(During the battle: Isseis Mindscape)
Ophis: Why do you fight for them? Apocalypse doesn't mean the end of the world, so why fight? Why not join me?
Issei: Because I have people that I want to protect and allowing Apocalypse to run rampant could mean their end. And so it means I must fight you, and most of all, I cannot love you, I choose the many over the few.
Ophis: But how do you know who is right and wrong?
Issei: Right and wrong is based on morals and is an endless argument of who is right and wrong...academic things like that are pointless to argue over.
Ophis: But still, you must wonder...why they fight this war?
-Phantom like copies of her allies appear, recognizing Helios, Nemesis and Shalba but not the other two-
Ophis: Helios, Nemesis, Shalba, Creuserey and Katarea...Shalba was recently killed and you let the red dragon do it while being fully capable of doing it yourself why-
Issei: I didnt get in the red dragon emperors way because I knew that to get him out of his fit of rage he had to kill Shalba himself. If I interferred I know the true power of rage and it is not something I am willing to be on the bladed edge of. We are done speaking.
-He forcibly ends the line of transmission between him and Ophis and is unconscious. His body felt like it was floating as he remained unconscious and sounds of battle being heard around him, especially the war chant, cheering on Achilles as he went forward and attacked, he then felt a warm feeling that he only feels when being healed...Kuroka? No...Asia...-
Ryujin: Partner...I have a new power as a result of this...its something that I wished we would never need but it is something that we may need in the future.
Issei: What is it?
Ryujin: Full release...it expends our energy at a slower rate but puts a higher strain on your body, use it wisely because if you don't, it will kill you, if you do we will end up with a coma if you survive the battle.
Issei: How long?
Ryujin: I do not know...it has never been done before...we are on the edge of using a power which we don't know what it could do.
Issei: So its like the berserker skill...
Ryujin: I guess...I don't know.
Issei: You dont know?
Ryujin: Like I told you, I havent had this power appear before, not even your father faced this level of exhaustion, he didnt even advance his gear this far.
Issei: Because I am weak?
Ryujin: No...because he didn't need to push himself this far, by comparison you are stronger but only by a small amount.
Issei: Chances of victory if I had to fight a showdown against such opponents again?
Ryujin: Chances of survival are 1%.
Issei: I had hoped it was higher but that will have to do.
-Two days pass by and during that time his wounds scarred up, leaving cuts along his arm and scars from arrows on his shoulder and his hand as well as his leg. He could do nothing but meditate and practice his sword technique, his new scars from the damage he took appeared but was not very noticeable but they did look good on him self admittedly. The war had continued to rage with constant hit and run attacks from the Chaos Brigade during that time and Issei was still concerned about if and how Ophis was getting in his head...of course the draconic link through the sacred gear he caried was more than likely the answer...but he could not know for certain-
Rias: I swear he always pushes himself too hard.
-She said this with a saddened look on her face while talking to Akeno-
Akeno: Well I am sure that he does it for our sake, he always fought with his heart, we both know that.
Kuroka: Ahem, the three of us, you always leave me out of it all the time nya!
Akeno: My bad, I am just so used to it being just me and Rias fufufu.
Issei: I guess its just that way then...
-He said this quietly but Kuroka caught it with her advanced hearing and looked at Issei and smiled-
Kuroka: Well I think that if its just you two, maybe I should keep him for myself.
Rias: Hey! Thats not fair!
Issei: OW!
-Kuroka had walked over and lied on top of him and his weight had been on his gut-
Issei: Can you please get off, so I can get up?
Kuroka: Nope, you are staying right there until we say so.
Issei: But isnt today a school day?
Rias: No, the two days off have passed and today is a holiday so...
Akeno: So we are going to make use of you!
Issei: Huh?
Kuroka: Has fusing with that old man made you senile dear?
Rias: You, are going to stay here all day and make it up to all three of us for how absent you have been in taking care of us. You have been so busy that your attention has only been on the war.
Issei: What time is it?
Akeno: Six in the morning.
-Half the day flies by and Issei is drained at the level of sexual contact he just had, the usual grouping had occured after the fact where Kuroka laid on top of him, Akeno to his right and Rias to his left all three of them napping as he lie on his back, covers over all of them, Jeane opens the door and sees the scene in front of her and averts her gaze and quietly tells Issei that he is once again needed-
Jeane: Its the council, they seem agitated at what happened.
-Issei sighs and somehow sneaks away from all three of them but knows that Kuroka had definitely noticed his escape but didnt stop him as she was satisfied, he quickly dressed in attire fitting of a Grandmaster and he was downstairs and amongst the council members-
Council Head: Grandmaster Hyoudou, good for you to join us, we were just discussing how we should proceed with this war.
Council Tactician: As I said, we should tread lightly, they now know who the leader is as well as how weak we are against dragons.
Issei: Only against that certain dragon, against the elder drakons and fire drakes when we were first discovering them Jeane and her soldiers were holding them off easily.
Council Priest: The mortuary says differently Grandmaster, a lot of our regulars are gone, even the volunteers have a large chunk missing, the families of still active soldiers are worried that their sons and daughters will come home in a box and not on their feet.
Issei: Those were from the more recent battles. They are without a doubt getting stronger, and so we must as well.
Council Trainer: By doing what? We cant exactly give them experience overnight, training is one thing and experience is learned not bestowed upon people, at least in normal circumstances.
Issei: Then how about this, I will speak with Tanin and tell him to have training sessions of our soldiers vs their dragons, there is a lot we can learn by doing that.
Tanin: Yes there is.
Issei: Uncle!?
-He got up and looked behind him and there stood Tanin in his human form speaking to the council-
Tanin: We were inquiring about participating in the war with the devils but as you say we also have no experience against ground troops and mages. But your heros have no experience in fighting monsters, I know that fighting the beasts from both the Norse beasts and the Greek monsters that you took a serious beating so I believe it to be worth a try.
-He walked slowly, almost dramatically on purpose his shoes on the wooded floor making it even more dramatic-
Issei: So we already have his permission...
Council Tactician: Yes but what is this "Uncle" buisness?
Issei: He took me in when my father had died, if it wasnt for him, I wouldnt know the basics of how a dragon fights, or any beast, monster or humanoid fights for that matter. I trust him with my life.
Council Head: Then see to it that your forces are allowed to fight alongside the devils. Once that is complete then I will allow this co-opted training regimen. Now, Grandmaster to your punishment, you went out on your own and nearly got yourself killed, if it were not for your subordinates and your acquaintances you would be dead or worse be a prisoner of war in a base where we dont even know where it is located. Your punishment is to spend time in the library, studying ways to not make this mistake again, are we clear?
Issei: Yes.
Council Head: Then we are done here, dismissed.
-They dissapeared into their clouds of smoke, more than likely back to their homes or their offices-
Tanin: I also wanted to speak to you about that...
-He slapped Issei across the face and gave him a mean stare-
Tanin: You fool! You just had to go and fight the immortal dragon on your own! Why didnt you ask for some help!
Issei: Because there wasnt time.
Tanin: There was time, you know that if you were in trouble, I would drop what I was doing and help you!
-He sighs and face palms-
Tanin: Next time call me ok?
Issei: As you wish Uncle.
-Issei spent the rest of the day watching the women he loved sleep and studying the material he had gathered from the quick trip to the Library within the Hero Faction base. A lot of it being standard militsry protocol and the usual things that would be taught to a normal soldier within the hero faction-
Issei: This is boring...these tactics are outdated and this training style needs to be changed and/or advanced...what time is it?
-21:30-
Issei: Are you three sleeping or waiting for me to come back.
Kuroka: Both.
Akeno: Waiting.
Rias: Waiting.
Issei: I should be done momentarily...
Rias: I hope so.
-She walks up behind him in the nude and hugs him from behind-
Akeno: Heh, you cheater.
-He finishes up and goes to bed knowing that whatever came next was probably one of the last steps to the Chaos Brigades plans, and now that he knew who the enemy was, their leaders at least, he could find out their backstories and why they are doing what they are doing. He calmly went to bed and fell alseep, forcefully reaching the mindscape-
Ryujin: I see you took quite the yelling at by everyone and even Tanin got angry, congratulations thats not an easy thing to do.
Issei: Not what I am here for Ryujin...you saw what I saw after I passed out correct?
Ryujin: You mean the generals of the Chaos Brigade? Yes...and I know all of their backstories, your father fought one of them snd he witnessed the other two when they were in battle.
Issei: I see...what about this Katarea person?
Ryujin: The lady Leviathan before the current one...she fought your father and she offered herself to him seeing him as worthy but he declined, it was one of the steps he took in becoming a Champion for the human factions to rally behind.
Issei: Shalba is dead...we already know where he came from...so who was the last one again?
Ryujin: Creuserey, he wants to kill the current satan leaders in the new faction, he believes that it is destroying the name that comes with being a satan. He also appeared during that battle when Diodora was killed but no one saw him, I did detect him though...I wonder why he was there...
Issei: Hmm...
-There was a beeping noise and it continued to get louder and louder-
Ryujin: Huh, I guess time does fly when you are sleeping. We will talk later.
-Issei awoke and got up and found he was alone that morning and stratched. he saw a note on his desk, Rias and Akeno had to leave early for their club that morning-
Issei: Shower and breakfast, here I come.
-He showered and ate and then left. school went as usually expected...the professor really did give a lot of notes, he wrote then but it still bored him. The later part of the day was continuing to help Loma produce the new sword style for the sword he was using...he was getting better at a fast pace, it almost made Issei nervous...almost...-
Issei: Loma...I think its time to have that duel again.
Loma: As you wish, but dont cry if you lose.
Issei: I wont, same goes for you as well.
Loma: May the best man win.
-They both took their positions and summoned their blades, Issei with his hand on sword sitting on his back and Loma with his hand hovering over the handle of his sword and they sttod there motionless-
Rias POV
Caspar: Rias sama, they are doing it again.
Rias: Those two are too focused on their swords and nothing else.
Akeno: Well Issei is the leader of a faction, so be must be prepared at all costs, especially if we expect him to return from a suicide mission.
Ako: Well Loma has to train as well, he could ask Kiba but it seems that their training types are incompatible.
Koneko: Incompatible?
Ako: Loma focuses on short battle training, not wasting time and shock tactics, Kiba is .ore of a main battle fighter, especially for fights that are very drawn out. Kiba is more of a workhorse so his training regimen is a lot longer and more harsh to increase his output while not using up too much stamina...Loma is the opposite entirely.
Akeno: Watching him quite closely are we?
-This make Ako blush and look away, and it released laughter from everyone but Gaspar and Ako, one was embarrassed and the other was confused-
Isseis POV
Issei: Not bad but your starting to falter.
Loma: Quit talking and keep fighting me.
-Their fight ended up as a draw when their blades collided in a flurry of hacks, slashes and thrusts and finally a clash and they both spun and they thrust their blades and they both ended up with their blades at eachothers necks-
Issei: A draw huh? Oh well...
Loma: No...again.
-Loma was panting hard while Issei had barely broken a sweat-
Issei: I dont think so, if I were to take you on now, I would win, you are too tired, drink some water and rest it is worth it to push yourself too hard if your training is not based on drawn out warfare.
-Loma stopped and sheathed his blade and drank some water and poured some down his shirt and on his head-
Issei: You should train in more direct combat training, hit and run type training as well as tactics and warfare are useful but you forget that you would be acting on your own as everyone else fights directly...unless...
Loma: What?
Issei: How about becoming a...mmm...nah, he wouldn't do it...
Loma: Oh come one tell me!
Issei: I was thinking about having your training continue with Achilles, his fighting style is similar, quick strikes ending his fights quickly and using his stamina efficiently. You would have to make a balance between the style that we made and the style he would teach you, not to mention how he would condition you.
Loma: Something tells me I am not going to enjoy that...
Achilles: No, you won't.
Issei: Achilles? What are you doing here, no wait how did you even get in?
Achilles: Shadow movement, I was never a child of Hades but this new body does come with some perks, and I intend to make use of them entirely.
Issei: That explains how, now why.
Achilles: I hate to be the messenger as that council if you will excuse my free speaking is a waste of time, we should be sabotaging the Chaos Brigade and it's supplies whenever possible.
Issei: I agree but what is the message?
Achilles: You have been excused from the study, the Librarian there seems to think highly of you and gave you high marks even though you were never there.
Issei: Damn...I owe her now...
Achilles: Yes, you do, now what is this about giving me a student?
Issei: Um...I...uhhhh.
Loma: He analyzed me and said our fighting styles are similar with how we fight, striking down enemies decisively and efficiently.
Achilles: Oh? Is that so?
-He looked at Issei who nodded admitting that he did say that-
Achilles: Then perhaps before taking you under my wing I should test you.
-An hour passed and Loma kept getting up and being knocked back on his butt no matter how hard he fought or how smart he was or when he did it-
Achilles: Hmm...you need a lot of work, let me show you, boss do you mind?
Issei: Nope.
-Issei draws his sword immediately and the blades make impact at high speed, hacks slashes and stabs and thrusts, counters dodges and blocks all weaved into the perfect symphony of a duel, this made Loma interested and pay attention, but it also pissed him off at the realization of what Issei had done-
Issei: Ha!
-He swings his sword and stops short of Achilles throat, while Achilles was in a stance prepared to run Issei through-
Issei: I guess we could call this a draw?
Achilles: Fair.
Loma: Issei, you bastard, you were holding out on me! You were going slow when we were dueling earlier!
Issei: Because the way we fight requires more speed which relies on strength in the muscles of the entirety of our bodies, its why we can dodge, counter and strike as quickly as we do, although I do admit I'm not exactly jacked, I keep up a lot of my training, and I do some last minute training two days before battle and when I dont have time to train sometimes I keep my skills up by hunting.
Loma: Hunting?
Issei: Yes, dealing with strays, I have been laying off the strays in this area because I was hoping Rias would take you guys on a hunting rampage but it seems that she takes them down one at a time instead of doing mass hunts...perhaps I should speak to her about it. You know what, I'll take it up with her now.
-Issei walks away and into the old school building and into the clubroom-
Issei: So Rias...
Rias: Yes?
Issei: The number of strays has increased lately hasn't it?
Rias: Yes, maybe a little too much.
Issei: Perhaps that should be taken care of, perhaps a shared hunt, I will keep an eye on you all and you do your thing and hunt, en masse.
Rias: In large amounts? That is really risky.
Issei: You think so? Ako and Loma have wanted to prove themselves and show you they are ready for the front lines, this is the perfect chance to observe their skills and see how well their skills mold together with the peerages skillset. I'll keep an eye on you guys, I do feel responsible for the survival of Loma and Motohama...especially after that incident...maybe I put too much responsibility on his shoulders...
Raynare: I don't think so, he likes Asia its obvious how much he likes her, but it shows that he cares and it may be a step.
Issei: A step?
Koneko: Both Matsuda and Motohama are perverts.
Issei: You mean the boob perverts?
Raynare: It seems so.
Asia: Y-yes...he is that way...
-Asia is blushing and pushing her fingers together-
Issei: So you like him back right?
-She blushes even harder and covers her face with her hands-
Asia:Mmhmm...
Issei: Well, all he needs to learn is self control but once thats done, I think he would be good for you. Raynare, have you found someone yet?
Raynare: Not yet. But that sacred gear that Matsuda is carrying is definitely drawing my attention...maybe its the darkness that lies within that gear...it is awakened, it speaks to him...but he doesnt easily allow free use of the gear itself...he has to fulfill a set of parameters first before it allows free use...
Issei: You can tell that just by looking at it?
Raynare:Mmhmm...
Issei:Hmm...maybe...no thats impossible.
Rias: What is?
Issei: Sacred gears only place themselves within humans, and even humans who have been turned into fallen lose their sacred gear if they have one...how is that possible...
Azazel: I don't know. But its worth an in depth study.
-Hearing Azazel speak without realizing he entered the room made everyone jump and they realized something as well-
Issei: Wait...your becoming a teacher here?
Azazel: Yeah.
Issei: That plus the war is a lot of paperwork, can you handle it?
Azazel: I have hired an assistant and its worked out so far so, yes I do. Wait, why am I answerinf that? Of course I can handle it.
Issei: So what? Your a professor or something?
Azazel: Yes, in the arts of the supernatural, they allowed my class idea as a way to make the school more lively and now I am also partially responsible for your activities.
-Koneko looked him up and down then ignored him again, Kiba did the same, Rias welcomes him as well as Akeno and Azazel seemed to take a special interest in the sacred gears of Matsuda, Motohama, Ako and Loma-
Issei: So...when do we go hunting?
Rias: Tonight. Akeno gather everyone. Kiba ask my brother for all the profiles of the rogues currently in my territory.
-They both nod and soon enough the whole group is gathered and just as quick the profiles keep stacking on tbe desk along with a note-
Note: From Sir Zechs one of the Satans of the underworld:
Issei, you jerk! Why are you allowing these contracts to pile up! I thought I told you that nights of blood in the gutters is not a good thing and it puts people in danger! Whatever you are doing, finish it off and kill these things before they cause more issues!
Kiba: Nights of blood in the gutters?
Issei: When I was 12 I liked hunting en masse, I was addicted to the bloodlust because of my need for revenge, I was a wild animal and to be honest creepy and gross, but that was a phase, I'm over it and now I am what I am.
Azazel: A hunter that was addicted to the blood of monsters turned a no longer delinquent and savage person. You were one weird kid.
Issei: I get that a lot. Regardless its time to hunt...22:30...its time...
Rias: We will head to the first location, Issei will watch us from above and make sure we dont get killed off, lets go.
-That night was a long one and the hunt didnt end until a quarter of them were taken care of, in one night 9 strays were taken care of and the time it ended was 00:30 in the morning...the night was long and the day after was the same as well-