Chapter 30: Checkmate.
-Ayuka Beelzebub-
The silence in the booth was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Not for the first time, mind you, but this time was certainly the most shocking of the few.
‘A flawless game…’’ I thought. Those were indeed rare. Especially considering how the Gremory’s peerage is a lot less experienced than the Phenex's one. I would say that it’s an incredible show of talent, but that would be wrong. Talent it may be, but it was backed up by sheer will and hard work.
Surprising; that the one who seemed the least affected by the young Phenex’s imminent defeat was his own father. I do wonder if it’s just a lack of care or simply a calculated conclusion he had reached.
No matter what, my eyes were paying attention to another thing entirely.
‘’How…?’’ Someone voiced out, and it was no wonder.
The moment that barrier was set up, I let a few magic circles inside of it. It was just a minimal chance that he would be able to pull it off. And lo and behold, the young but certainly creative young man shattered my expectations.
The barrier around the gymnasium had turned a deep black in color, not allowing anyone on the outside to see what happened inside the building. So, the Viewing Circles inside the dome served me quite well. Showing us and everyone on the Devilnet interested enough what was truly happening on the inside.
‘And what a showing it is…~’ I couldn’t help it. Is this truly the feeling every teacher has when their student makes a breakthrough? How exhilarating!
Inside the altered space -that Mr. Zatren has taken to calling a ‘Domain’- thunder cackled and roared on the dark sky. Angry waves clashed against each other. Making for an unstable ‘’ground’’ to be on, and downright impossible to move if you did not have any flight capabilities.
And if you had…
The beast, Leviathan, the youngling had said. ‘Quite fitting, if a bit on the nose. Probably a political scandal waiting to happen, too.’
The colossal serpent emerged from the waves below, its maw wide open with sharp teeth made entirely out of water magic, zeroing in on the only airborne target present. Riser Phenex, who already looked worse for wear.
Watery chains emerged from the serpent’s scales. The young Riser, knowing what to expect, immediately fled away from the attack, but the chains worked unnaturally fast, cutting off his path and binding his arms, legs, and even wings without trouble.
The Phenex screamed through the storm as the monster bit down on his flesh. Tearing him completely apart in the process. Bone, flesh, fire, nothing managed to stop the Leviathan until the chains disappeared, and the beast went down. Plunging the ball of fire that was the regenerating Phenex down with it into the ocean.
‘’It’s impossible…’’ The older son of the Phenex murmured. His blue eyes were wide and staring in shock at the scene. ‘’To overpower a High-Class devil with such ease. Is that creature… Ultimate-Class?’’
The young Phenex resurfaced from the waves once more. This was the second time such an attack had happened. The first time was when the Domain was opened. It happened almost instantly. Why, I wish I had a camera ready to catch Serafall’s expression.
Still, I decided it was best to clear the air in the room, since everyone seemed to be tensing up except for my fellow co-workers.
‘’Not quite, young Ruval,’’ I stated, but not turning directly to address the man. ‘’The Domain is empowering that construct. Making it stronger than it should, but Ultimate-Class? I’ll say it falls a bit short.’’
The stares were on me now, and Ruval Phenex cleared his throat before speaking once more. ‘’Lady Beelzebub… Are you, perchance, the one who taught that young Devil how to do this?’’
A smile blossomed on my face. Immediately, I felt most people in the room recoiling. The only exception was Sirzechs, who barely shook his head in hidden amusement, and Serafall, who looked almost disturbed.
‘Why, is it so rare for a woman to smile? How impolite.’ I thought.
‘’HAHAHAHA!’’ Zatren laughed as his body resurfaced from the raging ocean below him. His spear looked like a thunderbolt as intense, blue lightning enveloped the weapon in its entirety. His eyes were wide, with two slitted pupils instead of the usually round ones.
‘’THIS IS THE GREATEST HIGH~!’’ He shouted, making my smile widen a smidge. I couldn’t agree more.
‘’Believe me or not, Young Ruval,’’ I started. ‘’I have only provided the theory. But all of this? It’s entirely his own achievement.’’
‘I look forward to even more experiments together, Mr. Zatren~’ And didn’t that make something inside me just churn with an intensity I’ve never felt before.
-X-x-X-
-Rias Gremory-
The moment the barrier that Zatren made turned from vibrant blue to a deep black, I allowed myself a little smile. Yet, I did not waste a second.
‘’Don’t get complacent now!’’ I shouted. Looking at the new school building, which was now nothing more than a pile of rubble, cinders, and smoke. ‘’We still have one piece to take care of while our Rook deals with the King!’’
‘’Yes, President!’’ The voices of my peerage, my family, responded as one.
I prepared two magic circles on my palms as our opponent rose up from the rubble. The previously cutesy and fitting European dress was torn and burned. Her entire body became a ball of intense fire until her entire body regenerated.
‘’You…’’ Ravel Phenex, now regenerated but not unaffected, muttered. ‘’How dare you?!’’
I immediately jumped up, wings extended, and ready to take flight at the same time that the entire ground we were standing on became ablaze with fire. Ravel had extended her arms, and just like that, the flames of the Phoenix washed below us.
‘’Kiba, Koneko!’’ I signal while readying the same trick that took all of those opponents down once more.
‘’On it/Hm.’’ Both of them said while rushing directly at the remaining Bishop.
Ravel frowned as Kiba suddenly appeared at her side. A frost blade at the ready to cut the Bishop down. Yet, before he managed to, a magic circle of the Phenex House manifested on Ravel’s hand and stopped the blade dead on its track.
However, Koneko interfered, glowing fists at the ready as she punched the Phenex’s back. Ravel gasped for air, dropping the magic circle at the surprise attack. Leaving a window wide open for Kiba to not only slash, but take the Bishop’s entire arm off with a cut of his blade.
‘’AHGG!’’ Ravel screeched in pain, flames enveloped her body, but not only to regenerate her newly formed wounds.
Both Kiba and Koneko’s eyes widened as they launched themselves back. Right in time to avoid being completely blasted off by the subsequent fiery explosion. The moment the fire receded, they went on the offensive once more. Landing blow after blow on the blonde-haired girl. They worked like a well-oiled machine. The moment Ravel focused on one of them, the other took the opening to attack.
It was to be expected, considering that for the longest time, these two were the only members of my peerage sans Akeno. Yet, even their flawless teamwork won’t hold for long. I could see it, the signs of exhaustion in both of them. Maybe it's reacting to Ravel’s attacks a smidge slower, or taking a breath instead of counter-attacking while possible.
I frowned. ‘It’s not sustainable. They’ll need to step back sooner rather than later…’ I thought, and immediately looked back at what remained of our forces.
Asia was hard at work. Sweat poured down her brow as her hands glowed a deep and vibrant green. The ex-nun frowned in concentration as she used her Sacred Gear to heal both Sachi and Rei at the same time. The latter looked to be fine, considering her unmarred upper-half and deep frown while she looked at our opponent, but the legs of her massive arachnid body faltered slightly, fighting to stay balanced.
All the while, the former, Sachi, took greedy gulps of air. Not only had she spent the entirety of the energy she managed to steal with Absorption Line, but she was arguably the least experienced among all of us. And while yes, Zatren’s entire training managed to put her in shape, the back-to-back fighting took a toll on her body.
‘’Akeno!’’ I called out. Looking at the currently flying woman above, even as the particular smell of electricity in the air reached my nose. ‘’How long until it’s ready?!’’
My Queen didn’t look that much better. She stayed in the air, her hands filling with yellow lightning as she prepared her attack, but it was definitely slower than before. Not only had she already spent a ludicrous amount of Demonic Power in that previous attack, but she also had to take down the enemy Queen twice. The fact that she was managing to pull another attack of this caliber spoke volumes about her determination.
‘If only she used…’ I thought, but immediately stopped that train on its track. Not only did I not have enough time to wonder about the ’what ifs’, but it was unfair to ask such a thing of her.
‘’Soon!’’ Akeno called out, and I nodded.
‘’You think I’ll just stay still and fall for the same trick twice?!’’ Ravel shouted as orange flames in the form of wings sprouted from her back. She tried to take to the sky, only for Koneko to suddenly grab her leg and throw her to the ground. ‘’ACK! You!’’
Koneko had to dash to the side to avoid a torrent of fire. There were more than a few burns on her uniform and her body already. Yet, she certainly was not about to back down from the girl who not only exposed Rei’s cover but also burned her in the process.
‘’Haa…’’ Kiba exhaled as his blade was suddenly shoved to the ground. Ravel was much too distracted in trying to hit Koneko with her flames to notice the ice enveloping the ground she stood on. ‘’Icicle Prison!’’
In a single blink, Ravel’s entire body was skewered by blades made out of ice. She didn’t even manage to scream out. Probably due to one of the swords currently piercing her throat.
‘’Rias, NOW!’’ Akeno screamed out just in time.
Kiba suddenly unearthed his blade. Koenko immediately jumped away from the range as the Knight let his sword fall.
Bzzzz…CRACK!
The effect was immediate. The frost swords that were not only trapping, but piercing through Ravel’s body, buzzed with power and suddenly exploded in a cloud of Demonic Ice. At the same time, the previously frozen floor, now wet thanks to Ravel’s flames working overtime to heal her body, was filled with the Gremory’s House magic circle.
And just like with the new school building…
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The entire landscape was blown away once more when my Power of Destruction met Akeno’s lightning attack. Yet, even I could feel that it was on a lower scale than before. My dear peerage members weren’t the only ones tired after constant fighting, after all.
As I blanched at the sight of Ravel’s incredibly mangled body washing with flames, and the lack of a message announcing that the stupidly resistant Bishop was being retired, I hoped that Zatren was having a better time against the other, more battle-oriented Phenex of the two.
-X-x-X-
-Zatren Fumigami-
‘’[Meteor Thrust V]!’’ I shouted, and as if it were a star falling from the sky, the beam of ‘neutral’ damage soared in the direction of Riser. Sadly, even if he was being smacked around by the Fake Leviathan, he had enough sense to dodge at the last moment. The beam went wide and plunged into the seas below instead of his torso. ‘’Tch… Leviathan!’’
My voice exploded through the raging storm, and the beast heeded my command with only a smidge of hesitation, slamming his entire body against Riser’s own. I swear that I could hear the crunch of his bones from all the way here.
‘That’s bad.’’ I think, wiping the blood from my nose. It wasn’t that I was worried about, but the sea-serpent itself.
The technique worked out as planned. First, I had to ready the entire barrier, using those fodder pieces from Riser along with filling in the blanks with my own MP (Thanks, Sachi). Then, it was a matter of imbuing a ‘Technique’ inside the barrier to make it act like a Domain. Sounds easy, right?
Wrong.
I dived down underwater as Riser managed to free himself from the Leviathan to send a massive ball of fire my way. The sizzling of the rain and the raging waves making contact with the small fucking sun he threw at me could be heard even under the duress of the sea.
While completely underwater, your HP regeneration has increased!
From here, I could see the rest of the Fake Leviathan’s body almost coiling around itself. Ready to spring once more to attack the flaming chicken. It was a good thing that the serpent seemed incredibly annoyed with him for some reason.
I tried and failed to focus on bringing up another Hero Skill from my repertoire. Not because they were locked away or anything like that, but because of the sheer strain that is managing the entire Domain as a whole.
‘[Imbue Element: Water]. [Thought Acceleration]. [Tracking]. [Barrier Magic]. [Mana Control]. [Hydrokinesis]. [Calculation Magic].’ I thought and repeated like a mantra. These were all the Skills that were being used and micro-managed by me all at the same time. All to make the Domain not collapse on itself.
That is without mentioning my Magic Circuits, especially the one tied to my brain, going above and beyond their usual limit just to pump enough Mana to keep all of these skills running. Of course, [Healing Touch] and my own passive regeneration had to come in clutch to not go braindead by the sheer loads of information I’m managing.
‘Fuck! I can’t even use [Reinforcement] like this.’ I immediately shoot myself out of the water. Just in time for the chains that act as the ‘’sure-hit’’ effect to restrain Riser once more. ‘Scratch that, I can’t even cast [Observe] properly right now!’
‘’[Toxic Strike II]!’’
‘’ACK!’’ Riser’s head whips to the side, not before coughing blood as I pierce the place where his lungs should be with the Soul Eater Spear. Immediately, I felt part of his energy being sucked out and added to my SP pool. Not only that, but the deep purple liquid that dripped down the tip of the spear seeps deep into his flesh and into his bloodstream.
‘’RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!’’ As soon as I heard it. I immediately Shadow Step back, and an immense headache made itself present. As if punishing me by daring to use two Skills in quick succession.
It wasn’t even half a second after I stepped back that the Fake Leviathan’s tail whipped and slammed against Riser’s body. Flinging him to the side as the air CRACKED with the sheer weight that was behind the strike.
‘’Watch it!’’ I shouted. If it wasn’t for me dodging. The attack would have struck me, too.
The giant snake turned its massive head toward me. One slitted, sickly yellow glowing eye that was the size of my entire body, just staring at me. My body tensed, but immediately went slack as the the sliitted pupils widened—!
Son of a FUCK!
As if he were a rocket. Riser launched himself at me, body completely ablaze and a focused but equally raging look on his face. His blazing fist aimed for my head, to which I raised my guard just in time. Yet, his fist opened into a palm, and instead of a fist, I got blasted with a fiery spiral at point-blank range.
‘’Shit…!’’ I hissed. The falling rain was doing nothing for the pain of having my arms scorched. The wheel on top of my head stuttered. The adaptations I had available long spent on trying to resist his flames, which made me curse once more for good measure. ‘’That’s some mild heat you’re handling there! Probably good enough to get a kick out of it!’’
Instead of rising –Ha!– to the bait, Riser didn’t waste time. His eyes centered on the wheel on top of my head before lowering back to meet my gaze. ‘’I do not know what you did, Rook of Gremory, but it won’t work.’’ He stated, and I could clearly see some purple smoke dispersing from where I stabbed him with Toxic Strike.
‘’Says who? You?’’ I brandished my spear with a smirk. ‘’You know; the plan was to actually keep you busy enough until your dear little sister gets retired. Then, it was a full-on jumping!’’
Riser’s eyes narrowed. Face contorted into a complicated expression. Still, he didn’t interrupt. He didn’t get angrier than before or lash out. Instead, he was hearing me out. Is this what it feels like to fight on equal grounds with someone smart? ‘Trash-talking is a lot funnier, though…’
‘’But you know what?’’ I kept going. Extending both arms. The tip of my spear started to glow white, another Hero Skill ready. Yet, my eyes went low for only a moment. My smirk widened. ‘’Fuck that plan. I’m taking you down here and now, you spicy chicken-looking fuck!’’
‘’[Change Spear: Shining Cut VIII]!’’ Not sooner than I said the words and swung my weapon down. The Soul Eater Spear changed forms. Two tiny crow-like wings sprouted from the entirely black halberd. The Fallen Angel's Halberd.
‘’What?!’’ The Phenex exclaimed. Fully concentrated on my attack as he went to dodge.
A slash of pure white launched itself at Riser. Yet, he maneuvered out of the way quickly. However, not quickly enough to avoid getting grazed by the attack. His side got cut just as he got away from the light’s trajectory.
‘’AHGG!’’ Riser’s hand immediately went to his side. Eyes widening at the cut on his torso. Not because of the damage to either his flesh or his clothes, but at how the wound SIZZLED and practically refused to close itself, even as the regenerating fire of the Phenex enveloped the cut. ‘’This is… Light Poisoning?! How?!
‘’Head in the game, Kentucky King!’’ I shouted just as chains sprouted from the waves once more. Riser noticed, but there was nothing he could do after falling for the distraction I made with that attack. A shadow could be seen under the raging current’s surface just as the restrictions enveloped and tightened around Riser’s limbs once more.
Riser fought against his restraints, already knowing what would happen next. Trying to burn them apart with all of his strength. Or maybe just tear them off with pure physical might, but it was useless. The sure-hit of my Domain made it impossible to avoid this attack unless you were severely above my weight class. A thing that Riser, after all the spins from my Sacred Gear, all the levels to my resistances and stat bonuses, was not.
Well, there was another way, but…
‘’You can’t counter a Domain without one of your own. Ri-Ser-Kun~!’’ I laughed, and this time Riser screamed. Just as the Leviathan resurfaced from the depths. Gaping maw enveloping Riser in its entirety before immediately diving deep into the ocean. Tearing the Phenex’s flesh apart all the way down with its jaws.
Yet, even through the surface. I could see the orange light below the waves. A clear sign of Riser’s powerful flames fighting against the Leviathan. It would probably not be much time before he comes out again.
‘How many times is that again…?’ I thought. The headache was becoming worse. My ears were even ringing with a horrible whistle. My thoughts felt incredibly cloudy and unorganized for a moment before another wave of healing magic washed over my brain. ‘’I swear to Beelzebub’s fucking tits, if you don’t stay down…!’’
FWOOOOOOOSHH. SPLASHHHHH!
‘’Motherfucker.’’ My right eye twitched.
I changed spear forms once more to meet Riser’s charge with one of my own. I could feel my strength shoot up as I branded the Red Dragon Emperor’s Spear. Only to win the match of strength via pure raw stats.
Just as I smashed Riser’s arms apart, and felt my own get slightly numb. I took a look at his expression. Focus, determination, plenty of rage, but there was one more thing. ‘What is that? Why is he looking at me like that?’ Then, my eyes went wide.
Fire wrapped the youngest son of the Phenex’s clenched legs as he stood barely above the water. Yet, unlike the times he used his fire magic to attack me, or when his bloodline’s trait activated those healing flames on their own. This was different. The fire… wrapped around his feet and extended.
‘’This place’s air reeks of something in specific, Rook— No. Zatren Fumigami.’’ Riser’s voice came in between sharp pants. Be it from true exhaustion or by the amount of magic he was concentrating, I didn’t know. ‘’Of you. The wind of this storm. It’s way too unnatural, but it feels like you. Like your magic.’’
Below Riser’s feet, flames spread around in the form of a circle. The concentrated Demonic Power spins around as if it were a vortex. I thought that it was just charging an attack, maybe a fluke. A distraction.
But when the water chains, which had enveloped and captured Riser many times, touched the area where that fiery vortex stood?
They broke apart.
‘’Using your own magic to create a space…’’ Riser wheezed out. Eyes shining with determination. The rain wasn’t even hitting his body anymore. Which made me notice that it was sweat that poured down his face. ‘’That’s not hard at all, Zatren!’’
I didn’t even acknowledge how he suddenly switched from calling me a mere Rook to addressing me by my name properly. The only thing that I could focus on was that circle… and the sheer amount of excitement flowing through my veins.
‘There’s no doubt about it…’ Just by me saying the words out loud. Just by feeling the air and my magic signature, he came up with his own. ‘That’s a Simple Domain…!’
A simple Domain. One of the very few techniques that could nullify the sure-hit effect of a proper, complete Domain. That he managed to come up with something similar was fucking stupid, it was weird, it was a Satan-damn asspull!
And it was incredible!
‘’Ha…hahaha…HAHAHAHAHA!’’ I couldn’t help it. The laugh just came up on its own. The smile on my face hurt from how big it was ‘’Marvelous! You’re really something else, RISER PHENEX!’’
I raised my arm. Ready to finish the entire battle in one strike. No matter what. If my foe went above and beyond just to match me on a terrain disadvantage… I could only answer in kind with everything I had!
Riser’s eyes widened, and his entire body lit aflame. Only for a massive sphere of fire to appear on his hands. Every second that passed, the scorching heat grew higher. Evaporating the rain that kept pouring on our battlefield.
I swear that I could even see an upturn of the lips on the devil’s face.
I grabbed the crimson spear firmly. Uncaringly, I pumped my body with [Reinforcement]. Blue veins spread all across my body in a vein-like pattern as my Mana Circuits screamed at me. Yet, I kept going, pouring every bit of MP not only into enhancing my body, but also laying my weapon with electricity.
The crimson spear glowed blue, only for it to suddenly go completely white. Instead of just pointing the spear tip at my target, I went with the full throw. Using all of the energy that should have been used in the laser-like attack to make the weapon itself stronger.
And then I threw it.
‘’[METEOR THRUST V!]’’ I shouted as the spear soared through the air.
Just at the same time. Riser released the sphere of concentrated fire. In the middle of the raging waves, the unwavering storm, and in front of the entire devilkind that was currently watching the event, both attacks collided with each other.
And the world went white.
-X-x-X-
-Ayuka Beelzebub-
I blinked. Surprised at the sheer carelessness.
Overworking your brain to the point of bleeding multiple times is not optimal for such a prolonged fight. His words and attitude got weirder with each moment that passed.
‘The least said about my mamaries, the better, I believe.’ Thankfully, we were among polite company… and Serafall, who was still trying to hide her while her body trembled.
On the screen, the barrier containing Zatren’s Domain completely shattered. It was quite the sight to see the entirety of the ocean, not to mention the giant serpent, just vanish in its entirety. As if it was never there in the first place.
Then came the backlash.
Mr. Zatren’s gaze was completely blank. The wheel on top of his head shone with emerald light and shattered, vanishing into motes of light. His hand extended the same way he threw his weapon. Which now rested deeply embedded in the young Phenex’s stomach.
Everything went still. The remaining devils on the field stared at the black shards from the barrier falling through the sky. Breath hitched. With exhausted bodies and empty magic reserves.
“Ugh…” Then, blood seeped out of Zatren’s nostrils, eyes, and mouth. His stance faltered, almost missing a step and falling to the ground below if it wasn’t for his spear returning to his hand with a wet squelch.
The young devil instantly rammed his spear onto the ground. Using it as leverage, even as his legs trembled. His breath came in jagged bursts. If I were none the wiser, I’ll assume he punctured a lung.
As for the opposing King. His head was low. His previously perforated stomach closed painfully slowly. The “infamous” Phenex regeneration was unrelenting on its mission to not only regenerate the fatal wound, but to expel the toxins and light poisoning that the half-mermaid man caused.
Yet, he was still standing. His body didn’t shake, but he didn’t move either. Young Riser’s sister looked up. Her body was lying inn the ground. Completely exhausted and with an incredible amount of purple tendrils attached to her body thanks to that roguish Pawn’s Sacred Gear.
“Dear brother…?” The once nicely dressed girl muttered. Worry clear in her voice and face.
‘Ah, so it is like that. I see.’ I gave a nod. “The match is over.”
The room seemed to react to my words. Lord Gremory’s neck seemed like it was going to break due to whiplash from how fast his head turned.
Even then, I saw realization in more than one face. Sirzechs, his Queen, Serafall, and, surprisingly enough, Young Ruval.
“But… Riser is still standing, is he not?” The Sitri heiress asked below his breath, yet everyone heard.
Lord Phenex shook his head. “Look again, Young Sitri.” He said softly. Pride in both of his children clear in his voice.
Riser stood still, unmoving, but as if by happenstance, wind blew at the locks of blonde hair that were obscuring the upper part of his face.
It was then revealed that his eyes were completely white. Riser Phenex had passed out while standing. The sheer mental exhaustion was too much to bear, even as his body suffered no marring from the altercation.
“The King of the Phenex Peerage has been defeated. The victory goes to the Gremory Heiress.” I announced. “Checkmate via Rook.”
Immediately, the young devils on the screen took a deep breath, and just as fast, the crimson-haired heiress and the white-haired Nekoshou teleported and dashed directly at Zatren’s side, grabbing onto his shoulders to help him remain on his feet.
I was just about to end the game. But just a moment before, Zatren spoke. Eyes now clear, the previous hyper-focus mixed with insanity long gone, even as his face and clothing dripped with blood.
“That must have been… The hardest and most fun battle I’ve ever had.” He admitted. A huge smile on his face, even as his clothes stood burnt, torn, and bloodied. His skin blistered and scorched. His limbs were trembling, and his second Sacred Gear was dismissed.
“Stand proud, Riser Phenex.” He said. “You are strong.”
…
“Idiot.” The Nekoushou face scrunched into a frown even as the Heiress’ eyes filled with an excited sparkle. “Don’t go about saying clear chuuni stuff when you can barely stand.”
“But Koneko!” His attitude did a complete 180. Staring at his ally as if she had just taken the wind off his sails. “It’s a man’s romance!”
“It was stupid.”
“I thought it was cool…”
“See?!”
“…You’re both weeabos. It doesn’t count.”
I shook my head. Amused.
“Ah, to be young again,” Serafall said, preening at the scene, and I had to agree. Even so, I’ll have to teach my… student. Yes, my student. Some self-control. Maybe some practical teaching would do him good?
Later, once he has recovered. ‘Though a friendly congratulation couldn’t possibly hurt, right?’ I thought as I stepped away from the screen and into a magic circle. I ignored the rest of the room as I made my way to the infirmary through the scenic route.