The following is a non-profit, fan-based AU story. [High School DxD] is owned by Ishibumi Ichiei, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo, TNK and Funimation. Please support the official release. Remember when I used to update weekly? I don't either. Let's just get on with it then.

Summer break had finally arrived. With school finished for the first term and no work that required completion anymore, I, Hyoudou Issei, returned home to the Phenex Household.

"Ys lyjylziz yzs!"

("I am home")

"""Lypeheys yseot, Hyoudou-ryles."""

("Welcome back, Hyoudou-ryles")

'Ryles' is a suffix equivalent to 'bearer', but was only afforded to those who belonged to a peerage. In Japan, the suffix would be somewhere between -san and -sama. In the West, it would probably be somewhat equivocal with perhaps someone of a higher position in a company, but not one that you personally worked under or worked for.

It's difficult to really say without drawing out a diagram, but basically it's just a higher way of saying 'Mr.' without being too formal.

After expressing my greeting with the sixteen footmen and maids that had been awaiting my entrance, I walked forward along the entrance hall towards the open space at the bottom of the grand staircase. Whilst all the servants went back to their duties, I continued to walk as I approached Sebast, and while I was appreciative that he took the necessary time to greet me also, he wasn't the one I had hoped would have been waiting for my return from school.

Placing one hand across his body, he dipped his head slightly forward before retracting his posture and fixing both arms behind his back.

"Welcome back, Mr Hyoudou. How was your time the overworld?"

"Relatively quiet, thank you Sebast." There was a pause in the midst of my sentence, before I decided to bring up my obvious question for him. "Is Lady Ravel here?"

He didn't answer immediately. It looked as if he was about to clear his throat, however he made sound before his answer came.

"I'm afraid that the young mistress is still attending school at this time. In addition, she will be boarding for most of this year in order to prepare her for her ascent to the human's world come the New Year."

". . . I-I see."

I didn't go to school like she was doing, not that I could of if I asked. I didn't know every detail, but I sort if imagined it was like a usual school, except that the privileged few would be staying on all year round in preparation for the

I know for certain that member of the seventy two pillars and the middle-class extra demons all . But for the low-class that were born and raised, it didn't sound like an option opened to them. Considering the strain of demonic magic that goes into

There wasn't a real difference between a private or public school in the Underworld, considering that there weren't that many children to make that distinction. And, at best, you would be lucky to find five children to be the same age. And from those five, the luckiest you could find them to have been born from a high-class family would be two.

I almost stuttered when I tried to restart the conversation.

"And, w-when shall she return for the holidays?"

"The next month as to my knowledge."

No good. I was already scheduled to return to Tannin-ojiisama's training the next month after I had finished whatever were to be my summer assignments for this month. At best, there may had been the weekend, but that was solely dependent on when the school decided to assign the beginning of summer.

I was not so fortunate this year, . . . unfortunately.

'Was it really going to be like this still?' That was what I continued think, but . . . I can't really say for certain whether I was surrendering to the inevitable, or if I was denying that another outcome was even a possibility. Regardless, there was nothing I could do about this situation. I had no control to dictate how governance and politics are run. I was not aiming for a role behind a desk, not when I was already with my own duties to my King.

Even, if she was not going to be present during the same periods as I.

How could I describe it? This feeling of being at a loss. A set of carriages without a locomotive to lead me down the rails, and left stationary on the mainline. Mayhaps I was too accustomed to being led and directed, that now I was back here I was feeling . . . I can't word it correctly. Abandoned?

No.

I was certain that the disappointment I was feeling in that moment was more than just feeling astray. Not the same, but it was similar then as well. During the Winter's mass. After she had left my side. It was a different sort of feeling, and yet I couldn't help but make the comparisons like they were identical.

It was a shame that I was still without the right experience to make the correct assumptions at the time. Ddraig had been right to say that I was dense whether the situation had been different in retrospect.

"Is there anything else I may be of help with?"

I took a while before I answered Sebast, but I was easy to reassume into the role of another servant.

"Do I have any duties assigned for this month?"

"None to my knowledge. Is that all, Mr Hyoudou?"

"And, . . . do we have any guests in the house today?"

"None since 10 this morning."

It may have sounded quite rude to be speaking to the head butler of the household, considering that he had been the Phenex clan's employment since the 3rd Marquis' tenure as the Lord Phenex, but as a peerage member under one of the current Lord's family, it was difficult to really say for certain whether I technically outranked him or not.

Unlike the strains that comes with nobility which often demands more of your demonic magic than most other roles in our society, it wasn't uncommon to find people like Sebast in service to the many passing Lords over the many millennias still holding their positions before the new lords were even born.

With no more questions on my thoughts, I expressed my gratitude.

"Thank you."

As I raised my left arm from hearing that confirmation, my true reasoning for asking on that status of quests made more sense when I had an impatient red dragon in my arm who had been sealed within his confines for the past four months.

["{Boost!}"]

With as flash of green, the red gauntlet appeared over my left arm, and the sigh of relief emerged from the jewel atop of my hand.

["Ah! Nothing like letting yourself loose after being hindered for so long. I need to stretch out these claws for a little while."]

I flexed my fingers and my wrist as if to replicate a feeling of stretching out muscles. Though I had not used or even activated my Sacred Gear in long while, the return felt as natural as wearing a glove; a little more awkward when wanting to grab hold of delicate things, but generally my hand has all the same flexibility with a protective layer covering it.

After giving the dragon a while to breathe for himself for a while, in a metaphorical sense of course, I turned back to Sebast.

"If there is anything I can be . . . of help with while Lady Ravel isn't here, then feel free to ask for my assistance."

"I will do just that. I will be off then. Mr Hyoudou. Ddraig."

He walked away after a bow, and then I turned also to . . . I don't know exactly what I had originally planned to do after walking from the conversation. It had appeared that all my efforts to clear my schedule for the first month had been most for nought.

" . . . "

[". . . Uh-. I know this wasn't what you hoped it would be-"]

'Can we speak about this later, please? I just need a walk for a while to clear my head.'

I didn't say it aloud because I didn't want anyone else to hear. Though I wasn't aware if anyone else was currently within a reasonable vicinity to eavesdrop on our private conversations, I felt more secure just by speaking via our thoughts, whilst I caressed the omamori hanging round my neck with my right hand.

['Of course, Partner.']

"If you continued down this hall, we'll eventually return to the ballroom. However, walking this way will bring us to the main corridor leading towards the front door and the main staircase."

During our King, Lord Riser's visit to his family home, it the designated to me, Mira, to show our newest members of his peerage the household.

Though this was not something as part of the duties of breaking new pieces into the mould, our King needed something to keep them distracted for a few minutes while he conducted some small business with his Lord Father and Lady Mother.

His newest pieces, Ile and Nel, were only nine years of age when they were reincarnated, which was little under a month ago. Blue eyes, pale green hair with a small yellow ribbon tying one side of their hair, and matching school gym clothe attires. The only way to tell them apart is that Ile's hair is always tied to her right, while Nel's is to her left. Unlike Ni and Li who are colour coded, it's much more difficult to tell these two twins apart except for this one feature that they are fixated in keeping.

According to the information we heard from Lord Riser's own words, they were without legal guardianship. And both were, should we say, under special care before reincarnation.

We do not dig any deeper than that.

"So, further down this hall leads to an entrance into the dining room, a few of the stairs to the servant's quarters are behind a few of these doors, and continuing up ahea-"

["So; do you feel like hitting a few punching bags for a while?"]

"Ddraig. The last time I did that, you {boosted} and smashed it into a million pieces. I was fourteen years old too."

Much to my surprise, I could hear a couple of familiar voices resonating down the corridor.

Before I could be made aware, the sight of a boy of sixteen with brown hair that split halfway down his neck, with a very large red gauntlet covering his left arm. Being the only servant in service to the House of Phenex to have a dragon-type Scared Gear, it wasn't that hard to deduce who the culprits of disrupting the silence of the manor house were.

Come to mention it, Lord Riser has also mentioned that he was to return to the household today earlier as well.

["Well, you've had fun smashing down strays without me. Do you know what it's like to only be an obser-. *ahem* Anyways, I need to properly hit something. A dragon who can't fight is like a bird that can't fly. Or, even fish that can't swim."]

"Then I'll be sure to introduce you to the ostrich, the emu, and the rhea when we go to the zoo. Heck, if you've got time, we could go to the aquarium to see the red-lipped batfish."

["The what?"]

"It's a creepy sort of fish that walks on the seafloor rather than swims. I~ really don't want to go further in describing it."

["Yeesh! And I thought most stray devils were freaky looking creatures. At least they have consistently in their looks; scary thoughts bundled together to make a monster. I don't even know how to respond to that kind of knowledge, Partner."]

I thought it was about time that the two of them stopped bickering among themselves. Plus, it meant that I didn't have to be the only one babysitting these two. Not that I was thinking of pushing my duty onto the both of them, but doing it alone was starting to run through my head.

"Issei."

I called out, but neither him nor Ddraig seemed to notice.

"Whose that?"

"Can we chop him to pieces, please?"

You could clearly see why this was not a one person job to keep two tomiphilic children under control.

"Issei. Hey, Issei!"

Though we could easily hear both him and Ddraig from down the corridor very clearly, it was still a very long corridor and they were both too busy trying to get to each other's throats to even notice us even as I started waving my arm about just to catch him in the corner of his eyes.

"Hmm? . . . Oh! Good Afternoon, Mira. I didn't know that you were here."

I had to catch my breath a little before replying, though I was a little shocked when I started reworking my brain again. Though I was two years older than he was, this was the first time he had ever been bigger than I was in height, which was the bigger shock. It was also harder to notice from the side how broad his shoulders were until he was now facing my direction.

*ahem* I'm sorry, I was a little distracted for a while.

As soon as I recomposed myself, and cleared my throat, I was finally able to give an explanation to his observation.

"Lord Riser is making use of the practise ground on the lower third floor. He previously had a meeting with the Lord and Lady Phenex, but is now training for his upcoming match."

He returned an almost puzzled look to my statement.

"Training? I didn't expect him of all people to be considering training."

His analyses of the obvious was on the mark, despite how informal he put; it was true that our King didn't usual think of any form of training when preparing for. None of his peerage were ever expected to even improve ourselves either between matches despite some of the obvious implication in improving one's abilities. It just simply wasn't done when it came to the majority of High-class devils. Even when the likes of champions like Roygun Belphegor, Bedeze Abaddon, and even [the Emperor] were all known to have trained for a very long time with not just improving themselves, but also their teams.

I can't answer that correctly, expect by reaffirming that it just wasn't how High-class devils chose to do things. I wish I had a better answer, but there simply isn't.

Issei suddenly twitched his head as if to look behind me, before I remembered that it wasn't just the two of us speaking here in the corridors.

"Oh, please excuse me. It appears we have some new guests."

I turned and stood to the side to allow him to meet the new Pawns.

"Ile and Nel, this is Issei. He's the Pawn to Lord Riser's younger sister. Issei, Ile and Nel. They are the last two of Lord Riser's Pawns."

He placed his left arm behind his back, parallel to the floor, with his back as straight as he could before he leaned slightly forward towards them. He offered them his right hand, thinking that the left hand might be too scary for a couple of girls at their age.

"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you."

But he was definitely wrong to have made that assumption.

"When do we get to slice and dice?"

"Slice and dice is really nice."

I never did apologise to Issei for not preparing him to the twin's more . . . eccentric personalities. Though they were smiling, it was obvious that Issei's responsive smile was halfway trapped between trying to find the humour in their response, and also trying to force it as not to expose a look of . . . well, I don't think I need to describe how someone in that situation should have reacted.

I didn't allow him to daunt on the thought for long as it would only have made this situation that more awkward to walk away from.

"L-Lord Riser asked me to request a spar from you."

His eyes thanked me for snapping him from this uncomfortable situation he walked right into, but at the same time, he didn't seem to be able to decipher just what was being asked of him. It was true what I said earlier about Lord Riser not being one to focus on training. However, this was one of the rare occasions that it came to his mind.

"May I entail as to why?"

"My lord is to have a match with Lord Adramelech in the coming month" I explained to him, "and his Queen happens to be a Ryuujin."

I wasn't of Japanese origin as Issei was, but I was aware that the species was some form of river dragon youkai. Any more details I had on the species was very limited. I guessed based on its name that it had some control over water, which would be disadvantageous to our team who have been focused to primarily use fire-based attacks when it came to magic.

So, under these special circumstances, it was understandable that this time we would need to be extra vigilant and well prepared to meet anything. With a win/lose ratio of 7:1 in official matches only, we needed to make sure it maintained such a good lead for as long as we could in order to reach the bigger games.

"So having me who both Japanese and has a dragon-type Sacred Gear as an opponent would be the most beneficial?"

Blunt, again. But, most likely it was a very accurate assumption as to why Lord Riser had wanted to spar with him. Alhough someone like Tash who could use water-based magic would have been a better choice given the circumstances, he did say that, even as a fleeting suggestion, since he appeared to have time on his hands right now.

"From what I know of this match, it's one that he's going to throw in."

"Oh. Again?"

It was no secret in this household that Lord Riser had deliberately thrown in a match previously to the Lady Yurolibar Amon, during our families attempts to woo her father, the current Lord Amon to join hands with the New Satan faction. He had been bobbing in between for too long and it was starting to get under a few people's skins, shall we say.

I however, am unable to elaborate any further.

"Yes. Apparently. But, even still, he believes that not preparing beforehand will make it look too . . . "

Instead of allowing me to finish that sentence, Issei had already deduced what the real intentions behind this training exercise were for.

"I get; he doesn't want the loss to look so obvious, like he had never expected to win to begin with."

"That is indeed."

He took a moment to think about it, which I expected was one of his more "private" talks with Ddraig, because his face wold twitch with some min do new of emotion despite his mouth not opening once to let words escape.

It maybe took one or possibly two minutes before he nodded his head and then his sights turned back towards me.

"When do we begin?"

It was midday on our first day back at the Gremory Household. With the Lord and Lady Gremory out to visit the relatives with Millicas, and Maou Sirzechs was spending his time catching up on the work he had attempted to skive off from finishing under Grayfia's watchful eyes, there was only I, Himejima Akeno, along with Rias and the rest of our adorable kouhais left in the whole estate.

As we speak, Kiba-kun is returning for a few spars with his sensei, the legendary Okita Souji, Knight of Two to Maou Sirzechs. Koneko-chan was either alternating between the gymnasium or the kitchen, but I wouldn't pry to how she spends her first night back. And as for Gya-cha . . . arara, I mean Gya-kun, you could probably expect to find him back in his little corner of the room in that cardboard box of his. I can't criticise our best contractor on his free time either. Ufufu.

As for Rias and I, we were in her fourth bedroom, the one with a little less Japanese memorabilia than the first three, while she continued to debate our options with Sona for the plan for when we second-years will be gone to Kyoto, whose hologram was sitting comfortably on the sofa opposite.

Though Rias was still talking to her via telecommunications, I was busy brewing the tea, just as if we were still in the clubroom. Some habits just die hard even on vacation time.

"I doubt that asking either of our siblings is even going to be on the table in this discussion."

["I would have found it peculiar if the subject of excluding them was not in the agenda."]

In the face of two siscon elder siblings who were also the Maous Lucifer and Leviathan, it was hard not to agree that calling them in for help would most definitely only inflate the situation worse. If I had been facing the two of them at the time, I would have surely been able to seen the deep mental agony running through both of their expressions. Ufufu.

I took the liberty of turning my head once after I finished pouring the water into the cup. After the milk of course with these fine china cups. To speak without too much description, the very thought of it was scrunching her face into such an adorable manner like when she was about to throw a tantrum. Arara, I can see why Sirzechs vies for her pouty face. Ufufu.

Ok, that's enough of my fun. I'll get straight back into the serious matters now;

["I haven't been able to come up with much else though, unfortunately. My initial plan was to set up a lot of defences, but that doesn't seem feasible."]

Rias changed over her crossed legs as she had to ponder on that new thought.

"I see. So there is no way that we can form any form of protection for that one weekend without it drawing too much attention."

["In addition; rather than just simply deter them or let them escape, I want to see them eradicated. It would mean less trouble in the future and, with any luck, none for the rest of the immediate year."]

As I lay the cup and saucer down on the little table in front of her, between the figurines she managed to snag on her last trip to Akihibara. It looks to amusing to see Light Yagami and Lelouch Lamperougue fighting over a hot beverage. Ufufu. It seems like it was Christmas all over again.

"You've certainty thought this through."

["It's part of the job description, so I hardly think I'm doing any more than what is expected of me."]

"Well. Now that we have ousted defence barriers, traps, and especially our siblings aid. Is there anything we haven't covered, or do we need to rethink and come back to this?"

There was a brief silences before Sona answered back. However, the tone of the conversation changed dramatically.

["There is one suggestion. However, I really do not like it, despite it maybe our only sizable option here."]

"I don't like the sound of your tone."

Rias also caught on to it. This sudden change in direction moved her posture from reclined and relax to straightened up and alert as she focused her vision more closely at the hologram of her friend.

["I never intended it to be soft for these kind of matters, Rias."]

"Well, let's hear it."

From the image of her in the hologram, she adjusted her glasses before revealing to us her only option we had for this conundrum.

["We could set up a quick release teleportation link between the school and our location in Kyoto. If there is trouble, a member of either of our peerages would just need to activate the circle in order to quickly summon us to action."]

"And the bad news?"

There was a minute of silence and a moment following that was so still I was sure that there was a form of communications lag through the holograms.

["The time it would take. I don't like it because many things could go wrong; first we have to consider if the situation occurs not at the school, but we cannot get it in a more localised location. There is also the time between the situation occurring and the activation. Then there is the signal reaching us and having to find a suitable location to teleport out without witnesses."]

"Well, one of us could stay behind and the other goes. If I stayed in Kyoto while you went, then I could erase witnesses, so the time is instantly shortened."

["I knew that would come out of your mouth."]

The privilege of knowing your best friends mind so well. Ufufu.

["The biggest obstacle is the Youkai's barrier around Kyoto. Even since the signal breaks through, there is a reason why devils just can't simply walk into the city, let alone teleport straight into the shrines."]

It was a true fact; the Youkai of Kyoto were in themselves just as much their own faction as the devils, angels and Grigori were, but they also managed to keep themselves to themselves by using the shrines to erect a large barrier across their entire city. The Youkai of Tokyo do so also, but only in the Imperial Palace and the surrounding area encompassing it.

The only reason we were able to go was that we had to apply to the Kyoto office for "Freedom of Passage" passes to allow us to move around the city, as well as enter it of course. Since it was only the four of us, and none of us were convicted criminals, the process would be finalised before the summer was over. However, teleporting in and out was still prohibited, which was also another issue.

Understandable since it could allow possible moles to open large gates to allow whole armies to enter the city passed the barrier. But, that worked against our favour for this problem we were having.

Rias screwed her mouth slightly, before proceeding to bite her right thumb in thought.

"How long do you suspect it would take in total once the signal reaches us?"

Instead of a quick response, Sona shook her head for a while before she crossed her arms and hung her head low enough to catch light off of her glasses.

["I can't. I don't know what they are made of, or how long we would be allowed to break through them. It could be as little as 5-10 minutes. Or we could be leaving our servants stranded for a whole hour or more, at worst."]

Sona was right to not like the plan at all. Potentially, the peerage members left behind would be in more danger trying to summon one of us (aka Sona, since Rias seemed set about staying in Kyoto if at all possible). The only other option was for one of them to not go to Kyoto, however that would also be losing out on an opportunity to eliminate whichever entity chose to strike.

Call them a prideful pair, but while neither of them wished to put any of their servants at risk, they were not so keen as to allow the Church or the fallen continue to live off of their turf. Allowing one of them to attack first would mean their eradication would be in the name of self-defence, but also meant allowing them the first move.

While I think neither of them wanted to even think that anyone would be stupid enough to attack on purpose, fortune often favours the bold. And, in this instance, a peerage without its King was definitely an easy target if either side thought that they stood a chance.

Neither of them could think any further about discussing the horrible probability that this may have been the only feasible option other than having one of them stay behind the entire time.

"We can talk about it again at a later date."

["Very well. But, as things stand, this may very well be our only option. Until next time, goodbye Rias."]

"See you later, Sona."

After the hologram of Sona vanished, there was just the silence to keep up company. Rias didn't move for a moment while she just took up her cup and stared into the contents of the tea for a while, as the steam continued to rise, even though now it was beginning to cool. She buried her left hand beneath her chest as she sighed, before taking the tea to her lips and put it back down on the saucer after a small sip.

"Akeno" she then said to me, without turning her head. "Would you please call Kiba, Koneko and Gasper here immediately? There are some things we need to discuss."

"I will do so shortly, Rias."

As I left the room to retrieve our kouhais from their respective free times, the only thought running through my head behind the faux smile was the dangers they would inevitably be putting themselves into should no other idea spring to mind.

["You forget yourself, Phenex; without oxygen, flames have nothing to live off of!"]

"Listen to the dragon! When it comes to fire, he knows a lot more than I do!"

"When a phoenix wants to ask a dragon's opinion on the topic of fire, it will be the day I'll spend my winter vacation in Inferno!"

Whilst escorting my two young children to the training I, Zemele Phenex née Murmur, was still able to hear the sounds of the whimsical back and forth exchanges of verbal blows.

Honest to the Maou, even after these many centuries, I still do not understand what men find so entertaining in throwing quips at each other in heated battle like this.

Because my King and husband was still at work, I was looking after our two twins for the day. Now reaching their eighth birthdays in a matter of months, they had certainly grown up from when they were still small enough to be carried around. It wasn't their weights that were the issue, just the size mind you.

Ramar had started to show signs of growing taller than his sister by almost a few millimetres, but I suspect that it will balance itself our once the two reach puberty. He had taken to sporting a small pony tail to keep his unruly hair at least partially neat, while the rest still draped itself around his head. His ears have been buried along with sections across his brow and eyes that I almost have to force him to keep it brushed away from his face. I fear he is growing too much like his father was in his younger days, not that I don't like the idea entirely. The more energetic nature was fine, but he was also picking up his late nights habit, which was not doing his need for sleep any good.

Riana, on the other hand luckily took more after, thank the Maou; she was more eager to take to more socially acceptable etiquette than her brother was, and was a much more calmer girl than she had been a couple of years ago, even if some of her shyness in the face of the public hasn't faded away. Her hair is only slightly longer than Ramar's, but she likes to braid her front most side locks into braids and then tie them across to the back, interweaving them as they travel behind her head.

It was while walking around that we had happened upon this large and extensive training exercise orchestrated by my brother-in-law in the training venue on the third basement floor. As soon as the first view of fire on fire appeared before our eyes, the kids started running at full pace with excitement.

It was only when a flash of red armour crossed across the field did I understand what was making my two children so ecstatic.

"Ise-nii is fighting Uncle Riser!"

"So Cool!"

Although Lady Ravel was technically their aunt, the age gap of seven years was too close for it to really sink in, so they settled for a more "big sister" figure in their aunt. As for Issei, well he was always following her around since he first arrived, and with him only being a years and two months older than his King, he was naturally designated as a "big brother".

Their grandmother, Lady Rozalva found it very amusing to say the least. As did their father, and their uncles and grandfather. Lady Ravel on the other hand seemed to be thinking far off from the original intentions of her niblings in mind, but then again she never exactly tried to fight it off either.

'Nii', of course being the informal form of the Japanese word meaning 'brother', which they started using because it was 'cool', and not out of respectful manners. Then again, what can you expect when it comes to children and their perceptions?

I swear I'm starting to think that this whole Japanese fixation that is sweeping through the underworld is becoming too contagious. It has even been changing our very politics, and please don't remind me of 'Miracle Levia-tan'.

The sight of Lord Riser and Issei fighting was most definitely a heated one, in spite of it only being training. If it hadn't been for the verbal exchanges between them being so full of obviously friendly japes, I would have thought of this a literal fight to the death.

Lord Riser was continuously using his flaming projectiles in all shapes and forms, and the occasional physical punch. While Issei was already donning his scale mail from head to toe. He didn't attack, but rather held the defensive for most of the fight, with the occasion punch of his own to match Lord Risers.

"Lady Zemele."

I turned my head much to my surprise when . I could see Mira and Yubelluna immediately to my right, and Marion and Buret were behind them. If I was to take a gander, I would think that the Rooks, Knights and Bishop were also here, but training to their own volition.

There were also two new additions to his peerage as far as I could see. Twins, again. About the same age as my two.

I made a mental note that my husband and his elder brother would need to have a less than quiet word with their youngest brother when they had the opportunity.

"Please, at ease. When I am not with my husband, I am just another peerage member. Please, remember that."

It was hard balancing my life, even after all these decades, with being both another peerage member, and the wife of the second son. I preferred to remain the status quo of my role as Bishop rather than as a lady. It was more comforting than reliving my childhood as just another nobleman's daughter.

"Who do you think will win, Mummy?"

"Hmm?"

"Uncle Riser or Ise-nii? Who's going to win?"

At my skirt, Riana, who was still sticking close to me now that she had realised that there suddenly more people around, asked me a question based on personal opinion. I looked around for her brother, but it would appear that Ramar was running around the pitch as if he was pretending to be a part of the action itself.

If there hadn't been a barrier erected around the field, I would have shown more concerned for his safety among the flames and the punches.

I picked up my daughter and sat her upon my lap. Then, I attempted to tell her without anyone else overheard as I spoke into her ear.

"Despite your uncle being an avid competitor, I would have to say that even in practise that the one who is at the most advantage is Issei."

"Excuse me?"

Despite my best efforts, it seems that the sensitivity to sound was unexpectedly strong even in reincarnated devils. As expected of Riser's peerage to be a little sore when it came to the question. Mira, who was standing closest managed to overhear the conversation and now was gathering the attention of the other five who were watching from nearby.

I reshuffled Riana on my lap, while she started gripping to my sleeve slightly, and I went on to explain my reasons for viewing Issei as the stronger of the two.

"In term of power, he most certainly is in the top five among the Pawns of the Phenex clan;" I started to explain as I went into greater detail as the two of them down in the grounds were now exchanging a series of parrying blows to each other.

"Kuickrow, Pawn of Four to Lord Rayzem is considered the strongest and is recognised as such ever since his ascension to high-class and the acquisition of his own peerage."

Lord Kuickrow was an obvious choice for first, considering he himself had risen up to High-class, the only so far among us peerage members to do so by his power. Being of the Vajrayana, he was already at a power that once he had grown up was on par to that of a demigod, and only got stronger as he aged. [The Four-armed Destruction King] was not a name he earned just based on appearance alone.

Being in the same peerage as him, I could reaffirm that statement with absolute certainty.

"Next would be Lord Rivalen's Pawn of Six, Tash Imdugad, and then Hans from Lord Ruval's side, I think."

Tash, also was a relatively powerful demon before reincarnation. His father, Anzu Imdugud was the infamous [Demon of Flame and Torrent] and Tash himself was just as powerful, if not more so with the addition to the powers of the devils. Fire and water were his specialty, and a monstrous berserk frenzy he can throw himself into made him a very terrifying opponent indeed.

Hans, on the other hand was one who worked himself to his absolute limits, pushing himself to what his body could handle. He has been called [The Undying Man] after sustaining serious injuries that would have at least crippled a usual devil, and yet still managed to get back up every single time.

"Issei would definitely then follow closely after in fourth. And for fifth . . . I would have to say that it would go to either Peter or Candice from Lord Ruval's peerage."

I feel that I do need to explain how power the [Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet] is that makes Issei so powerful, especially after he managed to already attain his balance breaker before he was fifteen.

When it came to choosing between either Peter or Candice, that's when it got trickier to assess; both were specialists in their fields of magic, Peter in music and sound, while Candice in ice. But both had their relative strengths and weaknesses, so it was still a tough choice, especially when they both fight in the same peerage, so it becomes harder to compare their power.

"However" I continued to mention after finishing my own personal assessment of the various peerage members in service to the House of Phenex, "unlike the other four or five mentioned, Issei is the only one with room still to grow."

"To grow?"

I nodded, as I went on to further explain.

"Unlike the others who have reached their natural pinnacle through decades or even centuries of experience, Issei is the still relatively young and has a Sacred Gear on top of that. A Longinus I need not remind you all also."

I shifted Riana a little more on my knee, as Ramar finished running round he entire edge of the fields, before he begun a second lap.

"Lord Riser has already settled into his fighting style, and he rarely prepares himself for improvement. Unlike Issei, he doesn't have a goal of getting stronger by his own strengths, unlike Issei who is aiming to protect Lady Ravel. As he is currently the only member of her peerage, he holds the sole responsibility for her safety. So, at the end of the day, he needs to be the equivalent of fifteen peerage members rather than simply just his eight for the time being."

Though it took quite a bit of persuasion, with some cleverly manipulated words, I managed to convince the harem of overprotective girls that my decision was still correct by my perspective.

"Big Sis Ravel is indeed lucky to have him as a servant."

I smiled at little to my daughters comment.

"She is very lucky to have him. Whether she or he will admit to their real feelings is up to them."

Oh. It's not like no one has ever noticed it. There have been many signs that there was a kindred infatuation between the two of them, no matter how much they have apparently been trying to conceal it even from the other as well as themselves. All the indications were obvious to anyone who has been around either of them for so long.

I remember it was, what? One, two years before, she had come up to me asking 'what it was like', that being the love between a master and a servant.

"Hypothetically" she had called it, but there was nothing so hypothetical about it. Still, I humoured to her illusion that I wasn't at all aware of anything going on for her sake. Though after having observed the obvious signs for more than five years, it was clearer than glass what her real intentions behind asking me were. Perhaps because I was the closest reference for her, since I was both the wife and Bishop of her elder brother, and that maybe it wasn't best to ask Rayzem after his series of long night sessions he has done at the session.

I could very well understand her concerns. He has this unfortunate habit of falling asleep at the most peculiar times when he actually is at home even today. Need I explain more?

"Though, while I am saying this; considering the engagement is already in its final stages, perhaps I am thinking too far out of my station, both as a servant and her sister-in-law."

"When do you think they'll announce it?" Mira asked, still in the vicinity to overhear my words being spoken aloud.

"I suspect either after Ravel finishes her education. Or, more likely after Lord Riser's engagement is definitive."

Although it seemed very much like it was being speculative, a definitive answer to the state of the engagement between the Phenex and Gremory clans was the perfect opportunity to announce something equally as important. With the Phenex clan's stance in the political struggle between the Old Kings and New Satans, organising further marital alliances was crucial in the coming years.

"Do you believe that Uncle Riser can make it defen-, diffii-, d-, diffinitiff?"

As the match started to reach its conclusion, I could only think about what the future would entail, and whether we were walking down the right path, for all of us. I entertained my daughter's last question as the fight was nearing its end.

"In a Rating Game, the side that receives the most favour is the one with experience. Numbers are also a big contribution for the moment, Nana. In the long run, Rias Gremory is inexperience and only had four servants. One of which is under house arrest because he is a danger to himself. The other three are also green to Rating Games as well, so the chances of her victory rest solely on her ability do the unpredictable, but even then the chance is slimmer than a sheet of paper."

The last glance I saw of the match, there was at last one victor of this training bout. The person to fall from magic exhaustion, was Lord Riser.

It was beginning to reach the end of the early evening at the Agreas Stadium, and the performance that was taking place had only just reached halfway through its entire runtime. Everyone but I, Ravel Phenex, couldn't be happier to be here on our last day of school before heading home for the summer break.

It wasn't the play that was getting me down, but the unexpected additional weeks of boarding that had kept me at school. If this staying away from home experience hadn't been a compulsory part of the education system in the homeland, I think I very well would have walked out the minute that said I had no obligations to remain if I didn't want to.

I had been hoping that Issei had received my gift on time for his birthday. If there wasn't such a big need for this boarding experience before I could join him next year in the overworld, then I would have run home once his summer break had started.

But no. Now that I was stuck there until the end of the month, he would have been gone the very next day that I arrived home, and based on this play, that would be late into the night when everyone was already asleep. Worse still was his early morning leave as well.

The most I would have seen him that summer might had been his sleeping face if I had the good fortune to pass his bedroom on the way to my own.

Especially when it was Yohaphous Pheles' The Tragedy of Queen Lilith.

The younger son of Lord Mephisto crafted this play during the end of the Old Satan's reign, but only actually finished it once the civil war was ended, which meant that he ended up having to rewrite quite a bit of it especially in some of the scenes since he now had a little more . . . creative freedom.

This was nearing the conclusion of Act Two, where Lilith returns to her home only to find her husband dead and her two sons having killed each other also. Although in real history these two events took place in different locations and over the course of several years apart, the play merged them together into a single scene. It wasn't even clear if the three angels mentioned were even real to begin with or were fictitious inventions. But still, it remained one of the best tragic performances ever composed in the Underworld.

Even in that year, the actors and actresses were performing at their best, and even if I didn't like the circumstances which ended up placing myself in this situation, it was a decent demonstration of reward for the extra weeks at board.

It was now the late eighth hour, after the performance had started at the late fourth. And after this was the intermission and the remaining two acts.

As the actress playing Maouojo Lilith before she became the Queen to Maou Lucifer mourned over the death of her loved ones, and the consistent taunting in the apparently, there was so much rightful anger and sadness in her voice that it carried through her words. Even while keeping in verse, it did not simmer the emotions needed to project powerful performance in her words.

I was moved to tears as I watched the angels make unjust claims that it was their right to take her family from her, and even to insult the moon god Sin who took her in after banishment from Eden. The strength in her anger when she threw the angels from her home so that she could mourn in silence, before the madness of grief started to slowly slip into her mind. The recount of what Jehovah had done to her family was well known, but it still broke my heart as if it was happening right in front of me.

The most tragic part however, of which I will never forget, was when her mortal husband, Dumuzid came to life again only for a brief moment. Because he was already half dead, he could not see her despite her being by his side, nor could he feel her. His express of regret and failiure as he slowly died again before her eyes was too much more my handkerchief to absorb anymore.

The final lines would end up haunting me in the years to come. I just, didn't know it yet.

:~:

[Lilith enters stage left, and drops to her knees centre stage]

Lilith

Thou art a cruel and wicked god, O' Great Lord.

You, who gave unto me and Adam life,

You took from me as mother and as wife,

And left to rot among the bloodied hoard.

So cradle my sons as they drain by sword,

And my husband's bones mangled in fierce strife.

Dagger to my heart, and my throat a knife.

[Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof enter backstage]

Senoy

All you received is the right of the Lord

Sansenoy

The penance paid by the sons you have bore

Semangelof

Sing shall this message of many in time,

Senoy

And saved shall you husband be evermore.

Lilith

You blinded furies!-

Sansenoy

Rebellious chime.

Lilith

Wing'ed puppets!-

Semangelof

A click of rotten lime.

All Angels

Thou should weep for what our Lord has in store.

Lilith

Weep? Weep? Has he not sampled enough tears,

After his fill with my fair children's blood?

Yet he desires my waterworks to flood.

To mourn perpetually through the years

And rain upon these lands. Are these his fears?

Does he hate? Disgust? Am I to turn cud,

That I shall ne'er bear nor spring anoth' bud?

Your words fail to scare nor hide your locked queers.

Unlike the doting father found in Sin,

Whose moony light did comfort mine wound'd soul,

And gave me a place safe to live within,

Like I had always been his offspring's kin.

Nay! My maker; slayer of stud and foal.

Tis the god Sin who made my life as whole.

Nay did he take from me tears and wrought tin.

Take back your faux pleasantries, for I shun

Your Lord, your God, no longer holds to me.

Run to your master's skirt, Turn as you flee!

Rats! Knowest that thy end shall be undone!

Senoy

Turn we shall, but his work has just begun

Sansenoy

The end of thy suffering, far from thee

Semangelof

Only by this penance, forgive you shall He.

All Angels

When blood and ash is all that remains, none

Shall speaketh against the Lord, for the Sun

Knows and sees all across the lands and sea.

When your blasphemic tongue ceases its end

And your soul knows true suffering in peace,

Only then shall all your tormentors cease.

But alas nay, nor husbands nor sons bend

Around the laws that govern the world, send

Not can we return what has lost, for lease

And e'er more, nor hold thy comforting fleece.

Lilith

No. No, it is far too late.

All Angels

We shall mend-

Lilith

Mend, what possible solution is there?

When you snatched from me cruel my other half

And then forced death upon those shared my hair

And my eyes, without such pity to share?

I lean by this crutch, you offer a staff

Made from bones you reaped from two of my calf.

Leave me, feathered roaches!

All Angels

Do you not care-

Lilith

No! I shall not care, when all is unfair,

You take from me and then desert my path.

Such blind fellows. Forgive, I do not laugh

At your pathetic and emptied eyed stare

And though thus you have stripped me twice an heir

You continue to hover around my lair.

Wicked guests, who show their hostess no truth,

No manners, no curtseys, so very rude.

This kindness of your God, where is his proof?

You mantle his face, how truly uncouth,

And thus you persist your right to intrude,

To continue souring this wretched mood?

Thou should all meet the back end of the hoof!

Leave my home, immediately for soothe!

Lest you wish your powdered wings to be skew'd!

All Angels

Dark temptress-

Lilith

your rights I hereby forgo!

[The Angels are banished, lights turn black for a moment, then turn on again]

They hath gone! At last. I sit in thy tomb.

Laying upon the blackened seeds they've sow

What they call the bless'd light has brought but doom

And curse me further by rotting my womb

Is this truly how far these drones shall go

To commit evil as acts of good? Low,

Now I have nought but light by this moon.

My dear, poor broken Dumuzid lays here,

Caught thrice in the traps laid by horrid Yahm

The false god wrought none but madness and sneer,

When he saw dear husband gift me with cheer,

Thus made his mission to bring him to harm,

Upon these lands of which he sowed his farm,

And into the trap he was forced to steer,

Starved and bare, 'til robbed of his final year.

But weak it was compared to anoth' alarm;

Both dear sons, sweet Lulal and brave Shara,

Made them he did, to kill the other child;

From mixing miseries from home afar

Not did he only force their birth ajar

My sweet second's face made beast and defiled

And drove lionhearted Lulal to wild

Behaviours and savagery, and bizarre

Forced brave Shara, to weild that morning star

And slay his brother and twin. You, most viled

And disgusting of Gods, thieved of his breath

And exchanged his precious air warm for death

Cold and prickly now layers my heart bare

In this dark crevasse far deep in my chest

Far long now was I now the weeping lone mare

Riddled to my bones with burdens I bear

Bring all you have now. Strike me! Go! Now! Lest

Thee wishes now to stifle out my zest

Thou'est have nothing more which you can tear.

Bastard! I laugh now, which is such a rare

Sight to see and a smile that shows best

How much farther lord father pushed his test

Wander now I shall, deep within the night

To find them, I will return them. My spawn,

Hiding beneath the earth, untouched by light

Trying so hard to come home with every might.

Across all land and upon every lawn

I will travel from the dusk 'til the dawn

No matter who may die, terror or fright,

For my desires I shalt suffer this blight,

And retrieve to me what has been torn.

[Dumuzid raises his head]

Dumuzid

Gasp, darkness is all before me I see.

Lilith

My darling! My sweet, I am here for you.

Dumuzid

I hear nothing. I see nothing. Tis' true

That all of my world has hidden from me.

Far away to the shore beyond the sea.

Lilith

I am here. Please see me. Stay! Live anew

Rebuild all that we have lost, we can do;

Our home, our lives, even our family.

Come forth from the dark. Please, I'm so alone

Without you, without them, nought to live for.

So please swim back. Don't reach that other shore!

Dumuzid

I am nowhere, yet I'm cold to the bone.

Where art my wife. Where art my children. Hone

To them I cannot. I can do no more.

I must leave. To die as I had before.

To the sons I could not save, I digress.

I am sorry. Forgive me, . . . my Princess.

[Dumuzid dies]

Lilith

. . . He is lost. I'm . . . without. Come now distress.

Widow. Yes. . . . Black, paint now . . . my wedding dress.

. . . Upon thy head, I . . . for the last, caress.

Sleep . . . forever undisturbed . . . , now free from duress.

[Stage goes dark. End of Act Two]

"Please, don't! Don't! Don- *GgAAAAAAAAAAhhHHHHHHAHHHhhhh!*" *Thud*

"I'm sorry, did you say something? If you want me to keep on cutting you, then don't say anything. I wouldn't want you to lose your head over technicalities. Oops, too late!"

O' twas a dark and ominous night, and all through the village. Everyone disturbing was dead, as I razed and I pillaged.

Actually, I think the only one disturbed here was me. Meh, It's still a good rhyme.

And I, the glorious and most ever so dashing Freed Sellzen, was enjoying a lovely party with o' so many old acquaintances one day in the neck of the woods in the coldest areas of Russia. Call me unorthodox, but I was actually born a catholic, so don't sweat the small stuff.

It was a real frenzy. So much that it became a bloodbath.

If o~only someone hadn't come uninvited and cut this party short, and also cut all the guests short while they were at it.

But now saying that, they look so much better, considering none of them had a good head on any of them to begin with. This new look suits them perfectly. The newly acquisition of red brings out the massacre in their corpses don't you agree?

Ahh. And then from behind a new guest arrived late to this party. I didn't need to have eyes in the back of my head to know when a party crasher was standing at the door way marveling at the art I had created on the floor and across the walls.

Only when I decided to eye up my adoring fan did I start filling my skin with goosebumps. The good kind of course, that just crawls all over you like submerging yourself in a bath of blood. O~oh, now that was a feeling.

If I hadn't seen that amusing back-stabbing bastard tonight, I never would have got the right kind of shivers to complete this mood.

"Well, well, well, look was the cat choked up all over the carpet. You look like you've been digging yourself out of a grave for good few years. The mud really does match that devil loving filth you covered yourself in."

Oh, as if I wouldn't recognise him. I never met the guy, but his ugly muzzle was displayed all over the many churches and declarations at the exorcist institutes. Though I must say that he is looking greyer than I had last pictured, and his form was definitely haggard, but that's what you get when you fuck a demon.

Someone should have told him to use his other sword when piercing them from behind. Lucky, he had come to me that day to learn that kind of extra circular tutoring.

He wasn't a particular chatty fellow, which suited his grim demeanour, like a bug had crawled up his arse. He wasn't that much fun listening to either.

"Friedrich Sellzen. Twenty-six years old. Born in Oldenburg, raised Roman Catholic, but then converted to Danish Lutheran in order to return to your native lands. Became an exorcist at thirteen, top of your class, even considered a genius. Holds the record for most devils slain in a single evening at thirty-three. Went rogue in the early spring. Been missing in action for over four months with zero know witnesses."

Man. When this guy spews anything from his heathen licking hole it's always the dull stuff that comes coughing up from his throat. It was such a bore to listen to, but I wasn't going to let that ruin the lovely atmosphere I put my heart, and their hearts especially, into creating. You'd never believe how difficult it is to pull of cardiac muscles with those drapes.

"O~oh, someone's done their homework. You might be a little old for school, but I'm sure there is something around here worth teaching. I know! How about a little biology experiment. I'll be the scientist, and you can be the frog. Croak for me, you amusing sack of slime!"

I gave him no time to raise his sword, but I under estimated how ready old Yaggy was when I swung at him with my sword. He barely moved, but that katana of his was already in my face before I got a chance to slice and dice his into tiny little cubes.

And I wanted to make jelly out him later as well. Pity I never got the chance.

"Shiny. I never thought anyone would let you touch a Holy Sword again after getting inside that demon whore of yours. I wonder if her screams of pain were as sweet as the ones she made riding you!"

Coming from a man who has his own . . . turn ons. I must say, the presence of that godishly metal grasped between his two hands just screamed 'come have a taste of me, shitty devil scum!'. It wasn't a fake like those mass-produced pieces of crap they give to your everyday exorcist you know. The amount of fantastical angelical energy that seemed so smothered I just wanted slide my tongue up and down it just to see if it would do anything for little Freed downstairs.

His face actually started moving a little when I mentioned that little harlot he fucked his brains out with which got them both killed. Though looking at him, he was already dead to begin with, so I think even a small frown is a huge improvement. Five points to Freed, and the balls in his park now.

He pushed me away, but I jumped right back in there for the second round. I cut him all directions I could think of; I went this way, that way, forwards and backwards, long ways, slant ways, highways, low ways. Ooh, I wish mumma Freed was here with a camera to watch this back over.

"Temper, temper. On second thoughts, let your hate flow through you. It will make a nice expression when you suddenly realise your imminent death is approaching. It gives me the chills thinking how all those facial muscles will curl in retreat when it suddenly gets a nice upturned view of the rest of your demonphilic cadaver."

But, I must say he was a tough son of bitch to crack open. I was expecting another Humpty Dumpty for me to break, but this guy was hard boiled to the point I might as well had tried to actually put effort into my killing.

Ok. I exaggerate. I didn't actually land a single hit. Pisses me off that. Moi, who is a prodigy, was not even allowed a small scratch. It wouldn't had even hurt. Not unless I dug to really deep that is. If he hadn't been equipped with that blasted true holy sword, I would had finished him off already.

And I was already to give him the eulogy I wrote for him in the last three minutes.

"Dearest friends and wonderfully quiet colleagues of mine, we gather here to witness the dropping of another corpse down the hole. I would like to say that I miss him, but I didn't; I cleaved his head real nice and tore his chest open just to see his guts spill out like breaking a piñata. But, I will say that I'm sad that the candy didn't taste as sweet as I had hoped. Not when it's been dipping itself inside devil whores. But beggars can't be choosers, so I'll just-"

I was rudely cut off when a blade almost lopped my gorgeous head off. The pervert was probably looking for a good ornament ram his magic sword through now that his devil bitch was dead. He should have at least considered it a courtesy to buy me drink before engaging any further than that. Oh, who am I kidding, I've killed for less.

"You talk too much."

*pffft* A lot of dreary silence, and this was all he was willing to offer me. I was actually hurt by how little thought he put into describing just how despicable he thought I was.

"Is that your comeback!? You disappoint me so much. For one with a name like yours, I was hoping to have some after party entertainment, but your quips are a loose as your morals. But I suppose I can spare a few minutes to tail the question that has always had me stumped about you."

I was expecting him to react madly. You know, the kind where he swears that I am the most horrid person in the world and then come at me with all his anger. I love it when they break all reason. So much bite and then I can finally get the high score by decapitating them. I even unlock a bonus round if I disembowel them. Mr Lector would praise me for my decorations across the halls.

But no. The bore lowered his fucking sword and thought that talking was going to satisfy my buzz.

"I'll answer a question, but I would like you to hear my offer in exchange for your life."

"Hmm, so now you're doing deals for the damned? Sorry, casket smotherer, but I have my own reasons for going rogue, and none of them entailed me signing up to join the-"

I thought at that point that I might have actually snapped ol' Yaggy, as he kicked me. Right in the chest. I was so shocked I actually fell over the floorboards and bruised my perfect little white tushie on the way down.

"The reason you went rogue is what?"

Reason? I almost forgot to laugh when he had my right arm caught beneath his boot and my left ensnared by his sword pinning my sleeve. He owed my tailor an apology after this bout.

But, I had to tell him. Being how catty he was in life, I thought the curiosity was just killing him inside. Could let him pass on again without curing him, could I?

"Because O'Lord all mighty isn't real" I spat.

He didn't react? I was so twisted when I realised he didn't even twitch at this most stumbling of revelations. So, I tried to push that nail in further until his shitty heart couldn't handle the prick anymore.

"Strange isn't it that he is supposedly everywhere, but as long as no one human sees what you do to a few haggard corpses, your slate never gets any dirtier. I'm not saying I don't admire the guy; I mean, killing every single firstborn of plagiaristic heathens in a single night is a glorious feat. Drowning every shitty sinner in the world all at once; marvellous. But my absolutely favourite is the one where he just straight up blows two cities to smithereens for doing the beast with two back with anything that moves. Spec~tacular! But, to seriously hang up the whip after so long cracking it you might as well not exist."

While I was giving him the lecture of a lifetime, I was busy cutting my arm free by making that little slit on his sword bigger until my sidearm was within reach.

"If he was alive" I continued to rant, "then how could you justify a sociopath such a moi? Did you know I wasn't even born? I certainly didn't. Imagine how, I don't know, just how much I tipped over the edge when I found out that little tidbit? I would direct you to the seven good folks I killed, but they're not much for talkers these days."

I was nearly there. His dead eyes weren't even looking at my hand.

"A test-tube baby. That's all I was. They were looking to make someone capable of wielding Sieggy's Gram, you know? They basically started taking all those little strands they found in all of his descendants and then *WHAM* nine months later, out from the labs comes me."

Almost . . . got it.

"And then Ziggy the second showed up with a Sacred Gear as well, and then nothing. I don't hate the guy, I just don't like him to the point that I just want to skin him and wear it like a sheath."

Just clip that holster.

"I'm not the only one you know. There are plenty of clones that look exactly like me. I'm just the only one with enough brains to go loopy and realise the bigger picture. So I just thought-"

*click*PANG!*

Shit! His fucking sword caught on to me and flicked my gun away. It would have lost my beautiful hand too if I hadn't pulled back at the last minute. He leaned in closer. He said some things, but all I was thinking of before that was that he was in serious need of dental hygiene expertise. Or perhaps a box of tic-tacs for that smell.

"He was alive."

"You mean . . . he died. God died!"

'Da Fuq?' I was so in shock that my literature teacher would have killed me for writing so abhorrently in my own thoughts. Not that she could, but you don't need to know what I did to her. Use your imagination.

"Did you not hear what I said?"

"I heard what you fucking said! But God cannot die! That's so shitting insane that it makes me look like a reliable person. How fucked up is that?"

"If God hadn't died, but the four Satans did, why on earth would Heaven even consider a ceasefire?"

I may belong in a maximum security madhouse, but what he suddenly said was the only thing that made any lick of sense in this fucking encounter tonight. God wouldn't just leave the job half done. That's so fucking stupid. Satan was dead, and he still let the devils run free from war. Who's shitty idea was that to bloodly let them off scot free, huh?

Maybe Yaggy still had a few screws left in that rattle he called a head.

And so he continued.

"If God was always so powerful and righteous, then why did he not smite the remnants of their race before they could lick their wounds? Why do you think the Churches all covered this knowledge up?

"Blah-Blah-Bladdy-Blah. For someone who has the answers, you ask too many fucking questions, and it's now boring me. Get fighting or get dying. Either way works for me."

Instead of letting me up, or even killing me, he just pressed his foot harder into my arm. That shitty thing! Didn't he know that when I retired I wanted to play a career in ping-pong? Now, it was ruined thanks to the hospital bills I was going to have to sign over to get this fixed.

I wasn't about to let him get the better of Freed Sellzen now, was I.

"You're certainly a better fighter not that does your mannerisms any better. Where you always so solemn or did your sense of fun rot in the ground where you belong. Maybe the maggots are eating your sense of humour as we speak. Just let me crack open head and spill them out for you. And then I do the same to your guts and see what kind of trinkets I can find in there."

He pulled my collar up, stretching the fabric as you do, and said this to me before throwing me down again.

"My master would like to see your talents being put to work for his cause."

*Thud*

"Ow!"

That bastard then had the nerve to think he had tamed me that he pulled himself back off on top of me. Though considering his personality, he was probably more of a bottom person.

"What could be so interesting that you had to hitch hike your way into the middle of nowhere looking for little old me?"

"The Apocalypse."

O~oh. Now this was getting interesting.

"Now you're talking an interesting sort of language. I'll lend you an ear or two. Heck, I'll cleave a few more from the next town if it pleases yah."

He sheathed is sword, the fucker. As if I wasn't going to try and scalp him the moment I didn't like his ideas.

He was just lucky that he had already honey dicked me with his sweet, sweet words. I can almost taste that sensation on my lips again it drives me mad. Well . . . madder.

"It's more than just the devils. Angels, the Girgori, the Aesir, the Olympians, the Ma'at, the Deva, Asura, Buddha. All of them, and all their enemies and ones who distrust the status quo are forming an alliance very soon. Your friend, Siegfried has already signed up for a group of certain descendants of heroes forming together."

Because he was now relaxing his posture, it was sure not going to end with more entertainment, even f I did decide to kill him just then. Shame that I couldn't get that one last shed of red for that evening. Though, it was soon going to be worth it.

"Are you sure you'll have enough room in your heart throbbing boy band for a psychotic madman such as moi?"

He raised his finger in my direction like he was some pointer's mutt.

"If you do your job right and effectively, my lord will be most generous. I can guarantee that we like to keep our activities outside from the . . . others. The idea of endgame is purely our own, so we keep it under wraps."

"So why tell me?"

"Because killing for any reason is your euphoria, is it not."

I thought I would be blushing, he knew me so well.

"Oh, Yaggy. You've pulled on my heart strings. But, I expect plenty of good times ahead. Killing unarmed priests does give you the snoozes after a while. I'm looking for some real game."

"If you do a few jobs for my master, then I'm sure you will like the prize at the end."

"What would that be? Don't leave me hanging with a small snibbit of what's to come. Oh, please do just give me the full spoilers."

I loved that moment of suspense he left me in, it just made my spine tingle with excitement when the first few syllables left his undead mouth.

"If I said that two of the four younger siblings of the New Maou where in the human world, what would you say would be an idea of making them the first casualties of this war?"

"I'd say you found your mass-murderer, Yaggy. But do I really have to wait a year? Oh, please, just a little culling of the herd before the big showdown. I would hate to get rusty before the big game finally arrives."

I replied so sulkingly while I finally decided to put both my weapons away . . . for now.

"[Jussst let me bite him, Tono-ue. I haven't tasssted good fleshhh in yearsss.]"

Holy shit was my first thought. A talking sword? I must be really losing my marbles. Well, I have been under a lot of pressure recently, what with a new job, moving home, and having to tirelessly work all my previous subordinates to death. I think hearing a sharp blade talk has a nice ring to my sanity.

"Soon, Daija-sama; Balam, Asmoday, Paimon, Beleth, Purson, Bael. They will all die. I will make sure you will be the one to strike them down in my hands. As will Shatarova, Quarta, Christaldi, Raimondi, and Shidou. I'll slay them all with this blade and let you savour their blood against your steel."

"[Excccelent. I will look forward to the blood of kingsss then.]"

Oooh, someone's not looking for a joke.

I shit you not, that this jolly folk living inside that shiny piece of sharped metal with his tongue caught between his lips was singing all the way back home.

Soon, I'll get to throw another party bash, and I'll be sure to bash every shitty devil skull I get my hands on. If, I don't blow a hole through their heads first. Then again, why waste the entertainment of my new merry evening so soon?

In the next morning, though technical since it was around four in the morning which was way too early be even considered part of the day, I, Ravel Phenex, awoke in my household. But, not in my own bed.

I didn't notice at all when I got home, due to the third and fourth acts reaching into the dead of the night. By the time I was home, it was already in the hour of the wolf. By the time I was already in proximity of a bed, I was asleep as I slumped myself down and unconsciously wriggled into the covers.

However, as I started to stir after just under five hours of sleep, my mind started to wake while my eyes were still closed shut. Even though it was the summer time, the climate of the Underworld didn't exactly have a transitioning of seasons due to the surface still lying high above our heads, so it was still the same relatively same mild temperature it always was.

If you wanted a winter experience, then the outskirts of Cocytus would suffice (though considering it's under the influence of the Grigori, Helle would be a better choice for vacationing), or to Inferno if you wanted a Mediterranean to Indian summer.

Why I am bringing this up is probably starting to get to you, but I assure you I was just getting to that point.

So, even when it was summer, the temperature of sleeping arrangements remained relatively unchanged. So I when I started to stir, I noticed how I had been clinging to the nearest source of heat in the cold night instinctively.

It was only when I had awoken, and finally came round to realise that the room I took slumber in was not my own. It was only once my mind had registered this unfamiliar place that I then took to thought as to what it was that I had been clinging unto all the night long.

Despite having been separated for so long, I remembered lying in this position before. I had often snuck into his bed on a few occasions when we were both still only children. With one hand swung over his chest, the other hooked to his left arm, and my head nestled in the nap between his shoulder and his pectorals, I remembered this. I was in Issei's bed.

I was still the evening dress I had worn to the theatre performance, and had forgotten to change out of, or at least remove before falling asleep. I should have felt relieved that nothing had decided to "pop" out as it were. And judging by the fabric between my head and his skin, he was still wearing his shirt.

His alarm went off. The clock said five thirty in the morning. No. No. It's still way too early.

He was stirring now, I could feel his whole body move around as he started swinging his right arm for the clock with his eyes still closed. The duvet started shifting as his feet began wriggling from a stationary state.

He moved his body a little. I started feeling his shoulder rise a little before it stopped and slowly lowered back down. When I looked up to his face, I then

"Hhh?"

He just woke up, but already he was silent again. His eyes, were just wide and staring. Occasionally he would glance all around the room just to survey the location. Perhaps he was thinking he was the one who had made the mistake of crawling into my b-

. . . Sorry, I don't know where that thought had suddenly propped up from.

Now that he was aware, and I was staring at him, there was just the awkward silent movement where we were just starting at each other, almost half awake, but fully aware of what was going on.

. . .

*blink*

. . .

*blink*blink*

. . .

His arms started patting a few places across the mattress and his body, while his eyes continued to look up and down every so often. I think he was just reaffirming himself that we were both still clo-, that were both in decent states of dress before he overreacted upon waking up.

I just went red in the face, I admit it. I nearly wanted to pull that duvet cover back over my head and pretend that it was all just a figment of his imagination.

He had started shifting, like he was about to try and get out. I didn't move a single muscle.

'Please, don't. No.'

I suddenly started thinking about how long it had been since we had actually been on contact. The misery I was in when I found out we would be missing out the entire summer without potentially seeing each other once. It was like reliving those long years apart when he was first training with Lord Tannin shortly after becoming my Pawn.

I hated it when we were separated, and even when we were together, we had been growing up so much that it was awkward.

This was awkward right now. But, even then, this was the only chance either of us were going to see each other this summer. And he was just going to leave just like that the moment he woke up.

It wasn't fair. Why wasn't any of this fair?

Before he could move any further out of my grip, I did something that I regretted for the next few days, but over the next week after, I was glad I had stopped him there.

"Please. Just a little longer."

I stopped him by grabbing tighter to his arm, and especially to his shirt sleeve.

I sounded so pathetic. I was supposed to be his King. If I wanted to I could have ordered him not to move. But, I didn't want to him to have to do it. I wanted him to want to do it of his own volition.

I felt so embarrassed almost grovelling for this favour from him. Even now, I still go horribly flushed in the face when I relive that moment.

But, for the sake of another hour if possible. I just wanted to lay here a little more. With him.

"Until you have to go. Please, just stay?"

He stopped moving, and I was worried that my words had fallen flat. I was ready to push my eyes into the pillow to hide my tears from anything further. But, then I felt his other arm swing around me. Now we were practically hugging, just like . . . when we were both younger.

"Of course, M-. Rei-chan."

I almost wanted to cry there and then, for the right reasons now, as I was now locked in his embrace. The warmth of his body pressing into me, and the soft firmness of his shoulder allowing my head to rest upon it. I didn't care that I was still in the clothes I had been wearing the night before, this moment was almost perfect.

I wished, that time and occasionally now, that we could have just laid there for a bit longer than we already had. But, after what was most likely a hold that lasted an extra fifteen minutes, Sebast finally came to the door to get him out of bed and ready for his month with Lord Tannin.

"Mr. Hyoudou, it is time."

He closed the door as fast as he had opened it. He made no such comments of the situation, rather he simply did his duty of passing along information and then left without delay.

But the message had been clearly received, and there was nothing more that I could do to delay his leaving any longer. I was released from his embrace and exposed to the chilliness of the morning sheets once his body started to slip out of the bed.

He took about five minutes to assemble his clothes and slip into them, all of which he made sure to do in the bathroom. Not that he n-needed to. H-he could have at le-. Never mind that; when he was finally done changing into his clothes for the day, I saw him walk towards the door, I started to escape from the covers.

"Wait!" I said, just before he could walk through the doorframe.

He stood by the entrance with his hand clasped to the handle, while I started to seat myself upon his bed as I watched him go. He turned around one last time, and with a half-asleep smile I said to him.

"Goodbye Issei. I'll see you at Christmas then."

I waited there staring at him for a while, hoping for a response from him.

". . . Yeah. Goodbye for now, m- . . . Ravel."

He smiled back and even lightly waved to me, before turning again and shutting the door behind him.

I was alone in his room. And Issei was now gone for the rest of the summer.

It took me another ten minutes before I was ready to leave the room and return to my own. I won't go into details of how I slumped backwards and fuddled around in the empty sheets for a while. But, I eventually worked up the courage to leave his room and that was all that needed to be said about that.

"Did you enjoy your early morning?"

My head turned as a voice suddenly called out from the corridors after I closed the door to Issei's room. To my right, I saw one of my brother's standing their leaning to the wall.

"Riser!"

Despite how early in the morning it was, I was still surprised to see the youngest of my elder brothers to still be up. He looked tired, which was unusual for him, seeing as it was our elder brother Rayzem who was usually the one to neglect sleep, while Riser relished at the thought of achieving his necessary hours of 'beauty sleep'.

It all started coming back to me; late that night when I returned home. The only one at home who was still awake was Riser. I was exhausted after sitting through such a late performance that I had nearly fallen asleep as I was walking through the halls.

Now it was all starting to make sense. I didn't even need to spell out what had happened between me teleporting home and me waking up in Issei's room. It had to have been Riser's doing.

"Even if you won't say it, the tone of your face is more than enough to satisfy my answer."

Of course I was going red in the face; flustered in anger and embarrassment that my cheeks were working overtime.

It was bad enough that I had to deal suddenly finding myself in his room. But then, to be embarrassing myself further by wanting more. My emotions were running on high and it was also confusing for me.

But . . . in spite of all that anger, and embarrassment, why was I so happy he did it? I couldn't work that out immediately for myself. It was too early for me to piece together why.

"Why?"

I had to ask him. He responded by rubbing he back of his head with his eyes half closed. His shirt got untucked as he raised his arm up.

"It wasn't just for you, considering how mopey you were all those times he wasn't around during his three years of training with the dragons. I saw him pull the same dead eyes you had some days while he was here alone for weeks. I did everyone a favour if you ask me."

I was generally shocked when I heard his answer; Riser, my elder brother who was known as the 'irresponsible one' was actually doing something that was beneficial to someone else. Was this really my brother I was talking to? That thought persisted, but his attitude couldn't be replicated by anyone except for him.

I would have responded with gratitude, or maybe adding in a bit of what the Japanese called a 'tsundere' response to his objective, but he looked about ready to leave. He turned his head and his whole body away as he stretched his arms out, expressing just how long he had been up all night.

"Don't say anything. I've already had an earful from Ruval and Rayzem over the specific of building my peerage. Still, one to go and I'll finally have my whole set of fifteen. *yawn* I need some shut eye for an hour. Maybe five."

As he turned to leave, I thought back upon his actions; despite my overreaction, I couldn't help denying that what Issei and I shared, even if it was too short, it was real and I felt it was real. The way he was holding me. The warmth of his embrace. Him, calling me by our nickname. I had wished there could have been more than just that one early morning.

Despite showing my anger to my brother, I was really grateful for what he had done, even if he had done it in his own Riser sort of way and logic.

I remembered my conversation years ago I had with Zemele, when I asked her about the rom-, I mean, when I asked hypothetically about her romance with my elder brother.

She was his Bishop and he was her King. And yet, they fell in love and got married. Next to the romantic stories of Maou Sirzechs and his Queen, or the Blue Knight and Silver Princess, I held general favour towards that of my elder brother and sister-in-law's love story. I had always thought that when I had gotten older that I might have a similar experience as she did, except I would be the King and . . . y-you know, all of that might of happened.

But, there was my engagement to think about; Yes, there was still that. It still wasn't going to be for another year at least, but it was only drawing nearer. In no time, I was going to end up being the bride of another high-class devil. But, it wouldn't be to the one I wanted.

But I couldn't do a thing about that.

I was going to lose.

I hated thinking that. But it was logical.

I was going to lose moments like this. I was eventually going to lose Issei.

I can't explain it. It just was so. He was always going to be there, but I was losing him by the day.

My thoughts started becoming more erratic as I tried to distract myself, but every time I found myself looping back to where I was before and getting myself into a right state of misery. We would still have the Rating games. Maybe?

Yes. Ewe promised to reach the top in our pledge together. It would still be our thing, even if I had a husband then. Nothing he could so could stop us from competing. We were going to reach the top and beyond to the sun if memory serves.

But, there was a problem to this idea; I still didn't know quite how to play.

I didn't know the first thing about games that anyone who hasn't played could only guess just by watching it. I didn't what it was like to actually be in the game let alone command it. And how would I be able to command anyone, I couldn't even expect to see myself giving out orders like that.

I didn't even know how I should be commanding, or to be a King. How would my pieces feel being ordered around by a girl who was blind to the game as a player?

I started thinking about how I was going to gain this needed experience if I wasn't even ready to start playing, when playing a Rating Game was exactly what I needed to do in order to get said experience. This was just looping around and around in my head quicker than I could even be committing it to words.

But in the end, there was one Idea that came to mind, even if it was one of the most ridiculous things to ever come to mind.

"Riser."

"Hmm? What is it, dear little sister? Don't tell me that now you want to express how angry you are?"

He didn't stop walking away, probably expecting another angry outburst from me, but I really did need him to listen to my proposition.

"No. I-I . . ." I steadied myself, for this big commitment I was about to make, as well as very large deal I was about to propose to him. "I have a favour I wish to request from you."

H paused for a minute after I said those words. Instead of continuing to walk away, he turned back around.

"Sure. I'll listen."

It was a lovely Friday afternoon, three weeks into the new school term for the autumn. I, Kiba Yuuto, stood alongside Koneko to see off our King and Queen for their weekend trip to Kyoto.

Apart from the Sport's day on the second week, not a lot has really come around despite the obvious signs of worry from both Buchou and Fukukaichou. I am not saying that Sport's day of course wasn't a fun schooling experience, but there were plenty of issue when it came to us devils competing. Measuring our respective strengths was not an easy thing for us to hold back on in the competitive spirit especially.

I tried my best not to let it get into my head, despite nearly doubling my speed during the relay. Yura had also managed to restrain herself during the tug-o-war, but her team still won without her breaking a sweat. Probably the funniest experience we had seen that day from Issei, who had won the third length of the high jump without a run-up and with a vertical jump, only to then realise his mistake and knocked the pole to insist his jump was disqualified. The power of suggestion prevailed this time, especially when it came to the other boys being loaded with easy shots to fire at him.

I really didn't pay much attention to anyone else's performances unfortunately since our classes often clashed in different events.

Before the bus was ready to depart, Buchou wanted to give us one last hug, which I think I speak for the two of us when I say it was greatly appreciated.

Especially when it came to issue regarding our safety during this weekend.

Though we had all been reassured (including Gasper), that we were all going to be perfectly safe. That need to explain it over and over again with us of what we needed to do in the emergency was also a show of care toward our wellbeing that was noticed and also admired from our Buchou.

I just feel a little sad that Gasper hadn't been here to share this touching moment with us, seeing as his safety was just as greatly warranted as our own. It was shame with his circumstances prohibiting him to be here with us for this.

Buchou finally after a long while unhooked herself from our embrace, but only really stopped hesitating with a kind hand offered by Akeno. As they both departed onto the bus, they said there last farewells for the week to the two of us.

"Farewell, my dear servants. I will see you both come Monday morning."

"Ufufu, just don't into too much trouble while we're away."

We stood there to wave them off, and after five minutes of standing there as the bus disappeared down the road and off into the distance did the two of us depart on to our respective homes.

The trip from the school in the West Kuoh district to our apartment complex in New Kuoh, it wouldn't take too long especially at this time in the evening between the school runs and the general closing of office times. So, for our walk, it was relatively peaceful and easier when we both needed to cross the roads.

The most refreshing part would definitely had been the short sleeved summer uniforms that were recently issued. Though the academy had initial trouble when it came to issuing boy's uniforms for students in their first year, it seemed it was not the case with the summer uniform that became available after the summer break had ended. It was certainly more airy than the winter uniform had been before school had ended for the term.

Though while I am saying that, the girl's summer shirts were very similar so it makes sense that they would get it right.

"I have a class meeting tomorrow."

I turned my head to the right after Koneko spoke up. Seeing as we usually walk home together, it wasn't an unusual occurrence to make small talk between the two of us. With Akeno recently moving into the old shrine in Old Kuoh, Gasper practically living in the Old School building under special permission from the Maou Lucifer., and Buchou's apartment being in Kuoh Central, it was not irregular for us to be going home in the same direction at the same time.

The unusual part was that today was Friday. So going to school tomorrow, on a Saturday, was the unusual part I was just getting to.

"Oh. Anything important?"

"No."

I could almost chuckle to myself over her ability to speak in the shortest way possible. I suppose it only adds to her charm, considering that she is already quite popular despite her attempts to avoid any of that hassle altogether.

"I see. Well, do your best to contribute where you can I suppose is the best advice I can offer."

. . .

"Where will you be?"

Oh, a first for me. Usually it would be I who would initiate any of the conversations. But that afternoon, it would seem that Koneko has a few curiosities of her own. I had to think about it first after getting over my initial surprise of course, but after putting my hand to my chin, it all started coming back to me.

"I think I do a little bit of cleaning around the clubroom either tomorrow of the day after. Something that Buchou or Akeno won't have to deal with when they come back."

. . .

"Do you think any of the Sitri group or Hyoudou-san will be doing anything while we're without Buchou or Fukukaichou?"

A second. That was definitely another first on Koneko's part, not that I wished to dampen on this progressiveness in the manner of verbal communications we were having between the two of us.

"I can't say what Issei's doing. He told me he was buying cleaning utensils and equipment, but he never expressly said why. And as far as I'm aware from what Momo-san has said, the rest of the Sitri group are basically trying to get Kusaka-san acquainted with the life of a devil."

Oh, I did forget to mention that Shitori-fukukaichou had gotten herself a new Bishop, Kusaka Reya, Class 1-B, so just a class below Momo, Issei and myself. I haven't really seen much of her, but I think that she may have approached my desk during last term at some point.

Forgive me that I cannot precisely recall every time someone comes to see me in and around school. Though I do remember her brown hair tied into braided twin-tails and a blue headband. Again, I must apologise for my imprecise memories.

"This is my crossing. Bye Kiba."

Oh. It would appear that in my own thoughts we had walked even further than I had anticipated, and now it was time for us to go our separate ways.

Yes, I did say that Koneko and I both lived in the same apartment complex. However, at the end of the week, Koneko always made sure to restock her snack supplies, so she takes a little detour towards the high street near the New Kuoh district.

She used to make the runs on Sunday, however after running out on the Thursday last term, she did a weekday run on Sunday, and a weekend run on the Friday to avoid having to go through my fridge and cupboards again. Not that I never minded to begin with.

"I'll see you again, Koneko."

As she crossed over the road and soon took the left back the way we came in order to reach the street towards the shops, I continued on to my own little patch in this very large town, as the sun continued to descend through the sky and ending this lovely evening.

As the presence of the two devil Kings and their Queens left the vicinity of the town, I, who is forced to wear the moniker of a pathetic human being by the name of Sakuyama Daiki, couldn't help but smile as their signatures escaped our detection.

"Our time has finally come" I spoke up to the echoes of the church we had made into our base. "The heiresses are in Kyoto, and too many miles now lie between them and us. Tomorrow, we can finally strike the first matches of the reigniting of our grand and glorious road to victory."

It would probably have looked sickening to any onlooker, but fuck I didn't care what they thought. The feeling of blood running between my fingers again. Painting my hands in red. The glory days I desired to return to after so long were about to come again.

My partner, Caraviel felt the same way.

"Yes. The deaths of the original Maou and of God himself has left our enemies at their weakest they have been in five millennia. Why Lord Azazel ever thought that making peace was an option is beyond me. But now he will have no choice but to finish what should have been over centuries ago. The fallen angels will emerge victorious."

"We shall overthrow the Archangels and take the throne of God. Then, all of the system will be ours to do with as we please. I can almost imagine my new halls littered in heavenly beauties . . . in chains."

Dreams filled our minds. The plot about to unfold the following day; my attack on the devils, starting with the one still in the school building, and that will draw the others like a moth the flames. And for Caraviel, a strike against the exorcists, starting with that girl still in-training. And if there are any bystanders, then them as well.

Well, if people get caught up in it, who cares. It will only make the tale of the revitalising of war that more juicer for the next generation of fallen angels.

"But, we mustn't forget to procure a gift for Lord Cimalon."

I stopped in my thoughts when our lord's name was invoked.

"Lord Cimalon is coming here?"

"Yes" he replied, nodding as spoke, "so we better leave a lovely red carpet for him to step on, from the school grounds to the dusty shed the exorcists call a chapel."

My face curled back into a second smile again when all thoughts swept back toward the thought of the coming day and what fortunes it would bring.

"Yes, and then we shall have war again."

It was the 6th October, a Saturday that I, the [Christibefürworten], was walking from our base of operation in East Kuoh to the Old Kuoh District.

Why? Well, Father Mertens said he was heading out to New Kuoh, but never entailed why he was doing so. I had no work to do either from school or any part-time job to attend to, so he assigned me with visiting the heathen cemetery near the abandoned shrine to the false idol goddess, Irori.

Ok. Maybe I was a little too harsh upon the dead. I don't believe that it would be productive to critise a great many people who were dead and buried on that site long before the Lord's good word was brought to this land by the Jesuit priests. Even when the Jesuit's faith was also the wrong interpretation.

The devil heiresses of Sitri and Gremory had departed the day before late last afternoon, so it was a state of perplexity around this town. After hearing Father Merten's words about the sudden power vacuum that was now going to either preserver or destroy this delicate armistice around this island, I couldn't help but feel an itchy hand clutching my sheathed light sword. Even as I was walking the steep roads along the side of the summit of the mountain to reach west as I had done many times before during the weekdays.

The worst day of the new term had definitely been sport's day. I had thought for once that I may be able to do something I was better at than sit at a desk for six hours a day and fill my head with useless Japanese knowledge.

But no. The devils ruined that too. Especially the tug-o-war; that blue haired devil servant of Sitri. It may have only been subtle, but I noticed she never sweat that entire contest of strength. Though she may have made it look like she was holding back, I was certain that she was still unfairly allowing her team to win.

As expected of devils to cheat in friendly competitions as well.

That didn't matter now though. As if it mattered who won what in a school sports event when the literal fate of the world as we know it could be turned upside down in matter of minutes, let alone days-

"It's a fine autumn afternoon, is it not?"

I unsheathed my blade as I rolled to meet the direction of that voice. The sliminess of its tone was enough to set off warning signs in my head. I had too much training not to react to that level of danger.

Though it wasn't his presence that had alarmed me. It was that it took me this long to notice he was here before he suddenly showed up.

As I turned to face the voice, I was unpleasantly greeted by the sight of a boy in uniform descending down the stairs. If I had paid closer attention initially, I would have seen his feet barely moving as he reached the street below where I was standing my ground.

Dark hair that spiked up like some dark lord's crown, and green eyes that locked on to you like a pair of missiles. His most horrid feature was this gum-filled smile he was now pulling. If two hooks had been placed at either side of his cheeks, it still wouldn't reach as far as you could compare to the disgusting smile plastered to his face.

"Is this how you treat your school chums? My, my. *tut*tut*tut* Girls shouldn't be playing with swords now unless they're in the kendo club, now should they?"

I hated his cocky sounding attitude. If I could have thrown up, I would have to cover up the stink of his persona wafting through the wind.

"You're . . . Sakuyama-san, correct? Class 1-A?"

He looked a little puzzled for a moment, as he grabbed his face with his thumb and index finger, until he pulled it away and he was smiling again.

"Yes. That is indeed the identity my comrade took while he was infiltrating your school. But this is merely an illusion I am wearing just so you would think twice before striking. I would have hated not being able to torment you before the oncoming war began anew."

I bared my fangs and held myself, but I couldn't very well move backwards into the road, and I doubted that he would let me disappear to either his left or right if he allowed me. No matter how much my eyes turned from him to the surroundings, I seemed to have corned myself by arming myself. If I had been old enough to be issued a pistol, I probably could have at least had a 20% chance of landing a first hit, but as it was that was not it for me.

I left my stupid phone on charge at home too, so calling for aid was not among my option either. Not that I was thinking he would allow me to dial for anyone.

"Well" I said as I decided to itch a little to the right, "I need to go then. Excuse me."

*THUNK*

My path was blocked by a spear of dark light. The ground barely withstood it as the pavement slab cracked in half under pressure and parts of the debris fell into the road. None of the passing cars even noticed this as they continued to drive on every so often behind me.

I looked back up again, but this time the face looking back at me was not at the one I assumed was Sakuyama's; it was longer like a pear. His eyes were a vile looking cyan that looked so artificial that it was processed in a factory. His teeth were a bright yellow and they were close to becoming golden brown. His hair was barely there, except for three Mohawks that ran across his head like his head had been cartoonishly run over by a passing vehicle or a lawnmower.

His size also increased to the point that parts of the uniform looked too small to contain his piggish appearance.

"I will not."

It was then that he dropped his school blazer as the sclera of his eyes turned to black, and his horrid yellow teeth bared more. From his back, out sprouted a pair of murky and night-shrouding black wings. Not fleshy, leather bat wings. These were most definitely featured bird ones, that added piles to the leave that painted the autumn pavements.

"Fallen Angel."

He proceeded to laugh a little as he no longer pretended to be walking down, but floating instead, as he ripped off his long sleeves and flexed his bony fingers to his sides.

"Well, it certainly doesn't take a genius to work that out, Miss Exorcist-chan."

From his hands, he produce a series of light spears like two large swords and gripped them tightly.

"Tell you what: let's skip the whole honorifics thing these Japs are so fixated on, shall we?"

He dashed forward so quickly that I didn't have time to counter, and had to hold myself as he swung both blades from his left. Our blades of light collided, but his momentum knocked me off balance. I fell, not on the road, but over it. I collided into the barrier that separated the concrete from the drop into the woods, but somersaulted over and fell down the side regardless.

I cut myself on a tree across the cheek on the way down, but years of exorcist training allowed me to avoid injuring myself worse than that. I hit the trunk a couple of times and bruised myself, but once I was on the ground, I was already back to my fee despite the pain now afflicted to my right leg and face.

As I stood in the shade of the trees, I was now surrounded in forestry. My guard was up further than 100%, now that my enemy had an infinite number of places to hide in plain sight. Worse still was his ability to hide so well despite being very close as he had done only shortly before.

If only I could have shut his mouth up before taking that fall. He seemed to thrive in stealthily mocking me with that soothingly sour voice of his.

"Am I he~re?"

I heard his ghastly voice whispering through the wind. I shot round in several directions following the rustling in the leaves and in the bushes.

"Or am I the~re?"

I had no time to erect a barrier. I had to stay in the woods where no one would get hurt. If only I packed something useful instead of that camera of all things.

"No? Or how about he~re? *kukukukuku*"

I hated hearing his laugh. It reminded me of some phantom thief I caught a short glimpse of while flicking through the TV channels-

*THRANG*

Scheiße! (shit!) It was a close one. A light spear took off the sleeve and some part of my shirt, but I was able to dodge without a serious injury save for a light rash across my skin where it had made direct contact.

"Who do you work for? Grigori?"

I continued to swivel around on my toes. Even knowing that the light spear had struck me from the north east, I was certain he would not be there again. Vigilance was key, but I had also hoped that in his cockiness that he might expose his precedence if I distracted him long enough with talk.

However, it was not needed, much to my fortune. Or misfortune as I interpreted it for a time.

"*pffft* As if I could work for those cowar-"

*thunk*

"Aaargh!"

*swoosh*swish*thud*

I jumped back in surprised as the fallen fell to the ground right from above me. I had my back to the cliff side from where I had initially tumbled down from during our first parrying. Then, at my feet, another item dropped.

It was a light yellow in colour, with a red top, and only when I looked at it did I notice that it was not just any sort of rubbish you would expect to be thrown from a moving car window. More specifically, it had been crushed into a convenient spherical shape for the hand in order to throw.

The bottle was only plastic, but the force that must have been in that throw must have definitely of been stronger than that of a regular human.

"Who the fuck did that?"

That's exactly what I wanted to know, but the fallen angel, who had literally fallen from the trees

"You really chose a poor place to hide. You forget that devils can see in the shade better than we can in the light. Finding you above the tree line made you an easy target."

A new voice emerged, but it wasn't like the fallen's; it was a more easily heard, but confident voice as opposed to slick and cocky that I had been bombarded with in the woods. I was filled with a mixture of both relief, but at the same time I admit to have been very much cautious about the new arrival to the fight.

With a throwing arm like that, I had no doubt that the next being was powerful, but I was unable to detect that much either as I had with the fallen.

But when he emerged from the shrubs and into sight, I was shocked to see it was him; the servant to the devil Phenex. Even in summer clothes and not his uniform, I could not mistake the one devil in the school with the gold seal of Phenex printed on his left hand.

Then, he caught sight of me in the corner of his eye, and spoke something.

"Exorcist?"

I saw his lips move, but he didn't make his voice loud enough for me to hear. But, I am sure that's what he was saying when the two of us locked eyes with each other.

Was it that he didn't know I was here to begin with, or that he didn't know that I was an exorcist or at least affiliated with the church that he was now looking less composed than when he first burst intrusively unto the scene?

Expectantly of devils.

I was surprise when he whipped himself back and looked back at the thing now crawling through the leaves while rubbing the back of his head after being hit squarely by an empty bottle.

"Rogue angels, black wings or white, who violate the armistice set about by the Three Factions under the Treaty of Jericho are treated the same as a stray devil. Should one trespass on the territory under currently devil ownership, it is the same as declaring a personal attack on the owners themselves."

The fallen spat out a few leaves that had gotten caught in the side of its mouth and it tried to re-ascend, but found the low treeline now restricting much of his ascent. He hovered above the ground, but then moved his position to have both he and I in one frame instead of either side.

"*pfft* Oh, good. I guess this means that I get to hit at both factions at the same time. An exorcist of the church, and a servant of the devils. I guess that means Throneyah won't be the only one hunting devils today."

"What make you think I'd be teaming up with him?" I exclaimed in disgust.

The Phenex devil just looked at me in confusion, but nevertheless he kept his guard up, but not at me, even if I was still weighing my options between holding my blade against the both of them at the instant either of them moved any closer.

"You want to keep the peace, I want to keep the peace. He wants war. The enemy of my enemy-"

"I'm not making friends with a devil . . . even if you're right. As much as my pride hates admitting that."

". . . I was going to say temporary ally."

Despite his last added quip, I much rather preferred the idea of a two verses one situation over having to cover myself on two different fronts in a Mexican standoff against two supernatural beings. Father Mertens words also echoed through my memory about the devils finding more benefits in peace and their absolute commitments when it came to contractual agreements.

It almost disgusts me that I am pleased that I can actually trust a devil to have my back in this fight.

The only one not so thrilled was the fallen, and for good reason.

"Shut up, the both of you!" he yelled, as he raised an arm in the air to produce another light spear. "Carve this into your skulls, for this is the day that you were slain by the soon to be war hero, Caraviel!"

In a rage of blinding dark light, the field around us turned to white. The starting bell had been struck. A battle was soon to begin.

A trip to Kyoto

spurs all misfortunes to spring

on this Autumn day.

Not what I wanted,

when I returned passed summer;

to be cast again.

But, with them away

I may yet loose the chains and

unleash the Dragon

Omake XI: Tied Up At The Moment

Alek: (camera close up of his face slowly panning out) Hello there everyone. You maybe wondering why I am a little late with this update. I'll tell you . . . (camera zooms out to reveal him ensnared in chains) IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE TIED UP AT THE MOMENT!

Ravel: (angry) Are you sure that's the reason?

Alek: (rolling his eyes) Look, I got rid of your cat ears. All is even now, right?

"Izumi": (red with anger) I'm still a girl!

Alek: Then you shouldn't of knocked me over. (trying to rub his knee, then realising he can't reach) It's bad enough that the gun cannot work like it use to, but now I can't even lick my wounds.

Ravel: You still didn't answer the question.

Alek: (offended) Hey! I did all my work AND I got this out in time for Easter . . . *cough* Tuesday.

"Izumi": (rubbing "her" eyes) Tuesday is not Easter. Easter Monday barely qualifies as Easter to begin with.

Alek: (rolls his eyes) Ok. I almost got distracted by all the ads that are appearing on websites I was using. Thankfully, I clicked away from them. Well . . .

"Izumi": What?

Alek: I nearly clicked on a one that would had led me to *cough* an unsavoury site.

Ravel: (disgusted with him) You are a sick person.

"Izumi": (Unfortunately realises "she" would be calling the kettle black if "she" disagreed) I can relate to that.

Ravel: (turns on him angrily) Don't you start, Ise-senpai!- (suddenly get's cut off when a rift opens in the universe)

User:bk42bk42:(teleports in via shadows) Yes, still the same one, still too lazy too log back in. Just in case you are wondering, my waifu from another fandom is a character from the anime "RWBY", which is made by people called Rooster Teeth. If you want to know who, look at the main characters and find the female with a scythe. Also, the cookies are magically enhanced. They are made however the eater wants them made. Now then, I have a request from my waifu's older sister. (takes a picture of "Izumi" after forcing "her" into a bikini) One last thing and then I am done, Alek, you are now a "Shadow Apprentice", meaning you have some power over shadows, at the moment you only have shadow travel, which is how I get here, and shadow forge, shadow travel is obvious while shadow forge enables you to do stuff like this. (creates a scythe made of literal shadows) Now then, bye! (swings shadow scythe to create a rift, leaves through rift, rift closes)

Ravel: (stops for a minute). . . That was . . . random? (snaps out of it while "Izumi" runs to get new clothes on) Anyways, we were talking about you, perverted Authur-san!

Alek: (stops struggling after realising shadow powers don't work while being tied in these chains) B-Believe me it wasn't easy to click away from, but I did . . . eventually. (stars in his eyes and drooling) There are a lot of characters in anime with blue hair, but only one has a single, beautiful green bang over their foreheads.

Xenovia: (clueless) Is he talking about me?

Asia: (everyone else deadpans for a second) Um, I think that's what he implied.

Rose: (pulling on the chains) You brought this on yourself, Author-san. Anyways, with Gleipnir now restraining you, you're powerless even in this realm. These are the very same bindings that kept Fenrir from proceeding with eating Odin-dono and starting Ragnarok.

Alek: (concerned) Then why the hell are you using it on me when- (recalling past events aka BorN) . . . oh yeah, I forgot about his big power nerf.

"Izumi": (returns in new clothes while looking smug) Plus, now we have a way of keeping you tied down, and one that will keep you from talking for a while.

Alek: (really panicking now, as he tries to wrestle himself free) . . . Y-y-y-y-y-you wouldn't!

"Izumi": This is for letting User:bk42bk42 in here. (leaning in) . . . Have you improved writing your English yet?

Alek: (whites out to the point he's foaming in the mouth) . . . k . . . k . . . k-k. (topples over to his side)

Ravel: (surprised how effective it still is) . . . Wow. And I don't even think the newer fans even understand how effective that has always been.

Asia: (concerned) Is Author-san going to be ok?

Ravel: He'll be fine. Besides, we don't need him for the reviews since I had him write it down before we knocked him out:

『 To User:Which_Brew: Well thank you very much. (save me)

To User:Malhavoc_Shadowlord: Oh yes he will . . . next time. (come get me please)

To User:Gushi_Jiangshi (formerly User:RuinHuntr): Not in a very long time I'm afraid (they're insane)

To User:Dragon_Rider_66: It's like you can read the future (why didn't you warn me beforehand that this would happen?) (oh, and save me please)

To User:AcclaimingTR: S and SS class are basically top tier High-class level (they're going to kill me), but not Ultimate-class. (I think I might actually die)

To User:ahsoei: Yes, I did see that conundrum come up when i was writing that scene. (call someone) I did call it to question after the slight edit, but basically I imagine that deliberately hitting it with an attack that doesn't strike head on would make it ill effective. (call anyone)

To User:ShiroKishi4: Thanks (call the police)

To User:Dr4cul: I would like one (send for help) And I will bring Koneko here at some point (find the keys)

To User:RedSS: See you when you return (soon please) Well, I can't use the gun again right now, but I definitely will. (ask another time) (oh, and I need new batteries)

To User:bk42bk42: Uh, thank you for popping by (come back!)

To User:desdelor97: Thank you for your comment (get me out of here)

To User:WarsmithDantioch: Thank you so very much (help me). And I will give them my regards (kill them all).

and To Guest (1): Don't worry, your wish has been granted sooner than you think (save me)』

Ravel: (sighing) He is really starting to slack off in this department. (turning to everyone else) Well, Asia, Xenovia, Rossweisse. Since we have basically usurped Alek-sama's authority, I'll be sending you all home.

Rose: (raising her hand) Actually, I need to return those chains after I'm using them. Vidarr-dono's orders.

Asia: Well I guess this is goodbye then. (politely bowing) I hope to see you all when you get back.

Xenovia: (nodding in agreement) Yes. And, if you need our help, then call us back in. Anything for our King, and our future husband.

"Izumi": (as both Asia and Xenovia step into the portal out of the universe)*sniff* You girls are too good to me.

Alek: (realising Xenovia is leaving) No! Wai- (realises it's too late) . . . *sniff*

"Izumi": (rolls "her eyes") Well, that's it for now. (smiling evilly) We will be keeping Alek-sama chained up for a while so in your reviews send us a form of torture you would like us to put him through additionally if you would.

Alek: (gulps)

Ravel: And I think he wants to apologise to everyone disappointed with the long delays as of recently. And if you're just a hater, please, contribute as well. The more vile the better.

Alek: (shudders)

Rose: (coughing) Well then, until the next time we meet, this is goodbye for now.

Everyone: Bye-bye!

Alek: (sobbing) *sniff* . . . yeah. Bye and all.

"Izumi": But you know, there is one particular element to being female now

Alek: (makes one last snide remark) What? You don't need to grope someone else's breasts now- (realises that he is surrounded by said "other breast") . . . Oops.

"Izumi": (shakes "her" head) No. Not. That. (raises "her" left arm, before a familiar ["{Boost!}"] appears) By this universe's logic I get to use this now to my heart's content.

Alek: (whites out again as Ravel starts lighting fires and Rossweisse has her Valkyrie armour equipped as well) . . . Mother.

Thank you for reading, and review at your nearest convenience.

Special thanks to 'Which Brew', 'Malhavoc Shadowlord', 'Gushi Jiangshi', 'Dragon Rider 66', 'AcclaimingTR', 'ahsoei', 'ShiroKishi4', 'Dr4cul', 'RedSS', 'bk42bk42', 'desdelor97', 'WarsmithDantioch', and 'Guest (1)' for their reviews, I really do appreciate it.

So, I'm off for Easter, so I will be trying to get back into weekly updates. But, I am a little rusty so expect it to start a little slow. I will be aiming to get the next one out next week, or the week after tops.

Oh, and special notice; if you go to dxdfanon wiki, I have created a page dedicated to the Deftodiz language. There's no spoilers, but it saves a little on world building here.

Well, until next time everyone. Bye!

. . . Someone help me please!