The next day Rias woke up. She turned over slowly, hoping to find Issei right next to her. Sadly, he wasn't.

Rias: Oh...Issei...

Rias turned towards the ceiling and had some thoughts.

Rias: Issei...

Flashbacks of Issei getting slashed.

Issei: When I get back up, we're finishing that date and we're going to kick that guy's ass. I promise... Stay strong Rias...

Rias was tearing.

Rias: Issei, how can I stay strong without you? Issei...

Rias sat up and covered her face. She was sobbing softly.

Rias: Issei...Issei... I can't stay strong... you told me to stay strong but I just can't... not like this! Issei! I don't wanna believe that you're gone Issei!

Rias continued to sob onto her pillow.

Later on

Morimoto and Araya were standing next to each other in an empty field. Araya was wearing a red trenchcoat, black pants, black dress shoes, a grey scruffy hairstyle, and had red tigerlike eyes.

Morimoto: So, The Red Dragon is finally slain.

Araya: He won't be a bother to us anymore. That's good news. Phase 2 can finally be put in motion.

Morimoto: Ooooo goodie, I can't wait.

Araya: No need to rush, we still have to follow through with our plans. The event will take place in Kouh Town. That way Rias Gremory can see all of it.

Morimoto: Oh, a delightful idea.

Araya: And you informing Sirzechs Lucifer was a good idea?

Morimoto: What? It's boring if we simply kill them. I have a feeling that they might just put up a strong fight against us.

Araya: Good, we'll have some fun then.

Morimoto: Exactly. The Red Dragon was taken care of in 1 swift swing. I imagine the others will be taken care of in one swing as well.

Araya: We'll see about that.

Morimoto: After all these years of just randomly attacking planets, such a funny story on how it all started.

Araya: Nobody cares about what happened in the past Morimoto.

Morimoto: Well, what a nice way to ruin the mood.

Later on

Rias was sitting on the couch staring at the ground. Akeno was next to her.

Rias: Issei...

Akeno: Rias...

Rias: How can we handle anything...after seeing what happened to Issei...I failed...to protect him.

Akeno: Rias, I know how you feel, I can't express how I felt when I saw his lifeless eyes...but we have to stay strong. It's what Issei wants from all of us.

Rias: Those...Those were his final words...He told me to stay strong.

Akeno: We need to stay strong for Issei. We're going to avenge Issei's death. All of us! We're going to train until we've ready to fight!

Rias narrowed her eyes and stood up facing Akeno.

Rias: You're right! We have to avenge Issei!

Akeno: We might just find a way to restore him too! But first Azazel wants all of us to meet in the conference room. He has something important to tell us.

Rias: Alright, I'll gather everyone.

Later on, Rias was gathered in a meeting with Azazel.

Lucifer appeared and faced everyone.

Lucifer: Ah thank you all for gathering.

Rias: Brother? Did you get any information about Morimoto Arata and Araya Roku?

Lucifer: Yes I have.

Rias: I looked all over for information but I couldn't find any myself. Did anyone know them?

Lucifer: Unfortunately no. But surprisingly, Morimoto told me almost everything himself.

Kiba: What?! He just appeared and you have done nothing about it?

Lucifer: He only wanted to talk. So I had to let him talk. Anyway, I'll explain how it all happened.

Flashback

Lucifer was sitting down sipping his tea and looking through his books.

Lucifer: Hmm...nothing about Morimoto Arata or Araya Roku. It's like they don't exist.

Morimoto appeared in front of Lucifer.

Morimoto: Then allow me to introduce myself, I am Morimoto Arata.

Lucifer chuckled.

Lucifer: Well this is certainly convenient.

Morimoto: It's a pleasure meeting you, Sirzechs Lucifer.

Lucifer: My, so respectful are we?

Morimoto: It's a habit of mine to respect others at first.

Lucifer: So you've killed the Red Dragon, I take it you're here to kill me next?

Morimoto: Oh no, not at the moment. I've got lots to do firs, I'm here to have a friendly chat with you. That's all.

Lucifer: Well then, you can explain everything I want to know then.

Morimoto: Why certainly. I don't see why not.

Lucifer: So, who are you and Araya?

Morimoto: We come from the depths of the darkness and space. And we seek to find anything that satisfies us. And fortunately, the planet, heaven, and underworld very much intrigue us. We've been watching you all from the very start. We aren't famous here in this world. But soon we'll be well known. We plan on overtaking the entire planet.

Lucifer: Oh, is that so? Well, that's something. So why kill the Red Dragon?

Morimoto: He was a bug that would ruin our plan. But he's is already taken care of as you may know.

Lucifer: So there's no way for you to bring him back?

Morimoto: I only strike to kill not to bring back the dead.

Lucifer: So it seems that you have the power to strike any of us with a single slash of your weapon. What are your weapons made of?

Morimoto: Quite similar to the Excalibur, however, it's not holy at all. It's all black magic.

Lucifer: I'm understanding more about you. But wouldn't this give you a disadvantage when we fight?

Morimoto: My chances of losing are nonexistent.

Lucifer placed his cup down. He closed his eyes.

Lucifer: You should go now. Because the next time we meet, I'll be forced to kill you.

Morimoto chuckled and closed his eyes.

Morimoto: Very well then I'll be on my way. We'll be back within a couple of days to finally settle this.

Lucifer: Oh and, don't try to kill anyone else. Because you've already pissed me off by slaying the Red Dragon Emperor.

Morimoto: No promises on that. Bye now!

Flashback ended.

Rias: So, they're planning on taking over the planet including the heaven and the underworld...

Kiba: That's insane...

Xenovia: It's disgusting...

Lucifer: Rias, I'll provide as much support as you need when it comes down to the fight. But for now, you all need to train. We don't have much time.

Rias: Brother...

Lucifer: Issei's funeral will be starting tonight. After that, we'll have to train.

Rias looked down tearing. Everyone looked down as well.

Later on

Issei...

Issei...

Issei: It's felt like hours, days, weeks, months... I cannot move, feel, or do anything. All I see is darkness...

Suddenly a white flashed appeared.

Issei: What? Is that the end? No... I don't want to die... I can't die... not now... I have...to live... I promised Rias... that I will be there... for her...

Ddriag: Partner... it seems that you have not completely lost your life just yet.

Issei: Ddriag?

Ddriag: You will wait until the time has come.

Issei: So be it then...

A white flashed appeared again.

After the funeral...

Issei was placed in a tomb. Rias placed her hand on the tomb.

Rias: Issei... I'll never forget you... I promise, to avenge your death. We all will... I'll be stronger for you...

Rias released her hand and summoned her magic circle and vanished.

End of Chapter 8