Chapter 1: Sacrifices
"Talking."
[Sacred Gear speaking/Announcing]
Locations
Noises
"Lady Rias's resignation is recognized, Lord Riser Phenex is the winner of the game."
That sentence, that very sentence played in my mind repeatedly for what seemed like an eternity. I don't remember much of what happened before that, I don't even know if I'm still alive. My soul could just be waiting for its turn to perish.
We fought hard, even to the point that our bodies would break. Koneko, Kiba, and Akeno gave it their all against Riser's peerage, but we still failed in the end.
I managed to get stronger than ever during the mountain training camp, I was able to beat the pawns and one of the rooks on his team. Even with that new strength, I was nothing compared to Riser, not even Rias could defeat him, if she could then it would have been over before we got to the point of desperation.
"Lady Rias's resignation is recognized, Lord Riser Phenex is the winner of the game."
That damn sentence is clear as day, I can't even tell if it's day or night. Not that it mattered anyway, every time that sentence rang out, I could feel my chest sink. It felt as if I was being crushed by a massive boulder, trapped with no way out.
"Lady Rias's resignation is recognized, Lord Riser Phenex is the winner of the game."
Now that sentence is starting to bother me, it makes me angry to keep hearing it. I feel like hitting something, but there is nothing around me. Just a void of never-ending darkness that surrounds me.
"Lady Rias's resignation is recognized, Lord Riser Phenex is the winner of the game."
Stop it, just STOP IT. I don't want to hear that anymore! I'm tired of it! I just want to float in the void in peace!
"Lady Rias's resignation is recognized, Lord Riser Phenex is the winner of the game."
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
A massive wave of fire began to form around me, and the void quickly began to fade away.
"The power you currently possess is not of your own making."
Wait a minute, I know that voice.
"No amount of hard work and training could give someone that amount of strength."
I remember now, you were in my dream before.
"What makes you extraordinary is the dragon inside your soul. Do not humble yourself with weakness or the White One will laugh."
The White One?
"In time he will appear. It is your destiny to stand on that field of battle and fight, but you must get stronger. If a sacrifice was made a boom will be given in return. A gift of shared strength in your moment of need, but first show them what the dragon is!"
Shared strength for a sacrifice? What does that even mean?
FFWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHH
I could see a massive red dragon emerge within the flame as it roared out.
"I am the Welsh Dragon, Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig!"
Shit, he's huge, his intimidating size only amplifies how terrifying he looks.
Wait for a second, Ddraig?
"I am what lives in your left hand."
I looked down at my left hand as it began to move outward, the shocking part was that it was on fire.
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHh
I immediately shot up; I could feel the cold sweat on my forehead as I panicked.
Wait. I'm in my room, but wasn't I just elsewhere? That's right.
"Rias." I moved to the edge of my bed, maybe Asia was here and knows where Rias is.
Shin
"I'm surprised you're awake." That voice, I turned to my left toward the source. I made eye contact with the silver-haired maid before.
"Ms. Grayfia!" I looked around the room again, my memory is still fuzzy from before.
"What the hell happened? When did I get here?" She lowered her head and closed her eyes.
"The battle ended shortly after Lady Rias Surrendered." What! Wait, why would she surrender?
"We lost?"
"That it is so, Lord Riser was declared the victor." No, no, no, no. That can't be right, that's what was playing in my mind!
"But Rias wouldn't have just given up, she would have kept fighting!"
"Lord Riser was going to kill you, she surrendered to save your life."
…
I'm just a pawn, she's the king. She gave herself up for me, that's not fair to her, is it?
I could imagine the scene playing through my head, my weak broken body about to be turned to ash before Rias intervened.
"The game, it's just one big blur."
"You didn't give up. Every time he knocked you down you got right back up."
"It's ok, I'll be fine. You did your best Issei." Those cursed words are the last thing I remember from that game.
"Tch!" She surrendered just to save me, but why? Why would she do that?
"Where is she now?" I couldn't bear the thought of being the reason she fails; she's worked so hard to make me stronger and I failed her.
"Lady Rias is currently in the Underworld attending the engagement party."
"Strive to become the mightiest pawn." More memories of her keep flashing through my mind, is this some sort of sick joke?
"…"
No, I must fix this. I won't let her down again!
"Tell me how I can get there." I can't let that bastard marry her; she deserves better!
"You are a fascinating boy, Issei. You're an open book and a gentle soul. I've met a lot of devils over the years, but none were quite like you. When your mind is made up you let nothing slow you down, and I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Sirzechs feels the same way." Grayfia then reached into what seemed like a pocket.
"This slip will teleport you directly to the engagement." I took the slip from her hand, it had the Gremory crest on it.
"I'm going to go there and stop this madness, no matter what it costs me." I won't fail again.
"Sirzechs has a message for you." I looked up at her.
"What is it?"
"If you want to get my sister back, then you better be prepared to fight." She then backed away slightly into the center of my room. I could see the silver light appear and vanish; she went along with it.
All I have to do now is just use this. I can get to that party and stop Riser once and for all but beating someone immortal. He is still a devil though, immortal or not there's always a weakness.
As I stood up from my bed the door to my room opened. It was Asia, we made eye contact.
"Issei," I was then forced onto the bed as she lightly tackled me, my body is weak and still fell back from her force of her. I could hear the bowl she was holding fall to the floor, probably sending the water everywhere.
"You're ok, I was so worried that you wouldn't wake up again." I could hear the pain in her voice, she must have been worried sick about me.
It pains me to do this, but I have no other option. Not if I want Rias back, but Asia won't understand what I'm going to do. It might be too much for her to handle, damnit all to hell.
I gently pushed her off me as I sat up once again, I couldn't bring myself to make eye contact with her.
"Asia, I need your help with something." I couldn't tell what face she was making as I continued to look down at the floor of my bedroom.
"What is it?" I don't want to do this, but I am left with no other chance but to do this.
Underworld
With a flash of bright light, I appeared inside the entrance of what seemed like a castle. The entire thing was massive, even compared to the school I don't think there is enough room to compete. But where is the party at?
I looked around until a very convenient sign pointed down the hall, I looked down the massive corridor, and at the end were two massive doors. The walls were covered in what seemed like gems surrounded by gold linings.
All along the walls were portraits of men with the same crimson red hair that Rias has, they must be her family, I guess it runs in the family.
I soon made my way down a hall; on the opposite side, I could see a door with what seemed like a demonic beast in an engraving.
"The party must be in that room, all right Ddraig it's now or never." I rushed down the hall and summoned my sacred gear. The adrenaline that was rushing through my veins gave me a small boost of confidence as the feeling from Ddraig made me want to unleash everything I have in store for that immortal bastard.
[Remember, you only have one chance. Use it wisely.]
"Yeah. You don't have to remind me of that." I won't let this slip away.
As I approached the door of the room, I lifted my left hand. I then balled my hand into a fist and reeled it back. I knew what to do, I just had to beat him and take Rias back home.
I put my ear to the door and listened in, the moment the time was right I will break in and stop this.
"Greeting renowned devils of the underworld. On behalf of the House of Phenex, Riser would like to thank every one of you for coming today. This is a historic moment for the world of devils, and I want our dear guest to be the first to know. Two great dynasties are about to become one. Lord Riser of the distinguished house of Phenex shall wed Lady Rias of the illustrious House of Gremory." Crap I'm already that late, how long has this thing been going on?
"And now, my bride Rias Gremory."
I backed away from the door and readied myself to strike it open.
[Boost]
I aimed my fist and sent it into the doorknobs, much to my surprise it went flying open. As I ran inside, I could see the guards who had been hit in the crossfire. As I looked around, I immediately felt my face tense, across the room, I could see him there standing next to Rias who was in a red dress.
I stared him down, unknowingly letting my guard down to everything else around me. Three guards had already surrounded me, I couldn't waste any energy fighting them, I found later from Asia that I had been out for nearly two days. I know that I still need more time to recover, but time is one thing I don't have anymore.
Before I knew it three figures had appeared in front of me, each taking down one of the guards. Much to my surprise, it was Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno. They must have come here with Rias, if that's the case that means that they didn't try to stop anything while I was out.
"We'll handle any more guards that come here, you go save Rias." Instructed Kiba, I simply nodded before walking toward the center of the room. The other devils in the room were murmuring among each other, I couldn't tell what they were saying but I had the feeling it was about me.
I didn't have to say a word as the crowd parted leaving the path from me to Riser open, in that moment I made eye contact with him. I hate this guy; I want him dead. I heard everything, I heard how Rias cried as I was too weak to fight back, she gave up her freedom so that I could live!
I won't let her down again, I'd rather take my own life than see her cry again.
"You boy, what is the meaning of this?" shouted Riser angrily, even in that tuxedo he looked like a prick. I didn't waver, I was only focusing on him.
"I'm here to take Rias back with me, this game is over," I responded, much to the shock of those around me.
I moved a few more steps closer, and with each step, I could feel the sacred gear want more and more power. Ddraig told me that the sacred gear was powered by the emotions of the user, just like when I had combined its power with Kiba, and we eliminated some of Riser's pieces.
"Who do you think you are." He spoke coldly, I didn't care. I know what I'm here for; if anyone gets caught in the middle of it, that's on them.
I raised my chin and shouted.
"I'm Issei Hyoudou, the host of the Welsh Dragon, the Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig. I'm also the servant and pawn of Rias Gremory. As a promise I made with my master, I am here to return her to her rightful place back in the human realm with me." I raised my gauntlet into the air as it began to glow green brightly.
Among the other devils in the room, I could sense there was someone else watching me, this feeling was overwhelming, to say the least.
"Lord Riser, Lady Rias, what is the meaning of this?" asked someone from within the crowd.
I listened around as all the devils were speaking among each other over the confusion, maybe they aren't so different from humans when it comes to dealing with sudden surprises.
"This is my doing." All the attention was turned towards a man who was walking over toward us. Crimson hair, wait he looked like one of the guys from the portraits. I got that overwhelming feeling from him, wait… is this Sirzechs. He looked a lot like Rias, even so, close as to be the male version of her.
"Brother." I heard Rias say in shock. Wait, Grayfia said that Rias's brother was the Satan Lucifer. Shit, no wonder I got that feeling from him, he must be dangerously powerful.
"I wanted to see the power of the Red Dragon Emperor myself, so I had Grayfia help him." The crowd around us was silent, there was something more to this man that would put that much fear into someone.
"My Lord, you can-" someone was cut off in the middle of their sentence.
"Silence, I had this prepared due to the lacking result of the Rating game staged between both parties. I'm not looking to speak down upon anyone here, however, I felt as if it could have been better had the Dragon been trained more before seeing proper combat against other devils." I don't know what I am more worried about, Riser or him. He's helping me so I better take advantage of this while I can.
It seemed like his statement wasn't well received. Others in the crowd were complaining about me, high-class devils are just like rich people always judging.
"Sirzechs, are you saying that you want me to fight the dragon boy again?" asked Riser with a face of disgust.
I saw Sirzechs only move his eyes towards Riser.
"When I watched the game, I noticed something when you were about to kill the dragon, the hint of fear in your eyes. The next moment you summoned more power, that's when my sister stepped in and resigned to save the boy's life. That fear in your eyes was more than enough to convince me that this ordeal was not over."
"I can say to myself and those around us that you began to fear the Red Dragon Emperor, if that is the case then I would feel ashamed for you since the true terrifying power of the Dragon is still dormant within the sacred gear." As I watched Sirzechs I could feel something within me turn, if there was power like that in my arm then I would need it now.
I had no words, Sirzechs was playing this perfectly. I'm pretty sure he's trying to get Riser angry enough that he would want to fight me even though he has no reason.
"I see, well then I guess I have no choice other than to accept this." Riser was on board. This is it then, we are going to fight again.
"It's a duel, however, I must get one part of the business done beforehand." Sirzechs then turned his attention to me, even though he seemed to be on my side being stared at by him gave me an uncomfortable feeling.
"You, Red Dragon Emperor. If you were to be victorious, what would you accept as a reward? Women of beauty? A title? Unimaginable wealth? Whatever you desire I shall see to it that it becomes yours." If this wasn't a serious situation, I would have shouted out that I wanted to be the Harem King.
Sadly, none of the other devils behind him seemed to agree with his decision.
"Preposterous" "A reward for a lower-class devil!" They all began to murmur silently enough for me to not be able to hear everything. Why do they care, this isn't about them.
"Silence, your King has spoken. I asked this of the boy, and he shall be compensated for his acceptance." The room went quite quickly, as a Satan this guy must have a lot of respect. He is Lucifer, after all, there's some reason that he earned that title.
I took a deep breath.
"I only want one thing, and that is for Rias Gremory to not be engaged to Riser Phenex by breaking off this engagement." I stared down Riser, that smug look on his face he gave me only made me want to punch his face in even more.
"Then it is set, I hereby declare this duel official."
A bright light then appeared beneath me, and as I looked at it, I began to glow the same silver color. This must be a teleportation circle.
It wasn't long before I found myself in a new space. As I looked around, I noticed the place seemed like some kind of arena. Four towers resembled chess pieces, not to mention the ground had a checkered pattern to it.
The sky was full of stars, this place must be one of those alternate dimensions that Rias was talking about, like the one used for our fight against Riser and his peerage.
"Don't let yourself be absorbed with the scenery, your opponent is right in front of you, you fool." I shifted my attention in front of me, across stood Riser with his fiery wings spread out.
'Thanks, Ddraig, I've got this now. I must beat him.' I readied myself, my left hand was clenched as tight as I possibly could make it.
[You messed with the wrong family this time Hyoudou, my brother Riser is about to tear you a new one.] There was a screen that appeared in the sky above us, the girl who was speaking was his sister Ravel.
"Yes, he's quite the confident one. I'll knock him down a few pegs, come boy fight me!" he shouted as he took to the sky.
'Let's do this Ddraig!' I began to summon all the power in my body, this was going to take everything I have to win. I will not fail!
I raised my hand in the air.
"Sacred gear!" My left hand began to glow a vibrant green as a gem appeared on the back of my palm. Piece by piece my arm was covered in a red gauntlet-like structure.
"I am the Red Dragon Emperor! The current host of the Dragon of Domination Ddraig, I have been blessed with the Longinus Boosted Gear. A sacred gear rumored to be able to slay God, I am also a devil. A pawn privilege to serve under Rias Gremory, I will not fail her!" I readied myself for Riser who was coming at me, I have only one chance to use this, so I'll make sure it is used at the right time.
[Boost]
Riser came flying at me unbelievably fast, but that won't be enough to stop me. I put my guard up with my sacred gear shielding me.
"You must be a complete fool if you think that is going to stop me!" he shouted as he covered himself in a fire.
As he closed in, I was preparing for the impact, but if I don't dodge it then there is no chance, I can take this and keep going. I need to put all my trust in the sacred gear, I need to become one with it.
Riser closed in as he was beginning to contact my sacred gear, I jumped upwards with all my might.
As I jumped up, I thought I was safe, he must have missed me. That was my train of thought until I felt his hand grab onto my ankle, I looked down at him as he smiled evilly.
"You're not going anywhere" he then slammed me against the ground, it hurt like hell but at least I'm not burning.
Getting slammed is no joke, my back feels like it's broken. However, he was still holding onto my ankle. I felt panicked, but I can get out of this.
He then started to pick me back up, he was going to slam me down again.
As I rose above his head, I poured some of my energy into my sacred gear. I need to create some distance to power up, at this rate I won't get past one.
I pulled my other leg back before sending my foot into his face, but he was managing to hold me off. He can't be that strong, there is a weakness in him I need to find.
"Did you think that pathetic attack was going to make Riser let go, I'm going to drag you all back down to hell when this is over." Riser gripped my ankle tighter and slammed me against the ground again, it hurt so much.
This is nothing compared to what Asia felt as her sacred gear was being ripped out of her, not even compared to a light spear. My body will recover, once I win this and get back home.
[Boost]
Another surge of power, I can't use it yet. Against Riser, I would need to summon as much power as possible.
I need to get his hand off my ankle, once I do that then I can try to get his arm long enough to stall him. Think Issei, think!
Riser picked me up again, I readied myself for another impact, but it never came. Instead, he was just holding me in the air by my ankle. I dangled there until he turned me around to face him.
"What happened to all that bravado? Aren't you here to beat me, are you nothing but a liar?" Riser was starting to make me angry, he's the reason why I am doing this.
[Boost]
"Don't count me out yet!" I pulled my sacred gear forward and aimed it at his face.
"Dragon Shot!" I pulled my hand back before slamming it forward. Riser didn't have enough time to dodge that attack from point-blank range.
Riser let go of my ankle as his head was blown away, I used that time to get away and gather myself.
'Ddraig, when I call the shot, I'll have ten seconds to use it right?'
"You'll have to the count of ten, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to use it for ten seconds."
'That means I'll be even more limited, it's because my body is so damn weak. If I had more time, I could have been stronger.'
I watched as Riser's head was starting to regenerate quickly, how is it fair that a Phenex can regenerate after being given a normal death blow?
[Boost]
Most of what I had blown off was back, even from attacks like that I'm still nothing. That healing factor, if I can overwhelm his healing factor then I would be able to beat him.
"You will not have the necessary power to do so in your current form, even upping it would be risky as your body isn't powerful enough to endure that power for long."
'You don't have to remind me Ddraig, to the count of ten and it will be over.' My weak body is the reason I was killed before. My weak body was the reason I failed to save Asia; my weak body is the reason Rias surrendered. If I can't even claim one victory against someone then who am I to call myself the host of the Red Dragon Emperor?
"Careful, emotions act as fuel for the sacred gear. The more anger that you have the stronger it will get, but the side effects are dire."
"It doesn't matter anymore if I'm honest, not like devils are, but I don't care about losing anything else. I lost Rias once and I won't do it again!" I shouted whilst pointing at Riser, if anger is the fuel, then I'm going to flood my entire body with it.
Across the battlefield, Riser scoffed.
"One mere attack and you think you are winning, what kind of fool are you Hyoudou? You are nothing to Riser, you will continue to fail until your pitiful soul is incinerated. This is the end for you!" Riser launched himself toward me again.
[Boost]
I jumped to the side this time turning my body to face him as I went. As I turned, he tried to grab onto me once again, but this time I was making sure he couldn't get a hold of me.
As he missed, I scooted back, I needed to buy more time than this, at the same time I can improve as much as possible.
Riser fixed himself before running into the wall ahead of him, he then spread his wings out and dosed himself in another fiery form. He was getting frustrated with me as well, a high-class devil failing to defeat a low-class devil like me, his ego must be bruised.
"If you think I'm going to simply stand by and let you hurt me again your dead wrong Riser, I have friends who believe in me enough to the point I know I won't lose to you ever again!" I started running towards him, quickly we found ourselves head-to-head.
From his position, I could tell he was aiming to hit me in the face, if he did that then that would be it for me. Luckily, I can see it in his flaws, I'll exploit this to the best of my ability.
The more I got angry about it the more my sacred gear would release a green aura.
As his fist neared, I countered it with a punch of my own.
I could feel my bones rattle as our fists collided, along with the scorching heat that came with it. If it weren't for the aura pouring from it, then I wouldn't have been able to take more than that.
"Your effort is futile against a devil like Riser, a lower-class being is far too weak even for a dragon." Riser followed up our clash with his other fist coming in at my right cheek, if I take this then my booster might reset.
I grabbed my left hand with my right and pulled my sacred gear to block Risers' fists whilst blocking my view of him.
'Ddraig, if I get injured again my booster will reset and it will put me back to sleep, won't it?'
"If you don't use it soon then you won't get the chance, I would advise you to listen instead of disregard my advice."
'Shit, I still haven't boosted enough. Oh well.'
I jumped back, Riser didn't follow.
I fixed my stance and put my chest up, this was it and there was no turning back.
"Burst! Overbooster!"
[Welsh Dragon: Overbooster!]
From within the gem of the sacred gear, a bright red light began to flash, this light was so powerful that it began to overwhelm everything and illuminated the arena in a red color.
Around me, a deep crimson-red aura began to cover my entire body. My sacred gear took on a new form, the light began to morph into scarlet armor. More gems began to cover my body, most prominent was the large green gem in the center of my chest. The suit of armor was incredible, along with what seemed like a scaly tail and jet-like propulsion system on my back.
"Boosted Gear: Balance Breaker. Scale mail." My body was suddenly flooded with overwhelming power, alongside it was the numbing of the pain I had already endured so far.
"To the count of ten, then it's over."
'I'll end this before the count of nine.'
"Here I come Riser." With a flash of red light, I launched myself towards Riser.
Even though I was caught off guard just how much faster I had become, it was like I was an entirely new person. Riser had little time to react before I smashed my armored fist into his face. I didn't let up, I needed to beat him.
"Ten."
I continued to punch him as we closed in on the wall of the arena. With each thunderous punch Riser was unable to block, one after another I dug my fist deeper and deeper until his cheek burst open.
"You pile of trash!" Riser unleashed another fire around his body that exploded out in all directions, I lifted my arm to cover the vision slit to protect my eyes as I was sent flying back.
I dug my hand into the ground to stop myself from going any further back, as I moved my arm to see Riser was closing in once again. I pulled my arm back and shot it forward.
We clashed once again, this time we both had a fist buried in the other's cheek. I tried pushing him back, but it was to no avail, he must be using his full power now.
"Nine."
I needed to up the ante, I pulled my arm back and turned my body to counter with my other fist. This caught Riser off guard and gave me another opening. I swung my leg from beneath me and used it to send Riser flying off to the side.
"Eight."
I launched myself again and using my newly acquired speed I managed to get behind him. I brought both my fist together before bringing them both down like a hammer again Riser. The impact from his crashing into the ground formed a crater causing a shockwave.
"Seven."
I'm going to break him before I run out of time, I'll kill this son of a bitch!
I jumped into the air, getting a nice distance away from Riser I readied another Dragon Shot. If this attack doesn't destroy him then I'll be screwed.
I pushed my arm forward and summoned what magic I had into a small red orb. I then cocked my arm back before shooting it forward.
"Dragon Shot," I erupted as the shot began to grow as it began to barrel towards Riser at a blinding speed.
I couldn't see but I don't think Riser has enough time to get back up.
I waited there waiting for an explosion, but the dragon shot stopped moving. As a matter of fact, I could see fire coming from beneath it.
"Six."
I launched myself into the dragon shot, I needed to force it to explode against him. My armor should protect me, but he is exposed. This will kill him.
Much to my disbelief, before I could reach the dragon shot it dissipated, and beneath it stood Riser with his arms out embalmed in a fire.
I couldn't change my trajectory as he summoned a fireball and sent it at me.
The ball exploded; the heat combined with power shattered the armor around my stomach. I could feel my flesh begin to burn as time went on.
"Five."
'Ddraig, what do I do about the armor?' I asked panicked. Riser being able to break my armor is worse than I thought it could be. This hurts, it's almost like my skin is melting.
"I can repair the armor, but you'll lose some power as I do it. Just focus on ending this now!"
I watched as the shattered part of my armor began to glow red, slowly the armor began to reform.
I sat up, Riser was still on the other side of the arena. From what I could tell he seemed out of breath.
"Four."
I forced myself up, without my energy I can't summon enough energy to do another dragon shot. Think Issei think. You can't lose here, never again.
I could feel the power in my body begin to fade, even though I was still angry it wasn't enough to sustain the armor.
"I'm impressed, I truly am. You managed to get stronger significantly even though it has only been a short time since I almost killed you. Talent like that is rare, perhaps even more than a pure-blood devil is." Riser started walking over towards me with a ball of fire in his hand.
"That's because I have to take Rias back, I put everything I have on the line here. Even if I die, I will not fail, I will not allow myself to because she is worth it!" Deep from within me, I could feel another surge of power spurting out.
My breathing became incredibly heavy, my chest began to tighten considerably. My vision began to blur, my legs were beginning to give out.
"The count has ended."
My armor shattered into a million small pieces, suddenly I found myself falling back to the ground.
'Ddraig, what happened? I still had time left!' I could feel my blood pounding in my head, the feeling of every vessel and artery bursting was becoming more and more apparent.
"That surge of power you felt was the start of your life force being drained, the symptoms showed up quicker than they should have. If you were to continue then your body would have shriveled up and died, this fight is over."
'Ddraig, how, I need to beat him.
"I do not wish for you to lose unless you have something to show for it then surrender is the only option before death."
'I don't care if I die, you said that if I shrouded myself in weakness then that guy you want me to fight will laugh. How am I supposed to beat him now?
"I have given you all that I can, if you weren't so weak then this problem with Phenex would have been settled."
I won't be able to ask Ddraig for any more power, I'll end this on my own. I have to find a way for Rias to get back home safely even if I don't make it back.
"Despite you ruining my engagement party, challenging me to a fight, and insulting the great name of Phenex, Riser can find it in himself to allow a quick and painless death." Riser walked over to me, I sat on my knees helplessly as he put the fireball to my head.
"If I were you, I would apologize to Lady Rias for getting her hopes up before I kill you, there is nothing I despise for than a young devil who gets ahead of themselves." I needed to do something; I didn't have enough time to use the cross. I should've used my time more wisely.
I can still use it; he hasn't beaten me yet. I won't lose again; I made a promise!
I reached into my back pocket; the cross was protected by a special cloth that makes sure it won't harm devils. Even holding it for a second would likely kill me, but I made a deal with Ddraig.
"Not even that? Pitiful." Riser was ready to kill me, but I was one step ahead.
"In your dreams you bastard." I grabbed the cross with my bare hand and tied it. Before he could realize what, I was doing I drove my fist into his stomach.
[Boost]
As my fist dug in right beneath his rib cage, I could hear the sound of bones breaking, I couldn't believe it. Even a devil like Riser is weak to holy elements, but he won't be enough if he can still heal. I need to pummel him until his body starts to fail, the only problem was my own was nearing its limit.
Riser bent over and coughed blood, a large pool began to form at his feet.
"I made a promise." I then punched him across his face, he fell over. With my sacred gear still on my arm I've been given a one-in-a-million chance, I still have enough power to win this.
Riser tried to strike back, but I swiftly dodged his attack. I was lucky enough to not be caught by it even with it grazing my stomach. I can't get hit again; he will kill me.
[Boost]
I brought my left hand above his back and grabbed on with my other to hold him.
I then slammed my arm down on his back, this made him fall to the ground. I then started repeating this, if I could buy enough time then I could boost enough to deal a blow to match him.
As I thought I could win his body erupted into flames again, I was forced to jump back in order to avoid being burned alive.
'Ddraig, what's the best plan of action here?' I needed help, I didn't calculate this far.
"Transfer the power you have into the cross." Thanks, Ddraig.
[Boost]
[Transfer]
My sacred gear began to glow in the pattern of a rainbow nearly blinding me, this power, I can feel it tingling from within the sacred gear. This is it, enough power to beat him.
"You'll get burned, now jam the cross in his chest, aim for the heart."
'That might kill him, I want to beat him. I have to beat him, but is it right? It doesn't matter, I promised to win even if it meant killing my opponent.' Despite being conflicted about what my actions could do I still went ahead with it.
I rushed back to Riser who was now standing up again, I nearly froze at the sight of him. Even I could tell how much bloodlust was coming from him, it was overwhelming. His face was distorted as if he couldn't regenerate properly, I must have cut him with the cross after I hit him.
I fixed my legs and launched toward him; I'm not letting this go to waste.
"I'm gonna be the strongest pawn you hear me Riser," I shouted ferociously at him whilst cocking my arm back.
"Raaaahhh." Riser was still screaming in agony, the effects of the cross must have been worse than I imagined. Yet he still launched himself at me as well, he was hell-bent on killing me as well.
As we neared, I shot my arm forward and aimed right for his heart, he summoned another ball of fire in his hand and aimed for my chest.
We collided, I could feel the cross pierce him, but what I felt more of was the fireball that engulfed me.
We broke off the moment after, I was screaming in pain as the fire felt as if it was melting my skin. It hurt, it hurt so much.
I tore my clothes off in hopes of the fire stopping, no matter how many times I hit myself to put the fire out I couldn't seem to stop it.
I fell to the ground and started rolling, I could feel my body going numb. Doesn't that mean that my nerves are starting to die, how long do I have until I die too? Did I even win?
Does it matter after all? Even if I won there is no chance, I survive after this, if I do then my body would have unimaginable damage, can Asia heal that type of damage?
I lost my hearing soon after, I knew because the sounds of my own screams could only be felt.
When I die, I'll die with the dignity that I fought for what I believed in, I fought to save her even though it cost me my own life.