Every time I fall asleep, I have a bunch of dreams. No, they're all nightmares if anything. Sometimes I see the same one but most of the time they're all different.
"ISSEI!"
"SAVE ME!"
"TRAITOR!"
Its filled with scary screams calling out my name. There are so many bodies laying on the floor. All of them look gross and scarred. They are all as pale as chalk.
Red. That is seen everywhere. The color, its there everywhere I look. I dont like red. In fact, I hate it.
Though what I hate the most is the person who caused this. Even as all these bodies keep piling up, he continues. He is unstoppable, a merciless murderer.
"Why do you watch?"
I'm always asked the same question. It is always asked by a body that hasn't stopped moving.
"If you hate it so much, do something!"
No, I'm scared. I can't do anything.
The pale lifeless body always seems to be looking directly at my soul. I can't do anything about the murderer, I'm just a kid, this is just a dream. There's nothing I can do!
Ah... The murderer is looking at me now! His hair is brown but stained with but one color. His eyes are dark, gloomy, and despite being able shine, they are more lifeless than the bodies on the ground. He smirks, showing his razor sharp teeth and points at me.
"...misssed onnne~..."
No...
I DONT WANT TO DIE!
I have to run! If I don't, ill end up pale and red.
"WAIT! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING!? HELP US! WE-AGGGGHHHH"
I cover my ears to try and block out the screeching that is heard before the sound is one of someone stepping on a orange.
Its not my fault! Its not my fault! Its not my fault!
"...Murderer..."
I look around and notice I've been put in the place of where the monster was.
"...murderer..."
"...traitor..."
"...you were to help us not them..."
"...so much for a gifted devil..."
"...Issei..."
Every body that is on the ground is rising. Each and every looking different. Yet their sights are set on just me.
"...Issei..."
I didn't do it. It was the monster. I'm not the monster. Can't they tell?
"...Issei..."
I'm just a kid. I am 7 years old. I dont even recognize any of you. I can't be blamed, that's unfair.
"...WHY DID YOU BETRAY US!..."
They all run towards me in a furious but broken way. Just as they almost reach me, my eyes pop open and I'm awake.
I'm sweating, its hot but I feel cold. The time of the day is still night. I don't want to go back to sleep. Mom said that I need to but if sleeping means going back into another nightmare then I dont want to.
I know, I'll just stop sleeping.
Three days have passed since I've refused to sleep. My eyes feel so heavy but I don't feel tired. My mom told me that my eyes are looking kind've dark. What's better is when she put me in my bed I couldn't fall asleep, it felt impossible. I guess my idea was a good one. Good bye nightmares.
"ISSEI!"
"Kyaa!"
"Geez, you weren't listening to me at all!"
"I'm sorry... Irina, what were you saying?"
She puffed her cheeks out. That's what she always did when she was mad at me. She looks as cute as a bunny when she did it.
"Why are you always so lazy? Just so you know I won't be here everyday to help you!"
"Eh?"
"You weren't listening from the very beginning!"
"What do you mean?"
"Issei, I'm moving to England because of my fathers job. This was the first thing I told you!"
"Moving..."
I see so she's leaving. That makes me sad.
"Issei?"
She's taken care of me for so long. The least I can do is send her off with a smile.
"H-have fun over at England."
I do my best to muster up a smile.
She looks shocked, but it feels like she's even angrier.
"Have fun..."
"Yeah! Irina, I hope its fun for you."
"Issei, you idiot!"
She throws a cushion at me.
"Ow! ...What was that for?"
"Dummy! Dummy! Issei you dummy! Issei, you Issei!"
"Why are you using my name as a mean-"
I notice water fall onto the carpet. I look at her face, she's crying. Why? Wait, don't make that face. I'm not used to this, I have never seen her cry for as long as ive known her.
"The first time in a long time ive seen you smile and its because I'm leaving. Who said I wanted to leave!? When I leave ill be sad!"
"Um...thats..not-...Um...uh...I-"
I can't get a word out.
"I don't want to leave! If I leave whos gonna take care of you at school!? Issei you're always being bullied, but you don't defend yourself! I have to be the one to protect you, when I leave they're- they're..."
She can't finish and is now just crying, but I know what she wanted to say.
They're gonna hurt you more.
"Irina, I..."
We're just kids is what I wanted to say. But I cant...I'm a coward and can't commit to anything.
I dont know how to comfort her. I don't know if I'm allowed to comfort her. When I'm getting beat up by my bullies, I always think to myself, I can fight back but I would hurt them too badly. I think that but I know and understand that doing such a thing is impossible for me. My recent dream shows exactly who I am, a coward who can only watch and run. I can't even make my one and only friend feel happy, ill probably never be able to help a single person in my life.
I'm failure in everyway.
In the end, I could not do anything. I stood there and watched her cry. It was when her father came into the room and comforted her. He had told me that it would be better if I went home, so I did. I'm not sure what he felt of me when I stood there watching his daughter cry.
After that day, I avoided Irina. I didn't feel like I had the right to talk or be in her presence. Then the day came where she was leaving to England.
I couldn't muster the courage to say goodbye.
"Creep!"
I was punched in the face.
"Your boyfriend's not here to protect you anymore!"
They were a group of three boys, all of them participated in beating me up. I was hit with multiple kicks and punches. Pulled by my hair and shoved to the floor to eat dirt. Anything they were able to think of was done to me.
Laughing, cheering. When I was hurt they grew happy.
"Haha, he had some money on him. Lets go buy some ice cream!"
"Yeah lets go!"
They kicked me one last time.
"You know what's going to happen if you tell anyone!"
I nod. Then they finally leave.
Lifting myself from the ground, I try to walk. It hurts, my knees are cut up and bloody. I can't stay here, it'll be a problem if adults find out. I don't want to cause any more trouble.
Even if it hurts, I have to go home.
I couldn't reach home. I had to stop at a park so I can catch my breath. Many adults ignore me. When they see how messy I am they walk a little faster. Other moms and dads cover their kid's eyes. Why do all of them refuse to help?
"Irina I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
I can say those words when she's not around but when I needed to most, they wouldn't come out...
Its getting dark, I can't stay here. Moms sure to get worried. The pain has numbed, i think walking home will be easier now.
I bump into someone the moment I begin to walk. I can't believe I didn't notice her!
"...eh? I-I'm really sorry!"
I immediately do what my dad told me to do when I bump into someone. I seemed to have caused them to fall to the floor.
"Are you okay?"
As I look at her, my face turns red. She's extremely cute! She has long black shiny hair that looks to reach her hips. Her black eyes captivates me, they're so pretty. She wears strange clothes but for some reason it makes her look even cuter. She so small and looks so frail, I didn't hurt her did I?
She does not take my hand and is able to get up by herself.
"...you smell."
I immediately feel embarrassed. It caused me to sniff myself.
"S-sorry! I was-well-uh...ummm..."
She continues to sniff me. She sniffs slowly as if she wanted to confirm something.
"Umm?"
I feel weirdly happy.
"The smell of a devil and..."
There was short and quiet pause. What is this feeling, I can't breathe.
"...Great Red."
In a flash I'm sent flying.
"Eh?"
I hit a tree, snapping it in half as I drag and rotate across the floor.
"Aaaaaagghghhh!"
I can't describe what I feel, but as soon as I stop I can see how far the little girl is.
What just happened? I try to lift myself up from the floor.
"Guahh!"
I vomit blood.
This is bad. This is bad. This is bad.
I have to run...
Eh? I can't move...
She is walking towards me, she's getting closer.
My eyes are getting heavy. Is this how it ends? No...
...I don't want to die...
[That's whats gonna happen at this rate.]
Once I fall asleep, the pain will end...
[Are you and that man really the same person?]
Im just a failure, I'm nobody special. If this is the end then so be it... Its time to close my eyes.
("Issei! Please, wake up! Not yet...you can't-)
...Gold hair?...
My eyes shoot open.
Why? I know there's nothing I can do! Yet why...
It was a strange feeling.
I look at her. She's emotionless. I want to be her friend, she looks so lonely.
I want to help her!
I force myself to get up with my injuries.
It hurts. It hurts a lot! But! I need to get up! I want to help this cute girl. I want to see her smile!
[That's the spirit! Looks like in the end you are similar him!]
She is right next to me. Face showing no expressions but eyes showing a strong hatred.
My arm begins to shine a bright green light.
She seems surprised. What is going on?
As the light on my arm begins to fade in its place I am left with what looks to be an unfinished red gauntlet with a green sphere in the middle.
"Draig?"
She says a name. Who is that? What is this confidence I feel? Wait, what happened to all my pain? Its as if I never suffered any injury.
[BOOST!]
I can do this!
I lift myself up from the floor.
"I can do this!"
I can feel myself smiling, grinning! I'm itching for something. I want something, I need to destroy, I want...ah?
(The Issei I know isn't a monster, he's-)
...Silver hair?...
I remember the dream, and I can see myself taking the place of that monster. I don't want to become that! I won't become that! I don't want to paint anything red!
"Who are you?"
She asks me.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I am Ophis."
"Issei..."
Eh? Didn't she want to kill me.
"How are you able to possess Draig? Your scent is one of a pure-blood devil and...Great Red."
...My head is starting to hurt..
What is she saying? Devil? Draig? Great Red?
"I don't know what you're talking about but..."
I was in no obligation to try and be her friend. None. Yet I...for some reason...
"Ill be your friend. I- I can't, I don't want to leave you alone."
"Friend?"
The gauntlet disappears. I walk towards her and give her a tight hug. She was not resistant and allowed me to do it.
"What are you doing?"
"Its called a hug..."
"Why are you doing it?"
"I don't know. But when I see you, my heart feels tight and it starts to hurt. I don't understand why but I want to help you! I want to see someone as cute as you smile and always be happy! Its such a waste for you to be so expressionless! That's why from this point on ill always be with you!"
Why am I acting so out of character, I can't even say goodbye to my friend. I'm supposed to be a coward so why do I have so much courage? Why am I being so selfless to a stranger? I don't understand...
Why is it that I feel the need protect her?
My eyes immediately close and I feel myself fall backwards. I'm so tired...
It was during the time I had defected to Sirzech's cause. Grayfia had followed me and because of that we were being hunted by our previous allies. During this time, I made sure that Grayfia didn't kill a single one of her old allies.
"Grayfia, why did you follow me?"
She was surprised at my sudden question.
"Hmm? Well, its a secret."
She smiled with red on her cheeks.
"Eh? A secret? That's not fair, I deserve to know."
"Its a secret. That's final, but ill tell you one day, so just be patient."
I'm not sure what day it was, but im sure it was a few days after I had asked that question. The day I slaughtered an entire army.
"There he is, the traitor! He's alone just as expected, lets kill him and go home."
Truth is, I knew they were going to ambush me.
"Any last words, Issei Lucifuge!"
I did not answer and they begun their attack. They could not get close, I would not let them get close. I was too strong for the likes of them. A simple beam to the head was more than enough and I did that for most of them but I...
"Wait! What do you want!? I'm sure with enough time I could-agaggghhhhh!"
I took their weapons and began to mercilessly cut and shred them to bits and pieces.
Stab...
Slice...
Squish...
Crush...
Break...
It was boring. I needed more, I wanted fun. I wanted, I needed more blood.
It wasn't too long before the entire floor was covered in bodies. The bodies of my fellow devils. Their blood was continuously pouring down from the sky. Despite the slaughter, I wasn't satisfied. It wasn't enough, I needed more death. My mind, needed it, so I had decided to kill some angels and crows but before I could, she came.
"Issei?"
"Grayfia? What are you doing here?"
What is she doing here?
"I couldn't find you anywhere, I was worried something had happened to you so I-"
She looked disgusted. However she did not once avert her eyes, she got closer.
No...go away...go away...
I begin to realize what I had did. The bodies on the floor, no longer recognizable. How could I have...My old friends are...
I understood what I had done was wrong, I knew and felt it. But, I was not satisfied.
If she gets any closer, I'm sure I will...
"Grayfia...stay back..."
She stops immediately.
"Why?"
"I-I don't need a reason! Just stay back! Otherwise ill..."
She starting to look worried.
"Issei? Are you alright?"
This is bad... This is bad... I cant- i want...
I need to kill her.
"Grayfia...it looks like, I misssed onnne~..."
"Draig? Can you hear me?"
[Yeah, I am able to.]
"Draig-"
[I'm sure you have many questions. While I most likely do not know the answers to all of them, I can explain what I have noticed. But before anything, can you take Issei home? His parents are sure to be worried sick.]
"Parents?"
[Yeah, they must not be aware of the supernatural.]
"I see..."
Run...
Legs. Just keep fighting for a little while longer.
If I flew I would be spotted by her in an instant.
"ISSEI! Where are you!?"
I can't believe I almost did something irreversible. I'm lucky that it didn't happen.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Grayfia. I can't control this bloodlust, no matter how hard I try.
I was sane enough to hurt myself instead of her. What's gotten into me?
"Issei?"
"Grayfia? How-"
That was fast. In the end flying will always be faster than running. I shouldn't have even tried.
"Can I-"
"You can't!"
Should I off myself? I might as well do that before I hurt her.
"I cant, what? I'm sure that I'm able to help you. You just need to tell me how?"
"No! Not this time, you can't!"
I feel so stubborn. I just want to protect her at all costs, even if I have to hurt her. No, enough of that thinking, I came and don't want to hurt her!
"Don't try! Don't you understand!? There's no point!"
"No point?..."
"Yeah, absolutely no point! Compared to your life, mine is worth nothing!"
She's walking towards me. I can't tell what face she's making.
"Stay back!"
I shoot a beam at her. It scrapes her pretty face. Why did I do such a thing? It makes me feel awful.
The beam did not scare her. She keeps on walking.
"Grayfia! Just- just-"
Soon enough. There was no longer any distance between us.
"Grayfia, why, why are you so-"
I don't want to hurt you. I dont want to make you sad. I just want to protect you from everything.
She lifts her hand.
"Dont you understand that my life means nothing to yours!"
I felt a burning sensation on my cheek. She had slapped me.
"Don't you ever say that again!"
"Huh?"
"My life is more important than yours!? You dont have the right to say that!"
I can see her face clearly. She looked stern but had tears in her eyes.
"If you were to die, I wouldn't know what I'd do! I would be very sad if you were gone!"
"But- but I-"
"No buts. Issei, promise me, you won't say things like that anymore. Promise me that you will survive this war and continue to be with me."
"I can't do that... Didn't you see those corpses? I need to be killed for what I did."
They did not need to be tortured but I did it anyway.
She holds my face with both of her soft tender hands. She does so gently and forces me to look at her face.
"Issei, I'm sure you understood that once we joined Sirzech's cause that they would no longer be our comrades. That's why, there's no need for you to feel so horrible. They are now enemies."
"Even so, they used to be our comrades! Yet I, I slaughtered them without any hesitation. I've never felt so disgusted! At this point, I am just a horrendous monster!"
She wrapped her arms around my head and placed me close to her chest. It was a gentle movement and so very comfortable.
"The Issei I know isn't a monster, he's someone I am so very thankful to have in my life. He is so very nice and kind to everyone he meets. You are also so very selfless, it makes me so very jealous when I see you help others but that is a part of you I find amazing."
If I feel that I am able to help, then I will. Who wouldn't?
"You are also, so very strong, I believe you have the power to protect everyone and anyone. Whenever I am with you, I have the courage to do anything. I feel so connected with you even when we are not together. Issei, I-"
I feel something soft press against my forehead. It was...calming...
Grayfia... Why she doing this, for someone like me? I dont understand...
I don't understand...
I dont understand...
I don't understand...
The soft sensation soon ends. I look at her face. She was smiling a sort of goofy smile and was very red.
She strokes my face.
"Why..."
I asked a simple question.
She is forced to fight her family because of my selfishness. I've seen her stain her hands of their blood. Yet...yet...
"I don't understand!"
I can feel something wet dropping from my face.
She begins to wipe them from eyes.
Tears? I'm crying?
"Issei, I also want to protect you. Both of our lives are of equal value. Just hearing you say that my life is more important than your own makes me so very, very, sad. To hear that from the man I-"
She stopped.
"The man you, what?"
"I'm sorry, forget about that part. If I said that to you in your current state, I feel as if that would have been taking advantage of you."
She makes a sad face. Why are you sad? My fault? That's right, its probably my fault.
"I-Issei!? What are you doing!?"
I took her by surprise.
"Its called a hug..."
"W-why-"
"Just because..."
I need this.
"Grayfia, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you. I don't want to ever make you sad, I hate seeing that. I want to see you smile! That's all I want, your happiness is one of many things I want to protect!"
She hugs me back.
"I'd hate it if all I was doing was being protected. I also want to protect your you, Issei. Though saying you want see me smile is little difficult during a time of war. "
War? If that's the problem then ill-
"Ill make sure to end this war! That way I'd be able to see you happy every single day!"
When I look at her face, I see a blushing beauty.
"I-I see."
I said I'd end the war, but soon forgot about ever saying such a thing to her. It was because I had passed out in her arms. My exhaustion at the time was partly to blame.
"Draig, I have done what was necessary."
[Okay, now where to begin.]
"What are these?"
[Those are tears. It seems Issei is reliving an old event.]
The boy in question was crying silently on his pillow. Ophis, being curious, touched those tears and licked them.
"Draig, why does he smell like Great Red?"
[I don't know but I can tell you that he's in no way related to Great Red.]
"He's not?"
[He is not. You can smell it can't you, the smell of devil.]
"Yes I can."
[Do you know who the Strongest Devil was?]
"No, I didn't care. I'm sure I could easily beat him."
[Who knows? I'm sure you could win easily in his current state.]
"State? Did something happen to him?"
[You've already seen him.]
"This boy?"
[Yup, the boy you're looking at. He used to be known as Issei Lucifuge, the Strongest Devil. It was said that he had the power to go against God himself, but no devil was sure how far the extent of his power reached.]
"..Is that so.."
It was silent for a few moments. Ophis was looking at her arms.
[Oh, is there something you're confused about?]
She wrapped her arms around the sleeping boy.
"He did something like this to me..."
[Right, he gave you a hug.]
"Why did he do something like that?"
[I'm not sure but I can guess. I believe he remembered something from his previous life and imprinted onto you.]
[Though I'm sure that he truly wants to be with you and help you.]
"He would help with my goals?"
[If he has imprinted onto you then I'm sure that he'd do anything for you.]
"...I see..."
She stared at the boy in his slumber. No emotion. Not a clue as to what she was thinking.
"Draig, how long?"
[Hmm?]
"When will he wake?"
[Don't know. Though understand he might not be the same as he was before.]
[You've seen it first-hand, he was a coward, then he gained an unknown courage and wanted to fight you. But, he didn't and instead chose to try and be your friend. Truly, it is all over the place.]
Ophis did not understand what Draig was trying to explain. Probably because he was explaining it incorrectly. Though, he only knows what he's seen.
[What I'm trying to say is, I believe that his mind is trying to turn him into Issei Lucifuge at a rapid pace. He, however, is just a child, he won't be able to store all those experiences. So, memories are deleted and replaced. When he wakes up his personality might have been removed and replaced with a new one coming from one of those memories. We can only hope that his new personality doesn't come from a bad experience.]
"..I see..."
[Who knows, he might even be remembering certain events incorrectly.]
"Is that so."
The gauntlet, known as Draig was about to say something else but then suddenly became silent.
"Draig, are you there?"
Just as she said this. The boy had awoke and lifted himself up so that he could see her eyes.
My head feels weird. What was I doing before? I can't remember, all I remember is-
"Ophis!"
"Yes?"
She's safe! Thank god!...
Safe from what again?
I guess it doesn't matter...
"Ophis..."
"Yes?"
She tilts her head. Its cute.
"Thank you..."
"For what?"
"For what you say? Hmm? I don't know, I just felt that I had to say that."
I'm suddenly hugging her.
"Hey, Ophis, you won't leave me will you? You made a promise that you would stay with me forever, didn't you? My head is just being so confusing."
I can feel myself trembling. If she says no, I- I don't know what I'd do.
"...yes..."
I've never felt so happy hearing just one word.
"Ophis! Ophis! Thank you! I love you!"
Immediately I began to rub my face on her cheeks and hair.
"Love?"
"Yeah, I love you!"
Hehe, this is nice.
"Is love, you wishing to be my mate?"
Mate? Hmm? I guess it's something like that but love to me is much more than that. But...
"If you want me to be your mate, then ill gladly be your mate!"
"I understand..."
"You-mmm..."
It was an instant but I could feel the softness of her lips touching mine. I'm happy but why so suddenly!?
"Ah~ Ophis?"
She sniffs around my neck.
"I don't like the smell of Great Red, once I'm done it will be gone."
She opens her mouth, and bites down on my collarbone. It doesn't hurt, it feels kind've pleasant.
"Ophis~"
She sucks on my collarbone for a few more seconds longer before letting go. When she releases me in its place was a marking, it was a purple circle with an infinity symbol inside it.
"Issei, you belong to me now and forever."
"Y-yes~"
That sensation was amazing.
"I have recently learned that you are apparently very powerful...You will help me with my goals, understood?"
Help Ophis? Ophis needs help with something? Who is troubling MY Ophis, ill kill them! They are less than bugs now!
"Yes! With pleasure, Ophis!"
Don't worry, ill protect you no matter what. But...
"But, I won't be your puppet."
She seemed a little surprised.
"...meaning?..."
"If I feel that I am able to help someone, then I will. If I believe they have done nothing wrong I will help, even if it means going against you. Dont get me wrong, I love you. It is just, something is telling me to...hmm? I just had a second ago but now I've forgotten."
"...I see, that's fine..."
"Ophis?"
"You are mine, you cannot betray me."
I felt my marking give me a light tingle.
"I won't ever dream of betraying you! I meant going against as in verbally."
That's a lie. It depends on the situation.
"As long as you understand."
"Yes!"
Ophis, I love you but I do not want to be your puppet. I want us to be equal. I want you to love me in the same way I love you. That's why no matter what the cost!
Ill make sure you'll fall head over heels in love with me! Ill make sure you'll be happy every single day!
10 years later
I am now 17. 10 years surprisingly went by fast. Though, at the moment I'm a bit annoyed.
"Tch."
"..Bad..."
"Ow! What was that for, you old dragon loli!"
"Your face... You are scaring the humans."
"Huh!? So what?"
"You promised..."
"Tch. I know what I said!"
Why did I promise such a thing?
"Issei."
"What?"
"Hand?"
"Yeah, yeah. I understand, but I'm not your dog. Besides, I'm sure you understand that you don't have to ask anymore."
We begin to walk to our destination with our hands linked together.
"Good boy."
"W-whatever. It doesn't make me that happy..."
I'm actually extremely happy. Its also a bit embarrassing, I can feel my face getting hot.
"Ophis, why are we doing this again?"
"You promised..."
Dammit, I really don't want to go.
"I know I did but is there any reason?"
"Draig said that doing this can help you get in touch with your human side."
Draig, you-
"I am also interested in seeing what it is like."
"I've told you before, its boring and nothing special."
A waste of time.
"I am still curious."
"Still- geh, we're already here!"
Kuoh Academy, in other words a highschool. I'm beginning as a second year here. I haven't been to school since the fourth grade.
"Hey, that guy looks scary."
"He's kind've of cute though."
Multiple girls are taking interest in me. Maybe coming to school isn't a bad idea! I like this feeling of popularity!
"Issei."
"What is it?"
She uses her hands to tell me that I need to get to her height level, so I comply.
"Is something- mmmm?! Mmmm!"
She's kissing me! Wait!
"Oph-mmmm!"
It felt like an eternity before she let me go.
"What's gotten into you!?"
I could see shocked stares of students all around me. I can also feel my face go red.
"You-!? I told you, not too much in public!"
"I am marking my territory. Issei, you belong to me. I won't allow another to take you."
"I know, I know. You've told me multiple times already. I wouldn't love anyone but you anyways."
"...I see..."
I smile. Even if she doesn't show it, I know that she is always happy to hear me tell her that I love her.
"Lets go inside the gate already, we don't want to be late on our first day."
She nods as I escort her inside.
Going back to school after so long. It is a strange feeling. I can just hope that everything goes well. But...
I doubt that I won't be involved in some type of nonsense.
How annoying.