Dragon of the Eldritch
Issei...was not an athlete.
He certainly wasn't out of shape, per say, but he wasn't the type to do daily jogging or weight lifting or any kind of regular physical activity.
Thus, he wasn't surprised that he was out of steam after running three miles, sweating all over and ready to collapse.
"Phew! Okay, that was...yeah," Issei said, slumping over to sit under a tree, taking deep and refreshing breaths.
Running three miles exhausted him, but running the first mile had been surprisingly easy. He knew that had tired him out the last time they had a run like that in gym, but now it suddenly felt it was no more exertion than a quick run to school.
Idly, he grabbed a nearby rock, weighing it experimentally, before throwing it. To his own satisfaction, the stone was partially embedded in the trunk now.
"Well...that's certainly some improvement," Issei said with a small grin to himself.
"Indeed."
Issei glanced down to his hand, seeing the red gauntlet appearing. "Hey, Ddraig," he greeted.
"I see you are training still," Ddraig said in praise. "Good. At this pace, it will not be long before you can go toe to toe with the average devil or angel."
"Yeah, meanwhile my girlfriend can kill those by sneezing," Issei said with an amused snort.
"It is best to focus on your own progress and not the gap between you and your...girlfriend as you so casually call her," Ddraig suggested wisely. "As it stands, you will soon be beyond all normal human limits."
"As oppose to abnormal human limits?" Issei questioned, half joking but also half curious.
"Humans that enter the supernatural fray often find their ways to go beyond their mundane kin, those that survive at any rate," Ddraig explained. "Also, don't think I didn't notice."
"Notice what?" Issei questioned, raising an eyebrow at the green gem. "If this is about the new tentacle hentai-"
"No! No, definitely not that," Ddraig cut off with a groan. "What I'm referring to is your power level, or your potential rather. It's stabilized. You desire to become an Outer God don't you?"
Issei stared for a moment before sighing. "It's...not what you think."
"I am not judging you for wanting power," Ddraig assured. "Most wouldn't see any reason to turn down joining the ranks of the mightiest of the Eldritch."
"It's not about that," Issei denied with a grimace. "I actually had my heart set on Elder God at first."
"Really?" Ddraig questioned in surprise.
"I mean, yeah? I wouldn't be the most powerful, but I'd be able to take human form again sooner than the rest. Really, being top dog in the universe wasn't really an important factor at the time," Issei explained idly.
"At the time. What changed?" Ddraig questioned. "Was it being around two of the strongest of them?"
"Not exactly," Issei answered, pausing in thought. "I just...when I saw Aza run back, I realized I don't want her to feel like she has to worry about me every time we're not together. She's the Queen of the Universe, literally! She deserves to have a guy that doesn't constantly need to hide behind her if something bad happens."
"So, you want to protect yourself, and in doing so, protect her. Admirable, but don't deny that you're enjoying the power itself as well," Ddraig encouraged, figurative glancing to the rock stuck in the tree. "A healthy lust for power helps in obtaining it."
"Okay, yeah, it does feel kind of awesome that I can one day punch a boulder into dust," Issei admitted with a sheepish grin. "Or throw a car. Or something cartoony-like that."
"Still so small in your imagination," Ddraig said in amusement. "One day, you'll be able to conquer a planet simply by arriving on it."
"Yeah, that's beyond my ability to really think about," Issei admitted idly. "Going to sound weird, but are you going to teach me how to use you? Er, this gauntlet?"
"I can, but be warned, when we are done, you will not have the energy to do anything...active with the Sultana," Ddraig forewarned.
"Challenge accepted."
Meanwhile
In an abandoned subway station beneath the city of Kuoh, several figures in black cloaks gathered in the darkness.
"Are you the one that has met the Great Center?" one asked, staring down at the smallest among them.
The figure pulled the hood to reveal her face, kneeling on the ground. "This one has indeed, High Priest," Aika answered solemnly with a bowed head. "And her beloved."
"Issei Hyoudou."
They all whispered the name as if it was both sacred and cursed, something to respect and fear. Aika almost smirked. If Issei could see this...
"Silence!" the head priest barked. "The Gods stir, young one, and the Court of Chaos is coming to Earth."
"This one knows and rejoices, Head Priest," Aika answered with a smile. "Our Lords and Ladies will grace Earth with their dreadful majesty."
"Yes, they will," the head priest agreed ominously. "But there must be order in this chaos, young one, direction to the madness. And the Dream-Witch has need of you."
"The Drea-?!" Aika exclaimed in shock and awe, her snapping up in an instance. "What does she wish of me, Head Priest! Name it!"
"Patience!" the head priest scowled harshly. "You have been blessed by the presence of the Sultana and know her Sultan from before his ascension began."
"This is truth, yes," Aika agreed solemnly.
"Aika, unless commanded by a god, you are forbidden from leaving the Generality and joining a proper cult."
Aika froze, her skin turning paler than ash. "Have...have I failed in some way, Speaker? Have I paid offence to the great Chaos herself and been damned?"
"Silence your heart, Aika, this is no curse but a blessing and a task," the head priest informed.
"Blessing? Task?" Aika repeated, her fears settling.
"Your Blessing, is that you are to be the messenger, from us to the Gods and the Gods to us," the priest explained. "If the Great Queen or any of her court has need to command us, they may do so directly, through you."
None dared to question or wonder why Azathoth or the other eldritch gods might not come to the cultists themselves. To even suggest such a thing was an offensive thought. If the Unknowable Divinities deigned to bless them with their presence, even just in human form, that was for them to decide, not their lowly worshipers.
"I understand. I will let the majesties know. But what is my task than?" Aika questioned curiously.
"Our Shrouded Mistress has deemed the number of faithful upon this rock too limited. It is time begin spreading the effulgent words once more," the priest explained meaningfully.
Seemingly from nowhere, something landed before Aika. A book. An almost ordinary book, but with a cover that was white as bone with texts that appeared akin to fresh blood.
"The Lessernomicon," she recognized with a smile that was bordering on manic.
"I do wish you initiates would use the proper name. It is the Herald of the Stars," the priest reminded with a sigh.
Aika, for once, ignored her elder as she reverently took the book in hand. "The book that captures the attention of all those that might be ready and willing to accept the words of the Gods, leading them on the path to joining the worship of our gods from the stars. Oh, how I have missed your turbid pages," she said nostalgically. "I can almost remember when my parents began reading this at bed time."
"Your bloodline's devotion is well known among the faithful, if erratic," the head priest mused. "I know few others whose family has served so many different patrons."
"Oh, don't mind this lowly one, Head Priest," Aika said, composing herself. "Am I to bring this to the academy, and let it do its work?"
"Yes, for now. It will fall to you to guide the newcomers of the flocks. Who knows, perhaps the Center of the Center will gain the foundation of his own cults soon," He said, "On that matter..."
"He's currently uninterested," Aika explained. "He is..still coming to terms with his divinity."
"One can scarcely imagine," the Head Priest said in understanding. "But you know him yourself. Do you believe that his interest will change?"
"Oh, yes, definitely," Aika said with a smirk. "I can say with absolute certainty that our young lord of lords will one day be all too thrilled to have a cult of worshippers. Namely female followers with certain...assets."
"Ahh, so he'll be that kind of god," the head priest said in understanding. "I wonder what his relationship will be with the Black Goat?"
"Trust me, I will be watching out for that myself," Aika assured with amusement. "Is there anything else?"
"Just one," the Head Priest declared, clapping his hands loudly, prompting light to fill the room-
"Congratulations!"
Aika blinked away the brightness, finding that the dark area was lit up to reveal that there were many other people standing around foldable tables, colorful cloths and banners, a small banquet of foods and drinks, and a banner.
"Hoorah for Messenger Aika!"
Aika grinned. "You guys threw me a party?"
"Of course!" the head priest declared. "It's a huge honor, something to celebrate! Besides, with so many Eldritch on Earth, we might all be dead in the near future, so we might as well as enjoy life while we're here."
"Amen!" several people declared.
"Hey, Aika! I brought a horse for us to sacrifice!"
Meanwhile
"Achoo!"
Issei nearly smacked himself in the face with the red gauntlet, instinctively covering the sneeze.
"Thanks," Ddraig remarked dryly.
"Sorry. Sneezing fit out of nowhere. Do Eldritch Gods get colds?" Issei asked absently.
"Yes, but they're Eldritch Colds. They wouldn't make you sneeze like a human," Ddraig answered. "Most likely, some of the human cultists are saying a prayer or two in your name."
"Wait, really? Prayers cause sneezes?" Issei asked, almost amused by that.
"No," Ddraig answered. "You humans have this strange superstition that if one is speaking of you, it causes you to sneeze. Correct?"
"Yeah?" Issei answered before blinking. "I'm subconsciously making that real, aren't I?"
"For yourself, yes," Ddraig confirmed in amusement. "You might only be on the start of your ascension, but it's not surprising that warping your own existence comes naturally."
"Well, hope my subconscious tones it down some in the future," Issei murmured as he leaned against the tree with a tired sigh. "So, how'd I do?"
Ddraig turned his figurative gaze out onto the forest…or lack thereof. Issei had taken to sitting in a tree branch and taking "dragonshots" at the landscape until a good size clearing had formed where there had been none.
"Give your current strength, this is almost impressive. The shots are a bit weak-"
"That's weak for you?!" Issei asked, grinning through his surprise.
"-But you were able to keep firing more than I would have expected. I believe your...evolution is prioritizing your stamina. For obvious reasons," Ddraig answered pointedly.
"Hey, just because my other head made the call, doesn't mean it was a bad one," Issei countered with a snicker before pausing. "Huh. Ddraig, am I imagining it or can I actually sense someone coming this way?"
Ddraig remained silent, but Issei could tell he was still there.
"Master."
Issei stiffened, looking down to see Gactha starring up at him with her blank stare. "Gactha, what's up?"
"A creature wants an audience with you. Shall I deal with her?" Gactha inquired with a head tilt that seemed to turn just a bit too far.
"Do you know who she is?" Issei asked curiously.
"She is one of the creatures attending this "school" you and Mistress attend to," Gactha answered without infliction.
With Eldritch, "creature" could mean a devil or a human.
"And she asked for me?" Issei clarified with a raised eyebrow.
"She asked for "Aza's Boyfriend,"" Gactha explained.
Issei was surprised by that. Did the entire supernatural world know he was with Azathoth? That was...he didn't know what to think of that yet.
"I'll meet with her," Issei answered as he jumped down, landing on his feet before falling back onto his rear with a wince.
"Master? Is your body injured?" Gactha asked, just a hint of urgency in her voice.
"Ahh, no. Just messed up that landing. I'm good!" he answered, getting up and rubbing his back as his red gauntlet vanished. "So, where is this mystery girl?"
Gactha nodded, turning to lead Issei through the trees. They walked for a good few minutes before Issei saw a figure he knew very, very well.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything inappropriate."
Issei scratched his cheek while Gactha remained unresponsive to the joke. "Just getting some solo practice. So...I'm pretty sure we both know who we are, but I don't think we've ever formally met. I'm Issei Hyoudou," Issei offered with a small smile as he tried not to stare too much at her chest.
Her very, very well endowed chest.
"And I'm Akeno Himejima," Akeno returned coyly. "But as you said, we both already knew that."
"Right, so...are you a succubus?" Issei asked curiously.
Akeno chuckled. "Oh no, I'm a devil. I'm...not sure how much you know about everything, but I'm basically a servant of Rias Gremory."
"Servant?" Issei repeated, mind wandering to some very lewd images that involved Akeno "serving" Rias in certain ways.
"Mmm, glad to see that you haven't changed much," Akeno remarked with a coy look about her before it melted into a scowl. "But I'm sorry, this isn't a meeting between classmates."
"Yeah, figured as much," Issei said with a sigh. "So, what can I do for you?"
Akeno glanced careful to Gactha before continuing. "You know Koneko Toujou," she said, knowing he did. Everyone did. She was the school's unofficial mascot. "She's one of us too."
Issei opened his mouth, than closed it. "Okay, I'm actually not surprised anymore. Would have pegged her as a catgirl though."
"oh, I'm sure you'd love to peg someone," Akeno remarked lewdly.
"I-that-yes, obviously!" Issei admitted with a blush.
Akeno looked amused before turning serious once more. "She was...hurt during an incident with your...lover."
"Aza hurt Koneko? What happened?" Issei asked in concern.
"She was too close," Gactha remarked, looking to him. "She was there when Mistress dealt with the feathered fools."
"Ohh! Ohhh," Issei said slowly. "Okay, I'm not going to pretend to know how bad that may or may not be. Is she okay...?"
"She's alive and she's...not insane. But she's very out of it, paranoid, and I've seen her...hurt herself. Not intentionally, but I'm worried all the same," Akeno answered carefully. "I was hoping that I could ask you for a favor, to see if there is anything that might be able to help Koneko recover."
"That's it?" Issei asked in surprise. "Sure, yeah, I can do that. But why ask me, the perverted guy that's still mostly human?"
"Perhaps I just wanted to see what a literal goddess found so interesting about one of the Perverted Trio?" Akeno asked teasingly.
"Oh trust me, I ask myself that once a day at least," Issei assured with a grin. "So, yeah, I'll see if anyone can help and I'll...try to make sure they don't accidentally make things worse."
"Thank you," Akeno said with a brief bow, her chest swaying to Issei's delight.
Issei froze as a magic circle formed under Akeno, which she sank into and disappeared with a wave.
"Teleporting circles. Cool," Issei said, looking to Gactha. "Can we do that?"
"I can teleport to a degree, Master, but portal magic is not a skill I possess," Gactha informed. "May I ask something?"
"Huh? Sure?" Issei answered curiously. Despite being something of a guard, they hadn't spoken much.
"Why did you agree to help these creatures?" Gactha asked curiously. "Do they have something you desire?"
"Oh yeah, several "things" I desire," Issei said with lewd amusement. "But that's not it. I just felt a bit like an asshole since Koneko got hurt because Aza had to protect me."
"I am confused? What does an anus have to do with this?" Gactha asked blankly.
Issei made a mental note to teach her human slang at some point.
"If not for your "Aza" I'd be warning you that this could be a trap," Ddraig spoke up.
"Oh, you are still here," Issei realized in vague surprise. "And what do you mean?"
"I can sense some Fallen Angel in that one," Ddraig remarked.
"Wait, so she's not a devil?" Issei asked with a frown.
"No, she is," Ddraig confirmed. "To my understanding, Devils have been able to turn other races into devils, to boost their numbers."
"Oh, so she switched sides or something. So, does that make her a devil, of half and half?" Issei mused.
"Who knows," Ddraig said with a spiritual shrug. "It's irrelevant either way. Few of this world are going to be foolish enough to attack you if they even partially comprehend who you are connected to and what you are becoming."
"Then why all the protection and worry?" Issei asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because Mistress would will an insect out of existent if it tried to bite you in her presence," Gactha pointed out bluntly.
Issei sweat-dropped, but saw her point.
Meanwhile
Azazel wasn't sure who or what he expected when he opened the door, but he decided no expectations was the best route.
That said, the dark hair girl with a biker jacket was almost too normal. "Sup. You the Fallen Boss?" she asked bluntly.
"Yes, I suppose I am. Are you here to kill me?" he asked, matching her tone.
"Nah. The Dream Queen just sent me to here to see what you had to say," she answered, waving his question off. "Names Xothra. Dug over from Mongolia for this."
"Dug?" Azazel repeated before waving it off. "Well, come on in. Oh, and the name is Azazel."
"Right, you're that one. Knew there were three of you in charge, but never could keep straight who was which," Xothra mused as she sat down on the couch, rather gracelessly, perching her foot on the table. "So, some of your people pissed off the Sultana and you're giving something to smooth things over. That right?"
"Just about," Azazel answered, appreciating the straightforward bluntness. "Sorry, but you seem very..."
"Human, I know. I've been on this rock a long time and learned to adapt. Mainly for junk food, but still," Xothra admitted. "So, I have a sibling I don't like leaving alone for too long, so can we...?"
"Right, right. I'll keep this brief. You know what sacred gears are?" Azazel asked curiously.
"Yeah, got killed by one once," Xothra admitted casually.
"One of my wayward subordinates that is now...gone, was planning to steal one away from a human. It's called Twilight Healing, and it's a very powerful tool of healing," Azazeal explained.
"Not trying to sound like a bitch, but you think that'll actually do much for us? I literally got better from death," Xothra pointed out with a scowl.
"Oh, I'm aware. But I hear the Queen of the Eldritch is interested in a human. Now, I don't pretend to know who or what Issei Hyoudou is, but as far as I know, he's still around the power of an average human," Azazel remarked.
Xothra 's eyes widened. "Clever. You're giving Aza something to help keep her Kungur safe and well," she said with a wide, praising smile.
Azazel raised an eyebrow at that term, Kungur. Was that important? Or just an Eldritch term of affection.
"So, where can I find this Twin Night Healing, or whatever you called it?" Xothra questioned, looking around the room idly.
Azazel chuckled and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. "Right in the other room."
They both rose as Azazel led her to the kitchen and there, on the table, laid an unconscious human.
"Huh. She your snack, or your treat?" Xothra asked casually.
"Neither," Azazel waved off. "This is Asia Argento, the holder of the Twilight Healing. I put her in a deep sleep."
"Oh. I have to take the girl too?" Xothra asked with a frown.
"Well, removing the Twilight Healing would kill her," Azazel remarked, getting no reaction to that. "Also, I figured that this...Kungur would appreciate her on top of the healing…or on top of him, rather."
"Ah. Ahhh. Buying them both. Clever and smart," Xothra acknowledged. "Okay, I'll take her. So, is there a time limit on this sleeping thing or is there a way to wake her up?"
"You don't know how?" Azazel asked, somewhat surprised. This wasn't exactly an advance or special technique.
"Eh, I'm not the overtly magical one," Xothra waved off. "Eh, never mind, we'll figure it out."
With that, she waved her hand over the body. Azazel leaned back slightly as his kitchen rattled suddenly. Without any other warning, worms started to crawl out of every hole and space. The sink, the trash, the cupboards, the toaster even! They swarmed and they were large, fat worms. They scurried far faster than any worm should be able to, climbing up the table and crawling over the girl, encompassing her entirely, pulsing on her as if devouring her whole.
Then, just as quickly as they came, they sped to Xothra, who leaned down and placed out her hand, allowing the creatures to swarm up her sleeve.
Just like that, they were gone, and the kitchen seemed to be just as it had been, minus one human.
"Those are all gone, right? I'm not going to find any hiding in my food?" Azazel asked suspiciously.
"If you do, they're not mine," Xothra answered as she turned to leave. "It's been a good talk, but I got to bury on out of here. I'll send your regards off to the higher ups."
"Thanks," Azazel said, sighing as she left and closed the door. "Poor kid. Everything with the church and now this," he mused with a sigh. "Oh well, maybe she'll find some comfort serving a god beyond God himself."
End of Chapter
Issei's training, Akeno took matters into her own mismatched wings, annnnd Azazel just sold Asia off to the Eldritch. All in all, things are getting eventful for our young Eldritch while Aza is out of town. Er, out of solar system, I guess. Oh, yeah, and Aika's cult-friends threw her a party.
Not much else to say. While I still plan on updating Love Azathoth one day, its not in the cards right now. But I can still experiment with some things. Hence Xothra, who is NOT in Love Azathoth, but probably will be in the future.
Early viewing of chapters 10-11 avaliable on my pat-reon:
p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64