The Battle Never Ends

by Arthain

The Tyrant had surpassed death once before. This time wouldn't have been any different save for the determination of one young man and his desire to protect all that he cared for. But what should have been the end instead became a new beginning. A beginning somewhere else. A beginning where Night Raid was still needed.

30. Clash of Dreams

Author's Note: Long chapter is long. The problem was that there just wasn't any place to really split it. The battle is designed to fit in a single chapter, but there wasn't enough content at the end or the beginning to stand alone as a separate chapter… so, we get a giant one.

Chapter 28: Clash of Dreams

"Well this is interesting," Tatsumi said as he stepped out from the darkness of the tunnel and into the stadium.

There really wasn't any other way to describe it. He found himself at the bottom of what looked like a giant football stadium with rows upon rows of bleachers overlooking a central area. A number of VIP rooms overlooking the stadium while the top of the stadium was ringed by a large a retracted domed roof.

Aside from the field itself it looked like any number of sports stadiums in the human world. The field, if it could even be called that, wasn't oblong like a football field but circular. Then there was what stood in the center of said 'field'. Instead of AstroTurf or grass, a large number enormous pedestals rose up from a tiled floor. Above each pedestal floated a large, spherical crystal. There were fifteen in all, with fourteen smaller ones surrounding a large central sphere.

Tatsumi could see a number of devils making their way between those pedestals. Seeing their tiny forms down there below just hammered home how enormous the pedestals and crystals were. The fourteen smaller pedestals managed to make the devil attendants that walked and flew about them seem like ants.

"This is the official viewing area for Rating Games, Tatsumi-san," Ravel said, hands on her hips as she looked proudly down upon the viewing area. She sounded very much like how a tour guide would explain new sites to their entourage. The young Phenex stood beside him, hands on hips looking proudly down at the crystals. "The large central crystal will provide an overarching view of the entire battlefield in a simulated manner while the fourteen around it will actually display images happening in the game in real time."

"There isn't anything like this in the human world," Tatsumi said, marveling at the intricate usage of magical technology.

"It's nothing particularly special," Mine said, scoffing at the sight. "Humans are already at this level with all their technology and I could do this much myself!"

"This magic seems to be as useful as technology," Najenda mused thoughtfully. "If I could bring even a bit both back with me, I could revolutionize the Kingdom."

"Don't even think about stealing our secrets, human," a female stadium attendant spat out, sneering at Najenda with a look of disgust in her eyes. Her eyes swept across their entire group before coming to a rest on Tatsumi. "Can't believe someone like you is allowed to wander around freely down here. Just move along, there are more important people waiting for you to move on."

Lovely, he had another fan here.

He cast a quick glance behind them and found the hall they were exiting empty. "There's no one behind us right now—." Tatsumi tried to point out.

"Exactly, now shoo, all of you," the attendant said, shooing them away.

Ravel's eyes flashed dangerously as she bristled at the insult. "Excuse me, that's no way to speak to Tatsumi-sama or I, Lady Ravel Phenex of the—"

"Oh look, the Phenex whore knows how to speak, did your handler give permission?" the attendant spat out, giving Tatsumi an accusatory look as she did.

Ravel nearly choked on her own tongue. "W-What?!"

"You're just as bad as the rest. A devil that's turned traitor just so she could whore herself out to a human. Just go! Anyone willing to deal with that thing is beyond foolish!"

"My, does that include me?" Athena asked, leaning down over the railing above them. The Greek Goddess wore the same, flowing white toga she'd worn back at the party but with a few additions. The Bracelets of Aias ringed her wrists, taken back from Gabriel at the party most likely and upon her head was a roman helmet, topped with a beautiful mane of horse hair. A long, beautiful spear engraved with so many magical runes it was nearly impossible to see the wooden shaft beneath the light, leaned lazily against the railing beside her while up some ways leaning against an aisle seat was a large, golden buckler.

The devil went rigid as her eyes snapped up towards Athena. The Goddess had a little smile on her face that promised total obliteration if she heard anything other than what she wanted.

"A-Ah, n-no," the attendant said hastily. "I was just—"

"—going to be somewhere else, am I correct? You had a pressing engagement back home?" Athena asked, still smiling.

The attendant nodded her head vigorously, quickly picking up on what Athena was hinting at.

In other words, she got lost very quickly.

"Thanks," Tatsumi thanked the Goddess. "I didn't have very many friends here before the young devil gathering, and it seems pissing off most of their elders only made things worse."

Politics may keep the elders and those that preside over devilkin courteous and respectful, but no one else had to be. No one else was. Tatsumi had quite firmly placed everyone into one of two camps. The select few that liked him, and the vast majority that hated him.

Athena waved away his thanks. "It's not an issue. I find devils and their over-inflated sense of self-importance tiresome and I find some enjoyment in popping their egos," Athena said. The smile on her face was genuine now. "As for Najenda's earlier comment, we may not be far off from having magic be common place in the human world." The Goddess grabbed her spear and made her way down the last few steps to them as she spoke. "With our existence now common knowledge, a few entrepreneurial individuals might see the advantage of introducing magical artifacts such as this. Magic does exist in your world, few just know how to use it."

"That might go a long way to bridging the distrust between races," Tatsumi said. Well, except for him. Devils were never going to like him. "If the corporate world begins to see a monetary benefit, they'll all but get on their hands and knees and beg." He shifted his gaze from the crystals to the seats and a thought occurred to him. Where should they sit? He had been invited but he hadn't been given a seat number. He didn't even see seat numbers. Back in the human world you usually reserved a particular seat for events like this. "Hmm…"

"You can sit anywhere," Athena said, reading his mind. "The VIPs get to watch from a special lounge so we won't meet anyone here that'll raise a real issue."

"You're not a VIP?" Tatsumi asked. That seemed rather odd all things considered.

Athena wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I am, but I'd rather not have to listen to Zeus go off on how luscious and beautiful all the female competitors are." The Goddess gestured up towards the golden buckler. "If you'd like you can join me. I've spent most of the morning looking for what seemed like the best place to watch from."

"We'd be happy to join you," Tatsumi said.

"This way," Athena said, gesturing for them to follow her up.

As they all started up the stairs following the Goddess, Tatsumi took that time to look about the stadium. Like the stadiums in the human world there were a number of entrances, tunnels that led back inside. People were filing in from all of the tunnels. There were people from many different pantheons and factions. Angels and their Fallen counter-parts, Gods and Youkai, and other mystical creatures. Most of the people filing in were devils, members of this and that well-known family.

Tatsumi noted that the other young devils were here as well. Sairaorg Bael sat directly across from where Athena was leading them with his peerage all around him. Nearby was Seekvaira Agares along with Lubbock and her peerage. Far to the right was Zephyrdor and to the left, Diodora.

A tap on his arm drew his attention from the growing crowd to Mine who had come up beside him. "How can you speak so casually with a Goddess," Mine asked quietly. "If you piss her off she'll obliterate the whole lot of us."

Tatsumi shrugged, "maybe Gabriel and Serafall have desensitized me? Besides, she's hiring us. She won't do anything like that. It's only common sense to be courteous to your employer. Besides, you'll need to get used to it. I'm taking you with me on the mission."

"Ugh, fine, if you say so," Mine said, casting a cautious look at the Goddess. "And does she have to sway her ass like that?"

Tatsumi followed her gaze. Athena did have a very nice rear. It was full, round, firm and utterly lacking in panty lines. Was she even wearing any? Bennia never did… was it a Greek thing? Tatsumi didn't know and found himself caring little as his eyes swayed back in forth in time with her steps. Mine was right, there was a hypnotic sway to her ass. The way the skirt of her toga alternated molding itself to those cheeks with each step was erotic. His eyes just naturally started to sway in time with her ass.

Mine noticed him staring and growled. "Men!" she said, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

Tatsumi cough loudly and ripped his eyes from Athena's ass. None too soon either as she stopped and turned around. She would have no doubt caught him staring if he hadn't and he didn't know how Athena would react to that. He doubted the sway had been intentional.

If Athena had noticed his staring, she didn't give any indication as she gestured for them to take a seat. "I have the aisle, but the other seats nearby should offer a proper view."

"Thanks," Tatsumi said, forcing his eyes elsewhere.

A loud hum started up as the crystal came to life. The large central crystal shimmered before projecting an image in the air above it akin to an engineering design of the mall the Rating Game was going to take place. Superimposed upon that image were a number of colored chess pieces, red for Rias and blue for Sona.

The game was about to start so he quickly grabbed a seat next to Athena and got settled in. He didn't want to miss anything. This game was going to be interesting because he noticed something off right away.

Rias had two Knights. The last time Tatsumi had met Rias, she'd only had one.

~o~

Deep-seated dread filled her, crushing her spirit as it filled her mind with terrible thoughts. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. Her teeth were broken and her gums ruined. A sharp, aching throb flared in her mouth with each beat of her heart. She'd made a mistake. A very big mistake.

She known it was a mistake the moment Athena had glared down at her. She just didn't realize how terrible it'd end up being, not until now.

Hope died as she slowly lifted her head to stare at the source of her fear.

"Did I say you could look at me?" Ruval Phenex's cold, dead voice slapped her across the face and before she could lift her head high enough it was slammed back into the cold, concrete floor. A sharp cry of pain was ripped from her throat as her nose split open, splattering blood across the floor.

They weren't alone, but no one offered so much as a word of protest. Not even a concerned glance. Ruval Phenex was one of the strongest and most respected people in the Underworld, while she was just a commoner, unaffiliated with any house or peerage. If anything, some had stopped to look on in interest.

"I-I—"

"She can still talk…"

Her blood froze with fear. Ruval's Rook lifted her head and a hand was slammed through her mouth, tearing out the rest of her teeth. She could only scream in agony as sharp fingers dug into her tongue and tore it out.

"To think someone as lowly and insignificant as you would dare to pass judgement on my little sister, on a member of the Phenex family," Ruval's voice was so cold goosebumps broke out across her skin. "You called her a whore… and a traitor, despite having been asked by Lucifer himself to serve at Tatsumi-san's side. I wonder who the real traitor here is."

"I say we flay the skin from her body," one of Ruval's Knight, Lucina, said in a voice as cold and dreadful as her King's. "That she thinks she knows best who Lady Ravel should or shouldn't be allowed to be with…"

"I too, had concerns about leaving my little sister in the hands of a strange man, even if he had saved her from Esdeath," Ruval said. The attendant didn't dare hope he'd chosen to let her live, "but those smiles… It has been years since I last saw her smile like that. I won't have someone like you, tarnishing them."

"What do you want done with her?" The Rook holding her to the floor asked.

"An example should be made, in case anyone else believes my sister is a traitor… but killing her is simply too wasteful. Send her to the yardai pits. I'm sure the creatures there will find some use for her."

No… no, no, no! Not there! Anywhere but there!

"Right away," the man on her back said as he stood and hauled her to her feet.

Her mind shut down completely as the Rook dragged her off to one of the most terrible and horrific places in the Underworld. A place where she'd spend the rest of her life being a mother to the shadows that walked the dark places of the Underworld.

~o~

Sona blinked the spots from her eyes as the light from the teleportation circle died down and glanced about for the rest of her peerage. She trusted the systems, but mistakes have happened. Thankfully all was well this time. The others had arrived with her, Saji and Ruruko were standing together, holding each other's hand. Tomoe and Yura looked excited to begin. Momo was her usual stoic self and Kusaka was the same as always. She shot a sidelong glance at Hikaru and Tsubaki. Those two were critical to her plans. Both Rias and herself had people capable of taking out the other's King in a single shot. The victor will be the King capable of hiding the best.

And Sona was depending on her predicable friend to assume she'd send Hikaru after her.

She set those thoughts aside for the moment and observed her surroundings, the place that would serve as her base of operations for the Rating Game to come. Information she'd managed to obtain from her onee-sama had suggested that the game would take place in the mall near the academy.

That information, it appeared, was correct. She recognized where she was, she'd made sure to thoroughly memorize the layout of the mall the day before. The rows of produce and fruit lining the low counters placed her and her peerage on the bottom level of the mall's large grocery store. Logic would dictate that Rias' base would be as far away as possible which would place her in the Ichiramaru's Diner on the upper floor on the far side of the mall.

It wasn't going to be easy to get there without being seen. There were only three possible routes through the Mall: through the long atrium with it's long balconies and open floor, across the roof or through the parking garage. The atrium was the worst route to take. The only cover there were the stalls and benches sporadically found along its length. Anyone going that route would be discovered quickly and easily.

Sona expected Rias to send Issei that way. He was the only one on that side that could take a lot of punishment and keep going. He'd probably have support as well. Who that'd be, Sona wasn't entirely sure but surmised it'd be either Koneko, Kiba, her new Knight, or some combination of the three. Whoever didn't accompany Issei would probably be sent along one of the other two routes. Sona didn't expect Rias to send any of them alone. Only Akeno had the raw power to take out multiple members of her peerage without help.

Rias would probably stay in the diner and oversee the battle until things started to turn her way. If the battle turned in her favor she'd come attack with everything to end it quickly and if it turned the other way, she'd play a defensive game. Asia was almost guaranteed to stay with her.

The big question that Sona didn't have an answer to was how would Akeno move? Would Rias keep her back to counter Hikaru? Or would she use her in a more offensive fashion? Possibly cover the second route to her? There was only so much Sona could plan before hand. How Akeno moved would dictate which plan she'd set into motion.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a loud, clear voice rung throughout the mall.

[Everyone, I, Grayfia, the "Queen" of the Lucifer group, will be performing the role of arbiter in this Rating Game between the Gremory group and the Sitri group.]

Sona let a small frown crease her lips. Her sister had failed that it seemed. When they learned that Grayfia would arbitrate the game, Sona had asked her sister to get that changed, alter it to someone who was well and truly impartial. Either it had been too late, or it had been ignored. Well, Sona hadn't held much hope it would work anyways.

Sona simply hoped Grayfia's bias towards the Gremory group didn't affect things too much. Even if she tried to be impartial, there would be subconscious slips. An overlook of an offense because she was simply used to it. The slight delaying of the removal of Rias' peerage members after they've been beaten or the early removal of Sona's. Small little things that wouldn't matter in a one-sided match. But now that Issei had achieved his Balance Breaker, this wasn't a one-sided match.

Heedless to Sona's thoughts, Grayfia continued. [In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will watch over the battle between these two families. It is my pleasure to be here. The battlefield for today is the department store within the neighbourhood of the school "Kuoh Academy" that Rias-sama and Sona-sama attend. It has been placed within a separate space for this game so that damages are not reflected in the real world.]

[Both groups have been transported to their respective bases. Rias-sama's base is on the second floor on the east side while Sona-sama's base is on the first floor of the west side. In order for Pawns to promote, please go to your opponent's bases.]

They absolutely couldn't let Issei get to this base. If he combined the power of his Sacred Gear with the promotion to Queen or Knight, it would be the end.

[This time there will be special rules. A document has been sent to each group so please read it. A single bottle of Phoenix Tears has been provided to each team. The game will begin in thirty minutes, until then you're free to strategize but contact with the enemy is strictly forbidden. You can begin.]

Everyone quickly gathered around her as she pulled out the document Grayfia had mentioned. The magical seal on it was broken, allowing her to unfurl it.

"What are the special rules?" Hikaru asked softly, "in my previous games they were generally restrictions, mostly for Syura."

"It's the same this time," Sona said as she adjusted her glasses on her nose. "The first one is that we are not allowed to destroy the department store."

"At what point do they consider it destroyed?" Hikaru asked, frowning.

"I would assume so long as the ceiling still stands, it's not destroyed," Sona said, "but I can't be certain. I suppose we'll find out very shortly." They had a little surprise in store for Rias that Sona was fairly certain her friend would not like. "This rule, however, only truly applies to Rias' pawn, Issei, who can destroy a mountain with a single shot while in his Balance Breaker form."

"I can't use him then," Tsubaki said quietly. "It'll have to be Akeno or Rias herself."

"Hopefully not Rias," Sona said, "we don't know if that'll even work. If Akeno isn't with Rias, we need to draw her back somehow."

"Are there more rules?" Saji asked.

"There are," Sona said, nodding. "Gaper Vladi's Sacred Gear is sealed, which makes things easy for us. Rias will rely on his vampiric abilities and because he has severe anthropophobia, she'll give him a role that doesn't rely on direct contact."

"Scouting," Hikaru murmured.

"Precisely. He's uniquely suited for that due to his ability to disperse himself into bats and scout out every part of the building at once," Sona said. "Momo, Kusaka and Hikaru, you three will deal with him. Once the game starts grab all garlic and go to the second floor. Work on that Unison Raid, draw Gasper's attention to you. Once most of his bats are here, draw him back into his physical form. The garlic should do the rest."

"Yes, Kaichou!" The two girls said together. Hikaru nodded her head.

She turned to Hikaru. "Once Gasper's gone, head to the security room and use the security cameras. I want to know where they all are."

"You'll have their positions," Hikaru promised.

Sona scowled as she read the last rule. "There's one more special rule." She gave Hikaru an apologetic smile. "We should have suspected this would happen. There are many that do not like the fact that you're in my peerage. They think it gives me an unfair advantage. Like Gasper, your Lightning Form is locked."

"Do they give a reason for it?" Hikaru asked.

"They feel Rias' peerage is too weak." Which was ridiculous considering they had the Sekiryuutei. Her friend, Rias, would be livid at being considered weak. "If you hit them with the same level of attack you used against Ruval Phenex and his peerage, they're scared you'll outright kill them before the recall system can summon them back."

There was a deadpanned look on Hikaru's face. "I can control it."

"I know that, you know that, and they know that. This rule exists for no other reason than to help Rias secure victory," Sona said. "If I fail here, even with you on my side, they're going to try and use my inexperience as justification as to why I shouldn't have you."

"They can't forcefully take me."

"They shouldn't be able to," Sona corrected her. "I wouldn't put it past them to try and find some loophole."

Hikaru's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It would be the last thing they do. I'm done being chained to others. I'm part of Night Raid now. If they try to force it, Tatsumi will kill them and I will be there to help him."

"Let's try to avoid that as best we can," Sona said. "All we need to do is win and then it won't matter. And, it says 'Lightning Form' specifically. Your Sacred Gear as a whole isn't sealed." She rolled the special rules up and set them aside next to a container of pears. "I know Rias well enough to have a basic idea of how she'll move." She eyed Momo and Kusaka. "You two need to act fast. I need Gasper out of the way as quickly as possible." She shifted her attention to Saji and Ruruko. "I know what you want, Saji. You and Ruruko-san will go through the atrium. Issei will most likely be there."

"I won't fail you Kaichou!" Saji declared loudly. "I won't let anyone laugh at your dream, our dream, any more and I'm tired of being in Issei's shadow!"

Sona smiled grimly. "Good, I like that determination. As for the rest of you, you're to stay here until we an idea of how Rias is moving." Where and how Rias deployed her peerage would dictate how Sona countered. "Let's show Rias and all those elders that our dream is not something to be laughed at! That even against the Sekiryuutei, we can win."

"Yes!" They all shouted at the same time.

~o~

"When did Rias get a second Knight?" Tatsumi wondered as he stared at the unknown woman chatting animatedly with Kiba through image displayed by one of the fourteen small crystals. The two of them seemed quite friendly with one another as they made their way back to Rias, walking up the stairs from the first floor to the second.

"Shortly after the young devil gathering, or so I hear," Najenda said. She'd taken a seat to his right and beside her was Ravel. Behind Tatsumi sat Mine and Xenovia. "Apparently some of the older devils didn't like the number advantage Sona had over Rias, so worked to equalize it a bit. They offered Sirzechs' little sister a second Rook as well but she put her foot down on that."

"It says here in the program that Rias' two knights are Yuuto Kiba and Karlamine Strand," Athena said. Tatsumi shifted his attention to his left where Athena sat. She had a program in her hand that had a list of all the members of each peerage and their estimated stats. "It states that she used to be part of Riser's Phenex's peerage and that ownership was transferred to Rias. It doesn't specifically state why, only to clear a debt of some kind." Athena flipped the page once before flipping it back. "Not much else on that but I'm catching a whiff of politics. Sometimes I wonder if the devils need politics to survive as much as they need food and water."

Tatsumi was starting to think the same way. Every time he turned around this or that there was some devil or another politicking. More importantly though… "where did you get that and where can I get one?" Tatsumi asked, pointing at the program.

Athena just shrugged. "It was given to me when I arrived."

"I wasn't given one."

Athena gave him a little smile. "They probably just forgot."

Tatsumi had a feeling it hadn't taken very much to make them forget.

His attention was drawn back to the screens as Grayfia's face appeared upon them once more. It seems the time limit give then to the two was up. [Thirty minutes have passed. It is now time to begin. Furthermore, this will be a blitz-style game. The time limit is three hours. Without further ado, the game has now begun!]

~o~

The air hummed with power. Gusts of wind swirled about the aisles, rushing towards a singular point near the sliding doors of the grocery store that led out onto the second floor balcony that ringed the mall. The gusts of wind swirled around a ball of intense magical energy before finally being sucked in.

Momo stood, one hand upon the ball, urging, coaxing, it to grow larger and larger. Each time it expanded to the size of a basketball Momo tapped its surface with her free hand. A ripple sped across its surface and a magical runic grid appeared just above it's surface. Magical energy was sucked from the orb into the runic grid until it was reduced to the size of a baseball. The runic grid darted away, joining the dozen other grids that hovered above Momo's head.

Kusaka stood just behind Momo, hands outstretched to either side. Extending from the palm of her hands were two large runic grids. Her magical energy raced across her arms, through the runic grids where they were caught by Momo and fed into the magical ball of energy, recharging it each time Momo extracted energy.

Aside from Sona herself, Kusaka had the most magical energy of anyone in Sona's peerage. The multitudes of contracts she had with large, energetic men that were more than happy to spill all their vigor into her saw to that.

Power and Control being brought together for a massive long-range magical attack.

Her attention was drawn away from the Unison Raid as she noticed bats gathering inside the grocery store. A small smile creased her lips. That much magical energy being drawn into a single point would draw anyone's attention. It was probably felt across the entire breadth of the store.

It was the perfect trap to draw Gasper in because, as Sona had predicted, Rias had sent him to do recon via his vampiric abilities. There was no obvious way to tell what the spell Momo and Kusaka were setting up was intended to do, so Gasper would most certainly wait until he got orders from Rias, or perhaps—

Hikaru paused that thought when she noticed how many bats had entered the store. She wasn't entirely certain how many bats Gasper could split into, no one knew for certain, but nearly a hundred had gathered together in the far corner where he probably hoped he was out of sight. He obviously was underestimating Hikaru's situational awareness. That was one thing she was thankful of her time with Gregorious Abaddon.

No devil could ever sneak up on her. She was always on edge, sensing for their presence.

"Are you almost ready?" Hikaru asked softly as she pushed off the cashier's counter and started towards the two girls.

"Almost, is he…" Momo trailed off.

Lightning sparked between Hikaru's finger tips. "You won't have to worry about him anymore." Her hand snapped towards the large congregation of bats and before Gasper could even begin to register what was happening a large arc of electricity leapt from her finger tips into the mass of bats. It bounced between each bat like chain lightning, electrocuting the whole lot of them. It wasn't even a fraction of the power she could wield in her Raiten Taiso, but it was enough for Gasper.

Gasper couldn't maintain his bat form. They merged together, consolidating into a single, jerking form of a boy far too cute to be male wearing a female Kuoh Academy uniform. Gasper fell from the ceiling with a cry of pain and surprise. He bounced off shelves filled with bread and buns before landing on the tile floor, twitching violently.

The spasms wouldn't last long, but it was long enough for Hikaru to wheel a shopping cart filled to the brim with garlic and dump it all over him.

"N-n-n-o-o-o-o, ga-ga-ga-ga-h-h-h-h!"

His last, final, pitiful cry as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out. There was a sound like shattering glass and the garlic mound shifted.

[One of Rias' Gremory's bishops has been retired.]

"That's done," Hikaru said as she made her way over to the two girls. "I'm going on to the security room."

"Roger!" "We'll win for Kaichou!" The two girls said together.

Hikaru just smiled and rushed out of the grocery store. Ahead she could see Saji and Ruruko rushing across the ground floor of the mall. Those two would draw attention away from her actions. She did her best to mimic Tatsumi's movements, moving on the balls of her feet, keeping to cover and avoiding anything that could give her presence away.

It was lucky the security room was so close to their base. Hikaru was able to get there without any trouble. The electronic lock on the door didn't prove to be much of a hindrance either. A shock of electricity short-circuited the controls and caused it to lock and unlock repeatedly. She waited for it to unlock before opening it and slipping inside. The security room was bland, severe. There were a couple filing cabinets next to the door, which she ignored in favor of what mattered the most.

The wall covered in monitors. They were even on, how helpful. It gave her complete coverage of the entire mall. There were cameras on the roof, in the parking garage in the atrium and every single store. Hikaru could see everything.

She touched her ear piece.

"I'm inside Kaichou. It's as you suspected, there are cameras everywhere in this store. I can see every member of Rias-san's peerage, even her new Knight."

"Good," her voice came back over the ear piece, "what are her moves?"

Hikaru eyes darted across the screens. "Hyoudou-san is moving across the left side of the upper atrium as you suspected. He only has Koneko-san with him. Kiba-san and Strand-san have just entered the parking garage. Akeno-san and Asia-san have stayed back with Rias-san." Hikaru's lips curled up into a smile. "All three are still in the diner."

"I see, so that's how she moved," Sona mused softly over the line. "Foolish. Staying in one's base is normally a good idea, except when the enemy has a clear line of sight from their own and you're within striking distance." There was a pause. "Hikaru-san, can you deal with both Kiba-san and Karlamine-san without your Lightning Form?"

"Better than anyone else," Hikaru said confidently. She didn't know the full extend of Kiba's proficiency with his Balance Breaker, or what training Karlamine had undergone these past few weeks with Rias. But unless they were both magnitudes greater than they had been, Hikaru shouldn't have trouble. "I will deal with them."

"Good, do so. I'm putting plan C into motion."

Sona had Plans A through J. None of them were more likely to succeed than the other, just different types of deployment based on Rias' movements. Plan C put Hikaru in the Parking Garage. She needed to move quickly then. The parking garage was as far from where she was as it could be.

~o~

Koneko was completely focused on victory as she rushed along the upper balcony alongside Issei. There was no need for them to sneak, Buchou wanted the enemy to know they were attacking and to try and stop them. Koneko wouldn't let her down. Her ears were out and her tail waved behind her as she gathered all the spiritual energy around her, all the ki. She could feel what she feared, the malice and ill will, but she wasn't afraid.

Tatsumi had been right! It was only scary if she let it be scary. She would use all of it to help Buchou win this game and to show Tatsumi how much she'd grown. She'd show him that she was much better than that yakitori!

She would never let herself fail again!

That was the single, driving motivation that pushed her forward, more than anything else. She'd failed when Esdeath had attacked, had been useless against Riser, couldn't prevent Kiba from being taken and tortured by Kokabiel and she'd failed to be useful at all when he'd attacked Buchou later.

"They're coming Issei-senpai," Koneko said as she felt the pulse of their spirits, "two of them." She embraced the pulses, breathed it in. "Feels like Saji-san and Ruruko-san."

Issei pounded his fists together and grinned happily. "Alright! Saji! I was hoping I'd get to fight him!"

[One of Rias Gremory's bishop has been retired.]

"What? Already?" Issei shouted in surprise. "Come on Gasper! That's way too soon!"

"…Gasper-kun is down," Koneko whispered. Her focused sharpened. "Won't let anyone else lose!" She'd get revenge for him. The pair of individuals she felt rushing towards her suddenly shot up. "…above!" Koneko called out in warning.

Swinging down from the glass ceiling of the atrium upon a line of some sort was Saji. Koneko's sharp eyes picked out Ruruko clinging to his back. A surprise attack from above! She knew there was no way Issei would be able to react quickly enough to dodge it.

She was different. Tatsumi taught her to be different.

"—Hyoudou! The first attack is ours!" Saji shouted.

The balcony beneath Koneko's feet fractured as she threw herself at Saji and Ruruko. "…mine," Koneko corrected him as she bulldozed into them. She missed Saji, but she didn't miss the Pawn clinging to his back. Ruruko barely had time to cry out as Koneko crashed into her. She slammed a fist into the girl's face, ripping her from Saji's back and sending both her and the boy into uncontrollable spins. Ruruko smashed through the glass storefront of the pet shop and tumbled across the floor inside.

"…Tatsumi never gives the enemy time. I won't either!" Koneko shouted as she landed. The tile floor fractured again as she hurled herself with all her might through the shattered window front. She summoned all the ki in the area around her fists. Ruruko managed to look up just in time for Koneko's spirit clad fist to slam into her face.

Koneko wasn't done, she surged the spirit energy, focusing it into a long jagged spike of energy. Ruruko let out an ear-piercing scream as a lance of spiritual energy ripped through her brain. She didn't so much dissolve as she instantly disappeared as the recall system went into overdrive to bring her back before the spirit strike could do irreparable damage to her brain.

[One of Sona Sitri's pawns has been retired.]

~o~

"Hmm," Athena murmured, "that young Nekomata is a very dangerous little girl. She's quite possible more dangerous that the Sekiryuutei now in his current state, even with his Balance Breaker. There was no hesitation in her movements. She went for the quickest possible victory."

"Ah-hah… Sona's going to chew me out for this later isn't she?" Tatsumi said nervously. If Sona lost this game, it may very well be because of everything he'd taught Koneko. He didn't regret teaching her or helping her, but damn was it going to make this a much more difficult battle for Sona.

"She'd make a nice addition to Night Raid," Xenovia said cheerfully, "she's really good!"

"No! I refuse to let her join!" Ravel snapped. "I won't let that stupid cat anywhere near my Tatsumi-kun!"

"Your Tatsumi-kun?" Athena asked archly.

Ravel's face went pure crimson as steam erupted from her ears, "I-I-I didn't mean it like that! It's simply that someone like Xenovia-san shouldn't have any say in who becomes a part of Night Raid. That's Tatsumi-kun's decision and he—"

"Uh huh," Athena said. There was little doubt in her voice about her thoughts. Ravel simply trailed off stammering, refusing to even look in his direction.

Tatsumi did his best to ignore the gentle ribbing going on and focused on the game once more.

~o~

There was a stunned look on Saji's face as Koneko slowly padded back across the pet store floor towards the shattered window. The boy had been so certain about his surprise attack he hadn't even considered the possibility of it failing.

If you wanted it to be a surprise, you needed to stay silent. She understood now why Tatsumi was always groaning whenever someone shouted out what they could do or yelled before a surprise attack. It was like asking someone to spoil your attack.

Koneko had plenty of time to get used to attacking people before they were ready while protecting Gasper during the Peace Conference.

Jagged fragments of glass from the shattered window crunched beneath her foot as she stepped on window display case. The sound snapped Issei and Saji out of their stuns.

"Ruruko-chan!" Saji shouted as he quickly scrambled to his feet. "How? She trained so hard these past few weeks!"

"Way to go Koneko-chan!" Issei cheered at her loudly. "You totally kicked her ass! You see that Saji? We're totally going to win this game for Buchou! Koneko-chan and I are storming all the way to your base! Now fall before me!"

"I won't give up! I'll defeat the both of you if I have to!" Saji shouted defiantly. He crouched low and held his Sacred Gear out before him. Koneko noticed a line extended from it to his heart and that magical power was flowing along it to the Sacred Gear.

Saji was fueling his Sacred Gear with his own life.

"...I'll help," Koneko said as she stepped out onto the balcony.

"Sorry, can't have you doing that!" a cheerful, sing-song voice broke in. Koneko had to quickly duck to avoid the swing of a katana. She lashed out with a strong kick only to find nothing but air as Tomoe danced away. "You're going to have to play with us!"

"Us?" Issei asked, confused.

There was one more, coming down at her from above. Koneko didn't even need to look to see it, the ki in the air was enough. She leapt back, narrowly avoiding Yura's fist as she planted it into the floor where she'd just been. A fist size hole was knocked out of the balcony.

"I'm here," Yura said as she quickly straightened. "I'm Yura, Sona's Rook. I want to see just how strong Rias' Rook is!"

"And we're not all Kaichou has planned!" Tomoe said in light, sing-song voice. As if her words were the trigger signal, four thunderous words boomed throughout the mall.

"Unison Raid: Demonic Bombardment!"

All sound ceased, drowned out and consumed by the massive beam of purple energy that thundered across the length of the mall. All glass windows along the store front shattered with its passing. The tall clock in the center of the atrium was ripped to pieces in its passage. Even the overhead lights seemed to dim beneath the brilliant radiance of the attack.

Koneko cried out in pain and collapsed to the floor, only to be picked up and tossed about by the thunderous shockwave left behind in its passage. Her senses were completely overwhelmed. The amount of ki and magic ripping through the place threw everything into out of order. Senjutsu was a powerful technique, but there was another weakness beyond the malice and ill will of the world that someone as inexperience as her had.

Over-stimulation.

She barely managed to cling to consciousness as the beam thundered into the diner at the far end of the building, detonating with a brilliant flash of light. A powerful, concussive force picked her up yet again and tossed her over the edge of the balcony. She grasped pitifully at the air above her as she fell and bounced off the tile floor below.

It gave her a perfect view of the second part of the Unison Raid. Tiny balls of compressed demonic energy, each the size of a small baseball, streamed overhead. Tens, hundreds, maybe even thousands of them. It seemed to go on forever. Each one slamming into the diner at the far side of the mall and detonated with explosive force. The diner was gone, an inferno that would make even a Phenex proud. The neighbouring stores, the arcade and the bookstore she'd found Issei and Akeno having a quickie in, were completely engulfed in flames.

Fire alarms started ringing throughout the mall as the sprinkler systems activated. Koneko could only stare numbly up at the glass atrium ceiling as the water rained down on her, soaking her Kuoh Academy uniform and turning it transparent.

[One of Rias' Bishops has been retired.]

"What?! Asia-chan! No!" Koneko heard Issei wail from above. "I thought we weren't allowed to destroy this place!"

"It's not destroyed, Hyoudou!" Koneko heard Saji call back. "The walls are still standing and the ceiling hasn't caved in! That means it's not destroyed. We will win no matter what and prove that Sona's dream is not something to be laughed at!"

Asia was down? The game had just begun and they'd already lost both Gasper and Asia! Was she going to fail again?

Sona's Rook, Yura, suddenly vaulted over the edge of the balcony. There was a huge grin on her face as she descended upon her. "Time for you to go to sleep as well kitten!"

Failure… it was descending towards her…

Rage exploded in her mind, consuming every fiber of her being. A wild, primal scream roared from her lips. The blood in her veins boiled with overwhelming emotion. She wouldn't fail! She would never fail ever again! She brought in all the ki around her. All of it! Every last ounce! She embraced it all. She needed power enough to never lose again! To never fail!

Her body jerked as overwhelming strength raced through her body. Her muscles bulged, veins popped out. Her vision took on a red haze.

The look on Yura's face turned from one of victory to one of absolute shock.

Koneko didn't care as she launched herself from her prone position up at the descending Rook. She was supposed to be Sona's toughest asset, the one with the most physical defense. Koneko didn't even notice it as she rammed her fist through Yura's body. All her vaunted Rook like defense protected her as well as wet paper.

"…I will never fail again!" Koneko screamed. She grabbed Yura's side with her other hand and jerked. Yura screamed as Koneko ripped her in half, or nearly did. The recall system activated before it could happen in full.

~o~

"Blood rage," Athena said. There was a sad look on her face. "So young. That's just not right."

"Blood rage?" Tatsumi asked, confused. He knew there was some danger in Koneko using her Senjutsu. Was this it? Her skin had darkened, blood red veins had popped out all across her body. Her hair stood on end and her eyes had become bloodshot. Steam poured out of her mouth with each gasping breath she took. She looked insane and there hadn't been any semblance of the kind girl Tatsumi knew in those eyes as she had tried to tear Yura in half. "Is that all the malice and ill will of the world consuming her?" Tatsumi asked, worried about the girl he'd helped so much.

"No," Athena said, shaking her head. "That's her own malice. Her own regrets and her own fears. The malice in that place can't even begin to compare to the darkness lurking inside her own heart. Each race deals with their darkness in their own way. For Nekomatas and the other neko races…" Athena shook her head. "This is it. Blood rage. Until she's calmed down, she might not even be able to tell friend from foe."

"Is she really hurting so much inside?" Ravel asked hoarsely, a stunned look on her face.

"She wouldn't be able to fall into this state if she wasn't," Athena said.

"How do we calm her down?" Tatsumi asked.

"They win, she's knocked out or someone she cares about more than victory appears." Athena gave him a long look. "Which is either going to be you or Rias. Possibly that Issei kid, depending on close they are."

There was no way it could be him and Rias was having trouble of her own. Her base was completely gone, as were all the preparations she'd made to counter Hikaru. She and Akeno were doing their best to find their way out of the second-hand book store on the ground floor. They were both disorientated after being dumped there when the floor gave out. The burning books was only making things more difficult.

Issei, it was all on you. To Tatsumi's credit, he truly felt Issei could snap her out of it. He was someone who could accomplish the strange and implausible on sheer guts alone.

~o~

Hikaru ignored the shaking and booming that reverberated through the concrete floor of the parking garage as she waited for her opponents at the bottom level of the dimly-lit parking garage. She could faintly hear the fire alarms going off. The Unison Raid must have been quite effective then. There weren't any sprinklers in here so she didn't have to worry about the water rusting her armor.

She trusted Sona to handle things over there. She had her own duty to perform here, preventing Rias' two Knights from slipping around behind the front lines and striking at Sona's flank. Her attention was drawn to the ramp as the two she awaited descended. When Kiba and Karlamine stepped off the ramp and onto the floor Hikaru walked around the pillar she'd been hiding behind.

"I'm afraid I can't let you get past here," Hikaru said as she drew her katana. "I may not share Sona's dream, but I have my own reasons for delivering her victory."

Kiba's eyes lit up happily as he brought out a sword that gave up both a demonic and a holy aura. "Hikaru-san! When we saw that your form was sealed Buchou thought that Kaichou might change her strategy." There was an easy grin on his lips. "I lost to Tatsumi-san once in Kendo and I never got to have a serious rematch afterwards. But you were always his equal, weren't you? Beating you will be almost as satisfying."

"I'm better than he is, now," Hikaru said softly as she settled into her familiar stance. A sideways stance, resting on the ball of her left foot with her katana held in both hands, blade up and pointed at Kiba.

That just caused his grin to widened. "Then there won't be any dispute that I'm better than him if I beat you, will there?"

Hikaru refrained from rolling her eyes. He actually thought he was better than her? Until about a month ago he was simply creating random magical swords and swinging this way and that without thought or technique, relying on little more than his above average speed to bring him victory. From the way he held his sword now and had his feet positioned? He was still relying on his sacred gear to carry him to victory.

Without the speed boost granted by being a Knight, even Ieyasu could beat Kiba and that was saying something.

"Save some for me," Karlamine said, grinning happily. "I'd like a chance to fight the famed Hikaru-san as well."

"You should both come at me," Hikaru said, "that's the only way you have any chance of victory."

"I think she's underestimating us," Kiba said lightly.

Hikaru did roll her eyes then. They were underestimating her. Well, they'd understand soon enough. They'd either work together, or she'd make quick work of both.

She shot forward, blistering across the parking garage at super-sonic speeds. Kiba reacted instantly, lunging forward to meet her half way, his sword raised to stop her strike. It was cute, him thinking he was quick. To her, someone who could reach speeds nearing the speed of light, it almost seemed like he was in slow motion.

And Karlamine might as well be standing still.

She surged forward, faster, lighter, barely touching the ground. The wind screamed past her ears as wispy tendrils of air streamed off her body. She reached Kiba long before he met her half way. Her blade cut through the air faster than he could blink, its edge searching for his blood.

Kiba, to his credit, wasn't completely green behind the ears. He realized after only two steps that Hikaru was much faster than him. He shifted his body to the side, bringing his sword to against the edge of hers. Steel screamed as the blades scraped across each other.

Instead of finding his heart, her blade cut across his collarbone.

Then she was past him, but she wasn't done. As Kiba slid to a stop, grasping at his injury Hikaru had moved on. Karlamine barely managed to get her sword up in time to stop Hikaru's second strike.

"That's not your normal sword," Hikaru said as she eyed the blade Karlamine wielded. A decorative hilt topped with a six pronged hilt shaped like a dragon's talon that guarded a short blade with notches near the base.

"Issei-san isn't as bad as I thought he was," Karlamine said grunted out as she struggled against Hikaru. "I was certain he'd demand a feel for lending me this blade but he was just happy to help Rias-sama win."

Hikaru couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction well up inside as she sensed Kiba rushing to Karlamine's aid. The two of them were going to take this seriously now. "Please, let me enjoy this. I need both of you to take this seriously if I wish to gain anything from it. You're too weak alone, no matter the fancy swords you use."

"Normally it's against my honor to fight 2-on-1 but if that's what you want, fine!"

Karlamine's muscles bulged with a grunt she threw herself forward, pushing Hikaru back. She was strong for a knight. Stronger than Hikaru. There wasn't any point in trying to win a strength battle against her. She didn't resist, instead redirecting her strength to the side, causing Karlamine to stumble past her towards Kiba.

The battle paused momentarily as Kiba and Karlamine gathered their wits about them. They stood against her now, side-by-side with swords drawn.

Hikaru smiled. This was what she wanted. A real challenge.

~o~

Win! She had to win for Buchou! She was counting on her!

There were sounds of battle above her. The clang of steel on scale, the sound of flesh hitting flesh, painful cries and deep groans. If there was battle, there was someone to fight. Someone she needed to put down for Buchou!

Koneko crouched low. Power surged through her body, infusing the muscles in her legs. She took a long, deep breath, exhaling excess heat from her body in the form of steam. The floor crater beneath her as she launched herself into the air. She underestimated her strength as she shot past the railing and soared high into the sky above the battle below. There were three of them, two boys and a girl. They were fighting.

She would end the fighting. Those three were her targets!

She dove down upon them. The boy with the strange dragon shaped gear on his wrist attached to his heart with a line saw her at the last moment and dove out of the way. Koneko's fist was driven through the floor

"I got Saji-san, Koneko-chan—whoa! Are you alright?"

"Hyoudou! Is this one of her special abilities?"

"I don't know! I've never seen her like this before!"

Pity? From the enemy? A ruse! It must be. She glared at all three of them, regret and fear lurched about in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't let either of them get in her way! "Enemies must be destroyed!"

"This doesn't look good!" The boy with the red gauntlet shouted.

"I got her," the girl said as she charged forward, blade in hand. Koneko dismissed it entirely. Ordinary steel? That wouldn't be enough. Koneko charged forward towards her initial target. The girl tried to stop her, the blade screaming for her neck. Koneko grabbed the blade with her hand, strengthening her muscles with her ki, her spirit energy. "What?!" That was all the girl managed to get out before Koneko ripped the blade from her grasp and threw it away.

A tiny pinprick stabbed her neck. The boy had a second line now, one attached to her. She could feel her power being drained, her strength. She wouldn't give him the time he needed to drain enough. Tatsumi taught her to never give up, never show mercy, and never give your opponent the time they needed.

"Wait, Koneko-chan! Saji and I are still—"

"Must eliminate all threats!" Koneko screamed as she hurtled across the balcony at the boy. He backed up as quickly as he could to get space but Koneko was faster, much faster.

"Oh shit!" The boy shouted as Koneko pounced on him, tackling him to the floor. "I can't fall here! Kaichou is depending on—gah!" She hammered her fist into his face. He was still here. Shit hit him again, and again, and again. Blood splattered across the floor and her face. Her knuckles became drenched in blood as she hammered Rook empowered fists enhanced with spiritual energy and further pushed beyond with her newfound strength into the boy's face.

There was almost a sense of disappointment when he finally shattered into a multitude of brilliant white lights.

[One of Sona Sitri's pawns has retired.]

Yes! She'd taken another one out for Buchou! She'd take out all the rest as—searing pain lanced up her back as cold steel cut into her unguarded and unprotected back. Koneko whirled around and leapt to her hands and feet. That girl had struck her from behind! Her blood coated the edge of her katana. How could she have left herself be so oblivious to her surroundings? Tatsumi would be so disappointed in her.

She had to make it up. She had to prove to him she was good enough for him. She had to make sure Buchou won this game! She was better than that fried chicken.

"I'm sorry Koneko-chan. I don't know what's wrong with you but this isn't normal!" The girl said as she backed away, eyeing Koneko warily.

Koneko screamed. An ear piercing howl that reverberated across the length of the mall. She would destroy this enemy! Rend it asunder! She crouched low and launched herself at the sword-wielding woman. She was next! Koneko would take her down and give Buchou victory! "Wait Koneko-chan, calm down!" the other boy shouted, getting between her and the woman.

So they were on the same side! That battle before had just been a feint to lower her guard! She wouldn't be tricked. She backhanded him as he placed his hand on her shoulder to stop him. He let out a loud grunt as he was knocked several meters away where he bounced off the floor and slid until his back crashed into a bench.

With him out of the way she focused on the girl. She whirled back around to the sword-wielding woman and—she was gone!

Before she could react another searing pain lanced across her back as she felt the cold bite of steel dig into it, creating a perfect X across it. Her bra, now completely cut through, shifted beneath her wet shirt, sticking to her skin in a lopsided fashion that left one breast covered, and one exposed through the transparent shirt.

She charged after the woman but she was fast, too fast. She blazed around her almost beyond her ability to see. Her Senjutsu was useless. Even if she knew where she was, Koneko couldn't react fast enough to hit her. Every time she tried, the girl shifted around her attack and countered perfectly. It was never strong enough to go deep, biting only lightly into her reinforced skin before disappearing. She wouldn't give Koneko the opportunity to grab it. It was frustrating her!

She couldn't lose again! She had to win for Buchou's sake and to prove to Tatsumi she was better than that fried chicken! That his training wasn't useless!

The water slick ground was red with her blood now. The water from the sprinklers that never seemed to end and her blood made the ground treacherous. If only the girl would trip and fall! She would be able to catch her. Her injuries weren't severe yet, but there were dozens of them and it was adding up when combined with the two deep wounds on her back. If she didn't end this soon.

[BOOST!] "I won't let you beat Koneko-chan! I might not be able to fire this in my Balance Breaker form! But if they can do the Unison Raid than this is well within the limits!" the boy shouted as he charged in. [BOOST!] "I will protect Rias' dream with her. Dragon Shot!"

Koneko thought he was firing at her until she realized that blast missed her completely. It shot harmlessly past her and past the girl who managed to dodge out of the way just in time. It did nothing as it sailed to the other side of the mall and detonated, destroying the front wall of the grocery store.

Nothing save throwing the girl off balance and completely cut off her ability to dart around outside of Koneko's reach.

"For Buchou's dream!" Koneko shouted as she leapt forward. The girl had just enough time to realize the trouble she was in before Koneko slammed a spirit clad fist through her chest.

"If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me," the girl gasped out as blood erupted from between her lips. Before Koneko could realize what she meant a steel blade slipped between her shoulder blades, out her chest, and into the girl's. "Let's go to the treatment room together!" There was a smile on her lips as she shattered into particles of light. "They'll help you." Her final words whispered upon the wind.

[One of Sona Sitri's Knights has been retired.]

"Koneko-chan! Are you alright?" She looked up and found the concerned face of Issei staring down at her. She blinked in surprise. Issei had been here? Where was the other enemy? "Damnit if only I had the Phoenix Tears I could…"

It wouldn't have helped. Koneko knew her body well enough. It was only a matter of time before the system retired her. She'd lost too much blood. She collapsed upon the floor and lifted a fist to the atrium ceiling. Water from the sprinklers still raining down on them.

"Do you think… Buchou would be proud of me?"

"Of course!" Issei said cheerfully, "you were a bit scary but you totally kicked their butts! I have to give it my all now as well to match you!" Tears were streaming down his eyes for some reason. "My little kouhai has surpassed me! I need to work extra hard for her sake and Asia's sake and Gasper's too! I'll avenge all of you!"

She'd surpassed Issei? It didn't quite feel right. He was the Red Dragon Emperor. She was just a young Nekomata. There was no way she was better than him. "I'll… get better… too…" Koneko whispered. "Can't let… Buchou… or Tatsumi-senpai… down…"

"Nooo! I've totally lost you to him!"

Koneko couldn't help but smile as she felt herself get recalled by the system.

[Rias Gremory's Rook has been retired.]

~o~

Hikaru balanced easily upon the ball of her foot as she held herself at the ready. The two combatants before her, Karlamine and Kiba, were both down on one knee, leaning heavily upon their swords.

"You really are strong!" Kiba gasped out painfully. There were numerous wounds all over his body. His shirt was long since gone, a bloody resting in a heap upon the good of a car. He had a well-muscled chest, but it paled in comparison to Tatsumi's.

"I guess those MvP medals you won while in Gregorious' peerage weren't just for show," Karlamine said, gasping just as heavily as Kiba. Her ragged clothes hung from her frame, doing little to protect her modesty. "You're strong, very strong! And an amazing swordswoman! I have no regrets even if I fall here! I only hope we can fight again."

"Train some more and I'll think about it," Hikaru said. In contrast to the two before her, there wasn't a single nick on her body. They simply weren't fast enough to put one on it.

[One of Sona Sitri's Knights has been retired.]

[Rias Gremory's Rook has been retired.]

"That's our queue," Kiba said as he pushed himself to his feet. "With all of Sona's pawns down we don't have to worry about promotion and with you here, and Sona's other Knight and Rook down, it should be a piece of cake for Buchou to finish off Sona."

Karlamine pushed herself to her feet as well. "I don't really care about the outcome one way or another, but I'm not willing to quit yet! A Knight never admits defeat until she is defeated!"

It could be problematic if Issei regrouped with Rias and Akeno. Sona still had Tsubaki, but it was risky having her face off against Issei, Rias and Akeno at the same time. That had to be avoided no matter what. Momo and Kusaka wouldn't have much strength left after unleashing the Unison Raid so they wouldn't be able to provide very much support.

Which meant it was time to finish playing around here.

"This battle is over," Hikaru said as she sheathed her sword. "Thank for you the spar. Its refreshing to be able to fight without having to worry about what might happen to me if I failed."

"You don't think you can beat us without a sword at all, do you?" Kiba asked, "isn't that getting a little too cocky?"

Unlike the two of them, her sword wasn't a special magical construct or artifact. It hadn't lasted long under the combine might of Ascalon and Kiba's Balance Breaker. The remains of the blade lay scattered about the garage.

Even if she didn't have a sword, there was still little fear of defeat.

Hikaru just smiled. "I was doing more than just fighting you," she said, tapping her foot upon the ground. It lit up with hundreds of electrical currents that scattered throughout the room. Each of them connected to one of any number of vehicles in the underground parking garage. "I too had no greater role then to keep you two delayed here. But I was also told that if the frontline collapsed, I was to go there to reinforce it."

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be the one to defeat Buchou?" Kiba demanded.

"Me?" Hikaru laughed softly. "With Akeno-san there who can create and manipulate lightning freely? My Sacred Gear is powerful, but it does have weaknesses, weaknesses Azazel-san has no doubt already informed Rias-san of." Kiba frowned darkly, suddenly feeling rather unsettled by her words. She was right then. Sona had correctly guessed that Azazel would tell them of her form's weakness. She became lightning and could move at incredible speeds… but anyone that could control lightning as a natural, innate ability, could redirect her elsewhere, such as straight into a massive ball of destruction energy that Rias could conjure. "Besides," Hikaru continued. She stepped forward and activated the lightning grid. Arcs of lightning raced across the ground and crackled across the vehicles. They were all lifted up off the ground, completely under Hikaru's control. "I'm not Kaichou's strongest piece, not anymore."

Looks of surprise were the last thing she saw on their faces as she hurled all the vehicles in the parking garage at the two Knights. They tried to dodge, but as exhausted and injured as they were, it was ultimately futile. Hikaru buried them both under a hundred tons of steel, iron, leather and plastic.

Hikaru had already turned and started walking away as Grayfia's voice resounded across the battlefield.

[Both of Rias Gremory's Knights have been retired.]

~o~

There they were.

Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima were gasping for breath down below on the ground floor of the atrium. Smoke and fire billowed out behind them obscuring the entire eastern side of the mall. Momo and Kusaka had done well in drawing the two of them out. Here, in the open, they had nothing prepared. No traps, no contingencies, and if what she had heard from Grayfia was right, no allies besides Issei who was too far away to reach them in time.

"It's time to end this, for you Kaichou," Tsubaki said as she adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She twirled her Naginata in her hands and pointed it down at Rias below. "The Sitri group will win."

She smashed the glass ceiling of the atrium and dropped straight down upon the two of them.

Tsubaki almost ended the game right there. The two of them hadn't heard the sound of the glass shattering, lost as it was beneath the blaring alarms and roaring flames, but they didn't miss the pieces of glass bouncing off the floor.

Whether it was instinct or something else, Rias managed to jump out of the way just as Tsubaki arrived. Her naginata narrowly missing Rias, as it shot by and bit deeply into the floor of the mall. Tsubaki landed gracefully upon her feet beside it. She pulled the bladed spear out and held it at the ready. "Rias-sama, I'll have to ask you to retire here."

"I won't admit defeat!" Rias declared loudly. "For all my precious servants that fell for me in this battle, I will win."

"Ara-ara, is it just you?" Akeno asked as she stepped forward. "That seems rather foolish. You should have brought Hikaru-chan along with you." Her eyes became heavy as a creepy smiled came to her lips. "I wanted to play with that one for a bit."

[One of Sona Sitri's bishops has been retired.]

Tsubaki didn't give any indication that she heard the announcement. She needed to goad Akeno into making an attack on her quickly. "I have no time for weaklings that deny their own heritage," Tsubaki said. Her words were carefully crafted to dig at Akeno's mental wounds. She knew that there was a deep rift between her and her father, her fallen angel heritage. Equally she knew that the training Akeno had undergone these past few weeks had been to master that side. Tsubaki wanted her to use that against her. "When you're not afraid of your own shadow, I'd consider you worthy of crossing my blade with."

"Rias-sama, please step back and let me handle this woman," Akeno said as she stepped to the side, placing herself between Tsubaki and Rias. "It seems Sona-Kaichou failed to teach her basic etiquette. I think I'll volunteer to teach in Sona-Kaichou's place, after all…" Akeno's lips twisted upwards into a sadistic smile, "knowing how to beg for mercy is a wonderful skill."

"Just make it quick, Akeno, we need to catch up with Issei before he finds Sona. I know my friend, she'll have him running around in circles until Hikaru finds him, or us."

"This won't take long," Akeno said as lightning danced between her hands. "Helping Rias achieve victory is far more important than any grudge I may bear towards my father." The lightning crackled ominously as a divine, holy aura began to emanate from it. Akeno was mixing both lightning and holy energy together. Tsubaki crouched low, prepared to move in any direction at a moment's notice. "Holy Lightning Strike!" Akeno shouted as she fired a massive wave of lightning at Tsubaki.

Tsubaki simply smiled and dropped her naginata causing a wave of confusion to wash over Akeno's face.

"Mirror Alice – Mode One: Standard," Tsubaki said as she traced a small, oval shaped mirror in the air before her. That confusion turned to surprise as the lightning was sucked into the mirror. The mirror vibrated for a brief moment before shattering into a million pieces, firing a bolt of holy lightning back at Akeno with twice the strength.

Akeno dove out of the way, but Tsubaki wasn't finished.

"Mirror Alice – Mode Two: Interceptor."

Another mirror popped up, this one away from her and in the path of the reflected holy lightning. It was absorbed again and the mirror shattered released a bolt of holy lightning four times as strong as Akeno's initial strike back at Tsubaki.

"Mirror Alice – Interceptor." She caught the lightning a second time. This time she redirected it to her left. "Mirror Alice – Interceptor." To the right. "Mirror Alice – Interceptor." To the left. "Mirror Alice – Interceptor." To the right.

As the lightning bounced back and forth between different Mirror Alice's its strength doubled each time. Four times, eight times, sixteen times, thirty-two times. By the tenth time it bounced, it was over a thousand times stronger than the original strike.

There was only two words on the minds of everyone watching. "Oh shit."

"Mirror Alice – Mode Three: Wide Angle," Tsubaki declared as the lightning lanced one last time, strike a different sort of mirror, a curved mirror that bent around her. It wobbled and shattered, unleashing an enormous cascade of holy lightning over two-thousand times stronger than the original strike in a fan across the entire eastern side of the mall.

Akeno and Rias were recalled before it ever hit them. Grayfia teleporting them out of the battlefield and away from a strike that was sure to kill them faster than the automated system could activate.

[Rias Gremory's Queen has been retired.]

[Rias Gremory has been retired. Victory has been confirmed for Sona Sitri-sama.]

~o~

"Najenda… I am never, ever, touching that mirror again," Tatsumi declared in no uncertain terms as he watched Tsubaki blanket a wide area with enough lightning to suppress the raging inferno instantly. "Like, ever."

"She managed to pull it off," Najenda said calmly. The smile on her lips sent a shiver of fear running down Tatsumi's spine. "She'll need to work on the speed and mobility. An enemy isn't going to just sit her and let her do that next time. But, the theory turned out to work in practice after all."

"She can infinitely increase the power of an attack and unleash it in a single, massive counter-attack that, once strong enough, no being in existence can defend against," Athena mused lightly. "She's somehow managed to make her little Mirror Alice a match for some of the strongest Longinus' in existence, how fascinating."

"Not infinitely," Najenda corrected her. "Making the mirrors smaller also reduce the maximum limit she can absorb. It's not always in her best interest to amplify it like that."

"And what's that limit?" Tatsumi asked dryly. "Strong enough to scorch all life off the planet's surface?"

"No, not quite that high," Najenda said. "Just a small continent."

"Just a small continent!" Tatsumi couldn't even fathom that level of power. That was easily on par with a Satan. "I reiterate my earlier point. I am never touching that mirror again."

"I wonder if it only works on range attacks?" Xenovia mused aloud. "If I cut it, could she double the strike endlessly or does it only work on something fired at range?"

Tatsumi blinked. Xenvoia actually had a good point. It would be rather difficult to endlessly amplify a physical strike. That meant she wasn't any stronger in that department, simply more flexible in where she could make the mirrors. That eased his concerns just a bit and if he didn't know better, Athena looked a bit more relaxed than a few moments ago as well.

"You figured out one of the weaknesses," Najenda said, confirming Xenovia's thoughts. "She needs space between the two mirrors. Physical strikes like a sword or a fist has the recipient too close. The force of the counter-strike would hit them before it'd hit any mirror Tsubaki could create."

"And she only seems to be able to have one out at a time unless she's hiding that ability," Athena said. "She never made the second one until the first broke. However, them being small allowed her to make them very quickly, and at a distance."

The images displayed above the fourteen smaller crystal orbs disappeared as the last members of Sona's peerage were teleported away from the game area. The light within the orbs dimmed and eventually disappeared. Only the large central one remain. The image on that shifted from an overview of the battlefield to a results summary of the game.

Sitri group vs Gremory group

Victory – Sitri group

Kings

Sona Sitri – Survived

Rias Gremory – Eliminated by Tsubaki Shinra

Queens

Tsubaki Shinra – Survived

Akeno Himejima – Eliminated by Tsubaki Shinra

Rooks

Tsubasa Yura – Eliminated by Koneko Toujou

Koneko Toujou – Elimianted by Tomoe Meguri

Bishops

Kusaka Reya – Survived

Momo Hanakai – Eliminated by Issei Hyoudou

Asia Argento – Eliminated by Momo Hanakai and Kusaka Reya (Unison Raid)

Gasper Vladi - Eliminated by Garlic

Knights

Hikaru Yule – Survived

Tomoe Meguri – Eliminated by Koneko Toujou

Yuuto Kiba – Eliminated by Hikaru Yule

Karlamine Strand – Eliminated by Hikaru Yule

Pawns

Genshirou Saji – Eliminated by Koneko Toujou

Ruruko Nimura – Eliminated by Koneko Toujou

Issei Hyoudou – Survived

"Well, looks like it's official now," Tatsumi asked as he read over the results being displayed above the largest viewing crystal.

Athena slowly stood and stretched her arms out above her head. Letting out a small grunt of satisfaction she gave Tatsumi a sidelong glance. "I should be going now," she said as she stepped out into the aisle. She hoisted her shield over her shoulders and across her back before grabbing her spear. "I need to help Hera babysit Zeus in a bit. There's an important meeting happening soon and we can't have him throwing a temper tantrum." Athena gave him a small smile. "I'll see you again when you finish your preparations to head to Europe."

With that Athena left, making her way back down the steps towards the exit, her ass swaying from side to side with the same hypnotic motion from before.

Najenda coughed loudly.

Tatsumi ripped his eyes away from Athena's ass and started to sweat as he noticed everyone staring at him accusingly. "Ahem, does anyone mind if we make a stop before we go home? I want to see how Koneko is doing." That blood rage still concerned him somewhat.

"Of course Tatsumi-kun," Ravel said as she all but climbed over Najenda to get to his side. She grabbed his arm and pulled him up out of his seat. "Come along, Tatsumi-kun, we should off before another ass distracts you."

Tatsumi couldn't say anything to refute that.

"I wonder how I could get an ass like that," Mine murmured as she stood as well.

"I'd worry about your chest before your ass," Xenovia said.

"Excuse me?" Mine snapped, whirling around to glare at the angel. "My chest is perfectly fine! Yours is the issue! How can you move around with those giant sacks of fat flapping all over the place?"

Tatsumi just sighed as Ravel dragged him away. He wasn't even going to try to get in the middle of that fight.

~o~

The recovery hospital for the Rating Game looked exactly like any normal Hospital back in the human world. Long, white hallways, severe style and that sterilized smell of ammonium that clung to everything. Doors lined either side of the long hallway Tatsumi found himself walking down his boots clicking softly off the harsh, tile floor. There were numbers engraved upon copper plaques above each door, labeling the room and a clipboard hung at eye height beside each. Most of the doors were closed, but a few were open and from them he was able to pick up snippets of conversation as he passed them by.

"…lucky the system retired you when it did. There should be little more than a scar across your chest…"

"…there was more fisting going on this game than that orgy I went to after the Elder Devil Gathering…"

"…your teeth will be fine. I wouldn't eat anything solid for awhile though…"

This rating game had been more brutal than anyone had anticipated. That, it seemed, turned out to be a good thing. At least in the eyes of the devils. They liked blood and there had been a lot of it. So long as no one died, or suffered long-term debilitating injuries, they wanted to see walls painted red. It was a cultural thing, apparently. So long as they kept it to their own people, Tatsumi was willing to look the other way.

He glanced over his shoulder at his companions. Xenovia, Mine, Ravel and Najenda all followed closely behind. "Sorry for dragging you all with me."

"Someone needs to make sure you don't piss off half the Underworld, again," Mine said. A wry grin on her face told that she wasn't too particularly upset by his earlier actions. "Or at least someone to be around to record their reactions."

That was Mine for you. Her dislike of devils as a whole was something unique to this Mine.

"I'm worried about Koneko-san as well," Ravel said unexpectedly. Tatsumi wouldn't have thought Ravel cared much considering the strange rivalry that suddenly, and randomly, bloomed between the two.

"Don't worry about us," Najenda told him. "I told you before, cherish your caring heart. It's what separates you from those you fight."

"Thanks, I hope this won't be long," Tatsumi said. He slowed as he came up upon the door he was looking for. A plaque above it had the number '525' engraved upon it.

"I'll wait out here," Xenovia said as she crossed to the other side of the hallway and leaned back against the wall. "I don't want to crowd her."

"I will as well," Najenda said, "and you Mine. We don't really have any need to be in there."

Mine clicked her teeth in annoyance, "fine."

Tatsumi gave all three of them a thankful smile before stepping inside the room. He was glad they'd decided to stay outside. It really was a small room that was made to feel even smaller by the assortment of medical machines. There was a simple, basic bed on wheels barely wide enough for an average sized man. It was flanked on either side by an assortment of machines and electronics, none of which were in use at the moment. The wall to the left was covered with cupboards and drawers with a long kitchen like counter going the entire length. It was even complete with a pair of sinks. Half a dozen pot lights in the ceiling illuminated the room, the sole source of light since thick curtains had been pulled across the far window.

Tatsumi found Rias, Akeno and Koneko quickly. The latter was sitting up in her bed, a lost, forlorn look on her face. She was dressed in a simple hospital dress, her Kuoh Academy uniform was folded neatly on a small table beside her. Rias and Akeno stood next to her, looking no worse for wear after their close brush with death. Rias had one of Koneko's small hands held gently in both of hers.

Issei sat quietly in the corner on a small stool. It was strange to see the boy so quiet, he was usually the loudest of them all. He looked up as Tatsumi entered and gave him a weak smile. Did losing the game affect him this badly or was it Koneko's condition that had him worried?

Perhaps it was both.

Tatsumi put the best smile on his face he could as he sidled up next to Rias. "Hey Koneko!" Rias started in surprise at his loud, boisterous introduction. Koneko was less responsive. "I was in the area so I thought I'd drop by and see how you were doing. I saw the Rating Game between you and Sona, you did well."

"I failed," Koneko said in a broken, hollow voice. "Buchou lost because—"

"It wasn't your fault Koneko-chan," Rias said quickly. "Tatsumi-san is right, you did great out there!"

Her ears wilted even further. "…such low expectations of me…"

"Hardly low expectations," Tatsumi said reassuringly. "I don't know what orders Rias gave you, but taking out four members of an opposing peerage is more than anyone else did."

"…not quick enough," Koneko said. "And I failed as well. Buchou wanted Issei and I to pressure Kaichou. I hurt Issei-san too."

"That was nothing!" Issei protested from the corner. "You've hit me into walls harder for perving on you!"

Rias let out a long sigh and gave Tatsumi a sad smile. "She's been like this ever since the match ended. Nothing I say can get through to her."

"What did you ask her to do?" Tatsumi asked curiously. "Surely you weren't depending on her to take out Sona."

"Of course not," Rias said. "I just mentioned if the opportunity presents itself, do so. If not, at least try and chase her out of her base so that Issei can promote himself to Queen."

"…failed to do any of that—"

"Oh I've heard enough of this!" Ravel snapped irritably. She stomped across the tile floor and leapt up onto the bed. It creaked and shifted under her weight as she dropped to her knees and brought her eyes level with Koneko. "This is my rival?"

Ravel slapped her. The loud crack echoed about the room. It wasn't very strong, a Bishop trying to actually hurt a Rook physically was laughable at best in any situation. But the suddenness of it took them all by surprise, Koneko most of all. She stared at Ravel in shock, her eyes wide and her head cocked to the side. A small hand print was starting to form on her skin.

"I thought you were better than this?! What was all that talk about beating me? About saying you're better for Tatsumi-kun than I am?" Ravel crossed her arms beneath her chest and harrumphed loudly. "Of course I'm better than a stupid nekomata like you. Someone such as myself who comes from the noble Phenex family is far superior to a simple—"

"…you're not better," Koneko muttered, her eyes flashing with the first sign of life that Tatsumi had seen since arriving. "Just a fried chicken that wants to get skewered."

Ravel blushed fiercely at the skewered comment. "E-Excuse me! That's no way to talk to me!" She jagged a quivering finger at Koneko. "And what about you? At least I don't get all mopey and depressed just because I fail once or twice. I know how to land on my feet."

Anger flashed in Koneko's eyes. "…what do you know! You couldn't have done any better! You can't do anything but pretend you're useful to Tatsumi-senpai!"

"What was that?!" Ravel screamed. The two girls locked hands, pushing and pulling against one another. Their eyes were mere inches apart, caused lightning to spark and jump between them. "I'm more useful than you'll ever be!"

"I'm stronger than you!"

"This is strong?" Ravel snapped angrily as she pushed Koneko back. "This is weak! You're so caught up in your own self-pity you don't even want to try and listen to Buchou and Tatsumi-kun!"

"…I do listen!"

"No you don't!"

"…do so!"

"No!"

"I think that's enough of that," Tatsumi said as he plucked Ravel off the bed and set her down beside him. The girl quickly harrumphed and turned her back on Koneko. He could see her smile out of the corner of his eye. It hit him then. Ravel had staged the entire outburst to cause Koneko to open up.

And it worked.

Perhaps his words could get through to her now.

"You didn't fail, Koneko, and I can prove it," Tatsumi said.

"…how?" Koneko asked, her luminous eyes wide and vulnerable. She was definitely willing to listen now. He only hoped Rias realized that as well.

"Rias, your entire strategy was based on the assumption that Sona would send Hikaru to fight you, am I correct?" Tatsumi asked.

"Yes," Rias said. "I had Akeno set up traps in the diner for her. Hikaru-san is good, but without the use of her Sacred Gear, she's just a very strong Knight. Akeno and I could have handled her together, especially with Asia-chan healing us."

"And that would have put more than just one person in the garage to guard against Karlamine and Kiba."

Rias nodded. "I expected them to send Saji-san after Issei-kun, the two have a sort of rivalry. Aside from him and Hikaru-san, Sona only has two or three pieces that could fend off Kiba-san and what I had hoped would be an unknown Knight. Yura-san, whose tough enough to take a few hits, Meguri-san, a fellow Knight, and Tsubaki-san, her Queen."

"In other words, Koneko," Tatsumi said, facing Koneko once more. "You didn't fail, Rias failed. You were only meant to face off against Saji and Ruruko, possibly a bishop as well. Against that team you and Issei would have steamrolled over them and easily made it to Sona first, especially if Hikaru had been neutralized by Akeno. The problem was that Sona had anticipated Rias' plan from the start and made adjustments to that end. The Unison Raid, Hikaru not attacking, Tsubaki's Sacred Gear. All three of these elements were things you didn't know about, and had no way to guard against. Rias became too locked onto a single plan to be able to adjust quickly enough. The moment she heard Gasper get taken out and felt the magic from the Unison Raid building, she should have moved elsewhere where she could do some reconnaissance of her own." He gave the buxom redhead a sidelong glance. "You failed pretty spectacularly here, Rias."

An angry tick developed on her forehead. "I hate how you phrase that, but you're not wrong."

"…but I lost control… my Senjutsu… I…"

Tatsumi gently rubbed her hair. Her cat ears twitched adorably. "That was something different. That wasn't you losing control over Senjutsu. Athena said it was something called Blood Rage and it comes from inside you, not from the world about you." Tatsumi gave her a wide smile. "Just think of it as one more tool in your arsenal that you simply need to practice with."

"…but—"

"No more buts, Koneko," Tatsumi cut her off. "This wasn't 'your' Rating Game," her eyes went wide with shock. "You weren't trying to win this game, Rias was. It was her game to win, and to lose. You were just a single piece she had to use to achieve that victory. It's up to her to create the winning strategy. It's up to her to adjust things if something goes wrong or changes in mid-battle. You're supposed to carry out whatever role she assigns you, and you did that." He paused. "Honestly, you're the only one on her team that did, and you did that despite being surprised by reinforcements."

"I agree, as do many others," Sirzechs Lucifer said as he suddenly entered the room.

"Onii-sama!" Rias gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Just performing one last duty for this game," Sirzechs said, giving his sister a smile before turning his attention fully on Koneko. "The others hadn't thought very much of you, not until you started decimating Sona's peerage. You got a lot of people excited with that performance you put on." He pulled out a small box and opened it. Within it sat a golden medal. It was the MVP award for the Rating Game. "It was almost a unanimous decision that you get this, Toujou Koneko."

Koneko's eyes were wide with disbelief as she slowly took the medal from the proffered box. "…why? We lost."

"MVP isn't about winning or losing, it's about who shone the brightest," Sirzechs said simply. "Tsubaki may have defeated Rias with an interesting application of her Sacred Gear, but she did very little else. Hikaru had the potential to contribute the most, but at the same time a lot was expected of her because of her experience and what she could do. There are also some that don't want to give her MVP out of spite." Sirzechs just shook his head at that thought. "Sona Sitri is the only other one that truly performed at an above average level, but Kings are excluded from getting the medal for obvious reasons."

The Kings decided who did what, when, where and how. It would be very easy for them to give themselves a role that made them stand out and look amazing while relegating everyone else to secondary or tertiary roles. For that reason alone they were excluded from being labeled as MVP.

"Looks like you're the only one that thinks you failed, Koneko," Tatsumi said. "Don't you think it's time you accepted that?"

"You did well, Koneko," Sirzechs added. "Continue to do well please, and help my sister in the future games."

Koneko clutched the medal to her chest. The former despondent look on her face now a thing of the past "…yes! Will definitely help Buchou win next time!" Koneko glared at Ravel as well. "And will prove I'm better than a Yakitori!"

"Well you're going to have to stop moping and get out of that bed if you want that to ever happen," Ravel said as she made her way out of the room. She stopped inside the door and glanced over her shoulder back at her. "And don't think I'm just going to sit back and let a nekomata get one up on me!" Sparks flew between their eyes for a moment before Ravel turned around and left completely.

Tatsumi just smiled and took a step back from the bed. "I need to get going as well. There are things I need to set in motion today but one final thing Koneko." The girl's ears perked up as she stared at him. "Everyone fails sometimes, even me. That's not real failure though. Real failure is not getting back up on your feet and trying again.

Giving the small girl one last smile, he turned and left the room, leaving behind a much happier Koneko.

It was time to head home and prepare for the trip to Europe. He didn't have much time if he wanted to be done before the new semester started.

---

Author's Note: So what do you think of my take on the Rating Game? Similar, but different and with a much different outcome.

It also went on long, primarily because of that last section. Unfortunately it was something necessary to further build the relationship between Tatsumi, Ravel and Koneko and it didn't fit anywhere but where it is.

Because this chapter signals the end of the Young Devil Gathering/Rias vs Sona arc. Next chapter starts the beginning of another original one, this time in Europe.

Leave a review and let me know what you think!

Note on Koneko's Blood Rage: I figured Blood rage would be something interesting to give her. Anyone that's seen No Game No Life will be familiar with the base ability as it was taken from there and adjusted for my story. It was also hinted at once before, during the Peace Conference.

Note on Ruval Phenex: In case you didn't figure it out, being the only sister, a certain brothers are all rather… protective of his baby sister.