Chapter 22: "The Dragon's Awakening"

Opening the door, Dante shouts, "What's up, guys? I heard this was a good place to throw a party." Everyone looks at Dante. Seeing that no one responds, Dante says, "Well, it seems we didn't start off well. So, how about this? As you can see, the guys behind me have been training for a while, and I want to see how strong they are now. So I thought, why not come to the place where the Fallen Angels I know are hanging out? So, here we are. Got anything to say?"

A man with white hair and dressed as a priest laughs and says, "Well, if these stupid demons want to commit suicide, this is the best place." Dante steps closer and says, "Well, guys, I really want you to fight the Fallen Angels and those humans over there. As for you, why don't you come with me? Look, I have ice cream." Dante pulls out an ice cream and shows it to the priest. The priest, angry, says, "Fine, let's go outside. I want to enjoy seeing your blood-soaked corpse."

Thus, Dante and the priest leave the abandoned church, leaving Yuuto, Koneko, Issei, and Asia alone to face the Fallen Angels and the humans with them.

Outside, Dante looks at the priest and says, "You know, I actually lied about the ice cream; it's for me." The priest says, "I don't care, I just want to kill you." Dante replies, "Well, about that…" Dante quickly moves behind the priest and shoots him in the legs, causing him to fall to the ground. Then he says, "You know something? I don't really have much time; I need to watch my students to see how they're doing, so I'll let you go, how about that?" The priest, lying on the ground with his legs filled with bullet holes, shouts, "Damn you! You'll pay for this!" He then watches as Dante walks away.

Returning to the church, Dante first sits on a bench and takes out an ice cream to eat while he watches the fight. He sees that the group is up against four Fallen Angels. First, Raynare; then, a middle-aged man wearing a trench coat and a gray fedora; next, a girl with a child-like appearance, blonde hair in two pigtails, and dressed in a gothic lolita outfit; and finally, another young woman with long blue hair covering one eye, wearing a trench coat, a brown mini skirt, and heels. The humans, for their part, wore black hooded robes.

Dante watches the group fight, seeing that Koneko and Yuuto are facing the four Fallen Angels, who are using light magic, while Issei and Asia fight the humans. The battle seems relatively balanced until the Fallen Angels also begin attacking Issei and Asia.

Raynare says, "Well, you two are the weakest, so we should finish you off first." Raynare tries to charge at them, but Koneko stops her, saying, "Your fight is with us." Raynare, frustrated by the block, looks around and notices that most of the humans fighting against Issei and Asia are not attacking all at once. She thinks for a moment and says, "Those of you who aren't fighting, come here and help us." Now, Koneko and Yuuto are not only fighting the four Fallen Angels but also facing a wave of humans.

Yuuto and Koneko start to retreat, while Asia shoots more bullets to heal them. During the battle, Yuuto finds himself cornered, and Issei, trying to help him, notices a light spear aimed at Yuuto's back. Issei warns him, saying, "Yuuto, behind you!" Yuuto hears Issei and dodges the light spear, but soon, more of these spears are targeting him. While he continues dodging, he sees that Issei is also about to be attacked by a light spear. Before the spear can strike Issei, Yuuto pushes him, taking the hit in his leg instead. With his mobility reduced, Yuuto does his best to hold on.

Issei, seeing how Yuuto saved him and is still struggling to endure, grows frustrated and wonders why his Sacred Gear hasn't awakened yet. After being unable to do anything, he notices the male Fallen Angel trying to strike Yuuto again with another light spear from behind. Issei says, "Yuuto, watch out! Again, behind you!" Yuuto sees the man aiming a light spear, until he hears two gunshots; one hits the Fallen Angel, and another grazes him. The Fallen Angel winces in pain and steps back. Issei looks to see where the shots came from and sees Asia. He says, "Asia, so you can also do damage with those bullets. I thought they were just for healing." Asia replies, "Initially, that was the case, but I also learned to channel demonic power into the bullets. It wasn't too hard."

After this, Asia becomes surrounded by more humans, while Yuuto and Koneko continue fighting, accumulating minor injuries that are adding up. Issei, seeing that everyone is surrounded and with no shift in the battle in their favor, starts looking for Dante to ask for help.

Issei glances around and finds Dante on a bench, eating ice cream. Issei pushes his way through and says, "Dante, we need help. There are too many of them, and I don't know how much longer we can hold out." Dante, still eating his ice cream, replies, "Don't worry. Didn't I tell you that even if you die, I can help you? So take it easy." Issei hears this and says, "But there's no need for us to die. Please help us." Dante says, "Well, remember this is meant to awaken your Sacred Gear. We have the option where you awaken it and help the others, or my option: I can help you awaken it, but I'll need to open up your stomach."

Issei looks at his companions, who are struggling, and says, "Alright, I trust you, Dante." Dante stops eating his ice cream and draws Rebellion, then says to Issei, "Alright, leave it to me. Even if you die, I'll help you."

Dante then stabs Issei with Rebellion. Issei, feeling the stab, experiences immense pain, but shortly afterward, he feels something within him beginning to awaken. Seconds later, a red armor with the form of a dragon starts to envelop his body.