The silence that followed Raynare's desperate escape and Freed Sellzen's incapacitation was thick with exhaustion and the acrid smell of ozone, burnt stone, and something else – the faint, lingering taint of vanquished supernatural entities. Ren Takakura lay on the dusty floor, every muscle in his body screaming in protest, his Dying Will Flames having sputtered out completely, leaving him feeling hollowed out and incredibly weak. He had somehow survived. Again.
Kiba Yuuto was the first to move, his sword still ready, his gaze sweeping the chamber for any remaining threats. Akeno Himejima, her usual playful smile tempered with a weary sort of satisfaction, walked over to where Kalawarner lay unconscious, a faint golden glow still playing around her fingertips. Rias Gremory stood tall, though Ren could see the slight tremor in her hands, the sheen of sweat on her brow. The battle had taken its toll on her as well.
Reborn, who had somehow managed to remain perfectly composed in his baby carrier throughout the final, chaotic exchange (Ren suspected he'd just taken a nap), now offered his assessment. "Passable, Dame-Ren. You managed to be a moderately effective distraction. And you didn't get yourself killed. Small miracles." His voice, still only truly audible to Ren, was as critical as ever, but Ren thought he detected a faint, almost imperceptible note of… something else. Not approval, certainly not. But perhaps… less disdain than usual? Or maybe Ren was just delirious from blood loss and exhaustion.
"Is… is everyone alright?" Ren managed to croak out, pushing himself into a sitting position.
Kiba offered him a hand up, his grip surprisingly strong. "A few scrapes, Takakura-kun, but nothing serious. Thanks to your… timely interventions." He offered Ren a genuine, if tired, smile. "You fought well."
"I mostly just flailed and set things on fire accidentally," Ren mumbled, but Kiba's words, and the lack of outright mockery from Akeno, were a small balm to his battered ego.
Rias approached, her crimson aura slowly receding. "Koneko reported that Asia Argento is safe and clear of the church grounds. She's taking her to a secure location – the clubroom for now. We'll need to ensure she receives proper care." She looked around the ruined chamber. "We also need to secure this site. Dispose of the… remains, and ensure no trace of our battle is left for human authorities to find." Her gaze fell on the unconscious Freed Sellzen. "And we need to decide what to do with him."
Akeno giggled, a slightly wicked sound. "Ara, ara, I have a few… suggestions… for what we could do with the naughty exorcist. He was so very rude to Asia-chan."
"We'll hand him over to the Grigori liaisons," Rias said firmly, though a faint smile touched her lips at Akeno's comment. "They can deal with their own stray dog. It might even earn us a small measure of goodwill, or at least, less immediate scrutiny for our actions here tonight."
As Kiba and Akeno began the grim task of securing Freed and dealing with the unconscious Kalawarner and the remains of Dohnaseek (who had, upon his defeat, dissolved into motes of dark light), Rias turned her attention back to Ren.
"You expended a great deal of energy, Ren-kun," she observed, her tone surprisingly gentle. "Your control over your Flames is still erratic, but their raw power is undeniable. And your courage… that, too, is commendable."
Ren felt a flush creep up his neck. Praise from Rias Gremory, however mild, felt significant. "I just… I had to do something. For Asia-san."
"Indeed." Rias's gaze was thoughtful. "Reborn-kun," she said, addressing the infant in Ren's carrier, who blinked his big baby eyes at her innocently. "Your student shows… potential. His methods are crude, but his spirit is strong. You are his tutor, you said?"
Reborn gurgled. "The Gremory heiress is observant," his mental voice supplied to Ren. "And clearly trying to gather more information. Be cautious, Dame-Ren."
"He's a very… dedicated teacher," Ren said aloud, choosing his words carefully.
Rias's lips twitched. "I see. Well, Ren Takakura, tonight you fought alongside my peerage, to protect an innocent and defend our territory. You have proven yourself to be more than just an anomaly. You have proven yourself to be… an ally." She offered him a small, genuine smile. "Rest now. We will handle the cleanup. We can discuss the future, and Asia Argento's situation, when we return to the clubroom."
The offer of rest was one Ren was too exhausted to refuse. As he watched Kiba and Akeno efficiently and dispassionately deal with the aftermath of the supernatural battle – a process that involved strange demonic sigils, whispered incantations, and the unsettlingly casual disposal of what had, moments before, been powerful, sentient beings – the sheer, overwhelming reality of the world he had stumbled into crashed down on him anew. This was their normal. This was what it meant to be a Devil in Kuoh Town. And he, somehow, was now a part of it. The cost of his new life, his new powers, was becoming clearer with every passing shadow, every drop of spilled blood.