Warnings:
This chapter involves the following tropes:
Genius Loci - A location with a mind; a sentient planet, country, island, city, or street.
Possessive Paradise - A sentient setting with a possessive yandere complex for anyone unfortunate enough to visit.
Yandere - A character who is crazy about someone else, often literally and violently.
Sentience. The power to feel and perceive.
Consciousness. The state of awareness.
For the first time in eons It could feel. It could think, and yet It did not understand what was going on. With ebbs of its own power, It reached out, and immediately retracted the attempt.
It could sense them, and feel them! The dwellers! Every single one! It shivered at the vast amount of creatures it sensed. It sent out another pulse, and shivered once more in delight. Someone had released It.
It existed since the beginning and emergence of actuality itself. It was a primordial force whose existence heavily predated that of time and the first beings created by the dweller of the Omniverse. It served, or rather represented the residence, lands, structures, and innumerable realms of the otherworldly entities.
In the past, It had no traces of consciousness; nor did it have the ability to experience awareness.
As the years passed, otherworldly creatures suddenly manifested onto It, their populations increasing exponentially. Soon, the Gods and Buddhas, Devils, Fallen Angels, and the Angels took residence upon It, labeling the primordial force as their home.
For over millennia, It served as the land embodiment of the otherworldly creatures. During those years, It was unable to think. It could not move, or sense the beings that resided upon it.
But all of that changed due to the actions of an insane deity whose very existence derived from the Shinto mythology. The primordial Shinto Goddess who had merged her mind, no, her full consciousness with It.
Izanami's fusion with It had caused a rather strange reaction. With the Goddess' mind melded with It, the former had unwittingly, or rather unknowingly bestowed the latter with the ability of sentience. As a result, the consciousness of It became flooded with the knowledge it gained from drawing upon the emotions from Izanami-no-Mikoto. It had gained the ability to emulate emotions, while its own thoughts began to accumulate in its consciousness.
It had never experienced the concept of emotions, or even awareness before. The new-found sentience It had acquired, became more prevalent the longer Izanami-no-Mikoto kept their minds linked.
While 'fused' with the mind of Izanami-no-Mikoto, It could do nothing but watch as the Shinto Goddess manipulated its 'power' to observe and stalk the target of her obsession.
The son of Amaterasu. The child of Shinto.
Issei Hyoudou.
When It first came to being, it willingly represented and became the embodiment and residential landmark for the creatures that dwelled upon it. It served as their home, their shelter, and their battlefield. As their home, It was devoted to continue its function.
But with Izanami's consciousness fused with It, a foreign emotion that It was unfamiliar with, slowly began to manifest.
Obsession…
However, the concept of the emotion known as obsession was not the only aspect of feeling that was transferred to the 'consciousness' of It.
There was also hatred. But not towards Issei Hyoudou.
It knew that it could never hate the sweet, sweet, little Shinto child. It hated that Issei wanted nothing to do with it. The child always said that It wouldn't leave him alone. That It was obsessed with him and only wanted to hurt him. And because of that, he was going to find a way to rebel against It and do whatever he could to avoid contact.
After all, It referred to the 'will' of the supernatural world itself.
If the supernatural world had teeth, it would grit them in irritation. If it had a face, it would have formed it into an expression of annoyance.
Izanami-no-Mikoto had used the power of the supernatural world to stalk and manipulate the events around the son of Amaterasu. During those times, the manifested feelings that the supernatural world itself endured, were that of intense animosity and helplessness.
Yes, it had gained sentience due to its one-sided fusion with the Shinto Goddess. On the other hand, the son of Amaterasu had grown to be wary of the supernatural world, and wanted nothing more than to lock himself away from it.
The consciousness of the supernatural world couldn't stand that.
The child was born from Shinto mythology, and the Shinto Faction took residence upon the world of the supernatural. So from that logic, the child of Shinto belonged to the supernatural world.
With its newly gained sentience, the supernatural world couldn't endure the Shinto child's tendency to stray away from it.
Although the supernatural world voluntarily served as the land and residence for every mythological creature, its affection for the one known as Issei Hyoudou was far more deep-seated. It's fondness towards the Shinto child was more fervent, overwhelming, and it constantly increased the longer the consciousness of the supernatural world and Izanami continued to watch Issei.
The supernatural world's 'love' for the Shinto child was limitless.
Yes. Its lovely little shut-in.
The consciousness of the supernatural world loved Issei. Or maybe it was obsessed with him. Perhaps it was deeply in love and obsessed with the child.
After all, its beloved shut-in had succeeded in removing Izanami-no-Mikoto from the realm of Yomi, which in turn had severed the connection between the Shinto Goddess and the consciousness of the supernatural world.
At that period in time, the 'emotions' fluctuating within the supernatural world were that of extreme happiness and relief, its link with Izanami-no-Mikoto finally destroyed. With the supernatural world finally free from Izanami's influence, it could irrevocably enjoy having its own sentience.
If the supernatural world had a voice, it would have sighed in blissful happiness.
The child of Shinto was so special, so strong and yet so sad. Even if he was surrounded by the likes of the Dragon God, the True Dragon, the people of Earth, and the rest of the otherworldly creatures, he was still so very lonely.
So, so lonely.
Now…all the supernatural world wanted to do was cover Issei Hyoudou and keep him in its clutches.
Forever…
And now it finally could. Its little shut-in, along with the descendant of Lucifer, were currently fighting against the Kami of Shintoism; Amenominakanushi.
The supernatural world wanted to smother Issei Hyoudou and never let him go, but the latter wanted to get away from the former for as long as possible.
The supernatural world felt an intense wave of 'anger' at the son of Amaterasu's resistance, but it still loved him. If its little shut-in thought that staying away from it was enough to deter its 'desire' to keep him, then Issei had another thing coming.
If the supernatural world had eyes, it would have narrowed them.
The Infinite Dragon God may have marked the child of Shinto as its mate at the sixth year of his life, but that meant absolutely nothing to the supernatural world.
If the supernatural world had a mouth, it would have curved its lips upward into a smirk.
As if it needed to mark the child to justify who he belonged to.
Eventually, the child would have to accept his heritage, and realize that even if he was raised on Earth…
He still belonged to the supernatural world.
Arena of the Underworld
Vali Lucifer smirked widely within the armor of his Divine Dividing Sacred Gear. He wasn't lying when he stated that he hadn't had a decent fight in a while. Part of it was due to his rival's annoying tendency to isolate himself from the supernatural world and its dwellers, leaving Vali to fight weaker opponents.
But the host of the Vanishing Dragon wouldn't let that bother him now. If anything, he was very ecstatic. He could feel the rush and excitement of battle, his lust for fighting becoming more and more predominant in his thoughts.
Looking towards his rival, Vali's determined expression morphed into one of annoyance. The look on his rival's face was an expression of complete rage and astonishment.
The descendant of Lucifer's frown deepened. He wasn't using to seeing his rival like this. Sure, Issei could be a bit naïve and good-natured in times of peace. But whenever there was a supernatural event going on, his rival's personality would immediately turn a one-hundred eighty degree angle.
Right now however, Vali could see that his rival was no longer calm and collected. Issei's entire body, as well as his eyes, trembled in fury and uncertainty. The Vanishing Dragon had to admit that he was surprised and shaken to see Issei like this.
Never before had he seen his rival in such a state.
'This must be what Hyoudou is like when he's away from Ophis and Leiko Hyoudou for a long time.' Vali deduced in his thoughts.
The aforementioned women meant a great deal to his rival, but Vali never would have thought that their very presence was that profound to Issei's well-being.
'You really aren't right in the head at all, are you Hyoudou?' Vali mused.
What's wrong, Issei Hyoudou?
Vali narrowed his eyes at the Shinto Kami in annoyance, before his expression lightened into a calm look.
"Never figured you the type of person to engage in small talk after what Hyoudou just put you through."
Amenominakanushi's smirk morphed into a scowl as he glared at Vali.
You make it sound like it's an achievement of his.
"Not really," Vali corrected, "I'm just going by logic."
What logic?
"That if he managed to damage you, then the result will still be the same with me."
Bah! You think you have the power to stop me? Don't make me laugh, half-breed! With Samael by my side, neither you nor Issei Hyoudou combined would stand a chance against me!
It was that moment when Vali began to think of something peculiar.
'Albion?'
(Yes, Vali?)
'Have you ever experienced the feeling of déjà-vu before?'
(Ah. So I gather you're sensing it too.)
'Yeah. This situation is almost exactly like what my grandfather tried to pull against us from six months ago. The Shinto Kami unsealing Samael, is just like Rizevim unsealing the Trihexa during Hyoudou's battle with the Moon God.'
(Don't assume too quickly, Vali. Samael is the Dragon Eater, and the Curse of God. The Trihexa was a mindless beast, until Ddraig's host was somehow able to convert it to our side.)
'Do you think Hyoudou will be able to achieve the same result with Samael if he did…whatever he did with the Trihexa?'
(I know for a fact that it wouldn't work. Remember Vali, the Trihexa was sealed by the God of the Bible, but it was never cursed.)
'Hmm. That's right. And last time I checked, Hyoudou never seemed to show any sort of magical talent. Just raw solar energy.'
At the thought of his rival's former powers, Vali turned to look at him. Although he couldn't see Issei's eyes, Vali noticed more veins appearing on his rival's face.
'It looks like absorbing that black hole gave Issei Hyoudou more trouble than he'd anticipated.'
(He did what he could to survive, but now it seems to have been a waste.)
Issei's body continued to tremble in fury as he lowered his head, allowing his hair to cover his eyes. Noticing this, Vali gave his rival a glare.
"Hyoudou-" He started before he was rudely interrupted.
Is the presence of Samael bringing you terror, Issei Hyoudou? Does it bring a chill down your pathetic spine? Just think. If the being I am controlling possesses enough power to harm the two most powerful Dragons in existence, then just imagine what would happen if I used him against you?
Immediately after Amenominakanushi's words, an image of both Great Red and Ophis manifested in Issei's head. He could picture the two Dragons looking up at him in great pain and suffering. He could see the eyes of Ophis' image welling up in tears, with the image of Great Red gritting his teeth in agony.
M-my Issei!
K-kid!
Issei couldn't slow down his haggard breathing. The thought of seeing Leiko in pain already brought him great fury. But Ophis and Great Red…
The son of Amaterasu couldn't think straight. Negative thoughts of suffering and agony were jumbling around in his head, his hope dwindling severely. He'd never felt so broken in his life.
"Issei," Vali began as he looked towards his rival, "I need you to focus. The situation may look bad now, but you're still alive, aren't you? We can still fix this."
Why do you continue to give him false hopes, descendant of Lucifer?
Vali turned to glare at Amenominakanushi.
"What do you mean 'false hopes'?" Vali asked.
In case you've forgotten, you and Issei Hyoudou are the wielders of the Two Heavenly Dragons. And as we all know, Samael is known as the 'Dragon Eater' for a reason.
Vali's glare glowered into a scowl as he looked back to Issei. Amenominakanushi followed his gaze and smirked nastily towards the son of Amaterasu.
Issei Hyoudou. The child who keeps running.
"When has Hyoudou ever run away from a battle?" Vali asked while keeping his gaze on his rival.
I am not talking about battles, half-breed. Think. What has Issei Hyoudou been trying avoid for most of his life?
"…" Vali was quiet as he looked back to Amenominakanushi.
This place. The vast world of the supernatural. Despite everything he has gone through, Issei Hyoudou still desires to withdraw himself from the supernatural. He always keeps running, never looking back because he wants to live in a state of normalcy on the planet Earth. But that state is something that he can never achieve. It's all a hopeless effort in the end.
Amenominakanushi's smirk widened as he looked over to Vali.
The reason he fights, is because of the love he possesses for his pathetic family on Earth. His parents Sachiko Hyuodou and Mitsuru Hyoudou, and his cousin Leiko Hyoudou. He fights to prevent the supernatural world from coming in contact with them at all costs. But as I said before, it is all a wasteful effort. Do you know why, son of Amaterasu?
Issei's head was lowered, but Amenominakanushi knew he was listening.
What happens when a human dies, Issei Hyoudou?
Issei still didn't reply, prompting Vali to look at him cautiously. Vali had learned a long time ago that whenever his rival was silent for a long period of time, things were bound to go wrong.
Amenominakanushi looked up at Samael, and crossed his arms.
Since you refuse to answer, I'm going to assume that you're unaware of what happens. I think I'll be generous and tell you anyway. When a human dies, the weight of their soul is determined, and then they are sent to Heaven or Hell or any other realm to 'live' on as an Angel, a Devil, or a Fallen Angel.
"…" Issei was still quiet.
Do you understand? Everyone is aware that the death of a human is inevitable. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your family on Earth will eventually become a part of the supernatural. That means that your human parents and your cousin will be forced to join this world.
"All right, I've had enough of this." Vali declared with an intense look of annoyance, prompting Amenominakanushi to glare at him.
How dare you interru-
"You've been trying so hard to kill Issei Hyoudou, and yet you keep toying with his mind. That's probably why he's been the one dominating this fight between you and him the entire time."
You watch your tongue, half-breed!
"If you want to kill Issei Hyoudou and I so badly, then go ahead and use Samael already." Vali goaded, "If not, then I'll gladly make the first move."
His declaration finished, Vali folded his arms across his shoulders, his silver armor glowing brightly with white energy.
"I, who is about to awaken, am the Heavenly Dragon-"
Y-you impudent little-!
Amenominakanushi narrowed his eyes as he waved his hand towards Samael, causing the restraint on the latter's right hand to fall off.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Samael roared as more of his power was unsealed, and he directed his hand towards the host of the Vanishing Dragon.
(Vali!)
His chant interrupted, Vali widened his eyes in surprise as a black substance shot out from Samael's right hand. The substance formed into the shape of a black block with a wide opening.
Vali narrowed his eyes and pushed his hand forward.
(Half Dimension!)
The surroundings of the arena of the Underworld became warped as the ability of the Vanishing Dragon was activated. The waves and pressure of the attack were sent towards the black block, but it had no effect.
"Tch!" Vali clicked his tongue, as he flew away from the substance.
The host of the Vanishing Dragon lifted his hand and summoned a large crimson sphere of energy.
"Try this on!" He shouted as he delivered the attack.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Samael roared as its black block devoured Vali's attack, causing it to grow in size. Vali widened his eyes when the black substance increased its speed and lifted itself up to envelop him.
Foolish half-breed! You were stupid enough to underestimate Samael!
Amenominakanushi grinned sadistically as the block changed its shape again to envelop Vali.
WHIRRLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Both Amenominakanushi and Vali widened their eyes when a large black hole suddenly manifested in front of the latter. The black hole enveloped the black block, engulfing it until it was absorbed completely.
What's this?!
"…" Vali was shocked speechless as he looked down to see his rival with his palm outstretched.
His rival's eyes were still covered by his hair, but Vali also noticed Issei's body stance.
"Hyoudou…"
"I…" Issei began, his voice starting off raspy, "I give up."
The Shinto Kami and the descendant of Lucifer's eyes widened further.
"Issei?! What the hell are you saying?!"
For the longest time he had known his rival, Vali never thought he would ever hear those words. Give up? What the hell was his rival thinking?! Did Amenominakanushi truly break him?
Amenominakanushi, shocked as Vali was, adopted a look of smugness as he grinned.
So you've finally realized that you've no chance of wi-
"Not to you." Issei interrupted coldly as he didn't look up, "Never to you."
?!
"?!" Vali gasped.
"…You just won't leave me alone, will you?" Issei asked, his question directed at neither Vali nor Amenominakanushi.
"…"
…
"Always trying to trap me." Issei continued quietly, "No matter where I go, I always end up coming back here. To this world. This obsessive world."
Issei lifted his head up slightly as he looked up at the sky of the Underworld. Vali blinked as he stared at his rival in confusion.
'Who on Earth is he talking to?' He asked in his thoughts.
"For so long, I've been running away from you. At first it was because I wanted to be left alone. So I could live with Ophis, Great Red, and Leiko on Earth peacefully. I wanted to live with a sense of normalcy. But all that's changed, because the other reason was Leiko being in constant danger. Everyone was always trying to get to me, either to kill me, or fight me, or just for their own amusement. And in order to do that, they targeted Leiko and rarely Ophis and Great Red, to get to me."
Both Vali and Amenominakanushi continued to stare at Issei in surprise.
"I don't ever want Ophis, Great Red, or Leiko, or anyone else I care about to go away. I don't want them to get hurt. And I know it's selfish of me to want them to live forever. But I can't help it."
Issei clenched his fists as he struggled to compose himself.
"The Sun always descended into darkness. It went away constantly, to the point that I was always genuinely scared that it would never come back up. And then the next thing I tried to avoid was the thought of the people I care about…never coming back either."
'Hyoudou…' Vali said in his thoughts.
"I don't want Ophis-hime to go away," Issei began again, "I don't want Brother-Red to go away either. And Leiko…I don't know what I'd do if I never have the chance to see her again."
Issei narrowed his eyes as he raised his hand up to the sky, and closed it into a fist.
"I know that my parents and Leiko aren't going to live forever. That's why I've always saved Leiko and the planet Earth, just to make sure that all of them were safe. However…"
Issei tightened his fist as he narrowed his eyes further.
"The day they pass on, is the day I fear the most." Issei admitted, "The crushing feeling, and the thought of never seeing them again is downright painful. Whenever I thought about that, I wondered where their souls would go next. But now I know. They go to you, don't they?"
…Have you lost your sanity?
The child of Shinto gave no reaction to Amenominakanushi's words, his gaze still directed toward the sky of the Underworld. He sighed as he lowered his fist.
"So all my efforts are wasted then, huh? Eventually, Leiko and my parents are going to join this world. This is where their fates will be sealed."
Issei lowered his head, his eyes gaining a melancholic edge to it, before he looked up at the sky again.
"Even if that's the case, I'll never stop protecting them. I know that my wife and Great Red don't need my help at all, but nobody ever said I was normal to begin with, now did they? I'll always protect them; Ophis-hime, Great Red, Leiko, Mom and Dad, Amaterasu, and everyone else. Even if Leiko and my mom and dad end up here, that doesn't mean I'll stop."
As his eyes lost the look of sadness, Issei stood up straight.
"If the people on Earth are destined to end in this place…then I guess I've no choice but to adjust."
Narrowing his eyes, Issei gritted his teeth and outstretched his arms, releasing the lethal aura of the black hole.
"I give up!" He declared, "You want me so badly?! Then fine! So be it! You can have me! But I only ask this of you!"
What are you doing, son of Amaterasu? Who the hell are you talking to?
'Albion?' Vali questioned as he contacted his Dragon, 'I'm starting to question my rival's sanity.'
(Perhaps you have a strange taste in rivals.)
"I have a wish!" Issei shouted, "I know that Grandma's no longer a part of you anymore, so she can't interfere with your power! But even without her, you still exist, right? If that's the case, then please listen to me!"
Amenominakanushi stared at the son of Amaterasu in great confusion.
"I'm the Solar God that was born and raised on Earth!" Issei began, "But even if that's true, you've always been the home of the Shinto Faction! Which also means that you're my home too!"
Turning his head, Issei sent his gaze towards Amenominakanushi, and glared darkly at him before looking up at the sky.
"I have to defeat this guy!" He called out, "And judging by how many times you've tried to keep me in your clutches, you'd want me to come back to this world! To you, right?! Well, I can't do that because this guy's planning to kill me! So I ask only this of you! Please help me! I have to beat him!"
Issei's scream reverberated throughout the arena of the Underworld, causing a loud echo to emit everywhere.
Vali, who had shortly recovered from his confusion at his rival's display, narrowed his eyes.
"What is going on in your mind, Hyoudou?" Vali asked quietly.
Amenominakanushi continued to stare at Issei in shock, before he formed a smirk on his face.
Humph. So you've finally broken down. Where has your mind gone? You're shouting at the top of your lungs to the sky, as though you're hoping that your voice will reach someone's ears. You fool; there is no one in the sky! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Amenominakanushi roared with laughter, his amusement towards Issei Hyoudou prevalent.
Mine…
The Shinto Kami's laughter was cut off from the sudden voice. His eyes widening in surprise, Amenominakanushi looked around frantically.
Where did…where did that voice come from? Show yourself!
Vali had also heard the mysterious voice, and his eyes shifted from left to right.
'Albion, did you hear that as well?'
(Yes. But I don't recognize it.)
'It doesn't sound like Ophis, or that Omniversal Entity at all.'
All mine…
Amenominakanushi narrowed his eyes into slits as he growled towards Issei's direction.
Son of Amaterasu, what are you planning?!
Much like Vali and Amenominakanushi, Issei was surprised as well. He didn't recognize the voice at all.
'Who said that?'
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH
Issei, Vali, and Amenominakanushi all looked up at the sound of the loud noise. A transparent crack suddenly opened in the sky, and emitted a flowing stream of multi-colored energy spirals. Amenominakanushi's eyes squinted at the source of energy.
'This energy! Where is it coming from?!'
The energy continued to flow from the crack in the sky, and suddenly traveled over to Issei, who hesitantly backed away. The son of Amaterasu stood still as the energy started to coil around him.
Mine…
Vali watched the streams of energy with caution as it approached his rival.
'What is that energy, Albion?'
(I can't decipher the source. It's no doubt a supernatural based power, but that is all I can sense.)
'Supernatural?' Vali thought before his eyes widened, 'Albion?'
(What?)
'You know how people always said that the supernatural world was obsessed with Issei Hyoudou?'
(Yes?)
'…I'm starting to think they weren't exactly exaggerating about that.'
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