The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the Gremory residence with an almost ironic softness, considering the storm of problems looming over Daniel Hernández. He opened his eyes with the familiar feeling of a weariness that was no longer merely physical, but an existential fatigue that had settled into his bones like an unwanted guest. Around him, the bed was still a mosaic of warm bodies and quiet breaths: Rias to his right, her crimson hair spilled over the pillow; Asia curled against his left side, murmuring something unintelligible in her sleep; Hikari and Hibiki tangled at the foot of the bed, their electric sparks crackling weakly in the gloom; Reynare sitting on the edge, always alert even at rest; Sakura curled up by the headboard; Tamamo hugging a pillow with a placid smile; Sona on the opposite side, straight and methodical even asleep; and Yasaka and Lala in their futons, wrapped in silk sheets.
Daniel let out a long, silent sigh. The night had been brutal, like all the recent ones. Scathach did not hold back, and each dream battle left him closer to his limit. But it was also making him stronger. He noticed it in the way his Haki responded faster, in how his body absorbed blows with greater resilience. It was hellish training, but effective.
—Good morning, partner —Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind with a more animated tone than on previous days—. Another night of torture, huh?
—It could be worse —Daniel responded mentally, sitting up carefully so as not to wake the girls—. I could be dead.
—That's the spirit. Although I must admit that woman is impressive. I had never seen a human subdue a Boosted Gear wielder like that.
—She's not human, Ddraig. She's an immortal goddess who kills gods. And for some reason, she's decided I'm an interesting project.
—Be glad. If you survive her training, you'll be unstoppable.
Daniel did not answer. He simply got up and headed to the bathroom, where the hot shower water helped clear his mind. The events of the last few days crowded into his memory like a storm: the arrival of Xenovia and Irina, the tension with Kiba, the search for the holy swords, and of course, the revelation about Freezer. Three threats. Three open fronts. And he, trapped in the center, trying to keep everyone safe.
When he came out of the bathroom, the girls were already waking up. Rias received him with a sleepy smile and a kiss on the cheek.
—Scathach again? —she asked, though she already knew the answer.
—Yes. Every night is more intense. But I'm learning.
—I hope so. Because if that woman does anything more than train you, I swear I'll gather the entire Underworld to erase her from existence.
Daniel smiled at his fiancée's ferocity. Rias Gremory, the heiress of one of the most powerful families in the Underworld, was not someone to take lightly.
Breakfast passed with the usual mixture of chaos and warmth. Hikari and Hibiki argued about what kind of electrical training would be most effective against flying enemies; Reynare served tea with silent efficiency; Sakura helped Tamamo prepare the dishes; Asia reviewed her healing books; and Sona, always practical, went over the reports on Kokabiel's activities. Lala, for her part, floated around the table, humming a melody from her planet while devouring her breakfast with enthusiasm.
—Daniel —Sona called, adjusting her glasses—. I have been analyzing Kokabiel's movement patterns. It seems he is concentrating his forces on the outskirts of Kuoh, near the ruins of the old church.
—The church where Freed used to gather? —he asked, remembering the psychopathic priest he had defeated weeks earlier.
—The same one. It is a place with a high concentration of residual energy. If Kokabiel plans to activate the holy swords, that would be the logical place.
—Then we'll go there. But first, I need to talk to Xenovia and Irina. If we're going to face Kokabiel together, we need to coordinate.
Sona nodded.
—I agree. I have summoned them this afternoon at the Occult Research Club. I have also invited Kiba, though I don't know if he will come after yesterday.
Daniel frowned. The incident with Kiba had been tense. The young devil knight, whose hatred toward the holy swords came from a deep trauma, had wanted to confront Xenovia over the right to destroy them. Daniel had intervened, stopping him before things escalated. Rias had supported him, but he knew Kiba had not taken it well.
—I'll talk to him —Daniel said—. I can't allow his thirst for revenge to lead him into doing something stupid.
—Be careful. Kiba is proud. And his pain is real.
—I know. But I also know he's not alone. We are his family now.
The morning advanced with the solemnity of school days. Daniel walked alongside Rias, Asia, and the twins toward Kuoh Academy, feeling how the normalcy of the institute provided him with a strange comfort. Classes passed without incident; he could barely concentrate on the lessons, his mind wandering between strategies to face Kokabiel, the memory of Scathach's crimson spear, and the latent threat of Freezer.
At lunchtime, they gathered in the Occult Research Club. The atmosphere was tense. Xenovia and Irina were already there, sitting on a sofa with neutral expressions. Kiba, however, was conspicuously absent.
—Kiba hasn't come —Rias reported, concerned—. I asked in his class and they told me he left early.
—Damn —Daniel muttered—. I knew this would happen.
—Do you think he'll go look for the swords on his own? —Asia asked, nervous.
—It's possible. But we can't allow him to face Kokabiel alone. It's too dangerous.
At that moment, the door opened and Kiba entered. His expression was somber, but not hostile. He sat in a separate chair, avoiding eye contact with Xenovia.
—Kiba —Daniel called, with a firm but understanding voice—. I'm glad you came.
—I'm not here to make peace —the young man responded, with an icy tone—. I'm here because Rias asked me to. But I want to make something clear: those swords must be destroyed. I will not allow them to fall into the wrong hands.
—I agree —Xenovia said, surprising everyone—. The swords are dangerous. But they are also sacred relics. Their destruction must be done with respect.
Kiba looked at her with suspicion.
—And what would you know about respect? The Church used them as weapons, as tools of torture. My past is proof of that.
—I know —Xenovia replied, with a sincerity that disarmed Kiba—. I have seen what humans are capable of when they are given power. That is why I want to destroy them myself. So that they never cause pain again.
Silence settled in the room. Daniel watched the exchange, aware of the fragility of the moment. Kiba remained tense, but something in his posture had relaxed.
—You're not alone, Kiba —Daniel said, breaking the silence—. I understand your pain. But I also understand that revenge won't give you back what you lost. The only thing you can do is make sure no one else suffers what you suffered.
Kiba looked at him, and for an instant, Daniel saw in his eyes the broken child he had been, the survivor of the Church's experiments. Then, the knight nodded slowly.
—All right. I will work with you. But if Kokabiel appears, the swords are mine.
—Deal —Daniel said—. But you will not face him alone. That is an order.
The meeting continued with strategy planning. Sona distributed maps of the church ruins, and Xenovia and Irina shared information about Kokabiel's movements. As evening fell, the plan was drawn up: they would attack the next day, before the fallen angel could complete his rituals.
That night, after a light dinner and the usual displays of affection, Daniel retired to the bedroom. He was exhausted, but he knew what awaited him. He lay down on the bed, surrounded by his girlfriends, and closed his eyes.
Sleep did not take long to claim him.
He opened his eyes in the familiar landscape of the dream forest. The mist was dense, the skeletal trees rose like sentinels, and the ground was covered in pale, withered grass. Scathach was already there, standing in the center of a clearing, her crimson spear shining in the gloom.
—You're late —she said, with a predatory smile—. Have you become lazy?
—I've had things to do —Daniel responded, adopting his combat stance—. But I'm ready.
—I hope so. Because today I don't plan to hold back.
Without warning, Scathach launched herself into the attack. Her speed was overwhelming, and Daniel barely had time to dodge the first thrust. The spear passed grazing his side, and sparks flew when his Armament Haki blocked the impact. Daniel retreated, feeling the sting of the graze, and counterattacked with a Rankyaku, a kick that sent a blade of compressed air toward Scathach's face.
She dodged it with a fluid movement, but Daniel was already in motion. He used Geppo to leap into the air, gaining height and perspective. From there, he could see Scathach's movements more clearly, his Observation Haki predicting her attacks seven seconds in advance.
—Interesting —Scathach commented, looking at him from below—. Those movement techniques aren't magical. They're purely physical. Where did you learn them?
—In another world —Daniel replied, evasive.
—I see. You're a man of many secrets.
Scathach jumped, reaching his height in an instant. The spear danced in her hands, seeking weak points in his defense. Daniel blocked, dodged, counterattacked. Each exchange was faster, more brutal. He could feel how his Haki adapted, responding instinctively rather than calculatedly.
But Scathach was also increasing the pace. Her spear passed grazing his body, sparks of fire leaping as it made contact with his Haki. An especially strong attack forced him to retreat, and although his body was covered in Haki, he could feel the pain of the impact.
—Not bad —Scathach said, with a satisfied smile—. But you still have much to learn.
Daniel landed on the ground, breathing with difficulty. The combat was exhausting, but also stimulating. He could feel how his Observation Haki expanded, how his Armament Haki hardened. It was brutal training, but effective.
—Can I ask you something? —he said, as he dodged another thrust.
—You can try.
—Why me? Why are you interested in training me?
Scathach stopped for an instant, surprised by the question. Then, her smile widened.
—Because you are interesting. You have immense potential, but you are wasting it. Your Haki is powerful, but rudimentary. Your Boosted Gear is a formidable tool, but you don't use it to its fullest. And that determination of yours... the one to protect others at any cost... reminds me of someone I met long ago.
—Cú Chulainn?
Scathach laughed, a guttural laugh that echoed through the dream forest.
—Yes. My dear student. The Hound of Ulster. He was the best student I ever had, and the only one who came close to equaling me. But even he had his limits. You... you could surpass them.
Daniel did not know what to say. The weight of those words was overwhelming.
—But for that —Scathach continued—, you need to stop being afraid. Fear is your greatest weakness. It makes you hold back, it prevents you from reaching your true potential.
—I'm not afraid —Daniel protested.
—Yes, you are. Afraid of losing those you love. Afraid of failing. Afraid of being insufficient. Those fears anchor you to the ground, prevent you from flying.
Daniel clenched his fists. He knew she was right, but he did not want to admit it.
—Fear isn't something I can simply stop feeling.
—No. But you can learn to control it. To use it as fuel instead of as a brake.
Scathach raised her spear, pointing it directly at his heart.
—Now, get up. And show me you can surpass your limits.
Daniel stood, ignoring the pain in his muscles. His Haki flowed, covering his body with a layer of dark energy. His Boosted Gear emitted a flash, and he felt the dragon's power roar within him.
—Boost!
The world slowed. Scathach's movements, previously blurry, became clear. Daniel ran toward her, using Geppo to gain speed, and launched a punch charged with Haki and Ryou.
Scathach received it with her spear, and the clash caused an explosion of energy that illuminated the dream forest. Sparks flew, the ground cracked, and both combatants held firm, pushing with all their strength.
—That's it! —Scathach shouted, with a savage smile—. That's what I'm looking for!
Daniel screamed, releasing more power. His Ryou pierced through the spear, striking Scathach internally. She coughed blood, but did not retreat. On the contrary, her smile widened.
—Better! Much better!
The combat continued for what seemed like hours, although in the dream world time was relative. Daniel and Scathach exchanged blows, each fiercer than the last. The crimson spear and the Haki-covered fist clashed again and again, creating shockwaves that swept away the skeletal trees.
But in the end, as always, Scathach was superior. An especially skillful movement disarmed Daniel, and the spear stopped a centimeter from his throat.
—You've improved —she said, with a tone of approval—. But you are still not enough.
—I know —Daniel panted, with a tired smile—. But I will be.
Scathach looked at him for a long instant, and then withdrew the spear.
—Time is running out —she said, raising her gaze to the dream sky—. But before you go, I want to tell you something.
—What?
—That enemy you fear... Freezer. I have heard whispers about him on the spiritual plane. He is dangerous. Very dangerous.
Daniel paled.
—You know about him?
—I know he is not someone you can face alone. Not even with your Boosted Gear and your Haki. You will need allies. And you will need more power.
—Are you offering me your help?
Scathach smiled, an enigmatic smile.
—I'm already training you, aren't I? But if you want to defeat Freezer, you will have to do more than survive my battles. You will have to surpass me.
—Surpass you? Is that possible?
—Everything is possible, Daniel Hernández. You just need to believe it.
The dream world began to crumble, and Scathach faded with one last smile.
—See you soon, my young student.
Daniel woke with a start. Sweat soaked his body, and his heart pounded hard. But this time, it was not only exhaustion he felt. It was determination.
He got out of bed, trying not to wake the girls, and headed to the bathroom. As the hot water fell over his body, he reflected on Scathach's words. He needed more power. He needed to train more. But he also needed to accept that he could not do it all alone.
He came out of the bathroom and dressed in comfortable clothes. The girls were already waking up, and morning conversations filled the room.
—Scathach again? —Rias asked, concerned.
—Yes. But this time, it was different. She told me something important.
—What?
—That Freezer is a threat I cannot face alone. And that I need more power.
Rias looked at him seriously.
—Then we will face him together. All of us.
—I know. But I also need to train more. I have been practicing Rokushiki in secret, and I have tried to awaken Nen. But it's not enough.
—Nen? —Sona asked, interested—. Isn't that from another world?
—Yes. It is an aura manipulation technique. If I could awaken it, I could reinforce my Haki significantly. But I haven't been able to.
—We could help you —Tamamo suggested—. My magic could assist you in manipulating your internal energy.
—We'll try —Daniel said—. But for now, we have to focus on Kokabiel. He is the immediate threat.
Breakfast passed with a mixture of planning and affection. The girls discussed strategies while Daniel devoured his food, aware that he needed all the energy possible. Lala, oblivious to the tension, floated around the table, humming a melody from her planet.
—Daniel —Lala said suddenly—. When are we going to visit Yasaka and Kunou? You promised we would go.
—Soon —he replied, with a smile—. After we resolve the Kokabiel matter.
—Good! Because I really like Kunou. She's like a little sister.
Daniel smiled. Lala's innocence was a balm in the midst of chaos.
After breakfast, the group headed to school. The day passed normally, although Daniel could not help feeling a growing tension in the air. He knew the battle against Kokabiel was near.
At lunchtime, they gathered in the Occult Research Club. Xenovia and Irina were already there, along with Kiba, who seemed calmer than the day before.
—I've been thinking —Kiba said, breaking the silence—. About what you said, Daniel. You're right. Revenge won't give me back what I lost. But destroying those swords... is the only thing I can do to make sure no one else suffers what I suffered.
—I understand —Daniel replied—. And I will support you. But promise me you won't let yourself be consumed by hatred.
Kiba looked at him for a long instant, and then nodded.
—I promise.
The afternoon advanced with final planning. Sona distributed maps and escape routes. Xenovia and Irina shared information about Kokabiel's weak points. Rias coordinated the roles of each team member.
—We'll attack at dawn —Daniel said—. That's when Kokabiel will be most vulnerable. Xenovia, Irina, and I will face him directly. Kiba, you will handle the swords. Rias, Sona, the rest of you, cover our backs.
—And me? —Lala asked, enthusiastically.
—You will stay in the rear guard —Daniel replied, firmly—. I don't want you putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
Lala puffed out her cheeks, but did not protest. She knew Daniel only wanted to protect her.
That night, Daniel retired early. He lay down on the bed, surrounded by his girlfriends, and closed his eyes. Sleep did not take long to claim him.
But this time, there was no dream forest or Scathach. Only darkness.
And then, dawn.
The sun was barely beginning to peek over the horizon when Daniel and his group arrived at the ruins of the old church. The place was a wasteland of broken stones and burned beams, with an oppressive atmosphere that chilled the blood. The mist clung to the ground like a shroud, and the silence was so dense it could be chewed.
—Kokabiel is here —Xenovia said, gripping the hilt of her sword—. I can feel him.
—Me too —Daniel confirmed, activating his Observation Haki—. He's in the center of the ruins. And he's not alone.
—How many? —Rias asked.
—Dozens. Fallen angels, renegade exorcists... and something else. Something big.
They advanced cautiously, hiding among the shadows of the ruined columns. Daniel could feel Kokabiel's presence like a dark stain on his perception, a pit of evil that threatened to swallow them all.
When they reached the center of the ruins, they saw him. Kokabiel, the fallen angel of the ten wings, floated in the air with a smile of superiority. Around him, a circle of renegade exorcists held the holy swords, channeling their energy into a ritual. And behind him, an enormous, grotesque figure, a three-headed demon that growled savagely.
—Welcome —Kokabiel said, with a voice that echoed throughout the place—. I was waiting for you.
Daniel stepped forward, his Boosted Gear shining intensely.
—Kokabiel. This ends here.
—Ends? —The fallen angel laughed—. No, it is only beginning. With these swords, I will unleash a war that will erase humanity from the face of the Earth. And you, my dear guests, will be the first to fall.
—We won't allow it —Xenovia said, drawing her sword.
—Then try.
Kokabiel raised a hand, and the ritual began. The holy swords shone with a blinding light, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.
—Now! —Daniel shouted.
The group launched into the attack. Xenovia and Irina headed toward the exorcists, while Kiba made his way toward the swords. Rias and Sona covered the flanks, and the Sekirei twins discharged electricity over the enemies.
Daniel faced Kokabiel directly. The fallen angel was fast and powerful, but Daniel had trained for this. He used Geppo to match his flight, and his Observation Haki allowed him to predict his attacks.
—Boost!
His power doubled, and his punch, charged with Haki and Ryou, impacted Kokabiel's chest. The fallen angel retreated, surprised.
—What is this strength? —he growled—. It's not possible!
—Everything is possible —Daniel responded, with a smile—. You just need to believe it.
The battle continued, fierce and brutal. Kokabiel summoned rays of dark light, but Daniel dodged them with his Observation Haki. His blows were stronger, more precise. He could feel how his body adapted, how his Haki expanded.
But Kokabiel was not an easy enemy. With a cry of fury, he released all his power, creating an explosion of energy that devastated the battlefield.
Daniel was sent flying, crashing against a column. His Armament Haki absorbed most of the impact, but he still felt the pain.
—Daniel! —Rias shouted, running toward him.
—I'm fine —he panted, getting to his feet—. But we need to finish this quickly.
Kiba, meanwhile, had reached the swords. With a cry of fury, he began destroying them one by one. Each broken sword released a wave of energy, weakening the ritual.
—No! —Kokabiel shouted—. My swords!
—Now, Daniel! —Xenovia shouted—. While he's distracted!
Daniel did not need to be told twice. He used Geppo to launch himself toward Kokabiel, and with a war cry, he concentrated all his power into a single punch.
—BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!
His fist, covered in Haki and Ryou, impacted Kokabiel's face with the force of a meteor. The fallen angel was sent flying, tearing through the ruins and crashing into the ground.
Daniel landed, breathing with difficulty. Kokabiel lay motionless, defeated.
—We did it —Rias whispered, appearing at his side.
—Yes —Daniel replied, with a tired smile—. We did it.
But before they could celebrate, a laugh echoed in the air. Kokabiel, badly wounded but still conscious, raised his head.
—You think you've won... but this is not over. There is something much worse than me... something that is coming... something that will destroy this world...
—What are you talking about? —Daniel asked, with a chill.
—Freezer... —Kokabiel gasped—. He will come... and when he does... everyone will die...
And with those last words, the fallen angel lost consciousness.
Daniel was left frozen. Freezer. That name again.
—Daniel —Rias said, taking his hand—. No matter what comes. We will face it together.
—I know —he replied, squeezing her hand—. But first, let's finish here.
Kiba had destroyed the last sword, and the ritual had faded. The renegade exorcists had fled or lay defeated. The battle was over.
But Daniel knew the war was only beginning.