"Wh… what… is this…?"
Aozora's voice trembled, her bloodied hands gripping the glowing weapon as energy surged through her body.
"This is my sword form—GekiRyuKen, the Dragon Sword," the voice thundered from within the blade, its dragon head glowing with fierce, ancient light.
"Now, girl—transform!"
Aozora's heartbeat pounded in her ears. She felt her fear burning away, replaced by something raw and electric. She raised the sword, the dragon head's jaws opening to reveal a golden key inside—shimmering with divine energy.
She pulled it free, holding it up as the light reflected in her eyes.
"RyuKen Key!"
Her hands moved on instinct, inserting the key into the sword's hilt and snapping the dragon's mouth shut with a click.
"Activate!"
"CHANGE—RYUKENDO!"
The GekiRyuKen began to pulse with white-hot power, the sound of a dragon's roar echoing through the frozen air.
Aozora spread her arms wide, gripping the sword tight in her left hand and raising it high above her head, both hands trembling as light poured from the blade.
"GekiRyu—HENSHIN!"
The blade flared blinding white as she lowered it before her chest. Suddenly, a spectral blue serpent dragon, cloaked in radiant white light, burst forth from the sword's edge—its roar shaking the heavens. It coiled and spiraled around Aozora, faster and faster, before launching skyward in a swirl of lightning.
With another mighty roar, the dragon dove straight down, merging with Aozora in an explosion of blue and white light.
The blast shattered the time-freeze. Dohnaseek shielded his face as the light ripped across the gym, feathers scattering like ash.
When the light faded, smoke and dust swirled through the air. The Fallen Angel squinted through the haze, his wings twitching.
"What the hell was that…?" he muttered, gripping his spear tighter.
From within the smoke, glowing blue eyes pierced through. A metallic footstep echoed… then another.
As the haze cleared, a figure stepped forward—clad in gleaming blue and white armor, with golden edges that shimmered like sunlight. The helm bore a proud golden crest shaped like a dragon's face, and the GekiRyuKen rested easily in her armored hands, alive with energy.
Dohnaseek's eyes widened.
'What the hell?! Did she… did she unlock her Balance Breaker already?!'
"Born with the light—" she declared, taking another step forward, the ground cracking under her boots.
"The Dragon Fang! Smashing the demons in the darkness!"
She pointed the GekiRyuKen at the Fallen Angel, her voice ringing with courage and fury.
"I am RyuKenDo… RAIJIN!"
Dohnaseek spread his wings and shot forward, his blue light spear gleaming as it cut through the air.
"Don't think a new set of armor makes you my equal!" he snarled.
Aozora now Ryukendo, brought up GekiRyuKen just in time.
The dragon-headed sword clashed with the spear, a burst of light exploding between them. Sparks and feathers flew as their weapons collided again and again, the force of each strike shaking the kendo room.
"Not bad for a human brat!" Dohnaseek growled, twisting his spear in a wide arc.
Ryukendo, forces him back with a heavy swing that cracked the wooden floor beneath them.
They blurred across the room, their weapons ringing out in furious succession, splinters and dust filling the air. Ryukendo ducked a thrust, rolled aside, and countered with a sweeping strike that carved a deep gash into the wall behind Dohnaseek.
The Fallen Angel sneered, wings flaring as he prepared another strike only for Ryukendo to dart forward, her blade glowing with blue light.
"Too slow!"
She slashed upward, her sword cleaving through his chest. A burst of blood and feathers erupted as Dohnaseek screamed, staggering backward and dropping his light spear.
Ryukendo raised her weapon, pointing the dragon's head toward him.
"Even if Buddha-sama forgives you…" she said coldly. "I, Ryukendo—will not!"
GekiRyuKen's voice boomed from the blade.
"Aozora! Insert the Final Key!"
She reached to her belt, pulling out another key—this one marked with golden engravings. The energy in the air began to vibrate as she slotted it into the hilt.
"Final Key—ACTIVATE!"
"FINAL BLADE!!"
Ryukendo leapt high into the air, light exploding from her armor as blue energy gathered along the sword's edge.
Dohnaseek looked up in horror, too wounded to move. "W-wait—!"
"GekiRyuKen! MaDan Slash!!"
Aozora dove straight down, her sword engulfed in roaring azure energy. The blade struck Dohnaseek dead center with a thunderous crack—the shockwave tearing through the room, shattering windows and sending a pillar of blue light shooting skyward.
"GAAAAAHHHH!!!" Dohnaseek screamed, his body writhing as the MaDan Slash cleaved through him. He crashed into the far wall, his wings burning away into black ash.
When the light faded, the kendo hall was silent—save for Aozora's heavy breathing. She lowered GekiRyuKen, the blade steaming from the energy discharge.
Aozora staggered, her armor beginning to flicker with cracks of light. She fell to one knee, panting.
"Damn… that… hurt…" she muttered. Then, with a flash of light, the Ryukendo armor shattered into particles, leaving her collapsed on the floor in her bloodstained school uniform—alive, but barely conscious.
The kendo room was in ruins. Broken wood, shattered glass, and the faint glow of moonlight poured through the gaping hole in the ceiling. The scent of burned air and spiritual energy lingered.
Aozora lay unconscious amid the debris, her school uniform torn and blood spreading from the gash across her torso. The GekiRyuKen, now reverted to its dormant sword form, rested loosely in her hand, faintly pulsing with blue light as if protecting her.
Outside, Dohnaseek dragged himself along the ground, black feathers scattered behind him. His once proud wings were torn and tattered. "Damn… that brat…" he coughed, dark blood spilling from his lips.
A crimson light illuminated the area.
FWOOOSH
A beautiful young woman descended gracefully through the hole in the roof, her long crimson hair, Rias Gremory, heir of the Gremory Clan.
Her high heels clicked softly as she approached Aozora's body. With a faint sigh, she knelt down beside the wounded girl, brushing a few strands of hair from her blood-streaked face.
"Hmph, you've caused quite a lot of trouble tonight, haven't you?" Rias said softly, her tone more amused than angry. Her blue-green eyes flickered with curiosity as she examined the unconscious girl. "A Sacred Gear user… and one powerful enough to wound a Fallen right after awakening. Interesting."
Aozora groaned faintly, her breathing ragged.
Rias placed her hand gently over Aozora's wound. "No need to worry, little hero. I have no intention of letting you die."
A faint red magic circle formed beneath her palm, glowing with the Gremory family crest. The bleeding stopped as demonic energy began knitting Aozora's flesh back together.
Rias smiled faintly. "I think I'll make an investment in you. Since you already possess a Sacred Gear, there's no need to turn you into a Devil. You'll be far more useful as you are."
She stood up, easily lifting Aozora into her arms.
Rias smirked down at the girl. "I'm counting on you to get stronger, Aozora Narukami. Don't disappoint me."
As the red light of her teleportation circle enveloped them both.