Extremely long note ahead and the same note across all stories I just updated.
In the first instance, the reason I am updating so many stories all at once is because I stick to my word and I did say if I passed my specialist exam, I would update every story that had a proofread chapter ready.
Studying for this exam has basically consumed two years of my life so it is a relief that it is over.
The reason I seem to have disappeared for most of the year is not because I've actually disappeared, but because I haven't been able to shift my focus.
After getting COVID on the back of last year, I started writing a Danmachi fic. It was fun, easy, and since the world is easy to encapsulate, I was focusing on that in the lead up to my exam, with the plan to switch to my Naruto story, TTONU, after the exam.
Then I failed the exam which was quite frankly a crushing blow to morale.
At the same time this was all going on, my dad, who has been sick for a while now, got a lot worse this year and passed away mid-year.
Even with all of that going on, I was still trying to study for the resit of the exam in October.
Then, my own health, which also hasn't been great, also worsened and I needed to be admitted to hospital briefly for some heavy immunosuppression.
Again, all this time I was studying for an exam which basically is a hurdle to ever get into a medical speciality and has limited attempts so I was very anxious and stressed.
How this ties into the fanfiction aspect of things, is given all of this happening, I just couldn't muster up the motivation to switch stories. What this has meant though, is I've written 300K+ of Danmachi fanfiction in the past year.
There is a second exam that I need to do next year, but it is a practical exam, not a memorise all of medicine multiple choice trivia exam.
I will keep writing for Danmachi up to a certain point, I'm thinking the Xenos arc, as that one I'm a little bit stuck trying to work out how to play it.
Coming to my other stories now.
I very much intended to finish TTONU this year but as above, lots of stuff happened. Once I switch from Danmachi, I fully intended to focus on it.
That being said, I will also be writing for other stories too.
Again, because of the exam, I haven't really been able to enjoy anything, as anything that was not study related, would bring up a feeling of guilt. For that reason, for most of the past 12 months, I've just been watching shows that I can passively watch in the background without distracting me, in other words, not anime. This means I have yet to watch the end of Naruto (really far behind), end of Fairy Tail (somewhat far behind), or Cour 3 of TYBW (releasing now).
I plan to write for these archives when I get around to watching them, which will probably be from the start of next year.
My pat reon has also been increasing in support so I am now doing two updates a month.
I also made a discord server, plus there is another shared writer discord server where I have been spending most of my free time this year
Remove spaces first:
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan personal discord - discord. gg/ mgAZ9GGuFG
Shared writers' discord - discord. gg/ veQrzjgNYh
Currently, I'm doing a rural term and the internet here is pretty spotty, so I'll be doing a lot more writing as I can't really do much else. As I said, I'm probably going to get out a decent amount of Danmachi in the first instance. I'm up to LN 5 at the moment and will probably work my way through to LN 7 or the just before the end of 8. Then I will start catching up on my anime and write for some other archives.
The thing is though, I do have a lot of chapters banked, even with all of these updates, I still have 8 raw chapters done and 39 proofread chapters ready to go, so I'll be doing double chapters every month with ease for almost 2 years, even if I don't write a single word, but of course I will be writing.
As I have said many times in the past, even if it takes years, I plan to finish each and every story I've started.
Thank you everyone for bearing with me and enjoying my stories, I hope to continue to deliver the best work I can for all of us.
TL;DR Life has been hard, hopefully turned the corner now.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
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Story specific note.
Ok, this is the true start of the story part of this fic. The first two chapters were really just setting the scene for all the other chapters, so now you will really get to see the story unfold. The note at the end of the chapter explains the direction of the story and its purpose, but in the meantime, enjoy.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the High School DxD anime/manga/light novel. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
Chapter 3 – Raynare goes berserk
-Fourteenth of April-
'Will you please go out with me?' Asked Yuuma Amano, to a brown-haired boy standing in the middle of a bridge.
"Why the hell am I even wasting my time doing all of this? There is no one around, no devils, no humans, just me and him…" Thought Raynare.
'Sure, I'd love to.' Replied the boy.
'Great, then I'll see you tomorrow!' Said Yuuma cheerfully, as she walked away.
"To hell with this!" Thought Yuuma, before disappearing behind a tree and transforming.
'Huh, where did this breeze come from?' Asked the boy, before he coughed up blood and fell flat on his stomach, dead.
'Why didn't I just do this from the start?' Questioned Raynare, before flying off.
-line break-
'Raynare, why are you back so soon?' Asked Mittelt.
'Because I just killed that stupid Hyoudou boy already.' Replied Raynare.
'Just like that? Didn't even throw him a bone, or take his?' Asked Dohnaseek.
'Why the hell would I do that? We've got better things to do with our time.' Scoffed Raynare.
'I mean, it is over a week until the nun gets here, you could have had a few days of fun first.' Pointed out Kalawarner.
'Sure, if he survives somehow, I'll go on a date with him.' Snorted Raynare.
-Fifteenth of April-
'Ah Yuuma, sorry I'm late, I was slow to get out of bed this morning.' Apologised Issei with a nervous grin.
'Oh it's okay, thanks for walking me to school with you.' Replied Yuuma with a smile.
"What the actual fuck? How is he still alive? There is no way he could be a devil, right; he didn't even have a chance for those local devil girls to get in contact with him." Thought Raynare furiously.
'I'm so looking forward to our date this weekend.' Mentioned Issei.
'Oh, me too! I can't wait.' Agreed Yuuma enthusiastically.
"Gag me." Thought Raynare in disgust.
The pair made their way to Kuoh and ran into Issei's two perverted friends. Luckily, Issei didn't spend too long bragging, as Raynare had been feeling more amped up the past few days and was itching to take her frustration out on anyone.
'See you after school, Issei.' Finished Yuuma, before she walked off.
"This is a joke. How is he still alive?" Thought Raynare angrily.
Raynare spent the rest of the day observing Issei and tried to figure out how he was alive and if he was a devil or not. He didn't seem to be exhibiting any devil traits, but that might have been because he was so excited to have a girlfriend. Raynare didn't spot any of the devils approaching Issei, so she couldn't imagine he was a devil at this stage. As the school day ended, Raynare was at the front gates waiting for Issei.
'Issei, over here!' Called Yuuma, eagerly waving her hand in the air to flag him down.
'Yuuma? You're here so early.' Commented Issei.
'I was just so excited to see you that I snuck out early.' Said Yuuma cutely, only for Issei to blush.
"Wait, is this working for him? What a virgin?" Thought Raynare.
'Oh you didn't have to do that, I'm not special enough that you should get in trouble for me.' Said Issei genuinely, managing to temporarily cut through Raynare's angry haze of thoughts.
'It's fine, I wanted to come by as well.' Said Yuuma.
"Wow, he's really into me. Kind of cute actually, for a loser." Thought Raynare smugly.
'I'll see you tomorrow.' Finished Issei with a soft smile, as he waved goodbye to Yuuma.
'See you tomorrow, Issei.' Replied Yuuma, as she waved him off and turned the corner.
"Unlikely." Thought Raynare, as she transformed again.
'Oh, it's that wind again.' Spoke Issei, before two light spears slammed into his heart and gut, killing him on the spot.
'Good luck coming back from that.' Scoffed Raynare before flying off again.
-line break-
'So wait, he survived and you aren't sure how, so you killed him again?' Asked Dohnaseek.
'Yeah, so?' Questioned Raynare.
'And people say my tits took all the blood from my brains.' Commented Kalawarner.
'Aren't you curious how he is still alive? What if it is his Sacred Gear? We still don't know what it is. Plus, if he was turned into a devil, isn't killing him going to make them come after us?' Questioned Mittelt.
'No, because no one has claimed him and I am technically his girlfriend, maybe it was just a lover's spat after all.' Shrugged Raynare.
'Is everyone really just glossing over the fact that the guy is still alive when he has no reason to be?' Asked Dohnaseek.
'What? Are you saying it is some miracle through God keeping him alive or something, get real.' Scoffed Raynare.
-Fifteenth of April-
"Fuck me sideways. He's still alive." Thought Yuuma.
'Hi Yuuma, ready to go?' Asked Issei.
'Of course. How was your afternoon?' Asked Yuuma.
'Oh it was pretty quiet. I felt tired, so I went to sleep early.' Answered Issei.
"So if he was tired… does that mean he was a devil? If he was a devil though, there is no way they should have been able to heal him after what I did… right?" Thought Raynare uncertainly.
'What about you?' Asked Issei.
'Oh I went to bed early too.' Replied Yuuma almost instinctively.
'I can't wait for our date.' Spoke Issei again.
'Me too.' Agreed Yuuma, even as her mind spun with twisted thoughts.
-Nineteenth of April-
Three more days, three more deaths, three more inexplicable mornings. Raynare was close to exploding at this point. It seemed no matter how brutally she killed Issei; he kept respawning like a character in a game. On the afternoon of the fifteenth, she settled for decapitation and thought that would do the trick. Nope. The next day she went for complete dismemberment, cutting off all his limbs and his head. Nope. Just yesterday, she had bisected him instead. Nope, she was still on a date with him. It boggled her mind. Raynare was sure this must have been some twisted cosmic joke, or this guy had some kind of immortal Sacred Gear.
'Issei, there is something special I want to do to celebrate our first date.' Started Yuuma, standing in front of a fountain, before she stepped away from Issei.
'What is it, Yuuma?' Asked Issei happily.
'I want you to die for me.' Replied Yuuma, before she transformed.
Raynare didn't even give Issei a chance to respond, as she threw two light spears at him, spearing both of his lungs, causing him to drop to his knees. Raynare then followed up with two more light spears into his arms and legs each before stepping over to stand at his head.
'Your Sacred Gear is too dangerous, whatever it is, so I need you to die. This time, stay dead.' Growled Raynare, before she plunged her light spear into his heart.
Raynare waited until the light in his eyes faded, then followed up with another light spear into his gut for good measure, before flying away.
-Twentieth of April-
'You failed, again. Only this time, he is a devil. I saw that Gremory girl after I attacked him, and she told me herself he is one of her pieces now.' Taunted Dohnaseek, causing the fallen angel to slam her fist on the table beside her.
'Bullshit! How did he survive all this time, but the time I actually kill him, the devils get to him!' Ranted Raynare.
'Hey, don't shoot the messenger.' Retorted Dohnaseek.
-Twenty-third of April-
There he was, dropping off the Sacred Gear user they were actually interested in, Asia Argento, the wielder of Twilight Healing. The true gift that Raynare wanted. Let it never be said that Raynare was thinking of herself. Even if Issei had a Sacred Gear that could make him immortal, it wouldn't help her rise through the ranks. A healing ability would, and it would also make her invaluable among the fallen angels. Either way, Raynare wasn't going to let anything stop her this time. As the brunet led the blonde to the church and turned away, Raynare stepped out to meet Asia.
'Ah, Lady Raynare, I am so sorry for being late.' Apologised Asia.
'Think nothing of it, please follow me, Sister Argento.' Replied Raynare assuaging the girl's worries, before leading the girl into the abandoned church.
'Kalawarner will show you around, I'm sorry, but I need to step out for a minute for a business-related matter.' Apologised Raynare.
Raynare handed Asia off to her fallen comrade before walking out of the church. Unfurling her wings, Raynare blasted into the air, intent on tracking Issei down. She found him on a side street, about to turn onto a main road. He would never make that turn as a light spear stabbed through his throat and back. Raynare saw a red magic circle appear next to him in an instant and quickly disengaged. The red-haired devil appeared and quickly transported the two of them away to try and keep him alive.
"Good luck with that. Light is poison to you devils." Thought Raynare smugly, before returning to the church.
-Twenty-sixth of April-
Finally, it was the night of the ritual. The devils hadn't made any movement for the past few days, no doubt unsure of what was going on. Raynare had no trouble getting the ritual completed and before she knew it, she had a dead nun in front of her and Twilight Healing in her hands.
'So what do we now? Do we go and present the Sacred Gear to someone?' Asked Dohnaseek.
'Yes, we should go tell one of the leaders, surely.' Agreed Kalawarner.
'Of course, let's go and let Lord Azazel know.' Decided Raynare, with her fallen brethren following as well.
It seemed Azazel was harder to find than they thought, so the group instead sought out another leader, in the form of Kokabiel.
'Lord Kokabiel, would you happen to know where we could find Lord Azazel, we have located a Sacred Gear that he would be most interesting in seeing?' Asked Raynare, as she and her group bowed before the leader.
'Those silly little toys. Feh, what a waste of time. How did you find this Sacred Gear?' Asked Kokabiel in disinterest.
'W-well, we actually extracted it from an excommunicated nun.' Admitted Raynare, thrown by Kokabiel's lack of interest.
'Oh? And where did you manage to do this? I doubt a devil would just let something like this pass them by, they are greedy vultures for those things.' Questioned Kokabiel, a calculating gleam in his eyes.
'Kuoh Town.' Replied Raynare in confusion.
'Excellent work. You will find Azazael in the next town over on the top floor of the main hotel. When you report to him, do tell him that I have also made my way to Kuoh Town to ensure there is no lingering instability.' Advised Kokabiel, before he flew off.
'I'm getting a bad feeling about this.' Said Dohnaseek.
'Suck it up, let's go and report to Lord Azazel.' Snapped Raynare.
The group flew to the location Kokabiel had indicated and indeed, found Azazel.
'Hmm? What do you four want?' Asked Azazel, having opened his door after hearing a knock and finding four fallen angels in front of him.
'L-Lord Azazel, we have procured a valuable Sacred Gear for you.' Reported Raynare as she bowed, the others following suit, even as she cursed in her head for stuttering.
'Oh? What is it?' Asked Azazel, his curiosity momentarily piqued.
'It is Twilight Healing.' Answered Raynare, a hint of pride coming through her tone.
'Ah, a rare Sacred Gear indeed, but not unique. Where is the wielder?' Asked Azazel.
'I uh, I am.' Admitted Raynare, sparing a glance up, only to see a look of disdain.
'Oh? Does that mean you extracted it from its original user? What a waste.' Commented Azazael in disappointment.
'What do you mean?' Asked Raynare.
'A Sacred Gear bonds with the user and is empowered by the connection between the user and the gear. Taking one from someone cripples its evolution, so it is stuck at that level forever now. As I said, a waste, when it could have kept evolving.' Explained Azazel.
Raynare didn't know how to respond. Had she been in the wrong? Impossible! Clenching her fists momentarily, Raynare tried to reorient her thoughts.
'I'm more curious how you managed to find me in the first place. I didn't think anyone knew where I was.' Commented Azazael.
'Lord Kokabiel told us you were here.' Said Raynare.
'Oh, and did you also tell Kokabiel about the Sacred Gear?' Asked Azazel.
'Yes, he said he would go to Kuoh Town to make sure there weren't any issues?' Said Raynare.
'Issues? Why would there be issues?' Asked Azazel.
'The Sacred Gear extraction took place in an area controlled by devils and considering how much they desire Sacred Gears; he decided to ensure there wouldn't be any problems.' Explained Raynare.
'I see. This Sacred Gear holder, they wouldn't have happened to be affiliated with the church in anyway, would they?' Asked Azazel.
'They were an excommunicated nun and former saint.' Answered Raynare, only for Azazel to swear.
'L-Lord Azazel?' Said Raynare questioningly.
'You four, come with me right now! If we survive what happens next, I will explain why this was a horrible idea, but if not, so be it.' Demanded Azazael, his wings appearing in a flourish as he tore a hole in the roof with a blast of magic, in the shape of a yellow beam, before flying outside.
The four confused fallen angels followed their leader, as he made impressive time in their journey. Arriving at Kuoh Town, Azazel clicked his tongue. There was a large magic circle over a building in the sky, with numerous light spears riddling it.
'Follow me carefully and keep your guard up.' Cautioned Azazel sternly.
The group of five reached the building which had been attacked. Arriving on the scene there were multiple dead bodies. Unfortunately, the bodies were of devils.
'Ah, Azazel, how nice of you to join me. I have just done away with one of the little sisters of the Satans', shame I couldn't secure both, but I figured I needed a messenger.' Greeted Kokabiel, gesturing to a decapitated head, wearing spectacles and a shocked expression.
From what Raynare could see, near the headless body were a few other devils, including the red-haired devil and her former boyfriend. The red-haired devil was also missing her left arm from the elbow down.
'Kokabiel, you absolute moron, do you know what you have done?' Asked Azazel tiredly.
'Of course. In mere moments, I will have restarted the great war.' Replied Kokabiel smugly.
'Not if I kill you first and offer your head as compensation.' Countered Azazel.
'It may have worked had it been anyone else, but killing the beloved sister of the current Leviathan… I think you will find there will be no suitable appeasement for this.' Retorted Kokabiel, as the realisation of just how big of a storm Kokabiel had actually stirred up dawned on Azazel.
'Do you even realise you have doomed thousands to a pointless death?' Questioned Azazael.
'It is not pointless! We are superior in every way.' Roared Kokabiel angrily, before two large magic circles appeared, one red and the other blue.
The temperature quickly dropped to absolute zero and kept dropping.
'I must have heard wrong. It seems my dear Sona is dead. It also seems she died for nothing. I can't believe such a thing could happen. Oh no. If my dear Sona is really dead, then I must make sure the world follows, that is the only suitable response.' Spoke Serafall Leviathan, in a cold, dead tone.
'Ah, I expected one Satan, but two is even better.' Said Kokabiel with a laugh, before his right foot froze and shattered.
'I think I heard something, but that's not possible, if Sona is dead, the world is also dead.' Continued Serafall, as ice quickly spread out from her position.
In thirty seconds, the entire town was frozen in ice, and it kept spreading. Suddenly, the sky opened up, and a radiant white light appeared. Two Seraphs had joined the gathering.
'Michael and Gabriel? Both of you came?' Asked Azazael tiredly.
'Unfortunately it seems this much is necessary to combat two Satans and two leaders of the Grigori.' Replied Michael.
'Many innocent people will die if we let things proceed unchecked.' Added Gabriel.
'Oh, Gabriel, are you planning to get in the way of me ending the world?' Asked Serafall flatly.
'I will do what I must to ensure innocent lives are spared a cruel death.' Said Gabriel.
'I see. So, my dear Sona wasn't innocent then?' Questioned Serafall, an edge to her tone.
'None of you cretins are!' Spat Kokabiel, only for one of his wings to crystalise and shatter.
'I think there is a fly around here. It's annoying me.' Intoned Serafall coldly.
'Fuck you!' Roared Kokabiel, before multiple light spears rose from the ground and exploded.
A trap. A trap had been set for this moment by Kokabiel of all people, a complete battle maniac. The trap was swift and brutal, killing a few more of the gathered devils. The ones who survived were Rias Gremory and her queen, with both having been shredded in the attack, but mostly intact, despite some grievous wounds marring their bodies. The recent reincarnated brunet though suffered a much grimmer fate, he had been impaled in the gut, causing him to cough out blood. The remaining members of the other heiress' peerage that remained included what Raynare could only assume were the two bishops and the queen, who had managed to put up a barrier, as well as the rook, who had absorbed the impact of the concussive force of the attack with her body behind the shield, leaving her unconscious, but otherwise remarkably unharmed, while also saving her teammates when the barrier failed.
'I see. I had planned to come to hold Serafall back, if need be, so she didn't actually end the world, but now, I will join her.' Spoke Sirzechs Lucifer, as he turned into a swirling red and black blob, which looked vaguely humanoid, but otherwise… wrong.
'It has come to this then it seems.' Sighed Michael in resignation, as he and Gabriel materialised their wings and halos, revealing their twelve pairs of wings, with Michael's being gold.
'Well, I guess this is it then. You four better get out of here. It seems we were too late. This is why what you have done was a horrible idea.' Admonished Azazel.
'This is your fault?' Asked Serafall coldly, turning to look at the four fallen behind Azazel.
'Ah, they only gave me the opening. Killing that former nun served as the perfect opportunity.' Interjected Kokabiel.
'Asia? You killed Asia? You… you killed me too, didn't you? You hurt President and the Student Council President. You killed my classmates… why?' Asked Issei.
'Who do you think you are speaking on this stage, worm?' Taunted Kokabiel, only for one of his right sided wings to freeze and shatter.
'One of my dear Sona's juniors is talking. Shut up.' Spat Serafall.
'Why? Why do you talk about killing like it is nothing? Don't you care about any of this? I cared for you, and you didn't give a damn! People are dying!' Shouted Issei.
Raynare couldn't respond and felt her throat go dry at the look on his face. It didn't look anguished, it didn't look sad, it looked vengeful. This couldn't be the same boy who blushed when she said she had arrived early to see him. It didn't make sense.
'You monsters! You are all monsters.' Continued Issei, his body starting to tremble.
'So I will become a monster too to save my town and my friends.' Declared Issei, before a red malicious aura started to cover him.
'I who am about to awaken am the Heavenly Dragon who has stolen the principles of domination from God. I laugh at the infinite, and I grieve over the dream. I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination and I shall sink you to the depths of crimson purgatory!' Chanted Issei, before he transformed.
The sickening red aura even managed to compete with the malice of the ice goddess, both crying out in loss.
'Yes, this is what should be happening. All is right with the world once more!' Cackled Kokabiel, only for a red blast of energy to impale, him as ice crawled up his left arm.
'Shut. Your. Mouth. Just. Die.' Hissed Serafall coldly, as the ice crawled along the fallen angel, before Serafall appeared in front of him and smashed her hand through his rib cage, ripping out his heart.
'Splendid. I *cough* die happy, but you *cough* will live in agony.' Taunted Kokabiel, with a sick smile, blood trickling out of his mouth, as the life ebbed out of his eyes.
Serafall ripped her hand to the side and sliced his torso in half, before freezing what remained of him and smashing it to pieces with a solid punch.
'So are you next?' Asked Serafall, turning towards Azazel and his group.
'You four, get out of here now!' Ordered Azazel, before the malicious form of red energy appeared behind Azazel.
'Unfortunately not, fallen one.' Spoke Sirzechs, his voice a mix between a warble and a screech of his normal voice.
'One leader is enough.' Interjected Michael, joining the standoff.
'Unfortunately it seems it isn't.' Sighed Azazel.
'Serafall, stop this, or you will continue to hurt the people and town your sister cared for.' Pleaded Gabirel, as she entered Serafall's eye line.
'No one is allowed to mention my dear sister ever again.' Growled Serafall, as a cold wind ripped through the area.
An anguished scream was heard as the transformed Issei seemed to grow angry at being ignored.
'We better make this quick before that boy kills us all.' Groaned Azazael.
'Oh it will be quick.' Retorted Sirzechs, before the entire world went red, the aura of destruction sweeping over Raynare and her associates before either of them could react.
-Unknown date-
'I truly didn't think you could cause such chaos on your first attempt of learning.' Said the voice, as Raynare's eyes opened.
'Hey! If I am supposed to learn, why didn't I keep any of my memories? How am I supposed to learn my lesson if I don't remember it?' Ranted Raynare.
'Well, I let you remember your feelings, but it seemed that only made you angry and rash.' Replied the voice.
'I was pissed, and you let that carry over, what kind of a stupid idea is that? It just made me kill him over and over.' Complained Raynare in annoyance.
'I noticed. I had to step in multiple times.' Admitted the voice.
'So you are the reason he never died? Why?' Asked Raynare in outrage.
'There is a time and a place for events to happen. Issei Hyoudou is not allowed to die before a certain time, so I intervened to keep the fabric of reality intact. I am trying to help you learn, not destabilise existence.' Explained the voice.
'That brat is that important?' Asked Raynare sceptically.
'Well, you saw a glimpse of some of his power before your death. He gains power that makes that look miniscule. Perhaps another method may work. I cannot let you remember everything that happens, as with too many attempts, your mind will eventually break, but I will allow you to retain one memory of your choice each time you return. In addition, should you actually learn one of the lessons you are supposed to learn, you will remember that forever.' Said the voice.
'Oh yeah, what lesson? That the virgin boy fell in love with me? That killing him just means he will end up getting us killed later, that talking to Kokabiel was stupid?' Scoffed Raynare.
'I didn't expect you to learn something out of that mess. I'm surprised actually. Very well, you will forever remember that killing Issei Hyoudou gets you killed in the end.' Said the voice.
'What kind of a stupid lesson is that? So, if I kill him, I die later on. So what? I'm not supposed to kill him?' Questioned Raynare.
'I can't give you the answer to everything, or you are not learning, but to put it another way, in almost every reality you kill Issei Hyoudou, you die, or experience a significantly adverse outcome, but in the reality where you do not manage to successfully kill him on your fateful date, or don't even attempt it, you have a more positive outcome. Is that clear enough for you?' Asked the voice.
'Yeah, that I am going to be forever shackled to a virgin loser.' Snorted Raynare.
'Well, I suppose that is something that you have the power to change in multiple ways. Now then, good luck.' Said the voice.
'Wait, what about my memory?' Asked Raynare.
'Oh yes, which memory do you wish to retain?' Asked the voice.
'Azazel's location.' Said Raynare.
'So be it.' Said the voice, before Raynare's world went white.
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Hey all! SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan here.
So with this chapter, now you finally get some idea of what this story is and why I say it will probably be my first finished story. Essentially, this entire story from the start of this chapter onwards serves two roles: a story with a linear plot thread, and a series of story ideas/prompts for other people to use. Essentially, each chapter can be the start of an entire story and I encourage anyone who wants to use a chapter to start a story to do so, just let me know so I can read it too and provide some further world-building and background if needed. You can also save Raynare in every option, or let her die, that is why you will never actually read about her dying, only that she wakes up in the void.
For this chapter, the main plot point is that the Three Factions war kicks off again and most of Rias' and Sona's peerage dies, including Sona herself. You also have a largely broken Issei and Serafall who are shaken by their respective losses and in pain.
In terms of story ideas, you could do a merged peerage with the remnants. You could have Issei go completely unhinged or become the ultimate protector. You can also decide to pair Issei with Serafall in this hypothetical story, or form a harem of the respective peerages. Essentially, there are a lot of branching points you could use, and I can discuss them all with you if you want to use this chapter to start a story, but I won't include them all for every chapter as that would be a lot of info, I'll just give the main points as you can see in the above paragraph.
That being said, there is an end game here, basically, once Raynare learns her lessons, she will then have a true ending. There will be a few true endings, kind of similar to how you can get multiple endings in fate, with a good ending, a bad ending and a true ending (and maybe a few more, but not too many).
Either way, hope you enjoy where this story goes and I would love to see some of these prompts made into stories if anyone is interested.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.