Alright, here we are. Time to bring back what is arguably one of my more anticipated stories. I can definitely understand why so many people would be antsy on what happens next in this story since, unlike most other stories, I won't be completely skipping over Issei's emotional and physical developments.
Also, just a little self advertisement here, but have you read my story Red Dragon Of Golden Light? I would hope that you do. I don't usually advertise my stories aside from a simple "check out my others", but I've honestly become so unbelievably proud of what that story has become and what it will become. It is truly the greatest story I have ever written in every aspect. It has become my own little masterpiece, my personal magnum opus. So much led up to the latest chapter (20) and it all paid off beautifully. That chapter alone elevated the story to a higher level and it will only become greater from that point on. It sparked a new fire of passion for all of my writing and is definitely the best chapter of any of my stories (also longest 27,000 words holy). And pretty much everyone seems to agree since I've received the most reviews for that story, they were all positive, and started gaining followers and favorites like crazy. I'm not surprised. That chapter really was phenomenal.
Anyway, for any of those thinking that the story has been moving along a bit slowly, don't worry. This is where it picks up. So for the action junkies, yes, there's gonna be some action here. Real action. So I suggest you listen to some God of war Soundtrack for later. Cuz it really fits the feeling of epic battle. Besides, there's a good reference to God of war 1 in there. Lol. Any of my fans know that I'm a fanboy when it comes to GOW. It's just my favorite depictions of Greek/Norse Mythology.
All that aside, let's move on to this story.
-SCENE-
"So I'm afraid...we're requesting it to be postponed."
"Is that so?"
"Hmph. What nonsense! Something of that manner does not concern us. You may be the Maou, Sirzechs-sama, but to request such a thing of the House of Bael is nothing but insulting! Sairaorg, we are denying his request."
"Very well, Sirzechs-sama. I accept."
"Wha-?! Sairaorg! Do you not heed my words?!"
"Indeed I do not, Father. This is a request from the Maou. To deny it only because of some worthless pride is more than insulting to him, as it is to us. Moreover, I refuse to participate in this rating game without the Sekiryuutei in attendance. I have already promised him a battle."
"Sairaorg, you are nothing more than a foolish boy walking in the shoes of an heir. You don't have the right to make such a choice. The final decision does not land upon you!"
"You are right, Father. However, that still does not mean that I will participate."
"Sairaorg! Do not act so foolish! Merely for the sake of that shameful Reincarnated creaton! Do you believe that those actions cannot be punished?"
"Lord Bael. Sairaorg has already made his decision. I had hoped that you would respect that. If not, then I must warn you. Do not forget that I am the Maou. Practically any decision I make is final. I have already spoken with Zekram, he has no qualms with my suggestion and will respect whatever opinion Sairaorg may have. I respect his decision as well and, therefore, I shall perceive it as final. Thank you for your time."
"Nnn! So you would prefer to suggest your authority in order to overrule me? Simply because it involves your prodigy of a sibling? So your bias is what commands you? How low you have fallen, Sirzechs."
"You are free to think that way of me, Lord Bael. But that pride of yours is a dangerous thing. This situation that has befallen the Gremory is more drastic than your feeble mind can believe. And there is an effect that even reaches us Maou, if not professionally, then personally. I will not remind you again that I am still the Maou. My last advice to you will be to watch your tongue."
"!"
"Good day to you both."
Part 1
Scribble...
It's been a full week since I left home for Grigori. I haven't been having much interaction with a lot of people in my stay here. The only person I really ever spend time with is Ravel. She comes to see me whenever she can, which is pretty often. It's so often that I'm starting to think that she most definitely skips club just to see me. Just because I'm in the Underworld doesn't mean I don't know what time it is in the human world. I can calculate it well enough, but even if I couldn't, I'm pretty sure there's devices here that can do it for me. So I can tell when she shows up that it's usually time for club.
I wonder what everyone else thinks….
I paused from writing the 'list' I was planning to hand Sensei and took out my phone, that I brought with me.
[Mail]: Matsuda, Motohama, Saji, Mum...
…..That's it huh?...looks like these guys were curious about where i went. I wonder if someone will tell Saji. But….That's all huh…
Guess I'm not surprised-
[Missed Calls]: 27
Irina [12]
Xenovia [5]
Mum [3]
Kiba [1]
Saji [2]
Motohama [1]
Matsuda [2]
Rossweisse [3]
Kyomi Abe [1]
Unknown [1]
Oh….
I haven't checked my unread or missed notifications in a few days. I've only been using my phone to talk to Ravel every once in awhile. There are many times when she will call me at night to say good night….She really is interacting with me whenever she gets the chance...it kinda makes me happy that I have somebody like that…..sometimes when she calls me we talk a little bit too much too haha…
But anyway…
Some of the calls were from people I expected. M&M are the usual suspects. Probably asking where I went, why everyone is acting differently, where's the porno I borrowed. Saji probably also has similar concerns. I don't know if anyone told him about what happened, but I imagine he found out through Sensei. Sensei still had to explain to Sona-Kaichou why I was absent after all. So maybe he knows a bit about it. And now he's trying to check up on me, I guess.
Mum? Mum is obviously just checking up on me. I'm not sure what Sensei told her as an excuse, but I imagine it's something to do with travelling abroad or something. Maybe Mum and Dad wanna ask me for some souvenirs. Or knowing Sensei, they probably think I'm on some educational escapade. Well, I suppose that isn't too far from the truth. There's a lot of things I plan to learn. I want to become mature. I feel like I've lost so much of my dignity now that all of this happened. I don't have the support I used to. I don't feel the confidence in myself the same way I did before. Everytime I think about the crazy and perverted stuff I've done…..I kinda feel ashamed….like if I was being laughed at by everyone this entire time...and I wasn't in on the joke.
More than that, everytime I think about all that I've done...and how hard I've tried to help everybody…...I feel so...stupid….Was everyone secretly snickering behind my back when I made foolish announcements like: "I won't lose!" or "Oppai!"...? I don't have an answer to that….But I know Ravel wasn't. I….I know I can trust Ravel….she's always referred to me as "Ise-sama". Almost like she's always been looking up to me. Same with all of those children fans of mine…..I'm not someone to look up to.
I'm…I'm a joke…..
….But I don't want to be a joke anymore..
I want to be looked up to. I want to be more than a just a children's icon. I've been constantly hurting Ddraig and our reputation as the Sekiryuutei just because I can't be mature. And now that I've gone through this, Ddraig still helps me without hesitation….even though I don't deserve it. What kinda Partner am I? I owe him.
But he isn't the only one I owe.
What about Sensei? When I was feeling terrible he showed up and came to my aid without a second thought. He's the only reason I even have the chance to recover in the first place.
What about Ravel? She's been visiting me almost everyday, talking to me, calling me, making me lunch, spending time with me…..It even feels like I'm starting to get over my fear little by little with her. I feel really comfortable with her. I can talk to her about a lot. Actually, now that I think about it, I talk to her a lot about the things I think about and feel. All because whenever I admit something about myself she usually admits something to me too. I hardly noticed until now, but everybody in the club knew a lot about me because I would always be open about who I was. But….There's a lot about everybody else that I don't know. They know more about me than I know about them. I know their birthdays, likes/dislikes, and all the other basic stuff along with some of their previous lives, but aside from that I'm clueless. I've told everybody a lot of my own secrets, but how much have they confided in me? Nowhere near as much.
But Ravel is different. She tells me a lot about herself. In fact, she tells me more about herself than I do about myself. And in response I tell her more about myself to reciprocate. Before I know it we've cycled around secrets and stories to each other until the call we're in is almost 3 hours long. So I've become really comfortable around her. I don't think there's anyone else that I'm comfortable talking with that much besides maybe Sensei.
I owe her so much….
And that's not it. There are still other people I owe. Like Old man Tannin. He helped me train to reach balance breaker. In the end, I wasn't able to receive it with him, but instead I got it through the power of Oppai….what sort of development could be considered more shameful than that? Especially to him, who accepted the proposal to train me anyway.
I even owe Mum and Dad. They've been dealing with my antics for so long even though they didn't have to. Because of all my perverted and foolish tendencies, we've essentially been shunned by our own family. I don't remember when was the last time that we visited a relative or vice versa. All because I couldn't act normal and had to be an embarrassment.
I hope that in my time here I can become a person they are proud to have as a son….
And most of all, I hope that I can become a Sekiryuutei that the world is proud to accept…
Well, going back to the call log, I still have some unexpected calls.
Irina called me the most…...why?...was there something she wanted to say?...She was one of the people who left for school the next morning right? Was she planning on saying something before I left? Should I call back?...No, Sensei told me not to contact them for now. I should leave it be.
Xenovia? What is it that she would want to say? She doesn't know much because she is a meathead…..Maybe that was a bit harsh, but it's true that she isn't the biggest critical thinker. I don't possibly know what she could say.
Kiba? He called once….Maybe he was just checking to see if I would answer…..Well, he did get his answer.
Rossweisse-san? She called me too? 3 times. How come? She wasn't really there when that event happened so I never knew her opinion on everything, but I'm sure Sensei explained it to her. So I assume she knows, especially considering the atmosphere of the club. Could it be that she was checking on me?...Maybe I'll call her back at a later time.
Kiyomi Abe-senpai? Oh yeah. Didn't I give her my contact info a month or so back? I forgot about that. We don't see each other too often at school since we don't have classes together, but she's the Tennis club leader and a Beast-tamer. She doesn't know right? Wonder why she called.
Hm? What the? Unknown caller? Who could this be? Should I call them back? It could be something important, but who could be trying to call me that I don't know already?
Well, no harm in trying I guess?...
Dialing...
Really….who could this be? Ah, they answered-
[Hai, Hai~! Ise-kun~?]
….
Call ended.
…..Ring-Ring~!
Tap..
[Mou! Ise-kun, that's terrible! Hanging up on a Magical girl like that!]
….
"Leviathan-sama?!"
[Haaaaai~! Leviathan-desu~!]
I could imagine her doing a peace sign pose. Serafall Leviathan-samaaaaaaa?! Why is she calling me?!
"Leviathan-sama!? Why are you the one calling me?! How did you even get my number?!"
[I got it from Sona-tan!]
"Kaichou has my number too?!"
[Sona-tan has all of your numbers!]
Well she is the Student council President. It makes sense to have contact with all of us supernatural students who are allies. But wait that's not the problem here!
"But why are you calling me Leviathan-sama?!"
[Mmmmm! You make it sound like a bad thing Ise-kun!]
I could literally hear her pouting.
"Ah, n-no! That's not what I meant! I just...what would a Maou like you want to call me for?"
[Mou! Not Maou! Magical girl~! This isn't a business call! It's a personal one~!]
"Eh? A personal call? W-Why?.."
[...Are you alright, Ise-kun?]
(—?!)
…..Her attitude changed to a serious one….she sounds like a proper adult.
"I…."
[It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I heard everything from Azazel already so you don't have to explain it. I just wanted to see if you were alright.]
"Ah….I see….Yeah. I'm okay. I think."
[Would you like to talk in person?]
"Eh? Ah, no. I mean- thank you. You don't have to go that far. I'm okay. I have lots of talks with Ravel so I don't have too much on my chest right now."
[Ah, Ravel Phoenix-chan?]
"Yeah."
[Ah, okay. I see. So you're doing alright then? Eating and sleeping well?]
"Y-Yes, I am."
She sounds more like Mum than a Maou…
[What about your exercise?]
"Ah, my training? Yeah I'm still kinda training. I can't rely on my usual training regiment since I'm alone now, but I'm currently writing up a new one for Sensei to set up for me. Hopefully it'll work."
[Is that so? So you are doing okay then.]
"Yeah I think I'm alright. It's a bit lonely sometimes, but thanks to Ravel I don't feel completely alone."
[I see. She's a good girl.]
"Yeah…. She is…"
Still, having Leviathan-sama call me just to check up on me...I don't know what to feel about it.
"Ano... Leviathan-sama?"
[Ah, Serafall is ok. I'm not referring to you as the Maou so you don't have to address me as such.]
"...but….that is…."
I don't think I would have the right to refer to Leviathan-sama in such a familiar way….Since I'm Japanese, I have always thought referring to these types of people with familiarity would be rude, even when they would say it's okay…..But if I think more critically about it, wouldn't it actually be a bit more disrespectful to Leviathan-sama if I wasn't as willing to put in courage in saying her name, as she has put in effort to check up on me personally?...
"Then…. S-Serafall-sama…"
[Haaaaaaai~]
She answers playfully. Ueeh….I was tricked….Maybe that was a bad idea.
"Um…. So, if someone like you is calling me….I guess that must mean I'm important somehow?"
…..
She didn't answer….
"...L-Leviathan-sama?..."
[...Eh? Ah. I'm sorry. It's just- hearing you ask me that…..I don't….I don't like hearing you ask me something so sad. It hurts a bit.]
"Ah, I'm s-sorry!"
[No. Don't apologize. It's not your fault for thinking something like that. But even still, it makes me sad to hear you ask such a question. I would be the one apologizing. That's the type of feeling it makes me feel.]
"I'm….I guess you don't want me to say sorry…"
[No. Please don't, Ise-kun.]
"O-Okay…..But I still feel bad for making you feel like that. Especially for someone like me."
[I know you do Ise-kun, that's what makes you sweet. But things like: "Especially for someone like me"...I don't want to hear that. I will answer your earlier question. You are very important, Ise-kun. But I'm not saying this because you are an asset to the Devils or an ally to the three powers. You are important to many people Ise-kun. You have changed and saved the lives of many people. You have done great things. I'm sure many things would not be the same without you. And there are many people you have touched that couldn't imagine a life without you…..Even if it may not seem like it sometimes.]
….
"...Really?.."
[Of course! Even I think it would be terrible if you were not around Ise-kun! Without you…..Maybe Sona-tan may not be here today after what happened with Kokabiel…..if that happened…..well, I wouldn't be here either. And the three great powers alliance...or maybe just in general, wouldn't exist…]
"Ehehe….well, I wouldn't go that far….I don't really think I did much.."
[Ise-kun always does more than he knows.]
"Is that so…I...T...Thank you, S-Serafall-sama…."
[Anytime, Ise-kun!]
Hearing such words from a Maou like S-Serafall-sama….I'm extremely grateful….it makes me unbelievably happy. Haha. I almist want to cry..
"E-Ehehehe….Somehow I feel a bit relieved hearing that. I guess I kinda….nevermind hehehe.."
[...You're a sweet boy Ise-kun.]
"H-Hehehe. T-Thank you."
[Mm. So, are you feeling a little better than before?]
"Eh? Ah, yes. T-Thank you very much, Serafall-sama."
[No problem Ise-kun. You're free to contact me if you ever want to talk again.]
"Eh? Well, that's...I mean that's too much of an honor for me.."
[Nonsense! Ise-kun is my friend! He can talk to me anytime he wants! Even if I'm in a meeting! Actually, please call me when I'm in meetings. They are very boring and I would rather talk to Ise-kun while pretending it's something important.]
"Hahaha. That's wrong Serafall-sama. But I'm honored that you would call me a friend. Even if I don't deserve it."
[Mou! What did I say about saying things like that Ise-kun! You need to have more respect for yourself! You have to love you too you know?]
"I mean I guess..."
[Okaaaay~?]
"...O-Okay…"
[Good! Okay Ise-kun! I will be going now because I am very busy, but if you want to talk to somebody let me know okay? Even if it's at an inconvenient time!]
"Okay, Serafall-sama."
[Good! Sorry I couldn't visit personally. Let's hang out sometime! Ah, I know! Remember when we filmed that movie between "Magical girl Leviathan vs. The Legendary Dragon Emperor"? Maybe we should do that again! Or maybe a crossover episode for our shows! I will talk to Grayfia-san! She is your current manager right? I'll see what we can do! Until then, bye-bye Ise-kun~]
"B-Bye-bye…."
[Yaaaaay~ Bye-bye!]
Call ended..
Well…..that was quite the exchange. But, I'm glad that it happened. Hm….Maybe I should call Rossweisse-san back then..
Dialing..
[Eh? Eh? H-Hello?]
"Ah, yeah...Hello, Rossweisse-san…"
[Eh? Ise-kun? Is that you? You— You called back! I-! I'm sorry, but I didn't expect you to call back at all!]
"Yeah, it's alright, I get it. I didn't call back anybody else from back home so…."
[I-I see. Well, thank you for calling me...I suppose..]
"Yeah…"
…
"So...how is everything?..."
[Eh? A-Ah, everything is alright….I suppose…]
"Is that so?...Well….how is everyone?..."
[Everyone is…..they are alright….]
"Really?..."
[Yes….Well...not so much…]
"Is that so….."
[Yes…...there is….they're not as talkative. Not very responsive. There is not much light or happiness there in that room….nor in this house…]
"..."
[Ise-kun?..]
"Yeah…. I'm here….. So that's how it is huh…"
[Yes…... How are things for you?]
"Eh? Me? I'm...I'm alright I guess. I've still been training by myself, but Ravel visits me really often. Ah, but I guess you know that.."
[Ravel-chan?…. Yes….I'm afraid we know that very well...]
"Oi...You... You don't mean…"
[No. Azazel-sensei has already warned them about doing something like that to her….everything is fine...]
"Oh...I see. Good. But I guess that means everyone's not doing so well then…"
[Unfortunately not….But I believe they can recover...with time.]
"Yeah...I…..I hope so…...So….um….what are you up to?"
[Eh? Me? W-Well, I am just grading some assignments.]
"Ah, I see. So you're still working hard as a teacher huh. As I thought, Rossweisse-san must be a good Sensei."
[Eh? Y-Yes, T-Thank you…]
"Yeah, no problem."
[...So then….when do you believe you will return, Ise-kun?]
"Ah…..I'm...not sure. I think the game is going to end up being postponed so maybe not until then."
[I see….]
"Yeah….."
…..I guess there's not much else to say.
"...Well, I'll quit with the interruption and let you get back to grading I suppose."
[Ah! Wait!]
"Eh? W-What is it?"
[Um…..do call back….just so that I can let everyone know that you are doing alright….Ravel-chan doesn't get talked to by everyone else very often…]
"I see…...alright."
[Alright…..one last thing Ise-kun.]
"What's that?"
[...You….do not hate them?...]
….
"No."
[...Oh...I see….Good then…..I'll talk to you later, I suppose?]
"Yeah."
[Alright. Goodbye.]
"Bye."
Call ended
So that's how it is huh. I don't know if I can say I'm surprised. Oddly enough, it almost feels like knowing that things are like that over there….makes me feel satisfied?...
….I'm such a scumbag..
Ah, last on the list. Kiyomi Abe-senpai. Why would she call me? We haven't really talked outside of once after the incident with her dad. That was the Second time I stopped an arranged marriage. Except this time the dad was a lot more, um, eccentric? Well, he was a funny fellow to think about. But after that we talked once and she asked for my contact info. I'm not sure why, but…..maybe it has something to do with me helping her out with her arranged marriage. At first, I didn't understand why she acted so oddly around me, but if I really think about it….without the ignorant attitude….I mean….it could be…
Guess I'll call her….
Dialing...
[Hello?]
"Kiyomi Abe-senpai?"
CHADUN!— I heard some crashing sounds in the background. I could've sworn I also heard some girls calling out her name. Ah, it's club time right now isn't it? It sounds like she was trying to talk away from the phone.
[I'm okay, I'm okay! Haruka, take over for me!]
"Abe-senpai?"
[A-Ah! Yes! I'm here! I'm here! Hyoudou-kun?]
"Yeah, I'm here."
[Hyoudou-kun! It is you! W-What is going on? Why would you be calling me?]
"Me? That was gonna be my question. Why did you call me?"
[Eh? Me? I— well I—…..Y…..W-Well I just noticed that you haven't been at school lately, that's all.]
"Huh? But we don't have any classes together."
[T-That's-! You just haven't been around! I haven't seen you at all, when I usually see you around every once in a while! That's all!]
"Oh….So you really notice me that much huh."
[W-What?! N-No! I just-!...You are infamous so it's obvious when you are not around. Not to mention that everyone in your club has been acting differently.]
"Ah. Yeah, actually, I guess you're right."
[Of course. Obviously…...So then….What is going on?]
Ah, I suppose she wouldn't know. There's not really anybody who would tell her, right?
"Well….it's hard to explain, but the basic gist of it is…..I had a bit of a 'fight' with everyone….I guess."
[A fight?! What?! What happened?!]
"Well...It's a bit of a personal problem, but the most of the club members and I weren't really getting along well after something happened. So I decided to take a little time away from home. I'm in the Fallen Angels Grigori institute in the Underworld right now. I'll be staying here for almost 2 months, probably."
[2 months?! That means you'll miss the festival!]
"Ah, no, don't worry. I'll come back up for that. After that, I'll come back down and continue my training."
[I-Is that so? I see. So that's why everyone in your club has been acting this way….But if you had a conflict with all of them, how do you plan to return for the festival?]
"I'm….not sure. I don't know if I'm going to help out with my club's stuff, but I do want to at least attend. Ravel wants me to go anyway."
[Ravel? Ah, Ravel-chan! So you still speak with her?]
"Yeah, she's one of the only members I talk to right now. Maybe with Rossweisse-san I guess."
[I see. Well, I'm surprised that you called me back. I never expected you to respond.]
"I never expected you to call haha."
[Eheheh. Yeah, I definitely see why.]
"...Well, anyway, I'm in Grigori right now so I'll be training until I return for the festival."
[R-Right. I guess I'll see you there?]
"Yeah, I'll check up whatever your club's going on, if you have something on. If not, I'll just look for you myself I guess. Just to say hi. If that's alright."
[Yes! Of course! Then I'll see you there!]
"Yeah. You said that already."
[Okay! I'll see you there then!— Is Kiyomi-san talking to a guy?!— What?! No! That's not it! I've gotta go Hyoudou-kun!— Hyoudou?!— No! You heard that wrong! It's my cousin! I—]
Call ended
Well that was also quite the exchange. I guess that clears up everyone I'm gonna call. I'll call or message Mum later. Maybe Saji too. Not sure about my two cohorts. It'd be funny to leave them in the dark. Payback for all the bad rumors they spread about me. I wonder if any more rumors will start because of this.
Knock knock.
Hm? Someone knocked on my door.
"Yeah."
The door opened. Ah, It's Sensei. Just the person I wanted to see.
"Yo Ise. I'm back for a bit. Did you get the things you needed sorted?"
"Yeah. It's finished. Here."
I handed him the paper I was previously writing on.
"Hooooh."
He took a pen out from his suit and began crossing some things out. As I thought, there was stuff on there that was impossible to get to huh. Are? I noticed that he didn't cross out the thing at the very bottom. So he can actually get that? Even though it's kind of against the rules to do so. I suppose he has his ways huh.
After he was done crossing out a few things he put the pen back in his pocket and reads the list.
"Heh. Quite ambitious I see. Alright. I like your enthusiasm. I suppose we'll start small and build up to the more audacious requests."
He began to walk out with that.
"Give me a couple hours."
He shut the door. Eh? Wait, we're starting now? Like right now? Wait, I didn't expect to start today! I don't think I'm ready today! I wasn't prepared to get right into it! Give me time to prepare my heart! Speaking of which what did you even cross out! At least let me check my own list!
—.
I spent around an hour in my room alone. I got really antsy and decided to train in the meantime. It was only some light training with some mediation since I'm kind of afraid of burning myself out before whatever Sensei's got me set up for.
So as it is right now, I'm just meditating in the center of the field like usual.
…...every once in a while the clubroom comes into my sight.
Everyone's just doing their usual stuff. Eating, playing, chatting, bantering…..But then I open my eyes and…..It's so alone….
…..That's why I don't open my eyes…..I don't want to be alone…
Ah...the person I longed for the most….
("Ise")
—But her face is covered in a muddy haze and a she releases a distorted voice that sends chills down my spine.
Like a bad dream I feel like I can't look away. I feel so panicked and alone despite being surrounded. I am surrounded. Surrounded by a dark space with laughing faces floating above me.
Why me? It's not fair. Why don't any of you help me? Am I just supposed to deal with this alone? Do you just not notice? Is that why you don't turn to face me? It's not fair. I thought I helped you. I thought I did all that I could for you.
Did I fail you?
….
Or have you failed me?...
—("Ise-sama")
…..
Eh?
Right as I heard a familiar voice, my eyes opened.
….Wha..? What happened?
[Partner?]
Huh? Ddraig? What happened? Were you calling for me?
[Yes. But you would not respond. For whatever reason, I could not reach you at all.]
Is that so?...
[Yes.]
Well….looks like I am starting to lose my mind? Haha…
[You are alright, Partner. You will be alright.]
Yeah….I….
("Ise-sama")
…..Yeah, I will.
"Ise, I've got it."
Someone called out to me. Ah, it's Sensei. He's back already?! It's only been like 2 and a half hours. Oh no….what's with that mischievous smile?...
"Got what Sensei?..."
"Hm? One of the things on your list of course. I've already got some people waiting so let's get you over there."
"Wait what?"
"Come on, Come on."
Sensei spawns a magic circle and pulls me by my collar to bring me in.
"No wait! You didn't even tell me what you picked!"
"Ah, don't worry about that. You'll see for yourself."
"What did you cross off that list?!"
"Only the stuff that would definitely kill you."
"What about the stuff that comes close?!"
"Of course not."
Shiiin!
Part 2
TOOON!
The sound of thunder roared through the sky following a bright flash of lightning.
"Portside! Portside!"
TOOON!
The sky was lit momentarily and thunder clapped again. The harsh sounds of pouring rain and crashing waves. Men shouting orders to each other while pulling on ropes.
In other words, I'm on a large wooden ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
TOOOON!
"Overhead!"
"Nothing yet!"
Many of the sailors on the large ship were shouting at each other while they attempted to keep the thing from capsizing any way they could. We're caught in a huge storm.
In case you're confused, let me explain.
After Sensei kidnapped me he teleported us to some dock I didn't recognize, he talked to some sailor and left me to get on board some old ship with a bunch of men I didn't recognize who spoke Greek for some reason. Apparently, we made our way off of a dock on a European country and straight out into the Atlantic Ocean. The sailors gave me a coat and we quickly set off. But these men aren't even wearing coats themselves! They're just wearing old garbs! Like if they were sailors from the days of Old Greek and Roman empires! When I asked why they were dressed that way they said it was the greatest way to honor tradition while completing the task! What tradition?! What task?! Wasn't this supposed to be about me?! How come I'm the only one who's in the dark?!
"Aheeeeaad! I see it!"
The sailor who stood on the overlook mast announced something. See what?! What are you seeing?! The captain called from above deck.
"Everyone! Get inside! Hurry!"
He's yelling to all of his crew to get inside of the ship down below deck. What's going on?!
"Good luck to you, Sekiryuutei boy! May Zeus shine his favor upon you!"
What?! Shine it?! How?! The sky is literally nothing but a dark brownish/grey mash of clouds while the sea is just a dark green body of water! There is no light here to shine!
Vuuuuuuummm!
Suddenly, the ship I stood on which was being tossed by the rocking waves, now seemed like it was being vibrated. As if something was emerging from the depths below. Oi! Don't leave me alone here captain!
[Partner! Calm yourself! You cannot win if you do not confront every opponent with the determination to win! You asked me to assist you, so I will fix that bad habit of yours!]
But what the Hell are we even confronting?!
[It does not matter! Steel your nerves! Even if faced with an enemy far above your strength, you mustn't hesitate! Think clearly and rationally about how you can win! Not about how little of a chance you have in winning!]
That's literally insane!
[You are the Sekiryuutei! Madness is in your blood!]
I'm really not liking the new inspirational Ddraig!
[?!—It's coming!]
Just as Ddraig said that, something began moving beneath the waves, creating small mounds of water that began to rise. Something was emerging from the water. 3 things.
TOOOON!
Just as the thunder clapped and the sky was lit, 3 large masses emerged from the water. Water fell and splashed on the ship from the 3 large masses. 2 of the masses were exactly the same size, only having heads that were a few meters tall with long bodies extending into the sea. Meanwhile, the mass in between the both of them was much larger than them and had a head more than 10 meters tall. Green. Scales. Sharp teeth. Yellow glowing eyes.
Ddraig….What is that?...
[That is….a subspecies of the Legendary beast slain by the original Heracles for the second of his twelve labours. The only known offspring to the Dragon-serpent monster…..A Lernean Hydra.]
The heads of the 3 headed Sea Serpent finally became visible after letting the water drop from their scales, only being kept constantly wet from the rain. Lighting struck the sky again. The menacing forms looked down on me and released a conjoined roar that blew strong winds and almost sent me back.
MRRAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRHH!
[Partner! We cannot fight it here! Use your armor to fight it off of the ship!]
You've got to be kidding meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
I donned my armor and took to the dark skies above the monster. It's vision followed me and it screeched once again.
MRRAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRHHH!
Ddraig! What do I dooooo?!
[Calm yourself Partner! We must think about we know!]
What?! I don't know anything about this thing!
[What did you spend your time researching that library for?! You mean to say that you found the name of a beast without researching its abilities?!]
I didn't research this one! The Hydra I wanted to face was the ones that are on land and are much smaller with a lot of heads! Like the one we saw at the sports festival between the 3 powers! I didn't think Sensei would place me up against something even worse! No wonder he was snickering! I don't know anything about this one!
[Calm down Partner! Despite what you may believe, this Hydra is not too foreign in comparison with the other Hydra type. More than that, it's the offspring of the Lernean Hydra. There is enough that we know.]
We?!
[Much that I know. Regardless, it shares many similarities with the conventional Hydra and of course, with its predecessor.]
Okay! What do I do then?!
[First—]
MRRAAOOOAAH!
SNAP!
AH! The beast started trying to attack me! It's snapping it's heads at me as if it's trying to eat me! FAST! Too fast! This is way too fast for such a beast! Even its largest head is faster than it should be for its size! There's no way I can dodge all of th—
SNAP!
"AAH!"
[PARTNER!]
One if the smaller heads managed to catch onto one of my legs! I could feel its sharp teeth pierce me! It whips me around and then tosses me straight to the deck of the ship!
DON DON DON DON!
[Partner!]
Ah! My leg! It broke through my armor easily and damaged my leg! The moment I tried to touch it—
Sss!
"AAAAAGHH!"
[Partner!]
It buuuuuuuurrnnssss! My leg is sizzling and releasing steam!
[Partner! A Hydra's saliva is poisonous! It has a venom that can damage many beings! You can't let it hit you with that venom!]
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagghhhhh! My leeeeg! It's meeeelting! Aaaaaaahaaaa! Dammit!
[Partner! You have to use it! You cannot survive this battle if you do not use Triaina! It's speed is too much for you to handle in your current state! But you cannot let it hit you either! It's venom and it's jaws will easily destroy your armor and cause immense damage!]
Aaaaaagh! Dammit! Dammit! It hurts! I want to cry so much it hurts!
[Partner, we don't have time! Focus on the battle!]
Focus-! Focus-! Ah it hurts! Come on Ise! You're a warrior aren't you?! If you don't want to die then act like it!
"Rrrrrrgghaaaaaaaahh! Welsh Sonic Boost Knight!"
I shouted in pain and my armor began to shine brightly. The Amor starts to decrease in size.
Shiin!
"Armor release!"
[Change Star Sonic!]
The armor changed form, leaving me in a slim aerodynamic version of Scale Mail. The beasts roared when they sensed a change in me and roared.
MRRAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAHHHH!
[Off the ship Partner! We must fight in the sky above the sea!]
[Jet!]
I launched myself away from the ship and flew above the heads of the beast. Ugh. My leg still hurts like shit. But I have to deal with the pain later. Right now is the monster. The beast started to attack me again. Snapping its jaws at me and spewing venom from its mouth.
Ddraig, give me a rundown!
[Right. Remember Partner. There are a few traits that most Hydra share. The ability to regenerate quickly, replacing their severed heads with double the heads, poisonous venom, many heads. This beast seems to share the traits of those beasts.]
Okay, so what's the best way of killing it?!
[We cannot sever its heads. If we do we will have nothing to cauterize its wound aside from your flames. Those flames will not do well in this pouring rain, lest you boost them a great amount. But then your stamina will quickly drain. Not to mention, their long necks are too thick for Ascalon to slice all the way through without struggle. Plus, their blood is also poisonous.]
What the Hell man?! Aren't we at a serious fucking disadvantage?!
[Indeed. But that is where the challenge lies. I assume this is why Azazel would place you up against this beast rather than the traditional Hydra. This is a more formidable foe.]
I don't care about that shit! This thing can kill me! It could've killed me!
[Partner! I have told you once, I will tell you again, enough foolishness! We do not have the luxury to complain! If this is truly a battle with your life at a stake then treat it as such! Listen to what I'm saying and consider the possibility of victory through any strategy your mind can muster! You may not be the tactical expert, but you cannot move forward as a warrior if you do not develop some skill in it! Do you understand?!]
Alright! What else, keep telling me everything!
[Good. This beast is still a Hydra in the end. That means that our greatest asset is Ascalon. We must use it to our full advantage. Rather than attempting to damage the Hydra with the alternate forms of Triaina, which are too slow, we must use the Knight form to strike using Ascalon while also avoiding any attacks.]
What about its ability to regenerate?! What do we do about that?!
[Good, now you are thinking. Fortunately, the only thing a Hydra cannot constantly regenerate from is a Dragon-slaying power. It is the same situation as with Raiser Phoenix.]
Okay, but then how do I kill it?! Isn't it immortal?!
[No, not this one Partner. Hydra are not immortal if killed the right way. Remember the legend. We may not be able to decapitate and cauterize the Hydra, but that is fine. That strategy is not necessary for this Hydra. As long as we kill this Hydra without severing its heads that's what will matter.]
Kill it without severing its heads?! You mean we can kill it that way?!
[Yes. This Hydra in particular has the ability to regenerate itself, but not in the same way as the conventional Hydra. Because this Hydra naturally is born with 3 heads! It can regenerate its heads when severed and increase the amount, but its regeneration to normal wounds does not function the same.]
Meaning?!
[In other words, this Hydra is much larger and more durable than the classic Hydra. So their healing of eternal wounds is dependant on their neighboring heads. Basically, in order for this Hydra to heal from any wounds like the ones you will make from Ascalon, it will need the full support of another head to do it. The smaller heads! They are the ones that heal each other! The largest head cannot heal the others, but the smaller ones can heal any of the heads. So you will need to kill both of the smaller heads before attempting to kill the largest one.]
Kill the small heads and then the big one! But without severing the heads themselves!
[Exactly!]
But how can I use this little Ascalon to do that?!
[I do not know. We must use it in any way we can.]
Oh Goddammi—?! Wait a minute! The heads! If I can just jam this into their skulls then maybe that will do it!
[Be cautious partner!]
"Ascalon!"
[Blade!]
I spawned Ascalon in my hand and the beasts snarled at me. Okay, here goes! Head number 1, on the left! Here I come!
[Jet!]
PSHYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
I propelled myself towards the head on the left and it immediately began snapping at me. I boosted and circled around its body while dragging Ascalon along it and slicing it!
ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN ZIN!
MRRAAAOOOOAAHH!
It roared helplessly as I was too fast for it to catch. But-! These cuts aren't very deep! As Ddraig said, these bastards are durable! He's hardly receiving any damage from this! And—
SNAP!
"Uwaah!"
The other head suddenly started snapping at me as well! They don't give me a proper chance to keep attacking the head I sliced! If it wasn't for Welsh Dragon Knight then I would be screwed! I distanced myself from the heads and floated high above them.
Damn! So their skin is that thick huh! So then I have no choice but to try and drive it through their skull! But if I get close then all of those other damn heads will snap at me! Think think!
-! I've got it!
[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!] [Transfer!]
I transferred power into Ascalon and boosted its aura. Let's hope this works!
ZIN!
I chucked Ascalon straight at the head I had been previously attacking with all of my might! It's going fast! Please land in its head!
Ascalon flew straight towards the head and—
CHOMP!
—The bastard ate it?!
MRRAAAOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
The monster roared in pain after swallowing Ascalon. It swallowed it! The damn thing opened its mouth and swallowed the sword down its throat! No wait—! The aura is being released in its throat! Ascalon is stuck somewhere down its throat!
[Partner we need Ascalon! We cannot leave it with the beast!]
What do you suggest I do?!...
[Partner?..]
...I have an idea….
[Partner! The point of this training is to survive!]
Oh, I'll survive…..hopefully….
[Jet!]
[Partner!]
I launched myself at the beast's head. It reaches out to eat me and—
CHOMP!
I entered its throat!
[Partner!]
I see it! Ascalon! I shoot myself with my jetpack down further into the slimy tight throat of the beast! I can almost reach it!
Ssssssss!
[Partner! Your armor!]
My armor is starting to melt and burn off from the venom! Come on, come on! I can reach it!
Shiiiin!
Got it! Ascalon shined brightly in my hand. Just as I pushed against the walls of the beasts throat with my back and Ascalon, the back of my armor starts to receive damage and I can feel my back burn.
Sss!
"AAAAAGH!"
[Partner! Slice it's throat open!]
I heed Ddraig's suggestion with no hesitation and boosted power from my jetpack as I forcefully pierced Ascalon through the beasts throat.
MMMMMRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMM!
My whole body vibrates as the powerful roar that was meant to be released outside hits me. But I have to keep going! Rip through this bastard!
SPLL!
A disgusting wet sound. I finally felt that Ascalon pierced its way to the outside. Now!
[Jet!]
PSHYOOOOOOOOOOM!
I boosted myself in an upwards direction while sliding Ascalon along the throat, effectively gutting the bastard beast open up to the bottom of its head!
SPPLLLLGGG!
MMMMMMRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
The beast roared in pain as it was sliced open. I stuck my hands through the slice and began to tear myself out slowly. A disgusting noise sounded around me as I slowly pushed through the beasts thick layered skin as if I were rebirthed from it.
"Rrrrraaaaaaaagghhh!"
MRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
I finally ripped my whole body from the beast, and It screeched a new screech from what seemed to be pure pain as it spewed poisonous blood. I kept my distance, but the pain in my body set in.
AGH! My right arm—! My back—! Aaaah! Dammit! They're in the same state as my leg is! They're fucking melting!
[I will fix the armor partner!]
Aahaaaaagh! It hurts! Fuck! Concentrate! Come on, adrenaline! Enough pain! Just be numb! Come on! Okay! I'm Okay! I can ignore it! Look! The body of the beast that I killed is falling into the ocean!
SNAP!
(—?!)
What?! The other small head chomped onto the neck of the beast and held onto it! It's holding it up in its mouth for some reason!
[Partner! You have to kill that head! It's going to heal the other one you split!]
—?! That's why! It's planning to heal the other head! But—! How the hell am I supposed to kill it?! I can't repeat that strategy! I'm certain that this damage I've taken is permanent! Unless I get it healed by someone with Asia's power or maybe Phoenix tears—! But even so—! This pain—! I don't want it! I can't take this damage again!
[You have to use anything you can Partner! Use your environment!]
My environment?! I frantically look around to anything that I can possibly use. What can I use?! Something that's better at killing than Ascalon?! There can't be anything like that around! That other head won't let me throw Ascalon and I can't take that chance again anyway! Something—! Something that can pierce its head—
-[!]-
THE MAST!
[Well done, Partner!]
Yes, the mast! The mast with the overlook on it! If I can pierce it with that like a makeshift lance or spear—! But how?! Wait—! Chains! There's some chain sitting on the deck that I can use! I can pull the head onto the mast and pierce it with that!
[Creatively brutal! It will do!]
But I have to stop the head from healing the other first! How do I get it to stop?!
[Quickly! Use Divide to strike and steal power from it!]
But that'll shave some of my lifespan!
[You needn't use much! Just enough to hinder it! It's the only attack you can land that will stop it in its tracks without having to stay near it for long! We will worry about your lifespan later!]
Shit! The lifespan that Koneko-chan tried so hard to retu—
…..
"Rrrrrraaaaaagggghhh! Fuck!"
[Jet!]
PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
I propelled towards the head that was trying to heal the other and slammed into its jaw. I immediately built distance and used the power of the Hakuryuukou.
[Divide Divide Divide!]
Well, there goes a few decades.
MRRAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAHHHH!
The live head dropped the dead one it held in its mouth, and it crashed into the sea. The live head roared at me.
[Good! It will attack you now! The chains!]
—Right!
I blasted to the ship and grabbed the chains. Damn! It's a long and heavy chain! Good! If it's long I can wrap it around without it breaking! The small head is coming in for an attack! It launched its mouth to bite down on me! I quickly threw the chain into its open jaws and flew around its head!
BRCCK!
It chomped onto the side of the ship with the chain in its mouth! Perfect! It removed itself while taking a chunk out of the ship. The chain is still in its open jaws, stuck between its teeth. Keep it open!
PSHYOOOOOOOOOOM!
I boosted around in circles around the head while wrapping it in chains more and more. Once it was properly wrapped, I pulled both ends of the chains with my hands. I've got a good grip!
MMRRAAAAAAAHH!
It screeched while struggling against my grip. Damn! It's fucking heavy! I have to keep boosting! Come on! Towards the mast!
PSHYOOOOM!
With the powerful blasts of my jetpack, I was able to slam the head against the mast.
BRCCK!
I boosted my jetpack until the head slammed into the side of the mast. It cracked under the pressure! I keep pulling, but with this much resistance how I am I even supposed to pierce it properly?!
MMRRAAAAOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!
"Aaah!"
I quickly evaded the giant "main head's" attack. Its attack ended breaking part of the mast after missing me!
(—?!)
The mast was broken and what remained was a large, sharp, wooden "stake" from the broken structure.
"Hahahahahaha!"
I don't know why, but I unconsciously laughed.
YOU, STUPID FUCKIN SNAAAAAAKE!
PSHYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
MRRAAAAAAAHHH!
I boosted with all of my power and pulled the head backwards until it slammed straight through the stake. Its head was pierced by the broken mast. I used all of my force and dragged it down until the mast popped out of the skull of the beast.
MRRRAAH— AAAH— KKKKIIIIEEE!
It struggled with the last of its strength as it was stabbed straight through its brain. Its screeching and twitching stopped when it reached the bottom of the mast.
[Well done, Partner!]
Two down…..one to go…
MRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
The last, main head roared at me greater than ever before. The winds of the screech rocked the entire ship back, almost tipping it over and capsizing it from the sheer pressure.
Now….little Ascalon is all I've got….. How the Hell am I supposed to kill this thing?...
Just as I thought that, something shot out from the sea and lodged itself to the side of the beasts head—.
ZIN!
MMRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
—?! What?! Something landed in the right side of the beasts head! Something's stuck there! What is….
-[?!]-
A trident?!
[Partner! This is your chance! Use that!]
Wha—?! Just out of nowhere?!
[There's no time! If it is there we will use it!]
Fucking Hell!
[Jet!]
PSHYOOOOOOOOOM!
I blasted to the side of the beasts head and pulled the weapon out.
MRRRAAAAAAAAAH!
It screeched at me in rage. This—! This weapon—! It's powerful! This type of weapon—! It reminds me of the replica of Mjölnir I used back against Loki! No, it's easily even more powerful than the replica! It feels heavy and has a terrifying aura!
[Use it Partner!]
R-Right!
I flew straight at the beast as it glared at me. It snapped at me to chomp me, but I dodged it by a hairline. Its bottom jaw is right next to me! Fuck it!
ZIIIIN!
MRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
I pierced the jaw of the beast and pushed against it. But it's pushing back against me! It's trying to give resistance! Keep puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuushing!
PSHYYOOOOOOOOOOOM!
I pushed with all my power until, somehow, I flipped backwards in the air from the physical backlash of the clash. And I heard a loud crack as I was launched away.
BRCCK!
MMRRAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRLLLL!
I quickly tried to adjust myself in midair while noticing that the beast screeched in a different manner than before. When I looked—
-[!]-
The lower jaw of the beast—! I broke it! It's hanging loosely! It can't close its mouth anymore!
[Partner! This is it! Finish it with this final hit!]
RIGHT!
PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
I launched myself high above the beast and floated momentarily. Then, I shot straight down, aiming right on the top of its head.
"Rrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhhh!"
[Boost Boost Boost Boost!]
MRRAAAAAA—
I pierced through the beast's head with full force, with my entire body leaving a hole in its brain, and my body splashed into the sea below it.
SHPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!
SPLASH!
…..
"Pu—haaaaah!"
I gasped for air as I lifted my head above the water. The last head finally fell into the ocean created a wave that almost drowned me.
SPLAAAASH!
"Ah!"
The waves died down…... The beast floated a bit...but then it began sinking into the depths…. It's dead…... I….killed it?...
"He did it!"
[Uuoooooooooooooaaaaaaahhhhh!]
I turned to the ship and saw the crew cheering for me….. What?...
[Hahahahahahahahaha! Well done, Partner! Well done! Truly magnificent!]
I….did it….. I did it….
"...Hehe…..hehehe…..hahahaha…..Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
I did iiiiiiiiiiiiiiitt! Woooooooooooooh! I did it! I actually did it! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Hahahahaha!
Ah...my body is tired….
"Ring him in!"
Eh? Ah, the sailors are tossing me some rope. I grab onto it as they drag it back to the ship. Ah...The trident is gone….where did that come from?...
Ah man….. I can't wait to tell Ravel….
Part 3
"Ehehehe…... Y...Yo, Ravel…."
I ended up returning to Grigori after my encounter to rest, and hopefully heal, but I somehow ran into Ravel who was waiting in my room. Now I'm facing her in tattered clothing, half melted body, while being lent a shoulder by a Fallen Angel…..
"..."
She was standing there with a blank face that said she hasn't fully processed it…
"...U-Um….Rave—"
"ISE-SAMA!"
She ran to me without hesitation. She had an extremely concerned expression.
"I-I-Ise-sama!? What is going on?! What are these wounds?! YOUR LEG! YOUR ARM! What has happened?!"
"Um... It's a bit difficult to explain…"
I rubbed the back of my neck as I struggled to stand on my own. The Fallen Angel left us alone and Ravel helped me limp to the bed.
"Ise-sama! Please! Tell me what has happened! Were you attacked?!"
"Well, yes, but….. I was kind of asking for it.."
"What do you mean?!"
"Well...remember that thing about my training that I told you about? Ya know….The one where I fought things stronger than me?...hehe…"
"I thought you were referring to training with Azazel-sensei or someone similar! But I didn't know you were going to train to this extent! What are these burns?!"
She touched my melted parts and flinched. She held her hands over her mouth as tears built up in her eyes.
"W-Woah, woah! Wait! It's nothing serious really! Well…..that's something I can't really lie about…..but it doesn't hurt anymore ya know!"
She shook her head vigorously. She reached into one of her pockets and brought something out. A bottle?—?! Phoenix tears!
"Here Ise-sama! Take this!"
"Aaah! Ravel! You're a lifesaver! Holy shit I thought this was gonna be permanent!"
I took the tears and drank the bottle. It began healing my wounds fully. It tingles.
"Aaaaaaah! My beautiful right arm! All back to normal!"
Ravel was looking at me like she wanted to cry….
"Uh…..S….Sorry?.."
For the first time ever, she shouted at me.
"This is it?! This is what you were planning?! You were planning to do something this dangerous?! I had brought the tears as a personal gift to Ise-sama because I thought you would only need it once! Something like this-! Something like this-! I cannot support this! I cannot bear to see Ise-sama like this! It's-! It's too much!"
….
...
...
"I….I see…."
So even Ravel can't support me on this huh…...I guess that makes sense….I don't blame her….I…...I'm alone now….
….
"Ise-sama?..."
I didn't lift my head to face her.
"Hehe….It's alright Ravel. Don't worry about it. It's normal not to want to support something like this….I won't hold it against you…...You've already done so much for me….thanks…."
Are? I kind of feel like crying haha….
"No…"
"Eh?"
I lifted my head a bit….
"I...have already promised Ise-sama…..I promised that I would support you….no matter what happens…...Even if it hurts me…..Even if I'm the only one…..I have promised you that I would stay by your side…..forev…..that's why….that's why—!"
She lifted her head fully with a new determination and tears built up in her eyes.
"That's why—! I will do this as many times as it takes! Even if it hurts me—! I will bring Ise-sama as many Phoenix tears as I can physically produce! As many as he needs! And if I can't—! Then I will learn the best healing magic there is and I will heal Ise-sama's body myself! I will take care of him no matter what happens! Just like I promised! So—! Even if it hurts to see you like that—! I will support you! That's why—! Please! Please! Don't come back—! Like this—!"
…..
"...Is….Ise-sama?"
Pomf.
"Eh? I-Ise-sama?!"
I held onto Ravel's body softly….
"...I'm sorry Ravel…. I'm so sorry…"
"Eh? Wha— Ise-sama?"
"I'm sorry…. I'll try my best…. I'll try my best to take care of myself….so please…..forgive me…"
"Ise-sama…"
By this time Ravel would be acting too embarrassed to continue being like this….but then..
Slide
I felt her hands run up and hold onto my back.
"...Yes…. I will always support Ise-sama…..just like I promised…. Even if it kills me….because I lo….. I will be with Ise-sama….forever…"
Forever….
"Yeah….. You will…"
We held each other silently.
Some time passed and we talked while we laid in bed together. We ended up falling asleep after some time. After a couple hours, Sensei ended up interrupting our sleep and poked fun at us for our position. I reported my victory to Sensei and he commended me. I then mentioned that he was the reason why I ended up like I did and, for the the first time ever, I witnessed Ravel try to burn someone alive with her Phoenix flames…
I can't believe I'm saying this….but I'm glad she didn't end up getting mad at me when I came back beat up like that…. I think I can deal with her sadness easier..
End
There we are! How was that for ya huh? Did you see that coming? Probably not. So yes, Issei's plan is to face powerful/legendary beings like the Hydra and such. Dangerous right? Well, Issei is really reckless. And unfortunately for him, Ddraig and Azazel are not the right people to ask if it's a good idea or not. At least he has Ravel. Hopefully he won't get hurt enough to use her Phoenix tears too much. They're extremely rare and hard to produce.
Anyway, that's all for this one. Got a lot more development for Issei. Hopefully all the action junkies also felt satisfied with the Hydra fight. A lot strategy had to be implemented over mindless brutality, even though Issei was quite brutal. Woof. Who would've thought he could fight like such a badass. I wonder what that means for the future. The fight was the more than obvious reference to God of war. Except the fight was completely different. But there was a bit of foreshadowing there. I'm sure some of you caught it.
So yeah, Issei made some calls. He killed the progeny of the Lernean Hydra, and he got even closer with Ravel. Also, did you notice? His heart and mind are slowly starting to shift in a different direction…..towards someone else..
Tell me what you guys thought about this chapter. Hopefully you loved it. Or at least thought it was epic. Cuz there's too many stories like this that just skip right over his training and development and I want to highlight it. I mean, am I wrong in thinking that it's kinda the most important part? Am I just insane? It's my favorite part about writing this story, if not the whole point. Besides, the character interaction of course. Which is exactly why I'm having Issei return for the festival. He may or may not run into some club members, but either way, there will be some interesting moments there. All I know is that there won't be any event between him and the club members until he really returns home.
Also, I gotta give our girl Kiyomi a chance. I mean come on, she's practically a forgotten character. There's a lotta potential there that I don't plan to waste. It's not fair.
Read, Rate, Review go crazy.
Stay frosty.