The battlefield shimmered into existence—a ghostly, miniature replica of Kuoh Town under a cold, silver moon. Abandoned streets twisted like forgotten veins beneath flickering neon signs, their dying light casting eerie glows on cracked sidewalks. Broken lampposts sputtered like fading stars, shadows bleeding into the hollow alleys. Faint echoes of laughter and hurried footsteps—ghostly fragments of memories—haunted the air, painting a false life upon a dead city.
And then—
Grayfia's voice cut through the night like a blade.
"Begin."
[System Notification – Major Task Activated]
Task: Dragon's Culling
Objective: Eliminate Riser Phenex and at least four members of his peerage.
Rewards:
Minor Weapon Proficiency
Specialized Devil Fruits (for you and your peerage)
Fighting Style of Yujiro Hanma
Book of Rudeus Greyrat's Magic Theories
Admiration of the Noble Houses
Bonus rewards available for exceeding eliminations.
The promise of power carved itself into Issei's soul like a brand. Ancient instincts surged, molten and ravenous.
[Issei: "I want it all. I'll take it all."]
[Ddraig: Let your dragon's greed devour them, Partner.]
A slow, savage grin spread across Issei's face.
"Let's begin."
Riser's View — Command in Flame
High above the fractured Kuoh train station, Riser Phenex surveyed the battlefield. From his perch, the town unfolded like a chessboard of shadow and light: narrow alleys perfect for traps, abandoned cars ripe for cover, rooftops waiting for ambushes.
Wings of flame fanned wide, his gaze burning as he addressed his assembled peerage.
"Control the open avenues," he commanded, voice calm, ice beneath fire. "Force them into the alleys—my flames burn brightest in the choke points."
His gaze lingered on Ravel, her expression sharpened to a cold edge, then on Yubelluna, whose lips curved into a cruel smile.
"Yubelluna, keep your explosions ready. Ravel, shield our flanks."
His fire flared, pride coiling around him like a crown.
"This town is theirs, but tonight — it will be our pyre."
Rias' View — The Crimson Queen's Gambit
In the heart of the deserted shopping arcade, shattered glass storefronts mirrored Rias Gremory's resolve. The moonlight kissed her crimson hair as she addressed her peerage with fire in her voice.
"This is our home," she declared, voice both regal and tender. "Every street, every shadow — they belong to us. Kuoh is ours. Tonight, we fight for it."
Her gaze swept her family. Kiba's sword shimmered in the gloom, Koneko's fists clenched like coiled meteors. Akeno's smirk promised storms. Asia's determination radiated soft, steady light. And Issei — his aura flickered like a rising sun.
A confident smile tugged at her lips.
"Let's roast this chicken."
The Battle Rages
Kiba's blade sang beneath the neon glow of a cracked karaoke sign. He danced with Karlamine in a deadly waltz — Zoro's sword style weaving clean arcs through the narrow alley. Steel clashed, sparks scattered. A slip, a strike — Kiba's blade grazed her ribs.
The elimination bell rang like a death knell.
On a cracked basketball court, Koneko's fists came down like meteorites. The Nemean Cestus blazed with golden light, each punch launching Phenex knights through chain-link fences and shattering pavement. A Rook lunged — only to be slammed through a streetlamp, the bell tolling their end.
On the bakery rooftop, Akeno hovered, laughter soft and electric. Bolts of lightning leapt from her fingertips, dancing across the streets below. Three Phenex pawns fell in rapid succession, air thick with ozone and the sharp scent of charred pride.
"Tired, little birds?" she purred, stormlight in her gaze.
"Let's keep going."
Asia worked in the dim shelter of a shattered bus stop, her healing light soft against the cruel neon. Her magic mended Koneko's bruises, a quiet fortress in a war of flame and thunder.
Issei moved like a storm through the moonlit streets, the Holy Spear in hand, Escanor's power roaring within. Mira lunged — fire-wreathed fists striking — but the spear drank her flames whole, and she vanished in a burst of white light.
The elimination bell tolled.
A Phenex knight rushed him. Issei's boot struck the earth — lava magic burst forth, rivers of molten rock swallowing the knight whole. Another bell, another soul claimed.
[Ddraig: Their souls are ripe for the taking, Partner.]
Observing Eyes
In Olympus, Hephaestus' crimson eye narrowed.
"Those gauntlets… my craft… but how…?"
In a dark room lined with monitors, Valerie Lucifer watched with parted lips, golden eyes gleaming.
"He's outgrowing this battlefield," she whispered.
Azazel smirked.
"Now it's getting good."
Baraqiel sat in silence, his stormy gaze hiding a maelstrom of thoughts.
The Final Clash
Kiba fell first, spent from his duel. A Phenex Rook's crushing blow cracked the street, the elimination bell tolling.
Koneko, drained and panting, was ensnared by a binding spell from Riser's bishop. She struggled — the bell rang again.
Three on three.
In the deserted town square, Riser stood tall, flames coiling like serpents. Ravel to his right, unyielding. Yubelluna to his left, hunger burning in her gaze.
Opposing them: Rias Gremory, power radiating crimson wrath. Akeno, lightning dancing at her fingertips. And Issei — dragon's hunger surging in his veins, Crimson Sun and Queen's Judgment blazing within his soul.
Grayfia's voice cracked the silence like a war drum.
"Three combatants remain on each side. This is the final clash."
Issei felt the dragon's greed pulse in his chest, every shattered window, broken street, and flickering light calling his name. The town was alive beneath his skin.
This was his stage.
His war.
The final battle had come.
And he would take everything.