~ 11 ~

Today's the day. I'm sitting in my room, finishing up a Transient Gundam I started after coming back from school to keep my nerves down. I place the model next to the Wing Zero Honoo that I finished after that incident in this room with Rias. It's two hours till midnight. We took a day off from our usual jobs as a Devil, to reserve stamina. We're meeting up at the club room thirty minutes prior. So I have another hour and a half. Maybe enough time to start another model.

I'm wearing a gray shirt with a gun harness strapped to my body under the open school uniform's jacket. I kept the pants from the school, but switched for the combat boots I prefer when fighting.

"Wear something you feel most comfortable in. That being said, we also have a uniform as a group, which is the Uniform of Kuou academy. We are members of the Occult Research Club after all." she says with a smile. My reasoning for the mix and match of school uniform and combat clothes.

I decided to bring out Luce and Ombra; my two customized M1911s for the match. Having two Sacred Gears and four weapons is overkill? Nope! I'm adding in guns as well! No point holding back if you're going up against someone from the Phoenix line. It sounds hypocritical as I'm not using Albion in the fight, but that's a card played to turn the tide.

Knock. Knock.

Someone at the door?

"Takeo-san, may I come in?" Asia spoke through the door. I get up from the chair and open the door. I see Asia standing there wearing her nun outfit without the Rosario for obvious reasons, and lacking a veil. I let in the room and close the door behind. I take a seat on the chair again while she sits on the bed.

"The nun outfit suits you naturally. Sure the school uniform looks nice, but I like that look in particular." Asia makes a happy face for the compliment.

"Thank you very much." she becomes hesitant for a moment. "U-Umm, Takeo-san? Can I sit beside you?"

"Sure." I get up to take a space by her. She hugs onto my arm, trembling nervously. "Something wrong?" asking concerned.

"...I can't stop shaking when I think about the battle waiting for us. But if Takeo-san is with me, I'll be okay. Can...can I stay like this until we leave?...Maybe stay with you forever from now on?"

"Of course, I'll be with you." I hold onto her hand gently "I didn't make that promise on a whim you know." reminding her of that promise I made to her some time ago. She stopped shaking after that and we sat in silence from now until we left the house. I felt better about the match, and Asia seems happier also.

~Time Skip: Twenty till Midnight~

The other members and I gathered at the old school building. We're waiting while relaxing for a bit. Everyone except Asia, and me to some degree is wearing their uniform. Kiba's equipped with gauntlets and greaves with his swords against the wall. Koneko is sitting in a chair reading a book. Wearing a pair of finger-less gloves with some cat paw prints on them. Cute and deadly. Akeno and Rias are drinking tea. As expected of the calm Ladies of the school. I'm siting in a chair humming to the tunes in my headphone. Asia is sitting silently.

Ten minutes pass till the match starts. A magic circle glows in the room and Grayfia appears. "Is everyone ready? It's ten minutes before the match." we stand up after the confirmation. "When it comes the time to start the battle, you will be teleported to the battlefield through a magic-circle. The location of the place is in a different dimension used for battles. You may fight with all your power. It's a disposable space so feel free to fight to you satisfaction." don't mind if I do. I look around and noticed something off. Where's the other bishop?

"Hey, Buchou? You have another Bishop, right? Is he out of commission?" everyone acts weird except me and Asia. Why is everyone keeping their mouths closed? Rias was the one to nod and answer.

"I do, and your right. He is out of commission. Though there will be a time when I will talk about that in the near future." she explains without keeping eye contact. Complicated. Guess I'm not the only one hiding something. At least we'll both talk about it later. I decide to drop the subject.

"This 'Rating Game' will also be viewed by members of both households from a different location through the broadcast." oh great. An audience for if I decide to use Albion. I guess you'll get your flashy entrance after all.

[Ddraig]: "How come I don't get an audience? I mean everyone here is great, but I wanted to amaze people as well?" Oh Ddraig.

"Maou Lucifer-sama will also be viewing this battle. Please don't forget about it." I paled a bit from that. Even more joy. The brother of the woman I have a slight lusting/crush for will be watching. I met him before, short visits, a decent guy sure enough. A little too laid back, but understandable given his job.

"Onii-sama is?…I see, so he is also going to view this battle." no need to remind me again. "...Takeo? Something wrong?"

"I'm letting the fact that Sirzechs Lucifer— the 'Crimson Satan' is your brother and the most powerful Maou." I look off to the side. "I heard the name in passing, and saw him of a few occasions. Though he won't know who I am." that answered their question why I know his first name.

"It's about time. Everyone, please head to the circle." we gather to the center after she urges us in. "Once you get transported, you cannot use the circle again until the game ends." no point of no return. The symbols change to another I'm not familiar with. The light covers us and we teleport to the arena. When the light subsides, I look around to see what changed. Nothing did except Grayfia is gone. So the school is our battlefield.

[Hello everyone. I am Grayfia, a maid from the house of Gremory and today I will be the arbiter of the Rating match between the House of Gremory and the House of Phoenix.] her voice coming through the school's broadcast system.

[In the name of my Master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping my eye on this match. By using both Rias-sama and Raiser-sama's opinion, we created this battlefield which is a replica of the school, Kuou academy, which Rias-sama attends to in the human world.] I check the window to see the buildings are there, and the sky is white.

[The location where both teams were transported will be their 'Base'. Rias-sama's base would be the Occult Research Club's room located in the old school building. Raiser-sama's base would be the Student Council's room located in the new building.] Sona would not like it at all if he's sitting in her chair. [For the Pawns to use 'Promotion', please head to the enemy's base to do so.]

"Everyone, will you all please put this transceiver in your ears." Akeno hands us an earphone transceiver. Rias says while putting the pair in her ears. "At the battlefield, we will be using this to communicate with each other."

[Now it's time for the commencement of the battle. Also, this match will continue till dawn in the human's time. So, Game starts now.] till dawn huh? Little excessive but, meh.

Ring! Ring!

The school bells ring. Our first 'Rating Game' begins.

"We have to take down Raiser's Pawns. It will be troublesome if they all promote into Queen." Rias says while one the sofa. Akeno starts to prepare tea. Kiba spreads a map on the table. I look closer to see it's a map of the school divided into grids with English alphabets and numbers on it. Much like chess. Rias draws a circle around the old school building and the new with a red pen, marking our base.

"There's a forest near our base. It's safe to assume that this is also our territory. So the new building would be Raiser's. It's possible for an ambush when you enter their territory. The school field is visible from their side. So it's dangerous to pass through here."

"Buchou, shouldn't we occupy the gym near the old school location first? If we capture it here, then we will have a route to the new school building. The gym is a passage to both buildings so we could restrain the enemy's movement." Kiba voices his thoughts. She nods at his opinion.

"My thoughts exactly. First we will capture the gym. …...In terms of location, the opponent may have his Rook positioned here. Since it's inside a building, it would be easier to use the Rook with destructive power over Knight with mobility. …Yuuto and Koneko, you two set a trap in the forest. Take another map with you and make sure you mark the places where you set the traps. I will make a copy afterwards and hand it to everyone."

"Yes." "...Roger." Kiba and Koneko leave the room and take a map along with a tool box with them.

"Everyone is on standby until they finish with the traps. Oh, Akeno." she turns to Rias. "After the two return, can you cast illusions and mists around the forest and sky? Obviously a trap that only reacts to Raiser's group. I expect the match to get intense midway through. So I leave the issue regarding the mist and illusions to you, Akeno."

"I understand, Buchou." she confirms her orders. The strategy set. Leaving me and Asia. I would assume Asia will be with Rias. Better to have your support near the King. So I need to use promotion. It's just a matter of going with who. My thoughts were interrupted by Rias who was waving her hand towards me.

"Sit here." she pats the seat next to her. I sit confused, then she points to her lap. "Lay down here." ...well this is new. I raise a brow before obeying.

...Man are her legs soft. I stay silent, unsure what to say. Asia is looking at me with teary eyes while making a strange face. Angry? Rias puts her hand on my forehead.

"Hmm? Takeo, you unlocked most of the seals already?" I look up at her.

"I unlocked four for when you took me into your peerage. I then unlocked two during the training in the mountain. I hope your not angry." I felt I didn't do anything wrong, but without telling her about it made me feel weird. She shakes her head.

"No, it's fine. I wasn't expecting you to think that far ahead than me. For you to take eight Mutation Pieces, I was concern you wouldn't be able to take the power. I guess I didn't have to worry after all." She pats my head. I blush slightly at the gesture. Uh oh, Asia looks steamed. "Give it your best. My darling Takeo." that blush reddened further.

For the plan, Koneko and I will be targeting the gym. Yuuto will be where the traps were laid. Asia is on standby with Rias. Akeno will make the appropriate move when necessary. Kiba, Koneko, and I head out after giving a motivated cheer to win. At a certain point, Kiba separates to a different direction. Now it's Koneko and I. We reach the door located on the opposite side of the gym. Looking inside they really accounted for every detail in the gym. Even the club room had some of the wear from old use. We come into the back platform from the back door, the gym itself visible. Koneko mutters.

"...Presence. Enemy." she's right. Someone's been watching us enter the gym.

"We know you are here, servants of Gremory!" well no need to hide now. Koneko and I step out into the platform to greet our opponents. Woman in a china dress, twins, and the loli. This will be easy. No point going all out. I activate Invictus and Boosted Gear.

"The Rook is yours Koneko. I'm taking the Pawns." she nods and we hop off the stage to battle. Koneko and the china dress is squaring off. Leaving me with Mira and the twins...who just smiled as they grab chainsaws...chainsaw?! It lets out a dangerous rev. I really haven't seen everything! Killer twins with chainsaws!?

"Disassembling time~!" the both of them sing.

"I won't lose a second time." Mira spins the stick around, declaring revenge. I like to see you try and take it.

The twins attack first, swinging the weapon near my ear. Man I hate that sound. I elbow one of them in the shoulder to put some distance between us. Mira attacks from behind and I dodge it effortlessly. The other twin goes for a downward strike. I break it in half with an armored fist as the attack went down. This left her vulnerable for an upward kick, latching onto her, then sending her back down violently. I punch downward to knock her out, and move onto the next.

Mira strikes at me in a rapid spearing motion, but I block those off before noticing the other twin at my flank. I grab the stick and use it to slam her with the girl. The last twin gets back up to a fist straight to the face.

She attempts one more time with a swipe. I break the weapon as it came at me. Using the other half, I swat her leg, tripping her and whack her with enough force to incapacitate her. With my job done, I check on Koneko's fight. Oh, she's done at the same time as I did. I radio Rias.

"Buchou. Both Koneko and I captured the target. We're heading out now." I make a motion to head out along with Koneko. One of the servants protest but I didn't stay to hear. We walked out a good distance away from the entrance.

FLASH! Then a loud boom went off behind us. Lightning struck, taking the gym out. [Raiser-sama's three Pawns and one Rook retires!] and them along with it. I grin at the announcement. Only a handful of people know this since Rias can't enter the official matches. Akeno goes by the nickname 'The Priestess of Lightning'. Truly terrifying. "Take." Akeno's voice coming through.

"Alright, Koneko. Onto the next!" she nods and walks along.

BANG! an explosion goes off near me, sending me flying into a tree. I was dazed for a moment, then I reach clarity. I look around to see what happened. "—Koneko!" she's lying on the ground where the explosion went off, with parts of her uniform blown off.

"...Takeo-senpai...Akeno-senpai...I'm sorry...I wanted to be of more use to Buchou and everyone..." then her body gets enveloped with light. She starts to fade, till disappearing entirely. I steeled myself for the announcement. [Rias Gremory-sama's Rook retires.] She was crying...Damn it all!

"Take." I look up to the voice. A woman dressed with a hood. I'm guessing she's the Queen. "When you hunt for prey, the best time to take them down is when the prey accomplished something. Because that's the time when the prey is the most vulnerable. It's enough for us to 'sacrifice' many of our pieces in order to take down one of you. There isn't much of you to begin with, so having one of you go is a significant drawback to your group, right? Even if you defeat us, you can't defeat Raiser-sama." now she laughs as if it's all a joke for her. I pull out Luce and fire a round at her shoulder. She wasn't expecting the hit, so she sneers at me. "Insolent wretch!" I pull Ombra out her holster and nail the bitch again.

"Akeno, I'm counting on you!" I recognize Akeno making her appearance, so I move with to the plan. Still shaking with rage for the loss of a comrade. I break into a run to meet Kiba. I hear Akeno say the woman's name behind me. Yubelluna. I know Akeno can take you down, but I'll take pleasure in defeating you if it doesn't come to that. A roar of lightning and explosions echo out. Mid-game—.

[Raiser-sama's three Pawns retires.] Kiba managed to take down the three. Seven pieces defeated. We're down one Rook. As I made for the court, I noticed Kiba running as well. I hailed him and we went behind a storage room which is a blind spot to observe the court.

"Kiba. I'm sorry. Koneko is..."

"I heard. Don't beat yourself up though. She must be feeling regret. I never knew what she was always thinking about, but she was pumped for the match. She was working hard when we were setting the traps in the forest."

"...We need to win." with that, we bumped fists at the promise of victory. "You didn't have much trouble with the other pawns I take it? I really hate Raiser now. Sacrificing pieces because he has the numbers. Now we need to worry about this area. One Knight, one Rook, and a Bishop."

"A severe defense indeed. That's how much they are keeping up their guard for this route. Since we took down the gym, they'll put more strength here." he nods in agreement. He's smiling, but his eyes tell a different tale. I look at his hands; their trembling. This is our first Rating Game after all. I lightly punch his shoulder to help him ease up. "I guess you're not nervous?"

"Oh hell no! I'm freaking out as well, but that's not going to stop me from giving it my all. So even if things do go south for us, we'll just have to get stronger for the next match!" I put on a grin. He chuckles at the strange courage I'm showing. "But I intend to win this, and so should you." We both nod before hearing a woman shout out. We look around the corner to see a woman clad in armor.

"I'm the Knight of Raiser Phoenix-sama, Carlamaine! I've become bored of sniffing through each others strategy! Rias Gremory's Knight! I challenge you to a duel!" well she's definitely bold or just stupid. I look at Kiba, expecting him to honor his Knight's code and meet her in combat.

"Since she introduced herself, I can't hide myself both as a Knight and a Swordsman." as expected. The leaves from behind the room and walks straight to the court. I mutter to myself, then follow after him. "I'm the Knight of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto." he announces after stopping a few feet in front of her.

"Pawn. Takeo Mugetsu." the knight makes a grin.

"I'm happy that there are warriors like you in the Rias Gremory's group. Coming out here directly from the front. That's something people with normal sanity won't do." who said we were sane? "But I love idiots like you two. Now then, let's begin." she draws her sword from her sheath. Kiba gets ready to draw as well.

"The match between Knights. I have been waiting for this. Personally I would like to fight in an intense sword fight." quite the aggressive words there Kiba. He's even smiling lively. Fight to your heart's desire Kiba.

"Well said! Rias Gremory's Knight!" Carlamaine starts to slash as if dancing. Sparks begin to fly when the swords collide. They start moving at incredible speeds, exchanging sword blows while appearing and disappearing. Well that leaves me with nothing to do. Can someone please attack me?

"You seem bored." that I do sweetheart. I look at where the voice is coming from. The woman in the mask. Rook. I smirk at her.

"Geez, this only seems like a mud fight since both of them only think about swords. Carlamaine was making a bitter face when the Pawns were sacrificed, so she hates the battle strategy planned by her Master who happens to be her King? Furthermore when I thought I found a cute boy, he happens to be a sword freak as well." sad to disappoint you there princess. Ravel stood in her usual European dresses. Bishop, if I remember. She looks at me with weird eyes. "Honestly this is the Pawn that Rias Gremory adores? Does that person have bad taste in looking at gentleman?" quite the tongue for royalty.

"At least my Master isn't my brother. That statement alone would bring me to tears." I bite back. Ravel flusters madly, then looks away. "So I take it you're sitting this one out? Wouldn't want you to chip a nail." she waves it off and looks at the other woman.

"Isabella. If you would kindly oblige him a fight?" the masked woman nods. She moves forward and I make a stance.

"I was planning on doing this in the first place. Now then, let's fight since we're both bored. Here I come! Rias Gremory's Pawn!" she dashes for a straight. I block off the attack and counter with a cross. She blocks that off. "I seem to have looked down on you a bit. I'll step it up a gear, or maybe, increase by two then!" Two jabs come my way. I dodge them both to notice she's leaning on one side. She lashes out with a kick that I dodge. I grab it and cross her face with a right, then threw her to the side. She lands on her feet and smiled. "I was taking you lightly, I thought I got you with my kick. Is this a result of your ten day training or something else?"

"Training and combat experience. Two things I like to think add to a good fight." I pound my fists together and dig my feet into the ground. She grunts approvingly at this and poises for another attack. BUZZ! I look to the noise. Kiba's Sacred Gear; Holy Eraser. Half of it was destroyed by the Knight.

"Unfortunately, your Sacred Gear won't work on me." Carlamaine's sword is covered in flames. Kiba doesn't appear bothered by the destruction of his sword. Instead he smirks.

"Then I will also tell you this. Unfortunately, this isn't everything of my Sacred Gear."

"What? Nonsense. Knight of Gremory, it's unsightly for a swordsman to..."

"—Freeze." after saying this, ice begins to build up and take the shape of a sword till finally. Break! When the ice broke apart, a blade of ice appeared. "In front of this sword, 'Flame Delete', all types of fire will disappear." I'm not the only one with an ace in this battle. Everyone except Kiba wore a shocked expression while I grinned stupidly at the sudden event.

"A-Absurd! Are you telling me that you have two Sacred Gears!?" I doubt it, but the Pawn that's fighting with your Rook here does though. Carlamaine swings her flame sword to the side. The moment her sword hit Kiba's, the flame starts to freeze and turn solid. The sound of ice breaking apart, then the mass disappears. She throws away the useless handle, and pulls a short sword from her hip. Then shouts. "We are the members of the all mighty House of Phoenix that rules over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!" a blazing storm circles around the court with Carlamaine and Kiba in the middle. Geez that's hot!

"That Carlamaine. Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?" Isabella comments, while using her arm to guard her face. Kiba's sword begins to melt after taking both wind and fire. Yet Kiba doesn't seem bothered. Another one Kiba? This time I begin chuckling, which confusing Isabella.

"I see, you are trying to burn is with the whirlwind of fire...but." he raises the hilt in front of him. Then says in a strong tone. "—Stop." the wind now gets sucked into Kiba's sword while making a noise. The winds die down in seconds, and the field goes quiet. "'Replenish Calm'. It's been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords in one battle." a strange looking blade took its place on the handle. A whirlwind in the middle of the blade that sucks wind there? Rather resourceful.

"...Multiple Sacred Gears. Are you a Sacred Gear possessor who takes the weapons of other Sacred Gears and makes it their own?" Kiba shakes at her question.

"I don't have multiple Sacred Gears. I also don't take the Sacred Gears of others because I created them. With 'Sword Birth' I can make any type of demonic swords. That is the name of my Sacred Gear and its true ability." a multitude of swords appear from the ground when he put his hand downward. Swords of varying shapes and sizes litter the field. I focus back on Isabella.

"So, now that solves one question. How about we get on with the show?" left arm straight out in a fist, right perpendicular in an open palm. She rushes towards with a kick to my face. I dodge, kick her other leg off the ground and knee her in the back when she came down. I slam a fist to her face, sending her to the ground. {Boost!X5} I charge up power in my right fist, and smash downward. Causing a small explosion to occur with us in the epicenter. When the flare of light subsides, Isabella begins to glow, then starts fading away until disappearing. [Raiser Phoenix-sama's Rook Retire]. I look around and see Carlamaine with a smirk after losing Isabella.

"Apparently both Isabella and I have been taking that Pawn and the Boosted Gear lightly. As I thought, I shouldn't take him as an ordinary Pawn." praise from the enemy. "Along with a demonic sword wielder...what fortune. I may have a destiny of meeting swordsmen who wield special swords."

Kiba took an interest to hearing this. "Hmm, so there's someone besides me who uses demonic swords?"

"No, it wasn't a demonic sword. It was a holy sword." Kiba's expression went dark after hearing that. Then a surge of killing intent poured out of him. He asks in a low voice with cold eyes.

"Tell me...about that holy sword wielder." it feels like the same intensity, or maybe worse to Rias when she's pissed. Something that has to do with holy swords.

"Hmm, seems like that swordsman has some connection to you. But since we are swordsmen, talking would be rude. I will answer you with my sword!" is it so hard to answer the question?

"...Is that right...If your mouth can move, then it wouldn't be a problem even if you turn into a state where you are on the verge of death." the both of them are venting killing intent at each other. Talk about overkill...

"So it's here."

"Huh? Where's Isabella?"

"Don't tell me she was defeated?"

I look at the distraction and see the other two Pawns, Bishop, and Knight are here. The remaining servants. That leaves the Queen who is still fighting with Akeno in the distance. I can still see lightning going off. Rias and Asia are moving ahead according to plan.

"Hey, Pawn over there all silent." one of the girls call to me. "Raiser-sama said he's going to fight your princess one-on-one. See there." she points to the sky. I track it to where a figure with fire wings and another with black wings above the rooftop of the building. Rias!

[Takeo-san! Can you hear me!?] Asia's voice coming through the transceiver.

"Asia! Don't tell me Rias was crazy enough to take him head on!"

["She is. Right now I'm with Rias-buchou on the rooftop. The opponent, Raiser, challenged her to a duel and she accepted it! Because of that we were able to get into the school building with out problems...] You can't be serious! Anger painted my face and Ravel noticed.

"Seems like Onii-sama made a challenge since Rias-sama was doing unexpectedly well in the battle. It would have been our win if we fought normally, so he gave her pity. At this rate, she will be defeated before you fight him." she starts to laugh while in a haughty manner that drives me to pure rage.

"The Crimson Ruin Princess, Priestess of Lightning, Sword Birth, and Boosted Gear. Just hearing the names give me chills. But your opponent is the immortal bird. No matter the power you have, it means nothing against him."

"If it bleeds then it can die."

"Are you going to beat him until he loses the will to fight? Or are you going to defeat him with a strike that rivals God? If you're trying to win this match, it's a laugh. Because there was no chance for Rias-sama to win from the beginning." the more I hear her talk about Raiser being unbeatable the more I want to make him suffer. She clicks her fingers. The other Devils surround me.

"Carlamaine. I will leave the Knight with you, but if you lose we won't fight in one-on-one. We will defeat him together. Or are you trying to lower the name of Phoenix?" Carlamaine agrees reluctantly. "Sieris." the other Knight takes a step forward. "She is Onii-sama's other Knight. Unlike Carlamaine over there, she doesn't have any of that 'Honor of a Knight.' She will defeat her opponent, just like that." the woman draws the large sword from her back. "But she can do the finishing. Ni and Li."

"Nya."

"Nya nya" the two pawns with the wild cat ears respond.

"These are female beast warriors. Their hand to hand combat is remarkable you know." Ravel adds in the end.

The both of them disappear from my sight. I block a blow intended for my head, then another that was about to hit my stomach. They keep up the assault, but with no results. One swings low for my leg, but they weren't expecting me to kick back with the leg they targeted, and I kicked with the other, hitting her back. The other makes a cross for my side. I block, and follow up with an upper cut. Grabbing her by the neck, I kick to the side of her. Sending the cat flying to the other sister that was about to pounce me.

"What's the matter? Didn't expect me to fight back while I'm boosting my power?" I snark at the princess who gave an irritated look. "You know what, I don't have time for this. I have a reservation with Raiser who needs his ass kicking! Kiba, release your Sacred Gear! I'm ending this in one blow!" Kiba was confused by the request, but granted the request with a nod

"Sword Birth!" ramming his sword to the ground, howling ground glows, and a field of demonic swords erupt. Perfect! I slam my hand to the ground.

{Boost!X5} "Boosted Gear Gift!" {Transfer!} metal rumbling violently tears through the silence. The entire sports court becomes ravaged by a sea of blades. Boosted Gear Gift. The power I accumulate through my boosts transfers to another person, or object, and increases its power drastically. Pouring my power into Kiba's demonic swords left this as the aftermath. Nearly all of Raiser's servants except Ravel were stabbed by multitudes of swords from the ground.

"...Impossible."

"Are you telling me this is also the power of the Dragon...?" they say their final words and begin to glow, till disappearing from the field. [Raiser Phoenix-sama's two Pawns, two Knights, and one Bishop, retires.]

"Takeo-kun. This power..." Kiba looks around the mosaic of swords with awe. He seems surprised that his ability did more than expected. I grin while brushing my nose off.

[Rias Gremory-sama's Queen retires.]

"—!?" An announcement came through. We couldn't believe what she just said. You can't be serious, right?

BANG!

That familiar explosion rang right next to me as dust flew outward from the epicenter. Right where Kiba laid on the ground, smoke coming from his body. I couldn't reach him by the time I took back my awareness. Kiba began to glow and eventually disappear. [Rias Gremory-sama's Knight retires.] as soon as he was gone the ocean of swords began breaking apart, fragments began to float in the air.

I was brought to knees by the scene. The swords were passing onto the next world at the loss of their master. I already knew who it was. Knowing the arrogance that seems to run in Raiser's peerage I didn't waste my time agitating her. Not that I could, my breathing began feeling short at the shock of losing both Koneko, Akeno, and Kiba to that bitch.

"Are you still going to fight? No matter how you think about it, it's your group's loss." she began adding salt to injury, and I stayed silent while she continued. "The power of the Dragon from earlier. Certainly something tremendous. That power alone would be a threat to High-class Devils in the Rating Game in the future. —But it's still your group's loss for this battle." she pulls out a small bottle... "—Phoenix Tears. Have you heard of it? Our tears can heal all types of injuries. Don't bother saying it's cheating. Your group has a person who possesses the Twilight Healing."

I just kept staring at the dying field of blades until finally they're all gone. I shift my attention to Ravel with cold eyes. She doesn't notice it and continues rattling on.

"It's even in the book that 'Only two Devils participating in the Rating Game can use it.' it was restricted because it was too powerful. Well, that would be natural. In our case our Queen and myself are in possession of on. That's why our Queen was able to defeat the Priestess of Lighting." I've had it up to here with this. I pull Ombra from behind and fire a round at the bottle she was holding. This startled her when the bullet shatters the flask, and whiz by her. I get up and walk towards the building. "H-Hold on! You just shot at me and now your ignoring me!? You're going to lose anyway, so why bother fighting anymore?!"

Without looking back, I state my reason in a freezing rage. "Just shut up." giving her a birdie, and she lets out a shrill infuriated voice. I got into the building from the back door and kept walking through the corridor. "Promotion Queen." I met the criteria for a Promotion when I crossed the door. Now I just need to get to Rias and Asia. I run up the stairs, passing floor by floor until I reach the door for the roof. I kick down the door, and rush out.

Rias and Raiser are confronting each other. Asia looking at them nervously from afar. She's fine, though I wish I could say the same for Rias. Her breathing seems to bring her pain, her crimson hair in a mess, and uniform torn. Meanwhile, Raiser looks smug about himself. The fucking bastard. Time to change that. I break into a run and before anyone could notice, I take Raiser's head with both hands. {Boost!X5} Ramming my knee to his face! I spin around him, grabbed hold his arm and threw him against the railing.

"Allow me to clear one thing up. I am fairly pissed off!" I announce to everyone while pounding my Invictus fist into the Boosted Gear palm.

"Takeo!"

"Takeo-san!"

the girls shout in joy. Better not mess up now, Takeo. Raiser recovers from the sudden assault with a pissed expression.

"The Dragon-brat, huh. So Ravel let him pass." he makes a click with his tongue. Rebellious age. Then Yubelluna appears next to him.

"Raiser-sama. Should I take care of the Pawn and the Bishop? The power of the Pawn appears troublesome."

"You take the Bishop, while I take Rias and the Pawn."

"Don't mess around Raiser!" Rias shoots out demonic energy in a ball at Raiser's face. He doesn't dodge it and received the full brunt of the attack. A few seconds later, his ugly mug returns to its original shape. I think it got even uglier. I shiver at the thought.

"Rias, resign. You will make your Otou-sama and Sirzechs-sama who are watching from another place look bad. You have no other choice. Everyone already foreseen the outcome. —It's checkmate, Rias." he states as if it's inevitable. Rias only glares daggers at him.

"Shut your mouth, Raiser. I won't give up! They knew the outcome? I have no more choices? Me, the King, is still active you know?" she laughs at the idea of her defeat. I grin as well.

Yubelluna gets ready for an attack, but was halted when I drop kick her in the body. She recovers from the attack and focuses on me now. She fires off an attack. Side stepping out of the way, I rush to her and charge up a Dragon Shot.

"Wither away in the ashes you resurrect from! Dragon Shot!" {Boost!X10} I fire off my own blast of Devil energy at center mass. A red and black blast of power overwhelms the Queen, sending her flying as she's bathed in a glow of light, then disappearing. That's for everyone you took. I turn back to Raiser who has a shocked face, but changes to anger.

"Oh I'm sorry. You wanted to fight me? Don't worry, I got something special for you." Honestly I'm burning stamina like no one's business, but I'm hiding that fact well. "Boosted Gear! Balance Breaker!" {Welsh Dragon! Balance Breaker!}

My Boosted Gear lets out a red light. Then a crimson aura covers my body as it begins equipping plates of armor starting from the ground up with the design of a Dragon. The whole image bearing sharp angles. The gauntlet on my left is equipped to the right arm as well. Green jewels decorate my arms, shoulders, knees, and middle of the torso. On the back is a pair of Dragon wings and tail.

"Balance Breaker. Boosted Gear Scale-Mail! You may have the power of the immortal fire bird, but if I have to keep beating you down to submission as a Dragon, I will!"