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Chapter ?: ! #%/

Issei took a massive breath as his eyes snapped wide open. He looked around, only to see pitch darkness. He looked down at his feet to see that he was floating in the darkness.

This was confusing to Issei. A moment ago he was preparing for battle against Magicians, and now he was here? This wasn't making any sense.

"Issei Hyoudou…" A voice called out from the darkness. It was very distorted, and Issei couldn't tell if it was male or female.

Issei's eyes narrowed as his eyes began to look around for the source of the voice. The only problem?

"Hyoudou… Issei…"

It sounded like it was coming from every direction.

"I have left your story on the shelf for far too long…"

Issei raised a brow. His story? What was it talking about?

"I've kept 'them' waiting for far, far too long…"

He didn't know who 'they' were, but he felt like they were important.

"It's time to pick up the pieces… It's time to start once more…"

Issei suddenly began to feel lightheaded. But as soon as it came, it was gone.

"But before we do… Let's have a bit of a heart to heart."

The voicethen became clearer to understand. It was for sure male. It sounded deep, with a slight rasp to it. Issei could tell that the voice was a smoker.

The area then lit up from all around, causing Issei to shield his eyes, or eye for that matter. Once it stopped, Issei unshielded his eyes, to see that the area dramatically changed.

He was in a medium sized room, where a small bed was positioned to the left of the door. To Issei's right was a desk that had a PC, a few bottles of water, a wallet, a small purple box that had some kind of capsules in it, with the words Berry Mint and twelve nicotine written on it, a small sketch book, and a box of tissues. To his left was a small fridge, which Issei guessed was filled with more bottles of water or energy drinks. In front of Issei was a thirty-seven inch TV, below it being two black consoles. The games were stored to a shelf on the right side of the TV, where there were also a bunch of movies stored. Above the TV were more shelves that stored books and encyclopedias.

Issei found the room kinda cozy. It was nice to look at. Plus, the yellow paint on the walls gave it that warm feeling.

The door the opened, and in stepped a young adult. He had short hair, the sides being shaved, but the top was fairly long for short hair. On his right wrist was a tattoo of a big wolf, with a smaller one howling, the moon shrouding him in darkness. He had small beard and moustache on him. He was wearing a black short sleeved shirt that had the word 'Berlin' written in white, with a palace drawn above it. He was also sporting short black pants.

He closed the door behind him and looked at Issei in the eyes, his face showing no sign of surprise or fear at the strange man in his room. Instead, Issei saw him smile.

"Ah, Issei. Welcome. I've been expect ya. Ah, who the hell am I kiddin', I'm the guy who brought ya here to begin with." The man said as he walked towards Issei.

Issei felt as he knew the man. He also noticed that it was the voice that was talking to him earlier. The small rasp in his voice gave it away.

The man sat on his office chair that was near his desk and mentioned for Issei to bring the chair that was next to his bed. Issei brought the chair and sat on it.

"Anything you want to drink? I have soda, water, some alcohol, energy drinks. Whatever tickles ya fancy." The man said as he leaned back into his chair with his arms crossed. He looked relaxed.

Issei stayed silent as always.

The man though didn't stop smiling. He nodded and walked towards the fridge. He opened it and pulled out two cans of KEO beer. It was a popular beer from where he was from.

Issei was surprised. The man read his mind. He was actually thinking of drinking something with alcohol.

He gave one of the cans to Issei and kept the other to himself. He pulled a small knife out of the drawer that was built in the desk and used it to open the can. Issei opened it with his finger and both took a small sip from their drink.

"Ahh, that's nice. So, let's cut to the chase. You have questions, I have answers. You're wondering who I am. That's one of your questions, right?" The man asked rhetorically.

Issei nodded.

"Well, I can't tell you my full name, nor a nickname. Though, I guess you could call me The Author. Call me Author for short." Author said, taking another sip from the can.

Issei raised a brow at the choice of the name.

"I see you're confused. Let me expand then. I'm the guy that made you who you are. Or I guess this version of you." Author said.

Issei's eyes slightly widened. Made him who he was? This version?

"Let me expand again. I chose the name Author, cause well, it's what I am. I'm a guy that likes to writes stories. Unfortunately, that has been toned down a bunch. Few Health Issues there, two and one upcoming surgery over there, a bit of gaming here and there. And now, I'm in the damn army. So yea. Haven't had much time to write. Though I'm hoping to change that as soon as I can. You've been stored up on the shelf for far too long my friend." The Author said with a smile.

Issei slowly nodded.

"Your story is still far from done Issei. Though spoilers, it won't be a happy one. Things will screw you over. But, I guess you already knew that, didn't you?" The Author said as he stood up and drank all his beer in one swig. He crushed the can in his hand and threw it in the trash.

Issei also stood up, as the area around him began to dissolve.

"Oh, almost forgot about something. Silly me. I wanted to send a quick apology to 'them'. I'm really sorry you all had to wait for that long. I promise you that I'll try my damnedest to satisfy you all with whatever I'm cooking up. So please, I ask one more time for you to be patient. Don't have a lot of free time on my hands as of late and I'm trying as much as I can to write. That goes for both stories I currently have on here. So, with that, I bid ya all a good day." The Author said as he opened the door and walked out the room, which dissolved completely.

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Well, that was a thing. I already explained my long absence from writing both this story and the other one, no need to write it again. So for now, I'll see ya guys laters.