Alright, time for an update. I was originally going to package this chapter alongside Chapter 64 as a double update, but I decided not to.

This chapter and Chapter 64 were a definite pain to write. I had two routes planned for the story and I spent the past two months trying to decide which one I wanted to pick. I just couldn't decide which route I wanted because I wanted to do both.

Happy to say that I've decided on the path that I want to take and still connect it to the ending that I want the story to have.

Like usual, I'll drop some hints and callbacks here and there and reference them in future chapters cus that's just how I roll. Trust me, everything that happens in my stories happens for a reason…sometimes. Other times I just straight up forget and get carried away.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter.


Chapter 63: Fallout

The next morning, Issei awoke feeling better than he had in the past several days. He washed his face and brushed his teeth with more enthusiasm than he'd had in a long while. Sadly, there was work to be done. First thing in the morning, everyone was brought to the Alliance HQ meeting room, with several leading members of the Alliance present.

"Well, since everyone's gathered today, I've got some announcements." Rizevim cleared his throat.

"As of today, operations against the Novella Caelum will officially begin in full swing. The enemy's objective for the endgame is still a mystery, which is something we need to find out. As of four hours ago, we've gained enough information to determine what our next moves will be."

Ezagyra chimed in.

"We will begin with subtlety: guerilla operations, supply transport, bodyguarding, and espionage. Still, we understand that this may not be permanent. It'll all depend on how quickly we can put down the Novella Caelum, who claim to be in it for improving the world. In short, they want the world but we don't know if it'll all stop there or how they intend to do it. This is where you'll come in."

"Your mission is espionage. You will be divided into three groups, with each going to a different location. You will learn all that you can from locations that are being controlled by the Novella Caelum and report back."

"As such, we've deemed it necessary to bring in extra help." Rizevim turned towards the door.

Much to the Vali Team's positive surprise, Tobio and Lavinia entered.

"Hi, everyone, it's been a bit." Lavinia gave hugs as she and Tobio were warmly greeted.

Then, the door opened again.

The third person who entered made everyone stiffen, specifically Vali.

Adelaide politely bowed to everyone.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Adelaide Moítoíé, the current Songstress of Serenity."

"As of this moment, Adelaide will be operating under the supervision of the Alliance but in exchange, she'll be allowed to go about freely under loose parole. Along with her, Tobio and Lavinia will be joining in this mission to boost success." Rizevim explained.

He saw the suspicious gazes the two parties were giving the other. He would have none of that.

"So, play nice. We understand that things have happened between both sides but understand that we're allies now. So, keep any antagonism away and cooperate. What's done is done. I expect everyone understands?" Ezagyra calmly looked around the entire room.

"Yes, Ma'am." Everyone agreed.

"The teams have already been predetermined. Team 1 will consist of Lefay, Bikou, Izalana, and Tobio. Team 2 will consist of Issei, Vali, Adelaide, and Lavinia. Team 3 will consist of Arthur, Lianshi, Kuroka, and Elaine."

Rizevim projected a map in the middle of the room.

"Team 1 will be going to Strasbourg to check international transportation and see if there's shipments of magitech and other items of interest. Team 2 will go to South Korea to steal information about media connections and see if there's supernatural links involved. Team 3 will go to North America and see if anyone's cooking up medicine and drugs that aren't supposed to be in production." Azazel yawned.

"You have your missions. After breakfast, you depart immediately." Sun Wukong puffed some smoke from his pipe.

As Issei, Vali, and Adelaide were about to leave, Rizevim stopped them.

"A moment, please."

Walking over to them, Rizevim looked to the door as someone else arrived. It was the Mesopotamian god, Enki.

"Welcome to the Alliance, Issei Hyoudou." Enki extended his hand.

When Issei shook it, he took a moment of pause. He remembered that Enki was one of the leading deities of Mesopotamia and someone not to be trifled with. Indeed, he wasn't a deity who was known for battle prowess in this universe, but he was crafty, hence, he helped usher in Mesopotamian civilization.

"Your reputation precedes you. To have defeated the Aviturs in their human and beast forms, even if they weren't back to full power, is still a great feat." Enki remarked.

"I'm nothing, special, Lord Enki." Issei bowed.

One thing Issei had learned from his past lives was to be as polite as possible to deities.

"Enki will be collaborating closely with us for a long while. As you three are linked on a spiritual level, we need to keep an eye on that connection. Specifically, we need to learn if the Aviturs are actually dead or not. Issei, when you beat them, even you weren't sure if they were really dead. As a precaution, we'll be exploring ways to counter them and even find them if they survived." Rizevim explained.

"How do you plan to do that?" Adelaide asked.

"Sessions monitoring your bodies, minds, and meetings where we'll try to divulge more of our pasts and memories from the First Galaxy. As you may have noticed, not everyone remembers everything. What we should remember, are complete blanks when they shouldn't be. If we're going to get to the bottom of all this, then we need all of the information that we can get and go from there." Enki answered.

"Adelaide, we still don't know if the influence of Aviturs are gone from you. Issei, we don't know what it is that you've evolved into, either. As for Vali, we need to get you connected to your singing powers too. In the worst-case scenario, everyone might have to answer the call to war. We need to be ready for that." Rizevim didn't show it, but he was pleading with everyone with his eyes. He wanted things ended as quickly as possible.

He was bothered, maybe even scared. Issei wasn't sure of why. Maybe it was his memories of what led to the First Calamity and how all this reminded him of it.

"Okay." Issei nodded.

"Excellent. I hope to be able to have meaningful chats with all of you soon. I won't delay you any further, of course. I'll see you all when you return." Enki bowed as he left.

When he was gone, Issei turned to Rizevim.

"What's his role in all this?"

"Enki was made a leading member in developing counter measures and equipment, since it suits him. He's been developing Anti-Avitur inventions as of late."

The atmosphere in the room got gloomy again. There was so much distrust, even if it was all kept hidden behind smiles and closed mouths. It was painfully obvious.

Breakfast went by silently. It was simply because Vali and Adelaide spent every other second staring at each other, as if sizing the other up. It continued all the way to their departure for their mission in South Korea.


The three were walking the streets in Seoul, having arrived traditionally in a nice car. That whole time, Issei had been reflecting back on events till this moment. What Rizevim told him made sense. Sure, he remembered his life as Ardjis, but he didn't remember every single thing to the perfect detail. Even then, some things felt off with his memories, like a sham recording in his head rather than actual footage. Issei groaned. All this reincarnating and remembering past lifetimes were conflicting.

"Are you okay?" Adelaide asked.

"I'm fine."

"Issei, maybe you should take a moment to rest." Adelaide put a concerned hand on his arm.

Vali watched from a distance, only for Lavinia to walk up to her.

"It's as if you two are twins." She commented.

"Kind of. She looks more like Aria than I do, though." Vali nodded.

"Rizevim told me the story. Still, I don't think you should be worried, as far as your place goes." Lavinia gave Vali a reassuring smile.

"What?" Vali was perplexed.

"Trust me, Sae used to give me that look too when I'd mess with Tobi. It's the look of someone fighting for another's heart. As far as I can tell, Issei loves you. He died for you and others and took fatal wounds that no sane person would. Even now, he keeps glancing at you with a worried look on his face. Tobio gives Sae that look sometimes." Lavinia fondly smiled, remembering old times.

Vali didn't want to admit it, but she was feeling so insecure. She watched how close Issei and Adelaide were. It drove home just how much she'd missed out on with Issei.

"If you're unhappy with where you are, then maybe you should make it known. Show Issei that you want him just as badly as Adelaide does. Don't get pushed aside." Lavinia encouraged her.

Lavinia had a point. Vali had spent so much time moping that she wasn't doing her best to show to Issei just how serious she was about him. It was time to change that. She had to stop holding herself back.

"Still, I don't want to trouble him." Vali sighed.

"This is the guy that gave up his own chance at happiness so that you could have yours. I don't think this would bother him in the slightest. Being unhappy is probably the exact opposite of what he wants for you." Lavinia shook her head.

"They look so happy, though." Vali continued to look at the two.

It was heartbreaking to just stand there and watch as the man she loved got affectionate with someone else. So, this was what Issei felt back then?

"I swear, it's like watching a teen drama. So much angst." Lavinia sighed.

"Hey!" Vali exclaimed indignantly.

"That's always been your problem. Stop holding back. Be just a bit selfish for once." Lavinia patted her head before gently nudging her forward.

Vali sighed. Lavinia had a point. Vali wanted to slap herself on the forehead. Just when had she lost sight of herself? Why did love have to drive her so crazy? She bucked up and made her move.

Vali walked next to Issei and wrapped her arms around his. Adelaide took notice of this, frowning slightly before relenting. Yes, neither were as gung-ho as they'd originally seemed.

Soon enough, they'd arrived at their destination, an idol agency.

"Alright, the cover story that we've got is that Issei is our producer and the three of us are in a pop group that's touring the world. We're here for a collaboration event." Vali read a message from Rizevim, her expression growing more annoyed with each word.

"Makes sense." Issei shrugged.

It wasn't surprising since all three of them were bewitching beauties and singers.

"Pop idols from Japan?" Adelaide rubbed her temples.

"Are we in some sort of anime or light novel?" Issei muttered.

"Well, let's get to work." Lavinia ushered everyone forward.

"How're we going to even get any info, anyways?" Vali mumbled.

"I have a few ideas." Lavinia raised a finger.

"What kind?"

"We bug their stuff." Lavinia grinned.

"With?" Issei rolled his hands in a gesture.

"These." Lavinia handed Issei little stickers.

"Magic stickers I developed. They can trace magic waves and neutralize them. Azazel was worried that the Novella Caelum would try to manipulate the masses with incognito brainwashing and magic. If my tags pick them up, then I'll know. Also, Issei, since you're our manager, I took the liberty of compiling this list for you." She handed him a paper.

Vali was silent for a few moments before she nodded, formulating a plan.

"While we're keeping everyone busy, you'll scout the computers, find connections between the business and its network with the people on that list. If you can, try and dig deeper around the building. There might be some sort of secret room or something." Vali said.

"Ain't that kinda cliché?" Issei muttered.

"Hey, if it's cliché, that means it works." Vali shrugged.

"Right, let's get to work." Issei nodded.

Issei had to change his entire hairdo and eye color for this job, sweeping his hair back and making his eyes look green with glasses over them. The same went for the others, having changed their hair and eye colors.

"Hello, welcome to Star Chaser Inc, how may I help you?" The receptionist greeted them with a pleasant smile.

"Hi, I'm Sho Hanafuda. I'm with Ritis Inc. I'm here for the joint event." Issei lied.

He was so thankful Serafall gave him all the info they needed for this mission. She even went so far as to fabricate a background for them with her media connections.

'She's quite useful, unlike Falbium. Lazy prick.' Rexis scoffed.

The process to get set up was relatively quick, with Lavinia, Vali, and Adelaide changing into their idol outfits. Issei wasn't gonna lie, he was looking forward to seeing the two silver-haired in idol getups.

'Creepy perv.' Rexis snorted.

'Like you can judge.' Issei's brow twitched.

Inside their changing room, which was procured thanks to Sitri connections, the three went over the plan.

"Issei should be sneaking around, planting my stickers around the place. The Alliance also imported special equipment that'll help us sniff out who's using magic to manipulate people." Lavinia noted.

"Then that means we'll have to try and attract as many people as we can so Issei has a better time." Adelaide nodded.

"Still, isn't it gonna be obvious that the enemy will know we're here? I feel like our stealth mission isn't really stealthy." Vali pondered out loud.

"True. However, sometimes people will be so focused on why we're here that they'll be running all over themselves to try and figure out what's going on. It's not the first time we've done this." Lavinia chuckled, remembering her previous missions with Vali.

"True. Still, trouble tends to find Issei." Vali paused.

"It's par for the course. The best we can do is give our best help." Adelaide nodded.

Despite her and Issei's testimonies that Adelaide was innocent, Vali just couldn't shake off that slight paranoia. Anyone could lie and even the most kind people could be the most evil. Just what was her grandfather thinking, sending her along with them on a mission together? What was to stop Adelaide from taking or killing Issei?

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Vali asked.

"We do some magic of our own." Adelaide suggested.

"Huh?"

"We do something that they just won't be able to take their eyes off of." Adelaide smirked.

"Oh my…" Lavinia realized where she was getting at.

Vali instantly knew she wasn't going to like this.

When they exited the changing room and toward the backstage of the event, they found Issei checking equipment.

"So, everything ready for the show?" Lavinia asked.

"Ye-…"

Issei raised a brow as his mouth slightly fell agape.

'Those skirts are so short and those clothes are so tight…'

The three ladies were wearing uniforms that looked akin to cop outfits, complete with skirts that barely reached mid-thigh. Their tops were so tight that Issei wondered if they were having trouble breathing, which did little to hide the size of their busts. He didn't even need to mention their bare midriffs.

'You're drooling, pervert.' Rexis coughed.

"We'll be able to buy you some more time and less attention with these clothes. Make it count, please." Vali shielded her red face with her hat.

Her furrowed embarrassed brows, her teary eyes, and her red cheeks...Issei was entranced.

'Go on the attack, Vali. You can't lose out to Adelaide.' Albion goaded her on.

"H-How do I look?" Vali asked.

"If only we weren't in public." Issei answered.

Vali practically had steam puffing from her head after that response.

"As planned, I'll go and make sure everything's running smoothly and I'll make sure you've got all you need. Let me know if you need anything." Issei cleared his throat.

"Don't be gone for too long. You might miss the best part of the show." Adelaide winked, slightly lifting her skirt.

Issei's red face made her chuckle. Even Vali smirked at Issei's lost composure.

"We should start. Keep them as busy as long as you can." Issei resumed a stoic exterior.


As soon as the three got on stage, Issei went right back into the Star Chaser building. He snuck around, using a spell that would make a map of the building for him, courtesy of Lefay and Kuroka.

Finding a computer in one of the offices, Issei sat down and started digging through staff members, idols, groups, clients, candidates, and leads from their databases. Sometimes, Issei wondered if Azazel was real from the magic side. His understanding of technology was so thorough with all the gadgets he provided.

'Would be a lot easier if we had magitech.' Issei muttered.

Unfortunately, there wasn't too much information for Issei to find. However, Issei had accomplished the mission. He'd found several members matching the ones listed on the paper Lavinia gave him, proving some connections to the Novella Caelum. It actually worried Issei to see that there were traitors amongst the Alliance. It wasn't something he'd ever denied, but he didn't want to start getting paranoid.

After erasing his tracks, Issei made his way back to the stage, even buying some drinks on the way to keep up a front. Suddenly, Issei paused as he passed by another venue. He felt a chill in the air.

'You feel that too?' Issei asked Rexis.

'It's gotta be a trap.' Rexis agreed.

There was no reason for them to only sense this feeling after passing by this door. Someone wanted them to enter.

'Spring it?'

'Might as well not beat around the bush.' Rexis snickered.

"Found a lead that's off. I'm going to check it out before it gets away." Issei alerted Vali and the others before going on alone.

Following the trail of that cold presence he felt, Issei couldn't make heads or tails of it. It felt new to him. He went through countless doors that seem to go further and further underground.

'Yep. Classic evil organization move.' Issei kept descending down the stairs that spiraled underground.

At last, he arrived in front of a large metal door. On it, were several magic symbols and runes that were meant to protect it from intrusion. Issei summoned his gauntlets, barraging the door with punches and kicks. When the door was dented enough, he ripped it apart.

Greeted with a dark room, Issei felt something odd. He felt presences, life forces within the room that kept fading in and out. He looked around and found that the room was abandoned, probably recently. He saw suits of armor lining the room, with sheets of formulas and notes on desks. Grabbing all that he could, Issei swept the room, finding not a single enemy, with most of the information in the room being lost.

"I-I-…Sei…"

Issei couldn't hear Vali's message due to some sort of interference.

(Metroid Prime OST – Meta Ridley. Play Song)

Suddenly, rising from the floor, were glowing spheres that Issei recognized from the memories of past lives.

"Souls?"

Issei was appalled, flabbergasted. Throughout his many lives, soul magic was made a lost magic. In this day and age, very few still knew how to use it, aside from deities and very powerful entities.

The souls floated in midair before imbuing themselves into the suits of grey armor that Issei recognized to be similar to the machines that the Novella Caelum deployed. Issei formed swords in his hands as they engaged him.

Ducking under the swing of one, Issei was surprised to see one form a magic blade from its arms. Dodging, a blast of magic narrowly missed his ear, as he bisected the Magitech Armor that fired the shot. Issei blocked a kick from another as two more came at him from behind. Spinning around, Issei sent them crashing into the walls with a massive sword.

Catching a fist from one Armor, Issei chopped it off with his gauntlet before kicking another away. He backflipped, narrowly dodging a shot from a Magitech Armor. Issei spun around, kicking away at one enemy before flipping, kicking it into the ceiling. Issei whipped around, blasting another armor backwards with mana.

Crossing his arms, Issei blocked chops from four Magitech Armors. Issei threw his arms to the side, letting out a small shockwave that disabled the Armors.

Forming another set of swords, Issei swung around deflecting shots while cutting at the Magitech Armors. Much to his chagrin, they had magic shields, making his job a tiny bit harder.

Issei kneed one in the midsection, ripping the Armor in half with both hands before tossing the parts into two other Armors.

Before long, Issei had finished off the remaining suits of Magitech Armor.

(Metroid Prime OST – Meta Ridley. End Song)

This fight concerned him. These Armors were much stronger than the ones he'd fought previously. To think the enemy had improved their machines of war so much so quickly, it was troubling.

Issei was again greeted by another unwelcome surprise. Appearing behind him was a projection.

"It is an honor to witness you in action, Bahamut."

Issei turned around to see a cloaked figure. It was Irae, the leader of Novella Caelum. Irae clapped, almost mockingly.

"Preparing for war?" Issei asked.

"Maybe, maybe not. It depends on what your leaders do. I'm here for a different reason. I'm here to offer a hand. I know you saw my speech that day. My offer still stands, Lord Bahamut." Irae spread his arms welcomingly.

"Why're you so fixated on the past?" Issei asked.

"Because there're things there that we can't succeed without. Think about what I said that day. We could improve life for everyone. No more hiding in the shadows for the supernatural. No more fear of the supernatural. What we want is for things to be how they were, to the days when we were aware of everything."

"You say that, but how come you've got weapons of war? Why attack where innocent people are?" Issei asked.

"That isn't actually the case, Lord Bahamut. You know how people have connections everywhere. That island had claws of the Alliance sunken into it already. Those claws belonged to the less-than-savory factions of the Alliance. Let me ask you, have you ever considered that there are people simply biding their time to take the Alliance?" Irae folded his hands, waiting for a response from Issei.

He was only met with silence.

"Lord Bahamut, the Alliance isn't as pure and heroic as you think. I don't blame you for thinking otherwise, but complacency is not a virtue. There are people in that organization who're only in it for their own agendas until their time arrives. Even then, the gods aren't really our allies. We're just toys and cattle to them. We've been slaves since day one. Is it so wrong to want to be more? To be in control of our own fate without the influence of gods?" Irae shook his head, as if disappointed.

"Still, I don't agree with your methods. Brainwashing people, opening your first steps with weapons and declaring war. Who do you think you're fooling?" Issei glared at Irae.

"I merely stated my goal. People took my words as a threat as I expected and I'm ready for them. It's as I said, I declared war on people who merely wanted it for discord's sake. You have gods of war in that Alliance, who relish what's happening. I'm not so foolish as to just sit and wait for them to cause something on their own terms. As for my methods, such as the idol business, people will need hope. It's a no-brainer to understand that the gods will never let things change and go out of their influence. Blood will be spilled sooner or later. The people who are unaware will be afraid. We want to alleviate it to whatever extent we can when the war comes." Irae responded patiently.

"Even so, I refuse. The past is supposed to teach us things. We're not supposed to cling to them." Issei stepped back.

"Are you sure? Let me ask you another thing, then. Are you so sure that that woman who's with you, Adelaide, I believe, is really your friend? I know that you, like many of us who remember the First Galaxy, have blanks in our recollections. Hasn't it crossed your mind that there're secrets there that someone doesn't want us knowing about? How do you know that she hasn't brainwashed you, swayed you so that you'll keep her close? I don't believe you're a mind-reader, Lord Bahamut. I admire your willingness to believe in people's better nature, but do not remain naïve forever. It just might come back to bite you horribly." Irae spoke with so much disappointment that Issei couldn't help but be annoyed.

"I'll come to that bridge on my own. Frankly, I have no reason to trust you or anything you say. Worship is a tool for hope but it's also a tool for manipulation. You can sweeten your words and appeal to reason, but the same logic you're spewing applies to you too." Issei responded.

Irae sighed.

"Then we're at an impasse. As you will not believe me, then we have no reason to continue speaking today. In the future, I hope you'll change your mind. For now, I'll take no further action. I merely wanted to offer what I did today and perhaps shake you out of your own stubbornness." Irae's projection abruptly ended, leaving Issei alone with his thoughts.

Issei grit his teeth in annoyance. As much as he hated it, Irae had a point. He'd pointed out thoughts that Issei had also thought of before. He just didn't want to give way to paranoia. Was Adelaide truly free of Vetrazin's influence? Was she part of some trap from the Void? Was the Alliance as heroic as they proclaimed? Was everything till now a lie? Everything had blitzed him so fast in the past few months that he'd really had no idea of who to trust anymore.

'No, I can't start doubting the others or myself. That's how paranoia screws everything up.' Issei groaned.

He returned to the stage to find that Vali, Adelaide, and Lavinia were still performing. He shelved his troubled thoughts, resuming his smile. They were singing an upbeat song that seemed to have an unintended effect. Issei could sense that there was some sort of magic at work, raising spirits. Was it because both Vali and Adelaide were singing?

When he made eye-contact with Vali and Adelaide, they smiled at him, winking, causing him to blush as they blew kisses at him. That certainly made him blush like a schoolboy who got a wink from his crush.

Issei took a look around and noticed that they'd practically wrapped the crowd around their finger. He was pretty sure that if Vali, Adelaide, or Lavinia told them to bark like seals and backflip, they would. The idol business was scary. No wonder the Novella Caelum saw it as a tool.

Issei wasn't going to lie, he was a bit entranced too. The two loves of his lives were singing in provocative idol clothes and even winking and blowing kisses at him.

'You know, I'm surprised you haven't hit any home runs yet.' Rexis laughed.

'If the Novella Caelum hadn't interrupted Adelaide's plans that night, I'm pretty sure we would've gone all the way. I mean, she did have all those XXX toys in her closet.' Issei mused on what could've happened that night.


After the performance was over, Adelaide, Vali, and Lavinia immediately went to their changing room.

"You know, despite it being fake, it was kinda fun being an idol for a few hours." Adelaide grinned to herself.

"Oh?" Lavinia was amused.

"When I was growing up, things were pretty lonely. My parents were rarely home due to work, so I was often alone unless my grandparents were around. When they passed away along with my parents, my aunt and uncle took me in and raised me like their own daughter. Then, they died too." Adelaide trailed off.

Vali found it hard to comment with such heavy statements. It appealed to that sympathetic part of her, something she wasn't too keen on allowing. Even so, she wasn't one to trample on people's experiences out of malice.

"So, you're a lot like Issei." Vali finally spoke up as she put her original clothes on.

"Yeah, in a way. The difference is that at least I got to spend quality time with my family. Issei only had two people. That's why I wanted to protect him. He's suffered enough." Adelaide looked at Vali directly in the eye.

'It's so serious and tense.' Lavinia was at a loss as to what to say or do as she put her clothes on. The atmosphere in the room had changed so much with just a few sentences.

She'd heard stories from Vali, but she wasn't in the know with all the more sensitive things.

"Yeah, I know how you feel." Vali nodded.

"Tell me, what do you two see in him?" Lavinia asked.

She wanted to help these two girls along. Maybe if they opened up more about a common interest, they'd learn to relax around each other.

"He's kind, patient, gentle, and thoughtful. Sure, he's headstrong, shortsighted and a little self-righteous, but he doesn't do it out of arrogance. In the end, he just wants people safe and smiling." Adelaide recounted.

"He's persistent in what he wants and he never asks for anything. He gives his all and he never hesitates to help. Yeah, he's invasive too and sometimes he's really annoying, but I think it's because he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He only gets invasive because he's so worried about other people and doesn't want people to get hurt like he did." Vali followed up.

The two twins looked at each other, clicking in a moment of agreement. Lavinia nodded in understanding.

"Sounds to me that you two are saying the same thing. If you ask me, I think you two aren't very different." She pointed out as she left the room. She decided to let her sentence spur the two into action. She remembered how things all started for Tobio. All it took was one one bad day to haunt him years into the future. If things kept up, the two girls would tear the other apart if things every built up to a breaking point in the future.

When the door closed, Vali and Adelaide decided they needed to have their talk.

"Let's clear the air." Vali calmly said.

"I have no intentions on giving Issei up." Adelaide came right out.

"Neither do I."

"I don't want to fight any of you, either. I know I did wrong with craziness. However, I didn't want Issei to risk any more harm to himself."

"You kidnapped him and kept him in the dark. I can't just let it pass so easily. You're also part Avitur. How do we know this isn't all a lie?" Vali countered.

"And you're right for that. Still, it doesn't change the fact that he was dying on your watch. If you, the people closest to him, couldn't pick up on that, then was he really safe with you all?" Adelaide reasoned.

Vali bit her lip. That was such a sore spot. With Vali's spiritual link to Adelaide, she knew mentioning Issei's death stung her just as much as it did herself.

"You and I are two halves of Aria. You can sense if I'm lying. Am I?" Adelaide challenged her, raising the tension of the rooms even further.

It was true. Thanks to their connection, the two counterparts could sense certain emotions.

"No, you're not." Vali nodded.

"I know you love him just as much as I do. I know you've had more time with him and have more right to be with him. Still, I won't just fall by the wayside. I'm willing to share him and I know you are too. So, let's shove all this suspicion aside and get this all sorted out. If I betray you or try to hurt Issei, then go ahead and kill me." Adelaide declared.

Vali was slightly taken aback by how serious she was. Adelaide meant every word she said. Vali was silent, weighing words and decisions. There was no denying solid fact. Adelaide meant everything she said. It wasn't going to be easy, but Vali decided to agree.

"Alright. Fine. We'll share Issei and we'll wipe the slate clean." Vali decided.

"Thank you." Adelaide bowed.


While Issei waited for the girls to change, Issei had sent the information he found to Rizevim and Azazel.

"I see. With this list, we'll know who to go after. Good work, Issei."

Before Rizevim and Azazel could leave, Issei had some things to get off his mind.

"So, how come you had Adelaide join us on a mission?" Issei came out with his thoughts.

"Because your team was the most suited. Vali and Adelaide have magical singing ability. Music can be used to influence the minds of others, you being an example of that. So, I figured with their combined ability, they could undo anything that was done to the masses. That, and I wanted ammo for when Vali gets snippy in the future." Rizevim snickered.

Issei wasn't confident in that reason.

"But why with me too? Isn't it too risky?"

"I chose your team's assortment because I believe in you. Issei, do you know how many people wanted to prosecute you just for hosting Bahamut? At first, I was also suspicious. My memory's foggy, but I still have nightmares of what I saw. Still, I decided to have faith because you were just an innocent kid that didn't ask for any of this. Look where we are now." Rizevim smiled.

"I know that you care for Adelaide a lot, probably just as much as you love Vali, but you need to trust me when I say that I'm operating on good faith. I want to give Adelaide the same trust I gave you. Sometimes that trust can save people in the future. As for Lavinia, she was tagged in because I knew that Vali would listen to her if sides started being taken."

Issei sighed. All this uncertainty. It was already starting to get to him.


When the three returned home, Issei was greeted by the sight of the peerage returning. Adelaide, as part of the agreement, returned to her suite back at the Alliance HQ.

"Hey, Lefay." Issei waved at her as he approached.

Lefay smiled, but he noticed that there was some hesitation. Her beaming expression faltered a bit.

"Hey, Issei."

No 'Issei-nii'? That was another oddity. Ever since he'd come back, Lefay hadn't referred to him as such. Now that he thought about it, Lefay's address was less-endearing. Hell, everyone, despite having said that they'd forgiven him, had set up a little bit of distance. He understood why, though.

"Hey, Bikou, how'd your mission go?" Issei turned to the Rook.

"Pretty well. Some labs were developing duplicates of Phoenix Tears." Bikou lightly smiled as he walked away to attend to Kuroka.

Issei scratched his head. Bikou would usually start cracking jokes and telling stories, but he seemed almost a bit too eager to help Kuroka with whatever it was that she was doing.

He entered the Kitchens to find Elaine baking up a batch of cookies with Lianshi and Izalana. Their laughter lowered when he entered. It didn't feel discriminatory or anything, but he knew that it wasn't coincidence, either.

"So, anything interesting happen?" Issei inquired, hoping to start a conversation.

"Not at all." Izalana shook her head.

"We just found counterfeit drugs and Phoenix Tears being made." Lianshi summarized the same response Bikou had given him.

"I see."

Not wanting to push anyone, Issei went to his room.


'I miss the simple days.' He sighed as he sat down.

'What's troubling you so much?' Rexis asked. He already knew the answer, but he figured it would be more cathartic for Issei to just let him speak.

'All this paranoia. Gives me bad vibes. That, and the others.' Issei groaned.

'You noticed too, huh?' Rexis snorted.

'Can't say I blame them.' Issei rubbed his eyes.

Issei had manipulated everyone towards an end goal. It was practically imposed on them and if they resented him, then he didn't blame them. At first, things seemed noble, but in hindsight…it was devious of him. Issei sighed.

'You did what you thought was best for them. Yes, you did manipulate things, but, like you said back then, it's up to them now, whether they want to stick with what happened. I won't say you were wrong or right, but there were boundaries that you overstepped.'

Issei scoffed.

In retrospect, Issei wasn't feeling as happy with his past decisions now that he was living to see the results. At the time, things just seemed right, but now, things seemed so messed up. Was what he worked towards really for the best? Were the others truly happy with what he caused? Were his intentions even good in the first place or was it all just self-gratification?

Issei shook his head.

"Things were so much easier when I was dying."

"That's because you didn't have to worry about the consequences."

Issei chuckled.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting to live this long."

"I can understand the situation, Issei. I was a king. My decisions determined the fate of many people. One wrong move, and things could've gone so wrong or better lives. All of it, was determined by thinking about the best interests of my people. Much like that, your situation was similar. You did the best you could with what you had. Still, sometimes, you pushed too far. However, nobody here's a seer. We can only do the best we can."

"Yeah, I broke their trust. Maybe it's because they're trying to spare my feelings, but I can tell that things aren't like how they used to be. They might never be that way again." Issei sadly noted.

"Yes, that may be the case. All the more reason to earn back their trust and rebuild your bonds. You did some crazy things and it hurt them. I imagine, they feel betrayed that you did so much behind their backs. From an outsider's view, it might be heroic, Issei. To others, it's devious. Even so, it all comes down to perspective." Rexis advised.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Entering was Vali.

"Hey, what's up?" Issei asked, sitting up on his bed.

She sat next to him, looking him in the eyes in silence for several minutes.

"What's wrong?" Issei shrunk back a bit.

"What's upsetting you?" Vali asked.

"What do you mean?" Issei played coy.

(Kingdom Hearts 3 OST – Ventus Theme. Play Song.)

"Issei, I've known you for basically over a year now. Tell me what's going on." She implored.

Issei admitted defeat. He knew Vali wouldn't let the matter go.

"It's how things have changed." He looked at his feet, twiddling his thumbs.

"Changed?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure you've noticed but, the others and I…things aren't the way they used to be."

Vali nodded in understanding. She knew this topic was going to come sooner or later.

"Yeah, I figured."

Vali pursed her lips before speaking.

"I won't sugarcoat things, Issei."

Issei only nodded.

"We were all happy, very happy. We're still happy. When you left, things started to become pretty clear to us that things weren't as they seemed. After watching those video logs, we understand just how deep things ran. Issei, what you did, it's causing a lot of introspection and retrospection. You manipulated our trust. You cheated us. You lied to us. You didn't trust us. You hurt all of us."

Issei's head sunk. Vali gently turned his head towards her.

"Even so, you did it because of the circumstances forced on you. You were dying, that coupled with your human mindset, which is foreign to most of us, influenced you. I know you felt rushed and you couldn't afford to waste time or backtrack. I'm not saying it justifies what you did nor does it paint you as a bad person. Who knows, maybe all that you did was actually for the best. This isn't a black-and-white issue."

"It's just…I was dying. I didn't want everyone to regret anything. I didn't want everyone to lose out on things that they could've enjoyed. I didn't want anyone to experience what I had in past lives. Dying in a ditch, forgotten and alone over and over or regretting so much that your soul felt like shattering… I saw problems and I wanted to help get rid of them. I just wanted to do something for everyone before I died." Issei tried to explain himself.

"And that's fine. It's how you went about it that has everyone so distant and reeling right now. Issei, sometimes, you just care too much, and you get blinded sometimes." Vali gently stroked his face.

Issei fell silent, closing his eyes as Vali held him in an embrace, placing his head on her bosom.

"It's only natural that some problems come up. You were only one person. Don't worry, I'll do my best to help." Vali vowed as she gently stroked his hair.

"I didn't mean to hurt any of you. I just wanted everyone to be happy."

Issei finally understood that his self-righteous and imposed ideals of happiness were far from the actual desire. Maybe he had just been gratuitous. Maybe he'd just been rushing.

"Your intentions were good. To us, a human's life flashes by in the blink of an eye. To you, you saw years of sadness for us. It's a matter of perspective."

"That time that I'd lost, was something I didn't want the others to lose. Maybe it was that human part of me, the part that realized just how short my life was. I've lived so many lives and died in so many gruesome and lonely ways. I'd lived making so many different choices and shared experiences that the others had. I didn't want them to be like me." Issei reaffirmed his thoughts from back then.

"And that's just fine, Issei. However, you need to have faith, Issei." Vali then sighed.

"I can't say for certain, but, I think I know the real problem of why everyone's so distant. I know that at the heart of things, it was your lack of trust that hurt everyone. The manipulations are second fiddle. It's just that everyone's scared to trust you again, only to be hurt the same way for another time. They'd all be willing to die for you. Yet, you didn't trust us to help you. You didn't consider how we'd feel. So, now everyone's scared. They're scared that if they reconnect with you and something were to happen all over again, then it'd hurt even more. That sort of pain is scary, Issei. You know that." Vali gently said.

She knew that he was feeling guilty for his deceit. She knew that he did it out of concern, which was why she said things the way she did.

" When you died, I wanted to die right then and there." Vali softly said.

Issei flinched at that.

"For the others, it was like losing a brother, a very dear brother. We both know how painful loss is. That's something the others are trying to cope with. Excluding Izalana and Elaine, it's the first time someone so close to them has died." Vali stroked Issei's hair.

"I don't know what to do anymore."

"Don't get things wrong, Issei. No one's truly blaming you. They all meant it when they forgave you. Those bad feelings and pain just need time to go away. It doesn't just get swept under the rug. Yeah, we'll say something and actually mean it, but sometimes, we can't help ourselves. That's just how peopel are. Time's not an enemy anymore, Issei. So, give it to them and yourself." Vali tightened her embrace.

She knew that if there was one thing that Issei was vulnerable to, it was loneliness. He'd been alone for so long in so many lifetimes, that he was spurred to do crazy things because of it. It was this fear for others that spurred his greatest qualities but also brought out his flaws.

Vali gently laid Issei down on the bed and embraced him. Seeing how open and vulnerable he was allowing himself to be, Vali desired to support him.

"It's okay now. What's done is done. Let's focus on moving forward with our lives and stop getting dragged down by the past." She soothingly spoke to him.

Issei silently nodded as Vali began to sing a sweet tune for him, lulling him to sleep.

"Sleep now, Issei. You've earned it." Vali gently kissed him on the lips after her song ended.

(Kingdom Hearts 3 OST – Ventus Theme. End Song.)

And that's chapter 63.

I guess I'll just mention now for random reasons. I was also off development for my Highschool DxD stories because I considered writing "Honkai Impact 3rd" stories. However, I decided against it. I promised myself I wouldn't create any new stories unless they were side stories to my already existing ones, like "Grim Herald – Descent" for my "Grim Herald" story.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you next time.