ebookland Chapter 70: Grudge Rematch
Chapter 70: Grudge Rematch
Chapter 70: Grudge Rematch
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Issei could only see darkness.
But there was a fire in him that he could not describe, a churning, roiling energy that was beating in his chest.
[...I have failed. And I have succeeded.]
Issei heard Morgaeus' voice.
No, his name was Ersi.
What happened to me?
Issei recalled his struggle against demonic power.
[As I said. I have both succeeded and failed.]
That doesn't make a lot of sense if you say it like that.
[You should know the implicit context. I have failed to turn you into a demon.]
Issei sighed with relief.
[But you exceeded my expectations. You dominated the demonic power and made it your own. It is a part of you like a second heart. It seems I have failed to take your special ability into account.]
Issei paused in thought.
So he had managed to take the power on his own terms.
I take it you have an explanation for that?
[Your special ability. Your power is to inherit the strengths and wills of others and make it your own. The true demonic power I gifted you is yours You are an honorary member of the Demons now... Of the Mastema Tribe.]
Mastema? What do you mean?
Ersi chuckled.
[I am not sure if Ajuka discovered this and is suppressing this knowledge, but it is possible to adopt others into their bloodlines. Meaning, I granted you a seed of my tribe's power, the ability to manipulate souls.]
Issei's mind started to turn the gears.
Wait, wait wait You're telling me that you can grant others your Bloodline powers? And you gave it to me?
[Yes. I adopted you into my bloodline. You are an honorary Mastema.]
Holy shit I didn't think that was possible.
Issei could sense the possibilities with this revelation, the things he could tell Rias what she could do with it.
Wait, what do you mean about Ajuka earlier?
[I may be out of touch, but we kept track of the Devils. I have met Ajuka face to face without him knowing it several times, and I learned much about Devil politics. I am not sure if Ajuka had discovered that he could grant his bloodline powers, or his magics, into others with the Evil Pieces. The requirements for that is that a clan bloodline must bleed his or her essence, her spirit or blood, into the transmutation piece via special ritual. There is a strong chance Ajuka might have suppressed this discovery since it is an affront to the current dominant political culture. This discovery would make Nobles obsolete, the thing that made them so special trivial. It would crush their spirits.]
...Or give them a reason to start a coup d'etat to secure power and status quo.
Issei replied with a frown.
[Oh, I have plans. But the demon lords of the post-war generation will not like it if I casually incite the lower class to murder the nobles. You have to admit, it will be entertaining to watch those arrogant fools struggle.]
Issei could not deny that.
So what now? Why am I seeing only darkness?
[You are recovering from the duress. It is not easy, doing what you did. You have a choice now. I have betrayed you for my own agenda. What will you do with this truth? Will you destroy me out of anger?]
Issei scoffed.
Yeah, I'm no basic bitch. I will get pissed if you try that again, though.
[I understand.]
What about the girls?
[They are recovering. They worry for you. I offered them a choice while you were recovering. I could resurrect them, new bodies. However, they will become demons, no exceptions.]
Why demons?
[A small price to pay. To further the number of our race. But they rejected my offer. They wish for me to turn them into humans, remove their Devilhood and let them ascend to heaven.]
What? Why?
Issei could not understand.
[They believe that if they were to live, someone else would use them against you. They are aware that they're your weakness and they cannot see themselves reaching a level where they can stand with you. They do not have the same fire that the girls around you have They're tired of the torment. They want to rest in peace.]
Of course If you put it that way, that's only natural for them.
Issei nodded in understanding with lingering sadness.
[Do you have any final words for them? I can grant them the peace they desire right now.]
.I'm sorry, and it's been a pleasure.
[You have nothing to be sorry for, and the pleasure is theirs, they believe.]
Issei then heard another snap of fingers.
There was a warm sensation he could feel them. The girls he saved left him and he could sense their gratitude for the life, even if it's a short one, he gave them.
[It is done.]
Issei smiled, even though he could not see them, he could almost feel their smiles as they ascended to heaven.
[There is nothing else. I am still stuck in the Boosted Gear. I cannot leave without the Welsh Dragon's permission. Without your permission. The dragon made sure of it the moment I entered Boosted Gear before I could do anything about it.]
Heh. So even you have limits.
[I am but a fragment of the whole. This is just a portion of my true power.]
Issei felt like snickering and teasing this fragment.
Tell me. What is it like to be a Demon? What's the difference between a Demon and a Devil?
[The weakness to holy power and silver is from Lucifer's side. We have no direct relations to God, we are not his creations as the Bible stated. You will have access to all of the powers of our kind and more. However, if you work hard enough, you might be able to achieve Demonic Awakening.]
Issei heard about it.
The super badass second form, huh? What are the conditions for achieving that?
[Demonic Awakening is a realm only for those who experienced and discovered enough of themselves to awaken the power that slumbered within. Not everyone can achieve it. However, control over your emotions might be difficult.]
How difficult are we talking?
[You will find out. To master Demonic Awakening is to master yourself, the 'you' that was always there yet almost never confronted. And from there, one can find the path to truly Awaken. To ascend to the realm your father stands.]
Issei pondered on the prospects of being a demon, or an honorary demon like Ersi said.
[I can offer you training if you wish. How to harness the power of my kind, of the Mastema bloodline within you.]
And What else can you do besides hacking Boosted Gear and stuff?
[Oh, many things. However, if you want full mastery, you will have to join us.]
Or I can convince someone else of your tribe to teach me. Or threaten to send my dad your way.
[Clever.]
Ersi humored.
[Very well. I admit defeat. What will you do with this fragment then? Keep me? Release me?]
Honestly, I am tempted to keep you because of how good you are at hacking Boosted Gear. But then again, you pulled a dick move.
[It was a good attempt.]
And I'm not sure what else you can do, and I'm kind of scared. Alright, I'll let you out but not without showing me how to summon Elsha and Belzard and putting the other past users in their place if they have any funny ideas.
Ersi laughed at Issei's demands.
[Ahahahahahahaha! Wise choice. Very well.]
Issei winced as he felt something invading his mind.
It was a rush, a deluge of information, knowledge. The basics of soul manipulation, how to dominate other spirits, and how to break them out of Boosted Gear.
[Done. I can take my leave, but I will need a vessel. A familiar or random animal will do for me this time.]
Issei did not know that it was also possible to transmit information, knowledge with soul manipulation. He even had the basics of the technique burned into his brain, so he did not ask.
Issei sighed with relief and burned with anticipation on the possibilities.
The first one was a way to get back at the other past users.
One question Did you plan this all along? Getting inside Motohama just to get to me and
[I am intelligent, not omniscient. I am, unfortunately, stuck with two worst choices. No, three worst choices. The girl with spectacles is as much of a pervert as the other two.]
Pffffff.
Issei broke down into snickering at Ersi's misfortune.
Yeah Can you wake me up?
The next second, Issei fluttered his eyes open and saw Asia's face above his own.
"Ise, you're awake!" Asia smiled in relief.
"...Asia?" Issei blinked before he woke up to get a better look at the girl.
Issei sniffed he blinked.
The colors of the room were crisper than before. Issei blinked as he sniffed the air.
"...Is that perfume?" Issei asked as he continued sniffing.
[Our noses are strong. What you smell is the girl's evolved angelhood it surprises me to see that she is now at the level of the God I hate, yet purer.]
Ersi explained.
"Um, no?" Asia denied.
"Never mind. What happened when I was out? What happened to Diodora? Since I'm still in my body, did you guys kill him? Like really kill him?" Issei asked.
Body burned to ash and soul sent back to hell where he belonged.
"Um About that" Asia was about to reply, only for someone to interrupt.
"Um, hello everyone."
Everyone turned to the door.
Lint Sellzen, the female Freed as Issei liked to dub her, came through the door.
"Like, sorry for not being here often, but I have like exorcist stuff to do like securing the border and whatnot. Anyways, uh, sorry but bear with me for a moment as"
She awkwardly stepped aside, allowing a group of robed individuals wearing skull masks to enter the room.
"Grim Reapers?" Issei gawped at the sight of Hades' robed servants of Death.
"Yeah, they came here to question us on well, the breach of security. Like an army of ghosts and the necromancer."
"E-Eh?!" Millicas squeaked.
"I am Orpheus, servant of Thanatos." The Grim Reaper at the vanguard announced. "I am here to question you all on the matter of the necromancer and to sweep this area of stray evil spirits. We are sorry that we aren't here earlier, but the Necromancer sent most of his army to distract us."
[Ah. That explains why they didn't arrive earlier to smite the mad one.]
Ersi explained.
"His army was large, so it took us time to reap it to the last soul. Who is in charge of this area?" Orpheus asked.
"I am, along with Rias Gremory." Sona stepped forward. "I am Sona Sitri of House Sitri, Heiress of the Sitri Clan. To summarize our situation, the necromancer has invaded my territory, but we destroyed him and his army. If you wish, I can report the details in my office if you like."
"Hmmm. Very well. Lead the way, Sona Sitri." Orpheus nodded as Sona left the room with the Grim Reapers behind her.
Once they left the room, Millicas quickly ran to Issei.
"B-Big bro. I-I heard that well"
Rias placed a hand on her nephew's shoulder.
"Issei. I have a request for the demon no, I hope you can convince the demon to honor my request."
Issei stared at the two Gremories with a quirked brow.
"What? What'd I miss?"
Rias inhaled, "...During the battle, we managed to salvage Grayfia's father and save his soul from Purification. He is now free from Diodora's grasp, but he refuses to pass on to Heaven and he will not go back to Malebolge."
"Why?"
"Every soul that is released from Hell is bound to the eldritch being known as GOD. Lord Lucifuge heard it from Diodora in one of his gloats."
There was a tense pause for a moment.
"What?" Issei asked.
"I-If my grandpa tries to leave, he he will die for real." Millicas explained.
Issei stared at him, still confused.
"...Let me explain." Rias then starter to recount the events after Issei passed out.
"So cute"
Issei remarked without thinking as Asia blushed, her fairy wings fluttering; the girl was re-telling the boy of what happened and showing him her new form.
Issei then received some funny stares from other girls, prompting him to clear his throat and focus back to the matter at hand.
Elsha and Belzard had already introduced themselves to the children, explaining how they were here to everyone's shock while Issei was passed out.
Vali did not know that it could be done, summoning the past users to fight for him. He planned to experiment with his Sacred Gear and build on this, a plan to use the past users to his advantage beside sealing them.
The two past users returned to Boosted Gear as they would pass onto the afterlife if they linger too long, to return to themselves, fragments seeking to become whole.
"Though, what you did to Diodora is honestly too good for him. He deserves way worse in my opinion though not sure if GOD snatching his soul is worse than Hell."
"...So will he do it?" Rias asked.
[I will not.]
Ersi rejected.
"E-Eh?! Your gauntlet is talking! Is that the Welsh Dragon?" Millicas pointed out.
Issei forgot that Millicas most likely never heard Ddraig talk from Boosted Gear.
[Let the Reapers send him back to perdition. In fact, you can give his soul to me to torture personally. There is history between us.]
Millicas looked troubled at the words. Seeing the young boy's looks, Issei sighed.
"This one is not Ddraig. Millicas, meet Ersi, the Demon Lord of Mastema Tribe. Ersi, this is Millicas Gremory - and for fuck's sake, don't be too harsh on the kid."
"Ersi? I thought his name is Morgaeus?" Rias asked.
"...He lied about his name." Issei explained. "He is a fragment of a Demon Lord kind of like Vritra, honestly, but with more independence. In a strange way, a Demon Lord is in our presence as they like to say."
Everyone stared at the gauntlet with a new perspective on the entity.
"...A Demon Lord?" Xenovia asked.
"Meaning he's as important as an archangel and a Satan?" Irina asked, now morbidly curious.
[I have defended my people against campaigns of both angels and Devils. I built a mountain of corpses, of death, during the Great War, and I will not tolerate any disrespect.]
Everyone nearly flinched from the Demon's wrathful boasting and warning.
"A Satan and a Demon Lord" Saji muttered. "Honestly, Demon Lord sounds cliche a little. I mean, usually we defeat Demon Lords in games and stuff. Like Dragon Quest So, how strong are you?"
Vali starred at the gauntlet, gulping with sweat, now aware that the Demon was no mere chaff.
[I can rip out your Sacred Gear as if snapping a twig, enslave it, and make it devour you and all you hold dear. Come closer so I can demonstrate.]
Everyone turned to Saji.
Saji slowly backed away from Issei, away from his arm's reach.
"Okay, terrifying prospect aside What history do you have with this Lord Lucifuge?"
[Do you need words? He supported Lucifer when the Devils warred against us. He is responsible for much bloodshed of my people. I do not need to say what I will do to him if the opportunity arises.]
Issei grimaced.
"...Yeah, sorry." Issei shook his head. "There's just too much bad blood between them. I don't think I can help you."
Issei wondered if he could do something about it as he had the power of the Mastema Tribe. He could try to absorb the soul into Boosted Gear but Ersi was there. And the Grim Reapers were out there.
He had to play things by ear. Not like he could shove the soul anywhere like Boosted Gear
"...Wait." Issei blinked, "Aren't we forgetting something?"
Or can he?
"What? What is it?" Rias asked, perking.
"...Ersi can hide the souls of others inside Boosted Gear. Boosted Gear is out of the question, but that doesn't mean that Boosted Gear is the only Sacred Gear I can stuff a soul into." Issei explained.
"Oh!" Rias hammered her palm. "Of course, ingenious! But we still need Ersi to do that. None of us have any knowledge of Necromancy."
"I can try it." Issei smiled.
Everyone stared at Issei as if he grew a second head.
"My turn to explain. Here's what happened to me."
XoX
Everyone stared at Issei, overwhelmed by the information the Demon Lord presented.
"...All this time" Rias fell into her chair, looking down on her lap. "All this time, we could eliminate the difference in status between our race just like that? I This might sound redundant, but my common sense has been broken one too many times in one day. I don't know what to say other than how is that possible?"
Rias Gremory asked Issei.
[Blood Magic.]
Ersi answered.Visit for the best novel reading experience
[The answer is blood magic. It is not a power that Devils can master as we sealed the potential to do so. Necromancy is a good substitute, however.]
The Devils exchanged glances.
The status quo that was held so long Rias inhaled, an appointment with her brother planned to discuss the ramification of this truth.
"...Issei." Irina was next to speak up. "So what are you now? Are you a Demon, or some kind of new mutant type?"
"Good question. Need to check with Azazel or Uncle Genos to find out," Issei only shrugged with a wry smile in return.
"Can you transform?" Koneko asked with her ears wiggling with anticipation.
"Can I?" Issei asked.
[It is there. Call upon the demonic power within you and let it spread and transform all that you are. It is yours to command as you wish.]
Issei smiled at the demon's honesty.
"Stand back."
Issei got off the bed as the others stepped back.
Vali smiled with excitement when Issei inhaled.
Issei called upon the demonic power within as his human form was consumed by the new power within.
Issei's height grew, his muscles expanded, not like Diodora's hulked out form.
Two horns curled from his head as Issei's teeth sharpened into his fangs, his eyes turned demonic red as his skin turned bloody crimson.
His bladed tail grew as cimmerian organic armor grew over his body like a second skin.
His fingers turned sharp as claws grew in place of nails.
Everyone watched Issei's demonic form. This version was purely organic, no Sacred Gear metal this time.
However, everyone then saw Issei silently looked around, before looking over himself.
"...Ise?"
Issei unleashed a demonic growl.
Everyone leaned back as they felt a hint of intense aura leaking out of him.
"...That was a poetic finisher." Silver slowly clapped at Yuuto's dramatic victory.
"Yuuto!" Rias and her Peerage ran towards Yuuto when he fell on his knees, wheezing for his life. Muramasa transformed into her human form, holding Yuuto's shoulder.
"You did great! How are you feeling?!" Rias asked as she helped him up.
Asia ran towards him and already started healing Yuuto with Asclepius.
"Tired exhausted. Honestly, I'm surprised I got out of that fight unscathed. It's too taxing on my mind," Yuuto let out a weak grin.
"You were awesome!" Millicas shouted. "You were against the ghost's many swords and went, shing, clank, and then you went raaaaaagh!"
The boy childishly mimicked Yuuto's fight with Freed, much to everyone's amusement.
Xenovia walked up to the holy sword and knelt before it.
"...So this is Lobera." She picked it up and inspected it.
Xenovia and Irina had no use for a third holy sword, honestly.
Lint looked sullen as she stared at Muramasa.
"...What happened to Freed?" Lint asked Muramasa.
Muramasa's face darkened, shadowed with malice.
"...I am punishing his spirit." She said. "I am my maker's daughter? Yes, his daughter I suppose."
Muramasa held out her hand as she summoned a Katana.
Everyone stared at the katana in her hand. The hilt was white, the metal blade dark blue.
What made this katana stand out was its Aura. The aura did not belong to Yuuto or Muramasa.
Issei stared at the new sword for a few moments before he turned to the demon sword, "...Did you just turn Freed into That?"
Muramasa smiled cruelly, "I most certainly did. A fitting penance for a denizen of Hell, no?"
Everyone felt like stepping away from the sword woman. To think that she had the power to turn any soul into a weapon
"...What are you planning to do with him?" Rias asked, afraid of the answer.
"Oh, I don't know. I have a few ideas like banging him against a rock as payback." Muramasa grinned.
"...May I have the sword?" Lint asked.
Everyone turned to the 'sister' of Freed Sellzen.
"Yeah I know. But honestly, this is the best deal he's gonna get out of everything. And we're practically siblings, so he might warm up to me better than anyone else." Lint reasoned.
Everyone exchanged glances, before Yuuto nodded to Muramasa, who then handed the sword to the exorcist.
"...Tsk, very well. I suppose his service for our cause will suffice." Muramasa summoned a sheath and sheathed Freed. She handed the Katana over to Lint.
"The sword should hold the prisoner's powers. Do with him what you will," Muramasa said, earning a brief chuckle from the other girl.
"I'll do my best." Lint replied with a wink, before she turned to her new sword, "Let's get along, yeah, brother?"
The sword rattled in her hand.
Yuuto could imagine Freed begging Lint to unsheathe him and stab him in the gut or something like that.
"Should we give Freed a test run?" Lint asked.
"I can help with that tomorrow. Right now, I want to eat something good and go to bed." Yuuto smiled weakly.
Issei smiled at the ending. He still had something to take care of tonight.
Issei was alone in the backyard of his mansion. The school was safe, and Katase had been returned to her family, who had been 'suggested' to not know the wiser.
He waited by Rover's doghouse.
He lay beside Rover, his back resting on Rover's hide while his best friend was eating his favorite spiced steak.
"Yo."
Black popped up, waddling towards Issei.
"Got ya an animal you can use."
Black presented a dead pigeon.
Issei stared at the corpse with slight disgust.
"Really?" Issei asked.
"What? Does it need to be alive?" Black asked.
[It should suffice.]
The demon answered. Despite being with him for less than a full day, Issei already felt as if he was losing a long-time companion for some reason.
His first encounter with a Demon Lord and he already learned so much about God, his mind expanded with new possibilities, and he even got a new badass demonic form that had to master with effort.
And Diodora died a horrible death while Freed was punished by becoming a Holy Demon Ghost sword.
It was a good day in his opinion.
"...Say, before you leave, I gotta ask you something. More like a favor." Issei requested.
"When I was little, I unlocked Juggernaut Drive I"
[Say no more. I understand the pain.]
Issei nodded.
"...I want to know why I survived. Is it because of my dad's blood, me being free of the curse, or both?"
[Hmmm. One moment]
Issei waited.
He looked at Black, his friend showing a somber expression. He knew about Issei's greatest trauma. Rover whined a little and nuzzled against Issei, knowing his current state of mind.
[Ahhhhh. It seems you have awakened your ability much, much earlier than I expected. You grounded the power from consuming you by your ability. You have inherited, or in this case, took much of the Longinus' power. It is buried, deep, deep within you.]
Issei blinked at that answer.
"What? Wait, so you're saying that I have a piece of the Juggernaut Drive's power all this time? Then why can't I feel it?"
[It's buried by regret and trauma. You are rejecting the power within you for so long that you don't even know it.]
Issei stared at his gauntlet, unable to digest and process this information.
"...Seriously"
The truth that he was holding himself back all along annoyed him. He scoffed, the things he could do with this power.
"Thanks. I hope we can meet again in person. Though without you trying to kill every Devil in existence."
[Ahahahahaha. Who knows? I cherish our time together, as short as it may be. Bring the corpse to me.]
Issei smiled as he grabbed the dead bird and placed it on Boosted Gear. A black miasma flowed from Boosted Gear and into the corpse. The bird's dead eyes blinked.
Its broken legs snapped back into place, wings straightened, hopping onto Issei's gauntlet as it rolled its neck left and right.
"Pray that the next time we meet that you arrive with your demonic form mastered." Ersi fluttered and took to the skies, leaving Issei behind.
"...Interesting day." Black commented.
"Yeah."
They watched the pigeon fly to the borders of Kuoh Town.
"...By the way, the girls said they want to talk to you about something. They're in your room." Black said with an unreadable smirk.
Issei blinked, "Who?"
"See for yourself."
After parting ways with Gasper within the mansion they stayed at, Yuuto and Muramasa finally arrived in their shared room.
As soon as the door was closed, Muramasa suddenly pulled Yuuto into a crushing hug, as she buried her face within the crook of his neck.
"Muramasa, what-"
However, Yuuto paused when he felt Muramasa's body was trembling, followed with sobs as he felt moisture on his skin where her face was buried. His expression softened, and slowly he wrapped his arms around her back, his hand running circles in a soothing manner.
"I was" Muramasa began with a choked sob, "I was so scared; I thought we'd be separated forever."
Yuuto glanced at her before he sighed, "...Me too, Muramasa."
"Being held by that That thing - I don't want to return to the past. Not when you are my wielder now." Muramasa carried on.
Yuuto patted Muramasa's back, "Yes I'm sorry for letting you go. I'll become stronger. I promise."
"...No."
Muramasa then pulled back, so she could meet Yuuto's eyes with hers, "We will become strong, together."
Yuuto smiled at the idea, as they then pressed their foreheads against one another, enjoying each other's presence.
They remained in that position until Muramasa spoke, "...Master, I have a request."
Yuuto blinked, "Hm?"
"...Please don't let go of me tonight."
Yuuto blinked again, "I beg your pardon?"
Muramasa blushed - which was rare of her, "We don't have to do anything else, if that is your wish; just hold me until morning. I can transform myself if that is more convenient for you, so Please?"
Seeing the pleading and longing in her eyes, Yuuto sighed, albeit good-naturedly, "...As you wish."
Muramasa then yelped when her world shifted. Thanks to his past training with Issei and Black, Yuuto's muscles had grown harder, despite their smaller mass, to be strong enough for him carrying Muramasa bridal-style.
"My, oh my." Muramasa giggled as she leaned her head against Yuuto's neck. "You've grown stronger already My hero."
Yuuto paused as Muramasa placed a quick kiss on his cheek, but he took it in stride as he carried her all the way to the bedroom. He usually would have dinner first, but the day was too taxing that he and Muramasa opted to go straight to bed.
XoX
Upon entering his room, Issei was greeted by the sight of Asia Argento - clad in a thin nightgown that did not leave her body much to imagination, who was sitting on his bed.
"Err.." Issei looked around, not sure of what to do, "What am I looking at here?"
"Um" Asia - who was blushing like crazy, replied while twiddling her fingers, "I-I-I-I heard from Irina and Xenovia, that the angels and fallen angels have been researching about A-Ascension. T-they said that Kokabiel's new power was incorporated into our Brave Saints, s-s-so t-theoretically speaking, i-if we - reincarnated angels are to Ascend.." Her face began to emit faint steam, "W-w-w-we are not in danger of falling while m-m-making love! I-I v-volunteered to test that t-theory!"
There she said it, Asia then clenched her eyes shut in embarrassment.
Issei stared wide-eyed at the flustered girl, catching her intention as he sported a healthy pink shade on his cheeks as well. Eventually, he breathed deeply to calm himself, before he ran his hand through his locks as he approached Asia.
"Look, Asia." Issei began while placing his hand on top of the girl's crown, "First of all, I have to admit that ever since we met for the first time, you've been. An odd one - in a great way!" he quickly amended when Asia looked as if she were caught off guard.
When Asia calmed down, Issei continued, "You're honest, diligent, always look at the best in everyone - even Black; and believe it or not, you are one of the toughest girls I've ever known in my life."
Asia's face went even redder as she looked away shyly, "I-Ise, I'm not that strong."
"No, you are - look at me."
Asia slowly turned and met Issei's sincere look, "You had been dealt with a bad hand in your life - being used by the Church as some kind of trophy mascot - a holy maiden; and after everything you've done for them, they banished you for being true to your heart. Yet, never once you lose hope and faith. That takes courage and strength."
Issei then took Asia's hands in his, "You are strong, Asia. Not just me, everyone in this house thinks so too. And"
Issei looked a tad bashful, "...To be honest, whenever I saw you work to heal many people back there - you looked... So cool, kind of hot, even."
The moment became awkward for a few seconds before Issei pushed through, "Anyway, days that I spent with you, and with Everything we've gone through together, I think I think I've I've grown to see you in the way I see Irina."
Asia's heart leapt to her throat at the not-so-direct confession, but a confession nonetheless.
"Still, while I find you beautiful and all with. All of this." Issei gestured to their current situation, "Are you really sure you want to do this? I mean, you don't have to go this far just to prove some theory."
In return, Asia bit her lips as she leaned her head against Issei's chest and wrapped her arms around him.
"I am sure." Asia whispered against Issei's body, "Because I have realized That I love Ise." She then looked up and smiled radiantly at him, "I I don't care about the theory about our angel-hood. I love you, and that's all that matters to me. Even if I fall tonight"
Asia then leaned forward to capture Issei's lips with her own.
"...I will always cherish the meeting we had that day. I am not going to regret anything."
Staring at the sheer love and sincerity in Asia's emerald orbs, Issei said no more - as he took his turn to capture Asia's lips in a searing kiss.
The bird entered a forest where two men were surrounded by a group of Grim Reapers, the reapers kneeling before them.
One of them wore a majestic pale robe, his skull mask so vivid and life-like it was almost like he was wearing his second face.
Beside him was a demonic-looking man.
His clothes were spectral, ethereal in matter, arcane in nature, constantly flowing and ebbing around him.
His crimson dragon-like eyes watched the bird land on his shoulders, the demon with three curled horns crowning his head smiling as his fragment left the bird and returned to the gestalt.
"Your cunning is sharper than that of Lucifer's." Hades, the King of Tartarus, commented.
The delay of the Grim Reapers was on purpose.
His Grim Reapers were on standby after wiping out Diodora's second army to allow the surprise attack of Diodora to run rampant. So that Ersi would have the opportunity to turn the Son of the Strongest Man into a Demon in the conflict.
"My plan partially succeeded. But I found another opportunity. They do not know the repercussions of bringing the spirit of a dead enemy back to the modern day." Ersi, The Lord of the Mastema Tribe, chuckled.
"Are we done here?" Hades asked
"Yes. You have done well. I shall teach you all you want to know about the potential of the soul, Hades. Oh, and I need you to find something in Cocytus. There is a facility there that my kind cannot find or breach. Lucifer has warded it specifically against my kind and God's children."
"I see. It will be done." Hades nodded as they all vanished from Gaia.
To be Continued..
Omake: A Quirky Date - Episode 3: Rias Gremory
Issei silently sighed through his nose, as he and Rias were sitting in a dark hallroom, along with several more people. All of them, including Rias and Issei, were watching a stage under the illumination of the spotlight in front.
Only over half other patrons were stealing glances at both of them; not only because of Rias' looks - it was also because Issei and Rias stood out in more ways than one. Other people were wearing casual clothes, whilst Issei and Rias were clad in expensive-looking tux and dresses, complete with masquerade masks on their faces, as if they were attending a high-class ball.
"Remind me why we have to be in this get-up again, please?" Issei whispered to his date after taking a sip from the bottle of water served to him prior.
"Why, because we have to dress appropriately for this auction, Ise." Rias easily replied without leaving her attention off the stage, professionally ignoring and basking in the attention of the men directed to her.
Issei had never been in any kind of auction, but he was sure this auction wasn't meant for the upper class.
Before Issei could have replied further, the MC of the event took the stage.
[Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen. Now, for the final item for tonight's event]
The MC personally brought the small trolley where a cloth was draped over the object on top of the trolley. When he took the cloth off, the audience erupted with subdued cheers and gasps; Issei saw Rias sucking in breath as her hand immediately reached out to clutch on his. The girl was flashing him an excited smile, which was rather cute of her.
[One and only set of the firstever made action figures of Eva Unit-00, Unit-01, and Unit-02 from Neon Genesis Evangelion! Mind condition, the first prototypes made fresh in the studio, authenticized by hardcore Evangelion Fans which I know some of you are among us! The first price would shall we say, fifty thousand yen?]
People began to murmur around - Issei was not a huge fan of the series, but he did watch a few seasons back in the day, and damn, that was one high-quality show. Fifty thousand yen for the first ever made action figure? That's more than reasonable.
A hand then shot up, although the owner looked like he was sucking a lemon.
[Excellent! Who's up for sixty thousand?! Sixty thousand and one?!]
The MC announced as there were even fewer hands for those action figures.
Rias raised her hand and shouted.
"One hundred thousand!"
Multiple gasps erupted around them.
Issei stared at her.
"Really? Are you actually going to flex on these poor guys with your aristocratic wealth like this?" Issei asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes!" Rias said with a somewhat manic look, "This is Evangelion we're talking about Ise, Evangelion!"
Issei wanted to retort, but knew better when Rias had set her eyes on something.
XoX
Leaving the wailing and despairing fellow Evangelion enthusiasts behind, Issei and Rias were led to the backroom where the transaction would be finalized.
Her eyes were sparkling with child-like joy at the receiving of her newest one-in-a-lifetime collectible.
"Credit Card or cash?" The man in a suit asked.
She handed him her crimson credit card.
The man inserted it in a portable card scanner and waited.
"...Denied."
Rias blinked, "One second" She retrieved her card and blew her breath on the plastic surface where the chip was, and rubbed the card against her dress, "Try again, please."
The man accepted and eyed the card for a second before scanning it again - denied again.
"...Miss, it says your card is empty."
"...EH?! HOW?! WHY?! THAT SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE!" Rias shouted in a panicked shriek.
"...Oh." Issei remembered, before his expression went anxious, "Um, Rias? Babe? Huh, I'm actually calling a girl babe. Remember that time I encountered Binbougami and well" Issei whispered into Rias' ear.
Rias slowly turned to glare at her date, "...What did you do?"
"Remember when I said I handed him your card to buy my freedom?"
"...He didn't. You didn't!" She scowled with a frenzy he had never seen before.
Issei cringed, "Yeah, he most likely did. How much did your family pour into your allowance, though?"
"It's not something that can be dried up like a shallow oil well! What the actual Hell?! AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
She scratched her hair frantically to Issei's amusement. Then she paused abruptly to address the dealer.
"Is it possible to negotiate the terms of payment? Can I pay partially first and the rest later? Can I even pay with valuables other than money?"
The dealer blinked at the question before he rolled his eyes in contemplation, "...One moment, please." He then excused himself to make a phone call - presumably with the owner of the goods.
It did not even take a full minute when the dealer returned, "The owner agrees to allow you fifty percents downpayment, and the rest after five business days. Only for three times of the original price."
Issei balked slightly, blinking at the sudden change of conditions. However, Rias then nodded, "Then it's three-hundred thousands Very well, if I can pay one hundred and fifty, I can bring the goods home?"
The dealer nodded, "As long as you follow the following conditions."
"I understand." Rias then began to sport her 'planning-look'.
Issei was curious of what Rias had in mind, when she began to take off her earrings, her necklace and her bracelets.
"All of these are worth more than one hundred fifty thousand." Rias pushed her belongings to the table.
Much to Issei's surprise and amazement - the dealer did not comment as he actually pulled out a monocle from his pocket, and began to appraise the small accessories.
A few minutes later, the dealer put the monocle away, "...While these accessories are worth a big penny, I'm afraid that, following the current market price, you are fifty thousand yen short."
A second later, Issei widened his eyes when Rias took her high-heel shoes off, placed them on the table, and began to undress herself. To his credit - the dealer had already looked away with a small blush on his face.
"Whoa, whoa!" Issei quickly stepped in and stopped Rias from completely exposing her torso - she was not wearing a bra, apparently. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"Making up the rest of the payment." Rias simply replied.
Issei blinked and realized what was going on in the redhead's mind. Fanaticism could be more disturbing than he initially thought - Rias would rather go home in her birthday suit than failing to obtain what she wanted
That kind of explained more her desperation when she was still engaged with Riser - goddammit.
"...Here. How about this card?" After sighing, Issei then offered the man his golden credit card.
The man blinked as he took the card and inserted it into the slide.
"...Oh. It checks out." The man sighed with relief.
XoX
The journey back home was an awkward affair. As they rode the train back, Rias - with her belongings back to her, was hugging one of her new collectibles with a blushing face. It appeared embarrassment had finally caught up as she regained her clarity after the purchase.
While the whole mess was partially Issei's fault for wasting Rias' pocket money in the first place, he could not help but find Rias' current attitude to be adorable, making her look more like normal girls around.
"You know, now that I think about it" Issei decided to start a conversation, "If you did trade your clothes for those action figures, you could have just conjured up new clothes with magic, right?"
In return, Rias merely grumbled under her breath while still sporting a cute pouty look.
"Err, yeah, I guess that's my fault for draining your money in the first place." Issei looked guilty as he rubbed the back of his head, "...Sorry, but let me make it up for you. What do you want?"
Rias simply leaned her head against Issei's shoulder, "...I want to wring you dry on our next date."
Issei glanced down at her, "Monetarily, or.?"
Rias hid a smirk that grew on her lips, "Yes."
Issei understood the double-entendre. He should contact Gold just in case on the credit card he did not want to turn into Gold to be sold off.
Omake's pretty long this one, I tell you. Nonetheless, what do you think of this chapter overall?