want to read ahead or want to support you can join my patr-eon and u will be able to read ahead by 15 chapters
patreon.com/Elsapataky
-----------
His eyes widening in shock at the sudden voice, Issei turned around and immediately after doing so, he took a step back.
It was a lean-built, and stoic middle-aged man with pale skin, green eyes, and long ragged crimson hair. He was also clad in a crimson-black overcoat that flared out from behind him.
Issei took another step back. In the man's hand was the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword itself. Staring down at Issei, the man pointed the sword at him.
{Are you ready, partner? Cause if you're not, there's a chance you might die here.}
Issei blinked repeatedly in confusion, and then he looked down to see that he suddenly had another version of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi as well. Widening his eyes, Issei pointed to the young man.
"Hey! Where did you get the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi?!"
The man narrowed his eyes.
{You'll have to be more specific. When you talk about the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, do you mean the one you're holding...in your hand? Or is it this one...in mine?}
Issei got into a defensive stance, not knowing what was about to happen to him.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Taking advantage of Issei's shock, the man soared towards Issei in a burst of speed. Frowning darkly at Issei's surprised look, the man reared his sword back and he spoke with a fierce tone.
{You want to know who I am, partner?! Well here's your answer! I AM….!}
Outside Issei's House
Leiko sighed as she walked to her cousin's house door. On a whim, she wanted to see how her cousin was doing. Even though it had only been a couple of days since the cousins had last seen each other, Leiko couldn't help but worry for her cousin.
"I wonder how Ise-itoko is doing."
Sighing, Leiko brushed her dark-silver hair back, and lifted her hand up to knock on the door.
KNOCK KNOCK
Leiko waited for a response.
"…."
Raising an eyebrow, Leiko knocked on the door again.
KNOCK KNOCK
Once again no response. Her interest piqued, Leiko went to open the door, and looked into her cousin's house. Looking inside, her crimson eyes widened at the first thing she saw.
It was a beautiful young woman who appeared to be in her early to mid-twenties. She had long dark-black hair, pointed ears, and emotionless dark-gray eyes. The woman was dressed in a black sweater with dark jeans, and black shoes. Leiko also noticed that the woman had a Gothic Lolita headpiece on her black hair.
Blinking repeatedly at the sight of the woman in her cousin's house, Leiko cautiously walked over to her.
"Um. Who are you?"
Ophis tilted her head as the silver-haired girl walked over to her.
"Who are you?" She asked in an emotionless cold tone.
Leiko looked taken aback from Ophis's cold tone, but she assented and answered.
"I'm Leiko. Issei's cousin."
At the mention of Issei, Ophis's flat eyes softened considerably and she slowly lifted her hand up to point at Leiko.
"My Issei? You are his cousin?"
Leiko rose an eyebrow at Ophis.
'The way she speaks. It's so weird.'
"Yeah. Now can you tell me your name?"
Staring at Leiko momentarily, Ophis suddenly gave the dark-silver haired girl a sly smile.
"I, am Ophis. Your cousin, my Issei, belongs to me."
"W-wait. What about Issei?"
"Issei belongs to me. One day, I shall claim him for myself."
Leiko suddenly felt a little uneasy around Ophis, and she started to feel a bit anxious.
"Claim Issei. What do you mean?"
"I have marked Issei. He belongs to me."
Leiko didn't know how to respond to this.
Removing her stare from Leiko, Ophis looked at the living room table and picked up the Fortune Cooky flyer. Smiling deviously, Ophis held up the flyer to Leiko.
"Would you like free food?"
Leiko rose an eyebrow at Ophis's request.
"Free food?"
Grand Ise Shrine
The area around the Grand Ise Shrine was completely silent, so silent that not even a tumbleweed would be able to make a sound by blowing away. 'Inside' the shrine, laid Issei on the ground. His eyes were closed as though he was asleep. Next to him on the ground, was the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi itself.
Issei's Inner World/Subconscious
{You want to know who I am, partner?! Well here's your answer! I AM…!}
Two Kusanagi-no-Tsurugis clashed against each other, one fierce and proficient, and the other clumsy and hesitant. Issei quickly blocked the man's attack. The pressure to hold his own against his opponent strained him greatly.
"I still don't understand! I don't even know how to use a sword!" Issei yelled as the man put more pressure on his sword.
{What's not to understand, partner?! Better concentrate, or else you'll lose a limb!}
Issei tensed as the man pushed him forward. Landing on top of a skyscraper and trying to regain his balance, Issei rubbed his forehead.
'I don't have a clue on what's going on here!'
He looked up and he widened his eyes to see the man about to attack him with the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi once again. Issei thought quickly and blocked the attack. As soon as the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugis touched again, both of the swords emitted colorful auras.
The color of the man's Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi emitted a dark crimson aura, while Issei's Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi released a yellow-orange aura.
Issei widened his eyes, while the man deepened his frown. Narrowing his eyes, Issei flew away the other side of the skyscraper, putting some distance between himself and the man.
The man narrowed his eyes and pointed the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi towards Issei.
{Don't be so hesitant! Quicken your pace and attack me!}
Issei narrowed his eyes as he tried to catch his breath.
'It's not exactly easy for me!'
Gritting his teeth, Issei let out a bellow as he transformed into his Super Solar state. The man shook his head at the sight. Issei screamed louder as he tried to access his Hell-Fire form.
{Don't even bother!}
Issei stopped and widened his eyes when he saw a large dark-crimson wave of energy soar towards him. Issei quickly dodged the energy wave, and looked behind him to see the energy wave decimate an entire multitude of buildings, leaving large a crater in the ground.
-----------
want to read ahead or want to support you can join my patr-eon and u will be able to read ahead by 15 chapters
patreon.com/Elsapataky