(Chapter 17: A Phenex Appears)
It was the month of March as events were..suffice to say going rather strange for Anakin; considering that while at his workshop he had found a strange package delivered to it from a mysterious sender that radiated considerable power from within its bound case. With him opening it to reveal Caliburn in all its glory and power; the former Sith Lord then proceeded to store it in the Boosted Gear until he could make sense of what was going on and keep the incredibly powerful holy sword as a possible ace in the hole against the Devils.
On the other hand Rias was currently on her last legs in reaching out to people that could help her get out of her arranged marriage, or at the very least lend her some manpower in order to even out the odds...which was having her come up short. With Sona refusing since her peerage was already training for her bout against Diodora and due to her numbers being thinned couldn't spare any, Sairaorg refused in wanting his cousin to do it on her own strength, Sirzechs couldn't due to his position as a Satan...which left her with one option left.
(March 11th, 2018, Gremory Manor, 11:57 Am)
It was currently 12 minutes till 3 in the afternoon as Rias was currently trying to convince her nephew Milicas to help her out against Riser, which was proving more difficult than what she had hoped.
"My answer is still going to be no, Aunt Rias. It will continue to be a no, no matter how many times you ask and plead with me." Milicas stated his decision absolute on the matter
"Milicas, I've done nearly everything I can to try and get out of it or at the very least find some way to make my plan work….You're the last person I have to help me." Rias told her nephew whose face remained impassive
"Yet as cold as I may be. I fail to see how this concerns me. This is a fate of your own making and as such you must deal with what you have brought upon yourself." Milicas replied his piercing crimson eyes bearing down on Rias
"Milicas you have to understand that this marriage is a total sham. I can't marry that insufferable manwhore, I can't have my freedom taken from me! Please, you have to help me." Rias pleaded with the son of Sirzechs
"I don't have to help you at all. In fact, I can't believe I'm saying this. Its far too late to help you with your plan to challenge Riser to his Rating Game. Its something that would fail for the simple fact that your peerage is a hopeless case." Milicas spoke bluntly in knowing that someone had to rip this band-aid off for his aunt
"Milicas…" Rias tried to say
"Don't Milicas me, Aunt Rias. I know it, mother knows it. Worst of all, father knows it to be true...even if he won't say it to your face. That peerage you have is nothing but complete dead weight; with the exception being Gasper. I'd advise you to trade them away and gain people who would help you stand a better chance against Riser. However, I doubt many people would want to trade their Evil Pieces for broken, unusable toys." Milicas spoke with such a blunt and near callous tone of voice that it caused Rias to atomize the glass she held in her hands
'I should've known that she'd react like this when hearing the truth...Still this is something she needs to hear, seeing as how no one else will be honest with her.' Milicas noted to himself as he drank more cranberry juice
"I can't believe you would even say that about them, Milicas! They are not broken toys or dead weight. They are good people who I would stake my chances of beating Riser on any Satan given day of the week. Because of that, I will not allow you to speak ill of them!" Rias retorted heated at the fact her own nephew would dare to say such things
"..If you really mean what you say about them. Then look me in my eyes when you speak about them in my presence. Something you've refused to do during our entire conversation. Especially when the subject of your peerage comes up." Milicas said in noticing that Rias during their entire conversation refused to meet his gaze
"Aunt Rias if you are as passionate as you say you are about them. Then do me and them the courtesy of looking me in my eyes when you speak to me. You would think they deserve that much when you come to their defense." Milicas added as Rias could only look down at the table in shame of their weakness
"..Listen to me, You are here amidst your own nephew. So if you wish to say anything, then say it not only freely but truthfully. You have my word that none of what you say will be repeated to any one of them." Milicas spoke to Rias who let out a deep exhale as though the massive weight of a dire crocodile had been lifted from her chest
"I want to believe in them, Milicas. I want to believe that together we have a chance at winning against Riser. But even I know that even if we had a month, 3 months or even 4 of them. That it still wouldn't be enough to beat him. I hate how much it pains me to say this about my own peerage..the people I love as though they were my own flesh and blood." Rias reluctantly admitted about her own peerage..something that made her want to vomit from the admission
"Dear Satan himself. I must be such an awful person to admit that my own peerage is nothing but hopeless dead weight." Rias said putting her head in her hands
"Its alright. Sometimes the truth is difficult to bear, much less say aloud to yourself. However, for someone in your position. It is something that has to be admitted if you are too push forward." Milicas spoke causing Rias to let out a small smile at the advice given to her
"I can't believe that I'm given advice by my own nephew of all people." Rias said with a somber chuckle
"I'm not the same little boy you'd play tag with when I was growing up. I'm a young man that is a contender for being the next leader of House Gremory." Milicas told his aunt with a smile of his own
With Milicas being the elder between himself and his aunt was a young man who looked to be in the tailend of his 20's, the young Devil looked as though he were his fathers' evil twin, his hair done in a combed back undercut. That combined with piercing ruby red eyes, sharper facial features and oddly hauntingly white smile, imposing stature at 6 foot 4, broad shoulders and more serious demeanor made him in the words of his peers look like a more menacing version of his father.
"I can clearly see, Milicas. Your even taller than my brother." Rias said as she still couldn't believe that she had to often look up at her nephew
"I will admit that it is rather humorous to know that my father is shorter than me. Nonetheless, Aunt Rias. I still cannot lend you anyone from my peerage. If only for the additional fact that even if I did, it would still do you very little if any good. Better yet even if I were to fight alongside you myself, you would still lose against Riser." Milicas told his aunt which actually surprised Rias to hear her nephew say this
"Your implying that Riser is actually stronger than you." Rias spoke as Milicas let out a weary sigh
"It is not that he's stronger than me. Moreso that we near equal in strength as it were. For a better reference, his full power is roughly equivalent to 80 percent of my own power and has the craftiness and skill with his magic too match. There is a reason why, Riser has remained undefeated for as long as he has." Milicas replied in acknowledgement to Riser's terrifying power
"You have to be joking Milicas. This has to be some dark joke your playing on me, or something your doing to scare me straight into training my peerage...There's no way he could be that strong." Rias said hoping her nephew was joking about Riser's power
"I truly wish that I was. However, this is not something I am making light of at all. Riser is one of the strongest Devils for a reason. While he hides his power rather well, that's mainly because no one has been strong enough to have him use it. The only people I can think of who would be strong enough to do so, are cousin Sairaorg or Diehauser himself...Even the newest Red Dragon Emperor is a 3rd contender on the short list of people who could make Riser unleash his full might…..You and your peerage, combined not so much." Milicas told her which caused his aunts' face to pale at this startling information
"Milicas, there has to be something we could try to beat him with. There has to be something I'm just not thinking of." Rias spoke in hoping that there was something that she was simply overlooking
"There are or rather were many things you could do to beat him. However, due to the fact that you waited too long to begin training and the fact that your peerage is inferior to most. That most if not all of your available options are closed off.." Milicas solemnly replied to his aunt
The simple fact that was that even if Rias could plan out the most effectively foolproof battle strategy to defeat Riser; that it would be in vain and end in crushing defeat, as Riser would simply just use his superior strength and power to overwhelm them as though it were a casual game of golf amongst friends.
"..I...I am sorry. However, I don't know what else to tell you without lying right to your face. There's nothing that I can do to help you or that you could do to defeat him. At best the only thing I can tell you is to prepare for what's to come...at least that way you won't be beaten too badly." Milicas spoke as he hated to tell his own family member such dreadful things
"...You're alright, Milicas. This is my own fault after all. Had I stopped trying to postpone this and weasel my way out of it; and actually tried to prepare for facing him...I may have actually stood a chance." Rias lamented at the fact her situation was an immensely bleak one
"I am immensely sorry to do this to you, Aunt Rias. I didn't want to ruin your day. However, I felt that I should at the very least be honest with you..You are deserving of that much." Milicas apologized to his aunt for having been the one to crush her hopes of defeating Riser
"Again, your alright. This is all my own fault and I do appreciate the honesty. It's...Its rather refreshing to hear such things when I've been lying to myself for so long." Rias said waving off the apology although her face did take on a more dour demeanor
"...Is there anything else I can do for you?" Milicas asked
"No...No I am fine. I just want to head home and think about a few things." Rias answered back as she stood up and gave a brief bow before leaving the premise
'...Sorry, Aunt Rias. As much as I want to help you, you're on your own on this.' Milicas internally cursed at how bleak the situation it was for his aunt
(3 days later, March 14th, 2018, Kuoh Academy, 4:28 Pm)
It was nearly half-past 4 in the afternoon as Anakin was heading towards the Academy in wondering why his student was late for their training, only to see her, Sona, Rias, Rias's peerage, and a blonde man in a red colored attire arguing with Rias.
"What exactly is going on here?" Anakin questioned as to why so many people here
"Its a bit of a long story, master. Sorry I didn't give you a heads up, this was something important that the boss called me for." Tsubasa apologized to her master for not notifying him ahead of time
"Apologies, Anakin. I needed Tsubasa here with me in case things went awry between Rias and her fiance. Considering how she is really the only one strong enough to interpose, should the two come to blows." Sona told the former Sith Lord as to why she kept Tsubasa with her
"Yeah, as I mean have you seen what Rias rolls with. They're pretty shit to be honest, I mean look at how bad you fucked them up." Tsubasa said getting glares from all 3 of Rias's servants at the reminder
"I'm not wrong. All of you guys are weak as shit, I'm pretty sure I could take all of you on with one hand behind my back if I wanted to be cute about it. Especially with you pretty boy." Tsubasa added as the glares from them intensified..moreso from Kiba
"Tsubasa, please do not antagonize her peerage." Sona told her Rook
"Oh come on, boss. We both know they're weaker than a hellhound puppy against all of us." Tsubasa responded in not seeing the big problem
"Tsubasa, enough. Now then explain as to why all of this is going on and why my student is not training with me at this moment?" Anakin said as his apprentice immediately went silent
"What we are arguing about is the fact that Rias here is throwing a temper tantrum about the date of our wedding being moved up. While I am not happy about it either, I merely came here to inform her about it. Which resulted in name-calling and slandering of my family name. Something I will not tolerate." Riser spoke up as his eyes narrowed at Rias who still held defiant anger
"Speaking of, who even are you and why are you here?" Riser questioned turning his attention towards a stony-faced Anakin
"I'm the current Red Dragon Emperor and concerning the reason why I'm here. Your petty argument with Gremory has cost me time that was supposed to be used to train my student. So if you would be so kind as to take whatever nonsense is going on with you and Gremory elsewhere, that would be greatly appreciated." Anakin said as he wished that this unimportant nonsense was dealt with elsewhere so he could train Tsubasa
"So your this generations' Red Dragon Emperor. If that's so and Sona's Rook over there is your student, then apologies for having wasted your time." Riser apologized to the Red Dragon Emperor
With Riser despite his cocksure demeanor that he usually carried knew full well not to disrespect someone who wielded the power of a dragon that could challenge the Biblical God; on top of that even he could sense the wealth of power that Anakin possessed. Enough power of which would be enough to rival that of Sairaorg...no that was an understatement, as what he felt from Anakin was enough to put him on par with someone such as Diehauser or even Grayfia, because of that Riser knew it would be best to not anger someone of such power.
'Since when does Riser apologize to anyone. I've never heard him do that.' Rias thought to herself in shock of Riser actually saying sorry
"You're fine. All I require is that you and Gremory sort this out amongst yourselves. I do not care how you do it. Only that you do it by yourselves. The fact that the two of you waste time over marital issues that do not concern my student or Sona, is pathetic. As a friend of mine would say, either go to marriage counseling or be silent about it." Anakin spoke glaring daggers at Rias for being the likely cause of his and Tsubasa's time being wasted
"I'm glad to see someone share similar thoughts. I have been trying to convince her to do so; so that we could make this marriage at least somewhat bearable. However, she refuses to have none of it...It seems as though on top of marrying a spoiled princess; I'm also marrying a petulant child on top of it." Riser said glad that someone shared his sentiments on the matter
"How dare you, I…" Rias tried to say but Anakin's now focused gaze silenced her
"Quiet. You've been the source of enough problems. So do everyone here a favor and be silent." Anakin ordered with the authority that was born was the decades of being a Sith Lord and a Jedi general
"Now then, if you would be so kind as to leave and allow me and my student to make up for lost time. Then I would highly appreciate it." Anakin said to the blonde man before him
"Of course. However, there is one thing I would want to request of you if possible." Riser asked as Anakin's attention shifted over towards the Phenex in question
"What do you want?" Anakin questioned
"Seeing as how you wield such immense power at your disposal and I being one of the strongest up and coming Devils. I'd like to request a duel between us at a future date. I've yet to meet someone who can challenge me enough to release my full strength. You seem like you would be the perfect person to do so….So will you be willing to do this? I can assure you that you will be properly compensated for your time." Riser requested in wanting to see if Anakin would be fine with doing this
"No. I am doing my absolute best to stay out of Devil affairs. The only reason why I associate with Sona and my apprentice is both because they are pleasant company. On top of that, they have proven worthy of my time. So to answer your question in layman's terms, I will not agree to duel you at any given date." Anakin told Riser as he did not under any circumstances want to be dragged into Devil affairs and politics
"Understandable. Especially under the circumstances, we've had to meet each other under." Riser said knowing full well he couldn't force the issue if he wanted to
"Still! We will be talking about this later Rias. You cannot escape our marriage. One way or the other this is going to happen, so we might as well learn to tolerate each others' company." Riser spoke as he straightened out his blazer
"I would sooner drink holy water than ever have to be in your presence for the rest of my life." Rias spat in contempt of Riser who only let out a sigh
"Be that way, it doesn't matter. You can not escape the inevitable. As for you Red Dragon Emperor, it was nice to make your acquaintance. I hope we will be able to meet under more favorable circumstances." Riser spoke before disappearing in a burst of hellfire
"Now that, that is over and done with. Tsubasa, come! We have training to do, you have already wasted enough time engaging in this nonsense." Anakin ordered the Sitri Rook who was at attention the moment she heard her teachers' voice
"Understood, Master Anakin." Tsubasa spoke as together both Force users left the room
"...That honestly went far better than what I had expected." Sona said
"This is not the time, Sona. In case you haven't noticed my world is getting turned upside down by all of this!" Rias said which earned her a glare from Sona
"Rias, in case you haven't noticed. I'm still having to deal with the fact that nearly half of my peerage is gone. On top of the fact that one of my pawns was maimed due to Tomoe being cursed by something I still do not know of. So if anyone has the right to complain about their world being turned upside down, it is me." Sona shot back in anger that Rias had the nerve to complain about her world being turned upside down when hers had been done so on a more gruesome scale
"Sona you have to…" Rias tried to say but the angered glare from Sona shut her up
"I..I don't want to hear any more of your griping about being married. Either handle it or quit complaining, because I have far more important things to be concerned about than your whining." Sona snapped at Rias in having grown considerably tired of Rias's griping about the issue
"Sona wait…" Rias tried to say but Sona had already teleported out of the room
'...Can today get any worse.' Rias lamented to herself
(3 days later, Hyoudou Residence, March 17th, 2018, 6:18 Pm)
It was the following Saturday later as Anakin had returned home from working on his ship, while Asia was out helping Tsubasa train; meaning that he had the house to himself or so he thought. Due to the fact that once he entered he saw two people awaiting him, a man that looked like an older male version or Rias and yet unlike Rias his power far exceeded hers.
"Who are you and why are you trespassing in my house?" Anakin asked already on guard against the mystery intruder
"Apologies for having come unannounced. My name is Sirzechs Lucifer and I feel as though the two of us need to talk." Sirzechs spoke as Anakin sat across from the crimson-haired Satan
"Rias's elder brother, I take it." Anakin surmised as he locked weary eyes onto Sirzechs
"Yes, even though I no longer hold my family name. I am still her older brother and part of the Gremory Household. My sister being the reason why I've come here." Sirzechs spoke as Anakin's continued to hold a steely-eyed gaze
"I will take a stab in the dark and say that you came all this way to ask for my help. Help that you want to get your sister out of her arranged marriage. What other reason would you have to come and seek me out?" Anakin responded having a pretty good idea of why Sirzechs would be here
"Yes...as much as I loathe to admit this. I need your help concerning Rias's engagement to Riser, seeing as how I and my loved ones are limited in ways to help get her out of this. Due to all of the political red-tape that would happen from my interference. Not to even mention that if Rias challenges him, that she will no doubt lose to his superior strength. The best and really only option that's viable to assist my sister in getting out of this sham of a marriage is you." Sirzechs told Anakin as his position of Satan left him very limited in methods of which he could use to get Rias out of arranged marriage
"Exactly why would I or better yet should I care about helping your sister? As far as I'm concerned, she and her worthless lot of slaves would be a waste of my time to help. None of them would be a worthy cause for me to spend even a second of my time helping them." Anakin questioned as to why he should waste even so much as a microsecond with Sirzechs's sister
"Yet you continue to train Sona's rook and help Sona in her endeavors? Why not do this one simple thing for my sister and help her and her peerage become something better. Surely they are deserving of the same chance you've extended to Sona?" Sirzechs countered
"That is completely different. Unlike your sister, Sona and those under her have shown actual potential. They have shown that they are actually driven to become something greater than what they are. Unlike your sisters' slaves who are content to wallow in their self-pity. In fact, from the time I had defeated them until this point; not a single one of them has made any attempts at growing stronger. Conversely, when faced with a tragedy that had befallen them. Sona and her peerage had taken the initiative to grow stronger and flourished." Anakin rebutted the crimson-haired Satan
"That is why I will choose them over your sister and her worthless lot. One flourishes under adversity and struggle. While the other folds under it and does nothing to push herself and those around her towards becoming more powerful….The fact that she calls herself a King, is an insult to the title she pretends to wield." Anakin added with ironclad conviction in his voice on the subject
With him seeing it as straightforward in his reasoning to help Sona and her peerage who when put under far worse circumstances than Rias, hadn't simply wallowed in their self-pity and doubt over their skills due to a severe loss. Instead, they chose to come back from it and work towards becoming the strongest versions of themselves possible, a far cry from what anyone in Rias's peerage was doing as all they were doing was lazing about and trying to cover up their shame in their crushing defeat.
"While I won't deny that, Rias's peerage is below the standard of a peerage. With the proper motivation and guidance that you could no doubt provide them. I'm sure that with your help, you could help them and Rias out of this situation they are in. After all, you've done wonders for Sona's Rook. So why not do the same for them?" Sirzechs reasoned that under Anakin's guidance that Rias and her peerage could stand a possibly equal chance against Riser
"That again brings another difference between them and my student. They are severely lacking in the drive and desire to become stronger. On the other hand, Tsubasa has that desire in spades. Never is there a moment with her where she isn't trying to perfect whatever I teach her, or a second wasted in trying to grow in her levels of strength. That same determination to become better is something that is completely absent in them." Anakin spoke in terms of the stark differences between Tsubasa and those within Rias's peerage
"For there is no amount of training I could give them, or motivating words I could say to make them stronger. I am not someone who will comfort and coddle them. The only thing they would get under me is being broken and retooled to what I see as adequate. For I train warriors, not broken toys and lost causes." Anakin harshly added as he refused to play babysitter to what he saw as coddled and broken pets
"Then if you will not train them out of the kindness of your heart. Then perhaps I can persuade you with something? As a Satan I'm sure I can get you whatever it is you need in return for your services." Sirzechs spoke in trying to see what other angle he could use
"Again, my answer to that is no. First and foremost, I am already allied with Azazel. Someone who can more than provide me with what I need." Anakin responded
"But I'm sure you would find it more advantageous to be allied with myself as well. After all, having two powerful benefactors is better than one." Sirzechs said in trying to suss out some way he could get Anakin onto his side of things
"While in most cases that would be true. I do not want an additional benefactor who would give me such things with strings attached to them. Strings that would have me yanked around at his beck and call, for whatever political or personal nonsense he desired...I am many things but someone's puppet is not and never will be one of them." Anakin responded his eyes briefly turning a luminous gold at the idea of being made a puppet again
The former Sith Lord had already suffered the indignation of being made a puppet and lapdog of Palpatine's schemes when he was Vader, he would not repeat the same mistake in taking the proverbial carrot offered by Sirzechs; a carrot that would see him being eventually enslaved to the whims of a siscon Satan. Something he would be damned to ever let happen in his new life and as such was where he would put his foot down when it came to capitulating to Sirzechs's whims.
"There must be some kind of agreement we can come to, there has to be…" Sirzechs tried to say but the piercing gaze of Anakin silenced him
"There is no agreement we can come to. There is nothing that can be traded, bartered or offered that can be given to me. There is no sob story about your younger sisters' happiness that can be said to sway my opinion. My decision on the matter is final. I will not ever, and when I say never I do mean never aid your sister in any capacity. Your sisters' marital problems are none of my concern, Lucifer." Anakin said with all the steel and irritated venom that came from his years as a mighty Sith Lord
"So if you are done wasting my time, then leave my sight and my home and never return." Anakin ordered the Satan having grown highly irritated in this man having wasted his time
'...I was hoping that it wouldn't have to come to this, but it seems I have no choice.' Sirzechs lamented in hating that he had to possibly resort to this option
"It seems as though you've angered the Satan." Ddraig spoke as he noticed a considerable spike in power from Sirzechs
"Duly noted, Ddraig. It seems as though I'll have to use my insurance option since he can not take no for an answer." Anakin responded through their mental link as he saw crimson and jet black energy form in Sirzechs's right hand
"Seeing that you refuse to do things in a peaceful manner, or negotiate. It seems as though I'm left with little choice but to resort to violence." Sirzechs said the P.O.D energy in his hand growing to the size of a tennis ball
"Is that supposed to frighten me? I have seen far worse things than that." Anakin responded unfazed Sirzechs's intimidation attempt
"I assume it wouldn't. However, this would be more than enough to kill you and allow me enough chance to bring you back as a Devil under my sisters' employ. I would rather not blast a hole through you to have you agree to my terms. But if this is what it takes to ensure Rias's happiness…..then so be it." Sirzechs spoke as the orb of pure annihilation was now the size of an over-ripened plum
"I must say that I'm actually impressed that you would have the nerve to do this. I really am...its been awhile since someone has had the gall to threaten me in my own home." Anakin said actually amused by this situation
"But tell me something, Lucifer. Do you really think that I wouldn't have something with me to even the odds?" Anakin asked the crimson-haired Satan while summoning the Boosted Gear
"While you may be the Red Dragon Emperor. I doubt that you have enough control over the Boosted Gear to think that it would be enough to overwhelm me." Sirzechs spoke while Anakin's stony-faced expression bore into him
"I'm not talking about the Boosted Gear. I'm talking about this." Anakin replied as out of the Boosted Gears' main gem he pulled forth Caliburn in all its majestic splendor
"...Where...Where did you get that?" Sirzechs spoke his eyes widening at the sight of the most powerful Holy Sword that Anakin now held in his right hand
"It matters not where I found it. However, I do know that this is among one of the most powerful holy weapons in existence. So while my power over the Boosted Gear in tandem with my own equally vast powers may not be enough. I figure that with this at my side it would give an immeasurable amount of trouble...maybe even kill you." Anakin replied in taking a considerable amount of satisfaction in seeing the composed look on Sirzechs's face turn into one of worry
"So go ahead and engage me in a meddlesome fight. However, in doing so..it will not end well for you. Granted I may risk defeat. Conversely, you will suffer far, far greater injuries than what I will. Enough to leave you weakened and have the vultures of you people come to take you out...Something I doubt you'd want. Therefore if you want to risk it all on the off chance you'd beat me and turn me into your sisters' thrall then by all means go ahead. Just know that before that happens, this holy sword will be through one of your lungs the moment you try and your corpse nailed to the doorstep of your family.." Anakin said as his eyes were now fully golden with bursts of crimson red within them as he released the full overwhelming power of the dark side and used it to unleash Force Horror onto the Satan
The crimson-haired Satan soon felt the orb in his hand dissipate as he felt the frigid malevolence of the dark side envelop him as Anakin glowered at him with unrestrained hatred; hatred that was far too immense for a boy of 17 years of age..Instead it felt like the rage, hatred and pain of a man who had seen enough war and death to last a lifetime as Sirzechs could only look upon the fearsome visage of the brunette and no longer see a teenager wearing the Boosted Gear.
No...what he saw was the towering form of an armored warrior clad in pitch-black armor; wielding a blade of crimson light in his hands, the towering form daring him to strike him down and promising nothing short of pure annihilation and agony. Sirzechs saw the promise Anakin would make as his own body riddled in a legion of slash wounds and caustic burns' that looked more as though a combination of a blender and hellhound pack had had its way with his body.
All the while the figure of Anakin held his body aloft for his entire family to see as it was tossed aside, before the dark lord went on a bloody rampage impaling and tearing through every last one of his family members, all with the ease batting aside a house-fly. The crimson-haired Satan only being able to watch in horror as this illusion..nee this horrific premonition played before him as the mutilated and headless corpses of his parents, son, wife and even his dear little sister were rendered nothing more than sundered corpses while Anakin stood there with a bloodied Caliburn in hand; resting upon the ruins of his home as though it were a perverse throne.
The most haunting thing of all wasn't the bloodied holy sword, or the golden eyes that held a spine-chilling hate beyond what any normal man should hold; it was the fact that he held the severed head of his sister in his free hand. As if to be a warning that if this were to pass his sisters' death would be on his hands for his brash decisions and that...that was something that made the crimson-haired Satans' blood run cold; the fear of his being the cause of Rias's death was something that petrified him to the core and left him a visibly shaken man.
"..So what will your answer be, Lucifer? Will you go through with this heinously idiotic threat? Or will you see reason and leave me alone? For I promise you the former will end in one way and one way only." Anakin questioned the crimson-haired Satan who looked pale as a sheet after seeing the incredibly life-like illusion presented
"..." Silence was all that was left as Sirzechs tried to compose himself after seeing all too real images and sounds of his family dying
"...It...It..seems as though..I have made a…. grave error in coming here….I...I will be taking my leave...My...apologies for having...disturbed you and intruded into your home." Sirzechs spoke the confidence his voice almost gone as he felt a cold sweat come over his from the experience of Force Horror
"Leave already..You have wasted both of our times in making an offer that was never going to happen." Anakin said to the Satan who after having been immensely rattled by the Force Horror's power teleported out of the Hyoudou household
"..That was a most impressive display of power. I didn't think you were capable of employing the power of terror in that manner." Ddraig spoke while Anakin proceeded to store Caliburn back inside of the Boosted Gear's pocket dimension
"As I've said before Ddraig. Now that I am no longer bound to either side any longer, I can finally become limitless. It just so happens that one of the many perks of becoming such, is that now I can finally instill fear on a level I could've only dreamed of as Vader." Anakin replied to the Heavenly Dragon
"So what will you do now?" Ddraig asked as Anakin then grabbed his lightsaber
"I'm going to train with my lightsaber for a few hours, I feel as though that will be an adequate use of my time until Asia returns." Anakin answered back as he decided to go outside and do some training to further refine his skills in swordsmanship
(The next day later, Gothenburg, Sweden, 11:13 Am, March 18th, 2018)
It was the following day as Hesiene was at her fathers' HQ discussing with him a plan to circumvent having to directly confront Rizevim while still ensuring the termination of Lucifer's spawn.
"I'm telling you, father, this is something we should've thought of ages ago." Hesiene told her father
"I agree with you wholeheartedly, Hesiene. In fact, I feel like such a fool for not having thought of this idea myself...Had I gone through with our original plan, we would've lost a considerable amount of our forces. Not only that but some of our key members as well." Kokabiel spoke feeling like an idiotic dullard for not having thought of the plan brought forth by his daughter
"You are fine, father. Besides, its not something that anyone would've thought of. After all, the idea of turning Ophis against Lucifer's own spawn is something that no one would really think to do. But it's something I feel will more than likely work to our advantage, all the while it more than minimizes the number of losses we'd suffer; had we tried to fight him directly." Hesiene replied knowing that her idea was something that not many would think to do when it came to terminating Rizevim
"Although how we will make this work is my biggest concern. Without viable evidence, we can't really make this work. Rizevim is many things, a conniving snake who knows how to worm his way out of things is one of them...Just like his wretched father and whore mother…." Kokabiel said the memory of that snake in the grass Lucifer made his blood boil
"Well, this could be Sathariel's best test yet for her skills in infiltration. After all, she could gather enough data and intel for us to use for this to work. Once she gathers the necessary information we need to have him dead to rights. We can watch as Ophis tears him to shreds." Hesiene responded knowing full well the fallen angel would be the best suited for this task
"In all the many decades she has served us, she has never failed in a task we've given her. Although the danger of being caught weighs heavily. If she is caught then…" Kokabiel wanted to say but the self-assured look on his daughter's face stopped him
"Trust me father, she won't be. I'm already working on spells that will ensure Sathariel's complete success on this mission. I would not bring up this idea unless I ran through every single detail and made sure I had something ready. So trust in this father and soon Sathariel will deliver to us; all we need to have Rizevim dead to rights." Hesiene spoke to assure her father
"..So long as you have covered all your bases, then I will sign off on sending Sathariel to do this…." Kokabiel spoke with an almost tired sigh
"I still can't believe after all this time, we're so close to eliminating Rizevim. Granted its not the way I imagined doing so..as I long since dreamed of running a blade through his black dead heart...However, this will have to do." Kokabiel said hating that he couldn't personally have Rizevim's head taken off his shoulders
"It's better than the alternative if we faced him as originally planned. The son of Lucifer is many things. But weak is not one of them. Its better we do things this way than risk a pyrrhic victory that leaves us ill-equipped for future plans." Hesiene replied knowing that this was better than their original plan of a more direct confrontation against the son of the Morningstar
The daughter of Kokabiel knowing that they would've suffered heavy enough losses in their original plan to launch a full-blown siege against Rizevim's stronghold; something that while they would've achieved victory against the son of Lucifer. It would've come at the heavy cost of their plans being set back by at least 30 to 50 years at best and a full century at worst, therefore going along with their plan to have Ophis do the dirty work instead was something much more feasible and something that would come with minimal loss to their forces.
"You make an amazing point...Now the only other thing left to do is prepare for our assault on the Vatican...Then after that we begin our assault on Heaven itself." Kokabiel spoke in anticipation and excitement on two of the biggest sieges that were in the works
"Neither can I father. Too think that we're about to pull off something that not even the Devils' would dare to do. Truly this is going to be a spectacular year for us." Hesiene replied still in disbelief of what they were about to do
"I agree, Hesiene. Sometimes I still can't believe it. Yet here we are after so many decades of waiting and planning." Kokabiel said his face lighting up with a malefic smile
"I especially can not wait to settle the score with Vasco. After over seventy years of waiting. I can finally finish claim the victory I should have had and make an example out of him." Kokabiel added as he was all too keen on tearing Vasco to ribbons when he and his forces laid waste to the Vatican
"The only question I have for after we lay waste to the Vatican and bring down the gates of Heaven. What will our next move be after that?..As this has been something I have been rather curious about for a very long time." Hesiene wondered as to what the next phase of things would be after they tore into the forces of Heaven and left them with their biggest bloody nose to date
"While we will celebrate after our victory over those two occasions. Our next step will be to prepare and make an absolute hell out of Kuoh. More importantly will be to kill off one of, if not both of the Satans' siblings that reside there. After all, what way to really set things off than by obliterating their precious little sisters." Kokabiel told his daughter before facing towards her
"Which is where you come in, Hesiene. Because the moment my forces take root in Kuoh and I give you the signal. You and Gadreel are to close off Kuoh to anyone or anything. I want that town turned into nothing short of a killbox for us to slaughter everything in sight. So the very moment I give you that signal, I want Kuoh Town to be cut off from everyone and everything...Are you up to the task?" Kokabiel informed his daughter of her secondary role for when Kokabiel and his forces came to Kuoh
"Don't worry father, I will make it so that Kuoh is nothing if not air-tight for when you arrive. There will be no escape for what we do to that town. It will be a bloodbath that neither of those brats have ever witnessed; when we enact our plan. I will make sure of that when we begin." Hesiene replied with a broad grin on her face
For the archmage of a fallen angel would take great joy in putting her skills in the arcane to great use in turning Koh Town into an inescapable slaughter zone; one in which her father and his forces would decimate everyone and everything as much as possible...The best part being that with her prowess that not even the Satans' would be able to breach it over even be able to have word reach them of what would happen before it was too late.
"Excellent. Until that time, keep to your post there. I do not want anyone there to suspect a single thing. What we do to Kuoh cannot be allowed to slip and be heard to anyone or anything." Kokabiel told Hesiene in wanting this information kept airtight in terms of who knew it
"I will more than make sure that this stays between us. Even if someone manages to find out, they will be dealt with swiftly and with extreme prejudice. On my talents as an archmage, I swear this to you." Hesiene promised her father
"Good. Now seeing as how it is nearly lunchtime. How about we go out for something to eat." Kokabiel suggested his voice taking on a total 180 into a more jovial and loving tone towards Hesiene
"I know the perfect place where we can grab some Swedish meatballs. They are simply to die for." Hesiene said to her father as both fallen angels spread their wings
"Then lead the way, my daughter. I wish to see if these meatballs are worth the hype you are putting behind them." Kokabiel spoke as the father and daughter duo soon took flight into the spring morning.
With Riser now having made his appearance into things and Rias's last hopes of getting out of it beyond her going into a seemingly hopeless Rating Game gone, things are looking bleak for the Gremory heiress. How will things proceed as Kokabiel's plans grow closer and closer to fruition? Find out in the all-new chapters of, A Sith Lord for a Dragon Emperor!
Now then onto some of the reviews from the last chapter.
edboy4926: Yeah, once we get into Part 2 and beyond of the story; Anakin will start using Caliburn more often and hopefully to greater effect than what we see Arthur use it in canon. Probably a lot considering that from what you mentioned both have achieved what the other desired. Anakin in being a terror that will span a greater legacy and effect than what Kokabiel could ever hope for and Kokabiel for having his progeny fight alongside and join him in his conquests and end-goal that will be later revealed in the story.
Zack Sager: Yeah it always bothered me how in canon and in stories on the site that when shit goes down Rias and her group never really go through the shit, no matter what she does in concerning her actions and basically gets off scot-free. This is why I'm setting the standard right here and now that people can and will die or get worse fates befalling them. Because it always did bother me that with how much of a threat Kokabiel was supposed to be that all he really amounted to was barely a C-tier level of a Saturday cartoon villain at best and at worst a villain you'd see in your standard Isekai anime to get later one-shotted by your 'power of friendship' wielding protagonist
Archangel Xireon Chaos God: Glad you liked how Hesiene pulled off what she did against Katerea, as that's really just scratching part of what she can do as an archmage. Not to mention that when I mentioned that no one was safe in the story, that meant everyone. Because regardless of its someone as cute as Le Fay or someone of the magnitude of Vali they can and will die if someone catches them slipping.
Alright, that takes care of that as we get into the Riser portion of the story and begin to near the end of Part 1 of the story. However, without further delay of things..let's get into it.
First up is the bit with Rias and an older Milicas which I hoped you guys liked. Considering that I got to do my take on a Milicas that feels a lot more believable in my opinion considering that its a real shame we don't get more stories in where there's an older Milicas in it.
Following that, we also get one in where Riser makes his official introduction, which I hope was enjoyed. Since I really wanted to do something other than the standard Riser is another pompous dickhead bit that is done to death so many times.
Afterwards we get Sirzechs trying and failing in his hail mary to get Anakin to help Rias. Since it always bothered me that no matter when a powerful MC says no to Rias that its all undone because Sirzechs sweeps in and makes the refusal pretty much worthless in its entirety.
Lastly we get Hesiene coming up with a workaround to dealing with Rizevim, something that makes a lot of sense to do when you think about it and more importantly let's me make Ophis be something to actually take more seriously.
Furthermore, the votes for Reya's Artificer Path are as follows. Artillerist pulling in a strong lead at 4 votes, Battle Smith at 2 Votes, Alchemist at a single vote, and lastly Armorer at zero votes.
All that being said I hope y'all enjoy this story and what's to come in the future chapters of it as well as favoriting, following and sending reviews so that we can hopefully make this a pretty decent story. As flames for the most part will be ignored unless you got anything nice to say or that helps the story then go somewhere else.
With all that being said this is Pravus666 signing off until next time. With the next chapter being Tsubasa coming with Anakin on a ride-along for one of his missions, so stay tuned for that.
Part 1 Theme Song: Sinner by Drowning Pool
Random End Song: Lifer by Down