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DxD: Spawn of the Dragon
Chapter 10: Meeting between a Dragon and a Phenex.
-Emrys-
Emrys walked side by side with Asia through Kuoh Academy's grounds, the setting sun just as much of an annoyance as last time casting a glare straight into his eyes, but he didn't let it bother him as he talked with Asia. The conversation was light hearted at first, both of them going over what they liked most about the trip in Kyoto though it veered into more serious topics as Emrys explained his history with Rias and her peerage, not wanting the former nun to be caught off guard by walking into a den of devils.
"Starting with Kiba, he's a good guy," Emrys began, his tone warm as he remembered all the time the blonde knight did his homework for him, "We've been friends for almost two years. He's like the white knight in all those fairytales, calm, composed and with a sharp edge in battle. So it's weird I always got along with him considering the antagonist in those stories is the big bad dragon." He growled playfully with a joke to end the knight's introduction and it seemed to work.
"He sounds wonderful. Hopefully I get along well with him." She said politely but didn't expand on it.
"He's at the very least polite towards everyone so I'm sure you two will be great friends as long as you aren't a fangirl. Next is Koneko. While she's more reserved and doesn't talk much, don't take that as her being demure because I've seen her punch some idiots unless she gets to know you, but with how innocent you are I'm sure she'll be sharing her snacks in no time.
"She sounds nice." Asia said dismissively which he didn't expect from her, but he continued.
"Next is Akeno..." He paused, unsure of how to introduce the perverted sado-masochistic girl, "Let's just say she's got her teasing down to an art form so don't take anything she says too personally, but she's loyal and strong and if you ever need any emotional advice she's the one to go to." He said before muttering, "Even if she can't deal with her own emotions."
Asia listened intently, nodding along, "What about Rias? I remember you saying that you used to date her, but you never said why you broke up with her?" She asked a bit impatiently and it seemed this was what the former nun truly wanted to know and it was rather obvious to Emrys that Asia has a crush on him from the glaring pouts and jealous remarks back in Kyoto whenever he spent a bit too much time with Yasaka.
That was what really surprised Emrys because after only a month she was wanting to stick to him like white on rice, but when someone spends a majority of their lives sheltered and under control and someone gives them a chance at true freedom it would likely turn into affection.
It helped that he was a six and a half foot, red-haired, golden eyes, tanned adonis, but Emrys knew even without his blessed genetics Asia would still like him and the only reason she wasn't as forward as she was in the anime was because there was no Akeno and Rias to set the example and already having steered off Canon he wasn't going to hand her off to some perverted disappointment who got stronger by poking boobs and sang a song about grabbing tit.
Back to what Asia asked, Emrys hesitated, glancing at her before sighing, "Yeah, we were. We had been dating for about a year, but one day when I was going to pick her up from school I caught her in bed with her pawn and I haven't talked to her since, but after talking with Grayfia, Rias' sister-in-law, I decided to give Rias a chance to explain what happened that day and I might give it another shot if what she says is true, maybe we could work things out." he explained and again despite already knowing what happened from the show he needed to at least act a bit skeptical.
"Emrys, I don't think you should get back with her no matter what. If she really loved you, she wouldn't have done something to hurt you like that… You deserve better." Asia surprised him by frowning, her usual gentleness replaced with a rare firmness and the ending implication was rather obvious even if he knew in her mind she was being sly.
Nevertheless her words caught Emrys off guard and as he slowed his pace, he realized that he hadn't explained the situation enough and if he didn't want there to be any hidden grudges between Asia and Rias, both of which he had already mentally claimed then he would need to be upfront, "I appreciate that, Asia. Really, but if Rias didn't cheat on me and was only healing her pawn like I was told by Grayfia then I could look past it as long as she doesn't do it again." He said not caring that he sounded like a hypocrite.
That seemed to do the trick as Asia most likely thought of her dream to continue to heal and help people and seemed to let any prejudice against the Gremory Heiress go, but he couldn't read minds so Emrys could only hope for the best as they approached the Occult Research Club (ORC) building, he suddenly stopped. His eyes narrowed, and his stance shifted as he raised a hand to silence Asia who was about to start talking again.
"What is it?" she whispered, getting behind him and looking around, sensing his sudden caution and he would have found the moment adorable if he wasn't so focused at the moment. Closing his eyes he concentrated on his magic sense, feeling nearly two dozen magical signatures inside the ORC room at the moment ranging from dismal in strength to dwarfing even his own, the largest he recognized as Grayfia.
His training with Yasaka had sharpened his instincts, and curious about what was happening he boosted his hearing to eavesdrop on the conversation as he approached.
Entering the building the arrogant voice of a man filled his ears who was referring to himself in the third person as 'Riser'. Emrys was shocked at the sheer coincidence at both himself and Riser arriving at the same time on the same day even though said devil should have been long removed from the picture when his engagement with Rias had been annulled. To Emrys' understanding Riser should be married or engaged to another female devil to produce 'pure-blooded' offspring.
That shock though was turning into anger as the devil in question mocked both himself and Rias. Slandering Emrys about his lack of being a man and a disappointment for leaving Rias a virgin and continued with insults about Rias herself along with her peerage.
Getting to the top of the stairs he initially decided that he was just going to slap around the arrogant bat a bit and break a bone or too, nothing too extreme for someone who could regenerate limbs because the words while grating were something he expected from such an annoying background character, but it was when the devil continued and mentioned that he would sleep with Tiamat, to give her a son that wasn't such a disappointment was when Emrys felt his mind blank.
He'd felt such anger when he first caught Rias in bed with Issei, but back then he was a shadow of his former self too timid to act on his rage, now he let it surged through him like a raging inferno and without a moment's hesitation he stormed forward. Asia called out to him, but his mind ignored her calls as within a second he arrived in front of the ORC and slammed his foot into the door not bothering to check it was unlocked.
The door obviously shattered under the force of his kick, splinters flying in all directions as he entered the room. His dragon aura erupted like a tidal wave, unrestrained and terrifying as one of his bloodline abilities surged unconsciously boosting him again and again.
"Who in the nine layers of hell has the balls to speak of my mother that way?" Emrys growled, his voice deep and reverberating with raw power as he stood there scanning the room, his body and aura both pulsing with so much power that everyone in the room froze with some of the weaker being collapsing to their knees. Everyone was turned to him, their gazes wide with shock and as his glowing eyes looked around taking in the sight they locked onto Riser Phenex, who stood near the center in front of Rias.
"You," He said pointing at the third son of the Phenex family and before anyone except Grayfia could react, Emrys blitzed forward, crossing the room in an instant. He wrapped his hand around Riser's neck and continued forward, slamming the devil through a wall into the adjoining room and against a second. The impact shook the building as debris rained down and dust filled the area. Emrys held the smaller man aloft, his grip unrelenting applying just enough pressure to let the devil speak.
"Repeat what you just said," Emrys snarled, his voice carrying a dangerous edge, but panicked Riser choked while struggling against his grip unable to form words and the pathetic display disgusted him as the supposed 'man' clawed and scratched at Emrys arm not being able to reach his face.
Seeing that the flame grilled yakitori wasn't going to respond he decided to push the bastard a bit more and as Emrys's grip tightened and the seconds passed Riser continued his struggles even more desperately then before, truly now was the perfect opportunity for Emrys to see if devils needed air as much as humans. Desperate, Riser finally remembered he was a devil with the Phenex bloodline and used their signature fire and wind magic to summon scalding hot fireballs and bombarded Emrys with them, but as the braindead devil soon found out using fire below a certain power or without a special ability was useless against Emrys's aura as they fizzled.
Asia however having just arrived didn't know that and rushed forwards in an attempt to save him, concern etched on her face, thankfully he didn't need to make a move as Grayfia stepped in, holding the former nun back with a gentle yet firm hand. "Stay where you are. This is his fight and he isn't in danger," she said calmly and if he wasn't so pissed he'd have found the vote of confidence flattering.
Riser, realizing his flames were ineffective, opted for a more drastic measure and grimaced before activating some kind of special technique, wanting to see if the devil even had he qualification to take a beating Emrys allowed Riser to finish as his magic power nearly quadrupled, before his body swelled and exploded in a fiery blast, the intense heat searing the room and Grayfia acting swiftly, conjuring a barrier to protect the other.
As the flames subsided, both the rooms went eerily silent at the devil's rendition of the Japanese kamikaze and as the smoke cleared and Riser's form regenerated standing shakily, his face paled as he took in the sight before him.
Emrys standing in the same spot, unscathed, his aura now more menacing than before. Another boost pushing the sheer weight of his power pushed into low ranks of Ultimate Class territory, his current limit.
He found it amusing because while the flames themselves were hotter and more powerful than before all they managed to do was blow some ash into his eye, that was it. Emrys himself had the capabilities of using and withstanding the flames of Ddraig for a second and his clothes were made of the scales of an ultimate class dragon he was left in pristine condition.
The damage or lackthereof caused Riser to drop to his hands and knees in a perfect kotow, his previous bravado evaporating, "Mercy! Please! I was a fool!" he cried, slamming his head on the ground, "Take my peerage! Take my sister! Anything you want!" he offered and the shift in personality took everyone off guard.
Seeing Riser's shamelessness Emrys's anger deepened, the only way to be shameless in an acceptable fashion is when you would ask you wife for a threesome, truly the devil had no class, but said offer made an idea pop into Emrys mind as his lips curling into a sadistic smile as he glanced toward Ravel.
"Your entire peerage?" Emrys repeated mockingly, his gaze lingering on Ravel taking in her rather buxom form and making her squirm, the only daughter of the Phenex family having gone from irate at Riser for offering her up to fearful of Emrys.
Riser however saw this as his golden opportunity and, desperately nodded, "Yes even my sister. Hell, even my mother! I'll convince her too! Just spare me!" He pleaded and hearing the word mother reignited Emrys's fury as Riser's earlier insult to Tiamat replayed in his mind.
The image of the blue haired woman who raised him appeared in Emrys mind and his smile got even wider as he truly had the best punishment for the blonde devil. He raised his foot slamming it onto Riser's chest, shattering multiple ribs and puncturing the devils lungs, pinning him to the ground.
Multiple members of the man's peerage wanted to help Riser including Ravel and Emrys putting more pressure on Riser's chest glared at them keeping them frozen in place. He also sensed Grayfia about to intervene thinking he would kill Riser, but Emrys dismissed her concerns with a look and continued with his moment.
"No, I have a better idea." He said firmly, his voice near euphoric, "You said that you would have my mother moaning like a whore and since you insulted Tiamat, you'll answer to Tiamat." Emrys finished finally having someone who could share in his pain at his mother's hand and this way she'd have somewhere to vent her anger, because while Emrys himself likes facing strong opponents no one enjoys getting beatdown.
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Riser's face turned ashen as the true depth of his mistake dawned on him.
-Tiamat-
She stood at the Gate of Heaven banging on them in her human form annoyed that they were ignoring her messages, her form at odds with the serene, otherworldly beauty surrounding her. The gate shimmered with divine light and the surrounding space rippled from the sheer force of her knocks and before long Seraph Gabriel arrived her calm demeanor did little to soothe the irritated Dragon King.
"I'll make this simple," Tiamat began, her voice steady yet carrying the undertone of a growl. "My son came across an nun named Asia Argento who was tricked by a devil and a dirty bishop into being excommunicated and wants to join the Heaven faction and in my opinion With her abilities and beliefs, she belongs in your faction."
"Ahh, Asia it broke my heart to hear what happened to her and while I recognize Asia's faith in both her Sacred Gear and devout heart being admirable, such a decision is not mine to make." Gabriel's smile cramping slightly as a melancholic look made its way onto her face and while observing the Seraph, Tiamat knew she couldn't let Emrys meet the woman or she have Emrys wrapped around her finger in seconds.
"I know that old bastard is dead, so whose decision is it?" Tiamat's eyes narrowed, her patience already fraying and she hadn't been paying much attention to the politics of Heaven wondering if a new god had been born or if the Seraph as a collective took votes on decisions.
Gabriel's melancholic expression flashed with irritation before settling onto a neutral one, "My eldest brother Michael leads Heaven and makes such decisions and unfortunately, he will be preoccupied for the foreseeable future with a pressing matter. The Excalibur fragments were stolen, and the search for them has consumed much of our resources and time."
"The fragments of that shiny toothpick? Why am I not surprised that the church screwed up again. How long until I can meet him?" Tiamat let out a sharp breath in irritation knowing that Gabriel mentioned the matter to get her to assist in the matter and to meet Micheal faster, but she wasn't working for free and she didn't want Asia to leave Emrys' side in the first place. The girl would be a good addition to his horde.
Gabriel hesitated, her eyes softening, "I cannot say. Michael's duties keep him occupied, and he may not have time for an audience soon unless the situation is dealt with soon." she said again, hinting at Tiamat to help.
"This is absurd. I don't have time to sit around waiting, tell him this is urgent." The Dragon King's fingers twitched at her side, her frustration mounting, but before Gabriel could respond, Tiamat suddenly froze, her eyes widening as a pulse rippled through her senses. Her mind honed in on the spells she had placed on Emrys without him knowing, a set of enchantments meant to alert her if he used his bloodline abilities outside of familiar forest.
"They've gone off," she muttered under her breath, her calm exterior shattering into sharp focus and concern.
"Is something wrong?" Gabriel asked, tilting her head.
Tiamat's worry shifted to annoyance, her lips curling in a slight snarl. Her gaze sharpened as she reached out with her magic, pinpointing his location. "Emrys is at Kuoh Academy of all places." She muttered in annoyance knowing the only reason he'd go back to that dreadful place was for Rias. Not knowing if he was in immediate danger, Tiamat's concern lingered.
"He's likely caught up in something troublesome if he's using his abilities, but if I force my way in, it'll trigger the wards and escalate matters grabbing the attention of the bats and maybe the crows…But you—" Tiamat turned to Gabriel, her tone commanding, "You can bypass the barriers without alerting anyone. Teleport us there."
Gabriel blinked in mild surprise at the demand but nodded eager to help, "If this is urgent, I will assist. Stay close to me, Tiamat." She waved her hand and a small golden circle appeared before expanding wide enough for both of them to walk through.
The two disappeared from in front of the Gate of Heaven and reappeared above Kuoh Academy. They both floated unseen, the golden light of the portal fading as Tiamat quickly cast a spell to mask their presence.
Hovering high above the school, Tiamat extended her senses, her keen eyes narrowed as she observed the situation in the Occult Research Club's room. At first she could have sworn she sensed a familiar energy signature, but when she swept the room again nothing showed up, so she let it go.
"Foolish boy," she muttered, both amused and exasperated. Emrys's aura raged like a storm, his draconic presence fully unleashed. The scene below radiated tension as Riser Phenex resisted at first before trembling and groveling desperately before Emrys.
"He is quite... spirited." Beside her, Gabriel frowned slightly and even now it confused Tiamat how Gabriel could feel any pity or sympathy for any devil.
Nonetheless Tiamat snorted, "Spirited is putting it lightly." Her irritation fading into a wry smile as she watched Emrys's raw emotion and she knew his sealing affected him more mentally than physically as he became a shell himself, so when she saw a glimpse of the fearless and confident man she had raised for the first time in years, it filled her with joy. But he'd also been too reckless and had drawn too much attention to himself.
As Riser babbled beneath him, Emrys raised his voice, declaring that Riser would face her wrath for his insult. Having arrived only after her son had started laying into the devil, Tiamat's initial amusement turned into anger at hearing the reason Emrys was unable to hold back.
Without warning, she descended, dropping through the now open roof, her cloaking spell dissipating as her form materialized besides Emrys as she gave him a 'love tap' for his recklessness. Her draconic aura filled the space, pressing down on Riser specifically as she had more control over it.
The room fell silent, every eye widening in shock and fear and even Grayfia instinctively moved to attack, launching a spell at Tiamat's sudden appearance, but she deflected it with the flick of her wrist.
She knew her sudden arrival in the ORC room sent shockwaves through everyone present. The shimmering aura of the strongest Dragon King made them uncomfortable and it wasn't long before Gabriel joined, her calm yet radiant presence a sharp contrast, though her golden glow seemed almost more harmful to the devil present.
Grayfia, while tense, kept a subtle defensive stance though she didn't attempt another attack after her first spell had been effortlessly deflected.
Emrys, who had been launched into the floor, stood quickly which surprised her as that hit should have made him dizzy at the very least, stunned and indignant he scrambled to his feet, rubbing the spot where Tiamat had smacked him.
"Where the hell did you even come from?" he asked, but his voice held more confusion than defiance.
Tiamat's icy glare silenced him instantly. "You fool. You've let your temper get the better of you revealing your abilities before you're fully unsealed. Do you think this is a game? That you're invincible after boosting yourself and barely scratching Ultimate class?" she hissed, her tone like the edge of a blade and Emrys swallowed hard, realizing he'd fucked up, but shook his head and came to terms with his decision not regretting it one bit.
Riser, who was recovering faster now that Emrys was using his chest as a footrest, got up from being sprawled on the floor, turning so pale she thought he was a vampire for a second. He groveled even more than he did with Emrys as he stared at Tiamat with a mix of fear and disbelief.
"T-Tiamat, I didn't mean-", He stammered, but Tiamat cut him off with a wave of her hand, the sheer force of her aura pressing down on him like a mountain. "Silence, worm. You've uttered words that cannot be taken back. You said that you would claim and breed me right?" Her voice dripped with venom, and Riser flinched as though physically struck.
Gabriel, whose presence was muted due to Tiamat's, finally spoke in a gentle, "Lady Tiamat, while I understand your anger, please consider—"
Tiamat raised a hand to silence the Seraph, her gaze never leaving Riser. "Gabriel, your presence here is appreciated, but this is a matter of a dragon's pride and the Phenex family must answer for this insult." She said the implications made involving the entirety of the Pheenx family.
She turned to Riser, then to Grayfia, who was watching the exchange with a carefully neutral expression. "With both the Queen of Lucifer and the Messenger of Heaven as witnesses, I hereby invoke a Blood Feud with the Phenex family."
The room fell silent. Even Rias, who had been simmering with anger at Riser's insults, looked shocked.
Tiamat continued, her voice ringing with finality. "The terms are simple: a battle. My champion, Emrys, against any champion the Phenex family dares to field. If they win, Riser is free to breed and claim me as he pleases…" She started and as Emrys went to reject she smacked him this time harder into the ground, "But if they lose, their entire lineage and wealth become mine to command."
Riser, shaking, managed to croak out, "Y-You can't be serious. This is madness! The Phenex family would never agree to such terms!"
Tiamat's smile was cold and cruel. "Then perhaps they should have taught you to keep your mouth shut, worm. And while rejection is an option it isn't something I'd recommend because then I'd simply wipe out your entire bloodline for the insult. So either your family accepts, or they forfeit their lives entirely." She stepped closer to him, the air around her crackling with suppressed power.
Grayfia finally spoke, her tone measured. "Lady Tiamat, are you certain this is the course of action you wish to take? The consequences of a Blood Feud are—"
"Irreversible and Severe," Tiamat finished, her eyes narrowing. "I am well aware that this would make me a target of the entire devil race, but I will not allow my name, nor my son's, to be sullied by the likes of this fool."
Gabriel's expression was one of concern, but she did not object. Instead, she looked at Emrys, "You have a heavy burden, young one. Are you prepared for what this entails?" The Seraph asked hoping Emrys would reject and bring the blood feud to a close before it began, but like Tiamat witnessed earlier this was the same Emrys she raised not the shell of himself he became and he wasn't going to back down.
And it wasn't like it was too unfair because from what she knew the Phenex family had their own ace in the form of Ruval Phenex an Ultimate Class Devil who ranks in the top ten when it comes to rating games, truly this would be a test for Emrys, and that was all she wished for because the stronger he grew the less she would worry.
Emrys, who was still processing everything, took a deep breath, clenched his fists and met Gabriel's gaze, "I'll do it. I'll fight his ancestor if I have to." He said and it was at that moment that she felt he was truly back the Emrys she longed to see once again. Tiamat would have to send Yasaka a gift for bringing him back so soon.
"Good. Then we have no more to discuss, now scurry along and get out of my sight before I finish what my son started and I doubt you have enough mana to regenerate now." She glared at Riser and without hesitation the devil joined his peerage and made his younger sister teleport them away as all his magic had been wasted earlier.
"Since that coward will deliver my terms to the Phenex family I'll leave it to you to let the Four Satans know. The battle will take place in three days and tell them to choose their champion wisely because their future is at stake." Tiamat smirked as she turned to Grayfia.
Grayfia hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. I will inform Lord Lucifer and Lord Phenex of these events." The Ultimate Queen cast a glance at Rias, who looked both worried and furious.
As Grayfia prepared to leave, Tiamat turned back to Emrys. Her gaze softened slightly. "Yasaka has trained you well, but you have much more to learn. I will personally oversee your preparations." She said, casting a glance at where she sensed Ddraig for a split moment after she arrived, his wielder was from what she could tell a disappointment.
The average looking teen with the ridiculous hairdo had near non-existent mana reserves and a barely passable physique truly the weakest Red Dragon Emperor she had ever encountered and letting him suffer in his current host was more cruel then killing him after all it wasn't like she hadn't made off with a jackpot in Emrys.
Emrys sighed, already bracing himself for the next three days as she'd have his behind working so hard he'd be sweating blood, "Guess I don't have a choice, huh?" He asked, casting a glance towards Rias and Tiamat had her confirmation that he was here for the crimson haired devil.
"No, you don't." Tiamat's lips quirked in a small, almost fond smile.
"Alright give me a couple minutes though." He said walking towards the devil in question, it seemed that even his gall increased since she had seen him a week prior.
-Rias Gremory-
Rias stood there silently as the chaotic events of the past few minutes replayed in her mind like a whirlwind she couldn't escape. What began as a routine yet unwanted meeting with Riser turned into a storm she hadn't expected.
Riser's unwelcome arrival had filled her with frustration. His arrogance, his lewd comments, and his shameless attempts to stake a claim over her like she was to be given away by her father, despite the dissolution of their engagement, had brought back memories she would rather forget.
Then the man had to go and claim that he would breed Tiamat of all people which caused Emrys to enter the room like a force of nature, his anger palpable, his power undeniable. Her heart had skipped a beat when she saw him, his presence overwhelming and commanding vastly different from what she had seen over the past year and it made her body hot seeing him utterly dominate the third son of the Phenex family and it only made her want him more.
Yet, before she could say anything either to him or Riser events had spiraled further at Tiamat's dramatic entrance had stunned everyone, her declaration of a blood feud causing everyone in the room who knew the severity to shudder and Rias felt bad for Ravel as the girl had gone from an offering to Emrys to collateral in a situation where she had no choice to reject, but seeing someone in a worse situation made her feel better.
The strongest Dragon King had taken command of the situation with ease and now, as she watched Emrys prepare to leave, a deep frustration welled within her. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
For a month, she had waited for Emrys's return. For a month, she had replayed every conversation, every moment, wondering where they went wrong. She had already prepared what she would say to him with both Koneko and Akeno having already agreed to participate in her plan. She would explain herself, and how she would beg him to give her another chance with a foursome, but now, it seemed she might lose her chance to reconcile with him again.
Her fingers tightened into fists as she tried to keep her composure, but she couldn't stop the despair from creeping in. Would she ever get the chance to fix things?
As if sensing her turmoil, Emrys suddenly spoke halting his imminent departure, "Alright give me a couple minutes though."
Everyone turned to look at him, Tiamat included, as he walked across the room with purpose. Rias barely had time to react before he was in front of her, his golden gaze locking onto hers in an oh-so familiar way.
"Emrys, I—" she started, but her words were stolen as he leaned down and kissed her.
It wasn't a fleeting kiss, nor was it hesitant. It was a kiss full of passion, full of promise that said he believed her. The world seemed to blur around her, and for a moment it felt as though time had stopped. Her heart raced, her breath caught as she wrapped her arms around his neck and relished in his attention for the first time in nearly a month, and when he finally pulled away, she found herself wishing it could have lasted forever.
He smiled at her, a small, confident smile that made her chest tighten and rested his forehead against hers. "I'll be back. Watch the fight. I'll put on a good show." He said softly, his voice steady and sure and she nodded bringing him into another hugging nostalgia hitting her as everything from his scent to his warmth tickled her brain in all the right ways she truly couldn't live without her dragon anymore.
Eventually Emrys broke the hug much to her reluctance and turned to the rest of her peerage. "And the rest of you, train. Prepare yourselves because after I'm done with the Phenex family, I'm coming back, and I'm going to train your asses for letting that flaming peacock talk to Rias like that."
With that, he turned and walked back to Tiamat, Asia, and Gabriel. Rias watched him go, her lips still tingling from his kiss, her mind reeling. As the golden portal closed behind them, the room was silent for a long moment before Issei broke it in true Issei fashion.
"Man," he muttered, scratching the back of his head, "That blonde chick with wings was so hot. And she's an angel, too... That's like, the ultimate fantasy."
Rias's gaze snapped to him, his words making her realise how truly baffling today had been, Seraph Gabriel had been here and yet she was barely acknowledged, but like what Tiamat showed before he couldn't make such carless comments less so about one of the generals of Heaven, but before she could scold him, he continued his tone shifting.
"You know, I don't think I want to face Emrys for your affection anymore, President. That guy's on another level." Issei finished looking like a downcast puppy and those words dissolved her anger into a sigh of relief. Issei had finally come to terms with reality, now she just needed to ensure he didn't pull a 'Riser' and say something like that about someone like Tiamat.
Speaking of she was surprised that the Dragon King showed little reaction to the Red Dragon Emperor despite being fee away from the current wielder of the boosted gear it was odd she didn't show any aggression towards her pawn, but perhaps Emrys talked to her about letting that grudge go at least while Issei was apart of her peerage.
She truly loved him with all her heart and as her gaze lingered on the spot where Emrys had stood, her determination hardened. She wouldn't let this chance slip away again. He had shown that he was willing to give her another chance and when he returned, she would ensure they'd stay together forever.
-Ddraig-
Ddraig's initial reaction to Emrys's dramatic entrance into the ORC was a chaotic swirl of emotions. Anger at the fact that he unknowingly had a descendant at some point in time and that said descendant had been sealed. Shock at the raw strength Emrys exhibited despite the seal, strength that rivaled the average Red Dragon Emperor and that was without himself in the boosted gear to assist in using the difficult ability, beneath it all though a deep undeniable happiness bloomed. A descendant.
The realization was a heavy one. Emrys wasn't just any dragon; he bore the bloodline of Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon himself. Sure he doesn't remember ever sleeping with Tiamat, but to see his legacy manifested in the form of this powerful youth was both a source of pride and a stark reminder of how far removed Ddraig had become from his own greatness.
But as Ddraig processed this revelation, something tugged at the back of his mind. A nagging familiarity beyond just himself in the boy that he couldn't place. Emrys felt more than just connected to his bloodline, yet before he could unravel that thread, his instincts screamed danger.
Never one to ignore such a warning, Ddraig retreated into the depths of Issei's soul, pulling his presence as deeply inward as possible until it was as near nonexistent with two thoughts in mind. Stay silent and stay hidden.
Even as Issei called out to him, confused by Emrys sudden withdrawal, Ddraig remained still. While he couldn't pinpoint the danger there was something far more perilous than the brashness of a young dragon. And when she appeared his metaphorical blood ran cold.
Tiamat's arrival was as commanding as ever, her power radiating through the room like a storm barely held in check. Ddraig watched from his safe haven, every fiber of his being hoping that he had concealed himself deeply enough to avoid her notice, but then she looked at Issei, a piercing gaze that seemed to bore through the very core of Issei's soul.
She knows.
Ddraig's unease grew, but to his immense relief, Tiamat did nothing as her focus remained on Emrys and the blood feud she so boldly declared against the Phenex family.
And when Emrys kissed Rias in front of everyone, including Issei, Ddraig winced at the added blow to his host's fragile pride. Yet, despite the humiliation, Tiamat left without so much as a word to him or his host. Why? He didn't know, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, he turned his thoughts to the larger picture.
Emrys Welsh. A dragon carrying his bloodline and despite not knowing how Ddraig resolved then and there that he would at the very least speak to the boy and maybe he would come to understand how this descendant came to be and why Emrys carried the legacy of the Red Dragon Emperor.
And while Issei stewed in his own thoughts about the events, Ddraig found himself oddly satisfied. Hearing Issei mutter that he wouldn't fight Emrys for Rias's affection lifted a weight off his shoulders. Fighting Emrys now would only sour the budding relationship between himself and the young dragon, a relationship Ddraig was determined to nurture. There was too much at stake, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.
-Issei Hyoudou-
The events of the day had left Issei Hyoudou reeling. The sight of Emrys entering the ORC, exuding raw power and confidence, had been shocking enough. But the way Rias had looked at Emrys, like she was completely captivated, almost obsessed, stuck with Issei the most. That look of pure unadulterated infatuation made his chest tighten painfully.
He had tried to dismiss it, to convince himself that it didn't matter. But no matter how hard he tried, the image of Rias gazing at Emrys with longing eyes refused to leave his mind. She looked at him the way he looked at her.
Frustrated and defeated, Issei let out a groan, slumping deeper into his bed having gotten the day off as Rias needed to sort out some stuff with her family and Issei couldn't deny it, Emrys was incredible. His strength, his charisma and looks especially when virtually slapping Riser around and he even has this mysterious aura that seemed to draw everyone in. It was like the guy was perfect, a stark contrast to Issei's own shortcomings.
But as his thoughts circled endlessly around Emrys, another image crept in, the blonde girl with green eyes who was almost an afterthought to everyone except him. She had stood out to him in a way he couldn't explain. There was something about her, an aura of innocence that felt pure and untouchable, even amidst the chaos of the day that made him want to rush to her side and protect her.
Curious, Issei had asked Ddraig about her earlier and for the first time in hours the dragon living inside his hand responded, albeit reluctantly.
"She's a dragon tamer," Ddraig had said, his tone carrying a hint of both respect and wariness. "But it's obvious she's aligned with Emrys or at the very least has some form of connection to him because they arrived together… She also had a cross around her neck, which along with Gabriel's presence, ties her to a holy faction. No matter what, you aren't in a situation to pursue her, you're a devil under Rias Gremory, the sister of Lucifer himself."
'Of course, she's with Emrys. Who else would she be with?' That answer had left Issei even more frustrated as he ignored that it would be near impossible even without Emrys feeling an unspoken connection between himself and the girl.
"You'd do well to give up, Issei. The way things stand, you're outmatched in every way." Ddraig added bluntly, sensing his irritation and seeing that the dragon was still calling him by his name instead of partner, irritated Issei even more.
The words stung. It wasn't just about the girl, though he couldn't deny his attraction to her. It was the accumulation of everything. First Rias and the rest of the girls in the peerage, then this blonde dragon tamer, and now even Ddraig. They were all drawn to Emrys. It's always Emrys this, Emrys that.
Issei's mind spiraled further, his indignation growing. He wouldn't even be surprised if Emrys is hooking up with that busty blonde angel too. Gabriel, was it? Of course, someone like the Great Emrys would—
His internal rant was abruptly cut off. A sharp blow to the back of his head sent him sprawling onto the floor, consciousness slipping away before he could even register what had happened.
AN: Alright well in this chapter everyone wanted a piece of Emrys and I did it like this because Riser is a bit too much of a wimp to be Emrys opponent and this will potentially lead to Emrys faction as a whole finally starting beyond just himself and Tiamat.
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