Time Again
Issei limped through the charred battleground, cold air blew through the wasteland, and it was as quiet as the dead. Destroyed buildings covered most of the field. The fighting had finally stopped, a millennium of chaos and death finally over. It appeared not a single enemy survived. DxD had won the battle it seemed. Issei didn't think of it as a win though, not with the losses his side sustained, not with the civilian casualties. Not with the loss of so many innocent lives.
Walking was tough, the damage that had been done to his body was great, his entire left leg was fractured, his right arm broken in multiple places, multiple cracked ribs, and a possible punctured lung. Nothing a powerful devil couldn't come back from with time and a bit of rest, but he was in bad shape regardless. He probably would be incapacitated and near death if it weren't for his Welsh Dragonic Rook form. The power it took to destroy his armor was immense, not just anything could put a dent in his armor, much less blowing it off entirely.
The question was; what the hell could cause an explosion of that size and power?
Another question was; if Rossweisse had gotten away from the fighting in time before the blast went off.
He didn't get any time as when he entered a large open area without buildings, he stood in shock as the largest dragon he had ever seen landed on the battleground. It lifted its head and let out a roar that was ear shattering. Thankfully Issei was a Devil and his ears were much stronger than a normal humans. That also meant it hurt a lot more and it was louder than it normally was. The Dragon was as black as an endless void of nothingness, its eyes as red as blood and rubies. The wingspan was a good 2 miles or 3.2 kilometers. Its height was something else as well, at a maximum height of 3500 feet or 1067 meters not including the wings. Its body was just on another scale of massive, words couldn't describe the thickness of its armor and the strength it possessed. Its body length, head to tail, was easily three fourths of its wingspan. If Issei had to compare it to something, it looked similar to Great Red, but different in that it had 4 legs instead of 2.
Issei couldn't believe his eyes, the same energy aura that emanated from the destroyed ground, was coming off of that dragon in waves.
Was that dragon the cause of all this death and destruction?
Almost as if the dragon read his mind, it turned the direction of one of its eyes in the direction of Issei. It looked upon him with what seemed to be curiosity. he didn't dare move in case it decided to attack.
As fast as it had noticed him, it looked away and began to fly away.
[Issei, we need to leave. Now!]
Ddraig sounded urgent, whatever that dragon had planned, it was not going to be pretty. He took the advice to heart and started limping as fast as he could away from the dragon, he had used up almost all of his magical strength just protecting himself, he just needed a bit more time before he could get out of here.
"Issei! You're alive! Thank goodness! I was looking for you, this place is gigantic!"
It was Rossweisse, who appeared to be covered in dirt and grime, but unhurt, thankfully.
"Rossweisse, I'm glad you're alive, but we need to get out of here now, there's a massive dragon in the direction I came from which is on a whole different level of powerful compared to me. Ddraig also told me to leave this place so let's get going, now!"
Rossweisse stayed silent and just nodded, she knew that if something was bad enough to worry Issei, that she would take his word for it, he'd never lied to her before, and he had no reason now of all times. She also quickly notice how badly he was limping, she quickly stopped him and healed his wounds with Twilight Healing.
With Issei back to a physically uninjured state, he didn't have to worry about hurting himself further physically.
They were about to set off when they heard a noise, it was growing louder and louder by the second. before long, new noises came into earshot and immediately Issei recognized the sound. It was the sound that came before the battlefield was scorched into a no-man's land.
Before Issei had time to react, Rossweisse set up defensive spell runes in the direction of the sound. She proceeded to take out Twilight Healing from herself and merged it within Issei.
"Rossweisse! What the hell are you doing? You need to get out of here now!"
She gave him a sad, truthful smile.
"We both know I can't do that Love, if anyone has a chance at killing the dragon, between the two of us, we know it's not me. I... I have accepted my fate for a long time now as did we all. The fate of dying for your sake so you can live on to protect others. I'm sure you'll miss me dearly, just as much as we have missed the others."
Both parties had tears flowing down their eyes, this was the last time they'd ever see each other. Since time was of the essence, Issei made the first to embrace Rossweisse and give her a final kiss that she'd remember even in death. they stayed like this for what seemed like forever.
The sounds growing closer and small tremors reminded them that they only had limited time.
"Issei, tell my daughters that I loved them, and their father with all my heart until the end. In time, I hope to see you all in Asgard."
Rossweisse stepped between Issei and the oncoming blast, strengthening her defences to buy her just a bit of extra time to transport Issei before the blast hit, if the shields held of course.
With the amount of power it took to teleport Issei, they were cutting it close, it would be but 10 seconds before the blast hit, and about 11 seconds before Rossweisse could send him away with the amount of power she could use while maintaining her defences.
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The blast hit the shields like an atom bomb, but they held just long enough for Rossweisse to teleport Issei. Before that happened though, she smiled.
"I love you Issei, goodbye."
It was the last thing Issei heard before he saw no more.
Issei woke up in a cold sweat, that was one of the last memories he had before things started spiraling into chaos. Ophis identified the dragon as Kalameet, the one and only dragon to be classified as a Genesis dragon. That abomination of a dragon was unlike anybody had ever seen. Ophis identified it because she only knew about it, she had never seen it in person.
[Issei, sitting here thinking about the past won't change it. What we can change is the future, not just for your sake, but for my sake as well.]
Ddraig's blunt words hurt, but he had a point. He would get nowhere worrying about what he couldn't change in his past. He had to look forward towards the future if he was ever going to be able to stop Kalameet.
Hopefully this time around, he could get Rias and the others up to their best ability as early as possible. He had also decided when to announce his true identity to Rias and everyone as the Crimson Dragon Emperor.
The rating game against Raiser.
He would personally enjoy the surprised look in Rias' eye as she would connect most of the dots. He was probably in for a thousand or more spankings for keeping the secret though. It would be worth the pain though, hurting his family was the last mistake anyone was going to make this time around.
"You're right Ddraig." Issei agreed. "I'll try to focus on the present, and future. No point worrying about the past, nothing can change that now anyway."
Today was the "date" with Yuuma, or Raynare to be more accurate, he had to put on his best game face for the few hours he would be spending with her. He really didn't want to go through with this, but it was too late now, he already made up his mind to make Rias give him her 8 pawns as a means to "save" his life, therefore he wouldn't have to explain his current situation, until Rias found out he was the Crimson Dragon Emperor.
He was in for a long explanation after winning the rating game.
The time finally came for Issei when he had to prepare for his "date". He showered, dressed in semi-nice looking, but old, clothes since they were going to be ruined. He brushed his teeth and combed his hair as much as he could but it made little difference. Even if he was going to be faking his death, he wanted to look as nice as possible since Rias would be the one summoned.
Once he was ready, he started walking to the meet-up point, he had to get a request paper from Rias' familiar after all. The walk brought back memories of the first time he did this, he was so naive back then, it was laughable at his age. It was silly of him to think that way though, he'd lived for 5000 years and learned from his many, many mistakes. Being a human before reincarnating into a devil kept him humble throughout his entire life, but never once had to strive for anything less than but to be the best for the sake of his family and friends.
"Please check us out!"
Before Issei had time to react, he was handed a slip of paper with the Gremory family crest printed on it. He turned to look at who gave him the slip of paper and sure enough, it was Rias' familiar in her human disguise. Said familiar gave him a flashy smile and a wink before turning around and walking off.
Issei took in his surroundings, he was at the place he agreed to meet Yuuma at for their date. Had he really been so deep in thought, that time had flown by like the breeze? The faster this day goes by, the better the day would be, and one step closer to 8 more Pawn pieces. Oh how he so wanted those to fiddle with. Damn that Ajuka and Azazel for getting him hooked on something other than his one true passion.
Breasts!
Yes, even after 5000 years, he still loved a good pair of breasts, he wouldn't let that damn Vali even get a hell of a chance to use Half Dimension on anything this time around. He was going to show Vali who the true Devil of the underworld was, and he would show no mercy. Killing him would be absurd though. If Vali were to die, all that unknown potential would be wasted.
"Issei!"
It was Yuuma, time to put on a fake smile, and put on the actors mask until nightfall.
"Good morning Yuuma!"
He didn't have to act, it was a good morning after all.
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
She really hadn't.
"Oh no, I just got here."
"If I didn't need the extra pawn pieces, you'd be dead, I wouldn't be here and I could be doing something better than going on a date with a bitch like you."
The "date" had officially started, they explored clothing outlets, and other small stores around the area. While Yuuma wasn't looking, Issei did 3 things. One, he put a spell on an elasticized bracelet to make Yuuma want it with irresistible desire. Two, another spell he put on it, would make Raynare never want to get rid of it no matter what. Third, a tracking spell, just in case she suspected something and tried to change locations at the last minute.
He set the bracelet back down and called to Yuuma.
"Is there anything you might like over here?"
Yuuma turned around and her eyes were almost immediately drawn to the bracelet Issei just enchanted.
"I really like this bracelet a lot, can I please have it?"
She fell for Issei's trap, hook, line and sinker. Without realizing anything was wrong of course.
"Yeah, sure, let me buy it for you."
Spending a tiny about of money now wouldn't set him back any, not with the enchantments anyway.
After they had completed their purchases they went to a small diner and ordered food. Issei ending up with brain-freeze and choking on his drink because he stared at Yuuma's breasts too long.
With the date coming to a close, they made their way to the large fountain in the park. The anticipation of getting this done and over with was great.
"We had a lot of fun today!" Yuuma being cheery as ever said.
"Yeah." Issei replied. "It was a great day!"
They continued walking towards the fountain when Yuuma suddenly skipped ahead a few feet, closer to the fountain and turned around.
"Say, Issei. Do you mind doing me one more favor to commemorate our first date?"
"Here it comes, those words I once dreaded that now no longer have any meaning to me." Issei thought to himself.
"Wh-what kind of favor?" Issei forced his voice to sound nervous.
Raynare smiled and looked up at Issei.
"Could you die, please?"
"What? Wait, I think there's something wrong with my ears, could you repeat that?"
Raynare moved closer to Issei, and whispered in his ear.
"Could you die, please?"
Issei put on the best shocked expression he knew as she transformed into her Fallen Angel self.
He also almost went into Balance Breaker by accident when he saw her breasts.
"Although short-lived, playing innocent lovey-dovey with you was fun. I'll take good care of this gift from you." Her innocent demeanor gone, replaced by the cold and vicious Raynare.
"Yuuma, what..." Issei kept his horrified and shocked expression when she created a spear of light in her hand.
"So... please die."
She impaled the light spear right into Issei's stomach. Causing massive amounts of bleeding which would normally kill a human, but definitely not a Devil. Issei let himself fall onto his back since the pain he was feeling was very real.
"Sorry, your existence posed a threat to us. So we took the initiative and moved in for the kill. Blame God for planting that Sacred Gear inside your body."
If Issei was to blame anything for this, it was his own luck.
"Thanks for the wonderful memories." She then disappeared in a "rain" of feathers.
Very soon, Raynare would be nothing but a memory. Again.
Damn that light spear though, it wouldn't kill him, but since he had to hold back his Devil power, and Dragon power, the effect the light had on him would rid him of his consciousness soon.
Issei pulled out the paper with the Gremory insignia on it as fast as he could, and channeled a small amount of his power into it, wishing for Rias to come "save" him.
The last thing Issei saw before he lost consciousness, was long, Crimson hair.
Authors Notes: Here I am again with another chapter. This soon? Yeah, but don't expect super fast updates like this at all. It really is random when I'm going to update.
Now, in regards to you guest reviewers, Guest number 1 wonders when I'm going to update again. My answer: Literally whenever. I don't have a schedule for this. Guest number 2... how about you don't tell me how to write my story and assume that if I do it your way it will have "more depth". Newsflash, you read ONE chapter. You have no idea what I have planned, or how much of it I do have planned, Kindly either go away, or don't ever tell me what I should do again.
Everyone else who reviewed with their accounts however, I thank you for your awesome support. Also from my first chapter alone, I got 37 follows on this story (when I'm writing this). You guys are super awesome. Reviews are always welcome!
EDITED: I wrote this AN at like, 4 in the morning and Asia completely flew over my head. So next chapter: meeting Asia, showdown with Raynare. Then the chapter after next will be Balance Breaker, Raiser and rating game.
EDIT 2: Changed the dragon's name from Bahamut to Kalameet. As it turns out, Bahamut is the name of a Rook in SirZech's peerage so yeah. For those wondering, I used the name Bahamut for the dragon in reference to the anime; Shingeki no Bahamut (awesome anime btw), but now it's referencing something else.