Time Skip – Mephisto's Apartment
Mephisto stood in his modern, minimalist kitchen, preparing dinner. It was a moment of peace he was finally allowing himself. The atmosphere in his apartment was pleasant and relaxed—dim lighting, jazz playing softly in the background, and an overall laid-back mood. This moment of silence and solitude was rare for him; amidst the chaos of his new life, full of tension and constant changes, it was a time he deeply valued. Mephisto didn't eat often, but occasionally he enjoyed preparing something nice and focusing, just for a while, on something simple that brought him peace.
As he was about to serve the meal, the room was suddenly filled with red light and a strong surge of magic, interrupting his quiet moment. Mephisto sighed and turned toward the spot where Rias and the rest of the club members appeared. The speed of their teleportation clearly indicated they were in a hurry. Their faces were tense, and as soon as they materialized in the center of the room, it was obvious something was wrong.
"Ah, Rias, Akeno, everyone," Mephisto said calmly, glancing at them. "What brings you here in such a rush?"
Rias immediately took the lead, her voice full of urgency. "Mephisto, we need your help. Issei went to rescue Asia, but now... we fear he might be in trouble. Something unexpected may have happened, and he's there alone. We have to get him back."
Mephisto frowned. "Hmm… that is indeed a problem. Issei... he's never been the careful type, has he?"
"We didn't know he went alone," Akeno added, her voice filled with concern. "But if he's in danger, we have to get him back as quickly as possible."
Mephisto sighed and stepped closer to their group. "If he went alone to rescue Asia, that was a risky move. And you must be aware that Issei isn't one to always think through the consequences. His decisions can put all of us at risk."¨¨
Akeno looked at Mephisto with a faint smile, her face still tinged with worry. "So you'll help us?"
"Of course. How could I resist such an opportunity?" Mephisto replied with a light smile, though his eyes remained thoughtful and serious. "But you'll have to be ready for anything. When it comes to Issei, it's even more dangerous than you think."
Rias nodded. "Thank you, Mephisto. We wouldn't manage without you."
Mephisto walked over to the window and looked out at the city, slowly sinking into darkness. Then he turned back to Rias and her group, his gaze calm but his words carrying deeper meaning. "Don't worry," he said softly. "We'll handle this. Fate is leading you there anyway. So be it."
Church
After teleporting to the church, an absolute silence reigned—so heavy and unsettling it seemed almost unreal. The walls were covered in a thin layer of dust and stale air, as if time had stopped in this place. What usually felt like a peaceful sanctuary now seemed, in the darkness, like a place where one could easily get lost. Marble pillars stretched toward the high ceiling, and cracked window panes cast only a faint light into the space.
Mephisto frowned as he stepped inside. "The presence of magic is strong here… but there's something else about this place," he said quietly, as if speaking more to himself than to the others.
Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and the rest followed Mephisto, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Rias looked around and took a deep breath. "This is strange… Issei and Asia should be somewhere nearby, but I feel this place is more dangerous than we thought."
"If this really is a church, we should tread carefully," Akeno warned, her voice calm but her eyes betraying concern.
"Exactly," Kiba agreed, "but right now, it's more important we find Issei and Asia as fast as possible."
The group continued walking, their footsteps quiet as they moved through the long hallway. None of them knew exactly where Issei was, but they knew they were getting closer. When they finally reached the main hall of the church, their eyes were immediately drawn to two figures. At the altar stood Issei, looking exhausted, but his eyes were full of resolve. Next to him stood a mysterious figure whose presence was hard to grasp. Dressed in white, it was a woman with long blond hair and a gentle expression, but her body showed signs of fatigue. Rias and the others instantly understood this was the "Asia" they had heard about.
"That's her," Rias breathed, her tone sounding more like a question than confirmation.
"So that's Asia..." Kiba murmured, his eyes fixed on the girl he had never seen before.
Rias turned to Issei, her gaze urgent. "Issei, what's going on?" Issei turned when he heard her voice. His eyes still held their usual calm, but he wasn't the cheerful Issei they knew. His expression was serious, as if lost in something no one else could see. "Press... Mephisto, everyone… it's complicated. Asia... she's in danger, but I brought her here."
"Is she... okay?" Akeno asked, her voice full of concern as she looked at Asia. Asia, standing beside Issei, raised her head. "I'm... okay, thank you, but... there's something else. Something I've never felt before." Her voice was weak, but steady.
"What do you mean?" Rias asked, still uneasy. Before Issei could answer, a voice suddenly broke the silence of the entire space.
"So it's finally happened! They've finally appeared!"
In the corner of the church appeared a new figure—or rather, an old enemy—Freed Sellzen, the rogue exorcist known for his twisted and chaotic motives. He was flanked by several fallen angels who emerged from the church's darkness. His smile was full of malice as he turned toward Mephisto.