Throne & DxD

Hello fellow masters - in - arms, I was able to get this chapter out a little early, please tell me your thoughts on the story so far. I do not own any property in this story beside my OC

The once serene and peaceful Kuoh Park was now in shambles, illuminated by the pale light of the moon and the violent flashes of energy that tore through the night. The trees shuddered under the force of the attacks, leaves scattering in the wind. In the midst of it all, Rias Gremory and her peerage fought fiercely against Raynare, who has become a rampaging force.

Raynare's eight black wings flared out behind her as she unleashed a barrage of light spears at her enemies. Her eyes gleamed with madness, a twisted grin etched on her face. "I'll destroy you all! You're vermin before me!"

"An eight-winged fallen angel!" they gasped

Rias stood behind her comrades, her crimson hair flowing like in the wind, her eyes burning with anger. "You dare trespass on my territory and attack my city. This transgression will not go unpunished!"

Beside her, Koneko darted in and out of the fray, her small stature belying her incredible strength. She delivered powerful blows to Raynare, each strike precise and unyielding. Behind her, Yuuto moved quickly, his sword flashing in the moonlight as he deflected Raynare's attacks.

Akeno floated above, her wings spread wide as she conjured bolts of lightning in her hands. "Ara~Ara, you've been a naughty girl. It's time for your punishment," she called out, her voice dripping with a mix of seduction and menace. 

Raynare sneered, her arrogance only growing with each passing moment. "Is that all you've got? So much for the destructive power of Gremory. You're all pathetic!"

She launched herself at Rias with terrifying speed, her wings cutting through the air like blades. Rias barely had time to react, summoning a barrier of demonic energy just in time to block Raynare's attack. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the park, cracking the earth beneath them.

Kiba and Koneko moved in tandem, attacking Raynare from both sides. Kiba's sword slashed through the air, while Koneko's fists pummeled the fallen angel with relentless fury. But even as they fought with all their might, Raynare's newfound power made her nearly unstoppable.

The fallen angel releases a burst of energy that knocks both of them away, colliding with the ground. Raynare takes to the sky, collecting holy light, molding it into a giant spear.

Rias gritted her teeth, her mind racing as she strategized. Raynare was overwhelming, and despite their best efforts, the battle was far from won. She could feel the strain on her team, the toll that the prolonged fight was taking on them.

But they couldn't afford to give up. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.

"Koneko, go for her wings!" Rias ordered, her voice firm. "Akeno, bring her down! Yuuto, finish her off!"

Koneko nodded, cracking her knuckles, her expression determined as she launched herself into the air, her fists glowing with a fierce energy. Akeno followed suit, her hands crackling with electricity as she prepared to strike. As Koneko closed in on Raynare, she delivered a powerful punch to one of the fallen angel's wings. The impact sent a shockwave through her body, and Raynare faltered, her flight becoming unsteady. Akeno seized the opportunity, unleashing a torrent of lightning that struck Raynare, causing her to grunt in pain. As she was distracted, Yuuto flew high above her, his sword primed and ready, dives straight towards her.

As the energy surged and crackled throughout the park, its ominous presence disturbed the quiet night, drawing the attention of a brown-haired boy jogging along the park's outskirts. He slowed his pace, his senses tingling as he noticed the unusual disruption in the air. Curiosity and concern flickered in his eyes as he veered off his path, heading towards the source of the disturbance.

Back at the heart of the battle, the situation had taken a dire turn. Raynare had ensnared Koneko within the grip of her wings. The small but fierce girl struggled in vain, her strength no match for the fallen angel's overwhelming power.

Akeno found herself in a similarly helpless position, Raynare's hand wrapped tightly around her neck, cutting off her air and limiting her movements. Her usual grace and poise were replaced by a desperate struggle to free herself, but Raynare's grip was unyielding.

Yuuto lay pinned to the ground, restrained. He strained against the pressure holding him down, but it was no use. Raynare's foot pressed harder against his chest, keeping him firmly in place.

And then there was Rias on the ground as Raynare pointed her spear directly at her. Despite the dire situation, Rias remained calm, her eyes locked with Raynare's in a silent battle of wills. But even Rias, with all her power and confidence, could not deny the overwhelming disadvantage they were facing.

Raynare's voice dripped with scorn as she mocked them. "The great power of the Gremory is not all it's cracked up to be. Pathetic! You're all so weak, so helpless before me. It's almost sad, really."

Koneko struggled to free herself, her eyes narrowed in defiance, but she could feel her strength waning. Akeno, gasping for breath, tried to summon her power, but Raynare's grip tightened, causing her to wince in pain. Yuuto gritted his teeth, trying to push Raynare off him, but the fallen angel's strength was too much.

As Raynare reveled in her imminent victory, a twisted smile spread across her face. "This is where it ends for you, Gremorys. I'll kill you all, and then this city will be mine. Hell! I might just resurrect you all as my slaves."

With those words, she raised her spear, preparing to thrust it into Rias's heart. The redhead braced herself, her mind racing for a solution, but there was no time.

Just as Raynare was about to deliver the fatal blow, a sudden impact struck her from the side with incredible force, sending her flying across the park. The fallen angel crashed into the ground, her grip on Akeno and Koneko released, and Kiba was freed from her oppressive weight.

"WHY ARE YOU HOLDING BACK?"

All three of them having difficulty breathing, their eyes widened in surprise. They were met with the sight of a masked figure, their face hidden behind a wolf mask. The mask was intricately designed with sharp features.

The figure with a small frame (4'5) turns to face Raynare, who was recovering from the unexpected blow. Raynare's expression twisted in annoyance as she took in the sight of the figure that had dared to strike her. "What's this, on your way to a furry convention? Someone call the police, there is a HENTAI on the loose." 

The masked child remained silent, unmoved by Raynare's insult. Without a word, he brandished a collapsible baton, the metal gleaming ominously as it extended to its full length. He began to walk slowly toward the fallen angel, each step deliberate.

Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko struggled to their feet, battered but determined to continue the fight. Just as they prepared to join the battle once more, the masked child's voice, distorted and eerie, cut through the night air.

"Do not interfere! This thing is my prey," the masked boy declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The peerage members exchanged glances, a mix of concern and uncertainty passing between them. They could sense the raw power emanating from the boy, and something in his voice told them that this battle was personal. Reluctantly, they took a step back, watching intently but ready to assist if needed.

Raynare's eyes narrowed as she recognized the masked figure, her rage intensifying. "Round 2, is it?" she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. The realization of who stood before her only fueled her anger. "You think you can take me down, boy? You'll regret coming after me!"

*AURA OVERLOAD (5-min)*

With a sudden burst of speed, the boy charged at Raynare, his blade poised to strike. The air crackled with tension as their battle recommenced, the sound of clashing steel and energy reverberating through the park. Raynare met his charge with a flurry of light spears, her wings propelling her forward with deadly precision.

But the boy was quick. He dodged her attacks with ease, his blade cutting through the air like a vengeful spirit. Each swing was aimed with deadly intent, forcing Raynare to stay on the defensive. The power she had so arrogantly flaunted earlier was now being put to the test.

Raynare's frustration grew as she found herself unable to land a decisive blow. The masked boy was relentless, his attacks relentless and unyielding. He fought with a fury that belied his small stature, his every move a testament to his determination to bring Raynare down.

"You're nothing but a weakling! A Human" Raynare screamed, her voice filled with desperation as she unleashed a powerful blast of energy. "I am a higher being! You should've just stayed down!"

As the fierce battle between the masked boy and Raynare raged on, Rias and the rest of her peerage stood at a distance, watching in a mix of awe and confusion. The masked figure moved with incredible speed and precision, his blade clashing against Raynare's light spear. But despite the boy's formidable strength, the question lingered in the air.

"Who is that?" Akeno murmured, her brow furrowed in thought as she observed the masked child's relentless assault. "He's strong, but I've never seen a human like this before." "He must be a rogue fighter," Yuuto speculated, his eyes never leaving the battle. "But the way he's fighting… it feels personal." Rias nodded in agreement, "Yes, there's something more to this. He's not just here by chance. There's something between them."

As they debated, Koneko remained silent, her golden eyes fixed intently on the masked boy. There was something nagging at the back of her mind, a feeling of familiarity that she couldn't shake. His scent—it was as if she smelled it before, only for a little.

The more she watched, the more certain she became. The boy's scent was one she had encountered earlier, but it was mixed with something different, something she couldn't quite place, energy similar to her yet vastly different

"Koneko, are you okay?" Rias asked, noticing her rook's uncharacteristic stillness. But Koneko didn't respond. Her body tensed, her instincts telling her to act. And then, without warning, her body moved on its own. Before she even realized what she was doing, Koneko rushed forward, her small form darting toward the ongoing battle.

"Koneko, wait!" Rias called out, reaching out to stop her, but it was too late. Koneko was already gone, her speed carrying her straight into the heart of the fight.

The others tried to follow, but Koneko's swiftness outpaced them. Rias's heart pounded in her chest as she watched her rook close the distance between herself and the masked boy. "Koneko!" Akeno shouted, her voice filled with concern.

Yuuto sprinted after her, but even he couldn't keep up. "She's too fast!"

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the balance of power had begun to shift. The masked boy was defending against Raynare's relentless attacks, but he was being pushed back. Raynare's power was overwhelming, her strikes growing more furious and desperate with each passing moment. The boy's movements were becoming slower, his defense faltering as she pressed on.

Raynare grinned wickedly, sensing her impending victory. "You're finished, brat!" she sneered, her light spear poised for a final, devastating strike.

The boy's breath came in ragged gasps, his strength waning. He knew he was reaching his limit, but he refused to back down. He had to finish this fight—he won't let her win.

But just as Raynare thrust her spear forward, Koneko appeared in a blur of motion, her small body crashing into the fray. With a powerful leap, she intercepted the attack, deflecting Raynare's spear with an axe kick.

With Koneko's interference, Raynare was forced to withdraw before getting hit with another powerful kick. She glared at the small girl in annoyance but quickly regained her composure, retreating a few steps to reassess the situation. Koneko stood beside the boy, helping him to his feet despite his earlier protest.

"I told you not to interfere. This is my fight," the boy grumbled, his voice distorted by the mask.

Koneko, undeterred, replied with a hint of stubbornness, "Reckless, for someone almost out of steam. Let this big sister help you out." Before Raynare could launch another attack, "SWORD BIRTH" a wave of swords suddenly erupted from the ground beneath her, immobilizing her in place. She let out a furious shriek, her wings flapping wildly as she struggled to free herself from the unexpected trap.

Yuuto appeared from the shadows, his expression calm yet determined. Koneko flashed him a thumbs up and spoke in English, "Yuuto-senpai, nice!"

Rias and Akeno arrived soon after, quickly assessing the situation. Raynare continued to thrash about, her eyes blazing with rage as she tried to free herself from the entangling swords.

"How long will the blades last?" Rias asked, her tone urgent. "At most a minute," Yuuto replied, his voice steady, though he knew they were running out of time. Without hesitation, Rias turned to the masked boy, her eyes filled with determination. "The four of us couldn't harm her, but you were able to stand your ground. If we work together, we might just win."

The boy sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. He knew Raynare was too powerful to be taken down easily, and his strength was waning. Still, he nodded in agreement. "Agreed, but I need you all to keep her busy for a while. I need time to prepare."

Rias nodded, her expression resolute. "Understood. We'll give you the time you need."

Without wasting another moment, the four devils moved into position, preparing to keep Raynare occupied. Akeno and Koneko, recall the masked boy's harsh words. His voice echoes in their minds, pushing them to face the reality of their own limitations, they steeled themselves, but still hesitate.

The masked boy set his baton down and pulled out a couple of rune stones from his pocket. With practiced ease, he let his energy flow through the stones and into the weapon, the runes glowing as they absorbed his power. He spoke aloud, as if conversing with someone not present. "Leonardo, are any of your Tinker Tanks ready?"

"Way ahead of you, Kio. One is ready outside of the city, standing by. And they're called Gran Cavallo, not Tinker Tanks!" Leonardo's voice crackled through the earpiece, a mix of pride and excitement.

Kio's baton, now imbued with rune energy, hummed with power. The others were doing their best to keep Raynare occupied, each of them fighting with everything they had. Raynare, sensing the tide turning against her, flew up into the air, gathering her energy for a final, devastating attack.

"NOW!" Kio commanded, his voice ringing with authority.

"Gran Cavallo #5, FIRE!" Leonardo's shout echoed through the comms.

Outside the city, a small gear-driven tank whirred to life. With a series of clinking gears and springs, it aimed its barrel skyward and fired a concentrated bolt of energy directly at the fallen angel. The resulting explosion engulfed Raynare in a flash of light, momentarily disorienting her.

Kio seized the moment. "Hey, chibi! How about a boost?" he called out.

Koneko, without hesitation, prepares herself as Kio runs towards her, cupping her hands she propelled him high into the air, straight toward the stunned Raynare. Realizing the imminent danger, Raynare desperately threw a light spear at him. But Kio was ready—he deftly deflected the spear with his rune/aura-charged weapon and closed the distance between them.

*5…4…3…2…1*

Kio tore through Raynare, a surge of aura followed, blasting her with tremendous force. As the blast rippled through the air, it was as if time itself began to move in slow motion. Raynare, battered and broken, locked eyes with the battlefield below. Despite her defeat, she gave one last wicked smile, her lips curling in twisted satisfaction. With a flick of her remaining fingers, the light spear Kio had deflected earlier flared to life.

It shot downward, faster than a bullet, heading straight for Rias Gremory. "At least I'll drag the little princess to hell with me." 

Her peerage reacted instantly, each of them moving with desperation to intercept the deadly spear. Koneko, Kiba, and Akeno all leaped forward, but the spear was too fast—blindingly so. The gap between them and Rias was too wide.

Rias, eyes wide with shock, quickly conjured a multi-layered barrier, its crimson light shimmering as it surrounded her. The spear struck the barrier with brutal force. For a moment, the barrier held, but as the light spear pressed against it, cracks began to form, spider-webbing across the surface.

Rias' heart pounded in her chest, panic rising as she watched the barrier weaken under the pressure. "It's going to shatter..." she thought, her hands trembling as she tried to reinforce the spell.

Suddenly, just as the barrier was on the verge of breaking, a voice pierced the air.

"BOOST!"

In a blur of red and green light, a figure rushed toward her. The next thing Rias knew, she was being pushed out of the way, sent tumbling to the ground as the light spear exploded against the barrier.

When she looked up, her breath caught in her throat. There, lying on the ground was the brown-haired boy. His body was ripped in half, torn apart by the impact of the light spear.

Shock gripped her heart as she stared at the gruesome sight, unable to comprehend what had just happened. The boy had sacrificed himself—taken the full brunt of the attack meant for her.

"Why... why did he...?" she whispered, her voice shaking with disbelief. The rest of her peerage rushed to her side, saddened by the sight. But one thing was clear—the brown-haired boy had saved her life, at the cost of his.

Equipment shattered, fatigue and hunger at its peak, Kio plummeted from the night sky, his mind was already drifting into unconsciousness. The weight of the battle, the pain of the fight, and the sheer exhaustion overwhelmed him.

His body falls headfirst straight to the ground; but then, there was warmth—a comforting embrace that broke his fall. Kio's limp body was caught midair by Akeno. She hovered, cradling him against her chest, her wings gently keeping them aloft. As she looked down at the one who had helped them, her breath caught. Through the broken pieces of his mask, she could see bits of his youthful face. The one who fought against the fallen angel with such tenacity was nothing more than a child.

"He's a child..." she whispered to herself, shocked that someone so young had fought with such power and conviction. She felt a surge of disbelief, something deep within her that stirred at the sight of his small frame. There was innocence to his sleeping face that contrasted with the ferocity she had witnessed in the battle.

The night air was cool, but Akeno could feel the warmth of Kio's skin. He was alive, but just barely.

*Line Break*

The sun rises, shining its brilliant rays on the city of Kuoh. Inside the Han-Bin residence, Kio sleeps, awakened by a melodious hum. Rising from bed, he hears Leonardo tinkering on something while humming next to his bed.

"Well, hello there, sleepyhead. Fully rested?" Leonardo greeted warmly as she rose from her chair, her ever-present smile brightening the room. Kio, still dazed from sleep, swung his legs over the side of the bed. His body, wrapped in bandages and gauze, ached as he tried to stand, his legs trembling. Almost immediately, he stumbled, his balance failing him.

Before he could hit the ground, a mechanical arm shot out from Leonardo's backpack, catching him with a gentle but firm grip. Kio, still trying to shake off his grogginess, as Leonardo stepped closer with something in her hand. "Since you keep breaking and losing it multiple times, So, I made it better," she said with a grin, her voice carrying a playful tone.

*Fanfare* "Introducing the Da Vinci Cane MK #7. Virtually unbreakable, compatible with all forms of energy." she announced dramatically, handing him a cane she'd been tinkering with. The polished handle gleamed in the sunlight, and the craftsmanship radiated her signature ingenuity.

After Kio received the cane, she also handed him his broken wolf mask. "I didn't know if you wanted me to fix this one, so I…" Leonardo said before Kio interrupted. "It's fine, this was the beginning of the past year. It is time that we put it to rest. As you said, start of a new chapter"

"How long have I been out?" he questioned. Leonardo paused for a moment, as she walked towards the door. "A day and a half?" she responds. "You should take a bath and get ready. We have company coming over."

Kio's expression shifted, a sense of dread creeping over him. "Company?" he repeated, already feeling something off. His instincts told him this wasn't going to be the casual visit he would prefer. And unfortunately for him, that instinct was right.

Later that day, Kio found himself sitting at a table, annoyance concealed on his face. Across from him, Rias Gremory and her peerage sat with calm interest. Rias, ever poised, introduced herself. "I am Gremory Rias, heir to the House of Gremory. We want to thank you for saving us that night."

One by one, the rest of the group followed her lead. Koneko, Yuuto, Akeno—all introducing themselves and voicing their gratitude. Finally, a clueless boy, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, chimed in. "Uh, I'm Hyoudou Issei … nice to meet you?"

Kio sighed inwardly, his earlier bad feeling now fully confirmed, but not as bad as he expected it to be. "Kagamaru Nanashi", his voice cold and devoid of enthusiasm. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees, and an awkward silence settled over the table. Everyone felt it—the tension lingering after his terse introduction.

Trying to break the silence, Issei blurted out, "I thought kids are supposed to be happy, mischievous, and full of energy?"

Without missing a beat, he replied, "Life happens, as well as cleaning up the shit left by neglectful people. Besides, I'm not a kid. I'm older than all of you."

His words hung in the air, sharp and cutting, leaving the room even quieter than before. Koneko, who had been watching Kio carefully, suddenly remembered their encounter at the park. Her usual stoic expression cracked, and before she could stop herself, she started giggling uncontrollably. She quickly placed both of her hands over her mouth, trying to contain the laughter.

"Koneko?" Rias asked, her tone curious. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, President," Koneko replied between giggles. "I just remembered something, that's all."

Kio groaned inwardly, feeling embarrassed, dreading what Koneko was thinking. Before anyone could say more, the door swung open, and Leonardo cheerfully entered the room, her bright smile lighting up the space. "I hope you guys are hungry?" she asked, carrying plates of food in each hand.

Everyone on Rias' side hesitated for a moment, staring at the food Leonardo had placed in front of them. "Itadakimasu" But when Koneko and Issei began eating enthusiastically, praising how good it tasted, the others followed suit, cautiously at first, but soon savoring every bite. As they ate, the atmosphere lightened, the tension fading away with every mouthful.

Once the meal was over, Rias set down her utensils and addressed Kio. "In the name of the House of Gremory, I must reward you for saving us. Anything you want, I shall grant."

Kio pondered her words for a moment before responding. "All I ask is that we keep to ourselves. We do not interfere with each other's lives."

Rias's expression saddened at his response. "I see. It is unfortunate. I was also going to ask if you wanted to be part of my peerage, but you've already given your answer."

Kio remained steady as he replied, "I have no interest in becoming a devil. I was born as a human. I will live, fight, and die as one."

With lunch finished, Rias and her peerage rose from their seats, preparing to leave. Leonardo and Kio walked them to the door, where Rias and Akeno turned and politely said, "Thank you for the hospitality. Sorry for not bringing anything, Miss…?"

"Just call me Lilyo," Leonardo replied with a bright smile. "Don't worry about it. I'm certain we'll see each other more often."

As they began to depart, Akeno turned back with a curious expression. "Who exactly are you?"

Kio, unfazed, answered simply, "Just a nobody."

Koneko tugged on Akeno's skirt gently. "It's okay," she said quietly.

Akeno nodded, and with that, the group exchanged goodbyes. As they walked away, the Han-Bin residence grew quiet once more, the echoes of the encounter lingering briefly before fading into the afternoon air.

As Leonardo closed the door behind the departing guests, Kio turned to her with a questioning expression. "Where is she?" Leonardo didn't say much, simply pointing upward. With a nod, Kio made his way to the roof. There, overlooking the city, he found the black cat, its eyes reflecting the warm glow of the setting sun.

"You alright, Kuroka?" Kio asked gently.

The cat stirred, transforming into a young woman with long black hair, dressed in a flowing black kimono. She sat next to him on the roof, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. "I'm just glad to see that my little Shirone is doing well," Kuroka said, her voice heavy with guilt. "And... sorry about leaving you at the park. I was scared."

Kio gave her a calm expression. "It's fine, but don't do that again," he responded firmly. He shifted slightly, sensing the weight of her emotions. "What are you going to do now?"

Kuroka sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I don't know... I abandoned her. She'll never forgive me."Kio sat in silence for a moment before speaking softly, "You can always talk to her." Kuroka shook her head, her eyes filled with regret. "It's too late. I left her. She'll hate me."

Kio placed a comforting hand on her head, petting her. "It'll take time, but I know you two will be close again. You just need to take that first step. Leonardo and I will be there with you"

Kuroka gave a weak smile, appreciating Kio's words, but the pain still lingered. The two sat in quiet companionship, waiting out over the city as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

Back in the Occult Research Club (ORC) room, Rias and her peerage sat around, reflecting on their earlier encounter with Kagamaru. Breaking the silence, Rias asked each of them for their thoughts on him.

Koneko was the first to speak, her tone as steady as ever, a slight smile. "I don't feel any malice from him," she said softly. "He even shared his food with me. He is a good guy."

Akeno leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful smile on her lips. "I'm surprised, honestly," she began. "A kid like him, able to fight evenly with a supernatural being—and he's blind? It's impressive, to say the least."

Yuuto nodded as he considered his own thoughts. "Nanashi is like a pristine sword, still sheathed but ready to strike at any moment. I get the feeling that if he wanted to... he could kill us all. He's strong."

Issei, uncharacteristically serious for once, chimed in. "I dunno, he didn't seem like a bad guy to me. I didn't get any weird vibes from him."

Rias took in their responses, pondering for a while. "We'll keep our distance, as he wished," she finally said. "But we'll keep an eye on him, just to be safe. There's something about him that warrants caution, even if he doesn't seem hostile right now." (As Yuuto says "He's strong" There must be a reason why he looks like that instead of looking older. It would have been better if I got to question him myself at my place after he woke up, but that Lilyo girl interfered before anything could have been done. What a headache!") she thought to herself.

As the conversation settled, Rias's familiar fluttered into the room, landing on her shoulder. Its message was clear—there was a stray devil inside the city. Rias's expression grew more serious. "Everyone, get ready," she commanded.

As they all prepared to leave, Rias turned to Issei, her voice shifting into a tone of guidance. "Issei, this is your chance to learn. As my pawn, you play an important role in our battles. It's time for you to start understanding what it means to be a devil in my service." With that, the ORC members moved quickly, ready to face the next challenge the night had brought to their doorstep.

*A few days later*

The sun hung high in a cloudless sky, casting bright rays over Kuoh City. At the bustling Kuoh train station, a petite girl with long blonde hair, wearing a nun's attire, stepped off the train. Her eyes wide with wonder, marveled at the city around her. She had heard so much about this place, and now that she was here, everything seemed even more beautiful.

As she stood in awe, taking in the sights, she didn't notice the large man walking toward her. In her distraction, She accidentally bumped into him, knocking herself down and spilling his drink on his shirt. "I-I'm so sorry!" she stammered, quickly trying to clean the stain with her handkerchief.

The man glared at her, his face twisting in anger. "Fuckin Gaijin," he muttered darkly, raising his hand to strike her. She froze, fear taking hold, but before the blow could land, a tall woman with striking white hair, dressed in a sleek black sundress, stepped in.

The woman swiftly grabbed the man's arm, her grip like iron. "Here I thought Japanese were known for moral and honor, but that doesn't seem to apply to you! What do you think you're doing?" she asked calmly, her voice carrying an icy edge that sent a chill down the man's spine.

Without waiting for an answer, she effortlessly twisted his arm and slammed him into the ground with a powerful thud, knocking him out cold. The man lay unconscious, and the tall lady dusted off her hands, her expression calm and collected.

the nun, still shaken, looked up at her savior. "Th-thank you," she whispered, still trying to process what had just happened.

The woman extended a hand to the nun, gently picking the little nun up from the ground. Though still slightly shaken, the nun dusted herself off and immediately turned her attention back to the unconscious man. Walking over to him, she clasped her hands together and began to pray. A soft, green light glowed from her palms, and within moments, the bruises on the man's body started to fade, completely healed. The woman watched this scene with interest, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "A sacred gear user!" she mused quietly to herself.

As they began to walk together, the nun introduced herself, her voice soft and kind. "My name is Asia Argento. I've been sent here from England to help restart the church in this town. I was wondering if you might know where it is?"

The woman, still observing Asia's gentle demeanor, shrugged slightly. "Just call me Ane, I'm not sure where the church is. I just arrived here myself." She paused for a moment before a thought crossed her mind. "But I know someone who might be able to help."

Curiosity piqued, Asia nodded and followed Ane. They made their way through the streets of Kuoh, eventually arriving at the Han-Bin residence. As they approached, the sounds of wooden strikes echoed in the air. In the backyard, Kio was deep in training, wielding a wooden sword as he faced off against several flying drones. 

Each strike was precise as he destroyed them in an instant, taking off his shirt to wipe off the sweat he the build up. "Kaaa~ KIO!" Ane tackles Kio at full force, both on the ground as Ane cuddles up to him. "Ahhhh! Stop Ane, I am covered in sweat" he struggles. "Ara, welcome home, Ane. How was your trip?" Leonardo says coming outside.

"It was fine," Ane replied with a smirk as she grabbed Leonardo's arm, pulling her into a warm, playful cuddle. "I missed you little rascals!" Ane said, her voice full of affection.

"We're older than you," Kio and Leonardo objected in unison, though they didn't resist the embrace.

This playful back-and-forth continued for a bit, the lighthearted energy between them palpable. Eventually, Ane turned to Asia, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "By the way, this is Asia Argento. She's new to Kuoh and will be restarting the local church."

Leonardo and Kio gave Asia a curious expression, welcoming her with kind words. "Seems like you need a place to relax, come on in, I'll whip up something quick" Leonardo said

It is as though the thread of destiny had intertwined, the wheel of fate had begun to turn ever so slightly faster. What did the future hold for these people brought together by chance? Only time would tell, as the world prepared to test them in ways they could not yet foresee.

Chapter End