Okay, guys, we are back again! Sorry for the delay. If you don't know, on my main story (Red Dragon Of Golden Light) I happened to have some really important developments happening in the story and as a result, I just couldn't leave a long gap in between updates (mainly because of random bouts of inspiration) and had to update twice. Which basically means that I uploaded two long ass chapters in quick succession of each other, within the span of two days. A [DOUBLE FEATURE]. In other words, a day apart from each other. Now, you may or not think that's crazy, but you have to consider how long the average chapter is in Red Dragon Of Golden Light.
Nowadays, the average chapter of Red Dragon Of Golden Light, is 20,000 words. Up until now, the longest chapter I had ever written, was for that story, chapter 20 at 27,000 words. But as it turns out, it was not only surpassed in quality, but in length as well. And I didn't even see it coming myself. But chapter 23 (Heroes) ended up being around 21,000 words. Pretty average. Then it happened. Chapter 24 (Rebirth)...I want you to guess how long it was. I'll wait.
….
Yeah, it was 40,000 words long.
Oh, and also, I released it 30 hours after the previous fucking one as well. So, it was written within the span of a day.
….Anyway, now that that's over, I'm getting back to these stories. Hopefully you didn't wait too long (you did.). Now let's get into it.
Prepare yourselves, this one's a fuckin roller coaster. I hope you're ready for it. Ah, also, it's gonna be a fuckin long one.
P.S. I also released a double feature for Red Dragon Of Stupidity as well within days of each other so that's also why the delay. Don't expect a double for this one because I have to get to A Fool's Heart as quick as I can. But if I get some random inspiration I'll see. Just no promises, sorry.
-SCENE-
("Follow me.")
That was what the odd woman said. It was just after she had appeared. Issei was luring a priest from the now named group, Genesis, into the forest to kill him. And possibly find any information out about his allies. But that didn't go as planned. Out of nowhere, the random woman jumped out and attacked the man thought to be her ally. As it turns out, she wasn't his ally. Instead, she was a completely random Exorcist with an odd, almost lewd, appearance and quirky personality that Issei found annoying.
In the end, she killed the priest herself, stealing Issei's kill and suddenly labeling them as allies. Accordingly, she happened to speak a few languages, one of them being Japanese. For some reason, this ended being the catalyst to the current "alliance".
But ironically enough, though she initially said [follow me], the moment they stepped out from the forest, she rubbed the back of her neck and said:
"Ah…. Ehehehe….. So…. Where is that church you mentioned?"
Issei furrowed his brows in disbelief. There went any dramatic effect left from the phrase she had left behind. He clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Follow me, then."
"Ay, Ay!"
She saluted as Issei began leading the way. It had only been 3 minutes since he met her, yet he was already beyond irritated with her presence, above his confusion.
They walked for a few minutes in directions that the girl, named "Marie", did not at all understand. Issei couldn't help but become more and more irritated as they walked. This Marie girl would constantly begin to wander off every moment he took his attention away from her, walking to various shops or looking at different sights in curiosity. It was like taking care of a child. Not like Maki however. Maki was a good girl who listened to people's directions and didn't wander off like an idiot.
"There it is."
Bump!
"Oh, sorry!"
Issei stopped to motion to the Catholic school ahead of them, and Marie ended up bumping into him from behind thanks to her listlessness. Issei grumbled in irritation, but shook it off nonetheless.
"Hm? This isn't a church."
Issei answered her blankly.
"There aren't any Christian or Catholic churches here in these parts. You'd have to go further into Nagoya for that. This is the best you can do. Deal with it."
Despite Issei's callous and somewhat intentionally rude response, Marie nodded her head in understanding.
"Hm, hm. I see. Okay! This should be fine enough."
At that moment she pulled off the robes covering her body and revealed her slightly lewd appearance again.
"Hmph. Well, if you're satisfied with this then I should be goi—"
Just as Issei was about to leave, Marie's hands wrapped around his arm and halted him from leaving.
"W-Wait! You can't leave yet! We are allies, so we should go in together!"
Issei raised a brow in annoyance.
"Haaah? I never agreed to be your fuckin ally. You're the one who came in and stole my kill while calling us allies in the first place, so as far as I'm concerned you're a damn nuisance. I'm going now. Don't get in my way, or next time, I'll kill you."
Right before he took a step, Marie pulled down on his arm once more.
"Wait!"
Before Issei could become enraged—
"Let's exchange information."
[—!]
That caught Issei's attention. Marie lifted her head with a smirk.
"You want to find Genesis too don't you? Then, let's talk about what we know. I'll give you all the information I have on them, and you'll do the same about this area, deal?"
Issei contemplated for a bit.
'Ddraig, should I do it?'
[I see no point in denying, Partner. She likely knows something more. We have no reason to try and deny ourselves of that information.]
Issei looked back down to Marie. She was smiling innocently.
'Ugh…'
"...You better not hold out on me."
Marie's smile became wide and bright.
"Ay, Ay!"
She saluted him happily.
With that, Marie took the lead and led them inside. Once they walked inside many eyes were on them. It seemed to be a Catholic school with dorm rooms for students, but classes were possibly going on considering the lack of them. The individuals they kept encountering were priests and sisters.
Issei couldn't help raise a brow whenever they passed these people, because everytime they did they would greet each other with their crosses and say: "Blessed be." to Marie. At first, he assumed it was just the odd way that Catholics greeted each other, but then he realized that while walking through the school Marie no longer had the robe from before. Her weapons were completely exposed. They knew she was an exorcist.
After a few minutes of walking, Marie stopped in front of what looked like a high priest of some sort. They greeted each other respectfully and spoke in a different european language. Most likely French. That seemed to be her native language. They spoke a bit to each other and Marie seemed to receive directions from him.
"Okay, come on. This way."
Marie motioned for Issei to follow. They ascended up a few floors passing classrooms and what seemed to be dorms until they reached a room with double doors. It resembled something like a chairman's office. Marie opened the door.
"Wait here."
Dakun.
She entered the room while Issei waited outside a bit impatiently. It only took a quick minute before Marie walked back out.
"Okay, this way then!"
Issei followed her. He was starting to become irritated again. Soon enough, they reached a line of student dorm rooms. Some of them, unlike others, didn't have any names in their door sliders. Marie randomly walked up to one and nodded her head.
"Mm! This should do!"
Dakun!
She threw the door open and motioned for Issei to step inside.
"Oui! Please come in!"
Issei glanced at her blankly and back into the room. He stepped in.
It was quite a lavish looking room. The school in general seemed to be expensive and clean. The room itself had a twin sized bed with a tv and a lamp on the side of the bed. There was also a couple nice cushioned chairs beside the bed. Issei decided to sit on one. Meanwhile, Marie kicked off her boots and jumped onto the bed.
"Yaaay! Bed~! I got so tired of sleeping in the forest~"
Issei decided to ignore her comments.
"So, what do you know then?"
Marie snapped out of it and sat back up. Issei noticed she didn't have socks under boots and was now barefoot. Minor detail, but as a Japanese person it still felt peculiar to him.
"Ahem. Hm…"
Marie gained a serious expression. Something Issei did not think would ever happen.
"Genesis. A radical Catholic cult. The original sect is located somewhere in France. However, it seems that they have been splitting themselves into divisions as to avoid detection. Considering that their whereabouts were close to being located, it is believed that their sect split into two main divisions and separated by country. One of them made their way into Eastern Europe, most likely the Ukraine, meanwhile the other division jumped to Asia, and landed in Japan. Here. So, that's why I'm here. I was sent here on behalf of the Rouen Cathedral base, in beautiful France! My mission, is to find and disassemble the heretical sect before they can carry out any more of their evil schemes!"
She finished her speech proudly with her large chest puffed out. It caught Issei's eyes for a second, but he quickly shook it off.
"Is that so? Well, good for you, but that's not the information I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear about where they were."
"Eh?...No, well, I-I don't know that myself yet either. That's why I was happy I found you. I thought maybe you would know.."
Issei sighed. Just as he thought.
"Well then, in that case, this 'exchange' is worthless to me. I'll be going now."
Issei stood up to leave, but Marie frantically stopped him.
"W-Wait! Don't you want to know how they operate or bring followers in?! O-Or maybe you want to know their weapons and abilities?!"
Issei narrowed his eyes in intrigue.
"...Go on…."
Marie smiled brightly and Issei sat back into his seat. Marie sat on the bed and cleared her throat.
"Right. A majority of Genesis followers are actually those who have been brainwashed by the original priest and church followers who formed or joined the cult intentionally. The one we encountered was just another crazy member from the original sect who was already a twisted follower with twisted views. Most of those who act alone tend to be the actual twisted ones. They bring in and brainwash others into joining the cult forcibly through cruel means like kidnapping and sometimes torture. They kidnap any who don't seem to hold Christian values like them, and kill any who they cannot turn. Women, men, children. They do not discriminate. They have been known to leave behind heinous crime scenes."
Oohhhmmmm…
Issei's body unknowingly released a silent, unsettling pressure. Marie felt chills and held onto her arms. Her gaze landed on Issei nervously.
[Partner. Calm yourself. Your aura is leaking. You are frightening her.]
Issei realized it and took a breath to calm himself.
"Suu…"
The pressure slowly alleviated.
'Aura?'
Issei shook off his thoughts.
"Continue."
"E-Eh?"
Marie snapped out of her fear.
"A-Ah…. R-Right…. Um, anyway, they bring others in through terrible means. In terms of numbers, they tend to grow as quickly as they dwindle, but that only worked because of where they were located until now. They've moved to places like Ukraine, and most importantly Japan, most likely to remain discreet and best avoid detection. But unfortunately for them, this also means that they have less of a chance of finding potential followers they can more easily brainwash to join because of the belief systems in these countries. Not to mention, it will become more difficult for them to get as many followers when they're trying to lay low in the first place. It's a double edged sword. Thankfully, we had that Sacred Gear user who could use his power to pull out the truth from one of the captured heretics and heard their plan. That's why I'm here. The only problem was that the locations were nonspecific, so all we got for this country was "Nagoya, Japan". In terms of weapons, they have the usual stuff. Light guns, light swords, holy water, crosses, maybe some magic seals. They have many priests and Exorcists in their ranks, but they all tend to be low level. So, in the end, our biggest problem with them is their ability to hide. If we can find them and take the heads down, then we've won. After that, we just help the brainwashed folk become normal again."
"Heeeeh…. That so?..."
Issei raised a brow after processing her large exposition dump.
"They only sent you?"
She smiled and saluted.
"That's right! The [Blade of Rouen], at your service! Ah, but my organization did make sure to contact any Catholic organizations located here in Japan to make sure I would have allies. So basically, my job is to pinpoint the division's whereabouts, come back here to this place, and launch an all out assault on them to take them down!"
Issei raised a brow again.
"If they called every Catholic place in Japan to inform of your mission, then why didn't they just send someone to pick you up from somewhere?"
She became reserved and twiddled her fingers.
"W-Well…. The Blade of Rouen should be able to find her way on her own…."
"Ah, so it was just your fault."
"Uuu…."
She slumped her shoulders as blue lines of depression appeared above her head. Issei sighed. This person really was like a child. Even though she seemed older than him.
"Hm? Hey, speaking of which, how old are you?"
She snapped out of her stupor and smiled brightly while saluting.
"I am 14 years old!"
"Ah. So you're two years older than me then."
She suddenly gasped and had stars in her eyes.
"I'm older than you after all! Then! In that case, can you please call me Onee-sa—"
"Fuck no."
He immediately denied her.
"Uu…."
She sat at the corner of the bed depressedly again. Issei sighed again. He felt like his reactions would soon become stale around her. She seemed to lighten up and jump back to her spot on the bed in front of Issei.
"Okay, now you tell me what you know!"
"Ah."
That's right. It was supposed to be an exchange of information. However, there was nothing Issei could really admit that would help her case. It seems they had reached their conclusion. Issei scoffed.
"Fff. Unfortunately, I actually knew way less than you did. There's nothing I actually have to give you in terms of information. Looks like you're just too easy to play, Marie-chan."
Issei stood up to leave.
"Wha—?! W-Wait! W-Where are you going?!"
"I'm leaving. I have nothing to give you aside from maybe the fact that I'm a target to them. So sadly, that's all we have in terms of cooperation. Goodbye."
Marie jumped off the bed and grabbed onto his arm to stop him.
"You can't go! You're the first person who would help me or even knew about the cult's existence in the first place! You're the only one I know who knows his way around this place and possible information about their whereabouts that nobody else knows! Please!"
Issei pulled at his arm vexingly.
"What the Hell? Why are you so adamant to have me help you?"
Marie lifted her gaze from her grip on his arm with a serious expression.
"Y-You have something special, don't you?..."
[—!]
"You have a special power….don't you?... That's why you can face those priests…. That's why you have such an oppressive feeling to you…. You…..are not normal…"
Issei averted his gaze.
'Ddraig…. What should I do?...'
[It is up to you, Partner. Be wary that revealing this could make you a possible target, but you are used to that aren't you? Well in the end, whether you assist each other in finding this cult, the outcome will be the same won't it? If I recall, that was all that mattered to you.]
Issei narrowed his eyes.
'...Yeah…. It is….'
Shiiin!
Marie's sight was quickly blinded by a green light. When the light died down she uncovered her eyes. She was met with a Red gauntlet on Issei's left arm with a green jewel, yellow spikes, and a Dragon symbol in the center of it.
"I am Hyoudou Issei. This generation's current Sekiryuutei."
[—?!]
Marie showed an expression of absolute shock as she backed away.
"...The….Red Dragon Emperor…."
"Hoh. So you do recognize it after all. That's right. I am the host of the Welsh Dragon Emperor. Introduce yourself, Ddraig."
A deep mystical voice emerged from the Gear for the first time.
[Greetings, child of God. I am most likely known to you as "Y Ddraig Goch". Though, I'm certain you recognize me.]
Suddenly—
Thud!
Marie fell to her knees with her hands clasped together and held her head down.
"..Father who art thou in heaven, blessed be thy name…"
Issei confusingly raised a brow.
'The Hell is she doing?'
[She is praying.]
'Nah, I get that, but for what? Did I scare her up too much?'
[Perhaps, but I doubt it is so plainly stated with this girl. The faithful church folk tend to be quite the odd bunch.]
'Ha. Don't even fucking tell me.'
After a few seconds, Marie finally stood on her feet and smiled.
"O Lord. I thank thee. Truly, this is a blessed day. For someone such as me to have met the Heavenly Emperor, it is a great blessing."
[Hooooh.]
'What is it?'
[A significant departure from the traditional reaction. She seems to be grateful rather than hateful or terrified. What an odd girl indeed.]
'Hmph. Keep stating the blatantly obvious, partner.'
Marie smiled brightly which somehow irked Issei a bit.
"As I thought, this had to be a fateful meeting from the beginning! The Lord must have sent you to assist me on your journey! No, more than that, he must have brought us together for the sake of fulfilling some greater purpose! Aaaah, truly this is a blessed day! Praise be, praise be!"
Marie ended her speech by practically twirling around like a ballerina. Issei couldn't feel the ability to muster annoyance at this point. Issei shook his head.
"Woah, woah, woah, hold on a sec. I didn't say that I would be helping you yet. All I did was show you my Sacred Gear. Besides, I have no plans of joining the church or anything. I'm not about to become a Christian or an ally to them or something."
Marie smiled brightly.
"It's alright! There isn't a need for you to be Christian to join our side! There are many accomodation plans that have been made just in case one of the Heavenly Emperors were to be interested in joining our side! The church is very lenient in this case! You can join even if you are a heretic!"
Issei felt the annoyance activate again at being called a "heretic". Some part of him couldn't help but feel like the word itched something within him. And the itch sat right on the back of his head. He scratched his head.
'Fucking Zealous...'
"Um, look, I'm seriously not interested in joining you guys in anything. Sorry to tell ya, but every experience that I've had with the church folk has been….a shitshow. In the end, people always died. It leaves a bad taste of blood in my mouth to think about joining you...fucks. So, because of that, I'll be denying your assistance after all."
Issei dematerialized his gear and began to walk out, but before he could reach the door, Marie stopped him for the millionth time. This time, in the worst manner.
"Wait... You have a family don't you?"
He froze midstep.
"The possessors of Sacred Gears, especially of those Gears... They tend to lead….unfortunate lives…. If you've already unlocked that power….and you have a family….they may become targets in the futur—"
Suddenly, Marie's words were caught in her throat. She felt an overbearing weight on her entire body. As if gravity was pulling her towards the ground with unreasonable force. The yellow light in the room from the bright lamp and light above her head began to dim. —No. It simply felt as if the room's light was being snuffed out by a certain darkness that blanketed it, causing the world to go almost black. She slowly lifted her gaze….
—A large green reptilian eye was staring right back at her from the ceiling above their heads.
CHILLS!
[Enough, boy. She was not implying herself as a threat. Now release her, lest you wish to die or kill everyone here. Fool.]
After a few short seconds, the pressure quickly lifted itself from the room.
…
"...Goodbye…."
Issei stepped to walk out of the room, but Marie snapped out of her shock and ran to stand in front of him.
"Wait!"
She stood against the door.
"Just….wait…"
Issei stood there impatiently. She turned around and slowly opened the door.
Dakun…
She peeked her head outside of the door cautiously. Outside, there were 11 Exorcists lined against the walls of either side of the door.
"...It's alright... He's an ally…. I have it under control…. It's alright…."
She spoke quietly to them with sweat on her forehead…. The head Exorcist of the group slowly nodded his head. She silently shut the door. The Exorcists were armed with light swords and guns. But, most of their hands were shaking slightly.
Dakun…
She turned from the door and motioned for Issei to sit down.
"Sit, please…"
Issei would have denied, but to avoid conflict, he felt the need to comply when he realized the room was surrounded just before. They sat back in their original positions.
Chirp~ Chirp~
Issei heard the light chirping from a bird outside of the only window in the room. It was until then that Issei realized— the school was dead silent. They went on lockdown.
"...When I said that your family would be targeted….. I'm sorry…. I didn't mean it like that….. I worded myself poorly….. I just meant to say that it's dangerous for someone like you to be around your family at all times…. At some point, when you become too powerful, you will be sought after. Many sides will want you to join them, and if you do or don't, others will want to hunt you for it. In all honesty, the best option would be to join a side and receive their protection…. That's what I hoped to have offered you…. If you were to join our side, your family would receive the proper protection. Otherwise, you will only continue to place them in danger."
Issei remained silent. He knew this. Ddraig had briefly explained the war between the 3 sides. The risks, and practically "requirements", that came with being the Sekiryuutei. And most of all, he understood that one day, he would most certainly have to leave his family. He understood that. Even now he understood it. In this current point of time, Issei attends a different school than Maki. This is because of the age difference, but the moment that she is set to attend his school, he will transfer to a neighboring one. Because if he can't protect his family at all times, then the next best option would be to distance himself from them whenever possible.
If he must attend school, it will be a different one from Maki's. This is why he studies so adamantly to get high scores. He attends the higher education schools, not because he's interested, but because if he is going to be targeted, he prefers to be targeted alone. And when he returns home or has days off, he makes sure to stay home at all times to protect them. But he knows this is only a temporary solution. He knows that one day, he'll have to leave. Most likely when he unlocks the "Balance Breaker".
"I know that."
Issei stated plainly.
"Of course I know that. But…."
—Memories of his past flashed through his mind. Blood and death.
("The children? Of course, I've been killing them.")
He stared through her with a dark gaze.
"If I'm going to choose a side…. It certainly won't be with you bastards…."
"..!"
Marie's expression of shock, slowly shifted to one of sadness.
"Is….that so…"
Issei sighed lightly.
"Well, that doesn't mean I'll be choosing sides anytime soon. For now, I'm on my own."
Issei stood from his seat. He no longer sensed the Exorcists outside of the door.
"Wait."
Marie stopped him for the last time.
"Are you really going to go after Genesis yourself?"
Issei nodded.
"Yeah, that's right. You can't stop me."
Marie shook her head. She stood up from the bed herself and looked to him with an almost pleading expression. She bowed fully to him.
"Please, let me assist you!"
Issei was taken aback by her sudden plea.
"..Please….at the very least, if you don't want to assist us….then let me assist you. This cult….they are truly evil…. Above all, the priority is to defeat them. No matter what it costs me. This is my mission. I must stop them….. That's why…..please…..let me help you…"
"You…. You mean you'll help me hunt and find them?"
Marie nodded her head from below.
"I plan to kill them."
She nodded once again. She was okay with it.
"What about those who are brainwashed?"
She hesitated.
"...I would hope...that you don't kill them…. But….if it is not possible to save them…"
For some reason, for the first time during the entire interaction they've had since meeting each other, Issei felt the urge to smile. In truth, even though he didn't know it himself, he never planned to kill the brainwashed members indiscriminately.
"...Heh."
Issei cracked his fingers.
"Alright. Fine. You've got me."
Marie lifted her head in surprise.
"Eh?"
"You've got me. I suppose having a little sidekick wouldn't do too much bad in finding these bastards. I'll have you tag along for now. But if you ever get in my way, I'll just consider you one of them and kill you without remorse. Got it?"
Rather than responding with the rational response Issei expected, Marie's face slowly brightened into a big smile and she jumped to hug onto Issei.
"Yaaaaaaay! Thank yooooouuu~!"
"Ah! Oi, hey! What the Hell are you doing?!"
Marie clung onto Issei annoyingly, to the point that Issei became irritated and started to pry her off.
"Get...the...Hell….off….me!"
He finally was able to pry her off his body and push her away. Nevertheless, she continued smiling for some reason.
"Oh, oh! I know! Here, sit down! Sit down!"
"Hah? Why?"
"Just sit, sit, sit! Wait here!"
She motioned for Issei to sit back down in his seat. He complied out of her insistence. After that, she turned and bolted to the door (forgetting to put her shoes back on) and ran barefoot out of the door.
Dakun!
Issei sat and waited silently. She was gone for a few minutes. But as the time passed, Issei started to become uneasy.
'What if she's telling them about me?..'
[Hm. If she returns with others, she has told them you are the Sekiryuutei. If she returns completely alone, she has told them that you are either a low level sacred gear user or most likely, she has told them you will leave here and never return.]
'Let's hope it's that last one.'
Issei sat and waited for a couple minutes more. He noticed the sounds from the school slowly return. After what felt like 10 minutes, the door finally opened. Issei caught a whiff of a peculiar smell as Marie entered the room.
"Here we are~!"
—Marie had entered with a tray of freshly baked sugar cookies.
"Hah?"
Issei could only make that sound. Marie walked up to his seat and held the tray out to him.
"Here you go! They're all freshly baked! Feel free to take as many as you like!"
….
Issei could only stare at the tray of cookies. He glanced back up at Marie. She just held that same innocent smile from before…..
"...Uh…"
Issei slowly picked up a cookie. Marie stood straight and waited.
"...Crunch…."
Issei slowly took a bite of the cookie and chewed it…... Marie continued to smile expectantly…..
"...It's good…."
Her smile brightened tenfold and Issei became blinded by its light.
"Reeeaally~?! Yaaaaaaaay~!"
"Ah, my eyes! Dammit!"
Marie placed the tray on the stand beside the bed and extended her hand to Issei.
"Then I look forward to working with you, partner!"
She held her hand out for a handshake excitedly. Issei stared at it for a couple seconds.
[Looks like you have someone else to call 'partner'.]
'Shut the hell up.'
Issei slowly took her hand and shook it. He was once again blinded by her smile as she jumped for joy.
"Yaaaaaaaaaay~!"
"Ah, God fucking dammit!"
"I'm so haaappyyyy~!"
"Ah! I get it, I get it, so turn that shit off!"
If he hadn't been blinded, he would have noticed her breasts bouncing as she jumped. Well, he did notice it, but he decided to not think about the lewdness of her obscene outfit. He shook his head.
"Well, anyway, now that that's over I'll be taking my actual leave now. I suppose I'll contact you if I find anything. Here. Here's my home phone. Ah, I'll be getting a cell phone soon as well, so I'll give you that number when I get it. If I find out anything, I'll go ahead and call the school to let you know. See ya later."
Marie smiled and nodded her head vigorously. Issei began to walk out uninterrupted this time. Until he opened the door.
"Ah, hold on!"
He turned around and saw Marie holding out a half eaten cookie.
"You forgot your cookie!"
She held it out with an innocent smile. Issei stared at it blankly. He did not forget it, he just left it there. He smiled wryly.
"Ah, sorry, I'm kind of a germaphobe so I don't like to touch things other people have touched."
Marie suddenly turned around picked something up from the bedside. When she turned back she had the whole tray of cookies in her hands.
"Here you go! Take as many as you like!"
….
Issei slowly took a cookie off the tray and walked out of the room.
"...See ya…"
"Bye, bye~!"
Dakun.
With that, Issei made his way out of the school. He noticed many of the priests and sisters around him staring silently at him. But more than that, he felt the presences of many Exorcists following him until he finally exited the school. He walked away, slowly building distance from the school to finally head home.
'So, Ddraig, what do you think of her?'
[Hm? That should be my question to you. My opinion hardly matters.]
'Your opinion is literally what has kept me alive this long.'
[Hoh. Is that so?]
'What? Is that weird?'
[Well, considering the lack of communication between my past hosts and I up until this point, yes, you are an odd one. Never in all of my history have I had a host as communicative as you. Most would simply ignore me and drown in their own power. But you were the first to openly communicate with me. Ah, aside from one of my younger hosts, but he was a pacifist who never once used my power. He was the only Sekiryuutei the world never knew existed. Regardless, you are the only host to use my power and continuously consult me about it.]
'Huh. That so? Well, anyway, I still want to hear your opinion about it.'
[Very well. But, let's hear yours first, partner.]
'Mine... Hm. Well, I don't sense anything….how do I say? Dark? From her. Unlike people like Zealous or that priest from Genesis, she doesn't give me any chills or uneasy feeling from being around her…. I'm not sure if that just means I'm being fooled though, so that's why I wanted your opinion on it.'
[Mm. You are correct, partner. I have encountered many existences in and out of my time, many of them being powerful or pure evil. The girl is neither. She is not particularly powerful or purely evil. Though, her sword seems troublesome. There doesn't seem to be indicators or feelings of animosity from her. I feel no dark intentions. Therefore, I believe it is alright to cooperate with her. Whether you trust her or not, that is up to you.]
Issei scoffed.
'Trust, huh?'
He stopped at a stoplight to cross the street. He looked down to the sugar cookie in his hand.
…
He took a bite of the cookie.
'Mm…. Not bad…'
And walked to his home.
Part 2
Whistle~! Whistle~!
The sounds of cheering and whistling. An event. Not just any event, but a swim tournament.
[First place, Akira Sendou!]
Whistle~! Clap Clap Clap!
[Second place, Akane Tsubomi!]
The cheering continued as the first two swimmers finished their swims. The first swimmer being an unrecognizable person. Meanwhile, the other was a familiar black haired girl. And the one who cheered and called out for her in the stands, was Issei.
"Yohsaaaaa! Tsuboooomiii~!"
The girl smiled brightly and waved from her place in the water. The race was over. After the final race, Akane Tsubomi's team, Issei's school team, ended up winning the tournament. They received a trophy for their win, took a commemorative photo, and the tournament subsequently ended.
Issei was previously situated with Tsubomi's family in the stands. A rather larger family consisting of her mother, father, 2 little brothers, and a grandmother. The other people that were part of her family in attendance, Issei did not know. Most likely some extended family like Aunts, uncles, and cousins. All in all, it was a rather large group. Maybe 15 people, not including him. He felt very out of place.
"Tsubomi-chaaan~! We're over here~"
The woman who seemed to be Tsubomi's mother called out to get her attention. She ran towards the group happily with a towel over her head.
"Kaa-san! Tou-san! Everyone!"
A couple of her cousins ran up and hugged her despite being wet, which gave them all a quick laugh. The family began exchanging pleasantries casually. Issei just stood at the sidelines a bit awkwardly. It wasn't until Tsubomi pointed him out that anyone had their attention on him.
"Hyoudou-kun! You came!"
She stepped in front of him while smiling and drying her hair. Issei smirked back.
"Heh. Well, there's nothing like a good show of competition for starting out the weekend. It was a good watch."
She blushed slightly while rubbing her hair with her towel and averting her gaze. Though, she seemed to be rubbing a place in her hair that was already dry.
"Y-Yeah. Sorry I couldn't get first place in my own race. It looks like I still have a long way to go…"
Issei shrugged.
"Eh, it's no big deal. [Being the best] or [being number 1], I don't think those types of things matter too much. At least not enough to keep you up at night or anything. I think what matters most is determination and focus. If you're determined and focused enough on something, you'll become great at it anyway. Most of those who become number 1 didn't realize it until they beat everyone. I have an eye for these things, thanks to my Sensei. So, if I know anything, I think you'll become a fantastic athlete. It wouldn't be a lie to say the determination and focus you displayed in your race was a bit mesmerizing. Ah, well, that's just what I say. In the end, my opinion doesn't really matter."
Issei finished it off casually. Unfortunately for him, there were a few family members teasingly whispering to each other and giggling after he finished. He smiled awkwardly at their reactions. Tsubomi kept her eyes down while her face and ears became red.
"T...Thank you…"
"Uh, yeah, sure."
Tsubomi's mother giggled and "whispered" to her husband.
"Ufufufu. Isn't that nice, dear~ Akane's boyfriend came to support her~ How cute~"
"Yes, yes. I will have to test his martial arts skills later. I won't hand my daughter off to a weakling."
Tsubomi turned blood red and shouted back at her family in distress.
"K-K-K-Kaa-san! T-T-Tou-san!"
"Ara, she seems to have heard us, dear."
"I will test his Judo first."
Issei sweatdropped as Tsubomi argued with her family.
'Well, at least she seems happy….Hm?'
Issei turned around. There were many families gathered around with their children. For some reason, he had felt like he was being watched.
Issei was on his way home after the event with Tsubomi. It was still early afternoon. After the tournament finished, her family had a bit of a potluck at their house with the family. Of course, Issei ended up being invited by her family, to which he first politely declined, but after seeing Tsubomi so disheartened by that fact he couldn't help attending. He didn't spend long there, maybe an hour or so, but funnily enough he did end up being "tested" by Tsubomi's father during his time there. It was a deep embarrassment for the girl who ended up covering her face the entire time (except for during the match) and just a bit awkward for Issei himself.
Oddly enough, Issei didn't need to boost to take down Tsubomi's bulky father. It was almost like his base strength was on the same level of a full grown adult. Maybe it was because he just seemed more skilled than her father, but if he recalled he was a mixed martial artist for years. Issei only seemed to win in terms of power. It was still a topic he needed to think about.
[—!]
He felt something as he approached his home. A familiar feeling that gave him chills, and even an subconscious, subtle hostility.
'This feeling…!'
Issei ran towards his home and jumped over the fence without hesitation.
[Partner. We will start training your instincts in recognizing familiar auras from now on.]
Issei burst through the door and ran up the stairs without listening to Ddraig's words, or his aunt calling him from the living room. He made it to the room of his cousin which the feeling was emanating from. He slammed the door open.
Slam!
"Maki!"
The sight he was met with—
"Nii-Nii!"
Was—
"Bonjoouur~!"
—Maki and Marie painting their nails on her bed.
…..
"Hah?..."
"Welcome home~!"
Maki dropped from the bed and crawled on her knees towards Issei while trying her best not to mess up her painted toenails.
"Maki…. What are you doing?.."
Issei picked her up from the floor bridal style and carried her back to her bed. She smiled and wiggled her toes at Issei to emphasize her pedicure.
"We're painting our nails~!"
"No... Well, I see that…. But, like…. I guess my question is actually for you…."
Issei said that plainly as he turned to Marie. Marie just smiled innocently and tilted her head, as if it was completely normal.
"Hm? Mani-Pedi?"
Issei just rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Just…. How did you get here?"
Marie lifted her hand in the air proudly.
"I called your home and Auntie Akane answered! I told her we were friends and that I wanted to come over! So she let me come over and I played with Maki-chan!"
Marie and Maki giggled to each other inexplicably.
"[Auntie Akane]... So, Baa-san just gave the address to our home?.."
She nodded her head.
"Mhmm! And thanks to the map given to me by the school, I was able to find my way here!"
Issei sighed. If it was his uncle Satoshi, he would've given whoever was over the phone an extensive psychological analysis without them even realizing it. It feels like the only reason his aunt didn't question it was because she was a young girl. Issei didn't have many of those types of friends. He already got a bit of a soft lecture when he rejected Akane and Akane found out. Truthfully, she wasn't cautious enough. Satoshi would agree. Especially considering that Marie carried around weapons under her definitely not suspicious white church robe.
"Alright….. Maki, Marie and I are gonna go talk in my room. Just, uh, let me know when lunch is ready."
"Yes, Nii-Nii~!"
Issei started to walk out as Marie removed the dividers between her toes and struggled to pick up the rest of her stuff without messing up her painted hand & toenails.
"Ah, wait! I don't want to mess up my nails! They're still drying!"
Issei just ignored her as he walked into his room and waited for her to enter. Marie wobbled in with her belongings in her arms and placed them on the bed.
"Phew~"
She sat down and relaxed on Issei's bed without reservation. Issei only stared at her with a deadpan expression.
"So, why are you here?"
He asked as he shut the door behind him. Marie wiggled her toes and blew on her hands to dry her nails. Issei leaned against the door and waited impatiently. He crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on his skin. 1. 2. 3. 4….
"Mm! All dried up!"
Marie nodded with a smile. Her nails were painted light blue. She pointed her nails at Issei.
"Look! They match my eyes!"
Issei merely stared silently at her in annoyance. Marie frowned.
"..Well, I like them…"
Issei lost his patience.
"Why. Are. You. Here?"
Marie sighed. She looked back at him seriously.
"I may have found a new lead."
"!.."
Issei stood from against the door, no longer leaning on it. She had fully caught his attention.
"When?"
"Yesterday. I was out on patrol. I caught sight of an oddly clothed man. He was in priest clothing that didn't resemble the school's. I followed him until he walked into a building."
"Where?"
"An old abandoned factory. Not too far from here."
"Do you remember how to get there?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
Issei picked up a jacket and turned back to her.
"Let's go."
Marie quickly scrambled to put her boots and equipment back on. She flipped her white coat over herself to cover her body. They quickly walked out of the room and began making their way downstairs.
"I'm going out Maki, I'll be back in a few hours."
"Okay Nii-Nii! Love yooou!"
"Uh huh, love you too."
They landed downstairs and passed the living room his aunt was in.
"We're heading out, Baa-san."
"Okay! Have fun! Be careful you two!"
"Bye-bye, Auntie!"
"Bye-bye, Marie-chan~"
They finally exited the house and began making their way towards their destination.
"Where to?"
"Follow me."
Marie led the way to the factory. They passed many familiar streets and plazas. They kept their guards completely up while making their way over, in case there could any other potential enemies around. Issei could feel his instincts bring in the various sounds from all around him. A bombardment of sounds, sights, and smells invaded his senses. It would have been disorienting, if not for the fact that Issei's instincts were so focused on the "hunt" that he needn't even think. Only feel. As if his brain was on autopilot. The feeling of hunting something down, it was starting to become second nature to him.
Soon enough, they reached a much less populated area. Almost deserted. They could see the fence surrounding the factory across from them.
"It's across from here. Get ready."
Marie gave her warning quietly. Issei's gaze became sharper. A silent green light glistened from the back of his bare left hand. Marie's eye caught onto it.
"...Is that the Dragon's power?.."
"Yeah."
"It can give power in such a way?"
"Mm….well…"
Issei hesitated in explaining himself to her.
'Should I trust her?...'
He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She was looking at him seriously. There was not a single trace of negative intention in her gaze.
….
"..Originally, it was only possible to Boost one's power by spawning the gauntlet, and every time power was given, it would announce itself as a [Boost] with a voice and light. But thanks to the nature of the Sacred Gear, it was possible for me to use my will in making certain minor 'modifications' to the Gear. So now, it's possible for me to do it without the gauntlet or the sound of the power up. But I still haven't rid myself of the light. Though, I have been practicing it."
Marie nodded as they walked across to the gate.
"..Thank you for telling me."
"..."
Somehow, Issei felt an odd subtle feeling of satisfaction. He hoped this was something he wouldn't regret.
"This is where he went in."
They stopped in front of the metal gate. It was an old decrepit, abandoned factory. It looked to be maybe somewhere around 30 years old. The sign on the fence said: [Private property - No trespassing]. It was a high fence, but that would serve to be no problem.
"Should we jump it?"
Marie asked curiously as Issei took a step back. The moment he moved forward.
BAN!
He kicked the fence straight off its hinges.
DUN DUN!
The fence crashed to the floor with a loud smash. Marie was already on guard with a hand on the hilt of her sword.
"That wasn't very discreet."
Issei spoke in a flat and somewhat irritated tone.
"That's because they aren't here."
"Eh?"
Marie raised a brow. Issei was right. No one was there. He couldn't sense a single person on the factory grounds. But—
"Death."
He could easily smell the sickening stench of death. Blood and guts. All of it had become familiar to him. But more than that…
—It all smelled putrid.
"Let's go."
Issei stepped onto the facility grounds. Marie closely followed. Issei led them towards the smaller building to the right of the main facility. A storage house for extra parts of whatever they were making, most likely. They reached the large doors of the building and stopped in front. Issei held his hand out to prevent Marie from moving forward.
"Stay behind me."
Marie nodded. Issei stepped forward and placed his hands over the handles.
'One more, Ddraig.'
[Boost.]
He slowly pulled the double doors open.
TOOON….
It was pitch black inside.
"Watch my back."
Issei stepped in with proper caution. He couldn't take the chance of something being there that could hide its presence. He finally spawned his gauntlet on his arm.
"Ddraig."
[Yeah.]
The moment he called it out, he lifted his gauntlet and held it up near his face. A bright green light illuminated the path in front of them by a meter. They began walking in cautiously. Issei's eyes moved from side to side slowly, taking in any detail he could. It was an old automobiles factory. It was dusty, cold, and dark. There was practically no light entering from the outside world. It almost gave the impression of being night time. Not a bad place to hide.
"Hm?"
After walking for a couple minutes, they soon reached what looked like a workstation. But Issei noticed a peculiar detail as he rubbed his hand over it.
"...It's been used recently.."
Someone had been sitting at the workstation. Working on something that was most likely not cars.
"Marie. Don't go beyond that corner."
Issei gestured to a corner ahead of Marie as he inspected the workstation.
"Why not?"
"Because something is there."
He continued inspecting. Just beyond the corner, that's where he caught the stench originating from. The stench of death. Marie turned to gaze at the darkness of the corner.
Step...
She took a step forward silently and began walking towards it. Her curiosity was getting the best of her. She passed beyond the corner without alerting Issei. It was almost pitch black in front of her. She could hardly see as she stepped forward. She was cautious, but she still hoped that she wouldn't trip over anything.
Slide…
"Eep!"
Marie quietly squealed as she felt something lightly brush against her leg. It was something soft. And cold. She couldn't see it very well, but she knew it had an odd shape. She leaned herself down and tried to focus her vision on what had touched her. It was something inside of a large metal contraption with bars. Almost like a cage. Whatever had touched wasn't moving though. She looked closer...
Issei knelt down and looked under the workstation. Boot prints. They were a large size that most certainly belonged to an adult male. Judging from the lack of dust in certain areas, and Marie's description, he was there not too long ago. The same day probably. He must have realized Marie was following him and quickly packed up and left.
Marie looked closer at the form. Her vision finally focused and realized the shape.
—It was a human hand.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
(—?!)
Issei whipped his head around to the corner in Marie's direction. He bolted from his spot towards it.
"Marie!"
He bolted passed the corner and used his sacred gear to light up the room she was in. When he did—
"O Lord!..."
Marie was on her knees, clutching her mouth, and shedding an endless stream of tears. In front of her was a cage. The light slowly illuminated the cage. Inside of it—
.
.
.
.
.
—A pile of dead rotting children stacked on top of each other.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCHHH!
Issei fell to his knees and clutched his head tightly. His claws dug into his skin and felt like it was crushing his head. Memories of images and sounds crashed violently into his mind. Within his terrifying shock, was an uncontrollable fury.
《Of course I've been killing them.》
'KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM'
《They aren't heretics like you.》
'KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM'
《It shouldn't be difficult. Especially for a child.》
'KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM'
[PARTNER!]
—Issei felt an immense weight drop upon his body. As if he had been ripped from the world and subsequently returned in an instant.
[Partner! Leave this place! There is nothing for us here! Go, now!]
'...Ddraig…. They have to die…. THEY HAVE TO DI—'
[Not now, partner! The woman, partner. She is your ally is she not? If you do not remove her from this place, she will go mad.]
Issei turned his sight towards Marie. Her expression was beyond the realm of shock. It looked as if she would begin to lose her sanity.
"O Lord! Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be the name!"
[Now, partner. Lest you wish to watch her lose it.]
Issei stuffed down his complex clashing of emotions and brought himself to his feet forcefully. He pushed force into his legs and and ran to pick up Marie against her will.
"No! No! Please! I have to pray! I have to pray for them! Please! Please, no! Lord! Our father! Who art in Heaven! Hallowed be thy name!"
Issei pulled Marie's body up as she struggled against him. In the end, all he could do - was run away.
-DxD-
Chirp~...Chirp~
The sounds of birds chirping. The world was running as normally as ever. Completely unaware of the tragedy that took place in that factory.
"...Sniff…."
A little sniffle. Issei and Marie were sitting silently, outside against the wall of the storage building they were just previously in. Just before, they had discovered something horrifying inside of the building. Issei had no choice but to rip himself and Marie forcefully from the sight. Now, they were sitting next to each other quietly, though, Marie had only just ceased crying.
"..."
Issei sat back against the wall lazily, with his legs open in a manner similar to a delinquent. He had what initially looked like a bored expression on the outside, but the irises of his eyes were completely hollow. His mind was empty. It was almost as if he was dead.
"...Why?..."
From next to him, Marie spoke in a small voice. She was sitting with her head in her knees and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her expression wasn't visible thanks to her position. Issei turned to her blankly.
"...Why?... Why must these things happen?... Is this a trial from God?... I can't do it….. I don't have the strength….."
Issei turned back and gazed out into nowhere in the world. The accursed phrase in his head.
[You are but a child. There is simply nothing you can do.]
…
"...I don't understand it, Lord….. How can this happen?... Why…...why must it always be….the children?..."
Issei's gaze slowly lifted to the sky. He gazed at the clouds silently, reminiscing on his life.
'...Always….'
"Why Lord?... Why?..."
—For some reason, Issei turned to answer Marie's question with a dark tone.
"Your God isn't listening."
…...
…...
Marie stood up loosely.
"Sniff, sniff…."
She simply wiped her nose. Her coat hanging in her other hand, she walked away silently with her head down.
"..."
Issei merely watched her walk off, and gradually disappear from his sight.
Part 3
"I'm hooome!"
Issei announced himself as he entered his home. It had been 3 days since the factory incident.
"Welcome hoooome~!"
The one who greeted him back was Maki. He walked into the living room where his cousin was situated at.
"Welcome home, Ise-kun."
"Hey, Baa-san."
He greeted his aunt back from the kitchen as he sat down on the couch next to his cousin. He couldn't help but smile seeing Maki dressed in her full body panda pajamas. It was basically a costume.
"Oof. Haaaaah…"
He sighed after Maki sat onto his lap without hesitation as if it was routine. Or rather, it was a routine, since it always happens. At some point, he is worried it would become a problem. Not because she is heavy, but more because he's not sure when she's gonna realize she's too old for certain things. Especially bathing.
"Nii-Nii?"
"Hm?"
Maki looked up to him curiously.
"When is Marie-onee-chan coming back?"
Issei furrowed his brow. Ever since the day at the factory, he practically had no contact with Marie anymore. It was nothing but radio silence. He often wonders if she maybe did lose her sanity after that. Or possibly, she just returned home. But there are times when he passes that academy and he can feel her presence inside. In truth, they were most likely in the same position. Unmoving. They were making no progress in their "investigation". And every time he was reminded of it, the image of a cage flashed through his mind, and Issei became enraged.
"..I...I'm sorry, Nii-Nii…"
Maki apologized. Only then did Issei realize that he was gazing off in the distance with an enraged expression.
"Ah... Ah. No, no. It's alright. I'm okay. I'm sorry, Maki. I'm not mad. I love you, Kay?"
He rubbed her head softly. She smiled sweetly and laid back against his chest as she continued watching her show. Issei watched it alongside of her with occupied thoughts.
[So, what shall you do, partner?]
'What will I do?...'
Somehow, Ddraig's words triggered a memory.
("I look forward to working with you, 'partner'!")
…..
"I'll be back, Maki."
He tapped Maki's shoulder to indicate that he was going to stand. She slipped off as he stood up and walked to leave the living room. He walked out of the living room into the hallway next to the staircase. There was a landline phone sitting on a stand in the hallway. Issei picked up the phone as he pulled a slip of paper from one of the drawers of the stand.
He dialed the number into the phone dial. It was the number to the academy.
….
"Ah, hello. Yes, I'd like to speak with someone."
—.
"Yeah. Her name is Marie."
—.
[Alright. I'm connecting her to the phone in her room now.]
Issei couldn't help by raising a brow at the idea. They even had phones in some of the rooms. It really was an extravagant school. An odd beeping noise was made. Someone had answered the phone(?)
"Hello... Marie?..."
[...]
Nothing.
"Marie…. Are you there?..."
[...]
Again, nothing. Yet somehow, he felt like she was listening.
"...Listen... Marie…. I…."
He didn't know what to say. He couldn't think of anything.
("I look forward to working with you, partner!")
….It's okay. Because he decided not think. Instead, he said what he felt.
"...Hey…. You said you had gone on patrol before?... We should go together from now on…. It's safer that way. Isn't it?..."
[...]
"...We should be searching for them together…. We shouldn't split up like the last time…. We shouldn't….face them alone….. I mean…"
—.
"...We're partners….aren't we?..."
Nothing.
…
"...Alright then…."
He hung up the phone. He unconsciously sighed.
'Well….No helping that I guess.'
He didn't understand why, but he remained mostly silent for the rest of the day.
It was the next morning. Issei was lightly snoring in his bed. He was caught in a deep sleep. He dreamt of a white figure. Somehow, he felt a certain connection to it. But he was ripped from his sleep by a certain feeling.
(—!)
He whipped his body upward. That familiar feeling.
[Do you recognize it, partner? Good. We'll try to focus on that feeling from now on. You must learn to recognize other's presence at a moment's notice.]
Issei quickly stood up. Maki was not in his bed. That shouldn't be an odd occurrence considering their ages, but for someone like Maki who never separates from Issei when given the opportunity and this 'holy' aura he felt, it was an unsettling detail. He quickly made his way out of his room and went straight to Maki's. He opened the door cautiously.
"Maki?"
Dakun…
"Good morning, Nii-Nii~!"
"Bonjooooour~!"
Maki and Marie's faces were covered in makeup.
….
….
….
"Why?.."
:Was all Issei could respond with. The two girls were sitting in front of a vanity with faces that looked almost like clowns. They had blue shading over their eyes with red lipstick and long eyelashes. Quite frankly, they looked ridiculous.
"...Snort…"
Issei made an abrupt snorting sound as he covered his mouth and averted his gaze.
"Nii-Nii! No laughing!"
Maki whined with a cute angry pout. Issei kept his face looking away from them as he held his mouth.
"...No…. I'm not...laughing…."
Marie smiled extremely brightly and clasped Maki's hands happily.
"Yaay! We made him laugh, we made him laugh! Teehee!"
Maki and Marie giggled happily with each other.
"Sigh...I said I wasn't laughing dammit."
Issei said that while scratching his head, but there was a small smirk on his face. It was rare that Issei would smile these days. It was something Maki cherished deeply. Marie hadn't seen him smile much since they'd met, so it was somehow a happy sight for her.
"Well, anyway, seems like you're back in business…"
Marie turned her smile to Issei, but there was a small look of worry in her eyes. Issei smirked tiredly.
"Welcome back, I guess."
Marie jumped from her seat and cheered in absolute joy for some reason.
"Yaaaaaaaaay~!"
She grabbed Issei's hands and started trying to jump around the room while dragging him with her.
"Yay! Partners~! Partners~! Partners~!"
"Ah, Oi, Oi! Cut it out! Stop jumping!"
Part 4
2 months had passed since Issei and Marie's first meeting. They would go on patrols twice every week. Though, that routine started to become even more frequent as they noticed that they had basically no current leads. Truly, the "organization" known as Genesis was a cunning one.
But above all that, Issei and Marie had finally become partners.
"Looks like it's no progress today either."
Issei cracked his neck as he and Marie walked across a public street.
"Unfortunately. It looks like they have taken some 'down time' after that problem at the facility. They must have known we found it that day and never used it again…"
Issei was reminded of the facility. It was ever since that day that he truly vowed to exterminate Genesis. However, after that day he and Marie couldn't help but think back to the children left behind. They deserved a proper send off. For that reason alone, Issei spent 3 entire days focusing on the idea of creating fire using his Boosted Gear.
Soon enough, he was able to create a flame that fit in his palm. It proved to be enough as he boosted it with power. He told Marie that he would "take care" of it, but she didn't allow him. Instead, she contacted the academy and had them transport the bodies discreetly. Afterwards, a private funeral was held with Issei, Marie, and the high priest of the school in attendance.
Marie cried profusely that day. She cried all through the high priest's prayers and even after the burial. The children were buried in the field behind the school, and a large golden cross was ordered to be sent in from Italy to rest on their graves. Despite all of her weeping, Issei asked Marie why she had done this alongside of him if it hurt her so much.
She merely smiled through her tears and said: "We're partners, aren't we?"
...Needless to say, there was a certain respect that Issei had treated Marie with, that no one else in the world had with him. Even if he didn't know it.
[Partner.]
'Hm? What is it?'
[It has been a while since you've started, but I'm not sure you realize it at this point.]
'Realize what?'
[You are hunting humans.]
Issei felt something. It was a sound. A subtle sound that didn't seem like it was from the outside world. Like a sound in the back of his head. A creaking. Like old wood. But it was deep. And low. And even if he couldn't hear it anymore, he felt like he could still somehow hear it creeping. Lingering. He lifted his hand slowly.
Tap tap.
And smacked the back of his head lightly.
….
It was gone after that.
'Humans….Those people aren't humans Ddraig. They're Devils.'
["Devils"?]
'Yes. And just like Devils, they will be exterminated. Even if I have to take God's side for now, I'll use whatever means it takes to eradicate them.'
[Is that so? What of those who have been converted forcibly? What will you do with them?]
'...'
For that, Issei had no answer.
Bump.
"Ah."
Issei had bumped into someone as they crossed the street. It was what looked like a blonde American man with his half Japanese son beside him. Issei couldn't help but have his attention caught by the boy who had blue shoes. They were shoes designed after the Tokatsu Hero "Ratin-chan" from Maki's favorite show. And they were in blue no less. That was Maki's favorite color.
The man smiled awkwardly and apologized while bowing slightly.
"Excuse us."
He spoke in rough Japanese. It was obvious that he had just learned how to speak it not too long ago. Issei smiled kindly and bowed as well.
"It's okay."
They continued walking without incident.
"Mmm~"
"Hm?"
Issei turned his head to Marie after he heard a hum. Marie had a dazzling sweet smile on her face.
"W-What?"
She just turned away and skipped forward a bit happily.
"It's such a cute smile for someone so scary~!"
"Huh?"
"Noooothiing~!"
It was night time now. There was hardly anyone around as Issei and Marie continued walking around.
"Alright. I guess that's all for today then."
"Uaah~"
Marie stretched her arms as Issei checked the time on his new mobile phone.
"Okay then. I'll be heading back then."
"You want me to take you back to the school?"
"Aww~ No, no, it's okay. Thank you for worrying about me~"
"Oh, please."
Marie held out her arms.
"Hm? What?"
She just held her arms open. Issei soon realized what she was implying.
"...No."
She puffed her cheeks in a pout and turned to walk away angrily.
"Fine then!"
Issei smirked teasingly.
"See ya tomorrow, partner."
"See you!"
She walked away with a huff. He turned to walk away.
"..."
He stopped. He slowly turned back. Marie was still walking away. But he felt something around her. She wasn't walking away alone. Issei immediately eliminated his presence and ran into a shadow. He began to follow Marie.
"Hmph! Even though we're partners we can't act like it? Hmph. Meanie. Stupid head! Gasp! Oh I'm sorry Lord! I didn't mean that! Please forgive me! Amen."
Marie prayed with her hands together as she stopped walking. As odd as it seemed to say, Issei knew his partner well enough to know she was acting - she realized she was being followed. She swiftly turned back around and changed her direction. Issei knew this path. She's taking them to the forest.
'How many of them are there approximately?'
[10 of them. Try feeling their presences individually and then focus on them as a herd. If it is you, you'll catch onto it quickly.]
Issei followed them for a few minutes. He was able to pinpoint each of their presences one by one. After that he was able to focus on them altogether. It really was 10 people. A larger group. It looks like they were really planning to eliminate one of them. Too bad for them Issei was around. And thanks to them, he had just gained a new skill.
"O Lord. Please allow me to cleanse the world of the evil that taints it. With your blessing, I may create an even more beautiful life for all of your children. Amen."
Marie finished her praying in the clearing of a familiar forest. Quite frankly, Issei was attached to this forest at this point. After this, he would love it. Why? Who knows (kill them all inside of it.).
Then, 6 figures appeared out of the treeline with light swords in their hands. Already, it had started. Issei boosted himself silently. Just as he was about to move, Marie held out her arm.
'Stay back?'
Marie tossed off her coat and revealed her usual battle attire. She had what looked to be a confident smile on her face.
"6? The number of the beast. This is the perfect amount for judgement. Very well. Come at me."
She unsheathed her magnificent sword. It had a simple design. A long silver blade, golden cross guard, blue hilt, and a golden pommel at the bottom. The cross guard of the hilt had a red jewel in it. Despite the simple design, the sword had some magnificent aura around it. It seemed like it had a 'holy aura', but Issei had never seen a sword with such an aura. Not to mention one without being made of out of light. A few of the priests around her became shocked.
"That sword is..!"
"Excalibur Blessing!.."
Issei narrowed his eyes.
'..Excalibur?...'
Marie lifted the sword above her head.
"Now! Come face judgement!"
The priests launched themselves towards Marie all at once. Issei felt the urge to move, but Marie suddenly spun in a circle. He heard the sounds of slashing in the air.
ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!
3 of the priests dropped to the floor while the others landed and clutched at their wounds.
"Too naïve, I'm afraid!"
Marie smiled as she made a flashy pose. The rest of the priest's jumped out from the treeline.
"Oh! Now it is 7! The Lord's number! Praise be!"
Marie continued slashing around gracefully like a ballerina. None of the priests could touch her. It was now that Issei could finally witness her skill as a swordsman. She was surely an expert. Though Issei didn't know much about fighting with a blade, judging by the Kendo tournaments he's attended, they couldn't compare. She hardly even needed his help with this group.
"Damn..!"
One of the priests suddenly pulled out an unfamiliar contraption. No, it did resemble something conventional. Seeing it caused Issei to jump forward without hesitation. Just as Marie turned around—
PAH!
"Kyah!"
PYU!
The bullet was deflected by Issei's gear.
"T...Thank you.."
Issei flipped around Marie and sent a priest tumbling back with a powerful strike that rendered him unconscious.
"Don't stop moving you idiot!"
"Eh? A-Ah! R-Right!"
They were now fighting alongside of each other. With the combined physical strength of Issei, and the impressive swordsman skills of Marie, the group of priests stood no chance. In fact, it seemed like a few of them were completely inexperienced.
Thud!
The last priest quickly fell to the floor. Only a small few of them were dead. The ones that left them no choice but to kill them. The only reason Issei even held back from killing them was for the sake of his partner. But it did irk him unbelievably.
"Okay! That's the last one! Let me borrow your phone, écaille!"
"Again with that fuckin' nickname…"
Issei handed her his phone. That was nickname that Marie had given him. Apparently it means "scales" in French. Scales. As in, for a Dragon or serpent. How "cute".
"Bonjour~? Yes, it is Marie~"
She spoke to what seemed to be the academy over the phone. Most likely to pick up the cult members. Issei knelt down beside some of the priests and inspected them. He turned their bodies over.
'Hm? That's odd.'
[What is it, partner?]
'Some of these guys don't have that cross.'
The bone cross was missing from a few of them. It was a minor, but odd detail. Why would some members have the cross but others not? Issei used the best of his deduction skills to find out a solution.
'Hm….If only some of the members have it but others don't, then does that mean they only have a limited number of them? Wouldn't they just be able to make more from bodies? No wait, their kill count hasn't been extremely high since coming here because they want to lay low…..so the numbers might be limited…..but then….who decides who gets one and who doesn't? Wouldn't they just get other crosses then?...But, these guys don't have anything….so….then there must be some certain criteria?...they have to kinda earn them or something?...Like, they're uninitiated ones?...Are?'
He noticed something.
'The ones who don't have it are the ones who went down easy.'
….Issei's eyes slowly began to widen.
'...The ones who didn't have the crosses…..the ones who felt inexperienced…'
They were the brainwashed victims.
…..
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Marie asked curiously as she hung up the phone.
"..."
Three of them were dead. The brainwashed victims, Issei had killed one…..Marie had slain two of them.
"...Écaille?.."
Issei stood up, without turning.
"No, it's nothing. I was just checking if there were any clues on them or something."
"Did you find anything?"
"...No."
"Is that so? Too bad then. We'll see if the academy can figure anything out from them."
"Yeah.."
This was something Issei never revealed to Marie.
-DxD-
6 months after the incident at the factory. 6 months since the first meeting of Issei and Marie.
"Mm! Délicieux~!"
It was a hot summer day. Issei and Marie were sitting on a bench together, eating popsicles. Why? Issei didn't know. Marie simply wanted some popsicles. Issei sighed.
"Haaah. No progress again. Looks like they went into super hiding after we took down a few of their squads. To believe I can't sense these bastards hiding anywhere, it makes me feel incompetent."
"I think Écaille is amazing! Even without my Excalibur's blessing you can fight so many people off easily, unarmed! My Partner sure is great!"
Marie said that with pride as she licked her popsicle. Issei deadpanned.
"Don't call me your partner in public. It sounds weird. Also, I'm shocked that despite it being six months with minimal progress the church hasn't dropped you and asked somebody else."
"Well, this was expected to be a one year long case after all!"
"Oh, fuck me."
"T-That's lewd, Écaille.."
Issei sat back with another sigh.
"Let's just call it day here."
"Hm? So soon?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow's my aunt's birthday so we gotta get a bunch of stuff ready."
Issei said that as he stood up. Marie lifted her hand excitedly.
"Ooh! Ooh! I want to attend Auntie's birthday!"
"Hm? You wanna be there?"
"Yes!"
Issei sighed for the third time.
"Well, I guess it's fine. She'd probably get mad at me for not inviting you and Tsubomi anyway."
He began to walk off, but Marie stood up and smiled.
"Ah, I also want to help prepare as well!"
"Hah?"
Issei turned and stared silently at her. She smiled innocently at him.
…..
He breathed the heaviest sigh he ever had in his life.
"HAAAAAAAAAH…..Alright, come on then."
"Yaaaaay!"
"Goodbye~! Thank you for coming, Marie-chan!"
"Bye-bye, Auntie! Bye-bye, Uncle! Bye-bye, little Maki!"
"Bye-bye!"
"Ise-kun, go ahead and walk her home?"
"Huh? Why do I have to?"
"Go. Walk. Her. Home~..."
"Y-Yes, Obaa-sama…"
Dakun.
Issei and Marie walked out of Issei's house. It was past evening, early nighttime. They set off on their path to the academy. Marie stretched her arms into the sky and breathed a soft sigh.
"Aaaaah~ I love Japan! Takoyaki is great!"
Issei smirked.
"Hmph. Glad you liked it. It's Maki's favourite."
"Mhmm, it's my favourite too!"
"It is?"
"Now it is!"
"Heh."
Suddenly, Issei felt an unfamiliar subtle feeling.
...Sheeeeeeee….
(—!)
He froze in his step.
"What's wrong?"
Without answering Marie's question, he whipped his head in a certain direction. He bolted straight to it.
"Wha-?! Hey wait!"
Marie ran after Issei. Issei felt his killing intent rise slightly.
'This feeling..! It's the feeling of something inhuman!'
He took many turns and ran down a bunch of different streets he didn't recognize. Soon enough, he slid to a stop in front of a large building sitting straight in the middle of the woods. A building he had never seen before, inside of the very forest he always trained in. Why had he never felt it until now? He noticed the odd looking seals on the building.
[Barrier seals. They placed a barrier over this place. It seems your power wasn't high enough to sense it being here. They must have been "hiding in plain sight" in your case. But now something has disrupted it. Be wary. It is not weak.]
Issei ran straight into the building without waiting for Marie who calling out to him from behind.
"Hey, hey! Hold on!"
The building was dark with the only real lighting being things like computer screens and vats. Vats? They were tall enough to fit people in. Experiments? Human experiments? Whatever the building was before, Issei didn't know. But it certainly looked like it was some odd research facility of some kind. For some reason, it was dead empty, and Issei couldn't sense people from inside of it.
Something caught his eye and distracted him as he was checking the rooms for the inhuman entity. A file. It had many pictures of people in it. He couldn't read the writing since it was in a different language, but there was one phrase he could read just a bit. The case files name. It was written in English.
…..(The Artificial Angel project?)...
—CHADUN!
Issei heard a loud crashing noise from a neighboring room. He quickly dropped the papers onto the floor and ran to the next room. When he entered he could see two figures in the dim blue light of the large vats.
"I see...so they've sent you to destroy this operation….and leave the rest to the church?...Heh. I see. And it happened right when we were at the point of reaching a break through. I see. So it must have become a problem big enough to catch the eye of the Heavens….That surely was my folly."
Inside the room were two men. One of them was a tall, thin figure in a red suit. He had black shoes and a mask on his face. A white circulatory shaped mask with a black smile and thin happy eyes. Just a plain black laughing/happy face. He also had a red top hat on and white gloves held behind his back elegantly. In every way, he gave of an impression of some sort of magician.
He was not human.
The other black haired man was impaled through his stomach to the wall with something long and sharp. It glowed a brilliant green color within the darkness and brought light to his expression.
'That spear..! Could it be a Fallen Angel?!'
The impaled man spoke through the blood leaking out of his mouth with a mad smile. Issei only then noticed the other dead bodies around him. All of them had bone crosses around their necks.
"You may have killed me…..but….my division will not fall from this….I will quickly be replaced….and if not, then the original sect will send someone to continue my work as a leader….the division here in Japan will still exist…..hehehe….do you think that the church will be able to handle it themselves?..."
"..."
The magician did not answer. The impaled man cackled.
"Kakakakakaka—! Cough, cough!...I see….well….let's hope they can find us then...hehehehe….Hahahaha..! Hahahahahahahaha!..."
The head of the impaled man dropped down. He was dead.
Crack…
The magician slid his body to turn slightly towards Issei, cracking the glass beneath his feet. Issei immediately put his guard up as the gauntlet spawned on his arm. The atmosphere froze.
….
The magician reached into his pocket.
Fwip!
"?!"
Issei suddenly caught something in front of his face at the last second. He inspected the small, familiar item in his hands. But it had an odd aura surrounding it.
'A playing card?..'
Shiiin!
A bright light from the card blinded him. When it died down, there was something written on the back. It was in his native language of Japanese.
'...(If there is something you truly care for, then pray)….'
He looked up from the card at the magician standing before him.
—He was gone.
'...Ddraig? What was that?'
[A pure Angel.]
Crack.
Issei heard the crack of glass behind him. Marie entered the room.
"What happened?!"
"I….don't know….but, I think that guy was the leader of the Genesis division here Nagoya."
Issei pointed to the impaled man who on the floor after the glowing spear seemingly disappeared at some point.
"Did you do this?"
Issei shook his head.
"No...not me…"
Issei stared down at the card silently.
"Let's go."
Issei and Marie left the room to investigate the rest of the building. In the end, they came out to find nothing but that the files that were there previously were gone.
The building inexplicably burned down the next day.
Part 5
8 months after the factory incident. 8 months after Issei and Marie's first meeting.
"Sigh. 'Hey, let's meet in the forest to train!'...is what she said, but what the fuck even? Who said I even needed to train with someone else?...Oh, and also, where the fuck is she?!"
Issei howled into the sky while standing in the clearing of a forest. He was clearly irritated by the fact that he was still waiting for Marie to show up. She was 3 hours late. He should've known better than to agree to meeting her at 6AM. He could wake up at that time, but she surely couldn't. He's never even met up with her at such an early time. She would always meet him for patrols around 9AM.
That's because she always slept in. He could easily tell that was why, even though she always denied it.
…..
"Hmph…... Well…..maybe it's better this way."
That was all Issei said. That's because he was surrounded.
Foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh foosh!
Out from the treeline jumped an army of priests. From one of the tree branches stood a man with black robes instead of dark green like the rest of the Genesis members up to this point. It was the same outfit that the man who was impaled by the Angel wore. He is the new leader.
"We kill him before the other one gets here. Otherwise, our integrity as a squad would be threatened. The other one has the [Excalibur Blessing]. It has the ability to transfer power to others and weaken Devils or evil existences. This is the Sekiryuutei. He can double his power and his limits are technically unknown to us. Together with the Excalibur Blessing? It is too high of a threat. We are truly beyond fortunate that they are the only forces opposing us. If we had continued with the 'Angel project', we would have surely been exterminated by Heaven."
The man gave a speech to his priests. Issei noticed that there were many more priests without bone crosses than with. Not only that, but this new "leader" had a much more composed and rational impression than the man who was impaled, who felt just like nothing but a madman.
The last detail - was that there was 50 armed swordsmen surrounding him. A majority of them being brainwash victims that Issei had to avoid killing.
JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI JI!
All of the priests brought out their light swords, while only a small few brought out light guns.
'Ah….Fuck.'
"Kill him."
And within a moment, Issei was bombarded by a wave of cultists.
"Oh no! I overslept! I'm suuuuuper late! Gotta run, gotta run! Kyaah! He's gonna burn meeeee! I'm on my way partneeeer!"
"Sister Marie! Put on some clothing before you leave!"
"Eh? Kyaaaaaaah!"
DON!
A priest crashed into a tree and lie on the floor dead. He had a bone cross on his chest. Sprawled around the clearing, 11 priests were dead.
"Hahahaha….oh shit."
Issei chuckled nervously with sweat on his forehead.
'Ddraig~ I'm running out of people I can't kill~!'
[Judging from our current situation, it may not be possible to spare this bunch, partner.]
'Ahahahaha. Fuck.'
ZIN ZIN!
Two priests slashed at Issei's head, but he ducked under. They were the last two he could kill. Issei brought his right palm and slammed it straight upwards into the priest's chin. The pressure of the slam broke the priest's jaw and snapped his neck.
Brcck!
He immediately aimed his gauntlet at the other priest and shot a minor Dragon Shot through his chest.
Boom!
3 more priest's ran to slice Issei at the same time. Issei had officially run out of targets he could kill.
ZIN ZIN ZIN!
Out of desperation, Issei could only jump out of the way instead of countering. But the moment he landed, two more priests came to slash at him.
"Ah, Fuck!"
He had no choice but to counter their attacks. He used his Tai Chi skills to wrap his leg around one of the priest's arms and break it in his grip, while he used his Boosted Gear to deflect the sword of the other priest and snatch it to cut off his hand.
Break! Slice!
He spun around and tossed them away from himself.
What Issei didn't realize was that there was another priest who was standing on a branch straight across the clearing from the leader. He was dressed in black robes covered in seals and had a special looking bow and arrow in his hands. His presence was being entirely concealed by the seals. He took out an odd looking triangular chip device and placed it against the bow string. The moment he did the chip spawned a light arrow outward.
The man was another leader. The impaled man wasn't replaced by another leader. He was replaced by two.
JIIII
He pulled back the bow string and readied the light arrow. He aimed it straight for the battling Issei. Straight at his head.
SPHIIN!
The arrow launched straight for Issei.
[!—PARTNER!]
Issei's head turned in slow motion. There was an arrow of blue light - right in front of his eye.
SPHIIN!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Chirp~ Chirp ~
The sky.
The beautiful clear blue sky.
Issei hadn't realized that he was looking up at it. How beautiful it was. How peaceful it was. There were summer days that he would spend with his mother like this. His father preferred rainy days.
For some reason, the right side of Issei's world was pitch black. He didn't understand it. He lifted his hand to touch at his face.
"Ah."
—There was an arrow pierced straight through his head.
.
.
.
.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Issei's body dropped to the floor as he writhed in pain. He clutched and clawed at his head like a madman. Saliva spilled out of his mouth uncontrollably and blood leaked from both sides of his head. He crawled and clawed at the ground with terrible spasms. He continued wailing in pain with all of the breath in his lungs. Every single memory began to crash and sound at the same time. Issei no longer knew where or what time he existed in.
Soon enough, he was ripped from reality altogether and sent to different times and places, with a loud terrible screech.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJJJJJJJGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCHHH!
"Ise~ Say aah~ Mm~ good boy~ Yummy~"
—SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH—!"
—SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH!
"There we go! Shoes all tied! Alright, let's go son."
Pat pat!
—SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH—!"
—SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH!
"Why the Hell are you holding my hand?"
"As partners, it is important that we do not lose our way on this journey! One moment of vulnerability and we may be swept away by the crowd!"
"It's not even that crowded."
"Even so! Fortune only sometimes favors those who throw caution to the wind!"
"Only sometimes?"
"Only sometimes!"
"Ah. You are just afraid of the lightning, aren't you?"
"N….. I'm sorry…."
"Haaah….. Just, don't cling to my arm."
"Roger!—Ton!— Kyaah!"
"Ah, you really clung to my arm the moment it fuckin' happened."
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH!
…
"...Aaaaaaaah…. Ooaaaaaaahh…"
Issei was left moaning and groaning on the ground. His voice was low and raspy. The sounds he released resembled a mental patient's. It was as if he was completely senile.
[Partner! Partner, are you there!?]
"...Oaaaaaaaaaaaahhh….. Mmmmm….. Mamaaaa…... Oyaajiii…. Hungryyy…... Mamaaaa….."
[Partner! Come back! Come back to reality! You are in a forest! You are in a battle! They will kill you if you do not move! Come back!]
"...Maaamaaaaa…... Oyaajiiiiiii…. Coooold…."
[Partner! They are not here! Those people are no longer in this world! Your family! Think of your current family! Their names! Do you remember their names!?]
"...Nnaame…... Iseeseee….."
[No partner! Your family! Your uncle! Your aunt! Your cousin! Remember their names! Akane! Satoshi! Maki! Do you remember those names!?]
"...Aaa..kaaan-e?... Sa...to..shiiiiii?... M...Maki?..."
[Yes partner! Maki! Do you recall that name!?]
"...Ma..ki…. Maki…."
Issei slowly began to bring his hands near his chest.
[Yes partner! Maki! The child! She is your cousin is she not? Remember her partner! She is waiting for your return home!]
"..Ma... Maki…"
Issei's arms shook violently as they began to slowly pick him up.
"Sa...toshi…. A..kane…. Maki…."
The priests had been standing around, waiting for the moment he had stopped moving. It was a result of being inexperienced fighters.
"What are you standing around for, fools?! Finish him off!"
The priests glanced around to each other unsure. They began to ready their weapons. But before a single one of them could move, they were frozen by an oppressively dark aura.
OOOOOOOOHHMMMMMMMMMM….
A dark red aura. The color of dead blood. The smell of rotting flesh. The shape of thick smoke. Ends that reached out like tendrils to touch the priest's feet as it spread like a gas. A pulsing, dim light from the dark veil cast over Issei's form. A red pulsing. The jewel of his gauntlet.
"...Give it back…."
Issei's voice escaped from his body in a deep tone. He no longer sounded like a child. He no longer sounded human.
"...Mine…. Give it back…."
He slowly began to lift up his upper body fully.
"...I want it back…. My…...eye!..."
The gauntlet's jewel shined brightly.
SHIIIIN!
[Is that your wish, partner?]
"...My eye..! Give— it— back!"
[Very well. I shall fulfill that wish. What you give to me, I shall give back to you. I will return it to you.]
"...GIVE..IT...BACK!.."
[Very well. Take it back, partner. There will be more that I will return to you than just that, because if I don't, you will die. That's why, I shall give you more than you bargained for. I suppose, there will now be part of you, that is no longer human. No. For now, you are no longer human. Are you?]
At the moment, Issei cried out into the sky - and a bright light burst forth from his face and destroyed the arrow in his head.
"GIVE IT BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!"
SHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNN!
Suddenly, an announcement was made.
[Balance Break.]
.
.
.
.
.
.
The priests uncovered their eyes. There a was a large cloud of dust in front of them. They could see a vague silhouette of a person inside of it. On all fours against the ground.
Then, a sickening crack.
—CRACK
Issei's back twisted inwards, in an inhuman manner.
CRACK—CRACK
More sickening noises were made. Slowly, something began to seep out from the gauntlet. A dark aura slowly wrapped around and stuck to Issei's form. The aura grew darker and darker until it began to take shape and cling to his form. It clung to the back of his arms and legs. It clung to his back. It formed over the top of his head and covered half of his face.
It resembled something from the past.
"Neh, Ddraig, what does that [Balance Breaker] look like? Does it look cool?"
[Hm. Cool? Well, I'm not sure exactly what constitutes as "cool" for someone like you, but I suppose by a conventional definition it would certainly look mesmerizing to many. It has certainly froze many of those who were in battle with my hosts. Though, that also may have been fear.]
"Is that so? Hm. I kind of have an idea of what it looks like, but I feel like it's definitely wrong."
[Mm. Well, who knows partner. It is not impossible to consider the idea that your Balance Breaker could turn out looking different than usual. Most Longinus are unique and have unique features, but considering the nature of Sacred Gears, it isn't insane to think the appearance of your Balance Breaker could be influenced by your imagination. You have made minor modifications to the Boosted Gear before. So maybe it's possible. Though, it would truly be unimaginably difficult to do. Unless, if you were to somehow end up unlocking the imperfect form of the Balance Breaker first, then that could most definitely change easily because of you. Most users unlock that first.]
"Hm. Imperfect Balance Breaker huh. I wonder what it would look like."
[What would you want it to look like?]
"...If I had to think…if it's for the purpose of facing my enemies...probably….something terrifying…."
[I would be careful with that partner. There are times when one will become an existence they truly feared. Sometimes, the most terrifying thing, ends up being oneself.]
—CRACK!
The aura formed into what looked to be a smooth armor. The texture was smooth, but not like armor itself, rather like some skin. Skin of an animal? No. It resembled something else. Something nostalgic.
"Uuu...The beast from the East is scary Nii-Nii…"
"Ahahaha. Even now you're still scared if it huh."
"That's because—! It eats people! Isn't that, like, super scary! Even though it never shows it….I just can't help but be afraid of it, you know?..."
"Yeah...It….really is terrifying huh…"
—CRACK, CRACK
The skin like armor cracked his parts in and out of place again and again. A dark red, skin like armor. It only covered him somewhat. Almost like a skeleton that had been placed over his form. It formed over his hands to shape claws. It formed over his legs to create clawed feet. It covered over the left half of his face like a mask and gave him a red glowing eye. A skin like armor. No. It was not like skin. It was not like armor.
—It resembled an exoskeleton.
CRACK
With one last sickening crack of his back, the form of Issei slowly began to lift itself up. His face was covered from the group's view thanks to the half of his mask. His head lifted up and looked towards the sky.
"...Mama…."
His head slowly creaked to look upon the group of priests. The other half of his face was slowly revealed.
"...Mama."
With a disgusting squelching sound, his right eye opened to reveal—
SGLLL
—A glowing green Dragon's eye.
"I'm hungry."
—ZIP!
"Wha-?"
Before he realized it, there was a presence behind the archer who had show the arrow and he was launched to the ground from the tree.
BAM!
He landed on the ground harshly. He groaned as he struggled to pick himself back up.
"Ugh.."
But, when he turned around—
CHOMP!
Something had latched onto his shoulder and tore a chunk of meat from it.
CCHHHR!
"AAAAAAAGHHH!"
He fell to the ground as he spewed blood. He gripped at his shoulder in pain. But—
"Eh?"
The last thing he saw, was the large form of a beast standing above him. And a red glowing eye.
CHOMP!
Within a moment of freezing, his stomach was torn open, and the disgusting sounds of chomping and tearing were made.
CCHHHHRRR!
"AAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH—AAAAAAGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH—!"
CCHHHRR—CHRR—SPLAT—!
Soon enough, the body of the archer went limp as the sounds continued. The priests could only take a step back in horror. There was a giant hole in his stomach. But inside of that hole, was another moving inhuman head. The noises ceased. The form of the beast froze. It went silent.
…
—GULP
The sound of something being swallowed. The inside of the archer's stomach—was hollow
ZIN!
Suddenly, the priests turned around to an odd sound. One of them dropped to their knees. He was missing his head.
Thud!
He fell to the floor, and a form was revealed behind him. It was holding something in its hand. It lifted it above its head—and squeezed it till it crushed.
PGGLLLLL
Blood spilled onto the head of the beast. It was being bathed in the blood of the man. It dropped the head.
"...Mama."
It slowly creaked his gaze backwards—with a twisted smile.
—"I'm hungry."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"ATTAAAACK!"
The group of priests all rushed in to attack simultaneously. But—
SLAM!
One of them had their head smashed into mush on the ground by a flurry of punches. The punches continued even after it was mush.
"HAAAAAAAAAH!"
One of the priests attempted to decapitate the beast, who was distracted by smashing in the man's head, by raising his sword above his head. But—
ZIN!
"UU!"
His belly was suddenly sliced open.
STAB!
Then, a hand pierced into his gut. Then another one. His body was lifted up by the two hands, held above the head of the beast. The two hands began pulling in separate directions.
CHRR!
Until he was ripped in half.
SPGLLLLLLL!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"RETREEEEEEEAT!"
The leader jumped away from the trees, in the opposite direction of the beast. The priests turned on their heels to retreat. But, the great majority of them— would never again see the light of day.
RIP—TEAR—SPURT!
"AAAH! AH! AAAAAAAH!"
RIP, RIP—TEAR!
"NO! PLEASE! NO! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
TEAR—CHOMP—RIP!
"AH! M-MOTHER! MOTHEEEEEEEEEER!— AAAAGHHHGGGGHHHGUUUGGGGHHH—GURGLE."
TEEEAAAAAAARRRR—CHOMP—RIP!
.
.
.
.
.
.
—GULP.
...
"Mama, I'm hungry~"
"Okay, okay. Dinner will be ready soon. Hold on."
"But I want it now!"
"I know, I know. Don't worry, I got your favorite today~"
"Udon?"
"No, no~ it's something you saw recently that you wanted to try~"
"!..Is it steak?!"
"Yup! I always knew you had an odd fascination with meat. And considering your father got promoted recently, I decided that we should celebrate!"
"Yaaay! Meat~ meat~ meat~ meat~ meat—
.
.
.
.
—MEAT.
"HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Issei's body took in a violently sharp inhale. When he had opened his eyes, he was sitting in the middle of a clearing.
….
….
….
"...Eh?"
He looked down to his hands.
—He was resting in a pool of blood.
"AAAH!"
He began sliding back in fear. But—
Tap.
His body bumped into countless severed body parts.
"AAAAAH! AAAAAAAAH!"
Everywhere he looked, everywhere he turned, there was blood and guts sprawled on the floor. Arms. Legs. Heads. Entrails. Every part he could think of.
What had done this?
"Ack—! Choke—!"
Issei suddenly coughed and choked. Something was lodged in his throat. He reached in and pulled it out of his mouth. And—
"Eh?"
—It was a human finger.
…
…
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The finger dropped to the blood puddle below. He stared at it in shock.
'..IT WAS….INSIDE OF ME….WHAT DID—'
The world around Issei froze. He looked down at his hands. He was drenched in blood, as if he was just bathed in it. There was hardly even any skin on his body that was exposed to the open air. His clothes were dyed red. He couldn't remember anything that happened. And for some reason, his vision in his right eye felt beyond crystal clear.
Glorp…
A low bubbling sound. Issei looked down. It was his stomach. He felt an odd sense of bloatedness inside of him. It was like he had just eaten a full course meal. Why would—
.
.
.
.
.
The flashes of images and sounds crashed in all at once. He had suddenly realized—
—He had eaten them alive.
.
.
.
.
.
A̢̮̞̤͖̯̦̮̳̲̮̟͔̬͕ͪ͒̎̂̓͂͘͠A̷̝͉͔̟͉ͩͧͩ́͆̈́̄ͣ͂̍̎̀͘͞A̐ͣͭ͒ͩ͋̅ͫͬ̓̿̅̒̊͊ͩ̇̉͌͏̸̨͇͉̺͖͜Ąͯͥ͂̂͊͗̋̄́̉ͥ̂̓ͭͦ̈̒́͏̰͈̰͚̣̲̟͙̭͙͉̺̪̱͓̱͍A̠͇̤̲͔̝̙̼̩͆̆̌͛̔ͬ̓͆̋̋̔ͨ̄͝Aͭ̓̈ͨ̂͗͘҉͢҉̪̺̞̘̤͚͉Ą̈̐̎̊̀ͣͧ̉̓ͧͫͪ̿͏̹͚̩̪͕̟̹̝͍̥̱̰̰̬͚͙̣͖̀͠A̵̡͚̱̦̭͕̩̙͛̄̍̿̐̔͆̉͛͋́ͪ̏͒ͫ͒ͤ́͞A̶̷̛̙̘̝̮̓ͯͫ̋̀ͭ̊̋̊̉̌̔̇̈̐̚̕͝Ą͚͈̜̬͔͓̤̭͙͓̑ͫͨ̈͘A̶̢̛̔̿͗̏́͏̣͙̱͙̘͕̭̬̤͇̩̫͍̣Ȃ̶̛̬̩̣͖̤̝̟̝̥̥͈̙̝̪͈͕̮̺͐̔ͤͤͦ̈́̑̾̎̐ͬ̂̎͘ͅǍ̊̌ͥ̍̕͞͏͇̟͔̙̜̝̫͔̗̞͉͓̻̮̤͎͓̦̀A͖͕̪͓͈̫͕̱̹̮̗͓͖̹̩̹̲̾̇̏͗͟͜ͅA̵̸̗͎̫̖̺̹͍͉͋̋ͣ͆̏̓̿̈A̡͈̼̙̠̣̯̳͈̭̥̓̏́̽ͥͤͧ̏́̚͞Ą̏ͣͯ̔̎̊̊͌̔ͫͤ̅̔ͫͪ̂́̀̚͏͈͖̫͞ͅĄ̧̛͓̺͙̱͎̟̊̓́̀̍͗̅͆̎ͬ̃ͤ̇ͧͤ̄̚͡A̴̷̳̤̝͇̼̯͇͎̞̻͂͗͌̃ͦ̇̔̆͋̓̍͟ͅA̿̑̏ͫͪ̽̓͡͏̟͚͔̣͈͚ͅA̤̜͔̞͗͗͐ͦͫ́͠Ȧ̧̹̜͈̰͉̈ͦ̌̇ͮͧͨͬ̔ͩͥ͑ͥ̾ͨ̒͂A̷̬̱̹͈̠͎̫̖̦̭͚̳̙̙͚̼ͮ̽͊̔ͤ́͋͆͆ͥ̾͡A̵̸̡͑ͦ̿́ͬ̀҉̺̬̼̻̻A̔͒͛̍̎ͥ̽̾ͮ͆ͯ̈͂͠͏̭̮̘͎̯͙̞̻̹͎̼Â̷̡̗͚̱̖̜̫̱̖̘̪̂̍̃̊̂̕ͅĄ̶͉̩̱̥̲̣͈͈̘̥͖̦̱͚͕̬̤ͧ̐ͦ̂̎́ͥͪ͂ͥͫͫ͡͠ͅÁ̸̢̻̰͕̱̘̮̲̬̯͙͕̙͎̪̮̙͐͆̿̾ͪͦ͑ͥͣ̏̓́̂͆͐ͮ̚͝͞A̧̤̗͚͓͚̙̣̦̯͋̓ͨͪ̐ͤ̄̋͋̓̽̏̃͐͆̿A̷̶͚̱͖̲̼̪̖̣̬̺͇̮̣̯̦ͩ̓͆͞A̗̝͍͍͔̞͈̥̘̥̞͂̏̊̔̆̀̏͊̎͐͜A̧͍̪͔̱͇̮ͭ̊̄̄̍͂̒̃ͬ̄͆̌͌̉̐̓ͥA̢̐̀̀ͬ̆ͯ̎͑͘͜͠҉̳̰͚A̴̓̾̓ͮ̇ͦ͌̅ͧͦ̾҉̬̰͙̖̩̩̘͙̩̭̳̳͇͓̟̰̀Ȁ̩̱̦͛͐ͮ͋̏ͩ͛̌͂ͯ͒̋̾͒ͭ̾̀͢͜͝Ãͯͣ̎͋̉ͫͧ̋̏̈ͬ̚҉̢̛̗̲̱̭͖̼̪̗Ǎ̷̛̪̘̬͕̣͉̣̼̥̗͐͆ͭ̆ͩ̆ͦ́̽͊̅̓̒͛̍͟͟͞Aͮ̐̈ͨ̑͐̏͛̾ͦ̿̕͡͏҉̧̹̩̭͉͎͚̠̼̤A̶̰̲̹̮͚̗̯̼̟͕̞̲͒́͑̂̀̋̇͋̏͟A̴̡̡̳͔̪ͨ͗̓ͧ̓̚̕H̘̭̮̱͚̺̺͕̮̺̤̳̳ͨ͂̉͆̕͜H̵̘̩͎̪̫͙̞̳̜̱̞̞̩̲̺̘̻̞͉͒ͪͮ̄̓́̋͐̋̃͊ͨ̏͝H̢̱͙̬̦̯͔̣̦̟͖̭͓̠̀̽̒̏̿͛́̓̓͆͗ͧ̀́͞ͅH͔̹̥̜̮̯̙̳̗̬̠̹͉͍͔ͧͯ̋͐ͫ̈̂ͭ̈̃͐̂̔̿́͘H̸̟̪̭̭ͭͦ̐ͩ͑͘͡͡Ḩ̴̶͇̹̗͕̮͈̹̆͌̔̔̅̔̒̈̊̄ͫH̢̨͖̮̫͓͈̪̼ͬͧ̐͋̈́̀̕H̷̢̓ͪ̊͆̓̊̊ͩ̑͊ͥ̃ͬ̐͘͏̧͇͍̯̠̤̹̩̣̹͖̟͕͉̠̪̠ͅͅH̷̡̤̹̱̪̺̖̼̱̲͐͗͆ͬ̈́̍̑͆ͧ̾͊͑ͥͪ̚͝ͅ
.͔
"Being eaten alive—"
.
H̔ͬ͑̄̓̚͏̵̟̘͍̟̱̝̗̯̩̖̫̣͍̺̗͜͡ͅͅḘ̝̭̖̤͉̯̘͎̝̹̘̺̜̣̜͈̼̠̏͆ͣ͋̄̑͛ͦ͌͆ͦ͗̾ͦͧ́̽́͢͜L̢̡̜͓̬͈̖̠̙͖̲̪͔͈̙ͧ́ͭ̀͂͒̑ͥͩ̂ͩͨ́͑̏ͭ̕͠ͅP͊͑ͭ̅̾̊ͭ́̓̃͋͆̀҉̘͙͕̰̝̬͇̟͖̖͝ͅ ̛̮͇̣̮̟͖͚̥̳̗͈͊̏͌̌̉̑̍ͩͣ̂͢͝M̶̝͇͈̘̣̝̪͉̣̳͙̐ͮ̍̉̈̈́̃̂ͮͬ̊ͣ́͘Ẻ̴͓̝͙̭̖̺̦̼̮̠̼̤̹̖̹͍̖̦̘̂ͣ̍̉͛́͢͜͞!̷̨̧̤͈̞͉̺͚̩̺̦͙̖̱̠̏̇̆̍ͧ̍ͧͪ̂̈́͗͂̾̆̓̄ͦ͘̕ͅ
N̸̵͖͇̱̣̰̈́̋̏͐̏ͯ̌̉ͪ͋̔̉͑̋O̟̺̱̱̘̮̖̟̭ͯ͐̃̔̋ͭͬ͐͠O̶̡̱̭̖̼̪̗̺͔͇͙͕͈̜̯͐ͭ͊͊ͤ̓̀̈̈́ͤͫ͐͂̏̚̕͟O̊̒̇ͧͥͧ̾̓̎̇ͮ̈̀͏͍̪̲̩̩̟͓̻̟̻̹̰̙ͅͅƠ̴̗͙̺̪̩̘̬ͥ͗̈́ͫ̅̒ͥ͒͆̍̄ͧ̕O̴̢͒ͯͣͬ́͊͋ͬ̐̏ͦ̐̚҉̛̼̘̭̦͓̯̻̭͕̩͢O̸̠̦̪̥͚̐͊ͤ̀͘Ỏ̍̌ͮͧͮ̓ͥ͘͏̱̥͔̟̜̥̜͕͉͙̭̳͓̣̪͖O̸̡͕̝̙̘̝̪͉̭͚̗̫͈͖̳͙̟͔͍̓͋͒̎̄̄ͦͯ́̔̆ͫ̓̇́̈́̾O̠̲͉̘͈̤̭͕̝͐͗̉ͨ̐̈̒̅͜O̵̻͎̬̜̥̩͈̖̱̻͔͒ͬ͐̈̃̈́̑̾͞Oͣͩͯ͂̐̂͋ͥ̅̏̈́ͨ̾͏̢̢̰̗̬͕̯͍͈̠̮̼̞̺̙̗̘͖̠̪!̵̢̺͖̗̙͍͙̞̫̖̤̭͍̠͉̌̂̄̍̿͂ͧ͌́́͡ ̴͖͍͕̥̖͍̻ͮ͗̂̈͐̅ͬͣͪ̒̅̓͒ͭ͑͜͡Ǐ̶ͣͬ͊̆ͫ̉͆̕҉̷̲̖̭̟̼̺̝̻̞͕̥̣̼͇̜́ ̸͕͍͍̣͕̙͕̻͔͍̦͖̩͖̞̎̆ͩͣ̅̏̍̓̐̿͊́͝Ḑ̞͚͓̲̞͎̬̲̱̐ͪ̑̌ͯ̾ͦ̐ͮ̄͛̈́ͥ̋̾͆͡O̡̝̼̹̦͖̬̪̳̗̪̦͔͍̘ͣ̈ͦͦ͜͝͝N̴͖̮̬͍̟̙͚͕̙̯̉͒͆̒ͪͭ͌͐͐͗́ͯ̽̅́ͯ̕ͅ'̧̹̺̩̤̜̻̦̠͖̮̻̰͕̟̥͍̙͐̆ͪ͠T͙̥͖̣̼̙̞͓͕̲̰͖̼̭͔̋ͣ̅͜͢͞ ͂̔̂̊̆ͪ̀ͬ̓̆́͢͡͏͎̘͔͓̝̟̤̟͖̳̣̝̞̣͙͙W̡̺̦̱̠͙̫̝͛ͮ̎͛͊ͮͦ͑̿̏̿ͬ̃ͬ̂̀ͫ̐ͤ͜͟Ä̹̖̩̺̺͉̺͇̟̱̺̦͇͉ͨ̑̄̓̾ͧ̊͋̄͋̈͌̀̀̚͟ͅN̷̢͊̎̌͒͊̽̐̄͂ͨ̋͜͞҉̻̩͕̭͕͕̺̙̞̖̫̖̘Ṱ̳̺̹̠̯̮̼͔̩͚̳̠̪̣̘͆ͩ̽̅̏͐ͫ̾ͪ̇ͯ̅ͧ͢͠ͅ ̶̛͎̠̬͙̰̙̦̰̮̎ͤͥ̔͂͠͠Ţ͖͎̦͎̼͈̫ͩ͐͆ͪ̇̓̿͌́̚Ô̧̢͈͎̯͈͖̫͍̘͓ͤͫ̓ͤ̓̀̚͝ ̢̪͔͔͖̩̘̺̭̫̟̠͓̘͔̻̺̯͓͛̓̍̓̅̎̔̌̈́̋͒̂̇͗͛ͩͦ̀̿̕D̡ͭ͊͛ͦ̌͘͏͚̖̳͓͇͇̼̦̣͎̦I̾ͣ͊̅̊͒̃̄ͣͥ̏̉̚͏̷̸̧͍̦̼̦Ě̖̪͔͔̱͇͇͙̳͉̗̰̰̋ͭ̌ͪͥ͛̌̕͢!̡̨͖̝͕͈̖̭͔͈ͨ͆ͩ̈̆̅͐ͨ͌ͥ̀͜͢ ̥̠̜̞͉̯͚̲̻̤̱̙ͭͦͧͨͧ͑̂ͫ͑̄ͧ͂̊̌ͬ̃͘̕͘͠͞Ṕ̵̵̶̛͙͍̦̼̐̎̍̒ͯ̿̇ͥL͇̱̟̹͔̝ͭ͒̆͊̄̍̀̀͘͜E̶̷̸̢͎͇̝̻̺͕̼͇̦̘̫̦̳̞̥̞͉͔̯̎̓ͥ̅ͪ̃ͫ̐̿͋̑E̴͈̗̖͙̾͋̆̀̂ͨ̋́̆ͧͩͣ͘͘E̳̮͙͎̦͈̮̪̟̞͌̀̊ͩ̔̔̂ͨͯ͗͆̈́̒̈̅ͤ͜E̴̻̥̤̳̭̟̰͒͊̓ͮ̅̏̾̄̚̚̕ͅĖ̄͒ͬ̋͌͛͜҉̗͖͉͈̦̞͉̬̗̬A̢̍͛͌̋̒͊̋̚͢͞͏̳̥̻̟͈̺͇͍̟̖̩̟̫̝̗̫̤̮̯Ã̴ͯͧͭ̿̔ͣ̒҉͢͢͏̼͈̯͉͔̟̯̱̜̳̱̺S̸ͪ͂͊̑̈̌̃̾ͨ̀̕͟҉͓̖̬̯͚͓̙̣̘̜̠̣̺̠͖̦͎͍S̨̻͕͙̺̲̘̲̜̓͗̉̉̏ͪ͋͂̋̾ͥ̂͛̀̚͟͝E̶̢̫͉͍͖͇̣͈̜̥̯̯̋̓͂́̇͆ͫ̉͋̂̈́̎ͪ͜E̐̏̍ͦ͑ͮ̓͊̇́͝͏͏̺̲̹̞̠̭͓̣̕E̱̪̥͚̮̬̘̊̈́͋ͤ͘̕Eͪ̔̅ͮ͌̃̆͑ͥͬ̅͌҉̧̼̹͈͙̥͚̗̰͚͇̯͉̥̝̩̻͇͎́͘ͅ!̵̥̬̼̝̬̰͍̯͍̙̃̏͋̈́ͭ̇͌ͬͥͬ̃̚͜͡͡͡ ̦͇͚͈̘͇͈̮̜̝̮̺͇͎ͥ̑ͨͬ͂̐ͬ͗̀̚͜F͎̩͍̲̪̺̘̉ͮ̎ͯͭͪ̿ͪ͑̓͂ͣ̍ͤ̏̒́͘͞A̵̧̜̗̜̠̠͗̅̄̀̍̓̇̈́ͯ̉͐̌̾͟Ṭ̶̰͎̰̘͚͔̪̞̮̘̟̭̩̜ͦ͛̎ͬ͗̒ͤ̂̃ͣͣ̇ͤ̀̚H͇̥͙̙̤̼̤̱͕̘͈̞͋̎̍ͧ̓ͭͧ́ͯ͜͠Ȩ̷̛͕̮̬̪̗̗̻̱͂͌͒ͦͅȨ͙̙̜͈̔ͭ̓́͌̅̑̆ͫ͋͆͐͢Ē̷̟̯̘͙̝̠̜̣̰̻̮͔̈̓̄̅͂̈̉́̓̌̿̿̓͢E̺̥̯͔͎̜̜̜̗̝͉̹̖ͧͣͮ͂̂ͯ͛ͧ̀͝ͅḜ̔ͯ̍̒͊̐̐̐̔ͤ̚̚҉̵̰̫̻̺͓͢E̶̩͕̣̦̭̭̰͉̖̬̤ͯ͐ͩ̎̾̿̓̽͌͐͑̐̑ͨͣͮ̀ͣ͘E̢͉̺͙̮̥̹̙̫̣͓̥̼̤͖̐ͪͦ̒̄̌̃ͯͬ̑̊̀̚̕Ë̜͇̜̹͍͍̐͑̈́ͬ̽̃̋̍̈ͦ͜Ě̷̶͓̱̟̓̀ͫ͆̌̆̓̾̊͛̑̌̐̇̓ͅĘ̞͕̻͉͈͋ͫͯ̓̐̌̐̓̂͋̌ͯͥ̀͞͝Ę̨͔̫̻̪̱̳̈ͦ̾̉͛͊̉ͭͣ̔̆Ŗ̠̹͚͈̩̹̝̦̞̟ͪ͌͆̿ͭ̾̊͐͌̏͆͑ͩ̓́͡͠!̸͓̹̖̟͎͇̉̿ͦ͌̑̄̓́͊ͣ͌͟ ͆̑̉͒ͣ͂͑҉̶̶͖̝̦̳̤̘͙̙̫̟̫̹̗A̟̞̗͓̲̯̰͉͈̬ͦ̆̿̌ͣ̒̌ͫ̃̒̑͟͢͝͝Ȁ̷̸̷̯̥̺͈͍͕̫̭̪̙̜̺͍̳̙̺̤͓̬ͭ͐ͫ̎ͧͬ͋ͧ̚Ḁ̶̟̪̬̭͙̹͙̱̓͗͊̍̇̍ͣ̄̂ͩ́A̾̎̎̔̐͏̷̨̞͕͓͕͈͖̠̤̳̯̦͇̲̜̩́͟A̸̴̯̠̥͇̠̲̘͆͂͒ͬ̐̃ͬ͠ͅÀ̴̶̸͈͈̼̳̞̻̀ͪ̽̔ͤ̕A̰̣̰̱̘̺̗̹̺̲̭̘͈̟̣̙̱̭͊ͧ͛͊ͨ̋̀͟A̴̵̒͊͐̓͂̀̏ͣͨ̌̓͋̚̚͞҉̠̞͔̖͙̫̹͔ͅĄ̢̬̪͕̣̮̤͛͌̅̑̽͆̿ͮͤͯ͑́̚͘͢ͅA̘̰̘̗̱̮̲̪͚͑̃ͥ̊͛̉ͧ͋̇͛ͨ͂ͬͭ̆ͮ̿͗͡A̍ͮͯ̆ͥ̂͋̊̄̐ͫ͏̴̶̵̮͎̖͍̮̪͘H̽ͧ̆̐̐͐҉͎̤̮̜̪͈̖̤͜͟͞H̸̡̨͔̞̹̬̟̳̪͓̣̺̭̝̝̪̰̩͕ͣ̅͌ͧ͂͘͢H̴̸̵̡͖͔̤͙̣̪͓͓͈̥͍͎̱͈̜͇̹̋̌̇̃ͬͬ̒̂ͤ̉ͤ͂͂̊̐ͥ̓̌H̡̘̥̱̻͔̠̩̲̦̼͔̩̮̱̮͚ͩ͑̉̓̋̏͐͆͌ͣͪͣ̆̊̀̑̎̀̀͢!̴̡̀͑̊ͩͤͦ͂ͦ̐̅͆͛ͤ̈͊ͦͭ͜͢҉̤̗͕̗̫̫ͅ ̡̪̯͇̈́̾̾̋̆̆̆̊ͦͫ̃͋͜F̧̍ͨ͑̿ͬ͒͑ͬ̇͆̑͊͋͟͞͏͔̭̘̗̰̣͎O͍̜̭̩͌̾̿͆͆̉ͨ̋ͣ̐̽̐ͣ͆̅ͮ̃̏ͬ̀ͅŔ̴̡̗̜̭͎̫̙̜͔͔̟͈͎̺̔̅̒ͥ̒̓̐̓͛ͮͅͅG͗ͤ̉ͣͤͫ̏̋̿ͯ̋ͣ͗͏̸͇̪̥͕̕͢I̢̢ͤ̓̑̀̅ͮ̍̆̅̒̆̇̓̽̄͛͟͏̳̱̹͖̪͍̱̺͙̰̙V̛̤͇͙̩̤͔͕̭̣͉̭̞͍͙̣̰̽̈́ͪͤ̏̿ͨ̂̓ͦ̊̐̿̅ͮ̀̀͢͝E͛ͫ̌̉̿̄̅ͯͧ̆ͨ̽ͯ̉̍̂̆ͯ͏̡̲̪͔͡͝ ̸̖̖͇̦͙͖̖̬̌̋̀̈́̈ͬͣ̆͡͡ͅM̍͆̈́ͭ͌̎͒ͪ̋̉̓̊̅̏ͬͤ́͏̵̛͇̪͍̘̼̣̬̼̯̹̬̘̪̫̩E̢͖͇̳̬̦̫̱͇ͩ̉̽͌ͮ͂ͭ̀̈́̔ͧͭͯ̈̉̏̀͠Ē̵̛̳͇̱͍̠̱͖ͯͨ͒̋ͯ̍͛̈́ͅE̢̧͇̰͓̥͕̰̪̩̮ͯ͐̇̏ͭͪ͌͂ͫͧ̀̏ͪ͟͡E̴̵̠͈̗̤̹̜̥͖͈̹͙͈̜͙͍̱̖̾ͩͬ͑ͫ̒̊̎͝ͅE̷̡͍͉̝̠̦̩͙̣͚͆ͨ͒͌͊̒Ě̵̢̨͈͚͕͇͚̗͕̖͙̑͊̌̀̕E̶̶̘̣̘̰͈͓͉̺̖̎̓̑̔ͯͥͩ̿̂ͯͬ͂ͦ̆ͫͤ͛̎͘͞ͅE͍͈͖̘̺͓̳͇͎͖̦̤̙̗̣̲̻̒̒ͧ̑̀͟E̷̖̤̬̞̱̤̳̙̻̫̼̠̞͍͖̳ͩ̅̂̈̽͘ͅ
.
.
"...Really is the worst death."
!-[?!]-!
"BLAAAARGHHHH!"
Issei relentlessly vomited everything in his stomach, straight onto the ground.
"BLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH—MLOOAAAAAGHHHH!"
There was nothing left in his stomach, yet he still continued trying to vomit. The feeling of their parts splashing in the liquids of his stomach. The feeling of hands and fingers clutching at his throat as if trying to escape. As if they were still alive. He could feel them inside. Even though they weren't in him, he could feel them moving inside. Crawling. Pulling. And screaming.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! AHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Issei could only howl into the sky. Somehow, he hoped someone would hear him.
"I'm late, I'm late! Oooooooo! I hope he doesn't hit me! Ah, well, we are going to train... But that doesn't mean I want to be hit! Or at least I hope he doesn't make it hurt too bad. Uuuuuuu! I'm soorrryyyyy~!"
Marie jumped out of the treeline and into the clearing of a forest. But the world went completely silent as she stood frozen in place.
…..
Issei was sitting against a tree with his head hanging loosely down, as if he were dead. In front of him—was a giant pool of blood with severed human bodies.
….
….
….
….
(ISSEI!)
Marie bolted towards the form of the boy as she called out to him. But no voice escaped from her cords. She could only mouth the words. Or at the very least, neither of them could interpret the sound she was making. It was the first time she had properly said his name.
(ISSEI! ISSEI!)
She shook the body of the boy. He did not move. His eyes were hollow and empty with dried tears under them. His body was loose. There was no life in his form. He merely stared blankly into the hands that sat in lap.
…..
("Nii-Nii! Your hands are big!")
("Hahahaha. Well, that's because I'm a guy, of course.")
("Mm! I like holding them. They make me feel safe!")
("Hahaha. Is that so? Well, how nice.")
…..
That was the day— Issei lost his humanity.
End
Welp. Looks like you guys are getting a double feature too. Yep. That's right. Even though I just uploaded this long ass chapter (for this story), I am going to start writing the next chapter right after. It just feels like it needs to be done. It's chapter 10, we have to reach our conclusion. In other words, chapter 10 will be the end of Issei's first journey. The end of the prologue. Chapter 11?
Cannon.
Anyway, that was dark. As in pitch black dark. Well, I did always say that this was my darkest story. I'm not pulling any punches with this one. I'm afraid that there is something that must be understood about this world's Issei that will be solidified next chapter. This Issei, is the one represented by "The Tower". A tumultuous disaster. Or is it a denial of growth? We don't know yet. We don't know if his card is flipped right side up, or upside down. But for now, there is one thing we know.
This Issei—is the one who suffers.
And his suffering doesn't end here. It - may never end.
So yeah. Next chapter will be the end of the prologue. After that, we will finally reach cannon. We will see how Issei handles the world of DxD. But, next chapter, we'll see what the consequences to his actions will be.
Tell me what you guys thought. Quickly before I upload the next chapter, which will be shorter by the way.
Did you enjoy Marie as a character? Did you like the development of her and Issei's relationship as partners? And friends? Who was the magician Angel and why was he there? What did his message mean? The imperfect Balance Breaker was unleashed, but why did it cause a berserker? Do you finally understand what the worst death is?
Read, Rate, Review go crazy.
Stay frosty.
[P.S. Issei's imperfect Balance Breaker was a bit inspired by Ken Kaneki's half Kakuja form from the original Tokyo Kushuu]
