A.N: Sorry it took a while to write this, mostly because I realized that I sucked at writing a fight scene between mages. I was trying to write Yubelluna vs Akeno, and safe to say it sucked so I scrapped it, anyways hope you guys like this chapter.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Monster..." Isabella muttered as she fell to the ground, before she was transferred out of the field.
She knew for a fact, that she was the one who landed more hits, he should have collapsed way before she did, but...
When punching her opponent, it felt like she was the one who was being crushed instead.
Issei let out a breath he didn't know was holding, and wiped his face which was covered in blood. He had gotten used to taking punches and the damage that he took from Isabella wasn't enough to hinder him in any way.
'I won... I really won against this chick.' Issei thought as he looked down at his hands. "How much further can I grow?" he wondered to himself before shaking his head.
"Jinrang, I'll catch up to you soon." Issei said to himself while rushing towards his friends.
.
.
.
"What a brute." Ravel looked at Koneko without a hint of worry, "But then again, Rooks are more brawn than brain aren't they?" she said glancing at Mihae, the other bishop who also nodded.
Koneko was confused, they were definitely on the loosing side right now, so why where they so calm? Did they not care about winning or something?
"Well, it was entertaining watching you fight, but this game is slowly coming to an end." Ravel spoke with a mocking smile.
"My big brother is going to be making his move soon." She continued while crossing her arms, the little Phoenix Jr. was very confident in the Phoenix Sr.
Issei arrived behind the two, they turned around quickly and were met with Issei's blank stare which mixed with his bloodied face and hands was quite intimidating.
Without wasting any time Issei swiftly ran towards Mihae, while Koneko took the chance and grabbed Ravel from behind and put her in a choke hold.
Issei punched her right in the chin, quickly and efficiently knocking her out without wasting any energy or time, then he turned towards Ravel who raised her hands in surrender and was transported out along with the other bishop.
Kiba suddenly appeared as well, hoping to lend a hand but he realized that his help wasn't needed at all.
"What do we do now?" Issei asked sitting down on the ground.
"We regroup with Akeno and Rias, then we take the fight to Riser." Kiba spoke.
"Alright, let's get moving then."
.
.
.
.
"Asia, it's time to make our move as well." Rias said to Asia who nodded nervously.
The two of them walked out of their base and made way to Riser's base.
Since, there were only Riser and Yubelluna left, there were no troubles on the way.
Despite the overwhelming difference in numbers, Rias Gremory was still nervous.
Riser Phoenix was powerful, his own peerage might be somewhat weak compared to him, but Riser Phoenix himself is one of the most powerful devils in her generation, only surpassed by Sairaorg Bael.
And considering the fact that Riser Phoenix still hasn't made a move to intercept her, or attack her peerage members directly, it only made Rias more uneasy.
But, she had a plan that she devised with Jinrang and the others, and the key figures in that plan were Issei and Akeno, who were still on the field.
'I'll get to Akeno first, she should be fighting Riser's queen.' Rias thought while quickening her pace, Asia followed close behind.
Soon enough, they got to Akeno who was still engaged in a clash with Yubelluna. Rias and Asia stealthily made their way, near the two.
Rias Gremory channeled her unique ability, the Power of Destruction in her palms, this action was gone unnoticed because The Bomb Queen had all her attention on Akeno.
Akeno noticed this, because Rias was in a position where Akeno could notice her, while Yubelluna couldn't.
The Lightning Priestess continued fighting, hurling lightning at her opponent while dodging the explosions she sent her way.
Slowly, Akeno was pushing Yubelluna in a position where she wanted her to be, close to Rias Gremory, so that she could hit him with her full power.
And Rias Gremory did just that, as soon as she saw the chance she raised her hand and let out a massive wave of PoD.
By the time Yubelluna noticed, it was already too late, the blast already struck her causing immense pain, it felt worse than any flame, worse than Akeno's lightning. Yubelluna let out a howl of pain, and was then transported out of the Rating Game.
Akeno let out a sigh of relief, and flew down on to the ground.
Rias and Asia rushed to Akeno's side, the latter activated her Sacred Gear and began to heal her.
"Just in time, Rias." Akeno spoke, catching her breath. "A bit later and I'd have had to reveal our trump card, and no doubt she'd inform Riser before leaving the field."
Rias' eyes widened in surprise, "Was she really that strong?" she inquired.
"At first I was winning, but she brought out a Phoenix Tear, and turned the tables on me." Akeno spoke, disappointed knowing she might have caused her friend to loose.
Akeno wanted to win, and when she mentioned the Phoenix Tear, she felt disappointed in herself, because she felt as if she was making an excuse, to mask her weakness.
Rias hugged her dearest friend and Queen, "Don't make that face, I don't like it... And I'm sure Jinrang won't like it either." Rias smiled slyly.
Akeno's eyes widened in surprise, before she chuckled "You and him..." She muttered to herself while wrapping her arms around Rias.
They stayed like that for a moment, before separating. Rias gazed at Asia and Akeno, before getting up from the ground.
"It's time to finish this." She spoke, while glancing in the direction of Riser's base.
"Right." Akeno stood up and stretched.
"Hey guys! We're here as well!" Issei's voice came from behind, the trio turned around and were met with their friends, Koneko, Kiba and Issei.
Rias smiled upon hearing Issei's voice, but that happiness turned to shock once she got a good look at his bloodied face, bloodied hands and clothes.
"I-Issei!" Asia exclaimed before rushing over and healing him. Issei patted Asia's head while smiling, "Don't worry, I'm okay and besides, most of this isn't my blood." he spoke with a smile that gave chills to Asia.
Rias let out a deep sigh of relief, and walked over to clean his face. "You had me worried, very worried."
Seeing this interaction, a mischievous smile creeped up on Akeno's face, her brain concocting acts of tomfoolery.
But it would have to wait, they had a Rating Game to win.
Rias looked over each and every member, and Asia healed everyone, even if their injuries only consisted of scratches. Rias needed her peerage in top condition, because the one they would have to face, is Riser Phoenix.
The group swiftly made their way to Riser Phoenix's base.
.
.
.
.
Riser Phoenix stood outside, waiting for Rias and her peerage. For the first time in a while, Riser's face didn't have his trademark arrogant smile.
He recognized the threat that was Rias Gremory, and her servants, who weren't as weak as they first seemed.
Especially, that brown-haired boy who grew this much in only two weeks that was nothing short of impressive, and the person who made all this possible... that hulking young man... no wait young? the guy looks like he's in his thirties, ain't nothing young about him, but when Riser looked into him, he found out that he was only 17, turning 18 in a few weeks actually. He was a bit surprised, maybe a little more than a "bit" because apparently, he was younger than Riser.
Anyways, his appearance aside the strength he held in that body of his was most impressive, and he turned out to be a skilled teacher as well. After all, under his tutelage, the boy who's been a devil for only a few weeks, reached such level of strength, where he could overwhelm Isabella, someone he recruited over 2 years ago.
Riser's eyes narrowed as he noticed his enemies walking up the stairs.
"Finally, my beloved Rias you've arrived." Riser opened his arms, as he gazed at his "fiancée". "Now, I'll give you one final chance to surrender peacefully, before I attack you."
"You know my answer, Riser Phoenix." Rias responded, while her hand was engulfed in the beautiful dark red energy, that is PoD.
Riser sighed, he really fancied Rias and didn't want to hurt her at all. True, if he fancied her that much, why go this far? Why torment this poor girl like this? the answer is simple, pride and reputation.
Riser held his family in the highest regard, and he didn't want to do anything that could tarnish the reputation his parents built up, that is why he didn't want to cancel the wedding.
"Alright then, I'll respect your wishes. Rias Gremory, are you ready?" Riser asked while he was slowly engulfed in flames.
"Of course."
The battle that will decide the fate of Rias Gremory and her peerage has started.
.
.
.
.
"Promotion, Queen." Issei felt his body grow stronger, taking on the attributes of the Queen piece, which in turn meant, taking on a Knight's speed, a Rook's Power and a Bishop's magic.
Before coming here, he also made sure to stack boosts using his sacred gear, currently he had 3 boosts left before he reached the maximum amount his body could handle.
Issei, Koneko and Kiba charged Immediately. Kiba utilizing his speed slashed at Riser's chest multiple times, Riser didn't bother dodging the slashes.
Blood rushed out of his wounds before they combusted into flames, in less than a second his wounds were gone, as if they were never there in the first place.
Riser retaliated, he quickly raised a flaming hand planning to send a wave of flame towards the Knight, but he was stopped because Rias already casted her PoD, effectively disintegrating his arm completely.
Rias wasn't going to actively engage in this battle, she would provide support when necessary, because if Riser got to her, then the game would be over.
'Impressive.' Riser thought glancing at his arm that was already growing back.
[BOOST!]
After hearing that sound, Riser's attention quickly shifted towards Issei who was already in front of him. Issei delivered a devastating uppercut, forcing Riser to take a step back, but that wasn't enough for The Red Dragon, he engaged Riser in hand-to-hand combat.
The difference in experience hit Issei harder than expected, Riser caught his punch before reaching out for his face, intending to fry him, this was when Koneko came in, striking Riser directly in the stomach, blowing the air out of him, which gave Issei a chance to escape, but not without punching him in the face.
Koneko then moved behind Riser, taking advantage of his dazed state she wrapped her hands around him, and lifted him up she then proceeded to slam Riser head first into the ground. (German Suplex.)
[BOOST!]
Kiba and Issei rushed towards Riser, planning to do as much damage as they could with the opportunity Koneko created. The plan was to make Riser use as much energy as possible.
The Phoenix clan took pride in their fire, and unparalleled regenerative capabilities. However, this ability wasn't invincible it had weaknesses. No ability is without weakness.
Firstly, this powerful regeneration needed mana, without mana it obviously wouldn't activate, secondly, regeneration didn't dampen pain, and lastly, even if you can regenerate, if you took away a Phoenix's oxygen, then obviously that devil would loose consciousness, but that is extremely difficult, almost impossible.
"Amazing... truly amazing." Riser's voice resounded in the area, he released flames from his body.
The flames forced Koneko to move away, but she was a step too late as searing pain shot through her arm, looking down she noticed the burn mark.
Kiba and Issei stopped with the latter clicking his tongue in frustration, "Damn it..." he muttered to himself.
"You've grown quite a lot, in this short time I'm impressed... As a sign of respect, I Riser Phoenix, will now use my power to it's fullest." Riser spoke, and as his last words fell, he seemingly disappeared from his spot, appearing right in front of Koneko, who tried to create distance but wasn't quick enough.
Riser summoned his flames and engulfed Koneko, taking her out of the game in one move.
"KONEKO! YOU DAMNED BASTARD!" Issei screamed, and charged at Riser, Kiba followed behind seemingly unbothered by Koneko's disappearance, but he grit his teeth and controlled his emotions to keep calm.
[BOOST!]
"KONEKO!" Rias screamed, while she charged her magic, and threw it at Riser, who calmly looked at the approaching wave of destruction before skillfully evading it, however he couldn't completely evade that attack, it took off the left part of his upper body.
Quickly regenerating, Riser immediately went back into the fight, seeing the charging Issei and Kiba he rushed towards them as well,
Kiba swung his sword down on Riser, who evaded it before stepping on the sword to prevent Kiba from picking it up, he then turned towards Issei who had already thrown an overhand punch, he swiftly outpunched Issei, who grunted from the pain. The sheer force of Riser's punch threw Issei back and made him roll on the ground.
As for Kiba, Riser reached out towards him, Kiba's top notch reflexes quickly activated. He let go of the sword and jumped back to create distance so he could create another sword.
Rias Gremory released a ray of destruction once more, aiding Kiba's escape from Riser's fiery touch.
Riser clicked his tongue in annoyance, because he was forced to stop. As quickly as he gained momentum, it was diminished by Rias's timely intervention.
As Riser glanced between Kiba and Issei, he felt teeth digging into the back of his neck, before the flesh was ripped away and he momentarily fell to the ground.
It was Issei's familiar, who did such a thing. The jaguar hid until the right moment to strike came, and he managed to execute his job flawlessly.
"What the hell?!" Riser grit his teeth, finding himself unable to move, his regeneration was slowed because he exerted a bit too much of his mana at once.
Kiba instantly appeared above Riser, before Driving a massive sword in Riser's back, making sure to target the spine as well, to further inhibit Riser's abilities and movement.
"So this was your plan?!" Riser growled, the feeling of helplessness set in, because his healing was halted, the sword Kiba pierced in Riser's back was what was stopping it, Riser immediately concentrated all his mana on the sword in his back to melt it, and heal the spine.
"My my, I guess you've forgotten about me." Akeno spoke while she swiftly appeared next to Kiba.
"You?!"
"Mr. Phoenix, you've lost." Akeno spoke while she conjured up a spear. Riser's eyes widened upon seeing that spear.
It was the signature weapon of the fallen angels, a spear made out of holy energy and even a member of the Phoenix clan wasn't immune to it's effects.
"I'll give you a chance, Mr. Phoenix, accept the loss and I won't pierce your back with this, even though I really, really want to." Akeno said with a kind smile, looking as if she was doing Riser a big favor.
Riser gritted his teeth, and glanced at Rias.
"You'd go this far... just to win against me? Do you really despise me that much?" Riser questioned, while looking at Rias, and for the first time the Gremory Heiress didn't see the arrogance in Riser's eyes.
"I don't despise you, not at all... It's just... you aren't my type, and I don't like when people try to dictate who I will love, and who I won't. I'll marry whoever I want, I believe I've proven myself capable enough to choose that."
Riser's eyes widened, and a pained smile crawled up his face. "I see... I admit it Rias, you've won and I've lost."
[Lord Riser Phoenix's resignation has been acknowledged, Lady Rias Gremory has won the game.] game.]