XVI

Nephallem in Japan

1 Year Later…

Issei had the same dream again.

It was unlike anything he had ever seen before or since. He was looking down at the world from afar, as if he was some kind of astronaut in space. Issei watched in horror as the world began to shatter, cracking as snakes protruded from the core of the Earth. It was…It was the end of the world.

The scene shifted to a devastated landscape. It looked like a desert that had been ravaged with war with an army standing and cheering. From atop a cliff, a figure addressed the massive army with a group of generals behind him. Issei got shivers down his spine as he saw the eyes on the leader…blood red with a tomoe symbol. Issei watched as the figure was lifted in the air by a colossal snake made of glass before striking Issei.

The force of the attack startled Issei awake, nearly falling over in his seat. That's right…he wasn't in his bed, he was in the middle of class. The other students in his classroom eyed him, however Issei was more intimidated by the glare of his teacher, Miss Kureshima.

"Hyoudou," a vein popped up on Miss Kureshima's forehead. "If you feel the need to sleep, do tell me instead of sleeping in my class."

As the girls in his class began to giggle and chuckle, Issei blushed. "S-Sorry Miss Kureshima…won't happen again."

"Now class," Miss Kureshima walked away and continued her lecture. "Who can tell me about the Japanese Reforms?"

Issei scratched his head as he tried to focus again. That stupid dream again…it felt so real, Issei thought it was actually real. The details his mind came up with when the world was destroyed were so realistic…and that leader with the crimson eyes. What the hell was that thing? When that snake attacked him, it felt like he was really about to die.

"Are you okay, Issei?" asked Asia.

The spunky but caring blonde poked at his back with a worried expression on her face. It had only been a few weeks since she was Reincarnated as a Devil but Issei was happy she was acclimating to the changes in her life so well. It still stung whenever he thought about what happened, but Issei knew that he had to get over it eventually.

"I'm okay," Issei smiled. "Just had a weird dream again."

"The one with the snake?" asked Asia. "Should you talk to Rias about it? It's starting to sound pretty serious if you're having it so often…"

"Maybe," said Issei. "I'll talk to her about it after the meeting today."

After class ended, Issei and Asia made their way to the Occult Research Club Room. Nestled away behind the already massive castle that was Kuoh Academy was the Occult Research Club, a false club created by one Rias Gremory as a front for her and her Devil peerage to meet.

Issei didn't believe it himself when he found out but the world is muched more…fucked up then he thought. Devils and Angels were real, monsters lurked in the darkness and various supernatural creatures ruled over the human underground called the Shadow World. Issei was a normal human living in blissful ignorance of all of this…until Raynare.

As Issei and Asia approached the clubroom, a small but still spacious two story building in the woods behind the main school building, his arm began to throb. Ever since his crash of Rias's and Riser Pheonix's wedding, giving his arm up for the Red Dragon Emperor, his arm's always in unbearable pain whenever his emotions went astray. But why now?

"Well, well, look who finally decided to join us."

Himejima Akeno, second in command of their club, giggled sheepishly as the two entered the clubroom. Her jet black hair was tied behind her head as her violet eyes wandered over to them.

In the clubroom were its usual members, Rias Gremory, Himejima Akeno, Kiba Yuuto, and Toujou Koneko. However there were other faces in here that Issei hardly saw in general.

"S-Student Body President," said Asia. "What brings you here?"

"Issei, Asia," Sona Sitri bowed. "It's good to see you again. I'm afraid this is a business visit rather than personal. Something's happened that requires our attention."

"Is it bad?" asked Issei.

"Come, sit," Rias smiled, pulling back her crimson hair. "We're about to discuss it actually."

It was common knowledge to him that whenever Sona came for a visit, something bad was stirring. It had only been a week since Rias's wedding so he had hoped to have a little bit more time to himself before things went to shit again, but so goes the life of a Reincarnated Devil.

"Alright," said Rias. "We're all here. What's happened Sona?"

Sitting on the twin couches were Issei, Asia, Kiba, and Koneko, while Akeno stood by Rias's side at her desk. Sona fixed her glasses before proceeding with her explanation.

"As I'm sure Rias knows," said Sona. "Over the past year, we've been tracking the whereabouts of a certain individual that we've come to call the Nephallem."

"N-Nephallem?' asked Issei. "What the hell is that?"

"The offspring of a Demon and a human," said Kiba. "From the Bible…right?"

"Yes, exactly," said Sona. "We're not 100% sure if this person really is a Nephallem, however from what we've gathered, he is the last remaining member of a long extinct Demon clan of the Underworld, the House of Valak."

"I haven't heard that name in a long time," said Rias. "Have we confirmed that he really is from the House of Valak?"

"My sister is all but certain," said Sona. "Over the past year, we've tracked the Nephallem's whereabouts all over the world. South Korea, Russia, China, Australia, Nigeria, Egypt, Sweden, Greece, even to America. He's traveled the entire world yet we're always a step behind."

"Are we certain that this really is a Nephallem?" asked Akeno. "Calling someone a Nephallem is already a bit of a stretch, but if there really is a Demon-spawn on the world…why haven't we done anything about it before?"

"Because there's no trace of him anywhere he visits," said Rias. "That's what my brother says but I couldn't understand why."

"Memory alteration," said Sona. "My sister believes it to be one of his strengths. Wherever he visit, whoever he talks to, before moving on to his next destination he wipes the city or town clean of his stay. Not a single person or even animal remembers ever meeting him…it's like he never existed."

"Is that…even possible?" asked Issei. "To completely erase someone's memory?"

"Sona…are you saying that this Nephallem is in Japan?" asked Kiba.

"Indeed," said Sona. "All of our sources tell us that the Nephallem is having an extensive stay in Japan. He started in Kyoto and is making his way south…sooner or later, he'll be in Kuoh."

"That's…alarming," said Rias. "I didn't know it was really true until now. My brother has talked about it on a whim but never in the sense that it's real. What the hell is a Nephallem doing in Japan?"

"The better question is how come we didn't know anything about it until a year ago," Sona leaned against Rias's desk and sighed. "Rias, I'm starting to think somebody's hiding something from us. It's unnatural that a Nephallem would be spotted out of nowhere with us having no prior knowledge…and for it to come to Japan of all places after going everywhere else? I can't help but think something's going on."

"I'm with you on that," Rias scratched her head. "But for now, I appreciate you letting us know."

"W-What are we going to do?" asked Asia. "If this person is really so dangerous, I mean."

"We don't do a thing," said Akeno. "Strategically speaking, it would be unwise for us to make a move so rashly. We don't have any information on his capabilities or even why he's here…for us to take the initiative, it could result in more loss than success."

"Is it really safe to not do a thing?" asked Issei.

"The best offense is a good defense," said Kiba. "I'm guessing we'll know more about what to do once we know more about the Nephallem…right Prez?"

Rias smiled. "Exactly. For the time being though, we're all to be on high alert. For starters, a Nephallem brings with it chaos and destruction wherever it goes. A walking plague like that…I wouldn't be surprised if the Holy Church starts a riot."

"I guess that concludes my visit," said Sona. "I'll update you if my sister finds anything. But be careful Rias, something's happening…something big."

"Thank you Sona," said Rias. "Hopefully I'll hear from you soon."

A cold silence fell over the clubroom as Sona left. Issei didn't know what to say…should he even say anything? He knew next to nothing about the Bible or what was in it, but whatever this Nephallem was…clearly it was bad news. It felt like a terrible time to bring up his dream.

"Be careful everyone," said Rias. "Be on your guard at all times. I'll ask my brother to set up defensive checkpoints around the city to make sure we know when anything comes into town, but that doesn't mean we can just take it easy. Be careful out there."

Issei gulped. "Y-Yes ma'am."

…

The rest of the school day flew by before Issei knew it. The entire time, however, Issei couldn't stop thinking about Sona's warning. A Nephallem in Japan, his dream…for some reason, he couldn't help but think that it was all related somehow. He wanted to ask Ddraig, the dragon sealed in his Sacred Gear, however asking that thing was like talking to a brick wall. He wasn't gonna get anything useful anyway.

"You're looking a little pale Issei," Asia pinched his cheeks. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," Issei smiled and rubbed his stomach. "If anything…I'm just hungry."

"Oh! Should we visit that ramen shop again?" Asia asked in delight. "I've been wanting to go ever since the first time you took me."

"Sure," said Issei. "Why not?"

Kuoh was a bustling town, especially at this hour. Students flocked to the commercial district after school, men and women were returning home from work, people beginning their nightlife. It was a spectacle that Issei had grown used to over the years, but Asia was still starstruck whenever they did have the time to visit this part of town. Neon lights began to sparkle, the streelights began to flicker, and especially the street vendors began to set up shop.

"Asia," said Issei. "Do you know anything about nephallem? You read the Bible, right?'

Asia shook her head. "There wasn't any mention of a nephallem, the closest thing were nephillim, the children of the Angels. Even then they weren't…pleasant. They were called walking abominations, a force of nature that was uncontrollable."

A walking abomination huh? He wondered how many have called him the same thing for possessing not only the Boosted Gear but being the Red Dragon Emperor as well. There's still so much about this supernatural world he didn't know yet…maybe he really should be studying like Akeno told him to.

"It got me thinking though," said Asia. "Why would he erase memories of his presence? Why visit so many different places if he was just going to erase the memories of the people there?"

"It seems kind of…lonely, doesn't it?" asked Issei. "To go all over the world and not have one person remember you…how can anyone stand that?"

"Maybe he's on the run," said Asia. "If the Church were to find out there's a Nephallem walking around, I don't think they'd be too keen on just doing nothing about it."

"That makes it all the worse, don't you think?" asked Issei. "To be hunted and not have anyone by your side…How can anyone do that?"

Eventually, they arrived at Issei's favorite ramen shop. Obu Ramen was run by one family that had been here as long as Issei could remember. It wasn't located in anywhere frequented by many people however the people who have had Obu's always come running back…Issei and Asia included.

Issei was about to follow Asia inside when the sight of a boy standing in front of the shop by the street caught his attention. He didn't look any older than Issei was, with overgrown black hair tied back into a messy bun and tanned skin. It wasn't until the boy turned his head, noticing Issei, that he caught a glimpse of the boy's eyes. It sent Issei into a daze, recalling his dream. The boy's eyes were blood red, however it didn't have the weird marks like the one from the dream.

"I-Issei?" asked Asia.

Issei walked over the boy, knowing that he'd regret it, however his curiosity peaked.

"Hey there," said Issei. "Are you alright? Do you need any help?"

The boy was holding a map and definitely looked lost. "Oh no, I'm quite alright really. I'm just trying to find my way to someone's house, that's all."

"A friend?" asked Asia, joining them.

"Sort of," the boy smiled. "I wouldn't say we're friends but I don't exactly hate him. We have a very complicated relationship, he and I."

"I can tell," Issei smiled. "Where's it at?"

"That's where I'm confused," said the boy. "The address turns out to be an old church that hasn't seen a visitor in years…and the idiot's not answering his phone either so I'm pretty much stuck. It's my first time in this town and-"

The boy's stomach growled making Issei and Asia smile and even laugh.

"Are you hungry?" asked Asia.

The boy hid the redness in his cheeks however he rubbed his stomach in embarrassment. "No…I'm perfectly-"

The boy's stomach growled again, however this time was much louder than before. Issei smiled. He thought the boy was some kind of weirdo from the way he was dressed: a white T-shirt from an idol group who disbanded last year, a black coat and baggy cargo pants, however he seemed rather friendly and normal.

"Come eat with us," said Issei. "We were just about to grab some ramen and could use the company."

The boy reluctantly agreed as the three of them were seated at a table by the window. Now that Issei was getting a closer look at the boy…he looked sad. His skin was tanned however it looked smooth to the touch. The crimson of eyes sparkled as he looked around the restaurant and smiled. He reminded Issei of the idols he saw on T.V pretending to be normal people and walking around.

"My name's Issei," he introduced himself. "And this is Asia. We're high school students at Kuoh Academy."

"Kuoh Academy huh?" the boy smiled. "So that's why…It's nice to meet you both. My name's Koujiro, but you can just call me Kouji."

"Are you in town just to visit your friend, Kouji?" asked Issei. "Where'd you come from?"

"Well that's kind of complicated," said Kouji. "I'm from all over I guess…I haven't really stayed in one place long enough to call anywhere home. But I guess…South Korea?"

"Oh my goodness," said Asia. "You're far from home. Was meeting with your friend really that important?"

"I don't really know," Kouji sighed. "He just told me to meet up with him every month but he's never told me to come to Japan of all places."

Issei kind of felt bad for Kouji. He's been all over but he doesn't have a place to call home? And he didn't even look that old either…actually Issei might actually be older than him. What kind of life has Kouji lived?

After waiting for a few minutes and talking, their ramen came. Watching Kouji eat the ramen somehow reminded Issei of Asia, the giddy childlike reaction was just like Asia when she had ramen for the first time. It was hard to believe that she had never had ramen before but he knew the life she had before all of this.

"This the most delicious ramen I've had since Korea," Kouji smiled. "Man this brings back memories."

"Your home?" asked Asia. "Are you goin to go back once you visit your friend?"

"No, I'm afraid," Kouji smiled. "I can't go home anymore…"

Issei's arm began to throb. He nearly dropped his chopsticks however he kept it in check. Why was his Boosted Gear reacting like this?

"You okay there?" asked Kouji. "The Boosted Gear must be hard to handle, huh? You sure got it tough, Issei."

"Yeah tell me about it," Issei sighed before catching his breath. "H-How…"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything," Kouji smiled. "I guess I'm just really unlucky…I didn't expect to run into the Red Dragon Emperor here of all places. Maybe that idiot dragged me here for this."

Asia was on edge, however Issei held out his arm to protect her. "Who are you? How do you know me? Did you…Did you wait out there on purpose?"

"What?" Kouji finished his ramen. "No, not at all. I actually did get lost trying to find his house…and I was actually hungry. Haven't eaten anything in weeks…so this was something I'm really grateful for."

"Who are you?" asked Asia.

"I'm Kouji," said the boy. "I wasn't lying. I came to Japan to look for something, an old shrine…turns out that bastard Azazel just sent me on a wild goose chase."

"A…Azazel?" asked Issei.

"Sorry for dragging you into this," Kouji got up and took out some money before placing it on the table. "For what its worth Issei, I hope we see each other again. I hope you live a great and fulfilling life."

Issei watched as Kouji's eyes…changed. It was just like in his dream. The blood red eyes shifted as those marks manifested, spinning before Asia shook him, snapping him out of his trance.

"Issei!" cried Asia. "What's wrong? Aren't you going to eat?"

"Huh?" Issei looked around, however they were alone. Was he out of his mind or was he talking to someone other than Asia just now. "S-Sorry…It's been a really long day."

"Hurry and eat," said Asia. "The sooner we get home the sooner you can take a nap."

"Yeah…"

Issei felt the strangest sense that he was missing something. What just happened? He could have sworn he was talking to someone…but it was a blank. He couldn't remember if he even was talking to someone? What the hell just happened?

…

Kouji smiled, sitting down on the ledge of a building across the street from Obu's Ramen, watching as Issei and Asia finished their meal and left the restaurant, probably headed on home.

He wasn't feigning ignorance. He really was lost…His first time back in Japan in years and Azazel sends him to find a shrine of Imugi. According to the Governer General, there were various shrines built for the Snake God in countries all over Asia, perhaps visiting them could give him a better idea on how to properly control Imugi.

Kouji wanted to stay and finish his meal with them, but he knew he couldn't have that anymore. The last year had taught him much about humanity, but even more so about himself. Erasing all evidence of his presence wherever he went was the only way to ensure nobody else gets dragged into his mess…not if the Church is still deadset on killing him. They had followed him wherever he went and didn't hesitate to kill and torture whoever they think might have information on him. If no one does…nobody gets hurt.

He smiled as he watched the pair leave. There was a time when he wanted the kind of life they had. A mixture of the mundane and the supernatural…surrounded by loved ones. He wondered how they were doing, what were Aespa up to after they disbanded?

"You're still wearing that shirt?"

Kouji smiled as Azazel appeared with the sound of wings flapping, walking up to join him. He was dressed, for once, in something different. A brown and green kimono wouldn't have been Kouji's first guess as a Fallen Angels fashion choice, but it somehow worked on Azazel.

He looked down at his shirt, an Armageddon shirt from Aespa's last comeback before their disbandment. Luckily, one of the houses that Kouji had raided in the dead of night happened to be home to an Aespa fan so…hopefully he won't miss it.

"What's wrong with it?" asked Kouji. "Should you really be critiquing other people's outfits?"

"How do you like it in Japan again?" asked Azazel. "It took a hell of a lot of work for me to get you back here."

"Do I want to be?" asked Kouji. "What's going on Azazel? Why'd you call me here? And why'd you give me the address of an old church?"

"Because hopefully you'll be staying once you hear what I have to tell you," said Azazel.

Kouji sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't have an interest in playing a part in your political drama. I'm done working for the Grigori…I can't thank you enough for taking me in after the accident, but I can't risk-"

"I know, I know," said Azazel. "It took work to break the memory wipe you cast on everyone but I promise it's just me. But seriously, you should hear what's been happening."

Kouji caved. "Fine, let's hear it."

Azazel smirked. "The Church stepped up their game in hunting you. The closest they got was in China, right?"

"When I went to that Imugi shrine, yeah," said Kouji. "It was a trap. They were lying in wait."

"After that close encounter, they learned one thing," said Azazel. "Holy Weapons work best against you…The Church is restarting the Holy Sword Program all in the hopes of killing you."

Kouji's smile faded. "They did what? Are they insane? I heard about how those experiments killed the children they abducted…they can't seriously be thinking of restarting it."

"Maybe the Church was stretching it too far," said Azazel. "You remember the Hero Faction, right? Seems like they've aligned with some exorcists who abandoned faith and are teaming up to find a suitable weapon to finally kill the demon hybrid in their midst. The world's deadset on killing you kid."

"What else is new," Kouji sighed. "Where's their base? I'll swing by and see if I can-"

"I wouldn't worry too much about them yet," said Azazel. "For now, I want you to stay in Kuoh."

Kouji narrowed his eyes. "What? Azazel you know what's going to happen if I stay in one place for too long…they'll find me. The people in this town-"

"You don't know where you are, do you," Azazel smirked. "Kuoh isn't just some run of the mill town in the middle of nowhere kid. You're in peak Devil territory. The Devil King Lucifer's kid sister calls this town her home, Leviathan's sister too. If you think the Church is just going to storm in here for you-"

"I've heard that before Azazel," said Kouji. "In Korea, and look what happened."

"I know it's been a hard year," Azazel placed a hand on his shoulder. "But you of all people have earned some time off. Trust me. Stay at the church, it's been cloaked so you'll be undetected…and there's some goodies in there for you too."

"I miss them, you know," Kouji smiled. "I don't know what happened after the incident…Lady Gabriel said she'd take care of them."

"It's time you start thinking about yourself, Kouji," said Azazel. "It breaks my heart to see you killing yourself like this. Those girls were important to me too…they wouldn't want you living this kind of life."

"What choice do I have…" Kouji balled his fists.

"Stop running," said Azazel. "Form some meaningful relationships here…Rias Gremory is many things but she's not reckless. Talk to her, tell her what happened…she'll understand."

Kouji smiled. "I'm guessing that Issei's her servant? That's why you orchestrated this whole thing?"

"He and I share a drink or two now and then," said Azazel. "The kid's got a good heart even if he's a bit naive. Reminds me a lot of you."

"I'll…think about it," said Kouji. "Would that make you happy?"

"I just want you to be happy," Azazel smiled. "That's what's going to make me happy."