Before reading, due to the lack of suggestions, I'm forced to choose the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd favors mentioned in the previous. I wanted (you), the readers to at least to address any "points" that I missed to address them in the last or this chapter.
For now, enjoy how Issei joined the fallen angels.
Prologue 2: Joining the Fallen Ones
It's have been X {numbers} of years that the world had entered the first decade in the 21st century. Ever since his banishment to the Land of the Rising Sun, he has earned enough money to buy or build a large community.
Prior to the year reached 2010, he been buying equipment or requirement for building said community and takes about a year and a half to build the community that is hidden from the humans (or any other species). The reason for this is that ever since his banishment, there have been several banishments from Elysium.
It's seemed that his banishment had stirred a minority of Elysium's warriors causing some of the species to leave Elysium, and some members of all platoons were darkitize as well as cast out of Elysium. Some of the Unofficial Champion was spared of the darkitize because they were the first to leave Elysium. Since the Juggernauts that cast out of Elysium didn't have wings, they were spared from the pain of wing removal.
The ones within the ranks of the Unofficial champions that escape Elysium are Liya, Champion of Lust, Zero, Champion of Averaging, Falldor, Champion of Fallen Angels, and Puck, Champion of Tricks. With Issei, they formed as the Five Masters of the Ember in the Ashes.
Ember in the Ashes is an organization or community (depends on who see it) created by the Four Unofficial Champions placing Issei as the overall leader of said organization since he was deemed as the First Dark Adrielite. Its members are those who were cast out of Elysium from the Seven Platoons.
The Blue Platoon have cast out Issei, Steve Rogers, Former Clone Trooper Fives, Thel Vadam, Former Clone Trooper Rex, Mordred Pendragon, Tamamo-No-Mae, Kuroka, Robert the Bumblebee, Rodimus, Darius Kincaid, Former Clone Trooper Tup, and the Beast of Vengeance himself, Razer Stranger.
The Pink Platoon have cast out Jean Grey, Echidna, Cattleya, Serene Rosewood, Venus, and Xi'lun Li Qin.
The Russet Platoon have cast out Jazz, Robin Hood, Clint Barton, Dante, Deelith, Sideswipe, Tracer, Sherlock Holmes and Ironhammer the giant
The Rusty Platoon have cast out Ido Porpora, wielder of Earthen Defense Armor, Jetfire, Natalia Romanoff, Former Clone Trooper Wolffe, Ryu, Cu Chulainn, James Barnes, Arn, Chevalier d'Eon, Rengar, Roadbuster, Topspin, Chris Redfield, and Mike Haggar.
The Brown Platoon have cast out Godfrey de Ibelin, Former Clone Trooper Doom, Balian De Ibelin, Amalric, and Mochizuki Chiyome.
The Corn Platoon have cast out Ororo Munroe, Iron Fist, Former Clone Trooper Gregor, Robert McCall, Bruce Wayne, Former Clone Trooper Echo, Parn, Leina, The Punisher, and John Wick.
The Green Platoon have cast out Chun Li, Former Clone Trooper Stone, Hellstorm, Huo An, Ahri, Genji, Zero, and X.
Although most of them lived in the community a few lived otherwhere but still members of Ember in the Ashes. Genji roamed the world to stop crime in the Eastern part of the world. Bruce Wayne is the owner of the Wayne Enterprises as he roamed the night within his turf city and send support to the Ember in the Ashes. The Punisher did the same as Bruce Wayne, somehow. The Clone troopers formed a team under the command of Chris Redfield known as The Miracle that strikes fear into the hearts of Terrorists, gangsters, and dealers of any kind. Mike Haggar, Ryu, and Chun Li formed the Street Fighters to fight crime in China and America. The Autobots founded a base in the middle of the USA as Serene Rosewood became a nun in Italy. Darius continued his dangerous career as the Hitman and Dante continued his career as the mercenary as well.
Being the overall leader of the Ember in the Ashes was tough in all regards. Having meetings on a daily basis about what to do, how to proceed into things, and whether or not should we interfere the affairs of the Supernatural or declare war on Elysium as well as having their enemies and former ally to recognize their Ember in the Ashes.
To further his stress, he has to teach all non-human Dark Adreilite to take on human forms. Covering the tracks of the Dark Ones outside the Ember in the Ashes from human or supernatural eyes. Trying to figure out a way to develop a similar system to the Adreilites. Only Falldor, Ido (newly 'elected' Sixth Master) and Zero are the hard working co-leaders while Puck is a go with the flow type of being in terms of leadership and Liya currently running businesses with red light districts while at the same time having sex with men or women (sometimes both) based on her urges.
To ease his burdens, he spends his time with Tamamo-No-Mae, Kuroka, Esdeath, or Mordred Pendragon. When they are busy, then he spends his time with Liya, the champion of Lust. Being the Champion of Lust, she was able to ease Issei with his stress in their indulging. There are pros and cons in having a member that is equal in 'power' and rank as a sex fiend, after all. Due to his relaxing periods, he has adopted a slightly above average amount of perversity into his behavior.
"It been long since the last time I'm in a city," said Issei as he explored a human city. He is dressed in slim back colored jeans, sneakers, and a black hoodie masking his upper face while using some kind of bracelet on his right wrist.
The bracelet is a Hiddener which was created by Topspin or Roadbuster. It was created to hide our scent completely to make us smelled or feel human. Apparently, losing our wings cause our scent to grow stronger than the average adrielite. We figure that the hard way that multiple of our members including Kuroka and Issei were discovered by some hostiles of the Supernatural and forced to fight them. That and a seven percent change of fertility rate for our members were discovered and deeply the line between Adrielite and Dark Adrielite.
Although this may save a dark adrielite's skin from supernatural means, however by Elysium means. Needed further testing on that and probability needs to hide their facial features in case the bracelet failed to hidden their scent.
"Admit it, friend. You're not fit for the commander-in-chief business!" says a voice in his head that causes Issei's eye twitches.
'What do you mean by that,' Issei says to the voice in thought.
"What I mean by that is that you're more like a warrior, instead of a leader. You basically have difficulty dealing with issues that involve further deep thinking of your actions. Added to the fact that you needed a cat, a fox, a knight, and a sadist to lower your stress down a notch that was gathered from your role. Furthermore, you basically walking around possible enemy territory without guards." The voice explains the errors of Issei's leadership.
'What do you expect of me, Godzilla? They just give me this role because I basically consider being the Father of all Dark Adrielites. I'm at least still not ready for leading a platoon then, and still not ready to lead an entire system. Besides, I'm 95% convinced that it happens uncontrollably.'
"So you said, yet you show your colors."
Issei rose an eyebrow at that, 'What do you mean by that, Godzilla?'
"Oh, pretending to be ignorant at this. You can only trick those who aren't a part of your essential. I, on the other hand, am a part of your essential that knows you from the inside and out."
When hearing that in his mind, Issei felt an urge to either disgust or puke at his. 'I don't know how to react to that statement.'
"And that is my cue to explain that further. Ever since your banishment, you have been showing advanced signs of "hot-blooded."
'Now I know you're making this up…'
"Don't interrupt me, Friend! The term 'hot-blooded' refers to the youth."
'You do know that I consider being more ancient than you.'
"Yet you're trapped in a teenager body ever since she brings you back from the dead," Without thinking, Godzilla reminds Issei of the woman he once loved. The latter stop walking bearing a grim expression as a tear surfaced and his hands were clenching as if his hands carried a pair of weapons.
Realizing his mistake, Godzilla says, "Sorry, I didn't mean it, Issei. I was trying to prove a point."
'It's fine! Could you, for now, take a nap? I wanted to have some me time. You could say what you trying to prove later on,' Issei thought in a demanding tone.
"Very well, Issei. Wake me up if something happens or we're back home," said Godzilla before taking a nap leaving Issei alone to wander the human city.
After the exploration of the city, Issei was about head back to the hidden community of the Ember in the Ashes. He sensed something! Although, his senses have been weakened due to the circumstances.
He closes his eyes and empties his mind as his sense gain significant strength. Enough strength to find what exactly did he sensed.
It is ¾ close to the Ember in the Ashes meaning that if it's supernatural origins. It would expose the Dark Adrielite faster than Bruce Wayne's prediction. In his senses, he was able to identify it as some sort of barrier that has a diameter of 25-30 feet.
Outside, he has a grim expression, but on the inside, he was panicking. The reason why is that the barrier's aura is voidious green. When an Adrielite or a Dark One see this voidious colors of purple, blue, green, yellow, crimson, black, and brownish. It is considered either a leader or a User is nearby but a voidious darker shade of green marked it as the Crops of Greed.
It is confusing seeming a Greed User or Gtnnanth himself are able to create a barrier of this size and thickness of it. Unless Gtnnanth can create a barrier that can conceal the numbers hiding in that barrier, a Despair ring managed to find its way into a supernatural being. The main questions are what species does this supernatural Despair user belong to, what are they doing here, and why plunged Issei like his job required of him.
Further focusing on a part of the barrier, he was able to peek through it. From his perspective, there are only two energy signatures. The first one he sees appears to be a womanly figure with dim light surrounds her. There was one feature that easily identifies her species; five pairs of bird-like wings. He remembers Kuroka and Gaeriel telling him of everything that related to the Supernatural in one way or another before he was banished from Elysium. This feminine figure is a fallen angel, a being that falls from Heaven by committing sins of (from Issei's perspective) any kind. The figure seems to be a leader class known as what does Gaeriel tell him that the leaders of the Fallen Angels are Ca-cad. Cades! No, it is the Cadre. This Cadre seems to be wounded or beaten due to her lying down on the ground while her head is facing her opponent.
At first glance, the other seems to be a male fallen angel as well. This one seems to have four pairs of wings marking him to be not far off from being a Cadre. However, in an aural sense, he is emitting the same aura as the barrier but less thick and easily recognize. On the right hand of this fallen angel lays the center of the aura; the Greed Ring.
Like the rings of Elysium, it signifies who belong to which crops (or platoon). The rings of both the Abyss and the Void somehow acts similar to the comic books of the green lanterns. They can some strengths like energy projection or constructs and have a weakness which is recharging.
However, the crops mainly trick those who match their emotional power. When accepted, they are being controlled by the Lords or the Children of the Void. While the platoons are more like a given when one is made into a half-breed of a Champion or in modern terms; Adrielite. Those rings are more like a symbol or proof that one is an Adrielite of a random rank. That the only difference there is between the crops and platoon rings other than their emotional power.
His senses returned to its original set as he opened his eyes. His eyes show hints of conflicting. The reason why is that he is deciding whether to ignore this or to intervene.
Since he is an adrielite, a dark one that is, it is in his duty to eliminate traces of his sworn enemy, a servant of the Void. Then again, this User is a supernatural in origins and having supernatural beings that have their hands on a ring of Elysium or a crop of the Void is a double-edged sword. In shorts, the supernatural beings of various races that are recruited are stronger than the non-supernatural such as humans. And this Greed 'Fallen' User is attacking a member of his own type which could be exposing the Ember in the Ashes shorter than the prediction time frame of the Batman.
Luckily for the Cadre, Issei isn't someone who would abandon those who can't fight back especially if the figure is female. He put on a serious expression as he raised his left hand in the air like a fighter who wins a fight. Suddenly, he bent down like kneeling in front of loyalty and bang his fist into the ground creating a tiny crater as he said, "Core Breaker!"
In an instant, his entire body was engulfed in the brightest orange glow. When the glow fades, Issei is in his Core Breaker armor. It has undergone great changes to the armor he wears. His once all-white tactician dragon armor become black semi-heavy duty dragon armor. The orbs are in fire liked colored. What was used to be twin blades attached to the wrist is no longer part of the armor. His helmet used have wing-shaped horns on the sides. Now, they gone and on the top of the helmet are three horns; two of them are small while the one in front of them like a sickle bladed. These horns that replaced the wing horns are in the formation of an arrow. One of the Helmet Visor became flaming eye while the other is regular orange. His tail is now thicker and has enough force to tripped giants. His back is smooth and heavy armored while a single yet smaller row of spikes is located where his spine. On the shoulder blades, arch liked lines that are located at both sides of the spines. Unlike the colors of the orbs, the lines are dying red color. The lines serve as a reminder the cause of the changes of the armor which is the loss of his wings. The feet are heavy duty and resemble those of an actual western type dragon.
He, then, started to run with his heavy armored boots heading towards the dangers to handle this rare threat. Although, he may lose his wings and the armor is heavy for him to move with fast timings, but he has enough training to move at sufficient speed. He just hoped that he made it in time.
(Meanwhile) While Issei in his legendary combat attire on the way to the rescue, things were not going so well in the barrier.
Inside the barrier, it was like walking into a war zone. The ground burned as pieces of lumber are found almost everywhere within the barrier. The only signs of life are two winged figures; one who was in the ground breathing as hard as she could do while the other who on the air isn't any worse than his opponent does. In fact, he has almost no injuries whatsoever.
The feminine figure is a young woman, drop-dead gorgeous, that looked no older than her late 20s. She had long flowing navy blue hair that reached down past her posterior (which is plump and firm) She had side bangs that reached down to her midriff and front bangs that reached her nose and dirty cheeks only showing off her bright violet eyes. Her skin is slightly pale that seems to be easy to get her skin dirty. She had a curvaceous body that personally voiced the word meaning of sexy. Her bust is practically one of the biggest sets that a woman is blessed with and her hips were wide giving her a jaw-dropping hourglass figure. Her flat stomach was easily exposed, showing off more of her flawless skin (even though, it is currently dirty or somewhat bruised/cut), as well as her perfect back arch.
Before the battle even started, her attire consisted of a black, sleeveless, tight fit top that stopped before stomach, looking to enhance her breasts size. With it, she wore a double slitted black skirt, that showed off her long, slender legs and thick thighs, with black high heel boots that reached up to her mid thighs. Now, some aspects of her attire were shredded off of her completely her glory as the some exposed areas have cut such as on her thighs, back, stomach, and arms. She is currently breathless as she glared at her opponent and her wings are prepared to take flight at once.
Her opponent is a young man that looks in his teens. He has red eyes and yellow hair that is spiked up. He seems wearing some sort of deepest green academy uniform that has a tattered collar and lacks the tie. The cuffs of his sleeves are designed to look like the kanji for king. He wears red earrings, a green stone necklace, and a purple band around his neck. On the right hand, there is a glowing dark green ring. On both the ring and the center of the uniform have a symbol; it's the symbol of the seven deadly in its exotic form. He currently on the air with his wings stretches to its edges and have an arrogant smirk.
The female says, "How is it possible for you to best me? You only have eight wings while I have ten! It's completely impossible for a Cadre to be beaten by her junior!"
The male says with a complete sense of arrogant, "Perhaps, It's because I'm a man and you a woman. Unlike you, Penemue, I'm actively on combat while you as a woman do best in your status as a Chief Secretary do the advice and paperwork. In other words, you haven't been in combat ever since the Great War. Other than that, this battle proved that men are superior over women and that women should be their toys…"
The now named Penemue interrupted, "And this is the reason of why you attack me, Nerius. Understand the actions, you're committing? You have betrayed Grigori for such a weak cause to attack a cadre. Azazel will have you imprisoned in the Cocytus!"
What shocked Penemue is that the now named Nerius laugh at this so hard that he hurt his stomach. When Nerius calmed down, he smirks says, "As if! Ever since the Great War, Azazel has been focusing more on Sacred Gears than on our kind. For many years, I forced myself to be loyal to that Bastard! But now, …"
Before he could finish, he gentle lands on the ground and says, "…With this gift, I will relieve Azazel from his command and I want you, Penemue to join me."
This caused Penemue to widen her eyes because she was sure that Nerius will kill her after saying that. She says as she was prepared to attack at the right moment, "Why?"
He answers, "Ever since, I was assigned to you, I've been having certain thoughts about you. In times, those thoughts were turned into desire as I started to crave for you. You're by far the most beautiful woman I ever come across and wanted you to be mine. It was my desires and thoughts of you that granted me; the Gift. So, join me to overthrow our pathetic excuse of a leader."
Penemue says, "As much as Azazel's interests are in Sacred Gears and women, but he does prove to have the capabilities as a leader." Once that was finished, she was about to attack Nerius. The keyword was the word ABOUT. The reason is that Penemue was hit into the ground by what describes to be a green energy blast.
She is on the ground and about to get up when a second energy blast that turns into halos and bars trapped her by the wings, arms, and legs to the ground on her back. She was struggling to get free, but it was futile.
She, then, heard Nerius as he says, "Guess I should see that coming. I give you a proposal and you reject. Lucky for me that I won't take no as an answer from you. Don't blame me but yourself as you choose a hard way."
"Wwww-What are you going to do?" asks Penemue with a hint of fear as Nerius stands in front of her.
"Isn't it obvious!" Said Nerius as he tore Penemue's skirt off revealing her panties as he grabbed one of her fleshy orbs; the one that is exposed. Nerius smiled creepily as his eyes are clouded in lust and a tent appeared that scaring Penemue as she has nothing to stop him from doing whatever he's planning to do to her body.
"If I remember correctly, you haven't a taste of men in a long time. I'm going to made you submit and loyal only to me. Let's see how strong you're when I plow you until you're just screaming my name out." said Nerius as he was about to get off his pants and her panties.
Before he could do as he promised, the ring makes a sound as the light turns off and on confusing both as to why the ring is acting like this. It was still lived as the barrier was broke in by a figure. Once the figure sees Nerius and Penemue' states, the figure quickly sends Nerius away from Penemue with a punch as the figure closed the distance.
(Issei's Pov) {Going to be hard being a 1st pov writing in a long time, so go easy on this section} Thanks Aslan that I've chosen to intervene! Attacking a woman regardless she's a supernatural, alien, adreilite, or human (etc) is one thing, but the possibility of enslaving a woman by breaking her in rape is an overzealous matter.
Thankful for the Forgotten Supreme Gear is greatly famous (on Elysium and Ember in the Ashes) for having what might be considered overwhelming advantage over the enemy. Voice commanded abilities such as [Adapt] which grants leg's boosters and [Superpower] which allows me to have unbelievable strength and endurable. Even though my Nexus Breaker's armor is like the skin of Godzilla, I have an ability called [Reborn] which healed my injuries and repair my armor no matter how to serve it is. These three abilities are (in my opinion) my strongest of all my unlocked or created abilities combined.
"Enough chat-chit, Brat. We got a battle to win!" Godzilla says with a battle-hungry tone. In truth, Godzilla is more than stay focused on battles type of being. In fact, that saved me from countless times of service as a Great Protector of Elysium.
'I thought you were sleeping,' I mentally said.
"Actually, when you entered Core Breaker, I was awake at that time. Besides, we couldn't miss this opportunity," said a confident tone wingless dragon.
'What do you mean by that, Godzilla?' I ask.
Godzilla answers, "We're fighting a true enemy; a type of enemy that will test your worth as the Leader of the Dark Ones. You should know firsthand that Supernatural beings that turned into Users cause more damage than the average Users."
'Fine, at the very least. Let me handle this situation my own way!' I say this with such tone that I know that Godzilla knows that there's no change in strategy at this soon-to-be fight.
"Just this once! I don't want to be blamed by others that I sent you into the hands of death nor I don't want dead with my first Wielder."
I only nod at this with a relaxing smile underneath the armor. Eventually, the Fallen Greed User gets on his feet and shrugged off his wounds (if he has any).
He heard the User in the hints of outrage, "What are you to prevent me to claim my earned price?"
My hands clench and unclench as my body shook into battle at what he said. How dare he for treating his counterpart to be treated like a trophy or reward of his work. But, I managed to control my anger and ignored by turning around with intentions to help the female of the User's species with a bonus of upsetting him to attack me with prematurity. Besides, I'm stronger to resist the thirst for women (most of the time), I can resist one look of this Fallen Angel.
That was before I turned around and looks straight at her. When I did, I felt like time has stopped or my heart has stopped beating for several moments {pick your poison} as I looked at this Cadre. There was something about her that draws me to this woman like Honey attracting the Bears or the Bees. Apart from that, I couldn't help myself from this feeling. It is so familiar to me in a lifetime ago that I spent the time with my former Ruler. I could tell that I'm standing like awestruck in her views but that look she gives me made me blush like a tomato at the sight of this woman- NO, THIS GODDESS. Not to mention, the perfection of this woman's body triggers my perverted thoughts to surface. It was at that moment, I wanted to ensure her safety and happiness.
I approached the woman and bent down as I break the circle by crushing it and the bars by snapping them. This deeply angered male because he being ignored as the result of my plan coming to fruition. However, I can tell that the User instincts have detailed him from carrying out his anger.
'Dammit, what's happening to me?' Issei thought as his heart was still beating at a very fast rate. It had been like that since he has seen the female Cadre.
"I think that you have fallen in love with this Fallen Angel. To my surprise, I got to admitted that she is the crown jewel among jewels," Godzilla chimed in.
'How can you suggest that even after all I have been through,' Issei asked back.
"That was different as your emotions were contained then. Now, your emotions are unleashed as they guided you. Just think of it this way in a room full of your women, only this one affected you the most. That speaks quality in itself does it not?" Godzilla replied.
'I guess, it does. All right, this is my chance of talking to her and my chance to rid of my opponent.' Issei thought as he looks deeply into her eyes as one of his hands begins to fix the clothing as well as creating a new skirt for her to cover her cave of wonders further.
As the woman's eyes widen of this as she gazed into the eyes of her hero and sense the anxious sweeping out of armor. Issei takes this as a sign to say something, "IIIIIIIII wwwwwas in the area when I sensed this. You are by far the most beautiful woman I've stumbled across. Your beauty surpassed that of Helen who launched a thousand ships into war."
This cause Issei to mentally cursed at this, Godzilla laughs in amusement of this, the woman to blush at such words. Issei prayed that something or someone to interrupt this moment.
Thankful, someone has answered his prayer as the male fallen ignored his User instincts and launched himself at the being. Nerius is deeply mad at the thought of this Sacred Gear user trying to steal what rightfully his. He was close as he creates a greenish light spear ready to slain Issei.
However, Issei just turned around and punch him to avoid being speared. The punch sends Nerius away at a few steps away. Then, Issei faced the female Cadre trying very hard to ignore being trapped by her luscious beauty. "Let me handle this matter, first!"
The woman nodded as she looked away to hide her blush and wonder of who her savior is and his purpose of being here.
Issei has completely focused on the Fallen User who getting back up. He could see the anger on Nerius. He could guess that he became a puppet of Gtnnanth because he wanted the female Cadre all to himself. Perhaps the fallen User couldn't listen to reason and will be forced to kill him.
However, he has a try or risk conflict with the fallen angels will one of their kind is killed by his own hands. This fallen might be a subordinate to a more powerful cadre or the female one. Even though the Ember in the Ashes and the Fallen are outcasts of their home and target by both sides of the coin, but those factors don't make them equals when it comes to their command structure.
Gathering his thoughts and have his body ready to be attacked by the Fallen User should reasoning failed, "What is your name, User?"
"Tsk, I'm not a user, low life. I'M Nerius of the Fallen angels, trash. You shall know your betters better."
"Then, why did you have a Greed ring in the first place?"
"What, this?" said Nerius as he shows it to Issei the ring as Penemue gained her attention hoping to find the cause of Nerius' betrayal. "This is the Gift which bestows itself unto me. Is this what you're referring to?"
Issei nodded before further interrogating his possible opponent, "So, the ring just comes to you and you accept it just like that?"
"Correct on that," said Nerius as he stood like a conqueror ignoring Issei who looks at the ground.
"No one else gives this to you?"
"No one else!"
Now Issei knows how he came into procession of the Greed Ring meaning he either willingly accept it or he accepts it without even realizing it. Whatever the case, he needs to slay him before he could bear fruit to the plans of the Void Lords. "Before we fight, I have two last questions," says as Issei enters into his combat pose.
Nerius became even angrier at this weakling thinking that the armored sacred gear user is stalling. "What are they, fool?"
"The First Question is with the ring, what changes do you want to bring to your kin?"
This question caused the woman to look at him strangely at the Sacred Gear User as well as Nerius does. Within a moment, Nerius says as he acts high and mighty, "To ensure that we, the Fallen Angels are superior among all races by whatever the means and to put women in their places as nothing but breeding stock."
This caused disgust from Penemue, even greater disgust to Issei and Godzilla. In his mind, Godzilla says, "You know what, just kill him! You will be doing a great service towards the Fallen Angels."
Issei snorted and narrowed his eyes at Nerius as he commended, "I see! What your name, Fallen?"
Nerius laughed as he said, "Trash like you don't deserve names of your better." Then, he was about to launch a similar attack that stops Penemue.
He saw his opponent's left-hand shape into a U aiming at the ground and heard a darker voice, [Wave Blaster]. An energy ball slams the ground violently from the U shaped hand as the arm recoil like a gun does. After that, an energy wave emerges from that slams and was coming straight towards Nerius as he uses the Greed Ring to create a barrier.
He remembers when Penemue was launching light spears onto him when he was down. He punches the fist that has his Gift in the air about to curse and about to face his death when the energy from the ring blast out and protect like a mother would protect its young. However, it didn't happen this time as the energy wave strike the barrier and manage to break the barrier surprising Nerius, but the barrier managed to save him from the wrath of the wave.
Unknowing to Nerius, Issei has taken advantage of the barrier being destroyed by his energy wave as he used what remaining of his adreilte speed to appear in front of the Greed Fallen. Once Nerius' eye widened in shock as Issei is in front of him as he realized his mistake or two. Issei immediately kicks him off the ground and use the tail to swipe him into the chunks of woods that used to be a bunch of trees with enough force for Nerius to formed a crater.
Before Penemue warmed Issei, Nerius was airborne and about to strike him with a light spear. That was in vain as Issei broke the spear before it can damage him and after he grabbed it. Then, Issei quickly throws a fury of punches and kicks on the front and sides of Nerius as he was unable to stop even a single one in his dazed state.
Nerius heard the voice saying [Spiral Burst] and he was hit by what feels like a fireball to his back. Lucky the ring create a smaller barrier that sends him near the barrier he created as it trickled from below to the top of the dome. He suddenly gets up and about to launch green energy to his opponent only found Issei nowhere to be seen.
"Your Rage and Pride made you predictable, Greed User!"
Issei was on Nerius, announcing his presence via a brutal uppercut that sent Issei into the air once more. This time, Nerius managed to block the follow-up kick, if only just barely. The force behind it still him careening backward though. By the time he'd recovered, Issei turns his back to go to the surprised woman as she watches the fight.
Issei says to Nerius, "This? Is this what you wanted? Does everything you have done, everything you compromise worth it? You aren't worthy of Her. Not even worthy of your Gift, User."
This triggers the anger Nerius greatly as he creates a barrage of light spears and used the Gift to summon more light spears and launch it to Issei. During that time, Issei who looked uncaring as the voice says once more, [Spiral breathe] as his mouthguard and blast nearest light spears before it struck him. The result was a shockwave and smoke emerge to cover Issei completely.
Finally, stopping after nearly a full minute of creating barriers of light spears and launch them at Issei, Issei was breathing hard as he waited for the smoke to clear. When nothing rushed out at him, Nerius allowed himself to heave a sigh of relief… only to freeze in place immediately after as Issei spoke up right next to him, "Not bad boy, it's my time now!"
"FUCK!" As Nerius spun to address the threat, he came up empty, spinning around in search of his opponent, he came up blank each time.
"Are you looking for me, User?" Once more turning to face the voice, this time he was met with the sight of a completely undamaged armored Issei bringing his heel down on his face. "AAARRRGGHH!" With a scream, Nerius was thrown into the ground by Issei forming a crater as Issei leap back.
Pulling himself out of the crater, Nerius was in bad shape. His clothing was dirty as he could feel that few of his bones were broken. Coughing, Nerius painted the ground he spat at with his own blood. 'Wha-what the hell is he?' Crawling on all fours, Nerius was trying his best to stand when he was forced back to the ground courtesy of Issei's fist landing on his back.
Smashed back onto the ground once more, Nerius' vision faded in and out of focus. Even more of his bones were broke as somehow Issei's fist dealt some damage to his organs. At that time, Nerius didn't know if any of the wounds were fatal. The only reason why he was still awake and coherent despite the pain was his body is supernatural in origins.
Issei removed his fist and replace it with one of his foot as he says, "You know, Godzilla was expecting you might give me a challenge… instead, you disappoint him. Oh well, a battle is a battle."
Reaching down, Issei grabbed Nerius by the neck and lifted him up. "There are stronger beings out there that will erase you should you either prove your uselessness or otherwise. Unfortunately, you're dealing with a stronger being that knows better."
"Fu-fuck y-you," Nerius managed to spit out despite the pain and the chokehold.
Issei wasn't amused, "you think that was funny, boy! Well, do you?" Punctuating each word with a powerful blow to the stomach, he left Nerius a coughing mess as even more of his sight was blurry with blood. "You wanted to blame someone, blame yourself for this, Boy! Did you really think you could upset the balance as it is with your master Gtnnanth's or The Void's plans and get away with it?"
"Wh-who the hell is Gtnnanth? I have, have never met him and what are you talking about!"
Issei blinked at this as Godzilla said, "A user that doesn't know his place within the Void's armies. Now, I hear everything!" Nevertheless, Issei answers, "Gtnnanth is better known as the Lord of Greed that founded one of eight remaining crops that served the Void. Your 'Gift' is actually meant that you're a slave to Gtnnanth force to fight against the forces of the Abyss."
"I ain't no slave to anyone! What are the forces of the Abyss?"
"Do your 'Gift' light brighter and dim for seconds before I came here?"
Nerius nodded slowly due to the pain. Issei continues, "Did your instincts screamed at you when you see me or something stops you from attacking me for a while?"
Nerius' eyes widening at this for knowing what's stop him from attacking Issei as Penemue listens to this. The former slowly ask due to his conditions, "How do you know about that?"
The response of Issei is informational as he lowers his warrior behavior as a mentor behavior kick in, "it's standard behavior of Users. In general, those serve as a warning that your true enemy has revealed themselves to you."
"What's enemy?"
The enemy of the Gift; Adreilites or in this case, a dark one."
"Dark one?"
"Let me introduce myself! I'm the Dark Adrielite Issei, a former Great protector of Hope," said Issei as he sends an energy pulse to confirm it.
While Issei focuses only on the user's face, Penemue notices something and yell at Issei. Too late to react, Issei was stabbed at his lower left rib by a light spear created by Nerius. He released Nerius as he gasps his wound and fell down. Penemue widened her eyes in horror as her savior needs help and she barely has enough energy to save both him and herself from the traitor.
Ever since his appearance and his words to her, Penemue has gained interest in the now named Issei. When he turns to look at her, she could tell that he was checking her out. But, she felt his feelings that really capture her eyes. In the beginning, she could sense the love at first signs, but it slowly turns into feelings of sorrow, anger, and betrayal. She didn't know that he knows or unknowing that she could sense it.
Her thirst to know Issei has grown to new heights as he explains to his opponents. He announces that he's the enemy of the ring and these crops of the Void as well calling himself; a Dark Adrielite and former Great Protector. Unknowingly to the combatants, she could feel more negative feelings from Issei as she wanted to comfort him.
Now, Penemue wanted to join the fight as Issei's fall to the ground. Although Issei heals her and repairs her clothing, he didn't regain her energies to create light spears or fly to save him. Her only hope is for Azazel to notice her absence of informing him.
Then, she saw Nerius slowly getting up and walked to Issei, she heard him saying, You hurt me! For that, I'm going to make sure you die a horrible death." Surprising to her, Nerius kick Issei in the chin as he humped into the ground. He lay un pain as Nerius continued to stomp on his chest.
That inhumane moment is the last straw for Penemue as she struggled to stand up and save Issei from that fate. In her past, she witnesses someone to take her pain as uselessness forced her to do nothing to stop it. Watching this caused a flashback of that moment caused her to do this. Consequences be damned, if her equals scolded her for this, she wouldn't let no one scapegoat her on the pain.
She walked like a child that about walk for the first time towards this poor excuse of tide-turning of the battle. After the stomping, Nerius create an enchanted light spear, contrary to the ring, ready to slew Issei as he struggled to get on his knees as he spits out blood to the ground getting ready to look up. Seeing this, she picked up the pace to stop Issei from getting killed. However, like the child that walk for the first time, Penemue falls to the ground as she looked to the scene hoping that she has time.
Nerius sends the spear to deliver the final blow. Lucky for Issei, his reaction has saved him as the spear stabbed him by his risen hand only. His stabbed hand holds the spear from earning ahead kill.
Annoyed at this, Nerius aim the hand that holds his Gift ready to send a lethal attack when Issei's free hand had grabbed his hand. Issei, then, took this moment to stand up as his wound make him winced in pain as blood flows out. Once, he stands tall and strong surprising Penemue and angering Nerius. With enough force, he headbutted Nerius to a fair distance.
That was a mistake in terms of battle and warfare. As Issei headbutted Nerius in a distance giving the latter an advantage to using his ring to blast and kill Issei. Not wasting this opportunity, Nerius throw his fist, that holds his ring, to finish his interference once and for all.
However, the mistake wasn't issei making, as nothing was happening that cause fatal injuries to the interference. Issei huffed a puff as if suppressing a chuckle as he raises a closed fist. It was intense when he opens it. In the hand lies the Greed Ring shocking both Nerius and Penemue seeing nothing that involves Issei taking off the ring from Nerius. It was at that moment, the barrier vanishes into thin air and the clothing that Nerius wears went to its original color of Grigori. It was a mistake indeed but it was actually for the unexpected.
To finish this, Issei despite his injury, uses the Adreilite speed to close the distance between himself and Nerius after he destroys the Greed Ring. With one act, he sent the same hand that crashed the ring like a missile. The hand went through the body like paper and seen to be holding the still-beating heart of his opponent.
He said to his opponent with no remorse, "Those who make people slaves for their pleasure should die like the scum they are." With that, he crushed the heart like gloo and retract dropping the mess of the heart as well as pushing the body of the now dead Nerius.
It was at that moment, she knew the battle was won before the finishing blow. The barrier was disabled as her senses come back with a vengeance. She could hear the animals of the forest or see the trees and the sky, but she focuses on Issei as her interest and worry increased the sight of him as he drops to his knees and his hands seem to try lessening the pain. The sign of the tail swinging rough, even banging the ground and her senses allowing her to feel living creatures' emotions depict some form of anger. This ponders her of why Issei is anger at this victory.
Unless he is anger towards himself because of the cost of victory. Isn't that insane to be angry for being careless in a battle? Of course, people would scold in such a case, but himself unlikely. Could it be that he's an expert combatant? Due to a certain battle maniac, some expert combatants have the tenacity to outrage themselves if they make a mistake or receiving a wound, sometimes both. If left unchecked, it led to self-destruction.
Finally with strength returned, Penemue stand up and walk slowly towards Issei. If he's here alone and she leaves him, there's no doubt that he will die without help. In her best interest, she would help Issei until help arrived. Then, she felt his emotions as he looks at, no into her. Those feelings make her blush and her words died in her mind.
After what seems to hours, Issei broke the silence, "Are you alright, Cadre?"
Penemue blinked at this, "How do you know that I'm a cadre?"
"Someone I know educates me on ranks of some factions including your, Miss…"
Penemue quickly says, "It's Penemue. Just Penemue. This someone must be wise to inform you of potential allies."
"She hardly someone that I go for advice, but she is important to me. It is more like potential enemies instead of potential allies," said Issei as he only thinks of Kuroka as he got up before he clutched due to the wound.
She gasped and immediately went to his side surprising both Issei and Godzilla at this. She places one of his arms around her neck and wrapped her right around his waist. She says in concern, "You shouldn't force yourself when you're gravely injured!"
His heart is beating faster and hard as he thought his blood rushing to his head instead of out of the wound and he felt her bosom touching his armored torso. It's impossible to feel something in armor, but the armor is more like a second skin due to Godzilla, who have skin that barely felt anything that involves pain.
He says once he no longer feels the blood rushing his head, "I have friends and loved ones that can heal me."
"Yeah, if you can reach them…" said Penemue as she put a hand on his wound. "... What about Grigori? There's no doubt that my allies will be here any moment now."
Thoughts filled Issei's mind of whether or not to accept help from Grigori. It's not yet time for the Ember in the Ashes to be involved with the Supernatural factions. His friends and loved ones will misunderstand that kind act as kidnapping and will make Grigori bleed as they "rescue" him. Then again, if he doesn't find help quick, Ember in the Ashes will be missing a leader.
He looked into the eyes of Penemue as his sights are starting to get blurry. It was at that moment, he says, "Penemue, I'm in your debt."
Before Penemue could response, Issei placed a hand on his forehead while his legs felt heavy to stand as his eyes felt heavy to stay open. Suddenly his Core Breaker armor disappears in fireflies whitish lights falling to the ground exposing his identity to Penemue. The last things he heard and feel are Penemue yelling his name, the presences of fallen angels as well heard their wings flapping before darkness claim him.
When he came around, Issei bolted upright, once he noticed the ceiling differ than his room, to find himself in a dark colored bedroom. He looks around and finds the necessary objects needed in the bedroom. This room contained dark furniture as well as two doors and two faces of the room. The bed he lay and sat at have white sheets that seem to be strain with some of his blood.
Out of instinct, his left-hand assault where he took a light spear. Feeling bandages covering it, he looks down as he was chest stripped of his clothing and replace with bandage wrapping around his ribs.
Confused about how he got here, he contacts the spirit within him, 'Godzilla? Godzilla! If you can hear me and I'm pretty sure that you hear me, please response this moment.'
It was long that the spirit response, "You know that you're very annoyed like this when something happens without your knowledge."
This caused Issei to roll his eyes, 'Godzilla, what happens when I collapsed!'
"Pretty much the same. More Fallen Angels came and help both you and Penemue to their headquarters. They treated you first because of Penemue's orders."
This cause a pause in his heartbeat, 'Penemue orders her subordinates to treated me instead of herself?'
"Yes, since you healed her. There was no need for medical attention to her except rest."
'What happens to her'
"No doubt talking or reporting to her equals about her encounter with a User and you or whatever Cadres do. Before, she was checking on you and was the one to change your bandages with new ones."
Again, he touches the wound feeling that it has gotten smaller, but still, there's a hole. He mentally says in frustration, 'What taking it so long to be fully healed?'
"Well, it's not my fault for your regeneration ability is affected by your status as a Dark Adrielite."
'That was a rhetorical question, Godzilla!'
"And that was a rhetorical answer, Old Brat!"
'Don't you get smart with me!'
"I'm not getting smart. I just get there."
'Say one more thing'
"Go to Hell!"
With that, Issei disconnected his contract with Godzilla. He sighed as he got up and walk to what seems to be window blind. He about to remove the blind to see outside when he heard his door opening and see towards the source. He found Penemue, still wearing in the same outfit, walking in holding a tray of food.
Penemue said like she is embarrassed, "Hello, Issei. I brought some food for you."
Issei blinks, "How do you know my name and how do you know that I'm awake?"
Penemue giggled at this after she got the food tray on a piece of furniture, "I overheard you saying your name while you hold Nerius and as for knowing you were alive. I will keep that as a secret."
'I shouldn't underestimate some supernatural's abilities,' thought Issei as he sat down on the bed and find the tray containing three pancakes with syrup on them, a few portions of bacon, hash browns, and some eggs as well as a set of a fork, spoon, and knife. He uses a knife and fork to acquire a piece of the pancakes and took a bite of it. He says in blessing, "This is very good. Do you cook this?"
Penemue reply, "Yes, thank you for your modesty."
{'Skip to recent memory' cause I wanna speed things up to the end of the chapter!} After he finished the meal at a slow pace, he turned to Penemue who seems to act almost like a maid. He says, "I'd take it that I'm in Grigori HQ."
Penemue nodded, "When you collapse, a search team have found us and I explain everything to them. As well that I've ensured that you're treated first due to your wound. Although you seem to be perfect health elsewhere and you're healing, but the healing is too slow even for a human."
Issei gave her a sad smile, "You could say that my healing is severity weakened."
"Do you know the cause of it?"
"Unfornaturely, I do!"
Penemue holds in her concern and curiosity towards Issei for she's afraid that he might think that she doing that for her faction. She asks to make sure, "Does this have something to do with your states as a dark adrielite?"
Only his eyes show surprise, but his face didn't match his eyes for it grace Penemue with a smile. His eyes soon follow as he utter, "I shouldn't compare the senses between humans and supernatural."
Penemue blinked at this as confusion set in. He makes it sound like that he's beyond humanity and the factions of the supernatural. She wanted to voice this but settle with silence instead. Once she maintains control in her mind, she poses, "What do you know about Azazel?"
He answers with some difficulty, "Azazel? According to the book of Enoch, dead seas scrolls, and the Bible, Azazel is one of the fallen angels that fallen from Heaven before the time of the Flood. He is the leader of the Fallen Angels. He taught men; the art of warfare and of making weapons and armor. He taught women; the art of deception of the appearance. He was captured by the Archangel Raphael and chained Azazel to Dudael. I heard a rumor that he has escape Dudael and somehow make himself a scapegoat to a people. Azazel is a master tactician who studies his opponents and the situation before making a move. Besides that, there's are many rumors about him."
Penemue is shocked beyond relief that Issei is very informative about her friend and leader. She fake cough, "You learned all that from your friend? What about the rumors about him?"
He answers honestly, "Actually, my friend only said that he is a leader of the fallen angels. Anything else I learn about him is the main sources and the rumors talk to him. Besides the rumor of his escape and status as a scapegoat, he became a fallen because of his lust over women, a research fanatic, loves to collect things, and a pacifist despite another rumor state that he's the most sinister of the Fallen Angels."
Penemue sweatdropped at this while she titters. Most of it hit the spot on Azazel, however, the rumor of his sinisterness is hardly true. "What do you think about him, Issei?"
"Based on what I've learned is that Azazel is a dangerous enemy that must require a calm mind and caution to watch out for him. However, should Azazel disprove his vault as a threat, then I'll count him as a valuable ally as well as a true friend."
Penemue's mood lightens at what she wanted to hear, "Glad to hear this! Issei, would you like to meet Azazel?"
Issei looks straight into Penemue, "Does he knows?"
"Yes."
"He won't try anything against me due to what happened?"
"As I say, I explain everything to them and vouch for you that he won't do anything wrong."
"Only him?"
"No, there are other leaders, as well as some specials, wanted to meet you."
"Are you going to be there?"
Penemue paused at this question as no one asked about her personally be in a meeting before. She blushed deeper as she says in a shy manner, "Yes, I'll be in it!"
"Do you have a shirt ready for me?"
Penemue nodded as she gave a Grigori male uniform shirt and Issei accept with carefulness as he slowly put it on. He walks to her side, "Will you escort me to meet Azazel?"
{'Fast Forward to later memory'} Currently Issei felt like he is in the meeting room of the Ember in the Ashes due to the lack of light. He stands before a large obsidian crescent moon table. Directly in front of him at the center of the table sat an attractive older (black haired with blonde fringe and a goatee) male who looked like he was in his late twenties wearing a simple black robe. He shows a hint of his bored expression vanish in a snap of fingers as he leaned forward to measure Issei. He fights an urge to shiver in his sights like a mad doctor.
To his right is a big man with blonde hair. A person like him should have an intimidating presence, but the man radiated the mother hen type of feeling as Issei felt it for a second. Unknowingly to Issei, the man is the second in command of the Fallen Angels, Shemhazai.
To Azazel's left was another big man with short black hair. His eyes were closed, but gave off a feeling he could still see and currently showing a stoic and boring face. Unknowingly to Issei, this man is Baraquiel and the reason why is that he was dragged in a meeting during his time with his wife and daughter.
To the direct left sat a taller skinny man that had long black hair as well as red eyes and pointed ears. Issei gulped nervously as well as his hands were shaking into fists feeling the bloodthirst aura off of him. Worse, his expression was a mix of his usual hawkish skowl and a smirk that somehow make him more sinister than the rumors about Azazel. He currently remains himself to don't attack without good reason. Unknowingly to Issei, this is Kokabiel, the warmongering general of the Fallen Angels.
To the direct right of Penemue (who sat next to Shemhazai's right) is a man that has tan skin and his black hair tied into a topknot. He shows Issei, an easy-going smile. Unknowingly to Issei, this is the Cadre known as Armaros.
Earlier Penemue told him that Sahariel and Tamiel are currently unavailable and on a mission of their own design. Meaning Issei meeting five cadres (including Penemue) and the so-called specials are actually two 'little' girls as they stand next to Penemue.
One of the girls seems to be older than the other one by 2 or 3 years have ice blue eyes and light silver hair that went past her shoulder. She currently wearing some sort of school uniform. Issei could see that this child is checking him from top to bottom, probably trying to figure out what is he. On a closer sense, Godzilla and himself could smell a strong dragon within her. Either she has a Longinus classed sacred gear that has a dragon spirit or she's a child of a dragon.
At first look, the other girl has violet eyes and long black hair with an inhuman feature that takes the shape of black wings. Unlike the older one, she is wearing a simple white dress. Either she takes time to change her clothing from school for the meeting or that she never enter a school before. On a closer look, he sees some resemblance between her and Azazel. Currently, she could be looking at him with unnoticeable blush and studying eyes.
It looked like the moment of silence could last indefinitely if left untouched, seeing as Issei was too busy scanning the room and studying each individual in the room or looking in Penemue's direction. Azazel spoke breaking the silence as his tone uncharacteristically neutral. "Before heading to business, I would like to thank you for saving Penemue and eliminating a traitor in our midsts. It saves us the trouble of disposing of a threat."
Issei does a short bow at such praise, "I aim to please."
"Now then, to business," the leader of the fallen angels gave a long, hard stare in Issei's direction before continuing. "I am Azazel, the big boss of the fallen angels. Tell me, Issei, do you know why you are here?"
"I'm just guessing right here. Is it something to do with a special artifact that I have acquired."
Azazel's gaze turned a little more excited at the mention of 'special artifact' yet he continued, "What do you know of sacred gears?"
Issei answers in the same manner toward answering a question to Penemue, "Sacred Gears knew as God's Artifacts are objects of great power and powerful abilities bestowed upon few humans by the Biblical God."
The room was quiet when knowing such information coming from Issei as Azazel was the one only to continue the feeling in an orderly fashion, "I see. Do you know anything about Fallen Angels?"
"Most people would have mistaken them as Devils."
Before Issei could continue or Azazel could respond, Kokabiel had risen to his feet, his face contorted in rage causing Issei seemingly to jump at the Warmonger. "How dare you associate us with those filthy creatures! We are far above those miserable worms and their disgusting ways!"
The leader of the assembly wasn't amused as he grabbed his subordinate's arm and slammed him back down into his seat reminding Issei about the Ember in the Ashes. He, then, turned his attention back towards their guest. "A common misconception! As you were saying?"
Issei hiddenly trying to calm himself as he continues, "To a select few, Fallen Angels are one of the three factions of Biblical Faith. They are angels that fell out of Heaven due to disobeying the teaching of or the Biblical God."
Azazel jokily utter, "At least, this proves that you know about us as Kokabiel have no reason to get mad over that." The Cadres including the girls looks at Kokabiel who scoffs away at this possible embarrassed.
Issei breaks their concentrate at their own, "Why did you leave? I always thought Heaven worthy to go?"
Azazel's smile stretched a little thinner, "Let's just say some of us gained an appreciation for them… finer qualities of human life on Earth and leave it at that."
"Right… I would love to hear some history of your situation because I have some gist on the Supernatural."
"I see! You see, after we fell from Heaven, our kind had to make a new home for ourselves and the Underworld seemed as good as any place as it is. Oddly enough, the Devils didn't take kindly to our intrusion and so began the Great War thousands of years ago. It wasn't long before our little feud spilled over into the human world. Heaven couldn't let that stand and before you could say 'blasphemy,' there were three factions at each other's throats, eager to exploit any advantage. Humans were left with no defenses against these supernatural forces. And so God created sacred gears, powerful weapons, and tools that manifested only in humans which allowed them to hold their own against all but the strongest of supernatural beings."
Azazel paused for a minute to let what he said sink in. His brow furrowed briefly before he kicked back and put his legs up on the table. Issei was connecting the dots in a weird sense since his first thoughts are that this hasn't got everything with him being half Adrielite and having one of Guardian classed Divine Apparatus instead of a Sacred Gear.
He asked with no hints of beating around the bush, "You thinks that I have a Sacred Gear?"
It was that question caused confusions among the Cadres and the two girls as the Cadres look to each other of this question. Azazel answers, "The way you said it is as if you don't have a Sacred Gear."
Before Azazel could tell him that's a joke or others could laugh at the joke, Issei says with a bored expression, "That is correct!"
Azazel blinked as the rest of the Cadres including the girls all yells out, "WHAT?!" The shouting cause Issei to covers his ears in pain.
"Could you lower your voice very, please? It hurts my ears."
Penemue beat Azazel of saying to Issei, "We're sorry. It just that your scale mail seems to similar to the Red Dragon Emperor that I'm certain that you wield a subspecies of Sacred Gears that is an imitation to the original Boosted Gear."
"I guess it's time to give a proper introduction," said Issei as he bent down like kneeling in front of loyalty and bang his fist into the floor creating a tiny crater as he said, "Core Breaker!"
In an instant, his entire body was engulfed in the brightest orange glow. When the glow fades, Issei is in his Core Breaker armor once more. Showing his Core Breaker which breaking his own laws of hiding the dark ones' existence, but he believed that joining a side of the Supernatural will served benefits to the Ember in the Ashes. He, slowly, get up allowing everyone to feel his energy flowing out of his armor and to see every detail of his armor.
He stands strong and tall as he repeats the words of Azazel's introduction, while he lifted his arms high in a non-threatening manner, "I'm Issei, the big boss of the Dark Adrielites and wielder of one of the few, yet one of the most powerful Divine Apparatus, Fallen Supreme Gear. Also known as…"
He paused as his armor disappears leaving the gauntlets intact as he crosses his arms like an X, "... gauntlets of the Fallen Guardian Dragon, Godzilla." finished Issei as Godzilla roars as the flames generated around the arms before he rested his arms against his side.
Once the group regained their faces as Azazel snapped out of his research fanatic and the girls stopped being scared or showing some sort bloodthirsty smile, Issei says, "For now, ignore my introduction and answer as you were saying to me?"
Azazel says nothing as well as the rest of the Cadres as they were speechless that there's another faction that is unheard of till now. Not only that, but this faction has managed to create their own version of Sacred Gears.
The Fallen girl that has some resembles of Azazel broke the silence, "Wait, what are Dark Adrielites?"
They gathered their thoughts and listen as hope to draw a correct way to address a possible alliance while only one of them didn't think of that thought process.
"Dark Adreilites are Adreilites that were kicked out of my people version of 'Heaven."
Only the fallen was silence as they think that these Dark Adrielites are like, somehow, cousins to their kind as some of the cadres think this.
The fallen girl continues with a light blush as she took a nervous pose, "Were you cast out because you fucked someone?"
It was at those moments, most of the cadres sweat-dropped and glare at Azazel for an unknown reason. Issei just looks at the young fallen; just stood and looks brokenly at the girl.
Within time, Issei was 'restore' as he lowered himself to face a proper child, "What is your name, little one?"
"I'm Raynare" as the little fallen introduced herself.
Swallowing a gulp, "That doesn't work on my kind. Within time, some of my kind no longer recognize it as heir new rules have made it, unsuitable to live in peace and freedom."
"So, you leave your home?"
"No, it's more than being kicked out?"
That question asked by Raynare asked was tensed for him to answer for a moment. "I was kicked out because I make a mistake in battle and my leaders wanted to make an example of me, so there's aren't repays in future battles."
The unhuman like Fallen's interest perked up at the mention of battles that he destroyed the moment between Visitor and the daughter of a Cadre, "Battles? You were at war with someone?"
Some of the Cadres were about to scowl him of asking too much information, but Issei answers nevertheless, "Before the 'birth of the Dark Ones,' we have a dangerous enemy."
Peneme asks remembering about Users and this Lord is known as Ghannah, "Do you call your enemies, users by any chance?"
The Cadres have read the report of Penemue on the events of recent betrayal. During the battle, Issei calls Nerius, a Fallen user.
"That's correct," annoyed reply as he was about to ask a question about her family that no doubt introduced the birds and the bees before she was in the right age.
Azazel cuts in, "We were wondering about why you called Nerius, a fallen user?"
Issei shifts his gaze onto Penemue, "Do you recall what he has on one of his hand before I've intervened, Penemue?"
All eyes were on Penemue as she tried to remember what Issei hinting at. Lucky for her, she remembers, "He gave a ring that has some type of exotic symbol for greed. Is that what you meant by that?"
"Yes, rings like the one on the Fallen are the reason of why they called Users."
"Because of the power these rings?" Armaros asks as he remembers some specific details caused by the ring.
"Actually, it's the creators of the rings that the Users are using."
Shemhazai says, "Could you please elaborate on that, Issei?"
Issei was trying to limit some information, after all the supernatural and the humans only know what on Earth, not out of Earth. It isn't like he's an alien or at the very least, a full breed of that concept because he was born during Forerunner Earth's days. "The creators are the leaders or Lords as we called them. The Lords have a certain power over something and they created the rings with those certain powers as their source. A long time ago, they tricked people who they think are easy and bestow them the rings. Once they put on the rings, then they are tools to be used by the Lords."
"And now?" asked by Baraquiel.
"Now, the rings seek their own wielders to enslaved."
"Enslaved?" muttered by Penemue not like about it, since she was close to being one.
"Those who wear the rings of the Lords become slaves to their wills if their desires match these powers."
"Do these Users outnumbers you by chance?" asked the young battle maniac about the topic of Users.
"Yes, um um"
"My name is Valerina, but you may call me Vali." the young white-haired girl says with some seriously attached to it.
"The Lords always tried to outnumber my kind, before I was kicked out, to achieve a lasting victory."
"And what price is it if they win over the adrielites?" asked Azazel
"If the Adrielites win the war, many centuries of Peace and Order will happen. But, If the Users win the war, many centuries of Tyranny will happen in that place instead."
The room was silence at the development of the information provided. Within several minutes, Raynare asks, "Did you think you will win this war, Issei?"
For the first time during their interview, Issei answered with some doubts, "I wish I knew the answer to that?"
Penemue utters, "What makes you say that?"
"Because ever since I was banished, good numbers of strong warriors were also banished weakening the Adrielties' strength. The Dark Adrielites are small compared to the ranks of the Adrielites and the Users which make us; the weakest side. There have been several attempts of killing a few of my subordinates and equals."
"From what you tell us about the Users, how come there are no other reports from other factions about these beings?" asked Shemhazai probably suspicious of what being told here.
"Mostly because the Adrielites counteract most of these Users before they can do damage beyond repair. However, right now, the Users have, somehow, adapt and able to escape from our watch."
"It is a possibility that these Lords are upgrading the rings to seek 'smarter' wielders?" asked Penemue to Issei.
"Either that or they command the Users to escape. Either way, it's very dangerous if these Users continued this type of mobilization."
"If what you say about counteracting them is true, then this war needed to keep a secret even to most of the Supernatural. If that case, then why to tell us this?" asked Azazel as he looks casually calm about this development.
"Since being banished out of our home, we have been labeled as traitors in their eyes and probably tried to kill my subordinates or my equals on sight. It's within the best interests of my faction that I propose an alliance between us."
"EEHHH?" the whole room was shouted again as Issei blocked some pains caused by it. Once the cadres with the young girls have their mind focus on it, Azazel says, "What will be the reason for proposing such of an alliance between Fallen Angels and Dark Ones?"
"The Users are gathering muscle as a Greed ring found its way onto one of yours. This tells me that the only way for the Ember in the Ashes to withstand against the true enemy and a safeguard from my former allegiance is to join forces with a faction of the Supernatural. However…" said Issei as he took some steps forward and have his hands touch the desk while looking Azazel straight in the eye.
"... If you think that I seek to ally myself for the sake of power, you're sadly mistaken. Seeking ways to attain power, whether or not out of good intentions or bad, power will place your friends and family at risk by other power-hungry beings." Issei finished as he retreats to his original position while the Cadres whispered among themselves. Their muffled words echoing through the chamber, giving the impression far more people were in the room that could be seen to the minds of Issei, Vali, and Raynare as they talk at once.
Kokabiel, in particular, looked surprised and somewhat disappointed and anyone who knew the man for more than ten seconds knew why. He could be quite single-minded at times, Penemue thought to herself, though some around here find that a noble, charming quality. She turned to look towards Issei and the two girls and smile as they getting along quite well.
Azazel cleared his throat, bringing silence to the room as attention was focused on him once more, "Since you offered this deal. In exchange for your Ember in the Ashes to be safe, information, and whatnots, we will have a few tasks for some of the members including you to perform here and there. Nothing too major mind you. Mostly ceremonial stuff. Making sure our current peace with Heaven and the Devils are maintained. I'm sure we can reach an agreement with an alliance. If not, we can reach some arrangements to make this alliance possible. Are we in an agreement?"
Before Issei could say anything, Kokabiel turned towards Azazel, "Are you sure you want to help this… weakling? If he does not desire power than how is he any use to us? He could make us look weak when the next war comes and…"
"You know as well as I that we cannot afford the Great War restarting, Kobabiel!" Azazel exclaimed, his eyes flashing a brilliant gold for a brief moment. "If the other factions see that another faction stands with our but above all desires peaceful coexistence, I believe it will go a long way towards convincing them that we want an end to the conflict once and for all."
"Azazel is correct, Kokabiel. We will only lose another war." Shemhazai interjected, his voice far more calm and level than his boss. "Heaven wants peace above all, even if it means allowing their mortal enemies to keep breathing for the time being. And the Devils have been turning ever inward in the past century after their civil war. All but the most bloodthirsty would be happy to bring an end to the fighting with us, so they can focus on their own endless political machinations. The time is right for peace!"
"You would say that Shemhazai, considering who you keep company with!" Kokabiel sat down, muttering more threats under his breath, but otherwise silenced for the moment.
The interruption dealt with, Azazel turned back to Issei who looked ready slain the warmonger, much to the concern of Penemue. Reading her mind, the leader of the Fallen Angels rose from his seat and circled around the table to stand in front of the boy. "So then, do we have an alliance? We will scratch your faction's back with whatever causing these itches. In exchange, your faction will scratch ours with keeping the peace with Heaven, the Devils, and any other group that threatens us." Azazel paused for a moment as he put his arm around the boy's shoulder and held his hand out. "What do you say?"
Issei stared at the hand, then he glare at Kokabiel , and stared at Penemue, Raynare, and nicknamed Vali. Granting a smile, he grasped Azazel's hand and give it a hearty shake with a force and intensity that caught the Boss of the Fallens unaware. However, the Archangel quickly returned the intensity with a smile that was bigger than the one, he had been sporting before. This was an important day for their faction and everyone present realized it.
"I guess this is the start of a beautiful friendship! Now, since Raynare is here during the birth of this alliance…" said Issei as Azazel ungrasped the hand and looks at Issei at curiosity. "...tells that one of the cadres is her parent. I will like to know which one is her parent, so I may have a talk with him/her."
Azazel just felt his back to shivering by the way Issei says it and the way he looks. To his eyes, Issei's smile was morphed forced to cover some dark intentions to the parent of Raynare, who is Azazel and probably thought that Azazel (the parent) taught Raynare about adult stuff. Either way, Azazel just felt some fear at the thought of some form of punishment from Issei if or when he tells him that he's the parent of Raynare. He quickly looks at the present Cadres who seems didn't notice of Issei's forced smile or wordplay or pretend to not notice it. Then again, maybe Issei will just look at him in disappoint.
With a gulp and taking a gamble, he says, "I'm the parent of Raynare."
Boom! This chapter alone is the #1 longest chapter, I have wrote in this year alone! For the sake of ending this as quick as possible, I'm skipping the part of how Rise of the Fallen Guardian Dragon is different from the Legend Resurgence, Legend of a True Heavenly Dragon, and the Path to Vengeance.
If you wondering about what the symbol of the Greed Users, look at this to found out; . /v1/fill/w_374,h_250,q_70,strp/my_7_sins_symbols_by_larsjack_ ?token= 1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NjAyIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvNWQxMTMyNWUtYzg5MC00Zjc0LThlNDMtOWQ2NjE5ZWM5YWZkXC9kM2gxaXVrLTYzOGU0ZDE0LTM0YWMtNDhiMy1iYzIzLTFjMDZkZjhiODQ1Mi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9OTAwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.7HPu59QbgU82Fciz3QzRDVASo1zkgmZjanXWu6d8Z1Y
The reason of why this chapter is long or that I'm taking long of writing this is that I spend about 2-3 months writing this with less time because either I'm having trouble of how Issei became a fallen in the first place or that I was doing school stuff/playing games. For now, I'm skipping explaining key points that is 'out of cannon' so far. I'm asking my readers to post some questions of this chapter, so I may address to the last prologue chapter with the best I can.
Before I go, I have decided (but not completely) who going to be in Issei's Harem. The 16 luck girls who gonna to be in Issei's Harem are
1. Penemue
2. Esdeath
3. Mordred
4. Tamamo
5. Kuroka
6. Kalawarmer
7. Akeno
8. Raynare
9. Fem. Vali
10. Kiyome Abi
11. Lavinia Reni
12. Rosswisse
13. Tiamat
14. Xenovia Quarta
15. Yasaka
16. undecided
The last one is for you to decide who going to in his harem and it can be anyone you wanted; whether they're Cannon or an OC. They can anyone you wanted so please suggesting who going to be. However, there is a chance that they may be rejected from Issei's harem, but that doesn't mean the end of it. Because the Real Red Dragon Emperor will have a Harem as well, so there's still a chance for the rejected to be part of that harem, instead. It's a 33/33/33 chance at the very least. SO don't be afraid or get angry over it.
Thank you for reading this! A shoutout for everyone who post something to make this story to be favorable.