Full Summary:
There were times he wonder… was his life truly his? There were glimpses of something beyond what his world offered every time he was in a dream. As if the data in his memories had been discarded, yet they remained carved in the heart.
She wonder... will he ever remember them one day? She always saw glimpses of him, yet she knew their promise will be fulfilled soon. Hopefully before light overwhelm all and cast the shadow known as darkness.
But all it take was a key to bring all back together.
May their heart be their guiding key.
There were times I wonder… was my life truly my own? There were glimpses of something beyond what my world offered every time I am in a dream.
As if the data in my memories had been discarded, yet they remained carved in my heart.
What am I? Who is Issei Hyoudou?
I'm falling… in the darkness. There was no air, nor sound, or even the very concept of direction.
But it's comforting. It doesn't feel suffocating at all to me and I just let it happen, let some force guide me to where I will fall.
Until light came and my eyes opened. Crows flew past me and I shield my eyes from the sudden assault on my vision.
I saw it, a platform of red stained glass with the image of my sleeping form in it. The border of the platform was green circles with images of a dragon's head in it. In the background was the skyline of my home, Kuoh Town, with purple sky. Behind my sleeping form were circles with images of people.
Matsuda, Motohama, a red haired girl, a grizzly young black haired man with violet eyes, and… S̸͉͌͠ȏ̶̗̱̠̳͕̒r̶̡̺̃͐̕a̴͍͊̽̑͘̕? The circle was cracked so badly that I couldn't see who it was.
(I had a feeling who it was, but everything about them escaped me.)
My sleeping image depicted me wearing a short sleeved, black, unzipped jacket with a red shirt underneath it; long brown jeans that have at least five pockets with gold zippers (who designed that?) and an emerald shoe. On my image's right hand was a blade molded into a dimple key while the left hand had a red gauntlet with a green jewel and 2 golden spikes.
I smoothly landed on the platform and couldn't help but look around the void. The entire place felt so… soothing. Like I'm perfectly safe in my mom's embrace.
You are my host… a weak one at that.
Huh? Host? "Who's there?!"
But it can be rectified.
"What do you mean by that?!" That stupid cryptic voice ignored me again as a flash of light manifested around the platform. I saw three different items on three pedestals; A sword, staff, and shield.
Choose your form of ultimate power, one to dominate your foes.
Eerie… especially the 'dominate' part. But the first choice would have to be the sword. They are the protagonist's stuff aside from fists.
The power of warriors. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction.
Terrible destruction?! "Okay… nevermind then." I can hear the voice scoffed at me when I put it back down. Hey! I want to be cool but I definitely am not up for hurting people by accident!
The next would be the staff. I'm not the smartest around but hey, if I can study magic well I'm pretty sure I can cast a bunch of amazing stuff. Maybe even X-ray magic, hehe.
The power of mystics. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin.
Ruin?! "Okay, why the hell is everything cool having bad things being part of the package?"
He didn't even bother replying to me while I took the last item, the shield. Surely there shouldn't be any demerit to choose it right?
The power of guardians. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel both enemy and ally.
"Damn." I cursed under my breath. But as I hold the shield, I can't help but feel that… it fits with me. I'm talentless, average at best, two friends at most, and I have a lot of enemies. A shield to repel enemies feels…
"This one. I want this."
The voice made a grunt, disapproving but respectful while the weapons vanished. Suddenly, the whole platform shook and… was the platform breaking down? What the hell's going on now?!
I tried to run away from it, but my feet immediately felt vacant and I began to fall.
I don't know how long time passed, but next thing I knew I was on another platform. This time it was mostly white in color with a blue border around it. Instead of people I recognized and knew, it was just silhouettes of unknown people. The one who replaced me was someone with a wing.
"I thought I'm going to die…" Breath in… breath out. Calm down dude, you're alive.
Hmph, this is merely a dream. Death has no say in the realm of dreams except for a few circumstances.
"Right… good to know."
Suddenly, my arms glowed in green and red on my left and right arm respectively. On my left was the same gauntlet that I saw and on the right was the shield I chose. "Whoa…"
You have the power to defend yourself. You are fated to fight as long as you have power. So listen to me well boy, let me teach you.
"O-okay." I crouched and raised the shield in front of me without obscuring my sight, left arm ready to punt anything that comes my way. It comes so naturally that I'm a little surprised by it.
Good stance, a well balanced footing meant nothing short of a strong attack will knock you down. But balance will also apply in offense and defense.
Footing was lesson number one in martial arts and in any other sports, so I agree with the voice.
But enough daddling, let's apply it in actual combat. Here, a target for you.
As soon as the voice said that, a dark creature with antennae and yellow eyes emerged from the ground. "What is that?"
A Shadow, weakest and primitive form of Darkness. Strike it down.
I charge forward, shield in front with the intention of ramming it with it. But it just… sank into the ground? "Whoa!" I nearly tripped by the sudden disappearance and quickly realigned myself.
Turning around, I saw it reemerge from the ground. Pesky things… So that's how they play?
Poor attempt… Oh shut up … keep your gaze locked on it. Focus is key to survival.
"Got it." I changed once more and this time, I was ready when it sank again. I skid around and follow its general direction. When it came back out, my shield impacted it. Without hesitation, I followed up by punching it with my gauntlet to take it out.
The Shadow disappeared into dark vapors. "Yes!" I pumped my fist as I celebrated my victory. It feels so good and… it's like remembering something I used to do.
You learn fast, I'm impressed. But as I said before, you require balance between offense and defense. Now get ready to defend.
Suddenly, a bunch of fireballs shot towards me. Holy shit was the voice trying to kill me? Whatever, I need to defend myself by blocking the balls with my shield.
As I defended those attacks, I can feel myself pushed backwards a bit on each impact. If this isn't a dream I think I would've broken my right arm.
Dodge.
This time, a wave of flames came towards me and, without much thought, I just went to the side and covered my head as the flame passed by me harmlessly.
Next time remember your surroundings when performing that to dodge. I've seen fools doom themselves too many times.
"Thanks, jackass." I grumbled as I stood up. He could've been nicer with his words.
Now, your last lesson. Utilize my power, my host.
"Your power?" I turned to the gauntlet. I had a feeling that what he meant was the power he had was inside there. "You mean the gauntlet."
Yes. This power will grant you all the strength you need, at a cost. But there will come a time it becomes negligible. For now, concentrate and feel the power within. When you know my power went to you, you know what it feels.
Concentrate… feel the power within… there was… something warm… scary but natural, like a primal force… this power… I have to take hold of it and… unleash it!
[Boost!] I suddenly felt so much sensation at once. My muscles felt tense, eyes see much clearer; There's so many things at once but I just feel like the top of the world!
Is this how people who did drugs felt? It's so addicting.
Good… addicting is it not? Be cautious as it saps your strength for every Boost you do. Many prior hosts passed away due to not managing it well.
I nodded, scared of this newfound power. "I'll keep that in mind. I'm not ready to die yet." I haven't graduated from being a virgin.
As long as you do that, then I'm sure you will someday die with satisfaction. My lesson is done now.
Lesson's done? Oh good, I had a question about the stupid voice. "So who are you anyway? You never told me anything about you."
The ground shook once more, but this time the platform didn't break. No, this time the black void slowly turned red and flames emerged from the bottom. Slowly, a giant silhouette manifested from the flames and a giant red claw landed on the platform!
Holy shit… There was only one thing I can describe as a Western dragon. It had red scales, emerald eyes, and massive wings that could cover Tokyo tower.
I am Y Ddraig Goch, the Heavenly Red Dragon, Welsh Dragon, Red Dragon Emperor, and Dragon of Domination. I am the primal force of fear that those below me flee from. But none mattered to you now, host. You may call me Ddraig.
… "You're a dragon…"
Yes.
"In the gauntlet."
He sighed, as if my questions were annoying.
Yes. AND before you ask since when I am in the gauntlet, ever since you were conceived. No, you parents did nothing odd to warrant your possession of the gauntlet. You were fated to have it.
Oh good, he answered stuff that I didn't even think of. "Oh… that's… neat…"
He raised his eyebrow by my weak reply. To be honest… I was freaking out internally.
I wish we could speak more, but you must be awake now. Time may flow differently in the realm of dreams, but time still flows in all realms.
What does that even mean? "You mean I have to wake up?"
Ddraig sighed and just nodded.
Now wake up boy. Your friends are calling you.
"Oi! Issei!"
"Ah!" I immediately jumped up as soon as someone shouted at my ear. Looking around, trees were in every direction and a brick pavement could be seen. This was…
"The old school building." I remembered now. After running away from the girls from the Kendo club, I suddenly felt so exhausted that I slept under the tree. After that… the dream happened.
Was it even real though? I think I should cut away from anime for a bit of time.
"Oh finally you're awake." Matsuda said. "We thought you're so exhausted that we have to carry you to the nurse's office."
"How long was I out?"
"Half an hour." Motohama informed me this time. Oh wow… half an hour of nap? It felt longer inside the dream. "You okay dude? You look quite… out of it."
"A bit tired." I wanted to tell them about the dream… yet my heart told me not to do it yet. Now is not the time. "I'll be fine though."
I could tell both of my friends don't believe me. But the way they nodded and said "If you say so." meant they respected my choice. In a way, I'm glad they're not as stubborn as me.
… Why do I feel like someone was looking at me? I turned to my back and upwards to the window of the old school building.
There… I found the same red haired girl in my dream. Her sapphire eyes gleamed under the sunlight as I met it with my brown eyes.
Ah… "That's… Rias Gremory right?" I wondered out loud, also as a way to ask my friends to confirm my suspicion.
"Yep." Motohama said with a hint of glee. Whatever he was going to say was tuned out as I watched her reenter the building. I wonder why she would appear on the platform in my dream… nor the fact of why I felt the yearning to go to her.
It's as if I am fated to see her, that it was our destiny to find each other.
"Oi Issei, what are you staring at now?" Motohama called me out again as I broke out of my musing. What's going on with me?
"Okay, you're in serious need to go to the nurse's office. I think the girl's shinai hit your head too hard." Matsuda immediately started pulling me without caring about my protests.
Thanks for reading the chapter! This is my first Kingdom Heart story so any help like constructive criticism would be appreciated. Hopefully we can walk this journey together to the end.
And also thank my beta for some ideas and checking my work.
Note: This is also available in AO3.