And we run it back for round two. Not much to say, so enjoy!

(A/n) - author talking

{Hi} - telepathic talking

'Hi' - character thoughts

X

Dragon stand off!

Previously…

[ Partner! Partner, can you hear me!? Get nooo… I'm too late.] Ddraig stopped trying to reach out to Issei as the one thing that he feared was happening. Both Rias and Akeno were both busy having 'fun' with this strange man and Issei was standing there silent, an emotionless mask on his face…

"I-it's just, what about Issei?" Asia asked nervously. I let a smile trace my lips before it immediately fell.

"Tch, c'mon Asia!" Xenovia scoffed "Be real here for a second, are you really asking because you care for the pervert or are you trying to say that don't enjoy Jerry's company." She teased, causing Asia to blush…

She lied to me…

She used me…

I was just a toy, a shiny toy that she could play with until she got bored. I thought she was my savior, a person I could trust… my lover.

Was that all a lie? It couldn't because I saw it happen today, and I just read about what she herself wrote. She toyed with me since the very beginning.

It was never Raynare's fault that I was scared of women, it was Rias, the manipulator behind it all…

" Issei?" I turned around at the voice. The person talking looked like a child that went full gothic. She stared blankly at him with her black eyes. She looked human aside from the elvish ears, but no one would bat an eye at it. But her power was something to be feared, even if she was technically at half strength she could easily destroy most of the world if she pleased. This person was Ophis.

"Ophis? What are you doing here?" I said to her weakly. She doesn't respond but instead chooses to walk over and sit next to me.

"Issei is sick." Is all she said. She always was the blunt one I suppose. "Why are you sick?" Ophis asked, pointing at the green spots that practically littered my body.

"Very… but I'm going to get better I promise." I knew that was a lie. There is a very high chance that I'm going to die, and won't see her again.

" I want to help Issei get better." Ophis said. Then Ophis stood up and closed her eyes.

"There is a town that way." Ophis says before leaning completely onto my back. " I will take a nap on Issei." And with that Ophis fell asleep. I only smiled and walked in the direction that Ophis pointed towards. I wondered what awaited me in this new world.

Now… Issei pov

'Man this sucks…' I sighed. I had been walking in the direction Ophis pointed to for maybe over an hour and a half now, and while I'm not tired, I am annoyed. The area around me wasn't bad, but it was mostly just a bunch of trees and the occasional rock or so. Ophis was sleeping on my back and honestly didn't seem to be waking up anytime soon.

[ Look on the bright side, partner. At least you get a breath of what nature has to offer.] Ddraig said to me.

"You're not wrong, it's just that it's kinda boring." I say walking over a branch. The dirt road up ahead seemed to go incognito as the path became more trees and less road. "Great, now I could get lost without even meaning to." Grumbling angrily I continued on the path. How far is this place anyway?

Continuing forward nothing really stuck out to me, except for a hole in the middle of the road that seemed big enough for an entire human. The area looked like someone crawled their way out of it. And this smell…

"Hey Ddraig I forgot to ask, but why does it feel like every part of my body got a boost?" I asked before realizing my pun. "Heh, boost."

[ Please don't start making puns partner.] Ddraig sighed [ As for why it seems your body has got an upgrade, it is because your body is fully dragon. Aside from your human appearance, you no longer have any devil's blood or power inside of you. And Dragons have the best senses in the world, only really comparable to gods.]

"I see…" It was a bit to take in. But when you lived ( or used to) in a world where the supernatural is normal, I guess that's ok. But rivaling gods in terms of just using pure senses? Added to the fact that the boosted gear doubles my power every second, that's a real big change.

[ Also partner, I wanted to tell you that the boosted gear will be offline for maybe a week or two.] Ddraig told me, causing a slight panic before he continued. [ Never fear, your power as it stands is comparable to a high ultimate class. You should be fine, plus Ophis is with you.]

He had a point, but I don't want to piggyback on her power. I felt that I could hold my own and that Ophis shouldn't have to fight often. 'Besides, I don't want her to get hurt because of me…' I thought looking over my shoulder to see Ophis sleeping peacefully. Anytime I had to adjust her, she would tighten her arms around me until she was comfortable.

Anyway I continued going towards the location Ophis had pointed to me earlier and eventually came out to see an outline of a town, finally. The sun was starting to set, if I had to guess it was maybe 5:00 so we would have to find somewhere to rest for the night later. 'Guess we should hurry, don't have any actual gear to sleep outside for now.'

Time skip

"Hey is it me or does the town feel empty?" I noticed that besides the fact that Ophis said there were people here, there seemed to be no one here.

[ Focus on your senses, partner. There are people here, but they are hiding.] Ddraig spoke. I closed my eyes and stretched my senses, noticing that there were people in all the houses. The air itself seemed to be at a breath away from being in absolute panic. The people in the houses were terrified, but of what?

Continuing further into the city the sound of swords clashing rang out from farther north of the town. Deciding to check out the only noise in the city, I found a battle happening in the center. On one side there seemed a boy with purple hair, a cape, and in my opinion; looked like a fucking shota.

On the other side was a dragon woman… wait what? Ok, so the other fighter herself wasn't a dragon in human form, but rather looked like a mix between both. Golden eyes hardened like someone who was always on alert. Green scales covered parts of her hand and waist, she had a purple cape falling down the back of her armor. And she had a giant broadsword (A/n. I took a guess on that one.) pointed at the boy, who seemed to be out of breath.

"Is that all you have?" The woman asked. The boy tried to stand, but his body looked like he wouldn't be able to move for a while. "Commendable, but this is where it ends." Oh, so she is just going to kill him? Ok then I'm not going to let that happen, but how am I supposed to save him with Ophis on my back?

Her sword raised up in preparation to strike; fuck it…

Granberia pov

As fun as this little spar was, it must end. This boy could potentially be a problem later on, better safe than sorry. Thrusting my sword, I expected to hear the sword meet flesh, but all I heard was a clang and my sword hit concrete. I looked down and noticed that the boy was no longer there.

*whistle* I heard a noise and turning around I saw the boy a few meters away propped up against a wall. Near him was a boy no older than 19 standing next to him. He had a girl on his back who was asleep and had her hands wrapped around his neck. He looked calm as I stared at him, not even a trace of being scared.

"Really now? Killing someone who is weaker than you is quite a scene. Unless he did something to really justify you killing him, you're just being an asshole." His voice snapped me out of my musing. It also irked me.

"Well, he challenged me. I only responded in kind. As for killing him? It was because he might turn out to be a potential threat later down life for monsters. That's how every 'hero' is once they come out of the Ilias continent. All in the name of their goddess" I explained hoping to gauge a reaction out of him. The only reaction I got from him was a sigh. His response pissed me off.

"Truly pathetic. If your whole reason for killing him was that he could become a problem later, then you're just an idiot." He looked at me like a parent scolding their child, and I was said child. My blood was boiling now, but he decided to continue. " You say that any hero who leaves this place is a threat to monster girls. So are monster girls not a threat to humans?"

"All monsters are treated like they should die any time they walk into a city!" I screamed at him, forgetting that there are a couple of places where monsters are welcomed. 'Who is this guy though?' I thought before calming myself and entering a serene state again. "My point is that any 'heroes' that come out of this place are almost always corrupt, I wouldn't be surprised that the famous Ilias Kruez was born from this very continent."

Again no response from him, though when I mentioned Ilias Kruez the other boy seemed to flinch. "I guess you seem to have a point, but I don't know for sure. However what I do know is that this place seems awfully scared of you, so if you mind leaving that would be greatly appreciated."

"Oh? Are you going to force me to?" I drew my broadsword, but he just narrowed his eyes at me. We were at a standstill until a voice interrupted us.

Back to Issei pov

"Granberia would like to explain?" A voice called from the sides. Walking towards us was a woman wearing clothing that revealed… a lot. She had tattoos over her body, long silver hair that reached to her legs, and golden eyes that stared directly at the dragon woman, or I guess her name is Granberia.

" I decided to attack on my own, hoping to get rid of the annoying heroes." Granberia replied falling into a kneel in front of the woman. So this woman is someone she kneels to, possibly because she holds a higher rank perhaps?

"Go away you annoyance." The woman flatly declared. Granberia looked like she wanted to plead her case, but the blank look on the woman's face convinced her not to. "Going berserk like this, how am I supposed to get my Ama-ama Dango?"

Her what? The hell is that? A food?

" If you wanted that, let me take over control of the city first…" Granberia tried to get the woman to change her mind.

"With such an unsightly thing happening, how could I enjoy it? Idiot. And I have said the same thing twice now, is this how you show your loyalty?" Guess I was right. This woman had more power over Granberia, and given how she was still kneeling in front of her it only proves it.

"At once. If that is your will, then you will excuse me." Granberia said standing up, she casted me one more glance before disappearing.

"Thank Ilias…" The boy behind me sighed. He stood up with relative ease making me wonder how hurt he really was. The boy turned to me. " Thank you for helping me. The name's Luka."

"Well Luka, my name is Issei." I said. The townspeople finally come out of their homes seeing that Granberia is gone. The woman that had commanded Granberia to leave stared at me, just watching… weird. "That your friend?" Looking towards the woman, who decided now was the perfect time to join us.

"Alice." The woman crossed her hands. She looked at me as if she was analyzing my every movement. " I'll give you props, not many can keep Granberia a stare down without pissing themselves. You're stronger than you seem." Wow she has an eye huh? I wonder if she has some type of magic or maybe something akin to seeing someone's strength.

"Yes, but you'll have to excuse me but just who is Granberia? Aside from being a dragon with armor and a sword, it looked like everyone was almost terrified of her." I ask, getting Luka to go wide eyed and Alice raises a surprised eyebrow. "What?"

"Are you joking? You don't know who you fought at all?" Alice asked.

"In all honesty I don't even know who Ilias is. I kinda of just rolled with the conversation." Shrugging my shoulders. Now they both looked at me with shock. " I live a long way from here, so don't be all shocked ok."

"O-oh ok. That makes a little bit more sense." Luka breathed, sounding a little relieved. I'm betting he loves Ilias huh? Please don't tell me I met a weird mix of a preacher/hero.

"Hmm, well it's better that way. Idiot's goddess is just one big hypocrite, so you're lucky." Alice commented. Luka cringed and looked ready to say something before noticing the sun, which was now starting to set.

"Hey we should probably get to the Sutherland Inn before it becomes night." Luka said, talking to Alice. Alice seemed to perk up and dragged Luka away in a random direction. " Oi Alice! No need to drag me jeez!" Luka said, wiggling free and turning to me. "Hey if you need a place to stay, you can come with us, we're heading to an Inn for the night."

That was the plan from the get go. The only problem would be money, since I doubt that they take yen. "Sure." And with that we made our way to an Inn for the night.

Timeskip

By the time we made it to the Inn, I had got some information about this new world around me. Learning that there are three more heavenly knights that are like Granberia and that they only follow the monster lord's orders. Only follow the monster lord's order huh? ( Que the looks towards Alice).

Anyway, I'm still stuck on how I'm going to pay for the Inn we're staying in.

We arrived at the inn which was named the Sutherland inn. And that price tag for a single night… Just no.

"Sorry Alice there's no way we have enough to stay here and not even for a second." Luka said. Alice looked so mad that it looked like there was energy flicking off her.

She then went from pissed to pouting in a second with her crossing her arms. "I should have just let Granberia take this place over." Now she just sounds like an overgrown child. As we continued to look at the over expensive inn, a guy wearing armor pushed past us and opened the door.

"Hey owner! I'm a hero, give me the hero's rate!" That's all we heard until the door closed then immediately opened again, with the same dude having a look of fear at who was coming out of the inn. The woman was holding a large piece of wood way bigger than herself and was swinging at the man. "H-h-hey hey, wait I'm a hero!" The guy panicked.

"Some hero he was when he ran away from Granberia." I heard Luka mumble.

"Some hero! You left screaming to your mother and pissing yourself! Scram, get out of here!" She yelled menacingly. The man yelped and ran away dropping a bag on the floor. Picking the bag up I saw there were a couple of pieces of gold, silver, and copper coins. ( A/n, I'm not to sure how currency works in their world so winging it. )

Well there goes the issue about money. The lady looked at us and her whole demeanor changed. "Ah, you must be the heroes that saved our wonderful town! Please, why don't you stay here for the night? I'll even give the hero's rate, two gold per person. I'll bill the 4,999,992 to the Ilias temple." What a steal…

" But we are not heroes." Luka told her, looking downcast. Ahh yes, another thing about this world is that supposedly every year the goddess Ilias would descend to the human world and give the heroes her blessing. Though if you ask me the blessing sounds more like the ability to legally get away with theft.

The woman just shaked her head. "It's not your status that makes you a hero. It's your actions." I couldn't agree more with the statement.

"That said, didn't you get your ass beat down?" Alice remarked, making Luka flinch. Nah that was rude.

"Didn't you stand by and do nothing? The only thing you did was tell her off so, if anything he still did more than you." I shot back at her. Alice snapped her eyes at me but just scoffed and looked away. Paying for the rooms we split off into our separate rooms. Ophis was still asleep ever since we arrived which left me wondering why she was asleep this entire time.

I tried to lay her down on the bed, but pulled me down with her. When I tried to move, I learned that there is a reason for her being a dragon god. She pulled me into her embrace and never let me go, no matter how much I tried to wiggle out her grip was too strong. After trying and failing to get out of her grip I just layed down and accepted it.

"Sheesh, guess I'll take a bath in the morning." I sighed.

[ HAHAHA! You're telling me you would rather bathe than lay next to Ophis?] Ddraig laughed inside of my head. I shook my head at Ddraig's comment and looked at the sleeping form of Ophis. She looked so cute, and the way she scrunched her face whenever I tried to leave; it was so hard to just fully hug her like she was one oversized puppy.

But then I noticed something. There was some type of tattoo on her left shoulder. 'Where did that come from?' I questioned before the answer hit me like a truck.

Flashback to last chapter

" I will help Issei." She said before crouching down next to my body. She leaned her head next to my neck and then…

*Nom*

She bit into my neck. I would ask her why but my body had other plans. Instead of feeling pain, I felt a compulsion to do the same to her. So with whatever little strength I had left, I lifted myself up and bit into her neck. But would be the last thing I do, as then I drift off into unconsciousness.

Back to the present

"Ddraig you know anything about this?" I asked him. He didn't respond. "Ddraig? Do you know something about this?" My voice getting just a bit more serious.

[...Promise me you won't freak out too much.] Ddraig says somewhat hesitantly. I don't say anything but nod. [ That mark on her neck is what dragon's call a mate mark. Mate marks are used by dragons or other races, specifically yoki, to tell the world that a person has a mate and to back off.] Ddraig paused, seemingly to get my reaction, but I kept silent.

[ For dragons specifically… It means marriage.] Now that one got a reaction out of me.

'WHAT!? Wait… does that mean I'm currently married to Ophis!?' I yelled at him. This was happening in my mind so that way I didn't wake up Ophis.

[ Yes. ] Ddraig said [And before you ask there is a way to get rid of them. But one way is through one of the mates death. Or when a mate doesn't hold the slightest bit of love for their mate, give or take this one is more based on time, which you are out of.]

Lovely… into one forced relationship into another. (A/n. it's important to note that he feels that with the relationships with the others, more specifically Rias and her manipulation; that he feels like the relationship was forced.)

[ Actually, there is hope.] Spoke Ddraig pulling me from my thoughts [ Unlike your relationship with them, mate marks are special.]

'Special how?'

[ Mate marks are kind of like life long bonds. Ones where both dragons are either truly in love with each or were destined to be one. Or sometimes there are like branding showing that they are a part of a dragon's harem.] Ddraig explained. [ That's why when dragons meet sexual maturity, they always tend to follow their instincts since that's how they're most likely to find the right one.]

'So what happened at the cave was my body following its dragonic instinct?' I asked to understand more about the mark and how the whole me being married to Ophis.

[Correct.]

I pondered for a bit before looking down at the sleeping Ophis. She snuggled into me more while murmuring something I couldn't quite hear until I leaned in a bit.

"Issei… my… mate…" were the words I heard. Staring a little bit more at the dragon of infinity, I felt myself getting ready to completely fall asleep.

'We'll talk more in the morning, Ddraig. We still have a whole new world ahead of us and I'd rather have my partner fully awake and not half asleep.' I say chuckling at the snort I get back as a response.

"And as for you Ophis… I'll guess I'll give it one more go at this." I say covering us with the blanket. 'Who knows, maybe the Harem king dream is possible, but for now baby steps.' I thought before slowly falling asleep, hearing some strange noises from down the hall, but eh not my problem.

And Done! Alright, with this done which I hope everyone enjoyed, I'm going to go to bed. I should really learn not to do these chapters so late at night.

Anyways this is gamerwriter456 logging off…