The Drifter

The Rating game

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh in exasperation. The few hours out here have passed and they are leaving the Taken Forest, Issei looks the worst for wear he severely lacked any form of prowess in combat and what ever power he has certainly lacks in the adaptation aspect. The bishops, still severely disappointing especially the vampire, here natural powers even if she is only half vampire were very lack luster her strength just barely over normal human standards and her speed no where near what a devil knights would be like. Asia, being completely honest, is useless she can do nothing but heal and considering her refusal to let go of her religion is causing several problems considering she was slowly killing herself praying so much. The knights and rooks have taken the initiative and improved drastically, the knights strength has essentially doubled over the course of the 2 days as well as improved their situational awareness. The rooks speed has tripled and their agility and flexibility have followed suit. Isabella has improved her control over her sacred gear quite a bit however still lacks the ability to go full balance breaker. Akeno hasn't changed a single bit, all she had managed to do throughout that training was discover that her powers are useless against metal. Rias... Even though I had given her an army of mercenaries to order around and control, still failed dismally as a leader, her power also ridiculously underwhelming, though considering her sheltered life is very unsurprising. At this point I don't know where to go with the ones who are very behind, I'll be training Isabella, the rooks as well as the nights personally. As they all trudge out of the Vex gates, Issei and Rias looking far to happy considering how poorly they had done. "Well done to five of you, the improvement of your skills throughout the time you were in the Forest is astonishing, the others... You tried, that's all I can say, not much improvement if any at all. Now here's a challenge to your ego, those of you whom felt you have done well step forward from the group." I request, unsurprisingly Issei, Rias and Akeno had stepped forward. "Nobody else? Bare in mind I had said five of you." I finish questioning. At this point Xenovia and Asia had stepped forward. "Pah, I'm clearly the one who has improved the most, I had even developed a new ability whilst in that useless training." Issei bragged. About two seconds later Issei had collides with a tree a large indent in the centre of his chest suggesting that his sternum had separated from the rest of his ribcage. "Most of the time humility becomes the epitome of arrogance, however being out right arrogant is even worse, especially when you don't hold any of the power that you claim to have." I say, the amount of venom oozing from my voice is putting a king cobra to shame. Asia immediately rushing over to heal the disgrace, "Those of you whom have done the best are; Yuki, Xenovia, Rossweisse, Koneko and Isabella. Not only had you improved your abilities you had also increased your situational awareness, the ability to be fully aware of what is happening around you. As much as I would like to give you a break I don't want you falling behind because you aren't practicing, so instead I will be training you personally." I announce much to the surprise of the others. "For the others, I will give you tasks to do however I will not help you, you will have to turn to your king or any of your personal contacts." I finalize. "For now you can rest untill tomorrow morning, enjoy your evening." I say turning my back to them and walking into the manor up to the room I have taken for myself.

9 days have passed since I had split the group of young devil's up and being honest... They don't stand a chance. "As I'm sure you all know the rating game is tomorrow and being honest I don't think you stand a chance." I say as they all look down in shame. "All but one of you have improved majorly since when you first came here, meaning you will be able to hold them off for a while however I highly doubt that you'll be able to win this considering the experience Riser has, however you still stand a slight chance. Good luck." I say before opening a portal back into Kuoh, as each of the devil's leave I see a mischievous glint appear in the perverts eyes and my body begins to tell me that something awful is going to happen. I immediately rush home and start preparing for the rating game, giving my companions some weapons should I need support.

A little bit later Grayfia teleports into my house asking for me to spectate the rating game, considering my affiliation with Rias and her peerage. Agreeing to go along and watch I'm taken into the commentators booth with herself and Sona and her peerage. "Good afternoon miss sitri." I greet her as soon as I enter. She lets out an audible squeak in surprise, leading to me chuckling, she turns around and playfully hits my shoulder. "Afternoon Mr Mortem" she replies "how do you think they are going to do?" She asks. "In all honesty, their chances are slim to none... Though something is giving me a very bad feeling about today..." I finish quietly, forgetting she and Grayfia are devil's and have enhanced senses. "What do you mean?" She questions, her voice panicked. "In all honesty, I'm not sure." I pause, walking over to the magical barrier used to split the spectators from the field, placing my hand on the barrier subtly testing it's strength just no case something were to happen. "I just... I don't know, my gut instinct is just screaming at me telling me something is going to happen." I end. Staring off over the field that is soon to be riddled with craters, swords, blood and fire. Sona takes a seat at her desk, magic circle in hand, begins the run down of the competitors in todays game. Just like that the game begins following similar events to the show... At least until Issei was supposed to take out Riser's pieces in the gym, here he turns on Koneko, boosting and firing a dragon shot into her chest, launching her to the opposite side of the gym, triggering a gasp to sound form most of the audience members. Koneko tries her best to lift herself back up from the devastating blow, however Issei approaches her and slams his foot straight into Koneko's spine holding her in place as he prepares his signature dress break. "T-this is a devastating turn of events for Gremory's peerage as her pawn betrays the team." Sona exclaims. Issei immediately activates dress break and begins kicking Koneko's body around toying with and shaming her. Along with this everyone else from Rias's peerage is brought into the gym. Issei has clearly struck a deal with Riser, I knew the perverted fucked couldn't be trusted. "Fuck this" I growl, as I slam my fist into and through the barrier and launching myself through the shards of magic. Immediately equipping a set of Kings fall hunter armour, along side it I summon an Outbreak Perfected pulse rifle and a Last Word hand cannon. Immediately opening fire upon Issei he ducks behind the hostages, realising I can't fight fr range I begrudgingly throw my outbreak away causing it to despawn, in it's place I summon a Chaperone. Upon trying to dive for Issei I'm blown back by a fireball. Upon landing I slam my hands I to the ground, digging my fingers into the earth slowing my self down. I snap my head up and see Riser stood next to Issei, a smug grin on the perv's face as Riser summons another fireball. "Not so tough now are you Dom!" Issei proclaims. I immediately start the push towards them, dodging the fire flung my way , once I'm close enough I immediately start firing off with Last Word, the rounds embedding themselves within Riser's arms, after emptying an entire cartridge I begin to reload on the run, however being ignorant I miss Issei charging up a dragon shot, slamming his fist into the tennis ball sized orb, fires of a laser heading directly towards me. Giving up on the reload I fling Last Word off to the side in frustration and dodge out of the way of the beam directed at me. Pulling Chaperone off of my back I one handed aim the shot gun towards Isseis skull and fire off a slug, however much to my surprise he summons the helmet for his balance breaker and the shot merely makes a dent. Giving up on ranged weaponry I dismiss Chaperone and summon Black Talon. "Bleed!" I scream as I start launching void beams from Black Talon, each slicing vital tendons and muscles within the creeps body, incapacitating him. Riser ducks in to save his ally's life and body checks me, his flames crawling up and eating away at my armour, in a panic I dismiss my cloak and grips, stopping the fire getting any higher however it leaves me vulnerable, Issei takes this opportunity and claws open my right arm, from my shoulder down to my elbow, in my startled state Riser takes the chance to burn my left arm, from my hand up to my elbow. Screaming in agony and anger I immediately activate fists of havoc and slam my fists into the ground causing a arc infused shockwave launching the duo back. Whilst Issei is in midair I charge towards him and do a simple three hit combo, I jab, cross, uppercut. As he's launched higher I jump above him and slam him into the ground. Stopping dead in my tracks as I hear a squeal behind me I see Riser holding Asia at point blank placing a flame up to her neck, whilst I'm distracted Issei swipes my leg and dashes over to Riser's side, standing behind Rias and Akeno.

"Well it seems like you're in a sticky situation" says an arrogant voice.
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And that's the end of that, sorry for such the long wait guys and girls, it's the last semester of college so it's been an all hands on deck situation, mix that with work and I have little to no free time, I do promise I am trying. Anyways guys and girls I hope you enjoyed the chapter, feel free to comment on any improvements or just comment in general and as always I'll see you all in the next chapter.