Uday Sra: Tnks for the read. I hope you like this chapter.
Lector Luigi: Glad you like it, man. I hope you like this one too.
rangelarmando3000: Right on the way. Sorry for taking too long.
Boost is on the move. The family reunites, and the dragons do their thing.
The black-winged man fell to the ground, totally dejected. His injured appearance, in spite of his robust physical constitution, showed a confrontation of a high caliber... Which was demonstrated as nothing when we see that his opponent, a handsome young man of about 18, had bludgeoned him without a scratch, save for the prominent contribution of what were white metallic-looking wings with a mystical blue trail on their backs.
"Where is Azazel?" The young man asks relatively calmly.
"Where he always is..." Came to mutter as best the beaten man could.
The young man retreated from what appeared to be a gym, dedicating his steps to finding the man he wanted to see now. He had the route fully memorized, since that person was only in one place he hoped to find him...
Arriving at the huge door. It automatically rushed inside, allowing passage, knowing that the number of times he walked through it are also a memorable reminder of what a Geek Azazel was and thus his obvious video game inspiration for so many gadgets.
And there it was. With his back to him, this one was working on whatever it was as he was screwing and arranging what appeared to be a cane.
"Azazel." The silver-haired one announces, gaining the verbal attention of the older one who quickly responds with attention still on his work.
"Vali. Since you're done with your training, could you hand me that drill?"
"What are you doing now?" He asks him with a surrendered tone as he handed him the instrument that was quickly and noisily put to use.
"An artificial Sacred Gear!" He exclaims amidst the noise and immense madness denoted.
His expression with a grimace somewhere between worried and accustomed hits the laptop next to the man, intriguing him as he sees that it seemed to have some sort of rather extensive chat on a primitive program.
"IxO?" He reads aloud with doubt. "Who is this guy, Azazel?"
The alluded one took off the black glasses he was wearing and grinned maniacally. "Who THEY are." He corrected. "According to make themselves mentioned with the pronoun "they," but I haven't the slightest idea... Whoever they are, they managed to get in here once, they left me a piece of paper with the user ID and the program I wanted to use for us to contact. Isn't that interesting?"
"Uh-huh, and not at all dangerous..." Mutters the silver-haired man in a flat tone.
"If they wanted to steal something, they would have. They're using me, just as I'm using them by getting information from what they give me... Oh, another message." Moved the man nimbly behind the boy as he typed swiftly to read it.
"Toreto, this is IxO. We're playing Smash, care for a Free for All?"
"Really, Toreto?" The white-haired one criticized him with some mockery. "Even this can be called a threat?"
"What? I love Fast and Furious. Someday I'll make a flying car..." Motivates the man painstakingly, chagrining the white-haired man.
"How cringe-worthy. It'll even be useful for us when we have wings, you know?"
With a push of a button, Azazel made a hallway appear, revealing a room full of video game consoles with numerous repertoires. He turned on what appeared to be a stationary white console and sat down on the couch. Vali didn't even argue as he sat down next to him with a bored expression, taking the other controller.
"IxO, I have someone who wants to join."
"We'd love to! Does it has a specific Main?!"
Azazel smiled as he typed on his laptop and watched Vali twitch.
"Snake."
"I thought you liked Mario?" the man was disappointed.
[ I hate red. ]
"Albion, if you indoctrinate him again, I'm going to find some device that will put your consciousness to sleep soon."
After setting everything up, Vali was interested to see that the characters on screen were Kirby, Captain Falcon, Ganondorf, selected by Azazel, and Snake by him.
After confirming everyone, the game started...
...
"Your friend sucks. lol" Indicated the message that made Vali furious after seeing the resounding beating he got when Azazel stopped playing and saw how Vali's pride wouldn't let him concede defeat.
"It's unfair!" complained the silver-haired one. "That Captain wouldn't even let anyone rest, attacking even when he was at 103% damage! He's a fucking freak! And the other one, the Kirby who copied our skills every fucking minute! He beat us all!"
"'I' says you're a sore loser. lol" appeared on the screen as Vali sent his message with complaints. The scarred vein on his forehead grew stronger.
And while that was happening, elsewhere in the Underworld a young girl with a beautiful bearing and calm gaze moved behind two people; a maid and a beautiful man with red hair and a calm smile.
"Ingvild..." The man calls, catching the girl's attention immediately. "How are you finding your stay with the Sitri clan? I know it's been months, but it's important to hear it from you."
"They treat me excellent, I could never forget the medical and intellectual treatment of great excellence for my training with my Sacred Gear." She explained shyly as she looks out the hallway windows. "In fact, Sona intends to give me the opportunity to leave for the human world so I can attend the same school as her. I think it will be fun."
"I see..." He is content as he relaxes completely. "You know my little sister offered you a position..."
"Her pieces weren't enough for me." She smiled somewhat ruefully as he was surprised and disappointed. "Looks like I'll need a "Queen" piece as it was explained to me..."
"You turned down the 'King' one when we even proposed a territory." She was reminded by the maid at her side. She just averted her gaze to the remoteness of a window.
"I don't have the interest to get into politics currently. But, if it takes my power to protect my home and my friends, I will fight." She assured them with determination.
"I am relieved to hear that. I'm sure Sona and Rias would appreciate knowing that." He settles in as his expression becomes serious, entering the office where the young woman and maid stop. "We've seen that there are roaming demons in the suburbs of Kuoh with much more of a presence lately, which worries me a bit. I hope they can count on you when needed."
"It would be my pleasure." She assures, her smile growing a little wider at this information received. "Then, I will retire. I must prepare my luggage for when I leave."
"Please, I don't want to take up any more of your time. And Ingvild, success in your new life."
"Many thanks for everything to you and the Maous." She bowed with utmost respect, leaving the place.
After walking safely away, and making sure no one was nearby, she pulled a cell phone from her pocket and dialed a unique number. Her gaze serious and calm as she waited for the answer.
"Eng..." A male voice answered from the other line. She smiled with a dreamy, blushing look as she heard him again after already a week of no contact.
"Numerous wanderers are approaching Kuoh. Just as you surmised, the Chaos Brigade may be starting their movements more aggressively... How do we proceed?"
In the darkness of a room, a muscular, massive body plays in front of the only present illumination of a television while deftly typing the controller with his hazel gaze riveted on the screen. His character, Captain Falcon, giving Snake a brutal beating with a powerful Final Smash unleashed. His character's victory sign makes him sigh with some disdain, demonstrating his half-naked appearance in the seat.
"School term is about to start already..." He deduces, a slight glint in his eyes hiding his decision for what he's about to do. "Well, it's time to get moving. No more hanging around in the shadows. In the meantime, keep reporting as usual. Good job... We'll see you again soon."
"I look forward to it, I-sama." Smiled the girl somewhat wistfully, cutting the call short so as not to drag it out any longer than unnecessary. Her cover had to go on. Her duty was important...
The aforementioned looked at the huge window of the hotel they were apparently in. A naked body crashes against his back and he closed his eyes calmly as he recognized it.
"Ingvild is doing a great job. You should reward her and accept her into your harem." She indicated with suggestive tone and pleasure as caressed the boy's pecs. The latter sighed.
"I don't have a harem, Oph."
"Yet. And because you won't accept it... You're boring, Issei.
Ingvild loves you and you know it."
The six-foot-four man stood up with the girl dangling from his neck. She pouted as he looked off into the distance with calmness, seemingly feigned for the obvious dismay in the boy. She knew him well enough to know that he couldn't hide anything from her.
"This isn't the time for that, we should go... Now." He warns, his gaze quickly darting down the hallway, his hazel eyes turning a bright green.
The girl sighs as she floats up and releases her grip. Clothes immediately hugs her body as looks directly at the door to the suite's entrance.
"The talk wasn't over..." She reminded him as a scolding as raised herself into the air and sat down on a piece of furniture, crossing her legs. "They're two demons and two wizards, I think they assume you're the one from a year ago." As she explained, some sort of tablet popped which she started to look at something quietly. "The club is running well. There seems to have been a fight last night." She reported as making what appeared to be a cup of coffee appear. Taking a sip, she grimaced. "Yuck. It's better when you make it."
"After this I'll make you some, but Oph, please, let's go now..."
She sighed at the plea, relenting immediately after stowing the tablet in a magic hole. "And here I was already falling asleep... Hmm... Vali still sucks at Smash, no matter what era he plays in.
That's a curse." She amused, flying off to end up sitting on Issei's shoulder who quickly gets ready to perform.
...
The door opened delicately as one of the demons peeked out to check that everyone was asleep. It was too early in the morning for them to even guess that they might come. The other came in behind, with the two wary mages at his back.
It's when they all come in far enough that Issei falls from the ceiling and rumbles the area. They all turn, ready to attack after the surprise, but the chestnut ducks just enough to show Ophis with a magic circle on her outstretched arm. None of them could have expected the meticulous attack that left them in ashes...
After this, Issei stood up and closed the door, both of them walked out to the elevator from the lighted hallway. It didn't even take them long to get in and get ready as the brown man put on a jacket and his partner adjusted the earrings in her ears.
"You look beautiful." He warned her as he caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye.
"I know." She enjoyed with amusement as she adjusted her dress. "I'm already hoping we'll make up for the missing sex on the trip."
"Oph, we're not having mid-flight sex." He warned her chidingly, disappointing her. "We'll be leaving for a circle, we can't risk traveling."
"You take the fun out of life, Issei Hyodo." She complained in annoyance, crossing her arms, enhancing her cleavage.
Arriving at the front desk, Issei pulled out his phone and dialed a number. As they went forward, it was that they witnessed the place filled with hooded people sitting, standing and even goofing around. Everyone quickly turned their attention to the couple when they saw them arrive.
"Bova, take point." Notice after cut in, fair and square and moving forward in an attempt to ignore the large group that prepared to confront them. They failed to do anything when a huge bipedal dragon of about three meters burst through the access to the dining room, roaring brutally, catching the attention of the hostiles who did not take long to worry and start trying to defend themselves when this one began to attack them mercilessly like a wild animal. After leaving the place, Issei noticed that they were at a barrier.
"They prepared a lot for this moment." Ophis was surprised to see how many they were.
"No, Valentine, they just prepared in case it wasn't enough. They're watching us." He warned her, pointing to a camera on one of the walls without looking at her, which surprised her. His naming her "civilian" name helped to keep her from neglecting her caution.
She looked directly into the camera with simmering hatred. Then she picked up one of the scattered couches and threw it nimbly and easily toward this one, blowing it up in a second.
They were not the only ones who had decided to leave discretion aside...
...
Part of being the Sekiryuutei was the severe consequence of incessantly attracting future enemies, which is why caution was necessary if possible.
And so was planning.
Restlessness strikes the adults; Gorou and Miki look at the door anxiously, expectant since Issei warned that they would come much earlier because they were being chased. If they didn't know about their son's progress and work, they wouldn't believe he could show up... But...
The magic circle appears. The couple's eyes lit up at the sight of it; Ophis, along with three other individuals... But the important one to highlight for them was...
"Issei!" they get excited as they stand up, running towards the large, muscular boy who was smiling happily at them. He quickly returns the hug, making his parents' tears can't help but moisten their shoulders; the love of a family that motivated a man to do so much more...
Planning that Ophis, who watched the meeting with a sweet smile, had not been slow to do. When the affection ended, but not the hug, the adults noticed her. Her response was to smile with some amusement to point to the door with a thumbs up.
"Mom, Dad. There's a lot to talk about and explain, but I have to go for a second. There's still one loose end left... Kuroka, come with me. It's time for your part."
The cat-eared woman accompanying the group even got a chance to introduce herself, next to Bova who wished the girl luck as they left, which quickly captured the stunned gaze of the chestnut's parents for seeing a real dragon of their son's stature.
...
Vali watched the night sky with some annoyance and boredom. His attention is quickly caught when his gaze drops and he sees a woman in front of him. He sighs as he recognizes her, averting his gaze to the sky again from the tree he is sitting in.
"Ophis, come up with another job?" he mutters boredly.
"Something more interesting. A proposal and a partner." She replies with a calm smile and a haughty look. Kuroka observes everything silently taking note of anything that might matter. Issei reminded her to study everyone she met well.
"You and your 'boss' intend to finally show yourselves? You guys talking to Azazel implies that..." He reveals to her with some suspicion, she smiles and Kuroka can't help but quickly string together wires of things the dragoness didn't tell her.
"You suck at Smash." The black-haired woman openly scoffed.
"Fuck you and him." The albino complained in embarrassment.
"So... Are you interested?" She picks up the conversation again as she pats the feline's shoulder. She analyzes Vali just as Issei reminded her to do while accompanying him.
"I work alone..." He reminds her dismissively, she just scoffs.
"You're just an antisocial fucker... Anyway, if you accept, you won't do it alone anymore. Even more, y'all won't be just one group..."
Vali pauses, what the fuck did it take so many people to add up to two groups before someone who, according to Ophis, was his boss? His doubts are big, but if his job is business as usual, it would imply then that he would only start hunting something of great size... Or power...
"What's it all about?" he wonders as he leans back again. Kuroka enhances her breasts as her arms are behind her back, grateful for the boy's question and hoping to hear more from one of the parts of her cover as she joins this group.
"The Chaos Brigade is on the move. You're going to be a part of it with this group you'll be putting together, being an informant of ours. You will battle various beings within this, but you will answer to us when ordered..."
"And what's in it for me? If I can't tell Azazel, as I've already been doing as of late, then this is even more fucked up, it may ruin any chance I have of ever living comfortably again." He points out to her without much of a fight, it was obvious he was looking for duels left and right with strong people, nothing else could matter to him than that.
"Revenge. Your grandfather is still alive and in hiding, secretly leading an army to destroy everything... If you help us, you'll clear your name easily and you can kill Rizevim." She assured him, knowing he was totally interested in that.
"How." Vali asked with some anger, perhaps because they knew something so intimate. Kuroka was interested at his hostility, knowing that he was introducing it for one thing only; someone to protect. Issei had told her about that but reminded her of feigning insanity in front of Ophis.
"I did my homework, just as my 'boss' does his... He wants to offer you the chance to reconnect with your mot-."
Vali's fist was quickly held back by Kuroka's barrier that acted swiftly at that instant. Ophis smiled in amusement at such boldness, just as she was proud of Kuroka's progress in making such a barrier that could hold back an impact from Vali in his current state.
"Don't give me false hope, Ophis. I hate that." He warned her seriously. Then he looked at Kuroka, studying her. "She's strong. All right, I'll take her in. The rest of the group I'll find and report back to you... The next time we meet will be..."
"In front of Him. It will be time for everyone to meet and get ready to work together." She reported, turning and walking away. "Kuroka, grow very strong. He's tough as nails but he has a good heart, he won't abandon you." She warns her, embarrassing him and amusing her by how he pretended to be a tough guy.
"Why is there so much secrecy?" he asked, ignoring the above. She turned, looking at him seriously.
"A war is coming, Vali. If we stop the worst of it, then we can avoid it..." She assures him with significant seriousness.
"That piece of shit is not that strong!" He yells at her in annoyance at all the caution against an old man who wasn't that strong in his eyes. Then he was worried when she saw him again, but now she looked more disturbed.
"And who said anything about him running it? He'll light the fuse if we don't stop him... That's why He's crucial in this. You and him are the only ones who can stop everything if things get worse..."
And just like that, she disappeared.
...
"You look very healthy, Issei." His father remarked proudly as he watched him from the other side of the couch. Ophis and Miki were preparing food and chatting, something that made the young chestnut smile softly with joy. "You've worked hard, huh?"
"Issei-sama worked hard training with my father." Bova reported on the other couch, even smaller than before. "Now he's training me!"
"Oh, Bova-kun, it makes sense because of your purple scales, but your father is the dragon that Ophis-chan was showing us in the pictures he sent us, isn't he? Tannin was his name, if I'm not mistaken? You're his youngest son you say? Fuck that monster, no doubt the dragon genetics are amazing." Envies the man with a chuckle, embarrassing Bova for where he came from, and causing the chestnut to be distracted from the scene of the women and resume his attention on the talk.
"I'm no expert at teaching, so we both learn." Smiles with some tension the boy for as he feels Ophis' eyes shining with pride.
"Oh, but I have excellent pictures of that! Look mom!" the dragoness proudly boasts as she pulls out an excellent quality digital camera and starts showing her pictures; Issei and Bova doing push-ups, hitting mountains, running from Tannin who was furious that they were breaking his mountains, Issei tied to a bed with her having a whip.
"Ara, ara." Amused and embarrassed the woman as Ophis felt herself sweating bullets at how she snatched the camera from her and quickly glanced at the other images on the equipment. "Maybe I'm not too old to experience some things..." She muttered with some conviction, giving an excruciating shiver down Gorou's back who already feared for his integrity upon hearing that.
Another girl appeared in a magic circle, Kuroka being the one who shuffled her feet looking exhausted, rolling around on the couch with her head in the chestnut's lap. The latter looked at her with wide eyes at her appearance.
"Gregori is a sinister place-nya..." She muttered. Issei wet two fingers with his tongue, extinguishing the small flame on one of her tails. "I never thought I could train at this level... Nice to meet you, I'm Kuroka-nya... I want to be Issei-nya's future wife..."
Gorou reacted rather calmly for the first time he'd spent it with Ophis, laughing quickly to the chestnut's embarrassment. Bova refrained from having an opinion, curling in on himself to sleep, infuriating Issei at his partner's quick abandonment of the situation.
"Oh, Mom, Dad. Issei and I are going to buy a house near here and we're going to remodel it. When we get it, you'll be invited to dinner." Ophis was excited, something Kuroka was quick to hear as he perked his ears up attentively. His feline smile worried the chestnut.
And so, dinner. Sitting at one table, while Issei was at the other end, smiling softly at how everyone was having a beautiful family moment as a reunion...
This was why everything was going to work out. He wasn't supposed to go to plan B...
Not even Ophis was going to be able to make him see the world differently...