When Theo woke up, he saw only darkness. Everything was black. His mind was fuzzy. He couldn't even think properly. That made it all the more terrifying. He couldn't move a muscle and he just laid there for minutes on end. His mind eventually started to defog but that only made things worse as he started to think.

'I'm dead. I'm dead and this is it? Is this what's going to happen to me? Alone? In the darkness?'

Theo tried everything he could for the next several minutes to move. His fear started to get the best of him. Was this his end? To be stuck in this dark pit alone and unable to move? He wanted to cry. To scream. To lament about everything in his life yet nothing was able to happen.

That's when the ground shook. It was like an earthquake rumbling beneath him before a bright light started to shine up above him. His eyes took it in without pause. It was almost unearthly in how it felt. He could finally move and he sat up as quickly as he could. He moved his hand in front of his face and clenched his fingers back and forth.

He looked around himself. The area around him was lit with white light. The floor was just as white. The rest was shrouded in darkness. He stood up shakily, glancing around. His fear hadn't left him. This was wrong. Just plain wrong.

That's when he heard something. It was as if bones were rattling around him. As though someone was dragging them around in a serpentine motion. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Theo gulped, "Who's there?

"Awww," a hissing, masculine voice reverberated around the area. It felt so familiar to him but he couldn't pinpoint it, "Are you confused? Lost?"

"Well… yes?" Theo gulped as he looked around, "Where am I?"

"You should know, fool." The voice hissed in utter contempt, "You're the one who put us here."

Theo furrowed his brow as he tried to think of a reason as to why they were here, "But I didn't-"

"You allowed that weak beast to stab you in the chest," bony coils started to appear around him. If Theo didn't know better, it was almost like he was watching the bones of a snake. "You bled out on the floor, pathetic and alone."

"But I wasn't alone."

The coils stopped, "What?"

"I mean, Mittelt was there and there was that monster-"

"You know what I meant!" The voice roared, causing Theo to recoil in terror. The coils started up again, slithering around him as though they were circling a succulent prey item. "Now where was I? Oh yes! Such an unflattering display that was. That beast was so weak. So utterly weak and yet you allowed it to kill you. Pathetic. No wonder you want to die. You can't even fight cannon fodder."

"Well, I mean, I don't have super powers so…"

"That's beside the point."

"Well how am I supposed to defeat monsters without some magical artifact?"

"If you were strong, you could defeat that creature without one."

"How?"

"What?" The coils stopped.

Theo scratched his chin as he looked rather confused, "How can I defeat an inhuman monster with just my bare fists as a normal human? It's like asking me to kill a dragon with a pistol."

"Well it can be done."

"Killing a dragon with a pistol?"

"No! That's impossible. Dragons are the strongest beings in this world! We would… Look, we're getting off track…" There was a loud hiss, "Where was I?"

"You were going off on how I was weak?" Theo deadpanned.

"Yes! Exactly and… you aren't scared?"

Theo shrugged, "I'm kind of dead so… I can't die twice, I guess?"

"You can't die twice?" The voice said. For a moment there was a calm but tense silence, then the laughing started. Theo's fear started to spike again and he let out a yelp when two large claws slammed into the ground at his sides. He looked up to see them being a part of two large, bony wings. The membranes were a sickly green. That's when the light revealed the perpetrator. It was a large snake dragon made of bones. It hissed at him as the area lit up, revealing just how massive he was.

"Foolish mortal," the snake dragon spoke and it almost caused Theo to have a heart attack. "You know nothing. You can die as many times as you are given life. On and on until you are nothing more than dust in the wind."

Theo shakily nodded, "Y-Yes."

"You cower before me," the dragon hissed in anger, "Of all the hosts I could have been paired with, it was you. You! A disgrace to the image of dragons. To the image of demigods. To everything on this planet. A whiney, whimpering bastard who can't fight his way out of lackeys."

"I… I did fight."

"And you lost," the dragon hissed, "And what would have happened to that Mittelt, hmmm? Oh yes, she would have died had it not been for her ally. You did nothing while she was in danger in the end."

Theo started to shake his head furiously, tears forming in his eyes. "I tried. I tried really hard. I just-"

"Failed," the dragon's head pushed him back as it glared at him, "That's your life story, isn't it? You failed."

Theo held his hands over his ears, "Shut up."

"I bet your mother is so proud of you," the dragon mockingly snickered, "Her big strong man brought down by a weakling stray, unable to protect a single girl. Your sister must adore looking up to such a 'strong' brother."

"Shut up, shut up." Theo shook his head as he tried to shake away those fears.

"Shut up, shut up." The dragon mocked, his booming voice splitting the air. "Disgusting. To think someone of your blood would be so spineless. Get up. Fight me."

"Go away," Theo inched backwards, "Please go away." This was the voice. His inner voice. He remembered it now. That voice that always whispered in his ear. He couldn't shake it and now it was staring him in the face.

"I am inside you," the dragon stated. "I cannot leave. It seems you've realised that it was my voice that you have heard all these years. I told you only the truth. You are not worth anything. A waste of space. Why, it would be better if you jumped off a cliff. Maybe my next host will actually be worth something."

Theo whimpered. He couldn't say anything to counter the dragon. His whole form hurt and the words seemed to drive pricks of pain throughout his body. He felt like he was going to go mad with pain.

"It's actually very amusing," the serpentine dragon chuckled. "I can assure you, Theo Olympus. There are worse things than death. Would you care to experience some of it?"

Theo gasped as he held onto his chest. Blood started to pool from the wound he thought was gone. His body limply fell to the floor as agony beyond his comprehension filled him. His mouth was open but no scream could be heard.

The dragon laughed, "Oh this is rich. Now I will at least have a good show before I escape this prison. Any last-"

At that moment, something small smashed into the dragon's head. It had enough time to widen its eyes in surprise before being smashed into the ground.

"That's enough out of you," the girl's voice huffed and stomped on the dragon's skull. Then she jumped off of him and landed before Theo, "Hey, you're not hurt so get up."

Theo blinked in surprised as he patted his chest. The pain was gone. He wasn't bleeding. He looked up at his savior. She was short and wore f a light blue dress and a black and white hood resembling a jester cap with an emerald gem at the tip. She also wore black elbow length gloves covered in gold neon lines with gems at the back of her wrists. Her dark purple hair was tied in a long braid by a bow with a purple skull, reaching all the way down to her hips. She had three black markings on both her thighs with gold neon lines in their interior.

Theo at first was liking what he saw with her petite build but then he got to her face. He screamed in terror as he saw the skull mask staring at him. Then he screamed even louder as he saw the scythe in her hands.

'A reaper! I'm dead. I'm so dead. She's going to drag me to Tartarus or whatever lies after death. This isn't fair at all!'

His screaming stopped when she put a finger to his lips.

"Oh hush you," she giggled. She used her other hand to take off the mask, revealing a cute girl's face staring back at him. Her sleepy golden eyes twinkled with mirth, "I was hoping for a reaction but one that strong? Oh you're going to be a fun one, I can tell."

"Who are you?" Theo gulped, "You aren't here to take my soul are you?"

The girl giggled again, "Nope. I'd never do that, not with someone like you." She put her scythe down and held out a pen and notepad, "Can you sign this?"

Theo blinked in confusion before doing so. When he handed it back to her, he found her ecstatic grin rather adorable.

"Perfect," the girl fist pumped, "When you become famous, I'm going to rub it in everyone's faces that I was your first fan. I've even got the signature to prove it."

Theo just sat up and stared at her for a moment, "I have several questions."

"And I'm here to answer them," the girl gave a thumbs up, "So trust me, 'kay?"

"Well… wait, this is actually happening?" He looked around himself, "I'm actually here?"

The girl nodded, "Yep. You really are here."

"And where is here?"

The girl raised a finger, "Now that's the real question. You see, you were supposed to die. That wound was quite lethal and mortals would surely have perished if they had taken that blow."

Theo frowned, "But…"

"You aren't mortal," the girl smiled, "So that's where I come in. I'm Bennia, a Reaper by the way. It's my job to guide souls to Tartarus. It's kind of like what the Valkyrie do except in our case, we aren't all hot women. Although, I have to say I probably outshine some of those Norse girls myself." Bennia smiled as she put a hand to her chest.

Theo gaped at her. His finger trembling as he raised it, "You're a reaper."

"Yep."

"An actual reaper."

"Yep."

"And you're not a skeleton, but an actually really cute girl?"

Bennia put a finger to the edge of her lips as she smirked, "Are you hitting on me?" Theo sputtered and fell on his back, causing her to laugh, "Oh you're definitely a keeper."

Theo sat back up and waved his arms, "Okay. Okay. I just…" This was more awkward now that he knew the girl before him was real, "So… what does that mean for me?"

"Well since you're the first demigod to be born in generations," Bennia stated, "And because of who your mother is, you've been given a chance to live."

Theo's eyes widened, "So I'm not dead?"

"Nope," Bennia smiled but waggled her finger, "Lord Hades is only giving you one freebie though, so don't go throwing it away like you tried to do."

"I was just trying to protect her."

"And that's what is going to make you a great hero," Bennia gave him a thumb's up, "But you are sorta suicidal. Don't get me started on how many times we've watched you nearly-"

"Okay," Theo growled slightly, "I get it. I'll work on that. Don't have to remind me."

"That's why I'm here," Bennia said, "I've been assigned to help build you up and keep you safe till you become a true hero."

Theo stared at her for a moment, "You're not joking."

"Nope," she shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I've watched Hercules a million times. I know how to train someone."

A booming laugh resounded in the area, causing Theo to jump to his feet in fright. "Awww, isn't that cute. A little girl thinks she can-gah!"

Bennia had thrown her scythen which had struck the dragon's jaw, "Hush you. You don't have any real power here." She recalled her scythe.

"One day I shall devour you-gah!" She threw it again.

"I only let real heroes devour me," Bennia smirked at Theo, "Isn't that right~"

Theo fell on his bum, blushing and throwing his hands in front of him. "I'm not a real hero. I'm not a real hero."

Bennia held her stomach as she laughed, "So easy~ I'm not even trying. Looks like this job is going to be great."

"So… I'm a demigod?"

"Yep," Bennia nodded, "Your mom is Artemis. I know she should tell you herself but I think it's only fitting you know now."

Theo's world started to spin as he processed that. He tapped his head, "Okay, did you just say… My mom is Artemis? Like 'the' Artemis? The Greek goddess who hates guys?"

"Yep."

Theo opened his mouth as he thought about it before sighing, "That makes sense, honestly. That just means…."

/

*years ago*

Little Theo and his sister were laying in bed as their mother closed the book. His sister was sleeping beside him.

"Now wasn't that a fun story?"

Theo nodded his little head as he smiled up at his mother, "Yep. I liked the part when he got to see his family again."

"I liked that one too," Arisa giggled as she ran her hand through his hair, "A mother and son should never be separated."

"Mommy," Theo spoke up. "Am I going to get to see the rest of my family?"

"You Aunt is enough," Arisa quickly said.

"But what about grandpa and grandma?"

Arisa's face twisted into a harsh scowl, "They don't love you as they never loved me. They are not welcome in this house. Not now and not ever." She huffed before frowning, seeing Theo shaking. She quickly pulled him into a hug, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry."

"I'm sorry for bringing them up."

"Don't be," Arisa said. "Every child wants to meet their family. However, not every family is nice. Your grandfather especially. Bad things happen when he is near. I don't want him to get his hands on you."

"So he's a bad guy?"

"Worse," Arisa kissed his forehead, "But he's not going to hurt you like he did me. I'll make sure of that."

/

Theo snarled as he stood up, "So my grandfather is Zeus."

Bennia nodded, "Rightio." She quirked an eyebrow, "You seem to be angry."

"My grandfather is Zeus," Theo growled, "The bastard who just slept around and didn't give a fuck for any of the women he did it with. He's the reason my grandmother suffered and went mad. He's the reason my mom is so angry and hurt. Where is he?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Bennia held up her hands, "Let's not get hasty. You just survived death once. Hades isn't going to resurrect your butt when Zeus kills you again."

Theo huffed and looked away, deflating a bit. "I… I know, but he made my mother sad and I can't stand seeing her like that whenever our family is brought up."

"Well don't worry," Bennia smiled, "I won't tell the others and neither will Lord Hades. So your mother doesn't have to be uber sad since they won't show their faces around her."

Theo smiled at that. From the stories, Hades was one of the nicer gods. If he was on his side, perhaps he should feel good.

"They will find out one day," the dragon laughed, "And I shall feast on god flesh once more."

"Can it, you bag of bones." Bennia shook her fist.

Within the confines of the Underworld, one being stood out upon his throne. The being was a cloaked skeleton of great magnitude. His power and presence could shake the ground if he so wished. Today however, he was content to watch as one being near death left to return to the mortal coil.

Another reaper, much more beautifully decorated and larger then Bennia, spoke up. "Are you sure this course is wise, my lord?"

"Of course," Hades, the lord of the dead, said. "Once more demigods will walk the earth, changing the fate of mortals."

"And you are sure that this 'Theo Olympus' is the right one to do this?"

"He is weak now, but he will grow." Hades stated, "I cannot watch him in the mortal realm as of now, but Bennia will still be my eyes and ears on this matter. Besides, I trust Artemis. She's one of the few gods I like, even if she's got a stick up her bum the size of Mount Olympus."

Thanatos, the reaper speaking, chuckled. "That she does. I worry however if this task will be too much. Once the other greek gods know of him, they will seek to control him as you do."

"I do not wish to control him," Hades scoffed, "I just need him to show the other pantheons, especially those abrahamic upstarts, what we are made of. We are not some idiotic group of rabble who spend their time fucking each other and mortals like Zeus and Poseidon will have them believe. We are gods of Greece and we will have their respect and fear once more."

"And what shall we do?"

"We will wait…" Hades stroked his chin as he watched Theo disappear. A part of him felt a bit guilty about using this lad.

/

Persephone smiled and laughed, "You always worry too much Hades. Live a little."

/

Hades's anger returned. He would stay to this path. They would return to their former glory. They didn't need the other pantheons.

'I will not stop until I have that blasted abrahamic rabble on their knees for what they have done.'

Well here it is everyone. A few days later then I had hoped, but the next chapter is up. For everyone, I'm glad you are following and I can't thank you enough for the support. This is my first true dxd story and my first time writing a harem story so it's a learning experience.

As for other qualities, I did say I was going to write a small 'not' chapter to talk about shipping and who's in Theo's harem. As of now, I'm still working on it. You can all pretty much guess Mittelt is going to be in it but the other girls are up in the air. (This includes major and minor girls in the og story.) I do not plan on him taking Issei's spot (I love Issei as a protagonist) and he'll have some of his own adventures here and there. So if you have any suggestions or thoughts on possible girls that could work well, feel free to state them. I'll try and limit it to at most ten girls. At most for now and most won't happen for some time.

As for comments, while I appreciate any and all kinds of support, I truly would appreciate longer comments. 'Thanks for the chapter' 'good chapter' are nice, but more constructive comments would really be a help to me. As well, if you talk about the girls I would like to see some talk about what is already happening in this story, such as this chapter, and what you liked and thought about it. Every such thing helps me get better and know what I'm doing well.

Until next time, take care.