Chapter 10

(Thoughts)

'Important Words'

"Dialogue" -

Attacks, Boosted Gear

[Good Old Ddraig]

{The Albion}

*Magic Circle Communication. Among Others*

Chanting!

Bonds, Unions, and the Unknown.

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Right now deep inside the Hyoudou Mansion two people were fighting against each other.

*Clang! Clang!*

The sound of metal colliding could be heard everywhere.

At this moment Kiba Yuuto was having a dilemma. He couldn't understand how the woman in front of him could become so strong, so fast.

As he began thinking a magic circle the size of a person appeared above his entire body. It was bright blue in color and held many different Runes on its outer layer.

From it, a chilling amount of energy could be felt. And soon enough the circle emitted a small blue light.

"Damn it!" - Feeling frustrated he swore under his lip.

Clutching the sword in his hand he tried to cut the circle in half before it was done charging. However, he never expected what came next.

The woman in front of him disregarded everything in her eyes and flew towards him at a breakneck speed.

Frustrated, yet again, he slammed his left leg on the ground while moving both of his arms to slash the circle above with his sword.

From his leg, a series of sharp, disproportionate swords literally came out of the ground. Rushing in a straight line with speed in no way inferior to the woman.

The swords varied in design, from normal bastard swords, to ones that had a serrated edge, and others that were just the edge of the sword itself. They all just moved in a straight line, trying to buy time for their master.

*Crack! Crack! Crack!*

The moment they hit their target they shattered into pieces. Quickly turning into brilliant particles of golden light.

However, something good happened. The moment the sword in his hand landed on the magic circle above his head, it was completely cut in half.

(I'm lucky... There won't be a next time, not in front of her.) - He thought while turning his head around.

He moved his sword horizontally in front of him, covering his chest with the flat end of it. The palm of his other hand rested on the swordpoint.

He heard the voice of the woman who was breaking his swords.

"Do not believe that was all!" - Her chilling voice made him wince.

The woman was an amazing beauty, with a head full of silver-white hair and a pair of sapphires as eyes. Those eyes held no pity nor fear. They were filled with calm anger that fuelled her body to work at twice of her max.

She wore a pair of gauntlets and greaves silver in color. She had an armored skirt that covered everything below her waist up till her knees. And below that, she had a pair of black stockings that hugged her beautiful legs.

On top, she wore a breastplate. Covering her curves but in no way reducing the beauty she had. In between the gaps of her armor some black clothing, the same material as her stockings, covered her body.

She had a weird helmet, only covering the sides of her head and her forehead. A feather that shone with a mystic light was at the right-hand side of her head.

She was Rossweisse who was 'sparring' with Kiba.

As Kiba saw the woman, he felt a chill creep up his spine. Then he acted on instinct as he saw a multitude of similar magic circles block his surroundings. They were all in different colors and runes, but the energy was heart-wrenching.

"Sword Birth! Blade Blacksmith!" - Using both of his Sacred Gears at the same time, he surrounded himself in a wall of holy and demonic swords. Clearly using them as shields.

The magic circles then shot their magic. The energy could be felt even inside the wall of swords. It was a clear, lethal blow, aimed to cripple.

*BOOOOOOOMM!*

It soon landed onto the wall of swords, breaking them as if they were paper.

Rossweisse could be seen standing at the distance, her eyes never left her opponent for even a second.

"Was that enough?..." - She murmured as she saw the cloud of smoke forming at the distance.

However, a silhouette came flying towards her from the cloud of dust.

"Tch! Not enough power." - She muttered as she created two white magic circles in both of her hands.

She then ran her hands through them and those circles reached and covered her gauntlets.

As they reached their last part of the gauntlets they shattered like broken glass and the shards fell onto the metal itself, changing the dull silver color into a pure white.

"Megingjord." - She said while raising her guard.

Kiba reached her at an extremely fast speed. Clearly using his trait as a Knight.

Then he swung his sword in a diagonally way, aiming to end the duel as fast as he could. His Balance Breaker was already active and the Holy-Demonic sword was on his hands for all to see.

Rossweisse, on the other hand, lifted her left arm towards her side, covering the left side of her face.

*CLAAAANNNGG!*

Metal ringing echoed across the battlefield.

The sword was stopped from moving closer thanks to her gauntlet. It did, however, chip off a fair chunk of her gauntlet.

The ground beneath them was dented in thanks to the strength of that blow, but Rossweisse stood tall.

"You've improved your close quarters. Just how much have you improved?" - Kiba told her as he put more strength onto his sword, wanting to force her to her knees.

Rossweisse used her right arm to support her left, and spread both of her legs stabilizing her trembling body.

"As much as I need to be at his side and not let anything like that happen to him again!" - She answered with a brilliant glow in her eyes.

Kiba widened his eyes in amazement. - (You really have a special something to find women that are willing to go this far for you, Ise-kun.)

Then Rossweisse smirked, right in front of Kiba a weird Norse Circle appeared.

This was like three concentric circles that were no bigger than a head. The color was a pale blue and the freezing aura made his sword gain a layer of frost.

(She created a magic circle without any signs of doing it!? She used only her instinct, no physical movement whatsoever!) - He was shocked speechless. Such a perfect control over her magic reserves and the magic circle was ridiculous!

Trying to get away, Kiba decided to step back and avoid such a hit. But he was a bit late. - "Arctic Wind!"

From the magic circle a freezing gale came from it, aimed at an extremely close distance right towards his stomach. Such a powerful spell was no joke!

(Damn it!) - He tried to twist his body around, but he was still struck by the Nordic Spell.

*BOOOOOMMM!*

He was sent flying far away, he was shot across the entire training field.

At the same moment, a huge pillar of ice was formed in the distance, reaching tens of meters in height.

Rossweisse felt a sense of relief seeing that, she knew that spell landed perfectly. However, she felt dizzy. - "Haa... Haa... Haa..." - Her breath was rough maybe because they have been fighting for quite some time.

(Damn it, my stamina again! How could I be so weak?! Ise wouldn't even be sweating now and yet I'm so exhausted! How pathetic!) - She thought to herself.

She knew that Kiba had a lot more stamina, he wasn't even breathing roughly only sweating. Yet here she was almost about to faint from exhaustion.

(I need to train my stamina even more! My control and power have improved even more than before thanks to those trainings!) - She thought of upping her training regimen.

*CRAAASHHH!*

The pillar in the distance was destroyed as quickly as it came. The cause, of course, Kiba.

"You almost had me Rossweisse-sensei but it was still not enough to bring me down." - He cleaned the blood that fell from the corner of his mouth and fixed the grip in his new sword.

Rossweisse recognized that sword, after all, it was from her Pantheon.

"...Dáinsleif..." - She muttered as he saw the sword in his hands.

"Indeed. The moment the Spell landed I used Dáinsleif's ability to control ice in order to mitigate the damage done to me. Thankfully, I was fast enough." - Kiba smiled as he began walking towards his opponent once again.

Rossweisse stared at the sword, probably thinking about something.

Dáinsleif was a beautiful light sword that had an icy-blue edge and a pair of intertwined branches as its guard.

It was a long and thin sword, probably not thicker than the cover of a book. But the icy aura it held was extremely powerful and quite frightening.

As Kiba was walking he suddenly vanished in a burst of speed. Making the Valkyrie widen her eyes and react just on instinct.

Kiba appeared at her left side and stabbed with the sword point. Rossweisse created as many magic circles as possible from her left hand, trying to block the might in that swing.

*Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!*

They broke one after the other, but they fulfilled their purpose.

In her right hand another three-layered concentric circle appeared. This one green in color and expelling an aura that was twice as strong as her last spell.

Throwing her arm forward she chanted. - "Mistral!"

Two visible gales appeared from the circle, soon twisting themselves into one another and creating a drill of wind that was as big as a person in diameter. The power it held made the ground underneath to just disappear.

Kiba this time was prepared. He created a magic circle and pulled something from it. Another sword soon appeared in his left hand. This one however, different from the one in his right.

It was a sword completely silver in color with a handle that was too big to wield even with both hands. The sides of the sword curved outwards as they reached the guard itself. Soon covering the two long crosses that were acting as the guard.

"Balmung!" - He mentioned the name of the sword and a huge tornado surrounded him.

As soon as the spell landed it completely turned into soft calm winds under the power of this Demonic Sword. Rossweisse was not unsettled by this, she was even smirking at the sight.

As the winds dispersed, a tired Kiba could be seen. - (Damn! Using these swords still costs a lot of demonic power and stamina...)

Rossweisse then changed her position, placing her left foot in front and the other behind. She then gathered her Magic and chanted again. - "Draconic Power!"

Bending her whole body as it was covered by a red aura, Rossweisse released a kick with her right leg aimed at Kiba's chest.

He widened his eyes and tried to block with both swords in his hands, forming an 'X' shape. He put them in front of his body and used them as a shield.

Rossweisse's smirk increased in size. She just muttered another spell, expending almost all of her magical reserves. - "Ride Lightning!"

Increasing her body's speed, reflexes and flexibility. She bent her right leg at an impossible angle and passed his guard.

Her perfect leg struck the middle of his chest.

*BAAAAAANNNNGGG!*

The red aura sent the body of the youth flying even faster and further than before.

*Blargh!* - Coughing blood mid-flight, Kiba felt his ribs crack at the point of impact.

(She set me up!) - Was his thought as he was sent flying, crashing against the wall.

As she saw this, Rossweisse held a triumphant smirk on her face. Although her leg was wobbly from the last attack and her face was pale, she knew that this battle was hers.

*CRAAAASSSHH!*

Crashing against the wall at the end of the field. Cracks similar to spider webs covered the entire surface of the wall. Kiba at that moment was seeing stars.

(She got me.) - Were his thoughts as he tried to stand up. But something cold against his neck made him stop.

A sword made of pure magic was against his neck. It held the shape of a crescent moon and the color was the same as silver. At the end of the sword a woman with a pale face could be seen, her face held no emotion but her eyes betrayed that expression.

"Yield." - She demanded. Making the blonde knight sigh in hopelessness.

"I yield." - He said as he felt the sword leave his neck.

"You've improved far too much Rossweisse-sensei. This month has been quite something for you." - Standing up while holding his chest, he complimented the woman.

"Thanks. But it's not enough. It's not enough to be by his side. I need to be better, stronger." - She said as she bit her lips.

Kiba sighed at the sight. He knew why she was doing this, and he didn't know how to reply.

"Just keep this pace and you will become even stronger in no time!" - He smiled at her trying to comfort her.

"Hn." - She nodded her head and left.

Walking away from the training field, she began thinking.

(Issei... Oh Issei, when will I see you again? When can we finally be together? I can't wait to be at your side. And this time I will stay with you, until the very end.)

A smile naturally found its way into her face, making her already breathtaking appearance become ten times better.

That was the smile of a young woman deeply in love.

That was the smile of this woman that wanted to see her man as soon as possible.

(I need to wait a bit more. Just a bit more. I know I will see you soon... Ise...) - She looked at the ceiling of the training field. Staring at it as if in a trance.

—-Scene Break / Main Living Room; Hyoudou Mansion—-

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Back upstairs, the entire Gremory group and their boyfriends were preparing themselves for something. Something that needed to be done before anything else.

Sitting on a long, cream-colored couch. A woman with red hair began talking.

"Well everyone, it's finally time to go to the Underworld." - Her voice held some kind of Authority making the men present put their entire attention on her.

At her side, a beautiful woman, young in age and with deep-black hair smiled at them.

"The Tournament will start in a little bit more than a Month and a half, and we need to get the Pieces." - Rias told them while crossing one leg on top of the other.

"Then why going to the Underworld?" - A man with short, blond hair and blue eyes asked the woman with some confusion written on his face.

"Ara-Ara Reiji~ Because the Pieces can only be found there~" - Akeno replied why covering her mouth with her left hand.

"So we're going to the Underworld?!" - A small, young man asked with clear emotion in his voice.

He even stood up from the couch he was sitting on, surprising his brothers at his sides. He then walked closer to Rias and Akeno, practically running at them.

"Yes Hijama-chan. We need to go there as soon as we can. HuHuHu~" - Akeno answered while giggling.

The boy turned around and looked at all of the ones inside this room. He briefly paused and looked at the clearly expensive and high-class room.

A huge place that could fit more than a dozen people. With a brown carpet with some weird engravings he couldn't understand as well as many accessories that were either on top of tables, or on the walls themselves.

Many couches could be seen. Almost all of them full of beautiful woman. The other spots were occupied by his friends and brothers.

A fancy chandelier with an extremely extravagant design hung from the ceiling. And huge windows could be seen on the wall at his left side.

"Little Brother. Please calm down." - With a gentle smile one of the boys, which was just sitting with him, tried to make the young boy relax.

He had black hair tied into a tail that reached his upper back. His eyes held some gentleness and his teasing smile made the young boy blush in shame.

He was Ryutaro Takahashi, elder brother of little Hijama and the wielder of a Sacred Gear.

"HaHaHa, let him be like that Ryutaro! Seeing him like that always makes me smile!" - The other boy at the side told Ryutaro.

He also had black hair with a similar face to his, obviously they were brothers. His name was Souji Takahashi the eldest brother, just by luck.

Ryutaro turned his head and gave a small glare to his brother. Souji, on the other hand, smiled in a challenging way. He was obviously picking a fight with his brother.

"Oh. What's with the look? Do you wish to fight?" - He asked teasingly.

"If the shoe fits." - The response managed to get a twitching eyebrow from Souji.

"Haa!? Then lets fight bastard!" - He stood up from his place and yelled at him.

"What a coincidence my hands have been itching for a good fight!" - Ryutaro stood up and glared at his brother.

They stood in front of each other with no more than a few fingers in distance. However, before they could finally fight, a pair of voices stopped their quarrel.

""Ryutaro/Souji! Do not fight here!"" - Two women stood up from their positions and yelled at the same time.

They were two young females with brown and blue hair respectively. They both had anger written all over their faces.

""But he started it!"" - They turned their heads around and replied.

""We don't care!"" - They answered back.

"Souji stop fighting right now, or next time you and me spar I won't hold back at all!" - Xenovia have him an angry glare that manged to scare the man.

"Ryutaro, you're suposed to be the mature here! How could you continue a fight you didn't even start?" - Irina told the man who only lowered his head in shame.

"Wait! So Souji started the fight?" - Xenovia turned her head around and asked Irina with a small glare.

Irina wasn't even bothered by the glare.

"Of course! Do you think Ryutaro would start it?" - Her answer held some sharpness.

"Ohhh! So it's going to be like that, huh!" - Xenovia turned her whole body around and leaned forward highlighting some of her assets.

"Huh? Then how did think it was going to be, Muscle-brain?" - Irina also leaned forward, cutting the distance she had with Xenovia.

"Who did you call muscle-brain?! Self-proclaimed Angel!" - Xenovia gave a glare to Irina who gave one on her own.

Sparks could be seen coming off of their eyes. They were just about to fight one against the other.

The brothers, seeing them like that, decided to interfere.

"Xenovia, please calm down. Please don't destroy anything..." - Souji said to his girlfriend. A drop of sweat on his cheek.

"Irina, please. We don't need another fight between you two." - Ryutaro told his girlfriend as well.

""Shut up! Both of you!"" - They turned her heads around and said at the same time, managing to make the two brothers retreat in fear.

""Sorry...""- They replied and hung their heads in defeat.

On the other side of the room, basically near the door. A man and a woman watched this with pity in their eyes.

The man had a mixture of brown and blond hair, giving the atmosphere of a foreigner. His blue eyes held only a trace of pity as he looked at the two men on the other side of the hall. However, his face held no expression whatsoever.

The woman was completely different to him.

She had a head full of golden hair and gentle blue eyes that showed naivety and worry. She kept looking between her two best friends with unsheath tears in her eyes, unsure of what to do.

"Aa..aaa..aaa..." - She kept mumbling uncoordinately with both hands on top of her mouth.

She then turned around and looked at her boyfriend.

"Ken-san please do something. If things keep going like this then a fight will start again!" - She managed to ask her boyfriend.

He, on the other hand, only looked at the fight and sweated. The aura they both emitted was huge, if he goes there he won't come back.

"Asia, I can't." - He replied, completely certain of his words.

The woman puffed her cheeks and looked at him. But the man didn't respond to that, he only lifted an eyebrow up.

Near Asia, a young woman could be seen. - "Do not worry Asia-senpai. I'll tell them." - Her voice emotionless.

She was short in height with a head full of white hair and hazel toned eyes that seem to shine in the dark.

She stood up from her comfy seat, stopping her sweet meal, and talked to the two women that just kept fighting.

"Xenovia-senpai, Irina-senpai. Don't fight, we have things to do." - That was her only comment.

The two woman turned to look at her and said. - ""But she started it!"" - Clear anger in their voices.

"Doesn't matter." - She replied back and sat down on her former location, she kept on munching on the pile of sweets on top of the oak table.

"Haaa..." - A sigh was heard inside the room.

Rias had a small headache thanks to their little fight.

"Thanks, Koneko." - She said to her Rook. - "Xenovia, Irina, we need to go. So stop fighting over something dumb."

Rias told them as she held a hand against her forehead, extremely tired due to this.

The women decided to stop fighting and only said that this wasn't the end of it. Then they sat down on the couch with their arms crossed and their heads turned.

"Haaa..." - Seeing them like that Rias sighed once again.

"Ufu-Ufu~" - Akeno that was standing next to her giggled discreetly.

"Anyway, we need to go to the Underworld right now. We need the Tournament Pieces so that the team could finally be formed!" - Authority filled her voice once again.

These words managed to excite everyone present, wishing to begin this trip as soon as possible. Even Irina and Xenovia stopped thinking about their recent fight. Their expressions changed to smiles, stars present in their eyes.

They all started to think about the Tournament itself, wishing for it to begin. The wait was killing them!

Of course, their reasons to participate on it were different.

For the males and boyfriends, they just wished to see how amazing this new world they were just recently introduced to, could be.

They read some stories, some really incredible stories that seemed fake, that thanks to the Library in this house.

Myths, and Legends about the world. If even 10% of what they read turned out to be true, then everything in the world couldn't be explained with just words alone!

Even sometimes, when they were alone with their girlfriends, they would ask about the things they had done. Making then feel awe and respect to all of them. They were the boyfriends of such amazing women!

However, something caused them to feel envy and even a bit of hatred.

Hyoudou Issei, that name always managed to make them scowl and glare at an empty space.

He was someone that did all of that with them! And was even the Protagonist of almost all of the events they told them!

They couldn't believe it! They refused to believe it! How could a guy like him, a perverted dumb brat, turn out to be someone so ridiculous?!

Fighting against the strongest Youth in Underworld and achieving victory. Fighting against terrorists in separate occasions. Fighting against the Evil-God Loki and defeating him as well.

Completely destroying an entire Faction of the Khaos Brigade. Crippling the other Faction of the Khaos Brigade by defeating the user of the strongest Longinus and the descendant of a Hero! And so much more!

They still could remember, when they asked Kiba who the Hakuryuuko actually was, the shock they received when he told them the truth. The shock they felt was second only to the first time they discovered who Hyoudou Issei was!

(How could he be so impressing?! Having a rival and nemesis that's just like a bad joke of the Heavens?!) - Reiji began to think while looking at his own hands. He bit his lip in frustration, why couldn't he be like that guy?

Souji quickly thought of his worst enemy, Hyoudou Issei, when the mention of the games was made.

(That bastard! It's impossible for him to be like that?! It's a joke!) - His hands turned into fists due to his anger. - (I won't believe it! I'll never will!) - He was in denial.

Ryutaro looked at his brother. Thanks to seeing the glare he had in his eyes he understood what he was thinking.

(Hyoudou Issei... Current Sekiryuuttei, War Hero, Saviour of the Three-Biblical Factions, The most abnormal Sekiryuuttei in History, Dragon Slayer...) - He just kept repeating the many titles he has received, at least, the ones he knew.

Ken stared at the ceiling.

(So he's so... abnormal, that even his Rival is as well.) - He felt frustrated.

(Vali Lucifer, a direct descendant of Lucifer himself. The original 'Father of Lies' and the first to 'Fall'.) - His thoughts kept going in between the current Sekiryuutei and the Hakuryuukou. Envy clearly present in them.

Hijama was just feeling a sour taste in his mouth. Seeing his friends and his brothers' faces he understood them well.

Every time they talk about the incredible things the Supernatural World had to offer, their minds just went towards that figure.

That silhouette that seemed to look at them as if mocking them. As if saying that they will never be at his level.

(Is he such a being? Someone that everyone, even creatures of other Factions, care for and respect?) - Hijama was thinking.

The girls, on the other hand, just kept thinking about finding Issei. That was their goal and the fuel that kept them running during these days.

Rias and Akeno looked at each other. Unspoken determination inside their eyes.

Xenovia clutched her fist. The light in her eyes was less bright than before.

Asia, Ravel, and Irina shared the same thoughts.

(Ise-san... I pray to the Lord that you're fine.) - Asia joined her hands and began begging to the Lord for his safety.

(Issei-sama, I wonder where and what you're doing right now...) - Ravel stared at the ceiling, tears threatened to come out of her eyes but she fought the sensation.

(...Senpai...) - Koneko just kept thinking about her senpai, worried about him.

However, everyone quickly dispelled their thoughts. Feeling like that won't solve anything.

"We should get going." - Rias was the first to speak. Melancholy in her voice.

She removed the tense environment that this room now had and stood up. A serious and determined expression was on her face.

But before she could continue the next phase of the plan, everyone felt a familiar presence near the door.

A woman could be seen walking across the hallway, coming closer to the room.

Her form of walking was elegant and her beauty was second to none!

Rossweisse, after her spar, removed her armor. Instead, a black and grey bodysuit with additional purple pieces was donned on her. Her hair was loose, falling down her back like molten silver, and her blue eyes held a bit of tiredness.

Both of her stockings were still on her. This time she had no sleeves on her arms, showing her white skin that was similar to snow.

As she came inside the room everyone stared at her. In a sense, entranced by her beauty.

The men had blushes on their cheeks, and a misty look in their eyes. They averted their eyes from her diabolical figure, afraid of what their girlfriends would do if they saw them like that.

But all of them had different thoughts in their heads.

(Wow! She's definitely beautiful.) - Little Hijama was the purest, only entranced by her beauty that was in a way, indescribable.

(She's a bombshell! A complete bombshell! How would others not notice this?!) - Souji screamed inside his head. Almost ripping his hair out in frustration, but managed to control himself.

(I can't believe how stunning she is. I envy Hyoudou for capturing her heart. He sure is a lucky man...) - Reiji thought.

He turned his hand into a fist, angry at the difference between them. Such a beautiful woman was here, waiting for him. She had a brilliant gleam in her eyes every time she talked about the one she loved.

He was envious as a man and secretly felt even more inferior to him.

(Haaa... I just don't know what to say... How could she be so beautiful? A pity she already has someone in her heart, if not, then...) - Ryutaro thought as he kept his line of sight away from Irina.

Ken had no thoughts, he just blatantly stared at her, a light shining in his eyes.

"Rossweisse. Did you finish your spar with Kiba?" - Rias asked her Rook.

Rossweisse just turned her head to look at her.

With emotionless eyes, she replied back at her as she crossed the main door of the room. - "Yes, Rias-san. I managed to improve a bit more and won."

Her words surprised everyone, but especially the men inside the room.

"I see! Amazing Rossweisse! You've improved a lot!" - Rias was happy and wasn't scared of expressing it.

Rossweisse just nodded her head and continued walking across the room towards the stairs at the end of it.

"We're going to get the Pieces for the Tournament. Will you come?" - Rias asked.

She stopped walking and turned her head around.

"Sorry Rias-san but I have things to do. An apology, but I need to improve some of my spells." - She lifted the corner of her mouth giving her a small smile to keep appearances.

"I see..." - She sighed. - "Then how about Kiba?" - She asked once again.

"He is healing his wounds. So I don't think he will be coming up for more than an hour or two." - These words, in a sense, shocked the men.

Kiba was their teacher, and they more-or-less knew of what he was capable of. Suffering a defeat was something they couldn't imagine. But seeing her face, they knew that she wasn't boasting.

"Hmm..." - Rias thought about it, but then gave up.

(I need to get the Pieces as soon as I can, can't waste more time.)

She looked at the Valkyrie and remembered something that they talked with their boyfriends.

(Haaa... I can't believe her obvious feelings for Ise would reach the point in which we needed to tell them that Rossweisse is in love with him. The worst part was how proud she was when we told her what we said to them...) - Rias lamented as she began recalling that memory.

(It's not time for that. Need to focus!) - She hit her cheeks and kept her thoughts straight.

(Gasper is in the Hospital visiting Valerie, he won't be back until later in the afternoon.) - She thought that going to the Underworld without them would be faster.

"Then we will go like this." - She told everyone present, making the men nod their heads and the women to smile.

"I see. Then I'm going." - Rossweisse bid farewell and walked across the room, soon leaving and walking up the stairs.

Unknown to her, and the girls. The men kept watching her until she left. Not missing the sweet movement of her hips and her elegant bearing that manged to make them sigh once again.

(((((Hyoudou Issei, sure is a lucky man...))))) - They couldn't help but think like that. Envy overflowing from their thoughts.

"Ok everyone! We shall leave." - She yelled and began moving.

Afterward, she created a blood-red magic circle at the center of the room. Some black could be seen at the outer layer of it and on the insides of the circle, a purple light was present.

It was big enough to hold all the people inside the room and maybe a bit more. The Gremory Sigil could clearly be seen at the center of it. However, it was different from her usual magic circle.

It was more profound and definitely more complicated than the usual circle all of the Peerage used.

Rias walked towards the magic circle and stood at the center of it.

The rest soon followed without wasting a single second.

In a brief flash of light, they all disappeared from the Human World.

—-Scene Change / Underworld, Bael Territory—-

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Appearing from a bright, blood-colored magic circle. A group of youths was seen.

As the light dispersed the group could clearly see the purple, amethyst-colored sky. Amazed by the view the men couldn't think of anything. They stared at it, ignoring their surroundings, a rookie mistake.

"Well everyone we will go to the Bael Castle! It will be quick!" - Rias talked to everyone, purposely avoiding the question of why not going for them in her own territory.

(I can't go home to father and mother, not without Ise. They will ask too many questions and I don't wish to make them worry.) - Rias thought to herself.

(Thanks brother for making a deal to let us come to the Bael territory without any trouble.) - Rias thanked her older brother.

Unknown to her the reason he did this, was to spare his parents from the ugly truth that he knew they would discover if they saw the men next to her daughter and her Peerage.

So he decided to make a deal with 'Zekram Bael' and ask for his sister to come to his territory without passing through all the stops and barriers.

Zekram was curious, but he decided to agree with the deal. He had better things to do, and the Gremory heiress wouldn't do anything serious inside his territory.

.

Seeing the armored city they were currently at, her Peerage soon discovered they were inside The Main Capital of the Bael Territory; Goetia!

The huge amount of people on the streets were slightly shocked when they saw the magic circle as well as the people coming from it.

"The Gremory Heiress!" - An Orc with a height of ten feet, or three meters, said as he pointed at the woman with blood-colored hair.

"Why are they here?" - Another Devil asked with a hand on his chin, curious about this occurrence.

"Did the Gremory Team came to get their pieces?!" - A Human warrior with leather armor and sandals said while in shock.

Whispers were heard, but Rias and her team clearly ignored them. Their Boyfriends were too amazed with the city itself to notice these whispers.

The city was the one Issei, in the past, had come to get his own pieces. Tall buildings painted in a distinct purple were at the sides, and huge golden light poles were on the sidewalk lighting the streets.

The purple sky could be seen completely, and even what it seemed to be a Sun was present in the sky.

The many buildings were perfectly built, just by looks alone one could guess that they were improved after the War. They were just like the ones in a normal human city but with a touch of something special, something no one could understand.

The men then stopped their daydreaming and looked at Rias.

Before they could speak, she said. - "We need to go to the Bael Castle. My brother told me that the location where we can obtain the Pieces for the Tournament is there."

The men nodded their heads. However, because they were with the Gremory group, they caught the interest of the creatures around the street.

"Hey, who are they?" - A man with the build of a professional wrestler asked to the woman at his side.

She replied while shrugging her shoulders. - "No idea. But if they are with them, they should be important or powerful figures." - She ran her hand across her orange-colored hair, her green eyes looking at them.

"Interesting." - Another man said with a voice loud enough for all to hear. He had long ears and a green vest over a white shirt and green pants. He was oddly enough beautiful, not handsome.

The Gremory Peerage began walking. Their destination was obviously the castle they could see in the distance.

While walking, the girls kept smiles on their faces. The men, however, had a shocked look on their faces and eyes.

Gathering the courage Reiji managed to ask Rias. - "Rias. What are they?" - He pointed at pretty much all of the population.

She widened her eyes slightly but then giggled. - "Right. Forgot this was the first time you've seen other species." - Her words made all the men freeze.

She then continued explaining while walking on the greyish street, not minding their expressions in the slightlest.

"Since the Tournament is on a World Scale, many different species came to the Underworld for their Pieces." - She began explaining.

The men nodded their heads.

"Thanks to that, and the official treaty between Factions. All of the Supernatural World is gathered here." - Rias spoke while moving her hips, catching the glances of many creatures on the street.

"They are probably touring around the city before going for the Pieces for the Tournament. However, my brother told me that it's not so simple to get the Pieces." - Rias told them while slowing down, the people in front of her opened a way so she could pass.

"It seems that there's a trial of sorts before you're allowed to get the Pieces." - This surprised everyone, including her Peerage who didn't know the information.

"But since we're well known, and almost everyone knows about the power of my team and Peerage, we can skip the trial and directly get the Pieces." - She was proud of those words.

Everyone hummed in agreement when she said those words.

"Then, Rias-san. What races came to the Underworld?" - Little Hijama asked while walking in front of his brothers.

"About that..." - She started to look around. Then she decided to explain.

"Well, see those creatures that have green skin but closely resemble humans?" - She asked back. He just nodded.

"Those are Orcs. The ones that stand above 5 meters? Those are gigants. Probably from the Norse due to their blue skin." - She kept talking.

"Then ones that have pointy ears are elfs, extremely beautiful in apperance. They are from the Celtic Pantheon. The ones of the Three-Biblical Factions have white or black feathered wings or like us Devils that have horns, tails, or other special appendixes."

The men nodded in awe. They looked around and saw the many races she described. Every time they saw someone else they held a bit of fear in their hearts.

"Of course, many more species are here. But I can't count them all." - Rias finished her explanation.

As she finished explaining she saw the castle just ahead. She turned her head around and talked to her Peerage.

"Everyone be ready! We just arrived." - She told them.

The men just stood in frozen awe at the sight of the castle.

As if made out of gold, it stood with undescribed arrogance right in the center of the whole Capital of Goetia. Purple flags with the symbol of the Bael Clan were on all of its sides.

A huge line could be seen at the main entrance, right towards the gate. They, however, skipped all of that and walked past everyone.

The ones in line saw them but held their tongues back, they could recognize the Gremory Heiress anywhere.

Rias proudly walked in front of everyone. She moved her hips hypnotically managing to steal many glances of the male population due to her provocation.

Her Queen was just behind her. A gentle smile on her face as both of her hands were in front of her body, pressing her breasts and showing them to all. Managing to get a few nose bleeds from some perverts.

The rest of the women were similarly the same, in a sense they decided to show everyone their beauty, it seems that this habit was thanks to Rias.

As they reached the gate the guards didn't move, they were seemingly frozen due to shock. Then Rias spoke.

"I'm Rias Gremory, heiress to the House of Gremory! I came to get the Pieces for the World Tournament!" - Arrogance was on her words, and pride was excluded off of her body.

The men just stood at the center of their little group. Completely silent and hoping for the best.

The soldiers at the gate widened their eyes, but soon acted for what they trained them for.

"""Gremory-sama! Please come with us!""" - The three soldiers; two males and a female told the heiress.

"Hn!" - She hummed in agreement as she crossed her arms under her chest. A proud pose of course.

Then the female soldier separated herself from the rest and began to guide them.

As they crossed the gate, they saw the Castle and a building that was mainly conformed out of windowpanes on its left side.

"Gremory Princess, that's the building where the tests are being held at. However, due to your achievements in the past, you're exempted from doing them." - She was walking rather fast.

"I'll guide you to the top." - She told her as she opened the door of the building. Everybody followed after her.

.

After a little more than ten minutes, the Peerage reached the last floor of the entire glass building.

The soldier quickly dismissed herself and left them to walk the last staircase on their own.

Once on top, they saw the silhouette of a very big man.

He wore a form-fitting, short-sleeved, black t-shirt, and black pants with red lines at the sides. He also had a pair of sports sneakers that were brown with the same red lines.

Both of his arms were crossed and he was focusing his sight on a big machine twice his own size.

Rias, the moment she saw him, widened her eyes in shock. Thinking of her misfortune in meeting him here.

He had a couple of bandages in his arms and legs, and some gauzes on his face, mainly on his left cheek. His chest was covered with another bandage going over his shoulder, almost blocking his entire chest.

The man felt the gazes of people behind him and turned his head around, looking over his shoulder. The moment he saw Rias his eyes gained a happy glint and a smile adorned his face.

After that, he fully turned around and started to walk at her direction.

"Rias! Look, how coincidental finding each other here!" - The man with a huge build and purple eyes said to her with a cheerful voice.

"Sairaorg! Yes, what a coincidence..." - She said while some sweat fell down her cheek.

"Ha-Ha! It seems you also came for your Pieces Rias! The Tournament will definitely be something else!" - Sairaorg smiled at her, then he looked behind her.

When the men saw the huge warrior in front of them, they retreated in fright. He excluded the presence of an unclimbable wall, an obstacle they couldn't hope to overcome.

(What a powerful presence! He's on a completely different level!) - Reiji thought while looking at the man in question.

The three brothers couldn't even look straight at him. They were completely petrified due to his own presence. His natural presence was more than enough to stop them in their tracks.

The last of the males lifted his head and looked into the eyes of the man, scared when he saw a fire burning brightly inside of them. He could have sworn that his eyes held an indomitable spirit.

"And, who are they?" - He asked while looking at the males.

This unnerved the entire female Peerage, but Rias acted extremely quick.

"They are Sacred Gears possessors that were staying in my territory. Due to some reasons, we decided to train them so that they could fight against any possible threat." - She told him with seriousness.

"Even though peace is in sight, one never knows. And we rather not have another possible Hero Faction." - Rias's voice was calm and logical.

Sairaorg felt that something was off, but since he didn't exactly find something wrong with her explanation he let it slide.

"Oh! I see! Well it's definitely better to have more people on our side!" - He smiled at his comment. He was extremely friendly.

"Oh!" - He remembered something. - "Where are my manners? My name is Sairaorg, Sairaorg Bael!" - He smiled while placing both hands on his hips.

The men finally understood who was in front of them. They were shocked and couldn't reply to his introduction.

The only one that said something was Reiji, who mumbled in a low voice.

"...The strongest youth in the Underworld..." - He muttered, but Sairaorg managed to hear him.

"HaHaHa! I once was, but not anymore." - His voice sounded melancholic. - "That Title belongs to someone else. However, one day I'll get it back!" - He finished explaining with determination clearly present in his voice.

Hijama then said a name that was inside all the male's heads. - "...Hyoudou Issei..." - His voice seemed hollow as if he wasn't believing his own words.

"Huh? Seems that you know!" - Glad, he replied. - "Yes, Hyoudou Issei has that title! HaHaHa! I truly wish to fight against him again!" - He was ever cheerful.

*Cough! Cough!*

Rias intervened by faking a cough, she didn't want him to say or ask anything else. She couldn't risk anything right now.

"By the way Sairaorg. What happened to you?" - Rias looked at his wounds and she figured out that they were quite something, even for him.

He stopped laughing and looked at her. His eyes changed in demeanor, even his smile was a bit dimmer. After looking at her and her Peerage, he touched the wounds in his chest.

"It's a long story." - These words caught everyone's attention.

Everyone looked at him, hoping for him to explain.

"See, a little bit more than a Month ago I fought with someone. Someone monstrous." - The atmosphere inside the room changed, solemnity replaced the cheerful feeling from before.

The girls just looked into his eyes and saw many different emotions they couldn't understand. But they were shocked when they saw a bit of anxiety in those eyes.

"When I was training in the Bael Mountains, here in the Capital, I met an odd couple of women." - He was serious about it.

He motioned them to walk closer to him. He then pointed at the machine at the center of the room. They understood what he meant.

"See. It seems that they were after either; something or someone inside of my territory. And I, of course, decided to intervene. Never would I have thought that they were so ridiculously powerful, well at least one of them." - His voice was full of cautiousness.

"They didn't say why were they there. But one of the women said that they were definetly here for something. When I heard that, I decided to stop them." - He was walking closer and closer to the center of the floor, where the machine was.

"The surprise I felt when I fought her was ridiculous!" - A small smile adorned his face.

Everyone was just silent, only listening to his words. They knew that something must have happened to get this kind of expression from Sairaorg.

"When I fought her, I was completely destroyed." - He was unexpectedly smiling. - "She was just toying with me all of the time."

"Her physical strength was even above mine and her regeneration was absurd! She could also manipulate shadows and turn them into weapons." - His voice was serious and emotional, even respect could be seen in his eyes.

This caught everyone off guard, Rias and the Peerage especially. They knew how strong he was, and they were sure that unless they ganged-up on him, victory will never be theirs.

Seeing their expressions Sairaorg smiled. He knew that they were also as shocked as he was at that time.

"She was an incredibly beautiful woman." - He smirked. - "Sorry to say this Rias, but she was even more beautiful than you." - He mouthed a sincere apology.

"Her age should also be the same as yours, but her power was on a completely different level!" - Excitement came back to his eyes.

"Even when I used Regulus, I was still beaten until I couldn't figure out which way was North! HaHaHa!" - He laughed at the end.

His comment scared a few, but Rias just bit her lip at the mention of her beauty. She knew that Sairaorg cared little for physical apperance, but to make him say those words, she knew that her beauty wasn't just a little above hers.

The rest of the Peerage was scared. Fighting Sairaorg when he was using his Longinus was extremely difficult to do! Only Issei could defeat him, not even Kiba was a match!

"Since then, I understood that there is always a sky above a sky and person above a person." - Those words held certain wisdom they couldn't understand.

"So I decided to increase my training regimen and well, you can see what happened." - He gave a smile as he pointed at his wounds.

"I see..." - Rias said with anxiety written all over her face.

Akeno had her brows furrowed. Fear and a bit of awe could be seen in her eyes.

Xenovia and Irina were shocked to say the least. Especially Xenovia who has fought against him before. At that moment she was defeated, and that was him not going at it seriously.

Koneko and Ravel looked at each other. They understood each other emotions. The fear in their eyes was pretty obvious to notice.

Asia was trembling, an enemy like that was extremely dangerous! And she was the same age as her Rias-Onesama, this was unbelievable!

The men couldn't understand why they were acting like that. But the fear in their faces was obvious for all to notice.

They hated seeing them like that, so they tried to do something to calm them down. But the voice of Sairaorg stopped them on their tracks.

"By the way, where's Hyoudou Issei?" - This caused everyone to freeze.

Rias swiftly replied. - "Ise is in his house. He decided to use all the time he could to improve. Kiba is sparring with him." - She explained with a tired face.

"Haaa... They just keep going at it."- A hand was against her head and a small smile on her lips, a nice touch in the end to keep appearances.

"HaHaHaHa!" - He was amused by this. - "I understand! So I better keep going at it!" - Sairaorg kept laughing loudly, causing the girls to release a breath they didn't know they were holding.

The men didn't understand this, but kept their silence. In a way, they did understand why the girls didn't want anybody else to know that the Sekiryuutei was missing.

It could cause problems on a major scale. After all, according to the girls, he was quite important for many Factions. If rumors begin to spread about his disappearance, then a mess of huge proportions will be made.

"Sairaorg-sama the Pieces are ready!" - Their thoughts were stopped by a sudden voice.

"Congratulations! You obtained a Mutated Rook!" - A scientist said while giving him a black briefcase.

Sairaorg was slightly shocked but quickly started to laugh.

"Excellent news! HaHaHaHa!" - He obviously was quite satisfied. With this, he could switch Regulus and use the Rook on him!

The scientist then looked at the rest present. He was frozen solid when he saw that blood-colored hair.

"Rias-sama! I didn't feel you here, my apologies!" - He bowed with his whole body.

"Do not worry." - She dismissed his apology. - "Could we begin the process?" - She asked with a smile on her face.

"Of course!" - He nodded. - "Please, this way." - He pointed with his left hand at the side of the machine.

Sairaorg stood there with the briefcase in his right hand. He wanted to ask something to the scientist but he decided to wait until Rias was done with this.

The scientist walked closer to the machine. The apparatus was a huge metallic box of more than three meters in height and many different components all around it. It was black in color with silver-colored pieces of metal.

He then pointed at a small gate at the side of them. It was circular in shape and looked quite plain.

"Please, Rias-sama create a ball of Demonic Power and insert it here." - He said and pointed at the circular gate.

"Hn!" - She nodded her head and then a reddish-black ball filled with her signature trait appeared on top of her hand.

She then walked closer to the machine and inserted it in the gate the scientist pointed at. Soon, just like in a vacuum, it was sucked inside the machine.

Many different noises were heard from the machine; cutting, folding, breaking, melting and some were not capable of being described with words alone.

Sairaorg just walked at her side and stood next to her. His briefcase was against his left leg and his arms were crossed in front of his chest.

He decided to patiently wait with his cousin. He was also curious about the result of her Pieces.

.

After no more than 5 minutes. The machine stopped making noises and just expelled a bit of grey smoke from its top.

Rias was happy when she saw this. She finally could get her Pieces and enter the Tournament!

She was also happy about being free from the questions of the scientist. They were a bit annoying and tedious, but she understood what they were for.

However, the name for her team baffled her for some time. She was unsure about how to name it.

But then, as always, she decided to name it after her clan and of course, after herself. She decided to go with; 'Team Rias Gremory'.

Sairaorg laughed at her naming sense, he never quite understood why name everything after oneself. But he kept silent about that and said that he named his team; 'Imperial Purpure'.

While pouting, due to his comment, Rias received the same black briefcase as Sairaorg.

"Congratulations Rias-sama! You received a Mutated Bishop!" - The scientist smiled.

"This is amazing, so many Mutation Pieces in so little time!" - The old man with white hair and a lab coat said with clear excitement.

Sairaorg then decided to ask his question.

"By the way, what's with the emotion for the Mutated Pieces? Are they that rare?" - His question shocked the old-man.

"Of course!" - He said seriously. - "Until now just very few teams have received them! And the leaders of them are ridiculous! Gods of the highest order, the current Hakuryuuko, and a rather special case."

"The amount of wielders with you two doesn't exceed ten, barely reaching seven! A single Mutated Piece is already ridiculous!" - His words piqued the interest of Sairaorg.

"So, are there teams that have more than one?" - His words shocked everyone present, of course, only the young ones.

"Yes! There have been those occurrences." - The scientist replied.

"Who were they?" - Rias asked while the rest of her Peerage listened intently. Even the men accompanying them were also paying attention.

"Until now the ones with two Pieces are Shiva-sama, Indra-sama and Typhon-sama. Really ridiculous!"

Those words didn't shock the Devils, but the Humans were a completely different story.

(Indra?! Shiva?! Typhon?! The King of Gods, The God of Destruction and The King of Monsters?!) - Reiji had cold sweat all over his back. Of course he knew about those two!

(The Strongest Gods of the Hindu Faction and the Monster who brought Olympus to its knees!) - Ryutaro was amazed at those words. He turned his head around and looked at his brother, who had the same look as him.

Little Hijama was astonished. He couldn't even think properly when those names were mentioned.

The same was with Ken. However, an obvious drop of sweat was visible in his cheek falling to the ground.

"Ha! So three of the Top Ten, huh? No wonder." - Sairaorg smiled fiercely, he liked the sound of that.

"Yes! But they were still not the best." - The Devils and Humans just received another surprise. They stared at him urging him to spill the beans.

The scientist understood the unasked question. He then decided to tell them about that 'irregular'.

"Three Strong Pieces were on the same set! The Queen and the Two Rooks!" - The man said.

"The owner of the set is a Young Dragon around twenty-years-old! The shock all of us received was huge! And he actually came to this same installation to get his Pieces!" - The scientist told them.

The rest inhaled a cold breath of air, cold sweat flowed down their backs. Even Sairaorg was without words. Rias had a pale face and just swallowed the spit in her mouth.

"Yes, all of us had the same expressions." - The scientist felt empathy for the young ones.

"Who was he?" - Rias managed to ask.

"He named himself Ryuu." - The scientist closed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"A young man that had extremely dark brown hair that was way closer to black and a pair of blood-red eyes. Quite the frightening guy in all aspects." - The scientist felt a chill crawl down his spine when he remembered that man.

Everyone was silent, that was until Sairaorg decided to ask.

"What's his team called?" - He decided to keep an eye out for this 'Young Dragon'.

"Team 'Against the Gods'. Arrogant, but in my eyes, he had the power to back it up." - The scientist replied.

Everyone furrowed their brows at the name. He was clearly angering the Divinities with that name!

"Haaa..." - Sairaorg sighed and looked at everyone.

"Well everyone, it has been a pleasure seeing you again. But I need to train!" - His voice had some unknown strength. - "It seems that this Tournament is going to be quite difficult!"

He lifted the briefcase, swung it across his back, and began walking towards the stairs.

Everyone stared at him as he waved back at them without looking back.

Rias then decided to do the same as Sairaorg. That guy they just talked about gave her a bad feeling. As if he was someone that will change everything...

"Well everyone, we need to leave!" - She said as she cleared her mind from all of those thoughts.

She then created the magic circle to leave this place, the same as the one they used to come.

All were silently trying to digest the information, so they mechanically walked towards the circle.

Rias could understand them, a powerful enemy was inside the Tournament and he gave all of them an impending sense of Doom.

She just couldn't understand why she felt uneasy at the mention of the Dragon. Was it because of her own missing Dragon?

(...Issei...) - She thought as she looked at the lab's ceiling.

After some seconds the magic circle flashed with intense light and they all left the top floor of the building. Deciding to go back to Issei's Home.

—-Scene Change / Location Unknown—-

.

Right now, said enemy was opening his eyes after quite some time.

Issei stared at the unknown ceiling, a very dark blue with some drawings of stars and just the night sky in general. Many different constellations were clearly drawn, and the moon was also present.

As his vision came back, he could finally properly focus on the ceiling.

"...What... What happened?" - He muttered as he tried to move his body. However, it was a fruitless effort as he couldn't move a muscle.

He turned his head around, since it was the only thing he could properly move, and looked at the room he was in.

"Oh, where am I now?" - He sighed as if giving up. He didn't know where he was and his memory was a little fuzzy.

The room he was in was something he has never been inside before.

It was, at least, twice the size of his own room back home.

It had gold paint on all the walls of the room, with many extremely detailed drawings on them. All of those drawings seemed to be describing a story. And the details, as well as the elegance they had, couldn't be possibly drawn by any Human.

On his left side stood a small desk right against the wall. Many different books were on top of it, neatly ordered so to not cause a mess.

Above, stood a painting. A beautiful painting of what he would say to be a lotus. On top of it, a man with blue skin was sitting on it. His face showed gentleness as well as pride.

On one side of the desk, a window with a curved shape could be seen. It was covered by a curtain made out of silk and had not a single dark spot on its white color.

Looking to his right side, there was a wooden nightstand with engravings on its surface.

Further right was a wall covered by a huge, modern-looking, wooden bookcase that held many different books and accessories, all different in shape and size. The entire wall was covered by this bookcase from top to bottom.

Looking at his own bed, he was surprised. It was bigger than his own Cal-King sized bed by quite something!

He was covered with a blood-red blanket with some sewed engravings in a gold string. Above it was another blanket, this one mainly gold in color with a hint of black. It covered from below his waist down to his toes.

As a cushion for his head. He had a huge, expensive-looking pillow, whose length reached from one side of the bed to the other. It was red as its main color and its edges were black.

Issei looked at the blue ceiling and began recalling memories.

(Ok... first, we fought Ishtar and she almost kills us. Good, good.) - Sarcasm in his voice. - (Next, we escaped that golden city and reached safety. Excellent.)

Until now he didn't feel that something was off.

(After that... I don't remember.) - There! He found the problem.

As he was thinking he heard the yawn on his Partner inside his head.

[Yaaawwwnnn!] - It was loud and managed to wake him up in his entirety.

He then saw a small green glow on the reverse of his left palm. He smiled at this, glad his Partner was awake.

(Ddraig! What happened Partner?! Where are we?! Where are the Fuuki and Ericia!?) - He was anxious.

[Huh? Oh, Partner you're finally awake! Took your time.] - He dismissed his questions and just said that.

(Ddraig where are we? The girls?) - He was worried about them.

[Don't worry Partner. They are safe and you are as well.] - The calm in his voice made Issei sigh in relief.

(Haaa... That's good to know.) - He believed in his Partner. If he said they were safe and sound, then he could relax.

[For now forget about that. I need to tell you something.] - Seriousness came back to the voice of the Dragon.

(What is it Ddraig?) - He asked, curious about what he was going to say.

[First, I need you to understand that I didn't tell you this because you already had too many things in your head. The Game, the girls, your past.] - He said with a hint of an apology in his voice.

(Ddraig. What is it.) - His voice was serious as well.

[Remember when you fought the Goddess? Ishtar.] - He asked.

(Of course, a terrible opponent.) - His eyes had a bit of cautioness in them.

[In the end you decided to use your own Lifespan as a bargaining chip. Because of that your life decreased.] - Ddraig sounded tired.

Issei just kept his silence. He did remember doing that, but he didn't regret it! After all, it was to save both Fuuki and Ericia, as well as himself.

[The consumption of your Lifespan, was nothing much. Maybe 30 years at most. The problem comes from before.] - Ddraig told his Partner.

*Gulp!* - Issei unknowingly swallowed the saliva in his mouth. This doesn't sound good.

[During the 'Suicide Attempt'. Do you remember what we did to get rid of those Pieces?] - He asked.

(Yes. You said that you would disconnect the part of my own Life-force off of the Pieces, and connect it to my... own... Aura...) - Issei widened his eyes, now he understood where this was going!

[Yes. It seems you figured it out.] - Ddraig said with a hint of pity in his voice.

[During the process, inevitably some of your Lifespan was... reduced. I did my best, but something as complicated as that was too much even for me. It's a miracle that you're alive!] - Ddraig told him.

(So the reason you slept all of that time and why I felt like something was off, was because—) - He was stopped in the middle of his talking.

[Half-correct, Partner.] - Ddraig agreed with him.

[It indeed has to do with this. But the other part is that. One, the change in your soul due to completely awakening your Aura was a bit too much for the Boosted Gear. And two, is the fact that you're still new with using your Aura.] - He explained.

[So your body was getting accustomed to your own power, and that was why you felt like something was off. But since it wasn't serious you didn't feel it was much.] - Ddraig continued his explanation.

(Then... How much... How much of it is left?) - He managed to think.

[Us Dragons live even more than Devils, but during the process of extraction many things happened.] - He said to his Partner.

(What things?) - Issei decided to face this head on! He won't let something like this to stop him from his path!

[The Pieces were far too malicious! Even when I successfully removed the link between them and your Life-Force those bastards still took quite the amount with them!] - Ddraig sounded furious. Issei could hear his fangs grinding against each other.

(How long do I have left?) - He felt as he was asking a doctor about a terrible illness.

[Worry not, Partner. You still have quite the amount left, but it's much less than before.] - Ddraig tried to calm his Partner down.

"Ddraig. Stop beating around the bush! How much did they take!?" - He was so annoyed that he screamed.

[Haaa... Seven Thousand Years.] - He said while giving up.

Issei just widened his eyes at the amount. He was speechless.

[Around 50% of your Lifespan was reduced because of those Pieces.] - Ddraig was sad at that.

Those words seemed to be a weight that pushed his body even further into the bed.

Issei took his time trying to analize the words he just said. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew that his Partner wouldn't lie to him. Much less about something this serious.

(50%?! A whole 50% gone just like that?! Even when they are gone, they still wish to drag me to my death!) - His thoughts were filled with rage and venom.

(Ddraig why didn't you say it before?) - He wanted an explanation.

The green glow in his palm was shinning even brighter than before. He knew that Ddraig must have had his reasons, but still.

[Partner, as I said. You already had too much burdened on your back. Add to that, that the trauma you have is just barely healing. How could I add something more to your plate? You already had too many things to do! So I decided to wait until most of those problems were solved.] - Ddraig explained himself.

Issei was silent, thinking about his words. He knew that he was right, the aftermath left in his mind after the mess he experienced was in no way small! Even until today, the trauma was still clearly inside his head.

Although Fuuki and Ericia were helping him and he was opening more to them, it will take its time.

(Haaaa... I understand Ddraig. I don't blame you at all. Rather I'm grateful that you think about my well being.) - He smiled as he said that.

[Partner... It's not like there's no way out.] - Ddraig said with clear emotion in his voice.

[Although us Dragons stand at the summit of all races. There are still things that can help us grow and improve!] - He told him.

(Hn? Like what, Ddraig?) - He was curious about it.

[Senjutsu can help us. But it needs to be a really special and talented user. And even with one, no normal means of treatment can help us.] - Ddraig explained.

[One that could help would be the Senjutsu Art, that both; the Black and White Nekoshōu talked about.] - Ddraig was interrupted after that.

Issei's eyes gained a sharp light. Even his voice inside his head turned a bit chilly.

(I won't have sex with Fuuki just because of some benefit or profit I could gain! Even if it means my own Lifespan, I refuse to use her like that!) - Conviction and pride was in his words.

[I know. Just wanted to tell you.] - Ddraig smiled inside the Boosted Gear. He was proud of the words his Partner said.

[Another could be 'Heaven Defying Treasures' that even Gods would fight for!] - This took Issei by surprise.

(Treasures?) - He asked back. - [Yes Partner. They are really rare, but they do exist.]

[In the World. There exist 'Miracle Medicines' that are capable of helping and improving the body, mind, spirit, and even increase the Lifespan of living beings!] - Ddraig said with emotion.

[Must, if not all of them, are for normal humans. But some rare ones are for other species, and even rarer ones are for Gods!] - He continued talking.

[Alchemy is a really popular field of magic. They specialize in transforming the treasures this world has to offer, and turn them into miracle medicines that could help everybody!] - Ddraig was like a walking encyclopedia.

[However, the effects are too weak. But for normal Humans they are excellent. Due to the fact that you were a Devil that kept increasing your strength at quite the monstrous pace, I didn't tell you about it.]

[But, across the countless years I have been alive, even in this state. I gained respect for the profession of an Alchemist, and learned a bit more about it.]

Issei was silently looking at his hand, any new knowledge for him is always welcome!

[There are ridiculous Medicines that all Pantheons have to offer. But, only the strongest and rarest are capable of affecting Dragons. Much less one that's capable of recovering the Lifespan of one!] - Issei silently lamented at this.

[But they do exist! Few in number, but they are capable of helping a Dragon by a lot! If you're capable of finding one, then, it won't only help you regain your Lifespan it would benefit you even more!] - Ddraig told his Partner.

(So I only need to hunt one in the half of my Lifespan I have remaining.) - He said.

[Indeed, Partner. The opportunity will definitely come, after all, no such treasures have been born in quite some time. So sooner or later they will appear.] - Ddraig told his Partner with a bit of hapiness in his voice.

"Then I don't have to worry!" - He mouthed and relaxed on the comfortable bed.

[HaHaHa! As always, you manage to impress me Partner.] - Ddraig laughed as his friend smiled.

"HaHaHa. What can I say Ddraig, I like to impress." - He smiled in a proud way. Managing to make Ddraig laugh.

[Huh? It seems someone is coming to check on you Partner. I'll leave you alone.] - He said.

(Wait! You never told me where we are!) - His voice didn't reach Ddraig.

"Damn Ddraig cut me off!" - He said with a bit on anger.

.

Soon after, the door in front of him was opened. The huge door that seemed to be made out of stone was effortlessly pushed by a woman.

"Oh! You're finally awake! Such great news!" - She smiled while moving her arms in front of her body. The gentleness she emitted was the same as a mother.

Issei just stared at her with curiosity.

She was a woman short in height with beautiful lilac-colored hair. It reached the middle of her back and seemed to shine with a brilliant light, the same as stars.

Her face was delicate, and no signs of old age were seen. At most, she seemed to be in her early twenties. Her skin was as delicate as the petal of a flower and was as smooth as jade.

Her eyes were pink and had worry and happiness inside of them. The beauty and allure of those eyes were second only to the Goddess he met before.

She wore two pieces of clothing. Both in an extremely royal blue in color. They had golden engravings on the surface of them and created a sense of mystery and tranquility.

On her head was a veil, but it was uncovered and one could see her face perfectly. It was also blue in color but the engravings it had gave the feeling of Royalty as if she was a Queen.

She had some accessories. Two bracelets on her wrists and ankles, as well as a long golden necklace around neck.

(She's really beautiful.) - He looked into her eyes and smirked in a soft fashion, something rare in him.

Those eyes were the same that his own mother had when he was young and he fell ill. The worry and heartfelt relief the moment he was healthy again, those were things that he couldn't forget.

"I'm so happy that you're finally awake! Your comrades have been worried sick about you." - She moved her head a little and smiled once again at him.

"Thanks for the concern, but where am I? And who are you?" - He managed to ask, trying not to sound rude.

"Oh! Where are my manners?" - She was surprised by her own actions.

While bowing slightly and lifting the hems of her wobbly pants. She closed both of her eyes and said.

"My name is Parvati. And you're in Mount Kailash!" - Her smile was blinding.

This shocked Issei to no bounds.

(I'm in India! Fuck!) - He cursed his own damn luck.

"You see, my husband found you at the edge of this Mountain, and seeing you were wounded he brought you here!" - Her smile never left her face for even a second.

"...I see..." - Issei managed to say.

"Don't worry Sekiryuutei! You're safe here!" - She said to him with a gentle look with her eyes.

Those words caught Issei by surprise. But he didn't let it show.

"I think you mistook me with someone else. I'm just a normal Dragon that got wounded after a fight and was lucky enough to find this place." - His caution was second nature. Who could blame him after all he has lived?

Seeing him like that, Parvati smiled with a bit of sadness. She didn't understand why he would lie like that. And the moment he saw those eyes filled with wariness and doubt she was even sadder.

"Please don't lie Sekiryuutei. My husband told me about your identity. Saying that the moment you wake up, you should go talk to him." - Her smile gained her brightness again.

"Shiva? He wants to talk to me?" - He was surprised, but Parvati was even more.

"You are different from what I heard." - She was curious, a finger was on her cheek and her eyes were on him.

"But even with all of that, I can tell you're kind and good." - She tilted her head as she smiled. Both of her hands were in front of her sizeable chest.

"And how are you so sure?" - He asked as he was trying to stand up from the bed. His eyes always on her.

"Although those eyes of yours are different. Although they are sharp and cold. I, as the Goddess of Love, Marriage, Beauty, and Children, can see that your true self is still the same, you just hide it better." - She smiled at her own words.

(You're not the Goddess of only that...) - He thought but kept the thought to himself.

Finally he managed to stand up properly. He felt slightly dizzy, but he stood properly.

Then he looked at the Goddess, a bit of worry was in her eyes. But he could notice that her worry was genuine, not pity or something like that.

(Seems like she's different.) - He thought and began walking close to her.

"Then lets go. I better not let Shiva wait." - He knew that the strength of the God of Destruction was absurd, so he rather not piss him off.

Parvati saw that he was forcing himself and said. - "No. I won't let you go outside this room with your body like that! That husband of mine won't come, if he does, then see if I don't beat him up! Hmph!"

Issei was shocked by her words and was about to say something.

"You young man will stay here and rest! That's an order from me!" - She put both of her hand on her hips and walked closer to him. A glare similar to a mothers was in her eyes.

"But—" - He was going to say something.

"No buts! Now sit back down on the bed and rest!" - He words left no room fro discussion.

Issei saw a blue aura surround her and just swallowed his spit. - "...Yes..." - He felt like a child that was just grounded.

His response caused Parvati to smile.

"Excellent! I'll let your companions know that you have awakened." - She turned around and started to walk towards the door.

As the door closed. Issei just stared at it for some time.

"I feel pity for her Children and Husband. She has such a tough personality, its impossible to say no to her..." - He sat back down on the bed and began relaxing.

.

After some minutes the sound of hurried footsteps was heard from the other side of the door.

*Slam!* - The door was slammed open, slightly startling Issei.

He then heard two voices that he dearly missed. - ""Issei!""

He looked at the door, only to find two beautiful women that were looking at him with relief, worry, and anger.

"Hello, seems like—" - His speech was stopped as the two women threw themselves on top of him.

""Do you know how scared we were?!"" - They were obviously furious.

Both of their hands were grabbing his shirt and were shaking him from one side to the other.

"Issei! Do you know what I felt the moment you fainted out of nowhere?!" - Fuuki was looking into his eyes, worry clearly seen in hers. They were even a bit red maybe due to crying.

"Ise! Do you know how angry I am at you?!" - Ericia's voice was sharp and actually managed to scare the Dragon. Her eyes had some bags, probably because she hasn't slept well.

(What did I do?!) - He thought as he was still being shaken from one side to the other.

""You know what you did!"" - His thoughts were read quite quickly.

Ericia looked at him with her sharp eyes, but it was obvious that the relief she felt was huge. The moment he saw him laying on the bed, her heart was full of peace and joy.

Fuuki was the same, she actually felt as if her heart was released from the grip of something. The smile she made was quickly hidden due to her anger at him.

Issei could see the worry inside their eyes. The anger they felt towards him was completely understandable. So he smiled and decided to hug them. His heart full of a warm feeling.

The moment they felt his arms surround them, both had a big blush on their cheeks. Half of it from happiness and the other due to embarrassment.

"Sorry. I won't do something like that again." - He apologized with sincerity. His voice was completely gentle and soothing.

This voice caused the females to widen their eyes, never have they heard him like that. It was a first!

He just kept hugging them, happy about having them in his life.

(I'm sure lucky...) - He thought.

The women never broke his contact off. Although they felt happy and embarrassed, they just decided to keep their bodies inside his hug. The warm he emitted caused them to relax.

Soon he heard some sobs from Fuuki and felt Ericia tremble in his embrace.

"Please... don't do that again." - Fuuki begged. She was worried sick for him.

"Ise. Don't ever! Do that again!" - Ericia's voice was sharp and her words were definitely an order. But the hidden worry and the trembling she had was quite obvious to notice.

"Hn. I'll never do it again." - He calmed them down.

He soon felt how both of their arms circled his back and squeezed.

Feeling this, he widened his eyes in shock.

(So they were this worried... I feel so bad, this is my fault...) - He thought.

Ericia and Fuuki were his closest friends, and after talking to them about his past he felt they were even closer than that. But was unsure.

In a little corner of his mind he thought that it was wrong, that something was off. Due to his traumas with women, he couldn't help but think like that.

But seeing them like that, so afraid that something happened to him, that something went terribly wrong. He felt terrible but also happy.

Terrible because he did this, and happy because they felt so much for him.

Seeing the tears in Fuuki's eyes and the trembling in Ericia's body removed all of the doubts he had.

"...It seems you're more than friends to me..." - He muttered in a very low voice and accepted his emotions.

(Haaa... Now what should I do?) - His thoughts were like that, but the smile in his face signified something else.

He was happy, he was glad that he had such amazing women at his side. He hugged them with even greater strength just enough for them not to be hurt.

Then he inhaled a big breath of air. Discreetly smelling the two women on his arms.

(Fuuki smells like Camellias, and Ericia like Roses. Never thought they would be like that.) - He thought as he felt a sense of exhaustion covering his body.

Then he fell down to his bed and began drifting to the land of Morpheus. Both women on his arms.

"ZzzZzzZz" - He was dead tired.

The two women were red due to him smelling them, they were as red as a tomato. But their hearts were beating erratically inside their chests the moment they heard those almost unnoticeable words from him.

The smiles on their faces were obvious, and the misty eyes they had were enough to charm any man.

Their smiles were indescribable, just one of them could make men go crazy and cause a War. But thankfully, they weren't seen due to their faces being pressed on Issei's chest.

As they sensed him falling asleep still with his arms around them, they were happy, at least, they knew that they were in his heart. And by the looks of his tranquil sleeping face, they were quite deep inside it.

(~Ise~ Thank you, for everything~) - Fuuki thought as she accommodated herself on his chest. Soon falling asleep with a huge smile on her face.

(...Issei... I don't know what to say. You're the only one capable of making me feel like this.) - Ericia looked at Issei's face. Her cold façade was gone, instead, a beautiful smirk and gentle eyes were on her face.

(Maybe I should sleep like this too.) - She thought as she felt the warm of Ise's body.

Discreetly she looked at Fukki and then at Ise. She then inhaled a breath of air.

The smell he had was similar to the ashes of a fireplace, quite odd since he didn't like to use cologne.

Her face was red once again due to her daringness.

(What did I do?!) - She was shocked. She tried to move away but the arms of Issei never left.

(Damn!) - She was frustrated. After fighting for a bit more and receive nothing in exchange, she gave up.

(Oh well, better than nothing.) - She decided to stay and soon after she fell asleep.

—-Scene Change / A Day Later, Mount Kailash / Issei's Room—-

.

After calmly sleeping like that for the entire day, Issei began opening his eyes.

(Where? Oh right, India.) - He was about to ask the same question again but stopped his thoughts.

With his eyes still closed he heard something.

"~HuHuHuHu~" - A giggle echoed all over the room.

"Wow, so daring! Quite the Dragon~" - This time he opened his eyes, and what he saw left him speechless.

Parvati was peaking from the gap of the door. A smile on her eyes and a hand covering her mouth. She was clearly enjoying the scene.

He then looked at himself and was shocked. Two women were sleeping on top of him!

Fuuki was on his left, hugging his arm in between the valley of her breasts. Her black dress was slowly falling off of her body, making him see the impresive assets she had.

The soft and familiar sense of skin against him arm caused him to blush slightly.

Fuuki had a content smirk on her face. Drool fell from the corner of her mouth and onto his arm. She just hugged his entire arm with all of her body, his hand quite close to a dangerous region of her body.

She seemed to be mumbling something he couldn't quite undertand. But the smile and the constant... purring? Made him understand that she was happy about this.

On the other hand, quite literally, was Ericia. Her face was tranquil and calm as if she was having a great dream. However, Issei saw how she was clinging to him.

Her right leg was on top and across both of his legs, squizzing her entire body against his side.

His arm was also in between her breasts, but her right arm was above his chest as if hugging him, and it was almost reaching his left shoulder.

Her body was covered by her black bodysuit that left very little to the imagination. And everytime he moved, she seemed to stick even closer.

Her left cheek was on his bicep and close to his chest. So he could perfectly feel her breathing, causing his blush to increase.

(How?! How did this happen?!) - He was very confused, he didn't understand how they ended like this.

Then he heard a yawn inside his head, a quite familiar yawn.

[Yawwwn. Morning Partner. So what happened after—] - Ddraig stopped himself as he could see through the eyes of his Partner the current situation.

[You work rather fast, heh. Partner.] - The smirk on his face was obvious.

(I didn't do a thing!) - He battled for his innocence.

[You don't need to be shy. I undertand that what happened Yesterday is only for you to know. I'm actually glad that this part of you didn't leave Partner! Glad you only keep it for your women and in private.] - Ddraig kept spitting bullshit.

"I didn't do a thing!" - He was so embarrassed that he said it out loud. Causing the woman at the door to giggle even more.

His voice also awoke the women at his sides.

Fuuki squinted her eyes and pressed her body even closer to his, ignoring everything.

"Five moree minutess, ~Issseii~" - She managed to mumble in her dream.

Seeing her like that caused him to smile. She was just too cute.

Turning his head around he made eye contact with a very shocked Ericia. Red made contact with pitch black and soon both of their faces turned red.

*Cough! Cough!*

Issei faked a cough, calmed his blush, and looked into her eyes. He adjusted his state of mind rather fast.

Then he shamelessly said with a sweet and soft voice.

"Good Morning, sleeping beauty." - He smirked in a teasing fashion, he even closed his eyes to increase his own appeal.

She, on the other hand, just blushed even more than before. She couldn't say anything, so she broke free from her own grasp and left the bed, almost falling to the ground during the process.

(Ohh! An embarrassed Ericia! That's an extremely rare sight!) - He was happy about his deed.

Ericia just turned her head around and saw his smirk. She glared at him with slight fury, causing him to sweat.

Then her sharp voice was heard. - "Are you just going to stay like that forever?!" - Her voice caused him to turn his head around, refusing to make eye contact.

(Damn, she's back to normal.) - He mentally cursed.

Then he looked at the one in his left arm and said.

"No, but she just won't let go." - He pointed at Fuuki who was still asleep.

Ericia saw her and narrowed her eyes. The smile of the Fox's face caused her to feel anger.

Walking around the bed, she reached her side. Then she grabbed Fuuki and yanked her from him. Her eyes, for a moment, held a bit of jealousy.

Feeling that her pillow was gone, Fuuki opened her eyes. Then she looked at the bed and at her captor.

Undertanding what happened she said. - "~Put me baaackk!~" - She was pouting and moving her arms like crazy.

"No!" - But Ericia's will was firm.

"~You just say that because you want to do the samee~ But you don't have the courage to do it!~" - Her words caused a tick on Ericia's eyebrow.

Then she grabbed her entire head with her hand and began squizzing. Afterwards, with a chilling smile, she asked.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you right now. How do you want to die?" - Her smile was frightening.

Fuuki was scared, in response she looked at Issei and screamed.

"~Issseei~! Help! Help! This woman is trying to—" - She was interrupted.

"Trying to what?" - She squizzed her head even harder than before.

"Au-au-au-auuch!" - She kept yelling. Asking for Ise's help.

He just said. - "Fuuki sorry, but I can't do a thing." - These words caused her to pale.

She quickly screamed at him. - "Traitor~! Meanie~! Judas~! Erectile Dysfunction~!"

"Not the last one!" - He retorted with anger.

"HaHaHaHaHaHa!" - Parvati finally laughed. She was containing it for quite some time but couldn't handle it anymore.

Hearing her laugh, everyone froze. Soon Ericia let Fuuki go, and Issei stood up from the bed.

As fast as lighting the former light atmosphere was replaced with weariness, at least, from the two women. They stood side by side, prepared for anything. Although they have been here for three days, they didn't trust anyone here.

"Parvati, to what I owe the pleasure?" - Issei asked while positioning himself in between the two beauties.

Seeing them like that, she understood that whatever happened to them wasn't good. So cautious, so weary, so distrustful. For kids this age, that wasn't good.

"I only came to check if you were awake." - She smiled as usual.

Issei just sighed, he was convinced by her words.

"I see. Then I must thank you for everything until now." - He bowed and said with a gentle voice.

Seeing him like that the women at his sides decided to also act more calm.

"~HuHuHu~" - Parvati giggled, seems like her eyes weren't deceiving her. He was quite the gentleman, but it seems like only to the ones he is close with.

"Now-Now. Since you're ready, how about some breakfast? My husband still wants to talk to you, but he will need to go through me first. He won't dare to~" - Her smile at the end caused him to feel a chill.

"Y-Yes..." - He replied.

"Great! Then please come down when you're ready." - Then she closed the door.

After she left the women looked at Issei. Caution in their eyes.

"Ise. What should we do?" - Ericia asked with her normal voice, her face changed back to her cold one.

"For now, let's play their game. They don't seem to be planning something and if they did, then we would already be done for." - He replied as he looked into her eyes.

"I think so as well. They seem to be normal." - Fuuki said with narrowed eyes. Her bipolarity present.

"Well then lets go." - He said as he started to walk towards the door.

—-Scene Change / Mount Kailash / A Couple of Hours Later—-

.

After breakfast with a bit too cheerful Parvati. Everyone on Ise's team finally calmed down.

She seemed to be quite normal, and by their estimations, she wasn't planning anything.

Right now Issei was walking with Fuuki and Ericia by his sides. Their destination; the main garden where Parvati told them Shiva was at.

As they continued to walk, they reached a huge double wooden door that covered the entire wall in front of them.

*Screech!*

As if it was automatic, the moment they approached close to it the door opened by itself.

The scenery changed and the wooden floors and walls, that were adorned with paintings, bookcases, and other random stuff were gone.

Instead, the garden of Mount Kailash was present. It was beautiful to say the least. Huge trees, lakes and animals were everywhere. Not a piece of furniture could be seen, just plain nature.

Many flowers of different colors, shapes and forms were all over the place.

In the middle of all of the garden, a huge lake was seen. With crystalline water that was a soft light-blue and was as transparent as glass.

At one side of the lake, a bodhi tree could be seen. It was quite big and made a beautiful shadow over the lake. Giving the entire garden a sense of peace and calm.

Below it was a young boy with green and black hair. His height was that of a middle schooler and he was rather handsome.

His eyes were closed, and a fishing rod was impaled on the ground in front of his legs. He was silent and just relaxing, with both hands behind his head, uncaring about the world around him.

But for Issei and the rest, it was completely different. They could clearly feel his monstrous power.

It was like an abyss that was about to destroy everything in sight. But at times it was like a peaceful current of air caressing your skin. Nevertheless, they couldn't feel the end of it. He was on a league of his own.

(How ridiculous. This amount of power, even if he's just relaxing like that is four maybe five times that of Ishtar when she fought against us seriously!) - He swallowed some spit.

Fuuki was even more sensible, so she decreased the distance she had with Issei and hugged his arm.

Ericia was cautious. Both of her gauntlets and greaves were on her arms and legs. Her posture was ready for battle at any second. But the sweat on her forehead was obvious, she knew that this enemy was by far the strongest they have faced.

[Partner. I don't need to tell you, but be careful. He's by far stronger than the Goddess you've faced. Even when I was on my prime I don't think I could have defeated him.] - Ddraig gave his advice.

(I know Ddraig. Don't worry, I don't think he wants to fight.) - He replied.

Soon he started to walk towards him. His emotionless face never changed, his mark was proudly displaying itself on his forehead, and his Darkness was beside him ready for anything.

Shiva sensed this and was amused. - (...Interesting...) - But never moved from his relaxing position.

As they reached under the bodhi tree, Issei and his team were just a few steps away from him.

"Shiva. What do you want to talk about?" - His voice was sharp and cold, ready for anything.

Opening his left eye, he saw the current Sekiryuutei and two other interesting creatures.

Issei was shocked! He felt as if Shiva's eyes saw through him and discovered all of his best kept secrets and even could see through his soul! On the outside he still looked the same, but inside he was sweating rivers.

"Interesting Young Sekiryuutei. No... Young Dragon." - Issei wasn't surprised by this, he knew that Shiva could sense his whole existence and that he was different from the past.

"So you know." - He said with an uncaring attitude.

Shiva saw this and was more amused, it seemed that this Drake was very different compared to the past.

"Of course, I'm older than many other Gods. And that Aura you have is different from the rest." - He said with a small smirk on his face.

(He knows about a Dragon's true Aura!) - Issei was surprised, nothing was hidden from Shiva's eyes.

Seeing the minute change in his expression made Shiva smirk even more.

"The eleventh Dragon in History to have awakened his Aura. Red Dragon Emperor, you must be extremely happy." - He said.

Then a green glow was seen from the reverse of his palm. And a voice was heard from withing it.

[Indeed, God of Destruction. Before, he was my best possessor. Now he's the best in all of History!] - He was happy at this.

"Yes, even I can agree with that. This Aura he has, is definitely something else..." - Shiva was curiously looking at his Darkness, trying to figure it out.

[Even I am not sure about what his Aura does God. So don't try meaningless things.] - Ddraig said to the God.

Shiva only stared at it a bit longer, but then shrugged his shoulders.

"It's confusing. Ever changing, ever helpful. It's as if it changes to suit his needs." - He mouthed.

"But that's not why you're here." - Shiva said and looked into his eyes.

"Young Dragon, what do you want to do?" - His eyes held some mysterious power, Issei knew that he wouldn't be able to lie.

"About what?" - He asked back.

"I saw what you did to gain the power you have, Dragon. I saw that mysterious ritual." - This finally shocked Issei.

His face changed in expression drastically, his eyes sharpened like a knife, his uncaring façade gone.

The women at his sides looked curiously at him, but seeing the vicious glare he had made them feel fear. They have never seen that kind of expression on him before.

"Don't say another word! God!" - His voice was full of venom, it even surprised Shiva a bit.

"So it's a touchy subject. Then forgive my rudeness, I didn't think it was like that." - Shiva said that.

Issei calmed himself down. He still wasn't ready to talk about that, not yet.

Looking at the God, he sighed and said. - "I also apologize. Sorry, but that is something I'm still not ready to talk about." - He motioned with his eyes to the pair of women.

Shiva understood the indirect.

"I see... But you still haven't answered my first question." - He asked back.

Issei knew that he wouldn't give up. So he decided to be completely honest with him, not a single lie.

"I... I want to see the world." - This caught the interest of the God once again.

"Hmm?" - But he also hummed in confusion.

"My goal after what I experienced is... to know." - This made Shiva tilt his head breaking his relaxing posture and paying attention to him.

"I wish to travel around the world and know it better. I also want to form a team for the Games and fight. I want to clear the name I had, and also clear Ddraig's." - He said with conviction and pride.

"I want to show them." - He pointed at Ericia and Fuuki. - "How big the World is. I want them to experience many things and feel what it is to live. I want to help people so to not experience what I did."

His words made the women blush. They never thought they were so important to him, this made them feel happy and delighted.

Issei never removed his eyes from the God's. Shiva saw that his will never wavered, this caused him to discreetly feel satisfaction.

"I want for the people I care for to live and experience incredible things. I also want to be at their side and help them. I want them and myself, to live a long beautiful life with lovers and friends." - He said to the God with emotion in his voice.

His voice was confident and his tone filled with desire to accomplish his goals.

Then he discreetly turned his head and looked at Fuuki and Ericia. Inevitably, he released a sigh. - "...I want a family of my own..."

He mumbled the last one in an extremely low voice, but Shiva read his lips. He smirked even more than before, his expectations about him just kept increasing.

Issei stopped those thoughts and calmed himself. He remembered his past life, those days, those great moments he once experienced, the laughs, the joy, and everything else. Everything turned out to be a dream of golden millet—a pipe dream, a beautiful illusion that turned into a nightmare.

He thought about the results of that, the repercussions he experienced. So he made his resolve, the resolve to be different, and be better.

"I won't let my life be ruled by others, just because of convinience. I won't let the hate and pain I felt and experienced control me. I will be better, I will change, and I will become the strongest Heavenly Dragon this World has to offer." - His Darkness moved in accordance to his emotions.

Shiva mentally smiled. He knew that his eyes weren't wrong. Even his wife agreed to his decision after meeting him.

The women were happy. They knew that their hearts were with the correct man, never have they doubted. Now they knew what he wanted, but that comment from the God kept them thinking.

(What Ritual?) - Ericia thought as she looked at Issei. She felt that this was the mystery they have been anxious to figure out.

(Ritual... for him to act like that, it definitely isn't something good.) - Fuuki thought with a hand on her chin.

After saying all of what he wanted to do, silence reigned for some time. During this time, his eyes never left Shiva's. He sensed that the God was reading him, but he didn't understand, why?

"I see..." - Those were his only words, but his tone seemed happy.

"So you wish to protect. How interesting, a Dragon that wants to protect" - Shiva smiled at this.

Everyone else was confused about what was he talking about. But Issei, inside his head, agreed with his opinion.

Standing up, Shiva pointed at Issei and said. - "If that's what you want then I'll have you meet someone."

Putting his hands behind his back, Shiva walked towards the main door of the garden.

All of them understood that he wanted them to follow him so they looked at each other, nodded their heads, and started to follow him.

.

No one talked for the duration of the trip. Shiva took them inside mount Kailash and just kept walking inside the entire Mansion at the top of the Mountain.

After what it felt like hours, they reached somewhere. A big stone door was in front of them. It covered the whole wall and nothing aside of it was nearby.

Shiva stopped walking and turned around to look at them.

"This is the training room of my territory. Although it's not much, we do frequently use it." - He smiled at them and pushed the door.

The inside was absurd. No end could be seen inside the room, it just extended until the eyes lost focus.

It was a huge plain of rocks and dirt, some weird objects could be seen in random locations of the place, but they didn't know what they were for.

Shiva walked inside and as he closed the door, he began talking to them—more specifically to Issei.

"I'll have you meet someone... special." - He smirked at his own words.

*Clang! Clang!*

The sound of metal colliding against metal was heard inside the training space.

(Hm?) - Issei found this intriguing, that and the aura he could feel all the way here. He thought that this was interesting.

As they walked closer, they finally saw the figure responsible for all of those noises as well as the aura they sensed since some time ago.

(A... woman?) - He thought as he couldn't really distinguish her silhouette because it moved too fast.

The silhouette seemed to be the incarnation of lightning itself. The speed it possessed was second to none!

It was fighting against multiple oponents, all dressed in an armour.

The armor itself was similar to gold, but it gave the apperance of being made out of cloth. However, every time the 'lightning' landed a blow the echo of metal was heard, so it was definitely made out of an alloy.

(Hmmm...) - Issei was interested in the armor, he felt that an armor like that should be extremely useful.

Shiva just stood there looking at the 'lightning' and back at Issei, an indistinguishable smile was on his face.

*Thud! Slump! Plop!*

After some seconds all of the golden figures fell to their knees. Grunts of pain came out of their mouths.

At the same time the 'lightning' finally stopped moving. She had her back pointed at them and some sparks still covered her entire body.

Shiva looked at her and his eyes softened.

"Yae. I want you to meet someone." - His hands were on his back and a smile on his face.

The woman turned her head over her shoulder. Her eyes, which were focused on the battle, softened and a smile spread across her face.

Turning her whole body around she began walking towards them, a smile plastered on her face.

Issei was amazed by the beauty of the woman. - (Wow... Who exactly is she?)

She was an attractive young woman that seemed to be in her late teens, with long blue hair similar to the night sky and a pair of beautiful sparkling eyes with a gaze as soft as water, not containing even the slightest hint of arrogance.

Her face was exquisite and delicate with skin smooth as silk and white as milk. All of her body emitted an air of sensuality but also an air of purity.

Her chest was constricted by her clothing, giving off a ridiculous amount of sex appeal. Her rear was the same, covered by a short skirt that left little to the imagination.

She was more-or-less tall in height. She was five feet five inches—around 171 centimeters, pretty tall for a woman but nowhere near Ericia and Fuuki that were almost as tall as Issei.

She wore a black collar with white frills and with a tinge of blue on it. A black, double-breasted armored thigh-length vest that covered her whole upper body protecting her chest, her sides, and part of her hips and thighs.

She had a red mini skirt that barely reached her thighs along with plates at the sides. She wore black stockings supported by garters, red boots with a metal heel, and black metallic bracelets on her wrists.

(Wait... Did I see wrong?) - Issei thought his eye-sight went bad, he could have swore that he saw a pair of bunny ears above her head.

Looking again... He indeed saw a pair of bunny ears above her head, moving slightly as she walked.

(Huh?) - This took him by surprise.

As she walked closer, Issei just stared at her. The two women at his side were annoyed by the look of awe he gave her.

Ericia hit him with her elbow and Fuuki pinched his arm.

Issei was abruptly awakened from his daydreaming, looking at his sides the two women refused to make eye contact.

""Hmph!"" - Was their only answer.

(What did I do!?) - He was confused.

Ddraig, on the other hand, was doing his very best to not laugh at the sight. He knew that the two women were jealous of the one in front of them. After all, his partner just stared at her without blinking.

"Father!" - Her sweet, melodious voice was heard. It was as beautiful as a song and as soft as it could get.

"Yae. Please, at least spare some of our guards. They are barely standing." - Shiva said while giving her a soft look, completely different from a God of Destruction.

"He-He~ Sorry father, but I needed to train, and both of my brothers are out so I could only ask them." - The woman blushed lightly.

"I want you to meet someone." - Shiva said as he pointed at Issei.

The beauty turned her head around and looked at Issei.

Issei saw curiosity in those eyes, but he also saw a sense of caution. The women named Yae was definitely, contrasting with her appearance, on guard.

(By the looks of her magical reserves alone, she should be quite the enemy. But that speed... that should be a problem. However, somethings feels off about this...) - He kept staring at her.

Soon he saw her eyes once again, this time focusing more on them.

(Her eyes... they have a lot of pain hidden inside of them, don't tell me she's...) - Issei thought as he kept eye contact. He was shocked by this, but he could be wrong.

Meanwhile, the two women looked at her and felt a sense of competition. She was by no means inferior to them in beauty, and their instincts as women flared up the moment Issei saw her with those eyes.

But something caught their attention.

Their eyes never left the pair of bunny ears on top of her head, moving softly.

(Are they... real?) - Ericia thought while looking at them.

(...Hmm...) - Fuuki thought the same.

At the same moment the woman noticed the eyes of the two women. She felt a bit confused as they kept looking at her ears.

"Ah... excuse me, but what's wrong?" - Her voice was soft, her tone a bit worried.

Issei then looked at Shiva, who was motioning with his hand to come closer.

He did as told and the two of them walked a bit far off from them, leaving the women to do what they wanted.

"As you heard, she's my daughter. Her name is Yae Rudra. Her race is rather... special as you can see." - He told him while sitting on top of a rock nearby, matching Issei's height.

"Yes. I guessed that the moment I saw her ears, but what is she? She's not a Yōkai and I have never heard of a Hindu Rabbit." - Issei replied back to him.

Shiva just sighed at that. - "The story is rather long, if you want to know then come to the garden at night. I'll tell you everything."

Issei was curious, why was Shiva doing this? But he still nodded his head.

.

Back with the two women, the two of them were having a silent staredown with Yae, their eyes never left her figure for even a second.

Yae, on the other hand, was feeling restless. The looks these two gave her were especially weird as if she took something they loved and cherished and were now pissed.

"Eh... I don't know why you're looking at me like that, but I'm sure all of this could be solved easily!" - She smiled a bit at her own words.

Ericia and Fuuki didn't hear her words, they were just silent.

"Eh... excuse—" - She was frozen solid by the actions of the white-haired woman.

*Grab!* - Ericia extended her hand and grabbed her bunny ear.

"Fugya!" - Yae was baffled by the sudden action. She screamed as she felt her own ear being pulled.

"Why did you have to pull Yae's lovely ears?! What do you wish to accomplish by pulling Yae's beautiful rabbit ears?!" - Yae screamed while looking kind of cute.

"Ohh! So they are real." - Was the only response from Ericia. She ignored the pitiful rabbit's question.

"Of course they are! Why did you think Yae's ears were fake?! And don't ignore my question!" - She was confused and a bit angry

"Ohh~ these rabbit ears are actually real?" - Fuuki said as she went for the other ear of Yae.

"Wa-Wait a momen—" - Yae tried to stop her, but it didn't work.

While the two women grabbed her ears, Yae had made an inarticulate scream that made Shiva giggle at the sight of the two woman teasing his daughter.

Issei saw that and facepalmed, he decided to intervene before things escalated even more.

While walking close to them, Issei grabbed the hands of both Fuuki and Ericia.

"Ericia, Fuuki stop this. Why were you doing it in the first place? Please don't mess with her just like that." - Issei ordered the two women, being serious about it.

"Sating my Curiosity." - Was Ericia's response.

"~Curious!~" - The answer from Fukki was even worse.

Issei sighed and looked at the woman who was on the ground and had small tears on her eyes.

He inclined down and stretched his hand at her, wishing to help her stand up.

"Are you okay? They didn't mean wrong, they just act like that with anything that interest them." - His voice was warm and sharp making the Rabbit widen her eyes.

In her eyes, the man in front of her—that helped and stopped the two women's teasing, was quite handsome. He had black hair and red eyes that were kind of sharp but held an extremely comfortable feeling to her.

His small smile made her eyes widen even more and unknowingly made her own heart skip a beat.

All of that made her blush... a lot.

"Th-Thank Y-You..." - She stuttered while grabbing his hand, not making eye contact. Definitely, love at first sight.

Issei just smiled at this. This woman seemed to be quite a good company to be around. However, the two women at his sides were feeling something else.

(Tch! Defending her like that.) - Ericia thought.

(This Rabbit is trying to steal my Issei?! In your dreams!) - Fuuki was feeling threatened.

While patting the dust off of her clothes, Yae looked at the man in front of her.

While giving a gentle smile and spinning her body around in joy, she said.

"Although Father said who I am, let me introduce myself." - She moved a hand on top of her chest and bowed.

"My name is Yae Rudra, daughter of Shiva." - Her voice held pride and her smile was stunning.

The artificial light that shown on her body made Issei widen his eyes just a bit. That change in his expression didn't go unnoticed by Ericia and Fuuki.

Both of them could see any and every change in Issei's expression. Thanks to that, they could guess what he was thinking.

"Hoh." - He muttered slightly impresed by the sight.

His words caused Yae's face to turn a bit red.

"Then I should also introduce my team and myself." - He decided.

While standing straight, pride filled his body. His eyes held a light that was indecipherable.

"My name is Issei, Hyoudou Issei." - These words caused Yae to freeze. Even her ears were standing straight.

He smirked at that response.

"I'm a full Dragon and the wielder of the Longinus, Boosted Gear!" - His words were ridiculous for her.

*Flash!*

A brilliant flash of green light blinded some people momentarily.

After the light was gone, Yae saw the Longinus that was suposed to be with the War Hero, right on his left arm!

"Y-You r-really are h-him?" - She muttered while looking amazed.

"Indeed. Due to certain... accident, I became a full Dragon." - Issei told her half of the whole truth, trying to start right with her.

"B-B-But..." - She mumbled while pointing at him, it was quite funny. Even her ears were standing straight.

"It's the truth Yae." - Shiva said as he appeared out of nowhere.

"It's a very, very, well-kept secret. But the current Sekiryuutei is a full Dragon." - He said to clear her doubts.

"H-How?!" - She knew that the current Sekiryuutei was a human, a pure human that was reincarnated as a Devil. But in front of her was a Dragon, in the whole sense of the word!

She knew her senses couldn't be wrong. But he was so... different.

His attitude, his complexion, his eyes and face, it was like a different person. But both, the Longinus in his arm and her Father, proved to her that he was the current Sekiryuutei.

"If he wants to talk, then let him talk. It's his own secret after all." - Shiva shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't mind, nothing wrong with it." - Issei shrugged his shoulders.

Yae kept her eyes on him, both of her hands were close to her chest and her eyes held a curious gleam that made Issei smirk for a second.

She leaned forward and closed the distance between them, her eyes never left his. But that action caused him to stare at her chest for the briefest of seconds. Further angering the women at his sides.

Issei quickly composed himself and acted as if he did nothing wrong.

"It happened after my battle against the blood-descendant of the Original Beelzebub, inside a pocket dimension made by the user of the 'Dimension Lost'." - He began his explanation. -

"Right when he used his last trump card, an arrow covered with the blood of 'Samael'. I was struck by it, and due to me holding the Boosted Gear the damage it did was ridiculous."

His words caught the attention of the women at his sides, they have never heard the full story, just the end result.

"After that, I was dying. My body became useless and I, sooner or later, would have died inside the Dimensional Gap." - He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"At my dying breath, Great Red broke through the dimension I was trapped in, and Ophis—that was with me, decided to hop on his back alongside with me." - He moved a single hand to the side.

"My body became useless but Ddraig managed to cage my soul inside the Boosted Gear. Meanwhile, Ophis and Great Red made a body out of their own. The blood and flesh from Great Red, and the power and Aura of Ophis." - He smirked at that.

The rest were quiet, even Shiva put slight attention on this. Even he didn't know the complete story.

"After a couple of days, I woke up from my 'Coma'." - He quoted his last words. - "And thanks to Ddraig, Ophis, and Great Red, I was able to successfully fuse my soul into 'my' body." - He said.

"So I gained the body of a full Dragon and my soul, that had the Boosted Gear, was able to stabilize inside the new body. Thus, I am a full Dragon while possessing a Longinus." - He dismissed his own comment.

Yae had her eyes widened like dinner plates. Even her mouth was so open that one could fit a whole egg inside of it! Never in her life had she expected to meet someone that is so... ridiculous.

"So you—" - She was stopped mid-speech by Ericia.

"He's basically a joke. A slip of fate. It was like someone slept during their work and this happened." - Her words were right in a sense.

Issei gave a small glare to her, who in return gave him a prideful smirk.

(That's what you get.) - She was happy about it.

"Ohh! So it's like that. Indeed its much easier to understand it like that." - Hse cutely nodded her head, her voice was soft and made Issei cringe.

*Cough! Cough!* - He faked a cough and decided to keep explaining.

"And these two." - He pointed at the women. - "Are my friends and teammates."

"Ericia Draculea, last descendant of Dracula himself and a Royal Vampire." - He pointed at the white-haired woman who smirked as she placed a hand on her hip, showing off her astounding body and heart-stopping sex appeal.

"And Benikomichi Fuuki, Strongest Yōkai and last descendant of Tamamo-No-Mae." - Fuuki smiled at his words and blushed a bit. Her beauty was second to no one at that moment.

(...Last descendants...) - Yae looked at both women, her mind in a mess.

(...A miracle...) - She looked at Issei and at the two women once again, a feeling of understanding and happiness grew on her chest.

"That's basically it." - He finished explaining.

Shiva was quiet, and so was Yae.

.

Issei was exhausted after all of this, even the talk right now was quite long.

"Shiva, is there a Library here?" - He asked while looking at the God.

"Indeed. Are you interested in something?" - Shiva asked back.

"Hn." - He nodded his head. - "There's something I need to search for, the sooner the better."

"Yae can take you there, she knows the way." - Shiva told him as Yae smiled at this.

"Oh. Then I'll trouble you." - He looked at Yae and smirked a bit.

"It's not a problem at all. I often go there after training." - She waved her hand back and forth, hiding her embarrassment.

"Oh? Then, what do you read?" - He asked, interested in this. Ericia didn't like reading as much as him, and Fuuki well... she's a lost cause in that ambit.

"Pretty much everything. You name it, we have it!" - Her smile made Issei release a brief laugh and nod his head in agreement.

"Then... do you have books about Alchemy? About treasures of the Heavens and the Earth?" - He asked cautiously.

"There are indeed!" - Yae clapped her hands in front of her chest and closed her eyes.

"Would you like me to help you find them?" - She asked while placing her hands behind her back, squirming in place.

"Oh! Then I'll ask it from you." - Issei closed his eyes, nodded his head, and began walking.

Before walking past Yae, he discreetly looked at Ericia, she responded with a nod of her head.

Their thoughts; 'I have something important to do, I'll leave first.' And; 'Understood, be cautious.'

Issei smirked and placed his hands on his coat pockets. He walked away, Yae at his side.

His mind kept running, his thoughts as well. - (Maybe I can...) - He, as always, was scheming something.

Shiva looked a bit intrigued by the sudden communication between the Dragon and the Vampire but decided to ignored it. Just by his questions alone it made him understand what the Dragon wanted to do.

That gleam inside his eyes when seeing his daughter proved to him something else, he smiled at that thought.

Ericia and Fuuki looked at each other a bit confused. Issei wasn't exactly like this. What is he thinking? Why sudden interest in those books? Why is he so relaxed, when he is so cautious?

They had many questions, but decided to ignore them. As long as it wasn't something bad then they didn't care.

Soon after, they decided to leave, Ericia went to another location inside the training field and Fuuki decided to go back to sleep.

—-Scene Change / Library of Mount Kailash—-

.

The Libary inside this Mountain was ridiculous, Issei was genuinely amazed the moment Yae opened the door to it.

It was huge to say the least. The ceiling had many different decorations and drawings, all depicting a battle or an event. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, all having many candles on them bringing light to the Library.

The color of all the place was Golden with a bit of red. The floor was made of a dark wood that was shining with the light of the candles on top, and the bookcases were as tall as the ceiling.

They were many bookcases, all lined up in a vertical way until nothing could be seen at the distance. At the sides of them, there were some torches and old antique ladders rested against the sides of the bookcases, maybe to reach the higher parts of them.

Yea walked in front of Issei and turned around. She didn't seem affected by the beauty of this place.

"Welcome to the Library!" - She opened her arms and said in an exaggerated manner, then she turned her whole body around giving him her back.

"In here all the knowledge my Pantheon has to offer, is stored! Every book since the beginning of the Hindu Pantheon was personally collected and placed here by my Father, Shiva! The many books this place has stored are on the Hundreds of Thousands! The exact quantity is unknown, and all of them are utterly unique, so there are no copies here!"

She seemed to like to explain things. She was also very good at it, like a natural talent she had to be an arbiter or something around those lines.

"Fufun!" - She smiled triumphantly while both of her hands were on her hips.

(Did I amazed him? I hope I did...) - She thought while fidgeting in her spot.

But she didn't hear single voice, nor noise, nor something at all. - "Ara?" - She said as she turned around.

Nothing was behind her.

She blinked her eyes and titled her head to the side. - "Huh?" - She said.

"Oh! So there was this type of book here." - She heard a voice to her left.

Issei was looking at a book that he never expected to be here. A Romance Novel and a smutty one at it.

"Hmm... Quite interesting..." - He said as he expertly flipped the pages of the book.

"Why are you there?! You missed Yae's amazing explanation about this place!" - She yelled at him while practically appearing at his side.

"Hm?" - He was curious. - "Well, you were taking your sweet time, so I just walked towards a bookcase and grabbed a book while you were done." - He deadpanned.

Yae blinked her eyes in confusion. - "Haaa..." - She sighed in defeat.

She crossed her arms and closed her eyes, then she said.

"Please listen to what I'm saying, it's important for you to understand the History behind this place! As you are our guest we need to show you the courtesy of Mount Kailash and that includes the History behind this place."

With this she thought that he would understand.

(Was I too serious? Did I say too much? Oh! I hope he's not mad, I would hate if he's angry at me, but...) - Her thoughts were as fast as lightning.

Opening her eyes she was about to mutter an apology, only to meet with absolutely nothing again.

"Huh?" - Question marks appeared above her head, she looked cute with her confused expression.

"Oh, Yae! Come here, I really don't know where to find the books I'm looking for." - Issei was further away. He had another book in his hand this one also seemed to be another Novel.

"Please listen when Yae's talking!" - Yae yelled, causing Issei to giggle slightly.

"Soo... Where are the Alchemy books?" - He said again just to tease her.

Yae sighed in complete defeat and slumped her shoulders. - "I'm going..." - She seemed to be defeated by the antics of Issei.

(HaHaHa. Her reactions are priceless!) - He knew his plan worked.

"Oh. Thanks again Yae." - He decided to smile a bit, maybe as an apology.

Yae was walking with her sunken shoulders when she heard his voice again.

(At least, he's nice with—) - Her thoughts stopped as she looked at him.

Issei's small smile caused her to blush a bit. But his slightly gentle eyes and the book in his hands accentuated, in her eyes, his handsome face a lot more.

"T-There's n-no need to T-Thank me..." - She covered her face with her hair and her ears, she even fidgeted in her spot.

Issei was a bit confused by this but just ignored it.

Yae finally walked closer to him, her eyes still a bit misty.

(Focus Yae!) - She hit her cheeks with her hands.

(You know that he's handsome, but focus! He asked your help for something and Father is counting on you! Do not let his handsome face and even handsomer smirk... and those extremely comforting eyes... and that sweet voice... and his...) - She was lost in thought again.

Issei saw how she hit her cheeks and then a hint of determination filled her eyes, only after that did her eyes turned dreamy and misty, she was completely lost in thought.

(Is she okay?) - He asked inside his head.

[HaHaHaHaHa! You truly have a gift Partner! HaHaHaHa] - He heard Ddraig's voice and laugh.

(Do you know what happened to her Ddraig?) - He asked back.

[HaHaHaHa! Maybe I do, but I won't say.] - Ddraig was having a blast.

(Huh? What's wrong with you?) - His only answer was his laugh, but he decided to cut the link between them and focus on Yae.

"Yae." - He said while looking at her, but it didn't seem to work.

"Yae! Are you okay?" - He placed a hand on her shoulder.

That seemed to woke her up from her daydreamig.

"Hm?" - She shook her head a bit and then looked at the one who woke her up.

"Oh! Issei-san..." - As she said that she widened her eyes in shock.

(He saw me like that?! Oh no! What if he thinks that I'm—) - Her thoughts were stopped.

"Yae, are you seriously fine? If you don't feel well I can stay here on my own." - He crossed his arms while he asked.

His warm but sharp voice that seemed to have a bit of worry caused Yae to cough, so as to get rid of her thoughts, and blush.

"Do not worry, Issei-san. I'm okay, just a bit tired from the training." - She smiled while waving her hands from side to side.

"Oh. I understand." - He agreed to her words and turned around, walking towards a random direction.

(Haaa... Safe.) - She thought while breathing a bit to calm her heart down.

After that, she walked towards Issei and helped him find the books he was looking for.

.

After finding the books Issei was looking for, Yae decided to stay with him.

She thought that he might need help and well, she would love to help.

Soon her thoughts were proven right.

"Yae, can you explain this to me? I don't quite get it." - Issei had an extremely thick book with a green cover in his hand. The title read as; 'Differences and Similitudes between Herbs'

He walked closer to Yae while looking at the page he was in.

She was sitting at one side of him, another book on her desk, while the light of a candle helped her read better.

"Sure, Issei-san!" - Her eyes basically shinned when he asked this.

(Fufun! I can show you how much I know!) - She hid her smile.

(Since I was a child I spent a lot of my time here, so any question you have are easy to me!) - She was happy about proving her knowledge to Issei.

Issei walked closer and leaned over her shoulder, putting his book on top of hers.

"Here, the difference between 'Fish Scaled Grass' and 'Dragon Scaled Grass'." - He was curious about this, he coudn't quite understand it.

Yae blushed as she felt Issei's arm on her shoulder, his face was also extremely close to her.

(Close! Far too close! Please, stay a bit away, my heart can't take it!) - Her thumping heart was clearly heard by her ears.

Nevertheless, she still replied while hiding the thump in her chest.

"Fish Scaled Grass is a small herb the size of a hand. Its leaves are the size of a fingernail and have small white dots on them." - She explained while doing her very best.

"It mainly is used by Alchemists due to its warm nature and healing properties. However, Dragon Scaled Grass is different." - She seemed like a teacher.

"Dragon Scaled Grass, is also very similar to the Fish Scaled Grass, but its leaves are the size of a soybean and it has only one white spot on each of its leaves." - She said.

"It's also cold in nature, so if you break the stem off a yellow liquid should come out. That liquid is used as a stabalizer during the 'Refinement' of Medicines." - She finished explaining.

"...I see..." - Were the words of Issei. He was quite tired and he spent a lot of time in here with Yae, so something basic like this just slipped his mind.

(Must be getting tired.) - He concluded.

"Thanks Yae, for everything." - He turned his head around and thanked her with sincerity.

"No problem!" - She smiled, her ears were even moving excitedly.

"Then, I'll take my leave. I'm a bit tired and want to rest if it's possible." - He said as he walked towards where he thought the exit was.

Yae was a bit shocked by his words. To be honest with herself she really liked being with him, although he teased her quite a bit, he was extremely nice. His eyes also were extremely comforting for her, as if he experienced something that she could completely understand.

(...Issei-san...) - She thought as she looked at his back.

Then she decided!

Gathering the courage she had, she yelled at him. - "Issei-san!"

He turned around. - "Hm?" - Was his response.

"I-If it's fine with you. W-Would y-you like to m-meet me here again tomorrow?" - She said the last part extremely quickly.

Issei was confused by this but seeing her fidgeting in her spot caused him to agree.

"Sure Yae. Same hour." - He turned around once again, finally leaving the place.

Yae was happy at this. Seeing his walk of she lifted a hand on top of her body and said. - "Yeess!" - Her smile was obvious.

After that, she placed both hands in front of her body, grabbing her fingers and playing with them. Her face was a tad red, and her ears were so as well.

(I... I did it!) - She smiled. - (He will come tomorrow, this definitely will be good!) - She thought.

(He wouldn't think I'm too daring right!? I mean, I know it's too fast but I wanted to keep talking to him and all...) - Her thoughts kept spinning.

(I mean, I haven't been with any other male aside from my Father and Brothers, he's going to be the first...) - Then a sudden possibility came into her head.

(Isn't this a date?! A man and a woman, alone, together. It's definitely a date! Oh no, he won't think I'm bold right!? I swear it's not like that Issei-san! I'm not thinking this is a date or anything. I mean it's not like I don't think you're atractive, rather the completely opposite you're extremely handsome and kind and...) - Her thoughts kept going in that direction.

Soon inside the Library there was a bunny with an extremely red face. Both of her hands covered her face as she kept hopping from one side to the other.

—-Scene Change / Mount Kailash; Issei's Room / Later at Night—-

.

Issei was laying down on his bed, watching the sun set in the horizon through the window inside his room.

(Haa... Such an amount of information, it's not going to be easy. At least Yae helped me by finding the most important books.) - He thought while turning his head around.

The rabbit was extremely nice and they shared much knowledge about each other. Mainly Yae talking and asking him some random things and Issei answering.

She even asked about his adventures. He smirked at her questions, making some red appear on her cheeks, and talked about some of them.

The purity in those eyes and the lack of a hidden interest in her questions made him a tad bit more talkative than before.

After some long hours spent inside the Library, Issei finally decided to leave. He saw a sad light inside the eyes of Yae that quickly vanished, but that was enough for him. Maybe his plan was not that far-fetched after all...

Inside his room, Ericia and Fuuki were with him. One on the bed sleeping like a log right next to him, and the other in the desk on the other side of the wall, reading something.

While looking at the ceiling Issei was in thought.

(A Treasure so rare that it can help a Dragon...) - His mind kept spinning. He didn't know what was going to happen.

(Haa... Well for now, lets not worry about this.) - He decided to move on.

Tilting his head to the left, he noticed that night-time already arrived.

(Well, time to go.) - He remembered Shiva's words.

He stood up from the bed, stretched his numb body, and began walking towards the door. Waking Fuuki up during the process, and making Ericia glance at him curiously.

While turning the knob he said to the residents while turning his head.

"Shiva said he wanted to meet me during the night at the garden. I'll be back soon. If I'm not, then leave as soon as you can." - He was cautious as always.

The women widened their eyes in surprise but still nodded their heads. Internally they still refused his order, if things go wrong then they will fight with him and... die with him.

Issei knew about this, so he wanted to do the best he could so that nothing goes wrong.

Opening the door of the room, he left.

.

After walking around the Mansion, Issei managed to arrive at the garden.

The entire place was pitch black, only the light of a few torches placed all over the garden—and a few fireflies, were the only things that brought light to this garden.

As he began walking, he decided to go towards the bodhi tree.

The lake that was once a clear an tranquil blue turned black, it looked like an abyss ready to swallow you up.

Underneath the bodhi tree was a young boy. He was looking at a firefly that was resting on top of his index finger. The light in his eyes held an absolute power and wisdom even Issei wanted to have.

Soon, the little firefly flew away from the finger of the God and he turned around.

"So you came." - Shiva said while looking at the young Dragon.

"Yes. Now, why are we here?" - He went direct for the point.

"You should know, right? Drake." - Shiva replied in a mysterious tone.

"I have my suspicions." - Issei said while crossing his arms and walking even closer to the bodhi tree. He was a meter away from Shiva.

"Oh? Then surprise me Dragon." - Shiva basically ordered the Dragon.

"Its about Yae's past right? About your daughter's experiences in her life." - Issei replied without any kind of fear.

"Hoo..." - He muttered impressed.

"Indeed Sekiryuutei, it's about my daughter." - Shiva gave him the reason.

Shiva pated the ground at his side. Issei raised a brow to this but then shrugged his shoulders. He sat down next to Shiva and looked directly at the river.

"You see Sekiryuutei, my daughter is a special existence." - He explained. - "A genius among her own kind, but also the very last of them." - Shiva never looked at Issei, he just stared at the lake.

"She is not my blood daughter, rather my adopted daughter. However, I love her even more than my own flesh and blood." - He smiled.

"Her story, she doesn't mind me telling you." - Shiva said while turning his head around.

Issei stayed silent, his eyes were closed. Seeing this, Shiva took his silence as approval.

"Yae is the last of the 'Moon Rabbits'." - Shiva looked at the star-filled sky and began narrating.

Issei was confused, he felt that he had heard about that before, but he couldn't quite remember...

"The Moon Rabbits were famously known thanks to a certain Legend based on selflessness."

"Thanks to that sole act of sacrificd, they were given the greatest of honors by Indra." - This surprised Issei a bit.

"He made the entire tribe his personal guards. Although they were not famous, they were respected among our Pantheon. And thanks to their great merits, Indra adored them and gifted them with many treasures." - His voice sounded melancholic.

"He gave the strongest warrior of the tribe, the greatest power. Power comparable to one of his own 'Heavenly Generals', if not more!"

"He gave them a replica of his own weapon, forged by Brahma himself." - He said while lying down on the grass.

"His 'Vajra'—his lighting, was why they were most famous for. They even called themselves the 'Lightning of Indra' and no one dare to refute it. However, everything good has its ending." - This comment made Issei stare at him.

Shiva had a really old look in his eyes, as if he was recalling memories he rather not remember.

"The Great War was not only fought amongst the Three Biblical Factions. Everyone in the Supernatural was involved."

This words shook Issei to the core. He never had heard about that!

He thought that the War was only between Christianity, not a free-for-all!

"It began only for the sake of pride and power, thinking that by eradicating all the rest of the Pantheons they would stand Supreme! Alone in the World, yours to rule over with an iron fist!" - He exclaimed. - "But things were terrible, not only did the War became even more gruesome, it changed the Gods. Some for good as they learned the value of Life and others, many others, for evil as they were infatuated with it." - He had sadness in his voice.

"Indra, was one of those cases." - He confessed. - "He became 'twisted', becoming obsessed with the war, thriving for victory, always victory... even if it meant the Death of his subordinates and friends." - He had a bitter tone of voice.

"Of course, the Moon Rabbits followed him due to their loyalty and courage, but after many years of senseless War they became less and less in number." - He sounded exhausted.

"The Chief at that time saw this and tried to talk his Master, to retreat from the War. To stop the endless slaughter! ...But Indra never listened." - He was disappointed.

"Desperate, the Chief planned to rebel. But the rest of his tribe was so lost in the War that they kept thinking about getting revenge for their parents, brothers, or lovers, so no one listened to him. ...None, except for one." - He smiled a bit at this.

Issei was completely silent, he didn't want to interrupt him.

"That sole person was a woman. She was courageous and strong, she was the strongest user of Lightning in the whole tribe! Blessed by her natural talent she was known as the; 'Incarnation of Lightning.'" - Shiva lifted the corner of his mouth.

"But even with all of the fame and power, she didn't care. Her only wish was for the War to stop, and save as many of her tribe as she could. So she followed the man." - He smirked.

"She didn't think twice about following him since their goals were the same. She didn't even care about what would happen if Indra discovered that they were planning on rebelling. She just wished for freedom and peace, so she fought for that." - Issei was silent, only paying attention.

"Her bravery and character managed to steal the heart of the leader—the same could be said to have happened to her. Slowly, they began to fall in love. Spending more and more time with each other."

"After some time they forged out their plan. Hoping to live together forever in peace! But things became even tenser..." - He was saddened by this. - "The fall of the Persian Pantheon at our hands made all other participants in the War excited, Indra was one of the most pleased..."

"Seeing this, the couple decided to wait a bit more, it wasn't the time. But unknown to them, the rest of their tribe always kept an eye on them. Thinking about the words that their "Leader." - He quoted the last word. - "Once said to them."

"And sooner-or-later... their plan was found out." - Issei widened his eyes a bit.

"At that moment Indra was furious." - He clutched his fist in anger. - "Blinded by his anger he went for the lives of both of them. But the man decided to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his lover and honor their own Legend." - He had a sad smile.

"When Indra arrived, he flipped the entire town over until he was found. The man was accused of many crimes—some of which he didn't even commit, but no one cared about that..." - He sighed. - "The man's only wish—his last wish, was for his lover to be safe."

Issei was surprised, he knew that the man must have really loved the woman if he was willing to go that far for her.

"And so he was sentenced to death. But his lover was spared, exiled from the tribe, but alive. This thanks to his many merits during his life as a warrior." - Shiva looked at the Sekiryuutei and he found him paying all the attention he could.

"His lover pleaded and cried just for one night to talk to him, their last night together, she begged and begged... until Indra agreed."

"That night the man and the woman became one, and unknown to them they made the full family that they wished." - He smiled at this. - "Then the man told his lover to run away as far as possible and gifted her the most precious armor in the entire Pantheon. A relic used by every Chief of the tribe since time immemorial. An armor that Indra got due to trickery, and due to a vow that the one that had it decided to fulfill."

"It was a gift from Indra himself to his own father, the former chief, since Indra couldn't use it due to its curse towards him."

Issei was silent, this story was quite sad. A romance that couldn't be fullfilled due to a ridiculous War. And a man betrayed by his own kind because of wishing the best for them...

"The day of the execution, the woman saw his loved one walk with his head high going towards his death. He was satisfied since he was successful in protecting his love. But tragedy occurred." - His voice was bitter. - "During his execution, news about Indra and his Generals being there were spread, and the last of the extinct Persian Pantheon came to claim the lives of all."

"The Evil Dragon—Azi Dahaka—came and used his entire power to kill anything in his eyes." - This surprised Issei. - "The battle made the Heavens quake and the Earth to crack. All was lost by the power of that Dragon... Indra had to slaughter his way out, eliminating the dead army the Dragon conjured."

"Many of Indra's Generals died there, and the entire tribe of Moon Rabbits were annihilated... not one remained. Azi Dahaka also perished there, in the cataclysmic battle, but was satisfied by eliminating the entire 'Lightning of Indra' and taking the lives of his Heavenly Generals. He, alone, managed to decrease our Pantheon's overall strength by a huge margin!" - His voice was tragic, his face even changed a little.

"However, only one Moon Rabbit survived." - He was relieved at these words.

"The woman left the moment she saw her lover die by the sharp fangs of the beast. Failing to rescue him in the midst of chaos."

"Crying tears of grief she left and wandered all around the world, hiding from one place to another." - Shiva was satisfied with this as if it was a good decision.

"Soon she noticed her Pregnancy and using all of her strength and power, she activated a forbidden spell that cost a part of the life she had left. She stopped the development of the baby, hoping she would give birth when everything was calm and the War was finally over."

"Years, Decades even, passed and I found the woman." - He confessed. - "I helped her and gave her a home. Since I was also quite confused after the War, seeing my friends fall one after the other and seeing the battlefields being painted with my comrade's blood. I... didn't know how to react. ...And so I left and roamed the World until I coincidentally found her."

"However, because of the spell she cast on the baby and the years that passed like that, her body became increasingly weaker and the life of the baby was in danger." - His tone worried. - "I took a liking to the woman, she was the only being that wasn't afraid of me due to my power, and for that, I was grateful." - He had a small smile on his face.

"Her only wish was to give birth after the War finished, ...but things weren't what she thought."

"The Pantheons were in a mess, and internal fights broke out. Even I, needed to go back unless I wanted my Pantheon to experience its demise. And so, I left her on her own, hoping to end everything as fast as I could." - He sadly said.

"The Human World unexpectedly experienced a change after the Great War." - He sighed. - "And Humanity started to fight against each other, each battle worse than the last." - Shiva explained while looking at the moon.

"The Roman Empire constant greed for territory and riches. The fall of Mother Civilizations all over the World, further weaking the other Factions. The fall and rise of Kingdoms and Cities. The Crusades of the Christians. The Huns unsatiable thirst for blood." - Shiva kept recounting.

"Hundreds upon Hundreds of Wars, all because of Religion, Race, Territory, Belief and so much more!" - He was angry, the God of Destruction was angered.

"The entire World, thanks to us, was left in a mess... And we couldn't help since we were the same as them!" - Shiva was feeling ashamed of himself.

He took a breath and calmed his emotions while thinking about the past. Then he inhaled and continued telling the story.

"After more time passed the body of the woman became pale and weak and I couldn't notice it on time since I left her alone..." - He obviously felt regret.

"Her life... was close to an end." - He said with a hurt look in his eyes. - "As a last resort, she begged me to save the baby... even if it meant her own death." - His voice was serious.

"And so I did."

Issei widened his eyes, he was surprised that he actually agreed with that!

"The procedure was heart-wrenching for me, the wails of the woman still echo inside my head from time to time..." - He lamented. - "But it was successful! The baby lived!" - He smiled, an aura filled with satisfaction was present on him.

"And with her last strength, she named her baby and gifted her with the armor from her father and the lighting of the mother. And soon after left this world, finally rejoining with her loved one." - He had a sad smile on his face.

"I raised her as my own flesh and blood, and thanks to that I love her even more than my own flesh and blood." - He was smiling this. - "But her life was not easy... being the last of her race and being my daughter—even if only in name, meant her life was never going to be simple."

His mood changed once again, even a tinge of regret was seen in his eyes. His hands were against his face, and his eyes were looking straight at the lake.

"Not having her true 'father' and 'mother' affected her more than I can think." - He had a grim look on his face.

"And after discovering the truth, she was in despair. Her entire life was a lie, her own parents turned out to be fake and she was the last of a race that was bred for War." - He was sad at his own words.

"It was too much for her. And it took a long time for my wife and me to make her understand what happened, and make her understand that we loved her even if she's not our flesh and blood." - He finished explaining while sighing rather heavily.

"It took a lot of us to make her understand that she was not alone. That we love and cherish her. That she is our daughter. And in the end, we succeeded." - He had a smile on his face as he exhaled.

After those words silence reigned in the garden. No one talked, they just stared at the black lake with an indecipherable look in both of their faces.

.

The silence seemed eternal, but they both knew that they needed it.

Shiva finally was calm and decided to break the silence.

"So Sekiryuutei, what do you think? Yae is one that has been through a lot, even before her birth. I believe you should understand her better than most."

Shiva knew that he experienced something bad, after all, he saw the Ritual.

Issei kept his silence for some time, seconds turned into minutes.

Then, he decided to talk.

"Shiva, I'll be honest. Yae is a great woman and it's not because of being your daughter. In the brief hours we spent together, I can guarantee you that she's nice, smart, quite beautiful, and also goofy. She's easy to tease and her reactions are splendid." - Issei looked at the lake as well, a small smirk on his face.

"She's someone that's always fun to be around. She's not arrogant, rather quite humble. But, she's someone that has suffered a lot." - He told him.

"Her eyes give her out, especially if it's me who's looking at them." - Issei had melancholy in his voice.

"Those eyes are the ones of someone that discovered something horrible, and by what you told me, it is the truth." - He sighed.

"However, she managed to stand up to it and continue walking. That, is not something anyone can do. Even I almost died because of the horrible truth I was living in." - He shrugged his shoulders.

"The reason I talked—and decided to be normal around her, is because of that. The moment I saw those eyes that were the very same as mine, she gained my respect." - Issei confessed.

Shiva was quiet, his face expressionless. But inside his mind the character of the current Sekiryuutei was quite to his liking. Behind that cold and sharp façade, there is the warmth and kindness he had. One just needed to gain his approval and they will see his true self willingly.

"The more I talked to her the more I liked her. Damn, I mean, she just so similar to me. It's like if I am looking at a mirror." - He was amazed by this.

"Maybe I would have turned that way after the Ritual if not for my Aura. Maybe I could have been someone different, instead of the who I am right now... but who knows." - Issei smirked at this and shrugged his shoulders.

"So that's why Drake? You, that is right now like a cold sharp blade, talked to her due to the similarity you thought you two had? And what similarity do you two share according to you?" - Shiva said while looking at him his voice sharpening a bit, depending on his answer everything will change. This was his test.

"It's not that I think she might have it. She does have it, Shiva."- Ise told the God without fear. Shiva was staring right at him, waiting for an answer.

Then, while looking at the night-sky full of stars, he said. - "Her will to live, even if her past haunted her. That, is what we have in common."

This took Shiva by suprise, but he didn't say a word.

"She has experienced in her life being left alone by her blood family." - He stared at he moon.

"She discovered that her whole life was a lie. She was left completely alone without anyone to help her. She suffered, maybe not in the way I did, but this is not a competition." - He turned his head and said while looking into Shiva's eyes.

The will, resolve, and determination was obvious for Shiva to notice. Even he, the God of Destruction, agreed with his words.

"But, at that moment, she had you and your wife. Even if you two were not her parents." - He smiled. - "So you two tried and tried, for quite some time to make her accept that she is a part of your family, even if not by blood. You, made her keep on moving." - He said while resting both of his hands on the grass and leaning back.

"In my case I only had Ddraig, and even with him at my side I made a lot of stupid shit. She might have experienced something pretty bad, but at least she had a father and a mother to back her up during those tough times." - He smiled a bit.

"I did not have the luxury." - He was melancholic.

"I was only with my best friend that couldn't physically stop me from doing something dumb." - He said while looking at him.

"What happened to me was that I had my expectations, my dreams, and my sole heartfelt wish, be crushed into pieces right in front of me by the ones I loved." - His voice was heavy. - "And what is worse is that it wasn't only once..." - He confessed.

"The thing you most cherish and value in life, can also become the worst poison that eats you from the inside..." - His voice was hollow.

Shiva kept looking at him, his eyes held a myriad of emotions. But he didn't say a thing...

"The trust I had was destroyed, not a piece of it remains till this day. Believe me, Shiva. Trust takes a long time to form and seconds to break. And when it breaks, it leads to betrayal..." - His eyes were emotionless.

"...And the worst part of Betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies."

Issei accepted this once and for all. He knew that what he had will never come back, he was going around in circles, it was better if he let go of this.

At that moment Issei felt a weird feeling on his chest, as if a weight was slowly being pushed off.

(Hmm? What?) - He thought as he kept sensing this feeling. After some time he realized what it was.

(Haaa...) - He mentally sighed. - (Seems that this talk is more for me than for anyone else, huh?) - He deduced that this talk was helping him move on. Maybe this was Shiva's plan?

Shiva looked at the Dragon after he finished his explanation, they made eye contact that lasted for some brief seconds. Soon after, they broke it off and Shiva lifted the corner of his lips.

"You're certainly different from the past. So perceptive and wise beyond your years, Sekiryuutei." - Shiva looked at his hands and kept talking.

"Hm? I believe that it's something normal." - He dismissed his compliment.

"Ha!" - Shiva laughed a bit at his response.

"So Sekiryuutei, in the end. What is your wish?" - He wanted to know his answer after all of this.

Issei looked at him and then sighed.

"I want to be free. I want to protect the ones I love. And I also want to help anyone that has experienced the same as me." - He answered.

"HaHaHa!" - Shiva sounded happy. - "Then I'll leave Yae to you, treat her well!" - He was serious.

Issei widened his eyes at these words. Did he mean?!

"She should go out of her home and see the World, nothing should come by just staying here. If it's you, I am sure that you will help and protect her." - Shiva said again, clearing Issei's doubts.

Issei was in shock, did Shiva just gave his daughter to him? Did he just agree to what he had been thinking since he saw her?

(Did he read me since the beginning? How did he discovered that I wanted her as part of my Team? Not even Ericia or Fuuki noticed!) - He was a bit frightened at this thought.

"You're too young to think you can hide it from me Sekiryuutei, that gleam in your eye was quite obvious for me not to notice." - Shiva said.

"I don't blame you, nor am I angry at you. After all, all of this was to prove if you were worthy of her." - Issei understood what he meant, but he felt that his words seemed to hint at something else...

However, Issei decided to respond. - "I will, if that's what you want me to do." - He smirked a bit.

His words kept going. - "Shiva, since you agree to what I was thinking, then that's great. I indeed thought she was an excellent candidate for my own Team, but I never thought you read me so well..." - He had a mocking smile on his face, probably aimed at himself.

Shiva didn't answer, he only had a strange light inside his eyes.

Issei knew that he wouldn't answer, he just smirked, placed both of his hands inside his pockets, and turned around.

While leaving he said. - "I'll ask Yae this personally, after all I want her to agree to this herself. For now I'll enjoy the talks we have." - He smirked.

"Don't blame me when I take your daughter away, Shiva." - This caused a bit of surprise in the eyes of the God.

After that, Issei began walking off. He was calm and Shiva could notice that he was different from what he was in the past.

Seeing him like that Shiva decided to help him on something. Just a few words.

Shiva smirked a bit and then stood up, seeing the Sekiryuutei walking away he said with a calm but powerful voice that made Issei stop on his tracks.

"Before you leave young Sekiryuutei." - His words were filled with a serious feeling.

"Your Lifespan." - This caused Issei to tremble slightly, but he didn't turn around. He didn't want Shiva to look at his face, filled with shock and a bit of fear.

(This is ridiculous! Can he see through me like it's nothing?! This is just terrifying!) - He thought.

Then Shiva's voice broke him from his thoughts.

"If you wish to find something to help you, then I recommend for you to go to a Human Alchemy Guild, they should have answers to the questions you have." - He smiled mysteriously.

Issei just glanced at him over his shoulder. - "How?" - He didn't understand how he figured it out.

"Your natural aura is weak, young dragon." - He replied. - "So of course I would notice that you halved your Lifespan, it's quite simple for someone like me." - He smiled in a mysterious way.

Issei decided to give up on trying to hide anything from him, it was just useless.

Swallowing his pride he decided to ask something once again.

"Where?" - This was the most important question until now.

Shiva smiled and placed both of his hands behind him, he then said a single word. - "Germany."

This caught Issei by surprise, why there? Are the headquarters there? Or was it because of something else?

Nevertheless, he decided to nod his head and thank him. - "I see... Thanks." - He then walked off from the garden, a bit too quick in his opinion.

Seeing him like that caused Shiva to lightly laugh.

.

After watching him cross the huge wooden door at the entrance of the garden, Shiva talked.

"What do you think?" - He looked at a nearby tree and smiled.

His words landed on empty ears, nothing was there. But after a few seconds he just crossed his arms and stared at the tree in question.

Like he thought, something did happen.

A magic dome with extremely complex symbols appeared from behind the tree.

It's shape was that of many different magic circles stuck to one another, it had the colors of a rainbow and seemed to be difficult to cast and even harder to constantly maintain.

The dome of magic shattered into pieces and turned into particles of light that disappeared even before they touched the ground.

A woman came from within it, she had a serious glint in her eyes but a happy smile all over her face.

"Are you sure he didn't notice me, husband?" - Parvati asked while being cautious.

"Not even I did, wife. If I hadn't known beforehand that you were going to be here, I would have definitely not noticed you." - He confessed.

"Great!" - Parvati smiled and said with hapiness. It seemed that she wasn't titled the Goddess of Power and Divine Strength for nothing. In her Pantheon she was extremely feared, and respected.

"So? Your answer?" - He asked again.

"Oh!" - She placed a hand on her mouth because of surprise. This scene caused Shiva to sigh, she was always like that.

"I like him very much!~" - She said. - "I knew we weren't wrong. He's just good at hidding his true nature." - She walked closer to her husband.

"True." - Shiva agreed.

She then said sweetly. - "He's the one, definitely. Just need to play it a bit slowly and then... HuHuHu~" - Her smile was that of a match-maker.

"And Yae?" - He asked.

"Oh! I spied on them when going inside the Library and My-My~" - She smirked. - "We're definitely going somewhere~"

"I see..." - He sighed.

His wife came closer to him and hugged his back. She knew what he was thinking.

"I know that you're sad because she might leave. But it's needed. She needs to go outside and experience a lot of things. She needs to make friends and find someone to call her other half. In here she won't be able to do it." - She talked.

"She has suffered for a long time. This will help her, and if it's him at her side, then even better!" - She said those last words into his ear.

"...…" - Shiva was silent.

They remained like that for some time until he sighed and grabbed his wife's hand.

"I know. I'll put my trust in both of them, maybe something good will come out of it." - He agreed.

(Ho-Ho~ You have no idea, husband. No ideaaa~) - She thought while hidding a smile.

—-Scene Change / A Couple of Days Later / Mount Kailash—-

.

After the little talk with Shiva, Issei became more open to the ones inside this Mountain.

He also kept spending a lot of time with Yae, that explained to him about Alchemy and some other topics he didn't quite understand.

What was weird was that she would sometimes have an extremely red face when talking to him, she even stuttered at times, but he felt that it wasn't anything bad so he let it slide.

Ericia and Fuuki were the same in a sense. When he wasn't inside the Library he was with one of these two.

Ericia walked closer to him and when they were eating, training, or just talking, she would grasp his hand subconsciously. And after making eye contact she would quickly release him and act as if nothing happened. Quite cute in his eyes.

He was happy that Ericia was trying to be closer to him.

Yae also talked to Ericia, a lot. Maybe because she was the last of her race as well. Even Ericia had to admit that she was fond of Yae, either because of her extremely positive personality, or the reactions at her teasing.

Fuuki however was a bit more... direct, towards him.

When alone, she would hug his entire arm and sometimes even smile foolishly, as if lost in thought. Her smile made Ise happy, she seemed to be really glad to be able to do this with him.

Also, something weird, was how every time Fuuki saw Yae both of them would stare at each others eyes as if having a fight. At times, sparks could be seen coming out of their eyes.

Even Yae would have a tick on her brow every time Fuuki pressed his arm on her breasts. But he believed that aside from that, they were on extremely good terms with one another. He hoped...

Also, due his constant teasing and talks in particular, Yae and him grew extremely close.

At the times when he would do something bad—at least that was what Yae said, she would try to reproach him. When that failed she would scold him, and as a last resort she even made a paper fan to 'correct' him. If even that didn't work she would just give up and sigh.

Clearly they were extremely close to each other after spending most of their time inside Mount Kailash.

Yae was happy about making her first real friends in her life, and Ise was happy that she was acting more comfortable around them.

.

Right now they were at the training field, Issei actually called everyone here. Apparently, he had something important to say to all of them.

Shiva and Parvati were side to side.

Shiva had an emotionless look in his eyes, but Parvati had a brilliant smile that she tried to cover with her hand.

Ericia and Fuuki were on the complete opposite side of them. Ericia had her arms crossed and a boring look adorned her eyes.

Fuuki was confused about why Ise called them here, but since it was him who asked, she didn't have any problem. She actually had a brilliant smile on her face.

*Creeaaak!*

The humongous door of this place was opened.

From it, two figures could be seen, walking side by side.

Issei had an expressionless look written all over his face, but his eyes held a light full of expectation.

Yae was walking at his side, her normal clothes doted on her. She was smiling like she normally did, but something on that smile was different.

Parvati instantaneously noticed that change and tried to hide her giggle even more.

(HuHuHu~ Seems she did change during these days~) - She thought.

Shiva looked at his wife and tilted his head, he was a bit confused by her smile. But since he knew her like the back of his palm, he knew that she was just messing around with something, or was just happy at something.

As they reached closer, Yae and Issei separated themselves.

Issei went with his team and Yae to her parents.

The moment Issei stood near Fuuki, she basically launched herself towards his arm. Hugging it in between the valley of her breasts.

Issei was accustomed to this so he just dealt with it.

Ericia, on the other hand, had a bit of a jealous look in her red eyes. So as a response she walked closer to Issei, standing next to his other arm and crossing her own arms against her chest, causing Issei to glance for a brief second.

Fuuki closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek on Issei's arm.

(~Soo warmm~) - Were her thoughts.

The moment Yae saw he like that, a twitching eyebrow and dangerous glare was on her face and eyes.

(This fox... Why is she so close to Issei-san?! Rubbing her cheek on him like that! She should stand away from him! Five meters, no, fifty meters should be enough!) - Her thoughts were a bit dangerous, even a pale pink aura flowed out of her body.

Fuuki sensed the slight killing intent, so she opened her eyes. The moment they landed of Yae, she smirked. - "Ha~" - She was mocking her of course.

Yae, felt a vein pop on her forehead. She clutched her fists harder than before.

(This problematic woman! She's mocking me?!) - Fuuki's smirk increased in size.

(She's definitely mocking me! Do you think you can mock Yae that easily?! I won't let you off easily, do you hear! Do you Hear!) - She screamed inside her head.

"~HiHiHi~" - Fuuki giggled mischievously.

Issei then decided to rip his arm out of Fuuki's embrace, since he saw the glares between each other.

Fuuki only moved her head around cutely and looked at him, a pout on her lips and a cute expression on her face.

She then felt the eyes of someone on her. She was right, Yae looked at her.

The two made eye contact until Yae mocked back. - "Ha." - She then covered her mouth with a hand and broke the eye contact.

This caused Fuuki a tick on her eyebrow. She knew that she was provoking her!

Fuuki was pissed, but her words were stopped at her throat by Issei's voice.

"Sorry to call all of you so unexpectedly, but I believe it's time we should go. We spent more than a week here and I wouldn't like to intrude further and take advantage of your hospitality even more." - His voice was warm and sharp, but all noticed that he was as gentle as he could.

His declaration made Yae widen her eyes in absolute shock. Her ears limped down her face and sadness could be felt from her. Even her eyes held unwillingness.

(...Issei-san...) - She only thought of him and all of the moments they spent together. She obviously didn't want him to leave her.

Shiva and Parvati knew that he was planning something, so they were both silent.

Ericia saw the glint in Issei's eyes and held her words, Fuuki was happy with whatever decision he made.

"But." - He mouthed, with a gleam in his eyes.

"I would want to ask you something." - His sight locked on Yae, his eyes never leaving her.

Yae felt her heartbeat quicken when she saw those eyes, she even had a red tint on her cheeks, something that was seen by all.

"Yae, you are someone that I would like to know more." - He began his speech.

Ericia and Fuuki instantly knew what he wanted to do. Ericia had a intrigued look in her eyes, while Fuuki held shock in her own eyes.

"You're fun to be around, positive, creative, and courageous." - He smirked causing her blush to deepen.

"In the short time I have spent with you, I discovered that although you have been through much, you still stand tall. You're prideful at what you are, but not arrogant. You're gentle, kind, and knowledgeable in all aspects." - He continued his talk.

Shiva was sighing at this, he knew what was going to happen. Parvati was at his side hugging his arm, her smile was extremely warm and comforting.

"That's why I would like to ask." - He paused. - "Would you, Yae Rudra, like to be part of my Team and accompany all of us in our adventures? Would you like to be part of my Team in the Rating Games? And would you like to spend more of our time together?"

His words could be quickly misinterpreted but it wasn't his intention. He just wanted to get to know each other better and become closer friends.

But for Yae, and every other woman here, it was a different story. In their minds it seems like Ise just confessed!

Ericia sighed, she knew that he didn't mean it like that but he was just too good for other woman not to notice him.

She managed to control her jealousy and started to think with a clear head. Right now Fuuki was a handful, but she felt that Yae could be a good chain to restrict Fuuki with. Maybe she could profit from all of this? You know, like letting two sides fight each other and then come to reap the benefits.

Thinking like this, all of her negative thoughts went out the window. She could definitely take advantage of this! She hid the seductive smile that was aimed at Issei and tried her best to not show how she actually felt.

Fuuki was diferent from her, she was just stunned at his words! Her eyes widened and her mind was empty, she just stood there unmoving trying to process what he just said.

Yae had a blush all the way to her ears. Her heartbeat was extremely quick and her mind was a mess.

(To-To-Together?! L-Like a C-C-Couple?!) - Her thoughts stopped as she felt vapor coming out of her ears.

Issei was watching all of this with some confusion.

He saw that Ericia was comfortable with all of this, but he could feel her motives were more selfish than just what seemed to the eye.

Fuuki was frozen solid, as if she just witnessed something ridiculous. Issei thought that her brain was rebooting.

And Yae was a blushing mess, she couldn't think straight and she just kept mumbling something about daringness with a too happy of a smile on her face.

After the initial shock passed Yae breathed in and out and calmed herself down. She closed her eyes and began thinking, this time logically.

She really wanted to agree, but she couldn't leave her family like that could she? But her heart was definitely telling her to go.

(Aaaaa! Such a mess!) - She thought.

But then Shiva talked. - "We agreed to this." - His voice was serious and caused Yae to turn her whole body around.

"He told us before." - Parvati replied. - (Well... something like that...) - She thought.

Yae was shocked at this!

(Did Issei-san asked for my parent's permission since he knew that I wouldn't leave them by themselves?) - Her heart felt a sweet feeling. He was definitely considering her feelings in the matter.

Her smile became even gentler and her eyes were misty. This definitely struck her heart deeply.

She looked at Issei and gave him her sweetest smile. It momentarily caused him to freeze.

(Such beauty!) - He felt as if he won the lotery when he saw that smile.

Many other men would have fallen at her smile, her eyes, and just her presence alone. Even he felt mesmerized at the sight, but he stood strong!

"Issei-san..." - She muttered.

"Yes! I'll gladly be part of your team and spend even more time with you!" - She agreed to his proposal. A light full of determination and something else inside her eyes.

Issei felt shocked at this, but also extremely happy! This was definitely amazing for him! So lucky! Maybe lady luck hadn't abandoned him after all?

[Congratulations Partner! The last Moon Rabbit and daughter of Shiva. Your team is definitely filled with abnormalities.] - Ddraig told him while feeling happy at this.

Issei didn't reply, he just smiled sincerely. Ddraig knew that he was grateful at his comment.

"Then welcome to the team, Yae Rudra!" - He extended his hand towards her. She, of course, took it without wasting a single second.

"Yes!" - She nodded her head in happiness.

But at that moment Fuuki woke up from her stupor.

"Wait! Wait a moment!" - She yelled while walking closer to them.

"We don't know if she is strong enough to be a member of our team. You know what class of enemies are after us Issei!" - She told Issei.

Her words were logical. After all, none of them had seen her fight ever since first meeting her.

She would mainly pass her time talking with Issei and Ericia. Having unknown competitions with Fuuki—that would randomly start with just a glare—or she would be at the Library, also helping Ise.

But Issei didn't doubt her capabilities. She was Shiva's daughter and the last of a race whose bread and butter was fighting! So by no means was she weak. However, the rest of the team might think differently.

They didn't know about her background, only a small part of it; and that was the basis of her race.

His team was no dictatorship. So if someone had a problem, then it would be solved by asking the opinion of all present. But right now he believed that to prove something like this, there was only one way.

Yae was a bit surprised at this, but she knew that the fox was doing her best so that she doesn't come with them, more specifically with Issei.

Those eyes were emitting wariness and it was obvious, at least for her, to notice that Fuuki was extremely worried about the future possibilities between them.

So at this thought Yae and Fuuki looked into each other's eyes, sparks coming off them.

The atmosphere was heavy and no one said anything.

Issei knew what they wanted to do, and this could possibly be the best solution possible. After all, they could respect each other by learning how strong they were, and also understand each other through a fight, just like the first time Ericia and him met.

"Maybe this would be for the better..." - Issei muttered under his breath. Ericia was at his side, her head tilted in confusion.

Shiva and Parvati were also in agreement to this.

Shiva because he believed in his daughter and Parvati because she knew that this was Yae's first real test.

"Oh? So you think like that Fuuki-san." - Yae said her voice sharp, clearly unhappy about this.

"Yes, Yae-san. I wouldn't like for the princess to be a burden for the Team. Especially with all the enemies we have." - Her smile was sharp and in no way did she back down from the challenge.

"HoHo! So enemies, huh. Well I would definitely not back down at all during a fight. Specially if it's Issei who asks for my help." - She hit a sore spot.

Fuuki had a twitching brow. - "I doubt it, princess. He knows what I'm capable of, and he barely knows you, so I really doubt he would ask for your help." - She smirked.

Yae's ears twitched and stood erect. She had her eyes closed while smiling and was emitting a heavy aura, at one moment Issei could swear her hair changed color.

"Well, I can not only help during a fight, but in other things as well. After all, he asked for my help and guidance during these days, something you lack." - She mocked right back at her.

"Maybe. But I can also help in many other aspects as well. My power is not raw strength alone." - She smiled.

"Besides..." - Her smirk increased. Her eyes changed to those of a seductress, her whole appearance increased in sensuality and beauty.

"~If he wants me, at any moment~ ~At any time, no matter where, I'm willing to give myself to himmm~" - Her voice as sweet as the Devil.

"~I'll do everything he wants me to~ No. Questions. Asked. ~I'd be more than happy~" - She placed her hands under her breasts, highlighting them even more than before.

Fuuki licked her lips and moved seductively on her spot, giving off a sultry smile and emitting an unknown charm.

This took everyone by surprise, never would have they thought she would be so... shameless!

Yae was speechless, soon her face changed from white to red from embarrassment. She clearly understood what Fuuki was talking about.

Her face was as red as it could get, and her body was trembling due to shame and anger.

"S-S-Shameless!" - She was tongue tied, she couldn't reply at all.

Fuuki shrugged her shoulders and smiled even more, clearly happy about the result.

Her action caused Yae to be pissed even more, and after some time she exploded, she just couldn't hold it back.

"Outrageous... Yes that's right! It's downright outrageous!" - Yae said.

"To actually cause the Moon Rabbit; innocent, honest, upright, romantic and also the symbol of sacrifice that has been sung in praise to be angered to such an extent!" - Her words sounded fair, but she was still blushing.

"Romantic? You? Ha!" - Fuuki mocked.

"You can't even look straight at him without blushing and stuttering like a little virgin girl, much less trying to act romantic." - She said.

Both of them walked closer and closer to each other. Sparks could be seen coming off their eyes, an invisible aura was coming off them clashing constantly.

Each step was heavier than the last, even the atmosphere was different.

Soon they stood right in front of each other. Looking into each others eyes.

Fuuki had her arms crossed underneath her chest. And Yae was looking at her furiously, her ears on top of her head were twitching continuously.

The height disparity was obvious for them. Fuuki was half a head taller than Yae, but Yae didn't back down at all.

Seeing that the atmosphere kept increasing in heaviness and the decrease in temperature, Issei decided to intervene.

"Enough!" - He acted.

*Hit!*

He hit Fuuki on top of her head, causing a huge bump to appear on her head.

"~~Ahhh!~~" - She screamed but she didn't forget to do it sensually.

"~Iseee!~ Why you do this?! That's no way to treat your lover!" - She replied why crouching and rubbing her head.

He ignored her words, but inside of his head that 'scream' caused him to tremble a bit.

He then went and grabbed something. - *Grab!*

"Uwa!" - And used his strength to pull on Yae's rabbit ears.

"What's the meaning of this!" - He said with a strong voice.

"Stop acting like children! If you want to fight, just fight! No need for this pointless rambling!"

"Uwa! Sorry! Is that the reason why you are angry?" - Yae said, surprised that he wasn't angry at the fight, rather wishing for it to start.

Issei, as a response, kept pulling Yae's ears with a rhythmic and strong force to get his point across, clearly unhappy.

"Hurts! It's really painful, Issei-san!" - She said while moving around.

At the sides Shiva was confused and a bit amazed by the sight. - (They really are a bunch of problematic children...)

.

After the little incident, those two were freed from Issei's grasp.

However, everyone here agreed that to avoid a possible future fight, they should still fight. That way they should get it out of their systems.

So after deciding how to actually fight this through, Issei asked them to follow him.

After spending a few minutes walking they reached an empty plain, filled with only dirt and rocks at the sides.

Afterwards, Issei asked Fuuki and Yae to stand some distance away from each other.

He, on the other hand, was in the middle of the two of them. Yae on his left and Fuuki towards the right.

"Alright! This duel is simple! The first to lose consciousness or gives up loses!" - He said while looking at his sides, his eyes were sharp and serious.

"No killing moves are allowed. And if I, or anyone present, feels that the battle has gone too far, we will stop it!" - He stated the simple rules.

"Understood?" - He asked at the both of them. His voice as serious as he could make it to be.

They nodded their heads at the same time, their eyes never went away from each other.

Yae was on guard, her center of gravity low, ready to pounce on her enemy.

Fuuki was standing straight, a foot in front of the other, clearly a defensive position.

"If so, then... begin!" - He signaled as the referee and jumped a huge distance back, right towards Ericia and the rest.

At that moment... hell broke loose.

*BOOOOMMMM!*

The clash of both of them created a huge fissure on the ground.

Yae in a flash of sparks reappeared in front of Fuuki. Her right fist was pressing itself against Fuuki's left forearm.

Fuuki was surprised by the sudden increase in speed, she narrowed her eyes and decided to take this seriously.

(Her speed is absurd, and that power in really close to Issei's.) - Fuuki analized while taking a step back, taking distance.

She stared at Yae, moving her left arm in the meantime to get rid of the numbness.

Issei at the side was a bit surprised. - (Fuuki reinforced her physical defense with Tōuki and enhaced it even further with Senjutsu.) - He saw the white glow on her left arm and the hexagons spinning around her wrist.

(And even with that, she is still at a disadvantage...) - Issei narrowed his eyes.

He then looked at Yae. - (No additional help. That was raw strength alone.) - He didn't sense any kind of magical energy coming off Yae.

[Not exactly correct, Partner.] - He heard Ddraig's voice.

(What do you mean?) - He asked back.

[The Moon Rabbit used the entire strength of her legs to increase her speed. The momentum she generated should have been ridiculous. So it's not that she's strong with her arms, rather her legs are what you should be worried about.]

[I'm pretty sure a point-blank hit from one of her kicks, would make you lose a limb.]

[Right now she's just testing the waters.] - Issei was a bit amazed by the words of his Partner.

(So it's like that...) - He kept thinking.

At the same moment Yae decided to attack once again.

She disappeared in a flash of lightning, Fuuki at the same moment made her own move.

Behind her a huge hexagon appeared, the energy it emitted was substancial, one couldn't ignore it at all. Its red color indicated that it had an affinity with fire.

Yae reappeared right in front of her. Her right leg was cocked back and ready to kick!

*BOOOM!*

She unleashed the kick.

The speed and power of the kick created an aftershock that sent a gale in all directions!

The Friction between her leg and the air was clearly visible for all to see, even small embers could be spotted around the tip of her foot.

(The increase in air pressure caused by Yae's kick made the water instantly condense and evaporate, creating friction and emitting heat... That kick just broke multiple sound barriers!) - Issei deduced amazed by the sight.

At that moment the horizontal kick landed on Fuuki's chest!

*FOOSH!*

But nothing happened. Her body vanished in mist.

(Afterimage? No... Illusion! It's Youjutsu!) - Yae thought while turning her head back around.

Fuuki was behind her, an Onmyōdō talisman in her hand. The paper was white with red lines, a normal Talisman.

"Burning Heavens!" - Fuuki said while throwing the talisman at a close distance. At the same moment the Hexagon behind her lit up and released a bright red light.

The talisman broke into pieces and a huge wave of crimson-colored flames appeared on its place. The range covered everything in her sight!

(Damn!) - Yae knew she couldn't dodge that so she prepared herself for the impact.

*BOOOOOOMMMM!*

The augmented talisman was strong enough to char everything on its surroundings black!

Fuuki, however, knew this barely did a thing. So while stepping back she clapped both of her hands loudly.

Five Senjutsu hexagons appeared behind her back and around her wrists. The hexagons revolved constantly, their golden light illuminated everything in sight!

Her body was surrounded by a thick, white mantle of Tōuki, she was preparing something rather big.

"The radiance of my hand is the logos that pierce through the darkness. Fill that direction, Crush all existence and become a cadence!" - Her sweet voice was heard.

"Unshakable Thunder!" - The gold hexagons released a mayhem of lightning bolts, all of them striking towards Yae!

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*

The rumbling of thunder echoed, and the energy all felt was ridiculously high!

Fuuki dismissed the mantle of Tōuki and fixed her stance. Her back straight and her eyes looking at the huge mushroom-shaped cloud at the distance.

At the moment the cloud decreased in size, a scream was heard.

"HAAA!" - The rest of the dust in the air dispersed, and something could be seen.

Yae was standing at the center of a crater that was sizzling with electricity and heat, the combined attack of fire and lighting created superheated plasma further escalating the damage.

(So she survived it with only those wounds...) - Fuuki thought while seeing the torn clothing of the Moon Rabbit.

(Even when I potentially increased the damage and created a huge sphere of superheated plasma she only received that much damage...) - Fuuki was kind of worried about this.

At the same moment an increase in heat and energy was felt, and alongside a strong gale that was like a hurricane, the surrounding air was heated to the extreme by the increased thermal energies.

The increase energy gave off a thunderous boom further destroying the plain while Yae's hair gave off a light similar to the rainbows from a prism as it slowly dyed over from a shade of blue to red.

The change shocked everyone, the midnight blue from Yae's hair was replaced by a light-red! However, not only that happened.

(Her energy... it's two to three times that of the past!) - Issei, being a Dragon, could sense the aura much easily.

(This...) - Fuuki narrowed her eyes, she noticed the difference thanks to her Sage Arts.

At that moment Yae had raised her right arm...

A sharp screech that sounded like the ripping of the atmosphere itself was released and the boom of the explosion similar to thunder had filled the air while a long spear that sparked and shimmered like lightning was now held in her right hand.

As the spear materialized, all sensed that the spear was everything but normal. The gold color and the tri-pronged head were emitting a sizzling sound, and the metallic luster it had was blinding them.

Yae cleaned the blood out of the corner of her mouth and slightly fixed her torn clothing. She ignored the aching in her body and prepared herself.

"Now, lets fight seriously." - She crouched down and looked like a beast ready to pounce towards her prey.

*CRAACK!*

The ground gave in and Yae sprinted towards Fuuki, the spearhead in front of her.

In less than the tenth of a second she reached her target. Her spear was pointed at the center of her body, and a golden electrical current circled around the spear.

Fuuki responded as well, but since she didn't have enough time to prepare something, she couldn't do much. A Hexagon appeared at the point of impact, the corners of which had different lights to support it.

*RIPPP!* - The defense was torn to bits, and the might of the spear reached her body.

*BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!*

Fuuki was sent flying at a speed barely perceivable with the naked eye.

*SMAAASHH!* - She crashed against some hill-sized rock and created a crater on the ground behind it.

Yae twirled the spear in a experienced way and dismissed it. Her face was a bit tired maybe using that spear consumed too much of her energy at the moment.

Issei felt that the spear was something special, so while turning his head around he looked at Shiva and asked.

"That spear... What is it?" - He was confused.

Shiva turned his head slightly and lifted an eyebrow with interest. He then decided to answer.

"That's something I gave her." - He answered while crossing his arms.

"It's a replica of course, but it was made by Brahma himself." - His words shocked Issei a bit.

"A weapon of a God?" - He asked.

"More-or-less, it's actually a combination of weapons." - Shiva confesed.

"The shaft and power is made to replicate Indra's own spear, but its might is not even half." - He said while closing his eyes.

"And the head is made after my 'Trishula' capable of breaking any kind of defense. But not close enough to my own weapon." - He sighed.

Issei widened his eyes at this, that spear was something given to her by the God of Destruction, and based on its own weapon and Indra's! This was something quite rare!

(No wonder it torned Fuuki's defense like paper.) - He concluded.

At the same time an explosion was heard coming from the crater.

*BOOOOMMM!*

From within it, Fuuki jumped and landed on the ground. Her clothes were torn and her chest had a sizeable wound that although it didn't manage to reach her organs, it was still quite deep.

(That spear... if I take another hit, it's game over.) - She concluded while covering her chest with Tōuki and using Senjutsu to heal herself, her wound would take some time to heal mainly due to the lightning circling it.

Yae saw that the blow from her own spear didn't caused too much damage. She was a bit shocked, she actually planned to used that spear to land a heavy blow and then end it with her lightning, never would have she expected to end like this.

Not giving up she summoned another piece of equipment. A metallic device that was hard to explain. But the power it emitted was only second to that of the spear.

"A Vajra?" - Fuuki noticed the oddly shaped artifact.

Then she covered her left hand with Tōuki and a Senjutsu hexagon appeared on top of it.

It was small in size but the many intricate designs and the Taijitu symbol at the center indicated that this one was vastly different from the rest.

Yae poined the 'tip' of her Vajra at Fuuki. Suddenly it released a huge lightning bolt the size of a tree trunk.

Fuuki did the same, she pointed her left hand and released her spell.

"Trickster Fire Spirit!" - She yelled.

From her palm a huge fire was seen, the shape it had was that of a lamenting spirit and the color was an eerie pale red.

*BOOOOOMMMMM!*

The clash between the fire and lightning shook the earth, even the ones in the distance went further away.

Fuuki was blinded by the light from the clash, she closed her eyes. Yae used this gap to speed towards her, creating a long trail of destroyed earth.

Fuuki opened her eyes and saw Yae closing the distance between them. So she decided to change tactics.

Surrounding herself with the thickest layer of Tōuki she could use, she smacked a pair of talismans on both of her hands while yelling. - "Armor Tent, Karmic Clothes!"

Her Tōuki seemingly changed into a solid state, giving her a pair of pseudo-gauntlets to further increase her defense.

Then she landed another talisman on her arms. - "Diamond Immortal Physique!" - Her body was surrounded by a light similar to that of a shinning diamond, further reinforcing her defense.

Shiva opened his eyes when he saw this, he was a bit impressed by the talent of the Yōkai.

(She increased her physical defense by using Onmyōdō Arts. She covered her weak point substantially with those spells.) - Colored him impressed.

Yae moved, she stuck her body close to the ground and released a kick. The kick heated the air near Fuuki, it was an extremely beautiful attack that was aimed diagonally at her chest, more towards the wound on it.

Fuuki moved her arms lower and towards the center of her body, mentally preparing for impact.

Then the kick... struck.

*BBBAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM!*

Fuuki felt her consciousness fade momentarily.

The blow managed to send her flying across the ground while creating a huge fissure across the earth.

The strength behind that kick made Issei widen his eyes and Ericia to widen hers as well.

Fuuki was still flying across the plain, after composing herself she began turning her body trying to reduce the momentum she had.

Stabbing both of her legs on the ground she continued her flight, a new ravine was made due to this.

After finally stopping, a cloud of smoke covered her surrounding. The battlefield was left in ruins just from that kick alone!

After the dust was gone, Fuuki's figure was revealed. However, her arms were still on the defending position. This shocked Yae to no ends.

(How is she still blocking?! That kick was with all of my strength!) - Yae felt that Fuuki was an astounding rival.

Fuuki, however, was different.

(I can't move my arms...) - She noticed that all sense of touch was gone from her arms, they were just frozen solid.

(Did she just broke my arms? Even when I used all of my Tōuki and used my best defensive spells?!) - Fuuki was shocked as well.

After some seconds, she regained the sense of touch in her fingers. Opening and closing them continuously.

(Ok, they are pretty battered but fortunately, nothing is too broken. Maybe some cracks on my bones, but that's it.) - She was happy at this, at least her defense did something.

However, her momentarily sense of relief caused a gap.

Yae saw her opportunity and decided to strike. Twirling her Vajra around she unleashed a group of lightning bolts aimed at Fuuki.

Fuuki could barely move her arms, so while focusing she decided to work on something.

On the tips of the fingers of her right hand, small hexagons not bigger than a coin were present. They were of different colors and all were releasing miniscule particles of energy.

At the center of her palm a very defined Taijitu symbol appeared, spinning slowly.

On her other hand, five Talismans were present, all ready to be used. She threw them in the air and they floated in front of her. Soon they were consumed in flames and a pentagram shinning with a bright white/blue light covered all that was in front of her.

As the lightning reached her she said. - "Camp Turtle Shield; Evil Supression!" - She moved her left hand in front of her.

*BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM!*

Consecutive lighting bolts struck the shield quickly reducing its light.

Fuuki felt the damage in her arms increase, cleary they were even more broken than before

However, at the same time she moved her right hand and screamed. - "Nine Suns Revolving Law!"

On Yae's surroundings nine hexagons suddenly appeared, all different in color. Their size was bigger than a person and the power they released was second to none!

(Damn!) - Yae kept spamming lightning bolts towards Fuuki wishing to shatter her defense.

Little by little she was doing it, but Fuuki's spell reached her first.

From within the hexagons; thick, different-colored lasers were shot all towards her. The nine brilliant flashes of light—that were similar to the sun, reached her almost immediately.

Yae saw this and left her offense aside. Her body had a light-red aura all over it, the same as her ears and hair.

*BBOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!*

The entire field quaked from the force of impact, that spell was on a different level entirely! The heat and power it had was astounding, clearly a blow aimed for a kill!

The entire field turned into a hot smoking fragment of the sun! The heat was so high that a part of the surroundings crystalized, and the rocks at the distance melted!

Even the spectators needed to used some form of defense to withstand just the aftershock!

Issei used his Darkness and covered himself and Ericia, creating something similar to a wall.

Ericia decided to help, and her shadow surrounded the both of them. From it, spikes that were as many as the stars in the sky and as dark as an abyss came out. Trying to reduce the aftershock before it reached the main line of defense.

Shiva crossed his arms and surrounded himself with an ash-grey aura. That was the Divinity of the God of Destruction!

Parvati focused her own Divinity and created a wall in the shape of a rhombus, it was shining with a brilliant gleam, and had all the colors of the rainbow.

Issei wanted to stop the duel before the spell activated, but he was not fast enough!

(Shit! Fuuki, you crazy fox?!) - He thought.

*FOOOOSSSHHH!*

The aftershock reached them but their defenses withstood it.

At the moment the explosion stopped, something could be seen.

From the crater a single silhouette could be distinguished, the ground underneath her was untouched, creating a small erath pillar. But her surroundings could only be described as a Hell of Fire and Flames.

She was covered by a gold armor with a stylish design, and a huge Divinity could be seen from it. It was gold with a red tinge and covered the whole armor, protecting her from any kind of harm.

"O' Sun, Become Armor!" - Yae yelled while the light of the gold armor increased in density, extinguishing the flames in her surroundings.

Issei looked at the armor and realized something.

(That! Could it be?!) - For the first time, since talking to Shiva that night, he was amazed.

The gold armor covered Yae's whole body, not a single gap could be seen. Only her head was free from a helmet, but her cheekbones had some gold plating as well as the back of her neck.

A huge, red ring was behind her, seemingly attached to her back. Her Pauldrons covered the sides of her face and she had a pair of oversized gauntlets on both arms, it seemed to be a double layer of armor on that part. Her legs were clad in high-heeled gold boots with a red sole.

All in all, an armor that was extremely pleasing to the eye. But the amount of Energy and Divinity they felt from it scared them a bit.

Issei turned his head and looked at Shiva, ready to ask but he was stopped by him.

Shiva only extended a hand and nodded his head, Issei widened his eyes at his unsaid answer.

Ericia at his side asked. - "Issei! What's that armor?! It has such power even from a distance!" - She was startled a bit.

However, before he could say something, Yae answered her question.

While looking at the exhausted Fuuki, who was sweating bullets, she yelled.

"This is the armor my blood-father once had. This is the Armor of the son of the Sun God! The Armor that was said to grant invulnerability!" - Yae said while smirking, but she thought differently.

(The Fox forced me to use my Armor, that's amazing!) - She held respect. - (But I can't use it for long, it's too taxing on my body and I still can't control it properly.) - But was also serious.

As she stood Yae felt some blood in her throat, that blow still hurt her pretty badly, her organs were in a mess and she could feel that her senses were off. Her vision was a bit blurry, but she managed to survive in quite a decent state.

(If I hadn't summoned the armor on time then that would have been the end of the match. I would have ended up in bed for at least a week before I could properly heal.) - As the aura of the armor began to decrease she decided her next course of action.

"Haa...Haaa...Haaa..." - Fuuki was breathing heavily, that attack took a huge toll on her reserves.

Her figure was disheveled and fatigue was visible in her eyes.

(She's acting tough.) - Fuuki deduced, as she sensed her enemies Life-Force with her Sage Arts.

(That blow did some bad damage to her, but she's hiding it well.) - She was proud of what she accomplished.

(I cannot fight much longer...) - Her wound on her chest was still not healed and her reserves were close to being empty, she needed to end this, and fast.

(She's strong I'll give her that. Quite amazing as a matter of fact. But! I won't let her be near my Ise!) - The light in her eyes returned, this time she was prepared!

Yae knew that her opponent was also in an extremely bad situation, she could hear her heavy breaths and she knew that her first spear strike was still damaging her even now.

Yae then looked at the sides, towards the 'spectator seats'. She saw Issei, her father, her mother, and Ericia, all ready to intervene.

(I won't give up!) - Her aura flared and surrounded her armor.

After that the red aura started to gather in front of Yae, just as she placed both of her hands in front. The palms were open and the energy was condensing in the shape of a circle with them as a medium.

As the Aura was compressed, Yae smirked.

On the other hand, her opponent—as well as the spectators, felt the density of that sphere of energy and were amazed, some more than others.

Shiva and Parvati had smiles on their faces, both full of pride and satisfaction.

Issei and Ericia prepared to move to another part of the field. To be honest, that sphere of red energy and heat gave them goosebumps.

Fuuki knew that the sphere was really bad for her, so she gathered her remanding energy she prepared another Onmyōdō Talisman.

Yae looked at Fuuki with a steel-like determination, then she said. - "O' Brahma, Cover the Earth!"

The sphere exploded into a thin laser-beam that was no thicker than a branch, but the speed it had was astounding, even for Fuuki she couldn't see it properly.

Fuuki activated her Talisman and said. - "Soaring Heavenly Legs!" - The Talisman melted into her legs, and gifted a brilliant white light.

Not a second after, the laser-beam reached her. Using her entire strength and whatever she could think of, Fuuki moved at her right side, dodging the laser by no more than a few centimeters.

The laser traversed and went after the spectators.

Issei and Ericia moved to the side with all of their speed. Issei covered his body in his Darkness and pulled Ericia towards him, successfully dodging the beam.

As they did that a huge explosion occurred behind them.

*BBOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!*

They turned around and saw the land behind them covered by a huge explosion that reached the 'ceiling' of the field.

"...Damn..." - Ericia said while looking at the destruction.

(I bet her destructive power is even above mine...) - Issei thought while looking at the distance.

[...…] - Ddraig didn't say anything, but he secretly agreed with his Partner.

Back to the battlefield, Yae tried to move the beam towards Fuuki but she couldn't do much. Her internal wounds were heavy and that attack caused even more exhaustion and stress on her body. She was unable to continue her plans, so the beam disappeared.

"Haa...Haa...Haaa..." - Her breath was heavy and her face was a bit pale, the armor she had was also becoming a bit dimmer, as it would vanish at any second.

Fuuki lifted her exhausted body and looked at her rival. - "That...was...close..." - Her breath was unstable.

Still, she stood straight and stood on guard, after that she moved towards Yae.

*CRAAAACK!*

The ground cracked and Fuuki was sent flying towards Yae thanks to the power of her legs.

Yae saw this and steading her breath, she concentrated the aura of the armor and solidified it once again.

She lifted her arms up in an 'X' while covering her head.

At the same moment, Fuuki appeared above her, her body did a full front-flip and her leg struck her armored arms.

*CLAAAANNNNNGGGG!*

The sound of metal getting struck echoed all over the field, it was similar to a bell that was just hit.

The floor underneath Yae dented, and the pillar of 'safe-land' she was standing on, broke.

*BBOOOOOOOMMMMM!*

Yae was sent flying like a cannonball towards the bottom of the crater.

Fuuki created a Senjutsu circle underneath her as a platform and kneeled on it.

"That should have done something!" - The light in her eyes never vanished!

Yae, on the other hand, coughed a bit of blood, that blow was perfectly timed just before the armor was fully formed.

While opening her eyes, she glared at Fuuki, a bit of respect in those eyes. - "Tch!"

The armor was slowly vanishing and the fatigue began hitting her. However, she didn't give up.

She summoned her Vajra on her left hand and pointed it at Fuuki.

*SIZZLE! SIZZLE! SIZZLE!*

The crackle of lightning was heard and soon after, a huge lightning bolt was sent towards Fuuki.

Fuuki was surprised by the quick counter, so she could only use the circle beneath her a cover.

Soon the lightning struck.

*BOOOOOMMMMM!*

A cloud of lightning formed in the place of Fuuki, causing the damage of the Lightning Bolt to increase.

A figure was sent flying from within that cloud, she was sent flying quite the distance away while her body smashed onto the ground.

Yae's Armor dissipated, turning into golden mist that was taken by the wind.

*Cough! Cough!* - Yae felt that her body was as heavy as lead. She coughed some more blood and with some trouble stood up.

She body was a mess, her right arm—that took the end of that last kick, had scratches and bruises all over it, it appeared to be broken quite badly. A long cut was on the same shoulder almost reaching her bone, some blood flowed down her shoulder to the tips of her fingers, painting the floor in red.

Her face was covered by dirt and blood with some scratches and few burns. Her ears were like normal except that they were sullied with boood. The clothes on her chest and abdomen were turned into tatters, showing her curves. Bruises could be seen from the gaps of her clothes, and some parts of them were stained with blood.

"Argh." - Using her left arm she grabbed her right and began walking up the crater...

At the same moment Fuuki stood up with some difficulty. Her sight was blurry, and she heard an annoying buzzing in her ears. Her black dress was torn until it was just covering a part of her chest, showing her wounded legs and her rear.

Both of her legs were covered by blood and scratches, some lighter than others. At the center of her chest a huge wound was present. It was oozing blood and caused Fuuki to be short on breath. Her arms were the same as her legs but had some 1st deegre burns on them, annoying her slightly.

Aside from a few scratches and a few droplets of dry blood, she was not wounded in her face.

Walking towards the crater, Fuuki took her time, she tried to use Senjutsu to heal some minor wounds but the lightning in her system just messed with her control.

As she walked, she witnessed Yae coming out of the crater. As soon as she saw her she smirked, this time not mocking her.

"Ok. I'll swallow my words back. You are strong, quite strong." - Fuuki said with some difficulty, not showing any weakness.

"I can say the same to you." - Yae replied while ignoring the pain in her body.

They looked at each other for some time and they smiled. Respect was present inside their eyes.

Fuuki then said. - "Welcome to the team."

She decide to swallow the loss, either way she was the closest to Ise right now. She was just weary of her.

Yae widened her eyes, she never expected this.

"Thanks." - She smiled.

Both of them walked closer, just until the were an arms length away.

The smiles on their faces were still there and newfound respect was inside their eyes.

"It doesn't matter if I lose. I'm still ahead of everyone." - Fuuki's smirk caused Yae to feel a sense of defeat.

She was silent, and couldn't refute her words. But then she asked.

"You decided to fight me not because of my strength, but rather to test my heart." - Yae said while feeling her consciousness fade.

"Yes." - She agreed. - "Issei has suffered a lot. I do not know how nor who caused it. But, I only wish for it not to happen again. I'll do my best to keep harmful people away from him, especially women." - Fuuki answered.

"I don't know what he experienced nor why he says he changed so much, but I won't let anything hurt him. And testing you was a way to see how you actually were, a fight shows the heart of people and it was neccesary for it to be done." - Fuuki finished explaining.

"You... You tested my resolve of being with him and you were even willing to experience it with your body, just to see how I was?" - Yae asked.

"Yes. If it's for him, I'll do it as many times as I can. He's my reason for being here after all." - Yae was amazed at the resolve of the woman.

"...…" - She was silent, only staring at the woman.

Soon she reached a conclusion, fire filled her eyes and Fuuki saw this.

"...I will be the same as you..." - She muttered while clentching her fists.

"I will be someone precious to Issei-san! I'll stand by his side at all moments even if the entire world is against us! I, Yae Rudra, last of the Moon Rabbits and daughter of Shiva, swear to be at his side until the end!" - Her pride as a Moon Tabbit was seen here.

Fuuki was amazed at this, seems her decision was not wrong. But her thoughts were stopped when she heard some words.

"Also, not because you're first does it mean that there's no hope!" - She smiled.

"I'll show you all, that my feelings for him are extremely strong and unwavering! I will become his woman!" - Her face reddened at those words.

Fuuki was angered by this, her face was red from anger.

"I was wrong! You're definitely a threat! I won't let you do as you please!" - Fuuki said while Yae smiled.

.

After that fight, Parvati was nice enough to heal both of them. Their fight was incredible but they still broke the rules. So Issei was extremely angered at them.

As the two were on the ground barely concious Issei was looking at them with eyes that promised some kind of punishment.

Ericia was at his side, also looking a bit angered.

Shiva was looking at Yae and at Issei, alternating between each other. She saw how her daughter's face changed from red to blue, due to the eyes of Issei. Her ears were down and when she tried to smile Issei narrowed his eyes, causing her ears to twitch.

"Ha! Ha!" - Fuuki mocked Yae.

Issei then looked at her, causing her to flinch and turn her head away. Yae saw this and revealed a mocking grin on her face.

Issei then looked at her once again, causing her smile to freeze.

"Haaa..." - Issei sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Ok. I don't know why you took it too far, but I'm going to be honest." - He opened his eyes and looked at them.

"You won't do it again. Understand?" - His smile caused them to feel chills.

*Nod! Nod!* - Both nodded their heads immediately.

Issei watched them and nodded his head once, then his eyes softened a bit and he began talking with his warm but sharp voice.

"Since no one has a problem with Yae joining us, I'll say where are we going next." - His words caught the attention of all of his team.

Ericia stood at his side and looked at him, her eyes shinning with expectations.

Yae and Fuuki also stared at him, his natural air gave him charisma and decisiveness. Both of their eyes held a dreamy look, soon they were both lost in his eyes.

"We're going to Germany. There's a place I need to go to because of certain reasons." - He said while looking at the three of them.

Parvati was still healing the pair of women, her face full of smiles. She knew why they were going.

"Why there Issei?" - Ericia asked while looking at him.

He was silent, his silence caused Ericia to narrow her eyes, even Fuuki and Yae knew that something was amiss...

Sighing, Issei decided to answer the question. - "I need information about a certain... medicine." - His words caused all the girls to widen their eyes.

However, it was Ericia who asked. - "Medicine? For what?"

"...…For my Lifespan." - His words caused the women to widen their eyes.

"Issei! What do you mean by that?!" - Ericia acted out of character and yelled at him. Her face was filled with anger and worry. Anger because he was silent all of this time, and worry because of his safety.

"Issei-san! Are you going to be okay? You can't leave Yae alone, understand! Understand?!" - Yae tried to stand up, but she couldn't move as she wished.

"Ise! What happened? How it happened?!" - Fuuki was extremely anxious.

"Do not worry. It's not much to worry about." - He decided to lie, he knew that later on this was going to bite him in the ass, but for know, he didn't want them to worry.

Ericia crossed her arms under her chest and said. - "Explain. Now." - She basically ordered him with her sharp eyes.

"Remember the Goddess?" - He decided to tell half of the truth, more-or-less...

The two nodded their heads. Yae just tilted hers, she didn't quite understand.

"Well, remember how we dealt the final blow and got out of there?" - He asked once again.

They nodded once again.

"Issei where are you get—" - Ericia said but soon widened her eyes and recalled something.

Issei noticed this and sighed again.

"Seems you've figured it out." - He lifted the corner of his mouth.

Ericia looked at him with shock. She just remembered that! She felt terrible for forgetting something so important, she felt like the dumbest person in the world!

"As a last resort, to deal the final blow to that Goddess, I used my Lifespan as a source of energy. So you could say that I lost a bit of it. Also, the last portal we used to escape consumed a fair share of my Lifespan, so according to Ddraig I need a treasure which helps me recover the lost Life Force." - He lied through his teeth.

(They are going to beat me up when they know the truth.) - He thought.

[Indeed.] - Ddraig agreed to his words.

His words caused Yae to widen her eyes, she was shocked!

She felt how her body recovered most of her strength, so she stood up and went towards him.

"And why you kept this form us until know?!" - Yae yelled while standing on the tip of her toes, matching his height just barely.

"Because it's nothing much. You'll just worry for nothing." - Issei shrugged his shoulders.

"You're lying! You're definitely lying!" - Ericia said while moving her arms erratically.

"You probably thought it was too troublesome! Right!?" - Fuuki commented while pouting.

This surprised Issei, but he agreed.

"Hn!" - He nodded his head. - "You know me well."

"You idiot!" - She said while pulling a paper fan out of nowhere and hitting him in his head, her eyes held unsheath tears.

Issei ignored the hit from that fan, he felt nothing at all from it.

"Anyway, we need to go to an Alchemy Guild. They should have some information about Medicines and Treasure from the Heavens and the Earth which can affect Dragons." - He said ignoring the pouting Yae that tried her best to be angry at him.

"I see..." - Ericia nodded her head, understanding what he meant.

"That why you've been reading all about Alchemy!" - Fuuki said, giving him an accusatory glare.

"Indeed." - He agreed once again, his plan was going better than he thought.

"You see, us Dragons are mases of pure energy, and as such only the strongest and most rare medicines can affect us." - He explained, making everyone understand.

"Even more if it's a Dragon that has awoken his Aura. So it should be pretty tough to find a Treasure like that, but according to Ddraig a Treasure of that level hasn't been born in quite some time, so I have literally nothing to worry about." - She placed his hands inside his pockets.

While the woman assimilated the information, Parvati finished healing Fuuki and stood up. She walked and reached her husband's side.

Ericia then decided to ask something. - "How much did you lose?" - Issei sighed, but he decided to still continue his plan.

(Seems like I'll lie about it too, huh. Anyway it's better this way, I don't want them to worry too much.) - He thought while looking at the three women.

"I lost... a thousand years." - He said while sighing. Mentally wishing for his lie to succeed.

His words caused the three woman to widen their eyes. Shock clearly present inside of them.

"""A thousand?!""" - They yelled at the same time, not really believing his words.

"Yes. But according to Ddraig, Dragons live for more than ten-thousand years so it's nothing to worry about." - He tried to calmed them down.

Ericia was about to yell at him; saying how could it be nothing?! But she stopped herself, Issei was always like this and she knew it.

Yae was at his side, her eyes were opened to the max. She was scared at this revelation, she clutched her hands and turned them into fists. Even her rabbit ears were against her head.

Fuuki stood up and walked closer to Ise, she grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes. She was worried about this, really anxious as well.

Issei saw her reaction and smiled a bit, she moved his hand on her head and gave her a head pat, making the woman blush and smile sheepishly.

He felt bad about lying but it was needed for now, later on he will pay for it. - (Ahh... the beating I'll receive...) - He thought.

At the same moment, Yae walked closer to him. She stood in front of him and while blushing she hugged him, clearly trying to console him.

Issei was startled by this but smiled, his eyes became soft and warm an expression only reserved for his most trusted ones.

Ericia went to his free side and grabbed his hand. This caused him to feel even more shock.

Her red eyes held concern, she was troubled by all of this.

Issei widened his eyes at this, he noticed how on each side he held a beauty that was capable of toppling an Empire with just a smile. They were definitely one in a billion, and he was extremely happy that they were worried for him.

"Thanks." - He said with a gentle voice, something rare in him.

The women were amazed by this, but all of them gifted him beautiful smiles.

"Yes!" - Yae closed her eyes and smiled while feeling touched. Her smile was similar to a Goddess, warming his heart

"~Iseee~"- Fuuki smiled in a mischievous way but also held an air of happiness. Her eyes were shining like a pair of gems and made him feel relaxed.

"Hn." - Ericia nodded her head and gifted him a rare smile. Her beauty and nobility was astounding at that moment. He smirked at this.

"Cough! Cough!" - The sound of some coughing awoke them from their dreamland.

Fuuki and Yae were blushing. They stood at his side while fidgeting in their spots. Ericia released his hand and looked at the other side, her face definitely had a blush.

"Sorry about interrupting the sweet moment, but I want to give you this." - Parvati extended her hand. She held a black box on her hands.

Issei tilted his head, but he decided to receive the box.

"~Open it!~" - Parvati insisted, Issei onky nodded his head.

He opened the black box and inside it two things were present.

Yae saw this and widened her eyes until she couldn't do it more. Her ears stood tall and she turned to look at her mother, shock all over her face.

"Bracelets?" - Issei said while looking at the pair of metallic bracelets inside the box.

"~Yes!~" - Parvati replied.

"Those are bracelets that my husband and I had before we married. They represent our promises to look after the other and protect each other." - Parvati smiled while she recalled past memories.

"They mean that we will stay by each other and help in whatever is needed." - Parvati was serious.

Issei looked at her and looked at Shiva. The first smiled beautifully the second looked expressionless but his eyes seemed to be hoping for something.

"I'm giving them to you two now." - Parvati smiled omce again.

"Why?" - Asked Issei, he knew that these two were artifacts that held too much emotional value fo them, why gifting them?

"Because we no longer need them. They are for you and Yae as a goodbye gift." - Parvati smiled in a mysterious way, she looked at Yae and smirked.

Issei was watching the pair of bracelets. They were small in size barely covering the wrist. Both were a deep blue in color with a silver lining, the metal they were made of was light and barely weighted something.

Many engravings were all over the bracelets, all of them were different but gave the bracelet a sense of beauty that few things could match it. At the center, a clear jewel was present, it was not big, barely the size of a small pebble.

Issei was amazed by the bracelet, he never had seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Yae however, was frozen on her spot. She turned to look at her mother, ready to say something, but Parvati winked at her and smiled. Yae blushed until she was as red as possible, her hands fidgeted around, and she was moving from one side to the other.

Parvati smiled when she saw this, it seemed Yae knew what this meant.

"~Issei-kun!~ We gave you this as a reminder of your promise with us and to yourself." - She said while giggling slightly.

"I see..." - Issei grabbed a bracelet and placed it around his right wrist. Ericia and Fuuki looked at it, in a sense they didn't like it, their senses were telling them that something was a bit off.

"~Come!~ ~Come!~" - Parvati waved at him.

Issei walked closer to her, Yae was also told the same.

"The center on the jewel needs to be filled with the aura of the other." - She said that, but Issei was feeling suspicious.

Yae was standing in front of him, her face all red. This only served as a clue to what it meant, but he was forced to stop his thoughts.

"Anyway, do it. You need to leave, right?" - Parvati interrupted him, he left his suspicions aside when he saw her eyes staring at him.

Shiva walked closer to them, he stood at the side of his wife, his arms crossed underneath his chest.

Issei nodded his head, he extended his hand and touched the jewel on Yae's bracelet, she did the the same.

Soon they auras surrounded their bodies. Issei had his black-colored aura with a red tinge and shinning in a purple light. Yae, was surrounded with a blue aura similar to the moon, however, it was also mixed with a lightish red.

After some seconds the clear jewels changed colors and became the same tone as their auras. Yae had a black jewel with a red tinge on the center and the surroundings were shining with a dim purple light.

Issei, on the other hand, had a light blue jewel with a light red center, its surroundings had a white aura that reminded him of moonlight.

"~Great!~" - Parvati clapped her hands, seemingly relieved. Shiva nodded his head and lifted the corner of his mouth, happy about this.

Issei looked at the jewel in the bracelet and was satisfied, it suited him rather well.

Yae looked at hers and smiled beautifully. She hugged her bracelet with a gleam in her eyes.

Ericia and Fuuki watched all of this with confusion. They didn't understand, what does it mean? But of one thing they were sure, it wasn't just a goodbye gift.

"With this is the goodbye, Yae." - Parvati went and hugged her daughter, she was sad at saying goodbye.

Shiva went close to Issei and his Team and said. - "Take care of my daughter, I'll leave her in your care. Also, take care of yourself, we don't want you to end up to battered and bruised in another Faction." - He smirked at this.

Issei nodded his head, so did Ericia and Fuuki. Issei extended his hand and went for a handshake.

"I promise I'll take good care of her." - Shiva completed the handshake.

Meanwhile, Parvati whispered something into the ears of Yae. - "Don't let him go. We already did what we could, the rest is up to you." - Yae blushed at this and looked at the bracelet, nevertheless, she nodded her head.

"Don't worry mother! Yae will definitely make him fall for me!" - She said with stars in her eyes.

Parvati remebered a Legend inside her head, a Legend she heard from her husband.

(The Moon Rabbits only love once for life, and they remain loyal till the end of times.)

Parvati hugged her daughter and let go of her. Yae went towards Issei and her father.

As she reached them, she gave her father a hug, it looked kind of funny considering their height.

"Take care father! Yae will visit you when she has time." - She smiled.

"Hn." - He nodded his head. - "Enjoy your travels Yae. And also, succeed with your goals." - He smirked, causing Yae to blush.

Issei then said something. - "Before I forget, Yae could you stand over there." - He pointed at an empty patch of land.

"Sure?" - She nodded her head and did as told.

Issei used his 'Hell Gate' and took two articles out. A smartphone and a briefcase.

He then turned the phone on and went to the sole app it had. He tapped on the 'scan' button and a camera app filled the scream.

Soon after a small light scanned Yae from the top to the bottom. Two minutes passed like that until her information appeared on the screen.

"Name: Unknown. Race: ? Specific Race: ? Level: High-Tier Low-God. Possible Pieces: '8 Pawn Pieces', 'Queen Piece', 'Two Rook Pieces', 'Two Knight Pieces', 'Any of the Former Mutated'."

*Whistle!* - Issei was amazed once again by this, as always his Team is filled with monsters.

"I know what will be perfect." - He decided to use a certain piece, the pair of what he used last time with Ericia.

He grabbed his 'Mutated Rook' and placed it on Yae's hand. He then smirked at her causing her to giggle.

"Would you, Yae Rudra, become my Mutated Rook for this battle until victory is achieved?" - His voice was deep and serious.

Yae gave him a beautiful smile and while nodding her head she said. - "Yes!"

Them a crimson light filled the field and the Piece started to float in front of Yae and after that, it sunk into her chest.

The light died down and Yae was left standing there, a confused look on her face.

Issei checked the app. On the other Rook position a photo of Yae appeared, her information was also there. Issei decided to eliminate the photo like he always does only leaving her first name like with the rest.

"Great. With this, you're part of the Game officially, Yae." - He said.

She nodded her head, the confusion she felt was gone.

Issei felt that everything that needed to be done was already done. So he was satisfied with everything until now, turning around he looked at Fuuki.

Issei then said. - "Use it." - Fuuki nodded her head and prepared herself for leaving.

Her voice echoed all over the plain field and a green aura surrounded her body.

"Break the Boundary between Worlds, Yasakani-no-Magatama. Transfer!" - On her wrist a bracelet with several green magatamas expanded.

It covered the area behind them and expanded itself until it could cover the bodies of the four of them. Then in began to spin and started to create a huge hole in space itself.

The Yasakani-no-Magatama successfully activated.

"Well, it's time to go. Thanks for everything Parvati-san, Shiva-san we'll take our leave." - Issei decided to add suffixes since he felt it was needed, at least with them.

They noticed this and smiled, it seems that the Dragon finally opened up to them.

"Yae, lets go. We have things to do and the Tournament is a Month and a half away." - Issei said while looking at Yae.

"Yes!" - She smiled and walked closer to him. She stood at his side, Fuuki saw this and walked near Issei grabbing his arm, she basically took it from Yae's reach.

"~Hmm~" - Fuuki smirked proudly and began walking towards the portal. Soon both Issei and her crossed it.

Yae stood there and watched the Fox take him. Her eyes open in shock.

"That-That-That Problematic Fox!" - She yelled while fuming and walking towards the portal, anger in her face. Soon she crossed it as well.

Ericia was left for last. She smirked at this and thought about her own plans. - "This will certainly be interesting."

She walked slowly towards the portal while thinking on letting those two fight so that she could reap the spoils of War.

As she crossed the portal, it started to decrease in size until it vanished, leaving only Shiva and Parvati.

They stood still for less than a minute looking towards the place their daughter just went through.

"~HuHuHu~" - Parvati giggled. Shiva at her side sighed.

"Were the bracelets necessary?" - He asked. His wife turned her head and looked at him.

"We just gave her a little push." - She grabbed his arm and rested her cheek on top of his head.

"Besides, wasn't it you who wished for this? You have been talking to me about the Sekiryuutei ever since the War against that Beast ended. Shouldn't the father be the one that doesn't want his daughter to go with a man?" - She teased him.

Shiva sighed at the comment of his wife.

"It was needed, she had been alone for more than two hundred years. Only training and sparring, walking around Mount Kailash and the exterior. She has only been to the Human World not more than twice, it was something that was needed." - He said.

"Yae needs to go outside, so my plan was to ask the Sekiryuutei for a hand. Never would I have thought that the proud Moon Rabbit and our daughter would fall for him." - He sighed.

Parvati giggled at this. - "Indeed, quite the surprise. In all, the sense, of the word~"

Shiva sighed again. - "And the Moon Rabbits only love once in their life, this was just like the work of fate..."

Parvati giggled even more. - "He charmed our daughter the moment she first laid eyes on him. Quite nostalgic, right?~" - She teased once again, probably referring to their own past.

"..…." - He was silent, neither agreeing nor refuting.

"Anyway, the bracelet was just a safety measure. By our costumes they are together. What's left is for Yae to finally conquer his heart." - Shiva said while walking towards the main door, his wife at his side.

"~Indeed!~ She will succeed, of that I'm sure~ She's my daughter after all!" - Parvati smiled brightly.

"Yes, she will succeed. She's as stubborn as you and as careful as me. She will just need time, although the same could be said to the Drake."

"I don't know what happened to him, but it was something bad. I knew it since the moment I saw him, after all it felt odd when I saw him." - Parvati removed her teasing face and stated seriously.

"Hn." - Shiva nodded his head. - "Whatever it was, it broke him." - He remembered their talk a few days ago.

"The trust I had was destroyed, not a piece of it remains till this day. Believe me, Shiva. Trust takes a long time to form and seconds to break. And when it breaks, it leads to betrayal..." - His words were something he still remembers.

"And betrayal is something that never comes from your enemies." - He narrowed his eyes at this. He had many guesses, but unless Issei Hyoudou came and answered his questions, then they will remain as what they are, guesses.

Parvati saw the serious glint in the eyes of her husband. She was also curious about it.

(What exactly happened to you Issei-kun? To say such words, I hope this is nothing too bad...) - She thought.

Shiva had... different ideas.

(Unknowingly he has a lot of political power. The Norse Faction adores him and the Greeks respect him due to his achievements. For The Three-Biblical-Factions, he's basically the pillar of support.) - He kept walking towards the door.

(And now after what happened, he has the backing of the entire Hindu Pantheon. If he asks for my help I will go, my sons as well. And my army respects him a bit too much. If they discover what his social standing is right now, then his positon will rise by a big margin...) - He thought.

"Haaaa..." - For the first time, he openly sighed. His wife stared at him a bit surprised.

"Only time will tell." - He decided to leave this for another time. Parvati understood him and decided the same.

Soon they left the field inside Mount Kailash. The sound of footsteps echoed inside the empty field.

What would exactly happen after all of this? That's a question that the God of Destruction kept asking to himself...

END

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(Edited Random Day Around April)

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Oh my lord, my buddha, my whatever you pray to. That took a looong while, I'm serious. I needed to rewrite this bad boy five times! More than 90k words gone. Everytime I remember I want to cry...

Anyway, first of all, special thanks to my Beta Reader! (Yes I have one.) Alabahmaman!

He gave me a lot of advice and it's basically due to him that I finished the chapter. Honestly I was so frustrated since I kept disliking how it turned up that I just deleted it and began from scratch. So thank him, its thanks to him that you guys got an update.

Also, thanks to a special someone that gave me the idea of Issei meeting Shiva. You know who you are, after all, you have a part of his name in your username. *Cheeky Smile.*

Also and apology, between the rewrite and some hard stuff in real life I was delayed by well, some time. An apology for that. I hope that the next chapter doesn't take that long, my slave driver-I mean my Beta Reader, is helping me so don't worry... too much.

Regardless, I hope you guys liked the Chapter I am extremely satisfied by how it turned out. Next Chap is a surprise! It's going to be quite something, but for now, I'll focus on my midterms and the Projects the sadistic bastard-I mean my professors have for me.

But I won't drop the story, so do not worry for that at all!

Also, thanks for everyone's kind words they really, really mean a lot. Thank you for understanding and say that this story in amazing! Keeps my blood pumping!

Well Thanks for Reading and...

See you Later!