Ryusei, Issei, and Todo approached the weathered, moss-covered church that stood hidden deep within the woods.
"So there was another church here after all," Todo muttered, squinting at the building. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles with a wide grin. "Let's hurry up and take care of these guys!"
"Mind if we join?"
The group turned to see Kiba and Koneko stepping out from the trees, both wearing serious expressions.
"Kiba? Koneko?" Issei blinked. "What are you guys doing here? I thought Rias didn't want to get involved."
"She doesn't know we're here," Koneko replied flatly, arms folded across her chest.
Ryusei raised a brow, then smiled. "Thanks for coming to help us out. I really appreciate it."
"Not a problem," Kiba replied. "We're all friends here." Then he glanced at the tall figure standing beside Ryusei. "By the way... who is he?"
"Oh, uh..." Ryusei gestured at Todo, who gave a confident nod. "This is Todo Aoi. He's a hunter like me. Don't worry—he's trustworthy."
"Besto friendo, actually," Todo said with a dramatic thumbs-up. "I'm here to help punch some bad guys and save the girl. You know, standard stuff."
Kiba raised a brow but chuckled. "Alright then."
Koneko just stared at Todo for a moment before nodding. "As long as he can fight."
"Better than most," Ryusei said, stepping forward and clenching her fists. "Let's move."
The heavy wooden doors of the abandoned church exploded inward with a thunderous crack, splinters flying as Ryusei stormed inside with the others at her back.
The scene before them was grim.
At the far end of the candlelit altar stood Freed Sellzen, with several Fallen Angels. Behind him, Asia lay bound and chained, her eyes wide with fear and tears streaking her cheeks. Standing just beside her is Raynare.
"You're too late," Raynare sneered. "Her Sacred Gear will be mine."
Freed's crazed laugh echoed through the church. "We meet again!" he shouted, immediately aiming his pistol at Ryusei and pulling the trigger.
Bang! Bang!
Ryusei reacted instantly, pulling her Silverine sword from her inventory with a metallic flash. The blade rang as it deflected the bullets, sparks flying as they ricocheted off the church walls.
She narrowed her glowing blue eyes. "Is that really all you've got?"
"Issei, save Asia! We'll handle the rest!"
Without hesitation, Issei sprinted toward the altar, his Sacred Gear activating as his Boosted Gear glowed crimson on his arm.
Freed cackled and drew his own glowing sword, lunging at Ryusei. "Let's see what that freak strength of yours can really do!"
Their blades clashed in a burst of light and cursed energy, each strike sending shockwaves through the church as pews cracked and windows shattered.
Meanwhile, Kiba summoned his demonic sword and rushed into battle with two Fallen Angels swooping toward him. "Don't let them get in Issei's way!"
Koneko leapt upward, catching one of the angels mid-flight and slamming them into the stone floor with a seismic impact.
Todo cracked his neck. "Time to throw hands," he grinned, before launching into a brutal brawl with another pair of Fallen, his fists a blur of movement.
Issei climbed the steps of the altar, reaching Asia. "I'm here! I'll get you out of here! I promise!"
{Outside}
Just as Rias and Akeno arrived at the outskirts of the hidden church deep in the woods, a dome-like barrier appeared into view around the perimeter of the church grounds. The moment they attempted to cross it, a surge of resistance flared and forced them back.
from the trees stepped three figures, wings outstretched, grins malicious.
Dohnaseek, with his long black cloak and glowing purple eyes, hovered just above the ground.
To his left, Mittelt, the blonde girl with twin pigtails, spun a light spear lazily in one hand.
And to his right, Kalawarner, her gaze locked on Rias.
"Well, well," Kalawarner spoke first. "Rias Gremory herself. Looks like we've drawn out some real royalty tonight."
"You're too late," Mittelt chimed in with a smirk. "The ritual is already underway. The nun's Sacred Gear will belong to us."
Rias narrowed her eyes. "Move aside. Or I'll make you."
Dohnaseek chuckled darkly. "You won't be making it through this barrier... unless you go through us."
Akeno's smile curved, lightning dancing across her fingertips. "Then I guess we're doing this the hard way."
Rias raised her hand, red demonic energy swirling around her palm like a vortex. "Let's crush them quickly. Just looking at them is pissing me off."
Pink and blue streaks flashed around the altar, the sounds of clashing steel and bursts of cursed and holy energy shaking the stone walls.
Ryusei, her Silverine sword glowing with cursed light, clashed head-to-head with Freed Sellzen, who grinned maniacally, his light sword in one hand and a pistol in the other.
The air cracked and shimmered with each clash.
CLANG!—BOOM!—CRACK!
Each strike shook the pews. Debris flew. Dust filled the air.
From across the room, Kiba paused mid-duel, dispatching one of the lesser fallen with a precise thrust of his sword. His eyes darted toward Ryusei and Freed.
"They're evenly matched... her speed and reactions rival his perfectly," Kiba muttered.
Meanwhile, Issei was climbing the steps of the altar.
"Asia!" he shouted, watching in horror as Raynare finished the ritual. The Twilight Healing sacred gear glowed, vanishing from Asia's chest with a sharp flash.
"NO!" Issei runs forward. Raynare, weakened from her previous battles and caught off guard, barely reacted in time.
Issei grabbed the chains holding Asia and used the boost from his Sacred Gear to shatter them.
Asia fell forward, and Issei caught her in his arms, holding her close. "I've got you... You're gonna be okay."
Ryusei pushed Freed back with an upward slash from her sword. Freed stumbled backward, panting and laughing with blood on his lips. "This is fun! Let's see how long you can keep up!"
Raynare swooped down toward Issei with a crazed look in her eyes, light spear crackling in her hand. "Give her back, you filthy Devil!" she screamed.
Issei, eyes blazing with desperation and fury, gently laid Asia down behind a fallen pew. The red gauntlet on his hand began to glow brighter.
"Boost!"
The green gem in his Sacred Gear pulsed.
Raynare lunged forward, spear aimed straight for Issei's heart.
But this time, he didn't flinch.
"Take this!!" Issei roared, putting every ounce of power into his right fist. He ducked the spear just enough and slammed his boosted punch into Raynare's gut.
She was launched across the room, crashing into the back wall and crumbling a column on impact. Dust and rubble fell as she groaned in pain, wings twitching.
Meanwhile, Freed snarled and reengaged Ryusei—only for Todo to come crashing in with a roundhouse kick that sent Freed staggering to the side.
"You didn't think she was alone, did you?" Todo shouted.
"Two-on-one? That's cheating." Freed spat.
"Ryusei move right!" Todo barked, and the two fell into sync.
She ducked low, slicing at Freed's legs.
Todo followed with a powerful downward hammer punch aimed at Freed's arm.
CLANG!
The sword was knocked from Freed's hand.
Ryusei's cursed dagger came slashing upward—Freed barely managed to block it with his holy pistol, but sparks and cursed energy burst from the contact.
"You're both starting to piss me off!" Freed shouted, backpedaling, only for Ryusei and Todo to press even harder.
Ryusei's [Steel Arms] activated again, giving her brutal force in every strike. She moved with sharp precision, slashing at Freed's side as Todo slammed a punch into his gut.
A burst of red light shattered one of the stained-glass windows.
Rias Gremory descended through the opening with elegance and wrath, followed by a hovering Akeno, lightning dancing at her fingertips.
"Sorry we're late," Rias said, eyes narrowing at the chaos.
"Rias!" Issei called out, still guarding Asia.
Rias looked down at him and Asia, and then at the fallen angels strewn across the floor. Her eyes met Ryusei's for a moment and her heart caught in her throat.
Akeno landed near the altar, already forming a massive ball of electricity in one hand.
Raynare, groaning from the rubble, growled and began to rise—only for a bolt of lightning to pin her to the wall.
"You're not going anywhere," Akeno smiled sweetly.
Freed stumbled back, blood dripping from his temple and side, gritting his teeth. "Tch... not worth dying over this. Next time!"
He turned and bolted, limping and vanishing through a shattered side door just as Ryusei hurled a pink light spear after him—missing by inches.
Todo lowered his fists, panting. "Coward. Should've finished him."
Ryusei didn't answer. Her eyes were already back on Issei, who had collapsed to his knees on the church floor, cradling Asia's limp body in his arms.
"Asia... she didn't deserve that...!"
Issei's voice cracked, fingers trembling as he brushed her bloodied hair back. "She was innocent... she didn't do anything wrong..."
Ryusei approached quietly, her heart heavy. She placed a hand on Issei's shoulder—when suddenly, he stood, handing Asia to her.
"Hold her."
His voice was cold and resolved.
Ryusei's brows furrowed, but she obeyed, gently taking Asia's body into her arms.
Across the rubble, Raynare, battered and nearly unconscious, transformed back into her human disguise—Yuuma Amano.
"I-Issei... please... I'm sorry. I was just following orders. You still love me, right? We can go back... we can—"
She leapt up, wings spreading, trying to flee.
"No."
Issei's hand caught her wrist mid-flight.
"BOOST!"
His red gauntlet flashed with power doubling his strength.
WHAM!
Raynare was slammed back into the stone floor with a devastating punch, cracking the tile beneath her. She wheezed, blood coughing out as her body twitched, stunned.
Rias stepped forward.
Her crimson aura ignited. The familiar hum of the Power of Destruction filled the air.
Raynare tried to crawl away.
"Good riddance."
A sphere of red energy shot from her hand, engulfing Raynare and erasing her completely from existence.
Issei turned back, eyes pleading, falling to his knees in front of Rias.
"Rias... please... save her! Please bring her back! Make her a devil! Anything—just save Asia!"
Rias's gaze softened as she stepped forward. Her hand hovered over Asia's chest.
Ryusei stood beside them, watching with clenched fists.
"She deserves another chance," Ryusei said quietly. "Please."
Rias looked at Ryusei, then Issei, and finally down at Asia.
"Alright... I'll do it."