Issei's legs were thrown up on expensive-looking couch as he had fallen asleep again. A big widescreen TV was on a desk near it.
He didn't show the signs of being stressed or anxious in such situations, at it was same this time as well. Koneko was about to touch him to wake him up, but decided to not do that.
''Issei.'' – She said, with a clear voice.
He quickly opened his eyes. And blinked several times in quick succession.
''Mmm?'' – He said, as he stretched his arms and moved his legs to the ground.
''It's midday. Where did you disappear to yesterday?'' – Koneko asked as he dropped down on the couch.
''..I didn't feel well in the party.'' - Issei responded, as he got up and pushed the table with the TV on it towards the wall. –''I had to step out for a while. The while turned longer when I decided to look over Saiaorg's fights.''
He dropped back down on the couch.
''So, what do you think?'' – Koneko asked, with a hint of interest to her voice.
''Ah...It's going to be hard. His peerage is undoubtedly loyal to him. The man is a natural leader...It quite reminds me of Suicide Squad, to be honest...But nonetheless, there is one thing that he can't do...and it's magic.''
''Like you.'' – Koneko responded as she slouched back in the couch. –''..I would say you two are quite similar.''
Issei opened his eyes wider for a moment, as if shocked. Then they narrowed and he touched the back of his head. –''..Not at all. In another time, perhaps. In a time where I would be prideful, honorable and not fucked up at all. In this timeline, of sorts, the only similarity we have is the love of the fight and the lack of magic ability.''
''..In a different time, huh..'' – Koneko sighed. –''..Do you have a strategy?''
''I do.'' – Issei responded with a slight smile.
''..Will you bring it up with Rias?''
''I will.'' – Issei smirked. –''After all, my plan is to attack head on.''
Koneko froze for a second. –''..That's rather dumb of you...even with the power up you gained from training.''
''..Well, it's kind of like that. I assume he will go easy at the start..you know..to ''test the water'', as you would say...that's when I'll strike with full power.''
Koneko widened his eyes, but before she could answer, Issei continued.
''..It's disgusting, I know, but I will still do it. I will always take the advantage.''
Koneko clicked her tongue. –''..You are my teacher..and I would do the same. It is a viable strategy...but, we don't know what kind of game we will have.''
''..I assume it will be something straight forward and simple. They want us to fight it out, not out-strategy each other.''
Koneko nodded and sighed softly..as she took two bars of chocolate out of her pocket. She handed one to Issei, who simply smiled in a smug way.
''What?'' – She asked, as she unwrapped the one that was in her hands. –''..I'm nervous, unlike you.''
Issei chuckled and opened the wrapper. He took a big bite of it...and it tasted too sweet for him...but nevertheless, he ate the whole thing.
Koneko breathed in deeply and used her senjutsu powers to check the surroundings.
''..No one is around..'' – Koneko exhaled. –''..Did you get in contact with my sister?''
''..No.'' – Issei said, as he touched the back of his head. –''..She will be really angry with me when we return..''
Koneko got up. –''Stand up.'' – She demanded.
Issei blinked a few times, before doing so.
''..What?''
Issei asked, as Koneko stepped into him...and hugged him. He froze for a moment..for a moment much too long...before wrapping his hands around her back, awkwardly. The height difference made it quite difficult.
They both split after that.
''..That was odd, from you.'' – Issei said.
She dodged Issei's eyes. –''..It's been while since you've seen Kuroka..I just gave you the next best thing.''
He chuckled for a bit. Such a warm gesture from Koneko was a welcome sight.
''..Ah..Isn't it time to get together withe everyone?'' – He asked.
''It is.'' – Koneko nodded and turned towards the doors. –''..Let's go.''
The strategy room's atmosphere was tense. So tense, that, for Issei, it felt almost as if he had barged in on something sacred. Rias simply nodded at the sight of them two and continued to spin a pen in her hand, while deep in thought.
Issei felt someone closing in on them. He and Koneko moved in deeper in the room and turned to the door.
After a knock, Azazel with a duffel bag on his shoulder and..Gasper stepped in.
He seemed a lot different..but most of all – he was wearing...pants.
''..Hello.'' – He said, with a rather anxious voice. Issei smiled a bit.
''Gasper.'' – Rias said, as he walked up to him and hugged him. –''..Welcome back.''
As Rias said that, everyone else of the peerage did their own welcome, like a ''yo'' from Koneko and a simply nod of his head from Issei.
''..It's good to be back.'' – He said.
''How was the Grigori?'' – She asked, as she let go.
''..It was scary...but it was something I had to do.'' – He responded, with rather dull eyes, as if he was remembering everything that had happened.
Issei crossed his arms on his chest. –''..And you did. That was brave of you.''
Their eyes met.
''Good job.'' – Issei stated, with a nod of his head.
Gasper smiled and turned his head away. –''..Well..'' – He murmured a bit. –''..If it wasn't for you..I don't think I could have.''
Issei chuckled. –''Heh, don't give me credit for something that was all you.''
Gasper let out a slight laugh...and that was when Azazel returned them to the real situation at hand.
''Hate to disturb you, but we have less time than favorable..so I'll begin.'' – Azazel said, as and threw a giant bag on the desk. –''Issei, Koneko..I have everything you asked for.''
He opened the bag and began to put clothes on the desk. Everything put on the table looked like the uniforms from Kouh, with the exception of one pair of a rather complex looking, slim body armor and the usual battle uniform of Xenovia's
''The armor is for you.'' – Azazel said, as he threw it towards Issei. He caught it and began to put it on, over his dark colored henley. Issei's eyes widened as he clutched his chest, right where the armor was.
''Ah, I forgot.'' – Azazel smirked. –''Not only does the armor have magic resistance, but also when put on, it compresses against your body, making it fit perfectly...and it seems weightless, doesn't it?''
Issei rotated his shoulders and jumped in place a few times. –''..This is really interesting. Did you create it?''
''Aye.'' – Azazel responded, with a giant smile on his face. –''It's one of the few hundred prototypes. I hope it will serve you as well as I intended.''
Issei nodded and smiled back at him.
''..So..'' – Azazel began, disturbing the silence that had followed. –''The fight..will be a simple fight. What is your plan?''
''As much is it seems cheap..Issei will be the main turning point of this fight..as everyone here knows..we are dearly under-powered to fight the strongest youth devil..unless Issei is strong enough.'' – Rias's looked over to Issei.
He scratched his head. –''I indeed, have a few tricks to use...I can defeat him. If the right circumstances appear..I will bring him down..except..''
''Except what?'' – Rias asked, with her voice sounding almost..distressed.
''It will not be pretty.'' – Issei responded. Rias twitched at the tone of his voice. It was low, dark..and had a rather particular taste to it..a taste of evil. –''..If you want honor...fairness..and mercy..then I am not the man to fight him.''
Rias, whose surprise disappeared in that second, responded. –''..Of course, I know how you fight..and I don't care how you defeat him...All I want is for you to get the job done, if you can do that..nothing else matters.''
Issei nodded his head and leaned against the table he was standing near.
Azazel licked his lips and began to speak. –''As you know, Saiaorg has two knights, two rooks, two bishops, and a pawn who is hidden. No one knows who it is. The logical thing would be to defeat them, one by one, whilst having the numeral advantage..if that's possible. But I don't think it will be.''
''..Why is that?'' – Rias asked.
''Well..Saiaorg wants to fight Issei..and so he will most likely send everyone against you, while he himself will stay to wait for Issei.''
''..Most likely.'' – Issei raised his shoulders. –''Although I have no idea..this whole scheming and strategy-ing thing goes over my head.''
''..But you did understand my point, right?'' – Azazel asked, with a slight smirk.
''...'' – Issei narrowed his eyes towards him.
''I think he means for you to stay with us, defeat one or two of the pieces and then move onto attack Saiaorg himself.'' – Kiba spoke, in a relaxed manner.
Issei didn't look at him. –''I can do that, yes. If you need the numeral advantage, I can take out two or so.''
''Good.'' – Azazel nodded. –''Now..Rias. Who will you take with you?''
''..How did you know?'' – Rias was bewildered.
''It's a simple plan. To create a choke point with your peerage and to fall back to somewhere safe – most likely to the edge of the map.'' – Azazel smirked slightly. –''..So..who will it be?''
''Akeno.'' – She responded.
''I see.'' – Azazel nodded twice, as if silently affirming their decision. –''..Although Koneko would be a good choice as well.''
''She would.'' – Rias responded. –''But she is extremely skilled in close combat. She needs to be on the front.''
''It's good that Koneko was honest with you about that.'' – Azazel put his hands into his pockets. –''..If anything..then it was Koneko who gained the most from the training...although Issei gained a different kind of power than he expected..I think.''
He glanced over at Issei who simply...responded with a..
''Meh.'' –Issei tilted his head to the side. –''This power will be useful as well.''
Azazel let out a slight chuckle,as he looked at his wristwatch. –''It's time to go. See you there.''
Like that, he disappeared in a split second.
Issei and Gasper exited the room, allowing the girls to change their clothes. Issei used this opportunity to talk with Gasper.
''..So..are you ready?'' – Issei simply, ambiguously asked.
Gasper nodded. –''Yes. I am ready to face anything that will be thrown against me...No matter what it takes.''
''Good.'' – Issei simply said with a smile.
The teleportation took a fraction of a second. The realization of the scale of the place that they were in..took longer. A floating island. It was a breathtaking view on it's own, but of course, the loud people, flashing cameras and the overall atmosphere was so..stressful.
For Issei, that is. Rias, Akeno and Kiba were the most natural ones, as they waved, smiled and cheered at the cameras. Issei, on the other hand, tried to look as natural as he could..although he was failing, big time.
They were lead to a large, deluxe room with a large, panoramic view of the sky. Issei sighed, as he looked out of it.
''Quite the amazing view, isn't it, kid?'' – The gruff voice of Tannin said. Issei span around, only to be thrown of his game, as he began to laugh.
Tannin and Azazel had came into the room..only Tannin looked about 3 feet tall.
''Heyy...I can still whoop your ass, you know.'' – Tannin, who looked like a chibi dragon spoke with an annoyed tone. – ''I'm only using this form so I wouldn't use up so much space.''
''Sorry, sorry..'' – Issei chuckled. –''..So, what's up?''
''This floating island..do you know who owns it?'' –Azazel asked.
''..No idea.'' – Issei responded.
''The Agares, was it not?'' – Rias answered in Issei's stead.
''Indeed. This place is called the Agreas. It belongs to Agares, after years of dispute over it by the True King and the Satan..or better known as the Bael and the Gremory. So you could say that this fight is a somewhat wrapped up in politics.'' – Azazel sighed. –''..Well, not that it matters to you.''
Some small talk later, they began to move towards the main stage, but before quite reaching it, they ran into someone..ominous. It was..death itself.
Even though Hades didn't have a face..quite literally..Issei would have sworn, that Hades smirked at him.
'' Oh well, oh well, if this isn't the crimson-haired Gremory and the Governor of the fallen-angels.''
''..If it isn't Hades himself.'' – Azazel said, as if he had a dry mouth. –''What is an old geezer like you doing here?''
''I'm not that old, yet.'' – He responded, as his glowing eye sockets became brighter. –''..I just came to observe the youthful noise...Do you mind?''
''Not really.'' – Azazel threw his hand upwards in a denying gesture. –''Just that you are one of the few who are still undecided on the topic of peace.''
''..Ha!'' – He laughed. Once. –''We'll see about that...t'is not the time for it.''
He went silent for a while..only for his glowing eyes to focus on Issei. Issei, of course, stared back at Death. Hades slowly crept up to Issei..and whispered in his ear.
''..I almost had you once...I will have you again..if you continue like this..the only destination that awaits you is my playground.''
The peerage stood there, uncomfortable, as they exchanged words.
''..Was that a threat?'' – Issei asked, with his eyes narrow.
''..No. That was..simply your future.'' – Death chuckled. –''You really think that you can go around the world like this? It's asinine.''
Issei sighed, as Hades walked away.
''..What was that about?'' – Koneko asked.
''..Apparently Death can't wait for me to accompany him.'' – Issei answered and continued the walk towards the grand stage.
Before Azazel departed from them, he spoke. –''..Guys..this game is basically a pro game. The giant crowd, the backstage politics, bets, the hype...the power of your opponent...Keep your guard..don't get too stressed..and good luck.''
The peerage were in a corridor, just behind the door to the main stage. Issei Koneko and Xenovia were sitting down, resting their backs against the wall, Kiba was in a seiza style sitting position with his eyes closed, while Akeno and Rias were furiously talking about something. Gasper was rather furiously pacing around.
''Calm down, Gasper.'' – Issei said, with a voice that tried to be soothing. –''It's going to be fine.''
''..Imagine that everyone in in the crowd is a pumpkin.'' – Koneko said. Issei was visibly amused by that.
Suddenly the cheers died down.
''..It's starting.'' – Rias spoke.
[Now, the battle of the century is about to begin! From the east gate, it's Sairaorg Bael's team!]
The voice strongly and enthusiastically shouted. The crowd went wild. Children, men and women all shouted equally. The whole building shook from the hype.
[And finally from the west gate, it's Rias Gremory's team!]
Issei quickly jumped to his feet and span around, giving both his hands to help both of the girls up. Rias looked back at them. She didn't say a word, she didn't need to – she simply nodded – as did the peerage. They stepped outside.
Flashing lights, camera clicking noises and most of all – the crowds cheers. Issei stopped in his tracks, as his eyes quickly looked over the arena. Even though it was large as hell, the entry part had special seating for the viewers.
''Issei.'' – Koneko called out his name. He blinked and continued the walk..this was much too weird for him.
For him – to be the one who is cheered on..for him to be the one that people want to win...it was odd. Bewildering. Out of place. He shook his head and concentrated on the game at hand.
[Hello, everyone! The broadcaster for this match will be I, Naud Gamigin from the house of Gamigin of the former 72 Pillars, who will be broadcasting to you!]
Issei looked upwards, at the giant monitor that was suspended midair by magic. The commentator was a man in flashy clothes. Judging by his face complexion, the way he moved his body, and the overall confidence his body was presenting – he was used to the crowd.
[The arbiter for this game will be Rudiger Rosenkreutz!]
There, hanging in the air, a magic circle appeared. A handsome man with silver hair and dressed in a royalty suit appeared from it. The crowd cheered at his appearance - although it would be lies to say that the most of the crowd who cheered were not women.
The main thing everyone knew about Rosenkreutz was that he was a former human. That man alone reached the status of Ultimate Devil and is a top ranker in this game. Issei didn't care that much about him. He only wanted to know the source of his power. The game meant nothing to him.
[And our special guest! We have the Governor of the Fallen angels, Azazel, as a commentator today! Hello there, Governor Azazel!]
The Governor appears in a flash and raises his hand in approval. People cheer on him, but not as much with Rosenkreutz.
[Well, hello there. I'm Azazel. I look forward to working with you tonight.]
[Governor Azazel, you are famous for having a good relationship with Sirzechs Lucifer and also the leaders of various factions and you are also famous for being the leading expert in the research of the Sacred Gears. For today's match, having done the coaching for the Rias Gremory team, how would you look at this game?]
[Well, yes. Personally, I wonder if both teams can release their full power and-]
Azazel went on a little story about the training, leaving out most of the details, but saying rather ambiguous things like the fact that ''the members of the Gremory gained new powers.''
''..Azazel you know how to hype up a fight..'' – Issei muttered to himself.
[And we have also called another person! 1st Ranker of the Rating Game! The current Champion! "Emperor" Diehauser Belial!]
The acclamation of him began to shake the stadium.
[How are you, everyone. I'm Diehauser Belial. Today, I will be doing commentary for the match between the Gremory and Bael.]
He spoke, rather casually. He was composed, relaxed and confident.
[It might be sudden, but I would like to ask Governor Azazel who was the adviser for the Gremory team and the Champion who was the adviser for the Bael-team something. It will be helpful if you can tell us about where we should pay attention for both teams.]
The commentator for the game asked.
[Of course. From the Gremory side, the people who you need to look out for are Rias herself and the pawn named Issei Hyoudou and from the Bael side the main one who you need to look at is Saiaorg himself.]
Azazel simply spoke. Issei sighed to himself – that was it for keeping a low profile at the start.
[..I find it mildly interesting how the main fight is supposedly between Saiaorg and the only Gremory pawn.]
Diehauser spoke, and Azazel chuckled at his comment.
[That's the rumor, and I believe it will be true.]
[I hope it will. I desire to see Saiaorg go all out for once.]
Rias was staring at Diehauser in a very noticeable way. She narrowed her eyes and lowered her gaze. One of her palms pulled into a fist.
[Before we start, thanks to the kindness of the current head of Phoenix who produces and sells the tears, and also because of the voices of the supporters of both team of Bael and Gremory have reached us, it's decided that each team will be given the tears for this game!]
The stadium applauded this notion.
Issei swallowed the knot in his throat. –''..Shit.''
''..This means we need to beat him twice, doesn't it?'' - Xenovia asked, to which, Rias nodded.
[This game, although important, is quite the simple one. Both of the sides will receive a castle. The king can't leave it...and the king can't destroy it, but the enemy can. If the enemy destroys the castle, the king can leave it...but there's a catch. The castle can only be destroyed from inside. If you break the rules..you get disqualified.]
Rias and the rest of peerage showed a rather confused face. The field was huge, of course, but it was just as bare as it was huge. Over at the other side, Issei could see the Bael peerage.
..But after a click of the leaders fingers, the field built itself, or rather appeared right around them. After a few seconds, the peerage were standing in a medieval kind of a castle. The pillars, the throne, the statues..everything was made to look so beautiful..that it felt like a shame to destroy it.
Issei turned his head to the side. Just to the side of the throne was a table with exactly 7 bottles of the phoenix tear.
[Remember the rules and show us a magnificent and a brave game, fighters.]
The commentator spoke up, and his voice turned from the normal one into a voice that was a tone higher and much louder.
[STTAART THE GAAMEEE!]
The crowd went wild, stomping their feet and shouting their favorite player names. Issei quickly blocked out the staggering amount of distractions.
Issei chuckled to himself about the ''magnificent'' part. He faced Rias as he simply spoke, in a calm voice. –''Take my Phoenix tear.''
''Huh?'' – She responded, baffled.
''Do it. You are going to need it more.''
''..Do you comprehend what you are even talking about?'' - Rias asked..seemingly disturbed by the idea. –''..You are the one who is about to fight Saiaorg.''
''Of course. I can beat him down – eventually. You just need to last that long..''
''But I will. I have become stronger than you can imagine. ''
''..It's not about that, Rias.'' – Issei spoke, with an aloof smile. –''..I have a bad feeling about his pawn.''
Rias went silent for a while...and then she responded. –''..Alright.''
Issei nodded.
''..But if you need help – do not hesitate to ask for it. We are a family and we will help you in need.''
Issei quickly span around, hiding his face.
He didn't want to show her his face after those words, because frankly, he didn't even know himself what kind of a face he was making.
''..Got it.''
Rias inhaled deeply and narrowed her eyes.
''Koneko and Gasper, guard the left side of the castle, Kiba and Xenovia guard the right side. I and Akeno will remain here...do everything you can to hold them back.'' – The last part of the sentence was said slowly, as if trying to fight herself.
..She most likely wanted to prove herself.
''Issei.'' – She spoke, as she looked into Issei's eyes. –''..Do what you have to.''
Issei nodded and turned his back to the peerage. As he flung open the doors, the 4 other members of the peerage followed.
One of the pairs turned left, the other right, while he followed the stone path that led him straight ahead. The trees, the beautiful statues and the pure aristocracy of the game field made it feel like he was walking along the Ancient Greece.
Issei stopped mid-step. He simply waited as the knight walked towards him. The man was dressed in a light armor. His blond hair overshadowed his face features.
He stopped, a few meters away.
''..I am Master's Saiaorg's knight, Liban Crocell.'' – He said, with a voice that was rather gentle. –''..I will be your opponent.''
''..I see.'' – Issei responded. –''Let me past.''
''..Huh?'' – The knight barely responded.
Issei's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to spend any more strenght than it was needed to.
''You are not strong enough.'' – Issei unintentionally showed his canine-looking teeth. –''..Submit or perish.''
The knight narrowed his eyes and kicked off the ground, in a lounge towards Issei. In a matter of a split-second, his sword was out of the sheath, and the tip of it was going straight for Issei's chest.
What seemed like a second for the viewers, that seemed like a minute for Issei.
A loud clashing noise. The sound of a sonic boom. The dust that was raised, covered the two of them. A second later, the dust disappeared from sight.
Issei's elbow and knee were put together, as he was standing on one foot. Liban's Crocell's arm was still extended in a stabbing motion, only the blade of his sword was gone, as he was holding the hilt.
The ground beneath them had cracked.
Issei had not only stopped the knights sword with his elbow and knee, but he had shattered it as well. The knight widened his eyes in disbelief, as Issei shuffled his feet and changed his position. His right hand came from the left lower side and backhanded the knight right in the jaw.
Another sound of a sonic boom, as slightly white fumes appeared from the point of impact. The knight was thrown sideways like a ragdoll.
His free-flight abruptly ended against a statue...and he remained limp upon the debris.
[Saiaorg's knight has been resigned.]
Issei sighed and continued his walk towards Saiaorg...he just hoped that this had been enough of a move to show how serious he was to Saiaorg.
[..That was..quite abrubt.] – The commentator mentioned.
[Was that some kind of a Ki attack? Touki attack maybe?] – Diehauser asked.
[..Hah..maybe.] – Azazel answered, in the most abrubt way possible.
...
Koneko and Gasper were simply guarding the position. She didn't feel the need to hide of make an ambush – she knew the other team wouldn't do that.
..And she had a right to asume so. Even if the man, no, beast, would wanted to sneak upon them, he wasn't physicly capable to do so. He was a literal mountain. Saiaorg was big..but this man was even bigger.
The other person seemed harmless, in comparison that is. The reason for that she was a women with an average build.
''My name is Coriana Andrealphus and I am bishop.'' – She said, in a gentle tone. –''The man to my right is Gandoma Balam, a rook.''
She introduced themselves in a rather polite manner.
''..I am Koneko. Rook.'' – She spoke in a dull tone. A tone that was the usual for her.
''...I am...Gasper Vladi, a bishop.'' – Gasper's voice couldn't hide his fear.
''..It's an interesting setup, isn't it?'' – The women asked.
Koneko raised her shoulders, giving off the same indifferent answer Issei sometimes uses.
She turned around and faced Gasper. –''..Can I trust you to cover me?''
This time, he didn't hesitate. –''Yes!''
Koneko looked at the giant who was literally twice her size. She exhaled and stomped her foot on the ground.
In that moment her cat ears and two tails appeared, and a second later she was covered in touki. It was a fairly simple move to do when you knew senjutsu.
Koneko launched herself at the rook, while at the same time the other bishop attacked her with ice magic spells. Koneko didn't even take notice of this attack and she didn't need to - Gasper stopped them with his eyes.
''..He can controll it?'' – The Bishop asked, with a surprised voice.
Koneko smiled and punched the giant straight into his jaw. He stepped back, but only a single step.
In that second, his arm came down on Koneko, but she punched upwards, smashing the arm away. She jumped on the arm, run up it and roundhouse kicked the giant in the jugular vein.
Together with sound of a small sonic boom, was the giants knee hitting the ground. Koneko jumped upwards and crashed her elbow against the backside of his head.
..In those few seconds, the giant was downed.
Koneko turned towards the bishop, who still wasn't able to fire her magic powers towards Koneko.
Her gaze quickly turned to Gasper and she shot some ice arrows at him. He dodged sideways, but that was enough to break his concentration.
Koneko bent her body to the right in a seemingly impossible angle and caught herself with her right arm. A small flip later she had dodged the array of arrows and was dashing towards the women.
It seemed to be an easy win, but when Koneko's hit was blocked, it was her time to widen her eyes.
She did a few simple kicks and punches, every last one of them were blocked.
''..'' – She jumped back, disrupting the chain of attacks.
''Just because I'm a bishop doesn't mean I can't fight, girl.'' – She said and jumped at Koneko.
''..Just because you can hold your own against attacks that were meant for someone who can't fight, doesn't mean you are able to fight on my level.'' – Koneko said, nothing to herself that it was unusual for her to talk while fighting. Issei's back flashed in her mind and she sighed.
She caught the bishops arm with her left hand, pulled it towards her and backhanded her face with her right. Some blood spurted on her from the impact and yet, the bishop was still standing.
Koneko kicked at her leg and span around herself, pulling the bishop along.
Dust was raised from the bishop hitting the ground. Koneko had used a simple karate throw, but it didn't matter because the bishop wasn't quite there from the first punch. Just as Koneko was about to knock her out, a shadow appeared behind her.
''Koneko, watch out!'' – Gasper screamed and extended his arm.
The giant's arm was stopped right before her by Gasper. The giant screamed, and so did Koneko.
She jumped sideways and touched her boot in a split-second...and in that short frame of time she had swiped her arm over the giant's.
..And the giant was bleeding. She jumped over another sweep of the giant's arm and he was cut again. She dodged under his kick and jumped by his other leg. This time the blood was a lot thicker and flowed faster..
The color was dark red, and it tainted the game field.
..Only then did the giant realize that he was cut up with a knife. The little edge of the karambit knife was too short to be easily noticed by someone like him.
Koneko's ears twitched. She turned around in a split second. Surprise attack had worked once, but it wouldn't again...but she didn't even need to be so careful. Gasper was holding one of his hands up stopping the bishops movement...although she was barely standing herself..and Gasper outstretched his other hand...and he started to chant.
..Koneko had always knew that Gasper was good at human magic, but she didn't expect for him to use it.
A valley of fire bullets rained upon the bishop as she screamed. A few seconds later, she was taken in blue light and disappeared.
[Bael's bishop has been resigned.]
Gasper took a few steps back and fell over.
Koneko jumped to the ground, dodging a full on foot-stomp from the rook.
He wasn't bleeding anymore and his eyes glowed with furry.
''..The pheonix tear.'' – she muttered under her breath...but then her eyes widened.
[Gremory's knight has been resigned.]
...Koneko assumed it was Xenovia, because frankly, if Kiba was first to fall, Xenovia would follow him a few seconds later.
Koneko exhaled once again and focused. The rook had a very high magic resistance..and the same with physical.
''..I guess I'll just punch him until he drops..'' – She muttered.
...
The now-lone knight of Gremory was dancing between the two attackers. He wasn't reachable, but at the same time he couldn't hurt the opponent as well.
Just a minute or two earlier Xenovia was resigned for the amount of blood she had lost from the cuts on her body...even though she had the will to fight on..the system didn't let her.
Kiba's two swords locked against the lance and pushed it upwards. The hell horse riding knight that had previously introduced himself as Furcas Beruka was pushing his lance downwards, but it was really easy to see how it was a move to keep him in a single place.
He weakened his blocking and stepped sideways, letting the lance go right beside him, as he dodged the magic attack from the feminine looking man with the exquisite staff who introduced himself as Misteeta Sabnock.
Kiba narrowed his eyes and pulled back the blades.
''BALANCE BREAK!'' – He shouted as he swiped the two swords in a cross motion towards the bishop.
''..EH?'' – The bishop widened his eyes and began to spin his staff.
The blue flame cross hit the staff and turned into a roaring fire, although the bishop was unhurt.
Kiba adjusted his stance for the knight who was galloping right at him. While the bishop was trying to stop the flames, he decided it was the time to strike.
He pushed his right leg into the ground and it cracked...in the next moment he was gone. A loud metal clashing noise rebounded over the field as his two flame covered blades hit the lance.
And again.
And again.
It was like a dance trough out the field. Neither of them stopped as they were attacking faster and faster, escaping the viewer eyes, most of them could only notice the in between moments when their weapons clashed together.
..And after a small while, they both stepped back.
Kiba was visibly exhausted. He inhaled deeply and tried to normalize his breathing. His hair was wet from sweat and sticking to his face.
''..You have become a lot stronger than we anticipated. Your power and will to fight is admirable...but it is not enough..'' – The knight spoke as he readied his stance.
Kiba didn't answer. He simply readied his swords.
Kiba left a line of blue light as he charged at the opposite knight. They crossed each other and the sound of metal clashing came out short.
As their backs were turned, only Kiba began to wobble.
His two broken swords hit the ground and remained there, shattered.
..And he fell to his knees...yet he still remained, with his side ripped open.
He knew it was futile to reach for the pheonix tear.
The blood dyed the ground in crimson.
''..because the game wasn't fair against you from the beginning.'' – Furcas contiuned.
..His power had been taken away from him by the bishop. It was her power.
''..Indeed.'' – He spoke. –''..My human blood gave me the sacred gear called [Trick Vanish] that allows me to seal a single power...and it was your balance breaker.''
''..Consider this a honorable defeat, knight Kiba.'' – The knight spoke. –''..I'll never forget your name.''
He was wrapped in the white light and disappeared.
[A Gremory knight has been resigned.]
''..Let's move forward, towards Balam.'' – Furcas spoke to Sabnock..but they both stopped at that second.
[A Bael rook has been resigned.]
''..Who do you think was it?'' – Sabnock asked.
''..Could be the rook.'' – Furcas responded and inhaled deeply...even though he didn't show it..the fight had left him exhausted. –''..Let's go.''
...
Issei stopped just in front of the castle..and he simply sighed.
It was...interesting. Why was he to fight so hard for this game? This whole game didn't even feel like a game anyways..so he pushed the thoughts into the dark corner of his mind...for it was time to do what he was made to do.
To fight.
Without asking questions.
He began running and as he reached the doors he smashed trough them...and as he had predicted Saiaorg was simply waiting for him to arrive.
A small smile appeared on his lips as he began to talk. –''..You took lo-''
..And his voice was cut off at that moment.
In a matter of split second Issei left an afterimage of himself at the doors and now had punched Saiaorg in the stomach.
..In that matter of a split second, unseen by the viewers, Issei had used his Balance Breaker and charged at the unsuspecting Saiaorg.
The ground shattered. The walls, the ceiling...Everything around them shattered, and a sound of a sonic boom later, Saiaorg was flung ahead in an extraordinary speed. His body crashed trough the wall behind and took the whole backside of the castle with him.
..but his flight didn't end there. His flight ended against the field's furthest back barrier, where it sent red and black waves of energy upon it, in a spiderweb like pattern.
The stadium shook from the pure energy that caused the impact...and the viewers were silenced by this notion of attacking before called for it.
Issei stood in the balance breaker form of his Sacred Gear as rubble fell around him.
The castle now was only ruins and thus, no rule was broken.
Sparks flew off his armor and rebounded around him as the green lights of his eyes grew even brighter.
..And from the wreckage, pushing the rubble off him rose Saiaorg. His body looked fine, apart from the hole in his shirt and the blue abdomen muscles.
''..Ahh...'' – He coughed and took out the small bottle of Pheonix tear and downed it. –''...That punch destroyed my organs.''
Even though Issei was standing so far from Saiaorg, his voice and presence carried all the way to him in such a way, that it seemed like he was standing right next to him.
''..That punch..'' - Saiaorg asked as he cracked his neck and shoulders. –''..Was great. Was it a touki?''
''...You will figure it out..'' – Issei spoke, trough the armor. –''..But now..get ready..or I refuse to hold back...because this is more than just a game.''
After those few words from Issei, Saiaorg full-heartedly laughed. –Ahhh...It's good to know you feel the same way...I need to know your power. I need to defeat you.''
He spoke, with new found power in his voice...as he summoned a lion. A giant, golden lion.
Echo had grown in the training, but he was nothing when compared to this...
''..This..is the lion that terrorized the people of Nemea, until Heracles slayed it?''
Saiaorg nodded. –''Indeed it is...this..is my pawn.''
Issei laughed. –''..It's a sacred gear.''
Saiaorg smiled and simply shouted...but this shout would have made a lesser man drop to his knees.
''BALANCE BREAK!''
[BALANCE BREAK!]
The stadium shook once again. The golden sparks and the roar of the lion made Issei's heart beat faster.
He touched his chest.
..He truly...felt alive.
[Partner...once again..it is us alone to face the enemy...like it was in the beginning..even though you had Margit...in the end we, always were...alone.]
''..And I always was infatuated with victory.''
[..This is the moment where you give everything you have...and everything you can fabricate.] - Ddraig spoke up, as the last bit of motivation he needed.
''..Aye, partner.'' – Issei smashed his foot into the ground, arising dust from the cracks. –''LET'S GO, SAIAORG!''
As they reached each other, before even their fists could cross, the pure battle spirit, the pure energy of them both crossed and imploded upon them.
A mixture of red and gold sparks destroyed the last remaining pieces of the field and threw dust and rubble all around them.
yo.
See, it didn't even take that long.
This is my Christmas holiday present to you, my dear readers.
I'm sorry if it's not good enough, but well, I tried.
And trying and failing is still better than not doing anything at all.
As I have no life, expect a new chapter relatively soon, because I have all the time in the world in holidays like these, besides, I love writing fight scenes.
..Thank you for reading, follow and favorite if you liked it, leave a review/PM if you have any questions or if your feelings are more complicated than a favorite.
tune in next time for the fight of the century (kind of)