Highschool DXD: I am Issei

The heavy doors of the abandoned church creaked open as we stepped inside. A rush of cold air greeted us, carrying the scent of old wood, dust, and something faintly metallic—blood.

The sanctuary was eerily silent, moonlight pouring through the shattered stained-glass windows, casting fractured colors across the pews.

"Stay alert," Kiba whispered beside me, hand already on the hilt of his sword.

Koneko was silent, her gaze sharp as always, her tiny frame tense like a coiled spring.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the Boosted Gear on my left arm. The green gem pulsed faintly, almost like it could sense the danger lurking in the shadows.

Boost!

The familiar mechanical voice echoed in my mind, increasing my power with each beat.

We moved cautiously through the main hall, heading toward the corridor that led deeper inside.

"Welcome, sinners, to the house of the Lord!" a crazed voice rang out, laced with mockery.

From behind the altar, a man leapt into view—wild silver hair, bloodshot eyes, and a twisted grin spreading across his face. His black priest coat was tattered, and in his hands were two weapons that gleamed with deadly promise: a sword and a silver-plated handgun.

Freed Sellzen.

"Man, what a surprise!" he cackled, licking his lips as he pointed the gun toward us. "If it isn't the Devil kiddies! What brings you to my little chapel, hmm? Did you come to confess your sins?"

"You again," I muttered, stepping forward.

Freed's grin widened. "You look familiar. Didn't I shoot you last time? Damn, thought I finished you off. Oh well—guess I'll do it again!"

Before we could respond, he pulled the trigger.

BANG!

The holy bullet tore through the air.

"Scatter!" Kiba yelled.

We split instantly, the bullet hitting the floor where I stood moments before. It hissed on impact, burning a black mark into the stone.

"That gun is holy-blessed," Kiba growled, dodging another shot as he rushed in.

Koneko charged with him, moving in a blur.

Freed was fast—faster than I expected. He blocked Kiba's sword slash with his own and twisted to avoid Koneko's punch, countering with a bullet aimed at her head. She ducked just in time, landing a kick that sent him skidding back.

"You brats are pretty good," Freed spat, straightening. "Too bad you're still gonna die."

Boost!

The gear on my arm glowed again, and I clenched my fist. "Let's see how long you can keep that up."

I charged him while he was locked with Kiba. Freed turned his head, but he was too late.

I threw a punch, enhanced with Boosted power.

He jumped back, but my fist grazed his side, sending him crashing into a pew that splintered under the impact.

"Damn you!" Freed snarled, standing. Blood dripped from his mouth, but he was still grinning like a lunatic. "That arm of yours… the Sacred Gear, huh? That thing's trouble."

He fired again.

This time I took the hit on my arm.

The impact still hurt like hell—like my arm had been dipped in acid—but it didn't pierce through the gauntlet.

Kiba flanked him again, his sword clashing against Freed's with a high-pitched screech of metal. The two danced around each other in a flurry of blades, Kiba's speed and technique keeping Freed on the defensive.

"Back off, pretty boy!" Freed shouted.

He tried to shoot Kiba, but Koneko was already there. She smashed into him from the side with a flying tackle that sent all three of them tumbling across the church floor.

Freed hissed in frustration. "You damn Devil kids are ganging up on me!"

"Too bad," I said, sprinting in.

Boost!

Another surge of power coursed through me. I slammed my fist down toward him.

Freed managed to roll away, but Kiba was ready. He anticipated the move, driving his sword into Freed's side.

"ARGH!" Freed screamed, stumbling back, clutching his wound.

"You're finished!" I shouted.

Together, the three of us advanced.

Koneko landed a brutal punch to Freed's chest, and Kiba followed with a rapid sword combo that forced Freed to block clumsily. I dashed in from the opposite side and threw a punch straight into his gut.

This time, Freed flew across the church, crashing into the altar.

His holy gun clattered from his hand, skidding across the floor.

Freed gasped, blood dripping from his mouth, body trembling as he leaned on his sword for support.

"Not… bad…" he grunted. "I'll give you that."

He tried to stand again, but his legs gave out.

I walked over and aimed my gauntlet arm at his face.

"You're done."

Freed stared at me, eyes burning with hatred. "Tch… next time, you'll be dead…"

A light appeared at the far end of the hallway. Before I could move, Freed activated some kind of magic circle beneath him. With a hiss of light, his body was enveloped—and he vanished.

"Damn it," I muttered.

"He retreated," Kiba said. "Coward."

"But he's wounded," Koneko added. "He won't get far."

I looked down at the cracked floor and the blood splattered on the altar.

He may have escaped, but we'd hurt him.

More importantly—we won.

I took a deep breath and clenched my fist.

Asia was still somewhere in this church.

And we were one step closer to saving her.

"Let's go," I said, looking at my two comrades. "We don't have much time."

Kiba nodded, and Koneko silently followed.

~~~

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