The temporary incapacitation of Freed Sellzen by Ren's flash-bang provided a crucial, albeit brief, respite. Koneko redoubled her efforts on Asia's chains, her small face set in fierce concentration. Rias Gremory, her Power of Destruction still gathering around her hand like a miniature, crimson star, scanned the entrances to the basement chamber, her expression grim. The diversion Kiba was creating upstairs, and Akeno's ranged support, could only last so long. Raynare and her other Fallen Angel subordinates were undoubtedly aware of the intrusion by now.
"Koneko, how much longer?" Rias asked, her voice tight.
"Locks are old… tough," Koneko grunted, straining against a particularly stubborn mechanism. "Almost… there."
Ren, his ears still ringing from the flash-bang, pushed himself to his feet, his Dying Will Flames flickering weakly around his fists. He felt drained, the earlier, uncontrolled bursts of power having taken a significant toll. He knew he couldn't keep fighting at this rate for much longer.
It was then that a cold, imperious voice echoed from the darkened corridor leading deeper into the basement, a voice that dripped with arrogance and a chilling amusement. "Well, well. It seems some vermin have scurried into my little nest. How… tiresome."
Three figures emerged from the shadows, their forms coalescing in the dim torchlight. The central figure was a woman of breathtaking, ethereal beauty, with long, flowing black hair and piercing violet eyes that seemed to glow with an inner, malevolent light. Two pairs of sleek, black feathered wings unfurled slowly from her back, casting long, dancing shadows on the stone walls. This was Raynare, the Fallen Angel leader, her expression a mixture of annoyance and cruel curiosity.
Flanking her were two other Fallen Angels Ren recognized from Kiba's earlier description. One was a tall, statuesque woman with short, dark hair and equally dark wings, her face cold and impassive – Kalawarner. The other was a burly, brutish-looking male with a scarred face and powerful, leathery wings – Dohnaseek. Both carried an aura of dangerous power.
Freed Sellzen, still blinking away the spots from the flash-bang, let out a delighted cackle. "Lady Raynare! You're here! Just in time for the real fun! These little Devil-runts and their pet human tried to spoil my playtime!"
Raynare's gaze swept over the scene – Koneko at the altar with Asia, Rias poised with her destructive energy, and Ren, still looking somewhat singed and unsteady but with a defiant glint in his eyes. A faint, contemptuous smile touched her lips.
"The Gremory heiress herself, gracing my humble abode," Raynare said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And a few of her little pawns. How… quaint. Did you truly think you could interfere with my plans, little Devil?"
"Your 'plans' involve the torture and exploitation of an innocent girl within my territory, Fallen One," Rias retorted, her voice cold and steady, her crimson aura flaring brighter. "That is an offense I cannot ignore."
Raynare laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "Territory? This forgotten hovel? Please. The world is a playground for those with power, little Gremory. And soon, with the power of Twilight Healing, I will have more than enough to carve out a very comfortable niche for myself." Her violet eyes narrowed, fixing on Asia, who whimpered and tried to shrink further against the altar. "The nun is merely a vessel, a tool. Her feelings are irrelevant."
This casual cruelty, this dismissal of Asia as nothing more than an object, ignited a fresh surge of anger in Ren. He stepped forward, his own Flames flaring in response, though he knew he was no match for a being like Raynare. "She's not a tool! She's a person! And we're not going to let you hurt her!"
Raynare's gaze shifted to Ren, a flicker of surprise, then amusement, in her eyes. "Ah, yes. The human boy Dohnaseek mentioned. The one with the… unusual energy. A pet of the Gremory clan, are you? Or perhaps just a particularly foolish stray?"
"Enough talk," Dohnaseek growled, stepping forward, his fists clenching. "Let us crush these insects, Lady Raynare."
Kalawarner, more composed, drew a slender spear of solidified light. "They are outnumbered and outmatched. This will be swift."
Rias met Raynare's gaze, her own power rising to meet the Fallen Angel's challenge. "You are mistaken, Fallen One. You are the ones who are outnumbered."
As if on cue, a section of the ceiling above them exploded inwards in a shower of dust and debris. Two figures dropped into the chamber amidst the chaos. Kiba Yuuto, his sword already drawn, landed gracefully, immediately positioning himself to defend Ren and the path to Asia. And beside him, Akeno Himejima, a crackle of golden lightning playing around her, her smile beautiful and utterly terrifying.
"Ara, ara, did we miss the party?" Akeno purred, her eyes fixed on Raynare with a predatory gleam. "It seems the main event is just getting started."
Kiba, having successfully neutralized the outer guards and drawn away any immediate reinforcements, had managed to pinpoint their location and coordinate with Akeno for a more… direct entry. The diversion was over. The full strength of the Occult Research Club, plus their unpredictable new ally, was now assembled in the heart of the Fallen Angels' den.
Raynare's eyes narrowed, her amusement fading slightly, replaced by a flicker of genuine annoyance. "So, the whole pathetic menagerie is here. No matter. It will only make your collective demise all the more satisfying." She raised her hand, and a spear of dark light, crackling with malevolent energy, formed in her grasp. "Dohnaseek! Kalawarner! Freed! Dispose of these pests! The nun and her Sacred Gear are mine!"
The basement chamber, already a scene of desperate struggle, was about to become a true battleground. Fallen wings had descended, and the fight for Asia Argento's life, and her soul, had escalated to a terrifying new level.