~Chapter 3: Chaos dawns beyond the horizon~
Oh divine Etro, you who rescued me from the darkness of despair
By your will and grace I shall carry out your holy will
And stand guard at the Gate to the Unseen Realm
For it is my duty as your Holy Knight. And my duty as your Messenger of Death to punish the wicked
Rest easy great goddess of death for we shall stand by your legacy
It had been roughly three years since Issei was rescued by Etro on the verge of death, and made himself a home at her Temple in Valhalla. Once Issei awoke he was surprised to find that he was no longer Devil but rather a mix between dragon and something more.
And that to the fact that he woke up in strange silver armor with a cape of white swan feathers attached to his waist, and a mysterious sword that also turns into a gun. He thought that he was to guard Etro alone. But boy was he wrong.
Upon his arrival he was greeted by the non-friendly Lightning Farron. She was the original Knight of Etro before the goddess of death had decided to enlist Issei's help as well. And that was Issei and Lightning's task. To guide the souls of the dead that enter the world as well as fight the creatures of Chaos that do show up at their shores from time to time.
But it was here in this strange realm where no one has even heard of the Red Dragon Emperor. This was a place where Issei could get a fresh start. Here he wasn't Issei Hyoudou the Red Dragon Emperor, in the world of Valhalla he was Issei, a Knight of Etro, and the goddess's Messenger of Death.
Even Issei had to admit that it felt good to stand on his own power and not rely on other's.
In order to adjust to this new power and form he trained with Lightning, day in and day out, his fellow Knight working him to the bone until Issei was a skilled master at wielding magic as well as his very own holy gunblade modeled after Lightning which he dubbed Whitethorn.
Currently Issei and Lightning stood on opposite ends of the battlefield. Both of them bathed in sweat from their intense training session they had mere moments ago. "Your improving quite well, though your defense magic could use a little work."
Issei snorted. Lightning always did enjoy criticizing Issei's every move. "Sorry, I'm used to a fighting style where it's unleash all of your power and not give your opponent a chance to attack."
Lightning placed a hand on her hip. "Well you better fix that quick as defense magic is key. This isn't like your stray Devils and Fallen Angel's your used to fighting in your world. Here we must protect the goddess as well as the world from the Chaos. One slip up from either of us and we have the ending of the world on are hands!"
Issei nodded. "I am well aware of are task Lightning. Etro filled me in on everything remember?" Lightning shook her head. "Whatever, come on it's time for patrol." Issei nodded silently as he followed Lightning into one of the temple's many corridors.
After Issei was dropped into Valhalla he immediately went through a drastic change in personality. For starters he dropped the lecherous crap immediately as any perverted thoughts he had about Lightning were immediately beat out of him. Literally.
Issei took this job very seriously, and he wasn't about to screw it up now, especially if him slipping up would result in Ragnarok.
Walking alongside Lightning onto one of the balconies that overlooked the Unseen Realm he couldn't help but be touched by it's beauty. Though the realms sky was almost always perpetually grey, the realm was relatively calm and peaceful. The center of Valhalla, the Temple of the Goddess Etro rested just below the Unseen Gate. The portal between the realm of the living and the dead. Very convenient if Issei thinks about it seeing as he has to protect both Etro and the gate.
"What is that!", Lightning barked in what appeared to be outrage. Issei's eyes narrowed as he spotted something rising from the ocean. At once Etro's guardian Eidolon's flew towards the invading force. Though Issei couldn't tell what it was he felt immense dark chaotic power rising from the depths.
Stepping out onto the shore was a man with long dark violet hair, a smug grin on his face. In his hand was a large demonic looking blade with a pulsing crimson red eye at the center. Issei could feel the killing intent being broadcasted by Lightning.
"So that's him, the goddess's fated rival", Issei began as his eyes narrowed at the sight of the man on the beach. "Caius Ballad."
Caius looked up at Issei and Lightning, grinning like a mad man as he aimed his sword now wreathed in lavender flames. "Warrior gods, I have come to slay your goddess. Prove your self to me in a fight of champions!"
Issei and Lightning didn't need to say anything. They know what they had to do. Lightning summoned Overture as Issei brandished Whitethorn, the two Knight's of Etro jumping a great distance from the balcony of Etro's Temple. "Odin!" Lightning called out as a large rune of Etro Script appeared in a flourish of light in the middle of the sky.
Pouring forth from the rune was Lightning's Eidolon. Odin. The great Eidolon was in it's Gestalt form. A majestic steed that Lightning now rode armed and ready towards Caius. Even when she's not trying to she looks awesome, Issei thought.
As the ground was quickly coming into view Issei thought it was time for him to call upon is Eidolon as well. "Skadi!" Issei called out as a rune of Etro Script appeared as well. And from the vortex of magic a large sleek silver mechanical wolf leaped forward to catch Issei and lead him into battle.
Lightning and Caius were already clashing swords. The latter leaping into the air and unleashing a barrage of dark energy balls towards Lightning. The rose haired Knight of Etro raised her shield, a barrier of spectral energy deflecting the magic.
As Issei rode in on Skadi he shifted Whitethorn into it's gun form, the holy Knight firing bullets that Caius easily deflected with the blunt side of his blade, all whilst keeping a cocky grin on his face.
His blade was again glowed purple with dark magic as he prepared to cast a spell. "Husk of the wandering comet. I summon thee!"
Caius raised his sword to the sky and instantly a beam of purple light shot upwards and created a large rune. Issei couldn't help but look in awe and fear as large mounds of rock started floating in the air. From the rune falling meteorites began raining down from the sky and crashing into the earth.
Astride Odin Lightning leaped from rock to rock closer towards Caius. Issei however had an much faster way to go about it. "Skadi, Gestalt mode, secondary shift." The mechanical wolf Eidolon nodded as it leaped into the air in one bound, the mystic creature shifting into the form of a sleek silver hawk. Issei grinned as he flew high into the sky well above Caius.
Jumping off his Eidolon Issei brandished Whitethorn ready to confront the dark knight. "Caius Ballad!", Issei roared as he and Caius crossed blades, the two swords of power sparked heat as the two began swinging and dodging attacks. Caius's attacks being a bit slow but powerful while Issei had quick well coordinated strikes to build up energy.
Catching Issei by surprise he supercharged his sword and dashed towards Issei. The Knight of Etro's eyes widened in surprise as he brought his sword up to defend himself. The force of Caius's attack knocked him backwards onto the ground.
Just as Caius was about to land a blow on Issei the form of Lightning flew up into the air. "Caius!", Lightning shouted in fury. Caius turned to face Lightning who he slashed at with his sword, a shockwave of dark energy hurling towards her.
Using her shield and magic combined Lightning blocked the attack effectively before deflecting the attack towards Caius's rune. The dark energy wave destroying Caius's spell, causing everything to begin to fall and collapse.
Lightning then dove towards Caius who brought his sword up and blocked the rose haired knights attack. The two exchanged quick blows before Issei joined the fray, but somehow Caius still managed to block their attacks and push them back with full force.
"The goddess chose her protectors well. I consider you two great adversaries, but alas this…is where are battle comes to an end."
Moving as quick as light Issei shot forth with Whitethorn, Caius seeing this move from a mile away grabbed Issei's blade at the last second. Issei's once cocky grin turned into a grimace. "It is time I show you all the true power of darkness."
Over Caius's heart a bright red glow came to life. Issei's eyes widened as he jumped back. "That glow!? It cannot be!?"
"Cast your shadow over all. Wings of night!" An wave of dark power was unleashed that knocked Lightning and Issei backwards. As the two were safely caught by their Eidolons the swirling violet mist wrapping around Caius slowly ebbed away to reveal a large dark figure with glowing red eyes. The creature howled as it disbursed the violet plumes and revealed it's large Titan like form.
It was a Eidolon Issei had only read about in the Eidolon Compendium kept in the vault of knowledge in Etro's Temple. Chaos Bahamut. The large beast roared as it went straight after Lightning and Odin, chasing after the two closer towards Etro's Temple.
Oh no Light—!?", Issei's thought was interrupted as a large sphere of dark magic blasted him and Skadi into the side of a large stone building. Issei and Skadi emerged from the rubble to see a levitating Caius Ballad, his eyes glowing a bright demonic red. "Finally, a one on one fight between me against Etro's legendary Messenger of Death." Issei smirked as Skadi flared up, her large metallic wings wrapping around Issei protectively.
"It's nice to know my reputation proceeds me. But you must've known coming here was suicide." Issei leaped high into the air, Skadi right behind him. "By the grace of Etro, a hail of arrows so swift and true, only a goddess of the hunt can validate such a righteous attack!"
Skadi's body was bathed in a light silver aura and she flapped her great wings unleashing a hail of metallic feathers covered in silver energy. As Caius deflected the feathers on impact they exploded with energy until it knocked Caius off kilter giving Issei a chance to attack. Readying his sword he casted his spell charging up a ball of magical energy.
"Ruinaga!", he roared as he fired the blast of energy, the dark warrior unable to block as the blast of energy knocked him down into the beach of Valhalla, a large crater now stood where he lay. Issei turned to Skadi who nodded to him as they flew down towards the large crater whilst keeping a watchful eye.
As a light rumbling was heard Caius rose from the crater, this time physical damage was shown as he had cuts and bruises and a lot of his uniform was ripped up to expose bruised flesh. "The tales of your power prove true", he said in reverence. Issei shrugged his shoulders.
"Goddess Etro chose me for a reason, the same as Lightning."
Caius chuckled darkly as his eyes glinted with something animalistic and feral. "You do indeed possess incredible power, but why do you fight for Etro? Why do you fight for that Pulse fal'Cie?"
Issei already had an answer. It was the same one from since he arrived here. "Because Etro saved me from a world of despair. She showed me what true strength is. And I intend to do my job as her Knight and protect her. Even if that means killing you", Issei pointed Whitethorn at Caius for emphasis.
The dark warrior just laughed. "You've spent to long in this world Issei Hyoudou. I think it's high time you return to your world", his eyes glinted once more as he said in almost a whisper, "Red Dragon Emperor."
Issei's eyes widened in surprise as he stumbled back, giving time for him to charge a spell of immense dark power. "From the depths of shadows that flow through space and time, banish and disgrace a most humble Knight!"
Before Issei could through up a barrier Caius launched his spell that exploded with a large crack that sounded more like thunder. Suddenly a powerful pull tugged on Issei.
A portal!, he deduced as he struggled to fight against it, but his feet were slipping and the air was to strong. After holding for several seconds an extremely powerful gust of wind pulled him in. And then all he saw was black.
Issei's eyes fluttered open, a blinding light shinning in his face. Issei grumbled as he picked himself up. All his armor and stuff was in tact, Whitethorn laying beside him.
Issei grabbed the gunblade and made the weapon disappear. Looking around he found that he was an a alleyway that he'd never seen before.
Where am I?, Issei wondered as he walked towards the alleyway entrance opening out into the sidewalk. Eyes darting around Issei's eyes widened at the world around him. Normal people walking down the street and driving cars.
Issei couldn't believe it. Caius Ballad had sent him back to his world.
Back to Kuoh City.
A/N: Hey everyone it's Steven (not my real name by the way but let's role with it), It took me literally forever to write this because writing fight scenes are hard enough but to implement another character that was supposed to be a 1v1 is exhausting.
Special shout out to those who reviewed and gave me feedback I really appreciate it. And also I want to have romance in this story but I don't know who. If it's going to be harem (which I've never written before), then it would probably be some of the DxD girls from Rias's peerage and maybe Serafall Leviathan, another mystery girl that I can't say yet, or Lightning.
It would be really nice to see some Issei x Etro. Wait? Is that I thing? Can I MAKE THAT A THING!? Also let me know if you guys have any suggestions and also leave reviews, (they make me feel validated lol). Until next time.