Third Person POV

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

???: "Big Brother! It's time to get up!"

Ravel Phenex, the youngest child and only daughter to the Phenex Clan, stood before the door that lead into her older brothers bedroom.

Now, one might be wondering to themselves... why was she there? Why was she standing in front of the door, trying to wake up her brother?

She was the daughter of a noble household, wouldn't such a task be more fitting for a maid or a butler? And those would be correct answers, but there was a small issue with that.

Ravel had been informed by the maids; who would normally wake her brother, that Riser hadn't responded to them no matter how many times they called his name.

This confused Ravel a little bit; sure her brother wasn't particularly the type who- Lazy, the best way to describe her older brother is that he was lazy.

He didn't train; considering such a thing beneath him. He was arrogant and very prideful. Yes, Ravel will admit that she too is a little prideful; but only in certain moments, meanwhile her brother is always like that.

Anyways, even though her brother was all those things; she knew that Riser wasn't the type to simply ignore the maids.... especially since he was the one who hired them in the first place.

That alone was a red flag to Ravel; which is why she was currently trying to see what was going on with her older brother.

He was perfectly fine the other day; a little furious at the human, Issei Hyoudou, who made fun of him but still perfectly fine nonetheless.

Hopefully, Ravel is able to get some answers from her brother.

He didn't need this...

The Phenex family doesn't need this right now; not when Riser is suppose to prepare for the rating Game against Rias Gremory.

However, soon Ravel was net with the same response that the maids had received....

Silence.

This caused Ravel to blink in surprise.

Ravel: "Huh?..."

She shook her head and raised a hand to knock again.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Ravel: "Big brother! It's me!"

Once again, Ravel was met with silence. So she did the most appropriate thing and tried again.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Ravel: "Big brother!"

And yet again, Ravel was met with only silence and it was starting to get on her nerves. Why wasn't her brother responding back? Better yet, why hasn't he opened the door?

He can't still be sleeping? It was almost 10 o'clock in the morning, plus she was certain that her brother wasn't that tired. He didn't even do anything that would cause him to need to sleep in.

So either he was being even more lazy.... or something was going on with him.

However, being annoyed with the lack of response from her own family member; Ravel just thought that Riser was being difficult and she wasn't going to stand for such disrespect.

And so, she did the only reasonable thing to do and that was to bang on her brothers bedroom door.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Ravel: "RISER PHENEX! YOU BETTER WAKE UP RIGHT NOW OR E-"

However, before Ravel got a chance to finish her sentence; she heard a noise from the other side and watched as her brothers bedroom door began opening.

This caused the blonde-haired girl to take a step back from the door; watching as the door fully opened to reveal her older brother.

However....

Something was different about him.

For starters, his hair was suddenly much longer than it was the other day; almost reaching down to his waste. Secondly, he was wearing a outfit that Ravel had never seen in his wardrobe. Lastly and most importantly; her brothers eyes were a completely different color. They're supposed to be dark blue, but now... they were golden.

Ravel: 'I-is that Riser? Why is his eyes golden?'

She silently gulped to herself.

Ravel: "B-brother, is that you?..."

Riser looked down at Ravel; tilting his head.

Riser: "Why of course its me, Sister... who else would I be?"

Ravel: "W-well it's just that... you didn't respond when either me or the maids called you..."

Riser raised an eyebrow.

Riser: "Did I?..."

Ravel only response to her "brothers" question was a slowl head nod.

Riser: "I see..."

The blonde-haired man lifted one of his hands and began rubbing the back of his neck.

Riser: "I apologize for any disrespect, younger sister. I was...."

His golden eyes glanced around the area; scanning the environment.

Riser: "Thinking is all..."

Ravel didn't respond back at first, just staring at her older brother; well, what she thought was him anyways. She could tell that he wasn't acting like himself, something had happened to him.

Ravel: "Thinking?..."

Riser nodded his head.

Riser: "Yes, you are correct..."

Ravel: "Well, okay then... Should we head off?"

Riser tilted his head slightly.

Riser: "Oh? And why? Is there someone we gotta be, younger sister?"

Yeah, something was going on and Ravel didn't like it. Not one bit.

Ravel: "Yes... we have a 12 o'clock spar, followed by lunch with the rest of your Peerage"

Riser: "Oh, of course! How could I forget such a important event!"

A smile soon grew onto his face and Ravel could proudly admit that; she didn't like the look of the smile that was on her brothers face.

Riser: "Please, lead the way. Young sister"

Ravel: "Right... follow me"

With that, Ravel turned and began heading down the hallway with Riser following closely behind her.

As they were walking; the blonde-haired girl glanced back at her brother or rather, the imposter pretending to be her older brother. She saw his eyes scanning the area around him, like he was taking in a view for the very first time.

She knew her brother, he would always say that walking down the halls of the Phenex Household never got old to him because to him; the household represented the strength of the clan, their pride.

But this... imposter wasn't him; it wasn't the older brother that she knew. But she can't confront him and demand that they reveal their identity, that would only lead to bad things.

No, she needed to tell someone. However, she couldn't tell anyone from her brothers Peerage or her parents; they would act skeptical around him and it would be suspicious.

No, what Ravel needed was someone who the imposter wouldn't see coming. Someone that she knew would believe her, someone who could help free her brother....

Luckily, she knew just the person who could lend her a hand.

(Time Skip Brought to you by me being dumb with time)

The day was coming to an end; the once bright blue color that had filled the sky, changed and was now replaced by a deep orange one which only added a sense of beautiful mixed with the glow of the descending sun.

At the Gremory training camp; Asia, Rias, and her Peerage had just finished up with their training for the day and was heading back to the house to have some supper.

Asia volunteered to cook dinner for everyone; which Rias agreed too, but requested that Akeno goes with her because she didn't want the blonde to collapse from exhaustion.

Asia agreed to the terms and both she and Akeno were about to head off to the kitchen; when all of a sudden Kiba brought up something important.

Kiba: "Where's Issei?"

Everyone paused as they scanned the room; seeing no sign of Issei anywhere.

Rias: "Huh, your right, Kiba...."

She raised an eyebrow.

Rias: "Where is Issei?"

She would then shift her attention over to Asia, who stood beside Akeno.

Rias: "Asia, do you know where Issei is?"

Unfortunately, Asia shook her head.

Asia: "I'm afraid I do not... I haven't seen him since this morning"

Rias: "This morning..."

She would then shift her attention towards the members of her Peerage; trying to see if they had seen any sight of Issei.

Rias: "What about you lot?"

Kiba rubbed the back of his neck.

Kiba: "I haven't seen him..."

Koneko simply shook her head.

Akeno: "I'm sorry, Rias. But I haven't seen him either"

This both confused and worried Rias; where could Issei have gone? She was certain that he hadn't left the mountain and she had three reasons why she believed that.

Firstly, they all saw him this morning and the brown-haired boy said that he was going to do his own training. So Rias knows that he's taking their situation a little seriously.

Secondly, if he did decide to leave the mountain than he would've mentioned it or better yet; they would've heard him. The crimson-red-haired devil girl knew that he had a motorcycle and that thing made noise.

Lastly, why would he leave? There wasn't any Pizza joint for at least a couple hundred miles and she doubts that Issei would leave just to have a slice of Pizza....

Right?

He wouldn't....

But then again; Issei does love his Pizza, he has shown that plenty of times with how frequent he consumes it.

Rias: 'Issei....'

Asia: "Should we all go looking for him?"

Rias shook her head.

Roas: "There's no need for that, Asia"

She then pointed at the blonde and Akeno.

Rias: "You and Akeno focus on making dinner for everyone"

She would then turn her attention to both Koneko and Kiba.

Rias: "Koneko, Kiba. I want you two to wash up and set the table"

Kiba smiled.

Kiba: "It would be my pleasure, president"

Koneko simply gave a thumbs up.

Asia: "What about you, Rias? What are you gonna do?"

Rias looked back at Asia, giving her a reassuring smile.

Rias: "I'm going to go and locate our missing Issei"

Asia: "Y-you sure?"

Rias nodded.

Rias: "Yeah, I'll grab him and bring him back so we all can have dinner"

Asia: "O-okay..."

And with that; Asia, Rias, and her Peerage went their separate ways. Both Asia and Akeno headed off towards the kitchen. Kiba and Koneko began making their way upstairs so that they could freshen themselves up.

Meanwhile, Rias watched them all head off and once they were out of her view; the red-haired girl let out a small sigh.

Roas: "Alright then..."

She then grew a serious expression.

Rias: "Time to go and find Issei..."

With that, Rias started her search for Issei. The first place she decided to check was the bedroom that Issei was using; since he wanted his own space, and sadly he wasn't there... heck, the bed looked like it hadn't even been touched.

The second place that she checked for Issei was by the baths; cause she thought that a small part of him was still his old perverted self. However, he wasn't there on either the male or female side. Plus, Koneko was there so she would've attacked him.

With two places now out of the way, Rias headed out the back to see if Issei was there. Surely he was because thats the only other spot she could think of.

As she walked out the back door; the Devil girl took notice of two things. The first was the beautiful sun set over in the distance, seeing the sky filled with such warm color brought a small smile to her face.

She enjoyed sunsets, Rias always found them to be nice and relaxing; just sitting around and enjoying the marvelous view.

The second thing that rias took notice of; and the more important one, was the fact that off by some trees was none other than the young man she was searching for.

Rias: "There he is... Hey, Iss-"

She cut herself off as she took notice of what he was doing. The brown-haired boy appeared to be doing some training; more specifically he was doing aome simple push-ups, but Issei was doing them.... while in a hand-stand.

Issei: "6650..."

He did another push-up.

Issei: "6651..."

Another one.

Issei: "6652...

Another one.

Issei: "6653..."

And another one.

Issei: "6654..."

Rias remained where she stood; staring at Issei with a stunned expression on her face. Was this ehat he had been doing all day? Had he really been doing nothing but push-ups?

No, that couldn't be the case. He had to have done some other things beforehand. There was simply no way Issei had been doing only push-ups.

Then again, judging by the number of push-ups that Issei was up too; along with the visible sweat that Rias could see running down Issei's face and his... muscular arms.

Rias blinked in realization, a small blush growing onto her cheeks.

Rias: 'H-huh?!'

She shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts out of her mind.

Rias: 'S-stop that, Rias! Don't think such things!... You're only friends with him!'

She continued watching as Issei did his push-ups; her gaze lingering onto his muscular arms.

Issei: "6660..."

He did another one.

Issei: "6661..."

Another one.

Issei: "6662..."

Another one.

Issei: "6663..."

Another one.

Issei: "6664..."

Another.

Issei: "6665..."

And another one.

Issei: "666-..."

Rias: "I-Issei!"

Issei stopped what he was doing as he tried his best to looked up at Rias; which was a little difficult because of the position he was currently in.

Issei: "Oh, Rias! When did you get there?"

Rias: "J-just a few seconds ago, I came looking for you"

Hearing this caused Issei to blink in surprise.

Issei: "You were..."

He raised an eyebrow.

Issei: "Looking for me?"

Rias nodded her head.

Rias: "Yeah, no one had seen you since this morning and it kinda made us a little worried..."

Issei slowly nodded his head; understanding what she meant. He will admit, it was definitely a fault on his half. Issei wanted to do a little bit of training by himself because it had been a while since he done such an activity.

Now yes, he trusted Rias and the others. But that didn't meant he wasn't still gon a keep his remaining tricks up his sleeves until the time was right. He'll show off when the time comes; probably at the rating Game in a few days.

But, yeah. He understood Rias's concern because he left to do his training and didn't even tell her nor the others what he was going to be doing. They all probably believed that Issei ditched them; which he would never.

Not unless he was desperate for some Pizza.

Ddraig: ['You and your Pizza, I swear...']

Issei: 'Shut up, you Lazy Lizard'

Ddraig: ['THE FUCK YOU SAY TO ME YOU LITTLE SHIT!?']

Issei tuned out Ddraig's voice as he looked up at Rias.

Issei: "I understand, Rias. I guess I forgot to mention where I was..."

He let out a small nervous chuckle; while he was still in the same position for his hand stand push-ups.

Rias: "It's alright, Issei. You made a mistake and thats fine but..."

She then pointed at him, more specifically the position he was currently still in.

Rias: "Are you gonna stay like that?"

Issei blinked.

Issei: "Oh, right. I should probably stand up probably"

Rias nodded.

Rias: "Yeah, that probably isn't good for you neck"

Issei: "Yeah.... Give me a second"

Issei bent his arms slightly, seemingly preparing to do another push-up. However, that would be false because in one swift motion, he pushed himself off the ground and landed upright in front of Rias.

Issei: "Boom! Stuck the landing!"

Rias crossed her arms as she raised an eyebrow at Issei.

Rias: "Did you really have to do that, Issei? Couldn't you of stood up like a normal person"

Issei: "Oh, I could've. I definitely could, but..."

He grew a small smirk.

Issei: "Where's the fun in that?"

Rias couldn't help hut roll her eyes.

Rias: "You're hopeless"

The brown-haired boy let out a fake hurtful gasp, placing a hand on his chest.

Issei: "Rias! How could you! Aren't I your friend?!"

Rias deadpanned.

Rias: 'Is he messing with me?'

Issei: "Oh the humanity! Struck by a cute red head!"

Rias's eyes widen as a blush grew onto her face.

Rias: "C-cute!?"

Issei: "How will I ever live again!?

He proceeded to stare at the ground; Rias staring at the young man with a surprised expression, her face red from the blush that had grown in size.

Rias: "Y-you..."

She shook her head.

Rias: "Stop that! Stop fooling around!"

Issei lifted his head and looked at Rias with the same smirk as from before.

Issei: "But I like seeing your reaction, it's cute~"

The devil girl pouted as she whipped her head away.

Rias: "Shut up, Baka!"

Hearing those words caused Issei to burst out laughing. Rias Gremory, the most popular girls in his school was calling him a "Baka" like some anime character.

It was definitely because of the Dante that was in him; cause there was absolutely no way that Issei would've been able to make a girl blush like that if he was his old self. In fact, he bets that if he attempted such a thing... he more than likely would've been slapped.

Which is why Issei should probably be careful; Rias may get annoyed with him and decide to slap him in retaliation.

Issei: "Alright, Alright. I think that's enough messing around for now"

Rias glared at Issei with a pout.

Rias: "Yeah, it better be enough mister, otherwise I would have to p-"

Before Rias got a chance to finish what she was saying; both her and Issei immediately perking up as their eyes began scanning their surroundings.

Rias: "Issei, did you..."

Issei: "Sense that?"

He nodded his head.

Issei: "Yeah, I did... something is coming"

Rias: "But what?"

Issei didn't respond back at first; his eyes continuing to scan the area around Rias and himself, searching for whatever or whoever they were sensing.

It was close...

Very close...

And it was seconds away from them.

Issei: "I think we're about to find out..."

Suddenly, a familiar looking magic circle appeared a couple of feet fron the duo; gaining their attention.

Rias: "Wait, isn't that?..."

Issei nodded.

Issei: "Yeah, it's the same one..."

From the magic circle, a figured appeared. However, much to Issei and Rias's surprise; thr person who appeared from the magic circle wasn't Riser.... but Ravel instead.

Issei blinked.

Issei: "Well, this is... unexpected"

Rias: "Lady ravel? What are you doing here? We still have a few days before the rai-"

Ravel: "That doesn't matter anymore, Rias...."

Hearing this words confused Rias, while Issei on the other hand was more curious. He didn't expect to see the chicken nuggets sister again, yet here she was and saying that the rating Game no longer mattered?

This definitely wasn't on his bingo card.

Rias: "What do you mean, the rating Game no longer matters?"

She crossed her arms.

Rias: "I'm pretty sure it does considering I'm trying to get out of a marriage with YOUR brother!"

Ravel: "My brother is the reason why I am here..."

Rias let out a small sigh, rolling her eyes.

Rias: "Let me guess, did he sent you here to tell me that I can still sur-"

Ravel: "I need your help..."

Rias halted her words as she stared at Ravel with a surprised look. Issei was pretty much in the same boat, not expecting something like this to happen today.

Issei: "Um, sorry. But it seems that I had something in my ear"

He cleaned his ear out with his pinkie finger.

Issei: "Can you repeat that?"

Rias slowly nodded.

Rias: "Y-yeah, please repeat what you say, Lady Ravel"

Ravel let out a small sigh.

Ravel: "I said..."

She approached the two, standing in front of them and in an unexpected turn of events... she bowed to Issei and Rias.

Ravel: "I NEED YOUR HELP!"

If they weren't already confused by what was going on; it was safe to say that Issei and Rias certainly were now because the two were at a loss of words from what the blonde-haired girl had said.

Rias knew Ravel; not personally, but she knew that she wasn't the type to go to others for help because she usually believed that the Phenex Clan could handle anything that was thrown at them.

As for Issei, he just assumed that Ravel was like her older brother; an arrogant scum bag who needed to be put in his place, that and also needed to stop talking in third person because it wad just weird.

However, both Issei and Rias came to the same conclusion; if Ravel was here asking for their help then... something was wrong.

Rias: "Okay, Lady Ravel. What's going on? What do you need help with?"

Issei: "And what does it have to do with the chicken Nugget?"

A part of Ravel wanted to yell at Issei for calling her brother that; but she knew that now wasn't the right time for such a thing.

Ravel: "Something has happened to him..."

Rias: "What is it?"

Ravel: "He's changed"

Hearing those words caused Issei and Rias to look at each other with confused looks.

Rias: "What do you mean he's changed? What happened to Riser?"

Ravel: "That I don't know, the maids told me that he hadn't woken up when they called him; so i went to his room to see what was up and when he opened the door he looked... different"

Rias could already feel a red flag; Riser hired most of the maids in his household. For him to be ignoring them... something wasn't right.

Issei: "Can you describe how he looked different?"

Ravel: "Well, he wore a weird outfit... his hair was longer, and his eyes were golden in color"

Rias let out a gasp, her eyes widening.

Rias: "Golden!?"

Ravel nodded; meanwhile Issei turned his attention to Rias.

Issei: "What's so weird with that?"

Rias: "Issei...."

She shifted her attention to the brown-haired boy.

Rias: "Riser was born with Blue Eyes; even if he used his power, his eyes always remained the same.... they have never been golden"

The realization soon dawned on Issei; Rias was right, Riser did have blue eyes. So for him to all of a sudden have golden ones, something must've happened to him.

Issei: "Okay, this isn't good..."

Ravel: "Yeah, he's a completely different person. Plus, his eyes are always scanning the area... like he's-"

??? 1: "Never seen his current environment; well, that isn't much of a surprise"

??? 2: "Indeed, brother. It makes sense after all"

Both Rias and Ravel perked up at the unexpected voices; whipping their heads around to see if they could locate the source of the voices. Meanwhile, Issei wasn't really phased by the voices because he already knew them.

Rias: "Who said that?!"

Ravel: "Show yourself!"

Just then the voices began to chuckle.

??? 1: "Look, brother. They look so confused"

??? 2: "Indeed, brother. They move like, like... what was it again?"

??? 1: "A headless chicken"

??? 2: "Yes, that!"

The voices continued chuckling as Rias and Ravel kept trying to search for them.

Issei soon let out a small sigh.

Issei: "Jeez, you two..."

Ravel and Rias turned their attention towards Issei; thinking that he was speaking to them. However, the two ladies soon watched as Issei held out his hands and two swords appeared; one with a blue skull-like object at the end and the other with a orange one.

Rias: "Issei, what are yo-"

Issei flipped the two swords around; the skull-like objects facing upwards and he proceeded to clang the hilts against each other.

Issei: "What have I said about talking out of nowhere?"

Ravel and Rias stared at the young man with looks of confusion; was he.... talking to the swords?

Rias: "Um, Issei. Are yo-"

Unfortunately for Rias, she was cut off from finishing her sentence by something that neither she nor Ravel were expecting.

Blue Skull: "Apologies, Issei. We did not mean to scare anyone"

Orange Skull: "Yes, yes. No harm at all, we simply wanted to say our input on the matter"

Blue Skull: "Yes, yes. That is all"

At this point, Ravel and Rias were left absolutely speechless from what was currently going on before their very eyes. Talking swords, Issei had... talking swords.

There was no way, there was no way that this was real. It had to be a dream, or perhaps all within their heads because while yes, there are some strange things in the supernatural world.... literal talking swords was no one of them.

Well, at least not that came to their minds; this was a whole new territory for the two female devils.

Rias: "Um, Issei..."

Issei: "Hm?"

He looked at Rias.

Issei: "Yeah, Rias?"

She pointed at the two swords in his hand.

Rias: "Did those swords just... talk?"

Issei remained silent at first, but he eventually let out a small sigh as he nodded his head.

Issei: "Yeah, they did"

Rias: "Okay... How is that possible?"

Issei stared at Rias for a solid minute or two, he would then look down at the swords in his hands, and then back up Rias.

Issei: "Magic"

Rias and Ravel couldn't help but sweatdrop at Issei's answer.

Rias: "Rrright... Magic"

Issei: "Look, I would give thr story; but that will take too long and we have mkre important things to do"

He would then glance back down at the swords.

Issei: "Now, you two. What was that about Riser moving like he's never seen his environment?"

Blue Skull: "Oh, that's quite simple really"

Orange Skull: "Indeed brother, very simple really"

Issei narrowed his eyes at the two skulls.

Issei: "Just talk before I bash you both together again..."

Orange Skull: "Apologies, Issei. Brother, it seems we have made him upset"

Blue Skull: "Indeed, brother. We will need to do be-"

Issei cut the two off by claning them against each other again.

Issei: "What did I just say?..."

Orange Skull: "Apologies, we will tell you"

Blue Skull: "Yes, we will"

Rias and Ravel looked at each other in confusion once again; usually they would demand answers but a part of them found this quite entertaining.

The two skulls soon began to clear their non-existent throats.

Orange Skull: "The reason why the one called Riser was constantly looking around is because he isn't himself"

Blue Skull: "Indeed, brother. Riser isn't himself, something else is driving the body"

Ravel's eyes widen.

Ravel: "Wait, are you saying my brother is being controlled!?"

Orange Skull: "Well, more like possessed but that is a simply way of stating it"

Blue Skull: "Indeed, brother. It is much simpler"

Riser was possessed; that was definitely something that Issei wasn't expecting to happen. While he may not like the walking KFC bucket, even someone like him doesn't deserve such a fate.... especially when his own younger sister is worried about him.

But there was something that Issei was wondering about; who or what was powerful enough to possess someone like Riser?

Issei: "Agni, Rudra..."

The two swords named Agni and Rudra perked up when their names were called.

Rudra: "Yes, Issei?"

Issei: "Tell me... Do you two have any idea on eho to what could be possessing Riser?..."

Ravel ran over and looked at the two swords, holding onto Issei right arm.

Ravel: "Yes, please! You must know something!"

The two let out small sighs.

Agni: "I'm afraid we do not..."

Rudra: "Yes, we know that he's possessed. But by who, we do not know..."

Issei gritted his teeth slightly as he glanced down at Ravel; who let go of his arm and stared at the ground with tears threatening to escape from the corner of her eyes.

In response to this, Issei clanged Agni and Rudra against each other again.

Issei: "Nice going you two, you made upset"

Rudra: "Apologize, Issei. We didn't mean to make her cry"

Agni: "Yes, we didn't know. But we can guess that its similar to your encounter with the human called Freed..."

Hearing the insane priest name again caused Issei to narrow his eyes; a faint red and blue glow appearing within them.

Issei: "Of course it is..."

He glanced back down at Ravel; causing the red and blue glow in his eyes to vanish.

The brown-haired boy would then let out a small sigh.

Issei: "Ravel..."

Ravel perked slightly and turned to look up at Issei, who stared down at her.

Ravel: "What do you want?..."

Issei: "You want your brother back, don't you?"

The blonde-haired girl blinked.

Ravel: "Huh?"

Issei: "I said... you want your brother back, dont you?"

Ravel was a little confused; why was this human asking her a question that he shouldn't already know the answer too?

Rias, who has remained silent up until this point knew what Issei had planned and she couldn't help but stare at the young with a small smile on her face.

Rias: 'Of course you would, Issei...'

Ravel: "Why are you asking such a ridiculous question? Of course I want my brother back. He's my brother!"

A faint chuckle escaped Issei's mouth.

Issei: "Well then..."

His eyes started glowing red and blue once again.

Issei: "Looks like i got a new mission"

Rsvel: "Huh?! What are yo-"

Issei cut the blonde-haired girl off by raising a hand and rubbing the top of her head; taking Ravel by surprise as a small blush grew onto her cheeks.

Issei: "Don't worry your cute little head, I'll get your brother back... Even if I have to beat the thing possessing him out of his body first!"

....

....

....

END OF CHAPTER