Thunders rumbled overhead. It was an unusual sight. She swore the fancy lady on the TV said that today was going to be sunny. It was going to ruin her outing with Mi, Iri, and Shin-chan. She puffed her cheeks, unaware of the seemingly worsening situation around her. Excited by the promise of playing with her friends, she ran toward the small grove of trees situated by the town's local shrine. As she ran and stumbled up the hill, she tripped over something.

With a thud, she landed on the ground. She wouldn't cry. She was a big girl now. If she cried, then Shin-chan would laugh at her.

And so, she pressed through. The rain was coming. She needed to get to the shrine so she wouldn't be wet. At least, that was what she should have thought.

Instead, a glint flashed at the corner of her eye.

"No…," a voice said to her.

However, the warning fell on deaf ears. She slowly approached the source of the shine. Her tiny hands parted the leaves on the bushes. There on the ground lay an alluring white gem. It shined brightly, despite the overcast created by the storm clouds.

With a curious but tentative look on her face, she reached out to touch it. As soon as her fingers made contact, a flash of white light engulfed the entire mountain and she soon found herself in the middle of absolute darkness.

"Ichika! Ichika!"

A voice called out to her. Her eyes widened and tears pricked at the corner of her eyes. She whirled around and saw a man in his late twenties running toward her. His spiky brown hair was wet from the rain and he had a worried look in his hazel eyes.

"Ichika, baby, let's go—!" the man gasped. He looked down and saw a white object impaled through his stomach. The blackness gave way to a low white light as flames surged all around them.

"N- No… D-Dad? Dad! DAD!" Ichika rushed forward only to realize she couldn't move. In front of her, a white-haired version of herself stood above her father. Blood dripped from her fingertips as a white cloth retracted into the sleeve of her uniform. A black uniform like the one she wore at Chiba Academy.

"Y- You! DAD!"

"So it's you," her other self turned to face her. A white crown of phantasmal sakura flowers was on her head. Her silvery-blue eyes stared through her rather than at her. The girl reached for her throat but was stopped by an invisible barrier between the two.

Ichika took a sudden step back as she stared at her white-haired doppelganger.

"...Hah. I can't believe you're this weak. No matter. This should be over soon. Don't struggle. It'll make it easier for the both of us" her other self smirked.

"Who… Who are you?" Ichika asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Me? I guess you could say I'm you but better. Now… mmm?" her other self vanished from her spot as a torrent of red flames came crashing down from the sky. She materialized a distance away from Ichika and clicked her tongue. "Pesky red lizard."

[Partner! Partner, wake up now before she—]

"As if I'd let my one chance at finally awakening be thwarted by you—" her other self suddenly froze as white chains erupted from the ground. It pulled her down, forcing her to her knees.

Ichika stood there at the sudden turn of events.

"You! Release me, now!" her other self snarled, struggling against her bonds.

[What are you waiting for brat? Go now!] Ddraig's voice echoed through the darkness.

"You—! Haha… run! That's all you've done all your life! After Dad, maybe the next one is Shin? Ahahahaha!"

Ichika ran and ran further into the darkness, trying to ignore her other self's taunts. She tripped on something.

Her eyes snapped open as pain shot through her skull. She rolled over and held the top of her head, nursing a bruise she knew was going to form.

"Ow…," she whimpered as she sat up.

"Ichika? Ichika, you're awake!"

Ichika turned to see a pair of arms wrap around her. The familiar flowery scent and the blonde hair registered in her mind as she immediately knew who it was. "Asia…? You're here. Asia!" Ichika returned the hug with equal fervor.

"You're finally awake."

The pair pulled apart and turned around. Ravel stood at the door with a tray of food and a glass of water.

"I was starting to get worried. But I guess that girl's Sacred Gear is the real deal," Ravel said, looking at Asia.

Asia smiled shyly and rubbed the back of her head.

"How long have I been out?" Ichika asked, standing up.

"About 3 hours. Shin and the others are fine. After Vivi got them home, Brother got them all Phenex Tears so we don't have to worry about any long-lasting injuries," Ravel said.

"W- Where is Shin-chan?" Ichika asked.

"I think he's downstairs. Riser's down there having a talk with Rias and Sophia right now. He was there the last time I checked," Ravel said. "But I really think you shouldn't be getting up so soon. Healing doesn't restore—"

Ravel didn't even have the time to finish. Ichika ran right past her, leaving her alone with Asia.

"...stamina. Why do I even bother?" Ravel pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I- I'll go after her. Do you know where Shin went?" Asia asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I think he went to a park nearby. She probably knows where he is. Those two seem to be telepathically connected anyway," Ravel said.

"Er… telepathy?" Asia tilted her head.

"Oh, um. Never mind. Just go," Ravel said.

Ichika made her way to the stairs. Her footsteps were light and quick, wanting to get past Sophia and the others before they could notice her. However, she paused when she heard Riser's voice.

"So your mom wants you to bring the Saint back to the Vatican?" Riser asked.

"Yeah…," Sophia replied. "She showed up, by the way."

"...Yaldabaoth showed up huh? How did Shin take it, Sophia?"

Ichika crouched by the stairs and listened.

"About what you would expect. He did watch those two die after all. By her hands no less," Sophia said.

Those two…?

"I didn't know Shin was involved in the Hungary Catastrophe, much less be a central figure in it. Everyone believed an asteroid struck the country and wiped out most of it, us included," Rias said.

"I wouldn't be surprised. The Seven Stars managed to cover up to the point where every Chief God thought a meteor struck. And it wasn't a pretty sight to see. Almost everything in the country was pretty much dead or close to it by the time we got there. Me and Akane got an emergency call from Shin and Mio and beelined our way over there," Riser said.

"Mm. Bea was there too. I think all Seven Stars were there," Sophia said. "Last time that happened was—"

"The Red Sea Incident. Onii-sama told me about it. The Seven Stars of the previous generation were all killed except one," Rias said.

"Yeah, and hold on. Ichika, I know you're there," Sophia said.

Ichika stiffened. She peeked her head out from the banister and saw Sophia staring at her. Ichika made her way down and looked at them expectantly.

"Oh, good, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Rias asked.

"Um, I'm feeling pretty good. Ravel told me that Asia used her Sacred Gear to heal me," she replied, stretching her arms and legs. "How is everyone?"

"Akeno and the others are fine. They're just getting some rest. Healing doesn't restore blood loss after all," Rias replied.

"And Raynare? Did… What happened to her after that God showed up?" Ichika asked.

"No one knows. She disappeared in the chaos or maybe that god killed her," she answered.

"Oh. I see." Ichika looked down at the floor, unsure of how to continue the conversation.

"How much of that did you just hear?" Sophia asked.

"Er… the part about Hungary being destroyed and Shin losing two people," she replied.

Riser sighed. "I guess you had to find out sooner or later. Maybe it's better for you to hear it from Shin than me."

"What exactly is the Hungary Catastrophe?" Ichika asked.

Riser furrowed his brow as memories of the carnage came back. He downed his tea before opening his mouth to speak. There was a dark look in his eyes as the words came out of his mouth.

"The Hungary Catastrophe was an event in both the human and supernatural worlds. I think you might have seen it on the news once. Meteor wipes out an entire European country. But the truth is far deeper than you know. Akane and the others did a good job at covering up. Even the other supernatural factions were fooled by the news," Riser said.

"And… Shin-chan was…?"

Sophia tapped her finger against the table. "I think you should ask Shin what happened. All we know is what happened afterward but—"

"That disaster is connected to Yaldabaoth, that God you fought in the Church," Riser said.

"About that… she said I wasn't a Devil. Prez… is that true?" Ichika asked.

"I… I don't know. But I guess it would explain a lot of things like why Koneko says you don't smell like us or why I can't feel any demonic power coming from you or why you can't be harmed by holy artifacts. Yuuto told me you got soaked in holy water and didn't even feel or suffer any burns and my cousin, even though he didn't inherit any of the Power of Destruction, you can still sense a demonic aura around him," Rias said.

"So I'm still human," Ichika said, looking down at her hands.

"In any case, human or not, you're still you, Ichi. Never forget that. You have me, Akane, and Shin to back you up," Riser said.

"And me too. You may not be my pawn but I don't regret the days we spent together. I'd really like it if you continued to attend the Occult Research Club," Rias said, smiling gently.

"T-Thanks, everyone. I—" Her eyes widened. "Right! I need to go find Shin! I'll be right back!" Ichika bowed slightly to them before sprinting out the front door.

The park was silent. Usually, it was filled with the sound of children laughing, however, in the dead of night, its silence was haunting. The pale light of the moon shined down on the play sets, illuminating the bark that filled the play areas. To others, the silence might have been comforting, even deafening for some. However, to Shin, the silence only reminded him of the period right after that moment.

He closed his eyes.

"Take Tala and run!"

"What? No! I won't leave you behind to face her! Master will kill you—"

"As if I'll die now, idiot. But one of us has to get help and Tala is more comfortable with you. Remember, we're Blade Twins. No matter how far apart we are, our hearts remain as one. I'll find you once all this is over."

Shin opened his eyes as he heard footsteps approaching. He glanced over his shoulder, eyes widening slightly when he saw Ichika walking up to him. "I- Ichi? You shouldn't move! Asia just healed you and—"

"I should be saying that to you, my foolish servant!" Ichika flicked his nose.

"Ow! What the hell?" Shin covered his nose and looked at her in surprise.

"How can you just leave the house? Your shoulder got cut open!" Ichika scolded.

"W- Wait! Ravel gave me some Phenex Tears! I'm as good as new, see?" Shin swung his left arm around.

"Still! No matter what kind of arcane concoction, Rav gave you! I never gave you permission to leave our lair! As your Empress, I will punish you with the Dragon's Power!" Ichika prodded his chest forcefully. Her angry eyes were laced with worry for him.

Shin was left speechless for a few seconds before he let out a sigh and smiled. "Yeah…"

"And… I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

Ichika fidgeted with her hair, brushing it nervously. "I… I'm sorry for what I said back at the clubroom. I was just so mad. You kept leaving me behind and when Asia was in danger, I felt like it was my fault. I… was just selfish and thinking of myself," she said.

Shin stared at her for a few moments before grabbing her hands. "It's fine. I said some things I shouldn't have said either. I was just worried."

Ichika nodded and pulled her hands back. She walked to the swing next to Shin and sat on it. The two sat there in silence, enjoying each other's company as the moon shined down on them. "I… overheard Sophia and Riser talking about what happened to you four years ago."

Shin's body stiffened. His eyes went wide for a few moments before he let out a breath.

"Is… Was that why you were so worried about me going?" Ichika asked.

Shin nodded. He gripped the chains of the swing seat tightly. "My mom's side of the family are Exorcists. They have a practice where children between exorcist families are paired together in a twin-unit warrior system. It's an old practice that went all the way back to the days of Abe-no-Seimei and Ashiya Douman. Exorcists would partner together to cover each other's weaknesses and complement the other's strengths… They were called Blade Twins."

Ichika remained silent as Shin spoke.

"Our family still does it. Just not as much as we used to. Back then, it was all political. And there was all this crap mixed into it about how Blade Twins were bound by fate and stuff. Grandma said that even if we're not together, as long as they were close, the pair could sense one another."

"Did… you have one?" Ichika asked hesitantly.

Shin paused for a few seconds before nodding. "I did… Do you remember, Mio Yaegaki?"

"Mio… Yaegaki?" Ichika repeated. Her eyebrows furrowed for a few seconds as she tried to put a face to the name. As the gears of her mind clicked into place, her eyes widened and she looked over to Shin with surprise. "Mii-chan! That girl who moved away when we were kids before Irina then moved back here during middle school! She was in the Hiking Club with us back during first year. Man, I think Mom has a few pictures of us when we were kids."

"Yeah. Irina barely remembers her because Mio moved away for a bit before Irina left," Shin said, smiling fondly.

"How is Mii-chan? Is she alright? Did she move back to Serikawa? I remember after her mom and dad died, she moved to Serikawa for a bit before living with you," Ichika said.

Shin's smile fell from his face.

"S- Shin-chan?"

Shin said nothing. He held the chains of the swingset tightly. "Ichika… she… was there four years ago."

"O-Oh," was all Ichika managed to put out. "Look, I—"

"It's okay. It was four years ago," he said. "Mio and I were protecting a girl. Her name was Tala. I didn't realize she was an important political figure until later. She was a bit brash and impulsive but to help her family since she was the only one left. Her grandfather was too busy to go on trips so she went for him.

"She was a bit odd. She thought people that lived in the world, no matter what they did, their actions were meaningless. But still, I think she still wanted to try because that was all she could do." A fond smile spread across Shin's face. "I…" He gripped his pants and took a deep breath. "I think I liked her at the time. I was twelve so…"

Ichika nodded.

"But whatever it was, I felt close to her. Onee always told me to never get attached to the people I was assigned to protect. In the end though, her and Mio, I couldn't do anything to save them when Master came to kill her," he said.

"Shin, that wasn't your—"

"It's pathetic, isn't it? It's been four years and I still couldn't change anything," Shin said. He smiled wryly as he looked down at his hands.

"Shin…"

"Four years and I still couldn't be stronger. I wasn't there for them and I couldn't even save you when you went out with Yuuma—"

Ichika grabbed Shin's face and forced him to face her.

"I-Ichika…?"

"No! Shin, that's not true!" Ichika shook her head and held him even tighter. "Shin, it wasn't your fault. What were you supposed to do? She's a Goddess and you were just a kid! Don't blame yourself!"

"But… I couldn't—"

"You saved me! Twice!" Ichika yelled. "If you hadn't gotten Prez there in time, I might have actually been dead! And that goddess could've killed me tonight but you saved me! AGAIN! You're not weak!"

"Ichika," Shin said.

"Look… I get it. You blame yourself for what happened four years ago. You were a kid, there was nothing you could have done. But Shin, she's back and now she's after me. You can't keep me ignorant forever and I'm sure as hell not letting her kill me without a fight just because she thinks I'm this Horseman thing," Ichika said.

"You're going to die because of me," Shin muttered.

"I won't die. I'm the Red Dragon Empress, remember?" Ichika said.

A small smile graced Shin's lips. "It won't be easy, you know."

"Nothing ever is."

"We'll sometimes have to stay in crappy hotels."

"I… don't mind."

"There are going to be a lot of people that want to kill us."

"A god is trying to kill me already. What's a couple more?"

Shin pulled Ichika's hands off his cheeks. He looked up to her. "I—"

"Stop. I know better than anyone that it's not easy to get over it," she said. Ichika gripped her arm tightly.

Shin's gaze softened and nodded.

"That's why… don't do it alone. Remember… the promise I made you back during our second year in Chiba Academy?" Ichika asked.

Shin nodded.

"I won't leave you. Ever. So please… rely on me too," she said.

"Onee and Vivi say I rely on you way too much," Shin said.

"That's fine. Even if we grow old, I won't mind if you rely on me forever. Just don't spend my money on gacha games," she said, adding the last part as a joke.

"I can't promise that," he said.

Ichika smiled, seeing the light beginning to return to Shin's eyes. She held her hand out.

Shin smiled gratefully and grabbed it, pulling himself up.

"Ichika, are you sure about this? This… won't be a cake walk and I won't go easy on you," he said.

"I'd be disappointed if you did. Don't hold back for my sake, Shin-chan. My dragon's eye throbs in anticipation for our future encounters with the forces of the Abyss," Ichika said, making a dramatic pose.

Shin held back a bout of laughter.

"Hey! Don't laugh! I spent 5 minutes coming up with that line!" Ichika's face flushed with embarrassment. "I said don't laugh!" Ichika whined as she began lightly pummeling his arm with her fists.

Asia clung to Ichika like a lifeline, crying into the girl's shoulder. Ichika smiled, returning the embrace tightly. She gently whispered soothing words into Asia's ear, trying to get the girl to calm down.

Sophia stood past the doorstep with several carry-ons in tow. Asia had no luggage with the exception of a small backpack that had things she was given by Ichika. Items that Asia would treasure forever.

"Does she really have to go back with you? Can't she just stay with us?" Ichika asked.

Asia turned to face Sophia with big, round pleading green eyes.

"Asia—"

"Just let them hug for a bit longer. Lady Uriel wants her back in the Vatican?" Shin asked.

"Yeah. Mom pulled some strings to make sure no one in the Traditionalist side of the Church knows. You know how conservative that side is. Always by the book but when the rules suddenly apply to them, they say not for me," Sophia said.

Shin just laughed awkwardly, preferring not to delve into the philosophy of religion.

"And what about you? Seeing Yaldabaoth must have brought back memories of Tala and Mio," she said.

Shin glanced at Sophia out of the corner of his eye before returning his gaze to Ichika. A small smile made its way to his face. "I think… for now, I'll be fine."

Sophia followed Shin's gaze and nodded. "Don't push yourself. And remember, I'm a phone call away. I'll teleport over here next time instead of taking the scenic route through Tokyo International Airport."

"I got it, I got it," Shin said, jokingly dismissing her concern.

"Anyway, did you get what Yaldabaoth called her?" Sophia asked.

Shin's smile fell from his face. He nodded numbly. "She called her a Horseman."

Sophia closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them. Her eyes glowed violet as she gazed at Ichika's body. A blinding white light was tucked deep within her chest, constrained by red flames that were barely keeping it in check. A mark sat on her hip, resembling a diamond surrounded by five blades.

"She was right on one thing," Sophia said. Her eyes reverted back to their soft blue color. "Ichika is not a devil. Horseman or not, whatever she is, just look out for her. Yaldabaoth isn't the only thing that's going to be hunting her down."

"Are you talking about Khaos Brigade?" Shin asked.

Sophia nodded. "That and there's one other thing. Bea called me a few hours ago about what happened in China. They're finishing up and splitting up to look into a few things but…"

"But?"

"Sophia!"

The two turned to see Asia heading down the front steps.

"I guess it's time. I'll handle the luggage," Shin said. He grabbed Sophia's bags and made his way to the waiting taxi cab.

Sophia dragged some of her travel bags over and stuffed them in the back while Asia got in the rear passenger's seat.

"What did they find?" Shin asked.

"It sounded pretty standard… all the way up to the end. Yayi asked for assistance in subduing one particular martial arts sect alliance that was on its way to plunge all of China into war. However, what happened at the end was… odd to say the least. Bea wouldn't tell me all the details but she said that Khaos Brigade's recent patterns and the Sect Rebellion might be connected," Sophia said as she closed the trunk.

Shin adopted a thoughtful look on his face. "You don't think that—"

"Maybe," Sophia said.

Sophia walked over to the front passenger seat and opened the door. "Just be careful, Shin. I know Ichika wants to start following you out. And it's great that you've gotten a little more comfortable to agree to let her do more but watch out. I'll let you know when I find out more. As far as I remember, the Book of Revelations was supposed to be just a fairy tale that not even Heaven takes seriously…"

Shin frowned and nodded.

"Remember to call me if anything comes up, okay?" Sophia said before closing the door.

Shin stood there as the taxi cab drove off. He remained in his spot for a few seconds, seemingly staring off into space until he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.

"You okay?" Ichika asked. Her eyes were slightly swollen from crying.

"I should be asking you that question. Your eyes are red and swollen," Shin said.

"Yeah, I… I'm really going to miss her," Ichika said.

"Don't worry. Since you'll be going with me from now on, we might be able to visit her if we get a job from the Vatican," Shin said.

"Really?" She perked up at the thought of being able to see Asia again.

Shin smiled and walked back into his house. "Yeah. By the way, Sona has a job lined up for me tonight. Want to come?"

"Me? Are you sure? I'll probably be deadweight," Ichika teased as she followed him back into the house.

A smirk spread across Shin's face. "Think of this as your first official one with in-service training," Shin replied.

She had been here more times than any one person should in several lifetimes. Yet, she could never shake the sense of dizziness and disorientation she felt whenever she entered this place. The stars in the sky flickered as if they were in the final moments of their long and ancient lives. Yet, the myriad of stars in the sky were scattered across a heavenly expanse that resembled shattered glass.

Yaldabaoth walked across an empty and barren land, devoid of all life. What remained were long-dead corpses of plants that refused to scatter into dust. It was a cold, inhospitable hellscape whose existence and maddening grandness were indescribable even to the most warped minds.

She crossed the barren and dead world to her destination. In this land where nothing flourished and only the dead lay waiting, there was one thing that towered over it. Its leafless branches stretched into the skies, grazing the shattered celestial expanse as if to mock the very stars above. An iridescent light emanated from the top of the gargantuan tree, exuding the appearance of a galaxy with its cosmic light.

"Mother," Yaldabaoth said as she came to a stop at the edge. Around the tree, the land lay broken. She could see its roots, stretching into an unfathomable abyss.

The world's sole resident turned her head to face her. Her long violet-black hair swayed slightly with her movements. A pair of red horns sat atop her head. Yaldabaoth wanted to shiver under the pressure of her violet-blue eyes. A black and red body suit interwoven into robes of the same color hugged her inhumanly beautiful body.

"I had her, Mother. Why did you stop me?" Yaldabaoth asked.

The woman gazed at her daughter with an almost impassive stare before turning her eyes back to the tree. "You can kill the girl later. Killing her now will do us no good."

"What do you mean?" Yaldabaoth asked.

"It seems that… the Red King has refused to stay dead," the woman said.

"The Red King? What? That's impossible. I—"

"And yet they live. But… not in the way you think," she said, kneeling down and laying a black flower upon a gravestone.

Yaldabaoth clenched her fists and sighed. "Where?"

"Everywhere. It seems that the Second created Covenants for her Law," her mother replied.

"I'm going," Yaldabaoth turned around and began to walk away.

"The Stars have already gotten a whiff of their activities. It seems that this time, they weren't too quiet about their actions," the woman said.

Yaldabaoth stopped in her tracks before leaving the woman alone without saying another word.

"Then this time, I won't let them live. Never again."