Awakening

After Issei got control of his emotions, the rest goes smoothly. His father arrived home just in time for lunch and they enjoyed it. Issei was extremely happy seeing his parent's faces after decades pass.

After lunch, he went back to his room to do the first step in his quest to get stronger.

.....

"I should awaken Ddraig," Issei glanced at his left hand and remembered his part who was with him at the start of his journey but sacrificed himself in the final fight.

"Haaa," Issei closed his eyes and concentrated, unlike in the past where he didn't know how to activate his sacred gear, this time he know it.

'Wake up, Ddraig...' Iseei said mentally,

....

Meanwhile on a fiery hellscape of a place, a dragon laid comfortably. It was a dragon with the appearance of a large red Western Dragon, with a long neck. It also has red and golden spikes throughout his body.

While this dragon was sleeping comfortably, a sudden voice interrupted it's slumber.

'Wake up, Ddraig...'

This sudden voice seemed to have some mystical effect as the dragon abruptly opened it's eyes, showing a green colored eyes.

"Hmm, is it my current wielder?" Ddraig pondered to whom the voice came from.

'Ddraig...wake up!'

Then came the voice again, this time a bit more commanding.

"Hmm, it seems it is really my current wielder and it seems he/she knew my identity. Very interesting," Ddraig looked up the 'sky' and roared out loud.

.....

Meanwhile, Issei felt something warm in his left arm and saw the appearance of a red gauntlet with a green jewel and 2 golden spikes.

Seeing the gauntlet, a smile sprouted in his face. "Ddraig, it nice to meet you (once again)" Issei said.

[It seems you really know my identity. So you're my current wielder?]

"Indeed, my name is Issei Hyoudou, this generation's red dragon emperor as well as your partner, Ddraig." Issei grinned, "Let's take care of each other!"

[Sure, partner! But aren't you a bit too young?]

Issei wasn't surprised Ddraig knew he was currently young. One could tell just by his voice and Ddraig can also 'see' his body.

[But this is quite peculiar, your soul seems to be extremely strong. In fact, it's much stronger than the gods I met.] Ddraig's voice contained some shock and curiousity.

Issei sighed and thought for a bit before talking to Ddraig in their mental connection to prevent someone evesdropping as what he's about to say is a secret.

(I should, tell you the truth, partner.) Issei decided to tell the truth to Ddraig as he knew his partner thouroughly. Although currently, they just met for the first time. Issei can't forget his journey with the Ddraig in the future along with their unbreakable trust they forged.

The current Ddraig might not be that Ddraig but the trust they forged was still with Issei so was absolutely okay in telling Ddraig his secret.

(I will explain my circumstances...) Issei started explaining about how their future together and how it all ended. Then how he somehow returned to the past due to unknown reasons.

Issei also let Ddraig scan his memories to prove his claims. Usually having someone read your memories is taboo as it could be dangerous, but Issei met Ddraig do so, that's how much he trust his partner.

*Silence~*

It took for quite some time before Ddraig finally spoke,

[It's unbelievable that all those events would happen in the future. But your memories are proof of it so although it's hard to believe, I need to accept it.]

"I know how you feel but we don't need to dwell on it too much. We should worry about the present," Issei said with determination, " I will prepare so that catastrophe won't happen again. That's also why, I need your help, partner."

[...It still feels peculair but sure thing, partner. Then what's your plan for now?]

"I want to train my physical strength first then undergo dragon heart implantation."

Issei's words surprised Ddraig but he aldo knew why Issei would want to do that operation.

What dragon heart implantation is, an operation that involves changing ones heart into a dragon. This has various effects when successful, it would pump large amount of energy which is helpful to Issei. However, this operation is dangerous and it needs some requirements before it can be done. An example would be, a sufficient physical strength to withstand the process.

[Then you would need to train hard to get enough physical strength.]

"No problem, I have a way to quickly get stronger, physically." Issei smiled confidently, his basis for his confidence was his decades of experience in the future.

During that tumultuous time, many methods to get stronger quickly was created since they were at a disadvantage in the war. The supernatural forces were not enough so the mundane humans got involved and got stronger with those said methods.

[Would your developing body able to handle it though?]

"Don't worry, compared to the things I experienced in that catastrophe, some mild suffering is nothing."

[Heh, is that so, I guess that's be expected of a great hero.]

"A great hero huh..." Issei cracked a melancholic smile, "I don't know if I deserve that title."