Chapter 10: Fallen Shadows
Night had fallen over Kuoh Town, but the Emperor's mind remained sharp and unyielding. The system's new side quest pulsed steadily in his vision:
**Side Quest: Neutralize the Fallen Angel Probe**
**Objective: Deal with Dohnaseek before he reports critical information to higher fallen angel leadership (Kokabiel suspected).**
**Reward: 900 EXP, Advanced Thread Weaving fragment, Increased fallen angel intelligence network.**
**Time Limit: 72 hours.**
He stood on the rooftop of his house, the cool breeze carrying faint traces of demonic and fallen angel energies. Rias stood beside him, her crimson hair swaying gently. Raynare perched on the railing nearby, wings half-folded, her golden eyes alert.
"Dohnaseek is getting impatient," Raynare reported. "He's planning a direct probe tonight near the old church ruins on the outskirts. He wants to confirm the 'anomaly' — you — and send a detailed report. If Kokabiel gets involved this early, things will escalate fast."
The Emperor's expression stayed cold and calculating. "Kokabiel wants war. We won't give him the spark he desires. We strike first — quietly. Raynare, you will act as our insider. Lead him into a trap. The rest of us will finish it."
Rias nodded without hesitation. "I'll go with you. The peerage is ready."
"No," the Emperor said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You and Asia stay back to coordinate and heal if needed. Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and I will handle the confrontation. Raynare will set the stage."
Raynare smirked, though her loyalty made the smirk less mocking than before. "As you command, Emperor. I'll make sure he walks right into it."
The Emperor turned to her, his voice carrying absolute authority. "Prove your worth tonight. If you succeed, your place in the empire becomes permanent."
Raynare's wings twitched. The near-complete fate theft made her respond with genuine commitment. "I won't fail."
---
The old church ruins stood silent under the moonlight, overgrown with vines and shadowed by tall trees. Dohnaseek arrived with two lower-ranked fallen angels, his black wings spread as he scanned the area with arrogant confidence. He was a middle-aged-looking man with short, unkempt black hair and dark blue eyes, his light spear glowing faintly blue in his hand.
"Something is off here," he muttered. "That boy defeated Riser too cleanly. Raynare's reports are vague. If there's a new power rising in Kuoh, Kokabiel will want every detail."
Raynare emerged from the shadows as planned, feigning urgency. "Dohnaseek! I have new information. The Gremory boy — Issei — he's changed. His power feels stolen, unnatural. He's meeting someone here tonight. We can ambush him."
Dohnaseek grinned battle-maniacally. "Finally. Let's see what this 'Fate Thief' is made of. Kill him if possible. Capture if not. Kokabiel will reward us well."
As they moved deeper into the ruins, the trap sprang.
"Boost!" The Emperor's voice cut through the darkness. The red gauntlet flared as he dropped from above, enhanced strength driving a powerful crimson punch into one of the lesser fallen angels, sending him crashing through a stone wall.
Kiba appeared in a blur, demonic swords flashing as he disarmed the second subordinate. "Your movements are predictable."
Akeno descended gracefully, lightning orbs crackling around her. "Ara ara~ You fallen angels always underestimate devils. How foolish~"
Koneko charged silently, her small fist connecting with devastating force against Dohnaseek's guard, cracking the ground beneath him.
Dohnaseek laughed wildly, summoning multiple light spears. "Not bad! But you're still just brats!" He hurled spears at high speed, forcing the group to dodge.
The Emperor activated Emperor's Boost twice in quick succession. Power surged cleanly through his body. He closed the distance in a burst of speed, clashing directly with Dohnaseek. Light spear met boosted fist in a shower of sparks and energy.
"You're the anomaly," Dohnaseek snarled, regenerating minor wounds. "Your power reeks of theft. Kokabiel will love dissecting you!"
The Emperor's eyes glowed with cold ambition. "Kokabiel will never get the chance." He triggered **Destiny Sever**, cutting a weak thread linking Dohnaseek's loyalty to the fallen angel hierarchy. At the same moment, he applied **Phoenix Thread Theft** to slow the enemy's regeneration.
Dohnaseek faltered for a split second — just enough.
Raynare struck from behind as planned, her light spear grazing Dohnaseek's wing. "Sorry, old friend. I've chosen a better side."
"Traitor!" Dohnaseek roared, turning on her.
That moment of distraction was fatal. The Emperor landed a fully boosted strike to the chest, combined with a crimson blast from Rias's distant support (she had followed despite orders, unable to stay completely away). Akeno's lightning chained the attack, and Kiba's swords delivered precise cuts that disrupted Dohnaseek's light-based defenses.
Koneko delivered the final heavy blow, smashing him into the ruins.
Dohnaseek collapsed, breathing heavily, his wings damaged and regeneration failing. "What… are you…? This power… it's not normal…"
The Emperor stood over him, voice icy. "I am the Emperor. I steal fates — including yours. Your report to Kokabiel dies here. Serve me, and you may live as a minor piece. Refuse, and your thread ends tonight."
Dohnaseek coughed, arrogance cracking under the weight of defeat and the subtle Charm Theft now pressing on him. But his battle-maniac nature resisted. "I… will not bow to a devil…"
The Emperor used **Thread Weaving** (the new fragment) to bind a weak fate connection, forcing a partial loyalty shift. It wasn't full recruitment, but enough to extract information.
"Kokabiel… plans to move soon," Dohnaseek gasped unwillingly. "He wants to spark another Great War. He's interested in the Holy Swords… and anything that can destabilize the peace in Kuoh. He sees you as a tool… or a threat to eliminate."
The Emperor absorbed the intel. "Useful. Raynare, secure him. We'll decide his fate later — after we break his remaining loyalty."
Raynare nodded, binding Dohnaseek with dark energy ropes. Her loyalty to the Emperor now felt solid.
**[Side Quest Completed: Neutralize the Fallen Angel Probe]**
**EXP Gained: 950**
**Level Up! Current Level: 5**
**All Stats +15**
**New Skill Unlocked: Advanced Thread Weaving — Bind multiple stolen fates into stronger alliances or disrupt enemy networks.**
**Fate Points: 210**
**Bonus: Fallen Angel Intelligence Network Established (Raynare + partial Dohnaseek).**
The group returned to the clubroom under cover of night. Asia healed minor injuries while Rias stood protectively near the Emperor.
"You were incredible again," Rias said softly, pride and devotion clear in her voice.
Akeno approached, her usual teasing tone carrying a new layer of seriousness. "Issei-kun… the way you commanded the battlefield, the way you turned Raynare and even extracted information from Dohnaseek… It makes a girl wonder what it would feel like to be truly claimed by someone like you."
The Emperor met her violet eyes. The timing felt right. He stepped closer, his presence commanding. "Then stop wondering, Akeno. Your power, your lightning, your hidden pain — all of it can serve something greater. Stay by my side completely, and I will give you the strength and belonging you've always wanted."
Akeno's cheeks flushed. The accumulated Charm Theft and the display of dominance tonight pushed her over the edge. She leaned in, her voice a soft whisper. "Then… I'm yours, Issei-kun. Completely."
**[Fate Theft on Akeno Himejima: 89% → Near Complete]**
**Loyalty Secured. Himejima Bloodline Thread Acquired.**
Asia watched with a gentle, accepting smile, her own thread continuing to strengthen naturally through trust and protection.
The Emperor addressed the full group, including the newly bound Raynare. "Kokabiel is the next shadow. He wants war. We will deny him that pleasure while stealing everything he values. Train harder. Expand carefully. The empire grows tonight."
Ravel sent a message later that evening, requesting another meeting — her interest now bordering on open admiration.
As the Emperor lay with Rias that night, their connection deeper than ever, he reflected on the rapid progress. The weak, perverted Issei was a distant memory. In his place stood a true Emperor — cold, strategic, and unstoppable.
Ddraig rumbled approvingly from the Boosted Gear. [You are no longer playing the hero's game, partner. This is conquest on a grand scale. I approve.]
**Chapter End Teaser**
With Dohnaseek neutralized and Akeno's loyalty nearly secured, the Emperor's power base had strengthened significantly. Ravel's recruitment was imminent. However, Kokabiel's interest had been confirmed — the fallen angel warlord was preparing to move on Kuoh, targeting the Holy Sword project and anyone who could spark conflict.
How would the Emperor prepare the peerage for a Cadre-level threat? Would he claim Asia and Koneko more directly in the coming days? And what bold move would he make when Kokabiel finally revealed himself?
The fallen shadows were lengthening — but the Fate Thief Emperor stood ready to weave them into his own design.