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Death's Chosen
[XXII]
||Consequences||
Every religion had their own version of the 'underworld'. The Realm of Souls. Nilfheim for the Norse, Kur for the Mesopotamian, Naraka for the Hindu, Elysium, Asphodel Meadows, and Tartarus for the Greek. All three once overseered by Hades himself. At least, until he was forced to migrate to Hell due to family affairs. Each Realm of Souls had its own caretaker whose main duty was to watch over and prevent any naughty souls from trying to run off into the "overworld". Not, mind you, because they could spook people and scare children. Those are ghosts, and even ghosts have souls. Very stubborn souls, for the most part, but sometimes lost and simply couldn't tell that they'd died.
Like this particular ghost before Him.
Death had been walking, or rather, floating down the desert located in the western side of Iraq. It was the dead of the night and bitingly cold, but not dark. Far from civilizations and the pollution that often came with it, the skies were clear, and the stars and the moon lit up the land and its rolling sandy hills.
Where was He heading? You might wonder, and in all honesty, Death was, admittedly, unfortunately, a bit lost.
Searching for a long lost empire was quite hard when most of their structures and archways and pillars and its tower in entirety had been buried deep beneath the desert.
He didn't mind it though, albeit He was growing quite bored of seeing this many sand and dunes of sand, and more and more sand. Time was His to spare, and He could always 'cheat' by taking a sip of a drink called omniscience. But for now, Death roamed the Dasht-e Kavir, where too many souls were lost and still waiting to be found and reclaimed, and not rarely would He encounter some that bumped into him.
"Salam, brother," said the man in a heavy Arabic accent. By appearance, Death was rather intimidating. However, in the eyes of humans and most beings, He appeared only as how they would perceive any other human being from their own race. "Are you lost? The way you dress, it is not because you seek to attend your own funeral I hope?"
"Greetings," Death replied with a nod. In their eyes, he appeared as a man in a formal suit. A black flat cap rested atop a straight hair that was darker than the night. Black aviators hid His soul-freezing piercing gray eyes.
A wee bit of facial hair highlighted His 'human's bone structure. Black suit over black shirt with white handkerchief sticking out of its breast pocket. It was as crisp as a new banknote and dyed to a uniform shade of bleak gray. No lines, no dots. It was plain and thoroughly clean, like someone who was about to attend a funeral, hence the soldier's question.
It would be a terrible insult to a soul to be ferried by a sketchy looking fellow with a horrible sense of fashion. Reapers of Souls were meant to inspire a sense of peace, to grant an odd but calming air of familiarity and of trust despite never meeting, and approachable as though they were an old friend just paying a visit. It was one of the only reasons why Hades' previous choice of outfit greatly annoyed Him.
"And no; I assure you I do not intend to die, though it does appear that I am lost."
Hearing the answer, the soldier laughed heartily. He was a young man. Not much older than His Chosen, but much beardier. He was clothed in military fatigues, full combat gear minus the guns and knives and grenades. A binocular with cracked glasses hung by his chest, its left cylinder completely filled with sand.
Death determined he was a soldier during the Gulf War.
"Then it is a must to bury yourself in the sand, brother. It keeps you warm in this deathly cold. Give you a chance to survive and live to tell your experience."
"Walking fends away the cold, for the moment."
"Ah, do rest when you are tired. The nearest city is due east. Do you come prepared with a compass? Can you read the stars? They are easy to spot."
Indeed. The skies were clear. Clearer than most, and the stars hung and sparkled like glitter.
"Your advice is appreciated, and yes," Death regarded him. "And what of you? Particular destination in mind?"
"Aaah, I am on patrol as you can see. My squad has gone ahead as I was wounded, but now I am fine. …Ah, do you happen to see any cats around? She is of white fur, very long fur."
Must be that cat He had ferried earlier during His search. "She's home already, Sergeant."
"Is she now? Ah, alhamdulillah… Peace be with you, brother, I must return to my duty and look for my squad."
"Your squad?" Death cocked His head as though looking past the soldier's shoulder. "You mean those people, Sergeant?"
"Hm?" The sergeant followed the direction where His finger pointed, and laughed to himself, feeling silly that he failed to spot them when they were this close. "Why, yes! Yes, they are!" and the Sergeant began to jog towards his squad members; four of them in total, currently walking away from him with their backs facing him. "Take care brother! East is that way! Perhaps tomorrow we can accompany you to the city!"
And as he reached them, yelling their names in a brusque joking manner, the four other young men turned around and cheered, clapping the Sergeant's helmet. They joked and jostled with him, exchanging lighthearted insults until a flash of light engulfed them all, and Death stowed the young sergeant's soul within the many depths of His robe.
Death idly looked around, then muttered to Himself with a voice filled with exasperation, "Now if I can find that damn vault…"
He guided souls to their chosen Realm of Souls. Big or small. A soldier or a pauper. Kings or street sweepers. Yet He couldn't find the damn door to one for the life of Him.
It wasn't until He reached a certain point in the vast sea of sand that Death thought 'Screw this,' and sank into a whirlpool of His own smokes. He had plenty of time, but He had seen enough sand and scenic animal bones jutting out from it. He was here to talk with Ereshkigal — one of the last living deities from the Mesopotamian Mythology. One who had been feeling left out because she couldn't join the party even if she wanted to, and was feeling horridly lonely, sitting alone in the dark expanse of Kur.
The souls howled, circling in the eternally dark skies where a fake moon shone, created by the lonely goddess herself, so that she wasn't completely left in the dark. The ground itself was bluish gray in color, cracked and shattered, as his smokes surged to fill the gaps.
"Good evening," Death greeted, and the Sumerian Goddess of Kur leapt to her feet as her black dress billowed, her beautiful golden and white spear flowing along with her movements as she pointed her weapon towards the uninvited visitor.
Wine red eyes broadened as the tall, dark, menacing and gaunt figure walked towards her, her wide and sharp double-bladed spear simply delved inside His robe, and Ereshkigal felt cold, shackling fear for the first time in her life.
"Death," she immediately realized, and reeled away her weapon, casting it aside as it vanished in a crackle of burgundy lights. "...Have you come for me?"
"I do."
"...I see…" The goddess closed her eyes, a small smile on her face. She had carried her duties of administering the underworld since her birth. But lately no souls have ever come to her Realm of Souls, and she understood why. Nobody believed in the old gods anymore.
Now, she would be a goddess that disappeared along with the Age of Gods without ever knowing of the world above, or of freedom. A goddess that had been sitting here, all by herself, even after most of those she knew had left the world of the living, remembered only through their fading histories, and her own memories.
But she had made her peace.
Loneliness was too much for her to bear.
Perhaps in the afterlife she should find a place where flowers bloomed.
"You have done your duty, never once shirking away. And for that I thank you."
"...I'm… just doing what I'm supposed to do."
Death wondered about a world where all gods were like her. Committed only to their duty. Perhaps too ideal and too good to be true, if not painfully dull, and as He had now seen before Him; mentally taxing.
"Come," Death simply said as His silver gauntlet reached towards her. A gentle invitation. "You've remained here enough. You have done your duty."
Ereshkigal raised her gaze, and watched as the thousand of swirling souls all…
Vanished.
And nothing but a haunting silence surrounded her.
"Where did you take them?"
"Another Realm of Souls. Hades and his reapers will care for them. It's warmer there," He assured her. After all, this was the goddess who thought of giving those souls wools to keep them warm. "and he has more than enough able bodies."
Ereshkigal used to have employees too. But she couldn't be so cruel and force them to continue to work for her. There wasn't even a job to do. Everyone had either believed in a different religion or different Pantheons, or even none at all.
Binding them here wasn't right.
And yet she remained.
Because it was her duty.
"...Where… Where will I go now?" It was the first time she heard herself this unsure. Uncertainty was certainly terrifying, she realized. Not knowing was naturally terrifying as a goddess.
"Above," Death simply said. "Have a look around how much the world has changed."
"...Huh?"
She could have chosen a human soul, even those that didn't reside in her Realm of Souls — and yet she knew better than to chain them with the same loneliness she bore throughout ages.
Today, that should change.
After all, Death was nothing if not fair.
The worst of the worst was given a chance.
So shall she.
"Your Realm and duties have become your own prison. I permitted every god to join my game. Big or small."
"But I can't… I can't leave."
"Now you can. Should you choose to participate, that is."
Ereshkigal clutched her chest. "But… But I… I can't possibly choose a human to fight yours… It… It wouldn't be right..."
"I never said you must send them to fight my boy. And I never mentioned if there is a time limit for the gods to pick their Chosen."
"..." Happiness to her felt like a gut punch. Was she truly free? "...I… I don't know what to say. I… A-All this time I've… I mean, I've been here for so long, and nobody ever comes around anymore— Even my own sister only came to ever since she took Gilgamesh..."
The arrogant King of All Heroes and the pampered Whimsical Goddess stubbornly attempting to make him her trophy husband by granting him his life.
Excellent. Death could only think of few worse combinations than those two, and even fewer interesting ones that were deserving to be knocked down a few pegs. Maybe more.
"I thought I was forgotten…" Ereshkigal then said in a low whisper. "...I might as well be. Even my own sister thinks of me only as an afterthought nowadays."
"Nonsense. I remember every Caretaker."
His silver hands sent shivers down her spine as He rested it against the top of her head, over her black tiara, and He stroked her blonde hair gently, and that shivers turned into a genial warmth.
"...I-I don't remember ever granting you permission to lay a hand upon my hair."
"You're my sister's creation, but feel free to step away if you so wish to betray your own wanting."
"...I…" Ereshkigal pursed her lips. Her body was telling her to leave and turn around in a regal display of confidence and authority and pride, but her mind was telling her to stay. Stay, and cherish this moment, because she couldn't remember the last time anyone had ever granted her so much of a second glance.
"I'm relieving you from your duty. Now head out there and have some fun. Your power will be limited compared to staying here, but at the very least; you won't be alone."
Ereshkigal choked, and she wept.
So even gods do get terribly lonely. He wanted to confirm it first. Well. He shouldn't be surprised. His sister made them this way. Ereshkigal was one of the very few gods she personally crafted and still alive. Likely because she had never left Kur, even during the Eternal Conflict.
Nevertheless… Ereshkigal wasn't the last of the Caretakers that He wanted to pay a visit. Anubis would be the last, and no doubt, her radiant optimism should pair nicely with Ereshkigal's cautious pessimism. And her Servant… Who was it…? Nitocris? Why was she wearing a cloth over her body while running around the River Styx?
Well… that aside, they were bubbly with energy. Perhaps this 'niece' of Him might appreciate their vigor.
Elsewhere, far away from the reach of the universe known to men, further away from the reach of a curious God, where no stars could penetrate the darkness and the jadedness of the Void — Balthazar surged through the thick blackness in the vacuum of space and time, traveling through systems and galaxies in a matter of seconds.
Something in him popped and he tasted the color purple seconds ago. The boy was alive. Balthazar had felt their link re-established, and the Outworld Devourer needed to hear of his adventure.
Break
"Blegh—" Issei woke up with a start, and coughed out air as though it was sandy water.
No he didn't have a nightmare. He swallowed air the wrong way during his sleep, and incidentally stirred himself awake in the process.
Naturally, this dramatic way of waking greatly concerned those who were waiting worriedly for him. Specifically one certain crimson-haired devil who had successfully inflamed her own eyes by crying an entire day, shutting herself in her bedroom and refusing to eat anything. Rias believed she was suddenly single again because her boyfriend had departed to a place she couldn't yet follow.
"I-Issei!" Rias nearly burst into tears. She would have if she hadn't completely squeezed out her tear ducts. "Y-you're… you're awake… You're finally awake… I was so worried…"
"Egh— whoa… it's… it's so bright in here…" the boy croaked, thudding his chest with a fist to stop himself from coughing his lungs out. It took him a moment to realize he had no idea of where he was, and why everything was so sparkly white and calmingly blue.
Then he realized he was in a hospital.
Probably.
If he wasn't, then he was going to start wondering why the hell was he in one of those cheap-looking light blue patient outfits and sitting on a hi-tech hospital bed. Blank walls in blase, soothing colors, a flat-screen television hanging in the upper corner, an open window letting in a smooth, noon breeze and a rectangular picture with confusing pastel colored smudges. He had no idea what meaning it was meant to represent because it looked like some five year old just tripped on a bunch of paint cans and their parents called it 'art' to not hurt their feelings.
But hey. He never was a painter.
He felt the weight on his bed shift as pleasant warmth wrapped his front part of his body, before his whole face was engulfed in Rias' godly bosoms.
"Issei, oh Issei…" the Gremory whispered as love and relief swelled in her heart. To see Tiamat carrying him was one thing, hearing that he was alive was another, but to finally see him opening his eyes brought her a relief like no other.
Issei would have responded if he wasn't being immediately suffocated. Not that he minded. Not one bit. This was great. Her 'pillows' were softer than the one he had been sleeping on and smelled much better. Much more feminine. Sweet and fragrant.
Gingerly, not fully recollecting enough events to pick up why Rias was this distressed, he slung his own arms around her and returned her hug. A tight squeeze was given before he eased it down. Her skin felt soft under his fingertips even with her clothes in between them. And her smell — god her smell. It was invigorating, neuron-activating, and wonderfully feminine. He could sense his synapses activating and desire peaking.
Something was rising and it wasn't Jesus nor the Shield Hero.
Rias only let him go because Issei took a very deep breath. He might well be trying to inhale her chest, and she shuddered lightly since he really just took a nip at her breast.
"O-Ow…"
"...Sorry. I can't help myself," Issei admitted. There was no shame or guilt shown, only a great passion towards the Gremory's mammaries. "It's my calling."
As usual, his unapologetic honesty earned her giggles. "You're alright… goodness, you're alright…" Rias smiled, and had to pinch his cheek lightly because of the stupidly serious look he was giving her.
"Man… That was… like, nice," he muttered, fully intoxicated by her. "Can we do it again?"
Rias frowned for a moment, but sighed and chuckled as she held him again, only this time she rested her head above his shoulder, splaying her hands over his… hard back. Again she was reminded of his physical transformation, and blushed a little as she realized she wanted to see his back without this hospital gown. Rias had to contain herself because her neck felt tingly all of a sudden; and she was reminded about her curse.
And admittedly got a bit excited over it.
"Not what I meant but this is nice too," Issei whispered, and Rias knew she had to control her own desire. She wanted to let him know that she appreciated his words.
"I thought… I really thought you were dead…" she finally whispered, and spat out every horrible thought that had been plaguing her mind. "...I… I saw you turned into stone, Issei… A-And I just…"
Issei nervously glanced onto his groin and gulped. Honesty was the best policy, he supposed, and said to her, "Well… I mean you're a very beautiful girl… and you literally shoved your boobs into my face."
This time, Rias had to pull away to register what he meant. She still didn't get it.
"...Huh?"
Issei blinked, confused that she was confused at him. And then it clicked.
"...Oh you weren't talking about that…"
"...What? What do you mean?"
"Nevermind." Nobody claimed it was easy to have a mind that was perpetually stuck in the gutter, it might as well be the entire sewer at this point. "What did you say again? I turned into a rock?"
"You did!" she exclaimed. "You were— when you reached out to her… Tamamo, I mean. She… her… her entire body was already turning into stone and… and I don't know what you were doing but you weren't fast enough. And then… and then I saw…"
"Alright, alright… you don't need to complete that sentence," Issei quickly said, noting the hurt growing in her expression. "...But dang…." he stared at his hands, and groped the air. "Good thing I didn't stay that way for long huh?"
"Of course you silly…" Rias sighed. "Do you remember anything? Anything at all? How much do you remember?"
"I uh…" Issei cleared his throat and was reminded it felt as barren as the Sahara desert. "Hang on, let me get some water…"
"Let me," she commanded. With a gentle wave of her hand, Rias floated a clear glass from a nearby table onto a nearby sink, filling it with water, and then letting the air carry it to his hands.
Issei thanked her and drank deeply until he emptied the glass. It tasted like rich people's water. He settled it by the counter to his left.
Rias smiled at him as she watched him drink, all in all relieved to be by his side after all the chaos from yesterday's match.
Issei felt mildly embarrassed.
"Uh… how long was I out?" he asked to get out of his awkward zone, searching the walls for a clock. It looked pretty clear outside.
"A night has passed… You were nearly out for twelve hours but… I think you're only asleep. Not unconscious, thankfully."
Riser's girls weren't as fortunate, however…
"I think so too. I don't remember dreaming anything though. Maybe I didn't have a dream."
"You must be too tired then…" Rias pouted, sighing as she ran her fingertips across his chest. "Please don't overwork yourself…"
"I-I'm fine! Don't worry. I mean, thanks for worrying, but don't worry," Issei scratched the back of his ear, until he was reminded by a pair of fluffier ones. "Oh right! How's the fox girl? Errr— Tamamo? What… What happened to her? Is she okay? A-Actually scratch that, are you okay? Your eyes are kinda… y'know… puffy. It's the allergy season but devils probably don't catch pollen, don't they."
"...You had me worried sick, Issei," Rias admitted with a sigh. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks slightly. "I thought I was going to lose you…" she grabbed his hand, and gently clasped him. "...I don't know if I can handle that kind of heart attack again… Though I know I must, considering your… peculiar occupation."
Issei felt awkward. Nobody ever worried this much about him aside from his own parents and his grandmother — god rest her so— Death rest her soul.
She looked at him with pain in her eyes. "...I admire your bravery and your kind heart, Issei. I think it's beautiful that you are who you are. But please, please put some thoughts of your own safety as well. You can't always save everyone, but you can always save more as long as you're alive."
Issei was taken aback, but he realized how dumb he was then.
"...Y-Yeah… I'm sorry. Sorry for putting you through all that. I uh… I wasn't thinking that far and didn't have much time to think."
"...As long as you understand. And you're safe now. That's all that mattered," Rias planted a soft kiss to his cheek, which quickly set his lips to grin smugly.
She wanted to give him more than just a peck, but Rias reminded herself that they were not in a private space.
So she drove the conversation ahead to a new stop. "...As for Tamamo; she's being treated right now. She's recovering the quickest, last I heard... Along with everyone else. No lives were lost and it was all thanks to Asia. Without her, then… a-actually let's not talk about that."
"Wh-why not?" Issei asked nervously. "Did something happen?"
She squeezed his hand. "It's okay, Issei. Everything is okay. Let's not worry about the past or the what ifs. Riser's Peerage are all safe, as are mine. Let's… not worry about it and celebrate. Or at least… be grateful that it's over."
For now. An ominous thought rang inside his head. He knew that it was still far from over. Tamamo and Atalanta — they were only two Chosens. He had hundreds more to go and… and what? Beat them? Rescue them like he was some sort of a white knight in shining armor? Wouldn't it be wrong to assume all Gods are assholes?
…
That would make things easier but… Susanoo was at least pretty chill.
As if Rias could tell him the truth that the people he defeated would have died if not for Asia's first aid care. She couldn't let him carry that kind of baggage. He had more than enough to carry on his shoulders as the Chosen of Death.
"Speaking of which, what exactly did you do? To… bring back Tamamo, I mean. She was fully—"
"My dear~! I sensed that you have just now awakened from his slumber~!"
"—petrified…" Rias muttered the last portion of her sentence.
Speak of the devil, or rather, the fox — Tamamo no Mae had barged into their room with a couple of angry nurses chasing right after her. Their bright peach nurse outfit immediately made Issei stare at them for longer than a moment as they apologized profusely to Rias.
"I— it's fine," Rias assured, sighing noiselessly. "Leave us. Thank you."
The nurses curtsied a bow and exited the lavish hospital room. Inwardly, they were glad to not have to handle that rowdy fox-woman — or that lecherous pig that was staring at them. Not their problem.
"Oya oya~!" Tamamo exclaimed, her large vulpine ears flickering as her tail twirled in the air. Her cherry pink hair was let down naturally, cascading all the way down to the small of her back. "Hmmmmmnn~? What have we here? A heart-touching reunion between two lovebirds? Ohoho~ move aside, devil. My turn now."
"Wuoh— scary. Don't talk to my girlfriend like that."
"It's good to see you've recovered, Lady Tamamo," Rias said, mildly blushing for the shot of happiness when she heard him said that word, but Rias managed to sigh as she saw the fox-lady essentially ignored her, skipping across the floor, making her way to Issei's unaccompanied side, and bounded herself onto the bed and snuggled up to his chest.
"Okay," Issei blinked, not really getting it but wasn't really against this. "This isn't weird."
Rias would be much more upset if she wasn't feeling completely drained both emotionally and physically. That aside, she took note of the reluctance in Issei's face. Despite not hiding that he liked the sensation of Tamamo's chest being purposefully pushed on to him, Rias appreciated that she was still in his mind and there was reservation from him towards other girls.
"...How brazen must you be to do all this in front of his own girlfriend? Are you a fox or a viper?"
"Ara~? But all is fair in love and war, is it not?" Tamamo feigned a look of innocence. Nobody would've guessed that she was beaten to her death's door by the very person she was trying to hog for herself. "After all… After all that I put him through… How he sheltered my body from the hail of arrows and freed me from my darkest nightmare— dakyuuun~ this Tamamo is so very smitten with thee! And I ask for nothing other than a fair battle from you, Rias of the Gremory Clan."
"...I don't need to battle you…" Rias, again, laid her head over his shoulder and placed a hand above his beating chest. "I know he loves me."
Tamamo winced from the invisible damage that struck her heart. "Erk—"
"Yes. Very much so, yes. Love you very much," Issei nodded a few times, subconsciously moving his right hand to the top of Rias' gorgeous hair. He wasn't yet sure if Rias was angry, but decided he should say what he thought she would appreciate.
And appreciate his words she did as Rias felt her cheeks getting warmer, making Tamamo's eyes glow green with jealousy, as the fox suddenly felt like she had just been defeated again. This time mentally.
Still, Issei was yet to register the fact that he was one step closer to his old dream; achieve a harem. He heard Tamamo's words alright, but they passed right through his ears before his brain could register what it meant. It didn't help that her sentences exited her lips at the speed of sound. All he heard was the 'dakyun' part. He thought it was cute, but that was it. The rest was like listening to a foreign rap song.
And the fact Tamamo's ancient Japanese accent was a stranger to his ears didn't make it any easier for him to comprehend her.
"You don't need anyone's permission to love anybody. Love him all you want; as long as you're sincere, then I won't stop you," said Rias as she yawned quietly. "...But if you ever trick him or deceive him, then I assure you; no gods can keep you safe."
"Well~ lucky for you then, because I've laid my eyes on him and to him only shall my eyes lay themselves upon."
"...Very well," Rias hummed, contentedly laying her head and resting her body against his side. She didn't have the energy for a verbal argument at the moment. "...So… how exactly did he… save you? Earlier you mentioned something about arrows?"
"Aaah~ so you're interested in my tragic tale, hmm? Very well… my fellow rival in love—"
"In love?" Issei repeated, but was promptly ignored.
"—prepare your heart to be wrenched by my story… and how our dearly beloved have saved me through the power of love~!"
And thus, Tamamo recounted what had happened after Rias and the devils were dragged home. She told her of her curse, that it was not Amaterasu's, but instead caused by the intense hatred of mankind towards her, where she then deemed herself guilty, and cursed herself to atone for her sins. She spoke of her repeated cycles, and how she had met Death in her self-developed personal hell.
Tamamo shared that, were it not for Issei, then she would be trapped there until the end of times, forever condemning herself for her past sins without the strength to move forward.
By the time she was finished, Issei was still laying on his back with both girls resting their heads atop his gently beating chest, facing each other. This was not a very comfortable position to be in, especially since his arms were practically locked to his sides since they were hugging it like a bolster. He was getting hotter as well, but Issei toughed it out.
He couldn't tell them that he had to pee because they looked so serious and he didn't want to ruin the moment.
…Sure was an awkward experience, however. Listening to them talk about him when he literally couldn't be any physically closer with them.
"...So there you have it…" Tamamo smiled. "Your lover dragged me out of there. His… stubbornness, I suppose," she said with a giggle, "is what rescued me. But nonetheless, the fact that he kept the arrows away from my body was the best part~ fufufun~! He was so… undeniably… my, I can't even describe it but I feel my body heat increasing merely from remembering it."
"I'm sorry for the injustice you've gone through," Rias said genuinely, catching Tamamo off guard.
"Wh-why are you apologizing for… It isn't your fault."
"No, but someone has to," Rias smiled. Tamamo nearly cried right there, but she kept herself by pursing her lips. "I've read about your tales, but historians tend to overlook certain details or gloss over certain truths. It's… fascinating, to say the least, to meet a legend in the flesh. I suppose it's another thing I'm bound to get used to, with him being His Chosen and all."
"Ah… yes. Why yes indeed…" Tamamo muttered. She had forgotten about the entire Chosen-Servant thingy. "But let us not speak of the past, yes? It makes me feel quite old, and I'm still in my early twenties~"
"I highly doubt that."
"Ohohoho~ I'll have you know I am eternally eighteen! I'm in the second season of my seventeen, which is apparent from my youthful skin and the elasticity of my mana tanks."
Rias feared if she kept on pointing things out, Tamamo would be a baby.
"...Mana tanks?"
"These," Tamamo propped her breasts up with her hands, granting Issei the moment to imagine how they'd feel in his own hands. "Would you like to touch them?"
"Yes please." Issei's nod was firm. Full of commitment. The nod of a warrior ready to go into battle.
Her cheeks warmed and flushed. She was happy, make no mistake, this was the response she desired, but Tamamo didn't expect him to be this honest, especially with his lover laying right next to him.
"S-So you are," Rias instead replied, letting out another quaint yawn that Issei thought to be adorable and momentarily obtained his focus from Tamamo's Tamamos. Her yawn was much more adorable compared to his caveman-like yawn. "...Well… you are safe now. With us. We'll take… good care…" another yawn. "...of you…"
Tamamo gently touched her forehead, and Rias slid into her dreamlands peacefully.
"...A kind girl, isn't she…? I was certain she'd refuse my declaration… not welcome it." Tamamo then twirled her own little smile. "Sheesh… I tried to rile her up but she refused to bite. Just how much does she trust you, I wonder… She's stunningly beautiful too. I'm jealous of her hair."
"I think your hair is pretty too. They're really pink as well as really on my face."
"Oya~?" her ears perked up, and Tamamo wiggled her way up to properly lay her head next to his face, momentarily marveling at his jawline, and decided to marvel it with her fingers.
Issei felt… weirdly comfortable with this. He felt guilty that he was.
"I've gained her approval, but what about anata-darling-husband-dear himself? Hm? Hm? Will you accept my undying love?"
"Wh-whoa— you really have no problem with this kind of thing, huh?"
"Hm? Maa maa… But of course. Why should I? My feelings are honest and as transparent as the glow of the moon. Don't you find my honesty endearing? O-Or was it too much…?"
"Endearing? I'm guessing that's another word for cute so yeah, but… it's kinda embarrassing. For me!" he quickly added, "not you."
"...You're rather adorable aren't you? Hnnn~ were we alone, then I'd have let my baser animalistic desire take control of my body and ravish you this instant— but as we are not… I suppose I must settle for a kiss… for now."
Issei really wished she would speak slower for him. All he could do was blink, until the part where she asked for a kiss.
But Tamamo calmed herself down, and stared at him with her bright yellow eyes. "Or at the very least… your acceptance."
"Acceptance?" Issei parroted, glancing at her ears because they twitched again. He wanted to squish those white pom-poms and hug her giant chestnut-furred tail like a bolster. But first, his response to her; "...I mean… Well… I mean how can I not like people who like me…? That kind of thing doesn't happen often, you see… so… yeah. D-Don't know much about love yet, but if you like me then… Obviously I'll treasure your feelings… Just don't expect me to give up Rias because that's never gonna happen."
"Fine by me~! I've been a mistress once, though I prefer not to be the second fiddle… hmm…"
"Mistress?"
"Oh it was a lifetime ago… When I was… Merely another lady amongst a flock of ladies. The Emperor has quite the wives and concubines, did you know? Catching his attention was an everyday war. But he was an old flame. A flame which had been snuffed and its smoke are memories drifting with the air… The scent lingers but the fire is gone forever."
"...Sorry but I'm kinda stupid for that kind of metaphor."
"What I mean is the Emperor is long dead," Tamamo giggled, before continuing, "And… My feelings towards him never grew more than mere infatuation… An ugly jealousy of wanting to feel what others feel. I lied to earn my spot and his adoration. I hid who I was; a fox spirit. But all lies were soon uncovered and when the truth came to light, I was rightly punished."
Her ears flattened themselves as Tamamo frowned, looking remorseful, as if ashamed for what she had done. "...But enough lies. I… wish to remain true to who I am. I wish to devote my heart to you and only you, Hyoudou Issei, regardless of your answer. It's the choice I made." And nobody could take this away from her. Not even him or Death Himself.
Well… maybe He could, but that would be cheating.
"I uh… Thanks. That was erm… Thanks. That made me happy," he quietly laughed to himself. "Thank you for… um… trusting me with your feelings. I'll… I'll keep you safe."
Tamamo's heart was set aflutter just by hearing that. Her chest felt tight because of the love blooming inside her.
But he wasn't finished. "...Also… uh… I'll probably end up falling for you too, because I like people who like me, dammit. And after hearing all that, how can I say no? I don't wanna be heartless… But I'll still have to talk with Rias."
"I'm fairly certain she's already aware of that," Tamamo snuggled up to him, making herself snug. "...It might be stupid, but I am madly in love with you right now, Hyoudou Issei… I pray that one day you can look at me the same way you look at her."
"...Okay…" Issei gulped, wondering why girls smelled so nice, and why Tamamo didn't smell like a fox despite that giant bushy tail she had. He wanted to be loved and feel loved; it was all he wanted. Now he got it, and all he could think to himself was 'this is nice'. "...I uh… dunno what to say… Why do you love me again…? I mean… I was only doing what anyone would've done if they were me."
"Perhaps, but you're the only one who reached for me. You… threw away everything… all to save a soul that undeserving to be saved," she hummed, feeling quite melodramatic and feeling her tears were about to finally break the dam. "You gave me hope that… even a wretch like me still has a right to earn her happiness. …In all honesty, you're still a bit too bright for me, Hyoudou. You shine like a full moon. Even now that you are next to me, I can't help but think you may be out of my reach… that I can only admire you as the wolves would with their longing howl. But still… I know that if I don't try then the regret that comes after may last forever."
Tamamo paused to breathe, before smiling to herself, and then to him. "I've had enough regrets. I desire love and be loved."
"Hey, me too. I want those too," Issei said without thinking. He regretted not having any poetic talent to respond to her analogy. "I'm… erm… touched. I think I'm actually starting to fall for you… but I'm not sure if that's just me feeling guilty for yesterday."
"Ahh~ how considerate~! As expected from my future husband~! But fret not, my dear, Tamamo is not that weak!" she winced as she felt her back crack. "Owow— my back…"
"You okay?"
"Kidding~" she winked and playfully pecked his cheek. She wasn't kidding about her reaction though. "I'm more robust than you think, Chosen of Death. …Just… let's not fight each other again. I have been severely weakened without Amaterasu's blessings. But! What I lack in power I shall make up with affection~"
"...Amaterasu… right," in that instant, his blood began to boil, and Tamamo regretted ever bringing her name. Issei had never thought just by hearing a name could make him this furious. "The next time I see her, I swear I'll—"
"Don't," Tamamo quickly pressed her index finger to his lips, shutting him up and calming his waves of anger. "Only the Gods may harm or kill another. It's their untold and unwritten law. If you lay harm on her, then the gods will justify it as a reason to eliminate you, bypassing even the agreement they have with Death."
"Wh— that's a load of bullshit. What can I do then? Just stand and watch while they pull off another kind of bullshit? Like what Amaterasu did to you?"
"Ah-haaa~! I'm so happy that you are angered because of me," Tamamo briefly squealed, and then proceeded with a serious, hintful look of that of a sly fox. "Of course, the same applies to them; they can't hurt you. Meaning if you happen to provoke them… and should in a moment of severe lapse of judgment — they attack you, just like what Amaterasu did yesterday, then I have faith that Death will surely come for them."
"Oh," he saw it now. A door. A way out should that kind of predicament ever happen again. "I got it. I'll just have to piss them the fuck off."
"Precisely. So if you ever… say, become angered by them, remember that. Death had slain thousands. If there is anything all creations should fear crossing, then it'll be your Patron."
"I will," he nodded. "Thanks, Tamamo-san."
"Awww! Don't call me that! It makes me feel distanced from you… Call me with a nickname! Name me a cute one!"
Issei was never great at naming things. Nicknames most especially. "Uhhhh… Tama…san?"
"Without the honorifics!"
"Tama… then. …Or Tammy."
Tamamo frowned. "Not Tammy. It sounds like a cat's name…"
"Tama? Tamamo?"
"Either works~!" the vixen squealed, her tail swishing wildly off the bedside. "Now then… as she is quite deep in her sleep…" Tamamo peeled away from him and sat up straight, before grabbing the hem of her light blue hospital gown and pulled its seams apart. "Why don't we have a little bit of… wholesome physical exercise… that involves our body to be very close to one another… That I may hear and feel your breath, bouncing against the skin of my neck…"
His eyes widened. "Boobas!"
Her healthy pair of breasts and her pretty pink nipples immediately became the target of his eyes and the desire of his greedy hands and mouth. Her frame was more slender than Rias and her skin a shade brighter, but nobody could say Tamamo didn't have curves. He hungrily traced the lines of her body, but mentally slapped himself as he noticed the several bruises marring her stomach.
"—W-wait, wait… wait. I'm not prepared for this… and we just met yesterday. Even me and Rias dated for… a bit before we did it. And… uh…" He wasn't sure if he should mention her about the Master-Servant contract he had with her.
"Oya?" Tamamo binked, continuing to shed away her only layer of clothing anyway as it dropped limply to the floor. "Then I must simply even the score, no~?" she said, but then she grew self-conscious due to his lack of reaction. "…Why…? Is there something wrong with my body…? Am I… not desirable enough?"
"Hell no, you are insanely desirable and I want to push you down right now and do stuff."
"...O…okay…" Tamamo didn't expect that. She certainly didn't expect him to say that with a straight face. Her heart skipped a few beats just then. She first didn't think he'd have done it with the devil, for one… and that he wasn't as ashamed or stuttered as she thought he would. Young men grow up quickly these days.
Or maybe that was just him.
"W-Well~ why don't you?" she teased in an attempt to regain her lost composure and establish her dominance.
"I don't want to hurt Rias more than I have. At least… For today," he admitted. "She thought I was dead. And I can't just… you know, do the stuff and things with another girl when she's right here next to me, sleeping because she hasn't slept. That's not right. As much as I want to do it, like, right now, and… fulfill one of my fantasies; I can't do it. I won't do it."
"...You know, that would be a lot more meaningful if you were staring at my eyes instead of my breasts."
"Oh right. I'm sorry." Thus Issei raised his eyes. For a moment.
"..." and he still stared at her breasts. Oh men and their silly yet adorable attraction towards these globular lumps of meat. "I understand," Tamamo smiled sincerely. "Perhaps I am being too affront with my advances."
"No, no, please keep being affront; it's great. It's literally every guys' dream. Or at least mine."
"...I… I see…" she chuckled. "Ah… dear oh dear… and here I thought I'd be the one to set your heart aflame and not the other way around, Hyoudou Issei. It seems I have underestimated you once again."
"Yep. Mhmm. The curtain also matches the drapes." Issei wasn't listening. Because Tamamo was quite… animated even when she was speaking, her breasts had been swaying invitingly all that time.
"..." From that comment, Tamamo finally and furiously blushed, and consciously pulled a bit of the blanket over her lap. "...Pervert…"
"...Oh and erm… I'm really sorry for these," he suddenly muttered as he reached out his hand. Tamamo expected and was even waiting for this, but it wasn't her pair of flesh that he reached for. Instead, he reached for her stomach, and placed his hand ever so gently that it tickled her. "For hurting you, I mean."
"Ah…" Tamamo finally caught on. "That's alright. Those, too, shall recover. Like my broken heart you are actively healing~"
"...Yea but…" Issei was lost in his thoughts. "...I guess it can't be avoided, but… y'know… I never thought I had it in me to hurt other people. I mean I know it's my job, but still… If I was stronger then I could've ended it quicker."
"And if I wasn't so stubborn then I would have given it up sooner," Tamamo placed her hands above his, and found that compared to his, her hands were like a kitten to a bulldog's. "...Your compassion is wonderful, Hyoudou. Never let anyone say otherwise. But… I fear that it might be used against you."
"...I know," Balthazar had said the same thing to him… Wait a minute, Balthazar? 'Raz? You there?'
{I'm right here, boyo,} the Void Dragon chimed, his powerful booming voice resonating through the sea of his conscience. {We'll talk once you're done with your fluffy admirer. Or once she wears something. Until then — take your time.}
'Whew, alright. Thought I lost you back then dude, thanks.'
{And I thought the same as well. We'll chat later.}
"That's why I must ask of you to absolutely show no mercy to your future enemies," Tamamo then said, bringing him back to reality. "Don't give them a single chance. I've met other Chosens, Hyoudou. I've seen how they fight. I assure you, they will not hesitate to use your kindness against you. …Please keep in mind that you will always have the two of us to return to. I've known you only for a single day and I can't bear the thought of losing you already. I can only imagine how she feels."
"...Alright," he nodded firmly. "I'll keep that in mind…" …This felt very ominously lamp shadowy.
"Thank you," Tamamo smiled sweetly, before replacing her smile with a grin of hunger. "Now then, let's pick up where we left off~"
"Wh— didn't you hear what I just said?" Issei whisper-shouted.
"Oh I do… But you must know that I must have you lusting after me and my body every second of every day."
"...Well that's not that hard to do."
Her cheeks flushed yet again, and Tamamo skittishly wagged her tail. "...R-Really…? You… really think so?"
"Sometimes I think I might be horny all the time, to be honest, but I think I'm just a pervert."
"M-My," Tamamo swallowed. "Quite an honest boy aren't you?"
"Yes," Issei nodded proudly. "It's one of my few good traits; as people say. The other one is I'm pretty good at running even before I got all these… spooky cool powers."
"...Funny that it only makes me hungrier for you. Neee~ what about a quick round or two? Hm? Hmm? Hmmmmnnnh~?" That last hum was intentionally seductive. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind… in fact, I can wake her right now and invite her too. That way you won't have any reason to back out, yes?"
"As much as I would totally like that, please let her rest."
"...Very well."
"Thanks," said Issei as he went back to staring at her tits. "...Well… Then again… I mean it's right there so why shouldn't I have a few squish…"
And that was when the door opened and they were reminded that they were in fact still in a hospital.
"Wuh—" with his quick thinking and lightning reflexes, Issei's first thought was to cover Tamamo's body like a gentleman should. But instead of using the blanket or moving his body to act as a wall, he used his bare hands.
"Kyaaaun~! Oh my…? How dastardly of you, Hyoudou-sa-ma~ were you waiting for a spectator all along? Oh dear oh my… how can I hope to refuse your interest?"
"What. The. Fuck," was the only three words that Saji was able to say. "I came here all worried because apparently you've been turned into a statue but nooooo. You're two-timing on Rias-senpai!" he yelled, and noticed a familiar figure with stark crimson hair right next to the dumbass' side— "and when she's right next you?! You've got balls, Hyoudou, but she's gonna cut them if you kept at it."
"Hang on, I can explain…" Issei said hurriedly as he thought of a way to explain.
.
.
"...Ah~!? D-Don't suddenly squeeze them… Or do you wish to do it in front of spectators? How… unexpectedly ribald… But oh what power do I have against your youthful lust…?"
"Alright. Maybe I can't explain," Issei said to his schoolmate with a bland look as Tamamo continued her theatrics. The sensation of her boobs had been permanently ingrained in his core memory and Issei would forever treasure this meaningful moment and sensation of her nubs growing pert and rubbing his palms.
"..."
Tamamo moaned.
Issei gulped. He wanted to wake up Rias and ask for her permission.
Even Saji had a spit take. "Issei you lucky fucker… Get your hands off her!"
"No! You close your eyes first! And I don't wanna!"
And then another devil entered the room. A full fledged one instead of a reincarnated one.
Riser Phenex.
"Huh," was his first word as the Young Phoenix crossed his hands, seemingly measuring his canceled final enemy for the Rating Game. "I see I have severely underestimated you. Fair play. Credit's where credit's due."
"Thanks."
"Alright, alright," Saji clapped his hands. "Shit— that's Sona-senpai, alright Riser, let's get back outside for a bit and dammit Issei, make her wear her gown!"
"And who made you the boss of a Phoenix? I'm here to talk with him and Rias. You should leave."
Saji scowled out of annoyance. "Hey man, if you wanna be in here when my King comes, then suit yourself, but I ain't gonna stay here."
"..."
The Young Phoenix wisely tucked his wings and retreated outside. Rias Gremory was… well, manageable. But Sona Sitri? A Phoenix would hope to die if it was forced to endure her lecture.
Break
It was a sad moment that Issei had to finally let go of Tamamo, but at least he got to watch her dress herself. Something about girls putting clothes back on strangely roused his neurons and activated his synapses just as much when they took them off. Must be magic. Or chemical reaction in his brain or whatever. Or he just liked naked hot girls.
Like Rias and Tamamo…
Lying next to him, side by side…
Breathing heavily…
Hmm…
Ah crap, boner alert.
"I have… bad news, Rias."
That killed his boner immediately. Issei hadn't talked to Sona that much, but when the strict StuCo President had that kind of look in her face and after saying that, then even he had the decency to worry.
As did Rias, who had been woken up by Tamamo earlier, currently sitting by the visitors' sofa across his bed.
"What's the matter?" she asked, speculating the worst. "Did… did someone from Riser…?"
"No. Their recovery has been speedy, thanks to your Bishop."
"Asia…" Rias sighed. "How many times do I have to tell her that she's done enough? Is she alright?"
"I had Tsubaki to put her to sleep."
"Thank you."
"No worries," Sona smiled an easy smile. Issei was surprised that she could smile like that. "But… I digress. It's… It's about Kuoh, Rias. Your broth— Satan Lucifer, I've been mentioned that he's planning to transfer the ownership to Roygun. Roygun Belphegor."
Rias immediately exploded. "What?! Why?! We've… we've overseered that town for three years now. Our track record might not be spotless but it is as close as it can get to perfection! And why Roygun? Isn't she supposed to be under house arrest because of the Rating Game fiasco?"
"And this is part of her punishment, I believe. She's shunned by her own family and no doubt desperate for ways to reclaim her former glory, or at least clear her name. This is her opportunity. And we're relocating to a bigger town; a city. Not sure where."
"..." Rias couldn't believe what she was hearing. Wasn't this a promotion? Then what was the bad news? And why was Sona, despite looking exactly the same, sounded like she was holding back something from her? "But why now?"
"Because of what happened yesterday," Sona said as her eyes fell on Issei. "With him, I mean."
"...Issei?"
"M-Me…? Did I do something wrong— I mean of course I have, I've like I've peeped— ahem but… Specifics, please?"
"Yes, Sona. The specifics, if you would."
Sona took a deep breath and closed her eyes, exhaling and reopening them at the same time. "Rias. Two Gods crashed your Rating Game. In the Dimensional Gap. That place is as expansive as Earth and perhaps more. We have built layers and layers of protection and anti-detection magic, and yet they found it regardless. Why? Because Hyoudou was there."
Tamamo felt her heart shattered when she saw the realization dawned on his face, and immediately she felt the need and pulled him into a hug. "Oh no no no, don't blame yourself, please. That isn't your fault."
But her intervention was too late. Issei had sent himself falling down the downward spiral of self-blame.
Just as she did.
"Snap out of it, Issei, or I will gladly kiss you!"
"Don't you dare blame it on him," Rias warned, her eyes narrowing. She made a mental note to thank Tamamo once this was over.
"I'm not putting the blame on him, I'm stating the reason why they interrupted your match," Sona responded calmly. She knew her best friend had cried herself to sleep last night, and her anger positively stemmed from her mental exhaustion and distress. Sona understood that, and she'd never blame Rias for getting mad. But right now, that was the last of her concerns.
She continued, "Grayfia and Okita Souji will be dispatched to assist Roygun, so at the very least… We know that our Town is in capable hands. Not to mention the Dragon Queen Tiamat is there…"
"Where's Tiamat? How's she doing?" asked Issei.
"Well… I… Can't tell for sure, but there's been multiple reports of dragon sightings. …I still find it hard to believe that you managed to keep her hidden from us this long, Hyoudou. I've severely underestimated you."
"...I mean it's not like I was trying to hide her or anything…" Issei muttered, a bit embarrassed. "She just doesn't get out often."
He couldn't tell her she used to read his questionable comic books. At least until his mother threw them away…
Ah. An old wound had just reopened.
Rias pinched the bridge of her nose. She didn't doubt that Issei hadn't yet registered the effect this news had for them. "…Then what about Issei? I'm not leaving him. You know I won't. He should know as well."
"I'm sorry to say but it's not a matter of being aware of your feelings. This isn't about your feelings towards him, it's just plain logic. Neither of our siblings would ever place us in danger unless they're certain we can handle it. But this isn't the kind of danger we're used to. This isn't a band of rogue fallen angels or stray devils— we're talking about gods, Rias. Gods. I have confidence in our abilities and strength, but we both know we are not ready for that big of a threat. And I most certainly will never let my Servants face that kind of threat, and I am sure you wouldn't as well."
"...Then… Then what'll happen to him?"
"...That I don't know. He's not a devil, but he's a human who is aware of our presence; he can't be forcibly relocated or evicted from his own home. Add in the fact that the Gods seem to be looking for him. Which is likely why we are being moved. That and… Kokabiel has been spotted in the vicinity, his motive uncertain."
"Kokabiel? The Grigori Cadre? Why would he…? Surely we can't reignite a war with them… It was Azazel's words."
"I don't know for certain either. All of my Servants have been transferred to my home for the time being. I don't have eyes over Kuoh anymore."
Rias exhaled wearily. What should she do? Insist on staying? Not only would Sirzechs never approve of that, especially after the Rating Game incident, she would also put a great burden on Issei's shoulders. He'd blame and already blame himself for something that was beyond his control. But at the same time, she didn't want to be separated from him
"…I'm sorry I broke the news when you're exhausted, but you needed to know. Remember that none of this is written in stones yet, Rias, and it might only be temporary until after the Satans met with the Shinto Pantheon. But other than that, I've told you everything I know."
Sona then stood up from her seat, and politely excused herself. "You probably want to have private time alone. I'll excuse myself. Oh… and Hyoudou?"
Issei momentarily snapped out from his stupor. "...Y-Yeah?"
"Riser told me about what you've done," she said, and Sona smiled softly, and so out of her usual stoic character that Saji would be deathly jealous if he ever heard about this. "Thank you for keeping Rias safe."
"...Yeah. Sure no problem," Issei replied absently, tamely, still mulling about his involvement as Tamamo kept holding him close.
Then Sona exchanged an acknowledging nod with Rias and Tamamo, before she exited the room, and prevented anyone from entering it by simply sitting with her arms crossed. Rias no doubt would feel the force of the impact greater. But that was her mistake… choosing a human to love.
But Sona couldn't blame her entirely, she supposed. Her best friend had always been the one prone to expose her emotions and be honest with her feelings. Not entirely a bad thing, but nonetheless a vulnerability for people in their position.
Still… Who would've thought that she'd be this completely smitten with him. Holding on so hard so that she wouldn't cry in front of him when he was already visibly distressed.
Ah… Love. What a weird thing. Such a Gremory thing.
And though it wasn't something Sona was interested in the slightest, she still wondered sometimes.
What happened between Sirzechs and Grayfia? It was painfully obvious they cared for each other. She might be a stranger to romance, but she could tell if someone was still intoxicated with each other and missing one another. She had caught Grayfia stealing a remorseful glance as her former husband turned and walked away, as well as the other way around. Satan Lucifer would always look like he was about to say something, but decided to keep his mouth shut as Grayfia walked away.
Love was weird. Numbers made more sense to her. Likely thanks to Serafall's excessive and overwhelming display of it, but sisterly love and their kind of love was not the same.
Theirs was such a Gremory thing.
To be continued…
Cute semi-tsun Eresh pog? Pog.
Death being the cool uncle taking his nieces out on a road trip? Pog?
While also being a chad father figure to basically everyone he met that isn't scared shitless of him?
Calli? Is that you under that scary robe?
And Gilgamesh confirmed. unlimited mongrel works
Y'know the thing with dxd is that i can use literally everyone from any mythology and it's great. The setting is gr8 and sandboxy, but damn if i don't think it's wasted on boobshots and slapstic nosebleed comedy
Story's getting a bit melodramatic but i think that's an expected outcome. What Amaterasu did is a BEEEG thing. Like, 'oh snap are we going to war?' kind of big thing. How big was it? Ask your mum
Kokabiel and the entire excalibur arc will also have his own twist, so don't worry if he's just going to be a second-rate mid-season villain. I'm just saying; the Olympians have genderbent King Arthur, and King Arthur had called; she wants her sword back. — not spoiler because this has been mentioned in the past chapters
Lastly, thanks for reading and following the story so far. This is probably my most favorite story despite its flaws and the amount of characters I have to keep track of. I even have to use google sheets like a tryhard — but still, I like this one. It has that romcom slice of life that slowly descends into something bigger and meaner and scarier, with six separate groups doing their own thing