Edit to the best of my ability.
Chapter 18: Issei and the Lightning Phoenix Part: 1
Issei woke in a familiar flowery field. He was in his dream world yet again. He stood up and walked into his dreamland
"Well look who it is." Que said with a happy smile. Issei turned around to see Que wearing a black suit. Issei felt the air around him go cold. Issei held a fighting stance as he was readying himself for whatever this primordial force would bring. Que jumped high in the sky. Issei was ready for an attack.
Then Que materializes a red lazy-boy, he throws the chair on the found giving a mighty thud. Then out of the ground, another leather chair appeared behind Issei. Que floated gently down in the air softly landing in the chair. He pulled out a pair of glasses from his pocket and put them on. Que gave Issei a calm gaze.
"So how are we feeling today?" Que asked. Issei had a dumbfounded expression. Issei didn't understand what Que was doing here and why he was dressed up as a therapist.
"Issei, please take a seat." Que politely asked.
Issei looked at the chair with confusion and awkwardly took his seat. He didn't know what the heck was going on around here.
"What's happening here?" Issei questioned.
"Issei before we do anything too crazy I want to get a list of words so we can start off with a good basis."
"Okay, so I'll just tell you any words." Issei said. Que pulled out his pen and a clipboard from behind his seat.
"Well, not just any words or names." Que said. He tapped his pen and twirled it around his fingers. "Think of words that really mean something to you, try and find something deep."
Issei went into deep thought, he truly had to think. He had to think about it, what words truly meant something to him?
"Okay, Issei you got this, a word that is so important to me." Issei thought. Then his eyes lit with joy.
"Oppai!" Issei said with a happy shout. Issei regretted that thought how could he use oppai to fight? Issei was about to ask Que if that was the right answer. He found Que was writing it down on his clipboard. Issei gave a worried look.
"Was that the wrong answer?" Issei asked in a bleak voice.
"Oh no, Issei there are no wrong answers here, I think oppai is a good beginning word." Que said. He wrote down more on the clipboard. "Please continue."
"Okay let me think, hmmm," Issei said as he went into deep thought. After a couple of minutes passed, Issei began to list off his words.
"Strength, sneak, vengeance, kindness, love, Gundam, and death," Issei said in a pondering tone of voice.
"Nope!" Que said, putting down his clipboard and narrowing his eyes.
"What?" Issei asked, wondering what he did wrong. "You said there were no wrong answers."
"Well now we just found one, look Issei, death is something of a tricky thing to control. Also, I'm not dealing with the brothers of death, that's a whole Can of worms I'm not even gonna touch." Que said. Issei grew very confused by Que's statement, not really understanding what was holding him back from using such power.
"I don't understand, shouldn't death and shadows go hand and hand?" Issei said. Que could see where Issei was coming from, it was always common human knowledge to connect the two but in truth, the two words were very different.
"I understand Issei but I have a question for you, have you ever seen a shadow die before?" Que inquired to Issei, making him think about it.
"No, I actually thought that light would scare it off," Issei answers. Que nods and looks to the sky above them. "There are three beings that control all of death. They're called the brothers of death. They are neutral and I would not recommend contacting them for your own safety. You got that."
Issei nodded but still felt a sense of doubt within him. Que could see the turmoil settle in Issei.
"Issei I'm darkness, not death, I was there before death and I will be there when it's long gone." Issei felt a chill running through him. The way Issei said he would outlive death spooked him. Que brought himself back to reality and looked at Issei.
"Anything except that one, please pick a different one." Que asked kindly. Issei agreed and dug deep within himself.
"Yeah, I got it, how about dodge? Issei asked. Que smiled at the word, he was glad that Issei was taking his advice to heart.
"Alright, that's good enough for me. Let's start your training." Que said as he stood up from his seat and got into a fighting stance.
"Strike me down with the words you used." Que said. Issei nodded at Que's command and began to think of new techniques. Issei lept into the air preparing to strike down Que with his weaponized imagination. Issei thought of something that would work in his favor. He thought wanting his shadow armor covering his body and so it did.
"Rias Oblivion." Issei screamed as black energy surrounded his fist. Que stood there without any hesitations in his stance. Issei punched Que's stomach so hard that a gust of wind gushed over them. The shadow energy tried to latch onto Que only for those flames of destruction to vanish. Put out by an unknown force. Issei glanced up at Que's face to see how unimpressed he was.
"You got to stop using her name, let me give you some advice." Que firmly grabbed Issei's shoulder so tight that he could not move. He moved close to see his ear and whispered. "You need more, stronger words to take down bigger prey."
Que then threw a punch so hard it knocked off all of Issei's armor, flinging it into the air. Issei felt the wind knocked out of him as he fell to his knees. Que knelt at Issei's eye level giving a gentle stare.
"We got a long night ahead of us, strike me again." Que said. Issei held his stomach and looked back at Que.
"Okay." Issei said. The battle of shadows was beginning in the mind. Though Issei was the first to fall, he still hunger for more of this battle. He wanted more so he could get better. Issei slowly got to his feet having a determined look in his eyes. "I'll get better words and then I'm gonna knock you down."
Que smiled at Issei's fiery will to move forward. "Well, we got all night, so come at me." Que yelled.
Horus and Sanguniuis had been walking around the strange empty city. They were told by Konrad this was the first place that she met him. They felt strangely uncomfortable in this place. There was something about this place that gave off bizarre vibes. Sanguniuis found it to be strange, the building that floated in the clouds didn't feel entirely alien. This was a sort of familiar feeling to them.
"Such a strange place," Horus said. Sanguinius quickly landed by Horus's side. The dark cloudy night covered this city in cold clouds. The sound of thunder tumbled close to them. A storm was brewing in the dark city. Horus gave a worried glance at the sky. Sanguinius gave her sister a calm gaze.
"Horus let us keep moving, I think we're close to where Konrad met Issei." Sanguinius said.
She figured this was the place where Issei appeared in this world. Horus figured they were close as well; it was somewhat after the fountain they passed. Sanguinius stopped where she was, as she felt an intoxicated aroma enter her nose. Sanguinius turned her head down to see a dark red spot, on the cold concrete floor. She was locked in a trance, this was his blood. Something deep inside of her wanted to taste it. There was something about Issei's blood that made the angel just want to lose herself in the red thirst. How dearly she wanted to taste it. An image of her soaked in Issei's blood flashed in her mind. She started to hear her own heartbeat. One thought now only raced in her mind.
"Drink his blood."
Horus could see Sanguninius was lost in a strange trance.
"Sanguinius. Horus called out. Then just like that Sanguinius was snapped out of her daydreaming and brought back to reality. She was at a loss of breath. In all honesty, she could only describe her state as being blue-balled. Horus could see her frustration in her sister's eyes.
"He was here I can tell, we're getting close." Sanguinius said. Horus gave her sister a concerned gaze, and they both chose to walk forward until they were met with an alleyway. Full of strange garbage, Sanguinius felt the trail stops here. This was where the place Issei appeared. Horus could see all the strange broken devices in this alleyway. Horus sighed in relief. This old technology would surely aid them. She then found a strange rectangular device, lying by her foot. Horus' giant hand picked it up. The phone soon lit up showing an image on the black screen.
Horus wonders what this device is. She needed to take this to Perturabo. If anyone would know what to do it would be her.
"Sister we shall take this broken technology back to Perturabo-" Horus could not finish her words as a loud bang drew her attention. She turned around to see Sanguinius collapsed holding herself on the alley wall. Horus rushed to her sister's side as she aided to help her stand. Sanguinius was salivating, uncontrollably, the look of deprived madness had sparked in her eyes. Horus needed to know what was causing the red thirst.
"Blood… I smell his blood." Sanguinius said in a whisper. The tone of her voice sounded like a mix of monster and man. She looked around the alleyway to make sense of her sister's mad rambling. Horus' eyes widened in horror as she noticed the drops of blood that littered the concrete ground. Issei must have been injured here. Whatever the case was she needed to get her sister out of there. Horus dragged Sanguinius out of the alleyway and gently laid her on the ground. She could see it having a great effect on her. She slowly regained her senses as the red thirst began to vanish. Horus gave their sister a concerned gaze.
While the angel lowered her head in shame. Horus knew that this was starting to become a problem. Thank goodness no one was around.
"Sister, we need to get you help," Horus said. Sanguinius quickly nodded back.
"I need space, I need to get away from Issei and the others," Sanguinius said. Horus didn't want her sister to leave them, all of the others looked up to her.
"Please sister it doesn't have to come to this." Horus pleaded. Sanguinius weakly stood up and gave a calm glance at Horus.
"I will be back, I just need some space. His blood is too strong to be around, I just need some time to myself, maybe if I stray from him." Sanguinius said.
Horus was about to protest against her words, she held Sanguinius close, things were starting to get out of hand. Horus looked back to the alley, she knew there was a task at hand. She grabbed arm fulls of broken appliances to bring back to her sister. Sanguinius closely followed behind taking deep breaths to calm herself.
They started their journey back to the camp. Unknown to Horus though, one had watched from the shadows as Alpharius watched the scene playout.
"Things have gotten very interesting." She said watching from the shadows.
Issei was bruised and tierd, he kept trying to hit with everything he had. He kept trying to make new attacks. Each and every one had fallen flat on its face. He used pretty much all the special attacks that all of his friends had. He even tried to copy his own gear but nothing worked. Que still stood tall and waited for Issei's next attack.
"If your done copying other's homework, then let's use our own words this time." Que shouted.
Issei fell to the ground short of breath and feeling overwhelmed. Issei felt like he was falling into deep hopelessness. Issei then remember the words that Que asked him to say. Issei slowly stood. If wanted to knock down Que then he needed to hit him hard.
He deeply searched within himself for strength. When his mind thought about one. She always kept her cool and damn she might have been immovable. Rogal has always carried herself with such strength, that Issei would always mistake her for some unmovable wall.
But right now at this moment, Issei wanted to be that. Issei's right fist clenched so hard that his grip could crush diamonds. Issei charged Que, preparing a massive clash with Que.
Que only stood his ground, ready to take the blow. Issei pulled back his fist and shouted his mighty attack.
"Fist of Dorn!" Issei's hand then was completely enveloped in shadow and quickly formed into a hardened armored glove. The knuckles of the gauntlet were covered with dull numbs. While in the middle of the weapon had a smooth black gem.
Issei threw the punch straight at Que's stomach. The entity of darkness coughed up a bit of spit. The force was enough to split the sky above as the cloud parted ways. Issei landed a powerful hit and was glad that he was finally putting in some work. Though there was one issue he forgot. Que was still standing.
Issei's eyes had widen as Que gave him a sly smirk.
"Finally the big boys can play." He said. Que threw a mighty uppercut to Issei's chest. Issei learning from his past mistakes quickly used his Fist of Dron, to shield himself from the blow. Issei felt his body being shot up high into the night sky.
His mind had raced in panic as he was a kilometer in the sky. Issei was falling down fast. He knew falling from this height would surely hurt.
"Shit! I need wings." Issei said out loud plummeting to the ground. He needed to think quickly.
"Wings!" Issei shouted in panic.
"Wings!"
"Wings!" Nothing happened, he quickly abandoned the idea as he was so close to hitting the ground. In great haste Issei brought his fist down slamming the Fist of Dron into the ground, trying to break his fall.
"BOOOOOOOMM!"
A loud explosion rang through the area, as a giant cloud of dirt covered the field. Que winced seeing Issei's rough landing. Que calmly walked to though the dust wanting to find Issei. After a couple of seconds, the dust cloud settles as Issei lay in a giant crater. He felt exhausted as he lay on the ground in defeat.
Que stood at the edge of the crater. He was gazing down at Issei's defeated state.
"How you feeling buddy!" Que asked. He knew the train was slowly coming to an end today. Issei's progress was amazing. They had gone through nighty eight attacks and only three were affected. This was of course excluding the previous attacks he had made. Though there was one problem that presented itself today. Issei was suffering from a lack of mobility.
Issei slowly got up from the ground, he was spent ready to collapse as the armor he wore faded away. He glanced towards Que.
"Can you tell why I'm not using the shadows keeper oath?" Issei asked. Que walked down the carter and gave Issei a stern gaze.
"That oath will make you stronger but in the hands of inexperience, it's useless. I'm not saying you're not using it right, though it is always good to know then to find out later." Que said. Issei got to his feet and grumbled in annoyance. He had made ninety-eight new attacks but somehow only three were able to move Que from his spot. He never brought him down.
"Issei we need to talk about your mobility." Que said as examined the damage to Issei.
"Well, I am pretty fast right now!" Issei quickly answered. Que then shook his head in disapproval.
"But you could be faster, not to mention the lack of flight I'm seeing, you should already be in the sky, what's taking you so long." Que wanted to know if there was something on Issei's mind. Possibly something holding him back.
"Well I keep trying to think of my devil wings but-" Issei could finish as he paused at his own words.
"Devil wings belong to devils, not humans. You're having trouble finding your own wings right?" Que answers. Issei gave a sad nod, it was true he never realized how not important they were. Even the use of dragons wings is out of the question.
"I wouldn't worry about it, you're on a mystery planet, I'm sure you'll see some creature with a good pair." Que said. Issei would do that, and when he woke up, he would go searching for his new wings.
"Times up kid will work on your movement later." Que said.
Issei took a long sigh, he had many things to work on but was glad that he was getting such straightforward answers. A bright white light started to cover the dream world.
"Well good morning Issei." Que said. The light had washed over them both.
Issei woke up on his soft bed. The sun had entered through the window. Issei felt so positive. It wasn't too long ago that he was a sad mess. Now he was on his path to mastery over the shadows. Issei sat up from his bed only to see Konrad sitting by the end of his bedside.
Konrad smiled at Issei who awoke from his slumber. He had a shy blush on his face. Konrad wanted to see Issei, it always brightened up the day when Issei and her were together.
"Hey, good morning." Issei said. Konrad kindly greeted him back.
"Good morning Issei I hope you're in the mood for more training." Konrad said. This time this would be the real training day. No holding back and showing Issei what real battles are. Issei nodded and happily got ready. Though before he could agree he did, The young teen took a whiff in the air.
"I think I might need to take a bath." Issei said. Konrad immediately pushed her face into Issei's shoulder, making the teen fall on his back.
"Konrad we said, we take it slow." Issei protested but felt her supple lips upon his neck while she was lightly nimble to his neck. gave him delighted joy. She quietly sniffed his hair.
"Relax, I'm just smelling you." Konrad said, she backed away and gave Issei a curious glance. "You smell perfectly fine." In her opinion, Issei had this great smell. One of the many things she loved about Issei. That and his soft hands.
"Well I'm gonna take a shower, did Rogal finish making the bath?" Issei asked. Konrad sighed but couldn't really disagree with Issei's comment. Getting rid of one smell was certainly an art to combat.
"Yes, and I shall take you there." Konrad said. The two had walked out of the room. They made their way to a new giant door outlined with red bark. They opened the door to see a giant pool in front of them both, the white tiled floor and intricate paintings on the bathroom walls were very extravagant. The windows were stained pink and blue. The steam was leaking out of the room. Issei was happily gonna take a dip. In truth, he was happy to take a bath by himself. He didn't want anybody to see his scar.
Konrad walked away from Issei and gave a curt nod.
"I'll see you in the mess hall." Konrad said. Walking away from Issei to let him take care of his personal business.
Issei walked inside, closing the doors behind him. The room was very steamy, he sighed in joy as he was actually going to take a real bath. Could see soap on the counter. Issei took a calm sigh, he gladly stripped his clothes and set them aside. Issei slowly walked to the tub and quickly sank into the deep tub. He gladly submerged himself in the hot steamy water. while he was under the hot water, all of his troubles felt like they were melting away. His mind couldn't help but wonder about the fact that he was actually dating someone. It seemed things were starting to look up.
Issei breached the water above him, taking in some air. He floated in the deep water with a tranquil smile. He was glad that he could have this bathroom all to himself.
"Are we enjoying ourselves?" Fulgrim asked as her voice startled Issei. He had panicked in the water, thrashing around trying to find who spoke to him. He couldn't see anything at all because the steam in the room was so thick. However, a figure blurred out of the fog. As Fulgrim gently swam toward Issei. Her hair was damp and her amethyst eyes shine like stars. The water was past her shoulder hiding her breast under the water, but she held an annoyed look on her face. Issei panicked as he felt embarrassed as he swam back from the women.
"W-w-w-w-what are you doing here." Issei asked in a surprised voice. He was completely nude in front of this giant being. Who to be honest never made the best impression? Then a horrible thought dawned in his mind, what if Fulgrim got the wrong idea and. thought he was peeping on her? His past experiences of peeping I've taught him very well that in the end, if you failed, he would surely suffer greatly.
"I can ask the same thing, boy." Fulgrim said. Her voice became harsh and unforgiving. "I was taking a new bath for myself and I caught you taking off your clothes."
"I was just looking to take a bath, that's all!" Issei quickly reinsured. Fulgrim gave a long tired sigh.
"Hmph! Is that all, fine they stay on your side, see if I care." Fulgrim said as she put a little bit of distance between them. Fulgrim turned her back to Issei.
Issei did the same as had alarm thoughts running through his mind. He could see she was shaking with rage as she refused to meet his gaze.
"Oh my God, Fulgrim totally is gonna kill me please I just want to take a shower and peace." Issei thought. While he scraped his back and panicked wanting to get out of there as fast as he could. However, Fulgrim also was suffering from panic.
"What the hell is he even doing here, oh please don't tell me he saw my body, but I saw all was his well-toned body, it was like looking at a well-sculpted statue, he's a stud- dammit not again." Fulgrim thought. The matriarch found herself wondering though, there was a serious scar on his body.
A deep envious part of her needed to insult Issei, maybe that would make him leave quicker.
"Pfft is that scar you gave yourself, that's what happens when you love non-human things." Fulgrim snickers. Issei wasn't even bothered by the harsh comment.
"Yeah but that's the price for love." Issei said as he continued to bathe himself. Fulgrim grew annoyed by Issei's calm nature, it was almost like talking to Rogal.
"Love! My you have a twisted version of what that means, so tell me, why does a simple boy need a harem for?" Fulgrim said. Issei's eyes widened at the question, sure she told them all but he wasn't judged by it at all.
"Well it's just when I grew up, I was always kind of alone." Issei said. Fulrgim was expecting a selfish answer from the boy. Fulgrim understood that feeling of loneliness. She gave a tired sigh, maybe she was being too harsh to the boy. It is not his fault that they were stuck here.
"To be honest, I'm so glad you guys built a bathhouse. It looks beautiful." Issei said wanting to change the conversation. Fulgrim smiled for she was the one who built it. Anything to boost her ego as well.
"Well ok glad you like it I hand-made it myself, so please hold back. Any applause. I'm trying to enjoy myself." She said.
Issei was very appreciative of what Fulgrim did.
"Yeah it's nice it reminded me of the ones back at home." Issei said. Fulgrim felt something in her snap, how dare he compare her beautiful work is primitive bathhouses. It was a jab at her pride either way.
Issei was almost done and tried to wash his back. Fulgrim could see how quiet Issei was but his presence still bothered her, all she wanted to do was clean herself in peace. Now, this bothersome child must walk during her relaxation time. Well, she would not let this stand for one bit.
"I mean that's no surprise I'm sure Angron kept you warm on those cold nights, I mean she's not the most attractive out of all of us." Fulgrim said. Issei's hand balled into a fist.
"I'm sure she wasn't delicate, with her large hands, it would make her hard to do anything, sometimes I think she was the runt of the litter." Fulgrim arrogantly said again.
"Hmph well, it looks like that monstrous Angron found-" Fulgrim could finish her sentence. Issei had splashed her from behind. She turned around to see Issei glaring at Fulgrim with angry eyes.
"How about you shut your mouth." Issei said. Fulgrim harshly stared back. How dare this human insult her? She was Fulgrim the lighting Phoenix.
"Dammit, I even went with his tile again!" Fulgrim thought. Issei growled in anger at how she could say that about her own sister. Issei was about to retort, but Fulgrim quickly swam at Issei. He would not be moved or scared off by Fulgrim's angry eyes.
"Do that again Issei, let out another sad childish outburst, it fits how pathetic you are." Fulgrim said as her body slowly descended out of the water. Her naked upper half was shown to Issei but he didn't care. He would not let his friend be insulated.
"And you're an arrogant dick." Issei said back. Fulgrim laughed as she shoved her head against Issei, showing how small she was to her. Issei swam up to stop himself from being pushed down.
"Say that again and I'll shove my sword through your heart." Fulgrim threatened as her words became venomous. Issei would not back down at all. He felt himself not even flinching. Here he was staring at a mighty warrior who had a lifetime of experience. He would take her down in this bath if he had to. Fulgrim couldn't believe what was happing in front of her, seeing Issei with no fear challenging her to a fight. She grew only more annoyed by Issei's deficiency.
"Why is he so awesome?" She thought only to grow angrier at her own choice of words.
"Oh geez, I wouldn't want you to break a nail miss loudmouth." He said. Fulgrim felt her rag boil, all she wanted was for Issei to leave the room. Now it has escalated to a verge of a brawl. Issei felt a wave of rage wash over him, he swore he could feel the water start to boil because of Fulgrim's fury. The anger of a matriarch was nothing to scoff at
"You dare doubt my fighting capabilities, little boy, I've seen more over combat in a century, to know that I am the more experienced fighter." Fulgrim said in a prideful tone of voice. Issei felt like he was talking to a certain Phoenix all over again. Except for this time, Fulgrim had the skills to pay the bills.
"Bring I'm going to the battlefield to train with Konrad. If you're not a chicken I'll see you there." Issei challenged. Fulgrim gave a cocky grin for the first time she had been challenged, and she would gladly accept it and put him in his place once, and for all.
"Fine, I'll meet you in the city but be prepared, little man, because I will be having you grovel to my feet with your gorgeous eyes only staring at me." Fulgrim said with utter pride.
"Yeah, well you're going to be- wait! What was that you said about my eyes." Issei asked, not really understanding what Fulgrim meant. She found herself at a loss for words. Fulgrim just realized what she said.
"Oh did I just say that out loud, I mean it's so true his eyes are so glorious I mean, his thighs are so milky- I mean his body is so manly, dammit I have to go." Fulgrim thought.
There was a long awkward pause between the two as silence had settled in in the bathhouse. Fulgrim in great haste ran out of the tub and grabbed her gear. Before she could leave the room she gazed at Issei with angry eyes.
"I'll give you seven days, Issei, Mark my words you're going to be so flabbergasted you wouldn't even know what hit you." Fulgrim said in an embarrassed voice. She rushed out into the hallway evading Issei's eyes.
Issei was left in the bathhouse alone wondering what had just happened.
"Well, it looks like I have to train you in a day." Konrad said. Her voice terrified the ever-loving life out of Issei. He paused as turned around to Konrad standing by the edge of the large pool. She had gazed at Issei with serious eyes. Issei sank deeper into the water, hiding his body from Konrad. Issei then had a thought dawning on his mind.
"Were you peeking at me?" Issei asked, covering his body.
Konrad had a blush on her face but changed the subject immediately.
"No!" Konrad said in a hushed whisper. "Listen Issei, I must train you for your battle against Fulgrim."
"Okay let's do this." Issei said. Konrad then gave him a studying look. The truth of the matter was that they needed to work on Issei's agility. So they would do that today.
"Let us go Issei!" Konrad said. He stood up from the water and gave her a strong face.
"Alright," Issei said. Konrad had stopped thinking as she saw Issei's naked body. For once in her life, Konrad had felt her blood rushing through her heart. Konrad had a bright red blush and a small trickle of blood bled her nose. Konrad's eyes widened in great surprise. Was she getting turned on?
Issei could see her reaction and was a bit puzzled by her reaction. Issei then plunged deep into the water again, having a bright red blush on his face.
"Do you mind!" Issei said. Konrad stood her ground and gave a sharp tooth grin.
"Oh, Issei I don't mind at all." She said in a seductive voice. Issei blushed while hiding in the water.
"Oh no I turned Konrad into a pervert and I think I like it." Issei thought.
After a couple of minutes of getting ready, they both ventured toward the city. Konrad was In her full battle gear, she even wore her helmet. Issei is already in his shadow armor.
"Issei before we do this I warn you, that last time we fought I was holding back." Konrad said her body was ready to pounce. Issei's face was hidden by his helmet.
"I know." Issei said. Konrad was surprised.
"You knew, but you didn't even say anything." she said. Why didn't Issei say anything or was this some strange tactic? To get the upper hand on Konrad.
"Because I knew we weren't fighting, it was a game and I won." Issei said his hands were teasing. "But now this is the real deal, right?"
Konrad could feel Issei's fear. This was her duty to train him not to be afraid. She took a long sigh. This would not be easy. It was only yesterday that she confessed her love to Issei, and now she had to beat him.
"Issei, remember to work on your agility." Konrad said. Issei nodded. The tension was starting to get Issei. Then with great speed, blurred past him. Issei turned around unable to block the blow heading right at him.
Issei was sent to another building crashing through the walls. He immediately got up and ran out of the hole, he just crashed through. Only to see Konrad nowhere in the open. She was gone from his site.
"Where did she go?" Issei thought.
"Right behind you." Konrad's voice echoed from behind Issei. He quickly turned around only to be met with a mighty punch to the chest. Issei hit the ground but tumbled back onto his feet. Issei realized he couldn't even really throw an attack at her. Konrad would just perfectly doge it.
Konrad was already blurring at him at extreme speeds. Issei tried to face her head on but that prove to be his downfall, as he was met with furious blows. Issei had blocked the flurry of blows. Konrad then headbutted Issei to the ground so hard that he was flung to the ground again. She had noticed that the attack had actually cracked Issei's helmet.
He tried to stand up only for Konrad to strike him to the ground. She was about to throw another punch when Issei actually managed to sneak a blow to Konrad's stomach. It was false on her part, she underestimate him for only a second, and that allowed him to land a punch on Konrad.
He was spent, now that he had some distance between her, he needed to think quickly. Issei couldn't use any of the new attacks, they were too risky. Then he quickly had an idea. Konrad dashed at him, her lighting claws ready to teach Issei a lesson.
Issei knelt down on the ground and crossed his arms. Konrad was about to jab her fist into Issei when he turned his head up, facing his adversary at this moment.
"Hole to the Uknown!"
Issei was completely domed by bright shadows, Konrad had stopped her assault and calmly strode by it, not letting her guard down for even a second. She knew of these shadow portals Issei would use to cut limps, but the mere idea of this showed how cunning Issei could be. Though she did have her power claws she doubted that they could even pierce this perfect defense.
"Impressive Issei but how do you plan to fight back." She asked. Issei's voice spoke from the shadows, his voice was a bit distorted but Konrad could hear as clear as day.
"I could ask the same thing." Issei stated. Konrad gave a stiff laugh it was true, she was completely unable to hurt or get to him. Konrad's helmet retracted back, showing a proud smile.
"That's enough of our spare." Konrad order.
Issei let the shadows disappear and he stood in his regular clothing. Issei had taken some deep breaths, the fight was so one-sided, he felt like a complete idiot for changeling Fulgrim. Issei took a long sad sigh.
"What is wrong Issei?" She asked.
"I'm not even close to your guy's league, but fighting you felt so one-sided." Issei said. Konrad could see the doubt in Issei's eyes. She quickly gave a peck on Issei's cheek. He blushed at the kiss but had a calm smile.
"Nonsense, Issei not even my first captain, can catch up like you do, your amazing." Konrad said. Issei's mood brightened up tenfold.
"Really?" Issei asked.
"We may have not worked on your agility, but we found you a perfect defense." Konrad said. Issei smiled at least he found that. Konrad was glad but wouldn't cut it against Fulgrim, Issei was missing one key factor.
"Issei how are your swordsmanship skills?" She asked. Issei gave a shaking hand response. "Oh we're gonna need some help here"
"Perhaps I can be some assistant" Vulkan said, both of them turned towards Vulkan who made her presence known.
"Were you watching us?" Issei asked. Konrad was also a bit surprised she didn't notice her sister. Though how long was she there? Vulkan gave Issei a humble gaze.
"Issei, may you grant me the honor of making you a sword." Vulkan asked. Issei's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't know what to say.
"T-t-thanks Vulkan but you-" Issei tried to say only for Konrad to cut him off.
"Hell gladly take it." Konrad said. She knew of Vulkan's amazing skills in making weapons, her hammer was a literal teleportation device, and she had even heard rumors about how she has sometimes locked up some weapons because they were too dangerous. To revive such a gift would be a grand weapon. Issei needed it too if was going to duel against Fulgrim. Vulkan would have loved to make such a weapon, she would consider it a personal token of her gratitude.
"Cool, I get a sword." Issei said. "So well Konrad, you ready for some sword training."
"I'm sorry Issei but I can not teach you about the blade." Konrad said. Issei had a downward expression.
"Then who's gonna help me." Issei asked unsure what to do next. Vulkan knew they could hopefully rely on one.
"The Lion." Vulkan said. Konrad narrowed her eyes at the name. Though it was a long shot. She could be the one to teach him. Issei's eyes widened in surprise out of all the Matriarchs, The Lion always scared him.
Yep, this is chapter 18 where getting some Fulgrim action. Some good old fashion fighting. tell me your guy's thoughts. Follow, favorite, and review.
