Issei opened his eyes, finding himself in a place of pure Darkness. He sat up and saw nothing around, nothing but Darkness. Wherever his eyes travelled, it was empty, a dark wasteland, almost as if he were dropped into a void.
"Where the hell am I?" Issei asked himself as he rubbed his face. He then remembered his last memories; he was fighting Great Red in his Satanification form, and he was having fun fighting the True Dragon, albeit he was getting his ass handed to him. And then nothing... he just woke up in this mysterious place.
"Did I die fighting Great Red?" he muttered to himself. As he finished rubbing the confusion of his face, he removed his hand from his face. When he did so, he opened his eyes and saw someone standing a couple of meters away from him.
Issei instantly stood up in caution, "He wasn't there before..." he thought as he took a good look at the person.
It was a man; he had his back facing Issei. He wore black dress pants and a black dress shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was black and medium length. The man was also tall and broad, similar to Issei. However, Issei could tell that his man was around 20 centimetres taller than himself.
Issei slowly approached the man; something about him felt familiar. "Hey, where am I?" he demanded in a severe tone.
As soon as Issei spoke, the mysterious man replied. "The Trihexa is the key to everything; make sure it lives no matter what.", the man started, his voice eerily similar to Isei's ears.
Hearing the words, Issei stopped moving, his face contorting with confusion.
"However, the Trihexa is only a secondary objective..." he continued before turning his head to his side, showing Issei his identity.
Issei's eyes widened in shock; the person before him looked similar to himself. However, the person in front of him looked a bit older; while Issei looked like he was in his late teens, the person in front of him looked to be in his mid-20s.
If Issei hadn't known any better, he would've assumed the person in front of him was an older version of himself. By how much, he couldn't tell; he knew the supernatural beings aged much slower than mortals. Venelana and Zeoticus were in their earlier thousands yet looked to be in their 20s.
"Riziveim Livan Lucifer is the primary objective; make sure to eliminate him at any cost..." the doppelganger finished.
Issei momentarily thought this person was Dark-sei, who was now imitating an older version of himself. But for some reason, this person felt different from Dark-sei, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Before Issei could question the counterpart, the Darkness around him swirled and became liquid-like. The dark liquid grabbed hold of Issei and dragged him down into the endless Darkness. Issei tried to resist and fight, only for the liquid to drag him more fiercely; the last thing he saw was his counterpart looking at him through the corner of his eye coldly before everything went blank.
X
A colossal dragon appeared in the dimensional gap, scales as black as night and eyes red as rubies. Wings so large it could block out the sun's rays, a maw so giant it can swallow cities. A dragon so large it dwarfs entire mountains and cities.
Great Red and Ophis gazed in awe as Issei's transformation reached its pinnacle. His dragon form's sheer size and presence were impressive, demonstrating his untapped potential. The air around him crackled with raw energy, and the Dimensional Gap appeared to warp under the force of his power.
Great Red's eyes narrowed as he assessed the circumstances. "So, this is what lies within you, Issei Hyoudou," he murmured, his voice full of admiration and concern. He could feel Issei's immense power, which rivalled his own. But he could also feel the instability, the uncontrollable rage that threatened to consume everything around it.
Ophis, who rarely displayed emotion, appeared genuinely surprised. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed Issei's new appearance. "A dragon of such magnitude... This power... It's as if he's become a manifestation of chaos itself," she said quietly.
Issei's eyes, now filled with a fierce red light, focused on Great Red and Ophis. His gaze was primal, almost animalistic in intensity, as if his rational mind had been submerged beneath the overwhelming surge of power. He let out another roar reverberating through the Dimensional Gap, shaking the very fabric of space.
Great Red and Ophis exchanged a brief, tense glance, realising the gravity of the situation. Issei's transformation had unleashed an immense, chaotic power, and it was clear that he was struggling to control it. The primal roar that echoed through the Dimensional Gap displayed strength and the cry of a being teetering on the edge of losing himself to his own power.
Great Red's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with determination. "We have to stop him before he loses complete control," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "If he continues like this, the Dimensional Gap itself could be at risk."
Ophis nodded, her usually inscrutable face showing a hint of concern. "We must act quickly," she agreed, severe but calm. "The power he's emitting is unstable. If it goes unchecked, it could cause untold damage."
Without further hesitation, Great Red and Ophis surged forward towards the colossal Dragon. Seeing the approaching threat, Issei roared, arching his back and drawing back his giant wings. He flapped his wings forward, letting out a burst of immeasurable force towards the duo.
Great Red and Ophis moved to the side, evading the incoming invisible force. The force shot past them and continued to travel, disintegrating anything within its past.
Great Red looked at the destruction with awe, "Just the force generated from his wings flapping is enough to flatten entire continents." he muttered.
Ophis nodded warily, "He's about 20 kilometres in length; a dragon's wing span is usually nine times that size. The only exception is wingless Dragons like the ones of Eastern countries." she commented.
The two then looked back at the rampaging beast to see Issei speeding towards them at high speeds, a feat that contradicts his colossal size. Two narrowly dodged the chomp of the giant maw, the bite force generating enough pressure to send them flying backwards.
Issei looked up and let out a roar at the sight of the two floating in the air. Upon the roar, Issei's power rose while Great Red and Ophis's power lowered.
Ophis looked at her hands, feeling the change in her power level. "Did he just reduce our power?" she asked.
Great Red, who was also examining his power level, came to the same conclusion, "It appears he did", he replied, trying to regain the power he had just lost.
Ophis then looked at Issei, "So his power is similar to Albion's?" she asked, recognising the similar technique.
Red Great shook his head, "It's similar but not the same. When Albion uses Divine Dividing, he halves his opponent's power and takes that half for himself. Meaning Albion's opponents can regain that lost power through augmentation or amplification." he explains.
"But Issei Hyoudou's ability is different. When he uses his ability, he places limits on his opponents while empowering himself, meaning he can continuously lower the limits of his opponents while breaking his own limits. Once the limits are placed on his opponent, the opponent can't access their full power or grow any stronger during the battle," he continued.
Ophis nodded slowly, understanding. "So he can manipulate the limits of both his opponents and himself..." she clarified, trying to regain the power she had lost, only for her to be at the level cap that Issei had placed on her. "Quite a dangerous power..."
Great Red's expression was grim as he observed Issei's form. "His power is incredible, but it's far too unstable," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the crackling energy. "If we don't stop him soon, there's no telling what kind of damage he could cause, not just here, but across multiple dimensions."
Ophis's gaze was sharp, her mind racing as she analysed the situation. "We must subdue him," she said, her tone firm. "But we must be careful. One wrong move, and we could trigger a catastrophic event. His power is not just chaotic; it's like a black hole, consuming and distorting everything it touches."
Without another word, the two dragons moved in unison. Ophis extended her hands, dark tendrils of energy swirling around her; the tendrils shot out toward Issei, wrapping around his massive form and attempting to bind his chaotic energy. The air around Issei shimmered as Ophis's power clashed with his, the space around them distorting from the sheer force of their energies colliding.
Great Red, meanwhile, summoned his power, a brilliant red aura enveloping his body; he started to transform, his features becoming Draconic. However, Great Red didn't use his full-sized dragon form but rather his hybrid form, which is more dragonoid human.
He charged towards Issei, his fist crackling with energy as he aimed a powerful strike at the Dragon's chest. As Great Red approached Issei, he could feel the intense heat radiating off the Colossal Dragon's body; it felt like the Earth's core. It's not surprising due to the size of the Dragon and the amount of energy rolling off him.
The heat was not an issue for Great Red since, being a Dragon himself, he was immune to high levels of heat; as he got closer, he swung his fist forward into Issei's chest, making direct contact. The impact sent shockwaves through the Dimensional Gap, the force of the blow reverberating across the vast expanse.
Issei roared in fury, the sound shaking the very fabric of reality. His massive form bucked against the tendrils binding him, his power surging as he fought against Ophis's hold. Great Red looked at the contact area, realising that Issei's scales were made of some kind of stone that didn't budge or break from the impact.
"His scales are made of stone?" Great Red exclaimed as he retracted his hand in pain from the hardness of the scales and the intense heat radiating off Issei.
Issei's giant claw broke itself out of the tendrils and swatted Great Red away like a fly; the True Red Dragon was sent flying back at blinding speeds, colliding with the floating debris of the Dimensional Gap.
Great Red gritted his teeth as he felt the force of Issei's power pushing back against him. "He's stronger than I anticipated," he muttered, his voice strained from the effort. "We need to weaken him further, or this isn't going to hold."
Ophis's eyes narrowed as she focused on maintaining the bind, her energy pouring into the tendrils holding Issei in place. "I'm doing all I can," she replied, her voice tight with concentration. "But his power is... overwhelming."
Issei then let another roar, inducing more limits on Great Red and Ophis's power and breaking through his own. Great Red and Ophis both felt the immediate effects of Issei's unleashed power. The limits imposed by his roar began to take hold, reducing their power as if a heavy weight was pressing down on them.
The tendrils that Ophis had on Issei shattered, and the Ouroboros Dragon was whipped with extreme force by Issei's long tail in the same instance. She was sent flying through the Dimensional Gap towards Great Red; despite having no outward reaction, there was a bruise forming on Ophis's face and blood dripping from her lip.
Great Red quickly caught Ophis midair, steadying her as they reeled from the unexpected assault. The sheer force of Issei's tail swipe had left even the Ouroboros Dragon reeling.
"This... isn't good. If we allow him to continue his Limitation Manipulation, we will eventually become powerless against him," Great Red muttered, his voice laced with concern.
Ophis nodded, still observing the rampaging Dragon. "What happened to Ddraig? Can you contact him with your telepathy?" she asked.
Great Red concentrated, his glowing yellow-slited eyes focusing on Issei. "Ddraig, can you hear me?" he called out.
There was a moment of silence before Ddraig spoke up. "Great Red?! I can hear you!" he said in an urgent tone. "I'm trying to reach Issei, but I can't find his consciousness!" he explained.
Great Red turned to Ophis. "Ddraig said that he was trying to reach him but couldn't find him," he relayed the information.
"Perhaps we could synchronise our efforts. Me and you attack him from the outside while Ddraig attacks from the inside," Ophis suggested.
Great Red nodded, "You hear that, Ddraig?" he said telepathically.
Ddraig's voice came through clearly in response to Great Red. "Yes, I heard it. I'll do everything I can to reach him from within. But be careful—Issei's mind is a chaotic storm right now, and it's not just his power that's out of control. There's something else... something darker trying to take over." he explained.
Great Red's expression hardened. "Understood. We'll buy you as much time as we can." He turned to Ophis, who nodded in agreement.
Ophis extended her hands again, gathering a more concentrated and refined form of her energy. The air around them seemed still as she focused, the dark energy merging into a single, dense point before she released it in a sharp, directed beam towards Issei's chest. The energy beam struck with precision; its force focused on trying to destabilise the chaotic energy swirling within him.
Simultaneously, Great Red lunged forward once more, this time with a more strategic approach. He avoided a direct confrontation with Issei's immense strength, instead using his agility to strike at critical points, targeting the base of Issei's wings and the joints of his massive limbs. Each hit was intended to weaken and slow the rampaging Dragon, creating openings for Ophis's attacks to have more impact.
Inside Issei's mind, Ddraig pushed forward through the chaos, searching desperately for any sign of Issei's consciousness. The landscape within was a tumultuous storm of dark energy, with flashes of memories and emotions swirling around like debris in a hurricane. Ddraig could feel the presence of something malevolent, a force that was not entirely Issei but had been awakened alongside his power.
"Partner!" Ddraig called out, his voice echoing through the storm. "You need to fight this! You need to take control, or everything will be lost!"
There was no immediate response, but Ddraig didn't give up. He pressed on, his draconic energy forming a protective barrier around him as he pushed deeper into the storm. He could sense the faint presence of Issei's true self, buried beneath layers of rage, fear, and the malevolent force that was trying to take over.
Outside, Issei's rampage continued, but the coordinated assault from Ophis and Great Red was beginning to take its toll. Ophis's energy beam penetrated deep into Issei's chaotic aura, temporarily destabilising the swirling power within him. The intense clash of energies caused a ripple effect, creating cracks in the dimensional space around them.
Using his superior speed and precision, Great Red landed strike after strike at the joints of Issei's limbs and the base of his wings. Each impact sent shockwaves through Issei's massive form, momentarily disrupting his movement and giving Ophis more opportunities to direct her concentrated attacks.
But Issei was far from subdued. His fury only grew, feeding the malevolent force within him. With each roar, the limits he imposed on his opponents grew more potent, and the distortion in the dimensional gap intensified. The space around them was beginning to fracture under the strain of his unchecked power.
"Partner, I know you're in there!" Ddraig's voice was persistent, but there was an edge of desperation. "You can't let this power control you! Remember who you are!"
The flickering flame of Issei's consciousness wavered as if responding to Ddraig's call. But the dark presence around it tightened its grip, pulling Issei further into the abyss.
Outside, Issei's body convulsed, his movements becoming more erratic as the battle within his mind raged on. Ophis and Great Red exchanged a brief glance, both aware that time was running out. They needed to buy Ddraig more time.
Ophis took a deep breath, her expression one of steely determination. "We need to go all out, Great Red. If we don't push him to the brink, Ddraig won't be able to reach him." she urged
Great Red nodded in agreement. "Understood. Let's do this."
The two dragons unleashed their full power, the intensity of their combined attacks shaking the very fabric of the Dimensional Gap. Ophis's dark energy became even more concentrated, forming a massive sphere of destruction, and she hurled it toward Issei. At the same time, Great Red summoned a torrent of fiery energy, channelling it into a focused beam that collided with Ophis's attack, amplifying its destructive potential.
However, to their shock and horror, Issei had opened his giant maw, a swirling vacuum generated from the vocal point, dragging everything in the surroundings into Issei's mouth. The attacks that both Great Red and Ophis had launched were dragged into Issei's mouth and swallowed effortlessly.
Great Red and Ophis watched in disbelief as their combined attacks were consumed by the void within Issei's maw. The sheer force of the vacuum was unlike anything they had anticipated, as even the surrounding debris and energy within the Dimensional Gap were being sucked into the abyss of Issei's mouth.
But that was far from the worst thing that happened; Great Red and Ophis tried to send out another wave of attacks. However, they found that they could no longer use their powers, or more specifically, they didn't have their powers anymore.
Ophis outstretched her hand, seeing she could no longer use the power of Infinity. "My power of Infinity... it's gone," she muttered.
Great Red was also experiencing the same dilemma, "My power of the Dream is also gone".
The two then looked back at Issei, realising he was the cause of this spectacle. Steam was released from the gap between his mouth before it opened, and the black and red energy started to build up from within. Both Great Red and Ophis's eyes widened, and they felt the familiar power build-up of power; it was their own! The power of the Dream and the power of Infinity were being used by Issei, after rendering them null from their owners.
Now, Great Red and Ophis had to deal with an unthinkable truth: Issei had somehow stolen their very powers and assimilated their combined attacks. The two dragons were momentarily stunned by the enormity of what had just happened. This was no longer just a contest of strength; Issei had evolved into something much more dangerous, a creature able to debilitate even the strongest beings.
"I see; if he eats something, he can remove it from existence and then make it his own", Great Red spoke in a muttered awe, trying to wrap his head around the absurd ability.
Before Ophis can answer, the energy in Issei's maw must build up before condensing into a laser-like beam. Great Red's eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen; at this point, Issei could be regarded as a Dragon God; with his strength joined with that of the other Dragon Gods, this strike might wipe anything and everything it touched.
"We need to move now!" Great Red urges, grabbing Ophis's hand to take her away.
Ophis also felt the threat of the incoming attack and followed suit, desperately trying to evade it. Seeing the Dragons trying to flee, Issei let out a mighty roar; despite it being a roar, both understood exactly what was said.
STOP
As the word "STOP" reverberated through the Dimensional Gap, it was as if reality itself obeyed Issei's command. The entire space froze instantly—Great Red and Ophis found themselves suspended in midair, their bodies locked in place, unable to move or even breathe. Time had ceased, and the very essence of existence seemed to bow to the overwhelming authority of Issei's power.
The Dimension Gap, being the spine of each Supernatural World, the effects that occurred in the Dimension Gap were transferred into every other world. From Heaven to the Underworld, to Asgard to Olympus, everything stopped.
Great Red could only think in the space of the frozen world. "This isn't one of our abilities; this is one of his own..." he reflected, seeing another one of Issei's draconic abilities—the ability to command all phenomena with just his voice.
Great Red then reviewed all the new abilities Issei had shown in his new form.
1) Limitation Manipulation: The ability to place limits on his opponents while removing his own limits.
2) Ability Steal: The ability to take away someone's abilities and use them as his own.
3) Phenomena Control: The ability to control all phenomena with just his voice.
"His power... it's quite... tyrannical..." Great Red thought, realising that Issei's Draconic power had equalities on a tyrant, from stripping others of their power and giving himself more power, taking away possessions from others and making it his own and absolute control.
"Who knows what other abilities he holds if his class is based on Tyranny..." he thinks.
Despite being frozen, the two Dragons could feel the destructive energy being generated by Issei on the verge of being released; they knew their time was done, and the next attack would return them to nothingness. They knew they had failed to subdue Issei, and because of that, this entire reality was about to come to an end.
As Issei was about to release the attack and annihilate the Two Dragon Gods, another presence made its way to the Dimensional Gap. Both Great Red and Ophis's eyes widened in shock, a hint of fear in their hearts as they felt a presence on a much higher level than even the current Issei's.
"It's him! He's here!" Great, Red thought, remembering the presence all too well; the last time he felt this presence was back in the Great War, which claimed the life of the Biblical God before he perished.
Before Issei released the build-up of energy, a tremendous force forcibly shut his jaws, the energy exploding inside his mouth. He then let out a roar of pain, black smoke pouring out of his mouth.
The red in Issei's eyes glowed brighter, looking at the source of his pain; as he looked around, he finally saw him. A man dressed in a black trenchcoat, dress shirt and dress pants. His hair was snow white and waved majestically. A complete carbon copy of Issei in his Satanification form.
"Tch, to think I'd have to descend into this reality to fix a problem that I didn't start", Dark-sei says to himself before looking in the direction of Great Red and Ophis. "I was hoping those two would solve the issue before I got here. But if you want something, then you gotta do it yourself."
The newcomer, who revealed himself as Dark-sei, has descended into this reality. He was here to stop Issei's rampage and return back to his normal state.
Dark-sei then looked towards the growling Issei, "Both of us can't exist in the same instance; I have to act quickly..." he muttered to himself.
A red portal opened above Dark-sei's left shoulder, and a sword hilt was pushed out. He grabbed the handle and ripped it out of the portal, revealing a crimson-red greatsword; black energy flowed through the blade, and the crossguard was large and jagged.
--
Flaming Sword
Rarity: Transcendent
Classification: Sword
Stats: 484k Vitality, 492k Strength, 467k Agility, 468k Intelligence, 386k Senses, 453k Dexterity, 242k Luck
Ability: Absolute Sharpness capable of cutting anything, including Time, Space and Reality. Eradication is capable of returning everything to Nothing.
--
Despite his newfound power and tyrannical abilities, Issei instinctively sensed the threat posed by Dark-sei. The two beings locked eyes—one filled with unbridled rage and chaotic energy, the other with cold determination and absolute control.
Dark-sei scoffed, "And this is why I sealed off a lot of your power. You aren't ready for it", he commented.
With a swift motion, Dark-sei swung the sword, and a wave of red and black energy erupted from the blade, cutting through the frozen space as if it were nothing. The energy collided with Issei, and for the first time since his rampage began, Issei stumbled back, the force of the strike forcing him to retreat. The sheer power behind the attack was enough to disrupt the unstoppable momentum he had built, shaking his very core.
Issei roared in defiance, his draconic aura flaring wildly as he unleashed a barrage of attacks, each one more devastating than the last. But Dark-sei was unfazed. With each swing of his sword, he effortlessly cut through Issei's attacks, leaving trails of void where reality was severed.
As the battle raged, Great Red and Ophis could only watch in stunned silence. They had been rendered powerless, but in this moment, they were witnesses to a clash of titanic proportions—a confrontation that would determine the fate of their reality.
The clash between Issei and Dark-sei unfolded with a ferocity that defied all comprehension. Once a realm of endless void, the Dimensional Gap was now a battleground where reality was torn asunder with each strike.
Issei unleashed torrents of destructive energy. Waves of crimson and black flames surged forth with the intent to obliterate everything in their path. These flames, tinged with the power of Limitation Manipulation, were capable of reducing even the most powerful entities to mere space dust. The force behind them was enough to tear through dimensions, sending shockwaves rippling through every plane of existence.
Dark-sei, however, was unfazed. With each swing of his flaming sword, he sliced through Issei's attacks with surgical precision. His movements were a blur, each strike resonating with a power that cut through time, space, and reality. The crimson-red greatsword, glowing with unholy energy, effortlessly severed the fabric of the Dimensional Gap, leaving behind gashes of void where nothingness reigned supreme.
Issei roared in defiance, his draconic aura exploding in a cataclysmic display of power. He charged at Dark-sei with a speed that transcended speed and time, his form a blur of red and black energy. The space around him twisted and warped under the sheer intensity of his presence as if reality itself was buckling under his overwhelming might.
But Dark-sei was ready. He met Issei's charge head-on, their clash creating a shockwave that rippled through the Dimensional Gap and beyond. The force of their collision was so immense that it shattered the very concept of distance, sending fragments of reality spiralling into the void.
Despite the cataclysmic energy being unleashed, Dark-sei remained a step ahead. With each swing of his sword, he deftly countered Issei's frenzied attacks, redirecting the destructive force away from himself. The void left in the wake of each strike as he carved through existence with a precision that bordered on omnipotence.
Issei, however, was relentless. His newfound abilities, a terrifying amalgamation of the powers he had stolen, continued to evolve in real time. With each passing second, he grew more formidable, his aura intensifying as he pushed the limits of his draconic power. He unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one capable of erasing entire dimensions, but Dark-sei countered them effortlessly.
With Issei's earlier command keeping Great Red and Ophis immobile, they could only watch in horror as the battle grew more intense than they could have ever imagined. Their own abilities, which were once believed to be unrivalled, were dwarfed by the overwhelming force on exhibit. Once the height of authority, the two Dragon Gods were now only bystanders to a battle that had the potential to annihilate everything.
When Issei's roar reverberated through the never-ending void, unleashing an army of draconic avatars born of his unbridled rage, the Dimensional Gap trembled under the sheer ferocity of the battle. These dragons were not as large as Issei, but they were still enormous, on par with Great Red. Their eyes burned with the same unwavering rage that propelled their creator, and their forms were made of the same red and black energy that Issei possessed.
The dragons' roars combined to create a sound so loud it rocked the very foundations of reality as they rushed towards Dark-sei like an inexorable tide. Their combined presence caused rifts to rip open and spread throughout the multiverse, warping the Dimensional Gap. The impact of their approach sent shockwaves through space-time, causing entire planes of existence to tremble.
Dark-sei's eyes narrowed as he faced the oncoming onslaught. The crimson-red greatsword in his hand pulsed with dark energy as he braced himself. With a single, fluid motion, he swung the sword in a wide arc, releasing a crescent of black and red energy that tore through the horde of dragons like a scythe through wheat. The strike carved a path of destruction, erasing dozens of dragons from existence in an instant.
But the sheer number of Issei's draconic avatars was overwhelming. For every Dragon cut down, two more seemed to take its place, their numbers multiplying as they charged towards Dark-sei with berserker ferocity. The air was filled with the deafening sound of their wings beating against the void, their claws tearing through the remnants of reality as they closed in on their target.
Dark-sei's face remained stoic as he fought, his expression betraying no emotion even as the horde of dragons closed in on him from all sides. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of energy that vaporised the dragons directly in front of him, creating a brief moment of respite. But the respite was short-lived, as more dragons emerged from the darkness, their eyes blazing with the same unyielding rage that fueled Issei.
In the chaos, Issei watched with a twisted sense of satisfaction as his creations swarmed Dark-sei. His draconic aura flared with renewed intensity, feeding the horde with his own limitless power. Each Dragon was a reflection of his wrath, a manifestation of his desire to dominate and annihilate everything in his path. The horde was his weapon, a living embodiment of the tyrannical power that he now wielded.
However, Dark-sei remained undeterred. He thrust his sword into the ground, causing a pulse of energy to ripple across the battlefield. The energy wave spread outward, enveloping the dragon horde and freezing them in place. The entire battlefield was eerily silent briefly as the dragons were held in stasis, their forms suspended in midair.
Dark-sei wrenched the blade from the ground in one fast move, and the frozen dragons fractured into innumerable pieces, their shapes melting into oblivion. The resulting burst of energy drove shockwaves through the Dimensional Gap, breaking open new rifts in reality and collapsing vast areas of the battlefield into a vacuum.
Issei was far from vanquished, even as the horde was destroyed. He drew forth more power, and his eyes burned with rage. He began to produce a new kind of power as soon as he opened his maw. An energy with a blood-red colour emerged that strangely resembled the characteristics of both plasma and liquid.
Dark-sei, seeing the ability, had his eyes widen in shock. "It- it can't be!" he muttered out.
Great Red and Ophis reacted similarly, although they didn't know Issei had this ability.
"I sense the absolute nothingness in that attack..." Great Red thought.
"There's no telling what would happen if someone was hit that attack", Ophis thought.
Dark-sei was none the more confused, "How does he have access to that ability? Even if he were forcibly awakened his Dragon side, this is one of the many abilities locked deep within the system." he said to himself. "Don't tell me... did he overcome the system?!"
Dark-sei gritted his teeth in anger, "After this is all done, I'm modifying the restrictions on the system so such a glitch doesn't happen again", he said as a ball of the same energy started to form in his left hand. "The only way to counter this ability is by cancelling it out with itself!"
Seeing the familiar energy build-up, Issei released his larger attack from his maw towards Dark-sei.
[Forbidden Ability Used: Oblivion]
A terrifying mixture of liquid and plasma, Issei's Oblivion beam rushed forward, intending to destroy everything in its path. The attack's extreme intensity tore apart the surrounding space and created a gravitational pull so strong that it pulled entire dimensions along with it. The blood-red colour of the beam marked the emptiness, a sign of impending destruction.
[Ability Used: Oblivion]
Dark-sei launched his own Oblivion beam, unfazed by the attack's tremendous power. With an unfathomable force, the two beams collided in the middle of the battleground. It was a great force that tore a hole in the Dimensional Gap, a wound that bled empty nothingness in reality.
Apocalyptic was the explosion that followed. Unchecked energy waves erupted and destroyed everything in their path. The very fabric of existence shrieked with disapproval as the two Oblivion beams engaged in unprecedented combat, each striving for supremacy. The collision's shockwaves reverberated throughout the multiverse, causing whole realms to tremble and fracture.
A storm of chaotic energy engulfed the battlefield as the two beams battled for supremacy. Bits and pieces of reality drifted aimlessly through space, like broken glass in a tempest. The sky was an indescribable whirlwind of colours and shapes that defied description, if it could even be called that. The concept of time itself became erratic, exhibiting unpredictable compression and stretching.
Great Red and Ophis, still frozen by Issei's earlier command, could only watch in helpless horror as the battle escalated to a level beyond anything they had ever witnessed. The once-proud Dragon Gods were now mere spectators, powerless to intervene as their reality teetered on the brink of annihilation.
The energy of the collision intensified to a crescendo that threatened to devour everything in its path as the two Oblivion beams collided at a critical point. The intense white light engulfing the battlefield destroyed all perception of sound, vision, and even consciousness. There had never been anything like the sheer amount of energy that was being released.
And then it was over in an instant. When the two beams broke, the explosion that followed tore through the Dimensional Gap with an unfathomable fury. With everything in its path levelled, the shockwave erased large swaths of the battlefield, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake. The idea of reality itself appeared to falter, almost collapsing beneath the weight.
Dark-sei made the decision to end the battle as it was reaching its peak. With blinding speed, he rushed towards Issei, aiming for the top of the Dragon's head. When he got there, he discovered what he was searching for a sizable blood-red gem was located on Issei's head's temple.
Issei felt that Dark-sei was now on top of him and attempted to knock him off with a forceful headshake and some scratches. There was a loud crunch as Issei slammed his jaw shut, but there was nothing in his mouth to make that sound.
But all doubts were dispelled when Issei shook his head sharply, revealing his teeth were locked onto nothing but space. Space began to contort and change as if someone had tried to rip a stake fragment apart with their teeth.
With Issei's jaw-lock on reality itself, the area surrounding them was starting to buckle, rips and tears in the fabric of being. Issei's teeth were biting into the very fabric of space, threatening to break it like brittle glass as the sheer force of his will became tangible.
Great Red's eyes widen, "He was able to grab ahold of an intangible concept such as space?! Don't tell me... He's trying to consume the Dimensional Gap?!" he thought.
Ophis had similar thoughts, "It will be the end of everything..."
Dark-sei's eyes narrowed upon witnessing Issei's horrifying attempt to devour space itself. The very audacity of that action defied reason, even in a world where reality was already irreparably shattered. Dark-sei realised he needed to move quickly. The Dimensional Gap and the universe as a whole would be erased if Issei was successful in this crazed endeavour.
The sound echoed through the emptiness like a death knell as Issei's draconic form roared once more, his teeth grinding against the very fabric of space. The tension of Issei's monstrous will against reality itself was palpable in the air as if it were about to give way under the weight of his own strength. Parts of the Dimensional Gap started to bend, twist, and crack as if they were trying to break free from Issei's engulfing grip.
Dark-sei understood that there was never a better time to act. He slashed his sword deep into the blood-red gem on Issei's temple with a burst of blinding speed. A resonant hum was released by the sword as it made contact, the dark energy of the blade violently clashing with the crimson energy of the gem. As the impact occurred, Issei's draconic form convulsed in agony as shockwaves raced through his body.
Issei let out a roar of rage that could be heard through the Dimensional Gap as strong as a supernova. His fury further warped and distorted the fragile reality around them, making the space fabric tremble. The earlier-formed dimensional rifts grew more expansive, the edges crackling with volatile energy, threatening to engulf everything in their path.
Still, Dark-sei was unfazed. With all of his strength, he channelled his power into the strike as he twisted the sword deeper into the gem. Under the pressure, the gem started to fracture, with cracks appearing all over its surface like spiderwebs. With every crack, there was a flash of red energy, the gem's power trying to escape its confines.
The gem kept breaking, and Issei's movements got frantic. With a fierce thrashing motion, his draconic form, the immense power he had stolen now turned against him, threatening to rip him apart from the inside out. The raw, chaotic energy that had been barely contained within the gem was all that remained when the crimson flames that had once surged forth with such destructive force sputtered and died.
In one last ditch effort, Issei unleashed every ounce of his power, a torrent of energy that dwarfed everything that had come before. In a blinding flash of red and black, the entire Dimensional Gap was lightened up as Issei attempted to wipe out Dark-sei and eradicate all existence in one fell swoop.
Dark-sei unleashed a last, terrible twist that sent the sword entirely through the gem and shattered it into countless pieces. Cataclysmic energy burst forth as a result, shattering the Dimensional Gap and beyond with its shockwave. The very fabric of reality itself was split open, the fissures growing wider and wider until they threatened to swallow everything in their path.
Issei's colossal draconic form started to crumble, and his body was now aggressively ejecting the stolen power. Two spheres, one bright red and the other jet black, emerged from his maw and returned to Great Red and Ophis. They regained their powers when the orbs touched their bodies. Ophis regained the power of Infinity, and Great Red regained the power of the Dream.
Time seemed to stand still as the reality of the situation set in. Issei, who had momentarily ascended to the level of a Dragon God and transcended to something beyond, was brought to his knees, his power drained, his energy depleted. The Dimensional Gap, once a realm of endless potential, was now a shattered husk, barely holding together under the strain of their battle.
Dark-sei stood tall, his presence dominating the battlefield. With a final, almost dismissive swing of his sword, he severed the last remnants of Issei's power, returning the reality to its normal state. The frozen time resumed, and Great Red and Ophis found themselves free, their bodies trembling from the sheer magnitude of what had just transpired.
Though it still carried the deep wounds from the devastating battle, the Dimensional Gap gradually started to stabilise as the broken pieces of Issei's power vanished into nothingness. The once grand realm was now a shattered wasteland, its tears and rifts still exploding with the last of the energy. The sound of their collision could still be heard, demonstrating the destructive power that had been let loose.
With his draconic shape failing to hold, Dark-sei cast a glance down at Issei's fading form. His massive frame shrank, and his scales dulled, returning to human form. He was vulnerable and drained of the intense power that had once radiated from him.
Now that he was back in human form, Issei was out of breath, and his body was shaking from the extreme stress he had been under. His eyes, which had once been blazing with power and fury, had grown dull and tired. His eyes then close as he falls unconscious and lies motionless in the air.
Now that they were fully recovered, Great Red and Ophis moved slowly toward the two. The Ouroboros and the Dragon of Dreams looked at each other, their faces displaying a mixture of worry and relief. Even with their great might, they had been unable to stop the battle from pushing the boundaries of existence.
Great Red's eyes were on Dark-sei, seeing him for the first time in a long time, "Back then... I knew you were from the same race as the Biblical God, yet your power transcended his. That is because the powers of the beings from your race are dependent on how malevolent they are. The Biblical God was the most benevolent of them all and, therefore, was the weakest of them all... the * race..."
Great Red grumbled, "Even now, as powerful as I am, I still can't comprehend that race. I can't even say the name of their race, let alone see their true visages..." he brooded.
"But why is one here? And what is his obsession with Issei Hyoudou? They can create their own realities, so what is the need for him to be interested in one that doesn't belong to him?" Great Red thought.
Before either Ophis or Great Red could question Dark-sei, the white-haired entity spoke first. "The effects of Tyrant's Authority have ended, but the effects have spread out to every dimension in this reality. And they are currently experiencing cataclysmic levels of devastation from the battle here all at once."
Great Red nodded slowly, understanding that the cause and effects that had been halted in the stopped reality from Issei's phenomena command would occur immediately. "Tyrant's Authority? That must be the name for that ability of his to command all phenomena," he thought to himself.
Dark-sei then swiped the air, opening a rift in space. "Go, this is a portal to his personal dimension. The supernatural world will be here soon enough to check the cause of the devastation caused in their worlds," he ordered.
Great Red wanted to ask questions but saw the look on Dark-sei's face; despite being a carbon copy of Issei, he had a much more intimidating appearance and presence. He proceeded to pick up the unconscious with his powers and drag him through the air towards the portal.
"Come on, Ophis..." Great Red calls out.
Ophis nodded slowly, still wary of the doppelganger of Issei near them. His power exceeded even Issei's draconic form, who was by all rights the strongest being in this existence. Dark-sei stared into Ophis's eyes, black sclera and blood red eyes staring into pure black slit eyes; Ophis let out an involuntary shudder and followed behind Great Red.
As the duo walked through the rift, Dark-sei closed it behind them. He then looked at the damage to the Dimensional Gap, and he knew that he had taken a significant risk by descending into this reality when all he had done was exist within Issei's mind, body, soul, and essence.
He sighed in annoyance, "Shit... I broke the rule of the agreement..." he muttered to himself as he opened another rift and left.
As soon as he left, every faction of the Supernatural World appeared in the Dimensional Gap, seeing the entire place in disarray. It looked like there had been a cataclysmic war within, and this was the aftermath. But something they couldn't figure out was how this all happened within an instant. The once-boundless realm was now a fractured, chaotic landscape, riddled with tears in reality and scarred by the aftermath of an unprecedented battle.
Shiva, the Hindu Pantheon's God of Destruction, was one of the first to arrive. Shiva is a middle school student with conventional features, a well-defined face, and shiny black and blue hair. He has the impression of a charming little child. People tremble in fear at his piercing eyes, which radiate limitless superiority and bottomless divinity.
He could feel the energies of destruction and creation that had been unleashed here, forces that surpassed even his own.
"Such destruction... it's beautiful in its own way," Shiva mused, his voice carrying a sense of respect for the power that had been wielded.
There was, however, a profound sensation of dread as well. He understood that this degree of destruction was not to be taken lightly, even as the god of destruction.
Shiva became thoughtful instead of in awe as he hovered over the broken world. His voice was curious as he said out loud, "What power could do this?" His eyes settled on the energy residues left over from the previous conflict, which crackled through the gaps in space.
Among the gods that appeared was the Norse Allfather, Odin. "This is beyond even what the True Red Dragon and Ouroboros Dragon should be capable of," he muttered with a curious and concerned tone.
He strode through the ruins of the once infinite Dimensional Gap, his Gungnir Spear clinking against the cracked space. The whole terrain appeared to mirror the cataclysmic magnitude of the conflict that had just transpired. Through the tears, pieces of other realities could be seen in the twisted mosaic of shattered dimensions that made up the sky.
Odin's gaze lingered on these fissures, noting how unstable they were. "The fabric of reality itself has been torn. It's as if the laws of nature were rewritten and then shattered in the blink of an eye."
Next to Odin materialised a figure - Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess of the Shinto pantheon, a woman with cold pinkish-red eyes and black hair.
Her face was unreadable as she took in the devastation all around her. "This is the work of a being whose power transcends that of any god," she said calmly, despite the current situation. "But who or what could have done this is the question."
Shiva spoke again, his voice resonating across the shattered landscape as he hovered above. "This has to be stopped, whoever or whatever created it. This power has the potential to endanger all life if unchecked."
The other gods gave him a nod of assent as his words held the weight of divine authority. They then started to fix whatever they could; after a while, other gods from other pantheons joined in and helped alongside them. Eventually, the Biblical Factions arrived and offered support despite not being allied with factions other than the Norse and Greek.
Despite the reality almost coming to an end, there was a silver lining to the chaos. It seems that there might be a start to more alliance between Factions due to the common threat of the Dimensional Gap being almost extinguished.
X
Meanwhile, within Issei's mindscape, he was getting bombarded with system window after system window and not having enough time to read or comprehend the messages. He was still within the dark wasteland, still unsure whether he was alive or not.
[Player has overridden the System]
[Lost memories are being returned]
[New Task: Final Task: Slaughter all the ]
[Player has bypassed Administrators restrictions]
[All abilities are being unlocked]
[Race Change has occurred]
['Unknown' has become '%&@!#']
[Stats are being implemented]
[Restrictions are being removed]
[Entire System library has been unlocked]
[Enchantment Tab has been unlocked]
[A Glitch has occured]
[Please wait for the System Administrator...]
Issei was overwhelmed to the point his head started to ache; he gripped on, feeling as if his head was about to explode. A massive amount of information was being forced into his brain; once again, he saw memories that weren't of his own.
"What is happening to me?" Issei thought, trying to make sense of the chaos. The memories flooding back into his mind were not his own.
He caught glimpses of creatures beyond description, monstrosities that dwarfed even the mightiest beings in his universe. Every vision was scarier than the last, but they were also cluttered and unclear. He saw a creature with an infinite number of eyes, each one containing a universe. Tendrils that ate everything in their path as they extended across the universe.
Issei gasped as a tidal wave of memories, visions, and information swept through his mind, catching his breath in his throat. As the images kept coming in, his mindscape turned into a dark wasteland that threatened to swallow him whole. He staggered as his vision became blurry, and he clutched his head desperately, trying to stay rooted.
However, the assault persisted. In a frenzied swirl of power, emotion, and knowledge, fragmented memories—some his own, others belonging to entities he could not fathom—clash and merge. He experienced a sensation of his soul being strained and split apart to make room for the overwhelming amount of information and power that was being imposed upon him.
[System Overload Detected]
[Error: Memory Synchronisation Failed]
[Attempting to Stabilise...]
His eyes continued flickering over the notifications, each one scarier than the last. His mind was so overwhelmed by the flood of information and the accompanying anguish that he was unable to comprehend the messages. The recollections of eldritch horrors and cosmic beings, whose mere existence was an affront to the universe's inherent order, threatened to destroy his sanity.
The strain was starting to break Issei's mindscape. The sky above grew even darker as the pitch-black wasteland split open, cracks of light and shadow racing across the ground. His mind's once-familiar terrain had become an alien, warped place where he heard whispers of forgotten gods, the cries of the damned, and echoing voices.
[Warning: Mental Integrity Compromised]
[System Intervention Required]
[Initiating Emergency Protocol...]
Despite choking on his own saliva, Issei could let out words. "Kill... kill... I... need... to... kill... I'll kill... them all..." he said in a gruff voice as if forcing himself to speak even if it ripped open his throat.
Issei's words reverberated through the warped emptiness of his mindscape, his unwavering resolve fending off the constant onslaught on his mental state. But the intensity of the visions increased with his growing defiance. With each image, his sanity was threatened by a nightmare that grew more intense and vivid.
[System Administrator has taken over the System]
[System is being reset]
[Please wait...]
The loading screen window appeared in front of the ragged Issei, who felt overwhelming blood lust.
[System has been reset]
[System is now being rebooted]
[Prior changes are being undone]
Suddenly, everything that Issei had experienced in the past few moments was reversed. Issei felt the damage done to his psyche start to recede; the memories were still there, but he was no longer overwhelmed by them.
The notifications in front of him became less disruptive as they slowed down. The bloodlust that had consumed Issei moments earlier started to fade. A thick, lingering exhaustion took the place of the overwhelming desire to destroy, to kill everything in his path.
Issei lies on his back, chest rising and falling quickly as he draws in a sharp breath. It's obvious that the system error seriously harmed his body, mind, and soul. Abruptly, he perceived the beating of broad wings echoing in front of him. As Issei stood up to investigate the source of the noise, he noticed Dark-sei watching him. A serious expression took the place of his typical sneer and mocking expression.
"Look at you, undoing everything I've done..." Dark-sei says in an uncharacteristically cold tone.
Issei gets up, an angered look on his face. "Where am I? And what is the meaning of this?" he asked.
Dark-sei scoffs, "This the thanks I get for saving all existence from you?" he says in an uncaring tone.
Issei's eyes widened slightly. "Save all existence from me?" he asked for clarification.
"Long story short, I put restrictions on your powers so such a thing wouldn't happen. When you fought with Great Red, you were able to forcibly awaken that Dragon power dominant within you. But since you had no control over it, you went on a Berseker rampage. Great Red and Ophis tried to stop you but weren't powerful enough. So I had to descend into this Reality to stop the rampage; if I hadn't, then all existence would've been erased by your hands," Dark-sei explained in a serious tone.
Issei stared at Dark-sei, his expression shifting between disbelief and anger. "You expect me to believe that?" he growled, his fists clenching at his sides.
Dark-sei's gaze remained cold and unwavering. "Believe what you will, but the truth doesn't change. You were on the brink of annihilating everything. Your power was beyond your control, and if I hadn't stepped in, there would be nothing left of this reality—or any other." he stated, the last three words said inwardly.
"Then why didn't you just stop me earlier?" Issei demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. "If you had the power to stop me, why let it get that far?"
Dark-sei's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone. "I had my reasons..." he says in a dismissive manner. "But now, do you know why I keep secrets? You, who are always asking me stupid questions, demanding answers. From now on, don't question what I do." he says in a serious tone, bordering on anger.
Issei observed his doppelganger, "I have never seen him in such a manner; could it be that serious?" he thought.
"Because of this event, the system went out of control, and I was forced to reset and reboot it. But I also have to lock up your dragon side again," Dark-sei explained.
Issei gave him a look of defiance, clearly not liking the idea of having his own power taken away from him.
Dark-sei snorts, "Or do you want to erase all existence and the people you care about?" he asked in an irritated tone.
Issei just gritted his teeth, unable to argue with the logic but still not appreciating the secrecy.
Dark-sei stepped forth and pressed his finger onto Issei's forehead, "If I try and restrict his power like this, he'll find a way to unlock them subconsciously. The only way for the restrictions to be absolute is for me to unlock a bit of his Dragon side and then place restrictions. He won't be able to access the full colossal Dragon form, but he'll be able to use the Hybrid form to some extent. I just unlocked his True Devil powers a week ago, and now I'm doing the same again; he even exceeded my own expectations and plans..." he thought in annoyance.
[Race Change has Occurred]
['Dragon' has become 'Apex Dragon']
[New Titles unlocked!]
[Tyrannical Dragon Emperor]
[King of Berserker Dragons]
[Void Dragon]
[Stats have been implemented]
--
Name: Issei Hyoudou
Race: True Devil/ Apex Dragon/ Unknown
Affiliation: None
Rank: None
Type: Hybrid (Battlemage)
Stats:-
Vitality: 823
Strength: 749
Agility: 742
Intelligence: 870
Senses: 710
Dexterity: 767
Luck: 616
Overall Power Level: 754
Abilities: System and its Abilities, Magic (Dark Arts)
Gear: Mutated Boosted Gear
--
As Dark-sei raised his finger from his forehead, Issei experienced a rush of energy through his body. The notifications that popped up in front of him only reinforced what he could already sense—a fundamental shift had occurred in his very being. Energy from his True Devil and recently unlocked Apex Dragon powers vibrated through his body, but he also felt a strange sense of control and balance—as if his Yin and Yang were in balance—that he had never felt before.
With a critical eye, Dark-sei studied him, his expression unreadable. "As I previously stated, only a portion of your Dragon power is available to you; the full form is forbidden. The Hybrid form that you'll have access to should be more than sufficient to deal with any threats without jeopardising existence itself."
Issei dismisses the notifications in front of him, "I don't suppose you'll tell me what that 'Unknown' section of my race stat would be?" he asked, testing the waters if Dark-sei would answer.
Dark-sei sneered, "No", he replied bluntly.
Issei scoffed, "Whatever", he replied, annoyed. "There was also one more thing I want to ask"
Dark-sei looked at Issei incredulously, "And what would that be?" he asked, hoping it wasn't something he couldn't reveal.
"Before the system started to glitch out, I saw someone." Issei continued. "I don't remember who it was... but they said I have to keep something alive because they have a key and to kill someone at all costs", he recalls, not remembering the interactions he had with his other doppelganger.
Dark-sei looked at Issei impassively, but his thoughts already knew what he was talking about. "So he saw that as well? It's a good thing I sealed off a lot of his memories from this event. If I only focused on the memories from the system glitch, then he would go around with information that he shouldn't have... yet."
Dark-sei shrugged his shoulders dismissively, "Who knows? When you entered your Dragon form, the power you released ripped open time and space. Creating a gateway to the infinite multiverse and other realities, you must've gotten a peek at one of those," he lied casually.
Issei's eyes narrowed, scrutinising Dark-sei for any signs of deception. The explanation made sense, but something about it didn't sit right with him. The memory, although fragmented, felt too vivid, too important to be just a random vision from another reality. But with no clear way to push further, Issei decided to let it go—for now.
"Fine," Issei muttered, "I'll let it slide for now. But this isn't over. One day, I will uncover everything you're hiding from me."
Dark-sei simply smirked, his usual mocking demeanour returning. "We'll see if you ever reach that point. But until then, focus on what's in front of" he ends as he snaps his fingers.
Instantly, Issei was sent out of his mindscape and back into his actual body, leaving behind Dark-sei, who stood in the void, still staring at where Issei once stood.
Dark-sei sighed, "Looks like I will have to meet with it again", he muttered.
X
Issei woke up, his eyes fluttering, seeing Ophis's face hovering over his at close proximity and Great Red standing over him. From the ceiling, he could tell that he was in his own dimension, his castle living room.
"He's awake," Ophis spoke in her usual tone.
Issei started to groan as he sat up; Ophis moved out of the way to allow him to sit up without obstructing him. Rubbing his face, Issei looked up at the two dragon gods.
"I assume he sent us all here?" Issei asked, wanting clarification on Dark-sei's actions.
Great Red nodded, "Yes, that person did", he answered.
Issei then got off the couch, standing up whilst dusting off his clothes. "So, you want to tell me what exactly happened?" he said tiredly.
Great Red and Ophis exchanged glances before explaining things to Issei, from his giant dragon form to his newfound abilities to Dark-sei's arrival and the destruction of the Dimensional Gap. Issei sat on his couch listening; he was completely in disbelief at what he was hearing.
"So, I transformed into a black dragon who was so gigantic that I dwarved entire mountain ranges?" Issei asked.
The two dragons nodded in approval.
"And I can manipulate the limits of my opponents and myself? Along with the ability to steal the abilities of others by eating it? And being able to command all phenomena with my voice?" He asked once more.
The two Dragons nodded in approval once more, "Your other self called the Phenomena Command ability 'Tyrant's Authority'," Great Red explained.
"Tryant's Authority..." Issei echoed, remembering he gained a new title from the system known as 'Tyrannical Dragon Emperor.'
Issei's left hand echoed Ddraig's voice, breaking the brief silence. His tone was a mix of wonder and caution as he said, "It seems that your power has evolved to a level beyond anything I ever imagined, partner."
"I agree, to be able to overpower both Dragon Gods simultaneously and still have more power..." Ophis continued.
Issei then glanced down at his right palm, clenching and unclenching it. "I don't have access to that power anymore; he made sure of that..." he replied, recalling Dark-sei sealing up his powers.
As Issei clenched his fists, he could feel something inside his body that shouldn't be there. He abruptly stood up, flexing the muscles in his back as if trying to find something.
"What's wrong?" Great Red asked with a bit of concern.
Issei continued to tense his back muscles, "There's something in my back... it feels like there's two more limbs on my back", he explained.
The two dragon gods exchanged looks, realising what Issei was talking about. "Roll your shoulders backwards", Ophis instructed.
Issei gave a confused look before doing as instructed. Instantly, two large black draconic wings sprouted out his back. Unlike Devil Wings, which were leathery in nature, his Dragon Wings were reptilian. The wings had a 5-meter wing span, bones protruding from the edges like spikes and veins, which pulsed with a red glow as if connected to his heartbeat.
Issei gazed at his newly acquired wings, his thoughts racing to process the events that had transpired. Though their abrupt appearance was startling, the wings felt natural, as though they had always been a part of him. He flexed them experimentally, feeling the power coursing through the veins of the scaly appendages. The red glow from the veins grew brighter with each pulse, matching his heartbeat.
"Wings..." Issei muttered, still in disbelief. "I've never had wings before", he commented, remembering that he never had devil wings because he lacked the demonic power to have them. And even after he awakened his True Devil powers, he still didn't have it.
Ophis and Great Red observed Issei in silence, both aware of this transformation's significance. The power that he had shown earlier was not available to him currently, yet it still lay dormant within him.
"How do I retract them?" Issei asked, wanting to make the wings go back in.
Great Red chuckled, "Roll your shoulders forward", he answered.
Issei does so, and then his wings disappear into his back again, feeling the empty pocket in his back being filled again. Suddenly, Issei's phone started to vibrate in his pants. He pulled it out and saw the caller ID. "Azazel..." Issei mutters. "This must be about the destruction of the dimensional gap," he said.
He opened the texts and saw that Azazel needed him to come to the Dimensional Gap. "It seems like I'm required at the dimensional gap... you two can stay here. I'm sure the two of you don't want to return to whatever the Dimensional Gap is currently," he said.
Ophis tilted her head curiously, "You're letting us stay in your dimension?" she asked.
Issei flashed his eyebrows at her, "The least I can do since I broke the dimensional gap, which was your home", he explained. "This planet is quite big, so you can explore it if you want," he said; realistically, he didn't want the two anywhere near his islands.
Great Red nodded appreciatively, his usual laid-back demeanour softening slightly. "Thank you, Issei. We'll try not to break anything while we're here," he said with a grin.
Ophis, however, seemed more focused on Issei. Her usual stoic expression showed a hint of curiosity. "Your dimension... it feels different from other places. Calm, yet powerful," she murmured.
Issei nodded, pocketing his phone. "I designed it that way. A place where I can train, think, and live." He paused, looking at the two dragon gods.
Great Red chuckled again. "Sounds like fun. I might go for a flight and see what this dimension has to offer."
Ophis nodded in agreement, though her focus remained on Issei. "I will stay here," she said, not elaborating further.
Issei glanced down at Ophis, already knowing why she was staying behind. "She just wants my food; I heard she has quite a sweet tooth. Too bad I don't have any sweets." he thought.
"Alright, I'll see you afterwards," Issei says as he starts walking away.
As he was walking away, he started up a conversation with Ddraig.
"Hey, Ddraig, since I'm a fully pledged Dragon now, shouldn't I have my own Draconic name," Issei asked.
Ddraig hummed, "A name?" he questioned.
"Mhm, perhaps one starting with the letter 'A'," Issei continues.
Ddraig got a bit suspicious, "Why the letter 'A'?" he asked, thinking Issei was favouring Albion over himself.
Issei chuckled, "Well, every other powerful black dragon starts with the letter 'A'. Ancalagon, Acnologia, Alduin. And Antares... although he is red", he listed.
The titles that had appeared in his system—'Tyrannical Dragon Emperor,' 'Void Dragon,' and 'King of Berserker Dragons'—each pointed to different aspects of his identity. But a draconic name needed to be something deeper, something that would embody all of these facets.
Ddraig hummed again, this time in thought. "How about... Antrazar?" he suggested.
"Antrazar?" Issei sound out loud
Ddraig grumbled, "Yes, it sounds quite powerful and menacing. And considering all your titles, it's fitting", he explained.
Issei chuckled, "Yeah, I like it. Antrazar it is..." he finished.
Issei then opens a rift and enters it, going to the dimensional gap to see the destruction he caused.
X
Dark-sei was walking through the unending void, clearly looking for someone. Suddenly, a figure rises from the ground. The figure is completely black and has no facial features, yet it has a humanoid appearance.
"I broke our agreement; I directly intervened with his progress," Dark-sei says with a neutral tone.
The figure then materialised an ear-splitting smile from the darkness swirling around him. "Don't worry about it," he says jovially. "It's quite entertaining, seeing young Issei's development..."
Dark-sei nodded slowly, considering the words.
The figure's laughter echoed through the void. "Isn't it thrilling? The balance of power in all realities could shift because of him. The dragons, the gods, the devils and every other thing in the higher dimensions—everyone will have to take notice. He is a wild card in this game, one that even I cannot fully predict."
Dark-sei's neutral expression became a frown. Considering the power of the being before him, he knew the last part was a lie. "Then we'll see how far he can go. I won't intervene again... unless necessary."
The figure nodded in agreement, his eerie smile still in place. "Yes, let him carve his own path. But keep a close eye on him. The fun has only just begun."
With that, the darkness around the figure intensified, swallowing him whole until nothing remained but the unending void. Dark-sei stood alone for a moment, contemplating the conversation. Then, with a swift movement, he, too, vanished into the void, leaving behind only silence.