I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
A young Hindu boy was sitting down with his eyes closed on top of a big tower. To the common eyes of humans, he could be mistaken for a normal middle-schooler but to the eyes of any supernatural being, he was obviously a dangerous individual. His well-trained body was filled with scars and many tattoos that symbolize his divinity. His back was covered by long dark blue hair but behind the locks of hair, two massive scars stood out as a symbol of his past fights. His body was only covered by a pair of blue pants and no shoes.
While the boy was quietly meditating, another figure started to approach him. The figure had a tall body with three arms, caramel-colored skin, and an elephant head instead of that of a human. One of the tusks of his head was broken and like the young boy, his body was covered with scars from previous fights.
The tall figure stops and takes a seat next to the boy. "Father." The figure calls out.
"…." The boy says nothing.
"Father, you have been summoned. Lord Indra has asked for your presence on Mount Meru." The figure says.
The boy starts to open his eyes and turns to look at his child. "Ganesha, do you remember the war?"
Ganesha looks into his father's eyes before looking into the horizon before them. "I do. You lost two arms, I lost one, Kartikeya almost got killed and we lost many allies."
"Do you still hold a grudge against the other pantheons? Against Albion?" Shiva asks.
Ganesha growls quietly. The god touches his back and remembers the pain he felt during that fight. "I used to but Now I don't. We joined the fight for the sake of following Indra's command. We knew what could happen if we joined in and yet we still fought for nothing except pride in our status as one of the strongest pantheons."
"We sure did." The boy stands up. "Indra felt that if we didn't join in, we would be seen as weak by the other pantheons. We fought and then we lost more than what we got out. As the god of destruction, I destroyed all that stood in my path, and yet I couldn't defeat that beast. I, the one that is called the strongest god, almost lost both of my sons even with all of this power." He looks at his hands. The hands that have crushed so many opponents. The god looks at his son. "Ganesha, I know why Indra has asked for my presence. My eyes have seen what awaits us and we're not ready for what is coming. Ganesha, I ask that you follow me and pay attention to those that we're going to meet today."
Ganesha watches as his father stretches his hand out to him. Ganesha takes it before standing up. "Have your visions returned?"
"Yes, my son. What I saw is something that I can't stop and yet I also saw hope at the end of the road. Let's go. It Is time for me to confirm my suspicions." The god flicks his finger and a portal into the dimensional gap opens up.
Ganesha connects the dots. "I'll follow you. Let us depart."
His father smiled and they both departed.
Dimensional gap.
Great Red continues to fly around his home. The old dragon had many things he was reflecting on but that didn't mean that he wasn't paying attention to what was happening around his domain.
The massive dragon stops and turns around until his eyes focus on the two gods that have entered his domain. "Shiva, Ganesha. Can I know the reason behind your visit?"
Ganesha tries his hardest to stay calm. "Dad, are you sure about this?"
Shiva smiles after reading his son's mind. "Good to see you, Great Red. I ask for your forgiveness but there are things that we need to discuss."
Great Red looks at the boy. "And why should I talk to you?"
Shiva's smile disappears and a concerned face replaces it. "For a long time, I asked myself if I could ever hope to defeat you and after many visions of possible fights and its effects, I concluded that I couldn't defeat you nor could I defeat Ophis or Trihexa. I accepted that fact and I also realized a few things as well."
"And what are those things?"
"You're necessary. The dimensional gap holds many secrets that not even I know. My visions have shown me things that not many have seen. Visions of what could appear from the deepest parts of this place. This is your home but is also your task. You keep things away from us while we deal with our problems. It has always been this way. So, tell me Great Red why are you helping to create that monster? Why are you making Ddraig into the monster of my visions?" Shiva asks with a serious tone.
Great Red shows little surprise. This wasn't the first time, other gods had asked many things in the past as well. The massive dragon sighs. "Because even I fear death. I know what is coming and I know that I can't defeat it on my own. I have reached my peak; I can't become stronger than this. I'm a massive container that is filled with water with no space for more water; a dog that can't learn more tricks but they are not the same. Ddraig, Albion, Tiamat, Vritra, Yu-Long, Fafnir, Tannin, and Crom Cruach are containers that can be reshaped and made into much bigger ones. Each one of them was born with the potential to grow stronger and surpass their past selves with no end in sight. Among all of them only Ddraig, Albion, and Crom have pushed themselves to break those limits. No matter the blood they had to lose, no matter the pain they needed to endure; each one of them continued to push on and become stronger thanks to that. Those three are the strongest children that I have watched grow, the strongest dragons below me and Ophis. My eyes have been watching how each one has grown and changed over the centuries. I have been waiting to see where they end up and after many centuries, Ddraig was the one that showed me the brightest light among the rest. He came back from the dead and took the chance to change even more. Albion is still sealed and Crom Cruach still lacks love for his own life. Both lack a goal for which to live. You, I, and everyone else needs that Ddraig, the one in your visions. We need a monster that can surpass me, Ophis, and Trihexa for the sake of our future. That man and his armies will come but he won't be the only one; others will follow after him if we overcome him. There are things beyond our home, other places, peaceful beings with great powers, and other beings that look for destruction. We need a monster to defeat those other monsters that will try to destroy us."
Both gods are shocked by the revelations. Neither one was expecting to hear the strongest being saying that he fears something.
"That can't be it. There has to be another reason. You fearing death is not something that I can easily believe in." Shiva says.
Ganesha looks at his father and sees the curiosity pasted on his face.
Great Red smiles. "I have grown attached to this place and those that I see as my children. We don't share blood but I have been watching over them since they hatched from their eggs. I have seen their best; their worst and I don't want that to stop. I have seen and given titles to each of the dragons that have been born from Tannin's many relationships. I will survive and see the ones that are yet to be born from my other children as well. I'm a grandpa that is enjoying his extended family and there's no bigger reason than that for me to do what's necessary to protect that happiness. I'm going to make sure that Ddraig becomes the strongest dragon that anyone has ever seen even if you tried to stop me."
Great Red releases his power and both gods feel the enormous power he possesses.
"Dad I- "Ganesha is stopped.
"Hahahhahahahaha." Shiva begins to laugh aloud.
Ganesha and Great Red watch as Shiva laughs without any restrain.
"Are you serious dad? Great Red is going to kill us!" Ganesha is having a panic attack.
"You're an idiot." Great Red powers down after seeing the stupid child in front of him.
The laughing continues for several moments until it stops.
"Are you done?" Great Red asks.
"I am. I wasn't expecting you to be so attached to them. I didn't take you as a parental figure. You didn't interfere when Albion and Ddraig got killed nor did you stop any of the deaths of Vritra and Fafnir." Shiva mentions the other dragons that have been slain before.
Vritra was sealed into different sacred gears and Fafnir was slain before being revived by Odin.
"Because I know when to interfere and when to allow things to follow its course. Vritra shouldn't have fought you and Fafnir sealed his fate by causing chaos around the realms. Ddraig and Albion also sealed their fates after attacking the pantheons that were at war with each other. Getting killed is what has allowed Ddraig to change and become the Ddraig that I know today but don't mistake my lack of interference with lack of care. If their souls are intact, I can and I will bring any of them back to life." Great Red admits.
Shiva smiles. "So, you're a family man just like me? You care about them even if you don't directly tell them. You're such a curious and interesting creature. I came here to confirm if you're the one that will lead to Ddraig becoming that monster and you told me more than what I was expecting. I won't stop you but I will keep a close eye on him. I saw 3 calamities in the future and if he is the only one that can help us to surpass those calamities, then I will make sure that he becomes the strongest beast. You have my collaboration, Great Red."
"Father, what are you saying?" Ganesha asks.
"I'm making sure that you and everyone else survives. Trihexa will come back one day and even if we try to stop it I can't take him down once he is unsealed. I also saw other calamities that come from places beyond the dimensional gap. I'm ready to fight but I'm not enough." Shiva looks at Great Red. "You're not enough either so you're creating your own pieces for war."
Great Red shakes his head. "I'm creating the ones that will protect our future and he is the one who will lead us in the fights to come."
Shiva smiles with excitement. His eyes could see into the future but he knew that the future wasn't set in stone. So, for the sake of that future, he was willing to allow the creation of something that could surpass him one day. "My fists are at your disposition then."
Ganesha watched in silence as his father and Great Red continue to discuss the knowledge they possess.
"Keep your ears open, Ganesha. This is what is awaiting us and you are part of this." Shiva said as he pulled his son into the conversation.
"The things I do for my family." Ganesha gives in as well.
Meanwhile, Chaos Residence.
Rael and Asia were sitting down in the library of the house. Asia had accepted the training she was offering to her and Rael knew where she wanted to start with her.
"Alright, Asia. First lesson, can you understand this book?" Rael holds a book in Japanese in front of her.
"Rael-san, I don't know Japanese," Asia admits. "I only know Italian and Latin. I even question why I can understand the language of demons and the supernatural?"
"Don't worry and hold still. I will make you understand all of this in a second." Rael approaches Asia and touches her head.
A magic circle appears on top of Asia. The circle spins around for several moments while Rael is unlocking something inside of Asia. After a few moments, the circle disappears and Rael removes her hand.
"Try again. Take the book and tell me if you understand what's inside." Rael says while she gives the book to Asia.
Asia looks at the book for several seconds before she opens it and tries to read its contents.
It doesn't take long for the girl to react. "I can read Japanese?"
"You can read and understand all languages. All humans can if one of us unlocks the fruit of knowledge that is inside of all humans. Your fruit was slightly unsealed due to the sacred gear you have. There's also the fact that all languages are connected to the language of the primordial gods as well." Rael explains.
"Wait just a second, you're saying that I have the fruit of knowledge? The same fruit that Adam and Eve ate?" Asia asks.
"That same one although is more complicated than just that. The fruit of knowledge is not something physical and every human has it although they are sealed. I think it is time for you and me to have a history lesson, Asia. A lesson about the past so that you may understand the supernatural world even more than before. Pay attention."
Asia nods and focuses on Rael.
"Everything began a long time ago. Before the age of the modern man, before the great holy war, before the universe was even created. In the beginning, the primordial gods of each pantheon were born inside the dimensional gap. They had great power but lacked purpose. Amongst those first gods were Father, Gaea, Uranus, the first Lucifer, Tōnacātēcuhtli, Ymir, Izanami, Izanagi, and other primordial gods. Each one was self-created and nobody truly knew what the purpose for their existence was." Rael says.
"So, are all the myths of creation real?"
"Sort of. The gods are real, the myths and legends surrounding them are mostly misinterpretations of the actual events that humans have developed over the ages. Great Red also came into existence around this period due to the dreams of the gods but he quickly disappeared after that. He is a being born out of dreams and illusions, so many mysteries surround him as well. Nobody knows where he went during that time nor did we ask him about it. After Great Red's disappearance, each one of those gods started to learn how to use their powers and one by one they each realized the gift that they all possess, the gift of creation. With this gift, they could create anything they desired and with that in mind, Ymir led his fellow deities to the creation of Yggdrasil. The sacred tree was the first creation of the gods and one of the few things they ever agreed on. Your world, the universe, and each of the realms including the underworld are branches of the massive tree which is held inside the confines of the dimensional gap." Rael explains.
"The tree is real as well? So how does it work?"
"The short version for the sake of your sanity is the following, Yggdrasil is an intangible structure that connects all the realms together while staying hidden inside the dimensional gap. Don't ask for the full explanation because it is too long for anyone to easily understand. After the tree was created, each deity decided to create its own separate realms like private rooms in a home. They also decided to create the first floor of the underworld as a place in which they could meet and interact with each other without interfering with their private realms. The other floors were added later on as the creations of the gods became more complex. Lucifer and a small group of those deities used the underworld as a base but after some time Lucifer became the last deity staying in the underworld. Asgard, Heaven, Midgard (our universe) and other realms were created around this era as well."
"Why did Lucifer do that? You said that he was a deity as well, didn't you?" Asia didn't understand why he just stayed in the underworld.
"We don't know. Some say it was due to laziness, while others say it was due to lack of power when compared to the other deities. Each deity continued to test their powers within their realms and around this stage, the first living creatures were created by the gods. The demonic creatures that live in the underworld, the youkai in the Shinto pantheon, the vampires that lived today in Europe. All of these were some of the first creations made by the gods. Shortly after those first creatures were created, the second generation of gods was also born. These included Kronos, the titans, and many other gods that are described in the religions around the human world."
"So, we humans are not the first living beings. What about Father?"
"Father wasn't creating life at that point. His sights were in other projects that included the creation of the cosmos alongside Uranus and other gods. The creation of planets and celestial bodies was the main objective of Father and his fellow gods. But this era didn't last long. The descendants of some of the primordial gods started their rebellions against their parents for freedom and the opportunity of choosing their own paths. Uranus, the original Tiamat, and many others were slain by their sons and daughters which lead to the first separations within the pantheons." Rael explains before summoning a few ancient golden books. "These are the recordings of my father and in these pages, the history of all of those events was written down."
Asia watches with amazement as Rael opens the first of the books and her eyes almost began to cry after reading the words of their creator. "Uranus has fallen at the hands of his children who were led by Kronos and Gaea has been expelled from her pantheon. She has decided to settle down on a small planet that is mostly covered by water. I have offered my help to her. I don't think that she should be left alone after losing her husband and she may start new forms of life in this world if she has our support. A small planet covered by water?"
"That planet is earth. At that time, the planet was mostly water and lacked any light source. Father and the few remaining primordial gods help Gaea to make this planet into her home. The sun was created and other planets were added for future projects. This era is known as the fall of the primordials and the start of the first life forms within Earth." Rael says as she points to a drawing of Gaea. She then finds the names of two beings on the next page. "I almost forgot these two. Before the fall of Uranus, another being appeared from the depths of the dimensional gap. A massive black dragon that had a beginning and no end in sight. That dragon is Ophis, the child born from the depths of the dimensional gap. After it came into existence, the child changed form into that of an old man and it left its home before it started to interact with the gods. At that same moment, Great Red came back and took residence within the dimensional gap."
"Wait, he came back after Ophis left? Did he know about her before the rest?"
"We are not sure but we have theories about Ophis and Great Red. We believe that she already existed within the deepest parts of the dimensional gap when the first gods were born and due to her presence, the gods choose to not make the dimensional gap into their home. She was either sleeping or in a state of stasis in which she couldn't be touched or seen by the rest of the gods. The only things that we are sure about concerning her are the fact that she was defeated by Great Red after trying to return to her home and that she hates him because of it. She can't be killed, controlled, or destroyed. Many tried to fight her but she was unaffected by their attacks." Rael explains.
"So, she is practically invisible?"
"Sort of. We don't doubt her strength but she lacks drive like other beings." Rael turns a few pages back and begins to read one paragraph. "I met Ophis today. I was expecting an old man when I first saw her. The other gods had described her like that and yet I found a small girl that lacks any sense of emotion. She is like a child that is looking around and interacting with everything that she sees. I fear that this may be dangerous since she is absorbing too many things without any guidance. She saw how Shiva almost killed one of his fellow Hindu gods due to his anger and began to copy his actions when interacting with other gods. She is like a sponge and actions such as those may have an effect on her but even if I want to guide her, she doesn't allow anyone to tell her what to do. She is dangerous and nobody can damage her. Izanami tried to test her powers and ended up with several injuries after she attacked her. Her movements lacked purpose but they were capable of causing hefty amounts of damage to anyone. I have decided to stay away from her and hope for the best."
"Even Father feared her?"
"Ophis is the second strongest being after all. Only Great Red and Trihexa can compare to her." Rael turns another page and stops at the sight of an image. "When we created the universe, we didn't expect for something to be inside. The universe was a blank slate that we were going to fill up, yet we found that thing inside. I can't really understand why but that beast was already there and nobody knew where it came from. Floating around the void of space was a massive beast sealed inside a transparent coffin. A large beast with characteristics coming from different creatures. It has seven necks, seven heads, ten horns, and seven long thick tails of different shapes. It also has four stout arms and two legs that are even thicker than its arms. It has a malicious aura surrounding it and although its eyes are close, I can feel how it knows that I'm here. This thing is alive and like that red dragon, it has more power than me and the others. We have chosen to leave it alone. Shiva has also advised us that it would be for the best if we ignore it and forget that it even exists. We are discussing a name for it and I can only think of one, "Trihexa." I don't really know why but that is the name that we have chosen for the beast and everyone agreed with me. I hope that it never wakes up."
"This is horrible." Asia looks at the painting of the beast of the apocalypse and her body shakes in fear after seeing the eyes that lack any remorse. "This is the thing that can destroy all of the realms?"
"Yes. One of the mysteries that nobody can decipher. Where did it come from? Why was it inside that coffin? Who was responsible for its creation? Nobody knows. We only know that it has no mind, no remorse, and no love for any being or form of life. A beast that is controlled by its instincts. A monster that eats everything in its path. It has destroyed stars, galaxies, and many planets after it got out of its coffin. Once it broke free, it began to eat and grow stronger with each meal. It was left alone in the farthest part of the universe for many millennia until the great war attracted its attention. Maybe it was the chaos or the accumulation of divine powers but Trihexa came back and it killed more deities than Albion and Ddraig ever did. Shiva, Father, and many others were forced to work together to seal it away. Shiva lost two arms during that fight and many died while holding Trihexa back while Father prepared the seals. Father achieved the goal of sealing it away but it took a lot out of him." Rael's eyes look at the book with sadness. "If we didn't start the war, maybe we could have prevented that whole situation."
Asia watches as tears fall from Rael's eyes. The small girl grabs the hand of her master. "I'm sorry. I can see that this is a delicate subject. We can move on and talk about something else."
*Author's notes: If you're easily offended due to your beliefs don't read this next part and skip it. I'm trying my hardest to make this part work. *
Rael shakes her head. "It's alright. I just get emotional over Father's death. With his death, we lost many siblings and especially our youngest brother." Rael summons another book and opens it. "There's another important figure in the story of humanity that you need to know about. Father didn't reproduce like other deities. He created things and we angels were the first life form he ever created. Humanity was the second but there's a third creation. A son born out of his own soul and flesh. A child that was an extension of himself. Humans know him as Jesus and we angels know him as the youngest sibling of heaven. He was made as a way for Father to reconnect with humanity after Adam and Eve committed the first sin under the influence of Samael, the cursed seraph. His task was to seal the fruit of knowledge inside of humans before guiding them into a new age until they were ready for the fruit. He was the gift that Father sent to earth as a guiding light but with his death during the war, Jesus also died shortly after. He was a sibling that we cared about, a child that we educated and watched grow into a man. This book is the only recording of his life. The last memory that he left us before disappearing."
Asia looks at the book with complete shock. Her hands tremble as Rael opens the book and allows her to read the words of the Messiah.
"Today marks the day in which I'm going to leave the security of heaven and go down into the world of humans. Father has allowed me to reconnect humanity to Heaven although it means becoming a mortal child with very few powers. I have been watching them from the security of these golden gates and I have dreamed about the day in which I can meet them. Their lives aren't perfect and many suffer a lot due to the chaos they created with their own hands. Yet, among all that chaos and cruelty I see hope. I see a chance for redemption and a second chance for them. They don't need the fruit right now nor will they ever need it. They can create amazing things with their hands without the need for such knowledge. I'm going to do my best and make sure that humanity is saved. I will guide those that need guidance, I will aid those that ask for help and I will support them until they reach a better future. I just hope that the other pantheons will see their redemption as a sign for us to come together as allies once more." Asia finishes reading and she can't say anything. These were the words of the Messiah.
*Authors notes: Please don't feel offended. I'm trying my hardest to make sure that such controversial characters are not clashing with their real-life counterparts. Don't read it if you're going to feel offended. *
"I know what you're thinking. His words sound hopeful and make you feel a sense of peace. He was the brightest hope in all of heaven. He wasn't perfect but he was our youngest brother and we missed him as much as we do with Father. He did his best while on earth but once he returned to heaven after his mortal death he couldn't return. The holy war began shortly after and he was unable to go back like he wanted to. He never hated any of you, no matter what you did to him. He was an extension of Father. Another version of himself that was born for your sake and he never got the chance to finish his task. Now it is all left to us to make sure that humanity achieves the future that he saw in his dreams." Rael pads the head of Asia.
The girl cries after learning about the fate of the Messiah. She couldn't control the tears after learning such a tragic truth. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had disappeared but his other creations were still standing. The future was left up to them and the remaining pantheons.
An hour later.
Asia had left her training behind and now she found herself within the roof of the building that she now called home. The history lesson was long and Rael did her best to teach her the most important things she needed to know.
As a former nun, she never expected that the bible she had read for so long was so faulty. They lack many pieces of the massive puzzle and she now knew that the church was being misguided for a long time.
"Asia?" Before she could continue to think about all of this, the voice of Issei grabbed her attention.
Her eyes found him sitting on a bench with Tiamat laying on his lap. The eyes of the boy focused on her.
"You have been crying, haven't you?" Issei asks after seeing her face. "Wanna talk about it?"
Asia slowly nods.
"Come and take a seat next to me." Issei signals the empty spot on his left.
The girl approaches the pair. Tiamat was peacefully sleeping while holding Tosca's egg in her arms.
"Don't mind her. Were you crying due to Rael's harsh training or did she tell you something that you didn't take too well?" Issei asks.
"The second one. Hearing about the Messiah, God, and the misconceptions that I have been reading for so long wasn't something that easy to take in. Learning all that really changes your view of the world as a whole." Asia admits.
"How so?"
"We have been following a faulty book and we lack knowledge about many things. God is dead and the Messiah is never coming back."
"I know but that doesn't mean the end of the world."
"What could happen if the rest of the world learns the truth? Will everyone go insane? How many people know about all of this?"
"Not that many. You can't easily bring it up and expect everyone to take it that well like you did."
"I didn't take it well."
"You did. You're hurt but you haven't broken down and lost all hope in life. You're stronger than most people even if you don't realize it. One day humanity will be ready for the truth but now it's not the time."
Asia grows quiet while she looks at the sky. She then looks at him. "What about you? Weren't you afraid after learning about his death? You were a human as well."
"No, I was fine after learning the truth. I was inside an egg for two years and learning about the death of the God of the Bible was the last one of my fears because I knew that as long as Michael and the seraphs were alive, heaven wasn't going to collapse. They are no replacements for the old man but as long as they continue to improve humanity will be fine." Issei pads the head of Asia before he speaks once more. "The seraphs and angels are humanity's last protectors but if they end up needing some help, I will support them alongside the rest of the alliance. I'm a dragon but also a former human and I believe that humanity deserves to continue even if they commit mistake after mistake. Gods aren't perfect so humans shouldn't strive to be perfect either. There's a chance for everyone to improve."
Asia feels some sense of relief after hearing him say that. He sounded so confident and yet she felt that something was wrong. Everyone had something they wanted to hide and Issei had one as well. "Then what do you fear? I can see that you fear something just like everyone else does."
Issei's face turns somber. His hands twitched for a second before he started to talk. "I'm... afraid of facing my parents, grandparents, and the people that used to know me as a human. My parents died in that fire and I had to force myself to accept the fact that I couldn't do anything to save them. The fact that I can't change the past. Then I learned about the source of the fire and now I'm incapable of facing them. What was I going to say to my grandparents after coming back? Hey, I'm alive, sorry for not showing up for two whole years. Life doesn't work that way and there's no way in which I could explain to them why I'm alive and the fact that my parents are dead because of me. The souls of my parents are surely in inner heaven and I can imagine that they are watching me from there but I can't push myself to try to talk directly to them even if Michael allowed entry into heaven. They died because I was the wielder of the boosted gear and no number of apologies could ever fix that." A single tear rolled down his eye. "I can't even face my friend Irina. She believes that I'm alive but what can I say to her? Hey, I'm a dragon now, do you want to talk like everything is fine? I'm the Welsh dragon now and not the same boy she knew two years ago. I have killed humans; devils and I know that I won't stop anytime soon. This is my life now after all. I don't even know where she is and I hope that she forgets that I even existed because she won't find the same boy she used to play with as a kid. I'm not Issei Hyoudou and I can't go back to that life."
Asia knew that what he was saying was right. He had the appearance of a human but he was far from that. He couldn't go back to his former life after changing so much and the regrets he dragged around with himself were strong. She knew what having a sacred gear meant. You're no longer a normal human but instead, you become a being that stands out from the rest. She remembered the first time her own gear activated and how the priests started to call her a saint due to her abilities. While she was praised for her gear, Issei was forced to pay the price for wielding the boosted gear even if he never used it. "I understand what you're saying but I don't see a monster in you. I see someone who saved me, someone that feels regret towards his past actions, and someone that I can trust. You're no longer Issei Hyoudou and that's fine but a part of that child still exists inside of you. You couldn't control what happened two years ago. You can't get that life back but you still have the chance for some closure. Your grandparents are still alive or at least that's what I believe in and just seeing them may be helpful for you. You don't need to talk to the souls of your parents but you can ask Rael to check just in case they have something that they want you to know."
Issei starts to look away.
Asia grabs his head and forces him to focus his eyes on her. "If that friend of yours comes back and is not able to accept the current you, that doesn't matter. You have us and that's more important. We met the you that stands here today and not the child from before the fire. You're not a saint but you're not evil either. Your actions have shown to me that there are beings outside of angels who can be agents of good even if their ways are not the most peaceful. You helped to save those kids, you cleansed the old church in the name of the seraphs and you helped to create an alliance between three factions. I'm happy that I met this Issei and that I can live in a world where you exist. So don't cry about the past and keep showing me how far you can take us."
The smile of Asia was brighter than anything at the moment and her words were reaching him.
"Maybe, just a small visit wouldn't be that bad," Issei told himself as he gave the idea of visiting his grandparents some thought.
"So, are we going to visit them?" Asia and Issei's eyes move away from each other before they turn towards Tiamat.
"Weren't you sleeping just a few moments ago?" Asia asks.
"I was but the conversation you two were having was more important. Learning about him and his fears is more important than a nap." Tiamat begins to sit up while making sure that the egg is safe from falling out of her arms and into the floor. "We can go right now if you feel ready for it. A trip would do us good."
"…. Not yet. I need to prepare myself mentally before I do it." Issei admits.
The boy looks into the sky. He was feeling better about this whole situation but his positive attitude was quickly replaced in an instant after seeing something in the sky. He notices a small rift in space and his instincts kick in after feeling the presence of two gods.
"Tiamat, take care of Asia." Issei stands up.
"Dear, what's happening?" Tiamat asks.
"That." Issei points toward the rift in space.
Both girls look at the rift.
From the small rift, two figures come out.
"Well, it's time for us to meet once more. Welsh Dragon, I'm here to test your limits." Shiva says with a smile.
*Author's notes: That's it for now. Let me go back to finishing writing another chapter for A God with A Different Take. If anyone felt offended due to the depiction of the Messiah or his father, please stop reading the story. This is a work of fiction and I'm not trying to offend anyone. Regarding the ranking, is not complete and each member is in that spot for a reason. Indra is strong but he cannot defeat Zeus, Odin, and Vishnu in a fight one on one. Let's not even mention Shiva who is practically broken. The next chapter will show why Shiva is not an easy opponent. *