Chapter 7. Unexpected Visitor
It was in midnight, just after he and Jack finished watching anime together. Issei found himself sit in dark and wide place. Dark and wide. It the only best words to describe where he is now
He sit in chair, leaning on it, making the furniture groaned. In front of him is monitor, a large monitor on size of adult man. It only the source of light that illuminating darkness surround him
The boy stare blankly at the screen in front of him. His visible lone golden amber eye look dazed, unfocused, it is the gaze of person who not in living World. Blank, Hollow, Emotionless, Sightless
Eye that belong to dead people, bore to the soul and carve themselves deep in it consciousness
He should expect this...
No... He already expect this actually... Ever since he trapped in there, deep down in his heart he already knew about this, he shouldn't have any doubt...
But when the fact is shoved to his face like this...
What else can he do? Other than stare at it...
Then... His lip twitched. Curled upward, teeth slowly bared to the World, his blank face filled with grin. It not a goofy grin, a grin of happiness or joy. No...
It grin of madness
"Ah... Ah... Hahahahahaa! Hahahahaha! Hahahaaa! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
The laugh that come out from his mouth is toneless and emotionless. It was laugh that dry, laugh that mean for sarcasm. But it different. There something under that laugh, something cold and eerie, rather that come out as dry laughter, it resemble laugh that come out from dead men
What else he can do?
True he maybe has no connection to this being. But what happen to him is connected to this entity. His only friend leaving and not even give any news because of him. His new self and personality happen because of this. Had this entity doing his job properly he won't become person like this
It was... Sad... Sad... So sad... Yet... There relief... Relief... Relief...
The monitor keep on, it light illuminating him and his surrounding. Not once the screen move or make any sound. It only freeze and silent like how it supposed to be
Craved in the white screen, a document that written with large title
"GOD IS DEATH."
"Osaka?" Issei perked up from his drawing as he stare at his Father "We going to meet grandma and grandpa?"
"Yes Son." Rihan nodded with small smile in his face "Grandpa will have his 70th birthday soon so we will go there to celebrate."
Issei mouth curled to 'o' expression hearing that, then he place his hand on his chin and take deep thoughtful expression, forehead scrunched in concentration
After a moment of silence he open his eyes and turned to his father "Dad, what should I give to grandpa?"
Rihan blinked his eyes, a bit surprised at the question and he let out small chuckle "I think you come there personally already going to make him very happy."
"But it proper manner to bring gift when we go to someone birthday!" Issei protested, pouting at him in petulant manner "I have to bring grandpa something!"
Rihan smiled at his son, he glad the boy now seems look better. He still remember how Issei behave in last few months, the boy did nothing but sulking and brooding after Irina and her family leaving
He remember how it saddened him seeing his only son look so gloomy and like that. He hoped that he will find new friend but such hope is futile, the boy barely able to socialize, the only one who want to be friend with him was Irina when he still little boy -he still little boy but at least he older than before-
And then, few weeks afterward he become cheerful once again
It was like a miracle. Issei began to smiling and laugh, albeit not like when Irina with him, but at least there progress in there! Rihan truly happy to see his son can smile like that once again
Then, the news about Spirit in forest told by his wife
Truthfully, Rihan not religious person. However he is much like his wife, despite not religious but he believe in things that called miracle or existence of some entity that never be seen by modern Human, like his wife said, something can't be explained by logic and science after all
So when she told him the existence of spirit, the first thing he did is to ensure does that spirit harmless or not. He confront the spirit by himself, alone and talk with this spirit called Narberal
At first he didn't believe her of course, however after hearing the explanation and her gentle nature slowly Rihan found himself believe and comfortable around the spirit. Perhaps it because she influence but he fine with that
He fine because at least Issei can be happy. His son can laugh and smile again, that is more than enough for him. Him who only wish to have happy family, and he had no intention to make the mood in their family broken once again
"Well... How about you give your drawing to him?" Rihan suggested
"Nope. I don't have good one for grandpa." Issei shook his head before his eyes gain new light "Dad! Do you have picture of grandpa? When he young with grandma or the current one!"
"Ah." Rihan make understanding face "Well, I have if I recall, let me check on our album." He smiled at the idea of Issei painting his grandfather picture as he began to go and take family album
After a moment he returned with pair of picture, he give it to his son who observing the pictures. It only take a few second for him to look before he put them down
"Do I need to make it as drawing or painting Dad? Which one grandpa prefer?" Issei asked
"Your grandfather quite prefer old way so... I guess painting will be better for him." Rihan answered
Issei beamed at that, he put down his drawing tools and get the painting one. Changing the paper, he began to mix the paint together and prepare them. His father watched him with warmth smile crossed to his face
If there something Rihan very proud of about his son, it is his painting and drawing. To said Issei talented would be like saying one plus one equal two. Issei not just talented, but he genius in art of drawing and painting! Even teachers left flabbergasted by his drawing!
All his creation can rivaled professional painter and draftman! His boss in place he work even willing to buy Issei creation with quite amount of money! A testimony of his son talent
Though it also saddened him at same time. While true he genius in art of painting, but that cost Issei become friendless boy. Rihan wouldn't deny that there something wrong with the boy, what kind of child who spend time only by drawing and imagining thing?
He already bring him to hospital but there no sign of mental disorder. The close one would be autism, but Issei grasp to reality still exist and sometime can be more deep than other people, so that would be impossible
The doctor assure them that in time Issei will grow from his own 'lala-land' and imagination problem and will forget about it in future. That however can happen if Issei stop making picture, he said that such thing only encourage Issei mind to delve further in World that not exist
Sad that is, but it true, Rihan and Kasumi know it. The more Issei focused on his drawing and painting, the more he won't care about the real World...
"Your grandpa will happy seeing this. You really talented." Rihan commented softly as he seeing the painting that Issei draw
The boy flash him goofy grin in response, there some paint dirty his face which make him look more like a brat. But for Rihan, that smile and grin enough to fill his day
They knew they should stop him from drawing. What doctor said is right, it only make him able to express his imagination further and let them to growth.
But they can't...
Not when he smile and grin like this to them... When they see how broken and sad he was after Irina leave him, it also broke them so much. The only comfort he have is his drawing and painting, even that also not make him happy, in fact few days after Irina leaving never once he touch his tools
And when they see him smile like this... Looking so happy...
'Perhaps... We will talk to him when he enter middle school... For now, let him have his childhood.' Rihan thought fondly. There no need for Issei to growth up so fast, he still in elementary after all, he have all time he want for now "Ah, by the way, don't forget to tell Narberal-san about our departure." He told the boy
"Okay!"
Both father and son spend their time in comfortable silence as the patriarch of Hyoudou family smiling at his son. Issei aware his father watching him only give grin of glee, all while focusing to his work
It was beautiful sight... A love between father and son...
Kasumi who watching them from far silently snap some picture. This will be good memorial for them in future when they open album picture once again
Too caught in their own moment, none of them notice eerie cold pair of green eyes of a strange shaped bird that watching them from tree that outside in their window
It was normal morning in Hyoudou Estate. Sun shining brightly, birds chirping in sky, countless clouds that take countless shape in the blue colored space. It was look like a peaceful day, a ordinary quite and normal day for Hyoudou Estate.
"Daddy! Get up!"
Well, the quite part is shattered by that
Issei pay no mind to the childish yell. He flip over his body and pull his blanked further, snuggling in his bed comfortably
"Daddy! You promise me you will give me man to toy with! I want to split their innards! I want to see their fresh color and try to choke people with it!" Jack whined as she shaking her daddy..
"I did not promise such thing." Issei replied in mumbling tone, eyes still closed. And its true, he did not promise things like that. While he doesn't have problem with that but he don't want to kill unnecessarily because it will alert Rias and Sona
Add the fact there no information about Stray Devil recently in town, normally when he kill people he did that when there one in city so it could be blamed for. He can create fake Stray Devil if he wish to but the timing currently is not in place
Jack pouted at that. She asking to go hunting when his father about to sleep, she think it will make him less focused but the result still same, he refuse it. Now she tried again but the result also same as well!
"Then! You have to go school!" She changed the reason
"This is Sunday." Issei responded, still with closing eyes
Jack puffed her cheek in irritated manner at that. Well that certainly not working, as expected from daddy, he even still able to focus when at his vulnerable moment!
Then, she stare at one table in Issei's room. Slowly, grin formed on her face. She had watch this one in anime yesterday with dad. She hop to the table and give sly look to Issei who still resting in bed, then she bend her limb down slightly
"DADDDYYY! WAAAKKEE UUUP!"
And jump toward Issei
In response, Issei flip over, hand grasping the bed and somehow rolling the bed along with him 360°, avoiding Jack who... Eventually crashed to the floor, breaking it through and fell to the floor below him
"IT HURT! DADDYYYY! I'M STUUUCK!" Jack whine and cry echoed from the fresh hole
Issei response merely snoring and mumbling about World domination to his pillow
"Issei-kun, what you did to Jack-chan?" Narberal asked, lip set into thin line and eyes looking stern
"Nothing." Issei answered plainly
Narberal eyes furrowed in skepticism, she actually can't tell does Issei lying or not from his face "Then can you explain why Jack-chan sulking?" She gestured to the Assassin who in corner of room, poor girl twirling her index finger in the floor with gloomy aura around her
"I don't know." Issei said "She try to awake me but I don't want to... Then when I awake by myself I see her gone." Its true, he not lying at all. When he awake he no longer see Jack, albeit there hole in side of his bed for some reason, a very strange humanoid shaped hole around Jack size
Coincidence? Yep. Probably coincidence.
Narberal close her eyes and held back sigh, she won't get anything more from him, so it useless to continue this talk. She turned to Jack and approach her, she crouched down near her and rise her hand to comfort her "Yosh, yosh, Jack-chan can you tell me what's wrong?" She asked softly
Jack briefly spare glance to her, before she shift her gaze back to the floor, drawing random pattern in there using her finger
Narberal sweatdrop only get bigger
"Jack-chan?" She tried again
"Dad...ig...me..." Assassin mumbled
"Eh?" Narbarel blinked and get her ear closer "can you repeat that?"
"Daddy ignoring me." Jack repeated in muffled voice
"Ignoring you? How so?"
"I jump from table to land to his stomach just like in anime!" Jack informed with brooding look "He supposed to get hit and yell at me, then I going to ask forgiveness using puppy eyes and he will forgive me then give me kiss! But instead doing that he flip his bed to the side and make me crash to the floor!"
...
...
...
...
...
Narberal doesn't know how to respond that save for her eyes that curled to dull look. So that the crashing sound she heard this morning. She noted that Issei even give dull look to Jack for second before resuming his drawing
"Well... Jack-chan, I don't think that was proper." Narberal tried to comfort the girl "I mean, no one like to be awaken in that way."
"But it will create event flag!" Jack insisted with pout "The positive point I going to get will be bigger than the negative!"
"Ah..." She truly lost words now, briefly she glance to Issei again and the boy not even paying attention to them, but she can tell he actually listening to them "Jack-chan... I think that will work to other people, Issei-kun is... Special." She said with small pause
Jack perked up at hearing the Spirit word. That maybe true, Daddy not like all Men she has spying or kill before, add the fact he is her Daddy, there no way he can be same like those stupid man
Narberal smiled seeing the girl seems come out from her sulking "Now, why don't you go change? Breakfast will be ready soon, it not proper to wearing just that." She said as she gestured to her outfit. The white haired girl clad in simple black panties and tight tank-top that seems hugging her body like a spandex.
"But I'm comfortable with this." Jack replied, eyeing the spirit with frown -which come out as pout in Narberal eyes-
"It not proper for girl to wear such revealing outfit." Narberal sighed
"You the one who talk, you only wearing coat when I'm a kid." Issei said from his drawing
Narberal blanched from her place at the memory, she send Issei glare, her face set into flame a bit "On my defense, I'm just born! I don't know the concept of modesty in Human society!" She defended herself
"Uh-huh." Issei simple reply, eye never leaving his painting
The Spirit glared at the boy back, threatening to burn hole to there. She being honest! Back then she doesn't know modesty mean! Issei also never even bother to explain it since he seems not disturbed by her appearance!
Too focused to Issei, Narberal didn't notice the Assassin eyeing the spirit with strange look. Now if she recall, Narberal been longer with Daddy, there fact that Daddy also love the spirit more than her.
'What does she have that I don't?' Jack questioned herself. A time perhaps because Narberal spend time with Daddy for very long? But she not stupid enough to think that is the answer, no. There must be something she else she have 'I going to keep an eye to her.'
"Narberal-chan! Jack-chan! Isseiiii! Breakfast ready!" Kasumi voice come from other room
"Right away Kasumi-san!" Narberal shouted back before turned to Jack "Jack-chan change your cloth okay?"
"But I'm comfortable with this!" Jack protested
Narberal only sighed hearing that, she knew well what Jack mean. While true she will appear to clad in cloth and full outfit when helping people that lost, but when she by herself she prefer to not wear anything. The feeling is not that comfortable and she need time to get used
Assassin originally was only a mist, shapeless mist, so of course the idea to wearing full cloth is not that comfortable for her and Narberal can understand that from her own experience. However sooner or later she need to get used, just like her
"Wear something more proper Jack." Issei spoke as he stand and put down his painting tools "I'm hungry, don't wasting time to debate." He said to them while walking to the door
The effect is instantaneous
"Okay Daddy!" Jack chirped happily, all her negative behavior seems gone as if never there in first place
Narberal only can sweatdropped. This girl seems too eager to please Issei. Not like she can blame her, the first time she born she also want to help Issei in anything, the idea to be useful for her creator was the only thing crossed in her mind. To show Issei that she useful and can make him happy, to please him and to make sure he never sad
Yeah... She still remember that feeling very well...
"Come on Jack-chan, let get you proper cloth. I sure Kasumi-san have some cloth that fit your size." Narberal said as she grasp the girl shoulder and help her stand
The Assassin not protest and only nodded, still with big smile in her face as if she just get the best gift in the World. Narberal only can shook her head inwardly, this girl... It hard to believe that she actually a cold blooded killer seeing she act like this
'Then again... One can't judge a person just by it cover...' Narberal thought sadly
After all... The biggest monster in this city is someone who only look like a ill boy...
"Okay Koneko, now as usual I will cover you with nature energy but I won't allow it to enter your body, you absorb it slowly okay? If you have problem, then I will inject the positive aura Senjutsu energy to you so you can calm down." Narberal said to the cat girl softly
"Yes." Koneko nodded to the spirit
Issei watched as the white haired Devil take few breath to calm down. Then she close her eyes, Narberal nodded in satisfy before she rose both her arms, extended to opposite direction
Then the space glowing...
It almost like seeing light blue translucent dome formed out of nowhere, encasing both the spirit and the Devil in one place. Despite there nothing in there save for them, but Issei can tell there something inside that dome, a power, invisible and can't be seen by normal or even few supernatural eyes but it there.
Issei able to see it without problem
It been three weeks ever since battle with Kolazar and one week after their conversation about helping Koneko with her power. So far, they already try some method but it not working. The method was to encouraging the girl to learn Senjutsu by herself, giving her confidence so she can stand on her feet but obviously it not wirking since it bring nothing but dark memories.
After a week of trying, Narberal decide to use new method, and that what currently he see
"Close your eyes and focus."
Narberal not give any further warning, without any movement of her muscle, the energy flow around her, invisible to naked eyes and Devils who watching but not to her. She rise one hand, the power follow her, as a Nature Spirit, she is friend of nature itself, even if she birthed in unnatural way but she is their friend, she is a being that part of them.
She put the hand to Koneko shoulder gently, allowing the power that follow her brush the Devil. The cat girl found herself flinched, a pair ot white cat ears popped from her head, followed by the tail. Her closed eyes snap open, wide and shaking, breath become unstable, body trembling, it obvious she start to panic
Dark... Dark... Everything become dark. There no shed a light. Darkness everywhere. The memory... The memory... It hurt. It hurt. It hurt. Her sister. Alone. Alone. Alone. Left because of madness. Left because unloved. Left because unworthy. Left because-
"Calm down Koneko."
A beautiful and yet also firm voice breeze her ear. It so melodic, so angelic. It like a single strand of light illuminating her, shine to her and banish the darkness that surround her.
"Listen, what you felt only peck of dark energy. While it look like so deep and many, but the truth it only small, it only illusion that created by your memory. That dark energy manipulating part of your fragile mind. Calm yourself." Narberal voice reverberated in the darkness around her "Strengthen your will, use your happy memories, remember you must remain neutral. Push those darkness with positive energy, make sure you in peace."
The white haired girl only can nod at that, her eyes still focused on the light that illuminating her. Memory... Memory...
"Koneko-chan do love sweet eh? Don't worry I will create more for you."
Akeno Himejima smiling face while serving her tea and cake crossed to her mind
"Look! Look! Koneko! I bought new anime for you! It about cat girl as well! Though she Tsundere rather than Kuudere!"
Rias Gremory grinning face while push her to sit on her side and watching anime together
"Koneko-chan, you have to be more careful, just because you Rook doesn't mean you can just charging like that."
Yuuto Kiba lecturing face while bandaging some of her wound with his usual charming smile
...
...
...
She... Can do this... Yes.
"Do it for them Koneko-chan, do it for those who need you. For those memories." Narberal voice reverberated in her ears once again
Yes. Yes. Yes, she can do this, she can do this! For them. Buchou in problem right now, her dream threatened. She in danger, that Riser Phenex prick try to force his way to Buchou! No! She won't let him do that! They her family! She won't let him bother them!
Issei watched in fascination as Koneko trembling stop. The moment her ears pop out, her eyes wide open and she fell to her knee. It was obvious she become panic, however he not make any attempt to do anything, Narberal then bend down, kneeling on her side and whispering something to her
Then the trembling ceased, and she become... Calm...
"It work..." Sona muttered with small awe
Ah yes... Sona Sitri...
Apparently, Rias Gremory and her other peerage can't attend Koneko training. It not like they doesn't wish to, oh they really did, the first week Koneko began her training they all were there. But seeing there no progress, Rias begin to worry. They only have less than five month to fight Riser, they already wasting almost one month due to injury from fighting Kolazar
So with heavy heart, Rias asked Sona to monitor Koneko while she and her other peerage spend time in their own training, after all if something happen to Koneko's Sona going to tell her immediately
"This is surprise." Sona murmured, still in awe as she staring at Koneko who now standing, her ears and tail out, reveal her true nature
"She will need time to adjust." Issei commented, earning look from Sona "Narberal give her positive energy more than negative, but slowly she will increase the negative numbers. Judging by this, Koneko still have long way to go, she still need to adjust in this level after all."
Its true what Issei said. Despite Koneko body can handle it but her mind is not, and art of Senjutsu depend mostly on mind. Koneko has been traumatized for a years, the thought she can use Senjutsu in instant is close to impossible. Add the fact rather than have her facing her fear, Rias only try to comfort her, that not curing her but simply cover the wound
Right now, Koneko able to use Senjutsu because she in Narberal field. The Spirit control the nature energy in there, she minimize amount of dark aura that reside in nature energy, allowing Koneko to access Senjutsu without triggering her trauma
As long Koneko Toujou is Nekoshu, she will never able to recover. The wound may closed, covered, and not feel hurt anymore, but it still there, still exist and never solved
Perhaps, this is why Rias ask Narberal for help and went away. She can't bring herself to see Koneko to be forced facing her dark side, she love her too much and doesn't want Koneko hurt
'A naïve and stupid move... They not a dolls or pet... Years she spend time with her, but she never did anything to cure her wound.' Issei thought as his mind crossed to Rias Gremory behavior toward her peerage. On other hand such act can be counted as kindness, no one want to see their beloved went through what make them hurt in first place after all. But to Issei who only thought them as stranger? Rias act counted as weakness and stupidity
"You can tell that?" Sona asked with small surprise in her voice
Issei doesn't reply, eye never leaving Koneko who now taking meditate stance and calming herself with Narberal on her side. Then after small silence he responded "I'm observant person Sitri-sempai." He replied, repeating what he said to her when she approach him after battle with Kolazar
Sona blinked at the reply. She had been monitoring Issei few days after her fight with Kolazar. True she not monitor her that much -she doesn't want to be called stalker anymore by Rias, no thank you- but she able to get know fw things about him
The boy is obviously not stupid. What Narberal said about him being apathetic is right, it give her the key to able to know Issei further. The boy not stupid, he just didn't care. He didn't care to his academic, as long he pass then it fine, one can say maybe he too lazy but no. Sona knew there something about him, he not lazy obviously seeing he spend time everyday to explore Kuoh City to find place to painting or drawing
Issei is observant. Very observant. She won't be surprised if Issei knew they are Devil during his first year. No, it not because he have supernatural power, but it because he really that observant. He able to difference her from her familiar is proof of that
Who know behind this lonely and fragile looking boy there such sharpness
Truthfully, Sona won't mind if Issei Hyoudou become one of her Pawn. She maybe judge him too fast before, but it because she doesn't know him and now she has getting close to him a bit. The man can become adviser, he pick up what people left behind and that is very useful. The thought of offering him become Devil crossed to her mind, but she bury it. The boy going to reject it obviously, if he become Devil then Narberal no longer can bonded to him, Spirit need Human faith to exist, not Devil's.
Perhaps, when Narberal matured enough and left him, she will offer the position. He won't fighting of course, he will be brain type, and who know perhaps he have talent in magic? Though he never show it but maybe it because he never bother to
"You can call me by my first name when we alone like this Issei-san." Sona informed the boy
Issei response is by give small glance with his lone gold eye before his gaze resuming to Koneko and Narberal "Okay." He said blankly
Sona grunted in satisfaction before she resuming her gaze to Koneko. She knew Issei not person who love to talk and she doesn't have problem with that, she not get too close to him and he also not get too close to her, that's fine with Sona since she not hoped much for Issei to become her Pawn
"Alright, you did it Koneko-chan." Narberal said softly as she see the cat girl no longer seems shaking and traumatized "Now, I will increase the negative aura a bit. Remember to remain calm and focused." She told her
"Hai, Narberal-san." Koneko nodded, she still have her eyes closed and face expressing focus
Narberal manipulate the nature energy around her, she inject some part of dark aura inside it to Koneko a bit. The cat girl in response began to trembling, where her breath and body calm now they become shaking, trembling and heavy. She can see the little girl chest shrunk and grow with quick, indicating panic attack start to strike her once more
Narberal didn't do anything
It not like she doesn't want to help her, no. But Koneko need this. The amount of negative aura she give to Koneko in fact not even proper compared to the positive one. It could be said only one-fifth of the normal one that used regularly
Eventually Koneko let out gasp, her focus broken, eyes wide deep breath come out from her mouth as she fell from her sitting position to her knee
"I... I can't..." She rasped out, her voice is weak and dry, as if she just went through horror
Narberal merely watched with impassive face, slowly she let out sigh and shook her head "You can go further..." She said
"N-No... I.. I can't! I-"
"Just calm yourself Koneko-chan." Narberal stern voice cut her from further talking, she kneel on the girl side and let her eyes meet her's "You can do this. So what if your Nee-san leave you? You have new family now. One that love you so much. Even if it true, she will never able to replaced since she your blood sister but that doesn't mean she is your only World. Rias-san, Akeno-san, Yuuto-san, they all your family, Rias-san going to need you."
Koneko freeze as Narberal emphasize the last part. It like time around her stopped, her breath and eyes even stop moving, not an inches of her muscle twitched. Then, she swallowed the lump on her throat, slowly she let out heavy breath before rose her face
Golden amber meet black raven
"L-Let's... Let's do it again." Koneko nodded firmly, albeit her voice shaking but her eyes is clear, one can see fire in there
Narberal smiled, her smile filled with determination just like her current student "Good! Let's." She watched as the cat girl slowly get into meditate position again, hands crossed and eyes closed as she take few deep breath to calm down her emotion
Narberal manipulate the energy around her once again, prepared to let it flow to Koneko so the girl can absorb it. Rising her hand, she put it to her shoulder and-
"...!?"
"!"
She freeze
It was not proverb. The Spirit really freeze
She stop breathing in that moment, eyes went stiff, all muscles in her body stop moving. It as if she suddenly encased by throne of ice
'This is...'
She spare glance to Issei. The ill looking boy face no longer blank. His lone visible eye open wider than normal, his hollow emotion erased as his jaw drop a bit. It really been while she see Issei surprised like this, a year perhaps or more. Obviously her creator also sense it judging by his expression, not surprised somehow, this city after all is ruled by him, nothing can escape from him
"Narberal-sensei?"
"A-Ah?"
Koneko voice broke her from her stupor. The Spirit look down to see the cat girl stare at her with curiosity in her face
"Sensei okay?" She asked
"I'm fine Koneko-chan." Narberal instantly put calm facade, all trace of her stiff before is gone "Let continue..." As she watch the girl nodded and close her eyes once more, she spare another glance to Issei who already stand from his place. The boy not even give glance to Sona who keep watching them as if never aware of what just happen moment ago, and Narberal won't be surprise if she did unaware due to Issei make her to. No doubt he now really doesn't care anymore because of this sudden predicament
It was in the midnight bordering to morning... 3:00AM precisely
Most people in city already sleep, save for Devils who working with their clients now perhaps. It wasn't surprise, Devils is one of creature that live in night after all. However there one house that also has it residence not sleep
It was Hyoudou Residence
Gone his casual outfit. Clad in long gray high-collared coat, a black jeans with leather boots, and a white v-neck shirt. Issei stare at the fireplace that blazing in front of him. The cross that his childhood friend give to him dangling freely, his expression is nonchalant like usual but to people who know him they can tell there gleam in his visible lone golden eye
This is unexpected... Truthfully he admit he very surprised. Of all things that come... Project Bible will be finished only in few weeks or one month the longest, depend on how the energy he gather.
Right now there already plenty of it to active only one, but if he did that the other would be in danger and can never be awaken. That was very bad, he has spend years, five years precisely for this project. He can't afford to abandon it
But the situation clearly not support him now
'If thing come to worse... I guess I has no choice...' He gritted his teeth, the blank emotion gone and replaced by frown.
It was then he sense it... The one that alert him this afternoon during Koneko training session. He can feel in his skin that his creation warning him, they send what they feel to his mind
"Issei-kun..."
He spare small glance to Narberal. The spirit not wearing her casual outfit either. She clad in maid outfit instead, however unlike normal one, there armor on her breast that descend, covering her stomach few parts of the skirt, she also steel greaves rather than heels
"Narberal." Issei grunted in greeting "Does Assassin in her position?"
"Yes." Narberal answered, her voice for once not soft or kind but stern, eyes also filled with seriousness that no one save for Issei ever seen
"Good... We got only one shot if things break out..." Issei replied
"Issei-kun, you know we can alert Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri about this. Why we have to face this person alone?"
"They will be killed if they face this thing." Issei said dismissively "Not like I care but I don't want Serafall Leviathan or Sirzechs Lucifer come here. Add the fact they can't negotiate, things will descend into violence if they the one who talk." He narrowed his eyes "And against this level being? I don't want to act offensive, not yet..."
Narberal didn't say anything and merely scowled. While she dislike how Issei said it but it actually true. If Sona and Rias found out such entity in their city, they will call their siblings to come here, something that Issei avoid seeing Project Bible near completion. Worse, Sona and Rias got themselves killed by this entity
Right now, Issei wish to avoid violence as much as possible. If fight broke out with this entity, Project Bible can be canceled. He has spend years for this and Narberal sure he will make sure the project succeed, by any mean neccessary
"He's coming." Issei commented
Narberal stiffened, she can also tell it. The moment the man stand in front of their house, she already can sense him and what kind of being he is. She narrowed her eyes, what kind of thing that he want in this city? She perfectly aware he not looking for them, he after all patroling around the city before decide to come here when notice that it not Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri who rule this place
The door opened, gently, slowly, eliciting groan from the wood. Issei and Narberal shift their gaze to their guest who stand in front of the door
Beautiful...
That was the word that crossed to Narberal and Issei mind instantly the moment they lay their eyes upon him. Despite his gender is male, but undoubtedly this man is beautiful, beautiful enough to put any mortal woman to shame. Clad in a simple black buttoned up shirt with expensive looking dark red his neck was a simple silver chain that looked gleaming in his dark outfit,
His long black raven hair that almost looked like dark in the night was flowing down, his body wasn't muscular like most men, but looked slim and healthy, added with the cerulean blue eyes and his pale milky smooth skin were clear enough to make him look like a woman
He smiled to them, handsomely, beautifully, gently. He slowly take step forward, approaching the duo. The floor let out soft hum as his foot planted on it, and soon he stand in front of the duo
"Take a sit." Issei suggested, his lone golden eye never leaving the man
The man smile widen in small margin, his eyes focused to Issei, cerulean blue meet with amber gold "Thank you." He spoke, even his voice is soft and Angelic. Express nothing but kindness. He bend his body down, taking seat in front of Issei "First, I want to say sorry for intruding this late."
"It fine... Don't worry about it." Issei grunted "Do you want some drink? A tea perhaps?"
"Tea would be lovely, yes." He accepted politely
Issei spare small glance to Narberal, the spirit for once have nothing but stoic expression in her face that much like her Master. She nodded to Issei before turn away, taking trolley food that near them and push it to them, she rise teapot and pour it to the cup before serving to her guest
"Thank you." He said sincerely
If Narberal surprised or taken back, she not show it, face remain stoic "Your welcome." She said in monotone before go back to behind Issei, her position
He eyeing the tea, blue orbs leering at it as if piercing the cup materials. Then, his smile widened, amusement shone through his eyes "My, my, is your tea always poisoned? Or is it just because of me?" He asked to Issei
"It just for you." Issei answered bluntly, not even show any sign of surprised or ashamed being caught
"I'm flattered you think of me that highly." He chuckled "But really, are you that paranoid? I come here knowing what this place exactly without any offensive demeanor you know." He said in good-natured tone
"For someone like you, even if you come with nothing in your body you still very dangerous." Issei replied, voice filled with monotone "Kokabiel, Angel of Stars and one of Lord of Grigori." He stated
Kokabiel merely chuckled, small grin crossed to his face, his blue eyes seems shine in the dark room that only lighten by the flame in fireplace
"Well... I guess that is true." He admitted "Then again, same thing could be said for you." His eyes narrowed briefly, to right, left, above and finally set back to Issei as his grin widen further
"Father of all Monsters."
A countless pair of crimson blood colored eyes snap open. Numerous shape of mouth bare open, revealing saliva that dripping, followed by razor sharp fangs that bloodied. They everywhere. Right wall, left wall, behind, cell above, corner, even the floor. All of them staring at the Fallen Angel in middle of room that sit in front of their creator, growl and snarl come out from them, like a beast that hungry and ready to eat their prey wholly
On Issei side, Narberal black eyes began to glowing, red blood is their color, just like her brothers and sisters that watching their guest in anticipation, her face is so cold, icy, if there someone who had meet her, they would not believe that someone as gentle and kind like her can make such expression
Issei himself only sip the tea that Narberal give to him calmly, he put down his cup to table before slowly open his eyes. Face blank like a doll, crimson blood colored glowing from his left and amber gold shine from his right, with voice that void of any emotion, he responded
"You may call me, Issei. Issei Hyoudou."
Wohoooo! New chapter has come out guys! XD
In this chapter we see more Issei interaction with Jack and Narberal! Hahaha! Jack such cute girl eh? Well you all can hold that image! But be careful, I will give her some scene, and we shall see did you all still find her cute *give creepy grin*
And we also see Narberal interacting with Koneko! How they bonding and how their training goes! As you all can see, in here Narberal show her full support to Koneko and help her sincerely! Rias and the other also began their training, all spare time they get now focused to get stronger!
And finally! *give very big cheshire cat grin* Kokabiel make appearance! Nyahahaha! As you all can see, this chapter mean for Kokabiel make his appearance! Hahaha! Why he here?! What he want in this city?! Why he visit Issei?!
I kinda enjoy myself when write the last scene where Issei monsters come out from shadow! Ufufufu, I hope you like it as well
Anyway! Nothing much in this chapter since it only mean for opening new arc! Though, we do get another glimpse of Issei past and he also found out that God is death. Now, wouldn't that quite something?! XD
Next chapter will be about their talk and why Kokabiel come to this city of course, and also a lot interaction with other characters! And then, we will have some action!
Okay! This is it for now, I hope you love this chapter! Please Favorite, Follow, and Review
Ja Ne! XD