3rd Person POV
Thud!
The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the forest, blending with the cries of the night cicadas, which seemed almost terrified by what they sensed.
Thud!
Another punch echoed through the trees. The wind passed through the forest, carrying the dried leaves that had fallen from the impact.
Crunch!
The crows flew away as blood splattered onto the ground.
But the sound kept repeating.
Again.
And again.
“Hah!”
THUD!
Another punch resounded between the trees. The impact shook the grass and even rattled the nearby trees.
Issei Hyoudou was on top of Kalawarner, pinning her to the ground as he repeatedly punched her in the face.
Again.
And again.
Her skull cracked beneath his fists. Blood poured from her nose and ears, while the force of the blows left her face badly battered and distorted.
The blood on his fist was still fresh.
The blood on his clothes had begun to dry.
And beneath them, the soil slowly absorbed the blood that had fallen onto the ground.
“Haah!”
Issei screamed as he pulled his fist back, ready to throw another punch.
But the punch never came.
His shoulder was being held firmly from behind, forcing him to stop. He glanced over his shoulder.
“Issei-kun...”
It was Akeno.
Her expression was unreadable as she looked at Issei, then at Kalawarner, and finally at the soil beneath them, which had become wet with red.
“That’s enough...”
Her eyes shifted toward Issei’s fingers.
Several of them were broken, twisted in ways they weren't supposed to bend.
“You’re making Koneko worried.”
She paused.
“Me too... and Rias as well.”
Koneko peeked from behind a tree. Issei noticed her.
She nodded awkwardly.
Issei tried to steady his breathing before shaking his shoulder harshly and standing up.
“Do you know...” Issei began. “Do you know that the base we're heading toward is a Fallen Angel base?”
“No, we don't.”
Akeno simply shook her head, looking directly into his eyes.
“All we know is that it's connected to the attacks in Kuoh. The stray Exorcist you fought before...”
She sighed heavily.
“We didn't know his accomplices were Fallen Angels.”
“Is that how you all lie?” Issei's voice was cold. “By telling half-truths or something?”
He clenched his fists, as if the pain from his broken fingers didn't bother him at all.
“Yes, I'm stupid. I'm not that great at figuring out lies or anything, but I'm not...”
He stopped as he remembered the day he had spent with Kalawarner while she was disguised as Sister Kalla.
The date.
The laughter.
The wholesome moments they had shared.
Then the betrayal.
Her mocking smile.
The moment she killed him.
“I’m not...”
His voice weakened.
“I just... don't know anymore.”
Akeno nodded in understanding.
She couldn't leave him in this state, but she also couldn't expect him to trust her and the others immediately.
Especially when she knew that his emotional wounds couldn't simply be healed now.
All she needed was a compromise.
“Then, how about this, Issei-kun?”
Akeno stood firm, her arms open wide.
Her eyes were sharp, completely different from her usual closed-eye smile. Even her warmth felt different this time.
It was still warm.
But there was something unusually serious behind it.
“If we betrayed you, anyone,” she said in a firm voice, “whether it is Kiba-kun, Koneko-chan, Rias... or even me...”
Akeno took a step forward.
“I'll gladly give you my life.”
Issei took a step back.
His eyes lowered toward the ground, now stained with dried blood.
Then a face flashed through his mind.
Asia.
He still hadn't confirmed whether Kalawarner had been telling the truth about her death.
His eyes widened.
Without another word, Issei took a step forward, meeting Akeno's eyes as she waited for his answer. She looked slightly downcast, as though she wasn't sure what he would choose.
Then Issei extended his hand.
Akeno looked at it for a moment.
Without another word, she nodded and shook his hand.
“Thank you for giving us a chance, Issei-kun.”
“Yeah...”
His voice was low and sharp, completely different from his usual tone.
Akeno was already satisfied with the situation.
For now, this was enough.
The three of them walked out of the forest and back onto the narrow road.
“President may be trying to find her way to the abandoned church rather than coming back here...” Akeno scanned the area where Kiba had been resting. “More importantly... where did he go?”
“I don't know...” Koneko said simply before pointing in a direction. “But his scent entered the forest.”
“I see...” Akeno pinched the bridge of her nose. “I'll mix dirt into his tea next time to remind him how he got knocked out cold just because he was kicked once.”
“I hope not...” Koneko replied.
Issei remained silent.
Akeno glanced at him.
Normally, Issei would have reacted somehow—probably making a joke with Koneko that would give Akeno an excuse to tease him.
But now...
There was only an uncomfortable awkwardness.
“Let's go...” Akeno decided.
She focused on something else before taking off into the air and leading the way.
Koneko and Issei followed behind, running with all their might to catch up and get there as quickly as possible.
Akeno glanced down at them for a moment.
Usually, Issei would joke with Koneko even while they were running, and Koneko would inevitably call him a pervert.
But now...
Their usual dynamic was gone.
Akeno couldn't help but sigh heavily as Rias's face flashed through her mind.
“She'll definitely be saddened by this...”
And knowing Rias, she would only burden herself even more once she found out.