Author's Note: Not many reviews last chapter, and to be expected. Wasn't much to comment on last chapter. I think this chapter will be different. Maybe.
Chapter 25: The Young Devil Gathering
Michael looked down upon the Earth with a heavy heart. His right eye closed as he watched the happenings down below through the eye of his Father. Chaos was everywhere. Not the in the form of screaming people and crashing cars, but in a subtler yet more dangerous way.
Hades had always been a necessary evil. The Grim Reapers had been integral in ensuring that the good and the faithful were properly shepherd to heaven, while the villainous were given the fate they so justly deserved.
Hades had understood the importance of this and thus had kept his supposed neutrality. His Grim Reapers help everyone equally. Now that he and nearly everyone of importance was dead, the Grim Reapers were striking out on their own. A great many saw an opportunity to finally get what they felt they've always deserved, but Hades would never allow them to claim.
Some factions were capable of paying the price the Grim Reapers asked of their services. Heaven was not one of them. They neither had currency to pay, nor pleasures to grant. Miracles from the system could not affect non-worshippers, and they couldn't part with any of their divine treasures, they'd go through them too quickly for it to make any difference in the long run.
It made for a difficult problem Michael was still sorting out.
"I haven't seen you look so disturbed since our Father was killed."
Michael glanced to the side as a beautiful angel with eight wings as pure as freshly fallen snow settled beside him. A blue halo glowed brightly above her head, matching the color of the long hair that flowed about her shoulders and down her back.
"I have to watch our faithful that have passed beyond languish painfully upon Earth," Michael said as he regarded the spirits of the faithful gathering around symbols and places of faith, praying to God even in death. "It pains me to see them suffer so."
"You could simply bring them back as we did before our Father died."
"It is simply too dangerous, Haniel," Michael said, letting out a soft sigh. "It was dangerous before Ophis started to move. It's even worse now. Until we know why…"
"Ah, that, I came to tell you why," the Arch Angel, Haniel said, smiling widely.
Michael opened his right eye and turned to regard the Arch Angel fully. Haniel hadn't been back in hundreds of years so he almost didn't recognize her. Her hair was much longer, and there was a small scar in the center of her chest. She wore the beautiful white robes that exposed a great deal of her ample bosom as always though.
He didn't focus long on her appearance, her words mattered far more. "Please tell, dear sister."
"Ophis asked me for help with something she's planning," Haniel said, her brilliant blue eyes twinkling with Joy and merriment. "I was planning on doing something along those lines soon anyways, but she's giving me an opening too perfect not to grasp." Haniel paused for a moment. "You know what she took from our sister, right?"
"The Left Eye of God," Michael said. Gabriel had confirmed that just after the peace conference, in secret of course, so as not to worry everyone.
"Ophis managed to operate it… partially. What happened in the Underworld was entirely because Hades was planning on helping someone use Samael against her in the near future."
"Ah," Michael nodded. That would move the Infinite Dragon. Samael was quite possibly her only weakness. "And you believe she won't move against Heaven?"
Haniel just smiled, "now? No, but I can't speak of the future and if she does it won't be because we're bringing home our followers. The Khaos brigade has also undergone some… changes in upper management recently. It's not as dangerous to rescue our faithful as it had once been. At the very least the centers of major faith such as Vatican City should be safe enough."
He trusted Haniel. No matter what she may have become in the days since their Father's death, her loyalty to Heaven had never once been in doubt. Still, it couldn't hurt to be cautious. Perhaps they could send some angels down with Uriel or Raphael watching in case some other faction tried to intercept.
A thought occurred to Michael, causing him to frown at the Arch Angel. She had been gone hundreds of years, and that could change anyone. She and the other Virtues were also unique from the rest of them in one key, critical way. "You seem to know quite a bit. Too much. What is this thing she's asked of you?"
"It will not bring harm to the faithful," Haniel promised him. That was good at least. "Well, at least not any physical harm. Might I ask that you ensure that Gabriel and her little one, Xenovia, are kept away from my dear Tatsumi in the near future. I'll let you know when exactly."
Michael arched an eyebrow at the Virtue. "Have you not hurt him enough already?"
"I am simply doing God's will, as you are. He's a Nexus point. Through him I can bring the proper Suffering required to those that stand above me and he's one of the few capable of surviving the pain I bring." Haniel said as she looked past him. Behind Michael towered the Throne of God. "How many know about the secret of the system? Miracles can't be brought from nothing. For one to experience a miracle, another…"
"Must suffer an equal amount in turn, I know," Michael said. "It is part of the Great Balance that you and the other Virtues uphold."
"We must all become more than we once were to fill the Void that our Father left behind. You manage the system, Gabriel was tasked with finding ways to help the Angels grow while still bound to the system, and we Virtues…"
"Were tasked with ensuring a proper balance of negative and positive emotions within Humanity, so that they can properly appreciate life and all the flavors in which it comes." Michael finished for her. The world shone at its brightest when light and darkness existed in equal measures. Too much of either led to a dead, empty world bereft of meaning and purpose.
"Yes, but more than to just Humans, but to all creatures," Haniel said, still smiling. "The Joy and Suffering I bring… they're one and the same. Two different sliding points on the same scale. Degrees, not absolutes. I can no longer simply bring Joy to the world below, I have to also bring the Suffering that Father once did himself." Her wings flashed, shifting colors to become as black as night.
The halo never left her head, glowing with the same blue divine aura as always. Their Father had told the Virtues, and them alone, the ultimate truth behind why Angels fell. As a result, all Virtues without exception, were capable of ascending and falling at will. It was one of the primary truths Gabriel was searching for.
Although for Gabriel, the purpose was perhaps a little less noble than that of the Virtues.
"Just keep Gabriel and her little one away when I ask, dear brother," Haniel said softly as she took to the air. "We have everything to gain from Ophis obtaining her wish of returning to the Dimensional Gap. Great Red is in the way. Ophis has seen in a select few the means to achieve its desire. If it does, two of our greatest threats will forever be gone. That, I believe with all my heart, is worth a little Suffering."
Michael bowed his head and nodded. Instead of Uriel or Raphael, he could send Gabriel off to ensure that their devoted followers were safely returned to Heaven. "I will do as you've asked, little sister." Though it pained Michael to do so, he couldn't cater to his own desires. The weight of Heaven pressed down upon him, and he had to stay strong for it. Heaven and its future took precedence over everything.
Even the happiness of his sister, and the human she was more than fond of.
x~X~x
"Now arriving at the Hall of Lucifer," the announcement came over the intercom system of the subway.
Tatsumi shifted his weight as he steadied himself as the subway train rapidly decelerated. Beside him Sona wobbled on her feet, unused to the motion of a subway train. Tatsumi grabbed onto the metal railing above him and wrapped his arm around Sona's waist, steading her. She gave him a startled look that quickly changed into one of gratitude.
"Thank you," Sona said as she leaned into his side.
"Any time," Tatsumi said. Everyone else was fine. Sona's peerage sat around them on the seats of the subway train either in pairs or trios. Hikaru was the only one standing along with him and Sona, and her balance was better than even Tatsumi's.
It still amazed him to this day just how much the Underworld had in common with modern day Japan. There was a full subway system that looked as if it had been ripped straight out of downtown Tokyo. From the way the seats lined the walls, the square windows with the round corners looked out onto a concrete tub to the metal poles to hold onto. It was all the same. Even the lights in the tunnels that flashed past them as they sped through the darkened tunnels were the same.
If he hadn't arrived at the subway on a flying train that had sailed through a purple sky through magical circles that jumped it hundreds of kilometers at a time, he wouldn't have believed he was in the Underworld.
The subway train rocked gently before coming to a complete stop. There was a soft ping as the doors opened. "We have now arrived at the Hall of Lucifer."
Tatsumi released Sona, much to her obvious displease, before making his way out of the train and onto a small, but extravagant platform. It was only the length of a single subway car, and easily just as tall. Marble pillars covered with delicately carved depictions of the original Lucifer rose high above to a vaulted ceiling.
"So this is where the gathering is taking place?" Tatsumi asked as his gaze followed the pillars up to a ceiling painted with a rich motif.
"It is," Sona said as she stepped up beside him on the platform. Behind them Hikaru and the rest of Sona's peerage quickly filed out and spread across the platform. "I want everyone to be on their best behaviours here. Each and every one of your actions will reflect on the peerage as a whole. Many of the people we will meet today we will most likely face in a Rating Game in the future. Do not show anything shameful." She adjusted her glasses and as she gave Tatsumi a sidelong glance. "I'm not sure they'll be able to handle anything more than what Tatsumi is sure to do and say to them."
"I'll do my best," Tatsumi said, giving Sona a wide smile.
"I was hoping you wouldn't." Despite her words, he saw the brief shadow of a smile flicker across her lips.
"Do they know I'm your knight now?" Hikaru as she came to stand on Tatsumi's other side.
Tatsumi was actually surprised when he saw a smirk form on Sona's lips. "No, they don't. Not even Rias does. I look forward to seeing their expressions."
Tatsumi gave Hikaru a concerned look. "Think I rubbed off on her?"
Hikaru cocked an eyebrow as she folded her arms across her breastplate. "In what way?"
"Not that way," Tatsumi said quickly, knowing that Hikaru was referring to this morning. Sona had walked in on him and Hikaru. Instead of being upset she had simply taken off her clothes and joined in.
"Tatsumi's personality is not rubbing off on me," Sona cut in. "I won't let it. We all have little things that we enjoy. Now enough talking, everyone follow me."
Sona started across the platform for the elevator on the other side. Tsubaki quickly took up her position beside Sona as was her right as Queen. The rest of her peerage quickly followed. Hikaru followed last, giving Tatsumi a concerned look before he gestured her on. He would come last. He wasn't part of her peerage, he was simply travelling with them. It was important that distinction was made from the outset.
Not that it'd do much. His relationship with Sona was already common knowledge in the Underworld.
The elevator door closed on Tatsumi's heel and a moment later the floor shifted as the elevator started its rapid ascent. "I have a question, why do Devils have transportation like subways, trains, and elevators when you can all just fly and teleport?" Tatsumi asked as he made his way to the back of the surprisingly spacious elevator.
"A variety of reasons. It's rude for one, to simply teleport into another's territory unless it's an emergency," Sona explained. "Another reason is that in many cases, such as this place, you can't. There are countless wards and seals that prevent people from simply teleporting in without a proper key ward. Powerful beings can force their way through, but anyone that does is assumed to be an enemy. Sometimes the distances are too great for flight or teleportation to be a viable option and then there is always the tried and true reason that exists for everything," Sona adjusted her glasses again. "Sometimes it's simply nice to walk or let something else do the work for you. There are more reasons, but those are enough, correct?"
"More than enough." That was as good an explanation as any Tatsumi had ever heard.
Any further conversation on the subject ended as the elevator reached the top floor with a ding. The door opened and Sona stepped out first without hesitation.
They were greeted immediately, or rather it was more accurate to say that Sona was greeted.
"Welcome, Sitri-sama. Please come this way, everyone else has already arrived."
Tatsumi glanced past Sona's peerage to the tall devil standing at attention by the elevator door. He was dressed smartly, like an employee at a posh restaurant or hotel. The devil was all smiles and courteous as they came when addressing Sona. The moment his eyes fell upon Tatsumi the smile turned into a scowl for the briefest of moments.
Great, a fan, this promised to be fun.
No one came to greet Tatsumi as he stepped out of the elevator so he simply trailed along behind Sona. If they weren't going to have someone escort him to where he needed to be he'd just tag along. It wasn't like he had to be here or anything.
If the devil elders were hoping to make a good first impression on Tatsumi, they were already failing. So far it seemed as if he wasn't much more than an after-thought.
It wasn't long until they reached an antechamber with a large set of ornate doors. On either side of the doors were another pair of devils, dressed the same as the first. They opened the doors as Sona approached. She strode in without hesitation, her head held high and a confident aura about her. It seemed to affect the rest as they proudly strode in behind her.
The employee that escorted Sona and her peerage here held an arm out, stopping him as he made to follow. "You're not allowed in there."
Definitely not a good first impression.
Tatsumi just turned and arched and eyebrow at the man. In the corner of his eye he saw Hikaru reach for her sword. He jerked his thumb towards what he hoped was an exterior wall. "Do you really want me out there, wandering about, unsupervised in the capital of the Underworld?" Tatsumi asked lightly. He adjusted the key to Incursio across his back for emphasis. "I don't think that's the wisest move.
The employee's scowl deepened but he did remove his arm. "Do anything funny and we'll skin you alive."
"Then you had better hope no one in there thinks they're allowed to treat humans as their play things," Tatsumi fired back. He was not taking shit from a devil with an over-inflated Ego. "Otherwise funny is not the word I'd use to describe what I'll do to them, or how little you'll be able find once I'm done."
Tatsumi didn't wait for a reply as he swept past the angry employee and into the room beyond. He found himself in an extravagant banquet hall. Beautiful golden chandeliers, filled with countless little lights hung from a high, vaulted ceiling filled with stain glass windows that let the light of the Underworld filter down into the room beyond in an unearthly beautiful display of light and color. It also just so happened to reveal a room in complete disarray.
"I've seen a few parties thrown from time to time and I know devils tend to be more rambunctious than humans but… really?" Tatsumi asked as he stared at the smashed tables, broken chairs, fractured floor tiles and what had to be at least several tons of ruined food that was thrown all about the place. "Come on, at least eat the food first before you destroy the furniture."
What a waste, some of that food actually looked really good. Such as that burger with twelve patties, twelve slices of chees and more strips of bacon than he could count due to them being scattered about half the room.
"This tends to happen when certain hot heads are brought together with those of us that know better," Sona said regretfully.
She and her peerage were standing nearby, staring at the wrecked room with almost as much disbelief and regret as Tatsumi was. Saji in particular had apparently looked forward to the food and stared at all the ruined stuff mournfully.
"And so arrives the only female relative of a Satan that actually managed to set aside her 'holier than thou' attitude long enough to open her legs." Tatsumi turned to regard the rather vulgar voice coming from across the room. It was a devil that looked so much like a devil his picture probably sat beside the definition. Dark skin covered by a host of black tattoos and spiky green hair that defied gravity. Even if his appearance didn't give it away, the wicked grin on his face and malice in his eyes were a dead give-away. "Too bad it was with a boy and not a real man. Couldn't find a devil willing to scratch that itch for you? Had to get a human to stick his dick in you. How sad and pathetic. I could show you how a real man does it."
"I'm sorry, but I'd rather not have to spend half an hour trying to find it with a microscope first," Sona retorted without missing a beat. "Nor a 'man' that would be spent after a mere fifteen minutes. Unlike the girls you pay to sleep with, I have standards."
Tatsumi couldn't help but let out a low whistle. That was good. The way the devil was spluttering and screaming Sona had just struck a deep nerve.
Hikaru leaned over and whispered quietly to him. "I think perhaps you are rubbing off on her just a bit."
"I consider that a good thing," Tatsumi said, ignoring the rather doubtful look Hikaru gave him.
"You really do have a death wish, Zephyrdor," another voice drew Tatsumi attention. Across the room was another group of people, this one led by a beautiful female devil that wore glasses like Sona. Demonic energy swirled about her form, causing her hair to flutter behind her upon currents of energy. Unlike most devils, she actually appeared to be dressed appropriately with a very nice, but conservative dress! That instantly raised Tatsumi's opinion of her by several notches ranking her far above most devil kind. "Challenging me and insulting Sitri-san in the span of a single minute. Do you wish for us to slaughter you where you stand? No one will blame us for your death."
"Why you little bitch—"
Before the arrogant, spluttering devil could respond any further a thunderous boom cut through the conversation, reverberating around the dining hall even as a pair of doors on the far side of the room slammed open against the wall. Through that door strode a large, powerfully built man leading a sizable group of people. Tatsumi instantly recognized it as a King and his peerage, even if he didn't recognize any of them personally.
They weren't alone though as another large group of people trailed in behind them. These people Tatsumi did recognize. Rias, Issei, and everyone else. Koneko gave him a little wave when she noticed him looking. Beside her was Kiba, looking as fit as ever.
"He's welcome to try, I wouldn't mind tying him up for you, onee-san." It wasn't the newcomers that said this, but someone standing next to the conservatively dressed devil. It was an old, familiar voice. "We could use some entertainment to go with the refreshments."
That familiar voice snapped Tatsumi's head to the left so fast it cracked loudly across the room. His eyes went wide as he stared into the face of someone he hadn't seen in a very long time. He could never forget those eyes of his, or that brilliant green hair. It often stood out like a sore thumb in a crowd. That really was Lubbock standing beside the well-dressed female devil.
He was even dressed the same and clutched between his fingers were wires, the same weapon he'd used back in Tatsumi's world.
"You know him?" Hikaru asked cautiously.
"An old friend I lost in my…" he trailed off. He didn't want to say any more where others might hear.
Hikaru nodded and relaxed, letting the tension flow from her muscles. She knew his backstory, he'd told her yesterday.
"This place is a waiting hall where we're on standby until called," the large, heavily muscle King that just entered said. Tatsumi thought he was speaking to him for a moment until he realized he was actually speaking to Issei, his voice was just so loud and commanding it cut through the room with ease. "To explain it better, us young devils are gathered here to greet each other. But, this is what happens. When gathering so many hot-blooded people together, problems always come out. The old devils of the old families and high-class devils can't help but assume that this is a good thing. I don't want anything to do with this, but it can't be helped."
The large king cracked his neck and stepped away from Issei and everyone else. Issei tried to go after him but Rias quickly reined him in.
"Just watch, Ise-kun, watch Sairaorg carefully."
"Eh, why? Because he's your cousin?"
"No, because he's number one. He's the strongest amongst our generation."
That peaked Tatsumi's interest. This Sairaorg was stronger than Rias and Sona? He was curious as to what this man was capable of, and whether or not he'd end up being a threat in the future. Perhaps coming here to hear what Sona had to say wasn't so bad after all.
"Seekvaira, Princess of the Agares family and Zephyrdor, trouble child of the Glasya-Labolas family," Sairaorg's voice rumbled dangerously throughout the room. Tatsumi could feel a strong aura emanating from the man, pressing down upon the room. It might have bothered Tatsumi if he hadn't been exposed to far worse many times before. "If you go any further than this, I will be your opponent. This is your only warning. Depending on your next words, I may need to beat my point into your skulls." He flexed his fingers, sending loud pops and cracks echoing throughout the room for emphasis.
Seekvaira seemed to take the hint and backed down. The demonic power that had been swirling about her form subsided and disappeared back within. Lubbock stood down as well, his wires disappearing inside his coat.
The other one did not. Anger flashed in Zephyrdor's eyes as a vein started throbbing on his forehead. Zephyrdor took a threatening step towards Sairaorg with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants and got into the larger boy's face, staring up at him like he was worth less than the spoiled food at his feet. It was the same posture Tatsumi had seen countless bullies and delinquents use to cow others.
"If the incompetent failure of the Bael clan thinks he—"
Sairaorg didn't even wait for him to finish. He hammered a fist into the boy's face with a meaty crunch that was probably heard halfway across the city. Tatsumi watched, bemused, as the boy rag-dolled across the room doing no fewer than a dozen cartwheels before he cratered into the far wall. Time seemed to stop for a brief moment before Zephyrdor's body flopped out of the crater in the wall and landed in an unconscious heap on the floor.
"Huh, he didn't shout out what he was going to do first," Tatsumi said, breaking the stunned silence that followed. He was more amazed by that simple fact than the feat of brute strength Sairaorg had put on display. "That might be a first."
Especially since he hadn't given any visible indicators of the touki he had channelled into that strike. Tatsumi had noticed it, felt it, only because he could use it as well. That reason alone was enough for Tatsumi to feel that Sairaorg was someone to take note of.
Sairaorg gave him an amused look as if he completely understood Tatsumi's amazement, before turning back to the unconscious Zephyrdor and his peerage. "I told you that was your last warning." He took a threatening step towards Zephyrdor's peerage, quelling their outrage and rebellion through the sheer force of his presence. "Don't bother challenging me, you've nothing to gain from it. See to your master so that he's fit for the important function that's about to begin, unless you'd rather drag his unconscious body before all the family Elders." That was all it took to get them moving away from Sairaorg and towards the downed King.
Sona came over to him. "You could learn a thing or two from Bael-san," she whispered quietly.
"You knew what you were signing up for when you fell for me," Tatsumi whispered back. "I'm not him, so I don't have to try to be him."
"It wouldn't hurt to learn a few things from him," Sona returned easily.
"Seekvaira Agares, there's still time before the gathering," Sairaorg's voice caught Tatsumi's attention before he could respond to Sona. "You should go fix your makeup. It wouldn't do for you to attend the function mused as you are."
A blushing Seekvaira nervously adjusted her glasses. "…I-I understand. Thank you." She and her peerage quickly left the hall after that to tend to business.
"He'll hate me for it, but I probably saved his life." Tatsumi glanced away from the retreating Seekvaira to Sairaorg. The heavily muscled man was tossing a sidelong glance across the hall to the fallen Zephyrdor as he made his way over to Tatsumi's side. Sona and Hikaru quickly positioned themselves to either side. He didn't even glance at them as he addressed Tatsumi. "You're not bound by our laws as tightly as we are. I heard the Satans themselves have mandated you with the responsibility to ensure peace is maintained between the three factions and Humanity."
"A fancy way of saying they're now helping me do what I've always done," Tatsumi said lightly. He glanced past the large devil to the fallen Zephyrdor, "has he really exploited Humanity that badly?"
Sairaorg crossed his arms across his chest and shrugged. "I don't know. He doesn't think very highly of Humanity at least and that seems to have kept him away. Even if he hasn't, I know him well enough to know that it's only a matter of time before he said something insulting enough for you to stick that sword of yours through him." He gave the two girls at his side a quick glance, hovering just a little bit longer on Hikaru, "or if not you, the two lovely ladies at your side most certainly would have."
"I wouldn't sink so low as to let myself be goaded by the likes of him," Sona said imperiously.
"He's not worth my time," Hikaru added. "But if he had resorted to more than just words…" her hand edged closer to the hilt of her katana.
"You really think I'd kill a devil just because they slung about a few insults?" Tatsumi asked.
Every single person in the room just stared at him like yes, yes he would.
"I heard about what you did to Gregorious Abaddon," Sairaorg said. Ah, now Tatsumi understood what was going on. This devil was trying to gauge Tatsumi as much as he was trying to gauge him. "And you have quite the body count sitting behind you for someone who has been doing what he is for less than four years."
Tatsumi just shook his head. He really had gained quite the notoriety down here. "If I killed someone just because they hurled a few insults at me, my body count would be four times greater than it currently is, and most of them would be my own kind." He paused for a moment to let that sink in before continuing, louder than before so that everyone could hear, even Zephyrdor who was just starting to wake up. "I'm going to put it this way. I don't care what you say, I only care about what you do. If you start raping, murdering, enslaving or forcefully reincarnating humans against their will just because they're cute or have a unique Sacred Gear, I will cut you down no matter your 'political status' here in the Underworld. Gregorious Abaddon did all that, and more." Tatsumi bit out a short laugh. There wasn't much that Gregorious Abaddon hadn't done to terrorize and hurt Humanity. "You don't do that and we'll get along just fine."
"Tatsumi-san isn't a bad person," Rias said as she came up to stand beside her cousin with Issei and Koneko in tow. "He's a bit strange and can be addled in the head at times, but he's a good person at heart."
It felt strange to hear that come from the girl he had been planning to kill not two months past. Of course she didn't know he had planned to kill her. Sona, judging from that knowing look she was giving him, hadn't told.
"Exactly! I'll vouch for Tatsumi as well!" Issei spoke up cheerfully. "It was because of his advice that Rias and Asia and Akeno and I are finally together!"
Tatsumi's brow cocked. "Three? Already?" He glanced past Issei at the other two girls in question. Akeno and Asia were both helping Sairaorg's peerage clean the place up. Tatsumi could see the both of them accepting Issei… but damn he was working quick. Just half a year ago he was nothing more than a perverted high school student peeking into the Kendo women's change room.
How quickly things change.
"My dream of a harem is nearly complete!" Issei crowed loudly. "I won't give up until I have every shape and size of breast in my harem!" Issei gave him a wide grin. "I've got three to your two, Tatsumi! I'm winning."
Tatsumi groaned and palmed his face. He could see Rias doing the same across from him. Sairaorg just looked like he wanted to start laughing. "This isn't a competition."
"And you haven't beaten Tatsumi," Hikaru added softly. Her eyes burned with intensity. Tatsumi forgot about that. Hikaru was someone that liked to compete. She grabbed his arm and pulled him close. "He has three as well."
"Not even a week separated from Gregorious Abaddon and you've already claimed her?" Sairaorg asked, sounding more than a little surprised. "You move quickly."
"I didn't give him a choice," Hikaru said quickly. "And I've been waiting for this since we were children. If anything Tatsumi made me wait too long."
"Ah, childhood friends, that makes more sense," Sairaorg said, nodding sagely. He seemed to accept the situation completely now.
"Better find a fourth," Tatsumi said to Issei, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. Bennia really was starting to rub off on him.
Issei gaped at the two of them for a few long, stunned moments before he whirled around to face Koneko who had come along with them. "Koneko-ch—!"
For the second time that day a body rag-dolled across the room as Koneko sent Issei cartwheeling across the room just as Zephyrdor had done a few minutes earlier. "…bad Issei-san, don't be a pervert."
Unlike Zephyrdor, Issei wasn't knocked unconscious, although he made little effort to pick himself up from where he rested with his head on the tile floor and his legs dangling in the air. "We're friends though, right? Your chest is perfect, amazing, the stuff that delicious flat chest lovers dream of!"
Koneko crossed her arms and looked away with a huff. "…rather be part of Tatsumi-san's. Has Hikaru-chan, and fluffy-kun."
"NOOO! You stole her from me!" Issei wailed.
"Hikaru-chan?" Tatsumi asked the woman still tightly gripping his arm.
"You wouldn't understand." Was all she said.
A thought just occurred to Tatsumi, "you named that coerulis Fluffy?" Tatsumi yelped loudly as she pinched his arm painfully.
Sairaorg suddenly started to laugh. A loud, booming sound that echoed about the dining hall. "I like you Tatsumi," the large devil said, still chuckling through his words. "The Satans had painted you to be this powerful, mysterious force capable of killing even the strongest of our kind, and taking out Gregorious Abaddon and his entire peerage really only served to reinforce that opinion."
"I'm still capable of killing your strongest," Tatsumi said. Even Satans had to sleep, and no one could be on guard every moment of every day. There was always a time, a place, a special moment where everyone let their guard down, just for a moment. That was all Night Raid needed.
"Perhaps you are, but I don't think there will be problems between us," Sairaorg said, still grinning happily. "My policy is that if it's not earned, it's undeserved. That goes for both love and war. I can't guarantee I will leave Humanity alone, but I can guarantee I won't simply take from them." He turned from him to Rias. "How about that tea now? We haven't spoken in quite some time."
"That would be lovely," Rias said. She gave Sona a quick smile and a respectful nod to him before she started away with Sairaorg. Issei and Koneko went with the two of them, leaving Tatsumi with Sona and Hikaru.
"An interesting individual," Tatsumi said as he watched him depart.
"You won't have to fear him, Tatsumi," Sona said quietly.
"You're probably right." At least at this moment anyways. Tatsumi hadn't sensed any true malice emanating from the guy. He felt like one of those straight foreword, honest sort of individuals that kept to a moral code of some sort. It didn't seem like the two would come into conflict in the future, but like all things in life, nothing was truly certain. "You two should go get something to eat." Even now servants were bringing in new dishes to replace those that had been tossed all over the ground in the scuffle between Seekvaira and Zephyrdor.
"'We', should get something to eat," Sona corrected him.
Tatsumi just shook his head. "This your day, not mine. I'm just here to observe," he said. He wasn't hungry and he couldn't taste food anyways, except citrus. For some reason anything citrusy had this strange tanginess to it. "I'm just here to hear your answer to the problem I proposed."
And that, Tatsumi was willing to admit, he was something he was very much looking forward to hearing.
~o~
When it came time for everyone to enter the chamber to the elders Tatsumi noted that the peerages were escorted inside in a particular order. Sairaorg Bael entered first along with his peerage. Seekvaira Agares entered in second behind him. Third was Sona, followed by Zephyrdor and his peerage, a pretty boy Tatsumi didn't recognize entered fifth while Rias and her peerage walked in sixth.
Tatsumi was last, which was just where he wanted to be. Today wasn't about him.
The room they were brought into had a strange vibe to it. A clash of modern and medieval. Someone had taken modern materials and used it to craft an auditorium, or even coliseum that wouldn't have looked out of place in ancient times. The large room was circular in shape, with only a single door by way of entry. The dark floor tiles, cut into perfect diamonds, were polished until they gleamed in the fluorescent light beaming down from above. The walls were sheathed in black marble streaked with veins as red as fresh blood.
Tatsumi's eyes rose as he entered the room. There were three levels above them, the first starting about five feet off the ground. The first two levels ringed the room entirely and interspersed evenly around it were a number of plush, velvet chairs. Tatsumi quickly counted seventy-two in all, although only thirty three of them seemed to have anyone sitting on them. Above the first two rows was a third level, although this section was much smaller and was positioned directly across from the door. It didn't ring the entire room, it didn't need to. Tatsumi could make out Sirzechs and Serafall, who for the second time in Tatsumi's life seemed to be wearing something formal, sitting in two of the chairs. They were accompanied by two more that Tatsumi didn't recognize but could only assume were the other two Satans.
It was very obvious from both the way the room was designed, and the looks of superiority that were being cast down upon everyone standing on the floor, that this room was designed to stoke a devil's natural superiority complex by allowing them to look down upon anyone that entered.
He didn't follow Sona and everyone else as they made their way into the center of the room where they formed up into lines behind their respective Kings. Instead he took a few steps to the side and simply leaned back against the curved wall next to the entry hall.
Once everyone was settled the six Kings took a single step forward towards. Before them on the second level and situated just below the four sitting Satans, was an elderly devil dressed in a fine set of robes. The elder clasped his hands together as he stared solemnly down upon those assembled.
"I am glad to see that you have all come together here," the elder devil said, his voice strong and firm as if in defiance of his age. His eyes left the six Kings and settled upon him. "And I am especially pleased to see that the Leader of Night Raid, The Tyrant, Nakimori Tatsumi, has decided to grace us as well."
The Tyrant. That was what they called him. He couldn't really deny it. There was truth to it. However it also told Tatsumi how they viewed him. They did not see a human, they saw something else, something more. A dragon perhaps? A justification more like it. Having a human enforce the peace and cut down their own was most likely an unbearable insult. Having some thing called The Tyrant do the killing, well, that became more like a badge of honor. The Tyrant was a suitably imposing name.
Tatsumi didn't let those thoughts reflect on his face, he simply nodded back to the man.
The elder continued. "This gathering has purpose. To show to all us, those that came before, the faces of the next generation. Those that will be tasked to help carry our kind into the future, and for the younglings to see the faces of those that came before them."
"Difficult to see that child's face," one of the elders on the first row commented with a sharp laugh. "They couldn't even make it to the gathering without getting into a fight?"
Chuckling echoed throughout the chamber as several other devils let their amusement be known. Sirzechs rose to his feet and spoke, ignoring the chuckling as if it was all very common place. "This gathering is common place for us, it happens on a regular basis. However it has been quite some time since we've had so many of the next generation with such pedigree and ability. That's why we wish for the six of you to compete against on another before your public debuts. I hope that this will increase your power and your capability so that when you step out into the world at large, you all have long and successful careers."
Sirzechs hadn't been lying before when he had said that the Rating Game system was deeply ingrained in their society. From what Tatsumi could gather, anyone that wanted to be someone, had to either be a King with their own peerage, or join a peerage and help their King achieve success. Even just being a part of a peerage was enough to elevate a devil above all those that weren't.
"Will we also be sent in battle against the Khaos Brigade?" Sairaorg asked suddenly.
Tatsumi held back a groan as he palmed his face. Really? He actually asked that? Sure, the peons that the Khaos Brigade employed weren't all that much, but Tatsumi doubted Sairaorg was one to be satisfied with just the peons. Gabriel had said Katerea was more powerful that Kokabiel, and if that was the case, anyone on that level would just steam roll over everyone on the floor here and not even notice.
"Looks like the lowly human has a problem with Bael's request," one of the elder devils said, laughing.
Definitely not a good first impression. They really didn't care what he thought about them. Not here even five minutes and they were already trying to find some fault with him. Tatsumi wanted to fire back a retort but Sona's earlier words came back to him.
"…I know you so I know you won't like most of who you'll meet in that room. You will hear things you will not like. Don't react to it. They want to make you out as a petulant child so they can dismiss you." She grimaced like she'd eaten something sour. "Those old men will probably dismiss you anyways, but don't give them any real justification to do so."
"So you want me to just sit back and stay silent?"
"Yes, unless they address you directly." She glanced past him to the door that Sairaorg and his peerage were starting through. "They're all old, ancient even by our standards, with the youngest still being several millennia. Change is something they resist as a matter of principle." She adjusted her glasses and turned from him to get ready to lead her peerage after Seekvaira Agares. "I fully expect them to ridicule and deride my dream. Let them. I know I will need more than just words to convince them."
Tatsumi opened his eyes and sighed. He remembered her words. She'd left just after that.
Was this the beginning of what she had warned him of? At least he had a way out this time.
"I'm not the only one," Tatsumi said lightly, deflecting the attention towards Sirzechs with a glance. He could see it in his eyes that he didn't want to send them out either. He knew that they'd just die if they ever came up against someone of Katerea's level. "And probably for much the same reason."
"Why not?" Sairaorg asked, ignoring Tatsumi and focusing his attention on Sirzechs. "It was stated here already. We are the future, we will help carry our people forward. We can't do that if we're coddled—"
"Sairaorg," Sirzechs began, silencing the youth in an instant, "it is not your bravery or your willingness to help that is in doubt. Nor is it your strength, for it is great for someone so young. It is your recklessness that holds you back. It is a recklessness born from inexperience. It would be too great a loss if you, if any of you," Sirzechs cast his gaze over all six Kings, "were to lose your lives so soon. You are our future and our greatest treasure. Grow first, become stronger and more importantly, more experienced. Do that, and you will have your battles."
It was all about experience. Sairaorg Bael didn't have that, none of them did save possibly Hikaru. It wasn't a question of ability, power or skill. It was about knowing when to strike and… when it was time to retreat. It was quite possibly that second part that was most crucial. Not all battles were worth winning, or even needed to be.
Sairaorg relented, although he didn't seem particularly happy about backing down. "Fine, I understand."
"Do not worry, Sairaorg Bael, the time will come when you will be able to prove your worth and mettle to all our kind," Sirzechs said, giving the young King a kind smile. He swept that smile across the other five Kings and their peerages. "You are all still so young, use your youth to enjoy all that life has to offer. Battle each other in Rating Games, spar and train outside. Gain valuable experience and I promise you will have the opportunity to put it to use." He paused dramatically. "The Khaos Brigade isn't the first threat we've had to deal with, only the latest. Even if the Khaos Brigade has been defeated by the time you're ready, there will always be another battle to fight."
The battle never ends… the story of Tatsumi's life.
"The first step to gaining that experience is through Rating Games, now I know some of you, Hikaru in particular, are quite familiar with…"
Tatsumi tuned Sirzechs out as the man went on explaining what the Rating Games were all about, the various rules and conditions associated with it, its history and so much more that Tatsumi really couldn't care less about. Instead he focused on the elders present and the other Satans.
They were as varied as could be. Every color of the rainbow was present here either in their hair, eye, and even skin color. Some could have passed as a human without issue, like Sona and Rias. Others had more of a demonic flare to them, such as those with beast like features or pointed ears. Most had the same condescending look on their faces, differing only by intensity and minor facial quirks.
Not all, though, but most did. Of the thirty-three present here, only seven of them didn't look down upon those assembled like they were beneath them, and Tatsumi recognized one of them as Lord Phenex. He had given Tatsumi a little smile when he noticed him looking. Another looked like Sirzechs and had the same flaming red hair as him and Rias. That was probably Rias' father. He had a look of pride in his eyes.
The Satans were different though. Serafall grinned and waved at him when she saw him looking. The tall, handsome man sitting beside her with the name plate of Beelzebub engraved above his chair had given him a respectful nod. The other Satan, Asmodeus, looked as if he was about to nod off to sleep. Those four, although it was hard to tell with Asmodeus, didn't look down upon the young devils as if they were superior.
Tatsumi's attention was drawn back to what Sirzechs was saying as the man started to wrap things up.
"…apologize for speaking overly long. I speak for all of us when we see our hopes and dreams in you young ones. I wanted you to understand that at least. You are our greatest treasures." Sirzechs could spin a story at least. Everyone on the floor was staring up at the man with respect or adoration. They clung to each of his words like it was the sweetest nectar. "To finish things, we would all like to hear of your respective goals."
Sairaorg stepped forward almost on the heels of Sirzechs words, his eagerness to reveal his dream obvious to all. "My dream is to become a Satan."
There were murmurs of wonder and respect bandied about by the family elders as they commented to one another on his declaration.
"It's unprecedented for a devil from the Great King family to leave it, especially the heir," Lord Phenex said.
"When the people of the Underworld feel that there's no choice but for me to become a Satan, I will become one." That caused even more murmurs of respect.
Tatsumi just rolled his eyes. There were so many things wrong with that declaration he didn't even know where to begin.
"Oh? It seems the human doesn't think too highly of that," one particular elder said, sneering down at him. "Does the high and mighty human think so little of the position of Satan?"
Now Tatsumi wanted to sigh as everyone shifted their attention to him. He knew he'd be judged, but this was ridiculous. His every action wasn't just being watched, but commented on as well. "Just had something in my eye," he lied easily as he pretended to rub something out of it. "They're allowed to strive for whatever they want."
Even if it was an absolutely stupid and ridiculous dream.
The elder harrumph as he sat back, obviously annoyed he didn't manage to get a suitable rise out of Tatsumi. Sona looked as if she was both thankful he'd defused it, and annoyed that he did anything that allowed them to speak out against him at all.
It was Rias, of all people, that saved Tatsumi from further scrutiny as she boldly stepped forward and spoke with a loud clear voice to the assembled elders. "My goal for the future is to live as the next Gremory head and to win each Rating Game battle!"
Tatsumi made sure to school his features better this time but he really wanted to just smash his face off the black marble tile. He was glad she drew attention away from him but really? That dream was nearly as bad as Sairaorgs! What was wrong with these people? Sure they were young… but that was it? It was absolutely maddening to hear them say that. Even when he had been seventeen and travelling to the Capital with Sayo and Ieyasu he had been surer of his future than them!
Those weren't dreams to achieve, but tools useful in achieving one's dreams.
"I'm going to become the next head of Glasya-Labolas and put everyone that insulted me in their place!"
"I wish to finish my peerage and play beautiful Rating Games and make a name for my family. I wish to improve Beelzebub-sama's opinion of the family he left when he took on the mantle of Satan."
These people were the future of Devilkind? Their precious treasures? This was what they considered treasures? Tatsumi had to rub his ears to make sure they weren't bleeding. He could almost feel his IQ dripping out of his ear canals. Tatsumi knew he was being unfair to think so little of them, but if this was what they intended to be in the future, the future was screwed.
"I wish to follow in the steps of Leviathan-sama and help improve our relationship with the other pantheons," Seekvaira Agares said when it was her turn. "I've read about the past. Constant warfare nearly destroyed our race. In this new age where Humanity is aware of us, we can no longer afford that. We can't stand alone. I believe that this truce with the Angels and the Fallen should only be the first of many."
Tatsumi closed his eyes and sighed softly as he let those gentle, soothing words roll over him. Finally! Somebody that got it! It might only be one in five but at least someone had a noteworthy dream they wished to achieve! Of course it would be someone related to Lubbock. It was so refreshing to know that at least someone other than Sona had a dream that you could actually sink your teeth into.
"We don't need to work with the other pantheons…"
"…presumptuous child should just…"
"…the Agares family sure has fallen far."
Tatsumi's eyes snapped open and he stared up at the elders in disbelief. Aside from the Satans, Lord Phenex, Lord Gremory, and the other five elders that hadn't been looking down upon them like they were bugs, everyone was glaring daggers and insulting Seekvaira Agares.
The Satans better do something about those elders otherwise they'll stifle the future 'treasures' Sirzechs had gushed about so much for the better part of the last hour.
Seekvaira Agares, for her part, seem unperturbed by the response she was getting, almost as if she already knew how it would be received. Both Serafall and another woman with the same vibrant green hair as Seekvaira sitting in the seats above were giving her looks of support and approval.
As Seekvaira stepped back, Sona stepped forth.
Tatsumi's attention was pulled from the stands above as he focused on the woman he'd come to love. This was it. This was why he had come. To hear the answer to the problem Tatsumi had posed her earlier. How was she going to create a Rating Game school that didn't cause her students to try and prey upon Humanity? A school that wouldn't cause Tatsumi and Night Raid to show up, blade in hand.
"I wish to build a school for the Rating Games," Sona said in a loud, clear voice. There was no hesitation, no doubt. Tatsumi saw a woman that knew what she wanted and would do it no matter how it was received.
"A school like that already—"
"I don't want to build a school where only high-class devils and devils of privileged rank are accepted," Sona said, cutting the elder off. "I wish to build a school where everyone is accepted, Devils, Angels, Fallen, Humans, Gods, Valkyries, Youkai…" Tatsumi could see the mouths drop and eyebrows disappear into hairlines as Sona continued to list off various pantheons and factions. Tatsumi couldn't be certain he wasn't gawking either. "…want a Rating Game school free of discrimination! Where everyone from every race and religion can join. I wish to work with Ajuka Beelzebub to expand the Rating Games to involve everyone, not just Devils. A system where devils do not have to prey upon another race for members of their peerage, but a system where those members are taken from those who freely wish to participate!" Sona fell silent and took a step back, letting her words sink in.
And sunk they did. The silence in the room was absolutely deafening. The shock, palpable. Tatsumi could have cut it with a knife. The Satans were no different. Sirzechs was frozen with shock. Serafall looked as if she was about to rush down to the floor and engulf her sister in an enormous hug, Ajuka Beelzebub looked interested, and Asmodeus was awake and paying attention.
Tatsumi smiled. So that was her answer. He could see the pride shining brightly in Serafall's eyes. That was one person that would back Sona one hundred percent. Tatsumi would as well. The average human of today or even tomorrow may not be ready for that, but in time they may be. Now that he understood that he was part Tyrant, he might even live long enough to see that dream truly fulfilled.
Her dream no longer conflicted with Tatsumi's ideals. If anything, they ran alongside them. A dream that promoted cooperation with, not exploitation of, humanity. There would need to be a great many checks and balances… but it was a good first step.
It was something he could stand behind one hundred percent. Sona had come up with the same solution Tatsumi had, and then took it two steps further beyond. It was more than he could have hoped to hear…
Laughter was not what he expected to break the silence. Like a dam breaking, that first bout of laughter caused more to erupt, until nearly every elder in the stands above were laughing uproariously as if Sona had just told the greatest joke of the decade.
"This is just brilliant!"
"Oh, what it's like to be young, naïve and ignorant!"
"A little girl who dreams foolish little dreams!"
"We were almost fooled!"
Tatsumi blinked. They were laughing and ridiculing her? Seriously? This was even worse than how they treated Seekvaira. Oh, how he wished there were name tags associated with their chairs so he could take down names, individuals that spurned cooperation with Humanity. They would be future targets of Night Raid.
If Sona hadn't specifically told him to stay silent and if he hadn't known before hand that she fully expected this reaction to her declaration, Tatsumi would have given them all a piece of his mind. He might still do that, in his own way.
A sultry looking devil dressed as a dominatrix giggled and licked a rather wicked looking leather whip. "Please, dear, we all know—"
"Oka-san, be silent," Sona snapped irritably. "I'm talking to the adults here."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that! You're not the head—"
"When you find another Sitri, anywhere, I'll be worried about you replacing me," Sona retorted. She turned towards the Satans, leaving her mother screaming at her from the side. Tatsumi noted that Serafall looked ready to strangle more than a few of the elders, her own mother included. "I'm serious about my dream."
Another devil, one that Tatsumi noted hadn't been laughing, stood and the laughter instantly cut short, as did Sona's mother's screaming. This was someone that everyone in the room respected. "Sona Sitri-dono, I respect the conviction you have towards this dream, but for dreams to succeed they must also be grounded in reality. Before you can even begin to incorporate the other races into our Rating Games, you need to convince our own people to be more accepting and open of our own. Low-class devils and reincarnated devils are selected to be a part of a peerage based on their talents and in all but the most extraordinary of cases, such as with Tannin, are expected to serve their masters and nothing more. An institution such as you're proposing could make the old families, who overly value tradition to the point of stagnation, lose face and injure their pride. That is not a good way to garner support from the very people you will need to rely on to make this succeed. While we may be in a period of change, not all change is good. Such a radical dream risks undermining the very foundation upon which our society is built."
"I never took the Diehauser Belial to be a coward," Sairaorg suddenly cut in, causing many of the elders to gasp sharply. The man himself, who Sairaorg had identified as the Belial, had an angry look on his face. "You may be ranked first amongst the Kings, stand atop of the Rating Games in rank at number one but you can't claim to be the best." Sairaorg paused for dramatic effect. "You can only claim to be the best amongst devils. Are you so scared to lose you position at the top that you're opposed to competing with those outside of our kind? I, for one, look forward to that! I relish the challenge! Rating Games that include everyone? Whoever stands at the top reigns as the undisputed King, the most powerful peerage in all the world and all the pantheons." There was a huge smile of Sairaorg's face now. "Sounds far better than simply being the best amongst the devils we 'allow' to play."
Alright, now Tatsumi genuinely liked the guy, even if his dream was no different than a little child looking up at a super hero they see on TV and wishing they could be like them.
"I never stated I did not find merit in certain aspects of her dream," Diehauser Belial said cautiously. Being called a coward rankled him but he also could not go back entirely on what he said before. He was a man used to playing the political game. "I was simply pointing out issues she will have in achieving it. Such an undertaking would be difficult even for one such as myself. Someone like her will need to prove herself, not only to the elders here, but society as a whole."
"No goal worth achieving is ever easy," Sona said firmly. "Whether it takes ten years, a hundred years, or even a thousand years. I will work tirelessly towards it."
One of the elders sneered down at her. "Why work so hard towards a dream that will never be achieved?"
Well, there was no need to think too hard to interpret those words. That was someone that didn't believe in Sona and worse, might actively get in her way. Tatsumi reached inside the pocket of his pants and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen.
"What did you say your name was?" Tatsumi asked the elder politely as he tapped the pad with the end of his pen. "I want to make sure I write it down properly."
"Why would I lower myself to telling you anything, human?" The elder sneered at him.
Tatsumi just blinked at the man. So he was 'just a human' when they wished to insult him, and Tyrant otherwise. How typical. Tatsumi glanced up at Serafall and cocked an eyebrow. The Leviathan returned his look, confused for a moment before realization suddenly dawned in her eyes. She knew what he intended to do. "That's Lord Shax, Tatsumi-san," Serafall said, smiling happily.
Really now? That was the Lord Shax? Tatsumi hadn't forgotten what that man's son had wrought in the human world, or the revenge his daughter had tried to extract. It seemed the apples hadn't fallen all that far from the tree. He wrote that name down on the pad of paper before tucking it away. "Thank you, Leviathan-san," he said with a respectful bow. She just smiled back.
"Oh, woe is me! A human wrote my name down. I'm so scared," Lord Shax said, shivering with false fear.
"A human that just so happens to be the head of an organization charged with hunting down and killing anyone, devils included, that view Humanity as an opportunity of exploitation," Diehauser Belial pointed out dryly. "I suggest you start locking your doors and reinforcing your wards, Lord Shax."
"I'd like to see him try! I haven't forgotten what he did to my son! The Satans tied my hands before but they can't protect him if he comes for me himself!"
Tatsumi just shook his head. The man was basically asking Tatsumi to try and kill him. Mine was rather upset she couldn't just annihilate Gregorious Abaddon's entire estate. Perhaps he'd let her go all out this time, and let the rest of Night Raid could clean up whatever was left over.
Serafall suddenly clapped her hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "I won't let anyone insult my Sona-chan's dream any further! If my Sona-chan wins lots of Rating Games there's no problem right? Everyone will love her and many things can be granted if you win enough Rating Games!" There was a look on her face like she would strip the hide off anyone that disagreed with her. Serafall was not going to tolerate anyone else making fun of her little sister. "No one has any objection, right?"
Tatsumi shivered. Was it just him or did the temperature in the room suddenly drop several degrees?
"I think that's a fine idea," Sirzechs spoke up. "It fits in well with the original purpose of gathering these young devils together. We can have the first Rating Game be between my Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri. Place two dreams, one lauded and one derided, against each other."
"Not that I feel your suggestion is unwarranted," one of the elders said respectfully lest he upset both the Lucifer and the Leviathan, "but I have noticed that Gregorious Abbadon's old Knight, Hikaru-san, is now a member of Sona-dono's peerage. It would seem to me to be a little unfair to place someone with so much experience amongst those that have none."
Hidden in his words was an opinion that he felt Hikaru was too good for Sona. That perhaps she should be taken away and given to a different peerage, a more established peerage.
Serafall picked up on that as well. Tatsumi had known arctic glaciers to be warmer than the smile she was now giving that particular elder. "How is that a problem?" Serafall asked in a tone that hinted at extreme pain if you answered incorrectly, or at all. She didn't even wait for the man to respond before she continued. "Rias-chan snagged the Sekiryuutei. If my Sona-chan hadn't claimed Hikaru-chan for herself, the unfairness would have been tilted the other way and no one would have complained!"
"Overcoming obstacles such as this is common place in Rating Games," Diehauser Belial added his voice to the discussion. "I, myself, had to overcome many such seemingly insurmountable odds in my rise to the top. Having to experience that early is a boon, I say." The old devil turned to look up at Sirzechs. "Or is your sister unwilling to deal with such a disadvantage?"
"Does it appear that way?" Sirzechs asked, sounding amused as he gestured to the floor below.
Sirzechs was right. Rias and her peerage didn't show any signs of nervousness as they grinned across the floor at Sona and her peerage. That right there was a rivalry going back years and even the addition of Hikaru wasn't enough to dampen it.
"I don't believe I have to even ask, but Rias, Sona, would you like to fight each other first?"
Words didn't even need to be said as the two stared at each other with identical grins of excitement. Tatsumi could almost see the sparks flying between the two of them. They were rivals in every sense of the word.
"It may not be official, but it feels like fate to me that you would be my first opponent, Rias."
"I feel the same, but now that we're competing with each other, I won't lose, not even if you have Hikaru-san."
"A match between Rias-chan and Sona-chan is the best way to fire things up!" Serafall said cheerfully. She was all smiles now.
"Then so be it," Sirzechs said. "Azazel has been gathering Rating Game fans from each of the powers under the pretext of watching the games of our young child before their official debuts so it is sure to be an exciting event. The date of competition is August twentieth in the human world time. You may do as you wish until that time, details about the game will be sent later."
Sirzechs finished with a hint of finality that suggested they were moving on to the next important topic. Him. Well, he had already decided how he was going to handle this. Sirzechs eyes shifted to him with an expectant look that lasted a whole two seconds before a frown came to his lips. He didn't like what he found in Tatsumi's eyes.
"Now that the introductions with our younglings is over, I would like to address our other guest," said the initial elderly devil that opened the entire proceeding. "The Leader of Night Raid, the Tyrant, Nakimori Tatsumi, has agreed to speak with us here today."
That was his queue. Tatsumi pushed off the wall with his heel and took only a couple steps forward before stopping. "I'd like to say thank you for having me here, but we all know what this is really for," Tatsumi said louder than was necessary. He hadn't cared much about this meeting before arriving, and he cared even less now. "Since arriving here in Lucifaad my every word and action has been insulted, questioned, or outright dismissed, Satans withstanding of course." He gave the Satans a respectful nod. He didn't want to alienate them at least and Serafall had been very helpful. "We all know what you wanted me here for and I have better things to do than listen to you scoff and laugh and insult me all afternoon before ultimately dismissing every word I've said a few minutes after I've left, if you even entertain them that long. If you refuse to take seriously the words of your own kind." He gave both Seekvaira and Sona meaningful looks. "Then I know you won't care about mine in the slightest."
And with that said, he turned his back on the entire, assembled leadership of devil society and marched out the door.
Author's Note: Yes, Tatsumi just walked out on every major leader in devil society. He probably didn't make very many friends doing that.
Anyways, this is my Christmas Gift to all of you! Although it was rather convenient that the 3 week period did come to an end just prior to Christmas. Since I'll be busy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, decided to put this chapter out a day early.
So to everyone reading this, have a leave a review and have a Merry Christmas!