Disclaimer.
I don't own High School DxD, or any of the other copy right stuff that may be included in this story.
I don't make any money off of it and only write this for my own enjoyment.
If criticism of religion bothers you, please don't read this story. Also, why are you reading DxD, a story which makes heroes out of devils, if criticism of religion bothers you?
As the magic from the Gremory transportation circle faded away, Sona felt a tug on her left hand and looked down to see the little dhampire, Gaspar Vladi, trying to get her attention.
"Is it true that you're going to marry Am-kun?" Gaspar innocently asked.
"Yes, it's true."
Gaspar didn't reply after that; he simply beamed a smile, showing his tiny fangs and immediately held her hand.
It was such an adorable sight that Sona couldn't help but smile in return. She realized that Ambrose held Gaspar's complete trust, and so too did Sona hold Gaspar's trust by association.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who put all their faith in Am-chan." Sona thought as she gave his little hand a squeeze and led the group to the observation room. "Guess that means you and I have something in common, Gaspar-kun."
As Sona and Tsubaki entered the observation room with Asia and Gaspar, she was greeted by her peerage and a surprisingly unexpected guest.
"Onee-sama?" Sona couldn't help but say aloud.
"Sona..." Serafall anxiously said, forgoing her normal nickname.
"Tsubaki, would you mind ensuring our two guests are settled for the match?" Sona asked her [Queen], wishing to have a private conversation with her sister.
"Not at all, Kaichō." Tsubaki dutifully replied.
"I'd be happy to help." Tomoe replied, her heart shaped eyes glued to Gaspar. "Would you like to come sit with me?"
"Shota lover." Tsubasa muttered, only for Tomoe to elbow the [Rook] in her solarplex.
Gaspar gave Sona an unsure look; however, after giving him an encouraging nod the little dhampire left to sit with Tomoe. Sona tried to give her [Knight] a silent warning to behave herself, but Tomoe was currently too captivated with Rias's young [Bishop] to notice.
"Oh, I love your tuxedo and mask." Tomoe cooed as she took Gaspar by the hand.
"Let's go find ourselves a seat, Argento-san." Tsubaki suggested as she led the ex-nun away so the pair of sisters could chat.
"Sona, why didn't you come to see me?" Serafall worriedly asked with a heavy heart. "I would have helped you."
"It's my own problem, and my own fault." Sona admitted, trying to retain her composure. "I didn't want to bother you, Onee-sama."
"I'm your Onee-sama, it's my job to worry about you." Serafall replied with watery eyes.
"Thank you, Onee-sama." Sona earnestly replied, "But I got myself into this mess, and I don't regret my choice."
"You love him." Serafall said, as if she just realized the truth of the matter. "You really love this alchemist, don't you?"
"Yes." Sona unwaveringly replied. "Completely."
Whatever Serafall was going to say after that was interrupted by the Rating Game starting. The entire group gathered around a cluster of magical floating view screens that would provide multiple views and angles of the entire match.
Suddenly, Grayfia's voice began her introductory announcement. "My Lords and Ladies. I, Grayfia, servant of the Gremory family have been appointed to judge this Rating Game between the Gremory and Phenex families. Taking Lady Rias's and Raiser-sama's opinions into consideration, this match will be held in a replica of Kuoh Academy, the school Lady Rias attends in the human world. Lady Rias's base is located in the Occult Research Club room in the old schoolhouse, while Riser-sama main base is in the principals' office in the main school building. Thus, pawns can be promoted when they manage to invade the enemy's schoolhouse. Good luck to both teams, and may the best peerage win."
In the Occult Research Club, Ambrose was currently looking out of a window, up at the swirling green aurora that made up the sky of this pocket dimension.
"I have got to learn how to do this." He said aloud, before closing the shutter doors to join Rias and her peerage.
"What did Grayfia mean by promotion?" Issei asked in confusion.
"Just like in chess, when a [Pawn] reaches the end of the board, or into an enemy's territory, they can be promoted to take on the traits of any other piece, except the [King]'s." Akeno explained to the newest member.
"So I just need to enter the main school building and I'll be as powerful as a [Queen]?" Issei excitedly asked.
"Ara, it won't be that easy." Akeno replied, finding the concept funny.
"Don't forget, their [Pawns] can also be promoted if they enter this building." Yuuto gravely pointed out. "And Riser-sama has eight [Pawns]. You should expect their main base to have the strongest defenses."
"We had best begin." Rias soberly commented while holding out a few tiny magical spheres of light. "Take this, it's how we'll communicate on the battlefield."
The group fastened their magical transceivers to their ear and gathered around a map of the school grounds to lay out their plan of attack.
"We're on the southern most side of the map, with Riser's main base on the northern area." Rias began, "The quickest way would be to cross schoolyard, but we'd be in plain sight."
"I'll take that risk." Ambrose commented. "It would allow the rest of you to move more freely so that his forces can remain focused on me. I'll be the biggest target anyways, considering what the Phenex Clan bet on this match."
"Very well." Rias replied without protest. "Yuuto, and Koneko, I want you two to lay traps within the forest that surrounds the old school building. Akeno, once they're done I want you to cast an illusion around the forest to ensure anyone who enters gets hopelessly lost. After that, I'll need you, Yuuto, to guard the area on your own."
"Of course, Buchou." The [Knight] dutifully replied.
"Issei, you and Koneko will then take and hold the gymnasium, which is in the center of the area." Rias instructed, pointing to the building on the map. "This will help us keep our enemies in check from overrunning the old schoolhouse."
"Roger." Koneko listlessly replied.
"Hai, Buchou!" Issei acknowledged.
"Akeno, I'll need to you to remain mobile during this period so you can reinforce which ever group needs it the most. This will leave me vulnerable, so none of you can allow anyone to get past you. Everyone, if you think you're in over your head be sure to call Akeno." Rias instructed her peerage.
"It's a good plan, considering our small numbers." Yuuto tactfully commented.
Rias then gave Ambrose a meaningful look. "Can you work with that?"
"I can make it work." Ambrose cryptically replied with a nod.
"You bet it'll work." Issei confidently said, "We just have to trust in Buchou and everything will turn out fine."
"This is it, then; you all have your orders. Our opponent, Riser, is considered a promising talent, even among the immortal Phenex Clan. But together, I know we can kick his ass." Rias confidently said, inspiring her peerage.
"Right, let's do this!" Issei said as he and the rest of Gremory peerage left the old school house on their assigned tasks, leaving Rias and Ambrose alone.
As Rias watched her peerage leave, the confidence she shown began to melt away to be replace by worry and concern.
"Are you ready?" Ambrose asked her.
"Yes." Rias simply replied. "It's all up to you now."
Yuuto Kiba quietly moved through the forest, his senses on the look out for any servants of Riser's.
"This is it." He said, mentally preparing himself. "The traps and illusions are set. Koneko and Issei are headed to take and hold the gym, Ambrose is in the school yard, and Akeno is perched up on the old schoolhouse waiting to assist any of us."
Still, Yuuto vowed that it wouldn't be him who would need assistance; he had been trained to be a weapon for his entire life.
"These opponents are just a warm up compared to my true enemy." He reminded himself as images of his past flashed in his mind. "This is all just practice."
The sound of footsteps broke him from his internal reflection, and soon three of Riser's [Pawns] came out from the bushes. Two of them, Marion and Burent, were dressed as maids; the third, Shuriya was ridiculously dressed in a metal bikini.
"Do they seriously think traps like this can protect them?" Marion scornfully commented aloud as she blasted a trap with magic.
"Over there." Burent said, pointing out to a building past the trees. "That must be their main base!"
"Let's go, we can defeat this weak peerage for Master Riser and be back in time for dinner." Shuriya said as the trio rushed towards the old school building. "This is almost too easy."
"Too easy? How apropos." Kiba thought with a smile as the trio of [Pawns] suddenly stopped and watched in shock as the old school building suddenly disappeared.
"What just happened?" Marion wondered aloud.
"Too bad." Yuuto called out from behind them, gaining their attention. "I had hoped for more of a challenge than just three [Pawns]. Oh well, you can't get out of here anymore. You're inside a barrier that our [Queen] created."
"The traps were a diversion!" Burent exclaimed, suddenly realizing that she and her fellow [Pawns] were now caught unaware. "We didn't even notice."
"We need cleaver tricks, since we lack manpower." Yuuto said, drawing his blade and adopting a readying stance.
"I don't want to say this, since you're such a pretty boy." Shuriya said, licking her lips in anticipation. "But there's no way you can defeat the three of us on your own."
"Then why are you even hesitating?" Yuuto asked with a handsome smile before charging at the three.
Ambrose stood alone out on the baseball field as a vanguard to flush out as many opponents as he could. The wide open area offered no cover what so ever; in essence he was bait and that suited him just fine. However, a lack of cover works both ways and so he was easily able to see three of Riser's servants approach him from across the field.
"Here I am, being a perfect target of opportunity and this is what Riser sends me?" Ambrose disappointingly asked aloud. "I suppose I was too obvious, wasn't I?"
"Don't flatter yourself." Siris replied with a menacing grin. "Riser-sama sent us out to personally take care of you and promised to reward us if we made you suffer."
"I see." Ambrose replied, nodding in understanding. "He sent the weakest of his servants out, while the strongest remains inside the school building."
"You have no chance against us, little magician!" Ni, the red haired nekomata yelled back.
"No human can defeat a devil with out holy magic." Li the other twin nekomata said, brushing a bit of her blue hair out of her eyes.
Siris grabbed her broadsword and held it at the ready. "Let me finish this quickly. After all, everyone knows that magicians can't fight in close quarter combat." The [Knight] said before she charged.
As Siris ran towards the alchemist with an overhead attack, he reached out with his right hand and deflected her strike at her wrist. He then locked her elbow in place with his left hand while simultaneously grabbing the hilt of her sword with his right. Drawing Siris's own blade up by the hilt, he completely disarmed her before kicking her to the ground where he then used her own blade to finish her off.
"Riser-sama's [Knight] has been retired" Grayfia's announced.
"Thanks for the lessons, Kiba." The alchemist said with a smile while experimentally swinging his stolen broadsword.
"H-How?" Ni stuttered in complete shock.
"Siris was a [Knight], there's no way a magican like you could..."
Their denials were interrupted by Ambrose, who sent an Ice Blast towards the pair of nekomata [Pawns], freezing them both within a single block of ice. He then crossed his arms in front of him, before sweeping his arms to the side. The large ice block suddenly detonated, effectively taking out the two twin nekomatas simultaneously.
"Two of Riser-sama's [Pawns] have been retired." Grayfia announced.
"Rias's peerage is still weak. I had better go take out the stronger members of Riser's peerage." Ambrose reasoned aloud while staring at the main school building in the distance. "Time to go pheasant hunting."
"Kiba has taken out one of Riser's [Pawns]", Grayfia announced to the arena.
"Sounds like every else is kicking ass." Issei whispered as he and Koneko approached the gym. "What's our plan of attack?"
"There's no point in sneaking in." Koneko replied as she knocked the door of its hinges with a single punch. "They know we're here."
"You might as well come out, servants of the Gremory Clan." A voiced called out to them. "You'll only anger us if you continue to hide, so might as well make it easy on yourselves."
"Jerks." Koneko muttered as she and Issei approached three of Riser's servants.
"Oh man, four of them?" Issei worriedly thought, his apprehension only increasing when he saw the blue haired [Pawn] who had taken him out so effortlessly before. "No, I've gotten stronger, I have my secret technique. I won't fail."
"Oh look, Mira. It's that weak [Pawn] you defeated with a single strike." The girls wearing the Chinese clothes insultingly said. "I'm Xuelan, I'll be defeating you both today."
"I'm Ile." One of the green haired identical twins happily stated.
"And I'm Nel." Her twin followed.
"We're both [Pawns], and we'll be kicking your asses today." They both simultaneously stated.
"Careful." Koneko warned Issei. "Xuelan is a high level [Rook]. Her combat ability may be as high as a [Queen]'s."
"Seriously?" Issei asked in disbelief before resolving himself. Summoning his [Twice Critical], he determinately stated, "We'll, it isn't as if we didn't know we'd be at a disadvantage. Let's do this!"
"I'll handle the [Rook]." Koneko said as she adjusted her gloves adorned with cat paw prints. "Issei-senpai, please take care of the [Pawns]. Or at least, run around and keep them busy so I can handle them later."
"Don't worry about me." Issei replied with a confident grin. "I've got a secret technique I've been working on and I can't wait to try it out."
Their dialog was cut short by Xuelan, who suddenly attacked Koneko with a quick procession of fiery kicks and punches.
"Holy shit, there are actual flames on her hands and feet." Issei observed as Koneko expertly dodged her counterpart's attacks. Although agile and nimble, a grazing blow caused part of Koneko's clothes to tear off and Issei's lecherous eyes grew wide at the sight.
The price of Issei's inattentiveness was costly and swift as Mira plunged her pole into his gut once more, causing him to fly back and crack the opposite wall.
Although he had been toughened up during the training, he staggered to rise and was met by the twin grins of Riser's [Pawns], Ile and Nel.
"We're going to rip you apart." They replied in unison as they produced chainsaws and began to chase him around the gym.
As Issei was running around screaming for his life, Koneko continued to go toe to toe with Xuelan, the Chinese [Rook] who's flamed attacks continued to put her on the defensive. Finally, Xuelan connected with a spinning round house kick, only to be surprised when the petite Koneko had actually caught it.
"What?" Xuelan exclaimed in shock, only to be punched in the face and sent staggering back.
"Not bad." The Chinese girl said, rubbing her soar jaw only to be suddenly knocked down by a surprise body charge from Koneko.
Xuelan painfully grunted out on all fours as she tried to regain her breath, "What are you?"
"Rias-sama's [Rook]." Was Koneko's reply before she lifted her leg and followed through with an axe kick, taking her opponent out.
"Riser-sama's [Rook] has been retired." Grayfia announced.
"Did you see that?" Ile yelled out, pointing a finger at Koneko.
"She's a monster!" Nel replied, agreeing with her sister.
"Screw this weak [Pawn]. We'll have to take this [Rook] down together." Mira said, readying her staff.
"Now's my chance." Issei thought before rushing towards the group of three [Pawns] and slapping them on their asses.
"Hey you perverted jerk, what do you think you're grabbing?" Mira angrily shouted out.
"Unforgivable!" The twin [Pawns] yelled as all three charged at Issei.
"Take my special technique!" Issei yelled out before snapping his fingers. "Dress Break!"
The result was catastrophic, as the clothes of all three [Pawns] were magically blown away. The three girls desperately tried to cover up their naked bodies, as well as their dignities, while Issei couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh.
"How do you like that?" Issei laughingly gloated, "Now I can see naked girls whenever I want to!"
"You're terrible!" Mira yelled
"You beast!" Ile shouted.
"Enemy of women!" Nel shouted as she and her fellow [Pawns] willfully retired from the match.
"Three of Riser-sama's [Pawns] have abandoned the match."
"Not bad, eh Koneko-chan?" Issei asked, still on his victory high. "You didn't have to help me at all."
"You're disgusting." Koneko simply stated, as a matter of fact.
"What? Koneko-chan, don't be like that." Issei said while reaching out to her, looking for sympathy.
"Don't touch me." The [Rook] said, physically withdrawing from him. "We need to go help Yuuto, but from now on you have to walk ten paces ahead of me at all times."
"You're joking, right?" Issei depressingly asked.
"March." Koneko commanded her unwelcome teammate, "Or I'll retire you myself."
As Issei forlornly left the gym, with Koneko a good distance away from him, he called back to her. "You know I would never do that to a fellow teammate, right?"
"You're an unrepentant pervert." Koneko replied, "Keep marching."
"But Koneko..." Issei implored, only for the gym to suddenly explode, knocking him back.
Reeling from the unexpected blast, Issei falteringly rose only to find out that Koneko had taken the brunt of the attack. Her bruised body was nearly completely exposed and naked from the incredible force.
"Koneko!" Issei shouted as he rushed to cradle the tiny girl in his arms.
Koneko painfully stammered a bit, before she disappeared right in front of him.
"Lady Rias's [Rook] has been retired."
"What? How?" Issei asked aloud, only to hear a taunting laugh from up above. "You! Riser's [Queen]!" He shouted at the flying [Queen], Yubelluna who hovered above the wreckage that was once the gym. "Come down here, I'll fight you!"
"Spare yourself the pain and give up, boy." Yubelluna ridiculed. "No matter how hard you fight, you can't win against us."
"Ara, I beg to differ." A voice called out from the sky.
Spinning in place to find the source, Issei was heartened to see one of the Great Onee-sama's of Kuoh.
"Akeno-senpai!" Issei said in relief, as his [Queen] hovered above him in the air.
"Go on Issei." Akeno said while her focus remained on her fellow [Queen]. "Leave this one to me. I'll avenge Koneko with all my strength; meanwhile, you know what you have to do."
"Right." Issei called out as he ran off to the forest to provide backup for the [Knight].
Yubelluna gave Akeno an arrogant smirk. "I've always wanted to fight you, Priestess of Thunder."
"Ara, I'm quite honored to hear that, Bomb [Queen]." Akeno replied as she began to build up her power, causing tiny arcs of electricity to dance around her body.
"Two of Riser-sama's [Pawns] have been retired."Grayfia announced as Issei hurried through the forest.
"That makes three that Kiba has taken out." Issei thought as he approached the scene of the battle, only to see alone Kiba sheathing his sword.
"Oh, hey." Yuuto Kiba said, looking at Issei with an easy smile. "You needn't bother to come, I've already dealt with everyone here."
"Just as expected from Prince Charming." Issei jokingly replied. "What now?"
"We should probably head back to the club room." Yuuto suggested, "I haven't heard from Buchou since the match began and I'm starting to worry."
"Good idea." Issei said with a confident grin. "Let's go help Buchou."
"You should rather worry about saving yourselves." A voice called out from the forest.
From the forest, a lone [Knight] emerged wearing a chest plate and greaves. She took a moment to brush her light brown hair out of her eyes before glaring at them with her green eyes. "I'm Karlamine. I'll be your opponent."
"Yuuto Kiba." Rias's [Knight] replied, before drawing his sword. "A pleasure to meet you."
"We can take her together, Yuuto." Issei confidently said.
"No, she's mine." Yuuto told the [Pawn]. "Go help Buchou, I can handle this."
"Right, you've got this Kiba." Issei replied before running off back to the old school building.
"You must be out of your mind to fight me on your own." Karlamine confidently stated to her opposing [Knight]. She then drew a flaming broad sword and held it at the ready. "I like idiots like you."
"What can I say? I enjoy crossing swords with a fellow [Knight]." Yuuto said with his charming smile as he drew his own blade.
"Well said." Karlamine replied, before rushing towards her opponent.
The two swords clashed and the [Knights] began a rapid exchange of strikes and parries. Soon, they began to exchange blows so fast that they were invisible to the untrained eye, leaving only a trail of fire from Karlamine's blade behind. Suddenly the pair broke off their duel in order to reassess one another.
"Not bad, [Knight] of the Gremory Clan." Karlamine admitted.
"You're not so bad yourself." Yuuto conceded before turning around in shock when an unexpected explosion blasted him away. His body was launched a meter from where he once stood as he painfully landed on his side.
"What are you doing?!" Karlamine shouted out to an approaching figure. "This was my fight, Mihae!"
A young girl wearing a kimono appeared out of the foliage, her hand covered her mouth in a mocking attempt at humility. "Oh, did I spoil your fun? I think you've forgotten that we aren't here to enjoy ourselves. We were ordered to end this match as soon as possible."
"That doesn't mean you can interrupt my fight with a fellow swordsman." Karlamine heatedly argued back. "It isn't chivalrous."
Yuuto used his sword to help prop himself up, but was once again hit with a magical blast for his efforts and fell unconscious.
"Lady Rias's [Knight] has been retired."
"You were saying?" Riser's [Bishop], Mihae rhetorically asked.
Karlamine grumbled at her teammate's unsportsmanlike behavior.
"Once we've finished this Rating Game, Lady Rias's peerage will be aligned with ours." Mihae pointed out. "I'm sure you'll get plenty of chances to spar with him in the future. For now, let's go end this."
"Fine." Karlamine relented as she followed her teammate to the old school building.
"Lady Rias's [Knight] has been retired."
"Great." Ambrose sarcastically commented aloud as he looked out of the window of the main school building. "Rias is losing her servants and this place has been abandoned."
Entering the main school building was a risk, unfortunately Ambrose had hoped it would be a risk in his favor by encountering more of Riser's peerage.
"It seems that Riser simply wanted to blitz his opponent and left this place completely empty." He reasoned before jumping out of a window and rushing towards the old school building. "I have to regroup before the rest of her peerage gets overwhelmed."
However, before he even reached the smoking ruins that was once the gymnasium he encountered two of Riser's servants on the way.
"Well, well. It seems we found the brazen magician who desires my Clan's Phenex Tear Elixir for himself." Said a little girl with blonde pigtails with drill like curls.
"You must be Ravel Phenex." Ambrose pointed out, before turning to the [Bishop]'s bodyguard. "Sorry, didn't catch your name."
"Isabel." Replied the masked brown hair girl with red highlights. "Riser-sama's [Rook]."
"A [Rook], huh? Well, I'm kind of in a hurry, so if you two would just get out of my way then I'll leave you be."
"Don't take us so lightly." Ravel irritably shouted. "You've made an enemy of the Phenex Clan. Not only have you inserted yourself in the marriage of my older brother, but you had the impertinence to ask for our family's secret recipe. You'll get no mercy!
"Well then," Ambrose replied as his arms began to coat with ice. "I'm ready for you both."
Ravel scoffed at the challenge, "Excuse me, but I'm not fighting. Isabel, take care of this trash."
At the [Bishop]'s command, Isabel menacingly approached the alchemist with a warning. "Prepare yourself."
The powerful [Rook] charged at Ambrose, executing a combination of punches and kicks that the alchemist expertly dodged.
"Stand still." Isabel growled out as Ambrose wove around her attacks.
"Like your [Bishop]?" Ambrose taunted as he continued to evade her strikes.
"Lady Ravel is Riser-sama's little sister." Isabel lectured as she continued to try to hit her opponent. "She's more or less of a spectator."
Isabel suddenly saw an opening and launched a haymaker in order to end the fight in one move; however, when her punch landed with a harsh BANG she astonishingly realized that the magician had caught it.
"Spectator?" Ambrose snarled before his frozen hand struck her elbow, completely dislocating it. Isabel screamed in pain, but Ambrose followed his attack through with a knee stomp, shattering the bones in her leg in the process which sent the [Rook] collapsing helplessly to the ground. His eyes then focused on the little girl in the pink dress from the Phenex Clan before kicking Isabel's fallen body to Ravel's feet.
"Not today." Ambrose growled out with his frosted breath. "Today, you fight."
"Riser-sama's [Rook] has been retired."
Ravel watched in horror as the [Rook] was magically transported away from the battle, her eyes widened as she saw the alchemist was serious about fighting her.
"You can't do this." The [Bishop] alarmingly protested as she fearfully began to back away from him. "This is my brother's engagement, this is how the Pillars have always arranged marriages."
"I wonder how you'll feel when it's you who's engaged against her will." Ambrose angrily replied, "Will your fiance humiliate you, just as your brother has done?"
Ravel's continued protest was cut off by an explosion from a short distance away, in the ruins of what was once the gymnasium.
"Lady Rias's [Queen] has been retired." Grayfia announced.
"You've got more to worry about then me." Ravel arrogantly boasted, her confidence returning as Rias's most powerful servant was taken out. "But then again, the result of this match was a forgone conclusion."
Suddenly, a dark red demonic aura erupted from Ambrose that immediately silenced the [Bishop]. With out taking his eyes off of her, the alchemist held out his hand and sent a powerful destructive blast off to where the [Queens]' fight had just concluded. The resulting detonation sent a shock wave throughout the entire area, causing Ravel to brace herself against its force.
Ravel was filled with complete dread and disbelief as she looked out and saw the small mushroom cloud roll through the air from the ensuing explosion.
"R-Riser-sama's [Queen] has been retired..."Grayfia voice stammered across the arena.
Ravel looked at the magician with a dawning sense of absolute terror as she took in his visage. His crimson hair, his cold blue eyes, and the black and red aura that now engulfed his entire body. "The Power Of Destruction? Maō Lucifer?" She couldn't help but think to herself.
"That's… this isn't possible!" She shook her head as she tried to deny the reality of what she was seeing. "Who are you?!"
"I'm the Dragon Slayer." Ambrose replied as he grabbed the sword he stole from Siris and rushed towards her before perfectly swinging the blade.
Startled by the sudden attack, Ravel collapsed on the ground and fell on her rear, closing her eyes as she waited for the inevitable pain.
A moment passed, and there was nothing, no pain.
Cautiously, Ravel opened her eyes, surprised to see that she was uninjured; however, a gust of wind blew against her face and she realized she didn't come out entirely unscathed. Her eyes widened as she looked to her right and saw one of her twin-tails resting on the ground, scrunchy and all.
"My hair..." Ravel said in complete denial. "You cut my hair..."
Angrily, she looked up to yell at the offending magician, only to be met with the tip of Siris's sword that was held in Ambrose's hands.
"Get. Off. My. Battlefield." The alchemist fiercely demanded as he stared her down.
Her eyes narrowing in anger, Ravel hatefully glared at Ambrose. "My brother is going to end you." She venomously promised as her form disappeared
"Riser-sama's [Bishop] has abandoned the match."
Ambrose sheathed the sword before looking out towards the old school building.
"This is it. Only a [Knight], a [Bishop], and Riser himself." He said with a confident smile before rushing off towards the old school building. "I can do this."
"Shit, shit, shit." Issei cursed as he finally reached the old school building. "How am I suppose to do this?"
Before him was an image that he privately dreaded; his [King], Rias Gremory was standing at the edge of the roof on old school building while Riser was at the other side.
"Buchou!" Issei shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping to delay the inevitable. "Buchou, I'm coming!"
"Oh, what's this?" Riser asked as he looked down from the roof at the sole [Pawn] of his fiance. "It's that pathetic servant of yours."
"Come down here, Riser!" Issei called out. "Come and fight me like a man!"
Riser paused in astonishment before bursting out in laughter. "Oh, why don't you come up here and face me? Or is it that you can't actually fly yet?"
"Damn it, he's right." Issei frustratingly thought, glaring at Riser and the distance that separated them.
"Oh, this is too funny." Riser laughed as he continued to mock Issei.
"Shut up, chicken shit!" Issei yelled as he gathered his magic and yelled, "Dragon Shot!"
The green magical projectile was launched towards Riser, who's face soon turned to surprise before he reflected the magic back at Issei. The resulting detonation knocked Issei off his feet and had him rolling away from the impact.
Riser continued to laugh at Issei's expense. "It's a good thing you're still up. Being taken down by your own attack would be rather humiliating."
Suddenly, two figures entered the scene and Issei was dismayed to find out that they weren't members of his own team.
"Riser-sama." The [Bishop] Mihae said before kowtowing before her [King].
"Master Riser." Karlamine reverently said, kneeling for her [King].
"Looks like things have gone from a hopeless situation to a complete disaster for you, little [Pawn]." Riser tauntingly called down. "Mihae, take care of this pest."
"With pleasure, Riser-sama." Mihae replied with an eager grin and rose to face her opponent. "Now then, how shall I finish you off?"
"How?" Issei wondered aloud, "There's no way Kiba would have lost to another [Knight], unless…. Unless you attacked him from behind!"
"Ara, you're not as dumb as you look." Mihae derisively taunted. "Don't mourn him, you'll be joining your friend soon enough."
"Don't underestimate me. I'll use my secret technique to take you out." Issei yelled out as he charged the kimono wearing [Bishop].
Mihae simply responded by blasting Issei with a magical attack that tossed him a small distance away. Tumbling for a bit, the [Pawn] reeled for a moment before standing up on his shaken legs.
"You must be an idiot if you think I'm going to engage you in physical combat." Mihae scornfully said before blasting the [Pawn] again, knocking him back down. "Magic is so much more sophisticated, don't you think?"
As Issei struggled to stand, he managed to growl out."Don't think you can take me out so easily."
"Easily?" Mihae mockingly asked, "Little [Pawn], I'm holding back."
Her innocent face took on an arrogant smirk as her body began to glow with power, and a huge ball of energy launched at Issei who desperately tried to block it. The blast fully engulfed him, tearing his clothes to shreds and left him within a smoking crater.
"Well, that settles that." Mihae confidently said.
"Not… Finished… Yet..." Issei hoarsely whispered as he crawled himself out of the pit.
"Oh my, you're a lot tougher than I thought." Mihae stated, her eyes wide in delight. "I wonder how much strength you have left in you."
"Damn it. Damn it, I'm still so weak." Issei cursed himself, "I've always been the weakest in the group. I'm suppose to have some great power with in me, but I can't use it. I couldn't save Asia, and now I'm going to fail at saving Rias. What's the point of having this power when I can't use it to save my friends? Where is this power?"
"WHERE IS IT?!" The [Pawn] frustratingly screamed into the air.
"EXPLOSION!" A voice from Issei's gauntlet shouted out.
Suddenly his [Twice Critical] gauntlet shifted and changed to the [Boosted Gear], completely covering his entire hand and fingers. A beam of light shone brightly through the center jewel as the powerful aura of a dragon began to fill the area.
"Impossible!" Mihae incredulously said as the pressure from the magical force began to push back against her, "That's a mid-tier shock wave! No, it's even stronger!"
"BOOST"
"Oh? I thought it was a stupid [Twice Critical]." Riser commented from his lofty vantage point, unaffected by Issei's power. "Looks like you've been keeping secrets, haven't you Rias?"
"BOOST"
"The Red Dragon Emperor." Karlamine whispered in complete awe from the sidelines.
"BOOST"
With tears in his eyes, Issei resolutely marched towards Mihae, one exhausted step after another.
"BOOST"
"Stay Away!" Mihae called out in fear and shot a magical blast towards Issei, who simply swatted it away.
"BOOST"
"Take This You Bitch!" Issei screamed out as his fist continued to glow brighter and brighter. "DRAGON SHOT!"
A solid beam of bright green energy burst forth from Issei's fist, which hurled itself towards the hapless [Bishop]. Her terrified screams was soon drowned out by the roaring explosion which completely surrounded her.
Where Mihae once stood was now a trench that started from Issei and the old schoolhouse and stretched off into the distance, dug from Issei's own magical blast. No one said anything for awhile, everyone was utterly stunned by the turn of events…
"Riser-sama's [Bishop] has been retired."
And with Grayfia's announcement, the spell of silence was broken and Issei collapsed to his knees in exhaustion.
"I did it..." He whispered as his tearful eyes pleadingly looked up at Rias, searching for recognition. "I did it Buchou."
Completely exhausted and drained for the exertion, Issei collapsed and passed out.
"Lady Rias's [Pawn] has retired."
"Well, that certainly was entertaining." Riser commented with an amused grin, before turning his attention back to Rias. "But now that that's taken care of, we have a wedding to attend to."
"I would beg to differ." Ambrose called out, stepping out from the shadows. "You still have to face me."
"You?" Riser dismissively asked. "You aren't even worth acknowledging. Rias is within my grasp, while my [Knight] and I stand between you and her. You've already lost."
"It isn't over yet." Ambrose fiercely replied as his arms began to coat with ice and he pulled out Siris's sword.
Taking the initiative, Ambrose charged at Riser only to be met by his [Knight] Karlamine's attack. As they began to trade blows, the flaming sword of Karlamine began to leave trails of fire whenever she swung.
"You're pretty skilled. But you're still a novice!" Karlamine complimented before twisting her wrist and expertly disarming Ambrose.
As the sword flew away, the [Knight] didn't hesitate to thrust her blade towards the alchemist's chest only for Ambrose to catch the blade barehanded.
"That's not possible." Karlamine grunted as she continued to thrust the blade forward, trying to pierce his abdomen. Her eyes widened in alarm as the ice on his his frozen arms began to spread in an instant, completely covering her sword and snuffing out its flame.
The thermal shock of the extreme temperature change made the blade brittle and it began to crack.
With a cry of "You're Finished!" Ambrose broke the sword between his hands and then thrust the broken blade tip into Karlamine's neck.
Karlamine choked in shock and disbelief and as she coughed up a mouthful of blood; her tearful eyes were wide in denial as she fell to her knees and disappeared.
"Riser-sama's [Knight] has retired."
Taking a satisfying breath, Ambrose looked up to Riser who watched in shock from atop of the school building. "Looks like it's just you and me."
"No." Riser said, angry that his entire peerage had been defeated in what should have been an easy match. "No, it's just Rias and I, walking down the isle."
Riser then turned away from Ambrose and rushed across the rooftop towards Rias. Reaching out, he grabbed her by the wrist and thrust their joined hands in the air in triumph. "It's over, I won!"
Suddenly, his hand and sleeve was soaked. Curiously, he watched as Rias's arm completely break away, severing itself from her body and began to melt in his hand. Confused, he looked over to Rias who had a mocking smile on her frozen face, a face that was becoming more and more translucent before it and her entire body began to distort and melt away.
"Ice?" Riser asked in bewilderment at what he was seeing. "An ice golem?!"
"You didn't really think I'd risk this match on Rias's foolishness, did you?" Ambrose said, now standing on the opposite side of the roof. "You should have taken the deal I offered."
"Where is she?" Riser hissed in anger as he glared at the alchemist.
"Hidden, of course." Ambrose replied as if the answer was obvious. "Not that I imagine you'd have a happy future even if you did manage to defeat me. What kind of fiance can't tell the difference between his bride and a pale imitation?"
"You dare to mock me?" Riser growled out.
"You're worthy of being mocked." Ambrose countered with a grin. "All that talk and I've taken out 8 of your servants. It's kind of sad, don't you think?"
"Your victories will end here." Riser declared as his entire body was engulfed with his immortal flame. "You're about to learn what it means to cross a Phenex!"
"But you're not the first Phenex I've defeated." Ambrose chidingly replied. He reached behind him and pulled out a long lock of blonde hair that curled like a drill bit. "I was certain you'd come and face me, if only to save her. You should have heard her cry out for you."
"You… You hurt my baby sister?!" Riser said, his anger now turning his voice into an intense whisper.
"She should have known better then to come to a battle, unwilling to fight." Ambrose replied, his voice growing colder and colder as his chilling aura began to push back against Riser's flames. "Don't worry, I'm sure you can cry over her beaten form later."
"I'll Burn You To Ashes!" Riser shouted out as the fury of his flames erupted from his body and immediately set the old school building alight.
Ambrose responded with an arctic explosion that rebuffed Riser's heat, and the two opposing forces of fire and ice began to duel one another.
"You think your pitiful magic can save you from me?" Riser called out as his inferno only intensified with his anger. "You'll be nothing but ashes when this is over."
"Look at you, the flaming rooster standing on a pile of shit, crowing to the world while foolishly believing he's so great." Ambrose mocked as his own aura continued to grow colder and colder. "You can't touch me, your flames can't touch me. You're pathetic!"
"DIE!" Riser shouted as he used the force of his flames to rocket himself towards Ambrose.
"Too Slow!" Ambrose shouted as he launched himself away form Riser.
Blinded by rage, Riser began to fly, chasing Ambrose around the entire arena. They reached the edge of the eastern border before Ambrose turned north and continued to lead Riser away.
"Is this it?" Ambrose laughed as he continued to guide Riser around the fake school property, curving westward once he reached close enough to the northern edge. "Is this how you'll avenge your crying sister?"
"You're Dead! You're Beyond Dead! I'll Even Burn Your Ashes Till There's Nothing Left!" Riser screamed as he frantically gave chase.
Round and round they went, with Ambrose and his arctic aura leading Riser and his blazing wrath into a deathly spiral. The tremendous forces of Riser's inferno and Ambrose's arctic chill began to level all the surrounding buildings as Ambrose continued to coil around the arena. A violent reaction from the scorching high pressure and the frozen low pressure began to form as the pair continued their counter-clockwise spiral, leaving a trail of both hot and cold magical energy behind. On and on they spun, closer and closer to the center of the spiral as Riser's continued his chase.
"Is he trying to piss him off?" Tsubasa couldn't help but ask as she and her peerage watched the fight from the observation room.
"Yes." Sona simply replied.
"Why?" Tomoe asked, with a worried Gaspar sitting on her lap.
"I have no idea." Sona truthfully answered. "What are you doing, Am-chan?"
"He's trapped." Tsubaki observed. "They're both giving off a tremendous amount of energy, leaving behind a magical trail of both hot and cold energy in their wake. By leading him into a spiral, Ambrose has closed off any potential escape route that he might take. All he can do is delay until they reach the center."
"Until they reach the center."Sona thought as she began to observe the effects off her fiance's strange move. "He lead him on a chase, on purpose. He made him angry, so he could lead him on this chase, but why? Why make Riser so angry that he burns everything around him? Why lead him in this spiral pattern?"
"Of course." Sona exclaimed. "It's a trap."
"Yes, but one that your magician created and fell into." Saji replied, crossing his arms.
"No, Riser's finished." Sona confidently stated. "The swirling mass of hot and cold energies that are forced into this spiraling pattern can only result in one thing once they reach the center."
"What's that, Kaichō?" Reya curiously asked.
"A tornado." Sona replied to her [Pawn]. "A magical tornado made up of Riser's own heat and Am-chan's freezing. He's going to use Riser's own power against him."
"YOU'RE MINE!" Riser shouted as their spiral chase suddenly reached the center and he reached out towards Ambrose, only to be rocketed skywards by a single punch.
The entire arena was suddenly filled with chaos and destruction and from the center of the field erupted a magical cyclone in the shape of an Asian Dragon that clamped down on Riser and launched itself to the sky with a mighty roar. Screaming in fright, Riser was violently tossed in the air within the mouth of a great and powerful whirlwind dragon. As the fierce wind and flying debris began to tear Riser apart, he began to use his immortal flames to heal himself; however, the hotter his flames got the more powerful the mighty twister became. In a vicious cycle, he would desperately try to heal himself over and over, only for the heat of his own blaze to be turned against him and strengthen the giant dragon made of wind.
There on the ground, in the eye of the storm, stood Ambrose who maintained his icy aura that kept the tornado in place. So long as he maintained his own arctic chill the tornado would indefinitely remain until Riser's flame was finally snuffed out.
"No!" Riser helplessly screamed out as he was torn apart and rebuilt over and over as his flames continued to fuel the cyclone beast that was his own destruction.
"You're Finished!" Ambrose yelled as his dark red demonic power began to engulf him.
The Power of Destruction shot out from the base of the tornado, traveling the twisted length of the mighty whirlwind dragon before it reached its head and a massive explosion consumed the entire battlefield. A giant black and red sphere of destruction burst forth in a deafening explosion and blanketed the entire field. Any debris or standing structure that remained from the wild tornado was soon shrouded by the dark detonation, and the enormous tornado dissipated violently in its wake.
And then, there was silence and nothing else. Everything had been destroyed in the chaos of that final attack; the only thing that remained standing was the alchemist who caused all the destruction.
With his body covered in dust and his clothes torn from the entire ordeal, Ambrose let out an exhausted breath as the dust began to settle. He took a moment to look around, not at all surprised to see that the entire school grounds was now one large crater; yet he didn't move, he simply waited.
Suddenly, a blackened charred body landed on the ground, kicking up a bit of dust from its impact. Cautiously, Ambrose approached the singed remains of Riser Phenex. His form was unrecognizable, his skin was burnt and cracked, his own healing flames was now reduced to a smoldering ember that faintly glowed between the shards of his seared skin. Taking pity, Ambrose held out his hand and froze his fallen foe within a block of everlasting ice.
After taking another cleansing and satisfying breath, Ambrose closed his eyes and began to focus his magic. He held out his hand, and a large block of ice in the shape of a drill suddenly emerged from the ground. He let it continue to spin for a moment before it finally slowed down and stopped. With a snap of his fingers, the ice drill shattered completely and the body of Rias Gremory fell to the ground.
Shivering from the cold and the experience, Rias wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "Is it over?"
"Riser-sama has been defeated." Grayfia announced as if to answer her question.
"Yeah, Gremory." Ambrose replied. "You won."
Sona Sitri ran through the halls of the Sitri Family's Hospital, almost leaving her two traveling companions behind. Both Gaspar Vladi and Asia Argento struggled to keep up as she expertly navigated through the hospital and into the private wing where she knew the Gremory peerage and her fiance would be located.
"Kaichō" Asia gaspingly called out as she and Gaspar finally caught up. "Please... wait up."
Sona's features soften as she looked back at the ex-nun and dhamire, feeling a bit of shame for leaving them behind.
"Sadly, I didn't stop so they could catch up." Sona realized as she took a breath and reminded herself to be patient. "I just don't know what room they're in."
"Come on." Sona encouragingly said, "Let's start checking rooms so we can find them."
One by one the trio began searching down the empty halls, and Sona wished she had made the effort to actually ask one of the staff where they were located instead of just barging in.
"Am-kun!" Gaspar suddenly shouted out and darted through the door he had just opened.
"At last." Sona thought as she and Asia hurriedly entered the large hospital room.
The entire Gremory peerage was there. Akeno, Yuuto, and Koneko were wrapped in bandages, unconscious and resting after their ordeal. Issei also remained unconscious, though he appeared to be in a better condition compared to the previous three. Rias, who managed to stay hidden during the entire fight, was still awake though she had a blanket wrapped tightly around her in order to stave off the effects of being frozen.
"Issei!" Asia called out as she rushed to his side.
"He's alright." Rias said, reassuring the ex-nun. "He's just worn out. There's nothing for you to heal."
"Issei..." Asia said as she reached out to hold his hand.
"You were awesome, Am-kun!" Gaspar excitedly said to his hero.
"Thanks, little man."
And there was Ambrose, looking a bit scuffed up but no worse for wear. Sona recalled that none of Riser's peerage had managed to touch him, not even Riser himself.
"Surprisingly the most damage he took was from his own attack, that magical dragon cyclone he created." Sona realized as she managed to catch his eye.
"Hello." He simply said as he instinctively walked towards her.
"Hi." Sona replied as she matched him step for step until they met face to face.
Both of their hands rose to reach each other and as their hands locked and their fingers intertwined, Sona felt complete again. They said nothing else, they just continued to stare into each other's eyes, silently reaffirming their commitment and their love.
The private moment was interrupted by Rias who gave a polite cough to get their attention.
Sona tried to hide her embarrassment by turning to face Rias. "Congratulations on a successful victory, Rias." She said with rosy cheeks.
"I think it's your fiance who deserves the congratulations." Rias uncomfortably admitted with an embarrassed smile. "He took out eight of Riser's servants and Riser himself. He's also the one who came up with the idea to create an ice golem with my likeness as a decoy, before freezing me within a block of ice at the start of the rating game."
"I'm glad it worked." Ambrose replied with a smile. "You should have seen Riser's face when you melted in his hands."
"I'll have to check the replay." Rias said, smiling at the thought.
"You'll have to watch it for more than just Riser." Sona told her rival. "Your entire peerage performed well, and Issei unlocked his [Boosted Gear]. He fought very hard for you, you should be proud."
"Yes, I am." Rias said as she turned to look at her unconscious [Pawn] whose hand was still being held by Asia.
"Is there room for one more person, here to offer his congratulations to the conquering heroes?" A smooth voice called out from behind Sona.
"Onii-sama!" Rias exclaimed in surprise.
Turning around in order to give her customary bow in honor of Maō Lucifer, Sona was suddenly so stunned that she forgot to bow at all. There, standing before her was not only Grayfia, but also a face she had come to know very well. She had always thought that her fiance and Sirzechs held a striking resemblance, but seeing them so close to each other, facing one another, she couldn't help but realize they were nearly identical.
"Maō Lucifer wears his hair differently and is a few inches taller, but Am-chan could easily gain that height when he fully matures." Sona thought as she looked back and forth between the Maō and her lover. "Other than that, they're exactly the same. Could he actually be Millicas? If so, how does he have [Sacred Gear]; how is he able to wield holy power?"
"You must be Ambrose, the Dragon Slayer." Sirzechs said with a kind smile as he approached the alchemist, offering him a handshake. "I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to finally meet you."
Ambrose offered no reply, and as Sona looked up at her fiance once more she could tell that he was completely frozen by what he saw. For a moment, no one moved or said anything at all as Sirzechs patiently kept his smile on his face with his hand outstretched for Ambrose to shake.
"Am-chan, do something." Sona thought as she elbowed Ambrose in the side, worried that her fiance might offend the Maō.
Startled by Sona's light jab, Ambrose awkwardly replied. "Oh.. right..." Before recovering from the sight of the Maō in front of him and shaking his hand in return. "Nice to meet you."
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for my sister; you don't know what this means for my entire family." Sirzechs said to the alchemist.
"Gremory… that is, your sister is paying me for my services." Ambrose said, waving off his concern. "There's no need..."
"I owe you more than for what you've done for Rias-chan." Sirzechs interrupted, unwilling to let the matter be brushed aside. "You're the one who dealt with the rouge Fallen Angels, not only uncovering a plot to frame both Rias-chan and Sona, but you also discovered a terrorist organization and a coup attempt against me and the other Maōs."
"Yes… but..." Ambrose said but was interrupted by Sirzechs.
"I hear you're also to thank for providing us with the fertility enhancers." Sirzechs pointed out. "Believe me, we have much to be grateful for… and it's all because of you."
"Well… if you are feeling grateful there is one thing you can do..." Ambrose trailed off, his voice taking on a playful tone.
"Oh, what's that?" Sirzechs asked, almost eagerly.
"You could smooth things over with Lord Gremory." Ambrose replied with a teasing smile.
"I don't think that will be a problem." Sirzechs chuckled. "You've done more than save my sister. You've made my family whole again."
"Right..." Ambrose said, his voice trailing off. "Well… This has been interesting, but Sona and I have some additional business to attend to."
"Oh?" Sirzechs curiously asked. "What sort of business is that?"
"I'm going to smooth things over with Lord Phenex." Ambrose replied, offering his arm to Sona in a discrete statement that he wanted to leave this room.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Sirzechs asked, his brow creased with worry. "I can't imagine he'd be happy right now."
"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself." Ambrose replied with an easy smile.
"Damn, even their smile looks identical." Sona thought, unable to keep her gaze from going back and forth.
"Before you go there is one other thing." Sirzechs called out to the alchemist before he left. "We're having a party tomorrow night, a celebration for Rias's victory."
"We are?" Rias suddenly spoke up.
"Well, it was originally meant to be your engagement party, but since we've already paid for the venue and the catering services we might as well enjoy it." Sirzechs embarrassingly admitted to his sister, before turning back to Ambrose. "As the hero who saved my little sister, you would be the guest of honor."
"I… really don't want to impose." Ambrose said, trying to find a way to back out.
"I insist." The Maō stated. "The prizes that you've won will also be bestowed upon you at the party as well."
"I guess I don't have a choice..." Ambrose hesitantly admitted.
"Excellent, we all look forward to seeing you there." Sirzechs said with a smile. "Grayfia, would you be so kind as to escort Ambrose and Sona to see the Phenex Clan? We wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him."
"Of course, Maō Lucifer." Grayfia obsequiously replied with a bow before opening the door for the pair. "This way, if you please."
The trio then exited the hospital room, pausing for a moment to let Grayfia take the lead towards the Phenex Clan's private room.
As soon as the maid's back was turned, Ambrose broke away from Sona, his eyes were wide in alarm as he pointed back to the previous room.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Ambrose's mouth silently lipped in panic.
"I TOLD YOU!" Sona silently replied to her fiance, pointing at him and then back to the room. "I TOLD YOU!"
Grayfia, realizing the pair was beginning to trail behind her, turned around only to find Sona and Ambrose serenely linked by the arm.
"Problem?" Ambrose asked as if nothing was wrong.
"No, no problems at all." Grayfia pleasantly replied, almost giving off a smile. "Everything is as it should be."
The three said nothing further and continued down the hall, around the corner until Grayfia stopped at a door. "One moment, while I announce your presence."
"I'd like a moment, before you announce us." Ambrose said, turning to his fiance with a concerned look. "This hasn't been easy us, you especially. Now, I'm going to try to smooth things over, but there's no guarantee. I'm worried that you might be further involved in the consequences should this meeting end badly."
"You and I are in this together, remember?" Sona said, reminding him of their promise. "We face our problems together."
Ambrose smiled and nodded before Sona looped her arm through his once again. "We're ready."
Grayfia gave a small smile and a nod at the couple before she opened the door.
What Sona heard inside cause her doubt and worry to only increase.
"What kind of game are you playing, Zeoticus?" Lord Phenex bellowed. "What the hell was all that?"
"Excuse me." Grayfia called out, effectively silencing the entire room. "May I introduce Ambrose the Dragon Slayer along with his fiance, Lady Sona heiress apparent of Clan Sitri."
"I wonder how much longer I'll be able to call myself that." Sona depressingly thought as she and her fiance entered the room.
To say that the room was full would be an understatement. Not only was Riser's full peerage there, most completely bedridden, but so was the entire Phenex Clan. In addition, Lord and Lady Gremory was also present and both Clans were clearly in the middle of an argument with one another. Both Clans had ceased their argument as soon as the couple entered, and they all held varying looks of complete disbelief on their faces. Lord Phenex's face was red in anger, which clashed with his normally pale skin and long blond hair. His wife, Lady Phenex, was too busy trying to take care of her fallen son Riser to involve herself in the argument;however, her eyes were wide in surprise when Ambrose and Sona entered the room. Lord Gremory's face had gone pale, practically pasty, while his wife covered her mouth in shock. However to Sona, the most surprising occupant in the room was the thin unassuming doctor with glasses and a lab coat that was tending to Riser's scorched body.
"Father." Sona forlornly thought as their eyes unexpectedly met.
"What… What is this?" Lord Gremory asked in confusion as he looked back and forth from Ambrose to Grayfia.
"This is Ambrose, the Dragon Slayer." Grayfia replied, gesturing to the alchemist. "The alchemist and magician that Sona has a pact with. He's here to speak with Lord Phenex."
"What are you doing here?" Ravel childishly demanded, looking ridiculous with one side of her head without her signatory curls. "Why should we listen to you after everything you did to us?"
"Did you really walk onto a battlefield and expect that a hair on your head wouldn't be harmed?" Ambrose incredulously asked the [Bishop], as if the idea itself was absurd.
Ravel immediately shut her mouth in shock, knowing that answering truthfully would be more embarrassing than not answering at all.
"And as for Riser." Ambrose said, walking towards his unconscious burnt form. "Will he recover?"
Startled by the question, Shitori stuttered a bit before answering. "Eventually, though his Clan's elixir will no doubt help. Right now he's magically exhausted."
Somberly, Ambrose turned towards Lord Phenex who, while clearly angry, had yet to protest at the alchemist's appearance. "Lord Phenex, I offered your son a deal. A deal to not only return the remains of Saffron back to your family, but to purchase all the jusendo water the Phenex Clan could ever want. Instead of taking the deal, he chose to risk everything in a gamble. Riser lost today but that doesn't necessarily mean the Phenex Clan has to walk away with nothing."
"What do you mean?" Lord Phenex cautiously asked, his eyes darting towards Zeoticus before going back to Ambrose.
"I'm the one who defeated your father." Ambrose admitted. "I was a young boy and both he and Prince Herb wanted to take the Kettle of Plenty from me for their own individual reasons. We fought, and I survived. Over ten years later, I met your son and offered him a deal to not only return Saffron to your clan, but also to purchase as much jusendo water as your family needs; he refused. Now here we are." The alchemist then took a deep breath and released a sigh. "I'm tired of fighting your family, and I hope that you and I can put this behind us and reach a deal of our own."
It was at this point that Sona tried to hide a smile from her face, she loved watching him negotiate.
"What sort of deal?" Lord Phenex gruffly inquired.
"I'm prepared to give your father back to you." Ambrose stated. "Let's call it a peace offering. However, that would leave me with out a source of the Phenex Tears that I need to actually create the elixir. I also remain the owner of the Kettle of Plenty that produces an unlimited supply of jusendo water, which you need to increase the production of your elixir." He paused for a moment, before making his offer. "I want half of your monthly production of tears in exchange for a specified amount of jusendo water that you need."
"What? HALF?" Lord Phenex shouted in complete disbelief. "Ridiculous!"
"Why not?" Ambrose calmly asked. "Jusendo water is an amazing substance, allowing you to increase the volume of the tears with out reducing its potency. Despite the fact that you would be working with less tears, you would still be able to make much more of the elixir than you currently produce. Jusendo water is also useful for more than just your Clan's signature elixir and you could branch out into other potions, if you so chose to."
Although still visibly upset, Sona was astonished to see that Lord Phenex gained a thoughtful look.
Sensing his advantaged, Ambrose continued to press. "Think about it, producing the magical water on your own is costly as well as time consuming. You would reduce your overhead while simultaneously increase your production and your profit margin; you'd be making more money not only per sale but by sheer volume as well."
"Assuming you don't undercut me and drive prices even lower." Lord Phenex pointed out.
"Now they're both negotiating." Sona thought, trying to hold back her smile.
"I won't undercut you." Ambrose promised, "In fact, I'll only sell half of what I produce to the Underworld and sell the rest in my shops on Earth, allowing you to dominate the market in this realm."
"But you would have a complete monopoly in the human world." Lord Phenex grumbled aloud. "I've never been able to sell in the human world, the demand for our elixir is too great in this realm. However, if I'm able to increased production of the elixir then there's nothing preventing me from expanding to the human world."
"You'd need a store to sell it in." Ambrose suggestively brought up.
Lord Phenex gave Ambrose a shrewd look, appraising the alchemist and his sincerity. "I want 50 gallons of jusendo water a month plus and additional 300 gallons for a signing bonus."
"Not that I have a problem with that amount, but what ever for?" Ambrose couldn't help but ask.
"Jusendo water is a magical amplifier." Lord Phenex said, his eyes trailing to his burnt son. "It enhances the effects of many different magical properties, including my clan's ability to regenerate. I can bathe my son with the extra water and his own regeneration will begin to heal him."
"I can agree to that." Ambrose happily replied.
"As for the rest, we'll both sell in the human world and in the Underworld, splitting the market 50/50." Lord Phenex offered. "That way we both can be sure that neither one of us is undercutting the other. You can sell to the hospitals here, I'll sell my potions in your stores."
"I'll need a 20% commission fee to cover my overhead for any potions sold in my stores." Ambrose said before holding up his hands in a placating manner as Lord Phenex began to bluster. "I have to pay taxes and my employees. You need to consider that the Phenex Tear Elixir will sell for a much higher price on Earth than in the Underworld due to its rarity and high demand."
Lord Phenex suddenly grew quiet and thoughtful as he considered the proposal. Sona couldn't help but hold her breath as this deal meant more than just an increase of funds for their war coffers, but peace between Clan Phenex and her fiance.
"I think we have a deal." Lord Phenex said, smiling while offering his hand.
Ambrose smiled back and shook his hand in return. "Oh, that reminds me there is one more addendum I'd like to include in our agreement?"
"Oh?" Lord Phenex curiously asked, his anger now absent from his face.
Ambrose suddenly looked at Ravel and smiled at her, causing the little [Bishop] to dramatically pale.
"You better be joking." Sona jealously thought as she gave his arm a squeeze. "Don't You Dare, Am-chan!"
Ambrose then turned away from Ravel, completely ignoring the apprehensive girl as he focused on Lord Phenex once more. "I plan on donating the first 50 vials of the Phenex Tear Elixir to the Sitri Family Hospital, in light of their excellent service and our newfound agreement. Care to match me, Lord Phenex?"
"I don't see why not." The blonde haired head of the Phenex Clan mused while thoughtfully rubbing his goatee. "Yes, I think that's a fine idea."
"Thank you Am-chan." Sona thought, giving her father a significant look. "I can only hope this makes a difference and father actually stands up to mother."
"Well then, I look forward to a fruitful business arrangement, Lord Phenex." Ambrose pleasantly replied, relieved to have put all of this behind them. "I'm sure you all have had a long night, I know I have. I'll leave you all to it. Good evening, Lords and Ladies."
"Good Evening to you all." Sona respectfully said as she left the room with her fiance.
"This way, please." Grayfia beckoned, leading the couple outside of the hospital. "May I offer my congratulations, not only on your victory but also in appeasing both Clans and preserving the peace."
"Thanks." Ambrose replied. "But we're not there yet. While things with the Phenex Clan seem promising, I can only hope Gremory, that is Lady Rias and Maō Lucifer can actually mollify Lord Gremory."
"I don't believe you have anything to worry about with any member of the Gremory Clan." Grayfia replied as she continued to lead the pair down the hallway.
"We still have one more Clan to worry about." Ambrose said with a frown, giving his fiance a look. "But I hope things will work out in the end."
"Thank you." Sona gratefully replied, knowing that 100 free doses of the Phenex Tear Elixir would go along way in her families hospital. "And that's in addition to the increase in production as well. Our hospitals are going to need it for the battles that awaits us in the future. I just hope it will be enough to appease mother."
Grayfia lead the two lovers out into a night adorned with a full moon. As they exited, the maid turned to address them both and held out a flier with Maō Lucifer personal symbol on it. Activating the flier, the symbol began to glow before a creature magically burst forth and appeared before them.
"What a handsome griffin." Ambrose commented aloud as the creature appeared.
"While the deed to the Seere Valley will be given to you tomorrow, please feel free to spend the night at the estate." Grayfia respectfully commented. "This griffin will take you to your new property, compliments of my Maō Lucifer."
"Thank you, Ms. Grayfia." Ambrose sincerely said, smiling at the maid who surprisingly replied with a smile of her own.
"Grayfia-san, might I ask that you ensure that my peerage joins us at our new home?" Sona asked, knowing that they all could use a fresh place to sleep after camping out in the wilderness for so long.
"I will see that they find their way to your new home, and that they are well taken care of." Grayfia replied with a bow.
Sona turned to her fiance, only to see him already on the griffin's saddle with his arm outstretched towards her. Blushing, Sona accepted his offer and sat side saddle in his lap, pressing their bodies close together as the griffin launched itself in the air with a roar.
Although the large moon and the beautiful view as a sight to behold, Sona couldn't help but keep her eyes on her lover, grateful for all he's done for her, yet heartbroken because of everything she put him through.
"I'm such an idiot." Sona shamefully admitted as she began to softly cry. The pressure and weight of almost losing everything had finally caught up to her. "I almost caused a war between my Clan and the Phenex and Gremory Clans, just because I wanted to fix everything. Hell, I still might lose my position as the heiress of the Sitri Clan. I thought knowing the future meant knowing all the answers."
"We simply do the best we can with what we know, just like everyone else." Ambrose replied, brushing her tears away. "But knowing more than everyone else means we take greater risks, and thus we have more to lose. So, all we can do is learn from our mistakes."
"If there's one thing I've learned from the entire ordeal, then it is this: Even if I wind up losing everything I have, you're the one person in my life I can never live without." Sona said as she lovingly claimed his lips.
"They're quite the couple, don't you think?" Sirzechs asked as he joined his wife outside. "How did things go with Lord Phenex?"
"Despite the loss of the match, Lord Phenex seemed glad to be reunited with his father. Saffron will have to be hatched and raised from an infant, but the Phenex Clan is happy to be whole once more." Grayfia smiled, her eyes never leaving the silhouette of her son in the sky. "You need to have a discussion with your father. The Phenex Clan isn't the only family to be reunited with a lost loved one."
"Millicas… no, Ambrose. He not only defeated Riser, but he also managed to keep the peace between the both Clans." Sirzechs commented as he and his wife watched the griffin fly away. "Our son has turned into a fine young man."
"A fine man indeed." Grayfia tearfully replied as she rested her head against her husband's shoulder. "I can hardly wait for what's to come."