Issei noticed them on the roof of the new school building. Kiba was skillfully dodging the magic fire attacks, as he tried to get in close, but any time he could get a hit in, Riser just regenerated.
Rias, while Kiba distracted Riser, attacked him with magic attacks.
''You girls go in from below, I'll get a jump on him.''- He smiled as he turned around and jumped up the side of the building.
As he flew up in the air, Riser noticed him.
''I'm gonna kill you, just like how you killed my Knight. I will torture you so far you will beg for me to kill you! I will destroy you, you shitty brat!''- He screamed at him, literally spewing flames.
Issei inhaled midair and spat out flames.
''HA, PERISH UNDER THE FLAMES OF THE MIGHTY PHOENIX!'' – Riser shouted, as he raiser his hand and conjured fire. The fireballs clashed midair and exploded, rising dust and smoke.
For a second there, Riser raised his hand to block the dust. Then he staggered from the impact he felt in his solar plexus. He widened his eyes, as he noticed Issei right in front of him, eyes narrow and his mouth wide, showing off his almost wolf like teeth.
He growled.
As Riser recovered he used his right leg to kick Issei in the side.
Issei raised his knee and checked the kick. Riser's leg broke, but as he put it back down, it was healed.
Issei grinned even more widely.
''What? Are you scared?''- Riser spoke, arrogantly. His grin held a prideful expression.
Issei chuckled. His face, on the other hand, held a serial killers grin.
''Nah.''- He opened his eyes, wide. – ''I DON'T HAVE TO HOLD BACK''
He stepped forward, sending cracks on to various directions on the roof. Riser, grinned back at him and jumped towards him. His fist was covered with flames. Issei's palm was wide opened, in a motion to catch it.
Riser smirked- 'the kid was crazy, if he thought to stop the fire of the Phenix.'
[BOOST]
The Sacred Gear appeared on his hand, as he gripped the fist of Riser. The Gear cracked, as Issei raised his eyebrows. – ''How about THIS?''- He spat fire at point blank range.
The fire engulfed Riser. The screams of agony rebounded from the field.
''I-Issei, what kind of fire is that?''- Rias, screamed in surprise.- ''The Phoenix's fire is said to be the strongest, so why does he burn?'' Issei jumped over to Kiba's side.
He was kneeling on one knee. He gave him his hand.
''Let's go teach him a lesson, Kiba.'' – He took the hand and got up. He sligtly grinned at Issei. There was a hint of determination burning within.
''Make me a wakizashi, knight.''- Issei spoke. Kiba created a short sword in his hand. He flung it to Issei.
''Just sit back and enjoy the show, Girls.'' – Kiba spoke, as he slightly bowed to them.
A giant fireball was thrown their way. Issei outstretched the Sacred Gear covered hand and tried to block it. It exploded on impact, as Issei's clothes were set on fire. He dropped his armor together with the burning shirt. A smell of burning meat could be felt, but Issei didn't even flinch from the pain – It wasn't the worst he had felt.
He laughed.
Raiser, who had recovered, looked at him, bewildered.- ''The fuck is so funny, brat?''
''This is fun, ya know. I could rip you limb to limb and you still would't die. You do realize there aren't many like you out there, right?'' – His voice grew horse, as he jumped at Riser, signaling Kiba, who in godspeed appeared behind Riser and attacked.
Without a sound the arm of Riser was flung into air. Blood splattered all over the place.
It had finally began.
The field was filled with bloodlust from Issei. He was smiling, his eyes wide and bloodshot. He growled, as a rabid dog.
It was time to hunt.
It was time to devour Riser.
Riser stumbled, as he charged Issei. Issei blocked a punch, dodged a kick that came over his head, and he span around, slamming the wakizashi into Riser's lung. He coughed blood but Issei wasn't going to allow him to recover. Riser tried to elbow Issei, but he instead cut off Riser's arm at elbow.
The short-swords blade had been enforced with magic. The arm was covered in flames and regenerated. Riser span around to see behind him, but Issei wasn't there.
He stumbled forwards, as the Knight of Gremory stabbed 2 swords trough his stomach from behind. He tried to pull them out, but fell to the ground, not feeling his legs.
Issei pulled out the bloody wakizashi from Riser's spine. He wiped it against his pants and put in behind his belt.
''What? Is something wrong, Riser-sama? I though the mighty Phoenix was stronger that a mere low class devil like me?''
Issei just looked down on him, chuckling. While Riser was struggling to get up, Issei had picked up the vest he previously wore. As he looked at it, he closed his eyes.
''Well, it did serve me long enough.''- He shook his head as his voice became gruff- ''BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LET GO!''
He lunged at Riser, with the armor in his hand. Riser narrowed his eyes. As Issei was close enough, Riser span around and tried to kick him in the chest. Issei threw the armor in air, caught the leg and elbowed it, dislocating the bone. He pulled it in and hit Riser in the face, who had the same idea.
As they both stumbled away, Issei caught the falling armor and flung it in the direction of Riser.
''AKENO, DO IT!''- He screamed. Akeno narrowed her eyes and shot the armor, that had fallen by Riser's feet with lightening.
The combination of fire, gas and water exploded in a roar of thunder, as Riser tried to get away. The area was filled with the smell of burning skin and iron.
As Raiser stumbled backwards, Kiba beheaded him from. It was quite easy. The neck, is one of the most vulnerable places of the human body. There are various ways to destroy it. – To break it, snap it, cut it, smash it, to impale it, and many more, but this isn't the case for Riser.
A waterfall of blood covered the knight. The head fell near Rias's feet. She widened her eyes, as she looked at the bloodied knight. He looked away.
''Oy oy, Kiba, don't let yer guard down, the guy is still alive.''- Issei laughed.
He laughed, because he was happy. How long has it been, since he had someone like the Phoenix? His primal instincts of a beast had kicked in, and he growled at Riser.
The head disintegrated in fire, as the head of Riser was reconstructed. He slowly, but surely got up.
''ENOUGH GAMES!''-As he said that, two flame wings appeared on his back, giving him quite a majestic look. He scowled at Issei who was lunging at him, full speed with a wide smile on his face.
He threw a punch at his head, but Issei dodged it, and used two fingers to jab his eyes out. Riser clawed at Issei, not moving despite being temporarily blind. Issei hit him in all of the places he could think off.
In the liver, in the solar plexus, in the ribs, that shattered like glass, in the jaw. Riser was thrown away from Issei, as he charged him, Risser's eyes regenerated and he caught the kick Issei was sending for his solar plexus. He gripped it, and didn't let go. Issei couldn't move.
A smile like no other showed up on Riser's face. He, once again felt in control, he felt like the power, the authority had returned to his hands.
Issei tensed his muscles. Riser, of course, felt that. – ''If you move, I'll break it. I'll really break it. You can't regenerate like me, trash.''
''HahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA!''- Issei started to laugh, cheerfully. A loud, childish laugh.
He hit off from ground with his other leg, and span around.
CRUNCH/SNAP/CRACK
The ankle of Issei's leg snaped with crunching noises as it span in a circle, in an impossible movement and blood erupted from it.
''I don't care.''
The other leg hit Riser's face with such a force, that it would blow a normal persons brain out from the other side. His jaw shattered along with snapping the neck.
He flew away in air, falling off the roof and hitting the ground, his wings disappearing.
''ISSEI!''- Rias exclaimed, as she saw her pawn getting up from the roof exterior, his right foot was pointing in the opposite direction than it would normally. He was grinding his teeth, but not letting out the slightest gruff or scream.
''I'm fine, this pain is nothing. I'll just go down and mind-break him, so we can go home.'' – He said, with a gentle smile. He brought his leg up.
''Mindbre-?'' – Rias exclaimed.
CRUNCH.
He turned the foot around and started to run, while limping. He kicked off the roof and span midair, landing on Riser's stomach with the full force of his good foot.
The foot embedded in his stomach. Issei pulled it out, as blood spurted. He sat down on top of Riser, who just looked at him, terrified.
''Wh-Who the h-hell are you?''- He gasped for air, as he said that, blood pouring out of his mouth.
''I am the ringing in your ears, I am the voice in your head that doubts. I am the one who is stronger, I am the one who can defeat you, I AM THE ONE WHO CAN. KILL. YOU.'' – He smiled, as he watched Riser try to get away. – ''I represent everything you take for granted, because I am the other side of the coin, I suffered while you celebrated, I trained while you played, AND I AM THE ONE WHO IS SUPERIOR. You are weak, useless, feeble, inadequate, deficient, substandard, YOU ARE PATHETIC!'' – As he said those words, he took Riser by his neck, wrapping his fingers around Riser's neck. –''Trash.''
''..P-please, stop.'' – Riser whispered, because the one who was sitting on top of him was insane, crazy, fucked up. He was a demon, who had killed his knight.
But he isn't gonna kill me, right?
He hesitated, and that was all Issei needed.
''You want for me to stop, RIGHT? You don't want to die RIGHT? You don't want that, RIGHT?''
Issei leaned closer to Riser and stared in his eyes, and spoke, softly. -''Just say those words, just say them, I r-e-s-i-g-n. ''
From far away, the small girl, Ravel, looked at the pawn and her brother. They both were covered in so much blood, and they clothes were so tattered, that they almost didn't look human.
Ravel, wanted to go help her brother, but she couldn't move. She was shaking, from the killing intent that was being radiated.
Instead, she just looked in silence, with tears running down her eyes.
Riser stared back into the demon's bloodshot eyes, as drips of blood were dripping from it's white hair.
''Oh look, you aren't regenerating anymore, I should kill you then.''- The demon spoke, in a calm tone.
''No, no no NO, THERE IS NO WAY! I AM IMORTA-''- His face was smashed against the ground, as Issei held him in place, when he tried to look at the scar on his stomach.
Of course, he was regenerating, but the Issei was breaking him from inside out, he was making Riser doubt himself.
''Now then, RISER-CHAN, GIVE UP OR DIE.''
As he had looked at the boy sitting on top of him, he had noticed the demon that was wrapped around the boy. It was a red mist, a red power, a nothingness, that held only giant jaws, and green, glowing eyes. If the boy would have not killed him, Riser was sure, that the green eyed demon would have.
He was truly afraid, truly terrified, for the first time in his lifetime.
''...I- I –I...resign.'' –Riser spoke, as he looked away from the boy who holding him down. He looked away, in fear, not shame.
[Resign confirmed. It is the victory of Rias Gremory-sama.]
As he disappeared in the white light, only relief washed over him, because he was alive.
Issei got up, as the gear on his hand dispersed. Bile came up his throat and his head was spinning. It was almost like the world's axes had switched places. His ankle was a mess, it couldn't hold any weight at all, and at the slightest movement, it hurt like a bitch.
But before hitting the ground, he was caught by two people.
From the left, stood Kiba, holding him by shoulder, on the other- Koneko, holding him the same.
''Although that was quite scary, but an excellent job, Issei. I am proud, to have you as a pawn.'' – She spoke, with a smile on her face. She drew her hand trough her hair as she showed her perfectly white teeth.
''Good job, Issei-kun~'' – Akeno spoke, in a cheerful tone.
''Ah, that... was quite..fun.'' –He chuckled –''Ah, Kiba... so now can we become friends?''
''Idiot. Of course, we can.'' – He chuckled, as he smiled, while his face was covered in scratches.
''..You. Are. HEAVY!'' – Koneko exclaimed, showing more emotion that she ever had.
''Oh, Grayfia! Transport me to the nearest hospital, I want to sleep!'' –Issei screamed, in a hoarse voice, while the peerage laughed.
The peerage glowed in white light, as they were transported, as victors.
As victors, of the first ever game they had won.
The first one they played, the first one they won , against the mighty Phoenix, said to be unbeatable.
''..How nice. I did not expect that, honestly. Who would have thought that my sister would have won the game?'' – Sirzechs, slowly spoke, as he drank some tea from a cup he had taken from a table.
He, his maid and wife Grayfia, and the parents of Riser Phoenix were sitting in the spectators area. Sirzechs was calmly and elegantly smirking.
''The pawn fundamentally won the game. Sirzechs-sama, who the hell was that boy?'' – Lord Phoenix, the father of Riser spoke, barely holding back his anger.
''Oh, nothing but mere pawn of my sister. He holds a sacred gear that isn't really rare. ''
''Nothing but mere pawn, you say? Then what was that? He acted like a rabid dog, he even broke his own foot and killed a knight of my sons!'' – The father brought his fist down to the table in front of them.
''Please calm down, Lord Phoenix. We did not mean for that to happen, but it is a Rating game. Death happens. The boy did not have a fortune past, if anything, I would say he has been trough more than us combined, so I would ask for you to forgive his impudence. ''
Lord Phoenix brought his hand in front of his face. ''..At least he had enough pride to not touch our daughter. Keep a leash on him, Sirzechs-sama.''
He grinned, arrogantly. – ''Of course, Lord Phoenix. If he ever goes out of line and attacks one our kind, I will hunt him down like the beast he is.''
''Well then, if you would excuse us, we should visit our son. He must be out of his mind by now.'' – The mother of Riser courtly said, and they left the room.
Only Sirzechs and his wife, Grayfia stayed in the room.
''Hahahaha''- He laughed and then inhaled deeply. –''Worth every penny I didn't pay for him. Grayfia, shouldn't we celebrate?''
Grafyia flashed a seducing smile, with narrow eyes.
''What do you mean, with celebrating?''- She said, as she moved closer to Sirzechs.
Issei was half-asleep while resting on a hospital bed. His right arm was covered in bandages that stretched all the way up his shoulder, covering the burn scars. His eye was blue and his ankle was in a cast. They had healed it, but they said that it was too weak too use for a while, because usually they don't see an ankle that was span around its center two times.
Koneko came into his room holding Issei's bag. She looked at Issei, who had peacefully dozed off while sitting. Her eyes ran over Issei's shirtless body, over all the scars, her eyebrows furrowed at the view, but she decided to not bring it up.
He was so calm looking, such a turn around from what he was like on in the game. It was odd for Koneko.
Issei raised his eyes at Koneko. He smiled, softly.
''Yo.'' – He raised his arm, slightly squinting his eyes.
''..I brought your stuff.'' – She handed over the bag to him. He opened it and nodded. He got up from the bed, trying as much as possible to not use the leg with the broken ankle to balance himself. He took out a shirt from the bag.
He looked back at Koneko, who was leaning against a table.
''Ya know, as much as I find it flattering, you sure you want to watch me change?'' – Issei tilted his head to the side.
She raised her shoulders and blushed. –''..I don't, you pervert.'' – And so, she left the room.
Issei dressed in the normal clothes he wore, only he wasn't able to tie one of the sneakers he wore – the cast was in the way. He wore a scarf around his neck.
He stepped outside of the room, with the bag over his shoulder, just to find the whole peerage. They're eyes saddened, when they noticed the way Issei limped.
''Is your leg alright, Issei?'' – Rias spoke, sounding worried.
''Yeah, I'm blasted on painkillers, so don't worry.''
She smiled. – ''I see. Ready to go home?''
''I am. Let's go.''
Akeno nodded and they teleported away.
They now stood in the old school building.
''So what happens now?'' –He asked.
''I get to have my free will and not marry the Phoenix bastard, and we have a good start on Rating games, plus we will be a hot conversation topic in the underworld.''
''What about me killing the knight? I didn't really mean to, just my mentality in a battle is kill or be killed.''
''Don't worry, death happens in rating games. Nothing is going to happen to you.''
''I see, that's good.'' – Issei turned around – ''See ya then, I feel like sleeping.''
''Do you need anyone to help you get home?'' – She asked, sounding legitimately worried.
''I'm good, the painkillers are a gift.''
He walked over to a park near his house. He sat down in a bench. It was early morning, and the only sound that could be heard was birds chirping.
That is, until a girl with short black hair and in dark clothes sat next to him.
''Yo Fleimel.''
''Welcome back, sir. Did it go well?'' – She asked, courtly.
''Riser is defeated, trust is built and no one has a single idea that I am the Welsh Dragon. Mission successful.''
She rolled her beautiful eyes. ''Then what about your leg, you baka?''
Issei scratched his ear. – ''Just a slight problem occurred, it wasn't like he broke my ankle, I did mysel-''
Fleimel grabbed Issei by the collar. –''YOU BROKE YOUR OWN ANKLE?''
She asked in a tone, that rivaled Issei's when he was mad.
He furrowed his eyebrows and tried to make himself as small as possible. –''You are really scary , Fleimel.''
She let Issei go and exhaled deeply. She brought out her sacred gear and enveloped Issei's leg in a green light. She gently touched his face, and healed the bruise as well.
He got up and shattered the cast.
He then smiled at Fleimel. – ''Ah, I really appreciate that, I don't know what I would do without you, Fleimel.''
''Get out of here before I skin you alive, sir.''
He tied the sneaker, saluted and ran away.
Fleimel stood there and laughed. It had been a long time since they had played around like this, not even thinking about things that happened in the past or worrying about their plan, their mission, that could come crashing down on top of them like a house of cards.
And Issei, who was most likely stressed out of his mind, because he was the main point and the one who had to act.
It is I , blueprints. Yo!
Nothing much to talk about, although Bejewelsteam4 talked about changing me having Issei kill the knight, I won't change anything, sorry.
Issei mindbroke Riser, made him doubt himself, and that how you defeat someone immortal.
So, who was the real monster, Issei, who was like a rabbid dog, or Riser, who could regenerate everything Issei threw at him?
No one knows who the true monster is yet.
Next chapter will be something in between the Kokabiel arc, and I have to think what I want to do with Irina. What are your opinions, readers?
See ya in a few days, I'm off to work.