I’ve lived for over 2,600 years. I’ve dived into the sea, walked the Earth, soared through the skies, traversed space, and learned. I may hate the world as it is, but I don’t hate its people. You ask why I fight so hard, well it’s because I want to protect the people that deserve it.
- Issei Hyoudou/Torviark
"The Grim Herald
" by "Azurestoryteller"
Summary: Issei a supernatural being of unknown origins, has acted as a force of vengeance for centuries but has grown wary of the bloodshed and violence. Having dropped his old life, he opts to live a kinder life, now helping others. However, his past isn't done haunting him as the game of fate is cruel.
A heavy and intense fanfic story that proves to be one of the more unique stories of High School D×D. It's full of drama, sadness, action, some comedy, adventure, and bits of romance.
"The Grim Herald" provides examples of:
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: This story portrays Issei as a traumatized warrior who's lived for over 2 millennia. In that times, he's been through and seen a lot, performing less than savory actions for the good of others.
- Beneath the Mask: Issei starts out in the story as a rather chill guy that'll help deal with any issues that you ask him to aid in. Deep down, he's really trying to atone for all that he's done.
- Broken Hero: Issei is this at the beginning, with his past being explored later on.
- Childhood Friend Romance: Issei and Sylderia have this. Having known each other since childhood, the two later get together at some point in their past. It later resumes when she returns to his life.
- Does Not Like Men: Typically a part of Artemis' initial personality. However, it's reasonable since she used to be much more lighthearted before the object of her affections tried to force himself on her.
- Fallen Hero: Subverted. Pretty much what Issei is. Formerly forgiving and merciful, once he returns to being a Grim Herald, he'll torture, intimidate, interrogate, and butcher his enemies for information or to just Pay Evil unto Evil.
- I Did What I Hadto Do: Pretty much Issei's MO. It's his job to make the hard decisions for the good of the many. By destroying most of the Fortium, he avoids the start of a global war that would've resulted in all-out destruction between the religious pantheons, humanity, and the Fortium.
- Leitmotif:
- A very recurring theme in this story, and something Azurestoryteller likes to do. He claims that he doesn't know how to and can't compose music, so he recommends music to listen to, which can be found on Youtube or Itunes and other official music apps/providers.
- Issei's intial battle motif is Kokuten/Sunspot from Naruto Shippuden.
- Living Emotional Crutch: Sylderia was this to Issei. Issei grows out of this after her apparent death.
- Not Himself: Artemis exhibits this. it's revealed that she'd had her personality overwritten by Praegorn in order to break Issei down even further to make him a suitable tool.
- Really Royalty Reveal: Sylderia is revealed to be this. In Chapter 26, it's revealed that she's the Crown Princess of Lemuria.
- Relationship Upgrade: Issei and Artemis get this 3 chapters in! It's later revealed in Chapter 21 that it's not what it seems, actually.
- Slipping a Mickey: Subverted. Issei does this to Sylderia in Chapter 26 so that she remembers everything about her past, except for him for her own good.
- Stopped Caring: Averted. Despite Issei's cruel words and him stomping on their feelings, his harem see through him and continue to try and pull him out of his funk.
- Sword Beam: One of Issei's many attacks, with 2 variants: [Dawn Breaker] and [Night Bringer].
- Trauma Conga Line: Issei's life has just been one big, bloody, tragic mess. Chronologically, Issei's found as an infant by a human couple in 60 B.C. After he starts manifesting his powers, people go on a witch hunt and kills his adoptive parents. Then, he's taken to Atlantis, which is hidden from the outside world and grows up as a bullied orphan. Then, a revolution happens which overthrows the corrupt government of Atlantis, where the love of his life dies and leaves him alone. Then, after a few weeks, his own people turn on him after a case of With Usor Against Us. Left with no choice, the Abyss itself, gives him a choice. Kill his people or the world goes through a world-wide war which entails mortals and immortals fighting. He kills all of the people that he fought alongside with in the revolution. Then, he's forced to start killing and destroying the scum of the Earth. What makes it horrible is the fact that he hates fighting. To add to that, he's been doing it for at least 2,000 years since he's not human. And all of that's all taken place before the beginning of the story's narrative.
