DxD: Lost in Time

"What do you mean by that?" Serafall asked, her voice filled with concern, though she tried to mask it behind a veneer of casual curiosity.

I met her gaze and replied, "Simple. I need to do something I've been avoiding for years because of the danger. I'm going to have a conversation with the monster within me."

Her brows furrowed, and her usually bright demeanor dimmed. "And what happens if things don't go as planned?"

"If it works, I'll be stronger. I might even gain an ally," I said, my tone measured. "But if I fail, you'll need to seal me away until I can regain control. I need you to promise me that."

Serafall's lips thinned as she mulled over my request. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. I'll create a barrier to contain you and make sure nothing goes wrong. But… are you sure this is the only way?"

"It is," I said firmly. "If I don't do this now, I'll never move forward."

She sighed, her usually vibrant energy tempered by the gravity of the situation. "Alright. I'll keep watch."

"Thank you."

I sat cross-legged, closing my eyes and diving into meditation. This time, I was not focusing on my Ki but on my Spiritual power. This was different—it was something present in everything with a conscience and could only be sensed by those with enough spiritual awareness. Given my experience with long meditation sessions, I figured I should be able to feel it soon.

It didn't take long. The sensation of something else within me was clear, and I could feel its presence. It was subtle but undeniable. I expected this, but it came faster than I anticipated.

A moment later, I felt something pulling me. I opened my eyes, and the world around me had completely changed.

I found myself in an expansive, barren land. The landscape stretched endlessly, and the sky overhead was a cold, full moon that stirred something deep within me.

A strange mixture of emotions, warmth, and tension, all at once. The air here was biting and icy, the chill seeping into my bones as if I had stepped into a frozen wasteland.

The land was barren, covered in plants and trees made entirely of shimmering, frozen crystal.

Yet, in the middle of this chilling landscape, there was a single, strange anomaly: a pond, untouched by the frost, its waters eerily still and calm.

My instincts told me not to approach it, so I stayed back, my curiosity warring with caution.

High above, a throne floated in the air—probably fifty meters above the ground. Its majestic yet cold glow stood in stark contrast to the desolation below. Beneath it, in the pond that reflected its light, stood a figure.

At first, I thought it might have been my imagination, but the figure was unmistakably human, standing on the water's surface without so much as a ripple.

The first thing that struck me was his unnatural pallor—a white so pure it seemed otherworldly. He was dressed similarly to me, in a hakama and slightly baggy pants, but the color scheme was inverted. Where my outfit was white with red and white accents, his was red with black.

"So, you actually came here with your intentions clear," he spoke, his voice calm yet piercing, sending chills down my spine. "Your determination is strong, but I wonder if you can back it up."

The chill in the air intensified, and with it came a sharp pain as if the very cold was gnawing at my body. It was so extreme that I felt the sting of frostbite spreading across my skin.

The figure turned to face me, revealing spiky silver hair that fell just past his neck. His eyes were red with black sclera, and his face held an eerie handsomeness.

He looked like me—no, he was me, or something close. It was uncanny.

"I would've never guessed I had a hollow within me," I muttered under my breath, the reality of the situation sinking in. "Why was I even fooling myself thinking this would be easy?"

"At least you didn't underestimate your opponent," he replied. "But I can sense your fear. Why do you not see me as an intruder?"

"If there's one thing I learned from Bleach, it's to accept all parts of yourself—even the things you hate."

He cocked his head, intrigued. "Then why are you afraid?"

"Because hollows are unpredictable and impulsive. I doubt you're willing to negotiate."

He smiled, though it was more like a grimace. "You see that throne?" He pointed to the throne suspended in the sky. "Why do you think there's only one throne?"

"Maybe because there can only be one king."

"Exactly. Since both our goals are to obtain ultimate freedom…"

Before I could react, he conjured a sword out of thin air and hurled it at me. I instinctively reached out and caught it, bringing it down with enough force to make the air around us hum. The sword met my blade with a clang, the sound ringing through the frozen air.

"…We have no choice but to fight for it."

We stepped back, each taking a defensive stance.

"I have a few conditions," he said, his eyes narrowing. "First, lend me your power when I'm in a pinch. We share the same body, after all."

"That seems fair. What's your second condition?"

"If I win, you give me all your power. If you win, you get to control my body. The only caveat is that this challenge will repeat until one of us is victorious."

"You're being a bit greedy, don't you think? I'll decide how much power I give you if you prove worthy."

"Fair enough. Third condition: if we reach a draw, we will switch places from time to time. Just don't take control when I'm... occupied."

"Hmph. Do as you wish. It's only fair you have your own restrictions."

"Lastly," I said, my voice steady, "when you're in control, you must not hurt my family or loved ones under any circumstances."

He raised an eyebrow, but his expression was unreadable. "We can seal this deal with the throne as a witness. Whoever breaks the contract will be frozen for a hundred years. Deal?"

"No manipulation tactics to force the other to break the deal. Suggestions are allowed."

We stopped fighting and floated toward the throne together.

"You start first," he said, his smirk growing. "Your kind is elusive."

I braced myself. "Very well."

He raised his sword, poised to strike. But just as it was about to land on my neck, he stopped midway. "In case you're trying to trick me, I will end your life, regardless of my own. I am no slave to you."

I met his gaze, unwavering. "The same goes for you. But when you make your vow, don't forget—if you don't state your real name, I'll take all the authority you have."

His eyes narrowed. "Fine."

We locked eyes.

"I, #!$?!, pledge to never break the contract agreed upon," he said, his voice rich with finality. I never heard his name for some reason but I knew he must have used his true name.

The throne formed a link by taking a bit of chaotic spiritual power.

"I, Hisashi Ito, Adrien Stark, pledge to never break the contract agreed upon."

He chuckled, a dark, knowing sound. "Good. Now, where were we?"

"This is where we were," I replied, my sword ready.

'Impressive,' he thought. "You never let my guard down." A quiet respect flickered between us, but it was brief. This was far from over.

The contract was sealed, but this was only the beginning of something much larger. The throne in the distance, still floating above us, was a constant reminder:

There could only be one king.