"What the hell?! Wait, we're in space!" Issei yelled as he realised that they, in an instant, ended up in the dark void of space. The vessel had stopped moving, and to Issei's surprise, the ship was as still as a quiet lake, with no movement, unlike any ship he had been on.
"It must have a preset to take it out of a location to the depths of space; it ensures it's quiet and easy to travel to other worlds.
"So, how are we going to find the Grail?" Issei looked to Regulus as he spoke
"Give me a moment," Regulus said as he walked towards the area of the ship, which housed the steering wheel and navigation equipment. And with a quick flash of light, the ship began to move through the void of space, turning and shifting to meet the space winds.
"What did you do?"
"I transferred my location to the ship's navigation system; it will take us..." Regukus explained, only to be interrupted by Issei before he could finish his statement.
"So why haven't we jumped like we did there?"
"Hmmm, it could be that the location we are heading towards may be unstable or dangerous for teleportation; remember, this is a pleasure vessel. While it may be for a god, this is no warship, so the system may have thought it best to take us there slowly...which reminds me." Ddraig explained, pausing for a moment before he gave his answer.
"What is it Ddriag?"
"Issei, can you summon my gauntlet and keep it on for the rest of the voyage?"
"Um, okay." Issei looked at his hand, confused by the request. Still, seeing no harm in it, he summoned the Infamous gauntlet with its emerald green gem reflecting the stars on its polished surface. After a few seconds, the gem began to pulse light incredibly slowly.
"Ahhhh, I understand. This is a warning beacon; the closer we get, the quicker it will flash, alerting us to our location and Cao Cao. Good thinking, Ddraig." Sairaorg said as he leaned down to speak to the gem, a sense of warm endearment in his voice.
more like Google Maps..." Issei whispered to himself, which was heard by Ddraig, who growled
shut up, Issei..." Issei gave a small chuckle as Ddriag returned his focus to Sairaorg.
Thank You, Sairarog...now, since this voyage will take some time, we may as well rest up," Ddraig stated as the group nodded in agreement, walked their way to the entrance to the lower level of the ship, and prepared to sleep.
After a few minutes, the group were lying in bed, all asleep, except Issei, who lay there. Despite the physical exhaustion, his mind was blaring, refusing to rest, with every attempt to relax his mind, resulting in him seeing an image of Rias covered in blood, her hair obscuring all but one eye, which stared with a piercing gaze into Issei's soul.
"I promise you, Rias, I'll get you back." Issei raised his right hand into the air, his hand wide open, only to slam shut as he made his promise.
While Issei tried and failed to sleep, many miles away, the ruins of an ancient kingdom floated through the depths of space, and in what remained of the kingdom's mighty castle sat a throne, once made of the finest black granite inlaid with gold, now a shadow of its former glory, with its original structure ruined by centuries of weathering, it's once the glorious lustre of polished gold and stone worn away. Despite this ruined throne, Cao Cao sat in an arrogant fashion, his legs resting on the throne's armrest. At the same time, his right hand held the True Longinus, the spear that pierced the side of Christ, while in his left hand, he held the Holy Grail.
As Cao Cao sat there admiring the Grail, Heracles, Seigfriend, and Le Fay entered the royal hall, and once they were close enough to Cao Cao, they dropped to their knees and bowed to their leader, which was enhanced by the height difference between the group as a result of the throne being placed on a raised floor with steep steps,
"Now, my comrades, our victory is in my hands!" Cao Cao roared, raising the Grail in a fiery manner, which would have resulted in the content being flung onto the floor, but the glowing liquid of the Grail did not move.
"No force in the universe can stop us, not Odin, Sirzechs and Issei Hyoudou... I can sense his presence." Cao Cao stated with cold, calculating fury, pausing momentarily as he detected the power of Ddraig, causing the rest of his group to raise their heads.
"He will be here soon." Cao Cao's eyes filled with manic glee as he processed that Issei was coming his way.
"You should drink from the Grail, Cao Cao. Best to be at full power before Issei arrives." Le Fay stated, looking at Cao Cao, noticing the wild look in his eyes, causing her to speak less frankly.
"No. I want Issei to see me at my best and break his spirit, knowing he will never be able to bring his precious Rias back." Cao Cao did not look at Le Fay and instead focused on the ruined palace's entrance.
"But Cao Cao, we can destroy him before he arrives, then your plan shall go unchallenged..." Seigfried said in a concerned tone, only for Cao Cao to move into a formal seated position on the throne, and with a forceful slam of his spear on the stone floor, Seigfried was silenced.
"I did not come all this way to have Issei die by anyone's hands but my own! "
"He took one of my eyes, and I will make him suffer for what he took from me. I let Issei live so that he could suffer, and now that he wants revenge. I will show him just how weak he is against me. Once Issei arrives, do not challenge him. Allow him to come and face me. That is an order." Cao Cao said with such sternness that to those watching him, it felt as if an aura of power surrounded him, which caused even the likes of Heracles to tremble out of fear.
"We will do as you command Cao Cao." Heracles, Sigfried, and Le Fey said in unison before rising to their feet and making their way to the palace ruins, leaving Cao Cao alone. Cao Cao raised the Grail to eye level and looked at the intricate patterns and gems that covered the surface of the Grail.
"The power of God is in my hands...I can't wait to see you, Issei." Cao Cao smirked as he talked to himself.
1hr later and back on Odin Pleasure Ship, Issei and the rest of the group had moved around the vessel. They had all managed to sleep except for Issei, who had visible bags under his eyes.
"You didn't sleep well, did you, Issei?" Sairorog said, patting Issein on the back as he stopped to lean on a wooden railing on the ship's side. Issei was looking out into the endless night of space and taking in the near-limitless numbers of stars that made their home in the depths of space.
"Yeah...my head wouldn't switch off." Issei sighed, rubbing his eyes, trying his best to stop freshening his eyes, but to no avail.
There was a brief pause as the pair admired the view, which was broken by Issei, as his mind brought him back to the day he freed Rias from the marriage to Rias Phoenix. Once she was free, they took an aerial view of the night sky and kissed for the first time.
"Rias would have loved this," Issei mumbled.
"What was that, Issei?"
"I, I just thought Rias would have loved seeing the stars like this...the day I freed her from Riser, we flew together in the night sky...she was so happy." Issei rubbed his eyes, feeling the onset of tears.
"Love is a powerful thing, Issei. I saw that first-hand when we fought in the rating game, hahaha." Sairorg laughed, patting Issei on the back, but to Issei, who was much smaller in terms of build than Sairorg, it felt like being attacked by a bear.
"Your right...love can make you do great things."
"It can, Issei," Sairaorg spoke softly as he and Issei looked out into the depths of space, Issei thinking about Rias and imagining her beside him, watching the stars and galaxies that they passed.
10 hours later, the group was sitting in the ship's dining hall. Unlike that of a warship, it was heavily decorated with numerous carvings of battle and pleasure, with the roof draping large banners of the noble houses of Asgard, with the walls covered in the war trophies of the Allfather ranging from mighty blades of pattern welded metal to the thunderous hammers of warriors now lost to history.
The group released that they were growing ever closer to their destination and prepared themselves for a possible lengthy battle by having a mighty feast, which, thanks to the ship, had not only a mighty pantry that could feed a small army but also had been blessed with magic that would prepare the foods on command and serve them to the guests.
Issei sat at the table; in front of him was a thin soup filled with greens and small pieces of pork, with a glass of water at his side. Sairarog, on the other hand, had 5 plates surrounding him, filled with all manner of foods, from rare steaks to freshly picked strawberries. On the other hand, Regulus did not need to eat due to being a sacred gear. However, he still enjoyed the act despite it being unnecessary. Given his form of a lion, he stuffed his plate full of blue steak, which he tore into with animalistic ferocity.
"How can you eat like that?" Issei said in a shocked tone as he looked at Sairaorg and saw that he had finished all his plates and was now enjoying a dessert, which seemed to be a type of sweetened rice pudding.
"Given this opportunity and the severity of the situation, I wish to indulge... should this be my last moment of peace," Sairaorg spoke with brief pauses as he spooned his dessert into his mouth, admiring the texture and flavour.
"I can't eat...even this soup is too much for my stomach to handle." Issei sighed as he pushed his bowl away.
"At least you tried to eat." Ddriag said to Issei,
"Stress, fear, hate. They suppress the appetites of men...which reminds me, Issei, I have a question."
"Sure, what is it?" Issei said, raising one of his eyebrows.
"Are you really on this mission to save Rias?"
"What sort of question is that?" Issei scowled at Sairaorg as he spoke, but this did not deter the Lord of Bael
I saw the hatred in your eyes, Issei, as well as your anguish. I am concerned for your future actions." As this was being said, Sairaorg moved his plates to his right, clearing the space to allow him to rest his arms on the table.
Issei sat there in stunned silence.
"I know you love Rias more than anyone can ever know, but I fear that your love for her may lead you to do something that you will not only regret but will also change you into something you are not."
"Like what! All I care about is bringing Rias back, and if that means I kill Cao Cao, then I will do it.
"I understand that Issei, but I fear that while your ultimate goal is to save Rias, you also have a burning desire to punish Cao Cao."
"And why not? He tortured Rias; you weren't there to see what he did to her. "
"I understand that, but I know what the need for revenge can do, and it only leads to more pain."
"He killed her in front of me. He slit her throat and let her die slowly...why shouldn't he suffer for what he had done."
"Is that what you want, Issei? Because I will not stop you. However, Ive seen who you truly are, and this is not you." Sairaorg questioned Issei but spoke in a concerned tone.
"How is this even a debate? Cao Cao has to suffer for what he did." Issei's words were marked with malice, with each word growing more hateful than the last.
"Suffer... that doesn't sound like justice to me; that sounds like a love for revenge," Sairorg stated, but just as Issei was about to reply, Ddraig interjected.
"Listen, Issei, it may sound as if Sairaorg is berating you for what would seem to many people as a just response to Cao Cao's actions, but please heed his warning.
"Wait, you agree with him?" Issei said in a shocked voice, taken aback by Ddriag's reply.
"In a sense, yes."
"How can you say that! You saw what happened..." Issei yelped in shock, his voice marked by great shock and sadness,
"I have seen this happen many times before... remember Issei, who I am. I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor. I have been bonded to many wielders in my time; you don't think I have seen this happen before? I have seen many people die in many terrible ways, and I have seen what it has done to my wielders. "Ddriag's voice was low, and sombre as his mind replayed the countless wielders he had through his many millennia as a sacred gear.
"Ive read the stories of the blind rage that has encompassed your wielders in the past," Sairaorg replied, which brought a specific memory to Sairaorg's mind.
"I remember one of my wielders. They were the same age as you, Issei. He was the son of a medieval lord, and he and his family had been captured and his family were executed in front of him. He had no connection to me yet, and as soon as he saw his mother die, he transformed into the juggernaut drive and destroyed his captures...as well as his land and all the inhabitants that lived upon it. He died from the stress of the transformation once his revenge was served.
"That won't be me. "Issie's voice was cold, and his eyes had a deathly quality to their gaze.
"You've transformed before, Issei. In fact, I worry that you don't transform.
Issei was silent after hearing Ddraig's words.
"I worry that you may be lost in the madness and hate you feel and that you lose your humanity. Imagine your mind corrupted by hate but still being conscious and aware. You would be no mindless beast but a calculating monster. In the juggernaut drive, all you are in is the pain and rage personified into its most feral form. However, if you take in that hatred and let it become one with you, then you are fully aware of what you're doing but inflicting pain to mask your own pain."
"You see, Issei, this is why I said what I said. You are performing a noble goal, but I worry you are not doing this for the noble goal alone...when we find Cao Cao, and he is defeated, promise me you will make the right choice." Sairaorg said at first with noticeable concern for Issei in his voice, but after a pause, this concern turned to stern coldness.
"I promise," Issei said, rising from his chair, walking over to Sairorg, and placing his arm in front of Sairaorg, who met it with a handshake befitting battle brothers.
After this, the group finished their meals and went their separate ways. Sairaorg had decided to go to bed to ensure he was fresh for battle, but Issei stayed awake and instead watched the stars and planets on the starboard of the ship.
"Is it wrong to enjoy revenge?" Issei mumbled, only to hear footsteps coming from his left-hand side. It was Regulus.
"Can't sleep?" Regulus said as he stood behind Issei.
"Yeah, there is too much to deal with to sleep." Issei rubbed his eyes as he spoke,
"I get it... I understand how you feel, Issei."
Issei looked at Regulus, surprised to hear these words coming from Regulus, given their most notable interaction.
"When my original wielder died, I lost myself to my rage. I destroyed my foes and did so with such passion and pride, but really, I was a monster. It wasn't until Sairaorg managed to calm me down that I managed to understand my pain and how my outlet was not good for myself or others."
"What did Sairaorg do to bring you back?"
"He talked to me and showed me that my life and purpose was more than enjoying destruction...I love battle; the thrill, the adrenaline and the stakes are what make a battle worthwhile. However, simply fighting for the enjoyment of the pain and suffering of those you hate only makes you more hateful. Having people I want to protect and who I want to stand up for gives me purpose. Sairaorg's peerage and their bond with me not only make me fight harder but also ground me. I fight to ensure Sairorg's goals are achieved, as without him, I'd still be a monster." Regulus spoke with a level of articulation and clearness that completely contrasts his animalistic nature in his true form, but this only made Issei listen even more.
"But how do you know I will be a monster?"
"I never said you would be one...but knowing about your loss, you are very close to falling into the position I was in all those years ago. "
Issei, hearing this, stood there silent, looking at the stars, as his mind flashed back to being covered in blood, with Rias and the rage and fear he felt...
"I'll try to keep myself in check." Issei sighed, rubbing his eyes again.
"You try your best, Issei. You always do." Regulus stated softly, patting Issei on the back as the pair watched the void of space as their vessel made its way to the destination.