Volume 1:- The Prodigal Red Dragon Emperor
Life 2:- The Hero Faction
"You underestimate us don't you? Well I wouldn't blame you, humans measuring up to gods? That sounds like a joke isn't it? But believe me it's the truth. Humans are looked down upon, always had and always will be...unless we show them that even the heavens, is not a place that the humans can't reach. Do not insult our determination. After all there is one thing I have always said and I will continue to say- 'Do not underestimate the infinite malice we carry.
So I ask you Issei Hyoudou, the current Red Dragon Emperor, will you stay in the sidelines and hide?
Or
Show them the strength of the weak humans.'"
|Part-1|
"Huh?"
Was the first thing Issei could mutter, daughter of Alexander the Third of Macedonia? Human? Human that lived this long? Did Alexander even have daughter? Hero faction?
Issei was about to wrap his mind around the subject which was suddenly presented before him, when he felt something soft and squishy touching his back.
-The woman was hugging him and he didn't even see her move.
"[Ara~ Ara~] as they say in your tongue, you really smell nice, must be the musk of the dragon? Ooh~ can't control myself when I see a fine specimen such as yourself, you know?"
The first thing that Issei did after the woman's touch was barf physically and distanced himself from her, due to his enhanced senses, which were now a bit more enhanced due to being dragonic in nature, he could smell the woman as well.
"You are disgusting. You smell no you reek of sex...it's almost...no I'm pretty sure you have had sex with ten different men, for the last three days...you didn't even take a bath, no wonder you smell all semen. Please maintain at least ten meters of distance from me, or else I could catch STD's through your aura."
"..."
Both Virgil and Roxana were speechless, the child- the boy so blatantly insulted, a woman, a strong woman who could easily eradicate Issei's existence in Virgil's eyes, who looked over to Roxana...who in return gave a hearty laugh...
"Hahahahahahahahahah...aaaaaaa...my, my never been rejected so badly before, it feels like I'm nineteen all over again, right? Love and rejection stuff like that."
"From the scale of one to ten, with ten being the dumbest you definitely are a nineteen."
Issei once again replied, coolly at that with his stoic expression, which still made Roxana grin.
"Feisty kid, ain't ya? Well, that's more fun, being respected and revered makes me feel old and bored, you know?"
"Who respects you?"
"Hahahahahahaha...Virgil...I like this kid, really do, ah~ Merlin definitely found an interesting kid just like the one [Xuanzang] brought, well as stated earlier I am here to recruit you ahem asking you to join our humble [Hero Faction]!"
Issei, even though kept his stoic expression, furrowed his brows in confusion, what exactly was this woman getting at?
This was something said woman picked up and decided to explain,
"Ahem, listen closely Issei Hyoudou, Merlin has told me about what occurred in your past and just like him, I just want to extend you an offer. Offer to make sure what happen to you, never happens to anyone else. As a child, this might be a little too much for you, but I can sense you have came a long way, you have the highest mana potency in your generation, you have even reached [Balance Breaker] of the Welsh Dragon. You must realize that even among unusual humans, you are far above them."
"Wait. What do you mean by my generation?"
Roxana chuckles, "You didn't think that you would be the only one joining the Heroes did you? There are more, but something, well as much as experienced as I am, I must say you might just be the strongest. Well, the Golden brat, Chinese daft and the Indian dork come too, but you might be a level above them."
Issei wanted to ask who are the people the woman was mentioning, but decided against it, instead asked the question he always wanted to ask Merlin, but failed.
"May, I ask something?"
"Yes, you may."
"You all claim to be heroes, then where all of you were when my town was attacked? When my parents died?" Issei asked as his expression was masked by darkness.
Roxana on the other hand, waited...
"Why aren't you replying?"
"Because it is clear, whatever I say would not quench your anger nor your hate, it would just sound like an excuse to you and frankly, I do not blame you, if I was a child in your shoes and experienced what occurred, I would react the same way."
"Then...then why didn't you come to save us...if you claim yourselves to be heroes?!"
"We cannot be in multiple places together, we tried, but Kuho isn't the only place that needed our attention, there were multiple places, some did not have kids such as you who even though young, saved a girl. It sounds like an excuse, but even so there is no reason for us to not save the people in need, it's just that we didn't make it in time. However, I will say this, it is our fault that we didn't make it, we call ourselves defenders of humanity, but we failed, I was never so distraught and ashamed in my life than I was during that moment. We can't save everyone, which is impossible, something that even you know, however, those who we have saved and those who we will save; we will protect them no matter what.
That is why I ask, with your aid, this will be even easier."
Issei kept quiet, the darkness still masking his face, however his onslaught of questions did not end there,
"The devils were so called saving humans? However I heard devils were the ones who were responsible for the attack? Who was lying? What was all that? Devils attacking devils? Why were they helping humans in the first place, if that was something the job of the heroes?"
Roxana held her chin up, Merlin was right, this boy, Issei Hyoudou got directly to the point, asking the important questions, he must have been wanting to ask these to Merlin, who usually must be leaving by saying 'I'll tell you next time,' or 'When the time is right.' However, Roxana didn't know she would be the one answer this questions.
Explaining what the hero faction does would be even more taxing that this, and she could feel the headache coming, and lying to the boy won't do any good.
-After all no matter how much he hides, she could see the darkness in his eyes.
She must tell him, properly...but making sure he does not end up like Merlin, who blatantly declares he hates the supernatural, the Gods, the angles and the devils should perish, well Merlin does like one devil, but that's due to how similar their nature are.
Also, when it comes to explaining, according to Roxana, Merlin or Da Vinci would have been better, academically she is pretty "dumb", quoted by Da Vinci herself, nevertheless, she was about to try her best to explain to him, what happen on that fateful day.
"Listen, do you know about that [War among the three biblical factions]?"
"Tch. I know all too well."
"Right. —Well, first of all, I'd like to explain what led the devils to this point: the 'Great war' between the three powers. As I'm sure you know, Angels Devils, and Fallen-Angels do not get along very well. From the start, they never got along. —the Devils have been at war with the Fallen-Angels since ancient times. They have been fighting over the possession of the Underworld or rather the Biblical portion of the Underworld, which is also known as "Hell" in the human world. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for Devils and one for Fallen-Angels. The Devils form pacts with humans and receive their sacrifices and increase their strength. The Fallen-Angels, on the other hand, control humans to eliminate Devils. At this point, the Angels come in to destroy these two races on God's orders, which creates the three forces. This has been going on since ancient times."
"Hmph, interesting, but it still doesn't answer my initial question."
"Right…. Essentially, this war was a long and dreadful one. Extreme losses were suffered by every side of the 'Three powers'. Angels, Fallen-Angels, and Devils all suffered devastating casualties. To the point in which the Devils lost all seven of the original great [Maou] leading us and almost went extinct. As a result of these losses, an armistice between the three sides was struck, in order to avoid the outcome of destroying each other completely. —However, the losses suffered by the Devils were much too substantial. A great majority of the Pure-blood Devils were extinguished, and around half of the [72 pillars] went extinct. The devil's race was in jeopardy. This is what lead them to the creation of the [Evil Piece system]."
Roxana was academically "dumb", but this didn't meant the she did not study, she did, however, she might not be a scholar like her peers, however, she did tried her best to properly explain.
Right before Roxana could continue, Issei asked her a question.
"Hoh? So you're saying that this system you're about to explain is the reason behind why the Devil race didn't go extinct? And the reason why they helped humans? Merlin never told me...this stuff."
"Correct. It would seem, Merlin thought of teaching you more about the subjects individually, but since I am here, may not be as grand as him, but let me explain. Some would say it single-handedly saved the devil race; it prevented their extinction."
Issei maintain his stoic explain, expected her to continue.
Roxana sighed lightly, but continued her explanation nonetheless.
"Yes, well, as I was saying…. That is what led to the creation of the 'Evil Piece system'."
Roxana then extended her index figure, and from their using her aura she conjured a chess piece. A pawn piece.
"The Evil Piece system is the Devil reincarnation system which allows Devils to reincarnate humans, and other beings, into becoming Devils, thereby expanding the population of their race. By placing these a certain item infused with power into the body and performing a ritual, it is possible to then reincarnate that being into a Devil. That then makes the Devil who reincarnated them their 'master', and the newly reincarnated Devil becomes the Devil's 'servant'. —These chess pieces are the Evil pieces that the system is based off of. Every High-Class Devil is rewarded with these Evil pieces as a means of starting their own 'peerage'. This is the system which allowed them to avoid extinction."
There was a dark feeling that was being generated through Issei's consciousness; doesn't that mean if someone was at the verge of death, they- the Devil saved them out of their own need rather than the act of charity? To have any one serve under them...then why would they defend an entire town?
The feeling of contradiction was something, Issei always hated; he was still contradicted of what occurred.
Roxana who picked up on this stated,
"Listen Issei, I can clearly see that emotion bubbling inside you and without a doubt I can say many agree with you, with how the devils, or in general the supernatural act, but after the war, they realized just how much damage they had taken and as such, from that moment forward they relied on humans, they knew humans were strong, but once the strong humans receive body of the devils, you know the case. Some reincarnated devils that were once humans, reach the top of the chain too you know, one of them being called as the [Upsetting Sorcerer], Rudiger Rosenkreutz. As such most of the devils have taken somewhat liking to humans."
The certain speech, made Issei look up.
"Yes, Issei, devils hate devils as well..."
|Part-2|
"Fuck, this isn't working, gimme a little time Issei, this shit why does it have to be so fucking hard, dammit."
Roxana cursed she was trying to turn on? A device on her hand, which looked pretty cryptic and was laced with magic circles, according to her it was a teleporting device, which seems to be malfunctioning.
However, Issei wasn't listening to any of that, instead he was processing the information dumped to him currently.
The last war, was not just three factions, the devils were having a civil war as well, of which Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, Serafall Levithan and Falbium Asmodeus the current leaders of the Devil faction were called the heroes against the Old-Maou faction.
Then and there a rift was made the four who seemed to be the heroes of so called the devil faction were also villains for the old-maou faction, as such that day, the fateful day where his city, his family was attacked, people killed all because of a old civil war they did not have a part in.
-The reason being the so called the family of Maou were visiting his town, to send the leader a message they, the old-maou faction wanted to not just kill the family of maou, but the people of the town as well.
That was one of the reason for the devils from the maou's side to come and rescue the humans, most of which being the reincarnated devils.
That wasn't the case, two things no three things clouded his mind.
First one, if the maou originally thought of consequences of what was about to happen, and put a stop to it, the situation would not have escalated this far.
The second one, if the so called maou's family weren't in the territory, which he doesn't even know why the devils get the right to have territory in the human land in the first place...then the attack wouldn't have taken in the first place.
Finally, something that was always at the back of his mind, something even though it existed with proof, he wanted to deny it, even when he himself became a part of it, he wanted to deny it. The existence of supernatural, if they didn't exist to begin with, then he would've never faced this problem, he could have led a normal life, his parents could have been alive he...
Issei's thoughts came to halt when he felt a hand over his shoulder.
He looked over it was Virgil, with a concerned look...
"I know that face boy, and I could guess what you were thinking."
Issei gave a small smirk, despite seemingly old and senile, this man had years no millennia over millennia of experience as such reading the mind of a twelve year old.
Virgil continues,
"I can understand what you are thinking, and I know it is difficult to just forgive and forget, and I'm not asking you to. However, if you don't, you will find yourself harming people who do not deserve your ire."
For the first time, Issei looks up at the sky, was the sky this bright?
"What should I do?"
Virgil shrugs his shoulder and says, "That is something you must figure out. You have the power within you to rise above whatever is currently seeking to bring you down."
"Are you telling me live my life and not avenge my parents?"
"What I am saying is as long as there is life, there is potential, and as long as there is potential, there will be success all I ask you is do not waste your life and gifts on petty revenge, which you extract. Use it to make sure no one else gets hurt, just like you did."
"Hm."
Virgil retraced his hand he too joined Issei, looking at the bright sky.
Ssssssssssss...
A strange noise, a fluctuation was made, rippling through air causing Issei and Virgil to blink rapidly, their attire were blowing due to the sudden portal that was created.
"Finally, take that up your magical ass...arse Merlin, I am talented. Hm. Come on Issei Hyoudou, a new journey awaits."
Roxana said with high enthusiasm as she jumped inside the portal.
Issei sighed as he too, took the steps to join the woman, but before he could enter, he stood just in front of the portal...he didn't turn back, but he did say one thing before entering the portal.
"Thank you."
Sssssssssssssss...
The portal was closed
Virgil let out a small chuckle, a small 'Thank you' moved him, and perhaps age was indeed getting up to him.
'I hope Issei boy, you can find peace in the future.'
[Unknown Location]
The place could not be a described using word, that's what Issei thought when he arrived, at the location, the place was filled with darkness, yet he could see.
Clearly it was due to the white mist around, the surface of where he was standing.
He looked up...there was no sky, not it did not look to be sky, it was just pure endless darkness...it was just like abyss, something...something that was drawing him in...
Slide...
A hand forced closed his eyes,
"Do not stare at the darkness of this place; you will lose your mind. It's just like abyss, you would feel as if it's talking to you, which are at some extent truth, your sanity will be in danger as such, stand beside me and walk."
Issei just nodded calmly before following the exact orders he was given.
"What is this place, is the location even Earth?"
"Well, no this place or rather this dimension rotates around the [Dimensional Gap], in other words this place is not something that has the rules and application of space and time, so do not worry."
"How did even this place came to exist in the first place?"
"Hm. You know what? I will answer all of your upcoming questions; everything and I mean everything, so just keep following me, ok?"
Issei just hummed in response and followed the woman.
The more they entered, the darker the place got? It would seem that way, however even if it was dark, Issei still had perfect vision, even though he could easily see in the dark he could see this was not the case in here. This was a form of abyss, but something much superior. It wasn't just deep bottomless chasm, it was more...it was something that was drawing him; he forced himself just to make sure he does not stares at the abyss.
Finally, they arrived at a location? It was difficult to state the least, every place looked the same white mist on the ground and the so called sky was covered with darkness and there was no sky.
However, this place was different, the mist, the white colour mist earlier it felt like smoke but now, to Issei it felt like skin contact, like some was touching him.
It was same with the abyss, even if he saw that for a moment he could see, there were black and violet clouds now, there were moments as if lightning, purple and red lightning were crossing through the clouds, it was as if a storm was trying to build itself, however, failing at the very last moment.
The more the duo, went in the bizarre the environment became, it was now surrounded by black pillars making a pathway.
"We are near the location; prepare what's coming, or rather what you would be facing." Roxana spoke
"What do you m..ean...?"
Issei looked at the location, it was the size of a lake, a very large lake, it should be considered as one because he thought the light blue substance, was supposed to be water, or it appears to be.
No.
The so called lake wasn't a lake filled with water, rather a slimy substance, blue in colour, no- the possible colour must be turquoise, it almost seemed...it seemed that-
IT WAS ALIVE
!
Issei took multiple steps back and prepared for attack, his senses became highly sharp and his instincts overcame his mind, whatever it was, it was dangerous.
SssSSShhsSSHHHSsssshh~
The sound of something sloshing, the slimy substance that covered the lake, it started to twist and turn causing the formation of multiple vortexes in the water.
SssSSShhsSSHHHSsssshh~
Once again he sound was made but this time, the formations of the vortexes were stopped and in their location, were...were, large...human eyes?
SssSSShhsSSHHHSsssshh~
The human looking eyes ejected from the slimy substance and surrounded the area, it was as if all of their sole observation target was Issei himself, who felt sweat flowing through his forehead...he looked forward to access the situation, only to be met by a monument he was sure wasn't there before.
At the middle of the lake a statue was situated, which was that of a woman, a woman with two heads, one which was broken and sad, it looked as if the woman was crying, the second one was clear, the woman looked happy.
She was in a kneeling position, and through her palms, the same turquoise slime was dripping slowly.
Roxana decided to speak now, "Remember Issei, when I told you, how humans were reincarnated as devils and they become strong?"
Issei only nodded.
"You see, we humans subjectively are very weak, even if we push past our limits, our body cannot keep us as such, reaching godhood is impossible, for a human. As such the supernatural looks down upon us, no matter how famous we were, we in the end were humans, weak humans who would eventually grow old and die, no matter how strong we become."
Roxana then points at the figure, the statue,
"For my sins of the past, I shall help unleash the limits of the human potential the true defenders of the realm."
"Saying so that being unlashes, the so called bindings of the humans and makes you superhuman, or what would I like to call A Hero, making the humans live almost as long as devils, understand all languages, to make sure you won't get humane diseases."
Issei was sceptical, what was going on? What did she mean by that?
Roxana slapped her forehead, "I'm sorry, I should have explained you who this is. Allow me to introduce you to one of the Outer Gods of the Lovecraft Myths, the one who is called "The source of Uncleanness"- Abhoth."
Confusion covered Issei's face and mind; he knew the existence of the gods, but Lovecraft gods?
"Mind you Issei, they do exist, and are much, much more dangerous than the gods of this world, while most of them are dead, the remains few are sealed, only one creature in this world knows where."
"Who is that creature?" Issei looked up to Roxana.
"Great Red."
"The Dragon of dreams? How do you even know that?"
"You don't live as long as me without coming in contact with the strongest creature in existence. He guards the Dimensional Gap, after the death of Ophis."
"Wait...the Dragon of Infinity is dead?"
"Well, let's not go into details, yes? Now lemme give you a bit of history on Abhoth.
...[H]e described a sort of pool with a margin of mud that was marled with obscene offal; and in the pool a grayish, horrid mass that nearly choked it from rim to rim... Here, it seemed, was the ultimate source of all miscreation and abomination. For the gray mass quobbed and quivered, and swelled perpetually; and from it, in manifold fission, were spawned the anatomies that crept away on every side through the grotto. There were things like bodiless legs or arms that flailed in the slime, or heads that rolled, or floundering bellies with fishes' fins; and all manner of things malformed and monstrous, that grew in size as they departed from the neighborhood of Abhoth. And those that swam not swiftly ashore when they fell into the pool from Abhoth, were devoured by mouths that gaped in the parent bulk."
"Wait, form your description, doesn't this, Abhoth, gee, I don't know, seems like an Evil God."
Issei commented, glaring at the woman, who just laughed and replied,
"It is true, Abhoth, rather all the Gods from the Lovecraft Myths, are evil, they hate humanity, and everything else, Abhoth was one of them, too, dare I say one of the most cruel ones as well, that changed when he met Adam and Eve."
"You mean to say this guy met the first humans?"
"Indeed, it after the you know, the apple incident, in which Samael, was banished and locked down at the depths of hell, but it isn't well known, but Abhoth did come in contact with Adam and Eve, but it was when humans were hating on each other, killing had became common, and, Adam and Eve, were about to depart from the mortal world. Abhoth laughed, looking at the misery of so called weak humans, they fought among themselves, they despaired among themselves, and at that moment, Adam starts attacking Abhoth, even though he knew he had no chance against an Outer God.
Amused Abhoth, asked Adam why does he defends the weak, despaired, sinned humans...and for the first time Abhoth became speechless, Adam's reply was-
'Does a father need any reason to defend his children?'
For the first time in millennia, Abhoth could not retort, what he thought was disgusting and weak creatures, turned out to be one of the most fascinating observation...why did Abhoth decided to help humans, when he creates chaos? We do not know. Why does he still helps humans, we do not know.
However, the only thing we know, that in order to sustain our strength as a human in the realm of the supernatural, we must surpass the strength of mortality. That is where Abhoth helps us."
During the explanation, Issei kept quiet as he looked at the statue intently listening to explanation that Roxana gave.
"How does it work?"
Issei asks, as he looks up to her, to which he gets the reply,
"Do you see the slime dripping from her palms? You have to drink it, that's all."
"Seriously?"
"Indeed."
"That's easy then."
"Wait. Let me tell you one thing, though..."
"What is it?"
"If you could not sustain what he throws at you, you would end up becoming a living vegetable."
Issei stopped in his tracks.
"Be careful, tread your steps carefully, if it rejects you, won't die...however, you would wish you were dead. That would be your condition."
It was almost a mumble perhaps, but Roxana clearly heard it...
"I died seven years ago."
Roxana didn't reply, instead watched the boy walk through the slime towards the statue.
Up close the statue was nearly thirty meters tall, the dripping slime from the palms, Issei looked at it for a few seconds before the opened up his lips to take in the contents.
|Part-3|
Swoosh~
It felt like a breeze, Issei was expecting ridiculous amount of pain but none came, instead he was inside a train?
It was a local train, it was busy with people, however, no one seems to notice him, as if he didn't exist there.
It was then he looked at a certain figure, a figure that somewhat looked like him, a, a high school student, young man with brown hair.
Issei realized it, it was...
His father.
Not just that blocked by a business man, was a beautiful woman whose hair was tied to a pony tail...
His Mother.
They were alive, Issei perhaps could feel the tears, he screamed their names only to realize he did not have any voice he wanted to walk in there, but he could not move, he was stuck...at that moment he watched something that made his blood boil.
The business man was groping his mother, he was sexually harassing her, and his father's eyes widened who noticed that action.
Would you help the one in dire need? Or would you ignore to make sure you don't get into trouble?
He didn't know but he heard a harmonically voice of man and woman.
"What are you doing, do you have no shame?"
Issei's father, or to be father Gorou lifted the business man's arm and glared at him, however he just got punched in the face by the man.
"What the hell are you doing kid? Are you trying to steal my wallet, hello there is a thief everyone, this kid, is a thief...he's trying to steal, earn something you fool." The business man, in order to shift the blame and save himself he blamed Gorou for trying to steal wallet...and as expected the crass mentality of average humans- they hear something, they believe it and as such act upon it, they do not look deeper into the matter. They judge from the surface value as such, blamed Gorou and even gave him a complete beat down.
At the next station, Gorou had to step out, he sat near the edge of a seat, his face was all beaten up, including a black eye.
"Here, you should use it."
Gorou looked up...
The girl that he saved from being molested, she was offering him an ice-pack.
"T-thanks...I'm sorry..." Gorou mumbled,
"Whatever for? You were pretty heroic out there, you know a hero that saved me, even if he was beaten up, but thank you though." She chuckled a little, before she gave a smile of an angel, a beautiful one, so much that Gorou had to hide his face, he was blushing.
"So, Mr. Hero, do you have any name?"
"Gorou...no, I mean, Hyoudou Gorou, it's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, well, let's meet again sometime later, yeah?"
The girl started to walk away...however, mustering up courage Gorou asked-
"Wait-um...what's your name?"
"Miki, Machida Miki...it was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Hero! Take care~" she waved, after which she left...however, Gorou was left standing, with a small smile on his face.
Issei watched this, and in doing so a wave of nostalgia passed through his mind as he remembered his mother's words once-
"Mama, why do you love pops so much?"
"Where is that coming from Ise?"
"I just want to know, please tell me~"
"Oh~ Ise, let me tell you one thing, your father is the bravest man I've ever met, he's my hero that's why I love him."
"Pops is a hero!"
"Yes, dear, our hero."
"Yaayyyy~ Pops is a hero~"
'Yes, I can see why mother loved him.'
Issei thought, then once again it occurred.
Swoosh~
The scene changed, this time it was a bathroom? A small bathroom, it must have been one from small apartment that's what Issei thought, he looked at this mother who was looking at the mirror, and then at a device.
It was a pregnancy kit.
'Wait, a minute, mother looks too young, university student perhaps, she was in her thirties when I was born, what happen?'
That's what Issei thought when he saw the pregnancy kit, which showed positive.
Miki, a university girl was pregnant.
She got out of the bathroom, he expression held one of fear, and trouble...as she walked towards the dining room.
Gorou was eating breakfast when he saw, Miki coming in,
"Hey, you've gone a long time, is everything fine?" he asks...
Once again, Issei hears it, the harmonically voice of a man and a woman-
Would you share your problems with your loved one? Or deal with it yourself in fear of the said loved one leaving you?
Mustering up every courage possible, Miki spoke-
"Gorou...I-...I'm pregnant!"
It was almost a shout, she expected him to freak out, even ask to abort, or run away...instead, she found herself being wrapped around by Gorou's arm, who too was crying...
"Hey, it's us that are pregnant, alright, don't worry, I'll work on the double, to make up for both of us."
"But university?"
"I am Hyoudou Gorou, I always keep my word, I may be dead last in the subjects, but I work hard."
Miki let out a small chuckle, "Yes, you do."
"Hm."
"Hey, Gorou?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for sticking with me."
"Don't thank, we have rest of the live too you know?"
"Hm. Hey..."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
"Fool, I've always loved you..."
Swoosh~
Once again the scene in front of Issei changed, this time, it was a traditional Japanese house, it was probably located somewhat outskirts of the Tokyo, that's what Issei thought when he saw the large Zen garden, as he looked at the dark sky, and the city lights.
"Abort the child now," it was a rough, masculine voice, one that reeked of dominance and masculinity.
Issei followed the voice, it was perhaps the meeting hall of the house, on the position of the host, sat a man, who could be in his late forties, however, still maintain the strong appearance of a family head.
Issei realized the resemblance of the man and his mother; this was his mother's father, in other words his maternal grandfather.
"But father-"his mother, who was in a seiza position, wanted to rebuked but her voice died, staring at her father's glare.
Even Issei's father was also present, however, to Issei, he could not read his father's expression, no matter how hard he tried.
"You are the daughter of the Machida family, we run the Machida Enterprise, and we have been at the top of our business, since before even I or my father was born. As such, I must keep my image, I must keep the image of the family intact...abort the child, stay at home, I am willing to forget what happen, and I will consider this a mistake of the youth."
"But- father- this was no mistake, I love this, I will love the child to be born and I love Gorou, please, you cannot do this to me...I cannot bring myself to do it." Miki cried she looked at her father, who still kept his stoic expression and glare, however this time; he shifted it towards Gorou, who had yet to speak of anything.
"Listen boy. I am willing to forget this, my reputation is much more important than what little game both of you played in the bedroom. If the word gets out that the Machida Enterprises CEO, Machida Hajime's daughter got pregnant during her second year in university, many forms of conversation might take place, which won't be good for my company. I am not willing to risk something like that, not with a mistake in her womb-"
"FATHER!" Miki yelled, which went unnoticed by her parent.
Machida Hajime snapped his finger and within that moment came in a servant, with a large briefcase, two of them exactly, opening up and presenting in front of Gorou.
The briefcases were filled with money.
"Each brief case has, 1.5 million yen, a total of 3 million yen. Take this and never comeback, if possible disappear from this location all together. Hyoudou Gorou, remember you come from a middle class family, to me, your status means nothing, you are nothing more than measly insect that exist and the lower parts of the society, I highly doubt that no matter how hard you tried or your little family, you will come even close to earning this amount, take it and run off."
For the first time in life, Miki was scared, that- that was a really large sum, amount which could potentially turn any person, switch sides so to say, she was afraid...afraid for the very first time.
The harmonious duo of the man and woman once again rang inside Issei'ss head-
Will you stand for what is right? Or Will you do what is right for you?
Hyoudou Gorou was a student. Belonging to a middle class family, he had to work hard...in reality unlike his girlfriend he did not posses any talent in regards to sports or studies, or even extracurricular activity, what he did posses was determination for hard work and a goddamn pride to keep it up.
"Heh..." Gorou chuckled.
"HahahahahHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH!" it became a full blown laughter which even confused the head, Machida Hajime, however what Gorou did next, even forced him to drop his stoic expression, so did everyone else around him.
He kicked off the briefcase filled with yen, which were now flying though the room.
Instead of the head, he looked at Miki and spoke, "What happen, I do not consider it a mistake, this so called amount, is insignificant compare to the life budding inside you, I may not be as rich as your father, but I got pride to rival his. I told you once I shall not abandon you, I will keep my promise as such, that's why...Hajime Miki, your father as our witness,
Will you marry me?"
The whole place became quiet, Machida Hajime was surprised, but Miki had tears of joy, she rushed towards him, she hugged him, she was covered in tears of joy...but she didn't care. However she did say something softly-
"Yes."
Swoosh~
Once again after disappearance, Issei arrived at a new location; this one was close to his memory.
This was his hometown.
This was...he remembered when he saw the time around the location, the date.
Today was the day he was supposed to be born.
His eyes fell on to location, the bed, his mother was laying and his father was holding her hand tightly.
"I'm sorry dear, I'm sorry for having such weak constitute due to which our past two children could not see the light of the day...but I will try my best."
Gorou, did not say anything just kissed her hand and left the ward.
As if it was for the last time, the voice once again echoed. The harmonious voice of a man and a woman.
Will you give up after trying for so long and failing considerably- give in to insanity, expecting a different outcome every time you try? Or Will you still pushed forward, with determination because you know, there will be a different outcome?
Thus, Issei saw his birth, how his mother never gave up and his father walked towards church and the shrine barefoot, just so his son could be born.
Issei relived his past, it was painful, it was a reminder...it showed his limitations, he had to go past it, in order to avenge them. In order to sustain in this world, no matter how you look at it, he needed power...he wanted to break past the limitations of humanity so that what happen to him never happens to anyone else.
"Do you want to be a hero? Or Do you want to be a bystander? It's a simple choice really."
|Part-4|
"Ugghhhhh..." Issei groaned, that was one heck of a ride, that's what he thought...his head was killing him.
"Finally awake, so, how do you feel?" he heard a woman's voice, that's right this was Roxana's voice, if he could hear her that means he is back towards the land of the living.
He slowly inspected his surroundings...it appeared to be morning? Did time effects do it? No, it felt like he was out for much longer.
"How...long was I out?" Issei managed to squeeze out.
"Hm. A day."
"A day?!"
"That's right, most don't even wake till it's their third, you got some strong will there boy, so how are you feeling?"
At Roxana's suggestion, Issei got up, he felt his surge of power...there it was as if there were no barriers, he tried communicating with Ddraig-
'Can you hear me?'
[I can partner, welcome back.]
'Conditions?'
[Body has greatly improved, boosting of energy won't make the body sluggish, and the mana circuits are functioning even more perfectly.]
'I see.'
Issei then noticed, there was a tattoo in his right hand specifically.
There were eight black lines, inside those eight black lines however, where made runes and symbols, which according to Issei was and is most probably eldritch, since he could have sworn the symbols were glowing red.
"What are these?"
He looked towards Roxana for answers, to which he found that she too was showing the same tattoo in her right hand. However, unlike Issei who had eight black lines, covered with symbol and runes...she had thirteen, her stripes were darker and each stripe only had a single rune.
"These Issei, shows that you now have unlocked the infinite potential locked within you, while you may not be able to access it like me, you have certainly surpassed mortality...and by the looks of it, you are an [A] class in your first attempt, nice, you are a prodigy all right, at the age of twelve, looks like there is only one guy that can match up to you at your age, that golden brat perhaps."
"Are you going to go in circles, or will you tell me now everything?"
Passing Issei his coat, which he realized he wasn't wearing, Roxana continues,
"Well, I will tell you whatever you want to know? I am not that bad, after all the teleporting device is under cool down, travelling to that place consumes lot of aura and mana after all, but that aside, ask away kiddo, what ya wana know?"
Issei sat straight, it was finally time to get answers,
"Yes, well, since I will joining you guys, the [Heroes], so how you guys function, how everything works? Please tell me."
Roxana nodded as, she began to explain, how the system of the [Heroes] worked-
"Yup. Not a big deal at all, you see the [Heroes] are controlled by three major governments.
The Highest Order is called the [Charred Council], which I am the head and part of. The twelve members who decide the works and other stuff such as planning and others. Kind of like the CEO, COO as such of a company.
Now, the next one is [Small Council] and [Knights of the Roundtable], the [Small Council]'s head is also a member of [Charred Council], the [Small Council] task is to sort out the quests provided to us by the well, Gods, who can't interfere with the 'Humans' directly, and we do those task, we take in the quest, classify it and then post it so that 'Heroes' take the 'Quest' complete it and earn rewards.
The [Knights of the Roundtable], as the name states is a reference taken from the [Arthurian Legends, the Knights of the Roundtable]- is the highest order of 'Heroes'. Well, we rank 'Heroes' under the following matter. [F] To [C] class, then [B], [BB], [BB+] class, then [A], [AA], [AA+] class finally, [S], [SS] and [SSS].
For example you,- who has eight stripes, is an [A] class, on the other hand, me, who has thirteen stripes am, the [SSS] class.
After being an [SSS] class, if the [Charred council] decides, you can become the member of the [Knights of the Roundtable], the highest order of [Heroes], eight of them with [Ruler] leading them and [Arch-knight] being the second-in-command. They take the most difficult kind of quests, and complete it. That's how we work; the next details will be given to you after you meet the council, alright?"
Issei took some time to process what information was given to him, by Roxana then he asked the next question.
"Why do the [Heroes] do the bidding of the Gods, shouldn't they do this themselves?"
"In reality, they used to, however, this caused too much chaos, which in other words means regarding the ways they had their work done...as such, the Heroes, became those transcendent beings, that kept the balance between the natural and the supernatural, after all it's the belief of humans that keep the Gods alive, and it's the blessings of the Gods, that keeps the balance of the nature. We make sure, both the places aren't harmed."
Issei waited for a little while, then asked again-
"The existence of [Abhoth], do the Gods know about it?"
"Ha! Of course they do, they even sent their own favourite humans sometimes- they end up in a state worse than death you know? As I told you, not every human is cut out to be a hero, and [Abhoth] rejects all supernatural, except for humans."
"Didn't the Gods try to do something about it?"
"What exactly can they do? [Abhoth], from what [God of Destruction] spoke, is nearly five times stronger than [Great Red] at base strength, believe it or not, in the realm of Gods, its strength that matters the most, believe it or not...as such they left [Abhoth] untouched."
"Wouldn't they fear, if [Abhoth] decides to attack?"
"If he ever tried to attack, the world would already cease to exist. The same was with Great Red, he is so strong, so absurdly strong that he doesn't bothers with the world, the same goes for Abhoth, the supremely powerful, do not bother with the insects, as much as it hurts to say, it, that's the truth, we never where, we never will be a threat to those strength."
Issei sat down, finally realizing what kind of mess he had gotten himself into, he was supposed to exact revenge for the death of his parents, but now he is engaged in supernatural politics.
Roxana reading Issei's expression spoke,
"I know what you are thinking, but in order to genuinely grow strong and move forward, the Hero Faction, is the best place for you, believe me, every mythology wants to get their hands on one of the Heavenly Dragons, and you- who is a prodigy in magic as well, who has the ability to kept his sanity in the face of fierce power of Red Dragon Emperor, the factions would practically kill to have you on their side. It might be wrong, but I wanted you to join the humans...not due to strength, but due to the fact that, you could be around the same people as you and not being treated as a weapon to parade."
Issei could feel the sincerity in Roxana's voice, he for the first time apart from, Merlin and Virgil (and Ddraig) felt that someone was looking out for him, so, in a place where he was inexperienced, it's better to let the adult do the stuff.
"Well, according to Merlin, his boss, is a chaotic person, but is actually a nice human...so; I'll take the risk of joining you."
Roxana clapped her hands with a sweet smile on her face, "Wonderful. I knew you are the one with a big dick- I mean heart, I definitely meant heart."
Issei narrowed his eyes, but ultimately sighed.
Roxana on the other hand was looking at the teleporting device.
"Is there anything else you want to ask? 'cause within a few minutes, the teleportation device will be active and we will be relocated at the Hero faction's base."
Issei pondered for a moment, what else could he ask? Then something clicked-
"This [Knights of the Roundtable] do they change? Who are the current members?"
"Hm. Yes, they change, if we deem so, if they die or if they do not want to work as knights anymore, well the current [Ruler] is the one who has inherited the spirit of [King Solomon], [Solomon] The 84th Leader of [Knights of the Roundtable].
The [Arch-Knight] is the descendant of [Oscar Diggs], the descendant of the [Wizard of Oz]…he also has the [Longinus]- [Dimensional Lost].
The [First Knight] is [Douman], well descendant of [Ashiya Douman], the onmyouji who rivalled the strongest onmyouji in the history of Japan, [Abe-no-Seimei].
The [Second Knight] is well, [Leonidas] the descendant of original [Leonidas], the King of Spartan. If I remember correctly, his scared gear is related to his role, [Indestructible Army].
The [Third Knight]…[Nitocris] the descendant of original [Nitocris] the magical queen in the sixth dynasty of Egypt.
The [Fourth Knight], [Helena Blavatasky] she is the descendant of [Madame Blavatasky] of the 19th Century who specifies in the [Occult Magic] and carries the [Longinus]- [Annihilation Maker].
The [Fifth Knight], [Cú Chulainn], the famous warrior of [Celtic Mythology], his descendant. A strong adversary and currently wields [Gáe Bolg] the [Spear of mortal pain].
The [Sixth Knight] and final knight, is, well she prefers to go by [K-chan], the descendant of [Katō Danzō]- A thief, spy whose name can be seen in Kanazoushi, military sciences documents from the early Edo period-. She even has a [Dimension Lost]'s lesser scared gear, [Hidden Mist]. Likes to be called as a ninja, you know? Um...
That's all."
Issei was confused. Well, they were Heroes after all, weren't they? Most of them were descendants of someone.
However, he wasn't.
He shook his head; he didn't let that bother him.
"Oh, look, it's ready; now~ let's go to the base! You can hug me if you want to, big sister will protect you~"
"Ugh...I need an adult."
"I am an adult."
"I need a different adult."
|Part-5|
Zappppppppppppppp- Zooooooooooooooooooooooooooom-
The booming sound made its presence known, as Roxana and Issei finally teleported to the destined location.
In front of him was the 'Hero Base', a floating island, or should he say, a floating town?
"Welcome Issei. This is our 'base of operations', as a whole this place is called 'Meliora'. Let's go."
After stating, Roxana moves forward, followed by Issei.
They were walking through a transparent bridge, from where time to time a light passed.
"If you are looking at the bridge, this was [Da Vinci]'s idea, she wanted something similar to [Bifrost] in [Norse], she and her stupid inventions. Ask her to make weapons, she's on but if I ask to make her a sturdy, strong big and throbbing nice sex toy I'm turned down?! That bitch, I'll get her."
Roxana went tangent, and Issei made a rule to forget half of the thing that this harlot speaks.
Entering the main door, which sung open, Issei's eyes wandered around, the place where he currently is, according to him is has a regular-perfect shape, instead of irregular as usually islands have. The doors where magically enhanced which gave entrance to only those who are allowed to enter.
The next thing he saw were cannons, not just any- they too where magically enhanced and were placed on watch towers which surrounded the island according to him. After entering he too realizes that this lace was actually covered in a dome, and the temperature and other such factors are regulated properly here.
A single magician can never do this, something different must at work here and controlling is no meek job. Advance technology combined with multiple form of magic, including something that keeps the island afloat and controlled.
Issei was fascinated by this, the way the place moved- he wanted to know how.
"Come here."
Roxana waved and called for Issei, where the former was standing in front of a giant building.
A building with multiple levels.
"Issei this is the [Quest Guild], through here the 'Heroes' are provided with [Quests] which they have to, well, complete each level indicated the difficulty of the quest present. Details will be given to you at a later date, now let's roll."
"Wait. Why are we going here?"
"Silly, you won't be getting a quest now, first, you need to meet the council, for that we need to cross the guild hall, come now."
Issei didn't speak anything anymore and just quietly followed, where he finally reached the grand hall.
Not much people where there, few.
However, what attracted his attention, the certain group of people who were talking, to a woman.
The woman had dark-blood red and blackish hair which actually appeared to be maroon and blood red eyes, and her attire consisted to be a tight black-red dress, and her aura.
'Ddraig.'
Issei spoke telepathically.
[Partner, I know her very well. I remember that aura something that even my hazy memory remember this celtic warrior, the woman known as [Queen of the Land of Shadows].]
With her where three more people.
Another tight fitted blue outfit, with similar indigo blue hair and a single long pony-tail, and a bit of tan skin.
The man beside him, was an extremely handsome guy, who wore a black business outfit and white gloves, having a bit long dark-black hair and blood-red eyes, having something mystical about those eyes, and a sure sly-smile which can make girls fall instantly for him with just a wink.
The last one had a clam look on his tan skin, he wore a magician's robe which hid body mostly, and his most unique feature could be his long white messy hair which reached till his feet and it was messy. His eyes, just like the guy before held something mysterious.
-However, Issei realized that those guys were superior to him, in strength.
"Oh, look the foolish gang is here, Issei come."
Roxana called for Issei and then walked towards the group,
"Scat! Sup! What's up, dogs!"
The woman of the group twitched her eyes harshly and spoke harshly at her,
"How many time Roxana? How many times do I have to correct you and tell you to not call me [Scat]? My name is [Scáthach], call me that…or [Queen] or [Brenhines] not 'that' vulgar word."
"Why so serious? Yes? So, where's the squad going?"
The blue haired man replied,
"Well, we were just leaving for the new quest, all of us are going actually."
The man's eyes wandered towards Issei and formed a smirk, "Who's the kid? He's looks a bit strong too?"
"This is this generation's [Sekiryuutei]."
The group's eyes widen a bit and then the blue haired man ruffled Issei's hair,
"Hohoh~ nice to meet ya kid, the name [Chulainn], must have heard about me? Of course you would have, my ancestor was great after all- well, I'm yet to earn the tile of [Cú], but I have surpassed my ancestor. Hope you can as well. Now, let me give you some tips, ok. Take it from your senior, who is strong, my strength is renown after all, my master has trained me as such…now-"
Issei's eyes twitched hard this time, he didn't except this man to be such…talkative, from introductions it went to all about this man and it was annoying him greatly.
Smack-
The man wearing the business suit smacked harshly at Chulainn's head and spoke,
"Chulainn. Enow. Nay moo garbage from yond that from which we speak of yours."
The business suit man spoke in Shakespearean, and in a firm and authoritive tone.
"Che. Fine, fine [Oz]."
"Not [Oz], [Oscar] is mine own name."
"Oscar is mine own name, should call you an ass."
Smack-
Another harsh smack from the man named Oscar to Chulainn, this time he was glaring.
"Come on, people let's go. However-"
The white hired man's golden eyes, pierced through Issei's own. The pure gold eyes shone differently as he looked at Issei and then he puts his hand and gently rubs his head.
"Sekiryuutei, May your presence in our humble home, brings great fortune. Best wishes for what future hold for us and you."
After speaking the trio of men left.
Issei looked at Roxana and asked,
"Were those, what you called [Knights of the Roundtable]?"
"Indeed, [Solomon], [Oscar] and [Chulainn]."
"Come on now, let's go. Scat, you come as well."
"Don't call me that."
"So, Issei, this is Scat here."
"I said Roxana don't call me that, what part of it you don't understand?"
Issei while walking with both of the woman, replied-
"Yes, I know about her [Scáthach], the female warrior-queen from Celtic Mythology's Ulster Cycle. The queen and gatekeeper of the foreign territory/haunted ground called the "Land of Shadows", she is a prodigy of spearmanship and [Rune magecraft]. She possesses a power immense enough to obtain control over and close the gate of the "Land of Shadows", which is overflowing with countless ghosts, to ward off the dead. It has been said that she became the mentor of Cú Chulainn - who would later grow into the hero of Ulster - guiding him, teaching all sorts of techniques and even bestowing his favorite magic spear. That's her, right?"
Scáthach smirked lightly at that and then replied,-
"Hm. Indeed boy, it would seem, you have done your homework. Good job."
"Hm? Blow job?" and the atmosphere was ruined by Roxana.
"Miss Scáthach, how you people handle this woman?"
"Oye!"
"I see, Issei right? Well, we try to keep her in leash but she even enjoys that."
"I'm right here!"
"I know, she even tried to molest me."
"Wha! I did no such thing-"
"I see, I never knew you have fallen this low Roxana."
"Wait?! You believe him?! Noooooo-"
After a little more banter, Issei asked another question,
"I want to ask something."
"Go ahead."
"When you spoke about Chulainn or Oscar, you said they are descendants but, when you mentioned Solomon, you said spirit inheritor, what's the difference?"
"Hm. Well, descendants are people who are of the same lineage of that certain Hero, however, spirit inheritor are those whose will is so strong that their will is transmitted to someone in the next generation, it is not necessary for that hero to have a lineage, their will is strong enough."
"So, if you guys died then?"
Roxana looks at Scáthach, who replies,
"Well, if we die, we will most likely become spirit, whose will is to be inherited, however I did…have a son."
Scáthach face momentarily held sadness and melancholy which Issei rubbed off.
After walking through the hall, the trio finally reached the end of the hall, which held two large doors.
"Come now."
Roxana pointed out.
Don-
The doors made heavy noise when they finally opened up, Roxana and Scáthach had already disappeared.
Issei knew he now has to enter the place alone.
Don-
The moment he entered inside the door shut themselves up. The place was pitch dark and then-
Ton- Ton-
As if lightning struck, twelve lights in a circular manner lighten themselves and twelve figures revealed themselves.
"This generation's Red Dragon Emperor, Hyoudou Issei, I welcome you to the 'Heroes', I am Roxana, first of my name and Leader of the 'Heroes' including the council. I'm the [Dragon] of the council." Roxana speaks, and then continues,
"In the [Charred Council] our position is unique to others as we are given with zodiac signs."
It was then the woman beside her,
"Hello once again Sekiryuutei, you know me already, I am [Scáthach] first of my name and [Snake] in the council."
Next was a man, he wore a Grecian armour, and the symbol of [Athena] on his shield he was holding, he had brownish curvy hair, till shoulders and deep forest green eyes.
"My name is [Perseus], first of my name and the [Rooster] of the council, it's pleasant to meet a sane Sekiryuutei, and even a clam minded one who decided to join the Heroes, I hope your presence here means prosperity."
The woman next to him, who wore eastern monk attire, with a monk staff, her appearance was a bit sexual as she her bra and panties which were pure white in colour were clearly visible.
"My name is [Xuanzang Sanzang], I am the [Rabbit] of the council, tis' a pleasure to meet you in flesh." She joined her hand to show her respect, for Issei.
The woman next to her looked overly excited, she had brown hair, messy brown hair to be exact, blue eyes and a bit of dirty appearance, and an overly large lab coat. She even had dark bags under her eyes and a broken glass over her eyes. Issei knew her, she was Da Vinci, he never spoke to her much, he only saw her once.
"Yahallo~ Sekiryuutei-chin, long time no see? I was one of the people who saved you? Well forget that, I'm on over adrenaline anyway, was working late night- I am the [Monkey] of the council, [Leonardo Da Vinci], but please just call me Vinci-chan, ne~….oh! I'm also the leader of the [Small Council] so…there's that! Yea, and fuck history, I am not a man but a woman, remember that!"
Then the next one looked Japanese to Issei, she had her long black hair tied, to a pony tail
-An appearance which reminded him of his mother, having tying her brown hair to a pony tail, which he played with in his childhood.
She had sharp blue eyes, a friendly smile and the traditional Japanese samurai armour without the helm, she looked at Issei and spoke,
"Sekiryuutei-dono, no, Hyoudou Issei-dono, as a fellow Japanese, I welcome you to 'Heroes', I hope you get along well. My name is [Ushiwakamaru]. It is a pleasure."
Then he looked at the spot next to her, it was empty?
Chills-
Issei could feel intense chills run down through his spine. The aura, was just behind him, he looked back and finally found the figure.
A tall dark figure. A height easily over 200 cm, he had covered himself in dark robe, even his face was invisible. However, one thing was clear,
-The two burning blue eyes, glowing eerily, which in all ways represented one thing, Death. A sweet, melodious death.
Sekiryuutei lad, are you? It's a pleasant to meet. I am the old man of the [Heroes], you may refer to me as the [Tiger] of the council.
The man's voice vibrated through the air, as if someone grand was speaking.
The figure puts his arm on Issei's head and pats it.
Keep yourself sane. Never drown in your power.
"y-y-Yes." Issei manage to speak.
Hm. Good lad.
Issei just blinked once and then the figure disappeared, it was as if he never existed in the place.
'Ddraig? Did you feel him?'
[Even later than you partner.]
Someone strong enough that even the Welsh Dragon couldn't comprehend what occurred.
"Don't mind him kid. He's like that, but geez he's got a scary way to introduce himself, never mind him. He's a nice old guy once you get to know him. Oh! By the way, I'm [Cleopatra], first of my name of course, I should have been the [Snake] of the council however, due to a cough- whore cough- I am stuck being [Rat] of the council."
The said whore's eye twitched.
The woman who spoke, wore a tight jeans and a muscle shirt, she had a captivating face, with deep green hair each of them being long strands which reached till her feet and greenish-blue eyes.
The next one, was a woman with dark skin, she was shorter than the rest of her peers, she had this fragile-princess look, which Issei understood was obliviously a façade to show to others, long beautiful and silky white hair and deep red eyes with purple irises, she spoke in a gentle manner,
"Sekiryuutei, it is a good civilization that you have joined us, I hope it stays that way. Many blessings upon you."
The next man beside her, had tan skin as well, with wavy black hair, and wearing a traditional Indian outfit, he looked at Issei and smiled gently,
"Hello, Hyoudou Issei. My name is [Arjuna], first of my name and son of the 'Heavenly King' [Indra], it is a privilege to have you with us, here."
The man beside him, just like Solomon, had long hair till his feet, but it was bluish-white and he wore a priest's outfit, he spoke in a jolly tone, of course he knew the guy, it was his teacher, the one who taught him the past years.
"Yo~ Skiryuutei-kun, I'm [Merlin] and you must know about me right? Of course you do, I'm that great and famous after all...and I was ahem am your teacher so there is that too! I'm the [Pig] of the council, see Onii-san will cry you know, how his peers treat him~wah~"
And Issei found another person who he need to ignore, he did ignore the useless banter made by Merlin after all.
The last person, his expression and body was shrouded in darkness as well, he looked at Issei, who couldn't make his appearance out in this, and he just spoke in a low tone.
"I am the [Dog] of the council, that's all you need to know, just don't get in my bad side and we'll be all good."
Issei just nodded.
Roxana spoke, "Ise-kun, please go with Da Vinci here, she'll provide you with the equipment and I'll come in a few minutes, to provide you with your equipment."
"Ok."
"You saw that didn't you Roxana, the darkness in the boy's eyes? You still want him to be here? You know the fate of those people who are surrounded by wielders of such gears?"
"Cleopatra is right? From what I've read he's one of the survivors of the [Kuho Disaster], don't you think he will jeopardize the quest he will take."
"Ho~ even you Altera? How funny. I find him filled with rage, which can be directed in proper way, will it not? We can help him train you know. I trained him after all, I know him better, he need to be out there."
"Rich, coming from you Merlin, you said you trained the boy? Are you raising another failure?"
"Oya, the failed [Dog] finally spoke? Or should I say [Lancelot]? Hm?"
"You want to go?"
"Enough."
"…"
"I will hear no such petty squabble, he is a capable child, yes he has faced disaster, but you all are forgetting that we too have faced them and as such we became what we are today. We must guide him, not belittle him, just as Merlin said. Not another word regarding him."
"What about informing the gods?"
"After the trial quest, it will be clear, till then there is no need."
"But- my father, Indra said-"
"Am I clear?"
"…Yes…"
"That is all, the council is dismissed."
|Part-6|
"Wel~come, Sekiryuutei to my humble home."
Issei, together with Leonardo Da Vinci, a gigantic house? No.
A gigantic lab. The home of Da Vinci, is actually a lab.
"Excuse me, but please Sekiryuute is handful, call me Issei or Ise."
Da Vinci, smiled and said-
"Very well, but you have to call me Da Vinci-chan, yes?"
"Ok."
Da Vinci then started working on the computer, and glancing at Issei she spoke,
"What's the matter?"
"Oh-hm. Nothing, it's just those eyes."
"Oh? You mean the council, they will always be sceptical, do remember that's something that will not change, you know? They judge. All of them are Heroes lived long enough to know about the problems of well humans, and don't get this wrong…but you know about your fate, right?"
"You mean, me being the [Red Dragon Emperor]? My fate right?"
"Indeed."
"Yes, I have heard, I have heard about how the past host drowned themselves in power and how they were destroyed. Family. Friends. All ended, we as the Red Dragon, the fire and rage is the most dangerous, and as such even before meeting our destined rival, [White Dragon Emperor], we just roam and rampage. Until me we meet strong adversary or we perish ourselves. The fate of being the Red Dragon Emperor."
Da Vinci smiled and without removing herself from the computer she asked,
"Then do you believe in that fate?"
"I do not know. But, I don't think I will drown in that power, instead I will be the first Sekiryuutei to master Ddraig's power completely, the pasts hosts were nothing but idiots, who ignored Ddraig and treated him as a weapon."
"You mean to say The Welsh Dragon is not a weapon."
"Of course not, why would anyone think Ddraig, the original Red Dragon, to be a weapon and not a guide? He knows how to use his own power and will teach us, but the pasts once ignored that, I won't."
"My~ You are different. Indeed you are."
"Thank you."
After a little more talking, this time it was Issei who asked the question,
"Da Vinci-chan, May I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"The history states you are a man, why are they so wrong?"
"Well, history is usually wrong, you know?"
"Yea, but you smell like a man."
"…"
Da Vinci's backside is what Issei was seeing or else, he wouldn't fail to notice, the amount of sweat that dripping through her forehead.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I mean you smell like a man, well half a man? Mostly female but man, if I have to say, I would state 90% woman and 10% man."
"H-how can you even smell?" at that time it hit hear, she was also there when Issei's senses healed and improved.
"Dragonic nose. Men and women have different smell due to you know, the chromosomes, and that's why I can smell if someone is even both."
"I-I-I'm not both."
"Ah. I know, people like you are called futarin right? 'Futa' for short? Girls with dicks. I had never met anyone."
Da Vinci panicked, and as such it was slip of tongue on her part,
"That was just a failed experiment."
Issei then made a face of realization.
"I see, you must be working on some gender-bending spell, and it must have backfired. My, I didn't realize you were so clumsy."
"You-you…."
Da Vinci didn't say anything else and just kept quiet, with a little pout on her face, after a few more minutes it was then given to Issei.
"Issei, listen carefully. These are the things provided to you bring your hand forward, please."
Issei nodded and brought his left arm forward.
Da Vinci, placed a small black watch on it, which attached itself to Issei's wrist.
Pin-
"Ouch. What was that?"
Issei felt as if a needle pierced through his arm and retraced back.
"That was the watch taking your DNA sample. Now, with this you can be tracked by us, as long as you wear it, and so your comrade's location can be traced as well. With time and date and everything, and if you keep it turned on and press the scan button, it will scan up the area and show the cartographic location, and unusual aura spikes as well. This acts as a communicating device as well."
Da Vinci then handed Issei a tablet,
"This tablet will show you your quests, its requirements and other jobs as well. When you will take a quest, you must press apply here so that, you can book the quest for yourself, and sometime when special quests are provided, which will request for specific request for specific Heroes, then you can even contact Council members as well. Yes, but you still need to go to the Guild Hall to take up the quest personally. Then if you press this button, you will be shown the map of Meliora."
Then the whole map of the Hero base was revealed.
The entire base was an Octagon, each corner had two watch tower and four magic cannon.
From each corner reached out another layer of islands, and it was marked accordingly.
The two largest one were dorms and then, there was another island which was private dorm.
Then another island was the playground and training field and another one was the 'Great Bath.'
The next island was Library.
The next one was Small Council hall and finally the Charred Council dorm.
At the centre of the Octagon Island was the Charred Council Hall, and right in front of it was the Guild Hall.
The right of the Charred Council hall was Da Vinci's lab.
To the left side of the Charred Council was Infirmary.
The backside was filled with garden, flowers, trees and rivers, beautiful natural environment.
Issei nodded and then accepted all of the devices and information given to him.
At that moment another woman, Roxana entered Da Vinci's lab.
"Well, Issei, now that you have met the council, it's time to meet and greet your peers! Follow me~"
Peers, then Issei realized, the other Heroes, of his age.
Clap- Clap-
It was a large field, quiet large, might as all be just as large as the Meliora.
Roxana clapped hard and every eyes, where on her…
"Newbies, allow me to introduce you, our new prodigal mate, the [A] rank, this generation's Red Dragon Emperor, new Hero, Hyoudou Issei."
[-!?]
"What?"
"Sekiryuutei?"
"Seriously? The same level as Gil!"
"I can feel the aura, I wish to fight him."
"Umu. I will allow you to see my butt."
"It's actually nice to meet you."
"I can sense his magic, he's good."
"Oh. Nice to meet you."
Issei was surrounded by multiple people, who were trying to introduce themselves when suddenly, a voice echoed-
"Enough of this, mongrels, don't lick his feet."
Issei could feel the arrogance from the voice, and looked at the direction from where it originated.
The voice of the boy, a handsome kid, with golden hair and blood red eyes.
Those eyes met Issei's.
-It was as if two kings where staring at each other.
Issei's eyes where glowing green, while the boy's where glowing red. Unconsciously releasing aura.
"Who's descendant are you?"
The boy asked.
"I don't need to be anyone's descendant."
"So you are a lowlife."
"Not lower than you at least."
The golden haired boy's eyes twitched harshly.
"Don't speaking too highly of yourself, mongrel."
"Then, let me speak lowly of you then."
"Have some respect; do you know who I am?"
"No."
"Tch."
"Who are you?"
"HmmhmmmHahahahahahah!"
The kid laughed maliciously as he looked directly towards Issei's eyes,
"Rejoice. Mongrel. I have inherited his spirit and will, I am [Gilgamesh], but you may refer to me as [King of Heroes]."
The darkness of the boy, of Gilgamesh's eyes didn't disappear; however, it was matched by Issei's.
"Is that so insect? I am Hyoudou Issei. However, you may refer to me as [Sekiryuutei]."
Creak-
The land was beginning to crack under pressure emitted from both of them, as if a sudden hate was born at their first contact.
'Ho~ a rivalry, at the first eye contact, a battle against a king and a dragon? Oh~ Well~ as the saying goes for boys, their fists are the ones that does the talking after all.' Roxana thought before she decided to speak-
"Enough. Both of you, stop barking like dogs...if you have a altercation to settle, how about doing it with fists?"
The heroes (in training) had their eyes widen, two of the strongest freshmen were about to go against each other.
Some of the council members were watching as well, however the rookies didn't notice.
"Do you accept the challenge, Gil?"
"I'll erase this mongrel."
"How about you Issei?"
"I'll devour this insect."
Roxana raised her hands for the indication of a battle to start,
"Well, then the competitors, ready? START!"
Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin-
Multiple portals, like ripples in the water opened up. From there on, multiple, multiple weapons' head exited, but were in a stasis stae.
Spears. Swords. Axes. Katanas. Hammers. Lances. Pikes. Multiple of them, and they rained down on Issei, who simply deployed his scared gear, covering both of his arms and deflected each weapon, with ease.
Holding on to one of the lance which was thrown at him through the ripple he threw it back at Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh, on the other hand dodged the lance, albeit narrowly...he did not expect, him to throw back the lance, but that was mistake in his part.
Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin-
The onslaught of weapon attack didn't stop there, one might think Gilgamesh has Issei on the defences, but he would answer otherwise.
In the short spar, one thing Gilgamesh became clear of, this boy, in front of him, the same age, has yet to take damage from the weapons he's been ejecting. He was practically dancing; he could see it was the flower mage, Merlin that trained him. However, apart from that, he has impeccable senses; he would give his opponent that.
Swoosh~
Issei made his move.
[Boost] [Boost]
He shorten the distance between, him and Gilgamesh at an instant, he cocked in his fist back and threw it hard.
It was narrow dodge once again but for some reason Gilgamesh thought he knowingly missed the attack.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooon-
A crater with almost a radius of seventeen meters was formed, on the other hand Gilgamesh who was mid air, saw Issei's smirk.
He didn't realize, but that was his mistake, just above him-
Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin-
Five Norse Magic seals were formed, he had no choice to pull in magic nullification staff and deflect the attack, and however, the moment Gilgamesh dodged the last attack...his instincts heighten up-
Issei was right behind him once again with a cocked back fist-
Shin-
Gilgamesh opened up a huge portal through which a golden shield ejected, with that he intercepted Issei's attack, but that didn't mean he wasn't push back.
The spectators were at awe, the fight according to them, was at a different level.
The shield disappeared, there was a little bleeding from Gilgamesh's lips on the other hand he held a smirk.
Issei knew exactly why.
He was a tad bit slower, during the pulling of shield, his opponent even drew a lance right behind his back, at such speed...had he been not attacking he could have dodged it, but he failed to do so as such received a cut near his leg.
Shin- Shin-
This time through those golden ripples, Gilgamesh brought out two beautiful golden swords, which were send chills through Issei's spine, if anything, those two weapon are in a different league all together, Issei concluded.
Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin-
Multiple weapons launched at him again, but this time Issei realized, his opponent is smart. More than half of the weapons were dragon slayers, or at least imbued with them, even if it's a small cut, it would hurt.
Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin- Shin-
Issei deployed Norse Magic as a barrier and deflected the attacks.
"Haaaa!"
He heard Gilgamesh, he was near him- but this time, the once golden sword in his hands were now turned int or rather shifted to golden tonfa knives or rather swords.
Attack towards the jab. Dodge.
Multiple swords behind. Deflected.
Consecutive combos. Countered with combos.
The retraced back.
Issei took initiative this time, using Arabian Magic; he created foul creatures which without a warning attacked Gilgamesh from all direction.
Gilgamesh changed the shape on his weapon and combined them, forming an bow, with aura has its string.
He took the aim towards the sky and shot, the moment it reached it destined location, it ran down, aura arrows everywhere, destroying the foul creatures that were sent to attack him, however, his opponent planned to keep him engaged.
A straight jab. Deflected.
Spartan kick. Dodged.
Direct slam. Fall back and attacked.
Foul creatures from the sides. Cut them off with the blades.
Don- Don- Don- Don-
Blade colliding with fist, making one thing realizing-
Issei was stronger, sturdier and great gasp at magic- straight up fight of endurance and strength, he was stronger, by far stronger than Gilgamesh, by a large margin.
Gilgamesh, on the other hand was faster, was more agile and was had more tactics. His ability [Gate of Babylon] wasn't falling behind Issei's [Boosted Gear], even if the latter was a Longinus class.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon-
Huge impact crater was created, the battle of combos had quiet the amount of cuts on Issei, and Gilgamesh on the other hand felt his bones were cracking, which might be true, and his opponent's punches are not to be taken lightly.
Issei concentrated his aura around his palms, creating his Dragon shot, Gilgamesh combined his sword to once again form the bow and pulled the string to its maximum and covered it with aura, a golden arrow appeared.
With an untold signal both of them launched their attacks.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon-
The attack was so strong and bright that it blinded the audience (young ones) easily, they were expectedly waiting for the result for to appear through the smokescreen.
Which gradually disappeared, showing both the figures, Issei and Gilgamesh, both of them unharmed, however the same could not be said about the arena.
-Both of them were on a different league, than the spectators.
"Fu-"
"Ha-"
""Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha""
Both of them laughed hard, laughed with pure joy like there was no tomorrow.
"I deem you worthy, Sekiryuutei."
"I say the same as you, King of Heroes."
Both of them walked and shook hands, just as friends.
After all a man's true nature is known through battle.
"I am Gilgamesh."
"Hyoudou Issei."
"That's a mouthful."
"So is yours."
"I'm gonna call you, Ise."
"I'll call you Gil."
Roxana smiled and waved towards the others, "Come on now the rest of you introduce yourselves!"
"Hello, I'm [Karna], its pleasant to meet you."
"Greetings, Sekiryuutei, I am called [Cao Cao]."
"Hello, Red Dragon emperor, my name is [Artoria Pendragon]."
"Hello~ I'm Artoria Pendragon's little sister [Le Fay Pendragon]."
"It is pleasant to meet you; I'm [Pyrrha Nikos] descendant of [Achilles]."
"Nice to meetchya, [Sindbad] here~"
"Hello, Sekiryuutei, I am called [Siegfried]."
"Umu. I am [Nero Claudius], you can see my panties...I'm letting you see them."
"I am [Diarmuid Ua Duibhne], it really is an amazing feeling to meet the Red Dragon Emperor."
"Hahahahaha...this [Hercules] gives you standing obviation."
"Hello, the name's [Robin Hood]."
"It is pleasant to meet you, Mr. Red Dragon Emperor, I am [Mashu Kyerlight] and I am [Galahad]'s descendant."
"I'm [Mata Hari], nice to meet you."
"Hello, I'm [Francis Drake], nice to meet ya~, yes, I'm a girl."
"Hello, I'm [Fionn mac Cumhail], your presence, honours me."
"[Lanling Wang], here."
"Yahalo~ I am [Astolfo], I think we are going to be best buddies around here~"
A new journey thus began.
A/n:
Sorry for the late posting, I was after all preparing for the upcoming chapters after all as I stated earlier, there will be no cannon, as such no ORC, no student council, no such stuff. In here, if you read the story- you realize what this is going to be about.
Yes, the addition of [Abhoth] from lovecraft mythology was needed, in order for me to make the humans stronger, however, that potion will be explored as well.
All questions will be answered.
The Heroes, have the appearance all of them from, Fate/ Grand Order.
Except for Pyrrha Nikos, [Achilles]'s descendent, she is the only character from RWBY I love, as such can be planted in this story realistically.
Many things have changed as well, if you read, [Leonardo] no longer exists, [George Faust] does not exist either. Once, again this will diverge from cannon.
Everything will be explained, in every chapter.
Please rate, favourite, follow and review, if you see any loophole, grammar error or perhaps something I have missed please point that out as well, it will be much appreciated.
Have a Great Day.