Chapter 44 – Gambit
"Everyone's back to one hundred percent then. That's good to hear."
Azazel said. It was the evening of the day before the match with the Sitri Peerage, and the Gremory group had gathered in Azazel's room for their last pre-game meeting. Rias had just finished recounting the battle against the members of Vali's team and the four participants' general condition following its conclusion.
"Yes, our injuries weren't that severe." Rias said. "We only had to stay in the hospital for a single day so that the doctors could monitor us for any potential abnormalities. Everything turned out alright in the end though."
"Plus, this was good practice." Takeshi said. "Nothing like a serious bout to get you in shape."
"Alright, moving on then." Azazel said. "As you guys are aware, honing yourselves is all well and good, but you mustn't neglect your opponent. Rias, how much does Sona Sitri know about the Gremory group?"
"Sona should be familiar with everyone's abilities, equipment and fighting styles to a degree." Rias said. "We trained together several times in the past few months, though we haven't done so since the Kokabiel incident. I'm certain she must have studied the recordings of our match against Riser Phenex as well, and also kept a close eye during our battles. Still, she shouldn't be aware of any new abilties we obtained during our training."
"So, she has a good understanding of your group." Azazel said. "How much do you know about their side?"
"I know of everyone's abilties more or less due to the aforementioned spars." Rias said. "Again though, I can't say for sure that they haven't evolved since we last fought against each other. They have been using Beelzebub-sama's time dilation field as well after all."
"So, you're roughly equal when it comes to information." Azazel said. "Well, such a thing can happen during a game or an actual battle. Still, keep in mind that there will be times where you'll be going in completely blind, and there is always a chance an opponent will evolve mid-battle. Always keep your guard up and don't overly depend on your available info. Now then, the numbers are equal on both sides, right?"
"Yes." Rias nodded. "Sona has a Queen, two Bishops, a Knight, a Rook and two Pawns for a total of eight enemies. Like me, she doesn't have a full set of pieces yet."
Azazel nodded as he dragged a whiteboard from the side next to him and took out a marker.
"There's something else you should also keep in mind, namely the classification of players in the Rating Game according to their specialty." Azazel said as he started writing on the board. "There are four basic categories, Power, Technique, Wizard and Support. Power-types, as the name implies, use overwhelming strength to crush their opponents head-on. Technique-types utilize their unique abilities to take down their opponents through indirect manners like countering their attacks or trapping them. Wizard-types excel in utilizing magic attacks, while Support-types use their abilities to provide support for their team in a variety of ways."
Azazel drew several arrows on the whiteboard connecting Power, Technique and Wizard while leaving Support outside.
"In a very simplified manner, Power-type players are strong against Wizard-types, Technique-types are strong against Power-types and Wizard-types are strong against Technique-types." Azazel said. "Since pure Support-types don't usually have any offensive abilities, they can be taken down by any of the aforementioned types in battle. However, keep in mind that there are always exceptions to every rule. There exist extremely strong Power-types that can simply bulldoze through any sort of Technique-types, or Wizard-types that can bring a Power-type to their knees. A fighter might also exhibit traits from more than one type, making them even more difficult to deal with."
Azazel then drew lines to form a cross and wrote the names of the four types within each of the four quadrants of the cross, thereby making a chart. He then wrote the names of each member present on the chart.
"Rias and Akeno, both of you are Wizard-types who specialize in powerful magic attacks." Azazel said, pointing at the diagram. "Kiba Yuuto belongs to the Technique-type category, while Xenovia is a pure Power-type. Koneko is also a Power-type, while Pandora is a Wizard-type who leans more towards technique. Takeshi, you are also a Power-type, though you have elements of a Technique-type as well, and once you fully master Cataclysm Zone, you could become proficient in all types. Finally, Gasper Vladi is a Support-type who also leans towards technique."
"Not a bad distribution of specializations, though we seem to be leaning towards power a bit too much." Rias said with a frown. "That could be dangerous, no?"
"If you take the existence of those who specialize in countering the opponent's power, then yes, it's dangerous." Azazel said. "Sona Sitri's Queen has a Sacred Gear like that, doesn't she? Since that's the case, the pure Power-types of this group should be careful if they run into her. If she turns your strength against you, it could be an instant out."
"That's what my Almace is for." Xenovia spoke with a confident expression. "I'll tear through her counter with it and take her down if she appears before me."
"That's an option, but like I said before, Almace isn't almighty." Azazel said. "Moreover, if your opponent is a genius on that field, the difficulty level when dealing with them spikes. No, in these cases, it's best not to take risks and leave such opponents to the Technique-type Kiba or Gasper with his Vampiric abilties. Remember, compatibility between you and your opponent is also an important aspect during battle."
Xenovia nodded in agreement as Azazel pushed the blackboard away.
"Speaking in an objective manner, I believe you have a high possibility to win this." Azazel said. "You have a lot of experience in actual battles for Devils your age, and individually, you have exhibited a rapid growth and abnormal strength. However, keep in mind that there are no absolutes on the battlefield."
Azazel paused for a few moments, looking at each member present before continuing.
"I have lived a long time, and I have seen a large number of battles." Azazel continued. "Even when the odds were stacked up against them, there were individuals who managed to turn a situation around and triumph despite having a less than ten percent chance of doing so. You shouldn't let your guard down even if the opponent has a one percent chance of victory against you. Don't believe that you will definitely win no matter what, but aim for victory with everything you've got. That's the last advice I can give you at this training camp."
[Yes!]
Every member present responded together. As they left the room, Takeshi caught up to Pandora and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Takeshi?" Pandora said, looking a bit surprised. "Is something wrong?"
"I heard that you almost collapsed during the party." Takeshi said, looking concerned. "Are you feeling alright now? Had any other dizzy spells since then?"
"No, everything's fine." Pandora said, a small smile appearing on her face. "Were you worried about me? Sorry about that."
"What are you apologizing for?" Takeshi grinned. "We're friends, aren't we? It's only natural that I'm worried about you. Also, there's no need to push yourself. If your condition is still poor, I'm sure President will—"
"OK, stop right there." Pandora cut off Takeshi. "Don't make a big deal out of nothing, Takeshi. I feel fine, great even, and eager to do my best in the upcoming game."
"That's good to hear." Takeshi said. "See you tomorrow then, princess."
"You really should stop calling me that." Pandora said with a slight pout. "Someone might get the wrong idea."
"Maybe I should, but then I wouldn't be able to see that cute half-bashful, half-annoyed expression of yours anymore."
Takeshi said with a wide smirk, prompting Pandora to give him a light punch on his arm while puffing her cheeks. Once she had taken her leave, he made his way to the kitchens, where he assumed Koneko would be. As expected, the young Nekomata was indeed there, feasting on the various dishes prepared by the Gremory family's chefs. Once she caught sight of Takeshi, she beckoned at him to sit next to her. He did so, with Koneko jumping on his lap as she kept eating.
"You seem as energetic as usual, Koneko-chan." Takeshi chuckled, petting her head. "That's good. I was afraid you'd be feeling down after encountering your sister. Or maybe you are, and this is you attempting to mask your true feelings? If so, you know you can talk to me, let if off your chest. From what I understood from your talk back then, she hasn't actually gone crazy like everybody thought, right?"
"…No, she hasn't." Koneko said as she put her fork down and leaned back on Takeshi's chest. "If I'm wrong and she has been corrupted by Senjutsu, she must be very good at hiding it because I could sense no malicious aura from her. Something else happened back then, something she's determined to keep under wraps for whatever reason. I won't lie and say that doesn't trouble me…but I can't do anything about it right now. That's why, I'll focus on what I can do, namely help President win tomorrow's game. I told her the same when she asked me about how I feel earlier."
"That's good to hear." Takeshi said. "I'm sure there will be other opportunities to confront Kuroka in the future and get the truth out of her. Maybe President can persuade Sirzechs-sama to look into the incident with your sister's former master once again. If I remember correctly, he came from the branch house of the Naberius clan, right? Perhaps the head has withheld information regarding this whole affair."
"…She said she will ask him, though she's not feeling confident that anything will come out of it." Koneko said. "If there is indeed some big secret behind my sister's actions that involves members of the nobility, I'm sure all evidence will have been erased."
"Perhaps, though I wouldn't be too sure." Takeshi said. "Even the greatest masterminds can slip up at times. One way or another though, we'll find a way to get to the bottom of this. That's a promise, Koneko-chan."
"…Thank you, Senpai."
Koneko said with a small smile. After making some small talk and discussing the possible game rules that might be implemented for tomorrow's game, Takeshi and Koneko left the kitchens. While she headed back to her room, Takeshi made his way to the gardens.
"Two down, one more to go…"
Takeshi muttered as he looked around for any sign of the person he was searching for. After a couple of minutes of wandering, his ears caught the sound of something cutting through the air. Following the source of that sound, he found Yuuto in a corner of the garden, swinging his blade at seemingly nothing. Taking a closer look however, Takeshi noticed that his moves weren't random. His parries, slashes, thrusts, all of them were executed as if responding to a phantom opponent. This went on for a while until Yuuto put his blade down, looking irritated for some reason.
"Let me guess." Takeshi said as he took a couple of steps forward. "Fighting against the Arthur Pendragon in your mind?"
"Takeshi-kun?" Yuuto seemed surprised, but then showed a bitter smile. "…Yes, it's as you say. I've been replaying the fight I had with him back in the forest for the past couple of days. It's something that's been troubling me ever since…"
"I figured something was off about you." Takeshi said. "Are you feeling frustrated because you couldn't defeat him? The way I saw it though, if the fight had continued, it could have gone either way."
"No." Yuuto shook his head in denial. "If we had kept fighting…I'm certain that the one to lose in the end would have been me. I can tell that much. Caliburn itself was formidable, but so was Arthur Pendragon's skill with the blade. It reminded me of my spars with my master. It's been a long while since I've felt so outmatched in all aspects."
"This is the first time for you, isn't it?" Takeshi said. "When you fought against other swordsmen in a serious fight so far, you either triumphed over them or you lost only because you couldn't give it your all. This is a new experience, no? Taking pride in your skill, and yet encountering someone who towers over you and crushes that sense of self-worth is painful, maddening even."
"Speaking from experience, I suppose?"
"You bet." Takeshi grinned. "However, you want to win against him, don't you? The Yuuto I know wouldn't give up and wallow in misery after a single inconclusive battle. The fact that you're feeling frustrated is proof of that much."
"It's a given that I want to defeat that guy, but more than that…I'm also ashamed for my narrow view of the world and myself." Yuuto said while clenching his fists. "Somewhere within me, I thought that, besides my master, I could defeat any swordsman who stood in my way. That was my childish pride, my limit, and it's something that aggravates me far more than Arthur Pendragon standing above me. It seems I've still got a lot of growing-up to do…"
"In that case, the answer is simple, isn't it?" Takeshi said, prompting Yuuto to look at him. "With your own efforts and talent, transform that illusion into reality. Become someone worthy of being called the strongest swordsman and the ultimate Knight."
"You make it sound so easy, Takeshi-kun." Yuuto chuckled. "I admit, becoming the ultimate Knight for President's sake and my own is a tantalizing idea. However, can someone like me ever reach that level?"
"You can." Takeshi said with evident conviction. "If it's you, I'm sure you have the guts and skill required to reach that plateau. You're going to have to shed plenty of blood, sweat and tears, but by the end of it, I believe you can surpass both Arthur Pendragon and your master."
"Surpass them…"
Yuuto muttered as he conjured a blade, gazing at his own reflection. Glancing at from the side as well, Takeshi let out a pleased smile.
"I can see it, the flames of ambition burning in your gaze." Takeshi said, patting Yuuto's back. "That's good. Ambition makes us Devils stronger, leads us to aim higher and higher. Not to mention, such an intense look suits you better compared to your previous downcast one."
"I've said it before, but you have a talent for motivating people, Takeshi-kun." Yuuto smirked. "I will do it. I will become the strongest Knight for everyone's sake, but also from my sake as well. However, I wonder if this'll come back to bite you in this case. After all, I might end up becoming stronger than you."
"You're welcome to try." Takeshi let out a confident smile. "However, I won't relinquish my position as number one, not in President's Peerage, not in anywhere else that matters. That's my ironclad rule. Right now though, we have a game to win, so let's put all our focus on that, shall we?"
"Right." Yuuto said as he took some distance from Takeshi. "Since we're both here, how about a little spar before bed? It's been ages since we fought against each other."
"Why not?" Takeshi said, summoning Cataclysm Zone and Berserk Devastator. "I'll do my best not to rough you up too badly."
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Yuuto grinned as he summoned a Holy Demonic Sword, and then a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Thank you, Takeshi-kun."
"Any time, buddy."
Takeshi said as both youths charged at each other.
The next day…
"Where on Earth are Takeshi and Akeno? The game is about to start."
Rias said with a frown, tapping her foot on the ground in an impatient manner. She and most of the group had gathered in the Gremory castle's underground level, where a large magic circle would transport them to the game area. Azazel, Zeoticus, Venelana and Millicas were also there in order to see them off. For some reason however, Takeshi and Akeno had yet to join them.
"I swear, if they're off doing something naughty and have lost track of time, I'll—"
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I…have arrived!"
Takeshi said in a hurry as he rushed to the underground room alongside Akeno.
"You mean we have arrived." Akeno said, turning to Rias. "My apologies for our delay, President. Fitting took a little longer than I thought."
"Fitting…?"
Rias frowned. It was then that the members present noticed that, unlike the majority of the group, Takeshi wasn't wearing Kuoh Academy's summer uniform. Instead, he wore a long, dark blue coat with a red inner lining that had the Gremory clan's insignia sewn into both shoulders and a pattern resembling a Dragon's head sewn in the back. Under the coat, he wore a red zip-up hoodie/vest and a black shirt beneath that, while his hands were covered by dark blue motorcycle glovelets. His legwear consisted of a pair of blue pants held up by a belt with a coiled Dragon buckle and brown combat boots that went halfway up his shins.
"This is…what exactly?"
"My new battle outfit of course." Takeshi responded to Pandora's question. "I told you guys before there was no way I'd keep wearing the same old boring school outfit during our Rating Games. Rias might not want us to have combat uniforms, but I won't stand for it. That's why I asked Akeno to make me one. What do you think? Pretty cool, huh?"
"…You look ready for a cosplay convention, Senpai." Koneko said, smirking a bit. "All you're missing is a demonic right arm and a sword as tall as you."
"Well…it's certainly eye-catching, I'll give you that." Yuuto said with a forced smile. "At least Xenovia won't be the odd one out anymore."
"Sorry for spoiling our group's style, but this outfit is what I feel most comfortable with during battles." Xenovia, who was wearing her Exorcist battle uniform, said. "Plus, there are several defensive spells embedded in the fabric that should be quite useful."
"I t-think everyone should wear what t-they feel comfortable with…" Gasper said in his usual timid manner. "E-Even though Senpai's outfit seems a bit outlandish…that doesn't m-matter at all."
"What's up with those weak reactions, everyone?" Takeshi grumbled with a frown. "You should be more impressed and excited. Well, whatever. This outfit makes me even more motivated and that's all that matters. Once again, thanks a lot, Akeno."
"Ufufu, you're welcome." Akeno smiled as she slid closer to Takeshi. "I look forward to you repaying me for my efforts at a later time~."
"It's time, everyone." Rias said, beckoning at her Peerage members to come closer as she turned to the onlookers. "Father, Mother, Millicas, Azazel, we're off."
"I'm looking forward to your performance, Rias."
"We're expecting a lot from everyone, so fight a battle that won't bring shame to the Gremory name."
"Do you best, auntie! Everyone else as well!"
"I've taught you everything I could. The rest is up to you guys. Get out there and rampage to your hearts' content."
"Damn right we will!" Takeshi said in an enthusiastic manner before Rias could respond. "Student President is going down for sure this time!"
Following these words, the magic circle beneath the Gremory Peerage's feet shone, with its radiance enveloping them. Once the light died down, the group found themselves in the middle of a field, with a large table that had several chairs around it placed in front of them. Some distance away, an enormous wall rose from the ground and stretched out to the side for quite a bit of distance. A large opening could be seen in the middle, leading into a passageway that seemed to split in several directions.
"Rias, this is…"
"Yes, there's no mistaking it." Rias responded to Akeno's words. "The game type chosen for this match, it's Maze Dash."
[Everyone, I, Grayfia, the Queen of Lucifer-sama's group, welcome you to today's Rating Game between Rias-sama and Sona-sama's Peerages.] Grayfia's voice echoed all of a sudden. [In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will supervise this game as its arbiter to the best of my abilties. It's a pleasure to be here. To get right to the point, the format of this match is Maze Dash. Both Peerages will wage battle inside the large labyrinth you see in your screens, with the goal being to either defeat the enemy's King or have one of their pieces exit the labyrinth from the enemy's side.]
"A match with unique rules, eh?" Yuuto remarked. "This will be trickier than the game against the Phenex Peerage."
[Both teams have been transported outside their respective entrances and will be given a twenty-minutes period to strategize and organize themselves.] Grayfia said. [Once said time period has passed, each team's pieces will be teleported into the labyrinth in random positions close to their respective entrance and the match will begin. In order for Pawns to promote, they have to cross the labyrinth's half-way line, so keep that in mind.]
Makes sense. Takeshi thought. Since there are no enemy bases in either side, there had to be some other condition to promote.
[In addition, both teams should take note of the added special rules applied for this match and not forget to put on their wristwatches.] Grayfia continued. [Failure to do so will result in instant disqualification. Moreover, due to the recent increased demand, only a single bottle of Phoenix Tears will be given to each team.]
Takeshi turned his attention to the table, where several wristwatches, a document, an ornate bottle and a choker had been placed on. He took the wristwatch in haste and placed it around his wrist, with the rest of his teammates doing the same.
[The time limit of this game will be four hours, and it's scheduled to begin once twenty minutes have passed.] Grayfia said. [Both teams, you may begin strategizing.]
Once Grayfia said so, all members of the Gremory group sat down on the table, with Rias picking up the document and reading it. In the meantime, Akeno spoke.
"Some of you might be familiar with Maze Dash's general rules, but to make sure we're all on the same page, I'll go over the basics once more." Akeno said. "Flight is forbidden in the labyrinth, and so is jumping beyond the height of the walls. If by any chance you manage to break them during battle, you're forbidden to walk through them and should proceed as if they're still there. Familiars are also a no-go. Moreover, the wristwatches they've given us will display our team members' approximate position in the labyrinth and where the enemy's team entrance lies, but not the layout of the maze. The more ground we cover into the labyrinth however, the more the wristwatches will map it out, allowing us to move easier."
"As for the additional special rules, there's only three of them for our side." Rias said as she put down the document she was holding and pointed at the choker. "First of all, Gasper must keep that choker on for the duration of this match. The use of his Sacred Gear has been allowed after Azazel assured the game committee that he can control it to a satisfactory degree. If it does go out of control for whatever reason however, the choker was designed to stabilize and seal it. Moreover, to avoid triggering a potential overload, Gasper is forbidden from consuming Takeshi's blood, or anyone else's for that matter, during this match."
"U-Understood, President…" Gasper said as he put the choker around his neck. "I'll do my best in order not to c-cause trouble for you and the others…"
"I know you will." Rias smiled, turning to Takeshi. "The final added rule is that you're not allowed to use Orochi's poison during this match in any manner, Takeshi. It's extremely difficult to treat people affected by it, and we don't want any accidental deaths to occur because of it."
[Hell yeah it is!] Orochi laughed. [I didn't spend all these centuries refining it for nothing, you know! Damn shame I got sealed before it reached the level of Albion's infamous poison. Just a little more, and I know I could have done it!]
"I understand, President." Takeshi said. "Even if they hadn't banned its use, I still wouldn't have resorted to it. I reserve my most…violent means of attack for enemies alone."
"Good." Rias nodded. "Apart from what Akeno said, you should all keep the existence of control points in mind. They don't show up too often, but they can be a major game changer when they do."
"Control points?" Pandora said with a frown. "I seem to recall reading about them, but I can't quite recall their function."
"Essentially, they are small crystal-shaped computers that appear in infrequent intervals within the maze." Akeno said. "Through them, we can rearrange the maze's structure to a small degree, making paths to allow our forces to meet easier or blocking the opponent's path in order to further split them up. Furthermore, you can mark an enemy piece on the map and track its progress for the rest of the game, though this can only be done up to three times, or reveal the position and movements of the enemy team for the next three minutes. Of course, each control point can perform only one of these functions before vanishing."
"Usually, after the game starts, two control points appear, one for each team to use." Yuuto said. "It's sort of a freebie that allows each Peerage to get an early advantage if they use it right. Afterwards, control points show up in positions where members from both Peerages are close to it, which can result in a battle over who can use it."
"With all that said, we need to decide how we should move and what we should aim for." Rias said. "Better yet, we need to predict how Sona will move and respond accordingly. From my part, I believe that settling this match through force is unlike her, especially since there's another option. Unless they somehow all managed to reach the level of Ultimate-class during their training, Sona's servants should be no match for us. That's why, she'll probably take advantage of the added victory condition and aim for that. If she can manage to get at least one of her pieces to cross our exit, it's over for us."
"In that case, perhaps she'll have each of her servants move separately and aim for the exit from multiple angles?" Pandora suggested. "This'll make defending and intercepting them more difficult."
"I'm not too sure about that." Akeno said. "Should this devolve into a massive brawl of multiple one-on-ones with no way to control the match-ups, Student President might easily lose most of her pieces and find herself in a disadvantageous situation. It's too risky and sloppy for her to have each piece move on their own and hope for the best. Moving in formation of two or three small groups that can support each other is more likely."
"…What about standing guard and waiting for them to come to us?" Koneko said. "It'll be harder for a member of the opposing team to slip by us if we gather together and assume a tight defensive formation around the exit."
"We'd be leaving the initiative entirely to them in that case, and that doesn't sit well with me." Takeshi said. "They could employ hit-and-run tactics to exhaust us, and then slip one of their members past us when our concentration is shot. Too many things can go wrong, and if we make a single mistake, we're done for."
"Agreed." Rias said. "It would be worth considering if we had more members that the Sitri Peerage. As things stand though, we should force a head-on confrontation while making sure no-one slips past us. For starters, we should move together and form groups of two as we proceed inside the maze. Once we come across the first control point, we'll use it to grasp the movements of Sona's Peerage and adjust our formation accordingly."
"President, how large is the labyrinth exactly and how much time would it take for us to reach the other end?"
"If they're using the regular size, it should take about an hour or so to reach the other exit." Rias responded to Xenovia's question. "That's why, you should also pace yourselves while moving in the maze and refrain from exerting yourselves until we encounter the enemy. I believe that's all for now. We still have some time left, so relax until the game truly begins. Oh, regarding the Phoenix Tears, I think there shouldn't be any objections about me carrying them?"
"Of course not, President." Akeno said. "After all, if we lose our King, it's over."
Everybody nodded in assent and, after putting on their communications devices, started making small talk among themselves. Once several minutes had passed, Grayfia's voice was heard once again.
[Everyone, it is now time to begin.] Grayfia said. [Please move to your respective teleportation magic circle.]
Eight small magic circles appeared on the ground a few steps ahead from the table, with each member of Rias' Peerage standing on top of one.
[Then, without further ado, game start!]
The light of teleportation enveloped Takeshi for the second time in a short while following Grayfia's announcement. Once it died down, he found himself inside the maze, its massive walls towering above him. They were also letting a soft glow, illuminating the area. The ground below was hard and smooth, making it easy to walk or run on. As he checked his wristwatch, a holographic projection appeared, with his teammates' names and positions appearing on it. From what he could tell, they had been positioned in a straight line not too far from their exit. He was close to the leftmost side of the maze, with Koneko to his left, and Xenovia on his right.
[Everyone, this is Rias.] Rias' voice came from Takeshi's ear. [Do you read me?]
"Takeshi here. I read you loud and clear, President."
Following a chorus of similar acknowledgments from the other Peerage members, Rias continued speaking.
[We will move as planned and form duos for now as we proceed deeper into the labyrinth.] Rias said. [Moreover, Akeno and Gasper, you and I will set up as many surveillance spells as we can in key areas we pass through to prevent members of Sona's Peerage from slipping by us.]
[Understood, President.]
[U-Understood!]
[Keep any eye out for the appearance of the control point.] Rias said. [Getting to it as soon as it appears is our priority for now. That is all.]
Once Rias was done talking, Takeshi began moving, aiming to meet with Koneko. Bringing out Cataclysm Zone and Mayhem Striker, he checked his wristwatch, taking note of the fact that parts of the maze's layout were becoming visible as he and his comrades moved through it. After making a left turn, he heard steps coming towards him. Turning his attention towards the source of the sound, he saw Koneko approaching him, her Nekomata features visible.
"…Hey."
"Yo." Takeshi said, making a salute-like gesture. "Fancy meeting you here, Koneko-chan. I have to say though, it doesn't quite feel like we're competing in a Rating Game. It's so quiet and peaceful I could mistake it with a casual outing in an amusement park."
"…Don't let your guard down, Senpai." Koneko warned Takeshi. "Several players in the past did so because of the game's slow start and got eliminated before they could display their power. You don't want such a pitiful end to your first official game, do you?"
"Hell no." Takeshi said. "However, since you're here, the chances of us being caught with our pants down are rather slim. You are using Senjutsu to scan our surroundings, right?"
"…Yes." Koneko said, her cat ears twitching. "I can feel most of our teammates, but the Sitri Peerage is still too far to locate."
"In that case, let's keep moving."
Koneko nodded as she and Takeshi proceeded further into the labyrinth, doing their best to keep as close to their nearest teammates' approximate position as possible. After about fifteen minutes, Pandora's voice came from the transceiver.
[Everyone, Akeno-san and I have found a control point.] Pandora said. [You should be receiving the enemy team's current position right…now.]
A circular holographic screen appeared from Takeshi and Koneko's wristwatches, displaying eight dots moving in the other side of the labyrinth. While their piece designation was visible, their names were not.
"Not all information is available then, eh?" Takeshi muttered. "In this scenario, we can't tell apart the Pawns and Bishops. This shouldn't be a huge deal, but still… Come to think of it, since we found a control point, they must have come across one as well. Is there any way we can find out what they used it for?"
"…No, just like they can't see what we're using it for." Koneko said, her gaze focused on the holographic map. "What's our next move, President?"
[Give me a little more time to divine Sona's intentions.] Rias said. [For now, let's assume that she has also revealed everyone's positions and is watching us. Xenovia and Gasper, backtrack until the previous crossroads and take the right turn this time. Pandora and Akeno, make it seem like you're moving towards the eastern side. Takeshi, Koneko, Yuuto and I will hold our positions.]
[Make it seem like we're about to execute a hit-and-run tactic before falling back towards our stationary comrades' position, eh?] Akeno said. [Not bad. If Sona is watching, this might force to adjust her formation into one that's advantageous for us.]
[That's assuming she's not faking her formation as well to lead us into a trap.] Rias said. [This is a critical point in the match. One misstep, one wrong reading and we can find ourselves in a difficult situation. That's why, we have to win this battle of tactics.]
"The battle has begun for real…" Takeshi muttered. "Rating Games are deeper and more challenging than I thought."
"…Feeling excited, Senpai?"
"It's that obvious, huh?" Takeshi grinned. "Even though I've read about Rating Games, watched several past recordings and participated in an unofficial one, as expected, nothing can compare to experiencing the thrill and challenge of the real deal. That's why, I can't wait to walk the same path President does. For sure… I will become a King for sure one day and lead my own team straight to the top!"
"…Feeling motivated is all well and good, but keep your focus here, Senpai." Koneko said with a faint smile. "The three-minutes period is almost up, and every single second counts."
Takeshi nodded as he and Koneko returned their attention to the holographic image. After almost half a minute had passed, the dots representing the enemy team vanished, leaving only the Gremory team members' position visible along with the part of the labyrinth they had explored.
[What's the verdict, President?] Akeno asked. [Were you able to figure out Sona's plan?]
[It seemed to me like they were trying to join together into one large group.] Yuuto said. [That can't be their plan though, right? Leaves too many gaps for us to exploit and make a beeline for their exit. They're also vulnerable to hit-and-run or stalling tactics if they all group up like that.]
[Yes, such a sloppy plan isn't Sona's style.] Rias said. [There's something interesting though regarding their formation. The King, Queen, Rook and Bishops seem to be converging into one group in a rather quick manner. I can't be certain of it, but they must have used the control point to alter the structure of the labyrinth on their side to accomplish that. The Pawn and Knight on their right side appear to do the same, and so does the single Pawn on their left. But what if that's not the case? Those pieces are the fastest ones, especially if the Pawns promote to Knight. Sona's goal, it must lie there.]
[You think the larger group is supposed to act as a decoy to draw our attention while Sona's quickest pieces will actually separate from them, slip past us and dash towards our exit from the sides?] Akeno said. [It's very likely. How should we respond though?]
[We'll overwhelm the sides while keeping the center occupied.] Rias said. [Akeno, Yuuto, Xenovia and I will take on Sona and her four pieces. We'll slow them down, or even settle this if we can. Takeshi, Koneko and Gasper, you'll intercept the Knight and Pawn duo. Once you're done, circle around Sona's group and attack them from the back. If we catch them in a pincer attack, they're done for. Pandora, I'll leave the lone Pawn to you. Even if you aren't able to defeat them within your operational time limit, it won't matter since you'll be on your own. Let the Spirits rampage if need be. Once you've dealt with them, head towards the Sitri Peerage's exit. It's best if keep all our bases covered. Got it, everyone?]
[Yes, President!]
All members of Rias' Peerage shouted together as one.
[Then, let's do this, my adorable servants!] Rias said. [We'll blow them away with all our might!]
[Right!]
After saying so, everyone began moving according to Rias' instructions. Takeshi and Koneko quickened their pace as they made their way through the maze in an attempt to reach their targets' estimated position. They were joined by Gasper after a while, who nodded at them in acknowledgement and fell in line. The trio kept moving like that for several minutes until Koneko gestured at them to stop.
"…They're close." Koneko said. "I can sense them. The Pawn…judging from the draconic aura, it must be Saji-senpai."
"We're close to the midpoint line, which means Saji-kun will be able to promote soon." Takeshi said. "We can keep going like this in order for me to promote as well, but in that case, we would lose the element of surprise."
"…You want to forgo Promotion in favor of an ambush then?"
"Right." Takeshi nodded in response to Koneko's question while checking the area around them, a somewhat wide rectangular-shaped clearing. "This place is as good as any for that, and to make sure they won't slip past us…"
Takeshi switched Mayhem Striker for Hesperides Fort, forming several large barriers to seal entrance to the passages behind and next to them.
"They're not top-tier barriers, but they can withstand quite a bit of damage before vanishing." Takeshi said, turning to his comrades. "Now then, here's what we'll do. Koneko-chan, you can use your Youjutsu to turn us invisible while tracking down Meguri-san and Saji-kun at the same time, right?"
"…Yes." Koneko said. "I can't do both things while we're moving though."
"That doesn't matter." Takeshi said. "We'll lie in wait behind one of my barriers while you cloak us. As soon as they enter our field of vision, Gasper will use his Sacred Gear to freeze them, and we'll finish them off once they're immobilized."
"That's k-kind of sneaky." Gasper said. "S-Senpai always struck me as a person who prefers to confront others h-head-on."
"Don't get me wrong, I like a good fight, but I'm not about to throw away a tactical advantage." Takeshi said. "Plus, the team's victory is what matters most here. Now, let's do this."
Koneko and Gasper nodded as the former used her Youjutsu to turn them invisible. Takeshi conjured a thick invisible barrier in front of them, and the three of them gathered behind it, with Gasper taking point. After a couple of minutes, Koneko tensed as she turned her attention towards the passageway in the distance.
"…Here they come." Koneko said. "Get ready, Gya-kun."
"R-Right!"
Gasper said as he focused on the two enemies rushing towards them. Once Genshirou and Tomoe came into his field of view, Gasper attempted to use Forbidden Balor View on them. However, at that moment, Tomoe raised her blade, a unique katana that was letting out both bright and dark aura, and shouted.
"Shine!"
An intense radiance came out from the blade, blinding the three members of the Gremory Peerage. At the same time, Genshirou stomped his foot on the ground and shouted.
"Spread, my flames!"
Waves of black flames erupted beneath his feet and spread, heading towards the Gremory Peerage. At the same time, several lines shot from his left hand, aiming for the trio. Although still somewhat dazed, Takeshi was able to perceive the incoming danger as he shouted.
"Balance Break!"
[Terror Rise! Stalwart Insomniac Awakening!]
The armor pieces of Insomniac Haunted Ground slammed on Takeshi's body as he formed a dome-shaped barrier to shield himself and his two comrades from the approaching flames and lines. The lines slammed on the barrier and were deflected, but the black flames covered the barrier while showing no signs of dying down.
At the same time, Genshirou conjured even more black fire, forming a large ring of towering flames as high as the labyrinth walls around the five combatants. Takeshi also felt a chill go down his spine all of a sudden as an almost transparent dome-shaped barrier that came from Genshirou also covered the area. Despite his attempts to extend the barrier and disperse the flames, Takeshi could feel the black flames pressing against it, preventing him from doing so.
[Hoh, how nostalgic.] Nidhogg said. [These are Vritra's abilties, the cursed black flame that won't be extinguished no matter what and the special field that gradually reduces an enemy's power while they're trapped within its confines. Has his divided soul been reconstructed? In any case, if you don't hurry up and defeat his wielder, you'll be brought down without accomplishing anything, whelp.]
I could figure that much out myself, Nidhogg!
Takeshi shouted in his thoughts before turning to Koneko.
"Meguri-san's blade seems to have some special properties." Takeshi said. "Can you fight her without relying on your sight if need be?"
"…No problem."
"Good." Takeshi said. "I'll send the barrier flying to free us, and once I do, Koneko-chan will aim for Meguri-san while I go for Saji-kun. Gasper-kun, support us with your abilities, and if you can find an opening to do so, use your Sacred Gear on our opponents."
"G-Got it!"
"Then, let's go!"
Giving a mental command, Takeshi sent the barrier flying, with Koneko heading straight for Meguri as Touki enveloped her body. At the same time, Takeshi focused on Cataclysm Zone.
[Revolve On. Atrocity.]
Switching to Savage Predator Incarnation, Takeshi rushed at Genshirou while darkness formed around Gasper's hands, with the young Dhampir sending out a barrage of black bullets at the two members of the Sitri Peerage. However, a black armored tail reminiscent of a Dragon grew from Genshirou's back, spewing out large amounts of water vapor that obscured everyone's sight.
Genshirou proceed to launch several flame-enveloped lines at Takeshi and Gasper. The former intercepted them with his draconic aura-covered kicks while Gasper shifted into mist form to avoid them.
Meanwhile, Tomoe slashed at Koneko from the side, but she evaded and countered with a jab, forcing the Knight to step back. She attempted to follow up with an uppercut, but had to dodge two incoming lines.
"Got you."
Genshirou smirked as the flames coming from the lines intensified and joined together with the outer ring of flames. As the lines vanished, leaving only several wall of flames behind, Takeshi noticed that the battlefield had been split. Gasper had been isolated, while Koneko and Tomoe had also been separated from the rest. The area where Takeshi and Genshirou were had also been enclosed by a ring of flames, separating them from the others as well.
"Well played, Saji-kun." Takeshi smirked underneath his helmet. "I'm curious though, how did you know we were lying in wait for you guys here? Don't tell me that what Meguri-san did with her sword was an accident?"
"You could fool our eyes, but you couldn't fool my nose." Genshirou grinned. "You're not the only one who changed a lot during his training, Ryuugamine."
Taking a closer look at Genshirou, Takeshi was able to take in everything different about him in full. Absorption Line was on his left hand as always, but there was also a thick black gauntlet on his other hand as well. Black armored boots covered his legs, his left eye resembled that of a Dragon, and a black armored tail protruded from his back, flicking around in a lazy manner. A deep aura somewhat reminiscent of Tannin also seemed to be enveloping his body, giving him an imposing atmosphere.
"I see." Takeshi said, assuming his stance. "I'm not exactly sure what or how you did it, but you've definitely grown stronger, Saji-kun. I wonder, was this Student President's aim? To trap us here using your newly acquired abilties?"
"Who knows?" Genshirou shrugged. "You'll have all the time in the world to ponder that in the medical room!"
Genshirou shot several black flame-covered lines at Takeshi, who batted them away with his flame and aura-coated fists. At the same time, he formed several large ice spears above Genshirou, hurling them at him. However, much to his surprise, they turned into vapor that was absorbed by Genshirou's tail before they could even get close to him.
Right, Vritra's the personification of drought. Takeshi thought. One of those new Sacred Gears, probably the tail from the looks of it, must contain the ability to absorb water from its surroundings. In that case!
Takeshi's boots ignited as he crossed the distance between him and Genshirou in a second. However, Genshirou dove into the black flames behind him, evading his opponent's blow. The next moment, a line shot out of the flaming wall, aiming for Takeshi's arm. He evaded it by dashing to the side, but another line came at him from the back, forcing him to jump up in order to evade. Another line came at him from the front, with Takeshi batting it away using one of his wings. From what he could see, Genshirou was moving within the flames while shooting his lines at him, aiming to catch him by surprise.
Digging his feet in the ground, Takeshi gathered draconic aura around his arms and focused. Once the line came at him again from the left, he reacted in a quick manner, grabbing it with both hands and yanking Genshirou out of the flames. The surprised Genshirou couldn't react fast enough as Takeshi clotheslined him, sending him falling on the ground with a grunt. He aimed a flame-covered punch at him next, but Genshirou brought up his right gauntlet to block.
[Delete!]
Following that announcement, Takeshi felt the flames dimming and his punch losing some of its power. Wasting no time, Genshirou rolled to the side while shooting his lines at Takeshi, wrapping them around his neck and arms. Black flames erupted from the lines, enveloping Takeshi's entire armor and rendering him unable to move.
"Damn it, how strong are you, Ryuugamine?" Genshirou said with a grimace as he rubbed his aching right arm. "Even though I reduced your power with Delete Field and have the endurance of a Rook from my Queen Promotion, your punch almost dislocated my arm. Well, that doesn't matter right now. Just sit tight and let me drain your energy."
"I'm going to say…no thank you…to that!"
[Revolve On. Terror.]
Takeshi switched armors once again while shouting, with the ensuing aura outburst blowing away both the flames and the attached lines.
"Like Hell it was going to be so easy…"
Genshirou sighed as he launched several fireballs at Takeshi. Forming a large circular barrier to block them, he detached the five drones from his armor. They proceeded to circle the two opponents, forming a dense dome-shaped barrier that trapped the two within its confines before Genshirou had the chance to jump back into the ring of black flames around them.
"No slipping away this time, Saji-kun." Takeshi said as his eyes glowed. "We're settling this one-on-one!"
"Doesn't seem like…I have much choice…" Genshirou said with a bitter smile, sweat running down his face as he struggled to withstand Takeshi's terror gaze. "For everyone's sake, and for my sake as well…I won't lose to you, Ryuugamine!"
Screaming thus in order to dispel his fear, Genshirou wrapped lines around his arms and set them on fire before charging at Takeshi. Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall of flames, Koneko was confronting Tomoe. Befitting of her position as a Knight, Tomoe was using her agile footwork and sword skills to keep Koneko at bay. Despite her efforts though, Koneko was driving her into a corner with slow and steady moves.
"Mou, the Gremory Peerage is really strong!" Tomoe complained as she blocked Koneko's Touki-infused punch with her katana, with the force of the blow sending her skidding backwards. "No choice then. The Fallen Angels said I shouldn't overdo it with this Artificial Sacred Gear, but what's life without taking a few risks, right!?"
"…Artificial Sacred Gear…?"
Koneko was curious about that, but tensed once she saw both light and dark energy coalescing around the blade before transforming into an unstable storm of energy that coated the katana. Tomoe swung it at Koneko, with the young Rook dodging to the side in haste. The sword's slash opened a wide gash on the ground below, with wisps of smoke coming out of it.
"How was that!?" Tomoe said, making a peace sign. "That's the true power of my Blazer Shining or Darkness Samurai Sword!"
"…What's up with the chuuni-sounding name?" Koneko said, raising an eyebrow. "Is Meguri-senpai part of 'that' group as well?"
"No, no, don't misunderstand things, Koneko-chan!" Tomoe said in a hurry, looking flustered. "I wasn't the one who came up with that weird name, and it's kind of embarrassing to say it! Still, its power is the real deal and that's all that matters!"
The unstable storm of aura around the blade intensified as Tomoe went on the offensive, slashing at Koneko with even faster moves than before. Unsure as to whether her Touki could withstand this chaotic mix, Koneko chose to evade her slashes and thrusts while looking for an opening. Seeing that she was getting too close to the flames, Koneko evaded Tomoe's horizontal slash by jumping over it. At that moment, the blade released a barrage of light and dark energy bullets, pelting Koneko's body and sending her crashing on the ground. Tomoe brought her blade down at her, but Koneko intensified the Touki around her fist and struck. A shockwave erupted from their clash, forcing the two combatants apart.
That blade is strong. Koneko thought as she stood up, feeling her limbs somewhat heavier than normal. Not to mention, the field Saji-senpai has set up keeps slowly sapping my strength. I wanted to conserve my energy, but if I hold back, I might be the one to lose here.
Making up her mind, Koneko intensified the Touki surrounding her body as her second tail appeared. Upon seeing that, Tomoe let out a nervous smile.
"Hm, Koneko-chan is getting serious." Tomoe said as she brandished her blade. "However, for Student President's sake, I'll do my best here!"
Tomoe channeled as much power as she could to the sword in order to increase the blade's length, the strain on her body evident from her haggard face and trembling limbs. Despite that, she executed her next attack in a controlled and elegant manner, her energy-clad sword drawing a perfect arc as it descended towards Koneko. However, the young Nekomata merely raised her hand, with the approaching storm of energy halting as if it had struck an invisible wall.
"What on Earth…?" Tomoe frowned, finding herself unable to move her sword or launch energy bullets from it despite her best efforts. "This ability is…!"
"…Telekinesis through Senjutsu." Koneko said. "I'm still a novice, but even I can do something like this!"
Koneko made another gesture, with the ensuing mental push causing Tomoe to lose her grip on her sword and stumble. Before she could recover, Koneko launched several ki bullets at her, with Tomoe screaming in pain as they exploded on her body. Dashing forward with all the speed she could muster, Koneko buried her fist in Tomoe's abdomen, channeling as much ki as she could to damage her insides. The young Knight spat out blood from her mouth as she fell on her knees, with the light of retirement enveloping her body.
[Sona Sitri-sama's Knight, retired.]
Grayfia's voice announced, with Koneko releasing the Touki enveloping her body and taking deep breaths to center herself once again. At that moment, the wall of flames separating her from Gasper dissipated, with the young Dhampir rushing to her in a hurry.
"K-Koneko-chan, are you alright!?" Gasper said. "Are you injured anywhere!?"
"…It's nothing serious, so don't worry about it, Gya-kun." Koneko said. "Had any luck with the flames trapping us?"
"N-Nothing I've tried so far worked…" Gasper said with a downcast expression. "The flames separating us until now, they just v-vanished on their own for some reason, not because of anything I d-did. I'm s-sorry that I'm such a useless guy, Koneko-chaaaan!"
"…Don't beat yourself up over it." Koneko said. "If we both work together, perhaps we can dispel these cursed flames. If all else fails, we still have Takeshi-senpai. Once he defeats Saji-senpai, the flames should vanish."
"R-Right." Gasper nodded. "If it's Senpai, I'm sure he's going to win no matter what! That's why, l-let's do our best too!"
"…That's the spirit, Gya-kun."
Glancing at the two shadowy figures fighting beyond the wall of flames separating her and Gasper from them with a slight frown, Koneko turned her attention to the outer wall as Gasper started explaining its properties.
Meanwhile, the two Pawns' battle kept raging on. Using his black flame-covered fists, his Delete Field's abilties and his tail unit, Genshirou was attacking for every angle he could, desperately trying to find gaps in the several skintight barriers that covered Takeshi's armor while also fighting against the fear-inducing effects of his opponent's gaze.
Despite his efforts though, Takeshi's barriers kept him at bay, with several stake-shaped ones aiming at him and forcing him to evade. Takeshi's shields also detached from his shoulders, slamming on Genshirou's body and sending him crashing on the dome-shaped barrier surrounding the two.
"Damn…it…" Genshirou cursed as he spat out a mouthful of blood. "This much…is nothing!"
Several lines shot out of Absorption Line, heading for Takeshi. Making a gesture, Takeshi had the shields move in front of him, blocking the incoming lines. Generating several thin blade-shaped barriers from them, he slashed the lines into pieces, with Genshirou barely slipping past the blades and heading for Takeshi once again, punching him with his left gauntlet.
[Delete!]
Following that announcement, the barriers around Takeshi's armor weakened. Before Genshirou could capitalize on that, several bullet-shaped small barriers pelted his body, sending him skidding backwards. As the shields came for him again, Genshirou slammed his fist on the ground with a roar, unleashing black flames that enveloped the shields and froze them in place.
The raging conflagration headed towards Takeshi next, but he blocked it with multiple layers of wall-shaped barriers. He then sent them flying towards Genshirou with the intent to crush him, but he batted them aside with the aid of his Delete Field and black flame-coated limbs.
Strange… Takeshi thought as he launched multiple disk-shaped barriers at the dome barrier surrounding them, causing them to bounce off it and attack Genshirou from multiple directions. It's true that my power is slowly being sapped by the large-scale barrier Saji-kun has set up and that his Delete Field gauntlet is weakening my barriers once it touches them. Still, he shouldn't be able to break through them with such ease, and it's odd that he has this much power to spare while he's forced to keep both the draining barrier and his ring of fire up. Don't tell me…
Several pillar-shaped barriers erupted from the ground, forcing Genshirou to use his tail in order to launch himself into the air. At that moment, Takeshi saw a few small lines extending from Genshirou's chest and connecting to his Sacred Gears. Before he could say anything, the tail unit released large amounts of water vapor once again, obscuring his sight.
Focusing on his ears, Takeshi heard Genshirou approaching from the left and opened his mouth wide, letting out a demonic power-infused howl that struck Genshirou head-on and sent him skidding backwards. Forming several cube-shaped barriers above his opponent, Takeshi directed them at Genshirou, but he released a multitude of lines that grabbed the barriers and tossed them aside. The sudden spike in power Takeshi sensed only served to confirm his suspicions.
"Saji, you…" Takeshi showed an anguished expression beneath his helmet. "You've been using Absorption Line to channel your lifeforce into your Sacred Gears and increase their power?"
"Yes…that's right." Genshirou said with a grin, panting as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "For an unskilled idiot like me…tricks like these are all I can do to stand up to someone like you… Even then…I'm still coming up short…"
"Risking your life and health, you're willing to go that far to win this?"
"You're damn right I am." Genshirou said with a bitter expression. "Can you understand it, Ryuugamine? The frustration, the rage, the sorrow we all felt when our dream was laughed at? When it was dismissed as a childish fantasy? Even though we're serious about it, even though we're willing to devote our lives to it…that much isn't enough."
Genshirou glared at his opponent as he continued speaking.
"That's why, we have no other choice but to show everyone our resolve through our fight today!" Genshirou howled as blood kept dripping from his mouth, ears and eyes. "This battle is broadcasted throughout the whole Underworld! We'll win and declare our dream once again with our head held high! We will open a Rating Game school that will accept everyone without discrimination! And I! I will become a teacher there! That's our cherished dream, and for its sake, I'm willing to put my life on the line!"
A large amount of raging black flames enveloped Genshirou's body following his declaration, assuming the shape of a Dragon.
[That brat, his spirit is resonating with Vritra's soul.] Grendel said in a delighted tone. [This is the best! You humans and former humans, your obsessions and drive are unmatched among all supernatural beings! That's why fighting against you is so damn entertaining!]
"Shemhazai-san said I shouldn't overdo it…but I don't have much choice here." Genshirou said with a bitter smile from within the flames. "Regardless of my determination, my body is reaching its limit. That's why, I'm putting everything I've got in this final blow! I will defeat you and move forward!"
"You are a splendid warrior, Saji-kun." Takeshi said, smiling beneath his helmet. "Student President should count herself lucky to have a man like you serving under her. After today, I'm sure no-one will dare laugh at you guys again no matter how this battle ends. Your dream is a splendid one that deserves to come true."
"Well, thanks for the praise, Ryuugamine."
"Even so, I will crush you with all with my strength." Takeshi said with a serious tone. "We are both fighting for our own reasons and dreams, but there can only be one standing in the end. Moreover, that's the only way I can honor your resolve to risk everything for what you believe in. Now, here comes the highlight!"
After Takeshi said so, an explosion of aura erupted from his body, blowing away the flames that had trapped his shields. At the same time, the drone units dissolved the large barrier trapping the two combatants and came to hover next to him along with the two shields.
"Damn monster…" Genshirou said while chuckling as he got ready to charge. "I've been doing my damnedest to drain you, and you still have this much power? The Evil Dragon User is on a level of his own, huh?"
"There's no-one like me, that's for sure!" Takeshi grinned as he pressed the sides of his buckle once. "Here I come, Saji-kun!"
[Charge! Terror Overflow!]
A platform-shaped barrier formed itself beneath Takeshi's feet, lifting him up into the air. As Genshirou dashed at him, Takeshi jumped off the platform and aimed a flying side kick at him. The drone units and shields coming to hover in front of his outstretched leg at the same time, forming a large drill-shaped barrier that began spinning.
[Crushing Blast Fever!]
The two opponents collided in midair, creating a large shockwave that shook the area. Genshirou channeled all the power he could spare in an attempt to overpower his opponent, but Takeshi's kick scattered the flames after a couple of seconds and struck his fellow Pawn head-on, sending him crashing on the ground.
Takeshi landed a few steps away from him as the drones and shields attached themselves to his armor again, glancing at his opponent. Genshirou was in bad shape, with his left arm twisted in a weird angle and blood flowing out of several wounds on his body. Even so, the light had not yet left his eyes as he struggled to stand up.
"Not…yet…" Genshirou said while spitting out blood. "It's…not over yet… I…can still…clench my fist… I can…still…fight!"
His tail unit shot forward, aiming for Takeshi's neck. He batted it aside with ease, only for Genshirou to make his way towards him with unsteady steps, making a fist with his right hand and striking him. However, there was almost no power behind that blow, and Genshirou seemed incapable of activating his Sacred Gears' abilities anymore. Despite that, he kept hitting Takeshi with what little strength he had left.
"You said I'm a monster, but that drive and willpower of yours is pretty monstrous as well, Saji-kun." Takeshi said as a drone detached itself from his armor, with several layers of dense spherical barriers enveloping it. "Even though victory wasn't an option for you, you fought well, my friend. Now, rest."
The drone flew forward in high speeds and struck Genshirou's abdomen, knocking the breath out of him and sending him tumbling on the ground. As the light of retirement enveloped him, he let out a small smile as he whispered.
"The rest…is up to you…Student President, everyone…"
[Sona Sitri-sama's Pawn, retired.]
Following Grayfia's announcement, Genshirou's body vanished and the walls of flame separating Takeshi from his other two comrades dispersed as well along with the power draining barrier. However, the towering ring of black flames remained active for some reason. Dismissing his armor, Takeshi rushed to Koneko and Gasper's side.
"Let me guess, we have a problem." Takeshi said upon seeing Koneko and Gasper's anxious expressions. "Shouldn't all the flames have disappeared with Saji-kun's retirement?"
"…That's what we thought as well." Koneko said. "Clearly, that's not the case though, seeing as we're still trapped in here."
"Saji-senpai must have put a lot of p-power in the outer flame barrier." Gasper said, a small magic circle in front of his hand. "Moreover, it was strengthened even f-further once the flame walls splitting us up vanished… The energy maintaining them must have gone to it. It's also p-possible that the energy drained from us through the r-reduction field he set up was also funneled into these flames through some spell of sorts."
"Alright, so what are our options?" Takeshi said. "Can we go over or under it?"
"…No." Koneko said. "The flames are too high. If we jump over them, we'll be out of bounds. Digging our way out is also out of the question too. The ground is too hard, and even if we could break it, it would take too much time."
"How about forcing our way through the flames?"
"Too risky." Gasper said. "These flames carry Vritra's curse. We'll be immobilized for s-sure the moment we step inside them. Perhaps if we exert our power to the m-max, we'll be able to break through, but we'll be left too exhausted to do a-anything… Worst-case scenario…we'll be trapped in there, helpless to do anything but b-burn and be forced to retire…"
"Tch, you sure left us one Hell of a parting gift, Saji-kun." Takeshi said, clicking his tongue in irritation. "Can't we dispel it somehow? Perhaps purify the flames through Senjutsu?"
"…No luck there either." Koneko said with a frustrated expression. "My skill isn't high enough as of yet to deal with these flames."
"P-Perhaps…there might be something I can d-do now that Senpai's here." Gasper said, prompting Koneko and Takeshi to turn to him. "If you give me some of your blood, I can use its special p-properties along with an anti-spell to b-break the curse, or at least weaken it to some degree. E-Even if I can do it though, it will still take time…"
"It's better than sitting around here doing nothing." Takeshi said as he conjured a small blade of demonic power, using it to cut his palm open and let the blood flow. "Have you tried to contact President and the others, inform them of our current situation?"
"…We did, but we can't get through to them." Koneko said. "Whether that's due to the barrier or because they've run into some trouble of their own, I can't say. The wristwatches show that everyone's moving for now, but nothing beyond that."
"Good news all around, I see." Takeshi said with a grimace. "No other choice then. We're counting on you, Gasper-kun."
"I-I'll do my bessssst!"
Gasper said as he started working. At the same time, Takeshi couldn't help but feel that everything so far was proceeding according to Sona's plan. The feeling that they were being played with made him frustrated and anxious, but there was little he could do right now.
Rias, everyone, be very careful and alert.
Takeshi thought before turning his attention to Gasper and his efforts to bring down the barrier.
This concludes Chapter 44. First, I'd like to thank alkaid1000, both for his recommendation of this story on Tv Tropes and the trouble they went through to create its Tv Tropes page. You are the best and I'm very grateful for all that! Anyone who wishes to contribute to the aforementioned page, you're more that welcome to do so since I still have trouble recognizing which events or actions fit what trope.
With this chapter, the Rating Game between Rias and Sona begins. I changed the format of the game, both because I wasn't fond of how the original game played out in the novels for several reasons and in order to experiment a bit with a game of my own design. Another major change is that the Sitri group acquired their Artificial Sacred Gears much earlier (with maybe a change or two as you'll see), and Saji had all the canon Vritra-type Sacred Gears implanted into him plus an original one, Drought Call (the tail unit), a little earlier than canon. Since Vritra was portrayed as the personification of drought, I thought it'd be fitting that one of his Sacred Gears reflects that ability. Plus, its water absorption, storage and release abilities synergize well with Sona's water manipulation ability.
Well, that's all for now. The next chapter will conclude both the Rating Game and this arc. As always, please read, review, favorite, follow, but most of all, enjoy!
See you all next time!