The doors of Kuoh Academy swung wide open as the early morning light just began to peek over the horizon.
Rias and Sona, with restrained tears, were supporting Daniel, unconscious and bleeding.
Yukari, Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Tamamo, wounded and exhausted, followed them with hurried steps.
—Make way! He's losing too much blood! — Sona shouted, almost on the verge of panic.
A female figure, in a fitted white coat and peerless beauty, appeared at the end of the infirmary hallway.
—What the hell happened here? — asked Mikado Ryouko, the official nurse of Kuoh, but also an alien with vast medical knowledge.
Seeing Daniel collapsed, blood covering his torso and face, and Tamamo semi-conscious in Akihiko's arms, her usual playful expression vanished instantly.
—Get in. Quick! Put them on the beds. — she ordered in an authoritative tone.
The entire group obeyed without protest.
Once inside, Mikado examined both with a sharp gaze.
—The girl... is stable. She has serious wounds, but not fatal. With some rest and magical treatment, she'll recover.
But when she placed her hand on Daniel's chest, she frowned.
—He... is critical. If I don't act now, he'll go into shock within minutes.
Her tone left no room for discussion. Her coat was already stained with blood.
—I'm going to need absolute privacy.
Her tone was firm, unyielding.
—What I'm about to do must not be seen by normal humans or members of the faction system. Trust me... or he will die.
Rias bit her lower lip.
Sona hesitated, but saw Mikado's eyes: she was the only hope.
—Do what you have to do... but please...
—Save him. — Rias finished, her voice breaking.
The members of the SEES team, though confused by this woman's presence, nodded.
Everyone left.
The door closed firmly.
From inside, buzzing sounds, flashing lights, and an aura completely different from any known magic could be heard.
Mikado Ryouko, using alien technology camouflaged in her medical equipment, began stabilizing Daniel's damaged internal organs, regenerating tissue with medical nanomachines, and sealing the hemorrhage with pulsating light.
—You have a will as hard as stone... kid... — she whispered, while the screens around her showed dangerously low levels of vital energy.
She pulled a cylinder from her coat.
—I don't usually use this on humans, but you... are not ordinary, are you?
She injected a greenish substance directly into Daniel's arm.
His body shook. His breathing, for a second, stopped.
But then...
Beep... beep... beep-beep...
The monitors began to stabilize.
A faint red aura —a mix of draconic energy and Haki— emerged from his body, as if responding to the intervention.
Ryouko sighed, letting a drop of sweat fall.
—Damn you, kid... even injured you're scary.
Outside the infirmary, the silence was total.
Tamamo slept, slowly recovering in another bed.
Rias, Sona, Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Yukari waited in tension.
An hour passed.
And finally, the door opened.
Mikado Ryouko, with her coat spattered in blood and weariness in her eyes, nodded.
—He's alive.
Barely... but he's alive.
Now he just needs rest.
The collective sigh was instant.
Rias leaned on Sona.
Yukari fell to her knees.
Tamamo, still half-asleep, murmured Daniel's name with a faint smile.
Mikado added:
—Don't wake him for anything in the world. He needs time. But if he makes it... he'll be stronger than he's ever been.
Inside the infirmary, Daniel slept.
His face, once full of pain, was now calm.
And on his chest... a blue butterfly floated, fading into particles of light.
The news had spread like silent gunpowder.
Daniel, the man who had faced the end of the world... was alive.
Even though his body was broken and Tamamo was still unconscious, hope had won a battle.
Inside the recovery room, Sona and Rias stood firm at the foot of the bed, while Yukari, Mitsuru, and Akihiko sat exhausted after hours of accumulated tension.
—Now that... we have a breather — Sona said, breaking the silence—. Can you tell us exactly what happened?
Mitsuru, in a firm, tired voice, nodded.
—Sure. From the moment we entered Tartarus, we knew it was the last night. We fought our way floor after floor... until we found him.
—Ryoji...? — asked Rias, her eyes sharp.
Akihiko nodded.
—The same. Or what was left of him. The avatar of Nyx... confronted us. He changed Arcana constantly, but it was when he assumed the Death Arcana that everything went to hell. That's when... we lost consciousness.
Yukari clenched her fist, looking at the floor.
—It was as if our very souls were crushed... and after that, only darkness.
Sona closed her eyes for a moment, processing the information.
—That means everything that happened after... Daniel faced it alone. Him and Tamamo.
—It seems so — said Mitsuru, with a hint of admiration in her voice—. But what you witnessed from the outside... was it real?
Rias nodded, serious.
—The energies emanating from Tartarus were visible even to those not belonging to the supernatural world. Cell phones didn't work, but everyone felt something was wrong. And not just humans... Heaven, the Underworld, the biblical factions... they all saw the Fall in real time.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
No one knew what consequences this would have politically or socially.
—We'll wait for Tamamo to wake up. She must know what happened after — said Sona, her gaze fixed on Daniel.
But while in the physical world they discussed the future...
Daniel was walking.
His footsteps echoed in an infinite wasteland, wrapped in a white, unreal mist.
The pain was constant.
He felt his body burning from within.
His skin... his muscles... his bones... were slowly transforming.
An evolution without brakes: humanity yielding space to dragon blood.
Every step was a battle.
Every second an explosion of unknown sensations.
—Where... am I? — he wanted to say.
But no sound came from his mouth.
Only breathing... and pain.
It was then that an ethereal light descended like a feather floating in the wind.
From it emerged an elegant figure with a face hidden behind a mask:
Philemon.
—You have walked the threshold of death, and have looked upon the end... without fearing it.
Daniel tried to speak, but again his voice did not emerge.
Philemon raised a hand, as if listening all the same.
—I know what you wish to say. But it is not necessary.
Your actions have spoken for you.
The mystical being observed him for a few more seconds before continuing.
—You have helped me preserve the potential of humanity...
And for that, as a humble payment, I grant you two gifts:
An accelerated regeneration, beyond the human.
And an inhuman adaptability, which will allow you to evolve even in hostile or impossible environments.
—With this, your path will continue its ascent... if you survive it.
Daniel nodded, grateful. His eyes shone with determination.
Philemon, satisfied, took a step back and began to fade into the mist.
—Just remember, Daniel...
The world has not finished testing you yet.
—And with those words... he disappeared.
While Daniel floated between consciousness and limbo, the leaders of the supernatural world were in panic.
How to explain what millions of humans witnessed?
How to cover up what was, literally, a cosmic event?
The news, though without clear images, already spoke of an "unprecedented global earthquake" and "collective hallucinations."
But those who knew the truth... knew that the Final Judgment had been stopped by a single man.
A man... who had not yet awoken.
Five days had passed since that night when the sky trembled, Tartarus disappeared, and humanity was saved without even knowing it.
Tamamo had not awakened.
Daniel had not either.
Both lay on adjacent beds in the hidden infirmary of Kuoh Academy, attended under the discreet —and very worried— watch of Mikado Ryouko, who kept everyone away except for people of absolute trust.
By their side, day and night, were Daniel's girlfriends: Reynare, Alya, Hikari, Hibiki, and a few others.
They all took turns watching over them, praying, stroking their hair, or simply talking to them hoping they could hear.
Outside that small sanctuary of rest, the world moved on... forgetting.
As if an invisible veil had fallen over their memories, humanity no longer remembered the terror of the descending moon.
They didn't remember the heavy air, the shadows, or the grim face of the end.
But the supernatural factions remembered it.
The angels, fallen, youkai, Eastern and Norse deities, even primordial dragons, all demanded explanations.
But Sona and Rias couldn't give them.
Not without Daniel's word.
And he... still hadn't returned.
At dawn on the sixth day, the light filtering through the curtains fell softly on the face of Tamamo no Mae.
Her fingers moved.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
And with a weak sigh... she opened her eyes.
At first, she didn't remember where she was.
But then... she saw him.
Daniel.
Motionless on the bed beside her, still connected to several machines monitoring his vital signs.
—Daniel... — she murmured, weakly, her throat dry.
She tried to move, but her body was still aching.
Memories hit her like an avalanche:
The tower.
The Fall.
Nyx.
She remembered how everything changed when the true Nyx descended.
She remembered how her magic was no longer enough.
She remembered... that Daniel protected her until the end.
A knot of guilt seized her chest.
She, the powerful kitsune, couldn't fight by his side when he needed her most.
What if he hadn't survived?
But when she saw Daniel's serene face... that guilt faded.
He was alive.
They were alive.
And that was enough.
The door opened softly and familiar voices filled the air.
—Tamamo? — asked Reynare, holding her breath.
—Tamamo's awake!! — Hibiki shouted excitedly.
In seconds, she was surrounded by a whirlwind of hugs, tears, and smiles.
Alya, always direct, hugged her around the waist.
Hikari took her hand firmly.
Reynare didn't hold back and threw herself against her, tears streaming down her face.
Tamamo was surprised at first, but then she smiled.
A sincere, tranquil smile.
—Thank you... for worrying — she whispered, moved—. I never... imagined having something like this. A family...
Despite their disagreements, they all felt the same:
She was part of the family.
And Daniel, he was the bond that united them.
A few minutes later, Sona and Rias entered with serious expressions, though visible relief in their eyes.
—Tamamo... we're glad you're alright — said Sona, softly—. But we need to know what happened that night.
Mitsuru, Yukari, and Akihiko had already told them what happened up to when the Avatar of Nyx assumed the Death Arcana.
But after that... nothing.
Tamamo nodded, took a deep breath... and began to tell.
—When the Avatar changed to the Death Arcana... everything changed.
His power... was overwhelming. The SEES members couldn't resist... and neither could I.
She looked toward Daniel, her voice breaking.
—The last thing I saw... was the true Nyx descending from the moon.
She didn't need an Avatar.
She had come to end everything on her own.
Sona and Rias looked at each other, tense.
—So... Daniel fought Nyx... completely alone?
Tamamo closed her eyes for a moment and nodded.
—Yes. And... seeing how it ended... I think he won.
Though... I don't know at what cost.
Silence filled the room for a few seconds.
Everyone understood that the true account... only Daniel would know.
And he... still hadn't awakened.
Ever since Tamamo awoke, the vigil over the infirmary became even stricter.
Daniel's girlfriends had taken organized shifts —though with some not-so-subtle competition— to care for their beloved.
And, of course, that included protecting him from external threats... like Mikado Ryouko, the eccentric and provocative nurse.
Despite her extensive medical knowledge —or perhaps precisely because of it—, Mikado was "kindly" pushed aside on more than one occasion by the girls.
—Thank you for everything, Mikado-sensei, but from here on we'll take care of it! — Alya said with a forced smile.
—And make sure not to... "examine" him too much, okay? — added Reynare, arms crossed.
Mikado, for her part, was amused.
She loved seeing them get jealous.
And she didn't miss the chance to make a double-meaning comment just to stir the waters:
—So possessive... are you as good in bed as you are at protecting him while he sleeps? — she said in a playful tone, provoking explosions of blushing and shouted protests.
But, behind all that humor, there was a truth that none could ignore...
Daniel's aura was growing.
Even unconscious, his presence as a dragon was felt with intensity.
Each day it became deeper, denser, more magnetic.
It was only a matter of time before more women... and more trouble... started appearing.
Two more weeks passed since Tamamo's awakening.
The sun had just begun to filter through the windows when Mikado entered with a tray of medicines and check-up tools.
With her usual relaxed step, she headed towards Daniel's bed... when she stopped short.
Her eyes widened.
Daniel...
had his eyes open!
—Oh...? Good morning, sleepyhead! — she exclaimed in a tone both mocking and genuinely relieved, running to his side—. How are you feeling? Chest pain? Dizziness? Memory loss? Do you want me to check you all over?
Daniel could barely articulate a word.
His throat was dry, his body numb.
But a weak smile appeared on his lips.
—I'm... alive, right?
—Alive, handsome... and very, very interesting — she winked at him with a mischievous smile as she placed her hand on his chest to check his pulse.
Just then...
the door burst open with force!
—DANIEL'S AWAKE!! — shouted Alya, before stopping short at the scene.
All the others entered in a rush.
And the first thing they saw was Mikado on top of Daniel, with her hand on his chest and a smile that was too suggestive.
—WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! — Reynare, Hikari, and Hibiki shouted in unison.
—It's not what it looks like! — Mikado responded with her hands in the air and a laugh.
But Alya didn't give them time to argue further.
She lunged directly at Daniel, hugging him tightly and covering his face with kisses.
—You're awake... you're awake! Thank the heavens! — she sobbed while hugging him.
The others, holding back their tears, quickly joined in.
Daniel could barely move, but his heart filled upon feeling that warmth, that love...
That family he had built.
He hugged them as best he could, weak, but happy.
—I... missed you.
Minutes later, Rias and Sona arrived after hearing the commotion.
Both stopped upon seeing him.
Rias, with her heart in her throat, let out a sigh of relief and brought a hand to her chest.
Sona... lowered her head for an instant.
A tear fell, but she quickly wiped it away discreetly.
She was the student council president, she had to maintain her composure.
But inside...
her soul was dancing.
Because Daniel was alive.
And with that, she still had a chance to tell him the truth.
The promise.
The engagement between them.
She hadn't told him yet.
Daniel didn't know he was her fiancé by clan agreement.
But Sona didn't want to impose herself...
She wanted to earn a place in his heart like the others.
And so, she made a decision.
Once Daniel was fully recovered... she would talk to him.
And also with his girlfriends.
She would ask for their approval, not to impose... but to be part of that world Daniel had created.
But for now... there were more urgent matters.
They had to talk about Tartarus.
About Nyx.
And about what would come next.
The soft beeping of the monitor and the sterile scent of the infirmary were the only things filling the air, along with the latent tension.
Daniel, still weak but fully conscious, rested on the bed while Mikado Ryouko adjusted his IV and checked his vitals with precision. There were no jokes, no laughter...
The situation was too serious for her usual games.
Though that didn't stop Daniel's girlfriends from watching her with eyes sharp as blades, ready to intervene if the nurse crossed the line.
Alya gently gripped the bedsheet.
Reynare had her arms crossed, her gaze cold.
Hikari and Hibiki exchanged silent glances, communicating without words.
Mikado sighed and stepped back professionally.
—He'll be fine — she said in a neutral but warm tone—. His body... is truly fascinating. He's recovering at a faster rate than should be possible. But he'll need a few more days of rest. He can go home under medical supervision.
The girls nodded, relieved.
Just then, Sona and Rias stepped forward, serious, elegant... but with a shadow of anxiety reflected in their eyes.
Sona was the first to speak, her voice firm but empathetic:
—Daniel, I'm sorry to ask so soon, but... we need you to tell us everything you remember. From the moment Tamamo fell unconscious... until the end of the Fall.
Rias nodded, supporting the request.
—The factions are pressing for answers. We can't respond to them without knowing what happened at the top of Tartarus. Only you can clarify it.
The girls fell silent, giving him space.
Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. He took a deep breath.
And began to recount.
---
His voice was hoarse, measured...
But every word weighed like lead.
He told how Nyx descended from the moon.
How the aura of that entity was so crushing that reality itself felt like it was breaking around him.
He narrated how Tamamo fell to a single attack, and how he, with no reinforcements, rose alone before the entity that represented humanity's unconscious desire for the end.
—I used everything I had. My Boosted Gear. Armament Haki... Conqueror's Haki... I even combined both into a technique I barely mastered — he said while his fingers trembled slightly—. But... it wasn't enough. Not at first.
He told how every blow he threw was like crashing against an entire universe.
How his arms bled.
How every time he fell, he got up with a single thought in mind:
"I can't let the world end. Not without fighting."
—I had to remember everything I'd lived... everything I'd gained... my friends... my girlfriends... my dreams...
And then, I could... damage Nyx. Break her defense. Make her retreat.
The girls looked at him with shining eyes.
Some with held-back tears.
Sona had clenched a fist over her chest, and Rias... could barely hide that her lips were trembling.
Daniel took a deep breath.
—It was a mutual blow. I pierced her with everything I had... but I was also wounded. I almost died. But before losing consciousness, I saw... I saw a blue butterfly. And I heard two voices calling me. Yours — he looked at Rias and Sona.
---
There was silence.
Deep. Reverent.
Sona was the first to react.
She breathed calmly and took a small step forward.
—Thank you, Daniel. Thank you for saving this world... and for fighting even when everything was against you.
Rias walked to her side and nodded.
—We will report all of this to Serafall and Sirzechs. They will take care of issuing an official statement to the supernatural world.
—And the humans? — Reynare asked quietly.
Sona gently shook her head.
—Most have already forgotten what happened. The mantle of confusion caused by the Dark Hour took effect. But the factions won't forget... and there will likely be movements. Not everyone will accept that a "human" saved the world.
—Then let them prepare — whispered Hibiki, taking Daniel's hand.
—We will protect his truth — said Hikari.
Daniel smiled, weak but genuine.
—Thank you...
---
And as Rias and Sona left the room to prepare their respective reports...
Daniel closed his eyes with tranquility.
For the first time in weeks...
the weight of the world no longer rested on his shoulders.
But the future... that was just beginning to be written.