The Devil with White Wings: Unholy Awakening [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 7 - The Church

The wind whipped through Issei's hair as he pedaled, the weight of his newfound power settling heavily on his shoulders. Aebelle, her crimson hair flowing behind her like a flag, struggled to keep pace with his frantic pedaling.

'I can't believe it, Aebelle,' Issei exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. 'The Sacred Gear... it just... appeared!'

Aebelle let out a small sigh, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. 'I don't even know what happened. One minute I was battling that monstrous thing, the next...' she trailed off, shaking her head. 'It felt like... like I was borrowing power from somewhere, but I don't know where.'

They arrived at the Occult Research Club, the familiar building offering a momentary reprieve from the weight of their recent encounter. Inside, the room buzzed with activity, the other members gathered around Rias, who seemed to be addressing them with an air of seriousness.

'Yes, that is your Sacred Gear,' Rias confirmed, her voice steady despite the evident concern in her eyes. 'Once unleashed, you can activate and deactivate it as you please.'

Issei, still reeling from the experience, let out a relieved laugh. 'I was so worried it might just stay there! Like, permanently attached to me or something.'

'That's amazing, you two!' Akeno exclaimed, her voice bright and cheerful.

Issei's shoulders sank a little. 'I-Is it?'

Rias's expression turned somber. 'This has become quite a headache. The fallen angels now know you're still alive, reborn as devils,' she explained, her gaze fixed on Issei and Aebelle.

Aebelle's shoulders slumped. 'I'm sorry,' she murmured, her voice filled with guilt.

'Your encounter with the fallen angel was a fluke,' Rias said gently, 'but understand this: Don't get cocky and try to take them on by yourself. You're still novices, and you need to train.'

Issei nodded, his face serious. 'Yes, I understand, President.'

As Issei and Aebelle left, heading home to process the day's events, Akeno turned to Rias, concern etched on her face. 'Perhaps you've been too harsh,' she commented. 'They're still novices.'

Rias's gaze remained fixed on the door where Issei and Aebelle had disappeared. 'That's why I'm being harsh,' she responded, her voice laced with worry. 'They need to be alert. I won't let the fallen angels take away my adorable servant,' she murmured, her voice barely audible.

The tension in the room was palpable. The fallen angels were a constant threat, and Rias, as their leader, bore the weight of their safety on her shoulders. The battle was far from over.

On the next day, Aebelle felt a little gloomy about last night.

Aebelle understood why Rias would scolded her and Isssi. She's only protecting them. But she could've at least told them in a gentler tone.

Aebelle meets up with Issei, who is also feeling gloomy about last night.

'I messed up so bad last night,' Issei muttered, his shoulders slumping. 'She might still be angry with me.' He kicked at a pebble, sending it skittering across the pavement. 'Ah, damn it...'

Aebelle, who was walking beside him, sighed. 'I know, right? I feel the same way. It's just... she could have been a little gentler, you know? We all know she's just trying to protect us.'

Just then, a loud yell and a thump startled them both. They turned to see a blonde girl sprawled on the ground, her long skirt billowing up, revealing a white panty beneath. She scrambled to her feet, her face flushed.