5 The Rise of Prodigy (1/2)
\”Hahahahahahahahahahahahaa.......Ossan, when you mean, Dante, you mean as in the one, who created [Inferno] and [Paradiso]?\” little Issei asks as he stares at the intimidating man.
\”Indeed, boy, Dante, introduce yourself- go ahead\” but even before Vergil, could state anything anymore…the intimidating old figure, took out something from a spatial dimension beside him…which soon turned out to be a pizza? Which Dante didn't hesitate to gobble up, with no manners one may add.
\”Wait, will ya Vergil, lemme just gobble these stuff up and we'll talk, yes?\”
…
Vergil, didn't knew Dante had this side to him.
(No, Vergil knows it very well, but doesn't wants to accept it)
This was supposed to be a good impression on the Red Dragon Emperor, however, here Dante is….gobbling up…like a beast.
Issei now formed doubts. He looked at Vergil and asked,
\”Please tell me, this is not the guy who created 'Inferno' and 'Paradiso'?\”
\”Listen Ise-bou, Inferno is a concept, concept for all the locations of Underworld, all the mythological locations of Underworld are scattered around the circles, similarly Paradiso is a concept, and for all the locations of Heaven all of them are located differently at different circles. Dante created this concept so that all the Heaven and Hell can be arranged in such systematic order, so that no mythologies invade others location. Smart, right?\”
\”For what?\”
\”Hm?\”
\”For what? I am getting this feeling that he wouldn't do it for free, come on what's the catch, one man wouldn't do this much for free you know? What's the catch?\”
Vergil, only smiled and replied- \”That's a story for another day, Ise-bou.\”
\”Ahem- ya! Quite a nice dish, yes? Yare, yare I haven't had this much stuff in a while, alright, so kid…Issei Hyoudou, right, this generation's Sekiryuutei, to awake even the complete form of gear at such a tender age, I commend you…if I say, you are a few steps below having the [Balance Breaker], yes? It will be nice to train you…\”
\”….train me?\”
Issei appeared to be confused, he didn't quite get what was going on, however, his confusion was removed my Vergil himself.
\”Listen, Ise-bou, all the martial arts I was able to teach you, all the techniques, and all the knowledge I was able to provide you, usually would be really difficult, even if you were a 'being of supernatural' let alone a 'human', however, you surpassed that limit. You are different, a prodigy, a genius in a true way, at a simple age of seven years old…you are capable of things which surpasses even adults. However, that was the very reason I was harsh, in your training, because you are expected to do better, because you…in the eyes of this old man, carry a deeper value than you originally think of yourself. You are not a [fool] neither you, are just a prodigy.
You are a [strong willed genius], a rare breed someone who has the potential to surpass the Gods, listen closely, if the potential you possess is not turned into something tangent, something useful then it doesn't bars you from becoming a failure.\”
Unknowingly that strung a strong cord somewhere in Issei's heart as he heard those specific words.
\”Do you understand, Ise-bou?\”
\”Yes, sir\”
\”Good, you see…the next thing I wish to tell you is, it's about [Heroes]\”
\”Heroes? Who?\”
\”Heroes, it's a, well to put it simply it's an organisation of 'Humans' who does the bidding of Gods, well not Gods but rather 'Quests'.\”
\”For what exactly?\”
\”Um, it's hard to explain…how should, I put it?\”
\”It's an act of an arbiter.\” Dante spoke, while Issei looked at him, repeating his words 'arbiter?'
\”It's like working as a middleman you know? The one who works for the betterment of the humans, or rather people who fight for the humans, solely. That represent Humans, in the supernatural world.\”
Issei looks at Vergil, narrowing it down he asks,
\”What does it have to do anything with me?\”
\”Well, I suggest you join them.\”
\”What? Why?\”
\”Listen, you are Sekiryuutei, and even if you were a random one, many sides try to make sense with you and ask you to join them, and you are probably the strongest in the given few generation, not to mention you are the youngest. You will be roped, you will be wanted and you are certainly an advantage to any side you join.\”
\”What?\”
[He is correct, partner.]
\”Ddraig?\”
[Indeed, my identity is not something that sleeps in the darkness, and given who you would turn out to be I don't think, any side would stay calm, knowing that you, a 'free' Sekiryuutei exists, that's why.\”
\”What do you think, I should do?\”
[You are asking me.]
\”I'm sorry, for asking, but you are the only person I know, who is smart?\”
\”Oy! I'm here too!\” Vergil snapped.
[Hm. Your, praises are much appreciated partner, but I believe if you wish to pursue your goal, I suggest you join the group called [Heroes] who represent humans, that would be good for you.]
Issei was confused, he didn't really planned to join anyone, he wished to take vengeance alone, and he wished to take revenge alone.
However, now, if he is going to be 'roped' in other's problems, because he carries a god-killing weapon, because in future he might become a threat, he must make insurance.
His insurance would be joining Heroes, themselves. According to Dante, they represent 'Humans' in the world of 'Supernatural', if that's the case-
Then he will use the Heroes to get what he truly wants.
A darkness, in Issei's eyes, which disappeared the way it came, however…Dante noticed that look, even if it was for a brief moment, Dante could read the expression what he made.
\”Very well, Ossan, I will do as you state. When is it that I have to join them?\”
\”Well, the good age of twelve would be good. So till that period of time, [Ninth Circle], [Treachery] you will be training under Dante.\”
\”Very well.\”
\”Well then Dante, I leave him, under your capable hands.\”
Dante waved as he stated in a playful manner as, both him and Issei disappeared in a blinding light-
\”But of course- bye~ bye~\”
Shin~
Issei kept his stoic expression, as he looked at Dante,
\”Let's begin shall we?\”
However, before they could start, Dante stated something
\”I can see the anger and darkness in those eyes boys, quell it down, yes? Take it from someone who has lived more than a million times your age, yes? [that hate of yours, is someday going to drown you to the point of no return]\”
Issei did not reply.
...
Dante's Inferno, Limbo- 5 years later.
Vergil was waiting for the duo.
Dante and Issei.
That gone for five years now.
Truthfully, he missed Issei. He never had a grandson of his own and perhaps something he could see in Issei is what made him happy, today after all he would be leaving.
Today, Issei turned twelve years old. Today he would be leaving for the land of the living.
Shin~
Blinding bright light, and finally two figures came to view. The old man, who was still eating pizza, and beside him was Issei.
\”…Ise-bou?\”