Lightning and Flames

Chapter: 26

Koneko strolled toward Riser's peerage, her zanpakuto spinning lazily in her hand. The group was still reeling from the realization that they had been completely healed. The air was tense as they readied themselves for her attack, but before they could make a move, Koneko vanished.

She reappeared at the center of their formation, her blade flashing in a circular motion. A crackling ring of lightning exploded from her sword, sending them flying. Small clouds materialized between the scattered members of Riser's peerage, and Koneko disappeared once more—this time as a bolt of lightning.

Koneko darted from cloud to cloud, each movement heralded by a flash of light and the sharp sound of a blade cutting through the air. Every time she reappeared, another member of the peerage was struck down, their cries of pain mingling with the electric hum in the atmosphere.

A larger cloud formed above the battlefield, and Koneko teleported to its peak. With a determined swing of her zanpakuto, she summoned a tempest. The clouds turned black, and an explosion of lightning erupted from the sky, linking each smaller cloud in a chain reaction. The sheer brilliance of the attack illuminated the area, leaving a burning afterimage in the onlookers' eyes.

"Cloud Link Barrage," Koneko murmured, her voice as steady as her resolve.

She landed gracefully, pointing her palm at the falling peerage members.

"Hado #33: Sōkatsui," she intoned, her tone icy.

Blue flames erupted from her hand, engulfing the peerage in a fiery explosion. Screams filled the air as the flames roared, but Koneko didn't pause. She began tracing intricate symbols in the air, her voice rising in a chant.

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudō #9: Geki!"

A red aura encased Riser's peerage, locking them in place. Panic flickered in their eyes as they struggled to move.

"What did you do to us?" Mira demanded, her voice trembling with fear.

Koneko didn't respond. She vanished again, reappearing high above them with her zanpakuto aimed downward. The blade turned pitch black as she descended, and the moment it struck the ground, a massive pillar of lightning erupted into the sky.

With Kouki

"Is it just me, or is Koneko pissed off?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.

"No, I see it too," Rias replied, her tone curious. "Maybe she's still upset about being called up."

"Maybe," I murmured, my attention shifting to the replica of the school building in the distance.

<<Notice: Intense hostile intent is being targeted at you.>>

Yes, Raphael, I noticed, I thought back, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

Rias caught me staring. "You sense it too?"

"Oh, he's losing his mind," I said with a dark chuckle.

"Looks like we won't have to wait much longer, then," Rias said, standing up.

"Yup," I replied, my grin widening.

Back with Koneko

Koneko stood amidst the groaning bodies of Riser's peerage, casually brushing dust off her skirt. Her ears twitched as she sensed danger. She turned and raised a shimmering barrier—Danku—just in time to block an explosion.

She frowned, her gaze locking onto Yubelluna, who hovered above her, a smug smirk on her face. Koneko was about to attack when a familiar voice echoed in her mind.

Koneko, that's enough. Let Akeno and Index have their turn. We're wrapping this up soon.

Understood, she replied.

Koneko glanced at Yubelluna one last time before vanishing with Shunpo.

With Kouki

Koneko reappeared in her seat, immediately helping herself to another slice of strawberry shortcake. I didn't even flinch when a ball of explosive demonic energy hurtled toward us, only to fizzle out harmlessly before it could come close.

"All right, Akeno, Asia—you're up," I said calmly.

They both nodded, disappearing in a flash of light.

"Home stretch," I said, leaning back with a satisfied smirk.

"Finally," Rias said with a similar expression.

With Akeno and Asia

Akeno and Asia materialized in front of Riser's peerage. Akeno wore her usual smile, a mix of elegance and sadistic glee, as she twirled her fingers lazily.

"Asia, if you could be so kind," Akeno said.

"Yes, Akeno-san," Asia replied, snapping her fingers. "I reject."

The injuries of Riser's peerage vanished instantly, their bodies restored to perfect health.

"So you're the one healing us," Shuriya said, narrowing her eyes. "Why?"

Asia remained silent, but Akeno answered with a sly grin. "Simple. Buchou didn't want you eliminated too easily."

"Damn you! Are you mocking us?!" Yubelluna shouted, her voice shaking with rage.

"How did Creator put it? Oh, right. No, no... Fuck yeah," Index said, her voice calm as she took control of Asia's body.

"What the—?" Marion stammered, her confusion evident.

"Shall we, Akeno-san?" Index asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Akeno replied, her clothes shifting into her miko attire.

Akeno's wicked smile grew as she floated gracefully in the air, her miko attire glowing faintly. Beside her, Index's calm demeanor contrasted sharply as she hovered in place, her hands folded in front of her, an aura of authority surrounding her. Hundreds of magical circles shimmered into existence behind Index, their intricate designs pulsating with power.

Below them, Riser's remaining peerage gathered warily. Though healed by Index's earlier intervention, their faces were grim. Yubelluna, Riser's Queen, stood at the forefront, her staff crackling with explosive energy.

"Shall we?" Akeno purred, electricity crackling in her hands, the blue arcs dancing between her fingers. Her voice carried a dangerous edge, the sadistic undertone sending shivers through their enemies.

"Let's give them a proper farewell," Index replied with a serene smile, snapping her fingers as the magical circles behind her began to spin. Silver light radiated outward, filling the area with an oppressive, divine energy.

Yubelluna raised her staff. "Attack together! Overwhelm them!"

The peerage launched forward, magic and energy flaring in a chaotic storm.

Akeno giggled as she raised her hand. "So eager to die for your master. How precious." She swiped her hand downward, and a jagged bolt of crimson lightning tore through the air, slamming into a charging pawn. The impact sent the man flying, smoke curling from his body as he collapsed, groaning in pain.

Index's eyes narrowed. "How unsightly. Let's even the playing field." She extended a hand, speaking in an ancient tongue. Chains of golden light erupted from the magical circles, snaking through the battlefield and wrapping around three members of the peerage. Their movements froze as the chains tightened, glowing with an otherworldly heat.

"Release us!" Mira growled, struggling against the bonds.

Index tilted her head, her voice devoid of pity. "Reality itself binds you. Struggle all you like—it's futile."

"Futile indeed," Akeno chimed in, her tone dripping with sadistic glee. She flicked her wrist, sending a shower of multicolored sparks cascading toward the bound enemies. The sparks exploded on contact, eliciting cries of pain.

Yubelluna screamed, raising her staff. "Enough!" She fired a massive orb of explosive energy toward Akeno.

Akeno didn't flinch. "Cute." She raised her hand, and the orb froze mid-air, trapped in an invisible barrier. With a cruel grin, she twisted her wrist, and the orb detonated, the shockwave slamming into Yubelluna and sending her sprawling.

"Akeno-san, watch your left," Index said calmly as another wave of enemies rushed forward. She gestured sharply, and the ground beneath them warped, transforming into a field of jagged spikes. Three of the attackers stumbled, narrowly avoiding impalement, but their momentum was lost.

"Thank you, Index," Akeno replied sweetly. Her eyes gleamed with dark pleasure as she floated higher. "Allow me to handle the rest." She extended both hands, and the air around her shimmered with power.

"Fantasy Art: Elemental Tempest," she intoned.

Winds howled, flames roared, and shards of ice materialized from thin air. The elements converged into a swirling vortex of destruction, crashing down on Riser's peerage like a divine judgment. Screams filled the air as the storm scattered them, leaving many groaning on the ground.

Yubelluna rose shakily to her feet, glaring at Akeno. "You… witch…"

Akeno's smile widened. "Oh, how sweet of you to notice."

"Allow me to finish them," Index said softly, stepping forward. Her presence seemed to fill the battlefield, and her voice carried an eerie calm. "This ends now."

She began to chant, her words resonating with ancient power. The magical circles behind her grew brighter, and the chains binding the peerage began to glow red-hot.

"No!" Yubelluna shouted, mustering her strength to hurl a desperate blast of energy toward Index.

Index didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and the blast dissipated into harmless sparks. "I reject your reality."

With a final snap of her fingers, the chains constricted, forcing the peerage to their knees. Index's voice echoed as her power surged. "Kneel and accept your defeat."

Back with Kouki

I turned my gaze back to the replica school building just as a massive pillar of flames erupted into the sky.

"Here he comes," I said, standing.

"Finally," Rias said, rising beside me.

We teleported without another word.

With Akeno and Index

Akeno giggled darkly, electricity sparking in her hand as she mercilessly electrocuted Riser's peerage. Index had them bound with glowing chains, her expression calm yet unyielding.

The battlefield fell silent save for the groans of the defeated. Akeno descended gracefully, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeves. "Such a pitiful display. I expected more."

Index turned to Akeno, her expression serene. "They were outmatched from the beginning."

"True," Akeno said, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. "But it was fun while it lasted."

Both women tensed as their senses spiked. Index teleported in front of Akeno, raising a shimmering barrier to block a roaring wave of flames.

"It seems the star of the show has arrived," Akeno purred, her sadistic smile widening.

"So it seems," Index agreed, her tone cold. "Creator and Rias-sama are incoming."

"Time to take our leave, then," Akeno said, brushing off imaginary dust.

"Indeed," Index replied, snapping her fingers to heal Riser's peerage one last time.

They flew back toward our table, ignoring Riser's enraged shout.

"Get back here!" Riser roared, hurling a fireball after them.

The flames dissipated harmlessly, and I couldn't help but laugh as I stepped forward.

"Now, now, Riser," I said, grinning. "Attacking someone with their back turned? Shame on you."

"Shameful indeed," Rias added, mirroring my grin.

Chapter 26: End