Chapter 15: A Happy Talk
Issei ran through the halls trying to find the mess hall before Russ only for the great wolf to be right on his tail. Russ found herself trying to catch up with Issei granted she wasn't attempting her fullest but she needed to put in a little effort. Issei was at a disadvantage not knowing where everything was but his nose was following the smell of food. Issei then found a fork in the path as the two hallways split into different ways. Issei had to trust his gut so he took the right way his instinct was right as his eyes could see a giant pair of brown wooden doors straight ahead. Issei smiled as he was close to the entrance. He turned his head only to see Russ quickly catching up to him. Issei was so close to the door that with one mighty push, he reached for the door handles. Everything went in slow motion as he looked to his right to see Russ's hand shot past him and reached for the handle. The Wolf Queen knew playtime was over and let an ounce of her strength out. Issei watched as Russ's hand reached only seconds away from touching the handle. Then in a blink of an eye, the gloved hand of Jaghatai Khan swopped in, gripped the door handle, and flung the two doors open. Issei's eyes couldn't believe how fast The Khan moved. Russ stopped in the room while Issei almost tripped on the floor but soon found his footing again. Issei caught his breath and looked up at the Khan.
"Wow, you- move pretty- quickly." Issei said between breaths. The Khan then smirked at the two as she was the first to the food hall. Russ gritted her teeth but slowly her grin soon dissipated when she realized she wasn't the last one here.
"It looks like I'm second Issei which means you're the rotten egg so HA!" Russ said, celebrating her victory. Issei had a small smile on his face. He was honestly surprised that they took him up on his childish behavior. Issei smiled at Russ and sighed in defeat.
"Well, I guess I am," Issei said giving them a changing. "But ill beat you guys next time."
Russ's grin only grew at Issei's determination and she soon brought her face close to his though her intimidating aura should've pushed him down. Issei stood his ground and looked her in the eyes.
"I'm hoping for it," Russ said as she soon backed away. "I want to see how people fight in your universe but I'm starting to get a little peckish, how about you? you must be quite hungry after the battle keeps hearing about."
"I wouldn't mind. Rogal did force me to eat a lemon so I wouldn't mind getting the taste out of my mouth." Issei admitted. He turned and smelt the smells of the mess hall, his mouth dropped to see many exotic foods on large tables, stone trays that had roasted meat, dried fish, alien-like fruits, and vegetables.
Issei felt himself wanting to cry tears of joy. The benches and tables were made out of Aspen logs though they were quite big. Issei felt his mouth start to salivate at the meal prepared. Issei was about to ask to eat only for Russ to walk past him and sit herself down. She ripped off the leg of a roasted what looked to be a quadruped animal. She then bit into the juicy meat. The Khan sat on the opposite side of Russ. Guilliman stood by the doorway to listen in on the conversation meanwhile Logar sat quietly at another table. The Khan took part in the feast, grabbing one of the many bowls of strange food and grabbing a cooked crustacean of some kind. She cracked the shell to tear into the white meat inside. Issei watched the two eating without a care in the world; they ate like warriors eating to the fullest and enjoying it.
No manners but all the joys in the world were for them.
"Are you going to watch or are you going to eat?" The Khan asked, not even taking her eyes off the meal in front of her. Issei perked up at her cool voice. Issei walked over to the bench and climbed onto the seat. He could see an empty stone plate. He was about to reach for a bowl of dry fish only for a black armored hand to reach it for him. Issei turned to see Corvus put the bowl closer to him. Issei was a bit spooked by her sudden appearance; it was like she just came out of thin air.
"Here let me get that for you, I apologize for the disproportionate size of things around here but I assumed you might have guessed that already." Corvus said. There was no malice or condescending tone in her voice; she was just trying to show hospitality.
Issei couldn't help but think of Konrad every time he looked at Corvus; the two could honestly pass as twins if they tried. Though Corvus did have lighter skin than Konrad. Issei then heard the sound of a wooden cup set on the table. Issei looked to his left to see Konrad had put the cup by him. Issei smiled knowing one of his friends was there.
Konrad took a set by Russ across from Issei. Russ then noticed something was missing from Konrad's attire, she was missing her human skin-loathing cloth that was worn over her armor. Logar sat quietly at another table.
"You should eat Issei before your food gets cold." Konrad voices her concern. Issei gladly nodded back to Konrad. He grabbed one of the dry fish and took a big bite. His eyes widened in delight. The seasoning on this was perfect like he was eating a chip. He giggled in delight as they never had food this good.
"Enjoying Vulkan cooking are we?" Horus asked, her voice sounding happy to see Issei already being taken care of. Issei turned to see Horus holding another bench to sit by them. Corvus rolled her eyes and dashingly sat by Issei.
"Oh man, she sure is one heck of a cook." Issei said in delight as he took another bite from the food in front of him.
"Well we wouldn't want our guest of honor to feel uncomfortable now would we." Horus said.
Horus was a tactical genius when figuring out people while her natural charisma was nothing to scoff at either. Horus wanted to know what kind of person Issei was so she could better sway them to the imperium side. Issei enjoyed the hospitality but he had a downcast expression.
"Thanks, Hours but I wouldn't mind just being a regular guest." Issei said hoping he wouldn't get any special treatment, Horus could see the humbleness coming from Issei. Horus appreciated that Issei had a humble nature. Russ had a mighty grin on her face.
"Come now Issei I'm sure you wouldn't mind the special treatment. I mean you did help Angron from her suffering." Russ said to Issei. Russ didn't understand why Issei was against the spoiling praise, especially if it was coming from them because legions of space marines would have killed for it. Issei just felt that it was undeserved for him.
"Well, I don't want you guys to be forced to respect me just because of one thing but I am happy to have helped Angron, and besides I still have to help you guys get home. " Issei said. Russ liked Issei's reasoning and also the kind hand he wanted to lend.
"Well at least give us the honor of feeding you," Horus said joyfully partaking in the feast. Issei awkwardly scratches the back of his head. Then the growling sound of his stomach drew everyone's attention. "I guess I can't really deny the hospitality," Issei said, trying not to flutter in embarrassment. The Khan smirked at Issei.
"Or is it perhaps your stomach that cannot deny our hospitality." The Khan jokingly teased making Issei laugh at The Khan's jab. Issei started to eat more of the food.
"Well, I certainly can't argue with that." Issei said as he ate to his heart's content. Horus gave Issei a curious gaze as a question popped into her mind.
"So Issei as someone who's dealt with the supernatural before, I'm sure you have quite the amazing stories?" Horus asked and she then coyly tapped the table. "You have quite the adventures back where you are from don't you."
"Well yay but it can't be as awesome as your guy's storys." Issei said.
Horus had a light bulb pop off in her mind.
"Hey, I have a grand idea Issei let's swap stories you go first and we go second," Horus suggested. Issei liked the sound of that and how could he say no, these people traveled across space there had to be some amazing tales from them. Russ took a swig from her mug and slammed her fist down on the table shaking it. Guilliman immediately walked to the table in concern for Issei's safety. Rough housing was a specialty of Russ.
"LET'S DO IT!" Russ shouted in excitement. Issei smiled and raised his cup to the cry of the wolf queen.
"HECK YAY PARTY!" Issei yelled back.
The room started to feel like a party and the tall tales were about to begin. But out in the cold warp, others felt different rather than celebrate they waited for a message.
Deep within the Warp.
The realm of blood and skulls could have many gory mind-melting horrors to the naked eye but there was one dominant color that was in every pigment in this realm and it was Crimson.
The land ran with rivers of blood, the Reflective liquid was like a red mirror. The ground was littered with the bones in bodies.
Thunderstorms struck with rageful shouts. Demons of blood and rage ran a muck in this realm. War constantly erupted in every inch of this place as hordes of demons ripped each other apart just for the action alone. One sat above the neverending carnage. This being of black metal and dark smoke sat on a behemoth throne made of skulls. This being who sat on his throne was Khorne. A deity of bloodshed and murder.
He sat in silence watching below the endless war before him. Khorne watched kills for centuries and only wished for an endless war of bloodshed. Though his subjects below brought much satisfaction the truth was it wasn't enough.
He wished for the great plan to come to fruition already. All this waiting around was killing him. Not to mention Tzeentch was acting more quiet than usual.
The sound of war flooded the realm only for it to be whisked away as the sky grew darker. He thought this was a realm of blood and murder there was still a shadow in the land. Khorne's eyes darted to the sky to feel an uncomfortable silence take over the land.
All the demons could feel this world get colder while a slow rumbling shocked this world. The sound of the earth cracking echoed throughout the world. Khorne's eyes narrowed to the horizon to see a shadow swallow the light and in a flash, the shadow completely eclipsed the realm in eternal darkness.
Then a force of great magnitude pushed through the land whispering pie thing to them all. Despite the complex nature of language, Khorne understood every word with great detail.
"He who made dark has returned."
The shadows soon vanished from the domain, and all of the demons went silent only for the crack of bone to appear on the skull throne. Tiny cracks on the skull throne. Then many more cracks started to appear on the Thorne the sound of breaking echoed for the skull throne was damaged.
All the demons waited for the rageful scream of their lord only to hear a soft chuckle escape the mouth of Khone.
"I can't wait for us to meet." Khorne said as his voice ripped through the warp itself. Soon all of the demon subjects saw the joy in his eyes. Every single demonic present went into a complete frenzy as blood had begun to rain from the sky. The sound of war was now tenfold louder. Thorne picked up a blood letter by the neck.
"Bring my greatest warrior to this being and send them alone," Khorne said his voice was like the sound of blades clashing. The bloodletter nodded and quickly ran off to find them.
Khorne smiled and looked at the red-soaked sky. The great plan was in shamble he could feel the paths of old being destroyed. He felt the loss of a major champion while the birth of a new war on a galaxies wide scale.
"I can't wait for the blood to spill between us maker of shadows." Khorne bellowed in great joy ready for the bloodshed yet to come.
The realm of Nurgle was full of nothing but rot and disease. The demonic disease of this realm would kill anything in mere moments. Forrest of decay and the fungal monstrosity that lived within them joyfully spread more death. The air was so thick with a stench to breathe it would be like drowning in rot.
The foul beast that enjoyed and roamed this region played happily while spreading as much plague as they could. This was the garden of Grandfather Nurgle. The Chaos God of plague and rot.
Nurgle sat by a giant black cauldron full of a new sickness and corruption that could kill many when released into the galaxy. Nurgle was a killer of a trillion but in truth, he loved everyone for only the living can bring rot and decay. By Nurgle's side, a shimmer of white light came from a cage of rot. An Eldar was locked in this cage.
Her blonde hair always shined while she was clothed in a white dress that reached her ankles. She wore a silver crown that had sharp angles that gave it an elegant style. Isha, the Goddess of healing sat in silence as endured the sickness around her. Isha a kind and gentle being of healing was now the test subject of Nurgle for any new plague he had made. Nurgle had loved Isha in his own sick and twisted way. Nurgle shared that love by giving sickness. Nurgle looked towards his beloved and smiled with his rotten sharp teeth.
"What is wrong my love, can't you feel the scourge in the air, it's absolutely festering today," Nurgle said with such sweet delight.
"Yes, it is," Isha said quietly with no tone in her voice. She knew that staying with Nurgle was for her own protection. The many other elder Gods had been slayed by she who thirsts. Nurgle protected her but at the cost of neverending torture. Nurgle scooped up a glowing green liquid from the cauldron.
"Isha, look at here I've found a new way to spread my affliction let me show you," Nurgle said slowly walking towards Isha ready to infect her.
Before Nurgle could do anything the sky darkened making Nurgle stop and look at the sky. His bloated eyes could see no green had shown only a pitch-black glow. The air starts to become cold and lifeless the stench in the air vanishes as a chilly breeze of wind blew it away. Isha for the first time in centuries could take a fresh breath of air.
Nurgle felt himself drop the liquid in his hand. Nurgle turned toward his garden to see that many of the living monstrous became lifeless. Fungus and bacteria were starting to shrivel up and perish. Death was here and it wasn't the same fate Nurgle would give but things were dying by themselves. It was like time itself was reaping what it was owed.
Death was reaping the garden and demise was being brought by the shadows. Nurgle looked on in horror as the shadows ripped apart many of the creations of Nurgle.
Gurgle looked in horror as the suffering in his garden was ending. Isha would have let out a laugh but wonder what being was cable of this.
"Nooooooo!" Nurgle screamed.
Then a wave of shadow rushes through Nurgle and Isha only giving them a message.
"He Who Made Dark has returned."
Both of them were alarmed by the message, not from the news but by the execution of the answer. This was no declaration of war only a message saying a new being was here. Isha began to worry because if Nurgle revived the news that would mean she wouldn't be far behind in receiving it.
Nurgle fell to his knees only thinking how thousands of years of creating illness, disease, infection, and disorder was down the drain. That's when he felt the great plan had ended something was wrong. Isha looked to see her tormentor clench his fist.
"I will give you a plague to even scare the shadows," Nurgle growled as she left Isha alone in her cage. Isha hid her smile at Nurgle's suffering. Isha looked to the ground to see something sporting in her shadow. Isha could see a black flower bub hiding in her shadow. Isha curiously went to touch it only for the vines of the flower to gently warp around her fingers. Isha softly giggled at the action as the flower opened itself up to show a message written on the flower.
"I greet you, goddess of life I apologize for your current situation but do not worry I watch from all shadows, and one day he shall free you but you must wait for him, never give up for I am close beside you, From Que."
Isha in a rare moment in this dark age gave a gentle smile as a single tear dripped down her eye.
Many find in joy almost anything though some individuals will take it beyond the climax and that addiction spirals out of control, creating a vacuum of deprivation. Nothing will fill that void but you may prolong it until the next high. This was a realm of pleasure, obsession, and excess.
That was most of the inhabitants of this realm, demos of pure debauchery. Drugs of unimaginable highs, music that would blow out your eardrums, and horrible acts of sexual activity that would be more like assaults than acts of love.
The realms of this place had seven layers each one representing the apex of desire. Though at the very bottom of this realm of torture was the domain of the ruler of this realm. Her name was Slaanesh, the queen of pleasure. She was doing what she always did, feasting on the souls of the pleased. Her body was silky and smooth, her skin a beautiful purple, her long white hair shined like pearls, and her slim face was perfect having features from both was Slaanesh the Chaos God of pleasure and freedom. Slayer of the Eldar pantheon and mad queen of pleasure.
She indulged in her majesty's castle while the scream of pain and joy echoed through the castle halls. She took a long satisfied sigh as she looked at the table of many foods and pleasures in front of her. Slaanesh knew of the great plan and soon it would come to pass, not even the Emperor could stop the fate of the galaxy from being burned down. She smiled at the strings of fate that weaved themself to destruction.
The screams in the castle walls stopped immediately drawing Slaanesh's attention away from her meal. She looked into the hallways to see no demons dancing for her enjoyment. The feeling of coldness hit her, nothing like a refreshing cool cold. The feeling of numbness passed over her. Slaanesh's eyes widened as the feeling of nothing took over her. Her eye darted across the room to see all of the shadows in the realm warp and break anything special into a boring mundane object. Gold and jewels became stone. The softness and pain became dull to the senses, and many of the demons in the realm panicked as the feeling of nothing to over.
The sky of infinite color turned into a boring gray. The food became gray mush while all happiness and pain became still. Slaanesh looked to the hallway to see a mass of shadows shooting right toward her. Slaanesh used the warp to blast this shadow into nothing. The beam of light shot into the shadow only for it to slowly approach her. Slaanesh supported blades from her arms and charged the darkness before the blades could make contact. The shadow blew up and washed her in the darkness.
Her eyes widened as a single message played.
"He who made dark has returned."
Slaanesh flew to the cattle floor and had to breathe as the shadow vanished away. The whole realm had become quiet. One of the loyal subjects ran toward her side to check if she was okay. Slaanesh gritted her teeth; she was made a fool by this being and by the will of the warp itself she would skin this being alive. Her eyes glowed with venomous hatred. The subject backed away in fear. Slaanesh needed her best warrior to find whatever did this so she may have the pleasure of killing it herself.
"Get me Albedo now!" She orders while slowly getting up. She walked towards her balcony and gripped the guard rail in anger.
"Death will be the last thing on your mind, maker of darkness," Slaanesh said, her eyes watching the moving shadow. "I'll make sure to give you a performance that the galaxy will never forget."
While the gods were angry and plotting, others were getting to know each other better.
"So Issei tells us about your time of being a devil," Horus asked. Issei found himself thinking about the good time. When back home he and his friends would do missions while enjoying school activities.
"Well how about I tell you, guys, what devil do, you see I was a low-ranking devil. I was also still in high school so it was a lot of schoolwork and devil stuff, we had to hunt stray devils, and people would summon us for deals." Issei said then his happy demeanor turned into a downcast expression. Horus had gripped her fist in rage at how these devils worked in the shadows. Horus could only think that they were a parasitic race. Russ wanted to bring the crusade to Issei's world and wipe these devils of humanity back.
"Issei why would these people give for these dells?" Horus inquired.
"Well, people would sometime give us their life, basically," Issei said as he looked at his hand gripping it in distress. "As a price, we receive an award fitting for the particular wish they made. It can be money, an object, and even their life. Well lately, there were contractors who would use their life to make a wish. Even if there was a person like that if the price they gave doesn't match up to the wish they wish for. Then the wish won't be granted according to Buchou, "People's values aren't equal"."
Issei had felt a humongous menacing aura take over the room making the temperature of the room ice cold as all of them had gone into deep malice thoughts. Issei knew he had to change the subject quickly.
"To be honest a lot of my battles were uphill fights and I was always trying my best," Issei said gaining all of their attention back on him.
Issei then examined his new arm and gripped his fist.
"I would always try to overwhelm my opponent as fast as I could so the fight was over. A lot of my fights would've been very one-sided if I'm being honest until I just boosted my strength, you know my little trump card until I won" Issei said. He felt a little sad when he acknowledged how much he gave to his sacred gear. "Even if it cost me my body, I'm not that much of a good warrior."
All the matriarchs in the room found Issei's style of combat to be very novice. Russ could see the anger in Issei's eyes. Russ felt empathy for Issei; it must have been hard for him to wield such a powerful weapon; also his lack of warrior experience must've been another drawback. Guilliman understood issei, the way she waged war was on the planning board rather than the battlefield. The Khan knew what Issei needed the most was training. All of them knew practice makes perfect.
"Oh Issei, I think you're an honorable warrior," Angron called out from the doorway. All of them turned to see Angron and Vulkan. "I think you need a better motivation to fight for." Angron said. She began to walk toward the table that Issei sat at. She stood by and smiled at Issei.
"Besides you do have a story of a Xenos you slayed." Angron suggested picking up everyone's attention in the room. This mention of the creature did not truly pick their interest until now. Russ and The Khan were experts in killing Xenos. They found it to be fun as they enjoyed the hunt. Issei remembered the absolute terror that lived in those cherry woods.
"Well, I guess I did win." Issei then stood on his seat and prepared himself to tell his tale.
"Okay, this is the story of how we killed the mighty beast in the forest." Issei declared all eyes were on Issei. Angron had a puzzled look though.
"We?" Angron questioned the word. "Issei I was incapable of fighting, you see this beast had been stalking us, an ambush hunter that had incredible speed. The worst part was the neurotoxin."
Russ knew what Angron was talking about; she remembered walking through the burnt-down forest to find a fresh alien corpse burning in the forest. Russ didn't like the way it looked despite how its head was caved in. The fact that Issei killed this beast was astounding.
Horus and Corvis began to grow concerned about the local wildlife around them. This world of unknown wildlife can be a life-and-death situation.
"Okay but here's how it went, Angron figured out that to escape you guys, I was against it because the mountain looked terrifying but we still went to the mountain to hide out and before we could get to our destination we had to make our way through this pink forest," Issei said showing about of exhaustion in his voice remembering all the ordeals they went through. Guilliman raised an eyebrow at Angron.
"Really a mountain?" Guilliman said in a questioning tone of voice. Angron sighed as she remembered the plan and looked back on it with embarrassment.
"Not my best moment." Angron admitted.
"Technically it was a giant tree, not a mountain," Issei said making everyone facepalm. Guilliman appreciates the fact check, any detail missed would have a great effect on the information. Then some realized Issei's words, Tree?
"Issei what do you mean by a tree?" Horus asked. Issei was about to open his mouth only for Russ to approach the conversation.
"I got this one Issei, you see Horus when we were tracking down these two, we found a path that led to a Mountain, unfortunately, the clouds obscured so when we broke though it turned out it was a gigantic tree." Russ said clearing up the confusion in the room. "Oi you should have seen it Horus it was the size of a high city."
"Oh yes actual forests were growing on it, it was quite the spectacular plant life," Logar said backing Russ up to the claim.
"Yay we were trying to reach it but there was this horrible beast that was stalking us," Issei said as he felt himself get goosebumps just thinking about how that thing was just watching them.
"It was big like Angron, it was fast like lighting, its scaley skin was pitch black and oh man I don't even want to think about its horrible claws." Issei could see he had all their attention and decided to try something. If he was gonna tell a story he was gonna do it right. Issei jumped on the table and looked at them all with a serious look.
Russ and The Khan held their ears out as they realized Issei was beginning to spin a tale for them.
"We were camping that night under the pink cherry trees. When we first journeyed through the forest we came across the stream. I was thirsty and needed a drink. So I walked to it only to find an animal torn limb from limb with a face of excruciating pain on it." Issei said, making his voice dramatic. Angron rolled her eyes but smiled at his exaggerated storytelling, figuring out that this was his first time doing this.
"Dork." Angron smiled lovingly.
"We walked away, our guard was up though. Everything seemed calm, not even a bump in the night." Issei gave them all wide eyes of terror, giving a silent pause. Then clapped his hands.
"Bang that's when it strikes, it shoots at Angron like a bat out of hell but Angron's reflexes catch the beast as she sliced its chest." Issei then grabbed a spoon and pretended to be Angron and made a slashing motion. Konrad wished she was there hoping to save Issei any trouble from this monster. Russ and The Khan loved to hear the spindle of a tale. Corax wanted to know how the battle went down. Vulkan was on the edge of her seat wanting to know more while Logar wrote it down in her book sketching out illustrations of Issei fighting the beast.
Angron looked into Logar's book and could see the sketch of Issei shirtless. Logar saw Angron raise an eyebrow at her. Lorgar immediately closed the book and hid her blush from her sister. Issei could see their attention was on him and he was gonna ride it out.
"Angron grabbed me and ran to the mountain. She was gonna get me out of that forest no matter what." Issei proclaimed. Vulkan and Corvus both were glad to know how Angron saved his life, giving them a new perspective on their sister.
"Unfortunately the beast only nicked Angron by the check but unfortunately that was enough as just before we could leave she crashed and tumbled out of the wood paralyzed from the neck down." Issei gripped his fist and thought of the thing that had to come. "Angron was out but I was still in the forest, I tried to escape but the creature cut off my path, then the beast smiled at me. That's right, it smiled."
Horus had pondered why this creature could smile, was it at all sentient?
"Then it spoke to me, I wish I could make this up. It said no going out of bounds like it was playing some sick twisted game, at the time I didn't really have control over my power and I was still missing an arm so I-I-I-I" Issei began to fall back on his words and took a deep breath.
"I had to run away." Issei said with a bit of shame in voice. Angron immediately chimed in.
"Issei I told you to run, do not blame yourself," Angron told making sure he wasn't beating himself over the head. Horus could see how he hated to run, she could understand that pain. Russ knew that Issei came back to kill Xeno but the fact he was still ashamed of that action told her that Issei was not one to quiet an essay.
"It still didn't feel good leaving you there but I don't think the monster could leave that forest, but I ran deep into the woods I tripped and then I noticed it started to rain." Issei said slowly getting back into his showman hype.
"Why is that important detail?" Horus asked, wondering where the story was going.
"Well you see when I looked up it wasn't water it was blood this thing killed any wildlife and hunger in the trees like a trophy, I don't even think it was eating them it was just killing them for sport," Issei said as he gave them all a fake frightened expression. Issei was met with all of the matriarchs having straight faces.
"Wait, seriously nothing raining blood doesn't scare you guys." Issei said in surprise, not seeing any fear or disgust on their faces. Horus then smiled at Issei.
"Issei we all have seen our fair share of horrors," Horus said in an amused tone of voice. All of them were desensitized to the horrors of space. Issei felt himself get chills as he looked at all of them seeing how calm and mellow they were.
"Well, I ran past it all and found a hole so I hide in it, I thought I was safe but I was wrong as the creature found me." Issei looked around the table with an interested eye on him waiting for him to tell the story. "I was terrified and backed into a corner, I thought I was gonna die but I refused. Then that's when I found my new power."
Issei then leaped very high off the table almost reaching the ceiling while in mid-air he did flip and stuck the landing with some flare. All of the matriarchs were impressed by Issei's superhuman reflexes. It was quite amazing to see such a thing. Horus knew Issei was more than a regular human. Russ and Guilliman found it to be very impressive. Issei looked around at the matriarchs to see Konrad looking at him with a smile.
"Konrad, do you mind if I could pick you up?" Issei asked. Konrad had been surprised but she would allow it. Konrad gave Issei a calm nod and stood from her seat. Issei jumped to the ground and held his arms out. Konrad then became concerned.
"Are you sure you can do this?" Konrad asked. Russ also might have hoped Issei knew what he was doing.
"Don't worry you'll be fine you trust me right?" Issei asked, unknowingly giving Konrad puppy-dog eyes. Konrad felt herself going weak at those beautiful eyes. It was only a couple of days ago she threatened to take them only now for her heart to be weakened by them Konrad fell backward giving a trust fall only to find an arm on the small of her back while the other held the back of her legs. She opened her eyes to see Issei holding her bridal style. Issei looked at Konrad with a happy smile that made her heart skip a beat.
All the matriarchs witnessing Konrad Curze being held in such a way by a small being like Issei was amazing. Corvus could see the gentleness in Konrad Curze of all people. Corvus knew that look it was love. Russ had enjoyed seeing how strong Issei was and the best part was that she couldn't feel an ounce of psychic energy.
The Khan wanted to personally teach Issei to truly give him warrior training; perhaps tomorrow she could suggest to him. Konrad smiled and slowly got out of Issei's arms. Issei gave a thankful nod to Konrad as he leaped to the table.
"I tried to run back to Angron but the creature got to me first. Well after I found my newfound strength I pushed the creature back and ran towards Angron, then after one more tussle with the creature and me getting a new armor, I finally put it down for good with one swift punch to crush its skull." Issei said ending the story and getting many more to respect Issei more. Corvus then had a question pop into her mind.
"Wait, if Angron was parlayed that means you could have escaped, why didn't you?" Corvus asked. Issei oddly attached the back of his head.
"Well I knew I was cursed at the time and I didn't wanna endanger any of you so I decided to carry Angronup the tree." Issei said with a sad sigh, then he caught Angron's gaze and slightly blushed. "And I also had to keep a promise to someone."
Angron smiled at Issei knowing the moments they shared on their trip.
"Oh Issei we appreciate your kindness but we are more than capable of taking care of ourselves." Horus said. Issei knew that was the truth. Especially how these guys were raised for war. Vulkan felt guilty that Issei had to hide from them but all of them knew who to truly blame. It was that damn supernatural world that afflicted him. Russ also had one burning question in the back of her mind.
"Issei, why did you burn down the forest?" Russ asked. Issei knew why he did it and some of them owed an explanation.
"Well, you see when I do all my shadow stuff sometimes they tell me things," Issei said. Horus raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Russ quietly gripped her ax in suspicion
"They? who's they?" Horus asked.
"The shadows do Horus." Issei said, gaining a lot of concerned gazes. Issei could see their reaction and wince at the looks. "The shadows said this creature was a guardian of the forest. Then one day these visitors came and tortured this thing and turned it into a monster. They had sharp ears and I thought they were elves."
"They were Drukhari Issei." Vulkan said, Issei turned around to see Vulkan, and her hair had burned brighter. Issei could see the raging fury burning in her eyes. "Drukhari is an elder Issei but their monster, they take humans as slaves, torture, kill and mutate them for their pleasure, I've seen them terrorize planets."
"That's awful, well I'm glad I burned down that forest, I would want any of those guys touching any worlds." Issei said. Angron even had a certain hatred for them as they were some of the first beings she met on her homeworld, not to mention they tried to kill her. Though some were dissuaded by Issei's shadows it wasn't as bad as the insane Pskers aliens or human so-called sorcerers. Therefore an awkward silence was building within the room about bad memory.
Issei had a great big smile on his face as he enjoyed the talking.
"Well since I told my story, how about you tell me a story?" Issei said with a hint of excitement in his voice. Russ then ripped off a piece of meat.
"I will gladly tell you my great tales Issei." Russ said in a prideful tone of voice. Issei listened to all their tales.
Russ talked about all the great and wild parties she would throw.
Horus told Issei about a long epic battle that took place with a Xeno race that could control minds.
Guilliman told a wise and knowledgeable tale about her first time in the war and how she was a master tactician. Issei had to admit that Guilliman would outclass the great Sona. The way she would talk about battle plans and cutting off supply chains was interesting.
Corvus went on about how she started a rebellion against her masters and pushed them back off her homeworld.
Vulkan talked about the first time she took an arm against the Drukhari that terrorized her home world.
The Khan told Issei when she brought freedom to her home world, freeing it from all tyrants, and how she first met her father the Emperor went. Anytime when the emperor was brought up Issei couldn't help but get an uneasy feeling about him.
Angron, Konrad and Lorgar are quiet. Either to not share their shame with Issei or they didn't really have any good tales to speak of besides ones that would trigger him into a panic attack. Issei began to explain all the different kinds of sacred gears like divine dividing, Aeon Balor, and his own.
Issei and all of them talked for a long time, which was something new for him. There were no interruptions or talk of lewdness; he was just conversing with them all. Issei, even though lost from his home, he was having some fun here.
"And then I guy punched this monster in the face and-" Issei said as he yawned. "I'm sorry what was I talking about."
Issei felt drowsy as he looked out the window to see it was nighttime. He must have been partying for a long time, Issei had lost track of time. Horus knew Issei was tired and who wouldn't be after the circumstances today having to explain himself in front of all the matriarchs about his existence?
"Issei if you need to rest please you may go." Horus said in a gentle tone of voice. Issei sighed in sadness.
"I'm sorry if I wasn't that much help," Issei said. He thought his information didn't help at all. "I'll do better next time."
"Nonsense boy, you helped us more than enough, we owe you more than you know." Russ said. Then Russ stood up from her set, then hundreds of cups fell to the floor. Russ had been drinking a lot, she forgot where she put the cups ending up with a lot of random cups littering the floor.
"Issei, allow me to escort you to your room," Russ said with a slur, she then let out a loud burp.
All the matriarchs in the room knew what was wrong with Russ.
"She was drunk." Everyone thought. Issei immediately didn't want Russ to exhaust herself. He also didn't want to look after a drunk person who could crush his skull at any time.
"That's okay Russ I'll be fine on my own- and you're walking towards my direction." Issei said. Russ didn't care as she walked over to Issei's side. He felt the strong scent of liquor coming off Russ, she smelt like she drank a whole damn bar.
"Hey, handsome." Russ caped off the drunk advance with some belching. "Come on… I'm… Not that… Drunk!"
Issei had a concerned expression when he looked at Horus who only gave an apologetic nod.
"Alright, Russ take me to my room." Issei said as he admitted defeat to the situation. Russ picked Issei up and hugged him, unfortunately, the smell of strong alcohol entering Issei's nose made him wince.
"Good then maybe you might need an escort to your room after." Vulkan said walking to Russ.
"Oh… VULKAN… Thank you… You're so nice." Russ said bleaching again as she dropped Issei to the ground. Issei landed on his feet. Issei knew he had enough today.
"Alright good night everyone," Issei said as began to walk away. Angron and Konrad called out simultaneously, saying good night in sync.
"Goodnight Issei." Both of them said but shared a curious glance. Konrad knew Angron and her would be with Issei but it didn't tell who would be Issei first was the real question. As they left the mess hall and were now in the halls. Leaving most of the matriarchs with their own thoughts.
"Every time I hear her name I want to kill her more." Angron said. Horus knew only one name which was said and it was Buchou. Corvus didn't like the way Issei said her name there was so much pain and love in his voice.
"That was his master wasn't it?" Corvus asked Angron.
Angron slowly nodded and gripped her fist in anger. Horus knew that these devils must be dealt with when their crusade ended, there will be words with these monsters.
"For let us focus on our own world." Hours said as her power claw twitched. Lorgar left the room as she held her book close. All of them found their sister Lorgar to be strangely quiet, they all thought a storm of questions would be asked by her but no she was quiet and sad. Guilliman did have worrying thought come to her mind if they did go to Issei's universe, it would be a war against the gods. Not to mention that the supernatural exists which would be a problem in the future.
Russ had a mischievous smile.
"Issei you've only been here for a couple of days and you're already taking some sexy lady to your room aren't you the stud?" Russ teases, making Issei and Vulkan blush.
"Russ, please act a little less perverted than usual." Vulkan said softly, scolding her. Russ only laughed. Issei's interest peaked a little after hearing that Russ was a bit perverted.
"Ah come I know he likes it, don't you Issei." Russ said, making him shiver. Issei didn't want to answer because he had a bright red blush on his face.
"Issei do you like Russ acting so forward with you?" Vulkan asked, she wanted to make sure none of them were pushing any personal boundaries. Issei could not hold this kind of persona anymore and he needed to tell the truth. Issei turned around to face them and tell the truth, having a serious face.
"Yes I do like Russ's affection toward me and I also have a love of big boobs and I'm not ashamed of it." Issei declared leaving the two a bit speechless. Vulkan had a mighty blush on her face. Issei turned around and walked to his room.
"Well, at least he's truthful," Vulkan said, she felt a bit embarrassed but did not mind at all.
"ISSEI!" Russ called out making him stop in his tracks, he turned around to face her. Russ smiled at Issei. "I like strong men who are honest about themselves and enjoy a good time."
Russ gave Issei a sassy wink that made Issei blush a storm.
"Good to know," Issei said quickly as he found himself walking away to his room which was around the corner. Vulkan walked away from Russ and shook her head at what she just said. Issei found himself blushing a storm, when he said the truth he was not met with disgust or hate but with joy. Issei began to think this new world had some good things about it.
"These are certainly strange times." Vulkan said.
Issei walked into his dark room and threw himself on the bed which may have looked crude but surprisingly comfortable. Issei had a lot of things running through his mind but right now rest should be his first option.
However, before he could take off his shoes he heard the creak of a floorboard, he raised his head to see Russ leaning in his doorway.
Russ watches over the sleeping Issei with stern eyes.
"You may have saved us Angron, but that doesn't change the fact that you're an unknown factor, make one wrong move and I'll kill you where you stand," Russ said her voice cold as ice.
"O-Oh okay," Issei said. Russ had surprised eyes as she gazed at Issei.
"You're not sleeping why?" Russ asked her voice having a confused tone.
"I'm used to somebody always waking me up, a lot of girls tend to throw off my sleeping clock," Issei admitted there was an awkward silence between the two. Issei scratched the back of his head. "So I guess I'll try not to make a wrong move."
"Yay, don't do that uh be smart got it." Russ said, now seeing the threat she made was pointless now.
"Okay." Issei calmly said.
Russ stood there for a couple of minutes awkwardly, she then thought she had too much to drink. This was supposed to be a silent threat but no he's not the least bit scared. The Wolf Queen stood there awkwardly. How in the hell was this supposed to even go now? Russ then awkwardly but slowly took a step back making the floorboards creaked slowly.
"G-g-good night," Issei said. Russ facepalmed and stormed off but she stopped and poked her head through the door.
"Good night," Russ said.
Issei took off his shoes and plopped back into bed.
"Yep feels like home." Issei thought sarcastically as he slowly drifted away into slumber. In Issei's room, a person stepped out of the shadows. The Crimson Queen was here and still needed to have a few words with Issei. Magnus quietly shut the door and whispered a spell under her breath.
"Moor eht fo ecnelis." She whispered as she would make sure no one would disturb her.
Magnus sat on the floor by Issei's bedside, Magnus closed his eyes as she started to meditate.
"Dnim retne." Magnus whispers a spell, she opens her eye only for it to glow white. "Let us talk."
Hey guys late chapter, just a lot has been happing in college and stuff. Thank you all for being patient with me and I'm looking for an editor, I'm actually was gonna start working on some other projects I have, but I thank you all for enjoying the story. There are some things I should say that any reviews or suggestions help a ton. also posting for new chapters has gone out the window but I'm gonna do my best.
Anyway, thank you and follow, favorite, and review.
So thank you and have a-
WAAAAIIITTTTTTT! Kitten yelled from across the room. Ripple247 Looks from his cage to see Rogal Dorn standing by his cage.
"Oh My God What?" Ripple247. Rogal Dorn looked down with burning angry eyes.
"You forgot to say on March 20 you will release your DXD reacting to your story," Rogal said.
"Oh yay Btw guys March 17 This is not a part of the main story, this is a fun non-canon to the story's reaction to Issei in his new world, hope you enjoy it, devils and angels."
"It will be hard for them to enjoy because of the pain in this situation," Rogal said
"God damn it, Rogal."
[You see this way I left you in the same room as him] The Emperor said.
