R3hmix - Thanks, and I hope you like this chapter as well!
Ghost - I'm just gonna stick with the flashbacks to Lian-Yu. I can't handle that many flashbacks all at once LMAO. I hope you like his chapter as well, though I kind of rushed through it a bit lol.
Guest - No they're still going to be devils, but Issei's trust and loyalty to the devils will be tested. Ryusei will be the bridge that kind of connects them, so to speak. I didn't want to make them Strays.
Piemaster981 - Dude I was planning to make Issei really badass in this chapter, but decided to save it for the whole Riser battle later on.
5For an interrogation room, this place was pretty neat and organized. The walls were wooden, polished and clean. There were no windows, but there was a single dimly lit light bulb hanging by a wire from the low ceiling. There were no windows for a draft to come in, so the fact that the bulb was swaying back and forth was starting to worry Ryusei. He was sitting, handcuffed with Hell-Fire, to to a metal table, polished and clean like the walls. They may have washed the blood away, but they couldn't mask the smell of blood, still clearly lingering on the table. Whatever it is they wanted from the poor sap who sat in this chair before him, they went to some great lengths to get it. Hung on the walls behind him were an assortment of torture tools, clamps and saws, knifes and tweezers. They did nothing to Ryusei to worry him, but they were used to scare and intimidate those who were sitting in this chair. There was also no visible door, so the only way in was through magic, which the red headed man who arrested him came through.
Even though he was about to be tortured, or interrogated for those who didn't want to accept what they were doing, Ryusei felt a sudden burden lifting from his shoulders. After speaking to his brother and Asia, he felt like he could die happy. He wished that Asia had been with him on that island. She was someone who could calm you down and connect you back to who you were. Ryusei could have used that those days he spent on Lian-Yu. But then again, he wouldn't wish what he went through to any living soul.
The red headed man, Sirzechs, arrived through a magic circle, along with a man with short green hair. The two of them looked like K-Pop stars who were rejected by any of the bands. Handsome, early twenties, smooth talker, the only difference is that these two were Ultimate-Class Beings.
"Hello, Ryusei-Kun," Sirzechs smiled. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? Maybe a drink?"
Ryusei sighed. "Clever, offering me food and drinks to establish trust. At least you know the fundamental basics of interrogation. But then again, you guys have a few centuries of time to do so. Let's get on with it, what do you want?"
Sirzechs looked to the green haired man, exchanging looks of worry. Ryusei knew how to torture and interrogate. The were going gentle first, using their words and body gestures. Establishing trust through small talk. If Ryusei didn't comply, they'll go hard ball and start using force, that's when the torture comes into play. If that didn't work, although it usually does, they'll use magic to pry into his head. Even though it's more effective to do so from the beginning, prying into someone's mind could literally break them. They're trying to keep him alive for as long as possible.
"We just want you to tell us," the green haired man manifested a chair from thin air and sat down. "where you got that tattoo."
So that's what they were after. Ryusei mentally prepared himself. "You see the weapon we're looking for is a twin weapon. One cannot be used without the other, and vice versa. That tattoo, is one half of the weapon."
Ryusei maintained eye contact with Sirzechs, not giving the green haired man his attention. "I have nothing to say."
"Who do you think you're talking to kid?" Sirzechs was starting to get annoyed. "That weapon was used to kill thousands during the Great War. This isn't some game."
"Oh, isn't it?" Ryusei asked. "You're trying to get the upper hand by amassing a weapon that you can use to threaten the other Factions. I was given it to keep it away from people like you. People who extort the weak, take away whatever they have, for their own personal gain."
"Don't you compare us to those dirtbags," Sirzechs said. "What we're doing, we do for our people."
"Really? How can I not compare you two when you let those people do as you please?" Ryusei asked. "You're the Devil, and you let those "scumbags" do whatever it is they want."
Sirzechs sighed. Ryusei instinctively knew what was to happen next. Sirzechs extended his hand, and a torture tool from the wall behind Ryusei levitated from the wall and landed in his arms. It was a syringe of yellow liquid. Sirzechs tried to scare Ryusei, by squirting some of the liquid out from the syringe as it dropped to the floor. "I didn't want it to come to this. I am truly sorry, but if you don't comply-"
"Whatever deity may guide my life. Dear Lord, don't let me die tonight. But if I shall before I wake," Ryusei glared at Sirzechs and gave him a smirk of arrogance. "I'd accept my fate."
…
"Issei-San. Issei-San, please say something. Issei-San."
Asia's words were like a distant call through the clouded mist of Issei's thoughts. They were sitting alone in the living room, lights were off and only lit by the candle that Ryusei had ignited earlier. Still dazed and confused from what just happened, Issei tried to collect his thoughts.
"Issei-San, please talk to me." Asia took his hand.
"I finally got him back," His eyes were already starting to water. "After five years, I finally got him back, and now…" He didn't know how to finish the sentence. What was going to happen to his baby brother?
"You can't think like that," Asia's grip on his hands tightened. "Ryusei-Kun is strong, he isn't someone who would die so easily. The fact that he came back from the dead proves that. You mustn't think like that, Issei-San. You need to believe he is going to be okay."
Suddenly, Issei's hand began to throb. It was a pain similar to when he first awoke the Boosted Gear, during his fight with Raynare. The throbbing grew more and more, his Sacred Gear manifested. The red gauntlet of the Boosted Gear overtook his whole left forearm. The world stopped, Asia seemed frozen in place. The world turned red, until flames consumed the world around him.
"In all my years," a deep voice echoed through the flames. "I have never had a host much like you."
Through the flames, a figure arose. It was a dragon, a great big western dragon with emerald green eyes that peered through the fire. Its wings spread out, at least ten feet long and talons razor sharp. "I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor. I don't believe we have met yet, Hyoudou Issei."
"D-Ddraig?" Issei was more then speechless. "You're the dragon in the Boosted Gear."
Rias had told him that a great power lay dormant in his Sacred Gear. One of the two Heavenly Dragons, Ddraig. Which made Issei this generation's Red Dragon Emperor, but he never knew what to make of it, until now.
"I can sense the distress deep in your heart," Ddraig said. "That boy, your brother, carries a dark past. The darkness that dwells inside him is something I have never seen in all my years, but that weapon is also something to behold."
"What did they mean?" Issei asked. "They said he had a weapon, what kind of weapon?"
"Lost through the ages, forgotten in the anals of history, is another Heavenly Dragon." Ddraig explained. "Her name is Amathis. Unlike the White One and myself, she disliked violence, and chose a life of seclusion. She gave birth to two dragons, a male and a female. Ezreal and Akiva. During the Great War, when we were sealed within the Sacred Gears, so was she and her children. They reside now in the forms of-"
"Tattoos," Issei began to fit the pieces together.
Ddraig nodded. "Amathis was locked away in a rune that bonded to the host, for life. There was no way of releasing yourself from the Mark. The only way out is through death. The same went for her two children, who were sealed away together. The Twin Dragons of the Ice Barrier, Ezreal and Akiva. And Amathis, Dragon of the Ice Barrier."
"So that's why they took Ryu?" Issei asked. "They want those dragons?"
Ddraig began to laugh. "Ignorant mortal! Do you think those arrogant devils can actually control us dragons? The Dragons of the Ice Barriers are a special bunch. Aside from the Heavenly Dragons, they are the most powerful bunch. The elements of the weather are at their disposal, and they cannot be controlled by anyone under then those who bear the Marks. If they try to forcefully remove the Marks, there is a safety mechanism."
"Safety mechanism? What?" Issei asked.
"He who so tries to remove the mark, shall be punished by the force used to remove the Mark." Ddraig said. "In any case, Hyoudou Ryusei is someone powerful beyond belief."
Suddenly, the flames diminished. Issei was thrust back into reality. "Issei-San?"
"We have to go to the Underworld." Issei stood up, alert and on guard. "I have to save my brother."
Issei heard the sound of flapping wings. "Finally, I have been dying to hear those words."
Issei almost had a heart attack. Looking back, there was a handsome young man eating popcorn and sitting by the opposite couch. He had medium blonde hair and green eyes. He looked a lot like Asia. There was something about him, something other worldly that Issei couldn't explain.
"Who are you?" Issei asked.
The boy smiled, and threw a small slip of paper at Issei. Catching it, he closer examined what it was. A long slip of paper with Chinese kanji written on it. "It's a talisman. It's how your brother has been warding himself. That is a talisman for Portaling. All you have to do is wipe the kanji with your blood. Normally you'd have to imagine your location, but I've already preset to Portal you to Hell."
"Again, who are you?" Issei asked.
"I'm your brother's guardian angel," The boy winked, before disappearing with the sound of flapping wings.
Issei was too focused on his brother to even question what just happened. He didn't have a choice but to trust this boy. He had to save his brother. "Asia, I'm going to the Underworld. I'll be back soon."
Asia stood up and took Issei's hand, kissing him on the cheek to Issei's surprise. "You saved me once, and I can't thank you enough. Now go save your baby brother."
…
Lian-Yu, Five Years Ago
"What is this place?" Ryusei asked.
Ryusei and Kaito had followed Jin through the forest. They were both scared and even terrified. Ryusei most especially. The others have just been taken by something in the dark and may be dead. Now they were following a dead man through the forest filled with even deadlier things.
Kaito had a tight grip on Ryusei's hand as they walked through cave. It was located at the base of a large cliff. Hidden by vines and bushes that blended in with the forest environment, Ryusei would've totally missed it if Jin hadn't escorted them there.
Jin wasn't someone who looked like he could fight. He was a middle aged man, with a scruffy beard and dark gray eyes. Wrinkles on his forehead, and a scar down his left eye. He wore a dirtied white dress shirt with jeans, and bandage wrapped around his thigh where the injury he had was. There was a log stuck in his leg, and yet he was up and standing.
Inside the cave was like an armory. It was a rounded room with no furniture. Instead there were bags placed in the corner, with a fire built in the middle. There was a bow and a quiver hung on the wall. "What the hell is this place?" Kaito asked.
"I'm sorry I had to drag you all into this." Jin walked over to a bag on the corner. Rummaging through it, he finally walked back with a bag of herbs. It smelled foul, like dog excrement. "This will help. You're probably feeling afraid and nervous. This will help ease your worry. Don't worry."
Kaito reached into the bag and pulled out on or two herbs. The smell was foul, Ryusei couldn't get over that fact. "It may not be the best smelling herb, but it'll help. Trick is to eat it without breathing through your nose."
Kaito, hesitantly, put one of the herbs into his mouth and began to chew. He almost threw up, when Jin tossed him a water bottle. The boy downed the entire bottle in a few seconds. "That is horrid."
"I never said it was the best tasting herb either." Jin tossed Ryusei a water bottle. "Eat up. I'll get you guys some grub."
"Wait," Ryusei said. "How do you know so much about this island? You found this cave. Did you make it, or was it already here? And more importantly, do you know who took the others?"
Kaito looked to Jin with the same expression. "Look, it'll take some time, but I promise to explain. I'm going out to hunt. The vines will mask the cave, but you must not leave. I'll be back soon."
And with that, without any explanation, Jin left. Ryusei looked to Kaito for guidance, but he smiled and nodded. Preparing to throw up, Ryusei uncapped the bottle and ate the foul smelling herb.
…
"Issei? What are you doing here?"
Issei made a mental note to never Portal anywhere again. As much as going through magic circles was fun and interesting, Portaling made his stomach twist in knots and made his knees buckle. When he landed in the Underworld, he almost tripped over nothing.
Rias and Akeno, along with Sona and Tsubaki, were in what seemed like a viewing room. A large round table placed at the center of the room with a larger viewing window. The four ladies were gathered in front of the window as Issei walked over to them. Looking through the glass, Issei almost threw up.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BROTHER!" Issei punched the window with almost enough force to shatter the glass.
Ryusei, strapped to a chair and bound by his wrists and ankles, was bloody and beaten. His shirt was torn apart and his head was lowered. Standing in front of Ryusei, holding a pair of wire cutters, was the man who arrested him. A handsome young man with crimson hair and green eyes. With him was a man with shorter, spiky green hair and matching leafy eyes.
"Issei, please calm down-" Rias tried to take his hand but he yanked his away.
"Calm down? You're torturing my brother!" Issei didn't know the words to describe this. He took a closer look at Ryusei's body. There were cuts and bruises, yes, but beneath it all were scars. The scars he had gotten on the island, and now new scars to go along with it. "How could you? I thought I could trust you!"
"Issei," Rias said in a firm voice. "Your brother, as much as I care about you, has something very dangerous in his possession."
"Yeah, the weapon, I know." Issei balled his fists. "But that doesn't give you the right to torture him. Can't you see he's been through enoug-"
Ryusei moved. He lifted his head and laid it back on the chair. So he couldn't see this side, must be one way glass. "Please, Ryusei-Kun, just tell us who you got the tattoo from. This can all end if you-"
"Why would I tell you anything?" Ryusei smirked. "You think this is torture? Boys, as old as you may be, I can show you pain and torture on scales you wouldn't believe. I can show you a whole new world ecstasy and pleasure. This," He looked at his cut up body. "is nothing compared to what they did to me on Lian-Yu. We can go at this all day, I'm not telling you shit."
"If you tell us," The green haired man said. "we can heal you from your wounds. You can have a normal body again."
"You think I want to be normal?" Ryusei laughed. "Normal is boring. These scars, they're not just scars. These are proof that I have been to Hell and back. Proof that one man, one child, can go through absolute Hell and come back to his family. Why would I want them taken away?"
"Do you have any idea what that tattoo really is?" The red haired man asked.
Rias turned to him. "Do you, Issei? My brother-"
"Your brother?" Issei asked, genuinely shocked. "Your family is the one torturing my brother?"
"Issei, listen to me," Rias grabbed his shoulders. "That weapon, if it is ever unleashed, could kill a lot of people."
Issei looked back to his brother. She was right, and from what Ddraig said, no one other then Ryusei could control them. "I trust him. I trust my brother. He would never use it for bad."
Rias' brother held out his hand to the back of Ryusei's hand. "I didn't want to do this, but if this won't get you to talk," A magic circle opened up from his hand, just above Ryusei's head.
"What is that? What is he going to do?" Issei asked.
Rias banged on the door. "Brother please! Don't do this! I didn't agree to this!"
But it was too late. A bright light shined in the room, too bright for Issei to see what had happened. When it dimmed, Issei was afraid to see his brother dead. Instead, to his relief, the boy from before had intervened. Somehow, he had gotten into the room, holding the wrist of the man with the red hair and with his other hand, a blade to the neck of the man with green hair.
"W-What the hell?" Sona asked.
"Impossible!" Akeno cupped her hand over her mouth.
The boy with the blonde hair smirked. "Hold up boys. I'm afraid I can't let this little party get anymore out of hand."
Ryusei raised his head, breathing heavily. "You jackass, you're late."
The boy smiled awkwardly. "I kinda wanted to see what would happen. And I found this great taco place in New York City. Best tacos-"
"Not the time Dulio." Ryusei sighed.
So that was his name, Dulio. "D-Dulio, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry for dropping in so suddenly Sirzechs," Dulio released his grip and lowered his short metallic angel blade. "but this boy is under the divine protection of Heaven and its Angels."
"What?" Sirzechs demanded. "Why does Heaven want to protect him? He has-"
"Yes, I know of the weapon," Dulio sighed and cut Ryusei from his restraints. "You may be devils, Sirzechs, but this was way beyond what I thought you would do."
Ryusei tried to stand up, but Dulio sat him back down. "Whoa there big guy, don't move just yet." Dulio snapped his fingers, and Issei was somehow in the room with them. He looked back, but the window was gone. Dazed and confused, he rushed to Ryusei.
"I-Issei? What are you-" Ryusei began, but Issei shut him up.
"Never mind that, are you okay?" Issei comforted his brother.
"Hang on," Dulio held two fingers to Ryusei's forehead, and the next thing he knew, Ryusei's injuries were healed. The cut marks and bruises were gone, he was normal. Well, the scars from Lian-Yu were there, but he was himself again.
Issei looked to Dulio. "Thank you."
Dulio smiled. He got up and turned to Sirzechs and the green haired man. "We could have a big fight about who is right and who's wrong, but that won't get us anywhere. You needn't worry about Hyoudou Ryusei anymore."
"And why is that?" The green haired man asked.
"Hyoudou Ryusei will be Heaven's problem," Dulio said with confidence. "If you have a problem with that," an angel blade slipped from his sleeve and into his hand. Flipping it up and catching it, Dulio smirked. "Well, then we're going to have a problem."
"Are you saying Micheal is going to reincarnate this boy?" Sirzechs asked.
"Wait, hold up. What?" Ryusei protested, but Dulio snapped his fingers and Ryusei was shot back into his chair. When he tried to speak, his lips wouldn't part. Issei could only stare and watch as Dulio negotiated with the two Devils.
"As of right now, Hyoudou Ryusei and his family, as well as Asia Argento, are under our divine protection," Dulio declared. "If you, the Devil Faction, do anything to compromise this decree, you will have the full force of Heaven and its warriors at your doorstep. It was an Angel who dragged him into this world, and it is by the Angels he shall be protected. Raziel was a dear friend of mine, this is the promise I made."
Sirzechs sighed. He set down the wire cutter. "Very well, I know when I'm beat. I apologize, Hyoudou Ryusei, I did not mean for this to go so far."
"Oh it's fine," Ryusei stretched his arms. "I meant it. Compared to them, this barely tickled."
Dulio smirked. He snapped his fingers once again, and they were all back in the viewing room. Ryusei and Issei stood behind Dulio, facing the rest of the devils in the room. "I'll be taking these two home. But do not think what has transpired here will go unanswered. Whatever the case may be for you to arrest and interrogate a mortal, you still broke the Accords. There will be punishments."
"The Accords?" Issei asked.
"A peace treaty that ended the Great War between the three factions," Ryusei explained to Issei's shock. How did he even know that?
"In accordance with the Accords, no faction shall endanger the lives of mortals. Raynare broke the Accords, and you saw how she paid for it. I wonder what your punishment will be?" Dulio smirked.
Issei glanced at Rias, who seemed to be heartbroken. Issei didn't know what to think. There was a part of him that understood why she did what she did. She was only doing what she thought was right, but to do such a thing to his brother. Issei wondered if he could forgive her.
"Well then, ladies and gentlemen," Dulio raised his hand. "I bid you farewell." He snapped his fingers, and they were back at their house.
…
When Ryusei got home, he was ambushed by a crying Asia. She latched herself to him and wouldn't stop crying. It amazed him. He didn't know how much she had cared for him. He really wished he had a sister like her growing up. Having a brother was wonderful, and he wouldn't change it for anything, but Asia was warm and kind, in a way that his own brother never was.
"I'm okay, really, Asia-Chan." Ryusei smiled.
"I'm sorry…I was just…" She wiped the snot from her nose. "I was just so worried. But I knew Issei-San was going to save you."
Ryusei looked to Issei. "Thank you, for coming brother."
Issei blushed. "Just being an older brother. If I don't do it, who knows what kind of stupid crap you'd get yourself into."
Dulio opened another bag of potato chips. Of course, Ryusei had known Issei would come. The room they were in was cut off from reality. It was a pocket dimension created by Sirzechs Lucifer. The fact that Dulio could just snap his fingers and have Issei pop in said a lot about his powers as an Angel.
"What did you mean?" Ryusei asked. "When you said we were under Heaven's protection? And about the reincarnation thing."
"Just as I said it," Dulio smirked. "I already got the okay from Lord Micheal. He said he'd be more than happy to welcome you. He hasn't really had the chance to start his Brave Saints, the only one he really has is me."
"You want me to become an Angel?" Ryusei asked, looking to Issei for guidance.
Dulio shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "The decision is entirely up to you. You already have our protection either way, whether or not you become an Angel won't change that. But what I'm offering you is much bigger."
"Which is?" Issei asked.
"Opportunity," Dulio said. "You want to learn how to control those dragons, don't you? I don't know any of the Heavenly Dragons, even I'm not that old, but I have heard legends about the Dragons of the Ice Barriers. Infamous for their ferocious storms and icy cold powers, you possess two of the three Ice Barrier Dragons. That is no joke. I can offer you the opportunity to learn how to control your gifts, because you have a lot more than just dragons and archery skills."
"Is that really it?" Ryusei asked. "Is that really why you want me to become an Angel? To control them?"
Dulio smirked. "Whether Lord Micheal agrees or not, I agree with what you're doing. This city is definitely going to Hell, which is saying something, but I offer you the chance to make a difference, on a global scale. With Heaven's influences, you can do the same to the whole world! Start with Kuoh, and expand your work to other countries."
Ryusei looked to Issei. "What do you think?"
Issei ruffled his hair. "I can't tell you what to do. You're not a kid anymore. Whatever it is you choose, I'll still be here for you."
"Asia?" He looked to her, but she was in awe of Dulio.
"Y-You're a real Angel…" Asia instinctively clapped her hands together.
Dulio walked over to Asia and rubbed her head. "You are a strong one. To have endured so much, and to walk away from it stronger then ever. You have my respect, Asia Argento."
"I'll do it." Ryusei said. "I'll become an Angel."
Dulio smirked. "Good choice. I'll take you to Heaven. Lord Micheal's been dying to see you." He raised his hand. "But before that, I'm going to take you to that taco place I told you about."
Author's Note - I kind of rushed through this chapter a bit, but I think it still came out okay. I came up with this whole backstory for the tattoos so let me know what you guys think of it. It's part of Ryusei's ability set, which I will add to later on. I will be adding a Genji character to match Ryusei's Hanzo later on so be sure to stick around. Anyways, let me know what you guys think of this chapter, I'd love to hear what you guys have to say. Thanks for reading guys :)