And this isn't the second chapter of the 2-chapter update.


Chapter 43: Possession

Issei was asleep once more. Sadly, it was one of the only things that he could do since he had nothing else to do.

'I think I'm ready to give it a try.' Issei thought to himself.

'Try what?' Rexis asked.

(Final Fantasy XV OST – Imperial Infiltration. Play Song.)

'Shadow-blending. I may not be adept with it like how I was in a past life, but I'm willing to try. I've been saving up my strength since these magic circles have kept me weakened.' Issei explained.

'If they see you do it, they'll label you as an enemy and spy.' Rexis warned.

'It doesn't matter now. They'll keep me here forever and Vali will be used for whatever purposes they have like a puppet. I've wasted enough time.' Issei growled.

Gathering his mana, Issei made all the steps for using shadow walking. Dematerializing his solid form and liquidating it into shadow, he felt himself go cold. He could hear a howling ambience in his ears as his feet sink into the darkness of the room.

Suddenly, the entire palace trembled. Issei had to hurry. Speeding up the process, Issei completely went into the darkness. The process was like plunging into an endless ocean. His sight was veiled in navy darkness before a filtered version of his environment was shown. It was like looking through goggles that changed the color of everything; the shadow dimension. It wasn't something he'd seen for a long time, nor had he ever intended to do this.

Opening a way out of the darkness, Issei stepped out of it and emerged in front of his former cell. He nearly dropped to his knees. It was as he expected, he wasn't capable of using shadow walking properly in this life. He nearly fell onto the ground as his legs trembled from the stress of using the ability. Shadow walking was a technique that was exclusive to the Shadow Walker Clan, not a normal person or outsider. Their bodies were adapted for it, but not his own.

'That was a bad idea. It just knocked off a day from your lifespan.' Rexis reported.

Issei forced himself to stand. He hadn't eaten anything the Amazons fed him out of caution that they might've tried to drug him. So, he was lacking in nutrients and strength to do it, which was now starting to impact him. He listened and looked around, expecting Amazons, but found that none were coming. Instead, the Amazons were passing by the doorway to his cell

'What was that trembling earlier? Another attack?' Issei wondered to himself.

He had to get moving. He had to take advantage of this confusion and find Vali and get them both out.

He raced his way through corridors and halls, listening in on talking Amazons. He couldn't afford to stop but he couldn't afford to just run around aimlessly either. He was certain cameras and the like were already on him, but it no longer mattered.

"The Queen has ordered us to secure the boundary around the barrier. Our priorities are: 1. Safety of the civilians, men, and Vali. 2. Control over the barrier's boundaries. 3. The elimination of the enemy." Iriel declared.

"Yes, Ma'am." A battalion of Amazons echoed.

Issei was growing impatient. He needed to know where Vali was. Vali was considered invaluable to the Amazons. That meant that Velvenda was keeping her close to herself in safety. The Throne Room was too obvious. It was too widely known and direct to get to. He needed to find Velvenda's bedroom. Perhaps that was the best place to start.

Issei turned around and traversed through the endless hallways, trying to find the royal bedroom or any rooms close to it. Then he remembered that there'd be men who'd clean around the palace. One of them had to know where to go. He sped up the pace in an attempt to scour for someone before finally seeing a target.

(Final Fantasy XV OST – Imperial Infiltration. End Song.)

Issei grabbed him into a dark corridor, covering his mouth.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just need you to answer my questions." Issei said.

For a moment, he took time to look at the state this man was in. He was young, probably in his early 20s. He was thin and wore a dark green uniform with a jacket and boots. Around his waist was a utility belt with tools and other items for repairs and cleaning.

"W-Who are you?" The man asked.

"I'm just somebody that got tricked into being here. I'm looking for the Queen's bedroom and the Oracle's bedroom. Where are they?" Issei asked.

"I-I can't…"

Issei's eyes narrowed. This man was literally shaking in his boots. He refused to make eye-contact and reserved his attitude and tone, as if holding back, afraid to be hit.

"I need your help. The Amazons took away someone that was very important to me. I don't know what they're going to do with her, but I need to save her. I can't do that without your help." Issei pleaded.

"But what'll you do to the Amazons?" The man asked.

Issei paused. Was he concerned for them?

"Tell me, how do they treat you?" Issei asked.

"They…treat me well. My mistress takes proper care of me and my family. We enjoy life after a long hard week of work on the weekends. She even…she's trying to upgrade my citizenship so we can be proper mates." The man admitted, his cheeks reddening.

"And what about the other men? Are they being mistreated?" Issei asked.

His curiosity had been piqued. This was indeed a chance to find out more about what Amazons were like behind closed doors.

"Not a lot of them. The ones that are treated terribly get taken away from their abusers by Queen Velvenda. She's also trying to get rid of the slavery." The man answered.

"I see. If that's truly the case…I might leave them be if they don't try to hurt us. Still, I need you to tell me where the Queen's room and where the Oracle's rooms are."

Once again, the man was unwilling to answer.

"I swear, I won't name you if I do get caught. But, I can't let the woman I love get turned into their puppet. Not only that, but there're things I have to do that can't be ignored for the world. I genuinely need your help." Issei pleaded.

He didn't have time to act tough and stand around. Casting away his pride, Issei bowed his head. At last, the man relented, nodding.

"The Queen's bedroom is a floor above us, in Room 255. The Oracle's bedroom is in Room 262. Good luck." The Man turned around and ran off.

Issei turned and made his way up. Sneaking into an elevator, Issei got to the 2nd floor before he growled in frustration.

Standing in front of him were dozens of ninjas.

"I just can't catch a break." Issei groaned.

He wasn't in the best shape right now, but he was sure he could fight them all off.

(Final Fantasy XV OST – Veiled in Black ~ Arrangement. Play Song.)

Equipping his gauntlets, Issei charged. Creating a massive sword from his gauntlets, Issei swung in a circle, cleaving away at dozens of ninjas. A shockwave rippled through the area, blasting back several more.

Yet, more came from out of the shadows. Several hefted chain blades (kyoketsu shoge) and others brandished katana. Creating a shield, Issei tossed it like a boomerang while taking advantage of the enemy's confusion.

Grasping one ninja's fasting, Issei punched them across the head before backflipping, kicking another in the chin. Kicking up back to his feet, Issei spun horizontally, dodging a hail of shuriken.

Suddenly, chains wrapped around his wrists and ankles. They were going to try and draw and quarter him. Issei yanked the chains as he brought his limbs together before unleashing a shockwave. The ninjas around him were blasted apart as the windows in the hall were shattered.

Issei made a run forward as the waves of ninjas lessened. Even so, the Shadow Walkers were persistent like wolves. Backflipping to avoid another hail of shuriken, Issei whirled around with his sword, slashing at them with a wave of mana.

He kept running before he was forced to stop. A fist erupted from the ground, causing Issei to jump back.

"It's just one thing after another." Issei growled.

Climbing out of the hole in the ground was another wave of ninjas. There were so many now that they covered the entire hallway.

'I don't have any choice left.' Issei reluctantly said.

Spreading his wings, Issei fired beams in all directions. Dragging the beams everywhere like lasers, Issei gathered mana into his palm before stretching it forward. Speeding across the hallways with a hand-thrust, he tore through all of the ninjas around him, clearing the way.

(Final Fantasy XV OST – Veiled in Black ~ Arrangement. End Song.)

Issei was left a bit out of breath as he made his way to Velvenda's room. He had a hunch that Velvenda would keep her close now that the ninjas were closing in. He decided to test reverse-psychology here. If Velvenda thought of his escape, then she'd keep Vali somewhere she could protect her. However, it would be typical to have Vali directly in her presence and would logically have her stay with Sophia. However, that would be something someone would try to predict so she would hide Vali in the original idea.

Opening the door the room, Issei was met by Velvenda, who was sitting in a chair.

"Had a feeling it'd be like this too." Issei sighed.

"Reverse psychology has its disadvantages." Velvenda said as she stood up.

"I won't let you take Vali, Issei. If I have to beat you unconscious, then I will. Vali is of the highest priority right now." Velvenda drew her collapsible spear from her waist.

"I understand what you're trying to do. Trust me, I do understand. However, this isn't the way. There're other ways to ensure your survival and the survival of the world. Forcing Vali to do something against her will and controlling her to hide is the coward's way. What about her friends and family? The one's who'll worry for her if she's gone. What about how she'll feel when she finds out that they're gone? Have you thought about how anyone's felt?" Issei asked.

"Look, once this is all over, we'll return her, but until then, she stays with us! For the sake of the plan and her safety!" Velvenda snapped.

Issei sighed in exasperation. Words were useless now.

"Where is Vali?" Issei asked.

"Somewhere safe and away from both of us." Velvenda replied.

"Then I'll beat the answer out of you." Issei declared.

(Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind OST – 13th Struggle ~ Larxene Version. Play Song.)

He wreathed himself in his navy aura as Velvenda exposed her magenta aura. There was so much intensity around the two that the castle began crumbling apart.

She threw her spear at him, causing it to bounce off his gauntlet. Issei then felt that part of his sense of touch was dimmed by the contact.

'I see. So, she can apply her sensory deprivation to objects too.' Issei noted.

Issei rolled out of the way of a mana blast. Smashing his fist into the ground, he collapsed the ground beneath them, causing Velvenda to fall through the floor. Just then, Velvenda's spear tore through the floor where his foot once was. Jumping away, Velvenda followed him before he materialized a sword, swinging at her.

She parried as Issei whirled around, aiming at her stomach, to which she blocked again. She attacked back and forth at Issei's sides before she swung above Issei's head, causing a chandelier to be cut from the ceiling.

Issei jumped back before lunging forward again, punching Velvenda square in the stomach. She rocketed out of the room, crashing into the hallway. Skidding to a halt, Velvenda sunk to her knees.

"I didn't think he'd punch this strongly." She groaned in pain as he grasped her stomach.

She snapped back to attention as a beam came roaring at her. Issei zipped right at her with a hail of energy spheres homing in on her. Deflecting and cutting away at them, Velvenda jumped around, standing on a wall before kicking off and swiping at Issei's left arm. Issei ignored the bloody cut and swung around with his foot, kicking at her ribs.

Instead, Velvenda caught it, throwing him into the air before flipping above. With a smash of her high-heels, Issei was throttled into the ground, crashing through dozens of floors. Issei rolled out of her reach but she blasted him with mana before impaling his arm with her spear.

Issei yanked his arm loose before Velvenda smashed her feet into the wall, kicking him faster than he could react. She then grabbed his left arm, kneeing him in the ribs before backhanding him across the face. Flipping him over her shoulder, she pressed her palms to his chest, blasting him backwards into a wall.

Issei stopped his rolling, slashing a wave of mana that left a gash on Velvenda's right shoulder.

With a slap of his palm on the floor, a surge of navy mana came howling at Velvenda. With a stomp of her foot, she countered with her own, dispersing Issei's wave.

Issei wanted to avoid going all out of consideration for how Vali would feel. He didn't want to make Vali go through more than she already had. Still, it wasn't easy. Velvenda hit like a truck and was quite nimble. Not to mention the fact that her sensory deprivation ability was starting to numb his sense of touch.

Velvenda then struck the ground with her spear, materializing a hexagonal magic formula. The magenta formula began exuding a bright light, engulfing Issei.

(Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind OST – 13th Struggle ~ Larxene Version. End Song.)

"[Mad World]" Velvenda activated her ability.

When Issei gathered himself, he was thrown for a loop. What was going on? Everything was purely white. He had no idea where he was. He tried to talk, but when he felt his mouth move, he couldn't hear himself. He tried to move his arms but it felt as if nothing was there. No, it was because he couldn't feel anything. He couldn't touch, hear, see, nor smell. Yet, he suddenly tasted blood.

He was being attacked.

In the real world, outside of Issei's sensory loss, Velvenda was assaulting him, attempting to beat him unconscious. She tried to avoid hurting him too much, but no matter how much she was hitting him, he wouldn't go down.

Issei, despite not being able to feel anything, could sense that he was under attack. The constant taste of blood clued him in.

'I can't lose here. I've already made it this far. I won't let it all go to waste.' Issei said to himself.

Just then, Issei locked up in pain as one of his senses came back to him.

Issei withheld his groans of pain as he dropped to his knees. The agony from all his wounds immediately set in all at once. He could feel broken bones, torn muscles, and cuts all clashing together. Yet, despite all that…this didn't compare to his backlash episodes from using Bahamut's power. Nothing could ever hurt as much as…as watching Vali fall in love with another man. To watch everyone develop their lives and be happy together as he slips away into obscurity to die alone and be forgotten…Nothing hurt more than that.

"Give up. As long as you're trapped in my [Mad World], you'll never operate properly. I can mute your senses in here and before you realize it, you're defeated." Velvenda demanded.

"Never." Issei wheezed.

He stood up, only for Velvenda to punch him in the ribs before dragging his face into her knee as she kicked him back. Issei felt himself roll into a wall before his senses got shut off again.

Over and over, Issei could tell his state was getting worse and worse. Yet, he knew that with each blow, Velvenda got angrier and angrier.

Outside, Velvenda would attack him again and again. She'd punch, kick, blast, and cut him but despite having lost the sense of touch, Issei kept getting back up. Velvenda wanted him to go down already. She didn't want to hurt him since she had no other reason for it. Yet, he refused to stay down, which forced her to put him back down.

Just then, dozens of Amazons came rushing into the hallway.

"Milady, the enemy has been driven back!"

They paused when they saw the fight taking place.

"I don't understand it. I shut off four of your five senses, yet you get back up. You shouldn't even be able to do that." Velvenda growled.

"Milady, let us handle him." Iriel and several others stepped forward.

"No, I'll deal with him." Velvenda glared at Issei.

Issei couldn't even hear himself anymore but he decided to talk. He could tell that she wasn't entirely on board with this plan. If he kept chipping away at the wall she put up, it'd eventually crack apart. He was going to speak his mind.

"Tell me, you're able to numb four of my five senses, but you can't do anything else can you. No matter how much you hit me, I'll keep getting back up." Issei taunted her.

Velvenda clicked her tongue in irritation.

"No matter much you hurt me, I'll always get back up. I won't surrender to you. I will rescue Vali because at the end of the day, she's not in your best interests. She's just leverage to you." Issei said.

"Shut up." Velvenda growled.

At that point, she finally snapped. She dropped her spear and returned Issei's sense of touch and hearing.

"Milady?!" Iriel exclaimed in shock.

"Shut up!" Velvenda roared.

She punched Issei across the face before kneeing him in the stomach.

"You have no idea how concerned I am for Vali! She's like the sister I never had! She is like family to me. When things got dark, she helped me keep going. She was always there when I needed her! What would you know about wanting her to be safe?! You keep spouting all this nonsense about what we're doing is wrong, but what are you doing for her?! You're going to bring her back to the battlefield every time because of how strong she is! You're the ones who want to use her! What I do, I do because I don't want her getting hurt! I want her to be safe! I want my people to be safe!" Velvenda continued to bash away at Issei's face and chest.

"And look what a terrific job you're doing. Have you thought of how Vali will feel if you fail? With only so few visions and pieces of a future you know nothing about, you took these desperate measures. As a result, you don't even know where to go anymore. You're not resolute in brainwashing Vali but won't tell her what's coming either. Your actions and the proportionate scale of those actions don't match. You're not thinking about what she wants and what she'll feel after all is said and done. You're pushing what you want on her and passing it off as it being for her own good." Issei groaned.

He then glared directly at her, despite his sense of sight being muted.

"You refuse to let her go because you're selfish in keeping her around. Instead of allowing what's truly good for her to happen, you're clinging onto what you want and use her for those desires. Until you think about what she wants and until you're able to let go of what you want if it conflicts with her desires and happiness, then you're never going to be acting for her own good." Issei said.

Velvenda froze, her fists smeared with Issei's blood trembled. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Issei had a point. She didn't want to lose Vali. Vali was like her precious sister. She was someone she could always rely on. She was someone who made her feel better. Vali was the one who chased her loneliness away. Yet…it was those positive feelings that she didn't want to lose, Vali being the source of it. She had stripped away Vali's real self and put up a mask that wasn't truly who she was.

"Then, what do I do? I don't want to lose Vali. I don't want her to die. I don't want any of my people to die. I don't want the world to end, either…" Velvenda's trembling voice begged.

Issei wondered what she saw and what Sophia's visions were to make Velvenda this desperate. Even so, he knew what was coming.

Issei took a deep breath. This wasn't the time to be petty or vindictive. In the end, there was just a young woman who was dealt a difficult hand and was only playing it as best as she could. She was just scared and she understood the overwhelming odds headed her way. That was why he was here. He was just one small person, but with the power backing him up and the duty that he owed to the world, he'd take up the burden. It was this sort of distress and drastic action that motivated him further to carry through. Anything to keep people from agonizing over choices like his own.

"Let me take care of it. I won't let the world end. I won't let Vali die. I won't let your people die. I'll do everything within my power to stop what's coming. I swear my life on it." Issei swore.

"How?" Velvenda asked.

"Just believe in me. I do have a plan." Issei reassured her.

Velvenda would've normally been skeptical if anyone said that to her. Yet, with Issei…her instincts and intuition told her to have faith in him. It was as if his emotions and willpower seeped around him to the point of being tangible. He was beaten, bloody, and tired, but his eyes told a different story. They were strong, resolute, and deep. They were the eyes of someone who'd fight the world if they had to.

"I…understand." Velvenda nodded.

She stood up and helped him stand. That was when she grew alarmed. His wounds were already healing, with only bruises remaining.

"What's this?!" She gasped.

"I can regenerate." Issei simply answered.

He took his arm off her shoulders before turning to her.

"Now, where's Vali?" Issei asked.

"She's with Sophia." Velvenda said as she guided him to her room.


When they entered, they found Sophia ready to attack anyone who came through the door.

"Oh, it's you…" She trailed off when Issei entered.

"What's going on? What about the attack?" Sophia re-engaged her guard.

"It's fine, Sophia. He's fine. We need to talk." Velvenda shook her head.

Issei sat down across from the two, allowing himself to rest for a bit.

"I'm calling off the plan." Velvenda declared.

"What?! But-" Sophia was gobsmacked.

"We were wrong to be so forceful. We brainwashed Vali and intended to hide her away from the world. It's only natural that during that time, the world would be set ablaze by what you've envisioned. It's a no-brainer that people close to Vali could die in that blaze and conflict. Knowing Vali, it'd destroy her if someone close to her dies. In the end, our plan would only be to Vali's despair. We were fools for having chosen that approach." Velvenda conceded.

"What did you say to her?" Sophia asked Issei.

She didn't sound angry. Rather, she sounded curious. Issei debated about what to say at this point. He was reluctant to tell them the truth.

"First, I want you to show me your visions. I'll assume you can?" Issei asked.

Sophia nodded.

"Then after you show me, I'll tell you." Issei said.

The Oracle reluctantly walked over before placing her hands on his head. It was brief, but Issei saw a multitude of images in his head.

Cities were burning. People were dead across the land. The sky was like fire and the planet split apart. Blood was endlessly shed as the Sun dispersed. Across all those visions, Issei saw the silhouettes of seven creatures. Just then, he saw the sky turn indigo, as if a massive void was manifesting over the world as billions of creatures materialized on the broken planet.

Just then, bright lights glowed in front of these creatures, with the lights coming from Vali's Balance Breaker form. He could even hear her singing. Yet, in each of those prophetic flashes, her light would disperse, as if vanquished. Then, he saw these seven beasts gathered, all of them roaring and glaring at Vali. Before long, the visions ended, returning Issei to the present.

After this was finished, Issei now understood the reasoning behind everything.

"I see. So that's what you saw." Issei nodded in reflection.

"What can you tell us now?" Velvenda asked.

"What you saw were the seven creatures known as Aviturs wreaking havoc across the world. What you'll see is the end result if those creatures aren't stopped. Vali is indeed important, as she has the power to quell aggression and hatred with her singing. However, she alone can't stop them. Rather, it's not her purpose to stop them. Her role…will go unfulfilled in this lifetime." Issei said.

"What do you mean?" Velvenda asked.

"I will undertake the task of dealing with them. I've been made aware of them for a long time. I have a personal history with the Aviturs, you might say." Issei said.

"What do you mean?" Sophia asked.

"That's not important. What matters is that you can drop this mission of yours. I've already made arrangements to deal with them. This is my personal responsibility due to my connection to the Aviturs. Trust me when I say that's all you need to know. I have no intention of dragging others into this. The battle will be chaotic and if others get involved, they may not survive. This is something that I need to do. Alone." Issei spoke with such finality that Velvenda and Sophia didn't bother to ask further.

"And how do we trust you?" Sophia asked.

"Hm?" Issei beckoned.

"How do we know what you're saying is the truth? How do we know you have a plan to stop them instead of helping them or failing?" Sophia asked.

Issei only chuckled.

"If I fail, then it won't matter. We'll all be dead anyways if that's the case."

Issei then turned to look at Vali, who was sleeping peacefully in her enchantment-induced slumber.

"Now, undo the brainwashing. And don't let her know of my involvement in all this. Everything that pertains to me is to be kept secret." He demanded.

Sophia wasn't eager to fight and since Velvenda now relented, she obliged. Within a few hours, Sophia released Vali from the spell. After she awoke, Issei and the others explained what had happened to her.

Vali was silent in her bed, not meeting anyone's gazes. She then finally made a move. She turned to Issei and inspected him.

"Not a single wound…are you okay?" Vali asked.

He looked winded, despite the lack of apparent injuries.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was treated pretty well." Issei waved it off.

"Did I do anything to you?" Vali asked, sounding completely worried.

"No, other than the occasional visit to see how I was doing, you did nothing." Issei shook his head reassuringly.

Vali nodded in satisfaction before turning to Velvenda and Sophia.

"Now, on to more business."

Vali then slapped Sophia and Velvenda so harshly that there were echoes. Velvenda felt the red-hot stinging pulsation spread across her cheek. It hurt terribly but the fact that Vali willingly hit her out of anger was a whole different kind of shock.

"You stupid idiot! What would I have done if that plan fell through?! What would I have done if all the people I cared about died?! What would I do if you all got punished for me?!" Vali questioned.

Velvenda was at a loss for words.

"I hate it when others take unnecessary risks. I hate it when others throw themselves into danger because I was inept. Most of all, I hate it when people cast themselves aside without thinking about what it'll do to the people left behind!" Vali said.

"What pisses me off is the fact that you hid everything from me. You decided for yourself that I needed to be hidden like some weapon and then you were going to set me loose on the enemy. I am NOT a weapon! I grew stronger because I wanted to protect others, not to be protected! Why won't anyone trust me with anything?! Am I just something to glorify and be used?! Aren't we friends?! Friends are supposed to help and support each other! Not push what they want on each other!" Vali said in restrained anger.

Velvenda sunk her head in apology.

"I know…I understand that now, Vali. I'm so sorry for doing that to you. I know that I betrayed your trust and took advantage of your kindness. I just never had anyone since I was a child. You're like a sister to me. I didn't want to lose you or anyone else." Velvenda sniffled.

Vali walked over and brought her into a hug.

"You won't lose me, stupid girl. I promise, I'll always be there for you. So, stop trying to take everything on alone." Vali sighed, soothing Velvenda.

Vali's words were like freezing knives that stabbed into Issei, making him sweat coldly. Her words also correlated with what he was doing. However, unlike Velvenda, it was too late for him to go back. Circumstances were also very different.

Nothing could kill an Avitur except for Abyssal Energy, the antithesis to the Void. Velvenda and Sophia's plan would've failed majorly and they'd have realized far too late. With his plan, no one else had to die along with him. No one would need to know of his fate. No one would have to grieve over him. No one would have to watch him meet his gruesome end.

Issei decided that it was no longer his place to listen in on this personal conversation and walked out the room.


Going into an empty room and locking it, Issei finally succumbed. He collapsed to his knees and gagged as blood spurted from his mouth. He coughed and gagged and clawed at his heart as his body began to burn up in agony. Yet again, his body suffered another painful episode.

"Agh! Guh!" Issei withheld his groans of agony, doing his absolute best to maintain silence.

Blood dripped from his nose as his body locked in pain and cramps as he felt his bones snap back into place. He managed to hide his injuries from Vali and to avoid causing drama, he kept silent. When Vali touched him earlier, he was already in the throes of pain.

For 10 minutes, he was in unbearable and endless pain, sapping his strength as his body realized the Hell he'd just made it go through.

After the episode subsided, Issei left the room to find Vali and Velvenda looking for him.

"Issei, where'd you go?" Vali asked.

"I was just using the bathroom. Had to wash up." Issei smiled weakly.

"Well, we should get going before anything else- "

BOOM!

Everyone was nearly rocked off their feet as another explosion happened.

"happens…" Issei finished.

"I thought we were done already." Velvenda groaned.

Issei then froze. What was this feeling crawling up his spine? It was a cold shiver that felt like someone was skidding a knife across his spinal cord.

"Issei…" Vali gasped.

"You feel it too?" Issei asked.

"What is that thing?" Vali wondered.

Issei spread his wings without a word and blasted out of the Palace, flying straight towards the edge of the barrier. What he saw there made his primordial instincts go haywire. The aggression and rage within the slumbering Bahamut stirred. It made him want to fight, to destroy whatever it was that was causing this feeling.


In front of the barrier, was a massive darkness forming. Starting as a cloud, it slowly began to solidify and take shape, becoming a creature that he hadn't yet to ever see before. After taking time to settle, Issei realized that this wasn't an Avitur. It was close, but it wasn't it. It was weaker.

This creature had a humanoid form. Fleshed muscles were covered by black armor with its head being veiled with a helmet. Peeking from it were two golden eyes and a long silver mane of hair.

Issei assumed his guard as the creature locked onto him. With a longer look, it resembled a mutated and monstrous Shadow Walker in armor.

"You all need to leave, now!" Issei said to the Amazons.

"We don't take orders from males." An Amazons growled dangerously.

"This thing is beyond any off you. I'll hold it off." Issei said.

"Don't try and hog glory, you buffoon. These monsters have trespassed upon our lands enough. Today, we settle this." Another Amazon barked.

"Prideful fools." Issei growled.

Just then, the Armored Shadow Walker formed a blade in its hand from shadows. With one swing of its sword, it cut into the barrier, creating a tear in it.

"Shit!" Issei immediately attacked.

Creating two swords, Issei slashed two waves of Abyssal mana at it, creating two large gashes on its torso.

Suddenly, dozens of ninjas began appearing from the shadows, immediately attacking.

Issei dodged a swipe from a kyoketsu-shoge as dozens of shuriken came sailing at him. Raising a barrier around himself and other Amazons, the shuriken bounced off. Stomping his foot into the ground to make a shockwave, Issei uppercut, cleaving a ninja in two.

Backflipping, he dodged a katana by a narrow margin before he kicked away another ninja. Catching two katana with his hands, Issei blasted the ninjas away with mana from his palms. Whirling around, he created a wave that cleaved dozens of ninjas. Dozens of chains wrapped around his limbs, trying to pull him part.

To his surprise, the Amazons came to his rescue, chopping the chains binding him before clashing with the Shadow Walkers.

Issei then turned to the Armored Shadow Walker. It made its way toward him before it did the unexpected.

"Find the Songstress of Serenity. Kill her." It ordered the other Shadow Walkers.

Issei gasped as he realized just how far away he was from the Palace.

"Get word to Velvenda. They're aiming for Vali at the Palace." Issei yelled to an Amazon.

"Your Highness, you and Vali are in danger. You need to leave the Palace immediately. The enemy is making their way towards you as we speak."

"Can't…hear…inter-…" Static echoed from the magic circle.

"Damn it." Issei cursed as he guarded a sword strike from the Armored Shadow Walker.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I am Kokuen, the last Clan Leader of the Shadow Walkers. I'm sure you remember me…Kenzaki." The Armored Shadow Walker revealed his face. It was the face of a pale old man with glowing golden eyes and a mark upon his forehead that symbolized the Night Walkers.

"You should be dead." Issei growled.

"I almost did, but your attempt at killing me failed in your past life. Thanks to the powers that be, I survived and gain new powers, waiting for this day." Kokuen grinned.

"Who do you answer to?" Issei asked.

"I was revived through my own will. The one that I answer to is myself. All of these ninja attacks were bait. I knew you'd never be able to resist coming here, with your precious Alliance being so desperate to gather allies. I've kept tabs on you, hoping that this day would come." Kokuen chuckled.

Issei then looked at the Shadow Walkers. He then realized that all of these Shadow Walkers were corpses…animated corpses. He didn't think about it before, but now he could smell the gangrenous rot and putrefaction.

Issei forced Kokuen back with a blast of mana before spreading his wings.

"[Cosmic Crisis]"

Firing from his wings, were hundreds of mana spheres that exploded and disintegrated the Shadow Walkers.

"We need to leave now! Get back to the Palace!" Issei said to the Amazons.

This time, they didn't argue and immediately teleported back. Thanks to the damage done to the barrier, teleportation was no longer a problem.

(Metroid Prime OST – Metroid Prime Battle. End Song.)

This left Issei to face Kokuen.

"So, this is revenge." Issei concluded.

"You ended the clan when you were Kenzaki. I've been trying to find your next incarnation ever since I discovered that you reincarnated in old texts and forgotten diaries. It took an agonizingly long time but now, I can have my revenge for what you did to the Clan." Kokuen brandished his sword made from shadows.

"Even more so, is the satisfaction that I'll get after I tear that woman into shreds."

"It's because of that, that I ended the Clan in that life. We were nothing but savage killers that killed anyone who'd pay us. It didn't matter if it was women, children, the old, or young. Anyone was a target. Most of all, we grew too vicious for our own good. The Shadow Walkers needed to die. It was a regret to be one of you. It's an even bigger shame to have failed to finish you off." Issei said.

(Kamen Rider Kuuga OST – Senshi. Play Song.)

He couldn't afford to engage in Balance Breaker in his tired state. Even so, Issei had no choice. It was time to try out a new method he'd been developing in secret. In order to cut down the costs of using his full Balance Breaker, he forced his Sacred Gear to change according to his desires. He needed to be able to handle everything.

"Balance Break! Calamity Catalyst – Blitzer!"

Equipping his armor, Issei's Balance Breaker shifted form, becoming slimmer and sleeker. Even the armor design changed, evoking the image of speed.

'Just like how it was in training, you can sustain this form for longer with fewer risks. However, you're going to lose a significant amount of strength.' Rexis reminded him.

'Got it.' Issei replied.

Wreathing himself in his aura to increase his strength, Issei made his move. Disappearing in a huge sonic boom, Issei immediately hammered away at Kokuen. As soon as Issei appeared in his sights, he would disappear to another side and strike him with a weapon before repeating the process over and over. It wasn't just him either, he was slaying every single Shadow Walker that was in the area with a speed that could match Arthur's.

"Speed cannot help you if you do not have the strength to make it worth the effort." Kokuen taunted.

Kokuen had a point, so Issei increased his strength and speed with his aura. With the aid of kinetic force, Issei slammed into Kokuen's leg with his heel, knocking him to one knee before maneuvering around. With a hammer to the back, an arrow to the knee, a sword to the face, and a spear to the shoulder, Kokuen was unable to pin Issei down and attack. Forced to defend, Kokuen only smiled.

"Yes, this is it. If you weren't this strong, then my vengeance would be worthless." Kokuen snickered.

He raised his hand, erecting a wall of shadow that Issei nearly crashed into. Erupting from it, were dozens of spikes of shadow. Dodging back, Issei found that Kokuen had appeared behind him, ramming him toward the spikes.

With a burst of mana, Issei dodged the wall of spikes, only for Kokuen to appear from it and slash him across the chest.

"Guh!"

Issei stepped back as he looked at his wound. Lurking around it, were wisps of shadow, amplifying the pain he felt from the injury. He rolled to the side as spikes of shadow shot out of the ground before firing a beam of mana at Kokuen. The last of the Shadow Walkers blocked the attack with a shield of darkness before throwing a spear at him. Following up with it, the ninja jumped into the air.

Deflecting the spear, Issei was unable to react in time to block the knee to his face. Kokuen then grasped him by the helmet and smashed him into the ground, stomping on him several times.

"So?! How does it feel?! To be crushed so thoroughly and become unable to do anything?!" Kokuen asked.

"You talk too much." Issei growled.

Sprouting his wings, he fired them point blank at Kokuen.

"Shit!"

Dozens of navy beams fired one spot as the bright light blinded devoured him. When Issei didn't sense anything else anymore, he blitzed toward the Palace. It took him some time to shake off the dizziness and the pain from getting his face stomped on though.

(Kamen Rider Kuuga OST – Senshi. End Song.)


After reaching the Palace Square, Issei saw Vali equipped in her Balance Breaker fighting off the ninjas with the Amazons.

"[Cosmic Crisis]" Issei fired off homing blasts of mana, destroying several ninjas.

"Issei!" Vali called over.

"Is everyone okay?" Issei asked.

"Yeah, we're all okay. Still, we've gotta find a way to stop this." Vali looked around.

There were still ninjas coming from the shadows.

"Can you destroy the shadows again?" Issei asked.

"I can but if I'm going to do it to the entire island, then I need time to charge it up." Vali nodded.

"Do it. I'll buy you time along with the others." Issei prompted.

Vali flew into the air, gather particles from around the surrounding area. Issei also spread his wings, drawing in mana from the air before transferring it all to Vali to speed up the process.

He then shifted forms once again to test out his new mechanic.

"Calamity Catalyst – Fortress Maker"

Issei's armor changed, gaining a new design along with several layers of armor. It became bulkier with a pulsing aura that was like a shield. This was a form dedicated to defense and endurance. His wing's [Satellites] became shields that floated around, radiating with mana.

"So, that's you're approach. Well then, let's see how long you can endure." Kokuen materialized from the shadows.

"Figures. It was way too easy earlier for you to have died." Issei scoffed.

Amassing a gargantuan cloud of shadows behind him, Kokuen willed it toward the Palace. With its sheer size, it could blanket the entire city.

"[Pentagon Numbing]" Velvenda activated her powers.

A magic circle appeared underneath the entire Palace Circle. Kokuen merely narrowed his eyes.

"This is nothing to us, Shadow Walkers. Losing my senses does nothing to hinder me." Kokuen sneered.

He put on ever more pressure on his attack. Issei's barrier was beginning to weaken as he repelled attacks from all directions. It was like having countless snakes hiss and bite at all sides constantly. It was blinding and sudden with no patterns.

"How much longer, Vali?" Issei asked.

Now, the shadows were completely hammering down on the barrier from all directions.

"Just another minute." Vali promised.

Suddenly, Issei gagged, sinking to one knee.

'Damn it all! Another pain episode?!' Issei roared in frustration.

"Issei!" Vali cried out in worry.

"Don't worry about me, just focus on the barrier!" Issei stifled.

Normally, he wouldn't be this tired, but a combination of thinking, nonstop fighting, lack of nutrition, and weakening spells made it happen.

'I really am just human, after all.' Issei admitted.

Before long, Issei realized that his barrier was about to break.

'Damn it. There's no choice. I have to go all out.' Issei grit his teeth.

"Calamity Catalyst – Onslaught!"

The shields around him exploded, dispersing the shadows around them as Issei's Balance Breaker form returned to normal. He detached the [Satellites] from his wings and aimed right at Kokuen. As his aura flared and pushed the shadows back, the air crackled and the ground fell apart around.

"[Vacuum Burst]"

Using all the mana he had, he fired several beams at Kokuen. With a new improvement on the technique, the point of contact with the beams would create a small vacuum, absorbing things before exploding. As it would seem, the beams struck Kokuen and absorbed the shadows before blasting him far into the distance, obliterating a mountain miles away.

Issei was panting as he dropped to the ground. Despite all that, the ninjas just kept coming.

"Done! [Ivory World]" Vali filled the entire with light, destroying all shadows and removing them from whatever the light touched.

When the light faded, not a single ninja was left in sight, nor could any be sensed. Even after several minutes, there weren't any signs of any more appearing.

"Looks like it's over." Sophia panted.

"I hope so. It's been almost nonstop the entire day." Iriel fell into a sitting position.

"Let's gather the dead and wounded. We need to sort things out." Velvenda wiped some blood from her cheek.

Issei stood up before his eyes widened in shock.

"Issei?" Vali looked at him in confusion.

"NO! BLITZER!" He bellowed.

Before they could even blink, Velvenda and Vali were both slammed onto the ground by Issei. Realizing he shoved them out of the way, Vali was about to question him. What she saw next made her freeze. Her eyes widened, her pulse slowed, and her breathing hitched. Tears instantly came down her face as her mind processed the image in front of her.

"AAAAGHH!" She heard Issei scream in agony while she looked in frozen shock.

A massive spikey blade had shredded into Issei's stomach, erupting from the other end of his body as his blood splattered on her.

"W…" Vali gasped.

Issei's Balance Breaker was completely torn through and shattered as the blade was easily the size of Issei's entire lower torso. Vali trembled as she realized what was happening. She didn't want to register. She didn't want to digest it, but Issei was completely skewered through the stomach.

Issei only gurgled on his own blood as the spikes were ripped out of his stomach the way it came in. Blood erupted from his torso as Issei slammed into the ground, completely limp.

"NOOOOOOO!" Vali shrieked so loud that even the Heavens could hear her.

Velvenda and the Amazons turned around and immediately attacked Kokuen, who had survived Issei's blast.

"Dead! I've finally killed him! Huhahahahaha!" Kokuen madly cackled with satisfaction.

He was smoldering, having lost the entire right side of his body, which were quickly regrowing from the shadows. He cut, kicked, and stomped on several Amazons as they tried to retaliate.

Vali rushed over to Issei's side. She went completely cold as she saw what had become of him. Blood was pooling beneath him as his flesh and organs were thrown askew across the ground. Vali couldn't stop trembling as she began shutting down. She struggled to keep herself together as she began healing him.

"Please, Issei…please don't do this to me. Please don't die. Please don't die. Please don't die. Please don't go." She sobbed and whimpered.

Despite all her desires and begging, she knew things weren't going to go well. If anything, this was going to fail. Even with his regeneration, Vali had no idea if he'd heal. She had no idea if he was even alive anymore.

Oh, she then felt that pull. That dark pull inside her that urged her to utterly destroy Kokuen for doing this to Issei. Yet, another part of her denied that. Another part of her heart, her soul told her to keep healing Issei. Vali was in so much anguish that she had no idea what to do.

"Issei…what do I do? Issei…help me…" She almost brokenly said.

"Don't cry, child…he's going…he won't die." Rexis said.

"W-Who are you?" Vali asked as a voice came from Issei's Sacred Gear.

She then realized that like herself, there must be another resident spirit inside Issei's Sacred Gear. The question was, was it Bahamut?

"Listen to me very carefully. Step back." Rexis warned.

Suddenly, Issei stirred, picking himself up on the ground with mechanical movement.

"Issei!" Vali exclaimed in relief when he stood up.

(Guyver OST – Tragedy of Enzyme II. Play Song.)

Yet, she paused. Something was wrong. There was a dark and foreboding air around him. He didn't respond. He didn't even seem to register what was going on around him.

"Listen well, Vali. At this moment, Issei's Sacred Gear, the Calamity Catalyst, will enter its Destructor Mode."

"Destructor Mode?" Vali asked.

"Yes. When God created the Calamity Catalyst, something else happened. The Abyss itself, interfered. It took the Sacred Gear away and installed a safety feature that would ensure that no unconscious host of Bahamut would be taken advantage of. Bahamut is too powerful to be left in the hands of any power aside from his own nor could he be allowed to run rampant. In this state, the Sacred Gear will take full advantage of Bahamut's signature regeneration and heal any physical wounds done to the host in order to preserve their body. Issei narrowly avoided death due to your intervention, but it will take time for him to heal. During that time, the Armor takes control. It will fight and kill the cause of the Host's debilitated state and anything else that it considers a threat. In this mode, it will ensure its own survival and it filters out Bahamut's rage so as to avoid him getting released from the seal. Still, the primary goal of the Armor's functions is to kill. Thus, keep out of its way as it dispatches the enemy." Rexis warned.

"Everyone, get back!" Vali warned.

Quickly doing so, Issei stepped forward, as if analyzing Kokuen.

"YOU STILL REFUSE TO DIE?! WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!" Kokuen howled.

He formed a blade in his hand from shadows. Issei sidestepped, creating an arm blade that severed Kokuen's hand. Immediately, the Armor entered [Blitz Mode], zipping over at Kokuen. With a punch, it created a shockwave where its fist struck, shattering the armor on Kokuen and further damaging the area. Following up, it kneed him in the face, knocking him back. With its falling momentum, it gripped Kokuen by the face and smashed him into the ground.

"Don't waste your time! My armor is impervious to your physical attacks! You only severed my hand by slicing the exposed parts!" Kokuen bellowed.

Gripping Issei, Kokuen smashed him into the ground. As soon as he tried to stomp him, the Armor created spikes all across its body, impaling his foot.

"Gah!" Kokuen roared in pain as he stepped back.

Jumping up, Issei, rather, the Armor, fired a beam at Kokuen's face.

"AHHH!" He screamed as his eyes were blasted apart.

Lunging forward, the Calamity Catalyst created a sword, severing both of Kokuen's limbs.

"I don't get it, why aren't his limbs regenerating?" Velvenda asked.

"It's because the Armor is manipulating the Abyssal Energy that naturally flows through it. It's keeping the enemy from regenerating through being an antithesis to a part of Kokuen's body that can't handle Abyssal energy. The armor will adapt to almost any opponent it faces in an effort to ensure maximum rates of destruction." Rexis explained.

Kokuen stabbed the Calamity Catalyst through the shoulder, nearly severing its left arm. Gripping the tendril used to impale it, the Calamity Catalyst sent Abyssal energy into Kokuen's body, causing it to dissolve his left arm permanently.

Rushing forward while in [Blitz Mode], the Calamity Catalyst gripped the shoulder that was producing the tendrils and tore it off.

"Damn you!" Kokuen created spikes from his armor, impaling the barely attached left arm of the Calamit Catalyst.

Creating a blade, it severed the Issei's left arm without flinching. Having become a liability, the Calamity Catalyst had no purpose for it. Instead, it regenerated a new arm and armor from its body.

Vali flinched when she saw it do that.

Kokuen, now armless, began to step back. No matter what he did, the Armor shrugged off every attack he threw at it. The Calamity Catalyst looked above at the barrier over the area before looking at Kokuen again. The armor placed its palm on the ground, creating a magic circle.

"That's a spell that stops teleportation…" Velvenda noted.

"The armor is ruthless, caring only for the elimination of its target. It will also ensure that no enemy can escape it as a safety measure to ensure that the Host will not be endangered again." Rexis chimed in.

"I…I hate this." Vali said.

This thing was so callous. It severed Issei's arm without flinching in order to keep fighting. The way it moved was mechanical, with no care for its own condition or Bahamut's Host. It attacked relentlessly and had no traces of thought about literally dismantling an opponent. It was an image that clashed so severely with the Issei she knew.

"That's not the Issei I know." Vali muttered.

Tearing out one of the spikes that was still embedded in his stomach, the Calamity Catalyst threw it at Kokuen's knee, tearing the bone out. Jumping into the air, it formed a spear in its hands that impaled into Kokuen's back, finally getting through the metal on his torso.

Kokuen gurgled and howled in agony as the Calamity Catalyst Armor literally ripped him limb from limb.

Flipping off its back, the Calamity Catalyst continued its dismantling of Kokuen with extreme efficiency. Sprouting its wings, it deployed its [Satellites], floating them around Kokuen before firing endlessly at him from all literal directions.

Kokuen could only scream in agony as he was left defenseless and unable to regenerate.

'This is the curse of all Hosts of Bahamut. Even at death's door, we must fight. Even as our bodies fall apart, we must fight until there's literally nothing left. No matter which time or place, our values are cast aside as we are forced to fight and kill all threats. No matter where we go and how much we try to get away, we'll never be free. In life, enemies chase us to death. In death, we have no reprieve as we are soon returned to this Hell. And even as we lay dying, we must die in agony and without peace. Even as we lay dying, not even our armor, which is meant to protect us, will not shield us. To fight and die is our fate.' Rexis said to himself, reflecting on yet another Host who was to fall prey to this fate.

The Calamity Catalyst then jumped over Kokuen, slicing his legs off for him to fall over. Kokuen was only a bloody mess of a torso as the Calamity Catalyst walked up to him.

"Please…save me…Have mercy…" He weakly groaned.

The Armor didn't respond. It was just a killing machine, after all.

Opening its palm, it charged a blast of mana that wouldn't fail to kill him this time. There was now no mercy to inhibit the Armor.

With one decisive boom, the blast completely disintegrated Kokuen, leaving nothing behind.

(Guyver OST – Tragedy of Enzyme II. End Song.)

After his death, the remaining Shadow Walkers that were beginning to reinforce their dead numbers immediately disintegrated. They cracked apart into particles as they stopped moving, leaving nothing behind.

Yet, that didn't garner Vali's attention. Her eyes stayed locked onto Issei. The hole in his stomach had healed, but the glowing crimson eyes on the armor were still apparent. It turned towards everyone, moving its head left and right, as if scanning everyone. However, it soon stopped as its glowing eyes dimmed.

The armor disengaged itself as Issei's unconscious body began to fall. Faster than anyone could blink, Vali caught him. She put a hand to his wrist and heart. There was a pulse. His chest was rising and falling. Issei was alive.

"I'm so glad." Vali shuddered as she held onto him tightly.

She began to cry as she realized just how close she'd almost lost him to death. Issei, who was an irreplaceable family member to her, had nearly died protecting her again.


When Issei awoke, he found himself in bed. Next to his bed, was Vali, who was sleeping in her chair.

'What happened?' Issei asked Rexis.

'You went into Destructor Mode. If Vali hadn't healed you, you'd have died. It also gave the armor a chance to regenerate your wounds. The Armor killed Kokuen and after you were well enough, the Armor disengaged and you were brought here for recovery. Vali hasn't left your side since.' Rexis explained.

'The wound…I should've died.' Issei touched his stomach.

'You would've if Vali were even a second slower. But it bought time and for that, I and she are most grateful. I have no desire for you to join the rest of us yet. Still, we can say that this matter is over. After Kokuen's death, all of the Shadow Walkers dissipated into nothing. That means he was the source of their reanimation.' Rexis explained.

'I see.' Issei breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, Vali stirred.

"Hey, you doin okay?" Issei asked.

Vali gasped in relief as she dove forward, wrapping him into a tight embrace.

"Issei…Issei…" She mumbled into his shoulder.

Issei could feel the extreme tightness in which she held onto him.

"I'm alright now. Don't worry." Issei chuckled.

Vali didn't say a word, only clinging to him.

"Let's go home." Issei said.

Vali only nodded. She didn't want to stay here any longer. She wanted to get Issei home and keep him somewhere that was indefinitely safe.

As soon as Issei was well enough to stand, Vali made it clear to Velvenda that they were leaving with no questions asked.

"So, what'll happen now?" Velvenda asked, referring to what she and Sophia did.

"I will…refrain from reporting you to the Alliance. However, if you try something again, understand that you'll be dealing with me. We're still friends but…I need some time." Vali turned around to leave.

Velvenda had a hopeful but bittersweet smile. Their friendship wasn't over, but it would take time for the wounds done to it to heal. Issei, despite what happened, felt that this was fine. Velvenda only acted according to what she felt was best. Still, the betrayal wasn't something that could just be overlooked.

"One more thing, Vali…" Velvenda called out.

"Yes?"

"No matter what, I'll always be your ally. I know what I did was wrong but believe me when I say that I just wanted to protect you. If you ever need me, just call." Velvenda explained one final time.

Vali only smiled lightly.

"I know."

"And another thing." Velvenda smirked.

"And?" Vali raised a brow.

"Make sure you take good care of your Pawn. He's a good man. If you're not careful, I'll snatch him away from you. Who knows, there're probably several others who want him." Velvenda smirked as she winked at Issei.

His cheeks turned a slight pink as Vali's brow twitched, unbeknownst to him.


When Issei and Vali returned home, they explained what had happened, skipping over Velvenda and Sophia's plan.

"I see. So even the dead are enemies. I'll convene with the others at the Alliance. You two go and rest up." Rizevim said.

Issei was glad to be able to sleep in his own bed. The soft mattress and the safety of home was a comfort that he didn't know he missed. Now that everything had winded, Issei had to think. This entire event had hampered his time schedules for far more than he'd anticipated.

Ding!

Issei jumped as the sound of bells reached his ears.

'I guess that means I've only got 12 months left.' Issei groaned.

Sophia had told him that he would spend an extra month here, but he couldn't afford that. For starters, he had to search for the 7 Aviturs and kill them. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"It really is just one thing after another." Issei irately said.

He decided that he needed to unwind and take his mind off things. He went downstairs to open the fridge and get some coffee. When he came out of the kitchen, he paused when he saw that Vali was keeping her eyes on him. Even when he noticed her gaze, she didn't look away.

'Awkward…' Rexis whispered.

"What's wrong?" Issei asked.

Vali only shook her head. She patted the seat next to her on the couch. Sitting down, Issei listened as she spoke.

"Do you think I let things go too easily?" Vali asked.

"No, to be honest, I think what you did was right. You didn't want to lose that relationship but you made it clear that things weren't going to just be swept under the rug. She didn't hurt you physically and the truth has come out before anything could happen. There's no point in holding grudges if no harm was inflicted upon you and the person has changed. On the other hand, she hit me and I hit her, so I think we're good." Issei took a sip of his coffee.

Vali only smiled wryly.

"You forgive people so easily."

"I've lived through tons of lifetimes, Vali. I've seen where vengeance can get you and how empty you'll feel after. I've seen grudges devour people as they wasted their lives in its pursuit. I've also seen people let the littlest things get in the way of their futures. It's just not worth it for some people. I think you made the right choice, Vali. After all, if I can count on someone to be the moral center of the group with the right head on their shoulders, it's you. Besides, the Vali that I know wouldn't hold onto something like this for long once she understood everything." Issei said.

Vali only giggled.

"Ufufufufu. You really know how to make everyone feel better." She said.

"Well, it's one of my redeeming qualities." Issei shrugged.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Vali muttered.

Issei didn't respond this time. He only sat in silence as her words sunk in.

Just then, Rizevim came rushing into the room.

"What's up?" Issei asked.

"Sairaorg and Kuisha just came back from a mission. She's in the hospital. She's been poisoned."

Issei and Vali immediately rushed out the door.


Gotta love the drama.

And cliffhangers, which I seem to have become very fond of…

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I had some fun putting in that [Destructor Mode]. It was something I had always wanted to put in the original "Heroic Calamity" but didn't due to time reasons. Originally, it was going to be another berserk mode, but berserk modes have lost their appeal to me. Instead, I like controlled attack modes, for lack of a batter generic term. Also, there's going to be a call-forward regarding this in the future.