Aftermath

"Woah....." Issei blinked and rubbed his eyes. He slowly sat up and looked around him. He remembered this place. It was the bedroom in the Gremory Castle he stayed in during his summer vacation in the Underworld.

He looked down at himself and saw that he was only wearing black long pants. His muscles were revealed for all to gawk at.

Issei slowly stood up and stretched a little. He sighed in satisfaction as he felt his bones popping from the stretching.

Issei exited the room and proceeded to walk around the castle aimlessly. After a few minutes of walking, Issei was lost.

"I don't get how Rias and the others can find their way through all these turns and stairs." Iseei grumbled. Suddenly, he bumped into someone small.

It was Millicas and he was rubbing his forehead. "Owie." Millicas muttered. Issei patted his head.

"Are you okay, Millicas? I'm sorry I didn't see you there. I was busy getting lost." Issei asked him. Millicas nodded.

" I'm going to be fine. Rias-nee-chan and the rest were very worried about you. You've been sleeping for two days actually. " Millicas revealed, surprising Issei.

" Mommy said something about your body expelling the power you absorbed from Great Red. I don't know the specifics but she, Rias-nee-chan and her peerage are currently on a call with daddy. " Millicas added. Issei nodded.

" Bring me to them, please. " Issei replied. Millicas nodded and started leading the way.

" Oh! I wanted to put this at your bedside! But you woke up, so here you go. " Millicas handed him a card. Issei read the contents of the card curiously.

'Get Well Soon, Issei-san!! You're mine and everyone's hero!!!'

Issei chuckled and patted Millicas' head. "Thank you for the kind words, Millicas." Issei commented, making Millicas blush and smile happily.

They arrived at the spacious living room where Rias, her peerage and Grayfia were currently on a call with Sirzechs who was wearing a rough outfit via a holographic device.

"Guys! Guys! Look who I found!!" Millicas shouted and ran to hug Grayfia. Rias looked and squealed loudly.

"Issei!!!" She screamed and hugged him tightly. The others ran towards him and surrounded him.

The girls were crying tears of joy as they hugged him one by one. Issei dapped Kiba up and hugged him too.

"I'm back guys." Issei grinned at them to which the girls group hugged him. Rias sobbed as she kissed him.

"I heard what happened and watched the video. I thought you would never get up again...." She sobbed and leaned into his chest. Issei hushed her and whispered sweet things in her ear while brushing her hair to the side of her head.

Issei looked at everyone present. "So uh..... How was fighting Great Red like? Was he strong?" Kiba asked him while grinned awkwardly. Issei chuckled.

"Definitely. Even after halving his power, using Balance Breaker and all, I still couldn't injure him properly." Issei replied.

" Not surprising." Grayfia commented bluntly. Issei chuckled.

"How was he like? Did he talk?" Xenovia asked curiously as she was wiping the tears away from her eyes.

"He acts like a biker delinquent. He didn't even say a thing. While I fought him, he just roared and flaunted his power." Issei answered. They started talking about other things which were not that important. Sirzechs then remembered something.

" Everyone, I'm very sorry for disturbing your reunion. But I have to talk with Issei for a moment. " Sirzechs revealed. Everyone groaned and whined loudly. Sirzechs chuckled.

" It won't take too long, I promise You can resume your chatting afterwards. " Sirzechs promised.

" Oh, and no spying. " Sirzechs looked at Rias who looked back at him with an offended expression.

Grayfia quickly shooed everyone out much to everyone's dismay. They wanted to know what was so important that Sirzechs wanted to keep it absolutely private.

Grayfia then created a soundproof barrier and walked away with the others. It was just Sirzechs and Issei now.

"First of all, Congratulations on giving your all during fighting Great Red. Literally No one has the balls to do that." Sirzechs congratulated him genuinely.

" Thanks man. Next time we meet, he's the one going down. Believe it." Issei grinned back at him. Sirzechs chuckled.

" I'll believe it when I see it. " Sirzechs replied. He then got back to business and donned a serious expression.

"The Old Devil Faction is finished. The remaining followers are being hunted down as we speak. All thanks to you killing Shalba and Diodora. Vali will not step up to take the leadership position." He explained, Issei nodded.

" That's good. At least I did something while I was raging out in Juggernaut Drive." Issei replied.

" Due to Diodora aligning himself with the Khaos Brigade, the current leader of the House of Astaroth was dismissed." Sirzechs added.

" What about the Tournament? Will it be restarted?" Issei asked him.

" It will. The fight between Rias' and Sairaorg's peerage is most anticipated. At the same time the match between Sona and Agares is also strongly desired. We cannot ignore the people's wishes now. " Sirzechs replied with a smile on his face.

"What about our match, huh?" Issei asked with a smirk on his face. Sirzechs smirked back.

" I will not back out of a challenge, Issei. It will remain a secret to all until after the final match ends." Sirzechs answered. Issei laughed.

" Rias will kill us." Issei commented.

" That she will. I suspect she'll have a heart attack when she realizes we're not going to hold back at all. " Sirzechs' smirk widened. Issei laughed harder. Sirzechs chuckled as well.

"You truly are amazing, Issei." Sirzechs complimented. Issei grinned and blushed a little.

"Thank you." Issei replied.

"I'm not kidding here. The kids. They admire you and your strength. You're their hero, Issei." Sirzechs added. Issei remembered the cheering he got from the kids.

'Hakai!!! Hakai!!!! Hakai!!!' Issei smiled at the memory.

" Yeah, I guess I'm a hero now." Issei whispered.

"By the way, why is it so loud on your side? I can hear cheering." Issei asked him.

" Oh, that's right. Today's the Kuoh Academy Sports Festival. I came to see my little sister shine. " Sirzechs explained with a smile.

" Wait, but Rias and the others were here a few minutes ago?" Issei asked him, feeling very confused.

"They were just saying goodbye to you. But you're up now so you cannot miss this." Sirzechs grinned at him. Issei groaned.

"Well, don't take too long. Grayfia has your clothes for the festival and can help get you there."

" Roger that. "

.

.

Issei who was dressed in the proper clothes emerged from the Gremory Family transport magic circle. He found himself in a dark alleyway of the Academy and started dashing towards Asia's location.

"I'm not gonna let another guy touch you, Asia!!! You're mine and mine forever!!!

To be continued....