The corridor leading to Gasper's confinement was lined with dim, flickering lights that gave the entire hallway a suffocating atmosphere. Rias led the way, her crimson hair glowing faintly in the gloom, her eyes sharp and filled with determination. Behind her, Kiba and Xenovia followed closely, both gripping their weapons tightly. The air was tense — too quiet for a place supposedly holding someone as dangerous as Gasper.
When they reached the final door, the reason for that silence revealed itself. A squad of female magic users stood guard, each radiating strong magical energy. Their eyes snapped to the intruders immediately.
"Halt! No one is allowed beyond this point!" one of them barked, raising her staff.
Rias didn't stop walking. "Then you'll have to make me," she said coldly, her demonic aura flaring out like a crimson flame.
The mages instantly began chanting, their staffs glowing with light, but before they could release their spells, Kiba moved. His sword flashed like lightning, and the first wave of attackers fell before they even realized he had moved. Xenovia followed right behind him, her holy sword Durandal cutting through barriers and spells alike with overwhelming force.
Explosions rocked the hall, scattering debris and smoke. Rias used the chaos to slip past the fight, her focus entirely on the room beyond the door.
Inside, the atmosphere was unnerving. The air shimmered unnaturally, distorted by the power of Gasper's Sacred Gear — the Forbidden Balor View. Time itself seemed to stutter around him. Rias could see Gasper floating slightly above the ground, eyes wide and glowing a different colour from usual, his entire body trembling.
"Gasper…" Rias whispered softly, stepping closer. The moment she entered the radius of his ability, the world slowed — the sound of her own footsteps stretched out unnaturally — but she didn't stop. She pulled out a small metallic artifact, a bracelet engraved with complex sigils glowing blue and gold.
"Azazel said this will help you control it," she murmured. "Please… come back, Gasper."
She reached forward and clasped the bracelet onto his wrist.
The effect was instant. A surge of energy erupted from Gasper's body, filling the room with a violent flash of light. Rias shielded her eyes as the time-freeze field collapsed like shattered glass, the distortion of space and sound snapping back into normality. Gasper gasped and fell into her arms, trembling but conscious.
"B-Buchou… I…" he stammered weakly, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
"You did well," Rias said gently, brushing his hair aside. "Rest now. You've done enough."
Outside, the sounds of battle still echoed — Kiba's swift slashes and Xenovia's explosive strikes ringing through the corridor. Rias turned and carried Gasper out of the chamber, where she saw her two knights standing amidst the fallen mages, panting but victorious.
"They're down," Xenovia reported, wiping a bit of blood from her cheek. "No reinforcements so far."
"Good." Rias set Gasper down carefully, then reached into her coat and produced another artifact — a smaller, silver bracelet. She handed it to Koneko, who was kneeling nearby, barely conscious but unharmed.
"This will help stabilize your power as well" Rias said. "Azazel prepared it for you."
Koneko blinked slowly, her eyes softening. "…Thank you, Rias-senpai."
Rias nodded, then looked around at her team. She felt a surge of pride well up in her chest.
"Everyone," she said firmly, "we're going back. The mission's complete."
Kiba nodded, slinging his sword over his shoulder. Xenovia gave a small grin. Gasper leaned weakly against Rias, still trembling but smiling faintly. Koneko stood silently, her aura more stable now that the artifact had taken effect.
~~~
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