Tohsaka Rin was having one of those weeks that you'd rather erase with a portable Avalon.
Since the defeat of Angra Mainyu and the disaster that was that Holy Grail ritual in Japan, her life had gone from being that of a proud magus to that of... a secretary?
—Damn it, Serafall! I wasn't born to carry documents around! —she grumbled as she ran through the halls of Kuoh Academy, carrying a stack of demonic reports, magical notes, and somehow, a tray with coffees for the student council.
Her punishment, imposed directly by Serafall Leviathan, wasn't cruel... but it was humiliating. In the eyes of the magical world, collaborating in a ritual as dangerous as the Holy Grail without reporting it was a minor betrayal. In Serafall's eyes, it was a total lack of judgment.
However, if it weren't for Daniel, she'd probably be in a magical cell... or worse, used as a scapegoat to maintain diplomacy with the Mage's Association.
—Tsk... that idiot. —she murmured, lowering her face as she walked—. Why did he have to intervene? I had everything under control...
The truth was different. Daniel saved her skin, and she knew it. Since that day, she had wanted to thank him.
The problem was that he was always surrounded by girls. Each one prettier than the last, kissing him, hugging him, hanging onto him as if he were a pop idol with magical powers and the face of a rebel prince.
—So what if he looks good without a shirt?! So what if he's brave and has that stupid charisma?! I don't care!! —she shouted into the air, causing a nearby group of students to look at her in fear.
Rin coughed, recomposed herself like the proper magus lady she was... and continued on her way to deliver the documents.
—...he's not even my type...
But her cheeks kept burning.
---
Meanwhile, in the student council room, Daniel was talking with Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Yukari.
—With the information Mitsuru brought about Tartarus and the Major Arcana, we need to rethink how we prioritize the incursions —Daniel said, arms crossed—. If the large shadows shouldn't be destroyed, then we need to focus on studying them.
—What if they lose control? —asked Yukari.
—Then I contain them. —Daniel responded naturally, which made everyone look at him strangely.
Before anyone could interrogate him, Sona entered the room with her phone to her ear, her face serious, her brow furrowed. She hung up with a sigh and massaged her temples.
—That was... my sister. —she said.
—Serafall? —Mitsuru asked curiously.
—Yes. And right now she's coordinating an emergency session with the Maou. She wants everyone informed about what's happening with the Dark Hour. —She looked at Daniel, almost accusingly—. And she also wants to know more about you.
Daniel let out a long sigh.
—Great. Nothing like a chat with demonic deities to end the afternoon.
As soon as he said it, Rias Gremory entered the room with an equally tired expression.
—My brother is "thrilled" to know that the city under my charge is being invaded by inter-dimensional chaotic energy. He just sent me a teleportation scroll to see him tonight. I'm sure he'll faint when he hears that Tohsaka Rin is also involved.
—What?! —exclaimed Rin, who was just entering without knocking, arms full of documents—. Why me?!
Everyone looked at her.
—Rin... have you been listening? —Sona asked, crossing her arms.
Rin tensed up, stepping back.
—N-no! I just... came to deliver this... and accidentally heard everything important... unintentionally...
Daniel looked at her, crossing his arms with an amused smile.
—And how are you, Rin? It's been a while since we talked.
She blushed instantly.
—What's it to you?! Don't talk to me with that... that... irritatingly perfect face! —she shouted, throwing the papers onto the table and turning with puffed cheeks—. I didn't want you to save me! I can take care of myself!
And with that, she left the room, the door slamming shut. An awkward silence reigned for a few seconds.
—Is she always like that? —Yukari asked, raising an eyebrow.
—Worse if she likes you. —Sona replied with a drop of sweat on her temple.
Daniel sighed with resignation.
—And I just wanted a peaceful meeting...
The student council room at Kuoh was unusually quiet.
Mitsuru was reviewing her notes and data on the Dark Hour one last time. Yukari was chewing gum nervously (though discreetly), while Akihiko crossed his arms with a mix of seriousness and excitement.
Daniel was sitting in a corner, Tamamo by his side with a serene but attentive expression. The atmosphere was tense, and not just because of the topic at hand.
—Why do I feel like I'm waiting for my in-laws... but in underworld boss version? —Daniel murmured to Tamamo.
—Because you are. —she replied with a small smile.
Just at that moment, two overwhelming presences made themselves felt in Kuoh. The atmosphere changed instantly.
With flashes of demonic magic and an elegant supernatural pressure, Serafall Leviathan and Sirzechs Lucifer entered the room, one after the other.
And it was then that the inevitable happened.
—Soooniitaaaan~!! —Serafall shouted, almost in meteor mode, running towards Sona as if she weren't one of the most powerful figures in the underworld—. Are you okay?! Did that weird human do something to you?! Are you eating well?! Are you sleeping eight hours?!
Sona tried to maintain her composure, but it was hard when your older sister was crushing you against her chest in public.
—Nee-sama, please! We're in a formal meeting! —she protested, red as a tomato.
Meanwhile, Sirzechs approached Rias with a kind smile but an intimidating aura.
—Rias, little sister... tell me you're safe. Tell me you're not involved in this strange mess without telling me. Are you okay? This Daniel hasn't done anything inappropriate, has he? —he said in a soft tone so sharp that Rias felt her skin crawl.
—Onii-sama, enough! I'm fine, I'm not a child! —she replied, frustrated and also blushing.
Daniel raised his hand as if in class.
—Good evening, Maous... Can we, uh, proceed with the meeting before you start casting spells out of family jealousy?
Serafall slowly let go of Sona, while Sirzechs exhaled slowly to avoid splitting the table with his aura.
—Speak, human —Serafall said, changing her playful tone to a serious one.
Daniel cleared his throat and began explaining the Dark Hour phenomenon, detailing what he and Tamamo had witnessed since its first appearance: the world's transformation at midnight, Tartarus, the Shadows, and the risks they posed to the population.
Rias and Sona nodded, while Mitsuru added technical details with surgical precision:
—These creatures not only attack the mind and spirit, but there are also larger entities, known as "arcana shadows," that appear on full moon nights.
Sirzechs frowned.
—And we... haven't perceived absolutely anything?
—Probably because, like most of the population, you enter a coffin state during that time —Mitsuru explained seriously—. Only those with the potential to invoke a Persona can remain conscious during the Dark Hour.
Serafall crossed her arms.
—So you're saying that, not even we, the Maou, can intervene directly...
—Exactly —said Daniel—. This isn't about magical power or demonic hierarchy. It's about spiritual affinity with a phenomenon that affects the very perception of time and the soul.
Sirzechs lowered his gaze, murmuring:
—Then... we depend on you.
Mitsuru nodded, her voice calm but firm.
—Our goal is to investigate and eliminate this phenomenon. However, we cannot ignore that supernatural races are now involved, so we require cooperation. Otherwise, the balance of Kuoh and possibly the world is at risk.
Serafall and Sirzechs exchanged glances... and then looked at Daniel.
—So this brat... has a more important position than we thought —Sirzechs said.
—And many more girlfriends too. —Serafall added, with a dangerous smile.
Daniel just scratched the back of his head.
—I'm doing the best I can. I swear I don't have a "master harem plan." Things just... happened.
Sona and Rias complained in sync:
—Stop saying weird things in front of our brothers!
Night had already fallen on Kuoh when Daniel returned home, with weariness reflected in his shoulders after the intense meeting with the Maou, Mitsuru, and the other factions. Still, upon opening the door, he was greeted by a familiar and comforting scene.
Hikari, Hibiki, Reynare, Alya, and Sakura were waiting for him in the living room, sitting in a circle among cushions, while Tamamo prepared a tray with tea. Seeing him enter, they all greeted him affectionately, each one giving him a kiss on the cheek —or on the lips if they managed to get there first.
—How did it go with the Maou? —asked Hikari, resting her head on his shoulder.
—Did you survive the brother-in-law and sister-in-law scolding? —added Hibiki with an amused smile.
Daniel sighed and let himself fall among them, hugging Sakura who had curled up at his side.
—Barely. Sirzechs and Serafall are adorable and terrifying in equal measure... But I think they now understand the magnitude of the situation.
Tamamo approached and handed him a cup.
—So, is it official? Will you go with Mitsuru tonight?
—Yes. —he nodded seriously—. We're going on a deeper expedition into Tartarus. They want to get as high as possible. I'll go with them... and you too, of course.
Tamamo smiled, her tails waving elegantly.
—Obviously. I'm not planning on letting you enter that shadowy hell alone.
The other girls fell silent for a few seconds. Reynare was the first to speak.
—I don't like this... But I understand it's important. Just... come back.
Daniel gave them a warm look and approached each one to hug them.
—I always come back. And this time won't be any different.
Shortly after, while the others went to rest, Daniel and Tamamo prepared to leave. Both wore more comfortable combat attire for movement, with hidden magical compartments and reinforcement spells activated.
As midnight approached, the Dark Hour fell upon Kuoh, the sky turned green, the clocks stopped, and the shadows began to move.
Daniel and Tamamo walked among the coffins that replaced the sleeping people, until they reached the meeting point in front of Tartarus, whose bright silhouette dominated the city, even more intense that night.
There, Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Yukari were already waiting, armed and focused.
—I'm glad you came. —said Mitsuru, serious but sincere—. Tonight, we'll try to ascend beyond the tenth floor. So far, no one has been able to advance further.
—Then it'll be an interesting night. —Daniel replied, adjusting his sword.
—Remember: don't separate, and if we find any sealed door or floor, don't force anything. It could be a trap. —added Yukari, looking nervous but determined.
Tamamo gracefully raised her hand.
—And I'll take care of clearing the path with fire if things get ugly. Deal?
Akihiko chuckled softly.
—I like your style.
With a final nod, the group of five entered Tartarus.
The doors of the gigantic tower opened, and the inner darkness enveloped them with its strange atmosphere: floating walls, endless stairs, shadows lurking from every corner, and that strange, heavy presence that seemed to be watching them.
That night wouldn't just be another exploration...
It would be the first major step towards the truth hidden behind Tartarus.
The Dark Hour fell upon Kuoh like a sinister blanket. The sky turned a sickly green and the city fell into an unnatural silence. The clocks stopped, the lights went out, and humans, one by one, turned into inert coffins.
In front of the colossus of Tartarus, the titanic door opened, revealing its twisted and perpetually moving interior. Inside, Daniel, Tamamo, Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Yukari advanced cautiously. The shadows floated, watched, and stalked. The tension was constant.
Unlike the SEES members, Daniel moved with confidence, sharp reflexes, and evident combat experience. Every shadow that crossed their path fell with surgical precision before his sword or his physical attacks combined with Haki. Beside him, Tamamo invoked spiritual fire and arcane spells with such ease that she seemed to dance among the shadows. The creatures couldn't touch them. They were a lethal pair.
In contrast, the SEES trio made their way with effort. Despite having no prior real battle experience, they managed to compensate with tactics.
Mitsuru analyzed patterns, Akihiko protected the flanks, and Yukari kept the group healed and on their feet.
—Don't stray from the center. Tight formation! —Mitsuru shouted, casting a debuff spell on a giant shadow.
—Understood! Yukari, cover me. —Akihiko responded, charging in with his reinforced gloves.
The group advanced faster than anyone would have anticipated. From the fourth to the tenth floor, the encounters were intense but manageable. However, as they went deeper, Tartarus's atmosphere became heavier, the air denser, and the place's design more distorted. Floating stairs, nonsensical walls, corridors that seemed alive.
On the fifteenth floor, everyone stopped.
—Nothing useful so far... —said Mitsuru, checking her visor. Sweat ran down her forehead.
Daniel observed the surroundings with a furrowed brow.
—Tartarus is... different from how I knew it. As if it's more... reactive.
Tamamo nodded, her gaze serious.
—This place is alive. It doesn't just react to the passage of time... it reacts to us as well.
Despite the progress, the strain was starting to show on SEES. The constant pressure of the place, the mental fatigue of facing nightmare creatures, and the oppressive aura of Tartarus were beginning to take their toll.
—We need to rest... —murmured Yukari, her breathing labored.
Akihiko, though energetic, clenched his teeth.
—I could keep going... but not if it risks the team.
Daniel, seeing the state of the three, halted the march.
—We can't force this. It's not worth it if someone falls here.
They advanced to the twentieth floor, where a large platform offered them a momentary respite. It was there that Ddraig, from within Daniel, spoke to him.
> "Careful, partner... I can feel it. On the twenty-first floor... there's something powerful. It's not a common shadow. It's ancient. Heavy. Dangerous."
Daniel frowned. That warning was enough.
—We can't go on —he affirmed—. There's something on the next floor that I can't guarantee we can handle together... at least, not without rest and preparation.
Mitsuru nodded, exhausted.
—Agreed... We've already advanced further than ever. It's a victory. But also a clear signal: this place... is not a simple building.
Yukari, panting, let out a slight smile.
—I didn't think I'd be saying this... but I want a hot bath and eight hours of sleep.
Akihiko just chuckled softly.
—Tomorrow... we'll do better.
The group withdrew, returning to the first floor via the emergency portal Mitsuru had installed previously. The portal's light enveloped everyone and pulled them out of the nightmare.
That night, they didn't find clear answers... but they did find new questions.
And an unknown enemy waiting for them, patiently, on the higher floors of Tartarus.
The night had been long, and dawn had not yet broken in the sky tinged with supernatural darkness.
In bed, Daniel lay fast asleep, with Tamamo, Hikari, Hibiki, Reynare, Sakura, and Alya piled on top of him like a mound of loving chaos. Soft breaths, intertwined hugs, tails covering his waist, and peaceful smiles that contrasted with the battles fought in the dark.
But in his mind, there was no rest.
An infinite sea of emerald flames and starless skies formed the landscape of Daniel's inner world, where the roar of a dragon echoed constantly. There, Ddraig watched him with his crimson eyes glowing like living embers, his imposing silhouette resting on a mountain of bones and defeated essences.
—Sleeping surrounded by so many women doesn't prevent you from being available for conversation... interesting, —Ddraig said in a deep, amused voice.
Daniel appeared before him, his mental form dressed in light combat attire.
—You know how it is... my mind doesn't turn off so easily, especially after a night like yesterday's.
Ddraig nodded, his expression turning serious.
—You're walking into a storm, kid. Tartarus... I dislike that place. It breathes darkness, it absorbs will. If it has over 200 floors, as you remember... you've barely scratched the surface.
Daniel crossed his arms.
—According to the game... it was 264 floors. But this isn't a game. This is real. And every floor we climb will be more dangerous. Mitsuru and the others won't last if they don't get stronger, and I can't always rely on Tamamo either.
—Then strengthen your body, but more importantly, strengthen your mind, —Ddraig declared as a circle of fire formed around him—. You already achieved Balance Breaker against Angra Mainyu, but it was fleeting... Not due to lack of power, but internal stability. Your soul is full of human emotions, complex and agitated.
The floor of the mental plane trembled. The embers rose like dancing fireflies.
—I will train you. Not to release more power. But to sustain it. To master it. So it doesn't master you.
Daniel smiled with confidence.
—I knew you'd say that. When do we start?
—Right now.
The flames enveloped him. The mental space transformed into a storm.
Tests of pain, fear, desire, hopelessness, and extreme euphoria struck Daniel's mind.
Ddraig's training wasn't physical. It was a direct confrontation against his own heart, against his own limits.
The memories of his death, the trauma of reincarnation, the responsibility to protect those he loves, the fear of failing, the desire to never be powerless again.
Everything was brought to the surface.
Ddraig roared:
—Hold the fire, don't flee!! Show me you are the heir to my power!!
Daniel fell to his knees, gasping, mentally sweating, resisting the colossal pressure forcing him to confront his own weaknesses. But in his chest, a spark grew. A bright and pure flame, fueled not by rage, but by conviction.
—I won't break. Not again!!
And so, the training truly began.
Hours would pass in his inner plane, while his body slept peacefully under the warm, loving weight of his girlfriends.
But in his mind... a warrior was being forged in dragon fire.