The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Chapter 15 – Perverted Trio vs Succubus
15th September, Saturday, shortly past 12:45 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, cellars
"Ohhhh… Wha… what happened…?" Issei groaned, as he opened his eyes.
The moment he did so, he laid his eyes upon something before him. It was dark, but for some reason he could see through the darkness. The moment he saw what was before him, he widened his eyes in shock.
"WAAAHH!" Issei yelled and scrambled back without a moments delay. The reason for his reaction is because right in front of him were the dead bodies of the succubus' victims!
Issei's heart was beating wildly. His horrified eyes were still fixed on the bodies until Ddraig spoke up.
[Partner! You're awake, thank goodness!] Ddraig spoke relieved. This distracted Issei from the bodies and towards his Partner.
"Ddraig! You're here!" Issei said half surprised, half relieved.
[Of course! Did you think I was going on a holiday or something?] Ddraig joked.
"Well, umm… I… uh…" Issei tried to give Ddraig a smart retort, but couldn't because he couldn't think of any.
[All jokes aside for the moment] Ddraig said, his demeanor turning serious. [You don't have to worry about those bodies in front of us. They're dead. They won't do anything to you.]
"Well…" Issei replied flustered. "I… I knew that!"
[Regardless…] Ddraig continued. […what about young Matsuda and Motohama? Are they awake?]
Issei blinked a few times, before snapping his fingers in realization that the two of them were still lying around here. He looked around and didn't need long to find their rousing forms lifting themselves of the ground with a groan.
"Ugh… Man, the floor is cold…" Matsuda complained, as he stood up.
"Yeah," Motohama agreed, while he stretched his arms upwards. "Mental note: Never sleep on a cold concrete floor… because 1) it's cold and 2) it hurts!"
"Totally," Matsuda agreed back.
"Guys! You're alright!" Issei called out relieved.
"So are you, dude," Motohama said, trying to look in Issei's general direction, since it was so dark in the cellar (he guessed his position by the sound of his voice).
"Yeah, and I'm also here. So, I guess we're all alive, huh?" Matsuda remarked with a smile.
[And me. Don't forget me…] Ddraig added, annoyed at being left out.
"Tcch… Of course, yeah… And Ddraig…" Matsuda said with a click of the tongue.
Then the boys adjusted and knocked off the dust of their clothes for a while, before Issei spoke up in a somber tone.
"So… we were here all this time…"
"What is?" Motohama asked.
"No, I was just thinking… Everything we experienced with the girls… our time at school with them… the time we spent with them outside this prison… I still can't believe that all that was a dream…" Issei responded, as he looked down towards the ground.
"Yeah…" Matsuda said, becoming equally somber. "…and that all this time our memories had been manipulated by the succubus – just to get ourselves killed by it…"
"Yeah, it sucks, but… look at the bright side, though," Motohama said, trying to brighten the mood. "At least, our girlfriends helped us out of this mess… and look! We're all right! That's gotta be something, right?"
Matsuda and Issei didn't say a word. Motohama wondered when they were so quiet until Matsuda spoke up.
"Nathalie…" Matsuda whispered.
"Sally…" Issei whispered as well. "We don't know, if any of them are alive…"
Motohama was taken aback by their lack of optimism. But then he remembered Julie's disappearance and became as sentimental as his buddies. "Oh… Julie…" Motohama groaned, before shedding a tear in sadness.
[Will you three just man up!] Ddraig interrupted their self-pitying session. This got their attention. Motohama even stopped his crying.
[You'll achieve nothing by crying like little wusses. What you three need to do, is to take out the succubus and end this nightmare. That is your mission. And the only way to do so, is to get your head into the game and come up with a plan. Understood?] Ddraig rebuked them sternly.
All three were taken at Ddraig's rebuke, but they realized he was right and nodded in agreement.
[Good! Besides, you can worry about your girlfriends another time. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that they may still be alive] Ddraig told them.
"You... Are you sure?" Motohama asked hopefully.
[I don't know… It's just a guess. Anyway, that's not the issue. We need to come up with a plan to beat the succubus] Ddraig said, trying to set an agenda.
"Yeah… sure…" Matsuda answered and nodded.
"So… Anybody got ideas?" Motohama asked.
"I don't know…" Issei said, shrugging his shoulders. Just after he said that, he suddenly remembered something.
Flashback
"When you face off against the succubus, it might be best to dragonize your ears and eyes, too. The succubus likes to hide in the dark. That is why you need all the enhanced sense you need."
Flashback end
"Wait! I think I've got something!" Issei said suddenly, surprising the others.
"Huh?" Matsuda cocked an eyebrow.
"You do?" Motohama asked.
Issei nodded. "Remember earlier when we were in that illusion? I remember… getting instructions to dragonize my eyes and ears. I was told that that would help me to take out the succubus."
"Aah…" Matsuda gave out at Issei's answer. "…I think you told us about that before…"
"I think you told us that… though… Who told you that again?" Motohama wanted to clarify.
"A doppelganger did," Issei simply answered. This confused Motohama.
"A doppelganger?" Motohama asked confused.
"Yeah. A doppelganger is someone who looks exactly like you. I was taken into an illusion and that was where I met him," Issei explained, which confused Motohama even more.
"An illusion inside an illusion? How does that work?" Motohama asked again.
"Well… it was… You know what? Forget it. Explaining everything would take too long. What matters is that my doppelganger told me about all this and now we've got a plan," Issei summed up, not being in the mood to go through every single detail.
"Who do you think that doppelganger is anyway?" Matsuda asked next.
"I don't know… To be honest," Issei admitted. "Everything that's happened was a mystery to me, so don't ask me."
Matsuda and Motohama raised their eyebrows but then decided to leave at that.
"So… Do you have any ideas why dragonizing only your eyes and ears is necessary?" Matsuda asked this time.
"Yeah. Why not your arms or, heck, even your whole body?" Motohama added.
"I don't know…" Issei replied.
[Perhaps I can explain] Ddraig offered.
"You do?" Issei asked curiously.
[Indeed. I have worked with numerous hosts who have dragonized themselves, so of course I would know. Anyway, the reason why Issei does not need to dragonize his whole body is two-fold. One: He only needs to do so for his eyes and ears because despite the succubus' craftiness, it is not a creature that is versatile in close-quarter combat] Ddraig explained.
"Really?" Matsuda replied skeptically.
"Last time we fought her, she kicked me in the stomach with high-heels and let me tell you: That kick hurt!" Motohama countered.
[I didn't say she was incapable of close-quarter combat, I said she wasn't versatile in it. There is a difference] Ddraig clarified to them. [If you can force her into close combat situation like earlier, you may have a chance of beating her. However, you three should beware of any long-distance attacks or any of her illusion magic. These aren't easy to counter and can block certain senses, hence the need to dragonize the eyes and ears.]
"Wait. You said there was another reason for not dragonizing my whole body. What is it?" Issei asked.
[The second reason, is although dragon scales are durable, strong and can protect you from a lot of things, there is a long-term major draw-back] Ddraig explained.
"And what might that be?" Issei asked on.
[The draw-back is this: On the long-term, you will be weak to dragon-slayer weapons and magic, along with curses specialized in killing dragons] Ddraig told them.
"Really?" Matsuda asked, as if Ddraig just said something illogical. "That's the second reason?"
[Indeed] Ddraig confirmed. [Once you dragonize, you can never truly revert your body back to that of a human. And so, when you encounter dragon-slayers or other anti-dragon specialists – and I believe that one day you will meet them, for that is the destiny of my hosts – you might have a hard time dealing with them.]
"But, Ddraig," Issei interjected. "Wouldn't I be even more vulnerable to anti-dragon a human?"
[Not necessarily] Ddraig answered. [While generally humans are more vulnerable to magic than dragons, there do exist some forms of anti-dragon magic that kill dragons, while being non-lethal to humans.]
"So… you're telling me that I should never completely transform into a dragon, right?" Issei asked, while leaning back against the wall.
[No] Ddraig denied. [What I'm saying is that you don't need to dragonize your body completely – for now. Dragonizing your body does have its advantages, despite the disadvantages. Besides, dragonizing your whole body is a long painful process, one that would take us too long and should be done once we've dealt with the succubus. But we'll discuss this issue at a late time.]
"Well, ok. Good to now," Issei said, his curiosity satisfied. He removed his back from the wall and took the initiative.
"So… now that we've talked about that… Guys? Are those weapons of yours still lying around here?"
Matsuda and Motohama looked at Issei's general direction in confusion (it was still dark, they couldn't see him properly).
"Weapons?" Matsuda asked confused.
"You know," Issei replied, while looking around for said objects. "Those makeshift weapons you guys took with you on our way down here… Ah! Found them!"
Issei immediately crouched down and took up the curtain pole. He got up and handed it over to Matsuda, who was a bit confused at first until he recognized its touch.
"Ooooh… those weapons…" Matsuda said, stretching the "oh" upon recognizing his makeshift staff.
Issei immediately went a bit farther and picked up something else, before going towards Motohama.
"What are you talki-" Motohama wanted to say, but was interrupted by Issei, who gave over the object he had picked up – a picture.
"Oh, now I remember…" Motohama groaned in annoyance. "It's that stupid picture of a dancing lion, isn't it?"
"It has a tutu on, but yeah. Right on the money," Issei said with a grin.
"Matsuda, can't we switch weapons? This thing sucks!" Motohama complained to Matsuda, but Matsuda refused.
"No way! It's my weapon! I found it first, so too bad!" Matsuda taunted his friend.
Motohama growled at that, but Ddraig broke up the fight, before it could escalate.
[Enough, you two! Be glad that anyone of you has something to be begin with. You're not in any situation to complain!] Ddraig rebuked them.
The two of them calmed down at that and sighed deeply.
"Sorry, it's just…" Motohama began.
"… it's just unfair that unlike Issei we don't have any Boosted Gears or any cool powers. Heck, he can even dragonize his body for crying out loud! Why do we always get the short end of the stick?" Matsuda complained.
Upon hearing, Issei started to feel a bit guilty. Sure, he loved having the Boosted Gear and was proud to have it. Yet at the same time, he also didn't want to leave his friends behind in the dust either. If he were to become strong, he wanted to do it together with them, not without them.
[Partner] Ddraig spoke to him. [There's nothing to be ashamed of. People end up with Sacred Gears upon their birth. There is nothing you or anyone could do to change that. Some people end up with Sacred Gears…]
Ddraig paused, as Issei turns his face to where Matsuda and Motohama stood, who were also listening to what Ddraig had to say.
[…and others don't] Matsuda and Motohama sighed again.
"Are you sure that we don't have any Sacred Gears in us?" Matsuda asked Ddraig, hoping Ddraig may somehow be wrong.
[Unfortunately, not. I have tried to sense you two before and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary – including Sacred Gears. And most supernatural beings can sense Sacred Gears] Ddraig told Matsuda to his disappointment.
"And me?" Motohama asked as well.
[That counts for you, too] Ddraig replied, making Motohama fall to his knees.
"This is so unfair… Why us? Why does Issei get all the good stuff…?" Motohama mumbled.
[*Sigh* Get up you two] Ddraig told Motohama with limited patience at their complaining. [If it is magic or supernatural weapons that you want, then there are other ways to it without having to rely on Sacred Gears.]
At that, Motohama and Matsuda perked up. Issei also raised his eyebrow at that.
"There are?" Matsuda asked.
"Tell us how?" Motohama followed up.
[Well… their mood changed quickly…] Ddraig said to himself, before answering them. [There are many magical arts and supernatural weapons of all kinds there. I'm not sure which ones might fit you two, but there might be something. Even if magic and weapons don't work out for you, you could get familiars to aid you, something that could come in very useful for you. You see, there are many ways to get "cool stuff" other than Sacred Gears. Besides, having a god-tier Longinus like mine is a huge responsibility and comes with a lot of baggage, too.]
"Huh? There is?" Issei asked in shock.
[Indeed. Partner, I wasn't joking when I said earlier that you would face Dragon-Slayers in the future. In fact, you'll meet all kinds of strong enemies, like gods, dragons, angels and so on… that would want to kill you for all kinds of reasons. That is especially true for the White One, Albion.]
"Oh, yeah… I forgot…" Issei said with a sweat-drop running down his nervous face.
[Do not worry, Partner. We'll get there when the time comes, but for now we start small. More specifically, we start with small fry – like the succubus. So, enough talk. I think we should get going, before the succubus takes advantage of our lack of action and attacks us first] Ddraig reminded everybody of the task ahead of them.
Everyone nodded and prepared to leave.
'Fighting gods, huh? Boy, am I glad not to be in Issei's shoes…' Matsuda thought in relief.
'Issei is going to have it hard…' Motohama thought similar to Matsuda.
As they prepared to leave, Matsuda and Motohama looked around to find out where to go (since it was dark and they couldn't see).
Issei, on the other hand, went right past them towards a certain direction.
"Guys?" Issei spoke up, getting their attention. "The exit is this way."
Issei pointed with his thumb towards the exit (which Matsuda and Motohama couldn't see of course).
Wrinkling his eyebrows in consernation, Matsuda asked, "How could you possibly know that?"
"Uhh… dragonized eyes. Remember? I can see in the dark," Issei reminded Matsuda.
This caused him and Motohama to let out a big "Ohh…" upon hearing the answer.
"Right, we forgot," Motohama said. "In that case, you go on ahead," he gestured Issei to lead.
Issei nodded (despite knowing that Motohama can't see in the dark) and walked on ahead.
"This way, guys," Issei told them. Thus, the perverted quartet walked away towards the staircase at the other end of the hallway, leaving behind the pile of decaying corpses of the succubus' victims.
15th September, Saturday, shortly past 12:54 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, hallway on the ground floor
The facility was pitch black. All the lights were switched off. Thus, the perverted quartet had to rely on Issei to guide them through the darkness. Issei looked up and down the facility, weary of an ambush by the succubus. Matsuda and Motohama were trying their best to stay vigilant. Clenching their weapons, they looked up and down.
However, being unable to see in the dark did not make their job easier. What's more, it was raining outside and the raindrops were creating a sort of pattering sound. As a result, they had a hard time hearing anything. And so, they sharpened their ears to pick in any potential sounds from the succubus.
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama moved slowly, in order not to make any loud footsteps. The last thing they needed was for the succubus to hear them.
While everyone was feeling tense for incoming attacks, Motohama suddenly had idea.
"Yo, Issei," Motohama spoke up, trying to get Issei's attention.
Matsuda and Issei nearly skipped a beat at that. They turned around and shushed him immediately.
"Be quiet! The succubus might hear us!" Issei whispered.
"Yeah, yeah…" Motohama whispered back. "It's just… I remembered something."
Issei raised his eyebrows. "Remembered what?" Issei asked in a whispering tone.
"Your gauntlet. You can use it as a torch. Why don't you switch it on?" Motohama suggested.
Issei shifted uncomfortably, unsure about the proposal.
"I don't know… What if the succubus sees us?" Issei asked quietly.
"Hey, you had no problem doing that last time, so why not now?" Motohama reasoned.
"Well… at the time we were trying to find that police man in the dark. We needed a flashlight at that time so we could find him better. Remember?" Issei reminded Motohama and Matsuda.
"Yeah, that's right. So?" Matsuda asked Issei.
"So… using the Boosted Gear as a light source was a necessity. Now, however, we're trying to ambush the succubus and take her out. Concealing the sound of our footsteps is easy because of the rain outside, but if we use a light, she might discover us sooner or later," Issei explained.
Matsuda and Motohama hummed in understanding at Issei's explanation.
"Good point," Motohama conceded.
"Oh, so that's why we're sneaking and whispering all the time," Matsuda realized, something that caused Issei his two friends to look at him with a deadpanned expression.
"Uhh… duh! What do you think we're doing? Going peeking on the kendo club?" Issei asked sarcastically.
"In my defense, in those situations we do that, too," Matsuda replied in jest, but quickly became serious. "But, say! If the rain can conceal our sounds – any of our sound – why are we even whispering? Heck, why are we even sneaking?" he said, pointing out how unnecessary their cautious behavior was.
Issei frowned at first, but then thought about it. After a moment of silence, he hit slapped his forehead out of frustration of his stupidity.
"I'm an idiot!" Issei admonished himself loudly, causing the others to flinch at the sudden loudness. "Why didn't I think of this before!?"
[Indeed, Partner. While you do have a lot of smart ideas, you're not immune from illogical thinking] Ddraig said.
Issei frowned at that. "Yeah. Thanks for the wonderful compliment, Ddraig. I'm so happy that you have so much faith in me," Issei replied in a snarky fashion.
[Don't mention it] Ddraig replied, ignoring his partner's sarcastic response. [But I think even going around without a light is unnecessary. Switch on the light of the Boosted Gear, Partner.]
Issei's frown turned into confusion. "Huh? How come?"
[I don't know, Partner. But for some reason I have a foreboding feeling of some kind. I don't know what it is, but… I get the feeling that the succubus won't be ambushing us on the way to her] Ddraig tried to explain.
"She won't?" Matsuda spoke up.
"How can you be so sure?" Motohama asked.
[I don't know. I just feel it. Don't ask me why, but… whatever this foreboding sensation is, it's telling me that… the succubus is upstairs – in the office on the second floor] Ddraig revealed to them.
The perverted trio widened their eyes upon hearing this.
"What? How do you know?"
[Like I said earlier: I don't know. It's just a sensation or revelation of some kind] Ddraig tried to explain.
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama looked at the Boosted Gear with skepticism on their faces. Sensation? Revelation? What could this mean? They tried to figure out where Ddraig might get such a revelation, until an idea popped in Issei's head.
"Ddraig, do you think this could be the succubus' doing?" Issei inquired.
[To be honest, I don't think so] Ddraig replied honestly. [For some reason, it just doesn't feel like anything the succubus might do. It feels… completely different from any vibe that I get from the succubus. It feels… much grander… knowledgeable… But I'm not sure…] Ddraig tried to explain as best as he could, but even he was having trouble putting what he had witnessed in words – something that the perverted trio never expected Ddraig to have.
Trying to get back to more pressing issues, Motohama got everyone's attention.
"So, Ddraig," Motohama spoke up. "What do you suggest we do?"
Everybody looked at the Boosted Gear in anticipation, expecting Ddraig to say something.
Ddraig said nothing at first, but then came up with something and spoke up.
[People, I have a proposal] Ddraig told the trio. [If we presume that what I just heard was true – namely that the succubus is in the office on the second floor – then I suggest we make our way up there. However, whatever you do, do not rush in head-first! We need to have a bigger plan… a grander strategy in case the succubus has some tricks up her sleeves. And because of that, we need to put all available resources and tactical advantages to good use. Here's what you need to do: First, we need to…]
Ddraig told Issei, Matsuda and Motohama of his plan and they all agreed with enthusiasm. They liked what Ddraig had in mind and decided to implement it.
15th September, Saturday, shortly past 01:03 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, second floor
After less than five minutes or so, they reached the second floor. Just like the floors below, it was dark and without light. Yet, this time the perverted quartet was using the Boosted Gear as a light source to light the way.
"Pretty neat," Motohama said to Matsuda.
"Yeah," Matsuda replied with a grin. "It doesn't matter how often I see that thing. It never ceases to impress me."
"Yeah, though…" Motohama said with a bit of worry on his face. "…I hope that the plan will work."
"I hope so, too," Matsuda replied and took a deep relaxing breath. They were getting closer to where the succubus was and getting all stressed out wasn't going to help them.
Nevertheless, Matsuda, Motohama and Issei couldn't help but feel this way. After all, the memories of their last fight was still fresh on their minds. The succubus had used destructive orbs that could obliterate them, if they weren't careful. On top of that, they remembered how they had nearly been taken out by whatever close quarter combat she had – especially Motohama (Motohama still winces at the memory of being hit with high heels in the stomach). Thankfully, Issei managed to take out one of the succubus' arms and break a leg, but there was no guarantee that the succubus didn't have more tricks up her sleeve to compensate her injuries.
"Ddraig, are you sure it will work?" Issei asked Ddraig in worry.
[Partner, relax. It will work, unless you do it wrongly that is] Ddraig consoled his host.
"Yeah… if we do it wrongly…" Issei murmured to himself.
They soon came to the entrance of the office on the second floor. The entrance of the room stood out simply because it had two doors standing side by side, thus making the entrance wider. It had a rather grand feel to it, as if it was the room to the final boss.
Issei gulped, before he looked to the left and the right where Matsuda and Motohama were standing respectively. Right now, the three of them were standing firmly side by side, like soldiers getting ready for battle.
Matsuda and Motohama turned to look at Issei. Issei saw in his face that the other two were also nervous and starting to sweat profusely. Issei mustered his courage and gave them a timid smile.
"This is it, guys," Issei said, trying to sound confident. "The final door."
"Yeah, the last boss…" Motohama remarked, as he turned his face back to the door.
"It's like a video game, except that this is real life," Matsuda added, staring at the door as well.
Nobody said a word after that. They just stared straight at the door.
"I can't believe that we've come so far…" Matsuda said.
"Yeah," Motohama agreed. "Getting thrown in jail… surviving an assassination attempt… getting sentenced in court… ending up here… getting girlfriends… getting out of an illusion… helping people… fighting enemies of all kinds…" Motohama listed the events they had to go through.
"…surviving each and every challenge and now…" Issei continued from there, as if continuing Motohama's thoughts as one. "…we're here. Ready to finish off the final boss – just like in video games or in the movies."
"I feel like everything we've been doing has been building up to this moment," Matsuda commented. "As if… this is the end."
"But wait, a sec!" Motohama spoke up quickly. "If this is the end, then… what are we going to do after that? I mean, where will we go? I doubt we'll stay, since it's a front for the succubus and not a real prison, so what are we going to do?"
Issei took a deep breath and tried to think of an answer. However, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't think of answer. What were they going to do? Is this really the end for their adventures? Somehow, this all felt so… incomplete. Sure, they went through a lot of trials and tribulations (more than anything he would wish on anyone), but it somehow didn't feel enough. What's more, Issei had the feeling that one way or the other the authorities would find out about this trick-pony of a prison and come fetch them. So… does this mean they'll serve out their sentence in another jail, except that whatever that jail might be, it will be worse?
Questions after questions came upon Issei's mind and he was getting worried. Matsuda and Motohama also started to get worries of their own, until Ddraig interrupted their thoughts.
[People, I know you have a lot of worries, but we can worry about them later. For now, we have a succubus that needs to be stopped. So, focus on the mission] Ddraig told the trio.
That was exactly what they needed. Even though, they still worried about their future, they set their minds on what lay before them. Ddraig was right. Worries could be thought about later, the succubus, however, was their immediate priority – and their plan to take her down, too.
As one, they looked straight at the door, ready to go in. Issei looked at Matsuda and Motohama once more.
"Guys? You all know what to do?" Issei asked them with a serious look. Matsuda and Motohama looked back seriously, before they nodded.
"Yeah."
"Me, too."
Issei took in another deep breath, as he went for the door. He put his hand on the handle and looked back at his friends one last time.
"Good, then… I'm going in. I'm counting on you," Issei said to them with a smile, perhaps the last one he will ever give them. He readied to open it, but Matsuda called out to him, just before he did so.
"Issei?"
"Yeah?" Issei asked.
Matsuda and Motohama gave him their brightest grins ever.
"Good luck," Motohama said first with his thumb up.
"Kick her butt!" Matsuda cheered with his fist pumped into the air.
Issei chuckled, before turning his face towards the door.
Yes. He knew.
His body was ready.
[Boost!] The Boosted Gear was ringing and Issei's power doubled.
"For Sally…" Issei whispered to himself the name of his girlfriend. The girl he first loved.
While Matsuda and Motohama stepped back out of sight, Issei pushed open the door and entered into the lion's den.
[…]
The office on the second floor was as dark as all the other places in the Sakabasu Detention Facility. However, Issei could sense an ominous presence in the room. He could smell the perfume filling the room. It smelled like rosewater or something like that. Issei wasn't sure, since he was no expert in perfumes, but he knew it wasn't always there.
[Boost!] Issei's power doubled.
Issei scanned the room with dragon eyes and noticed several things.
The office to the second floor was rather big, compared to the office at the reception. The room was ten meters long, five meters wide and stretched five meters upward. Moreover, there were shelves on each side that reached from one end of the room to the other and almost all the way to the ceiling.
It had a much different vibe from any other room in the facility, almost as if it wasn't part of the facility at all.
'I guess, it does feel like a Boss Room,' Issei thought humorously.
[Boost!] the Boosted Gear rang out again.
Looking at the other end of the "Boss Room", Issei saw a big desk, probably made of authentic oakwood or something like that. And behind the desk was an office chair that was facing the windows at the very end of the room.
It was when Issei saw the chair that he sensed someone.
Issei immediately readied himself to fight. For somebody was sitting on that chair, facing towards the window and omitting an ominous presence.
Issei needed no guessing to know who it was. His nose could easily make out who it was.
[…]
"I figured you would come by now…brat!" the succubus spat the last word contemptuously from behind the chair. "Where are the other two? Did they run away like cowards upon realizing my infinite powers?" the succubus said haughtily, forgetting about how well Matsuda and Motohama fought in their last skirmish.
Issei decided to ignore her taunts. Even though, he had fought against her before, he still couldn't help but feel unsettled by her. The succubus spoke with such malice that it sent chills down Issei's spine.
Nevertheless, Issei mustered his courage and decided to speak out.
"Forget out about them. You're dealing with me, you third-rate porn star," Issei retorted, trying to sound defiant as possible.
[Boost!] the Boosted Gear doubled for the fourth time.
"Grrr…" the succubus growled, having a low tolerance for her victims insulting her. "…You… piece of crap!"
She turned around, revealing her face full of rage to the host of the Red Dragon Emperor, making him flinch back. Issei also noticed that her left arm was still missing from their previous skirmishes, leaving only a bandaged stump behind.
'Wow, no wonder she's so pissed! Then again, she got what she deserved,' Issei thought to himself.
"Do you know what you've done!? All my plans, all that hard work… are all gone because of you! Even my servants turned against me because of you!" the succubus bellowed at him.
The last statement caused Issei to recover from his shock, making him look at the succubus in disbelief instead.
"Servants…?" Issei said incredulously, before he became furious. "…Where are they? What did you to Sally!?"
The succubus smirked. "Oh, worried about them, eh? Well, let's just say… they won't be a bother to me ever again."
[Boost!] it rang for the fifth time.
Issei couldn't take it anymore – both in regards to the Boosted Gear (of which he could only take 6 to 7 Boosts) and the succubus' hateful tone. "You b****!" Issei screamed, aiming his Sacred Gear towards the succubus.
[Partner, don't!] Ddraig called out, causing Issei to stop at the last second.
'Why, Ddraig? Why shouldn't I just end her here?' Issei asked Ddraig mentally in frustration at being held back.
[Partner, she probably wants to provoke you so that she can take advantage of you! Besides, trying to shoot her when she can teleport whenever she wants is a stupid idea and a waste of all that energy you built up. Use your head instead!] Ddraig explained to Issei with urgency.
'What about my Boosts!? I'm already near my limit!?' Issei asked Ddraig mentally in desperation because the Boosts of the Boosted Gear were making Issei feel like the gravity increased under him multiple times.
The succubus notices Issei's hesitation and ongoing fatigue and starts to mock him.
"Oh, you're trying to boost your power and are trying to hold it in. A foolish effort! A mere human like you can only boost so many times," the succubus gloated.
The succubus decided to teleport right in front of Issei. Issei gritted his teeth in anger, as he waited for Ddraig's answer.
"Too bad for you, I guess. Which is why… die…" the succubus' expression turned sinister, as she formed an orb at Issei with her remaining arm, intent on finishing him off with it.
[Boost!] The Boosted Gear doubled power for the sixth time.
[The floors! Smash them, now!"] Ddraig called out.
Issei wasted no time. He raised his gauntleted fist and smashed the floors with all his might.
[CRACK! CRASH!] the floor crunched beneath the weight of Issei's fist, as it gave way beneath the two of them, making them fall down the floor below..
"AAAGHHH!" the succubus cried out in surprise, as she was caught off guard by Issei's sudden move and thus misfired her orb towards one of the big shelves.
[BOOM!] the resulting explosion caused chunks of the wall, the shelf and the masses of books on the shelf to come crashing down upon them, as they fell. The debris (especially the books) caused the two of them to be significantly buried underneath them.
Issei hit the floor below and was temporarily winded and helpless to do anything regarding the falling avalanche of books burying him underneath. He was lucky the harder debris, like the rocks, didn't hit him or else it would have been bad for him.
[Reset!] The Boosted Gear called out, as Issei lost all his previously boosted strength and reverted back to his normal strength.
"*cough* *cough*" Issei coughed underneath all those books and debris and crawled away from some of the debris and towards the nearest wall.
[Partner, are you all right?] Ddraig called out to his partner.
"*cough* *cough* Yeah, I'm fine," Issei responded coughing, as he rested against the wall of the room he had crashed down into. "Just… tell me the next time I have to do something… a little bit quicker, OK? *cough* *cough*"
[Well, the next time only boost up your strength two or three times and keep it at that level. There's no need for you to reach your boost limit with an opponent like this] Ddraig told Issei.
"Noted," Issei said, as he checked his surroundings. The room he was in seemed to be another room for inmates, but with all the debris and books lying around it was hard to tell.
Suddenly, from other end of the room from where Issei was, there was an explosion that sent debris of rocks and shelf remains flying. At the center of it all was the succubus who was seething with fury.
"WHERE ARE YOU, MAGGOT!? COME OUT SO I CAN KILL YOU!" she shouted, looking around furiously for Issei. Issei, who was thankfully still obscured from the succubus' view, scrambled to get away. He saw the door right next to him, grabbed the handle, quickly opened it and fled right through the door.
The succubus noticed this and growled angrily. "Found you…"
In the hallway with Issei
Issei was currently running as fast as he could as far away from the succubus as possible. 'Got to go faster! I have the feeling that she's hot on my heels!'
[BOOM!]
"WAAAH!"
Issei yelped, as the door and the wall nearby exploded revealing the (of course) furious succubus.
"YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME!" the succubus screamed. To Issei's horror, he saw that she has wings and that she was swiftly flying after him.
Issei picked up his speed in a panic, running as fast as he could. Suddenly, his senses were tingling and he instinctively kept his head down, only to see an orb rush right above him and causing an explosion on the wall up ahead. It left a huge crater. If Issei hadn't ducked, his head would have been disintegrated!
'I just KNEW it…' Issei groaned internally, before turning to Ddraig and the Boosted Gear. 'DDRAIG! ANY IDEAS!? I COULD NEED SOME RIGHT, NOW! OTHERWISE I'M TOAST!' Issei screamed to Ddraig internally.
Ddraig tried to calm him down, but then suddenly had an idea.
[Partner, listen to me. I've got an idea, but you must do as I say] Ddraig told him urgently.
Issei nodded, as he didn't have time to think. And if Ddraig had any ideas, why not?
[Boost!] Issei doubled his power from his base strength, as he almost reached the part of the hallway that only allows a turn to the left.
The succubus fired another orb before Issei came to the end of the hallway and bounded right around the corner – just before the orb could have hit him, causing it to hit the wall again and destroy it once again.
Meanwhile, the succubus was laughing sadistically. "YOU CAN'T FROM ME! I'LL FIND YOU… AND I'LL KILL Y-" she wanted to finish her sentence, but as she prepared to fly around the corner…
"AUGH!" a Dragon Shot hit her torso squarely, causing her to fly back and hit the wall behind her. The impact from Issei's Dragon Shot knocked the breath out of her, leaving her stunned in addition to her outfit to be somewhat singed.
As the succubus was still slumped against the wall in a daze, a [Boost!] came from Issei's Boosted Gear.
Issei, who apparently had waited for her to come around the corner to take a shot at her, was rushing at her with a roar and had thrown a punch to her face with his gauntleted fist, knocking her to the floor. Issei mounted her and punched her some more. With his increased strength, his punches and kicks were especially effective against the succubus, as she received painful blows to her face and her torso. It would have been the end of the fight, if the succubus didn't have some tricks up her sleeve, preparing some magical spell to get Issei off her.
Ddraig, however, sensed it before it went off.
[Partner! Get away from her! Now!] Ddraig practically yelled, causing Issei to comply without a moment's delay.
Sure enough, a burst of black smoke covered the succubus with immediate effect. Issei retreated, as the smoke expanded towards his direction.
"That again…" Issei remarked, as he recognized the smoke attack that was right before him. He fired another Dragon Shot that cleared the smoke away and blasted the wall in the way, throwing rubble and dust into the air. Issei covered his face, while coughing.
Once the dust had cleared and he looked up, the succubus was gone.
Upon realizing this, Issei slumped down to the ground in exhaustion.
[Reset!] the Boosted Gear sounded, as Issei's strength returned back to normal.
He was panting heavily, exhausted from running and doling out punches and thus needed some rest. However, Ddraig had other ideas.
[Partner, get up. There's no time to rest. You need to stay alert for any imminent attack from the succubus] Ddraig ordered Issei.
Issei frowned upon hearing this. "Ddraig, give me a break…" Issei complained. "…she's gone. So, what's there to worry about?"
[She has only teleported herself away temporarily. Once she finds out that you're exhausted and unable to fight, she can just as easily teleport herself back again. So, get up] Ddraig told Issei sternly, as a commanding officer would to his subordinate.
Groaning, from fatigue, Issei used the wall to help reluctantly prop himself.
After catching his breath, Issei spoke up.
"You think Matsuda and Motohama will be fine?" Issei asked Ddraig.
[Somehow, I don't think so. For one, the succubus has been too busy dealing with you that she hasn't been able to deal with those two. Plus, I don't hear any signs of battle anywhere in the facility, so I think they are fine] Ddraig assured Issei.
"That's good to know…" Issei said with a sigh of relief.
[Nevertheless] Ddraig responded. [You need to stay on your guard. Right now, you are her biggest threat. I can imagine she would want to take you down first, before fighting the other two. So, keep watch. Use all your senses to detect her presence. In this dark and quiet environment, it is vital to do so because she likes to use stealth to ambush her prey.]
"Well… good point…" Issei said, while stretching his arms in order to get back into the game.
As a result, Issei was walking in another part of the hallway on the 1st floor, using all his senses around him. Just like the rest of the facility, it was dark all over the place. Issei may have eyes that enable him to see in the dark, but that just makes him feel like he is playing a video game. More specifically, a horror video game where the monster can pop out of nowhere and kill you. The only difference is that this is real life!
Issei just hoped the succubus would come out soon, so he could just end this nightmare!
[Partner. Calm down] Ddraig told Issei. [Getting nervous won't help you at all. In a situation like this, losing your nerve pretty much guarantees losing your life.]
"Uhuh…" Issei responded tensely. He realized Ddraig was right, but that still didn't soothe him.
Issei looked left… and right…
He used his magnified sense of hearing to detect her, but there was no sound.
Issei looked above him and below…
He tried to sniff her this time, but to no avail.
Issei looked even harder left… then right… the up… and below…
He tried to hear out suspicious sounds… until he heard something… strange… like a whirring… like an energetic ball from behind the door to the right.
It was then that Issei leapt back in caution!
Suddenly, the door burst from its hinges and flew into the wall to the left of Issei, nearly hitting him.
'That attack… but that is…' Issei realized, as let his Boosted Gear make another [Boost!] sound.
"HA! I've got you!" the succubus shouted triumphantly, having revealed her position from within the room to Issei's right.
Once the succubus came out, having not noticed Issei, the latter decided that now was the chance and thus readied a punch. The succubus turned her head and widened her eyes in surprise at her prey being alive. But it was too late for her to do anything.
[WHAM!]
"AUGH!" the succubus yelped, as the Boosted Gear hit her face and sent her flying into the wall at the end of the hallway ten meters away. She landed with an impact, strong enough to make her to cause her head to bleed.
Seeing the succubus in a helpless position, Issei rushed to attack her, though the succubus quickly recovered and released another mist to obscure herself from Issei's view. Issei stopped and readied a Dragon Shot, but the sound of energy whirring from the mist, caused him to hesitate.
[Partner! Move out of the way!] Ddraig shouted and sure enough three orbs came flying towards Issei one by one, intent on killing him.
Issei quickly complied and threw himself flat to the ground, making the succubus' energy orbs miss their target. Issei growled in annoyance, as he fired his Dragon Shot, while on the ground. The Dragon Shot cleared the mist and hit the wall with a blast, but with no succubus in sight.
"Drat! Missed again!" Issei cursed, as he got up from the ground. While he cleared the dust from his clothes, he wondered whether he would ever be capable of taking down the succubus. The way things are going, it might take forever, if anything.
[You musn't lose hope, Partner] Ddraig told his host. [You did pretty well, avoiding her attacks and doling out blows on her. Keep this up and she'll be defeated in no time.]
"I hope you're right…" Issei said to Ddraig, as he looked at the wall where that he had destroyed. "…though I do wish she could just go die already."
[Partner. It's called a fight for a reason. It's not just because you're fighting against an opponent. It's also a fight because you're fighting against yourself] Ddraig explained.
Issei was confused. Himself?
[Yes, like your impatience or your insecurities. Any of these weaknesses can be exploited, if you're not careful. What you need to do is to make sure the enemy does not use these weaknesses against you. Instead, find out their weaknesses and use it against them] Ddraig lectured Issei on the subject of weaknesses.
"Yeah, yeah… I know…" Issei said dismissively, as he set his mind back into being vigilant. "Where off next?"
[Try going downstairs. She might be hiding there] Ddraig suggested.
"Good idea…" Issei nodded, as he went in direction of the staircase.
15th September, Saturday, shortly past 01:18 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, first floor, staircase
Issei was looking around, as he came to the staircase area. It was also dark and not easy to see. For that reason, Issei had to be careful not to trip over the stairs or slip and fall. Matsuda had tripped over the staircase once, some time ago and Issei didn't want to hurt himself.
As Issei took his first step towards the staircase to the floor below, something happened – musically.
((Tip-toe through the window
By the window, that is where I'll be…))
The appearance of the music was so sudden and so loud that Issei slipped and fell on his back, sliding a few steps downward. Issei groaned with his back sore from landing on the stairs, as he picked himself up.
Was that… music? If he didn't know any better, he'd say that this is a Tiny Tim song. Now that he though about, it had to be right? But forget about that. Where did that even come from? It seemed to be coming from downstairs, but… Why was it even playing?
"Ddraig! There's some loud music playing downstairs! What do I do!?" Issei asked Ddraig loudly, trying to speak over the rather loud music.
[I suggest we look for the source is! Find out who's playing it!] Ddraig told Issei.
Issei complied and made his way downstairs slowly.
15th September, Saturday, shortly past 01:19 am – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, ground floor
As Issei made his way to the ground floor the music got really loud – to the degree that he had to close his ears with his hands. It's already loud for enough for a human, but a dragon has it even worse, which is why the loud music was unbearable for Issei.
Gritting his teeth, Issei tried to find out where the music was coming from. Issei realized it came from the lunch hall and so made his way over there. Passing through the hallway, he reached the entrance and peered in, trying to find the source of the obnoxiously loud music in question. Sure enough, there was a set of loudspeakers he had never seen before, which is where the music came from.
Issei pondered on what to do, whether to just go there and pull the plug or just stay away in general, since the sound of it is killing his ears. While Issei was thinking this, Ddraig called to him once again.
[Partner! Before you do anything else, it's wise to look around the room first. You may not know if the succubus may be hiding somewhere!] Ddraig warned Issei.
Issei frowned at that for a bit, but decided not to argue and scan the room with his dragonized eyes. Issei took in the darkened room with his night-vision, starting with the loudspeakers (nothing to see here other than them being the source of Issei's current torment) … then the blinds covering the kitchen (nothing there) … the tables where everyone would eat lunch (nothing there either) … the upper left corner of the ceiling (which should have been a blind spot for Issei upon entering the lunch hall) … huh? Was that a glowing orb?
It was then that Issei widened his eyes and saw the succubus lying in wait and aiming another shot at him.
Issei quickly jumped away, as the orb flew towards him. As Issei did so, three things happened:
One, Issei let go of his ears, as he landed with a roll on the hallway floor, causing the loud music to assault his ears – to Issei's agony.
Two, the explosion from the orb destroyed the entrance of the lunch hall, causing debris and dust to fly, thus leaving Issei vulnerable, as he not only has to deal with painfully loud music, but also with dust obscuring his view.
Three, because of reasons on and two, Issei was lying on the ground completely vulnerable and helpless to do anything.
Issei tried to regain his bearings and stand up. But was then kicked in the face by an angry succubus who appeared in front of him via teleportation.
Issei groaned in pain, only to then scream, as the succubus slammed her high heel into his chest.
"YOU PIECE OF S***! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" she shouted, as she rammed her foot into his stomach. Issei said nothing, only gritting his teeth in pain. He tried to do something with his hands, but the loud music prevented him from thinking clearly, which is why he resorted to closing his ears.
"YOU HAVE CAUSED ENOUGH TROUBLE BY RUINING MY PLANS, BUT NO MORE!" she shouted menacingly, as she stomped on him again, making Issei grunt in pain.
"NOW… BURN IN HELL!" she shouted dramatically, as she readied another orb to finish Issei for good.
[Partner, get up!] Ddraig shouted. [If you don't, you'll die!]
Issei tried to say something, but couldn't from the pain. Was this really the end?
Right, as she was about to fire, she jerked and screamed in pain. Issei looked in utter surprise. What was…?
It was then that Issei saw a knife sticking into the succubus' left shoulder, causing it to bleed like crazy. The succubus fell to the ground next to Issei writhing and screaming in pain. Standing right behind the succubus all this time, as it turns out, were…
"Matsuda… Motohama…" Issei said weakly, as he looked up at Motohama and Matsuda, the latter having bloody hands. Issei deduced that it was Matsuda who stabbed her.
Motohama looked at Issei with concern, as he knelt beside him.
"DUDE, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" Motohama asked out loud because of the music.
"To… loud… can't… hear… you…" Issei gave out.
"WHAT!?" Motohama shouted.
"The… music… ugh…" Issei groaned because of the music.
It was then that Motohama realized that Issei was closing his ears for a reason. "OH! THE MUSIC! I'M ON IT!"
Motohama rushed without a moment's delay, made his way through the rubble on the floor and into lunch hall. After a few seconds of searching, he pulled out the plug from the speakers, thus ending the noise.
Issei let go off his ears in relief, as Matsuda helped him up.
"Issei. You all right?" Matsuda asked Issei, as Issei was on his feet.
"I'm fine…" Issei replied, clearing off the dust from his clothes. "Just… feels like my head is ringing, that's all…"
"Really? Nothing else?" Motohama asked, as he came back to where Issei and Matsuda were in the hallway.
"Well… maybe a bit of pain from having high heels on my body… Now I know how you felt earlier, Motohama. High heels really do hurt," Issei said to Motohama jokingly, trying to lighten up the mood.
Matsuda and Motohama chuckled at that until the cries of the succubus brought them back to the situation at hand. She had just pulled out the knife out of her shoulder and was currently whimpering in pain. Before she could do anything else, Issei kicked the knife out of her hand.
"Looks like the tables have turned again, huh?" Issei remarked with a catchy/cheesy one-liner.
"You…" the succubus half-growled, half-groaned. Then she looked at Matsuda and Motohama. "…Where did you two come from…?"
"Surprised to see us?" Matsuda asked with a smirk. "You didn't actually think that we would let Issei fight you on his own, did you?"
"Yeah, no way we're ever going to be left out of the action. We've come this far together, so why should we back off?" Motohama added with his arms folded in front of his chest.
"But… ugh… how?" the succubus asked, still immobilized by the pain of the stab wound. "How did you sneak behind me unnoticed…? I would have noticed if you bugs were…"
"Heh, if only you did," Issei responded triumphantly, as he massaged his sore body for a bit. "You see, Ddraig figured that going against you head-on was a dumb idea, so we had to come up with something. That's when we remembered something about you. You always act so high and might – and short-tempered, too – which we all used to our advantage."
[Indeed] Ddraig spoke up this time. [Originally, our plan was for Issei to provoke you and then wear you out for a bit. Matsuda and Motohama here would have snuck up from behind you once you were weakened enough and then finished you off with those knives they took from the kitchen.]
"We figured that you would get so caught up with Issei that you would forget about us," Matsuda continued explaining. "After all, why would you? We're just ordinary humans. We don't have any fancy weapons or magical or Sacred Gears like Issei does. It was when Ddraig pointed that out that we decided to use your arrogance to our advantage."
"The only thing we didn't take into account was that the battle would go all over the facility. I mean, smashing into first floor from above? That's pretty extreme, if you ask me, Issei," Motohama commented impressed, but also with slight disapproval.
Issei rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Ahaha… Well, I had to do something… She was almost going to kill back there," Issei defended himself.
"Oh, yeah? Well consider yourself lucky. Motohama and I were this close…" Matsuda showed with his fingers, leaving a centimeter's gap between his thumb and index finger. "…to breaking off the plan and just rush out to help you. Except that Matsuda here thought it was a better idea to follow you in secret until the succubus revealed herself so that you could take her down."
Issei looked at the two of them in surprise. "You were following me all this time?" Issei voiced incredulously.
"Yeah," Matsuda nodded. "It was pretty nerve-wrecking if you ask me. Waiting until the succubus finally appeared and hoping she didn't spot us… Man, that was torture! It felt like a horror game of some kind – especially when the music started playing!"
"To be honest, even I didn't expect that the succubus had loudspeakers downstairs. When we went down the dinner hall, I don't remember even seeing those things. How did she even get those down there?"
"I suppose she has her ways," Issei shrugged nonchalantly, before his face took on a happy grin. "But, boy! You came in the nick of time. Any sooner and I would have been dead! Thanks, Matsuda."
"Don't mention it…" Matsuda said with an uneasy look on his face. "…though I'd rather not stab anyone any time soon…"
"Well, don't worry, man!" Motohama patted Matsuda's shoulder. "At least, it's over now…"
Everyone smiled at that… but then the succubus started to laugh, despite the pain from her injuries, causing everyone's attention to turn towards her.
"Ahahahaha… *cough* *cough*" she laughed, as she started to cough up blood. "You think it's over? Think again…"
It was then that the succubus pulled out a black cube from her cleavage. It had a mysterious black energy pulsating from it.
"Now… *cough* *cough* You can die…" she said with a smirk, as she threw it down to the floor.
[Wait! Stop her!] Ddraig called out, but to no avail. The cube burst open and revealed a black portal that sucked everybody in.
"WHAT!?"
"YAAAH!"
"NOOOO!"
The trio of perverts tried to grasp on something… anything to keep them from being sucked in, but it was no use. All three of them were sucked in, including the succubus who was laughing.
"Ahaaahaaahaaahaaaaa…" the succubus laughed triumphantly, as the portal closed behind them in the dark dimension.
15th September, Saturday, about 1:41 am – ?, ?
[…]
Issei groaned, as he stirred. He opened his eyes, but found it strange that despite doing so, it was all pitch black. In fact, everywhere Issei looked was only darkness with no features. What's more, the air felt… thick… like it was hard to breathe… Issei slowly breathed in, trying to take in as much oxygen as possible, as he tried to check his surroundings.
[Partner, are you awake?] the voice of Ddraig appeared.
"Ddraig…?" Issei spoke weakly. "Where… are we…?"
[Partner, we're in a different dimension… one with a huge essence of dark energy] Ddraig answered Issei.
"A different dimension…?" Issei asked confused.
[Yes] Ddraig replied. [I've seen this once before when your two friends and I were saving this mysterious fellow not too long ago. Whatever this energy is, it's intended to weaken us… even suffocate us…] Ddraig said ominously.
It was then that Issei widened his eyes upon remembering something. "Matsuda… Motohama…" Issei looked around for his two friends, but to no avail.
[Partner, use the light of the Sacred Gear. Hurry!] Ddraig urged him.
"Yeah…" Issei answered and sure enough, after using the green jewel as a light, Issei saw them lying unconscious and motionless on the ground.
"Guys…" Issei called out, as well as he could. He jogged up to them and tried to rustle them awake. But nothing happened. Issei was starting to get worried.
[Partner, they're still breathing, but they're unconscious] Ddraig told Issei, much to the latter's relief.
"That's good to know…" Issei sighed. "…But… what do we do now…?"
((Now… you die! Ahahaahahaahaha…)) the succubus' voice echoed through the dimension.
Issei turned to face her, but because it was dark and the voice was echoing, he couldn't figure out where she was.
"You… show yourself!" Issei called out angrily, as best as he could.
The succubus just laughed mockingly in reply. ((Ahahahaha… It is useless… useless… You will never find me in this dimension…))
"You little… *cough* *cough*" Issei coughed because of the thick, oppressive air and started to fall on one of his knees.
((Aah… aah… That's no good…)) the succubus mocked Issei. ((In this dimension, I am in control. The air in here is so thick, it will suffocate you to death along with your friends…))
"Curse you… when I get to you *cough*…" Issei coughed some more. He was starting to get dizzy and was trying hard to stay conscious.
This time, the succubus growled. ((Always trying to resist… foolish brat! It's because of you and that damn dragon of yours that my plans always fail! I should have just killed you the moment I laid eyes on you in that prison cell in Kuoh!))
That caught Issei's attention. "Prison…?"
((Oh, yes… I've been watching you and your friends ever since then… You were young, had hormones and thus were the perfect food for me…)) the succubus told Issei. ((You don't realize how long I had to wait for this. Disguising myself as a lawyer to earn your trust… hypnotizing the judge to sentence you to my facility… It was a long wait, but well worth it…))
[So, it was your scent back then. I knew it…] Ddraig growled angrily.
"Wait, lawyer…? Kashiwazaki-san…?" Issei said, saying the name of the friendly attorney that had helped them in their court ordeal.
((Yes, that was I…)) the voice of Mr. Kashiwazaki echoed through the dark void, before turning back into that of the succubus'. ((…and it should have been a child's play getting you three buttered up in prison, ready to be devoured… but of course I should have known better than to underestimate the Red Dragon Emperor… In fact, I should have never frightened off Motohama by saying hello that one time. You would have never been paranoid then… and I wouldn't have lost my arm!)) she shouted at the end.
Issei did not respond, as he tried his best to stay awake, but slumped to the ground.
[Partner!] the worried voice of Ddraig called out.
"Haah… haah… so… hard… to… *cough* breathe…" Issei said with raspy breathing.
((Ahaahahahaha… I will enjoy my time watching the life fade away from you, as I feed on your life force… But there's no rush. I'll bide my time until you're weak enough and then I will feed on your corpse! Ahahahaha…)) the succubus gloated with delight at the thought of devouring the human trio.
Ddraig took note of that and decided to ask the succubus one final question.
[Tell me one thing, before you kill my host. There's no way a succubus like you could have the powers create powerful dark dimensions like this one or even travel through dimensions. Where did you get these powers from?] Ddraig challenged the succubus.
The succubus said nothing, as if contemplating, only to answer with a "Hmpf!"
((Are those your last words? I don't like anyone questioning my abilities like that. But since it's your last wish, I shall tell you)) the succubus responded, deciding to be generous just this once.
((About one year ago… I was just an ordinary succubus travelling around just doing what succubi do… seducing humans and then feeding off their energy… but it was then that a portal opened and sucked me in. I didn't know where I was. It was dark and featureless – like this one except even more empty and without ground. It was there that I met a fearful and frightful dragon… one that makes you look like a lizard by comparison. I trembled in fear as I asked what the dragon wanted from me. The dragon told me that he wanted me to clear out an unknown "mess" inside his dimension, his "home" as liked to call it. I went to the offending "mess" and saw that there were a lot of bits in it… the kind of bits you would find on devices of electricity… That was when I heard a voice, asking me to help them… asking me to free her and her friends from their loneliness and despair. While I contemplated on what to do, something hit me. My mind was filled with knowledge, omniscient knowledge of everything… in this world and outside of it… It felt like I could see… for the first time in my entire life! It was astounding… and it was after that that I agreed. It was then that she took form… and her friends… The dragon, being grateful, let me go back to our world – with the girls, of course. By the way, they are people who you know very well…))
"Sally… and the others… *cough*" Issei whispered quietly upon realization, as he lay on the floor.
((That's right! It was none other than your beloved girlfriends who I helped out! All of them come from a different dimension… another world! Unfortunately, that world was destroyed, so there was no way for me to visit it. But with the knowledge that I obtained, I knew… that there was a way to gain absolute control… over this world…)) the succubus said in excitement.
[And what might that be?] Ddraig asked the succubus.
((Taking over the author's position… his power… powers of the one who decides the flow of the story…)) the succubus said, her voice getting giddy with excitement.
[Author?] Ddraig questioned.
((Someone like you could not possibly understand. Only I know about this and no one else)) she declared arrogantly. ((But you… you ruined everything and not only getting omnipotence but from my well-deserved meal as well! And for that… You will die slowly and painfully! I will devour you… soon… Ahahahaha…. AHAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAAHAHHHH!)) the succubus laughed evilly, her voice echoing through the void.
[Partner… are you ok?] Ddraig asked, concerned for his partner.
"I don't know… *cough*" Issei coughed out.
[Partner… you musn't give up! Get up! Now!] Ddraig told Issei urgently.
"Ddraig… I'm sorry… *cough* If I had just… finished her off earlier… *cough* This wouldn't… have happened…" Issei said remorsefully.
[Don't go dying on me now! Do you want to go down… as one of the weakest hosts that I've ever had!] Ddraig practically shouted at the end.
"But… what else can I do…? *cough* I… My mind… is all dizzy… even moving… thinking is hard…" Issei tried his best speaking, but with great difficulty.
[Partner! Don't you…] Ddraig started to rant in frustration.
"I'm sorry… Ddraig…" Issei apologized before falling unconscious.
[PARTNER!] Ddraig screamed.
Inside Issei's mind
'I failed… the first serious opponent… I couldn't beat her… my only victories were just lucky shots… I'm… so… pathetic… Forgive me… Ddraig… Matsuda…. Motohama… Mom… Dad… Nathalie… Julie… Monique…'
Issei started to shed a tear when he came to the last name.
'…Sally…'
"Don't tell me you're giving up now," a voice calls out to Issei.
'Who…?'
"Is that all you've got, me?" the voice asked.
'You're…'
It was then that another double of Issei appeared. No, rather it was the same double from before.
"Indeed, I am. So, let me ask you again: Is that all you've got?"
'What? But…'
"*Sigh* I always have to do all the hard work, don't I? Look here. Remember about what I said earlier about never giving up? Having wits and a well-planned strategy can most certainly help you to victory. But you must never forget willpower."
'Willpower…?'
"Yes, willpower. You certainly did do well to remember your promises and your friends, but it is willpower that drives you to fight – for your friends and for what you believe in. Of course, you shouldn't rush in without thinking, like a bull in a china-shop, but still…"
'Yeah, but… I'm too weak… I can't do it…'
"You won't know until you try."
After a moment of silence, the alternate Issei stepped forward and put his hands on Issei's shoulders and gave him a firm look.
"The only thing that's preventing you from defeating the succubus is your own doubt. So, quit whining. Get up. Only then will you be able to beat the succubus."
'But… how…?'
"You'll figure out, once you get there."
The doppelganger gave Issei a grin, before vanishing.
Issei said nothing. He wiped his tears away, as he realized… that his doppelganger was right.
He couldn't give up yet.
He hadn't even given his all.
Matsuda… Motohama… they were still out there. They needed his help and he'd be damned if he let them die.
It was then that Issei decided to muster everything he had to awaken.
Back in the dark dimension
Issei slowly opened his eyes, as he heard the sound of footsteps come closer. Then a silhouette appeared from the shadows coming towards him, high-heeled shoes coming into view. She was ten meters away.
Issei quickly realized it was the succubus. She was about to kill him but what could he do?
Issei noticed that he was lying with his stomach on his left arm. That was where the Boosted Gear normally was, but was now absent after Issei fell unconscious.
That was when it hit him. Now, he knew what his doppelganger was talking about…
Issei summoned the Boosted Gear, hoping that the succubus wouldn't see him and started boosting his power. He was still not feeling well because of the thick air, but if he didn't pull this off, he was dead!
Thankfully, the succubus didn't notice. Instead, she smirked, as she approached Issei with an intention to finish him off once and for all.
"Finally, you are mine… mine to devour!" she said half to herself, half to what she thought was Issei's unconscious body. "First, I'll devour you, then I'll devour your friends and then… I'll get revenge on that fool Hide Shinyama for putting me through all that misery…"
Issei clicked his tongue. He has had enough of the succubus and her arrogant grating voice. He may not know who this Hide Shinyama is or what he did to her, but that didn't matter.
It was time to put an end to this – once and for all!
As the succubus had come just within two feet from him, Issei suddenly pulled out his left arm with his Boosted Gear on it and held his hand out to do the deed.
[Boost!] the Boosted Gear powered up for the seventh time.
"WHAT!?" the succubus cried out in horror and shock, standing where she was as if paralyzed.
"You'll do nothing… ever again…" Issei croaked out, the Boosted Gear at Issei's maximum strength tolerance level.
[Dragon Shot!]
The succubus moved to the side just a fraction of a second after Issei fired point-blank.
"WAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH!" the succubus cried out of severe pain, the Dragon Shot may not have obliterated her as Issei had hoped, but it did obliterate her legs completely, leaving the already one-armed succubus with no legs at all. She fell on the ground, while rolling around in agony.
"AAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHHHHH! WAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" she continued to scream in torment, while Issei raised himself up, despite the thick air.
Issei used the remainder of his time (before the [Reset!] kicked in) to deliver one final blow.
"TAKE… THIS!" Issei yelled, as he put all his strength and emotion into his gauntleted fist.
[SQUELCH!]
The succubus' screaming stopped, as Issei punched clean through her chest and into her heart.
Issei panted heavily and fell back, as he fell unto his back unconscious right next to the succubus' corpse.
[Reset!]
The Boosted Gear disappeared, as his strength left his body.
Issei smiled, despite being unconscious, for he was aware…
It was over.
The succubus had been vanquished.
The nightmare has finally ended.
Unbeknown to him, the dark dimension slowly but surely turned brighter and brighter.
A minute later, Matsuda stirred and then he saw… the miracle that was the dimension of darkness turning to daylight… like when the dawn arises and erases the night.
Motohama also stirred not too long after that, getting Matsuda's attention.
"Wh-what happened…?" Motohama asked groggily.
Matsuda hushed him. "Watch… just watch…"
"What the…" Motohama wanted to ask again, but the sight of the dimension turning white was too wonderful to ignore. It didn't feel natural and yet it felt so beautiful, too. The two of them just sat there, side by side, just staring at the beautiful sight in front of them.
Suddenly, the two of them remembered something. Something they forgot.
""ISSEI!"" the two of them shouted. They looked around them and saw the grotesqueness that was the mangled corpse of the succubus and Issei's body right next to it.
They flinched in shock and disgust at first, but then looked at each other and then hesitatingly made their way towards Issei.
He looked so bloody, tired… was he the one who killed the succubus? Just what kind of fight did Issei put up? Regardless, they shook him awake and so he did.
"Ugh… man… what…?" Issei tried to form words, but Matsuda beat him to it.
"Dude! Are you ok?" Matsuda asked.
Issei just chuckled. "You don't have to ask me that that often, man…" Issei joked, before looking to the ever-whitening dimension.
"What's happening…? Why is everything becoming white…?" Issei asked, as he shielded his eyes from the brightness.
"We don't know. We just woke up," Motohama answered with a shrug.
"Besides," Matsuda spoke up. "What happened? How did you beat the succubus?"
"Ugh… maybe some other time…" Issei answered with tiredness.
[Partner, I'm glad you're alive] Ddraig said with relief in his voice.
"Ddraig, good to know you're alright, too," Issei responded.
There was some merry laughter among the perverted quartet, but then Issei looked around. "Say, how do we get out here?" Issei asked.
[I don't know. Maybe we should…] Ddraig tried to suggest something, but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
"Matsuda?"
"Motohama?"
"Ise?"
Three familiar voices came from the side. Everyone turned to face them and shock was immediately registered on their faces, followed by happiness.
"Nathalie!"
"Julie!"
"Sally!"
Indeed. For it was none other than the three women they loved themselves: Nathalie, Julie and Sally.
What followed were hugs and kisses from all three couples. It felt like an eternity since they were separated. Now, they were together again…
"Sally… it's so good to see you again… You don't know how much we've missed you…" Issei spoke tenderly, as he held Sally in her arms.
"Issei…" Sally said with a tinge of guilt on her face. "… I… No, we have a confession to make…"
"What's wrong?" Issei asked concerned.
"We weren't honest to you…" Sally started to explain.
"Yeah…" Nathalie continued with a similar guilt-ridden expression. "Truth is… we've got a confession to make…"
"What, Nat? That you were working for the succubus? It's no problem, girl. We know…" Matsuda replied, as he kissed Nathalie's lips.
"Well… that, too…" Julie spoke this time. "But… it's not only that…"
"""Huh?""" all three of them voiced in confusion. If that wasn't the confession they wanted to make, then what was?"
"Truth is… our names… Sally, Nathalie, Julie…" Sally explained, while shifting uncomfortably in Issei's arms.
"…are not our real names…" Julie continued next.
"…they're fake identities we created, while working under the succubus…" Nathalie finished.
The three boys were in shock. What!? Not their real names!?
Before they could ask further, the girls continued with their confession, starting with Sally again.
"My name… is actually Sayori…" the girl now known as Sayori said.
"My name is actually Natsuki…" Nathalie, no Natsuki, answered next.
"And my name is Yuri…" Julie, now known as Yuri, answered.
"But why?" Issei asked in disbelief.
"As we said, we needed fake identities, so as to fool people into thinking we were… some other people," Sayori answered.
The boys looked at Sayori in confusion. Even Ddraig was thrown off the loop. Sayori looked flustered at her inability to explain things clearly until Yuri took over.
"It's quite a complicated story…" Yuri tried to explain. The boys still were confused, but they decided to leave it at that.
"That's ok… I'm sure you can explain some other time," Motohama kissed Yuri on the cheek, which earned him a giggle. "At least, we're all back together again, right?"
That was when the three girls' expression saddened all the sudden, something that didn't go unnoticed by their boyfriends.
"Sally… I mean Sayori?" Issei asked concerned by their expressions. What was it this time?
"Ise… I'm sorry, but…" Sally began.
"…But we can't be together again" Natsuki finished the sentence for Sayori.
The boys were stunned. Did they just hear right? Did they just…?
"Hear us out," Yuri spoke up, trying to speak firmly and clearly. "Originally, the succubus was the one who brought us to this world, using the help of greater supernatural powers. However, we can only remain in this world, if the succubus is alive."
"However, now that she's dead," Natsuki continued, her voice starting to crack. "We won't be able to stay long because our essence will start to disintegrate… And if that happens…"
The boys looked at them in horror, especially Issei.
"It's all my fault…" Issei whispered in shock. But Sayori would have none of it.
"Ise! It's not your fault!" Sayori spoke up. "You didn't know this was going to happen! Besides… we aren't supposed to be here anyway… Our existences aren't meant to be here in this world…"
Shaking his head in denial, Matsuda tried to propose a solution.
"Well… we can find something, right? Surely, we can find whatever higher being it was that helped you stay in this world and get it to continue keeping you here. Right, Ddraig?" Matsuda asked Ddraig frantically.
Ddraig was flabbergasted and couldn't say anything, while Natsuki shook her head and laid it against Matsuda's chest.
"No, Matsuda… even if we did manage to find the being in question, we will be long gone…" Natsuki said with tears running down her face.
"No… please don't tell me it's true… please don't tell me you'll disappear…" Motohama begged with tears running down his eyes, as well, as he clung to Yuri.
Yuri hugged him back in response. "I'm sorry *sob*… Forgive us…" she wept, holding him tightly.
"No… it can't be… we just found each other again… and now you have to disappear?" Issei said in despair at losing the girl he loved again.
"I'm sorry, Ise *sob*…" Sayori cried in his arms. "I'm so sorry…"
Both of them cried, just like the other couples. Nobody said a word for a while, until Issei spoke up.
"It can't… just end like that… you can't just disappear… *sob*" Issei spoke with great sadness.
"Well… there is a way we can survive…" Sayori spoke up, causing the boys to perk up and look at her.
"There is?" Matsuda asked interested.
"You mean there's hope after all?" Motohama sounded hopeful.
"There is… but… *sob* even then we still can't be together…" Yuri responded with sadness.
"What do you mean…?" Motohama sounded confused at what Yuri meant.
"It just means, we'll survive and not disintegrate… but *sob* we probably won't see you again, either way… *sob*" Natsuki sobbed.
"Then… what is it what you're talking about…?" Matsuda asked this time.
"Well… it is…" Natsuki answered.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't change anything regarding your… you know… inability to stay in the High School DxD world. But this should have to do."
"I'm grateful. Thanks for all the hard work. Teehee…"
"Thanks, Monika… though you think you're going to be ok?"
"We'll survive just fine… After all, you are the creator of this fanfiction."
"Well… of course! Everything I create will work fine… more or less…"
"Errare humanum est. Teehee…"
"Yeah, let's just hope… this won't be the case here…"
[…]
"So… when will you be going?"
"I'll be on my way with the girls… soon enough… But first… I think we need some discussion on everything that has happened in this story so far… and maybe what's going to happen next."
"Really? You're going to review my story?"
"Of course. Teehee…"
"*Sigh* Well, you are the president of the Doki Doki Literature Club, so what did I expect…?"
"You got that right!"
"Yeah… one last closure into the arc of the Doki Doki Literature Arc… or the Succubus Arc… or whatever anyone wants to call it… Yes… One last epilogue… before you finally start moving around the dimensions, looking for a new home…"
Please read and review.
Until then
Hide Shinyama
