Phoenix Cometh

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Chapter 5: Phoenix Cometh

(Que Seven Deadly Sins Ost "Sky Peace")

(Heaven)

Heaven, the dimension of the Biblical God of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faith. The pinnacle of paradise of the modern day, especially since the birth of Christ one of humanity's strongest holy users. It isn't just a place of clouds, rays of sunlight, and angels. The home of the angels is collective of individual afterlives of the souls of the humans worthy enough to come to Heaven.

Even some still have the urge to do good, and may come close to becoming an angel themselves through sheer willpower. There has only been one instance of this in the form of their new Seraph, Escanor the Bane of Kings and formerly the Sin of Pride.

In one level of Heaven is the garden of Eden. Sitting below the tree that once housed the apples that Adam and Eve ate was a woman with a waterfall of silver hair reaching to her waist. She was absolutely gorgeous wearing a baby blue shirt that was silver over the torso area and her D-cup breasts and a silver skirt and blue leggings, finally ending with white shoes. She had a fair face that resembled a human woman of eighteen years with shining blue eyes that had a white windmill design over the iris. Her cheeks held a healthy rose color, and her very presence radiated warmth and kindness.

This was Eliza one of the original Seraph of Heaven, considered to be Heaven's princess… and a… former lover of one Heaven's most hated enemies: Meliodas, first son of Satan. The memory with the quirky blonde demon was a rough ride for the Seraph. It was even worse when their relationship was during the Great War when every Biblical faction was at each other's throats. At first, Eliza saw devils and demons as the manifestations of evil that would commit every crime and defile all that was sacred. That was until she met Meliodas, who showed that even as a devil he had a heart as pure as an angel's light. The story goes they fell in love and maybe be the hope that bridged together Heaven and Hell.

That was not to be for many reasons. Most of the blame could go to Satan himself, whose sole goal was the destruction of the Biblical God's creation, but admittedly Eliza has to also fault her fellow angels. The war made the worst come out of them. Devils and demons alike mourned and cried from the losses that turned into rage that cycled into all the bloodshed. Seeing her comrades slay down their enemies that cried for mercy broke her heart. Children of devils were not even spared, driving a wedge between Eliza's and Meliodas' relationship. She even revoked herself as a warrior and dedicated instead as a healer, taking on a pacifist's oath.

What really ended it between the two was the time Meliodas' younger brother, Zeldris, was under imminent threat from a huge force of angels who went to purge the land known as Italy of the Vampire faction that sided with the devils. Meliodas rushed over to save his brother who was protecting his own love, a vampire by the name of Gelda. He was fighting by himself in the defense of the vampires and would have faced his own death from the overwhelming force from Heaven.

That was until Meliodas arrived unleashing the power of the Dark Longinus, a Sacred Gear crafted by the Herectic God, and together the brothers fell down thousands of angels. It was that event that Meliodas gained Zeldris' loyalty to him that would aide him in defeating their father in the Devil Civil War in the future, but it came at cost at the many brothers and sisters that Eliza held dear. That day marked the end of their love because of that.

For a few decades Eliza spent hating the one she loved for being the sole executioner of so many of her family, but at some point she had to accept the past. She remembered the words of her father: that she should never keep hate in her heart. Those words would be his last following his death to Satan and Trihexa at the expense of defeating the former and sealing the latter. Instead of weeping, Eliza kept those words true and forgave Meliodas. The two became good friends, but they could never rekindle that love again.

In all honesty, Eliza was perfectly content with that. As centuries went by, she could feel the hatred of the Great War waning away. Peace was just in arm's reach.

"Mommy!"

Besides, there were other forms of love out there, and to Eliza nothing could replace the love between a mother and daughter. Eliza looked back spotting a sixteen-year-old teenager with silver eyes sparkling with such innocence yet power and red-tipped black hair.

As the Seraph picked herself up to hug her surrogate daughter, she idly wished there was another angel/devil relationship somewhere besides the one her 'daughter' had with that one known as Vali. Eliza wasn't very clear on their relationship or even if this Vali was a boy or a girl, but she could hope. Everyone deserves love… and the thought of cute little Nephalems running around almost made the Serpah squeal.

(ORC)

"Hey, Asia-chan?" Spoke Issei.

Currently, Issei and Asia were sitting in a corner of the ORC building after a day of fulfilling contracts. Issei still shivered when that grownman wearing a Magical Girl outfit called him again. Asia got the lucky ones like taking pets on a walk and babysitting kids. One of her contracts was actually with Asuna and Kirito where she met cute little Yui. Issei remembered the little girl that still called him Onii-chan, in both their relationship and on the instinctual level of being a dragon.

See, Asuna and Kirito carry Sacred Gears similar to Issei that have made them part dragon, and the two got the luck of the draw when Yui was born as a full-blooded dragon. King had put a seal on the daughter of the Knights of Meliodas to hide her draconic signature from devils that would force her into a peerage. After all, even the Heavenly Dragons were hatchlings themselves.

"Yes, Issei-kun?" Said Asia while she was petting Rassei.

"… Why do you love me?" Issei asked seriously.

Asia felt her heart being pulled like a string at the sudden question.

She glanced at Issei, and nearly flinched at the serious look on his

face with a solemn undertone. She steadied herself to answer his

question, if only so she could heal that doubt in his heart.

"You've shown me so much." Asia answered. "You've done more than anyone else had done in my entire life. Yes, I still loved my life in the church, but they… left me all alone like I was nothing, even after all I've done for them. But you, you never demand anything in exchange for such kindness. You've shown me that there's so much in this world than I've seen from the church. I love you because you've given me so much without cost and I want to see more of the world with you."

A silence descended between devil and angel before Issei spoke again. They were words that Asia would remember forever.

"Thank you, Asia-chan." Said Issei. "Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for being so kind and loving to put up with me and my perversion. You're actually my first real friend bringing out the best in me. I still have that dream to be a Harem King, but it's not worth it without you."

Asia's eyes widened. "Issei - Kya!"

Asia let out a cute squeak when Issei unfolded one of his pairs of devil wings and used the one on the left to bring Asia closer. The angel didn't say a word as she felt the heat from his shoulder as Issei rested his chin softly on top of her head. The two felt like they could stay like this forever if they wanted.

"Don't ever change, Asia-chan," Issei muttered softly, "because you're perfect the way you are. My perfect angel."

Asia blushed till her whole head was red, but it did nothing to stop the contented smile on her face. The blonde angel relaxed herself and rested her head in the crook of Issei's neck. There Asia could listen to her beloved's heartbeat that to her opinion was the best beat in the world. Idly, Asia kept her eyes closed as though she had fallen asleep.

"Ara ara, look at the two lovebirds over there." Giggled Akeno as she gave tea to her King.

Looking at the devil/angel couple, Rias couldn't decide whether to avert her eyes away or squeal in delight. It was cute but dammit why couldn't she have someone like that. Someone who looks passed the whole Gremory prestige thing and just sees Rias. Not to mention someone who doesn't try to grope her every five seconds. She only had one day, and she was getting increasingly desperate. Even though Issei's eyes were on Asia, he still wants a harem. So tonight, she'll add herself in a more intimate way.

(Later that night at Issei's house)

The magic circle of the Gremory clan glowed on the floor of Issei's room and rising out was Rias Gremory herself. She was fully prepared to give her virginity for the sake of making her marriage void. What she didn't expect was to find Issei and Asia in the same bed. To Rias' slight surprise, both of them still had clothes on. The most eye catching in the scene was that Issei had one of his wings out wrapping around Asia while the angel had her own out doing the same.

Rias blinked before steeling her resolve. She only took one step before she was suddenly pinned to the wall by her hands and feet. Rias didn't even know what hit her until she looked to her wrists and ankles that were "impaled" by arrows made of purple magic. There wasn't any blood drawn nor could she feel them. Magic of course.

Rias looked back to a now wide awake Issei holding two bows made of the same magic as the arrows, his eyes hardened like steel. He didn't even change his gaze when he realized who it really was that teleported into his home. He thought that anyone else that would infiltrate his home was not here on friendly terms, so he always slept with Herritt at the ready. Call him paranoid, but Issei wasn't going to let anything happen to his family and especially to Asia. Also take in account of his dragon instincts going crazy for the angel.

"Iss-" Rias was cut off from speaking from a loud shush followed by Issei pointing to the sleeping Asia who had a peaceful smile on her face.

He held a hand out that produced a magic circle purple in color. Rias blinked before realizing that Issei was doing magic with perfect control. The magic circle faded away and Issei glanced to back to the Gremory in full attention.

"I just put a silencing seal over Asia so she can get her sleep." Issei explained. "Now then, what are you doing here, Rias? If you didn't notice, I've become a little trigger-happy to anyone sneaking into my house."

"Issei, please," Rias pleaded, "take my virginity."

Issei widened his eyes before sighing. "Buchou, whatever is going on you can tell me. There's no need for secrets."

Rias scowled. "My secrets?! What about your secrets?! You've obviously known about the supernatural world for a long time. You can use magic! So tell me the truth, Issei!"

Issei sighed. "Guess the cat's out of the bag. Well here's the truth. My name is Issei Hyoudou, the Red Dragon Emperor. Saji is my best friend and rival. I've awakened my Sacred Gear ever since I was seven. I am proficient in some magic, but I mainly fight with a blade, my bow, or my fists. Anything else you would like to know, Buchou?"

"That Maou that visited us." Rias said. "Do you know him?"

"Oh Meliodas." Issei perked up. "That dwarf's been my sensei since I was kid."

Time seemed to slow down for the Gremory heir as the implication hit her. This human wielding a Longinus has been trained by a Maou for a decade! She herself had only received training from her parents, but even they were miniscule compared to her brother. A freaking powerhouse that stood in the highest echelon of devil society has solely trained her Pawn himself.

"How powerful are you?" Rias wondered.

To answer, Issei unleashed all the power he was holding back. Devil magic rolled off Issei's body like a fountain. More and more power permeated the airike a weight. Rias could not fathom the power that was quickly surpassing her own. She didn't feel like she was in the presence of a servant but instead of a superior king. At the peak of the show, Issei's back shifted until it streched out sn array of six wings, the symbol of a high-class devil.

"S-S-Six wings!?" Rias (did not) stutter. Even with six wings, Rias was nowhere near as strong as Issei himself with his full power. By the Herectic and the Biblical Gods, he was bordering on Ultimate class.

"That's right, ni-shi-shi." Issei chuckled in a Meliodas-like manner.

"You're a High-class devil already?!" Exclaimed Rias. "Why are you still here? You could have your own peerage and achieve your dream."

Issei shrugged. "What's the fun in rushing it? Yeah, one day I'll make my peerage, but now I am okay hanging out with you guys, Buchou."

"Why?" Wondered Rias at the ridiculousness.

"Isn't it obvious?" Issei said. "You guys are too fun to leave behind. I've loved being a part of your peerage, and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

"Wha…" The words simply died in her mouth unable to give a response to Issei's bizarre logic. At that moment, a magic circle of the Gremory clan lit up on Issei's floor. Out rose a tall woman dressed in a maid's outfit. She had long silver hair and piercing blue eyes. The obvious devil carried herself with mastered discipline.

"Grayfia…" Rias murmured.

"Rias-sama, your brother would not condone giving yourself up to…" Grayfia paused noticing Issei's three pairs of wings. "Curious, I was under the impression that you were with one of your servants but I wasn't expecting another High-class devil. Might I inquire who you are?"

Issei gave a small bow in greeting. "Greetings, my name is Issei Hyoudou and I am in fact the Pawn of Rias Gremory. Please do not think that Rias' current situation here is a kink. I was merely acting on a potential threat to my family since I had no prior knowledge of Rias coming here."

"I suppose that is logical." Grayfia agreed. "If you would please release Rias-sama."

Issei nodded and with a flick of his wrist the arrows dissipated into particles. Rias plopped down onto the floor with an "Eep!" before righting herself.

"Ise-kun, just please forget about this, okay?" Rias asked.

Issei nodded. "It's alright. I have a feeling we'll know tomorrow."

Rias stood at Grayfia's side ready to teleport away. Her blue eyes locked on the still sleeping form of Asia and they narrowed sensing her holy magic.

"That girl is an angel." Grayfia stated.

"You don't have to worry about Asia-chan." Issei soothed, brushing a strand of blonde hair back behind the angel's ear. "She's my beloved angel."

A rare smile graced the maid's face seeing the obvious affection Issei was beaming down at the blonde. The difference of race did not matter to Grayfia. In fact, the couple were the symbol of the direction towards peace. A whining moan came from Asia trying to find the warmth she was cuddling earlier.

"If you would excuse me, it seems Asia-chan demands my presence." Issei said as he climbed back in bed.

Instantly, Asia clutched onto Issei and wrapped one of her white wings over him. Sleep came back to gnarl at the teenager. The last he saw was Grayfia and Rias disappearing into the magic circle before darkness took him.

(Next day at the ORC)

Issei and Asia arrived after a morning session of training at the Boar Hat. Meliodas wasn't too mad at the fact Issei blew his cover unlike Asuna who was ready to tear him apart. With the truth revealed, Issei was allowed to hold nothing back. When the two arrived at the ORC, Issei now had a sheath at his hip holding a regular one-and-a- half-handed sword of gladius with a black leather grip and grey iron pommel and guard. The blade, hidden in brown leather, was only as long as Issei's arm. He made sure to cast an illusion spell so the people didn't freak out over it. It wasn't really that special with only magic applied to prevent it from breaking.

Issei opened the doors to the ORC just in time to see a blaze ignite itself in the middle of the room. The teenager went in front of Asia to protect the angel, but the flames quickly died down to reveal a tall, lean built man with blonde hair and a smug smirk. He wore red pants and a blazer over a buttoned shirt. His blue eyes looked over the peerage of Rias Gremory as though they were garbage.

"Ah, it's been a while since Riser has been to the human world." The identified Riser spoke in first person.

"Uh, would someone mind explaining who this is?" Voiced Issei, revealing his presence to the ORC.

"This is Riser Phoenix, a pure-blood devil." Grayfia intorduced. "He is also the third heir to the Phoenix clan and the fiance of Rias Gremory, heiress to the Gremory clan."

"Yes indeed." Riser said. "Riser has come all the way to see Riser's beautiful fiance."

The room stood silent from the sudden uptake of snickering. Riser and the devils looked back, the former bristling, to see Issei clutching his stomach to hold in laughter. Ultimately, Issei failed and roared in laughter like he was told the most hilarious joke. Every laugh that escaped his lips further fueled Riser's wrath.

"Give me - Just give - me." Issei gasped between laughs. "Is this, haha-ha, for fucking real? They are marrying Rias to this – this dumbass over here!? Ha-ha-ha-ha, those old geezers must really be going senile if they think if this is a good idea to do."

The devils in the room widened their eyes as Issei openly insulted high-standing politicians of the Underworld. He even insulted Rias' older brother Sizerchs calling him an 'old geezer' since he took part in arranging Rias' marriage. Though that fact isn't far off since he is nearly a thousand years old. Asia was just plain confused between the new arrival and Issei's near maniacal laughter.

"How dare you insult Riser, you lowly peasant!" Growled Riser ready to burn Issei to ashes.

Issei just kept on laughing and ignored the killing intent from Riser.

On first glance, Issei was just mildly impressed at Riser's reserves of magic that definitely made him a powerhouse, but his attitude instantly told him that the High-class devil barely had any control of it and never did put any training to improve it. Internally, Issei was sighing in disappointment at such wasted potential.

"Seriously, have they actually lost it making you marry this guy, Rias!?" Laughed Issei. "So much for being of noble birth. He can't even speak in first person for himself."

As odd as Issei's outburst was, Rias had to give credit to the sound logic he was giving forth. Ever since birth, Rias was contracted to marry Riser, but the least they could've done was to raise him properly to have the right intelligence. But no, Rias had to marry a man both idiotic and perverted bordering on sexual harassment.

"That is it you-" Riser stopped himself when he spotted Asia standing behind him. He stretched out his senses and was shocked that the blonde was a pure angel. His fury turned into curiosity and he turned to Rias.

"Rias, Riser does not understand why there is an angel among us." Riser asked.

"Oh but she does belong here." Rias corrected. "Asia Argento is in fact a part of my peerage as my Bishop. I used a… special treatment that made her into an angel since she was a nun."

"Interesting." Riser smirked as he took steps towards the former nun.

Issei narrowed his eyes dangerously, but Riser ignored him. A lecherous smile made itself known on his face as he looked over Asia's body.

"Quite the catch, having a pure angel in your peerage." Riser said as he slowly reached an arm out to Asia who fidgeted nervously. "After Riser marries Rias, Riser wouldn't mind making this one have her feathers black."

Just inches from Asia, Issei's left arm blurred in action and took hold of the offending wrist of Riser. The Phoenix third heir sneered in distaste at the peasant's interference, but as he was about to use his hand to burn he could not feel it for some reason. Everyone's eyes widened when they just processed that Riser's arm was cut cleanly off and was being held in Issei's left hand. The devils looked for whatever means Issei used until they heard the clink of the sword at his hip returning to its sheathe. It took them a few seconds before they realized that Issei had unsheathed that sword at such a speed none of them could see it. Only Grayfia was able to notice the swing, and even to her it was a blur.

Blood spilled the next moment and for once Riser screamed in pain.

Flames spewed from the stump of his arm and died out to reveal a new limb.

"Wha - Why you?!" Snarled Riser.

Riser stopped himself when he as well as Rias' peerage met Issei's eyes. No longer did they see the quirky pervert and instead the image they would expect from the Red Dragon Emperor himself. His eyes no longer glimmered with perversion and were now akin to cold steel. They revealed no emotion and showed an intimidating and calculating gaze that bore into one's soul. The change was so sudden and unexpected Rias didn't even know what to say.

"I-Is this really Issei-san?" Gasped Kiba. He knew swordplay when he saw it, and the level of skill that Issei showed in that brief moment astounded him.

"… Scary." Koneko mumbled.

Akeno was the only one who had the opposite reaction with her cheeks flushed red in arousal. Seeing this side of Issei that was powerful yet cold, it brought such a turn on to her that so many shivers of pleasure rushed along her back like a current of electricity.

She couldn't believe that Asia managed to snag this one, at least for now.

"At least that answers my question." Issei said stoically.

"What question?" Riser growled out.

"As long as you don't feel the pain, you don't regenerate your wounds." Issei briefed.

"What-Bleugh-!"

All of a sudden, blood spilled out of cuts all over his body, and more still opened on delay. Riser could only gasp as the wind was knocked out of him when Issei kicked him to the floor, his foot right over his sternum. Those cold brown eyes stared down at Riser without mercy.

"Thin yet numerous cuts you will not feel in time for your precious regeneration." Issei said, leaning down to Riser's face. "I'd say this is your first time actually feeling pain, isn't it? Not pretty, but for most of us we live through it on a daily business. Don't worry though. From the amount of cuts I gave you, I estimate you have let's say twenty seconds till the pain stops. Just enough to get my point straight."

Issei applied pressure to his foot, and there was an audible crack throughout the ORC of Riser's ribs cracking. It was followed by a painful scream as Riser felt agony like he has literally never felt before. The Pawn still applied pressure his foot sinking two inches into Riser's chest.

"You may claim you're of noble birth, but to me you're the scum beneath my shoe." Issei coldly hissed. "And your filthy hands will never touch my Asia. Ever think of violating her, and I'll make sure you are haunted by pain-"

"Issei!"

Issei stopped in his punishment at the shout from Asia. Looking back, his cold facade melted into guilt seeing the tears of building up in Asia's eyes. She wasn't sad, but she was terrified of the fact that the person she had come to love was bringing pain to someone.

Issei felt his heart hurt seeing Asia like this and he mentally kicked himself for being the cause of it.

"Please, you don't have to hurt him anymore." Asia pleaded.

Issei obliged without question lifting his foot off of Riser to let his healing factor kick in and even pulled him up, though roughly at that.

He gave one last warning glare to Riser before returning to Asia's side and comforting her by wrapping a devil wing around her. He found that the embrace of his wings always made Asia feel better, and in turn made him better as well. Her happiness meant everything to him.

"I'm sorry." Issei apologized soft enough for only Asia to hear.

Asia kept quiet, content with nuzzling her face into the crook of Issei's neck. Riser wisely sat himself on a couch but still glared at the six-winged Pawn for humiliating him. Grayfia brought everyone back to business with Rias reluctantly sitting next to Riser and the rest of her peerage standing by the opposite wall facing her.

Riser decided to brush Rias' hair and roam her thighs to his pleasure. It caused Issei to frown in disgust that this man wasn't treating a woman right. He still does want to become the Harem King but he wants to do it the right way and treat every girl fairly.

"For the last time, Riser, I will not marry you." Rias stated, breaking free from Riser's hold.

Issei blocked most of the dialogue from Riser preaching about keeping the pure-blood devils alive. Issei mentally scoffed at the stupidity of that notion. The Evil Piece system was made for that very same purpose of increasing the population while bloodlines would still be kept alive as they married into the healthy population. The stigma of pure-bloods only exists because of arrogant big shits stuck in the past. Issei turned back to the conversation once Grayfia spoke.

"Sizerchs-sama has anticipated this development." Grayfia informed.

"That is why he proposed a Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phoenix."

"Then I accept." Rias answered, fully confident because of Issei's ease in downing Riser from earlier.

Riser smirked. "Is this your full peerage?"

"So what if it is?" Rias snapped.

'She didn't even mention Gasper.' Thought Koneko slightly depressed.

Riser's smirk only grew as he snapped his fingers. An inferno flared in the room followed by the appearance of Riser's full peerage. Issei took note that to his slight envy they were all beautiful women. Yet to his disappointment they only had looks going for them. The only people that caught his interests were a tall a woman with purple hair and a much smaller girl with the same hair and eyes as Riser; probably his little sister because she at least had High-class magical reserves.

"Unlike you, Riser has a full peerage." Boasted Riser.

"But they're pathetic." Issei proclaimed, drawing wide eyes to him.

"You may have numbers, but that is you all have. You lack crucial quality unlike Rias who has chosen her followers on their unique strengths. And in case you're too dumb to remember, the more pieces one person takes the more powerful they are and what I see here are nothing but cannon fodder."

Riser sneered. "Care to test that, peasant?"

Issei only narrowed his eyes. Riser gestured to one of his Pawns a girl wielding a staff. Issei stepped forward and summoned the armored arms of the Boosted Gear.

"The Boosted Gear, huh?" Riser commented. "It does not matter. Mira, beat this peasant for his disrespect."

Mira nodded to her King and charged Issei opening with a thrust.

Issei lazily sidestepped the attack. To Mira, she couldn't see him move. Then Issei pinned down Mira's staff and in the blink of an eye was behind her in the end of a swing.

"You are slow," Issei said as he resheathed his blade, "even when you fall."

As soon as the sword locked in with a clink, Mira's staff broke into splinters and parts of her shirt were torn to shreds. Lacerations opened on her knees revealing Issei had cut into the ligaments. Mira fell first onto the floor, shock evident on her face. All that transpired happened in a second.

"As I said." Issei repeated, glancing to a shocked Riser. "Pathetic."

Riser quickly steeled his features into a scowl. He gestured to the blonde girl to pick up Mira. He faced Rias still looking smug.

"Ten days." Riser told Rias. "Riser is giving you ten days to prepare your peerage just so Riser can crush it."

With a snap of his fingers, Riser and his peerage disappeared in an inferno. Grayfia gave one last look to Rias before she too left via a magic circle. A long silence descended upon the ORC.

"Issei," Rias broke the silence, "what was that?"

"Never mind it." Issei said. "Do you have anything to use for the ten days?"

"I have an idea." Rias said, thinking of taking her peerage to the mansion in the mountains.

'But it won't be enough.' Thought Issei. 'I am going to have to make a call.'

(Gremory Mansion)

Rias has experienced a lot of things both good and bad. She has experienced the wonders of Japan, and felt the full power of her brother. So she should expect a lot of things.

"Hi there, ni-shi-shi."

Rias certainly didn't expect going to her manor to find that Maou again with that irksome cheeky smile. Especially the odd group consisting of a silver-haired immortal, a laid back magician, and a Brunette woman strong enough to snap her in half.

How do you make people stronger in ten days? Put them through the grinding and training of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Updated: 7/10/2019

I am still debating whether to have Vali male or female. Let me know in the reviews please. If Vali is female (Valerie), then she will be in Issei's harem. If male, he will have his own harem, with Raynare as one of the members.

Stay in touch. Please please leave a review.