The Dragon God’s Heartbeat

As the moon hung high over the Gremory estate, silver light filtered through the trees like spilled stardust. The estate lay quiet, the only sounds being the occasional chirp of night insects and the rustle of leaves.

But within a room shrouded in shadow and stillness, something stirred.

⸻

[Warning: Supreme Entity Detected. Initiating passive protocol.]

[Ddraig: …This pressure… It can't be. Host, be very careful. That is the Infinite Dragon God herself.]

Ophis tilted her head, unblinking. "You are the one who carries Ddraig, Quetzalcoatl, and Tiamat. The one changing the balance."

He sat up. His hand instinctively moved toward his Zanpakutō, but her gaze alone stopped him.

"I come to observe. You are not what I expected," she said. "You feel… warm."

He swallowed, unsure what to say. "Is that bad?"

"No." Her voice was as still as a frozen lake. "It's… interesting."

The silence grew heavy. Then, Ophis stepped forward.

Barefoot. Pale. Ageless. Her black hair flowed like a river of ink down her back, and those eyes—void of everything and yet containing eternity—locked onto his.

"You are strong," she said, tone neutral, emotionless. "You are interesting. I want your help."

Issei sat up straighter, unbothered by her divine pressure weighing the air like gravity itself.

"You want me to help you? With what?"

"Yes. To help me take back my home from Great Red," Ophis replied. "I miss the quietness of it all before he came."

He tilted his head. "Why not just… talk to him? Or find a new place? You're the Dragon God of Infinity. Don't tell me you're out of options."

Ophis blinked slowly, then responded, "I desire silence. That realm was silence. Great Red brings chaos."

"And you want me to restore it to how it was?" Issei mused. "That's a tall order for a newly minted devil."

"You are not normal," Ophis said. "You are chosen."

Issei chuckled lowly. "Then answer me something."

He met her gaze, unflinching.

"What would I have to do… to make you mine?"

For the first time in millennia, Ophis flinched.

Not in fear.

But in reaction.

A warmth bloomed across her face. Her lips parted slightly, and her fingers twitched.

Then—she smiled.

A small, alien thing.

"You want me to be your mate?"

Issei didn't back down. "If I'm going to get caught up in your mess, I'd like to know the endgame."

Without warning, Ophis's form shimmered.

She began to shift—gracefully, fluidly—like water becoming flame.

Her body flowed from one form to the next: Vermil, violet-haired and crimson-eyed, teasing and divine. Then Shion, tall and muscular, her curves demonic yet elegant. Then Yamato, the fierce oni princess clad in warrior pride.

And finally… she settled.

A hybrid form. Shizuka Marikawa's voluptuous figure mixed with Vermil's ethereal beauty—full hips, long legs, a gaze both serene and commanding.

"Out of these forms," Ophis whispered, voice now laced with an unfamiliar warmth, "do you like this one, young Issei?"

Before he could answer, she stepped forward and pressed a finger to his chest.

"To make me your mate," she said, "I require five things."

She raised a hand, counting.

"One. You must not kneel before any god—not even me. I choose strength, not submission."

"Two. You will not forsake those who choose you."

He thought of Rias, Akeno, Koneko, even Kuroka. He nodded.

"Three." Her eyes flickered like dying stars. "Continue to be… interesting, my dear Issei. Let me feel these new feelings… I've never felt before."

He blinked. "Is that allowed?"

"I do not know," she murmured. "But I want it."

"Fourth: I want sweets. Infinite sweets."

"Lastly: I want a quiet place I can call home. No interruptions. No war. Just… peace."

She leaned in and kissed his cheek—just a whisper of touch.

Then vanished into black mist.

⸻

[System Alert: Emergency Task Generated – Mate of the Infinite Dragon God]

[Requirements:

– Accept Ophis's five conditions.

– Survive her test of worth.

– Do not betray her expectations.]

[Reward:

– New Dragon God Abilities: Infinity Core and Void Pulse.

– Divine Scale Enhancement. Unique Ability of Ophis granted.

– Sacred Gear Evolution (Boosted Gear ver. Ω).

– Additional Rewards: +15 to all stats.

– Summoning Token: ???

– System Upgrade: Eden Phase 2 Unlocked.]

[Failure Consequence: Permanent death without chance of reincarnation.]

⸻

"Five… conditions?" Issei asked cautiously.

He exhaled slowly. "She's… something else."

[Ddraig: Hmph. The Infinite Dragon God… smiling? You've done the impossible, Partner.]

[Tiamat: …And the idiot might just survive it.]

[Quetzalcoatl: Ufufu~ A Dragon God, drawn to a crimson sun? What delicious irony.]

He fell back onto his bed, the warmth of her presence still lingering.

Sleep came slowly.

⸻

The Next Morning – Gremory Estate

Golden sunlight filtered through silk curtains, bathing the room in warmth. Issei stirred, the memory of a divine presence still lingering faintly around him.

A soft knock broke the silence.

"Akeno?"

The door opened without an answer. Akeno stepped inside, her expression unreadable.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked quietly.

He nodded. "Yeah."

She closed the door behind her and walked to him, her scent—roses and lavender—drifting in the air. Her back remained turned to him as she sat on his bed.

"My father is the fallen angel Baraqiel. My mother was murdered. He wasn't there." Her voice trembled. "I hated my power… my blood. My lightning. But I used it anyway. I smiled through it, seduced through it, because pretending was easier than facing it."

He stepped closer.

"But watching you… your fire, your chaos… you make me want to stop pretending."

He smirked. "Then stop."

She turned, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "It's that simple?"

"No," he said, gently cupping her chin. "But it's worth it."

SMACK.

He slapped her ass with a sharp crack.

Akeno gasped, thighs quivering. Divine lightning danced along her fingertips.

"Yes, Master," she whispered. "I'll stop running."

She leaned in, lips brushing his ear.

"Did I do good?"

He smiled. "Perfect, my thunder priestess."

⸻

Later That Day – Courtyard

A white flash tore through the garden.

Valerie Lucifer landed with grace—silver hair flowing, gold eyes alight. Her form was clad in a skin-tight battle dress, equal parts regal and provocative.

"The rumors were true," she said. "You've caught Ophis's attention."

Issei raised an eyebrow. "And yours?"

She smirked. "If you defeat me in a duel—like a dragon—you may claim me as your mate."

"Straight to the point," Issei muttered.

Kuroka appeared beside Valerie, arms crossed.

"So? Is this your choice, Kuroka?" Valerie asked. "Are you staying with him, or returning with me?"

Kuroka snorted. "Issei is my mate. I'll be staying—with him and my little sister Shirone."

Then she added, smirking, "You might wanna hurry, Valerie. I saw him with Baraqiel's daughter. She's already calling him Master~."

Valerie flushed.

"Hmph… If you can tame me, Issei… I might just submit."

She vanished in a flash of white light.

In her room, she dropped to the floor, hugging a pillow.

"What is this feeling?! Why does my chest feel weird?!"

[Albion: …It is his bloodline, Valerie. A dragon calls to a dragon.]

⸻

Back in the Gremory Courtyard

[Eden: New Task Received – Defeat Valerie Lucifer]

[Reward: Dragon Aura Enhancement. +10 to all stats. Unlock: First Dragon Mate.]

Sirzaria shimmered into view, silver eyes glowing.

"Win this Rating Game, Issei… and I'll join you. With Rias. Think of it as motivation."

"Sister!" Rias blushed scarlet.

Sirzaria kissed Issei's cheek and vanished. "Maou business~"

"Nyahaha~ You're quite popular, Dragon-kun~" Kuroka teased.

Issei sighed. "Then now I have no choice but to win."

⸻

Eden Garden of Mastery – Training Grounds

Under ancient trees, Issei passed out five glowing tomes.

To Akeno: "Lightning techniques—Kirin, Laxus, and divine variants."

Akeno blushed. "You… remembered I like lightning."

To Rias: "Conceptual magic. Fictional attacks turned real."

Rias blinked at titles. "Void Rasengan? Omega Flare?"

To Kiba: "Armament Haki. Sword God, North God, and Zoro's styles."

Kiba trembled. "This is… everything I ever dreamed of."

To Koneko: "Eight Trigrams. Ki training. Martial foundations."

She clutched it tightly. "Thank you, senpai."

To Asia: "Tsunade's healing. Divine magic. Protection training."

"I'll do my best!"

[Eden: One-Time Training Facility Activated – Eden Garden of Mastery]

[Time Flow: 30x Faster. Duration: 72 hours in-dimension.]

A golden rift opened.

"Let's level up," Issei said.

They stepped into Eden's Garden of Mastery.

⸻

Inside Eden Garden of Mastery

Forests, mountains, lakes, training arenas. Mana dense and alive.

Rias ignited black-red flames—"Infernal Spiral Burst"—scorching obsidian pillars.

"You'll need more than that to beat Riser," a voice said.

Mio Gremory descended, crimson battle corset shimmering.

"I'll train you, little sister. You will break that engagement."

Not far off, Akeno stood beneath a storm. Her hands danced with divine lightning.

Grayfia stepped through the storm, unbothered.

"My mistress commands I assist you both. Akeno. Asia. We will raise your magic to divine elegance."

Asia whispered, "Even me?"

Grayfia's eyes softened. "Especially you."

Kiba carved shockwaves through stone. Blades glinting. Muscles burning—only to face his old master.

Souji Okita smiled. "Let's see if you remember how to survive."

"Yes, Master."

Koneko shattered boulders with chakra fists.

"Use your hips, Shirone. Nyaa~"

"Don't… nya at me," she muttered.

Kuroka beamed. "You're learning."

Asia stood in flowered fields, Grayfia guiding her like a goddess of light.

Atop a floating cliff, Issei placed a hand on a sabertoothed girl's head.

"If you'll fight beside me… you need a name."

She bowed. "Name me."

"Byakko. The White Fang of Eden."

She smiled.

As the flames of battle approached.

But Issei Hyoudou—Crimson Sun, Devil of Eden, Dragon Reborn—stood unshaken.

Evolving.

Desired by dragons and devils alike.

⸻

The Garden

The Garden was quiet beneath an afternoon sky. Sunlight spilled through enchanted crystal-paneled trees. Sacred lotus petals floated on ponds, their scent soothing.

Akeno stood beside Issei.

Her lightning—once chaos—now flowed like silk. Regal. Balanced.

They stepped into the courtyard.

Everyone turned.

"She's… different," Koneko whispered.

Asia gasped. "She feels like herself again."

Kiba nodded. "Her energy is balanced."

Rias pulled Akeno into a hug. Koneko and Asia joined in. Silent forgiveness radiated.

Akeno froze… then let go.

Of pain. Of shame. Of nights spent blaming herself.

And for the first time in what felt like forever… she cried.

Soft, cleansing tears.

Rias looked at Issei, eyes shimmering.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

He nodded.

⸻

[Eden: Affection Levels Updated]

• [Akeno Himejima – 90 → 100 (Thunder Priestess – Loyalty Confirmed)]

• [Rias Gremory – 85 → 90 (Crimson Heiress – Growing Devotion)]

• [Asia Argento – 75 → 80 (Healing Angel – Inspired Confidence)]

• [Koneko Toujou – 80 → 85 (White Tiger – Growing Attachment)]