The rule of two (Starwars x high school dxd)

Chapter 15: Tensions Rise

The orc meeting was moved to Issei's home, due to spring cleaning. In a way this was good in that the club had the opportunity to better know the Sith. At the moment, they were exchanging friendly conversations and stories when the topic of Matsuda's childhood came into focus. After Matsuda gave his story, Issei got an idea. "I know! You have a photo album in your house that your mother made, don't you? Matsuda nervously shifted we're he sat. "Well yeah, but what's that got to do with it?" Issei didn't answer, instead he closed his eyes, focused for a moment, then snapped his fingers to reveal a album of Matsuda's childhood pictures. "There we go! Why don't we take a look?" Matsuda waved his hands. "Whoa whoa, that's not necessary!" But it was too late, as Issei opened it to show a string of baby pictures that his mom took of him. Matsuda failed to hide his embarrassment as the group kept flipping the pages to find more and more and giggled and teasing him. After they had calmed down some, the album founds its way into Kiba's hands. He flipped more pages while smiling, until he stopped at one page in particular, and his smile turned into a bitter frown. He addressed Matsuda directly. "Matsuda, can you tell me about this one?" Puzzled, he looked over to the picture in question. It appeared harmless to Matsuda, and he explained to Kiba. "Oh, that's just me and the boy that used to live in my neighborhood. I can't remember his name though, and he moved away before I started middle school." Kiba still feigned stoicism, and asked him another question. "Do you recognize the sword in the background?" Matsuda still showed his ignorance. "I don't think so, the boy's parents were collectors of some sort, and they always asked me to join them for church. Which was a little annoying. Why do you ask?" Kiba's change in demeanor remained as he explained why his mood swung so fast. "Because that, is a holy sword." Matsuda became troubled by Kiba for the first time that night. He could tell that the holy sword in the photo struck something that Kiba had buried deep down. Kiba closed the album and stood up, grabbing everyone's attention. He addressed the room, "I remember why I became a devil in the first place, there is something I must do." He turned toward the front door and started to leave. Just when he had got out the door, someone called to him. "Stop!" He turned his head back to the house to see Issei standing there, with Rias beside him, and everyone else in tow. Issei stepped forward, "I can read minds, but I don't need that to know what you seek. I know that look in your eyes all to well, absolution, vengeance. This path you are about to walk, you will find no peace, believe me I know." Rias walked next to Issei. "Kiba, I know you are angry, and I understand your pain, but this is not the way. Please... don't do this." Everyone heard the pain in her voice. She deeply cares for all of her servants, because she saw them as more than that, they were her friends too. "Maybe I don't seek peace," Kiba replied, "But the people responsible need to pay." He turned away again and began to walk to an unknown destination. Rias reached out with her hand, but before she could call him, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "We can't force him to see things our way, he has to choose." Issei advised. After looking to him she relented and lowered her arm. They all walked back inside and sat in silence for a moment before Matsuda spoke up. "Well we have to do something about this, we can't just sit here and let him roam on his own. He could get himself killed!" Claire responded blankly. "It's not a matter of if Lord Vader, only when." Rias turned to her with a worried expression. "What do you mean? Yes the world is full of unknowns, but are you not the ones who trained him just a few weeks ago?" Tiamat spoke to answer. "Claire is right princess. Yes we trained him, but if what he seeks has anything to do with his conversation with Lord Vader about the holy sword, then against a competent wielder he doesn't stand a chance. He will get himself killed if he goes after the holy swords on his own." The news was grim for the orc. A certainty that their friend will die is not something they were prepared to hear. Matsuda shot up from his seat. "Then like I said, we have to act! I will not let him through his own life away so pointlessly!" Issei turned to his apprentice and put his hand on his shoulder. "I respect your devotion to a friend, but you are as prepared as he is to face a holy sword. But you are right about one thing, time is a luxury we no longer possess." He sighed and looked out the window in thought. "You are not at all ready for this, but Kiba's rashness has forced my hand." He turned to face his servants. "Warriors... prepare the pyramid." The Sith servants were shocked that he would suggest something so bold, while the orc was confused. Kefla questioned his decision. "My lord, are you sure about this?" "Would I ask you if I wasn't?" Kefla sighed. "Point taken." She nodded to her comrades and they nodded back, as they then teleported away. Rias began to ask Issei about the pyramid. "What is this pyramid that shocked even them?" Issei replied blankly. "Sorry, for now I won't say. Not because I don't trust any of you, but because the less people that know, the better. If that information was extracted from you, who knows what they could do with the pyramid's power." Rias slumped a bit. She trusted Issei greatly, but she had to verify. "Then why did you ask them to get it prepared?" Issei turned to her. "Because Matsuda and I will be using it for tonight. He needs to be ready for the coming conflict." Rias sighed. "Very well, I guess the only thing I can do is inform my brother about Kiba. I'll see what I can do to not have him labeled as a rouge." Issei nodded. "Do what you must." Rias conjured a magic circle next to her ear preparing to make a call. Before she did, she talked to the orc. "For obvious reasons, we have to cut this meeting short. Get home safe everyone." "Yes president." They all responded. Most of them made their way out the front door, but one remained, who was currently tugging on Issei shirt. "Please, get Kiba home safe." Issei looked down to see Koneko pleading with him. He smiled and kneeled down to match her level. "Don't worry, I promise you will see him again." Koneko sniffled a little and nodded. Eventually she walked back to her house too. Matsuda spoke up. "I don't think I have ever seen her like that." Issei responded. "And you may never again." At that point, Rias had finished the call to her brother. "Ok, he is working on the logistics as we speak." Issei nodded. "Good. Now there is only on thing left to worry about." As if on cue, his warriors were done and appeared before them. Tiamat said, "It's ready master." "Good." He placed his hand on Matsuda's shoulder and teleported to the location of the pyramid. It stood at a height of 200 meters, and each side of the base was 100 meters. The whole structure was made of gold and it was hovering 50 meters from the ground. Issei lifted his hand towards the pyramid, making the side facing them open like two sliding doors. When it opened completely, all they could see from the outside was pure white light. Stairs appeared from the doors and hit the ground, the pyramid now awaited their entry. Issei began to explain what was happening. "Before we enter, you need a run down. This is the Pyramid of Power, an ancient alternate reality where time flows differently. We will be spending 15 earth hours in there, but time in the pyramid will be 15 months, well over a year." Matsuda's jaw dropped. "Over a year!? What could we be doing for a year?!" Issei was patient with Matsuda, but he knew that he had to answer or they would waist time. "We will be training. Specifically, I will teach you and mold you into a blood-thirsty monster. You will become Vader. But you will also learn how to control it, and on-off switch. You will be completely different when we are finished, even as Matsuda. If the Sith are to be what I planned, then you need to be at your best. Do you understand?" Matsuda shuddered but nodded his head. "Yes master." "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." They walked together towards the doors of the pyramid. They soon disappeared into the void, and the stairs vanished with the doors shutting behind them. This would be a long 15 hours.