The miniature Kuoh Town battlefield lay in ruin, moonlight painting twisted shadows across broken streets and crumbling rooftops. Once-proud buildings now stood as hollow husks, their shattered windows reflecting flickering flames and streaks of lightning.
Three figures stood against three.
Riser's cruel laughter cut through the silence like a blade, echoing off the scorched alleyways.
"So this is all you have left, Rias? A fallen priestess and a dragon that doesn't know how to roar?" he sneered, flames coiling around his fists like serpents eager to strike. "Just accept your fate. You can't win."
Ravel's smile was deceptively sweet, the softness of her features clashing with the cruel glint in her amber eyes.
"This is where your little rebellion ends."
Yubelluna's lips twisted in disdain, her voice a dagger wrapped in silk.
"You were never meant to rise above us, little devils."
Akeno's storm-gray eyes narrowed, her fury crackling in the air.
"Such confidence… let's see if you can keep it."
Lightning ignited along her fingertips as she lunged, her magic clashing against Yubelluna's surging flames. The narrow street exploded into a furious storm of color and sound, searing heat and blinding brilliance swallowing the world.
But Yubelluna was relentless.
Her next volley burst like a miniature sun, a sphere of flame that consumed everything in its path.
Akeno's cry tore through the battlefield — and then came the cold, merciless toll of the elimination bell.
In a flash of scorched light, she was gone.
"Akeno!" Rias's voice shattered the moment's hush, her hand outstretched as if she could reach through the void and pull her friend back.
Issei's world turned red.
Elsewhere — Azazel's Home Theater
Baraqiel's jaw tightened, though a flicker of approval crossed his stern features.
"The kid's not half-bad… at least he's fighting for my daughter's honor."
Valerie leaned forward, golden eyes wide, breath catching in her throat.
"He's… furious."
Albion's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"He shows the anger of a dragon. Let's see if he controls it… or if it consumes him."
Azazel's grin widened, golden eyes gleaming with dangerous satisfaction.
"Good… this is what I wanted to see. The moment the dragon wakes."
Back in the Ruins
Yubelluna brushed ash from her fingertips, a smug smirk curling her lips.
"Pathetic. Did you really think your lightning could match my flames?"
Issei's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. His breath came in sharp, burning pulls.
"You… took her from me."
Riser's mocking laughter rang down the ruined streets.
"She was just a toy to us, dragon boy. You should've known your place."
Something deep inside Issei broke.
A storm older than memory howled awake in his chest — ancient rage, protectiveness, and defiance.
The sky darkened, clouds churning as lightning coiled through the heavens, silver and gold arcs illuminating the fractured town below.
"You're done talking," he growled, his voice like a thunderclap.
"I won't let you flame chickens take what matters to me."
He thrust his hand skyward — a jagged bolt of lightning howling down from the heavens, a spear of pure wrath.
Yubelluna's eyes widened, too slow to evade.
The thunderbolt struck, spearing her through in a blinding burst of electric fury. Her scream was swallowed by the storm, the elimination bell tolling her defeat.
Issei lowered his hand, breath ragged, a snarl etched across his face.
"I'll burn you all if I have to."
Riser's Fury
Riser's face twisted with rage.
"You dare… you dare hurt my Yubelluna! You damn worm — I'll kill you!"
Flames spiraled around his fists as he lunged.
Issei met him head-on, Zanpakutō flashing in the moonlight — Hakuro Sword Style cleaving through burning fists, the very air screaming from the force of their clash.
And yet, every time Issei's blade struck true, Riser's wounds closed with molten defiance. Every time Issei's magic seared his flesh, Riser laughed, the sound echoing through the broken streets.
"Why do you even try?!" Riser bellowed, flames surging higher.
"I am immortal! Your fire is nothing! Your attacks mean less than a tickle! This is why the mighty Phoenix stands above any dragon!"
Issei staggered, breath coming ragged, sweat and blood painting the cracked tiles beneath his feet. He had thrown everything — Holy Spear Escanor, Holy Sword Escanor, molten lava, and thunderous lightning — and still Riser rose.
From the Rooftop — Rias's POV
Rias watched from a crumbling rooftop, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"Issei…"
Even Ravel's composure faltered.
Her fingers tightened around her staff, a flicker of fear shadowing her gaze as she watched her brother clash with the dragon.
Voices in the Deep
[Ddraig: Partner… you must push further! Show them the true hunger of a dragon!]
[Albion: (to Valerie, unseen in the shadows) …the balance of power is shifting, White Dragon Empress.]
[Quetzalcoatl: Let your blood sing, little dragon…]
The Blade Awakens
Issei's Zanpakutō trembled in his grip, a low hum rising into a keening song that seemed to echo through the ruined streets.
Fire, lava, and lightning wove together around him — a tapestry of raw power.
And in that moment, the world stilled.
His mind emptied, dragon and devil instincts roaring as one.
The blade whispered.
And he knew its first true name.
With a roar that cracked the heavens, Issei raised his blade high.
"Shikai — Release!"
A surge of power exploded outward, the battlefield swallowed in a blinding wave of apocalyptic brilliance.
Riser staggered, disbelief twisting his face.
"What… what is this power?!"
Issei's eyes gleamed like molten gold, his voice a dragon's roar made flesh.
"THIS IS WHY A BIRD SHOULD NEVER STEP TO A DRAGON!"
The final swing cleaved through the night — a brilliant, searing arc splitting the heavens. The roar of a dragon thundered across the twisted city, power devouring everything in its path.
In the Viewing Boxes
Gasps and cries erupted.
The Phenex patriarch paled, his jaw clenched in horror.
Venelana's lips parted, pride gleaming in her eyes.
Hephaestus's single eye narrowed, the forge goddess leaning forward with fascination.
Even the ancient dragons within the Boosted Gear fell silent, power's echo vibrating in their souls.
Aftermath
As the light faded, the miniature Kuoh Town lay in smoldering ruin.
Streets cracked and glowing, shattered buildings trembling in the night's stillness.
And there — in the moonlight's silver embrace — stood Issei Hyoudou.
No longer just a pawn.
His blade gleamed with newfound strength, his breath slow and steady.
He had become something else.
The fury of a dragon made flesh.