What's this?! Could it be?! The legendary "DOUBLE UPLOAD"?!

YES, it has returned! So let's not waste any time! Here it is!

The RISE, AND FALL(?), OF PHOENIX!

(Disclaimer: there's gonna be a bit of jumping around here and there, bear with it for now. It's kind of just an unfortunate necessity for this one.)


The Boy vs. The Phoenix


The first thing that Rias was told when she woke up in the morning, by a person she didn't expect to wake her, Grayfia, was that there was a certain "event" that was about to take place.

When Rias asked in confusion what it was, Grayfia simply told her: The fight between Sekiryuutei and Phoenix.

And of course, Rias's response was an unsurprising:

"Eh?"

—After being awoken, Rias was joined by Akeno, both of them being confused by the circumstances. Although Rias attempted to interrogate Grayfia about the situation, Grayfia ignored her, claiming that she needed to retrieve other "personnel".

But before leaving them, Grayfia advised Rias to return to a certain place.

That place being none other than the academy which she attends.

Dakun!

Rias threw open the doors to what appeared to be a fancy board meeting room located in the main school building.

When she opened the doors, Rias and her Queen who accompanied her, Akeno, noticed the room filled with people. Gathered around an oval table with lavish seats were various faces that Rias immediately recognized.

Her mother, her father, her older brother, and even the parents of her betrothed, lord and lady Phoenix. The only daughter of Phoenix was present as well, but not the sons. It seems they couldn't attend.

"Ah, Rias. You've arrived."

Sirzechs acknowledged Rias's presence upon entry.

"Onii-sama! Otou-sama and Okaa-sama as well!"

Rias approached her family members on one side of the table, only being accompanied by Akeno.

"Onii-sama, Otou-sama, Okaa-sama, why are we all here? I don't understand what is going on. Grayfia only said something unbelievable to me and disappeared."

"I assume that involved something related to the [fight between Sekiryuutei and Phoenix]?"

"..!"

Rias widened her eyes in shock.

"What do you mean, Onii-sama?! What "fight"?!"

"Well, Rias, as I explained to our parents and Raiser's parents just a moment ago: Raiser and the newly discovered ally Sekiryuutei seem to have developed a serious disdain for each other. You and Grayfia witnessed that firsthand, Rias. It's unfortunate, but things of this manner happen. However, we were even more unfortunate enough to realize that both of these beings happened to be very stubborn ones. As a result, they simply can't stand each other one bit, and they practically refuse not to start a conflict. Considering that the Sekiryuutei is our new ally, and may be integrating himself with Devil society at some point in the future, it may come to pass that he and Raiser would meet one another at different times and places. This begs the question: "What if they randomly decide to fight each other in the future and cause a mayhem?" This could prove to be a problem if it continues this way between them. That's why, after discussing it with both Raiser and the Sekiryuutei himself, I decided that something like a "showdown" was in order. Perhaps if we allowed the two warriors to have a face-off just once, they could let out their frustrations and step away from each other amicably. It's been seen before, when there are two rival Devils who have great contempt for one another, then end up becoming close friends after facing off in a [Rating Game] against each other. So I thought, 'why not let them fight?' And for that very reason, we've been brought here, as spectators for this match."

[—?!]

Rias was shocked as she processed all of the information given to her.

Sirzechs embellished the truth a bit when he explained it to her. Of course it was true that Issei didn't like Raiser, but he never explicitly identified himself as being closely affiliated with any supernatural faction. Nor did Issei claim to have the intention to integrate himself into Devil society. And Sirzechs most certainly does not believe that Issei and Raiser would become "friends" after this event. But all of that was necessary to say if Sirzechs wanted to convince his parents and the Phoenix family that this event was just what he said it was.

Rias asked Sirzechs, unsure of herself.

"...Then, this really doesn't involve me?"

Sirzechs answered with a plain look on his face.

"Hmm? Ah, no, of course not. I'm not even sure what you're trying to imply with that. I only invited you because I assumed you would be interested in watching. It is a match between your good friend the Sekiryuutei and your fiance after all."

"...But, if that is true, then why are Okaa-sama and Otou-sama here?"

"Well, I thought that they would be interested too. They are going to be Raiser's mother & father-in-law, so maybe they'd like to see something like this, that could be considered "legendary" fight. It's fairly simple really, Rias."

Sirzechs finished off by looking away from Rias, but he sent her one glance with his eyes afterward. It was as if he was telling her to 'stop asking suspicious questions'.

And even though Rias didn't entirely understand it, she decided against questioning her brother any further.

Rias hesitantly sat down in a seat beside her parents, with Akeno by her side.

"Ahh~, I can't believe Onii-sama made an enemy out of the Sekiryuutei. And according to Sirzechs-sama, he did it right around the time that the Sekiryuutei became our ally! Honestly, Onii-sama can be so bull-headed sometimes."

The one who said it in an annoyed tone, with her cheek resting against her palm and a "princess" esque demeanor— was Ravel Phoenix, the only daughter of Phoenix.

Rias realized it after hearing the words of Ravel. No one else besides Akeno and her actually know the real circumstances behind Issei's existence. They only think that Rias met him recently, and that Sirzechs secured him as an ally shortly after. And that, somehow, Issei and Raiser ended up meeting and hating each other, which led to this. She has to assume that they know he is also a student at her school, otherwise, it wouldn't make too much sense.

But is that the extent of their knowledge? And if it is, then why did Sirzechs intentionally leave it that way? Why not the full truth, which he now certainly knew?

Just as Rias was questioning it, a magic circle bearing the crest of Gremory appeared in the corner of the room and multiple figures came out from it.

"I have returned with the party of the Sekiryuutei."

Grayfia announced their presence just as they arrived. Behind her, there stood Asia and Raynare, but Issei was not with them.

"Asia! Raynare!"

"B-Buchou-san?"

Rias immediately went over to Asia and Raynare with a surprised face.

"What are you two doing here?"

Instead of being answered by the two women, Rias was answered by Sirzechs himself.

"I invited them too, of course. They are the Sekiryuutei's closest companions, it would only be natural that they would accompany him."

While Rias was confused as to why Issei wasn't together with them, another voice spoke up from the table. A handsome, middle-aged man with crimson hair, Zeoticus Gremory. Sirzechs and Rias's father.

"..A Fallen-Angel?"

Zeoticus mentioned it while giving Raynare, who was at the other side of the room, a suspicious look.

"Why is there a Fallen-Angel among them? Not to mention, even a sister?"

Raynare's skin went as pale as snow, and she clamped her hand tightly around Asia's own, to the point that it was hurting her. She had only just realized all of the beings she was surrounded by.

"They are the Sekiryuutei's companions, Otou-ue."

"..One of the Sekiryuutei's companions is a Fallen-Angel and the other is a church girl? You didn't find it important to question that, Sirzechs?"

"Need I mention Rias's Queen?"

"She is a servant of Gremory and she was attained under very special circumstances. And there are certainly no church members amongst her servants either."

"This Fallen-Angel and sister's circumstances were also special."

Zeoticus raised a brow at Sirzechs, and Raynare only became even more terrified. But Sirzechs brought up his hand to ease his father's concerns.

"Don't worry, Otou-ue. We've verified it properly. The Fallen-Angel is no longer affiliated with any Fallen-Angel organization or personnel. And the church girl is a follower of heaven in belief only. She has no official connection to the church, nor does she maintain any animosity towards Devils either, surprisingly enough. Their only affiliation is with the Sekiryuutei now, and that ties them to us Devils."

Zeoticus narrowed his eyes slightly, but then he nodded, satisfied with Sirzechs's answer.

"Very well. If you say it is so then I'll believe it, Sirzechs."

Raynare's grip on Asia's hand only loosened slightly, and though it caused her discomfort, Asia never complained about it.

"Please, sit here."

Grayfia led Raynare and Asia to a couple of empty seats at one end of the table, away from both groups of Devils. Rias returned to the seat between her parents and Akeno. Again, Rias was left wondering where in the world Issei was.

But the answer to her question would come to her soon enough.

"Grayfia, if you would, please."

Sirzechs gestured to Grayfia and Grayfia walked up to a projection monitor that was at the front of the room. This wasn't any normal projector, however. The projector was developed with Devil technology.

Just as Grayfia pressed a button on the side of the projector, a magic circle spawned atop the projector and multiple holographic screens appeared in the air. This was the technology that they sometimes used for VIP rooms during [Rating Games].

On the screens, the track and field yard of Kuoh Academy could be seen. And on that yard, a familiar person was seen standing there, alone.

"Raiser..!"

Rias exclaimed when she realized who it was. Raiser was standing out there with an angry expression on his face. He appeared to be waiting, patiently. For the first time in his life, Raiser, despite his visible aggravation, was acting extraordinarily patient. To Rias, it was an unbelievable sight.

"Onii-sama! You can't mean for them to have a fight here!? The academy could be damaged!"

Rias shouted that with concern, but Sirzechs merely smiled at her.

"Take a closer look, Rias."

When Rias returned her gaze to the screen, she noticed an interesting detail about the sky. It was an unusual color. But it wasn't unrecognizable. Rias recognized that sort of sky from the ones that were also present in Rating Games.

Raiser wasn't on school grounds. He was in a fabricated dimension.

"This is another dimension created by Grayfia for the match. It's meant to resemble your academy exactly. I decided that if the two of them were going to have a face-off, with Raiser being the one with an immortality power advantage, it would be fair to give the Sekiryuutei a home advantage and put him in a location he is familiar with."

Sirzechs explained it like that and put Rias's worries to rest. Or at least, for the most part. Because for Rias, there was still one worry left.

'...What is going on? Ise, where are you?'

However, Rias's worry didn't last for long. After a short while of patient waiting, the second guest of honor that the room of spectators was waiting for began to appear.

[Shiin!]

Through the screen that was focused on Raiser, there was a magic circle that spawned a few meters ahead of him.

"It seems that our Sekiryuutei has arrived."

Just as Sirzechs said that, a familiar figure appeared out of the Gremory transportation circle in the field, facing away from Raiser.

Rias whispered his name under her breath.

"...Ise."


Shiin!

Out in the field of the fake dimension's academy, the figure of a certain boy— No— The Red Dragon Emperor, appeared.

Hyoudou Issei has finally arrived.

Looking up at the sky, Issei could tell that this was not the academy he was familiar with. Though he recognized these grounds, the sky above was foreign. This is more than likely the cause of some Devil magic.

In that case, Issei should take Grayfia's word about the "extra dimension" seriously. No wonder Ddraig warned him of her, she must be powerful to pull such a thing off.

But as of currently, Issei had more important matters to attend to. Namely, the person he could immediately tell was standing a few meters behind him.

Rip..

Issei tore up the 'transportation flyer' he received from Grayfia, considering that he no longer needed it. He crumpled up the remains in his palm and turned around.

When he turned his body, Issei was finally face-to-face with the child of narcissism, Raiser Phoenix. And upon meeting eyes, both of the men's gazes became firm with determination and anger.

Issei released the torn up pieces of paper away from himself, revealing that he had turned them into nothing but ash in his palm. A breeze blew through Issei's hair and clothing, quickly scattering the paper's ashes into the air.

A draft, in a fake dimension? Issei easily deduced that the one creating this draft was none other than Raiser himself. After all, there were soft winds being picked up near the Devil's shoes.

And just like the time they had previously met, Issei and Raiser were caught in an unwavering stare-off with intimidating glares.

No words need be exchanged between the two. They knew exactly what they were here for, and that was all that mattered.

Then, a voice could be heard echoing through the sky.

[Greetings, Raiser Phoenix, Red Dragon Emperor Hyoudou Issei. It is I, Sirzechs Lucifer, Maou of the underworld. —As we all discussed separately before, today you two will be having a "face-off" of sorts. In order for you two to possibly reconcile your differences in the future, we have all agreed that it may be best for you to express your grievances through more "physical" means. After all, it seems to be the most preferred option for fighters like you two. —That being said, as this is practically nothing more than a duel, there are currently no rules set. Therefore, I thought it candid to ask you two upfront what sort of match you suggest.]

Sirzechs ended his lengthy introduction with an opening for dialogue, prompting a response from either fighter.

The one who ended up speaking first was the one with the biggest mouth, Raiser.

"I propose a death-match!"

Raiser said it clearly, loud enough for all of the spectators to hear.

—Inside of the spectators room, there was a bit of shock to be had.

[I propose a death-match!]

[—?!]

The spectators were taken aback by Raiser's declaration, with the most vocal of them being Rias, who stood up from her seat and shouted.

"What?! A death-match!? You can't be serious! Onii-sama, you can't allow that! It wouldn't make sense for Issei, who is a human, to participate in something like that! It's unfair!"

Sirzechs brought up a hand to calm his sister.

"I understand what you are saying, Rias. It's true that Raiser would undeniably have an unfair advantage in something like a death-match, being that he is immortal. In fact, it's very likely that he proposed it for that very reason. He could be testing the metal of the Sekiryuutei."

Next, Sirzechs's father Zeoticus commented.

"Still, a death-match? It doesn't sound as if Raiser has any plans of "reconciling differences" after this duel is over."

"Indeed. It's problematic. And considering that it is Raiser, I wouldn't take it as a bluff. However, I have a feeling that the Sekiryuutei may agree to it. But it is also true that the Sekiryuutei would be a valuable asset to the Devils as an ally. Losing him would be serious, especially so shortly after discovery. —Even so, in the end, it is the decision of the fighters, not our own. First, let us see what the other thinks."

—In the field, Sirzechs's voice came out from the sky again.

[What does the Red Dragon Emperor say to this proposition? Do you refuse or have a suggestion of your own?]

Issei answered the question clearly and without ever removing his firm gaze from Raiser.

"I accept."

[—?!]

Issei's reply shocked not only the spectators, but even Raiser slightly. Of course, that shock didn't last long, and Raiser scoffed instead.

"Hmph. Fool."

Sirzechs's voice returned to speak.

[Bear in mind that the Phoenix clan Devils are immortal and possess the ability to regenerate from virtually any injury with ease. Even knowing this, would you still be willing to accept, Hyoudou Issei?]

Issei said it without his determination ever faltering.

"Yeah."

[Very well. If this is the case, considering that Raiser Phoenix is immortal, we'll modify the rules to the death-match a bit. The condition for defeat against Phoenix is forfeit, or the equivalent of 10 "deaths". A "death" for the Phoenix is any moment in which Raiser is incapacitated as a result of "fatal" attacks. In other words, having his head blown away would be a "technical death", since it would kill most regular beings. 10 of those technical kills and Raiser Phoenix will lose. The condition for defeat against Sekiryuutei is forfeit, or simply death. However, considering that the Sekiryuutei is considered a very valuable asset, I will add a caveat to the match outcome on behalf of the Sekiryuutei. —Should the Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei, die in this battle, we will have him reincarnated as a Devil here. That way, there won't be an unbalanced outcome, as opposed to him dying and suffering a great loss to the Devil side.]

[—?!]

—Amongst the spectators, the older Devils were nodding their heads in understanding. After all, it would be terrible to lose an asset as valuable as the Sekiryuutei because of a duel. It made sense.

However, amongst the younger audience members, there was an immense shock to be shared.

"Ise becoming a Devil?! Onii-sama, you can't be serious!"

"Of course I am, Rias. The Red Dragon Emperor is valuable. To let him die like this would be a waste. Whether he agrees to this condition is up to him. But in that case, the death-match will not take place. Or, Raiser will have to settle for a simple duel. But I don't see that happening. Either way, I don't plan to lose the Sekiryuutei for no reason."

The spectators attention returned to the screens to observe Issei's reaction.

His face did not change, nor did his attitude.

[Fine by me.]

Much to the collective surprise of the spectators, Issei accepted the condition.

"Under whose peerage would he serve, should he fall?"

Zeoticus inquired curiously. Lord Phoenix replied to him forthwith.

"He should serve under the Phoenix household. He is challenging Raiser after all. It only makes sense that the compensation would be to serve our clan if he lost."

Lord Phoenix said it candidly, but Zeoticus countered his point.

"On the contrary, he should serve under Gremory because he was already closely affiliated with our daughter, the heiress. It would only be natural for him to become her servant. It wouldn't make sense for him to become the servant of a stranger, much less a rival."

"I disagree. It should be more of an argument for utility. The Sekiryuutei could be infinitely more useful to the Devils under the care of the Phoenix clan. Most especially if said clan has a rival for him to stimulate growth."

"Perhaps we should ask the Sekiryuutei to make a decision beforehand?"

"No, since he is here, let's ask Sirzechs."

The two Devils then turned to Sirzechs, who appeared to be more interested in the fighters inside of the extra dimension.

"Why don't we wait to see the outcome of the match first? Though if you want my opinion, Rias should get him. They're friends after all."

"Sirzechs, judging by your words, you seem confident that the Sekiryuutei might win. It couldn't be that you're hoping for that, for some reason?"

Sirzechs simply smiled at Lord Phoenix's non-aggressive accusation.

"Of course not. It's just a hunch."

Zeoticus chimed in as well.

"But 10 'technical deaths'? Are you entirely sure this Sekiryuutei can even pull such a feat off? It seems quite extreme. He would have to be very powerful in order to get someone like Raiser even a few times."

"I have good intuition. But if the Sekiryuutei has a complaint about it, I'm sure he will make it heard. Besides, even if he loses, he'll become Rias's servant. Right?"

Although Rias didn't find the idea of Issei becoming her servant bad at all, in this situation, she would honestly prefer that he won instead.

—Back inside of the fake dimension, Issei and Raiser were both glaring at each other while waiting patiently for the duel to start.

Issei could still feel the subtle breeze blowing around his and Raiser's body. The breeze blew through Issei's red jacket, and he even felt the wind going into his shirt and moving the cross hidden under it.

He has no choice but to assume that, the moment the duel starts, Raiser will attack him to kill.

….

This jacket felt heavy to Issei. Unbelievably heavy. Sometimes it even felt like it was covered in blood.

That's because this is the jacket Issei was wearing when Marie died. And in fact, the dark spots from where her blood never washed off were still there.

The same jacket that Issei had pressed up against Marie's bleeding wound. He never thought he would ever wear it again in his life. His just kept it with him as a reminder, a grim momento that he could never toss away.

Issei doesn't know why he chose to wear it again, especially today of all days.

But perhaps, it was because a part of him believed that his actions from today were being entirely influenced by the person who bled on this jacket.

Whatever the case, despite how heavy the jacket felt to Issei, he also couldn't help but feel that it was comforting to him.

It made him feel like he didn't have a doubt in his mind about anything anymore.

Sirzechs's voice returned to disrupt the overbearing silence in the air.

[We have set the conditions for the duel except for one. With 10 technical deaths or a forfeit, Phoenix will lose. With death or forfeit, the Sekiryuutei will lose. And if the Sekiryuutei loses, he will become a Devil, most likely to Gremory. However, considering that the odds are still stacked heavily in Phoenix's favor, the risk to reward for the Sekiryuutei is horribly unbalanced. That's why, in lieu of this realization, I have decided that it would be fair to offer the Sekiryuutei something in return for winning. A reward. For example, a "wish" of some kind that the Sekiryuutei could request for. Fame, wealth, power, or something else. That being said, is there anything that the Sekiryuutei would like to request?]

Issei glanced up at the empty sky. There was nothing there for him to see, but his instinct kept leading him to that place.

—Inside of the spectator room, Rias felt like Issei was looking straight at her through the projection.

Sirzechs smirked to himself subtly.

—Back in the field, Issei said his answer loud and clear.

"I'll ask for it when I win."

Issei then returned his gaze to Raiser, who was glaring even stronger than before. The tension was now reaching its peak.

[Alright. The conditions are set. Do both fighters agree to these terms?]

Both Raiser and Issei replied without hesitation.

" "Yeah." "

[Very well. In that case, there is nothing left to be said. —Let the duel between the Sekiryuutei and Phoenix— Begin.]

And the moment the match had commenced, Raiser released a stream of flames from his hands that engulfed the entire area in front of him, including Issei.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

[—?!]

Raiser had spared not even a second to destroy Issei. His attack was undoubtedly a "certain kill" move.

"How do you like that, you smug, human trash!?"

The flames that Raiser had poured out began to lower in intensity, though the place in front of him was scorched and still burning. He couldn't make out any shapes in the flames, so he looked around the surrounding area. But there was nothing. Nothing behind him, nor anywhere around him.

'Did I incinerate him already?'

Raise kept glancing around suspiciously, but he returned his gaze to the flames when he caught something moving within them through his peripheral vision.

Foom!

Raiser narrowed his eyes when it started to look like his flames were moving around. They almost appeared as if they were moving in a "swirling" motion.

Foooooom!

No, that was the case. They were swirling around in a circular motion, but not in midair. They were being moved "into" something.

Actually, it looked like they were getting sucked up..?

["Consume!"]

"..!"

Raiser's eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

There was Issei, perfectly unharmed, protected by a thick aura.

And now, Raiser's flames were getting sucked into a jewel on the red gauntlet on his left arm.

"I hate eating cold flames like these, they make my head hurt. Or maybe that's actually the ego in it?"

"Wha—?!"

Before Raiser could even register his shock, Issei appeared below Raiser, with his arm cocked back.

"Show me how effective your healing ones are."

[Boost!]

And Issei delivered a nasty punch straight into Raiser's abdomen.

DOOOOONN!

"..!"

Raiser's mouth opened to release a yelp, but no sound came out.

And when Raiser went down to look where he had been punched, there was a hole that had been punched through his torso, already healing itself.

"That's one."

—And after quickly accounting for Raiser's first "death", Issei immediately appeared behind Raiser and launched him towards the direction of the New School Building 20 meters away.

DOOONNN!

Raiser crashed into the New School Building and created a large dust cloud with his impact.

….

….

—Within the spectator room, there was nothing but complete and utter silence.

Some were silent out of astonishment, and others out of sudden enthrallment with the battle.

The only one of them that spoke was Sirzechs, who grew an intrigued smirk on his face.

"...Unbelievable."

—Raiser, who was launched into the New School Building, stood up from the floor with an unsteady foot. He caught himself on his knees before he could lose his footing.

"...What in the hell...just happened..?"

Right as Raiser asked that to himself, a voice echoed through the seemingly empty building.

"What's wrong, Yakitori? Having cold feet? Or maybe I should say, cold wings?"

"..!"

Raiser's head darted around the building, trying to find the origin of the voice's location. He looked towards the staircases, balconies, windows, pillars, and doorways. He glanced all around him, but found nothing.

"I always preferred this style. Fighting using stealth and strategy. I grew up fighting monsters stronger than me after all…. But now it's different. Now, I'm the monster. And even though stalking like a predator has its perks, predators have to be flexible too. And since you're such a loud guy, it makes me wanna go "loud" too, ya know?"

Raiser realized something vital only a second too late. There was one place he had forgotten to check.

—The ceiling.

[Boost!]

But Issei had already landed on Raiser's head, wrapping his legs around Raiser's neck. And without wasting any time, Issei grabbed Raiser's head and twisted it 180 degrees, spinning it upside down and "killing" him once again.

BREAK!

Raiser's body collapsed to the floor with a thud and his head was engulfed in flames, healing him only seconds after being "killed". But before Raiser could regenerate, Issei began speaking to Raiser.

"Neh, tell me, Raiser. Is it scary? Y'know, dying?"

Issei reared one of his legs back to kick Raiser.

"If it is.."

[Boost!]

"—then blame Satan."

And right when his head came back, Raiser was sent flying out of the New School Building and into the open track field again.

DOOOOOOOONNNN!

And because he was kicked in the head, Raiser landed in the field with a regenerating skull, suffering him a third "death".

—Inside the spectator room, Sirzechs turned to his father, who had made a comment to him earlier, and smiled.

"Perhaps 10 deaths wasn't enough, Otou-ue."

—After regenerating his skull, Raiser quickly brought himself up and expanded his flaming wings. He was entirely on guard now.

"..It can't be! He's just a human! No human has that strength, even with the Boosted Gear! It's impossible!"

"Only things that can't be happening are impossible, Yakitori!"

Issei shouted to Raiser while exiting the New School Building he had been launched out of.

"But this is already happening.. You should be less worried about what I can do, and more about what I can take from you."

Raiser growled in anger.

"Rrgh! You..! What are you?! No humans have strength like this! What have you done to yourself to make it like this?!"

Issei's face grew a sinister smile.

"Let's just say that I have the strength of more than fifty men inside of me.."

"Hah?"

Raiser didn't understand Issei's implication, but Issei ignored it and walked to a spot ahead of Raiser. He stopped within 10 meters of Raiser's body. Issei said it while cracking and stretching different parts of his body.

"You know, Raiser… I think that someone like me..has a lot of frustrations."

"What?"

Issei continued without consideration for Raiser.

"Ya see, I'm a very.."unhinged" person. Honestly, I'm a fuckin' nutcase, haha. But y'know, I can live with that for the most part. I'm cool with it. I just don't want it to become a problem for my companions. I could end up hurting one of them one day because of it… That's why, I've decided that maybe it was a good idea to let those frustrations out in some way. A release. Or more like a catharsis. And considering the Devils that I've been meeting these past few days, including you….. I desperately need it…. So, that just leaves me thinking: what's the absolute best way to let out one's frustrations and violent tendencies without killing anything? The answer to that is…"

Issei's sinister grin from before only became ever more psychotic when looking at Raiser.

"—Just let it out on a bastard who won't die."

Then, Issei shot forward with an inhuman speed.

[—?!]

In his shock, Raiser took to the one place he assumed Issei couldn't follow him, the skies.

Raiser flew up above Issei and began releasing a volley of flames onto the ground below.

Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom Foom!

Issei bolted around the open field, dodging every blast with ease. Raiser was in disbelief. A human that was this fast was almost unbelievable. But he has no choice other than to believe it. After all, it's happening.

So, Raiser increased the amount of fire blasts and continued sending them down towards Issei. Issei simply went on dodging the attacks.

Seeing that his method wasn't going to work, Raiser instead created a fireball that was seven times the size of his own body and raised it above his head. Raiser decided that the best idea was simply to destroy the area altogether.

"LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN DODGE THIS!"

Raiser hurled the fireball toward the earth below with a roar. And a section of the track field was quickly destroyed in a pillar of fire.

BOOOOOOOOOM!

After the explosion, there was a crater left over where the fireball was thrown into. And on the field below, Issei was nowhere to be seen.

"I got him!"

Raiser proclaimed his victory with a smile, but it was all too soon.

"—This makes four."

But Raiser turned around to see that Issei was floating in the air like him, with large dragon wings protruding from his back.

[Boost!]

And with a punch to face by Boosted Gear, Raiser was sent careening down to the field, earning him yet another "death" from Issei.

DOOOOOONN!

—For the spectators, there was speculation to be had. A skeptical Lord Phoenix said it first.

"Wings? That man is just a human, isn't he? Wasn't it said that the hosts of Sekiryuutei could only use wings in their Balance Breaker form?"

Sirzechs rubbed his chin with intrigue.

"Yes, that's what is known.."

Over time, Sirzechs only became more and more interested in Hyoudou Issei.

'...As I thought, there must be something special about this host after all.'

—Raiser took himself out of the small crater that was created from his impact. Luckily, the crash itself wouldn't be counted as a death, since most Devils would survive it.

But when Raiser looked up, he saw that Issei was already flying towards him at a high speed.

[—?!]

Because Raiser was caught unprepared, he reacted on instinct and shot flames at Issei relentlessly. But just as he did before, Issei popped out from the flames and punched Raiser through them.

Raiser was sent flying away, but Issei used the speed of his wings to catch up to Raiser's moving body. Issei stopped just ahead of where Raiser was heading and kicked him back in the opposite direction. The inertia of the impact caused major damage to Raiser's insides, but since he was immortal, it made no difference. That doesn't mean it didn't hurt.

DOONNN!

Raiser was sent away and Issei followed him again. This time, instead of sending him another direction, Issei opted to grab onto Raiser's body and drag it across the ground, without losing momentum, and breaking the ground along the way.

Issei then threw Raiser's body into the trees that surrounded the academy, and there Raiser came to a stop after crashing through multiple trees.

CRASH!

"Shit! Fuck!"

Raiser stood up, enraged and disoriented. He couldn't believe what was happening. He was being manhandled by a mere human. It was an inconceivable outcome for him. He is a Phoenix. It can't be that a lowly human would cause him to suffer like this, even if it is the Sekiryuutei. He couldn't be defeated like this.

...Right?

Zip!

Just as Raiser was becoming unsure of himself, Issei once again appeared in front of him. This time, he had no wings. He didn't plan on flying anymore.

"YOU BASTAAARD!"

Raiser immediately planted a full-powered left hook into Issei's cheek, with flames surrounding his arm. The attack connected.

BAM!

Raiser experienced a moment of levity, realizing that his attack did connect after all.

[Boost!]

However…

"...That actually did hurt y'know? Ptu!"

Issei spat out a wad of blood and looked Raiser in the face, pushing his fist back with only his cheek. Neither of them were smiling anymore.

"There goes your only free hit."

[—?!]

Raiser was given no time to react, and a strike was sent straight into his stomach.

DOOONN!

"GAHA—!"

Raiser vomited blood, but his stomach wasn't blown away this time. That proved to be intentional, since Issei would continue releasing a flurry of different punches and kicks to Raiser's body in quick succession.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

In the end, it only took Issei five boosts to surpass Raiser's level of strength. And Issei had already discreetly boosted himself twice before the start of the duel. So by the time Issei had landed his first punch, he was already at three.

"BUHA—!"

Issei gave Raiser one last punch to the face that sent him to the floor. Raiser struggled to get up, and Issei just cracked his neck in a casual manner.

"Oy, oy, what's wrong, Raiser? Why ain't ya talkin' all high and mighty like you're usually used to? Don't tell me you're actually afraid of dyin' or some shit like that?"

Dying? That was impossible for Raiser. A Phoenix cannot die.

Yet why are Raiser's legs so unsteady? Is it because of the damage he received, or is it because of fear? It couldn't be because of fear. What does Raiser have to fear? Nothing. Even if Issei kills him a thousand times, Raiser will be fine.

But that also means…

"Y'know, the best thing about an immortal bastard is that you can keep killin' em, and they'll still come back. So, basically, that means.."

Issei said it while standing over Raiser with an unnerving gaze.

"—I can just keep on killin' ya forever."

That idea sent chills down Raiser's spine, and in a rage, he tried to punch at Issei again.

"SHUT UUUUUUUUUUPP!"

Issei dodged Raiser's hook with ease, and Raiser continued his fruitless efforts of attack. Issei dodged every one of Raiser's frantic and enraged attacks, countering every time that Raiser was too close.

But because of how uncoordinated and erratic that Raiser became, his attacks became slightly difficult to read. Some of the attacks, Issei only managed to dodge at the last second.

'Ddraig, how long do I have before I reset?'

[Only a few minutes.]

'Che, maybe I should've just used Scale Mail after all.'

[It might have ended quicke— Partner!]

Because Issei was too distracted by his inner communication with Ddraig, Raiser was able to fool him with his one coordinated feint attack.

"YOU'RE MINE!"

Raiser then landed a direct hit on Issei's sternum.

BAM!

Raiser's attack landed straight onto Issei's torso, and it caused Issei to spit out a small amount of blood.

"HA! TAKE THAT!"

For some reason, Issei was in shock, and he was staring silently at where he had been struck.

Just as Raiser was about to take the opportunity to hit Issei again, he felt a sharp pain in his hand.

[—?!]

Raiser pulled away his arm, his hand inexplicably bursting into flames, and he howled in pain.

"Aaaaaaargghh!"

Raiser held onto his hand with a confused expression of pain on his face. When looking at Issei, he could see him pull out something from underneath his shirt.

What Issei pulled out his shirt..was a cross. A cross necklace with an emerald jewel in the middle of it. Raiser's punch must have made contact with it.

Issei was looking at the item with wide eyes, as if somehow shocked by its appearance.

—In the spectators room, Zeoticus commented on the appearance of the item.

"A holy cross? That's suspicious. I thought you had said that he didn't have any affiliation with the church, Sirzechs?"

"It could be that he simply shares the beliefs in some way, but doesn't act on them. Or the more likely scenario, he borrowed it from his sister companion of his in preparation for the match."

"Does he know of the Phoenix's weakness to holy items?"

"Unlikely. But I'm sure he knows of Devil's weakness to it in general."

—But the truth is that weakness had nothing to do with it. Issei carried that cross with him anywhere he went.

And right now, he was looking at it with a bizarre expression while Raiser shouted at him.

"Y-You bastard! You had a cross with you?!"

Even though Raiser was yelling at him, Issei did not listen. Instead, Issei just held his cross in his hand delicately, examining it with his eyes.

Upon closer inspection, the source of his state of shock could be seen to him and to him alone.

Small.

But noticeable.

.

.

.

There was a small fracture on the gem of the cross.

[EXPLOSION!]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMM!

An explosion of power was released from Issei's body, sending a green pillar of light into the virtual sky.

The area around Raiser was suddenly overrun by an aura the likes of which he had never experienced, cracking the ground all around.

And Hyoudou Issei— No.

—The Red Dragon Emperor released a mighty roar of fury.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHH!"

The green light and blood red aura released from the Sekiryuutei's body blinded Raiser, and it created a strikingly contrasting image of the body of a man distorting into a black mass.

And that figure then turned straight towards Raiser with glowing red eyes.

"RAAAAISSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"

Raiser had not even a moment to prepare himself, because the Sekiryuutei had already closed the gap with less than a second, and Raiser was sent flying out of the treeline and across the field, only to crash through and out of the New School Building as well.

This was the equivalent of an 80 meter distance.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONN!


—The inside of the spectators room was completely silent.

"...Ise..?"


"AAH!"

Raiser let out a yell from the ground, realizing that he had just lost consciousness for a moment. He didn't have long to register where he had been sent to, but he did notice something.

The entire bottom half of his body has yet to have regenerated.

And before he could retaliate, a hole was burst through the side of the New School Building Raiser was sent through, revealing that the Sekiryuutei had come for him once again.

CRASH!

Raiser's head was caught and picked up by the speedy Sekiryuutei, and he was taken along for a violent ride. Using Raiser's head, the Sekiryuutei dragged Raiser's body all alongside the New School Building's exterior, destroying its support and foundation, causing it to collapse entirely.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN!

Raiser's body was then inexplicably sent flying out of the massive cloud of dust created by the building's collapse and into the sky.

Once Raiser was left high in the sky, desperately trying to use his wings to fix himself, he was given no time again. Because a large blast of power was shot towards the descending Raiser.

[SHOT!]

The blast ended up creating a crack in the dimension.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

—After the blast disappeared, Raiser's body was allowed to fall to the earth again, but as nothing more than a torso.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Raiser made it to the ground below. And the moment Raiser's legs had regenerated enough, the Sekiryuutei appeared and took hold of one of them, using it to slam Raiser's body around the ground like a rag doll.

SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM!

The Sekiryuutei releases Raiser's body into the air after one last slam, but not very high. Instead, the Sekiryuutei quickly plants a fist into what's left of Raiser's body, bringing back down to the ground and creating a large crater.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!

It was impossible to keep count of how many "deaths" Raiser had accumulated to this point, but it may have already passed the limit.

Unfortunately for Raiser, that wasn't planned to end just yet.

"RAAAAAAISEEEER!"

The smoke was taking time to clear, and a grounded and shaking Raiser could make out an almost inhuman silhouette towering in front of him as he crawled away weakly.

"HOW DARE YOU, RAISER! HOW DARE YOU PUT YOUR FILTHY HANDS ON HER!? HOW DARE YOU TAINT HER IMAGE!?"

—For the first time in his life, Raiser was terrified beyond reason.

This was no human. He could see it before his very eyes. It was a silhouette covered in an inexplicable darkness, growing larger and misshapen.

"I WON'T LET YOU TOUCH HER AGAIN! YOU WON'T LAY A FINGER ON A SINGLE RED HAIR FOLLICLE ON HER HEAD EVER AGAIN! SHE'S MINE, MINE AND MINE ALONE!"

Though Raiser didn't comprehend a single word of the Sekiryuutei's speech, he didn't need to. All he needed to understand in this moment were his base instincts, and those, he understood well.

He was stricken with fear, because the being before him was so imposing that it began to fool his instincts into believing that he would inevitably be killed by it.

"WHAT'S WRONG, RAISER?! YOU AREN'T TALKING ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY ANYMORE! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR CONFIDENCE?! AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE IMMORTAL?! WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?! IS IT BECAUSE YOUR HEALING ISN'T WORKING?! "

Raiser was being taunted by the figure that had a misshapen form in his eyes.

His healing isn't working? That's impossible. The power of the Phoenix is absolute. It was absurd to think otherwise.

And yet, why is Raiser feeling so afraid? Why are instincts telling him that this is where he is going to die? He can't die. It's impossible. He's immortal. The power of the Phoenix is absolute!

….Isn't it?

Raiser glanced down at his regenerating arms and inspected them with his eyes.

..Could it be? Are his eyes playing tricks on him? Is he losing his sanity? Has his sense of time become distorted? Is it the effects of the holy cross's damage to him? Which is it?

—Because if his eyes weren't deceiving him, his arms are regenerating even slower than they should. Perhaps by only a mere second, or perhaps by even a fraction of a second, but it was slower. It was slowing down.

Slower. Slower. Slower. SLOWER.

Until his regeneration came to a stop.

And now, the misshapen figure behind him had finally taken a proper form.

"RAISER PHOENIX! IN THIS WORLD, YOU'LL COME TO FIND THAT.."

—Towering above him, with a size that appeared to expand over the entire dimension with a red hue, and the distorted sound of two voices melting into one—was the form of a dragon. But not just any dragon. It was the Dragon of Domination.

The True Red Dragon Emperor.

"[NOTHING IS IMMORTAL, DEVIL!]"

—And in Raiser's mind, the existence of this monster continued to remain and haunt him for eternity.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Raiser let out a howl of terror, his entire vision being dyed in red, and the figure of a dragon hovering over him wherever he looked.

Death was coming. Death was inevitable. Death was inescapable. Death was ever-present.

Death devours everything. And death would certainly devour Raiser.

He was going to die.

RAISER WAS GOING TO DIE.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEEE! SAVE MEEEEEEEEEE! LET ME OOOOUUUUUUUTTT! SIRZECHS-SAMAAAAAAAAAA! FAAAAATHEEEEEEEEEEER!"

—But Raiser was already being eaten alive, and his screams fell on deaf ears.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

[Raiser Phoenix has admitted defeat. The Sekiryuutei wins!]


[Partner! It's over! You've won! Raiser has forfeited, you have been declared the victor! Look at him as he crawls away! You have broken his spirit! This man is now one who has a trauma towards dragons, there is no need to go on! Calm yourself, lest your anger heighten any further and cause you to go berserk!]

Issei could hear Ddraig's voice booming through his head to silence all of the maddening sounds in Issei's world. His body was still overflowing with power and his rage felt ever poignant.

His arm, which was covered by his Boosted Gear, spewing power forth from its jewel, was reaching out to grab Raiser, who was writhing around on the ground madly. Raiser was screaming in terror at the empty air and flailing around pointlessly, for Issei had not touched him yet.

—Yet Issei could not deny the urge to continue torturing him.

[Partner! Remember why you are here! You may claim that it is to beat down Raiser, but that is not true! You are here to honor the memory of your beloved! You are here to honor what she would have wished!]

"Marie.."

Issei whispered it under his breath with a moment absent of anger.

[That's right! Aren't you here to honor her ideals and her memory of you?]

But as Ddraig said that, Issei was suddenly reminded of what Raiser had done to his necklace.

"HE SULLIED HER MEMORY..!"

[No, partner! Her memory is still intact! He cannot sully her memory, he does not have the power to! So long as you remember who she was, her memory cannot be tainted! And the damage to the cross is minimal! —And even then, she is with you beyond just that cross!]

At that moment, Issei remembered the jacket he was wearing and touched it with his human hand.

[Even without these items, that woman is with you at every time! Because your actions and your values are influenced by her memory! That is why, even without these things, you will still have her with you!]

Ddraig's strategy of quelling the beast's rage seemed to work, and a moment of vulnerability was presented in Issei's psyche.

"..Marie.."

Ddraig seized the opportunity and forced Issei's Boosted Gear to reset his power.

[BURST!] [RESET!]

Issei's power then immediately left him, and he staggered until falling to his knees.

"Ah..!"

Issei prevented himself from collapsing to the floor due to a sudden power loss. Along with his power, a majority of his blind rage disappeared as well.

But when he remembered what Raiser did to his necklace, he almost built it up again.

"..Raiser!"

[No, partner, look! Look at Raiser closely.]

Issei looked over to Raiser who was also on the floor.

[Look at his state. He is already done fighting. Anyone can tell that his mind and spirit are broken.]

It was just as Ddraig said. Looking at Raiser from the outside, it was obvious that he was incapable of retaliation. Perhaps he may not have lost his mind entirely, but in this moment of time, that was certainly the case. He was acting like nothing more than a deranged mental patient experiencing hallucinations.

"...He's done?"

[Look at him, partner. He is done.]

Issei need only listen to Raiser's words to agree with Ddraig.

"NO! STAY AWAY! REGENERATE! PLEASE REGENERATE! AAH, NO, WAIT!"

Issei stood up after realizing it.

"So he's done, huh..."

But Issei wasn't entirely satisfied. Even knowing that Raiser was incapable of denying him, Issei walked over to Raiser to say one last thing.

Issei took Raiser by the collar and said it threateningly to him.

"Stay out of my life. And while you're at it, stay out of Rias Gremory's life. I don't want to see your face ever again."

"AAAAAH! NOOO, LET ME GOO! SOMEONE, HELP MEEEE!"

Issei dropped the traumatized Raiser and he simply continued flailing around on the floor.

Issei stood tall over Raiser, looking up to the false sky with a hand over his cross. He let out a sigh, satisfied with his victory.

'...I did it, Marie. I..did the stupid "hero" thing. Just like ya wanted..'

And with an entertained chuckle, Issei was transported out of the fake dimension along with Raiser.

SHIIN!


When Issei opened his eyes, he was in the main courtyard of Kuoh Academy. But looking up to the early morning sky revealed that this was just the normal human world.

Clap, clap, clap!

Issei turned around to see a group of people behind him, with Sirzechs in the middle, clapping for him.

"That was quite the display, Hyoudou Issei. I must say that I'm impressed. Even I myself did not expect for you to defeat Raiser Phoenix so expertly, especially without using your "Balance Breaker".

Issei walked up to the group with the scratch of his neck.

"Yeah, well, you don't know shit about me, do you, Satan?"

Although Issei gave Sirzechs an unfriendly response, Sirzechs merely laughed it off.

"Hahaha, I suppose that is true. By the way, you said something to Raiser at the end of the duel. It couldn't be that something like that is your wish?"

Sirzechs asked Issei, as if trying to lead him into a question, but Issei missed the implication.

"Huh? What wish?"

"Why, your reward, of course! Don't you recall, I made a promise to you at the beginning of the match. If you were to win, then you would be able to ask me of anything that you desire. It was only fair, since the odds didn't seem to be in your favor back then. Though, now I see that it was perhaps the opposite, haha. Regardless, as a Maou, I am bound to my word, and it is my duty to fulfill any promise I have made. That counts most especially if it is for high level officials, or, for invaluable allies such as yourself. Therefore, whatever you ask of me, I shall do whatever is within my realm of ability to fulfill."

Issei realized Sirzechs's implication and understood what he meant. Issei's eyes moved over to where his group was standing, alongside of Rias and Akeno, who were all looking at him with astonished faces.

When Rias realized that she was actually the one under Issei's gaze, she flinched. Issei sighed quietly and looked away from her.

Issei said it with the rub of his neck.

"..Uh, in that case, cancel the marriage between Rias and Raiser Phoenix, I guess."

[—?!]

And with his request, a shock that dwarfed all of the previous shocks filled the area.

"What?!"

Zeoticus exclaimed in shock, not at all expecting such a request from Issei. He then urged Sirzechs to deny it.

"Sirzechs, you can't possibly mean to fulfill such a request? Someone like this Sekiryuutei, who is only human and has no presence in Devil society, he can't make such a bold request. It is out of his line to ask for such a thing and you, even as a Maou, cannot allow it."

Sirzechs rubbed his chin with a complicated expression. But to Issei, of all people, he already knew it was fake.

"Hmm. That is a tall demand indeed. Even as Satan, I have little that I can say or do regarding such a matter. But as a Maou, I must keep my word…"

Sirzechs easily threw away his conflicted expression and turned around with a smile.

"In that case, let's just leave that matter to be decided by Raiser and Rias themselves."

Sirzechs gestured to Raiser, who was sitting near the fountain, being comforted by his sister.

"If Raiser wishes to marry Rias, then may he come over to her and take her away with him to get married, regardless of her opinion, or forever hold his peace?"

With that, Sirzechs had practically given an open invitation for Raiser to marry Rias, causing her to feel nervous. But as Raiser proved by his words and attitude, that was something he did not want. Instead of the expected response, Raiser's body recoiled in terror.

"NOOO! STAY AWAY FROM ME, RIAS! DON'T COME NEAR ME! YOU'LL GET ME KILLED! STAY AWAAAY!"

Raiser's reaction was less than enthusiastic, and despite this, or perhaps because of this, Sirzechs smiled.

"My, what harsh words. It doesn't seem like Raiser wants to marry Rias very much, Lord Phoenix, Lady Phoenix."

Sirzechs said it to the parents of Raiser, who weren't very happy at the moment. But Raiser's father sighed and walked over to his son.

"NO, NO! DON'T KILL ME! AAAH, MY ARMS! WHY WON'T THEY COME BACK?! AAAH!"

"Onii-sama, your arms are right here, look! Look, your arms are fully healed already!"

"NOOO! STOP! LET ME GO! AAAH, MY LEGS! IT'S EATING MEEE!"

When Lord Phoenix stepped up to Raiser, he pulled his daughter to the side.

"That's enough, Ravel. Leave him be."

"B-But, Otou-sama..!"

"It's his own fault that he's become like this. He should have known better. The power of Phoenix isn't absolute. If it's Raiser, then he'll likely recover to some extent. And it will be a good lesson for him. If not...then he only did it to himself."

Ravel Phoenix looked devastated for a moment, but then her face became angry and she ran up towards the Sekiryuutei, Issei.

"Y-You! How could you!? Look what you've done to him! You had already won and yet you still turned him into this! How could you, you mindless brute!?"

Issei took a step forward, causing Ravel Phoenix to flinch. He leaned down a bit to say it to her directly.

"You heard your daddy, missy. Your shitty big bro did this to himself. I did nothing more than protect my friends and my life. If you've got a problem with that, say it clearly to me. I'll listen to all of your complaints."

To his words, Ravel Phoenix was left speechless. Sirzechs placed a hand on Issei's shoulder, prompting him to take a step back.

"Now, now, I'd prefer if you didn't incapacitate two Phoenix children in one day, haha. Tell me, Hyoudou Issei, was that request from before the only thing you had in mind? It may have worked out as you wished, but that was less because of my influence and more circumstantial. So tell me, is there something else you'd like to request of me specifically?"

Issei groaned and rolled his eyes, thinking 'this again', wondering why Sirzechs wouldn't just forget about it. But then, Issei was struck with a certain idea that he couldn't ignore.

Issei leaned in and whispered it into Sirzechs's ear.

"—Tell me the truth about everything that happened that day."

(—!)

Sirzechs's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded when Issei pulled away.

"Very well. I can easily fulfill that request."

Having that settled, Issei found it unnecessary to continue talking with Sirzechs and walked away from him, approaching his friends instead. But when Issei was about to go to his friends, two unfamiliar individuals attempted to introduce themselves to Issei.

"Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei, wasn't it? This is our first time meeting."

Two people had approached Issei, both bearing a strong resemblance to Rias and Sirzechs. Judging by their appearance, Issei could only assume that they were older siblings of Rias as well.

Zeoticus also spoke to Issei in a way that suggested for Issei to respond, but Issei did no such thing. He said nothing to Zeoticus or the woman beside him. Instead, because of his conflicted feelings towards Gremory, Issei decided it was best to ignore them both.

"..."

Issei walked away from them without saying anything, causing the two Gremory to look at each other dubiously. But before they could continue being confused about it, Sirzechs came up to discuss different things with them. In the background, the Phoenix family teleported away, returning to the underworld.

Issei approached his group with a casual attitude, despite how baffled they were by the entire situation.

"I-Ise-san, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Asia."

"Y-You really lost your head there, huh, Issei-sama?"

"What's up with you, Raynare? You're as pale as a ghost."

[But she's right, partner. You did lose yourself for a moment. Again. I was forced to activate an "Explosion" in order to prevent you from entering Balance Breaker instead, lest you ran the risk of entering "the Drive" thanks to your rage.]

"Yeah and thanks to that, I'm exhausted. I should've just used it in the first place. Woulda' been quicker."

[You were near the base level of Scale Mail thanks to that explosion anyway.]

"Who are you talking to, Ise-san?"

"It's Ddraig, Asia."

"Oh! Hello, Ddraig-san."

"Just leave him, Asia."

Issei simply began conversing with the two women while Rias and Akeno stood silently beside them, Rias still being in utter disbelief. Rias spoke up when she finally regained her voice.

"...Ise... You.."

Issei turned to Rias, who was struggling to find the right words to say.

"Ise, you… You did all of this... W-Why would you ask for…?"

Even though Rias couldn't finish her sentence properly, Issei easily deduced that she was alluding to Issei's "wish" concerning her and Raiser's marriage, and his participation in removing him from their lives. Issei looked away while rubbing the back of his neck and groaned. He dreaded having to say something like this.

Despite his hesitation, he still said it.

"You know…. The name of Gremory, you know… That name doesn't really mean shit in the human world, so…. You know…. To me, you're just that one kinda annoying friend of mine named Rias. I mean, I know I've got a thing for Gremory, but…. You're not really as much "Gremory" as you are "that red-headed brat". Yeah. The bratty Devil with red hair, "Rias"….. And that's it... Right?"

Issei groaned before making it clear one last time.

"Basically… To me, "Gremory" doesn't really mean shit— er, when it comes to you, anymore, I guess. So, something like "what worth are you without it?" is… Well, to me, you're just...Rias. My fuckin' spoiled, nosy, bratty Devil friend named "Rias"... You know?"

Issei hated the fact that he repeated himself so many times. He was never good with giving people uplifting words of inspiration or anything similar.

'..Ugh, Marie. Help me out here.'

Issei chastised himself for not being able to come up with anything more than that, feeling that his reply was lackluster. And feeling stupid for trying in the first place.

—But to Rias, they were the greatest words Issei could have said to her, and it caused tears to fall from her eyes.

"...Ise.."

And Rias unexpectedly threw herself onto Issei and hugged him tightly.

"..Ise!"

"Wha..?!"

"Thank you, Ise… My Ise.."

Rias was holding onto and caressing Issei in a gentle manner. Meanwhile, Issei didn't know what to do with his hands, and his two fellow house residents were at a loss for words, while Akeno was just making a surprised "Ara, Ara" sound. Though, Asia was more smiling with a confused question mark over her head.

"..Oy, you shitty princess, your family is still around. What's with you? Knock it off, will ya?"

Although Issei voiced his discontent with Rias's actions, she didn't seem to budge. Issei just awkwardly placed his hands on Rias's shoulders, as if wanting to remove her, but being hesitant to do so. Issei glanced at Rias's family, but Sirzechs was smiling back at him.

"Sirzechs, it can't be that you planned for all of this to happen, could it?"

Sirzechs responded to his father's suspicion without removing his smile from Issei's direction.

"Of course not, Otou-ue. Knowing the exact future is beyond my power. But my intuition has never been wrong."

Issei clicked his tongue at Sirzechs who was looking at him, but then he groaned and sighed at his supposed misfortune.

"...The hell are you muggin' at? Tch, damn Devils… Oy, Rias, you're lucky I'm holding this cross in my hand, otherwise, you'd be fuckin' burning alive right now… Man, what a fuckin' pain."

Issei let out a sigh while looking up at the sky and holding his cross in his palm. Even though he was tired, and slightly annoyed, he felt oddly..."comfortable" with this outcome.

An outcome he wouldn't regret.

And if it wasn't God that was looking out for him from above, at the very least, someone else must have been.


Later that night, at an unknown location.

"Sirzechs-sama, I have brought him."

"Ah, thank you, Grayfia. You may leave us."

Issei had been transported to somewhere he didn't recognize, arriving in a room with Grayfia, in order to meet Sirzechs again.

"Welcome, Hyoudou Issei. It feels like we're seeing each other very often lately."

"Cut the shit. I came here for a reason. Now, tell me the truth."

Of course, Issei was unresponsive to Sirzechs's friendliness and shut him down. Issei was here for one reason and one reason only.

—To learn the truth about what happened on the day of the Kuoh disaster.

Sirzechs gained a serious expression and stood against a balcony to explain it.

"It was an attack."

"Tch. Yeah, no fuckin' shit. I knew that already."

"But you don't know who did it."

That reply silenced Issei immediately. And Issei's eyes became dark.

"...Who did it?"

Sirzechs turned away from Issei while explaining it.

"..At the time, we didn't know. There weren't enough details on the specifics of the attack to reach a conclusion about anything. All we knew for sure was that my father was the main target for the attack, and Rias was to be taken as a "beneficial collateral" to it. It was the day he was showing her the territory after all. But that made it clear that it had to be someone on the inside who knew that was taking place that day. An investigation was launched, but not much was found. The most believed theory was that the long deceased "Old Maou Faction" was behind the attack, but I won't bore you with history about that. To put it simply, it was believed that it was related to some sort of civil, political dispute, and that the attack was emblematic of that. However, there were still a few details that we didn't understand. Certain methods were uncovered that suggested that it may not have been the work of Devils at all, or that Devils were only partly responsible. It was confusing, to say the least. But in the end, we did end up recovering a somewhat reasonable conclusion due to some recent rumors."

"..And what is that?"

"There were rumors that certain inexplicable attacks were being done on various factions, including our own, but all perpetrated by the same "group". These rumors started because there were attacks being done by those who weren't from opposing factions, and some of them were just inexplicable. For example, many years ago, there was an attack at an important church in France, done by a group of cultists called "Genesis". It was an attack that took place because of an Angel named Gabriel, who was suspected to be the target of the attack. But when the attack was investigated, it was found to be done by a Sacred Gear possessor who had their powers "expanded" upon. When that power was investigated, it was shown not to be the influence of Devil magic, Fallen-Angels, or even wizards. It was something...bizarre, and unstable... Perhaps dragonic... This begs the question, why would a Catholic centered cult bomb a Catholic church with an Angel as a target? And more importantly, what allowed the Sacred Gear user's power to increase like that? Our informants were only able to gather this much information, but it was enough to distinguish a pattern. After all, aren't the circumstances behind the two attacks similar?"

Issei spoke with a voice full of suspicion and scorn.

"...You're saying that there's an unknown group behind these attacks, and that they were involved with Genesis..?!"

"Involved, yes. To what extent is unknown. It was speculated to be a minor influence. But you know of Genesis, Hyoudou Issei?"

Sirzechs questioned Issei dubiously, and Issei replied with an exasperated scoff.

"Hmph! I was the guy who wiped them out of Japan."

Sirzechs eyes widened at Issei's declaration.

"You? But that happened years ago. You would have to have been a boy."

"I was. It took me three years."

Sirzechs made an astonished expression.

"...Unbelievable. So it was you who single-handedly destroyed that sect of Genesis?"

"...No, I had help."

Issei shifted his eyes and he held onto his cross, but his expression of hatred hardly softened.

"..I see. Up until now, it was believed that it was only the efforts of a lone exorcist who dismantled them."

Issei's eyes widened and he pressed Sirzechs aggressively.

"Does that mean that she was given credit for it?! Was she honored for her success?!"

Sirzechs was taken aback by the sudden question, but he answered anyway.

"..According to what I've heard, that person came to be seen as a hero to the Catholic church and her image was taken as a great inspiration for many exorcists worldwide. There was even a division of a prestigious exorcist group named after them."

Issei's heart was filled with the most conflicted emotions at hearing what Sirzechs had told him.

In one part, his heart was filled with joy, for Marie had become an honored figure to the Catholic church, just like she'd always deserved.

But in another part, there was an absolute rage. Disgust and hatred for those bastards who initially sent Marie out there to die in the first place.

How dare they? First, they disgrace her and send her away from the church, doomed to fail, abandon her in another country, and then when she finally dies, they use her as an "inspiring poster child" for the Catholic church?

How dare they?

The Catholic church— They have caused Asia suffering, and they caused Marie suffering, all for their own gains.

There was a deep, deep hatred developing in Issei's heart for that accursed organization ordained by the accursed God.

Perhaps this hatred ran as deeply as Issei's hatred for Gremory.

No, over time, it was surely beginning to run much, much deeper.

"Hyoudou Issei."

Sirzechs called for Issei's attention with an interested face.

"...If I am making my deductions correctly, you are familiar with this church figure because you worked with her to eliminate Genesis. Does this mean that you were actually once affiliated with the church in the past?"

Issei scoffed angrily, but his features soon became softer.

"No fucking way….. But, she was my friend.."

Sirzechs noticed Issei's tick of shutting his right eye and holding his cross, and he made a connection using that.

"..That item on your chest belonged to her, correct?"

"...Yeah, it did."

"I see. I understand now. That must mean that it was truly a coincidence that Raiser made contact with it. You never planned on using it."

"...Yeah."

"I see. I suppose you didn't need it, after all. In that case, you have my condolences. From what I've heard, the crimes of Genesis were horrendous. They live on in infamy. Even us of the high society of the underworld know about it. Your friend must have been a brave exorcist."

"...The bravest.."

'..And she was certainly no coward!'

Issei could only think that in contempt after remembering that the church had labeled her an 'incompetent coward' before sending her out to Japan.

This hatred was building even greater and greater by the moment.

Perhaps if Issei ever thinks of shaking heaven or hell, he may aim towards the sky and the filthy altars located under their clouds.

"Lucifer… Tell me... This "group" that has no name...are they still around?"

Sirzechs's nodded his head to Issei's question.

"Yes, because there have been various attacks on different factions, they are still considered to be operational."

"..They attack other factions?"

"It seems so. If you recall, I mentioned the attack on the Catholic church, which was meant to be a hit on the faction of heaven. If we assume that it is the same group who coordinated both attacks, then they must attack indiscriminately. It is assumed that it was the same group because of the similar lack of details in both cases, and also, other future attacks which lacked concrete details and motives. If this is the case, then it is undeniably "that group"."

"...From what you're telling me, they just sound like a bunch of terrorists."

"With their indiscriminate attacks which involve collateral casualties towards uninvolved parties, like with Kuoh, I couldn't agree more."

The air between Issei and Sirzechs went heavy and silent.

It wasn't until Issei asked Sirzechs the most fateful question of his entire life that the silence fell away.

"...And that group….. What is its name?"

"We haven't come up with anything official… But, some have begun to call them…."

And so, the name of Marie, and Issei's parent's, truest murderers was revealed to him.

"..The [Khaos Brigade].."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

And upon hearing that name, Issei's glare became a level of darkness that only rivaled the pitch blackness of the pupils contained within his red serpentine eyes.

"..KHAOS BRIGADE..!"


Aftermath


Ding, dong~

"Yeah, yeah, I'm comin', goddammit."

Issei groaned as he walked to the door after hearing the doorbell in the early morning. It has been a few days since Issei had his face-off with Raiser Phoenix. It was now the weekend and Issei was off from school.

That being said, he wondered who was visiting him today.

"Alright, who the hell is it?"

When Issei opened the door, he saw someone he, logically, should've expected.

"Good morning, Ise."

Rias appeared before Issei to offer him a smile on her face.

"Rias… What the hell do ya want?"

"Help me out, will you? It's better to get this done by the morning so we don't have to worry about it later."

Rias said that and strutted away from the door towards the gate. Having little energy to resist, Issei groaned and stepped out of his house.

"What is it now, dammit? I swear if another fuckin' Devil has come up to marry you, I'm not helping ya out."

"Of course not, Ise. By this point, anyone in the underworld would know better than to challenge the Sekiryuutei. Thanks for that, by the way."

"I don't know what challengin' me and tryin' to marry you have anything to do with one another, but you're welcome, I fuckin' guess."

"Oh trust me, they're closely related."

"Literally how? —Also, what's with the truck?"

Issei then pointed towards the seemingly random moving truck stationed in front of his house.

"Ah, this? Well, it's obvious, isn't it? I thought it would be alright if I moved in with you and Asia."

Rias said that with a smile and Issei just stood there silently.

Probably because he hadn't registered what she said.

"...Come again?"

"I said that I'm here to move in with you. The truck contains all of my belongings. It's best to unload it now so we don't have to worry later. Don't worry, Ise. I know you're a big, strong man but I'll help you out as well. Of course, you'll still be carrying the biggest boxes, ufufu. Now, let's get started. Take this one first."

Rias handed the perfectly still Issei a box before going to grab one herself.

It still took a second for Issei to understand it.

"...Wait. —No, wait, wait, wait, wait a fuckin' second. Did you just say that you were "moving in"?... You, moving in, to my house, without my permission?"

"I realize that it's sudden, but this was also a suggestion by my brother himself. After all, he thinks that it's best that we Devils build the closest possible relationship with the current Sekiryuutei. And what better way to prove that possible than by having me, who is your best friend, live peacefully in the same household with you? He also says that the fact that you would have multiple different races with different beliefs living under one roof would be an interesting experiment. You do already have a Fallen-Angel and Catholic sister in your home after all. I agree with Onii-sama's sentiment, but I'm more concerned with deepening my bond with you rather than everything else."

"Okay, okay, stop. —You're movin' into my house, the house of my parents, without my permission?"

"Oh, come now, Ise. It isn't as if you don't have any room."

Clang!

Issei immediately dropped the box that he was holding, and his face became dark.

"—Watch what you say, Rias."

Rias then realized her unintended implication and quickly apologized.

"A-Ah, no, I didn't mean it that way, Ise.. I swear. Believe me when I say that I would never say such an inconsiderate thing. I'm truly sorry."

Realizing Rias's remorse, Issei's expression lightened up and he sighed.

"...I believe you. Haah, dammit."

Issei picked up the box that he dropped and walked over to the truck, placing it back in its rightful place. He then turned to Rias and gave her a serious talk.

"Listen, Rias. I know you probably didn't mean anything by it, but what you're doing here is inconsiderate. Remember, this is the human world, princess. "Gremory" holds no weight here. You can't just ask for anything you want and expect for it to be given to you. That won't work up here. Something like this is… You can't just do it, even if the Devil-king tells ya to. It's not that simple. —You get what I'm saying?"

Issei said that to Rias, not in a threatening manner, but in an informative one. He wasn't scolding her, just giving her advice. And that fact ended up perplexing him internally.

Rias stood there silently and thought about Issei's words for a moment. After a while, Rias nodded her head in understanding.

"..Yes. I understand, Ise. You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done something like this so rashly. Maybe I was too excited at the idea and got carried away. You know how little experience I have with these things. I overstepped a boundary that I should have respected. I apologize."

"...As long as you understand.. But yeah, I get it. I've come to know a lot of things about you I could've done damn well without, after all."

"Yes, and I'm sure you know how impulsive I am by now."

"More like naive."

"Ufufu, I suppose I am. But I'm only as naive as you are foul mouthed, Ise."

"Go to hell."

"Oh, Ise, don't be silly. I only return home during the summer."

Rias giggled at their interaction, and Issei merely shook his head, wondering why it was making him smirk just a bit.

Issei glanced down at Rias, who was staring up at him with a soft smile without saying anything. Issei averted his gaze awkwardly.

"..Uh, well, anyway. I'll at least drive back with you and help you put this stuff back, I guess."

Issei offered his assistance, but Rias shook her head with a smile.

"No, it's alright, Ise. I've got this covered."

"Huh? Um, you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Ise. Don't go worrying about me now."

"No, I wasn't."

"Ufufu, you're so cute when you're worried, Ise."

"I— Ugh… Nevermind. Just get out of here, you're takin' up space in the neighborhood. We Japanese don't like havin' trucks like these out here. I'm going back to sleep."

Issei said it while walking back to his house.

"Don't sleep too much, Ise! You'll end up shedding your scales by accident!"

"Go eat some mosquitos, red flyin' fox, they're in season right now!"

"My hair is crimson not red, Ise!"

"Just shut up and take the insult, Devil brat!"

Issei then shut the door to his house's entrance, cutting his and Rias's "wordplay fest" off short. He leaned up against the door with an exasperated sigh.

"...Geez, I can't believe I just let her off the hook like that. The me from a few months ago would've just killed her…. Then again, I did just save her from that Raiser bastard so that would've been a waste.. But didn't I just do that to let off steam? Haah, honestly, who the hell even am I anymore?"

The Next Morning:

Ding, dong~

"Ugh! Who the hell is it this time?"

"Hello, Ise."

Issei opened the door only to find Rias there again.

And so, the door was shut in her face.

Ding, dong~ Ding, dong~!

Issei opened the door to a Rias with half closed eyes.

"That was rude, Ise!"

"What the hell do ya want this time?!"

"I need your help again. There are still heavy boxes."

Rias gestured towards the front of Issei's yard, and there was a moving truck outside.

"Uggh! Not this shit again! I told you, you can't just move into someone's house without permission!"

"I'm not, Ise! I have full permission!"

"When did I give you permission?!"

"I didn't need your permission, Ise! Look!"

Issei looked over at the place Rias was pointing at, only to realize that the moving truck wasn't directly in front of his house, but rather the neighbor's.

"...Uh, the truck is a little to the left?"

Rias sighed and shook her head.

"What am I going to do with you?"

Issei scowled, thinking to himself: 'that's my line.'

"Ise, I'm not going to be living in your house. You see, I'm going to be living…"

Rias walked closer to the edge of the yard and gestured to the neighbor's house in a dramatic way.

"—In this house!"

Issei's face went blank in response.

"...You got the neighbor's to let you live in their house?"

"More than that, Ise. I purchased it from them. It's my home now."

"Wait, what? You bought it?"

"Yes, I did."

"Wha..?! How?!"

"Using my resources in the underworld, of course."

Issei smacked his own face with his palm.

"After we just had a talk about not getting everything you want using your status yesterday..! Ugh… You've got to be kidding me."

"I did take what you said to me to heart, Ise. But I realized that there are certain ways to get what you want without it having to be at the expense of others. And if that option is available, then why not take it?"

"It certainly was at the expense of the Shidou family though!"

"Hmm? I thought the neighbor's family name was Wakamura?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, you're right. The Wakamura family…"

"Oh, come now, Ise. Don't act like they were given a bad deal. They're probably travelling the world with their money right now. And considering that I was still able to take a step closer to achieving my goal of deepening my bond with you, I'd say it's a win-win. The best possible outcome."

"Ugh… Yep, you're a Devil, through and through."

"Yep. And a Devil's greed knows no bounds."

Rias finished by playfully winking and sticking her tongue out at Issei.

Issei shook his head and sighed.

"How the hell did you even get the Wakamuras out so fast, I never even noticed."

"Easy. I had some assistance from a group of Gremory servants from the underworld yesterday."

Issei paused.

"Wait, why don't you just have the Gremory servants come back and help you move in?"

"Hmm? I can't just have them help me two days in a row. You said it yourself, Ise, I should stop relying on my underworld resources. Besides, I have you here."

Issei simply went deadpan.

And then he walked back towards his house.

"Ah, w-wait!"

Rias grabbed onto Issei's arm to stop him. She looked up at him and said it with a rosy cheeks.

"...A-Actually, I just wanted to be close to you… I'm sorry."

Issei stared at Rias silently, prompting her cheeks to become even more flushed and her face to become sad.

Then, Issei lifted his head towards the sky and let out the longest and most exasperated groan of his entire life.

"UUUUGGGGGHHH!"

While looking at the sky, Issei thought:

'..I did it to myself, didn't I, Marie?'

And for some reason, that gave Issei a chuckle.

"..Hehehe, yeah."

When Issei finally leveled his head, he released a defeated sigh.

"...Fine, goddammit. Let's get to it."

Then Rias's lips curved into a dazzling smile that even Issei couldn't hate.

"Mm, let's!"

Rias walked forward while holding a tired Issei's arm in tow.

"...Ugh, Marie, give me strength."

"Mary? [Mother Mary]? I thought you weren't Catholic, Ise?"

"...Fucking hell."

—And so, for a brief amount of time, Issei's peaceful days returned to him. And though they were more than what he could have bargained for, it wasn't necessarily the worst outcome he could imagine.

And it somehow wasn't an outcome he regretted all that much.


PART ONE: END

AND THERE IT IS, BOYS! THERE GOES PART 1 OF LONE DRAGON EMPEROR, FINALLY!

The first major arc of LDE has come and gone! The next major arc/next part is right around the corner: Kokabiel + Peace treaty! Of course, Kokabiel comes first and OHOHOHO HOW FUCKING LONG I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THAT ONE! You got a taste of Issei's power today, sure. But with Kokabiel? OHOHOHOHO, YOU WILL KNOW ISSEI'S POWER BY THEN!

Not gonna lie, I got really emotional at the end of this chapter. I was listening to some good old DxD season 1 ost and the original OP towards the end, and man, that got me. The nostalgia. Fuck me. I really do love High school DxD with all of my heart. Even with all of the stupid shit, even with the bad adaption, this series is still near and dear to my heart. If I ever do make it as a writer, I swear, I'm still probably gonna come back and secretly update these stories lol. Don't worry, that don't mean I'm going anywhere just yet. I'm just saying.

Anyway, wanted to mention something extra to get your interest up for future arcs: In each of my major stories, there is usually one pantheon or mythology that takes center stage for the story as a whole, that influences the plot and themes pretty deeply. Red Dragon Of Golden Light = Norse mythology. A Fool's Heart = Greek mythology. Duality of Man = Christian mythology.

For this one... Well, let's just say that, in the future arcs, our friends from far out in the desert might bring some heat..

P.S. Some people wanted to know the significance behind Issei's eye color, here it is: Red = The "beast". Green = The "Dragon". Gold = "?"

So, yeah! Tell me what y'all thought about this arc!

Did you enjoy the dynamic between Raiser and Issei? Did you enjoy the fight between Sekiryuutei and Phoenix? Do you like the developments that Issei is gradually experiencing? Do you enjoy the pacing of his development? Do you like the new development and dynamic between Issei and Rias? Do you think Issei's positive development will define him first, or will darkness come to take him again, now that he knows of the BRIGADE? What will come of the next chapters and arcs? WHAT ABOUT THE KOKABIEL ARC?

Read, Rate, Review go crazy you son's a bitches!

Stay frosty!