When I arrived at the location, I saw Kamiyama-san and Ogami-san waiting.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I said as I stopped my motorcycle.
"Now that you're here, let's get ready, both of you," said Ogami-san.
"Yeah!" Kamiyama-san and I replied in unison.
We each pulled out our Wonder Ride Books and opened them.
"JAAKU DRAGON!"
"It was only one god beast which birthed the darkness that once enveloped the world."
"BRAVE DRAGON!"
"There was once a god beast with power so great, it could destroy all in its wake."
"GENBU SHINWA!"
"There was once a god beast possessing a strong armor that acted as one of the four holy beasts."
We closed our books. Kamiyama-san and I attached ours to our belts, while Ogami-san placed his into his sword.
I pressed the top part of my book against the base of Kurayami.
Kamiyama-san drew his sword from his belt.
"Rekka Battou!"
Ogami-san pressed the button on the hilt of his sword.
"Henshin!" we shouted together.
A dragon wrapped around both Kamiyama-san and me, transforming into armor, while Ogami-san was surrounded by rock and earth before his armor solidified.
"Jaaku Dragon! Darkness deciphered! Stealing the light, the jet-black sword ruthlessly rules the dark dragon!"
"Brave Dragon! Rekka Issatsu! When the dragon of valor and Kaenken Rekka meet, the crimson sword will penetrate evil!"
"Genbu Shinwa! Ittou Ryodan! Butta Gire! Dogou Dogou Dogouken Gekidoo! Gekido Juuhan! The absolute armored greatsword delivers a mighty blow from the north!"
"We'll strike first," said Ogami-san.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked.
"Relax. I already checked, no traps."
---
3rd POV
(Author's Note: When it switches to third person and they're transformed, I'll refer to them by their Rider names.)
Ogami = Buster
Kamiyama = Saber
Ace = Calibur
---
As the three entered the abandoned building, they saw five Stray Devils talking among themselves.
"All right, kid, you take one. Touma and I will handle two each," said Buster.
"Got it," Saber and Calibur replied.
"Attack!" Buster roared, charging forward to engage two of them.
Calibur and Saber each took their assigned targets.
---
--With Saber--
Saber blocked the attacks of two Stray Devils with his sword.
"You two, don't you still wish to be human? I can turn you back," Saber said calmly.
"Hahaha! Return to being human? Impossible! Humans are weak!" laughed the spider-like Stray Devil.
"I see… that's a shame," Saber muttered, deflecting another strike.
The spider devil jumped to the ceiling and spat black webbing from its mouth.
Saber slashed it apart in one fiery swing of Kaenken Rekka, the web burning to ash.
He dashed forward with a flurry of slashes, but the scorpion devil blocked with its tail, causing a small explosion that sent Saber back a few meters.
He leapt again, cutting off five of the spider's legs, sending it crashing from the ceiling.
"Your story ends here," Saber said as he slotted Rekka into his belt and drew it once more.
"Reading Finish! Unsheath the flame! Dragon! Slash Volume:1! Fire!"
"Flaming Cross Slash!"
Saber charged at high speed and struck twice in an X-shape, cleaving the spider devil apart.
The scorpion devil trembled, trying to flee.
"You're not going anywhere," Saber said, kicking it hard.
"Damn you! Die!" it screamed, lunging with its tail, but Saber sliced the tail clean off, then finished it with one clean swing through the neck.
---
--With Buster--
Buster had already lured his two targets outside.
"What the hell! Who are you!?" shouted the Armadillo devil.
"That doesn't matter. What matters is do you still want to be human?" Buster asked.
"Never! Look at this power!" snarled the Crocodile devil.
The Crocodile lunged, jaws wide open like a living missile.
Ogami swung his sword horizontally BAAANG! a shockwave erupted as the creature's jaw snapped to the side. Smoke and dust filled the air.
"In that case… die!" Buster bellowed.
The Armadillo devil rolled into a metallic ball and crashed into him from the left.
Buster braced himself with Gekido, but the sheer force pushed him several meters back, leaving deep footprints in the asphalt.
The Crocodile struck from behind with its spiked tail, while the Armadillo charged again from the front.
Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew from the intense clash.
Buster roared, forcing both back with raw strength. He rushed forward, swinging Gekido with overwhelming power, sending the Crocodile flying.
He scanned Genbu Shinwa on Dogouken Gekido.
"DOGON! Gekido Chaotic Land Slash! DOGON!"
"Dai Dandan!"
"Hide behind me!" the Armadillo devil shouted to the Crocodile.
"Pointless," said Buster.
Stones from the ground gathered around his blade, forming a massive greatsword.
Buster charged it with orange aura and unleashed a mighty horizontal slash, cutting through both devils at once.
Their bodies disintegrated into dust.
---
--With Calibur--
Calibur blocked the bat devil's claws with Kurayami.
"Hey, can you-" Before he could finish, the bat moved at blinding speed, creating multiple afterimages.
Calibur rotated, slashing through the illusions one by one.
But the creature swooped down from behind with claws extended. Calibur stepped back and parried, sparks of purple and black energy flaring upon impact.
"Can you at least listen first?" Calibur grumbled.
"What? Are you going to ask if I want to be human again? What a ridiculous question."
"Haah… protocol, you know. Can't ignore it. Since you refuse, you'll have to die," Calibur replied coldly.
He dashed forward, slashing horizontally. Kurayami released a purple energy arc that sliced through the air.
The bat barely dodged, only to be caught by a second strike from the opposite side.
The twin arcs exploded on contact, blasting it upward.
"You think flying will save you?" Calibur said, summoning several laser rifles telekinetically and aiming them at the devil.
Dozens of beams pierced its wings, sending it tumbling.
"Tch! Annoying!" the devil hissed, unleashing ultrasonic waves.
Calibur raised a shield device, blocking the sound waves.
"I think playtime's over." Calibur scanned his Wonder Ride Book against Kurayami.
"FINAL READ! JAAKU DRAGON! Kurayami Finishing Strikes!"
Purple lightning and energy surged into Kurayami as Calibur swung it downward.
A dragon of violet flame roared out from the blade, crashing into the Stray Devil and exploding in a burst of dark light.
---
Ace POV
We regrouped outside the abandoned building.
"So, how was it? Had trouble with the flying one, kid?" Ogami-san asked, still in armor.
"Not really. I always bring long-range weapons," I replied.
"Good, good. Being prepared is important. What about you, Touma? You look gloomy," Ogami said.
"Yeah… I just don't understand why they refuse to become human again. Even if humans are weak, they have limitless potential," Kamiyama-san muttered.
"That's because of the Evil Pieces inside them. It's like slavery, if they resist their master, their minds break, turning them into stray devils hunted by everyone," Ogami explained.
"But Ogami-san, there are stray devils who aren't insane," I said.
"That's because they're strong," he replied simply.
Suddenly, red and blue magic circles appeared. Judging by the symbols, I already knew who was coming.
"Who are you?" asked Rias.
"It's rude to ask someone's name without giving yours first, little devil," Ogami replied.
'she's not that little, Ogami-san…' I thought.
"My name is Rias Gremory, heir of the Gremory Clan, and this is my peerage."
"I am Sona Sitri, heir of the Sitri Clan, and this is mine," Sona added.
"I see. I am the Swordsman of Earth from the Sword of Logos, Buster," Ogami introduced himself.
"Sword of Logos?" Akeno asked.
"You don't know, little devil? You need to study more," said Ogami.
"I've never heard of such an organization," Sona remarked.
"Then ask Lucifer or Leviathan. They'll tell you," Ogami replied firmly.
"I see… but what are you doing in our territory?" Rias asked.
"Your territory? This is the human world, so it belongs to humans. The Sword of Logos has protected this land long before you devils ever set foot here," said Ogami.
"Then what exactly are you doing here?" Sona pressed.
"Cleaning up the stray devils you failed to notice. There were five right under your noses," I said.
"Enough talking. Let's go, we're done here," Ogami said.
"Wait!" Rias shouted.
"Send my regards to Lucifer," said Kamiyama.
We left on our bikes, leaving them behind.
---
Time Skip
Right now, I'm in my home basement, scanning for any alien entering Earth's atmosphere.
Not just hostile ones, any alien making trouble would be my responsibility.
"Ace, are you still checking?" Craftbot asked.
"Yeah. I don't want to miss anything," I replied.
"You're always like that. Oh, by the way, your uncle called earlier said he's coming to visit."
"My uncle? Uncle Masumi?"
"Yeah, the treasure hunter one."
"That's good. Maybe I can ask him about what he's found," I said.
"You sound too relaxed," Craftbot replied.
"Why's that?"
"You know… Lala."
"Oh, I already told him. And my parents too," I said.
"Really, How did they react?"
"Mom was surprised. Dad was… loud," I answered flatly.
"Are they coming home?"
"No. They're exploring a distant planet right now."
"I see. Well, I'm going to sleep. Good night, Ace."
"Good night," I replied.
Yeah… my parents' job keeps them away from home, they explore outer space.
I'm starting to suspect they might work for Plumber or some other intergalactic organization.
"All right, everything's clear. System, display the process for creating Fenghuang Down," I commanded.
"Ace, aren't you going to sleep yet?" Lala's voice came from behind me.
"Oh, Lala… I was just about to."
"Then I'll sleep with you."
"Of course."
Lala fell asleep beside me.
I wanted to sleep too, but finishing the Fenghuang Down design came first.
So I stayed up late studying it… before finally dozing off.