Been a while huh? Too damn long and I apologize but I was dealing with life and university. Video games also began to take precedence over writing taking up my free time. I just had no motivation to write I was barely getting down a hundred words a time before stopping. It was frustrating, to say the least.

It also annoyed me because I felt like I was being disrespectful and unappreciative to readers and followers who had taken the time to read and review my work. While also managing to get through my atrocious grammar (which I am constantly seeking to improve.) Abandoning stories is a thing on fanfiction and something I have experienced in stories I have greatly enjoyed and it's disheartening, to say the least. I did not want to do that; I am sick of leaving my works unfinished. Moreover, I have received criticism and that is complexly fine I do not discourage criticism, in fact, I encourage it as it does help me improve but what is not fine is me taking genuine criticism that may have been framed in less than favourable terms and letting it affect me and inhibit my writing. These criticisms should not inhibit my ability to write but rather they should make me step back and see mistakes readers have seen that I may have not realized. Readers may have different ways of framing criticism some harsher than others but this does not make their criticism any less valid.

This leads me to another reason for my delayed updating, I was not happy with my work, I was contending with the issue Issei was too OOC, my grammar not being up to par. Then, I was focusing on different things and screwing up the timeline inevitably leading to plot holes. This exacerbated my writer's block and made me seriously consider a re-write but I decided not to. As I would be merely doing what I despised abandoning a story and my work. So I decided to continue with this story and to improve and grow as a writer. The goal is to grow the story chapter to chapter, word by word and my skill. In the future, I will create a better story involving Issei and Serafall but for now please read and review this chapter.

The Destiny And Fate Of The Red Dragon Emperor

Issei Hyoudou just continued staring at the women who just introduced herself as Elsha. She seemed so real, a lot more than just a figment of his imagination.

"I will leave you two" Ddraig broke the pregnant pause as the dragon disappeared in flames. Leaving the two humans, Issei disentangled himself from the women who had hugged him from behind, standing and turning around to face the women who too stood up. A gentle smile remained ever-present on the woman's face.

"Am I dead?" Issei asked not really getting a straight answer from Ddraig, Elsha calmly shook her head

"No, you aren't Issei, just unconscious. Probably for a while." Issei breathed a small sigh of relief

"That's good to know, so you are Elsha? What are you doing here?" Issei asked wondering where this woman came from and why Ddraig seemed to know her.

"I was a boosted gear user. I was the strongest female user. The souls of past users get stored inside the gear. I luckily am one of the few who did not succumb to the curse of the Juggernaut Drive hence why we are able to have normal conversations." Elsha calmly explained, Issei took a moment to take it in. He was basically communicating with someone's soul.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too Elsha." He greeted back, the women acknowledged it with a nod before getting straight to the point.

"Tell me Issei, why do you continue to impose suffering on yourself? Even now I can still feel it, your hatred, your loathing…. You are lost Issei but only because you choose to be…" Elsha calmly locked eyes with Issei, her words coming out measured and calm. Issei froze taken back by her candid words.

"W-what do you mean?" Issei asked confused by her words

"I mean what I said, you continue to impose suffering on yourself. You continue to grieve when you should be moving on. You keep shackling yourself to the past. Irina would not want this" Elsha continued, something in Issei snapped.

"Irina would not want this? WHO ARE YOU TO KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS!" Issei shouted but Elsha seemed unfazed.

"WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE WHAT SHE WOULD WANT!" Issei continued as he stepped forward

"Who are you to decide she would want you to continue suffering? You know her better than I do but that does not mean I don't know of her. You really think someone who loved you would want you to continue suffering, wallowing away. Wasting your life, wasting your potential." Elsha replied calmly not budging an inch

"What potential? I had the potential to protect her but I didn't and now I just got my ass handed to me by a god of war. So much potential…" Issei replied bitterly

"Potential that has not been tempered, potential that has the chance to do great things. Potential to protect those close to you. Potential that you can attain if you only train yourself to realize it." Elsha pressed

"What if I don't want to attain this potential? Do I not get a say in this?" Issei retorted

"You should stop seeing your power as a burden, it is also a boon. You have the opportunity to change the world, bring peace, crush those who would harm your friends or family. You see the responsibility that comes with your power and that is what only a handful of previous users realized. That is what makes you better and someone who can change the supernatural world for the better." Elsha calmly explained

"For the better? The supernatural world is just a pit of snakes, they take advantage of those weaker than them and despise human. It was that mantra that leads to Irina's death. Nobody gives a damn about humans!"

"Then change that Issei Hyoudou, change it push yourself to your limits and prove to them humans are not to be trifled with be an example for other humans an example people in the supernatural can fear." Elsha stated, Issei sighed and locked eyes with the former boosted gear user.

"Even then I am not that ambitious, I just care about my friends…. Gabriel, Xenovia, Raynare and…. Serafall." Issei sighed thinking about the women he befriended, his voice lingering on Serafall.

"Then what are you going to do about Gabriel? She did confess to you… Will you reject her?" Elsha asked, her words making Issei bite his lower lip.

"I…. don't know… I never saw Gabriel that way… Maybe I could in future? I don't know? But I'm not really looking for something right now…. I am a mess…" Issei muttered, not sure what to think

"She could help you, help you heal once and for all. But you need to stop pushing her away and you cannot ignore her feelings." Elsha counselled, Issei sighed.

"I freaked out… and ran from her but she still came to help me… She is a great frie… person; I know that much but whether she could be more I don't know"

"Gabriel is not the only one you can rely on. You have others." Elsha pointed out

"Xenovia, Serafall and… Raynare." Issei spoke their names to which Elsha nodded. Issei began thinking about them in turn.

"Xenovia, she was always a good friend. Even when I pushed her away, she like Gabriel still cared for me. She will help me any way she can. And I need to apologize to her, I acted as if Irina's death meant less to her then it did to me. That was not fair and not right." Then his thoughts drifted to a certain magical girl.

"One of the four satan's dresses up as a magic girl…" Issei spoke with slight disbelief to which Elsha let out a small melodious laugh.

"Devils are known for the eccentricities "

Elsha walked forward and placed her hand on his shoulder, their eyes locking.

"Take your time Issei and think it through. But I will no longer tolerate your own self-styled suffering and ostracism. The time for grief is over, the time for suffering is over, it is time to break free of your shackles and be reborn stronger and more determined than ever. You are Issei Hyoudou the red dragon emperor, a human given a great boon. It is time you show them your resolve and strength as a human and forge a legend! A legend forged from his own determination and merits and with the help of those around him" Elsha roused him.

A few seconds paused of silence as Issei took in her words. His rather flat expression began morphing as he continued processing the words. She was right, he was wallowing for no reason, he didn't need to suffer any longer. There are people who care for him, people who could help him, he only needs to reach out. He needed to build himself up, get stronger and show the world but most importantly protect his friends.

Gabriel, Raynare, Xenovia and Serafall he would get stronger and he would protect them. A trademark goofy grin that had been gone ever since Irina's death had returned and formed on his lips the white of his teeth evident as he clasped his neck.

"You are right Elsha! It's time I show them! Who the Red Dragon Emperor is and can be! I will grow stronger and protect my friends!" finishing his sentence with a fist pump, Elsha just had a supportive smile at his declaration.

"Well, let's hope you will wake up soon. Sooner you can get trained!"

"Oh yeah, I kinda got my ass kicked…." Issei remembered with a small laugh

Back in the real world. Serafall was getting an intense of Déjà vu as she and Gabriel lay hunched over Issei once again pooling their powers to heal him their lower clothes once again soaked with his blood. Behemoth the towering being stood guard, his body tense in a defensive pose as he guarded his mistress and her friend.

"This can't keep happening to him, Gabriel" Serafall spoke cutting through the silence

"I know" her response was quiet and lacking vibrancy, tears stained her cheek at witnessing the man she loved once again at death's door. She blamed herself if she hadn't told him he would not have freaked out and left. Serafall would not have it.

if Gabriel could not protect him, Serafall would take his protection into her own hands. He didn't need to suffer anymore, he deserved somewhere safe a friend to look after him. Her heart ached at that word, a friend a deep part of her knew what that meant but she really did not want to entertain such notions. Especially considering the fact that he would not reciprocate if his reaction to Gabriel's feelings were anything to go by, he still needed time to recover, time to develop new feelings and time to accept others feelings towards him. Serafall bit her lip, her feelings could come later right now she needed to ensure he first made it.

"This time he will be under my protection…" Serafall stated leaving no room for argument but Gabriel was not about to argue either. His reaction to her words and the events that followed she was to blame. She couldn't be near him, she needed to give him space and she needed space to think about her feelings. He needed space to heal and to consider her words. Her heart ached at the thought being separated from the one she loved but she needed to be at least for a small while.

"Alright… it is… probably for the best…" the angel agreed her joyful voice now sombre

"Someone's approaching" Behemoth growled, the hulking man facing a pair of trees. Gabriel and Serafall were immediately on alert.

"Now, now Behemoth calm down" an ever calm voice cut through the tense atmosphere of the situation. Serafall and Gabriel were perplexed, to say the least.

"Tamamo?" the women spoke with confusion at the same time at the leader of the Youkai faction sauntering to the forest her tails swishing behind her, her facial expressions concealed by her iconic fan. Yasaka following close to her mistress.

"Serafall, Gabriel. A pleasure to see you, ladies, again, admittedly I wish it were in better circumstances" the Kitsune calmly admitted as she stepped closer

"Mistress?" Behemoth called seeking an order his body still tense

"It's all right let them come closer Behemoth." Serafall ordered her servant who turned to continue surveying the forest, one part of him still turned towards the approach Kitsune. The Satan and Arch-angel were confused as to why the leader of the Youkai faction would be here but they both followed her ever calculating eyes which were poised for Issei.

"I am here for the same reason you ladies are here, for the person currently bleeding beneath your hands," Tamamo admitted casually coming closer to Serafall, Gabriel and unconscious Issei till they were a few steps away. The two ladies tensed, an ambiguous answer as ever but such was expected from Tamamo.

"Admittedly I'm not romantically attracted to him but Issei Hyoudou is important to the future. I would rather he not die… it would be an inconvenience, to say the least." Tamamo offered an answer while leaving a question important for what in the future?

"We will discuss this later, Tamamo…." Serafall begrudgingly letting go of her curiosity of what Tamamo needed Issei for, she would rather have her healing Issei then playing a verbal game of cat and mouse. Tamamo gave a barely noticeable nod before approaching a green glowing orb in her free hand.

"Yasaka please ensure no one hostile gets to close…" Tamamo requested her hand-maiden

"Yes mistress" Yasaka bowed slightly before assuming a defensive position across from Behemoth as both beings stood guard

Tamamo now offered her healing power and with their combined powers within moments Issei's wounds were sealed. He however still lost a lot of blood and would be unconscious for a while.

"He is out of mortal danger for now" Tamamo confirmed with Gabriel and Serafall nodding their agreement with Tamamo's assessment.

"I will go inform Michael what happened and that he is under your protection but I will be back later to see him." Gabriel stood up first her eyes firmly locked on Issei's unconscious form.

"Of course, you can see him whenever you like." Serafall would not deny her if she wanted to see Issei. Gabriel took one last look at Issei before leaving.

"A dove leaves and a crow arrives…" Tamamo suddenly muttered calmly earning Serafall's attention, Serafall found the women annoyingly cryptic and too reliant on thinking ahead but she had to give credit Tamamo was as cunning as they came.

"Issei?" A female voice once again intervened in the clearing and Serafall turned to face the source of the voice. She didn't recognize the women but her instincts screamed fallen angel.

"Yo Serafall so you found him?" Azazel calmly greeted while beside him stood the silver-haired man she recognized as the white dragon emperor. As well as another tall gruff man with black hair, she recognized him as Baraqiel.

"Yes, I did Azazel." She answered the fallen angel before glancing back to the prone form of Issei

"Is he okay?" the female fallen angel suddenly blurted out nervously as her violet eyes filled with concern started at Issei's unconscious form. Serafall eyes bore into the fallen angel who was she to Issei?

"Yes he is, he is just unconscious."

"Tamamo what are you doing here?" the fallen angel leader a bit suspicious of why the leader of the Youkai faction would be here, he too like Serafall would always have reservations about the KItsune she was just too damn cryptic.

"I am here for the same reason you all are." Giving practically the same answer she did to Gabriel and Serafall to Azazel. Tamamo eyes then trailed to the silver-haired white dragon emperor user.

"Ah the white dragon emperor, here to kill your rival while he is weak?" Tamamo calmly questioned as her eyes narrowed in suspicion to the silver-haired devil to which Vali gave her a look of annoyance

"Of course not. There would be no fun in doing that, I would much rather battle him to the death when we both are at our highest potential" Vali's battle mania seeping into his response. Azazel just shook his head used to such antics.

"Damn battle maniac." Azazel muttered

"What happened here?" Baraqiel inquired as he glanced around the destroyed clearing and the damage the ground suffered from multiple craters and marks.

"Artemis and Ares showed up, Zeus wanted the red dragon emperor." Serafall stated succinctly

"That old coot. We will be having a talk about that later." Azazel sighed expecting such stupidity from Zeus, Serafall nodded in agreement.

"Uh, lady Serafall" the female fallen angel addressed the satan who immediately turned her eyes to the fallen angel

"May I approach Issei? I just want to make sure he's okay…" the fallen angel asked politely and a tone filled with nervousness. After all, she was talking to a being who could obliterate her.

Serafall mind was racing, she obviously knew Issei that much was certain. A friend at least, definitely not a lover but potential love rival. Serafall's mind froze where did that last idea come from. She would need to have some time to think to herself about her potential feelings.

'I am probably overthinking things…' She mentally concluded

She glanced to Azazel who gave her a small almost not noticeable nod and mouthed a small, please. So this fallen angel was important to Azazel, she stored that bit of information away for later. It wouldn't hurt she concluded but she would be watching the fallen angel like a hawk.

"Yes, you can."

Raynare's heart was racing, what in god's name possessed her to request something from a Satan? She knew Issei was okay after all he did receive medical treatment from the two strongest beings in the supernatural world. But her heart screamed for her to get closer. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in when Serafall said yes. It took a few moments for her to will her legs to move forward, she could feel Serafall and Tamamo and their body guard's eyes on her as she approached but she could feel the comforting presence of Baraqiel and Azazel behind her. She took one step forward after the other, Issei's body getting closer while the four people around him got more intimidating.

The two bodyguards parted to allow her to walk closer till she was leaning over Issei's body. Serafall watching her like a hawk but Raynare was this close and couldn't turn away. Issei looked peaceful as if he was just asleep. But he was unconscious and judging by the damage in the clearing what he fought was no pushover. She wanted to step closer, run her fingers through his hair, gripping his hand and feel his warmth but couldn't find it in herself to do so. Maybe it was being the presence of such being or the fact she just requested something of the devil. She clenched her fist her nails digging into her palm, she would have to bide her time a bit longer but Issei was okay that was what mattered. He was close but seemed so far.

A few more moments passed before Raynare bowed her head "Thank you Lady Serafall" before stepping back to Azrael. Who gave her a small consolatory look before speaking.

"What's the plan now?"

"I'm taking Issei under my protection for now" Serafall declared

"How about joint protection?" Tamamo added

"We all seem to have a vested interest in Issei Hyoudou it would be best if he were protected. Rather than just one of our factions guarding him?" Tamamo followed up

"I would not be against that, Baraqiel and Raynare will be suitable guards. " Azazel agreed nonchalantly before turning to Vali.

"Vali go inform Shemahazi of the situation and that we found Issei."

Vali nodded and took one more glance at his rival

"Recover well my Rival, I look forward to our fight…" he muttered quietly under his breath before heading back to the headquarters of the Grigori

"I have no objections either, we can contact Michael and he can send someone." Serafall had no objection before insisting

"But he will be housed in the underworld under my roof and direct protection as one of the four satans"

Tamamo nodded her affirmation while Azazel stroked his chin before shrugging. He could see it in Serafall's eyes, she would protect him and look out for his interests. And even if they disagreed Serafall would not have any of it, a pissed off Serafall would not be good for anyone.

"No objections here"

"Good we have other matters to discuss as well" Tamamo declared earning perplexed but suspicious looks from Azazel and Serafall. Whenever Tamamo had something to discuss it was usually never good news.

Behemoth had picked up Issei gently and brought him to the room opposite lady Serafall and gently placed him on the bed and tucking him under the bed before moving to guard the door. Raynare took a seat by Issei's bedside and was the de-facto nurse while Baraiqel stood nearby to Behemoth. The veteran fallen angel was relaxed but on guard, he would not slack on his duties.

Raynare reached out and to touch Issei's face he was warm to touch. She could feel Behemoth's eyes on her but she wasn't going to hurt Issei, no way would she ever. She then slowly and gently as if he were glass and pulled a bang of his hair back before her head trailed down to rest on his cheek. His head tilted subconsciously into the palm of her hand and Raynare blushed a bit, rather embarrassed. She couldn't help but find such an action intimate despite the brooding behemoth in the room. Baraqiel the grim fallen angel allowed the corners of his lip to twitch briefly before returning to his stoic expression. Raynare then proceeded to make sure he was tucked in properly and continued to monitor him. While Behemoth, following his mistress orders watched over the fallen angels and would be ready to incapacitate them should they harm the human.

Down the hall, Serafall, Azazel and Tamamo were gathered around a table in the upper guest room. Tamamo was currently sipping elegantly on some tea while Azazel was casually leaning back and enjoying the comfortable seat but at the same time his ears poised towards the Kitsune. Serafall's eyes were firmly glued on Tamamo as she sipped her tea, impatiently waiting for her to speak.

"The tea was lovely" Tamamo commended before placing down her empty cup of tea, Azazel could see Serafall was being impatient.

"So what's going Tamamo whenever we talk, it's not usually for pleasant news"

"You are right Azazel, it's not pleasant news. If I am right it could be a major problem for all of us." Tamamo began cutting to the chase

"I have been hearing rumours of an organisation, they have been recruiting members. I haven't been able to identify their leader yet but they are recruiting from the old satan faction and I hear higher-ups in the faction are involved. They have been recruit human hero's as well and collecting sacred gears. Some rogue fallen angels have joined as well, some of Kokabiel's disgruntled followers I believe."

Serafall and Azazel were shocked, they had been hearing movement here and there but nothing this organised. This was a serious failure in their networks of intelligence. The mood of the room went from tense to extremely serious.

"Tamamo do you mean they intend to…" before Azazel could finish his sentence Tamamo interjected her pupils narrowed in seriousness

"War, Azazel and Serafall. War might just be a cover for their true intentions. But I have no doubt that violence will be on the agenda. Maybe, they began marshalling more intensely due to the closer relations growing between the three biblical factions."

"And it might be due to the reawakening of the red dragon emperor…"

The table began cracking as Serafall sought once again to vent her frustrations. Had Issei not suffered enough? Once again he was the centre of attention, once again people sought to use him, this was bullshit of a cosmic level.

"Fucksake…" Azazel growled the kid couldn't catch a break

"It is unfortunate but Issei Hyoudou is now of paramount importance, we must ensure he doesn't join this organisation." Tamamo continued

"If anything I would be more concerned about the white dragon emperor; he seems to have a propensity for combat. They could perhaps buy him with the promise of battle. Please do keep an eye on him Azazel…" Tamamo observed

"I will keep Issei out of this, he will not be getting caught up in this." Serafall seethed

"It matters not what you do Serafall, the only thing I expect he is be kept out of their clutches." Tamamo declared

"But I do believe no matter what you do Serafall, he will always be drawn into battle if not with this organisation with the white dragon emperor. Such as the fate of the red dragon emperor…"

Serafall was silent as she brooded over how to protect Issei but Azazel had one nagging question.

"*sigh* what do they call themselves?"

Tamamo turned to the two of them

"Khaos Brigade"

Sirzechs was currently seated in a heated discussion between the Phenex and Gremory family. Rias and Raiser were screaming at each other like petulant children but considering the situation, it was understandable. Raiser wanted to force a girl into a marriage for her body and status and Rias wanted out for obvious reasons.

He was sat on the sidelines with Grayfia behind him. His poker face on showing an impassive attitude while internally he wished he could vaporise the runt called Raiser Phenex for daring to force his precious Rias into a marriage and then to take her purity unwillingly. Raiser was scum, scum that needed to be knocked down a peg.

"I have said it a hundred times and I will say it once again! I will not marry you if you were the last man in the underworld and earth!" Rias howled

"Have you no sense of duty! This marriage is important for all devil kind and our houses!" Raiser barked

"A marriage that was made without my consent! Now, your family is trying to enforce it!" Rias retorted

"Our family is trying to uphold!" Raiser countered

"I believe this argument has gone on long enough!" Both patriarchs of the family declared silencing their respective children.

Sirzechs continued observing, waiting, biding his time. He had a plan but all he needed was the right moment.

"We made this arrangement and yes while it was when you were young. We must still uphold this marriage" Zeoticus Gremory reiterated

"Indeed, as Raiser said. Pure-blood devil number is diminishing, this marriage would bring stability and increase the number of pure-blood devils." Lord Phenex added but Rias once again burst up to her feet and pointed at Raiser.

"I want to marry a man I love! I want to marry someone who will love me for being Rias and not a Gremory!"

Perfect Sirzechs thought as he stood up

"It is clear that Rias does not want this marriage and while yes this was arranged as an agreement. I have a suitor of great standing who has expressed interest in Rias and who will benefit our faction as a whole." Sirzechs declared driving the room into an uproar as Raiser, Lord Phenex and Lord Gremory began protesting only to be promptly silenced by Lady Phenex and Gremory. While Rias looked surprised but quickly schooled her futures she would trust her brother, he was against the marriage, this was definitely a way out.

"I would be interested in an alternative to Raiser, someone I could develop feelings for." Rias supported her brother's proposition.

Sirzechs smiled inwardly, Rias was always clever she had shown she wasn't against the idea and now to seal the deal. Sirzechs paused a moment, steeling himself with what he was about to do, the damage may be irreparable but he needed to do this.

I am sorry Serafall, I must do this for my Rias….

"The suitor is the Red Dragon Emperor"

Well, I am back!

I was actually kind of scared that the quality of the chapter midway was falling through but I believed that I brought it back towards the end. I know I did take some liberties but I wanted certain things to be done so I took some liberties. I hope they aren't too major and once again I don't read the light novel and this story isn't to canon focused anyway.

A fair amount of reviewers have pointed out is that Serafall is what was advertised but you aren't getting much of her and therefore my focus in the next chapters will be to accurately reflect the whole premises of the story. I will be changing the story tags to appropriately reflect the 3-way harem of Serafall, Gabriel and Raynare. I also want to start Issei's more original cannon traits and make him less OOC, after all he isnt really Issei if i make a new character right?

Well, I am a bit nervous considering I haven't uploaded in basically a year but I hope this chapter is enjoyable and leave a review it will mean a lot.