Kiba's heart sank as he watched Issei collapse, the red glow of his attack fading along with Shalba, the self-proclaid true Demon King. From within Miu's protective barrier, they witnessed Issei single-handedly defeat an army, including two Demon King-class foes. His new power—armor designed for battling hordes, with six cannons unleashing devastating blasts—could erase even top-tier demons. Kiba, stronger now through training and Balance Breaker, felt the vast gap between them. Could he ever stand as Issei's equal?
As Issei's armor dissolved and his sword turned to red particles, he crumpled, falling from the sky. Kiba, ignoring the pain of his own wounds, rushed from the barrier to catch him, barely succeeding. "Got you," he gasped, relieved.
Rias ran over. "Yuto, is Issei—?"
Kiba glanced at Issei's face, drenched in sweat, unconscious but alive. He opened his mouth to report, but froze. Issei's right arm was scorched, skin blackened—a horrific injury far beyond a re burn. The sword's intense heat was the likely cause. Had Issei fought through this agony to protect them?
"We need to treat him now!" Rias shouted, calling for Asia.
Asia, just regaining consciousness, paled at Issei's arm. "Issei-san!" She began healing, her faint green light enveloping the wound, but the recovery was slow—too slow for her sacred gear's usual speed. Miu joined, casting a healing spell, but the injury's severity resisted their efforts.
A sudden cry pierced the air. "Die, monster!" A surviving demon charged with a spear, aiming for Issei. Kiba moved to intercept, too slow, ready to shield him with his life. But a white light obliterated the demon. A figure in radiant white armor appeared—Vali Lucifer, the White Dragon Emperor.
"Sorry, but I can't let him die. I'm the one who'll defeat him," Vali declared, having saved them as he did during the Kuoh Academy summit.
Issei woke, free from Balance Breaker, sward by tearful comrades. His mory returned: he'd defeated Shalba, then collapsed. Seeing Vali, he asked, "Why're you here?"
Kiba explained, "A surviving Old Demon Faction demon attacked while you were out. Vali saved us."
"Seriously?" Issei muttered, chastising himself for missing an enemy. Draig, I'm still lacking.
(Don't bla yourself. You gave everything, partner. Demanding more is just pride.)
"Thanks, Vali," Issei said.
"No need. I just didn't want anyone else stealing my fight," Vali smirked, clearly eager for a rematch.
"Why are you here, though? Not terrorism, right?" Issei asked.
"I ca to see sothing." Vali pointed skyward. A massive hole tore open, revealing a colossal crimson dragon—Great Red, the Apocalypse Dragon. "There are two 'Red Dragons': your Welsh Dragon, my Vanishing Dragon, and this, the True Dragon, Great Red, who dwells in the Dinsional Gap. I ca to confirm its presence."
"Why's it there?" Issei asked. "The Gap was empty when Shalba sent there."
"You escaped the Dinsional Gap? Impressive," Vali said. "I don't know why it flies there. That's Ophis's goal—and mine. I want to defeat Great Red and beco the True White Dragon God Emperor."
Issei marveled at Vali's ambition. "Before that, I'll beat you, Red Dragon Emperor," Vali challenged.
"Bring it on," Issei grinned. "Anyti, head-on."
Vali nodded, satisfied. Then, a new presence erged—a black-haired girl in a black dress. "Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God, leader of the Khaos Brigade," Vali introduced.
The cute girl was the terrorist leader? Ophis aid a finger-gun at Great Red. "I'll claim silence soday." Then, Azazel, Tiamat, and Tannin appeared, battle-worn but finished.
"Issei, you're safe!" Azazel said.
"You took down the Old Demon Faction," Tannin noted.
"And ran into Great Red," Azazel added, eyeing Ophis. "Your faction's done. Only Vali's team and the Hero Faction remain."
Ophis shrugged, unfazed. "One outco." When Azazel aid a light spear, she ignored him, turning to Issei. "Red Dragon Emperor, join to defeat Great Red."
Everyone froze. "Huh?" Issei stamred.
"Join ," Ophis repeated.
"Nope, no way. I'm not becoming a terrorist," Issei refused.
"Pity," Ophis said, her eyes briefly sad, before vanishing.
Vali left too. "I've got comrades waiting."
Exhausted, Issei noticed his arm's pain had dulled, thanks to Asia and Miu. "Thanks, Asia."
"I'm sorry, Issei-san," Asia sobbed. "You got hurt protecting …"
Issei hugged her with his good arm. "I'm fine, alive, talking to you. No worries."
Asia cried harder, but her face softened. Rias and Akeno teased playfully, while Miu tackled Issei, sobbing, "You're safe!"
"Ow! Yeah, thanks for protecting everyone, Miu," Issei said, bracing for his dad's scolding later.
"Let's go ho," he said.
"Yes!" his friends cheered.
Two days later, at the sports festival, Issei and Asia prepared for the three-legged race. His bandaged right arm, still numb from Ignis's toll, didn't hurt much, thanks to their healing. "We're set," he told Asia. "Let's win and show everyone our hard work!"
"Yes!" Asia bead.
At the starting line, they tied their ankles, syncing perfectly. "One, two! One, two!" they chanted, racing forward to cheers from Rias, Akeno, and others, including Issei's parents. Miu waited at the finish, shouting, "Last sprint, go!"
Issei glanced at Asia. "We're family. If anyone makes you cry again, I'll protect you. Stay by my side forever."
Asia, fighting tears, focused and ran. They crossed the finish line first, grabbing the flag. "We did it!" Issei roared, fist raised.
Asia laughed, "We did, Issei-san!"
Exhausted from Eclipse's lingering toll, Issei stumbled, but Asia caught him. "I'm just tired," he assured her. Miu checked on them, then rushed to her next event, leaving Asia to support Issei.
Under a tree near the gym, they rested in quiet solitude. "Let's cheer next," Issei suggested.
"Um, Issei-san," Asia said, then kissed him.
Issei froze, brain short-circuiting. "A-Asia, w-what was that?"
"I love you, Issei-san. I'll stay by your side forever," she said, her smile radiant.
Issei lay back, gazing at the sky. "Yeah, together forever, Asia."
He'd never been happier.
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