Scene: Issei's Room]
Issei lay sprawled on his bed, bruised and battered from the Rating Game. His breathing was slow, but steady.
Grayfia: arms crossed, voice calm but urgent — "If he doesn't wake up soon… there won't be enough time to save Rias."
Andrew's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward without hesitation.
Andrew: "Then let me do it. I know I can win this."
[Cut to: Underworld – Ceremony Hall]
Akeno sat quietly, her hands folded. Koneko and Kiba stood near her, all three of them looking down in defeat.
Akeno: "…We failed Rias."
Kiba and Koneko only nodded.
Before they could speak further, a ring of flame erupted in the center of the hall.
Riser: "Ladies and gentlemen of the Underworld! Thank you for gathering here today to witness the union between myself and Rias Gremory! And if anyone believes they're strong enough to take her from me… step forward now."
The heavy double doors swung open.
Andrew strode in, dressed in his orange gi. A confident smirk tugged at his lips.
Riser: eyes narrowing — "So… you think you can beat me when your brother couldn't? And with what power, human?"
Andrew: "Trust me… you're going to regret hurting my friends during that Rating Game. Especially Issei."
Riser: chuckling darkly — "Then let's make this interesting. If I win, you'll be my prisoner… a toy for my amusement. If you win, I'll give you anything you want."
Andrew paused for a moment, his gaze hardening.
Andrew: "…If I win, you end this engagement. Permanently. And you leave Rias alone. She's not some trophy wife."
Riser: "Very well. Step into the arena… and I'll humble you quickly."
[Battle Scene – Arena Materializes]
Riser launched forward with a flaming kick — but Andrew's form blurred with a snap vanish. A solid roundhouse caught Riser's side, sending him tumbling backwards.
Riser: "Stronger than I expected… but you won't win."
Andrew: "We'll see about that." He slammed a clean punch into Riser's cheek, the impact cracking the floor beneath them.
Riser skidded across the ground, crashing into a pawn piece. His aura flared wildly — flames twisted into a sinister purple hue, and an unnatural energy bled from it.
[Cutaway: A Dark Rift Beyond Time]
Two figures watched from a swirling void.
Towa: smiling faintly — "That energy… it's different from before. He's getting stronger faster than expected."
Mira: "Should we intervene?"
Towa: "Not yet. Let's see how far the Saiyan can push himself without our… encouragement."
[Back to Arena]
Riser: "Rias will be mine! And only mine!"
The supernova-sized fireball in his hand pulsed from orange to a searing blue.
Andrew braced himself, teeth gritted. Dammit… if I'm not careful, that'll burn through everything.
The attack roared forward, consuming the arena in blinding light.
[Cut to: Ceremony Hall]
Issei, having pushed himself to attend despite his injuries, clenched his fists.
Issei: "…I can still sense your ki, Andrew. Don't you dare lose."
Rias' hands trembled, tears threatening to spill. Akeno bit her lip, watching silently.
[Arena – Aftermath of the Blast]
Riser laughed, thinking victory was his.
Riser: "That's right! I've—"
A shadow emerged from the smoke, walking forward through the flames. Andrew's gi was singed, his eyes burning with focus.
Andrew: "You talk too much."
In a blur, he appeared in front of Riser, driving a knee into his gut before slamming him into the ground with bone-rattling force.
Riser coughed blood, his body trembling from the blow. Before Andrew could finish it, Ravel appeared, pleading with her brother.
Ravel: "Please… surrender. You've lost."
Riser tried to speak, but his fatigue overtook him. His body went limp.
Grayfia: stepping forward — "Winner: Andrew Hayado."
[Cutaway: Dark Rift Again]
Towa: "…Interesting. He resisted transformation… but still overpowered the Phenex boy."
Mira: "When the time comes, he'll be ready for us."
Towa: smirk widening — "Oh, he'll be more than ready. He'll be mine."