Chapter XXI

 Issei finds himself in an empty void with no one except his demonic self. He stood and saw two versions of himself sitting in chairs. "Have a seat" Iessi says. He stood with purple eyes glaring at Issei. His gauntlet was a dark purple, almost black. Next to him, his counterpart who had more red themes to himself spoke. "Thanks for quitting on me, jerk. We coulda had hella bitches by now!" He begins to glow red as he flares with rage.

"Quite, he's smarter than that. He knows what he really wants!" Issei took a seat and looked at the two devils. "So then name it" Issei says. "It's her, it's always been her. Ever since she saved you from Raynare you knew in your heart what she felt towards you. You wanted every last drop, and now another man is about to take your drink" Issei sighs. "How can I stop this? How must I become stronger?" Iessi stands up and raises his gauntlet arm. "You can take my offer for now. You're growing weak because he's still inside of you. He fuels you with power in exchange for your motivation for a harem. It's his energy, I only feed off your love and let you keep the same mushy feelings you have. He then drops a small purple orb in Issei's gauntlet. "For now take it. It's a little hint of my power. It'll turn into red gold and green when it's used up. Use it when you need it" Lord Issei rolls his eyes "Tech, whatever."

"Whoever you choose is up to you, but now you know who makes you feel what. The choice is yours" Issei shakes his head. "I don't get it. What do you mean?" Iessi looks back at Issei and smiles before pointing his finger at the boy. "Who you'll spare and use as your power source" one lives, and one dies." "No, what is this? This isn't real. It's all a nightmare. I hate nightmares….No more dreaming" Issei says as he wakes up. His eyes and gauntlet flash as he raises his weapon ready for war.

Isabela goes to strike Issei from above with a leg strike when Issei dodges one more time. He then dashes towards her and punches her face again, leaving behind streaks of red, gold, and green. he grabs the arm she tries to punch him with and breaks it with a punch of his own by concentrating his energy under the elbow, breaking through the tough exterior and forcing it to pop out the otherside. A blood curdling scream echoes all across the woods as she crashes to the ground like a sack of potatoes, holding onto her maimed limb. As she sat on the ground the two Neko's Il and El along with everyone else started to rush him. "Oh boy I'm so scared" Issei says as his opponents glare at him bitterly. His eyes glint as he stares at Ravel. "Oh fuck!" she thought as Issei dashes over to her. "What's with the foul language young lady? You and brother do it or something?" Issei asks as he dodges Il's and El's punches and kicks. He then leaps up into the air and sends everyone back with a ground pound that causes a shock wave to throw them like toys. Even Yuuto and Karlamine stop fighting to observe as well as everyone else in the rating game, who all start to feel the impact of Issei's blows through the wind that carries leftover energy . All impressed and terrified at what's about to happen.

"Screw you!" Ravel says as Issei continues to dodge Ravel's blows. 

"Your brother's squad is a harem. It's so obvious, so he's only gonna recruit chicks he's into. And that must mean he's into you…" Ravel revolts in disgust. "EW NO WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?! GET HIM!" Everyone once again charges at him. Issei closes his eyes and feels himself draining the energy from the purple orb. He lets all the emotion inside of him cook like boiling water. Instead of revengeful lust and domination, he feels total control over his emotions. "Well tell your brother this..."

He then feels himself being taken back to his training. He looks around to see himself training, remembering all the pain he put into his hard work surge into energy and power. Every back breaking moment went towards fighting in this very moment.

"That moment we talked in the office, when we learned what those giant worms were. After seeing you and all my friends as one of those things, I decided that I'd do whatever it takes to make sure I saved you. Even if it meant I'd be damned into hell. I won't just save you physically, I'll make sure you won't burn in hell. Just like those demons! JUST LIKE....

Just like your father!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Tell your brother he'll be damned when I'm done with him!" 

Ten days ago…

Issei heard Rias talking to Grayfia as Asia healed him on the couch. "I think that's fair don't you?" Grayfia asked. "It'll be fine" Issei said as he got up and put a shirt on. Even Grayfia found herself blushing at Issei's new build from his death and resurrection. "We'll be ready. I'm already growing as I train every day with the Lord as well as Rias's training rating games. How to get basic cover, how to clear a room, I even learned how to track heat signatures with this gear he built. "Issei is it? I apologize for the rudeness, I was simply doing what I needed to do. I should have not made it personal." Issei sighs. "Yeah well, thanks I guess" He then takes his gauntlet and flips it on and off. "I say that we can make it now, a couple hours is enough considering our skill with those worms." Grayfia shakes her head. "But they still managed to destroy many parts of the world. I wouldn't use those as an example of talent. No one could've stopped them." Issei laughs. "We did good, twice, for attacks like those. Besides, it won't matter how much time we have. It's coming and we can only train for so long. We need to get going." Issei then stands up. "Issei, why is it that you want this so much?" Issei shakes his head. "Want what?" he asks. Grayfia looks back at Rias. "Rias, a word with your servant?" Rias nods. "Five minutes" "Thank you"

Everyone walks out of the room as Issei looks at Grayfia. He sat on the couch as she stood over him. She notices his scars on his chest as he takes his shirt off and begins to walk over to the other side of the room. "It's too hot in here. Sorry…" Issei says. "That's quite alright, I see why you carry such high authority." Issei glares at Grayfia. "Get to the point" he says. "I'm on your side, you know. But I can't go against the other Gremory's" she says. "Either them or me. Bet on the right horse" Issei then begins to tinker with his gauntlet. "I'm not compromising." Grayfia's eyes bulge with horror. "What?" she asks. "I get it, you won't have to worry about them either if it comes down to that. If they keep Rias from accepting salvation I'll just kill them too. Follow me as I follow truth." Grayfia looks at Issei confused "This mission of yours. It's to save the second generation, isn't it?" Issei nods his head.

"Some believe this, but it's an unpopular belief that's considered treason. Some even think it's just a fat lie made up by an angel or fallen angel." Greyfia then gets on one knee and bows as Issei looks at her puzzled. "To think such an important person, would look at Rias with such passion. It's truly an honor then to fight by your side. Save Rias then, and bring down all of Heaven. If you succeed, I shall renounce my devil hood and join your household. Your god will be my god." Issei then smiles as his eyes glow.

"Once I expose the truth, the three way war, and all of devil history....

Will be known as all a lie.

Issei then feels himself dodging the two Neko's attacks as he sends them flying back. All while memories of his training flood his mind as well as just moments with his new friends. He continues to parry attacks as each member of Ravel's group get a turn at trying to break Issei physically. 

"Please can I read one last verse? I loved this one!" Akeno chuckles. "I'm not sure that's a good idea" 

Issei?

Rias asked as she walked down the stairs at night. Issei looks at her with an empty glass of water. "It's almost time. Rodney and Akeno should be back at any moment." Rias nods. "Come" Issei looks at her shocked. "What?" "Just come!" The two walk out into a beautiful garden as the moon shines on them. Rias put on some glasses as she read out of a book and sat up against a support beam. "That's the plan?" Issei asked. "Yeah, though it's not a very good one. This book shows all its flaws and I'm afraid that with your little rush in time we have no more training we can do." Rias itterates. "Look, Rias, we don't need it," Issei says. Rias grows frustrated. "Oh yeah? You realize Riser is an immortal right? His clan is named after the beast of immortality and flames. Not a very good combo. And God blessed them with the ability to regenerate as well, before the fall. Riser is also a former Fallen one. Meaning he has every godless ability possible. His loss rate in this book is 80 to 2. Those two matches were just him losing on purpose out of respect for his opponent!" Issei chuckles. "Rias, none of that matters" Issei says with a big smile on his face. Suddenly the wind picks up as he feels his power grow. 

"God's win rate is guaranteed. Look who we have on our side! With his power and my weapon we'll rule together Rias!" He says as he holds out his arms. His devil wings grow as the sky lights up. The sun comes out at night almost scaring Rias as a booming voice echoes all throughout the land. Two golden eyes look down at the two lovers as Issei snaps his fingers. Angels praising God sing very distantly from the sky as Issei feels himself filled with energy. "If you don't have faith then let me have faith. We're gonna win and I'm not gonna be the Harem King! I'll be a ruler, an empror, a-" Rias looks at Issei as she feels her eyes spark with joy. "You wanted someone to love you, for more than your title…"

He says as the hurricane around them calms down. "I'll always see you as Rias." He then takes her hand and spins her. "You'll only have the word my before your name. This I promise, when we got married, I meant every word I said to you." Rias smiles as she begins to hug Issei. "Issei?" Rias asks. Issei then pulls Rias and nibbles at her arm as guards with armor surround them covered in armor with a dragon emblem. Rias tries to take her glasses off but Issei keeps them on. "If it weren't for you, I'd be just like Riser." Issei utters. 

"He's what I was. His Harem, he only wants more bodies. A high count in the bed, he just wants lust. And he'll rob it from those who want love. Power and titles before anything else. He's a real demon, at least at heart. Many people are. But they don't matter, only those who I care about do. You're more than your title will ever be. You've done so much for me, you're amazing, for sticking with me even though I've hurt you in the past, so badly that it makes me wanna puke. I just hope I can make it up one day. Rias wraps her arms around Issei as the two hug. Issei rests his head on Rias's neck as she squeezes him.

"You already have, thank you Issei," Rias says. gently.

The two look into each other's eyes as a heavenly scene plays out. "This is it, no one can stop me." Issei thought as his power grew. Issei continues to fly around as he recalls back to his sparring session with Yuuto. He feels the slight graze of his wooden sword as he dodges each move until he aims his gauntlet at him. Yuuto charges at Issei as he charges his gauntlet and aims an energy beam at him.

As he let the energy fire from his palm it shot past Yuuto and blew a crater in the mountain, just like how in present day it blew a crater in the main building of the high school model. Akeno dodges the blast with Karlamine as they feel the blast push them. Despite everyone dodging the blast even Riser felt scared as he fled from the area. Issei slides on the ground as the present moment settles in. This was no flashback, but a battle in the moment for the heart of the Gremory household. "Jesus Christ. Issei, what in Satan's Hell are you?" Riser thought. "Are you sure he's a pawn?" Yubelluna asks as she watches Issei blast a powerful shot. "Dammit! I MISSED!" Issei roared. "THAT'S A MISS?!" Mihae yells. Rias and Asia walk up to Riser as he creates two giant flaming wings. 

"Riser, remember our deal. You must marry Rias. Don't let me down now. It's the only way I can truly hurt that boy. Or else she'll be killed by my hands. You have one shot!" Riser shutters as he looks down at Rias and Issei, who glare up at him. "For you Rias. Even if you hate me, I won't ever turn on you." Riser laughs as Rias approaches him. "Riser's been expecting you!" He says as he walks up to Rias and Asia. Asia hides behind Rias as she powers up. "Rias, just give up" Riser says. "I can see it on your face. You're terrified of Issei" Rias says. "He's from the lord thy God. Who the fuck wouldn't be scared. That kind of power is too much. I can't keep doing this, I'll go insane."

"Do you love Rias, Riser?" Mid-battle with Rias, Riser then looks back and sees a man with a beard and robe walk up to him. "It's you!" He says as his eyes widen, he sees the man with the name above all names walk up to him. He backs up as he slashes his arm full of flames away from him. "What are you doing?! You've come to purge us all now haven't you?!" Jesus shakes his head with disappointment as he thought "Your generation, it's truly brainwashed."

"Why keep listening to him? That's what got you separated from my father, has it not?" Riser laughs. "A demi God like you doesn't have the curse of fear." Riser says. "Was I not when I was praying at that garden before I was crucified? Bleeding out of my pores as I begged for another option. You speak like I did not become less than a man!" Riser feels his heart shake like a muracca as he tries to get away from Jesus. "You know how scary it was for me, an actual immortal, to have to die like that? Yet you go around lying with your family that you're all immortal." He then takes another step towards Riser. "I guess you're not wrong, you're constantly sinning against my beloved daughter, and countless other children going unrepented won't kill you, you'll still be conscious, but spiritually, you'll be dead as Hell takes over inside you." Jesus spoke.

"DAMMIT WHAT DID YOU COME HERE FOR?!" Riser yells. Jesus dodges Riser's fireball blast and grabs his arm. "To save you!" Jesus said. "What?!" Riser yelled as another explosion shook the battleground. Issei lets another giant explosion set off as he fights against Riser's goons. "You've contributed to that boy's anger. His free will is leading him down a path that you've set with your lust for Rias!" Riser explodes. "I DON'T LUST FOR HER! I WANT HER LORD!" 

"Knowing full well her flesh is with someone else. Selfish. You have as many concubines as King Solomon. A harem all to yourself. Out of many surely one is to your liking to become your wife, yet you chase after more in pursuit of the one. You'll never be satisfied." "SHUT UP! I WON'T LET HIM TOUCH HER! EVEN IF SHE HATES ME I DON'T CARE!"

"Your actions are because you have little faith. Can a boy who creates such destruction not win against the devil?" Jesus asked. "I'm sorry. I can't. Against the angels of my father, and the devil, I can't let her into that world. It's too dangerous. I love her too much to trust anyone else." Riser says defeated. "You love her more than I? The one who made such an elegant woman, or such a passionate man as Issei? Or even your sister so full of joy and life? I am the giver of life, do I not care about the life I bring?" Riser shakes his head. "I'm sorry. You'll have to kill me." Jesus laughs. "No I won't" He then walks away back into the darkness. "You'll learn the hard way. I'm sorry Riser, what he does to you is your fault." Riser collapses onto the roof. "NO WAIT! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Riser finds himself back in the real world as he looks at Rias. He then powers up as rubble around them starts to increase from Issei's blasts. "I'm sorry darling." Yuuto's sword breaks as Karlamine breaks it. He creates another one and breaks hers in return. "WHAT?! NO WAY YOU HAVE TWO SACRED GEARS!" Karlamine asks as Yuuto blocks an attack from Karlamine's dagger. He then creates a sword with a black hole to suck the flames out of Karlamine's blade. "WHAT IS THIS?! HOW CAN YOU MAKE ALL THESE SWORDS?! HOW MANY SACRED GEARS DO YOU HAVE?!" Karlamine yells as she lands on the ground he slams his blade into the ground. Yuuto screams as a whole chain of them dig up in the ground. They uproot right underneath Karlamine causing her to leap out of the way. As the two keep fighting, Issei sends another blast towards the group of girls, finishing off Isabela as she's caught in the explosion. "Alright everyone, be careful! He's one violent one!" Ravel yells. "Issei, who the hell are you?" Yuuto asks, looking back at Issei's theater in the conflict. Issei gets another attack ready when suddenly he looks up and sees Rias holding Asia in the air. "ASIA! RIASSSSSS!" He screams violently as he looks at them. "A ratings game virgin should know that this was an easy tactic to expect" Riser says bitterly. "So you knew, and you're just as vulgar as the day we met"

"Issei, you're the one the Lord sent to free his people. The liberator of the second generation. Satan will keep them, keep us in his grasp just as long as the truth is ignorant. But me personally. I don't desire humanity…" Riser thought as he then created two giant fire wings as he stared down Rias. "I desire devilhood! I shall rule all of Hell with my master!" Riser thought. He then yelled "Rias, you're outnumbered. I suggest you just give up!" Rias laughs. "Over my dead body!" The tension thickens as the two stand off ready to fight. "Very well, then prepare yourself.." Riser says coldly as his hands burn from the raw power of the phoenix. "I'm sorry Rias."

"The Princess of Ruin, the Priestess of thunder, the sword birther, and the Red Emperor Dragon. All cool when together, but we're Phoenix's the immortal birds!" Ravel says coldly as Issei begins to approach her. Issei then cracks his finger as he finds himself once more surrounded. "I don't think you understand. You're completely finished!" Issei stares at Ravel coldly. "Oh really?" he asks. "Take a good look around you" she says. Issei does so, seeing the two boxers, a girl dressed up, a samurai, and a pawn.

Issei begins to laugh. "Outnumbered? I'm nine in one. You're only five." Ravel's eyes begin to glow. "It's okay, we'll be laughing about all of this at our wedding feast" Issei rolls his eyes. "God she's like an entitled brat, delusional, how does she have so much power?" Issei laughs, saying "I'm not interested in becoming one of your husbands, thanks though." Ravel swipes her arm as she lunges towards Isseil. "You'll wish you did boy. Now get him!" Ni and Le leap up like cats and bounce off his hand, stopping his attack. Li then kicks him from the back as Li delivers some gut wrenching blows. "What's the matter pervo, wanna peak?" Ni asks. "Don't think we don't know who you are. You're the weird kid at school! " Each punch hurts more than the last as they get him on the ground. "ISSEI!" Yuuto as he keeps dueling with Karlamine.

"I'm fine!" Issei yells spitting up some blood. Le and Ni however want to change that and keep beating him into the ground. As he laid there curled up Ravel laughed into the air, watching as Issei got the crap kicked out of him. Le then picked him up by the hair as Le stood aside and watched. "What now mistress?" Le asked. "We have him beat" Li says. "I changed my mind. Just finish him off. They won't know if his death was an accident or not so it's okay" Ravel says as Issei laid there motionless. "ISSEI NOOOOO!" Yuuto yells, unable to break free from his opponent. Issei looks down at the ground and sees purple eyes staring back at him from a puddle of blood, they turn red, and then gold as Issei finds the strength to rise back up. "They're gonna kill me?!" Issei thought while panicking. 

"I thought I was just going overboard…. Only for a second…

 They're insane.

 They're animals

 They deserve a beating a thousand times worse than what I delivered!

They're the evil ones.

Just like I was.

I won't let them win.

I won't die.

I won't lose her.

Issei suddenly sends out a massive burst of energy, throwing the two girls off of him as he rises from the ground. Ravel looks at him with fear as he stares them all down. "Don't fuck with me dammit!" Issei roars as the two neko's are flung off him, Siris leaps up into the air with everyone cheering her on. She then slams to the ground swinging her sword as Issei dodges it. "Dammit! Hey Yuuto, you wanna help?!" Issei roars. "Yeah! you got this! I'll be there as soon as possible, just keep hanging on!" Yuuto yells as the knight uses her long sword to create a whirlwind in an attempt to send Issei flying. Issei jumps as he generates more power from his gauntlet. "SCREW YOU DUMB SWORD BITCH!" Issei says frustratingly as he kicks her in the gut. He then dodges another swing as the two neko's recover from their wounds. Explosions could be heard from the rooftop of the school as Rias and Riser continue to exchange blows. Rias blocks an attack from Riser as he stands across from her on the roof. "I wish you'd just cooperate! You have no idea what's going on!" Riser yells. "You're all insane! Is it wrong for me to love who I wanna love?! My Issei will kill you! He's with the God of the wind and sky. The God of creation! I am royalty among the world of Devils! Who are YOU?!" Riser rolls his eyes. "Now you're starting to sound like a dumb HUMAN!" Riser starts to cry out of desperation, trapped by forces out of his control he feels himself crumbling. Rias sends another red lightning bolt towards Riser, only for his flames to block the destructive force. Issei watches from below. "RIAS NOOOOOO!" he screams horrified. "I'm fine Issei!" Rias yells as she says as Issei dodges another swing from Siris the knight. "Don't doubt yourself, I believe in you! I'm counting on you! SHOW THEM WHO YOU REALLY ARE?! WHETHER YOU'RE A SERVANT OF MINES OF GOD IT DOESN'T MATTER! SHOW THEM YOU'RE WORTHY OF YOUR OWN HOUSE!" Rias roared as she flies up in the air to attack Riser. Issei raises his hands as Rias's words pump him up, creating ten skeletons to rise from the ground. Turning bones into armies as they all charge at the servants of Riser. "Shit" Ravel says quietly as she sees Issei matching her numbers. "PREPARE TO FIGHT FOR REAL!" Siris orders. Sona and Shinri at this point are jaw dropped as they witness an angel from above assisting Issei. Out of horror they hide behind their desks as the angel flees to take a tactical position. Issei watches his ten skeletons all fall as the servants get their act together. "Dammit that's it?!" Issei yells. He rushes up to Siris and blocks her sword with his arm as she tries to strike him down. He then grabs the blade and breaks it.

"NO WAY HE JUST GRABBED HER BLADE!" Mihae yells. "Your heads are next!" Issei roars. He creates a giant surge of energy that blasts the area as Iessi and Lord Issei connect with his emotions. The two inner demons uniting as one to become their true identity, the red dragon emperor. He kicks Siris in the gut again before the shock wave sends her flying. "Damn you all!" Akeno flew over Yubelluna as the two took their first break in their fight. "I didn't expect you to be so violent in our fight," Yubelluna says. "Rodney, I'm so tired. I wish I could rest on you right now" Akeno thought. Rodney took heavy breaths as he ran in the streets. "DAMMIT THE PORTAL DIDN'T WORK! I have to make it to the clubhouse before it's too late! Why God did I let fear make me stay behind like that?! Issei was right. I have to confront my family at some point. I have to protect her." Rodney thought. "A little rest should do the trick" Akeno says as as she looks down at Yubelluna. Yubelluna looked up as she sat in a crater that she made when crashing into the ground. "Well I don't think I wanna wait" Yubelluna says pulling out a small bottle. It looked similar to a perfume one but without the spray.

"What is that?" Akeno asked. "Oh you'll know soon enough…"

"YUUTO! UNLEASH ALL YOUR POWER RIGHT NOW! EVERY LAST OUNCE IN ONE BIG STRIKE!" Yuuto smiles as he raises his sword. "DON'T HOLD BACK! YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DON'T GO HOME WITH RIAS THEN EVERYONE SUFFERS!" Yuuto laughs. "Can't imagine!" He says raising up his blade. "SWORD BURST!" Yuuto yells as he roars, raising a sword. He slams it into the ground. Swords burst from the ground piercing the dirt as Issei goes to grab one with his sacred gear. He then uses it to amplify the ability, causing swords to grow a five meter radius, stabbing everyone as they try to flee the area. "What the, how did we.... Lose?"Karlamine

Issei gives them all death stares as angels shoot some healing shots at him. They then flee as Issei hears the dredded screams of a man he recognized. He and Yuuto turn around as Akeno falls from the ground retired. As she fell they saw her body caught by Rodney, who wore his alter ego's outfit. His snow white hair stood out with his red eyes as he looked around the battlefield. "Rodney?" Issei asked. "Looks like you've lost your right hand. Who is that? He's not part of the games nor your house." Riser asks. "Akeno?!" Rodney asked. "I'm fine, you came," Akeno says. She strokes his face as his centipede tentacles protect the area around them. "Hey, I'm sorry I let you down. I should have faced my fears and joined this rating game" Rodney said. "It's okay. You were scared. We all heard you and Issei outside the hall" Akeno said. Rodney looks at her surprised. "This is cheating, you know. He he, you shoulda signed up. We coulda won. Easier at least…" Akeno says. "No, you're not gonna…" "I won't die, I promise." Rodney watches as Akeno's body fades into blue particles. He then feels tears streaming down his eyes as he stood up with no one in his arms.

"RISER!"

"BROTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

Riser feels chills down his spine as he hears that dreaded voice. "Rodney?!" Rias asks. "Rodney!" Asia yells. Riser unleashes flamethrower amounts of flames. Asia heals Rias as the two flee from Riser. "JUST STOP IT! OH GOD JASON GET AWAY! STOP HURTING HIM!" Rodney looks up at Riser as he cracks his knuckles. He then walks over as Riser screams, unable to control a single aspect of himself. "MY LADY! GET THEM!" Riser says. Suddenly Yuuto is blown up by a bomb. Issei runs over as he hears him scream. "YUUTO NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Issei roars as Yuuto looks back. "ISSEI! RUN!" A wave of bombs almost catches Issei, however Rodney rushes over and shields him as he stares up at the queen of Phenex. "YOU DAMN CHEATERS! STOOOOOOOOP!" Riser yells like a toddler who's toy has been taken. He screams crying and begging for help as he crumbles mentally like a pastry. 

"Riser, what's going on? Is your brother really-" Rias said. "He'll torture me!" Riser yelled. Rias smiles as she looks over at Rodney, however as Riser's screaming gets more intense her smiling fades. "Rodney, what happened to you? Why is Riser losing it?" Rias asked. Rodney stood as the smoke cleared and looked back at Issei. "Go save your girl. I'll avenge mine" Rodney mine.

 To be Continued....