High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

"Time's up," Rias said, standing.

Game day. Midnight at the Occult Research Club. Asia in her nun outfit, Xenovia in her battle gear, others in Kuoh Academy summer uniforms.

Participants gathered on the central magic circle, awaiting transfer.

"Give 'em hell!" I cheered.

"Hell yeah!" they roared back.

I'd trained with them, and they'd grown strong—fast. Rias studied Diadora, crafting a strategy. We were ready to crush him. They'd worked too hard to lose.

"Good luck!" Miu shouted.

"I'm rooting for you!" Irina added.

"I'll pray for your victory!" Reyna chimed.

Irina, we're demons. Prayers might hurt us. Though Asia and Xenovia are probably fine?

The magic circle glowed, teleporting them to the battlefield.

Time to watch on TV. As I reached for the monitor, Azazel stood, his face unusually grim.

The remaining members—Miu, Irina, Reyna, and I—frowned.

"What's wrong, Governor?" Reyna asked.

Azazel's voice was low. "I owe you an apology. This game… it's—"

[Kiba Side]

Vision cleared from the magic circle's flash. A vast space—stone floor, towering pillars at regular intervals. Behind us, a massive temple entrance, pristine like it was just built, resembling Greek architecture. Our base. Short or long battle, I'd do my job.

But no referee announcement came.

"Something's off," Rias said.

We exchanged uneasy glances. A glitch on the organizers' end?

Then, a magic circle appeared in the opposite direction. Diadora? A close-range, short-match game?

More circles flared, surrounding us.

"Not Astaroth's sigil!" I said, readying my sword.

Akeno sparked lightning. "No common pattern among them, but—"

"All demons. If I'm right—" Rias said, red aura flaring, her gaze sharp.

Hundreds, maybe a thousand demons emerged, radiating hostility, glaring at us.

"Chaos Brigade's Old Maou faction," Rias identified.

Chaos Brigade!? Why invade our game?

"Foul kin of the false Maou, Gremory. You'll fall here," one demon taunted.

To Old Maou loyalists, current Maous and their allies were eyesores.

A scream—Asia's! I turned, but she was gone.

"President!" a voice called from above.

Diadora hovered, holding Asia. "Greetings, Rias Gremory. I'm taking Asia Argento."

"Coward! Release her! Wasn't this a game?" Xenovia shouted.

Diadora smirked vilely. "Game? No. You'll die here, killed by Chaos Brigade agents. Even your strength can't handle this many high- and mid-class demons. Die swiftly."

Rias glared. "You're with Chaos Brigade? Despicable, tainting the game and stealing my precious Asia!"

Her aura surged. She was furious—rightly so. I burned with rage too.

"I can do as I please with them. Struggle if you want. I'll claim Asia. You know what I mean. Follow to the temple's depths if you dare—quite a show awaits," Diadora mocked, laughing.

"My friend Asia won't be yours!" Xenovia yelled, drawing my borrowed Ascalon to strike Diadora.

His magic blast threw her off, but her sword's holy aura wave shot toward him. He dodged effortlessly.

"Xenovia!" Asia cried for help.

A hum warped the air; space distorted. Diadora and Asia vanished.

"Asia!" Xenovia screamed, but no reply came.

"Xenovia, stay calm! We take down these enemies first, then save Asia!" I urged.

"…Sorry, Kiba," she said, her eyes blazing with fury.

The demons' hands glowed, readying a barrage of magic blasts. High- and mid-class demons—could we withstand this?

As I searched for a plan, another scream—Akeno's!

A one-eyed old man in a robe was lifting her skirt, peering at her underwear. "Fine rear, youthful firmness—"

Smack! A harisen struck his head.

"You old pervert! Hands off my Akeno!" Issei roared, grabbing the man's collar. "God or not, mess around and I'll end you with my God-Slaying Sacred Gear!"

"Calm down, Onii-chan!" Miu grabbed his shoulder.

When did they get here?

"Don't kill a god for that, partner. It'd tarnish the Red Dragon Emperor's name. That's Odin, Norse chief god. Even you can't win. Focus on the task," Ddraig said.

Odin!? Why's a chief god here? And Issei, challenging a god? Insane.

"Odin-sama! Issei! Miu! Why are you here?" Rias asked.

Odin stroked his long white beard. "Long story, but Chaos Brigade hijacked the game. Organizers and factions are countering. Diadora's tied to the Old Maou faction, likely boosted by Ophis's snake. You're in danger, so we came to help. But a powerful barrier seals this field—hard to breach or destroy without stopping its source inside."

"How'd you get in, Odin-sama?" I asked.

"Offered my eye to Mimir's Well, gaining mastery over magic and barriers," he said, revealing a crystal eye glowing with arcane runes.

A chill ran through me. That glow was dangerous.

"After you left, Azazel explained everything. I came with this old man to help, but we're late," Issei said, glaring toward the temple, rage in his eyes over Asia's abduction.

"I heard you were in danger, so I came too. Good you're safe. We need to save Asia," Miu said, radiating rare anger.

Issei's words stuck—Azazel told them? So this game was rigged from the start?

"Take down a Norse god and Red Dragon Emperor for glory!" a demon shouted, unleashing a magic barrage.

We braced, but Odin tapped his staff.

Boom! The blasts vanished midair.

Odin chuckled, stroking his beard. Incredible! A chief god's power—neutralizing that many blasts with one move.

"My power should break the barrier, but entering took all I had. Whoever set this up is skilled. Azazel's kid asked me to give you these," Odin said, handing us communicators. "Leave this to me. I'll cover the battlefield. Run to the temple."

He pointed his staff, enveloping us in a faint protective aura. "That'll guard you to the temple. Go!"

"What about you, old man?" Issei asked.

Odin laughed. "A kid barely past a decade worrying about me?"

A spear appeared in his hand—Gungnir. He struck.

Boom! A massive aura blast echoed, reducing the demons to dozens. Unbelievable power!

"Just keeping my old bones active. Red Dragon Emperor, protect them. That's your role. Terrorist demons, come at me—I'm stronger than you can imagine."

That was holding back? Gods are on another level.

"Got it. Don't die, old man! Let's go!" Issei shouted.

"Yeah!" we replied, following him toward the temple.

[Kiba Side Out]