407I know this chapter is significantly shorter, but I honestly found no reason to make it so long like usual. Due to recent changes to my writing methods, I haven't been writing long chapters outside of fanfictions. So, rather than forcing a chapter to be longer than it needs to be like how I used to, I'm gonna try to only show what I think I need to. Like they sometimes say, less is more.
Chapter 23: Triangle
Issei was asleep in bed, still recuperating from the recent battle. Azazel sat by his bedside as he read through reports. Raynare and Akeno were still recuperating in separate rooms, along with dozens of others. The door to the room then opened as Baraqiel, Shuri, Shemhazai, Kokabiel, and Penemue entered.
"Alright, what happened?" Shuri asked.
(Star Wars: Return of the Jedi OST – The Emperor Confronts Luke. Play Theme.)
After Ddraig relayed the events that ended with Echidna's defeat, he was free to explain the real troubling matter.
"So, who's Verum?" Azazel tapped his fingers on the windowsill impatiently.
"Verum was one of my previous hosts. Like many, he went mad with power. However, unlike the others, he went farther into sorcery rather than the brawlers I tend to be born to. He used an ancient spell that would allow his consciousness to remain inside the Boosted Gear. He could maintain his sense of self." Ddraig snarled with so much disdain that it was palpable.
"Why?" Baraqiel asked.
"To take over the new host and use their body as his own. He was smart enough to not go on a wild goose chase for immortality. At first, I thought it an impossible trick due to how flawed the spell was, but I was wrong. I, along with many other hosts, forced him into the deepest pits of the Boosted Gear so that he'd never be able to reach anyone's mind." Ddraig answered.
That gave a nice long pause for everyone. If the crazed dead predecessors were willing to team up with Ddraig to lock up this madman, then he wasn't someone to trifle with.
"But given how emotional Issei can get…" Azazel recalled the time he entered Juggernaut Drive and just how easily Issei could be riled up in the past.
"It was like someone constantly hammering at a door till it came down. Issei's emotional responses to his life kept giving Verum chances to break out of the seal we put him in. Now, he's managed to put a hole in it. The spell Verum used was imperfect, so he can't take full control and he can't do it consistently. Still, the danger remains. He can be crafty. I don't know if he'll be contained forever." Ddraig sighed in disappointment.
"How do we deal with this?" Shemhazai asked.
"Issei will have to undergo mental training. We'll also have to put spells on him to try and keep Verum sealed. Verum will seize any chance that he thinks will guarantee him control." Ddraig loathed to admit that he didn't have any safe ideas to deal with the problem.
"Is that all we can do?" Kokabiel clicked his tongue in frustration.
"The only other way I can think of is to go in there and destroy his essence but Issei has no idea how to do that yet. If we try to do it, there's no knowing what will happen to his psyche. If I must, I can convince the other past hosts to put another seal on him, but that'd be a temporary fix. If we're going to permanently deal with him, we have to destroy Verum's mind."
(Star Wars: Return of the Jedi OST – The Emperor Confronts Luke. End Theme.)
Issei slowly stirred awake. The moment his eyes cleared, he jumped into a panic.
"Akeno! Raynare!" He almost leapt out of bed until Kokabiel and Baraqiel stopped him.
"Whoa, hold on!"
"Are they okay? Are they hurt?!" Issei looked around the room for answers from anyone.
"They're fine and recovering. Right now, there's a more immediate problem, kid." Kokabiel sighed, exasperated with Issei's impulsiveness.
Once again, Ddraig explained what happened previously.
"You're saying a past host wants to hijack my body and he did it by using an ancient spell that put his mind into the Boosted Gear?" Issei went quiet. His paranoia was spiking. Was Verum watching him every second? Could he take control at any time? What and who was safe from him?
"Yes. Verum was once a commoner. One day, he stumbled upon a magic tome from a library, left behind by some negligent mage. From there, he developed his skills and as his knowledge and power grew, he got more unstable. People gravitated toward him as a result. He turned from a normal boy into a complete monster. He flew into carnal desires, even pretending to be a 'nice guy' to manipulate women into being a harem for him. The ones that refused, he found one way or another to get in their pants. Everything he did was for himself and he barely cared for anyone else." Ddraig really didn't bother hiding his disgust of one of his past hosts, scoffing at every chance.
"He started getting self-entitled. He thought he could do whatever he wanted and took opportunities that were rightfully others. Powers and weapons that belonged to worthier people were taken by him. In the end, he became such a disgusting parasite that I sealed off my powers from him and he was murdered by the enemies he'd made." Ddraig sounded satisfied with that last part.
"You really hated him…" Issei was paling as he reflected the story of Verum against his own. The venom in Ddraig's voice sent tingling chills down his spine. It was very rare for Ddraig to be angry and it took a lot to get him started.
"Verum was a bratty child that stumbled across power by chance. I'd never felt so insulted by circumstance before. I've aided great warriors. I'm not a slave to some self-entitled whelp. Take this as a very good lesson, Issei. Not everyone who's weak is responsible with power. Others get so drunk on it that it makes you wonder if they were just too weak to show how ugly they were in the first place or if the power changed them. Then, there are those who have a dark side that only comes out after they become brazen with power." Ddraig had tried to instill this lesson into the boy for years, with some success.
"Is that why you keep telling me to keep my ego in check?" Issei asked.
"Yes. Verum started out like you too. He always wanted to win. He wanted to be the best, to be the strongest. He didn't even have a real aim with it. He just wanted more because he thought if he got money and power, he'd get the women and he'd just be the boss of everyone. I did everything in my power to never let you turn out like him. It gladdens me that you want power to protect." Ddraig finally saw that it was time to come clean about why he was so critical of him.
Issei took a deep breath.
"How do I deal with him?"
"Verum got his chance to possess you when you asked for more power. We need you to get stronger so that it doesn't come to that again. When you're ready, you'll have to go into the Boosted Gear and confront him. That's the only way you'll be able to get rid of him on your own. If someone else does it, who knows what'll happen. The past hosts are like an immune system. All foreign agents are to be expelled."
Azazel drummed his fingers as he stared out the window. He was thinking deeply, something that worried Issei since Azazel rarely sported such a solemn expression.
"Issei, until further notice, you're forbidden from going on any combat missions. Until we can navigate how to handle your situation, it's best that we keep you away from anything that could trigger a repeat. Ddraig, can Verum hear and watch us?" Azazel ignored the flabbergasted looks he was getting.
"No, not right now. He's too weak to act outside of when Issei allows him to. At the moment, Verum is asleep thanks to some safety measures I put in place." Ddraig sounded confident.
"Very good. Now comes the matter of the aftermath of the whole kidnapping fiasco. Echidna escaped, but it seems that she'll be gone for a while, considering her injuries. All of the hostages are well and have been checked by various deities. Also, there've been new protocols put in place for security. For now, things will be going back to normal while stealth units investigate and do some hunting." Azazel read out his reports.
Issei stopped listening as he went off into his own world. He had something this dangerous in his head this whole time? He never even noticed it. His hands started to shake as he wondered if he was really in control.
"Hey, it's okay." Shuri gently stroked his head.
Shuri had realized the tempest swirling in his head and did as any aunt should.
"Thanks, Auntie." Issei gave her a reassuring smile.
Everyone soon left Issei to continue resting. Outside, his surrogate family continued their meeting.
"I think we should send the kids on vacay. He needs to take his mind off things." Azazel suggested.
"What if Verum runs wild?" Baraqiel asked.
"Vali will be going. Besides, Vali has a friend that she wants to show around Japan. There's also an old relative of mine that wants time off work too."
"I don't know, Azazel." Shuri couldn't get rid of that worrying feeling in her chest.
"The kids need this. It's been nothing but insanity every other week for these kids. We promised Ryuken and Reiko that we would take care of him." Azazel argued.
"Maybe he's right, Shuri."
Shuri sighed in defeat. She wanted no harm to come near her children. Yes, Vali and Issei were also her children, as far as she was concerned. Ever since she'd gotten her powers and mind back, she'd felt as if there was something looming over Issei, some kind of misfortune.
After everyone was well enough to move about, Issei was saddled with a new job. He waited for the rest of his group to arrive in Japan whilst Azazel gave him his directions.
"I thought I wasn't going on any more missions…" He was dragging suitcases around at the airport.
"I said you weren't going to do anymore combat missions till we get the problem fixed. I want you to go on vacay along with the girls. There shouldn't be any fights and the girls can take care of any pervy boys and girls that get close. Also, my sister wants to go on a tour, so I'm letting her tag along. Be polite, be nice, don't think too much, and enjoy yourselves." Azazel pointed at the gate that he was supposed to be at.
"Uncle…"
"Listen, Issei, you've been doing a lot since you came to the Human Realm. I think you should rest and take some time to be a regular teen boy. Also…" Azazel leaned in closer to whisper into his ear. "This is your chance to swipe your V-card, son. I made sure to get you a shared room with Akeno."
Issei turned pepper-red at the imagination of going all the way with Akeno, along with feeling some excitement. Then, he began to angst over being so close to someone he loved, who so happened to be the beloved daughter of his honorary aunt and uncle. What sane parent would let a ticking time-bomb be near their child? Then there were relationship connections―
'Issei, please stop. You don't wanna go down that chain of thought.' Ddraig sighed.
"Stop it. I know you're a nervous wreck right now, but you're not the monster. Verum is. This entire time, we were all safe around you. As long as you can control your fear, you control yourself." Azazel gently patted him on the shoulder as he left.
"Sorry for the wait." Akeno ran up next to him from a magic circle.
With her were Raynare, Vali, Rossweisse, and Gabriel. Issei had to blink and figure out why the latter two were there. He had to admit, he thought it was a little odd with Gabriel. As he watched her move through down the aisle, the light from outside seemed to illuminate her more than everyone else.
"Hello. I wanted some time away from Heaven, so I came to Japan for a nice vacation. Azazel invited me to come along, but don't worry. You can pretend that I'm not here."
"As for me, I wanted to see the sights since Vali recommended that I do." Rossweisse looked a bit embarrassed, probably feeling as if she were trespassing.
The group's destination was Hokkaido, which was a little too mundane for the others, by Issei's reckoning.
"Too bad Rias couldn't come along. She's a huge Japanophile." Akeno chuckled to herself. When she noticed that Issei's arms were free, she snagged his left one. He always got a little flustered when she teased him, yet he was silent the whole time. It worried her.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Nothing, just thinking." Issei tightened his hold on her hand, almost as if scared.
Checking into their hotel room was quick, allowing the group to start on their plans. The first day was to be spent touring historical sites. They went around the beaches and visited Matsumae Park before stopping by a shrine.
"I always wanted to try pulling a fortune slip." Rossweisse then put a coin into the slot. When she pulled it out, she grinned. "Middle Blessing."
"Fortune slips?" Gabriel walked over to the little contraption.
"It's called an omikuji. You give a little bit of money as an offering and receive a paper slip. That slip will predict your fortune in the near future." Akeno explained whilst demonstrating.
"I got a middle blessing to come." Vali shrugged.
"Great blessing for me!" Raynare cheered, holding her slip up triumphantly.
"Middle blessing on my end." Akeno giggled.
"Hm, it tells me that I have a great blessing to come." Gabriel looked lost, prompting Akeno to explain.
"What about you, Issei?" Akeno walked over and saw Issei staring at his slip. She read it along with the look on Issei's face.
"Great misfortune to come." She said. Akeno took it from him and wrapped it around a pine tree nearby with some string. She'd had enough of the universe conspiring against him.
"If you have any slips that have misfortune on it, you take some string and tie it to the nearby designated pine tree. It's believed that the bad luck will stay with the tree, rather than go with you." Akeno hoped her demonstration was clear to Gabriel. Cultural misinterpretation was something she'd had enough of with Grigori.
After finding a restaurant, Rossweisse and Gabriel were excited to try Hokkaido food for the first time.
"Ishikari Nabe is a popular staple of Hokkaido, named after the river that runs through it." Akeno seemed excited to spread her culture to Rossweisse and Gabriel, giving intel on all the food ordered. She was even already planning to show everyone around more food spots.
The moment Gabriel took a bite, she smiled brightly, practically lighting up the entire restaurant…literally.
"Indeed, it is! My, Heaven doesn't have anything like this. Then again, none of us are very good cooks." Gabriel looked a tad embarrassed at that last part.
"Wait, I thought Dulio was trying to fix that." Vali spoke up.
"He is, but he can't be everywhere, so some angels have tried to cook. Let's just say, it was the first time I saw Michael having to use the Holy System to fix food." Gabriel grumbled.
Raynare noticed that Issei wasn't really moving with any vigor, looking like a lost puppy instead. When they went out for ice cream, she kept her eyes on him. Raynare knew something was definitely wrong since Issei didn't even notice there was cheesecake-flavored ice cream, opting for mint. Akeno and Vali also noticed this. Issei always ate mint when he wasn't feeling well or unhappy.
"Are you okay?" She called out to him.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Issei's tone was still low but he flashed her a smile.
"Wanna talk about it?" Raynare whispered.
"Here, Ahhh~" Akeno held up some cheesecake-flavored ice cream. When Issei failed to recognize her existence, Akeno gently brushed his face.
"Huh?" He snapped out of his thoughts like a deer noticing incoming headlights.
"Here, it's one of your favorites, Jimami Tofu." Akeno fed him a spoonful, looking a bit downcast.
"Thank you. Sorry." Issei savored the taste but it didn't elicit as much joy as it normally would've.
Akeno decided that they needed to talk. Issei wasn't the type to get openly down. As his girlfriend, she had a duty to try and help him. She and Vali traded glances, as if communicating. With one look of understanding, they decided that Akeno should do it, being much closer to him.
(Violet Evergarden: Echo Through Eternity OST – Tears in the Rain. Play Song.)
After returning to their hotel room, Issei was in the middle of putting his stuff away for the night until he felt a gentle pair of arms wrap around his waist.
"You like?" Akeno showed off her attire, which was a black silk negligee that barely left anything to the imagination.
When Issei turned around, red-faced, she knew she'd gotten him.
"What happened?" Akeno's tone made it clear that she knew something was bothering him. Any attempts to fool her were useless and Issei knew that.
Issei confessed the revelation about Verum. Akeno tightened her hold on him as she kissed his head.
"I'm so tired of everything falling down on me. I lost my parents, I almost lost you and Aunt Shuri. I don't know if I can take much more." Issei tried to stay calm, but his hands were shaking more than he could control.
"It'll be okay, Issei. Even if Verum takes over, we'll bring you back. I won't let him take you from us." Akeno felt her heart quake as she felt Issei shudder.
"But what if he tries to take all of you? He's a monster. How can I protect you if I can't even stop myself." Issei's voice was low and for the first time in a while, scared.
"Then we'll come back to you. You're not Verum. You're my Issei." Akeno continued caressing him from behind to soothe him.
She gently laid him on the bed, embracing him from behind as he tried to calm down.
Akeno knew that Issei had some deep-seated problems. Her mother had told her of how he quietly broke down when they reunited. She remembered how he'd react whenever she and others he cared about were endangered. She could only theorize that Issei was terrified of people leaving him.
It broke her heart to see so much insecurity still lingering in his heart.
(Violet Evergarden: Echo Through Eternity OST – Tears in the Rain. End Song.)
The next day, Issei felt quite refreshed. After airing out his fears and hearing those reassuring words from Akeno, he felt much leave his shoulders.
"Good morning, Issei." Akeno kissed him, hoping that she was able to help him alleviate some of his fear.
"Thank you, Akeno. I don't know what I'd do without you." Issei leaned his forehead against hers.
"I'm your girlfriend, it's what I'm supposed to do." Akeno smiled.
That was when she decided to address another issue she felt had gone under the radar.
"Will you finally respond to Raynare?"
Issei froze, biting his lip. Akeno could already guess what was going on in his head.
"We gave her the green light. It's up to what you and Raynare wanna do. Either way, as long as it's something you're both serious about, I'm fine with it."
Issei tightened the hold on her hand. He had no idea how he deserved someone as amazing as Akeno or Vali.
To help him along, Akeno and Vali decided to give Rossweisse and Gabriel a tour of a different area of Hokkaido. Since Issei and Raynare were alone, he decided to take her somewhere private.
"Wow, this is nice." Raynare peered across the ocean view from the park bench they were at. The sand was a peachy contrast that gave way to a sparkling sea of gradating blues.
Issei felt his heart beating faster than he'd have wanted. He was so nervous that his hands had gotten clammy.
"So, are you okay?" Raynare put herself on another list of people wondering about his wellbeing.
"Yeah, I'm okay now. I wanted to ask you the same thing, actually." Issei took a deep breath. This was it.
"I had some bruises and cuts, but I got patched up pretty quick." Raynare smiled to emphasize how much better she was feeling.
"Raynare…remember when you said that you'd wait for me?"
The atmosphere immediately rose thousands of kelvins for both parties. Raynare felt exhilarated but terrified at the same time. Were things about to go right or horribly wrong? Her heartbeat was so loud that she could feel her ribs starting to ache.
"Yeah, I did. I'll keep waiting for as long as I need to." Raynare braced herself.
"To be honest, we haven't known each other too long, probably several months at the most?" Issei felt hesitation creeping up again.
"Yeah. We met pretty awkwardly too, heheh." Raynare chuckled.
"Yeah, you asked me out under some pretty screwy circumstances, haha!" Issei couldn't help but chuckle upon reflecting on those events.
"At first, I'll be honest, I didn't have too much of an impression of you." Raynare blushed, feeling a bit bad.
Issei felt like someone had doused him in ice water. All the courage he felt went flying out the window.
'Aw, don't feel bad. Most of the people you meet are underwhelmed by you.' Ddraig chortled. As unhelpful as his words were, Ddraig knew Issei would be fine. It was just their way of helping each other loosen up.
"Then, I saw that you'd go out of your way to help if you thought something was up. You're so worried about other people that you always angst over whether or not you're right. You freak out because you're scared you'll fail others. I guess I'm in love with you because instead of some brute going around trying to be a tough guy, you're an emotional guy who's always worried about others and think of yourself after you've taken care of them." Raynare smiled, but this time, it hit different.
Issei's heart paused as he stared at her. Yes, he also loved this girl.
"Y'know, ever since you moved in, the house felt like a home. Living every day with you, Akeno, and Vali has become something I find really hard not to imagine. The place was nostalgic, sure, but whenever I came back, and you were there, it felt right." Issei cleared his throat, reminding himself not to ramble.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't imagine my life moving on without you being a part of it. I know it's scummy, but I…I feel the same way, Raynare." Now, Issei waited to see how Raynare would react.
Raynare merely smiled as she ran into his chest to embrace him.
"I accept, Issei."
Issei probably guessed how it would end already, but he knew that there was still one more problem that needed to be addressed.
He chose to tell her about Verum. Much to his astonishment, Raynare was more accepting than he thought.
"I see. Then let's find a way to get rid of him."
"T-That's it?" Issei had to blink twice.
"Of course. What? You thought I'd just run off the moment you told me about your problem? What kind of woman would that make me? I mean, sure, you don't know if you'll get possessed but until now, that hasn't happened. I've been tricked and seen evil people before and you don't have that look in your eye. If you were up to something, you'd have done it already, not freak out over whether or not I'd reject you." Raynare gently stroked his face.
Issei gulped. He had such a hard time hiding his thoughts from the women in his life.
"I'm sure we can all figure something out, Issei. For now, stop worrying so much." Raynare held his hands, trying to bring back the rosy mood from before.
The two stood in place for a while, just enjoying each other's company. When they returned to the others, Akeno and Vali looked satisfied with the outcome, giving Raynare congratulatory smiles.
Gabriel raised a brow, looking amused and slightly perplexed while Rossweisse was blatantly lost with all the silent communication.
Later that night, Issei was sitting in his room, feeling lighter than usual.
"So, you've finally gone and done it. That's lady number 3. You better treat all of them right, Partner." Ddraig didn't mean to sound so threatening. He was merely fearful that Issei would let the lust got to his brain.
"I will, Ddraig. I know a lot of guys would say that, but I mean it."
"I know you do, Issei."
"Ddraig…"
Ddraig felt the atmosphere change, wondering if he was going to hear something he would hate.
"You never told me exactly how Verum died." That was something that had bothered Issei the entire day. It wasn't just the fact that he had another mind actively wanting to possess him, but it was also the curiosity of his story.
"Verum made a lot of enemies. He wanted to be a ruler and he got there. He put on a nice mask but he kept screwing people over from the shadows. He murdered people who weren't on his side and took what they had. Their wealth, their wives, their land. Eventually, his enemies caught up to him. All the people he manipulated had abandoned him, including his concubines and servants. The rebellion stormed his citadel. He was overwhelmed without a single ally left. He was torn limb-from-limb by beasts and blades. He thought he was a big fish, but that was because his world was just a little pond." Ddraig shuddered. It was one of the few times where mobs actually scared him.
"I'm kinda remembering bits and pieces of when he took over. He was really strong. He was using earth and gravity magic. Not to mention, Echidna was in trouble the entire time."
"Yes, it was his forte. He could make earthquakes at full power and his defense was as strong as his offense. He was more of a sorcerer than a brute fighter, but he wasn't too bad there by the time he'd died. Verum was among the strongest of my hosts because he craved power so much."
"I see. I'd better keep on the straight and narrow path then." Issei wasn't a fan of dying that way.
"I'd never be able to face Reiko and Ryuken if you turned out like Verum. I spent too much time parenting you, hahaha!" Ddraig chuckled.
"Did they know too?" Issei couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah, they did. I told them and they also knew the stories. That's why they wanted you to grow up into a mature young man. Power in the wrongs hands always creates a catastrophe."
Issei decided to swear then and there that he would never become like Verum. A man who only lusts after sex, money, and power, wasn't a man at all. He would just be a rabid animal that needed to be put down. He'd rather be castrated rather than harm the people he loved.
In the next room, the girls, minus Rossweisse and Gabriel, had just wrapped up going over what happened.
"So, ground rules, now that Raynare's joined the club." Akeno tapped her chin.
"No stepping on each other's toes. If one of us is getting time with Issei, we don't ruin the moment. Don't need a bunch of people invading when one of us is getting busy." Vali cleared her throat.
"Right. I know we'll all eventually feel behind, but we can't take it out on each other. We also can't try to keep him to ourselves only. No getting anyone else kicked out of this dynamic. As much as we'd all like to have Issei to ourselves, we agreed to this cus' we'd know it feel to be left out. Agreed?" Akeno put in her own clause in the agreement.
She and Vali then turned to Raynare.
"Anything you wanna add?"
"We've gotta help each other too. We're agreeing to a sisterhood, in a way. I'm serious about Issei and I know you two are too, but he can't just be the lynchpin. I kinda have a sister in Mittelt, but you two are kinda becoming sisters to me too. No matter what, if we can help each other, we should."
Akeno and Vali had no problems agreeing. There was the concern if any of these rules would remain but that was something to worry about another time.
"So, now that we've established actual rules, what do we do about Verum?" Vali asked.
"Not much we can do but support Issei. This is a problem that only he might be able to do deal with."
"One thing's for sure, we need to get stronger. From what Rossweisse told me, he snapped when he thought you two were dead. Kinda like how he went into Juggernaut Drive when we almost died." Vali looked at Akeno.
"Right…we do need to get stronger."
It wasn't just Issei who'd slipped up at the rescue mission. The girls also needed more power if they were going to protect themselves from bigger problems. It was sad but true. The conflict was escalating and they couldn't be left behind.
And this looks like a good cut off point. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed your time here.
Like I've said in the past, I don't know how often or when I'll update, but I will whenever I can.
Until next time.