Disclaimer: I do not own HighSchool DxD.
Chapter XIV – A Phoenix Cometh
"Aw, c'mon, man. Can't you give us a little hint?" Saji whined, looking between Kyuren and Sona as they were playing chess.
It had been two weeks since the the had started their project, and Kyuren could definitely say that they were right on schedule.
In those two weeks, Kyuren had completed the repulsor thruster boots, and was one third of the way to the completion of the gauntlets. And this week, he was expecting the delivery of the core he was going to build for the suit's power source.
Until then, his focus was on the gauntlets before he could make the power source.
While it was indeed slow going and still incomplete, Sona was confident that she had figured out what was needed for a successful neural connection. It would take at least another month, but it was more than enough time to perfect it.
And every time Kyuren comes to the Student Council for his and Sona's chess game, Saji would always ask about their project.
The heiress and the human would always give him a sideways smirk and that's what they just did. "All in good time, Saji." They both said at the same time.
"But it's been two weeks. I promise I won't tell." The blonde all but begged as the rest of the peerage watched in mild amusement.
Especially Saji's two girlfriends, Momo and Ruruka. Yes, the three of them were together. In most societies, this would appear taboo, but devils didn't really care. Most of them had harems anyway.
Besides, the two girls had agreed to share Saji with each other...but no more than them or Saji would kiss that which makes him a male goodbye. Saji hastily assured them that they were all that he wanted whilst covering his precious jewels.
Kyuren chuckled and moved his piece. "And where's the fun if we told you? You can wait three or so more months, right?"
"But...aw, to hell with it!" Saji threw his hands up, apparently giving up trying to make them tell him, and sat on the couch with his two girls.
"I thought he'd never leave." The raven haired teen muttered to Sona.
"Yeah, but let's continue." Yes, two weeks had really done wonders in their friendship.
And in that time, the two had gotten quite close to each other. Not quite at the level of romance, but as two very close friends.
Sona had learned more about Kyuren's personal life in Norway, and him in general. And in turn, told him about herself.
She had learned quite a bit about her partner and he learned a bit about her. Things like likes, dislikes, hobbies, basically anything that would make a good conversation about it. Especially about future ambitions.
Sona moved her knight to position as she remembered telling Kyuren about her ambition with a fond smile.
*FLASHBACK*
Twelve days into their project and everything was going smoothly for Kyuren and Sona. All morning, they had been working on their respective assignments and now, they were at the dining room for some lunch before heading back down.
Kyuren sat opposite to Sona and the two partners engaged in small talk as they waited for their meal to arrive while Pip was happily eating her meal.
"So, tell me, Kyuren. What are your ambitions for when you go back to Norway?" She asked. The Sitri heiress had grown comfortable in his company and felt that her partner was someone she could talk to freely.
Something that was a rare occurrence for her.
She was curious as to what the raven haired teen had planned to do next about his life. If anything, it will be bright and filled with success, that she was sure of.
Kyuren appeared to take her words in thought before shrugging. "To be honest, I never really thought about it." His answer piqued Sona's curiosity.
"You've never thought about it?" She asked, not expecting that someone she considered her equal did not know what to do about in the future.
The raven haired teen nodded. "But that doesn't mean I don't know what to do, I just don't know what my next goal will be. One of my early ambitions was to become strong." He gave her a smirk. "I think you know that's already been accomplished.
Ah, yes. Kyuren's incredible strength. It would be a lie if Sona said that she was not still curious as to what in the name of the Four Satans did Kyuren do to get that kind of power.
The answer still proved elusive, but she had a gut feeling that there was something that her partner wasn't telling her. That there was something more behind what he had told her.
But she decided to stay her tongue for now. Sooner or later, she would get an answer from him. But, that will have to wait.
"Yes, that's true." Sona agreed.
"And now, my current ambition is to complete the Iron Man suit. But the next...I never thought that far." He sighed and took a small sip of juice. "Things have moved fast in the last few weeks that I never really thought of what's next on the agenda."
Sona nodded, understanding where he was coming from. Looking at it from Kyuren's point of view, it all happened really fast in the span of a few weeks. So, it was understandable that he wasn't able to think of something new to do for now.
"I understand. But I'm sure you'll think of something after we complete your proj-"
"Our project, Sona." Kyuren cut her off. "Remember, your own ideas play a very big part in the armor. We're in this together."
At his words, Sona gave a small smile. "Thank you, Kyuren." It felt nice to be complimented by the truth.
Kyuren waved her off. "Eh, don't mention it." He said as their food was brought out to them. After thanking the servants, the two then began to eat. "So, tell me, what's your ambition?"
The Sitri heiress stiffened a little and turned away from him. "I…it's not that important. It's just a silly dream, anyway. Nothing to concern yourself about."
Seeing her reluctance, Kyuren raised a brow. "Oh, come on, Sona, it can't be that bad. And knowing you, it's probably very good. Tell me, please." He was really curious at what her future plans would be.
Sona thought it over. Her dream wasn't really a very liked one in the Underworld. Hell, the idea was the laughing stock to the senile clan elders that were stuck in the past and their bigotry.
She may not show it, but it hurts that only a few supported her. Her sister, her parents, her peerage, and Rias were the only ones that knew of her goal. But even with the support of Serafall Leviathan, the chances of that coming to fruition was very slim.
Besides, this was nothing but a futile fantasy now. He'll probably say that she just gives up on it and look for something a little more realistic.
But one look at him, Sona could see that he really wanted to know. Well, what's the worst that could happen? At this point, whatever Kyuren was going to say was nothing the Sitri heiress hasn't heard before.
"Well…my goal is to start up a school." She stopped when he heard him snicker and gave him a heated glare. "And what's so funny?"
Kyuren held his hands up with an amused chuckle. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect that to be your goal. Not many of our age group aspire to open up schools." Sona huffed but knew that Kyuren wasn't wrong on that one. "Tell me about your school."
Sona sighed. "The school I want to build is for Reincarnated Devils. I want them to learn the basic rules, tactics, and strategies of the rating game."
"Rating game?" Kyuren tilted his head in curiosity. "What's that?"
"The rating game is a kind of competition where high class devils such as myself and Rias compete against one another's peerages in a simulated battle." The Sitri heiress explained. "It's used to gain battle experience and help the younger devils to learn."
The raven haired teen nodded. "I always knew that those evil pieces looking like chess pieces were no coincidence." He chuckled.
Sona as well gave an amused smile. "Yes, the rules are similar to a game of chess but radically different in their own way."
"But why though." Kyuren took a small slice of steak in his mouth and swallowed after chewing. "Why do you want to build a school for reincarnated devils?"
She hesitated for a few seconds before steeling herself. She was Sona Sitri, the heiress to the Sitri Clan. She had pride and will not shrink away because her partner might disapprove of her goals.
"Because reincarnated devils are often looked down upon by the purebloods. Even some masters show little care for them. And when the newly reincarnated ones fight in a rating game, they know almost absolutely nothing about it. They don't know what to do, and their kings expect them to win." Sona said with clear distaste in her voice.
"And you want to build an institution where you can teach them the ropes and how to handle their newfound powers." Kyuren stated and she nodded. "But why haven't you already?"
Sona huffed in an irritated fashion. "It's because of most clan elders are still stuck in the past. They believe that reincarnated devils are below them and don't care about them because they are not originally devils to begin with."
Kyuren hummed in thought. "I suppose racism is the same for everyone. Supernatural or otherwise." He muttered softly but the Sitri heiress heard him loud and clear and couldn't help but agree.
"Yes, but thankfully, there are some clans that don't do that and supported my idea. But it's not enough." Sona gave a dejected sigh. "I became a laughing stock when I proposed my idea. That's why I'm here on the human world to learn all I can about running a school, hoping that someday my dream will come to pass. But I suppose not every dream is meant to come true. I'll understand if you say that I should just give up, I'm thinking of it myself."
"And who said I'm telling you to give up?" The Sitri heiress looked at him in surprise. "Sona, this is an admirable goal you have. You want to teach the new generation of devils to learn about this rating game, right?" She nodded and Kyuren smiled. "Then keep at it."
She was a little shocked when Kyuren said that he wanted her to continue on this goal. She couldn't help but feel relief that someone she told this about actually urged her to continue and not laughed in her face.
A small smile gently tugged on her lips. "Thank you, Kyuren. But the elders would never let this happen. They would just deny it."
Then she noticed a smirk forming on Kyuren's lips. "If they won't listen to reason, then appeal to their sense of greed and security."
Sona got confused. "What are you talking about?"
Kyuren chuckled. "What if the Underworld was attacked or had an uprising? What if the only thing standing between them and certain death is a reincarnated devil? Would they have him or her trained and have a chance to fight back the intruders or flee and leave them to their fate because they refused your proposal."
Sona frowned a little. "Using the threat of death and the prospect of an invasion or an uprising is a bit underhanded, Mr. Avynzen."
"And I thought you were a devil?" He raised a brow at her. "If it gets the job done, then so be it. Sometimes being dishonorable is the way to go. If they treat you without fairness, then why should you treat them with fairness as well? You reap what you sow."
Though it was just like what she said that it was a bit underhanded, Sona had to admit that it was a plan to make things moving. Pureblood devils today are so few that almost all of them rely on reincarnated devils.
And most of them were mostly untrained and recently converted with a few exceptions. Children in their eyes.
What happens if the Underworld is attacked and most reincarnated devils just flee because of terror, leaving the purebloods to contend by themselves? The end result would be the extinction of devil kind.
She wasn't sure that it will convince the elders, but it was almost a guarantee that some will be talking about this.
"...I'll admit; your way may get things moving." She mumbled out, making the raven haired teen smirk. "But only as a last resort."
"That's all I ask for. Your goal will benefit your race, Sona. Those old fools will be thanking you for that institution, mark my words." He said that made Sona smile.
Well, at least Kyuren supported her in her goal...despite his questionable means to do it. "Thank you...but why do you support my goal?"
The raven haired teen smiled at her. "You're helping me with my goal, the least I could do is help you in yours." Sona couldn't help but feel warm inside but then he gave her a cheeky grin. "Besides, I can't wait to see what you look like as a teacher." He laughed when Sona glared at him. "I bet you'll be the strict type...the beautiful strict type."
Even though it miffed her a little bit, the Sitri heiress couldn't help but flush red when he called her beautiful. She could feel her heart pounding suddenly and an odd feeling in her stomach, but she squashed it down before it could get out of control.
"Just...Let's just finish our breakfast." She grumbled out.
"As you wish, Ms. Shitori." He chuckled before he felt something scratching on his leg.
"Meew~" Looking down, he saw Pip trying to climb up his leg and Kyuren chuckled.
"You done with your breakfast?" He asked before picking her up and placing her on his lap. "Now just stay there and let me eat."
The kitten just yawned and fell asleep.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Thinking about that one particular statement made Sona a bit confused and flushed. He thought that she was beautiful; many a devil and human, young and old, have told her that. But none of their opinions mattered to her in the slightest.
But from Kyuren...why was she reacting like this?
She couldn't be developing feelings for him. They had only known each other for…what, two months. There was no way Sona could be the slightest bit interested in him in that short amount of time.
It didn't work like that in the real world…real-ish world.
"Kyuren, can you do me a favor?" She asked.
Kyuren moved another of his piece. "All right, what is it?"
"I need you to bring a folder to Rias for me." She saw him frown a little. "I know you don't like being in the ORC, especially with Issei there, but you only have to give her that folder."
The raven haired teen kept on his frown. What Sona said was true, he wasn't quite fond of the ORC at this point. Well, not all of them really, just Issei.
"Why can't you get Saji to do it?"
"I would." Sona nodded. "But there's been a new development of events in the next three months. So I need everyone to help me here." She almost smirked when Kyuren rolled his eyes.
'Vel, jeg har ikke noe bedre å gjøre i de neste par timer.' ('Well, I got nothing better to do in the next couple of hours.') He said to himself with a shrug. Besides, what the worst that could…No, no, not going to say it.
Giving out a sigh, the raven haired teen nodded. "All right, fine. But let's finish our game first before I do you that favor." Sona nodded and the two continued on their game.
Sona won, by the way.
Rias Gremory was not having a very good day. Not by a damn long shot. For the past two weeks, almost everything was going back to normal for her peerage...almost everything.
Issei had been particularly sour and depressed that Asia Argento died. And it was made even worse when he tried to pin the blame on Kyuren only to be thrown back to his face tenfold.
It saddens her that one of her servants was hurting but she couldn't just revive every dying person she saw. Rias only had a limited number of pieces left. One bishop, two knights, and one rook were all that's left since Issei took up eight pawn pieces.
But after a number of days and some comforting, Issei was mostly back to his old self. He still felt depressed since Kyuren just spat in his face that because of his incompetence and weakness that Asia died.
Even so, at least he was back to normal...mostly.
A week later, she had tried to get him a familiar...only problem was he wanted that slimy green thing that burn away their clothes. She killed it without hesitation.
And then she got a message from her brother that the marriage had been moved forward to only a few weeks instead of when she graduated. She had hoped that in that time, she could've found a way to get out of that stupid marriage, but it looks like it was too late.
The Gremory heiress didn't want to get married to anyone she didn't even love. Especially not to Riser Phenix. The guy was arrogant, vulgar, and just wanted to get between her legs.
She didn't want that and had begged her brother to cancel the wedding, but even his hands were tied and cannot stop it. If there was ever a time when Rias cursed her brother's law of the Maous not interfering with Clan Affairs, it would be this.
Rias became desperate to escape this bind, even as going so far as to offer her own virginity to Issei. But Grayfia Lucifage, Sirzech's wife and queen stopped them before the deed could be done.
Now, here Rias was. Waiting for the rest of her peerage to come into the ORC with Grayfia. It was a very tense moment for her, that was for sure.
Just then, Kiba and Issei came through the doors. "Rias, is something wrong? Kiba said there was something bothering you?" Issei asked in concern that made the Gremory heiress smile a little before becoming serious again.
"Good. Everyone's here." Rias said and stood up from her desk. "Let's just get this over with."
Issei was curious now. Rias looked like something was really bothering her. And who was the maid standing near her?
Grayfia looked at those that entered. She knew of Kiba, they had met before. But the other one, she had only met not a few hours ago...in the not most pleasant of ways.
This boy didn't look like much, even if he had the Boosted Gear sealed within him. Yes, she knew what kind of Gear he possessed for she had lived for a very long time to know.
And even with that kind of power...this boy was pathetic in all regards. His magic reserves were abysmal, his physique was lackluster, and he didn't even seem to train.
Despite possessing a Longinus-class Gear, the strongest queen didn't even know what Rias was thinking in reincarnating him.
'Is she really expecting to use him in a Rating Game against Riser Phoenix?' Grayfia asked herself. Don't get her wrong, it was a sound plan. Having a Longinus-class Gear could give Rias an edge.
Only if the wielder was adequately trained and knows how to use it. But this boy looked like he could barely throw a single punch, let alone fight in a Rating Game.
If Rias challenged Riser to a Rating Game, there was a very big chance that she would lose. But Grayfia held her tongue. She was only here to ensure the gathering remained peaceful, nothing more nothing less.
"My lady, if you don't mind. May I have permission to speak openly?" Grayfia asked and the Gremory heiress nodded.
"You may. I want to hear what you have to say." She said just before a bright fireball erupted in the middle of the ORC.
Issei, Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko covered their eyes at the intensity of it, Rias and Grayfia were unaffected by it.
Grayfia gave a mental sigh though her face remained stoic. This was not the best time that Riser decided to make his grand entrance.
The Gremory heiress glared at the spot of the fireball. It seems that Riser is here, and she for one does not want him here.
The fireball subsided to reveal a tall and handsome young man in his early twenties with short blonde hair and dark blue eyes. His outfit consists of a burgundy blazer with gold embroidery on the right with matching pants and black dress shoes. Underneath his open blazer is a white dress shirt that is not fully buttoned, giving a slight view to his chest.
"Ah, it's been a while since I've visited the human realm." He spoke in an amused tone before turning towards them with a smug smirk. "Rias, it's so good to see you again after all these years."
Issei took an immediate dislike to this guy after seeing him look up at his king like some piece of meat. "Okay, who is this guy?" He growled, glaring at this fucker trying to strip Rias down with his eyes.
Grayfia took the liberty to initiate introductions. "This gentleman is Lord Riser Phenix. A high-class pureblood devil of noble birth, and third son of the House of Phenix."
"And that means what exactly?"
The strongest queen was a little peeved at the disrespectful tone Rias' pawn used but ignored it for now. "And he is also the fiancé of Lady Rias, the next head of the House of Gremory."
That took Issei by surprise and stared at the smirking Riser in surprise. "Are you shitting me? This guy's supposed to marry you, Rias?"
Riser chuckled. "My, what a vulgar piece you have here, Rias. Don't you discipline him?"
"Don't insult my peerage, Riser." The Gremory heiress said sternly. "I run my peerage how I see fit. Now, is there a reason why you're here?"
"Why, I'm here to get you prepared for our wedding, of course." He grinned arrogantly.
*Same Time*
"Now, what did you say is in this folder?" Kyuren asked, opening the folder to get a look at the files.
The raven haired teen wasn't particularly happy that he was doing this. Hell, it felt like he was being degraded as an errand boy with all the so called favors Sona kept asking from him.
"This is an updated list of events for the rest of the year." Sona said.
Kyuren looked over the list of events and there it was; the one event he was looking forwards to. The Science Fair was about three months but...there was also another event with it.
"Hmm? The Science Fair is also the same day as Open House." The raven haired teen stared questioningly as Sona. "What's that?"
"Open House is the event were all parents or relatives of the students come here so they can watch what life is like here."
He gave an amused chuckle. "So, it's just another name for bring your relatives to work day."
"Yeah, kind of a last minute addition." Saji piped up.
"And one that requires to be straightened out." Sona sighed. "The Science Fair is already planned out, but with the inclusion of Open House on the same day is not, at all, helping."
Giving out a hum, Kyuren nodded his head. "All right, then. I'll be going now, see you later." He said, placing the folder in his bag. The Sitri heiress gave him a nod and he turned to the door without another word, and left.
Just as he was out and the doors closed, the raven haired teen let out a sigh. How did he get roped into this? Well, no use complaining to it now, he already agreed to it. Besides, it was no big deal.
Just give the folder to Rias then leave. Simple.
Well, it's not as if he was in a hurry to get there. After all, dismissal isn't for another…three or four hours. He might as well take his sweet time getting there.
'Okay, it was official. This Riser guy's a total dick.' Issei thought to himself as he helplessly watched Rias being gropped by this asshole.
This douchebag was supposed to marry her? There was no way he could let that happen, but Issei's hands were tied in this like everyone else.
It was clear that the rest of Rias' peerage had a clear dislike for Riser, but they couldn't just act on it. For one, Riser was a pureblood devil from a prestigious clan. For another, Grayfia Lucifage had strictly told them that no hostilities will be displayed or she will be forced to take action.
Issei was about to protest, but one look from Rias forced him to drop it…reluctantly, the pawn complied.
Riser had an arm slung over the Gremory heiress' shoulder and was playing with her crimson hair. All the while, looking absolutely smug about it. Oppositely, Rias looked like she was barely able to control her temper.
She didn't want to be even a hundred feet from the arrogant third scion of the Phenix clan, now he was playing with her hair.
What's more, the rest of his clan isn't even exceedingly arrogant like he is. They are actually polite, humble, and generally nice people to converse with. But it looks like Riser was the odd one out of the bunch.
The final straw was when Riser laid a hand on her thighs and began caressing it. She stood up, making him frown. "That's quite enough, Riser. When will you get it? I have no intention of marrying you whatsoever."
Instead of being displeased, Riser simply smirked and shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "But my dear, given your family's circumstances, you can't afford to be selfish now."
That struck a chord with the Gremory heiress and she immediately turned to him with a glare. "I will not bring my clan to ruin. While it is your right as a noble devil to pursue my name, my husband shall be of my own choosing."
"And while that maybe true in most cases, but in this, you have no choice." Riser gave an amused chuckle. "This joining was agreed upon by our parents and your brother, Sirzechs." He turned to Grayfia. "Isn't that right, Lady Grayfia."
"Yes." The strongest queen nodded. "This marriage was agreed upon by the heads of the Gremory and Phenix clans since the two of you drew your first breaths." She noticed the look of hurt and betrayal flash on Rias' face, and Grayfia felt a little guilty.
This was her sister-in-law, after all. Even though this was for the future of devil kind, she didn't know what was Sirzechs and his parents thinking when they signed Rias off in the first place.
Sure, it was a sound plan at first, but now with Riser being such an arrogant punk...Grayfia just hoped that Sirzechs had a plan for this.
"There you have it, my dear Rias." Riser rose from the couch leaned closer to Rias's neck. "You and I are to be husband and wife. No matter what you say."
"Hey! Don't you touch her, asshole!" Issei stepped forward, glaring at this piece of shit that dared lay a hand on Rias.
The third son of the Phenix clan raised an uninterested brow at the boy who spoke to him. "Hmph, and why should I listen to a low-class trash like you? From what I'm sensing, you're completely pathetic. Even for low-class trash standards." He smirked when Issei seethed.
"Why you..! Sacred Gear!" Issei shouted and his left arm transformed into his Gear.
BOOST!
"Let's see who's weak now?!" The pawn was about to charge, but Rias stopped him.
"Issei, stand down." She ordered and Issei looked at her in surprise.
Couldn't she see that he was trying to defend her? Why did she stop him? "But..."
Rias narrowed her eyes at him. "Stand down, Issei. That's a direct order from your king. Obey them."She commanded forcefully and while Issei wanted to protest badly, he backed down glaring at Phenix.
"Don't you touch her again. Rias deserve better than you." Issei growled and Riser laughed.
"Oh, and who does she deserve? You? Like I said, you're even less than a low-class. You're barely even a devil. And you assume that you can order me around?" Riser chuckled mockingly at the enraged Issei. "What a joke."
Rias stepped in before this could get out of hand. "Don't insult my servants, Riser."
"I'm merely stating the facts. While I don't disagree that most of your servants can indeed hold their own." He motioned towards Rias' peerage. "But that boy would not last one second in a fight. Even a child is more powerful than him."
"That's it!" Issei had had enough of this prick and charged at him with the intent of bashing his skull in. High-class devil be damned!
"Issei!" Akeno and Rias shouted but he didn't stop. The perverted pawn was about to reach Riser until he was surrounded by a magic glow and frozen dead in his tracks.
"What the hell?!"
"You may not have been informed earlier, but this is a peaceful meeting." Grayfia said to Issei, using her powers to freeze and levitate his body. "And my lord Sirzechs Lucifer has given me permission for it to stay peaceful." With her piece said, the strongest queen threw him back at Rias' group.
Issei landed with a thud and was helped by Akeno and Kiba. Koneko shook her head in disapproval at this idiot's action. Can't he learn anything useful for once?
Grayfia cleared her throat before turning her attention to Rias. "My lady, you should really discipline your servant. It is unbecoming of yourself and your clan name." For her part, Rias had the decency to look ashamed.
"I suppose..." She loved every one of her peerage to a damn fault, but this was just unacceptable. Especially to her brother's queen and wife.
The strongest queen nodded. "If I may, my master had anticipated there would be a conflict of some sorts. So, he has issued a last resort should no resolution be found."
Rias sighed. Of course her brother knew that this would happen and had something in mind. "A last resort. Of course he would. And what would that last resort be, exactly?"
"If you insist upon your position on the matter, you're to settle this via a rating game against Lord Riser." What Grayfia said startled the Gremory heiress. But deep down she expected it.
Chuckling, Riser nodded his head. "Yes, I agree to this. But dear Rias, is this really all the members of your peerage?" He asked, sneering at them. Especially at Issei.
The Gremory heir stiffened slightly. This was not the rest of her peerage because her bishop was...unstable at the moment. But he didn't need to know that. Steeling herself, Rias huffed. "And so what if they are?"
Riser said nothing and snapped his fingers. The instant he did that, a teleportation circle formed before bursting into a ball of flames to reveal fifteen silhouettes.
"Unlike you, I have a complete set." The third son of the Phenix clan said as the flames subsided to reveal fifteen beautiful girls. "Fifteen in total." He said as they moved towards his behind.
Despite the severity of the situation, Issei couldn't help but gawk at the fifteen new hotties in the room. "Fifteen drop dead gorgeous babes! In all shapes and sizes!" He turned to Riser with jealousy burning in his eyes. "You asshole! Why do you have fifteen babes?!"
Hearing this, Riser couldn't help but look at the pervert oddly. Kiba sighed and shook his head. He's known Issei enough to know what to expect from him. Akeno just giggled, finding it amusing. While Koneko glared at him.
"Rias, why is your pawn acting like that?" He was a little curious as to why this low-class trash looked a little jealous at him.
"Because his dream is to have a harem." She replied with a soft blush.
If Riser's peerage, a petite girl with blonde hair scowled at Issei in disgust. "Yuck, what a total savage." She muttered. Koneko heard her and gave the girl a mental thumbs up.
"Ah, is that so?" Riser chuckled. "Yubelluna, would you come here for a moment?"
The one known as Yubelluna nodded. "As you wish, my lord." She complied, going towards her king.
Once she was directly in front of him, Riser smirked and tilted her chin up with her thumb and index finger, making her blush. He was about to give her a searing and passionate kiss until...
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
The sound of three knocks coming from the door got everyone's attention. And to the mild irritation of Riser since his chance to get under Rias' pawn's skin even further was interrupted.
"Were you expecting someone, my lady?" Grayfia asked.
The Gremory heiress shook her head. "No, I'm not expecting someone. But let's find out. Come in!" She called out to whoever was at the door.
A few seconds after she said that, the doors opened to reveal Kyuren, making Rias and her peerage's eyes go wide in surprise. What was he doing here?
"Sorry for the intrusion, but Ms. Shitori asked me to give you-" He held up a folder before he stopped himself when he saw a lot of new faces in the ORC. And from the looks of it, it was probably important. "Um, am I interrupting something?"
Riser was about to say something but Rias beat him to it. "No, not at all." She shook her head before smiling. "You can just place it on my desk. Thank you, Kyuren."
The raven haired teen nodded and made his way towards her desk. While he was walking towards the desk, Riser, his peerage, and Grayfia stared at him.
Riser slightly glared at this newcomer for interrupting his fun. A mere human in the presence of a high born devil? He was too good for that.
And this boy walked with an air of pride and dignity. Like he was showing Riser that he was better than him. Worse still, it appears that Rias was acquainted with this Kyuren.
His peerage was also looking at him with varying intensity of glares. This human thought he could just stroll in here and interrupt their master?
The petite blonde girl scowled at the raven haired teen. How dare this human just barge in like that and had the gall to walk in here like he owned the place.
Grayfia watched the teen walk up to Rias' desk and place the folder on it. Well, this was a school and perhaps Rias had requested something from Lady Sona. This Kyuren was just a messenger.
Though she wondered why isn't he that surprised to see them. Riser's servants wore very different clothes, she included.
"Let me guess. More devils, Rias?" He asked, making Grayfia feel surprise and turn her head towards the sister of her master. How could a human possibly know that they were devils?!
Rias noticed the look Grayfia was giving her and slowly nodded her head. "He knows." She mouthed out.
'This is troubling news.' The strongest queen thought to herself.
"What are you doing here?" She heard Issei growl at the teen and raised a brow at the apparent dislike he held.
Kyuren turned his head towards the boy. "I'm here as a favor to Ms. Shitori to give this to Rias." He tapped on the folder on the table. "Didn't I just mention it a minute ago, Hyoudou?" The pervert growled in anger. "But I don't have time to deal with you and your idiocy. If you all would excuse me."
He was about to leave until someone spoke up. "Excuse me, sir." Kyuren stopped and turned to the one who spoke and raised a brow when he saw a woman maybe in her mid to late twenties wearing a...maid costume? "Before you go, how did you know we were devils?"
"Rias and Sona told me when I had to save that pervert's ass from a fallen angel." He inclined his head towards Issei. "And yes, I know Sona and the rest of the Student Council are also devils. But may I know your name, Miss..."
Grayfia regarded his words carefully. He saved Issei's life from a fallen angel? How did he survive? How could a human know of this and why did Sona and Rias just up and told him? But she would not get the answers until she had talked with Rias. 'Sirzechs must know of this.'
"My name is Grayfia Lucifage, servant to the Gremory clan." She introduced herself. She wanted to know just how much this Kyuren knew.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I must go." The raven haired teen was about to go until someone called his attention...again.
"It seems that even something as low as a human can learn to be civilized." Riser said mockingly. "But I can understand a lapse in decorum." Rias' eyes grew in size at what her supposed fiancé just said.
Kyuren stopped in his step and smirked. "Then you'll have to forgive me." He turned towards Riser. "I assumed that you wanted to continue your whatever you were doing so I simply found it irrelevant to know your name."
The Phenix lost his smirk and glared at the raven haired teen along with the rest of his peerage. "Did you just call me irrelevant?"
Kyuren shrugged. "I don't know. It is what you make of it. But if that is what you believe, then yes. I did just call you irrelevant." He smirked when he saw Riser's frown and glare deepen.
Riser's irritation grew. This human had the gall to call him irrelevant?! He was Riser Phenix! He weaved around Yubelluna and slowly walked towards Kyuren. "If you know I am a devil, then you should know what I could do to a human like you."
The raven haired teen scoffed. "Please, my kitten is more intimidating than you'll ever be. And besides, judging from what I see. You're not a devil but nothing more than an arrogant spoiled brat."
Riser's anger began to boil over but then he smirked. "You're very brave for someone who's clearly outmatched and outnumbered." The moment he said that, his peerage was behind him instantly.
"Wow, hiding behind your little harem." Kyuren chuckled in an amused fashion. "Tell me, did Issei become jealous of your little entourage? Of course he did, but that doesn't matter really. This just shows that aside from being a spoiled brat, you're also a coward. I expect nothing less from someone who was spoon fed his entire life."
Ravel growled and stepped up to defend her brother. "Hey! You take back what you said about my brother, you ruffian!"
Kyuren looked at her with his mismatched eyes and Ravel couldn't help but think how nice they were to look at. His smirk morphed into a frown and scowled a little.
"Brother?" He asked, analyzing the petite girl. The same blonde hair, some similarities of facial structure, and the fact that she called this prick her brother confirmed it.
The raven haired teen looked at Riser in disgust. "You sicken me." He said distastefully. Having your own sister into your peerage…an all-female peerage? Who knows what this fool was doing to her.
Ravel was taken aback by his statement. Why did he say that…oh…did he just thought… Ravel's face burned with a fiery blush at what Kyuren had just assumed.
"I have no time to conversing with the likes of you." With that, he turned to the door and left, leaving a gaping and humiliated Riser in his wake.
Riser couldn't believe it. He was just dismissed by a mere human. He was insulted by a mere human. And he was just accused of committing incest with his own sister…by a mere human.
His shocked look quickly became one of anger. It was humiliating for the Phenix scion. And one that he will get retribution for…sooner or later.
Sometime later, Kyuren was back at Sona's home and was jst passing by to check on his gauntlets before he returns home to rest.
"How goes the connection, Sona?" He asked off handedly to the Sitri heiress who was busy working on her own part of the project.
"Going along smoothly." She replied with a nod. "Did you give Rias the folder?"
"Yes, I did. Though she had some unexpected guests."
Sona stopped her typing. 'Rias had visitors?' She asked herself before turning towards her partner. "Who were her guests?"
Kyuren shrugged, his attention still on the gauntlets. "Oh, just some blonde haired arrogant prick and a woman in a maid outfit named Grayfia Lucifage."
The moment she heard that, Sona's eyes grew wide and her face grew pale. Oh, she knew who that arrogant prick was and Grayfia. The Sitri heiress unknowingly gulped down the lump in her throat.
She already knew - and dreaded - the answer to his, but the Sitri heiress had to make sure. "And what did you do?"
"Just like you asked. I dropped off the folder to Rias and was just about to leave until that moron ran his mouth. You know me well enough to know how that goes."
Sona groaned internally and placed her face in her hands. "You idiot."
AN:
There you have it. Riser Phenix gets his debut and the introduction arc of Kyuren is coming to a close with the Phenix story arc.
Also, what do you guys think about my new story challenge? As far as I'm concerned, there not that many Black Adam fanfics and I wanted to make shine, but can't right now.