Before Issei could say anything, Freed's expression shifted from mocking amusement to seriousness . He strode over to Asia, who was still sitting on the ground, trembling from the encounter with the stray devil.
"Alright, sister," Freed said, his voice taking on a falsely cheerful tone as he grabbed Asia's arm and pulled her to her feet. "Time to go. The boss lady is waiting, and she doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"Wait, what are you doing?" Issei struggled to stand, his body still aching from the fight. "Let go of her!"
Asia looked at Issei with those sad green eyes, the same melancholy expression she'd worn earlier returning. "It's okay, Issei-san," she said softly, even as Freed's grip tightened on her arm. "I have to go."
"Like hell you do!" Issei took a step forward, but Freed casually pointed a finger in his direction. Light energy gathered at the tip, making Issei freeze.
"Ah ah ah," Freed wagged his finger mockingly. "The little dragon boy should stay put. This doesn't concern you anymore."
"Raynare-san is waiting for me," Asia explained, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't looking at Issei now, as if she couldn't bear to meet his eyes. "She... she took care of me when I had nowhere else to go. I owe her everything."
Raynare? That same Raynare who tried to kill him?
"Asia, no!" Issei's voice cracked with desperation. "You don't understand! That woman, she's—"
"Dangerous? Evil? A fallen angel?" Freed laughed coldly. "Oh, the little nun knows exactly what Raynare is. Don't you, Asia dear?"
Asia's shoulders sagged, and she finally looked up at Issei. Tears were streaming down her face now. "I know, Issei-san. I've always known. But she saved me when the Church cast me out. Even if she's using me... even if this might be the end..." She took a shaky breath. "I can't abandon someone who showed me kindness when no one else would."
"But Asia—"
"I'm sorry, Issei-san," she interrupted, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry. Our time together... these few days... they were the most precious moments of my life. Please don't forget me."
Freed rolled his eyes at the emotional display. "How touching. Now come on, we really do need to get going. The ritual won't perform itself."
The word 'ritual' made Issei's blood run cold. "What ritual? What are you talking about?"
But Freed just smirked and began pulling Asia away toward the park's exit. She didn't resist, walking with the resigned grace of someone who had accepted her fate.
"Asia! Wait!" Issei tried to follow, but his legs gave out, and he fell to his knees. The combination of his injuries and the strain of using his newly awakened Sacred Gear had left him completely drained.
Asia turned back one last time, her tear-stained face illuminated by the dying sunlight. "Thank you, Issei-san," she whispered. "For showing me what true kindness looks like. For making me feel... normal. For being my friend."
"Asia, please!" Issei reached out desperately, but they were already too far away.
"Oh, and," Freed called over his shoulder with cruel amusement. "Try not to die before we're done with her. It would be such a shame if you missed the grand finale!"
With that, they disappeared around the corner, leaving Issei alone in the park as darkness began to fall. He knelt there on the ground, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white, feeling more helpless than he ever had in his life.
The red gauntlet that had appeared during the fight was gone now, leaving only the memory of that brief surge of power. Power that hadn't been nearly enough.
Issei's mind raced, desperation clawing at his chest. Asia was going to die, and he was too weak to stop it. Just like always. Just like—
Leon.
Leon had offered to help him get stronger. Leon, who had saved him from Raynare just a week ago. Leon, who he'd been avoiding out of embarrassment and wounded pride.
Issei struggled to his feet, his decision crystallizing with painful clarity. His pride didn't matter anymore. Asia's life was worth more than his ego.
He had to find Leon. Now.
======
The old church stood in shadow, its broken windows and crumbling stone walls a testament to years of neglect. Inside, candles flickered in the darkness.
The altar had been cleared and repurposed, now bearing strange symbols carved into its surface that seemed to pulse with an unholy light.
Raynare stood before the altar, her black wings spread wide as she examined the ritual preparations. She had discarded her human disguise entirely now, revealing her true form - a beautiful fallen angel with long black hair and violet eyes that held nothing but coldness.
"Everything is ready," she announced to the other fallen angels gathered in the shadows. Dohnaseek, Kalawarner, and Mittelt emerged from the darkness, all of them wearing expressions of anticipation mixed with hunger.
The heavy wooden doors of the church creaked open, and Freed entered, roughly pushing Asia ahead of him. The blonde nun stumbled slightly but quickly regained her composure, her green eyes taking in the ominous scene before her with resigned acceptance.
"Ah, Asia," Raynare turned to face them, her voice carrying false warmth. "My dear child. You've arrived just in time."
Asia looked up at the fallen angel who had taken her in, given her shelter, shown her what she had believed was kindness. Even now, knowing what was about to happen, she couldn't bring herself to hate the woman who had been her only refuge.
"Raynare-san," Asia said quietly, her voice steady despite the fear she must have been feeling. "I came as you asked."
"Of course you did," Raynare smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "You've always been such an obedient child. So grateful for the smallest kindness. It's really quite touching."
Freed shoved Asia forward, causing her to stumble toward the altar. "There you go, boss. One saint, delivered as promised. Can we get this show on the road? I'm getting bored."
"Patience, Freed," Raynare replied, her eyes never leaving Asia. "This is a momentous occasion. The acquisition of Twilight Healing... it will change everything."
Sacred Gear. The power that had allowed her to heal others, the gift that had made her both saint and outcast. Soon, it would belong to someone else.
"I have one request," Asia said suddenly, her voice cutting through the oppressive atmosphere of the church.
Raynare raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? And what might that be, dear child?"
"Issei-san. Please don't hurt him."
Kalawarner laughed harshly from the shadows. "Still thinking about others, even now? How pathetically human."
"That boy has awakened the Boosted Gear," Dohnaseek spoke up, his voice gravelly and cold. "He's already a threat. We should eliminate him."
Raynare's expression darkened, and she let out a frustrated sigh. "We can't touch the boy anymore. He's under Leon Mishima's protection now."
The other fallen angels exchanged uneasy glances.
"We cannot risk his wrath over a single human boy."
Freed tilted his head, confusion evident on his face. "Wait, who's this Leon guy? And why are you all so scared of some human?"
Kalawarner shot him an incredulous look. "How do you not know? Haven't you been paying attention to anything happening in the supernatural world lately?"
"I've been busy hunting strays and dealing with Church business," Freed replied defensively. "Besides, I don't keep track of every random human that gets mentioned."
"Random human?" Mittelt let out a bitter laugh. "Leon Mishima isn't just 'some human,' you fool. He's the strongest human who has ever existed."
"Stronger than any White Dragon Emperor in history," Kalawarner added, her voice carrying genuine fear. "Stronger than our own leader, Azazel himself."
Dohnaseek nodded gravely. "He's one of the strongest beings in the entire world."
Freed's cocky expression faltered. "You're... you're joking, right? Some human kid stronger than Azazel? That's impossible."
"You really don't know anything, do you?" Raynare said with exasperation.
"The boy Issei is his friend. If we harm him, Leon Mishima will hunt us down and erase us from existence. There won't be anywhere in this world we could hide."
"Even the Grigori wouldn't protect us from his wrath," Mittelt whispered. "Not when it comes to Leon Mishima."
Freed swallowed hard, his earlier bravado completely gone. The idea that there was a human so powerful that even fallen angels trembled at his name was almost impossible to comprehend.
"So we're supposed to let the Red Dragon Emperor live and grow stronger?" Dohnaseek asked grimly. "Having the enmity of a Longinus wielder is dangerous enough, but if he has that monster's protection..."
"We have no choice," Raynare said through gritted teeth. "The boy is untouchable now."
Asia listened to this exchange with growing amazement and hope. Leon Mishima... she remembered Issei mentioning that name, saying he was a friend from school. Could it be that Issei had the protection of someone so incredibly powerful?
"Now then," Raynare gestured toward the altar, trying to regain control of the situation. "Enough about things we cannot change. We have more important matters to attend to."
Freed grabbed Asia's arms, beginning to drag her toward the altar despite his obvious unease. She didn't struggle - what would be the point? At least she now knew that Issei would be safe. That was enough.
As she was forced onto the cold stone of the altar, Asia closed her eyes and thought of Issei's kind smile, of their peaceful afternoons in the park, of the brief taste of normal life she had been allowed to experience.
The ritual symbols began to glow brighter, and Raynare raised her hands, energy gathering around her fingers as she prepared to begin the extraction.
"Twilight Healing," she whispered, her voice filled with anticipation. "Soon, you will be mine."
=====
Issei ran through the streets of Kuoh, his lungs burning with each desperate breath. The Mishima family mansion loomed ahead. The gates were intimidating, but Issei didn't care about protocol or proper etiquette. Asia's life was on the line.
He pressed the intercom button frantically, his hands shaking.
"Please, please be home," he muttered under his breath.
A calm, professional voice answered. "Mishima residence. How may I assist you?"
"I need to speak to Leon! It's urgent! Tell him it's Issei Hyoudou!"
There was a pause, then the voice replied, "I'm sorry, but Mishima-sama is not currently at home. He's attending a late business meeting and won't return until tomorrow morning. May I take a message?"
Issei's heart sank. "No... no, I need him now! When will he be back? Where is he?"
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose Mishima-sama's schedule or location. If this is an emergency, I can attempt to contact—"
"There's no time!" Issei stepped back from the intercom, panic rising in his chest. Where else could Leon be? School? His office? Issei had no idea where the Mishima Corporation headquarters even was, and by the time he figured it out, it might be too late.
Asia's tear-stained face flashed in his mind.
No. He couldn't just stand here waiting. He couldn't let her die while he ran around helplessly looking for someone to save her.
That red gauntlet had appeared when he was fighting the stray devil. Maybe... maybe he was stronger than he thought. Maybe he could save Asia himself.
Issei clenched his fists and started running again, this time toward the abandoned church on the outskirts of town. He didn't have a plan, he didn't have backup, and he barely understood what he was up against.
But he couldn't just do nothing.
=====
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