Chapter Six - The Path to Confrontation

A few days had passed since Issei first mentioned his encounter with Asia, the young nun he'd met while out on a routine contract. Despite the usual hum of student council duties, a quiet tension filled the air in the council room. Sona and her peerage worked with practiced efficiency, their focus split between their everyday responsibilities and the recent rise in supernatural activity around Kuoh.

Sona sat at her desk, her posture precise as she sorted through a stack of paperwork. Andreas stood nearby, quietly reading over event details for the upcoming school function, his calm presence a steadying force in the room. The subtle rhythm of student council duties surrounded them, a comforting routine despite the unspoken tension lingering in the air.

Across from them, Tsubaki supervised Saji, who was diligently stamping forms, his brow furrowed in concentration. A stack of papers piled beside him, a testament to the council's ongoing projects.

Sona glanced up, her gaze sweeping over her peerage. "Let's make sure these tasks are handled by the end of the day. I'd like us to stay on schedule so we can address any issues that arise with minimal disruption."

"Understood, President," Tsubaki replied, offering a reassuring nod. She turned to Saji, encouraging him to pick up the pace.

Andreas finished reviewing the event plans and set the papers aside. "It seems the school festival is shaping up smoothly," he remarked, glancing over at Sona. "The preparations are well ahead of schedule."

Sona allowed herself a small smile. "We've made good progress. I want to ensure the festival goes as planned, especially considering how active the supernatural side has been recently."

Andreas nodded, catching the subtle shift in her tone. Though they were focused on the student council, there was a lingering awareness of the potential threats they were monitoring.

Their attention to detail and coordination made the council work seamless, yet the entire peerage remained alert. The presence of Asia in Kuoh, and the possibility of her connection to the fallen angels, had brought a new level of vigilance to their otherwise routine responsibilities.

This peace they used to attend to their council duties was not to last though.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Kiba appeared, breathing heavily. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with a look of urgency.

"Sona," he said, barely catching his breath as he approached her desk. "There's an issue. Issei was out handling a contract, but we've lost all contact with him. An unknown barrier has gone up around his location, and none of us can get through to him."

Sona's expression shifted instantly to one of concern. "A barrier?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Do you know who put it up?"

Kiba shook his head. "No idea, but it feels powerful, and it's cut him off from everything. I came here as soon as I sensed it, but something like this isn't normal."

Andreas, standing beside Sona, tensed at the news, his gaze narrowing. "If Issei is in trouble, then we need to act quickly. Barriers like that don't usually go up without reason."

Sona nodded, her mind already working on a plan. "Tsubaki, I need you to stay here and handle any student council issues that arise. Kiba, Andreas and I will accompany you to meet up with Rias and the rest of your peerage."

Tsubaki gave a determined nod. "Understood, President. I'll keep things running smoothly here."

Kiba, Sona, and Andreas quickly activated a teleportation circle, the familiar symbols glowing beneath their feet before they disappeared from the student council room. In an instant, they reappeared in a small, quiet neighborhood, just outside an unassuming, average-looking house. The surrounding homes were dark and silent, the usual signs of life absent, as if the entire area held its breath in anticipation.

Rias and her peerage were already there, gathered on the sidewalk. Rias turned at their arrival, a mixture of relief and concern evident on her face.

"Sona, Andreas," she greeted, her tone urgent. "I'm glad you're here. We felt the barrier go up, but Issei hasn't responded to any of our calls."

Akeno took a step forward, her expression serious. "It's a strong barrier, President. I've already tried weakening it from here, but it feels like it's layered—designed to keep us from easily breaking through."

Sona assessed the shimmering outline of the barrier surrounding the house, its dark energy visible even to the untrained eye. She nodded thoughtfully. "They knew what they were doing. Akeno, keep working on it, but go carefully. We can't risk triggering any traps."

Andreas stood by her side, his gaze sweeping over the house and its surroundings, alert to any additional threats. "Should I assist with the barrier?"

Sona shook her head slightly, her focus still on the barrier. "Let's see if we can identify any weak points first. That'll help us get through faster without overexerting ourselves."

Kiba, standing next to Rias, scanned the surrounding area. "If someone set this up here, they might be trying to isolate Issei specifically. They didn't pick an obvious location—this house blends in too well. Whoever's behind this knows how to avoid drawing attention."

Rias exchanged a look with Sona, her expression grim. "It's calculated, for sure. This isn't just to trap him—it's to keep us out until they've finished whatever they planned."

A faint crackle drew their attention as Akeno began channeling her energy to probe the barrier's defenses. She smiled slightly, satisfaction flickering across her face. "It's weakening a bit. I'll need a few more moments."

Sona turned to the group, her voice calm but commanding. "Once we're inside, stay alert. Andreas, you're with me. Kiba and Akeno, keep our perimeter secure. Rias, let's find Issei quickly and figure out who's behind this."

As Akeno continued to work, the barrier shimmered, finally showing signs of breaking down. With a subtle shift, it faded just enough for them to slip through. With a last, determined nod, the group moved forward, entering the house with quiet precision, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The group moved cautiously through the dimly lit hallway, each step echoing in the quiet as they advanced toward the room where they sensed Issei's presence. As they turned the corner, the scene that greeted them was one of chaos.

Issei lay on the floor, breathing heavily, one hand clutching his side where faint burns glowed—a clear sign of exposure to light-based attacks. His face was contorted in pain, his gaze unfocused as he struggled to sit up. Beside him stood a young girl in a nun's habit, wide-eyed and trembling. A fresh bruise marked her cheek, her expression a mix of fear and shock.

Standing over them, a man with wild, unkempt hair and a deranged grin wielded a pistol in one hand and a glowing light sword in the other. His eyes gleamed with a twisted amusement as he took in the sight of the newcomers.

"Well, well!" he sneered, twirling the sword with a flourish. "Looks like the devil cavalry's arrived! Took you long enough!"

Rias stepped forward, her gaze icy as she locked eyes with the man. "Who are you, and what do you think you're doing here?" Her tone was sharp, every word a challenge.

The man chuckled, his grin widening. "Oh, I'm just here to have a little fun. This devil here" —he gestured to Issei— "wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time. And the nun? Well, let's just say she was collateral."

The girl beside Issei, her voice trembling, took a step toward Rias. "Please… he's hurt. Help him," she pleaded, clutching her injured arm.

Andreas tightened his stance beside Sona, his eyes narrowing as he took in the rogue exorcist's weapons and the injuries inflicted on Issei and the nun. He could feel a protective instinct rising within him, his gaze cold and calculating as he sized up the threat.

Sona's expression hardened as she stepped forward, her voice edged with restrained anger. "You're trespassing on our territory, exorcist. Whatever you're planning here, it ends now. Leave, or face the consequences."

The man threw his head back and laughed, a wild, unhinged sound that echoed through the room. "Oh, consequences?" he sneered, his eyes gleaming with madness. "Shitty Devil, I couldn't care less about your territory or your little rules! Devils, angels, exorcists—it's all just a game, and I'm here to enjoy the bloodshed!"

Rias gave a sharp nod, motioning for Kiba and Koneko to step forward. "Kiba, engage him. Koneko, protect Issei and the nun. We need to get them to safety."

Kiba unsheathed his sword with a determined glare. "You'll regret this," he said, his voice low and focused. He moved forward, meeting the man's wild swings with calculated precision.

As the two clashed, sparks flew, illuminating the small room with flashes of light. Koneko positioned herself between the exorcist and Issei, her stance defensive as she watched the battle unfold, ready to shield them from any stray attacks.

Andreas remained at Sona's side, his gaze steady, his body tense and ready to act if needed. He kept his eyes on the man, assessing his movements, prepared to step in should the need arise.

The exorcist cackled, his voice carrying a manic edge. "Is this all you've got? I was expecting more of a challenge from you devils!" He laughed, swinging his blade with reckless abandon as he taunted them.

Rias glanced at Sona, a look of silent determination passing between them. They both knew this man was dangerous, and his presence hinted at a darker motive behind the attack.

As the battle raged on, Sona's gaze sharpened, and she turned to Andreas. "Andreas, assist Kiba. Let's end this quickly before he causes any more harm."

Andreas gave a brief nod, stepping forward with a determined focus. His eyes locked onto the exorcist, his power stirring as arcs of electricity began to crackle around his fists. Without hesitation, he moved into the fray, slipping past Koneko's defensive stance to stand beside Kiba.

Kiba took a quick step back, allowing Andreas to take point. Freed's twisted grin barely had time to waver before Andreas closed the distance, his fist surging with lightning as he delivered a powerful punch to Freed's chest. The impact sent Freed flying backward, crashing into the wall with a dull thud. Plaster crumbled around him, and for a moment, he looked stunned.

Freed staggered to his feet, coughing as he brushed off the debris with a maniacal chuckle. "Oh, that's more like it!" he sneered, his eyes gleaming with a frenzied excitement. "Now you're playing rough!"

He pointed his sword at them, panting slightly. "But as much as I'd love to keep this party going, I've got other places to be." He winked, a mocking grin stretching across his face. "You devils can keep this place for now, but I'll be back. Maybe I'll even bring some friends next time!"

With a wild laugh, Freed reached into his coat and threw down a small device, grinning maniacally. A blinding flash of light exploded in the room, filling it with an intense brightness that forced everyone to shield their eyes. When the light finally faded, Freed was gone, leaving behind only the faintest trace of his presence, as if he had melted into the shadows.

Andreas blinked rapidly, his vision clearing as he quickly scanned the room, his fists still crackling with residual energy. "He's gone," he muttered, his expression hardening. "Clever escape."

Rias lowered her arm, her gaze intense. "He's more resourceful than I expected—and completely unpredictable. This won't be the last we hear from him."

Sona nodded, her features set in a determined line. "He came prepared. Let's get Issei and the girl out of here, regroup, and prepare for whatever may come next."

Just as they began to move toward Issei and Asia, Koneko tensed, her gaze shifting toward the door. "Wait," she said urgently. "I can sense them… fallen angels are coming. Three, maybe four. They're close."

Rias's face hardened as she looked to Koneko. "How much time do we have?"

"Not much," Koneko replied, glancing back at the group. "They'll be here any second."

Sona assessed the situation quickly, her eyes moving from Asia to Issei, who was still struggling to stand. "We're not equipped for another fight here, not with Issei injured. We need to retreat now," she said, turning to Rias.

Rias nodded, her expression resolute. "Akeno, get the teleportation circle ready. We're leaving immediately."

Akeno raised her hand, starting to cast the teleportation spell as a magical circle began to form beneath them, its light intensifying. But as she prepared to extend the circle to include Asia, the light flickered and then shrank back, as though repelled.

Rias's eyes widened slightly, understanding dawning on her face. "She's not a part of either of our peerages… the circle won't recognize her. She can't come with us."

Issei's face turned ashen as the reality set in. "No! There has to be a way! We can't just leave her here!"

Akeno glanced at Rias, her voice soft but filled with urgency. "There isn't time to work around this. The spell won't hold if we try to force it."

Rias turned to Issei, her tone firm but regretful. "Issei, listen to me. We can't bring her with us in the circle. The only way we can keep you safe right now is to leave and come back with a plan."

Issei shook his head, a mixture of anger and despair crossing his face. "No! I won't leave her to them. She'll be defenseless! We have to protect her!"

Asia looked at him, her expression both gentle and sad. "It's okay, Issei. I'll be fine," she said, trying to reassure him, even as fear flickered in her eyes. "Go with them. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

Kiba placed a hand on Issei's shoulder, pulling him back gently but firmly. "We will come back for her, Issei. I promise you that. But if we stay here, none of us may make it out."

Sona moved to support Rias. "This isn't what any of us want, but we can't save her if we fall here. We need to get out and regroup."

Issei's eyes filled with desperation as the circle's light began to intensify around them. He reached out toward Asia, his voice breaking. "Asia! I promise, I'll come back for you. I won't let them hurt you!"

Asia gave him a small, reassuring smile, her own voice shaky but brave. "I believe you, Issei."

The teleportation circle's glow surrounded the peerages, and with a final, regretful look back, they disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the room empty save for Asia, who stood silently, the weight of what had just happened settling over her as she faced the unknown fate that awaited her.

In a flash of light, the two peerages reappeared in the familiar surroundings of the Occult Research Clubroom. The initial tension of the teleportation gave way to a brief moment of relief as they regrouped, everyone taking a deep breath after the harrowing escape.

Rias immediately turned to Issei, who was still clutching his side, his face pale from the light wounds. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Issei, you need to rest. Come with me, and I'll tend to those injuries."

Issei, looking emotionally drained, nodded, still casting a glance back toward where Asia had been left behind. "I… I just wish we could've done something."

Rias gave him a sympathetic look, her voice gentle but firm. "We will, Issei. Right now, we need you at full strength so we can come up with a plan."

Akeno moved forward, guiding Issei toward a chair as Rias began gathering some supplies to heal him. She glanced back at Sona. "Thank you for your help, Sona. I'll keep you updated on his condition."

Sona gave a nod, her expression resolute. "We'll be coordinating with you. This affects both of our peerages now."

Andreas stepped closer to Sona, ready to follow her lead. "Should we return to the student council room?"

Sona turned to him, her tone decisive. "Yes. The others need to be informed, especially with these fallen angels lurking in Kuoh. Let's go."

With a final glance at Rias and her team, Sona and Andreas made their way out of the ORC clubroom, moving swiftly through the hallways of Kuoh Academy. As they walked, Sona's face remained composed, but her mind was clearly racing, processing the events they had just witnessed.

They arrived at the student council room, where Tsubaki and the remaining members of Sona's peerage were waiting. Tsubaki looked up, her expression concerned as she noticed the intensity on Sona's face.

"Sona, Andreas—what happened?" Tsubaki asked, her tone filled with urgency.

Sona took her place behind her desk, Andreas standing beside her as they quickly relayed the events. She explained how they'd been forced to leave Asia behind due to the approaching fallen angels and how they barely managed to escape.

"As of now, Rias and I believe the fallen angels have a connection to this girl, Asia. It's possible they have plans involving her, though we're unsure of their exact intentions," Sona concluded, her gaze steady as she addressed the room.

Andreas nodded, adding, "We need to be vigilant. The rogue exorcist, as well as the fallen angels, are likely to be unpredictable. They've already shown their willingness to act aggressively."

Tsubaki's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So this isn't just a matter of Issei's contract—it's a larger threat. We'll need to stay on guard and be ready to respond."

Sona leaned back slightly, her gaze meeting each member of her peerage in turn. "That's right. We'll continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, I expect everyone to be prepared for whatever comes next."

With the orders given and the peerage now informed, Sona and Andreas exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They would remain steadfast, protecting Kuoh Academy and confronting the threats lurking in the shadows.

Late the next day, Sona and Tsubaki were in the student council room, diligently working through the latest round of student council business. The quiet focus of their work was disrupted by a firm knock on the door. Exchanging a quick glance with Sona, Tsubaki rose to answer.

Opening the door, she found Rias and Akeno waiting, their faces grim with urgency. "Rias, Akeno," Tsubaki greeted, immediately sensing the seriousness in their expressions. She stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

"Sona," Rias began, her tone direct, "we have a situation involving Issei and Asia. It's escalated faster than we anticipated."

Sona put down her pen, her full attention on Rias. "What happened?"

Akeno stepped forward, concern evident in her eyes. "Yesterday, Issei met up with Asia after she left the abandoned church, and they spent the day together. But toward the evening, the fallen angel who tried to kill him—Raynare—reappeared. She kidnapped Asia."

Sona's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the news. "So this Raynare is the same one who attacked Issei before?"

Rias nodded. "Yes. We just learned her name, and it's clear she's not done with him—or with Asia. We suspect she may be using Asia for something specific, though her motives are unclear. Issei is insistent on rescuing her, but we believe this is a trap. Raynare must have a purpose for bringing Asia back to the church."

Tsubaki's expression darkened. "If she's that direct, this could be more serious than we thought. What's your plan?"

Rias met her gaze with quiet determination. "We're planning to go to the church and confront her. We can't let her hold Asia as a hostage, and Issei won't back down. We'll need a plan for both offense and defense."

Just as they were discussing their next steps, the door to the student council room opened, and Andreas walked in, carrying a few folders with festival arrangements. He paused as he saw Rias and Akeno, sensing the tension in the room.

"What's going on?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he took in their expressions.

Sona turned to him, her tone clipped but calm. "Raynare, the fallen angel who attacked Issei, has resurfaced. She kidnapped Asia yesterday, and we believe they're holding her at the abandoned church. Rias and her peerage are planning to go there to confront them."

Andreas's face hardened as he set the folders down on a nearby table, his focus shifting entirely to the unfolding situation.

Sona straightened, her voice decisive as she addressed Rias. "Then I will accompany you, and I'll bring my Queen and Knight along as well. Tsubaki and Andreas will support your peerage. We can't let Issei, Kiba, and Koneko face Raynare alone."

Rias nodded, a look of gratitude and resolve flickering in her gaze. "Thank you, Sona. This may turn into a serious battle, and we need all the strength we can get."

Tsubaki stepped forward, her expression determined. "We're ready, Sona."

The group exchanged a final look, acknowledging the weight of their task. With a quick check of their equipment and a firm nod, they turned and left the student council room, each step bringing them closer to the confrontation ahead. They were venturing into dangerous territory, but together, they were resolute.