"Even Koneko's out."
Rias darted through the air, dodging blasts of magic that lit up the sky. Her face was tight with pain and worry. Three of her servants—Gasper, Akeno, Koneko—had already fallen. Now, aside from herself, only Irina and Xenovia remained on the field.
It looked grim. But hope wasn't dead—not yet. If Irina and Xenovia could defeat their opponents and make it here in time…
"Tsubaki, give it everything you've got!"
"Yes, Lady Sona!"
Rias's plan was obvious, and Sona could see it too. The holy sword wielders—Irina and Xenovia—were each as strong as a [Queen]. Sona's own [Knight] and [Rook] were talented, but inevitably, they'd fall. Sona had known that from the start.
It was a race against time: would Rias hold out until reinforcements arrived, or would Sona and Tsubaki finish her first?
All pretense was gone—the battle had reached its breaking point. Sona held the line against Rias's relentless attacks, while Tsubaki struck from the flank, her magic flashing and sword slashes slicing the air. The tension in the arena soared to a fever pitch.
"Ddraig, maximum output!"
"Understood, little princess!"
Already battered by Tsubaki's strikes, Rias felt the bruises even beneath the Red Dragon Emperor's armor. She gritted her teeth, raised both hands, and summoned a sphere of crimson destruction—her signature move, fueled by Ddraig's power.
The orb grew, pulsing with raw energy. With a shout, Rias hurled it straight at Sona.
Normally, Sona would use the White Dragon Emperor's power to weaken the blast. This time, though, she stood her ground until the very last moment—then sidestepped, revealing Tsubaki waiting behind her.
"Mirror of Reminiscence!"
Tsubaki activated her Sacred Gear. A tall, shimmering mirror appeared before her, only to shatter instantly under the force of Rias's magic orb. Tsubaki screamed as she was blasted backward, but Sona caught her in midair.
Rias's eyes went wide. She'd seen this trick before—during the battle with Kokabiel.
The orb, instead of dissipating, paused—then doubled in size and rocketed back toward Rias.
BOOM!!!!!
There was nowhere to run. The magic crashed into her, the explosion rattling the entire arena. Rias hit the ground, battered and bleeding.
"It's over, Rias!"
Sona seized the moment, conjuring her own magic orb and launching it at Rias with ruthless precision.
If she took this hit, it was all over.
Rias closed her eyes, despair flooding her chest. If the King fell, the match was lost. Gasper, Akeno, Koneko… She'd let them all down.
But just as the orb was about to strike—
"Excalibur!"
"Durandal!"
Irina and Xenovia's voices rang out, slicing through the chaos. Twin beams of sword energy shot up, colliding with Sona's magic orb in a blinding explosion.
BOOM!!!!!
Rias's eyes flew open, hope surging in her chest.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rias—we're here!"
"Apologies! Asia-chan took a while healing us, but we made it in time."
Irina and Xenovia stood at her side, swords drawn, radiating strength.
"Rias-oneesama, are you alright?"
"Ugh… those wounds are terrible. I'll heal you right away."
Asia rushed over, hands glowing as she began to heal Rias's injuries.
Irina, Xenovia, Asia… Rias had been on the brink of despair, but now her friends surrounded her. Relief and gratitude overwhelmed her—she'd never felt so safe, so supported.
"Asia, save your magic—I've got this."
Rias pulled out the Phoenix Tears.
"What's that?"
"It's what that idiot Akeno left behind."
She used the Phoenix Tears. Instantly, her wounds closed. Her magic, though drained, surged back with Ddraig's boost. In moments, she was back at full strength.
Rias stood tall beside her knights. The crowd watching from outside erupted in wild cheers.
"Yare yare, what a comeback," Tenra chuckled, watching the magical projection.
With Irina and Xenovia's arrival, and Asia supporting, Rias's team now held a 3-to-2 advantage over Sona's. The tide had turned.
"Why? My [Knight] and [Rook] haven't been eliminated yet," Sona muttered, her face dark.
So close—she'd been so close.
Worse, she hadn't heard Grayfia announce the defeat of her [Knight] and [Rook]. Why were Irina and Xenovia here?
"Oh, you mean Meguri-san and Yura-san? We trapped them downstairs so you wouldn't notice," Irina said with a wink.
"They were tough opponents. Xenovia and I had to work together to beat them. But it's about time they retire—amen!"
Irina kissed her cross and snapped her fingers. The mall below shook with explosions. Grayfia's voice echoed:
"Lady Sona's [Knight] and [Rook], eliminated!"
Tsubaki paled. Sona's heart sank. Their last hope was gone.
"Sona, you and your queen bullied me pretty badly earlier," Rias said, cracking her knuckles as she stepped forward, a devilish grin on her lips. "I hope you're ready—I don't plan to go easy on you!"
She was a woman who held grudges. After all the pain she'd endured, she intended to pay it back in full.
"Lady Sona…" Tsubaki's voice was anxious. Her magic was almost spent—she couldn't hope to stand against two holy sword-wielding knights. Once she fell, Sona would be alone against three.
"Tsubaki, we've lost. But—"
"We fight to the end!"
Sona knew defeat was inevitable, but she refused to surrender. Her resolve sparked something in Tsubaki, whose fear faded, replaced by determination.
"Yes, Lady Sona!"
Rias admired Sona's spirit—but now wasn't the time for mercy. For her own sake, and for her friends, she had to win.
"Irina, Xenovia—let's finish this!"
"Understood!"
Under the gaze of the entire arena, the final battle began.
Honor, dreams, the hopes of their companions—each girl fought with everything she had. For a moment, victory and defeat seemed to fade away, eclipsed by the sheer grit and passion on display. The crowd roared, swept up in the energy.
The result was never in doubt. Tsubaki fell first, overwhelmed by Irina and Xenovia. Sona stood alone, facing Rias and her knights. She fought valiantly, but step by step, she was forced back. At last, Rias summoned another massive orb of destruction and hurled it at Sona.
The match was over.
"Now, I declare the final victor of this match—"
"Rias Gremory!"
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