Prologue

I stood there, my heart sinking as I surveyed the battlefield. The once pristine arena now lay in ruins, a testament to the fierce battle that had just unfolded. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I gazed upon my fallen friends, my precious peerage, scattered across the ground like broken dolls.

Kiba, my loyal knight, lay motionless near a crumbling pillar. His golden hair was matted with blood, and his sword lay shattered beside him. Even in defeat, he looked graceful, having fought with every ounce of his strength until the very end.

Not far from him, Koneko's small form was curled up in a fetal position. My brave little rook had taken on opponents twice her size, her tiny fists leaving craters in the ground and in our enemies. Now, she looked so fragile, so young – a stark reminder of the burden I had placed on her shoulders.

Akeno, my queen and best friend, was sprawled on her back, her usually immaculate hair in disarray. Scorch marks covered her body, evidence of the lightning she had called down upon our foes. She had laughed in the face of danger, her sadistic side reveling in the challenge, but now her face was eerily serene in unconsciousness.

Near the center of the battlefield, I spotted Asia, our gentle healer. She was slumped against a broken wall, her blonde hair falling over her face like a veil. Her hands were outstretched, as if she had been trying to reach someone even in her final moments of consciousness. The soft green glow of her Twilight Healing had faded, leaving her looking pale and fragile. She had pushed herself beyond her limits, desperately trying to keep everyone alive, only to fall victim to exhaustion and the relentless assault of our enemies.

And Issei... oh, Issei. My pawn, my unexpected trump card, lay face down in a pool of his own blood not far from Asia's outstretched hands. His Sacred Gear had long since deactivated, leaving him vulnerable and human-like. He had surpassed all my expectations, fighting with a determination and courage that had taken my breath away. Even in defeat, he seemed to be reaching towards Asia, as if their bond transcended consciousness.

The sight of them all, broken and defeated, tore at my heart. They had given everything for me, and I had failed them. The weight of my decisions, my fears, and my shortcomings crashed down upon me with crushing force.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm so, so sorry for putting you through this."

My legs gave way beneath me, and I fell to my knees. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood. The physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

"You all fought so bravely, so fiercely," I continued, even though I knew they couldn't hear me. "Kiba, your swordsmanship was breathtaking. Koneko, your strength and determination were awe-inspiring. Akeno, your power and grace were unmatched. Asia, your selflessness and healing kept us going far beyond what should have been possible." I paused, my voice catching. "And Issei..." I choked back a sob. "Issei, you exceeded every expectation. You all did. I'm so proud of each of you, so grateful for your loyalty, your friendship, and your unwavering dedication."

I could still see flashes of the battle in my mind's eye. Kiba, moving faster than the eye could follow, his sword a blur of silver as he danced between opponents. Koneko, her small fists delivering devastating blows, her face set in grim determination. Akeno, laughing maniacally as she rained down destruction, her eyes alight with the thrill of battle. And Issei, his Sacred Gear glowing with power, pushing himself beyond his limits again and again.

They had given everything for me, for my selfish desire to escape an arranged marriage. And now they lay broken and defeated, while I remained standing. The unfairness of it all made me want to scream.

A mocking laugh cut through my grief, and I raised my head to see Raiser standing before me. His smug face was barely scratched, a stark contrast to the devastation around us. Anger surged through me, hot and fierce, temporarily drowning out my sorrow.

"Is this all Peerage has to offer?" Raiser taunted, his lips curled in a sneer. "Pathetic. You never stood a chance against me, Rias."

I glared at him, fury building within me. How dare he mock my friends' sacrifice? How dare he stand there, unscathed, while my precious peerage lay wounded around me?

"It's over, Rias," Raiser continued, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Accept your defeat gracefully. It's time for you to fulfill your duty and become my bride."

His words ignited something within me. A fire that had always been there, burning steadily, but now roared to life with an intensity that shocked even me. I would not let it end like this. I would not let my friends' sacrifices be in vain.

Fury coursed through me, not just at Raiser, but at myself. A bitter realization struck me like a physical blow. I had been a fool, a coward hiding behind my own fears while my friends suffered for my sake.

All this time, I had harbored a secret, one that I believed could change everything. A secret I had guarded zealously, terrified of its potential consequences. But now, as I stood amidst the ruins of the battlefield, my loyal peerage injured and battered around me, I realized the true cost of my silence.

"I should have told them," I whispered, my voice trembling with rage and regret. "I should have trusted them with the truth."

The memory of their grueling training sessions flashed through my mind. Kiba pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, honing his sword skills. Koneko, her small body covered in bruises as she increased her strength. Akeno, perfecting her magic until she collapsed from magical depletion. And Issei, oh Issei, who had thrown himself into every challenge with reckless abandon, all to protect me.

They had given everything, suffered injuries, pushed beyond their limits - all to prevent me from becoming Raiser's wife. And what had I done? I had held back, kept them at arm's length, never fully trusting them with the truth that might have changed everything.

The fury within me grew, a maelstrom of self-loathing and determination. I had hesitated, and my friends had paid the price. But no more. No more secrets, no more holding back.

"I won't make the same mistake again," I growled, my power flaring even brighter. "I won't let your sacrifices be in vain."

As I faced Raiser, my resolve hardened. Win or lose, after this battle, everything would change. I would bare my soul to my peerage, reveal the secret I had feared for so long. They deserved nothing less than my complete trust and honesty.

I closed my eyes, blocking out Raiser's smug face and the heart-wrenching sight of my fallen comrades. I reached deep within myself, into the very core of my being where my power resided. The world around me faded away as I delved into the depths of my soul.

Before me stood a single, imposing mountain, its peak disappearing into the low-hanging clouds. But this was no ordinary mountain. From base to summit, countless weapons protruded from its surface – swords, spears, axes, and more exotic armaments I couldn't even name. They glinted in the pale light, a deadly forest of steel and magic.

As my eyes adjusted to the ethereal glow emanating from the mountain, I began to discern the true nature of these weapons. They were far more than mere tools of war; each seemed to pulse with its own inner light, radiating an aura of power that made the air around them shimmer.

I saw blades that seemed to drink in the very light around them, their edges promising cuts that could sever more than just flesh and bone. Spears stood tall and proud, their tips gleaming with an otherworldly sheen, as if they could pierce the very fabric of reality. Axes, large enough to cleave mountains, hummed with barely contained energy.

Each weapon, each object, seemed to whisper of legends and myths, of battles fought in realms beyond mortal comprehension. They were the physical manifestations of power itself, imbued with magics so ancient and potent that merely looking at them made my skin tingle with energy.

I realized, with a mixture of awe and trepidation, that these were not just weapons, but keys to unlocking the very forces that shaped our world. Each one held within it the potential to alter fate, to rewrite the laws of nature, to perform feats that would be called miracles – or catastrophes.

The mountain before me was more than an armory; it was a repository of power beyond imagination, a testament to the heights of magical achievement and the depths of martial prowess. And somehow, inexplicably, it was all connected to me.

My gaze traveled up the mountain, following the path of embedded weapons. Near the very top, where the weapons began to thin out, I saw something that took my breath away. A sleek, modern building perched precariously on the peak, its glass and steel structure a stark contrast to the ancient weapons below.

With newfound determination, I began my ascent. Each step was a challenge, the weapons around me humming with energy, some seeming to call out to me while others recoiled from my touch. As I climbed higher, the air grew thinner, crackling with magical energy that made my hair stand on end.

Finally, I reached the modern structure at the peak. Its sleek lines and reflective surfaces were a stark contrast to the ancient weaponry below, yet somehow it felt like a natural extension of the mountain itself. As I approached, a door slid open silently, inviting me in.

The interior was a maze of corridors and rooms, each filled with screens displaying data I couldn't comprehend and machines whose purpose I could only guess at. Yet, despite never having been here before, I felt an eerie sense of familiarity. My feet carried me through the labyrinth with surprising surety, as if I had walked these halls a thousand times before.

At last, I reached what seemed to be the heart of the building – a vast, circular room dominated by a glowing central pillar. And there, standing before it, was a figure that made me stop in my tracks.

It was a young woman, perhaps a few years older than me. Her hair was a striking shade of red, diferent from my own, but shorter and more tousled. Golden-brown eyes regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and understanding. She wore a simple white shirt and blue jeans, but there was an unmistakable aura of power about her.

What struck me most was the sense of recognition I felt. Not that I knew this woman, but rather that I was looking at a reflection of myself – or perhaps what I could become. She radiated a quiet strength, a resolve that seemed unshakeable.

"Welcome, Rias Gremory," she said, her voice calm and assured. "I've been waiting for you to find your way here."

I stood there, momentarily speechless as I faced the red-haired woman. Her golden-brown eyes bore into me with an intensity that made me want to look away, but I couldn't.

"Rias Gremory," she said, her voice a mixture of disappointment and frustration. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Or rather, what you failed to do?"

I swallowed hard. "Yes... Yes, I do."

The woman's eyes flashed. "Of course you don't. You've been too afraid to even acknowledge my existence, let alone tap into the power I represent."

She began to pace, her movements fluid and purposeful. "Do you have any idea what you've put your peerage through? The unnecessary suffering, the grueling training, the mental burden of thinking your fate rested entirely in their hands?"

I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. "I was trying to protect them," I whispered.

"Protect them?" She stopped, fixing me with a stern glare. "By hiding the truth? By not using every resource at your disposal? The moment that Rating Game was decided, you should have called upon me – upon my powers."

Realization dawned on me, along with a wave of crushing guilt. She was right. I could have called upon her, could have tapped into that vast well of power I knew existed but was too afraid to face.

"I... I'm sorry," I choked out, tears now flowing freely. "I was scared. I didn't know how to handle the consequences that would unfold, especially given how it would affect my family, the Gremorys, and my older brother."

The woman's expression softened slightly, but her words remained firm. "Fear is understandable, Rias. But letting that fear endanger those you care about? That's unacceptable. You've faced down threats that would make Raiser look like a petulant child."

"You're right," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I am the one who faced those threats, who saved humanity from extinction. But don't you see, Rias? That strength, that courage – it's a part of you too. You may be a seventeen-year-old devil, but you have the potential to be so much more."

She took a step closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "I understand that you're scared, that you feel overwhelmed. But running away from your power, from your responsibilities to your peerage, won't protect your friends. Embracing who you are, who you can become – that's the only way to truly protect them."

Her words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise all at once. "You have the heart of a hero within you, Rias. It's time to stop hiding from it. Are you willing to let your friends suffer rather than confront your fears?"

Each word was a dagger to my heart. The regret I felt was overwhelming. "You're right," I admitted, my voice small. "I should have called upon you. I should have used your power. I've been a fool, and my friends have paid the price."

The woman approached me, placing a hand on my shoulder. Her touch was warm, comforting despite her harsh words. "It's not too late, Rias. You can still make this right."

I looked up at her, seeing the strength and determination in her eyes – the very qualities I had always aspired to embody. "How?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiled, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Let me show you. Let me remind you of the power you've always had access to. It's time for you to stop running, to stop hiding. It's time for you to embrace your true potential."

As she spoke, I felt something stirring within me – a flood of power, of purpose. The fear that had held me back for so long began to melt away, replaced by a growing sense of determination.

I straightened up, wiping away my tears. "You're right," I said, my voice growing stronger. "No more hesitation. No more fear. It's time I faced this head-on and used every tool at my disposal."

The woman nodded approvingly. "That's more like it. Now, are you ready to show Raiser what you're truly capable of?"

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. "Yes," I said firmly. "I'm ready."

As the word left my lips, I felt the world around me begin to shift. The power I had feared for so long rushed through me, no longer a terrifying unknown but a familiar, comforting presence. I was Rias Gremory, and it was time to show everyone exactly what that meant.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar battlefield of the Rating Game that was supposed to decide my fate if I became Raiser Phenex's wife or remained a single independent woman. I felt 27 Magic Circuits that hadn't been there, joining the hundreds I had been born with as Pure Blooded Devil of the Gremory Clan. These 27 Magic Circuits might be pitiful in the amount of magical energy they could produce or handle the magical energy that my hundreds of Gremory-blessed Magic Circuits could do, but it was not raw power that made them unique and key to what I planned. It was their unique properties.

"You're wrong, Raiser," I said, my voice steady and filled with a newfound strength. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

I rose to my feet, power radiating from me in visible waves. The air around me crackled with magical energy, and I saw fear flicker in Raiser's eyes.. It wasn't just any magical energy. They contained traces of crimson aura eerily similar to an iconic trait of my brother, Sirzechs Lucifer.

"My friends gave everything they had for me," I continued, taking a step forward. Raiser matched it with a step back. "They fought with courage and determination that you could never understand. And I will not let their efforts be in vain."

The power within me begged for release, and I was more than happy to oblige.

As I prepared to unleash my power, I spared one last glance at my peerage. "Thank you," I whispered. "For everything. Now, let me show you what your king can do."

I turned back to Raiser, my eyes blazing with determination and barely contained power. Within in my soul many weapons, especially those that had slain countless demons and devils stirred to life and thirsted for blood. A particular group of weapons of legends and myth that in another world had dealt serious injuries or even killed the 72 Original Demon Pillars of Solomon screamed for my attention.

So many options, but I decided to keep my options within a narrow scope. The woman in my soul's past experience and knowledge flowing into me, taught me there was nothing wrong with keeping as many trump cards hidden as possible. I was going to hide as much of my new abilities while throwing up some smokescreen that would hopefully work and downgrade the political consequences of what I was going to do.

"Raiser Phenex, I hope you survive this," I said with a bloodthirsty grin as the crimson magical energy around me morphed. "Trace On!"


Before people get the pitchforks and fire, yes, this is Female Shirou and I chose it for a reason that will be a foundation for a plot point later in this story. Another reason was I was uncomfortable with the idea of a male Shirou being reborn as Rias Gremory for various personal reasons, and story purposes.

What do you guys think about what you read? Is it good, bad or meh? Any recommendations to improve? Please let me know.

Thank you for reading!