"Welcome all to the first ever Inter-Alliance Sports Day!" Theo blinked at the lilac-haired man's shouting that hyped up the rather massive crowd sitting in the stadium they were in before turning to the giggling Yasaka with a deadpan stare.
"I'm so glad we're in our own VIP spot." He muttered as he looked around at the large sky box they were sitting in, smirking at Kunou gorging herself on buckets of ice cream while Rossweisse did the same with her third plate of a dessert she mentioned to be 'Aebleskiver' or something.
"Her teeth are going to be aching tonight." Yasaka whispered to him with a smirk and he stifled his laughter as a snort escaped his lips, drawing the other two's attention.
"Wha?" They asked in unison, cheeks stuffed full and he chuckled as he shook his head.
"N-Nothing." He spoke, the two looking at each other before they shrugged and went back to eating.
"Ah, I see that the Richards family is getting quite comfortable in here." Theo turned and smirked as Sirzechs walked in followed by Grayfia slightly behind him
"We're not married." Yasaka, Rossweisse and Theo answered in unison with blushes before turning to give Kunou a betrayed stare as the girl snorted.
"Not yet since Grandma wants to make sure the weddings are perfect."
"Ooh, I do hope I get an invitation." Sirzechs spoke, chuckling at the glares aimed at him before he looked at Theo.
"I'm actually here for you. The other leaders are meeting in the main VIP box and they want you there for some reason."
"Me?" He asked in confusion, blinking as they nodded before he sighed as he looked at Yasaka.
"We'll continue teasing them when you get back."
"Wait, what?" Rossweisse blinked, bewildered as Theo chuckled and Yasaka giggled before he stood up & gave each lady a quick kiss.
"Don't eat too much, okay, or else you won't have any space for my special dinner tonight."
"Wait, you're making dinner?! Why didn't you say that?! Oh man, how do I get hungry really quickly?!" Kunou exclaimed, looking worried as she quickly went to put her ice cream away, the two ladies just shaking their heads as Theo smirked before following after the chuckling Sirzechs as the two men left with Grayfia following behind them.
"So, whose idea was it to have a large festival sports tournament combo? Also, when did Kuoh Town have this giant stadium?" He asked as he gestured at the hallway they were in and Sirzechs smirked before he answered.
"For the latter question, we built it after the big fight you & your ladies had against the primordials, which I also must thank you on facing since my precious little sister lives here." He said with a nod and Theo snorted as he waved his hand dismissively.
"No need for all that. They attacked first and as the captain placed in charge by the Organization to protect Kuoh, it was my pleasure to do so." He said and Sirzechs smirked as he nodded.
"As for the answer to your first question, it was actually something that was discussed between myself, Michael, Azazel and the other leaders before we decided on the devils being the ones to hold it since we have the worst history with most of the other pantheons."
"That's true, especially when you guys started using those Evil Pieces." Theo said with a nod and Sirzechs sighed as he shook his head.
"Yeah, that was mostly my fault. Ajuka told me that the Evil Pieces were too powerful and that he needed more time in order to perfect them, but Devilkind as a race was nearly extinct and I strong-armed him into mass-producing them. In hindsight, if I kept my mouth shut, they may have been even better than they were before."
"Wait, the Evil Pieces are incomplete?"
"Don't let Ajuka hear you say that as he hates being known for making anything but perfection. However, yes, the Evil Pieces are incomplete. Originally, the Evil Pieces were to be made the same, but with the added benefit that a devil had to have the human's consent to reincarnate them and we wouldn't be able to reincarnate those that were deceased."
"…Okay, I have to admit. You kinda screwed yourself there." Theo said with a smirk and Sirzechs groaned.
"Come on, not you too. I already get so much complaining from Fal, Sera and Juka for that."
"That's because you tended to act first & think later in your younger years, Lord Lucifer." Grayfia chimed in from the back and Theo chuckled as Sirzechs just pouted.
"Betrayed by my own wife. Oh, how life likes to mess with me." The red-haired man grumbled and Theo shook his head before he blinked as they stopped in front of a golden door.
"Let me guess, Gil?" He asked as he turned to Sirzechs, the man's smirk making him shake his head before he took a breath and opened the door.
"Ah, Theo! You're finally here! Come and join us for a drink!" Gil said with a smirk as he swished a glass of red wine around, Theo just rolling his eyes as he turned to the other leaders who were sitting on the other seats.
"Hello, everyone. I see that you all are enjoying the sports day." He said and Zeus snorted as Amaterasu giggled.
"I would be, but with the ladies here, we're not allowed to bring in a bit of entertainment." Odin grumbled and Amaterasu & Grayfia just raised an eyebrow as Theo slowly turned to Zeus who was innocently looking out a window.
"I wonder what aunt Hera would have to say about this."
"O-Oi! I didn't say anything about your 18th birthday!" Zeus exclaimed with a finger pointed at Theo, drawing raised eyebrows from everyone as Theo smirked.
"Now, if you tell anyone about that, then I'll go & tell aunt Hera about this, cool?" He said, chuckling as Zeus grumbled before turning to Gil as the man cleared his throat.
"Well, I guess since you're here, I might as well get this over with." Theo blinked at his words as he watched Gil down his drink before the man stood up & walked towards him, everyone confused as he stopped just a few feet away from Theo & held his right hand out.
"Prepare yourself for the ritual, Theseus Richards." Gil spoke in a formal tone and Theo's eyes widened as he shakily raised his hand.
"Do you, Theseus Richards, vow to uphold the peace & prosperity of humanity?"
"I-I do."
"Do you swear to cherish & love it as if it is your own child?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to nurture & make it flourish to the best of your capabilities?"
"I do." Theo answered with a nod, his voice steady as Gil smirked before the two men clasped the other's forearms.
A golden & blue glow covered their linked arms as the golden crown on the back of Gil's hand faded away and slowly replaced the icy blue snowflake on the back of Theo's hands.
"Then I, the King of Heroes Gilgamesh, hereby relinquish my title as Supreme Commander of the Huntsmen Organization & Protector of Humanity and name Theseus Richards as the next."
"I, Theseus Richards, hereby relinquish my title as Captain of the Elite First Division and humbly accept the title of Supreme Commander of the Huntsmen Organization. May the blood of your quarry quench your thirst."
"As my hunt has come to an end. Well, congratulations on your promotion, Theseus." Gilgamesh said with a grin as he clapped the still shocked Theo on his back, ignoring the shocked looks of everyone else in the room as he walked towards the bar.
"…D-Did…Did that just happen?" Azazel's voice cut through the silence and Theo stared at the golden crown on his hand before he sighed.
'Just when I thought I could ask for a vacation.'
'Oh god, I'm actually the commander now.' Theo was numb as he slowly made his way back towards his skybox, his mind reeling and still in a state of shock as he replayed his words over and over again.
He knew that Gil was going to make some kind of announcement, but he expected to be something like a new elite force being made or him having implemented a few new rules into the Organization.
He didn't at all expect the man to retire and make him the leader, even when Theo didn't have the slightest clue of how to lead an entire organization of supernatural beings that are spread across the entire world.
'Oh man, the paperwork from being Division 1's captain was already mind-numbing. It's going to be shattering for me as the commander now.' Theo groaned as the thought hit him, shaking his head with a sigh as he arrived in front of his skybox before opening the door.
"Oh! Hey, sensei!" Theo blinked at the sight of Issei lounging in one of the free chairs, Asia, Ingvild & Xenovia sitting on the ones next to him while Cao Cao, Siegfried & Valerie nodded at him as they sat in the seats at the bar.
"Sorry. They were looking for you and I told them that they can wait here." Yasaka said with an apologetic smile and Theo ried to give a smile as he nodded, though it was not convincing enough as Yasaka frowned in concern.
"What's wrong? Is there trouble?" She asked, drawing attention from the others as well as Rossweisse & Kunou, who made their way towards the two as Theo just sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, no. Turns out Gil's news was that he was going to retire."
"Wait, what?" Both Cao Cao and Siegfried chorused in unison as they looked shocked at his words, everyone mimicking their expression as Yasaka & Rossweisse frowned in confusion before their eyes widened.
"Wait, really?!" Yasaka squealed in excitement as Rossweisse smiled proudly and Theo gave a chuckle as he nodded, confusing the others.
"Wait, what do you mean really?" Issei asked, Cao Cao's mind running at a breakneck pace before both his & Siegfried's eyes widened as they looked at Theo, who gave them an amused smile as he nodded.
"Yeah, and he's decided to make me the new Supreme Commander of the Huntsmen Organization!"
"Yes!" Cao Cao exclaimed in glee as a bright grin spread across his face, bewildering everyone as the man did a weird dance before noticing everyone's confused/ shocked looks, drawing a sheepish chuckle from him as Siegfried sighed.
"The idiot made a bet with the other lieutenants that their captain was going to be the one who becomes Supreme Commander."
"And I just won $15,000,000 so I'm happy & proud of that." Cao Cao said with a proud smile and Theo just rolled his eyes as the others chuckled/ giggled.
"Well, I'm proud to say that I was your second-in-command, sir." Siegfried said with a grin as he walked towards Theo & held a hand out, Theo chuckling as he nodded while shaking his hand.
"And I was proud to have you as my second-in-command, but I'm also proud to leave the 1st Division in your hands." Theo said with a smile, drawing a confused look from Siegfried that made Cao Cao snort.
"He's saying that he's making you the 1st Division Captain, idiot."
"W-What? Why? I-Isn't the captain of the 1st Division supposed to be chosen from the other captains?" Siegfried stuttered out, drawing a giggle from Valerie and a chuckle from both Cao Cao & Theo as he shook his head.
"No, that is only for the title of 'Elite' that is given to the strongest captain and his division. The rank of Captain can be given only to the strongest soldier within that division."
"Oi! I disagree with that statement!" Cao Cao grumbled with a frown and Theo rolled his eyes with a smirk.
"It's like you didn't hear me. It's only given for the strongest soldier 'in that division.' You're my new assistant because there's no way I'm unleashing your idiocy onto Sieg here. He's going to have enough stress as is. No offence."
"None taken, commander. By all means, take him away." Sieg said with a smirk, chuckling as Cao Cao grumbled about idiotic friends & leaders while Theo smirked before looking down at Kunou.
"Does this mean you won't have time for game night now?" She asked and Theo looked affronted as he picked her up.
"Are you kidding me? I would destroy planets to keep having game nights with you. No one is going to take that away from us."
"Thank you for that, but I'd like it if my boyfriend and my daughter don't destroy planets just for video games." Yasaka said with a raised eyebrow, Kunou & Theo snickering as Rossweisse pouted.
"I thought we had something special, Kunou. I see, you just want the better gamer for yourself, huh?"
"No! No! No! You're fine too, Rose!" Kunou exclaimed as Theo put her down, hugging the silver-haired woman as Theo & Yasaka gave each other amused looks.
"Just fine? Oh, I've already lost you to him." Rossweisse moaned in dismay and Kunou quickly scrambled to correct herself before Theo turned as Issei stopped in front of him.
"I…I guess you won't have time to train me anymore." Issei said with a sad smile before blinking as Theo snorted
"Oh no, idiot. The day I stop training you is the day you can beat my ass with your eyes closed."
"R-Really?" He asked as he looked shocked/ happy, Theo smirking as he wrapped his arm around Issei and pulled him into a one-armed hug.
"Of course, you're my student. Also, when the paperwork gets too much, I can use you as a stress ball/ punching bag."
"And there it is. Yep, I knew there was a reason." Issei sighed, though he didn't pull away from the hug as Theo chuckled and nodded.
"Now, enough crying & whining! Today is a day for celebration and happiness! So, let's have-!"
"Hello, everybody!"
"Fun…I swear, it's like the heavens want to prove me wrong at every angle." Theo groaned as he looked away towards the field where the different events were taking place before his eyes widened at the sight of a grinning Rizevim standing in the middle of the field.
"Ichor Desmos/ Balance Break!." In an instant, the entirety of Kuoh Town was bathed in dozens of different oppressive auras as everyone activated their strongest forms and charged towards the field.
Zeus & Gilgamesh were at the front lines as Zeus reared back his hand that was holding a giant bolt of bright blue lightning while the crimson aura of Ea tinged the world scarlet.
"Waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait! I came to talk!" Rizevim exclaimed while waving his arms frantically, the fighters stopping themselves from attacking as they stopped just a few feet away from him.
"Anaklusmos!" All except Theo as he unleashed a bright sea-green energy blast at Rizevim before clicking his tongue as a golden shield appeared in front of the man & absorbed the attack.
"Really?! The cause of all our headaches is right here!" He exclaimed as he looked at Gil, who was frowning as he looked at Rizevim for a long while before he shook his head as he put Ea away & adorned his armour once more.
"That's not him. It's just a projection that has his aura."
"I see. Your ability to see through illusions must be one of your Treasures, correct?" Rizevim said with a grin as he looked at Gilgamesh, snickering as the man just gave him a stoic glare.
"Enough of your games, Rizevim. What do you want?!" Zeus asked with a glare as he deactivated his Ichor Desmos, everyone following his example as Rizevim shook his head & wagged his finger with a teasing smile.
"Oh, it's not what I want, Zeusie dear. It's what my associate wants."
"Did you just-!"
"Calm, brother. He wants you mad." Poseidon said to Zeus as he placed a hand on the god's shoulder, Zeus taking a deep breath as Rizevim looked a bit disappointed before going back to his wide smile as he looked at something off to his right.
"Hausie, here's your chance to talk." He said, confusing everyone as he disappeared before gasps echoed throughout the arena as a new face walked onto the room.
"Why is he with him?" Theo asked with a frown as he looked at the man in front of them before turning to the shocked devil leaders next to them, Sirzechs frozen silent as he stared at the stoic face of Diehauser Belial in front of them.
"Hell, Sirzechs."
A/N: And there we are! The start of the final arc also known as the…I still need to figure out a name, but I will let you guys know what the title is.
Also, sorry for the erratic upload schedule lately, but I finished writing my exams for the first half of the semester and so, I have a lot of free time now to continue writing more chapters now.
Next chapter, Diehauser's speech, Theo's promotion ceremony and more!
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…
Ba-Bye~!