Issei was still trying to process everything he had just learned when a new question began to form in his mind. He had heard the term "Sacred Gear" mentioned multiple times now, yet he still didn't fully understand what it meant. The term itself sounded intriguing—almost cool, in fact—but its significance eluded him.
As if sensing his confusion, Kiba stepped forward, his calm and reassuring voice filling the room. "A Sacred Gear is an extraordinary power that's bestowed upon certain humans," he explained. "For instance, many of the most famous figures throughout history—those whose names are recorded and remembered—are believed to have been possessors of a Sacred Gear. They used the power of their Sacred Gear to achieve the accomplishments that made them legends."
Issei let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Wow… I didn't expect to hear something like that. So, those guys in history books—they might have had this kind of power?"
Kiba nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. And it's not just in the past. Even today, there are people all over the world who possess Sacred Gears within their bodies. You know those individuals who seem to play an important role globally? The ones who achieve remarkable things? Most of them possess a Sacred Gear."
Issei's eyes widened in realization. "Ohh… so that's how it is," he muttered, still trying to wrap his mind around the concept. It was a lot to take in.
Rias, sensing that Issei was still struggling to fully grasp the importance of what he had learned, stepped forward to offer further clarification. "There are many types of Sacred Gears, Issei," she began, her tone patient yet firm. "Some of them have functions that are mainly useful in everyday human society, while others possess powers so potent that they can pose a threat to beings like us—Devils, Fallen Angels, and even the Angels."
Issei blinked, trying to comprehend what she was saying. "So… some Sacred Gears are strong enough to threaten even Devils and Fallen Angels?" he asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice.
"Yes," Rias confirmed, her expression serious. "That's why Sacred Gears are so important and why certain individuals are targeted because of them. Some of these Gears have abilities that can change the course of battles, and even history itself."
Before Issei could ask more questions, Rias gave him a directive that seemed to come out of nowhere. "Now, Issei, raise your hand."
Issei was taken aback by the sudden command. "Huh? Why? Why do I need to raise my hand?" he asked, his confusion evident.
Rias didn't waver, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made it clear she wasn't going to accept any hesitation. "Just trust me and do as I say. Raise your hand."
Still feeling uncertain, Issei glanced around the room, looking for some sort of reassurance. However, Izashi's neutral expression gave nothing away, and the rest of the group seemed to be waiting in anticipation. With a small, resigned sigh, Issei finally decided to comply. He slowly raised his hand, though he wasn't sure what was supposed to happen next.
Rias nodded in approval, but her instructions weren't finished. "Now, close your eyes," she ordered, her voice soft but commanding. "And imagine the strongest being that comes to your mind."
Issei's eyes snapped open in surprise. "S-strongest being…?" he stammered, feeling slightly embarrassed. "You mean like… Son Goku from Dragon Ball Z?"
Rias smiled at his choice, finding his innocence somewhat endearing. "Yes, exactly. Now, picture him with all his strength and power. Focus on that image, and mimic his pose. Remember, Issei, you have to imagine it as strongly as you can."
Issei felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Was he really supposed to do this in front of everyone? But the serious expression on Rias's face left him with little choice. Hesitantly, he lowered his hands, bringing them close together, and then suddenly thrust them forward in one swift motion, shouting at the top of his lungs, "KAAA...MEEE...HAAA...MEEE...HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
To his utter astonishment, a brilliant flash of light burst from his hand, and when the light faded, Issei found his arm encased in a flashy, red gauntlet that covered his entire hand and forearm. The sudden appearance of this strange, otherworldly object left him speechless. "W-What the hell is this!?" he exclaimed, staring at the gauntlet in disbelief.
Rias, unfazed by his reaction, continued to explain, her tone calm and informative. "That, Issei, is your Sacred Gear. The very thing that led the Fallen Angel to target and kill you."
Issei's mind raced as he processed her words. This strange, red gauntlet was the reason he had been attacked? He looked at the device on his arm with a mixture of awe and fear, trying to understand the power it held.
Meanwhile, Izashi had been watching the entire scene with a keen interest. Unlike the others, his eyes were fixated on the red gauntlet with an intensity that suggested he knew more about it than he was letting on. Without saying a word, Izashi stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he reached out to touch the gauntlet with his right hand.
As soon as his fingers made contact with the gauntlet, Izashi closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. For a few moments, nothing seemed to happen, but then, without warning, the world around Izashi shifted. He suddenly found himself standing in a pitch-dark void, an empty expanse where the only thing that existed was himself—and something else.
A deep, resonant voice echoed through the darkness, filled with an ancient power that sent shivers down Izashi's spine. "Who are you?" the voice demanded, its tone filled with both curiosity and suspicion. "How did you enter this place? You are not my inheritor, so how can you be here?"
Izashi turned toward the source of the voice, and as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw it—a massive, red dragon with gleaming green eyes, staring down at him with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
The dragon's presence was overwhelming, but Izashi remained calm, a cheeky smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'd prefer to keep that information to myself," he replied smoothly. "As for your Sacred Gear, I see that it's you. My name is Izashi Gremory, and yes, I am a Devil."
The dragon narrowed its eyes, studying Izashi intently. After a moment of silence, it finally spoke, its voice filled with ancient pride. "I AM THE RED DRAGON EMPEROR OF DOMINATION, Ddriag! Explain yourself, Devil. Why have you come here? Are you seeking death?"
Izashi's smile widened into a grin, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Hahaha… So, you're one of the two Heavenly Dragons," he mused. "But let me make one thing clear—I'm not just any ordinary Devil. Do you really think you can kill me, even in this realm, when you no longer have the power you once did at your peak?"
Ddriag's eyes flared with indignation at the perceived slight, but before the dragon could respond, something changed. Izashi's entire body began to glow with a radiant, golden energy—a power that seemed to fill the void with its brilliance.
Ddriag's reaction was immediate. The dragon's eyes widened in shock, and for the first time, its voice trembled with uncertainty. "Y-You… Y-You're not just a D-Devil, are you?" Ddriag stuttered, his ancient pride giving way to a deep-seated fear. "T-That energy… Are you… also a Dragon?"
Izashi's grin turned predatory, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "A Dragon? No, not quite," he replied with a casual shrug. "But I do possess the pure bloodline of the Dragon God of Chaos. So, tell me, Ddriag… do you really think you can kill me?"
Ddriag's initial bravado crumbled under the weight of Izashi's revelation. The dragon knew that the energy he was sensing was no ordinary power—it was a force that only those with the bloodline of the most ancient and powerful dragons could possess. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ddriag quickly reassessed his approach.
The mighty dragon let out a nervous laugh, trying to mask his sudden change in demeanor. "Hahaha… What do you mean, 'kill you'? I must have misspoken, Izashi-sama," Ddriag said, his tone shifting to one of cautious respect. "Please, do not take my words so seriously. I… I merely meant to test your resolve."
Izashi chuckled at the dragon's attempt to save face, clearly amused by the sudden shift in Ddriag's attitude.
"You know, for a Heavenly Dragon, you're pretty quick to abandon your pride," Izashi remarked, his tone light and teasing.
Ddriag, sensing that it was wiser to play along, gave a small chuckle in response. "Hahaha… Well, even dragons like me know when to bow and when to stand tall. It's a matter of intelligence, after all."
There was a moment of silence as the two stared at each other, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. Ddriag, now more composed, decided to address the elephant in the room.
"So, Izashi-sama," the dragon began, his tone more formal now, "what brings you here? There must be a reason why you entered this place. Surely, you didn't come just to flaunt your power?"
Izashi shrugged, his expression turning nonchalant. "Honestly? I was just curious. I wanted to see how powerful your aura really is and compare it with my own Golden Energy," he replied with a smirk. "Seems like my energy triumphs yours, at least in this state."
Ddriag bristled at the implied superiority but kept his composure. "This… this is only my spiritual presence," the dragon defended, trying to salvage some of his pride. "If I were at my peak, this wouldn't be enough to suppress me."
Izashi nodded, acknowledging the dragon's point. "Fair enough," he conceded.
Ddriag then asked, "But I have to ask, what is this Golden Energy? Why do I feel like it gives you the potential to reach the level of Dragon Gods like Ophis and the Great Red?"
Ddriag's question hung in the air, and Izashi's expression turned contemplative. He let out a sigh, as if pondering how much to reveal. "Who knows…?" Izashi finally replied, his tone cryptic. "Maybe you're right about that."
Ddriag's eyes narrowed, sensing that Izashi was deliberately being evasive. The dragon's deep, rough voice echoed through the void once more, filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Who are you, really? You don't seem surprised to hear about beings like Ophis or the Great Red. You even knew about my presence in this gauntlet before we met. Just what are you?"
Izashi's lips curled into a sly smile, clearly enjoying the dragon's frustration. "You could say that I'm a seer of sorts," he replied, his tone dripping with mystery.
"I've had visions of meeting you in a different future, along with encounters with Ophis and the Great Red. Though, it seems the future has changed… our meeting happened much earlier than I anticipated."
The mention of a changed future made Ddriag pause, his massive form tensing as if he were weighing the implications of Izashi's words. The dragon's usually confident demeanor gave way to a more serious expression as he considered the possible consequences. "A different future…?" Ddriag muttered, more to himself than to Izashi. "What kind of future did you see? Was it a future of conflict…?"
Izashi's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression that made Ddriag's scales prickle with unease. "A war is coming," Izashi stated, his voice heavy with foreboding. "A war that will engulf everything in its path, consuming all who stand in its way."
Ddriag's massive eyes locked onto Izashi's, the dragon's previous bravado completely gone. Instead, there was a sense of dread in the ancient creature's gaze, as if Izashi's words had triggered memories of battles long past. "A war… you say?" Ddriag repeated, his tone subdued.
Izashi nodded slowly. "Yes, a war that will involve all factions—Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, and even the Dragons. The flames of war will burn brighter than ever before, and the power of those involved will be pushed to their absolute limits."
Ddriag remained silent, his mind racing as he processed this new information. The dragon's gaze drifted toward the golden energy surrounding Izashi, as if trying to gauge just how much power this mysterious Devil truly possessed. "If what you say is true… then Issei will need to be trained, and trained well," Ddriag finally said, his tone resolute. "He will need to master the power of his Sacred Gear if he is to survive the coming conflict."
Izashi's serious expression softened into a satisfied smile. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear," he said, his voice carrying a hint of approval. "I trust you'll do your best to help him unlock his full potential, Ddriag. After all, we wouldn't want him to fall behind when the flames of war start burning."
Ddriag gave a solemn nod, his massive form radiating a newfound determination. "Very well, Izashi-sama," the dragon agreed, his voice firm. "I will train Issei to the best of my abilities. The power within him must be awakened, for the battles ahead will require nothing less."
~~
A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.
(I want to request you guys to support me on my p.atreon and continue to read 12 advance chapters ahead over there.
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