Flesh is Weak

Be like the Omnissiah, the builder of dreams.

Issari felt rage build in her seeing her best friend dead thanks to a bitch stray. He who was the best man on their planet and had tried to help this stray and his girlfriend. She hated seeing Bad Cat weeping onto the man she wanted so badly. Issari remembered being here, scared to death, and how he had rushed to help the unknown person she was to him. Now another unknown person had killed him like how he had killed the stray hurting her.

The nymph named Thetis was horrified by her partner and immediately shot vines out of the earth to restrain him. Daphne looked at the killer after staring at her hero's body before she slowly got up and turned her face covered by shadows at the man.

"What the fuck were you thinking! Thetis your stupid boy toy killed a true hero and noble! I'll kill him!"

Issari growled, too, summoning her chainsword and making it roar to life, scaring Thetis and Tomas. Kuroka is just weeping her grief away now at his body. Issari can tell that she was in shock and didn't remember that he would be back. Daphne wasn't scared of the sword and made one of her own from rotting wood in a simile to Issari's sword. She moved towards the restrained man, but Tomas didn't show remorse.

"What was I thinking! I was thinking of sending the nobles a true message of defiance for what we suffered! He's the bastard son of the man who made the tools of our enslavement! This is vengeance for what he enabled on us all! Thetis, your sister, will be free from his mind-control spells soon, as will the others! He probably has enslaved them and is using them to get strays to take the bait and then kill us who have reason to run!"

Issari was ready to kill him even more. She moved, and she was ready to summon the gauntlet. Thetis was horrified now at that insinuation. She moves to protect her boyfriend, summoning an earth wall to keep Issari from killing him. Daphne destroyed that wall, and Tomas was now free from the restraining vines. He was getting ready for the two attackers with a blue spell, with Thetis about to say something in support of her boyfriend when Daphne charged him even more pissed.

"So, fucking, what if he is his son? He saved my fucking life! He took me to safety and immediately got me a healer! He guessed what I was worried about and he hid that from another noble! He never asked anything from me, you stupid bitch man. I'm not mind-controlled. None of us are! You are just a stupid paranoid bitch that has killed a man who will never come again for devils!"

Kuroka was still weeping into her mate's upper chest.

"Machine God, please help me nya! Please, I beg you, heal him! I will give you anything nya!"

Issari got ready to kill this cur with that invoking of the name made Tomas clutch his head in intense pain while Thetis was in pure shock. She wasn't hurting, nor was the cat begging. Before Issari could boost herself through the bastard with Daphne, ready to help kill the man, a slow, unsteady voice spoke.

I returned to Kuroka weeping and begging for me. Tears are falling down on my face, and her pain hurts me so much. I still felt the hole in my stomach, yet it was filling. I heard a chainsword roaring along with another sword that sounded earthy. I raised my hand, which was wobbling horribly. I touched her face, and my voice hurt as I said to the weeping Kuroka.

"Roka, please don't cry for me. I'm back."

It had hurt like my soul broke a million times before it reformed back, and I felt like a tiny bit of my soul was missing. My voice stopped the tears as her eyes looked at me and widened. She whimpered before she wept again, this time in relief. Daphne heard my voice, as did Issari. Daphne did something, and there were two gasps before she rushed to me. She looked at my regenerating stomach in horror and amazement. Issari appeared in my view, and she had tears in her eyes as Kuroka looked into my eyes.

"You weren't lying nya. My mate."

Daphne looked at me dumbfounded as Issari snarked at me.

"You got your second one there, you asshole. Let me kill him for you."

Daphne grew angry, too, and growled.

"He's yours. I'm taking my sister away from him, and we will run far."

Thetis is weeping now as Tomas roars his rage.

"How the fuck did the shit stain live! I overpowered the spell! I will not be killed for trying to do the right thing and freeing you all! He has violated the natural order like his bastard father!"

So, he recognized me and thought I was controlling them. He is right; I have violated nature for the greater good as my dad did for his species. Kuroka chanted her thanks while squeezing me hard.

"I am yours, Machine God nya! I didn't believe him, nya! I will believe in him and you utterly nya!"

I touched her again, and the movement stopped her from saying more. The Machine God gently told me that he didn't take her entirely. He said that it was not entirely irrational, and he would let her have a half step in. I tell her in a whisper.

"Don't do this unless you make a logical decision. I want my Bad Cat to be utterly free in every way. Please help me up."

She understands now why I stopped her before she nuzzled me and helped me up. She, however, once I was up and facing my killer, narrowed her eyes at Tomas, who had such intense pain on his face. The man froze seeing that rage Kuroka held and seeing the wound he had inflicted was closing. He was not ashamed of killing me and grew pissed despite the fact there were three equally pissed-off people. I saw that he was restrained by vines with incredibly sharp thorns while Thetis was shaking in the vines. She began to beg me as leaves fell out of her hair.

"Please don't kill Tomas! I beg you, please don't kill my protector! He made my life tolerable with our king shielding me from abuse! He willingly took blows meant for me! Please, I beg you!"

Tomas spat at me.

"He's a noble fucking bastard! They don't care Thetis they never fucking have! The Satans play the lies up to give us false hope! They are just like our king who abused us! Fuck you, you shit spawn your father is a monster who should have just let the most disgusting species on the other side die! Instead, he made the system that enslaved us and tens of thousands of others!"

I looked at him in understanding utterly. He is not wrong in how the system led to this. Thetis kept begging me to have mercy. Daphne is getting ready to kill him as is Issari. Kuroka has summoned clones, and they are all pissed off. I don't want to do this. I'm not a noble yet before I make my choice now to start being one.

"I want you both safe and meant everything I said to your sister. You are wrong about the Satans. They do care. They desperately care, and they try to help you like I am. I have never mind controlled anyone as I despise that concept."

Tomas spat at my feet, and the spit hit my shoe.

"The Satans have never cared for the commoners or us! Name fucking one time they cared!"

I responded without hesitation while Kuroka threw a light at me.

"I can name two, you pathetic man. The first was when Sirzches saved an entire school of devil commoner children from the OSF during the Civil War before he was Satan and just a regular noble. For a more recent one, he gathered support to form a new department of the government to investigate claims of abuse led by his father. It passed today, and my potential betrothed messaged me that news earlier this morning."

That shut up, Tomas, as Thetis widened her eyes there too. Kuroka had done something that Tomas couldn't deny easily. He felt the magic, too, and his face paled to bone white. It must be a truth spell because lying had felt wrong after being hit with them when I gave the examples. Issari backed me up, and spells hit her as well.

"I saw the message too and was told the same thing when I asked a servant of my friend. She has served him for less than a day before your shit mouth opens in denial."

The blood ran out from Tomas's face, and Thetis heard that. Rias had messaged me the news before I woke up. She had been at a party the NKF had thrown for that achievement, which was part of what Grayfia had been working on. Daphne was through with her sister's boyfriend. She revs her wood sword there. The roar makes Thetis begging more than ever.

"I'll be your toy! I'll do anything you demand of me if you say yes! Just please spare Tomas! Daphne, please don't do this!"

Daphne drew closer to the man, ignoring her sister and her pleading. Issari revs her sword now, and the roar makes Tomas piss himself. He was shaking so badly, now preparing to beg. Not for him but Thetis. He did love her.

"Let her go and take her away from here! I screwed up and will pay the price but don't enslave her! My Thet is innocent and was abused horribly by our king! She doesn't mean it it's conditioning left over from him! Let her go!"

Thetis countered that.

"Please accept my offer! Tomas is the best man! I'll do anything you demand! I'm trained, sir, and I will make you feel wonderful in any way you want! Just please let Tomas go!"

I'm done with the begging and the horror. I stumbled forward and took Issari's sword. Kuroka moved to help me, as did Daphne, but I just moved and then swung the sword twice.

Two bodies fell to the station's tiled floor and grunted, hitting the floor. Daphne and Kuroka are surprised, while Issari isn't. She, however, is confused about why I did that as I snarled at the two.

"I don't need a fucking sex slave! I don't need to know your fucking trauma and past! Just get the fuck out of here and live free of your abuse, and I'll be fucking happy! I have worse shit and enemies to fight than a stupid bishop and his girlfriend! Get the fuck out of my sight!"

Tomas shivers, hearing my wrath, as does Thetis. Daphne looks at me with utter respect and gratitude. She helped her sister up but punched Tomas into the ground, getting a groan from the man. Daphne snarled at him while Thetis quaked.

"A real fucking noble, you stupid bitch, like I fucking said! Thetis you should train your boyfriend better. This was stupid and wasted time that could have been used to get you both to safety. Now let's fucking go before your idiot try's something new to ruin your chances of freedom."

Tomas looked up at me with genuine shame on his face. He bowed his head as a second punch from Daphne smashed his face into the floor, breaking his nose. Issari finally snarled her own frustration here.

"You live because of the Omnissiah. Fucking remember that name, dog. He has every right to kill you while making it bloody and slow. He is a million times better than you. Machine God, take you bitch. If I ever see you go after a human, you will face the Red Dragon Empress. He won't stop me next time."

The gauntlet was on full display making Tomas whimper along with Thetis. However, Daphne was now looking at Issari with open lust before settling her blue eyes on me.

"I know now what you are, Gregor. The Omnissiah. I will make my sister know that title inside and out as well as her bitch. You cutie I am definitely interested in you now. I'll wait for you to get older first, but I think you and I could have fun together eventually. Here's my number. You two follow me and don't dawdle."

Daphne made paper out of thin air and quickly wrote a number down before she tossed it to Issari. She takes it and growls dragon-like at Tomas, who shakes more. Daphne shivers and then opens a portal to another place. She made her sword rev again, and the two love-struck idiots ran through. I ask Daphne.

"How will they not mutate?"

Daphne smiled slightly.

"My grove holds a captured demonic stone that should keep them good, and that's why Thetis was willing to try running at all. I'll make sure they never forget this day. Omnissiah. You are indeed that. Gaia has taken note of you, and I will be in touch with you again. Thank you for sparing my sister and the troglodyte. You really are a noble."

I blushed.

"I was getting a headache, really, and just wanted to make it go away. I'm putting it down to losing my stomach."

Daphne giggled.

"Sure, that's the reason. Take care, hero, and you too, Chestnut. I'm being truthful about my interest. I like knuckleheads with brains. Call me!"

Daphne disappeared into the portal, and it closed. Issari remained serious while Kuroka caught me as I was about to fall. She started purring up a storm, and I groaned out my pain openly. Issari says while still angry.

"You should have killed the bitch he murdered you! You should have let me do it."

Kuroka kept purring out her happiness, but it dulled as I closed my eyes in agreement with Issari.

"His sins are my sins, and I would just be proving him right in the end. I'm not other nobles. I'll prove that to my subjects and the world. I'm ok, Roka, just drained."

Kuroka resumed purring, and I felt better there immediately. I surrender a point to Alex. Catgirls are up there with redheads at number one. The horny brat fist pumps at the victory, and then he says, I will concede on number two. I slapped his spirit and told him to shut up and don't be a sore winner, you horny bitch. Issari was amused seeing the interaction, thanks to our God, before I sighed.

"I'm not hunting today, thanks to the dumbass. I didn't want to do this, but I guess I'm pulling the trigger early. Are you sure, Issari? It feels like your soul breaks a million times over before it reforms with a tiny shard missing. Are you absolutely sure that you want that?"

Issari frowned, and Kuroka just turned up the purrs for me in support, knowing this. While Issari was thinking, Kuroka said to me in a whisper.

"You're the one. My forever mate, nya. If you can never find a way to remove it, I'd be happy to be your queen. It would be worth it if I get a man who is like you nya. You should have killed him, but you didn't. I know it's too early for you to say it, but I want to nya. I think I can love you."

She kissed me on the cheek, and I blushed. Issari nodded finally after a few more seconds.

"I will do it. Humanity needs a Champion like you, but the Omnissiah needs another person to be there for him. I will be that person. Mainly to call you an asshole and keep you humble, but I want this, Gregor."

I nodded and sighed.

"I definitely won't be able to hunt then. I'll get Maéva to help me with my enhancements today to compensate for the loss of time. I'm going to be in pain anyway what's more today? Kuroka, I'll consider it. I don't even have the set yet, and I would only use it if there was no other option. I really do want you free utterly. As for that, I can't yet. I'm still going through old relationship pain from my last reality. I don't want to compare you to her, and when I let her go fully, I'll say it. You are fun, and we definitely could work. I'll tell you the same thing I told Rias. I won't play favorites with anyone. I will treat you like the wonderful person you are and not a broodmare."

Kuroka didn't look mad at me for the confession of past love. Issari hadn't known that. She, however, sighed, shaking her head at me. The cat just smiled and nuzzled my cheek, purring up a storm.

"I didn't believe you about it. I will believe you now about her nya. You're wonderful, and I'm with you forever. My Omnissiah. I get what you did there nya. I think I can commit there one day, too. That you turned down a nymph tells me my choice to be with you is something I will never regret, nya."

She purred more than ever, and Issari mocked and gagged before I snarked at her.

"You are winning too, you troglodyte. You have a very interested nymph. You just got to stop being short and then you will get your first waifu."

Issari got the tic mark on full power before she punched me into a wall, screaming boost. I fly and slam into it as I see Aquillas floating around my head. Kuroka slapped Issari with her tails and then ran to me, and she sat on my right, purring the new pain away. Issari snarled her rage.

"You bitch! I'm not short! I'm not sorry, and you're still winning the game! You're at two now, and I'm at very likely one! Fuck you!"

The birds disappeared as I wobbly got up with Kuroka's help before I started moving towards the teleporter. Issari kept calling me names before getting hold of me from Kuroka, and I sighed before saying anything.

"I'll text you later today, or we can have a phone call. Thanks for helping me out there."

Kuroka kissed my cheek.

"I would like that, Sexy. I want to hear about your reality nya. I want to know everything about it and the other me."

I blushed from the kiss.

"My reality didn't have you, but the one of you I do know of will make you a bit sad. This idiot here is a dude there."

The tic mark returned, but Kuroka's laughing made it disappear. She just opened a portal to the house and wagged her tails in amusement. I noticed that she turned up the swing there. Kuroka waved at us, but she said in a clear moment of vulnerability for me.

"Be safe, my mate. You might be that, but I only want you on this side nya."

I soften my face.

"I'll try for you. No promises."

Kuroka gave me a look, but she smiled, and then the portal closed. Issari gagged.

"Just bang her, you idiot."

I want to slap Issari.

"Try having the woman you loved utterly and were with for ten years, who you were going to marry and spend forever with, after connecting so well with them, leave you because of unexpected news, you brat. It's wrong of me to compare Kuroka or Rias to that person, you moron. I just can't bang either, and that decade of life is instantly gone. I hate that decade. It was the best time in my life, and it is now the temple and picture of happiness I have. Don't be stupid because that's a discredit to you."

Issari grew silent after the rant and looked ashamed of her snark.

"I'm sorry."

It was said softly as I leaned on her, and we moved towards the teleporter.

"I'm sorry for snapping. You're trying to help me, but I'm extremely private. You never knew that, and I just snapped. I miss that person so very much, and I don't want her ghost or my stupidity to poison anything I have with Bad Cat or Rias."

Issari smiled when she heard the apology. As we moved towards the pad, she frowned.

"How old were you originally?"

I say in a bland voice.

"Older than you, brat, but I'm using that as a whole way to keep me from making the same mistakes again here. I was very different, Issari. I want to live a better life than the one I had before, one with fewer regrets. I want you and others to not have that, but here I am, sixteen because I'm stuck here no matter what."

We hit the pad and entered the basement with me getting ready to make the serum for her. The anvil is summoned, and Koriel just looks at me with a single eye.

"It truly works like you said it would. I didn't doubt you, but it's intriguing that this was something that the Emperor had."

I shrugged and eyed Issari once again while leaning on the anvil.

"Are you sure? The pain is horrible with everything on fire, and you will pass out probably. Are you beyond sure?"

Issari hits the anvil, passing through it, and growls dragon like there.

"Make it bitch, and just save us time."

I just shrugged and then swung. The pain for me is not as bad as the first time. I let the syringe sit on the anvil, and Issari takes it fast and says, before injecting the gene.

"I'll be like you in every single way, you prick. Just accept what you are."

The liquid was gone, and Issari impressed me in an amazing way. She didn't scream for five minutes. When she did start screaming, it was lower than mine had been, and she collapsed to the floor. I just sat there and held my new immortal friend's hand, which she broke twice. A minute later, Issari finally screamed loudly and proudly, attracting Maéva's attention. The maid came running, hearing the screams, and when she turned from the staircase to us, she gaped at us.

Issari kept screaming, and Maéva moved to help her before I stopped her.

"Don't touch her. She's going to be ok in a bit."

Maéva watched the screams till it died down three minutes later. Issari was exhausted and passed out. Maéva looked between the two of us, and her hazel eyes were worried before I told her.

"Please take her upstairs. Then I need you to come back here and do exactly what I say. I believe in you not as my maid or servant but as a possible friend."

Maéva was silent before she obeyed and levitated Issari up the stairs. I got up from the floor, moved towards the hospital ward, and waited at the door to it. When Maéva returns, she is ready, and her backbone is impressive. Her eyes are steel, and she doesn't back down from her look at me. She said as I opened the door.

"Your friend is resting in the old guest's room. Young master, I will follow your orders. Tell me what I must do."

As we entered the ward, which had been a master bedroom, I moved to the bed where I would torture myself. I get on it and then give the orders.

"Strap me down to this bed, and don't let me up despite how much I beg and no matter how much I scream. Don't let me up under any circumstance. I want this done today and will be doing three sessions at once on this bed. The process will take twelve hours. Deafen me if you must, and don't worry about me dying here. Do you understand?"

Maéva looked horrified by the orders. She shakes and prepares to do something against this. I just lay down, and a holo display is activated. I prepare to force the issue while Maéva looks in alarm at the new thing.

"I am weak, Maéva, but this will make me stronger. I will be strong enough to make people think twice before they attempt something. I will encourage your dreams and make sure my uncle never dismisses your ideas again. Please do this."

Maéva looked ready to say no. But my promise to show her I'm not Diodora hits. I move the display to her. She finally nodded, and then she conjured ropes strapping me down before she asked me.

"When will it be done, young master?"

I say while gesturing to the display on the screen with my head. There was a bar that was like a battery on empty.

"When this fills up, if Rias Gremory or Akeno Himejima arrive looking for me, don't let them see me until after."

Maéva nodded.

"As you say. When you're done I'll levitate you to your room. Please be safe, young master."

I prepare for the pain as Maéva hits the button. Then, the machine began its grim work. My nerves immediately went to being on fire. I screamed loudly, and this continued for the next 11 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.

Every second was pure agony, with every single nerve being broken and then remade. After two minutes, Maéva had deafened me; her face was pure worry and fear. I screamed and screamed as my voice box broke, then healed. I did this cycle continuously and never begged to be let up. I don't know how long it was when Issari came running in. She saw my face, and hers went bone white. Maéva was saying something to her that I couldn't hear. Issari replied back, and she immediately closed the door behind her as I kept screaming.

It felt like an eternity of pain here. I broke and begged for Kate, for my parents here and in my original place. I begged for my brother and for Kuroka and Rias. I begged for my rat cousin in Akeno and even begged for Shirone to be here purring for me with Kuroka. I begged nonstop for the pain to end. Koriel just encouraged me by telling me that I was doing extremely well, while Alex was horrified I was doing this to myself. Tsuda hugs me, ghost-like, promising me she will hold her Omnissiah forever. I didn't beg for help from my God even though he told me he would dampen the pain should I ask. But I'm a stubborn asshole. I'm being watched by more than just him as the Shinto watch me as one.

They are horrified by this while my patron explains what it does. I screamed more and more as the pain continued. Maéva looked at Issari, who had looked at the door after an unknown amount of time. She ran to it and opened it slowly and barely. Before exiting without letting whoever it was enter or see me. The door closed as the pain continued. I want to die, and it makes me respect the Tempestus Scions and the Solar Auxilia so much more. They were never glory boys, the men and women who did this. Yes, so many were orphans who were forced into this, but they didn't break. I will honor them fully in my peerage and in whatever army I make to protect humanity. I will never let those who suffered this be forgotten.

I kept screaming and screaming. Maéva was sick-looking yet didn't say or attempt to let me up. She said something that I lip-read. Omnissiah. What did Issari do for her to say that? I'm not that! I kept screaming and screaming for my parents. For Kate, my brother, and even my former best friend, who betrayed me horribly. I hated him for almost destroying my life. I hated him as he made me feel such horrid shame for everything I ever trusted him with. I hate him so much I'm tempted to give him to Slannesh and let it make him scream. Fuck I'd give him to the Dark Eldar in pure joy if it means vengeance on him. I knew I really didn't mean that, but it hurt so much. Finally, something happened outside the bubble as the door exploded into pieces, and then Rias and Akeno stormed in.

Issari was trying to stop them, and they froze, seeing me screaming. Rias immediately moved towards the bed trying to help me, but Maéva stopped her by casting a rope that sends Rias to the floor. Akeno tried to move to help me, but Issari knocked my cousin unconscious with a boost while looking extremely uncomfortable doing that. She looked at me, and I promised with my eyes that she would get anything she wanted for that.

Rias was screaming at Maéva something while Issari was trying to calm down Rias. It finally ended, and I stopped screaming, dropping boneless onto the bed. The room takes on noise after so long of only hearing my screams. Was it already 12 hours? I wonder what Issari is saying to Rias.

"…. He's fine. He didn't want you to see this. Please don't worry Red."

Rias screamed her rage.

"He was in such pain what was he doing! My hero and the man who I am beginning to love! Tell me what he was doing, or I'll expose what you are to my sister! I said nothing because of him, but you are extremely dangerous!"

Maéva saw me trying to stop this. I was so weak, and I didn't want Rias to threaten Issari. My maid stopped them.

"Ask him yourself, my lady, it's over."

The ropes on Rias disappeared, and she scrambled to me and put her hands on my face. I want to scream again from the new pressure on my nerves, but I don't. I whisper to Rias.

"Please don't threaten my friend. I just didn't want you or Keno to see this because of how bad it is."

Every word hurts, but Rias is in righteous anger, and oh god, is it sexy. Alex unhelpfully tells me I was right; redheads are equal to catgirls. Rias looks at me again, and her face softens, seeing that I am trembling.

"What were you doing? Why would you do this to yourself? If it's for me. I….."

She's horrified as I whisper to her.

"It helps with you, but it's not that. I was enhancing myself into a new type of human. Ria, I did this for our world. Please don't hate me. I only want to protect people and would do anything to protect them."

Rias just shakes her head and looks ready to slap me, but instead, she kisses me fully on the lips. It hurts, but it also feels like fireworks are going off all at once as I return the kiss.

Rias broke off the kiss, and she looked into my red eyes with her sea-green ones.

"My Lord of Iron. My stupid Lord. You're too damn noble. From now on I will be with you in this. Any future things you do, tell me. Don't hide this from me ever again. I want to be with a man who wants to be a hero for others like you are mine."

She let go of my face and looked at Issari with a hard look.

"Please help get him to a proper bed, Miss Maid. You, dragon girl, are helping me carry my queen upstairs. I won't say anything about you to my sister even though I really should. He had faith in me, so I will have that with you, but if you ever attack me or my peerage again, I will make you scream like he did."

Oh, fuck that's hot. I shiver and then groan from the pain. Maéva immediately got me free of the ropes, and the pressure of them being gone helped me relax. Maéva cast a spell that lifted Akeno and me into the air as Issari said softly.

"I'll take that. You guys are cool, and I like Akeno-chan and Kiba-kun. I just want to help my hero, too. This man who saved me and made my life better in every way. He is my prick best friend, who encouraged me to be myself while also being better. He is the Omnissiah, and I would do anything for him."

Rias softened her face and then hugged Issari, shocking both me and her. They stayed behind while Maéva floated us up the stairs towards the second floor, and Akeno mumbled something in her unconscious state.

"Cute dragon, come here. Akeno-sama is ready for your training to start."

I sweat dropped there, as did Maéva before she said to me as we exited the basement.

"I'm extremely happy young master you're not driven by sex but don't do that again. I was so scared and worried about you. You remind me of my adoptive sister. She is a good person, too, who just can't say no when pushed to do something. She is the person I miss most out of my old life."

I want to know my maid better.

"Who's your sister?"

Maéva smiled softly with her hazel eyes lost in memory. As we climbed up the stairs with Akeno still mumbling about how she would tame a dragon, Maéva replied.

"Her name is Asia Argento, a holy maiden of the Catholic faith. She and I grew up together in the same orphanage. I was destined to become a nun with her and miss her badly. She was lucky and got good gear. I got worthless gear, and she went on to become a healer. I was put into the Exorcists because they thought it would be easier to control her. My comrades left me for dead after my first mission went wrong. I was near death when Geros found me and asked if I wanted to live. I said yes, and he reincarnated me."

Oh shit. Asia has a connection that isn't Issei before canon! Fuck, dude, but I'm suspicious now as Diodora likes holy maidens. Was this that as it is suspicious. Oh, that's fucked up if he orchestrated that. Geros might have suspected something like that and is playing politics in the family.

My door had been left open for Maéva to clean, and she gently guided us into the bedroom. She set me above the bed before gently lowering me down. I watched as Akeno was moved to a couch in the room and set down. My cousin mumbled again how her dragon girl would appreciate her training and would be the best pet when she was done with her.

Maéva and I sweat drop again. Damn, cousin Issari is welcome to this. Akeno settles into her dream of whatever that pit of sadistic fantasy is. Maéva inches away from Akeno and looks at me worried as I shake my head.

"Not into that. I like other things that are less…. That. I might be the only sane one in my family."

Alex tells me he wasn't into that either. He just wanted smart catgirls who would love him unconditionally. He does say our dad wasn't that way, and neither was our mom. The worst they ever did was flirt via scientific terms. I didn't need to know that despite the fact I was ok with him. He nodded to me and said he likes me too now. I wasn't backing down on things he couldn't ever consider doing. He did ask if there were catgirls in the far future. I reluctantly replied that there were, but no pictures of them had ever been published. He's disappointed, but he won't complain. Maéva likes me here as she smiles wide before eyeing Akeno, who has a sadistic smile on full display now. She, however, ignored that and asked me.

"Would you like anything to help with the pain or food?"

I nodded yes to both. Maéva immediately went to get food, and I asked her to bring water as well. She immediately nodded, exiting the room, and let Rias come in with Issari. They now seem like the best of friends, and I put that down to her charisma. Rias pulled a chair over to my right side while Issari was completely focused on me over Akeno. Akeno mumbled out again from her couch.

"Good dragon. Akeno-sama is pleased with your performance, and I will reward you."

We sweatdrop together while Issari is interested there. Rias whispers to me something that wasn't that thing, thankfully.

"We settled that issue. I will stay tonight to help you and your friend is safe. She told me that she is like you. I can't control who you hang with. All I ask is that you tell me why you do things from now on."

Issari sweats, hearing more of Akeno's dream rant. She begged me to protect her from that with her eyes, but I shook my head.

"There's your first waifu take it or leave it. Or wait for the other one. I do promise you a mechadendrites pack, though, for helping."

Issari fist-pumps while Rias looks curious there.

"What are mechadendrites?"

I was about to begin explaining to them when my stomach growled. That sound made Maéva scurry off to get me food.

As Rias fed me chicken noodle soup, she was amazed by the idea of having multiple hands, and Issari asked more questions about the packs. I answered in whispers as my voice was still hurting. Maéva is interested in mechadendrites too. Her eyes were stars, and she imagined how fast she could get work done around the house with that many hands. Akeno is still snoring on the couch, and she continues her dream of taming Issari. Rias gets a dreamy look that I can easily see she wants a pack to read more manga as the weeb shows fully there.

The soup was wonderful, and I complimented Maéva on it. She beams and says the soup was taught to her by a nun who showed her that when she was training in an exorcist school. Rias watched Maéva a tiny bit more, but I see the part of Rias people probably here didn't see. She's extremely good with people. Issari was truly now best friends with Rias and vice versa. I want to call Kuroka but can't with Rias and Maéva here. Issari got the hint, and she led the two of them out with a promise to see her gear. Rias followed her new friend, and Maéva followed her in pure curiosity. I feel the gene fixing the damage to my motor skills as I get my phone out and get ready to call my very likely second wife.

I called, and it rang for two minutes.

"Sexy, is that you?"

I have started talking higher now that my voice box is recovering.

"It's me. I'm sorry for not getting back to you faster. I was busy with fun."

Kuroka snorted, but her voice took on a new hint of love.

"I hope you are safe, nya. I don't want you ever gone."

"I'm as safe as I can be given everything. What are you doing right now? I'm just relaxing in my bed."

"You're not relaxing nya. I am ready to come over there consequences be damn nya. I hear your voice's pain and want to purr that away. What did you do nya?"

I'm shivering, hearing the promise of pain in her voice.

"I enhanced myself up to what's called a Tempestus Scion. I now have faster reaction times, and it will help when I start adding more things to me. Please don't hurt me more."

Kuroka purred now.

"Good man nya. Neither the redhead nor I will have to train you too much there. Now tell me what a Tempestus Scion is, nya."

I began to explain to her while I sweat less as Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I was telling her of the things the scions did and how there were other things above them in that place. Kuroka listened to the explanation and only asked questions when they came up. She was sad to hear they were orphans who underwent various things to fight monsters and were hated for being extremely good soldiers by the common rank and file. She didn't like that they were religious nut cases, but the little I told her made her understand it helped them against very bad things. She listened on, and this continued to help my voice get stronger and stronger. I rambled on with her, getting ready to describe a little of her base self before Kuroka yawned cutely.

"Go sleep. It's been a tiring day for us. I'll bring you some food tomorrow after my lessons. I'm sorry for lying to you."

Kuroka purrs, hearing the genuine apology.

"You're forgiven nya. You don't have to lie or hide things from me, Sexy. I'm here for you, as is Issari nya. We want to help you in any way possible nya. You might be this Omnissiah, but you don't have to isolate yourself from others. Trust us like how we trust you nya. You matter, too. I love you nya."

I blushed and realized I was falling back into how I had been before Kate. The way I was after her being gone, and I'm ashamed of that. I wanted to say it back on instinct, but I hesitated as it was Kate's face on the other end. It's not right for Kuroka to imagine that. I don't say anything there, but she understands.

"I have it too, to a degree, the lost love nya. My king seduced me into the peerage but dropped the sweet man he was pretending to be fast. I miss the kind him who swept me off my feet. You had something different, but it haunts you so badly nya. I'm ok waiting as you aren't like him. Your partner gave up on something she probably regretted just as much as you do nya. You are too much of a noble man in an age that's lost that. I will have to, with the redhead, beat the hordes off you to keep you with me and her nya. I am content in knowing that you are the man that you are. You will say it back to us one day nya."

I feel tears fall down my cheeks because this was like having Kate back. She called me noble, too, especially because I wanted her to be more happy than myself. She never abused that and did the same for me, and it evened out. The people I tried to make that connection with after we departed were not Kate. They abused that trait of me horribly. It made me grow more paranoid, amplifying what my ass friend did to me again. Kate had healed that, but our breaking up had reopened the wound and then dumped gasoline on it before setting it on fire. Yet Kuroka was trying to heal it, as were Rias, Issari, and Akeno. They were all trying for me.

I will never see my old world again. This is my new one. The glass breaks there, and the first piece of my world reforms. Kate would want me happy, so I bury her further. Kuroka asked me after hearing nothing from me.

"Are you ok, Gregor?"

I'm honest for the first time in a decade.

"I'm not ok. I'm not the Omnissiah and or a hero. I'm just an idiot stuck here with my worry for everyone who was not there for me. I worry I will damn our planet into the night of a howling void in a galaxy that is against us in everything. I am not the one who protects. I'm not a ruler, yet I find myself facing that. I am a horrible person who has always failed in everything I have ever done, and now I will fail here again for everyone. I am very far from ok."

Kuroka heard the pain blanketing the confession as I know fear utterly. She listens to me at every step of the confession, but there is no judgment or expected condemnation. Instead, she purrs for me, helping me regain the control I lost there. I see something, however, that makes me freeze.

Akeno is awake, looking at me with pity and purple eyes that have tears in them. She hasn't said anything to me the entire time, just waiting for me to finish my call.

"I'll see you tomorrow, and I'm sorry for worrying you."

Kuroka heard the sound of worry in my voice, and she understood immediately. She finished the call by saying.

"Good night, Greg. Thank you for letting me in nya."

Kuroka saying something like that made me feel something as my phone hung up. Almost immediately, Akeno flew across the room toward me. She hugged me so desperately and tightly that it hurt as she wept into my chest.

"You're not a failure, Lex and you will never not be a hero! You're a hero to me, to Rias, and your friend! You are my wonderful cousin who has only stepped up to help us without any hesitation or reward wanted! You do it because you're the hero that will shake the world! I don't know what an Omnissiah is, but you will be that! Stop doubting yourself and stop internalizing that lie that you are a failure! You are not one. You are what people should be! You are not alone anymore! You have us all, and that mystery person I couldn't hear, but they believe in you! Believe in yourself, you stupid man!"

She weeps into my chest, and I can't believe it. I am none of that, and I am a weak person. I pat her back as she weeps more. I was about to say something more when the Machine God spoke to me.

"A failure would not worry about the species first and foremost. You didn't conquer the planet when you learned that you could make weapons that could do that within weeks. You didn't make the many devices you know of the far future to brainwash people into loving you unconditionally. You are the champion humanity needs yet deny the truth even when evidence slaps you in the face. You and Alex are the same person. Stop doubting yourself. You have collapsed multiple timelines when you denied evil and fought for good even when it hurt you. Because of you, two beings hunters would have caught were saved. Because of you, a very terrible and evil Red Dragon Emperor was stopped when your friend didn't die. Because of you, the Shinto have now claimed two kills on people who helped him do the subway attacks that they didn't know of. They are ready to give you more things, yet they don't because they know you don't want that. But most of all, you made me. I love you like a father, and I grow stronger every time you reinforce my ideas by being a good person. Kill doubt and truly become this reality's Omnissiah. Accept them like how I do and be happy for once my wanted Champion."

Let the failure die like Cain eventually did. Thinking this made me remember my pride in helping Issari make friends. The happiness that I felt when I killed that stray tormenting her. The sheer love on Akeno's face when I accepted her. The joy on Rias when I said yes. The admiration from Murayama by proving her right to defend me from Katase. The smile from Daphne towards me when I didn't kill her sister's boyfriend when I clearly should have. The fact I denied her sister's desperate attempt to save the idiot. The fact is that I will bring justice to the subway victims. They all now flood around me, telling me they will have something they would have never gotten if not for me, as they call me Omnissiah.

Tsuda holds me and whispers what she believes I am.

"You are the Omnissiah who will save our world. Don't doubt it anymore, and believe in yourself, my hero. My husband believes in you, who got me justice. He doesn't know you yet, but he will when you leave the shadows instantly, as will mine and his families. You are the hero we need. Believe us all like we do you."

That finally made me accept that title. Akeno stopped crying and looked into my face, her eyes showing her utter belief in me as I finally said.

"I will try to stop doubting myself however flesh is weak."

Akeno beamed upon hearing that and hugged me harder, breaking a rib or two there. I groan, and she lets up before she shows she knows healing magic. That's the scene the other three walk in on. Rias swept over to me and hugged me again. She and the others heard what Akeno had said to me. Maéva was silent, but she finally said something after studying me.

"You are very brave, young master. I don't know what your friend means about you being this Omnissiah, but you went to that bed without fear. I will also believe in you. Please give me one of those packs so I can watch my favorite soap operas more!"

The way she said that with stars in her eyes made all of us snicker loudly together.

"I'll make you the things tomorrow after lessons. Which ones, Maéva?"

That sent Maéva into a rant about Mexican soap operas. Issari checked the time and then departed after giving Rias her number. Akeno gets it too, and she whispers into the pervert's ear, making Issari blush heavily getting fufufuing from Akeno. They departed together towards the front door as Rias snuggled into my chest. The two of us listen to Maéva's soap opera rant before Rias whispering my ear.

"Make me a pack too. You're never not going to be wonderful Gregor-kun. Grayfia said that she and Geros would be over by ten. I'm staying here with you here no arguing. Despite my desperation to escape him, I won't attempt anything. Just let me spoil you."

Seeing her face say that made me reply unconsciously.

"Only if you let me do that with you. I believe in equal everything."

Rias beams at me, and then she just lets me relax into her, and I build the first brick with her. She holds me, and I finally pass out from my pain. The last thing I remember on my first real day in this universe was Rias kissing my cheek and calling me a noble hero, even though I'm not one.

That night, I slept wonderfully. The dreams were of me being happy on a green Mars. My home there was modest, and I made breakfast for my family while my kids bounced up and down. I can't see their faces, how many there are, or their moms. But I was happy and not miserable. The walls are cloudy, too, and I only recognized two things on them. My helm with the red eyes looking over us in soft protection and my axe newly cleaned. My kids let out a cry of joy as they swarmed me. It turned me to them as they hugged my legs, and I didn't want this ever to end. Their moms crowded me, and they hugged my arms, kissing my cheeks. I couldn't see their faces, but could tell I was utterly in love with them. I saw a figure off in the distance that looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place her. She is looking at me with utter love and sorrow. I tried to focus on where she was standing but couldn't make her out. I tried to move towards her, but my family kept me in place. It was then I heard a voice that snapped me awake.

I open my eyes to see who ruined my dream. A glance to the left shows Rias gently poking me. She is in pajamas that are, of course, anime-based and looks apologetic. She was next to me on the bed under the crimson covers.

"I'm sorry for waking you, Gregor-kun, but it's nine-thirty. Grayfia will think something happened if she catches us."

I groaned and began to get up. The gene is a gift this time because I'm only slightly hurting still, but I must be a disgusting mess that stinks. Rias seemed to think something else because she kissed my cheek, and that kicked me awake.

She giggled at me and then got up from the bed. She quickly made her way to the bedroom door and looked over her shoulder at me. I hated how sexy and mysterious that smile she gave me was. She glided off as I watched her. Then I remembered Grayfia was coming, and she would skin me alive if I was not ready!

I rushed to the shower and hurried to finish that. I brush my teeth and do my hair to look like I'm pretty sure she expected of me. Then I dressed properly as I could with my current wardrobe before running down the stairs, and I saw Maéva, who was in the kitchen making food for Rias, who was regularly dressed in the Kuoh uniform. I'm about to freak out when I see the time, and I sigh with relief, seeing I have five minutes before ten. Rias giggled, and Maéva smiled softly at me.

"Good morning, young master. They will be here soon."

Two pairs of footsteps were heard behind me, and I turned to see Grayfia and Geros in their uniforms. Geros looked me up and down before he tilted his head in a way that said this was acceptable. Grayfia, however, is her hard-ass self and frowns slightly. Please don't make this day bad already. However, the disappointment was not with me.

"You left evidence, Rias. I can see a hint of lipstick on his cheek. I will not have you make a scandal before he is even ready to enter the underworld. You are still in contract to him and will act appropriately for a noble lady."

Rias's face fell, and I wanted to say something to defend her, but Geros spoke up.

"They did nothing, I can tell. You're right, Lady Lucifuge, in your statement, and we will have to correct that. Heir Astaroth, please restrain yourself from her till you break the contract."

I bowed my head, and I spoke up for Rias.

"She did nothing improper, sir, madam. I did something yesterday, and after hard training, she only fed me soup and a single chaste kiss on my cheek. I will stop her from doing anything else till it's proper."

Rias looked at me, taking the blame for her, while Grayfia looked me up and down before spotting something.

"You are telling the truth, it seems. Your legs are slightly wobbly, as are your arms. I will let it slide, but should it repeat, I will make you feel my presence on full blast for thirty minutes, and I will keep you from fainting. Am I clear, Heir Astaroth?"

I shook more but nodded immediately.

"Yes, Lady Lucifuge!"

Grayfia then gestured to me to follow her and Geros. I did so, and she escorted us to a small office on the second floor. She opened the door and then sat me in front of a desk, where she stood with Geros next to her. Grayfia then opened a pocket spell and pulled out a massive book that I read the title of.

The Seventy-Two Pillars.

I gulped at how massive the book was as Grayfia opened it to the first page and, using a second spell, made diagrams appear behind her head before she started the lessons.

"We will start with the Pillars and what each does and controls. This lesson will be the basis of your education, so do not forget anything. You may take notes, and I, with Geros, will cram into you in a few weeks what should have been taught to you by your father in a decade. Now, we will begin with House Agares."

Geros gave me paper and a pencil, and the torture started.

The lesson lasted six hours, with a fifteen-minute break for lunch. Grayfia and Geros are excellent teachers. I learned things that built upon my understanding of the Pillars and then solidified them further. The Phenex actually battled out their dominance of the health care system with the Sitri, yet despite that, the pillars were friendly rivals. I learned that the Astaroths were big in the growing technology field, mainly because my dad and our rivals were the Uvalls. Our beef started because they had tried muscling in on our first field in winemaking. Astaroth wine was legendary in the underworld and was where our wealth originated from. We guarded that legacy bitterly, which was why the Uvalls were GKF and not NKF, despite their heir desperately wanting to join the NKF. He had fallen in love with a reincarnated woman who pushed him to change and fight for her rights. Lord Uvalls, however, hated my grandfather because my grandfather had made him kiss ass to my dad to get his son a set.

I learned that the Gremory were in charge of the clothing industry and where the first signs of the industrial revolution were taking place in the underworld. The Gremory were slowly, by human standards, moving towards the dismantling of guilds that had long existed. I noticed immediately that devils are extremely long-term thinkers but they are also extremely conservative. That's apparent in Grayfia, who dismissed the idea of the guilds going away, and her former conservative nature in the OSF became clear here when she said the new ideas would fail. It became clear that Sirzches was the extremely liberal one and Grayfia the conservative who made the liberal ideas of her husband accepted by toning them down significantly.

The fact that the devil society was still in preindustrial revolution thinking yet had computers and more was both jarring and funny, like having a laser musket. They were being held back because of their extremely conservative nature and because of the lack of numbers from the Great War. Koriel is amused, but I'm horrified by how bad the people of the underworld, commoner and reincarnated, have it. They have next to no political rights or protections. There are little to no protections for them against the nobility and no way to improve efficiency by suggesting things. The Gremory are racing ahead of everyone else because they are so close to the most stable entrance to the topside. It's no wonder Sirzches is that liberal. My dad supports him unconditionally and is just as liberal for a bizarre reason.

My dad was friends with many of the founders of the United States. He and Benjamin Franklin had been extremely close, according to Geros. Sirzches may be the great king, but Ajuka had made many of the systems devils used. Devils wanted to distance themselves completely from the OSF, and that is why the Satans were elected by votes. In a system that was antiquated to the extreme, they have voting for the Satans and for new laws which is still considered a radical idea. The catch was, of course, that only the pillars could vote, as giving the commoners and reincarnated votes was political suicide. The GKF held a strong majority, and a huge part of why the NKF could do anything besides Grayfia was multiple. One was because my dad had saved the species so utterly that he became the glue that held the NKF together. Why his absence at the beginning of the year had started to make the less dedicated members of the bloc start raising their voices in small grumbling.

I learned more and more about him and the other heads. Grayfia was not holding back punches because she told me to my face which ones would hate me the most openly. The Baels, the Uvalls, the Zepar, the Sallos, and finally, the Naberius will hate me because of my heritage or because of my family openly. The others will give me a chance but will judge me deeply. I am, however, ready for them. I have several ideas that will be extremely radical for House Astaroth, but I will see our position strengthened. I will double our push into the technology field and make us even more indispensable. I will show how we can double our wine production with modern farming techniques and machines. I'll kickstart the industrial revolution forward by trying out new ideas for our subjects.

I also learned that the Astaroths have vassal houses. If I do get a peerage, I will probably have to include one or two pieces from them as a reward for loyalty. It's stupid because that's nepotism, but it makes horrible sense for a feudal society. Koriel just says I can beat the fuck out of any noble son or daughter that gets put into the peerage. Make them see that I am absolutely the boss and that I will not be kind to them should they step out of line.

I'm also told by Grayfia the entire law that requires me to have three brides at a minimum and the benefits for each extra one. I still don't like that, and Grayfia softens her voice there, saying she understands. She was lucky enough to have married Sirzches before the law, and because the Satans were elected, they missed out on having it apply to them. It is why my dad only had my mom and why Serafall was a very weird person with her split personality. It is there to shake off people interested in her, not an actual split. Then there was Fabium, who was just a silly bald man who slept nearly all the time and was, when he was awake, a very dangerous animal.

I saw the hints that Grayfia and Geros left for me that Fabium ran the wet works. His sleeping habits made everyone assume that he was the most useless of the Satans, yet his peerage is, in many ways, the secret police. They ran it through the anonymity and the often-hard dismissed nature of Fabium, making them the NKF's secret weapon. Fabium slept feeding his sin while still helping. That's funny and horrifying. Note never piss off Fabium.

When the lesson ends, I have a very good grasp of the Pillars. This will be reinforced next week. Grayfia was impressed that I followed along and didn't complain despite how alien the devils were to me. Geros said that his lessons will be in-house and etiquette. He will beat that into me if need be. When I was let go, Grayfia told me that she would run quizzes on the lessons on Tuesday and that I must pass at perfect levels. Or there will be punishment. I nodded quickly, but I actually enjoyed this immensely. I liked learning. I just had shit teachers in my early formative years, and then again, when I got to college, I was brown-beaten into stupid thinking by very bad teachers that left me extremely dissatisfied with structured teaching. I learned more about the world in my decade after my failed years of college then I did in college. I got to choose what I wanted to learn, and when I found something incredibly interesting, I fell down the rabbit hole and pursued knowledge there like a starving man. Here with Grayfia, I didn't hate the structure. She knew her subject well, and she made the experience fun.

Grayfia commented on that when she picked up the book.

"My son could learn a thing or two from you, Gregor. He complains often when he has to spend time learning this or when he has to learn from his grandmother. Perhaps I should introduce him to you, and he can see that education can be fun, too."

I picture Milicas with ten chainswords chasing his mom around while screaming that he is free from boredom. That makes me snicker, and Grayfia raises an eyebrow. I immediately stopped, and that made Grayfia remain unimpressed. But she does smile slightly for a second. She reminds me that I will be quizzed next week before she excuses herself and opens a portal, which she and Geros enter before it closes.

I let out my breath after they were gone, and I then went to find Maéva and/or see if Rias was still here. Maéva was busy cleaning the sheets from my bedroom with the new washing machine, and she was humming something. It sounds like a church hymn. I patiently waited until she was paying attention, and I made sure I wouldn't spook her. Maéva eventually turned towards me, and she, upon seeing me, bowed her head.

"Young master."

I smile and offer immediately.

"Would you like your extra hands now, Maéva? Where is Lady Rias?"

Maéva brightened immensely with the hands.

"Lady Rias went home about the same time you started lessons, young master. She said she would be back in a bit. Please may I have them."

I immediately summoned the anvil, and Maéva focused on it. I then swing, and the light happens. Maéva shields her eyes, and after it's gone, I hold up the MIU. She is confused as I put the MIU in my pocket and then made the pack. The light happens again, and I pick the pack up. Maéva looks at it, and to her, it is just a regular backpack. I explain as I set the pack on the washer.

"The first thing I made is a Mind Impulse Unit or MIU. It will be the nerve connection that will allow you to control the extra hands. You will eventually have it be like the hands are real. Now, please turn around."

The maid does, and I attach the MIU to the base of the spine at the neck, and she eepps at the device burrowing there. Before I helped her get the pack on. She extended her hand on instinct, and one of the arms moved. She blinked, then moved another hand. Maéva kept playing with the hands, and I chuckled, seeing the child-like wonder on her face. I mean, having multiple hands is nice, and I will use them for when I have paperwork.

Maéva played with the hands and immediately went to work getting the laundry done. She's good at learning the pace, and I wonder if she was like Rias in being overlooked. I am curious about Asia, too, as I don't want her to lose praying to Big G, and I have no idea how evil or not evil Raynare is.

Maéva was quickly getting things done. She was actually getting things done so fast that she looked extremely pleased when the laundry was finished in ten minutes. My maid was wearing such a massive grin that she babbled at me.

"Oh, young master, this is wonderful! This could save so much time with duties for us! These could revolutionize the way we work! May I please have permission to show Geros? He is incredibly open minded, and this would make him happy!"

Maeve's enthusiasm is infectious. I smiled broadly and nodded given this could help people as much as do war. I then smirked.

"Of course. Maéva, I'm human first, devil second. You are welcome to show this off to Geros and to others in your peerage. I approve of innovation, and I will make more things that are more efficient and effective for you. In my house Astaroth, we will embrace new ideas. Tell Geros and the others that, too."

The smile and eagerness in my maid there were incredible. She was so happy that she just danced as I told her.

"I will change the world, Maéva. Reincarnated and others will have a champion in me. I swear this in Iron and Blood."

My maid believes in me utterly now like how I will start believing in myself.