In His Inner consciousness, Issei woke up to See his usual white void inside his mind
Issei: *Sigh* I'm guessing I'm not here for a social call?
He turned around to see a giant red dragon looming over him, with a voluptuous purple dressed Blonde woman beside it
Issei: Ddraig, Miss Elsha I'm trying to rest
The two looked at him, Questions and Concerns written on their faces
Ddraig: Issei....
Elsha: Issei.... are you feeling well?
Issei let's out frustrated huff
Issei: I don't know what to do next... part of me wants to go back home... but anothe-
Ddraig: Another part wants to stay yeah we know the deal
Elsha: We saw it from here, Your struggles, your doubts... your life's on full display...
Issei: and did you enjoy it? Watching my life...
From the light that glowed from his hand, Issei Summoned screen above, Showing the lives of "Asakura Riku"/"Ultraman Geed", "Aether", and "Hyoudou Issei" for Them to see
Issei: I've live 3 times by now, And it's not sunshine and rose's each time, Especially "Aether". so to backtrack into this life all of the sudden... I don't know....
There was silence in the void with neither of them daring to utter a word, seeing Issei so torn with a crucial desicion
The Dragon sighed as red swirl surrounds him then dissipates, Revealing Ddraig in Human form, His Face same as Issei's but with Red hair and green eyes, He walked over to The decision Torned boy and Embraced him, Catching Issei off guard
Ddraig: Issei... of all the years I lived, I have never met someone like you, Someone vastly different from and host I've ever had. You Have the ability to change people for the better, you made friends like no one else, You changed me to have a more Humble outlook on my own life.... You're not just my Partner Issei, You're a good friend. I couldn't have asked for more... and I will stand by your side no matter what choice you make
Elsha smiled at the sight, Concurring her own words
Elsha: You may now be the God of Fates but you are still friends and important companions to many, we have faith in whatever choice you will make
Issei, still stunned from such positive Encouragements, Slowly hug human Ddraig back, stuttering
Issei: You... you kept the form... Ddraig...
Ddraig let go with a scoff, Pointing out his own appearance
Ddraig: Well, you're crappy Surrogate Brother offered it, and having a human form sounds nice
Issei chuckles softly
Issei: Arata actually offered? Not Shido?
Ddraig nods nonchalantly
Ddraig: Yeah, an Offered he knew I can't refuse, especially coming with the benefit of actually separating from you
Issei laughs
Issei: Yeah... that definitely is enticing...
Feeling much better, He looks back up to both Ddraig and Elsha
Issei: I haven't decided on my choice to stay or leave yet, So please give me time
Elsha: *Giggles* Alright then sleep well Ise, Hope You're satisfied with what you will choose
Ddraig: Just don't drag it out Issei, we don't need another Aaron Rodgers
Issei stops and eyes him funnily
Issei: You watch Sports?
Ddraig: You think I had a choice? I'm forced to watch it with you and Glasses
Hearing that, Issei's Face turns comically dark
Issei: Oh my God- I am so sorry for what you've heard Ddraig, Motohama-kun tends to be-
Ddraig: Passionate? Yeah I know. I've never heard so many cuss words and anger come out of a single person before. and God, The Finals with Chief vs Eagles... holy hell I'm pretty sure the The Guy had an Orgasm
Issei's Face flushed a deep red. Yeah that day was wild
Issei: Okay, gotta sleep now! And it's called the Superbowl!
He then disappeared from the white Void. Ddraig looked back to Elsha, who was giggling and smiling
Elsha: I saw that Moment too, Kamitsugi-Kun was Really Screaming his head off
Ddraig: Well there's e things He hate most. People Who knows his past, Incompetence, Inconsistencies.. and White Men Sports Teams
______________________________________________________
Issei woke up in his bed, He yawned while rubbing his Eye's, realizing this is his House in the Teapot. He looked over to his sides to see Paimon in pajamas cuddling him on his left and Rias cuddling him on his right, the Latter of course being naked
He stares at Paimon silently, just now Processing her new Looks and appearance
'You've grown up...' He silently thought out
He carefully shakes the two awake, stirring them out of their sleep
Rias: hnnn.... 5 more minutes....
Paimon: Hmmnnn... morning already....?
Issei smiled at their different reactions
Issei: wake up you two. and Rias, You're Naked in front of Paimon
Paimon: I'm sorry what?
Paimon Immediately jolted awake to see Rias in her full glorious naked body, which she was immediately flustered as hell by
Paimon: W-W-W-W-W-W-WHY ARE YOU NAKED!??!?!
Rias woke up yawning, seeing the red faced Paimon holding onto Issei
Rias: I always sleep like this with him
The Former Pixie snaps her eyes to Issei's direction, in which he chuckled, amused by her reaction
Issei: It's true Paimon, She sleeps naked, Everyone in the group does
Rias: speaking of which, where are they?
Issei: hm... Probably in their separate rooms
Paimon:WOAHWOAHWOAHWOAHWOAHWOAH! BACK UP! YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU AND HER SLEEP NAKED!?! AND THAT EVERYONE IN THIS HOUSE SLEEPS NAKED TOO?! AND WITH YOU!!?
The two looked at her and let out a playful laugh
Paimon: Hey stop it! What's do funny?!
Issei: nothing nothing....
A few minutes later they all got out of bed, get dressed and went out the door to the main hallway to be greeted by the other's who were also just woke up
Akeno: Morning Ise...
Asia: Good morning..
Irina: Morning everyone...
Gasper: *Yawns* good morning...
Rossweisse: Good morning everyone...
Koneko: *Yawns*
Kiba: Good Morning...
Xenovia: Morning....
Ravel: Good Morning Everyone....
The Three were surprised at everyone's getting out of their rooms at the same time
Issei: Oh wow... Well this is a coincidence...
Rias: Did you all plan an alarm clock or something?
Koneko rubs her eyes and answered
Koneko: Well we didn't because someone was screaming at the top of their lungs a few minutes ago
Issei and Rias Immediately turns to Paimon, who was understandably embarrassed
Paimon: Oh umm.... sorry....
Issei: I would say I'm kinda mad but I forgot how much you raise your voice
Paimon pouts at his Remark as everyone went down stairs. As They went down, they See Motohama sitting on the couch with a LOT of Weapons and item laid out on the Coffee table, He was staring at Hologram Projector in front of Him, talking to someone
Issei: Motohama?
The Glasses wearing Boy turns to the group coming down, He smiled
Motohama: Morning Everyone
Rias: Good Morning Motohama-kun, who're you talking to?
[Sirsechs]: Huh? Is that Rias?
Everyone sans Paimon shot up their eyes as they rush behind the Couch to see that Motohama was on a call with Sirsechs, Azazel, Grayfia and Vali on screen
Rias: Brother!
[Sirsechs]: Rias! Thank Devil you're okay!
They all talked for a while, With Rias filling the Adult's in on what happened after Azazel accidentally teleported them, which earned Azazel a swift smack on the head by Grayfia. Everyone then collectively filled in on what happened during their time here
[Grayfia]: Hm....
[Sirsechs]: So that's what going on... that world's people is seeking your help to somehow defeat this "abyss"....?
Kiba: that's the gist of it, sir
As the Adult's ponder on what to do, Vali raises his eyes on screen at a certain person
[Vali]: Issei?
Issei perked up on being called
Issei: What is it Vali?
The White Dragon Emperor squinted his eyes at Issei
[Vali]: Did you get slimmer or something? why's your body like that?
Everyone in the room turned to Issei to see what wrong, now noticing that His body became smaller, his waist slimmer, Physique was Thinner, height a little shorter, and his hair longer and flowing
Koneko: What the...
Issei: what the hell happened to me?
Issei was trying to figure out what happened to him over night but then Motohama had an explanation
Motohama: ugh... you idiot, you switched forms way too often, now their blending into each other
Everyone: What?
Issei couldn't believe his ears
Issei: Wait what? But if that's true, why is my hair still brown?
Motohama spun his body over to him
Motohama: Because your Current Body is the Base, and the more you switch over to your past selves, their attributes are gonna spill over to you
[Azazel]: Wait I'm sorry, "Past Selves"?
Motohama explained the Issei/Aether situation with the Adult's, telling them how he was actually Aether and knew and helped the world they're currently in, back in the day.
[Sirsechs]: So the Ultimatum is basically they want Issei-kun or "Aether" to save their world again...
Issei Nods. Causing Sirsechs to think hardly on his situation
[Sirsechs]: *Sigh* I know it's not my desicion to choose, but if I must give you my thoughts....
Everyone looked at the call screen, anticipation running
[Sirsechs]: I think you should stay and save them
Issei's eyes him thoroughly
Issei: Are you sure?
[Sirsechs]: I know it might not be the answer you wanna hear. But you as a person has transformed every single one of us. You in 2 years transformed the landscape and politics of the underworld and supernatural, you broke long time grudges and rivalries by creating bonds and friendships we didn't even know was possible... and as of recently with you ascending to God of Fates and the knowledge of the Cosmos.... you have the ability to change the fate of a world for the better... You are the right person for this tenure... and if you find yourself with trouble again... We'll come at your call
Everyone was silent. Processing everything that Rias's Brother said. Motohama closed the call and turned to Issei
Motohama: So... wanna think first or...
Issei, in deep thought, spoke
Issei: I have a feeling everyone is trying to push me to this choice...
Rias: Ise... Ultimately, it's your choice, if you want to leave, it's fine...
The uncomfortable silence continues as he wrestles with his mind
Paimon Um... Aether?
Everyone turned their gaze to Paimon
Paimon: If it's too much on the brain, you could take a breather in Monstadt...
Issei raises his eyebrow
Issei: Huh? Why?
Paimon: Today, Monstadt is holding the Windblume Festival again, you can take a break thinking first and relax your mind there...
Issei: Wind... Blume....
Everyone in the room perked up at the mention of a festival, feeling interested in what can it be. Meanwhile with issei, hasn't heard that name in a while... the nostalgia was nagging at his heart
Issei:.... sure... okay
Issei walked over to Paimon, who held her hand out for him to grab it with a small smile and leads him out the door, followed by everyone else
______________________________________________________
In the Lush green Forest scenery of the Kingdom of knowledge, Sumeru. A small green Cabbage God Nahida was walking to the Adventurer's Guild with with The Notorious Assbag Hat Guy/Wanderer, observing around as they heard a rumor of The Traveler's Name on the Guild's Adventurer's Tab and that he appeared out of nowhere yesterday. They got to Katheryne who was standing at the Reception stand
Nahida: Hello Miss Receptionist!
Katheryne looked at her and the boy with a polite smile
Katheryne: Greetings Lesser Lord Kusanali, how may I be of service today?
Wanderdick spoke up in her stead
Wanderer: We heard a rumor that the Traveler came back because his name was Re-registered in the Adventurer's Guild, is that true?
Katheryne's eye widen a little and let's out a small chuckle
Katheryne: Ah that, it's been the Talk for a while now, He actually came back and Re-registered, and also he drives back an Abyss Monstadt Takeover yesterday
The two had their Eye's wide. Nahida quickly lunges up at the table
Nahida: He actually came back?! Where is he now?
Katheryne: He is currently I'm Monstadt, Rumors day He's with a group of people with exotic and extraordinary power
Wanderfuck had his Eye's wide, his Nonexistent but figurative heart beats faster as he questioned
Wanderer: But He's Dead. We all saw his body
Katheryne Nods in acknowledgement
Katheryne: Yes, but if I had to guess, it is some kind of reincarnation since his appearance is completely different and has a much different attitude
The Two stared in silence, processing the information they just got
Nahida: I see.... I guess that's enough for us... thank you Miss Katheryne...
The Receptionist smiled
Katheryne: My pleasure, Lord Dendro Archon
The Two walked back to the Sanctuary of Surasthana, thinking what to do next as they now realize amthat Aether is Back, and apparently much different
______________________________________________________
In the skies of Liyue lies the Jade chamber floating above Liyue Harbor. The Tianquan of Liyue, Lady Ningguang was working on Domestic matters but with Lower than her standards efficiency, She had heard rumors and now news that The Traveler reappeared in Monstadt after 2 years and drove back an Abyss Invasion like it was any other day. Her heart felt distraught by the fact that he appeared out of nowhere.
Footsteps of multiple people can be heard closing in on her, as she looks up, she sees her informant, Yelan. The Qixing, Keqing. And her Secretary, Ganyu in front of her.
Ningguang: yes? Is there anything I can be of service of?
Yelan: You heard the News right?
Ningguang: oh....Yes
Keqing: We did too. Hu Tao and the other's were very Vocal about It
Ganyu: and now He's shown himself in Monstadt...
Ningguang took this chance to distract herself from work and focus her attention on them
Ningguang: I am aware. But I don't know for sure if it's true, We saw his corpse that day, so the fact he came back is not making any sense...
They all ponder at the sheer impossibility of that fact he's back, thinking of any theories that might be plausible
Yelan:hmm.... okay I'm just spitballing here but... what if it's divine intervention via reincarnation?
The girls looked at her, wanting an elaboration
Yelan: Yes we saw his dead body. But who's to think that maybe he got another Chance at life?
They ponder the possibility... thinking it in a possible sense
Keqing: I mean.... it's possible...
Ganyu: but we don't know for sure...
Ningguang sighed, having a small headache at the whole ordeal
Ningguang: Look, whatever it is. If that's really him, then we'll meet him in due time. As for now, we have to focus on this year's Lantern Rite. More People are getting sick due to some sort of curse Miss Hu Tao is Investigating. We need to get rid of it fast
The Three all nodded and went out. Ningguang slumps down on her chair, she kept thinking of Aether, Pondering the possibility of Aether actually coming back
Ningguang: If that's really you Aether.... Please let it be you.... this world needs your help more than ever....