"Y Ddraig Coch..."

The words left his lips unbidden, slipping into the stillness like an echo from a past he didn't remember. The name carried a weight he couldn't explain, settling into his chest like something both foreign and familiar.

The vast, empty space around him seemed to tighten, the very air thickening under the sheer gravity of the moment. The silence stretched, pressing in from all sides, heavy and expectant-like the world itself was holding its breath.

Ddraig's emerald eyes gleamed through the void, twin beacons of raw, ancient power.

"So you do know me. How surprising..."

The dragon's voice rumbled, a deep, rolling thunder that shook the very ground beneath Issei's feet. The force of it reverberated through his bones, settling deep into his core. It wasn't merely heard-it was felt, like the distant tremors of an approaching storm.

Issei's breath hitched.

He did know this name. The instant his eyes had fallen upon the gauntlet, something deep within him had stirred-an instinctive recognition, primal and absolute. It wasn't a fleeting sense of déjà vu, nor a half-remembered dream. It was something far deeper, embedded in his very soul, as if the knowledge had always been there, simply waiting for him to grasp it.

Just like Kanshou and Bakuya.

The thought struck him with startling clarity. The same eerie familiarity, the same unshakable certainty-he had felt it before. When his hands had closed around the hilts of the twin swords, there had been no hesitation, no doubt. He had known them, down to the weight in his grip, the balance, the way their curved edges seemed to align perfectly with his intent. They weren't just weapons; they were extensions of himself, blades he had wielded a thousand times in battles that did not exist within his memories.

And now, standing before the ancient dragon, gazing upon the crimson gauntlet that pulsed with untold power, that same understanding took root once more.

This wasn't a weapon meant for another.

It was his.

The knowledge settled in his chest like a burning ember, quiet but unwavering. The gauntlet, the swords, the dragon-they were not coincidences. They were pieces of a puzzle he had yet to fully comprehend, fragments of something far greater than himself.

But even without all the answers, he knew one thing for certain.

He had been here before.

"Now you're starting to understand..."

Ddraig's voice was thick with something that almost sounded like satisfaction, his emerald eyes gleaming as he regarded Issei. The ancient dragon exuded an aura of quiet amusement, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, waiting for Issei to finally see.

The heat radiating from Ddraig intensified, not scorching, but encompassing-welcoming.

"Good," the dragon rumbled, his gaze never wavering. "Then perhaps this conversation will not be as tedious as I feared."

...

Issei let out a sharp gasp as he bolted upright, his chest heaving as if he'd surfaced from the depths of a dark, endless ocean. His eyes snapped open, wild and unfocused, heart pounding an erratic rhythm that echoed in his ears.

Morning light filtered softly through unfamiliar curtains, bathing the room in a gentle, golden glow. The air was warm and still, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the dreamscape he'd just escaped from.

Where am I?

The last thing he remembered was the vast wasteland of swords, the towering gears, and the piercing emerald gaze of the dragon-Ddraig. The dragon's voice still reverberated in his mind, deep and ancient, filling him with questions and uncertainties. But that world, that presence-it all felt so real. Yet now, he was... here.

His breathing slowed, the adrenaline gradually ebbing away, leaving behind a strange sense of disorientation. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, trying to piece together the fragments of memory.

That's when he noticed it-warmth beside him, soft and unmistakable.

Issei's gaze shifted, and his breath caught in his throat.

Scarlet hair spilled across the pillows like a river of silk, glistening in the soft morning light. Each strand shimmered as it caught the golden rays filtering through the curtains, a striking contrast against the crisp white sheets. Porcelain skin, smooth and untouched by imperfection, glowed softly beneath the warm embrace of daylight, her form utterly serene, undisturbed by his sudden awakening.

Issei's breath hitched.

Why's she here?!

His mind reeled as he stared down at the sleeping figure beside him, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs. Rias Gremory-the Rias Gremory-was lying in bed with him. Naked.

The realization sent a violent jolt through his system, heat rushing to his face so fast he thought he might combust. His eyes darted to the delicate curve of her shoulders, to the way the thin sheet barely clung to her form, concealing just enough to leave his imagination running wild.

He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

Did something... happen?

His fingers twitched, gripping the sheets as if that might somehow ground him in reality. His memories of the night before were hazy at best-pain, heat, a flash of crimson light, Ddraig's voice echoing in his mind like a distant storm. Then... nothing. He had no recollection of how he'd ended up here, let alone why Rias was with him like this.

He needed answers.

Slowly, carefully, he inched back, mindful not to disturb her, though his every movement felt unbearably loud in the stillness of his room. His body still ached, a dull soreness spreading through his limbs, but he ignored it. Right now, his biggest concern was figuring out what the hell was going on.

Another soft breath escaped her lips, and Issei froze.

Rias stirred, her long lashes fluttering ever so slightly before she let out a quiet sigh and shifted beneath the covers. The sheet dipped with her movement, exposing the graceful curve of her back, and Issei immediately snapped his gaze upward, willing himself not to look.

His face burned. His thoughts scrambled.

This was bad. Really, really bad.

What should he do?!?

His mind raced, scrambling for some kind of explanation, some way to process the utterly impossible situation he'd woken up to. Had they...? No, that couldn't be right! He'd remember if something like that had happened... wouldn't he?

He fought the urge to slap himself, as if pain might somehow force his memories to realign and give him an answer. Instead, all he got was the persistent ache in his body, a dull throbbing that reminded him of just how not normal last night had been.

His hands clenched into the sheets.

Okay, okay, think! If you just-

A soft sigh interrupted his frantic thoughts.

Rias stirred, shifting slightly beneath the sheets as her long, crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders. She let out another quiet breath, her body stretching ever so slightly before settling again.

Issei held his breath.

Please, please let her wake up before his heart exploded from sheer panic.

As if answering his silent prayer, she let out a small, sleepy hum, her lashes fluttering. Then, with a slow, elegant motion, her eyes began to open.

Deep, sapphire-blue eyes met his.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

Then, a small, sleepy smile curved Rias's lips.

"Good morning, Issei," she murmured, her voice still laced with drowsiness. She stretched beneath the sheets, her bare shoulders shifting as she let out a content sigh.

Issei, meanwhile, felt like he was about to explode.

"M-Morning?!" he croaked, his voice cracking as his brain short-circuited. His entire body was locked in place, every nerve screaming at him to look away, but his eyes refused to obey.

Rias blinked at his reaction, then tilted her head slightly, amused. "You seem tense," she noted.

Of course he was tense! How could he not be when the most beautiful girl he had ever seen was lying next to him-naked-completely unbothered by the situation?!

Rias let out a soft chuckle at his expression, pushing herself up slightly so that the sheets shifted against her skin. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"Wha- I- Why are you here?" Issei finally blurted out, unable to hold back the question any longer. His hands gripped the blanket like a lifeline, his mind a storm of confusion, panic, and-focus, damn it, focus!

Rias regarded him for a moment, then smiled. It was warm. Patient.

"Because you're mine now, Issei."

His breath caught.

"Yours?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. Unsure of what he just heard.

She nodded. "That's right."

Issei's heart thudded in his chest, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a heavy blanket. His mind raced, scrambling to make sense of everything, but it felt like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands.

"What do you mean by that...?" he asked, his voice low and uncertain. The words felt foreign on his tongue, like he was afraid of the answer.

Rias's smile softened, but there was a knowing gleam in her sapphire-blue eyes, as if she had been expecting the question. She shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow, the sheet slipping just enough to make Issei's face burn even hotter. But she didn't seem to notice-or maybe she just didn't care.

"I mean exactly what I said, Issei," she replied, her tone calm, almost soothing. "You belong to me now."

Issei's stomach twisted into knots. Belong? The word echoed in his mind, rattling around like a loose screw.

"I-I don't understand..." he stammered, shaking his head, his voice tinged with panic. "What do you mean I belong to you? I didn't-"

"You were dying last night," Rias interrupted gently, but her words carried a weight that silenced him. "And if it weren't for my timely intervention and that strange healing factor of yours, you'd be buried seven feet under by now."

Issei blinked, the words hitting him like a freight train. Dying? The memory of the light spear piercing his chest flashed through his mind again-white-hot pain, the sickening sensation of life slipping away. But then... there was something else.

That unbearable heat. The blades knitting his flesh back together in a grotesque, unnatural way.

He instinctively touched his chest, expecting to feel jagged scars or the tender ache of a fresh wound. But his skin was smooth-untouched. It was as if none of it had ever happened.

"Wait... healing factor?" he muttered, his brow furrowing. "I don't... I've never-"

Rias's piercing blue eyes studied him closely, as if she were searching for something just beneath the surface of his confusion. "You weren't supposed to survive that spear," she said quietly. "Even with my summoning, I thought I'd be resurrecting you completely. But when I found you, something had already started pulling you back from the brink."

Issei's mind reeled. Something pulling me back...? The image of the blades, the merging of flesh and steel, flickered in his mind's eye. Was that me?

"But... how?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What even am I now?"

Rias's gaze softened, though her words remained firm. "You're a Devil now, Issei. I reincarnated you with one of my Evil Pieces." She reached out, pressing a cool hand gently over his chest. "But whatever power was already inside you... it's something different. Something I've never seen before."

Issei swallowed hard, the realization sinking deeper. Not only had he died, but something ancient-something foreign-had awoken in him even before Rias had saved his life. The memory of the crimson gauntlet and the dragon's emerald eyes flashed in his mind.

Ddraig.

The name echoed through his thoughts like a heartbeat, constant and undeniable.

Rias's hand lingered for a moment longer before she pulled back, giving him space to process. "You belong to me now because I saved you," she continued, her voice softer now, almost tender. "But I think there's more to your story than even I understand."

"Well, that's just horrifying..." Issei muttered dryly, rubbing the back of his neck as the weight of everything she'd said settled over him. The idea of being resurrected-and apparently owned-by a devil wasn't exactly how he'd pictured his high school life going. But before he could spiral any further, another, far more immediate thought slammed into him.

Wait a second...

His eyes darted to Rias, still draped across the bed with nothing but the sheets strategically covering her. Her scarlet hair fanned out across the pillow, catching the morning light like a halo of fire, and her porcelain skin practically glowed against the pale fabric.

"Hang on a minute," he blurted, his voice cracking slightly. "Why are you in my bed anyway?"

Rias arched an elegant brow, clearly amused by his sudden shift in priorities. "Your bed?" she echoed, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "I think you'll find this is my room."

Issei blinked, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar space for the first time. The luxurious furnishings, the deep crimson curtains, the ornate chandelier overhead-it was all far too extravagant to be his. His room didn't even have matching bedsheets, let alone velvet drapes.

"Wait... what?" he stammered, his brain trying-and failing-to catch up. "You brought me to your room?!"

Rias chuckled softly, the sound low and melodic. "Of course. You're part of my household now. It's only natural I keep an eye on my new servant."

Issei's face went beet red. Servant?!

"But-but why in your bed?" he sputtered, gesturing wildly. "You couldn't have, I don't know, put me on the couch? A futon? Anywhere else?!"

Rias tilted her head, feigning innocence. "And let you recover alone? After all, physical closeness helps stabilize demonic energy, especially after a resurrection." Her smirk deepened, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Besides, I didn't hear you complaining last night."

Issei's mind stuttered to a halt, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly like a fish out of water. He searched for a witty comeback-anything to bring some sense of normalcy to the situation-but his thoughts were spinning out of control. Rias Gremory, the most admired girl at Kuoh Academy-though, in his heart, Irina still held a special place-wasn't just a distant classmate anymore. She was a devil, a high-ranking one at that, and she had not only saved his life but was now casually sitting beside him, acting as though waking up together was the most ordinary thing in the world.

His heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. The words were on the tip of his tongue, something clever to break the tension, but instead, what came out was-

"...but what about my parents? They must be worried sick."

The question hung in the air, jarringly mundane compared to the sheer insanity of the situation. For a second, Rias blinked at him, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. Then, her lips curled into an amused smile, as if she found his panic both endearing and entertaining.

"Your parents?" she echoed, her voice smooth and calm, as if this was a perfectly normal conversation to be having in their current... circumstances. "Oh, don't worry about them. I've taken care of it."

Issei's eyes widened. Taken care of it? That phrase did not sit well with him. His mind immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusions-were his parents okay? Had she brainwashed them? Killed them?

"What do you mean 'taken care of it'?" he blurted, his voice rising in pitch. "You didn't-you didn't do anything to them, did you?!"

Rias let out a soft, musical laugh, shaking her head, her scarlet hair cascading over her bare shoulders like liquid fire. "Relax, Issei. I simply informed them that you were staying over at a friend's house for the night. A little demonic suggestion goes a long way in smoothing over these... unusual circumstances."

Issei gaped at her, trying to process that. "So... you did mess with their heads!" he accused, though the sharp edge of his words was dulled by sheer disbelief.

Rias rolled her eyes playfully, propping herself up on one elbow, the sheets slipping ever so slightly down her body in a way that made Issei's brain short-circuit all over again. "It's harmless, Issei. They're perfectly fine. I'm not in the habit of hurting humans unless absolutely necessary."

He stared at her for a beat, still trying to wrap his head around everything. The fact that she could so casually manipulate his parents' memories sent a shiver down his spine-but the alternative, explaining all of this to them, wasn't exactly a better option.

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "This is insane. Yesterday I was just a regular guy... and now I'm... what? A devil's servant?"

Rias's smile softened, her teasing demeanor fading just a touch as she met his eyes. "You're more than that, Issei. You've been given a second chance. A new life." Her gaze sharpened slightly, her tone taking on a more serious edge. "And whether you realize it or not... you're meant for something far greater than an ordinary life."

Issei blinked, her words echoing in his mind like a distant bell. A second chance. A new life. It sounded dramatic-like something out of a manga or one of those fantasy games he used to play-but the way Rias said it, the quiet conviction in her voice, made it feel... real.

Her eyes, those deep sapphire pools, bore into his with an intensity that made his chest tighten. Gone was the playful teasing from moments before, replaced by something far more profound. There was a weight behind her words, as if she knew something he didn't. As if she could see a future that was still hidden from him.

"You're meant for something far greater than an ordinary life."

For some reason, those words struck a chord deep within him. It wasn't just the gravity of what she said-it was the strange sense of familiarity that tugged at the edges of his mind. Like he'd heard something similar before... in a dream, maybe? Or in that strange, sword-filled wasteland his mind kept circling back to.

His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and excitement swirling together in his gut. Part of him wanted to laugh it off, to deny the crazy turn his life had taken. But another part-a quieter, more instinctive part-believed her.

"...Greater?" he finally managed, his voice hoarse, as if the word itself was too big to speak aloud. "What does that even mean?"

Rias's smile returned, but this time it was tinged with something else-pride, maybe? Or expectation. "It means your life isn't going to be the same, Issei Hyoudou. You've stepped into a world that's far more dangerous, far more extraordinary than you could've ever imagined. And whether you're ready or not, you're part of it now."

He swallowed hard, trying to process everything. The devil sitting beside him, the strange power he felt stirring deep within, the image of that crimson gauntlet burned into his memory. He didn't know what his future held, but one thing was clear:

There was no going back.
_______________________________________________
And that's it for this chapter! Still a bit short but hey longer than the last one! Now this Rias is a bit different as you can already tell from the fact that she actually stayed with and talked to Issei after she revived him instead of dumping him back on his bed and pretending the event never happened.

Now the next story you'll be seeing is my Fate/Tensura crossover which will have an iteration of Heavens Feel Route Shirou and because of the shit that one went through, yeah... my boys getting himself a harem with Sakura as the main girl. Might also use some Kuroinu Girls as well (blame an Archers Promise for the reason why I'm doing it). Certain characters from other timelines will appear as well. Also I'm not limiting myself to weapons from fate or Tensura and this goes for all my stories that have a Shirou Emiya in it (including this story), he'll have access to weapons from any and all franchises that have or heavily utilise unique weapons ranging from but not limited too -
Devil May Cry
Dark Souls
Elden Ring
7 Deadly Sins
Bayonetta
Ninjago
Solo Leveling
Assassin's Creed (say what you will about the later games in the franchise but you have to admit they did make some good looking weapons and that's as much as you'll get me to admit about them)

Any other weapons you want to suggest that come from different fandoms, please do tell me and give me a link so that I can actually see what it looks like.

Due to Issei having the Boosted Gear and being a reincarnated Devil now, I'm fairly certain Divine and Demonic Weapons are now traceable for him although it's very draining so don't expect him to pull out weapons like Excalibur or Ea without rhyme or reason, he'll pull them out as a finisher move but that's if the situation calls for it. That same rule applies to all weapons inside Unlimited Blade Works and no I'm not basing how strong each weapons is by how big of an explosion it makes.

Extra story's I have planned later down the line include:

Fate/Seven Deadly Sins crossover
Fate/Elden Ring crossover
Fate/Ninjago (I don't think I've seen any Ninjago crossovers)
Fate/One Piece (it's on my to watch list that I will get around to watching at somepoint, so don't expect that one any time soon)
Highschool DXD/Arifureta

And that's pretty much it, if you have any suggestions for a crossover then please do tell me. If I like it, I'll add it to the list.

Now, I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter and I'll see you next time!