Here we are with chapter number eight! I got this out much fast than I was expecting to. Considering how much work I have to punch through...
Anyway, I'll have more notes down after the chapter over, so for now, enjoy yourselves.
Akeno's hands summoned magic circles and created two arcs of golden electricity. The assassins got out of the way of the impact area and took maneuvers.
Issei watched the Queen closely, as well as Rias. They were the only ones here, and obviously they were the most powerful. But it seemed the assassins all found the same weakness in them.
This would be over quickly, if they could get close enough.
"Ichika, Shoraku, keep them busy!" Issei ordered. Ichika twirled his naginata between his fingers while reaching for his shuriken pouch.
Shoraku rolled back, taking his L118A1 into his hands. "Got'em."
Issei and Indra both rushed at Akeno, with the Queen making defense spells already. If they were correct in their assumptions...
Issei and Indra ran at Akeno with the intent to kill. And the Queen was ready for the blow, until they tricked her.
Akeno had been ready for the two to come straight at her. When they were close she would activate the magic spell to create a shield around her and Rias. What happened, was Issei whipped out his M92 and shot at Rias as he closed the distance between him and Akeno. Indra was right next to him, aiming for the Queen.
Akeno had activated her spell, but she had noticed too late that one of the hooded killers was missing. Hearing her King cry out, she turned to see that Hayato had been caught inside the shield, and he now held his katana close to Rias' neck.
The plan had worked flawlessly. They never once called out to Hayato, in order to keep him from being found out, and had him follow in their shadows. When he had reached the required distance between them and the devils, Hayato was free to take the chance to slip past their defense and take the leader hostage.
Indra and Issei stood outside of the shield with mysterious little grins showing from under their hoods.
Akeno now had two choices. She could try and kill them, at the risk of Rias being killed as well. Or, she could surrender. At the very least, Rias might be spared, and they would just have to deal with whatever consequence they may be given.
"Will you surrender? Or will you force us to spill innocent blood?" Issei asked.
Akeno really wanted to do something, but Rias' safety was always the top priority. So with much reluctance, she took the shield down.
"Now, it seems we're in a bit of pickle." He said, a hint of humor in his voice.
"What do you want?" Rias asked, trying not to let the blade at her neck cut her.
"We only want to do our duty. However, it seems that the supernatural is now going to be involved. And that's not a pretty picture." Issei replied.
Now that they've been exposed, the assassins had to either leave their home, or—very reluctantly—make a deal. And making deals with devils was never exactly a good thing. Devils were very greedy creatures, and Issei could see it clear as day, Rias would not hesitate to bargain for something.
"And what duty is that?" She asked. Issei sighed. "That is not information we can just give to anyone." He replied to her question.
"Why not?" Issei shook his head. "You're a curious little thing aren't you?"
"This is my territory. I'm the one who watches over it." She said.
Coming forward, Shoraku commented. "Well, you're obviously doing a horrible job."
That made the redhead glare at him. "I'm not! I'm doing what I'm told to do, and keeping my peerage safe!" She said.
The golden eyed assassin then dropped the bomb on her.
"So you're saying you care only for you and your peerage? Then you don't care what happens to the people here in your territory?" His eyes bored into her from under his hood.
Rias said nothing, looking to Akeno for help, but the Queen couldn't really say anything either.
"We've been doing this longer than you think we have. And you're just now noticing it." Issei said.
"Since you know where our hideout is, we can't just send you off. For all we know, you may try to hunt us down an eradicate us." He continued, thinking of what to do.
"How about we make a deal then?" Rias asked.
Issei turned back to her. "I know what happens when you make deals with devils. I'm not going to fall for that trick." He said.
Rias had to think. Getting them to make contracts was out of the question. She could see just a little bit of skill in them as fighters, so maybe she could work with that. But they were very well aware of how devils seemed to do business, so it wouldn't be easy by any means. They had no trust in her, not that she could really blame them.
But...she had to get out of this problem of her's somehow. She needed help. So, perhaps...
"I...I need help." She said. Issei didn't say anything, but he was listening.
Rias swallowed. "There's... I have this problem that I need help with..." She seemed to become very uncomfortable in just a short period.
"If you can help me, then I can give you something in return. Anything! Just name your price." She said, with her head lowered so they could see her face.
Akeno seemed to know what her King was talking about. If the saddened expression on her face didn't seem to give off any clues.
There was long pause before Issei spoke. I'll talk with my peers here first. Then I'll give you my answer." He said.
"Come on." As he walked into the library with the others, he called out Asia. "Asia, please, make some tea for our guests." The blond nun came out of her room and swallowed nervous at the sight of devils.
"O-Okay." She stuttered while moving to the kitchen area.
"I don't like this Issei." Indra said.
"I know, but we have very limited options." The brunette replied.
"We can't hold her hostage forever. She's the heiress to the Gremory clan, a powerful family under the 72 pillars. They'll come searching for her." Hayato reasoned.
"We can't take too much risk bargaining with her either. I can tell just from looking at her, she's good at the art of manipulation. Don't forget that devils love to be greedy." Shoraku commented.
Of that, there was no doubt. Rias had seen only just a fraction of what they were capabale of. But, being able to detain a high class devil is something that would obviously get a strong person's attention.
Well...strong with magic anyway. Rias was not the least bit capabale with physical, hand-to-hand combat.
Issei rubbed his temples, not sure what to do. The decision he made would make quite an impact.
"Let's just hear what she has to say." Ichika said, making the choice for the brunette.
The others were all skeptical, including Issei himself. But he had to remember that he wanted to keep his mind open, and not one-tracked.
"Alright, let's do it." He said.
They left the girls in the library so they wouldn't do anything stupid. Issei greeted Rias with a leveled stare—not that she could see it—and said, "Let's hear this proposition of yours."
Rias sighed with relief. "I can leave you all alone. But...I'd like just one favor in return." She said.
Issei raised a curious eyebrow. "And what might that be? It won't endanger any of my peers, will it?"
Rias carefully chose her next words. "I...well, it depend-"
Issei frowned. "I think I've heard enough." He said.
Rias quickly raised her voice. "Please! I'm desperate! I need help!" She said.
The assassins all took notice of her change in attitude. Okay, there was definitely a problem on hand, but again, they would be putting their lives in danger for her.
"Why would you ask us? We're nothing but complete strangers to you. Is your problem really that bad?" The master assassin asked, his expression never once changing.
Rias nodded solemnly. "Yes, it is. Please, I'll give you anything in return. Anything you want." She said hoping to reason.
...
There was a long, tense moment of silence before anyone uttered a word.
"If we do this," Issei started as he moved forward towards Rias. "You'll give us anything we want?" He asked.
Rias nodded. "Anything." She said.
Issei gained a mysterious little grin on his face as he turned away from her, allowing his brothers to see the grin. That was the face of someone who had an idea. A crazy idea.
"Alright. This deal will simply be doing a favor in return for another favor." He said.
"What do you want?" The red haired heiress asked. Issei chuckled. "Don't worry Rias. I don't need anything right now, but I will call you on this favor should it ever come up. Is that fair?" Rias nodded in response. As long as she got help for her situation, then she would take the risk.
"Yes, that seems fair enough." She replied. "Come by the Occult Research Club 3 Days from today. That's when we'll meet." She said. Issei nodded in response as Rias and Akeno both disappeared in a crimson circle of magic.
"What now, Issei?" Indra asked as the rest of their tenants came out from hiding.
"Now? I recommend we keep our eyes open and guard up. If Rias is aware of us, then we can be certain more attention is sure to follow. Whenever anyone is out on a mission, be sure to take extra caution." He said.
Everyone nodded, and finally settled down.
With his arms tied to the chair behind him, Dieter Frankfurt could do nothing as he gazed up at forward at his captor. The younger man in front of him wore robes of some fashion. They appeared to be a mix of a Japanese kimono and a German trench coat, colored a rich, white sand color. Underneath were black breeches and brown boots made for combat.
The young man had a hood shrouding his face in shadows. His identity was further hidden by a black cloth face mask wrapped around his lower face.
"So, I take it this isn't just a cult recruitment?" He asked with snark.
"Ich bin nicht in der stimmung für spiele." The younger man replied with a cold monotone.
Dieter raised an eyebrow. "By the sound of your accent, I can tell you're Austrian." He said.
"Oh? Wat hat es verraten?" The boy replied with snark, mocking the older man.
"Alright kid, I don't know who you think you are. But I got powerful friends." He said threateningly.
"I know. That's why, they won't find anything left of you when I'm through." The younger boy spoke in clear English. His tone had changed back to it's monotone.
Before the man could question him, the boy plunged a tactical knife into his leg.
"Graaagh!" The man cried in pain as the steel blade penetrated.
"What is your leader planning? I know he's been sending shipments to England."
"Grrrr!" The man growled as the knife dug into his femur.
"I won't ask again." The assassin said.
Dieter grunted as the knife was yanked out of his leg. "Okay! Okay! Look, I don't know my boss personally, but he said he wanted some weapon shipments taken to England to supply a mercenary force."
The assassin narrowed his eyes.
"What kind of force?" He asked.
"Japanese Commandos." Dieter replied.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"This isn't good." He whispered to himself.
Dieter however, heard him. "If you plan to stop it, you're too late kid. The plan is already in motion."
The young assassin sighed, irritated. He took out a P38 Walther and fired a bullet right between Dieter's eyes.
"I have to find out more. Looks like my next stop is London." He said as he left the room.
"Can you manage things while I'm gone, Indra?" Issei asked.
Three days had gone day rather swiftly, and now it was time for Issei to be called in for the favor he owed.
Indra nodded. "Just be safe."
Issei grimaced. "There's no guarantee, but I will be careful." He replied.
"Best of luck to you then." Indra said.
Issei gave his oldest friend a nod before leaving the safety of the hideout.
The brunette assassin made his way to the old school building where Rias told him to meet. He knocked on the door, and shortly after, Kiba answered the door.
"Ah, hello Issei. Good to have you here. Follow me this way." The blond boy led him to an elevator, which took them up to another floor. After exiting, they walked down a hallway before turning right to face a door.
"Here we are." Kiba said, opening the door for the assassin.
Inside, Issei immediately was on guard. He didn't have the element of surprise here, and he was surrounded by devils with strength and powers that could easily kill him. He was out of his element.
It seemed Issei also walked in on an important conversation because there was another blond man in a burgundy suit standing by Rias, glaring at him. There was also a maid with silver hair, standing behind her desk.
"Why is there a human here, Rias?" He asked with venom.
"He's here because I asked him to be here, Riser." She replied with just as much.
Riser scoffed. "I see no point. No matter how much help you get, you still can't get out of this Rias. Our parents agreed to it." He said, making Issei raise an eyebrow.
"And I don't care what my parents said, I'm not doing it!" She yelled at him.
Riser's eye gained an amber glow, and fire formed around his hands. "I guess I'll just have to take you by force then."
Issei would have intervened, but this wasn't his fight. The maid stepped in between the two and an icey aura took over the room.
"I am here on behalf of Lord Lucifer. I will not allow the two of you to fight here. Is that understood?" She asked with a tone that reminded Issei of Indra.
Riser backed off and frowned. "When the Strongest Queen makes such an ominous statement, who am I to say no?"
Rias rolled her eyes and sat down at her desk. She then smiled to Issei and beckoned for him to come over. Issei quickly scanned everyone in the room as he did so. This room was now a warzone, and he was caught in the crossfire.
"What the hell Rias? Are you trying to kill me?" He whispered so that only she could hear.
Rias gave him an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry Issei. I really am, but I need your help." She replied.
"With what? I'm only human Rias. Against magic and superhuman strength, I'm like an ant compared to you!" He whispered harshly.
Rias sighed, knowing full well he was correct.
Grayfia stepped towards Rias and said, "If you will not cooperate lady Rias, Lord Lucifer has made it an option to challenge Lord Riser to a Rating Game."
Rias widened her eyes. What was her brother thinking?! Rias then quickly squashed the thought of her brother and quickly accepted.
"I'll do it." She said.
Grayfia nodded. "Very well, I let the Lord know of your decision."
Riser smirked. "Might I be so generous to give you a handicap, my love?" He asked.
Rias rolled her eyes. "No thanks. I'll do what What needs to be done."
Riser waved her off. "Oh well then. I'll see you at the wedding." He said, leaving in a blaze of fire.
After Riser was gone, Issei took a moment to glare at Rias.
"Rias, I'm putting my life on the line here! I hope you keep that in mind." He said.
Rias looked guilty. "I know Issei. But please, I really need you." She begged.
Issei sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What do you need from me?" He asked, knowing he was going to regret it.
"My peerage and I are going to take 10 days to train ourselves for the game. I'd like you to assist in our training." She said.
Issei closed his eyes, thinking about the situation. He knew very well he couldn't just leave. Despite being a rather nosy devil, Rias was innocent. It was his job to safeguard the innocent.
And yet...
"Alright, I'll help. However, I won't be doing this alone." He said, making Rias nod
Issei pulled out his cellphone. Issei hardly used the device when he was out, to avoid drawing attention to himself. Just a simple sound would give him away if he was on a mission right now.
Issei dialed a number and waited patiently until the receiver picked up.
"Hey Issei, what's got you by nads this time?" Shoraku asked on the other side. It seemed the sniper was already aware of the situation, somehow.
"Work, as always." The brunette responded. "I'll need your help with this one."
"I'll be there in about 10 minutes." The sniper replied.
"Thanks." Issei said before hanging up.
Rias decided to get the club moving as they packed everything they would need for the trip. "So, are your friends coming?" She asked.
"Just one." He replied.
Rias raised an eyebrow. "Why only one? You all seem pretty skilled." She said.
"Apart from myself, I need another master to run things while I'm gone. Indra is capable of that. The help I asked for will assist with certain...exploits." He said, grinning slightly at the end.
For some reason, Rias didn't like that grin.
And there we go! It's done.
Sorry again for the long delay, but being a senior means a lot of different things are put on my plate. There's a lot of stuff being offered, pressured, and required of me that takes up a nice chunk of my time.
However, I'm always trying to work when I can to get these updates out for you guys.
So, for the next chapter, we have our brunette master, and half British sniper teaching our star devil-y group some things about combat.
I don't know about you guys, but I think it will be more than just a simple tea party. :)
Until next time.