Chapter 5:


'Is it just me, but does it stink in here?' the small child thought while huddled in the corner of their bed. They were put here a few days ago for acting out in a training session. The adults told them that 'A true descendant needs discipline' or something like that. The child only remembered the part where they were thrown into this confined space for 'head clearing' for a week. It had been 6 days, but to the child, it was more like 6 months. The only thing they had to pass the time was a picture book they managed to smuggle in. Pinocchio. They didn't know why but the child for some reason related to the small wooden puppet and his wacky adventure with his conscious. The child then heard a commotion at the door and instantly, they hid the book in their small bag that was laying lazily next to the bed. The grey door that separated them from outside opened, and two men stood there, faces stone cold. 'Matthew, it's time for you to resume training. Be a better boy today and soon you'll be just as good as-'

Inside a small Japanese apartment, a woman with long brown hair awakes bolted up in a cold sweat. She hasn't had nightmares in a while. She gets up from her blue futon and wanders into the bathroom. She splashes water in her eyes and stares at herself. Her pink and blue irises blinked rapidly, batting away the droplets that landed on her lashes. "Why now..." she mutters while drying her face off. She gazes from the entrance to her red alarm clock. 6:00 am. 'Couldn't pick a better day for this bullshit' she thinks.


Shido waits awkwardly outside the gym. He checks his watch to see its time. 6:14 am. 'And she's the one complaining about me being on time...' he thinks. Shido was still shaking off last night's events, or the parts he actually participated in. He can't remember the parts Mae told them about when he was teleported him. Nothing about soul-eating, burning Visor to a crisp or having golden eyes. He thought last night would leave him restless, but he woke up at 5:45 a fresh new man. Sneaking out wasn't unusual for him at this point, but an early morning ' workout session' was not what he imagined he'd be sneaking out for, especially just before school.

Mae then comes around the corner in a flurry of sweat. Her workout clothes seem slapped on without thought, and her tied-back hair had knots the size of peas sticking out. "Wow you look like shit," Shido said, to which Mae replies blankly "Oh pull it out your ass. I didn't sleep well last night." Shido noticed the black rings around her eyes and decided to be extra polite so as to not get her angered even more.

Inside, they practised several fighting stances (both offensive and defensive), half of which Shido failed at, making him look like an interpretive dancer. Mae sighed and sat aside drinking a thermos filled with coffee. After 10 minutes of more failed stances, Mae said "Ok stop. Let's try some one-on-one counterattacks." Shido stopped, relieved he was going to do something that didn't make him look stupid. Mae sets her drink aside and comes behind Shido, grabbing both of his arms with a hardening grip.

"Now listen up' Mae exclaims carefully "Your backside is the most vulnerable part of your body. If someone sneaks up behind you and they grabs your arms, you need a way to break away and attack back." She then gives something to Shido, who is listening with quiet interest. He feels the leather strap and thinks 'She did not just hand me a knife?' Mae then states with a giggle "Try and attack me with the knife. Don't worry, it's duller than your head." That lit a fuse in Shido's head, causing him to rotate around and face Mae, who had a cheeky smile on her face. He then realises his arms were now crisscrossed, still in her grasp. "Not a good idea," she remarks before kicking Shido in the chest, making him wheeze. She finally let's go and says casually "And that's why it's important to watch your behind." Shido chokes out "Not fair..." They repeat this routine for the next 20 minutes, Shido still not being able to release himself without getting either punched or kicked.

After getting up for the final, Shido sits with Mae and wiped the sweat away. "I don't feel any stronger. I might just be the biggest disappointment in angel history" he moans in defeat. Mae shakes her head, slaps Shido's back and replies "Nope. There was an improvement. If I'd kicked you like that at the beginning of our training, your stomach would've caved in." Shido straightens his face at that thought and accepts the compliment. The two then sat there in awkward silence until Mae checks the time by looking over at the clock hanging over the elevator.

"Well, you betta run home before your folks wake up," she says dismissively while straightening a strain of loose hair. Shido stood up and made his way to the exit. As the elevator came up, he looked over and saw Mae staring out the window in a trance. "Hey, you coming?" Shido asks confused. Mae replies blankly "No I'm going to train some more..." The elevator door opens and Shido steps in, looking wearily at Mae. The doors shut, jolting him back from his state of somberness.


It was homeroom time at Kuou Academy. Issei was processing many things by himself. His anger at Matsuda and Motohama hadn't left his mind, but he had more important things to think about. You're a pawn. 'Ugh of course I get the lamest chess piece! And like aren't I just 1 of 8? Dammit, I might not be as special in the eyes of Rias after all!' he curses with his head tucked into his arms. 'It's Thursday but it feels like Monday already...' After a moment, his brain questions what happened to Shido.

Do not be afraid of me...

'I don't know what that was about. Maybe he was joking? Then again, given how he acted before, I doubt it' he answers himself. As the role was called, Issei found himself looking out the window while thinking 'I wonder what that Asia lady is doing..? Heh, I wouldn't mind trying to get a look at her holy spirit sometime~'

The chapel had seen much better days. While its structure was still rigid, age showed itself in the outer layer of bricks that made up the walls. There were scattered pew chairs, broken pane glass and half-decayed cloth littering the floor. Below the half-destroyed statue of what used to be the Virgin Mary, Asia Argento was deep in prayer. It was midday and the cracked windows provided just enough light for walking around, but not enough to break the blonde's deep concentration. She was happy to have a moment for herself, happy to have a quiet time of self-reflection with God-

"Oh miss twilight! I need your services today!" a voice called out. It was sharp and nasty and commanded attention. Asia moaned quietly to herself as she got up. 'I wonder what I am needed for today?' she wonders.


In the afternoon, Issei joined back up with the club. The thoughts of his pawn status were still hanging over him as he sat down next to Rias. It was just them today. He chatted with Shido about last night, but knew as much as he knew, so his mood still hasn't changed, if anything, it was soured with confusion. Rias saw his solemn face and asked weariedly "What's bothering you Issei? You tired from last night?"

Issei perked up and gave a silent nod. "I understand," she replies sympathetically "But today, I have another job for you." Issei shivers and questions "Pamphlets?", making Rias chuckle and state," I think you're well done with those. Nope, I've got a client for you." "Is it the guy from last night?" he asks, hoping to complete his discussion of Drag-on Ball with Morisawa. "Sorry, but you're covering another one of Koneko's regulars."

"What?! Why can't you do it?" Issei asked surprised.
"I'm busy tonight too, unfortunately," Rias answers while twirling her hair "What's the matter?"
"Oh! Uhh, it's nothing president" Issei stammers out, feeling awkward for asking now.
"Ok if you say so" Rias replies with minor unease.

"Now, depending on how you go tonight," she continues while crossing her arms "He'll give something as payment. Chances are, it's either cash or something valuable." She then gets up and sits next to Issei, making his mind race 90 miles a minute. Then Rias states suggestively "If you do well tonight Issei, I guarantee you, you'll be rewarded ~" At this, Issei's mind was an imagination overdose, thinking of all the things he could ask her to do. 'Aww man I wonder if she let me grope those amazing fun bags' he first thinks.

"If you wanna touch my breast, you can" Rias suggests casually. Realising his chances, Issei nodded quickly and began leaving so quickly that he almost forgot to ask Rias for the address. When he got home, he grabbed his bike and began biking it all the way to his client. As he rode through the neverending neighbourhood, he was filled with some hope. Maybe being a Pawn wasn't the worst, after all, maybe he was overthinking. Though as he got closer to his destination, Issei began getting the same feeling he felt at the church, a gnawing sensation in his head that worsen with each pedal. As he stopped by the wall that separated him from the owner's front lawn, he was overwhelming tense. 'Man, something doesn't feel right, maybe I should…' Issei considered before the front door opened to a man in his 20s looking at him with blackened eyes.

"You wouldn't happen to be...?" the man quivers.
"Mhm, the devil one and only. Sorry that it isn't Koneko man" Issei replied with a chuckle.
"N-no! It's perfectly fine!" the man says nervously.
"Yeah, I know it's not as cool-" Issei responds slightly embarrassed before the man cuts him off with "Well no matter, come in..." Issei felt a little weirded out, but then again, he was desperate enough to summon a devil, so what did he expect. When Issei entered his house, that aching feeling become almost sickening. When he entered the man's living room, the man's meekness was making him paranoid.

"Hey buddy, is everything alright?" Issei said, hoping to get a response. Someone did speak up, but it was a sharp and sickening voice of another stating "Oh, don't mind me." This was followed by the sounds of muffled screaming and something stabbing flesh. Issei turned around and saw the 20-something-year-old man on the floor, pale and dead. His eyes opened wide, but before he could say anything, another man appeared. He was also in his 20s (though he looked just as much as 40) with neck-high white hair and wearing a long black and blue robe walked in. A golden charm dangled from his neck, a crucifix.

"Sorry about that friend, but one who summons the devil brings God's wraith," he says to the corpse with a chuckle.
Issei was petrified, he couldn't move. "W-who are you?" dripped from his lips.
"The name's Freed Sellzen and I'm here on pest control!" he announced while pulling out a gun.

Issei, feeling his limbs again, summoned his gear, the green orb glowing brightly. Freed laughed at this display and playfully said "Awwww, the devil thinks he can beat me~" Before he could even breathe in, Issei heard two shots followed by the sounds of something squelching. He let out a horrified scream as he fell to the fall flat onto the floor in a whirlwind of pain. He felt holes in his kneecaps. Freed laughed harder, walked up to Issei and said callously "How does it feel? Bullets blessed by the priest himself."

At that, a blood-curdling scream echoed across the house, making Issei tilt his head up. Through the sickening pain, his eyes bulged at the sight of Asia, looking at him mortified. Freed turns to her and shouts "What are you doing here, dumb bitch!? Shouldn't you be outside placing the barrier?!" Asia managed out "I-I did but I heard screaming so I…" Freed slowly breathed in, approached her and pointed to the man's corpse and replied "That poor sod summoned a devil, so I need to take care of them both. You should understand this better than anyone else, you God-sucking bitch!"

Asia looked into Issei's eyes, seeing her reality break like a rotting scaffold, as she tried to comprehend what Freed said. She was a stunned rabbit, but slowly, she began to tear up. "Aww, your gonna cry for the devil? Would you care to join him in death, you witch?!" Freed shouted at her before kicking her in the chest. As she fell to the ground and yelped in pain, Issei was beginning to see red and he'd managed to get up, jiggling from his blown-apart knees. Seeing this, Freed began another wave of manic laughter, after which he states "Even if you can stand on your chicken legs, that red lump on your hand can't do anything for you now!"

Issei at this point couldn't take both the pain in his leg and seeing Asia on the floor, so collapsed back down in a useless lump. Soon Freed got closer to him again and pulled out what looked like a golden rod. "You see this?" Freed asked before a blade made of light retracted from the top. "This beautiful sword is going to end your pitiful existence! Enjoy hell you piece of shit!" he screamed as he began to swing the sword at Issei's neck.

But before it made contact, Freed's arm was caught by the hand of another. Issei gazed up and saw Kiba standing across Freed, one hand on his arm, the other on his own sword pointed at the ground. "Another Devil?!" Freed screamed out, "How dare you! Let go of me, filth!" Kiba, looking focused and unbothered, swung his blade upwards, causing Freed to jump back in panic. Only to land in the roundhouse kick of Koneko, poised as always. After she flew him into a wall, momentarily stunning him, she helped Kiba hoist Issei up.

"You guys think I can walk this off...?" Issei stammered out. "Well depends if you die from the blood loss or not" Kiba replied with an awkward chuckle. Issei looks up to see Rias and Akeno standing near the entrance, the latter looking at the dead man, the former holding out her arms for him. As he's placed into Rias' embrace like a wounded dog, Issei tilts his head to see Freed holding his gun at them, his arms shaking. "A-are you kidding me!? The Gremory household!?" he stammered out, making Rias smirk. Freed's flash of fear then went away and was instead a manic smile of delight "Oh I had hoped to get the privilege to kill such powerful devils."

Rias' eyes caught something and she directs her gaze downwards. Asia was still lying on the floor, choking on breaths. Rias looks back at Freed and states coldly "Bringing harm to one of mine is punishable by death, but I believe being tortured is far better for someone like you." One contemplation later, Freed shot his gun with pseudo-precise aim. Everything that happened in the next five seconds was so fast, Issei couldn't believe it. One moment he saw the ceiling of a stranger's house, the next it was the clubhouse's roof; grey and mundane.

Issei struggled to open his mouth as he was lying on a couch in pain. He did manage out an "A..Asia... Save her..." Rias responded solemnly "We couldn't take her, Issei" as he finally passed out

Issei woke up to Rias cuddling next to him, both naked as expected. He would've been happier if his knees didn't have bowling ball holes in them and, well...
"Asia... Asia! We need to help her!" he exclaims as he sat up straight. His eyes focused on his bedsheet and he turned to see Rias's sad expression. Managing to ignore her breasts, he says through laboured breaths "Rias, we have to go back!" Rias sits up and states "I'm sorry Issei, but we can't help her." Dumbfounded, Issei mumbles "But can't leave her with that psychopath... We outnumbered him..."

Rias replies more coldly "I'm well aware. But we couldn't take her as our magic works with devils only." Issei, annoyed, got out of bed but felt a quiver in his legs. "I wouldn't get up yet. Give it another hour or so" Rias says while pointing at Issei's clock which says 3:30 am. A moment of realisation crosses over Issei but he goes for a set of discarded underwear.

"I can't just sit back and do nothing. I have to help her" he says.
"What will you do? Let Freed take a couple more shots at your legs?" Rias asks while sitting up.
"It's more than what you guys did..." Issei blurts out, though he wishes he didn't.

Rias stared back with a combination of disgusted shock but solemn understanding. That didn't stop her from saying "That kind of attitude will get you killed Issei! Maybe I should've left you back there since you clearly had it all figured out-" Issei looks down in shame at his words, making Rias regret just the same. She gets up and wraps herself from behind Issei, who just remembered she was naked and was trying to cool himself.

"Issei, that man was an exorcist" she began, her voice icy and fragmented "He has the power to exorcise your soul. Being stuck in purgatory isn't something to risk." Issei quivered at the last part. He was filled with the oddest mix of emotions. He felt safe with Rias' embrace, but also knew that he wouldn't feel right if he didn't help Asia. Issei felt like his existence as a devil was a massive disappointment to her, despite it not being his entire fault.

"Fine" he relents while releasing himself from Rias, though he did want to feel her for longer. He rubs his eyes and exclaims awkwardly"Hey uh can you leave before my parents wake up? I don't want you to deal with them, hehe." Rias chuckles and answers "Sure thing. I'll make sure you can at least walk to school though."


"Useless witch!" Freed shouts as he tosses Asia against the grim brick wall. she whimpers out "Please sir, I didn't mean to-" she begins before another voice called out "You didn't mean to! Please. I can't tell if you're a massive idiot or pacifist." Asia turned, her face matted with tears and blood, and gazed at the black-winged woman in fear.

"Please mistress Raynare. It won't happen again, I swear on the Lord's name!" Asia shouts. Freed laughs insanely and says "Do you think the big guy cares for you?! You're such a child!" Raynare just coldly remarks "I couldn't care less who you swore to. It won't matter soon, witch." That last part made Asia's skin shutter. She never gave up her blind faith that she was doing the Lord's work, but tonight she concluded the Lord was either full of it or they were.


The next day wasn't easy for Issei. As he limped to school, he felt like a puppet being dragged across a stage. Classes passed by with little interest in his mind. When he arrived at his homeroom, he saw both Matsuda and Motohama standing next to his desk. When Issei approached, they both noticed his dishevelled look. "Hey Issei, you ok?" Matsuda asked. Issei waved his hand as he sat down and remarked "Meh, could be worse." Motohama added "Hey you've been kinda distant since you join the research club. What have you been up to?"

That comment ticked Issei off and he replied "Well spreading a rumour about me being gay for Kiba doesn't help Jackass!" Both squirmed in their places at that. "Yeah about that. We're sorry for doing that, Bro..." Motohama replied as he scratched his bald head. Issei was about to reply, but still annoyed at them, he says "Whatever. Just don't do it again." Matsuda, feeling mildly offended, asked "Hey you had it coming. You've been spending a lot of time Rias, which is like totally unfair!"

Issei was at his wit's end. "NO SHIT! SHE'S MY CLUB LEADER!" he shouts loudly, making everyone turn their heads in confusion. "Oh please, I wouldn't be surprised if you got on your knees just so you could get a glimpse at her coochie!" Matsuda shouted back. Issei got back up and stated "Oh I do get that coochie! You'd wished you were me, fuckface!" Both were ready to throw punches when Motohama pushed them back and shouted "Cool it, you monkies! This isn't how we settle things!" Just then, their teacher walked in, stopping them, for now.

When lunchtime came, Issei met up with Shido in his spot under the tree. He recalled everything that happened, causing Shido to drop his chicken pieces in disbelief. "Hold up, you befriend a blonde priest lady? Dude, you are so dead" Shido replied. Issei was pretty sure he was right. "I've noticed that Mae is acting odd" he then adds. Issei raised an eyebrow and asked "What do you mean?", to which Shido remarks "She seemed distressed. She looked like dog shit when we were training." Issei laughed a little, making the pain in his leg die down a bit.

As the afternoon arrived, Issei decided to skip his club meeting and went straight to the park. He was willing to take a lecture from Rias if that meant he could clear his mind from the night before. Shido offered to come, which he accepted as a sarcastic Angel might've been his cure for the day. As they walked down a street full of houses, Shido making horrible jokes that make a dad blush, they somehow ended up at the house from last night. Issei saw his bike standing there, untouched. He hurriedly grabbed it and went back to Shido, who tried to make him feel better with a discussion about music. Issei didn't exactly get what the fuss was about Venom.

As they walked down into the park, his thoughts were a neverending repeat of 'Asia, where are you?.' Shido didn't know what to say, but he placed an arm around Issei's shoulder, which Issei accepted gratefully. They then found a bench to sit on, to which Issei parked his bike to the side and sat down in relief. He then began looking up into the blue sky as Shido began listening to his music, some English metal band Issei couldn't understand. He did however understand the sound of someone saying "Issei, you're ok!"

He looked forward and saw Asia, teary-eyed and bruised, but very much alive. Issei jumped up from his seat and nearly out of his skin as he ran towards her, not registering he was giving her a bear hug. She returned the favour through an endless stream of sobs. Shido pondered if he should be here at all, feeling awkward as a Never Say Never by The Fray began playing.

"Asia! Are you alright?!" Issei shouted as he released her from his grip.
Asia managed to calm herself and say "I'm fine Issei. Just frazzled."
"I'm sorry Asia" Issei replies while holding back his own tears.
"For what? You're alive, that's all that matters" Asia states with confusion.
"But you know I'm a..." Issei begins, but Asia shushes him and says "I don't care. You're more than that, aren't you?"

Issei would've died from how hard he was blushing, but then Shido replied "You're right! He's a massive pervert as well!" Issei turned back and replied "Mind your damn business!", making Shido shrug and say "Sorry not my problem you two started acting like a K-drama couple." Asia looks over at Shido and says "Oh hello there! You're a friend of Issei?" Shido blushed a little at her face but managed out "Somehow, yeah. Name's Shido." Asia walks over to Shido, smiles warmly and replies "Asia Argento. It's a pleasure." 'Oh god, why does a nun have to be this cute?' Shido thinks.

Before Issei could say something, he heard Asia's stomach growl, making her blush. "Looks like you need something to eat" Issei comments awkwardly. "Umm, yeah…" Asia said shyly, looking away from Shido, who was chuckling at her reaction. "I know a place where we can eat. Come with me." Issei said while grabbing Asia's hand.


Issei, along with his bike and Shido, accompanied Asia all the way into town, with Asia gripping tightly to Issei by the hand, which made Issei red. They then stopped outside a bakery and asked Asia "Wanna come in?" She looked inside and mumbled "Umm sure." Shido stayed outside. As the two walked inside, the smells of fresh bread and pastries hit their noses. Asia looked around at her options, slightly overwhelmed. Issei saw this and said to her "Do you want me to get you something?", to which see nodded quickly and said quietly "Yeah. Anything will be alright…"

After a bit, Issei settled on three curry buns. After he paid, he led Asia outside the shop and gave her and Shido a bun. She was puzzled by it at first, but when Issei and Shido began eating in gusto, she took a bite. Her eyes lit up before she remarked "Wow, this is yummy!" Issei smiled at this, happy to see her smiling. He then was brought down by a feeling of dread. He had so many questions to ask her, but at that point, he had completely forgotten what he wanted to say. "So umm Asia, how, I'm mean why did you come here today?" he asked hesitatively. Shido looked at him with concern. Asia stopped eating to consider her answer. She then forced a smile before saying "Well the sun was out, so I thought I'd enjoy it while it lasted."

Issei could tell she was lying, so he asked "Asia, why are you here in Japan?"
Asia sighed and replies "You don't have to worry Issei."
"But Asia, that creep Freed said he needed you for something-" Issei retorted.
"It has nothing to do with you!" Asia shouted. She then went red and muttered "I'm sorry Issei. I shouldn't have brought you into this."

Issei then placed a hand on her head and said with a smile "Hey, it's ok Asia. None of this was your fault." Asia smiled at this. Issei didn't know what to say, but Shido somehow did. "Hey Asia, you're from Europe right?" he asks curiously. Asia nods, to which Shido asks "Which part?" seemingly invested in her life story. Asia was a little overwhelmed, but after finishing her bun, she beckoned the two to follow her.

As they began walking through the streets of downtown, she started her tale "Well I don't exactly know where I came from. My real parents abandon me at the doors of a church in a small Italian town. When they found me sitting there, I apparently wouldn't stop crying for hours." Both boys looked shocked at what they heard. Asia continued as they crossed an intersection. "So they took me in and raised me, hoping one day I would become a nun. One day when I was five, an injured puppy found its way to the church. I brought him in and prayed with all my will that he would be alright and that's how I discovered my power to heal." Issei had a moment of clarity while Shido looked dumbfounded by what she said.

"After that discovery, I became a saint of sorts and people from around the world would come to me for help. I believe those were the happiest years of my life, but that all changed around four years ago." Both boys looked at each other in confusion. "One day, I found someone injured just outside the church. It was only after I healed him that I realised that he was a devil." Asia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk "After that, I was branded as a witch and a heretic by the church for having the power to heal devils. I was banished that day and since then, I've drifted from town to town until making my way to Japan and eventually here."

At that conclusion, Issei felt livered. Shido was stunned by the story, and he thought about his position as an angel. Asia saw Issei's face and said "Oh don't be angry. Meeting you has put my banishment in a new light!" Issei relaxed a little, but still felt an ounce of sadness in his gut. Was he helping her status as a witch by being friends with her? After a minute of silence, Shido suggested "Well this is all depressing. Do you guys wanna do something fun instead?" Despite how inappropriate the comment was, Issei couldn't help but nod. Asia smiled and said, "It's amazing to meet not just one, but two nice devils for a change." Shido snorted and replied "Thanks, but I'm an Angel. A common mistake, don't worry."

Asia went red and began a long tirade of sorrys, but Shido laugh and gestured them to the mall up ahead. They all began walking again, Issei feeling better than ever. They first stopped at an arcade, where Asia got to try all the different arcade games and get her butt kicked by Shido. As they exited, Asia's eyes were caught by the sight of a stuffed mouse in a claw machine. Shido whispered in Issei ear, who then asked Asia "Hey you want me to win that for you?" Asia squealed for a second and nodded quickly, shying away. After only 2 tries, Issei managed to win the stuffed mouse for her, which she held on tightly to. "I told you girls like this crap" Shido muttered in his ear.

Afterwards, they went into a store filled with DVDs, CDs, Records and everything in between. Asia was in awe at the covers, even with the more satanic album art, which made Shido laugh quietly to himself. After that, they went out and headed across to a lake that led back to the park. When they arrived, they got some drinks and sat down. "Wow that was a lot of fun," Asia said while cuddling her mouse. 'Yeah, I had fun too" Issei said while going for a sip. "I'd expected someone more uptight, coming from a nun and all" Shido adds, which made Issei punch his shoulder. "Oh really? Good heaven never! At least, I don't I was..." she says with a pout, making Shido chuckle.

As Issei continued to drink, he felt a jolt of pain in his legs and yelped out loud. "Oh, your legs still hurt from yesterday. Let me take care of it" Asia said with worry. She bent down and began healing Issei's leg, which from his angle, made Issei blush a little. Shido ignored him and stared in awe at Asia's power. After finishing, Issei got up and said "Wow, my legs feel great. Thanks Asia!" which made Asia smile brightly. Shido smiled a little at them while he began chugging his drink. When Asia sat back down, Shido pulled out his phone and asked them "Hey, wanna take a picture?" Issei nodded, but Asia was confused by what Shido had in his hand. Shido noticed this and asked "What's the matter? Camera shy?" Asia nodded. Shido smiled and said "No worries. It makes the picture better."

After that, Shido moved next to Issei, with Asia doing the same. Shido held out his photo and snapped a pic of them huddled together, with Issei having a blushed look on his face. Asia said "Wow Issei, you look so cute in the photo!" which made Issei blush hard. Shido then had to add "If I wasn't there, you guys might've been confused for a couple!" At this, both Issei and Asia went blood red, which made Shido laugh. But the joke was cut short when Issei got a horrible feeling in his stomach. Shido stop laughing when he saw the fear in Issei's eyes. He then saw the sky was once again turning a familiar purple.

"Aww this is a cute sight," a voice said. All three were startled to see her. Yuuma, or Lady Raynare, was hovering above them with an evil grin on her face.
"I guess the rumours were true after all. Both of you were reincarnated. Heh, I guess I owe those two an apology" she said in a teasing manner. Issei held Asia close as Shido stood up, his wings appearing without him realising, all of which made Raynare laugh maniacally.

"Oh, this is amazing! A witch being protected by a devil and an angel?!" she said with a mocking tone. This angered Shido, making him shout "Choke on my dick, you two-faced bitch!" Raynare stopped laughing and looked at Shido. "You know boy, you could've done well among our ranks. Why stick with a bunch of low lives like them?" she commented. Shido responded by flipping her off and shouting "Eat me, Skank! I'd rather suffer through Mae's training forever than join you!"

He didn't know how at the time, but Shido leapt into the sky and begin flying towards Raynare. She in return reacted by summoning a spear and chucking at him. He tried to block it with his shield, but he was a second off, causing him to let the spear stab him through his hand. As Shido dropped out of the sky into the fountain, screaming in pain and shouting profanities, Issei stood there in shock, not being able to move. Then without warning, Raynare pulled out another spear of light and charged at Asia. Issei, with little time to react pushed Asia away from him and was stabbed in his left kidney.

Issei felt the familiar light burn his inners and the rush of blood as Raynare pulled out the spear. But at that, Asia rushed over to him and began to heal him.
Raynare, now looking at her, told Asia "I'll let you heal him, but once you're done, you're coming back with me." As Shido painfully pulled the spear out of his hand, he turned around, seeing Issei on the ground bleeding. In a sudden fit of anger, he charged back down in such vigour, he startled Asia. As he grasp his newly acquired spear, aiming for Raynare's head, he failed to notice the other spear being aimed at him, which ended up with him being stabbed through the chest, causing Shido to cough up blood and fall on his knees.

As Raynare forcefully pulled the spear out, Asia let out a panicked scream. "NO! Stop it Lady Raynare!" she yelled before going to Shido, but only to see that his wounds were already healing. She hid her shock at this sight and stammered out "I-I'll come back… J-just promise not to hurt them." Raynare gave her the stink eye and said "I'm not sure. I should just kill them, you know, to teach you a lesson for running away." "Please don't!" Asia screamed, "I give you my word that I'll come back with you!" Shido got up and said disorientedly "Asia please-" but Asia remarked "Shido, it's fine. This is my faith."

Raynare turned to Issei and said in a condescending tone "Listen here pig. I'll spare you and your friend just this once. You know, for all time's sake." Issei, filled with anger, activated his sacred gear, which Raynare giggled at. "Ha! That twice critical can't help you now!" she said. At that, Issei gear began to power up, giving off a loud Boost! Raynare, now losing interest, grabbed Asia and began to teleport away. "Do me a favour and stay away. If you want to live" she said as she faded. Issei could do nothing but cried out to Asia, who in return let out a single tear. Before their eyes, the fallen one and Asia were gone.

When the scenery went back to normal, both boys were on the ground, both in shambles. As they got back up, all Issei could think was 'I failed her again...' Shido felt embarrassed, not being able to save someone who showed him such unfiltered kindness. He then heard his phone go off, took it out, and saw it was Mae. He picked up and heard her shout "Shido! Where the hell are you?"