A Dragon's Freedom

Chapter 17

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Issei got to enjoy his night with his little sisters, once they had fully woken up, and they got to enjoy dinner. He had gone to bed, not feeling anxious, he wanted to sleep alone, but Lilith cuddled up to him. He wasn't going to deny her the luxury because he knew that he had denied her everytime that he had sent her back to Kyoto from Tokyo. He was pretty sure Lilith knew this and was making sure that she could spend as much time next to her Onii-chan.

Luckily enough, Kunou had passed out from excitement, as this would be the first time that they got to see Issei fight after he returned. It was something the little kitsune was looking forward to. She would always boast about her big brother figure, but all she had was the stories he told. Now everyone could see that he would back it up against two peerages.

However, his opponent would not satisfy his urge for battle, he would need to hit up a base, when all of this was over. He needed to find ways to get to Arius, but not only that, he would need allies to get past his 4 Horsemen. Apparently, Lilith could feel his distress as she fidgeted in her sleep.

Issei: Shhh, I'm sorry - as he stroked Lilith's hair - I didn't mean to disturb you.

He cuddled her closer and she snuggled even more to him, still sleeping as he kissed her on the forehead.

Issei: You know, I'm not sure that I ever told you that I was sorry for pushing you away. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, Lily-chan. And tomorrow, you will see me stand on top, I'm going to make you proud, Lily-chan, you'll see.

That was how his night had gone, it was peaceful and he slept freely, he wasn't anxious about the battle either. As he fell into his dream, he found himself on an astral plane. He looked around, he could not sense Ddraig, not Lilith, who should have been next to him, he sensed nothing. Even worse, he could also feel nothing as he moved his hand to touch his face, but he didn't feel it.

Issei: What? I can't feel my face.

He was confused by all of this and then he noticed that he could not feel the plane that he was standing on.

Issei: What's going on?

????: Hello, Sekiryuutei - a deep voice spoke.

Issei turned around and saw him in his armored glory.

Issei: Arius - he growled.

Arius: Amazing, isn't it - as the place became filled with Necromorphs, it made Issei get on the defensive.

Issei: You think this is a joke!

Arius: A joke? I don't consider my work to be a joke, I just told you that it's amazing.

Issei: What is your purpose for making them? Attacking innocent people and turning them into those things!

Arius: Chaos.

Issei: Chaos?

Arius: And war - as he stood up and walked towards Issei.

Each step that he took, he grew taller or Issei grew smaller, he wasn't sure which but Arius towered over him immensely.

Arius: I enjoy war, embrace it, it brings chaos and when there's chaos, there is fear and the fear of others is so intoxicating.

Issei: So what do you fear?

Arius: Nothing, unlike you...

Issei: What?

Arius: Issei Hyoudou, son of Gorou and Miki Hyoudou, adoptive son of the Yokai Queen, Yasaka, grandson of Hotaru Hyoudou, adoptive brother of the spawn of Ophis Ouroboros, Lilith Ouroboros Hyoudou and the Yokai Princess, Kunou, am I doing well so far?