||The Stage||

Chapter XIV

Everyone's a hero in their own book.

"Ah… nothing from him? Alright. It's fine."

In this transition era from the Information Age to Hybrid Age, cellphones had perhaps become a crucial part of human lives. Some might say it's a part of their organs they couldn't live without.

But the same reality didn't quite apply for the resident of the Underworld. A couple of more centuries and Sirzechs betted they'd finally arrive at the Renaissance.

Using his phone was quite rare for Sirzechs Lucifer. Most people – if not everyone – had always contacted him via magic circle. And he couldn't blame them. It's faster, cheaper, and most importantly; it's practically untraceable. However, each and every call was always work related. Always about his opinions about whether the current Underworld policy required a rework or a complete makeover, or if it's still fitting.

Never a question on how he's doing, how was his day, or if he had eaten yet. A Satan wanted to be asked those questions too. He also had feelings.

Hence why Sirzechs actually quite happy he put his phone to use – though, he wished Sona was his sister. Instead of formal emails describing her daily duties or asking him if she should dispatch her band of misfits to take care a needy Stray Devil, a message saying she's missing him would brighten his day like the sun brighten the whole solar system.

His co-Satan would attest to that in a flash.

"No, no, I understand. Don't feel sullen now, you didn't disappoint me at all. You'll make me feel bad." Sirzechs chuckled lightly, buzzing in his easygoing tone. "Thanks for your help, Sona."

"SONA?!"

"Ah yes. That was your sister. She's sitting right next to me." With hopeful look and gleaming eyes, Serafall Leviathan stared expectantly on her crimson counterpart. "Would you like to—ah."

"She hung up." Sirzechs apologetically looked at his fellow Satan – who was dressed in her usual formal green Satan attire, sitting next to him on a couch. A very expensive couch located in a very expensive garden with an extravagant pond in the middle.

"Whaaa…." He felt bad seeing her sad frown, but such expression was not a rare find. Visit her at noon when works usually pile up and you'd find Satan Leviathan donning the whiniest scowl on her face. "Aaaah—she's so mean~! When she was little, she'd never leave my side… I was like her idol."

"…." That actually hit pretty close to home. "I sympathize. Why won't they let us dote them?"

"Yeah, I know right? Sheesh, why do they grow up so fast…" Serafall pouted, her cheeks mushed with her gloved hands. "…SO. What was that about Zexyzechs…? Why did she call you?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I asked her to do some scouting." So said Zexyzechs. "And would you please stop calling me with that name?"

"That's not what I'm mad- Why didn't she call me?! I'm her sister, sheesh!" The Leviathan grumbled inaudibly for a while. She had 99 problems and not getting in contact with her little sister was one. For now, she dropped it for the current topic. "…Scouting? Why are you stalking your sister? Rias won't like it you know."

"Oh Lilith, no!" Sirzechs laughed. "Don't lump me with you." Serafall's pout gained a few weights. "It's Lucifer—or who claimed to be. I asked her to… more or less, try to get him to act. Proof that he's Lucifer. She didn't seem to find anything convincing other than the fact Rias is completely smitten with him... And that he has a Received Pronunciation accent."

Serafall thought a while.

"It's that British accent. Where you can say anything and you'll still sound like Shakespeare."

"Ah. That." Serafall nodded. "I've met a man with that tone. I despise him." And she said that with a cat-like smile; seemingly innocent, but Sirzechs knew better. "I didn't know Rizevim was British."

"That's likely because he's not."

"Then he's probably fake. Just blast him away old man. On with it. Geeze." Serafall groaned. "If I'm you, I'd have done it the first time I heard my sister's dating some strangers from the streets."

Sirzechs' laughter was heard again.

"If he was, I'd done the same. Problem is, he's not. He's a Devil and one we have never met. Or heard, until he appeared. According to my sister, he didn't even have to move to beat them."

"On top of it all, he's Lucifer." She gave him a doubtful look, questioning if Sirzechs really believed that. "Alright, fine. He might be Lucifer, but let's say he is. He can then act as a bridge to the House of Lucifer. Smoothen some crumpled sheets…. Talk to his grandson and maybe even convince him to return to the Underworld. Besides… The Lucifuges are still very loyal to their House."

"So you're planning to use him…" He's sly. A sly Domestic Affairs guy. "And if he isn't? What will you do to him then then?"

Sirzechs laid his back on the back of the bench. "Then he's just a Devil my sister loves. Personally, I'd rather him fed to the Hellspawns, but I'll leave that to her."

"Hee, you're not angry? I thought you'd be madder~"

"Obviously I am." A frown graced his features. "She's not some woman he laid his hands on; she's my sister. Anything causes harm to her and I'll overreact severely. But," Sirzechs sighed, "if he makes her happy, then I suppose… I'll stay out of it. She's a grown woman now."

Serafall giggled, and pressed a finger on the Crimson Satan's cheek. "Gee~ you're so mature Sirzechs-chan. That's so cute. And worrying. Kind of annoying."

"What's so cute about being mature? And what do you mean 'worrying'?" Sirzechs chuckled, letting this Leviathan had her way with his facial flesh. He enjoyed spending time with her; she's easy to talk to and her infectious happy-go-lucky attitude made him forget of his Satanic responsibilities and what not, such as having to report to the councils that picked them every once in a while. Like now.

"They're waiting for us right now. Let's go Serafall."

As Sirzechs left the seat, walking towards the giant mansion ahead, Serafall's pout made its return. "Uggggghhhhhhh…. Stop being responsible…"

Break

For Lucifer, the night before the so-famed "Rating Game' was like a night like yesternight; cold, spent alone, and boring. All doom and gloom. He understood Rias' restlessness and made no fuss. He was there for her, and helped her as much as he could. It took her a lot of swooning to finally get her to rest.

Lucifer didn't feel like sleeping yet, though. Truth be told, the Devil was a bit saddened by their lack of their touchiness. Rossweisse was still too uptight about the touchy and Akeno… well. Akeno's Akeno; she's not as touchy, but he already reveled in her titillating razzes.

Needless to say, this had to be his longest dry spell as a resurrected Devil.

He did, however, felt a chill stroking the hairs on his arms. He was somewhere in the residential part of Kuoh City where the lights had mostly put out. Rather eerie, lightened by only the tall streetlights, but he quite enjoyed it.

That tingle was felt when he arrived at a crossroad, coming from the road to his right, where stood an elderly man in odd white cloak and a younger man in an equally odd cloak, except there wasn't a bladed weapon sticking through his stomach.

The presences of these two lunatic from the papacy explained it all. It also declined his previous hypothesis that the tingleness he felt was a symptom from having no intercourse.

But hey, at least he witnessed a priest being shanked. He felt a hit to his devilish pride as a priest got more action than he had since last week. Nonetheless, a sight he rarely had the privilege to beheld, if ever. What, a holy-man stabbed with a holy sword? The irony was almost poetic. Was it justice? He didn't know. He didn't care enough.

As the priest keeled over and rattled his death gurgles, probably praying to God, or asking God how could this happen to him, Lucifer just couldn't resist the temptation to butt in. Yes, not even The Devil himself was safe from the lure of temptation.

His dress shoes clicked as Lucifer seemingly emerged from the darkness, his shark-like grin already gracing his features.

"Never thought a night would come where a priest murdered another priest, and with such an outdated weapon no less." He said, loud enough to announce his presence and alert the priest-killer. "Normally they'd burn each other for piety reasons. Like what they've done to witches, or innocent women thought as witches... Or Joan of Arc."

The priest – the nearly dead one – crawled to him, hope and life fading in his wrinkled eyes as his mouth spewed blood. The other had turned at him as well, readying the bloodstained sword.

A priest begging for a Devil's help. What had this world gone to Lucifer wondered. "No, no. Don't look at me with those eyes. Not a single muscle of mine shall move for your fleeting life. Simply keel over and die. Heaven always welcomed an old runt such as you."

It wasn't said as a reassurance, but that old priest thought of it that way regardless. Perhaps he felt better about dying. Whatever. Lucifer couldn't care less as the old priest keeled over and died.

"And who the hell are you huh?" Said one of the priest. One that wasn't dying and very much alive as he aimed his sword at Lucifer. "Don't usually kill civvies, but it ain't a record I try to hold. Hey, why don't you give me a reason to put my sword in you eh?"

He lowered his sword as he seemed to rethought his words. "…That…. came out wrong."

"A nutjob of a priest… God whatever happened to this world when I was away? Did they lower the conditions of becoming one?"

"I ain't a priest, am an exorcist ya hear?!" So claimed the exorcist. "Buy ya' speak English eh? Funny seeing a foreigner here. Well tell you what, they had. Had. Until they wimped out and add more restrictions." The priest spat, literally, at the dead priest. "Limiting my work—that's fuckin' stupid."

"…I assume your occupation has something that includes murdering people."

"Naaaaah. Just shitty stupid beasts. And people that gets in my way of course, Doesn't matter. More to kill nyee-hahahaha!"

The young priest's laughter was… sketchy at best. Not one bit angelic. It was like that nose-less villain in that one movie where a troubled child gone to… what was it again? Lucifer couldn't recall. He's fairly certain the name of said school included hogs and warts.

"So if you're gonna get in my way, ya don't need an invitation." The priest grinned uncannily like a Cheshire cat, and his eyes were smiling, only not in the same way like Lucifer's did. They're vicious and filled with malice. Desires to do more than hurt.

"Good gracious—had there were more priest like you, Demons would've think twice on possessing someone; you'd victimize their victim!"

The priest paused, seemingly at disbelief at his words. But then he grinned and laughed with his palm on his face. "Bahahaha-! I know right?! Verses and holy bible are too damn slooow. A sword or a fork do it faster. D'ya know Demons die if their possessed host's dead before they get the hell out?"

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "Well now I do." You learn something every day. Even if you're The Devil.

The priest scratched his long white hair with the handle of his sword. "Piece of shits are wimps anyways. They'll also get hurt if you hurt their host when they ain't lookin'. Jam a fork on their hand and they'll leave the fuck away like a dog. Sure the 'possessed' felt the pain, but hey, you got your fuckin' body back amirite?"

Lucifer never thought he could enjoy a chat with a mentally unstable and verily vulgar priest, but here he was, enjoying the chat with a mentally unstable and verily vulgar priest.

"It's their fault for being so easily possessed. I was told some 'victims' personally invited them."

"Ahhh, yeah, yeah. They made a pact or sumshit. Dumb kids having shit for brain thought hexagons and riddles are cool. See if they think it's cool when their back is on the ceiling and their limbs are twisted."

"Welp, funny meeting ya. Better git cus that guy's dead." The exorcist swiveled on his combat boots – unusual choice of style, but Lucifer stopped caring about others' choice of fashion after what he had seen. "I'll let you off. I'm feelin' molto bene. That's Italian for 'very good' if ya didn't know."

And he left, with Lucifer nonchalantly pocketing his hands. The exorcist certainly had an unpriest-like mannerism, but who was he to judge? He barely known the Devils of nowadays, or their style… that pink dress of that one Phenex girl he saw yesterday still made him shudder to his bones.

So it was him and the corpse of a priest, in some street in the dead of the night. As it was Rias' territory and a dead priest corpse would tarnish her name, and most important reason being there would be more paperwork for her, meaning less time for him, Lucifer cast a small spell. A simple conversion spell that changed the priest's body into a wet puddle of water and the already spilled blood into wine.

Problem solved and feeling fulfilled, Lucifer headed back to Rias' room with his portal.

The bedroom was dark and cool. The air conditioner hummed quietly as Lucifer ditched his shoes and socks, undid the buttons of his shirt, and snuggled the sleeping crimson haired beauty.

Break

The Rating Game would be held exactly in midnight, and Lucifer's only qualm was that it didn't start sooner. It was Sunday and he couldn't get any of the girls to go out and have harmless fun with him during the day! What sacrilege was that?

But him being the caring and utmost considerate Devil – at least that's how he saw himself as – Lucifer spent his noon entirely alone. He's not going to stay at the clubroom listening to their discussion of the bloody game forever. That's the same as asking him to sit, stay and listen to a Sunday service.

Alas, the day was not his day. It was a peaceful day and no dead priest and no crazy priest was to be found. Last night's excitement raised the bar of his expectation and he was left disappointed. He realized too much peace was no good either that day. A sprinkle of violence was what he needed to spice up his day – problem was; he didn't want to be the one to cause it. He's not the childish troublemaker. He never did something without a reason he found credible enough for him to do something.

Such as leaving Heaven for good and never once turning back.

After the unsuccessful day walk, Lucifer settled on lazing about in Rias' room. Maybe a poltergeist would make the artifacts juggle or fly around, do something scary or at least try to. Lucifer honestly couldn't care.

Unfortunately, such a thing didn't happen. The artifacts remained in the display. He gave up as there's no evil spirits wanting to haunt The Devil in midday, and slept through until someone woke him up.

"Lucifer."

He woke up with a start. Jittered violently before opening his eyes, and sat up. A worried Rias looked at him, slightly startled. "Wh-what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Lucifer glanced around frantically, eyes wide open with fright and confusion, before his gaze fell on her and said; "Oh. Don't worry Princess, it was anything but a nightmare."

"What was it?"

"It was…" Lucifer scrunched his brows. "…I was being chased by giant koalas."

"…Huh?"

"I'm joking. I forgot. Perhaps it was set at the time when you're finished with all of this."

"Lucifer…" Rias sighed as she approached him, her eyes mellowing with guilt. "You know I want to spend time with you…"

He took a whiff of her perfume as she sat beside him. He supposed going to battle required one to be nice smelling.

"Oh it's fine. We both know you're a bit preoccupied at the moment. We'll make it up after it's all over. I'm thinking dinner in that new restaurant I found at my afternoon walk."

Her lips smiled, but her eyes weren't. "I'm sorry I've been… distant… lately…"

"Ah, so you realized?"

His witticism didn't help her ease her guilt, but Rias thought she deserved that much. "But," she groaned. "I don't know… I guess I'm afraid of losing…"

"Well you can't exactly expect to win everything… Unless you're me." He chuckled jokily, now clasping her hand.

To his surprise, she withdrew her hand with an expression of hurt. "No. It's not the game that I'm afraid of losing… it's you. I'm afraid of losing you."

"Princess, I thought we've addressed this before?"

"Yes but… What if I lose? How are you so certain that it won't matter?"

Before he could answer, Akeno opened the door. It was the first time he saw her so serious and tense. "Rias, everyone's waiting. Sorry for intruding." And she closed it back.

"Not even her is safe from worrying, hm?" Lucifer sighed. If only everyone's as relaxed as him. There might never been such an ugly thing known as the Great War. "Trust me, Princess." He said to her, regaining the attention.

"There's nothing I won't do for you."

Lucifer shouldn't had dawdled. Or slept. By the time he and Rias reached the cult-something room, the maid with the silver hair was there. She had to leave immediately. Before he had gotten the chance to say anything to her other than the usual pleasantry.

"Does that means I will be the only person sitting in wait in this room? Won't you keep me company, Grayfia?"

She bowed her head politely. "My apologies, but I have more important subject to attend."

"Ooh, was that a sass I detect in your voice?" Most men would be discouraged, Lucifer on the other hand. Took it as a challenge. The Devil loved challenges. Without saying anything to him, the maid left to wherever.

As told by Rias, she was the arbiter of the game. It should be entertaining, Lucifer hoped. He honestly couldn't imagine a commentator of an exciting sport commentating with the same intonation of a stone.

How utterly disappointed he was when the only time she 'commentate' was when someone went down in the game. And it was said without liveliness whatsoever.

With Grayfia gone in a literal flash of light and some satanic hexagon—pentagon, howmanygons, Lucifer took a look around the faces in the room. Rias had left his hand to have a technical chat with Akeno, Kiba was polishing his sword – no, not that sword -, and Koneko was eating cake. A little sugar could help pump out the adrenaline he supposed.

Rossweisse? She's sitting beside Asia.

They might think they hid their nervousness well, but nothing escaped him. Not even the slightest bead of fear could, let alone the embodiment of nervousness itself; the girl in the green… nun outfit?

"Dear sister," he began, nonchalantly strutting towards Asia's seat. Confident brown eyes met with startled greens, "I'm well aware you would be facing Devils… but as one yourself, I don't suppose you're planning on exorcising them do you?"

"N-no!" The poor girl was genuinely frightened about the idea. Lucifer regretted not teasing her more. "Buchou said Devils—w-we will die permanently if that happens…"

"Oh. Now that's concerning." He summarized. "Then won't you suppose another attire would be a better choice? Or is this a tactic to draw all of their attention to you?"

Never had Asia looked at Rias with an utterly horrified look.

"Of course I'm not, Asia." Rias said, softly. "Lucifer, don't scare her." Rias said, upsetly.

Asia glanced down at the rug beneath her shoes. "…It's what I'm most comfortable with…"

"Ahh…. Is that so? Well good for you sister. Wear what you like." Lucifer laughed warmly as he gave several headpats. He thought nothing of it, but same couldn't be said for Asia, who was confused why that helped her more than the earl grey tea she drank earlier.

Lucifer then directed his attention at the Valkyrie sitting next to her. "A flashy battle armor next to a plain nun attire… Never thought I'd see such a sight."

Consciously, Rossweisse placed her guarded hands between her thighs; the place where her armor was definitely lacking.

"You missed a spot there Rosie. I still could see a little bit of flesh."

Rossweisse fidgeted and reached for a cushion for a better cover. "…I-It's a hand-me-down from my Oma… I didn't choose this…"

"Never said you don't look stunning in it." As he sat next to her, he grinned an impish smile that made him so irritatingly beguiling. "So. How are you faring hon? Are you… 'nervous to the bone', or 'thrilled with anticipation'? Perhaps a bit of both?"

"…To tell you the truth, it's both." Rossweisse admitted. "This will be my first time participating in a game. My first time facing real opponents… and Miss Grayfia mentioned that the Satans and several houses will be watching live…"

Lucifer paused. "Oh. I think I'm starting to understand as to why all of you were antsy." All eyes turned upon him. Lucifer briefly felt as if he's in a sitcom. "Oh, darling…. picture them as your students and you're their PE teacher."

He instead received a weirded-out stare. "What kind of PE teacher tries to hurt their students?"

"One who are unsatisfied in their lives and used their job to output their misery onto unsuspecting teenagers." Lucifer replied flatly. None of these kids understood as they lived in their happy little Kuoh world with nice educations and kind benevolent teachers.

"It's fine to worry a little Rosie. It's a normal thing. But that isn't something you can link with the sense that you'll underperform. On top of it all, you've prepared." Lucifer smiled assuringly, at least until he was reminded of that mountain-stay. "As a matter of fact, that's all of you lot did. Prepare, prepare, prepare till you drop."

Rossweisse frowned, as did Rias. Akeno, meanwhile, had something to say. "Ara~? But what about me Lucifer-sama? Am I not good enough for you~?"

"Oh, Akeno. You're more than I could ask." Lucifer chuckled as Akeno tittered in harmony. Rias and Rossweisse frowned a little bit lower. "Anyway, what I'm saying is that you'll do fine. Don't forget you're a Valkyrie and they're a Devil just. Your Nordic jargons might throw them off guard no?"

Rossweisse managed to pull a smile. Or at least tried to, because that wouldn't do for him. Her heart started to pump then, not because of the adrenaline, but because he took her hands and clasped them as he stared deep into her eyes.

"You'll do fine. You worked your butt off for this." He slipped in his amiable chuckle as he watched her cheeks flume. "However the result might be, I'll be here for you, dear."

"I have to get away from here." So vented an aggravated Lucifer, Price of Darkness that was starting to become the Prince of Boredom. Around twenty minutes into the game and there was nothing happening. Absolutely nothing but placing traps, traps, and more traps. Rias and Akeno were even drinking tea in their makeshift Occult Research and Tea Clubroom while the rest of their lackeys were out there; what kind of blasted game was this?!

But they were in the 'strategy phase', and he really couldn't do anything about it except perhaps send a complaint to someone in charge, but that's not something he'd do himself.

What he would do, however, was to see if there's still leftovers in that bourbon of his in Koneko's little fridge…

Scuffing through the colorful sweets and diabetes-inducing meals, he found one – emptied. It was the most exasperated "How wonderful." he said that day.

Lucifer was about to lie down on the couch in agony just as the magic circle glowed a bright crimson red light. Out came a dashing man in a pale bluish suit with… disappointingly ugly green tie. It didn't match his crimson red hair – which reminded him a lot with Rias.

"Good evening." Said the taller and male version of his dear Gremory heiress. "You must be Lucifer. How do you do?"

The Devil paused, and glanced at the wall beside him where the ongoing battle was forecasted by a demonic-imbued projector. It's basically a standard projector, just without any plugs.

"…Rias? You... turn into a male?"

Sirzechs let out a chuckle. "Oh, no, no." then he paused. "I hope not."

"…Wait what do you mean." Now Lucifer's worried. At the least, he's not bored anymore.

"I am her brother," the Satan said as he approached Lucifer, lending out a hand. "Sirzechs Gremory—or formerly as I'm known now as Sirzechs Lucifer."

"Ahh, her brother! I'm Lucifer formerly known as—actually, just Lucifer." Lucifer smiled widely as he clapped his hands and shook Sirzechs' hand firmly. "You look just like her, except with a more modest chest, that is."

"Oh! Hahahaha— I was told you were quite the humorist, a modernized Shakespearian accent, and a man of elegant style… I see she's not exaggerating about it. A nice choice of suit. Tailored?"

"How nice of her! And yes. It was a gift for my birthday that I can't remember when… though I'm certain it was from Belphegor. Or was it Nyx…? Well I can assure you it's not made in China."

Sirzechs laughed. A good perception could make a good leader. It had helped him countless of times from sniffing out an assassination plan to foiling a larger scale assassination plan. Twenty Devils died that night and nobody knew. One of the many traits Sirzechs possessed, and, if his experience was any service to him, this man wasn't acting.

"So," gesturing to take a seat on the couch, Lucifer continued, "to what do I owe the occasion? I hope your little sister didn't complain much of me."

"On the contrary in." Sirzechs said, "There haven't been a single complaint from her. In fact, she never once complained to me since she was ten."

Having felt the same experience, Lucifer nodded sympathetically. "Siblings, no? One second they latch you like a koala and the next second they're 'too mature' for you to spare 'childish affections'."

"Yeah! Eighteen or not, she's still my little sister…" Sirzechs sighed. He didn't expect to be letting out his heart, but here he was, confiding to his sister's lover who was believed to be a mockup. "Ah, but, you see, Mr. Lucifer, I'm not here just for her, but for you as well."

"Oh. Why… that's very touching of you."

Sirzechs sniggered as he then sighed, "I hope you're really him," and brought back his serious tone. Same tone whenever he had to stand a whole ten minutes facing the never-appeased Councils of Devils. "I'm here to confirm what lineage of Devils you came from."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "A line of Devils? Huh. I don't think I have made any 'lines'. Tangled a few lines I have…" a roguish snigger vibrated his throat. He couldn't remember the names – as usual – but he had caused quite a ruckus for other families back then. That's for sure.

"You haven't?" That's odd. Lucifer lost his mojo. Rizevim didn't just spew out of some egg, did he? "…Then, how do you have a son?"

"I have a son? Goodness— first a wife and now a son?"

"Ah, yes, Lilith! Isn't she Lucifer's wife?"

"Wha—no!" Lucifer outright rejected that idea. If Lilith was there and alive, she'd weep.

"That's what written in history books. You were married to Lilith and had a son named Rizevim Livan Lucifer."

"You said you're out of touch with your sister but yet you gossip about the same topic!" Lucifer started to scowl. "Listen, I've never married anyone and if I did, it couldn't have been Lilith! The woman's married for Christ's sake!"

If Sirzechs was a normal Devil, a headache would had stung him. "Married? To whom might she be married to?"

"Why, Adam of course."

"Adam?! Adam the first human?!"

"Yes! Who else?! They were practically made for each other that even Eve herself admitted. Whose 'forbidden fruits' did you think he ate? The Tree of Knowledge? Hohoho, no. That one Eve ate. It was the 'first sin', but the 'first scandal' was something else."

Sirzechs Lucifer, the Crimson Satan, Hero of the Civil War, had his jaw dropped, and completely enraptured in the unheard tale of Adam and Eve.

"So what happens next?"

Lucifer paused into a thought. "Was there a word for an amorous relationship between one bloke and two birds?"

"Unbelievable!" gasped Sirzechs. "The first ever man had two wives?"

"Well, he's the only one available at the time and Pop's on a week-long vacation after creating… well, quite literally everything except the dark. What other choices do they have?"

At the meantime, the display showed Rias and her company as well as Riser's gearing up for the main event; the actual battle itself. Kiba made sure the plated shin and arm guards were strapped fast, Koneko fixing her cute little gloves with the cat paw, and Akeno… Akeno's washing the teapot and the tea cups.

"[The planning phase has ended. The participants may combat others without restriction. May the unofficial Rating Game, commence.]"

And so, Rias and Riser all began their move.

"About bloody time," Lucifer muttered, "oh, I'd rather not impose, but you don't happen to bring any nourishments, do you…?"

"Nourishments…? Ah, you mean these?" It was magical the way Sirzechs pulled a bottle of fine old and certainly expensive bottle of cold beer out of thin air. On its label slapped a blood red '7', and underneath it read 'Seven Deadly Sins'. "I've been saving this for this occasion."

"My saviour." Lucifer shone. Beer wasn't his liquor of choice, but beggars can't be choosers. And it was an unwritten tradition among men to drink beers when watching sports; a tradition Lucifer wouldn't mind on partaking.

Break

There was a small forest by Kuoh Academy, located a bit far from the center of the battleground and near the old school building, but it served as an excellent ambush spot. Coupled with Akeno's white mist and obvious magical trap setup, several of Riser's peers would surely pay a visit to disarm those.

"Yuuto, Koneko, can you hear me?" A crimson red magic circle formed beside Kiba's ear, channeling Rias' voice through. He said a quiet 'yes' as his King continued, "Good. Because of our few numbers, we can't cover as much ground as them. Riser's arrogant but he's not obtuse. If you're surrounded, back down and rendezvous with Rossweisse and Asia, Akeno will cover you. Yuuto, Koneko, you are our main damage dealer for this phase. We all believe in you."

"Yes, Buchou." Kiba said earnestly. He had never doubted her for a leader but as this was their first Rating Game, unofficial it might be, her calmness impressed him. "You heard her Koneko-chan," he glanced down at the white-haired Rook, presently re-strapping her fingerless gloves for the millionth time. "I'll leave my back to you."

"Hai…" She said, in almost a whisper. Quiet as always. "…What about me?"

"You? Oh, don't worry. I'll protect you… when I have the time." Kiba's smiling but Koneko wasn't. She's looking at him with a rather vexed look. "I'm just kidding Koneko-chan, don't give me that look."

But when his junior glanced at another direction with sharpened eyes, he knew his peace would soon come to an end.

"Wish me luck, Koneko-chan." With that, Kiba stepped forward into the clearing while Koneko remained hidden in the bushes, a bit antsy but nonetheless ready to play her part.

And soon enough, three girls emerged from the other side of the clearing. Two wearing the outfit of a maid and the other what seemed to be an exotic dancer. In her mind, she thought about how Lucifer would say something stupid about the girl.

"Hm? You're the only one guarding this place?" Said the brunette maid. Her voice was melodic and rather airy like Akeno, but not without the venom. "But I guess it can't be helped."

Kiba simply smiled his prince charming of a smile, laughing sheepishly. "Haha, that's true. But to be completely honest, I was hoping for another sword-wielder to make it fair."

His taunt earned a few scowl, and a giggle from the dancer. "Oooh, and here I thought you're a tame boy. Looks can be deceiving don't they~?"

"I suppose… Perhaps, I'm just too excited. It's been long since I'm looking forward for a fight." With a calm expression, Kiba materialized a standard European sword by his hand, his no longer warm but piercing and raring. "Shall we?"

His change of demeanor threw them off balance, but the girls picked themselves back up. After all, they're the veterans, and it's wrong of them to underestimate the holder of a Sacred Gear.

"This'll be fun…"

As they began to charge at him, Marion on far left, Shuriya in the middle, Burent on the right, Kiba did what they least expected.

He dissipated his sword and ran the hell away. Just as Koneko emerged from her hiding spot.

"What the?! Hey get back here!" Shouted an infuriated Shuriya as she cast her magic, hurling four swirling chakrams to debilitate the Knight as he delved further into the thicker part of the forest. Her thrown weapons only managed to hit the trees before fading away, fueling her frustration. More so as he was a Knight, and was naturally faster than her fellow Pawns.

"Jeez, I can't believe he was all talk!"

"[Riser Phenex' Pawn retires.]" Grayfia's stoic voice resonated through the battlefield.

As the girls behind him stopped in shock, Kiba sneered as he took a sharp left. By the time they realized Burent was no longer with them, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Darn it…" Shuriya seethed. "What the hell just happened?"

It was only until a crimson light shone beneath her feet that bounded her legs like chains when the realization hit her. Though it was a little bit slower than the flash of thunder incinerating down a good portion of the forest, leaving nothing but the ground and ashes.

"[Riser Phenex' two Pawns retire.]"

"Goodness gracious-" Lucifer exhaled his held breath as he saw the aftermath of that one spell. "that was extreme."

"When it comes to her, it's not enough if it isn't extreme." Sirzechs followed with a chuckle and a hint to test Lucifer's knowledge. "And that's without resorting to her heritage."

Lucifer veered his attention off the screen for a moment. "Pardon me? Heritage? Ah, you mean her Fallen's blood."

He passed the test. "You knew?"

"Why, of course." Lucifer laughed. "The girl's a human Fallen and a Devil, and a lovely one at that as well…"

Kiba and Koneko gathered at their designated spot somewhere in the forest, not stopping once as they headed to their new objectives; the gym. Riser surely had stationed and secured the place, and as there's nothing in between the gym and the old school building, they had to move fast.

In spite of the rush, Kiba still found the time for a little chat. "Nice work taking out one of them, Koneko-chan."

The Rook nodded, saying nothing as they exited the woods and was then running through the open school ground. It's a risky move as they had no cover, but flying was even more dangerous considering their opponent's Queen. But they believed in their own Queen too.

Who happened to be surveying high above them, donned in her traditional white and red shrine maiden outfit. She was tasked by Rias as Kiba and Koneko's overwatch, keeping them informed of the battlefield and saving her power for later use. Not a role she liked to have as she would very much rather be placed in the front, but Akeno had her jolt of fun earlier. She wouldn't complain.

"Kiba-kun, Koneko-chan, there's three ahead of you. Oh~? It seems I'm going to meet the Bomb Queen herself, ufufufu~"

Hearing their senior, the two stopped and made distance with each other, wary for a sudden attack now that Akeno couldn't cover them. But that sudden attack never came as instead, two young women, one in army green long-sleeved shirt had half of her face covered by a mask, and one in what seemed to resemble a Chinese cheongsam carrying a double handed huge sword with a rather quirky choice of hairstyle, calmly approached the two.

"Huh." Lucifer hummed as the two sides took their places. Like a classic wild west standoff. "Do all of his women always have a certain characteristic? Two were maids and one was even a belly dancer. And now one of them is a Phantom of the Opera enthusiast, and one of them has palm tree hair? Won't they whip her face when she moves?"

"That would be Isabela and Siris… Riser's Rook and Knight." Sirzechs sniggered. Lucifer's comments were certainly more amusing than Grayfia's. He should consider making him an arbiter one of these days. "You'd have to ask them as to why they wore such a bother."

"That indeed… Although, I must say, he has fine taste in women."

Sirzechs laughed merrily. "He's not without his merit, that is for certain. Although his approach towards my sister was a little too aggressive."

"Dear. What would that make me then."

For a good reason, Sirzechs stopped smiling. "…I still can't believe you won her heart in just one day."

"Oh please… What can't I do?"

Sirzechs began to frown. "Take it slower?"

Lucifer simply grinned innocently. "Well except for that."

"So you beat the Pawns huh?" Isabela crossed her arms underneath her breasts. "Not half-bad, even if you took them out with an underhanded manner."

Kiba laughed sheepishly. "If I feel guilty I'll have to apologize…" he resummoned his European sword that looked like a toothpick compared to Siris' sword. "unfortunately, we will do whatever it takes to win."

And the female Knight took notice of his puny sword, grinning slightly yet mockingly as she brought forward her double-hander sword. "Hmph. Do you think your sword won't shatter?"

"Ah, I've been wanting to fight against a fellow Knight…" Kiba smiled, though his smile was notably colder. "It's not the size of the sword, it's how you use it." Then he glanced at his partner, "Koneko-chan, may I?"

"Back off Isabela. He's mine."

Isabela audibly groaned as the two Knights took their stances. "…Knights. They won't be looking at us anytime soon." She summarized as she eyed the little white-haired Rook, who appeared to be equally unimpressed by the Knights' code or whatever it was.

Meanwhile, at the dark skies above, explosions and sparks of thunders were thrown so carelessly as if it was the Fourth of July. The Queens traded spells after spells, sending shockwaves felt by those fighting on the ground.

After mesmerizing the Queens' scuffle, Isabela set her eyes on Koneko. "Guess I'll be facing you little girl. You ready?"

"Oh I wouldn't call her that if I were you…"

Too late. Koneko was no longer in her previous spot and was lunging right at Isabela, who barely managed to block out a direct punch to the center of her ribs.

The Rook grunted and skidded back, dusts heaving up from the friction of her soles and the ground. "Seems I've misjudged you… my bad." Eyes straight, elbows bent and hands in front of her face, Isabela adopted a kickboxer guard stance. Her reach was her strong point against her shorter opponent, and she intended to make most use of it.

On the opposing side, Koneko was raring to have another jump. No one called her small and lives. She's just petite.

But as her anger subsided – just enough for her to think clearly and assess the battles. Kiba appeared to be evenly-matched with their opponent's Knight, and Akeno's still sending small thunders. There's still more of Riser's peers… and they could be anywhere.

"What's the matter? You can't expect to beat me in one blow."

And she had company herself. Riser's Rook was definitely not without experience. With no one covering their back, this would be a tough battle to win. But even so, she had faith in her master's strategy. They all did. They all knew Rias had spent sleepless nights trying to come up with a way to win –since Lucifer told them-, and they would not let her down.

Fixing her gloves, Koneko assumed the unorthodox southpaw posture to offset Isabela's, but instead of clenching her fists, she had her palms open. She's a Rook, but so was her opponent, however, she's smaller and harder to hit, and seeing how Isabela reacted to her stance, she had the upper hand.

Realizing her strengths, she readied herself as Isabela had enough of waiting, and launched towards her as flames embalmed her fists and legs.

"She has legs." Slugging the last of his second beer, Lucifer unceremoniously disintegrated the empty bottle with just a tad of his power. A thick black gunk consumed the bottle wholly; no need to worry about waste with that. Just a little act of kindness for Mother Earth herself.

By doing so, he also impressed this certain Great Satan sitting next to him. "By Lilith… wasn't that Power of Destruction?"

"Hm? Is that what you call them now?" Lucifer chuckled, "Back in the old days, we just call it as magic. Keep things simple. I'm not keen of naming that much." Most likely because he forgot it the next day.

No other Devils could cast Power of Destruction but Devils from House of Bael and a select few from his own family. As it name suggested, it's a power that could disintegrate matters, but very destructive without proper control as it could envelop its caster as well. But what Lucifer just did, was not done without control. To conjure a tiny amount of Power of Destruction was the same as trying to spill exactly one droplet of water from an entire jug.

He had his doubts before, but the more he spent with Lucifer, the more he was convinced that he was indeed, the First Devil.

"Oh!" Lucifer exclaimed as Akeno created several layers of barrier, shielding herself from the explosions of the opposing team's Queen, then launching her counter; bolts of blue thunder zapping through the air like eels, tracking Yubelluna's movement.

Yubelluna countered them with her explosive spells, but missed one as it crashed onto her, ripping her blue corset apart, revealing a lightly singed but nonetheless appealing skin of her stomach. Though, not completely as her voluptuous breasts somehow remained held firm by her top.

She winced, held her opened stomach, and continued the fight.

"My, my, quite the resilient creatures they are. What a pleasant surprise." A prolonged fight was always dull for him, unless the fight had lightning zapping all over and abundant explosions that would make Michael Bay proud.

Next to him, Sirzechs Lucifer had just gone out from his deep pondering regarding Lucifer. "Yes… a pleasant surprise indeed."

Break

Riser Phenex watched everything unfold before him high up in the skies, away from all the actions. Below him were his Queen, and further below were his Rook and Knight, each battling against their counterpart, fighting to win. Fighting for him despite all things.

"Hey, big bro, your girls are losing." Flying next to him was his little sister, the young Phenex. Her wings of flame spanned only half of his own and wasn't as fiery, but she certainly had the talent. A bit bratty, but a cute little sister all his brothers enjoyed doting. "Aren't you going to jump down and, I don't know, do something?"

At Ravel's snarky comment, he couldn't help but sigh. "They're on their own battle now. I can jump in and save them. Be the big damn hero. But how do you think they will react to that?"

Ravel stared at her brother, puzzled. "Won't they like that? You get to save their day."

"Hah, some of them. Of course." Riser grinned smugly. Replaying a time where he saved Ile and Nel. "Most of them will latch onto me and call me a hero, but not my Rooks or Knights. They hate it the most if I interrupt them. Especially Siris. Remember my last Game?"

"I was busy. I didn't watch it."

"Brat. Am I your big brother or not?" Riser scoffed, and Ravel stuck her tongue out. "She was facing two Pawns on her own after taking out a Knight. She was exhausted, and losing, so I helped her. I beat those Pawns. I got a half-hearted thanks, but she didn't talk to me for a week. Same with Isabela and Karla."

Suddenly, Riser showed a melancholic look. "Those were cold lonely days. You don't know how hurtful their stares were."

Ravel couldn't sympathize. She felt disgusted instead. "Ew… gross. Since when are you so cheesy..."

"Knock it off! I have feelings too!"

"Yeah, yeah…" Ravel rolled her eyes, uninterested in the topic of 'love' whatsoever. She was however, interested in the battle of the Queens, which seemed to be approaching its end. "Okay, so the Rooks and Knights are stubborn; what about your Queen?"

"Yubel? Oh she's more mature. She'll know when to retreat. What's more, she has my Tears."

Although far, her scream of agony as Akeno's thunder struck her reached his ears.

Ravel deadpanned. "Are you sure about that?"

Yubelluna hit the ground, hard. She tumbled a few times before laying on chest, her regal outfit torn, ripped, and singed by Akeno's thunderous spells. Mentioning her father's name was quite possibly the worst slipup she could make, and one she did.

As she struggled to bring herself up, another violent thunder crashed upon her back like a whip. She cried in agony, seething her teeth as Akeno continued her reckless rampage. Her strength was fading and the pain was starting to become numb, but she refused to lose. This was for her master… for her beloved.

But soon enough, the lashing stopped, but the pain lingered in her now exposed back. Her once flawless skin, now marred with opened wounds and the sickening red color of blood mixed with dust.

She was there just a little while longer, as her body disappeared in a flash of light.

"[Riser Phenex' Queen retires.]"

Riser froze, helplessly watching his prided Queen fade away underneath his barrier of flame.

'It's just a game.' he told himself.

'She'll be fine', he assured himself to no avail, as the rage within him build like a hungry fire. The ire was evident in his eyes, now sharply glued at his fiancée's Queen with thirst of revenge.

She was clearly exhausted from her earlier battle. Her breathing was ragged and her shrine maiden outfit had holes and burnt parts, but no bruises. No damages of any kind. Akeno showed no remorse as she prepared herself against him.

"You…" Before Riser could complete his line, another scream tore his attention away as he witnessed Rias' Knight pierced a bloodied blade through Siris' chest, who then vanished in the familiar light. Next to them, he saw Isabela bounced across the ground as Rias' tiny Rook sent her flying with a palm strike.

Isabela vanished in the same light as Koneko drove her fist to her solar plexus, ripping the winds out of her lungs. Grayfia's stoic announcement chimed in promptly.

Three of his most experienced fighters, defeated by three who had never partaken any Rating Games. And as he inspected all of them who were gathering to face him, they all shared one same trait; they're unharmed.

"Lord Riser!"

Behind him, from the school's gymnasium, the rest of his girls came running with Karlamine leading the horde of five. They were meant to be the reserves; he didn't expect his frontline to be completely routed.

Their defeat made him wonder. What monsters did Rias have in her possession?

"That's one bloody bomb of a move." Lucifer voiced his awe of Rias' cunningness and gutsiness.

"It is." Sirzechs nodded with a proud smile, undoubtedly elated with his sister's success so far. "Keeping Asia nearby with Rossweisse reforming her Twilight Healing to be able to reach the fighters was a high risk but nonetheless rewarding tactic."

"And she had doubts that her Nordic hocus-pocus will come in handy. Hah." He knew what he's going to do after this was over; tease the victors. "Though, Akeno was… rather passionate, doesn't she? Quite an off-putting sight to see her so incensed."

"That's because Yubelluna made a remark about her father…"

"Ah, so her father's the Fallen."

"Yes. Baraqiel is his name. I wouldn't advise bringing up his name around her… she's very sensitive to this topic."

"Duly noted."

"Great work everyone, but I'll save it for later." Rias' voice came through the mini-magic circle beside her servants' ear. They could barely detect her excitement. "Riser's there, pull back, now! Rossweisse switch with Akeno and Koneko, get ready! Rossweisse will cover your flank. Be quick, and keep Asia save!"

They all understood their role. Immediately, Akeno raised her hands and created a giant magic circle. Its crimson color blotted out the makeshift moon, and terrified all underneath as they had never seen such a massive magic circle. Instinctively, Riser and his Bishop conjured a giant dome of flame to protect them from harm.

Which served well in their cause, as Akeno had no such spell. Even if she had, her demonic energy was completely drained from her previous fight. It brought enough time for Kiba to retreat, reassemble with Asia who came out from the Valkyrie's invisibility spell, and rushed towards the old school building for their last stand while Rossweisse and Koneko flew up to Akeno's side, switching their roles as Akeno followed the rest.

The giant magic circle died down, and sooner than later, so did her opponents' flame barrier. But as it faded, Rossweisse had erected a barrier enveloping the entire area, keeping them in one bubble-like blockade. She had to repeatedly cast the barrier as Riser and his peerage began trashing about, trying to destroy it.

"I can't keep this up any longer!"

"Hold on a little more… Just a bit more!"

Another barrier shattered, and Rossweisse could feel her magical reserves was depleting fast. The flame of a Phenex was far harsher than ordinary flames.

"RIAS!"

"Now, Koneko! Rochade!"

Within a flash of crimson light, Rias emerged where Koneko was flying, and in her palms was a giant black sphere of pure Power of Destruction. Her crimson hair splashed about violently due to the chaotic air surrounding her. Malevolent red energy sparked unstably, and her entire hands were shaking from its power.

Even Karlamine couldn't stop herself from trembling. This was the spell that blotted out the moon completely. "What…. What is that…?"

"M-master Riser, I'm scared."

"M-me too…" The youngest twins each grabbed his leg for assurance, as little as it could provide.

Riser couldn't say a single word. Trapped within a barrier that could withstand his flames, he felt like a pig to a butcher.

Rias unleashed the ball of annihilation, and the entire space and ground rumbled in terror of her spell's splendor and horror as it consumed everything. Trees were yanked out of their roots. The air seemingly shattered like glass as it fell upon Riser and Mihae's last-minute barrier of flames.

The ground cracked and riven into pieces, dragging the entire gym down along with its fall. Then everything became blackened. When the spell finally subsided, what remained was a giant crater of what used to be a gym. Half of the football field was gone, so was a good chunk of the baseball field. There was nothing but remains of a destruction.

Along with Rias and Rossweisse, both were kept from harm by the Valkyrie's barrier.

And Riser. He was the only one who remained of the opposing team. Grayfia's announcement came a bit late, but that's due to the ear-splitting distorted noises emitted from Rias' unholy spell.

Seeing he was still standing, regenerating his entire figure, Rias seethed. It took her entire strength to garner that amount of destructive power, and still it wasn't enough to take him out. She was heaving heavily. She felt as if a gentle poke would bring her down.

"It's not over yet…" She heaved, informing her servants to round them up for the last assault. "Come back… I'm completely spent…"

And she's undeniably right. Her Devil wings stopped supporting her and she was about to fall had Rossweisse didn't catch her.

"R-Rias! C-come on, we're so close!"

"Brother!"

Rossweisse turned her gaze at the source of the high-pitched voice, seeing a young girl rushing to Riser's side.

"There's still one?!" That wasn't good. They were planning to focus all of their attack at Riser.

"…His sister…" Rias managed. Rossweisse was still supporting her arm. "Be careful, she's young but she's still a Phenex…"

As her peers gathered at last, worry written on their faces at seeing their King's state, a bright golden flame surged from where Riser stood, licking the skies with its golden tongues.

Riser rose from the ground, rising among the ashes, and flew high up, leaving his amazed little sister in the crater. Its immense heat was felt, and Rossweisse couldn't help but marvel at how much his wings resembled a creature of legends. The fiery beauty that is the wings of a Phoenix, shining in all its radiant glory.

"I underestimated you." He began, as his flames slowly enveloped his body. "You, and your servants. A grave mistake. I lost my servants—my girls… You… You did the unthinkable." Riser paused, adjusting his gaze on the exhausted Gremory. "you broke me."

"And now, I will break you."

To be continued…