Chapter 51: Higher Odds
Issei's Lifespan: 10 Months
When Issei awoke, he felt a bit of morbid exasperation. This was a familiar scene, waking up in a pool of his own blood. Thanks to Rexis' work, his body managed to regenerate from his wounds as well as restoring his red blood cell count.
"Thanks, Rexis." Issei shakily stood up.
"No problem." Rexis said.
"Anything happen while I was out?" Issei asked as he started cleaning up his mess.
"Nothing yet."
"What about my lifespan? I can't seem to do anything without shooting myself in the foot again." Issei remarked.
"Thankfully, you managed to conserve a lot of your life force but to be honest, you still lost 2 months. That leaves you with 10. Still, it's better than where you originally were. Also, you have 4 bell tolls left, Issei." Rexis.
Issei gulped as that information set in.
"Great. No idea when that'll come, either." He scoffed.
"So, what're you gonna do now?" Rexis asked.
"Same as usual. Hunt."
Issei walked over to his desk to do his next daily recording.
"Today is October 2nd, 20XX. As of yesterday, I have defeated, 4 of the 7 Aviturs, those being Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. The ones that remain are Lightning, Light, and Shadow. Up to this point, I've learned two things: first, Aviturs are capable of infecting their environment with Void Energy. With the application of Abyssal Energy, it's possible to negate the negative impacts left by it. Second, the Aviturs are able to grow in intelligence as time passes. The speed of their growing intelligences increases even further when there are less Aviturs. I think this is because all of the Aviturs share a link, much like how they're linked during the Reincarnation Cycles. I theorize that the Aviturs draw power from the Void, splitting up the power that it gives and with fewer Aviturs, there's more power to go around, which allows the Aviturs to increase in power and intelligence much more rapidly. Again, this is merely hypothesis, as even now, I do not remember every single little detail from all of my past lives. Most worrisome is the origins and fatal weaknesses of the Aviturs, which still escapes me." Issei sighed.
The next subject that Issei approached was something that didn't have anything to do with the Aviturs, but he felt that it was essential. For the sake of the future generations and his future selves, he had to talk about this.
"Now that that part's said, this next subject is something that I want to say to you and all future generations of incarnations. It concerns who we are and how we make our decisions. I'm sure by now that if you've found this, you're already on the road to awakening your powers or already have. Depending on who you are, since we're all different in different ways, you can either be scared or eager. It's alright to be scared. If you've lived a normal life until now, then understand that things will work out. I was just a normal Japanese teen. I went to school with parents who worked all the time. Over time, as I was immersed more and more into the Supernatural Realm, I began to grow stronger in mind and body. Yes, there's tons of scary things in this universe and they can be hateful but at the same time, there're wonderful things as well. It's alright to be scared, but you can't be scared forever. There're people out there that can't do a thing to help themselves but that doesn't go for us. As Hosts of Bahamut, we have a lot of power. We have to be responsible with it. Bahamut's original duty was the protection and overseeing the flow of the universe and the ones who lived in it. But, one day, that all came crashing to a halt when he destroyed the original galaxy. That's why I want you to remember this."
Issei scooted closer to the camera, looking dead serious.
"Power comes at a price. It doesn't just come at the cost of us, but at the cost of others as well. You need to come to terms with yourself and understand that we were given this power for a reason. You need to come to terms with yourself and what you'll do with this power. Use it wisely. It is meant to help and protect, not destroy. Bahamut will try to influence you but that's where you need to come to a choice. Where Bahamut failed, we have to succeed because we're the only ones that can stand between the people we love, the people that care about us, and the creatures that want to destroy everything and everyone."
And with that, Issei ended his recording.
"Worried about whether our future selves will turn evil?" Rexis asked.
"Yeah." Issei admitted.
"Well, I'm sure if you're here, things will be okay." Rexis said.
"Maybe. Still, it doesn't change the fact that we can be ignored." Issei shrugged.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Rexis said.
And once again, Issei went back to research and scouring through the world's reports and news to find clues on the latest signs of Avitur activity.
Sadly, an entire week passed and nothing happened. Issei wasn't surprised. He sat in his chair, rubbing his temples. The last 3 Aviturs were the most elusive, as their behavior didn't leave the typical evidence that the other Aviturs could. Issei knew that the Aviturs were on to him and were taking steps to avoid him.
"Maybe something to refresh your mind will help." Rexis suggested.
"Like what?" Issei exhaled as he tried to relax himself.
"There's a joint program happening in Italy. I hear it's an event that's meant to bring together the youth of many Pantheons so that they'll learn of each other's cultures. An event meant to help enlighten the wisdom and academic knowledge of the future generations." Rexis said.
"And when'd you hear about this?" Issei asked as he continued reading articles.
"I did it when you were asleep. I figured you'd be too engrossed in work to notice." Rexis admitted.
"And you say I'm the sneaky one?" Issei accused.
"Well, sometimes you need a taste of your own medicine. I get that you're on a schedule but you really do need to take some time and relax before you burn out. You want to fight the Aviturs at your best. I'm sure you remember that the Light and Shadow Aviturs are the toughest of the bunch." Rexis reminded him.
"Those two…" Issei scoffed and groaned.
"It's always those two that ended up killing us whenever we fought." Rexis recounted.
Issei sighed as he tried to think of a way to deal with them.
"Now, enough about hunting, fighting, and all that. Get to some down time." Rexis ordered.
"Fine. If it means you'll stop nagging me, I'll go." Issei then paused.
"Actually, I can't go. The others might be there." He countered.
"Then all the more reason to keep up the façade. They'll get suspicious if they don't hear from you." Rexis said.
"Or they'll figure things out and everything will fall apart." Issei growled.
"Well, nothing's gonna happen if you just sit around, either." Rexis scolded him.
Issei had to admit that Rexis had a point. He'd have a chance to see people that could help him. The most important thing right now was to find the last 3 Aviturs.
Traveling to Italy, Issei decided to find out where the program was being held. As expected, it was in a private area of Italy that had been 'rented' out for the supernatural. Issei held onto a pamphlet as he traversed around.
(Assassin's Creed II OST – Home in Florence. Play Song.)
There was hustle and bustle everywhere, with loads of parents touring the place with their children and young adults. Judging from the pamphlet, Issei learned that this function was like a massive cultural exchange between supernatural pantheons. By lottery, Italy was chosen to host this esteemed event.
Faraway, Issei saw a podium where Jupiter, the Roman God of Honor, Justice, and the Sky, counterpart to Zeus, was speaking.
"As Host of this esteemed event, it is my honor to welcome you to Italy, home of the Roman Empire. The war with the Khaos Brigade is now over and times of ignorance have begun to fade away. Now, it is time for our future generations to learn and grow as we also learn and grow from each other. I welcome you all to indulge yourselves in this time of learning and enjoyment." Jupiter raised a glass.
Issei was stunned that not only were gods, demigods, beasts, spirits, angels, and demons were present. Parents and children that were far from the political front and war zones were also here. It helped him feel a bit pacified, even proud.
'Do you see this, Bahamut? You were wrong. People can change and grow from their mistakes.' Issei spoke to the silenced wyrm.
Issei browsed around and listened in.
"Mommy, Mommy, I wanna go see the magic!" An eager child said.
"Alright, one moment." A parent chuckled to their child.
He saw foods from all sorts of pantheons being served. He saw deities and creatures showing each other little tricks they were capable and sharing stories. He also saw others giving presentations like a college lecture.
He listened to the lectures, wondering if he'd be doing this if he was still living a normal life. Would he have graduated to college and sat in lectures day in and day out? He wasn't sure. Fate was fickle, after all.
Still, he made sure to pick up some new tracking tricks. The goddess that Issei hoped was here had walked up to the podium. Artemis, Greek goddess of the Hunt, gave a lecture on hunting and gathering as well as how to sniff out a trail. He wondered if he'd met her in another lifetime and if he'd be in good relations with her.
After listening to all that he could, Issei decided to get out of there. He wanted to learn about other things, such as mana conservation from mages, and remedies from alchemists. It was his luck today, being given so much helpful info.
For one, he'd learned that the trick to dealing with intangible opponents was to use nonphysical attacks like wind and lightning. Other elements like water and stone were ineffective, so if one was unable to use the same intangible powers, then only mystic and non-physical powers could work and only a few at that. Strategies to bring enemies out of this state were also discussed.
Of course, Issei still remembered some of these tricks, but it was refreshing to learn the new ones. Shadow-blending wasn't a viable option for him anymore, anyways.
Learning from here and there, Issei didn't find any leads on Aviturs, but he'd gained knowledge of tricks that would definitely help him.
As he left the lecture area, he decided to see what else this event had to offer. That was when Issei saw something that bothered him immensely.
(Assassin's Creed II OST – Home in Florence. End Song.)
"Are you serious? You can't even use magic? Are you a devil?" He heard a young voice maliciously taunt.
"No wonder your parents are so scared of my mine. If I told my mom and dad to fire them, you'll be on the streets.
'Even the young are mentally poisoned. I swear, this thing just doesn't stop.' Issei growled to himself.
He took a video of the kids and sent them to Rizevim as well as putting the video up on social media. It didn't matter if someone was a child, committing cruelty deserved consequence no matter the race, species, age, and gender.
Bullies and tyrants in the making. You should have somebody do something about them and their families before something terrible happens. They're bullying other kids and cruelly taunting them. I don't need another reason for Bahamut to be angry. He messaged Rizevim.
If there was one thing the world didn't need, it wasn't another reason to give Bahamut incentive to continue loathing all life in this world.
Over his many years of reincarnation, there was a concept that Issei disagreed with. Some children DO know what they're doing. Some of them DO know that what they're doing is wrong. Some of them DO understand that others are being hurt by them. Some of them DO enjoy it. Sadly, that was a line that many failed to see. It was cynical and jaded, but it was true. Cruelty had no age requirement.
Issei snapped as he saw a group of kids ganging up on one lone child. They stomped on him after smacking some gelato out of his hands, berating him in the process.
"Hey!" He snapped.
"What?!" One of them snapped before freezing.
"L-Lord Issei!" One of them gasped.
"Run away!" They immediately ran off in the opposite direction.
Issei had half a mind to chase them and have them sternly scolded, maybe even punished with force. However, there was the bruised and battered boy in front of him to tend to. He turned to the young boy who was sniffling on the ground, wiping tears away. Issei took out a handkerchief and started wiping the boy's dirty bruises. It was kind of vexing how he was able to switch from being stern and dangerous to paternal and protective in the span of a second. His heart bled for kids who had to suffer. It was that part of being a former parent in a past life that always brought that part out of him. He'd always wondered what his descendants were up to.
"Are you okay?" He gently asked.
The little boy only nodded, sniffing, as if fighting the tears.
"Where're your mom and dad?" Issei asked.
"I got lost from them." The Boy whimpered.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's okay now." Issei helped readjust the boy's hat.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Lirenkus."
"I see. Well, Lirenkus, let's go get you a new gelato. Then we'll go look for your parents." Issei offered a hand.
Lirenkus looked weary. Issei was glad that the boy knew not to trust strangers.
"It's okay, I promise I won't hurt you. My name is Issei Hyoudou. I'm a friend of Rizevim Lucifer and Vali Lucifer. Do you know them?" Issei asked as he took the hood off his head.
"Mr. Issei! Yeah, I know you! I watched you on TV! Mommy and Daddy said that if I see you that it's okay to trust you." Lirenkus nodded.
'Well, at least he's not terrified of me.' Issei took some solace from that.
He didn't agree that it was okay to just trust people based on what the media said. Still, it helped in this situation.
"Well then, what do you say we get going now?" Issei kept his hand extended.
Lirenkus was still suspicious but had eased up upon learning of who Issei was. Issei took him to a vendor as Lirenkus pointed at the flavors he wanted. Unsurprisingly, the boy wanted 8 flavors of icecream. Still, Issei spared no expense. After buying Lirenkus his gelato, Issei took him to a public park swingset out in the open, hoping that his parents would pass by.
(Assassin's Creed II OST Ezio's Family. Play Song.)
"So, how did you get separated from your parents?" Issei asked.
"I ran ahead because I wanted to see the magic show going on. Then, those bullies grabbed me and dragged me away." Lirenkus said, his mood dampening.
"Why did they attack you? Did something happen?" Issei asked.
"It's because I can't use magic. My mom and dad can do it but I can't. People say I'm like a human. I can't do anything." Lirenkus stopped eating his ice cream as he started thinking about his situation.
"And because of that, those boys and girls think they're better than you?" Issei asked.
Lirenkus nodded.
"Do you know their names?" Issei asked.
Lirenkus looked at Issei in alarm.
"Please don't tell! My mom and dad will get in trouble! They'll come after me again and beat me up."
Issei sympathized with the boy, but he knew that wasn't the way to go. He smiled reassuringly at Lirenkus.
"I know you're scared, but that's what bullies want. They want you to feel weak, small, and helpless. They want you to avoid seeking help because that means they won't have control over you anymore. Bullies feel good by making other people feel terrible when they're the ones that are weak. We can't give them the satisfaction of control and we can't let them do as they please to us. We need to speak out and get help. If you can't do it alone, then you can do it together with others. You have to take a stand, or this will continue forever. Sometimes, bad things happen but we can't run from our problems. Life isn't that easy and simple. We don't always get what we want. Sometimes, we've gotta earn it. If you keep running and hiding, then nothing will ever happen. We all have to take a stand in our life." Issei said.
Lirenkus mulled over what he said, digesting it. Issei knew Lirenkus was a smart cookie, thanks to his gut feeling.
"Okay." Lirenkus said as he listed off the names of the bullies and their families.
Issei sent the info to Rizevim and people that he knew that could help deal with this. It wasn't an act of vengeance, rather, it was a time to teach lessons before those kids became bigger problems in the future.
"Good. You've taken your first step to standing up for yourself and that's to get help. I've talked to Rizevim and he'll take care of this. Now, tell me, any idea why you can't use magic?" Issei asked.
"I don't know. My dad says I might be a late bloomer."
"I see. Well, then, let me give you a real quick lesson about magic." Issei said.
He opened his palm, creating a cluster of harmless sparkles.
"Magic is imagination made visible. We can see it, hear it, and sometimes, we can feel it. It's a part of all of us and is around us. It's in the air we breathe, and we don't see it all the time, but it's there. However, magic will only come to us if we can connect to it. To do that, you need to concentrate and feel the magic, not just think it." Issei said.
"I kinda understand. My teachers keep lecturing me about magic but they always use formulas and symbols…" Lirenkus sighed.
"Yeah, some teachers are like that. But, the best way to use magic is to feel and think. Magic starts in your head with your imagination." Issei ruffled Lirenkus' hair.
He showed Lirenkus the cluster of sparkles in his hand again.
"Magic is centered on imagination. When you think of magic, close your eyes and picture what you see. Think about it a lot. Focus on it only. That's the starting point."
Lirenkus closed his eyes as he opened his hands. Still nothing.
"I can't do it." Lirenkus mumbled, upset.
"Are you quitting?" Issei gently asked, almost goading.
"But it's not working." Lirenkus showed his empty hands.
"Life won't give you anything easily and you shouldn't expect that. Some things, you've gotta earn. Those bullies may be born with magic, but that's only because life allowed it. Where I grew up, there's the story of the turtle and the hare. The hare was fast. He could do anything and almost everything easily. He could run miles in seconds and stop and do whatever he wanted along the way. He never worried because everything was easy. Then, there was the turtle, who was slooow, who took forever to do anything. But, that turtle was nice and patient. He worked hard and he never gave up. One day, the hare challenged the turtle to a race. The hare kept messing around and took everything lightly while the turtle stayed focused and kept working hard no matter how long or difficult things got. Eventually, before the rabbit realized it after playing around the whole race, the turtle almost crossed the finish line. The hare tried to get to the end, but it was too late. He lost because he took everything for granted while the hard-working turtle won because he stayed focused and never gave up. At the end, the turtle won because he didn't take things for granted." Issei explained.
Lirenkus was silent as he took in the story. He didn't utter a word, focusing the whole time Issei was with him, continuing his attempts at magic. After a few hours, two people came screaming.
"Lirenkus! Where are you?!" A frantic woman's voice reached their ears.
"Son! Can you hear us?!" Another male voice shouted.
"Your mom and dad are here." Issei smiled.
A young-looking woman with long brown hair and green eyes ran over. She wore a hat, a yellow blouse, and blue pants with a large bag over her shoulder. With her was a young-looking man with short green hair and brown eyes, wearing a red shirt and white pants.
As the two parents spotted them, Issei then noticed something. He raised an intrigued brow as something started appearing in Lirenkus' hands. Devils were naturally more adept at magic than humans, even if only at a basic level when starting. And now, after a good few short hours of talk and practice, Lirenkus had created a sphere of orange demonic power in his hands as soon as his parents found him.
Lirenkus' parents gasped.
"H-He did it." Lirenkus' Mother had a hand over her mouth.
"He really did it." Lirenkus' Father had a proud smile forming in disbelief.
"Mommy! Daddy! I did it!" Lirenkus cried out in excitement.
"Yeah, you did it! I'm just so glad that you're safe! We were so worried that something had happened to you!" The Mother hugged him.
"We had no idea where to find you! Thank goodness that you're okay." The Father completed the embrace.
Issei smiled in admiration. It didn't matter to these two that Lirenkus didn't have apparent talent for magic. They only cared about his safety. While they were proud of Lirenkus awakening his magic, they only prioritized his safety and health.
"What happened?" His Mother asked.
Lirenkus looked at Issei, still hesitant. Issei nodded at him to go ahead. The boy explained how the bullies had pulled him aside and tormented him while abusing him with words. When that part was done, Issei decided to take his leave. He wasn't eager to stick around for the next part. Before he could silently walk away, they noticed him get up.
"Wait a minute…Lord Issei?!" Lirenkus' Mother gasped.
"My name is Kolka, My Lord. This is my wife, Quildie. Please forgive our feebleness, My Lord!" The two parents bowed.
Issei didn't like being called 'Lord'. He only saw himself equal to these people and that's how he preferred it. Feeling elevated wasn't something he liked much.
"It's of no problem. I'm just glad you three were reunited. Please, just call me Issei. I'm no longer a part of a Peerage." Issei shook his head.
"But, Sir…" Kolka said.
"I will ensure that those boys and girls who bullied him are set straight. I'll also make sure that their families are given a stern talking to, even if it's not me who does it. In the meantime, please be careful. If anything goes wrong, you should use this." Issei handed them a special piece of paper with a magic circle.
Issei had prepared these as quick barriers for people like this family. He couldn't help but worry for the safety of the people around him.
"Mommy, Daddy, Mr. Issei taught me magic." Lirenkus produced another orb.
They smiled proudly at their son.
"For a long time, he was unable to use magic. We wondered if he was a late bloomer or was unable to use it altogether. Of course, we didn't care since it didn't change the fact that he was our son. Thank you. Thank you so much for helping our son." Kolka and Quildie bowed.
"I'm honored to have helped. I was also like him once. I'm sure that if things continue like this, then he'll grow up to be a splendid person." Issei smiled.
"Now, it's time for me to go. It was a pleasure and I bid you nothing but good fortune from now on." Issei said.
Lirenkus ran over to Issei.
He kneeled and raised a hand for a high-five. Instead…
"Thank you, Mr. Issei." Lirenkus gave him a strong hug.
"You're welcome." Issei only smiled as he ruffled Lirenkus' hair one last time.
(Assassin's Creed II OST Ezio's Family. End Song.)
Without further ado, Issei took his leave. He'd stuck around long enough.
'Soft spot for kids, I see. Can't say I blame you. That bleeding heart was a dead giveaway.' Rexis noted in admiration.
'I guess it's that protective feeling I still have inside of me. We were a parent in a past life too, remember? Children are vulnerable and have yet to fully come to understand the world around them. I want them to grow and learn but I want them to be safe until they're ready too. It's stupid to sugarcoat and protect them from all of reality forever because when they go into the real world, they're unable to handle it because they've been sheltered for too long. That's why a lot of kids and teens have meltdowns. They don't have an inkling of what reality is like and go berserk. On the other hand, if they get hurt too much and experience too much too early, they become cynical and hardened and they lose that wonder that propels them to higher enlightenment and wisdom. I guess I want to prevent that because the children are our future.' Issei reasoned.
"Well, look who it is." A familiar voice said, cutting off Issei's train of thought.
Before Issei could react, a swift hand chopped him on top of the head. He turned around and saw that Asia was standing there, arms crossed.
"Asia? Is that any way to greet a friend?" Issei asked.
"I don't know. How do you say goodbye to a friend before disappearing off the face of the world?" Asia glared.
"Oh…so you heard." Issei deflated.
"Yes, I did hear. Vali was very shocked and listless when you left without a word. Everyone was quite upset by your sneaky actions." Asia held up a letter that he had written for her as well.
"You're not going to let me live that down, are you?" Issei asked.
"No, not yet. So, what're you doing here?" Asia asked.
"Just passing by and taking in the sights. Also got curious about what was happening here." Issei explained.
"I see."
"Any of the others here?" Issei asked.
If anyone else he knew was coming, he would have to leave immediately.
"Only Sona, but that's because she's getting things ready to start building her school." Asia answered.
"What about the others?" Issei asked.
"All busy with their own things." Asia replied again.
"So, what're you doing here?" Issei finally asked.
"The Vatican is here so I came to give a report. Why don't you come with me?" Asia asked.
"I don't think so, I still want to tour the grounds." Issei shook his head.
"I see. Well, then, make sure you come and hang out with me at least once before you run off again." Asia glared.
"Yes, Ma'am." Issei saluted.
"Good. I'm going to do some work. Don't you dare think of sneaking off or I'll hunt you down." Asia poked him in the chest.
Sadly, that was the plan. Issei wasn't going to get anything else out of this, so he needed to get going again. As much as he wanted to remain and spend time with Asia, he just couldn't.
While traversing the alleyways, Issei could hear the crowds screaming in excitement as an announcement came.
"And now, let's begin the next main event. Today, we will be performing our most anticipated show, the Magic Corner! Hold tight, folks, because our new masked performers will be needing your help." The MC's voice echoed.
Issei continued walking. He decided that rather than teleporting, he'd do his favorite activity and take a stroll back to his ship. After about an hour, Issei felt something shiver up his spine. It was a familiar filling now. That same primordial feeling that was Bahamut's Rage.
'An Avitur?' He looked around.
There was no way he could mistake that feeling anywhere. Then, with the same suddenness that it had come, the feeling was gone.
'The hell was that?' Rexis wondered.
'I don't know…' Issei said.
He decided to head back into town to try and zero in on that feeling. As he got closer to the people in the fair, he heard their screams.
"Where's my child?!"
"Honey, where are you?!"
"Somebody please help me find my family!"
'Shit!' Issei and Rexis growled.
(Doctor Who OST – Dealing With The Menace. Play Song.)
Issei teleported back to his ship and punched in the controls for hunting Aviturs. The signal was strong, being nearby. Issei followed the source of the signal, sure in the cause.
"The bastards took things too damn far. I knew it! They've learned how to plan tactics." Issei growled, punching the console for failing to notice.
"We need to speed up. Who knows what the Aviturs are doing to those kids." Rexis urged.
As they approached, Issei grit his teeth as a massive cloud was nearing. Electricity crackled from it, resting over a canyon's cliffside. Issei could feel the electrons in the air raising the hair on his skin. Below, Issei saw that dozens of people were caged up in small containers of metal. What was the point of this? How did this even happen?
That was when Issei got his answer. His eyes widened in slight disbelief at the small moving people below him.
"SHADOW-WALKERS?!" Issei balked.
"I thought they disappeared with Kokuen." Rexis growled.
"Clearly not." Issei jumped out of the Vestige and down towards the ground.
"Calamity Catalyst – Blitzer!"
Engaging in his slender armor meant for speed, he showered the enemy below with a rain of blades. With one whirling strike, Issei cleared away the remnant ninjas.
"Please help!" Someone begged as they saw Issei.
There was no time for questions. He tried to destroy the cages with blasts of mana but instead, the magic circle below them absorbed the attacks.
"Stand back!" Issei tried to rip the cages open and attacked them with weapons.
Sadly, before he could do any significant damage, chain-blades wrapped around his limbs, yanking him backwards into the forest nearby.
"I don't have time for this!" Issei gripped the chains and sent waves of Abyssal energy through them.
This time, Issei had no reason to hold back. Obliterating the ninjas with an overload of energy, Issei ripped himself free. By the hundreds, Shadow Walkers came out of the shadows. Issei cleaved them apart and blasted them away with mana, desperately trying to get back to the people that were held hostage.
"Calamity Catalyst – Onslaught!"
Reverting to his original Balance Breaker mode, Issei spread his wings, firing beams everywhere.
"[Sky Razer]"
Beams and lasers dragged through the immediate area, sweeping and destroying the enemy. Without delay, Issei flew forward, cutting and blasting away at anyone dumb enough to appear. Unfortunately, it was too late.
The magic circle's light hit its maximum as a bolt of lightning fell from the sky, going into the magic circle. As Issei paused to register what was going on, tendrils of shadow wrapped around him, as he fought to break them.
"Damn it!"
With one burst of his aura, he obliterated the ninjas once again. Rushing over to the site where the people were caged, Issei began to destroy and dismantle them. Gripping one cage, he used brute force to rip them apart.
"Huraaaaaaaaagh!" Issei could feel his hands burning from the pure Void Energy.
Even so, he persisted. Steam hissed off his fingers as the prolonged exposure began to eat away at him.
"Go! Now!" Issei panted.
Running over to the other 6 cages, Issei began to cut and hammer away at the cages with all his strength, not sparing any energy. With liberal use of Abyssal Energy, Issei managed to free 5 cages.
"I've gotta do something." Lirenkus said. He too, had been taken hostage.
Lighting up the magic in his hands, he held it to the bars to try and melt it.
"Mr. Issei said that people with power need to do something with it." He said to himself.
It didn't do much, but the sparking that came off it began to poke away at the cage containing him and several others.
On the 6th and final cage, Issei saw that Lirenkus was also here.
"I knew you'd come!" Lirenkus excitedly said.
"Good job, little man." Issei smiled reassuringly at Lirenkus.
(Doctor Who OST – Dealing With The Menace. End Song.)
As he opened the cage with brute force, Lirenkus and Issei helped guide everyone out. As dozens of people came running out, including the bullies that had attacked Lirenkus, Issei was blindsided. A powerful beam of light had come blasting at him from up above.
(Shadow of the Colossus OST – Grotesque Figures. Play Song.)
He was dragged across the ground with the beam of light as a howling shriek shook his ears.
"What?! Shit! It's the Light Avitur, Issei! It's Vetrazin!" Rexis realized.
Issei pushed the rubble off himself as he struggled to get up. His armor was smoking, the smell of smoking metal ruining the atmosphere. He looked at his armor and saw how cracked it was from the blast.
With a proper look at the sky, a creature flew straight at him. Vetrazin had eight wings of light with a circle of light behind it. It had glowing blue eyes with a long white snout, a long tail, two arms and legs, and a body that resembled a dragon and yet it didn't seem like one exactly.
He flew into the air, slashing at Vetrazin with his sword. The beast maneuvered out the way, firing rays of light at him. Issei dodged and weaved around them before ramming his fist into its throat.
In all the speed he could muster, Issei changed form.
"Onslaught! [Vacuum Burst]" Absorbing mana in the air and into his wings, he detached the [Satellites] and fired a dozen furious beams from his hands and wings.
The navy onslaught sent Vetrazin tearing through the canyon, collapsing most of the landscape around them.
Issei turned to the side and watched as something arose from the ground. That was when that weird primordial feeling came back. Rising out of the ground was a beast of metal. It had four quadrupedal legs, with a frame of metal and flesh underneath. It had glowing blue eyes and had a long horn on top of its snout. Its legs were clawed and its tail looked like a long blade of flexible steel. Issei knew what this creature was. This thing was the Avitur of Lightning, Elgormud.
He didn't have time to think about how it came to be, however. He was focused on the fact that the cages of people were still attached to his body.
"Don't tell me…" He gasped.
"It's using those people as a power source!" Rexis also realized.
"Not only that, but there're two Aviturs!" Issei grit his teeth.
He already had trouble with one but fighting two at the same time was a whole other story.
As soon as the Lightning Avitur noticed his presence, it began running, sprinting towards the Italian city like a thundering rhino.
Flying as fast as he could, Issei tore his way through scores of ninjas before catching up to the Avitur. Blasting it on the head with mana, Issei tackled with the [Abyssal Aura], knocking it aside. It roared, sending out dozens of bolts of lightning from its body.
Issei barely managed to dodge one but as he moved, the other bolts followed him, homing in like missiles. Flipping, spinning, and firing back, Issei was pressed to protect himself while following the Avitur of Lightning.
He had to be careful as well. One wrong move and he could hurt the people that were being kept hostage on the Avitur's back. It was shocking to see the size of this creature, being truly gargantuan.
"Blitzer!" Issei changed modes.
With a burst of speed, Issei managed to once again catch up to the Avitur. With a literal flash, lightning rocketed off its armored shell and fired toward Issei. Dodging in time, Issei formed a spear, putting as much strength as he could into it and skewered through the creature's hide. Blue blood spewed from the wound as it rammed into Issei, dragging him across the canyon wall as it electrocuted him.
"Agh!" Issei groaned in pain as he felt his nerves being shocked dozens of times over.
He felt his body burning up and tremble as the electricity coursed through him, numbing him slowly.
While grappling onto the Avitur, Issei stabbed into the creature's hide, pouring his Abyssal Energy into it. The Avitur of Lightning shrieked in pain as it repeatedly bashed Issei into the canyon walls. It turned around before ramming him with its bladed horn, supercharging it with lightning from the sky as it smashed into the canyon, forming a new trench as it shoved Issei through.
"AAAAAGGGHHH!" Issei cried out in agony.
It curved upward, bending the blade on its horn to cut at Issei, slashing a massive gash across his torso as he flew into the air. Unable to regain his bearings, he crashed onto the ground as the Avitur of Lightning returned to stampeding toward the city.
Issei forced himself up and dug his hand into the river below. Using his Abyssal Powers, he controlled the water, forming a wall of ice in front of the Avitur.
The Avitur of Lightning rebounded when it crashed into the wall. However, it cracked, unable to withstand a second hit. With a fearsome kick, it broke through the wall of ice, continuing its rampage. As it moved, lightning fired off its body, pinning Issei in place.
Swooping down from above, Vetrazin picked Issei up with its claws and throttled him through the canyon wall.
"AAAGH!" Issei tried to fight free but Vetrazin's grip was too strong.
With a pulse of Abyssal Energy, Issei freed himself before attacking.
"[Sky Razer]"
His wings trailed lasers across Vetrazin's body, forcing it back but just as soon, it stomped him into the ground before blasting him with a beam of light.
Issei burrowed out of the ground and into the air, only for orbs of light to home in on him.
"[Cosmic Crisis]"
Issei countered with his own homing spheres of magic. When the blasts met, the canyon exploded into rubble as debris flew everywhere. Putting more strength into the blast, Issei used [Path Cleaver] to severely wound Vetrazin with a slash of his sword.
"Calamity Catalyst – Slayer!" Issei changed into his offensive form, about to clash with Vetrazin once more while slowing down Elgormud.
(Shadow of the Colossus OST – Grotesque Figures. End Song.)
While the chaos continued around Issei, Vali and her Peerage arrived in Italy to answer the call for help. As soon as they arrived, they were barraged by scores of people screaming in relief. The moment they blinked there, it was just scores of people running around.
"What the hell is going on?!" Lianshi exclaimed.
"Thank God, you guys are here." Asia flew over.
"What's going on?" Vali asked.
"We don't know for sure. The program was going on fine before many people suddenly went missing. A few minutes ago, those missing people came back. They said that they'd been captured by…ninjas." Asia said it as if it were unbelievable.
Vali gasped.
"Shadow Walkers…"
"They said that they'd been held captive in cages and were put on a magic circle. They said they'd been growing weaker the whole time. Then, they said that someone in armor came and rescued them. I think someone said it was Issei." Asia said.
Vali paled at the mention of his name.
"Where was he last spotted?" She demanded as she rapidly gripped Asia's arms.
"Don't know. They said it was at a distant cliff. Thankfully, he managed to save everyone." Asia sighed in relief.
She was wrong.
"Lirenkus? Lirenkus?! Please, where's my baby?! Somebody tell me where my baby is!" Quildie shrieked in worry.
"We need to find Issei right now. Wherever he is, that boy is as well." Vali decided.
As soon as they approached the exit to the town, walls of shadow formed a dome around the whole area.
"What now?!" Vali growled in frustration.
"Balance Break! Scale Mail!" Albion announced.
Vali tried to use [Transcendence] to teleport out but was blocked. She couldn't project or dematerialize. Nothing.
"Step aside, child." Jupiter held his hand in front of the dome.
Along with him, several other deities came to the front to destroy the barrier. And yet…
A purple magic circle swirled to life beneath them.
"How was this possible? How did we fail to notice?!" Jupiter groaned, feeling himself weakening.
"It's just like before." Artemis said.
"What's this?" Vali asked.
"It's a barrier that weakens deities. It was used in the days of the Cataclysm War between pantheons. Only this time, a forgotten enemy is using it."
"Aviturs…" Vali realized.
"This was one of their trump cards." Neptune held onto his trident to try and weaken the barrier.
"We have to break away at the wall. Mages and magic experts focus on breaking down the magic formula behind it or work on a counter spell. If it's an Avitur, we need to deal with it quickly." Vali ordered.
Far away, Issei was locked in combat with Vetrazin and Elgormud. Issei would create new barriers and walls of Abyssal Energy to halt the advance of the Lightning Avitur. Even so, Vetrazin's constant assaults kept him from getting to it.
Vetrazin yanked him aside with its arms and threw Issei like a ragdoll by the back of the head, smashing a mountain into rubble. Firing back with a massive beam of mana, Vetrazin howled, surrounding Issei in a white aura.
Instantly, he felt his armor being barraged by this aura, like thousands of tiny bombs smash against him. At the same time, he felt like he was weakening, his armor about to disengage in moments.
"Shit!" Issei said as he was literal knocked around by an invisible force.
His armor exploded as the aura stayed around him, like a ticking time bomb.
"Use my technique!" Rexis said.
"[Imperial Primacy]"
With a massive burst of Abyssal Energy, Issei dispelled the aura before it could continue eating away at his strength.
Before Issei could even regain his bearings, Elgormud shot him with lightning, barraging him with a lightning storm. In severe brutality, Elgormud stomped Issei, pummeling into the ground with its massive foot and unbelievable weight. It stomped on him continuously, as enjoying it. After 10 stomps, Issei was a bloody puddle, barely alive thanks to him changing into [Fortress Maker Mode]. When that wasn't enough, Elgormud struck Issei with a constant bolt of massive lightning. In conjunction, Vetrazin rained down a meteor shower of light.
Issei was blasted miles into the ground as a massive crater formed where they were. Turning its attention back toward the wall of Abyssal Energy that Issei erected, the 2 Aviturs combined their attacks to shatter it. Elgormud continued its plan, charging right for the Town.
Surprisingly, a beam of navy mana fired back, cleaving through Vetrazin's wing.
Issei erupted from the ground, a bloody mess. He raised a shaky hand towards Elgormud, but lacked the strength to fire a beam.
'Damn it. There has to be something I can do. I can barely stay conscious right now. My rib cage is shattered. My left eye's gone. I can't even feel my arms and legs anymore. I'm running low on mana too…Please…I need more power.' Issei said to himself, hoping that someone, anyone would be able to listen.
Suddenly, as if awakened by his desperate plea, 16 ghostly shapes erupted from his aura, assaulting Elgormud and stopping it in its tracks. With a closer look, Issei saw that they were the ghostly shapes of the 16 Knights of the Round Table. They had come to answer his call.
'So that's what Merlin meant. He gave me the power to summon their phantoms.' Issei panted.
He turned toward Vetrazin. He had to kill it now while it was down but he had to make a definitively fatal attack. Only one thing came to mind.
Vetrazin, who'd regenerated one of its lost wings, came flying at him. Issei, cloaking himself in an intense aura. He flew into its mouth before expanding his aura, putting all of his available strength into it.
"Calamity Catalyst – Slayer!"
Changing form, Issei materialized a storm of weapons around him, spinning them around as he shredded Vetrazin apart from the inside.
Issei was about to lose consciousness but forced himself to stay awake with willpower. He propelled himself forward just as Elgormud destroyed the ghostly apparitions of the Knights of the Round Table with a storm of lightning around itself.
Issei lost his form, however, barely able to stay transformed. Falling out of Balance Breaker and back into his normal state, Issei tumbled to the ground.
"Mr. Issei! Help me!" Lirenkus cried out in terror as he failed to free himself.
Issei gasped. Lirenkus had been left behind.
(Shadow of the Colossus OST – The Opened Way. Play Song.)
Issei grit his teeth, enduring the fatal pain echoing throughout his body. He charged forward, using whatever mana he could muster to boost his speed as he ran.
"Hang on, Lirenkus!" Issei yelled.
With maximum effort, he jumped off the canyon's cliffside and latched onto the Lightning Avitur. Having sensed him, Elgormud's metallic shell contorted, spike jetting out, impaling Issei.
"AAAAAAAAGHHHH!" Issei howled in misery as the spikes carved deeper into his recent wounds.
"Mr. Issei!" Lirenkus shouted in worry.
Issei ripped himself off the impalements, blood spilling from all over his body. Climbing up the Avitur's body, Issei limped over to Lirenkus' cage.
"Step back." Issei hoarsely warned.
With as much strength as he could lightly use, he carved through the cage. Grabbing Lirenkus, Issei materialized his wings, flying off. Sadly, Issei's wings failed as a stray lightning bolt struck him, sending both plummeting towards the canyon's top.
Issei rolled over so that he could take the brunt of the impact, holding Lirenkus safely as the two crashed. His hand holding the boy tight as Issei's back skidded across the grating rocks of the ground.
"Mr. Issei." Lirenkus gasped in horror at the state Issei was in.
"I'll be okay, Lirenkus."
Issei thrust his hand forward, summoning the Phantoms of the Knights of the Round Table once again. With a mental command, he ordered them to drive Elgormud away from the Town. To his relief, they did, forcing Elgormud to move in the opposite direction with their barrage of ghostly attacks.
"Do you know how to get back to the Town?" Issei pointed at the distant settlement.
"Yeah."
"Just run in that direction and avoid any trenches and walk on solid ground only. Tell everyone there to run away." Issei panted.
"But Mr. Issei…" Lirenkus bit his lip.
"It's okay. I'll be okay. Now go. Don't hesitate. Just go." Issei weakly urged.
When Lirenkus ran back to the Town as quickly as his legs could carry him, he was met by Vali. With all the strength she could use, she and hundreds of others managed to finally break the barrier, allowing them freedom. That was when Lirenkus ran into view.
"Are you Lirenkus?" She asked.
"Yeah!" Lirenkus nodded.
"Lirenkus!" Quildie ran over and wrapped her son in a glad embrace.
"What happened to you?!" Kolka gasped as he looked at the blood soaked into Lirenkus' clothes.
"It's okay. It's not his blood." Vali confirmed no injuries on the boy.
"Mommy, those ninjas kidnapped me." Lirenkus told them.
"It's okay, you're safe now." Quildie patted his head.
"No, it's not that! It's Mr. Issei! He needs help! He's so hurt! He got hurt trying to save everybody." Lirenkus teared up.
"Lirenkus, where was he?" Vali asked.
Her voice hitched in her throat at the imagination that was going on in her head. If Lirenkus was covered in all that blood and it belonged to Issei, then she didn't dare to imagine his condition right now.
Issei was barely able to stand, his strength rapidly fading. He forced himself upright.
"Issei, you're in no condition to use Balance Breaker again!" Rexis warned.
"I know. This is my last attack."
Issei summoned the Phantom Knights of the Round Table back to his side, attracting the attention of the Lightning Avitur.
"If this fails, then I really will die." Issei admitted.
Pouring all of his remaining battle strength into his weapon, Issei waited as he consolidated the power of the Knights of the Round Table to him. Elgormud wreathed itself in lightning as it charged at him. With one quick thrust of his weapon, he impaled into Elgormud, sharpening his weapon with his aura and the Knights of the Round Table. As Elgormud passed by him, the resulting crash caused a massive explosion as the Avitur of Lightning was split cleanly in half, shattering the remains of the canyons they fought in.
Lightning fired everywhere into the sky and the surrounding environment, decimating the area.
With the battle over, Issei was able to take a moment to breathe.
(Shadow of the Colossus OST – The Opened Way. End Song.)
"This…isn't…over…"
Issei jumped as he looked at the dissolving corpse of Elgormud.
"This isn't…over…Sorgamark is waiting for you…in Japan…" Elgormud spoke, sounding like quiet thunder as it dissolved.
Issei was about to faint on the spot, but with one last movement, he used one of his teleportation tags to get back to the Vestige.
Arriving back, Issei fell over, his head smacking against a table. He fought the urge to lose consciousness but denied himself that. He crawled over to a button on the console wall, summoning what looked like an operating table.
He didn't understand why it was installed into the ship at first, but now he understood. Ajuka had placed it there in case Issei ever needed it but had no one to help him. He had told him to press that button if he was ever in desperate need of medical assistance. Dragging himself onto the table, he pressed the green button.
And yet…that sound came. As the Vestige passed over the Town that the others were in, the tolling of the bells reached his ears.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
Was this it? Was this the end? Issei could feel it in his soul. This was the worst he'd ever been. He'd never pushed himself so hard and never been wounded so severely. He cursed his fate. He'd been so damned close to stopping the Cycle of Reincarnation.
"That was 16 bell tolls."
Encapsulated on the operating bed, Issei lost consciousness at long last. He no longer had the strength to stay awake. Rexis did his absolute best to keep Issei alive through his [Battle Born] regeneration. In tandem, the Operating Machine began its work. Putting Issei into an eased sleep, it began to help replenish Issei's blood count as it got to work with repairing and suturing his wounds.
Rexis prayed to the Abyss for Issei's survival. He didn't want this boy to die, not when he could spread so much good in the world. The memory could only pray that fate had mercy on Issei.
Will Issei die? No idea.
On to Chapter 5 of the 6-Chapter Update.
