Ryuko stared in shock as her charge was stopped with barely any effort, the fullness of her vast power held at bay simply because the one she'd sought to strike willed it so. No, not willed it so...because they did not deign to allow it. Her eyes trailed from the bony finger up the black cloaked arm and to the face under the hood...a skull with blue stars in the eye sockets, staring at her as though she were some obscure species of butterfly.
You are powerful, the figure stated, its words like slabs of stone slamming together, its tone completely devoid of emotion. But that is meaningless here. You cannot prevent me from taking her.
Ryuko tensed herself, willing more and more power into her strike. She felt her arm writhing within as it struggled to contain it, to unleash it...but nothing happened. The statement had contained no cruelty, no feeling behind it...simply a statement of fact. As she felt her power forced down as the finger pushed her fist back as easily as a soap bubble floating in the air - and as though she were as fragile - she realized if any emotion were in the silent voice, it was compassion...but that of the Reaper, the sharp edge. Unwilling to accept, she shifted her power through her soul self, attempting to strike with her other fist.
You would tear yourself, the universe, the fabric of creation itself, apart...in the futile effort to reclaim her from me? The figure stared at her, its other arm gently around Asia's shoulders. Asia floated there, seemingly asleep in its grasp, at peace.
Ryuko narrowed her eyes in determination...and spoke. "Yes."
The figure stared at her, tilting its head the other way as it beheld her...then turned as Asia stirred. "Ryu...ko...san...?" Her eyes flickered.
The figure glanced between the two girls. A sigh that sounded like the breath of a grave echoed in the silence. You are incapable of retrieving her from here, it stated firmly. She cannot return to your world as she was. However...another comes with the means to bring her back another way, if she should choose...and if this one should choose. I shall...wait, and see. It turned its gaze more firmly on Ryuko. You will return now, however, it instructed, the finger shifting from her fist to her forehead and curling slightly. And tell your Masters you need to learn discipline.
Ryuko smirked widely. "They've tried."
The figure stared at her...and then began to laugh, a sound frightening in that it existed beyond the concept thereof. The finger uncurled, giving Ryuko the lightest flick on her forehead.
Rias stared in shock as Ryuko was blasted back from Asia's body like she'd been struck by an angry god with the force of a crashing meteor. She slammed into the opposite wall, the immense power she'd gathered extinguished in an instant.
Nonon stared at the scanner. "She's stabilized!" she called out. "She's...at 400% normal power level."
"So her new normal, then?" Uzu joked, though there was a tone of relief in his voice.
"Are you alright, Ryuko?" Rias asked worriedly, moving to her side.
Ryuko slowly opened her eyes. "I will be...if you can raise Asia..."
Rias raised an eyebrow. "You wish me to resurrect her as my Devil Servant? That will only be possible if her soul has not yet moved on-"
"The bony guy said he'll wait."
Rias' eyes widened in shock. She then schooled her expression. "Well, if she does desire it, Twilight Healing would be a most useful and welcome addition to my peerage..." she commented idly as she stood up.
Ryuko looked up at Rias, at first upset about how callous she was being...then blinked as for a brief moment, she saw someone else standing there speaking so of those recruited, and of the stakes she had dealt with. And Rias was far more willing to show kindness and compassion for those who were hers. Maybe...a bit of kindness of her own, and a bit of respect, was warranted. "Please try...Rias."
Rias blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "If she's as impressed with you as I've become, I don't doubt she'll wish to return." Reaching into a pocket, she pulled out a crystal Bishop. Setting it on Asia's chest between her hands, she called up the magic circle. "I abjure thee," she began, "in the name of Rias Gremory, rise and serve me as my Devil Servant!"
The magic gathered...but nothing seemed to happen.
"...please wake up, Asia-chan..." Ryuko whispered.
The Bishop blazed with light and vanished into Asia's chest as Devil wings spread from her back. As the light faded, her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Ryu...ko-san?" she whispered softly.
"...Asia..." Ryuko whispered breathlessly as she moved to approach.
"ASIA-CHAN!" Mako screamed out as she catapulted down from above, crushing the pew Asia lay on as she glommed onto her and Ryuko. "I was so worried about you! ...when did you grow wings?"
Putting her face in her hand, Rias laughed helplessly. Overall, that seemed to be the best way to react to anything with her new family.