Shit's about to go down
New cover as well to be in theme with this chapter's maximum 𝔼𝔻𝔾𝔼
She's choking herself in the image btw. Bit hard to see, but she do be choking herself
Quit Staring at Me, That's Rude
〖Chapter 8〗
⦕ Quit Staring at Me ⦖
HIS eyes snapped open, but there was nothing ordinary about his awakening. It was as if the very fabric of reality quivered in response to his emergence. With a mighty surge of raw, untamed power, he drained the magical energy from the surrounding world into himself, creating a colossal vortex of violet light that erupted into the night sky.
The heavens themselves seemed to tremble as the radiant spectacle lit up the night with an intensity that was both sinister and awe-inspiring. The air crackled with the sheer might of his awakening, and the world held its breath in anticipation of the chaos to come. The earth quaked beneath him, and the heavens bore witness as a terrible entity had risen from its chains, a harbinger of impending darkness and unstoppable might.
As the vortex of energy spiraled into Issei's body, it molded his form into something beyond mortal. His eyes blazed with an otherworldly violet fire, and his very presence exuded an aura of sheer power that sent shockwaves through the night. It was a transformation that transcended the boundaries of ordinary existence.
With a final, resounding burst of energy, the violet light faded, leaving Issei standing tall and unyielding, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The world had been reminded of his existence, and it would do well to heed the warning.
"Ah…" he sighed softly, a triumphant grin slowly etching itself into his face. He shuddered with a mixture of pleasure and liberation. Freedom had never been so delicious. "...? ﾝﾔﾩ? ﾝﾔﾰ?…"
Nightmarish wings erupted from his back. Unlike the powerful, feathery wings of Angels, his wings were wispy and skeletal in appearance, shrouded in a violet haze that seemed to defy the laws of reality. They stretched out majestically, filling the night sky with their eerie glow.
With a single beat of his malformed wings, Issei took flight, ascending into the heavens under the watchful gaze of the crescent moon.
On the ground below, a motley group of individuals including Raynare, Kiba, Koneko in her Shirone mode, Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, and Mittelt stood frozen, their eyes transfixed upon the astonishing spectacle that unfolded above them.
Raynare, her once-confident demeanor now shattered, couldn't help but gape at the surreal scene. Her eyes, once filled with wrath, were now wide with a sense of dread as she watched Issei's transformation. It was a reminder that the boy she had once thought to be powerless had tapped into something far beyond her comprehension.
Her more-than-friend-still-lackeys gawked at his resurgence, temporarily losing their adrenaline and halted their will to fight.
Kiba, typically composed and stoic, found himself unable to conceal his amazement. He had seen Issei's determination and growth, but this display of power was beyond anything he had imagined. The fear he once held for their enemies now paled in comparison to the uncertainty of Issei's newfound abilities.
Among the group below, Rias Gremory stood at the forefront, her expression a mix of concern, exhaustion, and a bit of fear. She knelt by Akeno, who had been grievously wounded in the battle, her hands carefully tending to her fallen comrade. The injuries were severe, and Rias's brow furrowed with worry as she worked to stabilize her friend.
Rias herself bore the marks of her fierce battle against Raynare, her clothing tattered and her body bruised and battered. Despite her own injuries, she remained steadfast in her duty to care for her wounded peer.
As she looked up at the unfolding spectacle of Issei's transformation, her eyes widened in a mixture of astonishment and relief. She had witnessed Issei's struggles and challenges, and seeing him rise to this newfound power brought a sense of hope to her weary heart.
But her relief was tempered by concern, knowing that the world they now faced had grown even more complex and perilous. She exchanged a brief, worried glance with the others, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges they would soon confront.
And then there was Koneko… who had been initially entranced by the otherworldly sight of Issei's skeletal wings, felt her wonder quickly turn into a sense of bewilderment and dread. As she stared at the ethereal appendages that adorned Issei's form, her thoughts swirled in a chaotic tempest of confusion and curiosity. An ominous sensation washed over her like a tide of darkness. It was as if a malevolent presence emanated from Issei, a corruption that sought to seep into her very consciousness. Her usual cat-like stoicism gave way to a look of distress as she clutched her head, her eyes narrowing in pain.
The sensation she experienced was akin to a poison, a malignant force that attempted to dissolve the boundaries of her mind. She winced, struggling to maintain her composure as the malevolent influence gnawed at her thoughts. This couldn't be Issei; she immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong.
As the malevolent presence seemed to grow stronger, 'Issei' let out a chilling cackle that sent a shiver down Koneko's spine. It was a moment of horrifying realization; the entity that now controlled Issei's body was far from benevolent, and Koneko found herself ensnared in its malefic grip.
His laughter echoed through the night, a wild and unhinged sound. But there was something chillingly sinister about it, something that spoke of a presence far darker than his own.
As his glowing violet eyes surveyed the group of Fallen Angels that stood before him, his voice rang out with a commanding and sinister tone. His eyes glowed with a malevolent violet light, and he fixed his gaze upon them, a menacing threat that seemed to promise their very disintegration with a mere look.
"Yield, you pathetic dogs," his voice, once filled with warmth and humanity, had taken on a darker, deeper timbre that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. It resonated with an inhuman quality, devoid of the familiar cadence and inflection of a mortal's speech.
The Fallen Angels, once confident in their superiority, now found themselves paralyzed with fear.
"T-tch…" Clicking her tongue, Raynare attempted to stand her ground, brandishing her lightspears, ready to lunge at him. But before she could act, 'Issei' averted his gaze towards her.
His eyes blazed with a sinister violet glow, and his eyes seemed to explode like miniature supernovas.
A terrible screech erupted from her left wing as it began to disintegrate. Starting from the black feather at the very edge of her wing, the corruption began to spread, slowly eating away at her feathery appendage.
Raynare, horror etched across her face, didn't hesitate. She swiftly conjured her lightspear, and with a grim determination, cut down her own wing. It was a painful sacrifice, but it prevented whatever it was from spreading further. She still had five left. With a hiss of agony, she discarded the severed wing and made a quick decision.
"Retreat!" She yelled to her underlings. The urgency in her voice was unmistakable as she turned to flee from the malevolent entity that now controlled 'Issei.'
Mittelt, Dohnaseek, and Kalawarner wasted no time. They followed Raynare without question, realizing that they were facing a force they couldn't hope to defeat. The Devils let them be, too stunned at the moment and already in disarray from the unexpected attack.
But 'Issei,' now fully aware of their escape attempt, moved with incredible speed. His movements were fluid and unnaturally swift, moving in a blaze of purple blur. His hand shot out like a viper, gripping the back of her neck with a vice-like grip. In an instant, he plummeted her to the ground with an almost casual cruelty, their descent culminating on the track field below.
"Leaving so soon? But we barely even started," he murmured, his voice dripping with sadistic delight. A wicked smile twisted his face as the Devils on the ground watched in abject terror, helpless witnesses to the unfolding nightmare.
"KALA!" Raynare shouted, halting her flight.
Kalawarner found herself pinned under his unnatural strength. Even with her recent Awakening, he was too much. His grip on her neck was unrelenting, rendering her unable to escape. Panic welled up within her as she struggled for breath, her desperate attempts to free herself proving futile.
Desperation coursed through Kalawarner's veins as she attempted to retaliate. With a swift conjuration, she summoned a lightspear, a gleaming weapon of unholy energy, which hovered menacingly beside 'Issei.' With a determined effort, she directed it toward him, the spear homing in on its target with lethal intent.
WIth a speed and precision that defied the laws of nature, he caught the lightspear. In a terrifying display of strength, he tore the spear of light asunder, dissipating its unholy energy as if it were nothing more than a wisp of smoke.
"Cute."
His eyes glimmered, and above them, hundreds of imitation lightspears filled the darkening skies, each deep violet in color and surrounded by burning violet flames. They floated ominously in the air, a sinister testament to the malevolence that now controlled him.
In her final moments, Kalawarner cast a forlorn gaze upward, locking eyes with Raynare, her voice trembling as she muttered, "Run—"
'Issei' leapt to the skies at the very last moment, he relished in her despair, savoring the moment as if it were a twisted delicacy. Then, in a terrifying onslaught, the hundreds of lightspears descended upon Kalawarner. Obliterating her body with ruthless efficiency. The resulting devastation left nothing but a gaping crater where she once stood.
A single black-feathered remnant marked Kalawarner's tragic demise — and as it floated into his palm, it disintegrated in a flash, erasing the last trace of her existence.
He shuddered in sadistic delight, a chilling mockery to the Fallen Angel who had met her end. "Ah... A raven's blood..." he hissed, the words dripping with cruelty. "...Hardly sufficient, but a decent start."
Tears streamed relentlessly down Raynare's anguished face as she gritted her teeth and took flight, distancing herself from the nightmarish entity that now possessed 'Issei's' body. Her heart felt like a leaden weight, torn between grief for her fallen comrade and a seething anger that threatened to consume her.
Mittelt, her voice quivering with a mixture of sorrow and fury, cried out Kalawarner's name. She hurled curses at 'Issei' like venomous darts, vowing vengeance for her friend's brutal end. With trembling hands, she summoned a surge of energy, ready to unleash her wrath upon the malevolent force responsible.
But Dohnaseek understood the futility of her intent, and he intervened. He seized Mittelt, his grip firm and unwavering, and forcibly dragged her away from the impending danger.
"Let go of me you bastard— let me at him! I'll rip that fucker to pieces!"
"You're only going to get yourself killed! Don't let her die for nothing!" he shouted, tears of frustration mingling with the chaos of the night.
As the group of fleeing Fallen Angels vanished into the distance, 'Issei' watched them go with a cold, disinterested gaze. His malevolent intent turned toward the Devils who remained on the ground, their hearts heavy with sorrow and fear. A cruel smile played upon his lips.
The time for mercy had passed, and the Devils now must face an adversary who had fully embraced the abyss. Their fate hung in the precarious balance of a nightmarish encounter.
"H…Hyoudou…?" Rias stammered, her voice quivering with uncertainty. She glanced around anxiously, searching for any sign of the Hyoudou Issei that she knew and cared for, not this… heartless monster. Her thoughts raced, wondering where Roygun could be. The absence of her strength in this dire moment left a gnawing fear in Rias's heart. "...Issei…?" she called again, her voice stronger, laced with hope that her friend was still somewhere within the abyss that had consumed him.
"S-Senpai…?" Koneko joined in, her voice trembling with fear. The corruption in Issei's soul was sickening, but the Koneko she knew had to believe that the real Issei still existed somewhere deep within the darkness.
"Ah, Gremory…" 'Issei' chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with malice. He tilted his head, regarding Rias with a malevolent gleam in his violet eyes. "I must… extend my thanks to you. Those four Pawns you generously offered have been quite the delicacy… More of the same, please."
The twisted gratitude in his voice made her skin crawl, but her heart sank at his words, realization dawning upon her. Her Evil Pieces had become a source of empowerment for the malevolent entity that now inhabited Issei's body.
Rias replied by unleashing a black bolt of Power of Destruction, a potent and deadly force aimed directly at 'Issei.'
But 'Issei' welcomed the challenge with a wicked grin. His malevolent gaze locked onto the incoming Power of Destruction, and with a sinister intent, disintegrated its energy — breaking it down, studying it, and claiming it for his own use. The dark energy dissipated before him, its destructive potential claimed and absorbed.
In return, he crafted a lightspear from the Power of Destruction, a diabolic weapon that radiated a terrifying aura of black and violet. The very air around it distorted and writhed as if recoiling from the malevolent power it contained.
As he had made his point, he let the demonic energy dissipate into ashes, and regarded Rias once again.
"Ah… thank you for that. I'll overlook your transgression for this generous gift," he mocked, and Rias realized she had made another blunder. A terrible mistake. "Now hand those things over. I cross my heart and hope to die— I won't touch either you or your miserable Servants— hm?"
Issei was forced to end his spiel as he dodged a crescent blade.
Cutting through the tension like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness was Roygun Belphegor, her presence commanding immediate attention. However, the state in which she appeared was a grim testament to the fierce battle she had recently endured.
Roygun, the Queen of the Rating Game bore the unmistakable marks of grievous injury. Blood was dripping down her right eye that was closed shut. Two of her wings were missing; one entirely gone, while the other hung in tattered leathery remnants, dripping with dark red. Hard evidence of her brutal encounter with Penemue. Her once-pristine crimson armor was marred with scorch marks and slashes, and she bore wounds that oozed blood. Despite the visible toll it had taken on her, she remained fearless.
As Roygun drew 'Issei's' attention toward her, her gaze never wavered. Few could match her in the Rating Games and she had proven her worth by defeating one of the Grigori's finest. Battered as she might be, in this dire moment, she would stand as a shield to protect the younger Devils, for she knew that she couldn't allow them to meet their end in this nightmarish encounter.
Besides, there was no better way to score points with Sirzechs than by protecting his beloved baby sister.
"Roygun!" Rias shouted, almost cheering for her arrival, but wincing at seeing her injuries.
"Don't bother with me, Gremory!" she commanded, her voice filled with urgency, "Get to the Underworld! Go now, and get reinforcements!" It was a desperate plea, for she knew that they stood little chance against the malevolent force that now controlled Issei. "This bastard— it isn't a Sacred Gear or Longinus he's carrying, it's Trihexa!"
The realization hit Rias like a freight train. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the Issei they had known with the horrifying truth laid bare before them. She couldn't contain the wide-eyed horror that overtook her as she gazed upon the unholy being that had taken over her dear friend.
"Wh-what…? But… No… No, Issei… But he's…" Rias's words trembled with disbelief and despair. Kiba and Koneko, equally stunned, found themselves at a loss for words as they grappled with the nightmarish transformation that had befallen their newfound comrade.
"Ah, well… cat's out the bag…" 'Issei' tilted his head ominously, his malevolent presence palpable. "Or was it, The Beast?"
"GO!" Roygun, undeterred by the darkness that had overtaken 'Issei,' readied her blade. Her voice was laced with determination as she addressed the unholy entity that had taken hold of her junior.
Once Rias rushed to the clubroom with her Servants, with Koneko carrying Kiba, Roygun held her blade against him.
"Be the good boy you once were, and kindly die for me, will you?"
"I'll consider it, once I'm through with you."
With chilling efficiency, he launched a brutal assault on the grievously injured Devil, his attacks a savage display of power and malice. He struck with relentless ferocity, his blows calculated to cause pain and suffering rather than deliver a swift death.
Despite her valiant efforts to defend herself, her wounds were too great to bear. Roygun found herself overwhelmed by the sheer force of her opponent. She bore the brunt of his merciless onslaught, her body battered and broken, but she refused to yield to despair. Her strength waned with each passing moment, but her indomitable spirit burned brightly.
As the battle raged on, Trihexa seized the moment to grab her glaive as she was attacking, and with horrifying force, he slammed Roygun through the school building, the sound of crumbling concrete and shattered glass filling the air. The impact was bone-jarring, and the building's structure groaned in protest as it gave way to their violent clash.
Before Roygun could even begin to recuperate, it was upon her, its malevolent intent palpable. It drove his hand mercilessly into her stomach, causing a guttural scream to be ripped from her lungs. Her body writhed in agony as the malevolent entity reveled in her suffering.
With a sadistic grin, it turned his attention to her wings, each deliberate action designed to maximize her torment. He seized one of her majestic wings, the very symbols of her power, and with a vicious yank, he began to tear it from her back. The sound of rending flesh and splintering bone filled the air, accompanied by Roygun's agonized cries.
The first wing, on her right side, was ripped with a sickening sound, feathers scattering like ashes in the wind. Roygun's agonized cry echoed through the night as the first appendage was cruelly torn from her. The second followed, torn away with equal brutality, leaving only a bloodied stump in its wake. It moved on to her left side, where five wings remained. It seized the first one with a vice-like grip, fingers digging into her flesh, and tore it away in a horrifying display of cruelty. Her screams of agony filled the night, a haunting chorus of suffering.
Battered and torn. Roygun's once-proud form was now a broken, bloodied mess, her body a canvas of pain.
As it reveled in the carnage it had wrought, it spared a chilling smile, savoring every moment of her suffering. It was a nightmarish display of cruelty and malevolence, a stark reminder of the darkness that had consumed Issei. Throughout this nightmarish ordeal, Roygun's screams of pain and torment echoed through the shattered school building, a chilling symphony of agony that bore witness to the malevolent entity's sadistic cruelty.
Break
"...Ughh…"
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a blood-red hue over the desolate wasteland that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Surrounding this forsaken place were towering, jagged canyons, their rocky walls seeming to reach up and grasp at the heavens themselves. The acrid stench of death and decay hung heavy in the air, mingling with the dry, arid breeze that whispered through the canyons like the mournful wail of a ghost.
Bodies lay scattered around him, lifeless and pale, their once-human forms grotesquely mutilated. Limbs were torn, faces were unrecognizable, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air. It was a massacre, a grim testament to the brutality of the battle that had raged here.
Bodies strewn around him, motionless and pale, a grim testament to the battle that had taken place. Limbs torn. Face ripped off. Flesh mangled beyond recognition that a mother wouldn't be able to tell which part's her son's or daughter's.
"Here again…?" Issei muttered, his voice heavy with resignation. He had been trapped in this recurring nightmare, forced to relive the same horrors over and over again. Each time, he found himself at the center of this blood-soaked battlefield, surrounded by the carnage he had wrought.
His gaze fell to his own hands, the twisted violet scales that covered them seeming like an extension of his very being. They were coated in the gore of those he had killed in this nightmarish realm. He couldn't comprehend how he, a person who cherished life, could be responsible for such a massacre.
His heart was heavy with a sense of resignation as he glanced down at his hands, the violet scales now almost an extension of himself. Now coated in the gore of those he had killed in this never-ending nightmare. He had been through this nightmare before, seen this twisted vision of his future. But it couldn't. He couldn't possibly have the heart to kill anyone, let alone butcher these many people…
Then as per usual, a presence emerged from the shadows, an apparition of terror itself, clad in violet flames and swirling arcane runes that danced around its formless figure. Like a dark haze, a swarm of flies, it moved and floated with uncanny agility.
But Issei wasn't afraid. He'd been in this place plenty. Met it head on plenty. At first he was afraid, but now he was able to hold his ground and stare at the faceless apparition in where he assumed its face would be.
"You again…" he sighed.
"Deny and delay all you want, you can't outrun your fate. Dread it all the same…ultimately, you'll embrace it like an old friend," it hissed, the words echoing in Issei's mind like a relentless mantra. The creature's voice carried the weight of ages, a haunting reminder of his past and the choices he had made.
Issei met his twisted reflection's gaze with a calm acceptance that was born out of familiarity. "You don't get to tell me who I'll become or who I am. Screw you. Piss off already!"
The figure's laughter, though still unsettling, no longer held the same power over Issei's resolve. "Why delude yourself, clinging to your fragile notions of heroism…"
Issei interjected firmly, his voice unwavering. "Who said anything about being a hero? I just want to be decent."
"And for what? The acceptance of others? Their reverence?" The shapeless entity persisted, morphing before Issei's eyes, grotesquely assuming the decaying likeness of Rias Gremory's head. "She's just using you. Treating you like a pet. And why should you be protected? You can protect yourself — you just don't want to do it. Scared. Like the wimp you are."
Issei clenched his fist. Back then it took the shape of his parents and now his new friends. It wouldn't matter. It wouldn't shake his resolve.
"They will die if you don't use me, Issei~" it purred, a haunting tune that echoed in the recesses of his mind. Doubt and worry began to claw at the edges of his earlier determination.
The entity's whispers grew more sinister, changing its features to resemble the lifeless, floating heads of Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko. It was a grotesque sight, a twisted mockery of the friends he held dear.
"Fuck you." Issei's response was unshakeable, a quiet declaration of his indomitable will. "You're not pushing this kind of life on me."
The entity's voice grew more insistent, a honeyed lure laced with venom. "Oh? But you'll perish without us, Issei. They will perish. Your friends, your family… We are their only chance for salvation."
The distorted words meant nothing more than sound effects to him. He'd been in this position way too many times. Nothing could break his mind.
"If I die then I'll die dragging you with me. I at least know that much."
The apparition cackled. "Kehahahaha! Is that what you think will happen? Do you assume we will go down with our ship…? Your body is but a vessel, boy. If you expire, it's only a matter of time before we find a more compliant host. One less… troublesome."
"...Then at least it'll take some time before you're able to find another body to leech off from."
"Tsk." The apparition clicked its tongue. Issei wasn't sure if it had any, but it did. It sounded like a bullet skidding from a steel corner. "You're a fucking pain in the ass, you know that."
"Hah. Pot, meet kettle."
The figure crossed its arms. "In due time, you will come to understand that you require us to navigate the intricacies of the world you've thrust yourself into. You need us. Without us, those cherished friends you've cultivated will wither and decay, much like the bodies you see here."
"..."
Sensing Issei's momentary hesitation, a weakness, the shadow moved closer, its shadowy presence encroaching on his consciousness. "Oho~? You're aware of it, aren't you? You lack the resolve to rid yourself of the nuisances endangering your friends… you lack the control to ensure their safety… But we possess that power."
"What… are you on about. If you want something, then spit it out already."
In response, the apparition dissolved into a viscous, tar-like substance, slithering around Issei's form like a serpent preparing to strike. It extended a clawed 'hand' and grazed his cheek, but Issei's resolve remained unwavering.
'Release us… Just for a moment. We shall safeguard your friends, and we will return control of your body to your consciousness. We might even permit you to be a spectator. T'is the extent of our benevolence.'
"Benevolence? Bullshit. You'll just take it over, you parasite."
'Tch. Why must you be this… audacious in this realm yet a submissive fool outside?'
"Because I'm nice to people. You are a shapeless weirdo trying to be sinister."
'Whatever. So. Do we have a deal…? Or should we let those pathetic whelps perish—'
But Issei, fueled by a flash of righteous rage, refused to let the entity's malevolence persist. In this nightmarish realm, he was the master of his own dreams, and he would not be controlled by this fucking miscreant.
With a swift, determined motion, Issei seized the formless body of the entity, wrenching it away from him, and pinned it to the ground, his willpower manifesting in a force that overpowered the creature's attempts to resist. It writhed and struggled, but Issei's grip held firm. In this confrontation within his own subconscious, Issei knew that he had to make the entity submit before he could ever entertain the idea of letting it take control of his body.
His resolve burned like a blazing fire, and he was determined to assert his dominance over this malevolent force that sought to corrupt him.
"I've had enough of your shit…"
"Yes...!" it hissed in delight, its voice a wicked symphony of malice. "Embrace it… this is who you are."
"I am who I am!" Issei growled, his voice a powerful counterpoint to the creature's taunts. "You're not me, and I'll never be like you!"
The creature's grin widened, savoring the tumultuous emotions coursing through Issei. It reveled in the dark abyss of his anger, seeing it as proof of their shared nature. As Issei's grip tightened, the creature writhed and laughed sinisterly, its joy uncontainable.
"Ah… But Issei, my beloved host~ we are one and the same. Kh—" it writhed as his grip tightened. "Mhmhmhm~ you know it. I am you. Your true nature. Your true desire is to destroy everything, just like me. You will never find love, and it will never find you lovable—filth."
Issei's fury surged, his anger and disgust at the creature's words driving him to a rare, murderous rage. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he spat, "BITCH!"
His grip tightened further, as if he could physically crush the malevolent entity beneath his will. But as the apparition delighted in his rage, Issei began to question himself. Since when was he capable of such intense anger? Was this just another manipulation by the creature, a trap laid to ensnare his emotions? Was he… this… violent?
A storm of conflicting thoughts raged within him. He questioned his very nature, his identity, as he grappled with the sudden surge of violent emotions. Was he really this aggressive, this destructive? The realization that he might be losing control over his own emotions unsettled him deeply.
No, this wasn't him.
He knew who he was. He knew who he wanted to be. He wanted to be a decent person, someone who wanted to understand others, to be compassionate. To be reliable.
This violent outburst was a stark contrast to his true self, and he refused to let it define him.
As the creature continued to delight in his anger, its sinister laughter echoing in the abyss of his mind, Issei's introspection deepened, and moved on towards it. He wondered why something could be so spiteful. He began to sense something beneath the malevolent façade—a profound and enduring loneliness, a desperate desire for connection.
In that moment of clarity, Issei realized that perhaps, this wasn't the way to confront the entity. Slowly, with deliberate intent, he began to loosen his grip, his hands shaking with the effort. The creature, sensing its impending defeat, cried out in desperation, its voice trembling with confusion and fear.
"No, wait, what are you doing?" it pleaded, its voice trembling with confusion and fear. It desperately reached out, trying to tighten its grip on Issei's arms, but it found itself slipping away, like a shadow fleeing the light. "No… no no… It can't be—"
Issei's voice, now calm and resolute, cut through the chaos. "Not denying you," he declared, his unwavering resolve clear in his tone.
"Don't be ridiculous," it laughed nervously, trying to find an essence of his Wrath, and failing terribly at doing so. It must contain him here— he must not awaken. "N-no… wait…"
Issei's response was unexpected and unsettling for the malevolent entity. "Why are you like this?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine curiosity and compassion. "Dude, who hurt you?"
Having been accustomed to intense loathing, rejection, and refusal, the creature found itself completely mortified by Issei's unexpected kindness. It had always thrived on darkness and despair, but now it was confronted with empathy and understanding. The tables had turned, and the entity was left reeling in the face of this unexpected outcome.
As the nightmarish landscape disappeared, fading into obscurity, the malevolent apparition that had plagued Issei for so long dissolved with a howl of frustration. Issei felt a profound sense of relief, as if he had cast off the weight of a heavy burden.
"...Man…" he breathed, sighing as his surroundings had transformed into an eerie and surreal realm. Amid the shadows and dim, otherworldly lighting, where everything was completely black apart from him and the figure in the supposed center of… wherever this was, he spotted a young girl held in shackles.
Her long, flowing hair was a cascade of darkness, accented by striking violet streaks that glimmered mysteriously. The contrast between the raven-black strands and the vibrant violet highlights gave her an aura of both elegance and danger. Her attire was a striking fusion of dark beauty and gothic sensibility. A black and violet dress adorned with intricate details, including a fitted corset that accentuated her slender figure. The skirt of her dress resembled the keys of a grand piano, the ebony and ivory patterns weaving seamlessly into the fabric, creating a visually striking effect.
A single wing sprouted from her back, a demonic leathery wing, darker than the night, a stark contrast to the pale skin that was exposed by her attire. Upon her head, a pair of horns protruded, one pristine and pointed, while the other had been chipped and broken in half, a curious imperfection in an otherwise flawless appearance. Her features were delicate yet possessed an air of authority and defiance, as if she were a captive queen, held against her will — and yet, not entirely bothered by her current state.
Around her neck, a black choker adorned with an ornate design encircled her throat, drawing attention to her elegant neck. Earrings adorned her ears, adding a touch of mystique to her overall appearance.
Gloves, stockings, and boots, all in varying shades of black, completed her ensemble, making her a mesmerizing enigma within this surreal dreamscape. As Issei tried to comprehend the meaning behind her presence, the girl's smirking expression hinted at secrets and mysteries waiting to be unveiled in the depths of his own subconscious.
"Oh...?" she purred, her voice still laced with intrigue and mirth. A sultry voice dripping with dark intentions. "I guess this means you finally got one of the heads then? About time"
Issei's bewilderment deepened, his mind unable to decipher the cryptic message she delivered. "Wat?" he stammered once more, his confusion mounting.
A strange smile played on her lips, as if she found something unexpectedly amusing.
Issei did not appreciate being stared at. "...Quit looking at me like that."
"Hmm… maybe you're not so bad after all," she mused cryptically. "You better leave, though—you're about to get more blood on your hands. Bye, bye, darling, don't lose grip of your sanity now~ We're just getting started."
Before Issei could even begin to make sense of her parting words, a sensation of falling overtook him, and he was suddenly plummeting through the dark abyss of his own subconscious.
"WH-WHOAAAAAAAAA!" he cried out, his voice echoing into the void.
And then, with a sense of disorientation, he woke up, his consciousness returning to the realm of reality.
Break
In a jarring shift of reality, Issei found himself in a horrifying scene. He was sitting atop Roygun in the midst of a ransacked classroom, and the sight before him was nightmarish. Roygun was a bloodied and battered mess, her once majestic wings reduced from twelve to just three—two on her left side and one on the right. Her body lay sprawled on the ground, her expression one of resignation, as if she had accepted her fate, ready to meet her end at his hands.
Issei's heart clenched in horror and guilt as he surveyed the carnage around him. The classroom had been turned asunder, torn apart by their struggle. Her torn wings stained the floor in red and black, and the shattered remnants of desks and chairs bore witness to the violence that had unfolded.
Mortification washed over Issei, and he could feel the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He knew that his body had been taken over by the malevolent entity inside of him during his battle with it, and now, he had harmed someone—a person who had seemingly been defenseless against the entity's onslaught.
Issei's hands shook as he realized the gravity of what had occurred. He had to find a way to regain control, to prevent further harm, and to protect those around him from the darkness within. But the guilt and remorse that welled up within him were overwhelming, threatening to consume him as he grappled with the consequences of his actions.
"R...Roygun...?" Issei's voice trembled with regret and sorrow as he called out to her, his eyes welling up with tears for the horrific scene he had caused. "I'm... I'm sorry..."
Roygun's battered form stirred, and she managed to open one of her eyes, the left one had been torn out by dear Penemue. Despite the pain and injuries she had endured, she mustered a faint, bloody smile.
"There's the good boy..." Roygun whispered with her weak smile, her eyes reflecting understanding and forgiveness, not holding an ounce of anger as she knew what had hurt her was not Issei.
With great effort, she raised her trembling finger and gently caressed Issei's cheek. "Sh... no need to be dramatic..." she whispered faintly.
And then, her strength finally giving out, Roygun's eyelids drooped, and she fell into unconsciousness, her battered body succumbing to the injuries she had sustained. Issei watched in anguish, tears streaming down his face, as he realized the depth of the consequences of the battle that had unfolded within him.
To be continued…
Chapter summary: Issei battles an inner demon in, accidentally turns the hot nurse character into a chicken nugget🐔 #NotHisFault
Well there goes his chance of ever boning Raynare, if he even wanted it
I scrapped this chapter multiple times because I thought it had to carry more 'oomph'. This is Trihexa he's containing, not some kicked puppy. Earlier renditions ended with nobody dying, but that's bullshit. Someone had to die. Khorne demands it. I heard his demand.
Kalawarner drew the shortest stick this time (no joke, i rolled a d4 between Raynare and her gang of chumps)
Who says being good and kind is wimpy? That was the most badass 'Danzy's OOC Issei Moment' i've ever written so far imo. he'll kill Trihexa with his compassion, if he can retain his sanity, that is
Btw the 'Trihexa' in the shackles is a slight modification of Nerissa Ravenscroft's model, but only the model. In fact, that's her photoshopped face in the cover. Personality-wise though, she's a combination of Nerissa and Shiori.
Why yes, I do watch their clips. How'd you know?
I've gotta say, HoloAdvent couldn't have come out sooner. I was desperately trying to find the appropriate look for this Trihexa. And then I saw Nerissa's appearance and went "WOOO BABY, THAT'S WHAT I'M WAITING FOR!"
Anyway. You've tamed a single head now, Issei, but there's still six more ahead. Heheh, geddit? Ahead? Something that Kalawarner no longer possess?
Alright ill stop
Gotta say, this chapter is cathartic. Once you get over the cringe, writing edgy lines and narrations are just liberating.
REVIEWWW, or i'll kick Raynare again
Oh, and btw, do check out my newest story. And yes, I did write a new one, fight me. It's titled "The Eminence in Shadow", and, you guessed, it's about Cid bullshitting his way out in DxD, one vaguely poignant quotes at a time.
if you wanna read my story days before I update it, or ask on me about my 'progress' with any of my bajillion stories or want to give me ideas of how bananas my stories can be, join this server
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