"Quite impressive, isn't it?" Sirzechs asked, the two standing in the middle of a massive field.
It was a small space created for the specific purpose of avoiding collateral damage located in a section of Dimensional Gap, which was very useful in rating games of all sorts. Everyone else would be watching through special mirrors, thus allowing them to safely spectate the duel between them.
"… Useful," The Knight said.
"Well, I suppose we should get this duel on," Sirzechs said and flew into the air, six sets of devil wings behind his back. "Good luck."
With that, the Knight shifted his form, into the one he reserved for a fight. Looking once more similar to the Pure Vessel, it assessed its surroundings. First of all, there was nothing it could jump further up and it was pretty sure it wasn't able to reach the devil in the sky by simply standing on the ground or even with the use of Monarch's Wings, nor did it want to use it's spells on the devil.
"So… what is a vessel?" Ajuka asked, as he inspected the Knight.
"Actually… we are not sure ourselves, Lord Beelzebub," Rias said, while Ajuka glanced towards her.
"You're not sure yourself? So he is not a yokai? Or anything like that?" He confirmed.
"I don't believe he is, or at least not one that I know of, he said it himself. Not an angel, not a devil, not a yokai," Rias replied.
"I see... what is that sword anyway?" Ajuka asked, the pitch black blade forming out of nowhere.
"We don't know that either, Lord Beelzebub," Sona replied, the devil turning towards her. "Knight is rather secretive unfortunately."
"Hmm… it doesn't look like sacred gear, maybe it's some kind of inherent ability?" He speculated, his attention on the fight. "Regardless, let us watch for now."
"You can't fly? Should I come down?" Sirzechs taunted, his attention on the Knight.
He wanted to test the boy, figure out just how strong it was, perhaps find a way to blackmail him into his bidding, so that he would join Rias' peerage. And if not, well, figure just how difficult would it be to contain him. He still had his doubts about the boy, especially the first condition he mentioned. Did he suspect something? Maybe. One more reason to keep a close eye on him.
In the meantime, the Knight frowned as much as it's shell allowed it to. Well, since Sirzechs didn't intend to come down, there was only one option left, Crystal Heart. The Knight crouched a bit, as energy gathered around it, purple crystals appearing around, Sirzechs raising his eyebrow. Then, the Knight unleashed the energy soaring into the sky, towards the devil.
He drew his sword and as soon as he got closer, he slashed at the devil, but Sirzechs simply smiled and flew away from the blow, before it could hit him. However, the Knight wasn't done, as it used it's wings and moth-wing cloak to get closer and try once again. Both of the blows were avoided, but Sirzechs instead of staying in the air landed on the ground.
"Not bad, although, that should make it a bit easier for you, shouldn't it?" Sirzechs taunted, while the Knight landed on the ground with a thud.
Alright, being in the air didn't work in the slightest, it was time to get a bit more serious. It considered using some of it's charms for the fight, but that seemed a bit too much, not to mention, it really didn't like the way it was being looked at. It felt like Sirzechs was trying to judge its power and capabilities, neither of which the Knight had intention to showcase. Well, it seemed like it would rely on simple dashes, some jumping, wings and not going all out, just in case.
The Knight once again dashed towards the devil, who dodged to the side. This didn't stop the Knight from doing it again as it tried slashing at Sirzechs, only for the devil to easily back step. It began moving forward as it tried to land a single blow on the devil, to no avail. After two minutes of fighting had passed, Sirzechs flew quite away from the Knight, looking a bit disappointed.
"That's all you have got? I am disappointed, Knight," Sirzechs said.
Well, as much as it wanted to deny that, that was the extent of its speed, strength and agility, it was willing to showcase. It didn't use any of it's charms, nor the power of the Void, but that was fine with it. However, it was a bit irked by how the devil looked down upon it, so it decided to do something stupid and reckless. Well, as reckless as it could be for it.
"… Maybe you should try hitting me instead?" The Knight suggested, while Sirzechs raised his eyebrow.
"Are you sure about that, boy?" Sirzechs asked.
"… I am, unless… you're scared that is?" The Knight asked.
"What is he doing?!" Sona yelled, not able to believe her own ears, before she managed to compose herself. "He doesn't stand a chance against one of the Four Satans!"
"We have to stop it!" Asia said.
"I am afraid not," Ajuka said, everyone turning towards him. Kuroka watched from a very, very dark corner, concealing her presence with every bit of practice she had. "It was agreed by both sides and we are not allowed to interrupt. Besides, I doubt Sirzechs would hurt the Knight too much."
"That's right! You don't have to worry, So-tan!" Serafall said and hugged her sister, who looked embarrassed from the affection.
"Alright, boy, let's see if you can dodge this," Sirzechs said and dashed forward. Fast!
The Knight barely dodged to the left, Sirzechs's fist located where it was just a moment ago. However, that was only the beginning as the devil began a vicious combo of attacks, forcing the Knight on the defensive. It was able to keep up with the devil, but just barely and without a shade cloak, it's spells and it's charms, it was a bit restricted. However, that didn't prevent the Knight from trying to try to get a hit in.
However, Sirzechs was no slouch to avoiding damage, he moved swiftly and decisively reminding it of the fight with Pure Vessel. The devil had almost no openings it could exploit. It was barely able to keep up with him, until Sirzechs kicked it right in the chest, making it skid on the floor. It's shell cracked from the impact, a bit of the Void leaking through it's body, before it fell onto the floor and disappeared like puddles of black water. That hurt, as in, it's defenses were breached and it took one mask worth of damage out of nine. It actually made it want to go all out, but it managed to control itself.
"You alright, boy?" Sirzechs asked, quite amused by the exchange. It was quite thrilling, the boy would make a perfect knight, it's already high agility and speed only waiting to be boosted by devil powers. "You would make a good peerage member, knight piece seems like the best match. Speed and agility, I really don't see why you don't want to become a devil."
"… Personal reasons," The Knight replied.
Well, that was problematic, good thing it could heal, but still… This whole fight reminded it of the fights against Grimm and Pure Vessel. It was best to stagger them first and then heal than to wait for an opportunity. However, this in turn awakened old battle instincts.
In fact, Sirzechs was the first opponent that actually proved a challenge, which in turn made the Knight just a little bit excited. Well, at the very least, it would enjoy the fight. It could probably catch up to Sirzechs and even fight him on equal footing, if it were to get serious, but honestly, not yet, maybe next time. Maybe if they were to fight multiple times, it would learn how to use every opening and beat him like this. Spells would definitely help, that was for certain.
Sirzechs on the other hand was quite curious at the sight he just experienced. When his foot connected, the black liquid that left the boy's body was not something it had seen before. Was it blood? Maybe. Well, one thing was for certain, after this fight he was going to research the boy and see if he could find something about the boy. Still, the fact that he was still able to keep up with him, even without his magic and on the ground was very impressive, even if he was holding himself back a bit.
"What was that…?" Ajuka asked, his attention on the liquid that fell onto the floor.
"Black blood?" Falbium asked, intrigued by it himself.
"I hope Sirzechs didn't hurt him too much," Serafall said.
Koneko clenched her fists as she looked at the fight. "… Don't lose."
"Will he be alright?" Momo asked.
"Be careful, Knight…," Asia muttered and prayed silently, giving some of the devils nearby a headache.
"Well, boy, shall we continue or do you give up?" Sirzechs asked. "One minute left, just so you know."
"… I still haven't hit you," The Knight replied and began running forward.
Well then, it avoided using it's abilities, but it seemed like it had to reveal something to get a clean hit in, a Nail Art. Those weren't spells and could be used by anyone in theory. So, it began charging the power of the nail art, Sirzechs standing his ground, keeping a very close on it. Just as he backed away, the Knight dashed forward and unleashed Dash Slash, making sure it hit with the flat side of the blade. The Devil was too close for it to dodge and was only able to raise his hands in response, the attack tearing through the clothes, but leaving the tissue unharmed.
"Stop!" Sirzechs ordered, the Knight stopping, as the devil looked at the clothes that were damaged in the process. "Hmm… not bad, I didn't expect that one. Well done, you win."
"… I do," The Knight confirmed and made the sword disappear.
"Holy Shit...," Issei muttered only to feel a headache along with most of the devils.
"He managed to get a hit on Sirzechs, huh...?" Falbiun asked.
"He did! What was that attack anyway?" Serafall asked.
"It looked like some kind of a sword technique, but I have never seen anything like it," Ajuka admitted.
"How...?" Sona asked, all young devils and nun shocked by the display.
Sirzechs looked at the cut, his eyes glancing at the Knight. Well, one thing was for certain, the boy was a very skilled opponent. However, one thing bothered him, did he hold back? If so? How much? He did hold back as well, but still… Just how strong was the Knight? It was something he had to discuss with Serafall and others. And that last move… was it a last ditch effort? How often could he use it? Were there other techniques he knew? So many questions. Definitely needed to look into the boy, that was for certain.
"So, what was it anyway? That attack?" Sirzechs asked.
"... A skill taught to me," It replied.
"By whom, if I may?" He asked.
"... I refuse to answer," It replied.
"It's your choice, now then, let's get back, shall we?" With the fight done, the duo found themselves back in the Student Council, the rest of the devils already there.
"Are you alright, Lord Lucifer, Knight?" Sona asked, her eyes lingering on the crack in its shell.
"Just a bit of damage to my clothes," Sirzechs replied and turned towards the Knight. "How about you, Knight?"
"… I am fine," It replied, despite the crack in its shell.
"If you say so, I would have it looked at, if I were you," Sirzechs said and walked up to Grayfia. "Well, I believe that's our dealings done for today. We shall deal with the stray devil ourselves. Thank you for the fight, Knight."
"... You're welcome," It replied with the same dull expression.
"That seems to be the case," Ajuka confirmed. "Thank you for your time, Miss Sitri, Miss Gremory, everyone, we shall be leaving for the time being. We will come back tomorrow to finalize the deal."
"Yay! I am getting a sleepover party with So-tan!" Serafall exclaimed and hugged her sister, Sona looking like she was ready to give up on life.
"Don't forget about me, Rias," Sirzechs said with a chuckle, while Rias groaned, looking as embarrassed as Sona. "Now then, everyone, we will see you tomorrow. And just as a reminder, this entire conversation is meant to stay a secret, understood?"
And with that, the Four Satans disappeared from the room, leaving only the teenagers behind. That was also Kuroka's cue to leave. She had seen enough, it was a miracle she wasn't spotted and did not want to face Shirone right here, right now. She had seen so many things and the power of Knight. No wonder Ophis was interested in him, the boy was insanely powerful and was even able to keep up with one of the Four Satans. It was actually kind of hot, in fact, the boy seemed like a pretty good candidate to have children with, but that was something for later. In the meantime, the Knight used that moment to shift back into its human form as it inspected itself for damage. There was a crack in his human form on his face, revealing black substance beneath its face, the Void.
"… Serafall is odd," The Knight muttered to itself, as it watched the group leave. Even Azazel was less odd than her, which was quite a feat all things considered.
"Knight, your face!" Momo said as she walked up to him. "There is a…"
"… A crack?" It asked, while the girl nodded.
"Are you hurt badly?" Sona asked, while Knight shook its head.
"… No, it will heal over the night," It replied.
"Umm… I can fix it," Asia said and walked up to it, before calling upon her sacred gear. "May I?"
"… Go ahead," The Knight nodded, while the girl put her hands on its face, green light enveloping it. And just like that, the crack was gone, the damage fully healed. "… Thank you, Asia."
"You're welcome, Knight," She said with a smile, just as radiant as it remembered. The Knight really had to be careful not to say cute with Shirone and everyone else here.
"Well… at least that's over," Sona said with a sigh. "That was an interesting fight. But, why didn't you use the same ability you used on Fallen Angels?"
"… I didn't want to," It replied.
"Why not?" She asked, while the Knight shook its head. "Okay, I won't push it then."
"That was awesome!" Saji suddenly yelled, everyone turning towards him, the boy scratching his neck, a bit red. "Don't take it the wrong way, I am straight. But, man, I knew you were strong, but that fight with one of the Four Satans themselves? Incredible!"
"… Thank you?" The Knight said, not sure how to respond.
"Saji is correct, the fact that you were able to land a hit and even dodge most of the attacks of Lord Lucifer is a very impressive feat, even if he held back," Sona admitted. "In fact, would you be interested in practicing with Saji?"
"... Not really," It replied, while Sona sighed.
"I am not surprised by that," Sona admitted and sighed.
"That's nothing, I could do the same!" Issei exclaimed, while everyone just gave him a deadpan.
"Still… that is a big feat, one that would make Knight into talk of most of the Underworld," Sona said, as she imagined the possibilities.
"... Why is that?" The Knight asked.
"Do you know what devils value the most, Knight?" Sona asked, while it shook it's head.
"... Souls?" It guessed.
"Close, but not quite. Power, most devils desire power above everything else," Sona replied. "Do you know what would happen if the news spread that you managed to keep up with one of the Four Satans?"
"... More love letters?" It guessed, while Rias snorted, while most others giggled, even Sona looked amused by its choice of words.
"I wish those were only things that you would get, but no. I imagine marriage proposals would come flooding from parts of the Underworld, but not all of them," She replied.
"... Why not?" It asked, now it was actually curious, what was the deal with some devils wanting power and marriage, while others did not. Besides, Kuoh students were pretty crazy already, how bad could it get anyway?
"Unfortunately, devil society has got certain opinion about purity of the bloodline, which means, they are reluctant to accept reincarnated devils, but that doesn't involve you, does it?" Sona finished.
"... It doesn't, indeed," The Knight said.
"Say… My brother mentioned something interesting, didn't he?" Rias began, everyone turning towards her.
"Rias…," Sona warned.
"Calm down, Sona! I am not inviting him to my peerage!" She protested, although she wanted to. "Say, Knight, what do you think of what brother said?"
"… Nothing, don't care about his opinion, don't intend to become a devil regardless," It replied, while Rias sighed.
"Not even a hint of doubt, I should have expected that," She said.
"Is it because of Riser, Rias?" Sona asked, while Rias nodded.
"… Riser?" The Knight inquired, it's head tilted to the side.
"Rias' fiance," Sona replied.
"And a complete dick," Rias said with a scowl on her face.
"… I am not sure I understand," The Knight admitted.
"Well, since we are here already, I might as well say it, it's not much of a secret anyway," Rias admitted.
"What about us, Rias?" Sona asked.
"It's fine, Sona," She replied and sighed. "A few years ago, my family and Phenex family arranged a marriage between me and their son, Riser Phenex."
"… And that's bad?" It asked, it's head tilted to the side.
"It is!" Rias exclaimed and stomped her feet, before sighing. "I am sorry for that. It's just… Riser is…."
"A dick and a pervert," Koneko said, while Akeno giggled.
"It's what Koneko said," Akeno confirmed. "Riser only wants to add Rias to his harem, that's all he cares about."
"… I see, but it doesn't involve me, does it?" The Knight asked. Truth to be told, it didn't care who Rias married. It didn't care about her future or her problems, why should it? It didn't involve it.
"Not you, but it does involve Koneko and other members of Rias' peerage," Sona said, the Knight turning towards her.
"… What do you mean by that?" It asked, it's head tilted to the side.
"If I lose…," Rias began. "I will be forced to marry him, my peerage will become an extension to Riser's one and he will be able to do whatever he desires with me and my peerage."
"… Anything?" The Knight asked, blinking in response.
That was a very bad statement. Anything could imply variety of things, rape, abuse, death, all kinds of nasty things. It didn't care if any of those things happened to Rias, but Shirone? That was a whole different story. If Riser were to do something to one of the few beings it considered friends, then it would do what it always did, dispose of him, one way or another.
"Yes, anything," Rias admitted with a painful smile.
"That perverted bastard! He wants to take Rias' virginity that I desire myself! I won't let him!" Issei shouted, most of the girls looked at him with disgust, even Rias didn't seem happy by his choice of words.
"Pervert," Koneko muttered.
"He is," Momo agreed.
"… Can I kill him?" The Knight asked, everyone turning towards him, their eyes spread wide open.
"What you can't…!" Rias began.
"Knight, what did you just say…?" Sona asked, not sure if she heard correctly.
"… Can I kill Riser Phenex?" It repeated itself.
"Oh him, for a moment I thought you were asking about Issei," Rias admitted.
"No, you are not allowed to kill Riser Phenex," Sona said, the Knight tilting its head to the side.
"… Why not?" It asked.
"You would be labeled a criminal by the devils is one thing, not to mention other consequences," She explained.
"… Bothersome," It summed up it's opinion.
"Question," Ruruko asked, everyone turning towards her. "What would it take to break marriage like this?"
"Not many things, Ruruko," Reya said. "I don't know a lot about devil society, but I think it would require consent of both parties."
"That's one of the solutions, yes," Sona said. "However, there is also a different one."
"There is? What kind of?" Tsubasa asked, curious herself.
"Rating game," Tsubaki replied, while Rias nodded.
"It's how Tsubaki said, if I win a rating game with one of the conditions being the wedding being called off, I can escape the marriage," Rias confirmed.
"… Then what's the problem?" The Knight asked.
"The problem is that Rias only has four members, including her," Sona explained. "Riser on the other hand has got sixteen members."
"… Outnumbered, but what about power?" The Knight asked.
"Relatively even," Akeno said. "We aren't weak, but Riser's numerical advantage is not something we can defeat in our current circumstances."
"… So, that's why you invited me and Asia to your peerage? To escape the marriage?" It asked, while Rias nodded. "… Selfish."
"I am not Selfish!" Rias protested.
"… You're selfish, Miss Gremory. The only reason you were interested in me and Asia was because we could be helpful to your cause, nothing more, nothing less," The Knight summarized, while Rias frowned, Akeno smiling dangerously.
"Ara Ara, are you sure you should be saying that, Knight?" She asked.
"… I am. Better ways to ask for help than acting like this," It replied.
"Then what should I have done?" Rias asked.
"… Just asked," It replied, while Rias blinked.
"What…?" She asked.
"… I don't mind helping you, especially since I have got a reason to do so. I will not become a devil, but I am willing to do other things," It explained. "… All you had to do was ask, not try to force us into peerage."
"I…," Rias began, while Asia stepped forward.
"It's as Knight said. We do not wish to become devils, but we do not want to see you suffer when we can help it, do we, Knight?" Asia asked, while the Knight nodded.
"… See?" It asked, while Rias looked like she was about to cry and bowed.
"I am sorry, I am truly sorry that I didn't think of that, you're both right," She admitted. "But… you can't participate in a rating game, unless you're part of the peerage."
"… Question, is it possible to challenge Riser to a duel or other competition?" The Knight suggested.
"What do you mean by that, Knight?" Sona inquired.
"… Perhaps I could fight Riser myself?" It suggested, while others blinked.
"That's… not a bad idea," Sona said and as she bit her lip. "But, it might not work."
"… Why not?" The Knight asked.
"Riser is not stupid, he won't risk marriage between him and Rias just because you challenged him to a fight," Sona said.
"… Bothersome," The Knight repeated itself.
"It is," Rias smiled weakly.
"Hang on… Rias, what if you challenged him instead?" Sona suggested.
"What…? What do you mean by that?" Rias asked.
"Think about it. If you were to challenge Riser when he comes here and basically tell him that if he can win against Knight…," Sona began.
"Then… I could make him call off the marriage if he were to lose?" She guessed, while Sona nodded.
"Exactly, it's still a bit of a gamble, whether he will accept or not," Sona added.
"… Riser has got a peerage of his own, doesn't he?" The Knight asked, while Rias nodded.
"That is the case, why…?" She asked.
"… Then if he doesn't accept one on one challenge, I am willing to fight against him and his entire peerage," The Knight said, silence reigning over the room.
"That is not a good idea," Kiba said.
"… Why not?" The Knight asked, with the same dull expression.
"You may be strong, but sixteen devils is more than even you should be able to handle," The boy explained.
"I don't think that's accurate," Rias said. "You have seen how he fared against my brother, didn't you, Kiba?"
"I did… but still, he was holding back, wasn't he? This might be too much even for Knight," He replied.
"… It is not though," The Knight said.
"What do you mean by that, Knight?" Momo asked.
"… I participated in a tournament, where one fought to the death, waves of enemies, no rest, more than sixteen total, including the final, strongest enemy," It revealed.
"… You did?" Rias asked, not able to believe her own ears. "But… that's impossible! We checked your background, there was nothing like that there!"
"… You didn't look well enough it seems," It said, before turning to Sona. "… If you wish I am willing to fight against your both peerages at the same time to prove it."
"That's… fine," Sona relented. "If you can win against us, without getting hit more than three times, we will believe you."
"Sona…?" Rias asked.
"Rias, it's your best choice isn't it? You know it as well as I do that in the rating game, you don't stand a chance," Sona explained.
"… You're right," She said, before turning towards the Knight. "Thank you, Knight."
"… I am not doing it for you, but you're welcome," It replied.
"Ara ara, I bet that you are doing it for Koneko," Akeno said, while the girl blushed.
"… I am," It admitted, earning gasps from everyone involved, the girl covering her face in her hands. "Koneko is a friend, I won't let my friends be hurt."
"So that's why…," Momo muttered, a bit relieved. "Say, Knight, if something like that were to happen to me, would you do the same?"
"… I would, you're a friend, Momo," It replied, while the girl beamed.
"What about me?" Asia asked as she walked up to the Knight.
"… Likewise," It replied, while the girl giggled.
"So that's why, that explains it," Sona said, a bit relieved herself, before shaking her head. "It seems like we both learned something today, Rias, didn't we?"
"… I agree," She admitted.
"Now then, when should we do the duel?" Sona asked.
"… Tomorrow, after Four Satans leave," The Knight replied.
"Then that's settled. Miss Asia, could you come with us, your sacred gear will be helpful in healing injuries we might sustain?" Sona asked.
"Of course!" The girl agreed with a smile, while Koneko peeked from behind her hands, a small smile on her lips.
Yeah, I know, not the fight you hoped for. But do not fret, you will see some good fight against peerages and Riser + something else, if I manage to write that… Oh no, it's the writer's block!
CRASH AND BURN…