Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 60: Lightning in Her Veins.
Kuoh, Japan.
Elias Black.
One night before the rating game.
"What are you looking at, Eli?" Fleur asked sleepily as she snuggled next to me and Hermione. It was already late, and the girls had trained constantly for the past two weeks to the point I felt a bit worried.
They all had grown considerably in the past few days, with Iris hitting comfortably high class, and with her own peculiarities, she was getting a bit more dangerous, and I loved it.
Hermione and Fleur were around the same level; Fleur had a fair bit more magic power than my bushy-haired girlfriend, but if one were to underestimate her for that? I would not pity the fool.
Pranitha had been teaching Iris a lot of Parseltongue, and Hermione decided to learn something that honestly shocked me.
She was learning and focusing on two schools of magic that were… interesting. Healing magic, which was apt considering her lower magical capacity and soul magic.
Who knew giving the prim and proper Hermione free reign would get her to learn such a "Dark" magical school.
I sighed, clutching Fleur a little bit tighter and smiling when I felt my two other girls joining us in the bed. I put my phone on the table and stayed silent for a second.
"Rias wrote to me," I admitted, "She asked if I was willing to talk with her for a bit."
"And what do you think you are doing here, mister?" Iris glared at me, and the other two nodded in unison.
Hermione waved her hand sleepily, "Go and talk with her; we can go for a bit without you, Eli. She needs it."
"Uhum," Fleur nodded, "She had been growing increasingly tense these past few days. She's probably really nervous and upset, but I don't know why."
"I do," I sighed with a deep frown.
Grayfia had come about three days ago with bad news. According to her, Sirzechs, Rias's brother and Lucifer had tried to get Ajuka Belzebuth to help with Iris's Horcrux without naming her.
... He was apparently busy with another thing and didn't want to switch his focus to something he viewed as unimportant.
I had to admit that it pissed me off… even if I understood what he was thinking about.
He didn't know Iris, didn't care about her, and whatever he was doing was more important to him than to do a simple favor to his friend, but fuck.
"I'll go see what she wants, then," I chuckled and kissed goodnight to each of my girls, earning some cute smiles that warmed my heart.
Even before I had finished putting on some clothes, I already heard two distinct snores. Iris and Fleur were already asleep, hugging each other.
I loved that both of them were pretty open with their attraction, and Hermione was growing accustomed to it, even initiating some with Fleur. She was surprisingly good getting her all hot and bothered.
With an amused shake of my head, I walked back to the entrance of my Hollow and opened the trunk, walking calmly towards the dining hall.
I cloaked myself in shadows with the help of my magic to avoid waking up Asia, who was sleeping in the same room my trunk was in, and smiled fondly at the sight of her sprawled across the bed like nothing in the world mattered.
At first, she'd been a bit down about everything. Not that I blamed her, obviously, but she was getting better. Bit by bit. And she absolutely adored how much my girls fretted over her.
She was a lot like Gasper in that regard, and my girls, all three of them, spoiled those two rotten whenever they had the chance.
She'd been happier lately. And that alone was more than enough.
As I walked outside, I was surprised to still hear the faint sounds of training coming from the yard.
"You should sleep, Kiba," I sighed, spotting the blonde going through some katas with his swords, shifting between them as fast as he could.
Kiba jumped in place, clearly startled, and took a step back. I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.
Maybe I had traumatized the guy a little…
"Relax, we're not training," I chuckled, holding up my hands as he looked ready to defend himself.
It was a good sign, in a way. We'd ramped up training since the day the announcement came, and it had worked. His aura felt more refined now, more stable. He'd extended the time he could stay in Balance Breaker mode by a bit. Not much, but enough to make him a serious threat in Rias's peerage once he went all out.
Sacred Gears were no joke. And his was special on it's own way.
"Sorry, sorry," he chuckled, easing his stance. "I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd burn off some stress with extra practice."
"You've done more than enough, Kiba," I said softly. "Take pride in that. There's no shame in resting when you've earned it. Go on, get some sleep. You'll need it tomorrow."
He nodded, deactivating his Sacred Gear with a long sigh. "You're right… You're right. What about you, though? You lot are the ones who usually stick to your schedule."
Grinning, I patted his back. "You'll understand once you get a girlfriend, dude. You'll want to spend all your time with her, or them, just like we do."
He shook his head, amused. "I think I'll pass. My real love is my sword."
I shook mine right back and deadpanned, "If that's what you call the way you peek at Tsubaki, then sure, dude. Now go. Rias wanted to talk for a bit, and the girls nearly kicked me out of bed."
I smiled as I watched him walk toward the cabin, then turned back toward the trail, following the gentle flickers of magic in the distance.
I could feel Rias tossing out spells. Not anything too intense, but if I'd learned one thing over the past month, it was that the Power of Destruction was an absolute hax. And that was me saying it, the guy with a literal grimoire who handed out gifts from nowhere.
As I walked, I figured she'd sensed me when her magic stopped gathering, and she turned around. Probably the soft sound of my steps on the dirt.
"Eli," she said with a bright smile that quickly softened. "Thank you for coming."
"Well, the girls figured you might want to vent or something," I chuckled as I approached.
Once I was standing next to her, her shoulders tensed slightly. She looked up at me with her lips slightly parted.
"Eli… do you consider yourself my friend?" she asked earnestly, leaning into me just a bit.
I tilted my head, trying for the most deadpan expression I could manage.
"Rias… it might not be obvious, but I wouldn't be doing this for many people. I can't say I have a lot of friends, but you're definitely one of them."
She giggled softly behind her hand and gave a slight nod. "I know. I just wanted to hear it from you."
She drew in a breath, her expression turning more serious. "You're my friend too, you know? All of you. And I'm in a pretty similar situation… outside your group, Sona and Seekvaira, I can't say I have many friends."
"What, you don't count Sai?" I raised an eyebrow.
She smirked. "Sai would be friends with a rock if he could. He doesn't count." She laughed, and I found myself smiling with her.
"Fine, fine," I rolled my eyes. "So… what brought this on?"
She sighed and turned back toward me, locking eyes with an intensity that immediately quieted the humor.
"I'm afraid, Eli. I know we've grown. Hell, sometimes I can't believe how much has changed in just a month. Gaspy's out of his coffin, enjoying life and even pulling pranks. Kiba… what can I even say about him without sounding like I'm making it up? He might be my secret weapon now, more than even Akeno. Even Koneko has changed."
"They're amazing," I said with pride. "And it's all thanks to the work you and your peerage put in. Without that? You probably would've lost. But now? You're ready. And your bond with them is stronger than ever."
She looked up at me, voice barely above a breath. "It wouldn't have happened without your help, you know?"
She placed her hands gently on my face, warm and steady, then closed her eyes and kissed me.
My eyes widened for a moment, but then I smiled and kissed her back with equal intensity. My hands found her waist without me even realizing, pulling her close and earning a soft, muffled moan from the beautiful redhead.
This had been a long time coming. The girls had already given me their blessing, if Rias and Akeno wanted this. I didn't need to second-guess it anymore.
So, I stopped holding back.
I let the kiss deepen, let myself feel every bit of her warmth pressed against me, and for just a moment, forgot everything else.
After nearly a minute, she pulled back, breathing hard, her eyes still half-lidded.
Rias didn't speak. Her breathing was uneven, eyes flickering with a sentiment I didn't understand.
She kept her hands on my face with a mysterious smile.
Her aura pulsed.
Power of Destruction sprang to life around her body, and I prepared to move away just in case. She surprised me by containing her power across her body without a single injury to me, who was literally pressed against her.
Her clothes vanished.
Gone in an instant, burned to nothing. She stood there, completely bare, skin bright and clean, without a single blemish, sweat, or grime from her training. Not a single smell coming from her. She had destroyed absolutely everything on her body without damaging her skin or mine.
"I want this," she whispered vulnerably. "I want you. Tonight, now, here."
She took a step closer and grabbed my hand, putting it on her chest while her hand began to lift my own shirt and lower my briefs.
I froze.
My body wanted to move, to grab her and crush her to me, to answer that plea with the same want she was showing, but I felt something was wrong.
My soul screamed to wait. That this wasn't how I wanted things to progress between us.
I felt a new magical presence observing us from far away, thanks to the sonar from my Aetherius, which had only increased in size during this month.
Grayfia.
She hadn't interrupted. She just... arrived and watched the scene.
I simply raised my hand and waved it carelessly, trusting my magic to inform her that I would deal with this.
Rias blinked. "What did you do?"
I didn't answer at first. I just shook my head softly but firmly, my eyes never leaving hers.
She stepped closer with wide eyes and a frustrated look on her face. "Why won't you take me, Eli?! I know you like me; I can feel the lust rolling out of your body. Why?!"
My heart twisted. I reached out and gently touched her cheek.
"Because I know why you're doing this." My voice came out quiet, "You're afraid. You think you might lose tomorrow. You don't trust yourself even after everything. And that's okay… I understand what you feel."
She flinched.
"But you don't have to prove anything to me, Rias. Not like this." I caressed her cheek softly.
Her lips trembled. Her eyes shined with unshed tears as her body began to tremble.
I waved my hand, and warm cloth unfolded around her body, a simple thing since I admittedly couldn't focus that much with such perfection throwing herself at me, but I managed. Barely.
"You're beautiful," I murmured. "You're powerful. And I do want you. I won't lie about that. You have no idea how much I want you and how hard it is for me to do this."
She looked like she might cry.
"But I won't take you like this. Not when you're doing it in desperation instead of anything else."
I leaned in and kissed her gently. Just something real. Her tears sprang forth, and I smiled sadly at the salty taste of her lips before I cleaned them with my hand.
"Win tomorrow," I whispered. "Win yourself. And if you still want me afterward… I'll be waiting. And I will do whatever you want."
Her arms wrapped around me like she might break if she let go.
But she didn't say a word.
And I stayed silent, just offering my support.
Next Day.
Rias Gremory.
We had fallen asleep outside the cabin.
Elias stayed with me the whole night, and sleeping under the warmth of his magic was something I could definitely get used to. Funny… the first time I felt his presence filling Gaspy's room, I nearly had a panic attack. I genuinely feared for my life, even though I already trusted him unconditionally.
But now? I'd do whatever he wanted just for a repeat.
Not once in the entire past month had I slept as well as I did then. There was no fear clouding my mind about his obvious holy nature. None. I felt at peace... rejuvenated, even to the point that I rubbed my eyes in confusion when I woke.
He was so kind to me, even after refusing my advances.
I could be mature enough to admit that the rejection stung. Fiercely. Even after I'd bared myself to him and shown him the most vulnerable version of me, he still said no.
It was a new feeling for me. I knew for a fact that many, many humans and devils alike would kill for that kind of opportunity. And he refused.
Then why… why, instead of being upset, did I fall for him even more? Why did that rejection fill me with a warmth unlike anything else in my admittedly short life?
Eli was something else. I couldn't help but sneak a glance at him while Grayfia prepared the teleportation circle that would take us to the Underworld.
The past few hours had been… awkward between us. I didn't know what to say when he woke me, so I mostly stayed quiet to hide my shame… and the sheer, overwhelming desire I still felt. I wanted to mount him and ride him until we both chafed against each other.
Akeno's giggle snapped me out of my thoughts, and I blushed when I caught her knowing look aimed between Elias and me.
The bitch. As if she wasn't feeling the same. Honestly, her situation might've been worse. I knew for a fact that his holy nature was intoxicating to my sadistic Queen.
"We're ready, Lady Rias," Grayfia said, voice steady as she finished the preparations.
I didn't like the look in her eyes. It felt like she was seeing right through me.
"Wait!" Iris said brightly, her usual warm grin in place. "Sirius managed to get this on time."
She stepped toward me, holding a small pouch in her hands.
"This is from Mione and me," she added a little sheepishly. "I know we didn't help as much as the rest, so we wanted to give you something."
My heart warmed. I pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly.
"Thank you. And believe me, you two helped more than you realize," I said sincerely. I wasn't lying.
Wizarding magic was terrifyingly versatile, and now that Iris had enough magic to stand beside us, she was a genuine threat whenever she used it creatively.
The less said about Hermione, the better. If I'm being honest… I'd rather fight three Irises than go up against that bushy-haired witch.
She was scary.
"What is this?" I asked, eyeing the pouch carefully.
"This," Iris grinned, "works kind of like Eli's trunk. It's called a moleskin pouch."
"How does it work?" I asked curiously.
"Just a drop of blood," she explained, "and only you'll be able to take things out. Think of it as your secret weapon."
She plunged her arm into the pouch up to her elbow and pulled out the Excalibur fragment.
"You can give it to Kiba if you think he needs it," she added with a wink.
Hermione stepped forward and hugged me next, followed by Fleur.
"Now go," Hermione said gently. "I believe in you, Rias."
I choked up and didn't trust myself to speak. I just nodded, looking at them gratefully, and then glanced at Eli, who watched the whole interaction with a soft smile.
His eyes met mine, and he nodded. There was warmth on his face, even as the emotions behind his gaze made my chest tighten.
I took a deep breath and looked around at everyone gathered, offering them all a smile before turning back to Grayfia.
"It's time."
Her expression softened, and she reached out to gently pat my hair, so unlike her usual demeanor.
"You will be victorious, Lady Rias. I believe in you." Then, her eyes flicked briefly toward Elias before she activated the teleportation circle.
-Scene-
The meeting with my family was… tense, but not in the horrible way I had feared.
They even wished me luck, and somehow, that made it worse. I'd been angry, so angry with them for years because of this arrangement. Still, the moment I finally started acting like I should have from the beginning… they chose to let go of their expectations and support me.
It just made me realize how immature I had been acting, and I felt ashamed of myself.
Even Lord and Lady Phenex weren't particularly cross with me. Were they happy? Of course not. But they weren't angry either. They were even joking with my parents as we all prepared.
And finally, Riser… What could I even say about him? I disliked him. I disliked how he acted like this was just some meaningless bump in the road before I became his. He was an ass, but not a malicious one.
Looking closely, I could admit it was mostly his spoiled nature. The same as mine used to be.
By my brother… was that how I looked to our parents? Even as I stayed quiet, observing everything, I noticed Lord Phenex watching his son with something close to shame, earning a few quiet snorts from the adults in the room.
Those were ignored by most of the younger people, who didn't realize the adults were paying far more attention to the dynamic than they thought.
I felt… tense, knowing Eli was in there with all of them. Mostly because, as much as he tried to hide it, I could tell he was pissed about Lord Ajuka's lack of help.
Not that he could do much about it, considering the disparity in their strength.
Elias was a monster in the making; I had no doubt about that. He had the potential to grow far beyond what he was now. But he still wasn't anywhere near my brother… or any of the Satans.
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. The present mattered more.
All of my peerage members stood with me, alert and focused now that the teleportation circle had brought us into the Rating Game arena.
Thankfully, this was being handled privately. That way, no one would lose too much face, no matter the outcome.
I wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or not. If my parents agreed to this just in case I lost… or if they believed Grayfia's reports so much that they didn't want to risk shaming the Phenex family.
I jumped slightly when I felt a dainty hand brushing through my hair.
"Rias, how are you feeling?" Akeno asked softly, her usual sultry tone absent.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I'm fine… just thinking. Are you all ready?"
Kiba nodded seriously. He was dressed in his usual workout clothes, and I felt that familiar warmth in my chest when I noticed Elias's armor hidden under his shirt.
Oh, Lucifer… the things that wizard awakened in me.
I had decided to wear something similar to Kiba, and strangely enough, the weight of the armor made me feel lighter, if that made any sense.
Koneko hummed and summoned the brass knuckles Sai gifted her. Gasper walked up behind me and stayed close, just as we'd trained.
Finally, Akeno smirked, and her wings unfolded, making no attempt to hide her heritage.
I'd never felt as blessed as I did right now, absurd as it sounded for a devil like me.
Smiling, I took a moment to look around at the battlefield we'd been transported to. A wasteland reminiscent of where Elias liked to train inside his trunk.
We stood on one side of the arena inside a crumbling fort with open windows, and far in the distance, I could see a similar fort marking the enemy's side.
"Since the game only ends when a king gives up or is defeated, we can leave the fort mostly unattended," Akeno whispered, gazing into the distance with a familiar glint in her eye.
I nodded, even if she couldn't see me. "You're right. Kiba, Koneko, you two will work together and hunt down their lower-ranked pieces. If you think you can't win, retreat and regroup."
"What about me?" Gasper asked eagerly, stepping closer.
I smiled and gently patted his head.
"You, my dear little Bishop, will stay here," I said warmly, laughing when he immediately pouted. "Your job is to stop anyone from promoting. Make sure they can't leave this place."
Gasper pouted harder. "But Rias, I can help! I trained a lot, and I'm ready!"
"I know, Gaspy," I said softly, with a sad smile. "I just don't want to risk you."
He fell silent, and I turned to my Knight and Rook. "I doubt you'll need that thing right away, Kiba, so it'll stay with me. Once you think you've done enough, regroup with us. Send an alert."
They both nodded, serious as ever. Kiba picked up a irritated Koneko without a word, and in a blink, they vanished.
"What about me, Rias?" Akeno asked, almost too eagerly.
"We're going after their Queen," I replied, my voice firm.
"Good," Akeno purred, her wings unfurling like blades of judgment. "I didn't like the way that hissy thing was eyeing Elias."
I followed right behind her, my stomach tightening with nerves.
Koneko
"You can drop me already, Kiba," I deadpanned at the Knight, who just laughed and ruffled my hair, flicking my ears for good measure.
Things had changed a lot… and I couldn't say I disliked it. Madam Pranitha, as it turned out, was a slave driver... but she cared. And that meant more than anything else.
I wasn't the most open person around. I knew that. I also knew I had problems, but no one had ever forced me to confront them the way that Indian witch did.
And I couldn't help but be grateful.
I hadn't liked using Senjutsu… because it felt right. Like I'd found a missing piece of myself. And that terrified me. I didn't want to become like my sister.
But Rias didn't care. She was happy for me. Glad that I pushed past the fear, revulsion, and disgust.
"Sorry, Koneko," Kiba chuckled as he finally let me down.
"The speed was useful before," I muttered, brushing off my skirt. "But now all you're doing is announcing our location with that damn sandstorm."
Kiba glanced at the dust cloud trailing behind us and rubbed the back of his neck. My eyebrow twitched in irritation.
I liked Elias. I really did. He'd done more for us than almost anyone else… but he wasn't someone to idolize. And this idiot was starting to act just like him without even realizing it. I sometimes wondered if the others noticed how much they all copied him.
My nose twitched.
I smelled something new, several fast-approaching targets. I focused, channeling my Touki into my brass knuckles, and smiled at the warmth they gave in return.
Kiba noticed my tension and summoned a sword without saying a word.
It was one of his lesser-used ones, and I knew for a fact that he'd barely practiced with it in the past month. I tilted my head curiously.
He chuckled. "Well, I guess it's time, Koneko."
With a deep breath, his armor activated. The sword shimmered and broke apart into motes of light, vanishing into the armor itself.
He threw two quick jabs, and my eyes widened as they kicked up waves of sand.
"That's unfair," I muttered, pouting slightly as I glanced at the armor in envy.
"Haha," he grinned, then summoned another sword, one of his favorites. A speed enhancer.
Five sets of footsteps closed in fast.
"I was wrong. Someone masked their scent," I said, turning to face the oncoming group.
Kiba nodded, raising his blade and resting it against his shoulder... mimicking the stance Elias always used with that terrifying spear of his.
"President, five enemies are approaching. We're engaging," Kiba reported through the transmitter.
Rias's approving voice came through a moment later, and we both sprinted forward to intercept.
The two twin pairs and the one named Mira rushed toward us, grinning confidently.
"Leave the Nekomatas to me," I said, cracking my knuckles with an unusual excitement. "Deal with the rest."
"Sure thing, Koneko," Kiba nodded.
I didn't wait. I charged the twins I'd chosen and slammed my fist into the ground just before they could react. The shockwave knocked them off balance, and I lunged forward.
I grabbed the first girl's leg mid-air before she could retreat and slashed at the back of her thigh, aiming for the hamstring.
She screamed, collapsing instantly. Her sister's eyes widened.
"Li!?" the other one, Ni, probably, shouted, her voice echoing across the field.
"You bitch!" she snarled, her Touki flaring as she rushed me.
"I am a Queen," I deadpanned.
I was already moving. I ducked her strike at the last moment, shifted my weight, and slammed a punch into her elbow. The bone snapped with a clean crack.
She screamed.
Before she could react, I was behind her. One quick blow to the back of her head, just hard enough, and she vanished in motes of light, her sister already gone.
I exhaled and turned, blinking when I saw Kiba sitting on the sand, waiting for me.
"You took too long," he teased, then winced.
"What happened to you?" I asked flatly.
"Mira's staff caught my ribs when I blocked a chainsaw attack from the twins."
I sighed. I'd been so focused on my fight I hadn't even offered to help.
"Come here," I muttered, kneeling beside him. I placed a hand over the injured area and began channeling my Senjutsu.
Who would believe Lord Sairaorg had gotten jealous of Elias's absurd healing magic and decided to learn something similar?
Kiba exhaled in relief as the pain faded.
"We should find Akeno and Rias. They might need help," I said once I finished.
He nodded, and together, we turned toward the swirling dark clouds in the distance.
Akeno Himejima.
"Oh my," I fanned my face with a slight smirk. "It seems that we're quite lucky, Rias."
"Sush, you," Rias giggled as she watched the group below us walking around a dune.
"Lady Ravel, Yubelluna, Shuriya, Bulent, and Marion," I murmured, thinking of the videos we watched from Riser's previous games online.
"Should I send our greetings?" I giggled.
"No need," Rias shook her head. "I believe they already know we're here. We should go and say hello."
I followed alongside Rias as she glided downward and looked at everyone present. Still, my attention was firmly placed on the bitch who had dared to look at Eli and his girls the wrong way... just for being human. Oblivious bitch.
"Lady Rias," Ravel Phenex bowed her head slightly. "A pleasure to see you after all this time. It's a shame we didn't have time to speak in the box."
"Lady Ravel," Rias nodded coolly. "Do we need to waste time on pleasantries? I believe we both know I have no intention of losing this game. Nothing against your brother anymore... I just want to be free to choose the man I want."
Ravel giggled while shaking her head. "I'm not participating in this game unless I have to, Lady Rias. And your dislike of my brother is legendary, so forgive me if I don't believe your last sentence."
"It's not like that anymore, Ravel," Rias sighed. "I made many mistakes since I learned about this betrothal, but it's not about him anymore. I'm fighting for my freedom and nothing more."
"Lady Ravel, can we begin? I can't imagine what rewards Lord Riser will give us if we manage to win his game without him even participating," Yubelluna smirked and my hand twitched, smirking myself as I felt my preferred spells slotting into place.
"Ufufu," I covered my face. "Rias, I think she is right? I don't think I can control myself any longer."
Rias sighed with a fond smile, probably understanding better than most why I was acting this way.
"Go ahead," she waved her hand.
With a powerful flap of my wings, I took to the air and Yubelluna followed.
"That was a monumentally stupid thing to do, Priestess of Thunder," Yubelluna bellowed as she prepared her magic circles. I forced myself to pay attention, her reputation preceded her.
"Leaving your King alone while we fight? You just gave a gift to the girls," she smirked.
"I wouldn't be too fast to speak, Bomb Queen," I smiled. With a simple thought, a net of holy lightning appeared across the floor, covering the area where the rest of their peerage stood, carefully avoiding Lady Ravel.
If she didn't plan to participate, I wouldn't force her hand. Better to deal with only one Phenex, no matter her reasons.
Yubelluna's eyes widened as the screams of pain began from the girls below. I took a peek just to enjoy Ravel's surprised expression.
"Ufufu. I can see why Riser likes those girls. Their screams are simply delicious."
I licked my lips and looked at Yubelluna's expression twist in anger and smirked.
The angrier she got, the more I would enjoy this.
She attacked first, and I moved out of the way, knowing Rias was paying attention and could block anything that came her way.
"You missed it," I smirked and gathered my magic in the palm of my hand. A magic circle appeared beneath her, acting as a signal. The sky darkened as lightning gathered in the clouds and a bolt shot down straight through her position.
"You missed too," Yubelluna returned the smirk as she prepared her magic for more volleys.
We attacked simultaneously, each of us dodging or blocking magic while the terrain around us warped under the force.
Each missed spell left behind craters, or glass, and I was beginning to feel the strain of continuously casting high-tier spells.
I clicked my tongue. This wasn't working. It had been stupid to hope I'd hit her with wide-area attacks without preparing a follow up.
Nodding at her, showing my respect, dozens of magic circles appeared at my back.
I smiled fondly. Elias loved attacking like this, and I could understand the appeal.
Dozens upon dozens of lightning spears launched themselves at Yubelluna's position, each one twisting and weaving unpredictably.
She moved as fast as she could and once she found herself panting outside the affected area, protected behind a barrier, I activated the second slot in Eli's armor.
A sigil appeared on Yubelluna's hand, and I smirked in victory. It was a target... my spells would know where to go without me having to aim.
The lightning spears, still flying, turned around all at once, and Yubelluna shouted as she cast her biggest attack of the fight to destroy whatever she could.
I watched with a hint of respect as most of my spears were ground into nothing under the explosion, but a few broke through, piercing her thighs, her arms, and one straight through her torso.
I bit my lip as the Bomb Queen dropped to the ground, crashing into the sand with a loud impact, a massive cloud of dust rising from the crater.
"That was magnificent," I giggled as I returned to Rias, glancing at the paralyzed girls writhing on the ground. I gathered my magic to eject them from the game once and for all.
"Akeno, behind you!" Rias's alarmed voice shouted through the earpiece, and my eyes widened. I activated the last slot in a hurry. Thanking whatever deity that the cooldown was over.
A magnificent, translucent wall of lightning formed behind me just in time, but the force of the blast still sent me flying as the shield broke.
I grimaced and scowled. My wings were damaged, and I could feel the burn along my back where the spell had broken through the wall.
Coughing, I stood up painfully and looked behind me to find Yubelluna's injuries already beginning to heal.
She was smirking in triumph. But I just saw red.
"You should've stayed down," I whispered.
I raised my hands, reaching deep into myself... into the thing I hated the most since the day Mother died.
Magic flared around me. The smell of ozone filled my nose as my eyes sharpened.
A single magic circle formed on my chest, and lightning began to crackle through the air.
It surged straight from my body, lifting the sand and using it as a conduit, each particle lighting up in a golden glow that sparkled with electricity.
Yubelluna tried to raise a shield, maybe conjure one last bomb, but the cloud hit her first. Her half-assed attack barely moved the storm of particles hurtling toward her.
The sand turned to glass.
And when the dust cleared, she was gone. Ejected in a blinding burst of blue light.
The last thing I saw were tiny openings forming on her skin as the electrified sand forced its way into her body through every pore.
I dropped to my knees, panting from exertion as I felt the armor deactivate momentarily.
"By Lucifer, that hurts," I groaned. Oh, how I wished Elias were here to pamper me, to heal me. Things had changed… It didn't feel the same when others attacked me. It wasn't him.
"Incoming!" Kiba's voice came through the earpiece, and I looked up, sensing two energy signatures crashing down from the sky. "Deactivate the net!"
I did so without thinking, and much to my surprise, Koneko landed first like a meteor. Her clawed hands slammed into Marion's head, ejecting her before she could even react.
Kiba followed, his sword pointed downward as he crashed to the ground, summoning a garden of blades that skewered the remaining two members.
"Akeno, are you alright?" Koneko asked, kneeling beside me and placing her hands on my back. I hissed at the contact, but a warm, soothing feeling quickly spread through my body.
Well… it wasn't Eli.
But I had to admit... it felt good too. And the fact that the adorable little Koneko was helping me made it even better.
......
Battle Status Recap:
Rias's Peerage
Akeno – Injured, but still active.
Kiba, Koneko – In good shape.
Rias, Gasper – Uninjured, full strength.
Riser's Peerage
Eliminated: Ni, Li, Ile, Nel, Marion, Yubelluna, Shuriya, Bulent, and Mira.
Remaining (full energy): Mihae, Kalarmine, Siris, Isabella, Xuelan… and Riser himself.
(Note: Ravel is not participating.)
...........
If you enjoyed this chapter and want to support my work and get early access to new content, you can find me on Patr* on at pat*e* n.c om (slash) InfinityReads99.
Every bit of support helps me write more!