Chapter 62 I'm you and you are me...

"Who are you!" Shouted Issei as he assumed a battle stance ready to fight if needed.

The man on the throne had darkness oozing off of his body like a miasma. The man was covered with pure black armor with red details and his head was covered with a black hood.

The person finally looked up and shocked Issei to the core as he saw his own face only with black hair, and red, sharp glowing eyes, it was as if he was looking at a mirror.

"Just what the hell is the meaning of this..." Whispered Issei to himself after taking a step back.

"Welcome Issei, to the deepest parts of your soul" Spoke the man with a calm voice as he simply stared at Issei with a stoic expression.

"Wh-who are you?" Asked Issei still shocked seeing this bizarre scene.

"I'm you"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Asked Issei.

"What I'm saying is true, I am you and you are me, we who are born in darkness, we who are cursed by fate itself to suffer, to grow stronger, to become darkness itself.

"I don't... I don't understand..."

"I'm a prince, prince of darkness, and since I am you and you are me that makes you prince of darkness, who one day will become the king of all"

"Can you explain normally? I'm just getting more questions in my head than answers, what is this bullshit!? prince of darkness!? king of all!? me!?" Shouted Issei as he was slowly losing his cool.

"Yes, you, who shall become darkness itself and grow stronger to become the king"

Issei just stared at his other self not knowing what to do nor how to answer but the dark Issei answered for him.

"I know this is confusing and out of nowhere but trust me when I say that you won't be happy for too long, be careful and be ready..."

"Ready for what?" Asked Issei all thought hesitantly.

"Be ready to suffer" Said Dark Issei as a few layers of chains snapped and fell on the ground loosening the man as Issei's hair turned black and eyes red unknown to him.

"After all, I am the reason why you are still alive and have the strength to achieve the impossible but if you don't accept me as part of you if you don't accept your fate to become a king then be sure to suffer and regret not releasing me from these chains... after all, I am part of you and without me... you'll suffer even more"

"Just what-"

"Times up... I hope that you... will be smart enough to accept me as part of you... otherwise, you won't be strong enough to protect anyone, soon enough... you'll understand" Said Dark Issei as Issei's consciousness started to leave his own soul.

...Line break...

With a sharp inhale of air Issei sat up and looked around the place searching for his other half but realized that he was in a room with a small bed and a table.

"That means I'm on the ship" Mumbled Issei.

"And you are here too" Whispered Issei as he looked at a sleeping form of Eclair on the chair with her head on the bed.

Issei looked outside the window and noticed the night sky and the ship was moving meaning they had already left the Island.

"Gotta get up, need to meet Ddraig and Musashi, but first I need to freshen up" Said Issei as he stood up carefully to not wake up the sleeping rose.

As he successfully managed to get out of bed he opened one of the doors and entered what seemed to be a bathroom.

He walked up to a sink and looked at the mirror and saw his now jet-black hair and red eyes.

"So it's real... no, this can't be, I can't be the prince of darkness, I mean I'm not even evil... yeah that's all just a fever dream, and my appearance changed because of the master cube, yeah that must be it" Said Issei trying to convince himself that he's not evil and dark being.

After freshening up Issei changed his clothes and went to meet Ddraig and Musashi.

He expected them to be at the captain's lodge but as Issei entered it he found no one there soon he heard Ddraig's voice outside of the room.

"I'll contact them right now to check if everything is alright, last time we talked they said they are going to the Kingdom of Gadora because there were some rumors that the king was killed and replaced by some kind of organization"

"What organization?" Asked Musashi.

"Well they were a group of assassins and a small but high-level army and the new king is their leader they call themselves the red poison" Answered Ddraig.

"So who exactly went to investigate?" Asked Musashi.

"Raphtalia, Kiyomi, and L'Arc"

A few minutes passed but Ddraig still hasn't spoken a word.

"I don't understand, why can't I communicate with them?" Asked Ddraig in confusion.

"Let me try to contact Therese"

"Hello Therese, I wanted to-" Ddraig suddenly was interrupted.

"WHAT!?" Suddenly Ddraig roared and released a sample of his power.

"What happened, Ddraig?" Asked Musashi.

"Melromarc is under attack at this moment by the same organization, the queen was killed and the party sent to investigate the Kingdom of Gadora was captured or possibly killed" Said Ddraig with fear in his voice.

" 'Gasp' What are we gonna do?" Asked Musashi.

Before Ddraig could answer doors next to him flung open as Issei ran out and took off with his black wings to the night sky.

"Issei!" Shouted surprised Musashi as she saw Issei suddenly fly off.

"Damnit! this is bad, if his mates are dead then he will obliterate everyone because of his evil dragon side after a dragon becomes an evil dragon their emotions are almost a hundred times stronger" Informed Ddraig.

*Warning! emotions are unstable, Seals are weakening! The original power is returning! Hatred level 101/100!*

'CRACK' A sickening crack was heard from within Issei.

*Hatred level 110/100!*

'CRACK CRACK'

*Hatred level 10000/100*

'CRACK CRACK CRAAACK'

"ROOOOOOAAAAAAR" A soul-shattering roar was heard from the night sky and what Ddraig and Musashi saw shocked them to the core.

A black dragon with four wings, red claws, red horns, and red eyes, the dragon was angry.

"His form is so different from before, and what power!" Said Ddraig as he examined Issei's new dragon form with awe.

"What's happening here!? where's Issei!?" Shouted Eclair who just arrived after hearing the frightening roar.

"H-hes over there" Said Musashi as she pointed upwards.

Eclair followed her hand and saw the black dragon.

Suddenly his black aura washed over them and the three felt just how cold and sinister it was, how much hate it carried, and how dark it was but Ddraig sensed something else.

He sensed fear and a lot of it.

"ROOOOOOAAAAAAR" With a final roar Issei launched a black and red fireball and chased after it, as soon as he touched the fireball with his head it exploded and Issei vanished.

"Where is Issei? how did he disappear like that?" Asked Musashi.

"This is bad, he lost control of his emotions, and his mind is consumed by hatred and rage" Spoke Ddraig as he jumped off the ship and revealed his true form as well.

"Quick! we need to go!" Said Ddraig with worry.

Both Eclair and Musashi jumped on Ddraig's back as Musashi called the ship back to its rigging form before they flew towards Melromarc as they were near already.

... Line break...

In Melromarc late at night screams and shouts were heard as fires were set.

The people fought against the invaders together with the knights but they still were losing badly to the small army, they sure were strong.

"HAHAHAHA It was way easier than I thought! two kingdoms in one week! Can't believe how weak they are! Now I control two kingdoms, how exciting, a few more kingdoms and the world will know King Reynoldus the fearsome!" Laughed a man wickedly.

He had shoulder-length silver hair and was clad in silver armor as he held a silver sword with blood on it in his right hand.

He was sitting in one of the thrones that belonged to the royal family.

Together with him, a small portion of his army was standing by the large windows.

They were clad in red armor and each had a red sword on their side.

"You won't get away with this! Issei will make you pay for capturing his party and for killing my mother!" Shouted Melty who was on the ground in front of the new king.

Her dress was ruined and her hair was messy, she had bruises on her body and was drained of her magic as he was panting still recovering.

"Who's this Issei you speak of?" Asked Reynoldus with a mocking smile.

"He's the shield hero, the Red dragon emperor of protection!" Shouted Melty.

"Ha ha...hahahahah HAHAHAHAHAHA! Do you really think he will be able to defeat me and my army!? even the

sword and bow heroes couldn't defeat me! Even his party was defeated but at least they put up a good fight, I'll admit it they almost defeated us but thankfully we had dragonslayers who defeated the big and scary dragon! so tell me, if a dragon couldn't defeat us why do you think the shield hero can defeat us hmm?" Said Reynoldus tauntingly as his men inside the room laughed.

"You'll see! he's the most powerful person in the world! and he will defeat the waves and save the world! but before that, he will obliterate you and your little army!" Shouted Melty as she cried.

"She's right, Issei will get you for this" Spoke Therese who had her hands tied together behind her back not too far from Melty.

"Pfft yeah right whatever, men have your fun" Said Reynoldus.

The men had lecherous looks as they checked Melty and Therese out.

Melty felt a shiver down her spine as fear took over her mind.

"Issei...please save me" Whispered Melty as she watched the men approach her.

One of them grabbed Melty's wrist and yanked her closer.

"NO! GET OFF ME! LEAVE ME ALONE YOU PIGS!" Cried Melty as she tried to escape.

"Let me go!" Shouted Therese who was surrounded by three armored men.

Another man came and grabbed Melty by the collar and ripped her dress away.

"NO! DON'T LOOK!" Said Melty as she covered herself with her hands while Reynoldus just watched in amusement.

Just before the men could do anything else to Melty or Therese a sudden loud explosion in the sky occurred.

A red light illuminated the windows.

"What was that!?" Shouted Reynoldus as he stood up from the throne.

Everyone looked out the window and saw a giant fireball of red flames.

"Just what-" Spoke Reynoldus but before he could finish they saw a frightening sight.

An angry black dragon flew straight out of the fireball to the castle without stopping.

Seeing this Melty went over to Therese while the men were distracted.

"Get up Therese we need to take cover" Whispered Melty as she helped her stand up and they quickly took cover behind a pillar.

"TAKE COVER!" Shouted one of the soldiers.

Everyone got down on the ground two of the soldiers covered Reynoldus.

"ROOOOOOAAAAAAR" With a mighty and frightening roar the dragon crashed through the windows into the castle destroying the whole wall.

As dust clouds rose no one could see the dragon until they heard a scream of a man.

"Aagh ahhghhh save m-" But as soon as the man screamed he was silenced.

Everyone looked around and stopped as they froze in fear.

Two glowing red orbs stared at each one of them until they locked on Reynoldus.

"M-men! protect your king!" Shouted Reynoldus out of fear.

Suddenly the cloud of dust was blown away by a flap of wings and everyone saw the back dragon starting at Reynoldus with hatred.

"Are you... the leader of Red poison?" Spoke Issei in a cold, deep, and dark voice.

"Yes, and what is it to you?" Answered Reynoldus acting confident but that's all just a mask.

But Issei could smell his fear.

"Did you kill My party and the queen?" Asked Issei.

"Just who are you!?" Shouted Reynoldus.

"ANSWER MY QUESTION!" Roared Issei releasing his power making him look intimidating as black aura and shadows leaked from Issei.

"Y-yes! I killed the queen and the party of shield loser!" Shouted Reynoldus out of fear but quickly covered his mouth as he didn't mean to say that.

Issei just stared at the vermin with his ever-glowing eyes.

*Hatred level 10100/100!*

"Proof"

"P-proof?"

"Prove your claims of killing my party!" Roared Issei furiously.

*Hatred level 10500/100!*

He wanted to make sure, he hoped that maybe...just maybe they are still alive and this joke of a human being was just lying.

"H-here!" Said Reynoldus as he brought his sword and a pink horn.

"T-the sword's sole p-purpose is to s-slay d-dragons, we wanted t-to eliminate the d-dragon queen in shield hero's p-party" Spoke Reynoldus fearfully not realizing what he is doing.

Issei looked at the blade and smelled the blood of...a few different dragons, Queen Mirelia's, L'Arc's, and...Kiomy's, and the pink horn in the vermin's hand was indeed his beautiful mate's horn...

"I swear that I'll be your sword forever! wherever you go I'll be there with you!" Heard Issei Raphtalia's voice breaking his heart.

"I love you so much Ise" Next was Kiyomi's voice that he heard breaking his heart even more.

"Trust me when I say that you won't be happy for too long, be careful and be ready... to suffer" Next was dark Issei's voice, and reminded him of what he said.

*Ḩ̧̛͕͎͓͗͒̐͌̇͊ͭ̌̒́̕͟A̵ͪ̽ͨ̏ͧͭ̃͛ͤ̀̀͠Ṱ̨̧͍̟̲̜͟͝͝R̷̮͇͕̩̘͘E̵̸̢̥̰̟̯ͧ̆̂D̩̰̖̺̻̝̠̗ ̴̛͎̙̮͎͎͔̠͓̗̕͞L̷̡̳̦̓̀͟͜͡Ȩ̵̛̪̠̻̥̟̎̔V̴̮̝͍̞͍̳̩̮̔̽̌͢Ẹ̵͙͈̟̖̼͙̻̒ͥ͋̆̌̾̈ͪ̏L̷̞̣͇ͯ̂ͣ͊ͣ̍̑̾̆̂́҉ ̯̲̩̖͉͍ͨ̐̂̌́͑̊̎̓̊̈́̀́?̮̣̫͍͙͕͚ͥ͛̎ͦ̎͒ͤ̇͒ͫ͊͏̧͟͟͏??̸̶̴̧̡̧̼̖͙̤͍̄͂͊͑̆̄̚̚͟ͅ?̭̤͕̦̑̾͒͛͂̋ͭ͋̓̏͜͏̷̡̨͡͝?͔̥͉̩?̟͓͉͙͚͍͙͉͙̜̰̓̈͐̚͜҉̷̀/̖̮̝̘̣̠͓̦̪ͬ̒ͮ̀ͣ̋͘͘?̵̸͕̗̰̎̈̊̿͗͋͝͏?̈́ͮ̌̄?̵̦̻̹̱͙̠͈͂͗͑̎̆̽̇́̎ͤ̃̚͠҉?̖͇͓̩͚̪̖̯͔̹́ͮ̃͐̓̍̑̃̔́̚ͅ?̷͖̲͇̯̻̗͆͒̈́ͣ͊͒͐̀ͤ͛͐́́̀͘?̛͉͖̭̰̮̖̰ͪ͂̍̅ͤ̀̃͛̚͘҉̧͜͏*

Suddenly Issei's power erupted and destroyed half of the castle.

The soldier's bodies flew far away from Issei as his aura pressure sent them flying.

They died immediately some even were torn apart and their parts were all over the place.

Luckily Melty and Therese escaped while the dragon and the men were distracted a while ago.

Only Reynoldus was left there but even he had a hard time as blood erupted from his mouth.

He felt as if he was being crushed by Issei's power alone but as he saw everyone die he felt lucky and cocky that he was strong enough to survive what he didn't know was that he survived only because Issei let him.

"I would love to torture you but in this state of mine I can't as I would accidentally kill you hence free you from your punishment" Spoke Issei as waves of anger and hatred washed off of him.

Reynoldus felt lucky, he won't be punished!

'And for all the things that I did! ahaha what a moron this dragon is, once I'm free I'm gonna-' Thought Reynoldus, but his train of thought was crushed as he heard Issei's next words.

"Hence why I will make sure you are suffering in hell" Spoke Issei as a sinister grin appeared on the dragon showing off his incredibly sharp and big fangs.

"What do you-"

"TERRITORY CREATION! THE ABYSS OF CURSING INFERNO!"

A large black stone gate appeared with skulls on the gates and different markings.

The gates opened and black chains shot out from it grabbing Reynoldus by his limbs and slowly dragging him inside."WH-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? WHERE ATE YOU TAKING ME!? WHAT IS THIS HEAT!?" shouted Reynoldus out of fear and slight pain as immense heat hit his back as he was being dragged inside.

"This is my creation for souls like you to suffer!" Roared Issei with a sadistic smile.

"NO! NOOO! PLEASE LET ME GO IM SORRY PLEASE IM SORRY!"

But Issei didn't listen to him and the chains finally dragged him inside a scorching inferno.

the flames burned his flesh and left nothing not even ash but the chains remained.

The chains were special, cursed chains that bind the souls of the dead.

"AAAAAGHHHH" Screams filled Issei's ears.

The stone gate closed and disappeared but Issei's anger didn't, no, it just kept increasing, he needed to went it but how?

*Mas- WAR- IN- HE-P ST-OOO-P* Clair tried to reach out to Issei but couldn't as she couldn't handle Issei's emotional state and something else was making it hard to reach Issei.

Something similar to when the Juggernaut drive is activated and Ddraig can't communicate with his hosts.

"I can't...I can't hold back...I..I... I̘̮͚̫͇̞͓̙͙͚̕͞҉̶͞ ̬̻̰̟̘̠̱͙̟͒̂̈́̎͐ͅẂ̶̧̡͈̼͔̤̻̖̹̱̝̰̩̮͛͊̌͒ͫ̋͡͠ȉ̵̧̨̲͖͔͕̲ͨ̈́͂̓̅ͤ̎̈́̅̍ͤ͠ḷ̵̟̻̼̳̱̲̜̣̣̅͋̊̃̂̍ͅ҉̷l̼̠̳͍̭̭̰͗̑̇͛̈ͥͥ̔͐̑ ̥̖͇̝̖k̤̤̜̫̩̥͍̥̫̞̑ͦ̍ͥ̐ͯ̀̅̎͒͌i̢͇̒ͪ̎͊͗́͘͢͠l̸̺͎̳̝̥͙̩̟̓̓͑͌̌͟҉̷̧͢͝l̢͈̝̻̳͖̖͍̱̯̎̊͏ ̵̵̡̣̘͔̩̺͎͎͍̑́́t̶̷̛͙̀͋̈́̌̾̅̓̾͘̕͟ͅh̴̝̬͕͋͗͜e̠̖̜̘̠̘̟̖̗̹ͯ̓̋̕ͅm̸̵̲̬͙͔̼̰̼̪͉̐ͣͥ̀ͭ ̦͉̠̦͈͚̖̮̪͍̈́̇̏̓ͭ̒ͯ̄̑ͩͦ̆̀Ã͇̮͕ͧͭͩ̍̑͂ͤ̃͏̢̕͟͟͞͞L̡̛̬͇ͯ͘͘L̸̨̖ͧ́̓͐́̾̾̉́͘̕͢͞!̴̡̩͔ͩ͊ͨ̚͢͡"  Roared Issei as his power skyrocketed.

But before he could destroy Melromarc he was knocked hit by a powerful red beam.

As the beam vanished he looked upwards to see Ddraig flying straight at him.

"ISSEEEEI!" Roared Ddraig and tackled Issei but Issei managed to kick him to the side and both of them smashed through the other wall and started to fall.

As they both hit the ground Issei with the last of his remaining willpower used one last skill.

"TERRITORY CREATION! BATTLE OF DRAGONS!" Roared Issei and sooner enough both Issei and Ddraig were inside an empty black space that started to change.

On Ddraig's side, everything started to grow from grass to trees and beautiful rivers, the sun shined brightly.

On Issei's side was nothing but magma bad a volcano showing Issei's rage and a blood-red moon above.

Both dragons had a stare-down.

"I guess that's the start of another rivalry," Said Ddraig but Issei responded with a fireball instead of words, Ddraig shot his one and canceled out Issei's attack.

"It will take more than that to take me down my brother" Said Ddraig as he prepared for battle.

With a Roar, Issei rushed at Ddraig and thus the battle between the Heavenly dragon and Evil dragon started...

(To be continued)...