Kuoh Town
It's been a week since Issei and the others had faced off against the Fallen Angels at the abandoned church. Issei is currently riding on a bike towards an apartment complex. He walks up to the door where the client lives and knocks on the door.
"Hello? You called for a Devil," said Issei. The door opens slowly to reveal the client.
He looks around Issei's age with short blonde hair, blue eyes, and wears glasses. He's wearing a blue pajama shirt with a red cat design on it and gray sweatpants. He looks at Issei with a tired look.
"You're the Devil right?" The blonde boy asked tiredly. Issei nods.
"Yeah… I'm the Devil you called for," said Issei.
"You couldn't teleport here?" The blonde boy questioned. Issei looks embarrassed.
"Sorry… I'm a new Devil. But I will do my best to fulfill your desires sir," said Issei. The blonde boy stares at him. He opens the door wide.
"Come on in," said the boy. Issei goes inside the apartment and closes the door behind him.
"Take a seat on the couch there, I'm gonna make myself some coffee," said the boy. Issei sits down in a living room in front of a coffee table.
"I'm Issei Hyoudou. Can I have your name sir?" Issei asked. The boy comes in with a cup of coffee.
"Albert Liddell," he said.
"Okay Mr. Liddell, how can I help?" Issei asked.
"Just call me Albert. I'm not old yet," said Albert. He sits down in a chair.
"Okay Albert, what is it you want?" Issei politely asked. Albert took a gulp of coffee.
"Mmm… I love this coffee," Albert said to himself.
"Ummm… Albert," said Issei. Albert looks at him.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot you were there," Issei sweat drops. "You mind answering some questions?" Albert asked.
"Umm, sure… ask away," said Issei, sounding surprised.
"Okay, how's life as a Devil?" Albert asked.
"What?" Issei questioned.
"What's it like being a Devil?" Albert asked again.
"Well… I'm still in high school so it's not too different from human life. Outside of that, I'm new to this Devil work so I'm adjusting to it," said Issei.
"Have you been in the Underworld? Is it all fire and brimstone as they say it is?" Albert asked.
"Um no. I haven't gone to the Underworld yet so I don't know," Issei said.
"What do you do as a new Devil?" Albert asked.
"I've mostly been training. I want to get stronger so I can be of more use to my master," said Issei.
"I see," Albert looks at him intently.
"What's your greatest desire as a Devil?" Albert asked. Issei perk up.
"My greatest dream… is to be a Harem King!" Issei said proudly with stars in his eyes. Albert stares at him blankly.
"Really, why?" Albert tilt his head, confused.
"Why… why not?! Imagine an entire bedroom filled with naked women willing to do whatever you want in bed! You can grab their breast, grope them, fondle them, have them jump up and down, truly a man's paradise!" Issei said with sparkles in his eyes.
"Not for me," Albert snapped Issei out of his fantasies. "That sounds like too much work for me," said Albert.
"But why?! What sane man wouldn't want a bunch of women to be loyal to him?!" Issei asked, sounding shocked.
"I wouldn't, I don't have the energy to waste on a bunch of girls… besides, I'm more of a one woman kind of guy," said Albert as he looks off to the side. He smiles a bit, surprising Issei as it's the only form of emotion shown on Albert's face.
"Okay, that's all. You can go now," Albert said. Issei's eyes widened.
"Really?!" He said, shocked.
"Yeah, you made for good company," said Albert.
"Okay," Issei stands up and brings out the contract. "I just need you to-" Albert lifts his hand up and a magic circle lit up underneath Issei and he disappeared.
"That was fun while it lasted. Next comes the hard part. What a pain," said Albert while he sips his coffee.
"-sign this. Wait… HUH?!" Issei looks around his area to find himself in the Occult Research school building. "How did I get here?!"
"Issei, is that you in there?" A young woman's voice said through the door. She walks in to reveal herself to be Rias Gremory, followed by her Queen Akeno Himejima, and Asia Argento, her newest Bishop.
"President?!" Issei said in shock.
"Issei, what are you doing here? I thought you left for the client's home?" Rias asked in confusion.
"I don't know how I got here. One second I was talking to the client, and then the next I was here. What happened?" Issei said, sounding equally confused.
"Okay… let's retrace back a minute here. Akeno, can you make us some tea?" Rias said.
"Of course President," said Akeno. After the tea was made, everyone sat down.
"Okay Issei, explain to us what happened from the beginning," Rias ordered.
"Alright, I got up to the client's apartment and knocked on the door. He opens up and then let's me in," Issei explains.
"Did the client seem strange to you?" Rias asked.
"Well… he felt like he was very tired and he was a little out of it," Issei said.
"Tired? Okay, what happened next?"
"I walked in and took a seat on his couch and then he asked me some random questions like I was being interviewed," said Issei.
"About what?" Rias questioned.
"About my life as a Devil and if I'd gone to the Underworld. I told him I was inexperienced and I didn't go to the Underworld. Then he asked me about what my dreams for the future are," Issei said.
"Okay, what happened next?" Rias asked.
"After that, he said that he was done with me and said to leave. I was about to give him the contract and then, I'm back here," said Issei.
"I see. Did you get the name of the client?" Rias asked as she was about to drink her tea.
"Oh yeah… he said his name was Albert Liddell," said Issei. Rias drops her tea in shock and Akeno's eyes widened.
"Issei… did you say Albert Liddell?" Rias asked slowly.
"Uh, yeah I did. Why?" Issei questioned. Rias stands up immediately.
"Akeno, get Yuuto and Koneko, and go to the apartment immediately!" Rias ordered.
"Yes President," said Akeno. A magic circle appears beneath Akeno and she teleport.
"Um President… what's happened?" Asia asked, sounding worried.
"It's nothing to worry about. But we need to move fast or else we might lose him," said Rias.
"Why?! Who is this guy?!" Issei asked.
"I'll explain later. But we need to catch him as soon as possible. Come here, Issei." Issei and Asia move closer to Rias. "We're going to the apartment you came from Issei." Rias explains.
""Okay!"" Both Issei and Asia said. They teleport using a summon circle to arrive at the apartment complex.
"Is this the apartment building you left from Issei?" Rias asked for confirmation.
"Yeah this is the place," Issei confirms. Rias looks up at the building.
"He's here, I can feel his magical energy inside," said Rias. A minute later, Akeno, Yuuto, and Koneko arrived in a magic circle.
"We're here President," said Akeno.
"Good, everyone's here. In this apartment complex is the Sin of Sloth, Albert Liddell," said Rias, surprising Koneko and Yuuto.
"'Sin of Sloth'?" Issei repeated.
"I promise to explain later, but right now we need to get in position. Akeno, create a barrier to prevent him from leaving," Rias ordered.
"Yes President." Akeno flies in the air and creates a large barrier around the apartment complex.
"Everyone, move in," Rias orders. Everyone rushes up the stairs to the apartment where Albert is in. They made it in the apartment to find Albert still sitting drinking his coffee.
"Good to see you again Red," said Albert in a tired tone. Rias walks in front of Albert with her arms crossed.
"Albert Liddell, by order of the Devil King Lucifer, you are to return to the Underworld immediately," said Rias.
"No thanks, that sounds like a hassle," said Albert as he drinks his coffee.
"I wasn't making a suggestion Albert." Rias grabs his arm, only to phase through it. "What?!" Rias said, shocked. Issei and Asia looked surprised.
"Sorry, you're speaking to an illusion. I left five minutes just before you arrived," said Albert. Rias doesn't look pleased.
"Where are you?" Rias asked.
"Here, there, anywhere or everywhere. I'm wherever I'm ordered to go," said Albert cryptically.
"So you're here under her orders then," said Rias. Issei and Asia look confused.
"Yep," Albert nods his head.
"Where is she Albert?" Rias demanded.
"She's not here Red. She just ordered me to examine the new Red Dragon Emperor. You have a lot of work to do before he could reach her expectations Red," said Albert while he drinks his coffee. Rias walks in front of Albert.
"Albert, tell me where she is." Albert said nothing. "Please, I just want to know if she's alright," pleaded Rias with tears in her eyes. Albert stares at her.
"Look under the table," said Albert.
"Under the table? What are you-" Albert disappears afterwards. Rias looks underneath the coffee table to see a letter taped to it. The letter has the Gremory sigil in the center.
"What happened President?" Issei asked. Rias opens the letter. After a minute of reading it, she smiles sadly.
"Let's go back. No point in staying here," ordered Rias.
They left the apartment complex through a magic circle and arrived inside the Occult Research club house. They're all sitting down.
"President, can you explain what just happened. Who was that guy?" Issei asked.
"Oh right. I said I was going to explain this," said Rias. "His name is Albert Liddell, the Deadly Sin of Sloth."
"The Deadly Sin of Sloth? Why is he called that?" Asia asked, sounding curious.
"In the Underworld, there is a group of powerful young Devils known as the Seven Deadly Sins. They got that name not only because they have committed crimes that correspond to the sins, but their sins also reflect their personalities." Rias stands up and opens a drawer from her desk and pulls out several pictures. She walks towards the table, then places one on the table in front of Issei and Asia.
"You already met Albert Liddell. He's known as the Owl Sin of Sloth. He possesses a Sacred Gear called the 'Dreamer's Gaze', which gives him the ability to create convincing illusions to where you can't tell which is real or fake." Rias shows a picture of Albert dressed in a short sleeve white shirt, blue pants, and black shoes. The only difference was he wasn't wearing glasses and his eyes were purple.
"Hey! His eyes are a different color!?" Issei said shocked.
"That's his Sacred Gear, it resides in his eyes," Rias explained.
"Here are the others. This is the Hound Sin of Envy, Emil Tepes. He's a dhampir from the Tepes family with incredible swordsmanship skills." The picture shows an angry looking young man who was 5' 8" tall with very pale skin, long black hair, red eyes and pointed ears holding a sword in his left hand. He wears a black long sleeve leather jacket with two coattails, a white shirt, black cargo pants, and black boots. Strapped to the right side of his hip was a knife.
"A dhampir?" Asia questioned.
"Yes, that means his part vampire," said Rias, surprising Issei and Asia.
"This is the Crow Sin of Greed, Aaron Lebeau. He is skilled in both fighting and magic, which makes him a very unpredictable opponent," The picture shows a 5' 11" tall young man giving a cocky smile with blue eyes, wearing a monocle over his left eye. He wears a top hat over his black hair, a black cape over a suit, black pants, and black dress shoes. In his hand was a cane with a blue jewel on the handle.
"Why is he dressed like that?" Issei asked.
"Aaron has a flare for the dramatics, he doesn't take things too seriously. But don't let that fool you, he's a dangerous foe to fight against," said Rias while she shakes her head.
"This is the Locust Sin of Gluttony, Peter Haggard. Like Aaron, Peter specializes in magic, but he also supports the other Sins with being the team's healer." The picture shows a smiling kid who was hovering in the air. He was 4' 9" tall with short green hair, brown eyes and pale skin. He wears a dark green shirt with a tree design in the center, brown shorts, and green shoes.
"He looks young, President. Is he really a member of the Seven Deadly Sins?" Asia asked.
"Yes he is, but don't underestimate him. He has incredible magical powers that can shape entire landscapes," said Rias.
"This is the Bull Sin of Wrath, Ivor Griffin. He's a gifted swordsman with a very unique ability." The picture shows a five foot tall boy dressed in tight leather armor that shows off his muscular physique, grinning with a thumbs up. He has short snow white hair and blue eyes. In his left hand was a sword that was more than half his height.
"What ability does he have?" Issei questioned.
"He can turn himself invisible," explained Rias.
"He turns invisible?!" Issei shouted.
"Yes, Also if you value your life Issei, you better not make him angry," Rias warns. Issei started crying.
"That's so unfair, having such an ability which gives you so many options. Life is so unfair," Issei weep. Everyone sweatdrop at him.
"Pervert…" said Koneko.
"Moving on… this is the Swan Sin of Lust, Lance Dudley." The picture shows a 5' 11" young man with long black hair and blue eyes. His face is somewhat more feminine. He wears heavy-looking black armor with a sword in his right hand and a helmet in his left.
"He looks like a knight President," said Asia.
"That's because he is, he's the descendant of Lancelot du Lac, the greatest knight of King Arthur's round table," said Rias. Kiba frowns at that.
"Seriously?!" Issei said shocked.
"Yes he is. In addition to being the most skilled fighter of the group, he's also a very skilled tactician and is the second in command of the Seven Deadly Sins." Rias places another photo on the table.
"And last but not least is the Liger Sin of Pride, Friedrich Steinmann. The strongest member of the Seven Deadly Sins." The picture shows a muscular eight foot tall man wearing no shirt, metal gauntlets, shredded brown pants, and brown boots. He has short black hair and forest green eyes. He has a murderous smile on his face, and his skin is bright red with veins on his arms bulging out.
"That man looks scary President," Asia whimpered.
"Seriously, that guy looks like a monster," said Issei.
"Yes he is. And his monstrous size coupled with his incredible physical strength makes him the most powerful member of Seven Deadly Sins." Rias pulls out another picture and stares at it.
"These seven individuals are some of the most powerful Devils of our generation, and they all serve under the same King," said Rias.
"Really?! Who's their King, President?" Issei asked. Rias sets the last picture in her hand on the table.
The picture shows a red haired young woman sitting down on a throne with the Sins standing next to her. She was 5' 8" tall with a fit voluptuous body with large breasts, wide hips, and flawless skin. She was wearing a long sleeve red shirt, white pants, and black high heeled boots.
"She looks like you Rias," Asia stated.
"Of course she does. She's my sister," said Rias with pride in her voice.
"Twin sister!" Issei said ecstatically.
"That's right. My younger twin sister, Rosa Gremory. King of the Seven Deadly Sins and the strongest Devil of our generation," said Rias.
"The ultimate dream! Twins in every way possible from hair color to body proportions! President, why didn't you introduce us to your sister sooner?!" Issei said.
Rias looks somber and turns her face away.
"What's wrong President? You look really sad?" Asia asked, concerned.
"I wish I could introduce you both to her. But Rosa disappeared over six months ago," said Rias sadly.
"Why? What happened to her?" Issei asked.
"Before she disappeared, Rosa was both respected and feared in Devil society. She not only has a complete peerage of powerful young Devils, but she's also incredibly powerful herself. Many people thought that she could be the future Satan one day. However, she was also a progressive thinker and she wanted to change how things work in the Underworld. Rosa wants to improve the standing of lower class Devils and make their lives a little bit easier," Rias explains.
"Wow, she sounds incredible, President," said Asia wide eyed.
"Yes she is. However, that way of thinking is frowned upon by high class Devils. Rosa made some enemies from them. They tried to marry her off to another Devil to try and control her, but she was always resilient. She challenged all who wanted to marry her and she defeated them effortlessly, which only helped her popularity among the Devils. Then, six months ago, Rosa was the target of an assassination attempt. She survived it, but many people were hurt in the attack, most of them civilians. No one knows who's responsible, but many believe that high class Devil orchestrated it," said Rias.
"That sounds like it makes sense. Nobles didn't like the way she thinks, so one of them tried to get rid of her," said Issei. Rias nods in agreement.
"Yes, however my sister wasn't happy by how many people were hurt in the fighting. She decided that she would look for the perpetrators by herself. Rosa escaped the hospital she was in with the help of her Peerage and left the Underworld without saying goodbye to me or our family," said Rias bitterly.
"Why would she do that President?" Asia asked.
"I don't know, but Rosa always fought for other people's sake. I think Rosa left because she doesn't want anyone innocent to get caught up in her fight," said Rias.
"What was that letter that Albert left for you Rias?" Akeno asked. Rias opens up the letter and recites it.
"'Not a day goes by
that I don't wish you knew how much I love you.
Not a day goes by,
that I don't wish better for you.
My love is like a river - it is like a fountain; it is longing and flowing for you.
No matter what hard times we've been through,
my love has kept on growing for you.
I hope you can see
that it is you I need.
I know we are bound for a higher life,
where we won't bear any more strife.
Yet, in the still of this life,
not a day goes by
that I'm not praying for you
and still loving you.'"
"That was beautiful, President," said Asia with tears in her eyes.
"Rosa always had passion for literature and poetry. She would've been a fantastic writer if she'd committed to it," said Rias.
"Do you have any idea where she could be President?" Issei asked. Rias shakes her head.
"No, that's why I wanted to catch Albert as soon as possible. Whenever one of the Sins is spotted, they always run away because Rosa ordered them not to get captured," Rias explained.
"Why would she do that?" Issei asked.
"I don't know. That's why I have to go to such lengths to catch them, and even then it isn't enough," said Rias, sounding frustrated.
"Well don't worry. I promise to get stronger and help you find your sister. I promise," said Issei.
"I'll do all I can to help out too, President," said Asia. Rias smiles at the two of them.
"Thank you both. We'll find them one of these days, until then we should get back to our duties," said Rias. Everyone nods in agreement.
Safe House
Albert arrives in front of a one-story house in the Underworld. He walks inside to the living room with a mid-sized table in the center. Albert summons a long body pillow, then walks to the table and lays down on it to fall asleep.
"Home sweet home," mumbled Albert.
"Don't go to sleep just yet Albert," a young man's voice spoke up. Albert turns his head and looks at the speaker.
The voice came from a young man in his late teens. His face looks more feminine and has long black hair, blue eyes, and a thin but muscular body. He wears black no sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. On his left ear was an earring of a shield.
"I'm exhausted Lance, can we continue this conversation in the morning?" Albert asked.
"No, now tell me about the new Red Dragon Emperor. Can we use him in any capacity?" Lance asked.
"Fine, the guy won't be able to help us much. He's horribly inexperienced with next to no combat training and has zero magical energy. In fact, he can't even teleport by himself," stated Albert. Lance's tongue clicks.
"That's disappointing. I was hoping that we've gotten a powerful ally on our side," said Lance.
"Yeah, but he doesn't seem like a bad guy. He's kinda entertaining to listen to," stated Albert.
"In what way?" Lance asked.
"He's a massive pervert with dreams of having a harem," said Albert plainly. Lance facepalms at that.
"I'm going to tell Peter to pass along this information to Rosa. You have two hours to sleep Albert, not a second longer," said Lance as he walks away.
Lance leaves to go to his room.
"Finally, peace and quiet…" said Albert before falling into a deep sleep.
Dreamworld
Albert opens his eyes to see a familiar place, his Dreamworld. A special power exclusive to his Dreamer's Gaze which gives the user total control of their dreams. The world was an empty space, but if you look close enough, you could see lines forming into shapes that would only be familiar to the holder of the Dreamer's Gaze. For Albert, he dreams only of one thing.
Albert snaps his fingers and then his clothes change. He now wears his public clothes, his long sleeve shirt over the light colored one, blue pants, and black shoes. The surroundings started to take shape. Grasslands as far as the eye could see were formed. A lone tree was created behind Albert, giving him the perfect amount of shade of the fake sun. A picnic blanket appeared under Albert's feet with red and white checkered patterns. Albert sits down. He sits still for a second before two soft hands grab his shoulders and gently pull him down. He lays down on his side on someone's lap and closes his eyes. They gently rub his head, running their fingers through his blonde hair. Albert looks up to see an illusion of Rosa, dress in a pure white blouse and a blue skirt, smiling at him. He holds her hand. It feels warm and comforting, Albert grips it harder, frowning all the while.
"You were right, living in a fake world does suck. But… it's all I have now," said Albert.
The poem 'Not A Day Goes By' is authored by April M. Dawson
Author Note: I added this last part as an afterthought because I thought this chapter ended a little abruptly. I would appreciate feedback if you would like to keep it or remove it from the story. Thank you.