Chapter XVI

Content warning, this chapter contains some graphic imagery. Art is not always pretty. 

A man sat in his chair with a cigar hanging from his mouth and a cowboy hat on his matted hair. The end of the cigar lit up as he took a huff out of it. In front of him a short chubby man with a small mustache stood. He sat in an oval like office with an American flag behind him. The lighting was orange and the land around them dusty as well dry. They sat in a prison where hundreds of Satanists soldiers are escorting the prisoners to the Prison hospital to begin the "procedure" as they called it. Watch towers were set up all around the premises and soldiers stood guard day and night. Issei hovers above to see what became of the prison. An entire fortress for the enemy satanists. "That devil woman is on her way" The Warden commented. "Really? Wait, the one who's marrying our client?" A Dr. asked. "Seems so" The Warden responded. "How odd, for them to be opposed?" The Dr. asked. "Not quite so. I can see what's happening here."

The Warden gets up and brandishes his pistol as he looks out into the prison yard. 

He remembers the way it felt shooting the ceiling when he went mad, trying to subdue the prisoners during a riot. Every lock of the trigger would mean death for those around him. He was a mad man who wanted to be part of the worm, who loved to embrace chaos, to eat his waste and defy the natural order of existence. An anomaly to his own self being. "It's arranged you see. The man is in the position where he's above the woman in value, at least for their case. Sometimes it's reversed and it's the woman who gets to dominate the man, but it's clear that their marriage is political. This must be what he is fulfilling to obtain it. Thus why she's trying to stop it." The Dr. begins to pace. "Well, do you think she'll get in the way of our plans?" The Warden huffs on his cigar. "Don't know, don't care." He presses a button and then returns to talking to Dr. Hiker with his hands behind his back as he looks outside the prison yard. "Last week one of our doctors was poisoned with a pact from the Gremory House. He sees himself as a woman now. Some kind of spell or potion is now permanently running in his veins."

He then looks outside to see Dr. Phraser on top of one of the prisoners as he struggles to escape his bed. The Warden looks down at the doctor, who begins to experiment on the man. "Collect Daisy, I think she too can prove to be useful"

"Daisy you don't have to do this" a voice said from a phone. "I have no choice, if I don't then he'll put my father back in prison!" She said as she nervously played with her blond hair. She stood at 5'7 and had a tight skirt courtesy of the Warden. She also wore a button down shirt and leggings with high heels. "Daisy, please , this man is nuts. I'm sure your father will be fine but you have to report him! Look, the city is in shambles and we're being evacuated. You gotta do something or else he might-" The woman pauses. "Daisy just please be safe" she then says. Daisy nods. "I'm trying. Take care" she then hangs up the phone as she walks down towards The Warden's office. As she enters she sees Dr. Hiker walking out. He avoids her eyes, afraid of making contact as The Warden smiles at Daisy. Daisy walks in as Hiker walks away, trying not to stick around near the room when The Warden wanted "private time" with his secretary. Hiker then looks out to see Dr. Phraser doing his dirty work on some of the prisoners. "Why am I here? What the hell is wrong with this place? Oh God help us, please." Dr. Huker thought.

Meanwhile Rias walked along the highway as she stared off into the distant desert she was about to walk into. Barely visible was the Prison, next to it a Mercenary base. "They have rockers everywhere. I can sense someone flying above that base, yet those missiles only shot at me. What's going on?" She thought as she approached the prison. "This is it, one of the bigger beasts is being developed here. Perhaps Phenex is here too. I have to face him and say what I feel, or else I'll never be able to walk away. I'll always be imprisoned forever."

Rodney took several breaths as he panted over Dr. Jones' dead body. The other soldiers all died too as Akeno kept blasting away. As Satanists fire back, Mercenaries pull up making it a three way brawl. Akeno sends multiple strikes of lighting down onto her foes, both parties are crushed by her lighting as she destroys everything with one swift blow. As the dust settled she giggled as she admired her victory. She lands down at the warehouse next to Rodney as he finally calms down. His black hair stays black now as he looks at Akeno with his one eye. "Woah, Rodney. So that's the wings of a Fallen One?" Akeno asks out of horror and amazement. "Yeah, yeah it is" Rodney says confirming. He curls up his tentacles, hiding them from Akeno. She then puts her hand on Rodney's shoulder and smiles. "Don't hide them from me, they're beautiful" the two stand there for a moment and hold each other as silence filled the room. "Come on Rias assigned us to go back to the city now. They need our help" Rodney nods his head, slightly smiling as Akeno returns the look back at him.

Meanwhile Rodney and Akeno arrive to a unfolding battle within the city. "I made it guys! We're here! Akeno will support us in the air!" Lighting strikes down into the city as Rodney leaps from building to building. As he dodges the worms advances he finds himself putting on an outfit he made. His hair turns white as he dodges each attack that comes at him. He then lets his powers surge as powerful tentacles resembling centipedes and spider legs tear apart the monsters. "I know it's not original, but it's who I am, who I was…"

He says as he leaps outside a building. He points his arms in the directions that the tentacles move towards. He feels the extensions of his body hunt his prey as he once did in another life. His black leathery costume resembles the shadow of the predator he once was in another world, another lifetime, another universe. His eye, one of them, glew red as blood surged all throughout his body.

"Woah, look at Rodney. He's like a whole platoon of us!" Yuuto pointed out. "Is that even Rodney?" Koneko asks while everyone watches as the masked crusader tears apart at the monsters. He then slams into the ground as the fighting continues to wage on. As he runs around Satanists and Mercenaries fire at the demonic vigilante. He takes both sides out as he controls the battlefield with his own sheer will and strength. He grits his teeth as blood drips down his chin and cheek. "Well we should be getting back to fighting those things then. We're gonna clear through it, they won't pose as much of a threat with Rodney on our side. Just look at him!" Rodney cracks his fingers as he lets the pain and hate consume him. He looks aside to see his friends all cheering him on. A new unfamiliar feeling consumed him. "They're cheering for me, even after all I did?" he thought to himself. "What is this universe?"

Suddenly his back erupts blood like Mount Vesuvius, but it instantly heals as giant tentacles come out. Each tentacle was barbed with little centipede legs, scales sharp as dragons, and hot blood flowing through each organ, keeping them warm.

The Warden finishes up as Daisy walks out of the room. She hides her head ashamed as she walks out of the office. The Warden then looks out to see the Mercenaries for the Fallen Angels only a couple hundred yards away from him. The ground shakes a little as the sound of combat fills his ears. "Well shit, they got that military base" His door opens as Phenex walks in with another high ranking "devil" and the designer for the Centipedes.  "Well boys, we're about to finish up the final mega worm. We'll set them all off and see how they can do in battle" The Warden says to the two devils. "Just tell me when it's ready." Phenex says. "Awww, already wanna leave? How rude of you. I must say for a high ranker you could at least pretend to be interested." Phenex scoffs. "Relax, I'm just teasing. We're prepping the prisoners before surgery. With these things we'll be able to dig up the whole planet, then no one can stop us from doing whatever we want, or else the planet will be devoured." Phenex nods as he lights a cigarette. "Very well then." He walks away, however two guards drag Daisy into the room and shove her. "What the?" The Warden asks as he sees Daisy slammed into the ground. "We caught her in the vault, we have multiple escapee's now running from the hospital. Some had to be put down and now there's a riot in the C wing." The Warden looks down at Daisy annoyed. "What?!" he asks. "You're a sick man! You need help!" Daisy roared. "How could you reverse such an important project?! DO I HAVE TO REMIND YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU GO AGAINST ME?!"

Phenex watches as he tries to push down his emotions. The Warden hits Daisy to the ground and repeatedly punches her. She begs for him to stop but he doesn't show any sign of letting go. He then grabs her by the collar and raises her into the air as he grits his teeth.  "You want to be part of it?" He asks angrily. "What do you mean?" Daisy asks, crying. "Do you wanna be, PART OF THE WORM?!" The Warden yells in her face. "OH GOD NO STOP! NO PLEASE DON'T-" Daisy breaks out into tears and hysteria as she succumbs to The Warden's pressure. "THEN I GUESS DADDY CAN!" 

"NO PLEASE JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE! I'M REALLY SORRY I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!" The Warden grabs Daisy by the throat. "WELL SOMEONE'S GOTTA DO IT! COME ON NOW WHO'S IT GONNA BE?!" Daisy at this point broke mentally. "NO STOP!" She screams horrified as The Warden throws her. He then pulls out a giant death adder revolver as he aims at one of the doctors standing in the room and shoots him in the chest. 

"This man is insane. Always firing that damn gun around. He's tortured prisoners before, but this..."

  "NO! STOP!"

  Phenex pukes a little in his own mouth. "I'm outta here. These humans are not just crazy, they'll be the death of us. Once they are damned to hell we're all screwed, so very screwed." Phenex then looks outside The Warden's office and sees Rias walking along the only road leading towards the prison. At this point every last prisoner is sewn up into the worm. On each victim a contraption that acts as some kinda saddle that lets someone pull a string to cut part of the worm off to separate an individual from the creation. Giving it worm like properties. "And now she's here. I can't be seen with them. I'm so sorry Rias, I may be evil for forcing you to marry me, but this will ruin me." Phenex thought. As he begins to walk out he hears The Warden call out for him. "Wait, you can't leave!" Phenex travels through the portal with the rest of his crew as The Warden pleads for him to come back but he ignores him and keeps walking through. "FOR GOD'S SAKE THEN!" He then points his gun at Dr. Hike as he hears someone breaking into the prison. Guards shoot at the intruder but it's no use. One is used to break down the door as he's thrown across The Warden's office. The Warden ducks behind his desk with his gun drawn as Dr. Hiker crouches with his arms over his head. "GET OUT! DAMMIT GET THE FUCK OUT!" The Warden yells as blue glowing eyes peer through the door.

"Where's Phenex? That damn monster did this, didn't he?" Rias asks as she walks over the broken door. Phenex hears Rias and feels anger boil in his chest. "Dammit you bitch! I'm doing this for you! TO PROTECT YOU! WHY CAN'T I JUST EXPLAIN IT TO YOU?!" He thinks to himself as tears stream down his eyes. "Master, are you?" Phenex interrupts the high ranking demon. "I'M FINE!" He yells, slamming and breaking his desk.  "Rias, just save those people dammit!"

I trust you.....

Rias stares at The Warden as he gets up and looks Rias directly in the eyes. He then leaps over to Daisy with all his might and strength and holds her at gunpoint. Her sobs get to Rias as she feels her arms shake with pain.  "NO! Just let her go! Dammit we're the ones who deserve to die, not her!" Dr. Hiker yells. "SHUT UP! All of you just shut the fuck up!" He then blasts Dr. Hiker in the head. Daisy cries out with more pain in her voice as The Warden just looks at Rias. The doctor bled out on the ground from his head as The Warden shoots a couple more rounds before deciding to save the rest of his bullets for Daisy.  "Please let me go! I'm sorry! Just don't do this!" Daisy yells, pleading for her life. "Dammit, another one died and I'm barely dodging bullets" she thought to herself. "Let her go" she spoke calmly and angelically.  "Or else what?" He says as he creepily licks Daisy while holding her at gunpoint. "What should I do? He has her at gunpoint and I can't stop shaking. I can't focus clearly. Why am I thinking about Phenex I'll deal with him after?" Rias takes a deep breath. "What are your demands?" she asks. "What, you actually wanna save her? This little whore is nothing, she needs a man to put her in her place, a man like me." He says as he flashes his silver teeth. "I just gotta make sure he lets her go, that's all that matters right now. We'll deal with Phenex later!" Rias thought to herself.

"I can't do this anymore! I know you're the bitch of Gremory. You've sent your stupid servants to ruin my master plan! All this prep for nothing!" Rias nods. "So you're the leader of the doctors? The one's conducting this?" The Warden nods. "What do you want with her?" Rias asks. "Oh nothing. Daisy is just uh, well she's not something that you aren't." He says as he creepily examines Rias head to toe. "Tell you what, how about you take her place here. You and I can just, "talk"." He says with air quotes.  "Deal" Rias says as  Daisy is released immediately. She runs out screaming with her bruised face and guns it down the hall. Her screams echo all throughout the hall as Rias and The Warden are left alone to listen to them. "Have a seat" He says as he points to his lap. "Why is Phenex doing this?" Rias asked. "Oh come on you think I'm gonna just spill you all the details without you doing me a favor?" The Warden smiled a wicked grin. "And what says I can't beat you in a fight right now?" Rias asks. "Hahahaha" He points the gun to Rias's forehead. "You felt that right? No magic here anymore!" The Warden yelled as Rias broke into a nervous sweat. "No, dammit. You gotta be kidding me."

Whatever it takes to get answers.

Meanwhile Issei found himself healing his arm as he slowly walked towards the prison. "What's the plan?" Issei thought to himself. "That Priest you fought to save Asia is there. He's gonna lead a force to raid it. We fight the worm and then you can save your little princess." A rather sinister voice whispered into Issei's ear. "Sounds good." Issei nodded. "Ha, finally glad you decided to let me take over once and for all. I gotta say you have the best group for a Harem to flex with." Issei chuckles. "I just want to rule this galaxy, whatever will make me at peace." As Issei trudged towards the base he found himself getting stronger and stronger. He overheard yelling from a man in the distance. "LISTEN UP! OUR MISSION IS TO FIGHT EVERYONE INSIDE! DON'T BOTHER SAVING THE PRISONERS! THEY'RE ALREADY DAMNED!" A soldier among the crowd decided to speak up. "But, we're called to save ever-"

BAM!

The priest who spoke up is shot dead instantly. The crowd doesn't flinch as the head priest just licks his gun and smiles. "We're called to carry out God's work! We're not saving devils, we're bringing back the new world. Now then!" He loads up his gun as the whole raid party gets ready to charge the base. All the soldiers' eyes glow purple as aura forms around each one. The same goes with the satanists except their aura was red. "THE ENEMY IS CHARGING!" You will serve our masters with glee! Says one satanist in a watch tower. "DAMMIT THEY KNOW! GO GO GO! TAKE DOWN THAT BARRIER!"

Suddenly the war party charges in their jeeps and tanks. A couple airplanes fly over and drop some anti magic bombs from Purgatory that they've acquired. Anti aircraft weaponry starts to activate as the prisoners all turn into the giant worm they were made to be. They scream in horror, Daisy among them. Rias takes notice of this as she starts to feel her leg being caressed by The Warden. She stands up in defiance and shoves the man out of his chair. He points his gun back at her as his face boils red with fury. "HEY NOW! Remember who's on top right now." 

"I just gotta stall for a couple more seconds." Rias thought. The battle wages on as the bombs weaken the barrier. The walls for the prison are breached as the soldiers start to clash with each other in one giant fire fight. Planes crash and tanks are blown to shreds as the two parties merge with their violence. Rias then uses her magic and strikes The Warden with red and black lighting. As he flies out of the room he finds himself slammed to the ground by a man wearing all metal with giant metal wings. He looks up at the metal knight in horror as he finds himself slipping out of consciousness. "What the?" Rias thought as Issei held up the man. His mask fully forming over his face. "You, what the fuck is this?" Issei asked. "LET ME GO!" The Warden yelled as he fought to stay aware. Issei then looks up to see the worm being created out of all the prisoners. Rias sheds a tear as she sees Daisy being part of the creation despite the deal for her release being made. "No, I-" Issei stares at the monster in horror, scared of what he's witnessing. He sees everyone he knows and loves sowed to each other like the poster he saw when he first visited Dr. Ferklhime. He sees Akeno with her eyes as wide as golf balls staring back at him with fear and regret. Regret for all the meaningless hookups they had behind Rias's back. She then sees Koneko, words could not describe how much worse it got. He began to see young children and teens as a part of this. To see someone as young as fourteen in such a dehumanizing mentally tortured state. Issei then reimagined the entire group of his friends in this state. He saw Yuuto, who tried to fight back and escape, only to pull himself apart, mutilating himself. The nightmare would not leave Issei alone. He could only stare at it more intensely as it damaged his eyes. Assaulting them and destroying every last cell. He felt his tears dry up from the sheer intensity of what he's witnessing. However the nightmare gets worse when he sees The Warden grooming Rias, she laid on his lap helplessly before she's knocked into a coma, and forced to join the demonic creation. Her stapled toothless face was hideous, but not because she was hideous, rather the pain she went through was gut wrenching, it literally hurted Issei to watch and behold it as a witness. 

"What kinda peace is this?" Issei asked himself, trying to return back to reality. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Issei asked as he looked at the ground. He heard Rias screaming for him, and suddenly he returned back to reality. "ISSEI NOOOO!" Issei stood there as The Warden emptied his barrel into Issei. The boy felt his wounds as blood leaked onto the ground. The Warden smiles as he clicks his gun pointing it at Issei. The man had a twisted smile like some kind of ghoul, he had a stench like maggots and skunks have when they die, and was wrinkled like a grape "Is that it?" Issei asked as he examined himself. Rias looked on horrified. She watched from a hole in the Office as Issei looked down at The Warden smiling. The Warden backs up crawling on the ground as Satanists try to surround Issei. However the impending battle doesn't allow them to do so. "Now then. I should dispose of you before I take back my girl up there." The Warden looks at Issei and roars in laughter. "Your girl? Oh boy you're in for a funny wake up call." Issei looks at the Warden funny. "Oh yeah?" Issei asks. "Yeah, she's getting married this weekend. I only know this because our client, her soon to be, had us do all of this!" Issei's jaw drops. "Phenex Riser. Rias Riser!" Issei just looks at The Warden in fear as he puts two and two together. Everything he knows up to this point all adds up. However his heart broken thoughts are suddenly interrupted. "NOW WATCH ME BURN!"

He yells as he presses a button on a switch he had in his pocket. Issei kills the man as an image of all his friends with horrible scars from being a part of the demonic creature flashes before him. A constant reminder of the pain they all went through. He then sees Rias in the same condition, Issei looks around as he finds himself more immersed in this so-called "image".

"So, what do you think?" she asks. Issei looks to see Asia crying in the corner as she looks into a broken mirror. The sound of her tears alone brings Issei to his knees. He feels the darkness of the empty void he's in consume him with despair. "Kill me" Rias looks at him puzzled. "What?" Issei shakes his head. "Just kill me now. Please…" He says. Rias coddles his head as she looks down at the broken boy. "I'm sure we're not the best Harem material for you now. I'm sorry that bringing you back caused this much pain. I wished I wasn't so selfish." Issei shakes his head. Issei doesn't respond. Instead he takes a sniffle. "Issei?" Rias asks. Issei sighs. "I hate him," he utters. "Hate who?" Rias asks. Issei then gets up as he puts his hands on Rias's shoulders. "The man who put all my friends through this."  As Issei finishes his sentence he hears no response from his inner demon. It's just him inside his own body. "Issei?" Issei pulls Rias in for a hug.

"The man who tore apart your beautiful face. I hate the man who also did the same with your soul. And that was me Rias. I did this! I fucked up!" Issei begins to cry. He says this as his eyes fill with tears. "I did that. Rias I did this. I made you think you weren't good enough. I was selfish. And now I just wanna-" Rias interrupts Issei. "Issei no" Issei then cups Rias's face, feeling the staples in her cheek as their icy metal surface brings him to tears. It stings his palms like a thorn. "I made you think that I'd leave you for something like this. After everything you've done for me I couldn't even tell you the good news, of how you too can be saved. All I was to you people was a giant douche. I hid my feelings like a coward because I didn't want to accept that I had to wait to get what I wanted. Instead I acted like I was wronged and never made whole again. I wanted to act like the victim because I felt it would justify my selfish wants, when really I already have so much more than I can ask for. Even if I didn't have any feelings for you, I still had everything! I could have been a better person, a better friend.

I don't deserve you, any of you.

"And now, all I can think to do is act selfish once more" Issei says. "What are you talking about?" Rias asks as Issei just stares at her. "What do you wanna do?" Rias asks. "Please tell me, it's alright" Issei shakes his head. "The door is behind you. You may leave if that's what you-" But instead Issei pulls Rias in for a kiss. He keeps his hands on her icy stapled cheeks as her red hair buried his face. She finds herself puzzled as the man laid his lips upon her. Issei then lets go as the two just stay close lingering near each other's faces. "You have to go out there!" Rias says as she points to the exit. Issei looks out, remembering that there is a world out there waiting for him. "Please, we don't exist, we're not real…."

  This is only a potential future vision.

Issei wakes up from the nightmare as he finds himself standing over The Warden's dead body. Rias is back to normal as she saves Issei from getting crushed by the giant worm that suddenly devours The Warden's body. "Issei! Are you okay?!" Issei smiles at her and laughs as he begins to fly. "Ha ha, hell yeah! And you?!" He says as he cups Rias's face mid air.  "I'm fine." Rias says. "That bastard! I killed him Rias. I need to finish this! So let me go alright?!" Rias nods as Issei looks back down at the ground smiling. "What's going on with him? He seems different now. Like The Warden shot whatever was in him."

No way.

She finds herself crying once more, but now tears of joy as she realizes what happened to Issei. "This battle looks crazy intense. I'll take care of this giant ass worm!" Issei thought. It roars at Issei, standing at sixty meters long. It rips through the ground as it tries to eat Issei. He flies around in the air as he fires his laser at it. The two brawl while the battle wages on for everyone else. "My my, what a strange outfit you have, for a man at least." Freed yells. "What are you talking about?" The Head Priest rushes at Dr. Phraser and swings his sword at him. He dodges it as well as his bullets as a tank tries to run him over. He uses his bare strength to throw that tank at the Head Priest. He dodges as he continues to brawl with his enemy. "You're clearly a man still, what did they do to you?!" Freed asks as the two dance a deadly duel. "What?!" Phraser asks. "No way, no he said it'll make me turn into a pretty princess. I was a-" She then remembers how the prisoners looked at her. Not a single eye leered at him as he walked around the facility.  "NO! NO I SOLD EVERYTHING FOR THAT!"

The Head Priest laughs at the sick situation. He then rushes off as the rest of his army retreats. They all watch as Rias and Issei fight off the monster with ease, tearing it apart as they break the harnesses put on each victim. Smaller worms pop out of the ground but end up being split by the harnesses as the two "devils" break their locks. The victims find themselves free once more as many lay unconscious on the ground. "ALRIGHT EVERYONE! CAPTURE THEM!" One last effort was made for the Mercenaries to attack. They take all the prisoners as Issei grabs Rias and flies away from the giant smoke screen that was put up. As they fly over it they see Dr. Phraser running towards their base with all the rage in the world. "It's that guy." Rias says. "Yeah, my first pact. I think?" Issei asks.

The two watch, with Rias now holding Issei as Phraser destroys their entire base of operations. The prisoners are taken into giant cargo and transport planes/ helicopters as they evacuate from the facility while the troops deployed act as a sacrifice. The fight ends with Phraser destroying not only the last of the worms wriggling around but every last soldier. The fight ends with just Phraser left as Rias and Issei land on the ground to see the broken man panting for breath. "So all of this was a lie?" He asks Issei. Issei looks at him and can't help but to empathize with him.  "I, really did destroy you didn't I?" Issei said. "I learned from my own enemy that you had the knowledge to save me. Yet instead not only did you keep it to yourself…." He turns around as he walks over the dead bodies towards the two. "You also damned me, by tricking me into something that-" Issei cuts him off.

  "I know" he says. "And yet you're still standing here, acting like you saved the day or something." Issei nods. "I let my anger get the best of me. Your evil deeds are not for me to punish. But if you want me to pretend that you're totally innocent here." He cracks his knuckles before activating his ability once more. "Then take a good look around and see all the bodies that your group led to creating. This is your creation, your art, your life's work." Phraser nods. "I see." Police cars roar down the street as twenty ride to the battle field area with ten more swat cars. Soon that number grows as Issei and Rias take off into the air. Leaving the former doctor to be arrested. "Wow Issei, that was…."

"It was hard, but it needed to be said." Rias nods as she doesn't know how to respond. The two then head towards the city as everything starts to wrap up there. They land on a roof as they meet up with Yuuto, Sona, Kenoko, Akeno, Rodney, and the rest of team Sitri. "We dealt with the giant worm up north. It woulda flattened this whole area." Rias says. "So that's where you were. Is it over then?" Sona asks. "At least here it is" Rias responded. "Did we win?" Genshiro asked. "Doesn't feel like it, look." Everyone looks out to see the devastation caused by the monsters. Then Issei sees something on the TV that catches his eyes.  "Oh no!" He rushes over to see from a TV store the news playing on all their flat screens from all over the world.

Worms pop out from the ground. Reports say they're "highly aggressive". "Crap, wait is Asia okay?!" Issei asks. He flies up and looks around to see where the safe zone in the city was. He flies over as Rias and the others call his name. As he lands next to Asia he watches her lay back and look out at the sea of the dead being wrapped up in bags. Horrified, he hugs her, trying to comfort the girl as he feels her face. "It was all just my head, no way. Maybe it's not that bad?" He then hugs Asia. "Issei?" Asia asks. "I'm just glad you're safe." Issei utters in tears. He says as Rias and the others catch up. "Me too Issei."

Me too.

One week later

Nothing changed from the last time the Satanists and the Mercenaries attacked. In fact, reports say this one was much worse. The Satanists are now also classified as a terrorist group as reports from civilians pile up with the same story that its members are actively attacking people. Protests across the nation take place demanding that the Church of Satan be taken off the national list of terrorist organizations. However it was only met with demands for a new police force to be enacted.

"If the state is being sued by satanists then we must be doing something right!"

The crowd cheers and roars back.

Now I'd like to introduce to you all, our new branch of policing.......

"THE PSD! PROTECT, SECURE, AND DESTROY!"

  The politician continues to speak.

"Its primary goal is to deal with all things paranormal. Religious cults, dangerous creatures, mythical attacks. They use advanced weaponry that was discovered in the worm's blood that allows them to use superhuman-like abilities."

The worms didn't just stop in our city. All over the world governments had to fight off attacks, just like how they had to fight off Satanists and Mercenaries. This of course leads to the development of the PSD now being a world wide organization. The Warden ended up creating a worm in America that was used by sacrificing souls into the soil out in the Great Plains. It destroyed acres of land and Chicago's suburbs as well as parts of Chicago. After the Military dealt with another one in New York showed up. And at the same time one more showed up in the country of Snowvaina. An entire nation's army, land, everything destroyed by one giant worm. The only thing that ended up killing the beast was the frigid waters that surrounded the icy island. The one in New York took out a good portion of the suburbs around it and some parts of the city. New York New York was attacked as well as Chicago in America, making America declaring war on all that's supernatural. Soldiers were sent to the Northern region of the globe and the Southern region after what at first looked like "spaghetti monsters' 'were found, when in reality a new kind of species of squid was discovered from Snowvaina's destruction. Right away the PSD was put into work as these new monsters were being hunted down for further examination. Religion was no longer a mythology, but a paranormal science.

One more worm was found bursting out of a pyramid. It had a more bony structure and devastated many parts of Egypt before it was taken down by Egypt's PSD division.

Rias sat at her desk staring at papers when she heard some footsteps coming towards her. "Interesting" she thought. Issei opens the door as Rias looks up. "Hey Issei" she says gently. "Hey there!" He says smiling as he closes the door. "I got those reports you asked for. Apparently there's a whole species of these things that just eat. They infect planets and they usually end up devouring the entire floating ball of rock. I requested Heaven's report on this since now all three nations are at a cease fire, though the Lord remains quiet. So much for divine justice." Rias sighs as Issei approaches her. He walks towards Rias as she stands up and leans against her desk.

"So it looks like more rumors of legends around the world are starting to become true. Every single religious cryptid and creature is becoming true, has been true." Rias chuckles. "They make really good sushi" Issei laughs. "You tried some?" Issei asks. "Too bad we're trying to make them extinct. They taste good" Rias thought. "I might farm some for us." Issei laughs. "But they eat us" Rias looks at Issei strangely. "They eat humans Issei." Issei looks at Rias, she knows what he's about to say. "Okay even if I'm not a devil I'm not one of you humans we're still different." Issei shrugs. "Yeah you're right." Issei turns his back and begins to head out. "Well anything else? Because I have something to report." Rias asks. "So I ought to get back to work" Issei sighs. "Just some more protests with Christians, Satanists, and Pastafarians as their groups get more bad stigma. A lot ends with violence so the world is kinda shaky right now. I've done some research and wanted to drop the new numbers off at your desk." Rias nods. "Nothing new then. Hey, take a look at this." Rias says. "What is it?" Issei asks as Rias takes out a file from her desk.

"Apparently there was a race of ancient people, according to these old reports I found they lived thousands of years ago in the "New World" what we know as North, Central, and South America. They had a vast empire expanding over two whole continents and were the first to experience the wrath of these monsters. These worms are centipede-like monsters that eat with a digestive tract that never ends. This one particular worm was so destructive that it destroyed the entire empire, digging up all the land, eating all the fish and crops, destroying all the houses, and eating all of its people. Their gods were no match and their army was nothing more than food like the civilians. In the end the worm died because it starved to death and its body rotted, providing all the food the land needed." Issei chuckles. "That's uh, interesting story." Issei says. "Apparently, these worms are the spawn of Beezlbub, demon of false gods and gluttony. These things are like his pets."

Issei takes a seat. "I was informed from above that those were thousands of his children. All of those gods were still his children, some wanted to go back to him, others did not, yet because of Beezlbub they all are now dead. No one got the chance to repent." 

Rias continues to read the file. "Once the land was restored it was said that the surviving gods and their people once returned to the land they decided to burn up all books that mentioned this practice of sewing up people to bind them as one creature." Issei shivers a little. "Ew, that's gross. So that's what this has all been about." Rias nods. "Yeah, these things are destructive and reckless. In the end they're like terrorists of the spiritual realm, never able to conquer like a true army.

She then pauses as she shuffles her papers and puts them away in a drawer.

  "Alright thanks, this'll do. Your efforts are much appreciated." However Issei doesn't move. Instead he prepares himself to talk to Rias. "Hey, can I talk to you?" Rias notices Issei wearing the nicer version of his school uniform. She finds herself blushing, taking notice of his nice appearance. Rias looks up at Issei and puts all her stuff away. She then sits up crossing her legs as she looks at the boy. "Of course. What's up?" Rias asks. "I just, really wanted to apologize. For everything." He says as he starts to walk away. "Wait, is that it?

Issei takes a deep sigh as he closes the door, then he walks up to Rias. He then sits down on the couch and closes his eyes. Rias smiles and sits right near him. "Why are your eyes closed?" 

  "I never wanna see again? I've seen too much this week" Issei thought. "Why?" Rias asked. "Because of those worm things. And all that video footage of those doctors torturing entire families. I can't ever stop seeing it Rias. Breaking in, turning a whole family into those things, then making them walk around their own house like they're some kinda bug. Rias I wish I was never-" Rias cuts him off. "Issei please!" She says as she holds his hands. "Issei, I'm here. Please open your eyes. I might not be someone you wanna see but-" Issei cuts her off. "I saw you, with everyone else. Your faces were all stapled and scarred horribly."

"I saw you guys. It was like, you were all part of some kinda, sick twisted harem. I hated it. Every minute I saw you all as one of those things I thought I was gonna die." He says as he grabs Rias's hands. "The worst part was the way you all cried. What I did to Akeno, and how you thought I was leaving you guys because "it wouldn't fit the harem". "Issei?" Rias asked. "Rias, I think I need to work alone. I'm only putting everyone in danger." 

"Can you open those eyes of yours? I wanna look into them." Rias asks gently. "I'm too afraid, I don't ever wanna see pain again."  "Issei-" "Rias, only if I get to say something first. Then I think I'll be able to find the bravery to do so." Rias nods. "Sure" Issei starts to get up. He pulls down Rias's shirt from the shoulders as he takes off his own. "I apologize, for everything" Rias chuckles as she finds herself swaddled by Issei's body. "Issei, of course I forgive you." Issei smiles as he finds himself staring up at the ceiling. "I need to ask you one more thing" Rias smiles. "Shoot for it." Issei smiles. "Will you stay, just for the weekend?" Rias looks at Issei flustered. "I'm sorry to everyone, but most of all, I'm sorry to you. My biggest regret was how I hid my true feelings in pursuit of some petty revenge against God. When in reality he was trying to give me the very thing I wanted." Rias shakes her head to forget about Issei's last question. "Revenge against God? You mean about Raynare?" Issei chuckles. "Yeah, it wasn't even his fault. He was just trying to make things better for me, but all I did was push him away, and pushed you away. Everyone who was trying to help got pushed. Even my own feelings for you." Rias sniffles a little. "Feelings, Issei you're gonna make me cry." Issei then lifts Rias up. "What are you doing?" she asks. "You didn't answer my question. Will you stay for the weekend?" Rias nods a little. "The Warden told me everything." Rias finds herself shedding tears. Issei then gently puts Rias on a bed as he climbs onto it with her.  "Issei?" she asks. "I wanna ask, what made you want me? Out of every man, why me?"

"Does it even matter if I answer that, does it even matter what I say about leaving. Issei you're one of the strongest men I've ever encountered. If you wanted to you could pin me here all weekend off of your raw physical strength." Issei smiles a little. "No seriously, you've changed so much ever since I met you. Your body is no longer a twig, you can control your sacred gear to a degree that-" Suddenly, Issei slams Rias against a bed, grabbing her wrists she winces from the pain of her head hitting the back board and her wrists being crushed. "Issei! That hurt!" Issei loosens up as he lays right next to Rias. "Sorry" he says as she looks back at him and smiles. "See, I told you, you don't need to ask me pointless questions. You have the power to do whatever you want. That's why I like you, because I don't need to force you to make a decision like this. You'll either say yes, or no, you can make up your mind without fearing any consequences from me. You make ME feel safe." Issei sighs. "You never answered my question." Rias lays down on the bed. "I don't need to answer it, you need to answer it for yourself Issei. I want what you want."

Issei smiles as he begins to feel up Rias. "What I want, is for you to just stay. Not just for the weekend, but forever." Rias giggles as she finds herself tickled by Issei's hands rushing all round her body. "Issei stop!" she bumps her head on the bed frame again, Issei puts his hand over her head. "Sorry, my bad" he whispers as he gets close to her face. "You're right, I don't need you to say yes to anything, but all I want is what you want." Rias lays back, exposing her neck as she looks away from Issei. "All I want is for you to pin me here all week long." Issei then pulls Rias up suddenly with a joly, catching her off guard. "Can I just say something, no sex or any kissing involved? No hormones behind these words." Rias nods.

"I love you, Rias Gremory"

Rias feels like her heart was coddled. Her eyes stream entire planets full of water as she looks at Issei. He feels his eyes tear jerking as he looks back down at Rias with a smile. She puts her hand on his face and looks up at him angrily, yet sweet with love and passion. "I never thought I'd hear you say those words Issei. Is this real?" Rias feels her chin pushing back as Issei plants his lips on her neck. He does this over and over as he holds her close to him. "I'll protect you from him. I'll save you from him. I will be the father to your children, and the head of your family." Rias gets scared as she pulls herself away from him. "How? I don't want you to put yourself in danger. Please don't-" Issei smirks. "You said it yourself. I have power. I'm gonna use it dammit." Rias pauses. "You said you wanted to get married right?" Rias nods.

"Your enemy, the angels, when uh, when two people get married, it's-" Rias laughs. "Issei, I don't think Phenex cares about what the Bible says about marriage. He's a demon Issei. Even if we're not he's-" 

"But God does. And what he sanctifies can't be undone." Issei says interrupting. "We can't have a ceremony that quickly without ruining the intimacy. Unless it's our only option." Issei shakes his head. "It's not" He then kisses her neck again as he moves her head so he can make eye contact.  "So it looks like we want the same thing now." Rias laughs. "Shut up you pervo!" She says smiling as she pushes Issei away. Tears flowed down her cheek and touched her smiling lips. "Oh that's it." He pins Rias to the bed as he gets close to her face.

  "So, what's the plan?" she asked. "I mark what's mine." She blushes, nervous about what's to come. "Then, once I do that we confront Phenex. And I don't mean in a friendly let's chat way." He then wraps his arms around Rias. "Every minute I man handle you I'll show him how strong I am. How safe you feel in my arms and not his. How my kisses make you flutter, not his. How my caressing makes you feel nervous, and not his. Every minute you'll be in my control, not his. And you'll be safer than anyone on this planet." 

"You're the biggest idiot I've ever met Issei." She then plays with her hair as she feels her shirt pulled off. "But I like that idea." Rias smirks. "I'll even pick out your clothes for the occasion." 

"Too far." She says giggling. "No trust me, it's not what you think" Issei then gets off Rias as he decides to undress. "Issei what are you?" She watches as he gets down to his toned birthday suit. His muscles bulge like boulders as he gets under the covers, wrapping his arms around Rias as she finds herself in her own birthday suit after five minutes of undressing was turned into an hour of passionate soft kissing session.

"Hey, you sure you wanna do this?" Rias nods, unable to talk as she watches Issei get on top of her. He gets down for another kiss as he hugs her tightly. Their skin warms each other up as they push and pull with their tongues. Their breaths are like an electric blanket keeping each other warm. Their nose air creeps on their necks as they roll around. Each kiss is more and more intense as they paint each other red with hickeys. Kisses turn into biting, and biting turns to sucking, grabbing turns to fingernails clawing, and pain turns to pleasure as they only feel their nerves tickle with every touch. Hands become their eyes as they use them to see each other, to know each other, exploring every inch as they become one flesh under the warm covers of their bed. And then came the final act before they sat on their sides of the bed high on whatever chemical was flowing in them. Issei then looks back at Rias and finds himself wanting more, not just the sex, but more life with her.  "I promise I'll make this better." Issei says. "What do you mean?" she asked. "This won't be about sex. We'll do more, we'll be a family Rias. I want you to be more than some "master". Hell I'm no damn servant, I'm a man. I'm a conquerer. I'm gunning for Riser." Rias laughs. "Wait, you're not just, accepting this with your perverseness?"

  "I know it's hard to believe, but I really meant it." He gets back on top of her and kisses her once again. "I love you Rias." Rias blushes. "Again." she says. "What?" Issei asks. "Say it again, please?" she asks. "I love you." He then kisses her breasts as he makes his way up to her face.  "Hey, shall we have our guest of honor over soon?" Issei activates his ability and uses a light to create something. "Just for now, will you accept this ring as a symbol of our love?" Rias watches Issei create a metal red ring. "I will. But only if you tell me this one thing." Rias said as she put her hand on her chest. 

"Anything Rias." Issei said.

  "Do you have a death wish with Riser?" Issei grabs Rias gently by the collar. "So you lied" she looks at him concerned. "You can hype me up with all this power crap, but I already knew I had sacred power. I don't need you to be concerned for me." He then lets her drop to the bed. "I need you to just be you this weekend. Quiet, but you. I'll get you out of this, then we can do whatever you want."

  That's a promise.

She says crying as Rias slides it on, the two then once again kiss as they fall trap to the beds tempting warmth, going at it for the rest of the day and night, all the way until the weekend began.