Issei coughed, placing his left palm in front of his mouth. He looked to the front, the door was a few feet from him and then he looked downwards at his palm, feeling the wet, slightly sticky sensation.

The middle of his palm was red. Not a lot, but a bit of blood had splattered from his throat as he coughed. He wiped his arm in the pocket of his opened zip-up hoodie, and kept it there.

The main lobby, of sorts, was bathed in intensity. As soon as Issei opened the doors, he was assault by pure concentration. A bit of killing intent as well, but he didn't mind it – just the opposite, as he narrowed his eyes slightly, straightened his back and looked over the room with a cold expression.

The devils, angels and fallen angels eyed him, but didn't say anything, just remained siting in the silence, that was sometimes broken by quiet talking between the faction members.

At the front of the room, a group of magicians were combining their powers to break into Georg's dimension. A few of them were devils, a few fallen angels, and a single angel.

Honestly, it reminded him of his time way back when. The groups scattered, quiet, but ready to fight, with their lives on the line – it was the kind of bravado that Zero Army once had.

He met Azazel's eyes, and after a nod, went on to find Saiaorg. He looked at Issei, and widened his eyes a bit, after noticing the sword was missing.

''You're not going to use it?''

Issei shook his head. –''No. It takes too much from me, besides, I can't fight at my best with a weapon I don't train thoroughly.''

''I see. Smart decision.'' – Saiaorg answered, and went quiet.

The plan was well known for everyone, and now, they waited for the moment that the magicians would break into the dimension created by Georg, and would ambush the Khaos Brigade.

Suddenly, the surge of magical energy stopped, and death-like silence began to suffocate the room.

''Are you in?'' – Saiaorg asked, catching the attention of one of the magicians.

''We didn't, but they dropped the barrier. They are inviting us, without fear. Challenging us, even.'' - she responded with a shaky, but angry voice.

''So, we can go any moment? Even right now?'' – He asked.

''Yes. Our surprise attack falls to pieces.''

Issei had gotten up, and took off his gray zip-up hoodie, uncovering the black tanktop underneath. He raised his hands above his head and cracked a few bones. –''If they call for a fight, we answer.''

Saiaorg nodded. He looked around and nodded again, with a powerful smirk – as powerful as the convictions of the people around him. They knew how important this fight was – it wasn't a matter of only the Kyoto's ruler's safety, but it also would show the pride of the three power union – their strength, and the ability to fight against any threat.

To show how strong the youth was...with the exception of Azazel, but well, he wasn't a strong fighter – he was a smart fighter.

''...Men...Women...fighters, are you ready to win? To wipe out the evil and stand supreme?'' – Saiaorg spoke up, with a strong, motivating voice, and the people around him shouted various answers – most were different, but they all meant the same thing – that they were ready.

Issei met eyes with Saiaorg and nodded, and Saiaorg met eyes with Azazel, both also nodded.

''Let's do this.''

With high spirits, every single person in the room got up, not knowing what to expect, including Issei.

He narrowed his eyes, as soon as he felt the pulling sensation.

''Don't limit me, Ddraig. This will be long.'' – Issei spoke, to himself.

[Of course. Just don't use Juggernaut Drive, partner.''

He nodded, but this time, honestly. He would die early if he used it – as in, he would go on a rampage, and the only way to end it would be to die, without accomplishing his purpose, and he couldn't allow that to happen.

There was nothing that could stand against his goal. No one could deny him it.

With his own two fists and two legs, he would obliterate everything in his way.

The world could never overtake him.

His thoughts dispersed, as he opened his eyes, right as the teleportation succeeded. First and foremost, he felt wind ruffling his hair and clothes – and he realized he was high up in the air, falling.

A normal reaction would have been panic, but Issei's eyes narrowed, as he spun midair, trying to locate the enemy, but he was surprised at first – the entirety of Kyoto had been copied in this fake dimension.

Then, he returned to the task at hand, as he noticed tens of enemies jumped at them from the building tops. A particular man, covered in shadows caught Issei's attention, as he pulled his palm into a fist, cracking his joints and bones as he flexed his entire arm, the air around it slightly shimmering from the Ki.

The enemy smirked at Issei, changing his course towards him, the shadows wrapping off his body, creating weird, disfigured wings of darkness.

A burst of magic shot towards every single one of the attackers, by Saiaorg's queen, and as a part of the attack hit the person he was about to attack, the attack was recoiled backwards, only this time towards Issei. He spun his body sideways, avoiding the burst of energy.

And he understood, that a punch probably wouldn't be good. He swung his arm sideways, shooting the Ki out of his arm, and it sent him spinning downwards, in a speed that caught the attacker off his guard, and Issei crashed against him, catching him by his throat, changing his trajectory, as they both landed against a building, smashing through it.

Windows, desks, shelves, books, everything shattered, as they ended up half way through the building, with Issei standing on his chest. Without asking for his name, without caring for who he was or his goals and ideals, Issei stepped on his face and shattered it under his boot, removing his future and anything he could have become.

Blood sprayed everywhere, dirtying his boot, pants and a bit of his arms.

Issei stepped forwards, leaping out of the corporate building and landing on the ground, shattering the concrete. He looked around, noticing the field of dead bodies, once again. He met eyes with Saiaorg.

''Everything fine?'' – He asked.

''Mhm.'' – Issei nodded.

''Then let's move forwards. We need to find Yasuka and free her.'' – Saiaorg responded, and with a leap, took flight.

The angels, devils, and fallen angels took flight, following Saiaorg. Issei sighed, and used his devil's wings to fly, still not completely sure of his flying abilities.

It was easy to notice, the power that was surging from the middle of the city, near the Nijou Castle of Kyoto. Or at least, its replica.

Issei's eyes blurred once again, as he noticed what was happening. Golden chains were holding down a giant, golden, nine-tailed fox down, as a man with light-blue hair, that was standing upwards, dressed in a white robe and golden ornaments, even on his forehead.

Next to him stood Cao Cao, Georg and others, of whom Issei did not know their names, however, even with Cao Cao there, Issei's reflexes screamed.

Screamed at the man in the white robe, so that meant he couldn't be anyone else but Loki, the norse god.

Issei's right arm contracted, as he set his sights on Loki.

''BALANCE BREAKER!"' – He shouted, surprising Azazel and Saiaorg, as he dashed passed them with his boosters, upwards in the air.

[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!]

Issei needed all the power his fists could use, so that meant he would use the power of his [Boosted Gear] to it's fullest. He would mix his muscle strenght boosted, with Ki.

[Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!]

Leaving a jagged line in the sky, Issei set course for ground.

''Hmhp.'' – He grunted, crashing into Loki, who had remained unmoved.

The ground beneath them shattered, as Georg teleported away, Cao Cao floated upwards, but Loki...had caught Issei's fist with his palm.

Issei's eyes widened, as Cao Cao raised his spear towards him, but was blocked by Azazel's small, golden dagger.

He hummed. –''You seem way too serious, Issei.''

Issei didn't respond, as he looked into Loki's eyes. He stared, not saying a word. Issei kicked at his side, and jumped backwards, as Loki released his hand, sliding a bit.

Loki's hand seemed to have bruised from the impact, and the sleeve of the hand was ripped.

Issei smirked, showing his teeth. –''I see.''

Azazel spoke to Cao Cao. –''And? What are you trying to do with this retched golden chain?''

''You probably know, Governor of the fallen angels, that Kyoto is a spiritual place, full of magical wonders. Natural power sources, Ki and powerful laylines. It is the perfect place to summon Great Red, because this world we are in is between the ''empty space'', the real world and the Dimensional Gap.''

''So that was why...you assume The Great Red would take your bait? That he would be interested in the Golden Fox and her rampaging?''

''Yes, we believe that. And once he comes through, we would capture it, and later – kill it.''

Issei began to laugh, after listening to it. Cao Cao and he met eyes, and Issei raised his arm, cracking his middle finger. –''Cao Cao, I knew you had a screw loose or two, but I didn't expect for you to be so fucking oblivious in this thing...do you not realize the power that the Great Red has?''

''I do, of course.''

''Then why are you still doing this? He could kill us with a glance, you goddamn dumbass.'' – Issei's eyes wandered for a second, as he remembered the first time he met Great Red. He was out of his mind then, of course, but he still understood – there was literally no way to defeat him.

Issei knew, that even if he would be given a thousand years to train, he could never take on Great Red. His power was unimaginable.

Even Maria...couldn't take Great Red.

''With Ophis' power we can defeat Great Red.'' – Cao Cao spoke, looking at Issei. –''I've noticed that you care a lot about ''your'' power. It's never teamwork, is it, Hyoudou? It's always you. Are you a narcissist?''

Issei knew Cao Cao was stalling for time. –''I am, but exactly because it's me versus the world. In the end, there is no one but me left standing.''

Issei whispered to himself, and he finished his sentence, as the boosters on his back exploded.

''...and that is how this will end.''

[PROMOTION:KNIGHT]

Issei was enveloped in a cloud of smoke from the rubble under his feet, as Loki snapped his fingers, just as Issei's fist could ''reach'' his face.

Issei's eyes went wide, as he moved his other hand forwards, in a single sweep, as he caught giant, wolf-like jaws with his hands.

The wolf-like creature, that had appeared out of thin air, out of nowhere.

He was thrown backwards along with the giant creature, holding his massive jaws open with both hands.

Saliva splattered on his armor, creating a hissing sound, as it began to melt.

[Partner, I don't know how, but those jaws have holy energy. Avoid the canine teeth like the plague.]

Ddraig spoke in his head, but Issei didn't have enough time to thank him, as two more wolf-like creatures attacked him from the sides.

A few options ran through his mind as to how to defeat them, but then he heard the voice of Saiaorg, and he locked out the two monsters from his head, focusing on only the one who he was holding with both hands.

He focused his Ki, and decided to wing it, as he expelled the Ki, spinning both of his arms clock-wise.

The wolf-like creature was blown backwards, as the two attacking ones were kicked back by Saiaorg and his rooks.

''Avoid their jaws at all costs!'' – Issei shouted, looking at his arms – his gauntlets looked as if they had been dipped in acid, barely remaining whole, before Ddraig regenerated them.

''Thanks, Ddraig.'' – He spoke and kicked the attacking giant wolf in the jaw, throwing him backwards.

He wanted to bring out Echo once again, but Echo couldn't stand against the monsters. Ironically – he was too weak.

...just as his owner.

''Oh, so you realized what my creatures are?'' – The semi-deep voice of Loki asked Issei, as he was battling the wolf creature. –''Or was it the dragon inside who told you?''

Issei kicked at the creatures jaw once again, but he dodged, swiping his giant paw down at Issei, who rolled sideways and brought down his fist at it like a hammer.

[Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!]

DONNNN-!

The white fumes of Ki shattered, the wolf whimpered, but recovered swiftly, trying to bite Issei again, as it leaped on him, as Issei smirked under his helmet.

Airborne targets were the easiest, after all, he thought, and caught its paw, spun around and threw him through the nearby castle's walls.

With a grunt, Issei looked at Loki. –''Was that all, faker?''

He laughed. –''Faker?''

''Standing there, acting all-mighty, when my previous punch damaged you.'' – Issei laughed, humiliating Loki. –''You are nothing special, nothing ''more'' than me or anyone else. A god?''

Loki widened his eyes.

''Ridiculous.'' – Issei cracked his left knuckle. –''You are as much of a god as I am.''

''HOW DARE YOU, FILTHY DEVIL!'' – A sudden barrage of magic assaulted Issei, he couldn't even comprehend the amount, as it shattered everything around him, stinging his armor, as the mix of lighting, ice, fire, and norse magic mixed on him.

He of course, dashed around, above, under it, but some things still hit him – and it hurt.

It might have not been a good decision to piss of a Norse god, Issei thought, gathering strength in his body .

[BOOOST BOOOOST BOOOOST BOOOOST BOOOST BOOOOST BOOOOST BOOOOST!]

He raised both of his arms, stopping in his tracks.

''PHANTOM BULLET!'' - The two force-field like shields overlapped, as Issei blocked and reversed the magic attack towards Loki, and that was the exact amount of time he needed to cover the distance between him and Loki.

His right fist blasted through the dust, meeting Loki's face...

...almost, as a force field of magic barriers blocked Issei, for that millisecond – his powerful fist shattered through the barrier, blasting Loki in the jaw, throwing him away, as Issei tried to follow, but realized he was about to be chomped in two by the wolf-like beast, that had recovered.

Time came to a halt. Issei tried to raise his left arm in time to use ''Phantom Bullet'' to block the giant wolf, but it didn't look like it would be enough – he, once again, wasn't fast enough.

''MAAAKEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT!'' – Issei screamed, his mind already registering his tin-can armor shattering under the teeth of the wolf, but a shinning white light shattered that illusion.

Vali blocked the wolf with demonic magic, as Issei landed on the ground, recovering, as he slid along the ground on all fours.

Suddenly, Arthur landed on top of the beasts head, spun his sword around and stabbed right in the forehead, as a man in Chinese armor teleported him away.

''Did you teleport him far enough, Bikou?'' – Vali asked, shooting a blast of magical energy towards a bunch of enemies that were fighting with the devils, angels and fallen angels.

Issei recovered, standing up straight, looking at Vali, who turned around, facing him.

They were both eye-level, looking at each other. The spark of will to fight it out, to continue the destined fight between red and white...wasn't there.

''Will you listen to me?'' – Vali asked, raising his arm.

Issei, and neither would Vali ever admit of needing help and assistance, they would never word it like that.

Issei raised his arm and grabbed Vali's. –''I will.''

''...We need to protect Ophis.'' – Vali spoke. –''...For her own good.''

Issei looked to the side, noticing the obsidian-haired girl floating mid-air, with a vacant expression on her porcelain colored face.

''I, do not understand.'' – She spoke.

Issei and Vali both turned to the side, both using their defense spells – Vali - magical barriers, Issei, his ''Phantom Bullet'' to deflect a magical attack from Loki.

However, he cringed, as he felt something crack in his left arm, but didn't heed any attention to it, as they dodged a swoop of a tail - a giant, more than ten meter tall golden tail.

It was Yasaka, rampaging now.

A few minutes earlier.

Azazel was standing against Cao Cao, his DownFall Dragon armor equipped, holding a similar golden spear.

Azazel was taking it seriously. His eyes were narrow, his stance – powerful and concentrated. Cao Cao, on the other hand, wasn't even using his Balance Breaker. One blink of an eye, and they had exchanged various blows, both coming out on the other side, unfazed.

Not even a scratch.

''Do you realize the consequences on the human world from doing this with Yasaka? She holds power over the magical leyline in Kyoto. Instability could cause countless casualties. Do you really not care for it?''

Azazel spoke, using his old-man voice.

''That won't work on me. You won't talk me into submission, Azazel. Not even you, for I have a goal. If I have to sacrifice the lives of a few thousand humans, I will do so.''

Azazel laughed, seemingly amused by the fact that Cao Cao sounded like Issei, but he didn't mention it. –''Weren't you the ''Hero'' faction? What kind of a hero are you?''

Cao Cao shot beams of light at Azazel, who dodged a few by dashing to the side, and blocked a few by spinning his spear, and then in the end, throwing it towards him, who simply sidestepped it.

Instead of disappearing somewhere between buildings, it returned to Azazel's arms. They exchanged a few attacks, coming to a stop once again.

''I don't need to answer you.''

''You don't, but I don't understand your motive? What are you trying to prove?'' – Azazel asked, blowing up a few enemies made of shadows.

''I am human. As a human, I am viewed as weak by the likes of you. Even Issei Hyoudou chose to become a devil, abandoning that, what was left by his teacher.'' – Cao Cao spoke, narrowing his eyes. –''I am going to prove that humans are just as strong...no, stronger.''

''Facts are against you.'' – Azazel chuckled. –''To deny them is asinine. The humans are the weakest in the food chain.''

Cao Cao raised his spear, but his eyes went wide, seeing a white line cut through the sky.

''...Vali!'' – He made a che sound, and shouted to Georg. –''DO IT GEORG! Vali betrayed us!''

With a scream of pain – most likely from over-exertion, the golden chains shattered, and Yasaka went on a rampage, destroying everything in her path, as Cao Cao jumped on Azazel, relentlessly attacking him without mercy, not stopping for a second .

''Vali, how do we stop her?'' – Issei asked, as Vali raised his hand.

[DIVIDE!DIVIDE!DIVIDE!DIVIDE!]

The barrages of magic attacks from Loki were blocked, as Issei and Bikou teamed up to fight Yasaka.

''I am not sure, but you need to destroy Georg, he is the main guy for this!'' – Vali shouted back, his wings beginning to pulsate, scattering blue points of light everywhere, expending the excess power.

''We have to wait for La Fey and Arthur to come back. Let's hold her back for now, Red-Dragon-Emperor-chin!'' – Bikou spoke.

Issei shrugged, dodging a few tail swipes, kicking away some of the shadow monsters away. He looked around, trying to locate Georg.

His vision blurred, as he focused on the top of the Nijou castle, there he was, hiding the small kid behind him, as he fired magical attacks from above.

''Found him.'' – Issei shouted. –''Top of Nijou Castle!''

Yasaka swiped her giant paw down at Issei, who caught it, and held it up, denying Yasaka the chance to squish him. His armor creaked, as he tried to hold up the few tons of pressure – it was exhausting.

Suddenly, Bikou dashed right next to him, pushing him out, and placed his staff vertically, supporting Yasaka's paw, and suddenly making the staff ten times it's size, throwing Yasaka backwards.

''Vali, divide her!'' – Issei shouted, dashing towards his place, exchanging places, and bringing up both of his arms in a split second, reflecting a bunch of magical attacks, hearing [HALF-DIMENSION] in the background.

However, he would not hold for long, as he dashed closer to Loki, closing the gap with every burst of magical energy he could block and reverse – however, holding ''PHANTOM BULLET'' like a shield was exhausting...and something was wrong with Issei's left arm, as it was tingling.

''To fight the Red and White Dragon Emperor at the same time...wouldn't this be called rare? It's wonderful.''

[Boost!Booost!Booost!Booost!]

He didn't care, as he continued to boost his power, and suddenly his window of opportunity came, as Issei released the shield, taking full impact and lunged at Loki.

''Promotion:Rook!''

He flew through the magical barriers, catching on to Loki and him bringing him down into the dirt, punching him as hard as he could, using Ki and his muscle power. Loki was using norse magic to hit back, but his Rook piece was absorbing damage, and when his armor did crack, Ddraig repaired it.

''Dodge!'' – Vali shouted from above, as Issei backflipped away, and Vali crashed into Loki's face with his arm and grabbed it.

[Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide!]

Issei looked back, noticing the movement of Yasuka's tails. She had been up for a small while only, but once again, she had wreaked chaos, killing a bunch of devils and fallen angels.

''Fuck,fuck,fuck!'' – Issei shouted, coughing up blood. Looking downwards, he noticed a crack between his scale plates...

The pumping adrenaline, coupled with his high pain tolerance had made him assume that Loki's magic hadn't penetrated his defenses...but that didn't matter. He focused, and the pain ran away and the scale mail repaired itself.

Vali was thrown backwards, as Loki used a barrier spell, but that was cut apart by no-one other then Arthur, and as soon as the shield went down, he was assaulted by various magic attacks.

Issei raised his eye, noticing a blond girl on a broom, with a witches hat, and Yano, floating upside down, her feet touched the bottom of the broomstick.

They had finally returned.

''Where's the dog?'' – Vali shouted to Arthur.

''We ran into complications...'' – He responded, attacking Loki.

''Vali, we have a different problem...'' – Bikou shouted as well, trying to hold off Yasuka, and thus, Vali dashed towards him, trying to incapacitate her without hurting her.

Issei turned towards the castle, looking at Georg. If Yasaka was the leader of the laylines, then it was obvious that taking her power away was useless, because she could refill it from the laylines.

It was time to kill Georg.

[Boost!Boost!Boost!Boost!]

Issei dashed forwards, skipping around enemies and allies alike, including Saiaorg who was beating down on one of the smaller wolf-like creatures and his peerage, doing the same to the other.

[Booost!][Boost!Boost!Booost!Boost!]

Issei's eyes widened seeing old man Azazel fight Cao Cao with such ferocity, as he lunged towards the castle, and running up it.

With a leap, he was above Georg, who became scared out of his mind, as Issei's boosters kicked in, him landing in front of Georg.

A burst of magical power, layered magical seal barrier, but that could not stop Issei's fist, as it shattered through, but he was already gone. Issei looked downwards, noticing Georg at Cao Cao, who had stopped his duel with Azazel.

He was wheezing, his DownFall Dragon armor cracked in a few places.

Cao Cao and Georg exchanged a few words, and the small kid who was the creator of the shadow monsters was teleported away, and then Cao Cao spoke up, loudly.

''Ophis, why do you betray us? The Khaos Brigade?''

The floating girl landed near Azazel.

''I...did not betray you. Albion told me...that you are the ones who will betray me.''

Something...something that made Issei's skin crawl appeared from ground.

Wings, legs and arms all bolted to a cross...he looked like cross between a fallen angel and a asian dragon. His eyes were covered by a blindfold and he was crying blood.

Issei felt immeasurable feeling of pitch darkness, of despair and hopelessness. The thing scared him. More than anything else in the life.

But he was Issei Hyoudou. Ddraig. He was never afraid, and so, he leaped downwards, over to Ophis and Azazel.

''...Ophis. You are infinite. Your strength is only comparable to the Great Red...and yet, you don't understand. Because of that, I will take your power.''

[OOoooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo]

A moan from the creature behind them.

''This is Samael. Have you heard of Adam and Eve, Ophis?'' – Cao Cao asked her. –''...This is the snake that led humans astray.''

Issei's eyes widened in disbelief.

''Issei, under no kind of circumstances, don't ever let anything of that thing to touch you or Oph...''

He was cut off, as Cao Cao simply said two short words.

''Devour her.''

Georg raised his arm and something shot out from Samael.

''OPHIS, DODGE!'' – Issei shouted, but he was too late.

A giant, black tentacle hit Ophis square in the chest. Issei saw a bunch of snakes scatter, and Ophis was enveloped in a box of darkness, the single tentacle still connected to Samael.

''VALI GET THE FUCK OVER HERE!'' – Issei shouted. –''Get her out!''

It seemed as if Arthur was flying, as his sword went for the tentacle connecting the black box and Samael, but it was useless – even he couldn't cut it.

Vali touched the box and used his dividing power...and even that didn't work, before he was attacked by Loki again, who was laughing.

Issei's eyes narrowed.

Enough.

His mind could only think of one thing. If Georg was controlling the field and Samael...then he really, really needed to die.

[Booost!Booost!Booost!]

Issei dashed towards Georg, Cao Cao raising his spear, as he teleported in front of Issei, but Issei knew it.

''PHANTOM BULLET!'' – Issei shouted, raising her left arm, blocking the spear for a second and the next second he was gone.

He had moved his Ki to his legs, basically teleporting past Cao Cao, leaving an afterimage in front, and that gave Issei enough time to reach Georg.

His skills, his magic, the odd mist, nothing of his was enough to stop Issei, as his fist shattered through various magic circles and shields and met with his stomach.

Ki shattered, along with Georg's ribs and intestines. His heart, his liver, his spine, his lungs, everything inside of his stomach and chest ruptured. His statue crashed and crumbled and he began to bleed from every orifice.

''Georg!'' – Cao Cao shouted, but realized that it was useless, as he charged Issei, but was cut off by Azazel.

Issei turned to the side, looking at Cao Cao, and just as he was about to attack him, in hopes of helping Azazel, he heard a cough from the side. After a glance, Georg was on his knees...and on the edge of his death.

But something appeared near him, out of thin air, and was flung at Issei with magic. It was an arrow.

Issei raised his left arm, about to create a ''Phantom Bullet'', but his arm shone in a red lighting, and something inside cracked and crumbled. A stabbing sensation in his arm, and the arrow shattered against the left side of his head, going just between his middle and index finger.

His ''Phantom Bullet'' hadn't appeared. His left arm failed him.

His helmet shattered, as the arrow entered his iris, stabbing right through his eye and remaining there.

For a second, Issei didn't feel anything, only heard the laughing of Georg, as he teleported away, leaving a pool of blood behind.

Issei didn't worry about that. Georg was dead. There was no way he would survive. Not in that condition.

And then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Pain out of this world. Issei's body hit the ground, but he was screaming before that, as he clawed at his own face.

He vomited blood and his ears began to bleed.

He screamed loader, a scream of despair, and blacked out completely from the pain.

This was how death felt.

Vali widened his eyes, trying to understand why Issei was screaming, but relaxed slightly, when he noticed Saiaorg dashing over to him.

Saiaorg grabbed Issei's limp body, looking down into his open eyes. His right one was dull and brown, while the other had a small, black bolt stuck right into the middle of it, and it had become purple mixed with white.

It was rotting.

He pulled out the arrow, but the eye remained with a hole in it, showing a gruesome display, as Issei remained unconscious.

...but what Issei done seemingly had worked, as soon after Georg's disappearance Samael released his hold on Ophis, as the tentacle-like tongue fell back and the black square shattered.

Ophis was released. Her eyes tracked towards where Ddraig had been before, when he tried to help her. He had not tried to use her for power.

But alas, he was not there anymore. She looked around, noticing Cao Cao, in a fight Azazel, she looked more, noticing Vali with with Loki and then she noticed Issei. He was dying. Even Ddraig itself was slowly giving in.

She appeared next to Saiaorg.

''He, will die.''

She stated, blankly.

''Can you do anything to help him?''

''...'' – She stared blankly, and then leaned downwards, touching his uncovered, bleeding face. A bunch of purple snakes shot out, digging into his skin, making it crawl and move about.

She used more and more. Her strength had been cut considerably, but not completely.

''...Now, it is up to Ddraig himself.''

She stated, but Saiaorg was already up, fighting the second wolf-like creature, after all, the first one had been incapacitated.

He was laying on a shore. With every wave, blood hit his body and face. The sky was covered in checkered clouds. He was laying there, like a marionette with it's strings cut off.

Was this the end of the line? Was there nothing more to his power?

His bones cracked. His muscle tore. His ligaments snapped. His single eye moved. The left eye socket one was empty and rotten, oozing black, dark liquid.

''Are you giving up?'' – A woman's voice.

He shook his head, slowly.

''Then stand up.''

He couldn't.

''Didn't you make a promise to me?''

Issei's single eye looked upwards. There she was, standing strong and proud like she always did.

Margit.

''The power you want and need...it's right there, at your finger tips...you just need to take it.''

Issei rolled over, the blood hitting his face once more, as the waves passed, however, there was no power there. What was she talking about? His teacher wouldn't lie.

And thus, he understood. The blood was the power. So, how could he absorb it? How could he ''take'' it?

He began to drink the blood. He began to drink the sea dry. Slowly, his body recovered. His muscle and bone began to move, as he got on his knees and drank the blood, pouring it over his face with both hands. Slowly the red became purple, and then after a while, it was empty.

He remained on his knees, amidst an empty see, the disgusting, checkered clouds above him.

''Stand up, Issei.''

And thus, he did. The world around him shifted and bent, as the sound of Margit going away echoed and the world came into picture. Issei blinked a few times, his eyes blurry and...

No. His single eye was blurry and out of focus. It came back slowly, as he was standing in the middle of a battle field, that was slowly crumbling.

By his feet, Ophis was unconscious.

Samael was gone, but Issei had to assume that he was hit by the same poison that Ophis had been, only in a very, very smaller amount.

Azazel was pushed back, sliding along the ground, but Cao Cao was tired. Vali shattered Loki towards Cao Cao, as he caught him. The small kid was missing, and the shadow monsters were as well.

Most of the angels, devils and fallen angels were dead or severely injured, but also most of Khaos Bridage's fighters were. Only the strongest ones remained.

Vali landed next to Issei and took Ophis in his hands.

''...Can you hear me?''

He nodded.

''Azazel, you still here?''

''Yeah, boy.'' – He said, slowly getting up.

Suddenly, a crunch, and the dead body of a wolf-like creature stained the shattered ground. Saiaorg and his peerage, covered in blood, cuts and scrapes emerged from the sideline. Some couldn't, but Saiaorg's queen and rooks accompanied him.

So basically, all that was left was Cao Cao and Loki and the few of the stronger magicians and fighters of the Khaos Brigade versus what was left of Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels, including Azazel, Vali and his team, Saiaorg and a few of his peerage, and Issei.

Bikou and Arthur were still battling the rampaging Yasaka.

Issei coughed up more blood. He was in pain. So much pain. The world was spinning, he was dizzy and his eye was blurring up.

''...Vali...get her away.'' – Issei spoke.

''You should. You're the one who is the most hurt...''

He was cut off by Issei. –''Vali, I can't teleport.''

''Yano, LaFey, get her away.''

''Of course.'' – Yano took her in her hands, not floating upside-down anymore. She looked at Issei, and then disappeared along with LaFey.

''Can you fight?'' – Vali asked.

''Mhm.'' – Issei responded.

Cao Cao looked around, at the fighters, at their convicted faces, and their lack of fear...and at Issei, who was standing, not dead from the Samael's poison.

''You are ridiculous, Issei Hyoudou.'' – Cao Cao said.

Issei didn't answer. His vocal cords didn't want to listen to him properly.

Cao Cao knew that this fight was over. He had got the power of Ophis, but at a giant price. He knew the field would collapse real soon.

He had to retreat...

...but a single glance at Loki revealed that he didn't want to.

''Help me, Saiaorg.'' – Azazel spoke, looking at Issei and Vali. –''You deal with Loki. Rest, deal with the remaining.

Vali looked at Issei. His armor was cracked, the helmet was completely gone and he was bleeding. His left eye was disgusting and looked like it was rotting. Something black was spilling from the eye, scarring his face slightly.

But he stood, without fear.

Vali's blue eyes met Issei one, dull brown and they both nodded.

Both Issei and Vali were at Loki's throat in a split second, their speeds went unmatched, but Issei was faster than before. Issei punched Loki in the stomach, Ki suddenly spinning around, and it turned purple.

A whirlwind of purple, as Loki was thrown at the ground, where Vali punched him the back, throwing him back to Issei who was surrounded in the purple aura...

It was Ki, but it was different. More controlled, stronger maybe? But Issei didn't care. It was power. Strong power that he could take and take and take, without a care. It was a well of power.

A bundle of magic attacks hit Issei straight on, but he remained unmoved.

He roundhouse kicked Loki in the head, throwing him along the ground, where Vali grabbed him by the arm, as he tried to recover.

''What is that ridiculous power signature? Ophis?'' – Loki asked, while bleeding from his nose, not minding Vali.

[Divide!Divide!Divide!]

''Hold him.'' – Issei grunted, getting into a battle stance.

He imagined the boosting power of his gear. That was always enough to get a boost of power. In balance breaker, he would get boosted more than once...

...so why wasn't Ddraig responding to his calling?

''Ddraig! Boost me!'' – Issei shouted, seemingly to himself.

No one answered.

[Ddraig is unconcious, Hyoudou.]

A deep voice resonated from a blue jewel on Vali's armor.

Was that Albion speaking?

[He fought against Samael's poison, but it left him incapacitated.]

Then that meant he needed more power from his Ki, from the sea of blood. He brought more, more and more. The purple Ki surrounded his arm and he dashed at Loki, who was thrown towards Issei by Vali.

With a scream, Issei met Loki's stomach. A whirlwind shattered, but that wasn't the only thing that shattered.

''Hyoudou-!'' – Vali shouted, but he was grabbed by Loki, as they both teleported away.

He tried to follow, but couldn't.

''Shit,shit...'' – Vali shouted, turning to Azazel, as he dashed at Cao Cao, who noticing that, simply said two words.

''BALANCE BREAK!''

The aura alone threw them all backwards.

It was raining, in the dimension that Loki had teleported Issei to. Loki was still clutching to Issei, but was kicked off as soon as they hit the ground.

They both rolled along the ground, in opposite dirrections.

''Hahahahaha...'' – Loki laughed, slowly getting up, as Issei puked more blood, unable to get up. –''Did you seriously not realize it?''

Something slid down Issei's face, just under his left eye. He touched there...and understood that it was his eye, rotting out. A black, rotting space remained where his left eye had been.

''You used the power of Ophis, a legendary Dragon whilst cursed and poisoned by Samael...Red Dragon Emperor...you are finished.''

He moved slowly towards him. He was damaged and tired, his magic reserves almost depleted.

Closer and Closer.

Issei was still struggling to get up. Ddraig wasn't answering. He puked up more blood, but there was still a chance – to destroy himself more.

More pain flared, as he screamed and used Ophis power, raising his right arm.

''PHANTOM BULLET!"' – Blood splattered as he screamed, throwing Loki backwards, as he crawled upwards on his two legs and began to run. His small arteries in the legs shattered, as his armor creaked, him running away along the marble ground.

Far, Far and Further away.

Ki could be used to heal, right? So he tried to heal himself by collecting Ki from the surroundings as he ran.

Run, run, run away, as you always do.

It wasn't working. It hurt more and more. It felt as if his brain was getting prodded by nails, as if his heart was being strangled and as if his veins were made out of melting lava.

Was the poison circulating through his system?

Can you escape the pain, Issei? Will the pain stop once you run away as far as you can?

How far had he ran? 10 miles? 20 miles? 30?

You always were like this, weren't you? When you were not strong enough, you ran. And you have never been enough. Look, look at the horizon.

He looked. The horizon was filled with checkered clouds.

''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!'' – He screamed.

Was he hallucinating?

He tripped, rolling along the ground, shattering through a building. He knew Loki would be soon on his lead.

He tried to get up, but his legs were caught by something and he puked more blood.

''Give me back my strenght!My power! MY BODY! You piece of shit-!''

It was Levente. His rotting fingers grabbing Issei's ankles, his statue coming out of from the blood red ground.

''OFF ME, OFF ME, OFF ME!'' – Issei screamed in despair.

The world turned white. Only the checkered clouds remained in the sky, and the ground was bleeding red.

''You promised me, Issei. You promised me you would help...that you would save me, that you would take my body and mAkE It wHOLe AGain...'' – Her red hair appeared first, but then her calloused fingers caugt on to Issei's legs, together with Levente.

''I'm trying, I'm trying...sorry...sorry...'' - Tears ran down from his right eye.

He tried to back away, shuffling his legs and body backwards, but was caught by someone else there. Dead cold fingers, straw yellow hair.

''Let's play, Issei-chan.''

More and more corpses latched onto his body. He knew who they all were. People he had killed before in his life.

''Give it to me, your body...it's MINE ANYWAYS!''

''GiVE it, giVE IT, GIVE IT!''

''whY DID you Kill me?''

''It hurts mommy, it hurts so much...help me...''

''I fight for my family.''

''You're gonna carry that burden.''

You are just like me, Issei Hyoudou.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!

MY BODY IS MINE MY BODY IS MINE MY BODY IS MINE MY BODY IS MINE

IT IS MINE, NO ONE ELSES.

I AM STRONG.

I AM STRONG.

I AM STRONG.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT AWAY

I TOOK IT FIRST, SO YOU CAN'T TAKE IT, NEVER.

IT IS NOT MY FAULT I KILLED YOU! YOU WERE WEAK, BUT I WAS STRONG

THE STRONG DEVOUR THE WEAK. THE STRONG TAKE FROM THE WEAK.

THE STRONG RULE, THE WEAK OBEY.

MINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINE

MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME!

STRENGTH-!

STRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTH-!

Issei's cracked gauntlets clutched the ground as he barely could get up, trying to shake off the corpses and their grasps, but he could only take two steps before he clutched his head, screaming in despair and pain, him falling to the ground.

His body teared in different directions, his vision went fuzzy, his hearing cut out, only white and checkered remained...

''SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!"'

And he screamed at the sky, tearing his vocal cords, as the rain was only soaking his cracked armor, his white, dirty and soaked hair, even spilling into his rotten eye socket.

...Yo. It is done. No more half-measures. It is happening. From now on, Broken Wings enter the last part of it. The breakdown of the king, the fall of the mighty. Betrayal on every corner, doubt, pain.

Will your favorite girl survive? Will she come out undamaged from this?

Issei's left arm has never been tested rigorously after Kuroka grafted new magic circuits for him. It makes sense.

The monsters of those days.

Leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter, I really appreciate it. All questions are answered as well~

See you next time.