BOLD - ISSEI SPEAKING

Chapter 12 - A God and A Devil

A Couple Weeks Later

Issei had been doing contracts for Rias and had been quite successful. Gathering 40 contracts in 2 weeks is unheard of for a devil. Well- he's not a devil, but it's ridiculous.

Raynare would get angry whenever Issei would go anywhere near Rias or do anything for her. Issei's attraction towards Rias built, but he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He was scared of being abandoned again. Well, he always had Ray by his side, but he was just scared of rejection.

Raynare, on the other hand, knew that loving more than just her was inevitable, and that she would have to live with it.

Flashback - End

After School - Occult Research Club

"Buchou, I'm going to go do some training, please excuse me for the day. See you, Ray!"

"Issei, why can't you ever spend an afternoon with just me…" Ray begged

"I'm currently trying to achieve something…"

"Can we come?" Rias asked.

"Sorry Rias, this is private…"

"Fine..."

"Next time though."

"You said that last time!" Ray sneered.

Underworld - Tannin's Quarters

"Issei. Focus on your breathing. Focus on yourself." Tannin commanded.

Issei, sitting on the floor in a meditating pose, focused. He stopped the flow around him, only thinking about himself. He went further and further into his thoughts, trying to pull himself together. Thoughts of his parents plastered the walls of his mind, but he ignored it, until the memory of him reading that letter popped up. Issei's face tensed.

Tannin's quarters was a darkly lit room, with an archway at the entry. Dark Cobblestone comprised the floors, wall, and ceilings. It was a hole in the side of a mountain with dragons flying by extremely often.

"Right there! Stop right there, and tell me what you see." Tannin, once again, commanded.

"I see… a letter. An infirmary. This is where I was when I met you."

"Now, focus on that. Go deeper, but remember the simple fact that you're grown up. You're not 5 years old. The hate you harbor is what makes you so fixated on them."

Issei's eyes widened, as it struck him. Tannin's words actually made sense. More than just sense.

'What the hell was I thinking? I was just a kid, but I'm a grown man, and I haven't seen them for years. I don't need them! It doesn't matter who they were. I shouldn't care anymore. All I want is… freedom!'

"Issei! Why did you break your concentration!"

"Thank you, Tannin…"

"Issei, back to medi-"

Issei's power erupted into a golden aura surrounding him. It was his light ability. Tannin covered his eyes due to the blinding light. This power was nothing like before. It was far, far greater. In many senses, Tannin had never seen or felt this kind of power before.

The whole underworld shook.

As the light died down into a warm gold aura surrounding Issei, Tannin stared in shock.

"Issei… What is this power?"

"Well, when you told me about how they shouldn't matter to me anymore, and how I have to let it go if I want to be free. I guess it worked!"

"I don't feel your mother or father's energy… This is your true power!"

Issei turned around and looked outside the archway. Thousands of dragons kneeled, as he looked down towards the base of the mountain.

"They're yours now, Dragon God."

"Wha- Tannin, what are you talking about?"

Issei turned towards Tannin in total confusion. What was this all about?

"Of course Ophis and Great Red are considered Dragon Gods, your name will be…"

"The Dragon God!" Tannin roared for the whole underworld to hear.

Issei's face was flush red, as he once again looked towards the crowd of Dragons.

They were chanting "Dragon God! Dragon God! Dragon God!" So loud, the whole underworld could hear.

"Tannin, why?"

"I've achieved my goal. Although I couldn't have ever matched you in power, the student has now become the master."

"Tannin… you were more than just a master… You are my father. The only one I acknowledge!"

"You're finally free… my son" Tannin muttered as he flushed out a warm smile towards Issei. Issei wore a bright smile, ecstatic Tannin called him his son.

"Tannin, I can't live here in the underworld to train and command them. I want it to still be up to you to rule this land."

"I know. I will rule here when you're not here. Also, there is one more thing."

"What?"

"This throne behind me… is yours."

"Dude… that thing's huge, I don't just regularly assume a dragon form, hell, I don't even have one."

"Well, have you tried turning into a dragon since you awakened?"

"No…"

"Go outside and show your kingdom who you are!"

"Alright, I can't promise anything though."

"I know you can do it."

Issei brought out his Golden Draconic wings. They were a bit different. The gold was a much warmer gold, and instead of them being normal dragon wings, they had a clean, mature frame along with much darker steel-looking wings. Issei didn't even see it himself. Tannin, though, had an even bigger smile than before.

'Issei… you've really grown up.'

Issei took to the skies, like a beam of light protruding from the Purple Skied underworld.

All of the dragons below continued their chant, but far louder.

Issei felt confidence coursing through him. Between his power up, Tannin's words, and everyone chanting his name, he felt like a true dragon. He had never been this way since his so-called "parents" abandoned him.

"I, Issei, am the dragon who will overcome the mightiest! I will punish the infinite and wake up the dreamer! I will lead my people down the path of the Dragon, as the one and only Dragon God!"

Issei roared, as his whole body enveloped into light. The whole crowd began roaring in response, as their cheers continued.

The light grew and grew. It wasn't blinding though. For some reason, it seemed like it was calling to be looked at.

It continued growing as the crowd, along with Tannin's jaws dropped. Silence filled the air, as the light kept growing.

The light suddenly broke off, creating an energy wave that surged throughout the Underworld.

A 200 ft Dragon stood in the light's place. It had Golden scales, Golden Wing Frame with Darksteel Wings. It was larger than Great Red, and was far more glamorous and elegant, yet it showed an untouchable and ferocious sharpness.

The silence stood for 10 seconds, jaws dropped across the crowd.

"Issei… you really…" Tannin muttered.

The crowd roared in response.

Issei looked down to see his claws and dragon legs. 'Damn, I really did it…'

"Dragon God! Dragon God!" The crowd continuously roared.

'It feels like… I can hold this form endlessly… Wow…Like it's my true self.'

Issei turned back into his human form, and his eyes glistened an even brighter gold. He was floating above all the chanting dragons with his draconic wings. He then remembered something. He used to have gold highlights in his hair. He hid them in order to be 'normal', but who cared anymore. The tips of Issei's hair became a warm, glistening gold.

"Thank you everyone! I would like to keep my identity hidden for a while, but I'd love for you to spread the name 'Dragon God', but do not reveal my identity! I have a feeling that summoning circles from all the mythologies are about to appear, so I will take my leave."

The crowd continued to chant "Dragon God!" as Issei created a summoning circle and vanished.

'He really has grown up'...

100s of summoning circles opened, surrounding the dragons. They had countless different crests, but the Dragons kept shouting, "Dragon God".

Emerging from the summoning circles were Sirzechs and Grayfia, Azazel, Mikel and Gabriel, and most Gods from the other mythologies.

They looked around and saw the dragons chanting, and were a little off put.

Sirzechs was the first to notice Tannin looking from his quarters glaring at him.

Grayfia created another summoning circle, bringing herself and Sirzechs over to Tannin.

"Tannin, I'll cut right to the chase. What was that energy wave, and who is this new Dragon God?" Sirzechs started.

"Well, I'll tell you a few things, but leave me alone after, ok?"

"Tannin, we own this land, we will do what we want here."

"I guess there is no avoiding it then… There is a new Dragon God, but he's not just a Dragon God, he's THE Dragon God. He is stronger than Great Red and Ophis, and his divine power will restore our faction to its former glory."

"Tell us the identity of this Dragon. NOW!"

"I'd rather die than tell you."

"Then perhaps I'll force it out of your dragon friends?"

"They won't tell you either. The Dragon God declared he didn't want his name known, and as their ruler, they'd die before telling you anything."

"...Understood. We shall leave you for now, but this will not be the end. We will find the identity of this Dragon God, I'll bet my life on it." Sirzechs roared and chilled Tannin's spine.

Tannin wouldn't lie, he was scared shitless. He is tremendously strong, but nowhere near the power of Sirzechs.

Sirzechs walked out of the arch, and glared at all of the Dragons. When Sirzechs walked out, they all roared in disgust. "Leave us, Devil!" could be heard across the crowd.

All of the other factions looked at the Sirzechs, and they understood. Every single one created a magic circle and left.

After everyone left, they held the largest banquet in Dragon History. Great Red and Ophis existed since the dawn of existence, yet Issei just overtook them in the 16 years of life he'd been given.

Issei/Raynare's Apartment - Evening

Raynare was in the kitchen, learning how to cook, and totally failed. She was trying to make some soba, but every time she tried making the noodles, they'd come out like rocks, overdone, or tasting horribly.

'Maybe I'll have Issei help me learn later…'

A summoning circle appeared at the center of the living room. Ray quickly turned, summoning her fallen angel wings, only to realize that it was the crest of Gremory that marked the circle.

Coming from the summoning circle rose a frantic Rias. She looked around frantically, until she noticed Raynare cooking.

"Rias! What are you doing in my house?"

"Where is Issei?"

"What?"

"WHERE IS HE?"

"Calm down, I have no idea. What do you, devil, want with my cute Issei."

"Raynare, he's a part of my peerage, so he's mine! I have the responsibility to know where he is at all times!"

"Oh, the nerve! Issei took that piece on his own accord because he didn't want you to feel bad about him being too strong for you!"

"Cut the crap, Rayna-"

A flash of golden light appeared from the bedroom.

"What was that?" Rias yelled."

"I have absolutely no idea!" Raynare sneered back.

The energy they felt was different, unlike one they've ever felt before.

It had a familiar vibe, but it was so different. As Raynare and Rias walked towards the room, Issei suddenly just popped out of the doorway.

"Yo!"

"Issei!"

"That was you? I couldn't sense you."

"Yeah. Anyways, what are you doing here, buchou?"

"I… want to talk to you alone. Raynare, can you leave us alone for a couple minutes?"

"NO WAY IN HE-"

"Ray, if she tries something, I'll make it up to you."

"Why Issei… It's always Buchou this and Buchou that… Why can't we go out sometime?"

"You mean I forgot to tell you about our date tomorrow?"

"WHA-" Ray gasped. That caught her off guard.

"Wha- Da-tomorroo? WHa!" As she began drifting off into ecstacy.

"Well, let's talk, Rias. Ray, could you please just go back to cooking. I can smell the burnt soba from here."

Ray woke up from her wet day dream.

"OH SHIT!" Ray took off to the kitchen, leaving Rias and Issei alone.

"Let's talk in my room." Issei said, directing himself and Rias from the tight, intimate hallway towards the open, moonlit bedroom.

Rias sat down on the unmade bed Issei and Ray slept in.

Silence briefly filled the air.

"So Rias-"

"WHAT DO I DO!?" Rias suddenly cried out. Tears flew from Rias' eyes. She'd never once show herself in such an undignified state towards anyone. Something must have been really wrong for her to be doing this.

"What… are you talking about?"

"I'm… forced into an engagement. It's been set in stone since I've been conceived. The man that I'm engaged to is a vile manwhore who filled his peerage with slutty women that he has sex with whenever he wants!" Rias cried as Issei began to sit down next to her.

"Rias…"

Issei was beyond shocked. Such a beautiful, kind, caring woman being forced with this manbitch? Something was wrong.

There was silence for a bit, as Rias slowly began moving to grip Issei's clothes and cuddle in his chest.

"You've been abandoned before, haven't you? My whole family abandoned me! I said no to this as many times as I possibly could! So… what do I do, Issei? I don't want to talk to anyone else, because I don't think anyone would understand me…"

"Trust me when I say I understand."

Issei ripped Rias out of her embrace.

She looked up at him, and a light red blush could be seen along with twinkling expressive eyes.

"Issei. Please help me."

Issei sighed.

"So when am I going to meet the lucky man?"

"He's coming to the clubroom tomorrow. To be honest… I'm scared."

"Hmmm… Well I have a rough idea as to what you- I mean we should do."

"What do you want to do?"

"Challenge him to a rating game, but make the condition that I fight instead of your peerage, and if I lose, he gets your hand in marriage."

"ISSEI! THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN WIN!"

"Well, I guess I got to take the cat out of the bag as to who I am… and what I've been avoiding telling you. Let's go to the rooftop."

"Why?"

"I want some air," Issei laughed. Rias laughed back, but she blushed a little. Subconsciously, she had started to develop feelings at Issei's goofiness. Normally, he was just shy all the time, but now it feels like Issei's just another student you'd hang out with. It made Rias really happy.

"Forgot, Ray is gonna catch us if we go out the door. Come with me."

"What are you-"

Issei picked Rias up, and held her like a damsel in distress. Rias blushed.

"ISSEI WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" She frantically screamed.

"Oh shit… Ray heard that. This isn't good."

Issei ran towards the window, kicked it open, and jumped out.

"ISSEI, WE'RE GONNA DIE!"

"No we're not." Issei muttered as they began to freefall from 14 stories up. Rias was clinging onto Issei for dear life, praying to her brother that she'd be alright.

Issei then sprouted his Golden Wings. A flash of light gleamed prior to Rias realizing that Issei had dragon wings. A shocked look appeared on her face, but that was quickly washed away by the scream that came when Issei rocketed upwards, like a shooting star.

Issei then slowed down, appeasing the clinging Rias, and slowly landed on the rooftop.

The moonlit and starlit sky was absolutely beautiful in Issei's eyes, but Rias was focused on other things.

"So Ria-"

"YOU WERE ABOUT TO KILL ME!"

"Sorry about that. About my iden-"

"I know. You're a dragon. You could've just told me."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"Huh?"

"If you get shocked just by the fact that I'm a dragon, I don't think I'm going to tell you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well let's say, what I'm about to tell you will likely cause you to fear me, and want nothing to do with me for the rest of your life."

"Issei…No matter what, I promise not to fear you or distance myself from you… Please, I just want to know what's been troubling you."

"Well, I'm just going to put it bluntly."

Silence filled the air, as Rias began holding her breath.

"I, Issei, am the son of-"

CHAPTER END

I JUST DID Y'ALL DIRTY WITH THAT! Now I'm sure y'alls will be coming back.

BTW, Issei is stronger than Great Red + Ophis. He's the ultimate being now.

SORRY ABOUT THE WAIT AND HAPPY NEW YEARS! SCHOOL HAS BEEN KILLING ME, AND I TRIED TO MAKE TIME TO WRITE THIS!

I also wanted to chad Issei up a bit, but I ended up going crazy with it, but I think it was needed. Issei needed to let go of his past, and embrace what he'd been given.

THE Dragon God has now rose!

ALSO THANK Y'ALL FOR THE NICE REVIEWS! THEY MAKE MY DAY SO MUCH BETTER!

EXTRA NOTE:
Sorry for this taking so long! Legit I'm seeing youtubers doing Text-To-Speech vids on this story, with [THE END] in the title, as if I actually ended the series. No: I will not be ending this series, at least anytime soon. It's an outlet for me to express how I'm feeling with characters I love, and there's no reason I should give up something like that.

Also, I wrote this chapter 3 different times, but scrapped it because every time I thought it was ass. Hope y'all understand, and for all y'all YouTubers stealing my shit, IT'S NOT OVER FOR FUCKS SAKES!

Aight, see y'all next time!