I apologize for my extended absence, school, work, life will do that. Progress for ch 23 of HIDragon has been sporadic, though brainstorming hasn't. I'm looking at my draft (12k words) trying to unravel where I was going 5 months ago, revisions a lot now that I have a few different ideas now.

I have no idea whether I'm going to try and modify/salvage what I've got or start fresh.

Until then, I've got a few short concepts/omakes that turned into FTFlight chapters. Hope this makes those worried about my progress happy.


Disclaimer: I do not speak Japanese, possess a Sacred Gear, own Highschool DxD, nor make profit from any fan-written work based upon or derived from it.


"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Incantation"

('Albion, mental')

(Albion Speaking)


A companion fic to my main story, Holy Inferno Dragon. As such, only the nine women I've explicitly listed as Issei's harem are married to him.


Future Taking Flight: For Those We Trust

Was Issei particularly enthused about being called from his home? No, absolutely not. But this was most likely something he couldn't ignore.

See, if he needed to go into battle, he would do it, preferably with his best friend at his side, just as Kiba would appreciate himself backing him up as well. Ideally, it would be just the two of them, as they along with the pacifistic Gasper were the only ones in Rias' immediate peerage to achieve ultimate-class rank.

A common misconception was that once they reached high-class, a reincarnated devil was free to do as he or she pleases. In reality, it was both yes and no. Evil Pieces require tremendous amounts of power and materials to manufacture. The King doesn't get new Pieces to replace them, thus the original relation of lord and vassal continues to exist in a negotiable state unless they trade appropriate pieces, but if they didn't then they were more like equals in social standing. A seemingly conflicting yet somehow functioning existence. Issei and Kiba reaching ultimate class didn't change the fact that they still carried Rias' Evil Pieces.

However, Rias technically has no direct control of either of their respective Peerages, adhering to the laws that devils may not interfere with the servants of another. Neither man had a full Peerage anyway.

In the end, Asia, Ravel, and Xenovia had been traded to his Peerage with Rias' blessing. Rias now had his corresponding unused Pieces, but simply chose not to use them. Given that in Rating Games, he could bring his own Pieces in to support his King's, there was no functional difference in how Rias played in the Games. The slight change would be Asia and Ravel switching out now and then for the role of second Bishop, or both playing in the event Gasper was unavailable.

But beyond the simulated warfare, and in Kiba's absence, Issei only brought a handful of individuals with him into combat theses days. Steadfastly refusing to allow his family along, he made sure to go alone whenever possible. The women he loved may train and grow stronger still, but they all knew they were not ready for the burdens he chose to shoulder. Fortunately, they held no ill will to those who supported him.

Not even an hour after Issei had been first promoted to high-class, he had received several offers and requests. One of which was entirely unexpected. He now had a pseudo-Peerage, consisting of several other dragons who worked for and fought alongside him.

The call was from Bova, one of Tannin's sons, the eldest sired since Tannin himself had been reincarnated. Bova served as his second-in-command and frequent advisor, but only in matters of their race or live combat and strategy. The politicking and traditions of Devils didn't appeal to any of them, and were something Issei only undertook to respect the wishes of his newfound family.

This gave Issei and his team a great deal of operational freedom in the post-Qlippoth era. But as the saying goes, with great power, comes great responsibility.

Issei shifted to the Kuoh warehouse that was more or less the base of operations for his group. Dispelling his armor, he walked into the cratered center. The warehouse had been extensively modified, as it was renovated to discreetly accommodate several reptiles reaching 50 meters in length. But today, Issei and Bova were in human from and could comfortably gather around the buildings sole piece of furniture, an office setup on an elevated platform against one of the building's outer walls.

"Alright, what's the problem." Issei managed to keep his voice level, though he made no other effort to disguise his irritation.

Bova nodded to him apologetically as he approached. "Among several standing orders we agreed to in order to cooperate with Grayfia, this one applies. Agreas nearly went into high alert early this morning. Another copy of Grendel appeared on the outskirts of the city."

Grendel, an Evil Dragon even before his untimely encounter with Beowulf. The Khaos Brigade had managed to find his remains and revive him using their stolen Grail. Though the original was now sealed away, imprisoned in Heaven under Gabriel's watchful eye, copies of him were among the most dangerous.

Worse, Grendel was more than just another Evil Dragon. In terms of appearance, he was more of a bipedal giant clad in scales and wings, unlike most traditional Western or Eastern appearing dragons. Grendel's madness had made him sadistically cruel, a dragon that chose to using serrated weaponry in addition to his terrifying form for extensive terror attacks.

This one would be a weak shade of the original, and certain high-class and most ultimates could stand against one or two at best. But generally it was up to other dragons to fight and defend against them. Even though Grayfia naturally compensated them for the assistance, most natural dragons fought against them anyway.

"Of all the ones to come crawling back from the void," Issei shook his head. "Could we at least have gotten one we could attempt to reason with?"

"Luck is a magical attribute," Bova deadpanned. "For us, that's too much to ask for."

Issei grimaced in agreement and grabbed his subordinate on the shoulder, even as Divine Dividing appeared to shift them into battle.

A few hours later, Issei parted ways from Bova and returned to Kuoh. Annoyed. Mentally exhausted. Quite possibly willing to eviscerate the first annoyance he came across. Grendel was an opponent that he tired of having to fight constantly.

He didn't quite return home yet, a signal flare of power having drawn his attention to a mansion on the other side of town. Given that it was only early afternoon, he decided to take up that invitation. He was in the courtyard of the building, one of his arms encased and armored like some retiarius of ancient Rome. His current opponent was using two short scimitars, but unlike the fight with Grendel, the effort and energy output he expended was much higher.

Issei leaned back, letting a sword point whiz by his cheek. To retaliate, his left arm came up, batting the piece away, before reversing to rake the now-empty space with spread talons.

"You're slower today." His best friend chided.

"I haven't stopped moving in what feels like months," Issei complained. "It's been one fight to the next nonstop." His fingers closed, the spiked knuckles adorning the armored gauntlet speeding toward the Knight's face.

Kiba barely managed to block, relying on Blade Blacksmith to create a vambrace of his own to take the force of the blow. The armor shattered from impact, but it had done its purpose. It was part of the rules between the two. Issei would armor up one limb, and one limb only, while Kiba could only use two swords at a time and partial armor at most. Issei's strength and speed would kill most outright, so a single touch was considered 'death'. Likewise, any part of Issei that wasn't covered in plated metal, an attack there would be considered 'death' to the respected rules. Sparring rules like this were common, meant to challenge both to up their skill. Power was permanently unbalanced between them, so they tested each other differently.

Besides, if raw power was all that mattered, Rias, Akeno, and Xenovia would be ultimate-class as well, with Kiba struggling to meet the cut. A testament to how skilled Kiba was against the competition. Though in recent times, he'd had less opportunity to polish his skills.

"Heh," Kiba panted, trading his scimitars for a broadsword which he leaned against. "You think I haven't been fighting? Fatherhood is no walk in the park."

Issei sensed that neither were really into continuing their spar and simply fell over, content to lie on the pavement. "I have nine, you only have one and one on the way. Cry me a river."

Kiba sat down beside him. "This is payback for mocking you when you had four or five toddlers at once to care for."

"Naturally. How's Tosca doing?"

Kiba sighed, tossing his sword away to disperse. "It's harder on her than it was for Tsubaki."

Tosca Kiba, one of Yuuto's two wives. She had been another survivor of the Holy Sword Project, but her survival was contingent on her awakened Sacred Gear. Bright Aegis, it had placed her body into complete stasis, rendering the toxic gas used harmless for her. It had taken Azazel investigating personally to free her from animated suspension, but by then her uncontrolled overuse in partial Balance Breaker conditions had permanently affected her. She was forever trapped in the body of a thirteen year old girl, despite reincarnation as Kiba's Queen and the best treatment Kiba and Sona could find for her.

"I can ask Asia to check in on her," Issei offered, knowing that worry and fear was agonizing to the trio. Asia's pregnancy hadn't been that much better either, her body even now still unsuited for childbearing. She had physically matured, even if just a little, but Tosca couldn't.

"We'd be grateful," Kiba nodded in thanks, just before he was tackled by a blur. Issei could only smirk as his best friend was overwhelmed by his three year old son in a matter of moments, something he had teased the drake about for years. Taking that as his cue, he stood, choosing to fly out once beyond the estate.

Tsubaki stopped him at the gate, a light smile on her face. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"Sparring. Blowing off steam. You're both scarily similar, you both hide your fears and worries were you think women can't see them."

"Oh, to be seen through so easily. Mothers truly do have eyes everywhere, it's a bit terrifying."

The wooden handle of her naginata whipped out to bash his skull. The wood groaned upon impact, yet he stood unflinching.

He tapped the handle away from him, knowing that it would have just as easily been a ladle or lightning bolt depending on who he mouthed off to at home. "Let me know if anything comes up and I'll bring Asia right away."

Tsubaki's smile grew. "Thank you, Issei." She kissed his cheek lightly in thanks of her own, they both knew what it was and neither would misinterpret it. Neither would their significant others. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be sure Nagissa doesn't beg his father for sword lessons again."

"So says the spearwoman," Issei chuckled. "Fine! I'm going, I'm going!" He ducked the swing and took off from the driveway. "Tell Tosca we say hi and we're wishing her the best!"

His friend, his family, his unborn child would be alright. He'd make sure of it.

Afterall, Kuoh was a nesting place, away from the Underworld, war and politics. A home for family, for one to be raised safe and sound.

Perhaps it was his own selfishness, but he considered many more than his bond and blood to be family.