Unexpected Bloom [OCs X Highschool DXD]

Chapter 18

The church doors swung open, but before Aebelle could reach Asia, a figure materialized before her, blocking the path. Raynare, the fallen angel, her eyes burning with a malevolent light.

"Raynare?" Aebelle's voice was laced with surprise, her innocent features etched with confusion.

Raynare, ignoring Aebelle's question, focused her attention on Asia, her powers surging. Aebelle watched in horror as Raynare's ability began to tear at Asia's very essence, extracting the Sacred Gear from within her body.

"Wait! Stop! It'll kill you!" Aebelle cried out, her voice filled with desperate urgency.

The sounds of the commotion drew the attention of the others--Rias, Issei, and Kiba, who turned to witness the unfolding scene.

With a final surge of power, Raynare wrestled the Sacred Gear free from Asia. It shimmered momentarily before flying towards Aebelle, who instinctively reached out to catch it. The familiar weight of the Heirloom Katana settled in her hand, but confusion clouded her mind.

"W-why did you...?" Aebelle stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raynare, her form flickering, looked at Aebelle with an expression that seemed to shift between triumph and something akin to... remorse?

"I don't know..." she rasped, her voice fading. "Maybe a change of heart? Regret? I really don't... know..."

Her body swayed, and she collapsed into Aebelle's arms, a soft sigh escaping her lips before her life force ebbed away. Aebelle held her close, her heart pounding with a mixture of shock and sorrow.

Aebelle's world fractured further as Raynare's body dissolved into a wisp of ethereal dust, disappearing into the air.

"Well, that settles it..." Rias stated, her normally composed demeanor tinged with a hint of grim satisfaction.

"Y-yeah..." Aebelle managed to whisper, her voice trembling.

The group turned their attention to Asia and Marinoah, both of whose bodies lay motionless on the ground. Aebelle felt a pang of guilt, a sense of failure.

"President, I'm sorry," she choked out, her voice filled with remorse. "After Issei talking big, even with help from all of you, we couldn't save Asia or Marinoah."

Rias, sensing Aebelle's distress, offered a reassuring smile. "It's okay," she said gently. "You two just lacked experience. No one will blame you."

Aebelle's eyes widened slightly. "But... but I..."

"It's unheard of, but it's worth trying," Rias continued, her gaze fixed on the fallen girls. "What do you think these are?"

Issei, ever the eager one, piped up, "Two chess pieces?"

"A bishop and a knight, to be exact," Akeno interjected, her voice a soft melody.

"Akeno-san?" Issei questioned, slightly surprised.

Rias explained, "A bishop's task is to support other devils in the household. A knight's task is to defend or aid other devils. Asia's healing abilities would make her a capable bishop. Marinoah's fire magic can be of support to us as a knight."

"President, do you mean..." Issei started, his eyes widening in realization.

"I will try resurrecting them as devils," Rias stated firmly.

Rias picked up two chess pieces, one a bishop, and the other a knight, and placed them on Asia and Marinoah's chests respectively. A large crimson circle, radiating with magical power, materialized beneath them.