The group stood in front of the demolished church, construction workers milling about, tearing down what little remained. Dust clouded the air as rubble was loaded into trucks.
Issei clenched his fists. "This… This is where I first took Asia. And now it's just—gone."
Ryusei's eyes glowed a soft blue as she activated [Six Eyes], scanning the area. She closed them with a sigh. "Yeah, they're gone. Not even a mana trace left. Smart move, relocating after what happened."
She turned to Issei. "How many churches left?"
"Four," Issei replied grimly. "Two of them are abandoned, the other two still run as regular churches."
Ryusei nodded, adjusting the strap on her bag. "Then let's start with the ones no one goes to. That's the best place to hide in plain sight."
As they started down the street, Todo walked with his arms behind his head, listening intently as Ryusei and Issei explained everything—Freed, the fallen angels, what they'd done to Asia, and how they took her.
The more he heard, the more Todo's expression darkened. His usual goofball energy turned serious.
"They… used her?" Todo muttered, clenching his jaw. "Stripped her of her powers… just like that?"
Ryusei nodded. "She was crying, completely exposed. Freed was mocking her like it was a game."
Todo's fists trembled. "Then it's not just about saving her anymore… It's about making sure they pay for what they did."
"Glad to see you're on the same page," Ryusei said, smirking.
"Damn right I am," Todo cracked his knuckles. "Let's go save that girl and turn those bastards into fried chicken!"
The trio arrived at the outskirts of Kouh Town, where a lone, weathered church stood between the trees. Despite its rundown appearance, light glowed warmly through its stained-glass windows, and the sound of murmured prayers echoed faintly from within.
"Doesn't look abandoned to me," Todo muttered.
"Nope," Ryusei said, already walking up the steps. "But that doesn't mean they're not hiding something."
Inside, people were just beginning to take their seats for the service. The faint smell of incense hung in the air. A few heads turned as the trio entered, three teenagers in school uniforms, completely out of place.
Ryusei's eyes glowed faintly blue as she activated [Six Eyes], calmly walking between pews and peering at the congregation. She stopped a little too close to an elderly woman, staring straight into her soul.
The old lady blinked. "Dear, is something wrong?"
Ryusei blinked back to reality. "Ah. My apologies, ma'am."
Meanwhile, Issei looked behind the altar while Todo poked around the back entrance with casual confidence, drawing more and more concerned glances.
Whispers started to ripple through the small crowd. The priest at the pulpit finally raised his hand.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask the three of you to leave," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. "You're disturbing the service."
Ryusei nodded and bowed her head slightly. "We understand. Sorry for the disruption."
They turned and walked out in silence, the murmurs continuing behind them as the church doors shut.
Outside, Todo exhaled loudly. "Okay, that one was a bust."
"Still got three more," Issei said.
Ryusei put her hands in her pockets. "Let's keep moving."
{Kouh Town Plaza- Evening}
DThe sun was beginning to dip low, casting an orange hue over the plaza as the trio sat silently by the fountain. The soft trickling of water was the only sound for a while, apart from the occasional chirp of distant birds.
Issei sat on the edge of the fountain, hunched over with his elbows on his knees, nervously fiddling with his fingers. His brows were knit tightly, his lips pressed together in frustration.
Todo sat with his arms crossed, jaw tight, one foot tapping relentlessly against the stone. "Tch… I hate just sitting around. We should be doing something."
Ryusei leaned back slightly, her eyes scanning the plaza as if a secret church might just appear out of thin air. "That's all of them...?" she finally asked, her voice quieter than usual. "Issei, are you sure there isn't another church?"
Issei didn't even lift his head. "I'm sure," he said hoarsely. "I've been living here my whole life. There's only ever been five churches in Kouh."
He clenched his fists tighter. "I wish I was stronger... I haven't even been training. Ever since I became a devil, I've just been slacking off, and now because of that, Asia—"
"Oi, cut that out," Todo said firmly, sitting forward. "Wishing won't help her. Regret is for after the fight, not before it."
Ryusei stayed quiet for a moment, then pushed herself up from the fountain. "He's right. We can't afford to fall apart now."
Issei looked up, eyes wide. "But what do we do? We've hit a dead end."
Asia stood just beyond the plaza. "Issei? Ryusei?" she called gently.
Issei's head snapped around. "Asia?!" he bolted from the fountain, nearly tripping over himself as he rushed over and pulled her into a tight hug. "You're okay…! You're really okay…"
Asia gasped softly at the sudden embrace but quickly smiled and returned the hug, tears welling up in her eyes. "I missed you…"
Todo blinked as he watched them, then turned to Ryusei. "Is that her?"
"Yup," Ryusei said with a grin, already jogging over to join the reunion. She threw her arms around Asia too, squeezing her between herself and Issei.
Asia giggled through the tears. "You all came looking for me?"
"We never stopped," Ryusei said, resting her chin briefly on Asia's shoulder.
Issei pulled back just a little to look at her face, still holding her arms. "I was so scared something happened to you…"
"I'm alright now," Asia said softly, and then glanced over at Todo with curiosity. "Who's he…?"
Todo raised a hand in greeting. "Name's Aoi Todo!"
Ryusei smirked. "And my self-proclaimed best friend."
Todo gave a proud nod. "Damn right."
Asia laughed quietly, warmth in her voice. "Thank you… all of you…"
The reunion was shattered the instant that cold, venom-laced voice rang out.
"So, this is where you've run off to."
Ryusei's eyes snapped upward but it was too late.
SHUNK!
A yellow light spear tore through the air and struck her side, sending her crashing to the cobblestone ground. The impact stole her breath, blood splattering as she gritted her teeth in pain.
"Ryusei!" Todo shouted, instantly moving toward her, while Issei protectively pulled Asia behind him.
Atop the statue in the center of the fountain, perched like a vulture in judgment, stood Raynare. Her black wings spread wide.
Despite her injuries from their last brutal encounter, her glare was still sharp, filled with hatred.
"Well, well… still playing heroes, are we?" Raynare sneered, eyes narrowing on Asia. "And you… you little traitor. Did you really think you could run from us forever?"
Ryusei coughed and slowly pushed herself up, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her voice was laced with venom. "Still breathing after that beatdown, huh? That's impressive…"
Raynare's remaining hand crackled with divine energy, forming another light spear. "This time, I'll make sure you don't get back up."
Ryusei's fingers wrapped around the light spear in her side, gritting her teeth as she yanked it free with a sharp cry—but before she could even catch her breath, another spear tore through her thigh.
"Agh—shit!" she collapsed to one knee, blood seeping from both wounds.
"RYUSEI!!" Todo roared, his body glowing with cursed energy as he lunged at Raynare with a punch. But she easily parried his attack midair and drove a light spear straight into his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground beside Ryusei with a pained grunt.
Issei, eyes filled with fury, activated his Sacred Gear. The crimson gauntlet of the Boosted Gear pulsed as he raised his fist.
"BOOST!"
He dashed forward, arm cocked back to land a heavy blow but Raynare smirked and met him head-on, kicking him in the gut with supernatural force. Issei flew back, skidding across the plaza's stone tiles with a heavy thud.
Pathetic laughter echoed through the plaza.
"This is what I was worried about?" Raynare mocked, her voice laced with contempt. "A human, a meathead, and a weak devil. What a joke."
Before they could recover, she swooped down, grabbing Asia roughly by the arm. "Come on, you little traitor. You belong to us."
"Asia!!" Issei cried out, crawling forward, blood on his lips.
Asia struggled and screamed, reaching out. "No—please! Ryusei! Issei!"
But Raynare was already airborne, her wings beating against the wind as she rose into the night sky, holding Asia captive.
"Try and chase me now," she taunted. "Next time, I'll make sure none of you leave alive."
Gritting her teeth, Ryusei grabbed the shaft of the light spear embedded in her side.
Schlik!
She ripped it out with a sharp cry, followed by the second from her leg. Blood poured from the wounds but only for a second.
"[Full Recovery]," she muttered, her body enveloped in a soft green glow as her injuries vanished, skin stitching itself closed.
Without wasting a breath, she sprinted to Todo, yanking the light spear from his shoulder and making him drink a healing potion. "You good?"
He grunted, rolling his shoulder. "Damn right."
Next was Issei. She helped him up and gave him a nod. "You're stronger than you think. Let's go."
The trio took off, running full-speed through the streets of Kuoh under the night sky. Ryusei took the lead, her [Six Eyes] tracking Raynare's mana.