Issei's Sacrifices

Chapter eight

I've learn my lesson... no more lengthy and over the top chapters the equivalent of a full Harry Potter book. Don't get me wrong I love to write and I enjoy what I'm doing here on this site, but I'm done with writing these long and time consuming chapters. As you may have already heard from my previous updates here on my account.

I'm returning to writing shorter chapters that don't necessarily break the limit I've set for myself after Chapter seven of Issei's Sacrifices, and Chapter thirteen of Minato's raven feathers. In future updates I will need to write chapters like the formers listed above but not for some time, and I'll give a heads-up like this when I do.

That way you're mentally prepared for what you're about to read. And I'd like to take the time here to apologize to everyone who left comments again on the two stories listed above about their length and the time they lost reading through all of it.

Thank you and sorry for that. Won't happen again.

Last thing, as many of you are aware, or so I hope that you are. Issei's Sacrifices is told through Issei's eyes in first person. This is the only one of my stories that is told in first person. This chapter and two future chapters won't be written in first person as Issei isn't the focus of these chapters. The writing format will return to third person, I'll make a disclaimer when switching between the two.

Chapter eight is written in third person. The description of Issei's Sacrifices will included the message that it's written from a first person point of view.

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Attacks"

Disclaimer: This chapter is in third person.

A soothing dusk fell over the outdoor training field deep within the Otsutsuki compound, far away from unwanted attention from the other clan members because this part of the compound belonged to the current head of the Otsutsuki house, and she is a woman of secrecy who values her privacy.

Everyone knew this and respected her privacy, or they were simply terrified of her in fear she will kill them in a fit of rage if ever disturbed.

The "Tiger Empress" was one of many nicknames and titles given to her in her youth.

The Otsutsuki are and always will be known as a clan of warriors, murders, and a house responsible for bringing life to some of the greatest names to ever walk this Earth. Since their founding, every child born is born with great strength, peerless intellect, or massive magic potential.

The Otsutsuki house is known to bring life to some of the greatest and talented individuals that will grow up to bring further glory to the clan, as well as sacrifice much for the Otsutsuki family. The Otsutsuki clan was a clan of focus; perfectionist in everything they do and accept nothing but the absolute best from their clan members, their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters. Anything less insults the family and their history, which is punishable by death.

The Otsutsuki name is paved with blood; their own blood as well as their enemies. The family accepts their fate because it's why the family has thrived and survived for centuries. In wartime the Otsutsuki clan are known as demons on the battlefield, hungry and unforgiving to the fools that stand in their way. In the minds of every clan member with the Otsutsuki name understand that everything they do is for the Otsutsuki family. Because the family is all they live for and nothing else.

The Otsutsuki family have survived as the alpha predators in the land being the sole dominating power amongst the other rival families. While conflict is still apparent with death and dwindling numbers on both sides. War always reared its ugly head every few years with the other clans vying for control over the land for themselves.

It's a cycle that has always repeated itself with neither side gaining the advantage to establish their power to the other clans in the lands. It's during these bloody conflicts is how the "Tiger Empress" earned her name and later leadership over the Otsutsuki house from her now deceased father.

Taking a sip of her tea, a elegant and amused smile on her lips from watching the end of the spar. Setting her teacup down on the platter in her opposite hand. Her smile widened briefly looking out at the grounds where the spar had concluded.

Limply dragging his battered body with his working arm, mangled with cuts and burns too severed for treatment of any kind. A beaten man wearing the light armor of an Otsutsuki infantry foot soldier was groaning in terrible pain, unable to vocally describe his wounds from the blood filling up his lungs. One eye was permanently shut closed with a swollen black eye present on his face, his left eye was opened slightly with dried tears around the eyelid expressing fear in this eye.

A red trail of blood was left behind the broken and defeated man dragging himself away from the slaughter and massacre on the training field behind him. Many bodies also donning the armor of Otsutsuki foot soldiers were lying on their backs, sides, and laid prone on the crimson lake of blood, the results of this 'friendly' spar.

The sight was horrific and inhuman, but to the woman and elderly man standing next to her. This bloodbath is a normal occurrence to the two adults and small child standing in the center of the slaughter looking up at the night sky, watching the stars come out into view. The four lanterns burning quietly at each corner of the grounds cracked and flickered.

A grunt and jerk of the body was seen from the beaten man before dying to blood loss. His injuries also had a hand in his death but none more than the trail he left behind him. Clinging to whatever strength he had left the man dragged himself three yards from the carnage then dying just two more yards from reaching the foyer where the two adults were watching from.

"Yamato-san... increase the bounty for capturing those alive. We'll need new replacements for training dummies for next week." Behind her the elderly man bowed his head with a hand to his left breast over his heart. He bowed his head low behind the beautiful woman. She took a sip of her tea and placed the teacup on the small dish after removing it from her lips.

"Yes, Mai-sama."

The elderly Yamato stood up straight with his arms hanging at his sides. He turned his body to his left walking away in silence, leaving the beautiful woman and the little boy still looking up at the stars alone.

Placing the teacup on the table next to her. A teapot of the same color and ornaments is found resting on a silver platter. Mai opened her previously shut left eye staring out at the remains of the Otsutsuki training field. Wisps of still burning ethereal blue flames licked the ground surrounding the child amidst the blood and death.

Even the pungent stench did not turn them away. The small boy continued with his stargazing with a aloof expression, and the woman Mai Otsutsuki didn't turn away once from staring at the boy's back. The cackling of ember burning on the lanterns are the only sounds next to the cawing of ravens flying overhead, drawn by the smell of rotting corpses. These were the only sounds made under the calm dusk now twilight inside the Otsutsuki compound.

Mai's lone eye widened for a brief moment recognizing the current hour. She turned her gaze watching the boy's back stargazing with the sun almost fully disappeared behind the horizon. More stars became visible and shining brightly to the boy's captured aloof gaze of curiosity.

"Tatsuya. Come here."

The boy didn't heed the call immediately, continuing his stargazing almost as if he didn't here his name being called. Ten seconds after hearing his name being called did Tatsuya respond and walked back to where Mai was sitting.

More time expired before Tatsuya was now standing in front of his mother. She didn't seem to mind, or care for that matter about his tardiness and crunch of time he used coming over to her. Instead Mai's smile widened seeing him standing before her. His black bodysuit was covered in blood, damp and wet therefore ruining the outfit with blood already sinking into the fabric.

However, none of the blood was his and she and Tatsuya both knew this.

Her left eye narrowed in a calculative and sultry gaze looking at her son. The corners of her lips made a small smirk examining every detail of her son's body and the blood he was covered head to toe in. Her eye caught the stripe of red on his left cheek sitting there and Tatsuya mounting no effort to wash it away.

Licking her thumb with saliva coating it in a thin shield. Mai delicately and carefully approached her son sitting on her knees and began to wipe his face clean of the blood. Mai was diligent, and precise not leaving even a speck of her son's face in blood. And Tatsuya let this happen not once telling Mai to stop, or push her away in child defiance. He allowed her to do what she wanted to him and did nothing but hold still.

"There all finished." Mai rose to stand on her feet, satisfied with her work, not a drop of blood remained on Tatsuya's face. Tatsuya stayed where he was waiting for Mai to finish. She didn't order him to move thus meaning she wasn't finished with her cleaning of him.

Mai smiled and giggled at his obedience. His single-mindfulness was cute to his mother, if she wanted him to stay here the entire night drenched in blood as he is right now. Tatsuya will stay and won't move an inch until she orders him. Mai suppressed another fit of giggles and stopped herself. Giving Tatsuya's body a look over. Her right hand then glowed in a magenta aura of particles and energy.

Beneath Tatsuya's feet a hexagonal magic circle the same magenta as the energy surrounding Mai's right hand appeared. Tatsuya closed his eyes feeling his mother's magic cleaning his clothes and removing the tough blood stains out of his clothes. Moments later his body was cleaned of all blood. No stains, or dried blood can be found anywhere on his body.

Happy, Mai canceled her flow of magic and the aura around her hand faded, as well as the hexagon magic circle at Tatsuya's feet. Opening his eyes Tatsuya's gaze fell on his mother's face waiting for her next command. It's here that he looked at his mother and examined everything about her. Mai's smile widened catching his eyes taking in her form. Her left eye closed itself waiting patiently for her son to finish his examination of her.

The first thing people will notice about Mai is her spiky, but kept black hair that fell down her back and stopping at her knees. A single bang covered her right eye completely leaving only her left eye visible. Ivory skin tone that seem cold to the touch, however, it brought out Mai's beauty together with her waterfall of jet-black hair. A angular and sharp face always seen to be smiling with malice and unadulterated joy to seeing her enemies bleeding and dying at her feet. Also displayed a gentleness and warmth only a loving mother can possess. These displays of affection were reserved for Tatsuya and Tatsuya alone. Around her neck sitting above her grey kimono is a crimson necklace holding three magatamas beads. Over this kimono she wore a crimson kimono top with black lining around the edges of the kimono, all held together by the black obi around her waist.

Mai is a woman of great beauty without peer, able to leave even the coldest of hearts, colder than her own to be left dazzled and speechless by her sheer beauty and sultry figure hidden behind her clothing. Mai had no need for makeup and other products to accentuate her face and body. Her son Tatsuya complimented her by saying makeup and other skin products only damaged her body. Heeding his honest opinion she desired to hear from him. Mai wore no lipstick, or eye shadow, or any facial product. Her bewitching, sensual, and sometimes caring gray eyes looked down at Tatsuya's head saying nothing but choosing to watch her son stand there.

Tatsuya remained standing in the dirt in front of the foyer, he made no movement to leave and clean himself up after today's harsh but rewarding training session. Mai smiled again just looking at her son standing in front of her. His narrowed blue eyes were emotionless and empty, but could still shine like gems in the darkest caves. His eyes were fixated on the bottom half of Mai's gray kimono.

Mai opened her arms wide, with her lips rising to a gentle smile waiting expectantly for her son. Tatsuya made no noise but moved his feet to stand on the wooden flooring of the foyer and hugged Mai. Wrapping his arms around his mother's knees and pressing the side of his cheek into her navel. Mai let out a soft coo using her left hand to brush her son's black hair and rub his scalp in a tender motion.

"You love your okaa-chan very much, right Tatsuya?"

He said nothing to confirm his answer but move his head side-to-side against his mother's kimono. Mai smiled softly at his quiet response and continued with her questioning.

"Heh heh heh, your okaa-chan loves you more Tatsuya. She only wants the best for you." She tightened her hold on his head bringing him closer into her kimono. Tatsuya responded with tightening his arms around her knees. Mai released a blissful sigh from her lips. For some time mother and child held each other in the arms of their partner. The cawing from the ravens had ceased with a flock of them feasting on the opened and rotten flesh of the deceased.

"Okaa-chan will give her baby everything he can ever want and more. I'm always going to spoil you Tatsuya no matter your age, you're mine and mine alone. You will always belong to me Tatsuya so never forget this." Tatsuya said nothing to this but nod his head into Mai's gray kimono every so often. "I'm not telling you to always remain close to me drawn to my hip. One day I will reveal to the clan that you're my son and one day you will lead the Otsutsuki in my place when you come of age. You can leave to fight in war and make a name for yourself like your uncle whom I miss everyday, to your grandfather and his father before him. I'm not going to deny you companionship when you feel its time to settle down with a nice girl, or girls, and with how cute you are now you will grow up to be quite handsome where many women, young and old will be licking the ground you walk on. But remember Tatsuya you will not marry any of those girls. You can fuck them and even keep a couple of them for sexual pleasure. I forbid you to marry another woman and leave me, do you understand?"

Tatsuya said nothing but nod his head. Mai's stern frown fell apart and morphed to a doting one and embraced her son's head deeper into her navel.

"You belong to me forever. I'm the only woman you need in your life and you're the only man I need in mine. Here," Mai ordered Tatsuya to face her with Tatsuya's arms still wrapped securely around her knees. His emotionless blue orbs stared patiently up at his mother's smiling visage. Mai removed her right hand off of his head and searched through her crimson kimono pocket for something to give to Tatsuya. Moments later she held in that hand a oval pocketwatch to emotionless stare of her son.

He removed his right arm from around her knees and held up that arm to his mother. Mai's smile erupted with joy at how cute he looked begging for something. Placing the pocketwatch in Tatsuya's opened palm then removing her hand after the switch-off. Tatsuya closely examined the pocketwatch in his hand given to him by his mother.

Without ever opening the watch to check the time and examine the interior. Tatsuya immediately knew the watch was incredibly valuable by the engraving and outer shell being pure platinum. He understood that the interior and the gears of the watch had to be equally, or more impressive if the outer shell alone would go for a large sum of money.

Catching himself from his thoughts, Tatsuya looked up again at his mother. His right hand clenching tightly to the pocketwatch in hand.

"That belonged to your great grandfather, Tatsuya. He made it with the spoils of war he stole from the treasures of the other clans, who are now our enemies because of it. He killed thousands of people to make this one pocketwatch after he melted down on the gold and diamonds he stole. It with to my father, then to my brother, then to me, and now I'm passing it onto you."

Mai placed her right hand over her son's hand holding the pocketwatch. She crouched down to her knees to look her son in his eyes. Tatsuya remained aloof but looked his mother in her eyes noticing the change in them when their eyes met. Mai's grip tightened over Tatsuya's hand holding the pocketwatch.

"Always keep this close to you, Tatsuya. No matter where you go in this world you must always have this with you. Never let it out of your sight ever. Think of this pocketwatch as a part of me, okay? I added a spell to this pocketwatch to always look after you when I'm gone and to protect you from anything when I can't be there to protect you myself. Promise me Tatsuya that you will never let this out of your sight. Promise me?"

The ravens began their different tones of caws and songs with more landing to feast and engorge themselves. The fires burning on the lanterns were starting to go out. Only small embers remained cackling against the night breeze coming from the east.

The lanterns inside the compound turned themselves on because of this with night finally falling over the land.

Moving his left hand and placing it over Mai's right hand held over his. Tatsuya's facial expression and eyes remained the same with no change in his features. However, he did say two words to his mother that allievated her worries and put a smile on her face. Causing her to bring her son's head into her breasts and embrace him tightly.

"I promise."

xox

On a bright and sunny early afternoon in the month of April. The Hyoudou family were enjoying a family outing at the same park their son Issei and his childhood friend Irina Shidou frequent often when they were children years ago. Since then Irina and her family have moved back into the neighborhood on the same street as the Hyoudou house.

Issei and Irina have never been closer to each other since her family moved to England to continue their daughter's schooling.

Other families were seen around the park having picnics, and watching their children play on the nearby playground bustling with joyous cries from children hard at play. The park was also frequented by joggers, runners, and students taking a break at the nearby benches to eat their lunches before returning to class.

Relaxing on a striped blue and white cloth on the grass not too far away from the playground that was four feet from where they were. The patriarch and matriarch of the Hyoudou family were both looking at the playground with fond smiles on their faces. Jin Hyoudou and Tamiko Hyoudou relaxed themselves with Tamiko snuggling closer to her husband's shoulder. Watching their little girl play with the other children on the slides.

Issei could be seen relaxing beside his mother on his side holding himself upright on his left arm. His right hand laid lazily on his stomach. His bored and uncaring gaze were surveying the park, while also looking back at the playground every minute before going back to his recon of the park.

His outfit didn't change at all but was also considered a strange choice many wouldn't see at the park relaxing with their families for a picnic. The brown wicker basket lying at his mother's feet would confirm these suspicions that he and his family were here at the park to have a picnic.

Issei's clothes are a bright red long-sleeved dress shirt tucked into black slacks held up by a black leather belt with a silver belt buckle. A silver nearly white waistcoat vest on his chest with a black tie. On his feet he wore black dress socks with gold tips with a comfortable pair of black laced dress shoes to finish the look.

Issei's teenage years and youth were now behind him. Now a man of twenty-one years of age, his face and facial features have become sharper and more prominent making him more handsome and good-looking than he already was during his three years at Kouh Academy. His messy and long brown hair now midnight black fell down to his shoulder blades, with a single fringe falling between his eyes. His dark brown eyes looked bored, however, they widened at every turn of his head looking back at the playground.

Five years it has been since Issei's bounty hunter days and working along side the Yakuza. Five years since the failed terrorist attack that almost blew up the Continental, with his parents inside the hotel. He also killed the three strays looking for him that night whom were also about to blow up the Continental to get his attention. After that night Issei's relationship with the Devils and other supernatural factions soured, and any interactions they tried to have with him always ended with a few sharp words form Issei, and promised threats of death should any of them continue to pester and annoy him.

Eight months later his mother gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby girl and Issei's new little sister. Issei was beyond happy he cried in that hospital room for the first time in over twelve years. In his mind, with Ddraig, Albion, and "Madara" there as witnesses he vowed to protect his new baby sister he named Miku. His parents loved the name their son had given her and Miku Hyoudou was born.

During and after Tamiko's pregnancy, Issei had been working to establish connections and stronger pillars for the Heavenly Dragon faction to stand on its own. After the close call of him nearly losing his parents, and in proxy Miku as well. Issei could no longer be lenient in his rule and leadership.

After the incident that night when he killed the three stray devils, he butted heads with the devil faction and Grigori for months in removing them from the area, all except for violence, however, he was close to cutting throats on a few instances when dealing with the leaders. Two years later has Issei openly confronting these two factions in battle. The following day he declared solitude from the supernatural, warning those he and his faction were neutral and wanted nothing to do with them. He also would not tolerate their attempts for negotiating as the town of Kouh and all of her cities build around the lands of Norihara were his family's territory.

Even now while he's seen relaxing without a care in the world Issei and the rest of the heavenly dragon faction were in a "cold war" setting with the rest of the supernatural world, primarily with the devils and fallen angels. The latter of the two understood this and were careful with their every move. It was clear Issei doesn't want either of them here and both sides can't just pack up there stuff and leave either. The citizens of Kouh didn't know they were living inside a powder keg with fuse quick to blow.

However, not all of Issei's late adolescent years were spent in a war room and talking politics. After Miku's birth he started dating with no strings attached as he had done before. He openly sought a relationship with Shirayuki, Ruri, Miyabi, Tomoe, and Kuesu when she finally returned to Japan to see him.

In these five years he went on many dates with these lovely ladies and genuinely fell in love with all five of them. Fast forward to December of last year has him proposing to Shirayuki first, as he and Kuesu are already engaged, and after he had talked with the five women about marrying all of them. A month later he proposes to Ruri on one of their dates at the amusement back together with her two little sisters. After much teasing and congratulations from her sister Hinata and the people at the park that day, she said yes.

So, currently Issei is engaged to Kuesu, Shirayuki, and Ruri. With plans to propose to Miyabi and Tomoe very soon. But his lovelife and harem can only continue to grow knowing his luck.

A few weeks after saving his parents Issei ran into the wandering nun Asia Argento looking for the church in town. With no previous occupations towards any of the three factions and knowing his actions won't have any rippled effects. He took her home to his parents where she was immediately adopted by his parents naming Asia their unofficial daughter.

Despite being adopted into the family, Asia's feelings for Issei only grew and grew the more she was around him. Her love for him reached its boiling point when she realized that he was the same person who she met during their youth and who gave her the red sash to keep. She kissed him on the lips giving her savior and friend her first kiss and swearing herself to him forever. A week later and Issei proposes to Asia.

The pendulum in Issei's life continued swinging as time moved on.

His years at the academy were anything but peaceful and quiet. Everyday he was avoiding and ignoring the devil's there seeking an audience with him after their older siblings told them that he was indeed "Madara". The Yakuza attack on the school where everyone witness him effortlessly kill the gang members didn't help to hide his real identity.

Minus the drama at school and the numerous attempts to be recruited by both Rias and Sona. He finally spoke to Akeno and revealed himself to her. Instead of being slapped and yelled at by his childhood friend. Akeno embraced Issei and laid multiple kisses on his cheeks and face. With Rias and the rest of the ORC finding about them. Akeno revealed their past together as well as expressing her feelings to Issei. She wasn't upset when hearing about his recent proposals to other women, rather she openly admitted her dreams of being a mistress to Issei learning about his engagements.

For now he and Akeno are dating. Next year he plans to pop the question knowing she will say yes right now the second she sees him on one knee. Fuck the ring!

And finally was Rias eventually falling for him. Issei wasn't surprised at all by this when she made her feelings about him known. Their past interactions and friendship before his revelation showed some signs of Rias Gremory expressing her interest in him romantically. While Issei was skeptical about returning Rias' feelings for him seeing how he wanted no attachments to the devils.

It was unavoidable.

Especially when he stopped her engagement to Riser Phenex with his true power. Rias would take no for an answer after what he did to save her. Like with Asia she is living with him and his parents at their family home. His parents approve of her and already accepted Rias as their second daughter.

So, engaged to four women and is dating four women at the same time. His parents approve of his polygamy marriage and his family is steadily growing with his little sister being four this year.

"Ise, can you call Miku-chan. It's lunch time."

Tamiko Hyoudou is a beautiful woman and loving mother to her two children and future daughters-in-law with how many women her son Issei is engaged too. Breathtaking and eye-catching silver hair that reached her lower back. A sideswiped fridge covered her forehead and rests just above her brilliant blue eyes exuding wisdom and care. She wears a gray long-sleeved blouse with a black skirt which reaches her knees. Black socks and black low-heeled slippers on her feet. Tamiko smiles at her eldest son, going through and pulling out utensil and plates from the basket in front of her.

"Okay, kaa-chan." Flashing his power to that of a small firecracker. Issei didn't need to do more seeing his baby sister Miku turn her head in his direction and looking right at him. He waves his left hand for her to come back and she did so with running as fast as her small legs can take her.

"Heh heh, Miku trusts you Issei. She's lucky to have you as her older brother." Came from Issei's father Jin Hyoudou.

A small noticeable stubble of facial hair around his face. An rugged face with no fat with prominent cheekbones. Dark brown eyes with hair the same color, his hair reached his shoulders with a large bang covering his entire left eye. A long-sleeved white shirt that seemed tight on him showing off his muscular body and six pack abs behind it. Blue jeans held up by a brown leather belt, on his feet he wore gray socks and a pair of running shoes. White in color with gray lightning bolts on the sides.

He gave his son a warm smile, his visible eye narrowed in mischievous glee seeing Issei giving him a wrying look and the shake of his head.

"Don't make this weird chichi-ue... Here she is now." Finished Issei in time to catch Miku's body flying towards him. The four year old was giggling and laughing finding herself in her older brother's arms and him tickling her exposed tummy from her shirt yiking up from her jump.

Miku has brown shoulder length straight hair and dark brown eyes same as Jin and Issei. She wears a baby-blue shirt with the ends of the shirt having a petal-like pattern, and a light yellow long-sleeved hooded-sweater over it, and a two-layered pink flutter skirt. She also wears long black stockings and light pink sneakers.

Issei lets her go and fixes her shirt for her. Moving to sit up himself he catches Miku standing in front of Tamiko, she is busy cleaning her daughter's face with a washtowel she brought with her from home. Miku made it harder for her (Tamiko) to wash her face with moving around and trying to push her hand away.

"Hold still young lady, I'm almost done." She reprimands in a soft, but stern tone.

"If you let your kaa-chan clean you up Miku. We'll go for ice cream on the way home. Ise's buying."

"Wait... what?"

"Really! You promise Onii-chan?" It was so unfair. Miku looked over her shoulder for a brief second, a single second and she managed to give the most heart-wrenching, broken puppy dog look Issei had ever seen. Ddraig and Albion were snickering and laughing inside of his head, wondering how Issei's sheer will and steel fortitude last against his little sister.

Left with no choice Issei gave the only answer he could at the point of time.

"Yes, and if you eat everything on your plate I'll buy you a crepe tomorrow when I go to the Hotogi shrine tomorrow." Smiling in defeat at the cheering little form of Miku throwing her arms in the air and thanking her onii-chan over and over. Issei sighed before giving his father a dirty look, a frown on his lips.

His father shrugged his shoulder and brushed off the glare of daggers Issei was sending him. The usual family banter at its end the Hyoudou family enjoyed a deliciously and well-prepared lunch from Tamiko. Issei was a great chef himself but even he knew his best dish would lose when up against his mother's cooking. She was just that good. It always brought a smile to his face no matter what she made.

While other families called over their own children for lunch, the family of four decided to engage in light conversation while they ate. And as always the topic would be about their son Issei.

"How's the wedding planning, Ise? That must be the reason why you're going to the shrine tomorrow to talk with Shirayuki-san is about the wedding?"

He already had a prepared answer for these situations. Ever since he announced his engagement to Shirayuki. His mother has been asking him everyday what was their progress. Next to the date of the wedding, where the reception will be held, and so on. Opening his lips to speak, Issei and his two parents were surprised by Miku taking the stage and saying,

"Onii-chan can't get married. He has to marry me first then he can get married to Shirayuki-chan and Kuesu-chan..."

Issei groans into his hand palming his face, Jin laughed like a madman possessed, and Tamiko giggled into her hand at her daughter's brazen confession to marrying her older brother. Stifling her giggles she caught her breath to speak properly and answer her daughter's desire to marry Issei.

"Because onii-chan is always nice to me and buys me anything I want. He always likes to play with me and never gets mad at me when I do something bad. Onii-chan always pats me on the top of my head and tells me I'm a good girl. I will marry onii-chan because I love him and no one can love him more than me."

Miku said on this while standing on her own two feet, and even still while the rest of the Hyoudou family were sitting, or laying down. She still looked tiny standing at her full height of 4'5, hands on her hips and head held up high to show how serious she was about marrying Issei in the future.

The silence soon broke with Jin laughing up a storm again, with his wife Tamiko joining in abeit through the soft giggling into the sleeve of her long-sleeve. Issei looked at his little sister and gave a wry smile with an awkward chuckle. While he was flattered and touched that Miku adores him to the point of naming him her future husband.

He never expected her infatuation of him to exceed, or reach this level borderline on obsession. Issei just knew that he won't hear the end of it from Shirayuki the next time she and the other girls hear Miku's conviction to marry him.

Coming down from the plain she ascended when she gave her confession. Questions marks went off above Miku's head finding both of her parents laughing and in tears for her Papa. She widened her eyes feeling the warm hand of her onii-chan rubbing her hair like he always does. Turning around seeing him sitting behind her, his eyes closed, she wanted to ask him what was wrong when his calm rubbing of her hair turned into two pats on the head.

Issei opens his eyes and stares directly into the curious and obedient same colored eyes he shares with his little sister. He smiles warmly at Miku and says.

"Tou-san and kaa-chan are... happy about your future endeavors Miku. If you really want to marry your onii-chan that's fine with me. But let's wait until your older and please say nothing of this to Shirayuki, Kuesu, and the others. Okay?" 'When she reaches her teenager years she should forget about her dreams about marrying me. Let's just hope she does.'

With their parents calming down and Jin finishing with wiping away his tears from him laughing, and Miku agreeing to Issei's promise with a wide-opened smile. The Hyoudou family finished their lunch so Miku can go back and play for another hour.

When Issei was talking with Miku and had his hand on top of her head. He would always use his left hand whenever he did this. Whenever he was around Miku he would immediately use his left hand when talking with his little sister.

xox

Back inside the master bedroom behind the closed and locked double door, guarded once again by armored knights and Mira standing outside. Inside the quiet and dark bedroom, the doctors there, five in total were looking over the comatose form of Issei sleeping peacefully once again after Ophis calmed him down. Seilah was still seated in the loveseat couch with a different book in her hand.

She peeked over the top part of her book looking at the bed and the unconscious body of her master and King, and his slow rising chest as he slept. The other noises that can be heard came from the doctors and machines keeping Issei stable, while he slept.

Seilah kept her stare on his body for several more seconds before returning to her book and continued reading. A second too soon because the eyebrows of Issei raised themselves followed with a flutter of his eyelids but they didn't open.

xox

"When will Ise wake up from this coma and will he still be the same Ise we know?"

After collecting themselves emotionally and heeding Sirzechs' orders to stay and watch over Issei. The Occult Research Club plus Irina sat around the living room where they had spent the better half of the morning going through Issei's memories that explained all of his changes, and the power he now holds.

Even after seeing everything he can do still left Rias and her peerage dumbfounded of the Issei they thought they knew was actually someone else entirely.

Some pieces in Issei's peerage have since departed to complete their other assignments and jobs leaving only a handful to entertain and watch over the members of the Occult Research Club. Issei was their King and is vulnerable to attacks in his current state.

Those who stayed were Vali, Kuroka, Shirayuki, Haschwalth, the Shimon sisters, Himari, Shuri, Akame, Kurome, and Tamamo-no-Mae. Everyone else had left along with the rest of the devils and angels not invited to stay over. Kuesu and her mother Meruhi were downstairs in the hospital lobby waiting for Michael's escort to arrive.

The time was almost three in the afternoon, ten minutes have passed since the viewing party ended. In that time Rias and her peerage were trying to make sense out of their friend's transformation, also with wiping away their tears from seeing Issei in a coma and hearing of his distress. He would still be crying if not for Ophis calming him down.

Speaking of the infinite Dragon God, she as well had disappeared. She disappeared as quickly as she showed up. No one saw her leave and those from Issei's peerage were thankful she didn't stay behind. The room has been quiet with no talking between the two groups until now with Rias asking about Issei's changes on when he wakes up.

"Should be any day now. He didn't give a date but he mentioned after summer break. He was referring to when the school closes for the summer season. But even then it's still unknown when he'll wake up. And who knows, Hyoudou mentioned him and Tatsuya fusing together to make a single personality of their two minds instead of having one of them as the dominate personality."

Vali's answer didn't help those from the ORC at all. Most of them even Gasper lowered their heads, with Asia burying her face into Xenovia's chest, with the blue-haired [Knight] wrapping her arms around the distraught blond to comfort her. Irina joined in as well hugging both Xenovia and Asia together. Her violet eyes were crying fresh tears at the possible future of the man she loves not being the same person she grew up with in their youth.

"It's difficult to accept the truth... we understand that neither of you wish to see the Ise-sama that you're familiar with, disappear. We too do not wish for this illusion to become reality. But we can do nothing but wait and see for ourselves."

"Haschwalth-san is correct. Do not immediately believe that Ise-kun is gone. If this new Ise-kun, or if Tatsuya-san becomes the only personality. We must accept that Ise-kun is still in there somewhere and he would not want to see anyone in tears. It would break his heart."

Shuri was seated next to her daughter on a different sofa couch. Her two hands were holding Akeno's together as mother and daughter sat next to each other. Akeno wiped away her fresh tears with the back of her left hand. She too was preoccupied with what permanent changes might happen to her childhood friend and the love of her life. As of today she has reunited with her 'dead' mother and her first friend, who she thought was dead too. Except all this time he has been standing next to her and supporting her from the shadows.

The thought of losing the Issei she loves was too hard on her heart. Shuri let go of her daughter's hands and brought her close for a hug. Tear drops were visible around her eye-lids meaning she was affected by this news as was everyone else.

"You're all worrying too much, nyah. Ise said even if Tatsuya is the dominate personality there will still be parts and quirks that belong to our Ise to know that he's still alive in thought, nyah."

"When Ise-kun wakes up what do we call him by? Is "Ise-kun" okay, or is it more polite to call him Tatsuya now?" Rias and the other girls shuddered then shivered, their eyes closed not wishing to think about that. Kiba frowns tightly clenching his right hand making his knuckles turn white.

"His Majesty informed us no matter what happens. His friends may call him whatever they wish. Normally it's customary to refer Ise-sama as royalty but he doesn't enforce this rule on his friends, and those he cares for deeply. I believe that answered your question Kiba-san."

The handsome blond nods his head to Haschwalth, his stern frown remained forever on his face thinking on everything he's heard today and in the last ten minutes since everyone but his [King's] group being ordered to leave. He too didn't want to believe Issei was gone forever. But the members of his peerage have told them that there's nothing they can do but wait.

Koneko raises her hand sitting next to Kuroka on a separate sofa, Gasper sitting in his box on the ground next to Koneko's feet poked his head out of the box. Kuroka asked her little sister about her question which catches everyone's eyes to face the two sisters.

Narrowing her hazel-colored eyes with a frown on her face. Nothing different about Koneko's emotionless features except for the determination and defiance found behind her pupils. Rias looked at her [Rook] with surprise. Koneko was making new progress in accepting who she really was and leaving behind her scarred past. Issei's words and fierce resolve to protect everyone has inspired Koneko. Inspired her to ignore the truth she had been dealt and rewrite her own. Issei had done it and the results of his defiance shows him with his own peerage, and a powerful kingdom to stand behind him.

"Ise-senpai won't change. He will always be the same Ise-senpai. Nothing about him will ever change."

She said with truth behind every word that escaped her mouth. In Koneko's mind everything she has seen and heard today means nothing because her upperclassmen taught her to accept your own truth and reality and nothing else. In her mind the Issei she respects now and loves will not be a different person when he awakens.

"Well said, Shirone." The eldest of the two sisters wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulder bringing the side of her head to relax against her large breasts. She smiles happily feeling the swaying of Koneko's head against the side of her breasts. She'll have to properly thank Issei when he wakes up for bringing their small family back together and stronger than ever.

Sitting in his box his head poking all the way out. Gasper timidly raised his hand like Koneko had done. He ducked quickly back into his box at the many eyes watching him, but he found the courage to poke his head out again and look back at the crowd, albeit the slight shivering in his shoulders.

"I-I also believe that Ise-senpai will still be with us. He made a promise to Rias-buchou to help her with her dream. And Ise-senpai isn't the kind of person to break a promise after he said he would."

"Gasper..." Rias blushed crimson after hearing Gasper's words, which triggered the memory of seeing Ise defend her against "Vlad" and swearing his loyalty to her by transforming his evil pieces into a ring on his right ring finger.

The other members of the occult research club smiled at the truth behind Gasper's words. Remembering when Issei proclaimed to his faithful servant that he belonged to Rias and will continue to support her dream shortly before the biblical God appeared and named Issei his successor.

Listening to both Koneko and Gasper, the youngest in Rias' peerage and their words concerning Issei's transformation. They each remembered the different instances and moments when Issei almost died, and everyone of these memories has him saying he's doing this to protect the people he cares about. Every time he was surrounded and at death's door he would always say it's to protect those he cares for and wants to keep safe.

Hearing these words come up over and over again brought joy and warmth to everyone in the ORC. And it help to confirm Koneko's and Gasper's words that no matter what happens to Issei, he will still be the same person even if it's not him they're directly talking too.

Watching the different facial expressions and light returning to the eyes of every member in the occult research club and Irina. The members of Issei's peerage smiled finding the changes on their face promising. They also didn't want their King to change too much, and for some not at all. They liked him how he is now and don't want anything about him to change.

"While we're on the topic of Ise-kun. What changes are happening to him with his fusion to Tatsuya-san? Does anyone in his peerage know?"

Irina brought attention to herself with this question. She was found sitting beside her friends Asia and Xenovia. And although her face was stricken with dried tears she pushed past her sorrow and asked the question plaguing everyone's mind. And the only people who might know were standing in front of her in different areas and locations around the living area and kitchen.

Different eye colors from members of Issei's peerage met with a single glance. They said nothing and remained calm, the words between them were spoken through their eyes alone. Finally concluded with their meeting the several members turned away with Akame opening her mouth first.

"Ise-sama told us that he and Tatsuya-sama will fuse together so the both of them can use their full power without restrictions. Seilah-san already told you this and is the main reason for Ise wanting to revive himself."

She stopped there for her sister Kurome to pick up after her. The two sisters were seated at the dining table. A deck of playing cards laid tossed around with each of the sisters holding five card each in their hands.

"King-kun told everyone here it will be possible for him to use his powers to their fullest when he revives himself. His "Light Ferry", "Void", and other magics, including Tatsuya-kun's mysterious magic will be available to King-kun when he wakes up."

Rias and the group used this pause from Kurome to think on the different powers and magic Issei has been using in his memories compared with the magic they saw him use during the Rating Game against Sona a few weeks ago.

They also recalled the clone of Issei telling everyone the "Light Ferry" he had been using was suppressed and not the real thing. In the ankle-deep of examples they have seen him use his "Light Ferry" power, the power of the Hyoudou clan. The members of the occult research club couldn't know exactly how dangerous the real "Light Ferry" is compared to the suppressed version of the Forsaken Issei.

"With their fusion," Haschwalth opened his lips drawing everyone's eyes to him. "His Majesty and Tatsuya-sama that is, they will both become one mind and one person, also a single power. They will both share memories, senses, powers, and emotions. Their souls will combine to make the perfect version of themselves according to His Majesty."

"Not leaving out their brains fusing together to create the perfect mind. Ise-san also let this slip out when he came to us about his plans to fuse with his tenant we didn't believe to exist."

"Ise-san said he will miss listening to Tatsuya-san in his head. He confessed he liked him better than the two dragons and two sword spirits."

"Ufufufu, they really weren't happy with Ise-san when he said this after our victory over the Khaos Brigade. They were very angry with him. Ise-san didn't sleep that night because they were making too much noise in his mind."

Mari and Maya revealed the friendship Issei and Tatsuya had, and the trust they have for one another. After all second to Ddraig, they have been together since birth with Tatsuya saving Issei when he was only a baby with a damaged immune system.

The Shimon sisters went on with their fun poking at Issei's misery leaving Shirayuki to bring the spotlight onto her. The expression on her face looked exactly as the one seen in the final memory. Her hands laid on her lap, her eyes were clam with a solemn stare looking down at her hands. Her lips were stuck in a sullen frown not meeting anyone's gaze at first until right now.

Raising her head and looking at the eyes staring back at her. She put her left hand on top of her right hand on her lap. Her eyes regained a small ember, igniting into a determine flame burning strongly and proudly once more. Shirayuki didn't say much but what she did say helped to relieve the burden on everyone concerned about Issei.

"Ise-chan will come back to us. He will be more stronger and smarter, and he will have everything he needs to make his dream come true. Ise-chan promised Kuesu-san and me and everyone else he will remember us. That's good enough for me."

Everyone in the room fell silent with Shirayuki's speech. Nothing else was said about Issei and his changes with the topic switching elsewhere. Shirayuki put her head down again not meeting anyone's stare including those from her own peerage. She was seating in a loveseat chair with its back to the terrace outside and closest to the television set.

No comment was made by the members of the ORC. The room fell quiet when Kuesu and her mother walked through the front door with Michael's escort of six high-ranking angels standing behind them.

xox

The Underworld - one hour later

Returning to the Maou meeting room with four high podiums as seen when Issei as Ezio was promoted to the rank of Maou. The room was populated with the likes of Azazel, Michael, and the four Satans, Sirzechs, Serafall, Ajuka, and Falbium sitting on their assigned podiums, with Sirzechs' podium sitting in the center between Ajuka to his left and Serafall to his right on the second center podium, and Falbium sitting to the right of Serafall.

Shenmaza and Gabriel had left to return to their respective factions to inform their colleagues and friends about what they have seen today and the warning they were given by the Kingdom of the Netherworld. For the past hour since these two's departure everyone was on edge about the warning of August nineteenth and the trouble after that day concludes. The clone of Issei Hyoudou warned about the beginning of the end, and a sentence ending with these four words had to be taken with a grain of salt.

So, naturally this left the six leaders stumped on how and where to procceed with the news they have been given. They have a choice to make; A) They submit to the Netherworld, which is what Issei wants to prevent further bloodshed between their two factions. Or B) They ignore his offer for their surrender and fight and perhaps lead their people to extinction.

The devils and fallen angels both have very few pure-blooded members of their people living and a conflict this size will lead to many deaths and the end results would be their extinction. Heaven and their angels aren't lacking manpower like the former two but that doesn't mean they themselves can go to war and expect to win without issuring massive losses to their numbers and their own extinction in the progress.

In short, if they go to war they will lose, and should they surrender to Issei what will be the backlash from the people and government? Issei, or his blood clone had said nothing will change much only they must disband their armies, and accept his rule. Their seats of power will remain unchanged but they will answer to him for now on.

He didn't go into much detail afterwards but Ajuka believes he understands where he was going with his words when discussing their surrender.

"So, that's it then... we accept Ise's offer and remain friends and allies." Azazel started the conversation they all have been thinking about since they left Issei's home.

"Or we defy Ise-kun and go to war with him. Bringing more bloodshed and destruction to us and very little to his faction. We'll be bringing ruin to our forces and people leading all of us that much closer to our end in this world. Personally I liked to avoid war at any cost. But it's decisions like these that have scarred young souls like his. It's for the best we accept his terms."

"I agree with you, Michael. However, it's not that easy on this side of the line. The pillar families and elderly council won't want to listen to talks of surrender. They understand our circumstances better than anyone in the underworld, but their pride won't accept that we're just not as powerful as we once were."

"Their stubbornness will prove a problem when telling them our decision on the matter. For now at least we want to keep what we have heard today between us."

The four Maous nodded their heads to both Sirzechs' and Ajuka's ideas. Remaining patient was a start, once August nineteen passes then they can give their answer to the kingdom of the Netherworld.

"What should we do then about Ezio-, Ise-kun's Maou position?" Sirzechs and the other maous said nothing about Serafall instinctively saying Ezio's name. They knew about her infatuation with him and finding out today he was only a clone to hide Issei's true motives must have hurt her deeply.

"We leave it as is. We're already contemplating the people's reaction to surrendering to Issei. They'll riot should we remove Ezio-san from office. We must focus on the right now, and we'll come back to what to do about Ezio-san's position as Maou."

"Agreed."

"Sounds good."

Ajuka and Falbium said with small frowns on their faces. Both for Serafall's feelings, as well as their own having lost a good friend in Ezio. Serafall gave a nod and put her head down into her arms on her podium. Soft sniffling and tears can be heard but they were muffled by her sleeves. Falbium made the effort to stand up and walk behind Serafall. Rubbing a comforting hand down her back to calm her down.

Michael and Azazel looked at the female Maou with sad smiles on their faces, giving their own condolences to her in their heads. Michael secretly knew the other reason for his sister's early departure was to wallow in her own misery too. He knew Gabriel loved Ezio very much, regardless of them being on opposite sides and being born into different societies.

Gabriel, an angel loved Ezio, a devil and she didn't mind the consequences that would happen when she came to him to confess her feelings for him. Of course he was supported of her decision to pursue Ezio romantically. With God's death and his system collapsing around them. Michael knew the heavy repercussion and what they will mean when people discovered Gabriel was in love with a devil. And the chaos that will ensue should she fall. While he knew this and the effect it will have on Heaven he still would support his sister. It's been so long since he has seen her smile like she does when around, or talking about Ezio. She would exaggerate some things about him he didn't think to believe about Ezio, but he made her happy and that's all Michael cared about was Gabriel's happiness.

"I think it's time I heard back home. Shenmaza has no doubt told the others what's happening and I'm certain they're all throwing a tantrum over there. Sleep well gang if that's even possible after today."

Azazel waved over his shoulder and walked out of the meeting room with the double doors closing behind him.

Everyone was quiet with only Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Michael acknowledging Azazel leaving. Serafall was crying into her sleeves on her podium, and Falbium has been trying to fall asleep himself. Three minutes go by when Michael thinks he has stayed long enough himself. Like Azazel he had to meet with the other Seraphs and discuss about Issei's terms for the Three Great Powers and the future with him as the new God.

"I must take my leave as well. I must meet with the other seraphs about what we have learned today, and tell everyone in Heaven of God's return. Ise-kun will be welcomed back with open arms and warm smiles from everyone in Heaven. When he wakes up I must be there. It's mine and Gabriel's sole purpose to protect him and keep him safe. Even if he does hates us, we will always be there for him."

Michael sent a forgiving smiles to the Maous and left through a golden-yellow magic circle at his feet. With Micahel gone this left only Sirzechs, Serafall, Ajuka, and Falbium still in the room. Sirzechs looked at his oldest friends and colleagues finding only Ajuka awake and alert. The other two were out of it and unable to work properly today.

Releasing a sigh Sirzechs felt fatigue mentally from the rollarcoaster of different emotions he personally went through today. He couldn't shake the guilt gnawing at his heart and brain of how he was ultimately responsible for the death of Issei's parents, and knowing he helped create the cunning intelligent and all-powerful Hyoudou Issei, who as seen today with plenty of examples to go off of. He desires vengeance and justices against everyone that has wronged him.

And Sirzechs knew his name was somewhere at the very top of Issei's list of people he despises right now.

"Sirzechs... Sirzechs?"

The devil in question snapped of out his daydream, his eye-lids fluttering open and closed from his rude awakening. He breathed through his mouth and nose to steady his racing heartbeat. He wasn't terrified, or scared, just surprised by Ajuka's wake-up call. Speaking of the green-haired devil sitting to his left side of his podium. Ajuka said nothing to his best friend patiently waiting for him to calm down and collect himself.

When he saw Sirzechs wasn't answering him he started with taps to his shoulder and calling of his name. When that didn't work he switched to snapping his fingers and calling Sirzechs' name but louder.

The latter choice had worked but Ajuka didn't expect to get such a reaction out of his friend the way he did. Just what was he thinking about anyways?

"S-Sorry about that. I guess I dozed off thinking about what Issei-san said today to everyone." It wasn't just Ajuka. Serafall and Falbium had roused themselves separately to look at Sirzechs from their individual podiums. "Let's end the workday right here and go home. I fear none of us are in any shape to work today. We can all use some rest. I'm also thinking about canceling tomorrow as well. Check your email later tonight for my decision on coming to work tomorrow."

The other three Maous said nothing and nodded their heads. Serafall was the first to teleport using a Sitri magic circle returning home to see her family. Falbium opens up a magic circle of his own, purple in color and uses it to teleport home to his manor. Ajuka says his goodbyes to Sirzechs and wishes him a good night and transports himself home as well using an Asmodeus magic circle. It's green in color.

Sirzechs waits another minute before choosing to return home to his parents and his wife and son. Activating a Gremory magic circle at his feet ready to transport him home. In his mind he could hear the cold and unforgiving monotone of Issei's clone before he disappeared giving his final warning.

"This final winter, when the last snowflake has fallen. A new age will be born from the ashes. A final piece of advice, as by 'his' will. At midnight on August nineteenth. The night of a full moon do not leave your homes. This will be your only warning."

Sirzechs shook his head to rid his thoughts of these warnings. In his mind he agreed to talk with Grayfia over this dilemma later tonight. Putting on his best smile and fixing his brow to not give away his anxieties to his family. Sirzechs disappeared via magic circle.

xox

A castle was found resting above a frozen lake in the middle of a snowy tundra. A harsh blizzard was hitting the castle at full force and covering the land in a large blanket. Yet the castle itself didn't seem bothered by the blizzard. One can see from a distances that no snow, or ice was found on this castle.

In fact this castle sitting above the frozen lake with a simple bridge being the only way in or out. The castle was made of solid ice with a dark blue hue and color. Many archways, pillars, and stained-glass windows were found on the castle from every direction one can look from. The castle looked Victorian in style not medivial like Issei's own in the Twilight.

Heeled shoes tapped loudly against the hard ice blue flooring with a rolled-out red carpet leading to the end of the hall. The walls on either side were decorated with portraits, and different paintings to give visitors a glimpse of the owner's class and royal position. However, to the two visitors wearing white high-collared cloaks pelted with snow. They were more interested in meeting the woman who calls herself the "Witch of the Netherworld".

With them walking ahead of the two was a male with short dark brown hair, who was assigned to be their escort. His job was to bring the two travelers to see the Queen, as well as see to their every need during their stay here. While the blizzards are frequent in this universe they only last a day, or two at best.

And walking behind the group are two Knights wearing heavy plated armor and wielding a poleaxe in their hands. Their faces were covered with the face plate shielding their identity to the two travelers.

Stopping at a set of double doors at the end of the long hallway. The male escort walked forward and gripped both handles in his hands and pulled back. The large doors opened with creak and squeak alerting the people inside, one who happens to be the Queen of this castle.

Walking in followed by the two travelers on his heels. The two knights turned around in perfect synch and walked in the opposite direction away from the room as the doors closed behind them with a thud.

Inside was the throne room with no changes in interior except for the small staircase leading up to the chair where the Queen was residing currently, drapes of black and dark-blue curtains hung behind the Queen over her head, and lastly banners of the same cloth with an unknown emblem on them in gold. Four of them small in size hung on the rafters two on either side of the room.

The room held the Queen herself and eight knights found around the room. Two were seen flanking the bottom of the staircase with poleaxes, two on both sides five feet apart from each other staring at their counterpart on the opposite side of the aisle, and the last two were found guarding the door with their backs against a pillar on the opposite side of the aisle.

They said nothing and remained silent. Even their eyes couldn't be seen behind the small opening of their helm's facemask.

The male escort got down on one knee a couple feet in front of the two travelers. They got down on one knee as well showing their respect to the Queen of this realm. Their escort placed his right hand on top of his breast over his heart and addressed his monarch.

"Your Majesty, I present to you the two envoys from the kingdom in the Netherworld and the heavenly dragon faction. Niccolo Machiavelli-san and Mariya Yuri-san." The two previously mentioned calmly removed the gray cloths from their mouths used to protect them from inhaling the cold air of the blizzard. They removed their hoods revealing a man with short dark brown hair and a young woman with long hair which reached her lower back of the same shade. "They come bearing this letter and wish to speak with her Majesty."

He pulled out from within his jacket a sealed envelope, holding it out for the knight in front of him to take from his hand. When he did so the male withdrew his hand back over his left breast.

"Hoh, whatever for?" She inquired with a smile over her lips. The curtains hanging behind her caused an unknown shadow that hid the top half of her head and face. The knight approached her slowly holding the letter in his free hand climbing up the stairs. When he reached her he kneeled on one knee holding the letter out for her to take. She did so with a flourish. The knight withdraws his hand and slowly walks down the steps to where he was last standing. "It's been a month since anyone from the heavenly faction have visited me. What it the purpose for your visit." Opening the sealed letter as she was talking. Her eyes went through the contents of the letter as Machiavelli opened his mouth to speak.

"Our apologies for intruding on you so suddenly, and for the limited interactions between our two kingdoms. Do not blame his Highness as the blame falls solely on his loyal subjects." Here both Machiavelli and Mariya bowed their heads deeply with the Queen of the Netherworld watching them with interest. "The kingdom has been preoccupied with the various fronts we find ourselves on daily. Remnants of the Khaos Brigade continue to surface along with other factions and armies, whom despise his Highness. Their efforts are laughable but demand our attention regardless. His Highness wishes to reopen negotiations between our two kingdom on the eve of his imminent resurrection."

"...The King has awaken from his long slumber? No need to be shy, tell me? What is different about him?" Her tone of intrigue, and curiosity was there, however, hidden behind her words was a desired longing of care to know about Issei's new condition.

"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you, you're Majesty. His Highness is still resting as we speak. However, the clock is quickly winding down and it won't be long before he is walking this Earth once more."

Mariya raised her head to speak, she and Machiavelli still kneeling. The Queen turns her gaze to the shrine maiden.

"His Highness, Hyoudou Ise-sama wants to reestablish and confirm our alliance to the world. The letter you're holding is an invitation by Ise-sama for you to visit his kingdom and speak with him and the other forces allied with the heavenly dragon faction. Ise-sama hopes you will attend your Majesty."

The two members bowed their heads, keeping their eyes on the red carpet. Standing up from her throne at her full height the Queen walked forward out of the shadows and down the steps onto the red carpet. The two knights flanking her were walking two feet behind their Queen.

With her face no longer hidden by the curtain's shadows allowed the Queen's incredible and memorizing beauty to be appreciated. Her lips curled into a small and warm smile standing before the kneeling bodies of her two guests. Her luscious as well as gorgeous maroon-colored hair, which fell down to her lower back cut into a hime-style with many fringes falling just above her forehead and one slightly longer bang reaching her chin, was held up in a high ponytail behind her. Dazzling emerald green eyes hiding an infinite amount of wisdom staring down at the back of her two guests heads. They also held a fair amount of amusement in them. She sported a rather more mature well-endowed body with white skin, she can easily rival the likes of Gabriel and Yasaka with how attractive she was. On her body she wore a skin-tight black dress that fell way past her legs and pools around her feet. Around her neck she wears a collar of black fur and a chain connected to the choker from the front that falls in-between her cleavage and circles around her breasts. The cut out for her head for the dress was larger then the standard cutout for her head, it was wider, allowing some of her shoulders to be seen and going down in a very low V-cut that showed off nearly a third of her breasts. The mid-section were many black colored straps criss-cross making some sort of vest, or corset.

In her left hand she holds a black staff with a dark blue crystal at the top surrounded by many insanely sharp shards of ice. The Queen smiles and raises her free hand with her palm facing the ceiling.

"Raise your heads loyal subjects to the mighty King and proprietor connecting the worlds of Light and Dark together. You serve your King faithfully with outstanding resolve and heart. I graciously accept his Highness' invitation and will renegotiate our alliance." Following her words Machiavelli and Mariya raised their heads and stood up shortly afterwards. The Queen smiled beautifully with genuine happiness extending her hand to shake.

Both members shook her hand, smiles and grins on their faces. Machiavelli reaches into his coat below his winter cloak and retrieves a sheet of paper with a magic circle with the emblem of the Hyoudou clan written on it. He hands this paper to the Queen.

"We're both relieved to hear your encouraging answer to his Majesty's proposal. He didn't want to see the wife of Shu Saura as his enemy. He was prepared to use any method to have this alliance with you. Ise-sama will be pleased to have you with us, your Majesty."

The Queen took the paper from Machiavelli's hand holding it in her free hand. She giggles with her face expressing her joy changing to a happy look. Her beauty became emphasized with her real smile.

"Please, call me Shizuno. After all you and everyone there serves the reincarnation of my deceased husband. There's no need to address me so formally. But if you must... you may continue to call me as you have done when you walk through that door behind you."

The Queen of the Netherworld, also known as the Witch of the Netherworld before marrying Shu Suara and becoming his right hand. With her answer promises a powerful ally and the rebuilt bridge of Shu Suara and his Queen and wife returning to his side again.

The other members meeting with the other leaders of the supernatural have to be reaching a compromise right about now. Issei didn't only desire the alliance with Shizuno to be made today.

xox

Back in the Underworld deep in the mountain ranges of the dragon territory. Two meetings with the different leaders of this torn race were reaching their conclusions.

"So, Ise-san is ready to declare war is he? Hmph, and all this waiting around I feared he wasn't going to go through with this. He kept his word it seems."

"Brother what do you say? Ise-san has kept his promise. What should we do?"

On the bridge connecting the two mountains home to the two brothers and leaders of the rogue dragon faction, Ran and Shaw. Dohnaseek wearing his usual fedora and trenchcoat standing a little ahead of Zest, the bronze-skinned woman wore a black closed-collared cloak very similar to the one Issei wears over her body. She and the fallen angel [Pawn] were looking up at the two large dragons waiting for their answers to joining Issei's faction and kingdom.

Below the long staircase connected with the bridge are many dragons including Alunaya sitting at the head of the crowd. Shaw opens his maw while looking at his brother in front of him in his slitted eyes.

"We'll possibly be seeing Tannin-oji-san again as an enemy, or worse... as an ally." The blue dragon concluded with the makings of a smirk showcasing his rows of razor sharp teeth. The red dragon smirked like his younger brother showing off his dozen of sharp teeth to the audience of one fallen angel, one netherworld native, and a crowd of dragons.

"And knowing that old man, he'll say no just at the idea of fighting us. Tannin-oji-san won't accept working with us because he's stubborn and sees us as the reason for our race splitting up. He'll relish at the idea of 'educating' us and bringing us back with him to do just that."

"So, what do you say?" Shaw inquired with a sway of his head in the direction of Dohnaseek and Zest. Ran smirks and moves his head closer to the bridge. His brother Shaw joining him. Their large maws and nostrils are all the two members can see with Ran opening his mouth to say.

"We accept. Tell Ise-san he has mine and my brother's words on joining in this "war" of his. He has the full support of my kin and our permission to summon us." That last sentence was the permission to allow other people of Issei's peerage to summon the different dragons within the clan same as him. But we'll revisit this at a later date.

Dohnaseek removes his fedora and gets down on one knee, his fedora lined perfectly over his heart. Zest bows her head to the two brothers and is seen smiling. Happy that her master and King's list of allies and friends continues to grow.

"You honor us with your words. You're alliance and contribution is reassuring for the weeks to come. Ise-sama will be overjoyed to hear you and your brother will be fighting at his side at last." Dohnaseek had since put back on his fedora on his head was finishing giving his and the empire's thanks to the successful union between their two factions.

"Is the boy still fast asleep? Has he waken up yet from his nap?" Shaw inquired with a smirk showing his teeth to the man and female below him. Zest walked forward to answer for Dohnaseek. The fallen angel gave a word of thanks and fixed the scarf around his neck.

"Ise-sama still sleeps that much is certain. The day he wakes up is close at hand. The doctors attending to his condition predict tomorrow, or later this week he will be awake. Ise-sama will be delighted to fight next to his teachers."

"Hmph, if that kid is anything then he's eager and unpredictable. Asking Tannin to join him along with us fighting on the same side as him. He's got some serious balls between his legs and is a large idiot.

The dragons below the staircase led by Alunaya roared loudly to the orange and purple sky. A toast to their union with the Eternal Empire.

xox

He was certain he had heard that right but he didn't want to believe it. How could he choose to ignore what he had just heard from the two people in front of him, who are envoys from the Eternal Empire with a proposal from the King himself asking for his cooperation, or surrender.

The choice was ultimately his to make.

The two envoys standing before the bulking and tall figure of the former Dragon King are Mitsuhide Akechi wearing the empire's high-collared white cloaks, his katana hanging off his left hip behind the cloak. And Kalawarner with no changes to herself, or her attire. She stood next to the swordsman with her arms crossed below her breasts pushing them up to make them appear bigger.

The pair were alone with Tannin on his training grounds, the very same ones Issei used to train with the Dragon King. They had given the proposal for an alliance, which also acts like a call for surrender should Tannin decline the offer to work for the empire. Thus far he hasn't given his answer so Mitsuhide and Kalawarner went ahead and explained the second purpose of the treaty, and now are waiting for his answer.

Tannin is seen with a calm visage over his face, his muscular arms crossed over his chest in deep thought. The two members were in no rush so they had time to waste waiting for the former Dragon King to given his expected answer to their demand. Whether Issei gets both dragon factions to fight on his side didn't matter if he gets one. Personally he only wants Ran and Shaw's faction, however, he couldn't resist asking Tannin. While also dropping the hint of asking for their enemies' cooperation and await their reactions to the news.

Breathing through his nostrils a stream of red hot flames. Tannin was stumped on where to go from here. He could decline the offer and fight alongside the devils and repay them for allowing him and his kin to stay here in the Underworld. His second choice was to surrender to the King of the Netherworld Issei and follow his rule.

But it didn't stop there... somehow Issei found and entered an alliance with Ran and Shaw, the two brothers he himself had been looking for a thousand years for. If he agreed and joins Issei, then perhaps he can meet with the two brothers and talk with them about the future of their race. When he (Tannin) agreed to step down from his position as King and become a devil. Many dragons who originally supported him, Ran and Shaw were among those dragons. They didn't agree with his decision to join the devils and left. Like with the two brothers they left with others within the clan who supported their decision to leave and have not been seen since.

Tannin agrees he didn't leave on the best of terms with the dragons that left. He said things he regrets to this day and blamed them at first for tearing their clan apart and against one another. In secret he searches for the dragons that disappeared a thousand years ago wanting to know their condition if they're even still alive. And maybe persuade them to return home with him.

But Tannin knew that option was no longer viable. Although he doesn't regret the sacrifice he made to preserve their future he, however, wished things had gone better between him and his kin that left. If Ran and Shaw are alive then maybe the others are still alive as well. Tannin can only hope.

Breaking away from his musing his thoughts shifted temporarily to the brothers Ran and Shaw. His lips curled into a small grin and his eyes adopted a forlorn stare of regret and intimacy. He's known the brothers since they were hatchlings and their admiration to him as they were growing up. When they became of age they joined his inner circle and were heavily involved with the future of their race and the troubles that almost wiped them from existence. When they heard about him being resurrected into a devil, Tannin could have swore his heart shattered that day in that room with the other members of his council. While the brothers didn't leave straight away after hearing the news, they lost all respect for him and denied all of his attempts to join him and the others to move to the Underworld under the protection of the four Satans. The brothers admiration and respect for him disappeared all in a blink of an eye. They and a majority in his council saw surrendering to the devils as traitorous and refused to bow their heads.

Yes, Tannin was aware of pure blooded devils hatred for dragons. Past hatred and unforgotten grief from the last few wars. Those in his council brought this issue to his ears plenty of times arguing they will be discriminated against and pushed for better alternatives. Sadly there were none at the time and this pushed for segregation and divide between the clan. Many of the leaders were from his council whom left with many of his kin behind them. Ran and Shaw were among of the first few to depart for new territories and homes. Leaving without saying goodbye, or saying where they were going.

It took many years for Tannin to forgot about the brothers and dragons that left. However, to hear the former two's name appear again after so long. He honestly didn't know what to tell the devil and fallen angel working for Issei. Just last month he was training the current Sekiryuutei to achieve Balance Breaker. Now here are two of his servants and officers asking for his surrender.

A miniature red magic circle the size of a quarter-dollar appeared next to Mitsuhide's right ear. Kalawarner standing next to him opened her eyes overhearing the voice whisper something to her as well.

Brought away from his thoughts longing for a better future for him and his kin. Tannin opened his eyes hearing and noticing the activation of a teleportation circle appearing at Mitsuhide's and Kalawarner's feet.

"Our apologizes Tannin-sama but I've been called to see to another task elsewhere, and Kalawarner-san has been called back to the human realm. We'll send a second envoy to hear your answer to our request. Excuse us."

"So long, or whatever. Issei-sama wanted us to also tell you to be ready when he wakes up. He's not against fighting friends and former teachers of his if they end up getting in his way." The teleportation circle engulfed their feet first until it reached their heads. Leaving Tannin by himself all alone again.

Looking at the ground where the devil and fallen angel were last standing at. According to what they told him Issei has been gathering and recruiting various races and groups into his fold for months now. Much sooner than the finalized alliance between the angels, devils, and fallen angels.

Not only that but he's serious about going to war with... just about everyone, not just the Three Great Powers. When Tannin first met Issei at the start of the summer season and after the young devil gathering. He saw a lot of things in the boy that was the current Sekiryuutei. He saw pain, anguish, regret, love, conviction, and resolve to name only a few. But none of what he saw in Issei that day supported the idea of him growing past his servitude to Rias Gremory and becoming independent far earlier than any reincarnating devil.

This Issei is very well close to getting what he wants and Tannin doesn't known what Issei wants. And this terrifies him deeply.

Slowly uncrossing his arms from his chest Tannin turned his body and prepared his wings for flight. He wants to talk with the other dragons about what he has heard and hear their opinion. He's promise to visit all options and choose the best one after all available and unavailable ones have been thrown away. Tannin has learned from his mistakes from the past.

Before taking off he remembered Ran and Shaw's possible involvement with the Eternal Empire. This brought a smile onto his maw and smirk.

"Hmm... this should be interesting. Issei has changed the rules of this game and thrown the convectional rules out the window. I can't wait to see what he does next. Asking me to join him while doing the same with the dragons that are angry with me... he has no fear and is messed up in the head that one."

xox

Back inside the penthouse suite of Issei's home. The sun was starting to set outside bringing today to its close. Earlier today everyone invited by Issei walked through the front doors into his suite with curiosity, suspicion, and a little surprise to his changes. The whole summer in the Underworld had been Issei doing the impossible and him displaying his cunning and sharp intellect and new powers he received being a Forsaken.

Except this was all a clever ruse drawn up by Issei and he revealed this with a walk through his birth, childhood, teen years, and the present. All of which surprised everyone thinking Issei as only being Rias' [Pawn] and the Sekiryuutei of this generation. None of what they all witness today can they still think of Issei Hyoudou being the pervert obsessed with woman's breasts and proclaiming himself as a Harem King.

Not after today can they link him with his past fixation.

The living room had fallen silent once again since the topic towards Issei turned somber and glum. The occupants had not changed since the last time and no news about Issei's condition had been made by those guarding the master bedroom where his body is right now.

Some from his peerage have busied themselves with eating a snack, and playing a board game just like the two raven sisters Akame and Kurome were doing. The members of the ORC and Irina were sitting in their usual spots from before. Solemn smiles and frowns on their faces waiting for any news about their friend and comrade.

"Your duke, Sirzechs. He's ordered you and your peerage to remain behind to look after Ise-kun didn't he not? If you'd like arrangements have been prepared for you and your servants to sleep here Rias-san. Irina-san can sleep with my Kuesu and Shirayuki-san in Issei's room on the bed there."

"H-Huh?" Came from Irina's opened mouth, disbelief and surprise seen behind her violet orbs as she and the members of the occult research club widened their eyes overhearing what Meruhi Jinguji just finished saying.

"It's just as she said. Irina-chan, you're the first woman to have officially met Issei that's not related to him through blood. His Majesty cares for you and loves you equally alongside Kuesu-san, Shirayuki-san, Rias-san, Akeno-san, Asia-san, Kuroka-san, should I go on?"

Irina's face has become red resembling a tomato and steam escaping out of her ears. Xenovia and Asia sitting next to her tried shaking her awake and the other poked her cheek with a finger while occasionally asking if she was okay.

Chuckles and soft laughter came from Issei's peerage watching the exorcist's embarrass herself to hearing Issei's feelings for her from Haschwalth. It was no secret to anyone there that with Irina being first in Issei's heart he will want her to share his bed with him next to his [Queens].

Rias and other members of her peerage watched Irina stumble over her words with wrying smiles and looks in their eyes. Watching her face become more and more red, she looks like she was about to cry with how droopy her eyes are.

"Hold on, what do you mean Irina-san can share Ise's bed together with his two [Queens]. Irina isn't a member of his peerage and works for the church so they should be enemies."

"You would be correct, Rias-san. In a different sequence I would not be so humble and invite Irina-san to sleep on Ise-kun's bed given her loyalty to the church. Since she's here without being ordered to stay behind like your group had been. We would have asked her to leave, or will retaliate using force. Ise-kun is vulnerable in his slumber and she could have very well been an assassin sent by the church to kill him."

Before Irina could deny she would ever harm Issei and Rias and her peerage coming to the rescue calling Meruhi out for her harsh words and accusations against a kind person like Irina. Tamamo-no-Mae silenced them with a flux of her true power. In her real body she has completely control of her true power and magic and this is all thanks to Issei giving her back her real body.

"Are all you devils so quick to turn hostile and violent when one of your kind is threatened? This world is beyond redemption if devils are coming to the aid of an exorcist." Rias and her peerage except for Asia narrowed their eyes, glaring at the fox yokai, taking offense to her insults.

"Don't let Tamamo-san's sharp tongue pull you into her game. Need I remind you that you're our guests for this evening. I would hate having to clean up the blood off the these floors." Haschwalth's vague threat worked to cool down the escalating violence from taking place. Rias and the rest of the peerage sat back down in their seats. Rias and Akeno sending a nasty glare to the apathetic Tamamo-no-Mae.

"However, that's not the case seeing how Ise-kun adores Irina-san with all his heart, same with Kuesu. It's only natural that he would want Irina-san to stay and be taken care of while he's indisposed. But her position here is more than that I'm afraid."

Meruhi turned on her heels walking backwards to the couch Shirayuki had taken for herself and sat on the left couch cushion. Shirayuki sat on the right cushion leaving the center between them vacate. Crossing her left leg over her right one, and crossing her arms over her breasts. She continued with her explanation to the curious bunch of devils and one exorcist.

"You see, Irina-san is the main girl, or alpha female of Ise-kun's harem. She's in charge with all affairs concerning the growing harem and acting as the voice of reason over the other ladies. Her responsibilities go on from there, but I shouldn't be the one to explain this to her." Briefly glancing past the blushing face of Irina Shidou, Meruhi sent a knowing smile and a tilt of her head to the quiet Himari laying against the terrace doors.

Himari stood resting against the door, arms crossed below her breasts, and a stern frown on her face. She had taken off the high-collared white cloak, wearing her burgundy battle kimono. Her katana was secured hanging off her left hip. She opens her eyes with her facial expression not changing.

"Young Master and I, we looked and searched all of the Hyoudou clans old documents his Oji-sama had stored in his home at Norihara. He came across a particular documents which stated and I quote, "in the event there is only one living male of the clan born with the "Light Ferry". Then I decree the "Clan Restoration Act" be put into effect for him immediately. The male will be allowed to take on multiple wives in the hopes to sire more children to be born with the "Light Ferry". The recommended number will be six but more women can be added should the one under the act agrees to take more." end quote. Signed by Hyoudou Tajima, the sixteenth leader of the Hyoudou clan."

The members of the occult research club could say nothing but look at Himari, mouths wide opened to a silent scream, widened eyes stuck on Himari's form, and in completely disbelief and shock over what they just heard. And it didn't stop there with Kuesu picking up the torch. She was found in the kitchen standing behind the center island eating a slice of cheesecake on a plate, a fork being held in her left hand between two fingers.

"The act demands Ise-chan to take six wives in accordance with the act. However, Ise-chan being Ise-chan makes every woman he comes across to fall head over heels in love with him. It's comes to no surprise to me that he has so many girls wanting him for themselves." Kuesu stopped here giving a quick peek to Rias, Akeno, Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, and Irina. She didn't need to look at the women of this peerage because she was well aware that beside Shirayuki and Himari, she knew about the others in love with her fiancé. "But I digress... I know I can't have Ise-chan all to myself as I wasn't his first love, and it will be wrong to deny the feelings he has for the other women in his life. So, I've come to terms with life I will be living from now on with the man I love."

She stopped again to catch her breath and push aside the plate holding her cheesecake. Promising to finish it later.

"Ise-chan has decided to push this act onto himself and is following the contents by naming these six women as his wives. Those not named can still be called his wives but legally speaking they will be refer to Ise-chan's mistresses and concubines. The six are as followed chosen by Ise-chan himself, the current head of the Hyoudou Clan. They are Irina Shidou, myself, Shirayuki Hotogi, Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, and Sona Sitri."

Naturally what followed were loud screams and yelling from the female members of the ORC. Kiba was seen shaking his head with smile on his lips and Gasper had hid himself away inside his box, frightened from all the yelling.

Rias and Akeno were both blushing heavily with widened eyes and partly opened lips. Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, and Irina are the same as their upperclassmen, lost in their dreams of marrying and enjoying a quiet life with Issei in the future.

Before she too could lose herself to her desires of seeing herself married to Issei and taking his family name together with hers. Rias widened her eyes a second time catching the last name Kuesu said after Akeno's.

"Wait, Sona is one of Ise's wife?" Rias exclaimed looking at the members of Issei's peerage waiting for someone to tell her what they meant. Mari being the unofficial mediator for today answered the question.

"Why wouldn't she be one of Ise-san's wives, Rias-san? Your friend Sona-san obviously holds romantic feelings for Ise-san, although she refuses to admit it. The same can be said for Ise-san who has said he enjoys the games of chess with Sona-san. He admires her for her intellect, her drive to achieve her dream, her methods when ordering and disciplining her servants. A guilty pleasure of his that we all know is he likes girls that wear glasses. Plus Ise-san has seen Sona-san naked once. The question you should be asking Rias-san is why Ise-san needs a reason to not want to marry Sona Sitri-san?"

Rias opened her mouth ready to defend herself when she stopped herself. Pulling herself backwards she thought about the facts Mari Shimon made about Sona and why she and Issei were compatible with each other. Thinking back to the Rating Game against Sona last summer. Back to the moment Issei displayed his smarts to everyone watching and witnessing him playing with Sona and her peerage forcing them into trap after trap. It was on the roof when he checkmated her to submission that Rias started to see a change in Sona's demeanor around him.

Perhaps it happened earlier during their time together playing chess and Issei helping the Student Council around the school. Sona would always behave differently when it came to Issei. Rias had been paying attention to Sona and watching her reactions today during the viewing of his memories. Rias found her childhood and best friend would smile whenever Issei spoke and her cheeks would turn red whenever he faced her direction to talk to her, or look at someone behind her, when she believed he was starting at her.

Maybe she was thinking things over about her friend having a crush on Issei. However, going through her observations of Sona for today and her past self in Issei's memories. Rias could no longer hide it, nor deny that Sona is smitten with and loves her [Pawn]. Perhaps at the same respect and love she has for him. It's too soon to tell without going to Sona and asking her for her feelings on Ise.

Rias knew it was a stretch and the anxiety was figuratively killing her. Her curiosity has been pique and she wants to know the truth about Sona's honest opinion towards Issei. But she cares for Sona too much to outright march to the school and student council room where Rias is certain that is where Sona and her peerage had retreated to. Until she was certain, after she sees her interacting with Issei when he wakes up, then Rias will interrogate Sona on her feelings to the Sekiryuutei.

"It seems you have found your answer?" Rias looked up at Mari's smiling visage and nods her head. Mari's eye smile widened, she gives a light giggle before turning her slitted eyes to the rest of the girls.

"And the rest of you? While you won't be legally known as Ise-san's wives. He will always see you girls as his wives and you may call yourselves his wives anyways. Anything you wish to add?"

Asia, Koneko, and Xenovia gave each other a glance. It was a silent discussion between these three but they didn't need long to have their answer ready. It was an answer they had prepared in their heads for some time now and has been wrapped up for the day Issei himself comes to them to ask them the same question. Starting with Asia, the blond nun smiles happily looking at Mari sitting across from her.

"No. I love Ise-san as he is. If he never wanted to marry me then I will always love Ise-san. I'm okay with this Mari-san. I can still make Ise-san happy even if I wasn't his wife."

"Same goes for me and Asia. Ise can choose any girl he wants to marry and I have nothing against his choice. But if he will have me in his life to give him strong children and I can give him a family, then I'm okay with being his concubine."

"Me too! I want to make Ise-senpai happy as his mate and his wife. I don't mind what position I have I just want to be next to Ise-senpai to make him happy. I can't stand to see him sad and bullying himself over his past."

Kuroka brought her sister close to her for a one arm hug into her breasts. In her mind she swore to help Issei together with Koneko to help Issei forget his pain and suffering.

Mari smiles gently patting Maya on top of her head sitting on her lap. Meruhi nodded her head with a knowing smile on her lips. Opening her violet eyes they focused on Irina sitting between Asia and Xenovia.

"Irina-san," The beautiful exorcist jumped at Meruhi's allure tone calling her name. But she caught herself and turned to meet the witch's amused stare. "With this position you must possess the strength and willpower to be the voice that calms the storm. There will be many, many scenarios in the future where you must assert your power over the other girls of Ise-kun's harem. You must not waver, or else they won't see you as fit to being Ise-san's number one and will openly challenge you for your position. If you don't believe yourself ready for such a demanding position then you may abdicate to the next person in line. That being Kuesu as the second female to have met Ise-kun."

"There's no shame to admit you're unprepared to accept a position that tests your patience. If you think you cannot handle the pressure then I will gladly take it off your hands Irina-san." Kuesu said finishing her slice of cheesecake. Meruhi didn't turn away from Irina watching her face morph through various emotions. Her lips curled upwards finding Irina's mental suffering enjoyable.

Some time passes waiting for Irina to give her answer. The members of the ORC watched Irina quietly wondering if a sweet and kind person like Irina can really handle the pressure of managing Issei's harem for him. The opposite side of the room were thinking otherwise seeing her current state, but individuals like Meruhi, Mari, and Shirayuki saw something in Irina they failed to catch.

A couple more minutes go by when Irina adopts a determine look in her violet orbs. Her lips are quivering but she tries to maintain a stern and brave face looking at the members of Issei's peerage with nearly all of them looking back at her. She inhales deeply then exhales and speaks from the heart.

"I-I accept the position and job of keeping Ise-kun's harem in line for him. But if I fail in the future and I see myself unable to lead and lose the respect of the other girls, then I will surrender my position to Kuesu-san immediately." Irina said with determination and a sad look on her face. She still doubts that she can perform her job with confidence. Mari caught on this and helped the girl to cheer up.

"It's okay to feel nervous Irina-san. You will have us and Ise-san to help and coach you to be more assertive and display your power. It's okay to doubt you can perform to the best of your abilities. Not everyone can do something new and expect favorable results. You have time to learn, however, experience is the best teacher. Interact with Kuesu-san and Shirayuki-san. Build a bond with them as you will be the person they go to for advice on certain manners. Your opinion weighs heavily Irina-san, remember that going forward."

Irina gave a nod and laid further back into the couch. Her best friends there at her side to help her relax and to congratulate her. Akeno raised her hand next drawing everyone's eyes to her sitting beside her mother Shuri.

"Will Rias and myself be sleeping in Ise-kun's room with the other [Queens] to build our bond with them? Like with Irina-san, Rias and I should get to know the other wives of Ise-kun correct?"

Kuesu opened her mouth having swallowed a piece of cheesecake she was snacking on. Her haughtiness returned in force with her grin and eyes whenever she's looking down on her enemies.

"It can't be helped. Ise-chan wanted me to get along with the puppy shrine maiden. I can extend my hospitality to you three also. We might not have much in common now except our genuine feelings for Ise-chan. But we have time to find something we, or some of us will like to do together."

"No objections here, but I won't tolerate name calling and uncalled nicknames. If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Like Kuesu said, Ise-chan wants all of us to like each other. I'm willing to put aside my displeasure to all of this to make Ise-chan happy. Unlike Kuesu I hope I can find even ground with you three, Irina-san, Rias-san, and you too Akeno-san." Shirayuki finished saying giving Kuesu the stink eye with the Jinguji heiress looking the other way. However, this was a positive start for Shirayuki calling the three women by their names and adding the suffix after their names as well.

"Yes, let's hope good can come from this union. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." Rias said with an awkward smile and doubtful look in her eyes. But she too wanted a good outcome with the other women of Issei's harem. So she will hold her head up high and try her best.

"Ara, ara. Ufufufu, I will be in your care going forward. Please take good care of me." Unlike Rias' awkward introduction. Akeno smiled without a care and greeted her new sister-wives. In her mind she was thinking of many naughty and kinky scenarios involving her and her now fiancé Issei Hyoudou. Going by the order of girls Issei met in his childhood, she was number three as Shirayuki met him after their meeting.

Now she can truly bring her fantasys to life as his third wife. Her future together with Issei will be a lot of fun that Akeno couldn't hide the smile on her lips. Rias spared her best friend a sideway glances from the corner of her eyes. Knowing her she can't be planning anything good.

With talks slowly down again and the day slowly transforming into night. Xenovia's eyes widened with a flick of her head remembering something she wanted to ask everyone present. She called for everyone's attention to herself and when they looked her way she was quick to point to the silver-haired male standing behind Tamamo-no-Mae and next to the Shimon sisters.

"Why is Vali working for Ise exactly. Three months ago he was trying to challenge him to a fight seeing as how they hold the Boosted Gear and Divide Dividing. What changed?"

"Not forgetting how Ise-kun won their last fight almost killing Vali had Buchou not intervened when she did."

"Don't remind me."

Vali said with a twitch of his brow giving the two [Knights] a dry look from the corner of his eyes. But this sparked light within the rest of the ORC, who were quick to interrogate the wielder of the Divide Dividing.

"Earlier you said you and Ise formed a brotherly bond with one another. What did you mean by that? And your purpose for joining him was to fight powerful enemies and Ise whenever you wanted. You said yourself that the Red dragon and White dragon are stronger together than separate, but you still want to fight Ise. Why's that?"

Rias continued with her list of questions and Vali surprisingly didn't become annoyed with how frequent she was naming them off to him. He stood there, hands in his pocket and a smirk on his face. Eyes closed he patiently waited for her to slow down and answer each one of her questions one at a time.

When Rias settled down and relaxed in her seat. Sitting further back into her seat on the couch she and Akeno shared. This was the moment Vali used to explain himself.

"Listen closely and I will tell you. When Hyoudou recruited me and my group, I only thought about fighting the enemies his growing empire at the time were fighting against. My only concern was to get stronger. The same mindset I had working for Azazel and Khaos Brigade. But the things Hyoudou would always say to me made a lot of sense about our destiny and futures. He said if we continued fighting one another that when we die and the Boosted Gear and Divide Dividing find their next hosts. The fighting will continue and nothing will have changed. But he believed we, Hyoudou and I, we could end the fighting between the two dragons and start over. Rather than we continue Ddraig's and Albion's century long rivalry he believed the two of us can achieve more and win more working together. Hyoudou wanted us to work side-by-side for now on. He didn't want to fight me because we had to because it's required of us with our opposite colors and the trait of our Sacred Gears. In time I started to see his words were true the more I thought about what he said and soon enough I was hanging around Hyoudou more often as a friend and an advisor to him. The more we hanged out together, the more I started to see Hyoudou as a friend I can be comfortable around and talk to. Before he went into his coma we swore an oath of brotherhood in the backyard of his home in Norihara with the promise that we will bring peace to this world, and that we will live and die together on the same day, at the same time, and in the same place."

Vali stops here to catch his breath. The members of the ORC listen with intent.

"Before all this with Hyoudou becoming a forsaken and the King of the Netherworld. My only purpose in my life was getting my revenge against that person, and fighting Hyoudou, strong opponents and Great Red to become the White Dragon Emperor God. I didn't think about my future afterwards when I accomplish what I set out to do when Azazel found me. Death was a constant in my mind but I didn't allow myself to think about dying before I got my revenge. Now my thinking has changed to being next to Hyoudou when we bring peace to the worlds and having him standing next to me always. Not just as his right hand man but as a friend and brother. It also helps that whenever I want to fight him and get stronger he'll always say yes to my challenges and give me a good fight. I can't have my rival getting rusty on me sitting behind a desk and in a chair all day after all."

The room fell quiet and calm with Vali delivering that last sentence to his captive audience from the ORC side of the room, the members of Issei's peerage were already familiar with his and Vali's friendship. Himari and Kuesu were there in Norihara together with Oichi when the two males swore their oath in the gardens behind the house underneath the shade of the trees. For the others on the opposite side of the room were in disbelief hearing Vali's story and hearing it was Issei who convinced him to join the empire and the two became brothers in the end.

It was a lot to take in without the blaring reminder these two had a no holds deathmatch at the conference earlier in the year when Issei first transformed into a forsaken. It's difficult to believe Vali would want to have any form of connection to Issei after he almost killed him in his blind rampage. But whether they choose to believe Vali, or not. Or they continue their interrogation by asking the other members of Issei's peerage. It's official; Vali works for the Eternal Empire and is Issei's right hand man, his second-in-command.

Which just occurred to Rias that Vali is the temporary leader of the Eternal Empire and acting King of the Netherworld. Since they last met at the conference, not officially by the way, but Vali has gone to work for the Khaos Brigade as an agent of theirs. Now three months after their last meeting he is the leader of two powerful factions. While temporary he still holds a significant amount of power in his hand.

Meaning...

"What is going to happen on August nineteenth at midnight?! Right now you're the leader in Ise's absence then you know what's going to happen on that night. Tell me what is Ise going to do and how is he going to do this?"

All eyes fell on the standing form of Rias Gremory glaring in defiance at the smirking visage of Vali Lucifer. Behind her, her peerage were asking for her to sit back down and calm herself down. However, Rias ignored their pleas and kept her glare on Vali. The silver-haired male didn't once open his eyes to meet her gaze. His arms crossed in front of his chest. The room of occupants were torned between watching him, or watching Rias.

Neither side said anything straight away. The members of Issei's peerage seemed interested with Rias' outburst about the upcoming event set to happen within a weeks time. Frankly they were surprised it dawned on anyone at this point to ask for the event at midnight on August nineteenth.

They believed when the reveal was made by Issei's blood clone. At the very least Azazel would have asked about the event happening on that night. But that didn't happen and everyone left without saying anything else leaving the Gremory heiress and peerage to stay behind per Sirzechs' request.

"What's there to tell? It's going to happen whether we tell you or not. Ise-chan gave everyone a warning to not leave their homes when it happens. Just do what he said and stay inside your homes."

Kuesu opened her mouth speaking in a haughty, insulting tone to Rias. Her violet eyes are narrowed giving her an aggressive look. Rias expertly avoided the bait from the Jinguji heiress and kept her glare on Vali.

Akame looked at Rias and her peerage staring at the Ruin Princess herself hoping to calm her down using her words.

"Ise-sama wants to keep everyone safe from what he has planned for that night. He told you and everyone else to stay in their homes so they aren't affected by the magic."

"What magic and how will it affect us, Akame-san?" Asked Akeno sitting next to Rias. She had her right hand resting on her friend's forearm.

This time it was Shirayuki that brought the discussion onto herself. She looked directly at Akeno in her violet orbs very similar to Kuesu's own violet orbs. Leaving that aside she opened her lips to speak.

"For your own protection it's best you don't know. Ise-chan says it's something he only wants his enemies of the empire to witness and suffer from. He's given orders to prevent the people he cares for such as yourself Akeno-san. To prevent them from leaving their homes that way they won't be affected by the magic's properties."

"That still doesn't answer what this magic does and why Ise is doing this-."

Rias stopped mid-sentence having felt the spike of power just now. Akeno, Kiba, and the others of the occult research club have felt the same spike. They sensed the origins and who it came from. Rias traced the power and looked in the direction of the person who fluxed their power.

Their's and the members of Issei's peerage looked at the smirking visage of Vali standing there. Nothing changed about his posture and body language that Rias could find. However, upon closer inspection she and everyone else found him holding up his right index finger.

Opening his eyes revealing the dashing blue eyes that contrasted with his silver hair. Vali didn't lose his smirk at the looks of surprise, disbelief, and awe he was receiving from the members of the occult research club. Bringing that lone finger down and immediately the pressure from before vanished returning the state of the living room to its original environment.

"Let's forget about answering that. Hyoudou wants you and the others he's friendly with to stay quiet and oblivious about what's about to happen. Like they were just telling you, Hyoudou wants to keep you out of harms way from what he has planned to bring this war to a close. Just listen to what we're telling you to do and stay indoors after midnight next week."

"Or you can have Ise reprimand you and your friends sitting behind you should you choose to ignore his warning. The choice is yours to make, Ruin Princess." Tamamo-no-Mae said using one of Rias' known nicknames.

Rias was thinking about confronting the legendary fox yokai, when she stopped herself and repeats her words over in her head. They wouldn't go to this much effort to prevent someone from leaving the safety of their home on that night if they were someone else. Would Vali, Shirayuki and the others be as considered if they were Sona and her peerage, Riser and his peerage? Her parents and the other leaders? They're being vocal with her because Issei loves her and the other members of the occult research club. If Rias was anyone else not as close to Issei as she is, then perhaps Vali wouldn't have cared so much and not have said anything to persuade that person to stay home that night.

Staying quiet and acquiescing to their pleas Rias sat herself down in her seat on the sofa. Akeno rubbed her upper forearm to consult her friend. Vali uncrossed his arms over his chest and sends a look of acceptance to Rias. Nodding his head once and turning for the kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Nice of you to see it our way, Rias-san. Issei-san is only trying to protect you all by keeping this secret from you. Please understand and forgive him for this. The role of a leader is a demanding and unforgiving job to have."

Rias wanted to say something to Mari about this, but the words failed to leave her lips so she settled for a nod of her head.

"Ise has this "interesting" way of protecting his friends and loved ones and keeping them out of harms way. But a lot of the times they fail to relieve the worry and concern the latter group have for him. I can count the number of times on my fingers when Ise wanted to keep everyone here "safe" using vague hints and strong arm techniques to stop us, nyah. He said himself he doesn't want to fight alone anymore, the reason he started this peerage. But Ise is quick to fight alone and all by himself to protect all of us when we should be protecting him, nyah."

"He always comes through Kuroka-san. That who Ise-chan is... ready to fight and go it alone so the people he loves never have to worry about a thing. That's just who he is and may he never change."

Said Shirayuki grabbing a handful of her red hakama pants. Her eyes held a glum and solemn stare but hope and desire as well behind her brown eyes.

"King-kun does have that kind of style to always fight by himself. He's all-powerful but it wouldn't hurt to wait for nee-chan and me to stand next to him whenever he goes into battle. We want to repay him for taking us in and caring for us. Giving us a purpose in our lives and a meaning to live each and everyday."

"We own it to Ise-sama for everything he's done for us. No matter who that is when he wakes up. If it's Ise-sama, or Tatsuya-sama, Kurome and I will always serve the one and only King. I know he'll never asks my sister and me to throw away our lives for him but if Ise-sama can continue living his life then we will gladly give our lives for his."

Xenovia and Asia looked at the two sisters sitting across from each other. The look they both had held fierce determination and truth behind that last statement. Both sisters were serious about giving their lives for their King. They will literally die for him and they don't have an ounce of fear and regret to show on their expressions.

Looking around the room they found similar expressions of seriousness and determination on the visages of the other members of Issei's peerage. They each had over their faces a stoic, solemn frown, or smile. Showing they too don't fear dying for Issei if a scenario of dire consequences should arise. Xenovia and Asia both looked down at their laps in thought over their own bravery and willingness to give their one life for Issei. Xenovia's visage held resolve, and Asia seem insecure with making her decision, however, she quickly remembers all the times Issei would always come to her rescue and walked away injured. Despite this he would always smile in front of her and compliment her on her skills.

Biting her bottom lip and grabbing the hems of her skirt tightly with her hands. Asia tried putting on her best face showing her courage, but it came off as more of an adorable pout of a pleading puppy than what she initally was going for. Still though...

Then they turned their heads meeting the others gaze in a calm and silent staring contest. They remained this way for ten seconds when they both gave a nod of their head. Their decision made with just a single glance into each other's soul.

The two girls from the church will first talk with Rias and get her answer before they talk to Issei after he wakes up from his coma.

"His Majesty and Tatsuya-sama have both shown a desire to protect and safeguard what they hold dear. It's safe to say whichever one walks out of the master bedroom this trait of theirs will not vanish into obscurity."

"That's true, Ise-kun will always keep the things that made his personality desirable. However, I'm quite thrilled to know more about the secrets he has hidden from us. Ise-kun has always teased he possesses a much darker side to his consciousness. I can't wait to see what that is, ufufufu."

Shuri started to giggle in a strange and slightly perverted manner into her kimono sleeve under her white cloak. Rias sitting next to Akeno and her mother slowly scooted away from the mother of her best friend. A smile of uneasy marring her lovely features.

"That does sound like the Ise I know and love. But Tatsuya's methods are also left to be desired to the right woman who enjoys death and destruction. Hearing the screams and moans of her enemies dying around her, and standing beside her drench in blood is the man responsible for the slaughter. How is it he was single all his life? I may have to jump on this opportunity before it's lost for good."

Kuesu, Shirayuki, Rias, and Akeno were on guard immediately seeing the grin of Tamamo-no-Mae baring her teeth. The look in her eyes didn't help to ease their worry about what the fox demon had planned for the future. That future involving one Issei Hyoudou.

"Maya would like if Ise-san remembers to take her with him where ever he goes." Said the little blond in third person. Always referring to herself that one

"Maya... you know his answer will be the same. Perhaps you should ask for something else from Ise-san. Perhaps a tour of his new castle the Gremory clan are constructing for him that will be done soon? But maybe Ise-san will change his answer if you refuse to let this go. Ise-san will keep you safe so your well-being is something I don't have to worry about now do I?"

The smaller Shimon sibling gave a nod of her head, a cheer of happiness, and with a wave of her arms over her head. Mari simply gave an eye-smile and rubbed the top of Maya's head and brushed down her long blond hair.

"I don't care much for Hyoudou personality. I just want to see him use his full power without the handicaps holding him back anymore. It will be good training for the both of us."

"Nyah, sometimes you're an open book to read, Vali. But at times Ise-kun isn't so different. Maybe you both were brothers separated at birth." Kuroka faked surprise and astonishment looking at her former leader's face. Who by the way wasn't amused, shaking his head with a grin to the older nekoshou.

"Ise-kun was much eaiser to read when we were still kids, even if most of my interactions and meetings with him were with a clone. The clone of Ise-kun didn't show much about himself like the real Ise-kun would have in our youth. But there are moments when Ise-kun's thoughts can be predicted and seen for just a few seconds. There are just some things he cannot keep hidden."

Irina expressed her thoughts about her early childhood with Issei. Reminiscing these memories left her lamenting about the good old days now fading away along with her childhood friend. The last part was a possibility but it's too soon to tell.

The penthouse was once again a social hub as everyone from both sides started to talk about Issei and what they liked and didn't want to see changed about him. Both peerages interacted with each other talking to someone they have yet to formally meet and making friends with that person.

New friendships were forming creating a bridge between Rias and Issei's peerages. Common ground was being met between two opposite factions. While a start Issei's real competition comes in the form of the leadership and government bodies of the Three Great Power and other factions in the supernatural world.

More voices were heard around the room as interactions grew louder with members from Issei peerage moving around the room to meet and talk with the members of Rias' peerage.

The adults stayed behind watching the warm and pleasant conversation between the youths. Smiles on their faces overhearing some of the discussions about Issei being discussed by both groups.

"...he wasn't hurt too badly was he...?"

"Not at all. Ise-chan is really strong and can heal himself whenever he gets hurt. But I still can't help but worry for him when he does these things all by himself."

"...wow, Ise-senpai is incredible."

Asia sat on the edge of her seat on the sofa clenching her arms close to her chest from hearing Shirayuki's tale of his heroics in a particular battle where they were outnumbered heavily and surrounded by the enemy. Gasper with his head poking outside of his box had stars in his eyes listening intently to Issei rescuing Shirayuki and the others from an ambush. Not without scoring some of his own injuries in the process.

"...t-that's almost impossible to believe nee-sama."

"...What! How can you say that Shirone!? I'm telling you one-hundred percent and on all nine of my lives I saw Ise-kun summon a meteorite from space. Ise-kun is capable of doing just about anything and it will leave you still surprised the second and third time you've have seen it."

"...I'm always hiding in Ise-sama's shadow together with Kurome, and some of the things we see Ise-sama do can't be believed to be possible even when you're there when it happens."

Akame had joined the two nekoshou sisters on a separate sofa couch. The topic was the unbelievable feats Issei himself has done before falling into his coma. Naturally Koneko and the others listening to the tale didn't immediately believe what came out of the elder nekoshou's mouth.

"So, you received sword training from Ise-kun. Is your form different after training with him?"

"If we asked him will he take myself and Kiba as his students? I was impressed and inspired by his swordsmanship that I can't help but want to replicated, and increase my own training with Durandal. I think learning from Ise will make me stronger and more adept at wielding that sword."

"...Of course. The Young Master takes any students he sees potential in. I, myself have received lessons from the Young Master and I'm most grateful for his tutelage because now I'm serving at his side as one of his Royal Guards. There are six of us and I'm grateful to be among them."

"He's alright using a sword and other weapons. I almost lost an arm in our last spar together. But you need to watch out for his punches. I'm positive Hyoudou can break solid steel with the power in those hands."

Kiba, Xenovia, Himari were quick to talk about swords and the different styles between the three of them. Next they talked about Issei's own skills with his chokutō as well with asking Himari if he would teach them. Vali didn't fit in anywhere else so he hung around this group. Throwing in his own knowledge about Issei to the three weapon specialists.

"Don't tell King-kun I asked you this but you still have the stuffed wolf he gave you?"

"Hai, I keep it with me everywhere I go. It reminds me much of Ise-kun and our friendship. One day... when he and I get married and have kids of our own. I want to give Alpha-kun to our baby. Pass it down to our children and their children when they have their own."

"I see. That's good. Please don't tell King-kun I asked you about his whereabouts. He won't admit it ever, but he really misses that stuff animal."

Irina nodded her head with a blush and a smile on her face. She holds up two fingers to her lips, simulates closing a zipper with her lips and throws the key over her shoulder. Kurome gives a sigh of relief and sits down on the spot next to Irina.

"Ah, so Ise-san really said that to your aggressors?! It must have been so romantic for you Kuesu-san hearing Ise-san proclaim his love for you in this fashion."

"Y-Yes, well. I am his first fiancé and the one to take his first kiss. It's only right that Ise-chan would stake his claim of me before those fools who attempted to harm the wife of the dragon."

Maya stood on her feet in front of Kuesu looking up at her face filled with admiration and stars in her eyes having listened to Kuesu's story of when her and Issei were caught in an ambush and their perfect synch where they demolished their opponents leaving nothing of them behind. Kuesu turned her head to hide her blush and avoid any lingering eyes from finding her in a weaken state.

This continued well over an hour. The groups always changed with the exception of Vali remaining with Himari, Kiba, and Xenovia. Although he looked ready to clocked-out and leave entirely. Akeno and Shuri joined the conversation with Kuesu wanting to know more about Akeno. They both met Issei around the same time and are engaged to be married to him. She figured she'd know more about the young woman who's had a large impact in his life. Plus Kuesu's own curiosity to learn about Akeno's character as she was the spitting image of her mother Shuri.

Rias chose to sit out on all the fun like the adults. Not that she didn't want to speak to anyone from her [Pawn's] peerage. She had a lot on her mind from today and wanted to go home for the night. While the offer to stay the night was an option that weighted on her thoughts, Rias instead wanted to think on her problems and worries alone in her own bed.

Maybe have Akeno sleep next to her? She shakes her head. Right now she just wanted for today to end and await for the day Issei wakes up and returns to her.

Standing up from her place on the sofa. The different conversations around her stopped with everyone now looking at her. Rias' crimson fringes concealed her eyes and the frown on her lips made her friends and club members worried about her, leaving them on edge.

"Thank you for your hospitality and invitation to stay the night. However, I politely decline the offer to stay and will be leaving now. If any of my servants wish to sleep here tonight then please look after them and treat them with kindness. Tomorrow after school I will return here to continue my overseeing of Issei Hyoudou as per my orders from the Duke and Maou of the Underworld."

"Very well then. I will send a car and escort to pick you and your servants up to be brought back here tomorrow. Those that happen to stay are in good hands Rias-san. I will look after them personally, you have my word." Meruhi says through narrowed eyes. Violet eyes peeking past her eye-lids looking at the silent form of Rias Gremory.

Rias said nothing else. She gives a deep bow to Meruhi and walks towards the repaired front door and leaves the apartment. Akeno, Kiba, Asia, Xenovia, and Koneko start shouting for their King and run after her leaving the apartment with Gasper hiding in his box being carried by Koneko. Their shouts of concern and worry can still be heard when the group reaches the elevators down the hallway.

Twenty seconds later and the shouting can no longer be heard. And the sensors within Issei's peerage confirmed Rias and her peerage disappeared through teleportation circles while inside the elevators. Leaving only Vali, Kuroka, the Shimon sisters, Kuesu, Shirayuki, Akame, Kurome, Himari, Haschwalth, Meruhi, and Tamamo-no-Mae left in the penthouse living room.

The sun has already set, with the moon revealing itself in the sky the darker the world became outside. Stars were starting to come out meaning today has officially ended.

Vali brought attention to himself from the remaining occupants. Hands still in his pockets he opened his eye-lids showing the seriousness in his memorizing blue eyes.

"We'll keep with the schedule we're familiar with now. In one hour have the night group take over for the day group. This falls to the knights too. Keep with your assignments and meet back here every day at noon and nine in the evening. That will be all. You're dismissed."

Vali finished receiving a silent agreement through nods from the other members. And one by one they teleport away via magic circle. Vali sends one final glance to the two [Queens] then leaves himself using his own magic circle.

Those that stayed were Meruhi, Shirayuki, and Kuesu. Akame and Kurome had transported themselves to their rooms there in the apartment. Standing up from her spot on the couch. The two [Queens] were slow to stand up. The expressions on their faces mimic that of Rias when she walked out of the apartment, her club members screaming at her back.

The clan head of the Jinguji clan looked over her shoulder at the growing darkness of night through the terrace window. She looks over her other shoulder at Kuesu and tells her daughter.

"I'll be returning to the compound now. I'll see you tomorrow morning after nine. Sleep well, Kuesu." Said the matriarch of the Jinguji clan to her daughter noticing her unreadable facial expression. The magic circle with the symbol of the Jinguji clan opened below her feet. She gave one final look at her daughter before disappearing, the magic circle disappearing shortly after its uses.

Now all that was left are the two [Queens] of Issei. Like with Rias they too were worried for the future and the fate of the man they adore, desired, and love with all their heart and soul. Listening to the different stories and feats he has done in his teenage years alone after the death of his parents. Kuesu and Shirayuki were both frighten terribly at the thought to never speak to the same courageous, brave, thoughtful, and caring man they fell head over heels for during their childhoods.

The date when he finally wakes up from his coma is almost here, and so is the inevitable of the Issei they know disappearing forever.

Nothing else was said. Kuesu and Shirayuki decided to sleep in their own beds tonight rather than share Issei's bed, like they have done since he first went into his coma. The doors to their separate bedrooms, which happened to be in front of each other. Neighbors from across the hall they were. They closed with a thud with the locks being heard from the other side

Nothing else was heard coming from the two bedrooms. Nothing except for gentle silence.

xox

In Kyoto, the time was now close to ten at night. The traditional city that was once the capital of Japan during the Feudal era was still very much alive tonight. In the district where the royal palace was located, and forty feet from there is the Hyoudou apartments. Inside one of the rooms inside the apartment complex in a well-lit room sitting in a circle on top of colorful pillows on their knees sat four people with one body sleeping on someone's lap.

Sitting together are Oichi, Raynare, and Yoshitsugu. The two [Bishops] flanked both sides of the other [Queen] of Issei's peerage. In front of the three was their guest they have been entertaining for the last four hours today. Yasaka sitting on her knees same as her hosts, a sullen frown on her face staring down at the tatami mat flooring. Using her lap for a comfortable pillow was her sleeping teenage daughter all tuckered out from today.

When Raynare, Oichi, and Yoshitsugu arrived in the city to fufill today's bounty of requests. When they completed the jobs an hour later and returned to the Hyoudou apartments to relax and maintain a presence inside the city. They found Yasaka and Kunou standing outside the door to the apartments. After apologizing for her sudden intrusion she and Kunou were invited into the apartments.

Oichi served their guests warm tea she brew herself and cookies from market down the corner. Yasaka and Kunou's sudden appearance left no time for her to cook up something fresh to enjoy in the company of friends. Kunou went along with her and the two princesses of their clans and faction spend the rest of the day talking with each other.

Which explains Kunou sleeping on her mother's lap.

Still Yasaka's sudden appearance was a surprise to them. It had been an hour since they last saw each other in the penthouse above the hospital Issei owns. To find Yasaka waiting outside his apartments can only mean the elderly Kyuubi wanted to speak with someone there from his peerage to pass along her message for Issei.

With the talks headed by Raynare and Yoshitsugu, this hunch by the latter was revealed to be the truth. Yasaka spoke about the current state of her government and the peace her faction is enjoying with the Eternal Empire's protection of her city. She then went onto bringing the topic forward of the other gods of the Shinto faction being aware of Issei's rise to power and their desire to meet him in person.

Not only that but Yasaka expressed her desire to officially have Issei be given knighthood and recognized as the Yokai factions hero and protector. Raynare assured the Kyuubi she will deliver the news to her [King] the very moment he wakes up. Yasaka gave her thanks to Raynare and the talks from here slowed down with the topic shifting to more light-hearted conversations between the two sides.

They were allies in this war and in the hours of peace and relaxation. It's best to talk to each other as friends and reaffirm their alliances over a cup of tea amongst their peers. The rest of the evening was strengthening the bond and alliance between the empire and the yokai faction.

Now, with the day gone and the moon hanging up in the sky with the hour approaching midnight. The conversation and partying has since hit a wall with Kunou using her mother's lap for a pillow to rest her head on. Wrapped over her body was a blanket given to Yasaka by Oichi to take home and keep. Across from the leader of the entire yokai race are Raynare and Yoshitsugu. The latter had his eyes closed feigning sleep, and Raynare was staring at the table she was sitting under. Her right index finger was tracing the rim of her half-full cup of tea she hasn't finished drinking yet.

Oichi was smiling sitting beside Raynare pouring herself a refill into her cup from the still warm teapot. Her eyes were closed setting the teapot down on the tray next to her. Bringing the cup close to her lips and taking a drink of her tea. Yasaka raised her head looking at the three people across from her. She has been silent for the last ten minutes going over her thoughts in her head.

"Ise-san will agree to meet the gods of the shinto faction? They really want to meet him and are excited to see Ise-san for themselves. He will be waking up from his coma very soon correct?"

At Raynare's simple nod. Yasaka let out a sigh of relief and resumed playing with her teenager daughter's hair.

"It will be any day now when Ise-sama returns to us. He will return to Kyoto first when he awakens from his coma."

"Onii-sama is thrilled and excited himself to see Ise-sama again. He said he's coming here to the human realm to see for himself the new Ise-sama." Oichi suppressed a chuckle at her last meeting with her older brother and how happy he seemed when she explained Issei's condition to him.

The Oda clan has transformed for the better from what Oichi has seen from her last visit home. And she has Issei Hyoudou to thank for these positive changes and the friendship he shares with her onii-sama.

Yasaka moved her gaze down to her sleeping daughter's head resting on her lap. She gives a small smile and plays with her hair with her right hand. Kunou moves slightly in her sleep bringing the blanket closer to her neck and snuggles against her mother's soft lap. A quiet purr escapes her lips perhaps due to Yasaka playing with her hair.

"I'd best being heading home now. It's been a long day and this one is all tuckered out." Yasaka gently shakes Kunou's shoulder rousing awake the young fox princess and heiress. She gives a yawn and slowly rises up to stand on her feet with her mother helping her up. Raynare, Yoshitsugu, and Oichi stand up as well to formally say their goodbyes. "Thank you for your hospitality and generosity for hearing what I had to say. I will see you again tomorrow, and I will hope that Ise-san wakes up from his coma very soon."

"...O-Okaa...sama... Ise-... H-He's..."

"Yes, yes, I know. Good night you three and thank you again." She finished saying with a bow of her head to Raynare, Yoshitsugu, and Oichi. A golden magic circle engulfs their bodies from their feet and vanishes with the successful teleportation.

Raynare stares at the spot in front of them then turns around to leave the room. Yoshitsugu looks out the corner of his eyes at the fallen angel Queen's back before turning his head to look at Oichi. She continued watching Raynare leave the room closing the sliding door behind her.

"Oichi-sama, I must leave to meet with Mitsuhide-san in the Netherworld. I wish you have sweet dreams tonight. Good night Oichi-sama."

"Hmm, good night Yoshitsugu-san."

Yoshitsugu gives a deep bow of his head and disappears through a magic circle with the heavenly dragon's emblem on it. Watching him disappear until the magic circle engulfs his whole body. Oichi spared one last look at the door Raynare walked out. She looks over her left shoulder out the window overhearing the people walking the streets and talking just outside the apartments.

Oichi soon walks out of the room using a different door from the one Raynare used. She slides the door closed behind her after turning off the lights to the room they occupied for the last four hours together with Yasaka and her daughter Kunou. Hearing the door lock behind her Oichi says nothing as she retreats for her room for the night.

xox

Thursday morning inside the clubroom in the old school building. There was still twenty minutes before first period started and Rias was alone sitting behind her desk. Wearing her school's uniform with black shoulder cape she would normally go without. Her blue-green eyes had a sullen look in them and her thoughts were all about Issei this morning. Going over the memories of him and her together in the past, and some of him and the others from the club being one big family.

Rias was honestly scared she won't be able to make anymore memories like these. The person that wakes up from that coma probably won't be the Issei Hyoudou she fell in love with. Or the glaring possibility she doesn't want to admit is Issei won't even remember her and everyone else from the research club, her brother, Sona and the student council, or the members from his own peerage.

There was no telling who will walk through that door when that day arrives. Will it still be the Issei she knows and loves, or someone that looks like Issei but isn't him and has his memories. Can she love someone that isn't really Issei?

Overhearing a door opening up in the left corner of the room. Rias quits her negative thinking and turns in her chair to find Akeno pushing a cart carrying a teapot, two tea cups, and a plates of sweets no doubt are for Koneko when she shows up at the clubroom.

"You okay, Rias?" Akeno opens the conversation with her best friend, pouring her a cup of freshly brewed tea, placing it on small plate and putting it in front of Rias on her desk. Rias takes the cup and gives her thanks to Akeno and takes a sip.

"I'm feeling better now. I'm sorry for the way I behaved leaving Issei's apartments the way I did. I-I just had a lot to think about and I wanted to be alone." She says and takes a sip from her tea. The heat and finely brewed tea from Akeno was helping Rias to take her mind away from Issei.

"I know how you feel Rias. I couldn't stop thinking how Izuna-. Ise-kun will be after he wakes up from his coma. I'm scared to think the man I love with all my heart, who's always been by my side. What kind of person he will be fusing with Tatsuya-san."

She didn't immediately give a reply watching Akeno calmly pour herself a cup of tea and drink form it. Rias turned her head away looking at her desk seeing her reflection in the wood temporarily. Nothing changed about her appearance looking at her reflection. However, upon looking closer around her eyes she could see the make-up she used to cover up the bags she accumulated this morning. She'll admit she had problems falling asleep last night. Her thoughts and thinking had been preoccupied with Issei and what he might become.

When she finally fell asleep last night Rias thought she saw two-fifteen on her alarm clock sitting on the nightstand. It could have been later, or she fell asleep at five this morning and only received two hours of sleep before she hastily hurried to ready herself this morning to go to school. Last night was the first time she slept in her old room here at the school since she first moved in with him. She didn't go home to Issei's house knowing he won't be there to share the bed with her. And Rias didn't want to sleep in the house that holds far too many memories of the Issei she loves. She also didn't want to sleep without her body pillow next to her.

So. using make-up to hide the bags from last night she took a shower here and got changed into her uniform for today. She unlocked the doors to the clubroom and immediately went to sit down behind her desk. She stayed this way looking out the window until eight minutes passed when Akeno arrived at the clubroom and got to work brewing a fresh pot of tea.

Turning her head back to look into Akeno's violet colored eyes she inherted from her mother. Rias asked the expected question about her best friend.

"How are you and your mother getting along Akeno? She's living with you at the shrine again isn't she?" Like a curtain being pulled open to reveal the outside world behind it. Akeno's features lost the gloom and solemnness, her smile widened slightly and her eyes glisten with fresh wet tears pooling around her eye-lids. Using the back of her index finger to wipe them away.

"When you found me Rias at death's door. I never thought I would ever see my okaa-sama again, not even in my memories. I was too scared to relive them after that day. But Ise-kun has given me the greatest gift next to him loving me for me. Okaa-sama and I stayed up last night going over lost time and me telling her about my life after her death. She doesn't mind that I became a devil she's just happy I have friends who love me for what I am and that I'm smiling like I used too. It's all thanks to Ise-kun for bring my okaa-sama back to me."

Rias smiled warmly for her best friend. Happy to see Akeno happy and reunited with her previously deceased mother. It means the world to her and Rias is happy to see a smile on Akeno's lips.

The doors to the clubroom opened up abruptly as if someone just kicked the door for no apparent reason. The sudden way of knocking surprised Rias and Akeno snapping the nadeshiko out of her daydreaming. Looking at the group of people standing outside the room in the hallway. Kiba with a ecstatic, but urged look on his face ran into the clubroom until he was standing in front of Rias' desk. The remaining guest walked into the room, with their own smiles and looks of excitement and impatience written on their faces.

"Buchou, Akeno-san. Ise-kun is missing!"

This news had both a positive and negative effect to the two beautiful upperclassmen. The negative hit first hearing Kiba nearly shout at them that Issei was missing and no where to be found. Their eyes widened considerably and their expressions on their faces couldn't hold back their surprise and terror hearing the news of their friend and love interest was missing. However, the positive side can only mean that Issei left the apartment himself and wasn't kidnapped and being held hostage.

This was the saving grace keeping Rias, Akeno, and the other club members from searching for him and causing a scene. Issei must have walked out himself to go somewhere. But the question is where did he go and is he alone? Did he take with him his royal guard, or some of his peerage members?

Standing in front of the rest of the occult research club. This being Asia, Koneko, Gasper in his box being carried by the former, Xenovia and Irina. Walking ahead of the group to stand in front of Rias' desk. The red-haired [King] and her [Queen] looked at the stoic visage of Kuesu Jinguji standing before them.

Planting her hands on the edge of the desk. She tighten her grip leaving marks and tears to the wood. Staring deeply into their different eye-colors with her impassive stare and frown. Kuesu then opened her mouth to say.

"Come with me. We're going back to the apartment to find Ise-chan."

xox

"There's a path this way that will provide safe passage down the cliff."

"The clouds don't appear they will rain on us. That will eliminate the ground becoming wet and difficult for the Young Master to traverse down safely.

"Himari-san and Takatora-san will take point and advance down the cliff first. Seilah-san and I will take up the rear and bring Ise-sama down with us. The weather says it won't rain again for another two hours. It's best we're down the cliff when it happens then going down during the shower."

The young blond Mira gave these orders wearing her white sorceress cloak over her body. In her left hand she was holding a clear crystal ball. Himari and Takatora both wearing the empire's high-collared white cloaks nodded their heads and walked down the side of the cliff first looking out for traps as they went.

"Thanks to your intel I've located and disarmed the traps protecting the sight. Even the twenty-one hidden ones have been eliminated thanks to your knowledge of the territory. We're set to travel down to the ruins whenever you're ready Ise-sama."

Canceling the magic circle before her, wearing a black closed-collared cloak Seilah turns her body looking at her master sitting in a wheelchair. Mira standing behind the wheelchair grips the handles and pushes the quiet Issei forward on the dirt path.

Wearing the clothing that is his official outfit minus the black cloak similar to the cloak Seilah is wearing. A crimson and white scarf is wrapped twice around his neck. His hands resting on his lap and his eye-lids are closed hiding his sight. Issei said nothing to Seilah's efforts right away almost ignoring her completely.

"Well done, Seilah. The traps are no longer a concern." Issei opened his lips. His tone and voice was deeper and more mature to his previous monotone. His voice sounded empty and emotionless when he spoke for the first time. And he didn't stop there. "This place hasn't been disturbed in over five thousand years. We're the first to explore the Otsutsuki ruins undeterred by the traps that have claimed the lives of explorers and grave-robbers all together over the years. With hopes to acquire prestige, fame, and wealth. How noble."

Opening his eyes revealed Issei to have his Sciens Omnia (All knowing) active. But his eyes have matured with his awakening and resurrection. Six tomoe, three on each of the two innermost circles of the eye are visible. Both of his eyes had six tomoe each. Issei stared out at the canyon and the ruins below in the abyss with these new eyes.

(Ready when you are partner.)

{We should get going Ise. The storm won't wait for us.}

Ddraig and Albion said from his mindscape. Showing they both were fine and ready to support Issei.

He gave a drawn out sigh and with a hint of longing in his tone. He said.

"I'm home."

xox

Back in Kouh in her apartment standing and looking out her window down at the roaming populace of a Thursday morning on their way to work, or school for the day.

Still getting dressed herself to leave for her day job as the Kouh academy's nurse. Chisato Hasegawa was taking her time getting ready, she doesn't have to be at the school until after nine in the morning. Which means she can afford to wait and take her time getting ready, which is what she's doing this morning

However, a second reason for her delay was for a special occasion. To her she was celebrating this morning with a glass of expensive but delicious red wine. Earlier today she sensed Issei's magic being active for the first time in three months meaning he was awake and walking around. His magic power soon vanished out of range which can only mean he teleported somewhere she couldn't sense him. But knowing he was out of his coma was enough for Chisato to celebrate his return.

She had been in the middle of dressing herself, having finished her morning shower when she sensed Issei's potent and massive magic reserves. Her current attire were black stockings on her legs stopping at her thighs but leaving some skin to be seen. Black lace underwear hugged her hips and ass concealed behind her white doctor's coat she had draped over her shoulders. She was topless forgetting a bra leaving her mouthwatering succulent large breasts out in the open. If a passerby walking past her apartment happened to look up at her floor. They will be greeted to a glorious sight to behold of seeing Chisato Hasegawa almost naked standing at her window for the entire world to see and admire her beauty.

Her green eyes like emeralds were narrowed behind her red-rimmed square glasses. In her right hand she holds the glass of red wine. Giving a smile and holding the wine glass high over her head to signify a toast.

"Congratulations and welcome back to the living Hyoudou. I hope you're satisfied with your journey and what you've gained with your resurrection returning to life once more. Nothing is no longer holding you back. Your origins... they're no longer a secret to you are they? Perhaps now I can tell you the truth about me and your mother. Your powers and teach you how to use them. I've waited so long for you to learn who you are and what you are, and now that you know I can tell you the truth about everything. Your blood runs through his veins and he looks more and more like you each day than his father, nee-san. I promise and swear to you I will continue to look after your beloved son and my nephew. You don't have to worry about a thing Alaia-neesan. He's in good hands."

Chisato promised taking a sip of her wine. With Issei's revival and awakening of his coma. The war can be brought to a early close and any further resistance against the empire will be met with swift but brutal force of retaliations. Issei is no longer a forsaken, as he is now a full-blooded and living human, with access and control of his true power.

The game and rules of this chess match have been altered and changed entirely. Nothing will be the same ever again.

Finished! I kept to my pre-determined goal of below thirty thousand words. And just in time for Christmas too. Let's go down the list starting at the top and working our way down. Going over everything in this chapter I'm certain caught your eyes.

The flashback of Tatsuya's childhood and dream sequence of Issei if his parents weren't killed at the end of chapter three of the prologue. These two separate scenarios introduced the respective parents of the two main characters. They also foreshadowed the power they hold through the usage of the hand they raised when interacting with family.

Tatsuya is the right hand which is for offense.

Issei is the left hand which is for defense.

They both have the power over light and dark, however, Tatsuya's strongest element is dark. While Issei's strongest element is light due to his origins and is the power he inherited from his mother. His birth will be discussed in the next chapter.

For the dream sequence I wrote a hypothetical for the ending of the prologue trilogy. In this hypothetical Issei is engaged and has a smaller harem to the one he has now and canon. His parents are introduced and given names, with his mother's name Alaia making an appearance in later chapters. A four year old Miku is revealed and her feelings for Issei. Finally, besides the "cold war" setting. This was a good ending for Issei.

This chapter focused on the characters on both sides. Expressing their feelings towards Issei and the planning happening in the background of the empire making alliances. New faces were introduced like Shizuno, the wife of Shu Saura and his right hand. Her presence in the story will be large as she will serve as Issei's advisor and mentor. She also possesses a lot of anger towards the devils which will become apparent as the story continues.

Chapter nine will continue with the trend of chapter eight following Rias and everyone else. The chapter will return to Issei's journey coming back to him periodically. But the focus will stay with the other characters until Issei returns home and reunites with his friends.

I won't reveal who's in control whether it being Issei, or Tatsuya as that will seem unfair. But you have nothing to worry about.

Chisato Hasegawa will have a larger role now with Issei's resurrection and the revelation that she's Issei's aunt. She will continue to serve as his guardian and mentor to grasp a hold of his real power. She will also be made one of Issei's 'pieces' to serve alongside him but her 'piece' won't be revealed here.

Enjoy yourselves this holiday season no matter what you celebrate and who your celebrating the holidays with. Merry Christmas and I will see everyone in the new year.