Chapter 8 Training time!
Issei and the demon lord Sirzechs travelled the corridors of the Gremory castle, making there way to the training hall.
"Honestly Issei you're so mean. You spent so long away from the castle and I didn't even receive a single post card or call from you." Sirzechs said making Issei grin.
"Forgive me Sirzechs; I had something to take care of first." Issei said referring to his fallen angel missions.
"Yes yes I know Issei or should I call you by your other name in the demon world. The corrupt fallen angel exterminator Night wing." Sirzechs said making Issei blush a bit.
"Lord Sirzechs, please don't come up with strange nicknames!" Issei said back referring to what Sirzechs just said.
"But it sounds cool doesn't it? And there you go calling me Sirzechs again! I told you to call me big brother remember?!" Sirzechs said pulling a sad face.
"You're the demon lord! There is no way I could address you like that!" Issei said remembering this is what Sirzechs the man who saved him was like.
"Eh why not? After all, when you marry Rias I'll be your brother in law." Sirzechs said making Issei blush again.
"What are you babbling about now, Rias is already taken!" Issei said following a smile on Sirzechs face.
"But you're going to win her freedom aren't you?"
"Well yeah but"
"You've already said you'll save her from that man."
"Of course but even so..."
"So I hope you're prepared to take responsibility and take care of Rias for me." Sirzechs said smiling towards the young devil.
"Originally I was just fulfilling a promise I made to you the man I owe my life to. I promised you I would find my master and protect your little sister. But when I finally met her, I was blown away. I admire her charisma and her love for her servants, but the truth is when I see her cry or when she is unhappy, I want to do whatever I can to make her smile again." Issei said without even thinking and made a certain high class devil grin.
"Very good Issei, you have passed the test."
"Test what te." Issei said being interrupted by Sirzechs who said something outrageous again.
"So you need to train in order to sweep her off her feet and make her yours." Sirzechs said his older brother loves Rias switch being turned on.
"Will you cut it out? Geez Sirzechs it's so amazing that you're still keeping hell together."
"Now now don't say that Issei, we're here." Sirzechs said standing outside a door with a gold plate across the top.
"I'll allow Azazel to start you off. After your session, come find me and I will do our usual training routine."
"I understand, please teach me Lord Sirzechs." Issei said now knocking on the door and walking inside.
"Good afternoon Azazel." Issei said so formally to the high tier fallen angel.
"Ahh now this brings back memories. What do you want with me red dragon emperor Hyodou Issei?" Azazel replied spinning around to see the devil as he took a sip from his goblet.
"I want you to help me unlock the full extent of my balance breaker power. At the moment I have only been able to summon the form when I am taken over by a furious rage or when I am face to face with a fallen angel. But it's not convenient for me anymore. I have found a master and made friends with my fellow servants and I want to gain the power to protect them all!" Issei said sitting down in seiza position whilst he spoke to Azazel now.
"I see, so you have finally found a goal that doesn't centre on hatred or revenge." Azazel said looking on proudly at his young pupil.
"Yes but I can't afford to rely on my balance breaker form as it is now. I can't risk the power overtaking me and making me lose all my reason. I can't risk hurting anyone. So please help me achieve balance breaker completely, this incomplete state is too unstable and I could risk going into juggernaut overdrive mode." Issei said fully aware of this form prior to Draig's warning.
"I see, sure thing I will help you unlock the full extent of your power. But be prepared, this training may affect you both mentally and physically. But are you still prepared?" Azazel said
"If it's to help me protect my new life and my master, I will endure any pain or torture I have to face. Ever since I became a devil I never felt I had any reason left to live now my parents are gone. The only thing that kept me alive was my desire for revenge. But now I want to protect everyone of the Gremory household. Well I guess you could say I want to protect my master." Issei said showing his resolve.
"Very good, I like the look in your eyes. Right we will get started immediately. First things first, activate your sacred gear." Azazel said standing from his seat.
"I understand. Boosted gear!" Issei replied bringing out his gauntlet.
"The purpose of this training is to unlock your balance breaker. To do that, you are going to have to travel inside your sacred gear itself and face the power you fear so much head on."
"Partner, be careful."
"Draig?"
"When you're spirit goes inside the gauntlet, I won't be able to reach you. So make sure you don't lose to the destruction that lies inside. I won't accept it if you let those weaklings who can't hold a candle to the current sekiryutei."
"Don't worry about that Draig; I have no intention of losing to this power. After all I made a promise to Rias. I will free her from that bastard and become strong enough to protect my new friends." Issei said as he closed his eyes and prepared himself.
As soon as Issei opened his eyes again, he found himself in a white void.
"So this is inside my sacred gear? I best stay on my guard anything can happen if I let it down here."
All of a sudden, Issei felt like he was dreaming as the beautiful and elegant master of his stood right there in front of him.
"Rias? What are you doing here?" Issei said with a smile as he ran towards her.
Issei found himself striking an invisible barrier propelling him backwards from his master. It was what happened next that began to strike pain inside him.
"You really think you can save her?"
Issei turned around slowly a look of despair on his face recognising the voice.
"How can you expect to save her when you couldn't even protect your parents?" Raynare said making Issei lose his mental strength.
Issei screamed when he saw the two dead bodies at his feet again.
"You're nothing but a little boy crying for his mother! You can't protect anyone!" Raynare said stabbing him in the shoulder whilst he knelt down staring at his parents dead bodies.
"No you're wrong; I plan to use this power to protect those I care about!"
"Protect them? I think you're mistaken. All you know how to do is destroy and kill. You'll be more fitting known as the crimson dragon of destruction! You're parents are dead because of me a monster. But if you continue to pursue your false sense of justice, you will continue to be consumed by that overwhelming power and kill all of them! Everyone you cared for will be annihilated by the dragon that you will become!" Raynare said stabbing him with another light spear pinning him to the ground.
"She's right; no matter how many times this sacred gear is passed on, all of the possessors let out the monster within cause chaos and destruction with the flames of purgatory!" One of the green orbs of light said making Issei lose further in mental power.
"It's always been because of power"
"It's always been for love"
"No matter how many times it happens, they all chose the path of ruin" All green lights said making Issei scream further in despair.
"No! I won't let that happen!" Issei shouted feeling the words pierce him deep.
"It's true, i'm afraid of my power. I'm afraid that it will destroy everything." Issei said with a blank expression now.
"That's right accept reality and watch as your beloved master suffers because you cannot protect her!" Raynare said pointing towards Rias who was now being approached by the golden haired pervert.
"No stay back! Issei will come! He will come save me!" Rias said in tears as her uniform was turned to ash and she tried to retreat in just her underwear.
"You bastard! Stay away from my master!" Issei said trying to stand but the pain was too unbearable.
Raiser destroyed the demon lord's little sister's bra next releasing Rias' boobs and making her hide them in embarrassment.
"No stay away from me!"
"I will make you obedient towards your husband!" Raiser said pushing her down to the floor.
"I said stay away from her!"
"It's useless, if you persist this path, you will be swallowed by the power and you will kill her yourself."
"No Issei help me!"
Issei gritted his teeth and began to pick himself up.
"YOU WILL FALL HELPLESS TO THE POWER! NO ONE CAN ESCAPE THE POWER OF THE RED DRAGON EMPEROR!"
"Get away from her" Issei said quietly trying to stand up.
"Haha! That's right squirm like your parents did you pathetic boy!" Raynare said as Issei screamed trying to force his body through the light spears.
"YOU WILL SUBMIT TO THE JUGGERNAUT OVERDRIVE! THERE IS NO ESCAPE!"
"ISSEI!" Rias screamed being fondled by the Phenix member.
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" Issei shouted being surrounded by towering flames burning the screaming Raynare to ashes.
A row of fallen angels that Issei defeated stood in his way now.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Issei shouted dashing right through them.
"That's right scream his name whilst I make you mine!" Riser said making Rias scream louder.
"RIAS! Issei shouted his whole body being surrounded in a tower of fire.
"Welsh dragon balance breaker!" Draig shouted Issei's sacred gear becoming visible again.
Issei emerged from the flames and was now wearing his highly durable dragon armour.
"I SAID GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Issei dashed forward with his dragon wings flapping and his emerald boosters on his back blasting.
Issei advanced immediately reducing each and everyone of his previous assassination's to smoke as he approached the invisible wall.
Issei swung his fist at the barrier determined to break through at fall speed.
"GET AWAY FROM RIAS!" Issei said increasing his power as he tried to punch through.
(Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!)
Issei's sacred gear shone brighter than he has ever experienced before as cracks now formed on the invisible wall.
"Break through!"
(Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!)
The wall that denied Issei's access very adamantly earlier, crumbled to pieces in an instant the shards of the barrier falling to the ground.
Issei charged straight ahead showing no fear towards the devil who tried to take advantage of his precious master collided with him head on. Issei's crashed his fist into the arrogant devil resulting with Riser attacking him back with his flames.
Issei and Riser locked horns fiercely the power struggle between them continuing.
"You're just a low class devil! How dare you interfere!"
"I don't give a crap about ranks! I will not let you have Rias!" Issei shouted using his dragon shot to extinguish the so called immortal flame.
Issei knelt down to the distressed girl and began to speak to her.
"Whether this is an illusion or reality, I promise you I will not fail you! I will rescue you Rias!" Issei said as the red haired girl was consumed in a blinding light making her disappear.
It was only after his master left the void, that Issei realised his transformation. He did it! He finally achieved balance breaker through a method or reasoning other than revenge or hatred. He succeeded with the goal of protecting his master and king Rias Gremory.
Issei shielded his eyes from a blinding light feeling himself being pulled upwards as if he were leaving the atmosphere itself.
"Oi Sekiryutei. Issei." Issei opened his eyes locating the source of the voice calling out to him.
"Azazel? What happened?" Issei asked Draig being the one to answer instead.
"Partner congratulations! You did it! You achieved balance breaker!" Draig answered leaving Issei flabbergasted.
"I did? That wasn't just an illusion?"
"Sacred gears respond to the will of their user. Your desire to overcome the corruption and save Rias allowed you to unlock and break the seal." Draig said to Issei's great delight.
"Yes! Now I can move onto the second stage of my training!" Issei said feeling the increased power running through his veins.
"According to my analysis partner, with this seal being broken. You now have the ability to stay in balance breaker form for at least 30 minutes." Draig said feeling Issei's innate power.
"Impressive looks like you'll be ready for Sirzechs training now. I hear he has something special planned for you"
"It seems you passed the exam Issei. Now go and get some rest. You'll need it for what comes next."
Azazel said dismissing Issei from his room.
Issei went to the guest room at once summoning his gauntlet as soon as he went inside.
"Draig I need to talk to you."
"What's the matter partner?" Draig replied unable to predict Issei's motive.
"As it stands I may be in danger when controlling the balance breaker of the boosted gear. At the moment my balance breaker is still in an incomplete state which could easily switch to juggernaut overdrive if I should let my guard down. So Draig I have a favour to ask of you."
"What can I do for you Issei?"
"I want you to take possession of my arm and turn part of my body into a dragon. I feel if you help me, I can control this power and achieve complete control of the Longinus and your hidden power. So please Draig." Issei said bowing to his sacred gear.
"I got it partner, I can see you're thinking wisely by allowing me to help you control the power. You're not alone here." Draig said in a cheerful manner realising that Issei was thinking logically.
"I'm ready when you are Draig." Issei said as a bright light shot through the windows in the Gremory castle.
Meanwhile in the human realm, Rias and the rest of her peerage were on route to a selected mountain terrain.
(Flashback)
After Asia was brought back as a devil, Rias gathered everyone in the club room for she had an announcement to make.
"Everyone gather your belongings and prepare to leave by evening." Rias ordered determination burning through her eyes.
"What is the reason for this sudden trip Rias?" Akeno said confused of the idea of a sudden journey.
"Asia our newest member, requested that I help her understand the power of her sacred gear and she also wants to get to know the rest of her kind. Also I thought this would be a great opportunity to hone and increase the skill level of the Gremory household." Rias said as but really the reason was she couldn't afford to not be proactive with so much on her she needed something to distract her. With Issei gone, her worries only grew further feeling like she saw a premonition as she was haunted night after night by the same dream.
The dream was always the same. Issei covered in blood and then being burnt to a crisp by Raiser.
Rias was desperate and was prepared to marry Raiser in order to prevent this tragedy from happening.
(End of flashback)
Kiba, Koneko, Asia, Akeno and Rias finally made it to the boot camp Rias had organised with motivation running on overdrive as they travelled through the gateway.
Rias had already planned out each of her servants training schedules which were all organised into pairs.
It was decided that this would be the matchups.
Koneko and Kiba.
Asia and Akeno.
Koneko was instructed to improve her speed and endurance making Kiba an excellent partner for this task.
Kiba's instructions were more straightforward. Achieve balance breaker.
Asia was to be taught all about her sacred gear by the president herself including the basics about life as a devil. Followed by magic reinforcement training with Akeno.
Rias decided to train alone given her own personal goal to defeat the storm that plagued her mind. Rias was aiming to strengthen her strategic mind and her own power if the worst case should happen and she was forced to resort to a rating game for the engagement parties entertainment.
Rias couldn't help but wonder about Issei when the sun finally set. Rias was suddenly alerted when she received an incoming call.
"Hello?"
"Rias it's been a while since we spoke."
"Big brother?"
"Yes have you been well?"
"Yes big brother i'm just training my peerage at the Gremory boot camp."
"Very good as expected of my little sister."
A silence is drawn out for 1 minute until Sirzechs began to speak again.
"Rias worry not, Issei is safe and sound. He is training in the underworld with me."
"Big brother please stop him! He doesn't need to do this."
"Sorry I can't do that Rias. I have my own personal interest in the boy I resurrected and I am going to test him personally." Sirzechs said sending a chill down Rias' spine.
"Big brother?! You don't mean?!"
"It appears my guest has arrived. Well then Rias goodbye." Sirzechs said ending the transmission.
"Big brother?! Rias shouted worried now more than ever.
Rias tried to contact her brother but the connection did not go through leading to the conclusion that Sirzechs had activated a jammer to prevent outside intrusion.
Rias panicked now as Issei was going to be tested by the demon lord himself.
"Issei" Rias said as she held her hand towards her heart now worried more than ever.
"So you've finally arrived. Hyodou Issei. Are you ready to fight me now?"
"Yes I am." Issei said
"Interesting I like the look in your eyes. But don't you dare hold back! Because if you hold back against me, you will die that is guaranteed." Sirzechs said pointing towards the red dragon emperor.
"Don't worry Lord Sirzechs, i'm coming at you with everything I have!" Issei said materialising his dragon armour.
(Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!)
"Come at me Issei!" Sirzechs said getting ready to face the Sekiryutei.
Okay now that's chapter 8 done. First of all I would like to say, I'm sorry I did not do the fight between Dragon and Phoenix in this chapter as I originally intended. However, I was inspired to put a bit more drama into the next chapter just before Issei fights Raiser. But rest assured I won't make you wait! I am uploading straight after this chapter 9 Issei's test! Dragon Vs Phoenix!