ORC Clubroom (BGM: Persona 5 - Restlessness)
"Holy shit..." Issei muttered as Rias's peerage watched the recording of Sairaorg's battle. "That was a flawless victory. I guess it's no mystery why they say he's the strongest devil in the competition."
Rias waved her hand and the projection of the battle faded. "His opponent's power was ranked almost as high. He's done quite well."
Zach, sitting on the edge of Rias's desk, crossed his arms. "If you wanted to gamble on the winner of this tournament, Sairaorg would be the safest bet by a long shot. Barely anyone's been able to even compare to him."
A green magic circle formed on the floor at the far end of the room. A figure appeared out of it and when the green light faded, Diodora Astaroth stood before them. "Salutations, everyone. How lovely to see you all again."
Rias's glare sharpened. "Diodora. Welcome. Everyone, if you'd be so kind as to allow our guest to sit down." She sat on one couch, with Diodora taking the couch across from her. Her peerage stood behind her, while Zach moved into her chair. Two cups of tea appeared on the table between them. "So, what brings you here, Astaroth?" Rias asked.
Diodora's pleasant smile didn't waver under Rias's intimidating glare. "Right to business, I see. Well, I'd like to propose a Bishop trade."
"You want Asia, I presume."
Diodora chuckled. "Am I really that transparent? It's a fair trade, I assure you." In the air in front of him, two miniature projections of his Bishops formed from nothing. "You're free to choose whichever suits your desires. Both are hard-working and will-"
"I'll stop you there. Your offer is rejected. Asia is not only a valuable member of my peerage, but I also think of her as the little sister I never had."
Asia's nervous expression broke into a sigh of relief and comfort. "Really? Thank you, Rias!"
"Using a trade to try and get the woman who rejected your marriage proposal- dozens of times, might I add- is quite low," Rias continued. "You clearly are only thinking about yourself and don't care at all for her happiness or what she wants out of her life."
Diodora's smile still remained. His yellow eyes and dark red pupils reflected the light of the sun back at Rias in an unsettling manner. "How disappointing. You rejected my offer today, but I won't let that dissuade me." He walked around to where Asia stood and took her hand. "Our meeting and reunion were both predestined. Even if all the forces of the world stood in our way, I would do anything necessary to overcome them all. I'll never give up. I love you, Asia."
"Get your hands off her!" Issei yelled, putting a hand on Diodora's shoulder to try and push him away.
Diodora slapped Issei's hand away and sneered. "You should know your place, rat. I can't stand being touched by a filthy dragon such as yourself."
"Stop it!" Asia cried as she slapped Diodora's pale cheek. "I refuse to let you talk to Issei like that!"
"Of course. My apologies." He glared at Issei. "This isn't over, Red Dragon Emperor. We'll pick up where we left off in the Rating Game. And once I've defeated him, I hope you'll accept my love, darling Asia."
"You won't get past me, Dildo-ra Ass-to-mouth!" Issei promised. "I'll show you the kind of power this 'filthy dragon' can use! Just you wait!"
Diodora's chuckle took a menacing tone. "Try as you might. Goodbye, everyone." He took his leave through a magic circle.
Hyoudou Residence, that night... (End BGM)
Most of the residents of Issei's home sat at the dining table, eating dinner quietly.
"Issei and Koneko haven't come back yet. Are they still out doing their contracts?" Asia asked.
Akeno nodded. "They had some last-minute requests to take care of."
"Being a devil seems like a lot of work," Rossweisse noted. "And Rias is gone too."
"She's holed up in her room trying to plot out a strategy for the Rating Game."
Xenovia noticed Asia's expression grow worried. "Asia, don't worry about anything. Just remember that Issei will be there to protect you."
"Right," Akeno agreed. "Issei is always there to look out for all of us."
Irina giggled. "I never would've expected a bunch of girls to trust Issei so much."
"We're here thanks to Issei," Xenovia reminded her.
"You could thank Zach for that too, though. Without him, we'd all be dead."
"Issei is also kind enough to share his home with us."
"We've never actually thanked him for everything he's done for us, have we?" Akeno wondered. "No, we haven't."
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's thank him tonight!" Irina suggested. "I have a plan!"
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DxD: Ascension - Redux
FanfictionZach Praktum is a hero with his name etched into history. In his world, at least. But when a mysterious gauntlet transports him to an alternate universe with new rules and new people, he must find new friends and fight to protect his new home while...
