I do not own Highschool DxD. Highschool DxD is owned by Fujimi Shobo, Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Funimation, and Ichie Ishibumi. Please support the official release.


[Ddraig talking]

[Ddraig thinking]

{Albion talking}

{Albion thinking}

|Tiamat talking|

|Tiamat thinking|

Mental Communication

"Regular Dialogue"

Attacks/Spells


Hyoudou Manor, November 28, 2019, 10:30 PM, Current Time: 4 Minutes and 37 Seconds Til Midnight


Issei and Akeno just stared at each other in silence. Issei looked at her with barely any emotion in his face. Zin looked down at her new master and over to the woman in front of them and tilted her head in confusion. She sensed a million emotions running through the mind of her master. Anger. Sadness. Confusion. She had to stop to allow herself some room to calm down or else she would be overtaken by his emotions.

Irina looked between the two with bated breath. Yuki slept in her arms soundly unaware of the standoff between the two people in front of her. Her violet eyes darted back and forth between Akeno and Issei.

Akeno felt something slowly trickling down the sides of her face. She was crying. She was crying tears of joy. Joy at the fact that Issei had returned to them. Akeno could finally set things right with him and go back to how it used to be. The daily arguments the girls had at who would sleep with Issei first. Koneko and Ravel's constant war for Issei's lap. Discussing the future of Issei's harem and the girls they would approve. The names of children they would have. All of it. She would finally get it all back. She could fix the damage done to them.

"Issei… you're back," Akeno said, reaching out for him.

Issei stood there, looking at her sadly. He needed to do this. He needed to tell her.

"Akeno."

The two froze and turned to see Rias standing behind them. Rias and Issei locked eyes momentarily before looking away.

"Rias-sama! Issei is back! We can finally fix this! We can fix all the damage that was done!" Akeno said. Rias didn't have the heart to look at her. Behind Rias, the other girls had congregated at the door. Koneko wasted no time, sprinting over to Issei and hugging him tightly. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss Issei when he gently grabbed her and pulled her off.

Koneko was confused. Why wasn't Issei returning her affections? Why was he looking at her with such sadness? Everything was going to be okay right? Akeno promised everything would be okay.

"Issei," Xenovia said, walking over to him.

"Everyone. Let's… take this inside," Issei said.

Rias nodded and motioned for her peerage to follow her in. Issei walked next to her. The air between them was awkward. Their remaining lingering feelings for each other made the walk to the living room longer than it needed to be.

Rossweisse glanced between Issei and Irina, the latter which sent her hand signals that told her that they would talk later.

Eventually, they reached the living room where Issei sat on one side and all the other girls, sans Irina, Asia, Mitsuki, and Ingvild stood off in between them. Kiba and Gasper also stood next to the four mentioned girls as they watched the tension grow heavier and heavier by the second.

"Issei," Rias said. "Just… tell them what you told me."

Issei bit his lip. So much for letting this all out gently. Rias practically threw him under the bus with those words.

"Rias-sama, what are you talking about? What did Issei tell you?" Akeno said.

"Akeno," Issei said, drawing her attention.

Akeno turned to him with pleading eyes. It was as if she knew what he was going to say. The other girls looked between the two, holding their breath as they waited for Issei to speak.

"God, this is harder than I thought it would be," Issei thought.

[Just power through it. Like you did with Rias.] Ddraig said.

Issei sucked in a breath and mentally prepared himself. It was like Rias. He needed to do this.

"Akeno, Koneko, Ravel, Xenovia… I'm sorry," Issei said.

"What are you apologizing for, Senpai? If anything, we should be apologizing to you! What do you want? A naked apron? A massage? Please tell us what we can do to-!" Koneko was interrupted by Issei.

"Koneko!"

She went quiet at his outburst. Issei sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"We can't continue this relationship anymore…," Issei said.

Akeno's eyes widened as tears began to stream down her face. She felt her heart slowly crumble to pieces while it was being dipped in boiling hot lava. Akeno quickly shook her head and smiled. It wasn't her normal flirty smile or her loving smile. This was a smile of someone desperate. Someone who was in denial.

"No, no, no. You're just lying! That… that was a nice joke, Issei! You got us there, right Rias?" Akeno said, nudging Rias with her elbow. Rias merely looked down, her heart tearing itself in two again. Tears fell from her eyes onto the floor before she looked up at Akeno.

"He's… not lying. He broke up with me already," Rias said.

"BUT WHY!?" Xenovia shouted. "IT'S NOT OUR FAULT! IT WAS THAT WITCH AND WHOEVER SHE WORKED FOR!"

Her aura was being released in waves and shook the entire building.

"XENOVIA! STAND DOWN!" Rias ordered, unleashing her aura and killing intent on the poor girl. Xenovia's mouth snapped shut and nodded her head shakily before sitting down.

"Issei… you're not leaving us right?" Ravel asked. "You're just joking right?"

"I'm sorry but I'm not. I know it wasn't your fault. It wasn't even Yatogami-sensei's fault but… even so, I didn't know. If I try to force myself, all I can see is you guys and what you did with them," Issei said. "It… hurts me just being in a relationship with you all. I'll tell you the same thing I did with Rias… it's not you guys. It's me. I can't see all of you without seeing them every time we do a romantic gesture. And for that, I'm sorry. Sorry for not being able to notice that you were controlled. Sorry for not being strong enough to overcome this get back with you because even though I'm a dragon or devil or whatever the hell I am. I'm still human where it counts and I hurt like a human does. I can't forget but… I can forgive. Maybe one day… we'll be close again but never as lovers."

"Senpai… no. Please! I'll do anything! Just, please! Don't leave me!" Koneko said, jumping onto Issei. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, refusing to let go.

"Koneko…," Issei said.

"I'll give you virginity! Is that good enough!? Will that prove it!?" Koneko said.

"Koneko," Rias said. She placed her hand on Koneko's shoulder.

"No!" she said.

"Please don't make me do this," Rias said.

"I won't accept this! You gave up too easily! You-!"

"Go to sleep," Rias said as her eyes flashed blue. An eerie flower design spun lazily around her pupil.

Koneko's eyes began to droop slowly before the grasp of sleep took her and she collapsed onto Issei.

Xenovia looked at Issei with tears streaming down her face.

"I… need to be alone," Xenovia said, leaving the room in a hurry. She walked past Irina, who looked at her sadly.

"Ravel," Issei said.

She walked over to him and slapped him.

"RAVEL!" Rias scolded.

"I can't believe this. I won't believe this. But… if that's what you want, let me have it," Ravel said, leaning in. "One more time."

Issei looked at her with a slightly stunned look before nodding. He cupped her face and gave her one last kiss to which she returned fervently. The two poured their feelings into it before Ravel pulled out and formed a magic circle, most likely teleporting back to the Phenex Manor.

He turned his gaze on who looked at him blankly. Without saying a word, Akeno stood and ran out of the house. Issei and Rias were shocked but nevertheless expected the action. As Issei got up to go catch up with her, Rias placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll… I'll go get her," Rias said. "You go rest. We'll talk more in the morning."

Issei nodded. Rias smiled a little and left the house to pursue Akeno. After he heard the door close behind her, Issei collapsed back into the couch, Koneko still asleep on him.

Kiba walked over to him and took Koneko off him. Sensing the tension from a few seconds earlier, Kiba attempted to change the subject.

"Did you have a nice trip?" Kiba asked as he placed Koneko on the other side of the couch.

"You have no idea," Issei said, chuckling.

"Well," Rossweisse said, sitting down next to Issei. "How about you all tell us what happened over in the states to try and get your mind off things that happened here?"

"Well, it went something like this," Issei started.


Akeno ran. It was all she could do and it was what she was best at. She had run from her past before. Before Issei brought her and her past together and reconciled them. And now, what was she doing? Running. Running from the rejection. Running from the anguish. Blinded by the tears that poured from her eyes like a river cascading over a waterfall, Akeno turned a corner and ran.

After several minutes of running, Akeno tripped and fell face first. Groaning and rubbing her head, she opened her eyes and gasped at where she had run to. It was a small overlook located a ways away from the neighborhood in which they lived. It was where Issei had taken her before the Battle against Trihexa. It was where… they promised their futures with each other. The memory was as clear as day to her.


"Issei-kun?" Akeno looked at Issei curiously as he took her hand and led her down the road. Issei had a shit-eating grin on his face as he led her up the road, climbing up the hill.

"Huh? Oh, Akeno-san, don't worry! You're going to love this place. I showed it to Buchou a while back on our second date and we come here frequently when we go alone," Issei said, grinning.

Akeno smiled warmly, a light blush dusting her cheeks.

The two walked in comfortable silence for several more minutes until Issei went off the road and down a dirt path. Curious, Akeno merely followed along, appreciating the wildlife around her. Birds chirped happily while critters chattered amongst each other in the trees. It was times like this that Akeno forgot the War against the Khaos Brigade. The war against Rizevim Livan Lucifer. It was just… an ideal peace. And it was one that they would be willing to sacrifice themselves for. Just for more days like this. Days when all that mattered were your looks, grades, and next food or whatever it was people desired. But for one Akeno Himejima, all she wanted was more. More peaceful moments with her beloved Issei.

"Here we are!" Issei said as he let go of her hand. He gestured dramatically to it. Akeno marveled at how beautifully simple it all was. It wasn't grand nor did it possess the alluring beauty that meadows that painters gazed upon had. But it was charming in its own way. Before her, was a cliff meadow filled with several species of flowers, the most abundant being the white daisy. A gentle breeze wafted past them, making all the flowers sway and dance gently. Akeno smiled at the scenery. No wonder Issei and Rias came here often. What it lacked in majesty, it made up for in its simplicity.

"Irina and I used to come here a lot when we were kids," Issei said. He knelt next to a rock where they etched their names with a knife that Irina had stolen from her father. Well, back then, he was unaware that she was a girl, something she never let him live down. A distant memory of a childhood long gone.

I+I Besties Forever.

He smiled and his eyes drifted down to another etch in the rock.

I+R, A Bond Unbreakable

"Issei-kun," Akeno said. She glanced over his shoulder and saw the etches in the rock.

"Wanna have a go at it?" Issei asked.

"What about the others?" Akeno asked.

"I'll take them up one by one but for now, wanna carve our names?" Issei asked, handing her a small knife.

"Adding more girls to your little official harem tally?" Akeno asked, teasingly as she knelt next to him.

"That's right. This here rock shall be proof that I, Issei Hyoudou, have gone to where no man has gone before. I have sampled all Oppai! Big Oppai! Small Oppai! Medium Sized Oppai! In-Between Oppai! This rock shall prove that I have become Harem King!" Issei boasted.

Akeno giggled at Issei's small speech.

"Let's start but… mine will be different from theirs!" Akeno said, positioning the blade of the knife on the rock.


Akeno smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. Her fingers traced over the etch that she and Issei had created on the rock in front of her.

Ordained by Heaven and Hell themselves

May they be forever entwined and have a bond

Greater than any before them and after them

Issei and his Akeno

"Issei," Akeno's face began to break in despair as the more she recalled the conversation they had earlier. The words etched before her were just a cruel lie. A dashed hope. A shattered dream.

Akeno just sobbed quietly, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them closely. As she sobbed, all her instincts began to scream at her to run. A twig snapped behind her, snapping her out of her despair. She turned and saw no one but she could sense it.

An ominous, malevolent feeling that permeated the air and threatened to make her vomit at how vile it felt.

"Who's there?" Akeno asked. "Come out!"

"Oh, dear child," the voice said, seemingly coming from every direction. "Your despair… pains me."

Akeno gritted her teeth. It mocked her. Mocked her grief.

"But I do love to see my handiwork every now and again," the voice whispered from behind her.

Akeno snapped and blasted the area behind her with a bolt of yellow lightning, destroying a large portion of the field.

"How rude," the voice said. Akeno felt a chill go down her spine, ever so slowly as if it enjoyed the feeling it gave her.

Akeno whirled around desperately, firing blast after blast of lightning into the air. All the while, the voice laughed and continued to mock her.


Rias walked down the road, looking for her best friend. She sighed.

"Akeno! Come on! Let's talk!" Rias said.

No response from anyone.

"I know that it hurts. I really do. Please let me help you! Let's help each other!" Rias called out.

A blast of lightning ignited the night sky, catching Rias's attention. She felt Akeno's power rise as if responding to something. Worry swirled around inside her gut as she took off running in the direction of the lightning bolt.


"It's futile, little girl," the voice said.

Akeno gritted her teeth. Her eyes darted around, watching as the shadows grew more and more pronounced as the light of the moon began to fade into the darkness.

"Tch! Holy Lightning Dragon!" Akeno yelled as a massive dragon with five heads comprised of yellow lightning manifested itself and roared.

"Ohh? Holy Lightning~! I haven't seen anyone use Holy Lightning since my mother and Baraqiel," the voice said.

"And now you can taste it!" Akeno said as she threw her hand down. The dragon roared and attacked the area, firing at every shadow she could find. Explosions rocked the field as lightning rained down on the area.

"Now, now."

Akeno felt a sharp pain erupt on her back as she was knocked onto the floor. She looked up and saw the shadows consuming her dragon.

"Gah!" Akeno felt herself being lifted by the throat, a shadowy hand wrapped around it and began to crush her windpipes. She looked down and saw a male shadowy figure with toxic yellow eyes staring into her own.

"Now, now, little bird. I need your help. You see," the figure leaned in and whispered into Akeno's ear. Her eyes widened as her struggles grew more desperate with each word he said.

"Understand?" he asked.

"I will never help you! You can go to Hel-!" Akeno's voice was drowned out as black smoke forced itself into her mouth. The figure in front of her was slowly vanishing as the smoke entered her body.

"Been there… done that. Besides, your compliance was never a factor," the figure said before it vanished. Akeno fell as the shadows disappeared. Her entire body spasmed on the ground as her eyes were wide. Her irises flickered between violet and yellow before finally settling on violet.

"Ugghhh," Akeno put a hand on her head, trying to make the throbbing pain subside.

"Akeno!"

She turned and saw Rias running towards her.

"Rias-sama?" Akeno said.

"Are you alright?" Rias asked. Her eyes widened when she saw the devastation around her.

"What happened?" Akeno asked.

"What? I was about to ask you that. It looks like you had a temper tantrum or something," Rias said. "What happened? Did our breakup with Issei really…?"

"No, it's… I don't remember anything past coming here," Akeno said.

"Come on," Rias said, placing Akeno's arm over her shoulder. "Let's get you home."

"Yeah," Akeno said.


4:56 AM


The doorbell rang over and over, waking Issei up. He groaned as he slipped out of bed and walked groggily to his door. Making his way down the stairs, Issei walked blearily over to the door. He looked out the window and saw that the sun was barely rising over the horizon. Who the hell was knocking on the door at this hour?

The doorbell chimed once more, causing Issei to groan.

"Okay, okay!" Issei said as he unlocked the door. He opened it to reveal the ever-familiar ears of Risa, who stood there looking at him.

"Risa-san," Issei said, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.

"Issei," Risa said. "You could have told me you guys were leaving."

"Sorry, but we didn't want to disturb you on… whatever it was you were doing," Issei said.

"It's fine," Risa said.

"Are you going to greet me too?" a voice from behind Risa said.

Issei blinked and noticed a tall elderly man standing behind the Tanuki Angel. The old man behind her was muscular for his age with long flowing white hair. His bangs framed his jaw and had dark red eyes. He wore a simple black kimono with a haori over it. Around his neck was a red scarf decorated with yellow flower designs. He wore a black hakama with black tabi boots and around his neck, sticking out from below his scarf was a necklace with the Blacklight Logo.

"Um, who are you?" Issei asked, glancing at the old man.

"Issei, this is Taki Adashino. He's the Head of the Japanese Chapter of Blacklight," Risa said.

"This old guy?" Issei asked.

"Hahahaha! I like you brat!" Taki said. "Now show me the booze. I haven't had a drink in a while."

"Taki-dono! Please refrain from drinking this early!" Risa said as the old man walked past her and Issei and into the house.

"Hey, it's nine o'clock somewhere," Taki said.

"Hey, wait! Don't touch that!" Issei said as he ran after the man.

After getting Taki some sake, Issei and Risa sat down in front of the man as he downed the bottle in front of them. They were amazed at how much a single human, let alone an elderly one, could drink.

"Are you going to be okay?" Issei asked.

"It's gonna take more than one bottle of this cheap shit to kill me, kid," Taki said as he leaned back.

"Why are you here?" Issei asked.

"Well, I came to see the newest member of my branch! The Red Dragon Emperor himself!" Taki said.

"So you came to induct me?" Issei asked.

"Not just you but your twin and the angel. As new, priority members, I took it upon myself to introduce you to our world," Taki said, taking another swig of sake from the bottle. "Haha, this is the good stuff. Must be one of the perks of knowing the current Lucifer!"

"You just called it cheap shit two seconds ago," Risa said.

"I did?" Taki asked.

"Yeah. So, do we have to do anything now that you're here? Like, move closer to the base?" Issei asked.

"No, you can stay here. Most agents don't live in the base. The only ones who do are the employees and hunters who live in the area. You're fine where you are," Taki said.

"So what now?" Issei asked.

"Now, I take you to the main base and give you a small tour. Introduce you to your fellow agents. I already have you guys assigned to the Hunter Division. R&D and Information won't cut it for you three," Taki said.

"Wait now?" Issei asked.

"Yup," Taki said, grinning.

"Can't this wait?" Issei said, yawning.

"No can do, kid," Taki said. "We have to leave while the others are still asleep."

"Ugghh, it's so early though," Issei complained.

"Don't worry. This'll be the only time I do this but it's better to do it now than later while no one knows. Just get that operative from America, your girlfriend, and sister and leave a note or something," Taki said.

"Fine. Risa, can you come up with an excuse for us?" Issei asked.

"You want me to lie?" she asked.

"Yeah," Issei said.

"Alright. I'll try to keep them off your back," Risa said, sighing in annoyance as her red eyes rested upon the old man in front of them.

"Sorry to drop this on you all of a sudden," Issei said.

"It's fine," Risa reassured him, smiling as she did.

"Let me go get Ingvild, Irina, and Mitsuki," Issei said.

After several minutes passed and several groans and yells of anger coming from the second floor later, Issei stood at the base of the stairs with Mitsuki on his back sleeping and Irina standing next to him, trying to rub the remaining sleep from her eyes. Ingvild just stood there with her eyes half-closed and yawning constantly. All four wore baggy clothing as Taki stood in front of them.

"I promise. I'll have you back in time to get some sleep," Taki said. He raised his hand and pulled back his sleeve, revealing a small black watch.

"Okay. I need a rift at these coordinates," Taki said.

A voice came from the watch.

"Copy that Leader," the voice said.

"Wait, are you opening a Warp Gate?" Ingvild asked.

"Yup," he said.

"This place is warded and they'll sense it," Issei said.

"Oh, I'm disrupting the warding right now to allow this. I know that this place is warded. Oh and for future reference, maybe have someone else place warding. It's very easy to break into," Taki said.

A whirring noise alerted them to the space in front of Taki. The air warped and collapsed in on itself as the lights flickered. A familiar green vortex opened in front of them.

"Welp, after you," Taki said, gesturing to the four.

Ingvild shrugged before walking into the portal. Issei and Irina looked at each other while Mitsuki finally opened her eyes and kicked her brother lightly. He moved his head back, lightly slamming it into her face before walking into the portal with Irina.

Taki took one last sip of the sake before setting the bottle down and walked in, the portal closing behind him.

Risa stood there looking at the place where the portal once was for a few seconds before walking upstairs to get some much-needed sleep.


Japanese Blacklight Base, Kegon Falls, Japan


Issei, Irina, Mitsuki, and Ingvild marveled at the sight as they arrived. It was as impressive as the American Base. They had arrived in the docking bay. Dozens of land mobiles, aircraft, and ships were being maintained as engineers ran back and forth across the hangar. The sound of crashing water meant that they were near a waterfall.

"The base extends underneath Lake Chuzenji and is carved into the mountain where Kegon Falls pours over," Taki said as he appeared behind them.

"The base is underwater?" Ingvild asked.

"Most of it is," he said. "The Hangar Bay is the only part that extends above the ground so to speak."

"There's has to be a zillion boats and jets in here," Irina said. "How do you guys get them out without being noticed?"

"Highly advanced cloaking technology courtesy of MagiTech developed in our labs," Taki said.

"Oh yeah, I remember Tohka and Mica mentioning something about that. What is MagiTech?" Issei asked, getting Mitsuki off his back.

"I'll explain while I give you a tour of the base and explain what we do here… did Cornelius tell you what we do?" Taki asked as he led them out of the Bay.

"Yeah, you guys hunt monsters right? And monitor the pantheons?" Irina said.

"We do more than that. We're like a shadow Red Cross only if the Red Cross fought terrorists too. We don't just monitor the Supernatural World, we monitor the Human World too… because in some ways, humans are worse monsters than Gods," Taki said as he placed his hand on a scanner.

Issei, Mitsuki, and Irina remained silent while Ingvild nodded along.

"Anyway, as you probably know about the American Chapter, it was founded by Catherine D'Arc, the younger sister of Jeanne D'Arc," Taki said. "The Japanese Chapter was founded by Durand Lassois, who was Jeanne D'Arc's uncle. He came here after Jeanne-sama was burned at the stake for her repeated victories in the Hundred Years War."

"So this branch was founded by her uncle?" Irina asked.

"Yes, Lassois-sama is forever immortalized here as a memory," Taki said.

"How big is the base?" Ingvild asked.

"Hmm, the American Chapter's main headquarters is about 20 square kilometers in surface area. Our main HQ is about 17 square kilometers. Mainly because of the fact that we're near a tourist attraction. A majority of that area is at the bottom of Lake Chuzenji," Taki said. "Ah."

In front of them was a small golf-cart similar to the one they rode in the American Chapter.

"Get in," Taki said as he got in the driver's seat.

"No one drives these for you guys?" Mitsuki asked as she sat in the back next to Ingvild.

"We do but I have my own and I can guarantee you that Cornelius does too," Taki said as he turned on the cart.

The group drove down a massive road that connected the main complex's various departments. They looked and saw several rooms with people tinkering on devices, people experimenting with chemicals, and several windows where they saw people sparring with each other.

"Hey, Taki," Issei said.

"Yeah?" Taki said.

"What are those people working on?" Issei asked.

"Ah, right MagiTech. MagiTech is our answer to the Sacred Gear," Taki said. "You know how Azazel has artificial Sacred Gears that he creates?"

They nodded.

"Our version and answer to that is MagiTech. At least, originally that was the purpose of the invention. It was developed during the Mexican-American War in the United States and soon became a collaborative effort by our organization's brightest minds," Taki said.

"But it failed in the end," he said.

"It failed?" Irina asked.

"Yes, much like Artificial Sacred Gears, MagiTech failed to achieve the same effects as a Sacred Gear but instead, we got something more out of it," he said. "Unlike Sacred Gear, MagiTech is more flexible, more uses for it other than combat or performing miracles. MagiTech can be used for everyday purposes. All of our technology here is MagiTech. From the base computers to the satellites we have in orbit around the Earth."

"So they can be used as weapons too?" Issei asked.

"Yes. Most of the MagiTech seen in the base can be considered Generalized, or for public use," Taki said. "But MagiTech weapons have another category added to them. Specialized MagiTech Weapons or SMWs for short."

"What's the difference?" Mitsuki asked.

"SMWs can only be used by the person it was specifically forged for due to the specific recognition of the donor's soul signature," he said.

"Soul signature?" Irina asked.

"SMWs are forged with a piece of the commissioner's soul," Ingvild answered for her. "That way, after it's done, no one other than the commissioner can use it."

"So when can we get one?" Issei asked. He winced as Irina elbowed him in the side.

"Don't be rude," she said.

"HAHAHA!" Taki said. "I'll send a notice down to R&D after we get you settled, there are still some things we need to talk about."

Mitsuki's eyes glanced down over the railing to a massive arena-style room. It was massive, at least several hundred meters across.

"What's that?" Mitsuki asked.

"Oh, that? That's one of our sparring areas for simulation training. The room is meant to simulate over 325 different environments using a combination of space-time seals and Warp Gate MagiTech," Taki said.

"Even weather conditions?" Irina asked.

"Even that. Most of the enemies or bots that we spawn are constructed of solidified light similar to Angelic Light but not holy. We refer to it as Hard Light. You can adjust the AI setting from Easy to Difficult," Taki said.

Issei and Mitsuki grinned at his words.

After a few more minutes of driving, Taki stopped and parked the cart outside a room.

"We'll talk more in here," he said as he exited the cart. The rest followed him and entered the room. Inside was a massive computer with several floating screens at the center of the chamber. Desks lined the east side of the room while shelves upon shelves lined the west. At the northern end of the room was another computer, but this time it was smaller than the one in the center.

"Wow, your data room is bigger than ours," Ingvild said, marveling at the sight.

"Hah, Cornelius needs to step up his game," Taki said.

"Not needed. We have Dantalion in our chapter," Ingvild said.

Taki snorted in amusement as he led them to the computer at the end of the room.

"Here to officially get you into the Organization. We'll see if the registration that Cornelius did works," Taki said. He reached into the air and a small void formed in front of him. He reached in and grabbed three small metallic spheres.

"I assume you have yours on you, Leviathan-san?" Taki asked, glancing at them.

"Yup! I have it right here," Ingvild said, pulling a small sphere from her pocket.

"Go ahead and log in," Taki said, stepping aside.

Ingvild walked forward to the terminal and placed her sphere inside a small indent in the terminal's interface. The sphere glowed as the screen began to change.

Welcome, Ingvild Leviathan

"Woah. Is this your database?" Mitsuki asked.

"Not our entire database but most of it. Like any other organization, we do have clearance levels," Taki said.

Ingvild pressed her sphere and logged out of the system.

"All yours," she said.

"So, who's first?" Taki said.

"I'll go!" Mitsuki said. Taki handed her a silver sphere with blue highlights.

"How do I do this?" she asked.

"Place the sphere on that small indent like Ingvild did. Oh, by the way, these are called Armillary Spheres, or AS for short. They're like phones but are connected to our network. You can access the surface layer of the database from anywhere as well as the internet," Taki said.

Mitsuki nodded and placed her AS on the small circular indent and it whirred to life much like Ingvild's did.

Scanning...

Scanning…

Welcome, Mitsuki Hyoudou

"Cool!" she said, pressing the sphere and logging out.

Irina went next, receiving a sphere with white highlights on it. Mimicking Mitsuki and Ingvild, she placed her AS on the indent.

Welcome, Irina Shidou.

She smiled and pressed the sphere, logging out.

"Last but not least," Taki said, handing Issei a silver sphere with red and black highlights.

Issei placed his AS on the small indent and logged in.

Welcome, Issei Hyoudou.

"So, how do I access the database?" Issei asked.

"Firstly, log out," Taki said. Issei pressed the sphere and logged off. Taki walked over to the screen and swiped it, slicing off a tablet-sized transparent rectangle and handed it to Issei.

"Here you go. I'll show you how to access it from your AS later but for now, click on that little star icon," Taki said.

Issei looked down at the screen and tapped on the star.

Accessing Blacklight Dossier

A search tab appeared on the screen with a keyboard underneath.

"You can search that while we head to my office," Taki said as he walked past them.

Issei nodded as he followed them out. Taki's voice was drowned out as he concentrated on his tablet.

"O...phis," Issei typed.

Blacklight Dossier: File ∞

File Name: Ophis

GPS Ranking: Primal Class Being

File Info:

The Infinite Dragon God. Ouroboros Dragon. Other than that, knowledge of her falls under speculation or rumors as she has never been observed here. But through texts we found in the Genesis Tablet and had translated by the last Prophet, Ophis is a Primal Being. One who embodied Primal Chaos, that which existed before the Material World. She who sliced Assiah and Beriah apart. Ophis is theorized to have descended from a higher dimension above that of which we have discovered so far. From the tablet's translation, there existed two before the concepts of Dream, Divinity, Life, and Death. Chaos and Genesis. Ophis was Primordial Chaos. Genesis's identity has yet to be translated due to a lack of a Prophet.

Currently, Ophis has isolated herself once more in the Dimensional Gap, with no intention of coming to Assiah for now.

"Hey, Taki?" Issei asked.

"Yeah," he said.

"What's a Primal Class Being?" Issei asked.

"Ah, it's our addition to the Global Power System. As you know, the Power Ranking goes as follows: Low, Middle, High, Ultimate, and Deity. However, Ophis and Great Red cannot be constrained to such a rank so we created a rank for them known as Primal Class. There's a class between Primal and Deity known as Cosmic but that's for later," Taki said.

"Where would Trihexa fall?" Irina asked.

"We don't know but based on observations, it's a Primal Class being. A strange one considering that Primal Class Beings are considered to be older than Creation or as old," Taki said.

Issei nodded and swiped through. He read more and more files, all of them extremely detailed. There was one of Rias, containing details about her Issei didn't even know about and Issei doubted that she knew this.

"Did you know Rias had an older sister?" Issei said, catching Irina's attention.

"She had what?" Irina leaned over and looked at the file.

"Annalise Gremory," Issei said. He clicked on the photo and a picture of a beautiful young woman with vibrant, unruly red hair appeared on his screen. Her soft blue eyes stared gently back at him and a gentle smile was plastered on her face.

"Woah, she looks like an older Rias," Irina commented.

"Let me see!" Mitsuki snatched the tablet from Issei.

"Wow… she really does look like Rias," Mitsuki muttered.

"What happened to her?" Irina asked.

"Says here she's dead. Died in combat during the Devil Civil War upon orders of Rizevim Livan Lucifer, who utilized the Naamah Clan to do it. It also says that her death caused… Sirzechs-nii to slaughter most of the clan… Jeez," Issei said.

"Alright, here we are at the main R&D Lab," Taki said, pressing his hand on the door.

Issei, Irina, and Mitsuki's eyes widened at the sight. The lab was large. At least as large as Kuoh Academy High School. Engineers and various people in lab coats rushed through the lab, carrying papers. Some were busy building and tinkering with various devices while others were holding vials of raw energy, pouring it into what looked like a mold used to forge weaponry and tools. Pieces of technology so advanced, Azazel would drool upon seeing them, lined the rooms. Large blowtorches melded metals together. Hardlight screens in the place of computers, as well as pieces of tech that Issei was unfamiliar, were being used by everyone.

"What are they doing?" Ingvild asked. "I've never been in R&D before."

"Hmm," Taki glanced over to where she was looking. "Ah, MagiTech requires specialized cores composed of pure magical energy. We collect crystallized magical energy that collects in places around the world and from the air."

"So are we here to get our own MagiTech weapons?" Issei asked.

"No, just here to show you the lab. We'll get you your weapons after you sign up," Taki said.

"Sign up?" Irina tilted her head. "Do we have to wait in a queue?"

"No, you're signing up for that Worldwide Rating Game right?" Taki asked, turning to them.

"Yeah, how'd you…?"

"Know?" Taki pulled out his AS and let it levitate in front of him. The sphere glowed before projecting a monitor-sized screen in front of them. The monitor was littered with notices and news broadcasts from different pantheons on the upcoming Azazel Cup. "It's all over the Supernatural World."

"But how'd you know I'd sign up?" Issei asked.

"You're the Red Dragon Emperor. A tournament to test your power. It's a chance I wouldn't pass up and you wouldn't either," Taki said.

[The old man is right, Issei] Ddraig said. [This could be a chance for you to prove your worth in front of the World. And remember, you said you'd participate.]

"Hmm, are sign-ups still happening? I know that they started a few weeks back," Issei said.

"They still are. They end next week," Taki said.

"Then it's settled! We sign up! Can we get a portal down to Lucifaad?" Issei asked, pumping his fist in excitement.

"Hold it," Taki said, freezing Issei in place.

"Eh?" the four turned to look at him with bewildered expressions.

"I can't risk you guys exposing us by using our Warp Gate to go to the heart of Devil Territory. I'll bridge you back to your house and you go from there," Taki said.

"You'll stay in touch?" Issei asked.

"I will. I'm your Chapter Head after all," Taki said, placing his hand on Issei's shoulder.

"We'll be counting on you to take care of us from here on out, old man," Issei said.

"Welcome to Blacklight, brat," Taki said.


Lucifaad, 2:40 PM


Kuroka skipped through the streets with Vali, Arthur, and Bikou trailing behind her. Her cat ears twitched in happiness at the thought of seeing Issei during the tournament. Vali had been tightlipped about his whereabouts but… she would find out sooner or later. For now, all she could do is pester him.

"Vali. Issei is signing up, right?" Kuroka asked, stopping to turn to the Cambion behind her.

"For the last time, he is. Now let's just go sign ourselves in before we miss the deadline," Vali said.

Kuroka narrowed her eyes a little before smiling and walking ahead.

Vali pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in annoyance. Ever since Kuroka got back, it was Issei, Issei, Issei over and over and over again. It was grating to listen to and everyone at the Grigori was on the last shred of their nerves. Penemue had dragged Vali by the ear and told him to tell Kuroka where Issei was or she would in her words "yeet the cat into the depths of Tzalmavet."

"Vali, we need to find Issei before Azazel decides to smite Kuroka," Bikou said.

"If we're lucky, we'll run into him here," Arthur said as he pushed up his glasses.

They arrived at the main building for sign-ups. The doors were wide open, gods, devils, angels, and other races all walked out, holding a small tablet in their hands as they discussed team placements. Vali blinked when he saw a familiar mop of red hair walking out of the building.

"Rias!" Vali called.

"Mmm? Ah, Vali," Rias said, glancing over at him.

"Is Issei here?" Vali asked, walking over to her.

"No, he disappeared this morning," Rias said. "I guess… he doesn't want to see me or the rest of us."

Vali remained silent as he looked at Rias. His eyes softened in pity.

"Hyoudou isn't one to hold grudges. Trust me," Vali said. "You two will be close again. Maybe not in the way you wish but… you will."

"Thanks, Vali. I… have to go now," Rias said, smiling. She waved before disappearing in a red magic circle.


Issei, Irina, and Mitsuki walked down the halls of the building, waiting in line. He expected a lot of people but this… this was way too many. Demigods, monsters, youkai, angels, devils, and some gods were chatting happily in line, forming alliances and betting on who would win. Some were boasting about their power and how they were going to wipe the competition.

"This place reeks of testosterone," Mitsuki said.

"I'm kind of jealous that Ingvild decided to go back to sleep. This place is… annoyingly loud," Issei said.

"Next!" the secretary said.

"Oh right!" Issei walked forward to the secretary.

"Name?" the man said.

"Um, Issei Hyoudou," Issei said.

At the mention of his name, the man perked his head up. The entire room went silent as every head turned in his direction.

Issei began to sweat as he felt the eyes of every occupant in the room glued onto him.

"Um, I said my name is Issei Hyoudou," Issei said.

"R- Right! I'm so sorry!" the woman next to the man said as she reached down and pulled out a small red mahogany box. "We didn't realize you'd be participating as your own team!

"Um, yeah," Issei said as he accepted the box.

"Here!" the man said. "This tablet is used to register your team. You'll also get alert for future match-ups and keep track of the leaderboard."

Issei accepted the small tablet and turned it on.

"Good luck on your match, Oppai Dragon-sama," the woman said.

Issei groaned and thanked her before rushing out of the building, followed by Irina and Mitsuki.

"My wish… will be the end of that nickname," Issei said as he walked out of the building.

"It's not that bad, Aniki. At least you get royalties from it," Mitsuki said, consoling her twin.

"No amount of royalties is worth this. I'm the Red Dragon Emperor!" Issei said.

As Issei and Mitsuki argued, Issei felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced ahead of them and saw one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his life. She had vibrant, long, and unruly red hair with the bangs framing her face. She had dull blue eyes and wore a black cloak that covered her whole body. Most of her face was concealed by her hood but Issei was able to see it. He saw the look on her face.

The group walked past them and out of the corner of his eye, Issei saw the woman smile at him. Not the type of smile used when greeting someone but it was… he didn't have any words to describe it.

He snapped out of his trance when he heard his sister calling his name. He turned and saw that they had worried looks on their faces.

"Aniki? Are you listening?" Mitsuki asked.

"Ise-kun. Are you okay? You were kind of out of it just now," Irina said.

"Huh? Did you guys not see her?" Issei said.

"See who?" Mitsuki asked.

"That woman who just walked by us," Issei said.

"What woman?" Irina asked.

"That… one?"

The woman was nowhere to be seen, having long since disappeared in the crowd of people that were entering and exiting the building for sign-ups.

"I swear she was right there! She looked almost like…," Issei said.

"Almost like who, Aniki?" Mitsuki asked.

"Almost like Rias," Issei said.

Irina and Mitsuki blinked and glanced at each other. Irina turned back to Issei and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's probably one of her cousins or something," Irina said.

"Yeah, maybe," Issei said.

"Come on. Let's head home so we can discuss who we put on our team," Issei said as they formed a red magic circle.


Naamah stood at the door, waiting for her companion to arrive. In her hand was a small mahogany box filled with Evil Pieces. A small smile appeared on her face. Beelzebub may have been insane but she had to admit… the man had a brilliant mind.

"Naamah-sama," a voice called out.

Naamah looked up and saw her companion running towards her.

"Apollyon," Naamah waved at her. Apollyon bowed respectfully and brushed her red hair out of the way.

"I apologize for my tardiness, Naamah-sama," Apollyon said.

"Nonsense. I'm not Beelzebub so relax," Naamah said.

"Where is Lilith-sama? Or Leviathan-sama?" Apollyon asked.

"Nee-sama is off with Astar taking care of some business. Leviathan is at the base, as usual, prepping for the next batch," Naamah said.

"Has Beelzebub-sama informed you of why we are here at Lucifaad?" Apollyon asked.

"Yes, he has," Naamah said. "We're to infiltrate the games and find any of them that have decided to participate."

"But the only one here is…," Apollyon said.

"The Red Dragon Emperor? Yes, I know. Beelzebub requested assistance in capturing a high-priority target. We're here to lessen the chances of failure," Naamah said as they walked down the street.

"So what now?" Apollyon asked.

"Now," Naamah said as a sadistic smile graced her beautiful features. "Now we wait."


Review Replies:

AnimeFan0216: Hmm, I don't want to reveal it so soon... but yes, Tiamat and Issei's relationship will develop over time to that of a mother-son type. As you know, this might cause some friction...

Scrumblenut: It's not Sitri or Leviathan. Oh, thank you for your input on the chapter structure. I'll separate important flashbacks from the main story by giving them their own chapter in the future.

: Thanks! What do you think Issei's power is?

OechsnerC: Thanks, man!

18Andrew: Oh don't worry. I still plan to have Issei use them kind of like how Issei can summon a Ddraig avatar in canon but this one will be different. If you remember from the original version, you'll know what I'm talking about.


Alrighty! I hope you're all staying safe and healthy out there. Washing your hands, covering your mouth, and if you are sick, staying home. Please don't fight over toilet paper. I assume that all your bathrooms have a damn shower. Anyway, that was my PSA about Covid-19. Haha! How do you think this tournament will go down? Who will they fight? I can assure you that it's not the same people... mostly. Not even in the same order. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review, follow, fav and have a nice day/night or not, the choice is yours~.

Stay healthy.