"So he just left? Where did he think he was gonna go?" Issei scratched his head in disbelief.

"Has he even been to Japan? He should be grateful he's in Kuoh. The presence of supernatural beings prevents theft in this region. I mean, Japan is relatively crime-free, but still..." Rias chimed in, sharing the frustration.

Rias and Issei were venting their frustration. It was Sunday morning, and the Arab scholar Sona had brought from America was still missing. They weren't necessarily concerned about the morality of kidnapping; their main worry was Asia's well-being. When she had returned home the night before, she seemed visibly upset. It was clear that Asia had formed a bond with the scholar during their time together. She had a natural gift for making friends, and she took Ahmad's disappearance as a sign that he couldn't come to terms with the existence of devils.

However, she also understood that the man had essentially been kidnapped by Sona. She didn't blame Sona for her actions, knowing they were driven by good intentions. As soon as Asia had left, Sona had called upon five members of her peerage and sent them on a mission to find Dr. Ahmad and bring him back alive and unharmed. The team consisted of Tsubaki Shinra, Genshirou Saji, Tsubasa Yura, Momo Hanakai, and Reya Kusaka.

Meanwhile, Sona, who had promised her father to help Asia become stronger, was considering other ways to assist Asia in learning Sabaic. Finding another scholar was the primary plan, but this posed a significant challenge. The study of Semitic languages was no longer as popular, especially among the younger generation, due to the rise of secular thinking. Scholars like Ahmad Al Jallad, who had a true passion for these languages beyond financial gain, were a rarity. Even Dr. Ahmad himself was secular in his outlook. So, in the highly unlikely case that Ahmad wasn't found, what would be her next move?

.

"Here you go young man, on the house"

"Thank you very much mam, God bless"

An nice orderly lady handed Ahmad a bowl of noodle and a single pair of Chopstick. He could tell that the man was hungry, and she took compassion on him.

Dr. Ahmad's P.O.V

After finishing the meal that the gracious lady had offered, I decided it was time to make my exit. I didn't want to put her in any more trouble than she already was. Besides, those supernatural beings might be searching for me right now. I couldn't tell her this; it would only make me appear insane. She insisted I stay, even offering a spare room until I figured things out. I pressed for my release, and she reluctantly agreed, her face bearing the weight of her genuine desire to help. As I wandered the streets of Kuoh, I encountered numerous people willing to lend a hand. I have always heard that the Japanese are incredibly generous.

The sun, despite having barely breached 9 AM, promised an intense day of heat. Having spent days excavating inscriptions in the unforgiving Arabian desert, I had thought I could handle it. But no, it turns out going on a well-funded expedition in a desert does not equate to wondering alone without any resources, in the bustling hot streets of an Asia country you've never visited, far away from home.

These streets were, surprisingly, devoid of crime. It seemed no one here lived in fear. In fact, there were a considerable number of people moving about safely last night. That, at least, was an advantage. However, my mind kept returning to thoughts I was desperately trying to escape: if devils existed, did angels exist too? Did God exist? These thoughts, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness, provided the only distraction from the unsettling truth of my predicament, and even they aren't doing a good job at it. I'm lost in foreign land. If I go to an embassy now, what do i tell them happened? I was kidnapped by demons. Should I lie, they'll ask for proof and if I can't provide it, I'd be sent to the states as either a terrorist or illegal immigrant. I'm a scholar, I don't like bragging about it but a criminal record is not good for you if you're a scholar!! Gosh dannit.

Suddenly, the bustling streets began to empty. I was sure there were people here just moments ago. A tap on my shoulder snapped me from my thoughts, and I turned to see a young woman with striking blue hair.

"Hello there" She greeted me.

I could feel it. She was a devil, just like the girl I had encountered before. They had found me.

"This was fun, but even I want my holiday, so come back peacefully and...Hey!!!"

Before she could finish her sentence, I sprinted away as fast as my legs could carry me in the opposite direction. A narrow back alley presented itself, and I rounded the corner, continuing to run until I could run no more. It wasn't fatigue that halted me; it was as if my body refused to move. Something resembling a tongue, stuck out and wrapped around me, and I couldn't move then.

"Gotcha.."

The voice of a young man stated. I could feel some of my strength being siphoned by it. It was a horrible feeling. As I looked up, a tall young woman with black hair loomed over me.

"I'm sorry, Dr., but it's over for you. We're taking you back to our master," she stated, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. I fell in her direction as the fatigue washed over me. My eyes struggled to remain open, but I could see her lifting me and placing me over her shoulder.

"Mission complete. Good job, Saji."

She said as the young man celebrated.

As they began to walk away from the alley, I attempted to resist, but it was futile. I couldn't return to that basement. I couldn't endure the bespectacled woman's tactics any longer, and as much as I'm inclined to, I don't wanna get involved is Asia's life, for my own sake. She seems like a kind young girl with a good heart. But we live in different world. I have my own adventure, my own world to...

Then a thought struck me. What if I... Summoning the remnants of my strength, I moved my lips and whispered,

"بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ."

The woman carrying me suddenly dropped to the ground, and the others followed suit, clutching their heads as if struck by a terrible headache. I knew it. If the forces of darkness existed, so too did their counterparts. That's why I called upon the one followed by my forefathers: the God of Islam. Although in this context, He was also the God of Christians and Jews. The bespectacled lady glared at me

"Never...do that...again!" she warned loudly, reaching out to grab me. I couldn't let them take me back.

This time, I would try Hebrew, the first line of the Lord's Prayer.

"אבינו שׁבשׁמים יתקדשׁ שׁמך,"

I struggled to say.

Her hand, moving closer to me, was abruptly yanked away as she clutched her aching head.

"I said, stop that!" she exclaimed.

With the regained strength, I stood up. Perhaps other gods might come to my aid. I called upon Vishnu, Odin, and even Thor, and the response was the same—a searing headache struck them all. You might say I was a little sadistic from torturing these children like this, and you might be right. They are devils, and although I've come to learn that doesn't equate to evil. The woman they serve brought me to this foreign land, and I'm not having it. They will get what's coming to them.

In fact, you know what? I have been studying pre-islamic gods and pro-Arabic dialects. Maybe those gods would help me if I call to them. After all, I do carry the ancestry. Let me try Allat and Dushara and see what happens.

With that, I close my eyes and say a prayer in the ancient Safaitic language, it wasn't so different from Arabic, so it would be be easy for me to understand.

𐪚𐪑 𐪒𐪁𐪑ة، إ𐪁𐪀ة 𐪑𐪁𐪄𐪃𐪇 𐪑𐪁𐪒𐪜𐪚𐪃ة

𐪑𐪁𐪉𐪚 𐪉𐪇𐪑𐪄𐪈 أ𐪉𐪈𐪑𐪒𐪀𐪑 𐪃𐪌 𐪑𐪁𐪊𐪃𐪑ء

𐪑𐪁𐪉𐪚 𐪉𐪇ى 𐪋𐪁 𐪆𐪚ء، إ𐪁𐪀ة 𐪑𐪁𐪂𐪇𐪈 𐪑𐪁𐪒𐪜𐪚𐪃ة 𐪁𐪄𐪈𐪑ئ𐪁 𐪑𐪁𐪒𐪕𐪅𐪃 𐪅𐪊𐪇𐪈𐪑𐪇𐪕𐪚 𐪅𐪇𐪄𐪃𐪅 𐪅𐪔𐪃𐪚𐪒 𐪑𐪁𐪒𐪇𐪈 𐪐𐪚 أ𐪇𐪑𐪓𐪚𐪀𐪃.

𐪒𐪈𐪕𐪋 𐪚𐪅𐪑𐪔𐪀 𐪃𐪎𐪑𐪒𐪈 𐪋𐪈𐪚𐪇ة 𐪐𐪚 أ𐪇𐪓 𐪖𐪇𐪚𐪈ة 𐪐𐪚 𐪑𐪁𐪆𐪇𐪄 𐪑𐪁𐪈𐪒𐪚𐪕.

𐪑𐪁أ𐪗𐪐𐪑𐪁 𐪚𐪁𐪄𐪅𐪌 أ𐪚𐪕𐪚𐪀𐪃 𐪌𐪂𐪅𐪚.

أ𐪌𐪑 أ𐪉𐪅𐪊𐪁 إ𐪁𐪚𐪋، 𐪚𐪑 إ𐪁𐪀ة 𐪔𐪃𐪚𐪁ة.

𐪈𐪑𐪁𐪂𐪄𐪚𐪄ة أ𐪄𐪅𐪁، 𐪃𐪌 𐪊𐪚ُ𐪇𐪚 𐪑𐪁𐪇𐪂𐪃ة 𐪁𐪚 إ𐪁𐪑 أ𐪌𐪉؟

End Of P.O.V

In the Palmyra Museum in Syria, the statue of Allat, a pre-Islamic goddess revered by the Nabateans, stood as an attraction for visitors. The Goddess was depicted seated on an ornate throne, adorned with a mysterious ring. By her side, a majestic lion was sculpted in all its glory.

As the tourists busily snapped pictures and marveled at this ancient relic, an unusual phenomenon began to unfold. The ring adorning Allat's statue finger started to emit an ethereal glow. In a mesmerizing display, the finger, bearing the enchanted ring, broke free from the statue's grasp and soared into the sky. Its ascent tore a small hole in the museum's roof.

Meanwhile, in the National Museum of Damascus, a towering statue of Dushara, the chief deity of the Nabateans, stood sentinel. This god was characterized by his imposing, heavily bearded countenance. In one hand, he carried a finely crafted balance scale, and in the other, a majestic staff. At his side, a sculpted child walked beside him.

In a stunning turn of events, both the balance scale and the staff, symbols of Dushara's authority, abruptly broke free from the statue's embrace. They ascended into the sky, leaving the mortal realm far below.

Back in Japan, Ahmad had just completed his incantation. To his surprise, the gods he had invoked didn't seem to affect the devils in the same way as before. The reason for this eluded him, yet he couldn't muster fear. Instead, a resolute determination coursed through him.

Before Ahmad could fully grasp the situation, Tsubasa, driven by her fury, launched herself at him, aiming to deliver a punishing blow to his midsection. However, a brilliant blue light enveloped Ahmad, repelling Tsubasa with unexpected force. The radiance was so intense that he had to close his eyes to shield them from its blinding brilliance.

After the intense luminosity subsided, Ahmad heard a series of rapid whooshing noises around him. Upon opening his eyes, he witnessed various objects suspended in midair, rotating with incredible speed. The velocity made it challenging to discern the nature of these objects.

Determined to seize control, Ahmad extended his right arm, causing the objects to freeze before him. Three distinct items emerged:

On the left, a golden ring, emitting an eerie purple luminescence.

In the center, a bronze staff, its surface bathed in the same purple radiance. It appeared to possess advanced mechanical intricacies..

To the right, a bronze balance scale, its upper edge honed to a spear-like sharpness.

As Ahmad extended his hand, the golden ring effortlessly found its place on one of his fingers, radiating with an eerie glow. The bronze staff settled into his right hand, while the sharp-edged balance scale found its place in his left. In an instant, an overwhelming sensation surged through him, enveloping his entire being, particularly his chest. The sensation coursed through his heart before finally subsiding.

Facing the five young devils pursuing him, Ahmad adopted a stern and unwavering expression. It was clear that he meant business. As they moved to engage him, Ahmad raised his staff, its tip aimed directly at them.

"حكم:النور المقدس الإلهي"

With those words, the same radiant light that had engulfed him now surged forth, directed at his adversaries. This divine light was composed of pure, holy energy, inflicting a searing and burning sensation upon the young devils.

Tsubaki, who held the esteemed position of Sona's queen among them, acted swiftly. She gathered her companions, forming a protective shield to deflect the radiant onslaught. Eventually, the blinding light ceased.

In the aftermath, Ahmad's golden ring glowed intensely, enveloping him in a vivid purple aura. Then, in a breathtaking display, he vanished from their astonished gazes, leaving behind a group of bewildered young devils...

.

As Ahmad gradually opened his eyes, he was met with the sounds of bustling crowds and pedestrian chatter. However, the commotion ceased abruptly, likely due to his sudden appearance in their midst. Blinking to adjust to his surroundings, Ahmad soon realized he was no longer in the dimly lit alleyway. Instead, he found himself in an entirely different place, one steeped in archaic Japanese architecture. Temples adorned the landscape, and the beings that now fixed their gaze upon him were anything but ordinary. One-eyed creatures, living wheels and lanterns, and humans adorned with animal features comprised this peculiar assembly.

It seemed as though he had been transported to a marketplace or terminal for otherworldly entities. The unwavering attention of these Youkai left Ahmad with an unsettling feeling—he was clearly an outsider in this realm, and his presence was not warmly received.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Ahmad observed the bizarre crowd that surrounded him. His fear intensified as he realized he was trapped in a place teeming with strange beings, each more fantastical than the last.

Suddenly, some of the Youkai approached him, and the sheer terror of the situation compelled Ahmad to raise his staff in a defensive gesture.

"Stay back, Habibi! I'll burn you! Stay back!"

His warning was met with pause by two oni in the group. They could sense the formidable power emanating from the human, recognizing that he wielded a sacred artifact. Just as tension hung in the air, a soft, feminine voice interrupted the standoff.

"Hi there."

Ahmad shifted his gaze, and there before him stood a woman of striking beauty, though her distinct features painted an otherworldly picture. Her delicate facial features and short, rounded eyebrows hinted at nobility, while her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back, reaching down to her legs. At first, Ahmad felt a flicker of relief, thinking she might be a fellow human sent to defuse the situation. However, that hope faded as he noticed the multiple thick fox tails trailing behind her.

Overwhelmed with terror, Ahmad once again pointed his staff in her direction, his reaction causing the woman to draw back slightly.

"Yakhi, I said stay back!"

The staff emanated a menacing glow, prompting the Youkai surrounding him to freeze in their tracks.

"If you come any closer, I'll burn you! Wallahi, I'll burn you!"

Ahmad's loud threats echoed through the unusual gathering.

Just then, a searing pain coursed through his head, causing him to stagger in agony. Fatigue washed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him disoriented and lightheaded. In an instant, both his ring and staff vanished into thin air, much like the bronze scale had before. As he teetered on the verge of unconsciousness and began to fall, two gentle hands reached out to cushion his descent. It was the voluptuous fox lady once more.

Before Ahmad's weary eyes could close completely, he caught a glimpse of a warm, reassuring smile on the woman's face. It was a silent promise that he was not in imminent danger. With that silent reassurance, the surrounding Youkai gradually dispersed, leaving only Yasaka to attend to the unconscious scholar.

To Be Continued