AN: Hey guys and welcome to the twenty-fourth chapter of "Switching Sides.".

I want to thank everyone who Favorited, Followed, and Reviewed!

I know that the time it took for me to update the story was quite long, and people are displeased. I will not write some excuse or ask for you to forgive me, but rather tell you that this story, no matter how much time it takes for me to update, will not be abandoned.

Now, as the end for the story is fast approaching and its smell is already in the air, I am happy to announce that this story will receive a sequel whose length is yet undetermined but will most likely be somewhere between short to medium length.

Now, without further ado, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

"..." Talking.

'...' Thoughts.

"..." Quotations.

"..." Attacks.

*...* Actions, i.e., Yawning and Sighing.

(...) Flashback and time skips.

["..."] /{"..."}Talking through the Sacred Gear.

['...'] / {'...'}Talking in the Host mind.

[...] / {...} Sacred Gear Actions and modes.

"..." Sacred Gear evolution trigger i.e., Juggernaut Drive chant.

An unsettling silence had enveloped the area as Issei finished his speech. The brunette emperor was sure that if Kuroka and the rest wouldn't have been unconscious then he would've heard gasps coming from them at the revelation of the identity of the silver-haired man.

Rizevim grinned manically before he began to cackle insanely. "Ah! I see that the element of mystery I valiantly tried to keep together had finally come crashing down. I do find myself occasionally wondering how the Three Factions had not figured it out a long time ago. It is not like me living was a closely-guarded secret and no one bothered to check on little ole' me because they had all assumed that due to my age, I was nothing more than a recluse, delusional man with visions of false grandeur,"

Despite the seriousness of the situation Issei couldn't help but snort. "So far you don't do a pretty good job at proving them wrong on their assumptions you know," He drawled sarcastically.

Rizevim looked nonplussed about Issei remark as if Issei was nothing more than a bug whose place was beneath his feet. "But that is where you are wrong. While everyone looked at Cao Cao, the wielder of the fabled True Longinus, as the evil mastermind behind everything it was me who orchestrated everything. I was the one who convinced Cao Cao to see the incompetence of his beloved faction and convinced him to join me while tying up any possible loose ends. He did marvelously on that count although I am saddened to say that he did miss quite a few valuable people while doing his job. However, he has been… Properly punished for that you may say," Hearing the end of Rizevim's speech caused Cao Cao to shudder which made Rizevim gleeful.

"Issei…" Vali whispered somberly as she gazed at the shaking form of her loved one.

"You… You bastard! You were the one who caused all those people to die! They've done nothing to you!" Issei growled menacingly as he glared daggers at Rizevim.

"You have so much more to learn boy," Began Rizevim. "As a leader with grand plans, you cannot afford to look at nothing but the big picture. Sure, that day could've ended without unnecessary spillage of blood but with great risk to my plans. You see? I was faced with a choice that most people will run away from and I chose to place my plans at the top of my priorities and eliminate all the potential threats instead of the choice that many would've expected someone in this situation to make,".

"You are no leader! You are a bastard whose only care is the welfare of his insane plan!" Issei cried out.

"I am afraid that your innocence blinds you to the truth of the world. You lack the thousands of years I have under my belt and because of that, you continue to spout childish nonsense out of that thing you call a mouth. Being a leader is much more than just commanding people and getting praises for your achievements. Confidence will be nothing but a mask you put on as you stand before your men and once you take off that mask in the safe confines of your quarters it will be the never-ending doubt that will greet you. It will accompany you with each decision you make and will only grow as you make more and more life-defining choices. At the tip of your tongue rest the words that can either save or destroy the lives of many people and you'll never know which of the two it'll be until you see it with your eyes," Rizevim said.

"Do not try to place the blame on the task of being a leader. You forgot that I know you only too well grandfather and I know just what kind of person you are. Compassion is something that a bastard like you could never possess in his blackened heart. You take glee in the pain of your people. The only thing that stands before your eyes is the goal you strive to reach. The cost to reach your goal will never be more than a bothersome and meaningless thought. The countless of innocent lives lost without knowing that the man they adored and swore to follow, the man they died for cared nothing for their lives and neither did he care for their deaths. You try to make it look as if all leaders are as bad as you, but you couldn't be more wrong," Vali spat with eyes full of pure hatred.

Rizevim chuckled. "This is where you are wrong, dear granddaughter of mine. All leaders have a dark side to them but the difference between them is the depths they go to hide it from the world.
Azazel, the first Fallen, wanted only to break free of the limitations that his kind had. He wanted to love, to lust, and be selfish once in his life and because of this, he fell from grace with many who thought and wanted the same following him thus leading to them being cast by their lord.
The God of the Bible, the creator, the definition of divinity and purity. He cast his own son and servants to eternal Hell with no second thought to falter him in his step even in the slightest. He led to the total annihilation of many who he, and he alone, deemed to be unredeemable. He saw no option to peace but saw only a world where he dominated everyone. Men, Fallen Angels, Devils, all of them were a part of those who suffered unnecessarily from his wrath.
When the God of the Bible died after placing thousands of forbidden seals on the only being that could rival Great Red and Ophis in terms of power he went to fight in the Great War with little to no strength left in him and thus he was killed," Rizevim gazed meaningfully at his granddaughter as if he half-expected her to vehemently rebuke his words.

However, Vali had remained quiet and thus Rizevim continues his speech. "Do you not find it odd that peace between the Three Factions was achieved only after God's demise? Factions who fought for so many years with no hint of peace in the horizon? Many things could be said about the God of the Bible, but he wasn't as infallible as people thought he was. Every being in existence makes mistakes and he was no different,"

Meanwhile, Issei gnashed his teeth as he leveled a poisonous glare at Rizevim.
To anyone who was unlucky enough to spare a glance at the young Emperor would've sworn that his hate towards the son of the Morning Star was taking a visible form.

However, hate was not the only thing that Issei had felt.

Although well-hidden to outside view there was a large amount of doubt that flooded Issei.

'Was Rizevim right?' The brunette asked himself as he struggled to settle the turmoil that his thoughts had become.

Memories of his days at the ORC flashed through his mind. Memories that were accompanied by emotions that Issei had thought he got over long ago.
With the words of Rizevim being fresh in his mind, Issei's outlook on some events that occurred during his time with the ORC had begun to drastically change.

The images of Rias, Sirzechs, Azazel, and Michael flashed more frequently than anything else as his mind tried to tell him what his heart had already known since the moment Rizevim had closed his mouth.

They were no different.

They used him, capitalized on his personality and pushed him towards a future of their choosing.

They were not talking about ordinary people. No, those were beings with experience that can be traced back thousands of years. What also troubled the brunette was the fact that Rias, who lacked the number of years that the other three had, still seemed to possess the same poise and sharp mind as the other three. Living under the same roof with people like her father and brother served to arm Rias with the means to garner the same skills as her brother but without the many years of experience.

Issei suppressed a shudder when the memory of his first visit to the Gremory household in the Underworld had resurfaced. Back then he was so busy ogling Rias' mother that he never realized the looks that passed through Sirzechs and Lord Gremory upon meeting him. But now, looking back at it without the distractions that were present back then to cloud his mind anymore Issei had finally made sense of it.

Those were not inviting and pleasurable expressions that people would expect from someone who'll be your host. No, those were expressions of evaluation and suspicions. They wanted to see his worth and to determine the possible path that he'll take and the possible future it'll secure. They saw no person but rather a means to an end, a powerhouse to use at their disposal be it raw power or political power that comes with having the Red Dragon Emperor under your family's control.

He was sure that Rias was the same but somewhere along the way the line which she drew for herself became blurred and a grey area was created.

It began the same way but ended entirely different.

At first, Rias only saw Issei as a mean to boost her standing, to strengthen her peerage, and to achieve her dream of winning the Rating Games. But somewhere along the way she had begun to develop feelings for the brunette and thus found herself conflicted and insecure.

Issei shook his head, snapping himself out of his train of thoughts, and focused back on the problems at hand.

"You have done nothing but bring sorrow to everyone around you. Every bit of good in your life was vanquished by the wickedness of your soul and the cruel byproducts of your twisted mind. You are no leader for the only thing you'll rule over should you win will be the ashes of everyone who had died due to your actions," Issei snarled at Rizevim.

"I will not be talked like that by a mere child like you!" Rizevim growled as he got ready to attack.

He stretched his hand towards Issei and a large red ball of light metalized in front of it.

"Goodbye, Red Dragon Emperor," He said before launching the ball towards Issei.

The brunette had no time to react as the ball launched towards him in inhumane speed and was only able to bring his hand up to shield himself from the attack.

It looked like a battle of wills as Rizevim's attack fought valiantly to break through Issei's defense.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!] Ddraig roared as he continued to boost Issei thus strengthening his defense.

The struggle lasted for a few more minutes before a large explosion erupted from the red ball causing debris and smoke to dominate the air.

"Issei!" Vali cried out in horror as she began to run towards him only to stop short at what she saw in front of her.

The smoke had begun to clear and from within it, Issei was visible. Vali expected to see Issei shaking or hurt but his pose was anything but that. Instead, he seemed unharmed as he stood proudly and almighty as if the attack was nothing for him.

"I expected a lot more from Lucifer's child," Issei voice was mocking and there was no mistaking the disappointment and boredom in it.

Rizevim fumed. "You have no hope of ever comparing with my power boy," His voice was harsh and full of loathing as he sent wave after wave of Demonic attacks towards Issei.

The onslaught was so impressive in its sheer size and force that Cao Cao was left completely awestruck.

The leader of the Hero Faction shook his head, his face adorning a visible grimace as the realization he had so long ago had become so real.

'This… This is the power of the supernaturals. The stuff of myths and legends that were all said to be impossible. Wars have been wagered, unfathomable destruction and slaughter had been caused by these beings,' Cao Cao lamented.

When he created the Hero Faction, he created it in hopes that he could prevent the tragedy of his life from happening again. He vowed to exert vengeance on the beings who had stolen his family from him.

When the True Longinus had first appeared for him, it was bittersweet. After years of putting his unwavering faith in God and praying continuously, his prayers were finally answered, but they were answered too late. Much, much, too late.

By the time it happened, Cao Cao had lost everything. So, it was no surprise that a child who suffered such a traumatic loss had so easily taken it upon himself to exterminate the super-naturals who were responsible for the harsh turn that his life had suddenly taken.

For this brief amount of time between the death of his family and the brilliant light that signaled the emergence of the True Longinus, Cao Cao had nothing to live for. No purpose, no family, no friends, and no love interest, that he could rely on.

But now, with God's giving him the ultimate gift, he had something to live for. He had a purpose.

However, as time passed, the lines between his purpose and his undying vengeance began to blur and his interpretation of God's will had become twisted. Instead of eradicating those who have committed great sins and went against God and everything he stood for, Cao Cao had taken it upon himself to eradicate everything and everyone that had anything to do with the world that gave birth to those who had taken his family from him.

Before Cao Cao could dedicate more thought to his life story, a loud explosion had caused him to turn his attention elsewhere.

When the dust settled it was clear that the source of the explosion was one of Rizevim's lethal attacks successfully hitting Issei.

Cracks adorned most of his scale mail while his head visor was mostly broken with pieces still falling slowly with each small movement that he made.

"H-How is that possible" Issei choked out. "It's meant to be near impossible to destroy the Boosted Gear's scale mail," His eyes met those of Rizevim and he shuddered at what he saw there.

His eyes showed no triumph or surprise at the incredible feat he had just accomplished. Instead, they had an odd gleam to them of someone who was not satisfied with his performance and was wholeheartedly confident that he could do better.

Rizevim let out a slow and cruel laugh. "There are many things you have yet to know, boy. Did you really think that when God has created his gifts for the humans to utilize against the super-naturals that he wouldn't seek to create a way to counter them? One of the very foundations of this universe is the fact that everything can be countered. God may have created the humans in his image, but he gave them the ability to have free will and he was not ignorant of that,"

"If that is truly the case then God's gifts to humanity were useless!" Vali exclaimed.

Rizevim turned his gaze to Vali. "It seems like it, isn't it? But, God's idea of countering the Sacred Gears was never completed. The initial idea was to grant his Seraphs the ability to nullify the effects of a Sacred Gear when it was used against God's intentions or against Heaven. God knew that humans would grow arrogant with the gifts he had bestowed upon them and wanted this countermeasure to be implemented to instill humility in those humans. The ultimate humbling of those who took those gifts as a sign of their ascension to godhood. As they face against beings of mythical power in a bid for dominance, confidence in the ability that was bestowed upon them only for it to be completely nullified would cause their entire perception to shatter!"

"If that is the case then how does people who seek to destroy Heaven and bring chaos and destruction to the world still possess their Sacred Gears?" Vali questioned.

Rizevim's eyes twinkled ominously. "When God had perished, his plan of implementing this countermeasure was just that, a plan. He had never got around to finish it and bestow this ability on his Seraphs. Instead, his mind was occupied with a much bigger threat. A legendary beast that, when in full power, is said to be on par with Great Red and Ophis. A being so powerful that it took thousands of forbidden seals made by God himself to seal it,"

Issei and Vali frowned deeply as Rizevim mentioned the beast once again.

"The Apocalypse Beast, the Emperor Beast of Apocalypse, the beast who single-handedly caused God to be exhausted to a point where he was struck down during the war. But alas, this is a subject for another day," Rizevim said, his voice full of awe as he spoke of the legendary beast.

"The point is, that it was because of other occupations that caused God's plan to create a nullifier to be delayed and eventually non-existent as he perished. However, it is thanks to a successful raid led by my group on Heaven that brought this information to me and with the resources that I have in my possessions I have been able to finally create what God could not!"

Issei gasped as he comprehended Rizevim's words. For a person like Rizevim to wield such a powerful tool was disastrous.

However, a part of him refused to believe that nothing could be done against' Rizevim's Sacred Gear Canceller. He couldn't lose hope, not when the lives of everyone he cares about are at risk.

He narrowed his eyes at Rizevim, scarcely noting that his scale mail was beginning to repair itself and stretched his right hand toward Rizevim.

A ball of red light appeared where his hand was and began to grow.

"Dragon Shot!" Issei bellowed as he punched the ball which transformed into a beam of concentrated energy that shot toward Rizevim with insane speed.

The Son of the Morning Star was stunned by the attack and his respect for the brunette had grown in a minuscule size after the show of power that Issei had displayed so far throughout their entire fight.

As the beam of energy made its way closer and closer to Rizevim with no interruption, Issei had allowed a smirk to appear on his face.

However, his satisfaction at being able to finally hit Rizevim turned into complete confusion as he saw the latter shake his head before he lifted his hand to meet his attack only for it to completely disappear at his touch.

"What?!" Issei gasped in astonishment. "How is that possible?"

"Did you not listen to me at all, boy?" Rizevim asked. "I have in my possession the power to cancel Sacred Gears. I have mastered this ability to the point where it can work with methods other than my touch. I brought this ability to heights that God had never imagined in his initial plan!"

Issei shook his head fervently as if struggling with all his might to deny the truth that laid before him.

Nothing seemed to work. Rizevim's strength is at its full might while Issei's continues to wane faster and faster. How could he hope to win against someone like him? The Son of the Morning Star was more than just a fancy title for an aristocratic, pure-blooded Devil. In him was the power of none other than Lucifer himself. How can he, a former Devil turned Dragon, win?

His thoughts must've been clear as Rizevim suddenly began to cackle. "I see that the truth no longer eludes you. Many have been at your position before, standing tall and might against me up until their moment of clarity had arrived. Tall and might were replaced by slumped and defeated and their will to fight, to protect everything they hold dear, was nothing but a remnant of the past that seemed so long ago," He ceased to cackle and turned to stare piercingly at Issei.

For a moment no one has spoken and Issei's trepidation grew as Rizevim's gaze lingered on him.

Finally, the silence was broken by Rizevim. "The question that remains to be answered is whether or not you will follow their steps, or you will take the road that none have dared to take. I feel as if I already know the answer to this very same question, but it remains to be seen,".

Meanwhile, Vali remained at the sidelines watching everything that occurred between her grandfather and Issei.

Her emotions were in complete turmoil and nothing could calm them down. Seeing the confrontation, she had dreaded for long finally occurring before her eyes and its results and her inability to help was a much harder thing to endure than she initially thought.

She wanted so much to be there beside Issei, to fight with the person she loves against her grandfather.

But she couldn't. Issei had asked her to stand aside and tend to their friends and distract Cao Cao if necessary and she would not defy him just to fulfill her own desire to fight.

So, she contented herself to watch, sitting on the ground with the unconscious forms of her friends laying all around her.

When Vali had seen Issei's state after his recent attempt to attack Rizevim she felt as if someone had ripped her heart out. He looked so… Defeated. Despair rolled off him in waves and anguish at what she assumed Issei thought was his inability to protect them showed in his pose.

When she heard her grandfather's words, the tears that she struggled so hard to hold at bay had finally broken through as the truth in those words hit her hard.

There was no point in trying to refute her grandfather. He was right. She could see that much with just a brief glance at Issei.

Unaware of her actions due to her distress, Vali had gripped Kuroka and Yasaka's limp hands in her own while the same thought continued to flash through her mind, not knowing that Kuroka and Yasaka had added their own thoughts in the process.

'Don't give up Issei! Use your full might! For yourself! For us! For our future, and for your legacy!'

Issei was stuck in a world of his own making, fueled by his own doubts and terror. His scale mail began to crumble as if signifying the state of his heart as his defeat by the hands of Rizevim looked more real with each passing second.

He could vividly hear the voices of Ddraig and Tiamat calling for him and begging him to snap out of it, but he couldn't bring himself to care anymore.

However, Issei's eyes widened when voices that did not belong to Ddraig and Tiamat had managed to reach him.

'Don't give up Issei! Use your full might! For yourself! For us! For our future, and for your legacy!' He would recognize those voices everywhere. How could he not? When the people who owned them were those, he loved the most? Flashes of Kuroka, Yasaka, and Vali played before his eyes. Some of his memories were not his own and what Issei had seen in those memories had left him in tears.

His legacy.

His… Child.

The mere thought of his own flesh and blood growing inside Kuroka left him with unfathomable happiness and a newfound sense of determination to protect everyone he holds dear.

Slowly, Issei had lifted his head to look at Rizevim. His eyes were mismatched, and both left and right eye were pale blue and emerald green respectively. He slowly made his way towards Rizevim and it was clear to anyone who knew Issei that it was not him who was in control of his body.

"With carefully chosen words and impressive feats you have managed to take everything from me," Issei's lips moved, but it was not his voice that came out of them, but rather an odd mix between his own voice and that of Ddraig.

"You do not seek to quickly dispose of your adversaries but rather, you take a sick pleasure in torturing them in every method that is possible before you land the final blow that would come only seconds before they do it themselves if only to escape their own misery. However, even with powers as great as yours, you are still weak! Your body lives, and in your veins flow the power of the Morning Star, but your heart is dead, and your soul is corrupt, and that, is your biggest weakness. You have nothing to fight for but yourself," With each word that Issei spoke, the amount of power that rolled off him only continued to increase.

"You have shown incredible feats of strength and power that anyone who came after the era of your father will never hope to understand or even dream of," Issei smirked. "But now… Now it's my turn,"

A tremendous wave of power was released from him that caused everyone to fly back a few meters. A large amount of debris flew everywhere, and a huge cloud of dust settled on the area before it was quickly vanquished by another burst of power from Issei.

The Crimson Red, The Royal Blue, and The Pure White Dragons that dwell within me awaken from your supreme dominance! Issei began chanting.

["The White Heavenly Dragon I possess within me, unite with your rival and mend your heart!"] Ddraig chanted together with Issei.

The Silvery- White Dragon of Supremacy

["The Glorious Red Dragon of Domination"]

{"The Revered Blue Dragon of Chaos"} Tiamat joined.

Watch over the forbidden existence we shall become that transcends the boundaries of the world we shall rule as the Legendary Dragon King who stole everything from God!

{["Heavenly Unity of the Dragon King"]} Issei, Ddraig, and Tiamat had cried out at the same time.

A bright light erupted from the Boosted Gear that caused Rizevim to shield his eyes lest they will burn.

When the light had died down a few seconds afterward and Rizevim had lowered his hand, the widening of his eyes was unmissable.

Instead of Issei stood an armor-clad figure whose appearance made him seem like he came from an old myth.

His torso was crimson-colored, his arms were pure-white in color, and his abdomen was colored pale blue. Both of his hands now resembled the final stage of the Boosted Gear. From his head protruded something that looked like a golden crown in its shape while a cape that looked like a color-changing version of the energy feathers of the Divine Divide appeared on his back. His eyes and all the jewels that adorned his armor continued to change between the three colors that held so much meaning for the presences within him.

"W-What is this?" Rizevim asked, his voice colored with the shock he felt upon laying eyes on Issei's new form.

He had studied the Sacred Gears, especially the Longinus-class ones for many years and he was confident that he had learned everything there was about God's gifts.

Every ability, every limitation, every appearance, and even the history that came with those gifts.

Such was his knowledge and it was this knowledge that allowed him to complete the development on the Sacred Gear Canceller.

He could not suppress the shiver that he felt when he tried to sense Issei's full powers.

Rizevim knew that the amount of people who shared Issei's levels of power does not exceed the one-digit mark.

"How could a lowly human like you wield such power! It's unacceptable! Preposterous! Power like this belongs to the Devils of old and not for trash like you!" He stretched his hand towards Issei in an attempt to use the full might of his Sacred Gear Canceller on him, only to be sent flying backward when he failed.

"I- Impossible! No being should be able to counter my ability!" With a cry of pure rage, Rizevim's power exploded from him.

"Argh!" He roared as he sent attack after attack towards Issei with insane speed.

Meanwhile, Issei had just stood there, unmoving and unflinching as the onslaught of attacks made their way towards him.

While this was happening, Cao Cao had finally turned his attention away from the legendary fight and towards Vali.

He wanted to win more of Rizevim's favor, and what better way to do it than to deliver him his granddaughter?

Vali, who had noticed Cao Cao's gaze turning to her, had immediately realized his intentions.

"It will be beneficial for you to not even attempt a fight with me Cao Cao. You have no idea of the strength I had acquired," Vali threatened.

However, Cao Cao had only smirked in response before he raised his True Longinus and lunged towards Vali thus starting another fight.

When their own brief altercation had ended alongside Rizevim's brutal barrage of attacks on Issei, Cao Cao, who was left barely conscious by Vali, watched the still ongoing fight between Issei and Rizevim with rapt fascination. He was confident that Issei's lack of movement was due to his resignation and his admittance of defeat.

'Such is your story, Issei. In my last moments, I stand witness to the defeat of yet another legend. A legend that I helped to create, and I am proud for my part in it for even though we ended up on the opposite forces, I chose to remember the times we had as allies rather than enemies,'

However, as Cao Cao had lamented Issei's death, Vali had not. Instead, a wide smile was plastered on her face. She knew exactly what Issei was up to and the excitement that she felt was palpable to any who would lay his eyes on her.

Cao Cao, who took a moment of respite to glance at his defeater, was dumbfounded at Vali's odd display of emotions.

He returned his gaze towards Issei, only for his eyes to widen at what he now saw.

A form was visible through the heavy smoke that the attacks had brought. It stood tall and valiantly as if it did not just withstand a heavy barrage of attacks.

'Issei… It seems that the story of your legend is yet to be finished,' Cao Cao mused before blackness finally consumed him.

As the smoke settled and Issei's uninjured form was revealed Rizevim had lost it entirely.

"I will not let a pathetic abomination like you to portray me as weak! I am the son of the Morning Star! I am the strongest Devil in existence! I will not be defeated by a mere petulant child like you! Not now, not ever!" He shouted, spit flying from his mouth due to the intensity of his speech.

Issei just continued to stand there, completely petrified and nonplussed, as if Rizevim had never opened his mouth at all.

However, before Rizevim could act, Issei's form suddenly vanished and the next thing that Rizevim registered was an intense feeling of pain that came from his stomach.
A quick, panicked, glance downward showed Rizevim that it was none other than Issei who had made the attack using a speed that left the son of the Morning Star astonished.

"You think those attacks will bring to my defeat? Ha! I endured deadlier attacks when I was a child!" He taunted, after throwing up blood.

Issei's hand went to his visor as he slowly began to remove it, revealing eyes that continued to change between all three colors that made up his new form.

"Despite knowing me for a short time, Rizevim, I expected you to already catch on to my plan," Issei taunted, a smirk adorning his face.

"Why should I fear the plans of a child?" Asked Rizevim.

Issei brought his hand upward towards the sky. "Because, it is not the age that shall defeat you, but rather my abilities!".

A pulse of power erupted from his hand as it, and all the jewels that his form adorned had turned heavenly white.

[Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide!] The voices of Ddraig, Tiamat, and Albion roared as they continued to divide Rizevim's power with such speed and intensity that was unheard of for even the strongest possessor of the Divine Dividing.

"Argh! Noooo! Stop this!" Rizevim cried out as he fell to his knees, his hands tightly clutching his head.

It was a few seconds afterward, that Issei's had finished his attack, but for Rizevim, it looked as if it went on for hours.

"Do you understand now?" Asked Issei. "Do you understand the insignificance of trivial things like age and heritage? Of blood purity and social standing?"

Rizevim shakily rose to his feet and shot Issei a glare but refrained from speaking.

Meanwhile, Issei had slowly made his way towards Rizevim, each step slightly shaking the ground beneath him.

"You, who abused your granddaughter in a twisted urge to show superiority over the weak. There was no mercy shown, and no love given to a granddaughter who only strived for your approval and acceptance. The marks that you have left on her person are far deeper than just those that adorn her skin. You have unjustly robbed her of things that no little child should've been robbed of. Robbed of a normal childhood, of friendships, of a sense of security and accomplishment, of a sense of normalcy, of a family, and of love. In your cruel and unjustified attempts of shaping her to be your heir and continue your father's legacy, you have made sure that said legacy will perish," Issei began as he came closer and closer to Rizevim. "It was due to you pushing your granddaughter away that your legacy will be brought down by someone that you and your society consider a nobody. Every hit that you have brought upon this innocent child. Every mark that you have left on this woman. Every tear that you have caused the woman I love to shed, I will return tenfold," He finished his speech just as he came to stand before Rizevim.

Issei grabbed Rizevim's head by his hair and aimed his other arm as if he was about to punch him.

"Now, you will know what it is like to lose everything," He whispered ominously as the jewels that adorned his form had begun to flash between crimson red and royal blue.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!] Ddraig roared causing Issei's arm to glow and vibrate with each boost.

[Chaos Explosion!] An immense discharge of energy had erupted from Issei as his hand's glow became much more visible and fiercer.

He took a last glance at Rizevim, before driving his fist towards his head.

As the fist made contact, Rizevim flew backward at insane speed while a trail of blood was all that was left.

Issei marched slowly towards where Rizevim had landed, a slight tremor breaking the ground around him with each step.

"Do you understand now?" Issei asked as he reached Rizevim's prone and defeated form. "The truth that has been standing right before you this entire time, waiting for you to finally understand it,"

Issei grabbed Rizevim by the hair and raised him so he would face him.

"In your veins flows the blood of the Morning Star and in your hands, you held God's greatest weapon. You exalted yourself to be unbeatable with a power that no one can ever dream to match. You could've been that person, but your pride and overconfidence had led to your downfall just like it has for many leaders before you," Issei harshly dropped Rizevim to the ground and turned his back on him.

"You looked at me, and you saw a mere child with an impossible quest to defeat you, armed with powers that you possessed when you were nothing but a little child. You saw nothing special, and because of that, you never bothered to look deeper. The confidence that you placed in your heritage and age had brought you many things during your life. But, in the end, it robbed you of the greatest thing someone can possess and that is your common sense,"

The brunette emperor turned to face Rizevim again, his right arm stretched as he charged his final attack.

"It was never a question of blood purity or rich heritage. And raw power and wisdom of old was never the answer. Your life ends today, unloved and surrounded by nobody, but I hope, that in your last moments you feel some amount of regret for the atrocities you have committed. Goodbye, Rizevim," And with that, Issei had launched his most powerful Dragon Shot attack, hitting Rizevim dead on and bringing an end to his life.

Issei remained where he stood, as his gaze remained set on the remains of his greatest adversary to date. He shook his head as thoughts of a different reality coursed through his mind. Of a reality where Vali was never abused and unloved, where their love was purer and untainted than it is today.

The form that Issei had assumed during his fight was now slowly crumbling as he lost the power to maintain it.

He cast those thoughts aside, as he slowly made his way towards Vali and the rest of his friends.

As Issei approached them, he noticed that their condition was unchanged. He noted that Vali had, at some point, gripped Kuroka and Yasaka's hands. Seeing this scene had brought back the voices that he heard during his fight with Rizevim and his pace quickened considerably as he hastened to reach his friends.

"Issei!" He heard Vali sob as he crouched before her and enveloped her in a tight hug that she eagerly returned.

"Vali… Are you alright?" He asked her, his eyes quickly roaming her body to check for injuries.

"Y-Yes… The others are mostly alright as well, they need to rest some more before they'll wake up; especially Kuroka considering…" She bit her lip and cast a concerned look at the Nekoshou.

"So, it's true? What I have heard you say during my fight?" Issei asked, his gaze following Vali's.

Vali only nodded, unable to bring herself to speak.

"It's over Vali. Your grandfather will never lay his wicked hands on you ever again," His reassurance had caused Vali to cry harder.

"Y-You should rest Issei; the others won't wake for a couple of hours," Vali advised him as she saw how exhausted Issei was.

The brunette nodded before he slowly took a seat next to Vali and rested his head on her shoulder, causing her to smile at his welcomed warmth.

She closed her eyes as well, a sigh of contentment escaping her lips.

However, the beautiful moment of respite that the two had shared was shattered quickly when a voice had spoken.

"I am sorry for interrupting what is most likely, a beautiful moment between lovers, but I am going to have to ask you to come with me,"

Issei snapped his eyes open as the familiar voice made its way to his ears.

"So, you have finally caught up with us Azazel. However, I am afraid that this is the farthest you'll get," Issei told him sharply, trying to hide his exhaustion.

Azazel's sudden arrival was made at the worst time possible for the two emperors. With Issei barely holding on to consciousness and Vali close on his heels while the rest of their friends were already knocked out, another fight with someone as powerful as Azazel will not end well for them.

Azazel let out a hearty laugh. "Indeed, it took me some time, but what's more fun than a little bit of chase? If things were different, I would've let you go again just to see how quickly I could find you again,"

Vali smirked. "So, what's stopping you from doing this now?"

Azazel smirked back but didn't open his mouth to answer.

Vali shared a quick look with Issei and was about to question Azazel again when the answer to her question had made itself known.

Standing behind Azazel were none other than the peerages of Rias Gremory - accompanied by Irina - and Sona Sitri.

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