Hello everyone! I hope all of you are well in health and doing great!

I want to say thanks again for being patient with the updates. Writing an extended fight scene like this one is honestly quite a taxing task. Besides that, I also have to juggle with other things going on in life.

Anyway, I won't keep all of you waiting any longer!

I hope you all enjoy reading this chapter!

"Issei..." Erza lightly cusses under her breath at this turn of events. Standing beside her, Jellal grimaces at the projector feed. "To think it would come to this..."

It did not feel long ago for Erza and Jellal when they accompanied Nawin and Issei in search for the Lightning Gemstone. To witness things drastically changing in such a way and at such a short amount of time only furthers fuel in the pair's minds of just how impactful Nawin's decision to walk down this path is.

"C-can Nawin-kun keep going?" Misako mutters out, clenching her hands close to her chest. "He must be tired, and now... Issei-san is there." Misako feels her heart throbs at her own last words. She recognizes that Nawin cares much for Issei. Even though he hides it, she believes that having to go to battle with Issei will be difficult for Nawin.

Akame's keen and observant orbs stay on her King. His breathing is evident, although his eyes scarcely exhibit exhaustion. Witnessing how Nawin fought against Rias and her party, Akame conceded that Nawin was fighting smart and saving mana. He hardly utilized spells in his arsenal and kept the use of Speeding Shadow God to a minimum.

"He will be fine, Misako."

Ichiru turns to the right and looks at Akame, whose eyes have not left the screen. "Nawin-kun can still go..." "But how will he fair," Jellal inserts, garnering the girls' attention. "Issei is very good. And from what I am seeing, he is in top shape. Nawin will have a tough battle ahead of him."

Jellal recounts clearly the battle that happened above the mountain during their trip to finding the Lightning Gemstone. When Issei let himself go at that moment after witnessing what happened to Nawin, Jellal knew at that moment that Issei held a much greater power within him than even he himself realized.

Akame steers her eyes back to the projection. She shows no distress over Jellal's words.

Koruka stays some distance away from the ground, leaning against one of the pillars, arms crossed underneath her breast. She peers behind and spots the faintest of smirks over Ophis's face.

That smirk of satisfaction on the Dragon God's face causes Kuroka's grip around her arms to tighten. She looks away to hide the look of scowl threatening to form on her lips.

'Issei Hyoudou...' Ophis examines the Boosted Gear wielder with mild interest. 'You will be a fine subject to push my Makasha and test his resolve.'

Land of Ends

Anger boils within Issei when he gazes upon his fallen friends. All of them visible in the night, laid across the cold and broken ground. Defeated by the hands of a person he considers a brother.

Dragging his eyes to behind, Issei comes across his lover lying there still on the floor. Yet though she is unconscious, Issei observes those sharp brows of her furrowing, creating an almost sorrowful expression. And seeing that produces a painful throb in Hyoudou's chest.

'You did all you could to stop him, didn't you, Rias?' Issei looks down at Akeno and sees her right arm is stretch out, directing straight at Nawin as if desperately trying to reach out for him. '

Akeno-senpai...' Issei feels his arms shaking by the heartbroken expression bearing Himejima's face. He cannot even begin to imagine how she must have felt.

"Why..." Issei softly utters before snapping his eyes ahead and glares straight towards Nawin. All of his emotions bubbling within visibly express on his face. "Why, Nawin?!" Those loud words reverberate across the cold and silent ravine.

Nawin offers no reply as that passive expression plaster upon his face remains unchanged.

The night's full white moon glares brilliantly from the back of Makasha, illuminating on his frame and casting a great shadow that spread far enough that it projects over Issei.

"Because Ophis offered me something that none of you can give."

Those words hit Issei like an arrow. With anger apparent on his face, he opens his mouth. "And what is that?" "Power," Nawin coldly responds as his red eyes radiate strongly in the night, slicing through the darkness.

"I've reached my ceiling in Kuoh. I have come to understand that I will never achieve my full potential if I continue to stay there and remain in the group."

"Is that what Ophis made you believe?!" Issei explodes right back. Hurt and outraged by Makasha's piercing words.

"She's simply offering me something that I always wanted..." Nawin's expression turns cold as ice. His eyes gaze directly at Issei's. "I need more power to achieve my goal," "Your goal?" Issei takes a step forward. "What goal?!" "To destroy the Akumi."

Issei is shocked by Makasha's reveal. Promptly, the image of Kitomi and her partner surfaces in his head. Their faces alone are enough to produce a cold shiver down his spine.

"B-but they are our common enemy, Nawin!" Issei exclaims, "You don't have to go to Ophis! If we train together with the rest, I am sure we can stop them! As a team!"

"No," Nawin shoots Issei's hope down with that one single response. "You have no concept of just what they are truly capable of," "Of course I know!" Issei retorts, "I am their target! Hunter-sensei saved me from them once before they had the chance to capture me."

The unexpected revelation nearly breaks Nawin out of his composure. 'T-they... They almost got him?!' A newfound fury boils within him by this news. But Nawin quickly pushes it down so it would not come out on display.

Although this news angers him, it only cements his belief. Leaving to Ophis will benefit everyone in the long run. Not only has the battle he had with his friends convinced him thoroughly that all of them still have a long way to grow. But he now learns that Issei is in an even more precarious position than he had initially believed. All of this won't change if he remains in Kuoh.

"Then you should know this well by now," Nawin speaks, "They are no mere adversaries. A single member from their organization can wipe all of us out. What makes you think that even with training that they," Nawin gestures to all of their friends spread across the ground, "Can hope to defeat them? Especially," his expression becomes colder "When they fail even to stop me."

Issei opens his mouth but is incapable of coming up with an adequate response. Deep down, he cannot bring himself to believe in his own words. He has seen firsthand just what the Akumi are capable of, and it was enough to paralyze him in fear.

Issei's silence is disappointing in Nawin's eyes. He recognizes that the encountered Issei had with the Akumi managed to have scarred him. Nawin hopes he will be able to push through that fear in the future.

"Because we're friends, I will say this to you... Like I did with others."

Issei rears his head up, and his heart skips a beat by the sight of Nawin turning around, walking away. "Leave and return to Kuoh."

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Nawin turns around and is immediately taken to the ground by Issei crashing down upon him.

Slamming his forearm down on Nawin's neck to keep him in place, Issei glares down at his friend with fury. Yet, those red orbs gaze back at him with no emotions, showing no care that his back is pressing against the ground and Issei looming above him.

"It does not matter how bleak it may look!" Issei exclaims, "It may look impossible, but I know we can fight against them if we work together. Haven't we done well so far?"

Issei bears a soft smile. "We battled adversaries that looked impossible to overcome yet still came out victorious. Like Kaizen..." "Is that where your mind is at?" Nawin asks, his expression becomes colder. "That if we were ever pushed against a wall, we'd rely on those rings to become Nasei?" Nawin scoffs at the mere thought.

"I rather die."

Issei stares down at his friend in disbelief by those uttered words.

"Like the others," in an instant, Nawin snatches Issei by the throat then slowly begins getting up. Issei thrashes around and clutches the wrist with both hands, desperately pushing Nawin's hand away but finds it impossible.

Standing back on his feet, Nawin scowls at Hyoudou.

"You are all blind to the grim future that awaits all of us. Unlike all of you here, I refuse to be blind and do nothing about it. And," Issei chokes by the sudden pressure adding onto the grip around his neck, "I refuse to depend on an amalgamation spell to fight my battles!"

Nawin squeezes his left hand into a fist then rams it straight into Issei's stomach.

Vomiting out saliva and air by the stiff blow smashing squarely onto his abdomen. Issei gets send hurling across the ravine. Stun by the punch, he fails to land his fall and ends smashing facefirst onto the cold ground.

"... Y-You may be right."

Just as he is ready to depart, Nawin pauses and turns back to see Issei slowly crawling up to his feet.

Lifting his head to look at this friend in the eyes, Issei shows sadness in his emerald eyes. "I'm not like you... I am too dense to see the bigger picture at times. I have no solution for the future because I understand that I am still weak... Yet, there is one thing that I can confidently say while standing here. And that is," Issei reveals determination in his face. "I refuse to allow my best friend to fall into the clutches of someone like Ophis, who only cares for her own end goal!"

"So you will try to stop me, like the rest?" Nawin asks.

Issei surveys the area to look at all his fallen friends one more time. He does not doubt that they had given it their all in trying to stop Nawin, and yet it still wasn't enough.

"You are my friend..." Issei peers back at Nawin. Those emerald eyes gradually harden with purpose. "If I have to battle you to stop you from going to Ophis, then I will do it. Without hesitation."

Watching Issei remove his coat and tossing it aside, Nawin closes his eyes. His hands resting on the sides slowly tightens into fists, shaking ever faintly by the frustration bubbling in the pit of his stomach.

'So it's come down to this...'

"Very well..."

Opening his eyes, Nawin gazes upon the person he considers his closest friend. Black aura draws to life around him, swirling around his form. "If you refuse to move aside, Issei. I will go right through you as I did with Rias and the others."

"Heh," Issei lets out a weak chuckle. "For the longest time, one of my dreams was to battle with you, Nawin..." he says softly with a somber smile. Red aura flows out of his body and begins to rotate around violently. "It pains me that we have to do this under such circumstances."

"Your dream was to defeat me, is it not?"

Nawin's mana proceeds to ascend further, yet Issei still manages to keep up. Both of the young devils' power reaching well beyond Ultimate Class. The combined energy releasing from both Nawin and Issei is enough to generate thunderous earthquakes across the ravine.

A smirk makes its way to Makasha's face before he points to himself.

"Let's see if you can make it a reality here, Issei."

As Nawin said those words, he steals a quick glance behind Issei. Not far from him rests Akeno, Rias, Gasper, and Koneko. All of them, shivering by the tremors. 'I need to take this bout away from here...'

Bending his legs to the right side, Nawin swiftly breaks away in a sprint. Issei immediately gives chase and follows closely behind.

Looking ahead to see the edge of the ravine quickly growing closer, Nawin shows no signs of stopping. Within the range, he jumps off the cliff. Issei does not hesitate and follows.

A shocking gasp leaves the lips of Hyoudou by the sight that greets his eyes from below.

Like a scar carved into the earth. A massive, sharp crater below glares above like an eye. The land within it is nothing but dead trees, burnt grounds, and ashes—a cold stream produced by the tall waterfall from above cuts through the gray land like a spear.

Hyoudou is unable to suppress the shudder in his spine at the sight of the ominous land. Somehow, the crater below carries an even more wicked air around it than the land above it.

'So... This area showcases the remnant of the battle between Sirzech and Rizevim. Their battle managed to change the flatlands into a valley.'

Nawin casts a glance backward to Issei, seeing him still following closely above. He looks past him to measure the distance they are rapidly putting from the cliff above where Akeno and the others rest.

'It should do...'

Noticing him getting closer to the ground, Nawin swiftly rotates around to have his front face upwards. He lifts his right arm high up, locking the palm on Hyoudou.

"Red Flame Cannon."

The blazing orb soars towards Hyoudou at a rapid rate. Yet, Issei is quick enough to summon the Booster Gear and swats the sphere aside when it's in range.

A sizable blast discharges from the right side of Issei, but he pays no mind to it as his emerald eyes firmly stay on Nawin.

The two friends hold their gazes to one another for a moment as they descend in the air.

Feeling the surface approaching near, Nawin swirls around and lands perfectly on his feet. Pushing his legs, he stands up then slowly rotates behind when hearing the sound of Issei's shoes hitting the ground.

"To think our battle would happen in a place like this," Nawin survey the dormant crater before returning to Issei. "An aftermath of a battlefield between the Lucifers." "Don't try to compare our bout with them, Nawin," Issei sharply inserts. "They fought here to kill one another... I fight here to stop you."

A smirk forms on Makasha's lips as he reopens his eyes to look ahead at Hyoudou. "Don't you always wanted to battle with me, Issei?" "Under better circumstances, I would be overjoyed now... I only wish our first bout wasn't anything like this."

For a moment, Nawin's gaze softens.

"I wish so too, Issei."

Those sincere words stun Issei for a moment, and he stares at his friend in disbelief yet with hope.

However, that soft gaze leaves Makasha's eyes just as soon as those words are uttered from his lips.

Black aura emanates to life and releases throughout Makasha's form. His eyes return to that cold, stoic gaze. "But I have chosen to walk down this path, and it leads me to Ophis. I refuse to have anyone stop me!"

Issei clenches his hands into fists by those words. It's so filled with conviction that it hits him like an arrow. Unable to stop himself, he opens his mouth and simply lets these words out—words coming straight from his heart.

"Please, Nawin," Issei looks up at his friend with a sliver of hope lingering in his eyes, "Can we stop this here? I'm sure there's another way..."

Nawin closes his eyes to deny the risk of any emotions surfacing from his eyes. And when his eyes are close, instead of darkness greeting him, it is the image of Kitomi and that enigmatic brown-haired woman staring back at him.

One is wearing a smirk that's so cruel it sends chills down his spine, and the other one gazes at him with those slit violet orbs that hold so much power within them that it makes him feel so weak in comparison.

"It's too late, Issei."

Nawin unfolds his eyes and summons the Twisted Etcher in the right hand. He holds the weapon tightly then brings it upwards, pointing it straight towards Hyoudou.

Issei droops his head low; front bangs hide away his eyes. Red aura triggers into life and surrounds him in a circle. The intensity of the aura is enough to shatter and split the ground below.

"I guess words are pointless now in this stage," Issei lifts his head to reveal those blazing emerald orbs. "Then I will stop you here, Nawin. I'll drag you back to Kuoh unconscious if I need to!"

Lifting the Boosted Gear to the front, its claws unclenches. The green jewel resting in the center glows radiantly.

"Boost..." Issei utters and pauses for a second in hesitation as he looks at Nawin's face. Yet, Issei remembers what will happen if he fails here. With that in mind, he pushes on. "Times Forty!"

Nawin's eyes widen in shock by hearing the number, and he quickly goes into a stance when Issei vanishes from sight.

'He's going all out from the start...'

With swiftness, Nawin turns around and swings down the Twisted Etcher just as Issei materializes into existence.

With an uppercut swing from the gauntlet, Issei smashes through the blade, shattering it to hundreds of tiny shards. But he does not stop and connects the gauntlet to Makasha's chest.

Feeling the wind knock out of his lungs, Nawin chokes while getting send spiraling away in the air. Never has he received such a powerful blow from Hyoudou before.

Issei is not down and rushes forward before leaping into the air. With the Boosted Gear on the side, he hurries down toward Nawin to deliver another blow from above.

As Issei's fist comes closer, Nawin snaps his eyes open and sucks in a deep breath.

"Devil Flame Ball!"

Opening his mouth, Nawin exhales out a massive, crimson fireball that soars upwards toward Hyoudou.

Issei promptly abandons his strike and alternately releases his wings to take off in the air, flying to the side just enough to evade the flaming globe.

The second Nawin feels his feet touch the ground, he summons a dagger and throws it upwards. Issei finally looks down and gasps when seeing the dagger coming towards him. He manages to lean his body to the left and dodge it, but he knows that's not it.

Before Hyoudou can turn around to counter, Nawin appears behind and catches the dagger in one hand while swinging the other forward. Issei is hit from the back of the head with a wicked blow that sends him shooting downwards.

The attack is stiff enough to daze him for a moment.

Dispelling the dagger, Nawin bolts downwards to follow the failing Hyoudou. When in range, Nawin swings a kick ahead and smashes it into Issei's stomach with such a force that Issei coughs out blood.

With stoic eyes, Nawin watches his friend crashes down into the stream that cuts through the valley.

Water erupts from the stream, and Issei climbs out of it. He pushes himself over the ledge and drops to his knees. Soak to the top and bottom; Issei stares up at Nawin while lifting an arm to wipe away the remaining trail of blood dripping from the mouth.

Pushing up to his feet, Issei sucks a deep breath and looks up again, only to be shocked to find Nawin absent.

Sensing movement from the front, Issei looks ahead and eats a right hook across his face.

Staggering back by the blow, Issei grunts then retaliates with a swing of his own but misses when Nawin ducks under it. Pushing his legs and shoving his right arm up, Nawin delivers a stiff uppercut to Issei's abdomen that knocks the air out of the lungs.

Issei gasps but refuses to go down, and to keep himself standing, he latches onto Nawin's arm.

With that stoic eyes still present, Nawin gazes down on his friend and brings his left forearm down to block a sneaking knee aim for his stomach. Issei mentally cusses and detaches himself from Nawin, jumping back to create some distance between them.

'Though you improved much when it comes to close combat, Partner... You are still inferior with it when pit against Makasha.'

Issei does not deny Ddraig's words. He knows he can't match with Nawin in terms of hand-to-hand combat. It is only recently, with the help of Kokoro and Hunter has he started to develop his close combat ability. On the other hand, Nawin had years under his belt to build and master in that field.

'But,' Issei holds the gauntlet up to the air. His face exhibits nothing but determination. 'We have spared so many times... I can do this. I just need to focus and watch!'

"Boost Times Forty-Five!"

Hyoudou's mana once again spikes to another level. Bending his legs forward, Issei kicks off the ground to catapult himself towards Nawin.

Extending his right arm back all the way, Issei swings it forward with full force as he draws near to Nawin. Securing his feet firmly on the earth, Nawin raises his right forearm and manages to block the gauntlet at the last moment.

The whole ground behind Makasha implodes in destruction from the energy behind the strike.

Nawin's expression stiffens ever lightly by the stinging sensation in his arm. Issei's punch was more powerful than he had predicted.

When Hyoudou's feet touch the ground, he pulls his arm back then launches a high kick toward the side, but once again, Nawin draws an arm over to parry it.

The pair did not lose sight of their eyes, staring at one with intensity while allowing their bodies to do the action. And their bodies manage to predict each other's moves flawlessly this far.

Nawin and Issei suddenly jump back simultaneously before charging at one another again with total momentum. Their forearms connect, and the battle breaks into a flurry of punches and kicks as the two tries to parry through one's defense and land a solid blow.

Getting push back by Nawin's onslaught offenses, Issei notices him sneaking a leg from below. He quickly hops in the air to avoid getting taken off his feet.

Nawin uses this moment to swing a solid right hook that Issei manages to catch in the palm. But with him not having any solid root to keep himself on the ground, the punch sends him hurling backward.

Issei groans out in pain when colliding his back with a dense tree. Not done, Nawin rushes ahead and delivers a clothesline that sends Issei breaking straight through the thick white trunk.

Hyoudou barrels through the ground before settling down onto his back, dragging through the earth. He opens his eyes, and it widens. Quickly, he rolls to the side to evade Nawin descending from above with both feet aiming down.

The surface below shatters underneath Nawin's feet as he lands on it with absolute momentum. Nawin rears his head to the right and sees Issei flipping back to his feet.

Panting lightly, Issei grits his teeth at the sight of how composed Nawin remains.

'Forty-Five, and he is still keeping up with me... No, he is stronger than me!'

'He's gotten much stronger since the last time I saw him,' Ddraig comments, keeping close attention on the ongoing battle within the mindscape.

'Is it because of Ophis?' Issei deduces, sparing a glance over to the Draconic Mark visible on Nawin's neck. 'Makasha wishes for power... To tempt him, Ophis offers more of it,' Ddraig mutters more to himself but concluding Hyoudou's question.

'But let's not forget about what happened in Vamhaven,' Ddraig adds in. 'There is without a doubt in my mind that Makasha has gained some new powers after obtaining that form.' '... You sound worried' 'Yes... He's holding the higher ground without revealing that form yet.'

For a spark of a second, Issei allows his determination to waver and have uncertain settle in. But, as quickly as it appeared, Issei suppresses it.

Clenching the Boosted Gear into a fist, Issei powers up and readies to continue.

'That won't stop me.'

Suddenly, a noise of lightning crackling shrieks across the valley, breaking the silence that masks it.

"Black Coffin..."

Issei's body jerks in shock by those words and scours around to see his view quickly becoming obscured by the dark walls sprouting from below. Cussing under his breath, Issei looks ahead at Nawin, and he slowly fades from view as the walls continue to rise to form a complete box.

Now, Hyoudou finds himself standing in a world of abyss. Darkness and complete silence are the only things he can see and hear.

'Get out of there now,' Ddraig advises. He memorizes well what this spell can do, how lethal it is.

The silence breaks by the sound of shatters coming from above, and it makes Issei shift his eyes up. He is conscious that the weapons for the coffin have formed, ready to pierce into it.

Hyoudou unclenches the Booster Gear's claws. The signature miniature red orb forms at the center of the palm. Hastily, the orb expands in size until it reaches around the claws.

Feeling the Rotation is fully powered up, Issei kicks his right foot down to bounce forward. He launches the Booster Gear ahead, smashing the Rotation onto the black wall.

Nawin stares in shock at the sight of a crack developing on the front of the Black Coffin. Never has he seen a person breaking through this spell before.

Seeing the cracks splitting more, Nawin waves his right arm downwards to command the glowing weapons above to fly down. But, before all of it could sink into the coffin, the wall shatters open, and Issei breaks through it.

The second his feet touch the outside grounds, Issei locks sight onto Nawin, then swings the Booster Gear forward to launch the Rotation ahead, converting it into a ranged attack.

Black Lightning crackles to life around Makasha's right hand. Nawin watches the energy sphere grow closer till he swipes it to the sides with the Demonic Lightning.

Nawin is left stun when Issei emerges in front of the Rotation and catches it with the gauntlet.

Issei slams his feet to the ground, bursting towards Makasha and launching the Rotation ahead, turning it back into a close-range attack.

Not having time to dodge, Nawin instinctively thrust his right hand, rearing the Demonic Lightning forward.

The red orb and black lightning collide together and produce a thunderous crackle.

A shockwave fluctuates from the attacks grinding against each other, trying to overpower one another. The ground beneath Makasha and Hyoudou splits then widens rapidly, building to a massive crater.

"Boost Times Fifty!"

Nawin gets jerk back to the heel of his feet when Issei pushes ahead, managing to overwhelm him. The Rotation doubles in size and continues to drill forth.

Feeling his right arm shaking by the pressure, Nawin grinds his teeth and glares ahead at Issei.

The Draconic Mark pulse to life then spreads rapidly across Makasha's body until it covers half of it.

The Demonic Lightning vividly flashes till it shifts to the shade of violet, drawing from the power of the mark. The electricity rages wilder that it propels sparks of bolts to the air.

Glaring at one another while having their feet planted solidly to the ground, Issei and Nawin drive their arms even harder ahead.

Suddenly, a shockwave explodes when Nawin's and Issei's attacks abruptly discharge, canceling each other out. The intensity of the shockwave hurls both Nawin and Issei away at a rapid pace.

At the same time, the two crashes at the opposite ends of the ravine, burying deep within the earth.

"... Gahh!" Issei burst out of the wall and takes a deep breath, sucking air into his burning lungs. He drops to the floor on his knees while letting out a groan at the pain wrenching his back, resulting from the brutal impact.

Pushing one of his knees up, Issei looks ahead and sees Nawin's fist bursting out of the earth before he steps out of the wall, landing on the ground with his feet.

Issei clenches his left hand in anger at the sight of the Draconic Mark enveloping his friend's whole body, masking him like some curse.

'You are at Fifty now,' Ddraig reminds. 'Your limit is Sixty, Partner... Though truthfully, I'd scarcely claim that with confidence.'

A faint sensation of ache courses through Issei's whole body for a moment, reminding him how much he is exerting himself.

Yet, with the pain evident, Issei refuses to even bother worrying about it. He will not rest until Nawin is down for the count.

Taking another deep breath into his lungs, Issei pushes himself to his feet and begins to stride ahead, making his way back to Makasha.

Smirking at Issei walking over towards him without even the slightest hesitation by the sight of the mark, Nawin summons a long sword into his hand. Rearing it back, Nawin launches his arm forward to throw it. With the strength he used, the blade glides through the air like a bullet, racing straight for Hyoudou.

In a swift and precise motion, Issei waves the gauntlet up from the side to smash the sword into oblivion. The tiny shards sparkle as it flies past him before vanishing from reality. Issei's emerald gaze does not leave Nawin for even a second.

'This is the first I've seen him go as high as Fifty,' Nawin notes. 'I can't imagine he can go much higher than that without risking damaging his body...'

"Wind Blasts!"

Nawin perks at those words and watches Issei bend down to slam a palm to the ground. A stream of air explodes from the gaps between Issei's fingers, and it carries over through the earth to form a vast dust storm.

Quickly, the entire space before Nawin's eyes becomes obscure with dust.

'Using his brains for once... Now, what is your next move, Issei?'

Feeling the mark's raw power coursing through his veins, Nawin holds a sense of confidence that he can take anything Issei prepares to dish out.

Suddenly, the cloud of dust split open to reveal a sizable red beam soaring directly for Nawin.

Bringing his right arm ahead, Nawin halts the beam with the palm of his hand. The beam splits into two and pushes on, flying past Nawin's sides until it entirely vanishes.

Bringing his arm down to the side, Nawin stares as the dust starts to scatter and clear away. His eyes narrow by the absence of Hyoudou.

Nawin readies to take a step but pauses by a sound from below. With widening eyes, Nawin peers down to see the Boosted Gear exploding from the earth and snatching him by the ankle.

Issei implodes from below and holds enough momentum to take him to the sky. Nawin gets drag up along the way, momentary stun to do a thing.

With a roar, Issei pulls Nawin over his shoulder, and when they are nearing the ground, he slams him facefirst onto the surface in a brutal fashion that shatters the earth.

Releasing the ankle, Issei clenches the gauntlet into a fist and swings it down with full power towards the back of Makasha's head, intending to knock him unconscious. But, Nawin intercepts in time by lifting his right leg and connecting below Issei's chin as he leans in.

The blow manages to stagger Hyoudou for a moment, leaving Nawin room to quickly kips up to his feet. With his right palm clench into a fist, Nawin spins around and delivers a full right hook that smashes across Issei's face.

The punch sends Hyoudou spiraling away in the air. He crashes hard onto the earth but does not have time to recompose as Nawin snatches him up by the back of the collar.

"You can't stop me," Nawin asserts and releases Issei to throw a high kick that smashes across the stomach, knocking the wind out of Issei's lungs. He goes barreling through the earth before crashing back-first onto a large boulder.

Issei coughs out violently, then shakily opens his eyes only to eat a knee square onto his face. The attack sends him into the boulder, exploding out of it on the other end before smashing facefirst onto the cold earth.

Moaning in pain, Issei slowly sets his hands onto the earth and pushes himself up to all fours. He stares at the blood trickling onto the ashen ground, feeling it dripping from his bruise nose.

"This is the power that Ophis promised me."

Issei peers up to see Nawin standing there over him, gazing down with those cold red eyes. The Draconic Mark is still clutching over his body.

At a stir in the moment of frustration, Issei burst upwards to throw a surprise punch, but Nawin manages to intercept in time, catching the Boosted Gear with his palm.

Issei looks on with shock as Nawin slowly pushes his arm aside in pure strength. Even with boosting to fifty, Nawin is showing a clear superiority in terms of power.

"Try to boost as much as you want, Issei," Nawin stoically says while looking into the eyes of his friend. "But no matter how high you go, even if you go as far as to damage your own body in the process... I will still walk out of here, the victor."

The Draconic Mark flashes sinisterly in violet, and with a squeeze of his hand, Nawin shatters the Boosted Gear from Issei's arm.

Hyoudou looks over in disbelief, staring at the remnant of his Sacred Gear vanishing from his eyes.

"To have a Sacred Gear be discarded that easily exposes its wielder's present mindset." Issei turns back to look at Nawin, whose cold eyes bore straight into his. "Deep within you, you know that you can't stop me, Issei. Your will has weakened."

In an attempt to prove Nawin's words wrong, Issei stretches his right arm out to ready a Rotation, but Nawin interrupts him with a punch smacking at the center of his face.

Makasha shows no hesitation and delivers another punch, then another and another. A barrage of punches hurls towards Hyoudou's face as he can only stand there helplessly, taking all of the stiff onslaughts.

The emerald eyes that once were blazing with determination fade away to leave only those normal brown orbs. Seeing that, Nawin finishes the barrage with a stiff uppercut connecting to Issei's chin, sending his feet off the earth.

Issei's brown eyes grow daze from that last punch, yet he manages to peer down to see Nawin looking up at him with those powerful eyes. And like that, Issei feels once again that they are worlds apart when compared in power. He thought he was somewhere near Nawin, but now, that thought is dash away at that very moment. He really was a blind fool.

When Issei comes down, Nawin delivers the final blow. With all of his strength, Nawin rams his right fist across Issei's face. A wincing sound erupts, and the earth beneath shatters from the blow. Issei gets fling away and crashing through a boulder.

Coming down from the air, Issei grounds nearby the stream, laying by the water, limp.

Staring at his friend stoically, Nawin can feel the mark slowly receding to its base, not long after his body is once again is clean of it.

"... You still have a long way to go, Issei."

With nothing left to get in his way, Nawin turns around and slowly ascends to the air.

Laying there on his back, Issei stares up into the sky with a dazed look on his face. His eyes instinctively widen ever faintly when Nawin enters his sight.

Seeing his dear friend's retracting form spark a memory in Hyoudou's mind that momentarily prevents him from falling unconscious.

Flashback

"Hey..."

Issei unfolds his eyes to see a bottle of water hanging above his sweaty face. Panting lightly to keep a steady stream of air entering his burning lungs, Issei jerks his eyes towards the left to see Nawin standing there.

Giving an appreciative smile, Issei takes the offered bottle then slowly sits up. Nawin takes the space next to his friend, resting on the soft grass field above the small, quiet hill.

Nawin stares onward at the field of green with a peaceful expression donning his face. Considering how quiet it is, the sound of Issei gobbling down the water from the bottle is apparent, although Nawin can't blame his sloppy manners. Just looking at the state of Issei, with how sweaty and dirty he is, Nawin can imagine he's been at it for hours with training.

"Bahh!" Issei cries in relief after quenching his thirst. Closing the lid of the now empty bottle, he sets it to the side before rearing his head over to Nawin.

"Aren't you suppose to be out somewhere with Miraya?" "You make it sound like I only spare my time for her now" "Well, don't you?" "Am I hearing a bit of jealousy in that tone of yours, Issei?" Hyoudou snorts at that and looks away. Nawin lightly chuckles before facing ahead, returning his eyes to the peaceful view. "She would tell me to go spend time with others if I became too clingy."

Issei chuckles at that comment. Never in his life would he thought of hearing such words coming from Nawin's mouth. 'He has really changed since Miraya's return...'

"So," Nawin starts, enjoying the calm wind breezing by them, "Exactly how long have you been going at it?" "What time is it?" "Three." "Then three hours. Been here since lunch."

Hearing how hard Issei is training brings a smile onto Nawin's face.

"Any progress?" "Well," Issei lets out a proud chuckle, "Now I am able to maintain boost times forthy for roughly an hour without feeling like my bones and muscles are about to be torn apart."

"Forty, huh?" Nawin raises a brow in impress, which only serves to make Hyoudou's grin wider ever faintly. "If I'm not mistaken, you went that high against Lucy during the tournament, no?" "Yeah, I managed to get the upper hand for a sec there. But being frank with that transformation of hers, I'd probably still end up losing that bout if the invasion did not occur."

Nawin notices something lingering in Issei's tone when he spoke those words. Disappointment. And Nawin can guess it is directed to himself.

"You haven't hit your ceiling yet, Issei" "I know..."

Hyoudou exhales a long sigh then leans backward, his hands grounding on the soft grass. "But seeing how Lucy has improved so much by obtaining that form. Then at Vamhaven when I saw you going all out against Marius... I feel so left behind at the moment."

"You are aware that you are the wielder of the Boosted Gear, right?" Nawin remarks, "A weapon that can double its user's power." "Yeah," Issei cracks a small smile, "But I do have a limit, Nawin. I won't be very competitive if I boost carelessly and end up breaking all the bones in my body at the first half of a battle."

There is no immediate reply after Issei's words as Nawin simply takes a moment to enjoy the silence between them. Issei is one of the few people Nawin feels comfortable letting all of his guards go and unwind.

"Want to know something?" Issei perks and peers over to Nawin, nodding, "I was in the same position as you not long ago." "W-what?" Issei blinks in disbelief, but that expression is quickly replaced with cynical "That's hard to believe."

"Hmm," Nawin simply hums before finally rearing over to look at Hyoudou. "When my battle with Marius kept furthering along, and I saw him continue to heal after every offense I threw at him... I began to question myself if I could even win the bout. When Marius started to get the upper hand, I felt that I had reached my ceiling, and I cursed myself for realizing it."

Issei stares at Nawin with stun eyes. Since the moment he has met Nawin, Issei has never seen him express uncertainty towards himself. To Issei, Nawin has always been a person with confidence and an ironclad will. Never afraid of any challenges and never showing doubts even when the odds are pit against him.

"I was very much in your position at that instant," Nawin softly continues, staring up at the clear blue sky. "I gave it my all, and it was still not enough. Then when I took into account Marius's immortality, I truly felt like I was pushed back against the wall. For a rare moment, I had no hope of winning even with the mark's power."

Issei remains quiet, listening to every word leaving Nawin's mouth, absorbing all of it.

"But, I managed to break through that glass ceiling because Marius pushed me. When he proclaimed, he would kill all of you and do worse to Akeno... I snapped. Because at that very moment, in my head, I knew I could not be defeated here no matter what. That desperation pushed me to the next level, and I achieved that new power to turn the tide of the battle. Even though I lost control of it, I did succeed in breaking through my limit."

Nawin turns back to Issei with a warm smile. "I had to be on the brink of death and hopelessness to achieve that next level."

Issei stares at the spot between his legs for a moment, slowly digesting everything Nawin said.

Blinking by a hand coming into his view, Issei jerks his head up to see Nawin looking down at him with a warm smile.

"Sometimes, you need a certain push to help you reach that next level. But that doesn't mean it makes all of your training pointless, Issei. All of it will serve to help you get there faster. Hence even though it feels like you are lagging behind, you should not lose hope. I nearly had with Marius, but I persevered, and that helped me defeat him."

Slowly a smile makes its way on Hyoudou's face. He lightly shakes his head as a hearty chuckle escapes his lips. "You and your wise words..." Issei fondly states before accepting Nawin's hand, allowing himself to be pulled up to his feet.

"Thanks, Nawin," Issei says, feeling a weight of negativity leaving his chest. "I needed that."

Releasing Issei's hand, Nawin brings his hand up to deliver a light flick to his friend's forehead. He bears a smirk as Issei flushes faintly at the gesture. "Considering how hopeless you are at times... I do need to look out for you."

"Psh!" Issei snorts before crossing his arms over his chest, cocking his head to the side. "What are you, my brother?" "Believe me," Nawin raises a brow, "If I were, you would not have ended up being a hopeless pervert for the early parts of your life, Issei."

Issei chokes at those words, unable to suppress a grin breaking out of his face. He lets out a light laugh before looking back at Nawin. The two share a warm smile together.

Present

Hyoudou's right hand suddenly shows signs of twitching, fingers drag down onto the ashen ground, clenching into a full fist. His eyes remain fixed on Nawin's retreating form.

Suddenly, appearing before his very eyes is an image of all of his fallen friends lying there defeated. That image soon fades off, and it gets replaced with one that shows him and Nawin standing there in the peaceful grass field, smiling at one another.

'Get up!' Issei roars into his mind, demanding his heavy body to move, 'I won't let it end here!' The brown orbs in Hyoudou's eyes begin flickering to the shade of emerald. 'I won't let you go to Ophis, Nawin! After everything we've been through together... I REFUSE TO LOSE YOU LIKE THIS!"

With sheer will, Issei gives out a cry and extends his right arm to the air. A sudden surge of newfound power explodes from Hyoudou's body. The Boosted Gear radiates to life, donning on the right arm once more.

The roar has Nawin promptly swing around; a look of shock bears on his expression. He was confident that Hyoudou would be out for the count after his last strike.

"What is this power?" Nawin mutters, examining the red aura swirling around Issei's form.

'His aura... It feels more potent than before.' 'Kid,' Nawin pause at Tairex's voice, his tone serious. 'Stay vigilant... You may actually have a real fight on your hands if what I'm assuming is coming to past.'

Nawin's expression hardens by the Dragon's words, but before he could inquire more, Issei's mana once again climbs even higher.

"It just keeps on growing!"

Slowly rising to his feet, Issei stumbles a bit before managing to stand straight. Lifting the Boosted Gear high up, Issei unveils his glowing eyes, then proceeds to shout the words that are screaming within his heart.

"BALANCE BREAKER!"

Ray of blinding light explodes from Hyoudou's form, and it immediately overwhelms the ravine in a dome of light, obscuring over Makasha's disbelief expression.

Not wanting to be blinded by the light, Nawin covers his eyes with his arm for a moment till the light eventually dissolves. Uncovering his eyes, Nawin lets out a gasp at the scene below.

Hovering around Hyoudou's body, a complete set of scale mail-style armor glows luminously in striking red. The green jewels embedded in parts of the armor radiate fiercely with power.

'That armor...' Nawin stares with wide eyes. 'They share similarities with Vali's.' He recollects Vali telling him about that form and its name. 'Scale Mail... Armor of the White Dragon Emperor. Which means that right there is the Armor of the Red Dragon Emperor.'

Issei snaps his eyes open, and instantly, the hovering armor charge towards him.

One by one, the armor pieces go to latch onto parts of Hyoudou's body, donning on him. The last piece still in the air is the chest plate. The large green jewel at its center shines brightly before the plate jerks over and slams itself onto Issei's chest, locking in.

Descending from the air, Nawin returns to the ashen ground. He keeps a respectable distance from Hyoudou.

Issei's eyes promptly set their sight on Makasha. His blazing emerald orbs burn blazingly.

A satisfied smirk wears on Nawin's lips as he examines the striking armor that shares copious resemblances to the appearance of dragons with its sharp scale-like manner. The pure, raw energy exuding from the armor is impossible to overlook.

"So you have finally broken through that ceiling, Issei..."

Hyoudou's eyes confer some sadness at those words. Inside, he is saddened that this moment, the moment he has been anticipating for so long to reach that next level as Nawin did in Vamhaven is tainted by the circumstance he is in. Instead of achieving this newfound power besides his friend's side, he achieved it standing against him. And that pains Hyoudou's heart.

Exhaling a deep breath, Issei peers down to look upon this new form of his. He can feel the power it is providing to him.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Hyoudou starts and lifts his right arm near to his chest, clenching the hand into a fist. The gauntlet's red claws flash with energy. Issei looks up to stare directly into his friend's eyes. "To bring you back home, Nawin. I will break through any barriers!"

Nawin blinks at the dragon-like helmet forming into existence above Hyoudou's head. It swiftly descends and attaches itself to the chest plate. Finally, a tail made of scale protrudes from the rear of the helmet and stretches long enough to touch the ground, completing the entire Scale Mail.

In response, Nawin releases restraint on the Draconic Mark's. It glows bright, then promptly slithers across Makasha's body till covering all of it. That dark purple aura once again swirls to life as Nawin's power skyrockets in level.

'Ddraig?' Issei becomes concerned by the silence. He'd think that the Dragon would have something to say after he obtained this new form. Once more, he tries to call out, and yet again, all he receives is silence.

Exhaling a sigh, Issei pushes the worry away for now and focuses on the task at hand. He averts his full attention to Nawin.

'I can't waste time... Though I feel overwhelming power coursing through me right now. I don't know how long this armor will remain.'

Hyoudou brings his right arm up, palm facing ahead. A sizable red magic orb generates into existence.

"Dragon Cannon!"

Nawin leaps to the air to avoid the incoming sphere. He looks down to see Issei bouncing from below, flinging towards him.

Readying to counter the upcoming offense, Nawin is surprised when Hyoudou promptly vanishes in thin air. For a moment, he becomes untraceable.

Remaining in the air, Nawin scours around the area but detects no signs of his friend.

Appearing out the blue, Issei charges towards Makasha from the right end and takes him down from the air with a tackle.

Making beeline towards the ground, Nawin tries to force himself out of Issei's grip but is shocked to find himself hardly able to budge within it. His arms stay tightly lock within the armor's sturdy plates.

The pair come down harsh onto the ground, with Nawin taking the full brunt of the impact.

Issei pushes himself back up to his feet and sees Nawin groaning within the crater. Steeling himself, Issei does not give Nawin a chance to compose himself and snatch him by the ankle.

With his newfound strength, Issei easily throws Nawin over his shoulder and slams him brutally to the earth. But, he is not done and once again lifts Nawin to slam him down to the left. Issei continues the motion again and smashes Nawin down to the right side.

Releasing his hold, Issei looks at Nawin buried face-first onto the earth. He perks at the sparkle of lightning appearing around the air, then quickly jumps away when it discharges into a close-range field.

Pushing the palms on the unsteady earth, Nawin rises to stand back to his feet. The bruises and cuts littering across his body immediately begin to heal themselves.

Makasha's stoic expression hardens at what he just went through. He was utterly powerless during those moments.

'To think he's gotten that much of a powerup... And it's still rising...'

Abruptly, Issei breaks in a charge with his right arm ready by the side. Nawin responds by summoning a wall of weapons in front.

A sound of shattering combust in the air of the ravine as Nawin stares with wide eyes at the sight of Hyoudou barreling through his defenses with no difficulty in his steps.

In range, Issei delivers a wicked clothesline that connects square onto Makasha's chest, knocking all the wind out of his lungs. Nawin goes smashing to the ground but is quickly lift up to the air by his neck.

Within the helmet, Issei bites hard on his lips at what he is doing. It hurts him to fight Nawin like this, but he pushes on, giving no room for hesitation.

Nawin vomits out blood by an uppercut connecting at the center of his abdomen. He can feel his organs retching in distress. For a moment, he goes limp, dangling in the air.

Issei watches closely at the mark around Makasha's body begins radiating like fire. Unexpectedly, it retracts back to its base that rests on the neck. Not long after, Nawin is absent of the mark.

"... We're going home, Nawin."

Those words have Makasha shakily reopen his eyes, peering down at Issei. His eyes morph to a glare that directs straight at those emerald orbs looking back from the helmet.

"No."

Lifting his right arm to clutch onto the wrist of the gauntlet, Nawin bears that cold expression on his face. "I have come too far now to go back."

With a heavy heart, Issei rears his left arm backward, preparing it to deliver the final blow. "Then I will have to drag you back there unconscious."

With all of his strength pour into it, Issei swings his left arm ahead, steering it straight towards Nawin's face.

A heavy, deep sound erupts around the area—the ground rocks.

The silence breaks at the sound of Issei's gasp in shock. With wide eyes, he stares at his fist held within Nawin's own palm. Somehow, he manages not only to catch it but entirely blocked it. With the amount of strength Hyoudou included in that punch, it should've dislocated the arm right out of the shoulder.

"Don't go start believing you had become stronger than me when you just unlocked Balance Breaker, Issei..."

Rearing his head up, Nawin gazes down at his friend. His eyes, blazing in a shade of gold. Issei stares at those powerful orbs in speechlessness, never once remembering seeing such eyes on Makasha.

Driving his right knee up, Nawin strikes it at the center of the chest plate. The attack is strong enough to create a serious crack on the jewel. Issei coughs out air, feeling some of the blow as he gets send sliding backward, releasing the hold on Nawin from the shock.

Landing on the ground, Nawin opens his right palm. A sphere of gold energy charges, increasing in size until it incases the entire hand.

Eyes lock at Issei, who's still not yet recompose himself. Nawin breaks off into a sprint then vanishes. In a blink of an eye, he appears in front of Issei and throws the arm holding the sphere ahead.

A massive explosion erupts when the sphere combusts into a destructive blast that envelope Hyoudou's entire form. The ravine illuminates for a moment by the blinding explosion.

Pulling his arm back and standing straight, Nawin looks on calmly at the haze of smoke swirling in front of him. That potent gold orbs slowly morphs back to the shade of blood-red.

Nawin's eyes narrow by the red light emanating from within the smoke. Suddenly, the cloud disperses away to reveal Issei, still on his feet. Nawin sees signs of cracks spread across the Scale Mail. His attack may not have broken through the armor, but it did do some damage to it.

'I could have poured more power into that... That Scale Mail's defense is stronger than I predicted.'

Nawin's eyes widen when seeing the cracks on the armor begins closing themselves. 'Regeneration... Huh, your Balance Breaker is really something, Issei.'

Mentally, Nawin is impressed by the display of the Scale Mail's abilities. It eases his mind knowing that Issei now holds this power with him. He knows without a doubt that Issei will become a worthy foe when he masters this newfound power.

'I can't keep drawing more power from the mark and risk losing control of it... And,' Nawin gives the faintest wince by the burning sensation coursing through his veins, 'Using it carelessly could end up jeopardizing me.'

'Tairex,' Nawin calls for the Dragon. 'Heh, finally choose to go all out?' 'I have no choice now.'

Issei tenses by the sight of the black aura flickering across Nawin's form. His breath hitch at his throat, remembering the events that unfold in Vamhaven.

'I-Is he going to use that form?!'

An abrupt surge of power exploding within Nawin has him releasing a discomfort grunt. He hunches forward ever gently, concentrating hard to control this overwhelming energy.

A dense black aura seeps from the pores of Makasha and swirls around him until it completely covers his body.

For a moment passes, and the swarm of aura sways away to the side to reveal Nawin's new transformation.

Coating in his very own mana, Nawin's body to the top and bottom is darkness incarnate. Black electricity occasionally sparks around his form, oozing with power. Then, those striking red orbs unveil themselves, their shape distinct from humans. Now it holds a sharper appearance with the edge reaching further to the side, similar that to a dragon.

Issei feels a shiver crawling down his spine at the sight of Nawin's new form. It is the first time he is able to see it up this close. The raw energy exuding from it hits him like a mighty tide.

Lifting his right arm upwards and near to his face, Nawin stares at his palm. He sees his entire arm masks in his mana, similar to the rest of his body.

'Huh,' Tairex snort in mild impress. 'You managed to retain control. Not bad, Kid.'

Though the Dragon is impressed, he isn't shocked by this turn of events. Nawin's will to come out of this battle as the victor and his driving force to go to Ophis has made his mindset impenetrable. Unlike in Vamhaven, when Marius managed to reach into his mind with taunting words, Nawin now holds nothing but unwavering control. His determination to walk down this path provides him that strength.

"Now," Nawin sets sight on Hyoudou, "We stand on more equal grounds. Let's see who comes out on top, Issei."

In response to those worlds, Issei triggers his mana. Red aura explodes around the armor, Hyoudou's mana skyrocketing even higher than before. Nawin remains unfazed by this, his posture calm and cool.

Hunching forward, Issei explodes ahead, rushing towards Nawin.

Makasha catches the incoming right punch, holding it within his palm. He has his feet firmly on the ground to stop himself from moving. Issei throws his left arm, but Nawin catches that too.

The pair glares at one another, pushing ahead to try to overpower the other. Tremors begin to mount throughout the ravine by the sheer mana releasing from the two.

Nawin abruptly bends backward, bringing Issei with him, but he quickly sends him to the air by throwing both legs up, smashing it straight at the abdomen.

Nawin bolts upwards, extending the right knee out and smashes it at the bottom chin of Hyoudou, then with both hands clench tightly together and lift high in the air, Nawin swings it down and connects a solid blow to the top of the helmet, cracking it heavily while sending Issei shooting back to the earth.

Watching Hyoudou laying there in the rubble, Nawin moves his right arm, locking the palm at the target.

"Lightning Bolt..."

A crackle of electricity explodes around the arm, generating a dark energy orb upon Makasha's palm. Gathering enough mana, it discharges out a sizable bolt.

Issei peers up at the thunderous sound roaring above and does not even have time to react as the incoming bolt collides onto the center of the chestplate.

An explosion erupts within the ravine, producing tremors that run rampant throughout the land. The sheer amount of mana contained in the bolt still lingers in the world as flickers of black lightning radiate out from the smoke, clawing high into the sky.

Lowering his arm to the side, Nawin pause at the sight of smoke beginning to split apart. Not a second later, Issei emerges from the dark fog with a red orb charging within the left gauntlet.

"Dragon Blast!"

Thrusting the arm ahead, aiming straight at Makasha, Issei discharge a wide energy beam. The sheer mass of the beam is powerful enough to shift the entire color of the sky, plunging it into a world of crimson.

Staring at the incoming attack, Nawin dwells still in his position. As the blast draws nearer and reaches him within mere inches, he vanishes in a black flash.

Emerging from behind Hyoudou, Nawin charges up the Demonic Lightning, swinging it for the side. However, Issei swings his arm up, smacking Nawin's wrist from below, effectively redirect the attack to the air, away from Hyoudou.

Nawin is startled by Issei's fast reflexes. Rather than simply evading it, he forces the strike aside with no delay. He saw the attack coming from a mile away.

"It won't be easy catching me off-guard like before, Nawin!"

Issei throws a wide hook with the other hand, but it misses with Nawin ducking under it. Seeing Nawin intending to move away to create space between them, Issei draws his right leg back then launches it ahead, the knee piercing first.

Nawin parries the incoming attack by swinging his own knee in full force.

A shockwave blares to life when the pair's attacks connect each other simultaneously.

The pair openly growls at one another, driving their knees harder ahead, but either is unable to completely overpower the other.

Growing frustrated at failing to overcome Issei's strength, Nawin throws a quick right job, but Issei jerks his head to the side, evading the sudden strike. To counter, Issei charges up an energy orb in his right hand then swiftly shoves it ahead.

"Dragon Cannon!"

The orb rapidly expands in size, smashing into the chest of Makasha, then sends him hurling away with it. Issei watches the sphere continues to increase until it dwarfs over his friend's form.

Trapping Nawin from the front, the orb ignites itself, bursting into a booming explosion that rocks the grounds beneath.

'I can still keep up with him...'

Issei feels the armor still feeding him more power, boosting it without needing his command. But, as this battle continues to draw out, that aching pain plaguing his muscles and bones is becoming more and more prominent. It may soon reach the point where he is unable to simply ignore it.

'Need to finish this soon. Even with that form, Nawin isn't unbeatable. I can end this and bring him home!'

With a swift swing of his right arm, Nawin sends the smoke scattering through the wind.

Issei perks by the sight of Nawin's left arm that's no longer shrouding in the cloak of mana. Faint steam is seen pouring out from the heavily burnt flesh, but like previous injuries, it begins to heal immediately, although it is noticeably slower than before. When the wound is entirely fixed, the mana spreads down from the shoulder to once again coat the arm.

'He must've sacrificed his left arm to take the brunt of the explosion...'

"Issei..." Nawin snarls out in a seething tone, incapable of suppressing the frustration boiling within the pit of his stomach.

'He is growing stronger by the minute, Nawin...' For a rare moment, Sairex makes himself present. Though he still holds some grievances at Nawin's recent choice to go to Ophis, he can't find it within himself to remain silent when seeing his holder struggle.

'Nawin, you cannot win this bout even with that transformation given by my brother. Balance Breaker from Longinus holds enough power to kill God. The best way to counter them is another Longinus with Balance Breaker.'

Sairex's sharp and painfully direct words only serve to frustrate Makasha even more than he already is. Just from this short bout with Issei, Nawin can feel this transformation lacks power compared to his battle with Marius.

'You are being overly caution at drawing more of my power, Kid,' Tairex lazily inserts into the conversation. 'Yet again, my brother's words do carry weight. Your odds of defeating that Welsh Dragon is thinning. Even if you choose to draw more of my power, your friend simply will counter that by boosting his even higher. He will reach his breaking point soon, but by then, he may have you defeated with the way things are progressing.'

Nawin quickly jerks to the right when Issei suddenly emerges from the front, throwing a front kick.

Launching towards Issei, Nawin drives his elbow for the side of the head, but that gets evaded. Ducking under the strike, Issei pulls his body up with his right hand ready, smashing it center onto the chest of Makasha.

"Urgh!" Nawin coughs out air and saliva by the brutal strike that leaves him momentarily stunned. Issei withdraws his arm then moves behind Nawin, delivering both hands onto his back that sends him hurling straight down to the earth.

Dragath

"Nawin-kun..."

Grasping both her hands tightly to stop them from trembling, Misako stares up at the projection, concern evident in her eyes. She can see the tide of the battle has shifted heavily in favor of Issei.

"Incredible," Jellal mutters with amazement in his tone, "I never expected Balance Breaker could give its wielder's this kind of strength!" "He does possess a Longinus," Erza reminds, eyeing closely at the events unfolding before her.

"Issei is on an entirely different level now. It dwarfs even the time he unleashed his power on top of Grayford Mountain..." Erza watches the dust settle and sees Nawin kneeling on one knee inside the crater. Though it is impossible to tell what his expression is right now, Erza can imagine that someone as smart as Nawin would realize the perilous position he is now in.

"Why are you two talking as if Nawin-kun has already lost?!" Senna exclaims, glaring angrily at the former bounty hunters.

Ever since Senna has come to and Momo explained to her the reason behind Erza's actions earlier, she has remained entirely silent to focus on Nawin. Like Misako, her worry has reached near the breaking point, and now hearing the way Erza and Jellal are speaking of Issei's newfound power, it struck Senna's nerve.

"Senna," Momo tries to calm her anxious sister down, holding her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

Erza does not respond to the Princess's outburst, keeping her sight fixed on the projection above, waiting to see what her King's next move is.

Jellal faces Senna and only offers an apologetic smile before shifting attention back to the battle.

The pair's silence only further fuels the frustration and worry within Senna. Clenching her hands tightly into fists to the point the knuckles become white, Senna stares up to look at Nawin.

"He will win this," the Princess whispers with faith.

"Akame-chan," Misako peers over at the Knight standing beside her. "Do not worry." Akame utters before her friend could continue, knowing what Ichiru wanted to ask "Nawin-kun will be here with us soon. Just wait and watch on, Misako."

Akame's steel gaze locks at Makasha's form in the projection. 'You have already come this far, Nawin-kun. You cannot fall here...'

Remaining comfortably on her throne, Ophis stares at the events unfolding with impassiveness. Then, a slight smirk tugs on her lips by the display of Nawin kneeling within the crater. Satisfaction bears in her cold eyes.

'Finally, let's see if you shall sink or swim here, my dear Makasha.'

Land of Ends

Nawin returns to his feet and immediately needs to jerk back to evade a swinging kick flying across his face, missing him by mere inches.

With his back turn to Nawin, Issei does not leave room for opening and drives his right elbow behind. Nawin catches the incoming strike and pushes it away before sending a front kick to Hyoudou's back, sending him off to create space.

Drawing more mana, Nawin charges up another Demonic Lightning on the right hand. He readies to strike.

"Stop, Nawin."

Issei turns around to come to face with his friend.

"I'll only dodge it. In this form, my senses have become as sharp as a dragon. Don't waste your mana."

For the first time in his life, Nawin feels a wave of anger exploding within him, and it is created by Issei. That patronizing tone sets him off, breaking his composure.

Discarding the Demonic Lightning, Nawin vanishes then reappears right at the face of Hyoudou to deliver a solid punch across his face. The blow has Issei stumbling back a few steps, but he still takes no time to return straight to his feet, facing back toward Nawin. The cracks on the helmet promptly repair themselves.

"Don't you fucking dare use that tone on me, Issei!" Makasha screams out with such intensity that it produces a visible sonic boom, shattering the solid surface below his feet.

"Just because you unlocked Balance Breaker doesn't give you the grounds to start acting all high and mighty!"

Though Issei's words offended him, Nawin was more disgusted by it than anything else. Noticing his friend growing all confident, borderline arrogant.

Makasha's scathing critic has Issei pausing for a moment. Immediately, Issei regretted those words that left his mouth, realizing it indeed made him sound arrogant. What hurts him most is that he knew those words would disappoint Nawin.

"I-"

Issei halts, sensing something above. He looks up and gasps at the ominous dark clouds gathering in the sky—sparks of bright lightning crackle within.

Not forgetting about Nawin, Issei steers ahead only to see his friend is gone. A sudden kick enters from below, slamming Issei at the chin. The strike carries Hyoudou's feet off the earth.

Returning to his feet, Nawin promptly takes to the air in pursuing.

Removing all the restrictions and worry from his mind, Nawin draws power from Tairex in abundance.

In range, Nawin delivers a stiff punch to Issei's stomach that propels him closer to the dark clouds. Heeding another incoming strike, Issei catches the elbow aimed for his head then quickly tries to launch a kick for the side to counter.

A crackle of lightning explodes from the left, and Issei gasps in shock at the Crimson Lightning generating in Makasha's hand.

'T-that's different from before!'

Sensing the amount of mana being concentrated in that attack, Issei comprehends that it will end badly for him if he gets hit with that.

Withdrawing his leg to abandon his assault, Issei jerks his midsection backward just in time to avoid the Crimson Lightning swiping sideways, missing his stomach by mere inches.

Even with his attack missing, Nawin does not let up. He waves his left hand ahead, pointing the electricity straight toward Hyoudou.

"Burst."

Generating even more energy, the Crimson Lightning expands in size then suddenly discharges into a short-range blast. The barrage of thunderbolts plunges Hyoudou in the front, striking at every part of the Scale Mail.

The sturdy armor starts breaking and shattering piece by piece, gradually revealing Issei's form residing inside. Parts of the helmet get hit by the bolt and burst, revealing Issei's eyes within.

Nawin stares at his friend for a moment, looking at him right in the eyes.

"This ends here, Issei."

Drawing his right arm behind, Nawin swings it forth with full force, smashing directly at the helmet. The fist drives through the armor and connects straight at Issei's face.

The strike propels Hyoudou away, but he gets no time to recuperate as Nawin appears above and sends him down with a kick to the stomach.

Unclenching his right fist, Nawin pours mana into the palm to create a black electric energy sphere. It charges rapidly and increases in size till it covers the entire palm. Sparks of bolts discharge out of the destructive orbs as it continues to build up.

Nawin focuses below and sees Issei kneeling in a crater. The Scale Mail is close to repairing itself.

Noticing his opening is closing rapidly, Nawin thrust his arm downward, directing the sphere straight for Hyoudou.

"Final Lightning!"

Screaming out the name of his strongest technique, Nawin discharge a massive electric wave.

The beam soars through the air at such a rapid rate that Issei can only stare at it, unable to move at the moment. As a last-ditch effort to defend himself, Issei swings both arms up, shielding his face as the helmet is still in the process of rebuilding.

A thunderous explosion erupts within the ravine when the beam collides on impact. Violent tremors spear across the land, and the shockwave holds enough force that it launches the clouds away.

For a moment, the orange hue of the explosion lights up the night sky, blinding everything till it settles down.

Panting hoarsely, Nawin slowly descends from the air while gazing at the mushroom clouds of smoke before him. He had put an abundance amount of mana into that attack, enough to convince him that it would put Issei down for the count.

When his feet touch the ground, Nawin legs give out, and he drops to one knee, refusing to completely fall. Trying to gulp down the cold night air into his aching lungs, Nawin continues to keep his eyes forward for any signs of Issei.

The mana cloak wrapping around Nawin abruptly begins to break apart. The cracks quickly develop and spread across until it's littering everywhere. Then it shatters, unlatching itself off Nawin's body and vanishing into the air.

Makasha softly cusses at his transformation reaching its limit.

'Do not neglect the fact that form is just a pseudo transformation,' Tairex lazily asserts, still paying attention to the battle. 'It's never meant to last and be reliable. Merely a temporary powerup. It solely acts as a stepping stone to you reaching Balance Breaker, Kid.'

Nawin grants no response to the dragon and instead slowly returns to his feet after feeling strength returning in his legs.

The smoke starts to clear up as it gets carried away by the breezy night.

"Urgh!" Nawin's features show shock. His eyes gradually widen before it converts to a furious glare. His lips twist into a scowl.

"WOULD YOU JUST STAY DOWN?!"

Kneeling there on one knee, Issei pants deeply around the smoking, scorch earth. The Scale Mail's condition is in disarray; pieces of it slowly breaking off from Hyoudou's body, shattering to nothingness when it hits the ground.

Grunting in discomfort, Issei push through the burning pain that's plaguing all over his body. He succeeds in standing back onto his feet, stumbling a bit on the way.

"N-Not," Issei coughs out and finally fixes his sight back on Nawin. "Not u-until I take you home with me."

"You stubborn idiot!" Nawin growls out. Hearing those sincere words pains his heart; the desperate tone that carried with them is what hurts him the most.

Issei takes one step forward as the last piece of the Scale Mail detaches from his body. Taking a deep breath, he breaks off into a sprint, rushing towards Makasha.

Nawin responds by lifting his right arm up. Black Lightning crackles to life around the hand before it thrust out in a shape of a spear that rapidly expands onwards in length.

Issei quickly summons the Boosted Gear in his right arm and deflects the incoming spear aim for his chest. Launching the spear aside with all of his strength, Issei kicks off the ground to propel himself straight at Nawin.

Closing within range, Issei fires a full punch straight into Nawin's face that sends him barreling away.

Nawin lands on his back after managing to stop himself from steering toward a tree. He winces at the pain surrounding his face. His healing ability is taking longer now to activate due to his low mana reserve.

Hearing footsteps from the side, Nawin coughs out air when Issei comes down onto his waist, straddling upon it to keep him in place.

Opening his eyes, Nawin meets with a fist smashing across his face. Issei is far from done, and this time brings the Boosted Gear down, connecting it square on his friend's head.

Right, left, right, left, Issei swings both his arms down at a time on Nawin's face, forcing him into the earth to stop his desperate attempt to get up. With each assault, the crater beneath Makasha grows wider in size.

Throwing another left hook, Hyoudou manages to bust Nawin's lips open, knocking a tooth out of his mouth in the process. He feels his eyes begin to burn at the sight of his friend's bloody face.

"Stay down!" Issei yells out when feeling Nawin still attempting to get up. He sends another punch with the Boosted Gear to the side of his friend's face, snapping his whole body back onto the ground.

The last punch does it as Nawin's arm finally drops to its sides, staying there on the ground. He slowly turns his head forward to watch Issei.

Makasha stares at those glossy emerald eyes gazing down at him, the tears within them trickling down and lands on his heavily batter face. Even though his face is a mess, the nose bloody and sticking sideways, the left eye barely opening due to the swelling, Nawin still maintains that stoic expression.

"G-Give up?" Issei breathes out, pinning Makasha's neck close to the floor with his arm.

"No." Nawin's reply is short and firm.

"Damn it!" Issei grinds his teeth in frustration and glares down at his friend. "Why do you want to do this so badly, Nawin?!" "..." "You have everything in Kuoh! I know things have been rough lately with Akeno, but that can be worked through, so why... Why are you so enamored about going to Ophis?!"

"I told yo-" "Don't give me that bullshit!" Issei cuts off angrily. "You can become stronger without her help! You are Nawin Makasha! You've achieved more under a year than most devils do in their complete lifespan!"

Nawin remains emotionless while watching his friend catch a breather after exploding in anger. The arm pinning his neck loosens noticeably—an opening.

Jerking his head upward, Nawin delivers a vicious headbutt to Issei's forehead. A wincing noise erupts at the silent night as Issei tumbles over, crashing onto his back.

"I have had enough of this."

Nawin feels something within him starting to crack. As if trying to burst out of its cage, answering to his desire. His heart suddenly throbs in pain while his breather grows rougher and heavier.

Issei wipes the blood out of his eyes, a cut visible on his forehead. He knows he needs to end this now with the amount of mana he has left in his reserve.

'Ddraig... I don't know if you can hear me, but please give me as much power as you can offer. I don't care what happens to my body! Just give me enough to end this and stop Nawin!"

Hearing his call, Issei quickly feels a surge of power coursing through his veins. The Scale Mail comes to life and latches itself onto Issei's body, wearing him once again.

"Urgh!" Issei bellows in pain as he feels his very bones burning in unbearable heat. It feels like lava is coursing through his entire body, but he still pushes on and tries his best to ignore it. His entire feet are visibly trembling at the intense pain of even keeping his body up.

'... I won't fall here. I will protect all of them, and I will bring you home, Sayomi.'

Closing his eyes, Nawin observes a clear image of the Pureblood Vampire, the person he holds dear in his heart since near the beginning of his life.

'I refuse to fail any of you... That's why I must win here.'

Nawin opens his mouth and finally utters the word that is trying to escape from his throat.

"Balance Breaker..." Nawin unfolds his eyes, revealing the whites of the sclera is now engulfed in sea darkness, "Shadow of Calamity."

Tidal of shadowy mana implode out of Makasha's body, flooding forth like a wave of blackness. The amount of mana generating into the air is enough to send the entire land shaking—cracks and destruction rain down the grounds under the immense pressure forcing down upon it.

The roaring whirlwind pushes Issei back, trying to force him off his feet. Fortunately, he manages to remain in place thanks to the Scale Mail's weight keeping him firm on the ground.

"N-No way."

Pulling his arms aside to gaze at the scene, Issei stares on with awe.

An onyx color pillar explodes high into the air, blanketing Makasha's entire form. Somehow, this mana is even darker and denser than it used to be. It is impossible for Issei to see anything behind the wall of darkness.

"H-He unlocked it?!"

Beads of sweat begin rolling from Hyoudou's forehead as the hair at the back of his head curls up. The sheer quantity of mana now encompassing throughout the ravine is frightening. Any lesser devils would suffocate to their deaths if they were stood anywhere close by.

Issei believes that if he did not have the Scale Mail equipped and shielding him right now, he might be down on the ground, getting crush under the pressure.

The pillar soon reduces in size as if condensing itself till it disperses altogether, revealing a figure inside.

"Urgh!" Issei's breath instantly hitches at the sight that greets before him. Practically in instinct, he shoves his feet back while audibly gulping at the mana rushing toward him, coursing through his body like an untamed wave.

'T-That's Nawin?!'

Donning a black, flame-like cloak that now wears over his body instead of sticking into it. The cloak is entirely one-piece with the right sleeve absent, leaving Makasha's entire right arm exposed. But, the most remarkable change is in his hair. It has rapidly grown to the point it reaches waist-length, and it's now even darker in color, matching the shade of the cloak.

Issei fails to stop the shudder showing on his shoulders when Nawin unfolds his eyes. Staring at him with that demonic-like gaze. The sclera is black as the abyss, and those irises radiate in bright red that easily pierces through the night.

"It's time we end this, Issei," Nawin monotonously declares. The calmness in his tone matches with the look in his eyes.

A surge of anger ignites inside Issei when hearing that tone out of his friend's mouth. It is obvious that Nawin has already declared his victory in this battle.

"Yeah..." Issei nods in agreement. Mana comes to life around him, charging widely as his power skyrockets to its limit. Every bone in Hyoudou's body feels like it's about to snap and be crush by the intense pressure weighing on them. Yet, Issei pays no mind to it even as he can taste blood in his mouth.

"Time we end this. I will be taking you home now, Nawin..."

Makasha's eyelids lower faintly at those words. It still leaves Hyoudou's mouth with hope and confidence.

'I'm sorry, Issei...'

Nawin slowly folds his right palm into a fist, lifting the exposed arm up till it faces Hyoudou.

Issei responds by charging up a Rotation and brings it above his head, pointing it to the sky. Pouring every last drop of mana he has left into it, the Rotation amplifies rapidly in mass.

Nawin stares at the Rotation that now expands to a size that dwarfs Issei's form ten times over. However, the sight does not deter his confidence in the slightest as his expression remains unchanged.

With everything he has put into the Rotation, Issei readies himself. His sight locks on Nawin.

Releasing a roar and using all of his strength to draw the energy sphere ahead, Issei releases it, allowing it to soar forth.

"Massive Rotation!"

Extending the index finger out, a spark of shadow orb burst into life on the tip of the finger. The shadows around Makasha wave toward the orb, pouring into it to help generate more power.

"Hollow Flash..."

Crimson outlines flare to life around the orb, and it unleashes a vast and massive beam that matches in size with the incoming sphere.

The two attacks clash head-on at the center, producing a powerful shockwave that cuts the ravine in half, splitting the earth right beneath them.

The shadow blast holds its ground and begins to push back the sphere, overwhelming it. Before Issei even has the chance to escape or try to counter, the Rotation splits into half as the beam spears straight through it.

The blast smashes into Issei, consuming him entirely in it.

For a moment, Issei's entire world becomes dark. The pressure blasting through him is unbearable. He brings his arms up to block his face, trying to remain on his feet, but it is too much, and the Scale Mail shatters away, unable to withstand the onslaught any longer.

Issei screams out in pain as the blast lifts him off his feet, thrusting him back and disappearing within it.

Lowering his index back into the palm, Nawin dispels the blast swiftly and watches the shadowy mana dissipate into the sky. He examines the destruction it left.

The surface where it touches is erased from the face of the earth, leaving only a massive scar on the ravine's ground. It seems anything it comes into contact with gets decimated.

Nawin's brows furrow for a moment, his stoic eyes display signs of concern. He looks further ahead, and a soft sigh leaves his lips when seeing Issei's form lying on the rubble.

Taking one step forward, Nawin starts to make his way over to his fallen friend. The long, black hair flowing behind explodes abruptly, vanishing from existence, returning to its normal length. The shadowy cloak slowly dissipates into the air, leaving Makasha's body.

By the time Nawin reaches Issei, he returns to his normal form. The blackness in his sclera flows to the edges, making way for the whites to return.

With a solemn look donning his face, Nawin goes to kneel but suddenly falls to his knees. His body visibly starts to shake vigorously. Groaning loudly in pain, Nawin can feel his muscles tightening and twitching, breaking under the stress it has been put under. The pain only gets worse when Nawin feels his own skin starts to burn up. It was as if he just been tossed into a pool of lava.

Shakily unfolding his eyes, Nawin tries to push through the pain and focus on Issei.

He is in rough shape. His clothes are in disarray, with the shirt entirely burnt away and the pants in tatters. His body is litter with burn marks and dark bruises. A part of his body that's the least damaged is his face, with only a number of cuts visible there.

A faint smile manages to release from Nawin's face when he sees Issei's chest moving steadily up and down.

"You are one tough idiot, aren't you, Issei?" Makasha whispers fondly.

The smile soon turns more somber as Nawin knows what he has to do next.

Feeling the spasm fading, Makasha forces himself up, pushing hard against the ground to return to his feet. He peers up in the air, well aware that Ophis is watching him. Now he needs to wait for her to open a portal for him.

Looking back down at Issei one last time, Nawin bites his quivering lips, suppressing emotions that are desperately trying to claw out and show themselves.

"Thank you for being my friend, Issei."

Hearing a noise from the rear, Nawin turns around to see an oval-shaped pathway splitting into reality.

Seeing the portal and knowing where it'll lead him, Nawin's expression losses all of its warmth. Taking a step forward, stumbling a bit, Nawin makes his way towards it.

However, halfway through, Nawin blinks at the shadow moving in front of him. It resembles a figure.

"T-that's!" Nawin's eyes widen, noticing that wild hair.

"By order of your King, I command you, Nawin Makasha, to cease moving!"

Crimson outlines glow to life around Nawin. Next, he feels his entire body lock up, freezing still.

Unable to even move his fingers, Nawin watches Rias come down from the sky, landing right before him.

Still in a rough shape and out of breath, Rias slowly push her knees upward to stand straight. She gazes at Nawin with those glowing crimson orbs. Frustration and sadness bear behind them.

"Never in my life did I imagine it would come a time when I had to order a dear friend of mine via the Evil Piece," Rias utters, not hiding the disgust at her own actions.

"But, you forced my hands, Nawin... I'm taking you back to Kuoh!"

Gremory lifts her right hand forward, the blossom flower insignia etched on the center of the palm begins to radiate with magic.

In his mind, Nawin turns anxious at the sight of the seal on Rias's palm. He recognizes it is a sleep spell.

'I need to move!'

Panic sets in Nawin as he finds himself utterly helpless. With his mana reserve near non-existence, he has no chance to power out of Rias's command.

Feeling his own heart pounding in his ear, Nawin stares at Gremory advancing towards him, her right arm stretching out toward his forehead.

'Nooo!'

Nawin's heart skips a beat by the sight of Ophis manifesting behind Rias. His blood goes cold at that dark smirk donning on the Deity's face.

'Rias! Behind you!'

Nawin tries to scream out to warn Gremory but is incapable of moving his mouth. He can only watch on helplessly.

"You have not changed at all, have you..."

Rias gasps at the new voice entering the fray and suddenly gets jerk to the side by a hand snatching at the back of the collar of her jacket.

A massive blade drives ahead and intercepts Ophis's incoming strike. Slabs of metal clashing with sharp nails.

"Mother..." Hunter whispers, staring coldly down at those impassive gray orbs.

"Eehehe," Ophis unveils a rare excitement grin at the sight of her own daughter.

Still hanging in the air, Rias gets toss aside so Hunter can bring the other hand on the hilt of her greatsword, preparing for any next move from the Dragon God.

Rather than advancing further, Ophis withdraw her right arm and folds it behind her back. That grin on her face disappears just as quick as it appeared. She sneaks a glance past the Archdevil and spots the pathway splitting through reality.

'Hence how she got here so quick...'

Hunter eyes her mother for few more seconds until she is certain that there won't be any more confrontation. Studying those eyes and seeing no malice in them, Hunter carries her sword up and rests it on her shoulder, adopting a more casual stance.

"Gah," Rias grunts out in fatigue while forcing herself to sit on her knees. Panting heavily, she shakily looks over and sees Ophis striding toward Nawin, who is still immobile.

Stopping in front of Makasha, Ophis brings her right palm up and gives a soft tap on his chest, right where the heart rests. The crimson outline fades away instantly, and Nawin promptly drops to his knees, capable of moving once more.

Nawin instantly takes in deep breaths as he was barely able to breathe when stuck in that frozen state. He pauses when feeling a cold finger under his chin, lifting his head up. Nawin meets face to face with Ophis, who wears a faint smirk fill with satisfaction.

"You did splendidly, my Makasha. I'll be sure to help you master that new power of yours."

"Nawin!"

Rias tries to get back to her feet, but she is stopped by Hunter's hand blocking her face. "Don't." "B-But he's st-" "It's over, Rias."

The Archdevil glances back to look straight into Gremory's eyes.

"You fail to save him."

Those words hit Rias's heart like an arrow, and it serves her to realize that it is indeed over. With Ophis present, there is no way that she can stop Nawin now. Not even Hunter can match against someone like Ophis in terms of power.

Observing Nawin crawling back to his feet, Ophis turns around to once more gaze upon her daughter.

"You still insist on playing this game of being Sirzech Lucifer's underline, Daughter?" "Nothing has changed," Hunter stoically retorts. "No matter how much time passes... I still won't return to you, Mother."

Ophis closes her eyes and allows a brief moment to pass. She turns around and begins striding towards the portal.

"Very well."

"N-Nawin!" Rias calls out when seeing Makasha following after Ophis. "Please stop! D-don't go!"

Halting for a moment, Nawin turns his head back. He stares on stoically at the river of tears streaming down from Gremory's eyes. She stares at him in a desperate plea.

"P-Please don't d-do this," Rias chokes on her tears before reaching a hand out as if trying to beg Nawin to take it. "Don't leave..."

Waiting by the portal, Ophis observes her new disciple, seeing him remaining still in place. Hunter stares at Rias with pity in her eyes. The girl truly looks broken and defeated.

Lifting his eyes up, Nawin looks at Rias through the bangs. His expression confers nothing but coldness. The look left Rias speechless and her heart broken. It's as if Nawin no longer sees her as a friend in those piercing eyes.

"Farewell, Rias."

With nothing else left to say or needed to be said, Nawin shifts around and makes his way over to Ophis.

Sharing a look with her daughter one last time, Ophis turns around and enters through the portal, Nawin following closely behind. The portal shortly shuts and disappears from the plain of reality.

Locking the greatsword back to its holder, Hunter turns around and strides past the sobbing Gremory.

Sinking to one knee, Hunter gazes upon her unconscious student lying on the ground, defeated.

"Even with Balance Breaker from a Boosted Gear, it wasn't enough..."

Hunters shift her gaze over to take in the aftermath of the battle. The sheer devastation surrounding her makes many of the wars she has seen and fought in look insignificant in comparison.

"You have picked a frightening disciple, Mother..."

Kuoh

A twitch in the thin fingers shows the first sign of life, then following that is another twitch from the lip. Suddenly, a soft moan leaves the mouth of Asia. Her chest leads at a steadier pace, her nose taking in long breaths.

Then, slowly, those eyelids unfold themselves to reveal the striking emerald orbs. They glow brightly in the dimly lit room, becoming conscious.

"... Onii-chan."

Next Chapter: Anguish, Black Flash: The Traitor