Riser vs. Rias III

[Rating Game] Board.

Scattered all around the map, hidden in the shadows were small black vampire bats with glowing red eyes. Reflected in the eyes of these bats were the figures of several women making their way out of the new school building.

"There are four headed toward the gym. A [Rook] and three [Pawns]. A group of three is headed toward the old school building, three [Pawns] make up that group. And a group of six is headed toward the athletic field, there are two [Pawns], a [Rook], two [Knights], and a [Bishop] in that group."

"{Good job, Gasper. Continue to monitor their movements, we'll be in position soon.}" Rias replied through the transceiver.

"Okay." Gasper replied nervously.

At the same time the members of Riser's peerage made their way toward their designated locations, Rias and her peerage were also moving. Before any of them could arrive, however, Gasper had already made use of his vampiric abilities to separate himself into a flock of bats. Hiding himself all over the recreated school grounds, Gasper was able to see the enemies' movements and report them to the rest of his peerage.

While Gasper was monitoring Riser's peerage, Rias and Asia were moving quietly toward the new school building. Unfortunately, they would have to pass through either the gym or the athletic field to arrive.

"Is everyone in position yet?" Rias asked over the transceiver.

"{I'm ready.}" Koneko replied quickly and quietly. "{I'm backstage on the stage in the gym.}"

"{I'm in position as well.}" Yuuto said quietly. "{I'm just outside of the athletic field.}"

"{The three [Pawns have just entered the fog.}" Gasper reported.

"Issei, show no mercy." Rias ordered.

"{Yes, Buchou.}" Issei replied firmly.

"{I'm also in position.}" Akeno reported. "{I'm right outside the gym's rear entrance.

"Good, Yuuto hold your position until Asia and I arrive." Rias said, as she moved stealthily toward Yuuto's location. "Koneko, once the team headed yoru way enters the gym, engage at will. Akeno, once Koneko engages start preparing your attack."

"{Understood.}" x 3

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

Riser's gonna lose a bunch of [Pieces] faster than he ever imagined possible." James said while placing his teacup on its saucer.

"Considering he's supposed to be a veteran [Rating Game] player, I was expecting more." Sona said with a hint of disappointment in her tone. "I thought I might be able to learn something from him."

"Why?" James asked incredulously. "You're the one that said Riser only relies on his regeneration and has no other strategy when he plays, right?"

"*Sigh* I know, I know." Sona said with a sigh before pouting. "I was just hoping that because this game is so important, Riser would use his brain for once."

"Sona, your expectations are way too high." James said as he made his way over to Sona. Then, he picked her up from her seat and sat in it himself. Setting Sona in his lap, James wrapped his arms around her and continued to speak. "You can't get blood from a stone, and you can't expect someone to use their brain when they clearly don't have one."

"*Sigh* I know you're right, but..." Sona said as she leaned into James' hug and made herself comfortable. "*Sigh* I know."

Meanwhile, Tsubaki was looking at James and Sonaa with envy.

'I wish Setanta was here, too.' Tsubaki thought to herself as a blush crept onto her cheeks. 'I'll go see him after the [Rating Game] ends.'

"Oh, it looks like Koneko is going to be the first to engage." James said with interest.

"One against four will be a tough fight." Sona said with her eyes focused on the monitor.

Hearing James and Sona's commentary, Tsubaki was able to pull herself out of her daydreams. Then, after shaking her head to get the thoughts of Cu Chulainn out of her head, she also focused on the monitor.

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

"It looks like the difference in numbers will be a problem for Rias." Lord Phenex said after taking a sip of wine. "Using the dhampir boy as surveillance was a brilliant tactic for her first [Game], though."

"Indeed, that was a good move." Zeoticus said with a smile. "But what makes you think that Rias is unable to overcome the numbers, Lord Phenex."

"Yes, I'd like to hear your words of wisdom as well, Lord Phenex." Sirzechs requested an answer as well.

Zeoticus and Sirzechs stared at Lord Phenex so intensely that he knew if his explanation insulted Rias in any way, he would be in for a world of hurt.

'This damn sis-con an overly doting father.' Lord Phenex thought to himself.

"Basically, it boils down to fighting experience, in my opinion." Lord Phenex said. "All of Riser's peerage are older than Rias' peerage. Not to mention, they've fought in more than a couple [Rating Games] already."

With that explanation, Zeoticus and Sirzechs nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Venelana and Lady Phenex were also discussing the [Game].

"Riser is about to lose seven [Pieces] very quickly." Lady Phenex said while shaking her head. "I can't believe we were unable to gather any intel outside of Rias being lazy in her training."

"OH, so you're openly admitting that the Phenex House has been spying on the Gremory House?" Venelana said with a smile and narrowed eyes.

"Oh please." lady Phenex said as she rolled her eyes. "The entire Underworld thinks Rias is nothing more than a spoiled princess with luck in recruiting servants."

"*Sigh* Four years ago that would have been true." Venelana said with a smile. "Fortunately, a certain half-devil has been a good influence on her. After she slapped him on his fourteenth birthday, anyway."

"Huh, you're talking about James Alaverus, right?" Lady Phenex asked with her eyes glowing. "What did that boy do to deserve a slap from the Gremory Princess?"

"Nothing at all." Venelana replied while maintaining her smile. "Rias was entirely in the wrong."

"Oh, now I have to know what happened." Lady Phenex said while leaning toward Venelana.

"Well, like I said, it was the day James turned fourteen, and..." Venelana said as she told the story.

[Rating Game] Board.

Three of Riser's [Pawns], the twins, Ile and Nel, and Mira, and a [Rook] Xuelan, entered the gym cautiously.

"Be careful you three." Xuelan said while peeking through the gym's front door. "We don't know if we were the first ones to get here. We have to look out for traps just in case."

"Got it!" The twins said in unison.

"Understood." Mira also replied positively.

Meanwhile, Koneko was watching the girls tip toe into the gym. Using the [Senjutsu] she had awakened, Koneko is able to blend herself with the natural energy in her surroundings. So, even though she has a clear line of sight on Riser's girls, they are unable to feel Koneko's presence.

'The Chainsaw Twins, the Stick Girl, and the Kung Fu Girl.' Koneko thought to herself as she matched the four girls with the information Rias made everyone memorize about Riser's peerage. 'If it weren't for those two with their chainsaws, I could take all four of them on up front. I guess I'll have to take down the twins with a sneak attack first.'

After deciding to take down the twins stealthily, Koneko snuck around the gym from her hiding spot. A minute later, Koneko was walking behind the group of four. With Ile and Nel bringing up the rear of their formation, things were that much easier for Koneko's plan. Once she was close enough to the twins and before they could react, Koneko crouched down and punched each girl in the back of their knee. When the twins both stumbled because of the surprise attack, Koneko sprung up and grabbed each of them by the hair. Then, with all her strength, she slammed their heads into the gym floor. At the same time, she spoke softly into the transceiver.

"Engaging."

*Boom!* *Boom!*

Outside the gym's back entrance, Akeno heard the loud sounds of impact and Koneko's voice through the transceiver simultaneously. With the signal, she raised a hand into the air. With her motion, a magic circle large enough to encircle the entire gym appeared in the sky over the gym.

"{Yubelluna is leaving the new school building, Akeno.}" Gasper reported the enemy movement in response to the appearance of the large magic circle in the sky. "{It looks like you have a minute and thirty seconds until she arrives at your location.}"

"Thanks, gasper-Kun." Akeno replied with a smile. "I'll be ready in forty-five seconds."

That time estimate was not only sent to Gasper, but also to Koneko in the gym. And that was exactly what she needed to know. Holding off her enemies for forty-five seconds would not be too difficult. And with two of her four foes concussed, it would be even easier.

"Damn it! Where did she come from?" Xuelan asked as she took her fighting stance.

"That doesn't matter right now." Mira said as she flourished her staff. "We need to get her away from Ile and Nel. Otherwise, they'll get eliminated."

With that, Xuelan and Mira rushed at Koneko. In a bid to slow them down, Koneko picked up the concussed twins, one in each hand, and threw them at her incoming attackers. When Xuelan and Mira slowed down and caught the twins, they noticed that Koneko was rushing behind them. With one arm, Mira caught Ile, spinning to kill the momentum Ile was carrying. At the same time, she swung her staff toward Koneko.

Stopping just outside the staff's range, Koneko was delayed just enough for both twins to be caught and laid down on the gym floor. Then, Xuelan rushed toward Koneko and threw a combination of punches, palm strikes and kicks that Koneko either deflected or blocked easily. While exchanging moves with Xuelan, Koneko was counting the time she needed to keep fighting and keeping track of Mira's position, simultaneously.

Eventually, Mira found an opportunity to attack Koneko in a way that she would be unable to dodge. And, of course, she attacked. Feeling Mira making her move, Koneko moved slightly, just enough that instead of being hit on the right side of her back, Mira's staff passed between her torso and right arm. Without giving her the chance to retrieve her staff, Koneko clamped her arm down on the staff and spun her whole body. With that, Mira was dragged along with her staff.

"Kya~!" x 2

*Boom!*

With that, Xuelan and Mira were slammed into each other. At the same time, Koneko had positioned herself so that it was a straight shot to the gym's front entrance.

"{Time to go, Koneko-Chan.}" Akeno's reminder arrived right at that moment.

Then, Koneko dashed for the front door at her top speed. Seeing that, Xuelan and Mira were confused at first. However, a moment later they felt the magical energy condensing above them.

"Shit!" Mira shouted. "We gotta get the twins and get outta here."

"Yeah, let's go!" Xuelan shouted in agreement.

Unfortunately, just as they reached the passed-out twins, a bright flash enveloped the entire gymnasium. Then, before they could even hear the sound of the gym being destroyed, their visions went black, then all four girls were eliminated from the [Game] as their bodies were covered in a soft blue glow and teleported off the [Game] board.

A moment before Riser's girls were eliminated, Koneko rushed out of the gym and continued to run for close to 330 feet (approx. 100 m). Just as she turned around, a thunder spell fell from the magic circle in the sky. Then, the gym was completely demolished. Shortly after that, Grayfia's voice could be heard throughout the [Game] board.

"{Three of Riser Phenex's [Pawns] and one [Rook] have retired.}"

Floating in the air with her wings extended, three black bat-like wings on her right and three black feathered-wings on her left, Akeno smiled brightly before speaking only one word.

"Take!"

Around the same time that the battle in the gym started, three of Riser's [Pawns] entered the dark fog surrounding the wooded area and old school building. Slowly, Marion, Buren, and Shuri walked through the darkness. As they moved forward, the visibility lowered even further. Eventually, the dark and the quiet started to get to them.

"What's up with this damn fog?" Marion asked in irritation.

Calm down, Marion." Buren said while staying on alert. "Making noise like that will only draw enemies to us."

"I know, but..." Marion said, trying to retort before she was interrupted.

"Shh!" Buren shushed Marion because she had noticed something wrong. "Why can I only hear the sound of two sets of footsteps?"

"Two?" Marion questioned before falling silent. After listening to the sounds in the surroundings, she spoke softly. "Where is Shuri?"

"It looks like the enemies got her." Buren said, also in a quiet tone. "But they haven't eliminated her yet."

Then, a solemn silence fell between the two remaining [Pawns]. However not long later, a loud bang was heard behind them. Shortly after that, the ground trembled for a few moments.

"Kya~!" x 2

"{Three of Riser Phenex's [Pawns] and one [Rook] have retired.}"

"It looks like they wiped out the force we sent to the gym." Marion said while trying to calm down from the jump scare.

A moment later, Marion realized she only heard the sound of her own footsteps as she walked toward the old school building.

"Hey, Buren, come on. You gotta keep up!" Marion shouted as she began to panic. "It would be bad if we get separated."

"Oh, don't worry." A creepy voice said from right behind Marion. "You will be reunited with your two friends very soon."

Hearing that voice, from so close behind her, Marion froze in place. Then, she felt something smooth slithering from her feet up her body. As she felt the slithery sensation, she began to think to herself.

'Are these things crawling on me... tentacles?'

With that thought, Marion began to tremble in terror. Then, when her arms and legs were all wrapped up by these tentacles, she was lifted into the air. When she stopped moving again, all she could see in front of her was a pair of glowing blue eyes. The only thing she could hear was two people panting from nearby. Then, she heard that same creepy voice again.

"Now, I believe it's time for you three to retire."

"Kya~~~~~!" x 3

"{Three of Riser Phenex's [Pawns] have retired.}"