The Esper Devil ( Esper OC X Highschool DxD )

Chapter 36 - Meeting the unknown

"So my technique didn't work... I couldn't suppress it..."

I say letting go of the Hakuryuukou's armor as he speaks the last bits of the chant

... No, that's wrong

It did work, I could feel myself suppressing the curse

I just wasn't strong enough

Even though I made all of those restrictions, even though I investigated so much... to hold back a curse strong like a Heavenly Dragon...

Am I still going to lose?

I feel myself losing strength, I fall down and everything becomes shrouded in darkness as my consciouness begins to feel hazy

{You know it's your fault, right? }

Yeah, I know...

Hold up! What?

"W-who is it?"

From the darkness surrounding me, comes a voice

A familiar, yet weird voice, it sounds a little like... my own?

{To fight an enemy you know it's strong while you still can't control your 100%, how stubborn and proud can you be? }

I shake my head, still trying to keep my thoughts together and make sense of what's happening

"I know, in my 100 state I am-"

The voice immediately cuts me out

{That's right, you are still too weak! However... if you get hurt, I get hurt. So maybe I should awaken you... just a little. You are still not prepared to release it all yet }

He (?) says in a mysterious tone

"W-wait a minute, who are you?!"

I say, desperate and scared as my head feels like it's been juggled around while I try to grasp what's happening, but the voice cares little to my words, replying amused

{It matters not for now, all you need to know is that I am power. And as you know, power has it's price. I'll collect my payment when time is due, but the exact time... kukuku, I'll make that a surprise}

The voice states omeningly as it fades away

"Hold up! I still- AGHHHHHH!"

Forcefully ending the conversation, an overwhelming pain courses through my body, I try to kneel on the floor only to realize that there is no floor, only emptiness in here 

I've been floating this entire time!? Where the hell am I?

After the painful jolt fades away, I'm left wandering in the dark, with my mind still all over the place.

Is this also it's doing? Or am I just tired?

I walk... or at least the closest thing to a walk you can do when there's no floor, or wall... or anything

This place gives me shivers, I feel like I could be consumed by the darkness at any moment if I slip for good

I wander, holding dearly into my sense of self untill I finally hear something

(Ta....!)

"Uh... w-what?"

I speak faintly, trying to listen to it

The voice echoes through the nothingness untill it becomes a familiar voice

(Tachan! Please, stop!)

I feel my eyes wide as the adrenaline pulls me from my near slumber