The two girls found themselves in a white void. They looked around and found many empty seats. "Where is this?" asked Mash.
[Oh? I didn't think you would come here] said a familiar voice.
The girls turned to see Ddraig, in the flesh so to speak. "Ddraig?! Is that you?" asked Rias.
[Who else would be here?] he responded in dry amusement. [I can guess why you're here. Partner is deeper inside the Gear. His negative emotions are being amplified by the previous hosts of the Boosted Gear.]
"We have to see him quickly! Asia is alive! If we can tell him that it should snap him out of it!" said Rias desperately.
Ddraig was surprised by this news but still felt uncertain. [That might be your best bet, but it won't be so simple.]
"What do you mean?" asked Mash.
[Partner's mind has changed. I'm sure you're familiar with the times he entered Singularities through dreams, correct?] Mash nodded in confirmation. [Something similar has happened here.]
Mash was shocked by this. "You're saying he created a Singularity in his mind?!"
[Not to that extent, but his mind has done something similar to block out others from reaching him, and the past hosts are acting like the guards. If you wish to reach him you will have to fight your way to him] said Ddraig seriously.
"We'll do whatever it takes to save him! We won't let him die here!" said Rias, determined.
"Please show us the way!" requested Mash.
Ddraig nodded and gestured to a door that appeared nearby. [That door will lead you to Partner. But don't think it will be simple. My past hosts are no pushovers, even without the Boosted Gear. You're going in heavily outnumbered, and they won't show mercy.]
They nodded and entered the door. On the other side they found themselves in an open field. The area looked like it had all the color sucked out of it. The gray sky loomed heavy above them, casting long shadows over the desaturated landscape. Rias was confused as to where this was, but Mash knew this area. "This is outside the capital of Rome," she said. "Is this place made up of Senpai's memories?"
"If this is his mind then that would make sense," said Rias, slightly awed by the scenery. "Where should we go from here?"
"My best guess would be we head to the capital, although if this place is made from Senpai's mind then it's possible that things might be different from how they would normally be. We should proceed with caution." Rias nodded and the pair moved forward. Mash led the way as they approached the gates to Rome. Standing in front of the gates were two hooded figures. Mash took a vanguard position in front of Rias. "Please move aside!" Mash tried.
[Because of love…] said the female hooded person.
[Because of strength…] said the male hooded person.
The girls could tell that they couldn't be reasoned with and prepared themselves. The two hooded people charged at them, with Mash moving to block them. Both of them punched her shield and pushed her back greatly. Rias flew into the air and launched orbs of destruction at them, forcing them to back off. The girl launched herself into the air at Rias, while the boy focused on Mash. The girl launched her own magic attack at Rias, surprising her. Rias evaded in time and decided to take the direct approach. She used reinforcement and clashed with the girl mid-air. Mash was trading blows with the boy, using the shield to both deflect his blows and strike at him. The boy was no slouch. Even without a weapon he was handling Mash well. In the air the girl got the upper-hand and tossed Rias towards Mash. Mash, who was busy dealing with the boy, couldn't dodge out of the way and the two crashed to the ground. The boy followed up by delivering a kick to them and sent them both flying. The pair rolled on the ground and staggered to their feet. "Ddraig wasn't kidding about them," said Rias while panting.
"What do we do?" asked Mash, also catching her breath.
Before they could come up with a plan the two hooded people charged them. The pair readied themselves for the attack when the two hooded people were blindsided by a blast of dark magic. The girls were surprised but were taken out of it by the sound of laughter. "Kuhahahahahahaha! Vengeful spirits of a bygone past! Your rage is most beautiful, but it stands in the way of my Master's survival. So I shall see to it that you are laid to rest again!" said Dantés.
He charged forward and confronted the two hooded people, giving Rias and Mash a chance to catch their breath. As they did, they were greeted by a cheerful voice. "Hello you two," said Merlin.
"Merlin-san?!" said Mash.
Another voice followed, smooth and lighthearted. "And of course, I couldn't let you wander a dreamscape without a proper guide," said Merlin, appearing with a knowing smile. "Only the Count and I can enter dreams like this and are able to navigate it effectively. We'll help you get to Master as quickly as possible. Thankfully, dreams happen at a faster rate than consciousness. We have more time than if we tried out there, but we should still hurry."
Mash and Rias nodded. They refocused as Mash readied her shield and Rias reinforced herself again. The pair charged in and joined Dantés in fighting off the former hosts. Now more prepared, Mash and Rias fought the two evenly and while the hooded people had their hands full, Dantés shot dark magic and physical blows that they couldn't defend from. Eventually Mash and Rias delivered a body blow that launched their foes into the gates. Merlin, standing behind them, raised his staff. "Dreamlike Charisma!" he announced, weaving his magic into their very beings. Power surged through Rias, Mash, and Dantès as their movements became sharper, their attacks heavier. Seizing the moment, Rias and Dantès combined their magic. Darkness and destruction merged into a searing burst of energy, engulfing their enemies. The blast sent them flying into the gates behind them, slamming hard into them. The two hooded people fell to the ground and then faded away like mist.
After a moment of silence someone spoke. [I'm surprised you beat them so quickly] Ddraig mused. His sudden voice startled Mash and Rias. [Those two were hosts who died early on after awakening my power. Despite their reasons, they fell before they even got a chance to truly show their potential.]
"How interesting," Merlin hummed.
"We don't have time for this! We need to keep going!" said Rias seriously.
[Go through the gates and you will enter the next area of his psyche] said Ddraig. The group nodded and pushed open the gates. A blinding light erupted from the open gates and forced them to cover their eyes.
When the group could see again, they found themselves on a ship that seemed to be in the middle of a storm. Waves crashed against the hull, sending sprays of cold, colorless water into the air as the wind howled like a tormented beast. Like before, it seemed like all the color was sucked out of the area. Mash took a cautious step forward, her armored boots clanking against the wet wooden planks of the deck. She also recognized this place. "This is Captain Drake's ship. Which means this is most likely Okeanos." The group found themselves at the bow of the ship.
They turned toward the captain's quarters and spotted a lone hooded figure standing before the door. The figure was smaller than the previous two they had fought—undoubtedly a woman—but something about her presence made the air feel heavier, as if the very storm itself was bending to her will. "Looks like that's our next challenge," Rias muttered, her fists clenching. "And if there's only one opponent this time, that means she's far more dangerous than the last two combined." The group instinctively spread out, preparing for a fight. The hooded woman slowly raised a single hand, her voice whispering through the storm.
The group readied to fight and the hooded figure lifted a hand at them. [What the world desires…] said a female voice. As if in response, phantasmal beings appeared. As if in response to her words, the deck groaned, and figures began emerging from the darkness. Ethereal pirates materialized—men and women of the sea long since dead, their decaying hands gripping rusted cutlasses and flintlock pistols.
"Well…, at least they fit their motif," said Merlin in an amused and carefree tone.
Mash and Rias rolled their eyes and prepared themselves, but Dantés made the first move. But before either of them could make a move, Dantés acted first. He let out a low chuckle before splitting into multiple copies of himself, his bodies flickering in and out of the storm like specters of vengeance. Without hesitation, he extended his hands, unleashing bursts of dark magic that tore through the first wave of spectral pirates. The wind carried his laughter as he darted between the enemies, striking them down with brutal efficiency. "I shall cut their numbers. Focus on defeating the leader!" he said as he launched into the fray.
Rias and Mash didn't waste any time and made their way through the path Dantés carved for them. They charged straight for the hooded woman, but even with Dantés' help there were still some pirates to deal with. Some of them fired on them with Mash using her shield for cover as she moved forward, Rias close behind to protect herself as well. She then flew above Mash and quickly fired back with bolts of destruction at the pirates with guns. Mash then flung her shield like a frisbee taking out a group of pirates. She then leapt into the air, summoning her shield back to her and tried to bring it down on the hooded woman. She dodged while drawing a hidden sword that was in her robe and thrusted it at Mash. Mash deflected with her shield and the two traded strikes. At one point Rias tried to take the hooded woman by surprise by striking her from behind but some pirates got in the way and took the reinforced blows themselves. Suddenly another group of pirates appeared and surrounded them. Merlin, still hanging back, sighed theatrically. "Oh dear, it seems we are outnumbered again. How predictable." With a flick of his staff, glowing pink flowers sprouted from the deck, releasing a burst of magical energy that sent some of the weaker phantasmal pirates stumbling back. "That should lighten the load just a little," he mused.
Meanwhile, Mash continued clashing with the hooded woman, sparks flying from each impact of sword against shield. The woman moved with precision, her blade striking at every possible opening in Mash's defense. But Mash was relentless—her stance unbreakable as she deflected each strike, retaliating with counterattacks that kept her opponent on the defensive.
Rias, still airborne, had little room to maneuver as pistol-wielding pirates continued to fire at her. She summoned spheres of destruction, sending them careening into the enemies below, disintegrating them on impact. "I can keep blasting them, but they just keep coming!" she called out.
Just then, a particularly large pirate lunged at Mash from behind, aiming to strike while she was locked in combat. However, before he could land a blow, a dark blur shot through him. The massive pirate froze, his form deteriorating and distorting before crumbling into shadowy mist. Dantés appeared beside Mash, his coat billowing in the storm's wind. "Move quickly! The longer we tarry, the more these phantasms will multiply."
Mash nodded, pushing forward with renewed determination. With a powerful bash of her shield, she sent the hooded woman staggering back. Rias took the opening, summoning a larger sphere of destruction, compressing it down into a concentrated core of annihilation. She hurled it forward, aiming directly at their foe.
The hooded woman barely managed to evade, leaping into the air. But before she could retaliate, Mash spun on her heel and launched her shield like a meteor, striking the woman squarely in the chest. The impact sent her crashing down onto the deck.
The ship rumbled ominously as the storm intensified. Thunder roared, lightning illuminating the chaotic battlefield as the pirates began fading into mist. The hooded woman struggled to rise, her form flickering like a mirage before she finally disintegrated into nothingness.
The group took a moment to catch their breath. The path to the captain's quarters was now clear. "That was tougher than I expected," Mash admitted.
[Not surprising. That host was a commander in her time. She often used her abilities to boost the power of her forces and was a tactical leader that could hold her own in a fight. She successfully managed to defeat her White Dragon Emperor with her strategies. She believed that in doing so she could bring peace to her land. Unfortunately, her rival wasn't the only being she had to worry about] said Ddraig, a bit melancholic.
Rias exhaled, shaking out her hands. "We're getting closer. I can feel it," she said as they headed towards the door.
Dantés strode forward, pushing open the doors. "Then let us waste no more time. Our Master awaits." As the door opened, they were again blinded by light.
When the group could see again, they found themselves in the middle of a city. The building around looked nothing like Kuoh and even Mash had a hard time distinguishing the place. The desaturation of color wasn't helping either. The only distinguishing feature was the tall tower in front of them. It took a bit, but Rias figured out where they were. "Wait, isn't this Shinjuku?!" she exclaimed. Being the Japanophile that she was, she studied various locations in the country, especially the ever-popular heart of Tokyo.
Rias' words jogged Mash's memories. "That's right. Senpai's first mission after reuniting with us was in Shinjuku. I didn't go with him on this mission and only saw things through the monitoring screen, so it took me a bit longer to recognize this place."
The group stared up at the tower in front of them. "I'm guessing our next destination is the top of this tower?" asked Merlin rhetorically.
"Do we even have time to climb it?" asked Mash. To answer her question, Rias grabbed her and began to fly her up the tower. Dantés and Merlin used their own methods to fly up and follow them. Eventually they reached the top floor where they saw some kind of containment unit in the room. They entered through a window and Mash seemed to recognize it. "That must be the container that the Demon God Pillar used when they captured Senpai during the mission."
Rias whipped her head towards Mash. "Issei was captured?!" she almost shouted.
"Y-yes. It, tends to happen during these missions," she said, slightly embarrassed.
Before they could continue the conversation, the group heard footsteps heading their way. They looked at the source and a group of hooded figures appeared from the other side of the containment unit. [What the world rejects…] said a deep male voice coming from the hooded figure in front. There were six of them this time, some male, some female. Some of them readied weapons while others created magic circles, ready to fire magic.
"We must be getting close! They're trying harder to stop us now!" said Rias with confidence.
Dantés let out a low chuckle, his golden eyes glowing under the dim lighting of the tower's interior. "Kuhaha… Indeed. The closer we get to the heart of the storm, the stronger the resistance becomes. A desperate attempt to delay the inevitable." His coat flared out as he stepped forward, conjuring a flurry of dark flames in his hands.
Mash tightened her grip on her shield, taking a defensive stance in front of Rias. "There are more of them this time. We'll have to work together carefully."
Merlin spun his staff with a flourish, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well then, shall we make this a battle to remember?" As he spoke, shimmering petals of light scattered from his staff, empowering his allies.
The hooded figures wasted no time, launching their attacks. The ones in the back unleashed a volley of spells—streams of fire, bolts of lightning, and jagged shards of ice hurtled toward the group. Mash braced herself and slammed her shield down, creating a protective wall of magic that absorbed most of the impact. The force of the magic attacks caused cracks to appear in the floor around them, but the barrier held.
Rias countered immediately, soaring above the group and unleashing a barrage of destruction orbs, forcing the enemy casters to break formation. As they scattered, the melee fighters among them surged forward, blades and fists aimed at Mash and Dantés.
Dantés flickered from sight, his form becoming a blur like a black phantom. He reappeared behind one of the hooded figures, his fists wreathed in dark energy as he struck with lightning speed. His target barely had time to react before being sent crashing into the far wall.
Mash met her attacker head-on, deflecting a downward sword strike with her shield and retaliating with a powerful shield bash that sent her opponent skidding backward. She followed up with a spinning strike, the edge of her shield slamming into another enemy trying to flank her.
Rias, still airborne, engaged two enemies at once. One of them wielded twin daggers, darting through the air with impressive speed, while the other continued launching magical attacks. Rias had to constantly shift and weave through the air, firing back at every opportunity. "Tch, these guys are fast!" she grunted as she barely avoided a slicing wind spell.
Merlin, ever the support, used his magic to manipulate the battlefield. He created a flower garden that seemed to cover his foes who stood in it and immobilize them, while he enchanted the others and tried to help improve their own abilities… "Oh dear, it seems you're stuck," he mused playfully as he did so. He then launched a blast of pure magical energy at them.
The battle was chaotic, but the group was gaining the upper hand. With a synchronized attack, Mash and Rias knocked one of the enemy mages out of the fight, while Dantés landed a devastating finishing blow on another. The remaining opponents, realizing their dwindling numbers, regrouped near the containment unit, creating a defensive formation.
Dantés smirked and his power crackled around him. "Cornered prey is at its most dangerous. Let's end this quickly."
Mash and Rias nodded, readying their next attacks. Merlin stepped forward, his staff glowing with ethereal energy. "Let's break through and get to Issei-kun. No more delays."
Sensing the battle coming to its conclusion, the hooded group suddenly began to release more power as they charged the group. They met them head on but were taken aback by their sudden burst of strength. While Dantés and Merlin were able to hold their own a bit, Mash and Rias were suddenly finding themselves being pushed back.
Mash gritted her teeth as her shield rattled under the force of the hooded warrior's onslaught. What had been an even fight moments ago had shifted drastically, the sheer weight of her opponent's attacks forcing her back with every clash. She dug her heels into the floor, but it felt like trying to hold back an avalanche.
Rias wasn't faring much better. The twin-dagger wielder was now moving even faster, weaving through her attacks with unnatural agility. Every time she fired an orb of destruction, it either missed or was deflected by a swift blade. She barely managed to dodge a retaliatory slash, the edge of the dagger grazing her side. "Tch… they were holding back this whole time?!" she hissed in frustration.
Dantés, despite his usual confidence, found himself adjusting his approach. The hooded figures had become more aggressive, and their strikes carried a refined precision that hadn't been there before. His shadowy afterimages were being read and countered, forcing him to rely more on raw power.
Merlin, sensing the shift in momentum, quickly tapped his staff against the ground, conjuring a barrier of light to protect Mash as she struggled against her opponent. "My, my… they've gone and removed their limiters, haven't they?" he mused, though there was a rare note of concern in his voice.
The hooded figures pressed their advantage, their combined power overwhelming the group. One of the mages unleashed a wave of dark energy, shattering Merlin's barrier and sending Mash and Rias tumbling backward. Before they could recover, the dagger-wielding opponent dashed in, aiming for Rias' throat.
Rias barely had time to react. She raised her reinforced arm in a desperate attempt to block, but just as the blade was about to make contact, the enemy found himself kicked away with great force.
The group looked at the one who saved Rias and saw a gruff man with green hair and pink eyes. He bore a smirk that showed both confidence and casualness. "Sorry. For the sake of our Kouhai I can't let you hurt the girl," he said.
As he said that a woman appeared beside him with long blonde hair and light-green eyes. "Please, allow us to assist you," she said calmly.
Merlin took the opportunity to heal Mash and Rias, his magic reinvigorating them. "Well, isn't this a surprise," he mused.
Mash, now steady on her feet, tightened her grip on her shield and nodded firmly. "Thank you. We accept. We won't lose here!" she said with renewed determination.
Rias, fueled by renewed determination herself, let out a breath. "No more playing around." A crimson aura flared around her, her power rising in response to the challenge.
The battle wasn't over yet—but now, it was their turn to push back.
The hooded figures hesitated for only a moment, but that was all the opening the group needed. The newcomers—clearly powerful in their own right—stepped forward with an air of practiced ease. The green-haired man rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles, his smirk widening. "Let's see if you lot can keep up," he taunted, eyes gleaming with excitement.
The blonde woman beside him remained poised, her stance refined. She flicked a hand, and crimson energy shimmered around her fingertips, forming delicate yet deadly-looking constructs in the air. "Stay focused," she said, her voice steady. "Their strength has increased, and shouldn't be underestimated."
Dantés laughed darkly, flicking embers from his fingers. "Then let us not waste any more time."
With that, the battlefield erupted into chaos.
Mash and Rias surged forward, their strength renewed. Mash intercepted an incoming attack with her shield, meeting a forceful downward strike from one of the hooded warriors. She gritted her teeth, standing her ground, and retaliated with a shield bash that sent her opponent staggering. Rias, meanwhile, launched herself into the air, channeling destruction energy into a barrage of crimson projectiles. This time, instead of evading, she closed the distance mid-attack, surprising her foe by landing a reinforced punch directly to their midsection.
The green-haired man was like a force of nature. He wove through his enemies effortlessly, dodging and countering with brutal efficiency. A hooded figure swung a sword at him, but he caught the blade with his bare hand, grinning. "Not bad," he admitted, before delivering a crushing knee to their stomach and sending them flying.
The blonde woman fought with grace, her crimson constructs acting as both weapons and shields. With a flick of her wrist, blades of light shot forward, intercepting an incoming fireball and dispersing the attack harmlessly. Then, with a precise motion, she created a spear of energy and sent it hurtling toward one of the magic-wielding figures. It struck true, forcing them to stagger backward.
Dantés, still laughing, vanished into shadows, appearing behind one of the foes and striking with ruthless precision. Merlin, despite his usual carefree attitude, worked diligently in the backline, casting support magic that enhanced their strength while keeping them protected from counterattacks.
The hooded figures, now outmatched and losing ground, grew desperate. One of them unleashed all of their power, surging in a last-ditch effort. The air around them crackled with unstable energy.
Mash reacted first. She raised her shield and braced herself, prepared to block whatever was coming. But before the attack could be unleashed, the green-haired man moved in a flash, appearing right in front of the enemy. "Too slow," he said casually, before driving his fist into their chest with enough force to create a shockwave.
The enemy's body crumpled and then, like the others before, faded into mist.
One by one, the remaining hooded figures fell, unable to keep up with the combined might of the reinforced team.
As the last opponent dissolved into nothingness, the battlefield fell silent.
Rias let out a breath, her aura dimming slightly as she lowered her fists. "That was… a lot," she admitted.
Mash nodded, breathing heavily but smiling. "We did it."
Dantés crossed his arms, looking pleased. "A fitting performance."
Merlin grinned. "I must say, the reinforcements were quite timely. And rather impressive." He turned to the newcomers. "Now then, who might you two be?"
The green-haired man chuckled. "Just a couple of Senpai's, keeping an eye on our junior."
The blonde woman gave a small smile. "You've come this far. You might as well see this through to the end."
Rias looked at the two of them, then at the ominous containment unit still standing before them. "You are also previous Red Dragon Emperor's, aren't you?"
The two newcomers looked at each other before sharing a small smile. "We are. But unlike the others we haven't given in to madness," said the man.
[Belzard. Elsha. It's been some time] spoke Ddraig.
"Ah. Ddraig. It is nice to hear your voice again," said Elsha.
"How's this time around been treating you?" asked Belzard, carefreely.
[Do you really need to ask, considering what's going on?] asked Ddraig with a sigh.
"No need to be so glum. Our junior is just beyond the next door," said Elsha, pointing towards the elevator at the side of the room.
"Once his friends reach him I'm sure everything will work out," said Belzard. The others looked at the elevator doors and seemed to be about to rush off. Before they rushed off Belzard addressed them. "Take good care of our junior. He has a good future ahead of him," he said with a warm smile.
The others nodded at him and headed towards the elevator. When they reached it Rias pressed the button. The doors slid open, but unlike before the inside was pitch black. Rias and Mash looked at each other and were about to step in when they were addressed by Dantés. "You two will proceed on your own from here."
"You won't join us?" asked Mash.
"No. From here on, this is your task. We would just be in the way," said Merlin as he sat in place. "I'm sure you won't have any issues bringing him back, but beware what you see in there. You might see something he always meant to keep to himself," Merlin warned.
The two looked at each other again with more concerned expressions before turning back to the elevator. They hesitated a moment before stepping inside. Once they did, both Dantés and Merlin turned to Belzard and Elsha. "Now then, why don't we have a friendly chat?" proposed Merlin.
The girls couldn't tell where they were at first. Everything was pitch black. But after blinking a few times, they found themselves in a desolate, ruined space—a void littered with floating debris. Mash's breath caught in her throat.
"This is… the Temple of Time," she said, her voice grave. "This was where we had our final battle to save humanity."
Rias looked around, scanning the eerie surroundings. It didn't resemble a temple at all—just an endless void of destruction. But she had little time to dwell on that. Her eyes locked onto a lone figure in the distance.
"Issei!" she shouted, sprinting toward him. Mash followed closely behind.
When they reached him, he was on his knees, staring at the ground. His body was still, but silent tears streaked down his face. The sight of him like this made Rias' heart tighten. Before either of them could speak, a figure materialized between them, standing before Issei.
He was a man with white hair, clad in a regal red and white robe adorned with large silver pauldrons. His dark skin contrasted with the golden jewelry wrapped around his arms and the rings glinting on every finger. His deep, imposing voice broke the silence.
"So… this is what has become of humanity's savior," he said.
Mash stiffened, her eyes narrowing. "Solomon… No—Goetia," she corrected herself bitterly.
"That's him? The Demon God you fought?" Rias asked, startled. Was this really the being that had once nearly erased humanity? Would they have to fight him here and now?
Goetia ignored them, his cold gaze fixed on Issei.
"You fought so desperately," he continued. "To save humanity. To protect the people you cared for. To save yourself. And yet… you failed to protect a simple, ordinary girl—just like before."
His words cut through the air like a blade. He stepped around Issei, circling him like a predator. His form flickered, and suddenly, he shed his human guise, revealing his true monstrous form.
"Is this all your resolve amounts to?" His voice grew harsher. "You once stood against me with such determination, fighting to give meaning to the sacrifices of those before you. Yet now, you kneel, waiting for a death you could have accepted long ago."
As he circled Issei, his form shifted again, this time into something that resembled a crumbling statue colored like a real human. His golden hair gleamed under the strange void's dim glow. He stared down at Issei, his voice quieter but no less cruel.
"Was it all for nothing?"
A new voice rang out from behind them.
"Of course it was."
The girls turned sharply. Mash's eyes widened, a cold chill settling in her stomach. A man stepped forward, sneering.
His very presence made Mash tremble with anger.
"You…" she whispered.
The man smirked. "His struggle was meaningless from the start. No matter how much humans resist, they always lose. They always suffer. This wasn't even his first failure. He was powerless to save Chaldea's Director, too. All he could do was watch as she died for her own arrogance."
"That's not true!" Mash shouted. "You're the one who killed Director Olga! You betrayed her trust, Lev Lainur!"
"So this is him," Rias muttered, her expression hardening. "The one who gave Issei trust issues."
Lev paid them no mind, his gaze locked onto Issei. "I told you before—your struggle was in vain. But I have to admit… watching you fall into the depths of despair was truly satisfying."
A new, sultry voice joined the conversation.
"And it was all in the name of love."
The girls turned again. A voluptuous woman in a nun's habit approached, a playful smile curving her lips. Neither Mash nor Rias recognized her.
"I offered you boundless love when we met," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "But you rejected me. At first, I thought you were too virtuous to be tempted by me, Sessyoin Kiara, the embodiment of love… but the truth was far more fascinating."
She walked around Issei, her presence eerily intimate.
"You already had a nun at home," she mused, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "One you could easily manipulate. One who adored you unconditionally."
As she circled him, her form warped. The modest nun's habit vanished, replaced by an extravagant, skin-baring white and pink robe. A demonic headdress adorned her head, twin horns curling outward.
"But in the end, you lost her too," she whispered, tilting his chin up with one delicate finger. "No matter how much you struggle… it's never enough. You always lose the ones closest to you."
That was enough.
Mash and Rias moved at once, stepping between Issei and Kiara.
"Enough!" Mash snapped. "None of that is true! Senpai has given everything for humanity! He's saved countless lives—bled for others! He has never manipulated anyone!"
Rias clenched her fists. "That's right! He hasn't failed! Mash is alive! Asia is alive! His efforts haven't been in vain! The world isn't so cruel as to punish someone like him unjustly!"
Issei's fingers twitched at the mention of Asia. His expression shifted—but he remained still.
Kiara chuckled. "Oh? The little nun survived?" She glanced at Mash and Rias, amused. "And what of it? It wasn't because of him. Neither of you were saved by his hands. You survived by mere chance."
Her form shifted once more, reverting to Goetia's monstrous visage. "He is always saved by others' power. He is incapable of achieving anything on his own."
Then, Lev's form took his place. "He was never worthy to stand alongside heroes. He wasn't even supposed to be in Chaldea. He never belonged."
Rias' glare hardened. "So what?" Mash said quietly as she took a step forward, her voice unwavering. "So what if it was luck? So what if he needed help? What's wrong with relying on others? That's what humanity is! We help each other. We lift each other up. Sometimes we use each other. But that is fine, because it's the very nature of life itself."
She knelt beside Issei, reaching for him. "Senpai, I've always been grateful to you. You protected me. You had no special power back then, yet you carried the weight of the world on your shoulders. You've done more than any human should ever be asked to. You should be proud."
Rias knelt beside him as well. "Not only that—you've helped us. You saved me from Riser. You prepared us for every crisis. You fought alongside us. You once told me you had your pride as a Master. That you didn't want those who followed you to think you doubted yourself."
She touched his hand gently. "Was that a lie?"
Issei's breath hitched. His voice, hoarse and broken, finally escaped his lips. "No…"
"Then don't let this break you. Asia is alive. She was saved thanks to Vali and his group. She is back with us now, and is waiting for you to return as well. Please Issei, come back to us."
"We can't do this without you, Ritsuka," said Mash.
Issei lifted his head to look at the girls. "Mashu…, Rias…, I…."
Mash and Rias both leaned in, wrapping their arms around him. He trembled but slowly returned the embrace.
"We will always be here for you," Rias whispered.
"We won't abandon you," Mash vowed.
The apparitions lingered for a moment longer. "We shall see about that," Goetia murmured before fading into nothingness. The world around them dissolved into white light, consuming them all.
The group of Servants, the ORC, and Vali's team stood in tense silence, their eyes locked onto the still-dragonified Issei. Nearby, Rias and Mash remained in a trance, their expressions unreadable.
Then, without warning, cracks began forming across Issei's scaled body. A collective breath hitched as the fractures spread, webbing across his form until—shatter. The dragon shell disintegrated completely, revealing Issei's normal body at the center. He hovered momentarily before dropping to the ground with a dull thud.
At the same instant, Rias and Mash snapped out of their trances. Their eyes widened in alarm before they rushed forward.
"Issei!"
"Senpai!"
They called out in unison, dropping to their knees beside him.
The healers and doctors among the Servants wasted no time, immediately checking over their Master for any lingering injuries. A moment passed before Issei let out a low groan, his consciousness stirring. As he attempted to reach for his aching head, he found his arms immobilized.
He blinked in confusion, turning his head to see Mash and Rias gripping him tightly from both sides, their arms wrapped around him in an unyielding embrace.
"Uh, thanks for the hug, girls… but I can't move," Issei muttered, his voice laced with bewilderment.
Soft chuckles rippled through the gathered Servants; their amusement evident as Issei finally took in the full scope of the situation.
"Huh? Why is everyone here?" Issei asked, his tone laced with confusion.
"Because of your recklessness, fool!" Scáthach scolded, her voice sharp and unforgiving.
Issei flinched at her words but still seemed lost. Noticing his confusion, Kiba stepped in.
"Issei-kun, do you not remember what just happened?"
Issei shook his head at first, but as the moments passed, realization dawned upon him. His eyes widened, and he quickly scanned the area until they landed on the unconscious form of Asia.
"Asia!" he gasped, attempting to get up—only for his weakened body to betray him. He stumbled, nearly collapsing back to the ground.
Rias and Mash caught him just in time, steadying him before carefully guiding him toward Xenovia, who still held Asia in her arms. Once close enough, Issei reached out, checking to ensure she was alright. After a moment of inspection, he let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Thank God," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude.
A collective wince rippled through the devils present, and Issei quickly realized his mistake.
"Ah—sorry," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Emiya let out an amused chuckle. "Always worried about everyone but yourself," he remarked, unsurprised by his Master's actions.
Issei responded with a small chuckle of his own—until his gaze finally landed on Vali and his group. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Vali?! Why are you here?"
Vali smirked at his rival's delayed realization. "I sensed the shift in your power and came to observe," he said casually. "I also happened to come across your woman during a personal matter and brought her back for you." He gestured toward Asia as if it were no big deal.
Issei's eyes widened as he turned toward Asia. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply to Vali.
"Thank you for saving her. I owe you."
The room grew tense as several Servants exchanged uneasy glances. Offering a debt to one's enemy, especially one whose goal was to eventually defeat him—was a dangerous gamble.
Was their Master being too reckless yet again?
Vali smirked. "As long as you give me another good battle then I'll be satisfied," he said, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Issei showed a wry smirk at that. "Heh. Be careful what you wish for. It might be more than you can handle," responded Issei jokingly.
As the two finished their friendly banter a tear in space appeared nearby in the sky. Everyone turned their attention to it and saw a massive red dragon fly out of it. The Servants showed shocked expressions, never having seen a dragon so massive. Issei was awed and felt something familiar about it. "Great Red. It has been a long time," said a child-like female voice.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the new voice as they saw a little girl in gothic-lolita clothes sitting on some nearby rubble, her eyes looking almost hollow as she emotionlessly stared at the dragon.
"Ophis," said Vali, identifying the new person.
Ophis? Wasn't that the name of the leader of the Khaos Brigade?! thought Issei.
Ophis made a finger-gun gesture towards Great Red. "One day, I will obtain silence," she said, a faint smile appearing on her face.
As everyone looked between her and Great Red, unsure what to do, more people began to arrive. Tannin, Sirzechs, Azazel, Irina, and Rossweisse appeared alongside the group. "Everyone, are you alright?" asked Sirzechs.
"We're fine, Onii-sama," Rias reassured Sirzechs before asking, "What's the situation?"
Sirzechs nodded, his expression remaining composed. "The Old Maou Faction is in full retreat after we eliminated their leaders. The battle went relatively smoothly, though there was an unexpected complication." His gaze flickered to Issei. "All of your Servants were suddenly pulled away to this place, but fortunately, they had already handled most of the enemy forces before that happened. Cleaning up the rest wasn't too difficult."
Tannin, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. "That aside, we all felt the surge in your power, Issei. What exactly happened?"
Issei opened his mouth to answer but hesitated. The truth was, his memory was hazy. Before he could piece his thoughts together, the others began recounting the events leading up to his transformation. As he listened, his expression shifted from confusion to shock.
"I… I did that?" he murmured, his voice laced with disbelief. His eyes instinctively moved toward his friends, the weight of realization settling in. He had lost control. He could have hurt them—no, he nearly did.
Rias and Mash, sensing his distress, gently placed their hands on his shoulders in reassurance. Yet, their support only deepened his guilt. The thought that his own power had placed them in danger gnawed at him.
Sirzechs, Azazel, and Tannin exchanged knowing glances. They had seen people wrestle with power they could barely control before. "At the very least," Sirzechs said with a sigh of relief, "you managed to return to normal."
Issei nodded absently, but his mind was already elsewhere. His gaze drifted toward the small figure sitting atop the rubble, completely unfazed by the ongoing discussion. Her hollow, unblinking eyes remained fixed on Great Red.
Noticing Issei's stare, Ophis turned her head slightly, locking eyes with him. The two regarded each other in silence—an eerie, almost unnatural stillness hanging between them.
The quiet was broken when Azazel shifted his attention to the Dragon God. "Ophis, the Old Maou Faction's forces have either surrendered or retreated. Their leaders have been dealt with. In other words, their faction is finished."
Ophis barely reacted. "Yes. That is true." Her response was as devoid of emotion as ever, but Issei took note of it.
Azazel continued, "Aside from Vali's group, the only remaining faction with significant power is the one led by humans—descendants of legendary heroes and Sacred Gear wielders. They call themselves the 'Hero Faction.'"
Mash tilted her head in curiosity. "The Hero Faction?"
"They're an organization made up of individuals descended from legendary heroes," Vali explained nonchalantly. Then, with a smirk, he glanced toward the Servants. "Some of their ancestors might be standing right here."
The Servants exchanged surprised looks; their curiosity piqued. Though this world was different from their own, the possibility of meeting their descendants was intriguing.
As if on cue, a young man stepped forward from Vali's group, his posture exuding quiet confidence. He approached the assembled Servants, his eyes specifically locking onto the Artorias and Arthur.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, ancestors. My name is Arthur Pendragon," he introduced himself with a respectful nod.
The Artorias, Arthur, and even Mordred stared at him in shock. Upon closer inspection, they could see subtle but undeniable traces of resemblance in his features.
Artoria's expression turned contemplative. "I'm not sure how it is in this world, but in my time, neither I nor Mordred had any surviving descendants. Which would mean…"
Arthur Pendragon gave a knowing nod. "Your assumption is correct. My lineage does not come directly from you—but from Morgan le Fay."
A tense silence followed as the name sent a ripple of unease through the Knights of the Round Table. The Artorias narrowed their eyes slightly, and Mordred's expression darkened.
Unfazed, Arthur continued. "I am well aware of the complicated history between you and Morgan le Fay. However, in this world, after your passing, she played a role in ensuring your soul's journey to Avalon. In her later years, she chronicled your deeds with admiration and even expressed regret for the conflicts she once instigated." He gestured to the weapons strapped to his side. "As a symbol of our family's respect, I have inherited Caliburn and the final fragment of Excalibur—Excalibur Ruler."
The revelation left the knights on high alert. The memory of the Excalibur fragments falling into the wrong hands was still fresh in their minds. Artoria examined the swords, her expression unreadable.
After a moment, she extended her hand. "May I?"
Arthur, sensing the unspoken test, smiled slightly and unfastened the weapons from his belt. "Of course. These swords originally belonged to you, after all."
She took them carefully, studying the blades with keen eyes. Caliburn radiated an even greater power than she remembered. Something about its energy felt more potent, more refined. As for the final Excalibur fragment, its aura was unfamiliar. It held a presence unlike the others.
"What is Excalibur Ruler's ability?" she asked, her voice calm but wary.
Arthur met her gaze evenly. "It grants the ability to dominate the minds of those it targets."
Mordred's eyes widened slightly. "Mind control? That's dangerous."
"A terrifying ability to possess," Artoria agreed, her grip tightening around the hilt. Her gaze sharpened as she regarded Arthur once more. "And what do you intend to do with such power?" There was a note of accusation in her voice now, a hint of suspicion creeping in. She had seen power like this corrupt even the noblest of souls.
Arthur remained steady, unfazed by her scrutiny. "Nothing, at the moment. I have no interest in ruling over others. I follow Vali because our interests align, not because I seek dominion over anyone."
His words were met with a tense pause, but eventually, Artoria's grip loosened. She studied him for another moment before silently handing the weapons back.
Mordred scoffed; arms crossed. "Tch. If you really are our descendant, don't screw it up. You've got a lot to live up to."
Arthur chuckled lightly. "I wouldn't dream of disappointing my ancestors—especially not the legendary King of Knights and the infamous Knight of Treachery."
Mordred turned away with a huff, but the flicker of amusement in her eyes didn't go unnoticed. Artoria returned the blades to him, feeling reluctant but accepting his explanation.
Azazel casually approached Ophis, who remained seated in her spot. Though his tone was carefree, his sharp gaze revealed that he was prepared for battle if necessary.
"So, what happens now?" he asked. "Do we fight?"
Ophis finally stood, her expression unchanged. "I will go home," she stated simply, as if the idea of conflict had never crossed her mind.
Tannin immediately spread his wings, preparing to intervene. "Wait, Ophis!"
The Dragon God turned her gaze to him, her hollow expression shifting into an unsettling smile. "Tannin. The Dragon Kings are gathering once again." A strange glint flickered in her eyes. "—This will become interesting."
Before anyone could react, space distorted around her, and in an instant, she vanished.
The faction leaders let out a collective sigh—one that carried both relief and disappointment. The tension in the air eased, but a lingering unease remained.
Meanwhile, Issei, having regained enough strength to stand on his own, walked over to Vali. The silver-haired rival stood with his arms crossed, gazing up at the colossal form of Great Red soaring in the sky.
Issei came to a stop beside him, following his gaze.
"Hyoudou Issei, do you wish to defeat me?" asked Vali.
A wry smile formed on Issei's face. "Yeah, I do." Then, after a brief pause, he added, "And after that, I hope we can be good friends."
Vali raised an eyebrow, glancing at him.
Issei chuckled. "Of course, I'm happy to do it the other way around too."
Vali smirked, shaking his head. "You never cease to amuse me, my rival."
Turning away, he took a few steps before glancing over his shoulder. "Make sure you gain better control over your Sacred Gear. I look forward to our rematch." His smirk deepened as his gaze sharpened. "One last thing—there are far more powerful beings out there than just the Maou. Great Red and Ophis may stand at the top, but between them are countless others."
He paused for a moment, as if letting the weight of his words sink in.
"I intend to defeat them all," he declared. "And you, if you want to keep up with me, have many more foes ahead of you as well. After seeing your forces firsthand, I know my path won't end with you."
With that, he turned fully, walking toward his allies as the air between them crackled with the unspoken promise of future battles.
With that, he walked toward his allies.
"We're leaving," he announced.
"Right," Bikou agreed, while Arthur gave a firm nod.
Arthur created another portal, and they left through it.
As Vali and his group departed, Asia began to stir. Xenovia immediately noticed and gently helped her up.
"What happened?" Asia asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"Asia!" Xenovia cried out emotionally, wrapping her in a tight hug. Asia blinked in surprise before offering a soft smile, instinctively raising her hand to comfort her.
Issei stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. His voice was thick with emotion. "I'm glad you're safe."
Asia looked up at him, still trying to piece things together, but her smile remained warm as she lifted her hand to hold his. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Issei-san."
"We're all relieved you're safe," Rias added as she approached. "We'll fill you in on what happened once we're home."
Mash, eyes glistening with unshed tears, joined the embrace. "You had us all worried… I'm so glad you're okay."
"I'm sorry," Asia apologized once more, touched by the overwhelming concern of her friends.
As the group gathered around their newly awakened companion, Issei turned his attention to the Servants, who had been watching from the sidelines. His expression grew guilty. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused," he admitted.
"Hmph! You should be, Mongrel," Gilgamesh scoffed, crossing his arms. "To think you had the audacity to attack your king. I'll make sure you repay me for such an insult." Despite his usual arrogance, there was a faint trace of concern in his tone.
Scáthach stepped forward with a stern gaze. "It seems we have much training ahead of us. Losing control so easily is unacceptable." A smirk tugged at her lips, but it was anything but comforting. "And now that we've discovered your new form, I'll have to push you even harder. I hope you're ready for the hellish regimen I have planned."
A shiver ran down Issei's spine. "Y-yes, Shishou…" he stammered.
Turning to the rest of the Servants, he bowed his head. "Thank you for stopping me. I could've seriously hurt someone…"
"As always, you think only of others and forget yourself," Salter chided, arms crossed. "If you had stayed in that form any longer, your own life would have been at risk."
"Right…" Issei muttered sheepishly. "I'll work on that," he said in a joking tone.
Salter's sharp glare told him she wasn't amused. He let out a nervous chuckle, but before he could say anything more, Rias and Mash approached him with concerned expressions.
"Rias, Mash… about before—" Issei started, but suddenly, his vision blurred. His legs gave out beneath him.
"Issei!" Rias gasped.
"Senpai!" Mash cried, rushing forward to catch him as he collapsed.
Panic spread through the group as they gathered around him. Xenovia frantically checked for injuries while Asia placed her hands over him, ready to heal whatever was wrong. That was when Mash noticed something unusual about his arm.
The Boosted Gear, which usually resembled an armored gauntlet, now looked different—more organic. The texture was rough, not like metal, but like real dragon scales. Red veins pulsed along its surface, creeping up his arm, and the flesh around the gauntlet appeared to be merging with it. Further up his upper arm, red scales had begun to form.
"What… is this?" Mash murmured, eyes widening in shock.
Another chapter done early. This was my own idea for how Issei was snapped out of Juggernaut Drive. This was my way of giving Rias a taste of what Issei went through, as well as give some more character to the faceless previous hosts. While writing this chapter I actually got an idea for something else that I will do later on. I also put a spin on Issei's mental torment, since Raynare didn't scar his mind. I think leaving his mental torment to Goetia, Lev, and Kiara was a good alternative, although Kiara was more so there because of her motif rather than because she had a great impact on Issei. This scenario was also to help set up the rest of the volume since the main plot of this arc is basically over. So prepare for the next few chapters to be about my own plot for a bit. I look forward to the comments as always. : )