Prelude of War

[Rias' POV]

The Earth, Japan - Kuoh Town, Kuoh Academy.

I'm currently taking a shower in my occult research club, class has finished; Yuuto and Koneko-chan went back home already. It is only me and Akeno here.

Coming out of the shower I dried myself and found Akeno smiling by my desk, she finished the tea. I smiled and wore my panties, bra and high school uniform before sitting down beside her; taking the tea.

It has been three months ever since I started my second year of high school... nothing seems out of the ordinary except for one thing, there is an increase in contract recurrence which is something good for us, but we haven't been able to find the apparent reason for this. We devils get paid well and it also shows my achievements to onii-sama as a member of the Gremory Family.

This aspect of a devil's life is invariable, what changes are the 'clients' that we get and the value of their souls? Things keep relatively calm in Japan but the supernatural community has unprecedented tension.

Three months ago my mother organised a party for me in Japan... several of my friends attended together with Riser much to my dismay, I was initially surprised when she said she also invited Richter-sama... but he didn't come, he had gone into isolation after the incident in the dimensional gap and as much as I wanted to see and talk to him; it didn't happen.

"...as".

I haven't been able to forget... that night. Every single bit of his body... the power that he holds, a part of me resents him for what he's doing to onii-sama even a bit of it is directed towards Layla-nee-same... but I don't know why I find myself unable to blame him, instead I'm coveting to exchange with him a mere conversation, mere words.

"Rias..."

I heard Akeno's voice by my side and she also shook my shoulder, I was within my own thoughts again, it happens often.

"Sorry, Akeno... I was a little distracted, anything new?"

"Not really... it is about time that Sona comes... remember that she said we'd talk about Hyoudo-kun?~ the sun is already falling fufu~".

"I see... the boy from the perverted trio with the Twice Critical Sacred gear... yes, it might be an interesting acquisition to the group" even as I thought about this, it felt so insignificant.

It is that gorgeous humanoid Golden Dragon who I want in my peerage, but... it is impossible, simply impossible.

"You seem..." Akeno began, giggling still and slanting a groan out of me, she's always making fun of me for this matter.

"I'm still thinking about him... I used to be able to call Layla onee-sama all the time and she'd immediately come but, lately she's always... busy".

It all started not too long ago, I called her and she told me that she wasn't going to be as available as previously, Layla-nee-sama is not only Onii-sama's Queen but she's also the head maid of the Gremory Clan. She had been placed under my disposition in case I ever needed anything, yet... lately... instead of her; other maids are coming and heeding my call.

"And you know what she's busy with, right?~"

"What bugging me is that I'm the only one that knows that secret..."

Akeno fiddled with her raven hair and I bit my lips. Yes, I know... it can't be a coincidence that since 'that' happened she's suddenly busy. She's married to Onii-sama, why does she get to chase and spend time with Richter-sama?!

I shook my head and sighed, taking another sip of my tea, fiddling with my legs, trying to calm down. Aside from here, there are other matters that I must pay attention to, my marriage with Riser which I thoroughly detest. Richter-sama told me that I'm not being 'determined' enough... in brief that is what I believe he meant.

Then later Sona told me he said by fearing my power I was limiting myself... from that moment I have been thrilled as well as terrified of my power... I have mistakenly ended animal life which I adored, I almost killed a maid once while training... since then I have been unconsciously holding back my destruction but... is that the right way?

"Why don't you just tell Sirzechs-sama?" Akeno continued along with this topic, irritating me, it doesn't help me to be thinking about him and onee-sama all the time.

"I don't know how onii-sama would take this news... moreover, R-Richter-sama made me promise that I wouldn't say anything" I blushed and looked away, recalling his eyes and shamelessness back then. I thought I'd be finished for witnessing something that I shouldn't... but that wasn't the case.

"Why would he need to? with so much power..."

"For onee-sama and Millicas' sake, it must be it".

*KNOCK*

*KNOCK*

Akeno went to the door to open it and there they were.

Sona and her Queen, Tsubaki. It is time to leave aside useless topics and focus on what's important, my peerage is currently weaker than Riser's and we also have fewer numbers, I need to recruit more powerful servants and that boy with the twice critical is my first candidate.

Sona nodded towards me and took a seat in front of Akeno and me together with Tsubaki.

"It is good to see you, Rias... Akeno".

Sona took out a board of chess and I almost laughed a little in amusement, it is always the same with her. Tsubaki prepared it for the two of us before sitting curtly beside her King. Akeno also stood up to fetch some tea for the four of us.

"You too Sona... Tsubaki. I believe we have a business?" I began playing first as the whites.

"Just as we accorded you can keep him, but also... we will enter the familiar forest twice this month, is that okay?"

"It is okay... any strays?"

"The last one was two weeks ago around Fuji Station... we took care of her swiftly, you?"

"None... have you noticed the increase in contracts?"

"Yes... we're working twice as much and also getting paid better... I thought it would be just us if you're experiencing it as well, then... something is not right..."

"Thanks, Akeno"

"It is nothing Tsubaki~"

"Khaos Brigade?" Sona suddenly said, bringing our game to a momentary standstill before I played.

"We don't have proof and they don't have a motive, there must be something else... anything related to the Shinto Faction?" I asked just to make sure, when it comes to dealing with Kyoto it is usually Sona who takes care, she is more 'diplomatic' than me.

I'm called the 'Crimson Ruin Princess' for a reason.

"Nothing in particular... the West Yokai and Onmyojis together with Lady Yasaka seem to be focused on getting rid of the troublemaking rogue fallen angels in the prefecture of Kanto, nothing out of the ordinary... Nuraryhion is still in Tokyo... the Sitri spies haven't got me any relevant information for the last two weeks... ever since the incident in the dimensional gap their numbers diminished or they went into hiding... I understand that one of their leader cadres, Kokabiel, fell into nothingness during the incident together with his legion, they had been spectating the fight and were unlucky-"

*RUMBLE!!*

The game we were playing and Sona's words came to an abrupt stop when the building began to shake, the whole school. The four of us frowned, looking through the windows to find the setting sun, in the reddish skies two silhouettes immediately made us gasp... their eyes fixed on us.

"W-What is going on?" Tsubaki asked and we all began running out of the school, there were still students here and there, our classes were finished but that didn't mean there are no civilians at school or nearby.

Why are they showing themselves in plain sight?!

We all came out of the premises to find those individuals now closer than before.

One of them was a man in fiery armour with fiery hair, his gaze smirked at us but once he regarded me I felt nothing except that disgusting expression that perverts look at me with, as for the person beside him, it was a man with long black hair.

Something began protruding from his back and it was then that the three girls and I came to a stop, walking back... frightened.

A Fallen Angel... t-twelve wings!

A Cadre!

The in front waved his hair imbued in flames and it was then that I heard a voice from my side; it was Sona and I have never heard her speak in this stuttery manner.

"A-Ares... The God of War"

She mentioned that and we all understood the severity of this situation... we had been frightened by the Cadre, but this person, he's much worse!

He's someone who managed to almost fight to a standstill with Onii-sama... foreign Gods have their entrance prohibited in Japanese Territory, why is the Shinto Faction not doing anything?!

Just when we were about to think about what to do, the man began speaking with a voice filled with power, I almost felt my body shivering from his raw aura, this is a monster.

Akeno and Tsubaki stood in front of Sona and me, but the four of us knew how hopeless this was.

"You must be the one I'm looking for, right?~ the sister of the conservative leader... that bastard that took Aphrodite from me".

I gulped and stood up straight, he can't be thinking of creating a scene here... the people around the school have already begun gasping and recording.

"Ares, what are you doing here in the middle of a group of civilians?!" I asked him with outrage.

The supernatural world is no longer a secret, after the second war and Lady Calliope's conquest; but it is also not common to make power displays like this in front of a lot of people, what he is doing is utter insanity... I wouldn't be able to create a big barrier around us in such a short time to send everyone to sleep and teleport them away.

When he heard me, the man began laughing much to our confusion, he then twisted his neck and called for the other individual whose identity we finally learned.

"Satanael..."

After a brief nod, I looked in disbelief at how the Cadre created a spear made out of lightning, just like any fallen angel we have fought, but to the hundredth power. Then, under our stupefied eyes; the Cadre swung that spear imbued in lightning towards the school... towards the innocent humans that were there... looking at everything aghast.

*BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!*

We were blown away by sheer shock and destruction, I felt my heart was going to stop.

"Rias, RIAS!" Akeno yelled to me but all I could see was dust and residual lightning... when I stood up... the occult club and a big chunk of the school were gone. I could only gasp in disbelief as tears welled up in my eyes.

"GASPER!"