19. An Approaching Miracle
Sirzechs appears seemingly amused. "Not a lick of surprise. I'd have assumed no differently from what I've heard about you, Anos."
There's a question on everyone's expression. Barring Grayfia and Anos himself. Voluntarily, the Satan's eyes flicker over his shoulder to the former. Steadily, she speaks.
"Lady Rias, it would be best to depart early," Grayfia says as she's near. "Lady Sitri, you too. In addition to providing aid in the live broadcast, you will be commandeering a room so that you and your peerage may view the match."
Gremory and Sitri nod along each, but the former turns around to face Anos. Both Sirzechs and Grayfia spot it at a glance. Rias visibly relaxes with Anos in her sights. Not her usual tall nor proud self.
"Well? Are you coming with us?" Rias inquires.
In all honesty, the question is a fair one. Coming along with Sitri's group seemed obvious at a glance but Anos doesn't exactly need to tag along and watch over a match he already knows the outcome of. Hell, the Anos of two weeks ago would have already been back at Wind of the Sun.
"He'll be with me," Sirzechs interjects, "I'll be borrowing him if you don't mind."
"What?" Rias' reply is as innocent as a child. She fixes her gaze to her brother. "I appreciate the gesture, but even if Anos is my boyfriend, he speaks for himself."
Lord Lucifer's aura— it exudes from his being in invisible waves - barely felt, like the stirring seas over the sands— all with a mere singular widening of his eye. "Oh?"
Well then, even Grayfia is at a loss for words. News like that is... worthwhile.
Issei opens his mouth, and Koneko steps on his foot.
"I wasn't told this before." Sirzech's voice is mild. His smile is less than that.
"It was a recent development." she remarks, smiling fondly at the memory, "I would fill you in but—"
"But you've got far too much to do first before you get around to it." The Satan crosses over to the reincarnated man. "Do you mind indulging in my company?"
"I prefer it that way." Anos remarks, nonchalant and easy.
When Sirzechs smiles, it says everything one would need to know of his thoughts. "Rias dear, the match will begin in twenty or so minutes. I'd suggest going with Grayfia in haste. She is the allotted arbiter after all."
Rias' brow furrows at the older devil. "Alright, just a moment."
The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess walks over to Anos, less urgency and more leisure. "We'll see you after we win."
Anos can read the curve of her smile. "I'll expect nothing less."
"Right," she nods, pauses up to him a moment, and turns away as if hesitant to do something.
Hmm. That doesn't sound right.
So, Anos hooks a hand behind her arm and pulls her close. She gasps in surprise, before he stays his palm to her cheek in a moment. She is calm enough to guide a gentle kiss to her full lips. The delicious noise that escapes her stirs this decision to taste her before their audience.
When they separate, the reactions are mixed.
From how Akeno laughs demurely behind her fingers, by the silent tears of Issei, all the way to the tightening of the Satan's brow - the message is received loud and clear. Grayfia is far more boring by comparison - stilling her expression is a practiced art to her.
"Lady Rias. We really should be off." Interestingly enough, Grayfia's voice is a touchstone distant, as if she's lost in thought over the brief show. "It is almost time."
"Sorry, let's go, everyone."
The joke being, she doesn't look very sorry. No, not at all. Even as the two peerages are off in crimson circles.
"I'm sure you're sensible enough to know I don't intend to steal your sister away from you." Anos says, out of hand. After everyone else has up and gone.
For some reason, the Satan chuckles, low and smooth as silk on stone. He turns to Anos.
"No, nothing so childish. Little sister or otherwise, Rias is an adult," he says, smiling the same way a ruler does to his cabinet.
There's a pause for a second, or two.
"I take it my name has been spoken to the shadows and behind closed doors." As Anos speaks next, there is no threat in his tone. No anger. It... actually sends a shiver down Sirzechs' spine. "What do you make of it?"
"They are simple rumors. Though, for a long time I have always felt something was coming. I didn't think it would be kind. And I think it may be you."
Sirzechs' words are merely a footnote to Anos, but they are interesting, enough that Anos lets the monarch continue uninterrupted.
"Knowing that you are involved with my sister. It drives me to wariness." He breaks, "Or maybe I'm just a paranoid man, overzealous for my people."
"Perhaps you are. But that is the work of a King so I won't fault you completely." replies Anos.
"I was told you commanded a great and frightening power. Beyond me. Beyond the world."
Sirzechs suspends his speech, perhaps coming to terms with this truth, and letting the words linger in the air for a couple of seconds each syllable.
"For nearly two decades a transcendental impossibility like you never felt the need to make himself known. I do wonder about that."
For all the unknowns in life, Sirzechs was most curious by this one.
"Clue me in, Lucifer," Anos says over the rustling wind, "has there been any serious conflict between factions?"
"There hasn't been any." Sirzechs answers, "It's been centuries since the Great War, and we're still only shadows of what we once were. All factions have only desired to maintain this era of calm."
"Is that so? What of the strays? Surely what took place at Kuoh's church not too long ago hasn't been filed and locked away?"
"A small issue. One that Rias was perfectly capable of handling." Is the words delivered back to Anos.
The former demon isn't moved. His frown plays on by the fact he's stopped smiling ages ago.
"Let's not diminish the severity; dragging the mundane into supernatural affairs, taking up residence on devil ground, obfuscating Sacred Gears. There was a small army of fallen and Exorcists and they were all too happy to spill human and preferably devil blood even under the protections of the Gremory and Sitri name. Surely one would have to ask: Is conflict truly nonexistent?"
Sirzechs isn't blind to the undertones. And though it wouldn't do to lose face, this truth is a pressing one. One that collectively needs to be addressed on all sides. Perhaps the leaders of the angels, fallen and the devils are due for another conference.
"One other thing of note. War is always rough on the foot soldiers. If the Three Factions ever fought one another again - especially in your depleted numbers. Even devil royalty would qualify: Rias. Akeno. Sitri. Tsubaki. All the others. They're not people I would be willing to send into conflict. Real, conflict."
This was troubling to the Great Devil King, he firmed his gaze, "You've... made a point I can't ignore. And an implication that I will have looked into. Still, what does this have to do of my own inquiry?"
"You asked before why I had kept to myself. I simply wanted what everyone wants. A peaceful world." Anos observed the the raise of devil's brow.
So, the former ruler gives some more food for thought. "Every fight on any side is just killing one another over and over in a war that benefits no one. Surely the satisfaction of cutting down an enemy doesn't outweigh the tragedy of watching one of your own perish. If you had to choose between a world where all other races were dead, but so were your own, or a world where you'd never get to kill again in exchange for not losing another? What would you favor?"
Truth be told, Sirzechs — as does Michael, and Azazel — dreams of a world without war. It's a dream all current faction powers share. If even Anos, a man that exceeds the world, deems it so, it means all the more.
"You already know my answer." Anos concludes.
"So I do," Sirzechs says, and then pauses for a long moment. "Truly, I do."
Sirzechs didn't expect to be letting out such a sentiment, but here he was, confiding to his... sister's lover... it still does bother him a great amount.
"I... prefer not to be a selfish soul. If you do truly love Rias -- and make her happy, then I owe you a great debt. Far more than just my simple blessing," Sirzechs remarkably proclaims, and he means it, for as much as he can show it.
Anos did not look Sirzech's way, instead he answers, again it is out of hand, "Love isn't an emotion. It is a promise. I keep my promises."
Sirzechs recounted those words, and permits himself to smile. Another response with meaning. It is so well placed it might have been strung not unlike a cobweb.
"I might not yet approve of you entirely, but you are quite the lofty man. If you stick around, you just might be able to convince me to change my mind. Be warned, it will take a while— I am pretty stubborn." Stated the Devil King, as if to weigh down his words with honesty.
"So you say," Anos says plainly, "You're doing an adequate job of impressing me, Lucifer. I might praise you for it later."
For a split moment, the crimson monarch found himself unable to pin down what kind of a man Anos was. But there is no doubting it now, it is clear that Anos does not fear Lucifer. The difference between them is simply incomparable— and that difference does not favor the Satan. Lord Lucifer endures nonetheless.
"I believe I'm beginning to grasp why Rias chose you," Sirzechs says, rinsing the grassy topography with magic and light, a transportation circle, "after you."
Anos accepts the obvious-enough invitation. It isn't like it is a trap, and even on the non-zero chance that it is, he is better equipped than most to deal with it. Besides, Sirzechs is someone Anos is capable of slaughtering out of hand. The former Gremory doesn't need a reminder of that if he values his safety.
Anos steps on the ruins making up the magic circle and Sirzechs follows, the two immediately severe the distance between dimensions in an instant of what can be considered a crimson after-gleam.
—————
"Alright everyone, listen carefully." Rias' words streamed out like a river, natural and controlled. Her entire being did not leave a single vestige of doubt, and it felt inspiring to behold.
"As briefed before, we know Riser's enjoyed himself a clean score of victories with his only ever losses being intentional to allies of his family," She's wanted to say these next few words for a very, very long time, "Let's give Riser his first real taste of defeat."
"Just say the words, Buchou. That Yakitori-bastard won't know what hit him." Issei's prized gauntlet was already equipped.
Rias smiled at Issei's zeal, the boy she's come to view as a younger brother in his vibrant disposition, the others look just as eager as he is. "I know each and every one of you shares Issei's sentiment. But do try to recall the plan, I need you all to do your parts. And also..."
She pauses. It is a bit too deliberate that it goes straight from dramatic to melodramatic. But, it also comes out sincerely.
"Akeno. Kiba. Koneko. Asia. Issei." Rias started as her Queen, Knight, Rook, Bishop and Pawn listened intently. "If I don't say it enough... I'm glad to have met you. You're all my precious family."
They all smile, it is a lovely picture if this moment were to be pinned down in time and frozen on paper.
"You're not going to get trapped with that Phenex. We'll make sure of it." Kiba reaffirms the room.
"We wouldn't be much of a family otherwise." Came Koneko's response, one with the color of emotion.
Asia smiled and nodded along, "Lord knows I haven't stopped giving thanks for your compassion and generosity. I'm grateful to you."
"Thank you." Rias' softened eyes and the rest of her expression makes it clear she's close to a tear or two. They all could tell their King -- no -- their friend, was at the height of her life and they would seize that moment for her. "I... really needed to hear that."
"Don't mention it." Akeno replies, she would not allow herself to fail her friend. Rias deserves more than that. Setting that aside, Anos would not accept anything less than a clean victory.
"I don't think I'll be making it much of a habit." Rias responds. Purposely ignoring the urge to glide an arm across her eyes.
Grayfia's voice soon appears omnipresent, suddenly sounding all around them, everywhere from nowhere, "[Lady Rias. Lord Riser. Preparations are over, the unofficial Rating Game will commence within one minute.]"
"So it's finally time, huh?" Issei said, punching a fist into his open palm.
Rias straightens, "Alright everyone, let's begin!"
—————
At the meantime, the room that Anos and Sirzechs take up is a simple one: mahogany furniture, adequate spacing, carpeted floors, a Victorian-styled enclosing along the walls. In the middle of the spacious room is the spherical display showing Rias and her company as well as Riser's and his.
"Do you drink?"
Sirzechs pulls a wine-red bottle from nowhere but also somewhere. Transmutation is a fine skill for occasions such as this, and air molecules are an even finer medium for it.
"Only with the right company." Anos says. And then he pulls a glass from the depths of nonexistence. The message is clearer than fire.
Cracking open the bottle, the devil pours the glass half full for the demon.
And as it was, when the last drop of alcohol fell within Anos' glass, Rias and Riser began their move.
—————
Kuoh's gym is best described as distant, at least in this simulated space, with its creeping emptiness, shadows and silence. The room is simultaneously refreshingly familiar and terribly eerie.
That is, until the ceiling -- high and quiet, lights up top. And footsteps, a multitude that vary by the second are known.
"I know you're there, servant of Gremory." spoke one of Riser's pieces, a Rook; Xuelan. Summarily dressed in Eastern-themed dress of the color of the ocean, and a dash under the touch of underwater moonlight.
Three more girls emerge from beside her. Two twins, and the other wore a haori and a red obi, the same girl who thoughtlessly attacked and fell to Anos at one prior time. All three were Pawns.
"You can come out now." The Rook spoke once more, impatient yet anticipatory.
Awkwardly and humorously, Issei walks out. More accurately he stumbles out with an abashed look of a school boy walking in late for class. All eight pairs of eyes watch on, unimpressed.
"You're the only one guarding this place?" Said Mira, never breaking eye contact.
"And it's the most pathetic servant of Gremory too, but I guess it can't be helped," Xuelan added, "Gremory doesn't have the quantity and she is a Rating Game virgin."
"Oh come on, I worked hard to be the best Pawn I could be for Buchou. You could be a little nicer." Issei uttered, he has not stopped smiling, in fact, it has only stretched wider.
"Ah, who cares? Let's put the Pawn to pieces." Ni and Li, the sisters, comment in unison, raising twin chainsaws of all things, the din of buzzing sails through the air and ears, "It is four to one."
"Four to one?" Issei repeated, "And I thought I was bad at math..."
In that singular instance, what blurs towards the four pieces of Riser seems to change positions without passing through intervening space. But they can see enough - it is short and white: Koneko.
The distance between them and her is near nothing.
A translucent verdant green coated her body until it condensed down to her fists and feet. In less time than a heartbeat, Koneko smashes all four girls up and into the air. Their bodies dent under her impact, and so do the bones, and the sound they make when they eventually land into and through the gymnasium floor is oddly satisfying.
"[Three of Riser Phenex's Pawns and one Rook retire.]" Grayfia's stoic message resonates throughout the pocket dimension.
"It was four to two actually." Issei finishes off. Giving Koneko a thumbs up, to which... she actually returns. The soft gesture was nice from the usually unfeeling Rook.
—————
"That looked to be Senjustsu." Sirzechs spoke after the fact. He caught the application even as he divided his attention between the battle and a pouring of alcohol, "Is this the result of your tutelage?"
Anos responds, eyes still on the real time display, "I merely taught Shirone to take control of her heritage, to let it serve her for a change."
Sirzechs veered his attention off the viewing for a moment. "Shirone? Ah, I see. You've gotten close to not only my Ria-tan it seems. I suppose someone had to one day."
Anos took a sip from his glass, he answers after, "She's yet to mature, but despite that she is strong. I didn't offer her anything beyond a push."
"In any respect, it is a wondrous sight."
—————
"This is so dull," Bülent says, absently stretching her arms up over her head and given what the motion does to her chest, a certain Pawn would be happy.
"It does feel like it's been ages since seeing anything but the occasional trap, we've only had the chance to wander. I didn't take Gremory for a coward." Shuriya remarks, steady in her step.
Marion raises an eyebrow. "Feel like? It's been like this for so long and the match has only just started. Lord Riser will not be pleased."
Bülent eyes face upturned to the building in her view, "That's their home base isn't it?" she asks and the other two Pawns catch her gaze. They could promote themselves at the very least.
"It is." A voice, that of a male answers.
The three Pawns freeze. They were veterans, frontline foot soldiers and they froze on the spot. Well, more accurately to put it, pinned on the spot. Various tiny ruins slip under their heels, keeping them locked in place.
It was three to one and the lessons that Anos had given Kiba, hadn't gone to waste. Because that three to one advantage meant nothing to what came next. And what did come could only be described in a storm of steel and sharpness. As if propelled by the force of a firearm nearing the speed of sound, a multitude of blades shot forward towards the black of the forest, bombarding the three Pawns.
Overhead, three distinct screams were filtered out by the quickness of cutup limbs and rolling bodies.
"[Three Pawns of Riser Phenex retire.]" Grayfia does not miss a beat.
—————
"It is certainly a surprise to see Kiba utilize Sword Birth in such a way, he always had an appreciation for the classics in swordplay." Sirzechs declared, taking a quick, but no less satisfying sip of his drink.
"The classics work well for plays and exercise but it holds no merit for actual battle." Anos comments.
Sirzechs chuckles blithely at that, "Brutally efficient, quick, and effective. The style serves him well. Even the quality of his blades are sharper and denser. Growth of this caliber is worthy of praise."
Anos' eyes do not shift, staring where they've always been, he still responds, "Be sure to have your compliments ready for when this is all over. Riser's forces won't last much longer."
"Confident?" Sirzechs guessed.
"Certain." Anos corrected.
—————
The multihued skies glowered and the clouds shaded grey before saffron lightening shot into an unnatural arc, like a drumbeat, and the shriek of a woman, Riser's Bishop; Mihae, draws upon the power of her class.
To construct a barrier of her mage-centered kit isn't an issue, acting as a flawless shield just in time before a column of lightning descends from the false heavens. It crackles and creaks around her being but it holds, just enough.
No, what the actual issue is the fact that it depletes her entire reserve of magic. Her effort surrenders to her exhaustion and even the small bit of vigor left in Mihae to look up again is taxing. Her eyes widen.
In the sky, with the smile of a predator, Akeno whips her arm forward, hurling a golden light-spear. She lets herself fall, if only to get a better view of the damage. The Queen's feet don't touch the ground and she is still able to get a shot from an entirely different angle.
"Arrgahhh!" Mihae screams. The impact causes an earthquake, and Riser's piece is unable to whether the shock before she's flung back into a rolling mess of dirt, soil and smoke.
Another spear is blasted out of Akeno's grip with a burst of golden lightning fired through the air and straight into Miahe's head – and, it actually splinters the poor Bishop's skull.
"[Riser Phenex's Bishop retires.]"
"Ara ara, such disappointment." Akeno is in her wearing a traditional priestess apparel, it compliments her blush of dominance ad her amethyst eyes of temptation. "Won't I be able to play for longer~?"
"If you're still looking for fun then I might fill that void. From one Queen to another." A new voice graced the Himejima's ears.
A mature buxom plum-haired woman, carries a scepter with the length of staff, and floats daintly into Akeno's view, the smug expression of this new arrival was also one of many things of note.
—————
"I wouldn't have expected anything else from Akeno," Sirzechs grins, "she grew to be an excessive Queen."
Memories of two girls of black and red hair running around the bejeweled halls of the Gremory estate. They laughed a lot more back then. And tipped over many more paintings too.
"She's excessive to a fault." Anos followed up with an actual smile, leaning back in his patterned chair.
Sirzechs nods along, "I see she's tapped into her fallen blood. She's had an... unusual opinion about the worth and value of her heritage. I'm assuming you knew?"
"Yes," As per usual, Anos is always better informed than most, finishing another swig of his glass. "Human, fallen and devil. She's lovely."
—————
Yubelluna stands at an even height in the air to her fellow Queen. "Your group has evidently gotten better from those ten days of training, more than anticipated, but that ends here. Your power admittedly exceeds Lady Ravel's expectations, so you have earned the honor of facing me, Priestess of Thunder."
"Oh, of course, Bomb Queen," Akeno smiles, halfway between mock and mischief, "Unlike Phenex whose only desire is a peerage to stroke his fragile ego, my boyfriend prefers to have us better ourselves."
"Spare me the petty taunts girl, I have no desire to entertain them," Yubelluna stills her gaze but falters when Akeno laughs.
"Ara ara, tell me then, how does it feel to know a human may humble your King and have you relegated on the sidelines to watch?"
Akeno eyes the Bomb Queen's tighter grip on her choice weapon with a deepened frown and ice in her eyes. To her credit those subtle actions are well hidden. But they can't resist coming to the surface for long.
"I believe you've made your point."
"Have I? We can't forget Buchou, she is all your King desires and you fall short to her. All of you do. Your entire peerage doesn't amount to how high of a pedestal Buchou is on; a woman who sees your King as nothing more than a—"
"Shut up!" Yubelluna cuts the distance, beneath her bones, light simmers and her staff lifts to amplify that light.
The air ignites like dirty fireworks and the sky detonates in a multitude of bursts. The shock is great enough to form a mass of gray-clouded dust and debris. The force required to level a building to bedrock centered and focused right in the space Akeno occupied.
"Perhaps you'll learn to keep that mouth of yours under lock and key when— W-What?!"
In the time the Bomb Queen watches on with a smile, proud and victorious, and by the time the dust departs, there was no longer a smile. Not from her, but Akeno's own hasn't faltered. She is unharmed, infuriatingly so.
"H-How..." Yubelluna choked out. Her strongest explosion amounted to nothing. Questions spill from her mouth like she'll die if she stops talking. "What are you still doing here? How are you unharmed? Why haven't you retired?!"
"Shocked? Don't be," Akeno can barely speak around her laughter, "not all Queens are made equal~"
To emphasize, the raven haired hybrid raises her dominant hand and a magic circle lifts from her palm, black light crackled to life, it is bright, beautiful and burning. A thick-meter dome extends around the Bomb Queen; trapping her.
Raising her lightning-clad arm to the sky, Akeno briskly winks, as her arm falls down like a gavel.
"Origin Magic: Jirasd!"
The black lightning expands several times in size, twisting into a typhoon and blowing apart the Queen from all around in an onyx radiance. Threatening the pocket dimension itself.
Gradually, when the sight is clear, Yubelluna has hit the ground, unconscious and not unfamiliar from the look and scent of charcoal. The Phoenix Tears she carried long evaporated. Her regal outfit blown away along with her hopes and questions unasked.
Akeno looks seemingly satisfied, ignoring the slight sting in her arm, she blows a kiss, and waits for the call to be officially given.
"[Riser Phenex's Queen retires.]" Grayfia states just when Yubelluna passes into the ether.
—————
"Origin Magic? I don't believe I've ever heard of such an application." Sirzechs voiced his awe of the ability. "Presumably, this spell is one of yours?"
"It is." Anos admits, "It harnesses power from an ancient existence, the older the better. She likely drew such power from you."
"Effectiveness entirely built around origin... Fascinating," If possible, the Satan would like to have this taught to many of the youth of the Underworld. "Remind me to introduce you to an acquaintance of mine. I believe you'll get along famously."
"Duly noted." Anos accepted, entirely because Sirzechs didn't just sound genuine, he was.
—————
"What is happening?!" Riser rips one of the desks from the floor, and hurls it at a wall. It's taller than he is and more than he weighs, but the ease with which he throws it is matched only the way with which it splinters on impact, shattering into broken sawdust. His whole body is shaking, and Ravel - his sister - backs away a few steps.
The young Phenex girl was a bit bratty, but a lovable little sister all his brothers enjoyed doting on. She wasn't without snark, "Aren't you going to get down and, I don't know maybe, do something?"
"I shouldn't need to." Riser all but barks, "This doesn't make any sense. I don't know how Rias did it, but all her pieces are worth a Queen each."
Based on Ravel's estimates, which factored any potential growth, Riser should have already had Rias in check. But nothing went how it was supposed to. What could be the cause for this?
Ravel was even more puzzled, not a single casualty by their opposition. "We need to recall everyone left an re-organize our efforts. I can't believe you let it get this bad."
"Brat. Are you not the strategist of this peerage?" Riser scoffed, "and am I not your big brother?"
The younger Phenex threatens to roll her eyes, and then does just so, "There's still time, I can think of something. Who is still left?"
Riser sighs frustratedly, "Ni, Li, Karlamine, Siris, Isabela and Yubel—"
"[Riser Phenex' Queen retires.]" Grayfia's voice chimes.
Ravel felt her eyes round. Riser was no better. "Come," he utters with fire in his breath, "we're putting a stop to this, now."
—————
The wind Kiba shoves aside strikes his opponent well before he does, sending the fellow Knight's hair into disarray and swirling dust into her eyes.
In Kiba's hand is a blade of ice and fire, freezing and burning simultaneously. The flame, blue-hot and burning— condenses with the cold of winter and into a strike with a deep, resounding strum that can be felt all the way to the bones. It doesn't just break the opposing Knight's blade, it cuts cleanly into its owner also.
"Siris, was it? I do apologize," Kiba gave a refreshed smile, though his eyes were of a lumberjack. "I've been wanting to fight against a fellow Knight but it seems I set the bar too high."
That is evident seeing as Siris' chest is gashed open, she falls to the dirt, and promptly vanished in that familiar glow of the defeated.
"[Riser Phenex's Knight retires.]"
Kiba turns his head over, just in time to see Koneko sprinting towards her opposition; Isabela, if his memory recalls well.
Isabela swings wildly to clear the space around herself, but Koneko drops to her knees and slides straight beneath and past her entirely. The white-haired Rook's legs stomp against the ground, her whole body uncoiling into a lunge and a Senjutsu enhanced head-butt that forces Isabela off-balance and unconscious. The pain of a chipped skull does nor keep her awake.
Not long after, Isabela vanishes in that same light.
"[Riser Phenex's Rook retires.]"
In the distance, three radiant bolts off to the far side of the field lit up with three distinct cries and three distinct craters.
"[Riser Phenex's Knight and two Pawns retire.]"
At the next moment, a giggling Akeno is merrily sauntering off with a flush and a subtle lick of her lips at her three playthings - Ni, Li and Karlamine - being removed from play. Kiba, Koneko and Akeno regroup near the courtyard.
And soon, motes of light forms a transportation circle, Asia and Rias exit from atop. The latter's smile is as bright as fire in the dark. It is a hopeful thing. Rias gives a nod to Asia who merely needs to wave her hands in the direction of the trio and they are all revitalized as if they had never fought at all.
"Great work everyone, you've all outdone yourselves," Rias' voice came through barely detected excitement, "now we just—"
Before another word is uttered, the wind blows harshly, as if to make way for what weights it down without resistance.
Through the air, a man falls.
The King, Queen, Knight, Rook and Bishop of Gremory face upwards, eyes fixed on someone far above. Riser descends with wings of fire and fury. His sister is right with him. Two Phenex's, hovering without a sound.
Phenex is quiet at first, his line of sight is upon them all. All of Riser's most experienced fighters, defeated by those who had never partaken in any Rating Game. And they all shared one same trait; they're uninjured.
"I must admit, my beloved Rias." He began, as his flames slowly grew in flickers. "You, and your servants did the unthinkable. From your mighty Queen to your lowliest..." his eyes search, "where is the boy?"
"Brother!" Ravel cries out in surprise, sharp and as a startled birdie.
Everything happens at once.
Riser's eyes can't even round as he is struck so fast there is a thunderclap before the sound barrier shatters. A force, irresistibly mighty, a Holy blade embedded into his chest, pushing near his heart. It rattles his body all the way to his ribs, and the Phenex goes spiraling down, clutching at the blade in his wound.
A figure; bright like shining crimson flecked in gold, like it's been forged from fire is born. A gem's core— a glittering green— glows like the inside of the sun, the same color as the sparks that pour from their body in an endless rain of crystalized power until it consumes them whole in Scale Mail armor.
BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!
"Any more need from me, brat?" Ddraig spoke from within.
'It should be enough.' Issei replies, 'Buchou wants this to be quick.'
"You..." As her brother writhes in grit teeth, such pain he couldn't handle, "you have this generation's Red Dragon Emperor?!"
"And what's with the Holy blade?! Dragon or not, a devil wielding such a weapon isn't possible!" Ravel's voice echoes, frozen stock still at what she was seeing.
Issei nearly laughs, because although he didn't understand it himself, he imagines Anos would have a few choice words for them on what is and isn't possible.
"As if we'd ever tell you! We'll do whatever it takes to win!" Issei's elevation increases, rising farther and farther with his plated arms above his head.
According to Rias, the blade would be check. Riser's regeneration was stunted, but he was still in play.
Briefly, in Issei's gauntleted hands, he holds something akin to the core of a star. One couldn't even see it directly— it's painfully bright. As if a genuine sun; his Dragon Shot.
This would be checkmate.
Discarding his patience, Issei tosses the sphere to the weakened King he'd struck not more than a minute before. When it connects, there is a silence, the missing of sound before detonation. And then there is light, so much of it.
It scatters everyone's senses to the four cardinal directions— it obliterates sight and deafens hearing, ruffling the skin and face with fire until all that's felt is scorched earth. Even the pocket dimension groans in protest. When it finally settles, there is just white before the world is visible again.
Riser Phenex is but a charcoal mess of limbs— severed or otherwise. The hole in his chest by the Holy blade pushed near his heart is a raw and angry wound— like the rest of his injuries, it weeps crimson blood from a fountain. The stench would be nauseating if one could smell anything beyond fire and ash.
"[Riser Phenex has been eliminated. The winner of the unofficial Rating Game is Rias Gremory.]"
He did it. No— they all did. Smiling, Gremory's group cheers.
But Rias' smile threatens to split apart her cheeks. Her knees are weak enough that her wings involuntarily spread out to catch her sudden fall. And now, Rias is graciously laughing her heart out. In that moment she is simply just a redheaded girl who has known freedom.
Still smiling, still laughing. Rias isn't sure if she'll ever stop. Not inside, at least.
—————
"I didn't realize Rias' Pawn boasted the power of the Red Dragon Emperor." Sirzechs is still, trying to grasp what occurred. "Certainly not one capable of wielding a Holy blade."
"Rias has a knack for drawing in the most peculiar individuals." Anos remarks.
Sirzechs shook his head, quite literally, "If you're anything to go by I should have suspected. Much like this revelation, I still can't fully grasp how you managed to have Rias fall for you so thoroughly in a matter of weeks."
"What else would you opt to believe if not for what's right in front of you?"
The Satan simmered a response down, his mind is a chorus of thoughts.
"We really should congratulate them." Sirzechs says. Watching Sitri's group appear to join in the merrymaking. The Satan stands, and so did Anos, the two in agreeance with the way Anos casts Gatom. Another magic to intrigue the monarch.
—————
Ravel screams, and she reaches the still unconscious Riser in a wing-assisted step, she slides to her knees beside him, one hand pressed to the center of his horrifyingly still chest. The Holy blade long since dissipated.
She finally, finally feels a beat and she releases a breath she didn't know she needed to.
Everyone watches on. The sight invoking all sorts of emotions. Pity is the one it draws from Rias who can stand a little easier now. The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess permits Asia to heal the defeated King.
Ravel turns her head as Twilight Healing does as its known - she mutters a cordial 'thank you' as she calms her shot nerves.
When it is done, a familiar whitish-glow and magic circle forms. Anos and Sirzechs materialize and before either are even halfway there to congratulate the redhead, Rias comes sprinting towards Anos.
She barrels toward him, excitement in every quick step, she comes crashing into Anos with a kiss.
Without realizing, Lord Lucifer himself surrenders a smile at the sight. Everyone does. Even Issei can acknowledge that for as much as he thought he didn't want to.
When the two separate, Rias almost giggles out of the kiss, now content in resting her head to his chest, just under his chin.
"You did well, all of you." Anos replies, a familiar, warm smile for each one of them.
"So, how do you feel?" Anos focuses to the heiress in his arms, feeling her sigh contentedly into his chest, above his heart.
"I feel less small, and finally in control of my own life," Her expression is rich, "I feel like fate has been overturned."
Let it be known. Rias had earned her freedom.
"You've all made quite the impression for first time Rating Game participants. Unofficial or otherwise." Sirzechs voices to the youth, but more so his dear sister. "Congratulations are in order. And a celebration along with it."
Hearing such a thing from Lord Lucifer himself should be a call for applause but unfortunately, the moment is lost. Abruptly, the ground beneath their feet quakes as if treaded upon by a giant. Everyone's eyes whirl to the source of it, this building incandescent ire.
"Damn it, to be done in by lowly trash." Phenex growls.
Riser's rage is accompanied by heat. There's venom in his snarl—as he slams a hand into and through the ground, cracking the floor like glass— the gesture could kill a man, and his expression makes it clear he'd do anything for the chance. And from where his eyes veer off to, he's found a suitable target.
The man who's holding his once-betrothed in his arms.
The third son of Phenex is up, steadily to his feet, pushing his sister off of him and Asia to the side, a different priority than the loss takes his mind, "You... filthy mortal, it's because of you, isn't it?! How dare you interfere to your betters!"
"Riser," Sirzechs speaks in the same tone that would have lesser men on their knees, "quell your anger and withdraw. You have lost."
"No, Lord Lucifer, as a King, I will not withdraw!" Riser spat, the blonde carves a look to Anos, "this fight is still undone."
"It's over Riser, I'm free from you." Rias spoke out against this madness.
"That is not what I meant." Riser doesn't even glance at her, "By the House of Phenex, I, Riser Phenex, invoke by right of retribution, a death match between that mortal cur and I."
Everyone goes very, very still.
Before Sirzechs himself can speak out against such a proposal, he is interrupted entirely before he can begin.
"If you're the type to find meaning in defeat then I won't stop you. Come. Forfeit your life to me in earnest, hatchling." Anos accepted before it could be repealed.
Oh, dear. Sirzechs gives Anos a sidelong glance, he returns it. It is as if Anos had found a flaw and the means to exploit it.
"Very well," Sirzechs agrees to the ancient ordinance. A magic circle to his ear to alert Grayfia of the sudden changes and terms.
"Why would you accept something out of hand like that, Anos?" Sona calls, Tsubaki by her side. All the devils are looking at him, avatars of interest they are.
"I've just been caught in the middle of something entertaining is all."
If it had been anyone else, anyone who hadn't spent days on end with Anos, they might have taken that statement to be less than genuine.
—————
"[We'll now commence the fight between Riser Phenex, third son of the House of Phenex against Anos Voldigoad.]" Grayfia's voice booms from everywhere, being heard amongst the whole of the alternate space, bouncing off to the stands of all the seated devils.
Anos glides his eyes over to spot his lovers and friends from the stands. They stick out like the world around them was too small to fit them in.
"Pay them no mind, cur," Riser voice is a raw mix of distaste and vitriol, "I don't like you. I don't like humans. What do you think it takes for me to not only stand here, sharing the same stage with you, to take my precious time to teach you your place amongst the highest of devils?"
Anos raises a brow, not understanding if this grand speech was suppose to mean anything to anyone.
"Is that all?" Anos says rather disappointedly. It is the type of exaggerated seriousness that isn't serious at all.
"I suppose a dog like you wouldn't understand my plight and my need to do this." Riser is assuredly trying to prove a point Anos does not care for. In fact, Anos is barely listening.
"Whatever it is, I wish you'd speak a lot less." Anos remarks.
Riser's glare could set a man alight so it stands to reason it does nothing in the face of Anos.
However, earlier, the Phenex did say something curious, "Make it known, hatchling, do you really love Rias?"
"Of course I love her! Not only does she have a phenomenal figure, but she's also the next heiress to the House of Gremory! What's not to love?! She's desired by any high standing devil and I was the lucky groom!"
"Was." Anos emphasized. He did not care for the twitch in Riser's brow, "you get one warning: resign the match."
"I will not. You're not even on the same pedestal as I."
"You're right. Mine is higher." corrected Anos.
Riser doesn't even twitch, he actually spasms. Wings of sunflower flame eject out of his back as he ascends into the air.
His hands ignite, it is high and harsh. A hail of azure-light bullets shatters the ground Anos stands on, and he's lost beneath the clouds of smoke. Above, in the sky, Riser— who has not stopped firing —scowls, his body is heating up, two twin wings beating in irritation until he ceases.
"I take it you've noticed how unreliable your impatience is." Anos asks, predictably unharmed as the smoke dissipates.
Then Anos moves like there isn't a distance to cover, latching a hand onto Riser's leg, he tugs lightly, forcing the Phenex heir to the concrete floor in a face first swing-to-fall.
A loud, curt grunt follows from the boy, and Anos continues, "It's a good thing I'm used to dealing with the impatient."
There is nothing to note other than the faint curl of Riser's fist and the disbelief in the crowds. Anos let's go of the devil's leg, "Come now, don't tell me I've intimidated you into inaction."
There is a rapid buildup of magic within Riser, light coalesces inside him like a star and it transfer to his enclosed hand. He hurls himself back into the fight, one fist of wind and flame humming in his midst.
The punch lands directly on Anos' cheek, his head tilts to the right rather quickly and returns without a graze. Anos laughs off the poor excuse of a punch, having turned his head to avoid shattering the poor Phenex's hand.
"A fickle creature you are," Anos mocks.
Taking hold of Riser's arm, Anos sends him on his way with a gentle turn of his hand. Riser lands with a heavy crunch, and it's more broken bone and the dull sound of dropped meat after he's dipped to the floor.
It takes the work of a lifetime for Riser to not visibly recoil in pain. He still screams: and although it sounds manly at first, so Anos lightly steps on Riser's head with his boot, then it doubles in pitch to that of a woman's cry.
Now, what was Anos to do?
"You… filth... No matter how much pain you inflict, I won't submit to trash like you... you face an immortal!"
Oh, the once Demon King settles on an idea for what he should impart on such a miserable fellow.
Bringing his index finger before Riser's forehead...
"What?" ...Anos flicks it, "—are yooou —?!"
Riser's entire body splatters across the field in mangled guts, blood and severed limbs.
How dissatisfying. He only wanted to severe Riser's head from his shoulders. But there was no helping it. Anos cuts the tip of his index finger, letting a single drop of blood drip down.
"Ingall."
Riser is reborn; resurrected in an unharmed state.
The audience was dumbfounded.
"Wha... What is that magic?! Lord Riser was dead!"
"He was brought back from the dead..?! I've never heard of a spell like it!"
Anos ignores the crowd. What were they so shocked about anyway? The audience was making a lot of fuss over something as trivial as a Phenex coming back to life. Then again, Anos suspects it hardly happened in a manner like this.
"Wha... I.." Riser looks at Anos with an expression that wouldn't be out of place in front of a murder scene.
"Well? How did you like dying? Feel like resigning yet?"
"I— I am an immortal... how could I ever— Gah...!" Anos flicks his finger again, killing him in the same manner as before.
A deathly hush fell over the spectator seats. Everyone looked on horrified.
"Ah...!" Riser, having been once more resurrected through Ingall, recoils back, Anos' shadow rears up over the blonde. An overwhelming wall of ebony and cerise eyes.
Every breath Riser takes is a struggle. Every breath he can take is allowed by Anos' will.
"You spoke of a death match did you not? But did you really think you'd only die once?"
Riser didn't— couldn't reply —he was too busy trembling like some wounded animal left in the cold.
"Let me ask you again: do you feel like resigning yet? I'm sure lawyers and philosophers might argue otherwise, but you have died already. Give up the match."
Riser doesn't even register the request, his voice is shrill in not just choking fear but shredded pride. "S-Someone, hel— Aagh..!"
Phenex's scream is cut brutally short when Anos obliterates the blonde in click of a finger's snap. There's a terrifying simplicity to the brute strength behind it. Another lone drop of blood rebirths the immortal Phenex who dons the look of a frightened child.
Anos couldn't imagine why. Perhaps he should converse with the blonde, he's never actually gotten to know the Phenex beyond being a man too focused on what he doesn't have to appreciate what he did.
"By the way, as a self-proclaimed immortal, you should have an opinion on what I'm doing, right? If a person is brought back to life, are they the same person that died? Or are they a different person with the same personality, memories, and body? What's your take?"
Riser's teeth clatter like falling dice behind trembling lips. "Y-you aren't human! What are you?!"
"Hmm, not interested in the topic, huh? You didn't strike me as philosophically adept anyhow." If Anos was bothered, he didn't show it, "Oh well, I suppose another dull death is in order."
"Y-You... You talk about killing too easily..."
"What's wrong? That's a rather drastic change of heart. It's not as though you'll die permanently," Anos spoke lightly, bringing a hand to Riser's forehead again.
"St... Stop—"
"Hmm?"
Oh. Oops. His finger slips, and Anos kills Riser once again.
How careless— it seemed he still wasn't used to accurately gauging the restraint needed for this world made of cardboard. The heir was just about to say something too. Well, Anos could just hear it after resurrecting him.
"Ingall."
"Y-You— I asked you to stop!" Riser finally completes a demand.
"My apologies. My finger slipped." Anos actually chuckles, impart because he is being truthful.
"Don't laugh at me! Who kills with a slip of a finger?!"
"Oh? Still lively, I see." Anos brought his finger up. "Let's do one more then."
The Phenex immediately shrank back, paling enough to qualify as a corpse. "W-Wait..."
"What now? There's no room for hesitation in the midst of battle."
"It's..." An expression filled with humility, his words were clear. "It's my loss. I resign."
What a letdown.
"Was that all it took to crush your will? How weak of you. Here I was prepared to kill you another ten thousand times for good measure." Anos was not lightly jibing, he truly meant it.
Voices rose from the spectator seats.
"He just treated Lord Riser like a child..."
"That was beyond one-sided... Who is that guy? Is he truly just a human..?"
"[Riser Phenex retires. The winner of this death match sanctioned by the House of Phenex is Anos Voldigoad.]"
Anos merely glances back at the broken man that is Riser Phenex, and walks away. But his foot hangs in the air on his second step, someone is in his way.
The little sister of the Riser; Ravel Phenex.
She glared at him silently and as if wanting to complain but she doesn't.
"What's a girl like you doing here?" Anos asks.
She can't answer. No, it's more like she can't answer in the way she wants to, "I don't know." Ravel says.
"Are you scared?"
Ravel replies only with a small shake of her head from side to side. Anos nods, walking towards her; every step quickens her heart and as he continues onward, he extends a hand. She seals her eyes in fright.
"Impressive constitution." Anos pats her silk-smooth hair, gently ruffling her golden locks. She does her best to avoid blushing. It doesn't really work. "Attend to your fool of a brother, he needs you."
He leaves her with that and walks past her completely.
"I won't forgive you for the shameful mark you've left on the House of Phenex." Ravel says suddenly, already drawing a transportation circle for her brother and herself.
"Is that a promise?" Anos' words reaches her ears but Anos does not stop walking.
Wordlessly Ravel stares back to him in wonder before the two Phenex siblings are gone in a flickered flame.
Anos continues on at a turtle's pace. He only stops until he stood in front of his awestricken friends.
What interesting faces they make.