DxD: Lost in Time

One awkward moment, I blinked; the next, I found myself in uncharted territory.

In an instant, I was assaulted by an overwhelming killing intent, but mom and I shrugged it off as if it were nothing.

What were the ladies talking about I wonder...

I was actively suppressing my Ki signature, ensuring no one could detect it. Unless they had the ability to peer into the very depths of my soul, they wouldn't sense anything amiss. Taking advantage of this, I carefully scanned my surroundings.

Charred earth stretched out before me, and the dark skies loomed above, heavy and foreboding. The air was eerily still, as if silently promising a storm. Everywhere I turned, soldiers filled the landscape.

Beyond these gathered bats, I could see very little. However, ahead of us, I could feel an intense, oppressive bloodlust. My nose scrunched as a metallic scent, tinged with a hint of sulfur, wafted toward me. A chilling dread settled in my gut.

Blood.

I had once told Serafall to design illusion spells that forced me to kill someone. At first, it traumatized me—and honestly, it still does. But I had no choice. I was born into a modern world where killing someone wasn't a simple feat.

It took me months to muster the courage to take a life and years to suppress my fear of doing so.

Aren't I human?

None of the soldiers dared to move. Their commander was present, and while her presence wasn't the least bit hostile, it commanded complete respect.

I followed closely behind Serafall, with my mother taking the right as we approached a tent noticeably larger than the others. The moment we stepped inside, I felt a chill course through my veins, my blood running cold. Fear crept in for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

'Serafall must be out of her mind! This room is filled with powerhouses!'

I felt my hands grow fidgety, though I tried to steady myself. My mother seemed to fare worse, her unease more apparent. For her sake, I steeled my nerves, clenching my fists to keep my composure. Serafall, noticing my silent resolve, gave me a brief nod before turning her attention to the figures in the room.

"Good morning, fellow commanders. I've brought additional aid with me," she greeted solemnly, her tone steady and unwavering.

A male voice immediately cut through the air, sharp and laden with disbelief.

"Serafall, you brought a kid and a young lady? Have you lost your mind?" The speaker, a man with green hair, massaged his temples in exasperation. His golden armor gleamed in the dim light, runes pulsating across its surface with a faint hum of power.

Thanks to my spiritual abilities, sensing energy was second nature—like seeing with my own two eyes. I could perceive minute details others would overlook, no matter the time of day.

"You're being far too critical of their appearance, Asmodeus," Serafall responded coolly, brushing off his skepticism. "I assure you, they are capable fighters."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the room as if daring anyone to challenge her judgment.

"Although they may look weak and untrustworthy, they are unaffiliated with any factions. I've spent the past seven years training them in combat and adaptability. Let me be clear—they have learned well."

A heavy silence fell over the tent. The commanders exchanged skeptical glances, their narrowed eyes filled with doubt. Only one among them seemed less inclined to dismiss her words outright.

"I can vouch for their potential," came a calm voice, breaking the tension.

"Sirzechs, you agree with this!?" another man interjected, his voice thick with disbelief. This one bore dark circles under his eyes, his expression a mix of exhaustion and incredulity.

"I do," Sirzechs replied evenly. "Serafall shared a report detailing their growth. They formed a contract years ago, and both parties seem to trust one another. If that isn't convincing enough, consider their explosive progress over the years."

I wanted to nod in acknowledgment of his statement, but I held back. Any gesture on my part might have been seen as inappropriate. This was their discussion to handle, and I had no intention of jeopardizing the opportunity.

'If this works, I could make a lasting impact on the Underworld and eliminate future threats,' I thought, closing my eyes briefly to steady myself.

'And I'm itching for a fight, damn it!' Yuzui's voice echoed in my mind, making me roll my eyes. My relationship with him was mutual at best. I could use his power, but he could only take control when I was in dire straits.

Thanks to my rapid growth, I'd managed to catch up to his strength. From that moment on, I decided to see him in a different light...

"Why don't we test it on the battlefield?"

"Lord Bael!" the room erupted, every commander turning toward the man who had spoken. I shifted my gaze toward him, taking in his presence.

"Surely, if he is to join the war, he can handle a minor front. If he can't survive it, then Serafall's judgment was flawed," he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Those words earned a slight pout from Serafall. She had been adopting her more childish behavior as of late, which I wasn't sure was intentional or natural. Zekram Bael, unfazed, continued:

"That should be your test for today. We are currently in a deadlock against the Old Satan Faction—they're far more powerful than we initially anticipated."

"You need my help to secure today's victory without any repercussions. If I prove too weak, then we'll just be useless cannon fodder. You people are as ruthless as I thought you'd be," I said flatly, forcing myself to calm the turbulent feelings that threatened to overwhelm me.

My mother, however, was clearly struggling to process the double-edged meaning behind my words.

"You're strong—at least from what I've heard. It shouldn't be too difficult," Zekram replied, his tone neutral but laced with a hint of expectation.

Zakraem Bael. What are my opinions on the guy? Well...

I took a breath, allowing my emotions to simmer beneath the surface.

"Humbly, I request my and my partner's armor. I suddenly feel the urge to make it rain devils today," I said, my voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of restrained fury.

The commanders watched me with intrigue, their eyes flicking between me and Serafall. Soon after, the requested armor arrived. What we received were chest plates, expertly crafted, designed to protect both the chest and abdomen.

"This should be enough," Mom said, clutching a necklace—the first gift I had ever given her when she embarked on this path of blood and war.

"Let's move. We need to support our comrades," Zekram commanded, his tone firm. We all nodded, and just like that, I was on the verge of changing the very foundation of Devil society.

What was amusing, in a grim sort of way, was that I was fully aware of it. From the moment I was born, I had already shifted the course of events, even if only slightly. The war starting a century later than it was supposed to? That was no coincidence.

As countless soldiers marched to the battlefield, I noticed rumors about my arrival spreading like wildfire.

"Why?" you might ask. Well, I was silently listening, perhaps underestimated by those who didn't realize that sharp senses had been my lifeline.

"Did you hear? That kid and that beautiful woman over there are being sent to war," one soldier said. There were too many bats to pinpoint who, exactly, had spoken.

"It's all over the place," another replied incredulously. "What are the higher-ups thinking?"

"Beats me. Maybe they're planning to use them as bait," someone else added, their tone laced with pity.

"Yeah, I feel bad for them."

I ignored them entirely, though Mom's expression revealed she was far more focused on the impending nightmare—the clash ahead.

"Alright, kid. Stay in line and follow orders if you want to live. Got that?" one of the devils, clad in ornate armor, barked as we observed the battle from a distance.

"Loud and clear," I replied simply, my eyes briefly darting to my partner. My hand tightened around the katana in my grip—a blade with a red-and-black hilt.

'I'll rely on you to protect those I love, myself, and to strike down all my enemies,' I thought as I held the weapon. Its length was perfect—not too long, not too short.

I glanced at Mom, her presence easing my trepidation slightly. Then at Serafall, who gave me a confident nod, and Sirzechs, who followed suit.

"I know you can do it, Hisashi. I believe in you," Serafall said, her faint smile steadying my nerves.

"And no matter what happens, I'll be by your side," Mom added, her grin filled with unwavering trust. "What do you think I've been training for all these years? I hope you'll believe in me, too."

I couldn't help but smile at them. We left Serafall behind, as the higher-ups would only intervene if things took a dire turn.

'I don't get why you're so willing to entrust your life to me. I could just get you killed and be done with it,' a warped voice echoed in my head, its tone bored.

Yuzūi was a battle maniac of sorts.

'You can't,' I responded silently. 'You'd die along with me. Besides, you'd be too lonely.'

There was a loud, annoyed huff before the voice retreated, leaving my mind clear. I raised my gaze to the solemn sky, a stark reminder of the night my father left this world.

'Father,' I began silently, 'It's been so long since we last met, and I never took the chance to thank you.

If you hadn't shielded me from that madman, I might never have experienced this second life. Perhaps I wouldn't even be standing here now...'

I chuckled a bit at that part

'Mom missed you terribly. When I was younger, I'd often hear her crying at night.

She always tried her best for us, even though life wasn't easy. And who would've thought Aunt Lila was the host of the Vanishing Dragon? The world really does have its surprises.'

"Charge!" The command snapped me back to the present.

I began walking alongside my mother, our pace quickening with each step until it turned into a full sprint. Around me, soldiers shouted their battle cries, their voices ringing with determination and rage. Their fervor ignited something primal within me.

'I've made so many allies, Father. Would you believe me if I told you some of them are devils? It just proves not all of them are evil—we were just unlucky.

I don't even know why I'm praying to you now. We didn't get much time to know each other... but maybe this is my way of showing gratitude.'

I reached up and untied the cloth that covered my face, letting it fall away. My features were fully exposed now, and the air against my skin felt heavy with anticipation.

'Are you watching this, Father? I'm about to repay the kindness you showed me in those precious four years we had together. You didn't deserve to die like that. You were a kind man, a great guy—always helping others, even though you had so little yourself.

You made me who I am today. Mom has grown into a powerful warrior. I have allies and strength of my own now. But at what cost?

My mind? My body? My soul?

The answer weighed on me heavily. Yes, it was an accurate answer. But above all, I pray that as I fight in this war, you can finally find the peace you longed for but never attained. The peace you earned.'

"And for that, I will kill anyone who caused you suffering!" I shouted, gripping my sword in a reverse grip as my first opponent rushed toward me.

Clang!

The sound of clashing steel reverberated as I gathered hollowfied Reiryoku in my right hand. With a determined slash across my face, I unleashed it.

"RRRAAAARGH!" The roar tore through me as I let go of my restraints. And so began the Devil Civil War.

And so did the legend of the first Vizard in DxD

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Happy Reading Everybody

I would like to apologize for my late release. I fell asleep unexpectedly yesterday, and I could not release the chapter. My bad...

Anyways, I think the offer I put up is a bit too much. How about we change it up a bit?

10 Powerstones= 1 Chapter

I will only have three extra chapters, which means 5 Chapters a week if you give me 30 Powerstones in total.

If you can't, then comment what you like about my story or some helpful advice. I am usually available in the span of three days from the first release, and inactive after that. Soon, I will be always active if I play my cards right.

If you can't do that, then the least you could do is add this to your collection. I update every week so you would be missing out, dattebayō!

Tomorrow is the last day I would be available for the week. See ya'.