The door exploded inward in a burst of splintered wood and violent energy, the shockwave rattling every window in the Occult Research Club. Chris stumbled back, heart slamming against his ribs as dust filled the air. Kiba was already in front of him, sword drawn, eyes sharp. Akeno's hands crackled with lightning. Koneko crouched low, muscles coiled like a spring. Rias stepped forward, crimson aura flaring around her like a living flame.
A figure stepped through the smoke.
Tall.
Dark.
Wings spread wide.
A Fallen Angel.
But not like the one from before.
This one radiated killing intent so thick it felt like the air itself was suffocating.
His eyes locked onto Chris immediately.
"There you are," he said, voice low and venomous. "The human with the forbidden aura."
Chris froze.
Forbidden?
Rias stepped between them. "You will not touch him."
The Fallen Angel smirked. "Gremory. Always meddling. Always protecting strays."
Akeno's lightning intensified. "Say that again."
He ignored her, eyes fixed on Chris. "You should not exist. Whatever power you carry… it is not meant for this world."
Chris's breath caught. "I don't even know what I am."
"That is exactly why you must die."
He raised his hand, forming a spear of light—larger, sharper, deadlier than the ones from before.
Rias shouted, "Kiba!"
Kiba moved instantly, sword flashing as he intercepted the spear. The impact sent him skidding back, boots digging into the floor.
Akeno unleashed a bolt of lightning. The Fallen Angel dodged effortlessly, wings slicing through the air.
Koneko leapt forward, fist aimed at his ribs.
He caught her punch with one hand.
Koneko's eyes widened.
He threw her across the room.
"Koneko!" Chris shouted.
She hit the wall hard, but pushed herself up, glaring.
"I'm fine," she muttered.
Rias summoned a barrage of crimson orbs and fired them in rapid succession. The Fallen Angel dodged most, deflected others, but one grazed his shoulder, burning through his coat.
He hissed. "Annoying devils."
Akeno smiled sweetly. "We try."
He lunged at her.
Chris didn't think.
He moved.
His body acted before his mind caught up, throwing himself between Akeno and the incoming strike. The Fallen Angel's hand glowed with lethal light, inches from Chris's chest—
The warmth inside him exploded.
A barrier burst outward, throwing the Fallen Angel back several feet.
Chris gasped, clutching his chest as the divine symbol flickered beneath his shirt.
Rias's eyes widened. "Chris—!"
The Fallen Angel snarled. "That power… that cursed power… it should not be in a mortal!"
He charged again.
Kiba intercepted him, blades clashing. Akeno fired another bolt. Koneko swept his legs. Rias unleashed a wave of destruction magic.
The Fallen Angel staggered, wings flaring.
"You devils are persistent," he spat. "But this human is mine."
Chris backed away, chest burning. The warmth pulsed violently—fear, pain, sadness all tangled together.
Alisa.
He felt her panic.
Her desperation.
Her voice trembled inside him.
"Chris… run…"
He shook his head. "I can't."
The Fallen Angel's wings spread wide. "Enough games."
He formed a massive spear of light—larger than anything Chris had ever seen. The room shook under its power.
Rias shouted, "Everyone, brace yourselves!"
The spear flew.
Chris didn't think.
He stepped forward.
The warmth surged.
The divine symbol ignited.
A barrier erupted around him—larger, brighter, stronger than before.
The spear hit.
The world went white.
The impact shook the entire building, sending shockwaves through the floor. The barrier cracked, splintered, shattered—
Chris screamed.
The pain tore through him like fire.
He collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest as the warmth inside him flickered violently.
Rias caught him before he hit the ground. "Chris! Stay with me!"
He gasped, vision blurring. "It… hurts…"
Akeno knelt beside him, panic in her eyes. "His aura is destabilizing!"
Kiba stood protectively in front of them. "Rias, we need to retreat!"
Koneko glared at the Fallen Angel. "I'll stall him."
"No!" Rias snapped. "We stay together!"
The Fallen Angel stepped forward, smirking. "Your shield is broken. Your power is failing. You cannot protect him."
Chris's vision swam.
The warmth inside him pulsed weakly.
"Chris… please… stop…"
He whispered, "Alisa… I'm sorry…"
The Fallen Angel raised his hand for the killing blow.
Rias stood, shielding Chris with her body. "You will not touch him!"
Akeno rose beside her, lightning crackling violently. "Over my dead body."
Kiba stepped forward, sword glowing. "You'll have to go through all of us."
Koneko crouched low, fists clenched. "Try it."
The Fallen Angel laughed. "Then die together."
He lunged.
And then—
A pulse.
Soft.
Warm.
Divine.
The Fallen Angel froze mid‑strike, eyes widening.
A voice filled the room.
Not loud.
Not angry.
But unbearably sad.
"Stop."
Light filled the room—not blinding, but gentle, like moonlight on water.
A figure appeared behind Chris.
Not fully formed.
Not solid.
A silhouette of light.
A woman's shape.
Long hair.
Soft outline.
Hands trembling.
Alisa.
Chris's breath caught. "Alisa…?"
The Fallen Angel stumbled back, fear flashing across his face. "Impossible…! She shouldn't be able to manifest here!"
Alisa's voice trembled. "Leave him… alone…"
The Fallen Angel snarled. "You cannot interfere! You are forbidden—"
Alisa raised a hand.
Light rippled outward.
The Fallen Angel was thrown back as if struck by a tidal wave, crashing through the doorway and skidding across the ground outside.
He scrambled to his feet, wings shaking. "This isn't over, human! That power will destroy you—and her!"
He vanished into the sky.
Silence fell.
The light faded.
Alisa's form flickered.
Chris reached out. "Wait—!"
Her voice broke.
"I'm sorry… I can't stay…"
He felt her sadness like a knife.
"Alisa—!"
Her form dissolved into light.
The warmth in his chest dimmed.
And she was gone.
Chris collapsed forward, shaking.
Rias caught him, pulling him into her arms. "Chris… it's okay. You're safe."
Akeno knelt beside them, eyes soft with worry. "That was… a goddess."
Kiba exhaled slowly. "She saved him."
Koneko whispered, "She loves him."
Chris buried his face in his hands.
"I don't understand any of this," he whispered. "Why is she hurting? Why does it feel like she's breaking every time I use this power?"
Rias held him tighter. "We'll find out. Together."
Akeno placed a gentle hand on his back. "You're not alone."
Koneko leaned against him quietly. "We're here."
Kiba nodded. "We'll protect you."
Chris trembled.
Not from fear.
From the overwhelming weight of everything.
The power inside him.
The Fallen Angels hunting him.
The goddess crying for him.
The ORC standing beside him.
His life had changed again.
And he didn't know if he was ready.
But he wasn't alone.
For the first time, that mattered.
---