DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 37: Mount Leviathan, Part 1

Hyoudou residence, an hour before the Underworld's sunrise: Zero days until the tournament

Zach silently crept into Issei's parents' room to make sure they were sleeping soundly. Once he was satisfied, he cast a spell on the sleeping couple to ensure they would stay that way regardless of what happened.
He returned to the living room, where his friends were gathered. "We're good. Your parents won't hear a thing, Issei," Zach said as they approached. "Alright, everyone, it's almost zero hour. You all know the plan. Rias is home in the Underworld doing some last-minute prep. As soon as all of you are ready, we'll head down there and meet her. After that, Azazel and Sirzechs will see us off to the base of Mount Leviathan. We don't know what'll happen from there. Any questions?"
Issei put a hand up. "What kind of prep is the prez doing?"
Zach sighed. "Again with the... nevermind. She's just getting some info for me."
"What kind of info?"
"Nothing you need to worry about. Is that it?" Zach looked around. "Alright. Let's get going."
The trademark magic circle of the Gremory family appeared beneath everyone's feet and they were sent to the Underworld.

Gremory manor

Rias was waiting at the gates for them, along with Azazel and her older brother. "Hey, everyone. Ready to go?"
Her entire peerage nodded.
"Alright. Listen up, kiddos," Azazel began. "We took the liberty of getting some warmer clothes for you. Those mountains get cold, especially as you get higher up, and wasting your energy on keeping yourself warm isn't a good idea." He gestured to a set of suitcases leaned against the wall. "Go on in and get changed, then we'll head out."

The ORC returned to the gates a few minutes later, having changed into the clothes Azazel had picked out for them. "Do we really need all this?" Issei asked, adjusting his scarf.
"More would actually be better." Rias put her gloves on. "But we tried not to get anything too bulky so our movement would be as free as possible."
"So we actually are climbing up the mountain?"
"Yes."
"Okay, but why?"
"Because that's what they want us to do."
"Uh... Akeno, do you know why?"
Akeno ignored Issei's question, instead choosing to focus on making sure she had everything she needed.
"Hello? Earth to Akeno?"
Silence.
"Okay, fine..." Issei walked over to Zach. "Why is everyone acting so weird? Even the prez's mom would barely say a word to me. It's like they're expecting something of me. D'you know what's up?"
"Of course I know," Zach confirmed as he put on his coat. It wasn't much different from his typical tailcoat, only lined with soft black fur on the inside. "And so do you."
"Did I do something to hurt their feelings?"
"Less their, more her. But you're getting closer."
"Why don't you just tell me, man? I thought I could depend on you."
"You can. Issei, how is it that everyone here knows exactly what you did, but you don't?"

BGM: Persona 5 - Confession/Secret (ELP Ver.)

"I..." Issei went silent. There are three guys in Rias's peerage. She obviously cares about Kiba and Gasper, but it's no secret that she treats me differently than them. And especially lately, after the Kyoto trip, she's been getting really weird. It's not like girls walk in on you in the sauna and offer to give you the time of your life instead of freaking out and running away. That only happens in porn. Or those harem anime. Now that I'm thinking about it... could the president actually have feelings for me? No, that can't be it! She's the master, I'm just a servant. We're on totally different levels. But... what if she does love me? She totally knows I'm in love with her too. After all this time, I've seen so many sides of her. Her brilliance, her nobility, her beauty, her kindness, her stubborn temper... and after spending so much time with her, how could I not? "She really is the ideal woman..." Issei said quietly. "I'd love to kick it up a notch and date her, but is that even possible? I wanna tell her how I feel... but I'm scared. What if I'm wrong and she doesn't like me back? If I asked her, it would ruin our entire friendship. So what am I supposed to do? Dammit, why do women have to be so complicated?"
Zach looked up from his duffel bag. "Koneko and I are right here, you know."
"S-shit! How much of that did you hear?"
"Everything you said out loud. Don't worry, I can't blame you for getting lost in thought."
"I really am awful at seeing how the prez feels, huh?"
"Yep," Koneko confirmed. "But to be honest, none of us have really considered what you're going through. Except for Zach. He filled me in on what he thinks is going on with you while you were lost in your own head."
Zach whistled. "Akeno, Asia, can you come here? We need your help with something."
Akeno walked over with Asia. "What is it, Zach?"
"I need you two and Koneko to get rid of some of Issei's dragon energy one more time. If I'm right, this will be the last time you ever need to do it."
"If you insist." Akeno took Issei's hand in her own. "We're going to need some space. This'll be a massive healing procedure, and we don't have much time, so it'll be intense."
Zach nodded and walked away.
"Issei, we know how important Rias is to you. But if you're ever going to understand Rias and what she needs, you need to be healed completely. I'll start." Akeno put Issei's finger in her mouth and began sucking.
Koneko touched Issei's chest and her hand began to glow. "I'm going to use sage arts to heal your heart."
Asia activated Twilight Healing. "Hopefully Twilight Healing is strong enough to heal this curse."
"C-curse? Did everyone know what was going on with me except me?"
"No. Zach just told us yesterday, and he only figured it out not long ago."
Akeno stopped sucking. "Sometimes you seem scared when you look at us. But we could never figure out why until he told us one sentence: 'He's afraid of being betrayed again.'"
"Just tell us the truth, Issei... you're still in pain because of Raynare, aren't you? And it's only gotten worse now that we know she's alive."
Issei flinched and thought about Raynare for the first time since seeing her in Kyoto. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "She was my first girlfriend... and she just killed me. And she killed Asia. She lied to me... she used me... and in the end, all that pain was for nothing. She's not even gone. I... I never wanna be hurt like that again. Every girl I see reminds me of her."
"It's okay, Issei..." Asia held his free hand. "Because I really love you. I want to stay with you forever. You're the best guy that I've ever met. I could never imagine life without you."
"Asia..." A string of violent, swirling red and black energy flowed out of Issei's chest. It formed into a pulsing orb, flying around them aimlessly. "What is that thing...?"
Akeno watched the orb. "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. And neither does Raynare. Dead or alive, she'll never hurt you like that again. Be strong, Issei. You can overcome this. Just have a little confidence. Us, Rias, and everyone else are all here to help you and support you."
"Yeah, you're right..." Issei wiped his tears away. "You guys have always been there for me. And I promise to return the favor to everyone." The orb stopped flying and began to shake violently before bursting into crimson sparkles.
"Sounds good to me." Koneko stopped glowing and leaned against Issei.