mortals, trying to reintegrate the supernatural back into the realm. It would take several centuries to reintroduce them to the modern world, but at least work was being done.

However, none of that mattered in the face of this. He had anticipated that something like this would happen, despite his hopes that it wouldn't. He had wanted Sylderia and the others to find new love, to move on and live happily. He had perhaps thought they'd have hope and respect his wishes. Instead, it made him crestfallen when he realized the damage he'd done to them.

Sylderia nearly went completely insane, requiring Ilkynos and Anti-Sylderia to induce her into a coma. Even attempts to wake her up had failed

Artemis had broken completely, having fallen out of reality and merely existing physically, her mind fractured into thousands of pieces.

Eldesa was a sobbing wreck, spending every moment crying over him while stuck in the past, trying to cling onto whatever memory she had of him.

Brynhildr was now suicidal, constantly debating about adhering to his last request or killing herself to be with him. From what he could tell, she was on her way to descending to the dark depths that Artemis and Sylderia were in.

Camilla had the lost the power to sing and had become a recluse, unwilling to associate more than the bare minimum.

Morrighan was the same, but she had made herself untraceable, going to a higher extreme than Camilla.

Amaterasu had done something that he wasn't feeling good about either. She had taken up some of his mannerisms and was now burying herself in work, freezing her emotions over in the process.

Grayfia was also in the same boat, but instead, she vented her grief out in secret, wallowing in the past while going to sleep each night in a horrid state of mind.

This was yet another thing that he felt responsible for. He had ignored others who felt he was in the wrong for leaving them behind. To him, it didn't make sense to remain alive when so many more were suffering just like Sylderia and the others and they had been suffering like that for ages. At least with the Queens, they still had the chance to begin anew, others did not.

However, despite not regretting his decisions, he knew that had done something harmful. But, what could he do? He did the best with what he had.

Would it have been alright to live happily when he had killed thousands of people who were painted as villains when they were actually innocent? Would it have been alright to live happily with these majestic women while others continued to live forever, grieving over the pain of losing their precious family? No, it was wrong to him. This was who he was. If he had the power to fix something, then he would. He had made a massive sin and he needed to pay for it.

Regardless, he needed to stop justifying himself. He had another issue that he needed to take responsibility for.

(Final Fantasy XV OST: Somnus – Instrumental Version. End Song.)


Opening the door, he looked inside and was crestfallen. Laying on a white bed, was Sylderia, resting on her back. She looked lifeless, reflecting how her mind and heart were right now. Despite that, he noticed that there were tears in her eyes.

To think that she had been like this for 6 months, it was a demoralizing thought. He didn't know what her mind was like right now, but he knew that he would never give up on helping her heal once he awoke her.

Despite not being back to full strength, since he'd just been returned to this world very recently, he was strong enough to at least get rid of the spell on Sylderia. Waving a glowing hand over her face, he cast [Grim Defiance].

When the magic circle over her shattered, Issei waited…and waited. Instinctively, after several minutes, he brushed a soft hand on her face, wiping the tears that came down.

"Sylderia…" He softly called her name.

Despite how nervous he was right now, he felt a calm determination. He needed to apologize and he needed to atone. He needed to tell her everything that he wanted to say to her for over the past year. Taking hold of her hand, he spoke her name again.

"Sylderia, I need you to wake up. I need you to know that I'm back."

Before long, it seemed like she would remain within this quiet slumber, even when the spell over her had been broken.

With a sigh, Issei closed his eyes before getting up to leave. He noticed that she was noticeably sweaty, so he returned with a cold towel. Upon opening the door, he was met with a wondrous sight.

(Hiroyuki Sawno – All in All. Play Song.)

Having awoken, Sylderia was sitting up, looking around. What alarmed him was the dead look in her eyes, lacking any sort of luster that they once had. There was no positivity, no light, and no optimism that he often looked to for comfort. She moved slowly as like a machine before setting eyes upon Issei.

Her eyes instantly widened, a scared frown spreading across her brows. Her stare was so blank and hollow that it finally hit Issei on how messed up he made her. She looked as if she'd burst into dust if he made one wrong touch or said one wrong word. Even breathing seemed risky.

"Eh…?" She whimpered, her voice quaking.

Stuck in the throes of disbelief and fear, she froze, her mind firing back and forth on what to do.

Issei set the towel down, about to speak. Despite the unnerving stare she was giving him, he continued onward.

Suddenly, faster than he could register, which was a first for him, she made a mad dive, crashing into him. He felt two powerful arms wrap around his back, her hands clawing into his coat.

"Y-You're real, right? This isn't another nightmare, right?" Sylderia's voice trembled.

"No, no it's not."

"If this isn't real, if this is just a dream, then just kill me now! Tell me you're real!" Sylderia quaked, her hands shaking and fear encroaching her like a blanket.

"I am real. I am alive. I'm back, Sylderia."

He gently moved her away to look at her.

"It's me, Issei. Your Issei." He smiled, wanting to reassure her.

He wanted her to know that he was no trick. He was no ghost. He was no memory. He was Issei Hyoudou, the Grim Herald and he had returned.

Sylderia looked up with uncertainty. There was wild fear and panic in her eyes. She had spent months, which felt like centuries, stuck within the torment of her own mind. Despite the spell over her stopping her from actually spiraling deeper towards insanity, she was still left to contemplate. She blamed herself for all that had went wrong in Issei's life, from the very moment when he'd been cornered by the Fortium all those years ago. If she had been there, if she had been the pillar of support that he needed, then perhaps, he wouldn't hate himself so much.

"My…Issei?" With a closer look, she saw the motion in his eyes.

What others failed to see within his jaded eyes, were the small pieces of hope trapped within. Despite all that had happened to him, he held onto the hope that the world would change. Most of all, she saw the light that wanted to help others. It was the one fragment of brightness in his eyes and soul that kept him from falling off the ledge that Praegorn fell from.

"Issei…" Sylderia choked out, looking down.

Slowly, she felt herself being pieced back together. His mere presence was enough to halt her descent into madness. His words were strong enough to reassure her heart. The knowledge that he'd returned, was strong enough to begin the process that would heal her shattered emotions. That was how astounding the effect he had on her was. Only now, did the two realize just how much of an effect he had on her.

Sylderia, taking a deep breath, took action.

With a wild slap that alarmed him, Issei was thrown to the ground, his back against the wall. Ignoring the pulsing red pain on his cheek, he merely looked at Sylderia. She wasn't lashing out in madness. That was already diminishing with the comfort in knowing that he was alive. Right now, she was acting out of grieved fury.

Painful punches and slaps barraged him, yet he made no effort to defend. He knew that he had hurt her terribly and decided to accept it. It wasn't the right move to just retaliate or defend himself. Right now, the best course of action was to just let her vent.

"It killed me." She finally spoke.

Issei listened closely to this change in pace.

"It killed me every day to just live without you!" She roared, tears streaming down her face like waterfalls. This wasn't her plan but emotions had taken over. She couldn't hold out any longer.

Gripping his jacket, she yelled at him, all of her pent-up disappointment and confusion boiling to the surface in full fury. She had tried so hard to contain it all, but it was of no avail. To spend 6 months, boiling under the stressful past, she could only long for Issei. She could only regret and grieve for his fate.

"When you told me that lie, that horrible lie, I wanted to kill myself!"

That sentenced struck Issei like a cold knife. He lost all feeling in his limbs as he forced himself not to react, but to listen. He knew what she was talking about. It was so painful for them both that it was unforgettable.

"When you told me that our love was dead, that you didn't love me, I could feel myself break. Yet, I didn't because I knew it was a lie! I know you better than anyone else; that's a fact! I've known you since we were children! What made you think that you could slip that by me?! Why did you have to say such a cruel lie?! Why couldn't you trust us?! Did you only believe in yourself that you couldn't allow anyone to help?! Is that why you always leave everyone behind?! Is it because you're scared of what can happen again?! Is that why you always shake others off, despite how much it wound us?!"

Sylderia ranted, trying frantically to collect herself. Her mind was in so much disarray that she struggled to form her thoughts.

"Why do you always run off, sacrificing yourself?! Why do you have to sacrifice everything when you have nothing left?! Why do you have to try so hard that you kill yourself?! Don't you know that watching you hurt, kills me too?! It tortures me?! I hate it! I hate watching you in pain! I hate watching you suffer! I hate not being able to help you! I hate not being close to you! I hate it when you don't tell me anything! I HATE WATCHING YOU TORTURE YOURSELF!"

At that point, Sylderia no longer had the strength to strike him. She could only collapse onto his shoulder and cry loudly.

"Why do you have to suffer so much? You have us for a reason. You're supposed to rely on the people that love you. Why do you choose to suffer alone so much, Issei? Why can't you let anyone help you?" She sobbed uncontrollably and unconsolably.

She heaved, choking and sniffling as she trembled.

"Right before I helped kill the Fallen Heralds, one of them whispered to me. He said that because of me, the Grim Heralds would all die." She confessed.

This had been a truth that was the source of her descent into despair.

"He was lying."

"It's not that!" Sylderia lashed out, making Issei go silent.

"When I used [Fate Breaker], I give impossible good luck to those around me but when it wears…incredible misfortune occurs randomly. That's what drove me so close to the edge. You were punished because I chose to meddle with fate. It cost you your life. If I hadn't done that, then you wouldn't have had to die. It's me who killed you!" She spoke with so much despair with that last sentence that Issei was afraid that she'd shatter right then and there.

"Sylderia, that means nothing now. I'm back, and the conflict is settled. Surely, there's no need to grieve over that anymore. That hasn't changed how you feel, has it?" Issei shook his head, wanting her to understand how little that mattered now.

However, the Princess was thrown into another fit.

"I love you! I love you so much that it hurts! When you disappeared right in front of me, I wanted to break apart. It was torture in that coma. I could see and hear everything, but I never wanted to wake up because you weren't there. Even when I was dreaming, I would wake up in this room and have you. I would hold you. I would kiss you. I would make up for so many years where you suffered. Yet, right at the end, you disappeared. It was so horrible. I knew that if I woke up and you weren't there, I'd go insane completely. I don't want to live in a world where you're not there anymore. I JUST CAN'T DO IT!"

Gently wrapping his arms around her, Issei stroked her back, comforting her silently as she spoke her mind.

"Issei…please…don't ever leave me again…I don't think I can remain sane anymore if you disappear again. It's so painful and so scary. I don't know how you did it…it's so horrible. How could you endure being alone for so long?" Sylderia pleaded, rubbing her eyes to wipe the endless tears away as her lips trembled.

"It's so hellish that I don't know what is real and what's going to be a nightmare anymore. It's so scary being alone. So please, don't leave anymore." She whimpered.

"I promise, I'll do everything I can to stay by your side. I know it's scary and I know how much it hurts. That's why I'm sorry."

Issei looked at her red and watery face, wiping away her tears.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you. I'm sorry for lying to you. I'm sorry for not trusting you. I'm sorry for leaving you behind. I'm sorry for all of the pain I've caused you. I did it all because I wanted you to keep living. I wanted you to be in a happier world. I wanted everyone to be in a happier world. I wanted to clean up my mess. I wanted to protect everyone. That's why I did everything I did. I did it because I love you and may others."

To prove his point, Issei made one of his most gentle smiles, one that surprised Sylderia. It was a blast that threw her for a loop. How long had it been since he smiled so reassuringly?

"I swear, I'm alive and I'm here to stay. I love you, Sylderia. I always have and always will. I know I lied about it but I wanted to protect you. I was scared, Sylderia. I didn't want to lose you again. Most of all, I'm a monster. I didn't deserve you. You're light and love, kindness and mercy. I am vengeance and hatred. I didn't see us ever being together again."

"Don't you dare say that. Don't you dare say that to me ever again." Sylderia growled at him.

"I know, but I wanted to tell you why I did what I did. I ended myself because I saw things. Just like Eldesa, I can experience visions. When I saw what I saw…I couldn't let it happen. Not only that, but I saw how in pain, people were on Mu. Families were broken and dark legacies were made all because of me. I couldn't live with myself. The fact that I'd betrayed and coldly killed so many people almost drove me insane. I knew that I was teetering closer and closer to breaking. I couldn't allow that to happen. If I did, I'd become worse than Praegorn."

Issei gulped down the lump in his throat, forcing it down as he held Sylderia closer.

"But now that that's over, I swear, I'm going to make things right by you and the others. From now on, I'm going to trust you. I won't abandon you again and most of all, I'll be honest with you."

Sylderia, with all of her grief and pain vented, with her mental strength repaired, and with the one and only person she would ever truly love back in her arms, she dove forward. His words had struck deep and true. The honesty in his eyes were more than enough to convey how he felt and how strongly he wanted to be with her again. Duty was no longer in the way, at long last.

Smashing her lips against his, she projected all of her passion onto him.

"I love you. I love you so much!" She breathed as she stared passionately into his eyes, her arms and legs around him as she panted.

"I love you, my beautiful Queen." Issei smiled.

They paused for a moment, absorbing the power of the atmosphere as they calmed down, relishing the fact that the war was over and they were now free to rebuild and resume their relationship. At least, that was what Sylderia wanted to do.

"Issei…you said that you were alive…" She started.

"Yes, I am."

That was when Sylderia's control broke apart again.

"Then prove it to me."

"Huh?" Issei looked at her with honest obliviousness.

"Prove to me that you're alive. Make my soul and body realize that you're alive."

She gently took his hand and placed it on her bountiful breast, gazing lovingly into his eyes. For so long, she'd gone without his touch. Now, she was free to have it again. However, that was tantamount to what she really wanted. She wanted to know that they could start over again. She wanted to know that they could be together again.

"Back to being forward, again?"

"Stop talking and kiss me." Sylderia smiled in joy as all of her doubt left her.

Despite still being afraid, she wanted to know that he was real. She wanted to re-consummate their love. She wanted to show him that she was ready and more than willing to give him everything he deserved: love, comfort, patience, understanding, and most of all, a family. For what she lacked, she would work to give to him. He had gone above and beyond for others. Now, it was her turn.

(Hiroyuki Sawano OST: All in All. End Song.)

(A/N: Sorry…still not comfortable with writing lemons. I tried really, really hard but I didn't have the courage to get that explicit.)


The next morning, Issei awoke feeling refreshed and even better, alive. For so long, he felt dead inside. The toll of being the Grim Herald had scarred him, even now, he still held all of the painful experiences within his mind. Despite that, having the person closest to his heart, had a powerful impact on him. It felt cleansing and comforting to just have her by his side again.

He'd never expected to have something like this back in his life again. For so long, he thought he'd deserved no forgiveness and no mercy. He had hurt so many and killed so many that he'd lost whatever desire for anything fortunate, expecting it to be taken away from him as well. Yet, here he was, back with Sylderia.

Looking at her next to him in bed, both of them bare, he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, causing her to shift and cuddle with him. Perhaps…he could enjoy a few things in the present. He couldn't speak for the future but for now, with his life still renewed, he'd accept the blessings he'd been given.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt Sylderia shift, her eyes slowly opening. She didn't say anything, merely bringing him closer for a deep and passionate kiss.

"It's been so long since I woke up to you in bed." Sylderia exhaled into his neck, snuggling with him as she took in his scent.

"It's nice, isn't it?"

"Very. Let's just stay in bed."

"I wish we could, but I owe everyone an explanation as to how I came back. I haven't told you yet, either."

"They're probably upset right now." Sylderia admitted.

"Well, considering how loud you were last night, they'll probably let us off about the wait. I don't know about the lack of sleep, though."

Sylderia then froze, staring off into the distance.

"W-W-W-Wait." She shivered in fear and embarrassment.

She dreaded meeting everyone now.

"I knew you could get…active but last night was the loudest you've ever been." Issei chuckled.

"Don't recount that to me!" Sylderia dove her face into his chest, having turned crimson out of bashfulness.

"I'm just kidding. I made sure to soundproof the room since I knew where things were going."

Sylderia frowned shyly before going back to cuddling with Issei.

"So, it's finally over, right?" She asked.

"Yeah. It's all over, for now, at least."

Sylderia knew what Issei meant. He wasn't a seer. He didn't know what the future held. He could only prepare for it. However, his answer was good enough, right now.

"Alright, it's time we get up. I'll make us all some breakfast."

"I should get ready too. I'm pretty sure my house is a junkyard, now."

Without another word, as if it were natural, the two got ready, even bathing together before heading downstairs.


Much to Sylderia's deathly dilemma, everyone was curious as to what had happened.

"She's awake." Anti-Sylderia smiled, although there was a wink that came with it.

Her other self froze, knowing that she knew what had transpired. With mere looks, it was as if they could talk telepathically. When Issei calmed down all of the clamoring questions, he sat everyone down, wanting to explain thoroughly and at one time.

"So, I know that you're all curious as to how I've come back. I'll start off where my life ended."

Sylderia flinched when he said that, the unpleasant memory returning to mind. Issei noticed this and gently held it, giving her some comfort.

"After I'd used up my soul to resurrect the Fortium, I was completely gone, just like a lot of my old enemies who'd had their souls destroyed. However, there were still tiny fragments left. They were barely noticeable, but the Abyss knew that there were still bits of me left. In a moment of contemplated mercy, it gathered my essence and rebuilt me. Using a similar process to the one that made me, it reconstituted me, with all of my powers and memories intact. In short, it had completely resurrected me."

"But, isn't that strange? I thought the Abyss had forbidden resurrection."

"It was a chaotic time. Most of all, it woke up. I won't lie when I say that Praegorn wasn't completely wrong. There is much wrong with all the worlds and with how the Grim Heralds are treated, that it actually affected the Abyss. That was something that I also did my best to take care of." Issei alluded.

The Chaos Queens froze, their eyes widening like saucers. Their blood froze and their calm demeanors broke.

"You don't mean…" Anti-Sylderia panted.

The others were looking at her as if she were having a heart attack, disturbed and confused by her immediate change in mood.

"Yes. I told you that I'd make right by you all, and I meant it. The Fortium and this world's victims of the Fallen Heralds weren't the only ones I brought back. The ones that you lost and several others, I did the same for them. I did to the entire multiverse, what I did in this one. When you choose to go home, I know you'll find them there." Issei smiled encouragingly.

It was at that moment that Anti-Sylderia broke down. Covering her face with her hands, she sobbed. It wasn't out of sadness but relief. She knew that this Issei, Torviark, would not lie about such a thing. If he had promised that he'd done it, then she knew it to be true. She'd seen him work enough to know that he had done as he said.

"Thank you." She made muffled whimper.

Issei only nodded, wanting to get back on track.

"With that deed, the Abyss decided that it was okay to break the rules one more time. It was part of a deal that I'd struck. In exchange for completely eliminating Praegorn, I'd get to do as I wished. I just didn't count on it bringing me back to life as…a compensation and reward. This time, there's no foreseen fight or struggle for me to deal with. Right now, I'm free to live as I please."

Several smiles were cracked at that.

For once, things were going right for Issei. For once, he didn't get something with strings attached. It was finally time for him to receive rewards and blessings for his centuries of service.

"So, what do you plan to do now?" Cleria asked.

"I'm not too sure." Issei shook his head.

"Well, for starters, we'll be returning ownership of the house back to you. You built this place and allowed us to live here. It's yours by right. If you want, we'll leave." Yaegaki announced.

"No, no, no, no. If you two left, then nobody is gonna clean the house." Issei laughed.

Sylderia was gleeful to hear him laugh and joke again. It was apparent that Issei was already healing. Others were actually stunned to see him crack a joke so casually. After dealing with his stoic personality for so long, this jovial attitude was all too new to everyone.

"Now that that's settled, there's one thing I need to do before all else."

"And what's that?" Anti-Eldesa asked.

"I need to go make it up to the others." Issei turned to Sylderia.

He was feeling rather tense, but this needed to happen, despite whatever she could be thinking. To his relief, she smiled, nodding supportively.

"Let's go." She brightly decided.

"Are you sure?" Issei asked.

It was a no-brainer that what they just did, might happen with the others as well.

"I lost you before. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Besides, I've already made agreements with the others." Sylderia responded, more serious than before.

"What will you do?" Issei turned to the Chaos Queens.

"We'll stick around a bit longer and then we'll leave." Anti-Morrighan shrugged.

"Alright. I'll see you all again soon."

Issei turned to his beloved Sylderia and without another word, he warped them away, heading to another destination, together.


See? Things weren't that bad…kind of. I'm not evil enough to screw Issei over that harshly. The guy deserves a major win for all that he's done. Anyways, I know that most of the reviewers were concerned about the ending, and I just want to remind everyone, not to jump the gun. There's still tons of chances for things to change.

With that said, it was a bit exhilarating to write this chapter, since we get to see a non-stoic Issei again, after about 19 chapters. I actually hadn't intended for him to be so cold and stoic but it fit the bill. Despite that, I'm feeling rusty with writing Issei like how he was before becoming the Grim Herald, so I need to get to work on that.

So, thanks again for tuning in and I will see you all at the next update.