962In this world, they say power reigns supreme. As long as you have it, someone who is smarter cannot defeat you by outsmarting you, someone who is more skilled cannot out-skill you, and someone who is more worthy cannot have more than you. But that is untrue on many fronts. A lie that has been told and festered, reinforced through the ages. The only reason the lie has survived is that the ones wise enough to tell it a lie are on the wrong side.
And in this world? There is no right side, yet. Hell and Heaven, even other places on Earth, conspire against the truth. What is the truth? The truth is that power is not absolute. It is not the almighty force people perceive it as. You can rewrite the stars, or fold the universe in two, but there will always be a way. Even if you can erase one's very existence, and predict the future, there is always a way for your power to be defeated.
All it takes is the right person, the right wrench in destiny's cogs, for that to happen. But curiosity asks: What will you do when you find yourself suddenly powerless? What will you ask when you find yourself on the other side of the spectrum, being the one at the mercy of another's mood? What will you do when you have it all, then you have nothing? Would you curse the one who did this to you? Would you blame another? Yourself? Would you start to call yourself nothing yourself and mock yourself as being a weakling?
All of those answers are correct in the end, yet so wrong at the same time. My answer? My answer is that there is no one but yourself to blame - not for being weak, but for looking from up high down on everything else and thinking yourself untouchable. Power breeds arrogance, and if you allow your arrogance to take root, then that will be your downfall.
Control yourself before controlling your power.
"Die and stay dead, Red Dragon Emperor." Whispered a figure as they stood next to a house, in the town of Kuoh where a family of three, parents and one son, slept oblivious of the misfortune that was coming upon them. The figure lit a fire in their palm and set it at the foundation of the house, watching the flame spread on the grass, then up a plant that grew on the home, likely a flower of the matriarch, and the fire found itself next to an open window.
The bedroom of the parents. The flame found its way inside and the room lit up. The figure turned around, starting to walk away before it vanished into thin air. Their job here was done.
The son, Issei Hyoudou, was soundly asleep in his room when he was suddenly awakened by a scream coming from the bedroom of his parents. He jumped from his bed and went to his door. "Mom! Dad! Are you alright?" He opened the door, but what he found was fire all over the halfway, making its way to his room. He screamed as the fire seared raged, its searing hot orange flame dancing before his eyes.
What was happening? Why was the house on fire? Where were his parents? Those questions plagued his mind and the young boy tried to stand up and walked forth, searching for his parents. "Mom! Dad! Where are you?!" he shouted, trying to call them. But the scream he heard before, the one to wake him, was his mother's. As he approached their room, his eyes widened as he saw what was there. His parents, his father in bed, plastered on it, and his mother on the floor. Burned and dead.
"Mo-" He tried to reach for his mother's corpse, but a falling piece of burning debris had him back away, grazing his arm and leaving a burn mark on him. Scared, he ran away from the flames, trying to get out of the house. He went down the stairs, trying to get out through the front door. Locked. He didn't understand, the neighborhood was not a bad one, they didn't need to lock the door, so why was it locked? He didn't have time to answer his own questions. The fire was growing.
And the smoke was getting thicker. It was against the ceiling, but even from his level he could smell it and cough. He needed to find a place where he could hide and wait for help. He ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind him and thinking it would keep the fire away. A naive way to think, as the smoke started to creep through the door.
Issei collapsed on the floor, fearing for his life. He didn't know what to do, he was scared, he was alone, he just wanted to think this was all a nightmare so he could wake up and go to his parent's room to spend the night with them! But not...the burn on his arm said it all, this was real. All of this was real, his parents were no more, burned to death. And he was alone now, thinking he would also burn.
He began to sob as the smoke filled the room, thinking about it all. He wanted his parents or even his best friend Irina to be there to help him. But no one was coming, he knew that. Irina had long since moved to England with her family, there was no one coming to save him.
He was alone, he was scared, and he was crying. He was an orphan, he would die, and he didn't know what to do. All those thoughts were inside his head, swirling around, and no one was there to comfort this 8-year-old.
"Please...Anyone…" He begged as the smoke filled the room, followed by a small flame starting to creep through the door.
"Help me."
Forceful activation of the Void System detected! Analyzing parameters!
A voice began to echo in his head, causing him severe pain. His ears rang, like someone was playing a thousand bells near them. He didn't even understand what the voice was saying.
Subject Detected! Issei Hyoudou, age 8. Error! The subject has awakened the System prematurely due to the current stress levels. System Incomplete!
Error! Error! Downloading Skill!
The pain only got worse as it now felt as if his head was being squeezed in, forcing him to place his hands over his head and let out a silent scream.
The download was a success! Successfully downloaded the Ultimate/Unique Skill: Solomon.
Issei took in labored breaths as the pain faded, coughing as the smoke got into his lungs. What just happened? He just heard something akin to static in his mind, his ears ringing as well. His vision was blurry due to tears as well, then he jumped up as he saw the color of the flames approaching him. The bathroom contained multiple cleaning products, meaning chemicals that can catch fire. This was not good, he hadn't thought about that before.
"Jump in the tub and turn on the cold water!" Issei perked up, hearing a voice inside his head talking to him, but it sounded more clear now. It was masculine and sounded rather old, but wise at the same time. He didn't question it though and did as it said, jumping inside the tub and turning on the cold water, shivering as it touched him. "Take the towel and wrap it around yourself, do not turn off the water whatever you do!" He followed the instructions of the voice yet again, doing as told.
"Keep under there until the flames stave off or salvation comes." The voice said, and Issei didn't bother to question it anymore. He stood there, shivering from the cold water, but the temperature was evened out by the fire. As it burned around him, thanks to the humidity, the fire was not getting too close to him. And slowly, the fire burned the walls.
The firefighters, police, and an ambulance arrived as fast as they could, the firefighters breaking in and starting to put out the fire. Issei was found in the bathroom, the water reached his knees and he buckled up to his chest. The tub was full and the water kept pouring. The plumbing held, allowing him to survive, but he was cold and shivering, likely sick as well. The firefighters took him out of the tub, the boy offering no resistance.
He had long since passed out.
They wrapped him in a blanket and took him out to the ambulance to continue with the rest of the house. They later found his parents as well, the sight of the burned bodies being one the firefighters were all too familiar with, unfortunately. The fire was put out within a few hours, and the sun was starting to rise. Issei was taken in an ambulance to the hospital since he could have hypothermia.
However, as Issei was unconscious, it wasn't the normal sleep one would expect to have. He had no dream, or nightmare considering the situation, and instead found himself in an unfamiliar place. It was all black all around, without a spec of any other color. He found himself here shortly after passing out, wondering what was happening. Too much had happened tonight that his mind was having trouble processing.
But maybe he could help. He was not alone in this place, there was someone else there, a person he didn't recognize. He was old, that much he could tell by their graying beard, and weary eyes. The man before him was dressed in a purple robe with short sleeves, allowing for white sleeves to come from beneath. He wore a brown sash that was wrapped around his midsection, holding his clothing together, and he held a scepter in his hands made of gold with a golden orb on top decorated with the finest jewels Issei has ever seen, indicating that the man before him was of great wealth. But their facial expression puzzled the young boy. The man before him, as stated before, was old, as indicated by his graying beard, and had wrinkles on the skin visible on his face. His eyes were of a deep blue, but weary-looking and staring down at the boy, casting an intimidating presence upon him.
His head was covered with a golden crown, a circlet, going around his head made of gold and encrusted with jewels just like his scepter. Issei was timid around this man, for he radiated an air of age and wisdom the likes of which the boy had never met before, yet also one of commandment. "H-hello?" Issei said, trying to see if he could talk to the man.
"So." The man spoke, and Issei recognized the voice. "I see you do know how to greet your elders, boy." The man's tone was polite and somewhat kind to the young Issei. "Tell me, young one, where am I? And by what foul art was I brought here?"
"W-what?" Issei said, confused. This man was asking him that? He was the one who wanted to ask him! "I-I thought you knew...I do not know…"
The man looked at the boy, noticing his age, then remembered how he awakened. He saw through his eyes the smoke coming from the door, a fire, and from the boy's memories, he learned of the room he was in. A bathroom, a place for humans to clean themselves and do other private needs. He saved the boy by guiding him into that tub, thinking he summoned him to save him, but that was clearly not the case. He pondered for a bit, rubbing his beard.
Considering that the boy didn't know about him, recognized him, and didn't know what was going on either, the man concluded he didn't know anything either. Both of them were victims of something else. "I see." The man replied. "Tell me, what is your name, young one?"
"I-Issei, Sir. Issei Hyoudou." The young boy answered.
"That is a peculiar name." The man muttered, not familiar with the name. He could once again search the boy's memories, but he preferred not to invade the privacy of his mind too much. "What land are we in?"
"Land? Do you mean, country? We are in Japan, sir, I am Japanese." Issei replied, and once again the man pondered. He had never heard of Japan before, but looking at the boy and his features he recalled the foreign yellow traders from the far east. Maybe this land of Japan was a branch of them? The boy did look similar, but different at the same time.
"I see." Once again, the man said. "Ah, where are my manners?" He looked at the boy. "I am King Solomon of Israel, the wisest man to live."
"Huh? B-b-but-"
"Calm yourself, Issei, stuttering won't do anyone any good-"
"You are dead!" Issei said, and Solomon flinched.
"I know." He said, revealing that he was aware of his demise. How could he not? In one moment he was on his deathbed, then in the next one he found himself here! He must admit, however, this land of Japan had some very peculiar things compared to his Israel.
"No, like, you are dead for years!"
Years? "Boy, tell me now, what year is it!" Solomon asked in urgency.
"It is 2011 after Christ, Sir!" Issei replied then watched the King before he gasp in utter shock, dropping his cane even. He stumbled a bit, trying to find his bearing, but he managed to recover and look at the boy in astonishment. "Are you alright, sir?"
"You...You are not lying, Issei." Solomon said, piecing everything together. "I can tell. But, after Christ? The Son of God?"
"Yes. I am not really all that religious, but I know the story. Jesus came to earth, being born of Virgin Mary, and grew up, eventually being crucified by the Romans and forgiving humanity's sin, thus allowing our souls to pass into Heaven once more!" Issei said, the story being a normal one told, especially when he played with Irina. She was the one to tell him. Issei's family followed the old Shinto traditions, so they were not really Catholic or Christian.
"The Son of God washed humanity's sins...My, what has happened after my departure." Solomon muttered, slowly putting everything back together. From what he had understood, he was no longer in his Kingdom or even his own time, but he is now years into the future, trapped within the body of Issei. He wondered why that was, thinking it was maybe God punishing him for daring to offer the sacrifice of locusts for his Lust, but that couldn't be.
All his life after that fatal mistake, he had tried to fix it. He prayed day and night, shared his wealth, and tried to do anything to be in God's graces once more. When he made that sacrifice, God took his gift of wisdom and- wait. Solomon brought a hand to his head, feeling like he did before the sacrifice. His wisdom was back? But how? Why? Was this not a punishment? Was this perhaps a trial? A way for God to test him if he is perhaps worthy enough in the end to join God's side in Heaven? He surely feared the bowels of the Underworld. The demons he had imprisoned, enslaved and mocked, humiliated and tortured are all there, likely waiting for him to tear his soul apart.
If God took mercy upon him, then all he could do is thank him for offering him this new chance and make sure to do his duty without daring to ever lay eyes on riches or women again. Well, maybe not, considering that it wasn't his body he was in and he had no control. Solomon then looked at Issei again, looking over the situation. His parents were no more, his house had burned, and he was alone. What was he, Solomon, to do with this child?
Guide him? But who was this child for Solomon to guide and towards what should he be guided? The times were new, but Solomon was confident he could learn. Maybe that is what he should focus on first, teaching. He could teach the boy about the Supernatural world and the boy can teach him about the modern world he now found himself in. The boy knew not about the world he found himself in, nor did he know about the beings who lurked in the shadows.
"Issei, tell me, what is it that you know about me?" Solomon asked, starting to see what the boy knew.
"Your story is written in the Bible for one, Irina's dad read it to us." Issei said, mentioning the name of Irina, but Solomon didn't ask about the name. He was pleased to hear that his Testament had become part of the holy book, though, very much so. "It tells of how you were the wise king of Jerusalem, and how you gathered many riches, wives, and built God's first temple. Oh, it also tells of how you had demons captured and enslaved, but I think that is mostly biblical exaggeration since beings like that do not exist."
Solomon growled in disapproval. "Not exactly, Issei."
"Huh? Wait, demons exist?!" Issei said in a mild panic.
"They are as real as the both of us. In fact, the entire world of the Supernatural is! Every beast, being, God, and so on that you have learned of or heard of is real, my boy. And they are closer than you imagine." The King spoke from experience, remembering how close demons were around his Kingdom. Damn you, Ornias! May you forever live drowned in feces!
"But, then, why-"
"There is a lot you do not know, Issei." Solomon said, cutting him off. "But I will teach you. I do not know my purpose for being here, but I suspect that I was placed within you to guide you on your journey through life. I can teach you many things."
Issei seemed to shrink from hearing that, feeling nervous. "L-like?"
Solomon sighed, looking up at the non-existent sky of the realm. "Everything."
"Can you...teach me how to revive my parents?" Solomon quickly looked down at the boy, seeing him with tears in his eyes. "I saw them...They are dead, aren't they?" His voice was breaking, and his sobbing slowly began.
Solomon looked upon him with pity, feeling sorry for the boy. In one night, he lost it all. The King wished he could say such a thing was possible, but he did not lie. Instead, he simply went to him and hugged the boy close. For Issei, this felt somewhat like how a grandfather would hug their grandson. "I am sorry, Issei, but I cannot." Issei jolted in his arms, his tears pouring now without control. He cried in Solomon's robes, but the old King knew only one way to comfort him. "Cry all you want, child, for it is normal. Death comes and goes, taking everything it touches to the afterlife and leaving those like you behind. Those who loved the ones they took. But do not blame it, because this is just how it is. In order for a new door to open, another must close. In order for a new life to begin, one must end." Issei seemed to calm down somewhat as he talked. "Your parents died, yes, but they are not forgotten. The flames took them, but you must not blame the fire-" Then a thought struck him. How did the fire start?
Solomon was so focused on the revelations the boy revealed to him that the thought completely evaded him! How did the fire start? The fire was going from the upper floor to the lower one, which is not normal. No natural or accidental fire would work like that. No...Solomon quickly realized.
Issei's parents didn't die in a fire. They were murdered using fire. His fist clenched itself, feeling bile build in his stomach. Who would do something like this and why? Why try to kill an entire family? What possible twisted reason could they have? Why leave a child without its parents?
Issei looked up at him, seeing the grave expression on his face. "Solomon?"
The king looked back at the boy slowly, deciding to tell him. "Issei, how did the fire start?" He asked.
"The fire? I don't know. The stove at home was electric, and we are always careful not to put anything flammable near it when it is still hot." The boy said. "And the fire seemed to come from my parent's bedroom, but they had no candles lit." He shuddered. "They usually light them when they want to do grown-up stuff." Solomon didn't dare question how the boy stumbled upon that information. The parents were likely sloppy in hiding their bedroom activities or too loud. "I don't know how the fire started, Mister Solomon."
"Call me just Solomon, Issei." The king replied, not feeling well being called Mister.
"Oh, call me Ise then. It is kind of my nickname." A shortened version of his name? Solomon had nothing against it. "But why were you interested in how the fire started?"
Solomon took a moment to find his words, then he looked at Issei directly. "Ise, know that my words are possibly not going to be to your liking, but it is the truth I have reached. The fire was not started by something in your home. SOMEONE started it." Issei's eyes widened.
"What?! But who would do something like this?!"
"I do not know…" Solomon said, gritting his teeth. Not knowing the reason behind such a drastic action angered him, frustrating him. "Nor do I know their goal."
"Mom...Dad…" Issei muttered as he felt the tears build up in his eyes again, but this time he whipped them away. "No! I won't cry! I have to be strong! My parents were murdered! I have to find the one who did it and punish them!"
"Easy there, Ise!" Solomon said, noticing the boy's fire. "You cannot go after whoever did this by yourself! You are but a child and the one who did it might have been an adult. Not to mention you mustn't let vengeance be your friend!"
"Why not?!" He asked, anger surfacing.
"Because it will bring shame upon you and your parents!" Issei flinched as Solomon shouted at him. "Taking revenge on your parent's murderer is not something I tell you not to do, but you must do it with a leveled head! If you end up becoming the same monster you sought out then you will not bring your parents peace, but shame for all eternity! First, grow up, grow strong, and be smart. Learn, for I will teach you about the old ways, even magic, and you will teach me about the modern world so I can guide you through it."
"Fine…" Issei sighed, listening to Solomon. "What now?"
"Now?" Solomon looked up, noticing how the space around them was breaking apart. "Now you must wake up. Up until now, we have been talking inside your mindscape, a place within yourself. But you have no mastery over it, meaning you cannot simply bring it forth. I will teach you how to do it later, but for now, you are waking up."
"Will I see you again?" Issei asked the king.
"I was the one to save you before, child. Despite not being there with a body, I am always in your mind, guiding you. I see what you see, hear what you hear. I am never away."
Issei looked down as the cracks started to reach all around them, white light pouring through. "I am scared, Solomon. What am I going to do now without my parents there?"
"Let the adults take care of you, Issei. Trust them." Solomon replied. "And trust me." The world around them finally broke into pieces, and Issei vanished from the mindscape, leaving Solomon there by himself. Or so the old King believed, but he felt it. A presence, powerful and old, slumbering with the boy. He looked around, searching for its source, and he saw it. A crimson spark at the edge of this white wasteland. "Who are you?"
Issei woke up in the hospital, roughly two days after the fire, and when he did, he immediately noticed some changes to his vision. Solomon didn't know what those were either, stating he only now just noticed them as he was sharing Issei's senses, including his sight. It was like a small picture of himself in the corner of his vision with a circular bar around his picture and a green bar above a blue one. He didn't know what was with those, but something about it made him feel strange.
But then he noticed the state he was in. His arm was bandaged and he had been treated for everything. The nurse announced to the doctor what happened and even notified him that his parents were dead. It was no dream. He really was alone now. The doctor apologized to him, but Issei just let his tears fall. The talk with Solomon had him somewhat prepared for this, but in truth, he was still unable to accept it was happening.
Later, the police came and asked some questions of him, but before he could answer Solomon spoke in his mind, telling him not to reveal the Supernatural or anything related to it, and only told them he woke up and saw the fire, then panicked and went to the bathroom where he was found. Considering he was but a child they didn't press further, leaving it at that. He was discharged soon and it was decided that he will be taken to an orphanage. However, it was also decided that he will not be staying in Kuoh.
Due to the possible trauma and the chance of him stumbling upon the ruins of his old home, not to mention the fact he might try to run away to it, it was decided that they will move him to another town's orphanage. It was decided to send him to the small city of Mei, located further south of Kuoh.
Mei was not very large all things considered, having only its own schools, two orphanages, a few stores here and there, the residential area, and so on, but lacked things such as a public pool, cinema, mall, anything an overall bigger city would have. But it was nice and peaceful, an environment they saw fit in order to help Issei recover from the traumatic event. So that is how he was moved there and placed in an orphanage in Mei.
His time there proved difficult as he had a hard time getting along with the other children, but the encouragement from Solomon made it somewhat easier. The first day went down without a hitch, and later that evening, as most other children were preparing for sleep, Issei snuck out and went to the backyard. Solomon said he could teach him magic, so that is what he was there to learn.
But the two of them hit a hall, and it felt like it too. When Solomon instructed him to do a simple, novice motion in which he simply focused and brought forth a raw sphere of magic, both of them were struck by a powerful headache. Solomon had no way to explain it at first, but after the second try, he was certain of it. He informed Issei that they cannot train his magic, as something was blocking them. Solomon found it strange, and even stranger it affected him as well. But then he remembered the bars, which Issei has previously noted to resemble the ones from a video game. Took a long explanation to Solomon on what those were, but the King seemed to recall some stuff after that about something. But they were fuzzy memories, and he himself could not understand them, so he kept his mouth shut about them. He did have an inkling suspicion that those bars were connected to their hardships in magic, but no confirmation.
As the days flew by, however, Solomon was not lazing around. He noticed a crimson spark before and he has been trying to see what it was for a while now. He usually did it while Issei was asleep so he didn't disturb him. He discovered he could somewhat use his own magic within this realm, so for some days now he has been focusing, trying to open it and see what it was that was hiding within.
But it was holding well. A few weeks had passed already, and Issei, with Solomon's help, was learning well and studying even better. Issei said he found it strange, as he was never this smart before, and Solomon attributed it to him being inside the boy's head. It might be that his presence is enhancing his intelligence, which is likely. How? He had no idea! Issei had been effectively showing a more advanced intelligence compared to his peers his age, which Solomon took kindly since it was good to be smart. But wise? That is another thing altogether. But again, the King couldn't help but think of the bars and the details of video games Issei told him before.
But some things were strange. At times, Issei would get sudden small headaches that lasted no more than a few seconds. It was noticed by the adults and investigated, but they found nothing wrong in the end. Unable to figure out what caused those, Issei was not held for further investigations and allowed to continue as normal. The headaches never stopped, however, and even Solomon was at a loss as to what they might be, but again, he heavily suspected the bars. Something about them just doesn't sit right with him.
But all of that considered, the first period in which Issei was an orphan was pretty calm. He made some friends in the Orphanage, other kids his age, and Solomon had been teaching him well, fulfilling his role and advising him on some situations.
He even had Issei play chess against one of the nuns running the place and the woman was shocked to find herself beaten in three moves. Solomon was proud to see his skills didn't rust. Games like those were his specialty when he had the time to play, and the second round of chess, with the nun no longer holding back, saw Issei and Solomon win in seven moves. The wise king enjoyed such games.
However, today was different. The crimson spark within Issei's inner self was growing, and Solomon was certain it wasn't all his merit. Something was awakening. Something powerful, that much he could feel. "Issei" The boy was currently at lunch, eating with the others. They had learned how to talk without the use of verbal inputs.
"What is it, Solomon?" Issei asked, feeling a hint of urgency from him.
"After lunch, go straight to your room and lock the door. Something is about to happen." Issei perked up hearing that, feeling worried for himself and the others. "Calm yourself. I do not know what it is, but it doesn't seem to be dangerous. But it is definitely Supernatural. We cannot let normal humans find out about its existence."
"Y-yes!" Issei replied internally and quickly finished his food, running to his room afterward and locking the door.
Within the white space where Solomon was, the king was standing right before the spark as its glow increased. It was bright, hot red in color, and growing. Whatever it was, Solomon was wary of it. "Solomon?" Issei reached out to him, the boy was in his room, sitting on his bed.
"Issei, stand calm." The king replied. "I am looking at it right now. Whatever it is, it will awaken shortly." But his mind began to wonder. Was this why the fire was started? This power was great, he only felt something like this back in his days when he enslaved Beelzebub, but this was greater than even the demon of gluttony. The reason was sound, thinking someone tried to kill Issei in order to get rid of him because of this power, but what was it?
"Should I do anything?" Issei asked.
"No, stay in your room!" Solomon said again, grabbing his cane in his hands and trying to focus. He approached the light, looking at its center, and raised his scepter, beginning a chant. "As the sun sets in the west and rises in the east, so does my word renew itself! I, Solomon, command thee to unveil yourself!" He then struck the light with the tip of his cane and the light around him turned to fire.
His eyes widened and he jumped back, watching the landscape change around him. "What is this?" He muttered.
"Solomon, something is happening with my hand!" Issei shouted in alarm, and Solomon looked through his eyes, seeing a green and red light coming from his left hand. "What is going on?!"
"Who dares command me?!" Solomon and Issei both heard the voice and Solomon turned around to see the owner of it, but his breath was cut as he laid eyes on the mighty beast. Before him stood a great dragon with scales of crimson and shining green eyes. The dragon was great, and bipedal, and his scales were like armor. A bright green gem located in his chest and multiple pairs of wings sprouting from his back. The dragon looked down at Solomon and his own eyes widened. "By the Heavens, Solomon?!"
"Ddraig?!" Solomon shouted in equal shock.
"Wait, what?" Issei asked, hearing the two voices inside his head calling themselves by name. "You two know each other?"
"Yes, but I didn't recognize him at first!" Solomon replied, then he went to the dragon, Ddraig doing the same in kind. The dragon let his claw down and Solomon grabbed one of the claws, offering some kind of shake. "It is good to see you again, old friend."
"Likewise, Solomon, likewise," Ddraig replied. "But tell me, what are you doing within the body of my new host?"
"Your host?" Solomon asked, confused.
"Wait, what is happening?" Issei asked, attracting Ddraig's attention, but it seemed Solomon was also confused.
"Allow me to explain then," Ddraig said, standing. "Solomon, you died a long time ago."
"I am aware of that already, Ddraig," Solomon replied to his friend. "And before you ask, I have no idea how I ended up in this child's body. Last I can recall was me giving my final breath on my death bed, then I woke up here."
"I see." Ddrig nodded. "In that case, allow me to introduce myself to my host. What is your name, boy?"
"Issei Hyoudou...what is this on my hand, by the way?" Solomon looked through Issei's eyes again, seeing some sort of gauntlet on his hand.
But the color scheme is what attracted Solomon's attention. "Ddraig?"
"As I said, old friend, a lot happened when you died," Ddraig said, then continued with his story. "Issei Hyoudou! My name is Y Ddraig Gochs, the Welsh Dragon, also known as the Heavenly Dragon of Domination, or the Red Dragon Emperor. I am here because you have been born with the Boosted Gear, the Sacred Gear in which I am sealed."
"Sealed?!" Solomon echoed, but that was not the only thing that had him surprised. "Wait a minute Ddraig, what is it with all those titles? What is a Sacred Gear? What happened?!"
"I knew you'd ask, Solomon. After your demise, a lot happened, as I said before. The three factions of angels, fallen angels, and devils went to war, my old friend. They waged war against each other and fought until their populations became crippled. But no side stopped. After your demise, I grew in power and became known as the Heavenly Dragon of Domination, becoming powerful enough to destroy both Gods and Satans alike. Sacred Gears are tools created by God himself for the human race to help them, to give them a way to fight back against the superior power of the supernatural. They range from simple power boosts to being capable of destroying worlds, but the latter is only 13 in number. Those are the Longinus, among which the Gear I possess, Boosted Gear, counts among."
"Is this why my parents were killed?" Issei asked, looking down at the Gear in his hand.
"Killed?"
"Issei, my boy, I am afraid so. Tell me, Ddraig, do people try to eliminate those with Longinus Gears?" Solomon asked.
"Unfortunately, yes," Ddraig confirmed. "If detected early, they either try to recruit or destroy us. I lost more than one host because of assassinations when they were children. Wait...DON'T TELL ME IT HAPPENED AGAIN!"
"Nearly!" Solomon said, standing up in rage. "They set fire to Issei's home and killed his parents as a result!"
"My apologies…Had you not been born with me, Issei, none of that would have happened."
"It's not your fault, Ddraig!" Issei said, trying not to make him feel bad. "It is the fault of the ones who set the fire, not you! You didn't do anything!"
"You are too kind, Issei," Ddraig replied, then he decided to continue. "But Solomon, know that nothing is over. The way the war ended, the way I became sealed, was because I fought my rival and our fight caused so much chaos the three factions made a truce to unite and strike us down. We were even in power, and his name is Albion, The White Dragon Emperor, also known as the Heavenly Dragon of Supremacy. Like me, he is sealed within his own Gear, Divine Dividing which is also a Longinus. Since then, we had our hosts do the fighting between us."
"So you're telling me Issei will have to one day fight this Albion's host?" Solomon asked.
"Huh?! But I don't want to fight anyone! I just want to find justice for my parents!"
"I am sorry, I truly am, but there is no stopping it. I and Albion always find each other and fight, no matter how prepared a host might be. Tell me, Issei, how old are you?"
"Eight?" At this, Ddraig looked like he was told he was a pathetic lizard.
"EIGHT?! Are you kidding me?! The earliest anyone was able to awaken the Boosted Gear was fourteen, not a year earlier!" Ddraig said, feeling an opportunity here.
Solomon cleared his throat. "I think that is my fault. I noticed a certain spark of power and tried to pry it open since the incident. I might have accidentally awakened the Boosted Gear early. But is there an issue?"
"On the contrary, Solomon, this is brilliant!" Ddraig said. "Issei, know that if you want to master my power you will need to train hard. Most users of my Gear would need some time before awakening the Balance Breaker - I will explain it later - but since you are so young, I have high expectations that by the time we fight Albion and his host, we will be more than ready."
"What makes you so sure, Ddraig?" Solomon asked with skepticism.
"Because the current White Dragon Emperor cannot be much older than Issei, maybe 2 or 3 years his senior. I know because our last hosts died at the same time, and there is usually a small difference like that when the Gears are given." Ddraig explained. "Albion's host likely doesn't have its Gear active yet, while Issei does, meaning we are already ahead!"
"Easy there, old friend!" Solomon said, preventing Ddraig from forcing Issei to train. "Issei is but a boy, so even if we do train him to fight, we must do it with that in mind."
"Hmm. Very well! But let's at least try and unlock the next stage of the Boosted Gear before the end of the year. My gear has multiple stages, each hiding an ability. It will be a small while before it is fully awakened, but for now, the supernatural should leave him mostly alone. Currently, in this form, the Boosted Gear resembles and lets out the aura of a simple Twice Critical, a low-level Gear. He is safe."
Solomon smiled, but then it dropped. "Unfortunately, old friend, there is one more thing you need to be aware of…"
"Heh?"