The sun.

To a Devil, it wasn't a welcoming presence. As creatures born out of the cold darkness of the Underworld, the sun was a representation to the brilliance of their enemy who sat atop His throne in the high heavens. The sun, bright and blazing, was like a heavy weight on their shoulders and a thousand needles prickling at their skin. Their great ancestors hadn't been like this, for they had been capable of withstanding the luminous rays of the highest Angels. It was through generations of evolution and confrontation with the Heavens did the Devils grow such a bad tolerance to a sun.

However, that mostly applied to pureblooded Devils. It had an even less of an affect to Reincarnated Devils.

To Hyoudou Issei, who was more Dragon than he was Devil, the sun did not bother him as much. True, he felt a small burden when exposed to sunlight but at his level of magnificence it was hardly noticed. He marveled at this sensation; just a few months ago and he was cursing at the glowing orb hundreds of thousands miles away. Now, after spending two weeks stuck in recovery in his dark room, he welcomed the sun.

"Dragoon-chan," Serafall Leviathan wiped a little bit of sweat from her brow. "You're heavier than I remembered. You must have gained weight since last time we did this."

From what she had explained to him before it wasn't a literal weight. Though… she wasn't wrong; he gained a good amount of muscle since his brawl against the Vampire.

Serafall had explained to him the reason why he couldn't use any summoning magic was because his output of demonic energy was far too low. A clinical analysis from some of the Sitri staff that visited his home one day said he didn't even have enough energy to support his own life. He could only produce half of the required amount for his Pawn Pieces. The other half was coming from his master, Rias.

Now, he could use summoning magic, provided if he found someone else who could support the cost for using the teleportation. Issei's level was so high not even the collective efforts of everyone in the Occult Research Room could send him a single meter forward. It took someone at the level of a Maou— Serafall Leviathan— to get him to go anywhere.

"Thank you very much for your assistance, Leviathan-sama," said Rias as she gave a light bow.

"Yeah, thanks, but uh…" Issei scratched the back of his head. "You didn't have to do all this. You could have gone straight here and I could have followed by flying—"

"No!" argued everyone in the party. Everyone.

"I-It's better to go as a party, don't you think Ise-kun?" Akeno asked with her mirthful smile… and a bead of sweat glistening on her brow. She did well to wipe it off by playing it off as brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"This is a celebration, isn't it?" asked Irina next with a nervous smile. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself, ah ha ha ha ha…"

Before he could say anything else, Rias jabbed a finger at his chest. She pouted, "Ise, we don't want you doing anything excessive. You just got the clear to get out of bed."

"You say that but I'm the one carrying all the stuff…" he couldn't help but sigh.

It had only been a week since the incident at the cathedral. He had been stuck in his bed for the majority of the time in order to recover. Two and a half weeks 'recovering'. Really, he thought he was fine enough to walk out of the house after the first week but both Ludwig and the Sitri doctors told him otherwise. If the medical experts said so then he couldn't go against them.

His senses told him they were lying. He couldn't figure out why but knew nothing about medicine to counter their fancy and highly complex words. He had no idea what a diaphragm was or what its purpose was. He was pretty sure it was next to his kidney… or he was being a moron and was making an idiot of himself.

Nearly three weeks would have been fine if he had something to do to pass the time. The members of the Occult Research Club had school. Apparently Xenovia and Irina enrolled into Kuoh Academy as well and joined the club but didn't become Devils. And Serene was off working on some project that she kept mum to everyone. Rias only told him it was nothing for him to worry about and it was her personal business when she was ready to share.

He almost regretted burning his porn magazines. But such a thought was borderline blasphemy. He made them to be offerings for his gods of debauchery and couldn't take them back.

But what was most strange was the lack of outside interaction. All of the televisions had been reprogrammed to broadcast Underworld cable. And the router for the internet was busted so he couldn't access anything. He couldn't find his phone either for that matter. Neither of his buds nor any of his clients had asked for him as far as he was aware.

He ended up spending most of his time watching Miracle Levia-tan.

What disturbed him the most… he actually liked it.

It was from that thought that pushed him over the edge. He felt fine and demanded to stretch his legs. Being confined to the house was suffocating. The isolation was killing him. It reminded him of the three years he spent alone without his parents.

"Ise," Rias had said when he complained about this. "If you don't behave and listen to the doctor's advice then we're going to just go to the beach without you."

That had gotten his attention. He knew threw this bone to keep him calm. He knew it was all a trick. But he was a sucker for these sorts of things. So he played fetch and listened to his master's decree.

After all, the beach meant water activities and sunbathing. And that meant swimwear. And that meant boobs. Glorious, glorious boobs.

And everyone in the Occult Research Club was beautiful.

He didn't expect Serene, Xenovia, and Irina to tag along though. Or Serafall. But, hey, they were all just as gorgeous. He really wanted to see Serafall in a swimsuit.

Hours staring at her mini skirt as Miracle Levia-tan with some damnable magic preventing him from catching a panty shot just pissed him off. Stupid kid's show…

"D-Does Ise not want to be here… with… with me…?" asked Asia with her large eyes and tears threatening to fall out.

He felt a stab of pain through his heart. "W-What?! No! Of course I want to spend time with Asia! I love Asia! I'm more than glad to be here with Asia!"

She gave a sigh of relief. Though her feelings were genuine, the whole scene had been a ruse. Asia turned back to Rias and gave a thumbs-up. And Rias returned the gesture with a twinkle in her eye and a nod of pride. They did this while he was in clear view to see the entire exchange.

It was really starting to bother him what they were trying to hide from him.

"Here, Ise-kun, let me help you with those," said Yuuto as he came to his side.

Instantly Issei leapt twenty feet away from the blonde Devil. His body was a flicker with how fast he moved. "No way! You keep your distance! Don't think I haven't forgotten about what you did!"

Yuuto gave a light chuckle as he waved his hand. "Come on, Ise-kun. Everyone else was nursing you back to health. I was only trying to be a good friend and help you as well."

"Good friends don't change genders and try to seduce their friends!" Issei shouted to the high heavens.

"Hmm. Seduce…?" Yuuto's smile thinned down as he tilted his head in thought. "That wasn't really my intention. But… I'm glad to know I was pretty enough to make you happy, Ise-kun."

"THOSE AREN'T THINGS BOYS SAY TO ANOTHER!"

There was a story in this. But it was one Issei would very much rather not remember. He went as far as to ask hypothetical questions to one of the doctors and follow through with their answer and stab his brain at the precise location where the memory had resided. Unfortunately, his draconian body regenerated the tissue… including the nerves and cells that kept the memory.

He can never forget the existence that was Kiba Yumi.

God was surely dead if something like this was allowed to happen.

"…I don't know whether to add fuel to the fire or to be jealous myself," muttered Rias as she and the girls around her watched Yuuto approach Issei while Issei used one of the umbrellas to keep him at bay.

"I vote for jealousy," answered Akeno. She sighed and put a hand on her cheek as her mind drifted back to that fruitful day. "They were together in bed. Alone. Yuuto's hands on Ise's bare chest. Staring passionately into another's eyes. Even someone like a Predator didn't notice we had been standing there the whole time as they inched closer and closer to—"

"I'M NOT YOUR DONUT!" Issei suddenly shouted, dropped everything, and started to run down the shoreline.

"Ise-kun! Wait! Let me at least put sunscreen on you! The sun is bad for Devils!"

…And Yuuto chased after him.

"Boys tend to behave this way," came Serene's words of wisdom. "They have their spats and solve their problems through force. Just watch as Yuuto there mounts Master and greases him up. I've binoculars for those who can't see that far."

True to her words, out of seemingly nowhere, she produced a few pairs of pocket-sized binoculars. Enough for everyone.

And half of the girls took them to watch what she had observed. Most of them drooled. Asia fainted after some blood dripped out of her nose.

"…Buchou."

"Yes Akeno?"

"I fear Yuuto has more points than we do."

"I fear the same as well. We should do something about this."

"I couldn't agree with you more. But first…"

Both Rias and Akeno took the offered instruments from Serene and watched the charade continue. It was enticing, hilarious, and strange altogether. Because while Yuuto pinned Issei down with his head hovering over his dangerously close, Issei didn't put up much of a resistance. Issei, who could easily break all of them at his default strength (and had during their week of training), he was only screaming his head off.

"No! It's so slimy! Damn you, you filthy handsome! Get off of me! I can do this myself— WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU TOUCHING ME?!"

Strange indeed.

*Scene*

Issei sighed as he sat on top of one of the towels sprawled about the sand. Camp had been set now that all the sexual harassment was done. The girls offered to help him but he decided to do it himself. Alone. There was no way in hell he was going to let Yuuto near him again.

He didn't know what the bloody fuck was up with the blonde handsome. Ever since the whole cathedral fiasco he had been like this. Always trying to be by Issei's side at any instance. At first it had been welcoming to stave off the boredom. But now it was just extreme.

Excalibur, the little girl that was the avatar of Yuuto's Sacred Gear, always grew jealous and dragged her Papa away or got in the way. But after a while she stopped interrupting them.

He spotted her once hanging in his closet… just watching them. As if it were some peep show.

Issei sighed again as he looked down to the shore. Excalibur was playing in the sand with Yuuto watching her. She was building castles and always asked him for his opinion… or going into some lecture on the history of the architecture of the aforementioned castle she was basing her design off of. Yuuto just kept smiling and nodded his head. But Issei could tell he wasn't paying any attention and was doing the bare minimum to be polite.

He wondered what the story was… He really wanted to know what the Holy Sword Project had been about but Yuuto went quiet whenever asked. Issei eventually stopped asking.

"You're not going to go change with the other girls?" Issei asked to the one lounging in the fold out chair.

Serene adjusted her hat to look at him. She was dressed in a thin, white, sleeveless sundress. It wasn't thin enough to be transparent but it did hug her curves nicely. That was all he needed to use his mind's eye to see what she looked like naked.

"Master, are you requesting I do such?"

He thought about it. See Serene in a bikini? He wouldn't deny he hadn't thought about it before… along with a series of more perverted thoughts. She didn't sound upset in the slightest at her inquiry which was a good sign.

"…Not if you don't want to," he eventually breathed out.

Serene tilted her head and observed him. "Would you like to see me in my bathing suit?"

"Yes!" he immediately blurted out— he even stood quickly and put his fists to his chest in excitement. But then he coughed and sat back down. "I-I mean… that's okay. You look pretty comfortable. I was just wondering if you were going to swim or not."

"…Comfortable," Serene looked across the ocean as she muttered the word, almost tasting it. "Yes. I am quite comfortable, aren't I?"

He had a feeling she wasn't talking about the beach at all.

"Ise~" he heard his master call out from the distance.

"Ah, Rias! I set up everything so that— whooooohoooohoooohooooooooo~"

He watched as they bounced. His eyes were mesmerized by their movements. Lost in a trance as their rhythmic sways hypnotized him. Before him was a wall of beautiful girls skipping across the sand to approach their setup. And each one of them were dressed in their swimwear.

Rias giggled as she was the first to reach him. "Well, Ise, how do we look?"

She posed for him. Bringing her hips out while flicking her hair over her shoulder, revealing to him her godly figure for him to see with utmost glory save for a few pieces of cloth that preserved her modesty. He took in every curve, every little detail of her thighs, waist, and, above all else, her astonishing breasts.

"Thank you for the meal," Issei clapped his hands together and bowed his head in prayer. He didn't know what he should give his gods of debauchery for this sight. But he needed to make an offering soon.

Rias giggled and put her hand over her mouth. She turned her head away in an attempt to hide her blush. It was always fun to tease him and she felt like she had an edge over him when using such tactics. But it didn't feel as affective when his reactions made her heart stir.

"Ise-kun, that's hardly fair for you to praise Buchou," Akeno spoke up. She too posed, spreading her legs apart and lifting her arms behind her head. "What can you tell me about my suit? I picked it out just for you?"

Frankly, it had even less cloth than the one Rias had picked. It was borderline scandalous and a great zeal of people would use harsh words to describe her actions.

But not Issei. To Issei, this was even more perfect. This was his nirvana.

"Akeno-oneesama is amazing!" Issei shouted as steam started to spew out of his nostrils. His blood was boiling. Perhaps literally. The anatomy of a dragon is an interesting thing.

Akeno laughed as she brought a hand to her cheek. The laughter was directed at Rias along with a look of challenge. She had stepped into her King's territory and wasn't afraid to battle for the right to be there.

Rias returned the glare, refusing to step down and let this insult as both a woman and a King go unsettled.

"I'm sorry, Ise!" Asia was next to present herself. She was dressed in her school swimsuit. "I know you like things that show less skin… B-But I just couldn't do it! Buchou bought me a cute piece but I ended up packing this one instead! I'm sorry!"

Issei was lost in his own world in any case. Asia in a school swimsuit. By the ancient and most primeval gods of debauchery he had found the Truth. His heart skipped a beat when she stepped forward. And her behavior only added to the depth. Asia in a school swimsuit! He… he only imagined something like this could exist. Because, let's face it, something this incredulous couldn't possibly be real. It was just a myth.

But here it was. His Fountain of Youth. His El Dorado. His Seven Dragonballs.

Asia in a great gods of debauchery be praised school swimsuit!

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light…" he mumbled with a fried brain. Some part of him acknowledged the presence of pain. But it was easily ignored. "On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at him.

"…Eh?" Asia was the first to react. Her eyes were wide.

"That was…" came Rias next.

"Book of Matthew…?" came Akeno then.

"You impress me yet again, Master," Serene adjusted her hat and turned back to soak up the rays of the sun.

"Huh? Wha?" Issei blinked a few times and looked around. "What happened? I… kinda spaced out right there. What were we talking about, sorry?"

"N-Nothing…" Asia bowed her head but her face had turned completely crimson. She was so happy to receive such a reaction from the one she loved more than anything. To recite a passage from the Bible at that! She didn't know what she did to deserve such praise. Then again… she never could grasp on the interests of her lover.

"Ise-sempai…" at long last, it was Koneko's turn. She didn't say anything as she stared at the draconian Devil. Nor did she pose, at least not intentionally. She slouched and turned her head away, one arm around her back and gripping her opposite arm. She didn't feel confident enough to purchase a two-piece like her more bountiful seniors. She chose to dress in her school swimsuit. Truly, she didn't know how to impress Issei and gave up without putting much of a fight.

But to see Asia receive such praise when the former nun was dressed similarly? There was hope for her yet!

"Ah, Koneko-chan," her beloved sempai approached her…

…And patted her head.

"You look cute," he said with a brotherly smile.

There was no arousal whatsoever in his tone.

It pissed her off to no end. And, just like any other time this pervert pissed her off, she reacted with violence.

She kneed him. Right below the groin. Precisely where all men are weak against.

"Eh, Koneko-chan! Are you okay?"

But the only one to fall was Koneko. It was as if a sun had exploded right on her knee. She had put a lot of her power into that strike. But it felt like she had just kneed a solid wall made out of pure diamond. She fell on her side, gripping her knee in agony.

"Why?" she grounded out. "Balls of steel is supposed to be a metaphor."

He didn't know what to say about that. He could only scratch his cheek and gesture for Asia to come check on her.

"Where's everyone else?" he asked a moment after Koneko was healed.

"Xenovia was having some difficulty with her suit," Rias replied. She cocked her head towards the shack over in the distance. "Irina stayed there to help her. And Serafall ran off to prepare for the later afternoon. She said she'll come for you when everything's ready."

Immediately he fell to his knees and pounded a fist onto the sand. Tears fell down his face. He wanted to see Serafall in a bikini. It wasn't fair! Countless hours watching her in a skimpy magic girl outfit with not a single panty shot or cleavage. Even on the episodes where her clothes got shredded there was nothing revealing about it! They used magical dust made of children's wishes as a smokescreen censorship. It was bullshit!

"…Something we should know about, Ise?" Rias gave off a dangerous smile that promised doom if she didn't receive the correct answer.

Issei gulped. There are just some things even someone as mighty as a Predator could find fear in. "N-No… J-Just building a sandcastle. Ah. I don't have any water… I should go get some."

And he ran away before anything else could intercept him.

"Did Leviathan-sama mention what the plan was?" asked Akeno to her King.

Rias crossed her arms. There was a worrisome look on her face. "Not really. Just that she means to test Issei. She didn't say what that meant."

Akeno hummed to herself in thought.

"Let's not worry about it," Rias said suddenly. A bright smile shone. "We're here to get away from it all. The past few weeks have been stressful on everyone, Ise especially. Everyone! I expect you to have fun! This is a command from your King!"

"Yes, Buchou!" Those of the Occult Research Club saluted.

*Scene*

"Ise, can you do me a favor?" asked Rias.

"Oh, yeah, sure," Issei said after he pulled a bottled water out of the cooler and had a drink. "What's up?"

Rias watched him for a moment, not saying a word. Her eyes took in every detail of his body. She remembered very vividly every chiseled feature on his torso. Her fingers had ran through them and her nails had dug into his back in passion after the Rating Game. But now… the body she had gotten to know had changed. It had refined itself. The battle against the Vampire had surely hardened him.

Issei was the prime definition of masculinity. Everything about him declared power and strength.

"Um… Rias?" he called for her again.

She smiled while laying down on one of the towels. She pulled her hair to fully expose her back while she undid the strap keeping her top in place. She watched with glee and pride while Issei's breathing hitched and he gulped. His eyes were staring straight on her back and she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Can you rub some sunscreen on me? Please?"

He was like a child who had just been told Christmas had come early. His eyes lit up with both excitement and disbelief. She saw him pinch his thigh, testing to see if it was a dream. Finding this all to be real, he could only nod dumbly and knelt at her side.

She closed her eyes as she let him touch her. A moan escaped her the moment his hands were on her back. It had nothing to do with the cold of the lotion. These were the hands of a humanoid dragon. He had told her he had could read moods as if they were texts and hear feelings as if it were music. It wasn't psychic, per se. It was more of a gut instinct that he gained as soon as he unlocked his Boosted Gear.

It made him a wondrous lover. He had been able to react to her every need.

"Um… I'm sorry," he said the moment he heard her gasp. "Am I being too rough?"

She almost slipped and told him she wished for him to be rougher. That sort of talk wasn't for here. Instead she answered, "No. It's wonderful. Keep going."

So he did, keeping the same pace and pressure as he spread the lotion across her back, over her shoulders, and around her neck. This little stunt had been a tease for him… but here she was trying her hardest to not twitch and gasp. She wanted to groan when his hands had reached low. But, thank and damn him for his mediocre gentleman's respect, he never took the invitation to go lower.

"The beach, Rias," she muttered to herself. "Remember where you are…"

"What was that?"

"Oh just me reminding myself on something," she waved it off. "Say, Ise, would you like to do the front now?"

She cursed herself. She hadn't meant to go that far. The words had come out of her mouth before she knew it. At this point she was just going along with her feelings rather than think rationally. But… if she was getting excited while having her back rubbed how would she feel about her front? To have his hands glide across her waist and stomach, to caress her collar, and to kneed her breasts?

"Pwah…" Issei's face was scarlet with a little bit of blood trickling down his nose. "F-Front? O-Oppai? Sunscreen Rias' oppai…?"

She decided to make this into a game. Which one of them would lose themselves first? She for getting attention from the man she loved dearly? Or he for groping the single thing he treasured more than life itself: her breasts?

"You don't want to?" she flipped herself over while placing her hands to conceal her greatest weapon she had against him. There were only a few fingers that hid the nipples. Everything else was there for him to see and she could see his imagination going wild. This little game of hers would be an easy victory.

He almost went straight for her breasts. Almost. His hands were right above her hands and ready to pull them apart to dig into the meal she prepared for him. But he didn't. With a heavily restrained look, he willed his hands back.

She almost let out a moan of disappointment.

Issei put more lotion on his hands, which he had forgotten about before being given permission to work on her front. To him, he was still putting on sunscreen.

For a boy who can read and hear feelings… he was still a teenage boy with extremely limited experiences with the female sex.

He performed his task with utmost professionalism.

She nearly squirmed at the first touch. His hands worked on her waist and spread the lotion around. While they worked she could tell he was reading everything about her through his fingertips. His pace was a lot slower than it had been with her back and a lot gentler. It was teasing her and making her anxious for him to get on with it.

He moved up. She let her hands drop to her side as she closed her eyes, focusing on all of her will to keep herself from reacting.

She was losing. His hands. So firm, so tough, so strong, yet somehow so gentle and tender. They were driving her insane.

"Ise…" she gasped. Her voice light. She hadn't realized her breathing had hastened until now.

"R-Rias…?" he stopped, frozen, terrified he had done something wrong.

"I give up," she said with a sigh.

He tilted his head. He had no idea what she meant.

"Oh what a good idea," said Akeno, who magically appeared at their side. "Ise, can you do me next? I would love it if you can cover me with your white sticky lotion."

Akeno licked her lips as she gazed dreamily at Issei. The draconian Devil's face lit up like a neon sign at her words. The sunscreen lotion on his hands was a clear color. Her words could only mean one thing…

"Akeno!" Rias sat up, fuming with outrage.

"I am sooooo sorry, Rias," Akeno said with heavy sarcasm. "Was I interrupting something? Please, don't mind me. I just wanted to know when I can have my turn."

King and Queen glared at another. Sparks lit up between their eyes as their demonic signatures warped their presences. Holy and crimson lightning cackled around them.

A wicked smile crossed Akeno's face. "Ise-kun~" she sang, "I was thinking on working on my tan but want everything to be even. That means I'll be in the nude for some time. Would you mind using your hands to reach every corner of my body?"

Issei was rendered a gaping fish. The image in his head was too much. An Akeno with pearly white skin, fully naked bathed in sunlight, and him rubbing every inch of her with sunscreen. Something inside his brain broke. Some nerve or membrane. Blood began to fill his cranium, build pressure, break his mind further, and leak out.

These nosebleeds he keeps happening is the result of serious cranial damage. Because, as a dragon, his senses are transcendently more profound than most sentient beings walking this planet. Even imagining something will produce the same results as though they were real. And with someone who's imagination for perversity may reach the realm of the gods', where earthbound rules no longer apply, his senses were overloading.

Hence, nerve damage and seizures. And the general populace confuses this as the anime cliché of nosebleeds from perversity. Such a thing only exists in anime.

Luckily, this isn't the first time the girls of the Occult Research Club have done this before. They nearly killed him the first time they overloaded him this badly. As a dragon, who grow stronger the deeper their wounds become, Issei had gained a sort of resistance to this. Already his body was working to undo the damage and he will be stronger than before.

Still, if only they knew what they were doing could potentially kill him…

Akeno only laughed with delight at Issei's reaction. Rias' brow twitched for her friend getting one on her and because her boyfriend was leaning towards it.

"S-Sunscreen!" Asia popped out of nowhere when she saw what was going on. "I-I-If it's you, I don't mind, Ise! P-P-Please put some on me!"

She shook with her face steaming as she shouted this, almost forcibly. But she was seeing the one she loved most dear being taken away by those who she knew were prettier and more developed than she. She had to do something or lose her position as his lover. If they could request such things boldly than so too could she!

Issei's head swiveled around. More blood gushed out of his nose as he saw the ivory incandescent beauty that was Asia's exposed flesh. She was stripping down just for him. With her school swimsuit half on. Just how many doujinshi has he read featuring this specific fetish? How many times had he fantasized about this moment?!

It was too much. Simply too much.

Now Akeno frowned beside Rias. But it was only for an instant. Her smile returned as she eyed Asia in a new light. She respected the former nun and happily accepted the challenge.

"…Sempai, me too?"

If he had something flat and hard he would be banging his head over it right now. When he said there was too much they kept adding more. What? The forest is on fire? Let's try to put it out with fertilizer!

Adorable, quiet, timid Koneko was there as well. She sat on her knees and pulled down the straps of her swimsuit around her shoulders. She didn't drop her suit like how Asia had done. She just let it hand over her chest, dangerously low with the lining at the edge of covering her nipples. Koneko was small, but he would never deny she had great potential. He gladly took the beating that one day when he spied on her changing in the locker room.

He didn't know what to do. The blood continued to flow out of his nose. The world was getting dark. The World wasn't telling him he was going to die but if this continued he was going to pass out. He just got the okay to get out of bed and they were prodding him already. If they did anymore then he would surely—

"Hey, uh, Ise-kun—"

"GO TO HELL YOU DAMN HANDSOME!"

Just like that, he came back to reality. The wounds in his head were removed as though they had never been there in the first place. It was an impossibility. It defied the Laws of the World. But this had happened once before. The same conditions had been met and Issei once again activated a Defiant Work— an overriding command that dejected the authority of the World— and achieved a temporary use of Evolution.

In simpler terms, he used sheer force of will to make his body heal in order to condemn the blasphemy that was Kiba Yuuto. The filthy handsome had the audacity to ask the same thing!

"Now that's not fair," Yuuto sighed dejected. "Shouldn't you do it for me after I did it for you?"

The horrible memory that took place less than an hour ago forced itself back to the front of Issei's mind. Those hands… those fingers… the places Yuuto touched…

"I'M NOT YOUR DONUT!" Issei shrieked like a little girl and ran away from the scene. Again.

"Good job, Yuuto," Rias gave him a wink as she finished putting her top back on. "As expected of my Knight."

"Hmm?" but Yuuto didn't know what she was implying. Realization donned on him. "Oh! Yes. Of course. Ise-kun is yours… yours alone…"

*Scene*

Issei leaned against the wall of the shack and slid to the ground. He felt tired. Definitely not physically— he felt more powerful than he had originally been. More so mentally. Rias was his girlfriend, so her behavior was expected. He wondered if this was how couples were supposed to act; her request right now sounded like something straight out of an h-scene. He still had difficulty believing someone as beautiful and stunning as Rias Gremory was his lover.

One of his lovers, actually.

Asia Argento was the other. Rather, she was the first. Just like Rias, he had just as much difficulty someone as lovely and sweet as Asia could be with him. It felt surreal. He felt like he didn't deserve either of them. Both girls were captivating and the apple of everyone's eyes at Kuoh. But Issei? Issei was a schmuck who was ignored at best and hated on an average day. He ended up becoming an extreme pervert because he couldn't find a girlfriend.

And now he had two of them. In the span of three months at that. Ever since he became a Devil things have been looking better for him.

But, at the same time, just as he was finding warmth and light in his life, there was an equal amount of darkness and blood as well…

"Ise-kun?"

He lifted his head to see Irina coming out of the shack with Xenovia close behind her. They looked amazing in their swimsuits. Xenovia had a firm body packed with muscle and Irina had a slender build with large breasts. Both beauties chose swimsuits that looked a little too small for them. Their breasts looked ready to pop at any moment.

He knew better than to stare directly at them. That handicap only improved his skill as he adjusted his draconian vision. While his eyes locked on theirs, he could still stare at their cleavage to his heart's content. And it looked like he was being the perfect gentleman.

"What are you doing out here?" Irina asked as she bent over to peer at him. It suddenly became tremendously difficult to keep his eyes locked with hers as her breasts jiggled and the angle permitted him to stare into that great abyss. "You weren't waiting for us, were you?"

"Sorry, I was just taking a break from all the crazy," he said. "I swear they're trying to kill me."

Irina and Xenovia shared a look.

In honesty, he didn't know how to treat the two of them. He was aware the two of them had made amends with Asia regarding her poor treatment. Xenovia even offered to be struck. And Asia forgave them both. If Asia forgave them, then so too would Issei.

But that didn't mean they were his friends. Their slate was clean and they were neutral in his books. As far as he could tell, they were a pair of girls Serene cared for at her apartment with good looks and nice breasts. They rarely mingled with him and spent most of their time chatting about religion with Asia. They were more her friends than his.

However, he couldn't ignore Irina had tried to chat with him as though they had always been friends. He replied enough to be polite but couldn't really delve into any conversation with her. She always got upset and either walked away or tried another topic. Mostly ramblings about her childhood. As if he had been there the entire time.

"I'm going to just sit here and wait until things calm down," he said.

"Erm… sure?" Irina said with a puzzled look. "Then, we'll be going ahead then—"

"Irina," Xenovia spoke up. She wrapped her fingers around her chin as she observed Issei. "I think this is the opportune moment we were talking about."

Irina's face turned red in an instant. She became flustered, "X-Xenovia! Now?! B-B-But I… my heart isn't ready for this!"

Xenovia ignored her friend and addressed Issei. "Lord Hyoudou—"

His brow twitched at the title.

"—Would you mind if we borrow you for a moment? Irina and I have a request we would like to present to you."

"It's hardly a request!" Irina countered. "A-And… W-Well…"

"Irina," Xenovia returned with a firm voice. "This may be our only chance. You don't want to achieve your dream? It's right here before you."

Irina became quiet.

"…I'll listen," Issei stood. His eyes sharpened as he stood straight with his head held high. His eyes changed from a mundane brown to a luminescent green as he channeled his draconian might through his body. Both girls' eyes widened and shifted over his body before returning to his gaze. Xenovia looked pleased while Irina looked nervous.

"But I won't promise anything," he finished.

He wondered if they had gotten to become Asia's friends just for this moment. The idea upset him. But Serene would have told him something… or would she? Did she even know? It didn't matter. He was his own man and had proven himself against his seniors to stand amongst them as their equal. He could handle a pair of girls to either accept or reject their request.

Less than a minute later he found himself to be very, very, very wrong.

"W-Wait!" he tried to plead as he made as much space between them as possible. But then his back hit the wall. His eyes scanned around, looking for a window to escape from. There were a few and he could leap out of them in a flash.

He had led them inside the shack. Such a cozy little place it was. It was more of a beach house than a shack. Then again… this whole island belonged to the Gremory family so of course something that should be called a closet was the size of a bachelor pad.

It had a nice little living room, a dining room, an entertainment room, a whole upstairs with a few sleeping rooms, a number of bathrooms, and a large bath. Least that's what Rias had shared with him before coming here, mentioning these things on the chance anyone wanted to use them. She grossly undermentioned how extravagant everything was.

"I was under the impression you liked things like this," Xenovia said… topless. She had discarded her bikini top the second Irina had shut the door.

"I like boobs very much," Issei agreed. "I also like butts and thighs. But I like living. And my girlfriends will kill me if they find out about this."

Xenovia paused in her advance. "One of the eight Ultimate Killers afraid of a pair of Devils?"

"Seven," he corrected. "And this and that are two different things! Why me anyways?! Why don't you go after that damn handsome?!"

"Xenovia this isn't right!" Irina shouted finally, his saving grace. "B-Bed! You should do these things on a bed!"

…Or not.

"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ARGUING ABOUT?!" he shrieked.

"Hmm… I suppose you're right," Xenovia was halted once again as she thought about it. "It would be… difficult having our first times on the floor or one of those couches. Fortunately I've scouted the area and have found everything we need. Including a bed."

She went to the side of the room, reached up, and pulled a lining that he believed had been decoration this whole time. It turned out to be a sort of lever that flipped another wall over. A king-size bed flopped with sheets and pillows ready to be used.

Issei could only stare at the contraption with pure utter bafflement.

"As for why you, Lord Hyoudou," Xenovia began as she sat on the bed. Her body was stiff as though she were prepared for battle instead of seduction. A personal habit of hers. Still, her rocking body couldn't be ignored. It still captivated him. "Would you be willing to listen to our reasons?"

He frowned… after clapping his jaw shut, that is. Every bit of logic was telling him to get the hell out of here before any of the girls just a few meters away came in here looking for him. But… since when did he ever listen to this overcomplicated concept known as logic? He's done everything thus far through his gut instincts and it hasn't failed him thus far.

The feelings he was reading off of the two of them… he could sympathize with them. So he agreed to listen.

"The way we see it, we have two choices," Xenovia began. "The first is to return to the Church. However, I don't believe either of our hearts are in it. Mine is not after being exposed to the memories of the Earth Mother…"

She stopped talking for a moment. Her eyes glazing over as she recalled things she didn't want to. She shook her head to force those back down. Irina came to her side and put a hand on her arm. It was appreciated by Xenovia.

"And Irina has been excommunicated by Saint Virtue," she went on. "We both know God is dead and would be deemed heretics if we tried to return. Though we might be accepted for our history as Exorcists, there is another problem we would like to avoid. Sir Rolan's oath of vengeance has been transpiring. The major factions of the Church have already been destroyed. If the Church cannot manage to fend him off I do not believe the two of us could survive against him.

"Thus we have the second option, to remain here with Sister Serene. Pardon me. Madam Serene. She has agreed to care for us until we are capable of doing so ourselves. Lady Gremory has even provided us with uniforms and has permitted us to attend school. She has also offered us a position of peerage as her Rook and Knight. That, however, we turned down."

Irina said nothing. She fidgeted in her seat while Xenovia did all the talking.

"Go on," he urged them. "What does this have to do with me and… this?"

He gestured at her. Precisely, at her exposed breasts.

If Xenovia was self-conscious of her modesty, she didn't show it. "Lady Gremory may be the overseer of our current living arrangements, but we see it as you being the undeniable ruler of the country. This is your territory. As Madam Serene is to be your Queen when your new Evil Pieces arrive, as we still follow Madam Serene, is it not wrong to assume we follow you then?"

He thought about it. Certainly it was some warped logic. Serene wasn't a member of the Church any longer. She had gained her freedom because of Issei— twice if being technical— and chose to serve him as his servant and Queen for all eternity. These two still relied on Serene almost like a foster mother instead of their superior officer. So, if Serene was to be his servant, they believed they should serve him too?

He didn't see it that way. But apparently they did.

"Yeah, I still don't get it," he eventually said.

"It's simple," Xenovia said with a voice as if it were simple. She even raised a finger to add emphasis to her statement. "We wish to make a pact with you to ensure our welcome within your territory. I've thought about this as well. The Church is well aware of your exploits for the past three years and I have seen personally your power. That dragon trait is rich. I am sure any child of yours will be strong."

There was something… missing. He couldn't piece things together. He had Point A and Point C but his mind just couldn't fit together whatever the hell went between them. He also knew it was painfully obvious and he was going to hate himself once he learned what it was.

"Irina and I have decided this together. We would like you to have our bodies. You can do anything you want to them whenever you want and for however long. But so long as you give us your seed and grant us a child."

Oh. There it was. Point A: Xenovia's boobs. Point C: serving him and making sure they stay in his good graces. And finally comes the middle ground on how these two come together.

Point B: getting them pregnant.

It all makes sense now!

Yeah. He really wanted to go back in time and punch himself in the face.

But he hadn't figured out time travel. Not yet anyways. For now he had to worry about the present.

And the present was telling him he was in deep shit. Where, oh where, did he go wrong? If any of the girls find out about this he was going to be a dead man.

But… damn. Xenovia's offer kept ringing in his head. To be able to do anything and however long he wanted. To the both of them. Together if he wanted. He was highly sure Rias and Asia weren't willing to do a threesome. Xenovia and Irina seemed to be content with it.

The little voice that was his conscience telling him this was a bad idea was being shadowed by the symphony of a thousand voices within his deep psyche.

~Zoom, zoom, iyaaan~ they said.

He still had no idea what those predecessors trapped in his Boosted Gear meant.

He thought hard about this. Harder than he probably should. While his eyes were fixated on Xenovia's breasts. They were really nice. And he wasn't just saying that because he loved all breasts of all shapes and sizes. Xenovia had a pair she should be proud of. Irina too, for that matter. He wondered how they would feel.

"Love…" he mumbled. "This is something you should be doing with someone you love."

And he meant it. As much as he would have loved to claim them both right here and right now, to taste their flesh and slip away into long hours of carnal passion, it was the one thing that ruled over both his logic and his instincts. His heart. His feelings. As much as he loved breasts… he could never make love to someone who didn't love him.

The first time with Rias… just to have a chance to get out of here marriage. It really hurt him back then.

Xenovia said nothing. But her body stiffened as if she had been insulted. She probably had been. But… from what he could tell, it wasn't for her sake.

Irina looked like she had been slapped. She cupped her hands together in her lap and bowed her head. Her lips quivered for a moment. But a new fire began to grow in her eyes. Determination. Fierce determination lit up.

"I… love Ise-kun," she said in a low but strong voice. "I always have. Even if you don't remember me. Even if I can't be your Iri-kun again. If it's Ise-kun, I want to give my everything."

He didn't know what to say. He searched her feelings with his draconian senses. He was frightened to find out he was at the line between picking up body signatures and mind reading. His power… the part that makes him a dragon… it had gotten even stronger.

Love. True and undeniable love swam through Irina. Love for him. Along with it came the myriad of emotions he was more than familiar with. Irina loved him, for a long period of time as far as he could tell, but he couldn't understand why.

"…I can't remember past three years ago," he said aloud, answering her unspoken question he had picked up from sensing her thoughts. "I don't want to. Everything before that reminds me of my parents…"

Irina had a sad look on her face. But she couldn't sympathize. She didn't understand what it meant to have her parents killed in front of her. But, given Rolan was out for blood against the Church, her parents were already dead. If he had a name he could use the World to search for them and find out if it were true or not. It'd be better if he didn't.

He also forced his draconian might back into his core. It was a dangerous ability to have, to perceive another's feelings so intimately he could almost read their thoughts. Useful if he could use it in battle, pointless against the perpetually monotone Predators who ran off of one emotion, and significantly dangerous against those he loved.

"…Ask me again some other time," he said and forced himself to leave. He couldn't think straight right now. He needed air.

He had almost, just almost, cheated on Rias and Asia. But he didn't deny them either. He practically told them he was still open to the suggestion of bedding them instead of doing the right thing and denying them. Inward, he was a pervert and always will be. Even if it would damn him.

He was surprised to see Koneko standing there as soon as he opened the door. Her Nekoshou ears were standing up against her hair as her tail swayed around. He had crossed the room so quickly for the door that she didn't have a moment to gather herself. He had caught her peeping on them.

A look of disappointment crossed her face. She scorned at him. She had heard enough of the conversation to understand the situation and had heard his departing answer.

"…Sempai, you disgust me."

The words coming from her hurt him. He wished she punched him instead. Even if she put her all into it and he lowered his defense to the lowest possible limit. Even if she ruptured one of his organs and made him puke blood. She didn't. And only a small number of things could something hurt him this much.

*Scene*

"Hello there!" said the pompous older man with the stupid haircut, stupid mustache, and equally stupid little hat. "It's an honor to meet the notorious Red Blur in person!"

Shortly after his little episode with Irina and Xenovia, someone had come over the hills to retrieve him. He didn't know what was going on and almost ignored the messenger hadn't Rias told him otherwise. The messenger escorted him back over the hill, through the neighboring forest, and down a windy path until he arrived at an open field with a plethora of people running amok. Even with his limited intelligence he could tell this was a filming crew.

It was then he was brought to Serafall Leviathan, who was dressed in her Miracle Levia-tan outfit, and was introduced to the director of her show.

He'd shake the man's hand and praise him. The show was good. But then he remembered it was Miracle Levia-tan and withheld his kind words. He'd die before admitting he liked the show. Instead he bowed and did his normal courtesies.

"Hello. Hyoudou Issei. It's nice to meet you too, please take care of me. But, uh, can I know what this is all about?"

"The makings of history, my boy!" the director replied enthusiastically. He swung his megaphone around as he talked. "Today the great Levia-tan meets the Red Blur in an epic quest of heroic proportions! We've brought in our best writers and hypnotized a few humans who worked in Sunlight Studios for the Dragon Knight Heroes show. This will be my masterpiece!"

He didn't know whether to be excited or disgusted. A mixture of both, in the end. Miracle Levia-tan was a show with Serafall Leviathan portraying the main protagonist; a magical girl who paraded around the Underworld battling Angels and Fallen, saving Devil children, and declaring everything to be in the name of love, peace, and the power of moe-moe.

It was a seriously controversial show that portrayed every Angel and Fallen as pure evil while Devils were innocent. There was a lot of political brainwashing within.

Dragon Knight Heroes however— and Issei cringed at the reminder this god-awful thing existed— was an anime dedicated to animating his most remembered exploits as a hero for the past three years. The Red Blur, the name of the hero the internet started to call him and eventually became official when Sunlight Studios produced the show, flew around the world finding trouble and solving problems. Mostly with him battling epic monsters with his fists.

It pissed him off because someone knew about his adventures enough to make them into a three-season show with OVAs, spin-offs, a live action movie coming out soon, and another damnable season in the makings. Every event produced was a reenactment to aforementioned monster bashing. Even in the battles where humans weren't around, where he knew he had been alone, and where no one else except maybe some of the other Predators could follow him. Such as that one time he had to fight that magma monster in the heart of a volcano.

Swimming in lava was like trying to walk through cement. Except hotter. Like, holy shit, hot as fuck.

But… perhaps this was what he needed to renew his image. If he could partake in some convoluted episode with Serafall and battle a few Angels (Devils dressed as Angels anyways) in the name of sisterhood or some other nonsense… Well, it would be far better than what Sunlight Studios had made him into.

"Yeah, alright," he agreed. "Sounds good to me. When do we start?"

"You made the right choice, my boy!" cheered the director again. He brushed his fingers through his mustache. "We start as soon as you are ready. We have a costume of your armor ready."

"Actually," Serafall cut in. "We need Dragoon-chan to be in his armor instead of in costume. We want this to be as realistic as possible. Almost as if it were the real thing. Can you do that, Dragoon-chan?"

Almost as if it were the real thing. She added a new tone at those words to apply emphasis. A hint to what he was to expect.

There was also a sharp look in her eyes even as she kept her childish smile present. It was a look he could never match as she was centuries older than he and he could tell by the permanent scent that may never wash away from her body. Blood. Serafall Leviathan was soaked in it to the point it was a part of her and had never faded throughout the ages.

He nodded and took a few steps back, giving himself space away from the people around him. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at him as though they had sensed something in the air. He hadn't released any of his power just yet. It was almost an instinct triggered from their most primal consciousness that danger was about to approach.

The power came flowing through him without so much of a thought as it was a natural reaction. It came and channeled through him as easily as how he breathed.

"Balance—"

There was a shockwave as raw and untamed power exploded out of his body. The pressure surrounding him was enough to leave a crater on the ground and blow a heavy gust of wind throughout his surroundings. He watched as this wall of air splashed over as far as he could see in every radius.

His armor was donned before he could finish the incantation. More like he didn't need to turn the mental key to trigger the transformation. His armor was simply there, manifesting more on his desires instead of his actions. It no longer required the smallest ounce of draconian energy to be brought out into the World. The Scale Mail did not need a trade, a sacrifice like a slumbering dragon demanding tribute for its services. If he had to say, it now bowed to his every whim.

There was more. The change was dramatic to his senses. Before, the suit of armor had been exactly just that— a suit of armor. When he got smacked around the armor took most of the brunt of it while he was rattled within. But now? Now it felt like a second skin. Literally. He could feel the air on the surface of his armor. And, he knew, if he reached out to touch something he would be able to feel everything about it as if he were touching them directly with his bare hands.

The armor fluttered. The scales and plating shifted. It breathed when he did. It formed and reformed again and again to fit around his body. It wasn't just a piece of draconian metal any more. It was alive.

"Dragoon-chan, are you ready?" Serafall asked him. She had observed him and had noticed the changes just as much. Besides, anyone could tell something was off with the way Issei was looking at his hands as though he had never seen them before.

Issei snapped out of his musings to look at her. He willed his power back down, folding it over and drawing it back towards his center to focus within his proximity instead of suffocating those around him. "Yeah, sorry. I'm ready. When do we begin?"

*Scene*

They gave put him on a marker on the floor and told him to wait while they set up positions. The scene was a valley of trees with a narrow path leading back towards the open valley. He wasn't given a script and was told to improvise, to say what came naturally. They wanted the real Red Blur and not the tool Sunlight Studios invented— the director's words, though Issei shared his sentiment.

"Action!" the director called out from within the trees.

Two characters burst out of the trees and cut off his path.

He nearly vaulted to the floor right there. The ones who appeared were the former Exorcists Irina and Xenovia. They were garbed in their black leotards, wielding twin swords of light in each hand.

"Red Blur! So long as we stand we shall not let you pass!" cried Xenovia.

He almost applauded her. That declaration sounded so sincere he almost believed it. She could have a good acting career if she showed better promise.

"…I don't really get what's going on," he said after some thought. There was no dynamic posing or long-winded speeches. The Red Blur doesn't do that. Issei doesn't do that. He gets in, gets the job done, and leaves before anyone could see him. Hence why he was called the Red Blur. "But I'm going to go on ahead anyways."

"Then fall by my sword!" Xenovia cried again and charged after him.

She was fast. Faster than what should have been humanly possible. The Exorcists of the Church were no joke and she was probably one of the betters since she was trusted with a Fragment of Excalibur. She came at him at a speed that would put an Olympian to shame.

But… it was so agonizingly slow compared to some of the other things he had faced before.

Before she could make her third step, he appeared before her. He didn't need his wings to travel at this level of speed. The inertia didn't bother him when he accelerated and braked at an impossible speed and strain. A few weeks prior he would have felt nauseous at the least. Now, the force didn't bother him in the slightest and he could probably withstand G's that would normally reduce insides into paste.

It was another testament to how much stronger he had gotten since his battle against the Vampire.

Xenovia's eyes flashed wide with alarm and confusion. She tried to stop herself but it was too late. He was too close to her for her to do anything.

He ducked, planted his shoulder into her abdomen, and flipped her over him before she had the chance to decelerate. He didn't want to harm her. Only to prove she didn't have a chance to stop him.

…He may have put more strength into that little move more than he should have. Even with the perks of a Predator this newfound level of power was beyond his norm. He wasn't calibrated with it and knew next to nothing about his limits. So when he flipped Xenovia over his shoulder, she went spinning a number of times.

She landed on her feet, somehow. Some base instinct drilled into her through her training perhaps. But it didn't help her stay on her feet. She wobbled around in a drunken stupor until she was forced to lean against a tree. Her face was green.

And then the inevitable came. She puked behind the bushes.

Inwardly he apologized to her. But, perceiving this as if it were the real thing as Serafall had implied, he turned to face Irina.

"I… I don't want to fight Ise— I mean… Reddobura-dono…"

She dropped her weapons and put up her hands in surrender.

Well, that was certainly fast.

He nodded and moved past her, zipping away at a speed that broke the sound barrier at the start and making his image too fast to be perceived through mundane methods.

*Scene*

He was now in the open fields with grass surrounding him. Again, he had to wait until the cameras could be set up but at the least he had a chance to chat with his next opposition.

"I'm really excited for this," Akeno had said. She was dressed in her shrine maiden outfit… something he hadn't seen since the Rating Game against Raizer Phenex. She was breathtaking wearing it. "Don't worry about me, Ise-kun. I like it rough."

He didn't have a comment for that. What words were on his tongue were swallowed when he felt the piercing gaze of Koneko at Akeno's side.

"…Sempai is the worst," she muttered bluntly. She wasn't wearing anything special. Just her school uniform with her padded gloves and knee bucklings.

He winced. She was still pissed at him. He really wished she used her fists instead of her words. He wished she would go back to doing that. He gladly accepted physical pain over stamping over his heart.

"Quiet on set!" called the director on his floating chair. "And… action!"

"Fwahahaha!" cackled Akeno as she threw her head back and gave a maniacal laughter befitting that of a traditional villainess. "You now face the two of us, Red Blur! Do not believe you can get past us so easily!"

"…I don't want to fight you," he said after more consideration. It hurt his heart having to fight the one he deemed onee-sama. But, it was a show. He clenched his fists and prepared himself. "But it seems in order to achieve my goal I must. Prepare yourself!"

Akeno switched into her sadism-mode. Her smile sent shivers down his spine but he felt aroused with the look in her eyes. Such conflicting emotions… he deeply hoped he wasn't an M.

Ears and a tail sprouted out of Koneko as she assumed a makeshift Assaulter stance. He examined it while they prepared their selves. He remembered teaching her the Assaulter and Defender stances— things he didn't so much as create as they simply became the basis of his fighting style through experience— and she altered them to fit her fighting style. Hers had plenty of openings, as Assaulter forbade all defense for pure offense, but the potential for damage was high.

At least as high as it was possible. Which was still not enough for his Predator instincts to trigger.

The sky darkened as clouds formed. Wind whipped around as a storm was called. Roars of thunder and flashes of light came from the heavens. A grand streak of lightning struck down from the sky and landed within Akeno's extended hand. She was not burned in the slightest by it. She channeled the raw energies of the natural phenomenon, mixed it in with her demonic energies, and blessed it with her holy radiance.

His Predator instincts stirred. Like a slumbering dragon twitching after detecting the stench of an invader wandering into its territory. A nuisance that needed to be removed if it dared to come any closer.

He withheld the feeling to strike her down. It took a bit of effort on his part, more than it should have. He frowned at this. The feeling to attack his friends had always been there, but he always had control over it to the point where it was easily ignored. This time the feeling to strike at any little threat, no matter how small the damage onto him may become, was louder than it had before. The World was either trying harder to get him to act on his programmed instincts as a Predator or perhaps he was becoming more and more like his seniors than he liked.

Akeno cackled with perverse glee as she directed the lightning coursing through her body out of her fingertips and directly at him. No matter how strong or fast he might be, no matter how many times he may Boost himself, he couldn't outrun lightning. The only way he could would be if he activated his wings. But he didn't.

He took the full brunt of the attack square on the chest. He braced himself by planting his feet firmly on the ground and coiling his legs.

The force of the strike did not move him. Perhaps make his chest recoil slightly but barely a centimeter at best. He was an infallible wall with his armor on. The electricity dissolved as though the metal was nonconductive. And the holy and demonic energies were purged after making contact with the draconian energy coating his armor.

"Oh boo…" Akeno pouted.

Koneko came next. While Akeno had been unleashing her strike, she had been gathering the energies around her. There was a heavy strain on her face as a bead of sweat ran down her brow. She was still an amateur when using Senjutsu and knew only the theories rather than the proper execution. She could enhance her physical attributes only but she was trying something new.

Chakra gathered at her palms. She gripped them tight, spread her legs out and held a firm stance to support her oncoming strike. She brought her hands together, twisted her body, and flung both fists forward while bringing her other leg forward to add strength to her attack.

A wondrous ball of glowing energy fired out of her fists like a missile. It was certainly faster than a bullet as it traveled without the burdens of physical restrictions.

This was certainly something new.

He let the strike land on his chest more out of curiosity than bravado. His instincts had told him what would happen but he wanted to experience it himself than let the World give him the answer. He wasn't disappointed at all to find the strike had been more spiritual than it was physical. Rather than doing kinetic damage against his armor, it had attacked the draconian essence that bound it together.

But it did nothing in the end. His defenses was too much for the little orb to do any damage. The draconian energies bent, more so to absorb and dwindle the force of the strike than out of receiving damage, and reformed immediately. Issei stood without a single scratch.

Just because they couldn't harm him didn't mean he was disappointed. The two of them had grown a lot since he last saw them fight. Neither of the two hesitated in using the affinities they had long been ashamed of. Rather than have it cripple them, they chose to embrace it and it in return made them stronger in thanks.

"Amazing," Issei said and meant it from his heart of hearts. "That really was amazing, you two. I'd like to see more, but I need to move on. Here's what I'm going to do…"

He formed a pose he knew inside and out. He had copied it hundreds of thousands of times and wished dearly to be able to perform the legendary act. Every person on the planet wanted to do it. Everyone. Even if they never wanted to admit it.

"Haaaaaaaaaaa!"

His legs bent, his body turned with his hands bowled at his side, he began to channel draconian might through his body. A small orb of crimson energy radiated a dark hue onto the plain. It dyed them all red as more power was drawn into it. It was flashier than destructive as he willed it to be. Still, being struck by this attack would paralyze anyone for a short amount of time. Least it was better than killing them.

He also hated how this attack was damnably similar to the one that sellout of an anime used. If only he could dye his draconian essence blue instead of red.

But beggars can't be choosers. He was just glad he had achieved a level of understanding with his Boosted Gear to be able to replicate this most legendary technique.

The epic beam that was the Kamehameha!

His claws dug into the orb, making it crackle and shriek similar to the power-up sounds the energy ball did in the anime. The pressure from his grip made the orb chaotic and lash out surges of draconian lightning around. He really wanted to see what this would have looked like on camera and couldn't wait to see.

"Dragon SHOT—"

"Drop dead in a ditch," Koneko said just when he was bringing his hands around to unleash his transcendent beam.

He flinched. Those words hurt him so much. The grip on his orb tightened. One of his claws poked a hole through the surface. It popped like a balloon.

A balloon filled to the brim with draconian energy that exploded red light and debilitating radiation. Even he, donned in his armor, felt himself buckle at the impact. It hadn't been potent, merely for show and built to stun the two, but it did more than enough to leave a crater on the ground when exploding in his hands.

When the dust settled he found himself to be the only one standing. Akeno and Koneko were lying on the ground. Both girls were conscious, but groggy.

"S-Sempai…" Koneko lifted her hand as she tried to sit up and failed.

"Koneko-chan!" he immediately came to her side and took her extended hand. "Are you okay? Speak to me!"

Her amber eyes shifted over to him. Though he was still wearing his mask and peered at her through the visors, he could tell she was looking at his eyes. "You… are the worst."

"Waaaaaaaaaah~"

It was the final blow before her hand went limp. An act, surely, since she was still conscious. But her words were the final straw as a dam of tears fell down. The draconian Devil looked up at the sky in anguish as he bellowed his agony for all to hear.

*Scene*

The next scene was to take place within a ghost town. The buildings around were somewhat modern or at least of recent build, somewhere around twenty to thirty years old based on their design, and have been abandoned for a relative number of years. Windows were broken, paint was chipped, wood was rotting… things like that.

None of it was actual. This was all just a set the Devils had put together. It was incredulously impressive… and no doubt expensive. The only way he could have told none of it was real would be the smell. Everything smelt sterile rather than musky and rotten.

Behind his helmet, his eyes narrowed. Two figures strolled in from one of the alleyways as soon as the director called for action. His hands curled up into fists as his heart began to race with anticipation.

"Red Blur," came his next opponent. "You've made it this far. If it's you I shouldn't be surprised."

"Fufufu~" cackled his little sidekick. "Now you face us. Come, Papa, let us show this young fool what happens when—"

At long last. I shall have my vengeance.

Kiba Yuuto and Excalibur both gulped as sweat washed over their bodies. A deep miasma swept through them, suffocating them with a great heat and pressure. They became immobilized, bound tight through both fear and the aura physically restraining them.

Steam blew out of the draconian Devil's maw as the helmet began to morph from red metal to red scales. Fangs sharper than any knife could ever dream of becoming filled his jowls.

Filthy handsome. My brethren shall be avenged. Do you hear their screams? Do you recognize their pain? I am the avatar of their loss.

Yuuto's sweat increased. His knees buckled. He wanted to move away from the beast that was pretending to be human. He watched as it grew a head taller, a pair of great wings with folds as sharp as blades sprouting out of its back, and an extra pair of arms forming.

Power breathed down their necks. Raw and primitive power that had been unchanged regardless of the ages. Evolution had not touched it because there was no need to adapt. It was the apex of its class. Power. A presence of itself.

"…Ddraig," whispered Excalibur. "You… no… you were supposed to be a myth!"

Girls who look your way before mine brother can confess. The boy who looks at the one he loves knowing she loves someone else. The girls who love you knowing you shall never love them back. All of their pain, their loss, their eternal and damnable strife… I represent them all!

Hyoudou Issei had transformed straight from his Balance Breaker Scale Mail to the Juggernaut Drive. The full wrath of the Welsh Dragon breathed down on them like fumes of volcanic springs. The burning sensation consuming their being was not physical. It rubbed down their souls, making them scream internally.

This was supposed to be a little bit of fun. He had been told by Serafall Leviathan this was all to be an act for the camera. He was free to use whatever tactic and ability he wanted. It was all for show while he and Issei had a little spar, a few flashy moves he would never really use in an actual battle, and then move on to the next scene.

Instead, Issei was going all out. He had activated Juggernaut Drive. His intent to kill was without hindrance. Every fiber of Yuuto's being was screaming at him to get away as soon as possible, but another internal instinct was telling him there was nothing he could do. Death was approaching and he had not the ability to stop it nor to prolong it.

"Run Papa!" cried Excalibur. "Run!"

Excalibur, but a little girl barely half his height, took him in her arms and carried him bridal-style. She turned and kicked her legs into gear, running as fast as she could that put his speed as a Knight to shame. In an instant they were already on the opposite end of the lot.

Do you think to run from ME?!

But it wasn't quick enough. Issei had appeared, cutting off their route of escape. His wings began to flicker as each fold emitted a dim glow. His chest opened, revealing a bright emerald lodged into a slot. It drank in the light as an emerald fire blazed at its core. The level of power within the air increased to the point where Yuuto felt like he was encased in liquid steel.

Issei opened his maw. Crimson flames breathed from his throat and gathered into a solid mass right at his snout. An orb of crimson draconian wrath formed and continued to grow in depth and luster.

"Swim away!" cried Excalibur. She began to run, this time lifting Yuuto over her head and moving her little legs back the other way. "SWIM AWAY!"

"Longinus Smasher!" bellowed the avatar of death.

The world was dyed in crimson as an eruption of cataclysmic proportions was unleashed onto the world. The land was reduced to ash as everything within its propriety was decimated without resistance.

Upon this barren wasteland followed a legend. If one were to wander in this dead land to this day they might be able to hear the screams of a little girl and a bishounen.

Incidentally, this scene would not be in the final production of Miracle Levia-tan. However, the footage would be leaked onto the Underworld's underground media forums for those hardcore fans of the Red Blur.

*Scene*

"Master, don't you think that was a bit much?" asked Serene.

Issei scratched the back of his head. It felt strange having his habitual itch when feeling a certain level of unease being replicated onto the armor. It felt even more strange feeling relief after scratching the armor. He gathered the Scale Mail was more akin to a second layer of skin rather than a piece of armor but it was simply obscure for it to have its own nervous system. He also wondered if it had pain receptors… but the only way to test that would be to feel pain. And the only things at this point that could harm him were the forces above and beyond— things he would rather avoid confrontation until it was the last possible option.

The next scene involved some sort of large temple made out of stone. It didn't make sense. Not even a mile out was (or at least what used to be) a recently modern ghost town. And now there's a temple built by some ancient civilization? Then again… this show always had the strangest of surroundings and misgivings in its plot. Things never made sense. But, hey, it was a kids' show and kids never paid attention to details like that.

His opponents this time were Rias, Asia, and Serene. Rias was dressed in a fabulous black and red dress that he wished would reveal a little more skin (but, again, kids' show). Then, Asia and Serene were both in their church attire such as Asia's dark green dress robes with a veil and Serene's black tights with a cloak and white hood. She didn't have Creyroux in her hands which meant she wasn't going to fight him seriously.

"I wanted to use Vorpal but the blade said he wouldn't be used like that," Issei sighed. "Man. I had the perfect chance to get rid of him. But then Excalibur used him like a shovel to dig underground. My attack completely missed them."

"…I can't tell if you really wanted to kill him or not," Rias deadpanned.

"By the way," Issei spoke up, "do any of you guys know what this episode's about? So far all I've been doing is going in a straight line and 'battling' you guys. Did anyone give you a script?"

"Um…" Asia fiddled with her fingers. "T-There were a few lines they gave us. And we kind of know what's going on. But Leviathan-sama said we're not supposed to tell you."

"This is for you, Master," Serene added. "When you confront Lady Leviathan she will inform you of everything. Think of this as a trial of sorts for now."

"Serene!" whined Rias. "That's too much! Now he'll figure it out!"

"I'm not too worried about that," she said with a dry tone. Her eyes were staring directly at him as she continued, "Master isn't the brightest among us. I may have given him the answer but he still won't be able to come to any conclusion."

He winced inside his armor. Her stare and her words hurt. What hurt the most was the fact he knew she was right. He had no idea what Leviathan's plan in all this was.

"Quiet on set!" called out the director after they had finished assembling the equipment. "And… Action!"

"Remarkable how you've made it this far, Red Blur!" snickered Serene. She brought the back of her hand to her mouth and let out an arrogant chuckle similar to the one Akeno gave not too long ago. Her expressionless face had morphed to one of amusement and arrogance. "To think one such as I, Saint Serene of Finland, has to be bothered to face such an unworthy challenger!"

Issei blinked. Did she just…? Really? Amelia Rosewood has a little something called a personality?!

Even Rias and Asia were surprised by this.

Rias was the first to recover. She made a dynamic pose while pointing directly at him. "Yes! Remarkable! But now you face the three of us! You stand before the Crimson Ruin Princess!"

Asia didn't look at him. She was looking at something behind him. Her eyes moved from left to right as she spoke in monotone. "Indeed. Prepare yourself for I, the Holy Maiden, stand in your way. Phew. Did I do okay, Ise?"

She had been reading some cue cards and then bothered to ask him how her acting was while the camera was still rolling. Seeing as how the director hasn't said anything meant they would either be able to edit that out or it was fine where it was. Come to think about it… the director hadn't bothered to do anything in guiding the scene.

In any case, he gave Asia a thumb's up. She beamed with joy.

Issei thought about his retort. He didn't know what to say about this situation. This whole things was a giant mess and each scene was getting stranger. He had quickly run out of lines and reactions because the real Red Blur wouldn't bother to talk. In fact, since they weren't causing any trouble standing around at this temple, he would have ignored them completely and kept flying.

He wondered what would happen if he did that. Just fly away. There wasn't anything capable of stopping him— other than Serene but only if she was being serious, which she wasn't.

Then again… this is supposed to be a show. It'd be rather lame if he didn't bother to fight.

But how to go about this…? Two of them were his girlfriends and the third was his soon-to-be Queen. What a predicament.

Something flashed within Serene's eyes. Her personality shifted back into the villainess as she cocked her head back and puffed out her chest. "Wuahahaha! It seems you have stumbled upon our den and have come to foil our plans! We cannot let you leave alive after this, Red Blur!"

If he paid Serene… he'd give her a raise.

Issei moved into an Assaulter stance, more so to look cool for the camera than in actual preparation for an attack, and announced heroically, "So I have! I will stop you at any cost! Surrender now and I won't have to hurt you!"

"Never!" Rias shouted. She spread her hands out and channeled her power of destruction between her fingertips. "You know not what you are doing, Red Blur! It is we who will stop you at any cost! Turn back now or face your demise!"

He had to hand it to her… Rias could be super sexy when she plays the villainess.

"You leave us no choice…" Asia went on after a moment. Someone in the background had to make her a cue card to improvise with the scene. She had waited until that person was done. "Here we come, Red Blur. We will annihilate you— W-W-Wait, what?! I-I-Ise I don't mean it! I don't want to hurt you!"

…He was worried about the final production of this episode. The director wasn't saying anything. Instead the fat man was rubbing his mustache and nodding.

"What a twist!" he heard the man say.

No! There was no twist! This was just Asia being a poor actress!

Meanwhile, Asia was clutching her hands together, shaking and ready to cry. She was begging for his forgiveness. He told himself he would buy her something and pat her head. The poor girl looked ready to fall apart for saying that one line.

"Nor I you!" he went along with the skit anyways, gripping his hand to a shaking fist while turning his head away. It looked like he was hurting on the inside for making this hard decision. "Holy Maiden, whose light fills my day, I only wish for peace and love. Will you come to my side and join my cause?"

"Yes~" cried Asia. Literally. Tears fell down her eyes as she hitched up her skirt and skipped her way towards him. "I don't want to fight Ise!"

"The Red Blur has brainwashed the Holy Maiden!" shouted Serene. "She has joined the side of the enemy!"

"Oi, Crimson Ruin Princess," Issei called out to Rias next. "Won't you join me as well? I don't want to fight you either. I… I love you as much as the Holy Maiden!"

…He wondered if this would start some fire in the tabloids. 'Master and Servant Forbidden Love?!' would read the title of the Underworld newspapers.

Rias' face turned scarlet. She looked conflicted. With as much dignity as she could muster, and a cough to clear her throat, she declared proudly… without having the courage to look at his eyes, "I-If it comes directly from the Red Blur how can I deny such a c-c-confession. Still, I can't help but feel jealous you called out to Asia first instead of me."

She was pissed. The look in her eyes said everything. Plus she called Asia by her name instead of her character. He wondered what he should do for her to get on her good side again.

"Do not listen to him, Crimson Ruin Princess!" argued Serene. "We must stand united if we are to stop him!"

"Serene," he called out, "come over here. Your King commands it."

"Yes, Master," she returned to her bland personality and responded like a robot. She passed by Rias and came to stand at his side.

She flinched as she realized what had just happened. Her acting persona returned. "Hark! You vile fiend! How dare you play this most fowl trick on me! Alas, we have been defeated. Go then. Red Blur, your final confrontation exists over yonder!"

A bell rang, signaling the scene had ended.

While Asia continued to snuggle against his arm, and with Rias getting jealous and latching on to his other arm, Issei turned to his Queen and asked, "Hey, uh, Amy? I didn't know you were a good actress. That was really impressive."

"I shall always strive to do my best for you, Master," was her reply in her normal bland tone. Personally, he preferred her like this. "Anything less would tarnish your reputation. As for my acting… the Church is a life full of lies and deceit. That… and I must say learning to fake an orgasm as early as eight years old is a significant boon to this skill."

…How she can say that with such a straight face was beyond him. It was the most awkward thing he had ever heard in his entire life.

*Scene*

"You've arrived…" Serafall Leviathan met with him at the other side of the island. She was still dressed in her magical girl uniform with her starlit wand in her hand. The sun beginning to set, giving her a silhouette of her figure.

He approached her, still donned in his armor. It fluttered as soon as he stepped within her proximity. It sensed the dense aura she was suppressing but just enough for it to leak out here and there— for him to have a taste of the potent demonic chaos she hid within her tiny form. She smirked, cutely he might add, but her eyes betrayed her as something archaic and primeval was veiled within her gaze.

"Here I am," he nodded and unleashed a fair amount of his power to counter her miasma. Only enough to push hers back. He noticed her fight back, challenging his presence with her own. It became a game of tug of war. "Now, what was the point of all this?"

Her smirk grew. She took a few steps around him, and he in turn walked around her radius to never let her spot an opening. Her magic wand twirled in her hand. "Dragoon-chan, I am to test you to see if you are worthy to hold the title of an Ultimate-class Devil. We both know what you are and I know of your potential. But this has to be done. It is a tradition for newly ascended Devils."

It would explain the potency of her aura. Her demonic energy was far more toxic than whatever she permitted within Kuoh. What she kept hidden was being unbound one latch at a time just for him. He marveled at it. Hers was a power that could match his, push him, and possibly break him if he slipped even once.

"That doesn't explain everything before," he countered. "My friends. Why would you have them involved in this?"

"Because that's the other trial I needed to test you on, Red Blur," she said with her cute voice. "You were once a hero. But where has that hero gone? I no longer see the shining knight of the people. The Red Blur I revered as my rival has vanished. All I see in front of me is a little boy who has hung up his cape because he failed one person."

Her words stung. He stopped his pacing and fully faced her. She did likewise. His draconian energy surged at her words as the anger he was always battling against nearly won. She had struck a chord that no other dared.

"People die all the time, Red Blur," she went on. "You can't save everyone. And you would let everyone else suffer because you failed her? The world needs you once again."

He said nothing.

She pointed her wand back down the road he had come from. "Your friends! They were there to challenge you! They were there to prove they are willing to bring you back to the path of justice even if it meant fighting you! And you didn't listen. You beat them down instead before any words could be shared."

"…All they shouted was nonsense about stopping me," he countered.

"Because you weren't willing to listen," she said again. "Do you not see how much they love you? It tore them apart to fight you. Yet they did it to show how far they are willing to go for you. You've not only shut out the world from hearing their cries, it seems you've shut out your friends as well. I've no choice but to make you listen to reason now. Red Blur, this Miracle Levia shall bring you back to the path of justice! Hear my love for justice through my magic!"

Treat this as though it were real.

Power unleashed through the both of them. Their energies clashed, creating sparks that split the ground and melted the sand.

Serafall fired the first shot. She waved her wand and let loose a barrage of magical blasts. They were nothing like Vali's magical bullets. They were as large as cannonballs and emitted every color of the spectrum. His senses flared, signifying how dangerous they were to be struck by one.

He dodged, flickering in and out of existence with intense speed none could capture. Even Serafall had difficulty keeping track of his movements and could only follow him through her mind's eye burned into her being through her centuries of experience. She saw him coming at her flank.

She waved her wand, this time far faster than the first strike. It had been at a speed to match his. A wave of frost ejected out of the tip and spread everywhere within her vision. Meters of sand and ocean were frozen solid in an instant.

Issei had sensed the attack coming and had moved out of the way. But he hadn't been quick enough. His entire right side was frozen solid. Already his draconian might was thawing out the ice, fighting away the demonic signature clinging close to his armor, and shattered it all within the span of a second. He continued to move while this transpired.

He swung his fist forward while he was ten meters away from her. The back of his fist glowed hot and the crescendo of his swing unleashed a shockwave of red energy. It blew sand everywhere upon eruption and split the ground as it traveled.

Serafall put up a magical shield before impact. The blast shook the air but her shield held firm. She was already preparing her next strike, conjuring multiple magic circles around her.

Blasts of raw demonic energy and frost began to barrage upon him.

He wouldn't allow any one of them to hit him. He would take Serafall as seriously as he would to a threat upon the planet. He would treat her like all those other monsters he had faced.

The Gift of Flight activated upon his will. The translucent wings pervading colors and lights only found within the Dimensional Gap flared to life and carried him away faster than any speed measurable. Because he hadn't moved based on speed. He had simply moved dependent on his will.

He hovered over the ocean waters, far enough to see her next attack coming before she would unleash it yet not too far to counter or strike.

He chose to strike.

A roar escaped his throat as his draconian might surged out of his body. Several crimson orbs manifested around his body and floated lazily in the air. He called upon his heavenly authority to amplify their lethality. Each orb began to glow a dark color as rich as blood.

Serafall's eyes widened.

"Dragon Barrage!"

Multiple Dragon Shots were fired upon her location in unison. It tore everything apart upon impact with the detonation thereafter devastated the land. His wings carried him further away, escaping the blast he had grossly underestimated.

His senses flared again. Danger approached.

Serafall broke out of the crimson rays of the blast, encased in a barrier with hairline cracks. Her Devil wings fluttered as she took up towards the skies in pursuit. She had lost her wand, or given it up, as a pair of magic circles rotated in each of her palms.

Her sapphire eyes lit up as her energy signature spiked.

"Frozen World."

It hadn't been a simple title some character uses as a named attack. It was a trigger, something she needed to use to let loose a spell beyond her normal means to control. Serafall brought both hands together, letting each magic circle overlap the other and glowing fiercely when they touched.

There was simply no way of dodging this next move. Even with his Gift of Flight.

The world was turned white with snow and ice. The temperature of the island dropped to arctic levels. The ocean froze. The sand froze. The air froze. Even the remaining draconian radiation froze solid.

And Issei was trapped in a dense layer of ice.

Serafall had changed the entire territory of their battle. What was once a beautiful sunny island was now a barren arctic wasteland as far as the eye could see in every direction. Be it from horizon to horizon to even up towards the heavens. There could be no escape from this devastating spell.

…Save those she didn't want frozen. It had taken her centuries to perfect this spell. She had first used it during the Civil War but the spell froze everyone be they friend or foe. Now she could use it and choose to leave a certain number of people out of it… such as her beloved camera crew and Issei's entourage.

Issei's wings glowed as bright as the sun. But try as they might, for no matter how brilliant they might be, they could not travel through solid mass. He was stuck in place.

But then his body jerked. A minor spasm within his prison. It jerked again. And again. And again.

Now she was starting to see his body move as it gradually made more room, no matter how small it may be.

Another magic circle formed in her hand. She clutched her hand close.

The mountain of ice concealing Issei compressed onto his form. The mountain quickly became a hill as every bit of ice folded in on itself, cramming each molecule together as tightly packed as possible. The pressure alone would have crushed any Devil no matter how formidable they may have been. It was a testament to his durability to see he wasn't reduced into mesh.

No matter how much she wanted to believe this was her victory, she knew what Issei was. Something in her gut was telling her this was far from over.

She wasn't wrong.

His body began to discolor, almost going invisible. At first, nothing was happening as far as she could tell. But as the seconds ticked, she began to notice what he was doing.

He was melting the ice from within. It should have been impossible. The ice was powered by her demonic energy and would resist any form of heat while bleeding him dry of his. Yet he was creating the smallest pockets as his power was overriding hers. Those small pockets may have been smaller than a millimeter but they were enough for him. He twitched, again and again. No, not twitching. Vibrating. He was forcing his body to vibrate at a high enough speed to generate enough friction to amplify the draconian heat!

She put more power into her spell and placed both hands together to suppress him. But now she felt the resistance and how strongly it was growing. He was filling the center with every ounce of his power. The canister she had created was beginning to crack by the pressure that was greater than hers and only continued to grow. Sweat fell down her brow as she put more power into her efforts.

But even her oceanic reserves and masterful level of control weren't enough to compare against a Heavenly Dragon.

Ice shattered in every direction, sending shrapnel at blinding speeds. She put up a barrier as soon as she knew her spell was about to fail. She was bombarded not only by the fragments of ice the size of houses and semis, she was also bombarded by the toxic miasma of Issei's draconian presence.

Issei climbed out of his prison rather than to fly. Steam hissed whatever he touched. She could not see an inch of his armor with how much energy he was veiled in. His draconic essence wrapped around him and was so thick it distorted his image. He was like a red phantom with piercing green eyes and radiant wings.

His presence was heating the area around them. Him simply standing there was changing the territory just the same as her spell had. The ice around them was melting as her demonic energy was being washed away by his.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice echoing due to the interference from his own power, "I couldn't hear your love of justice because I was being awesome."

He had a right to boast. The only other ones who have escaped this attack would be Sirzechs Lucifer and Sir Rolan. Everyone else died quickly.

"Did I ever tell you that outfit is stupid?"

…Now he was just being an ass. Her brow twitched. Her outfit was adorable! How dare he mock the attire of a magical girl!

"There's no appeal to it," he went on. "It hardly assents your breasts. If they weren't massive already I wouldn't have thought you had any. There's only so much wrapping and tight clothes can do to hide those things, by the way. And what's up with that skirt?! Even as I'm standing right now I should be able to see your panties but all I'm getting is steam in my way! I'm transferring my power to my eyes and I still can't see them!"

"The power of a magical girl comes from virtue, innocence, and moe!" she argued back. "A charm has been placed to keep little boys like you from stealing a maiden's purity!"

"Then I call bullshit!" he shook his fist. Least what she assumed to be his fist since his whole image was blurred. "If I'm not a hero then there's no way in hell you're a magical girl! You're nothing like the Sailor Scouts!"

Lightning coursed through her spine. A sharp pain surged through her right temple.

"…What," she hissed. "What did you compare me to?"

"You are a lie as much as I am," he said. "Your magic comes from you being a Devil. Real magic girls obtain their powers through magic artifacts, phantasmal beings, or wizards with nothing better to do with their time. And there's nothing moe about your show! I haven't seen a costume slip or a panty shot the whole damn time I watched it! Face it, Leviathan-sama, you're not cute!"

"I'M ADORABLE!" she declared.

A new wave of ice crashed against the wall of dragon's essence. Superheated steam blew everywhere and covered the area in a dense fog.

Pockets of air and flashed of light appeared within the field. Thunderous eruptions shook the air. Two figures traversed through the labyrinth as they clashed.

Serafall was the first to break free from the fog to breathe cool air and examine her surroundings. Her clothes were in tatters and blood trickled down the side of her mouth from a lucky shot. She waved her hands, manipulating the steam into becoming another layer of ice to trap Issei to buy her time.

She didn't have time to complete it. A barrage of crimson beams fired out of the fog. One struck her barrier, knocking her around within and leaving a thick crack across its surface. She moved upon instinct instead of thought as her wings carried her. The beams continued to come as she swerved at the last instance at every strike to avoid them.

But she couldn't avoid all of them. One beam caught her by surprise and crashed against her barrier. The blast was too strong and her barrier shattered. The shards of demonic essence cut into her skin and clothes while the burns from the splash of the dragon beam traveled throughout her being.

Issei broke out of the fog with his armor fully visible again. He flew straight for her with his wings bringing him directly in front of her faster than a blink.

Her only choice was to teleport away from him. In the next blink she was able to gain ninety meters away from him. More than enough for her to catch her breath and reform her defense.

But those wings of his! He was upon her the instant her teleportation finished. As soon as she stepped back into reality the first thing she saw was him just a few feet away from her.

He swung his arm around with his claws extended.

She put up an instant barrier, one far weaker than her previous one due to the haste. But it was enough, if not barely. Had he used a fist he could have bashed through it. Instead, his claws sank through the magic yet with enough resistance to divert his attack from being lethal.

His claws nicked her clothes and tore off the buttons to her blouse. With nothing binding the fabric together was her chest threatened for exposure.

She didn't have the time to worry about it. The thought never came to her anyways. She was in battle-mode and focused entirely on that.

"Winter Blast."

A new spell was conjured. She brought her fist forward with a magic circle formed at her knuckles. Issei put ups his guard by switching perfectly into his Defender stance. The spell triggered as soon as her fist met his guard— but not before she winced at how hard his armor was.

A fully compact blizzard broke free. A point blank range. With winds capable of freezing creatures dead in seconds and able to splice them open with shards of ice.

The roar of the wind was overruled by the roar of a dragon.

The shockwave of his increased power shattered her spell and pushed her back. It felt like she had been hit by a truck… granted she could easily brush aside such a vehicle with a flick of her wrist but the metaphor was the point.

"I still can't hear you, Leviathan-sama," he said, giving the two of them time to breathe. She could tell his breathing was hardened. He was pumped from their exchange but nowhere near winded. "Why do I have to fight you? If you are a hero of justice just as I am, why are we fighting?"

"If we stop will you go back out there and finish what you started?" she countered as she gathered her demonic energies for a new set of spells.

His reply was silence.

"This is why we fight," she said with a grim tone. "Do you know why I preach about love and justice, Dragoon-chan? Because I have blood on my hands. I've murdered my countrymen and those I once called friends. I have seen and performed horrors you are well aware of. I was once a monster you would have put down. I do not want to see something like that ever again. I wish for a world that will sing about love and peace, no matter how impossible or childish that dream may be.

"What of you, Red Blur? Do you remember the reasons why you became a hero in the first place?"

Issei bowed his head. His signature pulsed as something clicked in his mind. She had reached something within him but she couldn't tell what it was until he answered.

"I don't remember," was his reply.

Her retort was to blast him with every ounce of magic she had been able to gather. A storm of frost blades bounced off his armor. Some managed to pierce through the gaps between. He could have used his wings to avoid them but instead he chose to hold his ground.

"Don't you lie to me!" she shouted. "You know what the answer is! You can't run from it! Face it, Hyoudou Issei! Why would you fly around the world solving every possible crime that you spot from theft to apocalyptic catastrophes? Why would you go to such lengths to hide your identity? Why would you make a show of it all for one little girl? Do you have no pride in what you have done? Have you no shame in ignoring the world that pleads for your return?"

"I have no reason!" he bellowed. He flexed his body, shattering the ice impaled through his joints. Blood dripped for a few seconds until it stopped. His wounds had healed. "I have no reason to save them as much as I could condemn them!"

"That's not the answer either!" Another barrage of ice flew his way. He swung his fist forward, creating a shockwave of red energy that shattered every projectile. "You and I both know the reason why. I want to hear it, Dragon Rider! Tell me why I should anoint you as a Demon Lord! What do you fight for?!"

Magic circles formed around her proximity. Multiple barrages of icicles fired towards him.

"Dammit all to hell Leviathaaaaaaaan!" he roared and brought his fists around in multiple successions. Red shockwaves shattered the ice but more continued to come. He went on and on, shattering wave after wave. But more came at him.

She gritted her teeth and focused harder. More magic circles were conjured, adding more artillery to overwhelm him.

Eventually he was being overwhelmed. He wasn't quick enough to disrupt the new set of waves. Many carved into him. But he continued to fight on. Slowly, but surely, he was gaining a resistance to her attack.

Sweat beaded her brow as she focused harder. She channeled more energy into each icicle. Her demonic energy turned the ice red with how much power she was feeding into them. It was the only way to counteract his growing resistance.

"HHHARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!"

Instead of continuing to defend himself, he charged his wings yet again. Instead of flying away, he came directly for her.

Her icicles tore into him, impaling him at every inch as soon as he let down his guard. But he ignored them. He plowed through her artillery to come directly at her.

She put up a barrier to keep him at bay. However, he tore through it with his charge. His eyes were glowing with a flame unlike any other. Passion. Triumph. Things she could only see in the eyes of a champion who had a reason to fight.

His hand reached for her. But it didn't come at her throat like she had anticipated.

It cupped around her left breast. Her bare breast.

"For these," he answered in a savage tone. "I refused to be a killer for the sake of breasts."

Her mind came to a screeching halt. Her magic came undone and every icicle she created dissolved into mist, including the ones impaling him. Blood gushed out of him as nothing was there to fill his wounds.

Still he stood, keeping himself floating through sheer will. He held his head up high and his voice feral. "The hero always gets the girl, doesn't he? I thought if I could be a hero… I could get a flock of girls to chase after me. I thought… if… hero… never alone… again…"

While still cupping her breast, he leaned against her and fell unconscious. He had simply lost too much blood. His armor shattered into motes of light, leaving him in his shredded shirt and swimwear. His life was not in danger. She could see his wounds closing shut gradually.

She held him up despite him being taller than her. A smile graced her face. A smile of relief and victory. A wave of exhaustion hit her as soon as her heart started to calm. While neither of them were really going all out— he did not use his Juggernaut Drive and she didn't use any of her more arcane and forbidden techniques— they both used their fair share of expensive abilities.

"I guess that's as good of an answer I'll ever get," she sighed to herself. "Dragoon-chan… I don't like to be alone either. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost my So-tan. I suppose you pass. But I hope you tell me the real answer someday."

She carried him down to the ground… and all the while his hand never let go of her left breast.

…No matter how hard she tried to pry it off.

*Scene*

Predator. It is the natural defense mechanism of the World. Those imbued with the title of Predator are deemed the World's Ultimate Killers. They are the apex creatures who have achieved the ability to kill anything in existence and, simultaneously, are capable of surviving against anything in existence. So long as these two requirements are met can any number of creatures walking the planet can be dubbed Predators.

It had been three weeks since the catastrophe that has been dubbed 'The Red Storm'. Countries from all over the eastern hemisphere are still at work undoing the damage left by the battle between the Eighth and Fourth Predators. The Devils, enforced by decree of Serafall Leviathan, have been at work to repair territories and distill the chaotic and highly toxic residue left from the battle. Azazel, Governor of the Grigori, has deployed his finest craftsmen and casters to assist in the efforts. A temporary and hushed truce had been formed in an effort to clean up this hazard.

A Predator is granted a number of perks to enhance their killing and survival attributes. They are directly linked to the system that is the World— for everything on the planet is theirs to mark. No target may hide from them so long as they exist inside the World. No threat may approach them without their knowledge so long as it is seen by the World. Nothing escapes their detection.

But not everything can be so easily fixed. A mass number of lives have been lost from every country this storm had hit. The world may heal in time but it shall forever leave a scar. Those who have witnessed and survived the Red Storm must live on with a heavy heart. Many are crippled, many are ill from the toxins, many are rendered catatonic.

However, there is a burden forced upon every Predator. As they are a part of the defense system programmed by the Ruler and enforced by the World, a Predator shall always be present to remove threats that endanger the existence of the World and its Ruler. In order to keep a Predator in their peak condition, the World leaves them in the perpetual state of mind they were when ascending to the rank of Predator. What emotion, thought, feeling, perception, and so on the Predator processed when they received their title would never fade from their consciousness. Never.

The people feel betrayed. It is undeniable who did this to them. They had seen his image countless times throughout the years. He had been their savior. Their hero. The one who gave them hope there was something better out there. He had proven there was nothing to be afraid of, had punished criminals and put down monsters, and had promised to always be there for them no matter the size of the problem. None knew of his identity but they always revered him as a red blur. And that is how they named their savior. The Red Blur.

It was undeniable from witness accounts to footage who brought about the Red Storm. The Red Blur has been accused of killing millions. And… it is the unfair truth.

A Predator may receive a title along with their rank. The title, granted through the authority of the World and verdict of the Ruler, proclaims the specialty of the Predator to be the greatest of his kind that ever was and ever shall be. Such as the Dragon Slayer, who is the greatest bane of any dragon-kind and none shall ever rival him. To the Divine Beast, who is the holiest of sacred creatures and transcends even the greatness of the gods.

To the Dragoon, who has usurped the authority of a Primordial being. And none may replicate let alone surpass what he has accomplished.

"I… was just doing my homework…" spoke one girl being interviewed. She was a broken creature who was on the brink of losing her will to live. She sat on a hospital bed, unable to feel her legs. Her left arm was amputated. "Mom took Yuuji to the convenient store for some sweets. Dad was in the other room watching the game. T-Then… the roof fell. I… I was stuck in my room for three days. Dad… D-Dad told me everything would be fine. B-B-But he didn't say a word the next day. They haven't found Mom or Yuuji yet! It's been three weeks!"

Hyoudou Issei is one such Predator. He is marked as the Seventh in seniority. Though each and every Predator is on equal grounds with another, his title as Seventh holds a weight that other Predators may feel oppressed by. He, who was originally ranked at Eighth, had received his recent rank for his latest exploit.

Hyoudou Issei had killed the former Fourth Predator, the Vampire. All Predators of rank Fifth and above were moved forward on the roster given by the Ruler. Their new ranks are forever a reminder that someone, and one of their own at that, had killed the invincible. The rank of Seventh is both a trophy and a sword. He holds claim to boast the impossible and may use this to strike fear into his compatriots.

"Why did this happen?!"

"He couldn't have! He's the Red Blur!"

"My wife is dead because of him!"

"Mom! Dad! Please come home!"

"Someone! Help! Can you hear me?! I'm trapped down here!"

"It's all his fault!"

"He left us and this is what he became!"

"…I hate him."

But… at what cost did this moment of triumph come at?