Light briefly flashed in the middle of a rather creepy forest. After a couple of seconds the shinning passed and a young man with brown hair was left in its place.
"Well… Quite the random location, I'll give you that. Luckily my Corruption did not act up, so I fell rather good." - Issei said to no one in particular as he started to look around him.
The entirety of his surroundings were colored in either green or brown. Except for the sky that was a rather dark blue with a tinge of orange. Clearly, whatever forest this was, night was approaching, and fast. Beginning to walk around without a specific direction, he started to look for the location he was thinking of. He moved in between tall trees dozens of feet high, but still not high enough to cover the entirety of the sky.
The ground was soft, it was clearly obvious that rain was abundant in this place. Moss grew here and there, and the wind was cold as well as the climate in general. But snow was nowhere to be seen. Continuing his walk, in what he thought was an endless forest.
"Damn! This place is huge! I have walked for a while yet not a single decent spot has been found! Is my luck really that bad!?" - Grabbing his head in between his hands, he yelled. "Please, any place is fine! I just want it to be isolated enough!" - Screaming at the forest. He started to spin around in anxiety. Feeling dizzy, he fell to the ground. The soft soil, moss and grass fortunately alleviated his fall. Opening his eyes with some tiredness, he looked upwards.
Before him laid one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen, and oddly enough, it filled him with peace, calming his mind. The view was that of the clear night sky, in a dark imperial blue not black. Stars filled his vision and wherever he set his eyes on laid a bright star. The full moon hung high and was proudly displaying its arrogance with its light and beauty. A few comets flew by the sky, painting their trail like in a canvas. It was the first time Issei had ever seen the starry sky. He had no words to say. Not even a thought flew by his head. He stood up and looked around, quickly finding a big rock to sit on. Approaching his target, he sat on it and looked upwards. For the first time in the past couple of horrible Months, he felt happy, he felt peace. And in a brief moment, he felt something change inside of him.
Now he felt he had a goal. He wanted to see the world!
If only the sight of a random forest in a random part of the world was this breathtaking.
Then how about other places famous throughout the world?
What about the Supernatural World?
What about Asgard?
Grigori?
Takamagahara?
The Dimensional gap he heard had been unexplored maybe he'll go there too.
And so many others!
He now knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to travel! To see with his own eyes how truly beautiful this world, filled with mysteries was! Standing up from the rock light filled his eyes. His former dead look was now completely gone, being replaced with a resolute look filled with a certain wisdom in life.
Giving him, in his rather deplorable state, a handsome hint. Continuing his journey, he walked while staring at the sky, the stars being his guide. A while later, he found what he was looking for. A mountain now stood in front of him, deeply rooted into the earth. Although it wasn't big, by no means was it small. Heading towards it, Issei thought. - (Well, it seems that lady luck finally smiled at me.) - With a smile he looked towards what it looked like a cave.
Stepping closer he confirmed his suspicions, it truly was a cave, but a weird magical signature was coming from it although it looked abandoned.
"Helloooooo…" Screaming at the cave, the echo resounded for a little while, it proved that this cave was deep within the mountain and deep within the earth, similar to a mine.
But he knew it wasn't, after all, no sign of human civilization was found when he started his journey into the forest. So one could guess this cave was a natural formed one. Hiding his excitement he walked inwards. The scenery slowly changed. The light of the moon no longer was present, but with his nightvision he could perfectly see. A wet cavern was what he was walking in. Only the echo of the drops of water falling from stalactites to the ground, and a couple of animal sounds could be heard. His footsteps slowly took over the noise fight inside the cavern as he walked deeper in. Now he understood why Vali liked to see new places and explore the world! It was exciting! Interesting! But best of all, relaxing. Walking further he came across a clearing a large tree imbedded in which was a crystal, that was emanating crazy magical energy but it was calming, He could lay his worries aside when doing this, not letting a single negative thought get inside his head (This feeling is relaxing .) - Thought the brown-haired man to himself. He sat by the tree and rest his body a bit, but soon after, another voice woke him up from his rest.[Nice place you found it feels rather familiar though, Partner, by the way I am finished. I gathered all the energy I could from the Boosted Gear and once you are ready we can start! But there is something I need to ask you.] - Said Ddraig with rare seriousness in his voice catching the explorer off guard.
"Sure Partner. What do want to talk about?" - Since they were alone, he had no fear of speaking loudly to his friend.
[(… This will be hard…)] - The Dragon thought to himself.
[Partner, after this, what do you want to do? Will you return to them? Will you give up…? Will you seek revenge?] - Ddraig cautiously asked the last part to his Partner. Issei froze when he heard that. He stopped his walk and looked at the green glow in his palm, staying completely silent for minutes until he spoke up.
"I do not know." - Issei replied. He truly didn't know what he wanted to do. Seeking revenge was pleasurable but rather empty. After that, then what? Being hunted by half of the supernatural world? (Naaah, it isn't worth it.) - If he really did get revenge then, What was the difference between him and them? He wanted to prove he was different from anything and from anyone, but that dark path wasn't on his mind. If he wanted revenge then it will be by his own way, not slaughtering everything in his path like a mindless beast.
He was curious though. Why did they do that? Why did they choose to leave him? But now, it wasn't in his list of priorities. If he was like before he would have looked for answers even if blood stained his hands, but different questions filled his head.
(What do I want to do?) - That, was his first thought. (Will I turn back? For what purpose? Being pushed back and scorned for what I once was?) - Issei started to think deeply to himself, something he hadn't done in a long while. (I must agree, my attitude wasn't the best. But still is not enough to treat me like that!) - His eyes were shinning with anger. (To speak behind my back like that! To treat me as a disposable shield like that! To insult, and hurt me like that!) - Issei thought while clenching his fists.
Anger filled him but he did not let it control him, not anymore. He wanted to become stronger, to become someone feared and respected! So he came up with his decision!
(I will change, and I'll show you all how wrong you were!) - That, was his answer. (I will no longer be a joke! I will no longer be kicked around and be led by the nose! I will become someone you will not underestimate, and I will show you all the might of a DRAGON! THAT! WILL BE MY REVENGE!)
Seeing his Partner in deep thought, the dragon did not say anything else. He was worried over the decision his Partner will make. He didn't want his Partner to seek revenge, that never solved anything. Rather it left even more pain to those involved. Although he couldn't see his Partner's thoughts, he could feel his emotions. Determination, Pride, Decisiveness and for once in a long time… Happiness.
He now knew what decision his Partner made, and damn was he proud and happy! Now was the time to hear the answer from him! But secretly he already knew the answer…
"Ddraig…"
- Suspense filled his voice. That made the Dragon put all of his attention to his words.
"I WANT TO DO WHAT I WANT! LIKE A TRUE DRAGON! I WANT TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN AND MAYBE MET SOME FRIENDS WHO ACTUALLY ACCEPT ME FOR SOMEONE I AM BUT MORE THEN THAT, I WANT TO FIGHT STRONGER OPPONENTS, GET THE THRILL OF FIGHTING MAY BE EVEM CHALLENGE THE TOP GODS TO DUELS. " - His words echoed with strength all over the cave!
"BUT! I DO NOT WANT TO BE A SLAVE, FOLLOWING A SPOILED LITTLE GIRL THAT THINKS SHE IS THE BEST! I NO LONGER WANT TO BE LED BY THE NOSE BY SOMEONE ELSE! I WANT TO BECOME A TRUE LEADER WITH HIS OWN TEAM! I WANT TO JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS!" - Issei screamed with all the power he had in his body!
"But first and foremost…" - He inhaled deeply. "I DO NOT WANT TO BE TREATED AS AN IGNORANT, NAIVE, FOOLISH, PERVERTED BOY! I WANT TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT, WITH SERIOUSNESS, AND LIKE HOW I TRULY DESERVE ITTTTT!"
His scream turned into a roar, a true Dragon's roar that echoed within the cave, shaking the entire mountain and the forest, and the crystal in the tree started to produce a lot more energy unknown to issei.
He looked like a beast freed from its bindings! Ddraig was stupefied, the answer he guessed was completely off the mark! But the answer given to him by his Partner filled him with Eagerness, Pride and many more emotions! He was happy that his friend and host wanted to do that! Now he was finally maturing and acting like a true Dragon should! Not saying anything, the Dragon let his friend unburden himself. After the echo of the roar disappeared, he finally spoke.
[… Partner… ] - He couldn't hide the smile in his face. [I could not agree with you more! Finally, you left behind that self-destructive attitude you had! Finally, are you willing to change for the good! FINALLY, YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A FUCKING DRAGON SHOULD!] - Ddraig roared at Issei. But instead of intimidating, it was supportive and filled with eagerness to get already started.
[Get ready Issei! There are still things we need to do before accomplishing the goals we have imposed on ourselves!] - Regaining his composure Ddraig told Issei. The faster they get these things out of him, the faster they can start on their new goal! Getting in position Issei didn't say anything else, words no longer mattered to them.
"How should I do it Ddraig….." Issei asked
[First, since you were capable of drawing a teleportation circle I need you to draw something else. Do not worry, the magic used in this type of magic circle is small. The problem is that it will take a while to finish it, maybe a couple of hours.] - Ddraig said to his Partner as he sent the image of the magic circle. He was hoping he will make it in a short while. Issei started to get to work as soon as he got the image from Ddraig.
The circle was really complex with many intricate, crisscrossing lines with different widths. But each line used a really small amount of energy, finishing it will not consume anything from his reserves. Which, after getting his Aura, became much more than that of the average High-Class Devil. Maybe if he survived, in the short term, said reserves will go up reaching what an Ultimate-Class Devil should have! Also, the consumption of making this circle seemed to be really small, so his Corruption wouldn't act up.
Well, at least he hoped it wouldn't… Not allowing any distracting thoughts come into his head, he continued the drawing of the circle. Just as Ddraig said, it did not consume anything, but because of the complexity of it, it took a while for the circle to be ready, maybe three or four hours? He wasn't sure since he the sky was still black and perceiving time was rather difficult.
"Well Ddraig, I finally finished it. Now will you explain what it does?" - Issei asked his resident, hoping to figure out what exactly was he drawing for the past couple of hours.
[Sure, Partner. This magic circle was designed by a past holder. A true genius in the magic field! But he perished too early, succumbing to my power and dying when he used the Juggernaut Drive.] - Ddraig told his host as he recalled memories, and not pleasant ones.
"Wow! So a senpai made this, no wonder it's so complex! But what does it do?"
[I was getting to it.] - He replied with a deadpan tone. [What it does is simple, it absorbs whatever type of energy the environment has at a rapid pace and then transfers it to a single attack, spell, or anything you want. You could call it a power generator.] - Issei was surprised that something like this actually existed! It sounded like a really powerful spell.
[But it has many flaws.] - The Dragon stopped his thoughts. [One, it can only be used one time per day. Two, the time needed to actually create it, making it not useful during a fight. And, if you are not able of maintaining control over it, it will dispell during its use and it will consume the try for the day.] - He told him the information.
[So a failed product was born. But since it caught my attention, I memorized it. Never thought it would be useful.] - Ddraig answered in a rather carefree tone of voice.
"So in the end, what will we use it for?" - He asked his Partner again, not understanding why he drew this for the last couple of hours?
[Haaa… ] - Ddraig sighed. [Not sure how you could be so sharp sometimes, but at others truly dumb.] - Ddraig said to his Partner, not understanding this mystery in the life of his friend.
"Hey! I'm working on it! Once we get out of here, I will spend the rest of my time in the library. I believe there's one in my house?" - Issei retorted but not entirely sure about the last part of his sentence. He did believe that in such a huge mansion a library should be present, but he didn't know where. Ddraig ignored his words and decided to answer his former question.
[After gathering all the energy I could from the Boosted Gear, I believe it will not be enough to completely cut your Life Force from eight Evil Pieces. Instead, I made you prepare this magic circle so that I could gather the necessary energy to completely cut them off for good, since during the procedure I will not be able to accumulate more energy and the clearing here has a lot of magical energy we can use it. ] - Doctor Ddraig quickly told his Partner. But before Issei could speak, Ddraig interrupted him.
[I also do not know what effects it will bring to your body. In the short and long run.] - Those words made him keep silence. [whenever you are ready, just come in the mindscape and we'll start your battle.]
"Wait what battle….?