On the other side of the battlefield, Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Koneko with Gasper hidden from plain sight, were on stand-by as they were preparing themselves for the enemy's strike. So far, things looked fine for her. She clearly had the advantage in terms of offensive power thanks to her two knights and her pawn. However, she had to begrudgingly admit that Sona was better than her in terms of strategizing and battle of wits. Every time they played chess or any game that require wits, Sona always the one to outsmart Rias as the former always made the least expected move against the latter. She wished she could have gone with the assault team instead of staying behind the lines. After all, this is the long awaited Rating Game against her childhood friend/rival, and she wanted to fight her personally. However, looking back at the rules Azazel said earlier, her current strategy was the ideal one.
The red hair wondered what her childhood friend/rival's move would be in this match. Based on her assessment, Sona would definitely pit her strongest pawn against her Issei, since their pawns were housing the power of legendary dragons in their body. There was also a possibility that she was going through the similar tactics as her own. But Rias knew well that there was nothing to gain by speculating things that might not happen, so she decided to trust her instinct and her peerage as she focused her senses on her surroundings to anticipate any form of ambush.
Rias did not expect to see Sona, Ruruko, Reya and Tsubasa suddenly came out from the trees and different directions and simply ran towards them. No, running would have sounded too stupid for Sona for not predicting of traps Rias had sprawled around the ground. Instead of running, the Sitri devils simply sprout their wings out and glided towards them. As much as Rias wondered why the enemy would bother to glide slightly above the ground instead of taking it to the sky, she widened her eyes as she saw the trees where the enemies had come out from respectively, were falling down one by one as if something massive was making its way towards their location. Her fear was confirmed when large monsters with various forms suddenly came out from the trees, let out a roar and started to rampage around the base.
Rias could not believe it; Sona just took a horde of monsters as her army to storm her base despite the high risk she could have been retired. The monsters were running mad around the base, chasing Sitri devils and Gremory devils alike, or fighting against each other while brushing off and destroying the traps that were triggered by their massive steps. "Gasper! Contact Ise now!"
The dhampir who was still shocked from the chaos Sona had brought forth quickly turned to his communication link and started to relay his master's orders. However, the tree Gasper was using to hide suddenly broke down and a giant centipede-like monster sneaked its way to lounge at the dhampir from behind. The Rating Game safety system immediately kicked in before Gasper's body could be injured too badly by the monster's attack.
"Rias Gremory's Bishop has retired."
Rias' remaining remembers were having a total pandemonium in their own base. Koneko was handling herself well enough against one monster thanks to her strength, Akeno seemed to test the waters by shooting some of her signature thunder towards several monsters, which seemed to only aggravate them while hurting them. Rias herself had to defend herself and Asia at the same time as she tried to make it out alive from this chaos, as monsters were fighting her peerage and some other monsters in fit of rampage. She could not see Sona nor her peerage anywhere, and staying inside her base would only put her in danger.
Shooting up towards the sky was the best way to escape, but the trashing and rampaging monsters, not to mention the trees got in her way. "Everyone, get away from here and try to regroup!" Rias gave out her order. Akeno and Koneko nodded and dashed off to their own ways, while Rias proceeded to withdraw from the battlefield with Asia. "Asia, stay close to me."
"Y-Yes!" With that reply, the two immediately flew away from the base. Rias looked back, and most of monsters Sona brought forth were still busy fighting each other. However, there were some that were not caught into a fight or intelligent enough, and one lion-like monsters actually spotted Rias with Asia and started to give a chase.
As Rias and Asia slid through the woods, the monster behind them simply bulldozed everything in its path with surprisingly decent speed. Rias immediately retaliate by firing her Power of Destruction, but her aim was off, making the attack that intended to obliterate the monster's face ended up destroying one of its wings. The lion let out a pained roar as it stumbled and fell to the ground, but such injury was not enough to put the beast down. However, it gave Rias and Asia enough time to outrun it. Soon the two arrived at another clearing and Sona was there as if expecting them.
"Rias." Sona greeted and she noticed the blonde girl beside her enemy. "Argento-san."
"Sona…" Rias smirked as her eyes were glaring at her enemy. "That's some move you pull on us earlier."
"What can I say? Desperate measure is necessary against you." Sona shrugged. "You know, when I sneaked into your tower, your real tower…. I found that the gem inside was actually fake as well… And I'm not surprised."
"Of course. I honestly didn't expect the gem to be detachable. Azazel sure had put a lot of variables in this game." Rias replied. "But since both of us have no idea where our objective is located, let's settle this through old-fashioned way, shall we?" Rias challenged as her leaked out her aura from her body.
"I couldn't ask for more." Sona prepared herself as water started to surround her body.
"Asia, stay back." Rias commanded her bishop and the latter complied while wishing her master luck. However, the two devils turned their heads to find the lion monster Rias outran earlier suddenly arrived between them, and it was sure not pleased at the sight of the red head who clipped its wing, and the sight of Sona only added its menu list.
Rias and Sona only glanced at each other. No words were spoken, but they seemed to reach some sort of truce as Rias turned to Asia. "Asia, once I distracted that monster with Sona, go hide and don't come out until I say so."
Asia wanted to talk back out of her fear for her master and Sona's safety, but she knew that she was still powerless against such creature. She reluctantly nodded and took few steps back as the beast roared and lounged its body towards Sona and Rias.
"Well, looks like kaichou's plan had been put into motion." Tsubaki commented after Grayfia's announcement was heard.
"What did she plan to do?" Issei opened his face-plate and asked as he and Yuuto hardened their gazes.
"Why don't you come here and find out?" Saji taunted, making Issei and Yuuto glanced and nodded to each other, and Issei immediately set his face-plate on again and flew off towards the direction of his own base. However, his left leg was immediately caught by Saji's Absorption Line. "Like hell I'll let you!" Saji mustered his strength to prevent Issei to go any further, but Issei simply grabbed the line and yanked it hard, throwing Saji's body to a distance in the process. Seeing that Saji had been dragged away by Issei, Yuuto immediately took his initiative to engage Tsubaki, who responded in kind.
Meanwhile, Saji was slammed so hard that the ground caved into a crater. However, before Issei could have severed the line tangling his foot, Saji quickly stood up again and pulled his line hard, causing Issei's armoured body to jerk down in the air as he resisted the force. Issei then decided to muster all of his power and fly around, dragging Saji across the ground to wait for the latter to let go the line himself.
[Boost! Boost! Boost!]
However, as Issei kept enhancing himself and dragged Saji around the jungle, the latter remained strong as he kept trying to sap the former's power with his Absorption Line. Seeing that this could not keep going, Saji then utilized his Blaze Black Flare and lit his line on fire. The black flame then made its way through the line towards Issei.
"What the-!?" Issei felt as the black flame started to burn his armour down. "Is this the power of a dragon king?! And this one is supposed to be the weakest?!"
[Dragons are still known to be exceptionally powerful, partner. Even being the weakest in terms of raw power, Vritra has the most variation of techniques that allow him to be acknowledged as one of dragon kings.]
"Shadow Prison!" Saji shouted out and suddenly a shadowy aura appeared around his body and started to make its way towards Issei to restrain his movement further.
Issei struggled to break free from Saji's shadowy aura and Absorption Line coated in black flames as he kept boosting to make up for his lost power. "I guess I can't take him lightly, after all!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Issei then broke free from the shadow and shot to the ground, surprising Saji as the former punched the latter's face. The line was easily severed as its wielder dropped to the ground. And Issei quickly charged his magical power for finishing move.
"Dragon shot!" as Issei then fired his signature attack towards Saji, who was still on his way to get back on his feet.
"Delete Field!" Saji barely managed to activate another one of his Sacred Gears as the red beam in front of him suddenly diminished. However, when the attack dissipated, Saji did not expect to see Issei to be in front of him, with his fist cocked back.
The Red Dragon Emperor did not waste anytime to be surprised from how many Sacred Gears that Saji possessed in his person, and began to launch a combo attack on the host of Prison Dragon. The Prison Dragon could barely guard himself against the vicious strikes and he was launched back towards a tree.
Seeing the damage he had dealt, Issei then relaxed as he turned on his communication link. "Kiba, I'm gonna head back to the base. How's it on your side?"
"The objectives are all fakes. It seems that kaichou also detached the gem to be hidden somewhere else."
"What about fuku-kaichou?"
"She vanished into the woods after I launched an attack to her. I'm currently in pursuit."
"Keep it up and be careful. I'm moving now." Without waiting for a reply, Issei then turned off his link and prepared himself to fly away.
At the same time, Saji was trying his darnest to stay conscious as he struggled to get back on his feet. Pain ran across his body, frustration occupying his mind. Even after his rigorous training by Tannin, the ultimate-class devil and former dragon king, and modifications on his Sacred Gears, Saji was still loosing against Issei, the current Red Dragon Emperor. Was it all for nothing? Was he destined to be always a runner-up? He gritted his teeth on those questions. Damn it all, he had dreams to fulfil, he had a master whom he fell in love with, a master whom he wanted her to look at him, to acknowledge him, and the said master's dreams… Saji wanted to protect and fulfil them too. All of Vritra's Sacred Gears were made aware of the frustrations and wishes of their wielder's mind, and as if answering his call, power suddenly started to spike up from Saji's being.
"VRITRA PROMOTION!"
Issei looked back when he sensed a sudden spike of power when his view was suddenly overlapped by a black dragon coated in black flames.
Meanwhile, Akeno and Koneko were able to regroup with each other and currently trekking through the jungle in searching for Rias and Asia. While flying Akeno was flying through woods and vines, Koneko could not fly as fluid as Akeno, so the rook decided to cover the ground.
"Akeno-senpai!" Koneko called out as the two then halted as Koneko picked up something with her Nekomata senses. Akeno trusted her junior in this regard as she did not talk back, and focused on her surroundings as well.
Then, three figures appeared in front of them: Yura Tsubasa, Kusaka Reya and Nimura Ruruko, running towards them. Koneko and Akeno were immediately on their edge, preparing to retaliate until the three devils of Sitri suddenly ran passed them. Reya did pass them a glance, though.
Koneko and Akeno then blinked at the still running trio, and looked at each other confused. What were their enemies doing? Their answer came soon enough as the trees where the trio came from earlier crumbled down and revealed a massive elephant monster that attacked their base earlier.
BUOOOOOOOON!
The elephant monster let out a booming roar as it kept making its way towards the devils, running over everything that was unfortunate enough to stand on its path. Akeno and Koneko were quite surprised and their distance with the monster was too close for Akeno to conjure any spell, so the two decided to run following the direction of the three Sitri devils earlier.
Soon, Koneko and Akeno caught up with the trio, and the monster was still hot on their tails. "Ufufufu, you three really got yourself in one hell of a mess, didn't you?" Akeno somewhat could still tease her enemy despite the situation she was dragged into.
"Y-Yeah…. I guess we made it too angry earlier…" Tsubasa replied with a hint of regret and shame in her tone.
"How did you get this thing, anyway?" Koneko mused.
"It's kaichou who planned to bring it along in the first place, the rest of us only helped her to agitate it enough to chase us all the way to your base. I didn't expect it so…. tenacious." Ruruko replied this time.
"What can you expect? Azazel-sensei created these things, after all." Koneko retorted, resulting everyone to sigh with the same sentiment.
"Himejima-senpai, Toujou-san." The aforementioned two turned to Reya, who was flying with slower speed than Akeno. "I know this may sounds inappropriate, but…. What do you say about us having a temporary truce?" Reya then glanced at the elephant monster that seemed to be a bit closer behind them. "At this rate, all of us might be eliminated by that monster before we can do anything for our King."
Koneko and Akeno looked at each other before they turned at the monster who seemed to slowly close their distance. They then looked at Tsubasa and Ruruko, who were looking back at them, then the Queen and the Rook nodded to each other as they reached an agreement.
"Very well, we accept this truce until that monster had been taken care of." Akeno smiled. "And I already have a plan for that. Koneko-chan, if you would?"
Without a word, Koneko then grew her tail and cat-ears, utilizing her Senjutsu skills, much to Sitri devil's surprise. She then gained more speed as she ran up ahead, and once she gained enough distance, she gathered the natural energy around her as many as she could, and she aimed right at the monster's eyes.
BOOM!
The monster let out a pained cry as Koneko's bluish white flame boiled its eyes. Robbed of its vision, the elephant stumbled and it lost its trajectory as it fell and skidded on the ground. "Akeno-senpai!"
Akeno's expression then turned into that of determination, as she had hardened her resolve and decided to overcome her hatred of her own lineage, and much to everyone's surprise again, she grew one fallen angel wing on her left while her right was her devil wings. "Thunder, lightning!" With that command, a demonic thunder appeared on her right hand and holy lightning crackled on her left. She brought her hands forward, and the Priestess of Thunder and Light fired her combined attack of thunder and holy lightning towards the blinded monster.
BLAARR!
The monster screamed when Akeno's electricity fused with thunder and holy lightning ran through its body. From its monstrous appearance, and its birthplace in Underworld's Forbidden Forest according to Azazel, it was safe to assume that the monster was a demonic origin. Thus, it was completely vulnerable towards light and holy element. However, even with its body heavily injured and charred nearly crisp by Akeno's attack, the elephant monster struggled to stand up with its trembling limbs.
"My, my… This boy is resilient, ufufufu…" Akeno giggled as she put a hand on her blushing cheek, resulting Reya, Ruruko and Tsubasa to be reminded what kind of woman Himejima Akeno was.
"Akeno-senpai, please keep your tendency in a stray hunt only." Koneko politely reprimanded her senior before she turned to Tsubasa and Ruruko. "Tsubasa-senpai, Ruruko-san, I'll need your help."
Tsubasa and Ruruko only saw Koneko ran towards the disoriented monster and grabbed one of its tusks, then the former two quickly understood what the rook was trying to do. Tsubasa then quickly grabbed the other tusk and Ruruko grabbed the base of its trunk. With Ruruko's acquired higher strength through promotion, and Tsubasa and Koneko's rook enhanced strength, the three then mustered their muscles to flip the monster's body around. Reya who felt that she needed to do her part quickly used her bishop's enhanced magic ability and earth spell to conjure a large spike on the ground, right on the spot where the elephant would land. She matched the momentum of the monster's fall and the spike's growth, resulting the earth spike to pierce through the centre of monster's giant body. The monster let out another cry, its body trashed around for few seconds until it finally stopped. Seeing that the monster was finally dead, Reya let out a relieved sigh and she looked at Akeno, who smiled at her. Tsubasa and Ruruko also did a high-five and the former gave a thumbs-up to Koneko, who returned the courtesy.
"Well, now that the monster's been dealt with…" those words ended the short-lived victory moment, as Koneko cracked her knuckles and immediately struck Ruruko who was still lowering her guard. Koneko's ki coated fist was strong enough to knocked Ruruko out in one strike.
"Sona Sitri's pawn has retired."
Tsubasa immediately realized the current development and jumped back to avoid Koneko. "Oh, come on! Do you have to kill the mood so soon, Koneko-san?!"
"It's temporary truce, after all. We're enemies to begin with." Koneko shrugged as she brought up her stance.
Meanwhile, Reya who did not expect Koneko's surprise attack, noticed that something was behind her and she looked to see Akeno was sweetly smiling at her, thunder and holy lightning surrounding her body. At the sight of the Gremory's Ultimate Sadist, Reya could only whimpered at the tough battle waiting for her.
"Sona Sitri's Bishop has retired."
Issei was breathing hard when he heard the announcement. In front of him was a figure of fiery, black eastern dragon glaring at him. The Red Dragon Emperor was taken by surprise when Saji was suddenly enveloped by black flame and the said flame morphed into his current dragon form. The surprise attack Saji pulled on Issei earlier managed to sap quite a lot of Issei's reserve, thanks to the combined powers of all Vritra's Sacred Gears. The black dragon's flame also managed to shatter some parts of the Scale Mail. The Red Dragon Emperor realized that he needed to finish this fast before he could have ran out of juice.
"Damn, Saji….. That's really…. Something, you pulled on me there…" Issei commented despite the situation he was in as he repaired his armour.
"GRAAAAAAAAH!" the black dragon only roared in return and shot towards Issei.
"Whoa! Okay, so you're still that pissed?!"
Issei also moved, then sky was filled with red and black streak as the black dragon tried to catch Issei and the boy flew around to avoid. Issei could easily outran him in his Scale Mail, however, he also had more than one reason to be wary of Vritra's curse. Not to mention, going faster meant draining more of his reserve, and his reserve was starting to run low thanks to Vritra's combined ability of Blaze Black Flare and Delete Field.
"Sona Sitri's Queen has retired."
"Ise-kun, are you still there?" at the same time Grayfia's announcement was heard, Issei's communication link suddenly turned on and Yuuto's voice was heard.
Issei was reluctant to talk during a fight, but with the current situation where the match had to end as soon as possible, it was time for some multi-tasking. "What is it, Kiba? Make it quick!" Issei replied as he still tried to shake-off the black dragon on his ass.
"I doubt that enemy's gem is within our reach, anymore." Yuuto replied with grave tone. "I didn't find it on fuku-kaichou. Wherever it is now, I don't think we can find it anytime soon."
"Damn…. Oh, shit!" Issei cursed as he barely managed to evade the black dragon that suddenly increased his speed and almost caught him between his jaws.
"Ise-kun?"
"Kiba, our only shot is to after kaichou, who is all the way back at our base! Go back there and help buchou and the others!" Issei increased his speed as well as he screamed to his link.
"It's going to be tough…!" Yuuto's voice then was interrupted by coughing sounds. "Huff….. Sorry, Fuku-kaichou got me good just now. I won't be able to move at full-speed or fight at full-power anymore…. But I'll see what I can do."
"Again, damn… Just don't force yourself. I'll catch you again later!" Issei then turn off his communication link.
"Ise-kun? What are you…. Oh, I see." On the other end, Yuuto with his body badly injured from Tsubaki's last act of retaliation, just saw a red streak followed by black passing above him. "Okay, let's see how far I can last." Yuuto spoke to himself as he used his sword as a support to help moving his battered body.
Meanwhile, Issei was still flying to evade being struck by Vritra's curse. Soon, he found himself entering the mountain area and realized that the black dragon was no longer on his tail. "What the…? Where did he go?" Issei thought as he kept flying without particular direction.
[Watch out!]
Ddraig's shout snapped Issei out of his musing as he suddenly got caught inside a mass of black flame. Vritra roared as he enveloped the Red Dragon Emperor with his body coated and enchanted with all of his curses. Issei's groaned in pain as Vritra's black flame flared out, trying to pierce through his Scale Mail; his movement, power and reserve were being chipped away again as the Prison Dragon's curse did its work.
"If it has come to this, then….!" Issei gritted his teeth as he prepared to do his 'last ditch' effort. "Ddraig! Put everything into the booster!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
"HAAAAA!" Issei then mustered all of his strength as he pushed to reach Saji's body inside the dragon's form, and he kept pushing forward as the power of Welsh Dragon clashed with the curse of Prison Dragon.
"OOOOOOOO!" the black dragon also let out a roar as it felt its 'core' were struck.
As the red and black kept colliding towards one another, finally an explosion occurred on the sky and from the explosion, a figure in damaged red armour were shooting down to the ground while holding a boy with short blonde hair. The two crashed, making a crater on the ground and as Issei stood up; he loomed over Saji's unconscious body that also slowly disappeared.
"Sona Sitri's Pawn has retired."
Issei then let out a breath and what remained of his Scale Mail disappeared, followed with his body falling to the ground. "Holy crap…. That sure was scary…" Issei groaned as he felt his body in a world of pain. While the wounds on his body were not too grave thanks to his armour protecting him, the curse of Prison Dragon caused his body completely exhausted and his reserve nearly dried up. Maintaining the gauntlet form of his Boosted Gear was all he could do at the moment. Issei then caressed his stomach, which still held some lingering effects of the alcohol he consumed last night. "Fuck… I'm even too tired to feel sick…"
"Let's see if it's still in one piece…" Issei glanced over to his gauntlet and he activated his Second Liberation. However, when the Boosted Gear extended, it was a gem glowing in red instead of its usual green. Issei then willed in his mind and the red gem just popped out from its chamber, and the chamber was soon replaced by Boosted Gear's usual green jewel again. "It's still here." Issei chuckled as he breathed relief and he kissed the red jewel at the same time another announcement was heard.
"Sona Sitri's Rook has retired."
When Issei was entrusted with the red jewel of his team, Issei found this idea from the time he forced his Boosted Gear to assimilate with Divine Dividing. He pondered, if something 'poisonous' like Divine Dividing's jewel could be stored inside Boosted Gear, sure the gauntlet could store some harmless object like the red jewel he had been tasked to guard with. As per Ddraig's suggestion, Issei placed it inside the chamber for the Gift function in order to conceal its location from the enemy. However, until the red jewel to be removed, Transfer ability would not be usable as Second Liberation required all of the green jewels to function properly. That was what Issei told Yuuto and Xenovia before they split up, the former let the latter two know that he would not be able to lend them his power if such occasion arrived.
Issei then turned on his communication link as he tried to contact his teammate. "Kiba? Do you hear me? Where are…" but his words were cut-off with another announcement.
"Rias Gremory's Knight has retired."
"Goddammit…" Issei cursed and groaned out. When Issei thought about it again, the knight did not sound too good on the last time he heard from him. "Oh, well… I guess it's up to me now. Ddraig, how bad is it?"
[Pretty bad. Vritra's curse really hit you hard. You're fortunate that his curse is not permanent, but I'm afraid that you won't recover anytime soon. Just rest up, with that Sitri heiress is on her own now, it's just a matter of time.]
"This is Sona-kaichou we're talking about. If she were to manage to ambush buchou…." Issei then shook his head to discard the negative thoughts. "I just can't sit around here. I have to make do with what I got now." The boy then began to make his way back as he hoped that he would not run to any monster with his current state.
Sona Sitri was put on her edge when she heard that her queen had been retired. As she and Rias held a temporary truce to fight off the giant lion monster interfering with their battle, Sona summoned a large, water-elemental serpent to bind the monster's movement, allowing Rias to fire her power of destruction right to its face. The attack seemed to deal a critical damage as the monster's skull was literally blown off, and its body finally fell to the ground with last twitch.
Rias let out a sigh of relief, believing that she could focus back on fighting Sona while the latter did not waste any second to immediately strike the former who let her guard down in a moment of victory. Rias did understand that Sona's peerage was loosing, and desperate times called for desperate measures. But she was still caught in surprise as Sona immediately unleashed many water-elemental animals to attack her. Water hawks were flying surrounding her, lions and wolves attempted to lunge at her, and serpents tried to sneak their way to her. In amidst of chaos when Rias retaliated with her power of destruction, Sona forced her way to get close to her, and did another unthinkable.
WHAM!
While she was not as proficient as several members of her peerage in close-quarter combat, Sona had received some basic training in her younger days. She relied more to her demonic arts, but she also knew some basic martial arts move in case of emergency. As Rias was within her reach, she mustered all strength her body could give, and she landed several blows on Rias' torso, stretching the muscles and breaking some of her ribs in the process.
*CRACK
"Ugh!" Rias coughed up blood as she was completely shocked at Sona's movement. Her body crashed into a nearby tree, and she saw Sona was charging her magic attack to finish her off.
During that moment, in span of seconds, a minute at best; Rias tried to move away but her fractured bones were too painful to move. Then, she saw a green orb of light shot towards her, and when it hit her, she felt better. She did not know whether her fractured bones were healed completely, but the pain eased up enough for her to move away at the nick of time when Sona unleashed her attack in a form of water dragon.
Rias saw Asia coming out from her hiding with her hand stretched out, Twilight Healing glowed brightly on her fingers. Rias landed beside her as she gave her Bishop a smile of gratitude. "Thank you, Asia. You saved me." which was replied by Asia's own smile.
Sona clicked her tongue as she lost her chance and she began to formulate another tactic to turn things around. Going after the enemy's tower's jewel was no longer possible, and her only chance to take Rias out. However, just before Sona could have made any move, a lightning descended and struck the ground, forcing everyone to turn towards the source of the said lightning.
"I'm sorry for the wait, buchou." Akeno said as she landed next to her master both her fallen angel wing and devil wing were sprouting out from her back. "Ufufufu, it seems you're in a tight spot."
"Everything is under control, Akeno. Thank you very much." Rias retorted as Koneko also arrived by her side in her Nekoshou mode. "Well, Sona?" Rias then turned to her rival again, giving her one last chance either to surrender, or to retaliate.
As Rias' Queen, Rook and Bishop were now by her side, Sona bit her lip at her fading hope to win. Outnumbered, outgunned, she contemplated what she should do at that moment. She closed her eyes, racked her brain and mind as she mulled over her dreams, her reason not to lose, everything her peerage had done and sacrificed for her.
Sona then opened her eyes as she came to a decision.
oXo
"Oh, come on….." Issei groaned out as his just lucky enough to end up running into another monster. The boy was exhausted, his reserve was depleted, and the monster seemed more than eager to attack him. Just when Issei was about to go for swim or sink, an announcement was heard as he felt his body was being teleported away.
"Sona Sitri, the King has retired. The match is over with Rias Gremory's victory."
Issei was on his way towards Sona Sitri's ward in Underworld's medical facility to check on Saji. After the rating game had ended, he had to be put on bed for a while as he suffered extreme exhaustion and magic reserve depletion, not to mention some wounds and burns he received during the match. However, he felt himself… mortified as he recalled the whole match. He was practically out of the match after he fought Saji, and it was only due to his tougher physics that Issei was not retired from the game. And after that, he was supposed to got back as soon as he could to assist his master and teammates, but instead he was 'saved' by his master winning by a direct confrontation between Kings.
The match was totally different than the one they had with Riser Phenex, and what was more, Issei would say that Sona Sitri's performance was the high-light of the match. While Issei managed to defeat Saji, the latter managed to achieve a new level of power with his Vritra's Sacred Gears, and from what he heard, Sona showcased her own leadership by coming up with a risky strategy that truly threw Rias out of her loop. Not to mention her last surprise attack at Rias; if it were not for Asia's help, followed by the others arriving on time, the match would have ended with Rias' loss against Sona. At this evaluation, Issei only sighed as he continued his way towards his destination.
oXo
In a certain hospital ward, Sona was sitting beside Saji's bed, looking after her pawn as well as the rest of her servants' condition. The male pawn was wrapped in bandages as he suffered multitude of fractures, some serious bruises, as well as extreme exhaustion both body and mind, thanks to his duel with Hyoudou Issei. The rest of Sona's peerage did suffer injuries to a degree, but they were not as bad as Saji's. Fortunately, Saji, who got it the worst, just woke up not long ago and everyone was showing signs of recovering.
The sound of knocking door was heard. Sona gave whoever the guest was the permission to go in and everyone widened their eyes at the sight of Issei at the door.
Issei could feel that two particular eyes were glaring daggers at him: Ruruko and Momo. Saji, who addressed his comrades to calm down when he sensed their hostility, "Come on, girls. I thought we've been through about this." The female pawn and Bishop's hostility then faded, but their eyes still held some uncertainty. "It was a Rating Game and we're on opposing sides, of course we were going to have a fight. Right, kaichou?"
"You have a point." Sona nodded. "So, Hyoudou-san. What is it that we can help you with?"
"Uh, well…" Issei scratched his cheek awkwardly as he was a bit embarrassed. "The match earlier was my first time fighting against my friend, so…. I'm honestly not sure what to do. I thought I should at least… apologize for what I did to you." Issei then turned to bow 90 degrees at Saji. "I'm sorry."
Everyone blinked at the apology, until the girls were smiling softly, Sona sighed quietly and Saji groaned. "What are you sorry for?"
Issei looked up with confused expression. "Eh?"
"It did hurt when you beat me, but thanks to that I learn that I still have so much to improve." Saji then smirked to Issei. "And by the next time we fight, I won't lose."
Issei blinked at Saji's fortitude and determination before he snorted and smiled back. "Yeah… Bring it on." Then Issei changed the topic. "By the way, Saji… That move you used on me earlier… What the hell was that?"
"Well… the thing is, I'm not sure myself." Saji awkwardly replied. "When I was down back there… I only remember that I wanted power so bad… Then the rest was blurry with black flames… I vaguely remember I kind of kicked your ass, though."
Issei only chuckled at the explanation. "Then it means that whatever that was is controllable… And once you gain control of it, you'll be one hell of opponent." Issei concluded. "I tell you what, thanks to that move you pulled on me, I would have been eliminated if the game were to go any longer." It was not exactly a lie, because Issei was about to get mowed by a monster back there.
"Glad to hear it." Saji chuckled in return, resulting some giggles from the girls and a pout from Issei.
"By the way, kaichou." Issei then turned to Sona. "That was some bold move you pulled on us. None of us could see that coming from you."
Sona only smiled calmly at Issei's compliment. "As I said to Rias before… Desperate times, desperate measures. I'd never be able to pull it off without my peerage's help, after all." Sona glanced over her servants who were smiling in return.
"And I heard that you pulled some martial arts on buchou." Issei added. "You really got that one on her."
However, before the conversation could go any further, another knock was heard from the door, and Sirzechs Lucifer and Grayfia Lucifuge came in, causing everyone to widen their eyes at recognition.
Sona and Issei were about to kneel when the Crimson Satan stopped them by raising his hand. "Please, be at ease. I'm here to speak with Saji Genshirou-kun. Is he available?"
"Y-yes, I am." Saji tried his best to be presentable despite his current state. Sirzechs then turned to Issei.
"Ise-kun, my sister is looking for you now. You should go to her."
"Ah, yes!" Issei complied and he addressed to everyone else. " Then I'll take my leave. Kaichou, everyone… It was a good game." Then he turned one last time to bow at Sirzechs and Grayfia. "Sirzechs-sama, Grayfia-san." Then he left the room.
Sirzechs then turned back to Saji. "Saji Genshirou-kun…" He greeted as he picked out a small box. "I'm here to give you this."
What was inside the box was something that made Saji and the others to be proud of themselves.
"Ah, Ise. There you are." Rias said as she met her pawn in the hallway. "Where have you been? You weren't in your room when I came to visit."
"I just came from kaichou's ward to check on Saji." Issei replied. "Where are the others, though? I thought I was gonna wake up in the same room with Gasper, Kiba and Xenovia."
"Their wounds are worse than yours, so they're being treated in a different room." Rias replied. "They'll get better soon enough. The others are looking after them by now."
The two then talked while walking towards the room where their friends were. "I'm sorry about the game, buchou." Issei began with an apology. "I should've returned to you when kaichou pulled her move on us."
"There's nothing for you to feel bad at, Ise." Rias replied gently. "You did well in that match by taking out Sona's most potent servant. Yuuto and Xenovia also did well as striker team." Then her smile widened. "Not to mention… Both Akeno and Koneko overcame their walls in this game. This is something to be happy about."
"…Yes, yes it is." Issei nodded in agreement.
"And it's all thanks to you, Ise." Rias' statement caused the boy to look at his master again, who was still smiling. "Thanks to whatever you did, everyone in my group are breaking through the things they carry. You've broken through all the things I've worried about, Ise. I'm very grateful."
"Well… I actually didn't know what I was exactly doing that time…" Issei blushed at the gratitude. "I guess I just don't want to see anyone sad…. And all I did was only giving them a light push. That's all." Rias only giggled, and she smiled fondly at her pawn.
Then, their trip to the room was interrupted as they encountered an elderly man with a long white beard and a young woman with straight long silver hair. "You are the wielder of Welsh Dragon, am I correct?" the old man asked in greeting.
Issei only blinked before replying. "Err… Yes, that would be me. May I ask who you are?" Issei asked politely.
"Hohoho…. I see that you are his son…" Issei perked up slightly when he heard the word 'his son' from the elderly man. "I'm the Old Man of the Northern Countryside. Red Dragon Emperor… I thought your father would have shared about us…"
"Another 'acquaintance'…." Issei mentally sighed as Rias interjected. "You're Lord Odin of the Norse, aren't you? This is the first time we've met. My name is Rias Gremory, it's an honour to meet you." The red hair gave a polite bow. Issei also followed suit automatically.
"Odin, Odin… Sounds familiar…." Issei mused until Ddraig gave him an answer.
[As your master said, partner. Odin is the chief God of Norse pantheon. The woman beside him is a Valkyrie, some sort of demi-god.]
Odin then turned to Rias. "That's right. You're Sirzechs' little sister… I saw you in the game. Well, there was also something like that. But, I see, hmm…. So big. When I was watching, I was fascinated by just these." Odin showed a lecherous smile as he set his sight on Rias' two mounds.
[Shit… The rumours about this old geezer's debauchery are true.]
Issei's eyes twitched at the sight of Odin ogling on his master's breasts and the boy quickly placed himself between Odin and Rias protectively. "Lord Odin, would you please stop looking at my master's…. breasts?" Issei asked with strained smile.
Odin then measured Issei with look of interest. "Hmm? Are you jealous here?" Odin replied coolly.
Issei's face immediately flustered, unknowing that Rias was also blushing behind him. However, before Issei could have made any more comment, the woman with Odin had already slapped the chief god's head with a paper fan. "For crying out loud! Did I not already tell you that indecent eyes were prohibited?! Since there's going to be an important meeting now, please pull yourself together as the King of the Norse Gods!"
Odin only rubbed his head and regarded the woman with his half-lidded eyes. "Sheesh… Look at you, taking his side already…" Then a mischievous smirk appeared on his face and he turned to Issei again. "Hey, Red Dragon Emperor. This woman here was your father's-!" whatever Odin was about to say was immediately stopped by the woman's shriek as she put her hands on Odin's mouth.
She was blushing mad, and she was well-aware that her attitude was very rude towards the King of the Norse. However, she could not possibly let even her own superior to reveal what had happened between her and that man, especially in front of his son. "Please forgive me for my rudeness, Lord Odin…. But I implore you to say no more."
Odin then only laughed in return. "Well, I guess I'll be lenient and pretend not seeing what you did. I was overstepping my bound as well, after all." Then he proceeded to walk away. "I'll take my leave, Sirzech's little sister and Red Dragon Emperor. And this is just a random advice from me, the world isn't full of only trials, there are many fun things as well. Advance forward while both fully enjoying and suffering through it all. Being reckless is the only way for youngsters to grow up. Oh, and Red Dragon Emperor, send my regards and hers to your father when you meet him. Hohohoho…." Odin gestured to the woman with him as he finally walked away while laughing.
"My deepest apologies for the unsightly things you saw earlier." The silver-haired woman bowed to Rias and Issei before she proceeded to catch up with Odin.
The two youngsters remained silent for a while as they saw the two Northerners vanished in a distance, and Issei let out a breath. "Well, that's quite something… Wasn't it, buchou?"
"Yes… Yes, it was." Rias agreed. "Let's go to the others, shall we? They must be waiting for us by now."
As the two walked again, Rias then asked something that had been bothering her since the game. "Still, Ise… Where do you think Sona hid her tower's jewel?"
It was the time where Rias Gremory's peerage had to return to the human world. Currently they were all saying their goodbyes to the Gremory household.
"Ise nii-sama… will you come again?" Millicas asked as he said his goodbye.
"…Yeah, I will." Issei said as he kneeled on Millicas' eye-level. "I'll see you again, okay?"
"Yes! Please send my regards to uncle Saitama!"
Issei could only chuckle at the young boy's notion.
"Issei-kun. I look forward to the day we can meet again. You may return here any time without hesitation. Think of the Gremory family as your own family." Lord Gremory said his piece, which made Issei felt flattered and more awkward at the same time.
"Please take care of my selfish daughter here in the human world, Issei-san." Venelana said her piece as well, which Issei gladly obliged and caused Rias to blush cutely.
Isse caught Lord and Lady Gremory saying something about a bright future for the family, but decided to ignore it. It was not his place to butt in.
(Scene Break)
During the trip back in the train, everyone just remembered that they barely touched their summer homework. Well, except for Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko and Gasper, the newest members were still considered adapting with their new lifestyle as both devil and high-school student. Issei however, claimed that he had finished his homework during the stay in the Underworld. Currently Rias was looking over her pawn's homework. She flipped over the page, nodding, humming and she finally closed the notebook, only to hit Issei's head with it.
SMACK!
"Err…. Ojou-sama?" Issei cringed and addressed his master back as he usually did at home.
"Ise, I want you to do everything all over again when you got home." Rias said sternly with overly sweet smile. "Your answers to the problems are all over the place. I won't accept any of my servant to do their work poorly, do you understand?"
"N-No way…." Issei stuttered and he finally relented. "Yes, I understand…." The pawn sighed then slumped back to his seat, followed by few giggles from the others.
Then, Koneko suddenly walked over and made herself comfortable on Issei's lap, much to the boy's surprise. "Err…. Koneko-chan…?"
Koneko simply revealed her cat-like features and turned around to face Issei, and she smiled with a cute pose. "…Nyan " the gesture caused Issei's face to fluster furiously as he struggled to keep himself to hug something so adorable there and then. This scene warranted various reactions from the girls: Asia had teary eyes, Rias scowled with narrowed eyes, Akeno was giving off pressure with a silent smiling face, and Xenovia, Yuuto, as well as Gasper were more amused at what Koneko did to Issei.
Thus, the trip back to the human world went on…
Raynare was cleaning the front hall of Hyoudou's residence, per Azazel's orders. When she received the order to assist Hyoudou Haruka looking after the newly renovated house until the Occult Research Club returned, she was nervous as hell. After all, the house and the woman she would assist were related to two most fearsome individuals in her life. However, instead of a regal or gallant woman she had expected before, the fallen was met with what people would call 'your everyday young housewife'.
Hyoudou Haruka looked rather young to have a son who attended high-school, and as far as Raynare had assessed from the human woman, Haruka was nothing like the Red Dragon Emperor, who murdered her allies and tore one of her wings in the past, and his father, who garnered the attention of her master, Azazel. The Hyoudou matriarch was kind, hospitable, and would sometimes chat with her about mundane stuff. Raynare actually was reluctant to accept the order, but Azazel's promise about Haruka barely knew anything about supernatural side managed to put her in ease… somehow.
However, one day Raynare learned how Haruka could become the mother of the Red Dragon Emperor when Saitama had come home. As soon as Haruka's eyes met with her husband's, her caring persona from before was replaced by a wrathful…. whatever that rhymed with queen, goddess, etc. Raynare was scared out of her wits yet again when she saw Haruka's expression when she was scolding and chiding her husband whom tried to reason with her in futile. And much to Raynare's shock, when Saitama was still trying to reason with his wife, the said wife suddenly silenced him by slapping him across the face before she proceeded to suck his face. It was supposed to be some bonding event between husband and wife, but Raynare could only see a woman dominating her man as Haruka slapped Saitama again. The man did not seem to be hurt in any way by his wife's physical abuse, but his expression was that of resignation as he was dragged away somewhere to be 'punished'. The fallen angel prayed to every remaining gods that the human woman would never knew anything about what she had done to her son.
Days had passed, and Raynare did not see Saitama at all ever since Haruka commenced her 'punishment' on her husband. That day was her final day as a hired maid since Issei and the girls were returning, and apparently Saitama's punishment was being carried out in the living room, and Raynare preferred not to interfere as she moved to the front hall. When the youngsters finally came in and spotted her, everyone was rather surprised at her sight. Asia flinched back as she quickly hid behind Issei; Rias, Akeno and Koneko narrowed their eyes slightly at the fallen, while Xenovia only blinked at the stranger before her.
Issei however, narrowed his eyes as he asked her. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Raynare struggled to maintain her composure as her hands were clutching her broom hard. "I-I was hired to help Haruka-sama to look after the house until y-your return…."
"And where is she?" Issei pressed on.
Raynare only flinched and glanced at the door leading to the living room. Without another word, Issei walked pass her then he opened the door, and the sight he was met with made him blinked several times as his hand was still grabbing the door. When Issei and the others got to see the living room, their eyes were widened at the sight of papers scattered on the ground, all of them had words 'Please forgive me' written on it with black ink, and the some of those inks were splattered on the floor. Saitama was prostrating on the floor as the man was writing another 'Please forgive me' on another paper, with his wife standing before him holding a practice sword from the basement. Not to mention the dim light illuminating the room only made the sight kind of scary for the kids.
"Err… Mom?" Issei swallowed. "What were you doing with... dad here?" Issei then took another look at his father. There was no injury on Saitama's body whatsoever, but the boy had to narrow his eyes at the strange red marks on his father's visible skin. "Are those… insect bites or something?"
Haruka then turned around to look at the kids, and for a second, everyone swore that Haruka's face was at least as intimidating as Grayfia on her worse days. "My, Ise, everyone… Welcome home~" Haruka's expression immediately turned warm. Despite her perfectly fine and sweet voice, the girls somehow felt afraid to see what was happening. "Oh, and darling, you can stop now." Haruka turned to her husband, whom sighed in relief as he stopped writing and straightened himself. The mother then turned to her son again. "As for your question, I was punishing your daddy, of course… After all, he had it coming after leaving me alone so suddenly for weeks while he was supposed to spend some romantic summer with me together."
Everyone, especially Issei, was not sure which one to be more 'disturbing'; what had happened during the punishment or the two parents spent a 'romantic summer' together.
"Alright, I guess I have to prepare dinner. You kids should wash up, and YOU…" Haruka then turned to her husband. "Tidy all of these up and bring them to our room. I'm going to review them tonight." She said as she licked her lips with her eyes glinted, sending slight shiver to everyone. "Oh, and Raynare-chan…" Haruka turned to the fallen angel. "Thank you very much for being a big help these past days. Would you like to join us for dinner before you leave?"
Raynare forced herself to smile. "Thank you for the offer, ma'am. But I'm afraid I have to return to Azazel-sama as soon as possible."
"I see… That's too bad." Haruka replied. "Well, send my regards to Azazel-san that I'd like to… have a word with him." For a moment her expression turned dangerous. Saitama only shook his head as he buried his face to his palm.
"Y-yes, I will see to it. Then, everyone... I'll take my leave once I've packed my things." Raynare gave one more bow to everyone and left the room.
"Well, I'll see you all at dinner. Tell me more about your summer vacation by then." Haruka winked then she left to the kitchen.
That day, Issei and the girls had made a mental note for themselves about one rule in the house: Never mess with Hyoudou Haruka. Akeno however, secretly gained a newfound respect towards the older woman.
"Well, kids…" Saitama said as he began to pick up all the papers on the floor. "I believe you have learned a lesson about my wife today?" Everyone nodded their heads at Saitama's question. The man then sighed as he shook his head again before he turned to look at the direction where his wife went. "I tell you what. Sometimes I question myself, why did I fall for that woman? And the strangest thing is, I never regret that I chose her."
The youngsters looked at Saitama (some were more interested by the hickeys) as they listened. "And about this…. one thing…" Saitama gestured the state of himself and the room. "I blame Azazel for this. That woman didn't listen to what I have to say. She's actually pissed as well to that guy, you know. That crow-winged bastard is so dead when I meet him again." Saitama said as he continued picking up the papers.
Rias then clapped her hands to gather her peerage's attention. "Alright, everyone. Now that… things had gone out of the way, let's clean ourselves, shall we?" The day went on as everyone went separate ways, as the kids decided to help Saitama to collect the scattered papers first before preparing for dinner.
To be Continued….