Rewritten 17 Sep 2023

Thank you for all teh reviews. Very cool

As promised, here's the next chapter c:

Enjoy

〖 Chapter4 〗

⦕ I Am… The Danger or in Danger? ⦖

Tonight marked the eve of a significant event for Hyoudou Issei's career as a Reincarnated Devil as he prepared to participate in the ORC Stray Devil-Slaying excursion. This endeavor fell within Rias Gremory's responsibilities as the co-Overseer of Kuoh Town, alongside her esteemed counterpart, Sona. For Issei, it was meant to be a brief lesson, a mere taste of the world of devils, demons, and the supernatural.

Rias had meticulously examined Vizer, the B-Class Stray Devil they were about to confront, and had determined that she posed no substantial threat to her predominantly A-Class Servants, given their recent addition to the peerage. The distinction between B-Rank and A-Rank Devils was more than just a notch on the hierarchy; it represented a formidable chasm in terms of power, knowledge, and mastery of abilities. A-Class devils, by and large, were considered elite within the intricate Devil hierarchy, having demonstrated their prowess as capable and skilled combatants.

However, it was crucial to note that specific abilities and power levels within each rank could vary significantly. While the shift from B-Class to A-Class was substantial, there were instances where an exceptionally gifted B-Class Devil could give an inexperienced A-Class Devil a run for their infernal money, thus earning themselves a promotion. In essence, it was like a cliff separating these ranks, but B-Class devils possessed the intellect and cunning to construct bridges and cross that divide.

Yet, the leap from A-Class to SS-Class was a descent into an unfathomable abyss, a realm reserved for the mightiest of devilish entities. Rias had never anticipated encountering such a perilous Stray Devil within the very town she presided over.

The name "Kuroka" resonated throughout the Devil community as a symbol of notoriety and dread. Her arrival was announced by an aura of chilling confidence, accentuated by her feline ears, which twitched with predatory focus as she assessed Rias' peerage. Whispers of her reputation as a highly dangerous criminal had permeated the Underworld, sending shivers down the spines of even the noblest of devils. Her SS-Class designation was a mark of her unparalleled might.

This… was bad.

Rias needed to get her Servants from this perilous situation, and fast. She couldn't afford to engage Kuroka in a direct confrontation.

"Why... Why are you here? Have you been following us?!" Rias questioned, her voice quivering with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

Kuroka's response was laced with a hint of amusement. "Why? Do I need to have a reason to see my sister?" Her hand extended gracefully toward the group. "Shirone-nyan~ let's go."

"If she wishes so, then I'll allow it," Rias declared, resolved but cautious. "We're not keeping her against her will, Kuroka. Your sister is safe with us."

"Safer with me than you." Kuroka, unswayed, retorted with a casual, carefree demeanor. "Come, Shironyan. You don't have to stay with these people anymore. Be free like me, no?"

"Life as a criminal is hardly a life of freedom."

"Oh but I'm free to do anything I want."

"As long as you don't get caught," Rias remarked.

But Kuroka wasn't affected. "I happen to be slippery~ cat-like and whatnot… But what I am not is patient. So… Hand her over. I won't ask twice."

Koneko, however, expressed a rare moment of fear as she sought refuge behind Rias.

'...Don't worry, Koneko. We won't ever leave you.' So swore the Gremory as she faced Kuroka with steeled resolve. Her Servants would fight to the death for her. As she would for them. It was a trait deeply ingrained in the Gremory bloodline, a legacy that proudly persisted from their ancestors who had made a defiant last stand during the Slave uprising, long before the advent of the Evil Pieces.

"There you have it," Rias stated firmly. "She's staying with us. Her family."

The choice of words had ignited a raging fire within the Nekoshou, and Kuroka's fists clenched with intensity. Her amber eyes darted between each member of Rias' peerage, concealing a turbulent mix of anger and desperation beneath their surface.

"I've finally found her," Kuroka warned, her voice edged with a hint of sadness, but as well as rising ire. "I'm not leaving without her nyan~"

Rias took a cautious step back, positioning herself protectively in front of Koneko, who was paralyzed by fear. She couldn't allow Koneko to engage in combat with Kuroka, especially when that would mean facing her own sister.

However, Rias knew the odds were stacked against them in a direct confrontation with Kuroka. She communicated her plan to her Queen through their unspoken connection. "We can't fight her, so I'll stall her," Rias instructed. "Prepare the teleportation spell."

Akeno responded swiftly, her thoughts channeling through their shared link. "...Our school won't provide much help. We'll have to flee straight to the Underworld, Rias. We'll be safe there and can plan our next move."

"We don't have that much time. Our club room first, then we'll return to Hell to reorganize."

"Understood."

Kuroka, with a sly smile, interrupted their mental conversation. "Ah? Done chatting with your friend, mnya~?" Her remark caught both Rias and Akeno off guard, and Kuroka relished in the astonishment reflected in their faces. With a mischievous giggle, the purple flames surrounding her burned brighter. "How cute… Stall me all you want; she's coming with me."

Without warning, Kuroka lunged forward with astonishing speed. Kiba, reacting with swiftness of his own, met her in a clash of steel against a translucent purple barrier. Their confident gazes locked, azure eyes meeting wrathful ambers, and their intricate dance began.

Kuroka effortlessly sidestepped each of Kiba's precise slashes, leaving him with a taunting smirk as she darted past him just as Akeno's lightning crackled to life, tendrils of electricity arcing towards her. With a flick of her tail and an annoyed glare, Kuroka redirected the electrical onslaught with her fingers, sending it hurtling straight toward Kiba's direction.

Feeling the heat of the electrical discharge growing closer, Kiba managed to duck and pivot, narrowly avoiding the sparking currents.

"Focus on the pentagram, Akeno!" Rias commanded as she stepped forward, placing herself firmly between Kuroka and her loyal Servants. "Hyoudou, keep Koneko safe with her. This is a command!"

"B-but—"

"Take her to Akeno! NOW!" Rias's voice carried an undeniable command. She unleashed her Power of Destruction, creating a barrier of pure destructive energy that absorbed the midnight purple bullets raining down on her Knight. "We have to hold her off, Yuuto! I'll be your backup!"

Kiba, now back at Rias' side, ducked beneath Kuroka's claws that were wreathed in white flames. "Yes, Prez!"

"Flank her," Rias directed. "I'll do my best to keep her distracted."

As the Devils engaged in their fierce struggle against the cat-girl within the moonlit darkness of the decrepit warehouse, an observer watched their every move. A figure, barely shrouded in the shadows and lying prone without moonlight cover, had been patiently monitoring the unfolding battle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, like a hunter of the night.

At least that's how I envisioned myself to be. Right now I'm just waiting who's gonna come on top from this. Obviously it has to be me, but let's not jump the gun. Depending on the victor of this scuffle, I need to make sure my entry fits the mood. After all, I want them to know that I've been watching their every move without them even suspecting a thing.

But it should've been me who killed that titty monster, goddammit! How dare she kill who I'm supposed to kill?! Stand where I'm supposed to stand?!

Putting that aside, I'm starting to realize there's a more immediate concern demanding my attention. The battle is heating up, and I can see crimson liquid splattering all over the place. Mostly from the ravishing redhead and the dashing blondie.

Are they the real deal, packing serious power, or are they just putting on a flashy show? Ugh, why isn't there a convenient power-scanning gadget or some similar contraption around here? What kind of rankings do they hold in the power department? If catgirl over there struts around as an SS-Class, are those Devils B-Tier or maybe C-Tier?

Unfortunately, there's no divine entity or pop-up window to satisfy my curiosity. So, for the time being, I'll maintain my cool facade and continue my observation… even if it's starting to get as chilly over here.

Please, someone, just win already.

Kuroka's frustration erupted in a fiery tirade. "Rrrghh— you pissants think you can fight me?" She unleashed a barrage of mystical flames, each one honing in on the two troublesome Devils, forcing the Knight to retreat while the King stood her ground with unwavering defiance.

Rias raised a black barrier from her powers to shield herself, pulverizing Kuroka's spells. As she dispersed her barrier, Kuroka was already upon her, her hand coiled into a vicious fist. In the blink of an eye, Rias found herself hurtling through the air, an unstoppable force that sent her crashing into a solid concrete pillar. The impact shattered it in half, and waves of searing pain coursed through Rias' battered form. She struggled to her feet, using her powers to keep the cascading debris from burying her.

"Prez!" Kiba called out, concern etching his features.

"I'm fine," Rias grimaced. She wiped the blood off her mouth, failing to remember the last time she ever tasted her own blood. "Focus, Yuuto!"

"You should've stayed down," Kuroka seethed as the ground beneath her glowed bright—

"SWORD BIRTH!"

—dozens of swords sprouted from the very ground beneath her, a deadly bouquet of iron and steel blooming in a mesmerizing display. The swords rose like lethal flowers, compelling Kuroka to take flight to evade their lethal reach.

Oof— that's gotta hurt… I'll be straight and admit, I initially pegged her as the "lead from the back" type, but it seems I couldn't have been more wrong.

Shadowbros, I might be in a bit of a pickle here.

I'm seriously considering whether I'd be biting off more than I can chew if I were to jump into the fray down there. I mean, come on, these guys are off the charts crazy. That fiery-haired lass just obliterated that concrete pillar like it was nothing. It was like a "WHOOSH," and then bam, no more pillar. It's like a giant dog took a massive bite out of it.

And let's not forget about the other buxom girl who can summon thunder like it's no big deal. Where on earth did these people come from? Are they just throwing around spells without the need for incantations or something? Is this Final Fantasy? Am I trapped in some alternate reality right now? If I am, where's my colossal sword when I need it?

If I remember that right, the catgirl down there is an SS-Class outlaw, whatever that means— but I know that's gotta be a pretty high rank. That would explain why she's utterly overpowered, and these poor devils down there look like they stumbled into a comedy skit in comparison.

Kuroka weaved through the Knight's persistence, his slashes either an inch away from her eyes or the edges of her clothing. All while leaping off from Rias' ranged attacks. One hit of that single brush with her destructive energy could spell instant doom. That high-and-mighty redhaired bitch might not know how to conjure them quickly but her inherited power was nothing to scoff at. And then there was this brat—every move he made seemed like a direct copy of Okita Souji, another nuisance with her ridiculous swords. Talk about persistence.

As Kiba's grip on his standard sword faltered, the blade went flying into the air, landing somewhere out of reach. Without missing a beat, he summoned a fresh pair of swords as he backpedaled, increasing the distance between himself and the formidable adversary. While he retreated, Rias unleashed a barrage of Power of Destruction, each fiery projectile the size of a basketball and ready to obliterate anything in its path.

With fire and ice swirling around his palms, Kiba crafted two swords—one ablaze with scorching flames, the other exuding a bone-chilling frost. He charged once more into the thick of battle.

Kuroka's brow furrowed in frustration. It was as if her rising anger was mirrored in the intense Ki she channeled through her hands, causing it to flare with greater intensity.

A symphony of clashes erupted as Kuroka deftly deflected the Knight's relentless strikes. "Why you…" She grunted as she caught the ice sword, shattering it instantly through a measured magical explosion, a result of her overwhelming Mana. Caught off guard but not for long, Kiba responded with a vertical slash aimed straight at her head, his hesitation vanishing as he realized this was a do or die battle.

But Kuroka deflected the blade mid-air with just the back of her palm. Her sharp pupils contracted into slits as a powerful energy blast ripped through the front part of Kiba's uniform, firing him through the air and crashing into a stack of crates.

Kiba didn't get up.

"...Hyoudou! Help Yuuto!"

"Y-Yes! Buchou!"

Rias clenched her teeth, her gaze flicking to Akeno as she noticed the incomplete pentagram, flickering in the air. It wasn't ready yet, she realized, and she steeled herself for the impending confrontation with Kuroka. Her crimson hair flowed gracefully in the breeze, her posture unwavering and poised for battle. There was a quiet determination in her eyes, revealing none of the fear that might have lurked beneath the surface.

Now was the moment to prove her worth as the Master.

Those Devils down there, I mean, they're strong and all, but they're just dancing around Kuroka like she's the uncatchable star of the show. They can't even get close to her, for god's sake. And seriously, how the heck does that kimono of hers stay put?! Not that I'm complaining, I couldn't care less if her tits decide to make a surprise appearance, I'm just genuinely curious.

…Hey wait a minute.

Shifting my focus back to myself, I slip into my Shadow Dimension. Gathering the surrounding Mana, I use it to enhance my vision, essentially creating makeshift binoculars. And there it is—her entire kimono is indeed infused with Mana. Fascinating... I wonder if I can conjure up my own magical wardrobe now that I know the trick.

Trust me, I've tried.

Or maybe it's not so much that her kimono is made of magic, but rather it's being protected by it?

Huh.

While I'm in my observant mode, I notice that the Mana surrounding these supernatural folks isn't diminishing. It's like they're not tapping into the readily available Mana but are using their own reserves. Their bodies emit this eerie glow in my Shadow Dimension, making them look like faceless mannequins decked out in purple wigs and clothing. Most of them are glowing, except for that one guy in the corner who I'm guessing is my classmate Issei.

I empathize with the poor guy. This must feel like a low-level MOb going up against an endgame boss.

So, to sum up my findings: it's like they're managing their Mana like characters in a classic RPG. That's pretty nifty, and it'll definitely aid in my research on how this world operates. As long as there's Mana around me, I'll never run dry.

Now it's time to peace out and go back to the real world…

Oh. And would you look at that. Now catgirl is pulling off these ninja-style clones of herself. I'm totally stealing that move, no shame here. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to mess with someone by making them think they're fighting the real deal, only for them to realize it's been a clone all along? Plus, I can throw in some epic one-liners like, "That was my afterimage" or "You've been battling my Shadow."

Ohhhh yeaaah…! I can see it… I can feel it. I feel the need. The need to drop down. I have to appear right before they're about to finish one another and halt the battle, completely stealing the spotlight that is rightfully mine in the first place.

After that? Well, I'll just wing it.

Still no clue if they're just super-strong or if I'm ridiculously underpowered, but what the hell. You think I wanna live forever? Well, yeah, but no pain, no gain! So here I go—wait a second, is that a flying chunk of concrete coming at me?

As the cold wind rushes past my ears, the realization dawns on me that I, Cid Kagenou, am indeed plummeting. That thing that shattered my secret observation point earlier was a freaking block of concrete hurtling toward me, hence my less-than-graceful descent thanks to good ol' gravity.

This is not ideal.

I can't just crash face-first into the scene; that would ruin my first impression for eternity.

Time for some quick thinking! All those hours of practicing parkour on rooftops didn't go to waste, after all! Ah crap— my crowbar! NO!

Rias summoned her magic, creating a protective barrier around herself, but Kuroka's relentless strikes relentlessly tested the limits of her defenses. The battle had spiraled beyond the Gremory's expectations, and the chasm in power between them loomed large. Her crimson aura blazed as she retaliated, her Demonic magical bolts streaking towards the Nekoshou outlaw. But Kuroka, with an almost surreal agility, evaded with ease, her form slipping through the gaps in Rias' attacks. The warehouse resonated with the cacophony of their fierce engagement, a symphony of raw power and ceaseless motion.

Kuroka's eyes gleamed with calculated malevolence as her form seemed to flicker and divide into multiple shadowy duplicates. Rias' tactical mind swiftly analyzed the situation, and with a surge of energy, she unleashed a blinding flash that dispelled the illusions. Yet Kuroka had slipped away, her absence leaving Rias disoriented.

In a heartbeat, the Nekoshou materialized behind Rias, her claws slashing across her sides with unforgiving ferocity. Agony surged through Rias' body as she staggered forward, clutching her bleeding wounds. But the indomitable Gremory was far from defeated. With a wave of dark energy slicing the air, Rias turned to face her unseen foe, only to discover her own shadow cast against the wall. She'd been cornered this far without even realizing it.

Kuroka had returned to her original position, taking the place of her earlier illusion that had blended with the shadows. As she prepared to advance toward her sister once more, a brilliant blue light ignited before her eyes. Her pupils dilated, forcing her to momentarily shut her eyes — and earning Akeno the first direct hit, as Kuroka found the soles of her wooden sandals skidding against the ground.

"..." Growling as smoke sizzled out from her chest, Kuroka rebuilt the layer of protection around her entire frame as she glared at the Fallen Angel-Devil-Human hybrid. "I will break you."

"Try me," the Priestess of Thunder, Akeno, declared with a smirk, her arm crackling with tiny blue thunders, casting an eerie glow upon her face and lending her smile a sinister allure. "I'm sorry, Rias, but I can't just let you have all the fun."

The taunt only stoked the fires of Kuroka's fury.

Initially, she was only planning to hurt these dogged brats, showcasing the rift between her strength and theirs, thinking they'd give up and leave.

Not this.

Kuroka was not blind to her sister's attachments to these persistent morons; the tears she shed for them were the only reason keeping these Devils alive.

But it seemed that holding back wasn't going to bring her any result.

"I've had enough of you fools getting in my way," Kuroka seethed. Watching the redhead reunite with her formidable Queen, she straightened her posture, determined to put an end to this cat-and-mouse game. "I'm not asking for much: do me a favor and die, nya~?"

Kuroka's form blurred into a mix of inky black and sinister purple as she surged forward, her speed embodying her seething rage. Rias unleashed torrents of demonic energy, each beam aimed at Kuroka. Akeno's thunder crackled with its own fury, converging with Rias' attacks in a dazzling spectacle of raw power.

Kuroka evaded with an agility that defied reason, her form weaving through the onslaught like a phantom in the night. She rapidly closed the distance between the spellcasters. Yet, labeling Kuroka as a mere spellcaster would be a grave mistake; she was a formidable close combatant, honed through countless encounters with bounty hunters and pursuers who had underestimated her.

With an exchanged glance, Rias and Akeno summoned their magic in harmony, creating a tempest of energy that engulfed Kuroka in a blinding fusion of black, crimson, and blue light. The Stray Devil raised her own barrier in response. In a fierce explosion of magical colors, Kuroka seemingly vanished.

And then, with an eruption of power that rent the very air, Kuroka revealed her true body, standing directly behind her unsuspecting foes. They had taken the bait, attacking her illusion while she cloaked her advance.

"BUCHOU, BEHIND YOU!" Issei's frantic shout came just a fraction of a second too late.

Kuroka's amber eyes blazed with fury as she unleashed her own torrent of dark energy, a devastating blast that slammed into Rias and Akeno with unrelenting force. It tore forth a piercing scream and drew forth blood from their lungs as they crashed into the debris-laden ground. Agony coursed through their battered forms, their uniforms in tatters, with Rias taking the brunt of the damage.

But they refused to stay down.

Rias and Akeno struggled to rise, their bodies battered and broken, but their spirits unbroken.

Kuroka scowled, and her voice was a chilling whisper, laden with anger and frustration. "You guys have no idea when to stay down, huh? Do you really wanna die that badly? I could've killed you, you know."

Her distinctive tic had vanished in the face of her heightened ire.

"You're not taking her away from us…" Rias rasped, barely maintaining herself up, only for her to sink to her knees and arms. Her wounds were starting to take its toll on her. "...N…nggh…"

"I'll handle this, Rias," Akeno declared with determination, her fingers tracing the path of blood that lingered on her lips. She had been hurt but had only taken a single direct hit, and she took pride in her ability to derive pleasure from pain, unlike most others.

Conjuring her thunder, holding the crackling violent ball of energy in her hand, Akeno walked in front of her fallen King. She was prepared to unleash a maelstrom, and ready to walk into hell. "Ufufu~ naughty cat. You need to be taught a lesson."

"You." Kuroka narrowed her eyes, her pupils contracting to slits yet again. "Are pissing me off."

I know this is one of the great moments where I can introduce myself, but I can't. Not yet. There's a saying in chess that is 'when you see a good move, look for better'. I'm doing just that. Yeah. Totally.

So I sorta fell earlier, but I did pull off this epic landing move — no, not the superhero landing, but landing with my legs straight with my head staring down. Terrible for the joints, but it looks so damn cool, and my joints are made of steel anyway.

The thing is, I landed on the second floor of this warehouse, which sucks, but explains why the landing didn't sting my foot that bad. Still embarrassing though.

So now here I am again! Taking the role of the patient observer… Waiting for my moment… I know it's coming soon. I can practically smell it. Or maybe it's just that girl's charred flesh. Who knows.

Akeno unleashed a relentless barrage of thunderbolts that streaked through the air like vengeful lightning. Kuroka, on the other hand, seemed to dance on the very edge of shadows, evading each attack with a grace that defied the chaotic intensity of their battle. The warehouse quaked with every impact, echoing the sheer violence of their clash.

Inside that warehouse, the air crackled with a deadly display of magic. Hues of midnight purple and electric blue painted the scene as their powers collided. Kuroka's mystical attacks swirled through the air like a malevolent whirlwind of violet, meeting Akeno's thunder head-on. The impact sent tremors through the space, the very essence of their power vibrating with each clash none seemed intent on yielding.

"HAAAH!" Akeno's voice roared like thunder as she retaliated, each bolt of lightning an embodiment of her resolve. But Kuroka's presence was a storm of its own, her midnight purple Sage Magic surging forth like an unstoppable tide. Her attacks displayed a level of mastery that not only held against Akeno's thunderous barrage but also devoured it, swallowing the lightning whole.

Whether unholy or holy, thunder was still thunder, and Kuroka had mastered Elemental Magic.

With a roar born more of frustration than a battle cry, Kuroka surged beneath the barrage of magic, closing the distance to engage Akeno in close combat where her sparkly powers couldn't annoy her as much.

"Gh—! Gah! Aghah—! You— GHA!"

Kuroka's strikes landed with devastating precision, sending waves of energy through Akeno's body. Her strength wavered, her thunder faltered, and she fought to withstand the relentless onslaught. But her determination burned like a beacon, evident in every desperate defense she mounted.

But determination meant shit without the power to back it up. Kuroka's fists became an unyielding force, her attacks growing more precise and devastating, and each punch or slice easily tore through Akeno's uniform and skin and flesh, and the Priestess of Thunder began to falter as her lightning died out.

Kuroka's final blow landed squarely on Akeno's chest, just above her breasts. The impact was so forceful that it ripped through the back of the Devil's uniform, causing her to stagger.

Akeno coughed up blood, and an excruciating pain seared through her body. Every nerve screamed in agony, and darkness crept in at the edges of her vision. Her breaths grew ragged, her lungs struggling to draw air. The pain consumed her, a torment that radiated from the point of impact, engulfing her like an all-consuming fire. The warehouse around her seemed to spin.

"...A...ra...?"

Kuroka withdrew her hand, which was now spattered with red. She studied Akeno for a moment, half-expecting a defiant response or a reason to deliver another blow. However, all she found was Akeno slumping to her knees, her head hanging low, and her arms appearing almost lifeless. She had been overwhelmed by pain and exhaustion, her consciousness fading.

Not even the Queen of Sadists could withstand Kuroka's beastly strength. Completely and utterly beaten whereas the Nekoshou stood unscathed. Ticked off, exhausted, a bit sweaty, but very much unscathed. Then her slit-like pupils widened into thin ovals as she looked over to search for her sister. She found Shirone standing behind the boy. The fledgling Devil. And it seemed they've taken the Knight over as well, back on his feet already. That Gremory bitch was there too.

Ah. The complete whole package minus one.

"Come with me, Shirone," Kuroka demanded once more, her hand poised threateningly above Akeno's head, crackling with ominous purple energy. The tension in the warehouse hung like a suffocating shroud, and dread painted Rias Gremory's face even paler than before.

Issei completely froze. He had no idea what to do. He had grabbed Kiba earlier but he wasn't in any condition to fight again. There was blood coming out of his head for fuck's sake— he had to get patched up. Rather, everyone here had to get patched up including Koneko, except her patching up was more for her mental health. She hadn't looked so good since her sister showed her face.

But now, faced with the imminent threat of Akeno's life hanging in the balance, he felt powerless and conflicted. If he made the wrong move, Kuroka might kill Akeno, and that would shatter Rias. It'd devastate all of them, but it would devastate Rias the most. He didn't want that. If his foolish bravery got someone else killed, then… well, frankly, he might stop being brave in the future.

Fear clung to the air, and Koneko felt its weight pressing down on her heart. Before her stood the people she had grown to care for, her new family, battered and beaten, all because of her.

Koneko's breaths came in shallow gasps as she watched Kuroka's every move. The Stray Devil exuded a menacing power, her amber eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. Koneko's instincts screamed at her to flee, but she knew she couldn't. She couldn't run or hide; her sister had found her once again, and escaping would only lead to a relentless pursuit.

Even if they escaped, she'd only track her down… And this scene would only repeat.

"You're not taking her..."

Once again, Kuroka was starting to regret not killing these Devils already as Rias Gremory had risen to her feet. The heiress held her bruised stomach, barely even able to stand on her own. She was shaking, but not from fear, because Rias did not fear this woman.

"Haa? I'm not joking, Gremory," Kuroka warned, her purple flames dancing around her, casting eerie shadows on her black and red kimono. "I will kill you. You and the rest of your friends. I've been hunted for two years, and I've taken down my hunters for... well, two years. They're stronger than you, and they couldn't stop me. What makes you think you can?"

"...She's right," Rias muttered to her Servants, her voice tinged with resignation. "...I can't stop her. But I can... no, I must save who I can save. The magic circle is finished. Hyoudou, take Koneko and Yuuto back to the club- ah... right, you don't have enough magical energy yet, do you?"

"Urrrghhh— I'm sorry I'm so weak, Buchou...!"

Rias managed a small, reassuring smile. "That's fine. You're only just starting out... In that case, Koneko, take Yuuto to the club. Issei, you need to take Akeno with you while I distract her."

"But—"

"That's an order, Issei," Rias declared firmly. "...Be my good Servant, will you? Protect them until I come back."

As the moving scene of what appeared to be the beginning of an honorable sacrifice of a loving leader, Kuroka was not impressed. Her feline ears flicked once, twice, and she snarled at the band of Devils. "You think I'll just let you go? Do you think I'm stupid?"

But despite the impending danger, Rias remained resolute. "...Regardless," she responded to Kuroka's glare with a vehement stare. "You won't take Koneko back. I swear it, on my honor as Rias Gremory. You'll need to kill me before—"

"No!" Koneko's anguished cry rang out, tears streaming down her face. "I-I'll go!"

"Koneko, no—"

"No!" Koneko's voice wavered as she stepped forward, detaching herself from the group. "Nee-sama, I-I'll go with you. But don't hurt my friends!"

"Deal." Kuroka smiled and immediately called off her flames.

"Koneko..." Rias sighed her name, dejected that she might not be able to protect anyone when it counted. "Listen to me,"

"Senpai, you'll die...! I don't want you to die... You can't die! Don't die because of me—"

"Dammit, you shouldn't be forced to make this kind of decision, Koneko-chan!" Issei's voice filled with desperation as he clutched Koneko's wrist. "You don't have to do this!"

A sob wracked her small chest. "If I don't, then all of you will die...!"

"Do you want to go?!"

"Of course I don't want to go!" Koneko cried. "But I don't want any of you to get hurt more because of me..."

"Then stay," a deep, resonant voice echoed through the tension.

.

.

.

"Ehh…? Hm…?!" Kuroka's eyes widened as the realization struck her. Akeno was no longer lying next to her on the ground but had been swiftly whisked away by a mask-wearing stranger in a black trench coat. "Tsk! You've got to be kidding me…"

Standing before the Devils, appearing in their moment of despair and distraught, Shadow had (timely) revealed himself. His cloaked figure seamlessly blended into the surrounding darkness. He exuded an aura of undeniable power, a shadowy violet haze (which were just Mana that he gave color), his crimson (eye contacts) eyes sharp and resolute, devoid of fear, filled with unparalleled confidence and a measured glower.

In his hands he cradled the injured Devil, a symbol of his intervention and a hint of his intention to (be cool) aid the Devil.

The stunned silence that had gripped both parties was finally broken by Rias, her voice filled with curiosity and a tinge of hope. "Wh-who are you?"

"I am… Shadow. He who lurks in the shadows, to hunt the shadows…"

Shadow turned around, showing his back to Kuroka and therefore showing his impenetrable confidence (he was just careless). He carefully laid the injured Akeno on the ground, his demeanor unflustered by the compromising state of her torn clothing.

Koneko's breath caught as her gaze shifted from Shadow to Akeno, her friend now held safely in his grasp. Rias' eyes widened in both disbelief and gratefulness, and Issei's brows furrowed in surprise. Kuroka's presence seemed to waver, her earlier confidence now visibly shaken by the newcomer's arrival. She couldn't even detect his approach, and that sent a chill down her spine. She realized that he was someone with terrifying speed and abilities, and it made her uneasy.

"Th…thank you…" Rias, still uncertain but willing to hope for the best, asked tentatively, "Shadow? Are you… can we assume you are here to help us…?"

"My only purpose is to fight shadows that lurk," he said, not making a sliver of sense as he stood back up, and faced Kuroka. "And to guide those who have lost their way."

"Lost…?" Rias echoed, her curiosity piqued. "Are you… are you a bounty hunter?"

"I hunt only the shadows," Shadow reiterated, his responses leaving more questions than answers.

Rias paused for a moment, reconsidering. "...Are you looking for the Losts...? Perhaps, you're a Lost Person yourself?"

"Wait, what? What's a Lost Person...?" Issei, growing increasingly perplexed, interjected with his own question. Sadly no one was ready to answer yet. Shadow had taken all their attention, just as Cid had planned.

"Not all those who wander are truly lost," Shadow said, making zero sense yet again but somehow made Rias to ponder the deeper meaning in his randomly selected 'badass quotes' he'd memorized from the internet.

Rias, piecing things together, deduced that this unexpected savior might indeed be a Lost Person. What set him apart was that he had chosen to remain in this world rather than seeking a way back to his own. It was a decision that intrigued her and raised more questions about his true nature and motives.

Kuroka, her patience wearing even thinner than a slice of cheese, narrowed her eyes at the newcomer. She knew that Lost People often possessed otherworldly magic and knowledge, and it was entirely possible that this mysterious mask-wearing weirdo possessed abilities that explained his lightning-fast intervention.

But weirdos or not, she wouldn't let anyone stop her.

"Ehhh… How come there's always someone that keeps getting in my way…" Kuroka, now completely displeased, muttered a sentence wreathed in bridling fury as the purple flames once again gathered around her, now intensifying in number and intensity. "You guys really know how to piss me off."

"Your love towards your sister is splendid yet suffocating." Shadow's voice was unwavering, his attention on Kuroka as he addressed her with a cool authority despite sounding like some sort of know-it-all. "Staying in the shadows for long, that it has blinded you so?"

"Tch… What are you even spouting about…?" Kuroka's initial reaction was one of frustration, dismissing Shadow's words with a derisive sound.

Her dismissal didn't dither Shadow, but it did make Cid think twice about his deduction. '…Eh, am I wrong? Is she here just to kidnap her sister? Damn, girl, you're one messed up gal.'

No. He was correct on all counts. Kuroka simply didn't want to admit it outright. Not in front of these people.

But Cid didn't know that, and fortunately, due to his 'cool' persona as Shadow, Kuroka mistook his silence as a sign that he could see through her lies, and therefore snarled in response, glowering at him. Kuroka's eyes narrowed, her composure bristling with unease. She didn't like how composed he was.

The tension in the air thickened as the two formidable figures locked eyes, each sizing up the other in an unspoken challenge. Rias and her Peerage watched with bated breath, uncertain of the newcomer's true intentions. And in that moment, Rias realized that they were no longer alone in this battle, and that her escape was long overdue.

Issei, still bewildered by the sudden turn of events, stammered, "Who... who is this guy again? Kage?"

But underneath the mask of ultimate badassery and calculated coldness, was a giddy young man that firmly believed he had pulled off his greatest entrance yet. Granted, its only competitor was his rather embarrassing entrance involving that exhibitionist of a Fallen Angel, hence the bar was set ridiculously low that it might as well be a tripping hazard for dwarfs. But this was a good start. A decent start to kickoff his career as—Oop, can't forget the 'smoldering smoke coming from the eye' effect.

"I am Shadow," he repeated with a touch of theatrical flair. His right eye erupted in violet flames, casting an eerie and mesmerizing glow that framed his face as if on cue. "He who lurks in the shadows, to hunt the shadows."

With that cryptic message, Rias and her Peerage watched as he 'magically' raised a rebar from out of nowhere — initially Cid was considering 'borrowing' the Knight's standard sword, but after reconsidering it, he decided that using a mundane, everyday tool to fight a dangerous unnatural cat girl freak was far more impressive. So he split a rebar jutting out from one of the broken pillars while he was in the Shadow Dimension, and hid it close by so he could pull off this 'magical' move.

He ran his gloved fingers down the tubular iron, lathering it in violet flame by coating it with Mana and tweaking its appearance. Other than reinforcing the bar, it didn't do anything much other than looking cool and more flamey and less standard rebar-ey. However, that was the result of his days of training in the so-dubbed Shadow Dimension, specifically for this 'move' alone.

He aimed the tip of the blunt weapon at Kuroka, who was growing more and more defensive like a cornered beast, gritting her teeth, fixing her stance, gathering her purple flames.

"So tell me, are you my..." And just as he was finishing his sentence, a sudden shift overtook Shadow's voice, distorting it as if it barely contained the immense power he held within. A voice that shook them to their core. "? ﾝﾕﾟ? ﾝﾕﾞ?"

To be continued…

it's hard to describe how much I loved the distortion effect in the anime. Yes it's cringe. But you can't deny it's so over the top that it trancends cringeness that it becomes badass instead.

I hate hate hatewriting combat scenes. It's hard. I spent hours just writing those.
And therefore, I demand you to tell me what you think about it. Because if it ain't worth it then imma start cutting it.

But here it is! The moment you've been waiting for! Shadow's entrance!
WOOOOOOO LESZGOOOO! SHADOW! SHADOW! SHADOW! GET THE FUCK UP YOUR SEAT AND CLAP GODDAMMIT

But let's not ignore the fact that Cid has been letting these people get trashed around just so he could pull off his perfect entrance. He might be fucking cool, but he kinda is an asshole LMAO

Well, these guys are just extras in his head after all

It's a cacophony of misunderstanding when Shadow appears, and better yet, the misunderstandings made sense. it's all so unforced. I didn't need to dumb down Rias or Kuroka. I use their intellect instead and let them come to their own wrong conclusion and have Cid ride the wave.

I am so great. I'm great, aren't I? praise me pls.

And don't you worry, Issei fans. This is the last time you see him this pathetic. This has been a good lesson for him, y'see.

if you don't review or at least follow this story, i will remind you of something you don't like