As always, a big thank you to all who read/reviewed and continue to like and support my story. To all the new readers welcome!
I've also put in a rather important note at the end so please check it out. Would mean a lot to me!
hoxide – read and see, though I'd agree with your assessment of Issei's flames
Zeus501 – read and see, read and see. Also, unless I've explicitly said otherwise, expect all storyline from the light novels to have some basis for what goes on in my story. While I'll through my spin and add things as I see fit, some things like Tannin's training will most likely remain.
Notasavior – No full dragon mode, though that may or may not be in the works for future arcs.
Shad0wReaper133 – here it is! Thanks for reading!
Hadrian371 – Thanks a lot! Will happen soon!
the unsung antihero – pick D. Oh please, it's always D on the multi-guess questions, go with D.
BANKAIZEN – thanks!
Nilrem1981 – here it is!
PhantomBullet95 – Glad to hear you like it!
Uchiha Rai – Thanks for not pulling out pitchforks and torches, I'm thankful that that cliff wasn't a mistake. Message received, raiser must be lowerclassed.
T-B-R – read and see! The last bit was just a last minute drivel I added to build on a concept that we've nearly all forgotten. Think on it, I'll get back to you.
War historian – I've been teasing Issei's draconic title ever since the first and second chapters. Demonic Holy Dragon does not sound as cool, I've gotten so far with the name I have now! And yeah, finally a good fight!
NAFNAF509 – read and see! Thanks a lot!
ZenithTempest – No wedding party here, this game can only end one way :)
Conquest95 – Thankz! Hype train has no brakes! And yeah. That outfit had to happen somewhere in this fic, DxD obviously.
Zenuria – Thanks a lot! As for the universe, I've been reading up a lot on mythology over the years, now I'm putting it to use. It's a challenge staying canon-compliant so it's recognizable as DxD but oh so tempting to go off the rails. It's a lot of fun to do, looking forward to constantly expand, currently have several spin offs of ancient history I've been looking to try. As for the love life, you are on the right track.
JMK2 – This was a chapter I outlined months ago, and is now finally coming to fruition. I've been looking forward to this as well.
Kirinthor – No promises on the length but I will try. Read and see, no rescue needed!
DragonLordZipti – well, if enough of you are saying it's ok then I'll leave cliffs alone for a while. They'll come back, but not for a time. Thanks!
Imperial-samaB – Thanks for the love and support!
Valimesh – Thanks!
DragonKingNatsu – Thanks! I hope I don't disappoint! As for Issei's history, re-read chapter 2 and then also remember that he had Albion for ten years furthering his education. Dragon's do take pride in their history after all. Not quite out of character, and there is a lot I have written for dragon-lore that I didn't put down. I put down maybe 5% of what I have in mind, so don't worry, there's more.
ReemikZ – nerfed for character development, though it is temporary. This chapter is basically the grand reveal of what a Holy Dragon can do.
The Ultimate Balance Chaos – Be strong friend, because there are manly tears to be had all around!
Firestarter09 – Opinion noted, and I'd agree with some points you have. However, in this story the effects of that aren't as pronounced.
LordxSesshomaru – With all due respect, milord, I found your stories only about half a year ago when most of them were already completed. I didn't suffer any irritation at all. That being said, thanks for your kind words of encouragement. I always cherish our talks immensely.
xSaberDragon – Thanks for the support! Glad to see you're on board the hype train!
YoursTruly GuitaristPoot - Here it is! Stop the tears! The big reveal! Romance ahoy in the future from now on!
Thorvaiso - Yes, it was a long chapter. Albion's reasons will be addressed but not in this update.
Mephitonthelordofdeath (ch 9) - It's really not hrd to get his playboy theatrics down.
Yami-Guy - Sorry to hear that, but you're free to make your own decisions.
DasChinButton - Thanks for the love and support!
timmbarney94 - Hmm... I'll get back to you on that.
Darksire64 - So many questions! Update now!
xden1997 - No, I am not. Name's been publicized since chapter 1.
PussyMagnet – Glad you enjoy it! The game ends this chapter so read and find out!
Disclaimer: See 1st Chapter
" " – Speech
' ' – Thoughts
Communications
( ) – Albion, mental
( ) – Albion, speaking
Just a reminder that this is a DxD story that is also rated M. It wouldn't be DxD otherwise. You have been warned.
Without further ado, the chapter you've all been waiting for!
Chapter 13: Most Dangerous Game
Once they were all in place, the circle's brightness flashed twice before whisking them away…
Only for them to return to the clubhouse as the circle faded.
Asia could only stare in confusion as the others dispersed back throughout the room. "We aren't there? Did something go wrong?"
"No Asia, everything worked as expected." Rias assured her. "The rating game field must have been modeled after Kuoh Academy. If you're still not sure, look." She waved her hand in a dismissive manner to the windows as she sat down at her duplicated desk; a pamphlet of game-specific rules already in place and opened to the first page.
"The sky is green." Asia marveled. "So this is what magic can do." She clasped her hands together and murmured a prayer, only for her to flinch away from the window as she was struck by an instant headache. Rubbing her forehead to ease the pain, she froze. "Rias? Issei's a little green too."
Sure enough, the Pawn had managed to stumble back to his couch and had landed face-down and lengthwise. Right now, his head was tilted so that everyone could see him furiously muttering to himself.
"Issei, are you alright?" Rias asked worriedly. All their plans were for naught if he couldn't fight properly.
To her relief, Issei managed to grunt in acknowledgement. He was still pale though he gave her a thumb's up. "For the official record, I hate magic."
Rias smiled but immediately looked up as Grayfia's voice echoed across the skies outside.
Hello everyone. I am Grayfia, a maid from the House of Gremory, and today I will be the arbiter of the Rating Game between the House of Gremory and the House of Phenex. In the name of my Master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping my eye on this match. By using both Lord Gremory and Lord Phenex's opinion, we created this battlefield, which is a replica of the school, Kuoh Academy, which Rias attends in the human world. The location where both teams were transported will be their "base". Rias' "base" would be the Occult Research Club's clubroom located in the old school building. Raiser's "base" would be the Student Council's room located in the new building. For the Pawns to use Promotion, please head to the enemy's base to do so. You are permitted to set enchantments before the fighting begins. The game will begin in thirty minutes, starting now.
'Ha, promotion.' Issei snorted. 'Unless Rias, Akeno, or Asia need the extra battery power, there's no way I'm falling for that shit again.'
"We have thirty minutes, let's get to work. Kiba, Koneko, take your familiars and start setting traps around the forest, Akeno, you're in charge of high-level illusions. I don't want any of their Pawns getting in here."
The mentioned devils hurried to fulfill their tasks, leaving Rias, Asia, and Issei in relative silence. The gentle Bishop was sitting across from Issei, hands in her lap as she continued nervously fidgeting in anticipation of the fight.
The demidrake noted that he had time and freedom for now, seeing that Rias had not assigned him any tasks. With that, he flipped onto his back, propped his feet up on the armrest and promptly fell asleep.
Rias cast a loving smile over her two newest servants. Formally untested as they were, they had both come very far. She argued with herself internally before standing up and moving to Issei's couch. Gently lifting him partially, she settled back down on the couch with Issei's head in her lap.
"To think, that not so long ago I was desperate for an answer. And then I met you." She stroked his silver hair, an action meant to comfort him as well as her. "Now here we are. Almost at the end of our agreement." She wiped a tear from her eye before continuing. "No matter what happens, thank you Issei. For giving me hope when I most desperately needed it."
She and Asia sat there in comfortable silence for some time, waiting for the others' return. Kiba and Koneko arrived first, Akeno not long after. The Nadeshiko Queen frowned slightly when she saw that Rias was holding Issei but held her tongue seeing that the match was being publicly televised, and it wouldn't do to speak out against her master.
When they had only ten minutes before the match truly started, Rias gently shook Issei awake, trusting that he wouldn't lash out at being awoken prematurely. To her delight, he blinked awake before lifting himself from her lap with nothing but an upraised brow. She smiled at him once more before moving to the desk, where the pamphlet was opened to a map of the school.
"Alright, gather round." They all did so, encircling the piece of paper. "Raiser's victory strategy in the games is simple but ultimately relies wholly on his ability to regenerate. Since he doesn't know about Issei, there's no reason to assume he'll change his modus operandi. And I've seen his games plenty enough to know what he'll do.
There's three points of interest between our territory and his: the gym, the school field, and the sports ground. The last two aren't of much use to us, they're without cover and we'll easily be cut off. Since Raiser knows that, he'll go for the gym." She tapped its location. "If he sticks with the usual, we can expect maybe three or four pawns and a Rook, Knight, or Bishop to support them. Since he has the numbers, he'll also send some Pawns directly here to try for Promotion as well as keep some in reserve in the event the first wave is wiped out. Which reminds me, Issei," the Pawn straightened in question, "how confident are you in using Promotion right now?"
"On a scale of one to ten? Buried six feet under." He replied truthfully. Without Albion to balance the conflicting energies, Promotion could retire him outright.
"Hmm. Alright then, you'll be forward in the gym with Koneko while Kiba is on perimeter duty. Assuming that we take out all the Pieces he sends in first, then we may very well have cut his forces nearly in half."
"Anything you want us to do besides defend and eliminate opponents?" Kiba inquired. "I imagine if we tried maneuvering around the outskirts of the battleground we could get close to him."
"No, attacking him directly like that would take too long and leave us exposed," Issei disagreed vehemently. "That would draw all his remaining Pieces to defend him or should Rias remain here, prompt all of them to converge on her location. Safest way is to whittle down at their numbers before trying for an offensive."
"Where do you need me?" Akeno asked. "Perimeter or forward?"
"Neither. I need you patrolling and making sure that our illusions and traps hold. Once the gym is cleared out, then you'll destroy it, forcing Raiser to think again. We can use the tree cover at that point, without the gym there is no way for his servants to get to the treeline undetected. I want him off balance.
I will remain here," she said with obvious distaste. "If only to ensure that Raiser doesn't take a shot at me in the confusion. Asia, you'll be my shadow for this, are you up for it?"
"Yes!" The little blond cheered. It was excitement well deserved, Asia's magical abilities, particularly those of a defensive and supporting nature were top notch after only a week and a half of training.
"Excellent. Once we're done with that," Rias was cut off by a loud chime emanating from outside.
The allotted thirty minutes are up. Active combat is now permitted. Good luck to you all.
"We'll finish this later, let's just get phase one underway. And before you all go…" Rias waved a hand and six glowing orbs appeared, one was especially bright. "Communication spells so we may keep each other appraised of what's happening. Issei, the modified one should work for you, even with your magical resistance."
The devils nodded before selecting a device and placing them in their ears. Issei frowned slightly at the proximity to magic, the device tingling in his ear. He managed to ignore it though it was a close thing. For some infernal reason, he kept feeling the urge to scratch at it.
Issei and Koneko both made their way out of their headquarters and into the forest. As they walked, Issei was able to take note of several cues from Koneko. While she was as stoic as ever, she was trembling slightly and he could tell she was uneasy.
"Hey," he put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to start in surprise. "We'll be alright. We trained for this remember?"
She nodded hesitantly before they continued. After a few steps she fell behind and out of Issei's field of vision. Turning to catch sight of her, he saw nothing behind him. A moment later, a slight pressure appeared on his shoulders. He looked up, only to see a pair of upside down hazel eyes unblinkingly staring into his light brown ones.
"Um, why are you up there?"
Koneko didn't answer, only shuffled in place so that her legs hung over his shoulders so that she could get more comfortable. Adjusting her skirt and finding her position satisfactory, she put both hands on the side of his head as if to steer him. "Forward."
"I'm not a horse."
"You're better than a horse."
"Well, you're not wrong." Resigned to his fate as temporary form of transportation, Issei marched the rest of the way to the gym, silent passenger guiding him by tugging and putting pressure on his head. Upon arriving at the gym, instead of asking her to get off, which most likely would have been met with refusal or silence, he crouched so as to avoid allowing her to even accidentally hitting the door frame.
The inside of the gym was dark and quiet. They were on the stage above the lower level with clear view of the entrance facing the opposing team's side. While they waited in silence, Issei found himself more and more on edge. Here he was, apprehensive in another dark and quiet battleground, soon to face an unknown number of opponents. While his superior night vision made everything clear as day, it was another difficulty to mentally accept it.
For all intents and purposes, this wasn't just another place, for him it was a perfect trigger to Tartarus memories.
Before he began to hyperventilate at the thought, Koneko patted his head as if to comfort him. Looking up to see her face, he was surprised at the gentle expression she wore now. "You're here. Not there. You're better now."
Issei was silent for a few more moments before chuckling softly. "I guess I am now. Thank you for that." Her response was to slightly squeeze her thighs together putting greater pressure on his neck. The feeling faded after a minute then intensified as the lights abruptly turned on, illuminating the interior.
On the lower level, four of the enemy had gathered. Issei mentally identified them quickly, remembering their behavior and traits that could make a difference, grateful that he couldn't detect any Sacred Gears. Before them were the younger twins, their gym uniforms now actually appropriate in this location. A Rook, the dancer-type in the blue dress, accompanied them. Lastly, the Pawn who had attacked him was at the far wall, hand still on the light switch. Mira, that was her name he remembered. Clearly she still remembered him as she was now trembling and had yet to lift her gaze from him nor remove her shaking hand from the control.
The Rook now took charge. "Just like Raiser said, she'd send her Rooks first. An amateur mistake."
Issei had to bite his tongue to keep himself from laughing; they still thought him a Rook.
Koneko on the other hand simply squeezed his head a little tighter. "How rude."
"I know right?" Issei whispered back to her.
"They shouldn't lump Rooks in with you." Issei immediately snapped his neck up to glare at the petite girl on his shoulders, only to stop glaring when he saw the slight smile she had. At that his own visage softened. He smiled at the friendly jibe before looking down at the Pieces before them.
The four girls had gathered together, Mira trying to hide behind the Rook's back. Said Rook was apparently in charge, for she was now dividing their forces to deal with the two.
"Ile, Nel, take on the girl. Mira, now's your chance for revenge on the brute."
"Xuelan! I don't wanna! He beat me without trying!"
"Stop whining, I'm here to back you up this time. We need to take them out now." Xuelan directed her subordinate. "Stop sniveling and let's get to it. He's barely got any demonic power; the Rook traits must be weak. The both of can take him on easily."
"Well then, it seems our opponents have selected us. Time to get off." Koneko didn't respond. Instead, she placed her hands on the top of his head and with the strength of her arms alone lifted herself off his shoulders and then flipped to land beside him in a crouch. She turned to him with her head cocked to the side. Issei raised an eyebrow. "You need something?"
"Launch me."
Issei grinned before crouching so that the back of his right hand was firmly placed on the floor. Koneko stepped onto it, and with a rush, Issei charged forward, bringing his entire body to both hurl Koneko across the room behind their opponents and simultaneously roll as he landed on the lower floor across from the Rook. Now in battle-mode, he tuned out Koneko and the other two Pawns, though he did wonder about the sound of machinery, something his industrial contracts had attuned him to. Chainsaws? No matter, he trusted in Koneko's ability to take care of herself, she did have the easier fight. Now, he had a Rook and Pawn of his own to deal with.
Xuelan charged forward, fists raised. Issei brought his own up, only to dance back as she brought her foot forward in a sweeping arc. Holding herself up on one leg, she used her other still raised limb to unleash a flurry of high kicks. Ah, a Kung Fu practitioner. Issei countered her blows and ducked under her leg to deliver an uppercut of his own sending her off balance. He pressed the attack, having identified her preferred style and its openings. Bringing his own leg to bear, he crouched and pivoted, using his own leg to sweep under hers and knock her down.
While that was his intention, Mira now joined the fray. While he was crouched, she had used Xuelan as a springboard, using gravity to add power to her strike. A new staff was held in her hands, leaden weight at the end swinging in a parabolic arc to collide with his head. Deciding to not test his own resilience unnecessarily, Issei straightened from his half-crouch, taking the glancing blow to the shoulder before swinging to retaliate.
Logically, one tends to think that jumping somehow adds gravity to increase the force brought down upon the opponent and yes that's true in theory. However, the gain is overshadowed by the reality that once committed to a jump's trajectory, the advantage lies with the defender as the airborne jumper is now subject to basic physics and numerous forms of counterattack. Perhaps at terminal velocity, Mira would have been a threat, but now she was easy pickings.
Issei timed it just right so that instead of letting Mira complete any landing, he instead brought his forearm up to perfectly clothesline her, sending her spinning with a cry and sickening crunch. She landed with a hard thud, bouncing slightly as she continued to tumble across the wooden floor. She collided with a wall and began to glow, dispersing into shimmering lights.
One of Raiser's Pawns, retired.
Issei paid little heed to Grayfia's announcement, instead rolling to avoid Xuelan's next strike. If retiring her partner had offended her, it clearly had prompted her to bring her full strength. At the apex of her next kick, her foot was engulfed with orange flames as she brought her leg down to crater the floor where he had been standing.
'So reincarnation from the Phenex clan grants some form of pyrokinesis. Well, two can play at this game.'
Xuelan's cries of anger were lost to him as he continued to dance around each of her blows. He had several openings but this was a fight he wanted to end decisively. Her power level was on par with a Queen; if all that demonic energy was focused into her durability, then a single strike may not do the trick. Better to err on the side of caution than open himself up to attack.
After another minute or so, Issei noted that her strikes were beginning to slow down, the force behind each lessened. Each blow was now attempted with a flaming fist or kick, further diminishing her own power. In an instant, Issei made his move.
Xuelan's style revolved around delivering multiple high-powered kicks in quick succession. It made sense in a way, the muscles of the leg could deliver three times the force of the arms, her style made perfect use of that natural strength. However, her economy of motion, no energy wasted in her efficient style opened her up to a counter. She brought her leg up, kicked twice in quick succession, before pirouetting and bending to bring her leg up in an upward strike that was on par with his first uppercut. He leaned back, letting the blow sail by before tensing.
Gathering his aura in the soles of his boots, he put his ten days of aura training to use. Using an unnoticeably quick and subtle micro-burst of energy, he lowered his shoulder to collide with the small of her back as he rocketed forward, having now perfected the quick acceleration such a detonation provided. The shoulder charge sent her flying into one of the walls, where she was quickly embedded in its surface. Almost immediately, she too began to vanish, dispersing into flickering light.
One of Raiser's Rooks and two of his Pawns, retired.
He looked up in surprise to see that Koneko had defeated her own foes. The other side of the gym was filled with gashes and craters in the walls and floors, clearly the fight was not fought with minimal collateral as an intent.
Koneko herself stood among the wreckage, two chainsaws at her feet. From a glance, Issei noted that the plastic casings that housed the motors had been crushed, indentations matching Koneko's hand size. Apparently she had decided to disarm her opponents by disabling their chosen weapons. Smart. This was precisely why he normally eschewed using weapons, especially modern ones. Too prone to failure as compared to fists.
Koneko turned to face him, unexpectedly with a triumphant smile on her face. She beamed at him, only to frown as he turned away. Confused she looked down and noticed that her uniform was practically shredded. Her underwear was barely covering the important bits, though she herself seemed uninjured.
Pulling one arm over her nearly shredded bra to preserve some semblance of modesty, Koneko was surprised to look back at Issei to see him shrugging off his dress shirt and jacket. He held both in his hands as if judging them before reaching behind him to hand her the button down shirt while sealing away his coat in his scale array.
"Here. This should help and won't hinder your movement as much as my jacket."
"Thank you." She took the offered article of clothing and slipped the shirt on, quickly fastening the buttons. She tapped his arm to let him know that she was presentable. Issei then turned around and had to school his features at the sight. Koneko had had to roll up the sleeves so that her hands weren't covered completely. As for the length, the hem of the shirt reached down to her knees, surpassing the length of her skirt. Right now, she looked extremely like a young child playing dress up with a father's clothing.
Issei, Koneko. Is the gym secure? Rias was calm and collected, though she sounded quite pleased at the announcement in their favor.
Issei tapped his ear to respond. "Yeah, we're all set here. Four opponents eliminated and," he glanced down at Koneko, "no injuries to speak of."
Wonderful. Akeno needs some more time to prepare additional defensive enchantments so try to weaken the structural integrity of the gym before you leave. Kiba's playing hide and seek with three of Raiser's Pawns on our side, once he's finished he'll meet up with you near the lockers.
"Sound simple enough." Issei shrugged. "We'll get right on it."
Separating to either length of the gym, the two immediately began to attack the supports of the building. Koneko simply punched holes through the walls to damage the metal supports directly, while Issei, mindful to not reveal his flames to any observers just yet, applied extreme heat from his hands to turn the support beams to mostly molten slag. With most of the framework compromised, the unlikely pair hurried back out of the gym.
Almost immediately upon their departure, Koneko hopped back onto his shoulders, humming softly to herself. Once they had moved a good distance away, a thunderbolt traced down from the sky and smashed against the already weakened structure.
"Hmm. Our Queen is certainly having a good time." Issei snarked to his passenger. "Too bad no one was in there, she might have enjoyed it a bit more."
"Akeno is scary sometimes."
"Frighteningly so," he quipped. "Even when we were kids, she was... unpredictable. I guess no one can be too surprised that..."
Before Issei could finish, both he and Koneko were both abruptly engulfed in flames and concussive force and sound that sent both of them sprawling. For a few moments, Issei was blind to the world as his senses adjusted. Once the ringing in his ears had ceased and he blinked away the stars, he managed to sit up and look blearily around.
The ground seemed glassy; apparently the heat had been very intense. His heat-proofed casual clothes actually showed signs of slight scorching. He was lying in a rather deep crater, some ten meters across and maybe half that deep at the epicenter. And just shy of that center was Koneko. Issei immediately forgot his slight discomfort from the magical exposure and ran to her side.
The poor girl was covered in slight burns, her clothing sans his shirt absolutely shredded. Issei wasn't a doctor, but he had seen enough injuries to tell that the visible ones were enough to retire someone, to say nothing of the internal damage the Nekomata was suffering. The Rook trait could only go so far after all, and she didn't have his unique flame tolerance or magical resistance.
Koneko weakly tried to sit up, failed to do so and would have collapsed again if Issei hadn't been by her side in time. He gently cradled her with an arm beneath her shoulders and her head in the crook of his elbow.
"Not... fair..." She wheezed. "I wanted... to fight... for Rias." She ended her complaint with a ragged cough that to his ears sounded as if there was excess fluid in her lungs.
"Shhh, try not to talk. Don't worry, you did fine." Issei grabbed her hand in the hopes that he could give her some last comfort before she disappeared. "You tried your best, no one can ask anymore than that. Rias would be proud."
Please... Issei... win for Rias."
"Of course. He drew circles on the back of her hand with a finger before frowning, deep in thought. "You know, I think that's the first time you've ever called me that."
Koneko's eyes fluttered before closing. "Idiot." Before she could say more, she disintegrated into light particles and was gone.
Rias' Rook, retired.
Issei knelt there in the dust for but a moment before another voice interrupted the moment. "I only got one of the Rooks? How?" He looked up to see Yubelluna floating above the edge of the crater. "I put plenty of power into that spell, what are you a mutated Piece? How strong are you?!"
"As a matter of fact, I am mutated." Issei didn't bother playing games with her, giving her the cold truth. His hands trembled, closing into fists. Beneath his digits, a single bright spark burst to life. "Why don't you come down here and find out for yourself how powerful I am."
Without intending to, he released some of his power into their surroundings. Almost immediately, Yubelluna felt the petrifying effects of being on the receiving end of a dragon's predatory presence and fell to earth. She dropped her staff, clutching at her chest as if to stop her heart from hammering against her ribs. Eyes wide with terror, Yubelluna nearly fainted from the overwhelming pressure. Then, without a warning, the presence lifted. It had lasted for only a brief moment, but it had been enough to terrify her so much that she still couldn't stop shaking.
Issei managed to contain the same ability that had frightened Raynare into surrender. The one thing Rias, Akeno, Kiba and he had agreed upon was to try and hide that he was a dragon for as long as possible. Such knowledge could motivate Raiser into a full offensive. They'd have the strength to drive them off, though defeating the Phoenix after that would be in doubt. Knowing that, he cut off the terrifying pressure before it spread too far and paralyzed anyone else on either team.
Still though, what was done is done and now Yubelluna sat before him staring at him with pure, unadulterated fear in her eyes. He took one step forward and was rewarded with a frightened squeak as Yubelluna scrambled in the dirt. Ignoring her whimpering, Issei strode over to her and knelt just behind her, brushing her long hair away. Mentally calculating the pressure points to nonviolently force her unconscious, he touched a few fingers to the side of her neck and was about to knock her out before another Queen interrupted.
"Issei! Wait!" He stood back up to see Akeno in her miko garb alight right beside him. "She may have something we can use."
"How do you figure that?"
Akeno brusquely passed by him, all her intent on the downed Yubelluna. Kneeling before her, she began patting the older woman down, clearly intent on finding something. In short time, Akeno reached down and between the girl's cleavage to extract a red vial. Holding her prize aloft in victory, she explained to the confused dragon. "Phoenix tears. The Phenex Clan sells them to make their fortune. With them one can regain demonic power and heal instantly from virtually any affliction or grievous injury."
"And they're carrying them into a game?! How is that fair?!"
"The rules state they can only use two per game, so there should only be one more somewhere at most." Akeno delicately placed the tear in her own cleavage, before looking down on Yubelluna. "I don't suppose you know where the other one is?"
Yubelluna gazed up at her in a last act of defiance, clearly with no intention of complying. Such obstinacy was to be commended, though it was a useless endeavor. Issei simply knelt behind her again and growled into her ear.
"RAVEL HAS IT!" She shrieked, nearly jumping into the air in terror. "RAVEL PHENEX, ONE OF HER BROTHER'S BISHOPS!" She may have continued for a greater time, but Issei immediately applied pressure to several key points on her neck, letting her fall prone. Before she collapsed in the dust, she too shimmered before Grayfia's announcement.
Raiser's Queen, retired.
Issei then became aware that the tingle on his skin from the Queen's blast was beginning to wear off, replaced by an incessant buzzing in his ear. He tapped his ear as if to silence it, only for Rias' voice to scream through.
Issei! Why aren't you answering! What happened to Koneko!
"Rias?"
What happened and why didn't you report! Rias' frantic voice sounded through both their communicators. What's going on out there?
"The Bomb Queen hit them with a strong detonation spell, I think the excess magic interfered with his communicator." Akeno answered for him. "We're lucky he's naturally resistant to magic and fire, or we'd have lost him as well."
Dammit. All right, that's five of them gone. Once Kiba is done-
Whatever Rias was going to say about Kiba was interrupted by another announcement and message from the Knight.
Three of Raiser's Pawns, retired.
Sorry I'm late. The Knight apologized. One of Akeno's fake buildings has dispersed now, though I entertained the two in maid costumes in addition to the showgirl.
"So we've got the cat girls, two Knights, two Bishops, and the last Rook to deal with before getting to Raiser." Akeno noted with a hint of anticipation. "It seems that the fight is evening, considering the comparison between our combined Piece values and theirs."
Indeed. Now it's time to throw him off balance. Akeno, lead Issei and Kiba to the sports ground. With luck, that'll draw out his remaining Servants so Asisa and I can sneak past.
"Rias, what are you doing!" Three voices cried out in unison, Kiba now joining the other two, longsword in hand. "That wasn't the plan!"
I'm changing the plan. The longer we delay is more time for Raiser to formulate another plan and keep us on the defensive. I'll have Asia with me to even the odds, then it should come down to a matter of strength between Raiser and me.
"Rias don't do this. You're not thinking straight, maybe we can-"
This is something that needs to happen, Issei. If I wait here for you to win the game fear me, then I'm no better than Raiser. If I can only lead from the rear, then I'm a failure as both your King and Master. With that, Rias ended her message and no amount of questioning brought a further reply.
"Well, we have our orders," Akeno sighed. "It is a shame though, I wish she had let us in on this sooner."
"This is a mistake," Issei growled. "There's no guarantee we'll draw out the rest of their players."
"Perhaps not." Kiba let his current sword shatter before forming another one. "But that doesn't change our objective now."
The three now silently traversed the short distance to stand just beside the sports ground. Once there, Issei noticed that there were seven unique scents, each for the remainder of Raiser's forces. For once, the plan was in their favor, Raiser was on his own.
The quiet was destroyed when one of Raiser's Knights appeared. The shorter one with the odd armor combination. "Come on out, Knight of Gremory! I challenge you to a duel!"
Kiba had the decency to look apologetic as he shrugged to his comrades. With that, he stepped forwards, Issei and Akeno on his heels. Now all three were exposed on the field.
"Very well, I accept your challenge. I am intrigued, I was looking forward to facing off against another Knight. Though be warned, as Rias' only Knight, it is my responsibility to best represent her by eliminating you quickly." Kiba swung his sword back and forth, making sure that he had the required space to optimally fight. "Shall we begin?"
"We shall!" The Knight cried as her sword was engulfed in the Phoenix' signature orange flames. The two leapt forward at each other as they began an intricate dance of singing metal. Issei watched for a few moments before a girl on the opposition began to complain.
"That Karlamine! All she ever thinks about is sword, sword, sword; it's freaking ridiculous. And now that I finally meet a cute boy, it turns out that he's a sword happy freak as well."
"A little harsh, don't you think?" Issei asked the short blonde, the one he had already identified as Ravel Phenex. "They're Knights, if they weren't sword-wielding warriors then I should think there ought to be cause for concern."
Ravel scowled at his defense of the fighting pair. "And what's it to you! Every Rook fights barbarically with the their fists! So don't get so high and mighty on me!"
Akeno moved back so that she practically clung to Issei's shoulder where she whispered in his ear, "Do they still think you're a Rook?"
"I haven't given them reason to think otherwise," he shrugged. Akeno put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh but when she removed it was evident enough that she had been smiling. Something that apparently annoyed the Phenex girl.
"W-what are you talking about?! What's so funny!?"
"Oh, nothing at all," Akeno smiled deviously. She raised her arms in preparation to begin casting. "Shall we begin?"
Ravel looked flustered for a moment before managing to school her features together. "Isabela, take on the Rook; Siris, back her up if she needs it. Everyone else, don't let the Priestess of Thunder get a chance to cast her more powerful spells."
"Oh my, haven't you heard?" Akeno laughed softly. She tensed slightly before taking to the air, prompting the girls before her to gasp in shock. Instead of the usual pair of devil wings or the mismatch that Akeno had displayed previously to her comrades, she now proudly presented two Fallen wings. Black feathers drifted in a non-existent breeze as she floated above the field. "I've recently taken a greater interest in my heritage. Thunder isn't my only power. Now, taste my Lightning!"
"Oh, my daughter has accepted her wings and is also using Lightning!" Baraqiel sniffed. "I'm so proud!"
"We never would have figured," Azazel deadpanned as he tried unsuccessfully to dislodge the crying Fallen from his shoulder. Seriously, the waterworks were a bit much. Perhaps Vali was right, next time he'd pack headphones.
Akeno and Issei had spent several days trying to train her to safely channel her innate Holy Power. It was a difficult thing; she had suppressed it for the greater amount of her life. Unlike Issei, who had long since accepted his own Holy attribute, Akeno had to unlearn and relearn many techniques to make use of the latent energy. However, the training paid off. Akeno was now able to mix her Light with her long-practiced thunder to an effect that actually hurt Issei in their last spar. No lasting damage, but it only reinforced that even Issei's magical resistance was no longer invulnerable to light. And as it happened, unless any of the girls before her were secretly dragons as well, then they were even more vulnerable.
Said Priestess of Thunder merely pointed at the Pawns and Bishops arrayed before her. From her fingertip, a single bolt of white lightning surged forth at her attackers before splitting into four separate strands of energy. Each bolt traced after a Pawn or Bishop, prompting Ravel and her compatriots to huddle behind some hastily crafted barriers. Akeno frowned before trying again, using both hands to weave a spell designed to bypass such enchantments.
Issei really wanted to sit back and watch the light show. It would be a nice change of pace for someone else to be on the receiving end of a light-based attack. However, the punk Rook, Isabela, was on him.
"I am Isabela, Rook of Raiser Phenex. In my master's name, I will defeat you!" The girl had a manic look in her only visible eye, half mask obscuring her other.
"Issei Hyoudou, servant of Rias Gremory. I'm sorry, but for her sake, I'm afraid I can't allow you to."
"You sound confident." The Rook grinned at him, completely devoid of malice. "This should be interesting."
Issei couldn't help himself, even with the situation as it was this girl was quite likable. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he raised his hands in a classic boxing stance to perfectly match his opponent's style, something her smile indicated she appreciated.
And so their fight began. It wasn't something of incredible speed or magical power but simply two fighters testing themselves against each other. Knowing this, Issei limited himself so that she could fight him as an equal. And he would be lying if he said that some part of him didn't enjoy the additional challenge.
Isabela's fighting style appeared to be more suited for a brawl than anything else. However, it seemed to suit her well. She swung with strength to knock someone down yet trusted in her Rook defense to sustain any inflicted injuries. With such an emphasis on offense, Issei found several exploitable openings but shrugged it off and returned and received as good as he got.
The buxom Rook spun on her heel, delivering a one-two to his ribs before rolling to the side as he brought a hand hammering down to impact upon her location. She struck again, he grunted at the impact before bringing his forearm to slam into her shoulder. At this, she winced and took two steps back, favoring her bruised appendage.
"Damn, you're good. I'm curious, where did you train?"
Issei smirked. "You'd never believe me even if I told you."
"Is that so? Well then I'll just have to beat it out of you then!"
As the Rook jumped forward again, Issei began to raise one arm to block her sweep and the other to jab at her abdomen. However, both fighters were equally surprised when Kiba's voice startled them, "Issei! Watch out!"
"Huh-argh!" Unnoticed to them, Siris had flashed behind them in a burst of speed that only another equally fast Knight could track. As she decelerated to reappear, she swung her long zweihander upwards, the edge of which failed to break his skin but caught his upraised arm and wrenched it into an unnaturally odd angle, dislocating it at the shoulder with a crack. Deciding to play along, Issei bit down on the reflex yelp of pain and clutched his shoulder as he fell.
"Siris what the hell!" The Rook screeched. "He was mine!"
"Bite me, you were taking too damn long and I got bored." The Knight shouldered her heavy weapon. "Besides, it gets us results."
"You know I hate being interrupted in the middle of a fight. Now how is the fight fair?"
"Oh, don't worry." Issei deadpanned. "Two on one is still fair enough to me."
Seeing him rise to his feet, both girls grew visibly nervous. "What the hell?" Siris gasped. "I put enough power in that swing to cripple someone for life and you're getting back up?"
"See, that's the funny thing. You think a little pain is enough to keep someone from fighting back. Not on me though. See, I grew up fighting in the gladiator pits deep inside Tartarus." Issei's grin turned absolutely feral as he slowly and deliberately reached across his chest with his free hand to grasp his limp upper arm. Holding his arm in place, his grin grew wider at the dawning horror that the girls showed. "Pain is something I've long since learned to live with."
With that chilling statement, Issei pressed down on where he knew his humerous was. With a sickening crunch, the bone ground back into its socket. Rolling his shoulder a few times to alleviate any lasting discomfort, Issei was rewarded with several observations. The first of which, were the Rook and Knight preparing to now attack in tandem, clearly still unnerved by his casual self-care. Kiba and Karlamine had paused in their duel, both breathing hard, but still equally astonished.
The next item of significance was rather difficult for him to understand. Busy as Issei had been, his attention had strayed from the well being of his comrades. Simply put, with Kiba and Issei both occupied with fighters that their respective skills matched, Akeno had been placed against a highly skilled wind user capable of fighting back. Mihae, Raiser's Bishop had proven to be quite adept at creating howling barriers of rapidly moving wind so that it was virtually solid. Such intangible yet impossibly solid obstacles dissipated her Lightning into scattered energy. Regardless, given significant energy expenditure, against her alone Akeno had no doubt that she would end up victorious.
However, even with Ravel not actively participating beyond the occasional barrier to defend herself, Akeno was at a slight disadvantage. While quite potent, her Lightning techniques were still relatively new to her, and thus unaccustomed were quite draining upon her demonic and angelic power. With Mihae's defensive skill, the fight would take time, time that the two remaining Pawns did not give her. Being melee types and her lack of melee training, they risked electrocution by engaging her in close-quarters. Using well-coordinated tag attacks, they had kept her off balance to successfully prevent her from focusing too well against any one of her three opponents.
In fact, Akeno was nearly at her limit, until Issei made his comment about his absurdly high pain tolerance. Now, whether he intended for her to overhear or not was debatable to all present or observing, though the result on the notorious S&M enthusiast was undeniably remarkable.
The Priestess of Thunder began quietly laughing, letting it build up to a crescendo as she raised her arms once more. Instead of a single bolt, this time there was an entire volley that descended from the sky. The salvo of angelic energy ripped into her surroundings, forming a curtain of power that separated her from her three adversaries. Without warning, the wall of Light rapidly expanded, engulfing the two Pawns without warning and completely overwhelming Mihae's barriers as well.
One of Raiser's Bishops, and two of his Pawns, retired.
"That... that..." Ravel was too shocked for words. In her strategic mind, she knew that wielding such power should have drained Akeno long before now. While Mihae's offensive abilities were far below Yubelluna's, her defensive skills were just as impressive. Throw in the fact that Queens excelling in physical combat were a rarity since most chose to explore various magic and then the combined efforts of the twins should have overcome her. How?
Shaking in fury at her own failure to comprehend what was going on, she let her anger out on whom she perceived to be the source of all the commotion. "YOU!" She shrieked, pointing at Issei. "YOU'RE LYING! NO ONE EVER LEAVES TARTARUS! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Really?" Issei ducked under a singing blade and backhanded the offending Knight away. "No one told me that."
"You... you're lying!" Ravel's arm began to shake, the boy's self-confidence supporting his downright callous claims of originating from the most impervious prison known to the supernatural. "How... how?"
"How? Well, for starters," the Pawn sidestepped around Isabela as she overextended herself, "If you must know the how, it was the Grigori that tossed me in there as a child. Stayed there for ten years until I broke out."
"That's impossible!" Isabela cried desperately. Without warning, she jumped back in front of him, grabbing in a hold that temporarily immobilized his arms to his sides. "That's low, even for the Fallen. Why the hell would they do that?" She screamed into his ear.
Before he could answer, he saw Akeno's eyes widen at something behind him. Considering that Ravel was a noncombatant, and Kiba and Karlamine were still going at it, that meant that there was only one person who could be attacking, and considering Siris' speed and his current inability to break out of Isabela's grapple, he did the only thing he could.
Siris screamed in anger as she brought her sword down to slash Issei in the back. She too had decided that a jump attack would be most beneficial, possibly most cathartic. So imagine her surprise that instead of tearing open his exposed blind spot, two white wings extended from her target, one of which stopped her sword in midair as demonic-forged metal grated against diamond-hard scales.
Issei smirked at Isabela's astonished look and flared his wings, forcing Siris back. Folding his wings inward, he brought the forward spikes along one wing down upon the Rook, forcing her to let go of him in order to save herself. Now freed from her grasp, he stood from the forced crouch he had been holding and smirked. "Well, you did want to know why."
With his wings currently folded up, the wingspan was well concealed, as the wings now resembled two ivory spears extending from his back on two white limbs. By readying his stance once more, Issei now had four methods to engage the Rook, fists and spikes poised on their respective limbs. "Come on, I know there's a part of you that's curious as to just how will you fare against a dragon."
All traces of apprehension faded from Isabela's face and she smiled back at him. And so they began their fight once more, a furious display of heavy impacts and crushing blows. In the end though, the outcome was already decided. Isabela attempted to spin around him to jab at a possible weak spot, the junction on his back where his wings emerged. However, in her attempt, she failed to understand just how dexterous Issei's wings could be.
Snapping his right wing open and splaying the fingers of the wing-arm, Issei flapped once with the one side to both buffet her and reposition himself behind her. When Isabela recovered from the sudden gust of wind, she froze. Issei had grabbed her from behind; arms of steel wrapped banded her midsection and keeping her arms immobilized. He was leaning back slightly, keeping her feet off the ground therefore leaving her incapable of gaining leverage that way. And at her bared throat was the wingspike of his left appendage.
"Well, this was fun. Let's do this again sometime," he remarked, still smiling from the fun bout.
Isabela didn't struggle but laughed instead. "That it was. I must say, I am surprised. We all thought you were human."
"My mother was human, so you were half-right."
"Hmm, I see now. My master made a mistake then." she sighed, nodding downwards. "Restraint isn't necessary, I acknowledge your victory. I retire." The girl in his arms shone before disintegrating like the others, but unlike them, there was a smile on her face.
One of Raiser's Rooks, and one of his Knights, retired.
'So Kiba won? Good that means we're down to Ravel and-shit!' Issei frantically spun to warn his friend of the danger. "KIBA, MOVE!"
Yuuto stood in a circle of swords of every type Issei knew, and even some rather exotic pieces he'd love to puzzle over. However, his interest in his friend's creations was overshadowed by dismay. Kiba had trusted him and taken his warning to heart, throwing himself to the side.
Unfortunately, luck was against them, and instead of rolling to safety, his momentum only put him directly in the path of Siris' large blade traveling in the opposite direction.
Rias' Knight, retired.
It took a lot to make Issei angry. That was a given, it had to something of extreme importance or effect to get a rise from him so quickly. Seeing Kiba retired as an indirect result of his interference, which certainly qualified. He was beyond irritation now, rational thought pushed aside. Albion had ten years to influence him, but Issei had no intention to even try to deny that right now he could only see the world in red.
Pulling out all the stops, he bounded to where Siris now stood, the light from Kiba's retirement still flickering. The Knight had a somewhat gleeful expression on her face, finally having eliminated someone, though that glee turned into horror when she saw her impending doom. She raised her blade to defend but she was too slow, so very slow. Surprisingly, so was he.
Before he could reach her, a flash of brilliant energy erupted between him and Siris, separating the two. He stabbed his wingtips into the ground, halting his headlong charge and just avoided collision with the same energy that consumed Siris. Immediately, his perception of the world changed, his attuned senses alerting him to the smell of ozone and female arousal.
A few moments later, the energy ceased, revealing scattered lights to depict Siris' fate.
One of Raiser's Knights, retired.
Issei whirled to see Akeno half-sitting, half-lying on the ground a short distance away. It was her Lightning that had done the trick, though the amount of power she had placed in the spell seemed to have forced her to her limits.
"Why did you do that?" He whispered at first before raising his voice. "That wasn't for you to do!"
"I know and I'm sorry." Akeno declared. "But I'd rather keep my promise to you than let you lose yourself again."
He thought back to the time in the decrepit church, how his fight with Freed frightened her. It was for his sake that she had agreed to what he had requested; it was not fair for him to question her now.
Sensing his frustration, Akeno tried to stand but failed, collapsing before Issei wrapped an arm around her waist. "You shouldn't be moving; rest up a bit."
"Oh, please," she reproached him with a tap on the nose, "I have this remember?" She produced the Phoenix Tear vial before opening it and letting the healing powers take effect. Akeno glowed purple as the scrapes and bruises disappeared and she gained a healthier pallor as the energy she had lost in their defenses, the gym explosion, and the last fight had taken from her.
"Where did you get that?" They looked up to see Ravel approaching them. "Did you steal it?"
"Spoils of war," Akeno shrugged lightheartedly. "Considering we are, or should I say were, outnumbered, I thought it was a good idea to take it before Issei here retired your Queen."
The blonde girl sniffed and looked away haughtily. "Well it won't help you. My brother will still win this fight, tears or not. With our healing, power, and fortunes, the House of Phenex was destined to win every Rating Game we compete in!"
"Is that so?" Issei kept his voice level, remembering that she still had yet to actively participate in any offensive beyond coordinating the movements of her brother's servants. "Then I guess you won't mind handing your tear over then, since it won't make a difference."
Ravel glared at him for a moment before unclipping a necklace she had and handing it to him. Sure enough, the pendant matched the vial that Akeno now discarded. "I suppose you're smart enough to use it."
He winced. "That's a little uncalled for, isn't it?"
"You're dumb enough to think people will believe you came from Tartarus." She replied. "It's not hard to know that you're lying."
"And there's no way to convince you otherwise?"
"None that a brute like you would recognize."
Issei made a pained face before adopting a serious look. "Very well, you leave me no choice." Straightening, he raised his right hand and placed his left behind his back as if taking a military oath. "I, Issei Hyoudou, being of sound mind and body, solemnly swear upon the Miracle Levia-tan series that everything I said about my past is true."
Both Akeno and Ravel simply gaped at him, both equally flabbergasted and taking a moment to process the hidden irony of such a statement. Akeno had trouble keeping a straight face, while Ravel looked quite upset.
"You... you... YOU!"
"...Just swore on what is possibly the most sacred item of reverence in underworld media?" Issei chuckled. "Of all the shows Rias made me watch to catch up on pop culture, I enjoyed that series the most. It's funny, I used to loath the whole Magical Girl concept after my first job, but the show grew on me. If my old cell had streaming for it, it would've made my time more bearable."
"You... I..."
"Issei, I think you broke her." Akeno giggled.
"You're lying and I hate you!" Ravel stomped away a few yards, before turning back. "And for the record, I'm retiring because I want to, not because you made me!" With that, she disappeared.
One of Raiser's Bishops, retired. Raiser no longer has any Pieces.
"Honestly, Rias has the worst taste in boys!" Ravel huffed to herself as she made her way to the VIP observation room. Knowing that the medical teams assigned to care for retired Pieces were among the finest in the Underworld, she had decided to wait to see them and instead watch the rest of the match. "What is he, a moron!"
The door to her destination swung inward as she approached. She entered and found that her parents, Lord and Lady Gremory, and Lord Sirzechs Lucifer were all staring at the monitors with great interest. Lady Venelana in particular looked quite excited. Apparently, the dragon-boy had piqued the attention of everyone in the room.
"Father, Mother. Lord and Lady Gremory." Ravel bowed her head in respect to the family heads and would have done the same to Lord Lucifer were it not for him holding up his hand to stop her.
"I'm just here as a big brother, not in any official capacity. That means I'm here for the same reason as you, Ravel."
Slightly flustered that the Father of Lies was addressing her by name, she sat down next to her mother and looked up to the screens. While that boy and the Queen were still moving towards her brother and Rias, they would need some time to reach their King. And by then Raiser would defeat them. As expected of the Phenex Clan.
Still though, the boy reluctantly intrigued her. He had carried himself honorably, for a boy, and at least had some manners... for a boy. Argh, why was she still thinking about him!
Ravel sunk into her chair without a sound before signaling one of the attendants for something to drink. When she had wet her throat, she looked back at the screens to see Issei... the boy! The boy was kneeling in the crater where Siris had been retired. What is he doing?
"What are you doing?"
"Simple," Issei answered. "None of the swords Kiba left behind are heavy enough for me to use effectively. With a heave, he tore his prize from the earth where it had nearly fused to the dirt.
Siris' dropped zweihander. While he wasn't particularly thrilled with wielding a weapon that had taken his best male friend from the game, he also had the objective sense to not pass up on a decent tool. He gave it a few swings before grunting, satisfied with its condition.
"If you're quite finished, we need to get up there." Akeno was now pointing to the new school building. On the roof, three figures stood at either end. Two heads of crimson and golden hair huddled together behind a red barrier, while the last figure sent streams of orange flame toward them. "I don't know how long they've been at it, but they can't hold out forever."
"Quite right." He sealed away the heavy blade before jumping out of the pit beside her. "Race you."
As they ran to the building, another blast of heat washed over the edge of the roof, followed by a cry of pain.
Rias' Bishop, retired.
"Don't wait for me, go!" Akeno cried. She knew he was keeping pace with her to be polite, but now really wasn't the time for him to be the perfect gentleman.
Issei didn't need any urging, extending his wings to the fullest, one downbeat was enough to launch him skyward. Another down stroke later, he was above the roof, just in time to see Raiser send another tongue of fire towards their King.
'Hell no.' He tucked his wings in and dropped, reaching Rias just before the magical attack. Thinking quickly, he grabbed Rias to his chest, causing her to squeak in surprise, and wrapped his wings around her, forming an impenetrable curtain against the wall of flames.
As the magic tickled at his senses, he took inventory of Rias' condition. Asia had done her work well, but there were serious injuries present. Rias was sporting several cuts and scrapes, major burns, and much of her clothing had been immodestly burned away, revealing a great deal. Raiser had seemingly aimed to humiliate her, tearing away her dignity and causing injury to her at the same time. His wings still taking the brunt of the attack, Issei unsealed his previously stored jacket as well as Ravel's Tear. Applying botht he Tear and draping the clothing over her shoulders, he held his King as they waited out the attack.
After a few moments, the heat subsided and Issei lifted his wings away to see Raiser angrily glaring at him. "Get out of the way boy."
"Don't feel like it." He jeered back. "I think I'm right where I need to be."
"Issei, step away," Rias had weakly buttoned up his jacket as best she could. "This is my fight."
"Rias, if you really want me to do so, then I shall. But you've been fighting this guy for a time and a half, that was with Asia supporting you." He ran a critical eye over her to see if he had missed any injuries. Seeing none, he continued in a gentler voice. "Remember why you reincarnated me. You revived me for a purpose, please let me do it."
Rias' eyes bore into his own. He saw fear, loss, anger, and desperation. But he also saw hope. Hope won out.
"Very well," Rias nodded as Akeno alighted next to them. "Eliminate him."
Issei smiled at her, but before he could say anything a mocking laugh resounded from the other side of the roof. "Ha, this boy may be a dragon, but he admitted to having a human mother. He's a filthy half-breed freak at best, raving monster at worst."
BA-BUMP
'Keep calm, you know he wants a rise out of you.'
"Nothing to say, low-class trash? I hope so, or at least I hope to hear you scream in frustration when I hurt you badly." Raiser seemed very assured of himself at the other end. "Resistant to my fire you might be, freak, but that won't stop me from overpowering you."
With that, Raiser lazily waved a hand and set loose another wave of orange flames. Trusting in Akeno and Rias to defend themselves, Issei charged ahead, grinning as the flames couldn't hurt him.
As Issei rushed towards the Yakitori, Raiser only spread his arms in victory. "Come on, trash. Nothing you do can hurt me."
"We'll see." Unsealing and equipping the zweihander, Issei grasped it with both hands and swung. Raiser didn't even bother to defend, merely letting the blade cut across his chest. For a moment, the damage looked severe until flames concealed the injury and restored his clothing to pristine levels.
"Stop trying, low-class. You can't win." Raiser took a deep breath, as if the effort was merely an annoying chore. "Or keep trying. Run yourself ragged. I am a Phenex, high-born devil and master of Fire and Wind! The dragons may have had their time, but now the skies belong to us and us alone! Us, the true rulers of air and flames!"
BA-BUMP
Issei nearly paused in his next attack, questioning what exactly he was feeling. Other than that, he didn't bother responding, merely dancing around the smug bastard. The entire time, his blade flickered in and out of view, skimming across Raiser and prompting a release of energy as his innate healing repaired the normally grievous attacks.
"I really must insist you stop this, freak. It is always like this with challengers." Raiser seemed lost in contemplation, letting Issei wail away on him like this as he enjoyed memories of his past victories. "If what you say about your time in Tartarus is true, convict, then you're not worth my time. However, understand this. The Phenex clan's immortality is absolute, a facet of reality. So tell me, what can you hope to do against me?" Raiser sneered as he was brought out of his last reverie when a shallow cut opened then was instantly closed on his cheek.
The demidrake stopped in front of the Phenex and stabbed the heavy sword into the ground. "Fine. If you must know, I was curious. I wanted to know how fast you can regenerate."
"Yes, yes, curiosity is the trademark of low-class devils like you. What's your point?"
"My point?" Issei let a feral grin cross over his face. "Now I know how fast you heal, I'm quite confident you'll lose."
"What! How dare~~GURK!" Raiser was cut off as Issei ignited the aura around his right fist and delivered a crushing blow to Raiser's ribs. One didn't need dragon's hearing to hear them nearly shatter. Raiser fell to the ground, gasping for breath, gritting his teeth in pain. "THE FUCK! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO! WHY DOES IT BURN!?"
Issei simply plopped down in front of the shrieking man, clearly trying patronize the higher-ranked devil. "There, there, the pain will go away eventually." He patted Raiser's face twice. "But right now, you have more pressing concerns." With that, he stood up, one hand on Raiser's collar to drag him back to his feet.
"ANSWER ME! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!"
"Shut up." One flaming fist later and Raiser's jaw was covered in burns, blood flowing freely from his lips. Issei had barely put any strength behind the blow, yet the Yakitori was screaming in agony.
"If you must know, then there is something you've overlooked. Just like how you thought I was human. It must be a pride thing, I can completely understand, but you've taken it farther than I ever could." At Raiser's burning glare, Issei finally acquiesced, lifting a palm to chest level and letting a flicker of white fire spring into existence. "I'm a fire-type dragon, yes. That's no great secret, more than half my race are firedrakes. But my unique flames are infused with a Holy attribute." Issei's feral grin grew even more. "High-class or not, Phenex healing or not, you are still a devil. And unless all sense of rhyme and reason abandons the world then my flames will always be a danger to you."
Raiser quit thrashing around to stare with pure fear at the dancing flame in the demidrake's hand. While seemingly insignificant, he could feel a chill run down his spine; he could sense the moment when demonic energy died as it made contact with such power. So enthralled in the terror such energy had, he almost missed the dragon's next move. At the last possible moment, he tore his eyes from the other boy's hand and rolled off the edge of the roof, narrowly avoiding a boot to the face as Issei stomped down.
With a groan, the roof tiles and underlying supports gave way as Issei's attempted curbstomp demolished the roof beneath him, rather than severely damage the Yakitori's face. "Damn, I missed." Looking up, he saw that Raiser had grown wings of fire and was hurtling away to a safer distance. "Where are you going?"
"Raiser you coward!" Rias cried angrily. "You call yourself a man!"
"Let the Yakitori try to fly away, Rias. He may not realize it, but there's nowhere for him to hide here." Issei reassured her before tensing. Almost as an afterthought, he looked back at the girls, Akeno supporting Rias with one of her arms over her shoulder. "You two might want to put up a heat shield. Covering your ears and looking away might help too."
Without bothering to see if they followed through with the precaution, Issei tilted his head back and began to inhale, filling his lungs with as much air as he could. When he could breathe in no longer, he tensed, holding his breath for a few moments more. Finally, when he could bear it no longer, he threw his head forward and roared. A funnel of concussive sound, superheated air, and bright flames poured from his jaws in an unending torrent.
The spectacular result was a massive beam horizontal beam that stretched across the created battlefield. Everything in its path was immediately vaporized, the nearby surroundings bursting into flame from the sheer increase in temperature. All the while, Issei's chilling howl gripped at the hearts of those who heard it. Akeno and Rias felt a chill as they listened; those in the observation booth were also affected.
After a minute of maintained concentration, the flames began to die down as Issei began to run out of breath. He stooped, hands on knees to recuperate before observing the landscape.
Kuoh Academy, or at least the recreated version of it, had been almost utterly destroyed. A charred, deep furrow in the ground indicated the path that the flames had taken, leading from Issei's position on the roof all the way to the edge of the dimensional barrier. The old school building had been destroyed in the inferno, fires still blazing elsewhere the breath attack hadn't directly engulfed.
With most the battlefield destroyed or set ablaze, the message was clear. Issei could have executed the same attack at the beginning of the game before Raiser's peerage had left their base. That attack just now could have ended the game moments before it had even begun. Everyone could see it.
Considering that Raiser's retirement hadn't been announced, Issei sealed the zweihander, spread his wings again and took flight above the desolated grounds. After a few seconds of searching, he saw it: a concentrated half-dome of magical barriers just outside the direct path of his breath attack. Ah, that would do it, a heat shield to prevent himself from passing out, a primary barrier to protect from the stray energy roiling from the beam, and many more constructed in the coward's well-founded paranoia.
Raiser himself appeared physically undamaged, though his clothes were charred excessively. He seemed rather strange for someone that could have died were the enchantments of the game not in place. In fact, he was laughing rather hysterically.
"So this is the best you could do? You thought you could blow me away with a little bit of power!" The mad Devil conjured another ball of fire and threw it at the dragon. "You can't even aim straight!"
Issei ignored the jibe since the attack was more for show, and instead folded his wings completely away. Dropping out of the sky like a stone, he slammed into the ground where Raiser once stood.
The Phenex stopped running away, floating in place with another globe ready to throw. "WHERE ARE YOU HALF-BREED!?" His cries were answered in the form of a sound, cracking earth followed by a series of sizzling pops. Raiser spun in a full circle, failing to see the dragon, but soon found the source of the noise. From the crater where Issei had impacted, a series of spiderwebbing cracks appeared, as if someone was burrowing just below the surface. The cracks in ground glowed red as earth and stone were super-heated, the sizzling was the sound of the earth melting back together. And the tunneling ended right beneath him.
Before Raiser could react, the ground erupted as molten earth and debris were ejected everywhere. Issei leapt straight up into the air and delivered a heavy kick, complete with ghostly flames, to Raiser's midsection, causing him to be forced even higher outside of his own volition.
Without giving a single moment of respite, Issei grabbed Raiser's ankle and twisted, throwing the older boy back down to ground. While Raiser managed to catch himself before hitting the floor and prepared to deliver a punch of his own, Issei followed up with a dual blow to both shoulders, forcing the high-class to bend over. Without wasting any motion, Issei brought his knee up to smash into Raiser's face.
Bringing his leg high up, he leaned far back in an extraordinary show of flexibility that belied his size and build. Gripping the floor beneath him, minute cracks spreading from where he clutched the earth, now upside down, Issei spun his lower body to cause his other leg to deliver a last crushing blow to Raiser's already injured torso.
The force of sent the Yakitori through one of the few walls still standing, though Raiser retained enough momentum to cause another crater to form in the ground, causing the already screaming Phenex to cry out even louder. Those screams continued, even as Issei landed feet first on his chest.
"If you could keep your cries to a minimum, I'd appreciate it. Such howling could frighten the ladies and is unbecoming of a man." Issei smirked as his prey squirmed in the dirt to glare up at him. "Then again, if you stop, I guess I'm not doing my job right."
Raiser ceased his howls, though he grit his teeth and continued glaring at Issei with unbridled anger. "Filthy... dragon..."
BA-BUMP BA-BUMP
"Filthy?" Issei flicked at his shoulder, dislodging a piece of earth that clung to his shirt. "Battlefields often are. However, since I highly doubt you refer to present cleanliness at the moment," his boot stamped down on Raiser's right wrist, "then I shall ask you to remember something. Do you remember when we first met?" Raiser struggled to free his arm, clawing with his other to pry and scratch. "With the Lady Grayfia as my witness, I made you a promise. Touch my master again, and I'll take your arm." With a flash, the zweihander was summoned to his hand again. "I do so make a point to keep my promises."
The blade dropped, neatly severing Raiser's pinned arm just below the shoulder. Almost immediately, flames surged to heal the wound but Issei was faster. Gathering his energy around his free hand, he forcibly grasped the stump and surged, white flames coming forth. The Yakitori screamed again, louder than ever before as his wound was simultaneously cauterized shut and damaged even further.
Issei removed his hand, extinguishing his flames and smelling two familiar presences approaching, put out a few others nearby with a thought. Within moments, Akeno and Rias appeared behind him.
"Nicely done Issei," Rias' overjoyed voice rang out.
"Thanks, but you two need to get clear." Issei was rather annoyed now, their presence meant he had to be more selective over how he applied his abilities. "I can't use my flames to the full extent when there's friendlies nearby."
"Relax, you've beaten him." Rias' self-discipline was the only thing preventing her from doing a little dance. "He's no threat."
"That is where you're wrong!"
Issei didn't hesitate, extending his wings and throwing himself into the line of fire between the girls and the bastard. While the flames and heat didn't hurt at all, the concussive force behind the blast nearly sent him crashing into those he was trying to protect.
Once the attack dispersed, they three teenagers saw Raiser shakily floating in the air. He looked horrible, covered in burns as he was. His once spotless attire was chock full of holes, courtesy of heat and impacts, and his remaining arm was pressed tight against his injured ribs.
"You... freak... you've hurt me..." Raiser managed to grit out between clenched teeth. "I didn't expect this... but you should have remembered... hellfire is still MINE to command. Yours is Holy, yes..." The Phenex coughed again before painfully straightening, "but perhaps you would have been better suited to use Holy water instead."
"I guess then I'll have to keep hitting you until you drop into the dirt." Issei's right fist slammed into his open left palm, white fire at the ready, though it was visibly subdued in his master's presence. "It's only a matter of time until you retire, just give up now. You're flames have no effect on me, while the reverse is true. And if I'm being honest, your hand-to-hand skills are in dire need of help."
"Skill and power will only take one so far, brat. My power is fueled by my desires! And there is nothing, NOTHING, that I desire more than to have Rias Gremory submit herself to me in our marriage bed." The foul man licked the damaged flesh of his lips and laughed. "For that dream if nothing else, I shall continue to fight you, filthy dragon!"
BA-BUMP BA-BUMP BA-BUMP
Issei's eyes widened in recognition but kept his features contained. He needed to keep the Phenex talking; he needed more insults. "Fight, but not win. You can't defeat a dragon, even on your best day. It doesn't matter how strong you become from your perverse intentions you can't overpower me. Besides, dragons don't approve of loveless marriage, arranged or not. That is truth for all of us as a species, so I'll have to retire you on principle!"
"DRAGONS ARE ENDANGERED! DRAGONS ARE WEAK! YOUR TIME IS OVER!" Raiser was frothing at the mouth now. "TO HELL WITH YOUR TRADITIONS, YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS! FILTHY BEASTS, THE LOT OF YOU! WHEN RIAS IS MY WIFE, MY FIRST ORDER WILL BE TO MAKE HER WATCH AS I BREAK YOU! YOU SHALL BE MINE TO COMMAND AS WELL!"
BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP!
The demidrake frowned, the smirked at the familiar sensation. He bent down to retrieve the zweihander, keeping his eyes on the Phenex the entire time. "Really, I'll be your slave? Hardly!" He scoffed. "Sorry to break it to you, but there's only two beings in this world I'd take orders from, and seeing that you are not Rias Gremory nor the Vanishing Dragon I have no obligation to serve you!"
Raiser paled at that last authority figure. "W-what did you say?!"
With a grin, Issei brought the zweihander down in a motion that would impale the earth before him. "BALANCE... BREAK!"
The world exploded in a blinding flash. Rias and Akeno stumbled back, covering their eyes to protect themselves from the blinding light. Raiser nearly fell out of the sky, falling a few meters while covering his face as well. Even with their sight temporarily robbed, all three heard the final words.
(Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!)
When the overwhelming brightness faded, everyone watching, whether it be in person, the observation room, or tapped streaming device, was treated to the sight of an impressive figure. Gleaming white plate mail, blue gems embedded in its surface, gold spiked-pauldrons, a segmented tail between the shoulders, and four wings, one pair of shining scales and another of glowing energy. An imposing helm resembling a spiked crown adorned Issei's head, while his face was covered with equally detailed faceplate. The armored dragon stood stock-still, with both claws on the pommel of the massive sword. While the dust settled and the light faded, still Issei did not move, appearing to be as lifeless as a statue.
(That was a dirty move, brat. Using the Phenex' insults to lure me out like that. What would have happened had I not answered?)
Issei laughed, "I suppose I would have made a fool of myself in front of the whole Underworld. But I was rather sure you'd come. Your pride far exceeds my own, and there was no way you'd stand by and watch as the Yakitori speak as he pleased."
(Hmph. Well played, brat.) Albion gave a growl of approval. (Perhaps you're learning after all. And I see you've made progress since our last discussion.)
The demidrake winced as he felt Albion sift through his memories none-too-gently. "We have much to talk about."
(Indeed, though our argument can be continued later. For now, I have an order for you.)
"Oh? You've never given me orders before."
(Then consider this one of the few I shall ever give. This little bird believes he is a Lord of the Skies, yet I think he has hardly left the nest. It seems he has decided to ignore or even forget our kind ruled long before God created the first Lucifer.) Albion growled again. (Remind him.)
"W-w-what trickery is this?!" Raiser screamed. "How? HOW?"
"I thought I made myself clear before." Issei now moved, pulling the sword from the earth and placing it over his back, where the tail coiled around it, holding it in place with the hilt just over his shoulder. "I already said it, my mother was human; you even commented on it yourself, though in a rather vulgar, rude form. Perhaps, I should formally introduce myself."
Issei then lowered his hands to his sides. In his fists, two gouts of flame emerged before appearing as ghostly duplicates of the solid zweihander. The armor on his back split, allowing his scaled wings to store away. "My name is Issei Hyoudou. Dragon-human hybrid, Holy Fire wielder, wrongly-imprisoned Tartarus survivor, current White Dragon Emperor, yet most importantly, RIAS GREMORY'S PAWN!"
If anything had shocked or surprised Raiser that day, nothing had a greater impact than the last word had. His expression fell into hopelessness as he whimpered, "You're a Pawn?"
"Eight Pieces, four of them mutated," the Dragon Emperor chuckled. He threw both swords at Raiser before disappearing in a flash. Those watching could see nothing more than a streak of light as it flashed around the battlefield, dazzling them with brilliance.
Raiser managed to evade both projectiles and spun in circles, trying to get a bead on the flight-crazy dragon, only to cry out in pain as the demidrake slammed into his back. With a loud boom, an explosion of Holy fire emanated from the collision point, then again some distance away.
"What's wrong, Raiser! Don't tell me that 'master of fire and wind' title was just for show!"
The cycle repeated, each explosion another link in the chain of Holy attacks, each connected by the beam of light that was the speeding Issei punching at the defenseless Raiser. The series of detonations punctuated each blow and occurred so fast, that it appeared that a constellation had been drawn in the sky in an instant. As the explosions continued, it was revealed that their placement wasn't random but instead revealed a rather tasteful depiction of the Gremory rose.
Upon completion of the sigil, the beam of light fell back to earth, once again cratering the desolated school grounds. At the center, Raiser lay on his back covered with injuries, while Issei stood above him, blocking most of Raiser's field of vision. "Are we done here?"
Raiser immediately started gibbering, twitching and mumbling incoherently. An end was put to this as Issei's armored fist crashed into the ground next to the Phenex' ear. Now dead silent, the Phenex could only watch horrified as Issei's claw wrapped around his throat and yanked him to eye level. The helmet shimmered before disappearing, leaving Issei's cold expression visible.
"You've lost Phenex. Learn to live with it. If you disagree, then face me again someday and I'll use Divide on you. After that, I'll use Promotion. Survive that, and maybe I'll fully unleash the power of one of the Ten Strongest. I'd like to see you come back from that."
Issei made to drop him, but the other dragon present had other ideas. (Hold, Issei. I will have my say. Little bird...) Raiser perked up as a half-measure of indignation. (Consider yourself lucky. You mocked my host for the crime of being born half-human, yet it is because he is such a hybrid that he is most compatible to truly wield my power. You ridicule him for time unjustly spent in the most brutal conditions the supernatural has to offer, yet he thrived. He took the worst possible situation and for ten years turned it to his advantage. An innocent child was thrown into the darkness, the Strongest White Dragon Emperor the world will ever see clawed his way out. He never brought more strength than absolutely necessary against you or your servants.)
(As a race, we have killed for lesser insults. Count yourself fortunate that Issei has a kinder heart than I do.) Taking this as his cue, Issei dropped the trance-like Phenex where he collapsed, legs unable to support himself. The Phenex had fainted, and began to glow.
Raiser Phenex has retired. Rias Gremory is the victor.
"Well, that was a surprise." Sirzechs quipped. Both his father and Lord Phenex were staring at the screens as if they couldn't believe their eyes, while Venelana looked extremely cheerful. Lady Phenex was still composed as ever, though to his amusement, Ravel appeared entranced with the figure on the monitors.
Once the White Dragon Emperor had been revealed, all back up cameras and sensors for the Rating Game had been activated, everyone trying to get a good shot of the reincarnated Longinus-wielder. Such an event was bound to become headline material; this was the first time in the history of the Evil Pieces that a Longinus had been successfully revived into Devil society. The first, well it had been announced to the public that it had been attempted, though it had taken a great amount of time and effort on both his and Serafall's part to ward off any press. Last thing anyone needed was the media getting a statement on what had happened last time.
Regardless, because of the grand reveal, multiple monitors now reflected the Pawn in greater detail. Ravel's attention was specifically drawn to a still frame, where the boy still had the sword buried point-first into the ground with four wings displayed. Yes, four wings. It was a relative novelty in the Underworld after all; multiple pairs only manifested in blood relatives of the original Maou, and they had all but vanished nearly a millennia ago.
Still though, the whole affair had turned out better than he could have planned. If he was honest with himself, he had thought that Rias really didn't stand a chance, though he had argued for the sub-clause so that she could at least have a say in the manner. And she had gone and turned all expectations upside down in classic fashion. Sirzechs hummed to himself as he looked at the photo. Tartarus survivor eh? Well that explains the paperwork she had brought to him for political asylum, he had barely glanced over it seeing that she had weaponized that cute expression since childhood. He was still curious, how had she secured a dragon's loyalty? If she could do that, then she was stronger than he gave her credit.
He was drawn from his thoughts, when Ravel picked herself up and stormed out, presumably to see her brother and his Peerage. Oh well, that was a shame. He quite liked Ravel, good head on her shoulders that one. Good idea as well.
"Mother," he leaned behind her, tapping her shoulder for attention. "I'm going to go and congratulate Rias before the press mobs her. Can you cover for me?"
Venelana looked to see Layla Phenex wearing an equally bemused expression. Both their husbands were still completely gobsmacked by the final outcome of the game. "Yes, that shouldn't be too much trouble. Go, tell your sister we're both proud of her."
Sirzechs did a little jig after the door shut behind him, now free of judgmental parents or would-be relatives. Still lost in the clouds, he strode off to where the system would magically teleport Rias and her two remaining servants. This was looking to be a great day!
This was a horrible day! First Raiser is hurt badly by that boy with fire, their own element, and then the boy is also a half-dragon with a dragon-type Longinus!
'This can't be any worse.' Ravel thought to herself. 'Big brother nearly died!' She frowned after that, remembering that Raiser did technically bring it upon himself. First by taunting the dragon when they first met, then by continuing to do so even after the dragon had used his Holy element. It was lucky that Phenex clan members had high resistance to fire, so that the damage was minimized. She shuddered to think what would have happened if the Dragon Emperor had used Holy water instead.
'I shouldn't have given him the Tear,' she realized. 'Then Gremory would have retired earlier before the dragon got to Raiser.' Ravel's analytical mind began to rationalize and understand where their strategy had gone wrong, and after several minutes came to one conclusion: nothing would have changed. The presence of a dragon on the battlefield was unprecedented, no one could have prepared for that. Especially since there wasn't anything out of…
Ravel cursed herself for not realizing it sooner. She had evaluated the Gremory peerage and found their obvious skills lacking. Now though, much made sense. The daughter of a cadre and a dragon with barely any demonic energy. Rias' aces. And since the Heavenly Dragon had backed the outlandish Tartarus tale, then that would have been the perfect place to learn to conceal his true abilities and avoid execution.
At that last thought, she froze. Execute the dragon? Such a thought filled her with revulsion. Why? Why was she even thinking of that? He hadn't done anything wrong, he even looked very much the part of the knight in shining armor. Unbidden, bedtime stories and fairy tales of her childhood came to the forefront of her thoughts, and she blushed when she superimposed the boy… Issei… into those stories.
Ravel shook her head as if to discourage her from any fanciful thoughts. It was time to see her brother. Opening the door of the infirmary, she found the rest of the Peerage, everyone was present and those that were capable of moving were gathered around Raiser's bedside.
Isabela saw her and made room for her. Before she could see her brother, the Rook grabbed her arm. "Careful," she whispered. "He hasn't said anything we can understand. I think he's still in shock about losing."
Ravel looked around to see downcast expressions, a complete reversal of the joy and enthusiasm that they had before the game. "I think we all are."
Isabela shrugged and moved away, Ravel taking her place.
Raiser sat on the bed, heavily bandaged. His arm had been reattached, though there were still signs of red showing through the white linen and the formerly-severed arm was twitching slightly. He was staring off into space, lips moving though she couldn't hear anything legible.
"Big brother?" Ravel shook his other arm. "Are you alright?"
She was slightly terrified when Raiser turned to face her, still whimpering. His gaze passed over her blankly, as if he didn't even realize she was there. Reading his lips, she understood what he was fearfully repeating over and over, even if no one could hear.
Dragon.
"Well. That was fun." Azazel closed the laptop and propped his feet on the table. "I'll have to find a way to catch the re-runs. The live stream is good and all, but I want the edited one, I need greater detail on that armor."
"Already analyzing another Longinus?" Baraqiel rumbled. "One unruly dragon is quite enough, don't you think?"
"Red's not really my color, hurts the eyes. White on the other hand, white reminds me of Heaven in a way."
Baraqiel stood up as Azazel began writing down as many details in the armor as he could remember. Letting the Governor General be for now, he looked around in concern.
"Vali?"
After Grayfia's final announcement, Issei found himself inside another teleportation circle. It deposited him in some kind of chamber, a waiting room. Akeno and Rias were already there. He looked around, trying to find the source of his confusion before tapping his armor. "You're kidding me."
"What?" Rias asked, stepping forward to observe him.
"I've been jumping through those glowing circles, getting nauseous for my trouble, and the solution was to wear the ScaleMail through the trip." Issei snorted. "Talk about poor luck."
"That's not the only thing that needs to be discussed." Akeno was on his other side now. "When were you going to tell us that you had a Longinus?"
"I… I wasn't sure how to tell you."
"It doesn't sound that difficult." Rias sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Issei hesitated for a moment before telling them what they needed to know and little more. He explained that the only reason he stood a chance in Tartarus was through secrecy and discretion, using the experience Albion had given him to apply in real life. The escape process, though he left out his use of Senjutsu and Kuroka. He told them that he hadn't been able to access Divine Dividing since the first nightmare a month ago nor contact Albion since then.
"…And I guess I didn't want to get your hopes up." Issei breathed. "I didn't mean to keep it a secret this long, it's just that… things got out of control."
Rias nodded, lost in thought. "Well, all things considered, it worked out in the end. Though I didn't expect you to literally be the shining Knight and Dragon simultaneously. First things first though… you kept your promise."
"You were still awake~~" Issei's surprise that she actually remembered his promise was overshadowed when she reached up to grasp his face and pulled him into a searing kiss. Instantly, his mind was overcome with the sensation. Mindful of her well being, he dispelled the ScaleMail, letting the forgotten zweihander clatter to the floor and was about to step back, citing his relationship with Akeno when something odd happened.
Being familiar with out-of-body experiences, courtesy of immersion into his predecessor's memories, he felt three abnormal things at once. He could feel how soft Rias was as she pressed against him. That was nothing special, since they were his sensations. What struck him as odd was that there were two additional sets of sensory input with additional emotions.
While hazy, he could identify one as sheer happiness and the other set as both surprise and betrayal. They were coming from two different people, and with a jolt, he began to understand. As Rias suddenly jerked herself away, he passively used Senjutsu to do something he had never bothered to try, to see his own life force.
Seen only by him, from his chest floated two tendrils of pure white energy. Dynamically flowing, they spiraled and overlapped constantly, a symphony of intrinsic motion. The best he could describe it was a river that spiraled in all three dimensions and yet flowed equally in both directions. One end was connected to Rias' bosom, its sister embedded in Akeno's.
'What the~~ I-I…'
(Both of them! As in more than one!) Albion's shocked voice sounded out from the back of his mind. (Is there anything normal about you?)
Issei's shock at this new revelation was interrupted by a slight cough. Seeing both Rias and Akeno's eyes had widened at something behind him, he turned to see a newcomer behind him. Wearing rather formal decorative robes, he appeared to be someone of authority. What set him on guard was that the man before him had red hair that only one other person he knew had. Considering his lifelong lack of luck, this could only be a superdevil, the Devil King Sirzechs Lucifer, Rias' older…
(It was nice knowing you kid.)
AN: PLEASE READ/REVIEW/ENJOY! ALSO, I HAVE IMPORTANT NEWS!
Well, I made a promise. Time to own up to it. I will leave the story/pairing description unchanged until the next update.
Romantic interests/harem girls: Rias and Akeno as main girls, Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, Ravel, Kuroka, and maybe, just maybe Rossweisse and/or Irina.
I may have just upset some of you with my selection; some of you have been pushing for Ophis, Raynare, even Artemis. If you really wanted to see someone added or removed, you'd better be able to make a convincing argument far beyond "She's my favorite!" and be able to rationally convince me to make a change. And even then I have the final say.
Now, in regards to my update schedule, I've been asked to announce a set series of dates when I can post new chapters. Since the one who asked me even if he/she was a little rude about it (you know who you are!), is probably not the only one curious as to when I update, here it is.
I have this story outlined to just after volume 12 of the light novels. That's the good news. The bad news is that I only update once I have fully edited and revised each chapter to support / remain compliant with that outline. This means that the process can take as little as two days (the difference between the first three chapters) and three-four weeks (the usual delay). However, considering that the end-of-term exams at university are just around the corner, the next few chapters may be a little slower in coming, and anything I write will definitely not have the same word count I've been aspiring to in the this and the previous updates.
Just a heads up and explanation as to why I might not update frequently in the coming weeks/month. If I disappear for a time, its not on HIATUS, it's just taking me a little longer than normal to get quality work done.
Next time: Repercussions and ramifications of many different kinds