Cry Havoc
An idiom: to warn of danger
After two days, Issei finally decided what he would do. Whether he would move in with Yuuma, or rather Raynare, stay with his parents, ask that they move back to Kuoh or that they buy him a temporary apartment, those were the things he mulled over.
He doubted his mother would let him go all by his lonesome, especially without adult supervision. The boy would rather not have his parents spend money on an apartment for three years when it could be easily avoided by two other choices. To leave his grandparents was something he knew his parents didn't want. They were old, alone and the last relatives they had alive.
And so, as he folded at the waist into a perfect 90° degree, he faced his parents and said, "C-Can I move in with Yuuma's family?" His eyes slammed shut at his verbal fumble. His hands felt clammed, practically latched to the side of his pants. It took everything in his power to tighten his legs so his knees wouldn't tremble.
The second of silence felt like he was drowning in tar. His body temperature certainly felt the metaphorical heat despite the coolness of the room.
"We'll have to think about it too, my son." His body nearly crumpled on him at the response. However, the boy instead forced himself to look up at his parents. Their gazes were full of understanding and more importantly, love. Before he could ask his question, his father spoke up again, "Well, we'd have to meet her parents, wouldn't we?" His head turned to his wife, waiting for her to expand upon his statement.
"We'll have to know who we're gonna leave you with." Miki avoided his gaze for a split second. Her status conveyed her trepidation. Guilt welled into him at it. He knew he was asking for a lot. "Let's have dinner with them a few times, and..." The woman inhaled deeply. While she moved to exhale, Masaru held her hand. "I'll think about it, okay?"
Issei nodded, "Okay." He was disappointed. However, he expected a straight-up rejection, so he was sorta relieved all the same.
"Good night, my baby boy Ise." Said boy blushed at the fond nickname, struggling to hold his mother's intense gaze.
"Good night, Kaa-san," His father waved, "Otou-san too."
"Heh, sleep easy, Ise."
It was then it hit Issei. He hadn't met Yuuma's 'parents' either. Thankfully, his parents had already turned before his expression exploded into panic. Except for his father, as if sensing something amiss, sent him a look. Both it and his status were practically unreadable until the man smiled and followed his wife into their room.
The status shift of Masaru's status simply read: 'Loves you.' The assurance from the two words instantly beat out his uncertainty and fear. The goofy grin on his face was the first sign of it. It stayed there as he skipped to his room and slept, easily.
Mission accomplished!
Sorta.
The second sign came in a wave of emotion that slammed into Ddraig's consciousness. It was sorely unfamiliar, confusing her. It wasn't cold nor was it something negative... or at least, she thought. Cynicism from her old age and ancient experience laid itself bare. It tried to convince her of his easily exploited weaknesses.
At it, she simply huffed.
Her host was but a positive battery, generally. Her cynicism had no place here at the moment. Issei was getting stronger, was still young, and understood his position in life, mostly.
CHNK!
The shackle around her right shin shattered into dust with a burst of flame, flickering and fluttering into the endless void. In response, the dragon heaved a gasp. Unlike the previous flood of info, the vision of things long past couldn't—wouldn't be held back for her to 'file' through later.
The bursting dam returned her experience with other prior wielders. Each gasp, groan, grunt, and breathe of air, including their last, Ddraig could recall as if she were the one alive. After a few minutes, it started to overwhelm her.
However, a harrowing chill brought her back to normalcy.
...Or well, the normalcy of a bounded soul within a gauntlet.
The Red Dragon Emperor felt a flare of anger at the receding feeling of the chill. However, just as suddenly as it came, the rise of emotion died just as quickly. The emotion wasn't killed off by her skill, Gamer's Mind, but rather, a trained reflex. After all, it would do no good to get angry. She knew quite well from experience. It led to her seal kicking in or making her grumpy. The dragon was tired of being grumpy... of being 'alive' honestly.
"Mhhah, Yuuma~" Her current host moaned in his sleep, shifting to hug his cold left hand to his chest with the other.
['Ah...'] Her fluctuating emotions were getting out of hand, somewhat literally. To ignore them, she turned to her status, where her interest and curiosity couldn't help but reacquaint themselves.
- :|: -
Name: Y Ddraig Goch
Race: Dragon Emperor Spirit
Lvl: 20 | 0%
Title: The Fallen Red Dragon Emperor
Stats:
HP: 20/20
MP: 200/200
STR: 20
END: 2,000
DEX: 20
AGI: 20
INT: 20
MAG: 20
DRE: 9,999/9,999
Skills:
Gamer's Mind MAXED
Dragon Emperor's Presence MAXED
Blazing Inferno of Scorching Flames Mastery LOCKED
Penetration Enhancement LOCKED
Transfer LOCKED
Scan MAXED
Boost MAXED
Explosion MAXED
Pain Tolerance MAXED
Body Takeover MAXED
- :|: -
Ddraig did not know how she leveled up, but it seemed to do something with her shackles shattering. And as she leveled, the dragon could feel more of her powers and energy welling within her, begging to be uncaged. However, she could do nothing with it in her prison.
With another huff, she glanced down at her skills since she was too tired to get frustrated about her idleness.
The first skill, Gamer's Mind, differed from every skill she had. It was one she never had before, so to speak. It arrived through her connection with her current host. The skill severely curbed her ability to express herself, gave her immunity to almost all forms of mental manipulation, and the ability to interact with her host's windows as if they were her own. It was similar to her host's Gamer's Body. Whereas his skill resets his body to perfect condition after rest, Ddraig's mind would immediately cool over and kill her ability to feel temporarily.
She hated the skill. So much so, the dragon could "feel" the chill just waiting to besiege her at the thought. This time, the Fallen Red Dragon Emperor grunted before moving on.
Her second skill was essentially a far-advanced version of her host's Dragon Aura I. It did all the same thing but also influenced people and things unconsciously and did so with the dial set to eleven. It was the reason why the Boosted Gear went from a holy metal casing to a dragon scales gauntlet. Despite the impossibly intricate seal, her near limitless aura seeped through. And, it was the explanation as to why most of her hosts became aggressive, power-hungry, or dragon-like. That was something she wished she could avoid, only able to watch as her ever-powerful aura contorted, twisted, and broke each and every host without fail.
['...Especially those who awaken her young.']
There was a flare of emotion at the thought, one too abrupt for the spirit to reign in. At it, the chains flashed with holy energy. Her body thrashed recklessly and uncontrollably.
And, despite the mental agony, Ddraig's thoughts turned to the connection of "young," her seal, and what it had to deal with freeing herself. There was no reason for an emotion she couldn't even remember to erupt from her. And no matter what she tried, she couldn't find such a connection. She couldn't understand. She couldn't do anything...
She couldn't hold on anymore.
—!
Just as she gave up, the chilling effect of Gamer's Mind overpowered the weakened holy seal that had been keeping it at bay. Cold, calculated logic slammed into her.
However, after but a minute, such logic fell flat in the fact of interpreting the warm emotion that flooded her host and started the whole ordeal.
Her cynicism really had no place here. As such, the dragon could only smirk, nearly bellowing out in laughter. Having held back herself lest she trigger the skill once more, her thoughts turned to her host. Issei really was something else. To "teach" the ancient dragon something the dragon had, admittedly, forgot so early, this version of Hyoudou Issei might actually succeed in freeing her.
Although, Ddraig wouldn't bet on it nor wait for it.
- :|: -
"Y Ddraig Goch" route
Status: Tired Soul Specter
Currently: 20%
+ Transfer Skill
Refer to the Relationship tab in your Profile.
- :|: -
—She promptly ignored her host's pop-up by swiping it away, using his left hand. Continuing on with her thoughts, the once-great Red Dragon Emperor vowed to repay the emotional, mental, and physical freedom he had given her so far. It was more than any host had done. That wasn't to say none have tried, especially in the earliest incarnations of the [Boosted Gear]. She could recall it in her returned memories.
Simply put, this "gamer" power resting in her host's soul made bypassing all her limits infinitely easier.
The first step to recompensate her host was to make sure this boy, Issei, kept the same warmth that kept her company against the cold chains and the colder frost of Gamer's Mind.
If she failed, Ddraig feared what her cold logic would drive her to do.
- :|: -
Classes flew by. However, instead of walking home, Issei accompanied Yuuma to her tennis tryouts. It was something she decided as they walked to the gymnasium.
Her choices were between tennis, football, softball, and volleyball. The latter two were later in the semester. Throughout their conversation, Yuuma's status flickered. She assumed he'd appreciate it more if they could spend more time together before he would throw himself into studying for the entrance exams.
Honestly, Issei wouldn't have minded either way. Any time with Yuuma, who was starting to actually warm up to him, the boy would cherish. It warmed his heart to see her thoughtfulness, nonetheless.
And as any hot-blooded male, his eyes couldn't leave her form as she joined the tryouts.
Tucked in her blue shorts, her white tee struggled to keep up with Yuuma's quick movements. The black-haired girl folded her body and tense her calves to prepare for each jump, full of potential like a compressed spring. In doing so, her loose shorts rode up and practically highlighted her round bottom half just before thrusting forward and soaring up to hit the ball.
And before he knew it, she was done.
"Yuuma-chin, you're as formidable as always!"
"Geez, Amano-chan, these are just tryouts!"
"Yeah! Everyone knows you'll make it to any team you try for!"
"Like, you don't even have to do a tryout anymore, right?"
Taken aback at the last statement, she glanced up to the last girl. What the last one had said wasn't true. Just because she was the 'Ace' of any team she played on during gym class, it didn't mean she was exempt from tryouts. "S-Sorry! It's just..." Yuuma turned towards Issei, who smiled and waved at the sudden attention, "my b-, boyfriend is watching so..."
" "Wait, you're actually dating the Hyoudou Issei?!" "
"Yes," the girl shoved down her annoyance, jogging towards her boyfriend. She had already made that 'fact' clear!
Issei met her halfway, "you were absolutely magnificent out there, Yuuma! I couldn't look away even if I wanted to!" His words drew her thoughts away from the girls.
"Hehe, I was, wasn't I?" She preened at the attention, puffing her chest out ever so slightly. Even as an older lady, she took well to his compliments. "Well, imma get to the changing room and..."
'Eh? Do I know her age?' A few more thoughts raced through his head, shifting his mood a bit, 'Would the age gap be huge? At youngest, she seemed like a senior... in high school...'
"Ise?" a soft, warm hand drifted over his elbow, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Ah sorry! You were saying?"
"I-" Her eyes glossed over other students, some of which were watching them in specific. Her window shifted rapidly. It flickered between being uncomfortable at the attention and worrying about him, "Is everything alright?"
Issei couldn't help his smile, "Yeah."
"Ok, if you say so, Ise," Yuuma dropped the subject and gestured to the locker room. "I'll be back in a few minutes, alright?"
"No problem," the boy walked a few more paces with her towards the door. He stopped before it would get a little awkward. Though, before she left, he patted her back, "I'll be by the bleachers."
"Mh!"
Issei watched her leave before he made his way towards his planned destination. While he did so, the boy noticed people giving him a funny look. Their status had shifted with disdain as he got closer and closer to the girl's locker room too. It made him uncomfortable to know how his presence could shift everyone's windows negatively...
"Issei!" It was Masuda's voice, waving at him from the gym's entrance. Behind him, Motohama shoved his camera away into his bag.
The Sekiryuutei cheered up at the sight and trotted over, "What are you guys doing here?"
"We were looking for you," their glasses-clad friend glanced around. He then ushered them out of the gymnasium. "How did you get in the gym during girl tryouts, Issei?"
"Uh, I just followed Yuuma?"
Motohama spoke up, "Usually they don't let us in... It's a bit of taboo for boys to stay and watch the girls' tryouts, you see? Especially us."
"Oh," Issei blinked, "that makes sense." It also explained their reactions to him. "So, whatcha need me for?"
"Well..." The taller one of the pair started, before turning to his smarter half then back to Issei, "We were pretty serious about going to Kouh Academy, but we don't want to leave you behind. Masuda was gonna help me study—we were gonna invite you too!"
The meeker Masuda nodded vigorously behind him.
The Longinus wielder could only smile. It's not like he had any doubts, but their sincere statuses confirmed their intentions. And so, he laughed off their worries, "Don't worry, I believe you."
"So yeah, imma study my ass off even more than I intended just to enter Kouh... but only if you will be coming with." To end his statement, the boy slammed a fist into his palm with an intense look.
"Uh, I'm still not sure about me," Issei scratched at the back of his head before clarifying, "I don't want to leave my grandparents by themselves. You know how old they are..." Again, he reminded himself to visit them. All the same, he beat himself mentally for forgetting he had planned to do so, only to sigh and continue, "I might move in with Yuuma's family."
" "IT'S THAT SERIOUS?!" "
"Eh?" Oh right, they didn't know that she was his Fallen overseer. 'Wait—' If she was his overseer, why would she be leaving him? Raynare hadn't mentioned anything about a shift in his 'management.' Wouldn't it be too much trouble to go back and forth? A gut feeling told him as much.
['If you had the chance, you would follow her, right? Whether it be the ends of the world or other worlds?'] His left arm grew hot. ['What awaits you there remains unapparent, secretive, away from your den and the protection of the Youkai Queen. The Watcher is awfully adamant about stringing you along. For what?'] The temperature rose sharply at the thought.['She dares—']
'Ddraig please.'
Instantly, the heat defused, followed by a quiet ['Sorry, I...']
'You're just looking out for me.' The boy nearly shook his head dismissively, 'I appreciate it.' The only response he got was a grunt before the dragon's presence retreated a bit.
"W-Well, I really li- I love Yuuma." Warmth bloomed from within his chest at the admission. He really did. Honestly, he couldn't see life without her anymore. Issei averted his eyes, shyly, scratching his cheek, "I know it's only been like a week, but I don't think I'll be able to stomach being without her." Gosh, that was more than embarrassing to admit to someone other than Raynare. "If it means living with her, why not?"
- :|: -
"Raynare" route
Status: Dark Lustful Watcher
Currently: 35%
Bonus:
+ Intermediate Holy Light Manipulation I
+ Intermediate Sin Manipulation II *
(unlocked at 30%)
(* adjusted based on affinity)
Refer to the Relationship tab in your Profile.
- :|: -
" "Aww~!/Oh my~!" " squealed a group of feminine voices behind him.
The Sekiryuutei froze at the collective sound. While he wasn't ashamed of his feelings, he didn't want to embarrass Yuuma... When in all actuality, it was just super embarrassing to be in the center of attention while he professed his love.
"Uh-" Issei started, fighting the urge to fidget, "hello, everyone?"
"Ise?" A voice called out from behind the group. It was one he could never mistake. "What's going on?" The group parted to give way to the perfect Yuuma in her school uniform.
"N-Nothing, you know me and boys, making a racket wherever we are," the boy tried to play off the situation.
From the crowd, a voice ruined his obvious diversion, "He confessed his feelings for you!"
" "Urk!" " a strangled noise came from the two.
—Ping!
Issei groaned as he raised his head from his textbook. That was enough studying, anyhow. As if to reassure himself of that, he blinked down at the page number. 'A-Ah.' He had gone much further than he anticipated.
"But never mind that..." He glanced at the pop-up, welling up with anticipation. Yasaka's handpicked tutor just southwest of the main entrance to her hidden domain.
If there wasn't a random status floating in the shadow of a tree, Issei was sure he would be none-the-wiser to the person hidden in the shadow. The boy didn't stare at it for long, as to not give away he knew of their presence. Instead, he simply surveyed the area.
All the while, his thoughts were still on the status. Their name read: "Kuroka," otherwise the person who was going to 'use' him to get back their sister. Since she also seemed to wait for him, he could only assume she was the trainer Yasaka had sought for him. It exposed her for her nervousness. He had to bite back his smile, knowing that.
After a bit of silence, Issei spoke up, "Hello, is anyone out there?" He swerved to the right, hearing a rustling of a bush. From the corner of his eyes, Kuroka's status was unmoving, despite his words. "Hello?" he tried again, moving to step away from the rustling leaves.
However, when placed his foot down, a portal appeared, sucking him in instantly. A loud whooshing noise overwhelmed him in the split second of darkness.
When light rushed around him and his disoriented state wore off, Issei noticed he was atop a side of a mountain. It was full of green life. At the base, an almost perfectly clear river drove through the greenery with a constant roar, audible from even his lengthy distance away. "Woah..." The brown-haired boy was so amazed by the scene, he had completely forgotten about the Youkai watching him.
That was until she spoke up from behind him, "Sekiryuutei-sama?" Her voice had a hint of almost sinister playfulness, promising him a worthwhile time.
Jumping at the sound, he twisted back. The first thing he noticed was her twin black tails and a matching pair of cat ears, which twitched at his attention. It was then he got a pop-up. It told him of a new kind of Youkai, "Nekoshou," a near-extinct variant of the Nekomata species.
Then, he noticed her dark kimono, the bright yellow obi, and most importantly, the way the dark kimono, which hung off her shoulders,was just clinging onto the light skin of her ever-plentiful breasts. She was just as tall as he was despite sounding far more mature than anyone his age. When she raised a forearm before them as if to cover herself and repeated, "Sekiryuutei-sama?" Issei finally drew himself out of his trance.
"Y-Yeah?" He caught her hazel-gold eyes that were in slits—were on guard. Despite that fact, they were oh so alluring, and he couldn't look away for a few more moments.
"I am Kuroka, your trainer at the behest of Yasaka-sama. Pleased to meet you-nya—" The young woman's status flickered with embarrassment, but emotion did not express itself in her body language and expression.
"Oh, please take care of me, Kuroka-shishou!" He bowed sharply, jumbling his brain but ignored it. "I am Hyoudou Issei." The only response he got was the rustling of the leaves in the wind and a shadow entering his vision. So, he peeked an eye, tilting his head up.
He was met with Kuroka, who seemed unsure and held a hand out, shifting between pulling back and just on the edge of tapping his shoulder. Her uncertainty was confirmed by her status, the flattening of her ears, the slow swooshing of her tails, and the way she bit her lip, not exactly looking at him but rather her hand.
Despite her 'mature' appearance, she was quite the cute one.
- :|: -
"Kuroka's First Meeting" Screenshot Saved.
Description: The lonely black cat reaches out to a new person for the first time in years.
Refer to the Scenes tab in your Profile.
- :|: -
'Lonely?'
His mind jumped back to his elementary school; the years spent alone after 'Rin-chan' left. His heart went out to Kuroka, who only wanted to reconnect with her sister. He may not be able to relate on a personal level, being an only child. The brown-haired boy shook his head. He could, however, help her! It was the least he could do for training him.
And so, before Kuroka could decide on a response, he straightened to a faux salute and smiled brightly, "I'm ready for the 'entrance exam!'"
"Nya..." The black Nekoshou was taken aback, going as far as to step back. Too surprised to realize her slip-up of tongue, she nodded. Kuroka would be careful though. It was no secret how volatile the past Red Dragon Emperors were, after all. "Right, right..."
She swung a hand down, making sure to express and give enough time for each symbol to be seen. Not that the boy needed it as reading through multiple statuses every day made reading anything easy and quick. After the appearance of the final character, a small circular seal snapped into existence beside his ear. Her next words were spoken in her ever-creamy and ever-promising tone, "You got this much down, no?"
"Ah!" her voice startled him again. It reminded him of—Yasaka! He nearly cheered since it was on the tip of his tongue for too long. Instead, he diverted that 'energy' towards Youjutsu. "Yes!" Issei struck a pose, moving to summon the Boosted Gear.
Although it wasn't necessary to form and manipulate Dragon Energy, he decided he would use it to show off. If he could surprise Yasaka without it, there was no doubt Kuroka would be shocked with his fluency while using the Longinus. After all, the scales of the Longinus nearly tripled his efficiency and potential output when used as a focus.
And as always, a voice bellowed out, ["DRAGON BOOSTER!"]. However, unlike prior summons, a burst of orange flame encased his arm. It died off nearly a second later to reveal the Longinus sprouting additional golden-yellow spikes and adorned with glowing green markings. ["DRAGON BOOSTER SECOND LIBERATION! GIFT!"] With the announcement out of the way, the markings faded away.
"Woah," The boy admired the upgraded Longinus in awe. He felt a little lighter and energized.
"...Uhm," Kuroka's velvety voice drew his attention back to her, "does that always happen?"
He shook his hands frantically, "Oh, nonono!" He raised the gauntlet to eye level, "Right, Ddraig?"
The major orb woke, filling itself with dragon energy particles, ["Yes, Partner. This should be the second to last major evolution..."]
"See?" The Sekiryuutei waved the arm harmless, "Nothing to worry about!" Ignoring the way she narrowed her feline eyes on the claw, he drew into the air the first character of the sequence. With but a thought, the sequence started, shifting faster than a blink of an eye. It ended with a circle flashing into existence.
In her surprise, the Youkai was caught off guard by his sudden "Boo!"
"Nya!" The young woman flung herself up the mountain, away from him. She even landed on all four limbs.
"My bad?"
Kuroka flinched at the sound before the events all caught up with her. "Yasaka-sama had said to teach someone from scratch." She grabbed his summoned communication seal and inspected it. "Really was expecting much less... but near-complete mastery?" She had forgotten he had made a back-and-forth communication seal and could hear her mumblings. "Yasaka-sama, you sly fox!"
"That good, huh?" The Nekoshou met the boy's wide grin with her own reserved version, one. On the other hand, he could barely see her status from the distance but noticed it flickering a million times a second. And despite the sinister feeling he felt, he took her smile in good faith.
"Really good even, nya~"
"So, I passed with flying colors?"
"Yup!"
- :|: -
"Kuroka" route
Status: The Key to Reclaiming My Sister
Currently: 10%
Bonus:
+ Ki I
Refer to the Relationship tab in your Profile.
- :|: -
Issei cheered. His evenings spent practicing drawing out the figure, reshaping it to the other characters of the sequence, and making it all work were rewarded in this instant. A large leap with a fist pump at the apex of the jump Well, not that he had any doubts! Kunou-chan would feel betrayed or sad if he had failed!
"...Sooo, what now?" the boy asked through his communication circle, kicking a rock down the cliffside.
"Nyaa..." Kuroka hopped back down, landing without a sound nor a breeze in her wake. She swiped away the circles and then walked until she stood before him. "For now, we'll see your limits, and where your talents lay, then I'll plan accordingly, ok?"
He nodded, "that makes sense!"
The young woman raised a hand again, only to blink at it, owlishly. This time, she mustered the courage to at least ask, "I-, Is it okay if I touch you?" She scrambled to explain herself, seeing as her words could've been misinterpreted, "The easiest and most accurate way to see how much energy you can carry, your maximum output and other info is by touching you directly, using Senjutsu."
That was a new word, Senjutsu. Otherwise, 'Sage Arts.'
"Uhm, what's Senjutsu?"
"It's an advanced use of Ki, or lifeforce energy, among high-level youkai, Sage-like humans called, 'Sennin' or Monks, but it's not important at your current stage." Kuroka approached a bit closer until she was but an arm's length away. "This shouldn't hurt, though you might get a small prickly sensation." Again, she held out a hand, unsure.
However, before it would get awkward, he sent her a smile and nod. The Nekoshou nodded back as if to reassure herself then placed a hand on his right arm.
Her small hand was hot but not unbearably so. The warmth flooded his body quickly, and as it reached the tips of his fingers and toes a second later, the small prickly sensation made itself apparent. It was akin to "waking up" a body part yet not as distracting. When his entire body was warm, it remained a few seconds after even as though Kuroka disconnected her Ki flow.
"Nya..." The catgirl put a slender finger to her chin in thought. Apparently, so deep in it, she hadn't realized her slip up again. At that, the boy stifled a giggle. "As the Sekiryuutei, I guess it makes sense for your 'container' to be larger than most at your 'level.'" The boy preened at the comment, ignoring the unintentional pun. "In comparison, your body's maximum output is lacking as if you've never bothered to use a lot of dragon energy."
"Yeah... Ddraig said I shouldn't expel a lot of energy yet. She was like, I must get used to having a vast amount of energy first. So, I've been mostly training to hold a lot of energy and using small amounts as practice." That and he had been trying to hide his presence under the dragon's guidance. Issei also had Raynare to thank in that case... Now he longer needed to!
"I see." Kuroka tapped at her chin, continuing on with her analysis, "you're filled with a lot of 'yang,' abnormal for even most boy's your age..." he blushed slightly. "But, the 'yin' within you is so potent and refined, it evens out. Nyan..." she regarded him with a stare, "what a peculiar specimen."
Issei could only scratch at the back of his head. Her status didn't help discern her expression and intentions, so he was a little lost. He was pretty sure it was a good thing. "I didn't do anything for this 'balance?'"
"Hmm." Her intense look lasted a bit longer before she glanced away, "Anyway, as the Sekiryuutei, it's no surprise that your affinity lies with Fire. Have you been training with fire?"
His mind drifted back to his Intermediate Flame Mastery I. "Yeah, I noticed it came rather easy for me..." The boy hid his little giggle by summoning a cat of fire. Unlike Kunou's illusionary mastery, he couldn't make it lifelike or do anything more than basic commands. He then forced the cat to jump high into the air, where it promptly exploded in a small firework explosion.
He was glad it worked. It was something he had thought of days ago but wanted to surprise Raynare. It would be counterintuitive if she saw him practicing it after all. Although, it was a little smaller than he desired. It wouldn't get him down, however, since he wasn't sure it would work in the first place.
The edge of his vision revealed Kuroka's starstruck expression. "Pretty..."
"You've never seen a firework-" Well, it was more similar to something else, "o-or a firecracker before?"
Immediately, a sense of guilt filled her as she lied through her teeth, "No, I wasn't allowed to-nyan." Again, she beat herself mentally at her cat-like speech before cursing herself at letting out info about herself, no matter how little it was.
Being around the one person who would (rather than "could" since Yasaka's vague visions were never wrong!) bring her sister back to her made her jittery and excited. She couldn't help feeling this way and slipping up. With Issei here, Shirone was just a hair away!
The brown-haired boy simply smiled and went along with her lie. "I'll make even prettier ones; watch me!" Ending his resolution, he struck a stance.
It wasn't humorous. It wasn't silly. What he said and did wasn't even strange by Youkai standards, but the noise that rumbled out Kuroka's mouth sure was. "Nyahah—!" Immediately, she held her hands to her mouth with wide eyes.
"Well, I wasn't planning to make you laugh but..." Issei scratched at his cheek, averting his eyes, "it was pretty cute." It was so unlike what he had seen from the older girl. Innocent too, breaking the mold Kuroka set out.
"That- That was nyathing—Nyow!" The catgirl bit her tongue in an effort to prevent the mistake. It led to embarrassment filling her being. Overwhelming so suddenly, she couldn't hold back her bright blush and her ears from twitching rapidly.
The Sekiryuutei wanted to snicker and tease his 'Sensei' more. However, he would relent for now. It wouldn't be fair to overwhelm the isolated Youkai. "So, what will we start this evening?" As payment, he would have her train him!
"Ahem," Kuroka coughed into her hand, "The basics- We'll start from the beginning for tonight. While you might have the fundamentals in practice, I must make sure you know them through and through. Wouldn't want anything to fall through the cracks in the future. There's no room for error when you continue into the advanced stages. Long-distance communication is one of the few exceptions and often used to test mastery and fluency." Her gaze narrowed, "speaking of which, why is yours so purfectly tuned?"
His lips twitched before he spoke, stifling a laugh, "A lot of practice?" His thoughts turned to his sessions with Raynare. Her advice was sound and live practice with her was silly fun. Then, those thoughts shifted to Yasaka, whose status helped him clarify which emotions and intentions to use. "I had a little help from my overseer."
"Hmm." Kuroka's window shifted rapidly, revealing she had an idea as to who that 'overseer' was. There was a pang of hidden annoyance alongside it. "Alright, draw out each character, one-by-one."
"Got it!" His armored left hand flashed open with a flame. He drew upon his mastery skills and Dragon Aura I with the Boosted Gear as a conduit, multiplying the conjuring rate. In a few seconds, all Youjutsu characters floated between his Sensei and himself. "Did it," he puffed his chest proudly. He conjured them far quicker than he assumed would. All of it was done without a bead of sweat.
"Are you sure you're new to this?
Issei could only smile a dumb smile before he replied, "Yup!"
And so, Kuroka walked him through the characters.
The boy learned about the minor intricacies of each character. Things like how certain characters can overlap in use and thus throw off anyone who could read the symbols. Her lessons weren't boring as she showed off multiple examples, compared low mastery all the way to near-perfect prowess, etcetera.
It was like someone taught her.
He hid his frown. It wasn't like Yasaka who intended to hold his hand and had probably taught her daughter. So, he thought it couldn't have been the Youkai Queen who had taught Kuroka. Someone else must had, and then left the girl by her lonesome.
At the same time, Yasaka didn't seem like the type to limit someone's freedom or isolate them. There must be a reason for Kuroka's solitude. Right?
"—Issei, are you following?"
"Like a baby duckling!"
The Youkai tilted her head at him, ears twitching twice, "a baby duckling...?" She noted the term to memory for later as she inquired.
Oh no, it was worse than he thought! Issei waved his hands out in front of him, "ah, ignore that! But yes, I was listening to you, Sensei!"
The one example that stuck out to him was how the intermediate sequence to collect water from surroundings could easily be the one to make vegetation grow quickly. Although, doing the latter would need a high level of knowledge about plants. Yes, it was more complicated than using the intermediate Outside-Grow-Fast sequence for sure. His brain pained to know he would have to learn some more.
It was still something to know especially when going up against more advanced Youkai. Many of them were birthed with advanced knowledge as well and may also unconsciously tune their personal arsenal of Youjutsu accordingly.
It was at that thought, Ddraig spoke up from the recess of his mind, ['I can help. Since regaining my memories with my prior partners, all kinds of knowledge from my time with them have returned as well.'] The dragon sent one, suddenly.
In a split second, it overwhelmed him. So much so, the boy sharply sucked in a breath and froze. The next thing he knew he was suddenly deep in a plant encyclopedia, reading of plants that seemed to be of fantasy. Just as quickly as it came, it vanished. ['Sorry, Partner—'] She bit back the urgency in her tone, ['I hadn't realized...'] The dragon then trailed off, mysteriously. Her status expressed sincere guilt in any case.
Ddraig had only wanted to help and was excited at the idea to help so she jumped at the chance. It was so cute! Contrary to her old, tired age, she was eager and prideful. And so, he rubbed the major orb of the gauntlet as if he was rubbing a child's head. 'It's all good! I'll be sure to ask when I want some "experience," okay?' He then proceeded to groan internally at the pun.
"Issei?" Kuroka's ever-silky voice interjected as she hovered over him, just out of his personal space. "Is everything okay?"
"Y-," seeing her beauty up close smothered his senses, causing him to stutter, "yes." If Yuuma was the perfect cute, young Japanese student, and Raynare was the perfect mature black-haired beauty, then Kuroka was a perfect blend of both with a hint of 'foxiness' from Yasaka but with cat ears and tails to boot.
A part of him wasn't sure why it took him so long to notice—
"Are you sure?" there was a small smirk on her lips. It was one he had nearly missed as he read her status unconsciously. With the combination of her increased sense of smell and her passive use of Senjutsu, the catgirl could practically taste the twinge of arousal radiating off him.
If there was anything the girl picked up from Yasaka...
"Heh, payback."
"H-Huh? Did you say something?"
"Nyat that I know of!" Kuroka stifled a giggle behind a hand. If he found her captivating, it would draw him to the Youkai side more. The black cat nodded inwardly at the conclusion. Yasaka would appreciate it for sure. With that, she continued the lesson, gauging his reactions and noting what he found interesting, cool, or boring.
There wasn't much of the latter, thankfully. The young lady could only jump for joy internally. Finally, there was someone for her to talk to in great detail and lengths. Sure, she was also tasked with teaching him but details.
She had hoped, imagined, dreamt—cherished it many times before... though it usually included her sister.
However, this much was enough for now.
"Yuu—" Issei took a double-take, "Yuuma!" He wasn't expecting anyone waiting for him after his evening session. "What are you doing here?" His gaze stayed on her as said girl dusted herself on a tree branch.
"Waiting for you, Silly." The Fallen-in-disguise held a hand out. Issei took the silent invitation and helped her down. "I was gonna text you about it, but I thought you'd rather hear it from me; not like I had anything else to do tonight."
"'It?'"
Yuuma nodded, keeping his hand clasped in hers as they headed towards his home. "Meeting my 'parents.'" She made sure the brown-haired boy noticed by squeezing slightly. At it, he squeezed back; his lips formed a small but tired smile. "I have some older friends who can play stand-ins for my guardians." She gave a small giggle before explaining herself, "it'll be funny to see them try to be adults. Even though they're older than me, they certainly don't act like it. If anything, Ise, you're more mature than they are..." She trailed off, noticing something. "Ise?"
"Sorry, I'm just a little tired and—" Issei turned away and scratched at his cheek with his empty hand, "wanted to hear you talk." He wasn't exactly lying. He wasn't as physically tired as he was mentally so. His girlfriend was awfully talkative as well. Her status mentioned However, his mind had drifted back to Ddraig's words.
Meanwhile, Yuuma had sent him a funny look. "If you say so..." For a while, they continued walking. Issei couldn't find it in himself to cherish this time with her. It made him feel hollow and the worse.
"...You know, you don't have to follow me to Kouh," his observer started as her gaze veered away from him. "It might be a little troublesome to go back and forth. And yeah, it'll be a little annoying to change and renew my 'pass' with the Youkai," her status expressed that she, Raynare, was talking without any filters. In other words, she trusted him to let go of herself. "But, you can stay. I had plans in Kouh prior to... our e-engagement."
A small flush materialized in her ever-cute face. She knew his cheeks did so at the wording as well. Even now, despite the atmosphere, the Fallen Angel couldn't help but tease him. It worked into making him smile, one she returned, albeit shakily.
Raynare inhaled deeply then released it shakily. "I-, I am supposed to spy for a traitor. They're in the process of trying to restart the war between the three biblical factions." Nervousness and fright filled the girl. It was something she had kept hidden for a long while now. At it, he squeezed her hand and moved to speak but she shook her head. "I was torn to ask you to come. You're nowhere strong enough to take down the leader in case things go south. Or just fight to a standstill. But that's okay! You had only recently awoken and..." She trailed off, catching herself before she rambled.
"I can handle this though." For a split second, shock filled him. Yuu—no, Raynare was lying to him. "Besides, it'll be another two years before anything drastic happens." Her empty hand balled into a tight fist. "I can get stronger and survive to make it back to you." His sin manipulation flared sharply again.
Then she stepped back, releasing his hand. "Oh right. I never told you—" a barrier surrounded them right as her six wings unfurled themselves, "I have mainly you to thank for the extra pair of wings by absorbing your excess dragon energy." She draped a hand over one of the lower pairs.
Issei blinked. "I did that?" He remembered how much wings meant to them. Raynare couldn't stress it enough during her lessons. It was a sign of strength, beauty, and duty to summarize grossly.
She responded with a small laugh, "Sorta, but I had to do my own training too, y'know?"
He wanted to smile at how proud of herself she seemed and her near success at shifting the conversation. She wasn't as meek in school anymore nor as closed off to others. Nonetheless, it seemed like she was marked for death with how she lied. How she was so sure she couldn't handle it and wouldn't return was beyond him.
The Sekiryuutei couldn't allow that in any case. Despite all the lies and deceit, Raynare still confessed and gave him an idea of what's to await him. No matter how vague it was, she came through. The Fallen Angel gave him plenty of guidance and help from the shadows. And, for the most part, everything she had done was to benefit him.
And, he would miss her if she died to say the least. Though, those feelings weren't the only ones.
Issei nearly doubled over in laughter since both greed and lust welled up within him all the while. His sin manipulation said so. "—Pfft!" He couldn't help but release a tiny bit.
"H-Huh?"
"Sorry sorry," the boy calmed down, slightly. "I have a lot of catching up to do, no?" Again, she sent him a weird look. "It's the answer to all our problems so it's all I have to do. I'll catch up in those two years that I promise. I'll surpass even you." Grinding his skills and levels would be a... relative breeze now that he had Yuuma and Kuroka lending a hand. Even just one session with the latter increased his skills a few levels. Never mind the new two he gained! And, that was without even doing much practice.
"If-" His girlfriend bit her lip, glancing up to his resolute caramel eyes, "If you say so Ise, then I believe you." She lied and didn't quite believe him. Well, that was fine. She'll be all the more surprised she did.
A new window alerted him to a new quest.
- :|: -
+ Quest: "Grow stronger than strong"
Save Raynare
"I am now the Starfall of who is no longer. What purpose do I have other than to honor those who fell? This disgusting lack of war is all that's left of them and I refuse to live in a world where I cannot shine..."
The Morning Star of God is He who watched his brethren fall, both from heaven and in war, He who watched the demise of God and his favored but rebellious Children, He who watched his kin grow complacent and grew to hate the quiet war.
[Hint: 5 pairs of wings]
Objective:
- Attain Lvl: 70
- ? Route: 100% (0/100)
- Raynare Route: 70% (35/70)
- Break Raynare's Pact (0/1)
- Awaken Balance Breaker (0/1)
Reward(s):
- (Cadre-class) Fallen Angel Feathers x 10
- Penetration Enhancement Skill
- Phenex Tears x 3
- ?'s spirit
(170,000 exp) | (? gold)
Failure/Deny:
- Lost Route (Raynare, ?, ?, ?, ...)
- Possibly GAMEOVER
?:
?
- :|: -
Well... If that wasn't hinting as to what's coming, he wasn't sure what was. It gave him a baseline and a more defined goal in any case. Of course, he would accept it without any further thought. It's not like it placed his girlfriend's life on the line or anything...
At the more morbid thoughts, he unconsciously tightened his grip on Raynare. He only noticed when she rubbed circles on it.
"You've gotten stronger, Ise," she said simply.
"Aw shucks," the boy scratched behind his head at the sudden compliment and shifted his gaze away. "You think so?" At the same time, he accepted the quest with ease.
"Just a week ago, you could barely carry and run with myself in your arms..." Her words brought up a fond memory. In his embarrassment, however, he missed her smile. Turning back to her to quip back, he caught but a glimpse of it and was stilled. "I've nearly forgotten that Longinus wielders have rapid and exceptional growth." Her status conveyed that she was starting to have hope. Issei was a little disappointed in the fact he couldn't completely wipe away her despair. A start was enough.
A wave of fatigue washed over him. He stumbled. Raynare caught him before he could fall.
"Issei?!" her voice rang in his ear
"Sorry," the boy gave a small laugh, "I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
"Let's get you home then..." She proceeded to gather her into arms, something he found embarrassing. Though since she had shifted to her mature form, it helped lessen it, albeit a tiny bit. It happened so quickly he couldn't even struggle in time.
Being held in someone's arms, moreover his 'smaller' girlfriend? He would never have imagined it.
As if Raynare could read his thoughts, she gave a small giggle, taking to the air. "It's not like this is the first time, Ise," she said as her tone dripped with mirth.
"Ah-" his mind drifted to the nearly forgotten memory, "r-right..."
"I'll be waiting for my turn again, ok?" The Fallen Angel didn't get a response, so she glanced down. Her boyfriend was out in her arms. At that, she shook her head softly before brushing the hair matted on his forehead.
"Good night Ise."
Aes (AN): I'm not sure if I made it clear but the permanent basic/condensed status of any living thing flickers a few times in a minute on average. When under distress etc, it may flicker a few times per second. Issei is surrounded by this. Often, he's too busy reading statuses to act perverted...
Just to clarify: When a character is listed with "route," they already see Issei in some sort of light that can lead to romance, such as a form of their salvation, a means to an end, etc.
I hope you like this current Kuroka. She'll become similar to her canon self later so don't fret too much. Speaking of canon, despite the newest major quest hinting at canon events, it will not be the same nor will there just be a few minor changes here and there. There wasn't much action this chapter- nor is there any overly cute scenes this time around. Sorry about that! Combat should be coming next chapter!
Also, I've tried upping the pacing. Hopefully, it's not too disruptive.
If you wanna ask more questions, talk about DxD or other fandoms and meet other writers, do join this discord 'disc ord. gg / V54pcwA' (minus the spaces) or use the code 'V54pcwA' after clicking on the big plus at the bottom of all your discord channels. Say hi to the idol for me :)
[Word: 8,714] (not as big as I'd like...)
Reviews:
Tyrant Overlord Killidia: ...I was joking but thank you for indulging me anyhow! Kiyome Abe may be coming sooner rather than later~ I don't know too much about Lngvild Leviathan, but I'll look into her! The latter two... you'll just have to wait and see. I hinted at one~
SentinalSlice: Yeah! This chapter may have narrowed the answer to your question as no after knowing all of this, buuuut (spoiler) yes, yes she is. I'll try to keep up the quality. Thanks again for the kind words!
DarkDrawerJ: (:
Fenrir44: No? Riser's role will be different as he is a male in a female-dominant supernatural.
Guest: Yeah this chapter really didn't want to come out... but it's here nonetheless! Thank you a bunch for your kind words- they really do mean a lot since I'm trying pretty hard to edit and all that all by my lonesome. Be well!
MythiccKnight: Ahaha... My version of Raynare/Yuuma will always be a tragic character, not extremely so in this story. And yeah, it's a little saddening to see. Though, do not be tricked by all her lovey dovey-ness~
NoaRien: I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. I think you meant to ask if Raynare is starting to like Issei. In that case, yes she is.
Anoymous112112: Sort of. Yasaka will join the massive harem :)
Molten Thunder: AH I had meant to fix that- I realized it during my reread of the 3rd chapter before I posted chapter 4 but forgot! Thanks for the reminder! At first, I was going to give Kunou 7 tails, but I changed my mind near the end of that chapter, making her rather overpowered. I wish I could show her off already!
To everyone else (yes, you presence-less bunch): thank you for reading! Be well or else!