What was a peaceful day for most was far from one for Issei. Explosions rattled off throughout the day at the training grounds almost as it was a warzone.
[Explosion!]
A massive ball of fire engulfed the area as Issei launched a large fireball at Tannin. As the flames crept towards Tannin stuck his hand out with his palm open as he grabbed ahold of the fire crushing it with one swift move.
"You will have to do better if you want to damage me."
Issei looked around to see that damage that was caused only to see that he did more to the surrounding area than he did to Tannin. He sat down as he pulled out a canteen and drank from it. "I'm out of ideas here old man." Issei drank some more water. "I've done more to the landscape than I have to you."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." He opened up his hand to show him the damages. Small blisters were forming on his hand from the fireball. "Your attack did burn some of my hand when I collapsed it. Plus the whole point of this training was to improve your control and power of your dragon powers."
"At least I still have another day of training." Issei put his canteen away as he stood up.
"Unfortunately you don't. The training for the day is over and tomorrow is the party. But your time was well spent with me." Tannin pointed in the direction of the Gremory estate "It's time for us to head back." He reached down and grabbed Issei as he lifted off flying back to the estate.
As Tannin dropped Issei off at the gardens where they gathered before they all left he spoke to Issei once again. "I will be attending the party we can speak again. But for now goodbye Issei and you as well Ddraig."
Issei waved goodbye as Tannin took off as the gauntlet appeared [It was good to speak to you as well.]
"Do you ever think he might be a bit too relaxed?" Issei asked
[He's always been like that, but he seems to be calmer than when I last saw him. You know when I had a body.]
"Still he's more and less dragon than what you would expect."
[Yeah I know what you mean.]
"Yo Issei." A voice came breaking them out of their discussion. Issei turned to see Kiba with his clothes all tattered up. "You've body has gone through some changes." Kiba saw that Issei's muscles had tightened up giving him a firmer yet not a bulky appearance.
"Oh thanks, man." Issei paid no attention to it as it hit him. He covered himself up wrapping his arms around himself "No wait, don't size me up like that man."
Kiba tried to wave it off "I didn't mean it like that. It's just that your training has done wonders for you. I'm the opposite of you as I cant pack on muscle as you can."
"Issei Kiba!" A girl's voice came out as the turned to see who it was as Xenovia was standing there with no shirt on covered in bandages and bandages around her chest binding her breasts in place of a bra.
"What did you do?" Issei asked her fearing the worst.
"I got injured every day and had to keep bandaging myself. It got to the point that I was covered in them."
Issei walked over to her poking at her bandages "And binding your breasts?"
Xenovia got slightly embarrassed when he asking that. "I broke a couple of bras in training. It's just easier this way."
Issei felt the natural aura that came off people normally both Kiba and Xenovia's aura were much more powerful and noticeable to anybody. "Heheheh." Issei laughed "At the rate you're going your gonna become a mummy. I might be able to get Bastet to help you with that if you're into it."
"No!" She yelled out "I don't want to become a mummy."
"Ok if you say so." They heard a set of footsteps running towards them as Issei was lightly tacked from behind as a pair of arms wrapped around him.
"Put some clothes on." He saw Asia latching onto him as he turned the both of them so they were facing each other.
"Asia it's so good to see you." He saw her in her blue nun outfit without the headpiece. He kneeled in front of her "It's just my shirt that's missing." He said knowing she's seen much more of him without clothes.
"Looking like that with a missing shirt might need you to change your occupation." He heard Rias as everybody looked at her.
"Maybe we can partake in some of the fun." Akeno teased as Asia and Xenovia were clueless to what she was hinting at while Kiba knew it.
He stood back up looking at her with an idea running wild in his head. "Maybe we should get a pole installed?"
"What happened to your shirt anyways?" She asked trying to avoid his ideas.
"Giant dragon burned most of it off as he broke my balance breaker."
"Okay then anyways, I don't want to be rude but you three need a shower. Once you're done we can talk more about the results of our training." She leads everybody back into the house as they all disappeared off to their rooms to get cleaned up.
Around thirty minutes later everybody had gathered in Issei's room to discuss the fruits of their labor. Everybody was sitting on the floor with Azazel as the spoke of what happened.
"I commuted back and forth from the mansion but for out last week. I lived out in the woods and had some extreme training near the end." Issei told them what his time was like.
"I stayed in a cabin near where I was training." Xenovia said as Kiba chimed in "I stayed with my sword master for the training."
Issei looked at them "I guess it wasn't too bad for training then."
"I'm kinda surprised you last as long as you did. I saw the damage to that mountain." Azazel said as he pulled out some photos of the damage.
"We had to stop to put out some of the first before they became forest fires."
Rias got ahold of one of the photos "The whole area in the photo is a destroyed."
"It was fun tho." He smiled reminiscing the times of them fighting.
Rias looked at Issei "This is going to be a pain. I need to tell my mother about this." She said as Azazel took the photos from her hand.
"She already knows about it and said it's fine." He stood up getting ready to leave the room "Just have fun the rest of the night and don't worry about the adult things." He disappeared from the room leaving them to talk about how the training went among other things.
Dinner came is went as it turned to night time as they all got ready for bed. Issei was laying in bed with Asia clinging to his left arm already asleep and he and Xenovia were wide awake staring at the canopy that covered the bed. Issei looked at her "Having trouble sleeping?"
"I'm not exactly used to sharing a bed with a man yet. Even tho I know nothing is going to happen it just feels weird." Xenovia never made eye contact with him as she only stared at the canopy.
"I kinda expected this." Issei moved his other free arm around her and scooted her closer to him. "Look at Asia she's out cold."
Xenovia peered over his chest to see Asia sleeping like it was nothing. "Is that normal?"
"It is now. When she first joined us she said she had issues but she grew accustomed to having me next to her." Issei moved his hand and placed it on her stomach "When you were in the church I take it you shared a bed with Irina on missions."
"We did, most of the time all we had was one bed and a blanket."
"Think of it like this." He tilted his head over and kissed her on the cheek as his hand moved up her shirt and cupped her left breast with no bra as interference. "I am no different than those times but I'm just a man." His hand slid back out from her shirt.
"Issei…. Hold…. Me…." They looked over at Asia as she was talking in her sleep.
"I finally understand why you and Rias like her so much."
Issei moved his arm bringing Asia closer "She brings something that we all enjoy." He closed his eyes as he tried to join Asia in the realm of sleep.
~~~Afternoon Next day~~~
Issei came out of his room after he got dressed ready to go to the party. He walked through the halls as he came to a room that had plenty of noises coming from behind it. As he got closer he heard all the girl's voices and some others as well. When he got to the door he jiggled the handle trying to open it but the door was locked from the inside. The door opened with a small crack as one of the maids appeared. "Young Master the ladies are getting ready for the party so please wait in the foyer till they are ready." She said as she went to close the door.
"Wait." Issei pulled out a box and pushed it towards the maid. "Make sure the girls take something from the box."
The maid opened more of the door to take the box out of his hand "Very well then." She closed the door as a clicking noise came from the lock. He made his way to the foyer and waited till somebody else showed up. As he noticed he was the only person there the door opened up.
"Hyoudou." Issei looked over to see Saji entered the room and sat down across from him.
"Why are you here Saji? This is the Gremory estate."
"Sona said that we were going to meet up with Rias and head over to the party from here."
"I see." Issei looked at Saji "You got lost didn't you?"
"Yes." He admitted, "I was wandering around and was lead here."
"So how was your training this past month? You train enough for the match?"
"I trained all month. I feel much better and much stronger now thanks to it." He was a bit happy about his results. "What about you?"
"I got tossed around and burned by a dragon."
"Isn't that somewhat brutal? I can understand tough training but isn't that excessive?" Saji didn't even know the horrors of what happened.
"It is but I can understand why."
"Ah." Saji tried to move the conversation along. "Do you remember the young devil gathering a month ago?"
"Kinda hard not to considering what happened," Issei remembered the fun that happened.
"Well, I was serious about what I said. My dream is to be a teacher." Saji face lit up from embarrassment.
"You? A Teacher? I never expected that's what you would want to do in life." Issei admitted as he didn't think Saji was going to be a teacher of all things.
"President is trying to establish a Rating Game school here in the underworld. And this is one of the best chances I have to achieve that. But there are those in the underworld who are stuck in their old ways and want to keep the status quo."
Issei was surprised at how he wanted to actively want to change the underworld for the better of everybody.
"President said she wants to change all the old traditions. She wants to help low-class devils and teach them how to rise in the ranks and obtain other skills as well. If it raises those devils chances from 0% to 1 its better than nothing. Even we could rise through the ranks and become High-class devils." Saji raised his fist getting extremely heated in his speech. "That's why I want to work as a teacher helping others and rise up through the ranks."
Issei gave a small clap after hearing the speech. "Good for you Saji, your goal is noble and the underworld could use more people like you."
Saji pointed at Issei "And for that, It will be us who will win the Rating game. And we will prove to not only ourselves but for everyone that we are serious."
They both laughed as Saji bravado calmed down. "Let's change the subject." Issei said, "How are you coming along with Sona?"
"I'm trying but nothing happening. It's almost as she ignoring me." Saji sank in his seat.
"Well, that's unfortunate to hear. But I want to tell you a story." Saji was interested in hearing what he had to say. "I never once expected to be with Rias but I'm glad I am." Saji's eyes widened hearing that "When I was a kid I grew up with Irina and the times we shared I expected she would be the one I would be with. But times change and things happen."
"And?" Saji interrupted him.
"What I was getting to is this. I have been extremely lucky with what I have, you might not be so lucky. If you want to be with Sona maybe you should learn chess or maybe have her teach you. But you need to remember that you are in the same situation I'm in and you but your the only dude in her peerage and surrounded by cute girls." Issei tried to rile him up.
"Are you interested in…." Saji tried to ask as he was interrupted as the door up.
"Sorry for the wait Issei." The boys looked over to see Rias entering the room with Akeno Asia Koneko and Gasper. "Oh, Saji your here as well."
Issei stood up and walked over to admire the dresses. Rias was in a red sparkling dress with a red rose on the top strap. Akeno was in a black dress with red accents. Asia and Koneko wore matching dresses in yellow and white. While Xenovia was in a long blue dress and yet she looked uncomfortable in it. One thing he noticed was the jewelry they were wearing, while not much but it was some of his stock that was made from parts of the gem of the boosted gear giving it a green gem. Then he saw the deal breaker of Gasper in a dress as well. He looked at gasper "Your dress makes you look like a girl too much."
"The dress feels...natural." Gasper was happy to be complimented on his outfit.
"Saji you okay?" Sona looked at Saji as he was staring at her in her short blue dress with a bow in front.
Saji was nonfunctioning seeing Sona as Issei walked over to Sona and whispered in her ear, "I think he likes seeing you like this." He nudged her towards Saji.
Rias pulled Issei away from the two of them as the ground shook. Rias whispered in his ear, "What was that all about?"
"Saji has the hots for her" He whispered back. "You know kinda like us but with less admitting it. Just trying to nudge her along."
"Don't do anything crazy with them." Rias watched as the two of them as Sona tried to snap Saji out of his daze. "Keep your matchmaking to a minimum. Your playing with fire considering Serafall."
The door opened once again as a butler entered the room "Pardon my interruption but Lord Tannin has arrived with his family."
Rias looked at Issei "I take it this is your doing?"
A smile came from him "It's a secret."
She sighed as she didn't want to fight this "Fine I guess we should see what you did." Everybody headed outside following Issei.
As they made it out to the front of the mansion a dozen dragons were waiting. "Just as we talked about Hyoudo Issei." Tannin said as everybody gathered around.
"Thanks for doing this." Issei said as he turned around looking at the group as Sona's peerage was now ready. "Tannin here is going to take us to the party."
Some of the girls looked as if all the hard work was about to be undone by some wind. Tannin saw this "I know a barrier that will make it so your clothes and hair will be fine."
"Thank you for this Tannin." Rias said as they started to climb onto his back. "Is it okay if the Sitri group comes with us?"
"Of course there's more than enough room for all of you. Once all of you are aboard we can set off." Tannin said as Issei was helping everybody onto the back of the massive dragon. \
As everybody was on board they were enveloped in a clear barrier as Tannin flapped his wings lifting him off the ground. One by one the rest of the dragons that came with him lifted off following him. The two peerages were chatting with each other as Issei slipped out of the barrier and moved towards the front sitting down on Tannin's head.
Issei soaked in the view of the land as they soared above everything. "The view is quite nice." He said as the boosted gear appeared.
[The freedom of a dragon and the scenery it brings was something else.] There was a sad pitch to his voice as he longed for what he once had.
"Yes, it is quite the experience Ddraig. Though there aren't many of us dragons around anymore. Ophis and Red are almost myths now while Tiamat and Yu long are the only ones around. Even then Yu long retired from work and I became a devil. Everybody else is dead or in a sacred gear." Tannin reminisces of the days gone past.
"Speaking of a devil, is the land the reason why you became a devil?" Issei asked wanting to know his true intentions.
"It's the main reason but there are others. Back in the day, there used to be a fight every day and wars every week, nowadays now so much. The last war was about 400 years ago and before that thousands. Rating games scratch that itch now but yes, the main reason why I became a devil was for the land."
"Species preservation?" Issei asked as he already knew the answer to it.
"Exactly, some of our kind need the dragon apples and I took the opportunity to make sure they survived. I even left my title of Dragon King behind just so we can flourish as a species."
"I see." Issei thought about what he just heard.
"What about you?" Tannin asked getting Issei's attention once again. "Why did you become a devil?"
Issei thought about that for a moment "I was asked to become a devil to assist with a problem. But in the end, I got something I never expected to have."
"Ohhhhh, something unexpected? That sounds like life to me."
"I got more than I thought I would. When I became a devil I thought it was going to be over after I dealt with her problem. But now I enjoy being around them, and now I'm going to be married to Rias."
"And you're fine with it?"
"I am. She enjoys being with me and I'm happy with that."
"Then it sounds like you were given something else besides a problem to fix. And If your fine with that then your goals in life can be started without roadblocks." Tannin's words probed Issei's heart and mind. "Enough about that for now. Our destination is nearing."
As he started descending towards the forest a massive building could be seen below them. Tannin landed in a large space that was tailor-made for dragons to land as it was a bit further back from the building but still close to it. When everybody disembarked staff from the hotel had assembled ready to lead them to the party.
"Thanks for this Tannin." Issei said
"Think nothing of it." His voice bellowed from above as he stood up.
As they made their way to the party Rias spoke up. "Issei." She got his attention. "When you were upfront you couldn't hear us but might have taken things a bit too far with Sona."
"Oh?" He looked around at the lobby as they were lead to an elevator.
"I might have declared war on her because of our dreams. She wants a School and I want to be the champion and this is our first impressions." Rias said as the door to the elevator opened as then piled into it.
"About this party? What is it exactly?" He asked as they traveled up.
"It's a Satan sponsored party." Akeno said as she was cut off by Rias.
"But it's more of an annual tradition. It's a meet and greet of distinguished families. Mainly the next pillar heads and some others. But It's more or less just another excuse for the adults to drink." Rias said as Kiba and Koneko tried to hide their disappointment in that her statement.
Rias wasn't too pleased knowing what was coming. The elevator stopped and the doors opened as the party turned to see who joined. Oohs and Aahs came as Rias walked out of the elevator admiring her. "Princess Rias it is good to see you arrived." An older man said as he was ogling her.
Issei has a slight grin on his face as he looked at the old man. He felt someone bump into him from behind, as he looked to see who it was he saw gasper. "There are too many people here."
Issei looked down at gasper "You're a convincing crossdresser, this is your first chance to show it off."His words were not convincing Gasper. He kneeled next to him "It's okay if you get some confused looks from the males. But if you make some of the girls hot and bothered then your doing a better job at looking like a girl than they are."
"Ise, come with me," Rias said getting his attention as he had a dumb look on his face. "We are going to make our greetings." She took him around to speak to many of the devils that were gathered around.
Issei was dragged around from group to group introducing himself alongside Rias making small talk with each group. The trials of high society drained him of his energy, but soon after he was released from his hell as he sat down at one of the tables that others were at. Asia and Gasper were sitting there talking to each other as Akeno had replaced Issei to follow Rias around. "I forgot how uptight this can be." He looked around the room to see Kiba being hounded by female devils from all kinds of groups. He looked at Asia and Gasper "Did you two talk to anybody?"
"A couple of people came to me mainly guys." Asia said as Issei understood why. Her charm was a universal thing that attracted everybody.
"What about you gasper?" He looked to see that he still wasn't comfortable around this many people.
"A few."
"Food." A plate of food was placed in front of Issei as he looked up and saw Xenovia hold many plates of food as she went around serving Asia and Gasper as well.
"Thanks for this Xenovia." He looked over the plate seeing a good assortment of food.
"Think nothing of it." She was juggling around more plates and cups placing them down in front of Asia. "Juice and some fruits."
"Thanks, Xenovia." Asia took a sip of the juice as her face lit up. "It's Strawberry Banana, and it tastes so good." Xenovia placed a similar dish near gasper as she sat down with her plate of food.
As they were eating they got through most of their plates as two figures came up to the table. More importantly, they stood near Issei "Excuse me." A female voice came out as Issei looked over to see the person calling out. Even though he knew by her voice he still wanted to act surprised about it.
When he looked over and saw a short blonde hair girl with twin drills in her hair. Her outfit was a long purple dress that had three red and yellow tails coming off it that resembled the immortal bird the phoenix. A smile crept upon his face as he spoke "Hello Ravel it's been a while, it's good to see you."
A small blush crept up on her face "You as well." A pause came from her as she didn't know how to move along.
"Soooooooooo….." He tried to make small talk between the two of them. "How's Riser doing?"
"His pride has been severely wounded. After you took Rias from him and the beating you gave him he's been a recluse. Brother Ruvel said a loss for him was something he was going to need as he relied too much on our regeneration to win his games. His arrogance and lack of foresight led to his downfall and because of that I was traded to mother."
Issei winced at her words about one of her family members. "Your words are quite direct. But it is nice to see you are away from him."
"Mother said she would trade me when I found a peerage I wish to be apart of. And as she's not a fan of participating in the games is essentially a free piece."
Issei mused over her words. "That's good to hear."
"Here." She held her hand out with a small vile that matched her dress with her clan logo in the middle of it.
Issei picked up the vile as another person came to Ravel. "Lady Ravel, some of Masters friends are calling for you." Issei saw Isabela one of Risers Rooks.
"Oh okay then." She answered as she spoke to Issei once again. "Maybe we can speak again some time."
"I look forward to it." He smiled "But not in the underworld. Remember that the private eyes are watching you and they see your every move."
She lifted the hem of her dress giving a respectful bow and headed off. "Hyoudou Issei." Isabela called out.
"Yes?"
"Your punch at the time didn't hurt me, but it hurt after the fight. I've been training to get more powerful. Maybe one day I'll be able to say I fought against you before you become a big thing in the underworld."
"I look forward to it. By the way are you Ravel's escort at the party?"
Isabela nodded "I am, there are things she has yet to get around. But yet she speaks of you quite fondly. Maybe you will understand what she is about."
She started to leave "Make no mistake, I'm not blind. I only play the part but I know of her intentions. We all have parts to play and she already knows of this as well."
"I see, I will keep this to myself then." She said as she headed back to escort duty.
Issei turned back to the others at the table "Do you know what's in that vile?" Xenovia asked as she was pointing at it.
He looked it over wondering how it opened up as he pushed his thumb down on the clan logo splitting it open revealing a smaller glass diamond with a liquid inside of it. "It's a Phoenix Tears." He held it up showing it off.
"Those are extremely valuable and quite expensive." Gasper pointed out.
Issei closed the capsule sealing it back up "Yes they are and a free one at best is no small gift. Friendship is no small thing." He looked around, noticing that somebody was missing as he turned around seeing the doors on the elevator closed with Koneko inside of it. "I'll be right back." He got up from his chair and headed for the elevator. He pressed the button to call for it as the doors opened he walked in as he turned around Rias was standing there.
"What's wrong?" She asked walking into the elevator.
"Koneko just went down the elevator and she never said why." He told her as he pushed the ground floor button.
"I'll be going with you then."
As the elevator descended "Speaking of which, how did you get to me so fast?"
She simply smiled "The eyes of a goddess are always watching."
Issei had a small laugh hearing that line "I see, mother gave you that line." He looked at her as she had a slight grin on her face knowing where it came from.
As the doors opened they walked out and when to some of the devils and asked around if they had seen her. The two of them met up at the front door of the hotel "Her behavior is quite abnormal." She summoned her familiar as they walked outside with her bat flying off into the forest.
"I understand her predicament but what would cause her to run off like that?"
"I don't know." Rias said shaking her head as her familiar came back to her. "She found her in the forest." The bat took off once again as Rias and Issei followed it to where Konkeo was.
They ran through the forest for a while as they came to a clearing. The two of them hid behind some trees as they peered into the clearing. They saw Koneko look at a woman wearing a black kimono with red lining tied together with a golden sash. "It's been so long." She said.
"Why you?" Koneko asked as she didn't exactly sound happy.
"Shirone is that how you talk to me after all this time." She tried to act playful hurt with her words.
"Kuroka…." She strained just to get the name out.
Rias wasn't happy hearing that name as she tried to keep her cool. "You followed my kitty to me after it sneaked into the party just to find you."
"What do you want sister?" Koneko voice was filled with anger knowing she was setup.
"Don't be so mad. I'm here on some business and I wanted to see you. That's why I called you here Nya!" Two tails swirled around behind her.
Issei pulled a small object out of his pocket and pushed it into the ground as another person showed up. Bikou appeared in his Chinese and looked at the tree line where Issei and Rias were "You know we can sense your presence, so there is no use hiding."
Issei followed right behind Rias and Koneko looked over. "Issei... Rias…"
"The new Monkey King is in the underworld of all things. Is Vali still itching for the fight I'm never going to give him?"
"Yeah he is, but it looks like you have been training. Senjutsu can tell me more things than you would expect." He twirled his staff and shoved one of the ends into the ground.
"So why are you two here? Plotting more terrorism?" Issei asked now getting serious.
"Kuroka and I are off duty and she wanted to see the party. So I tagged along to watch over her."
Kuroka looked over to Bikou "Who is that boy?"
"He's the Red Dragon."
When Kuroka heard that her tails started to twirl around "Realy? Vali did say he loves breast." She jiggled her tits trying to get his attention.
Well for Issei it worked as he watched her move them around. "Anyways Kuroka we need to get out of here before we attract too much attention."
"Fine... But first I need Shirone."
Issei reached forward grabbing ahold of Koneko and dragged her back closer to them. "I don't think so." He passed her off to Rias.
Both Kuroka and Bikou looked at Issei like he was crazy. "You might be brave to stand up for her but you are no match for the both of us." He lifted his staff out of the ground and pointed it at Issei.
Rias' temper went through the roof hearing all of them. "She is a beloved member of my peerage. I will not let you lay a hand on her."
"You poor high-class devils, always acting so privileged. You forget the basic fact nya. She is my sister and you have no say in that." Kuroka moved her right hand up as some symbols flashed as a large wave of power flooded the area.
Rias looked around as the wave died down and noticed nothing in the sky was moving "A barrier?" Issei asked. "No." Rias quickly responded "It's something akin to the Agares clan. Her skills have progressed to the point where she can control time and space in an isolated area."
"You're close. Controlling time is well beyond me but controlling the space with a simple barrier. Think of it as an Isolated section of the world where we can have all the fun. But it's time to deal with you two nya."
"And what do I find inside this barrier? Some devils that left the party and some unknowns." A voice boomed from the sky as everybody looked and saw Tannin flying above them all. "Some unsightly visitors you have down there."
"Tannin the Blaze Meteor Dragon is here," Bikou said as he looks to Kuroka. "This is a massive problem so make it quick."
"Stall him till I get her." She raised her hand up preparing an attack.
"Nimbus!" Bikou called out as he jumped onto a golden cloud as he swung his staff at Tannin.
As the two of them darted around the sky clashing with each other, Kuroka had other plans. She started drawing runes as a Koneko spoke up. Her head was hunched over as she resigned from her fate. "I'll go with you, just don't hurt them."
"No!" Rias said as she pulled Koneko towards her and hugged her from behind. "You are a servant of my group. And more importantly, you are family."
"Kuroka's power rivals that of an ultimate class." Tears began to fall as she was speaking " Even for the two of you it would be hard for you to capture her."
"It doesn't matter." Rias held onto her.
"You can't even help her unlock her powers as I can. Why should she even stay with you." Kuroka told Rias.
"I don't need that power. I don't want a power that brings misfortune to people."
Rias looking into Kuroka's eyes "Your lust for power has left you blind. And you caused a would on her heart that will never leave. You killed your master and almost got your sister killed for it. Betrayal is buried deep inside of her heart and its because of you. When I first met her there was nothing only child who barely spoke and had no soul to express themself. I help her reestablish herself into the world into what she is now, Koneko Toujou my Rook."
"Shirone."
Koneko crying got louder and louder as her legs gave out. "I want to live with Rias. I don't want the past to come back. I am Koneko, not Shirone."
Kuroka gave up all hope as a purple mist flooded out from her body."Then I will be the last." The mist spread through the air at a rapid pace. Rias and Koneko dropped to the floor coughing as it weakened them. She saw Issei looking at them as it did not affect him "So it has no effect on dragons. Oh well still works wonders on devils and other youkai." She hopped up to a tree branch and watched from above.
"This is how you plan on killing your sister. A cruel and heartless way?" Issei said to her as he directed some of his power into his feet as he was controlling something. "You know its funny most factions don't even care about you, hell most don't even believe the story that was told."
"And?" She asked as her feet were swaying back and forth
"Only devils cared about you. You could have hidden in the shadows till the end of time. But now you chose wrong." He pointed at her as a vine grew up the tree she was sitting on. When the vine was in position he clasped his hand together making a fist as the vine lashed out twisting around her foot. The thorns on the vines dug in and dragged her off the branch slamming her into the ground. Kuroka was quick to recover as she sliced the vine and stood up. "Senjutsu and magics are far from my specialty." He walked towards her and summoned the boosted gear.
[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER]
Now clad in his full armor he dashed forward to Kuroka surprising her in the distance that was closed. He held his left hand up as a ball formed as raw power condensed mere inches from her face. "You might be a rival for ultimate class devils. But in raw destructive power, I match that. And I will not let you touch them. They are the closest things to true friends I have found in this world and I will protect them from your stupid games." As the power stopped condensing it launched from his hand blowing away all the trees and creating a massive trench as it impacted with a mountain. When the blast impacted with the mountain it vaporized it and shattered the barrier she setup. The shockwave that resulted from the blast blew the mist away and leaving a massive dust cloud where the mountain was.
"Hahaha the mountain is gone and he didn't even use a boost." Tannin said as he watched it all unfold from above.
Kuroka lept back away from as she held her finger out as she fired a small blast that impacted with his chest plate. "Don't think your show scares me."
"Hahahahaha, this is quite fun." Bikou landed next to Kuroka "But while we have two dragons here we are at a disadvantage."
Behind the two of them, a slash in the space appeared in the space. As it ripped and tore open as a person walked out of it. "That's enough." A blond-haired man in his mid-twenties came out wearing a black suit holding a sword in his hand. "Your stunt has gone on long enough. The devils are on their way.
Bikou look back to see who it was "Shouldn't you be with Vali?"
"You missed your check in's and I came here to find you."
Tannin hovered above Issei "Stay away from him. That sword is Caliburn one of the legendary holy swords." The man sheathed his sword revealing a second sheath on his hip. "And that would make you a descendant of Arthur."
"Dragons do have a keen intellect."
"While I would take that as a compliment. That other sword you are carrying is a holy sword as well."
He pulled the blade partial out of the sheath "It is, and it happens to be the final and strongest fragment of Excalibur Ruler.
Kuroka looked over to the man "Why are you so calm with all of this."
"Because unlike you I have an interest in his friends." He looked over to Issei. "Red Dragon give my regards to the demonic sword user and wielder of Durandal. I wish to face them in combat as a fellow swordsman." He placed his hand back on Caliburn as a rift opened behind them "But for now we will be retreating." They quickly piled into rift closing up as they made their escape.
Issei released his armor as Tannin took off." I have to speak with Satan's about this." Tannin soared off leaving the three of them alone.
Issei walked over to the girls as he crouched down in front of Koneko. "I'm sorry that you had to go through this today. But I will do my best to keep her away from you because it hurt to see you crying like that."
Koneko was hesitant at first but decided to walk up to him and hug him. "Please be gentle." Her voice was muffled as she spoke into his chest. Issei wrapped his arms around her as her cold exterior finally warmed up to him.
~~~Meanwhile~~~
A knock was heard at one of the doors in the hotel. "Come in." As the door opened a miniature sized dragon floated into the room and landed on the table that some figures were sitting around. He saw Sirzechs, Azazel and few others.
"Tannin I assume you're here because of that?" Sirzechs asked as he pointed out the window towards where the mountain was.
"Yes, Lord Lucifer. I followed Lady Rias and the Red Dragon out into the forest and they ran into some miscreants."
"Let me guess the Khaos Brigade?" Azazel asked as he knew something wasn't quite right with this party.
"Yes, specifically the SS class stray Kuroka and the current Monkey king Bikou."
"So Shemhazai information was spot on then. It seems like Vali is gathering a team of individuals and causing issues." Azazel confirmed some of the suspicions that were floating around.
"There however was another person that retrieve them. He wielded Caliburn and what he claimed to be Excalibur Ruler." Tannin continued.
"So tell me again why you're in charge and not Shemhazai?" An old man with a long white beard asked as Azazel was trying to come up with an answer. "Don't answer that but it sounds like your point man has been dealt with all the right cards.
"Yeah, whatever Odin." Azazel tried to brush it off.
"Anyways, that show of force should put some of the younger devils in line. As it will be obvious who destroyed the area." Sirzechs pulled out a piece of paper. "But with the game tomorrow the rules and arena have already been decided."
The paper floated over to Tannin as he opened it up and read it. "I see, it should still be interesting to see how they adapt to the rules."
"The kid's first big splash." Odin said, "Anyways another from my faction wants to watch this match and she will be here soon." He stood up getting ready to leave
"We should cancel what's left of this party due to what just happened." Azazel pointed out.
"Agreed, If you could deal with Odin's guest Azazel? Serafall and I will head down and deal with this."
As Serafall got up from her chair following Sirzechs, Odin was scratching his beard as he caught a peek under Serafall's skirt. "Lord Odin, why must you do that?" A female voice said as she was wearing a grey business suit with long silver-grey hair.
Serafall looked back at Odin knowing full well as she gave him a wink with a shake of her hip "What a dirty old man you are. Peeking isn't allowed."
Odin roared out laughing "This is why you're single Rossweisse."
The now name lady's eyes welled up with tears as she was now crying "I want to find a boyfriend."
Her antics caused even Sirzechs to stop and look at how bad the damage of a few words was. "Anyways she's my assistant, smart good looking and almost twenty but can't find a man. She always gets like this when you bring up her relationships, who knows maybe she might find one while we are here." All the leaders caught onto who that person might be while she was oblivious to what was said.
"Good luck with that, we need to deal with the party." Sirzechs said as he opened the door as Serafall followed behind.