Arrival!

Rating Games were one of if not the most popular event in the Underworld, and the Grand Rating Game Arena gleamed under the brilliant glow of chandeliers, casting reflections off the polished floor.

One does not need to look closely to spot Hundreds of Devils, many of whom are in the higher tier of Devil Society, dressed in regal attire, filtering through the gates of the arena, eager to witness the evening's spectacle.

The air buzzed with an immense amount of anticipation, the whispers and murmurs echoing as the normal Devils talked about the Rating Game, being massively excited, and the excitement only grew as more prominent members of Devil society arrived.

The arena, a massive coliseum with tiered seating stretching toward the high, cavernous ceiling, thrummed with the collective energy of those gathered.

Once the Rating Game began, the Arena in the Coliseum would be turned into the Game Field by sending the participants into a section of the Dimensional Gap, protected by a barrier and still connected to the current space.

As more and more time passed, Devils of all kinds, from the Major Noble Families to the representatives of Minor Clans filled the stands, their discussions ranged from idle gossip about the upcoming battle to sharp political analysis.

This event was much more than just a Rating Game, with such an important political discussion happening after, this event was also an opportunity for alliances to be solidified and grudges to be buried.

Among the crowd filtering into the VIP section, Rias Gremory arrived, flanked by her closest friends and members of her peerage, Akeno Himejima, Kiba Yuuto and Koneko Toujou.

Rias looked up at the sky beyond the shimmering dome of the arena, spotting the warm atmosphere of the Underworld, which just felt much more comfortable to her. 

As she experienced the atmosphere, Rias couldn't help but comment, "It's been storming heavily across Japan today. Strange how the weather shifted so drastically, it was clear just this morning."

"Yeah, this was one of the scariest Thunderstorms ever in Japan, they even cancelled Schools until it clears, I wonder how it happened so suddenly." Akeno muttered as she followed Rias.

As they moved forward, Rias's attention shifted as they moved through the rows of seats, spotting a familiar group approaching lead by Sona Sitri, her long-time rival and friend, arrived with her own peerage.

Tsubaki Shinra, her Queen, stood by her side, her sharp gaze sweeping the area with an air of vigilance. 

"Rias," Sona greeted her with a nod, and the rest of Sona's peerage did the same.

"Sona," Rias replied with a small smile, "Looks like it's going to be quite the show today."

"I suspect so," Sona said evenly. "Though I imagine most people are here for more than just the Rating Game." Her gaze flickered toward a group of high-ranking Devils in the distance, where Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan, Rias's and Sona's siblings respectively, stood in conversation with other leaders.

Rias followed her gaze and sighed softly. "They always attract the attention. Though I suppose with what's been happening lately, it's inevitable."

Sona nodded, her voice quiet but serious, "There's been a lot of unrest, especially with the recent... events." She didn't need to mention the specifics, the massacre of the nekomata clan was still fresh in everyone's minds, and the political tensions it had stirred were palpable.

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the arena, amplified by magical enchantments placed on the coliseum's sound system.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Underworld! Esteemed guests from all corners of the realm!" The announcer's voice reverberated, clear and commanding, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the stands,

"The time has come for the main event of the evening! The Rating Game between the two up-and-coming Devils, ranked 27th and 29th respectively, Verun Vailea of the Faenril Clan and Caleon Alistair of the Dunemil Clan! Two rising stars from Minor Clans."

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, mostly whispering predictions and placing bets on who they thought would win, as both competitors had gained a reputation recently due to their good performances in Rating Games.

"Let us not delay any further, prepare yourselves for an epic contest of skill, strategy, and power!"

As the announcer's voice faded, the arena's magic surged to life. The center of the coliseum shimmered, and the Dimensional Gap began to form. The arena floor, once solid and unyielding, now swirled with energy, preparing to teleport the two peerages into a specialized section of the Gap, an isolated battleground where their powers could clash without consequence to the outside world. 

In a flash of light, the two teams materialized in their respective corners of the combat field, the shimmering energy of the Dimensional Gap now solidifying around them.

Verun Vailea, a tall, muscular Devil with dark hair and burning green eyes, stood proudly with his peerage behind him, each member outfitted with carefully selected gear that reflected their roles in the upcoming fight.

His opponent, Caleon Alistair, was equally imposing, his piercing blue eyes and sleek armor giving him a look of fierce confidence.

As the energy continued to crackle and hum in the arena, the audience settled into their seats, the din of conversation quieting as the moment of truth approached. All eyes were on the battlefield now, waiting for the announcer's final signal.

"And now, without further ado," the announcer called out, "Let the Rating Game… begin!"

The sound of a great bell echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the match. In the blink of an eye, the combatants began moving ahead, ready to engage with each-other.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Rating Game had been raging for over an hour, and both Verun Vailea and Caleon Alistair were pushing their peerages to the limits.

Members from both sides had already been knocked out, their bodies vanishing in flashes of light as they were teleported out of the game, and the crowd loved it, roaring in excitement as they were engrossed in the match.

Suddenly, without warning, a loud crack of thunder echoed through the coliseum, so loud it shook the very foundations of the arena.

The bright, artificial sky inside the arena dimmed, and the crowd fell silent, confused murmurs rippling through the stands.

Rias Gremory glanced up, her brow furrowing in confusion, "Was that... thunder?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. "That shouldn't be possible inside the Dimensional Gap."

A gust of wind swept through the coliseum, followed by the first drops of rain. The skies, both inside and outside the arena, darkened ominously as if responding to some unseen force.

The drizzle quickly turned into a torrential downpour, and lightning began to flash, illuminating the entire coliseum.

Akeno tilted her head slightly, her expression troubled, "It's storming inside the barrier... But how?"

Sona Sitri, seated beside Rias, narrowed her eyes. "Rias, look closer," she said, her voice steady but laced with urgency, "That storm... it's inside the Dimensional Gap as well."

Rias's eyes widened as she turned her attention back to the battlefield, where the storm was not just outside the arena but had manifested within the controlled space of the Rating Game itself.

This was impossible. The Dimensional Gap was designed to be completely isolated, controlled by magic that allowed no external interference. It could rain inside the gap, but that would be artificial rain in the environment set by the overseer of the Rating Game.

It was impossible for it to just rain randomly. However, here they were, a full-blown thunderstorm raging inside the battle zone, the rain pouring down on the already exhausted fighters.

It was also raining inside the Arena, drenching the crowd with rainwater, as the thunderstorm occurred here as well.

The more informed members of the crowd gasped in shock, some rising from their seats as they realized the severity of what was happening. For the informed people, they knew this wasn't just some unusual weather phenomenon.

Something far greater was at play.

On the far side of the arena, Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan and Ajuka Beelzebub exchanged quick, alarmed glances. Their normally calm expressions were tinged with concern.

Even for the Four Great Satans, this was unprecedented. For such an event to happen in their presence, that means the potential instigators didn't bother about offending them.

"We need to halt the game now before this escalates." Sirzechs said with a grim expression.

Just as the Great Satans began to move, a massive bolt of lightning struck the center of the battlefield with such force that the entire arena trembled. The magical barrier that separated the Dimensional Gap from the outside world flickered violently, struggling to contain the immense power now surging through it.

A second lightning strike followed, this one even more devastating than the first, and the barrier shattered, collapsing in a shower of magical energy and sending all of the combatants back to the Underworld.

The arena split open, the once solid ground cracking like fragile glass. Torrents of rain flooded the coliseum floor, mixing with the debris and chaos as the crowd screamed, scrambling to escape the violent tremors and floods.

The storm inside the battlefield intensified, swirling into a vortex of unimaginable fury. Winds howled, ripping through the stands and tearing at the massive chandeliers hanging from above.

And then, as if summoned by the very storm itself, a colossal eye formed in the sky above the coliseum, swirling with stormy clouds. The Eye of Stormy Judgment.

Gasps filled the air as everyone stared up at the sky in awe and terror. The eye radiated a terrifying power, ancient and overwhelming. Its presence alone seemed to still the air, an aura of divine authority flooding the entire arena.

A single, devastating slash of lightning shot from the eye, striking the arena with such force that it split the entire coliseum in half, an ear-splitting crack echoing across the realm.

The very earth beneath the Underworld quaked in response, sending shockwaves far beyond the confines of the Rating Game arena. The skies wept torrents of water, flooding parts of the stands, while whirlwinds ripped through the air, uprooting sections of the arena like they were mere playthings.

The Great Satans froze in shock, their immense power suddenly feeling dwarfed by the force now unleashed before them.

Thankfully, or rather questionably, throughout the storm, no-one was severely injured, but that worried them more and more, as to do all of this and not injure anyone severely, the amount of power and control might be surpassing them.

And then, as the chaos reached its peak, the storm itself seemed to part.

From the swirling mass of clouds and rain, a massive staircase emerged, materializing out of thin air. It was carved from storm clouds themselves, yet solid and grand in its appearance.

Lightning crackled along its steps as it descended toward the ruined coliseum, and standing at its pinnacle, a figure, tall and imposing, stepped through.

His presence alone was enough to send a chill through the crowd, his aura one of authority that was impossible to ignore. Dressed in his formal attire, his long white hair flowing in a controlled cascade, Neuvillette, the Chief Ludex of the Court of Fatui, had arrived.

At his side, Alfred, ever dutiful, followed silently. The storm obeyed him, bending to his will, and the rain and wind around him quieted in deference to his authority.

For a long, breathless moment, no one moved. All eyes were locked on Neuvillette, the sheer weight of his presence stilling the entire arena. Even the Great Satans, beings of immense power, watched in silent awe.

Sirzechs and Serafall exchanged glances, their faces growing more serious. This wasn't just a visit—this was a reckoning.

Neuvillette's voice, calm and powerful, rang out over the devastation,

"Devils of the Underworld," he began, his voice carrying a weight that silenced even the storm, "I have come to pass judgment."