Tamamo-no-Mae.
There was not a deity alive, be them of the Biblical Faction or of another race, who did not know that name.
In the days of the Heian Era, she was known to be the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. Before that, she was the courtesan and wife of Emperor Toba. A kitsune of unrivaled power—a practitioner of the spiritual arts, without equal—and also an incarnation of the Shinto Deity: Amaterasu the Sun Goddess. Sister to Tsukuyomi, God of the Moon and Susano'O, God of the Storm.
According to the stories shared, Tamamo-no-Mae was one of the many courtesan's that had caught Toba's fancy. One might even dare say it was truest love, if the reports and documents were to be believed. Had Abe-no-Seimei not come and investigate what bizarre illness befell the Emperor, she would have become Empress. There was no use for "what-ifs," however. The Onmyouji had seen her for what she was, and persecuted her.
Countless men took up arms. Commoners, soldiers and sorcerers fought against her. In the end, many bloods were spilled before she was felled. However, though she was seen as a powerful enemy, a monument had been built to pacify her soul. Some say that Toba had built it, still believing in their love. This monument would soon become known as a curse, for the lingering resentment for the ones who dared to cut her down lingered and released a horrific poison that killed any who dare approach, be them man, spirit or animal.
A powerful Onmyouji had pacified the raging spirit of Tamamo-no-Ma, and the cursed monument; the Killing Stone, was shattered. If the reports were true, some would claim that the spirit that was an emissary of the Shinto Sun Goddess returned to its origin, becoming whole with the entity once again. Of course, no one knows for certain, except for perhaps the Shinto followers themselves.
Raynare, as one who believed that she was a superior being—far beyond those of normal humans and other races—couldn't have cared less. There was, in truth, a bit of admiration for the incarnation of Amaterasu, if only because of her feat in punishing the humans who dared raise their hands. They were cattle and sheep, meant to be led and herded. Defying those above them was punishable by death.
And yet, even she could not deny the overwhelming power that radiated from the woman who stood before her. The one who proclaimed to be Tamamo-no-Mae, the incarnation of Amaterasu-no-Ookami herself. Raw, unadulterated and primal magic power had flooded the area like a tidal wave swallowing a city. It was thick and heavy, suffocating almost. If she were a lesser being, Raynare would have been forced down to the ground and kneeled.
Impossible! she thought, unable to believe the quivering her body was showing as she faced down the downright murderous glare that the youkai holding her target was giving her. Such a horrific sight would have caused a lesser being to have a heart attack, then and there, just from the pressure such an intimidating gaze gave. How can I be shaking?!
In her heart, she knew the answer. The fox woman's words from earlier had painted a clear picture of her fate.
"… you had the nerve to try and kill my husband."
The idea was ludicrous. The boy, a mere human, had summoned a youkai to his aid. A youkai who boasted incredible magical power. Why was there a need to refer to him in such a manner?
Of course, that thought was hardly of any concern to the Fallen Angel at this moment. What mattered to her right now, at this very second...
"Prepare to die, bitch."
… was getting the fuck out of here!
With a beat of her wings, Raynare attempted to flee. She was no fool. She stood no chance against her alone. Perhaps, with aid, she could—
Wait. Why was it so cold all of a sudden? And why was she falling?
A second went by. Then her mind registered that the right half of her body was frozen solid. Her wing included. As a result, she couldn't fly properly. Now she was sent hurling back to the Earth she despised. Snarling, she released a burst of holy power. The ice shattered with ease and managed to regain her balance. Just as she readjusted herself, floating in place, she took notice of the many talismans that danced around her.
"Dammit." she cursed, remembering how the fox woman had brandished such items earlier. "A bounded field?"
"Did you really think I'd let you escape that easily?" the youkai who proclaimed herself as Tamamo-no-Mae spoke. Her tone was icy, yet bore a regal tone befitting that of a powerful, noble being such as herself. The scathing look of superiority she demonstrated brought nothing but indignation and anger to Raynare. "Especially after you tried to turn me and my hubby into a pin cushion? I think not."
With a flick of her wrist, a third of the talismans burned apart. Seconds later, a source of magic power let out a discharge, feeling like intense, blistering heat. Flames danced and expanded until they became tiny spheres, resembling burning orbs of inferno.
Raynare immediately recognized the danger these orbs posed, and paled. "Shi—!"
The spheres shrunk… then exploded.
Half a second later, a large chunk of Kuoh Park had been reduced to smoldering ruins.
As soon as the wave of power made itself known, the hand holding the crimson red chess piece shook. "Wh-what in the world...?!" Rias gasped, her heart beating rapidly. The pawn in her hand fell from her grasp, clattering to the chess board with a thunk and knocking over the King piece in the process, which proceeded to roll off the table and fall to the ground. "What is this?!"
Akeno's eyes widened as she rose to her feet, looking around wildly. Near the entrance to the room, Kiba's body tensed as he produced a European sword, radiating with dark power at its edge. He raced over to the window, peering out with narrowed eyes. As soon as he saw the towering pile of smoke rising in the distance, his eyes widened and whirled upon his Master. "Buchou!" he called in a panic. "There was an explosion over at Kuoh Park! There's no doubt where the one releasing this magic is!"
The heir to the Pillar of Gremory bit her lip, rising from her seat. Demonic power flared around her. An unbridled, destructive force that beat in her breast demanded to be unsheathed, resonating with the anger that flowed. "Someone dared to pick a fight in my territory?" she growled. "And in broad daylight, no less!"
"Rias." Akeno said to her King, voice deadly serious. "What are your orders?"
The red-haired Devil had no hesitation. This was not the Great Lady that many of the female body of this school admired. This was the Devil who earned this position through blood, sweat and tears. This was the King of their Peerage. "Have your familiar scout the area. I want to know who did this." she said before she turned to Kiba. "Yuuto. Go inform Sona of our unwanted guest. As soon as we have an idea of who has the balls to start a fight in the middle of my territory, with plenty of humans nearby, be prepared. This is probably going to be a difficult battle."
Her Knight bowed deeply. "Understood."
Without further ado, he ran out the room, slamming the door open and dismissing his sword while running down the halls. Rias soon bit her lip, looking out the window. She had to admit, the fact that someone openly released so much magical power was rather bold of them. Had she not known any better, she would have believed this to be a declaration of war. A very bold one, at that. She then pressed a finger to her temple, closing her eyes as she soon established a telepathic link to Koneko. Hopefully, she was performing her duty well. As much as she hated to pull her away from her current task and worrying over that human boy's safety, the matter would have to wait.
"Koneko. Are you there?"
At first, there was no answer. Something that unnerved her greatly. With greater fervor, she called again. This time with more heat in her voice. "Koneko!"
A second. Then a patch of static, crazy and wild before it settled down, establishing a clearer connection to her rook.
Buchou... the heir of Gremory's brow crunched tightly, practically hearing the trembling tone in her voice. Never, save for the nightmares she suffered when she remembered the day her sister had become a Stray Devil. The human… Hyoudou… he…
Her heart clenched. Has Koneko failed? Has the boy died? "What happened?" she asked, fearing the worst. "Koneko, what happened to Hyoudou-kun?"
H-he...he summoned her...
She blinked. Summoned? What did that mean? Moreover… was that a tone of reverence in her Rook's voice?
He summoned Tamamo-no-Mae!