It was getting really cold outside. At least, for Japan. In his days, Issei had been in the coldest parts of Russia and the hottest parts of Africa, but now, that felt like a lifetime ago, so he stood on the top of a hill, his black bomber jacket fluttering in the wind, together with his overgrown white hair that reached over his eyes, and on the back, almost down to his shoulders.

Behind him, the beast of a man called Saiaorg was talking with his queen. Behind them two, the rest of his peerage.

Of course, there were a few shoddy looks from Saiaorg's peerage, but it wasn't anything serious. They weren't children and understood that the rating game was just a game, nevertheless what transpired in it.

It was probably an odd sight for normal people. Three giants, although the monster-like Balam was probably sealing his power, because he was only about 2 meters tall, not three. A guy who has a femine look to him that is more beautiful than any girl, two normal, but handsome looking men, and two equally beautiful girls. All of them were dressed in rather casual clothes, and Issei, who had a look of a serial killer in his dull eyes, still dressed in his monochrome, dark color scheme.

He inhaled deeply, as he waited for Saiaorg to catch up.

Kyoto was the place where they currently stood. A top of an mountain, by a old, seemingly abandoned temple.

Two or so hours ago, after Issei had received a small familiar with the orders, he had arrived in Kyoto. Saiaorg and his peerage were already there, waiting for him. After a bit of a rendezvous and talking, they decided to check the old temples, in hopes of finding some clues.

''Master, we have company!''

Issei heard one of Saiaorg's bishops call, as his mind returned from wandering. As he was in the front, he was attacked first. A small girl, with ears and tails of a fox. Her eyebrows were upturned, clear anger in her golden eyes.

Behind her short, slender legs, 9 tails fluttered. Issei looked at her milky skin, her golden hair and her miko outfit, with some sort of pentagrams on it.

He smiled. –''Saiaorg, this is a chibi version of the Kyuuubi.''

She raised her hand, and masked fox priests jumped out from the near forest, from the shadows. Saiaorg, without saying anything gestured to deal with this non-lethally, as Issei simply let out a chuckle.

Although he could kill everyone attacking him with the flick of his wrist, he didn't do that. Instead, he placed his arms behind his back, and began to dodge everything. Like a snake, he dodged up, down, around and to the sides, his speed surpassing the attackers'.

Same could be said for Saiaorg, as his honed body used such speeds that the priests couldn't even grasp what was happening.

Issei raised his hand swatted away a bunch of fireballs, as a second later the small fox girl jumped at him, punching and kicking.

''Very cute.''

Issei spoke, and grabbed her leg mid-kick, raising her in the air by it. She mumbled, grabbing the edge of her miko attire dress, trying to hold it upwards, covering her upper legs.

''Not wearing anything under there?'' – Issei chuckled, as the foxgirl's face became bright as embers.

As he held the girl in front of him, the fox priests had halted their attacks, so Issei used the chance. –''We mean you no harm, as we are the devils that have been sent to help, chibi-kyuubi.''

Her eyes widened, as she still was grasping her skirt. Issei let out a small, ''can't be helped'' sigh, and in a single movement of his arm flipped the girl around mid air, and catching her by the armpits, put her down.

''...No way.'' – The foxgirl's cute voice could barely be heard, as Issei turned his back to her.

''Saiaorg, please.''

He stepped forwards, extending his hand, as a mark of Bael appeared on it. –''Indeed. I am Saiaorg Bael, the next heir. I assume you are the child of Yasaka, Kunou?''

The foxgirl blushed crimson, as she realized the situation at hand, and tried to salvage what was left of it. –''I am deeply sorry, Bael-sama.''

''Please, don't bow your head to me. Besides, Saiaorg is fine.'' – He said, smiling down at her bowing frame. –''I'm surprised that you attacked us like that.''

''My apologies...the one with the white hair gives of very...unfortunate..presence.'' – The girl responded, showing a level of intellect way above what Issei assumed her age was at first. At her comment, he simply smiled aloofly. It was nothing he hadn't heard.

''...and thus, we assumed you were the same people who took my mother.'' – She explained, as Saiaorg glanced at Issei.

He smiled. –''...Can't deny that I have kidnapped people.''

His ironic statement wen't misunderstood, as silence overtook them. Issei sighed, once again. –''Saiaorg, talk basics and gather info. I'll go further up the hill.''

He said, leaving Saiaorg's peerage in his wake. The obviously old and abandoned, but not dirty path that led to the top held firmly under his steps, as he moved rather quickly. At the top, to both of his sides were cherry trees, their blossoms pale pink, almost white. The branches swayed in the wind, rustling the blossoms. Right to his front, an old temple stood, sinking a feeling of dread into his skin.

He remembered why. He was a devil, even if he had orders and permissions to be in Kyoto, near temples, it still felt bad.

Forbidden.

Issei raised his head. The late-autumn sun had hidden behind gray, ambiguous clouds, but without that, the sunlight couldn't have really fought trough the foliage, as it only would throw shadows.

This weather...was unfortunate.

Issei walked up to the shrine, fighting against the urge to turn around, and stopped. He still remembered about Japanese shrines, so he clapped his hands together.

''For the gods of the battle to bless me.'' – He said, in his old man dialect. An aloof smile appeared on his face.

He had prayed.

He turned around, walking back down, hearing the conversation from it's middle. The cute foxgirl's tails swirled in the air, as she spoke with Saiaorg.

''...it was definitely them. The holy energy I felt, the Ki I felt, and they match your description...those are the people who took my mother.''

Saiaorg nodded, but his expression changed a bit when he noticed Issei returning. –''It was them. The Khaos Brigade and Cao Cao, no doubt about that.''

Issei nodded. –''Yes, I expected that fully. However, Cao Cao isn't a cruel man, so you shouldn't worry too much, little fox.'' – He smiled at her gently.

Her gaze remained surprised.

''Saiaorg, what should we do?'' – Issei touched the backside of his head. –''...There's no use to search for them, as they will come after us.''

''You think?'' – Saiaorg closed one of his eyes, as if pondering. –''I see, you are probably right. Let's go back to our hotel for today. Tomorrow, we will be back, Kunou...unfortunately, the Khaos Brigade will come after us, not the other way around, so we simply have to wait.''

She minced her words, together with her feet. After a small while of doubt, she lowered her head and answered. –''...Fine. if you say so.''

Her expression and voice was filled with regret...and disappointment. If Issei wasn't such a heartless bastard, he would probably jump to her, in an attempt to calm her down, to cheer her up, to encourage her that nothing bad would happen to her mother, or most likely all of the above, however he wasn't like that. He stood there, looking down at her with his blank, stoic expression, his hands in his pockets.

Saiaorg dropped to one knee and leaned closer, his eyes coming eye-level with the small Kunou. He raised his rugged hand and ruffled her hair. –''Everything will be fine. We are strong. We will protect and get your mother back...even if they are called ''Khaos Brigade'', they won't do anything bad to your mother.''

Kunou blushed from such an affection, not saying a word.

''I give you my promise, as the next heir to Bael.''

''...Thank you.'' – She said, and smiled gently, her eyes shutting close, most likely to hide tears.

Issei let out a single chuckle, as he and Saiaorg's peerage observed this heart-warming scene.

Saiaorg was really, really kind.

Issei stood in the back of Saiaorg's peerage, half-blending in with other people who were walking around the city. He wasn't a giant, and with a hood over his white hair, it wasn't a problem to hide himself from the stares.

He felt the sluggish air, as it began to rain. Slowly at first, but it turned into a downpour, so they quickly escaped into the nearest coffee shop. It was inadvertently bustling with people, even without the refugees of rain.

Hint of fresh coffee beans and various cooked buns, muffins and pizza slices hit his nose. They all sat down at the end, after the people sitting there very easily complied with the request for them to move.

Could be it was something to do with three 2 meter tall guys asking politely.

All of them ordered coffee and various snacks, and as they waited, Saiaorg, who was sitting across from Issei began to speak.

''So, I hear you are doing well.'' – He said, with a smile. –''How is training?''

Issei leaned his head on his hand, as she closed one of his eyes. –''Good. I'm trying to refine my Ki and the control over it.''

Saiaorg smiled, once again, nodding his head. –''Good. Ki is...brittle. To just mindlessly spend it, like you did when battling with me isn't...smart. It doesn't work that way.''

Issei chuckled. –''Indeed. I am not a smart man, you know that. I hit as hard as I can, that's about it...but I can't use my life-force as Ki.''

Saiaorg froze for a second, but his expression returned to it's usual half-smile. –''You can't? That's interesting.''

Issei nodded, his eyes trailing away from Saiaorg, to the cafe's decorated walls and the people. Mostly Japanese, as they chatted along in their blissful ignorance of the world. Their smiles, their laughter. He didn't blame them at all.

Ignorance was bliss, after all.

''I can't, yes. Every time I try to draw Ki from somewhere else than my Ki reserves, It's like hitting a wall.''

''Hmm. Interesting. I can't really use Ki that's not from my life force. So are we the opposites?'' – Saiaorg spoke.

This time, Issei froze. How could he, the talentless brat use normal Ki, while Saiaorg couldn't?

''This is really odd. How did you learn how to use Ki?'' – Issei asked, his left hands fingers tapping at the desk impatiently.

Saiaorg's eyes narrowed a bit, as he crossed his arms on his chest. –''As you know, I can't use magic. At all. It wouldn't be such a giant problem, if not for the Bael's destruction power...Even Rias has it.''

''...She's wasting it.'' – Issei offhandedly responded.

Saiaorg flashed a half-grin. –''She's not like us, so I don't blame her.''

Issei stopped tapping his fingers for a second or two, as he nodded. –''I guess that's true. Continue.''

''Because of that, I was always seen as weak. A Bael's signature power of destruction, that I did not have.'' – Saiaorg's eyes wandered, reminiscing. –''Like that, me and my mother, we were shunned, and even sent to live in the outskirts of the Bael territory. It was like being labeled unworthy, lacking and defected just because of something I couldn't control.''

Issei's eyes narrowed, as he listened. –''...the whole Devil system is disgusting. Middle class devils look down on low level devils, while high class devils look down on both of them, even though most of their status is inherited.''

Saiaorg's eyes met Issei's, as he smirked, almost evil-ish. –''Well, you have already taught one devil a lesson on true status and inherited ones.''

Issei's mind recalled the fight with Pheonix. Seeing how he didn't have Ki manipulation then, nor was allowed he use Balance Breaker, he did good, but still, he had some regrets over the fight. However, one thing was for sure – Riser Pheonix would never be the same as before.

As Issei nodded, Saiaorg continued. –''I was angry. Mad. Not once before in my life had I been so angry. For me, for my mother...and she told to take a different approach. Those who don't have the talent, they compensate. Like we do.''

Issei cracked a half-grin.

''And so, I trained as much as I could. Day in and out, I trained and trained, and trained, disregarding any pain I felt...to grow stronger.'' – Saiaorg sighed. –''Like that, I guess you can say I created a miracle. To be able to use Ki without the inborn ability to do so.''

Issei stared at the desk, and the waiter, a cute girl with black hair and glasses, brought their coffee and snacks. Both of them thanked the girl, as she trotted along to the next two desks, where the rest of Saiaorg's peerage sat and conversed.

Issei took a sip of the coffee, as Saiaorg did the same.

''I understand you now...we really are alike.''

''Then tell me how you unlocked Ki manipulation.'' – Saiaorg said, biting into a slice of piza.

Issei slouched back into his chair, as he thought where to begin. –''Same as you, to survive. My story begins in a dark place, all I could do was to only grow stronger, falling through dirt along the way. I had no choice, if I wanted to survive. That began my addiction, my obsession with strength. Over the years, it has only grown stronger and stronger, same as me.''

Saiaorg nodded, understanding.

''Before the fight with you, I trained with Tannin. His skin is so thick, I couldn't even damage him properly with my Balance Breaker, so I tried to punch as hard as I could. For my punches to reach, I needed them to have an explosion to them. An exact, precise boom...and somehow it happened. My arm almost blew off, my head spun, I think I passed out for a second or two, but I unlocked it that way.''

Saiaorg chuckled. –''That's very straight forward.''

''Indeed. I wanted a ''boom'' to my punches, and I found them. Like that.''

The mumbling and bustling around them pulled into their senses, as both of them began to eat in silence.

Issei didn't mention the fact, that most likely Kuroka had a hand in his Ki manipulation. There are legends, that natural Ki, as pure as Kuroka has it, can influence other's. Large amounts of Ki can influence your mind, to the point of ''twisting'' it.

The thing Kuroka had faked.

So Issei simply had to assume, that the close relationship with Kuroka had to have something to do with his Ki manipulation.

He sighed, his eyes wandering. Saiaorg raised his eyes at him, shooting him a questing glance.

''Saiaorg. Do you...hate people who inherit strong abilities?'' - Issei asked, out of the blue, halting Saiaorg's gaze. –''People who are ''prodigies''?

''Hate?'' – Saiaorg asked, touching his chin with his palm. –''I don't think that is the word for it. Envy? No. Jelousy? Not really. Anger...it was never about that. I was angry, but not at others. At myself.''

Issei's eyes widened, but he quickly realized that everything Saiaorg made sense...for him. Saiaorg was exactly the kind of man that would think and say such things. He wasn't petty.

''Of course, I know that anger against something you can't change is never, never helpful.'' –Saiaorg paused. - ''Anger...is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.''

''...But if you can spit this swallowed poison into the face of your enemies...sometimes it is enough.'' – Issei lowered his glance, staring at the desk.

''True. However, you will always damage yourself more.'' – Saiaorg's face pulled into a sad smile. –''...Your anger. It's like a raging fire, isn't it?''

''It is.'' – Issei smirked. –''You got over your anger, right?''

He nodded. –''I did. I am no longer angry at myself, for being weak. I am strong, but there are always someone stronger than me. And I thrive to be stronger, I put my everything to be stronger, but that doesn't mean I have to be angry at myself.''

''I wish I could think of it like that. I really do.'' – Issei chuckled dryly. –''But I can't. I'm fucked up, all I can feel against myself is anger and loathe...and that is how I can train. If I don't push myself to the brink of my well-being, I can't sleep. I can't rest.''

Silence followed, as Saiaorg sighed. –''Even though we are similliar, as you yourself said, we are different. I got over my teenage phase, where I really was angry...and I hope you will too, with time.''

Issei exhaled, as if laughing. –''Maybe I will. I am a teenager still, after all.''

Saiaorg froze, his eyebrows upturning. –''...Right. I forgot that you are still a kid. You really don't speak, look or act like one.''

Issei audibly laughed. –''It would be miracle if I could.''

''But still...even if you are a kid...the path that you walk on will lead to nothing but ruin.''

Issei looked at his palm, and cracked his middle finger with his thumb. –''If I said I only need ruin, would that make my path the correct one?''

Saiaorg chuckled. –''No. A cursed path is never the correct one.''

Issei finished his coffee. –''Probably.''

They remained silent, both of them seemingly reminiscing about the past.

Saiaorg still stumbled with his mother and their relationship...while Issei simply was a fucked up mess of emotions.

He touched his head, his facial expression pulling into a painful scowl. Saiaorg's eyes wandered back to him.

''You alright?'' – He asked, as his eyebrows raised slightly...Saiaorg was legitimately worried about his well-being. Issei released his head and smiled a bit.

''I'm fine.'' – He lied trough his teeth, with his usual skill for it. A migraine, once again, had come to haunt him.

It was like before...like before he became a devil, but his thoughts were redirected to the sunshine coming in trough the windows.

''Sun always comes after rain, huh...'' – Issei stated, with a jaded expression.

''Sometimes it takes a while...but it does, yes.'' – Saiaorg said, as he raised from his chair, looking over at his peerage, all of them eagerly raising up. –''Let's go to our hotel, shall we?''

Issei smiled, as he waved with one hand, offhandedly. –''Go right ahead, I'll catch up.''

Saiaorg's eyes narrowed a bit, but he nodded. –''Don't stay out too late, or they will take the chance of attacking.''

Issei nodded, and turned to walk towards the furthest end of the restaurant, going into the restroom.

As soon as Saiaorg was out of reach, he slammed open the doors and grabbed into the sink. Turning the tap's lever, he allowed cold water to flow for a bit. Sighing, he pushed his hands under the water, and rinsed his face in it.

Still leaning with his hands against the sink, he looked into his reflection. His eyes were bloodshot, as the migraine began to pulsate in his head like a hammer hitting a nail. A nail, that went deeper and deeper into his brain.

He cracked his index finger, the sound of it echoing over the bathroom. He raised his arm, touching his own neck, then drove it lower, until he grabbed a string that was tied around his neck, and pulled out a wolf's tooth.

A charm, a necklace that he had used what now seemed like a long time ago. He had one, and his right hand Fleimel had one. The one person after Kuroka he trusted the most.

After what had happened after the Rating game with Saiaorg, Kuroka made him take the necklace along, just to be safe.

It was ironic, really. Now, just because he had the necklace, he would do something Kuroka really would scold him for.

Her feline eyes, her gentle smile...and Issei released the necklace. He could hold on. This pain...was nothing.

He slapped himself a few times, brought his fingers trough his hair and looked into the mirror once again, sighing as he did that.

He looked tired.

As the sun was slowly sinking into the horizon, Issei stood a top of the roof for their hotel. The wind rustled his clothes and hair, as it was a lot colder up in the air than in the middle of the city.

His black pants had been exchanged for black joggers, and his black jacket had been exchanged for a black usual, classic boots remained on his feet.

Saiaorg smiled, as he stepped on the rooftop. Issei smiled back.

''Ah...just what I expected from you. Want to spar?'' - Saiaorg chuckled, as he threw his jacket at the ground. –''I knew, so I asked my Queen to reinforce this building.''

Issei smiled. –''So, this building will not shatter if we fight like men?''

''Let's not. Our punches are too strong...so let's fight with only our fists? No Ki, no anything?''

''Mhm.'' - Issei nodded and stretched his arms, legs. He leaned forwards, touching the his ankles from behind, with his legs straight. He raised up, arched his back forwards, and cracked his knuckles.

Saiaorg, meanwhile did a similiar stretching routine, to not pull any muscle.

''Ready?''

Issei nodded, as he stepped forwards. Dust raised, as the sound of his foot hitting the roof echoed, as he closed in on Saiaorg in an inhuman speed. His natural, un-enchanted speed was superhuman.

But so was Saiaorg's, as he did the same thing.

Their fists crossed each other, as they both leaned their heads down, dodging each other's fists by an inch. Issei smirked, Saiaorg smiled, as both of their left arms went for each other's head, but was stopped when their forearms clashed in a cross.

Saiaorg pushed his arm forwards, stepping a single step to the front, as Issei's leg buckled behind him. Without Ki or his Boosted Gear, Issei's physical strength was lower than Saiaorg's, as he most likely was almost two times lighter than him.

Issei slid backwards, using one leg to pivot, and in a blink of an eye, his other leg was coming from the side towards Saiaorg's head. He ducked under, as Issei jumped upwards, and Saiaorg's fist went up at Issei's frame.

It was simple. In a fight, one shouldn't jump. At least, if you don't use Ki or wings, because you can't change your trajectory mid-jump.

However, Issei knew that, of course. He grabbed into his fist, and threw his body towards him. His legs wrapped around his neck, and using his inertia, Saiaorg was upside down, mid air before he understood what was happening.

They both landed with a bang, throwing dust up, Issei pivoting on his right knee, getting his left leg over Saiaorg's chest. In that second, or two, Issei was on top of Saiaorg, who was staring up at Issei.

''Hooo..'' – He exhaled, as Issei punched down at his face. Saiaorg raised his elbows, blocking the strikes. Striking elbows would break a normal person's fingers, but Issei, once again wasn't normal. Like metal striking metal, the punches were deflected.

Saiaorg understood in the moment, how exactly much Issei had trained his fists to be strong. Either on purpose, or not, but micro-fracturing made the bone become stronger. After a long time, it made the bone very, very dense and strong.

Issei twisted right side upwards, bringing his forearm downwards like a hammer. It struck against both Saiaorg's forearms, as he pushed from bellow.

However, physics worked for Issei this time, as he pushed it lower and lower, Saiaorg's elbows buckling under pressure, so he did what any martial artist would do in a situation like that.

He twisted his lower body, his right leg rising upwards, as Issei realized that Saiaorg was much more flexable than he looked, and Issei jumped forwards, while Saiaorg's leg kicked up from behind, right where his head had been.

Issei landed on his hands, flipping himself up to his legs, as Saiaorg rolled to the front, doing the same.

In the moment they had turned to face each other once again, they were already inside each other's guards. Kicks, punches, knees, elbows, straight-palm punches, even judo and aikido throws were used, blocked, reversed, and countered – both of them did those things, without stopping, without caring for the throbbing pain from the attacks that did connect.

That went on for more than a few minutes and it didn't take long for spectators arrive, as Saiaorg's peerage quietly observed the exchange of fair blows...and for the ferocity it required to keep up with Saiaorg in pure strenght and experience.

The two fighters didn't really notice, or care, for the viewers, as their attacks became more elaborate. Issei caught a kick, but the force of it sent him flying backwards, so he slid backwards, regaining his footwork, and as soon as he did, he slapped down a punch.

He had slipped into a normal boxing stance, his shoulders up, chin down, arms up and he used one of the most basic of basic defenses – to hit the punch downwards with your palm.

He did that a few times, still moving backwards, leading Saiaorg backwards, before he could realize it. And thus, as soon as a raised metallic construction was to their right, most likely to hold up satellites and other things, Issei stepped forwards, grabbing into Saiaorg's wrist and striking his elbow, as he spun around.

In that second, he was already at Saiaorg's side, as he struck Saiaorg in the side with his elbow. His statue hit the metallic construction, as Issei's other arm went for a shot right in the head...

...but that was denied, as Saiaorg spun around, stepped on Issei's foot, and grabbed him by his shoulders with both arms, his forehead crashing down at Issei's nose bridge, but Issei decided to do something stupid, as he raised his forehead upwards at the exact moment it would connect.

CRACK!

With a sound that was like two coconuts cracking each-other, as the few people who were gathered to watch cringed, Issei stumbled backwards, falling over, while Saiaorg simply crashed against the metal construction behind him, bending it, as he fell to his knees as well.

''...Set...match over...both are losers.'' – Saiaorg's queen commented, as the two fighters had raised up. Issei still sitting down on the ground, clutching his head.

''That was a really nice spar to watch, Hyoudou.'' – Corianna, the bishop of Saiaorg spoke.

''In the way of technique, I would say Hyoudou indeed has the advantage.'' – The towering rook Baem responded.

''...I simply had a great teacher, who passed the fighting style on to me...Saiaorg has me beat in strength.'' – Issei responded, looking their way.

''Well, you are a bit more nimble.'' – Saiaorg responded with a chuckle.

''I'm literally a foot shorter than you, Saiaorg.'' – Issei responded, letting out a faked sighed.

He chuckled. –''I guess it is easier for you to dodge.''

Saiaorg raised up, and went over to Issei, helping him to get up. –''More sparring?''

''No.'' – Issei shook his head, smiling gently. –''I want to ask you something about our fight in the rating game.''

Issei wanted to know the move that ruptured his insides in the rating game. If on his own, Issei would most likely understand and would learn to do something similar with time, but why bother with that, when he had first hand experience?

''Oh? What is it?''

''The punch, that destroyed my insides...that whirlpool-like punch. Can you teach me how to do it?''

Saiaorg's gaze widened. His peerage's eyes widened.

''What? Is it that odd for me to ask that? I'll repay you with something equal.'' – Issei smirked, his eyes narrowing.

''...Actually, it is odd. The devil community...don't share. The secrets, the strategies, the power...it all remains inside of the family. Jeez~.'' – Saiaorg sighed, ruffling his own hair. –''What will give to me in exchange?''

''What do you want? A stance or an attack?'' – Issei smiled, as he asked that.

He of course wouldn't give anything too important. The stance...was rather simple and known already. An attack...he was sure Saiaorg wouldn't choose that, so he simply asked that to give Saiaorg a false sense of choice.

Issei smiled gently, his eyes narrowing slightly. He turned his gaze over to Saiaorg's peerage, where at the side, leaning against the fence to the roof was one of his knights. The one, who's skull was shattered by Koneko...using the stance he was about to show.

''So, I'll go first, because mine is a lot simpler.'' – Issei spoke, meeting Saiaorg's purple eyes. –''The stance was used by my late teacher. I wasn't able to learn it from her directly, however, I replicated it.''

Issei moved his legs apart, raising his right arm upwards, pulling his palm into a fist, pointing it straight towards Saiaorg. He bent his knees slightly, hiding his other arm behind his back.

''The stance.'' – Furcas came closer, his eyes narrowing. –''...It was used to defeat me.''

Issei chuckled. –''Well, she is my disciple after all.''

Furcas glanced at Issei with an unreadable expression, but backed off.

Saiaorg took the stance as well, facing Issei, who stepped forwards, with his usual fighting style, Saiaorg's fist blocking him.

''See. You are a natural as well. With your long reach, this is very useful. With your other hand, you attack when unexpected...besides, you can also focus Ki in the stance.''

Issei took the stance again, his eyes closing. Then Ki exploded in circle around him, throwing dust away. He smiled, putting his hands into his pockets. –''Kind of like that. Use it as you wish.''

Saiaorg nodded. –''Huh. To deny any basics...this is interesting. So, your teacher made this?''

''...Don't know. All I know – she used it.'' – Issei's eyes wandered, his memories bringing up Margit's statue. Her slightly narrow, blood red eyes, her hair, fluttering in the wind, the arrogant smirk on her lips. Her left arm hidden behind her back, her elegant fingers grasping at a knife, other pulled into a fist, at her front. Issei looked downwards, stopping his reminiscing. –''Now then, mind telling me how you do that punch of yours?''

Saiaorg shrugged. –''Not like I have a choice anymore.'' – He said, raising his right arm. His slightly blue Ki appeared, like lines around his arm. Lines, that looked like rods of Ki, parallel to his arm. Then suddenly, the front part of the Ki began to spin clock-wise, slowly.

''Like this. Of course, I do it a lot faster.'' – He said, turned a bit away from Issei, as the Ki became a whirlwind, and he punched the air.

It exploded of course, with a sound of a sonic boom.

''It's interesting...I never would imagine to use Ki like metal rods around my arms.'' – Issei smirked, extending his arm.

He concentrated. His control over Ki was rather minimal, so he had to improvise.

''I can probably do just one ''rod'' of Ki.'' – Issei stated, imagining a single, straight line to appear from his arm.

As soon as it appeared, it exploded, throwing him a bit back.

''...Or not a single one.'' – Issei chuckled pitifully, his eyes narrowing. –''I have never actually tried to ''hold'' Ki. This is going to be a problem.''

''Relax. Just clear your mind of everything and try to imagine the Ki simply floating in air. Imagine shaping it, but it remains calms. It isn't destructive. Yet.''

Issei exhaled, closing his eyes. The surroundings sank away, as only the thought of Ki remained in his mind.

A rod of Ki.

Simply standing, not moving.

Remaining calm, not destructive.

Issei opened his eyes, feeling sweat drop down his forehead and back, as he felt a tingling feeling all over his body.

''Good.''

He heard Saiaorg's words, his eyes glancing at his extended arm. The white rod of Ki was floating a few centimeters above his arm. He tried to extended it a bit and it did extended.

He inhaled, closing his eyes once again. He needed another one, next to it.

He pulled as much of Ki as he could, because most of it didn't want to remain there, standing calm, and it simply dispersed in air.

''Way too much Ki.'' – Saiaorg commented, as something clicked in Issei's head...

...and something shattered in his arm.

''Huh?'' – Issei muttered, as the two Ki rods around his arm shattered, exploding. Issei stumbled backwards, clutchingat his arm.

The pain ran up his arm, making the arm feel numb, straight into his brain. The second thing he clutched, regaining his balance. Holding his head with his right arm, his left hanging at his side, pulsating, he looked up at Saiaorg, whose eyes were wide.

''Issei, don't over do it. You obviously aren't that good at manipulating Ki, so -!'' – Saiaorg's voice trailed off, halting completely, as complete silence fell. Issei looked at Saiaorg, who was frozen a bit, and then at his peerage, who didn't say a word, until Saiaorg's queen spoke.

''You're bleeding, Hyoudou.''

''Huh?'' – He spoke out loud. –''Where?''

''Nose.'' – Saiaorg responded.

Issei raised his hand, clutching his face, wiping the flowing blood on the cuff of his hoodie. –''Shit.''

He stood up, wobbling once, as the ringing in his head grew louder. Issei turned to walk towards the doors off the roof.

''Issei, you-''

''I'm fine, I guess I hit my nose against your head or something.''

Saiaorg wanted to say something, but didn't, as he remained looking at the doors, behind which Issei disappeared.

He jogged towards the closest bathroom, crashing trough the doors. Looking at himself in the mirror, the blood still pooling out of his nose, he grabbed the nearby tissues, and tore off a small piece, putting it in his nose.

With the pooling blood stopped, Issei took a closer look at himself. He touched one of his eyelids, and pulled it down, looking into his sclera, and around it. He then did it with his other eye.

No blood. At least, not more than usual.

He then poked his ears with his pinky finger , and when he made sure he wasn't bleeding, he sighed.

The ringing headache...didn't want to go away.

Had he overdone it with concentration like that? Besides, his arm felt odd before. Could it be the magical circuits Kuroka grafted?

With one eye closed, he opened the medical cabinet, pulling out the pill bottles. He looked trough them, letting out a pitiful ''che'' sound, when he noticed the only painkiller the cabinet had.

[Aspirin? Really partner?]

The dragon in his mind spoke, after a long while of silence.

''It hurts...''

Issei said as his voice trailed off, popped open the half-filled bottle, poured a handful of pills into his palm, and downed them all, drinking water from the tap on top of them.

He took a step back, banged his back against the wall behind him, and slid down to the ground.

''...Kuroka will get mad at me.''

He looked downwards, at the tiled floor.

[If you take too long they will get worried.]

''Don't worry, I'll just sit here for 5 more minutes.''

Issei sighed, understanding that the pills wouldn't do shit to help him with the headache, because he had used much stronger ones in his past...and built tolerance for them.

Author's notes.

I am sorry for taking so long. School was shit, as usual. However, It ended. So now I can hopefully focus on writing. A lot. I want to pick up the pace with this story. It will not go on forever, and I will end it.

Besides, I mentioned it in my ''Remain Suffering'' story - I have written the final chapter to Broken Wings. Well, more like the first part of it. But...inspiration is odd.

Do not worry, because there is still a lot to be written...so we will be together for a while.

Slowly things get unraveled. Issei's thoughts on himself, Saiaorg's ''strength'', and what not.

Issei was a druggie, yes. Using power that is beyond your capabilities kills you. Balance Breaker, the first time he got it, was way, way above what he could handle then.

To TheLaughingStalk - It's always lovely to hear that people enjoy my story that much!~

To pedrohenrique carvalho 16 - Something something, you're close something something

To KingRamses - Heh, good job on catching on. He...probably would.

To LasbAuthorArtist - Honestly, I have many regrets with this story, and removing them so late...is one of the biggest ones. Well, at least I tried to fix it somehow, reasonably.

To titanium8p - That's one of the biggest compliments you can give to a writer, you know!~

Thank you for reading everyone! Leave a review, if you enjoyed it, didn't enjoy it or have any questions! I answer them~ (if it's not too spoiler-y.)