Everybody gathered in Azazel's room at the Gremory estate the night before the big game. Papers were scattered everywhere as everybody gathered around to have a chat. Azazel started the discussion "Rias have you thought about your strategy for tomorrow?"
"I have thought about it." She answered
"Letting Issei destroy everybody isn't the correct solution." He jabbed at her. Rias gave him a none to pleasant look. "Anyways, Sona Sitri has knowledge on your group's combat capability correct?"
"She should know. I believe she watched the match versus Riser live, but after the recording went public I have no doubt she knows more. At a minimum, she has to know about Kiba and Xenovia's swords, Asia's sacred gear potential Akeno's powers and Ise in general."
"Basically everything." Azazel watched Rias shoulders sink hearing that. "So what do you know of her group?"
"Her Queen Tsubaki has a Sacred gear that creates mirrors. Her pawns one has a dragon based gear but I don't know much after that. And the rest of her servants have never been confirmed on what their abilities are. Her group has provided support while we have done the heavy lifting."
"For all intensive purpose, you're going in blind then. Considering the nature of the games that's fine. With her having eight members you need to be careful with the sacred gear users in case they have any form of evolution."
"Her team has one King Queen Rook Knight, two bishops and two pawns. While I don't know the value of her pawns, we both have the same amount of players."
"Yes, eight on eight an even numbers game from the start." Everybody listened as the two of them were talking back and forth. Azazel got up and dragged a whiteboard and grabbed some markers off his desk. He started drawing on it and when he turned it to the group there was a large five by five blank graph. "The rating game system categorizes players into classes based on the way they fight. The four types are Power Technique Wizards and Supports. And fortunately for us, they fit nicely on a bar graph." He started writing names on the board while making bars for everybody.
Everybody watched as he was explaining the breakdown. "Rias you are pure Wizard type and your power would classify you like a 5 on this graph." He filled in one of the five bars under her name. "Akeno you fit into this as well. The two of you have high magical base attack yet lack physical prowess." Azazel moved over to the next name on the list. "Kiba is a Technique type who uses speed and planning to take down his opponents." He filled in the technique section for Kiba yet only partway. "But he's only a 3. Xenovia here is the opposite. She fights with Power as her mainstay and plows her way through her enemies. But yet just like Kiba, she is also only a three." Azazel started to fill out the graphs faster as he needed to get through them. "Asia and Gasper are amazing choices for bishops. Asia is Support Wizard with a three and three, while Gasper is a three and three but Support Technique due to his Sacred gear. Koneko well she's a rook and well rooks do rook things and she's a four on power." Azazel left Issei for last with the buildup. "Issei here is your main problem. He can be classified in three ways. If you put him as a pure power type he would be a six. A Power five support one, or Power five support one and Wizard one."
"Why are there so many for him?" Rias asked not understanding the exact details.
"The Power aspect should be obvious, his point into support comes from the boosted gear ability to use transfer power. But the main problem is Wizard stat, while he can breathe fire that is listed as something that would be under Wizard however it's assumed that he can use magic in combat due to his lineage." Everybody looked to Issei to get an answer but before they could Azazel snapped them back to him. "But as its neither confirmed nor denied if he can do it five one is going to be the accepted stat. Now Rias do you see why I laid this all out for all of you?" He asked her.
"The balance." She answered confirming to herself as she knew the problems of her peerage.
"Exactly!" He pointed to Xenovia and Kiba. "Power is countered by Technique one swing of a fist or a sword can be sent right back at you in the hands of the right person."
"So if that counter does exist, all I should need is to overpower it with more power." Xenovia said as Azazel's hand smeared down his face.
"Yes and no. You can defeat your opponent with sheer power but what happens when they are smart enough to deflect or even redirect that power back at you? You would have to wait and swap out with somebody else, a spell user would be your first choice such as Akeno but you would have other options such as Kiba or Gasper depending on the situation." Xenovia's demeanor deflated as she listened in silence to Azazel's explanation. "Now hearing that Issei do you think you could beat Kiba?"
Issei thought about Azazel's question. "It's hard to say, if we're talking about as we are right now I might be able to." Kiba was shocked to hear that. "I don't know how much faster he has gotten over the month but my speed hasn't increased that much. If I'm in my base form he should be able to damage me but if I use the Balance Breaker it would be much harder."
"Sounds like you need to find a way to deal with counter-attacks as well. You and Xenovia will be plagued with issues until you can come up with a way to deal with people like Kiba." Azazel looked to Rias "Do you know of anybody in the Sitri ground who would be able to counter them?"
"I don't know who would be a counter user but…." Rias dragged out her words "Most of the girls will try to steer clear of him." She tried to be kind with her words but it didn't work out too well.
"Your dress break is the enemy of all women." Koneko sharply stated as she was now back to her normal self. Rias was nodding hearing her sharp insult.
Issei lurched forward extending his hand towards the two girls with his fingers wiggling around like he was going to pounce on them, "By the way Issei that little stunt you pulled is going to have your opponents on high alert." Issei stopped what he was doing to look at Azazel as he opened his mouth. "Ah but don't worry about that now all of you need to get to bed as you have a big day ahead."
~~~Next Day~~~
The following afternoon everybody gathered in one of the many rooms in the basement of the Gremory castle. In the middle of the room, there was a large magic circle with the gremory logo as everybody was standing on it. Everybody was wearing the school uniform except Asia and Xenovia as Asia was in her blue nun outfit and Xenovia was in her black battle suit.
Zeoticus and Venelana were gathered in the room as they were sending them off. "Bring victory to our family as the next head." Zeoticus said as Venelana merely waved as they were transported away in a flash of red light.
When the transportation finished they were in a large room with plenty of tables that looked to be a restaurant. Everybody looked around scouting out the area as Rias opened the main door shedding light on to where they were.
"Wait this is a replica of..." Issei said as Rias spoke up "I wasn't expecting to have our first battle in the department store in Kuoh."
{Good afternoon everyone, I Grayfia Lucifuge Queen of the Lucifer group will take the role of Arbiter of today's game between the Gremory group and the Sitri Group.} Her voice boomed throughout the department store.
Hearing the voice Issei got a small chuckle out of it "Huh just like last time."
{By the name of my master Sirzech Lucifer I will preside over the game today between these two families. Today's match takes place in a familiar setting for both of the teams as the battlefield is a department store that is in the town that both teams reside in.}
"I see so they want to give us an even playing field." Rias said looking out through the building.
{Both groups were transported to their bases. Rias' base is on the second floor while Sona's base is on the first floor. Standard rules for pawns will apply in this battle as pawns need to reach the enemy base before they are allowed to promote.}
Rias looked at everybody "There's plenty of ambush points in the stores around here. One of the key places is going to be that multi-floor home goods store so try not to get caught in it."
{However, there are special rules on this game. Documents have just been sent to the kings so read them over.} A piece of paper and a vial appeared on the table next to Rias as she picked it up. {Each team has been allotted one vial of phoenix tears. The battle will begin in thirty minutes. Fights before the official start are forbidden.}
Rias looked over the paper she was given "Looks like we were given an official map of the area along with the special rules. This will be an indoor battle but the special rule is We are not allowed to destroy the department store." She looked to Issei "I think your stunt last time brought on this one."
"Oh, I'm sorry destroying half the school was more than a serviceable answer to that match." Issei jabbed back at her.
"Anyways this is a huge positive for Sona as she doesn't have anybody that has destructive power on the scale of you and Xenovia. But at the same time for us, this hampers us as it limits wide-scale attacks."
"Expect guerrilla like tactics." Kiba said, "You know hit and run tactics." Everybody agreed with that as it was to be the most logical approach.
"Pinpoint strikes are the most effective way to deal with our enemy." Akeno said as she put her hand on her face thinking. "What about gasper's sacred gear?"
Rias kept thumbing through the rules reading each world to see if there were any hidden factors. "Besides the fact that there are too many hiding points in this place, it says here that his gear isn't allowed as it was ruled to be too unstable and thus disallowed for the match."
"So he's been gimped to his magic and vampire abilities?" Issei asked as Rias nodded her head. "The Rating game system isn't something that you are supposed to brute force. Just like real battles, each has their own situations and here we have our rules. And this is our first taste of reality."
"We will most likely have to get used to this from now on." Akeno said, "While all of us can use wide range attacks this will get us used to fights in limited areas."
"I might have a couple of techniques that might come in handy." Issei mentioned as Rias looked at him.
"Such as?" She asked.
"Let's wait and see if they are useful or usable."
Rias sighed hearing that. "Already then." She pointed at the map "Yuuto go look at the parking garage and loot the pharmacy. They replicated tables and chairs they might have done it to the cars as well and we can use that to our advantage."
"What about the rooftop?" Kiba said pointed at the map as there was a stairwell next to it. "This stairwell leads up to there."
"Look up there as well." Kiba darted out of the 'base' as she finished.
"Do you plan on using cars as bombs?" Issei asked looking at the map.
"It's possible Sona might do the same."
"And here I thought we learned from the cranberries." Issei snickered as everybody got it except Asia.
Rias sighed hearing that. "Gasper please scout around with your bats and see if you can find anything useful. Everybody else have a look around." As everybody headed out Rias chimed in once again "And Issei if I catch you in the lingerie store without me you will not have a good time."
Everybody headed off in different directions through the department store. Issei was loafing around on a railing as he was watching everybody in different buildings. Kiba was in the pharmacy looking to see what was useful Asia and Xenovia were standing around in front of one of the food shops.
Issei was looking around to see what was around as he saw a bookstore and decided to check it out. He walked down to the store and when he entered it he picked up a random book and noticed that all the words inside of it were filled as they replicated the inside of the books as well. This got an idea flowing in his brain as he put the book down and walked to the back of the store. As he entered the isle he smiled as he picked up one of the hundreds of magazines seeing a plethora of naked women scattered around.
Issei was lost in his own little world thumbing through the pages while he didn't hear the footsteps closing in on him. "Iiiiiiiissssssssseeeeeeeee." A pair of arms wrapped around him as they clutched onto him. "Ara ara looking at dirty books before the big match, how telling of you." Akeno rested her head on his back.
"I had to see how well they copied everything. And the adult section is no different from the real thing." He closed the magazine putting it back on the rack.
"I'm not mad at you for coming here. You being a pervert is far from a problem. I enjoy that about you and how you're honest with us. And most importantly you see us for who we are not what we are."
Her grip lessens around him as he turned around slung his arms over her shoulders pulling her in close. "What you are makes no difference to me, who you are is important."
A weight fell off her shoulders as she heard Issei say that. "Those magazines, maybe I could do something for you out of it?"
Issei perked up hearing that "Really? We would have to get Rias to install a pole."
"You really are a special one." Her voice was muffled as she rested her head on his chest.
A couple of minutes passed as they stood in silence. "Akeno what are you doing." Rias came into Issei's vision seeing the two of them.
"I'm gathering courage." Her voice was shaky and far from how it was beforehand. "I'm scared, I need the courage to fight and I hate it." Hearing that Rias left knowing what was happening as she headed back to the base.
"Take as much as you need." Issei said as she back away grabbing onto his hands.
"When I use my power, the light, will you watch me?" She asked, "I want you to watch me so I can use it."
"Of course I want you to be a better person." With a smile on his face, he slithered deeper into her heart securing a hold over her. "I want to see all of you the person you truly are."
Akeno's eyes welled up hearing that from him. She mustered up all she had as she planted her lips on his giving him a quick kiss before she darted out of the store. Issei followed behind her as he walked out of the isle Koneko was standing there. "Koneko."
"It's about time Issei." She reached out and grabbed ahold of his hand. Issei felt her hands trembling as she was just trying to say composed. "Please give me the same courage."
He pulled her closer as he crouched down holding both of her hands. "I know your the same as Akeno and as long as you don't let the fear overtake you it will be okay."
"But you are not afraid of my powers….. What I really am?"
Issei shook his head. "Far from it, when I heard you were injured I came back to see you but what I saw was a cute little kitten. Yes, the kitten needed some help but she didn't drive me away."
Koneko reversed her grip as she grabbed ahold of one of his hands. "I'll use my powers then. I don't want to become like my sister but I need to try to become more useful to everyone."
Issei placed his free hand on top of her head and rubbed her head about where he remembered where her ears came out of. "I'll be there for you." He said to her as he leads her back to the team's base.
Back at the base, Rias was handing out earpieces as Issei and Koneko walked in. She gave them their earpieces as an announcement was heard. {The game is about to start. This is a blitz style match with a three-hour time limit. BEGIN!} An air horn was sounded throughout the whole mall signifying the start of the match.
"Three hours on a Blitz that's odd." Rias said "Anyways Ise Koneko are group 1 and Yuuto and Xenovia are group 2. Each group will split up With Group 2 taking the parking structure area and Group 1 taking the opposite side. Gasper fly around and scout out and report back positions if you see anything. Akeno Asia and I will float around while protecting the base." She snapped her finger as she pointed out into the mall "We will win this!" After she said that everybody scattered off to their designated places.
As Issei and Koneko got into position in a large sporting goods store their footsteps echoed far and wide. They tried to conceal the sound of them moving but the place was just way too large for two people. Around five minutes passed as Issei watched a set of ears pop out on her head and a fuzzy white tail slide out from her skirt. Issei stopped himself from touching her ears as they wiggled around. "Two people are coming towards us."
"Oh, you can sense people?" Issei was curious as he didn't know the extent to her powers.
"Not very well but I can see that two people are coming to us, I don't know who it is but there close."
"How soon?"
"If they keep walking, two minutes." She looked back and saw that Issei's expression changed from his normal calm to a more serious look. Her ears perked up once again as her head jerked up "Above us!" The boosted gear appeared upon hearing her words.
Two people came falling from the rafters as Issei pushed Koneko out of the way "And we scored the preemptive attack Hyoudou" Saji was falling down trying to tackle grabbing ahold of Issei left arm while trying to punch him in the face. As Issei slid back from the force of the impact one of the tiles on the floor cracked from the pressure. Saji jumped away from Issei as a black line was attached to his arm and connected to Saji. "Yo," Saji said as his right arm was covered by what looked to be a black snake.
Koneko looked over and saw power flowing through the line "Issei that." She called out as the second person came rushing in swing her fist at Koneko.
Saji, however, raised his arm up grabbing the line and tugged on it jerking Issei arm with it. "We did some training as well. And this is the results of it."
Issei rubbed the connection point between the line and the boosted gear. "Yes, I can see the results of this. It's a lot more aggressive than last time I saw it."
{One of Rias Gremory Bishops retired.}
Saji grinned hearing that as Issei just laughed "There's no way you got to Asia already so it had to be Gasper."
"We trapped him by making movement at the grocery store. Once he got suspicious enough he would scout it out closer a net was sprung on him full of his weakness." Saji said being a proud as he could be as they had gotten the first elimination
"Garlic." Issei said hearing that.
"Simple yet effective plan use the greatest weakness against them." Saji retracted some of the line trying to pull Issei closer in as he took a swing at him.
Issei flexed his fingers as he was going to use an ability of the gear as he dodged the attack until Ddraig called out to him [Dont use the boost. He's draining your energy.]
'It feels like he's draining my blood as well' Issei spoke in his head as he was dodge attacks from Saji as well.
[You're not wrong but I think that's just a byproduct of the energy-draining. It looks like he's trying to do two things at once.]
'BB useable?'
[Yes but detach that line as soon as possible.]
Issei jumped backward after dodging a volley of punches and kicks. "What's a matter Hyoudou running away from me."
"Far from it." Issei held out his right hand as a magic circle formed only for it to disappear as faster as it came. "You know what I thought about getting rid of this line. But I think ill give you a free hit." Issei curled his finger as he was taunting Saji.
Saji charged at Issei as he got close he swung his left leg as it slammed into Issei's ribs. As the shockwave rippled through him he grabbed ahold of Saji's leg. "Not bad even with draining my power. But your not quite there yet." Issei's hold on his leg tightened as he lifted him up slamming Saji into the ground.
"I will defeat you Hyoudou Issei, I will defeat the Sekiryuutei." Issei saw the fire in Saji's eyes as he stood back up as a ball of energy formed in Saji's hand.
"Saji….." A weak voice called out as Nimura called out. Saji saw her crying on the floor "I'm sorry." She said as she disappeared as Koneko was standing over her.
{One of Sona Sitri's Pawns retired.}
As Saji saw this an extra line from his Sacred Gear connected to his chest as the energy in his hand got larger and larger. "I have nothing to lose, our dreams will come true and we will not be mocked." He fired the blast at Issei as he stuck out his right hand grabbing ahold of it.
The attack tried to engulf Issei but it failed as it detonated before it could. [DIVIDE!] A white gauntlet appeared on Issei's hand as the yield of the blast was cut in half.
"What!" Saji called out seeing the two gauntlets.
Issei moved both of them in front of his face. "Red in my left and White in my right." Issei breathing was heavy as he finished
"You halved a blast that should have destroyed this whole room." Saji lept backward gaining some distance between the two of them.
"It was a gamble but it played out fine." Issei lowered his hands.
"Fine." Saji formed another attack yet this one was much denser than the previous one. "I will risk everything I have to defeat you."
Issei sighed hearing that. [WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!] The ripple of power was felt through the whole game as Issei slowly walked towards Saji as he gathered more and more power. "Sending two people after me is a dumb plan on the surface. Yet you are willing to go such lengths to see your goals through." Issei rapidly closed the gap between them as he landed a punch to Saj'si abdomen. The power ball he was forming vanished as Saji coughed up some blood. "If you risk your life for your dreams and ending up dying for them do you advance her cause?" Saji sank to his knees as he was fading away in white and blue light as the system took him away.
{One of Sona Sitri's Pawns retired.}
Koneko ran over to him "Pull some slack on the line" She focused some of her energy into her fist as Issei did as she asked. She hit the line with a slicing motion severing it in two.
"Thanks for that." Issei let his helmet down as he grabbed ahold of another part that was still connected to him as he was able to detach it with ease.
"Why didn't you cut it?" She asked him
"I wanted to see how he would go about this. That and well you know why."
~~~Meanwhile~~~
In a dimly lit parking garage, Kiba and Xenovia were prowling around waiting for their enemies to appear. They made there way down to the first floor of the structure as they saw three figures standing in front of them guarding the door to the first floor.
"We expected to find you here Kiba Yuto and Xenovia.." A tall black hair woman came out from the shadows as she was holding a naginata a long staff based sword. Behind her, two other girls appeared as well.
"Queen Tsubaki Shinra Knight Tomoe Meguri and Rook Tsubasa Yura. So the rumors of you being an Onna-bugeisha are true I take it." Kiba said as an announcement played for everybody.
{One of Rias Gremory Bishops retired.}
"Hearing that and yet your still calm?" Tsubaki asked as she pointed her naginata at him.
Xenovia sighed hearing the announcement. "He didn't train hard enough and I'm going to chase him with garlic now."
Kiba had his holy demonic sword materialize in his hand "Looks like we will have to avenge him." He charged at Tsubaki as they began their bladed dance.
"Yes, we will." Xenovia pulled a sword from a magical enchantment that housed her weapons. The blade was sheathed in light as she rushed towards Tomoe.
Tomoe grasped the blade she had sheathed on her hip as she swung to match Xenovia's strike. As the two blades clashed the light that shrowded around Xenovia's blade shattered revealing a thin blade with a claw near the hilt. "You have a second holy sword?!" Tomoe was shocked seeing it.
Xenovia pressed the attack trying to knock Tomoe off balance. " Durandal is way too destructive for a fight like this. So Issei loaned me this for today." Xenovia pressed the attack causing Tomoe to step back as Ascalon released a small burst of holy power.
Ascalon glowed more and more as Tomoe saw a small magic circle in Xenovia's hand. She readied herself for another assault as Tsubaki noticed Holy aura flowing from Xenovia's hand and into the blade as it was connected to a magic circle. "You're able to siphon Durandel's power even when it's locked away."
Xenovia smiled hearing that "Training to be able to use Durandal in interesting ways was interesting. While I managed to do it, I gained better control over it as well." Xenovia dashed towards Tomoe as they engaged blades once again only for her blade to be knocked away.
Once Tomoe was unarmed Xenovia raised her blade ready to strike her down another voice came out. "Reverse!" Yura shouted as she grabbed ahold of Ascalon's blade in with her hands pushing Xenovia away. Once the blade was clear she landed a swift punch to the gut sending Xenovia flying backward skidding across the ground.
Kiba broke off his fight with Tsubaki as he moved towards Xenovia. "What happened there?"
She stuck Ascalon into the ground to use as leverage to stand up "She grabbed ahold of Ascalon as her hands were glowing. When she yelled out reverse the blade did no damage to her yet she hit me with her fists and it felt like demonic power."
Kiba thought of as many outcomes as he could "Swap with me, I'll deal with the two of them. Her naginata is around seven feet in reach and the wood is reinforced."
"Okay." Xenovia stood up as Kiba dashed forward swinging his sword at the two girls. Xenovia headed towards Tsubaki as she swung her blade down in a downward diagonal slash as Xenovia dodged it giving her how much range she needed to work with. Xenovia was able to close the gap after repeated swings striking the shaft of her naginata repeatedly.
{One of Sona Sitri's Pawns retired.} Blared out.
Everybody ignored the call as Tsubaki was not backed into a coroner as Xenovia lept into the air swinging Ascalon downward to strike the naginata. However, she moved her weapon out of the way as a giant mirror formed in front of Xenovia. "SACRED GEAR MIRROR ALICE!."
Xenovia was long past the point of stopping her attack as it impacted the mirror shattering it into a million pieces. As the pieces formed Xenovia was engulfed in a flash of light and struck by a massive blast of energy. She was blown backward as her outfit was ripped open cutting her between her breast down to her hip. Kiba once again broke off from the fight to deal with Xenovia, as he was retreating he heard Tsubaki call out "It was foolish of you to let a Power type fight me. I can reflect anything you throw at me and be twice as powerful."
Kiba rounded a corner with Xenovia as he placed her on the ground leaning her on the wall. He examined the gash as it was deeper than he first saw. He grabbed some of the supplies he looted from the pharmacy and began wrapping her body "Don't bother." She coughed up some blood. "I'll disappear from here soon."
Kiba kept bandaging her up "I don't plan on abandoning an ally."
"You don't look like Issei, yet your actions are just like his."
Kiba smiled hearing that, "While not everybody approves of how he is, his actions in combat are quite noble. I want to better myself and be like him."
"You want to be like Issei? I didn't know you wanted to be a pervert."
Kiba flinched hearing that "I'm not into treating women like that. I want to be the kind of person who never gives up and Issei has shown me that."
Xenovia grabbed the hilt of Ascalon as it lit up "Issei treats me quite nicely." She handed him Ascalon as he grabbed ahold of it as the magic circle in her hand passed from her to his hand. The clacking of footsteps could be heard as they got closer. "I have already resolved my fate, see to theirs and your fears." Xenovia said as she closed her eyes as she faded away in blue light.
{Rias Gremory Knight retired.}
Kiba stood back as he crafted a sheath from his sacred gear to house Ascalon. He walked towards the girl's footsteps as Tsubaki voice echoed in the parking structure "Are you ready to be the other retirement?"
The three girls were in front of Kiba with Tsubaki in the back as Kiba stabbed his sword into the ground. "I have prepared myself the question is have you?" His holy demonic sword radiated power as did his left hand. "Xenovia left this for me. DURANDAL BIRTH!" Thousands of blades appeared at seemingly light speed, faster than he was ever able to create them beforehand. The swords were now infused with large amounts of holy power that radiated off them as they pierced Tomoe and Tsubasa as if they were nothing. Tsubaki was able to dodge his attacks fast enough as she was able to get away just in time retreating up into the structural support.
{Sona Sitri one Knight and One Rook retired.}
Kiba pulled his sword out of the ground as he chased after Tsubaki. He followed her back into the mall only for her to slip away from him. A voice came over the earpiece (Everybody it's time to assemble at point Beta and be ready to assault the base.) Rias' voice was heard.
Issei and Koneko were the first to make it to the assigned spot. They came to a large clearing in the department store that was the main intersection of the area. As Issei and Koneko were waiting for everyone to arrive, footsteps were heard coming in their direction. When they looked to see who it was only for them to see Sona Sitri and her two Bishops.
"How do you do Hyoudou Issei and Koneko Toujou." She pushed up on her glasses as the reflection was slightly off as she spoke again. "The aura you give off in that armor is quite dangerous. People's assumptions of your power are correct." Her compliments only bought her some time as Tsubaki joined up with the three of them as it was now four versus the two of them.
"Sona! How bold of you to come to the center of the battlefield." Rias yelled out getting everybody's attention as Asia and Akeno were with her.
"Yet here you are as the King left the protection of her base. However, a few factors have changed the parameters of this fight." Sona confidently said as Kiba landed on the ground next to Rias.
"Yes, but unlike you, we have earned our right to advance. It's not exactly how I planned it but it's still more than enough." Rias' face was stiff trying not to give Sona any hints of her plans.
Issei had a few guesses at his role in the fight and her words all but confirmed they he was to play the decoy as Kiba and Xenovia were to be the ones to deal the decisive blow.
A snap of Sona fingers showed that she had the upper hand as her bishop Momo raised up her arm revealing a bag of blood. "I trust you understand what this is?"
"Ddraig said Saji was draining my blood and power. I'm impressed he was able to drain that much." Issei was calm about it.
"Why do they even have that much of your blood! Do you understand how much blood that is?" Rias, on the other hand, was not calm about that fact knowing what could happen.
"Yes, Hyoudou you should listen to Rias on this one. This bag contains about 1000 milliliters of your blood. As you are right now you are teetering on retirement from blood loss alone. But your blood is special in this instance, A demi-god with a dragon base sacred gear turned devil I take it as you understand the power that sits inside of it at the cellular level. It can be used against you but it will pointless at the same time." She looked to her left side at her other bishop "Do it."
Reya then pulled out the vial of Pheonix's tear as her body started to glow. She stuck out her hand pointing it towards Issei as the vial shattered "REVERSE!" A blinding light engulfed the area as a large wave of energy rushed from her hands as it collided with Issei.
"Issei!" Rias called out as the blast wave subsided.
While Rias didn't get an answer Reya was now down on the floor sweating and gasping for air. Sona and Momo, however, saw through the dust as a green glow came from where his head would be. The helmet on his armor equipped as he did nothing to defend against the attack. "Anybody care to explain what that was? Because that kind of hurt." He asked trying to get anybody to explain what just happened.
"She yelled out Reverse and then you were hit by something." Rias tried to explain what she saw as Asia ran up to him as her hands ready to heal him. As her hands touched him he flinched from sharp pain causing Asia to back off.
"Twilight healing isn't going to work. With the power of Reversal magic and your blood, the game is as good as over. RIAS I WILL DESTROY YOUR PRIDE." Sona valiantly showed off her determination that she was going to win.
"His blood?" Asia asked as she saw more of the blood bag.
"This is bad," Rias now understood the magnitude of the situation. "Prepare a defensive wall the next attack is going to hit hard."
"It's too late Rias," Sona said as Momo was the same as Reya earlier except she slit the bag open as the blood spilled out "REVERSE!" This time it was slower than expected as the blood gelled up and took form. A large white ball of fire formed as it rocketed towards them.
Everybody around Rias had formed a large barrier to defend from the incoming attack as Issei stuck his hands out as he was going to stop the blast. "ISSEI DONT!" Rias called out but it was far too late.
"Wall of a Million thorns!" Issei yelled as out of the ground came hundreds of roses growing rapidly to make a wall from the extremely long stems. He placed his hands on the wall funneling even more power into in to make it denser as the fire impacted. The smell of burning plants fumigated the area as some of the attacks bleed through the wall hitting Issei causing large gashes on the armor as blood was spilling out. If it wasn't for the open area they were in most of the windows would have been blown out from the impact.
Voice ran through his head, he was aware of who they corresponded with but not why he heard them. (It nice to be this close to Kiba. He needs to pay more attention to me. I would do anything he wants for him. He's too much of a pervert but nice.) As the wall wilted Issei was on his knees bleed out from inside the armor. A few roses survived the fire as they were next to him as Momo was also almost down for the count as well. The group ran over to him to check on him as Asia started healing him. "Don't bother." He said
"But why? You need to be healed." His words went across everything she did.
"I'm bleeding pretty bad now. I don't have enough power to make blood faster than I'm losing it."
"Issei you promised me." He heard Akeno's voice as he turned to see large amounts of lightning arcing from her hands as it was going wild as she got close to him. The power she rolling of her caused her skirt to move around as Issei was able to see up it.
"Better make it quick," Issei told her as she got ready to aim it at Momo. "No, her first." He pointed at Reya.
"Why her?"
"I think she likes Kiba." Hearing that puzzled everybody as Reya tensed up.
"And how do you know that?" Akeno asked.
"I'm pretty sure this is why my family can create blood whenever we need it. But I heard her speak but her mouth didn't move and heard plenty of female voices." The balance breaker armor disappeared as Issei's arms and legs were all cut up as blood was flowing out of them.
"And what did you hear in my voice?" She asked him.
"The dress break is good clean fun." Akeno tensed up hearing that
Akeno looked at Reya as she threw her first attack at her. "Disappear."
Reya struggled to get on her feet as she held her hand out "Reve" Her words never finished as she was impacted by the lightning and retired immediately.
{Sona Sitri Bishop Retired}
"More More More." Issei chanted seeing her electrocute Reya.
Akeno was happy to oblige Issei's request as she turned her focus towards the white-haired Momo. She was completely defenseless as Akeno launched another wave of lightning at her to the same effect as Reya. Sona disappeared instantly as her second bishop was hit.
{Sona Sitri Bishop retired.}
She looked to see Issei twirling his index finger "I'm spinning around move out of my way." His head was bobbing back and forth.
Rias looked down at Issei looking at him. "I think he's lost it."
"Take these broken wings... and learn to fly again." His speech was slurred as he faded away in a blue light being retired from the game.
{Rias Gremory Pawn Retired.}
"Was that all about?" Kiba asked as not everything was set right with his words before he left.
"Who knows we all know Issei is a bit weird." Rias shrugged her shoulders "Go deal with Sona's Queen we will look for Sona."
Kiba dashed off into the distance to search for Tsubaki. As he searched as many buildings as he could eventually he came across her in a large clothing store. Once the two of them made eye contact she tried to run away again but Kiba was on top of it as he created Holy demonic swords one by one as he ran after her throwing the swords at her like darts. Most of the swords missed as she was dodging them but others she had to slow down and swing at them with her naginata allowing Kiba to catch up.
Tsubaki while she was able to keep a distance between the two of them but she made one fatal flaw as she backed herself into a corner. There was no more running only to stand and fight. As she pointed her weapon at Kiba they both prepared for combat as she did a series of thrusts trying to stab him. But for her Kiba masterfully dodged all the attacks. Yet for all the attacks he dodged every swing he made she blocked as if it was no problem. They kept swinging their blades at each other until she broke his sword with a powerful overhead swing slamming it into the ground shattering it into a million pieces.
With that, she thought she had an opening as she rolled her weapon upside down and swung it up trying to slice him open just like Xenovia. Kiba jumped back narrowly dodging it "There are no openings in this fight." He told her as he stuck out his hand to his side. "Peter, Basileus, Dionysius, and the Holy Mary please listen to my voice." A tear in the space around his hand appeared as a hilt of a blade appeared.
"Impossible." Tsubaki saw it once before and seeing somebody else do the same thing was mind-blowing.
"In the name of the saint lodged in this holy blade, I release you. Durandal." Kiba pulled the blade out of its space as he grabbed ahold of the handle with both hands holding it steady. "Before I met Rias my life was hell I saw and went through things nobody should have. But now after training, I attained a balance breaker and can handle Durandal."
Tsubaki looked over the blade noticing it wasn't the same as it was before. "The blade is different it's calm, unlike the violet weapon I saw last time."
"The blade responds to the user's will. Xenovia wants power from the blade and it responds in such a manner. I, however, ask for skill and Technique from my swords."
There was nothing she could do no defense she could muster would save her from the inevitable as Kiba charged her swing the sword at her. As she was hit by the blade she closed her eyes and thought of the real threat in this match Yuuto Kiba. "Your affinity for blades is…." She faded off before she could finish.
{Sona Sitri Queen Retired. Team Sitri one member remaining.}
"We all dream of surpassing Ise but hard work is needed to achieve that."
The four remaining girls were climbing stairs to the roof heading to victory as they were discussing what just happened. "Why was his blood so important?" Asia asked
"We saw reversal magic for the first time in combat ever. I've heard that it was a theory that you could use your power to change one element to another but to see it happen is another thing. As for Issei's blood, I think his blood is a freak kind of thing. His mother gives him magic reserves but having a dragon inside gives him those properties as well." Rias was explaining. "Yet like all of us, he is a devil and his demonic power resides in the blood. Dragons have no opposite so I think that's why it created a fireball but she reverses demonic power into light. Creating a fireball infused with the power of light and that was more than enough to take us all down."
"But yet she still turned blood into a holy fire of some sort." Akeno said, "There has to be some danger on both ends."
"No power like that comes for free." They came to a stop at a door that leads to the roof of the building. As they walked through the door they saw Sona standing there waiting for them.
When they walked onto the roof there was nothing but a pure white sky devoid of nothing yet giving them light as if it was daytime. "Why the roof of all place Sona?"
"A King has to survive until the end. If a King was removed early that would defeat the purpose."
Rias sighed hearing that "I'm aware of that, I'm asking why here of all places."
"Issei may have won the short game, yet in the end, Saji took the victory. It's only fitting that we finish this on the top of all that has happened.
"I understand Sona." Rias stood across from Sona about a tennis court's length. "I'm ready when you are."
"I will show you my water techniques." Water gathered all around Sona as she pulled it from out of the ground like she was ripping it out of the stores. Rias prepared herself as Sona began the attack by forming the water she gathered into different animals. Lions stood next to her as some snakes slithered on the ground heading towards Rias.
Rias pointed her index finger at the snakes as she created small balls of power of destruction the size of marbles and fired them at the snake one by one as each snake had all the water they were formed from destroyed. A pair of lions leaped into the air as they were to pounce on Rias as a large dragon rose up and spitting a stream of water at her. The size of the balls she made this time was larger nearing the size of a baseball as she launched them at the lions disintegrating them. Yet the lions only served as a distraction as she sidestepped the stream and sent another attack the same size yet containing more power towards the dragon. When it impacted the dragon blew up raining water all over the area.
Sona was running out of options as her water supply was draining away with each attack. She reconstituted what was left and constructed her last attempt at victory. Sona was now surrounded by a hundred birds ranging from crows ravens hawks and many other birds. She pointed at Rias as the birds all trained their eyes on her and flew at her. As they were flying at her Rias prepared a large ball of her Power of Destruction. When the birds were in range she let the attack loose but unlike all of her other attacks, this was more of a beam. The blast impacted each bird as they formed a wall trying to protect Sona. Yet it was pointless as the wall was getting thinner and thinner as Sona closed her eyes as what was remaining fell apart splattering on the ground as she faded away.
{Sona Sitri Resigned, Rias Gremory wins.}
In the VIP lounge, a large group of people finished watching Odin sat there stroking his beard as he looked at Serafall. "It looks like you didn't cheer for your sister hard enough." Serafall's face contorted as he said that. Odin merely laughed "Don't blow your top. That dragon boy was quite impressive."
"Issei? The red dragon?" Azazel asked
"No no, Sitri's dragon." Most people were surprised to hear him say that. "Issei is…."
"Issei is an Idiot." "My Son is an Idiot." Two female voices were heard as everybody laughed as Freya and Aphrodite spoke in Unison.
"All my children are idiots." Aphrodite felt like some clarification was needed. "Issei is just the worst." She looked at a box that was sitting on Freya's lap. "What's in the box?"
"It's a gift of sorts for the fallen girl, what was her name Akeno?" Freya stood up as she walked towards the door. "Going to deal with that now that the game is over."
"That reversal magic." Odin moved back to the game.
"It's too dangerous," Azazel said as he had a feeling it was going to be brought up. "It should be banned before it gets out of control. The after effect the two girls felt are way beyond a spell of that nature."
"I'll make sure it goes into effect at the start of the next game." Sirzechs said as he created a magic circle contacting somebody.
"I'll be going home now, there's always work to do." Aphrodite took off leaving everybody behind. "Don't let Issei know I was here."
Freya roamed the halls of the building looking for the right people. As she asked for directions she came across where she was told Akeno would be. She knocked on the door and opened it up seeing all of the gremory girls waiting around.
"And you are?" Rias asked not remembering her.
"You and I have met before, I go by Freya." She said as Rias' brain was kick-started now remembering who she was. "But considering what happened that night I don't blame you if you forgot." Freya covered her mouth as she gave a small chuckle.
"So what can we do for you?"
"I'm here for your Queen." Freya walked over to them as they were sitting down at a table. She placed the box on the table as she slid it towards her. "It's the requested items and a few extra things. Akeno opened the lid on the box as it was deeper inside than it looked. There were five bottles and an assortment of clothes. "Do be careful with the contents. The bottles last for 24 hours and watch over Issei if you do use them. There are instructions in the box on how to deal with things."
"Watch over him? Is it because…"
"Yeah, he's bound to go into a locker room and watch." Freya walked over to the door and before she opened the door. "And don't bother trying one yourself, they only work on him."
Odin had other plans as he was with Sirzechs in the medical area that was set up for rating games. The two of them entered one of the rooms and inside it was a bog-standard hospital room. As they closed the door they saw the person in the bed sitting there looking at them as they entered. It was Saji sitting there wondering why they would see him.
"This here is Odin leader of the Norse faction." Odin had a box in his hands as he opened it up showing it to Saji. "And this is for you." A golden medal with jewels was in the box as he set it in Saji's hands.
"But." Saji tried to come up with words.
"This is something we award to people who excel and impress in the games." Sirzechs saw that the gears weren't clicking in his head.
"But I lost to Hyoudou… He should be the one to receive a medal."
"Yes, you did lose to him. But you impressed those watching and that is why you earned this." Sirzechs said as Odin took over.
"We knew that Issei was going to beat you. While it sounds cruel to say that, you laid out your conviction for everyone to see. You showed that you have potential and a promising future as a young devil. Kids like you and even Issei are the people who are needed in this world to change it for the better." Saji was starting to break down as he heard all of this.
Sirzechs patted him on the head. "Anybody can strive to be on the top, some ascend faster than others. It may take some years or even some decades but you will be the teacher that you want to be." Tears flowed down his face as the two of them left the room. As they shut the door they walked down the hall to see Issei wobble his way into one of the rooms.
As Issei walked into the room he saw all that everybody had gathered together. "Where's the party?" He asked as Akeno latched onto him and sat next to him on the couch as others sat next to him as well.
Rias looked at him "Issei I have some bad news. That technique or ability you use has been banned. It's a little embarrassing and an invasion of a girl's privacy. That and it's massively unfair for females to fight against you." Issei only nodded as he wasn't all there yet. "But a huge upside we got the win. And I mean we unlike last time where it was you showing off."
"I didn't hear you complaining during or after."
Rias ignored that "But Koneko and Akeno both used their powers. And that is a step in the right direction. We did lose Gasper and Xenovia during the fight so we will have to work on improving those things."
A knock on the door was heard "Come in." Rias said.
Odin walked in with Sirzechs "So the brat found all the girls I see." Odin saw Issei surrounded by the girls.
"Your Odin of the Norse faction right? I'm Rias Gremory." She stood up introducing herself.
"Yes, Sirzechs little sister I take it." Both Rias and Sirzechs nodded at that. "I watched the game you and Miss Sitri had. Quite impressive things."
"Careful he's a mad skirt chaser. Surprised Frigg lets you have as much fun as you do." Issei said as the door slammed against the wall.
"There you are In a room with more women than men of all things." A woman with long silver hair in a business suit grabbed ahold of Odin dragging him away. "It was the same with Indra on Sumeru and Zeus on Olympus. You're so indecent." Everybody was at a loss seeing that as Sirzechs simply shrugged his shoulders and followed the two of them out of the room.
~~~Later at night.~~~
As Aphrodite was in her office back on earth she heard a knock on the door. "Come in."
She looked at the door to see a taller man with short hair and a dirty blond color. His body was lean yet carried plenty of muscle that could be seen through this shirt. His blue eyes were brighter than what would be normal for most but still not too inconspicuous. "Eros."
"Yes hello, mother." He walked over to her and sat down in one of the chairs across from her.
"So what brings you to the far east?" She asked as he wasn't one to travel towards Asia.
"This." He held up an envelope as he slid it to her. "Take a look at it."
Aphrodite opened the envelope up as she pulled out a hand full of photos. They were all of a woman with long purple hair who was sleeping in every photo. "She's cute, a nice shade of purple though I doubt that's natural. The orange eyes are interesting." She looked at Eros "Mind telling me why you gave me photos of a sleeping girl. Let alone a supernatural one?"
"There's a report with more details in there. But long story short we found her in Malta. She's been asleep for a while and we don't know how long. We believe she's a devil and not that old, to begin with, but we can't hand her over to the Devil faction yet."
"Did Zeus speak to the Satans about this girl?" She pulled out the report and started looking through it.
"He did and because of the political issues in the underworld right now, they want to hide her in one of the last places people would look." Eros put his arms up "Issei harem palace." He jokingly put it.
Aphrodite stood up from her chair as she put everything back in the envelope putting it in a drawer. She walked around her desk sitting on it in front of Eros "Where is she now?"
"Olympus in one of Hera's rooms, been there for a couple of weeks."
She breathed in smelling a weird funk "Tell them we can do it. Her transport needs to happen during the day however due to the kids. However one of the girls Koneko is a Nekoshou so we need to deal with not alerting her if we are to keep it a secret from the kids."
Eros stood up and went to hug her as she pushed him away, "You smell like you just got out of an orgy."
"I'll go let Zeus know of this." He walked towards the door and opened it. When he walked out there was a girl with brown hair standing there waiting for her turn.
"And knowing your tastes in women you best be careful in this day and age. One day she's going to lock up your dick and to see you research that one will be funny as hell." She shouted at him as the girl walked in. "Oh, your here." Aphrodite looked at the clock. "Early but good timing. Close the door and take a seat we need to talk about some things."