Haru, Akeno and Koneko were relaxing in the main room while Rias was in the shower. Yeah. It has a shower. Who knew? Akeno was standing by the door while Haru and Koneko were sitting at the table eating sweets. Well really it was Koneko eating them, Haru just plucked them from the plate when she wasn't looking. It was the end of the school day so it was the opportune time to conduct business as usual.
The door opened revealing Kiba, followed by a confused Issei. "Hey guys. I brought Issei as requested." Kiba said cheerfully. Issei was busy checking out Akeno's chest to pay any attention to anyone else until he felt something bounce off his head.
"Hey, Issei! Pay attention!" Haru yelled from his spot on the sofa. Koneko glared at him because what he'd thrown at Issei was a doughnut she was about to eat that he'd just snatched out of her hand.
"Huh? Hey, it's you! What are you doing here?" Issei said in surprise. He wasn't expecting Haru of all people to be here, then again, after what happened yesterday and Sunday, should anything be a surprise?
"Same thing you are. By the way, this place has a shower." Haru said with a smirk. Issei heard the trickling of water and the turning of a shower tap. Akeno stood ready with an open towel as Rias stepped out of the shower. Haru smirked, while Issei's reaction was priceless. The guy was practically drooling and blowing steam out of every orifice his head had. Koneko took advantage and solidly punted Haru off of the sofa and across the room into a wall, leaving a human shaped crack in it. Revenge was sweet, like her doughnuts.
"Alright, had it coming." Haru groaned as he peeled himself off the wall. Koneko focused her gaze on him.
"Sweet stealing pervert." She said in her usual monotone. Haru wanted to retort but let it slide lest he get kicked into another wall by the small girl. Rias got dressed and started drying her hair.
"Sorry I didn't finish up sooner but I never got to wash after leaving your place." She said with a smile at Issei. He felt incredibly awkward but also incredibly lucky.
"Nah, you're hot, uh fine um, I mean it's alright." He fumbled his words. Haru chuckled in cruel amusement.
"Real smooth bro." He said, rubbing the sore side of his face. Issei threw a quick glare at him.
"Anyway now that you've arrived, I think everyone's here. Let's begin." Rias announced.
Issei was overwhelmed at the info bomb that just got dropped on him about "Yuuma", finding out she was a Fallen Angel who'd single goal was to kill him, he had a powerful item bound to him and that this club, excluding Haru, was full of devils.
"So I'm guessing you wanna know what 'it' was that the Fallen was referring to?" Haru asked. Issei nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Well, first of all it wasn't a dick, let's clear that up first. But what she meant was that God, the guy in the sky or whatever put something called a Sacred Gear inside you. That's why she wanted you killed." Haru said.
"A Sacred Gear is a rare and intense power found in very few humans. The only ones I've ever known to possess them are historical figures so you're pretty lucky." Akeno said with her constant smile. Haru looked over to her.
"Thank you Akeno." he said and got a smiling nod in reply.
"Sometimes this power can be so great or uncontrollable, it becomes a threat to those in the underworld." Rias continued. Haru stood and walked up to Issei.
"Dude, hold out your left hand." He instructed.
"Why?" Issei asked with uncertainty.
"Just fucking do it." Haru said impatiently. Issei did what Haru said and held out his left hand. "Now focus on whatever part of you is the strongest. Not your dick, I know what you're thinking." Issei looked away, embarrassed.
"Now focus on that strength and concentrate." Issei tried as hard as he could, straining all of his concentration. But still failed to do anything.
"Dammit! I can't focus. I don't get it, what's this even supposed to achieve?" Issei said in frustration. Haru sighed heavily, but he did have an idea.
"What's your favourite anime Issei?" Issei was confused at the question but answered anyway.
"Uh, Dragon Ball Z. Why?" he replied. Haru nodded in thought.
"And your favourite attack from it?" he pressed.
"Well, the Kamehameha of course." he said, as if he were stating the obvious.
"Alright then. Focus on your strength, and imagine you're gonna obliterate someone with a Kamehameha." Haru instructed. He tuned all of his senses to focus on Issei's aura.
Issei once again closed his eyes and stretched out his left hand. Haru smirked as he could feel Ddraig's aura now mixing with Issei's and boosting its power with its awakening. Soon in a flash of red and green light, a small crimson metal gauntlet with golden spikes coming off its sides and a large green gem in its centre appeared on Issei's left hand.
Issei grinned and inspected it. "Damn, this looks pretty cool!." he cheered. Haru smiled at his achievement and unfolded his wings. Issei saw his large white and blue wings and his jaw dropped.
"Whoa, holy crap! Are you a devil too?" He yelled. Haru chuckled and flapped them once.
"No Issei. These bad boys are my Sacred Gear. The opposite of yours to be exact." he replied with a smirk. "Say hello to Divine Dividing! The vessel of Albion, the Vanishing Dragon. And you, my good man, are the bearer of Boosted Gear, vessel of Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon and as of today, you are my rival!" Haru announced loudly.
"Uh, yeah that sounds cool and all but this means nothing to me." Issei said, scratching his cheek. Haru gave him a deadpan look.
"Ugh, We possess mid-tier Longinus Gears. Basically two of the strongest Sacred Gears in existence besides the top-tier Longinus Gears. With these, we have the potential to kill gods and devils of all kinds. With the right training, we'll be taking on the strongest of the strong in no time. But, we are destined to fight one day because we possess rival Gears." Haru said, ending his speech with a grave tone.
Issei was processing his words when Haru said, "Well kiddies, my work here's done. Now I've got a mouth to feed." he then walked out of the clubroom grumbling to himself.
After a round of congratulations and questions, Issei left for home.
A powerful Sacred Gear huh? Issei thought as he lay on his bed. He'd been processing the events of today since he'd gotten home a few hours ago.
One of the most powerful to exist, boy. Came a powerful voice in his mind. He sat bolt upright and looked around.
"Who said that?" Issei said out loud.
I did. I am Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon and Red Dragon Emperor.
Wait, you're the spirit inside my Sacred Gear? He asked.
Yes. Our rival did a decent job in getting you to realise you have me. However, I'm not sure why he'd go out of his way to do so.
Well that's Haru. He's a nice guy when you get to know him. Sure he's lazy and a bit rude to practically everyone, but he's a good dude.
That kind of thinking will only make you hesitate and get you killed when the time comes for us to fight. You know that kid?
Issei had to admit that Ddraig had a point. He didn't want to fight Haru at all. Not just because he had experience in spades but because he wanted to consider him a friend for helping him attain this new power.
Also, I could sense that the White One is further along in the Gear evolution process than I am. You have a lot of catching up to do.
I know, I know. Can we carry on with this tomorrow? For now I just wanna sleep. It's been a long day.
What do you mean you're a girl!? Haru yelled at Albion as they now occupied the innermost recesses of his mind.
Exactly what I said. Surely it's not that surprising. Replied a tall woman with long snowy white hair with several golden strands interwoven into her curled bangs. Her eyes were a deep ocean blue with a ring of white around the pupils. She wore a white suit of armour which was very similar to the Scale Mail Balance Breaker but was slimmer with less pointy bits and missing the helmet.
But… But I… I thought you were a dude! He shouted incredulously. Albion giggled. Yeah, powerful dragon spirits do that now.
At no point did I say I was male. Besides, I thought you'd have figured it out by now. What guy talks like I have for the past few days? she replied.
Uh, I kinda just figured you were bitchy for a dude. Haru said, rubbing the back of his neck. Shit this was awkward.
Her left eye twitched in annoyance. Excuse me? she said darkly. Did you just call me bitchy? she growled. Haru backed away, holding his hands up in a placating manner.
Now, now Albion. You know I didn't mean it. C'mon you know me. I just say things, you know. Haru said, trying to calm her down as she stalked closer to him. She got right up in his face and he closed his eyes, expecting her wrath to come fast and terrible. What he got wasn't a 36 hit Street Fighter combo and a Rasengan up the ass or Mortal Kombat fatality, but a hard flick on the forehead.
Um, the fuck? Haru asked, really confused. Albion gave him a stern look.
You're my host, my partner. I'm not going to punish you too badly. At least not this time. Anyways you should feel lucky. You're the first host I've let visit me like this.she said with a small smile.
I guess I should huh. Well, It's nice to meet you face to face. It took a while but I guess it would happen anyway. Haru said. Albion scoffed.
Look at you. I tell you that and suddenly you're Mr. Confident. Whatever. What's important is what you're gonna do about that Hyoudou kid. He's not too big a threat at all right now, so what's the plan?
Haru was silent for a few moments, keeping his thoughts to himself. Then he clicked his fingers. I got it, I'll have him train with me and Ophis. That'll either eliminate him straight away, or get him stronger for his peerage and for our fight.
Geez that's… cold, isn't it? You're pretty much placing a bet on whether or not he'll have a chance of surviving with Ophis. Is he just an obstacle to you? Albion said. Her tone was not accusing but a little taken aback at his cold decisiveness.
There's also no guarantee I'll survive with her. Either we both survive and kill each other later, or one of us dies in training. Hell, perhaps both of us. Plus, Issei's not an obstacle to me. Not at all. It's just I can't afford to start making a friend out of him either. He said somewhat sadly.
Albion put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it lightly. Alright then. Well I stand by any decision you make. Not like I have much choice but I support you. Good luck. With that, Haru woke up. Sunlight streamed in through his blinds, making lines of light across his room. He rolled onto his back and sighed.
"Just what the fuck was that?" Haru said tiredly. Oddly enough on the other side of the neighbourhood, Issei said the exact same thing.