/ "Dialogue." /

/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /

/ "Flashback Dialogue" /

It stretched endlessly in every direction, a mix of shimmering colors that seemed to ripple like water. Bright streaks of blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, gold, and red wove through the darkness, creating an otherworldly contrast. Even with the blackness swirling within it, the entire realm seemed to glow with the bright, mysterious light. Time felt as if it had stopped, each moment stretching out. It was a place that didn't follow the rules of the world he knew, strange and limitless.

A wave of disorientation washed over him, the sensation of weightlessness creeping in as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. It felt unreal. His weak eyes fluttered open, one purple, one red, as he stared upward, though what "upward" meant in this strange place was unclear. Sasuke lay on his back, floating in this surreal, boundless expanse.

This was a dream.

It had to be.

In the corner of his eye, something burgundy appeared, faint at first but growing steadily, spreading like a stain against the strange void. The color expanded and expanded, devouring every other shade in this strange space. It came closer, moving with a slow, inevitable force, until the burgundy shifted into something more defined—texture emerged. He could make out skin, rough and lined, then the gleam of scales catching the distant light. Suddenly, the deep red hue shifted to gold, the shape twisting and solidifying into what appeared to be a massive, circular shield. But as it loomed closer, he noticed a strange cut in its center—an unsettling black slit.

It wasn't a shield at all. The slit pulsed and narrowed.

It was a pupil.

Not a shield, but a sphere.

An eye. A gigantic eye staring right at him.

Even when fighting the Ten-Tails, Sasuke had never been this close to something so incomprehensible. The sheer size of the creature, the power radiating from it—he couldn't calculate it, couldn't understand the raw intensity. His Sharingan, his Rinnegan, none of it could translate such power. Was this a summoning jutsu? A tailed beast? No, it couldn't be. He had seen them all, and none of them were like this.

Only one conclusion came to him.

This wasn't a dream.

This was a nightmare.

He tried to move his hands, forcing himself to act, to defend, to better position himself, to run. But a sharp, hollow gasp escaped him—no sound followed, as even here it did not follow the same rules. His eyes widened. His left hand—gone. A searing pain shot through his arm. Instinctively, he pressed his only hand to the bleeding stump, trying to contain the blood as much he can. His mind was blank, running purely on instinct. Since when has he ever felt such physical pain in a dream?

This wasn't a dream.

This wasn't a nightmare.

This was reality.

An instinctive dread washed over him, gripping his entire body. His purple Rinnegan flickered, and through the haze of pain, he saw the creature turn. Its colossal mouth opened, a bright yellow light gathering inside, aimed straight at him.

It felt like this was it. There was no coming back. Sasuke had been drained almost completely, his strength waning. Even his Sharingan had receded, unable to be maintained any longer. Maybe, just maybe, he could force his left eye to activate and escape, but there was nothing to teleport to. The void around him felt empty, devoid of any salvation.

Then, as if by divine intervention, a beam of violet energy erupted from behind him, shooting past with a brilliance and power he had never encountered before. It was vibrant, thick with pressure, so foreign—something far beyond anything he'd ever known.

The beam struck the creature directly in its open mouth, triggering an ear-splitting shriek that echoed through the void, even though the silence around them was suffocating, almost maddening. The sound reverberated, defying the oppressive silence, making it clear to everything in the void that the creature was in pain.

The force of the blast sent the titan reeling, veering away and swimming off into the dark expanse. Sasuke barely had time to process what had just happened before a crushing pressure enveloped him. Despite the sensation of weightlessness, as if he were endlessly falling, an invisible force squeezed him from all sides, as though he were trapped at the bottom of the ocean.

It was unreal. He had never felt anything like it before. The world around him seemed to warp and shift, and then he saw it—a purple orb forming around him, encapsulating him. The pressure lifted, and he could finally feel relief. He exhaled in panic, unaware he had been holding his breath. Finally, Sasuke could hear himself again. Inside this protective shield, the sound of his breathing, and even his own thoughts, returned to him.

'I'm... saved...'" he thought, though he had no idea how. It wasn't his power—he had made no signs, no Susanoo, nothing. He was too weak to move, too drained to do anything but endure.

He sensed something again. A presence—colossal, but not physically large. He turned his head around and saw her.

A small frame. Pointed ears. Black hair. A little girl.

The girl drifted toward him, entering the bubble. Sasuke's eyes locked onto her, and he immediately felt the immense power radiating. It was greater than even Kaguya. But there was something off about her. Her eyes. Dark grey with slit pupils—serpent-like.

Her voice was low, almost monotonic, "Silence," She said, smiling faintly. "I like your silence," She floated closer, raising the palm of her hand in front of him, "You were right." Though those words came out loud, it did not appear as if they were meant for him.

Two women sat quietly in the room of the Occult Research Club, both dressed in the familiar Kuoh Academy uniforms. Rias Gremory, with her striking red hair that tumbled down her back and dazzling green eyes, exuded an air of regal confidence. Her High-Class Devil status was evident in every composed movement, though today, her expression betrayed a hint of uncertainty.

Beside her sat Akeno Himejima, her Queen, equally captivating with her long, black hair and dauntingly beautiful violet eyes. There was an elegance to Akeno, but beneath that serene smile, her sharpness was unmistakable. She gracefully placed a muffin in front of Rias before standing by her side, poised as ever.

Rias stared down at the binder below, her thoughts clearly weighing heavy on her mind. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke.

"Be honest, Akeno, did I make a mistake?"

Akeno contemplated her words for a moment, her tone calm as she replied, "Oh? Issei-kun? He's... passionate. I do believe he is loyal. However, we're still unsure as to why he took up so many pawns. And… too soon to tell if it was worth it."

The 'King' sighed, her frustration evident. "It was either him... or the other one. But the other's potential didn't seem so... intriguing. He irritates Sona's barrier every day. He has... something, but not as prominent. What do they say about him? Perhaps I should ask Koneko-chan to see if she can sense him better."

Akeno shrugged, "He's a mystery. No clubs, no friends, quiet, sometimes rude, and often... alone." She then giggled, "Sounds perfect for Lady Sona's peerage. Perhaps she wants him so you don't get your hands on every student here."

"We did make a deal," Rias replied, "I would get Issei, and she would get him. She even had an interview but has yet to approach him formally."

"I've heard he's hard to approach," Akeno said thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Perhaps we could see if he needs our assistance."

Rias smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "To steal a potential chess piece from my rival? Not a bad idea..."

"Fufu, so devious, my King—"

Her friend replied with a laugh herself, "It was your idea..."

Suddenly, a loud pounding echoed from the door, startling them both. Rias spilled some of her tea in surprise, while Akeno flinched, her head shaking slightly as they both stared at the entrance to the club.

"... Did you feel anyone break our barrier?" Rias asked, her voice tight with caution.

"No..." Akeno replied, eyes narrowing. With measured steps, she approached the door. For a moment, she hesitated, glancing back at Rias, who gave a small nod for her to continue. The Queen opened the door slowly, and to their surprise, a fellow classmate walked in uninvited. He stood tall, dressed in the Kuoh Academy uniform, his black hair framing a sharp, handsome face. His eyes, both dark and intense, scanned the room before brushing past Akeno without so much as a glance in her direction. He walked with purpose, heading straight for Rias, who still sat behind her desk.

"Uh..." Rias gasped slightly, embarrassed by the sudden intrusion. She fumbled with the binder in front of her, trying to hide the fact that it contained a picture of the very student who now stood before her, as well as one of Issei.

The tension in the room thickened as Uchiha Sasuke's voice cut through the air, cold and without hesitation.

"Rias Gremory," He spoke sternly, his tone devoid of any emotion, "Do you want to die?"

"I..." Rias stammered, glancing at Akeno with uncertainty. The usual confidence she carried was nowhere to be found as her mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Do. You. Want. To... die?" He slammed his hands on the table, "Because that's what's going to happen. Every student here, every person here, they will die."

"W-What are you talking about!?" Rias raised her hands in the air, her frustration and fear getting the best of her, "What is happening!? How do you know this? How did you even get in here?"

"You," Sasuke said, his gaze piercing through her, "One of you..."

"One of us what?" Rias panicked, her heartbeat thundering in her chest. "Us? Club members!?"

"One of you... is going to start a war."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Rias's thoughts spun wildly. War? What war? How could he know about something like this? Her mind struggled to catch up, but hit words hit her harder than anything she'd experienced before.

Akeno glanced between Rias and Sasuke, her own concerns evident in her eyes. "A war... between who?" she asked, her voice calmer but also filled with panic, "What's happening? What has happened?"

Sasuke smirked and recalled the events that had happened.

He hadn't expected things to escalate so quickly.

The shinobi leaned against a tree, the shade concealing his position from the situation before him.

It had only been a week since Hyoudou Issei had his… last moment as a human. Once just a student who went to Kuoh Academy, was now in the center of it all. He had become a reincarnated devil, a pawn in a game far beyond his understanding. Bound by a pact he couldn't escape, the boy was forced into the service of Rias Gremory, a High-Class Devil. He was no longer free. His life, his choices, were no longer his own.

Life traded for servitude.

There was an amazement in witnessing someone alive after such a brutal death. Issei's personality remained intact, almost everything about him felt the same. Yet, he no longer held that standard pure yellow human energy. Instead, a deep red energy roamed inside him, similar to the other devils, mingled with a darker crimson that was now more prominent.

The former was seemingly content in his new existence under Rias Gremory's watchful control. It was a sight that struck the Uchiha as pitiful. Being forced into servitude was something he couldn't stand. No compromise, no clear end goal—just... servitude. Many would be surprised to know that the devils in the human world operated much like a business—catering to clients, handling assignments, and providing various services. The initial allure of their world had faded, and Sasuke found himself slipping back into boredom as he watched them go about their duties.

Today, however, was different. It was an encounter—a reunion of sorts. The last time Issei had faced this person, he had still been his own man, not yet bound by the chains to the devils. Now, things had changed.

Despite the success of their previous mission, the Fallen Angels had not retreated after killing Issei. Their lingering presence in Kuoh made one thing clear. Coexistence was not an option, and tensions in the city had been growing and growing. They had, of course, encountered another human just after One who had gone easy on them. Yet, their defeat in that exchange hadn't seemed to faze or intimidate them. Perhaps because, in the end, he was just another human.

The devil found himself standing face to face with Raynare, the woman who had taken his life. But before either could make a move, another presence emerged. A human girl, dressed in traditional church attire, stepped between them.

She radiated the typical bright yellow energy that flowed inside most humans, but like Issei, there was another color that signified something more prominent—green.

The answer lay in her right hand—a pair of silver rings, each set with a gem. Sasuke recognized them as another Sacred Gear, used to heal Issei's wound inflicted by Raynare.

When the Fallen Angel had lured Issei into a trap, getting him comfortable and seeing the look of love and passion in his eyes, she had killed him. But this one was somehow still alive. Sasuke thought, 'Looks like she's either recruited her or is stalling for time to kill her later.' But what was the point? Why wait to discard her?

Judging from Issei's pleading and screaming, the situation is not going his way. He is begging for this church girl to not go with Raynare. But the Fallen Angel once again conjured a light-spear, something which without a doubt will do even more damage to him than before.

He recalled a conversation he had before departing to Kuoh Academy. One that was not particularly pleasant.

"We've been lacking for quality associates for this type of work," The voice had said, "Perhaps it's not your style."

The Uchiha raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "What is it?"

"You might have to make some friends. Believe me, it's important. You do want to get out of here, don't you?"

Friends. That word felt foreign to him, almost irritating. He had lost so much in the past that forming bonds seemed both unnecessary and dangerous. But this? This situation might require a different approach. Issei's connection to Rias Gremory's group and the rising tensions in the city could be an opportunity. Not to make a friend—Sasuke wasn't naive enough to use that word. But an acquaintance? An ally? That, he could stomach.

In the past, he had acted impulsively, letting his immediate emotions dictate his fate. But he had grown since then. There was closure in seeing his brother one last time, a reconnection and pride in fighting alongside Team 7. And now, he had his own goal, his own ideal for the shinobi world. One that required power, commitment—a fate well thought out, not born from a moment of recklessness.

But first, he needed to return home, and gain more strength along the way. And it needed to start soon.

If not now, then when?

There were children in the shinobi academy with better reaction times than Issei. Sasuke's left eye, with its supreme abilities, flared open as he saw the imminent threat. Had the spear struck the devil, it might have killed him or left a grievous wound. But before the blow could land, Sasuke appeared before him in a blur of motion. And where he had been standing, a small explosion of light hit a tree.

Raynare flinched, "Y-You!" shocked, her eyes narrowing. "So, you are working with the devils?!" She turned to the girl beside her, "Asia, let's go. Now!" Perhaps, she had actually believed him when he told her he wasn't doing anything with the local

Tears streamed down the face of the girl known as Asia she followed Raynare, her expression a mix of confusion and fear.

"I'm sorry Issei-san!" She winched from the aggressive grip.

"Asia!" Issei pleaded, scrambling to get up, but he soon tripped and fell hard onto the ground, his chin slamming against the pavement. He looked up just in time to see his friend and Raynare vanish in a summoning circle. They were gone—just like that. Tears filled his eyes now as he pounded the ground in frustration, feeling helpless from that event that had just occurred.

"God damn it—AH!" He shouted, his frustration boiling over. As a devil, even uttering "God" hurt him, but he couldn't help himself. He squeezed his fists tight. "She's gone… damn you… god damn you—AH!"

Sasuke stood, unimpressed. "Did you really just do that… twice?

Panting on his knees, the former human looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears. "You..." he gasped between labored breaths. "What are you doing here!? Get out of here... before she comes back and kills you too..." There was no mistaking the recognition in his eyes—he knew his classmate. But in his distraught state, he failed to realize that it was his intervention that had saved him from a potentially severe wound.

The Uchiha remained calm, unfazed by Issei's warning, "What happened? Who was that? Why didn't you do anything about it?" His voice was cold, detached, though he already had a clear grasp of the situation. He wanted to hear it directly from the devil himself—perhaps to steer the conversation for his own purposes.

Issei clenched his fists, slamming one into the ground with raw frustration. "You're just human… you won't stand a chance," he spat, his voice cracking with anguish. "She took her! She… took her…" His words dripped with helplessness, as if saying them aloud made the reality worse.

"Who?" Sasuke asked once more, his voice losing its patience.

"Asia…" He replied weakly, "Poor Asia…"

There was, perhaps, some form of connection between the two, though not a deep one. The devil before him was broken, weak, and without true guidance. Someone important to him had been taken, and he had failed to seek revenge—even failing to avenge the life he lost. Sasuke, understood the call for vengeance, the feeling of weakness and hopelessness. It was a drive he had known intimately.

Though he had long since moved past the notion that revenge was the only path, he couldn't deny that it had shaped him into the man he was today.

"I can help you." The Uchiha replied, "The one with the wings. I've seen here before."

Issei's attention snapped to Sasuke. "You... know about her?" He asked, surprised that a human knew about fallen angels.

Sasuke nodded calmly. "I know what's been going on."

That caused Issei to stand up, hastily wiping his tear-streaked face. "She's dangerous... You should stay away."

The warning was exactly what Sasuke intended. Issei took the bait. Anger flared, pushing away his doubt. "I don't need some pretty boy telling me what to do! She took Asia, but... why? She's not even a fallen angel. What is she planning to do?" His words stumbled, but slowly, his composure returned, even if he still looked ridiculous—face wet with tears and snot.

There was one potential answer, the Uchiha knew, "Perhaps... she is planning to kill her. I've heard some of the Fallen Angels have a reputation for killing humans randomly, but who knows wh." He knew the reason, just as the former human did, having been one of those who had died. But the Sacred Gear user chose to withhold that truth. Instead, his eyes widened with the dawning realization that Asia might genuinely be in danger.

"Hey..." Issei asked after a moment of silence, "...How do you know all of this? Are you a devil?"

Sasuke answered swiftly, "No."

Issei studied him, then gave a small nod. There was no reason not to believe his classmate—after all, Sasuke had saved his life. "I have to get Asia back... I have to."

"So do it," Sasuke replied, his voice sharp and cutting. "Stop talking about it. If you want to do it, then act. The longer you hesitate, the more you'll regret it."

"I... I should tell my..."

Sasuke cut him off, already knowing where Issei was going. "If that person is important, you'll do what needs to be done." He glanced toward the direction where he knew the fallen angels were hiding. "They're taking her that way."

"W-Will you help me?" Issei asked, his desperation clear. "I don't know how many there are. I was already attacked by that bastard exorcist and another fallen angel."

The mention of an exorcist piqued Sasuke's interest. He hadn't known there was one operating in the city, but it might explain the strange murders he'd noticed recently.

"Perhaps," Sasuke said with a shrug. "I have no interest in becoming an enemy of the Grigori, but they need to be stopped."

Issei clenched his fists, a determined smile breaking through his distress. "Thanks, Uchiha-kun." He hesitated, then added awkwardly, "And... sorry. For spreading those rumors about you... and writing your name in the bathroom stalls... and judging you."

Sasuke, unaware any of that had happened, simply replied, "...Forgiven."

"Can you fight?"

Can he fight? Can Uchiha Sasuke fight?

The words hung in the air, serious and direct. It was rare for Sasuke to laugh or show any expression in response to such questions. Perhaps it was the irony of it. After all, where he came from, there was no one more willing to fight than he was.

A small, unexpected smile crept onto his face. "I can fight. A little." he replied, his tone light.

"Tonight then!" Issei exclaimed, his voice filled with renewed purpose. "Tonight... I will meet you there."

The King, Rias Gremory, ran in deep thought alongside her Queen, Akeno, their footsteps echoing through the quiet streets as they neared the abandoned chapel.

Uchiha Sasuke, a human from her school, had recently brought her disturbing news. One of her subordinates was planning to kill multiple fallen angels, driven by revenge.

"You have to convince him not to do it." Sasuke had urged, his voice calm but insistent.

"Why is this any concern of yours?" Rias had asked, her tone skeptical, "You aren't a devil or a Fallen Angel."

Sasuke's response had been simple yet surprising. "I don't want a war to happen."

Rias smiled at his words. Despite his lack of involvement in the supernatural world, Sasuke grasped the situation's gravity. A war wasn't something she wanted, either. She had never met him before today. He existed outside her usual sphere of influence. With chaos unfolding around her, she couldn't afford to dwell on how he knew so much about their destination or why he was with Issei when the attack occurred. He had even implied they were members of the Grigori, a detail she found unsettling. She had also not bothered to inquire how he knew of that.

Though she knew he was in no position to order her around—this was her domain—she reluctantly agreed to his suggestion to not kill them. The fallen angels had trespassed on her territory, a blatant act of disrespect, but did that warrant murder? It was difficult to say. Until Raynare's attack on Issei, who had recently joined her peerage, there had been no direct provocation. That changed everything. Now, it felt personal. But as a High-Class devil, she had to react to every situation with a level heard and acknowledge the potential consequences.

If one wrong move was made tonight, the city could be plunged into war. The only human had convinced her of that.

They encountered three fallen angels—Mittelt, Dohnaseek, and Kalawarner—stationed at the rear entrance of the chapel, radiating arrogance and superiority. The sight of the two devils convinced them that they weren't even worth being considered threats. However, their smug expressions faltered as their gazes landed on the human, trailing behind the two women.

Sasuke watched silently, his eyes cool and calculating. This battle, though brief, only confirmed what he had already known—these opponents were no threat.

'Lightning.' He observed with keen interest. In his world, lightning was typically blue, and on rare occasions, black. Yet hers was yellow, crackling through the air with an unusual intensity. It bore a unique distinction beyond just the chakra nature. 'Fallen Angel?' he mused, realization dawning on him. He hadn't noticed it before, but now it became clear. Within Akeno's energy was the unmistakable red of a devil. Yet, like with her opponents, there were pockets and strands of purple—the distinct energy of a fallen angel.

Even Her lightning wasn't merely raw power. It was infused with something more, an element foreign to him. This fusion of energies hinted at a deeper connection, a duality that intrigued him.

"Ara ara, Sasuke-kun," Akeno's teasing voice snapped Sasuke out of his observation. She glanced over her shoulder, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Isn't it considered rude to stare at people where you're from?"

Sasuke, caught in the act of his quiet observation, averted his gaze without offering a reply. For a moment, he wondered if she had meant what he thought she meant, but that would be highly unlikely. She chuckled softly before turning her attention back to the fallen angels at their feet. Her smile faded as her eyes grew serious.

"I'll watch over them, Buchou," She called out to Rias, who stood ready to move forward. "Go in and make sure Issei-kun is okay."

Rias nodded, her focus shifting back to the task at hand. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the entrance of the chapel, with Sasuke following behind. There was no time to waste—inside, the real battle awaited.

The former human at least had the sense not to rush in alone. He was flanked by two other devils, both members of Rias Gremory's peerage and fellow Kuoh Academy students. One was the senjutsu user who had spotted Sasuke outside the abandoned building at the academy. The other was someone the Uchiha recognized but had never interacted with—Yuuto Kiba.

It appeared that all of them had been injured to some degree. Only Issei was able to stand tall; the others hunched over, panting.

As they entered the chapel, the floor was strewn with casualties—mostly exorcists caught in the crossfire. Their distinctive attire marked them as specialists in ritualistic magic, their presence amplifying the chaos. Sasuke scanned the scene, his gaze landing on the exhausted blonde girl, Asia, who had been rescued just in time. It was clear that the fight inside was nearing its climax, and tension hung heavy in the air.

Another figure caught everyone's attention. This person was human, but it was his weapons that truly set him apart. He carried a gun—an oddity the shinobi had only read about—and a strange blade that emitted a distinct blue light.

With silver hair and a long trench coat, the man's expression bordered on psychotic. Everything about him screamed unhinged, from his manic grin to his erratic movements.

As tension thickened in the air, the other human's voice slithered through it, dripping with malice. "Ooh! Look at this—more pathetic little beasts! And a human! A stupid little human!" His sneer widened, revealing a glint of madness as he brandished his glowing sword. "Another pretty face, huh? I can't wait to see how lovely you look when I carve you into a thousand pieces for siding with these filthy devils!"

The Uchiha remained silent, giving Freed no reply—he simply wasn't worth the words. With a swift motion, he unsheathed the sword at his hip, the blade gleamed as he stepped forward to engage. Freed's maniacal grin widened as he charged in, his movements unpredictable and aggressive. His natural talent and wild, almost crazed style of swordsmanship could confuse even a master.

Whoever had taught him must have been a madman.

But Sasuke had been trained by an even bigger madman.

The exorcist laughed wildly, his voice steeped in madness as the steel continuously clashed against one another. "Not bad! Not bad! Not bad! Better than that soft-handed blond bitch!"

Sasuke remained silent, his expression unyielding as his blade met Freed's in a flurry of rapid clashes. "SAY SOMETHING!" Freed shrieked, his eyes wide with frenzied rage, swinging his sword with reckless abandon.

The Uchiha blocked effortlessly, parrying each strike with precise efficiency. His movements were calculated, honed from countless battles and the harsh realities of war. Unlike the madman, who shouted and screamed in desperation, his opponent was calm-emotionless. As if fighting for survival was not something to get worked up about it. He didn't flinch nor didn't we wince in pain, for Sasuke could not be struck.

The exorcist's wide-eyed gaze flickered with doubt, confusion creeping into his crazed expression as the reality of the fight settled in.

The beginnings of fear.

He couldn't touch Sasuke. His wild swings and desperate attacks had all been neutralized with an almost effortless grace. And then, in an instant, Sasuke moved faster than Freed could react. His sword sliced through Freed's shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground with a scream of agony.

"Oh no! Freed Sellzen!" he cried out, his voice laced with desperation. "My time is over! I die not to some pathetic devils, but to a human—a black-haired piece of shit! My life is flashing before my eyes… I see the light! Kami-sama, you asshole, I'm coming—BLAH!"

A projectile fired from his gun, lightning fast.

The first lesson they teach you at the academy. Always watch your opponent's hands.

As Freed reached into his pocket for the gun and pulled the trigger, Sasuke was already ready. His Sharingan activated, and at the right second, slashed downward, bracing against the force.

For a moment, it seemed as if Sasuke had been hit, his head recoiling back. But then he stood still, his sword having split the magic-coated bullet cleanly in two.

Freed Sellzen turned his gaze toward Raynare, the only remaining Fallen Angel still capable of fighting. Gripping his wound, he bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood. "Sayonara, Raynare-chan. This motherfucker just split my bullet into two. I'm not sure what the fuck I can do after that!" he hissed through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with pain. "You ain't making it out of this one! That body of yours isn't worth trying to save!"

Raynare's eyes widened in frustration as she snapped, "You idiot! Get back here and help!"

But Freed, ignoring her completely, took his chance to escape. With a wild leap, he smashed through a nearby window, his body crashing to the ground outside in a chaotic scramble. His retreat was frantic, his bravado crumbling as he fled the scene.

The defeat came to the Fallen Angels.

Her instincts kicked in, desperation clawing at her as she began to manipulate the moment. "Issei, please!" She pleaded, her voice trembling. "I never meant to hurt you like this. I was lost, confused… Can't we find a way to move past this?"

But Issei's resolve remained unyielding. His eyes, a tempest of pain and fury, locked onto Raynare with steely determination. "Save your false pleas," he replied coldly. "I see right through your lies now. You never cared for me, and now you're scared because you know you're about to pay for it." Raynare's facade cracked further, her desperation evident. She continued to plead, but Issei had already made his decision.

Rias, standing nearby, addressed Issei in a calm but serious tone. "I made the decision not to kill any of our fallen angel enemies. However, this one is your decision. She attacked you."

[BOOST]!

"A Longinus…" She breathed, fear lacing her tone. "The Boosted Gear Sacred Artifact. One of the thirteen..."

The Fallen Angel trembled, her voice quaking as she stammered, "It's... it's just a twice critical..." But it was too late for such reassurances. In a desperate attempt to escape, she turned to flee, her eyes locking with Sasuke's. Yet he remained still, choosing to observe rather than intervene. He could see Issei leaping forward, and in an instant, a crushing blow landed squarely on her face just as she glanced back.

'The artifact grew his power?' Sasuke questioned, as he watched the crimson energy inside Issei intensify, blending seamlessly with streaks of green.

Raynare crumpled to the ground, her face bloodied and battered. Issei towered over her, tears still glistening on his cheeks, as if the act of striking her weighed heavily on him. "I never want to see you again!" he declared coldly. "Don't come near me, or Asia, or anyone else! Swear it!"

Terrified and broken, she nodded weakly. "I—I won't…"

With the immediate threat neutralized, the devils converged around Asia, who had somehow survived her ordeal. Sasuke felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him as he turned to leave. But suddenly, something caught his attention at the entrance, drawing him back into a state of alertness. The ground was unnaturally flat—a detail that set off alarm bells in his mind. Activating his Sharingan, he scanned the area, spotting faint traces of magic lingering in the air—someone had been there, employing a type of magic that was now fading.

His expression hardened as he silently cursed himself. 'Someone else was here... Someone we didn't see.'

The land lay in perpetual gloom, where even the sky was an endless stretch of thick, oppressive clouds. It was a place where the sun never fully shone, its light barely piercing through the heavy mist.

At the center of the darkened region stood a black and grey stone castle, surrounded by a still, murky moat. Though centuries had passed since humans last occupied it, the fortress remained prominent—a relic of an age long gone. Instead, the castle was now used by a different class of beings—creatures who thrived in the shadows and relished the secrecy the fortress offered. Its magic-laden walls and hidden location provided the perfect refuge for those who operated out of the spotlight.

In one of many of its concealed lairs. Deep within the catacombs that lay beneath the main structure, there was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers known only to a select few. One such lair, located in the heart of the underground, was a place where a powerful faction had made its hub.

"You prevented a war. Congratulations." A voice filled with sarcasm and playfulness stated.

Sasuke leaned against the cold cobblestone wall, arms crossed, staring back unamused. "It was either that or let the Fallen Angels annihilate the devils. That would certainly ruin whatever I'm supposed to be doing, Euclid." he said, his voice dripping with irritation.

An Ultimate-Class Pure-blooded Devil, leader of the magician faction Nilrem, and the head of the seemingly abandoned Lucifuge Clan.

Euclid Lucifuge.

A chuckle escaped from the devil, "Azazel's too pragmatic for that," He remarked. "He wouldn't let a couple of insignificant ants start an all-out war. But fear of war? That can be just as convincing. I suppose they know about you now?" He flipped through the black journal with amusement, "... It's like reading a children's story."

"I was invited to join them. No, to become one of them." Sasuke replied. Though his tone was monotonic, his expression betrayed a flicker of disdain.

"Now, why didn't you take the offer?" Euclid teased.

Sasuke sneered, "I'm not like them. I'm not like you. I'm not like anyone here. I don't need to be one of you."

The devil smirked with his usual smugness, "Reincarnated devils are a farce. Devil only in name." Euclid's eyes glinted with malice, but he noticed the shinobi's lack of reaction. Realizing his meaning hadn't quite hit, he added with a more pointed tone, "When I fixed that hand of yours, you seemed like any other human here. Same biology, same weaknesses."

His expression didn't falter. "You talk a lot for someone who knows so little."

Suddenly, the wooden door down the hall creaked open, drawing Euclid's attention. His expression twisted from amusement to disgust.

"Here comes the black beast..." He muttered under his breath.

Heavy footsteps echoed ominously as a figure descended the hallway. Sasuke turned to see who was approaching, while Euclid shifted his focus back to the black journal before him. The newcomer was imposing—tall and cloaked in dark attire, his hair an unsettling mix of black and blond. Sharp ears framed his unsettling grin, which never seemed to fade. One eye was a pitch onyx, while the other gleamed with a predatory gold.

Though he looked human, Sasuke knew better.

"Crom Cruach," Euclid announced, "How kind of you to grace us with your presence. We have an assignment for you."

The figure, also known as Mr. Black, turned his piercing gaze toward Sasuke before addressing the devil with a wry smirk and a sarcastic tone. "And what does His Majesty require of me?"

Thanks for the reviews, I read them all. Lot of good points, suggestions, and even some predictions. I could address some of them, but it may be spoil-ish territory.

Let me know what you think!