Timeskip
In Azazel's Lab
The air in Azazel's lab hummed with anticipation. The usually cluttered space, filled with ancient tomes, glowing vials, and half-constructed artifacts, was eerily quiet as Issei focused intently on the experiment before him. Azazel, lying in a specially designed chair, prepared himself for what could be a groundbreaking or a devastating test. Issei was about to test their latest theory on Fallen Angel Purification.
Shemhazai and Baraqiel, two of Azazel's closest comrades, stood nearby, their faces tight with concern. They couldn't shake the nagging fear gnawing at them, what if this experiment failed? The consequences could be dire. What if Azazel suffered irreversible damage, or worse?
"You're sure about this, Issei?" Shemhazai asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if raising it might tip the scales of fate.
Issei waved a hand dismissively, his usual laid-back demeanor in full display. "Don't worry so much. Stress will give you wrinkles," he said, offering a small smirk before adjusting his hat slightly. "Besides, we've come too far to turn back now."
Before anyone could respond, the lab door slid open with a soft hiss. Vali, the young and fierce White Dragon Emperor, strode in, his eyes immediately locking onto Issei. Vali, under the care of Azazel and Odin, had always been fascinated by Issei, though not for the same reasons others were. Where others saw a brilliant, albeit eccentric, young scientist, Vali saw a potential rival.
"I see you're playing doctor again, Issei," Vali remarked, his voice dripping with both curiosity and challenge. "Why don't you put down the test tubes and finally face me? You know we're destined to fight."
Issei didn't even glance up, instead adjusting a dial on the machine next to Azazel. "Vali, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, I'm not interested in indulging your battle fantasies. Research is a far more productive use of my time."
Azazel, lying still in the chair, managed a wry smile despite the tension in the room. "Vali, we're a bit busy at the moment. Perhaps another time?" His voice was calm, but it held an underlying command.
Vali's eyes narrowed, but he relented. "One day, you won't be able to avoid it, Issei. We will fight." With that, he turned and left, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
Issei let out a small sigh of relief, thankful to have avoided yet another of Vali's challenges. "Now, where were we?" he mused, more to himself than anyone else, before proceeding with the experiment.
The process began smoothly. Issei skillfully manipulated the divine energy coursing through the apparatus, guiding it toward Azazel's black wings. The room was filled with a soft glow as one of Azazel's wings began to shift in color, slowly turning pure white. Baraqiel and Shemhazai exchanged hopeful glances, their worry momentarily forgotten.
Issei smirked, watching the transformation with satisfaction. "Looks like our theory might actually work."
But then, without warning, the divine energy went wild. The glow intensified, becoming blindingly bright as it surged out of control. Azazel's calm expression twisted into one of agony as he let out a pained scream, his body convulsing under the strain of the rogue energy.
Shemhazai and Baraqiel moved to intervene, but Issei held up a hand, stopping them in their tracks. "Stay back," he ordered, his voice uncharacteristically stern. "Let him handle this."
Azazel's body trembled as he struggled to contain the overwhelming power. His veins bulged against his skin, the divine energy coursing through him like liquid fire. For a few tense moments, it seemed as though he might not make it, but then, with a final, determined effort, Azazel managed to reign in the energy. A golden light enveloped him, pulsating with an almost holy aura.
