Reviews (Skip to the next bold for the story)
midnightson41 – I'm glad you're interested in the story. It really was a shame that the original was incomplete. If you have any thoughts or feedback, feel free to send me a message. I don't mind DMs at all, so don't hesitate to reach out!
Velkra7 – I hope you end up enjoying it!
Master One – Well, here it is!
Tyrant Overlord Killidia – I've been considering adding her to the harem. While I'm cautious about making the harem too large, I think it could work out. I've spent the last few days contemplating her role and how she might fit in. As you mentioned, it wouldn't be too hard to integrate her into the story, especially if I follow the way the anime introduced her. Though she's my least favorite character among the main girls, I believe there's potential for her to bring something unique to the dynamic. I'll definitely keep thinking it over, and I might decide to add her when the time comes in the story.
SpartanKing J – Hopefully, this lives up to your expectations. If enough people express interest, I might consider creating a Discord community for this project. Regarding your final point, I'm still uncertain. I'll think it over, but it definitely won't be two right from the start. I guess you'll have to read on and see how it unfolds!
That's it for the review! On to the first chapter.
"Let's go!" – Regular Speech
'What!' – Thoughts
"Finally" - Ddraig or Albion
Chapter 1: Prologue
Two eight-year-old children were playing tag in a nearly empty park. Their laughter echoed through the quiet space, where only a few joggers and dog walkers could be seen in the distance. The park was dotted with numerous trees, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze. Four weathered wooden benches were scattered about, offering a place for rest amidst the greenery. As the sun began its descent, it cast a warm, golden hue across the sky, painting everything in a soft light orange glow.
"You'll never catch me, Issei! You're too slow!" one of the children teased, their voice ringing with playful defiance. This child had a cute, high-pitched voice that matched their bright violet eyes. Their light brown hair, partly tied back into a scruffy ponytail, framed their face with a few bangs, while the rest spiked out in a carefree mess. They wore slightly worn white sneakers and mid-calf length socks, paired with dark gray shorts that reached mid-thigh. Completing the ensemble was a sleeveless light blue shirt, adorned with yellow bands around the neck and shoulder area, which fluttered as they dashed around the park.
"Oh yeah? Just you wait, Irina, I'll catch you!" shouted the other child, his voice high-pitched but slightly more masculine than Irina's. His light brown eyes gleamed with determination as he chased after her, his spiky messy brown hair bouncing with each step. He wore red sneakers that stood out vividly against the green grass, and like Irina, he had mid-calf-length socks. His outfit consisted of brown shorts that reached mid-thigh and a white shirt with a red collar, completing his energetic and playful appearance.
After a while of running around, Issei finally caught up with Irina and attempted to tackle her to the ground. She skillfully dodged his attempt, and Issei ended up crashing into one of the park benches. The impact caused him to scrape his right leg, leaving a small but painful cut.
"Ow!" Issei exclaimed, his eyes welling up with tears as he looked down at the fresh wound.
Irina, noticing what happened, rushed over to Issei with concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. "Here, let me see."
She knelt down beside him, her small hands gentle as she started to examine his cut. Issei winced slightly but tried to stay still, knowing that he was trying to help. The cut had started to bleed a little, forming a small trickle of red down his leg.
Irina pulled a small white cloth out of her shorts pocket and carefully dabbed at the cut, cleaning away the blood with gentle strokes. Issei felt the sting of pain gradually subside as she tended to his wound, her actions bringing a sense of relief to him.
"Thanks, Irina," Issei said gratefully, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It feels a bit better now."
Irina returned his smile, her violet eyes sparkling with warmth. "I'm happy it wasn't serious," she replied softly, her concern evident in her voice.
"I think I'm going to be done for the day. It's getting late, and my leg still hurts," Issei said as he got up, wincing slightly.
Irina stood up alongside him and responded with a reassuring smile, "Alright. Let's walk home together then."
As the two children made their way towards their homes, the sun continued to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. The streets were now completely deserted, and the gentle rustling of leaves was the only sound accompanying their footsteps. Issei limped slightly, but his spirit remained high, uplifted by Irina's comforting presence.
"Thanks again, for helping me out," Issei said, his voice still carrying a hint of the day's excitement.
"Don't mention it. What are friends for?" Irina replied with a bright smile.
They walked while casually chatting for a few minutes, the evening air growing cooler. Just as they were about to approach their subdivision an eerie chill settled over them. Issei and Irina both stopped in their tracks, sensing something wrong. The hairs on the back of Issei's neck stood up, and he felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to protect his friend Irina.
From behind a large oak tree across the street, a figure emerged, cloaked in shadows. It was a man, but not quite. His eyes glowed with a sinister light, and dark, tattered wings unfurled from his back. A cruel smile twisted his features as he stepped forward, his voice a low, menacing whisper.
"Well, what do we have here? The daughter of Touji Shidou." he mocked, his eyes locking onto Irina with an unsettling intensity.
'Irina is a girl?' Issei thought in surprise, looking at his childhood friend with wide eyes and a hint of disbelief. He snapped out of it quickly and instinctively pushed Irina behind him, his heart pounding. "What do you want with her!" he shouted, trying to sound brave.
The Fallen Angel laughed, a cold, joyless sound that sent shivers down Issei's spine. "You're quite the brave one, aren't you?" he sneered, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "Usually, I would just kill you both on the spot," he continued, his voice dripping with disgust. "But your father has something I want. I wonder if he'll value your life over that sword?" He said while glancing over at Irina.
"Why do you want a Holy Sword? You are bad, and a Holy Sword is good?" Irina asked in confusion, her brow furrowed as she tried to understand the fallen angel's motives
The Fallen Angel ignored Irina's question, his focus solely on his dark objective. With a swift motion, he materialized a light spear, its form resembling a giant lightning bolt crackling with ominous energy. Pointing it menacingly at Issei, he spoke with chilling determination, "I only need the girl, so..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he hurled the spear directly at Issei, intent on his aim. Reacting quickly, Issei pushed Irina to the side, his protective nature causing him to do it without thinking. As he dove away, the wound on his leg reopened, sending a fresh wave of pain through his body.
The spear struck the ground with a thunderous impact, causing the earth to tremble and part of the road to crack under its force. Issei's heart raced as he realized the gravity of the situation, his mind racing to find a way to protect himself and Irina from this man's assault.
"Wow, I'm quite impressed," the Fallen Angel said in mock surprise. "Most humans couldn't dodge something like that. Guess I'll have to throw it a bit harder."
H materialized another spear and hurled it at Issei, who was just struggling to get up off the ground. Issei, not having enough time to react, couldn't evade the attack. The spear struck him directly in the chest, sending a searing wave of agony through his body and leaving severe burns in its wake.
Issei collapsed in a heap, screaming in pain, his cries echoing through the streets as Irina watched in horror, unable to believe the nightmare unfolding before her eyes.
"Issei!" Irina yelled, her voice filled with panic and desperation. Before she could do anything, the Fallen Angel swiftly approached her, lifting her off the ground by the throat as if she weighed nothing.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he dies soon," the Fallen Angel responded coldly, his grip tightening around her neck. Irina struggled, her violet eyes wide with fear as she gasped for breath, helplessly watching Issei writhing in pain on the ground.
In the midst of his pain, Issei's gaze landed on Irina. 'No! It can't end like this… I can't lose Irina…' he thought feebly, he thought, the realization striking him like another light spear.
'How far are you willing to go for your friend?' asked a deep, booming voice in Issei's head, startling him.
'What is this? Who are you?' Issei thought, confusion mingling with his pain.
'No time to explain,' the voice replied urgently. 'I can give you the strength you need to defeat your foe. But it will come at a high cost. I need you to give me your heart if you want to save her.'
Issei's mind raced as he processed the words, the weight of the decision bearing down on him even as he fought to stay conscious. It only took him a moment to decide. 'I'll give you anything! Just help me save Irina!'
'That's what I like to hear!' The voice responded with pride and satisfaction.
With newfound determination, Issei stood back up, his body fueled by an unknown power. The Fallen Angel momentarily paused, taken aback by the unexpected sight.
"Oh, you can stand up. Impressive," the Fallen Angel said, his voice tinged with surprise and a hint of mockery.
As Issei stood there, staring down the Fallen Angel, he thought, 'Alright, now what do I do?'
'I will explain shortly, but first, you must gain control of your power! Calm your emotions and still your breathing. Focus on returning to your normal self in your mind,' the voice instructed.
Desperate to get rid of the Fallen, Issei did his best to focus on returning to normal and attempted to calm down. Much to his surprise, visualizing it in his mind actually worked. From his arm, a crimson red gauntlet materialized, forming out of glowing red energy. From the back of his hand, he could now see a green orb glowing brightly.
"Oh! A Twice Critical? Man, for a moment, I was worried," the Fallen Angel remarked, genuine surprise lacing his voice as he dropped Irina, causing her to crash to the ground. She looked up at Issei in shock, her eyes wide with astonishment and hope.
Issei, now equipped with the mysterious gauntlet, felt a surge of power course through him. He locked eyes with the Fallen Angel, determination and newfound strength burning within him.
'Quick, before the Fallen attacks! You need to concentrate and build that power. Then say, 'Welsh Dragon Over Booster!'' instructed the voice with urgency.
Issei focused, feeling the power within him swell and grow. "Welsh Dragon Over-Booster," he echoed aloud.
Instantly, a gauntlet manifested on Issei's left arm, spreading rapidly until he was entirely clad in crimson armor. The plate armor was emblazoned with a dragon motif, and two green jewels adorned his left arm—one on the hand and another just before the elbow. Matching jewels appeared on his right arm, along with additional jewels on his knees, shoulders, and a large one over his heart, centered on his torso just under his chest and above his abdominals.
The whole armor had a sharp, menacing shape, with yellow fang-like protrusions jutting out from the elbows, neck, and front of his shoulders. Two more fangs extended just beneath his eyes. Completing the transformation, an angular dragon-like visor formed over Issei's head, with its eyes gleaming as green crystals.
"Dragon Shot!" shouted Issei, his voice resonating with newfound power.
Oh shi—" the Fallen stammered, backing away in fear as he frantically attempted to form another light spear. But he didn't have time. A small ball of red energy burst forth from Issei's gauntlet, expanding into a massive cylinder of destructive force, half a meter in diameter. The blast tore through the Fallen Angel's midsection with unrelenting energy.
"I can't believe it…" the Fallen muttered, his voice weak and filled with disbelief. Blood gushed from his mouth as he collapsed ungracefully onto the street, the light fading from his eyes.
After the energy plowed through the Fallen Angel, the armor around Issei vanished, dissolving into shimmering particles. Exhaustion hit him like a tidal wave, and he dropped to his knees, the strength draining from his body. With a final, labored breath, he slumped forward, hitting the ground headfirst and passing out.
Irina, still in shock, scrambled to her feet and rushed to his side. "Issei!" she cried, shaking him gently, her voice trembling with fear and concern. She glanced around, hoping for help, as the setting sun cast long shadows over the quiet, now eerily street. Her mind raced as she tried to process the surreal events that had unfolded. With determination, she dragged him up and slung his arm around her shoulders, struggling to support his weight.
"Hang in there, Issei," she murmured, her voice a mix of fear and resolve. She began to make her way down the street, each step heavy with the burden of her unconscious friend and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Issei's Mind
Issei stood in an empty space, surrounded by darkness stretching infinitely in all directions. This void was his mind, a place where his thoughts and consciousness roamed freely. It was a realm untouched by physical boundaries, where the true essence of his being resided. As he gazed into the endless expanse, he felt a sense of both awe and unease.
'Good, you managed that better than I expected. Most hosts have a hard time doing anything like that,' said the strange voice, echoing within Issei's mind.
'Who and what are you?' Issei responded, his thoughts muddled with confusion and lingering pain.
'I am sealed within you, boy. I am within the Longinus Boosted Gear that is bound to your soul. My name is Ddraig, and I am the Red Dragon Emperor,' the voice replied with a hint of pride.
'Longinus what?! Boosted Gear?!' Issei's thoughts raced, trying to make sense of the chaos and the new reality he found himself in.
'You are the reincarnation of my power, child. The sensations you are feeling are the result of being the host of a heavenly dragon,' Ddraig continued, his voice resonating with an ancient, formidable presence.
'Heavenly dragon?! You're a dragon?! Dragons aren't real! And who was that man' Issei's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief.
'Yes, I am a dragon.' the voice responded patiently. 'Dragons are very real, though they exist in a realm beyond the understanding of most humans. As for that man, he was a Fallen Angel, they are beings who once served in the heavens but were cast down for their transgressions. The one you encountered was one such being.'
Issei struggled to process this information, his mind reeling. 'So, you're saying that all these mythical creatures and beings are real?'
'Indeed,' Ddraig confirmed. 'The world is far more complex and wondrous than you have been led to believe. You are now part of that hidden reality. Your life has changed irrevocably, and you must adapt to survive and protect those you care about. And as you are my host, I will be there with you along the way.'
'I'm…your host? What does that mean? You're inside of me? Why did you pick me?! I'm just a kid! What's a dragon doing inside of me?' Issei's thoughts raced with a barrage of questions.
'Yes, you are my host,' Ddraig replied calmly. 'It means that my essence, my power, is bound to you through the Longinus, specifically the Boosted Gear. We dragons do not choose our vessels. I am bound to the sacred gear, and it manifests in a human host after the previous one dies. I have no control over where or who I end up with,'
'Okay…so you're a dragon then? Why's a dragon in a sacred gear? What the hell is a sacred gear supposed to be anyway?' Issei asked, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness of his mind.
'Sacred Gears are the gifts of God. They are bestowed upon humans by God and enact miracles upon the world. There are thousands of them, and they are highly sought after by angels and devils. Your Sacred Gear is a Longinus, which is a unique and godly type of Sacred Gear. Supposedly, there are only 13 of them. Yours is the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet…the Boosted Gear,' Ddraig explained patiently, his voice echoing within Issei's mind.
Issei was dumbstruck by the explanation. 'God? As in the guy floating around in the clouds? He's real?!' he exclaimed incredulously.
'Yes, how else would a Fallen Angel be cast out of heaven if there was no God?" Ddraig responded matter-of-factly. "Unfortunately, my battle with him is the reason why I am currently sealed within your Sacred Gear. As I explained, I am the Welsh Dragon Ddraig. To the rest of the world, I am better known as one of the two heavenly dragons…the Red Dragon Emperor,' Ddraig continued, his tone tinged with a hint of solemnity.
'You fought God?! Just how strong are you?' Issei gawked, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Ddraig's power and the implications of his battle with the divine.
'No angel, demon, or god is a match for the heavenly dragons. Albion and I are greater than even the Five Great Dragon Kings. As my host, this power is yours to command as well,' Ddraig declared, his voice resolute and confident.
'Who is Albion?' Issei responded, his curiosity piqued.
'He is the other heavenly dragon and my eternal rival…the White Dragon Emperor. He and his host will one day seek you out to battle. Such is the way of our eternal feud. You must master the Boosted Gear and be ready for that day,' Ddraig explained, his tone serious and foreboding.
'I still don't know what's going on…' Issei said, shaking his head in disbelief.
'I will explain everything in due time. For now, we should prioritize training you and focus on concealing your power. We do not want a repeat of today to occur before you are ready,' Ddraig advised, his voice firm but reassuring.
'Okay…so start from the beginning then. If angels, demons, and dragons are all real, then what else is real?' Issei asked, his mind racing with questions.
'Alright, we have the time. I don't think you'll be waking up anytime soon and it takes many hours to explain this,' Ddraig said with a sigh, preparing to delve into the intricacies of the supernatural world that Issei had been thrust into.
Multiple Hours Later
"Ugh, such a headache," groaned Issei as he sat up, only to be promptly tackled by Irina and pushed back down onto the bed.
"Issei, you're awake!" said Irina happily, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Yeah, why, what's going on? Are you alright?" asked Issei, tilting his head in confusion.
"Yeah, I'm alright thanks to you, but, um, my parents were so shaken by what they heard from that encounter that they've decided to relocate to England. I'm leaving in the morning," said Irina sadly, her voice tinged with regret.
Issei's heart sank at the news. His best and only friend was moving to England, and tomorrow morning no less. It meant he wouldn't be able to spend any more time with her, and the thought weighed heavily on him. For a moment, he wallowed in his sadness, feeling the emptiness of her impending departure.
But then, a spark of determination ignited within him, and a smile slowly spread across his face. "We will definitely meet again!" he declared, his voice filled with conviction.
"I hope so!" Irina responded, a hint of hope in her voice as she returned his smile.
They sat in silence for a moment before Irina asked, "So... What was that earlier? How did you shoot that laser beam?"
Issei took a moment to respond, weighing his options carefully. Ddraig had instructed him to keep his identity as the Red Dragon Emperor a secret from everyone. But Irina was his best friend, and he didn't want to keep secrets from her. Instead, he decided to tell a half-truth.
"I was apparently given a special power from God, that I can use to defeat evil beings," Issei explained, choosing his words carefully. "I promise I'll explain it better in the future. For now, please don't tell anyone about it."
Irina listened intently, nodding in understanding. She could sense that there was more to the story, but she respected Issei's wishes and chose not to press further.
"You're like a superhero! Beating the bad guys with cool moves!" Irina exclaimed with a hint of awe in her voice, her eyes shining with admiration for her friend's newfound abilities.
Issei chuckled nervously at the comparison, feeling a mix of pride and humility at Irina's words. "I don't know about that," he replied modestly, scratching the back of his head. "But I'll do my best to protect everyone, including you."
"Okay, Issei. I won't say anything," Irina said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "Just promise me that you'll be careful, alright?"
Issei met her gaze, his expression serious as he made a silent vow. "I promise," he said firmly, his determination clear in his eyes.
Soon, Irina had to leave to ensure all her belongings were packed for her move. As Issei lay in bed, he posed a few more questions to Ddraig.
"So now that I've given you my heart, what can I expect?" Issei inquired.
"Your physical features will be considerably enhanced now that you've awakened your dragon powers. Your intellect, speed, strength, agility, stature, and even your charisma will surpass that of a human, angel, or devil. I've never seen it manifest in a host as young as you. It will significantly influence your development into adulthood, I imagine," Ddraig explained.
"What are you talking about, Ddraig?" Issei asked, confused.
"Nothing, boy… just thinking aloud. Just know that as a dragon, you will dominate everything around you. However, you must be careful with your power. It attracts everything to it—enemies, mates, and even those who wish to venerate you as a god. Previous hosts of mine have exploited their dominance, only to meet their demise. All of my former hosts have succumbed to madness from the power. You should grasp this truth if you wish to master yours," Ddraig cautioned.
"So, what happens now?" Issei wondered.
"For now, you must simply live your life. At your age, you are still vulnerable to angels, devils, and other mythological beings. Until you are older and stronger, I recommend keeping your power a secret. I will educate and train with you every day until I am certain you can reveal yourself," the Red Dragon explained.
"We start tomorrow?" Issei asked.
"Yes, tomorrow," Ddraig affirmed with a sense of determination in his tone. "We'll begin your training and education then. Rest now, Issei. You have a big journey ahead of you."
The Next Morning
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the neighborhood as Issei stood outside his house the next day, flanked by his parents. The air was filled with a sense of sadness. His parents hadn't seen Issei come home the previous night as they had been engrossed in conversation with neighbors, and unaware of his arrival until later. Irina had silently ushered him into his room, and with the evening's activities winding down, they left him to rest undisturbed.
Now, as the morning unfolded, Issei's gaze was fixed on the Shidou family, their movements deliberate as they meticulously packed their belongings into their car Issei's heart weighed heavy with the realization that his childhood friend, was about to be incredibly far away from him.
"I'm going to miss you," Issei murmured softly to Irina, his voice carrying a hint of sadness.
"We will see each other again," Irina responded, her words laced with a quiet resolve born of friendship. With a shared understanding, they embraced, holding onto each other for a moment longer, reluctant to let go.
As Issei watched Irina's departure, a surge of determination welled within him, overshadowing the melancholy that lingered in her absence. He knew that their separation would not be permanent, that their paths would converge once more in the future. And when that time came, he vowed to be a different person—a stronger person.
With Ddraig's guidance and the newfound power coursing through his veins, Issei was poised to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Each day would be a stepping stone, each challenge an opportunity to hone his skills and fortify his resolve. When Irina returned, he would stand before her not as the boy she bid farewell to, but as a warrior tempered by adversity, ready to face whatever trials awaited them.
That's all for now!
I considered adding more content, but I opted to release the first chapter earlier. It's relatively short, around 4,000 words. I anticipate the next chapter will be much longer. Originally, I planned to introduce characters like Red, Tiamat, and Vali in this chapter, but I changed course to focus on Issei's awakening of his Sacred Gear. Unlike in Delinquent Dragon Emperor, where his awakening was sudden, I wanted a more meaningful trigger for it. I found the dynamic of Issei and Irina meeting a creature when they were both super young very compelling and decided to explore it further in this chapter. That's all the inspiration I will be taking from other works that are not DDE. Also, I thought the dialog in the first chapter of DDE was super good so I kept it mostly untouched. This will change in the next chapter.
Feel free to leave a review. I eagerly await feedback from everyone. Additionally, I welcome any ideas you may have. I have a lot of work to do for the next chapter. I'm super excited for it!