The Games Start
"Issei Hyoudou" - Talking
'Issei Hyoudou'- Thought
"Issei Hyoudou" - Communication circle/phone
*Sounds*
[ Issei Hyoudou ] - Inanis
"Issei Hyoudou" - Draconic voice
It was now the day of the fated Rating Game, only half an hour before the scheduled starting time. As planned, we spent our last day relaxing to be wholly rested for this battle with the immortal bird.
During the day of the game, everyone returned to their residence, so they relax in maximum comfort. That applied to everyone in the peerage excluding Rias, Akeno, and Asia which all arrived at my place to rest together, Rias and Akeno because they wanted to spend time with their loved one, and Asia because she lived with me.
Once we all converged together back at the clubhouse, I was able to assess everyone's current states for the upcoming battle. Akeno and Rias seemed to be relatively calm on the outside, maintaining a professional appearance for to others, yet I could feel that they were both anxious for the game.
Rias was sitting at her desk scribbling down on papers trying to either create a plan or possibly improve upon the plan she already had. She would pretend to be calm and professional when talked to, but when left alone, she was clearly anxious.
Akeno was handing out her delicious tea to the other, trying to make them as comfortable as possible during the suspenseful wait. She would occasionally go around to check on the others, making sure they're all ok.
Asia was visibly anxious about the game, and it was almost upsetting to see. On her lap sat the Rating Game rule book as she frantically read through the pages.
Kiba was also visibly anxious about the game, albeit to a much lesser degree than Asia. He overall seemed calm, yet there were little noticeable details that gave it away, such as his constant fidgeting, tapping his foot for example or changing positions often.
Koneko is always a tough one to read, as her poker face was possibly the best one I've ever seen, and the fact that she acts emotionless most of the time. Although, with Kuroka being in the picture again, she might be more distracted by that than the game itself.
Wynter was doing about the same as Koneko, as her expression hardly changed. She always appeared to be calm and more or less neutral. If I were to guess, I would say she's excited yet a little anxious at the same time. Excited to fight, but worried for my mates Rias and Akeno.
As for myself, I couldn't help but be concerned, although it was more for Rias than myself. If by some reason I failed in this fight and broke my promise to Rias, I don't think I could ever face her again. Thankfully Inanis woke up from his slumber thought the final day, and we have been talking workshop about what they have as advantages.
Inanis mentioned something called the Phoenix tears, which apparently is a small amount of liquid in a vial that temporarily gave you the same regenerations speed of the famed Phoenix family. It provided the gift to heal any wounds, so long as the person was still alive.
Asia shut the large book, causing a loud noise, gathering small glances from everyone in the room. She let out a sigh placing her head into the palm of her hands.
"Hey, Asia, try to relax ok. I don't think continuously reading the rules will help anymore," Akeno softly said, placing her hands on Asia's shoulders, giving her a massage trying to calm Asia.
A bright silver circle lit up in the center of the room, grabbing everyone's attention. As the magic circle's light died down, Grayfia was revealed analyzing the room, stopping for a moment as she spotted me. "I've been sent here by the Devil King Sirzechs to gather you for the Rating Game."
Rias stood from her desk, with a new found gleam of determination lit in her eyes. "Alright everyone, let's show Riser, as well as the entire devil community what we're made of!" Rias declared
"RIGHT!" We all spoke in unison to Rias's show of confidence and determination.
We all gathered next to Grayfia to be taken to the field that we will battle on. Unfortunately, the battlegrounds aren't a set location, and they change each game. This means we couldn't properly form a strategy until we arrive at the field.
Grayfia transported us to a white room. On each side of the room held a wide circle that held each of the team's peerages. A small stairway leads up to a much smaller and higher elevated platform which held the Kings for the represented peerages.
Grayfia stood on her own individual platform that was located against the center of a wall so we can see her and the other peerage team and their King. Although, I think I would be quite pleased without seeing that arrogant ass ever again. A small magic circle formed in front of Grayfia's mouth, most likely a microphone.
"Greetings contestants, for any who are unaware, I am Grayfia, servant to the household of Gremory. I have been appointed a judge for the Rating Game between Lady Rias of the Gremory family, and Lord Riser of the Phoenix family." Grayfia spoke into the circle, her voice echoing across a speaker system for all to hear.
"For all who are unaware, this Rating Game is unofficial and is being held to determine the fate of the long made contract for the next born son of the house of Phoenix to wed the next born girl of the house of Gremory. This Rating Game will be aired to the public for live entertainment, with proper consent from each family. As unique viewers, the Devil King Sirzechs Lucifer, as well as the families from the represented contestants shall be watching this game from a VIP room."
Rias flinched as she heard the fact that her brother and family were watching. She must not have wanted them to watch, which of course I don't blame her. What I don't get is why Sirzechs agreed to this he wasn't the kind of person to do this when I was training with him.
My eyes widened in realization. I finally understood why Sirzechs really saved me that day. He didn't want to do this, he didn't want to force his sister into a contract that took away her happiness, but he didn't have a choice.
He must have known about the contracts sub-clause, so he took advantage of that and resurrected me to save his sister from a family that is rumored to be immortal. Smart bastard, I need to start giving him more credit.
I was shaken out of my thought as Grayfia continued with announcements. "The rules will remain unchanged, which means that the familiar Wynter will have full rights to participate in the fight. Also, Rias Gremory's Pawn will face no issues with his unannounced Longinus," I tensed up as I was hoping to keep it under wraps. I looked over to see Riser staring daggers at me with confusion, his eyes conveying that he demanded answers. He was also under the impression that I was a Knight, not a pawn.
'Whelp, there goes my element of surprise. Thanks, Grayfia' I mentally thought to myself.
"We have taken the preferences of both Rias Gremory and Riser Phoenix, we decided that the best-suited battleground would be a replica of Kuoh Academy, which is the educational facility that Rias Gremory and her peerage attend in the human world. When the games begin, each team will be teleported to their bases and will be given 5 minutes to plan. Rias Gremory's being the Occult Research Club Room, or more commonly known by the students as the old school building. Riser Phoenix's base will be located in the principles office in the new school building. Let the games BEGIN!"
As Grayfia finished her announcements to us, and I assume the audience that has decided to view the game, a bright silver light consumed us. As the light died down, we appeared in an exact copy of the ORC room.
Yet while it seemed precisely the same, there was clearly a difference in the energy that flowed through the air. The energy was blatantly announcing that we were in a separate dimension from the real world.
I opened the window to take a look outside. The sky was multicolored like a giant version of the Arora Borealis, as it looked like the sky itself was moving and shifting positions. "Damn, this is really weird," I commented gazing upon the sky.
"The sky, it's so pretty" Asia spoke, looking at the sky in awe. Akeno giggled at Asia's innocent amazement with the sight before her, as she has clearly depicted that she has never seen an alternate realm.
"It might look like it, but trust me, we're not at school anymore," Akeno chimed in. "That means we can do some real damage," Akeno spoke. Her face turning a shade of pink as she clasped her hands together in delight, showing off her sadistic side.
Rias held the palm of her hand out, allowing seven red spheres to form in her hand, each one of them making its way to one of us. "These will act as our communication devices. Keep in touch at all times to listen for future commands," Rias instructed to each one of us.
Kiba pulled out a map and laid it on the desk in front of Rias. Everyone gathered around the desk looking at the map with Rias to get our plans in order.
-VIP Lounge-
In a large room sat the Lords of the Phoenix and Gremory houses, accompanied by Sirzechs, Sona Sitri, and Serafall. The room was very ornate, being decorated with multiple gold items, covering as much as possible. The floor was a deep brown maple color being covered with a bright red and golden rug.
"Well Lord Phoenix, I'm afraid that I must apologize that it has come to this," Lord Gremory spoke as he made his way to his seat next to his old friend. "Although I doubt it will change the ending to this contract, I am ecstatic to see how my little princess does,"
"I am also ashamed that their relationship must start as so, but perhaps it will end up better this way," Lord Phoenix spoke. "If they test each other in combat, they may build a certain form of respect for each other," He suggested, attempting to keep positive about the events.
Lord Gremory appearance resembles that of a middle-aged, handsome looking man with long crimson red hair that is tied in a loose ponytail with a black hairband. He has bright blue eyes just like his two children, Sirzechs and Rias Gremory. He also has a short and red beard, or stubble might be better suited for it.
Lord Phoenix's appearance looked strikingly similar to his son Riser. He looked a little older than his son, as well as he was bearded, unlike Riser. He wore a formal attire as requested by the family head, unlike his son's playboy attire.
Both of the lords were sitting in their lavish chairs positioned in front of a large number of screens that rotated around the room as the cameras surveyed the battlegrounds. Two of the cameras displaying the peerages in their bases.
Riser and his peerage were lounging around in their current base. Already making it seem as if their victory was assured. It certainly was a well-earned pride to be sure, as their record already spoke for them.
Rias and her peerage were all gathered around the desk with a map of the grounds. They were all voicing their opinions freely in an attempt to create the best possible strategy to move forward with. However, a particular individual caught the eye of Lord Phoenix.
"Your daughter has quite the odd one there," he spoke. He rose his hand to point at the tallest of the peerage. A tall teenage boy with longish black spiked hair, his eyes a very peculiar shade of violet. He was dressed in a leathery black trench coat, black cargo pants, and combat boots. Yet under the coat revealed a skin-tight black shirt, defining his well-built body. "He appears to be quite calm, despite the severe disadvantage,"
"Perhaps he's just trying to comfort his allies by maintaining a confident and calm aura," Lord Gremory suggested, though he still wasn't certain if he was right. "I'm sure that they are all nervous in some form,"
Next to Lord Gremory sat his wife, Venelana Gremory. She had her gaze set on her daughter's servants just like the others and was highly concerned. Her daughter was playing a game of seven verses sixteen and held significantly less experience than her opponents. Yet because of her title as Lady Gremory, she couldn't object the whole affair, lest she risks tarnishing the Gremory name. However, the girl was still her daughter, and she struggled to keep her concern hidden from the two lords.
Everyone's attention was gathered as the doors opened, revealing the rest of the special guests, consisting of Sona Sitiri, Serefall Leviathan, and Sirzechs Lucifer. The rest of the individuals present in the room hastily stood and bowed to the two Devil Kings that entered the room.
"Please, there isn't a need for such a display here," Sirzechs chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "I do not arrive here as the Devil King, but as an older brother merely wishing to see his sister performance," He spoke sitting down next to his mother, waving at the attendant to politely hand out drinks to those present.
"Aw well if that's the case, my lord, would you be so kind as to indulge me? I'd like to get the opinion of a Super Devil on the matter." Lord Phoenix spoke, still trying to show high regards of respect to his King.
"As I said earlier, there's no need for formalities," Sirzechs insisted. "And I wouldn't mind providing an answer for your question," He spoke, turning his attention to the head of the Phoenix house.
"As a Super Devil, your power far outmatches our own," Lord Phoenix spoke. "So, I wanted to ask. How do you think the outcome of this match will be?"
Sirzechs tilted his head slightly in confusion, as Lord Phoenix was typically such a confident man, especially when it came to his house's power. Yet here he was, trying to get affirmation that his son will win this battle. Perhaps it was for bragging rights, or maybe it was something else, but it doesn't really matter.
Sirzechs turned his attention to the screens that presented the combatants. He sat in silence for a moment, pondering how to answer it. "I'm not sure," he finally answered. The two Lords were shocked that he didn't say Riser would win as they thoroughly believed that Riser couldn't lose this battle.
"In normal circumstances, I would say that Riser's victory would be assured, it is hard to beat someone whos immortal after all," Sirzechs continued. "However, Rias and her peerage are certainly unique, especially that boy there. I can sense a mysterious and powerful aura surrounding him," Sirzechs spoke, forming a sly smile on his face. His hand pointing to the violet-eyed boy.
-ORC Room-
"Alright everyone, remember I'm open to suggestions so if you have an idea say it," Rias spoke, all of us nodding in agreement. "The enemy base is just across the school grounds, meaning our bases are relatively close, making his number advantage even harder to deal with," Rias stated, pointing at the map.
"Cutting through the school ground would be quick, but they'd also see us from a mile away," I mentioned.
"Correct, and with their numerical advantage, we might as well be sitting ducks inviting their Pawns to promote themselves," Rias sighed, their numerical advantage was going to be really annoying as we can't efficiently defend and attack with so little pieces.
"What if we go through the track field and sneak in the back of his base, we should have the element of surprise on our side if we successfully do that," I suggested.
"That's true, but I wouldn't think so little of Riser. He's no fool, and that's the most obvious entry-point at our disposal, he will probably have it guarded," Rias pointed out.
"I'm presuming that he'll station a group Knights or Rooks with decent mobility right behind that athletic clubhouse, " Rias pointed out.
"I think we should secure the gymnasium first," Kiba spoke up. "It's adjacent to their home base, and not too far from ours either, but the main point is it can serve as a diversion for the other side,"
"I have to agree with Kiba on this," I agreed to gather the attention of the room. "The gymnasium appears to be a essential area on the battlefield. So, whoever captures it first will undoubtedly have a strategic advantage in the fight."
"That's a fair point. With the options at hand, I think that's the best plan of attack we currently have," Rias agreed. "Koneko, do you think you can get in there and lock it down?"
"No prob," Koneko spoke flatly.
"Doing this requires to spread our pieces thinly, so we'll need to secure a defensive perimeter. Kiba, Akeno I want you too to go set some traps around our base when the game starts," Rias instructed.
"Got it," They both responded.
"Akeno, when you two are done setting up the traps your illusion magic is going to come in handy, so be prepared to cover up your twos tracks," Rias instructed to her Queen.
"Um... Do you have any plans for Wynter, Issei, or me?" Asia asked quietly, timidly raising her hand in an attempt to get the others attention. Which it worked.
"Asia, you're my supporting healer, so you need to stay close to me and the base to keep you safe. If we lose you were going to be in major trouble out there," Rias spoke.
"Issei, for you and Wynter I decided to let you decide on how to move forward with this. I don't have any major plans in store for you, but I trust you completely to make the right choice, as for Wynter, well she is your familiar after all so its only right for her to be under your control." Rias spoke confidently, giving me a warm smile.
"Thank you, Rias," I responded with gratitude for her depth of trust. "In that case, Wynter I want you to accompany Koneko to the gymnasium, I'm sure she can handle it herself, but I don't want to take any risks."
"Yes, master," Wynter responded, giving me a small bow. I hope she knows she doesn't have to call me master.
"As for myself, I won't be fighting much. I will be flying in the sky keeping an eye on Rias, and will only intervene if were about to lose so don't expect me to save you in a tight situation," I spoke, confusing the others. Rias turned to me with a look of disbelief on her face.
"What? The game would go much faster if you fight along with us, you could take down his entire peerage by yourself!" She argued.
"That's precisely the problem. If I did all the work for you, then the training you went through would be completely useless. Remember that this isn't just a fight to determine who you marry, it's a chance to show the devil community what it means to be a Gremory. How do you expect to prove this to them if all you do is let someone else do the work?" I asked, the other peerage member slowly coming to agreement after they heard my reason.
"Don't worry though I have my own ways of helping," I spoke confidently, the other confused as to what I meant. I raised my hand, allowing it to be enveloped in black shadows. The shadows shortly after left the palm of my hand, flowing to each of the other peerage members.
The shadows wrapped around the others, slowly molding itself into a draconic style of plated armor. The gauntlets forming into sharp claws, just as sharp as the weapons I made for Wynter at the training session, and the greaves resembling that of dragon's feet. The chest plate held a violet dragon as a symbol, and the pauldrons were shaped like a dragon skull. The armor didn't come with a helm, allowing them to have a large field of view.
"This is a prototype for a team technique I've been working on, I call it the Draconic mantel. It's highly protective armor that I can cast on others, and because it's made of shadows, it makes it virtually weightless. However, it's still only a prototype so I wouldn't charge head first into battle with it yet," I spoke, observing how the others looked with it on.
The others moved around in their armor, breaking in the weird feeling. Kiba was the most interested in this development as he never wore armor because it weighed him down, but now he was in a full plated suit that didn't hinder him at all.
"This will come incredibly useful, thank you Issei" Rias spoke while admiring her new look, along with the others.
[Don't forget about the Phoenix Tears boy, so careless] Inanis spoke aloud, mentioning that I forgot to bring them up. My eyes widened as I couldn't believe how forget I could end up being at times when I had multiple things going through my head.
"That's a marvelous point. Typically speaking, they are allowed to use two per game and considering Grayfia didn't mention it, I assume that they are allowed to use them in this game as well," Rias spoke. "Do you have any ideas as to who may be holding them?"
"I would put them on the Queen and Bishop since Riser doesn't need them himself," Akeno suggested.
"That's a good point, so make sure to check those two for Phoenix tear, we don't want to have to fight his Queen twice," Rias instructed.
"Your time has expired, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!" Grayfia's voice echoed throughout the battlegrounds.
"Now then my adorable servants, let's show the Phoenix family, as well as the entire devil community what we're made of!" Rias declared out.
"RIGHT!" we all spoke in unison, each of us walking out of the door to do our part of the plan, except Rias, Asia, and I. The first two staying in the base for protection, and I jumped out of the window flying into the sky as high as the barrier would allow me.
Koneko and Wynter arrived at the gymnasium to met with a dark interior. The two were located on a stage that was slightly elevated from the lower level, providing a clear view of the entrance on the opposite side, closest to the enemy teams base.
"Presences. Enemy." Koneko muttered to herself, though Wynter managed to hear it as well. The lights suddenly flicked on, causing the two girls to squint slightly at the sudden change in brightness. However, this wasn't a problem for them as the glowing violet dragon mark on their armor already hindered their ability for stealth.
"We know your here servants of Gremory! We saw you enter the building." A female voice called out from the court of the room.
Instead of hiding, the two girls walked out in the middle of the stage. In the court greeting them stood four individuals of Risers peerage. "My name is Xuelan, Lord Riser's Rook." she announced cracking her knuckles as the two green haired twins stepping forward from behind her.
"I'm Ile-"
"And I'm Nel"
""We're Lord Risers Pawns!" They both announced in sync, revving the chainsaws that they both held in hand. Finally, the blue haired girl that wielded a staff stepped forward.
"And I am Mira, one of Lord Risers other Pawn!" She declared, spinning her staff and taking a defensive position.
"Wynter, take out the Pawns, I'll take care of the Rook," Koneko instructed. Wynter nodded, leaped off the stage down to the lower level, landing directly in front of the three Pawns.
"Issei, sister, it's time to put your training to the test," Koneko mumbled to herself. Her already deadly sharp gauntlets coating in white flaming ki. She lunged off the platform, barreling down to Xuelan.
Koneko's strike missed it's marked target as Xuelan quickly moved out of the way. Her punch slammed into the ground, breaking the floorboards of the impact area.
Xuelan launched herself towards Koneko, leaving herself wide open. Koneko ignited a flame on her foot and aimed a powerful kick into Xuelan's exposed side.
"Bye," Koneko quickly said, planting her ki covered foot into Xuelan's side. Riser's Rook adopted an expression of extreme pain as she coughed up blood from the powerful kick. Koneko's kick was already powerful, but her attack was amplified even more by the ki.
Xuelan keeled over on the floor next to Koneko, blood dripping from her mouth. "You bastard... what did you do?" She questioned, looking up to Koneko from the floor.
Koneko didn't bother providing an answer and instead delivered a harsh ax kick to the kneeling Rook's head, knocking her unconscious. The Rook emitted a blue glow from her body, shortly after vanishing from sight.
"Lord Riser's Rook has been eliminated"
"Thank you Issei... and sister, your training has made me much stronger" Koneko mumbled to herself with a satisfied smile plastered across her face.
Koneko turned her attention to Wynter's ongoing fight with the Pawns. Wynter was placed at a fair distance from her three opponents in a combat stance. Her stance wasn't able to be considered good, yet it was a massive improvement from her debut at the training camp.
""We'll chop you to bits!"" The two Pawns declared, charging toward Wynter with the chainsaws raised above their heads, ready to swing down on the familiar.
Wynter swiftly raised her arms, catching the spinning blades of the chainsaws within her armored gauntlets. The chain on the blades of their weapons began getting caught on Wynter's gauntlet, causing them to malfunction, black smoke spewing from the motors.
Ile and Nel eyes widened, adopting expressions of shock as Wynter clamped down on the chain saws, throwing them against the wall causing them to break apart. "Your weapons are weak, my masters are not," Wynter declared as she dashed forward slicing open the stomachs of the two Pawns with the claws on her gauntlet.
Wynter turned to see the two Pawns fallen to the ground in a pool of their own blood, struggling to stay awake as not to be removed from the game. Her observation was interrupted as Mira slammed her staff into Wynter's shoulder, only for it to bounce off the armor with no effect.
Mira's eyes went wide as she saw he staff have no affect against the armor, but was cut off from her shock as Wynter quickly spun around, planting her armored heel into the side of Mira's head, knocking her unconscious instantly.
"Three of Lord Riser's Pawns have been eliminated."
"Three of Lord Riser's Pawns have been eliminated."
'It seems Koneko and Wynter did their jobs well, good.' I thought to myself as I listened to the announcement from above the battlegrounds. All that's left now is for them to leave the building so we can continue with our plan.
[Issei, do you feel that?] Inanis questioned
'Yeah, whatever or whoever that is has enough power to break through my armor,' I mentally spoke to Inanis. I'm not sure what it was, but there was a mass of gathering power above the gym.
I spotted Koneko and Wynter as they left the building, taking shelter a short distance away. The building was soon engulfed by a massive flash of lighting that Akeno managed to summon. The brightness fading revealed the remaining rubble of the building. Looking above the mass wreckage Akeno's figure hovered in the air, electricity swirling around her body. Debris from the exploding building still falling from the sky.
[That was an awful bold plan for you all to improvise.] Inanis critiqued. I couldn't tell if he was impressed or concerned, his voice was more or less sounded the same.
'Bold but efficient,' I mentally responded. 'If we kept the gym intact, then we would have to waste pieces to protect that strategic area advantage, so Riser couldn't reclaim it. However, if we blow the building sky high, then we don't have to worry about him retaking the point, and we won't have to waste time protecting it," I explained, for Inanis to just grumble in acknowledgment.
"Alright, Akeno did a perfect attack on the building, that completes the first phase of our plan," Rias's voiced spoke through the communication devices.
"Unfortunately an attack of that size is quite strenuous, so we'll need to buy her some time for recovery. We'll head out as soon as Akeno's demonic energy recovers, so I leave it to you all to move us into phase two" Rias encouraged through the communication ball, thingy.
"You got it Ri~" Koneko's voice cut out, being replaced with static white noise, shortly after a shock wave blowing by me. Looking down to where they were, I spotted a raging inferno of flames swirling around where Koneko and Wynter were once located.
Fortunately, it seems that Wynter was able to dodge the blast leaving her more or less un-phased. However, Koneko was nowhere to be found and was most likely directly hit. The intense flames faded, confirming my suspicions as Koneko laid in a charred crater, her armor and clothes burned to ash off her body.
Looking back into the sky, another figure was present. Riser's Queen hovered above the crater, flames swirling around the staff she held in her hand. She wore an arrogant smile on her face, clearly confident that she couldn't lose.
"You dare hurt one of my master's allies? I will cut you to pieces!" Wynter growled, her ears angling backward like a wolf in a fight. Riser's Queen just laughed from her elevated position in the air.
"When your hunting, one of the best times to strike is after they accomplished something when their guard is down leaving them at their most vulnerable, you of all people should know that dog," The Queen spoke, disdain filling her voice. "You have so little pieces that even losing one is a substantial detriment, right? You can never defeat Lord Riser, even if you do manage to get past us,"
Akeno flew down, landing next to the injured Rook. She gently lifted Koneko up, allowing Koneko to rest in her arms. "...Akeno..." Koneko weakly spoke. "... I'm sorry ... I wanted to be useful to our King, to everyone ... I let you all down," Koneko muttered, being enveloped in blue light.
"You and Wynter completed the first phase of our plan, so you were a tremendous help to our master. Now go get some rest," Akeno spoke gently, Koneko fading from her arms.
"Lady Rias's Rook has retired"
"Wynter, stick to the plan and go to the court with Kiba," Akeno instructed. "Kiba will need help preparing for the second phase, so he'll need your help. Don't worry, I fully plan to avenge Koneko."
Wynter hesitated a moment, she wanted to fight the Queen who took out Koneko, but she knew Akeno was right. She conceded and took off to meet with Kiba, leaving Akeno and Riser's Queen together.
"I've always wanted to fight you, Priestess of Lightning," Risers Queen admitted, smiling down at Akeno. Akeno chuckled as she flew up to equal heights as the enemy, her electricity shocking around her, forming a yellow aura.
"My my, such an honor, Bomb Queen. I'd be careful if I were you though, I've been told I'm quite strong," Akeno condescendingly spoke. Lighting dancing around her fingertips.
"Tch, I've been told the same, so I hope your not a disappointment!" Riser's Queen declared, pointing her staff at Akeno and releasing a blast of flames. Akeno used her increased speed from our mate link to nimbly dodge the blast with ease.
Quickly retaliating, Akeno shot a sharp blast of lightning at the Queen. Riser's Queen managed to narrowly dodge the attack wearing a slightly panicked expression.
"Judging by that expression, you won't last long if you get hit. Dodge while you can," Akeno spoke, giggling to herself. Akeno continued to launch bolt after bolt at the enemy. Riser's Queen managed to dodge the attacks, firing another sphere of roaring flames in retaliation.
Akeno blocked it with a defensive magic circle, quickly moving to the side firing a beam of lightning at the enemy. Riser's Queen raised her own defensive circle in an attempt to block Akeno's attack only for the beam of lightning to break through after a few seconds of contact.
The beam slammed into the torso of the Queen, causing her to erupt out with a scream of pain. "My, I didn't expect you to have such a pretty scream Bomb Queen," Akeno taunted, licking her lips as her face flushed a red color.
"..damn it, I'll kill you!" Riser's Queen roared angrily. She rose her staff into the air forming several different kinds of attacks with a variety of elements, launching the all at Akeno.
Akeno, once again, raised her defensive magic circle which completely negated the effectiveness of the spells. Releasing the barrier, Akeno proceeding to fly up close, grabbing the enemy Queen by the wrist tightly and placing her other hand against the Bomb Queen's chest, next to a pocket on her outfit.
"Judging by your condition, I'd say this fight is over. And I was having so much fun," Akeno whined. Riser's Queen's eyes widened, yet she didn't even have a chance to struggle against her grip before Akeno released another powerful shock from the hand placed on her chest.
Steam simmered off of Riser's Queen as she fell from the sky limp, landing against the hard ground with a loud thud. She groaned in pain, looking up to Akeno, forming a sly smile.
"...It's not over yet... I still have~" Riser's Queen stopped speaking, her face switching to shock and confusion as she searched her pockets. "Where- Where the fuck is it!"
"Are you looking for this?" Akeno question as she floated down in front of the enemy Queen. She pulled a small tear-shaped vial that was filled with a pink liquid from her pocket with a smug grin. Riser's Queen's face switched to that of shock and rage upon seeing the vial.
"How did you know? How did you know we'd have them?!" Riser's Queen demanded as she made an attempt to stand up, only to fall back down on her knees.
"Please, your group uses these things almost every game. It would be more shocking if we didn't know," Akeno spoke with a mocking tone. She pointed her finger at Riser's Queen, forming a powerful bolt of lighting.
"Three of Lord Riser's Pawns have been eliminated,"
"Oh my, it seems Kiba has finished up, suppose I should too. Next time, don't underestimate Rias Gremory, or her servants," said Akeno shortly after firing the bolt of lighting at the kneeling Queen. She wore a smile on her face from hearing the screams of her enemy, her sadistic side in ecstasy.
"Lord Riser's Queen has been eliminated,"
"Three of Lord Riser's Pawns have been eliminated,"
"Well done Kiba, it's unfortunate to say, but Koneko was taken down so you and Wynter won't have extra support for the next phase," Rias spoke through the communication devices.
"Lord Riser's Queen has been eliminated."
"Ah good, it seems Akeno finished off the Bomb Queen. I'm going to bring her back to base to discuss further actions, you to keep with the current plan." Rias instructed.
"Yes, Rias" Kiba responded, he and Wynter taking a quick breather in a hidden area.
"Damnit, I feel bad for Koneko. She was really pumped for this match..." Kiba spoke, hiding to rest behind the sports shed with Wynter.
"Indeed, she must be quite upset. However, her performance in the gym was most exemplary, I'm sure Issei and Rias are proud of her." Wynter mentioned, but before Kiba could comment on that remark Rias's voice echoed through the communicators.
"Thanks to that untimely development we've had a change in plans. I'm launching a sneak attack on their main base with Asia and Akeno, so I want you to draw as many of the enemies away from the entrance as you can to buy us time," Rias instructed her new plan to the others.
"But, you're our King, if we lose you, we lose the entire game, so don't you think this is too risky?" Kiba objected her ideas.
"If we can strike Riser with enough power at once, we may just win, but in order to do that I need you and Wynter to draw out the others," Rias insisted with her plan.
"Don't worry, remember that if things turn for the worst, I will interview to personally wipe the floor with him and the remainder of his team," I reassured our Knight. Kiba sighed, reluctantly agreeing to comply with the plan.
"Alright, looking down at the field I can see a Knight, a Rook, and a Bishop, however, I can feel more presences down there," I informed the two.
"... That's an imposing defense," Wynter muttered to herself.
"Be careful. I won't be able to give you any more information on them, I'll be to busy keeping a check on Rias and the others," I informed them.
"Got it," Kiba spoke. "You ready to show Issei how strong we've become Wynter?"
"Yes, let's kick their ass," Wynter excitingly spoke, both her and Kiba running out onto the court, no attempt at surprise attacks or stealth.
"Stop hiding and fight cowards," Wynter taunted as she reached the center of the field. Her taunt was met by laughter as an armored figure emerged from the outskirts of the soon to be battlegrounds.
"I am Karlamine, a Knight in the service of Lord Riser," The girl announced continuing her slow pace out into the field. Her hand firmly on the hilt of her blade, removing it from the sheath and cloaking it in orange flames.
Kiba stepped forward, gripping his own blade. "I am a Knight in service to Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto!" Kiba announced loudly, quickly drawing his own sword. "I'm looking forward to fighting another Knight," he spoke, shifting into a battle stance.
Kiba and Karlamine launched at each other, sounds of steel clashing echoing from their fight. Karlamine attempted to overpower Kiba with her flaming blade, only to be surprised by the steam that trailed her sword after they clashed.
"What the? What are you doing Knight," Karlamine questioned, jumping back, gaining distance between her and Kiba.
"My sword has ice and water properties to it. Your flames won't have much of an effect on me," Kiba confidently spoke with a sly grin.
"Well if that's the case, then I'll beat you down with my superior swordsmanship!" Karlamina shouted, launching herself back at the blond Knight.
The two clashed blades many times, rapidly moving across the field with their Knightly speed. Wynter was just about to help Kiba but was interrupted by the rest of Riser's pieces walking onto the battleground between the two.
"Silly Karlamine, all that's in that head of her's is swords, swords, swords. Well, whatever, so long as she doesn't lose I don't mind her fighting him one-on-one," The petite Bishop spoke. Her attention turned to Wynter, her drill like blond hair swaying with the motion.
"Why hello there, little devil," she condescendingly spoke, walking towards Wynter. As she did, the other members encircled Wynter, causing her to smile in excitement.
"You know, I must say, I'm a bit concerned with Rias's taste in gentlemen. That one is quite handsome, but he's a sword freak. The other one that supposedly stole her from my brother," She spoke, disdain filling her voice upon mentioning me.
'Well, he looked like an uncivilized brute, barely emitting any aura at all. Not to mention that he was so cowardly that he isn't participating in the Rating Game, opting to hide somewhere instead," she mocked.
Wynter gritted her teeth and clenched her fists upon hearing the harsh words thrown to her master. "If I were you, I wouldn't judge so quickly," Wynter growled. She was taking deep breaths to keep her composure.
"Well, it doesn't matter, either way, you're still going to lose," She confidently chuckled. 'Let's get this over with, and I don't fight. Isabella!" She commanded, causing the Rook wearing a biker getup and a mask covering half her face to jump forward.
"My name is Isabella, a Rook in the service of the honorable Lord Riser Phoenix," She announced, adopting a fighting stance. "Who are you, I don't recall seeing you in that tiny club room," Isabella Questioned.
"My name is Wynter, I'm a familiar to my master Issei," She proudly spoke, adopting a fighting stance of her own. The others looked surprised upon hearing that a familiar was participating in direct conflict, It wasn't unheard of but still uncommon.
Isabella jumped forward, lashing out with rapid punches. Wynter dodged all of them with ease, as she was moving at a pretty slow pace, but clearly wasn't going all out.
Ducking under a punch, Wynter sent a hard blow directly into Isabella's stomach. "You're to slow," Wynter pointed out as she threw the Rook back sliding against the ground. I wasn't enough for severe damage, but if definitely hurt.
Isabella lifted herself off the ground, rubbing the area she hit slightly in an attempt to ease the pain. She looked back up with Wynter directly in front of her with a fist reared back for a strong punch. She quickly rose her arms, blocking the blow with her forearms.
Isabella was sent skidding farther back, gritting her teeth from the much harder punch that was sent to her from Wynter. Wynter stopped her pursuit and adopted a more defensive position.
"Isabella!" The blond headed Bishop shouted, grabbing the attention of the two fighters. "Don't disappoint my brother,"
"Y-Yes, Lady Ravel," Isabella nervously responded, proceeding to jump back into the action.
She once again released a flurry of punches and kicks towards Wynter who managed to block them, yet it continued to get more and more difficult as she increased her pace. She was clearly taking this much more seriously.
Wynter started having a hard time blocking and dodging all of the attacks sent out by the Rook. A blow managed to slam into Wynter's right pauldron, narrowly missing her head. A slight crack formed into the armor, proving my earlier warning that these were just prototypes, not ready to take hits directly yet.
This caused Wynter to jump back away from the attacking Rook, as if she got through that armor she would have a much harder time with the battle, and she still has upcoming opponents.
"That's all it took to make you retreat? Pathetic, it's a shame I can't fight your Master,"" Isabella mocked. Wynter was about to speak up but was interrupted by a loud crashing sound, followed by bright violet and black lights emitting from her right.
"Well ain't it your lucky day," I spoke walking out of the small crater I formed from the impact, my draconic features concealed. "Wynter, go take care of the two cat Pawns over there, I can handle the Rook and Knight," I instructed which she nodded and charged the two without question, as she was fully confident in my ability to handle her.
"As for you two, come at once or separately, it won't change the outcome of this fight either way," I confidently spoke, slowly walking towards the two servants of Riser.
"Your right, it won't change it," Isabella spoke with anger at how lightly I was taking them. She threw a hard punch at me, only for her to completely miss as I disappeared from her vision. She glanced around in confusion as she tried to find where I went.
Suddenly her body was overwhelmed with feelings of fear, panic, and dread. Allowing her instincts to take over she ducked in cowardice and fear, my leg quickly swinging over her head, perfectly aligned with where she once stood.
Her eyes widened at the sight of my attack, but before she could move a powerful gust of wind sent her violently sliding against the ground, the burst of wind was accompanied by a loud boom that echoed through the Rating Game arena.
Isabella slowly sat up in shock, the entire battlefield went silent as all the attention was now on me. "What the hell did you just do?!" Isabella demanded, her eyes wide and her body shaking in extreme panic and shock. She clenched her sides in pain, as her body was bruised and battered, patches of her clothing dyed a crimson hue by her blood.
"That was just a kick, although it happened to be fast enough to break the sound barrier. The only reason the wind affected you was because of how close you where though," I explained, shocking everyone, especially my allies as they just started to realize how much I held back against them.
"That's impossible! Your Lie~" Isabella started screaming but was interrupted by my fist slamming into her gut, causing her to spit out large amounts of saliva, bile, and blood. Isabella quickly passed out and started glowing a blue hue.
"Lord Riser's Rook has been eliminated," Grayfia announced
'I wonder how the others are handling their fights' I thought to myself turning my attention to the others. Starting with Kiba.
They were still going at it, swords clashing together, the sounds of metal screeching across the field. Kiba shattered her sword with his own. She managed to draw a dagger from her belt that engulfed itself with violent roaring flames.
Kiba responded by changing his current blade into an odd shape. At the tip sat a diamond-like structure with a hollow middle, containing a small black hole. The hole started to act like a black hole, sucking in the flames from her dagger, allowing him to quickly slash his sword across her chest, knocking her out and causing mass blood loss.
"Lord Riser's Knight has been eliminated,"
Turning my attention over to Wynter, I could see her combating both Pawns at once. They were throwing a rapid amount of kicks and punches in coordination with each other. Wynter was dodging them with relative ease throwing light kicks and punches in for counterattacks.
Wynter spotted an opening and took advantage of it, planting her knee in one of the Pawns causing her to keel over in pain. She quickly caught the punch from the other, proceeding to slam her fist into the side of her head, knocking her out instantly.
She turned around to face the other Pawn still on the ground. Wynter quickly raised her lead prepping for an ax kick, slamming her heel into the back of the Pawn's head knocking her unconscious.
"The last two of Lord Riser's Pawns have been retired," Grayfia announced.
Both Wynter and Kiba quickly ran over to me across the courtyard grounds that our battle to part on. We convened in the center of the courtyard, both Wynter and Kiba were short of breath from their fight.
"You two look tired," I mentioned seeing their condition. "Perhaps I should have increased your training regimen," I chuckled.
"Oh please, all you've been doing is floating in the air all match," Kiba objected, gaining a nod from Wynter. I only laughed at their response. However, it was cut short by the sound of a blade swinging behind me.
I quickly turned around to catch a large Zweihänder by the blade with my hand. I looked up to see the other Knight that was supposed to fight me. She wore an angry expression, most likely upset at how I took down her ally.
I decided to end it quickly, as I wanted to spend as little time as possible away from Rias. I gripped the blade tightly, ripping it from her hands and throwing it away. The Knights jaw dropped as I easily disarmed her, and I quickly took advantage of her shocked nature, jumping into the air performing a spin kick, planting my heel into her temple.
Her head slammed onto the ground with a deafening crack sound, no signs of any consciousness within her. Blood dripped from her mouth as it pooled around her head. Her body went limp as she started to glow a blue color, fading away.
"Lord Riser's final Knight has been eliminated," Grayfia announced.
"You want to explain what you're doing here?" Wynter questioned. "According to the plan, you were supposed to be watching over Rias's battle,"
"That's right, you know if Rias get eliminated, we all lose right?" Kiba followed up, clearly displeased that I wasn't watching Rias.
"Yes that is what the plan said, but Akeno and Asia are with her, so she has a good amount of help, and I figured it would be more beneficial to help you two to arrive sooner," I justified my reasoning.
They still didn't seem too satisfied with my risky play, but they also couldn't deny the merits that my attempt brought with it as well. Turning around, I spotted the lone Bishop who I overheard call Riser her brother.
"Before we go I have something I need to take care of first," I spoke walking towards the lone Bishop. "You called your self Ravel correct? I also believe I heard you mention being Riser's little sister, am I mistaken?" I questioned, continuing my slow pace to her.
"That's correct, b-but why is someone as lowly as you interested in that? You're lucky I even answered your question to begin with," Ravel bluffed, trying to maintain composure from the overwhelming instinct to run and hide surging through her.
"Seeing as your his sister, it wouldn't surprise me if you had a Phoenix Tear on you," I mentioned, stopping right in front of her. "I have a feeling something like that would be quite helpful to us,"
"Y-You have Twilight Healing, why would you need even more healing?" Ravel questioned, attempting to back away but was stopped by me grabbing onto her wrist.
"I wasn't asking for your permission to have it," I spoke lowly, reaching into one of her pockets and pulling out a small tear-shaped vial filled with a pink liquid. I pocketed the vial turning away from the cowering Bishop.
"A-Aren't you going to finish me?" She questioned, she and the others confused as to why I didn't eliminate her.
"You already said yourself that your not a fighter, so you don't pose any threat to us, and I'm not a fan of hurting people needlessly," I reasoned, continuing my walk back to the others. Ravel's cheeks flushed a red color upon hearing my comment, she quickly stood up to speak.
"W-Well don't think that will save you, idiot. You can't beat an immortal!" She yelled, quickly spreading her flaming wings and flying up to where I assumed her brother was.
'Some people are so stuck up, then again she is a spoiled little girl,' I mentally thought, letting out a sigh of relief. "Alright, you two proceed to Rias, I'll fly back up into the air and watch over you and Rias," I instructed.
The two nodded and proceeded to do as instructed as our plan was back on track. I released my wings and provided a powerful thrust launching me into the air back to my previous height.
On the roof of the new school building, stood Riser with a smug look spread across his face, his breathing was ever so slightly labored from his ongoing battle with Rias and Akeno, who both appeared to be in a much worse condition that he did. Their clothing and armor were torn in multiple places, their body was covered in bruises and sweat, their breathing heavily labored. Asia laid unconscious in Akeno's arms, exhausted from her constant use of her Sacred Gear.
Their attention was distracted by the sound a loud explosion emitting from the courtyard where Kiba, Wynter and I were fighting. The explosion was followed by the sound of Grayfia's voice echoing through the Rating Game arena.
"Lord Riser's Rook has been eliminated,"
A few moments passed and right as Riser was about to strike at Rias again, another announcement rang throughout the arena.
"Lord Riser's Knight has been eliminated."
"It appears I underestimated the abilities of your servants Rias, they are stronger than I gave credit," Riser's spoke, a smug grin forming across his face. "Though your most influential piece is your Queen, and she's right beside you just as injured as you are, not to mention that your Twilight Healer is drained of energy, and your Queen already used the stolen Phoenix Tear on you, so your out of healing items," Riser chuckled.
Rias adopted an expression of extreme anger, unleashing multiple blasts at Riser. The blasts would have done severe damage to an average person, but Riser healed them off as nothing ever happened to him.
"Give it up Rias, no matter how many pieces you possess, you won't ever be able to defeat me," Riser confidently spoke sending blasts of flames back at Rias in retaliation.
"Lord Riser's final two Pawns have been eliminated," Grayfia announced. The announcement giving Rias a boost in confidence.
"Don't get cocky Riser, you still haven't won!" Rias retorted, releasing even more of her destructive power in twine with Akeno's lightning. As usual, Riser just healed the damage as if nothing ever happened.
"Lord Riser's final Knight has been eliminated," Grayfia announced, interrupting Riser from retorting to Rias.
Ravel appeared into view shortly after, her flaming wings carrying her up to the roof they were standing upon. "Brother!" She called out as she flew closer to them. "It appears that we are the only two left and that mysterious "Pawn" showed himself, he may be stronger than we initially thought," Ravel warned.
"That's fine, my little sister. I can easily wipe out the rest of their filth," Riser pointed his finger down to the court where Wynter and Kiba were charging the new school building.
A highly concentrated beam shot from Riser's finger at alarmingly high speeds, the beam shattered through the armor that I constructed, piercing both of them in the chest. They both fell to the ground as they coughed up their own blood.
"KIBA! WYNTER!" Rias, Akeno, and Asia all respectively called out
"Lady Rias's Knight, as well as Issei Hyoudou's familiar, has been eliminated,"
"Just resign Rias. If you do, I'll stop hurting you precious servants," Rise spoke mockingly.
Rias didn't speak back but instead opted to send a blast of destruction towards Riser, blasting a good chunk of his face off.
"Don't you get it yet Rias," Riser began, his wounds engulfed in flames healing almost instantaneously. "You'll never be able to beat me." he confidently spoke.
Rias was about to retort, but glancing up she noticed me with my wings spread wide flying above them. She gained a sly smirk, knowing what was about to happen.
"What's with your smile Rias dear? Are you finally warming up to the idea of marrying me?" Riser questioned her sudden change in attitude.
"In your dreams, Riser! I'm smiling because this game is about to end, your going to lose." Rias confidently spoke.
"Maybe you should have chased those other girls who you said are so willing to marry you," Akeno boldly mocked, noticing why Rias was so confident now.
"Shut your mouth you ignorant piss-ant" Riser snapped, as Akeno's words seemed to hit a nerve. "Your King doesn't have any more viable pieces left, there isn't any hope she could beat me~."
Riser stopped mid-sentence, and his arrogant grin faded as he felt an enormous surge of power off to his side.
He turned to see what it was but didn't even turn halfway before a scaled tail slammed into the side of his head, launching him off the building and into the ground beneath us forming a small crater where he landed.
"Brother!" Ravel shouted out in shock. She wasn't able to see Riser due to the cloud of smoke and rubble that covered where he landed. However, she did turn and behold it was I who hit him.
I landed down on top of the new school house, breathing out a deep sigh of relief. "Aaaah, that felt good. Seeing you hurt my allies, as well as my mates like that really pissed me off, so it's nice to let out a bit of my pent up frustration,"
"You- Who the hell are you? Rias wouldn't be able to hide someone as powerful as you, we would've known about you," Ravel questioned, her voice filled with anger at my treatment of her brother.
"That's partly because she doesn't even know a fraction of my true strength," I spoke, smiling at her. I turned facing Rias and the others giving the Phoenix Tear to Akeno. "Give that to Asia, it should restore her which would allow her to heal both of you," I advised.
Akeno did as I suggested bringing Asia back to consciousness and fully restored. "W-Whats going on?" Asia questioned looking around her surroundings, her eyes landing on me and then turning back to Akeno.
"Issei gave you a Phoenix Tear so you could recover and heal us," Akeno happily responded, her head turning over to me. "And I don't think we'll have to fight anymore," She confidently spoke.
My smile faded as I turned back to face Riser, whose body was covered in his flames as he recovered down in the crater I had formed. In the corner of my vision emitted green light, indicating that Asia was healing the others.
"As much as I agree with you Akeno, it's a bit frustrating having a servant who is so much stronger than their master," Rias spoke while being healed. "His power, well... it's incredible," Rias spoke, biting her lip.
Riser's flame died down, revealing a perfectly intact smug grin. His shoulder blades lit ablaze with his flaming wings as he flew up and landed on the roof in front of me as if nothing just happened. He looked more annoyed than injured.
Everyone, except his sister, wore faces of surprise and shock at how he handled the attack. Sure, he did take damage, but after a few seconds, he healed and acted as if nothing happened at all.
"Judging from your surprised expression, you must not understand how my abilities work, low born." Riser begrudgingly spoke to me, disdain filling his voice still clearly angry towards my relationship with Rias. "Tell me, you have great strength, who are you? You clearly aren't a normal human like I previously thought," He questioned.
I was confused by his display but decided to muse him either way. "My name is Issei Hyoudou, I'm a fire dragon and devil hybrid. My mother was half dragon and half devil, my father was a full-blooded dragon," I answered, flaunting my draconic features. "I'm also Rias Gremory's mate,"
Riser burst out in laughter at my words, tears filling his eyes as he struggled to breath from his intense laughter. Once he calmed down, he wiped away tears from his eyes as he turned to RIas.
"My Rias, I didn't know your standards have fallen so low. If your heart has been stolen by this creature, you should be head over heels for me," Riser spoke.
"Don't You dare speak of him like that Riser!" Rias screamed. "He is my precious servant, not only that but he's more," She passionately spoke, glaring daggers at Riser, Akeno nodding in agreement.
"Oh please, he already admitted to having a half bread mother, as well as a filthy reptile for a father," Riser continued to mock. "He's a filthy hybrid at best, a rabid monster at worst,"
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists in anger. [Stay calm, he's trying to anger you] Inanis mentally spoke to me. I knew he was right, but I couldn't help it.
"Nothing to say, low-class freak? I'm glad, I only hope I can hear you scream in agony and anger when you fail to beat me and watch me take Rias as my own," Riser spoke
'That's it!' I mentally yelled. I formed my usual shadow scythe in my hands and dashed towards the arrogant phoenix. I quickly swung the scythe down upon him, both hands gripping that handle for the utmost force.
Riser didn't even attempt to dodge or block my attack, merely letting the blade cut clean through his body, severing his chest in half with the diagonal slice. However, flames erupted from the cut area between him, covering the wound completely only to fade and reveal him and his clothing in pristine condition. I sliced and sliced and sliced, only to receive the same results.
"Stop this fruitless endeavor, low-class scum. You cannot win this battle." Riser spoke as he took a deep breath as if the little effort he was exerting was a chore. "Or you know what? Keep trying. Run yourself ragged. I am the Phoenix, a high-class devil, and the master of flame and wind! You dragons had your glory, but now you're almost extinct, and now the skies belong to us and us alone!" Riser yelled, his arms outstretched as if he was celebrating.
I stopped swinging my scythe at him, as he was right, it was pointless. So I decided to alternate my strategy. Riser looked at me curiously as he watched me halt my onslaught of attacks.
"What's this? Have you finally realized that the Phoenix Clan's immortality is absolute? A set piece of reality? If so, tell me. What can a freakish hybrid like you hope to do to me?" Riser sneered at me, his last wound healing up completely.
"Beat the shit out of you of course," I bluntly spoke. "After seeing your regenerative capabilities up close, I'm pretty sure I can kick your ass easily," I confidently spoke, a sly smile on my face as I moved my fist behind my back, lighting it up with my void flames.
"What?! How dare~." Riser was cut off as I slammed my flaming fist directly into his ribs. Loud cracking noises could be heard from Riser, a clear indication that had I shattered his bones. Riser quickly fell to the ground coughing up small traces of blood, gasping to catch his breath, and gritting his teeth in pain.
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?! WHY DOES IT BURN?!" Riser screamed. He was tightly gripping the side that I had hit, kneeling on the ground in agony. I merely crouched down in front of him, patronizing the devil.
"Don't worry, the pain will go away, whenever I decide," I taunted him, waving my flaming hand in front of him. "You see this black flame? It's my Void Flames. It burns hotter than any fire known to this world, as well as it burns for infinity, or until I will it to stop." I explained to the egoistical Phoenix, standing back up, lighting my entire body up with my flaming aura.
"You shitty low-class devil. How dare you injure~." Riser was interrupted by my boot shattering his jaw bone. Riser was sent tumbling across the roof, screaming in agony from the feeling of a searing pain that he typically didn't experience.
His bones slowly healed, much slower than his average recovery speed. Riser looked up to see me in the air mid-dive, my feet heading directly for his head. Riser quickly rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding my attempt to crush his skull.
The roof tiles groaned under the intense stress, and the underlying supports of the building crumbled away from my attack. I looked back into the air, seeing the cowardly high-class devil flying away.
"Riser you call yourself a man!" Rias angrily called out at his display. Akeno was in complete agreeance with her words, while Asia sat there more neutral while panicking inwardly from the ongoing fight.
Riser stopped in his cowardly flight after gaining a considerable distance from himself and me. He raised his hands into the air, forming a large sphere of roaring flame. "You'll pay for laying your filthy hybrid hands on a noble like me, now suffer!" Riser yelled, firing off his inferno of flames.
I decided to antagonize him by flying directly into the flames, the blast engulfing me in a roaring inferno of swirling fire. Riser began laughing wholeheartedly, fully assured of his victory.
"ISSEI!" Rias, Akeno, and Asia all called out in fear that I was hurt.
"Just as Riser expected, he was nothing but a weakling, all bark and no bite," Riser confidently spoke, an arrogant grin spreading on his face. His laughing was suddenly interrupted as a black and violet flame shot from his swirling inferno, the fire hitting his face harshly burning it.
His laughter was replaced by screams of agony as the black fire clung to his face, continuing to burn him. A shadow silhouette appearing in the whirling inferno of Riser's orange hellfire.
"Your flames are weak," I spoke, walking out of the flames completely unscathed by his attack. "You said that the dragons time is over, but you're wrong. Now let me show you why you should never underestimate the dragon race!" I loudly declared, staring him down with my sharp draconic eyes and allowing the flames on his face to disperse.
Riser trembled under the immense instinctual fear surging through his body. His face scarred from my flames, as his body struggled to heal the damaged caused by it. For every little inch I moved closer to him, he cowered and backed away.
A shadow clone flew off my body, flying directly to Riser at rapid speeds. Riser stumbled backward in shock and surprise from the unexpected attack. The clone quickly took advantage of his shock, proceeding to pummel him down with rapid kicks and punch, all cloaked in my Void Flames.
Riser was unable to dodge any of the attacks my shadow clone threw at him, taking all of the attacks while trying desperately to fight through the pain and defend himself. The clone jumped on Riser, wrapping his arms around him in a tight grip, not budging to any of his attempts to get free.
The clone began glowing a bright violet color until it's brightness peaked and it self detonated while clinging onto Riser. A cloud of smoke lingered through the air where they once stood.
Once the smoke cleared, it revealed the Phoenix noble barely maintaining his flight in the air with his flaming wings flickering on and off. He looked horrible, his body covered in burns and bruises. His once prestigious clothing barely holding on to his body chalked full of holes and burns, his arms gripping tightly to his ribs, which took the brunt of the damage.
I vanished from sight, moving so fast that a loud boom echoed through the air and the shock waves from the sudden pressure waves rippled from where I once stood. Riser's eyes widened as he felt my power appear right behind him, my arm outstretched to him with large amounts of roaring Void Flames coiling around my arm and hand.
Riser stumbled backward in fear of the powerful roaring flames that previously achieved the goal of giving him pain. Rias and Akeno quickly formed a barrier together, protecting themselves and Asia from the incoming blast.
"NOW BURN!" I roared out, releasing a loud draconic roar. A funnel of concussive pressure waves and superheated black and violet flames poured from my outstretched arm in an unyielding torrent of Void Flames. In a desperate attempt, Ravel jumped behind the shield that Rias and Akeno formed in a desperate effort to protect herself.
The spectacular result was a massive beam of Void Flames stretching across the created battlefield. Everything in its direct path was immediately vaporized by its intense heat, completely destroying around three-quarters of the created battlefield.
What wasn't utterly destroyed was left bursting into flames from the dramatic increase in heat. All the while, my draconic roar was gripping onto the hearts of all that heard it. Akeno, Rias, and Asia all felt a chill run up their body as fear surged through them; those who were in the observation room even felt the instinctual fear course through them.
After a few moments of maintaining, I lowered my arms, allowing the flames to die down. The great roar still echoing through the air, albeit less intense than before.
With the intense light dying down, we could wholly observe the destruction my attack ushered. The recreated battlefield was decimated, leaving charred marks all the way down to the soil. A deep crevice was left engraved into the ground, the entire school building vaporized into nothing. The remaining one-fourth of the arena was lit ablaze with Void Flames. The only place in relatively good condition was directly behind me, where Rias and the others resided on the roof.
With the battlefield either destroyed or set ablaze, the message was quite clear. I could have pulled off the same attack before Riser's peerage had even left their home base. The attack I just pulled could have been used to end the game before it even started. It was clear to everyone.
I turned back to the others, flying back down to the roof they stood on in their shield. Upon landing on the roof, I looked over to see Rias and the others staring in shock and fear as they took in all the destruction that had just occurred. Ravel was still sat behind them looking just as shocked as the others, but with a hint of defeat.
"Issei, I... That was..." Rias trailed off as she didn't have any words that could fit in the current situation.
"A quarter," I calmly spoke, looking over the field of destruction with her.
"What?" Rias questioned, snapped out of her shock and now in disbelief, along with Asia and Akeno.
"That was a quarter of my full power," I spoke, giving the others a faint smile.
"I..I can't even..." Rias muttered out, completely lost for words.
"...That's insane." Akeno chimed in, just as shocked as Rias if not more. I wasn't nearly as strong as this when we were children, so this must be surreal for her.
"D-Does this mean we won?" Asia asked innocently, hiding behind Rias and Akeno.
"I doubt it," I spoke, shaking my head. The others looked at me with confusion as I spoke. "Considering that Grayfia hasn't announced Riser's elimination means that he's somewhere in all that charred rubble, slowly healing," I spoke looking over the decimated grounds.
I flapped my wings, lifting off the ground to fly over the ruins in an attempt to locate Riser. I felt a substantial surge of power directly in front of me, but before I could react the ground erupted as a swirling spiral of orange flames shot up from the ground, launching debris everywhere.
The flames died down, revealing Riser hovering directly in front of me, in even worse shape than before. He was missing a large chunk of his head, taking his right eye entirely off. His left arm was vaporized completely, along with most of his legs. His left leg being burnt off entirely, while his right was only burnt off to his knee. His wounds were covered by his signature flames, indicating that he was still healing despite the powerful attack. His clothing almost non-existent, barely concealing his bloodied and burned body.
"Y-You... filthy... reptile" Riser spoke, his voice shaking from the sheer pain yet still dripping with hatred and anger. He slowly regrew his limbs and the missing part of his face, but still remaining bloodied, burned and bruised.
"Just give up Riser." I simply responded. "Even if you don't, we've already seen that your attacks are ineffective against me while mine seems to do a great deal of damage to you."
"My power is fueled by my desires, in which as long as I have to will to continue, I can't lose for I will always heal! And there is NOTHING that I desire more than to have Rias Gremory submit herself to me!" Riser declared, licking the burnt skin on his lips.
"You can beat a dragon, even on your best day Riser," I calmly spoke, peering at him angrily at his comments on Rias. "Besides, the mating ritual is sacred to our species, and by taking Rias after being mated by another would be heresy. So would you be willing to take on the entire dragon population for violation of our traditions?"
Riser slowly started laughing at my threat, his laughter progressively getting louder and more maniacal until the point of where he sounded full-blown insane. He must have finally lost it.
"Dragons are weak, it's proven by the fact that their going extinct." Riser spoke, calming down from his previous laughter. "To hell with your traditions, as well as your sacred practices! Your nothing but filthy lizards! When Rias is my wife, my first order will be to break you so you will be under my command as well!" Riser screamed in pure rage.
I was surprised by his sudden outburst, although it did make sense. Never the less I could help but smirk at Riser's words. As if he could tame or control the massive powers know as dragons.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I only take orders from two beings in this world that I'd ever take direct orders from, and seeing that you don't hold the title of Rias Gremory or The Dragon Of Voids, then I don't have any reason to serve you." I confidently spoke, an ever-growing pool of shadows mixed with violet light growing beneath me.
Riser's expression changed to one of fear and shock, his face paling as he heard the latter of the two handles I gave him. "Y-You can't be serious" He spoke in disbelief and fear.
With a wide grin revealing my fangs, I eyed down the cowering Phoenix before, uttering two words.
"BALANCE... BREAK!"
With those two words, the shadows beneath me exploded, forming a pillar of intense swirling black and violet light. Riser was sent flying back from the immense power surging from the area. The others were sent stumbling back, covering their eyes to protect themselves from the nearly blinding light that dyed the arena. Even with the loss of their vision, they could all hear the final words echo from within the light.
(VOID DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!)
When the overwhelming brightness faded, everyone watching, whether in person or not, was treated to an impressive figure gleaming with power. An almost everlasting shade of black plate mail, bright violet gems embedded into the armor. The armor covered in spikes from top to bottom. Deep black scaled wings emerged from my shoulder blades, and a large black scaled tail emerged from my tailbone. An imposing helm in the shape of a dragon with two glowing violet gems for eyes, spikes running down the back of my neck, up my forearms, and along my legs.
Riser stumbled backward in fear and utter shock from the display and power. "How? HOW? Y-YOUR SUPPOSE TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN A MYTH THAT PARENTS TELL THEIR CHILDREN AT NIGHT TO MAKE THEM SLEEP! YOU'RE NOT EVEN HUMAN! THIS SHOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE!" Riser screamed in fear, now realizing who I was to the underworld.
"Perhaps I should reintroduce myself," I spoke, my arm outstretched forming a scythe in my hand and cloaking it in Void Flames. "My name is Issei Hyoudou. Dragon devil hybrid, wielder of the Void Flames, renowned stray devil hunter known as Reaper, the current Black Dragon Emperor, great-grandson to the original Heavenly Dragon of Voids, but most importantly... I AM RIAS GREOMRYS PAWN AND MATE!" I yelled for all to hear, allowing my aura to flare for all to feel.
"T-T-This is impossible! Y-Your nothing but a lowly Pawn!" Riser yelled, backing into a pile of debris which blocked him from backing any further.
"I took up all eight Pawn pieces six of them being mutated" I chuckled, slashing my scythe through the air at the Phoenix, releasing a horizontal burst of Void Flames directly aimed to decapitate him. Riser managed to narrowly dodge my attack, turning back around in time to see my burst into the sky with such speed that the sound barrier broke, and the ground from my launch point was left cracked and dented inwards.
The onlookers made a vain attempt to track my movements, but only managed to see a violet trail I left behind in my wake throughout the sky. The beam suddenly changed directions heading directly to Riser, who still sat on the ground in shock.
Before Riser could even react to the sudden change, I slammed into him, causing a massive explosion of Void Flames to erupt from the impact area between us. However, unlike usual, there was no calmness after the loud explosion. Instead, I shot directly out from the cloud of smoke, my arms wrapped around Riser with extreme tightness, ensuring that he was forced along the destructive ride I was taking him on.
I flew as high as I possibly could into the sky while dragging Riser up along with me. I halted my flight at the most elevated point I could go for a short time, allowing me enough time to see Riser's face covered in pure panic and fear. I chuckled slightly at his display, grabbing him by the ankle tightly, the claws of my gauntlet digging into his flesh.
With even greater speeds than before, I dashed back down to the Rating Game Arena, causing another sonic boom to echo through the air. As I inched closer to the ground, I gripped Riser's ankle with my other hand and launched him down to the earth. His leg being ripped off before I could release my tight grip, the sounds of tearing flesh and bones echoing as it came off.
Upon impact with the desolated battlefield, a massive crater formed, indenting deeply into the recreated school grounds. At the center of the indention laid Riser on his back, covered in blood and injuries, his right leg slowly healing back. I lowered myself down until I was directly above him, taking up most of his field of view.
The others moved closer to observe the interaction between Riser and me, even Ravel was watching, albeit from a different location from them. They were all utterly speechless, unable to even fathom the amount of power displayed in front of them, even though it wasn't even close to my full potential, none the less Rias's brother.
"Are we done here?" I simply questioned, looking down upon the broken Phoenix.
Riser only responded by gibbering, slight twitching and mumbling incoherently. These actions were put to an end as I slammed my armored fist into the ground next to his ear. Now dead silent, the Phoenix couldn't even mumble a word as he watched my clawed gauntlet wrap around his throat, pulling him up to my eye level.
"You lost, bird. Learn to live with that fact. As a race, we dragons have killed for far lesser insults. Count yourself lucky that killing you would be troublesome for Rias."
With that being said, I dropped Riser back into the crater where he collapsed, his legs no longer able to support his own weight. Riser had fainted and began glowing a blue hue.
"Riser Phoenix has been eliminated, Rias Gremory is the victor."
Whelp here's the chapter a lot of you have been waiting for, I apologize that it took so long to release, but let me explain why.
Firstly, I had some significant computer complications, even now I'm not using my original desk tower, I'm using a friend's laptop that I managed to borrow. However, it's so bad that it takes a few moments for the words I typed to appear on the screen, so I was hesitant with working on it.
Secondly, I really wanted to make sure to do this chapter honor. I'll leave it up to you guys to decide if I did well or not. I really wanted to express how hard it would be to defeat someone who regenerates without utterly vaporizing them. I also wanted to covey that Issei was holding back severally on his allies, despite telling them he wasn't.
Also on a side note, whenever Issei takes a fight seriously most of his attacks will break the sound barriers along with his movements. This fact will also apply to anyone equal with or stronger than Issei, because I've always found it weird in shows that they could be moving that fast but not still follow some of the laws of physics.
Well once again, thank you all for reading :D