The Bronze Bull of Gremory - 11

Disclaimer: I do not have any rights of ownership for the characters used except the OC's. All the credit goes to the authors. Only the plot belongs to me.

Chapter 11

The air inside the replica of the Occult Research Club was thick with a tension so palpable it had precipitated on everyone's tongue. It was a perfect recreation of the room where Rias Gremory had spent so many afternoons sipping tea and discussing contracts, but today, the familiarity offered no comfort. Today, it was not a clubroom; it was a bunker. It was the staging ground for a war that would decide her fate, her body, and her peerage's future.

Rias Gremory, the crimson-haired heiress of the House of Gremory, stood before the heavy mahogany desk. She was clad in her regular attire — the Kuoh school uniform that hugged her curves, made with a fabric allowing for the fluid movement required in high-speed magical combat. Her eyes, the colour of blue-green turquoise, swept over the assembled faces of her peerage. Her family.

They were all there.

Akeno Himejima, her Queen. The Priestess of Thunder, renewed with new power, stood with her usual serene posture, hands clasped in front of her, but the playful glint in her eyes had hardened into a sharp focus. She wore the look of an executioner waiting for the signal.

Kiba Yuuto, her Knight. The blonde swordsman was checking the edge of a blade that didn't exist yet, his hands twitching near his waist, ready to summon the demonic swords of his Sacred Gear. 

Koneko Toujou, her Rook. The petite, white-haired girl sat on the arm of the sofa, munching on a bar of chocolate, but her golden eyes were scanning the room, her muscles tense. She was a powerhouse in a small package.

Asia Argento, her Bishop. The blonde healer looked terrified, wringing her hands together, but there was a determination in her gaze that hadn't been there a week ago. She understood the stakes. She knew that if they lost, Rias would be lost to them forever.

Issei Hyoudou, her Pawn. The brown-haired boy was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his face a mask of nervous energy and grim resolve. The Boosted Gear wasn't fully awakened yet, but the fire within him was awake. He looked ready to punch a hole through the fabric of reality if it meant saving her.

And then, there were the new additions.

Standing near the window, bathed in the artificial light of the dimension, were the three Fallen Angels turned Pawns. Raynare, Kalawarner, and Mittelt. They bore the symbol of the Gremory Clan signifying their allegiance, but they retained their unique flair—Raynare in her provocative leather, Kalawarner in her revealing attire, and Mittelt in her gothic lolita dress. They whispered amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of malice and excitement. They were predators let off the leash, eager to hunt for their new master.

Finally, Rias’s gaze landed on him.

Taurus.

He stood near the door, his massive frame almost blocking it entirely. He wore only a loincloth made of heavy, enchanted fabric, leaving his bronze, ripped torso exposed. His muscles rippled with every breath, a towering entity of raw power. His thick, curved horns gleamed under the lights. He wasn't fidgeting. He wasn't pacing. He was simply existing, a symbol of strength that anchored the anxiety of everyone else in the room.

Her Rook. Her lover.

Rias felt a flush of heat that had nothing to do with the battle. The memories of their time together, of the way he had held her, claimed her, and worshipped her, fortified her resolve. She wasn't just fighting for her freedom; she was fighting for the right to belong to whom she chose.

"Everyone," Rias began, her voice cutting through the silence. It was steady, regal, the voice of a King.

The heads snapped towards her.

"The time for training is over," Rias said, walking around the desk. "For the last ten days, we have broken our bodies and our spirits to prepare for this moment. We have bled, we have cried, and we have pushed past limits we didn't know existed."

She stopped in the centre of the room, making eye contact with each of them.

"Riser Phenex believes he has already won," she continued, her voice dropping to a dangerous register. "He believes that because he is immortal, because he has played more games, because he is a man and I am a woman, that victory is his birthright. He sees us as a formality. An obstacle to be stepped over on his way to the wedding altar."

Issei clenched his fist, the green jewel of the Boosted Gear flashing briefly. "Let him think that. He's gonna be surprised."

"Exactly," Rias nodded. "He expects a traditional Gremory strategy. He expects us to be cautious. He expects us to fear his regeneration. But we are not going to give him the game he expects."

She looked at Akeno. "Akeno, you know what needs to be done. Show them why your lightning is something to be feared by every devil."

Akeno bowed, a dark smile playing on her lips. "With pleasure, Buchou. I'll make sure they remember."

She looked at the Fallen Trio. "Raynare, Kalawarner, Mittelt. You are the wild cards. They don't know how to fight you because they've never had to fight Fallen Angels in a sanctioned game. Disrupt them. Confuse them. Break their formations. Do not hesitate to go all out."

"Consider it done, King," Raynare purred, spinning a light spear between her fingers. "We enjoy breaking things."

Rias turned to Issei and Koneko. "You are the hammer. Smash their front line. Create the opening."

"Osu," Koneko nodded.

"I'm gonna use my new move on every single one of them and make sure they get put down! But gently, since they are still sexy women!" Issei declared, though his face was deadly serious as he made this statement.

Finally, she looked at Taurus.

She didn't give him an order. She simply walked up to him, reaching up to place a hand on his massive bicep. The size difference was comical, yet the connection was anything but.

"Taurus," she whispered, loud enough for the room to hear. "You are the shield. And when the time is right... you are the executioner. If anyone tries to fly, clip their wings."

Taurus looked down at her, his golden eyes burning with a quiet inferno. He didn't need a speech. He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear.

"I will crush him," Taurus rumbled, the sound vibrating through her chest. "For you."

Rias stepped back, her heart soaring. She turned back to the room, raising her hand.

"We follow the plan. We trust in each other. And tonight, we show the Underworld that the Gremory name is not to be trifled with. We fight!"

"WE FIGHT!" The peerage roared back, the sound shaking the walls.



Riser Phenex POV

Across the map, in the exact duplicate of the building Rias occupied, the atmosphere was vastly different.

If Rias’s base was a bunker, Riser’s was a lounge.

Riser Phenex, the third son of the Phenex clan, lay sprawled across a velvet chaise lounge that he had insisted on bringing into the pocket dimension. He held a crystal goblet of vintage wine in one hand, swirling the golden liquid lazily.

Surrounding him were the women of his peerage. They were beautiful, undoubtedly. Dressed in revealing outfits that showcased the Phenex aesthetic, they catered to his every whim. Karlamine was massaging his feet. Yubelluna, his Queen, was feeding him grapes. The twins, Ni and Li, were fanning him with large ostrich feathers.

It was a scene of utter decadence.

"Brother, are you listening to me?!"

The shrill voice cut through Riser’s relaxation like a knife. He sighed, rolling his eyes before looking at the source of the noise.

Ravel Phenex, his younger sister and Bishop, was pacing back and forth in front of him. Her blonde drills bounced with her agitation, and her face was flushed with frustration.

"Riser is listening, Ravel," Riser drawled, taking a sip of wine. "Riser is just bored. You worry too much."

"I worry because this is a Rating Game!" Ravel snapped, stomping her foot. "Against the Gremory! And we have done zero planning! We haven't scouted their new pieces properly! We don't know what that giant Rook is capable of, and we have no data on the three Fallen Angels Rias supposedly recruited!"

"Details, details," Riser waved his hand dismissively. "Ravel, look at Riser. Riser is immortal. Riser has never lost. Rias is a spoiled princess who plays with her food. Her peerage is tiny. Even with the new trash she picked up, they lack experience."

"But—"

"Enough," Riser said, his voice sharpening slightly. "The plan is simple. Riser sends everyone out. You overwhelm them with numbers. Riser waits here, drinks his wine, and waits for Rias to come begging for mercy. Or better yet, Riser waits for you to drag her here in chains."

He sat up, grinning arrogantly at his harem.

"Yubelluna," he commanded. "Take the main force. Blast them. Leave the Red Dragon Emperor for the pawns; Riser wants to see the legendary Red Dragon Emperor humiliated because of this weakling."

"As you wish, Lord Riser," Yubelluna bowed, her expression sultry and confident. "I will bring him to you on his knees."

Ravel groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is going to be a disaster..."

Just then, the room darkened. A holographic screen manifested in the centre of the air, displaying the stoic, silver-haired visage of the strongest Queen in the Underworld.

Grayfia Lucifuge.

"Attention, all participants," Grayfia’s voice was cool, professional, and amplified to reach every corner of the battlefield. "The time has come. The Rating Game between the House of Gremory and the House of Phenex will now commence."

She adjusted her glasses.

"The field is a replica of Kuoh Academy and the grounds within. The time limit is infinite. The game ends when the enemy King resigns or is incapacitated."

A pause.

"Let the game begin."

A siren wailed, echoing through the dimension.

Riser downed the rest of his wine in one gulp and smashed the glass on the floor.

"Go!" he shouted, his eyes flashing with fire. "Humiliate them and bring Riser his bride!"

***

The night air of the replica world was cool and still, creating an eerie contrast to the violence that was about to unfold. The moon hung high, casting long, distorted shadows across the school courtyard.

Two figures moved through the shadows with purpose.

Issei Hyoudou ran low to the ground, the red gauntlet of the Boosted Gear already manifested on his left arm, pulsating with a rhythmic green light. Beside him, Koneko Toujou moved in silence, her small gloved fists clenched at her sides.

"Gymnasium ahead," Koneko whispered, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the large double doors of the building. "I smell some. But they are weak."

"Riser's pawns," Issei grunted. "Just like Buchou predicted."

They burst through the doors of the gymnasium. The massive indoor space was dimly lit, the polished wooden floor stretching out like a vast arena.

Waiting for them in the centre of the court were four women.

Xuelan, Riser's Rook, stood at the front. She was a tall, muscular woman dressed in a Chinese-style qipao that was slit high up the thigh, revealing powerful legs. She wore gauntlets similar to Koneko's but styled with martial arts flair.

Behind her stood three Pawns: Mira, a girl with a bo staff; Ile and Nel, the chainsaw-wielding duo who looked far too excited to be holding industrial logging equipment.

"Well, well," Xuelan smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Look who we have here. The little kitten and the pervert dragon."

"Who are you calling a pervert?!" Issei yelled, though he immediately began scanning their measurements with his eyes. "I am a connoisseur of the female form!"

"Disgusting," Mira spat, spinning her staff. "Let's finish this quickly. Lord Riser is waiting."

"Koneko-chan," Issei whispered. "You take the big one. I'll handle the pawns."

"Don't die," Koneko said simply.

Then, she launched herself.

The floorboards exploded where Koneko had been standing. She moved like a bullet, closing the distance to Xuelan in a heartbeat. Xuelan’s eyes widened, and she raised her arms in a cross block just as Koneko’s fist slammed into her guard.

BOOM.

The impact created a shockwave that shattered the windows of the gymnasium. Xuelan skid backward, her heels carving deep grooves into the wood, but she held her ground.

"Strong," Xuelan grunted, grinning. "But technique beats brute force!"

She countered with a flurry of kicks, forcing Koneko on the defensive. The two Rooks engaged in a high-speed brawl of punches and kicks, the sound of their impacts echoing like thunder claps.

Meanwhile, Issei was facing down the three pawns.

"Get him!" Ile shrieked, revving her chainsaw.

She and Nel charged from the left and right, while Mira leaped into the air, bringing her staff down toward Issei’s skull.

"Boost!" the gauntlet screamed.

Issei dodged Mira’s strike, rolling to the side. "Not today!"

He wasn't the same clumsy fighter he had been ten days ago. Kiba had drilled footwork into him. Koneko had taught him how to take a hit. And Taurus... Taurus had taught him that hesitation was death.

"Boost! Boost! Boost!"

His power multiplied exponentially.

"Chainsaw Loli One and Two!" Issei shouted, pointing at Ile and Nel. "You think those toys scare me?"

He charged straight at them. The girls swung their chainsaws, aiming to bisect him. Issei dropped to his knees at the last second, sliding across the polished floor like a rock star, passing right under the spinning blades.

As he slid past, he reached out. His hands were glowing with a strange, red aura. He didn't strike to hurt. He struck to... touch.

His fingers brushed against the fabric of their uniforms.

"What?" Ile gasped, spinning around. "He missed!"

Issei stood up on the other side of them, striking a dramatic pose, his back to them. He snapped his fingers.

"Did I?" Issei smirked. "Behold! The ultimate technique born of my desire! DRESS BREAK!"

RIIIIP!

A sound like tearing canvas filled the gym.

The outfits of the girls of the Phenex peerage, usually durable enough to withstand minor spells, suddenly disintegrated. The clothes of Mira, Ile, and Nel simply... vanished. They shredded into confetti, leaving the three girls standing in their underwear (and in Mira's case, much less).

"KYAAAAH!" The three girls shrieked in unison, dropping their weapons to cover their bodies. Their combat stance evaporated instantly, replaced by sheer embarrassment and panic.

"My clothes!"
"Pervert!"
"Don't look!"

They huddled together, their faces burning red. They were completely neutralized, their will to fight shattered by the sudden exposure.

"Checkmate," Issei grinned, giving a thumbs up.

Across the gym, Koneko had Xuelan on the ropes. Xuelan was powerful, but Koneko was angry. She channelled the senjutsu she usually suppressed—just a trickle, enough to enhance her strength beyond standard devil limits.

Xuelan threw a roundhouse kick. Koneko ducked under it, stepped into Xuelan’s guard, and delivered an uppercut that connected squarely with Xuelan’s chin.

CRACK.

Xuelan was lifted off her feet. She flew through the air in a graceful arc before crashing into the basketball hoop, tearing the entire structure from the wall. She slumped to the floor, unconscious.

"Target neutralized," Koneko said, dusting off her hands.

Issei walked over to her. "Nice punch, Koneko-chan!"

"You're gross, senpai," she deadpanned, looking at the shivering, naked trio of pawns. "But effective."

Before they could decide what to do with the defeated enemies, the air pressure in the room dropped. Static electricity made the hairs on Issei’s arms stand up.

"Ara ara," a sultry voice echoed from the rafters. "It seems my cute juniors are having fun without me."

A flash of yellow light illuminated the gym. A bolt of lightning, thick as a tree trunk, crashed down from the ceiling. It struck the centre of the huddled pawns and the unconscious Xuelan.

It wasn't a lethal strike; it was carefully calibrated to incapacitate and remove them from the game.

"AAAAAH!"

The scream was cut short as the four Phenex servants were engulfed in holy lightning. Their bodies glowed, and then, the automated teleportation system kicked in.

"Four of Lord Riser's servants have retired," Grayfia’s voice announced over the intercom. "Rook Xuelan. Pawns Mira, Ile, and Nel."

Issei looked up. Floating in the air, framed by the broken skylight, was Akeno Himejima. Her shrine maiden outfit fluttered in the wind.

"Good job, you two," she smiled, though her eyes were cold as she looked at the smoking spots where the enemies had been. "Now, move. Kiba needs support."

***

Kiba Yuuto was a blur of motion.

He was currently engaged in a three-on-one duel that would have looked impossible to a human observer. Three of Riser’s pawns—Shuriya, Bürent, and Marion—were coordinating their attacks with impressive synergy.

Shuriya used hand-to-hand combat, Bürent wielded a large mace, and Marion cast binding spells.

But they were fighting smoke.

Kiba moved faster than thought. His sacred gear, Sword Birth, was in overdrive. He wasn't just summoning swords; he was creating a landscape of blades.

"Too slow!" Kiba shouted.

He manifested a blade of ice, parrying Bürent’s mace, freezing the weapon instantly. He spun, switching the ice blade for a sword of fire, slashing through Marion’s binding vines.

"He's too fast!" Shuriya gritted her teeth, trying to land a punch.

"Speed isn't everything," Kiba whispered, appearing behind her.

He didn't strike her. Instead, he slammed his hand onto the ground.

"Sword Birth: Blade Prison."

Dozens of swords erupted from the concrete, not to impale, but to cage. They shot up around the three pawns, weaving together to form an impenetrable lattice of steel.

The three girls found themselves trapped in a cage of razor-sharp edges. They couldn't move without cutting themselves.

"Surrender," Kiba said calmly, standing outside the cage, a holy sword resting on his shoulder. "Or I start shrinking the cage."

The three pawns looked at each other, realized the futility, and dropped their weapons.

"We surrender," they muttered.

"Three of Lord Riser's servants have retired," Grayfia announced. "Pawns Shuriya, Bürent, and Marion."

***

Issei and Koneko were running to regroup with Rias when the world exploded.

A massive fireball, condensed and incredibly hot, slammed into the ground just feet in front of them. The shockwave threw them both backward, tumbling onto the grass.

"Gah!" Issei coughed, rolling to his feet. "What the hell was that?"

"Explosive magic," Koneko hissed, her ears twitching. "High level."

Emerging from the smoke was Yubelluna. The Bomb Queen.

She looked furious. Her dress was immaculate, her wand glowing with unstable purple energy. Losing seven servants in the first ten minutes of the game was a humiliation they hadn't anticipated.

"You little rats," Yubelluna snarled. "You think cheap tricks and speed will save you? I am the Queen of Lord Riser! I will turn you both to ash!"

She raised her wand. The air around it distorted, heat waves shimmering as she prepared a spell that would level the entire city block.

"Die!"

She swung the wand down. The ball of explosive plasma shot toward Issei and Koneko. It was too fast to dodge, too big to block.

Issei crossed his arms, bracing for the end. "Boosted Gear!"

But the impact never came.

BOOOM!

The explosion happened, but it detonated against something else.

A wall of bronze.

When the smoke cleared, Issei’s jaw dropped.

Standing in front of them, steam rising from his skin, was Taurus.

The massive Rook had intercepted the blast with his bare hands. His skin was blackened, scorch marks covering his fists, but he hadn't moved an inch. The ground beneath his feet was cracked and cratered, but he stood like a mountain.

He exhaled, a puff of smoke leaving his lips. He brushed the soot off his hands as if it were dust.

"Is that all?" Taurus rumbled, his voice deep and mocking.

Yubelluna’s eyes widened in horror. "Impossible... that was enough to vaporize a high-class devil!"

"I am not just a devil," Taurus growled, taking a step forward. The ground shook. His already magic-resistant hide thanks to his Minotaur heritage had toughened up even more due to the sheer volume of attacks he had tanked from Surtr the Second. 

"Taurus!" Issei cheered. "You magnificent bastard!"

"Go," Taurus ordered, not looking back. "Regroup with Rias. I will handle the Queen."

Issei and Koneko didn't argue. They bolted, leaving the two heavy hitters alone.

Yubelluna gritted her teeth. She was afraid, but she was also proud. She was a member of the House of Phenex. She reached into her cleavage, pulling out a small vial. A Phenex Tear.

"You are tough," she admitted, her voice shaking slightly. "But I can heal. I can fight forever. Can you?"

She was about to drink the tear when a sound cut through the air.

Crack-thoom.

Thunder. On a clear night. Inside a generated dimension.

Yubelluna froze. She sensed it before she saw it. A presence so hostile, so diametrically opposed to her existence, that her soul shivered.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you," a voice purred.

Yubelluna spun around.

Standing on top of a lamppost, looking down at her, was Akeno.

But this wasn't the Akeno that Yubelluna expected.

Akeno’s wings were out. One leathery, one feathered black. The sight was grotesque to a devil purist, yet hauntingly beautiful. But what was more terrifying was the energy crackling around her.

It wasn't the yellow lightning of a magic spell.

It was white. Pure, blinding, Holy Lightning. The bane of all devils.

"A Fallen Angel hybrid?" Yubelluna gasped, stepping back. "You... you use Holy power? Does the Grmeory family know you are an abomination?"

Akeno laughed. It was a dark, rich sound. She jumped down, landing softly next to Taurus. That word may have bothered her ten days ago, but thanks to the man next to her, it was nothing more than a playground insult.

She brushed her arm against his, drawing comfort from his heat.

"My King and her family know everything," Akeno smiled. "And my lover... he likes the wings."

She raised her hand. The Holy Lightning condensed into a spear of crackling white energy.

"You mentioned healing," Akeno said, her eyes glowing violet. "Let's see if you can heal when your cells are being incinerated by holy power."

Yubelluna screamed, throwing a desperate bomb at Akeno.

Akeno didn't dodge. Taurus swatted the bomb aside with his bare hand, the ball of fire detonating a few metres beside them. The bomb sizzled and scorched the ground, throwing up chunks of rock in the air. 

"Begone," Akeno whispered.

She thrust her hand forward.

A massive bull of white lightning erupted from her palm. It roared, illuminating the entire academy grounds. It swallowed Yubelluna whole.

"AAAAHHHHH!"

The scream was brief. The Holy Lightning fried her nervous system instantly. It bypassed her magical defences, scorching her skin and overwhelming her senses. She didn't have time to uncork the tear. She didn't have time to think.

Her body went limp, and she vanished in a teleportation light.

"Lord Riser's Queen, Yubelluna, has retired," Grayfia’s voice announced. There was a hint of genuine shock in the usually stoic tone.

Akeno lowered her hand, the lightning fading. She breathed heavily, sweat beading on her forehead. Using the Holy power was taxing, but for the first time... it felt good. It felt right.

Taurus placed a large hand around her waist. "Good kill, Queen."

Akeno leaned into his touch, smiling genuinely. "Thank you, my master."

***


While the main battles raged, a different kind of slaughter was happening in the woods surrounding the school.

Karlamine (Knight), Isabela (Rook), Siris (Knight), and the backup pawns were trying to flank Rias’s position.

They did not account for the fact they would run into their hunters there.

Raynare, Kalawarner, and Mittelt dropped from the canopy like spiders.

"Light Spear: Rain!" Raynare shouted.

Dozens of light spears rained down from the sky. The devils scrambled to dodge, their formations breaking.

"Hello, pretties!" Mittelt giggled, appearing in front of Isabela. "Want to play?"

Isabela swung her fist, but Mittelt was gone. The small Fallen Angel was fast. She reappeared on Isabela’s back, pressing a light spear against the Rook's neck, her skin sizzling due to the holy energy, making the rook wince in pain.

"Checkmate!"

Meanwhile, Kalawarner was fighting the two Knights, Karlamine and Siris. She used her height and reach, wielding a dual-bladed light scythe.

"You move well for devils," Kalawarner taunted, parrying a sword strike and kicking Siris in the stomach. "But we have been fighting wars since before you were born."

Raynare landed in the centre of the group. She spread her black wings wide.

"Taurus wants a clean sweep," Raynare declared, her eyes glowing. "Let's not disappoint him."

The three Fallen Angels coordinated perfectly. They used their flight to control the vertical space, their light weapons piercing devil defences like butter. It wasn't a fight; it was an extermination.

One by one, the Phenex servants fell, immobilized by light spears pinning them to trees or the ground before they disappeared in flashes of light.

"Five of Lord Riser's servants have retired," Grayfia announced, her voice overlapping with the previous announcements. "Knight Karlamine, Rook Isabela, Knight Siris. Pawns Ni and Li."

***

The field was silent.

Riser's peerage had been decimated. In less than twenty minutes, fourteen of his fifteen pieces had been removed from the board.

Only one remained on the field.

Ravel Phenex stood alone in the courtyard right in the middle of the school grounds. She was shaking. A magic circle formed in her hands, but her knuckles were white.

The heavy doors of the school building opened.

Taurus walked out.

He was alone. He didn't have a weapon. He didn't need one. He walked down the steps, each footfall heavy enough to be felt through the soles of Ravel's shoes.

He loomed over her. The size difference was absurd. He was a giant; she was a doll.

Ravel looked up, up, and up. She saw the scars. She saw the horns. She saw the massive bulge beneath the loincloth that swayed with his stride.

She swallowed hard, her face heating up. He's... huge.

"I... I won't give up!" she squeaked, a tremor in her voice. "I am a Phenex! I will defend my family's honour!"

"Surrender, little bird," Taurus rumbled. His voice wasn't angry. It was just... absolute.

"N-No!" Ravel yelled, throwing a fireball at him.

It splashed harmlessly against his abs. He didn't even blink.

Taurus sighed. He moved faster than a creature his size should be able to. He closed the distance and scooped her up with one arm.

"Eep!" Ravel squealed as she was hoisted into the air.

He held her against his chest. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist to keep from falling.

The contact was immediate. Through the thin fabric of her dress and his loincloth, she felt the heat of him. She felt the hard, unyielding muscle. She felt... everything.

Ravel froze. Her face turned a shade of red that rivalled Rias’s hair. She could feel the outline of his massive cock pressing against her inner thigh. It was intimidating, primal, and terrifyingly arousing.

She subconsciously ground against him, a friction that sent a jolt through her spine.

"Surrender," Taurus warned again, his voice vibrating against her ribcage. "Or I will crush you."

He tightened his grip slightly. Not enough to hurt, but enough to show her how easy it would be.

Ravel looked into his golden eyes. She felt completely dominated. Her magic fizzled out. Her knees went weak.

"I... I..." Ravel stammered, biting her lip. She buried her face in his shoulder to hide her burning cheeks. "I resign! I resign! Please put me down!"

"Bishop Ravel Phenex has retired," Grayfia announced, her voice tinged with a slight bit of embarrassment. Had anyone seen her face, they would see the red hue decorating her cheeks.

Taurus gently set her down. Ravel stumbled back, fixing her dress, refusing to look at him, though she cast a covert glance at his loincloth before vanishing in the teleportation light.

***

The Gremory peerage gathered in the courtyard.

They were a little battered, but victorious. They had cleared the board. It was a perfect game.

"We did it!" Issei yelled, throwing his fist in the air. "A clean sweep! Take that, chicken nugget!"

Rias walked out, smiling broadly. She looked at her family. At Issei, Koneko, Kiba. At the Fallen Trio high-fiving. At Akeno, who looked peaceful.

And at Taurus.

She ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist. "You were amazing."

"We aren't done yet," Taurus said, his eyes still scanning the horizon. " The King remains."

"He has to surrender," Rias said. "He has no pieces left."

"Yeah! Come out and face us, you loser!" Issei shouted at the empty air.

Suddenly, the temperature skyrocketed. The grass beneath their feet turned to ash instantly. The air shimmered with heat haze.

BOOM!

A column of fire erupted right over Issei.

"GAH!" Issei screamed as he was blasted backward, slamming into the wall of the school building. He was heavily injured but still there, meaning he was able to endure it more than they estimated.

"Issei!" Asia cried out, running to heal him.

From the flames, a figure emerged.

Riser Phenex.

He was no longer the composed, arrogant noble. His jacket was gone. His shirt was torn. His eyes were bleeding red with rage, and his wings of fire were fully extended, spanning over twelve feet.

He was pissed.

"You..." Riser hissed, his voice sounding like burning charcoal. "You think this is a game? You humiliate Riser? You humiliate the House of Phenex?"

He stepped forward, the ground steaming beneath his feet. The heat of the Phenex fire power was working overtime, fuelling his rage.

"Riser will not accept this! Riser will burn this entire dimension to ash! Riser will kill every single one of you, rules be damned!"

He looked at Taurus, pure hatred in his eyes.

"Especially you, you filth," Riser roared, summoning a fireball the size of a house. "You dare touch Riser's sister! Riser will turn you into a cinder!"

Rias stepped forward, her Power of Destruction flaring up, her eyes cold.

It was time. The last fight for her freedom. 

Author's Note 

Let me know if Rias should take on him herself, show off her skills from Venelana's training. Or should Taurus cement himself as the Alpha-Alpha. 

See you soon.