DxD: Lost in Time

Sometime after my battle with Yuzūi, a year to be exact, I found myself on the brink of something I had long feared

A breakthrough.

Seated in a lotus position, I delved into the depths of my internal energy, focusing with precision and intent. According to Bleach, the source of a soul's power is somehow tied to the heart.

The reasons for this connection remain unknown, but I had my theories. Perhaps it had something to do with the heart being the core of our emotions. Not in a biological sense, of course. After all, the soul and the body operate on entirely different planes.

The heart, as we know it, simply pumps blood through the body. Yet, have you ever truly paid attention to its reactions during moments of intense emotion?

When anger, fear, excitement, or embarrassment flood your being, your heart races uncontrollably. In sadness, it feels heavy. In devastation, it falters, skipping a beat.

Why does an organ, whose primary role is physiological, react so deeply to emotion?

The answer lies in the spiritual domain. The heart serves as more than an organ

It is a governor of emotions and experiences. Through these emotions, we unlock power. It's why devils are drawn to contracts with humans.

A person who succumbs to despair often loses their heart, both figuratively and literally, transforming into a hollow.

In this way, the heart becomes the literal and spiritual core of all power. Perhaps even of bloodlines. Chaotic emotions lead to chaotic spiritual energy, while calm emotions foster balance and control.

With that understanding, I took a steady breath.

"Pheew..." I exhaled deeply, striving to steady my emotions. Calmness was key; chaotic feelings would only lead to uncontrolled spiritual energy.

Slowly, I entered a deep meditative state where the sole focus of my mind was the task at hand: sensing and controlling energy.

I began to sense the subtle flow of energy in the air, drawing it toward me. It was a slow, natural process

Souls, after all, sustain themselves by absorbing ambient Reishi. That realization made sense of many mysteries.

Where does a soul gain an endless supply of energy? The environment itself. Though the absorption rate was minimal, it was sufficient.

Controlling this energy felt natural, effortless even. As I drew it in, I refined my Reiryoku, compressing and condensing it into a denser, purer form.

Something profound shifted within me. Insights poured into my mind, as if the barriers of comprehension between myself and the world had crumbled. Every concept, every mechanism of nature, seemed clearer than ever before.

Suddenly–

BOOM!

A colossal shockwave exploded from me, rippling outward and sweeping away everything in its path. Yet, the ice beneath me remained unmoved, an immovable bastion in the chaos.

"Your eyes are glowing... ghostly blue," Yuzūi remarked, his tone filled with awe. His gaze met mine, and I noticed his eyes glowing a menacing red in response. The sight sent a shiver down my spine.

"Your eyes are glowing too, more crimson than they should be," I countered, scrutinizing him. "I can't recall anyone in Soul Society experiencing something like this. Makes me wonder... how strong they could be if they did?"

I mulled over the implications. If captains like Yamamoto or Ichigo achieved something similar, the results would be terrifying. Worse still, what about beings like Aizen or Yhwach? The latter's spiritual energy might not even match mine in quality now. A cold dread seeped into my veins.

Yuzūi, equally uneasy, shook his head. "It's best not to think about it," he said, his smile forced and dry.

Then, after a beat, his expression brightened mischievously. "But hey, don't you think we'd be able to disprove the supernatural myths in this world? That'd be something."

He stroked his chin, clearly relishing the idea.

I chuckled at the absurdity of it. "Now that I think about it... I'd love to see their faces when we do. Too bad they don't exist in this world. Damn it!"

The playful banter lightened the atmosphere, but deep down. I knew this breakthrough had only begun to reveal its true potential, and the responsibilities it brought.

"I suggest you go back to the real world," Yuzūi said, his voice laced with concern. "Although the hollowfication process is much slower than before due to your synergy, the Fullbringer may still be in danger."

"Shit! I forgot about that!" I exclaimed, panic surging through me. Without a moment's hesitation, I scrambled to my feet, my mind racing.

As I willed myself to return, an unnatural tug pulled at my consciousness. The sensation was strange, almost jarring, as if an invisible thread was yanking me away from this realm.

Everything around me blurred and twisted, the boundaries between dimensions folding in on themselves. Then, with a sharp jolt, I felt my essence being hurled back to the real world.

---

I woke up in the center of a barrier, my hollow mask still on my face. The area around me was chaotic, the aftermath of what seemed like a massive storm. I blinked, taking in the destruction. "Did I do all this?" I asked aloud, my voice heavy with disbelief.

"Yeah," Natsumi replied, her tone nonchalant despite her droopy eyes. "You were releasing a lot of energy. It got so dense it felt like you were pulling in a storm. But, overall, nothing too crazy."

Her tired expression wasn't from a fight, though. It was from having to hold the barrier in place.

Mom had Learned this spell under Serafall's guidance, and it had been the only thing protecting the surroundings from my energy outburst during the breakthrough.

"I see," I said, sitting up and exhaling deeply. "Well, I think you should aim for your breakthrough in a few months. By then, you'll be as strong as I am."

I smiled in anticipation. Natsumi was going into war. She needed to be as strong as me, or at least close to it. Nothing more, nothing less.

She had to reach the Initial Ultimate-Class. [AN: I think I'll change "Early" to "Initial" for clarity. Each rank will have three stages: Initial, Late, and Peak. This is done to avoid terms like "Mid-Middle Class" or "Intermediate Middle Class."]

"Yeah," I said, pausing with a knowing smirk. "So, I assume you still wanna train?"

Her eyes lit up with curiosity, mixed with a hopeful undertone that made me raise an eyebrow. Despite her slight hesitation, I nodded, and a bright smile blossomed on her face.

"Cease All Things In Creation! Yuzūi Ryōkai!!"

Dark red energy erupted from my sealed blade, which originally resembled a massive claymore with a red and black handle. Its size and heft reflected the hollow nature imbued within it.

And in that instant, we clashed.

Clang!

My Zanpakutō, glowing with a dark hue, now radiated pure blackness. Its form shifted to a massive claymore with pulsating red edges.

As our weapons met, I couldn't help but wonder. I know I'm not Ichigo, so what could have happened before this life? My memories of my first life were normal, but everything after my death was a blur.

'Had I truly lived three lives?'

Lost in thought, I dodged an incoming swing aimed at my neck. Though distracted, my reaction time had grown exponentially faster since my breakthrough.

Physically, I was still High-Class, making us evenly matched in strength. Spiritually, however, I was Ultimate-Class, with potential to eventually reach Satan-Class in physique.

I swung my sword to the left, aiming for her midsection. She leaned back just in time, narrowly dodging the blade, but a quick flick of my wrist had her cornered.

In a flash of green light, she disappeared and reappeared several meters away. With a determined glint in her eyes, she hurled her spear toward me at breakneck speed.

My figure flickered, vanishing from sight just as the spear struck the ground, exploding into a massive crater.

I rematerialized a short distance away, standing amidst the chaos. "Your offensive capabilities are improving," I said, touching my hollow mask.

Despite my questions about Yuzūi's place in my life, one thing was clear.

He is part of me now. He is me.

'Isn't that right, Yuzūi?' I thought, and my Zanpakutō glowed faintly in response.

Perhaps the reason Yuzūi was so cooperative was that I had reforged him as a Zanpakutō in my second life. The memory of doing so escaped me, but the result was undeniable.

I raised Yuzūi high, channeling hollow energy to the tip of the blade as I drew Reishi from the surroundings. Across from me, Natsumi gathered a massive amount of Reiryoku into her spear, its tip glowing with a ghostly green light.

"Primal Shadows: Empty Cleaver!"

I unleashed a massive arc of shadows, surging toward her with devastating force.

"Fullbring: Twilight Spear!"

Natsumi's counterattack ripped through the air as her spear released a brilliant green arc.

The Earth bore witness to the collision, shattering beneath the clash of our powers. The two energy waves collided mid-air, destabilizing as their forces vied for dominance.

And then, the inevitable happened.

A massive explosion erupted, the shockwave sweeping across a five-hundred-kilometer radius. The land bore fresh scars from our duel, a testament to the destructive potential we had unlocked.

"I think we went too far," Natsumi said with a wry smile, her right eye twitching as she surveyed the devastation.

The once-pristine training ground was now unrecognizable, a wasteland of craters, shattered rock, and scorched earth.

"Yup," I replied just as dryly, resting Yuzūi's massive blade on my shoulder. The weight felt familiar now, as if it had always been an extension of myself. "At least we're ready for war… assuming the war doesn't involve property damage fees."

Natsumi let out a soft laugh, brushing some dirt off her sleeve. "You're definitely paying for the repairs."

I glanced at her with mock indignation. "Me? You're the one who made the first crater. Don't think I didn't see that Fullbring explosion."

We laughed at each other's antics, I basically value this woman above all else, but it love is sometimes a double edged sword.

What if I did lose her in the war?

---

Happy Reading Everybody!

The Poll currently is in favour for Grayfia being the MC's wife and no one has suggested anything for Rias so I will take it upon myself.

Option 1: Grayfia belongs to Sirzechs has only 1 vote. Well, that's a bummer. It only means the harem expands

Option 2: Grayfia will go to MC, 7 votes. Please don't repeat votes, it makes things easier guys. That means MC gets a beautiful woman.

I think I speak for everyone when I say "RIAIJUU! EXPLODE!"

*Ahem* The pole will end in Chapter 26. You have been warned.