Lunch time rolled around later than he'd like it to. There were visible eyebags on his face as he began nodding off. He had gotten three hours of sleep the night prior. While the house had been fixed before dawn, the two days that ensued were busy to say the least. Riser had taken Momiji down to the Underworld to keep her safe while he remained at home.
"Ne, Faulkner. Did you stay up again all night?"
Shin looked up toward the source of the voice. A brunette girl stood over her desk, arms crossed as she looked down at him. She raised an eyebrow when she saw an expression devoid of any motivation or emotion in his eyes.
"Jeez, your eyes look like a dead fish. How many hours of sleep did you get? Did Ichika finally tell you that she'd stop doing all your homework?" she asked.
"Not now, Murayama," Shin yawned into his hand before resting his head in his arms. "Just let me nap while it's lunch time so that demon teacher doesn't throw an eraser at me…"
As he was about to drift off to sleep, Shin felt a soft weight atop his head. He opened his eyes and glanced up.
"Ichika," he said.
"I told you to go to sleep early last night." Ichika lifted the wrapped bento from his head. Her stern gaze did little to penetrate the thick wall of fatigue that was clouding his mind.
"Did you…? Well, I'm getting sleep now so can you leave me alone—"
"I made us lunch so let's eat," Ichika said, grabbing the chair from the desk in front of him and turning it around.
"Wait, I—"
"I know you've been working hard all night. Phoenix-niichan told me that it's been keeping you up the past couple of days," she cut him off again, leaving no room for protest.
Ichika placed the wrapped bento in front of him and began to open it. "I got you some of that karaage that you like so much. Think of it as a treat for all the hard work you've been doing."
His mouth watered when he laid eyes on the food. The alluring aroma and tantalizing display only caused the all-too familiar feeling of hunger pangs to spike. With a shaky hand, he grabbed a pair of chopsticks and began to reach for the food.
However, before his chopsticks could make contact, Ichika stopped it with her own. "If you leave your broccoli again, I'm going to force feed you in front of the whole class, Shin-chan," she said.
Shin grimaced at the thought of being forcefully fed the accursed vegetable in front of his classmates. It would be far more embarrassing than all the times Akane showed up to his class to deliver his lunch.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," he said in a defeated tone.
"Atta boy," she said.
Murayama stood awkwardly to the side. Interfering now would ruin this perfect atmosphere she was currently bearing witness to. "Um, I'm going to go," she , neither of the two heard her say anything as they continued to converse casually with each other.
"By the way," Ichika said. "You said you and Sophia were going to go exterminate some pests. Does that mean you know where the Fallen Angels and that psycho priest are hiding out?"
Shin nodded. "The only problem now is Sophia herself."
"Eh? What's wrong with Raven?" She popped a broccoli in her mouth.
"Sophia is an active member of the Church. She's an Exorcist under the Inquisition which means she needs to have permission from the ruling Devil in town to move around. So today, we're going to go to the Occult Research Club after school and ask Gremory-senpai if we could stage a raid," Shin said. He opened his water bottle and began to drink.
Ichika swallowed her food. "But there's no club meeting today. How are you two going to meet the Demon King?"
"Well, Gremory-senpai is always in that club building even when you guys don't have meetings. Sophia and I are just going to go there to get permission. I'd ask Sona but Sona's not really the big overseer of the town. She just helps Rias govern," Shin said, poking at his food.
"Eh? I thought for sure that Prez was the one governing the town. I didn't think the town was under the watch of President Rias."
He nodded. "The thing I've been working on for the past few days was hunting down the schematics of the Church. Sophia and I don't want to cause too much of a ruckus so we're thinking of sneaking in and…" He made a twisting motion with his hands. "Like that. Nice and quiet."
"Are you really going to Agent 47 them?" Ichika placed her head on her hands.
"More or less. The less noise we make, the better," Shin replied.
"So when are we going?"
"We?" Shin raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I… am going with you, right?" Ichika questioned.
"Um…" He tore his gaze away from her.
"Shin-chan. Shin. Look at me." She grabbed his face and forced them in her direction. "You're leaving me behind, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes."
Ichika let out a disappointed sigh and let go. She slumped back in her chair, poking dejectedly at her bento. "I'm really that much of a burden?" she whispered.
"N-No! It's just this is very dangerous. You're still new and I don't want you to get hurt. Maybe when you get stronger, I can ask Gremory-senpai to let me take you on some trips so we can do some cases together!" Shin reassured her.
Ichika raised an eyebrow. "Fine. But when you get back, you're going to train with me, okay?" She leaned forward and prodded his chest.
"Okay, ow! That hurts!" Shin winced, feeling her devil strength.
"Good. Geez, just knowing that you're going on that case without me makes me worry. The Shin-chan I grew up with always charges in without a plan a lot of the time. It really worries me that you'll end up carrying this into adulthood if I'm not there," she lamented.
"Hah? What are you, my mom? Besides, who are you to talk? Won't your mom get worried because you're still single? That guy from the third year asked you out and you turned him down. He's a senpai at the judo club, right?" he countered. "Smart. Good looking… well, not as much as Yuuto, but still!"
A feline smile spread across Ichika's face. "Eh? And who are you, Shin? My dad?"
"O- Oi! Wipe that smug grin off your face! I'm just saying that you have nothing to worry about, you damn chuunibyou!"
"C- Chuunibyou? I prefer the term connoisseur of the mystic arts!"
"How does that make it better?"
"At least it makes me better than you, gacha addict!"
"It was one time! That banner had 2 days left and I was trying to get dupes to get the character to SSS+ rank!"
"You spent all my money that one time!"
Shin and Ichika half-heartedly glared at each other. The heated stare-off lasted only a few minutes before the two burst into a fit of laughter. After a few minutes of incessant laughing, the two calmed down enough to hold a normal conversation.
Ichika poked her chicken. "Just make sure to come back safe," she said.
Shin's gaze softened. He reached over and pet her head softly. "Don't worry, Red Dragon Empress of Dominion. Your Servant… or Knight, or whatever will come back."
"Now you're just teasing me."
Dealing with the Church were common, at least for Shin. As someone whose side job regularly took him outside of the country, the three Abrahamic religions were the largest paramilitary organization on the planet. Dealing and cooperating with them was a common thing for any rogue or mercenary.
While on the surface, their followers regularly fought amongst one another, when dealing with the supernatural, the three religions regularly banded and agreed on the same things. And so, the Church, which was the largest of the three, often served as the main face and strong arm of the three faiths. And for anyone worth their salt in this world, knowledge of how fragile and tense the ceasefire between the Three Factions was common.
And of course, now, having a member—the younger sister of a high-ranking, if not the highest-ranking member—of the Inquisition served to intensify the encounter.
Shin kept making subtle glances at Sophia.
The white-haired girl crossed her legs and sipped coffee calmly. Her red eyes held the gazes of the devil heiresses before her.
Across from them, Rias and Sona calmly sipped their tea. Their respective Queens stood behind them quietly, though one could see the thinly veiled animosity in Akeno's eyes. The quietness of the atmosphere somehow made the intensity of the situation that much more palpable. Everyone appeared to be holding their breath.
"Let's get to the point," Sophia set her teacup down with practiced elegance. "But first introductions are in order. Sona might know me from our previous dealings but I doubt you know who I am, Rias Gremory."
"Indeed. It's rather off-putting that someone I've never met knows me rather well when I don't even have a name to a face," Rias replied. A carefully crafted smile graced her otherwise tranquil features.
"Well, then pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Sophia Asterope of the Church's Inquisition Faction. My callsign is [Raven]. I am an Inquisitor under the Inquisition's Outreach Branch," she smiled.
Shin calmly sipped his tea, exchanging glances and looks with Sona ever so often as the two people discussed the features of the job.
"Indeed. Though, this seems to be an internal affair, I have concerns as to why the Church is getting involved in this," Rias said, pondering the details of Sophia's assignment. "What's more, you want to hire a person who lives in my territory—"
"If I may interject, Shin here does not classify as someone under your command. Last I checked, the Furude and Faulkner families have forged a mutual alliance with the Phenex House and not House Gremory," Sophia said, cutting her off.
Rias curled her fingers slightly. "I.. see."
"So I take it that you will allow me to perform my job. Shin and I will be collaborating on this so there's no need to send your peerage members to assist us," Sophia replied. Her violet-blue eyes flickered over to Akeno and then to Tsubaki. "They'll only get in the way."
Akeno smiled at her jab. It was a smile that didn't quite reach Akeno's eyes. "My, my, someone's overconfident. Is this a common trait of Exorcists from the Church or are you just special?"
"Special is a good way to describe me," Sophia smiled in response.
"Enough. I'll allow you to retrieve your runaway Saint. However, since Shin is taking a job from me, I will ask him to monitor you to make sure you do your job and leave. Are we clear?" Rias said.
Sophia opened her mouth to speak, but Shin cut her off before any words could leave her mouth. "We'll have the job done and Sophia out by tomorrow. The day after that at the latest should complications arise. Don't worry, Rias, Sona."
Sona pushed her glasses up and sipped her tea. "I can vouch for [Raven], Rias. I've collaborated with her on a few… assignments." She shivered.
Rias nodded and let out a sigh of relief. "Since you have two people vouching for your character, Miss Asterope, then I'll be more than happy to allow you to move around. Just please don't cause trouble in my territory."
Sophia held her hand out. "Of course. I'm not known for leaving messes anyway."
Rias smiled and gripped her hand firmly. "Well, I look forward to our partnership, however short it may be."
"U-Um, Ichika, is it really okay for us to be in here?"
Ichika looked up from her book to the nervous fidgeting mess on the floor.
Asia's green eyes kept darting around the room, as if she had stepped into somewhere she wasn't supposed to be.
Ichika closed her manga and placed it on the bed. Her other hand glided across Ran's fur, eliciting happy growls from the Bunrei that was curled up on her lap. "It's fine. As the Red Dragon Empress, I am allowed within my Servant's room. Besides, I don't think Shin-chan will mind if you come in here."
Asia nodded hesitantly, still feeling nervous at the thought of it.
"Is this your first time being in a boy's room?" she asked.
A blush spread across Asia's face. She was unsure how to respond to such a question.
Ichika smiled. "Mah, Shin's not like other boys. He hides all his porn on his computer and not his bed."
"P- Porn? What's porn?" Asia asked.
"Oh. Um…" Ichika's cheeks flushed pink. I went and said something I shouldn't have said! Way to go, Ichikaaa! Her mind screamed.
Ran poked her head up. There was a look of mirth in her red-yellow eyes. "Master Ichika, I believed that Lady Asia asked you a—"
"I heard." She placed her hand around Ran's snout, snapping it shut.
"Look, Asia. Learning about porn isn't that important right now," Ichika waved off her question.
Asia raised an eyebrow but nodded nonetheless. She looked around the room. If there was one way she could describe the layout, it was organized chaos. Her eyes caught a glimpse of an old photo in Shin's room.
"When was this?" Asia asked, picking up a photo from Shin's nightstand.
The pair couldn't have been more than 6 years old. Asia recognized the two almost immediately, though Ichika's hair seemed to be shorter and far more spikier back in the day. There was a third person there with auburn hair and violet eyes, tugging on Shin's arm while Ichika pulled on the other.
"Ah, that was a while ago. We all went down to the creek to learn how to fish. Me, Shin, and our other friend, Irina. She left a couple of years ago but we still keep in touch thanks to Shin getting her socials. That photo brings me back," Ichika hopped off the bed and picked the frame up.
"I think… Dad was the one teaching us how to cast," she said. Her gaze became distant as if she were staring at something far away.
"Ichika?" Asia asked.
A small smile graced Ichika's lips. "Yeah, it was Dad that day. Sorry, I was just reminiscing," she said, setting the photo down on the nightstand.
Asia sensed something off but decided not to say anything.
"Anyway, want to go see the creek?" Ichika asked.
"Huh?"
"The creek where Shin-chan and I go to fish," she repeated. Ichika didn't wait for an answer. She glided over to Shin's closet and opened it. In mere seconds, she had fished the rods out of a pile of clothes, as if she had intimate knowledge of where Shin kept his things.
"H- Huh? Are you sure Shin will be fine with us taking his things?" Asia squeaked.
"The red one is mine. I keep one here just in case the one I have at home breaks. I also keep some clothes over here in case I sleep over when Mom is working long nights," Ichika tossed Asia the blue rod.
After a few minutes of scouring Shin's closet, Ichika and Asia left the house with the fishing rods and two buckets in hand. The two walked side by side in silence.
While Asia had drawn the attention of others, none of the people who passed by had said anything. She looked to Ichika, who had her gaze fixed straight ahead. Asia turned her gaze downward, holding the bucket and her rod tightly.
"Did you ever go fishing when you lived in the abbey?"
"...?" Asia turned her head to look at Ichika. "No. I never got to do anything like that." A sad smile spread across her face.
"Eh? Really? I thought you'd get to do that more often at an abbey," she commented.
"No." Asia kept her gaze low. "Life at the abbey was never that simple. I moved around when I was a child. All because of this." She held her hand up.
Ichika raised an eyebrow. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw a small silver ring with a green gem appear on her hands. "It's because of these rings. They appeared around the time I was 8 years old. I healed a dog by chance and someone happened to see it. Since then, I spent my time at the Vatican.
"Of course, I'm not that naive… contrary to what people might believe. I was put on a pedestal and labeled a Saint because of what I could do. I didn't hate it. People were nice to me. But I knew why. These rings. My Sacred Gear. This power given to me by God was a double-edged sword. I could help others but no one was willing to be close to me because of it.
"I was just… an unreachable existence whose only purpose was to heal others," she gripped the fishing rod tightly.
"So… if you were a Saint, why are you here and not in Vatican City?" Ichika asked.
"Because I healed a Devil."
"Healed a devil? Devils can get into Vatican City?" Ichika said, finding the idea to be a bit absurd.
"I never asked how it got there. I just couldn't abandon it. And because of that…" Tears began to freely fall from Asia's face. "Hahah, isn't it, ironic? I never wanted to be a Saint because it kept me from befriending others. But the isolation from being labeled a witch… was far worse than the pedestal I was placed on." A hollow smile spread across her face.
"Cruel taunts. Calls for me to be burned… but I kept praying. I kept praying that God would save me from this… and even after I was exiled, I prayed that God would keep me safe," she said, wiping her tears.
Ichika clenched her fist tightly. An irrational rage began to bubble up inside her. This sweet and innocent girl was forced out of her home just because she could heal? She couldn't accept such logic. To her, something like that was completely illogical.
"I never wanted to be a Saint. I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to go to school… I want to make friends, buy books at the store, talk…"
The pair stopped walking. Asia continued to wipe the tears that never seemed to stop flowing. "One day, I'm sure that God will hear my prayers and—"
"Then I'll be your friend."
"Huh?" Asia looked up at her with a puzzled expression.
"No… that's wrong. I already am your friend," Ichika said.
"I- Ichika?"
"We can do all those things you want. We can get pork buns together like we did that one time. You can go fishing with me and Shin. Enroll in school together."
"... Why? Why are you—?"
"We should get you a phone too, right? And if we play it by ear, then we can ask Aka-nee to take you in. She and Shin-chan are half-Scottish so you can just say you're their cousin or something," Ichika continued.
"Why do you want to be close to someone like me? You gave me shelter without a second thought… fed me… why?"
"Why? That's a dumb question. Because from the moment we met, the moment we shared those pork buns," Ichika placed the bucket down and flicked Asia's forehead.
Asia yelped and gazed at her quizzically.
"We already became friends, dummy."
"I'm hopeless you know… I don't even have common sense."
"So? Shin's an idiot. He's a lazy slob who spends his and my money on gacha games and weapon magazines. I'm sure you can learn to be more sensible than him."
"I know nothing about Japan. I can't even speak Japanese."
"So, we can learn together. I'll teach you anything. Though, we might need Shin-chan's help. Don't worry, though. As the Red Dragon Empress, I can personally guarantee that my servant shall help us every step of the way," Ichika puffed her chest with pride.
A small watery giggle escaped Asia's lips. "Y- You'll be stigmatized…"
"So? I'm not religious. So, how about it?" Ichika offered.
Asia smiled. She blinked her tears back. "Mmm. Please take care of me."
"Well, isn't this heartwarming?"
A shiver ran down Ichika's spine. Her breath hitched and she dropped the bucket full of bait and her fishing rod. She jumped back, standing protectively in front of Asia.
"You—!?" Ichika growled.
A familiar dark-haired girl stood before them. An arrogant smile spread across her face as she eyed them keenly. "You know, Mittelt told me that you became a Devil but I thought she was full of hot air. Seriously, Ryu-chan, why didn't you just roll over and die for me?"
A shocked look spread across Asia's face. Yuuma's words hit her like a punch in the gut.
Ichika is a Devil?
"You… What are you doing here?" Ichika asked.
"Lady Raynare…"
Raynare? So that's the crow's real name? Ichika's eyes narrowed into slits. A fierce venomous glare spread across her features. If looks could kill, Raynare would be dead a thousand times over.
"Low-Class Devil filth like yourself have no right to speak to me," a sneer forms across her face. Raynare checked her gloved fingers for metaphorical dirt before giving her a dismissive glance. "Give her to me."
"What?"
"Give me the Saint. I went through a lot of work to lure her over here. I took her in after the Church kicked her out, therefore she is my property," Raynare said.
"Your property? You bitch! She's a human being! She's no one's property!" Ichika yelled, protecting the trembling Asia.
"Come now. Hand her over, Ichika. Do that and I'll forgive the fact that you're speaking to me so casually," she replied.
"Or…" Raynare flexed her fingers. Pink light gathered in the palm of her hand and formed into a spear. "Well, your master shouldn't blame me if you die."
Ichika grimaced. However, despite the apprehension she felt, she felt compelled to fight. "I'm not as helpless as I was last time. So…" Ichika slammed her fists together. A swirl of red light and fire coalesced around her forearms and feet. A pair of red gauntlets and greaves manifested on her.
"Mmm?" A surprised expression briefly appeared on Raynare's face. "I was told that your Sacred Gear was a threat to us. But…," Raynare threw her head back and laughed. "Ahahaha! Your Sacred Gear is one of the more common ones! A mere [Twice Critical]! Hahaha, Red Dragon Empress, tell me, how does it feel to have power fitting for mere trash!"
Raynare's mocking laughter echoed down the empty street. "Haah! And Mittelt even had the gall to warn me about you! Whatever… A Sacred Gear that can only double its owner's powers temporarily is no match for me. After all, a thousand times zero is still nothing more than—"
Without warning, Raynare threw her spear.
"Zero."
Ichika pushed Asia back before dodging. The spear grazed her cheek and embedded itself into the wall.
Ichika glared at her. A small amount of blood trickled down her cheek.
"Oh? It looks like you learned a thing or two since we last met. Whatever. It's nothing to be concerned about. Since you are an Empress, I should give you an execution fit for royalty," Raynare mocked.
Two more light spears formed in her hands.
Ichika clenched her jaw.
Raynare approached her slowly. Her casual gait only made Ichika shiver. She wanted to run, but she couldn't. No, she would not run.
Her gaze flicked over to her fearful friend.
"Doubling my power, huh?" she muttered.
"Huh? Did you say something, Ryu-chan?" Raynare asked.
"Just doubling my power? That's all I need," Ichika smirked. Her legs became firmly rooted to the ground, shoulder-width apart. A somewhat aggressive yet idle stance with her hands relaxed and open with the elbows bent.
"Hoh? Fine then. Your funeral." Raynare twirled her spear and dropped into a wide stance.
Hmm? A high spear stance? I've seen Aka-nee use it but this bitch is full of holes. Still though, even if this girl isn't as refined as Aka-nee or Shin-chan, she's still leagues stronger than me, Ichika thought.
Her foot shifted as she prepared to charge forward.
"STOP!"
Asia ran in between them. The two halted their attacks before they could even launch them, taken aback by the normally timid girl's sudden action.
"A- Asia?" Ichika exclaimed.
"I'll go with you," Asia turned to Raynare with a determined look in her eyes.
"W- What? Asia!"
"So please… don't hurt her," she said.
A pensive look settled on Raynare's face. After a few seconds, she relaxed her form and dropped her arms to her side. "Well, if that's what it takes, then, let's go… Saint."
"As if I could ever let that happen!" Ichika's sudden shout caught Asia off-guard. A fierce aura of defiance radiated from her. Her gaze was fixed solely on Raynare.
[Boost]
A surge of power flooded Ichika's body. A hazy green aura began to manifest around her. Her heel shifted and she charged in a surprising burst of speed.
However, before Ichika could reach Raynare, Asia's words filled the air.
"Truly, I tell you, whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven… Oh Lord, Oh Angels, grant me the power to bind this foolish sinner," Asia chanted.
A swirl of hazy symbols appeared around Asia as she raised her hand. Her hand closed into a fist.
A swarm of translucent golden chains erupted from the ground and wrapped around Ichika, restraining her to her position. "W- Wha…? Asia! Let me go!"
"I'm sorry, Ichika. Thank you for being my friend. But I can't bear to see you get hurt," Asia said.
"No! Asia!" Ichika struggled uselessly against the chains to no avail. Come on! Give me power Sacred Gear! Blow away the crow like you did last time!
[Boost]
As if responding to her intense desire, power flooded her body again. The chains around her began to crack until they shattered.
Ichika rushed forward, bolstered by the increase in power.
"Typical low-class trash," Raynare muttered. She raised her hand. Light gathered into the palm before a harsh white flash burst from her hands.
A powerful concussive force slammed into Ichika, sending her flying into a brick wall. She slammed into it violently, striking her head before sliding down. Blood trickled down her forehead. Her vision swam from the suddenness of the impact.
"Be lucky I didn't kill you. The fact that this girl is going with me willingly is the only thing keeping you alive," Raynare scoffed. "Come, Asia."
Her black wings unfurled and wrapped around the blonde nun.
Ichika weakly reached out toward Asia. "Give her back," she said. Her legs shook as she struggled to maintain her balance. The impact to her head made her dizzy and her vision swirled.
"Oh? You're still conscious? I guess—"
A swirl of black flames incinerated the ground before them.
"Wha—? A Bunrei?" Raynare used her wings to shield herself and Asia from the heat of the flames. She narrowed her eyes as a figure stood in the middle of the swirling black inferno.
"Crow. No, calling you a crow would be an insult to crows everywhere," Ran's voice emanated from the cyclone of flames. "Leave now."
Ran stepped out of the flames. Her eyes were glowing ominously. Her fluffy tail was frizzed up and her nails were elongated into claws. "Before I lose my patience and incinerate you here and now."
"Tch… unbelievable. Low-Class Devil, it looks like the efforts of the Saint and this girl saved you. But remember, if you get in my way again, I won't hesitate to kill you, Ryu-chan," Raynare said.
"Ran… Asia… help her…" Ichika fell to her knees, unable to further articulate her words. Her vision swam and there was an incessant ringing in her ear. She tried to stand but lost her balance.
"Oh dear, it looks like she has a concussion," Raynare said. "So what's it going to be, Bunrei? Kill me or her?"
Ran glared at Raynare. She glanced between Ichika and Asia before making the ultimate decision to run to Ichika's side.
Raynare smiled before grabbing Asia and flying off.
"No, Ran, get… them…" Ichika's eyes slowly closed as she fell unconscious in Ran's arms.
"Ichika-sama? Ichika-sama!?" The last thing she heard was Ran's voice before she passed out.
A warm orange glow pierced through the darkness Ichika found herself in. Her eyes opened. An overwhelming crippling fear began to overtake her. She stood amidst the ruins of Kuoh. Flames surrounded her. The skies above were a murky gray. Lightning flashed across the skies, splitting the heavens asunder.
"Ichi… Ichika…"
"D- Dad?" Ichika turned around to see her father, walking toward her. A sob caught itself in her throat as the heat began to grow more intense. "N- No, Dad?" she took a step forward. A silvery-white flame began to snake its way from seemingly nowhere and wrapped around her father's figure.
"Dad! Dad!"
[Oi… brat! Wake up!] a booming voice echoed through the flames. [Don't let it get to you! Don't lose control again, brat!]
The voice was oddly nostalgic as if she had heard it before. The white flames were suddenly overpowered by the bright orange ones. The flames swirled around and before Ichika and coalesced into the form of a massive red dragon.
Its green eyes gazed down at her as if it were meeting an old friend for the first time in ages.
[It's nice to see you again, brat. How long has it been since we've last seen each other?] the dragon spoke.
"Seen…? What are you " A sharp pain shot through Ichika's head. Her left eye flickered between hazel and silver.
[Tch! Don't let her get to you, brat! You have to wake up!] The dragon rushed forward and wrapped its wings around Ichika.
Ichika looked up, her gaze shaking as the dragon rested its snout in front of her. Despite being before its maw, Ichika felt no fear. The dragon's presence was comforting and served to soothe her worries. The silver hue in her left eye began to fade.
As it did, a name came to her lips. One she hadn't said in years. However, that was impossible.
"You're just my imaginary friend… you're not real… you can't be real!" she said in a shaky voice.
[Imaginary friend? After everything that's happened to you, you think someone like me can still be imaginary?] the dragon asked.
Ichika's surroundings began to crumble. The crimson-red flames began to fade away as a harsh white light began to fill her world.
"What's ?"
[Call me when you get back out there, Ichika.] the dragon said as his body began to fade back into the recesses of her mind.
"W- Wait! How do I even do that?" she desperately reached for the dragon's snout.
[You already know how to. Just call me how you did all those years ago whenever you wanted to talk. Say my name, brat.]
"Ddraig!"
"Ichika!"
Ichika shot forward, reaching for nothing. A cold sweat dripped down her chin and hand was outstretched as if she were reaching for something. Her chest heaved up and down as she inhaled copious quantities of air. It took a moment for her bogged-down mind to catch up with the rest of her senses.
"Ichika?"
She turned her head at the sound of her name being called. The blurry figure next to her began to sharpen until she realized who it was.
"S-Shin-chan?" Ichika asked.
"Thank fuck, Ran got to you in time when she sensed you were in danger," Shin said, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Take it easy. It wasn't that much but I was able to heal it."
"Prez?" Ichika turned to see Rias standing behind Shin.
She blinked. She was inside the Occult Research Club's room.
"Wait… where is Asia?" Ichika asked. She looked around frantically.
"What? Ichika, calm down "
"Shin!"
He stopped as Ichika grabbed his shoulders, her grip tight and almost painful. There was a desperate, almost insane gleam in her hazel eyes. "Shin-chan! They took her!"
"Wha—? Took who? Who did they take?" Shin asked.
"Asia! The Fallen Angels took her!"