The grim reality of Asia Argento's situation, as relayed by Koneko, hung heavy in the cool night air. The Fallen Angels were preparing to forcibly extract her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, and the ritual was imminent. There was no time left for further reconnaissance, no room for hesitation.
Rias Gremory's usually calm demeanor was now overlaid with a palpable aura of regal authority and controlled fury. Her crimson hair seemed to almost shimmer in the faint moonlight, her blue-green eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. "They dare to perform such an abomination in Gremory territory, to defile a sacred space, however abandoned, and to torment an innocent soul," she declared, her voice low but resonant with power. "This slight will not go unanswered. We strike now."
It wasn't a question; it was a decree. The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess had made her decision.
Akeno Himejima's smile returned, but it was a predatory, dangerous thing now, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Ara, ara, Buchou, I was hoping you'd say that. It's been too long since we've had a proper… cleansing." Thunder rumbled softly in the distance, though the sky was clear, a subtle testament to Akeno's rising power.
Kiba Yuuto drew one of his swords, the polished steel gleaming faintly. His friendly demeanor was replaced by the focused intensity of a warrior. "I'm ready, Buchou. Just point me at them."
Koneko Toujou simply cracked her knuckles, a small, sharp sound that spoke volumes of her readiness for what was to come. Her golden eyes were fixed on the church, a silent promise of retribution.
Ren Takakura felt a surge of adrenaline, a mixture of fear and a desperate, burning resolve. This was it. He was about to willingly walk into a den of monsters, to fight alongside actual Devils against Fallen Angels. His life had taken such a sharp, unbelievable turn, but in this moment, faced with the imminent threat to Asia, all his doubts, all his confusion, seemed to coalesce into a single, focused point: he had to save her.
"What's the plan, Buchou?" Ren asked, his voice surprisingly steady.
Rias turned to him, her gaze assessing. "The plan is swift and decisive. Kiba, you will create a diversion at the main entrance. Draw out as many of their sentries and lower-level guards as possible. Akeno, you will provide ranged support from the perimeter, targeting any who attempt to flee or reinforce the basement. Koneko," she looked at the small, white-haired girl, "you and I will make a direct breach to the basement. Your senses will guide us to Asia. Our priority is to secure her and neutralize her immediate captors – Raynare and that exorcist, Freed Sellzen."
She then looked at Ren. "Ren-kun, your role is still… evolving. Your Flames are powerful but uncontrolled. You will accompany Koneko and me. Stay close. Protect Asia if the opportunity arises. Engage only if directly threatened or if one of us is incapacitated. Your primary function is to be a disruptive element, an unknown factor they haven't accounted for. Can you do that?"
Ren nodded, his fists clenching. A disruptive element. He could do that. He hoped. "Yes, Buchou."
Reborn, who had been silently observing from Ren's carrier, chose that moment to offer a rare piece of direct, practical advice, his voice a low murmur only Ren and those closest could hear, his baby disguise momentarily forgotten. "Sky Flames are about harmony and disruption, Dame-Ren. When you fight, don't just think about destruction. Think about unbalancing them, breaking their rhythm, creating openings for your allies. And remember," a tiny, sharp object was pressed into Ren's hand – a small, metallic pellet, "Vongola tech. A minor flash-bang, non-lethal. Use it if you need to create chaos or cover an escape. Don't waste it."
Ren pocketed the pellet, a small measure of reassurance. Even Reborn seemed to be taking this seriously.
"Alright," Rias said, her gaze sweeping over her assembled peerage and her new, uncertain ally. "Kiba, on your mark. Let's show these Fallen interlopers the true meaning of Gremory hospitality."
Kiba grinned, a flash of white teeth in the darkness. "With pleasure, Buchou." And then he was gone, a silent blur streaking towards the front of the church.
A moment later, a series of sharp cracks, followed by shouts of alarm and the distinct clang of metal on metal, echoed from the direction of the main entrance. Kiba's diversion had begun.
"Akeno, take your position," Rias commanded. Akeno nodded, a crackle of lightning playing around her fingertips, and melted into the trees on the flank of the church.
"Koneko. Ren-kun. With me," Rias said, and then, with a grace and speed that belied her elegant appearance, she began to move towards a crumbling section of the church wall near the rear, a place Koneko had identified as a potential weak point leading towards the basement access.
Ren followed, his heart pounding, the weight of Reborn's flash-bang pellet a small, hard reality in his palm. The air crackled with anticipation, with the scent of ozone from Akeno's magic, and with the underlying, chilling taint of the Fallen Angels. The assault on the church had begun. There was no turning back now.