Akeno's New Servant (Patreon)

*All Characters in this story are 21+ as they are based in a different universe*

Hair that fell to her knees. Hair as black as the darkest night sky. That was the first thing Issei saw when he passed through the other side of the magic circle. An intense tingle ran up Issei’s arm, passing right through his boosted gear and even reaching Ddraig.

The ritual of gifting the evil pieces was not to be taken lightly, least of all when dealing with one of the two heavenly dragons, such as him. Did this girl truly understand just who she was trying to coerce into joining her devil household? Staring into those beautiful big violet eyes of hers, it really didn’t matter. Perhaps this girl could provide that which he had so desperately been seeking.

“Bearer of the Longinus; the Boosted Gear, he who possesses the power of the heavenly dragon, the Welsh Dragon; Ddraig, devote your life to me as a member of my household.”

Power rolled off of Issei’s entire body, swarming like a raging ocean churning during a storm. The Longinus; Boosted Gear. It was even more powerful than the rumors said. Standing before him, she could feel his power, penetrating her to her very core. She needed his power; she needed him.

Issei glared at the woman, a sudden intense burst of power flowing out of him; anger. “You dare to summon me, to make me your servant? Do you think you can become my master? You can’t even give your name.” The woman bowed low, her large breast hanging from beneath her clothes. “I am Akeno Himejima.” “The Himejima clan, huh? You’re no low-ranked devil.” “Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou, since I first saw you, I’ve dreamt of nothing more than having you at my side.” “If you know who I am, then you know I’ve never taken a master's. I belong to no household. I serve myself, and only myself.”

“I know that you’ve yet to join a household. That’s why I wanted to be the first. I’m surely not the first to extend my hand, and I know that I won’t be the last. Yet still, I desire you. It burns within my chest. Try as I might; I cannot stop these feelings.”

Issei’s eyes never strayed from her, despite her unexpected confessions. As the Red Dragon Emperor, Issei wasn’t unused to these kinds of incidents. They happened more often than not. Usually, he was all for it, unlike his friend and companion, Vali. This time was different though.

“You already have a team, do you not?” Issei asked. “Not completed, but yes.” “And yet you desire me. Do you understand what that would cost you?” “I do.” “Good. Then tell me, Akeno Himejima, what do you have to offer me, the Red Dragon Emperor?” “… I have nothing,” she said after a brief pause. “I cannot even offer you the highest of evil pieces. Only these eight pawns.”

Issei was so surprised he actually had nothing to say. “You’re not doing a very good job of selling yourself, you know.” “I know. But I am not like my friend Rias Gremory.” “The daughter of the Devil King, yes.” “What I have to offer, I guess, would be something we’d end up finding out together.”

“So, you have nothing to offer, no reason to make me accept, and no reason to make me stay. You summoned me to make me your servant on a wing and a prayer, thinking you would be different from all those that came before you. How insulting.” Akeno cast her eyes to her feet, biting down on her lip to hold in her emotions. He was right, about everything.

“Never before has anyone come to me with such an offer. Part of me wants to break you right now…. However, I find myself conflicted. My answer is one I wasn’t expecting to have. Vali will surely give me an earful for this, but it’s not the first time. Perhaps, I can finally achieve something more through you. You who offers nothing, but strongly binds me already.”

Suddenly, Issei was standing in front of her. He tilted her head up to look at him, and she stared into his emerald-green eyes. His pupils, which now resembled a reptile’s, and the few rows of small red scales under his eyes and around his cheeks. Even the pointed ends of his ears stuck out slightly past his hairline.  The beginning phases of the dragonification, and one of Issei’s favorite forms.

He stood just an inch over her. Then, he took her wrist in his hand, watching the glow of red from within her clenched fist. The evil pieces.

“Akeno Himejima, I accept your offer to join your household. Allow me to serve at your side and take you to the top of the devil world. We will walk this path together. As of now, I place myself in your care.” He surprised her by placing his hands on the side of her face. Then, he pulled her in and kissed her. The evil pieces in her hand glew and passed into him, binding him to her as a member of her household. When he finally pulled away, her eyes fluttered open, taking him in. “Now, I am yours.”