T.G.O.E: Kon

A mythological being attacked me, and I somehow managed to defeat it.

But…

"Huff… Huff…"

I was suddenly thrust back into the real world without any warning…

My head was spinning. 

Pedestrians moved away in fear as I ran along the sidewalk, my sleeve covering my face. 

My body was exhausted beyond words. My injuries, along with the blood soaking my clothes, were slowing me down. 

…I am going to get caught.

An sickening fear gripped my heart. 

Trip

I lost my balance and nearly crashed into an old man, but somehow, I caught myself mid-fall and kept moving, my free arm swinging wildly back and forth. 

But soon…

Collapse

A dull ache spread through my legs, my knees buckling under me. My vision blurred slightly, and the moment my foot hit the ground, my body gave out, scraping against the asphalt.

…

The whispers around me grew louder as people gathered in a loose circle. 

However, no one dared to approach me.

I had the sudden urge to close my eyes—just for a moment—but if I lost consciousness now… 

"Someone call the police!"

"Is he hurt?"

"That blood… is it his?"

Shit… Shit! 

I tried to push myself up, but my arms refused to cooperate. 

What do I do…? 

Then— 

Silence

Suddenly, everything went quiet. 

Eh..?

With great difficulty, I lifted my head. 

My breath caught in my throat. The pedestrians who had been murmuring moments ago, the cool evening breeze, the birds perched on the electric lines—even the cars speeding down the road—were completely frozen in place. 

What in the…?

Step. Step.

A ripple passed through the frozen world. A small figure emerged from between the frozen bodies , her footsteps echoing eerily.

A child…

She had long black hair that fell past her hips, her deep black eyes faintly glowing with a tint of red. 

Halt.

She stared at me, her expression unreadable.

A suffocating pressure wrapped around my body. 

"That was an interesting battle."

Her voice echoed strangely, making me blink.

She turned her head slightly, as if sensing something in the distance.

"But they are coming for you now."

Who…?

I had a rough idea of who she meant. I had a feeling that Amano wasn't alone. 

But if that's the case, then this girl… she isn't with them?

She looked down at me, studying my face. 

I tried to move, but my body wouldn't listen. 

Then—

She raised her arm toward me.

My heart lurched.

…

?!!

A strange warmth spread through me.

Energy surged into my limbs, my exhaustion fading.

My protective gear vanished. My blazer, which I had lost, reappeared. The pain in my body melted away, and even my school bag materialized at my feet as if it had never left.

I was stunned.

Did she just heal me? No…

This went far beyond healing. 

Restoration.

Slowly, I touched my bag, feeling for its contents. Everything was there.

The girl kept watching me in silence.

Everyone else was still frozen in time. A crowd surrounded us, but they might as well have been statues. 

This child just helped me right…? What are her motives?

She didn't mutter a single word but continued to stare at me. 

I don't know what is happening but…

"T-thank you…" I muttered.

I shouldn't stay here any longer.

"…"

She didn't respond. 

I clutched my bag and cautiously stepped past her. Her eyes followed me, tracking my every move. 

…

Even as I left the frozen world behind, I could feel her gaze burning into my back. I ran the rest of the way home without looking back. 

*****

Issei's fingers barely had the strength to turn the doorknob to his room. He almost expected someone to be waiting inside for him. The moment he stepped in, his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the floor, his breath ragged. He wasn't even sure if his body was shaking from exhaustion or sheer adrenaline. He had killed someone. No… something. But it still felt too unreal. 

Thankfully, his parents and Izo weren't home. 

At some point during his escape, the world had returned to normal. The sounds of life—chatter, car horns, the rustling wind—had resumed. 

Issei ran his fingers through his hair, his breath still uneven.

Now that he had the mental space to think about the events, the weight of it hit him like a train.

'Did my brain after living a prolonged loner life started hallucinating? How-How is that even…'

He shut his eyes and lay face first on the floor, trying to make head or tails out of this situation. 

"All of that really happened."

A voice echoed through the room. 

WHAM

Issei shot up in panic, slamming his shoulder into the bed frame. Through the biting pain, he saw it.

That child from earlier was sitting on his desk, her empty gaze fixed on me.

*********

Rumors had already begun spreading throughout Kuoh Town. A boy, covered in blood, had mysteriously vanished. 

A few policemen had arrived at the scene after multiple reports, scouring the area for any traces of him. But the story remained the same—he had disappeared into thin air. 

A tall man, dressed in a pale gray trench coat over a white dress shirt, approached an old man at a nearby newspaper stall. 

"Excuse me, what happened here? Why are the police here?"

The old man, flipping through a newspaper, glanced up.

"Lad, you see that crosspath over there?" he pointed, his voice low. "About half an hour ago, a boy appeared out of nowhere, covered in blood. Looked like he'd been in a bloody fight. He was running—like his life depended on it—but then he just collapsed. And then—" the old man's voice dropped to a whisper, "I swear to God, lad, he disappeared into thin air. Gone. Poof. Just like that."

His eyes were sharp, despite his age.

"Don't take this as an old man's rambling. I know what I saw."

The man in the coat nodded a few times, murmured a quick thank you, and walked away. 

The moment he stepped into the shadows— 

SHRIP

Six black wings sprouted from his back.

With a single flap, he soared into the evening sky, landing smoothly on the rooftop of a nearby building.

As soon as he landed, two of his subordinates approached him.

.....

"So, everyone got the same story?" Dohnaseek asked.

"Yes, Dohnaseek-sama."

The response came from a tall, buxom woman with brown eyes and long, navy-blue hair that draped over her right eye. She wore a maroon, trench-coat-like top with a wide collar, a matching miniskirt, and black heeled shoes—Kalwarner, his subordinate. 

"I traced her presence back to a park nearby but it suddenly vanishes here…"

Another voice chimed in, this time from a younger girl with blonde twin-tails and striking blue eyes. She wore a Gothic Lolita-style outfit, a large black bow resting at the front—Mittelt, his second subordinate 

Dohnaseek remained silent.

Negative thoughts clawed at the edges of his mind.

Could it be that she…?

No. He crushed that thought before it could fully form.

Raynare wasn't weak. In fact, she was one of the strongest rising stars among their ranks, her power comparable to that of a four-winged fallen angel.

A normal supernatural being, didn't hold a candle to her.

Just when he was pondering where she could have disappeared to— 

GUST 

THUD

A figure landed onto the rooftop. 

Kalwarner and Mittelt tensed, their wings flaring slightly, ready for battle.

Dohnaseek turned, his eyes narrowing.

Brown hair fluttered in the wind.

Two large, scaly wings folded neatly into the newcomer's back. 

He was wearing Kuoh Academy's uniform. Hands in his pockets.

A gaze so cold it sent an instinctual warning through Dohnaseek's body.

Sekiryuutei…

"The Red Dragon Emperor!" Kalwarner exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hyoudou Izo ignored them.

His sharp eyes drifted downward, scanning the site where the blood-covered boy had reportedly collapsed.

"Were you guys behind this?" He asked, his tone neutral but heavy. 

"That's what we'd like to know," Mittelt squeaked, her usual bravado faltering.

And then— 

SHINE. 

Two glowing magic circles formed on the rooftop.

Figures emerged from them.

Kalwarner and Mittelt's faces paled.

Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri stood side by side, their postures firm.

Behind them, the Occult Research Club and the Student Council stood at attention, battle-ready.

Rias' voice carried effortlessly through the tension.

"How do you do, dear fallen angels?"

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

The numbers were clear.

Fourteen devils against three fallen angels. The fallen angels were hopelessly outnumbered. 

"Dohnaseek-sama, this situation is a bit…" Kalwarner whispered, shifting uncomfortably.

Dohnaseek, however, wasn't looking at Rias.

His gaze was locked onto Izo, sharp and calculating.

Raynare wouldn't have any trouble against normal supernatural beings but what if…

He composed himself and turned his attention to Rias Gremory.

"That crimson hair… you must be from the Gremory family."

His eyes flickered to Sona.

"And you… the heir of the Sitri family. The one who recruited the Sekiryuutei."

"…"

A short laugh escaped his lips.

"You can call me Dohnaseek."

His tone was polite, but everyone knew it was just a formality. 

"I'll ask just in case," he continued. "You didn't happen to come across our kin, did you?"

Rias and Sona exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

"No."

Dohnaseek chuckled.

"Well, I wouldn't expect honesty from a devil's mouth."

His wings twitched.

"I'll confirm the truth myself."

He met Izo's eyes once more.

The tension thickened.

Members of the Student Council matched Dohnaseek's hostility, their gazes hardened.

Then—

FLAP.

The three fallen angels took to the skies.

"What happened to your kin?" Sona asked.

"You don't need to know," Dohnaseek replied coldly, "So long, devils. Let's hope we won't meet again."

With one last glare at Izo, he and his subordinates disappeared into the night.

Silence lingered in their wake.

…

"So… they didn't cause this incident?" Saji muttered.

"What was that about 'kin'?"

"They might have just said it to divert our attention," Kiba reasoned.

As the Occult Research Club and Student Council discussed among themselves, Rias and Sona moved to the edge of the rooftop, their eyes fixed on the scene below.

A warm evening breeze swept through Kuoh Town, carrying with it unanswered questions. 

*******

The supernatural world exists. Yes, angels, fallen angels and devils are real. They coexist alongside humanity, unseen and in conflict. 

Since ancient times, the Devils have been at war with the Fallen Angels. They have been fighting over the possession of the Underworld, also known as 'Hell' in the human world. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for Devils and one for Fallen Angels. 

The Devils form pacts with humans, receive their sacrifices, gaining strength from their contracts. The Fallen Angels on the other hand, manipulate humans to eliminate Devils. 

At some point in this war, the Angels came in to destroy these two races on God's orders. 

What followed was the Great War—a battle that lasted for centuries, with no clear victor.

Now, though the large-scale battles have ceased, the conflict still lingers in the shadows.

…

Wind rustled through the curtains, causing her long black hair to lightly sway. 

The child, the one with the terrifying ability to stop time, sat on my desk, leaning against my monitor.

Sip. Sip.

She was drinking Calpis that I found in the fridge. She seemed to be amused by the surprising sweetness.

"Ophis likes this."

Meanwhile, I sat in seiza on the floor, my entire body tense.

I had no idea what she wanted, but for now, my instincts weren't screaming at me.

Yet, this girl had frozen time itself.

She was beyond dangerous.

"Oh… Is Ophis your friend?" I asked hesitantly.

"I, Ophis."

"….."

So this child who addresses herself in third person gave me a brief history about the supernatural world. But…

"So… where do 'I' come in all of this?"

Why did Amano Yuuma target me

Ophis took another sip before answering.

"Sacred Gear."

That term again…

She continued.

"Sacred Gear. Irregular power bestowed to certain humans. Many famous humans in history possessed a sacred gear."

Ophis finished her drink and placed the glass on top of my mouse pad. She curiously peered at my CPU as she continued.

"Most of the Sacred Gears have functions that are only usable in the human society. But there are exceptional Sacred Gears that are a threat to the supernatural. So the fallen angel hunts down sacred gear users to prevent future threats." 

"…"

I looked at my hands.

I have such a power…? It makes sense now that I think— 

"The sacred gear inside you is a dead one. A 'sleeping' sacred gear."

Ophis' voice cut through my thoughts. 

Wait… what…?

"Hold on…"

I jumped up.

"Does that mean it doesn't work?"

"Yes."

"Then, why…?"

Ophis looked me in my eyes.

"Your brother. The reason she targeted you is because of your brother."

An inexplicable feeling gripped my heart upon hearing those words.

"Exceptional sacred gears exist. However, there are exceptional among exceptionals— the thirteen longinus. This class of Sacred Gears is specifically named after the True Longinus, the first and most powerful. They are weapons that can kill gods."

She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.

"Your brother has one."

I slowly sat down, my mind reeling.

Ophis, now seemingly disinterested, started clicking random buttons on my mouse as I got lost in my thoughts.

I have always found my family shrouded in secrets. They were hardly home. When they were, they barely spoke to me. 

I don't even know what my parents do on a day to day basis.

But now, the pieces started falling into place.

Izo… Sacred Gear… Fallen Angels… Devils…

Were my parents aware of all this?

Did they know about the supernatural world?

And more importantly—

If Izo was this important…

Is that why...?

I clenched my fists.

I killed one of their kind.

And now, I was left with nothing to protect myself.

Even this child sitting in front of me could probably kill me if she wanted.

I swallowed. 

"… Excuse me, but who are you?"

She tilted her head.

"Ophis."

"No, I mean… what are you exactly?"

She looked me in the eyes for a few moments and blurted out…

"Dragon. A dragon."

"...…."

I have seen dragons portrayed as lolis in games before but… 

"Why did you help me?"

She pondered over my question for a few seconds.

"Dunno. You seemed interesting."

"…"

Ophis, losing interest in my mouse, climbed onto my gaming chair, spinning it slightly. 

"I… what should I do?"

I asked. 

"Dunno."

… Should have seen that coming…

This dragon apparently saved me on whim. A godsend luck, regardless.

Now, I need to figure out what to do…

"Can you tell me how many of them are here? The fallen angels?"

"Not many. This is a devil's territory."

"…Huh?"

HOLD UP.

"Wait—devils are here too?!"

"This is devil's territory," she repeated. "Many devils here."

My breath hitched. 

… So, the number of my adversaries increased…

"Devils are different," Ophis continued, "They might recruit you if you prove them to be worthy."

"… Recruit? You mean form a pact?"

Ophis nodded. 

"Devils have a system to reincarnate humans as devils, made to combat their low birth rate. They usually go for strong Sacred Gear users." 

"… But mine doesn't work, right?"

Another nod.

So that meant they probably wouldn't take me in...

… Many questions popped in my head… but one thing was clear. 

…Until Raynare decided to kill me, I was irrelevant in this world.

Looking back on that fight, it was clear—her pride was her downfall.

If someone more cautious, on her level, were to fight me…

I would lose.

I should have lost.

It was a miracle I survived.

"What will you do now?"

Ophis stopped spinning my chair and met my gaze. 

"I…"

I swallowed.

"Will the fallen angels seek revenge?"

"Likely."

I licked my dry lips.

"What do you want to do?"

Her question made me pause. 

"I… I don't know," I admitted, clenching my fists.

"I should be terrified. And I think I am… I should be running the hell away from all of this. But—"

I looked up, meeting her unblinking stare.

"That fight… it was different. It was raw, real. It was the first time my instincts, my mind, my entire being was pushed to such limits…"

I exhaled sharply.

"And I won."

I clenched my fists.

"I won."

My chest tightened.

"This feeling… You know what I mean?"

"No."

I deflated at her reply.

"You will die," she said flatly. "More than likely." 

Her words stung, but I knew she wasn't wrong. 

"… Is there a way to 'revive' my sacred gear?"

She shook her head.

"Dead sacred gear. Dead."

I felt like my throat burn. I have been in this existential blur for god knows how long… Now… even though I stepped on something interesting… something real… But because I lack power, my only way was… out?

The faces of my family surfaced in my mind.

So that's it? I was ignored because I was a fucking nobody? I was ignored, tossed aside, while my brother— 

GRIT

I gritted my teeth in frustration. 

Step.

Ophis stepped out of the stair and stood before me. 

"Interesting human," she said. "I will help."

"…What?"

"Help. You."

"How?"

She raised her hand.

My vision snapped to black.

.......

Wha- what is happening?!

'Stay still.'

Her voice echoed through the darkness. 

My chest burned.

It felt like I was sinking into thick, suffocating liquid, yet at the same time, something was pulling at me from within.

A massive stairway spiraled downward into an abyss, its steps stretching endlessly.

The air pulsed—thick with something ancient, something alive.

I had never feared heights before.

But this wasn't just a descent.

It was a pull.

A slow, inevitable drag into something far beyond my understanding.

Step.

Step.

Step.

I was moving too fast.

My head spun.

The shadows breathed.'

Two giant red orbs—no, eyes—glowed from the abyss below.

Step.

Step.

I tried to stop.

My foot missed the step.

For a single moment, I was suspended in nothingness—

Then I snapped back into reality.

….

I was on my all fours, gasping. Ophis lowered her hand.

"That will do."

I shuddered.

"…What did you just do?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"I have given what you need."

She walked to the window.

"I had fun."

"W-wait—you're leaving?"

She turned to me, her black eyes piercing.

"Remember," she said.

"Two high-class devils rule this area."

Then, just like that—

She vanished.

*******

The girl's laughter echoed in his mind.

Even now, when he closed his eyes, it felt as if she were standing right in front of him.

"Sir?"

Dohnaseek opened his eyes. He shook his head and stood up.

Now wasn't the time to get distracted.

"Are you alright?"

Kalwarner's voice held a trace of concern.

"I'm fine."

He walked over to the window, gazing out into the dimly lit streets below.

They were currently inside an abandoned church on a hill in the southern part of Kuoh Town.

A sanctuary for the 'fallen'—fitting.

"…Where is Mittelt?"

"She went to search for clues about Raynare."

Raynare—the ace of their team.

She had started gaining recognition about a year ago, quickly making a name for herself. It was only natural that she was assigned to this group.

Dohnaseek had an 87% success rate in his missions.

He had once led an elite unit, specialists in intelligence gathering and assassination.

But over the years, many members of his team had died.

Some left.

Some became commanders themselves.

And then, out of nowhere, he was handed an unexpected mission:

Monitor the Sacred Gear users of Kuoh Town.

And among them…

Hyoudou Izo—the Red Dragon Emperor.

A persistent thorn in their side.

Raynare hated him.

She wanted revenge.

We told her not to. We warned her multiple times.

"Oh, it's gonna be alright. I am one of the strongest among my class, you know?"

Raynare's voice echoed in his head. 

BANG

The wall cracked under his fist. 

"…"

Dohnaseek touched his forehead against his clenched fist.

Hours have passed by and her whereabouts were still unknown. 

***********************

Creak.

Creak.

The pull-up bar groaned under the weight of the person exercising in the dimly lit gym.

Creak.

Creak.

A visitor entered.

"H-Hiro-san… I have what you asked for…"

The figure on the bar froze.

"Leave it near the water bottle."

The nervous boy stumbled in the dark, placing the package down before quickly leaving.

Silence returned.

Creak.

Creak.

After a few more reps, Hiro Satoru jumped down, grabbing his towel.

Step. Step.

A muscular male figure came into view. The dim light flickered as he wiped the sweat from his silver hair. 

Hiro Satoru, 18 years old, 3rd year at Kuoh Academy

He ripped open the package and pulled out a few photos.

His emerald-green eyes scanned the images.

The photo showed Rias Gremory and Hyoudou Issei eating together in the cafeteria.

Hiro's emerald eyes darkened. 

His grip tightened around the photo, veins subtly appearing along his wrist.

The photo crumpled under his fingers before he tossed it aside. 

After gulping down some water, he returned to his workout.

As he lifted the heavy weights, only one face burned in his mind.

'Hyoudou Issei…'