A/N: I just wanted to say...thank you all for over 200k words, 121 reviews, 739 followers and 583 favourites! Through all the hardships, stupid writing and pissed-off reviewers, we finally made it! I didn't think I'd even make it to this point, but here we are! Next up, 500k words, 200 reviews, 1k followers and 1k favourites! If we make it to that at the end of this story, I'd be crying tears of joy.
Anyway, I won't waste anyone's time. Here you guys go!
Present Timeline:
Sera's Office, Leviathan Castle:
Isaiah's POV:
"After we left Buddha's Palace, we went back to Kuoh, stayed for a month and then returned back to the underworld. The rest is history." I finished my story with a smile and a shrug, Serafall smiling as she took notes before putting her notepad down.
"I must admit, I didn't expect the Buddha to actually agree to train you and your peerage." I chuckled as I nodded.
"I didn't either. I either expected him to just train me and leave their training to me or just kick us off the mountain. I guess I'm just a lucky guy."
"As usual." She said with a smirk and I just smirked back.
"So, what's the real verdict on the whole Bael fiasco?" I asked her and she giggled.
"Well, House Bael is calling for your head for exposing confidential information that you had no right to have. House Agares is surprisingly staying neutral since Lord Juvano was not informed by Zekram or Druca about the King Pieces or Cleria Belial's unfortunate death, so he wants to keep neutral until he is provided with good reasoning on why they didn't let him know. Most of the current Pillars are upset at the fact that 6 of the current Top 10 Rating Game players are cheating by using the King Pieces and want compensation and the rest are, just like House Agares, staying neutral. The rest of the Underworld are in an uproar over what you showed them and want to go to war. The only reason they haven't is because of the fact that Sirzechs, Ajuka and Falbium are keeping them pacified." She explained and I chuckled as I nodded.
"I told Zekram not to mess with me and he decided not to listen. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words."
"But did you have to involve the entire Underworld in this?" She asked with a concerned frown and I just sighed.
"I would let reality itself be destroyed if that means my loved ones are safe." I declared and she just stared into my eyes before she sighed with a smile.
"You're just like Sir-chan, you know? He was the same way when he was younger. He still is, actually. He wanted to eradicate the Old Satan Faction and all connected to them from existence when we joined the war and if Ajuka, Falbium and I didn't stop him, he would have done so."
"That just makes me more happy about my decision." I said with a smile and she giggled as she shrugged.
"Wasn't supposed to." She said unashamedly and I chuckled as I shrugged, both of us standing up before I opened my arms.
"One final hug to finish off the session?" I asked and she just rolled her eyes as she walked around the table towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck as I wrapped my own around her waist.
"You're one tall woman, you know that?" I muttered as her chin was on my head, making me smirk as I felt her shiver slightly before she giggled.
"I thought all guys like tall girls?" "Not all. Just some of us." "Oh, does that mean you like tall women?" She asked with a smirk as she pulled back and I just smirked with a shrug.
"I like all women, though I have to admit I do have a slight thing for tall woman." She didn't say anything as she smirked and I chuckled as the Azathoth crest appeared under me.
"We'll talk more about this little subject another time, perhaps?"
"We will." I said and she smiled as she nodded, both of us waving at each before I disappeared.
Gremory Castle, Gremory Territory:
'…She either has a thing for me or she's just being a tease.' I thought with a smirk as I appeared in front of the Gremory Castle, nodding at the gardeners working in the rose gardens before I walked towards the castle.
The suggestive smirks, the giggling at my lame jokes, the close contact…yeah, she either has a thing for me or she's playing and I've been reading too much into it.
'You would think having three girlfriends would mean I'd be able to read women better, but nope, they're still playing chess while I'm playing checkers.' I thought with a sigh as I shook my head before I noticed Akeno, Tsubaki and Kuroka sitting and drinking tea under a veranda with no one else around them.
"Is this a secret meeting or am I allowed to join?" I asked as I walked towards them, noticing the stacks of papers around them, but didn't say anything as I sat down in between Akeno and Tsubaki. Akeno just giggled as she placed a hand on my lap before she pouted as Tsubaki smacked her hand away.
"Thursday 16:00 to 17:00 is my time, remember?" She said with a proud smirk, making Akeno grumble under her breath and Kuroka giggle as I just looked confused.
"What?" I asked and Tsubaki smiled as she handed me a paper, with what seemed to be a timetable on it.
"That is a schedule that we made up of how we spent time with you." Kuroka said with an amused smile and I just frowned as I glanced at it before, to their shock, I tore it up.
"A relationship based on a timetable is not a relationship; that's a business. I don't want there to be timetables, rosters or anything of the sort. I know I can make time for each one of you, okay?" I said and they all just smiled as they nodded before Kuroka stood up, walking around the table under our stares before plopping down on my lap.
"And that is why I love you."
"Why we love you. You're not the only one." Akeno said with a huff, making Kuroka roll her eyes before their eyes widened as Tsubaki pulled my face to her and captured my lips in a searing kiss.
"…You know what? I'm more proud of you than I am mad at you." Akeno said with a sigh as Tsubaki pulled back, my pants feeling a few sizes to small as she licked her lips sensually before giggling softly.
"It's not my fault if you two were distracted. All's fair in love and war."
"That, at least, has to get me first in tonight's sex marathon, right Isa?" Akeno asked with a hopeful smile, confusing me.
"Why is tonight a sex marathon?"
"Because the timetable said so." All three answered in unison and I just stared at them before I sighed.
"You know what? Fine, I guess some things from the timetable can be kept." Akeno and Kuroka cheered excitedly as Tsubaki just gave me a sympathetic smile, though I chuckled as she wasn't good at hiding the slight glint of burning arousal in her eyes.
"Now, I think Lord Sirzechs is either waiting for me or about to-!"
"Gaki, Lord Sirzechs wants to see you." Okita said as he appeared out of thin air in front of me, making me chuckle as the three glared at him.
"Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger." He said with a shrug, making them sigh as I picked up Kuroka and placed her down in my seat. All three of them soon forgot about their anger as I gave each one of them a deep kiss, all three letting out blissful sighs before I turned and walked towards the amused Okita.
"I taught you well, gaki." He said with a sniff and I just snorted as we started walking towards the castle.
"So, what does the Big Boss want?" I asked and Okita just raised an eyebrow at me.
"You're actually asking that after what happened?" He asked incredulously and I chuckled as I shrugged.
"Hey, I had to break the silence." He just sighed as he shook his head.
"You know, gaki, you need balls of titanium to declare political warfare on the strongest Devil Clan in the Underworld…and I love it. A manic figure of chaos turning against society. It's like looking at a better version of myself, without the good looks of course." He said with a nod and I just rolled my eyes as I smiled.
"You wish. How many girls do you have right now?"
"You will find that some of us don't broadcast our love lives like you do." He said with a smirk, to which I frowned as he didn't elaborate and didn't say anything further.
"Okay, who's the woman you forced into a relationship?" I asked as we arrived at Sirzechs' office, Okita knocking on the door with a smirk.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Was all he said and I frowned.
"Enter." Sirzechs' voice came through the closed door and Okita gestured for me to walk in, with me walking in and noticing the tense atmosphere in the room. Sirzechs didn't have his usual smirk on as he stared seriously at me, Grayfia with her usual stoic expression standing behind him to his right. MacGregors was seated in a chair to the left of me, his legs crossed as he followed my every movement, Bahamuth and Enku were standing near the windows and as Okita closed the door behind me, I glanced back and frowned slightly as I saw Surtr and Beowulf leaning against the walls next to the door with frowns.
"So, what's the verdict?" I asked as I sat down in the chair in front of Sirzechs, with him just staring at me before he sighed.
"Do you realize the consequences of your actions?"
"Not at all for I do not care about anyone that isn't a Gremory or part of the Gremory Territory."
"So, you're okay with letting innocent lives be taken away as long as everyone in the Gremory Territory are safe?"
"100%." I answered, to which he didn't say anything as he just stared at me before he spoke.
"150 noble houses want to join your side in this political war, 24 of the remaining 32 Pillars are blaming the Satans for not having better control over the Evil Pieces and everyone wants the head of Zekram Bael for killing a member of a Pillar family. They want to know if he can get away with killing one Pure Blood, then why shouldn't they believe that all the accidentals deaths in the history of our race weren't all just him killing people that didn't agree with him."
"And? As far as I'm hearing, this is a triumph for the Gremory-Sitri faction. I thought you'd be more happy." I said and he sighed as he shook his head.
"I'm the one who has to come up with all of the reasons and explanations right now as Ajuka retreated to his lab to seal the King Pieces away in a place no one will get them, Falbium is too busy keeping another civil war from breaking out and Serafall is too busy with keeping a strong front up against every mythology that is just waiting for a chance to kill us."
"And all of this could have been stopped if you just punished the Devils that have committed crimes over the years instead of giving them nothing more than slaps on the wrists and a stern warning."
"That would just lead to everyone thinking that I'm no better than the first Lucifer, that I can't do anything but lead with power, intimidation and fear! Sometimes, you have to use intelligence and smarts to solve a problematic situation instead of bulldozing through every problem like you have!" He shouted as he stood up from his seat.
"And sometimes, you need to show the world that you're not someone to fuck it! To show that you're not someone that everyone can walk over without disastrous consequences!" I shouted back as I stood up from my seat, both of us glaring eye to eye as I felt the hostile auras of everyone else in the room, ready to attack me if I do anything wrong.
"Let me ask you. What if it was Rias that was almost killed instead of Tsubaki? Would you still think the same?"
"Of course not!"He said with a frown.
"Then why?! Why is it that whenever a reincarnated Devil gets hurt, everyone's okay with it, but the moment it's a pure blood Devil, everyone loses their shit?!" I exclaimed and he didn't answer as we just stared at each other before I sighed.
"When you have an answer to my question, come and let me know. Until then, I'll be at my room." I said as I turned and walked towards the door, opening it as everyone just stared at me before I turned back.
"…I know that if I go to Lord Gremory right now, he'll agree with whatever decision I make as long as everyone he cares about is safe. I just thought that you would be the same, but I guess you care more about being a Satan and your status than anything else. What else can I expect from a Pure-Blood?" I muttered before I closed the door, my good mood ruined as I let out a shaky sigh and walked back to my room.
3rd Person POV:
In Sirzechs' Office:
Silence reigned as no one dared speak, everyone staring at Sirzechs who was just staring at his desk.
"You know, Lord Sirzechs, I have to say I expected this…I was just hoping I was wrong." Okita said with a sigh before he pushed off the wall he was leaning against.
"Your King didn't dismiss you, Okita." Grayfia warned sternly only for him to scoff.
"Isaiah's mental well-being is more important to me than him right now." He said as he opened and closed the door behind him, Sirzechs just watching him leave and stopping Surtr and Beowulf wanting to follow after them.
"Let them be. Ajuka told me what would happen if I did this and I didn't listen. This is my fault." He muttered before he waved for everyone to leave him alone, the peerage teleporting out as he sighed and plopped back down into his seat.
"One would think that having 500 years of experience as a Satan would give you the best course of action, but no, all it does is show you how inept you are for the job."
"You've been keeping Devilkind under control for that time." Grayfia whispered as she rubbed his shoulder, but he just scoffed.
"And yet, not a single pure blood Devil respects me. They fear me, yes, but respect, not at all, because why would they? I've shown them how powerful I am and yet, they try to walk over me every chance they get just because they know I won't kill them for it. They know that no matter how harsh the crime is that they do, all I can do is give them a slap on the wrist and a warning because I'm too scared of the future of Devilkind."
"And that's okay, because you're trying to prevent a future where our son is hunted down by every mythology under the sun just because he was a Devil. Isaiah doesn't understand now, but someday when he has a child, he'll understand what it is you're going through. Right now, however, he's still a bit hot-headed over what happened and wants a target to vent to. Unfortunately, that target was you." Grayfia comforted him as she hugged him softly, making him chuckle as he grasped her hands before kissing them softly.
"I still don't know how I managed to keep you by my side, my love." He whispered to her with a soft smile and she just rolled her eyes with her own smile.
"Because you'd be lost without me." She whispered back and he chuckled as he nodded.
"That indeed."
Later that day, Night:
Dining Hall, Gremory Castle:
Isaiah's POV:
"I hear from Okita that you've finished your therapy sessions. Is that true?" Venelana asked me and I smiled as I nodded.
"Yes, they have and according to Lady Leviathan, as long as I keep doing what I'm currently doing, then everything should work out."
"Wonderful! That's good news!" Zeoticus said with a nod, making Venelana roll her eyes with a smile as Rias and Akeno giggled before he turned to Sirzechs.
"Isn't that right, son? Now, Isaiah has more time for the usual meetings."
"It is, father." He said with a fake smile visible to all, Zeoticus frowning as he glanced at me and I just shook my head, making his frown deepen before he stood up.
"Sirzechs, Isaiah, come with me. Urgent meeting."
"Dear-!"
"Venelana." Was all he said as he glanced at her, making her frown before she sighed and nodded. He then glanced back up at us two and I sighed as I stood up, giving the concerned girls a calm smile as Sirzechs handed the confused Millicas over to the frowning Grayfia before we followed him out.
Greeting the butlers and maids along the way, we walked towards Zeoticus' office and without saying anything, he walked in and we followed after, with him sitting down behind his desk.
"Sit."
"I'm fine with standing, Father/ Me too, Lord Zeoticus."
"It was not a request, boys. Sit." He ordered and we both sighed as we sat down, with him glancing between us before he spoke.
"Listen, neither of you are leaving this office until we've figured this out. Now, what's the matter between you two?"
"It's just a small issue between us two, Lord Zeoticus. We'll figure it out."
"And I wasn't born yesterday, Isaiah. Now talk." I just glanced at Sirzechs, who sighed before he told Zeoticus everything.
"…I swear, it's like you two are idiots when it comes to anything besides training. Sirzechs, I understand that you were focused on trying to preserve the peace, but sometimes, you need to accept the fact that not everyone will be taken of with just words. Isaiah, I understand that you're young and battle-hungry, but you must learn to quell that thirst for battle, because one day, you might upset the wrong person who is probably going to be stronger than you, which means that you will lose someone precious to you again."
"I understand, father/ I understand, Lord Zeoticus." Sirzechs and I answered respectively and he nodded before he continued.
"Now, apologize to each other and let's head back to dinner before the ladies come and find us." Sirzechs and I sighed before we turned to each other, an awkward silence hanging between us as we looked at the ground before I spoke.
"Listen, I'm not going to apologize for what I said, but I am sorry for not thinking about it from your point of view. In hindsight, I realized that your way would have also been an option if I didn't jump the gun."
"And I apologize for shouting at you without listening to your reason. Further thinking on it made me realize that I would've acted the same way you did if I was your age, so I can't be mad at you for that. I just wish that you informed me or my father earlier before you went through with your plan, but I also understand that when someone you love is in danger, one's rational mind is not always in control." He apologized with a smile and I smiled back before Zeoticus cleared his throat and stood up.
"And that's how you a dispute between two problem children. Take notes, kiddos." Zeoticus said with a grin and I rolled my eyes with a smirk as Sirzechs chuckled while shaking his head. He just grinned as he walked around the table, wrapping his arms around our shoulders and nodding.
"Listen, right now the Underworld is unstable and if Zekram finds out about your little fight, he'll make sure to exploit it. Right now, I want House Gremory to show a united front and you two are going to be the main focus of the Underworld in search of that front."
"Don't worry, Lord Zeoticus. I get the memo." I said with a grin and his grin widened as he nodded before we turned to Sirzechs, who rolled his eyes as he nodded.
"Dont' worry, father. I understand."
"Good! Now, come on, dinner's getting cold and I hear Evelina's serving chocolate lava cake for dessert."
"Wait, really? Then what are we waiting for? If we wait any longer, there might not be any left for us." I said and the two chuckled as we walked out of the office before walking back to the dining hall.
Six Days Later:
Gremory Courtyard, Gremory Castle:
"Be safe and please don't do anything your father would do." Venelana said to Rias, making Zeoticus roll his eyes before he grunted slightly as she stomped on his feet.
"Don't worry, Mother. I did inherit your intelligence and not Father's."
"And I thank the Satans every day for that."
"Great, make me feel like an even bigger idiot than I already am." He grumbled, to which Rias and Venelana giggled before they turned to myself, my peerage and the rest of Rias' peerage.
"Akeno, please keep her under control."
"I'll try my best, Lady Gremory." Akeno said and Venelana smiled as she nodded.
"Koneko, Gasper, keep as much of the cookies and sweets away from her as much as you two can."
"We'll make sure she doesn't eat more than her fill, Lady Gremory." Gasper said with a salute, Koneko mimicking him with a nod and she smiled as she nodded before she turned to me.
"Protect Rias and make sure that all threats to her are eliminated?" I asked and Venelana giggled as she nodded.
"You don't have to tell Isaiah his job, dear. That's the one thing we all know he's good at." Zeoticus said with a smirk and I just chuckled as I nodded.
"Above all, make sure all of you behave as one would expect from a Vassal of House Gremory."
"Yes, Lady Gremory!" All of us chorused, with her smiling before she stood back, Kuroka and Akeno waving their hands and a large Gremory crest appearing under all of us as we all waved at Venelana and Zeoticus before we disappeared.
A/N: And there we go! Another chapter, another week done!
I tried my hand at showing how much canon had changed with Isaiah's decision since I wanted to know that the universe doesn't revolve around just Isaiah.
Also, for those thinking that the argument was forced, on one hand, it kind of was. On the other hand, everyone remembers those arguments you had with friends where they accused you of something you didn't do and then you deny it and that leads to a whole shouting match which then leads to either a friendship being destroyed or an adult having to step in and sort it out before the friendship is lost.
Yeah, this argument was kinda like that.
In the next chapter, we'll be heading in a new direction as we head to the region of Kyoto!
Anyways, read, enjoy, review and until the next chapter…
Ba-Bye~!