The Limitless Curse (Rewrite taking over the original story)

The days that followed Y/N's return were deceptively peaceful, like the eerie stillness before a storm. The Occult Research Club made camp in the small mountain cave, far enough from prying eyes to regroup but close enough to their next objective. Though everyone trained and prepared for their inevitable clash with Loki, the undercurrent of unease in the group was unmistakable.

Y/N remained distant, keeping to himself as he recovered from the toll his last battle had taken. The Scarlet Collapse had pushed him beyond his limits, and the echoes of his confrontation with Sukuna lingered in his mind. The others noticed the change in him. His aura had shifted—not just stronger, but sharper, as if something inside him had awakened.

Rias, in particular, was growing restless. She watched him from afar, frustration etched across her face every time he dismissed her attempts to talk. Even Akeno, who prided herself on her ability to read people, seemed unnerved by the shift in Y/N's demeanor.

It was on the second night that Y/N found himself alone by the fire, staring into the flickering flames. The others were scattered around the cave—some asleep, others quietly tending to their weapons or reviewing strategies. The firelight cast shadows across the stone walls, dancing in rhythm with the crackling wood.

He sighed, leaning back against the cave wall. The Anti-Spiral's parting words echoed in his mind for what felt like the hundredth time.

"The true test has yet to begin."

Y/N clenched his fists, the memory of Sukuna's mocking laughter and the void's suffocating silence fresh in his mind. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, but his thoughts refused to quiet.

"Brooding again, huh?"

He didn't need to look up to know who it was. Issei sat down beside him, a rare seriousness in his expression. For once, the perverted Devil seemed more focused than usual.

"You've been... different," Issei said, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "Since you got back. I don't know what happened, but—"

"I'm fine," Y/N cut him off, his voice sharper than he intended.

Issei frowned but didn't back down. "Look, I'm not blind. Whatever you're dealing with, you don't have to carry it alone. We're a team, remember?"

Y/N turned to him, his crimson eyes narrowing. "A team? Let's not kid ourselves, Issei. I'm here because I'm useful. That's it."

Issei's jaw tightened. "You think that's all this is? That we only keep you around because of your strength?"

Y/N didn't answer, his gaze returning to the fire.

Issei stood abruptly, his frustration boiling over. "You're such a dumbass sometimes, you know that? We care about you, even if you're too thick-headed to see it. Whatever's going on, you're not fighting it alone. So stop acting like you have to!"

With that, he stormed off, leaving Y/N alone with the fire and his thoughts.

The next morning, Azazel arrived. His laid-back demeanor did little to mask the urgency in his tone as he briefed them on Loki's movements.

"Loki's finally decided to show his hand," Azazel said, his golden eyes scanning the group. "We've got confirmation on his location—he's holed up in an old temple near the edge of Midgard's barrier."

"What's he planning?" Rias asked, her arms crossed.

Azazel smirked, though his expression was grim. "The usual. Unleashing Ragnarok, destroying the balance between the realms, wiping us all off the map. You know, Tuesday for Loki."

Issei groaned. "Great. And let me guess—he's got an army of monsters to back him up?"

Azazel nodded. "His children, to be exact. Fenrir, Jörmungandr, Hel... the whole dysfunctional family. Plus some lesser monsters for good measure. It's not going to be a walk in the park."

Akeno frowned. "And Odin? He won't step in to stop his own son?"

"Odin's hands are tied," Azazel replied. "Asgard's defenses are stretched thin, and he can't afford to leave his domain vulnerable. That means it's up to us."

"Us?" Y/N said, leaning against the cave wall. "You're putting a lot of faith in a group of teenagers, Azazel."

Azazel smirked, his gaze settling on Y/N. "You're not exactly an ordinary teenager, are you?"

Y/N didn't respond, his crimson eyes narrowing.

The group spent the rest of the day preparing. Azazel handed out equipment and briefed them on their roles in the upcoming battle. Y/N studied the golden chains meant to bind Fenrir, their surface glowing faintly with ancient runes.

"Think these will hold him?" Y/N asked, his tone skeptical.

"They'll hold," Azazel replied. "The trick is getting close enough to use them. Fenrir's not exactly known for his hospitality."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cave grew quiet. The group settled in for the night, knowing this might be their last chance to rest before the battle.

Y/N found himself once again staring into the fire, his thoughts racing.

"You're going to burn yourself out if you keep that up," a voice said.

He turned to see Rias approaching, her crimson hair glowing in the firelight. She sat down beside him, her expression softer than usual.

"You've been pushing yourself too hard," she said. "Even for someone like you, there's a limit."

Y/N smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll be fine. Worry about yourself, Rias. Loki's not going to pull any punches."

Rias sighed, her gaze steady. "I'm not the one I'm worried about."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was unspoken but palpable.

Finally, Rias stood, her voice quiet. "Just... don't do anything reckless, okay?"

Y/N watched her go, his smirk fading. Reckless was all he knew.

As the fire burned low, he closed his eyes, the Anti-Spiral's words echoing in his mind.

"The true test has yet to begin."

Whatever came next, Y/N would face it head-on. There was no other choice.

The Dawn of Battle

At first light, the group set out. The temple was a crumbling relic of a bygone era, its stone walls covered in vines and etched with ancient runes. The air was thick with tension, every step closer to their destination amplifying the weight of what was to come.

Y/N felt the familiar hum of his power beneath his skin, the Scarlet Collapse waiting just beneath the surface. He glanced at the others—Rias leading with her usual confidence, Issei trying to mask his nerves, Akeno calm and poised, Koneko silent but focused,Kiba trembled gripping on to his swords along with the whole of the ORC prepped themselves for the battle to come.

They were a team, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

As they approached the temple's entrance, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A low growl echoed through the air, sending a chill down Y/N's spine.

"Showtime," Azazel said, drawing his blade.

The battle was about to begin and y/n along with everyone else knew it wasn't going to be easy.