Hello everyone, we are keeping the rigorous update schedule going! Only expect it to last throughout the coming week though. University studies will commence after that again. I hope you all had a great new year's eve. I know I did! (the after party is still going) Ejoy this chapter!

Shoutouts:

Dasher911: Although I can't tell you without spoiling the story, I might or might not be able to tell you that perhaps something of the sort will be coming up. I, of course, could also be lying.

Soundion: That is the point of cliffhangers isn't it? To keep you coming back for more ;)

Guest: I'm glad you can appreciate the story so far!

: Thx for copy pasting the same comment again! I really do appreciate you showing you care so keep on pasting ;).

Heaven – The throne of Michael

"It is done." Issei said, kneeling before Michael, who nodded in acknowledgement. "Tell me, Hyoudou. What are you planning with your prisoner?" "Her soul was surprisingly pure for a fallen angel. I'm planning to see if I can reverse the effect of falling." "You know it isn't possible to reverse falling. It's one of the first things we teach to both newborn and reincarnated angels." Michael replied. "Perhaps, but I have a gut feeling that this is the right thing to do."

"Do as you please, but she will not be allowed into heaven." Issei nodded. "Will that be all?" "No." Michael said to his surprise. "I found my sister crying again after you left." He started. Issei sighed, dreading where this conversation was headed. They had danced around the touchy subject a hundred times before. "Although it's none of my business what goes on in your private lives, I wish you would at least look her in the eyes from time to time."

The staring contest had gone on long enough. It was time Issei spoke his mind. "With all due respect, Michael." Issei said in a cutting voice, purposely not using titles or honorifics. "The transgression that all of you made, under the lead of your sister, is unforgivable on so many levels, it surprises me the Seraph have not fallen yet. My new prisoner has a soul ten times as pure as all of you put together."

The air grew heavy, laden with power as both men strained to retain their composure. "Out of my sight." Michael said in heavy breathing. "With. Pleasure." Issei stood, unfurling his fourteen wings, just to show the bastard across him who was really in charge here. Then he abruptly turned and left.

Michael would crash and burn soon enough. Issei knew. He knew the system was being strained beyond its limits, slowly caving. Even now heaven had to make… less than honorable moves from time to time to control the decay as much as possible. He would not stand for it any longer. When the time came, he would do what he could for the world. Perhaps he could create a more stable system. Only time would tell. Regardless, he was done playing Michael's assassin.

Meanwhile in the Occult Research Club

"Riser, for the last time, I won't marry you!" Rias shouted. The blond haired boy merely laughed it off. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice. You will marry me and you will spread your legs for the good of the underworld as you should. Rias. Gremory." He spat out her name like it was a sour venom. Akeno, Asia, Kiba and Koneko awkwardly sat in the couch opposite the two as the scene unfolded.

"Watch, Rias dear." Riser said, walking behind the couch. Out of a yellow teleportation circle a full peerage of sixteen, all in uniform, emerged. "Even if you were to try to fight it. You can't. What will your… pathetic, measly five pieces do against the full force of my full set? The only one who can fight on par is your Queen." Riser walked up to his own Queen and shared a tongue kiss with her, then smiled at Rias wickedly. "Now you will be coming to the underworld with me, lest there be consequences."

"Out." Rias said, her voice full poison. "Now, now, dear." Riser said in a mocking voice. "Out!" Rias shouted at the top of her lungs, blasting the floor in front of Riser's feet away with her destruction magic. Riser merely chuckled. "All right darling. Pack your bags, I will return in an hour for you." Riser said and gestured for his peerage to follow him out the door. Rias stood frozen until the door clicked shut behind Risers last pawn.

A single tear slid down her cheek. "If you will excuse me." She said in a wavering voice, before heading into a teleportation circle of her own. "I'm sorry for this mess. Especially for you, Asia. You should get to know us on our best behavior." Akeno said. "I will go find her, I think I know where she is."

Sure enough, Akeno found Rias over at the Gremory manor, up high in the mountains. She was perched on a ledge in one of the pavilions overlooking the mountains and forests beyond the grounds of the house. Akeno sat down next to her, but said nothing.

The two of them sat there for a good twenty minutes in complete silence. "This is it, Akeno. Forty minutes from now my life is officially over. We can't fight him. I love the five of you with all my heart, but we can't take on his full peerage with so many pieces untaken." Tears flowed down Rias's cheeks as she looked down on her eight pawn pieces, her remaining rook piece and her remaining knight piece. Akeno got up and embraced her King. "You know you have the solution to your problem in your pocket, right?"

"I would not use it for such a selfish purpose." Rias said. "What other, more worthy, future purpose will there be if you don't stop this madness right now?" Akeno asked. Rias chewed her lip in indecision. "What if he hates me for it, Akeno?" Akeno had an exasperated look on her face. "Not you too." She silently begged. "Hey, I can't help it he is so damn cute!"

Issei's safehouse

He turned on the lights, taking in the interior of the room. It was small. A bed on one corner, a small kitchen in another. A couch and TV in the third corner, with the bathroom door between the bed and the kitchen. He walked over to the bed and looked at the girl who lay on it. "Wake up, little raven." He said in a sing song voice. No response. He raised his head and slapped her full across the check. Again, no response. Dammit. He felt something tug on his mind. Very well, the blackbird would have to wait.

He found himself in the Occult Research Club, where he silently materialized in a shadow filled corner. Five figures were gathered around an elaborate pattern, drawn out on the ground. It was an attempt to recreate his circle. They did an excellent job overall, but they messed up a few of the runes. Luckily the summon was linked to the paper and the paper alone. Perhaps he should have mentioned that. "Do you think he is coming?" One of them whispered.

Issei silently walked up to Rias, leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Who are we waiting for?" Rias jumped, emitting a girly scream. "You are supposed to appear inside the circle!" She shouted. "Oh. I'm sorry." With two large steps he stood in the middle of the circle. "Alright, what now?"

Rias sighed at the peculiarity of it all. "Short version?" She asked. "That will suffice." "I am being forced into a marriage with an asshole douchebag and I want you to win my freedom in a one on one duel with him." Issei blinked. "Is that all?" He asked, a little surprised. "Yes. In fact, if he is really that precise about his timing, he will be arriving in 4…3…2…1…" "Hello Rias, are you ready to depart?" Riser said as the door flung open. Riser barged in, followed by his peerage.

"Aw, you invited a friend over. How cute." Riser said mockingly. Issei pointed a finger at the man and questioningly looked at Rias, who nodded. "You talk too much." Issei said. "Rias, do you not expect your friends to have any manners anymore?" Issei reached out with his hand and forced Riser's jaw together. "I said, you talk too much." "You ignorant moron! Do you not realize you are talking to the heir of the house of Phen-" Everyone in the room cringed when Risers teeth smashed together again with more force. "Did I fucking stutter?" At that moment another summoning circle opened.

"Grayfia, what are you doing here?" Rias asked. "Is there a problem, Rias Gremory, Riser Phenex? You were expected in the underworld forty minutes ago." "I will not marry that asshole!" Rias shouted. "Hell yes you will!" Riser shouted back. Within moments the air in the room filled with power as spells of pain and destruction were woven by the two teenagers. "Stop this." Grayfia said, raising her hand.

Immediately the room quieted down. "My master foresaw this outcome and gave me a means to settle this debate once and for all. If you will not go peacefully, this will be settled with a rating game." Rias made to protest, but Issei raised a finger, silencing her. "Did your master state which peerages had to participate?" The woman in maids costume had a baffled expression on her normally stoic face. "No, he didn't. Why is that of consequence?" "I will participate as Rias's peerage."

Grayfia blinked twice, uncertain about the situation, but nodded. "You? A boy against my whole set? Haha! This will be easier than I thought. I will have my Queen warm your side of the bed for you honey." Riser said in a mocking voice. "Rias Gremory do you agree with these terms?" Rias looked back and forth between Riser and Issei. "I… We… But… Yes. I agree." "Riser Phenex, do you agree with these terms?" "But of course!" He laughed. "Then it's settled. The rating game will take place tomorrow at dawn."