Got some big plans ahead in this chapter so beware, been doing my research and gotta say this was a fun chapter to write!

Now before we begin I just want to say that I am looking for a Beta if anyone is interested!

Constructive Criticism is always appreciated!

Now Enjoy!

Legend of the Shiryō no Kami Kōtei

Chapter 4: Eternity and Infinity

Neutral brown/red eyes stared into a pair of surprised gray orbs, analyzing the person before him. Hyoudou Issei, the Primordial Deity, Death, sat staring into the face of his counterpart. It was a female who had the appearance of a young girl with long silky black hair that fell like a smooth ebony silk curtain which reached her backside. She had a milky white complexion while her attire consisted of solely a gothic lolita dress, but she had nothing covering her feet. Standing before him was the equivalent of his own existence and if his memory served him correctly than this was the first time he's seen her for a very long time.

'Eons to be exact...' he corrected himself, if memory served accurately than he hadn't seen her for that long and it wasn't because of his choice mind you, it was hers. Staring back at him with a swirl of emotions ranging from surprise, anxiety, happiness, confusion and the slightest bit of nervousness. One may begin to wonder why she felt this way, but it could only be understood between herself and Issei. If anyone at the current moment who knew this girl saw her this way they would be astonished or would be questioning as to why she would be showing such emotion. After all, this in the eyes of the rest of creation was the enigmatic legendary Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon and the Infinite Dragon God, a figure highly feared and revered at the same time.

But even if such people were there they wouldn't be acknowledged, this was a reunion long in wait for the both of them, a very anticipated one for Ophis who stared back at Issei with equal intensity. The wind blew through her long obsidian hair and for the longest of moments that seemed to drag on for light years the two kept their stare with one another. Each finding no fault in each others form, studying each others eyes, looking at each others soul with masterful ease. If anyone saw this scene they wouldn't have known that they were looking at the two Primordial deities that were as old as the dawn of time itself.

And than with the smallest of gestures Issei scoot to the side and welcomed her, ''Come...sit'' gesturing to the empty space beside him. She raised a delicate brow, but did not wait a moment longer and took a seat beside him. The two sat their looking out to the sky and watched the begin to rise further and further, a tense atmosphere was between the two. That is until Ophis broke the ice between the two. ''I see you've found yourself a material body?'' she asked only for Issei to frown before closing his eyes.

''No, this isn't just a physical body, unlike you I incarnated myself into a mortal.'' he said making her eyes widen in surprise before she turned her head to look at Issei. However understanding began to appear in her gray obs before she gave a nod. ''I see, that explains the difference, plus I can feel the another soul within you, is it...?'' she trailed on getting Issei to nod in response. ''Yes, after being incarnated he was woken up from within my soul, but for now he sleeps until I ask for him.'' he knew what she was asking him, about the other soul who dwells within him. The being that was placed inside him at birth, he was awakened at the same time he was killed by Kokabiel, but was put to sleep until such a time that Issei felt he would need to call for him.

''I see...'' she said and silence soon feel for the two, Issei saw that it was reaching morning so students for Kuoh Academy should be waking up soon and getting ready to leave. 'I'll be running a tad late though...' he sighed as he felt Ophis looking at him trying to discern him and he decided to confront her about this. ''So why are you here, Ophis? Figured you would never leave the dimensional gap.'' he said addressing her by the name she took upon herself long ago. One of his stray memories came to him and it was of Ophis speaking of that realm always having the silence and quiet she always wanted.

She averted her gaze and seemed to mumble something but he heard her perfectly well, ''I can no longer enjoy the dimensional gap like I used to. That fledgling Great Red got to powerful in your absence and has taken refuge inside and has been causing a...ruckus since then.'' it was a hesitant admittance on her part and his brow perked up at that. The memories came to him, was that what he was called now, Great Red? He was a very special dragon, for he was a very unique dragon who represented the Illusions of Dreams, but still he was but a very young dragon back than always being a stubborn hothead but to think he would become powerful enough to throw Infinity out of the home she's used since the dawn of creation?

His eyes narrowed on her, ''What's the real reason you're here? Even if Great Red became that powerful you are still Infinity and your power is absolute. He should be of no trouble to you, so why are you really here?'' it was the truth for as far as he knew. She was his counterpart, his equal in existence, why would she be unable to force that fledgling out of the Dimensional Gap? He glanced to her, but raised an eyebrow when he saw her avert her gaze from him and was he mistaken or was there a pinkish hue on her cheeks?

''….I never could get passed you...yes I may have another reason...'' softly spoke she looked up at Issei with a hesitant frown on her face. The Hyoudou looked back at her with a perplexed look which just got deeper as the pinkish hue on her cheeks got darker. ''I...I wanted to see you, Eternity.'' she said as her hand slowly went to grasp his own causing his eyes to widened slightly at her words. A sudden influx of memories hit him than, of when he was just the formless entity, and it made him remember exactly why they were separated in the beginning.

Narrowing his eyes he removed his hand, ''That's funny because I seemed to remember that you wanted to be alone after all life had been formed. It was your choice to leave so why come back?'' there was a tad bit of bite in his tone and Ophis flinched at it but she couldn't blame him for being that way. She did leave under rather stressful times for the both them, it hadn't been fair to Eternity back than to leave him with the aftermath of the megaton supernova that both spawned life and destroyed it. But at that time she just wished for complete and utter solitude, nothing else mattered to her at that one point in time, but she had been wrong to have done that, and to him of all people. It had been a mistake she regretted since the day she separated herself from him.

She retracted her hand, a bit hurt but she understood all the same ''….I know that, and there is no way I can ever ask for your forgiveness due to that selfish act on my part, but I've regretted that choice, it was a mistake. After the Great War I wanted to come see you, but after you harvested the souls that died you vanished, even from my senses. At that time it was as if you wiped yourself from existence...I thought something had happened to you. I grieved for so long thinking I wouldn't ever be able to apologize to you for what I did.'' she said this while holding her hand cherishing what lingering contact she had with the man beside her.

Issei just kept his gaze dead set ahead of him just staring out at nothing in particular that is until he sighed and began to rub his forehead fighting a slight headache. He could tell Infinity/Ophis was truly and honestly heartfelt in her words, but it was a scar that wouldn't go away no matter how much time passed. But he couldn't allow himself to carry the grudge against her, especially not after being incarnated. It just wasn't right. ''…..There is a saying among these mortals, Ophis, and that is people can forgive the sins of another, but they will never forget them. You're sorry and you mean it...and I forgive you but I won't forget it either.'' he said with the slightest grumble. He scowled when her eyes widened to a great degree and he remained stone still as she scoot closer to him.

''….Thank you...'' softly spoken as ever but he hard her words, he could feel the gratefulness in her tone and it made him smile the slightest inch. However he felt her piercing stare on him and decided to speak, ''What is it, Ophis?''

''….What happened to you? After the Great War you vanished from all of creation. You changed from the Eternity I once knew something is different about you now.'' she said pondering on the change that had happened to him.

He gave a sigh but answered nonetheless. ''You already know this, but after you left, I chose to take up the mantle of the one who was to balance out the results of what Light and Darkness had created. Thus I became what history see's me as, I became Death, I had to be the one who reaped the souls of the living to counter-balance the en mass of life that spawned in the Three Realms. Be they Mortal, Demon, Angel, Devil, God or Animal, it had become my responsibility to make sure the balance was kept in check. I rarely ever checked up on you and that may have been because of my own stubbornness.'' he said, remembering the duties he once held during those Ancient times.

He could feel her gaze on him, but he continued unperturbed, ''I spread myself out, among the three realms, becoming an Omnipresent force by the time the Great War initiated. After the war was finished and I had harvested all the souls that had vanquished and sent them to their respective places, I cast myself out. I longed for a change in my own existence and I found it by incarnating my essence in one who I felt was worthy which is what happened prior. There was a slight change in the incarnation, but it worked and I incarnated myself with a mortal named, Hyoudou Issei, and melded ourselves as one entity. Our personalities, souls, views in the world mixed as we became one so that will explain if I seem different.''

''I see...'' she said contemplating on what was spoken, her orbs took great interest in his appearance as unlike her who created her body through the nothingness of her own existence and the essence of her soul. Eternity gained his body through incarnation via through a mortal human, he must have experienced many things that she was alien to up until this point.

''So what have you been up to in my absence?'' deciding to further the conversation

Ophis looked up at the sky and gave a small sigh, ''Well as you know I can't enjoy the Dimensional Gap like I used too and all because of that ignorant fledgling Great Red. So I've been building up a force to help take it out, gathering up all sorts of figures from different backgrounds and heritages to face it, Angels, Devils, Demons, Humans with Heroic Ancestry and others, I've named it the Khaos Brigade. Would you wan-'' she was about to ask but he cut her short with a quick and simple retort.

''Not interested...'' his lips twitched upwards when he saw her give the equivalent of a pout before deciding to elaborate. ''I have no need to concern myself with your Army of Disaster, that red fledgling never crossed me and does not warrant my wrath. And until such a time happens, if, it happens I will stay my hand. But I am curious how you can lead such a vast army of individuals that are former enemies and keep them in line. What do you do to make them follow your word?'' he said half expecting her to say something intelligent and resourceful.

''I just told them to help me kill Great Red and nothing else would matter to me...''

….

….

….

''What...?'' he spat out in surprise, his tone lowering down to the lowest whisper as he stared at his counterpart with wide eyes. Ophis not understanding his surprise tilted her head, ''What?''

''Are you telling me you have gathered up an army of supernatural entities, former enemies at that and have led them with solely one goal to kill Great Red and if they help you than nothing else mattered to you?'' his answer was a nod which made him stare at her even longer. As if he were looking at a foreign creature or alien. ''You cannot be serious...'' he placed his hand over his face and sighed as Ophis just kept looking at him with a perplexed look acting completely innocent and as if she hadn't said anything outrageous.

''….You're naïve if you think they will follow your command solely based on such a loose goal, Ophis. If they don't follow your rule to the letter and begin threatening the balance...'' he said staring at her through the cracks of his fingers. His eye took on a cold glaze that made her flinch and as it should, she should know how important it was for the balance to be preserved. If she could gather up such a force of mixed races then good for her, he didn't care. However what he did care about was the Balance and if it were to be put in peril then...

'Than Armageddon will be unleashed upon all of creation once again...'

''...D-don't worry I will make sure that they stay under my heel...'' she stuttered which made her flush in embarrassment even now after just incarnating himself, Eternity can still put her in line. It was both scary and exhilarating to her, it was a joyous day to know her equal was back. Issei removed his hand and kept his eye on her for a good moment longer and she would have began squirm had he not cut his gaze away a second later. ''See it stays that way then...''

Silence fell upon the two again but it wasn't a tense atmosphere like it once was. Looking up at the sky Issei saw that it was reaching that time, 'It's near time to get ready for another day at the Academy and I have some questions for little miss Gremory-san.' his eyes narrowed on that thought about his crimson haired senpai. She used that spell on him and wanted him to live for a reason and he wanted to know why. Standing up he glanced to Ophis, ''Well I gotta go, if there isn't anything else you wanted to talk about than I must be off.''

But Ophis moved before he could take a step, her hand grasped onto his tracksuit making him stop. Looking over his shoulder he saw her look up at with a somewhat strange look in her eye. ''….Let me come with you...I don't want to be separated from you again, please?'' she asked, no more like pleaded with him to let her stay with him, to be by his side again after so long of being alone. He just kept looking at her while inwardly he contemplated if such an idea was good or not.

'….It's not like it will hurt anything, sure kaa-san and tou-san may find it strange, but I'll probably be able to spin it off should they ever find out about her. Plus from what I feel her power has strangely declined in my absence so keeping her with me until it's recovered is essential.' sighing yet again something he was taking notice of doing a lot of late. Looking down at Ophis he took her hand and nodded making her face light up with a brightened expression.

''Very well, but how will you manage your Khaos Brigade while your with me?'' he asked causing her to smile the slightest bit before she raised her other hand and he watched with a raised brow as a couple of black snakes slithered out from her sleeve. ''Simple I just have to create a copy of myself with about 1/3 of power supply that should be sufficient enough for them to take my copy seriously and not ask questions.'' she explained as the snakes left her hand and began to form an exact copy of her, down to every exact detail. Appraising the copy he turned to the original Ophis whom shooed the clone away whom nodded knowing what her objective was and vanished, ''Resourceful, but you will need to follow one condition if you're going to be staying with me for the time being.'' he said causing her to tilt her head.

''Like?''

''Well I certainly can't have those that know of your existence see you around me, when we're alone that's fine, but I don't want the hassle of other supernatural beings prodding about you.'' he said making her tilt her head before smiling. ''...I got it'' making sure no one was around she raised her hand she jumped before she was enveloped in a poof of smoke. When it cleared Issei saw that she had shifted herself into a low flowing black scarf which he caught and gave it a look. It was a simple black scarf with tattered ends, but with a faint design of a dragon.

''Hum...that'll work I guess...'' he said as he saw a pair of gray eyes appear from within the scarf which looked at him. ''...Yes, some believe I can just shape-shift into different people, but shifting into objects isn't beyond my reach.'' he heard her from within his mind causing him to roll his eyes before he wrapped the scarf around his neck. Securing her around him and letting the end flow behind him, running a hand through the scarf he let out a small smile as he felt Ophis enjoy the touch.

"Welcome back Infinity..." pulling the scarf up to hide his mouth he heard her hum with appreciation within his mind. "...Glad to be back, Eternity" hearing this Issei started to walk away intent on heading back home to get ready for the academy and to deal with the problems ahead of him. One of which he was sure was Yuuma/Raynare's dilemma and Rias Gremory's motives with bringing him back to life. But as he was leaving he felt Ophis ask him something that nearly made him trip in surprise.

'...By the way why are you going to an Academy?' feeling a sweat drop begin to form he sighed before patting the scarf around him. 'Because since many around me including my parents that brought me into this world consider me human I'm intent to at the very least attain an "Education" as they say.' she remained silent for a moment before she gave an honest response.

'I think it's a waste of time...' she said since it cut off her time to spend with Eternity/Issei by a good margin.

Issei just chuckled but continuing on...

Underworld-Gremory Castle

Sirzechs Lucifer was not in the bests of moods today as he sat alongside his wife Grayfia, he rubbed his temples as his wife handed him a cup of tea which he took gratefully. ''All this damage...this hasn't happened for so long.'' he said, currently he was going through a number of reports issued to him that spanned his territory as the Lucifer Satan. Since the Apocalyptic Omen, a title created by a number of Elder Devil seers, which ended up with all four Maou's being flooded with reports of incidents ranging from damages to many of their cities including both the original capital Lucifaad and their current Devil Capital city, Lilith, were damaged greatly in the wake of the disaster. It just went to show whatever caused this had the power to even bypass their protective barriers and wards and destroy much of their cities with ease.

That wasn't even taking into consideration of the multiple unstable points across their realm. Even after the event had passed it still left lingering effects on the Underworld and their realm itself. Reports came in about multiple unstable points that were in need of repair which came as one of the major priorities to the Yondai-Maō, which were himself as Lucifer, Leviathan, Asmodeus and Beelzebub. It was an integral part to have the realm that kept the Underworld in full repair otherwise if left unchecked it could cause an imbalance and threaten the very Underworld itself.

Then there was the transportation monorail allowing them an easier passage from the Underworld and to Earth which was out of use due to the rails having been destroyed. That wasn't even counting the fact the dimensional gap they had to pass through was still unsafe due to being effected as well by the event. To even begin repairs would take a lot of time and resources for not just his people, but for all the Maō's and of the 34 of the 72 Noble Devil Clans. He could already hear the elders of many of them complaining about spending so much of their budget but he wouldn't have any of it. This was for the Underworld as a whole and to keep it, their home, from falling apart and into disarray.

Then there was the amount of casualties that had happened, and by Satan himself, there were far too many for Sirzechs to account alone. It seemed many were caught by the flood of darkness and were neither never seen again or were reduced to ashes. Detailed reports specified that their bodies were just rotting away, as if time itself fast forward for them and reduced them to nothing but empty dried up husks or just ashes. And personally from what Sirzechs saw what this darkness did across the underworld he felt those devils were lucky to have died that way instead of being sucked into the darkness. This was a big impact to the Devils as a whole since many of the devils that died were either some pure-bloods or high-ranking reincarnated devils.

He sighed dropping the reports on his desk before leaning his head back as he tried to ease his headache and growing unease of the whole situation. ''Why did this have to happen, the Underworld has been so peaceful since the Great War ended. Everything was going smoothly and this happens...''

Grayfia worried for her husband laid her hand on his shoulder which he felt and was appreciative for the gesture. ''Please don't exert yourself Sirzechs, no one could have predicted something like this to happen and you know as well as I that no peace can last without trouble brewing it's head.'' she said, and it was true that he knew he just wanted this era to be peaceful for a good few more year's. At least until his sister had matured and was ready for whatever was coming.

''I know I know...it's just that I'm worried...besides all this chaos in our own home I'm worried about Rias and her peerage, Serafall's been wanting to go to Earth to see if her sister and her group is fine, but with all the work piling up and the Underworld in such a state she's needed to stay as well. And there's also the fact the other Noble Clans are causing a ruckus since that event passed, I mean Grayfia their even talking about this being caused by the KyūmaŌ-ha! (Old Satan Faction)'' his words made her silver eyes narrow at that, the Old Satan faction had been very quiet, nearly non-existent in their movement, but if this were true.

''If it's true then would they be declaring War by doing this?'' she asked only for Sirzechs to sigh before shaking his head. ''No, though they are incredibly stubborn and foolhardy at times even they would not stoop this low as to attack their own home world like this. Besides even they do not possess the sheer raw power to do something of this magnitude.'' he said, although he wasn't entirely sure of it himself since information on them was scarce.

''There is also word of the Phenex Clan causing a number of incidents as well Sirzechs...'' she reminded him causing him to give a slight curse. Oh yes, how could he have forgotten about that, to be honest the entire Clan was starting to reach the end of his nerves. Ever since the incident ended they had been flooding the Gremory Clan with hundreds of notices about them wanting to bring back Rias from the Earth all in due part because of the Political marriage set between her and the heir of the Phenex Clan, Riser. Just thinking about that boy, Riser, made Sirzechs very unhappy, the third son to the Phenex Clan was in his honest and personal opinion a slime ball piece of trash that didn't deserve to even be in the same presence as his little sister. And if he had his way the boy wouldn't even see the light of day again with his demands for Rias's hand in marriage.

But the marriage contract was set between his father and the Lord Phenex as a way to create a bond between both clans and help establish this through a union through both the third son of the Phenex and heiress of the Gremory. Since pure-blooded devils were becoming a rarity it could prove to be a beneficial boon if a pure-blood child was created through that union. Yet it made him sick to his stomach that his sister was being forced against her will to marry that little brat. It was a good thing he was able to step in at the time and give her leeway to go to Earth so she could try to find her own way out of this contract. But beyond that he couldn't do anything else.

'Honestly why tou-san and kaa-san continues to support this endeavor is beyond me!' he thought with a tad bit of spite, it was clear to him Rias didn't want anything to do with the marriage and he figured their parents would respect that. But they were too traditional to see it that way, it was a miracle that he was even able to get them to agree with his plan for Rias alone! Currently his parents were away to the Phenex Clan to try and reason with them about the current situation.

''I know Grayfia, I'm just hoping tou-san and kaa-san can reason with them and hold them off for just a little longer.'' he said to which she nodded, she knew her husband disliked the entire thing to a great degree and she couldn't blame him. Rias fiance, Riser, was just not a suitable man for her nor for any woman. He was in her mind, an arrogant, womanizing, sexist pig that wasn't suited to be married to her little sister-in-law.

Thinking about his sister Sirzechs sighed, ''I hope Rias is okay...''

Earth-Hyoudou Residence

Amano Yuuma or Raynare, Fallen Angel, and member of the Grigori Organization had never anticipated to find herself in this type of situation. Her long black hair was a bit damp and was brushed in a way she liked it, she had just gotten out of the shower and was currently dressed in her spare school uniform she had at left at the Hyoudou home. Currently she was in said home, sitting down at the table eating breakfast with Issei's parents. Her body was acting on auto-drive eating and answering her questions from Issei's parents.

But inwardly she was numb to the whole world as she tried to desperately figure out how she ended up in this situation.

'Kokabiel killed me...I know he did and yet here I am, alive and well! W-what happened?' she thought to herself in confusion. She remembered it all from having a date with Issei which made her flush a bit, to relaxing in the park under the starry night sky. And then Kokabiel appeared, revealing who she was to Issei and attacking both her and the Hyoudou. She remembered it all in clear detail, how she tried to defend Issei, protecting him and apologizing to him in her final moments. His shocked haunted look even now made her body tremble from the look in his eyes as darkness overcame her.

'Think Raynare! Think! Try and remember!' and she did, trying to think back to what had happened just before she died. The only thing she saw was Issei being killed by Kokabiel, but than the unimaginable happened, Issei began to change in her dimming vision. Black energy began to leak off him, his hair had grown to his shoulder-blades and had turned pitch black and his normally warm brown eyes flashed a cold golden/red. And there was also the fact his face was being covered by something, what was it. A flash of a porcelain bone white mask with the shape of a frontal skull appeared and had she not the self-control, she would have jumped with a slight scream.

'I-I remember now...what happened to him?...what happened to us?' Why are you leaving me with so many questions, Issei-kun?' she thought to herself, thinking back to when she woke up an hour and half ago. She was very surprised to find herself not dead, but infact alive and in Issei's bed. It was normal at times for her to fall asleep in his bedroom since she had done it a few times when she came over to study with him which ended up in a few embarrassing situations. But never in his very own bed, and she could tell he was there recently due to his warmth and scent still there. She did her best to hide her cheeks fro flushing to a scarlet when she realized where her thoughts went on that part.

She shook her head of that and remembered that after waking up and realizing she was actually alive tried to find Issei, but unlike before she couldn't sense his presence anywhere in the vicinity. It was than she found the note he left for her and she was both relieved and a bit apprehensive of what it said. He had gone out on one his morning jogs an would be back in time to be ready for school, but she was nervous to see him since it also said that they would be discussing the matters with what happened last night.

Did he know? If so how? He was a human...wasn't he? She was sure he didn't want anything to do with her again after finding out what she did. So many questions rang through her head at that moment that she just wished Issei would hurry back so she could have them answered. Briefly she wondered if her fellow Fallen Angels had fallen by Kokabiel's hand, but then again that man wouldn't waste time and risk alerting Azazel and Shemhazai.

''Honestly, he's taking longer then usual, I wonder if he's okay.'' she was brought out of her musings when she heard Issei's mother speak only for his father to respond with a smile. ''Oh don't worry love, Issei should be here any minute now.'' he said before they heard the door open causing him to smirk. ''And speak of the devil and he shall appear!'' the two missed Yuuma's flinch and nervous expression as the sound of footsteps came closer until the door opened revealing Issei.

''Sorry I'm late kaa-san, tou-san I took a small detour on my way back and bought myself something for the winter.'' Issei said with a smile will pointing to his black scarf. His parents seemed to take notice of it and nodded. ''That's okay, but you better hurry and get ready for school, you don't want to have Yuuma-chan go alone, right?'' his mother said causing him to blink before he turned his gaze toward a silent Yuuma who glanced at him. His eyes met hers and for a moment she couldn't tear her gaze away from his. It was for only a moment before his mouth slowly formed into a smile, a knowing smile that made her eyes widen before he looked towards his parents.

''Yeah I got it!'' grabbing a piece of toast he ran up stairs to get his uniform before heading to the shower.

An hour passed and soon Yuuma and Issei were leaving his house and heading on their way to Kuoh Academy both were in their respective Academy uniforms only Issei had his scarf around his neck. Issei had his sack of supplies slung over his shoulder and Yuuma thankfully had some supplies left at his house had them in hand. To others it would seem like the two were just fellow classmates, but on the inside it was much different.

Yuuma was nearly sweating in nervousness, the atmosphere around her and Issei was so tense you could cut it with a butter knife. Every now and then she would dare to glance his way, but look away just as quick. She didn't know what to say or even how to begin to break the ice between them. She wasn't sure if all that happened last night was real or if it was just a dream. Did he know? Had she dreamed it all? She didn't know and she was a bit scared to find out. Deciding to look his way again she sighed before speaking, it was better now than later.

''So...'' she was silenced when his hand landed on her shoulder caused her to flinch, but she looked up and she blinked a few times when she did. 'Had Issei always been this tall?' it was sudden thought that entered her mind as she looked up at the Hyoudou Sure he was always tall for his age, but as she looked up to him, becoming nearly lost in his brown/red eyes. She saw...no felt something had changed in him.

''Raynare before you say anything, let me just say despite what you did in the past or were ordered to do just know that I forgive you.'' his words left him and her eyes widened once she heard her name, her true name be spoken by him. But there was no deceit, no anger, no hatred, just pure unadulterated warmth in his eyes.

'He knows...'

''H-How do you...but...why...I...I don't understand...'' she struggled to speak, but his arm circled around her shoulders and pulled her flush to his side. Feeling the rippling of his wiry muscled arm and body made her tingle delight.

''It's simple, we can talk about it after School, but for now just know that even though you were ordered to kill me you still became a very close friend. Instead of following through with your order you protected me and died doing so. Because of that, I couldn't hate you no matter how much it hurt, you can tell me whatever you wish at anytime and when you feel comfortable about it. I know all I need to know so don't worry about keeping it a secret from me, don't be so tense around me, okay?'' he said meaning every single word. He'd been thinking to how address her about the situation, but he just decided to be upfront and blunt about it. He had been hurt and felt a bit betrayed, but Yuuma had defended him and died, giving her life for him. She had become a very close friend to him and despite his new status he was going to cherish Raynare as much as he would cherish Irina and Koneko.

''….Issei...thank you...'' he smiled as she leaned herself against him keeping her steady. Although he felt a bit cynical with his change, what would never change is his loyalty to the friends he had. He felt...close to Yu-Raynare, he corrected himself, as close as he felt to Irina before she left for England and it was the same with his little kohai, Koneko. Unknown to him, Raynare was staring up at him and one of the most brightest sad smiles adorned her beautiful features.

'You already know...and yet you forgive me...I don't deserve someone as special as you...'

And unknown to even her and Issei, Ophis within the scarf frowned at Fallen Angel that as hanging on to her Eternity. Oh yes, Ophis would be watching this girl very very closely.

Unknown Location

The sound of cackling bones echoed all around the dimly lit chamber, the souls of the damned screamed and wailed in a endless agonizing symphony as they swirled in a giant vortex. Heading towards their imminent punishment, reaching the purgatory where all souls of the damned go. Having had judgment passed down on them those sentenced to damnation were sent here and were distributed through the Vortex of Souls. Each soul with a certain level of sins would be sent to an adequate circle of hell pending on what those sins were the majority of. Be they of Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery.

There was no mercy, no love or passion, just cold punishment for the sinful with no hope of retribution for anyone in this place.

Hanging above this vortex was a number of rocky platforms which were strung up by a number of giant spiky black chains. Guarding these platforms were a number of armored skeletons and undead warriors and sorcerers while walking pass them were a number of humanoid figures with billowing black cloaks that covered most of their bodies along with a hood that shadowed their faces. Held in hand were long wooden scythes although some had alterations to their weapon of choice.

Amidst these platforms the lowest one led deeper into the catacombs of the area, deeper and darker it became until finally was a giant chamber. It was a throne room decorated with corpses, skeletons and skull. Braziers made of bone and skulls of demonic creatures hung among the walls and were lit with blue fire. Standing guard at the entrance and along the walkway were a number of heavily armored skeletons with bits of rotten flesh still clinging to their body. Their eye-sockets glowed with an unholy blue light, showing that it was the only sigh that they had some life in their reanimated bodies.

Leading up to the throne sat a single figure garbed in priest-like robes it was another skeleton that was much taller than the rest and gave off a creepy and malicious aura. So intense it would have threatened to snuff out all life in the area if such a being were amongst those of the living. It's skull was covered by a hood, but it grinned as the skeletons eyes bore down at the figure standing before him.

''So, how do your new wings feel, Kokabiel?'' the skeleton cackled, humor escaping its body causing its ribcage to rattle as the figure before him, Kokabiel, in all his fallen glory smirked up at the figure with a glow of respect. He tested his new wings on his one half, made entirely of torn flesh and bone and hummed in content.

''They feel very adequate, Lord Hades.'' his smirk stretched across his face, his yellow eyes glowing with a hint of madness as the Olympian God, Ruler of the Realm of the Dead, Brother of Zeus and Poseidon cackled further. His eyes flashed with an unholy light as they bared down on his newest subject with twisted glee.

''Very good...''

And that ends this chapter! Oh what fun that was! :)

Yes I know Issei forgave Raynare to quick, but unlike in other stories she did not kill him, Issei witnessed her protect him and was killed doing so. Plus he knew she was heartfelt in her being friends with him since he was sensitive about having friends in the first place and would know whether or not she was faking it.

Issei/Eternity and Ophis/Infinity, The exchange between the two Primordial's went just how I wanted it which I'm glad for because sometimes I stem from the original idea O.e Yes, Ophis acted OOC, but that was intended for this story as did Raynare.

Anyways I'm a tired gonna rest a bit.

Peace!