Third Person POV

Issei: 'You know, when I asked Rias what the plan was. I wasn't expecting anything so... so...'

Ddraig: ['Unexpected? Shocking? Mind blowing? Surprising?']

Issei shook his head.

Issei: 'No, Ddraig. None of those words even work for how I feel about this'

Issei felt Ddraig rolling his eyes through their connection.

Ddraig: ['Well, how do you feel?']

Issei: 'I was going to say that I wasn't expecting something so... easy'

Currently, the brown-haired boy was making his way down, or rather up a rocky pathway, straight to the top of a hill. On his back was a Black Backpack that was given to him by Rias; housing his spare clothes and some weights that were supposed to make the trip more difficult.

However, the extra weight to the backpack mattered little to Issei; considering his superhuman strength basically made the whole thing feel as light as a feather. It was a smart idea on Rias's part; something to get them started before they arrived but... it just didn't work for him.

Speaking of Rias...

Issei momentarily brought his walking to a halt as he quickly glanced behind himself to see how the others were doing; since Rias also put weights inside their bags as well.

He noticed that they were a little bit away from where he was; but they were slowly catching up to Issei. Although, from what the young man could see... Rias was falling behind.

Issei: "Hey, Rias! You good!?"

Rias panted as she looked up at Issei, sweat running down her face.

Rias: "Y-yeah, im alright, Issei!"

Issei merely raised an eyebrow.

Issei: "You sure? You look like you're about to pass out?"

Rias simply gave a thumbs up.

Rias: "Yeah, I'm peachy!"

She then looked at the ground, placing her hands on her knees.

Rias: "J-just let me catch my breath"

Akeno walked past Rias, giggling.

Akeno: "That's what you get for not exercising more, Rias"

Rias glared at Akeno.

Rias: "I'll have you know, Akeno, that I do plenty of exercising!"

Akeno simply giggled in response.

Akeno: "Alright, president. Keep telling yourself that"

Rias: "I DO!"

Akeno didn't respond back as she continued walking until she reached Issei; who looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

Issei: "Does Rias really not exercise?"

Akeno: "Oh, no. She does do exercise"

Issei: "Then why did you..."

Akeno simply smiled.

Akeno: "Because I like seeing what her reaction will be"

Issei: "Oh, I see now.... you're just teasing her"

Akeno nodded.

Akeno: "Yep and I do good work if I may add"

Rias: "Hey! What are you two talking about!"

Issei looked back at Rias.

Issei: "Nothing, Rias. Don't worry about it"

Aleno: "Just a little more, president. We're half way there!"

Rias's eyes widened when she heard that.

Rias: "ARE YOU SERIOUS!"

At this point, the crimson-red-haired devil girl was starting to regret putting those weights in everyone's backpacks. Sure, she knew they needed all the training they could get since Riser and his Peerage weren't going to be easy but... she didn't expect the weights to cause this much of trouble.

At that moment, Kiba walked past Rias while carrying a slightly bigger backpack than Rias.

Kiba: "Excuse me"

Rias: 'Well, at least Kiba seems to be handling it'

Asia soon walked past Rias, wearing the same backpack as her.

Asia: "Pardon me, Rias"

Rias blinked.

Rias: "O-oh..."

She smiled.

Rias: "You go on ahead, Asia. You're doing great!"

Finally, Koneko walked past Rias while carrying a backpack that was WAY bigger than anyone else in the group.

Koneko: "On your left"

Issei blinked at the sight of Koneko's backpack; taken aback by the sheer size of it. What did she have in it, her entire bedroom or something? They were only staying for 10 days to train for the rating Game, they weren't moving into the place.

He then looked to Kiba, who finally arrived up to him.

Issei: "Is she carrying all the furniture in her house or something? Cause that's WAY more stuff than necessary!"

Kiba let out a chuckle.

Kiba: "It's does look like that, does it?"

Issei: "Yeah, so what is she carrying?!"

Kiba simply smiled.

Kiba: "Oh, just a couple of sweets"

After hearing those words; Issei's eyes widened as his jaw nearly touched the ground from how shocked he was. All that stuff in Koneko's backpack was nothing more than sweets.

Sure, she probably packed some spare clothes and Rias probably put some weights in there as well; which probably didn't matter since Koneko was a Rook. But the fact that Kiba said that Koneko had sweets in the backpack so casually was more than enough...

But why? Why did she have so many sweets? Actually, the more important question is how does she have so many sweets? Like, yes, Sweets don't cost that much in stores but.... Koneko must have like hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of them.

Issei: "Y-you're kidding me... right?"

Kiba shook his head.

Kiba: "Nope, I'm not kidding"

Issei pointed at the approaching Koneko.

Issei: "You're telling me that she has Sweets in that thing?!"

The blonde-haired boy nodded his head.

Kiba: "Not sure why you're surprised, Issei. Don't you eat a ridiculous amount of Pizza?"

Ddraig: ['THANK YOU! FINALLY, SOMEONE ASKS!']

Issei's right eye twitched.

Issei: 'You shut up...'

He then crossed his arms.

Issei: "I'll have you know, Kiba. Pizza is the greatest thing to ever be created!"

Kiba was about to say something; but Koneko soon came strolling past the two boys.

Koneko: "No it's not..."

Issei did an anime fall at Koneko's words; while Kiba chuckled slightly.

The young man soon recovered and glared at the now walking away Koneko, who continued up the hill.

Issei: "YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT ABOUT MY PIZZA!"

Koneko glanced back with a neutral expression.

Koneko: "Suck it..."

Issei's right eye twitched some more.

Issei: "Oh, it's on... short stack"

Kiba's eyes widened as he looked at Issei with a pale expression. Both Rias and Akeno heard it and they were worried now. As for Koneko, she paused and narrowed her eyes at Issei.

Koneko: "Say that again...."

Kiba shook his head, trying to stop Issei.

Unfortunately, Issei didn't pay attention to the blonde as he looked at Issei with a smug grin.

Issei: "You heard me, Shirt sta-"

Unfortunately for Issei, he was unable to finish his sentence as Koneko cut him off by tackling him. This resulted in the two being launched back, tumbling past the others as they went down the hill.

THUD!

Issei: "Ow! He-"

THUD!

Issei: "That hurt!!"

PUNCH!

Koneko: "Who's a short stack now!?"

POW!

Koneko: "Yeah!? You like this, you Pizza eating perv!"

THUD!

Issei: "Hey! I resent that!"

THUD!

Rias and the others watched with sweatdrops as both Koneko and Issei continued tumbling down the hill, bouncing and rolling on the rocky surface all the way down to the bottom.

Rias: "Well, at least there's a bright side..."

She then looked at the others.

Rias: "I'm not going to be the last one reaching the top"

(Time Skip Brought to you by Koneko trying to punch Issei but cant reach)

After their little quote-on-quote "scuffle" with each other; both Issei and Koneko, who ended up bruised from the tumble down, had to drag themselves all the way back up to the top of the hill.

Despite their bruises; the two continued to silently glare at each other while walking up the hill. Neither one was going to admit that they took it too far; but they were sure as hell going to try and force the other to admit.

Koneko: 'Stupid Senpai...'

Issei: 'Stupid Koneko...'

He then heard Ddraig chuckling.

Ddraig: ['Well, that was definitely entertaining to watch']

Issei rolled his eyes.

Issei: 'Oh Jee, Im glad that you enjoyed my suffering...'

Ddraig: ['I did, I did indeed']

The young man deadpanned.

Issei: 'I was being sarcastic, you overgrown monitor lizard'

Ddraig: ['OI! THE FUCK YOU CALL ME!?']

And so, both Ddraig and Issei began arguing inside of the brown-haired boys head. Meanwhile, Koneko kept walking alongside Issei; glancing at him and noticing his expression shifting every couple of seconds which confused her greatly.

Koneko: 'Is he alright or is he having a stroke?'

She continued watching as Issei would then narrowed his eyes for no reason.

Koneko: 'Yep.... He's having a stroke'

She let out a sigh and shook her head.

Koneko: 'Senpai is crazy...'

Before long, the two eventually met up with Rias and the others at the top of the hill; where Issei was greeted by the sight of what he guessed was going to be their home for the next 10 days.

Issei whistled.

Issei: "Wow, check out this place"

Asia: "So beautiful!"

Rias smiled.

Rias: "Im glad you like it, Asia"

She then looked at everyone else.

Rias: "Alright everyone, let's get inside and get this training started"

Issei looked at Rias with a raised eyebrow.

Issei: "You sure thats a good idea, Rias?"

Rias nodded.

Rias: "Yes, we cant waste anymore time. We only have 10 days before the rating Game"

The crimson-red-haired devil girl then grew a serious look.

Rias: "We gotta make the most of it..."

Half of Issei was glad that Rias was actually taking their current situation seriously; since if they lose than she will have no choice but to marry the walking chicken Nugget.

On the other hand, the other half of Issei was actually concerned for Rias because while he understood that something like this was a very serious matter. At the same time, if defeating Riser was all she thought about then her mind shall be clouded with nothing but that.

This action could lead to their defeat. Then again, Issei was confident that he could easily beat the chicken Nugget and his Peerage all by himself. Unfortunately, he wasnt given that option since this was between him and Rias.

So for now, he needs to follow along with whatever plan Rias comes up with and go from there. But, they should be alright with him around; its not like Riser would sudden gain a power up out of nowhere.

Ddraig: ['Correct me if im wrong; but I am pretty sure that is what known as... a Jinx, partner']

Issei deadpanned.

Issei: 'Ddraig, it would only be a Jinx if that walking chicken Nugget was an actual threat'

Ddraig: ['Still, you shouldn't underestimate your opponents']

Issei: 'Underestimate Riser?'

He rolled his eyes.

Issei: 'Oh, please. That asshole is so cocky that he's probably not even attempting to train himself or his Peerage. Heck, he's probably in his fancy bedroom sleeping like a loser'

Meanwhile in the Underworld.

Back down in the depths of the underworld; a clawed hand would come into view, the tips piercing into a stone brick wall. Growls and snarls could be heard as the two-headed demon was making its way up the side of the castle-like structure known as the Phenex Household.

Although, scaling the structure was proving to be a little bit difficult for the demon. The mainly reason for this is because they were climbing with only one arm and two feet; meanwhile the other arm was still holding onto the fiery orb that was entrusted to them by their master.

The second head growled in annoyance.

Demon Head 2: "It's times like this that I wish we had wings; it would make things like this so much easier..."

Demon Head 1: "For once, I agree with you..."

The demon growled as they continue climbing up the stone brick structure; a few feet away from their destination which was a window that was on one of the households upper floors.

Demon Head 1: "Perhaps once we complete this task; our Lord will bestow a reward upon us"

Demon Head 2: "Ooooh! Like granting us a pair of wings so we can sore through the sky"

Demon Head 1: "That or maybe he'll finally grant us permission to take a bloody vacation!"

The second head raised an eyebrow.

Demon Head 2: "Like to Malaysia?"

Demon Head 1: "I have absolutely no idea what that is..."

The second head sweatdropped.

Demon Head 2: "Nevermind then...."

And so with that, the two-headed demon continued climbing up the stone brick wall until it had finally arrived at the window. However, due to its arms being occupied with other tasks like holding onto the orb or keeping them from falling off the building.... the demon was in a bit of a pickle.

Fortunately, after a little bit if struggling; followed by a quick but quiet arguing, the two-headed demon managed to force the window open and they slithered their way into the phenex household.

Now inside the building, the two heads quickly checked their surroundings to make sure that they were in the clear. When the two were certain that no one was around; their attention was soon drawn to a hallway in front of them. This was no regular hallway, this hallway lead to a door; a pretty massive one at that with the symbol of a phoenix on the front of it.

The sight of the door brought a grin to the two-headed demon; this was it. This was where they needed to go, this is where their target was located.

Demon Head 1: "Well, talk about convenient"

The second head chuckled.

Demon Head 2: "Indeed, Brother, Indeed...."

Not wanting to waste any more time and run the risk of failing their mission; the demon approached the huge door and using its only free arm, it reached out to the doorknob and proceeded to slowly open the door.

Once it was fully open and the two-headed demon made its way inside; its ears were struck by the sound of light snoring. This caused the two heads to shift their gaze over in the direction of the source of the noise and they were greeted by the sight of their target; Riser Phenex.

Another grin formed on the first head.

Demon Head 1: "There he is..."

The second head raised an eyebrow.

Demon Head 2: "That's the target?"

Demon Head 1: "Yes"

He let out a chuckle in amusement.

Demon Head 2: "I guess I shouldn't of expected much from such a weak dimension like this one"

The first head glared at the second one.

Demon Head 1: "Quiet, we don't want to wake him"

The second head rolled its eyes.

Demon Head 2: "Yeah, yeah. Whatever, let's just complete the mission"

Lifting up its left arm, the two heads stared at the fiery orb that was within its claw's grasp.

Demon Head 1: "You have your orders..."

Demon Head 2: "Hopefully you don't end up being a disappointment like Mundus so..."

The two heads narrowed their eyes at the orb.

Both: "Do NOT fail..."

And so with that said; the demon let go of the fiery orb which instead of falling to the ground, actually floated on the spot.

It hovered for a good couple of seconds before it started moving; heading towards the slumbering Riser. Before long, the orb looked over the blonde-haired man and slowly began descending downwards; phasing into Riser's chest.

Back with Issei.

At the training mansion; Issei was currently in one of the rooms with Kiba, the two boys were busy unpacking their belongings while also getting ready to begin with their training.

However, Issei's mind was more focused on more serious matters; a matter that was literally life or death and that matter was....

What was he gonna have for dinner?

Sure, he could just make something in the kitchen; but with all the training he will be doing, he doubts that he'll be able to move his body enough to actively cook food.

So there was only one option left.

An option that was a blessing, a gift sent down by the he-

Ddraig: ['You're not having Pizza']

Issei did an anime fall.

Issei: 'I wasn't going to suggest that!'

Through their connection; Issei felt Ddraig deadpan at him.

Ddraig: ['Partner, all you eat is Pizza!']

Issei: 'Hey, that's not true!.... I also enjoy strawberry Sundae'

Ddraig facepalmed.

Ddraig: ['That's exactly my point, Partner. Eat something else for a change!']

Issei cupped his chin with one of his hands and began to think deeply about Ddraig's words.

Issei: 'Hmmmm...'

He smirked.

Issei: 'Nah, can't be bothered'

Ddraig: ['Partner I swear to-']

Before the Welsh Dragon had a chance to finish his sentence, Issei suddenly felt cold shiver ran down his spine; causing the young man's eyes to briefly shift from their regular chocolate-brown color to both Crimson red and lapis blue.

Issei: 'Huh!?...'

Issei's eyes quickly darted around the room; attempting to locate the source of his sudden discomfort. However, besides Kiba and himself; there wasn't anything else in sight that could cause him such discomfort.

Back down in the Underworld.

Riser groaned in his sleep as he started tossing and turning within his head; the two-headed demon watched this with a satisfied smirk on its two faces.

With its task now completed; the demon turned and made its way out of the blondes bedroom. There was no need for it to stick around anymore; it had done what it was ordered to do.

Now all the demon had left to do was report back to its master and await the results to come in. Hopefully though, this one doesn't end up being an embarrassment like the last one.

Back with Issei.

Issei stood greatly confused; his eyes still darting around the room in search of something that wasn't even there. But he could feel it; he felt it deep within his soul... something was happening somewhere.

He didn't know what was going on; but if he could feel it from where he was then that meant one of two things.... either the thing he was sensing was so powerful that it far surpassed anything else he had experienced; or the second option, whatever it was isn't powerful but was instead trying to lure him towards it.

He doesn't know; he can't go searching for the source at the moment since he had to help out Rias and the others. Sure, he could just leave a duplicate in his place but Issei was pretty sure that the others would find it suspicious if he just randomly stopped talking.

So for now; he'll ignore what he's sensing... but Issei knows that he will need to keep his guard up. Whatever was out there was no pushover like Riser; it was a real threat. Something fierce, something powerful, and something... demonic.

Back in the Underworld.

Slowly opening his eyes, Riser was greeted by the sight of darkness before him. At first he didn't think much of it because that was just how his bedroom usually gets; until he turns on the light next to his bed than things would be better.

So without thinking much; Riser reached over to his right to turn on his bed side lamp. However, much to the man's surprise... he didn't feel anything.

Riser: "Huh?..."

He kept moving his hand around; trying to locate his bed side lamp. But no matter what he did, he couldn't find it anywhere. Heck, he didnt even feel his bed side table which confused him even more.

Riser: "What is going on?"

Riser turned his head to the right and was greeted by.... darkness. This caused him to blink in surprise as he then looked to his left and was greeted by even more darkness.

He then looked up and saw even mkre darkness.

He looked down/in front of him and was once again met with even more darkness.

In fact, the hier of the Phenex Clan wasn't even in his bedroom anymore. Instead, he found himself floating in a void of some kind; a void of pitch blackness that spread for miles upon miles, reaching lengths that far surpassed his families territory.

Riser: "What the hell!?"

He looked to his right.

Riser: "Where is Riser!?"

He looked to his left.

Riser: "Where has Riser been taken!?"

He grew a serious expression as a faint orange glow began to cover his body.

Riser: "Riser demands to know who has taken Riser from his home!"

After he finished shouting; Riser was unfortunately met with only silence as a response to his demands. This both annoyed and worried the man because he was in some strange place when he should be back in his bedroom sleeping; waiting to claim victory over his beloved Rias Gremory.

However, it seems like something or rather someone was trying to mess with Riser's plans. At first, the blonde thought that this was the work of the human that showed up and made a fool of Riser.

But he was just a human; there wasnt anything special about them. There was no way that he was responsible for taking Riser to such a complex looking place. However, if it wasn't him then who could've done it?

There had to be a reason why he was taken to this pl-

???: "Do you desire power..."

Riser perked up by the sudden voice; a male voice, one that boomed with authority and power. Riser scanned the area in search of the source; but couldn't find it anywhere.

Riser: "Who said th-"

???: "Do you desire strength like no other..."

Riser got cut off by the voice; but this one was different than the previous one. The one from before was male; meanwhile this time the voice was a female voice, one that sounded mature yet elegant at the same time.

Riser: "What the? What is going on he-"

Male Voice: "Oh, Young bird. Will you rise up from the ashes of humiliation and take your rightful place among the flames?"

Female Voice: "Accept the will of Despair and incinerate those who stand in your path. Burn and singe each of your enem-"

Riser, who grew annoyed from getting interrupted by the two mysterious voices; decided that it was time that he got some answers. He summoned powerful flames within his hands as a bright orange aura covered his whole body.

Riser: "ENOUGH! RISER DEMANDS TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHY YOU BROUGHT RISER HERE!"

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Riser growled in anger.

Riser: "RISER DEMANDS YOU SHOW YOURSELVES!"

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Male/Female Voice: "Very well.../Very well..."

Suddenly, a bright light appeared before Riser; causing him to cover his eyes due to how bright it was. After a while, the light slowly died down which allowed Riser to uncover his eyes. The moment he did, his eyes soon widened as standing before him was something he couldn't described.

Riser instinctively took a step back at the sight of the flaming being standing before him.

Riser: "W-what the fuck..."

???(M): "Be not afraid, young bird..."

Riser watched as the beings body began to shift into a more female-like body.

???(F): "I am not a threat to you..."

Riser: "W-who are you!?"

He pointed at the being.

Riser: "Riser demands you tell Riser who you are!"

The being shifted to its male appearance.

???(M): "I have gone by many names..."

It shifted to female.

???(F): "I have earned many titles...."

Shifted back to male.

???(M): "The Chaos"

Back to female.

???(F): "The Dominator of Chaos"

Back to male.

???(M): "The despair embodiment"

It then shifted back to female.

???(F): "But you may call me..."

It then shifted back to male.

Argosax(M): "Argosax!"

Riser: "A-argosax?..."

He took a step back.

Riswr: "W-why have you brought Riser here?! What do you want from Riser!?"

Argosax didn't reply at first; instead, it let out a chuckle that was a mixture of its two voices.

Argosax(M): "Oh, do not worry yourself, Riser. You are in no harm..."

Riser: "I-Im not?"

Argosax nodded its head before shifting over to female.

Argosax(F): "In fact, I am here to give you a gift!"

Riser perked up at this; a gift? Riser was getting a gift?

Riser: "A gift?"

Argosax nodded its head.

Argosax(F): "Yes, you shall receive a gift that shall make you unlike anything anyone has ever seen..."

It then shifted to its male form.

Argosax(M): "But you must do ONE simple thing for me"

Riser felt a shiver run down his spine from Argosax's words; causing the blonde-haired man to silently gulp.

Riser: "A-and what may that be?"

Despite not having a face, Riser didnt like the subtle head tilt that Argosax did because he couldn't help but feel like it was smirking at him.

Argosax's body then shifted again; but this time it was half male on one side while the other side was female.

Argosax(M/F): "Don't resist..."

Unfortunately for Riser, before he could even ask what Argosax meant by that... it was unfortunately too late for him. The last thing that the hier of the Phenex Clan saw was the three flaming bone-like wings stretching and moving towards him like tendrils.

His life flashed before his eyes as images of his mother, Father, younger sister, older brother, and his Peerage appeared within his mind. But there was one more; the image of a certain crimson-red-haired devil girl.

Riser: 'Rias.... Riser's sorry for everything'

....

....

....

END OF CHAPTER