Streets of Kouh
Freed sprinted down the street, cackling as his bullets tore through lampposts and signs. The holy rounds left glowing scars in the asphalt.
Issei roared, flames bursting from his back like wings as he shot after him. His fist slammed into the road, launching him forward at blinding speed. The pavement cracked beneath his feet, molten lines glowing in his wake.
"Boost!"
The gauntlet pulsed, and the flames around him deepened to a fierce crimson.
Freed spun mid-run, firing two pistols at once, his grin manic. "Dance for me, devil brat!"
Issei deflected one bullet with his gauntlet, but another grazed his shoulder. Pain seared through him like fire, forcing a grunt out of his throat. The wound hissed, holy energy trying to eat into him.
"Hurts, doesn't it? Ain't nothing worse than holy fire chewing on a devil's flesh!" Freed howled with glee.
Issei ignored the pain, launching a fireball the size of a car at the priest. Freed dove into an alley, the explosion consuming the street behind him. The shockwave shattered windows for blocks.
Asia cried out, stumbling after them from the distance, tears streaking her face. "Please, stop! Don't fight! Don't kill!"
But her words couldn't reach either of them.
Freed's sword gleamed with holy light as he slashed, the blade singing through the air. Issei met it head-on, his gauntlet clashing with the glowing steel, sparks flying.
The flames wrapped around his arm, twisting into the shape of a dragon's claw. With each strike, the alley shook, brick walls melting and dripping from the heat.
"You've got bite, brat!" Freed laughed, eyes wild. "That gear of yours—hoo, it's a beauty! Can't wait to carve it outta your corpse!"
"Shut the hell up!" Issei roared, his punch slamming into Freed's chest. The impact cracked bone, sending him crashing into a dumpster.
Freed spat blood, then grinned wider. "More! Show me more, devil scum!"
Issei's flames surged higher, his control slipping. The fire twisted unnaturally, licking the ground in tendrils. His eyes glowed with a furnace's fury.
*(Burn him. Burn everything. Leave nothing but ash…)*
Ddraig's voice rumbled in his mind.
"Partner… control yourself. If you give in now, you won't come back."
But Issei barely heard him. His rage was a storm, drowning out everything but the urge to kill.
Asia stumbled into the alley, gasping at the inferno. Her eyes widened at Issei's form—half-devil, half-demon flame, his face twisted with fury.
"Issei!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
He froze, fist raised, flames burning hot enough to melt Freed's blade where it clashed against his gauntlet.
Her eyes pleaded with him, trembling but unyielding. "Please… don't become a monster."
The words cut through the haze. For a heartbeat, he saw her—not a nun, not a stranger, but the girl who smiled at stray cats, who blushed when she said his name.
His flames wavered. His breathing slowed.
Freed hissed, using the moment to fling a smoke bomb at the ground. The alley filled with choking gray fog.
"Another time, Red Dragon brat!" his voice echoed, retreating into the night. "Enjoy your little girlfriend while you can—'cause I'll be back for her head!"
Issei collapsed to one knee, flames guttering out, leaving only steam rising from the scorched alley. His gauntlet dimmed, the glow fading.
Asia rushed forward, falling beside him. "Are you hurt?!"
"…I'll live," Issei muttered, clutching his burning shoulder. He looked at her, guilt heavy in his chest. "I almost lost it. I almost… killed everything."
Asia shook her head, tears shining. "No. You stopped because you heard me."
Her hand touched his cheek gently, healing light easing the burn. His chest furnace calmed for the first time that night.
From the street's end, Rias and Akeno finally caught up, having cleared the barrier. Rias's eyes softened slightly seeing Issei alive—but hardened again when she spotted Asia.
"…So. The nun," Rias said coolly. "We'll talk later."
Asia flinched, lowering her hand, but Issei caught it before she could pull away. His grip was firm. Protective.
"No," Issei said quietly, his gaze locking with Rias's. His tone burned like his flames. "We'll talk *now*."
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