"Right then, how do we do this?" Issei asked. Everyone looks around as if they held the bad news they dreaded to tell Issei. Issei looks around hesitantly. "What's going on?" he asks. "Issei, look, we uh...." Yuuto pauses. "Issei, just listen" right as Akeno is about to finish, Sona jumps in. "We can't attack tonight."
Everyone looks at Sona with a bitter glare as they scolded her silently for her bluntness. Issei sighs. "Yeah I had a feeling." Issei said. He then puts his gauntlet down on the table, working on his arm as he examines every little crevice. "Issei? Are you okay?" Yuuto asks. "Do you need something? I could get you some water or soda?" Issei shakes his head to Asia's offer. "No, I'm fine" He says calmly. He then raises his gauntlet up. "One week, if we don't make a move…" six indents the sizes of stones revealed themselves. One on each knuckle and one for the center of his hand, the biggest of the all.
"Then I'll do it myself…"
He then lowers his hand as the clinks and clanks of the metal glove echo throughout the room. At that moment people feared what he could have had in mind as those words spilled out. That night Issei fell asleep to find himself inside his mind surrounded by thousands of dragon corpses piled up all around him. Dragons of all kinds, even evil dragons, so destructive they wanted to destroy themselves. All just rotting away as Iessi and Lord Issei sat eating them as they cooked their meat over a campfire. The stench was so violent some would say it violated you just by the smell. The meat had flies all around it and the ground was made of maggots. Only the fire of their campfire purified the meat, allowing it to taste like the beast steak and lobster money could buy.
"So this is what happened to the dragons?" Issei asked. "The giant ones, yes…" Lord Issei said. "This universe might be it for them but they're more in others, probably not as much but they're out there in the vast cosmos of the multiverse. This is where they go to die, this is hell for them." The crackles of the campfire was the only noise to block out the silence. "It doesn't matter. There's nothing stopping us now. Issei, we'll be crashing that wedding soon. The Lord is preparing us to save them, but I just want Rias recovered." Issei looks at Lord Issei confused, when suddenly a third member joins the party.
"We'll be the trinity of hope for them" Lord Issei spoke as Iessi took a leg piece. "But, you guys are demons?" Iessi shook his head. "Oh we're more than that. We're not like the others."
"Tick tock buddy, we'll be waiting. Sooner or later you'll have to sacrifice something for power. And we'll be able to set up a stronghold here. The question is, who's this stronghold revolving around. Rias, or the Harem?"
"The choice is yours.."
Issei then wakes up in his bed. He looks around his dark room as a portal as white as ice appears on the floor. Issei looks to see Grayfia appear from the ground to greet him. "It's you…" He says somewhat bitterly.
"I almost hate her again" His words now cut into Grayfia's heart. "How could you say that? Don't tell me you want that Harem again. What, some kinda coping mechanism to escape from your pain? Tell me what's going on?" Issei shook his head. "It's because she just gave up. I feel so alone now. She's now with him because she didn't want to see me die. She left me so I could live. That's selfish, because I never said I wanted that for myself." Grayfia sighs. "Well hating her won't help" Issei sighs. "Yeah, you're right. I'll forgive her on one condition." He activates his gauntlet. "Once she's back home with no tears left in her eyes, happy." Grayfia feels a smile creep on her red ruby lips as she looks at Issei staring at the moon. "What is it? You on my side now?" Grayfia nods. "After watching you fight yes. Before I'm just a neutral party. Your brother in law only cared for Rias you know." Issei rolls out of his bed. "Thank you for that" he says softly as he begins to dress. "You're welcome" she says cheerfully. Issei then gives Grayfia a glare.
"Look you terrify everyone right now. The only reason why the Phenex's aren't scared is because they don't believe you can kill them. Yet we all know you can send them to Hell, the worst parts of it. Issei you're right, the truth will be revealed." Issei looks back at Grayfia, shocked and jaw dropped. "What did you say?" he asks, astonished. "The truth. Issei we know there's a real hell, with demons much worse than us. That's where we go when we die.. They'll take us all if we don't do something about this!" Issei smiles. "Yeah right, glad you're on my team now."
"Everyone else is in the underworld. The plan was for you to rest with Asia so that you can be ready. I've come to collect you when the time is upon us." Issei suits up in his school's more formal uniform. "Right, and this is the wedding?" Grayfia nods. "Correct. Everyone else is with her for what's to come." Grayfia says. "No need for that, put on this" she says as she hands Issei a tux. "Oh and one more thing. Her brother wanted to give you this." She hands Issei a slip of paper with a pentagram on it. If you want my sister back, then you must be prepared to fight. "Oh I'm not prepared to fight" Issei says as he gets up and puts the piece of paper in his pocket. "I'm prepared to kill and destroy. They'll know what death looks like."
"I'm ready"
"Then there's not much more I can do. I'm sorry for underestimating you Lord Issei. Lady Rias is lucky to have someone of your stature fighting for her" Grayfia says bowing down. She then rises, Issei watches Grayfia walk out using her portal. Then the door to his room opens. Asia who's carrying a bowl of water looks at Issei shocked and emotional. She drops the bucket and rushes over to him, wrapping her arms as she buries her teary eyes into his chest sobbing. "Issei! Why are you awake!" she yells. "Asia?" she wraps her arms around Issei to secure him. "Issei please be careful! It's dangerous down there! I can't go. I just can't. I'm too scared." Issei smiles. "And I don't want you to go. I'd rather have you wait here safely.
"Oh Issei, please be careful!" Asia pleads. "I will, you don't have to worry about me, not anymore, not ever again." Issei says laughing. "I want to go with you but it's too dangerous. I'm scared of Hell. I've spent my whole life fearing it. Even if it's not the center of it, it's still closer to the burning lake than I'd ever want to be." Asia then wipes a tear as she looks into Issei's eyes. He stroked her hair. "I promise, I'll be back with Rias." Asia looks away. "Don't make a promise you can't keep" Issei chuckles. "Then you know how badly this will end if I don't come back. Lying and failing, that's damnation" Issei says. "But you can always find forgiveness if you…" Issei shakes his head. "Yeah well, I couldn't forgive myself. Asia I-" She gets up and lightly pecks his lips. As her hands grabbed his shoulders she leaned on him. Then she released as she looked into his eyes and smiled. Her hair is like a dandelion pedal.
"Come home Issei. I'm sorry I-"
I will
Rias walked over to the mirror as she wore a beautiful white dress with a golden chain on her neck. She looked into the mirror with bitter disgust as maids stood by. "An engagement party, then why am I in a wedding dress?" she asked.
"So this is how you're punishing me as a devil? Aren't we all gonna burn in Hell some day anyways? Just leave me alone, leave us alone. Let me enjoy what little joy there's left." Rias turns around to see a bright silhouette reveal himself. He wore the rhodes of a common man, and had a red sash worn from his right shoulder down to his left hip. Rias pauses, remembering Issei's words to her as well as Genshiro's and Rodney's. "Is he alright?" Rias asks, the Lord nodded his head. "What about Riser, if we're all people, what about him?" He shakes his head. "Don't worry about Riser. You'll have your share of work cut out for you to worry about." He then turns to see Riser walking in, ignoring his presence. "Do not fret, I won't let anything happen" he says in a calming voice.
"No lord Riser men aren't allowed in here!" a maid yells.
"Relax, just a moment with he and his lady. Now look at that dress, aren't you not the most beautiful bride here?" Rias rolled her eyes. "Sorry to disappoint, I'm not a bride yet. So what's with the dress?" Rias inquires. "Oh nothing" He says putting his hand on Rias's shoulder as he gets close to her.
"I just want you to make a good impression on our esteemed guests" Rias closes her eyes in disgust. "Just go with it. I'm trying to save you. I'm sorry I can't make you happy, but I'll be damned if I don't try. I'll do all I can. I promise." Riser hears laughter from the other side of the room. "Ye of little faith. You're lust for her is creating an excuse that you're her savior." Riser turns his head sharply to see life itself standing before him. His eyes gleamed red with the blood of the wicked stenching from his robes. "YOU!" Riser yelled. "What is the meaning of this?!" Jesus shook his head. "He'll be gunning for you, so will Rodney. I tried to save you, hopefully you can still accept my salvation after this." Riser clenches his fist. "You'd stop Satan from destroying her! Don't give me that crap!"
"I am" Riser suddenly froze. "What?" he asked. "I am, and if you keep this up you'll be joining him" he spoke. I, I uh...….." He then fades in a portal of fire as Rias looks off with little hope left inside. "Sheesh" Rias says bitterly as she stares off into the distance. Remembering every last detail of Issei's defeat. How she held him in her arms as he slowly fell unconscious.
"So you were right. He's coming for us, to save us. But then why....."
"Why do I feel so down? Hopeless? Bitter......"
Lady Rias, it's time.....
The Hall was crowded with 'devils' of all different kinds. People wearing fancy dresses and suits. At one table Yuuto and Koneko watched as they drank and ate with some members of Phenex's and Gremory's house. Surprisingly all of them were well mannered and nothing like Riser, some even made fun of Riser as they all joked around toasting the wedding. At another table Akeno and Rodney sat blending in as they slowly danced a little with others. Everyone was there happily drinking and marrying, everyone but Issei.
"Hey, you think Sona's team is all set?" Rodney asked in Akeno's ear discreetly. "I wouldn't worry about it. We can't do anything anyway. We're the guys on the inside." Rodney nodded as Sona sat on top of the roof with Genshiro. Genshiro was covered in bronze armor with wings made of the funky metal as they looked out into the distance between the group of soldiers. "We silently take them out and make sure no one can crash this. Understood everyone?" Sona asked. Everyone nods as they move into position, changing from their fancy clothes to their battle uniforms.
"You know, you ever think you'd be the bride at one of these?" Rodney asked, catching Akeno off guard. "What makes you ask that?" Akeno asks. Sona silently snaps the neck of one guard as Genshiro tackles three more with one fell swoop.
"Well I just, I don't know actually. Being a servant means dedicating your life to the one you're serving." Rodney looks away, embarrassed he asked such a question. "Hey, it's fine. Just act like we're part of the party. After all, I'm your date, am I not?" Rodney smiles as Sona's team finishes cleaning the perimeter of Riser's royal unit. They look back at the roaring castle party. "You know killing them wasn't necessary" Sona and her team look to see Issei standing with Jesus as they parted the forest. "We needed them gone, last I checked you just sit up in your nice fancy kingdom while we do all the dirty work." Jesus shook his head. "You have no idea" The enemy is not flesh and blood, but of principalities" Sona eye's narrow. "We've all done terrible things lord. That's why we're here." Genshiro looks down in shame as Issei's had enough and marches forward to the castle. Jesus however just stood there heartbroken as he was about to watch another battle commence. "Alright already. Let's just get this over with" Issei said as he began to walk inside.
"Greetings renounced Devils of the underworld! I am Riser Phenex, son of the House of Phenex. On their behalf I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming tonight! This is a historic world for us devils. The time that our two most powerful houses combined has come! With this union we shall have the strength to overtake our enemies and rule all domains!" Riser roared. "And the day where Satan will stay one thousand more years in his chamber. We're doing the right thing!" He thought, before roaring "AND NOW I PRESENT TO YOU! MY BRIDE!!!!!!!!"
Rias appears through a portal, her dress flaps like a cape when suddenly the doors burst down. Issei storms in with fury in his eyes as he cracks his knuckles. Behind him are several winged devils with horns and hideous fangs. The crowd looks in horror as Issei has them roar and scream. "I think you meant my bride!" Issei stood with his gauntlet clenched in a fist full of rage.
He says as they depart. Behind him flames burned down the surrounding trees, trapping everyone in the building as his glowing green eyes looked straight at Riser. This feeling, this is what power is. "Issei thought as he saw himself for a moment wearing three eyes, one gold, one purple, and one red. He aims his gauntlet at Riser. "RIAS!" Issei roared as Riser stood back bitterly. "Issei!" Rias yelled, reaching her arms out to him. "Who do you think you are, boy?!" Riser yelled as flames grew around him.
He roars as the crowd murmurs among themselves. Rodney looks at each team member as they all nod ready to fight. Akeno finds herself changing from her purple party dress back to her school uniform as she activates her powers, ready to fight at any second. "WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?!" Riser says, pointing out Rodney panicked as he creates his flame wings. Everyone panics at this point. The doors slam shut creating no escape from the Fallen Angel of Shide, accompanied by his mistress from the house of Gremory. Yuuto and Koneko both watch as they reveal themselves from the crowd. At this point Ravel finds herself blending in with the panicked crowd afraid of Rodney as his eye glows. "SEIZE THEM! ISSEI AND RODNEY! SEIZE THEM ALL!"
Akeno finds herself hugging Rodney, defending him as guards leap around the room attacking both him and Issei, however at that moment everyone hears a voice that they all dreaded. Someone more powerful than the uprising Dragon Emperor and the King of the Fallen Ones.
Enough!
His voice boomed as he entered the room. Around the wall of fire were devils roaring and screaming. Their sizes ranged from three to two hundred meters. All horrid creatures with boils and lizard skin. Fangs and the stench of blood and death. Everyone bowed to him as he floated down into the room. "To settle this matter, my servant will battle you. And a demonstration of my power to all those who fear me, so that they may know that I can protect all who wish to know me. Then after, a wedding feast. Issei!"
"Yeah?" Issei asked. "Take a good look behind you." Issei does so and sees a man with long red hair resembling Rias. "Sizech, the current Lucifer" Issei spoke. "The real one dwells out there" Sizech spoke. At that moment everyone looked out into the burning forest and saw Satan for the first time. All of Hell trembled as they realized they were lied to. Every last man, woman, and child saw who the real devils were. They were lied to. Satan roared in anger as he was chained to a rock screaming at the church. Everyone all at once knew the truth.
And were terrified.
"Riser, do you wish to continue down this path?" Riser looks around feeling the pressure, yet chooses to stare Jesus down with confidence. "Tch!" He then grits his teeth. "You won't stop us!" he says bitterly. "Then your true motive reveals itself." The Lord then snaps his fingers, Issei steps forward as Riser shields Rias. "My love, this is how our union will conquer!" Riser yells. "I will do what I must."
"You will try!" Suddenly at that moment the fire wall goes out and the devils all rush at the church. Angels fly towards them as the battle commences. The beasts leap at the party attendees, tackling them to the ground like prey as the lord hacks and slashes at them. He drags party guests back by their ankles, saving them from their brutal attackers as he leads the army. Issei finds himself in an arena with Riser as four chess pieces the size of houses cover the corners like a chess board. The sky gleamed red as Jesus defended his church from the sea of flames that was the demon hoard below. All of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, where the Fallen angels who would carry out end time prophecies remained, watched as the chaotic battle was carried out. However not all of them paid attention to that specific moment, for Issei was about to battle for his bride. The battle below them paused as the ring of fire was lit once more, the demons now cheered on Riser as everyone was focused on the Dragon versus the Phoenix.
"Please stop! I'll marry him if it means this chaos will end! ISSEI DON'T BE STUPID!"
"So Issei, what shall be your reward? If you win that is?" Sirzechs asks. The demons all screech and roar.
He's a lower class devil, a low life human!
ENOUGH!
Their ears bleed all simultaneously as they hear his voice. The party guests are curious to hear what Issei will really say now that he has anything on the table as a possibility. "What will it be? Wealth, a title, power, women? All is possible if you name just one thing!" Sirzech yells. "What I want? Hahahahahahaha....." He laughs almost demonically as he's now given the choice. He sees Lord Issei and Iessi both in front of him. The two stare at him intensely as he takes a moment to make his choice.
"This is it. Once I make a choice I can't go back"
I want Rias Gremory.
Not just some woman.
Or worthless wealth that rots away with time and temptation.
Or mountains of girls in some Harem.
Nor do I want some worthless fake title.
I want Rias.
He says again, she blushes as she looks at the boy whose eyes light up when in contact with her stare.
"DON'T TALK TO HER YOU FREAK!"
Issei speeds at Riser like a speeding bullet. Riser does the same as the two spread both their wings out. Issei dodges a flame kick from Riser as he punches Riser's jaw, sending the man flying back.
Riser crashes back into the ground as Issei shoots a laser at him. Riser dodges and throws some fireballs back. Already the match turns intense as Demons and Angels root for their champions. "DIE!"
"Dammit boy this is too important for me to lose! I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO KILL YOU! SO WHY?!" Riser thought.
Why do you want to kill me?
As Issei dodges another flame strike from Riser's wings. He parries one and kicks the man back with his leg as his gauntlet keeps glowing green. Everyone looks at it in shock as they feel Issei's power manifesting. "Alright then. Looks like at this rate it'll take forever."
ISSEI DON'T!
Issei hears Jesus roar at him. However the demons also roar in fear as Issei looks at his two counterparts.
"Do it, the deal" Issei spoke. "Very well" Lord Issei spoke. "As you wish, your right arm." "HEY BOY! KEEP MOVING!" Riser spoke as he dashes at Issei and slams him into the ground. He then flies around, throwing Issei into the air as he smashes at his ribs, bouncing the boy like a ping pong ball before slamming his foot into Issei's head, kicking him down to the ground thousands of meters high. "ISSEI! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Rias screeched as Issei felt something within awaken.
"Balance breaker, Red Emperor"
"Holy Hell...."
Riser says horrified as Issei transforms into a red dragon. His suit manifests into his body piece by piece before he slams to the ground, shaking the whole church hall as he breaks the arena.
"COME ON RISER! COME AT ME! TRY TO RUIN ME NOW!"
"Alright Asia, hopefully your plan will work" Issei thought as he examined himself in his iron suit. He pulls out a small capsule of water, holding it by the chain. "OVER HERE YOU BIG OAF!" Issei says as he swipes his arm, shattering half the board and turning it into gravel. He then dashes at Riser, destroying the entire rook piece at the bottom right corner of the board. As it shatters into little bricks Riser dodges a giant red laser beam from Issei, flying around with his devil wings he conjures a giant fireball and throws it at the boy. His armor renders it useless. "Didn't know you had a death wish" Issei spoke. Suddenly at this point the demons break through the fire ring and chaos erupts at the church. The chess board is shattered and Riser clashes with Issei. The two brawl like beasts as all Hell breaks loose. "I've never seen power like this!" Riser noted as he looked around panicked. Issei emerges from some rubble as he cracks his knuckles. Rodney, Akeno, Yuuto, and Koneko, along with Sona's house are now assisting Jesus as the demon onslaught keeps advancing. The party guests try to fight back but fear takes over them. "All this chaos, carnage. All I wanted was to marry the person I love." He then looks back at Issei as those green eyes stare back at him back. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! YOU'RE NOTHING HYOUDOU! YOU HEAR ME?!"
"
Based on how you're acting. I'd say that's a lie" Issei retorted. "DAMN YOU! I'M A PHENEX! THE FAMILY OF THE IMMORTAL BIRD! THE WRATH OF MY FAMILY'S FLAMES WILL BURN YOU TO DEATH!" As Riser charges at Issei, Issei slams his gut with his knee as he holds his shoulders in mid air. "Your family is the Shide. And you've left them. You're the benedict arnold of the spiritual world! You have nothing!" Riser shoves Issei off him. "SHUT UP!" He throws a punch at Issei but misses as Issei dodges in the air. "You know this to be true. The Phenex's are ashamed of you!" Issei said getting up off the floor. "THAT'S NOT TRUE!" He says with tears in his eyes as he lunges at Issei. Issei watches Riser break down as he lands on the ground with his metal wings perched.
"You're pathetic. You have a whole Harem of girls and you're still slobbering over more. How horny are you to be so desperate and pathetic twenty four seven!" Issei roars. "You wouldn't get it. You've been a devil for one week!" Issei grabs Riser's arm and throws him to the ground. "And a man my whole life! I live with the sin your forefathers crushed my kind with! YOU JEALOUS PRETENTIOUS RACE! You're not even one of those, you're just their puppet! A worthless too! Meaningless!"
"DAMMIT SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!"
He says sending a shock wave of flames that pushes Issei back. Issei slams onto the ground as Riser roars at him like a beast. He turns into a hybrid of one similar to Issei's dragon. "DAMMIT THIS IS YOUR FAULT ISSEI!" Riser roared. Issei coughs up blood as his armor cracks. He then reaches into his pocket of his armor as Riser charges at him. "Not gonna lie. I'd say I've gotten really strong on my own, against that satanic cult, those worm monstrosities, and those mercenaries. But now I'm fighting an immortal."
"Can I even keep up?"
"YOU'RE THE REAL DEVIL HERE! I WAS SO CLOSE TO BEING HAPPY!"
Issei grabs Riser by the collar. "You think this is all just some happy ending that I'm stealing?!" Issei throws Riser across the board. "She's just another body to you, not a commitment, a person to serve, you're a self centered piece of shit." Issei throws a punch that almost breaks the skin on Riser's body. "AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! THE PAIN!"
He roars as he goes flying across the board. He feels his stomach burn with flames and fire as he tries to punch Issei, however his hair is grabbed and he's thrown across to the other side of the board. "ONCE AGAIN TOO SLOW YOU DUMB OAF!" He then slams the man into the Knight Piece and roars like a dragon as flames burst all around him.
"You're dead!" Issei yells. "Where did you get that?!" Riser yells. "DON'T SCREW WITH ME I MEANT IT WHEN I SAID I'D KILL YOU! IF YOU'RE SO DAMN PROUD AND PRIDEFUL OF THOSE FLAMES I'LL MAKE SURE YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY THEM FOREVER!" Issei coughs up blood as Issei walks over to Riser. "Even as a human, that cross is too powerful for you as a boosted gear. Like the Arc of the covenant you're practically seeing God right now you should be destroyed! That dragon's armor shouldn't be able to do shit against it! Wait, no way! YOU OFFERED YOUR ARM TO IT?! THAT'S HOW YOU'RE HOLDING IT!" Issei rolls his eyes. "That's right and I'm taking yours next you son of a bitch! THEN YOUR DADS AND YOUR FAMILY'S! REAL OR FAKE THEY'RE ALL SCREWED!" Riser desperately tries to claw away, only for Issei to hold him down.
"YOU COWARD YOU KEEP THEM OUT OF THIS?! WHAT ABOUT RODNEY?!" Riser asked, only for Issei to stare down at him blankly. Riser then feels his eyes widen as his ironically cold heart breaks. "YOU'RE INSANE! YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN! Don't do this, see if God can get your arm-" Issei kicks Riser in the face. "Don't act like you care. No one ever is the same when they're innocence is stripped away. We all have a point of no return. I'm not special because mine happened to involve some big fight. We all have struggles, and it's all the devils fault. The man you serve!" He then raises his foot over Riser's head. "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" Riser yells.
"ISSEI STOP! Don't let him win like this!" Rias yells. "IT'S WORTH IT RISER! YOU'LL JUST KEEP GUNNING IT FOR HER IF YOU LIVE! She's not just MY wife or MY bride. She's not property like your people. She's someone who's loved by more than us! Someone's daughter, someone's mother one day! We all are, but you don't believe in that. You're a threat to my ideology!" Riser looks at Issei confused. "Ideology?" He asks whimpering.
"Yeah, you're too dangerous for my new empire" Riser shakes his head. "You're a mad man!" Riser shouts. "And you're a dead man." Riser then shakes his head. "I DON'T WANNA DIE!" he roars. "NO ONE WANTS TO DIE, THAT'S THE POINT!" Suddenly Issei feels his suit break. As the armor cracks all over he stumbles and finds himself in his uniform with just his gauntlet with his foot about to stomp on Riser. "Hahahaha, idiot!" He then slams Issei with his leg, sending him flying as he powers up with his flames. "Your bride?! You're wife?! Pathetic! Issei Hyoudou!" He says smiling as he takes flight over the injured boy. "Rias is all mine, for as long as I live.
And there's nothing you can do about it.
Riser says this as he gets in Issei's face, his skin slipping off his face and exposing muscle as his eyes stare crazily into Issei's soul. Spit and tears mix into a nasty broth as they spew out from Riser's face. His fangs exposed as he grits his teeth.