The gauntlet roared, coming to life as the green gem embedded on the back flashed with blinding light, blending beautifully across the forest scenery. Issei could feel the armored gauntlet shift around his left hand as it evolved and transfigured itself into a new form.
It began covering more of his arm as the draconic metal grew, growing in size and gaining a second green jewel on the back of its forearm. More golden spikes shot out of it - both small and large - for a grand total of ten. Strange ancient emerald symbols shined behind each of the gems and at the back of the gauntlet before fading as the Boosted Gear completed its evolution.
"Freakin' awesome..." Clenching his fist within his newly formed gauntlet, Issei admired the new changes decorating it. He felt brand new power flowing through the metallic equipment, surging through his flesh up into his arm. "This is Second Liberation... something about gift giving?" He remembered what the menu screen had referred to it as.
"That's correct. You now have the power to bestow your own Boosts onto others. Keep in mind this also takes a hefty toll on your body," Ddraig described the new function that now resided within the Boosted Gear.
Issei's eyes fell over the second gem as he marveled at the explanation. He could feel the orb held a separate purpose than the first, pinning the location correctly for where the power would be transferred. If he were fighting with his allies, this would definitely come in handy.
"Now comes the next part. You know what you need to do," Ddraig informed him sternly, not missing a beat.
"You already wanna do it?" Issei asked, using his other arm to wipe the sweat from his brow.
"No point in waiting. The sooner this is done, the sooner we will see the end result," He spoke simply and to the point, having already prepared to meld with the holy relic from another timeline. "If you're ready, take out The Flaming Sword and we'll begin the process."
Moving his armored hand to his chest, Issei felt for the sacred power dwelling within. He didn't yet call upon it, temporarily delaying the inevitable. The empowering energy thrumming inside the Boosted Gear and the enlightening energy that came from The Flaming Sword felt entirely different from one another, and they would soon be joined. Neither of them knew what could happen, but in some weird way, the unknown possibilities were thrilling. Treading new ground with his partner gave him valiancy the old him did not possess.
With determination and captivating curiosity shadowing his doubts, Issei pulled on his divine power, figuratively opening up the gates hiding it away as it sung awake, The Flaming Sword blazing with controlled heat lighting up the surrounding forest in brilliant flash.
He held the pure white sword in his right hand, its power far surpassing the strength held within the Boosted Gear. He knew from Ddraig that there was still more to the gauntlet than he had access to, such as the Balance Breaker, and other secrets waiting to be unlocked. The Sacred Gear could still grow along with him exponentially.
But Issei could tell just by having the two out at the same time that they were in different leagues. That was the difference between a Legendary item and a Divine item. He also could not bring out the full extent of the power brimming inside The Flaming Sword, and yet the strength coursing through him felt endless.
His mind's eye was open. Wielding this weapon had shifted his perspective with a clarity not quite his own, allowing him to know precisely the amount of power he commanded. The level ups he'd received after he last used it had allowed him to access even more power. Just a single level would boost his strength so high it made his head spin.
Ddraig knew it too. The billowing light waving off the white hot sword had enough power stored within to revolutionize this very world. Not even the archangels possessed the same quality or purity of holy energy it was releasing. Divinity that could be manipulated in ways that devils themselves could avoid death; not a single scar or even a wince of discomfort from the power antithetical to their nature. Such a sword could shake the foundation of the supernatural world.
It was only thanks to the devils' selfish nature that had spared them from being met with an Ultimate-Class. The wisest thing for Rias and Sona to do would be going to their families. Being direct descendants of Pure-Bloods and princesses to their family names, they could easily get the leaders of the devil faction involved with Issei to incentivize and acquire his power as quickly as possible. Politically, this was strategically the best move for their faction, yet their greed desiring the boy for themselves had kept them both from informing such powers, at least for now.
"Place the sword in your left hand. Once you do, synchronize all of your energy with the sword and integrate them into one," Ddraig explained the process. "Sacred Gears function according to the will of their users. Will it, and it shall be."
His right hand shifted lower, allowing his armored left to grasp the bright handle firmly. "Let's go for it, Ddraig. Let's get stronger together."
"I'm ready. No need to be gentle."
Pushing all of his might through the Boosted Gear, Issei felt the draconian energy extend out around The Flaming Sword. The feeling was foreign, and for a moment he hesitated, making the energy flicker tentatively. Stabilizing himself, he continued and felt the energies intertwine rapidly in a quickening vortex. Nearly losing control, his right arm braced against the gauntlet as he willed them together, the angelic hum of the blade now roaring as the white flames became a dark red. Crimson light flooded the surrounding area, threatening to engulf everything it could reach as sword and gauntlet merged.
Issei felt his world shimmer. The earth tremored, and his body threatened to collapse. With a loud cry from the sword, the blinding red shined brighter than ever; before suddenly vanishing into itself faster than the eye could see.
...
Collecting himself from the out-of-body experience, Issei looked down at his left arm to find nothing there. No gauntlet, no sword. He couldn't even feel the two of their energies anymore.
"Ddraig?" He called out, attempting to summon the Boosted Gear back, believing it must have been stored away. When nothing happened, he tried again with more urgency, searching for the sensation within his arm. Failing to get any response with every attempt, he instead tried to summon The Flaming Sword, also getting nothing in return.
Feeling himself panic, Issei turned towards the last thing he could - his Gamer system.
A small sigh left him as several menu screens appeared in front of him, letting the boy know he could still access his secret power, though it did little to quell his worries over his friend. He really hoped nothing bad had happened like he'd feared. He would easily give up The Flaming Sword if it meant Ddraig would be alright, though he could also reload if it came to that.
Eyes dancing across menu screens, Issei searched for any answers as to what exactly happened, turning towards Assistance Mode. "Did something go wrong? Where is Ddraig and the Boosted Gear?"
Help: Boosted Gear is Rebooting.
"Rebooting?" Issei repeated as his eyes finally landed on a new window.
[Unspecified] Boosted Gear
Currently undergoing maintenance.
Rebooting: 0%
"Unspecified? The hell does that mean?" The Boosted Gear wasn't like that before. It should have a Legendary ranking, and unspecified wasn't even on the list of ranks.
Help: Equipment or Skills being reworked and cannot be designated to a Class are labeled Unspecified.
The Boosted Gear was changing. That was what he understood, going off from 'Rebooting' and 'reworked' from the explanation. It looks like storing The Flaming Sword had indeed sparked some kind of phenomenon, or even an evolution. The idea made him excited, but he still couldn't help worry for Ddraig.
What was going to happen to him after it was completed? Would he still be the same? How long would Rebooting take?
"Where is The Flaming Sword?" Issei asked as a follow up as questions stormed through his mind. He knew where Ddraig and the Boosted Gear was, but that still didn't tell him what happened with it.
Help: Boosted Gear is Rebooting.
Nonplussed by the same response, Issei believed he had accidentally misspoke and had repeated himself from before. After trying again and getting the same response, he quickly caught on that the system was referring to the Boosted Gear and The Flaming Sword as one and the same.
"They really are combining together... Is that going to be permanent?" He asked quietly, disappointed that he didn't get an answer from Assistance Mode. Like Ddraig had stated before, it worked like a guide. He couldn't get such a direct response from it. His only choice was waiting until the process was finished.
The warmth of the sword gone and the absence of his partner, Issei suddenly felt the chill of the cool morning wave through the air. A cold sweat formed over him as he realized how exposed he was. He still had access to the newly acquired pulls such as Baby Dragon, but his main forms of combat were now obsolete for the time being.
The reason they had chosen to store The Flaming Sword within his gear was for greater protection and defense in case an emergency. Right now, he was more vulnerable than ever.
Now was a good time to get the hell up outta here.
The sun was peeking up over the horizon by now, blotting the darkness above. He could get home before the sun was fully up and the household woke up, reminding himself that he needed to turn the contract alarm back on once he did. After leaving the forest, he would need to be careful of his speed in case any cars were on the road to spot him. He also wanted to get cleaned up and take a shower, but he might not get a chance.
Exiting the forest, Issei was hyperaware of his surroundings, needing to make up for the lack of his partner having his back. His eyes kept falling back down to his left arm, void of the green flickering light he'd become accustomed to. Dejected as he was, he refused to let his optimism go.
They would see each other again. When they did, he'd have to catch the dragon up with what he missed out on, such as when they finally decided to coronate him as harem king. He needed to surprise Ddraig by having no less than five girlfriends, no, ten girlfriends. That should prove how hedonistic he is - like a real dragon.
He hoped that day was soon.
[Unspecified] Boosted Gear
Currently undergoing maintenance.
Rebooting: 1%