Ryusei dropped her bag on the floor and collapsed onto her bed, the weight of the night finally catching up to her. Blood that was not hers but still stained parts of her uniform and hands. Her body ached with the aftermath of battle.
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[Emergency Quest Completed: Protect Issei Hyoudou]
Reward: New Skill Unlocked - [Synthesis]
Description: Allows the user to combine two or more compatible skills to create new, more powerful techniques. Results vary depending on the skills and user's control.
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She sat up, eyes scanning the notification as a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Synthesis, huh...?" she muttered, swiping the screen away. "Now we're talking."
Still, her mind drifted to Asia... to the way she looked, broken and terrified in Freed's hands. Ryusei clenched her fists.
"I'm coming for you. And I'll tear down anyone who gets in my way."
"B-but, what do you mean I can't save Asia!?" Issei shouted, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, voice shaking with frustration.
Rias sat on the couch, legs crossed, her expression firm but not unkind. Akeno stood nearby, silent. Kiba leaned against the wall with his arms folded, eyes low.
"Issei," Rias said, her voice calm but cold, "that girl is affiliated with the Church... and now the Fallen Angels. Saving her would mean interfering with both. It's dangerous! Not just for you, but for all of us."
Issei took a step forward. "I don't care about that! She's kind! She healed me, she didn't deserve what happened!"
"I know you're upset," Rias said softly, looking down. "But this isn't something we can just rush into."
Just then, the door opened and Ryusei stepped inside, hands in her pockets. "Yo," she said casually, before noticing the tense atmosphere. "Okay, what's with all the yelling?"
Akeno glanced over. "We're discussing what happened last night... with Asia."
Ryusei's face immediately shifted into a frown, her eyes narrowing. "He wants to save her and you're all telling him not to?"
Rias stood up from her seat. "Ryusei, I understand how you feel, but this situation is more delicate than it seems. Asia is now connected to the Fallen Angels. Getting involved might trigger something far worse. It could lead to another war! Not just with the Fallen, but with the Heavenly Faction too."
Ryusei stared at her, silent for a long moment before scoffing. "If you won't help him save her, then I sure as hell will."
"Ryusei-"
"No!" she snapped, cutting Rias off. "She's an innocent girl who's being dragged through hell. If we turn our backs on her just because it's 'complicated,' then what the hell are we even doing? What's the point of being strong if we can't protect people like her?"
Issei looked at Ryusei, stunned, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes.
Rias' gaze wavered, the weight of her responsibilities clear on her face. "You don't understand the politics behind this-"
"I don't care about politics." Ryusei's voice was like ice. "I care about Asia." She turned to Issei. "We're going to get her back. Whether they like it or not."
Rias' calm demeanor finally cracked. "You're being reckless, Ryusei!" she snapped, her voice echoing through the room. "You think I don't want to help her? That I don't care? But there's more at stake here than just one girl!"
Ryusei stopped at the door, slowly turning her head. Her voice was low but sharp. "Yeah, there's always 'more at stake,' isn't there? Always a reason to stand by and do nothing."
Akeno's expression tightened, and Koneko glanced between them silently. Kiba took a step forward, as if to intervene, but thought better of it.
Rias stepped around the desk, walking closer. "If you go and to Issei with you after her and start a fight with the Fallen, we'll all be pulled into it. You'll be risking war with two factions just to save one person!"
"Then so be it." Ryusei's blue eyes glowed with cold resolve. "You say you care, but you're too afraid to move. That's not saving anyone."
She opened the door and walked out without another word.
Issei looked at Rias torn before running after her. "Ryusei! Wait up!"
Rias watched the door slowly swing shut behind them, her fists clenched at her sides. "Damn it..."
{Elsewhere- later}
Behind the main school building, Ryusei leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as Issei paced in front of her, still visibly stressed.
"We don't even know where they're keeping her," he muttered. "They must be keeping Asia in a church though. But which one? There's like... five in town!"
Ryusei nodded, scanning the horizon. "We'll start with the abandoned ones. Fallen angels like hiding where no one looks. I'll scout tonight."
Before Issei could respond, a loud voice echoed from behind them.
"BROTHER!"
Ryusei's eyes widened. "Oh no-"
Before she could react, Todo came flying into view, arms wide open, and scooped Ryusei up into a massive bear hug, lifting her off the ground.
"Brotha!!" he shouted, spinning her in a circle.
Ryusei squirmed, her face reddening. "Todo-! Put me down, you idiot!"
Issei blinked in disbelief. "How... are you this energetic at 7AM?"
Todo finally set her down, grinning wide. "I had a dream last night we took down a demon cult together. It was beautiful, Ryusei. Beautiful."
"We're actually trying to do something real right now," she muttered, brushing herself off. "We're going to save someone. Her name is Asia."
Todo's grin faded slightly, his expression turning serious. "Alright then... count me in!"
Ryusei looked at him, surprised. Then smirked. "Good. We could use your dumb strength."