DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 59: Declaration of War

This chapter marks the beginning of Volume XIII: Divine Conspiracy.

Unknown location, 3 days ago...

Rizevim Lucifer, lounging on his throne, suddenly lurched foward, blood gushing out of his mouth. He was immediately overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling, but one thing was clear in Rizevim's mind: his greatest creation, Zach Praktum, had changed somehow.
"Lord Rizevim!" one of his attendants shouted, attempting to rush to his aid. "Are you alright?"
Rizevim held up a hand, signaling for his attendants to stay back. Something had changed within the younger Daemon, he could feel it, and their connection was affecting him. As the initial rush of sensation subsided, Rizevim was left with just an intense heat deep in his chest. "Could it be...? I must act quickly. You there! Call for Euclid, tell him it's time to speed things up."

The Underworld, present day

"That's a wrap for today! Good work, everyone!" the Oppai Dragon director called out.
Rias sighed with relief, wearing her Switch Princess costume for the filming. It's still crazy how popular this silly show is, she thought as she returned to her dressing room. But it makes Issei happy when the kids laugh and cheer, so I guess I can't complain too much. She unconsciously hummed the show's theme song as she changed into normal clothes, then left.
Issei looked up from his phone as Rias exited the room. "Hey, Rias!" He grinned as he put his phone away.
"Hello, Issei." Rias kissed her boyfriend's cheek. "How was your shoot?"
"Pretty good! Kiba's really settling into the antihero role now that Darkness Knight Fang is on Oppai Dragon's side. What about you?"
"As well as it could've gone, I guess. I'm not sure why Riser agreed to play the role of Marshal Phoenix, but it's nice that Switch Princess is actually fighting now instead of just the usual 'Help me, Breast Dragon Emperor! Save me, Breast Dragon Emperor!' from season 1."
"How is Riser, by the way? Saw him on set earlier, but didn't get a chance to talk."
"He's doing pretty good," Rias said as they teleported back to their house. "After you, Zach, and Tannin bullied him out of that slump toward the end of summer, he's been reaching out here and there to see how I'm doing. I was a little wary at first, but his intentions are genuine."
"You sure? If he even thinks about trying to hurt you, I swear I'll give him another beating he'll never forget!" Issei promised.
"Relax, Issei. I'm sure. He's back to his old self, from before we were engaged. Still proud, still likes to hear himself talk, still a pervert like you, but he's respectful again. And he's stopped referring to himself in the third person, which is probably the biggest relief. But anyway, he's just been trying to make amends for how he treated me so we can be friends again, like when we were younger."
"Oh. Well, that's good. But if he tries anything stupid, I'll give him back his dragon phobia in a second!"
Rias chuckled. "Noted. Are you up to anything important tonight, by the way?"
"I dunno if it's important, but Zach, Vali, and I are gonna go get ramen in a little bit," Issei said. "Why?"
"Just curious. When are you leaving?"
"They're on their way, so right after I change my clothes. Zach's started nagging me for having no sense of fashion, so I'm trying to prove him wrong."
Rias snickered. "How's that going for you?"
"Wh- hey, what does that mean?!"
"He's not wrong, you know. Your style is seriously lacking. Come on, let's see what's in your closet and I'll help you pick out an outfit to impress your boys."

A few minutes later, Zach's Porsche pulled up outside the Hyoudou Residence. "C'mon," Zach said as he got out of the car and strolled up to the door, Vali behind him. Zach knocked on the door. "Yo!" he called out.
Asia soon answered the door. "Oh, hello, you two. Here to pick up Issei?"
Vali put a hand up in greeting. "That's right. Is he home?"
"Yes, he's up in his room with Rias. Would you like to come in while you wait?" Asia opened the door all the way, leading them inside. The door automatically closed behind them. "Rias was making fun of him for not choosing good outfits, so she's helping."
"That's my fault," Zach admitted. "I told him he dresses like a 12 year old the other day and he took that as a challenge. Help from Rias is totally cheating, though."
Vali shrugged. "He's using his resources."
"Whose side are you on, man?"
"Not yours."
"Jeez. Asshole. Don't tell me you're joining the competition too."
"How could I possibly let my rivals compete without including me?"
As the Phoenix and the White Dragon glared at each other, Issei came down the stairs, finally finished changing. "Hey, you two!" he said excitedly, joining them near the door.
The trio judged each other's outfits silently for a minute. Issei's outfit consisted of an aviator jacket with a white T-shirt underneath, jeans, and dark brown boots. Vali wore his usual leather jacket and dark green T-shirt with distressed gray jeans and black boots. Finally, Zach wore one of his many band tees under an unbuttoned light gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up, slim black jeans, and his usual black and white high-tops. He'd accessorized with his usual set of silver rings, a black leather cuff on his right wrist, a silver watch on his left, and circular sunglasses with mirrored blue lenses.
"Zach wins," Issei and Vali said at the same time, defeated.
"As usual. Accessories make or break an outfit, y'know." Zach mockingly bowed before looking up at Rias, who was watching them from the second floor. "Really, Rias? Was this the best you could do for Issei?"
Rias sighed, putting her hands up in resignation. "I did what I could. His wardrobe is depressing. The one interesting thing in there was the jacket he has on now."
"Way to be supportive," Issei grumbled. He looked closer at Zach's T-shirt, moving his outer layer to the side to read it. "What's 'Arctic Monkeys?'"
"A really good band from England. I'll play their stuff in the car."
"They're not gonna be like the other band you tried to introduce me to, right? Their songs were too angry..."
"C'mon, Issei, just admit you have no taste."
Issei flicked his friend's forehead. "You just like weird music."
Zach flicked Issei's forehead back. "And you like weird girls, so who's really losing here?"
"Let's get going, you two." Vali flicked both the younger boys' foreheads. "You can argue in the car. I'm taking shotgun, by the way."
"How come you get it?!" Issei demanded.
"Because you're shorter than me, so you fit better in the back."
"Ugh... fine. Later, Rias and Asia!" Issei waved as the trio left the house and got into Zach's Porsche. "So where is this place? I'm not gonna be stuck back here for the entire drive to Tokyo, right?"
"No, it's here in Kuoh. Though I'd prefer to go to Ogikubo, if we're being honest." Zach started the car and began the short drive to the ramen shop they were headed to. "Just don't feel like driving an hour." As he drove, he selected a few Arctic Monkeys songs to enlighten Issei, starting with his personal favorite. "This is that band, by the way."