Here I come with a new chapter!

This second arc will have several interesting things, things that have to do with the title of this story. It will most likely be similar in length to the previous one.

I don't want to bore you anymore, so let's go with the chapter.

Enjoy!

Rizevim was reading various papers in that laboratory. Unlike before, the place looked much tidier and cleaner, as well as quieter.

The quiet moment ended when someone threw a bunch of rings and other gadgets from a bag. That action made Rizevim watch the hooded fellow closely.

"Good job." Was all he said, then began to examine the artifacts.

"It was straightforward, as usual. But I'm afraid surveillance and personnel have increased by 800% in these last 100 years. It's inevitable that I might miss someone on the next few assignments." The man commented as he adjusted his hood, and the number 1 on his wrist became distinguishable again.

"Never mind that. The Church probably still thinks this is just a terrorist group, but there are much smarter men who must have become suspicious." Rizevim's statement made the hooded man lower his head.

"Does that mean we won't be able to use Kokabiel to hide our tracks anymore?" He asked, causing Rizevim to pause.

A faint smile emerged on the Demon's face as he dropped the ring.

"I'm not quite sure, but still we must stop. Excessive greed will only get us discovered before we make our first move." Rizevim watched the hooded man with a small smile. "With this amount of Twice Critical is more than enough."

"So, now what shall we do?" The hooded man asked with keen interest.

"What shall we do?" Rizevim repeated his words as he clasped both hands together underneath his chin.

A rather bold and dangerous smile emerged on his lips.

"We'll just wait."

"We'll just keep waiting?" The two men's talk was interrupted by an accompanying woman. "Don't you think we've already waited too many centuries to regain our throne?"

"Katerea..." Rizevim couldn't help but sigh with some weariness. "Come to annoy me again?"

"Not that we disagree, but..." The Demon accompanying Katerea stepped forward. "We've had enough of hiding like rats. And if you don't want to accompany us, then we'll choose someone else to lead us." The man was very confident in his speech, though that bravery disappeared when a fleeting but truly deadly glance pierced deep into his soul.

At the end, Rizevim's serious expression turned into a great laugh that puzzled the other two Demons.

"Shalba, Shalba..." Rizevim shook his head in amusement as he said his name.

Until a rather unique smile emerged from his face.

"You guys are no different than those usurpers."

"What?!" both Katerea and Shalba gritted their teeth after what they heard.

"You want your thrones back? Very well." Rizevim stood up, and the words he mentioned made his earlier statement fall into the past. "We will attack at the first opportunity presented to us." Rizevim commented seriously, causing the hooded man to look at him with some astonishment.

"Perfect..." Katerea commented somewhat surprised, as she didn't expect him to accept the request in such a simple manner.

"That's right, we only want what rightfully belongs to us. You know we'll follow you anywhere." Shalba commented with a smile as he handed him a royal salute, something Rizevim dismissed simply.

"I know, I know. Now leave me alone, I have some things to evaluate." Rizevim commented as he brought his gaze back to the papers, and as if they had been children whose whim had finally been fulfilled, the two left without another word.

Once they were alone, the hooded man turned his gaze to Rizevim.

"Father?" Confusion showed in his tone.

"There will be a change of plans." Rizevim commented simply.

"Does that mean we will attack the Demons early?" The hooded man asked seriously.

"Yes, but not just those Demons." Rizevim commented with a cold look on his face.

"I understand." The hooded man nodded without complaint.

"Before that, I would like to know how your sister is doing." Rizevim commented as he returned his gaze to his papers.

"The training is much more effective and faster thanks to her... 'special conditions'. But there is a problem..." Rizevim watched him curiously, indicating to continue. "If the process continues this way, the training will be over in record time, but she will lose her sanity."

"It doesn't matter." Rizevim didn't even take more than a second to think about the answer. "Conservative minds are not needed in the Demon world, as well as madness for power and fame." Rizevim's seriousness came back to him for what he was about to say, "You guys don't want to be True Demons?"

"We do, it's just hard to understand." The hooded man commented as he bowed his head in respect.

"My son, you don't need to understand. It's much simpler than that..." Rizevim commented as he focused his gaze on the nearest blankets covering about 5 bodies that were connected by a myriad of tubes and other strange contraptions.

"We are what we are."

_ BEGINNING OF ARC - CHAPTER 7: BITTERSWEET REALITY _

Issei woke up suddenly. His expression remained somewhat frozen, his face was pale and the cold sweat that decorated his face implied that his dreams prior to waking up were not very friendly.

Or it could also be because of the immense pain he had suffered before falling unconscious.

Speaking of that detail, Issei looked at himself and touched his body at different points. Noticing that he didn't feel any pain, the protagonist relaxed considerably and studied the place he was in in more detail.

White walls, white ceiling, smell of disinfectant and alcohol, medical gowns lying on the empty stretchers. It wasn't hard to guess that he was in a clinic.

"Finally you wake up." Shemhazai's voice finished bringing Issei back to reality.

"Am I in Grigori?" Issei asked immediately as he grabbed his head, remembering recent events.

"That's right. In one of the divisions of the Tower of Hope, to be more exact. It's been about three hours since your arrival. It's just getting light and most likely some visitors will start arriving." Shemhazai stated with a friendly smile.

"In that case, I guess I'm the first to visit you." The two men watched as Azazel made his presence known. "How are you feeling?" The Cadre consulted him as he leaned against the door frame.

"Hum, normal?" Issei looked down at his hands in utter amazement. "In fact, I find it amazing that I don't hurt at all."

"It's not supposed to cause you pain. I mean, not after the restructuring process. I'm sure you suffered a lot at that time..." Shemhazai stated, then looking down at his notebook. "In fact, you feel perfect. You will be able to do any physical activity without any problems."

"I see..." Issei commented, keeping a small silence.

Azazel and Issei shared a momentary glance, causing the Cadre to become a bit serious.

"I suppose now you're wondering what will happen with the trial..." Issei just replied with a nod. "We left your pawn pieces in your original cell and did our best to move much of the blood puddle you left behind."

"Blood puddle?"

"Yeah, occupational hazard. Anyway..." Azazel bowed his shoulders to downplay the matter. "In short, you're dead now. Best if you keep a low profile for the next few days until it's all buried."

"But don't you think they'll be suspicious?" Issei asked doubtfully.

"We didn't just take the Rias pieces from you because of the tracking. We also did it because without them you can't live. And adding the fact that a large number of people wanted to kill you with their own hands..." Azazel bowed his shoulders again. "Poor Issei, they killed him in the worst possible way. He didn't even get a trial worthy of a criminal." Azazel commented with clear mockery in his tone, causing the protagonist to roll his eyes.

"So, can I get out of here now?" The brown-haired man asked with some hope, something that wavered a bit as he saw Azazel's face become serious as it had rarely been before.

"You can do that, but I'd like you to take this day. I need to talk to you about something very important. It's about the post mortem procedure of the Reincarnated Demons." Those words made Issei look at him with extreme curiosity.

"And what does that mean?"

"You're not ready yet. We'll talk about this at noon." Azazel's words only succeeded in confusing Issei even more. "For now make sure you have a good time with your friends." He concluded with a small smile, and at that very moment he stepped aside to let in Rick, Alan and Yung Len, who immediately approached him.

"I didn't think we'd see each other again so soon." Rick commented with a smile as he arranged a chair to sit next to Issei.

"Maybe we should thank that bastard?" Alan asked with a mocking tone, which soon turned into a mild complaint as Yung Len elbowed him to shut him up. "What!?"

"No bettel time." Commented the Korean with his typical seriousness.

"First learn how to talk before you berate me, you fucking Chinese fuck." Alan whispered with a furtive glance, something Yung Len did as well.

"Not Chinese, I'm Colean."

"Please guys, now is not the time." Rick commented with a nervous smile.

Issei couldn't help but expel a small laugh, to which the three looked at him.

"You know something? I think Alan's right. It wasn't so bad that blond bastard kicked my ass." Issei's comment made everyone smile.

"Now that's the spirit." Alan commented approvingly as a half smile appeared on his face.

The friendly small talk was interrupted when the door opened again, and everyone fell silent as they saw who it was.

Raynare remained completely static, her eyes were focused on Issei's, and so was he.

The seconds seemed eternal, until...

"Hello." Issei greeted unscrupulously as he raised his hand, as if nothing had happened.

Unlike the reaction of his three friends, Raynare was much more explosive and sentimental.

That was demonstrated when her eyes were decorated with small tears after hearing his voice again.

She thought she would never be able to hear him again.

Raynare ran as fast as she could to everyone's surprise, and most of all to Issei, who couldn't even respond when she jumped on the gurney to hug him very tightly.

Rick, Alan and Yung Len were the first to come out of their stupor, who looked at each other with a faint smile at all that happened.

"You damned idiot! I thought I'd never see you again!" Raynare reproached him with a shout, although her threatening tone was greatly muffled by her voice almost cracking with emotion and relief.

Issei finally seemed to react, so it didn't take him long to respond to her embrace as a small smile emerged from his face.

"Come on, don't overdo it..." There was a small moment where he wanted to break away from the hug, but in the end he decided to indulge her for a while longer.

It wasn't the time to be fussy, and he knew it.

_ LINE BREAK _

Grigori Artificial Forest

Several hours later...

"Why do you want to train with swords?" Raynare asked as she gave small, slow thrusts and swords that were covered by Issei, who looked somewhat uncomfortable to move.

"Azazel said I should rest, but I can't be idle." Issei replied, his gaze was completely focused on every movement of his and opponent's sword. "Besides, I think this way I'll be able to better understand those opponents who use some weapon."

"If you say so." Raynare bowed her shoulders, then went back to attacking the brown-haired man.

The two continued to practice in silence, the only thing that could be heard was the sound of their swords. A slight smile emerged on Issei's face as he stepped back, then embarked on his first attack of the day.

What he didn't expect was that he was going to be utterly humiliated.

Raynare dodged his attack as she swung to the side, only to catch Issei's hand that held the sword. The protagonist at first looked a bit confused, but didn't have time to react when Raynare bent his wrist, then took the sword away from him and hit him hard in the forehead with the hilt of it, causing Issei to fall to the ground resoundingly.

"What the fuck was that?!" Issei exclaimed in annoyance as he grabbed his sore forehead.

"That was me putting your ass on the ground with your own weapon." Raynare crouched down in front of him as she looked at him with a certain superiority.

"You have an impressive talent." Issei commented as he accepted Raynare's hand to stand up. "When you fight rookies, at least."

"You learned to fight almost without a fight, do you really want to improve or are you going to start whining like a crybaby?" She asked as held out the sword to him.

"Is that how you talk to everyone?" Issei asked as he grabbed the sword.

"All the time." She answered him as she turned around to walk away. "You're just now realizing?" Raynare resumed her fighting stance once more.

"Why do you think Azazel saved me? He must have only done it to do the right thing?" Issei asked, lowering his sword a little.

"Nah, saving lives to make himself feel better isn't his style. He doesn't like to work on how to do it either. In fact, he straight up doesn't like anything to do with working." Raynare replied, then raised an eyebrow. "If you want to know so badly, why don't you ask him?"

All Issei did at that question was keep silent.

"Still haven't talked to your esteemed benefactor, huh?" Raynare asked with a sly tone.

"We're done for the day." Issei threw the sword at her, to which Raynare caught it with no trouble.

"Raiser called me a short while ago. Your dear mistress's Wedding has been delayed two weeks because of you. That means I'm getting married in no time." The comment caused Issei to stop his pacing and look at her. "Remember how I killed you that time? I tricked you and used you to my own devices without any remorse. After saving your ass against Raiser, I think I've paid that debt." Raynare paused slightly, and the two shared a serious look.

"I don't want to be indebted to you once again."

Issei stared at her silently for a few seconds, until he finally turned away.

"This has nothing to do with you." Was Issei's dry reply as he walked away, causing Raynare to lower her gaze.

Her serious expression changed to a slightly melancholy one.

"Fool."

_ LINE BREAK _

Tower of Hope

A few minutes later...

Issei arrived in the main hall, where Azazel was waiting for him seated at the large table.

"Hum, good morning..." Issei noted somewhat awkwardly as he bowed his head in respect.

"Sit." Azazel pointed to his nearest seat. "You haven't had lunch yet so I brought some things."

"Huh? That wasn't necessary..."

"Let's eat first and then talk." Azazel interrupted him, and his serious look indicated that he wouldn't tolerate no for an answer, so Issei had no choice but to join him.

"Is this talk that important?" The protagonist asked once he sat down next to the Cadre, who just looked at him.

"It's a delicate subject, and I want you to listen to me without interruption."

_ LINE BREAK _

Kuoh Academy

At that very moment...

Kiba would come out of the academy, and the first thing he saw was how Raiser was standing next to his group of fiancées while they were talking pleasantly.

"The only bad thing is that I didn't get to see his execution, but we should be grateful to that person. After all, he sure did impart a fair sentence." Raiser commented with satisfaction.

"Of that I'm sure. He was also kind enough not to take my Evil Pieces." Rias commented with a smile.

"Bah, let's forget about that subject. Now comes the most important thing..." Raiser commented with a smile as he grabbed Rias' waist, making her blush. "I suppose you've been looking for a new wedding dress? I can't wait to see it. Same goes for all of you."

Kiba just looked away and decided to ignore the conversation, heading towards the club.

"Kiba-san!" However, his plans were slightly delayed after he heard someone call out to him.

Behind his back appeared Asia, who looked somewhat agitated. She had most likely come running to talk to him.

"What's wrong?" The typical smile returned to the blond's face.

"Is he really dead?" Asia asked with a crestfallen look.

"Asia-san..." Kiba said her name with some surprise, only to return to his smile, though she looked a bit downcast. "You've already decided who to believe, you've already done what you had to do. There's no use thinking about whether it was right or wrong, since you won't be able to change the past." Kiba placed a hand on her head, making Asia look at him. "The only thing you can do is not look back and move on." He concluded, then turned away.

Once his back was turned, the serious expression returned to Kiba's face practically instantly, while Asia was left pondering his words.

"But if you tell me like that, it feels like I really made a bad decision..." Asia whispered as she pressed her chest with both hands.

_ LINE JUMP _

Grigori

A few minutes later...

"What's the matter, Azazel? It's strange for you to call me so suddenly." Raynare commented, lowering her head in respect.

"Spare that. No time for formalities." Azazel's tone had a rather remarkable seriousness to it, though undoubtedly what amazed Raynare most was the uneasiness on his face.

"What happened?" She asked with utmost seriousness.

"It's about Issei..." Those words made the seriousness turn into surprise, and, above all, concern.

"What's wrong with him?"

From one moment to the next, you can see how all the passersby were completely shocked because of a certain woman who was running at full speed.

"Do you know what happens when a Reincarnated Demon dies?"

Raynare's legs sped up even more as she passed by the various stalls and houses.

"For the most part, that could spell big trouble in terms of investigations and disappearances. Bottom line, it would form an unnecessary stir in the human world, such procedures could affect the Demons or other entities involved. It is for that reason that the simplest solution is resorted to..."

Raynare's expression reflected pure fear as she looked at her home finally coming into view.

"That solution is to manipulate the memory of the people who have been in contact with that Reincarnated Demon."

Raynare reached the house and opened the door so hard that she broke it open.

"ISSEI!"

She shouted his name, and in response received a thunderous sound coming from the second floor.

Raynare ran up the stairs without hesitation, and what she saw nearly broke her heart.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Issei screamed as he grabbed the double bed and threw it hard against the closet, smashing the piece of furniture in the process.

"Issei, calm down!" Raynare went over to hug him, but Issei roughly threw her to the ground and then grabbed the bed and threw it against the window, giving another frightening scream.

Raynare could only watch in great anguish as the window panes flew out and part of the bed got stuck.

"AAAAAHHHHG AAAJ!"

Issei screamed again as he tried to pull the bed out, until he finally gave up and fell to his knees.

"MY PARENTS, MY FRIENDS! MY PARENTS, MY PARENTS!"

Issei began to cry loudly, causing Raynare to come over to hug him in a poor attempt to comfort him.

"WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!"

Issei began to choke back tears as he could barely respond to Raynare's embrace.

"It's okay, it's okay. Everything will be alright, everything will be alright..." Raynare was trying her best, but she knew it was impossible.

No matter what she did, that pain wouldn't go away in a hundred years.

_ LINE JUMP _

Grigori

Several hours later...

Issei was staring at the window he had broken. It was already night, and he had been all those hours staring at nothingness itself.

Raynare had taken care of tidying everything up, and decided to leave him alone so he could fully assimilate everything that had happened.

"Happy birthday!"

A fleeting image of his parents and best friends flashed through his mind. It was a distant memory, as Matsuda and Motohama looked very young.

"Working double shifts, are you sure?"

"Of course, son. We want you to lack for nothing, and it's a necessary thing if you plan to go to college."

"But..."

"Don't worry. All you have to do is fulfill your responsibilities."

Issei continued to stare off into nothingness as all those memories flew through his mind.

"Hyoudou Issei!"

"Hyyk! Not with the flip-flop!"

"How many times have I told you to behave like a normal man and stop spying on your female classmates?!"

"It's not my fault they're so pretty!"

"Listen, you have to stop acting like this, or I can never become a mother-in-law!"

"Whaaaat?! Who said I was going to have a child...! No wait, no! AAAAaaahh!"

"I just worry about your future!"

Although it was a rather funny memory, at no time was a smile seen on Issei's face.

"Dad, why do all the women hate me? I know I'm an idiot, but I just want to get their attention. I've tried even in normal ways, but no one wants me..."

"I was very different in that way. I never needed to make a big deal about being with women, so I don't know what to tell you. But I am sure of one thing: of all the women who passed through my life, your mother was the last of them all and the only one who touched my heart."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means that it may take a long time, but in the end you will find someone who loves you just the way you are. You only need to do one thing: wait."

"Really?!"

"Yes, but I advise you to stop being so... direct."

"I'll try, but no promises!"

Issei continued to stare off into nothingness as the image of his parents and friends flashed through his head.

They all watched him with a smile.

Despite his flaws, they were all smiling at him.

They all loved him.

Those four people were his life, the only thing he had.

All that had been taken away from him overnight.

Now he was nobody.

Now he was nothing.

After crying, now he just felt empty.

As if a part of him had been taken away.

Because his body was there.

Because his heart was still beating.

But his soul was dead.

Without Issei noticing, the bedroom door slowly opened, and from there emerged Rick, Yung Len, Alan and Raynare, who slowly advanced.

Issei finally became aware of their presence when Rick touched his shoulder. The two shared a glance that lasted only a second, as Issei soon got up to hug him. So did Yung Len and Alan, who decided not to say anything.

In the end Raynare guided him with her hand so that they could go outside while she watched with great regret as Issei had a dead look on his face.

The fact that he wasn't even crying was even more disturbing.

In the end, Issei's dull face resumed a momentary light as he saw what was outside his apartment.

"Is that a Lamborghini? I thought you couldn't use cars down here..." The protagonist wondered with some surprise when he saw the beautiful orange roofless vehicle.

"Azazel lent it to us because it's a special occasion." Alan commented, then slid over the hood and ended up in the driver's seat. "Don't you want to take a ride to clear your head a little?"

"I don't know..." Issei could do nothing but look down.

"Well, whether you want to or not, you're coming with us." Raynare commented, who grabbed him by the left arm very tightly.

"Huh? Wait..." Issei's reaction was too late, as Yung Len had taken it upon himself to catch his other arm.

Rick settled into the front seat as he watched with some amusement as Raynare and Yung Len dragged Issei into the car against his will, and added to his yelling it looked like he was being kidnapped.

"All right, all right, I'll go! Now let go of me!" Issei exclaimed angrily.

Raynare and Yung Len looked at each other, then let go. Issei responded in his own way as he waved his arms sharply and adjusted his t-shirt, then got into the car.

"Where will we go?" Issei asked with some curiosity.

"Wherever the wind takes us." Alan commented with a half smile as he started the Lamborghini, and everyone almost flew out of surprise because he pressed the accelerator to full throttle.

After that frantic start, everyone was relaxing on the narrow road while listening to music. Even though it was midnight, there were still some people on the streets, and they stopped to look at them with surprise. One of those many passersby was a very pretty Fall, so Alan slowed down a bit to get a better look at her, something the woman didn't overlook. When their gazes met, Alan pointed his finger at her and then made a gesture as if it were a gun, causing the woman to point a raised eyebrow at herself, to which Alan responded in his own way when he flicked his tongue in a vulgar manner, earning a blush from the woman.

"What was that?" Issei asked with a roll of his eyes once they were a little ways away.

"You don't know me well enough. I love women, I live to feel pleasure. I know not all of them like it when I'm so direct, but that doesn't interest me. All I'm looking for is a good night out." Alan commented, his tone looking rather proud.

"In short, he's a degenerate who's not too far off your level." Raynare commented, drawing everyone's interest.

"I didn't know Issei had such straightforward tastes...in fact, you never showed it." Rick commented on everyone's thoughts.

"Well, I was much more focused on other things. But getting back to Alan, there's something that strikes me as odd..." The aforementioned looked at him with a raised eyebrow after hearing him. "If it's that you live to be with women, then why didn't you try anything with Raynare? I mean, she's very beautiful." Raynare couldn't help but feel that faint warmth rise to her face and chest after hearing those words.

Did he consider her that beautiful?

"And who said I haven't tried anything?" Alan finished off with another question as he turned his gaze back to the front. "But, as I told you, not all women like my methods."

"Oh, yeah? So what was that all about?" Issei suddenly felt a keen interest, and that only increased even more as he watched Alan fall silent.

"Did you ever crush a walnut with a nutcracker?" Raynare was the one who continued the conversation, receiving a nod from Issei in response. "Well, that's what his balls turned out like."

Issei could do nothing but cover his crotch at such a gory image.

"Anyway, I'm not someone who gives up easily. But I decided it was best to quit." Alan commented with some seriousness, something that surprised Issei.

"Why?"

"Messing with your friends' wives isn't manly, and I consider you a friend."

"What..." Issei couldn't continue, as he watched Raynare lean forward.

"Hey..." Alan's face went completely pale.

He hadn't even turned to look at her, but he felt like those deadly eyes were about to steal his soul.

"You'd better stop talking bullshit, unless you want me to blow your nuts off one more time."

"Understood, young lady!"

Raynare leaned back with satisfaction, then watched with some confusion as Issei and Yung Len were covering their crotches.

That moment was broken when Alan let out a big sigh.

"The life of a hedonist is not at all simple..." The Argentine commented to lighten the mood.

"What is a hedonist?" Issei asked with extreme curiosity.

"It's the modeln way to refe to putos."

"What the fuck did you say?!"

"Hahahaha!"

The fight between Alan and Yung Len stopped when they heard Issei's laughter, something that made all the friends look at each other with a smile.

They were slowly achieving their goal.

"Let's stop here." Alan stopped at a bar, and as expected, all eyes fell on them.

"Hum, I don't think they'll let me in..." Issei commented with some nervousness.

"Don't woly. I'm a legulal customer in this place." Yung Len commented with his typical seriousness.

"If you say so..." Issei whispered as he rubbed his hair.

Once they entered the premises, the owner greeted them very warmly.

"How are you feeling Len, are you coming with some friends this time?" The man asked with a friendly smile as he cleared a glass.

"That's gight. Ling me the usual." The Korean commented with his typical serious expression, though he was currently wearing a slight smile.

"Very well. Have a seat over there." The bald man gestured with his head to point them to the table.

Once everyone was seated, a wine with a rather handcrafted presentation rested upon them. The waiter handed out the glasses and filled them all up in a masterful manner to put on a little show.

"Enjoy your drink." The waiter took his leave to tend to other tables.

"Come on." Yung Len raised his glass, and everyone followed suit.

"A toast to better days ahead." Rick commented with a smile, causing everyone to clink glasses.

Rick and Alan gave a couple of pats on the back to Issei, who had decided to do white bottom.

"It was sweet, it's very tasty." Issei commented with a smile, receiving a couple of smiles and small giggles from his friends.

"Then let's get another one." Raynare poured him more without even waiting for a response, but just by looking at Issei's face you knew he was very much in agreement with that.

After several drinks, they all went out for another drive with the car. Because the alcohol had gone to their heads a bit, they were generating quite a ruckus with the music and the various shouts and laughter they were giving.

"Hey, some people have to work tomorrow, you damn brats!" An old woman peeked her face out the window of a house.

Instead of being silent, Raynare showed her apologies in a rather peculiar manner as she stood on top of the car and stuck out her middle finger at the lady, making her very angry.

"Damn disrespectful little kids! You'll see!" Shouted the old lady in a great rage as she disappeared out of the window, causing the youngsters to laugh quite a bit and speed off.

After calming down a bit, they parked in front of the French twins' restaurant.

"One last stop?" Alan asked as he focused his gaze on the others.

"Sounds good to me." Raynare commented as she got out of the car, and was quickly followed by the others.

The twins greeted them with their typical enthusiasm. Once everyone had ordered something to eat, Raynare stepped back a bit to talk to them.

"Could I borrow the premises?" The twins looked at each other at such a proposal. "It's for something very important." The seriousness in Raynare made them look at each other once again.

The two were sharing a silent stare, until one of them nodded.

"Very well." Commented one.

"But I want them to pay for everything consumed, lock up and leave everything clean when they leave." Commented the other.

"You can take that for sure. And thank you, it's a really big deal." Raynare flashed the most grateful smile she could give, receiving a few smiles in response.

After dinner, the twins left and left everything in charge of Raynare, who had been in charge of opening a private party where she and her friends had a great time.

Especially Issei, who had managed to regain that sparkle in his eyes.

After a lot of dancing, Issei was outside the club, observing the stars that the artificial sky offered. He took the last sip of his drink, and his gaze strayed to the huge clock that indicated that it was very close to 6 in the morning.

"Stargazing?" Rick perched next to him and hugged him by the neck.

"I don't get tired of looking at them either." Alan joined them the moment he placed a hand on Issei's shoulder.

"You feel like youl ploblems ale nothing compaled to that night sky." Yung Len joined beside Rick with both hands in his pockets.

"I understand, but this wasn't what I was expecting." Issei's words made the three of them look at him, though it didn't take long for them to turn their gazes back to the stars.

"When I was young, my father told me that I could do what I want with my life. I should decide what I want with it, and work hard to get it. But there was something important..." Issei looked at Rick after hearing his words. "When I'm old, I would only remember those times when I was happy, and when I saw my loved ones being happy." Those words surprised Issei a little.

"I see... And how is your father?"

"He died protecting me, as did my friends. It was many years ago. That's the bad thing about being born with a Sacred Gear."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago."

"You sought revenge?"

"When I first came to Grigori, that was my main focus. But over time I remembered my father's words. Now being a man I can understand them." Issei looked at him with great curiosity after what he heard.

"And what do those words mean to you?"

"Issei, listen..." Rick placed a hand on his head. "Do you still remember those times when your shadows didn't exist and the demons inside you hadn't yet formed? Do you remember when you made some mistake and they were always there to help and support you to keep you going? I'm sure you do, since it was so recently. Besides, those are memories you'll never forget." Rick took a small pause to look at Issei's face, who wore a very melancholy expression. "Right now I'm sure you're thinking about revenge. But don't let that feeling win you over. When those clouds covered in despair and loneliness begin to corner you, create a fire that not even the greatest deluge can stop." Issei looked at him with some astonishment after his words. "You must venture beyond that feeling, you must find happiness. Never give up this life of yours. And if you are ever afraid, then remember me. For I will always be near, no matter how far away we are."

"Rick..."

"Listen..." The man interrupted him again. "I was wasting years of my life for revenge. I wasted a lot of memories I could have forged, I gave up a lot of feelings, and I neglected myself. Don't let that happen to you. Especially for that great power of yours that you have within you." Rick paused to then look at him with a toothy grin. "Issei, I'm sure you'll be someone great in the future. And when you have already completed your life cycle, which will surely be millennia, I hope you can look back and smile. Because you won't remember the suffering, the loneliness or the prejudice. What you will really remember are these nights, you will also remember those unique moments with your parents and friends. Because these are the only true memories that never die."

Rick hugged him by the neck even tighter just as 6 o'clock in the morning came around. The golden dawn shimmered from one moment to the next, and the stars were replaced by a beautiful glow suffused with life.

"Think well about what you will do. Use that power of yours to be happy, and to make others happy." Rick looked at him and gave him a big smile.

"Can you promise me?"

Issei just remained silent, still looking quite overwhelmed by Rick's words and that beautiful sunrise.

At first it looked like he was going to cry, but he managed to hold back his tears and gave her a look that only exuded assurance and temperance.

"I promise."

Once he said those words, his gaze went straight ahead, and everyone watched the artificial sky with a smile.

At that moment, a small "click" was heard, and everyone looked back to see what it was.

"Sorry. They looked so good, I couldn't resist." Raynare commented with a smile as she held up a camera. "Now cut the cheesiness and help me clean up."

And so it was that everyone re-entered the premises, though Issei fixed his gaze on the sky once again.

The image of his parents and friends appeared there, causing a faint smile to appear on his face.

"Hey, Issei! What are you doing?! Come help!" Raynare shouted at him from inside the shop when she saw that he had been standing at the entrance.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!"

_ END OF CHAPTER! _

(OR NOT)

I hope you enjoyed it!

A rather sentimental chapter, but this not so relevant moment will be crucial in the future, so remember it.

From the next chapter onwards things will be moving again, so there will be a lot of new information.

Before I say goodbye, I make you a little reminder that you can follow me on Patre-on to be aware of all the notices and updates about my stories, there will be no other place where you will be more informed than there. You can also become a member for a dollar, and thus order a double chapter of any story that is in development. If you're interested, look for me by my profile name: "Jyanzein".

I'll say goodbye now.

Thank you very much for reading!

Everything was black.

Until suddenly it was not.

A small particle illuminated a little of that space full of darkness.

A particle that possessed a golden color.

A particle that suddenly transformed into an almost infinite quantity.

That strong golden color was added to a great flashing energy until they all joined together to resemble the shape of a spear.

The pressure and power it exerted was deadly.

And that rare moment was broken when the robotic, female voice emerged from nowhere.

"I found you."

Issei's eyes snapped open. His breathing was heavy and a layer of sweat surrounded his face.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What the hell was that dream?"