It's been nine days since the encounter with Riser, things have been quiet as of late. Other than continuing school, Bryce and Izumi decided to train Asia and Mittelt to defend themselves in case they were ever gone or if they were ever alone. They didn't want a repeat of last time and knew that it was better to have the younglings prepared in case someone tried to attack them.

Luckily one of the benefits of having a huge house away from the city, also meant having a big backyard and forest to yourself. Bryce declared it as a training ground seeing as how they could always restore the damage after they were done.

Asia could heal thanks to her sacred gear but she could heal a single person, she also was a slow runner. So, they decided to help her increase her healing powers and teach her some combat. Izumi helped with the magic while Bryce focused on combat. Izumi decided to teach Asia on how to expand her range of healing by forming an energy field so she could heal those within range. So far, she can hold it for about minute.

Mittelt was a different category. While the girl knows how to form a spear and dodge that was pretty much it. They could tell that Mittelt hasn't been in many battles nor does she believe she could do a lot of stuff due to her self-esteem being low because of the years of abuse from her fellow peers.

However, her spirits were lifted when they believed that she could become strong and when Bryce decided to have her spar with him. She didn't want to let them down, more importantly she didn't want let her big brother down.

Other than the normal exercises and lifting weights, they helped Mittelt increase her magic power and help her form different constructs for her light weapons. Other than her spear, she is able to form a shield and form into a staff. They wanted her to form a type of defense barrier in case she couldn't dodge an attack in time.

Afterwards, they focused on the girls' awareness by having them run drills in different environments. Which leads us to our current situation.

"AAAAHHHH!" Two voices screeched in the air, sounding like they were running for their lives. That statement is true. Asia and Mittelt were in fact running for their lives, dodging and jumping over logs and branches as they were being chased by a giant three-headed dog.

The three headed dog had different elements coming out of its three mouths. The first mouth had breathed fire, while the second breathed ice, and the last breathed purple lightning. Currently it was shooting bolts of lightning towards the girls.

"Less screaming more dodging girls!" Izumi shouted with glee as she watched her younger siblings run through the forest. "If you can stay alive for the next 3 minutes, then you both get some sweet deserts!" She screamed as she watching them from another branch, the tree taller than all the others allowing her to observe them.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into doing this." Bryce said with a blank face. He was on his hands and knees wearing a three-headed dog costume and was standing on a magic circle. The magic circle allowed him to visualize the hound of Hades and mimic everything dogs do. Well what a hound dog would do. Beside him were the two Sitri sisters, Serafall was giggling beside him and Sona had a smirk on her face.

"She did say she had a surprise for the girls with the training." Sona said but Bryce interrupted her.

"But she didn't say I had wear a costume with three dog heads and act like an actual attack dog, in order to help train them." He said in an annoyed tone.

"Well, you do look adorable in that costume." The elder Sitri cooed as she had her hands on her cheeks wanting to nothing more than pet Bryce on the head.

"I'm not adorable…" He murmured before turning his to Sona. "I can understand her not stopping Izumi from doing this, but why didn't you?"

Sona quickly turned her head away, with a small blush on her cheeks.

"Oh no reason." She replied too quickly, not seeing the deadpanned expression on the boy's face.

"Izumi made a deal with you, didn't she?" he guessed.

"Yep, Izumi said that if I don't do anything to embarrass Sona for the entire day then we get to spend an entire day to ourselves as a family reunion." Sera stated as Sona nodded her head.

'Family reunion' Bryce wondered thinking that Sera was talking about her and Sona reuniting with their parents, excluding himself. 'Well I hope they enjoy their time then.' He then turned back to the screen of where Mittelt and Asia were panting out of air and then summoned some ice, covering the entire area in a small winter wonderland. Mittelt quickly let out her wings before grabbing Asia and flew away from the incoming ice shards.

"Speaking of family," Serafall's tone became serious. "I heard that Rias' lost her rating game against Riser."

Sona's expression became grim as she remembered the rating game from yesterday. Rias and her peerage were up against Riser Phenex in a last ditch effort to free the redhead from marriage. Her peerage started off strong but it wasn't enough, they were able to take out most of his peerage but they were unable to continue due to Riser's queen and the man himself. In the end, they were overwhelmed through the strength and power that Rias was unable to continue.

Now the wedding for the two was due tomorrow and there would be nothing to stop it from happening. Well, if you didn't have a plan.

"Yes, she did. She fought well but…" Sona trailed off as she remembered the events that led to Rias' defeat.

"I know and now the wedding is tomorrow, I'm sure Riser is pretty ecstatic for his new bride." Serafall said in a sarcastic tone. "I'm pretty sure Sirzechs has one more idea to free Rias but at the same time I don't know what it is.

"Yeah, he probably does." Sona nodded before turning her head to Bryce who kept his gaze on the screen. She knew that he was thinking the same thing as her. The favor that she had asked him and Izumi to do. Technically she only talked to Izumi and never the former, but she still knows that he doesn't like it.

She would talk to him before she and sister have to leave, but in the meantime she was going over how her conversation with him would go and find the right words to say so she doesn't set him off.

"I still feel bad for Rias, though. It isn't fair." Sona commented as she remembered the dead look in Rias' eyes when she met up with her. It hurt the Sitri heiress to see her best friend, so hollow… so dead… as if it was the end for her.

Bryce remained silent as he continued on with Mittelt and Asia's training as if he didn't care. Inwardly, he was listening to every word they were saying. He was having conflicted thoughts about the favor for Sona.

He didn't hate Rias but he didn't want anything to do with her. She was just someone he had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting. She had tried to kill him, she had kidnapped Mittelt, she even staged Izumi's death only for that to fail, she's given him plenty of reasons not to trust her. Sona said that she was only like this because of the wedding but he didn't care. Unlike Izumi, he wasn't someone who was forgive easily.

And then there were the others. Akeno, Kiba and Koneko. Akeno was a hybrid who was holding back a lot of power on purpose all because of what happened with her family. When he zapped her back at their battle, he got a glimpse of her past and saw how she became who she is now and why her lightning looked so familiar.

She was Baraquiel's daughter who was a fallen angel and her mother was a human. From what he saw in the memory she hates her father for not saving her mother Shuri. However, it made no sense to him.

'She hates him for not being there when her mother died while protecting her. That's a little ridiculous, there's something that's missing from the story here.'

He shouldn't care about this but it irked him to leave this puzzled unsolved. Moving on, there was the knight Kiba.

He immediately knew that there was something off about the guy as soon as they met. He was a ticking time bomb ready to go off, as long as you didn't mention Excalibur that is. He remembers reading about the sick project that took place around the time he was in the looney bin, a bunch of kids dying because of a madman named Valper trying to see who was able to use the legendary sword Excalibur only for it to fail. He then used poisonous gas to kill all the children, Kiba was able to escape but suffered through the poison and it was only because of Rias that he was saved.

When battled Kiba, he could see in his eyes that the blonde had hatred inside him that had been buried deep and unchecked.

Last there was Koneko or Shirone, her original name. Like Akeno she was holding back on her full power, unfortunately for Bryce he had no data on Koneko at all other than the fact that she had a sister named Kuroka who had abandoned her and went rogue after killing their master by going crazy with power after absorbing too much senjutsu. Koneko would've taken her sister's place upon execution had Sirzechs not intervened and saved her life.

'She's holding back her senjutsu, i think it's because of the trauma she went through that she's intentionally holding back. *Sigh* Rias may have found a good peerage but she has not done anything to help them move on from their past.'

'Hehehe, like I'm one to talk.'

Which was why he was debating on whether or not he should agree to Sona's favor.

'I really shouldn't get involved, it's not my concern. Favor or not…" Bryce thought as he gazed back at the screen in front of him. Suddenly a pulse went through his head and flashes of a certain memory came to his head.

He was in a small arena, staring at the dead body in front of him with a terrified expression. Next showed Izumi screaming in pain, then a woman standing above him giving a smile as she wiped the blood from his cheek.

'Where the hell did that come from?' Bryce wondered as he frowned at the sudden memory that came to him. Before he could think on it, he was brought out of his thoughts when he heard panting from behind them. As he and the Sitri siblings turned around they saw Mittelt and Asia out of breath, leaning against each other for support while Izumi stood aside them.

"Congratulations, kiddies. You have survived your final beginner course! Rejoice!" Izumi cheered as she hugged the girls to her large breasts, both blondes moaning in relief.

"Yay~"

"Great…" Asia then collapsed against Mittelt who laid on the ground face first, the former landing on her back. "So tired…"

"No more please… my legs can't take anymore…" Asia groaned.

"Now we can move to Intermediate!" Izumi pumped her fist in the air with excitement.

"WHAT!?" Asia and Mittelt shouted before moaning as laying back on the ground. Their souls leaving their bodies as Izumi freaked out and grabbed both of the souls, trying to revive them.

"I think they're exhausted." Serafall commented.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Bryce offered as he stood up. "Izumi's making Italian for the night?"

"Oh, what's this my cute little brother inviting his big sister to dinner~" Serafall teased as she gently pulled on the boy's cheeks.

"Quit pulling." He noted unaffected by Serafall's teasing.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay." Sona answered. 'Plus, I can talk to him alone about the favor I told Izumi, if she hasn't already told him.'

"Wonderful!" Sera grabbed Sona by the waist and hugged her while mushing her face against her cheek. "My two cute siblings having dinner under one roof, then we end up all together in bed sleeping and before you know it, we have a threesome~" She giggled while Sona turned bright red at her sister's implications.

"Oni-chan, stop it!" Sona tried to get out of her sisters' arms but the latter was stronger. Bryce just tilted his head in confusion at the threesome.

'Does Serafall love her sister that much to go to that level of bonding?' He asked himself before shrugging his shoulders. 'Well there is love for everyone out there.'

"Alright, then let's get you ladies clean up." Izumi announced as she picked up both blondes and started heading towards the house. "Sera-nii and Sona, if you like you can use the bath as well."

"I shall take you up on your offer, Izu-chan."

Izumi was in the bathroom as she was currently taking a bath, basking in the warm and steamy water that surrounded her body. She sighed in contempt as she wanted to relax and rest in the bathtub until she heard a splash in front of her. Curiosity peaking her thoughts, she looked up and was surprised to see Bryce in the tub with her.

"Bryce?"

"Before you ask, Mittelt is asleep and Asia is reading a bible but I told her that lights were out at 8:30 so she's got 10 more minutes." He explained to her. "Sorry for coming in unannounced."

"No, it's okay." Izumi dismissed. "I just find it odd for you to be in the bathroom with me, did you think that no one was in here?"

"No, I knew you were here." He started as Izumi narrowed her eyes at him. "I just needed to…. Relax I guess…" he said with uncertainty in his tone.

Izumi expression morphed frown as she knew that he sounded different right now, she quickly placed a fake smile.

"That's good, you haven't exactly been taking it easy and you've been helping with the girls training and training yourself non-stop so you definitely need some time off." She said before sitting upwards, gazing at Bryce with a perverted look. "Help me wash my back and I'll wash yours~~"

"…. Okay…"He said and Izumi looked taken aback at her friend. He would usually deny her intimate acts or just reprimand her for doing it but he was… here he was letting it happen…

'Something's not right.' Izumi thought before speaking to him. "Awesome! You wash me first and then I'll do you okay?" She suggested and he nodded his head.

Izumi slowly move close to him before turning around as Bryce took a washcloth hanging over the side of the tub. Drenching in water and then wringing it out of the tub, he applied some bath soap onto the cloth and applied it to Izumi's back.

The brown-haired vixen moaned at the cold contact of the liquid soap, ignoring the small jolt of pleasure that felt in her nether regions. The sounds of water dripping every few seconds was the only thing that was making noise as Bryce washed Izumi.

He was being careful around her chest and lap as he did not want to accidently touch her breasts. He knew that Izumi did not mind him touching her but he always respected her privacy and boundaries unless she was okay with it.

The said brunette decided that enough was enough and went straight to talking.

"Hey, Bryce?"

"Hm."

"Did something happen before you came in here?" Izumi asked with a concerned look on her face.

The puppeteer contemplated on if he should lie to Izumi but it was basically pointless since they knew each other like the back of their hands, more than anyone else would. So he just went to the truth.

"Sona came back." He started off. "She wanted to talk to me about the favor regarding to helping Rias with her marriage."

"Oh." Izumi said as she had forgot about that. "Well, did you guys talk about or what did you tell her…?"

Bryce was currently doing the dishes as the girls were all doing their own things. Izumi went to take a bath and knowing her she would probably be in there for awhile, Mittelt went to sleep as she was completely exhausted from the little run with Cerberus. Asia did offer to help with the dishes but he told that he was okay and gently told her to rest, earning a small pout and a reluctant nod from the nun.

He just finished putting the dishes in the dishwasher as he started the cycle and used a towel to dry his hands when he suddenly felt a presence behind him. Eyes narrowed, he grabbed a steak knife and turned around, grabbing the intruder by the chest and shoved them against the wall and pressed the knife near their throat.

He met violet eyes hiding behind bespectacled glasses and realized who he was facing. "Oh its you." He said as he let go of Sona who had an annoyed expression.

"Was that really necessary?" She asked as she fixed her shirt.

"You didn't say anything, and your footsteps sounded different from the others so I thought you were a threat." Bryce answered as he stabbed the knife onto the counter, not really caring about the dent he just made.

"Wait," Sona gave him a incredulous look. "You thought I was a threat just by the sound of my feet?"

"Vibrations. Everyone has a unique set of frequencies in their body, I've been in the house long enough to recognize everyone's set of infrasonic waves within a certain range."

"Wow that's actually impressive." Sona had an expression of acknowledgement on her face.

"Just something I learned to do in the past." He stated, avoiding to say that he really learned it from his captivity. "Anyone, what did you want? Do you need something?"

"Oh that's right, I needed to talk to you about something." Sona said as she pushed the rim of her glasses. "It's about Rias and her marriage."

"Not interested." He flat out denied.

"Wait! What are you-?" She stuttered before being interrupted.

"I'm not helping Rias with her marriage problem. She fought Riser and lost, simple as that." He said earning a glare from Sona.

"She was outnumbered and inexperienced, it was a major disadvantage." She argued.

"True, but she had about how many years until she could get out of her contract oh that's the right the moment, she got her peerage pieces." He said.

"Only because her parents have decided it for them. She couldn't get out of her contract unless either both sides disagreed with the conditions or winning a Rating Game, and we both know that the Rating Game was her only option left." Sona continued.

"And how that work out for her…" He muttered but she heard him.

"She was under stress and she hasn't been able to focus because of this."

"Really, because from where I'm standing it's the opposite of that." Bryce said as he narrowed his own eyes at Sona's. "Since we got here, she has been nothing but distrustful towards us, tortured my sister and tried to kill us right after. Not to mention, she hasn't been doing a good job of taking care of your territory." He put air quoted territory.

"What do you mean?"

"When I went to the church full of fallen angels before I killed them, I asked them when they had gotten into town, their objective and if they were alone." Bryce brought up remembering the past. "Imagine my surprise when I find out that they've been here for about a month."

'Dammit Rias, why didn't you tell me about that?' Sona wondered to herself before turning her attention back to Bryce. "What else did they tell you?"

"I'll think I'll keep that one to myself."

"I think you should tell me about it since it's my territory as well."

"Hehehe, please princess if I wanted to tell you about it, I would've already done so. It's not anything dangerous at the moment, nor is it important for you to know so I'll think I have every right to keep this information." He answered as Sona crossed her arms under her chest with a cold glare.

"Do you have to be insensitive, when did you become so selfish?"

"Hey pot, kettle calling black here. Hypocritical of you." Bryce called out, earning a glare form Sona. The talk she was having with him wasn't going well and she wondered if he was even going to bother return the favor. "Isn't it in your nature to be selfish as devils like us humans?" He asked before stopping and went into his thoughts. "Wait, jury's still out on that one because we know when it is okay to be selfish and when it is not while for you guys it's in your blood." He finished as Sona was clenching her teeth hard. She was getting nowhere with him.

"Bryce please, just help her out. I'm cashing in my favor from you guys right now." Sona ordered as the boy simply rolled his eyes.

"No. I don't what this favor is that you are cashing in nor do I care if it involves Rias. Whatever this favor is I don't have to follow it. I don't owe anything to you." Bryce then attempted to leave the kitchen but Sona grabbed his wrist. "Let go."

"So that's it? You're just gonna walk away and let her suffer, suffer the same way you and Izumi did back then, you said you were going to give her a chance but you're not even following up your end of the deal." Sona started as she let her anger get the best of her, done with this boy insulting her best friend. "I guess I shouldn't be too surprised seeing as how you're too caught up in your anger like Rias and letting that cloud your judgement."

That remark earned her a close up into Bryce's eyes and she was frozen at what she saw. Instead of normal silver eyes, she saw black sclera and white eyes staring into her soul before it changed back to normal with Bryce giving her his glare.

"Don't even think about it, Sona. You don't know me or anything about me…" He started as Sona shook her head.

"It doesn't matter, I get it." She removed his hand from her chest. "You don't trust Rias and nothing I'm saying will change your mind." She stated in a soft tone. "What would my sister say if she saw you right now? What if it was her in trouble or me? Would you deny her as well, would you be giving her the same reactions you are doing to me?"

Bryce didn't say anything as he stared at the ground and gritted his teeth.

"Get out…." He threatened as Sona sighed and turned to leave before turning her head at him.

"I won't bother you anymore." She then left leaving him by himself as he slowly let out a breath that he was holding.

"I see." Izumi noted as Bryce finished washing her. "So, what do you think?"

"I guess I sound selfish right now, don't I?" He said as he let go of Izumi as she dropped down into the water, the sea rinsing the soap off her body.

"A little… but at the same time your response is natural. After everything that happened with Rias, you are not going to let yourself be fooled or let any of us get hurt in the process if something that revolves around her." Izumi deducted as she turned around to face him.

"I know you want to give her a chance but I don't." Bryce said as his eyes slightly narrowed on his blank expression. "I'm not letting her near you or Mittelt or Asia, the same goes with her peerage."

"I'm debating on it." She said as she looked up at the ceiling. "I want to give Rias another chance but I knew that you wouldn't like it. Mittelt would also be wary around her and her peerage since she doesn't to be near anyone but us and Asia is still timid and shy but she's trying." She stated, letting out a small chuckle as she thought about the blonde nun. "I swear that girl doesn't have a bad bone in her body."

Bryce couldn't help but agree on that. Asia was literally a ball of sunshine that wouldn't turn a blind eye to those who are suffering. If anyone needed help, she would be the first to jump in. If it meant that she could make someone smile, that was good enough for her.

"She needs to be careful though…" Izumi suddenly said. "Her acts of kindness can also be taken advantage of, so we'll have to make sure that she looks underneath the underneath."

"Hai." He agreed as Izumi went back to scrubbing his back.

Bryce stayed quiet as he thought about her words. Something for him to answer on his own, what was she saying. Is the answer easy or is it hard? He couldn't tell… also why the hell is the sponge so soft and firm…

The more he thought about it, Bryce then had a deadpanned expression on his face as he realized what was touching him.

"Izumi…" he called out as she stopped moving. "Are you using your breasts to scrub my back again?" His question earned a few giggles out of the brunette.

"Yep, why does that make you feel aroused?" She teased as she gave him a seductive smirk and he gave her a flat response.

"No."

"Hahahaha, aw, foiled once again. One of these days, I will get you to feel flustered." Izumi said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and resumed her ministrations.

Bryce was alone in his room, thinking to himself as he rested on the bed with his eyes gazing up at the ceiling. He was thinking about Sona's words and Izumi's words and their emotions. Sona was getting angry at him for not helping her friend and then brought up her sister on how she would feel about it.

He inwardly growled at that. The fact that she brought up her sister to the conversation as a way to rope him in. She even said that he was acting like Rias, letting his anger blind him and cloud his judgement. If anything, that ticked him off, then she said if they were roles were different would he do the same?

The more he thought about it, the more he was slowly being consumed with anger and slowly leaking killing intent. However, he was brought out of his thoughts when he heard knocking on his door.

"Um… oni-chan." Hearing Mittelt's voice, Bryce stopped leaking his killer intent and slowly sat up from the bed.

"It's open." He said and the door opened and he saw the fallen angel. "Hey there."

"Hey." Mittelt replied with a blush on her cheeks. She had on pajamas consisting of grey top with bats flying in the center and matching pants.

"How you feeling?" He asked as she made her way over to the bed and sat down next to him.

"I um… I was just wanted to see how you were doing." She replied.

"Really?" he asked as she slowly nodded her head.

"You…" Mittelt gazed at him with a worried expression. "You were silent and you looked sad when you were coming up the steps. I saw Sona-san leaving the kitchen earlier. Did something happen?"

Bryce just gave her a gentle smile and raised his hand to rub her head.

"It's okay. Just a little disagreement between us."

"What about?" She asked.

"Nothing you to worry about imouto." He reassured her.

"Are you sure…?" She asked as he slowly nodded his head. "Okay." She relented with her head hanging.

"What's wrong, is it something I said?" He asked as the blonde quickly looked up at him and shook her head rapidly.

"N-n-no Oni-chan! You did nothing wrong!" She said waving her hands rapidly. "It's just that… I like seeing you smiling."

"Smiling?"

"You rarely smile. You would smile around me and the others but with everyone else is as if you shut yourself off. Like if you are afraid of opening up."

"Oni-chan… are you hurt?" Mittelt asked him. To anyone that would sound like a simple question but to Bryce it meant a deeper meaning.

Has he been hurt, no how long has he been hurt before all of this? The answer to that is a long time… and right now he's not even sure if he can ever stop being hurt.

Sighing, the older male just pulled the blonde into a side hug.

"I am Mittelt." He started. "I am hurt and so is Izumi but we don't show it much. It was a long time ago when we got hurt but we never really got over it…. It was really bad."

'Of course it was. It's why we are still in your head, right!?' He mentally forced those dark thoughts to go away.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked slowly but he shook his head.

"Maybe someday but… not today." He said as she nodded her head and got off the bed.

"Okay," Mittelt started before giving him a determined expression. "Then I'll just have to make you happy."

"Hmm?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"Whenever, oni-chan is feeling sad it's the imouto's job to cheer them up. So that's what I'll do." She said giving him a bright smile.

Bryce stared at her for a moment before closing his eyes and silently chuckled.

"Then I guess I shall leave it to you, Imouto. I'm counting on you." He answered and Mittelt nodded her head before wrapping arms around his midsection and hugged him.

"Goodnight Oni-chan!" Mittelt said as she left the room, now feeling happy about her conversation with her brother.

As she left, Bryce couldn't help but think back to Mittelt's expression when she was smiling. He loved seeing her smile, she was filled with joy and happiness, no longer was she filled with despair and emptiness that was causing her to feel like she didn't matter to the world.

It wasn't even her fault that she was born without parents nor for being different from other fallen. And from where she was mostly abused physically, she didn't deserve that. She was just a child, a child that wanted to be loved and acknowledged, but instead got the opposite all of that. She wasn't given a choice, it was decided for her.

Just like when Asia wanted to help someone and got excommunicated in return, when Izumi was rejected by her parents. Everyone deserved to be happy.

"Can I come in?" Bryce was once again brought out of his thought as he looked up and saw Izumi in her pjs staring at him as she walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Well, you're already in the room so it doesn't really matter does it?" Bryce said in a deadpanned tone.

"Hmhmhm, no I guess not." Izumi said as she walked over to the bed and sat next to him. "So, have you decided what you want to do?"

"Yes, I don't want to help them."

"Bryce…"

"I have good reason. What's to say that she won't turn on us even if we do help her out? She could easily be lying and faking her feelings, and once we take care of the problem she'll revert back to her original self and continue to try and manipulate us."

"No, her feelings are very real." Izumi refuted as he glared at her. "At the meeting, I could see the hate in her eyes she had for him. She really despises the man, and I can't say I blame her." Izumi frowned at she remembered the meeting with Riser.

"So how is that our problem? Also why are you so hellbent on helping her out?"

Izumi sighed as she knew that her next words were going to make her best friend angry.

"Remember when you almost killed them the first time…" she started as he nodded his head. "Well, before all that I was talking to Sona about letting Mittelt and Asia enrolling them." She saw Bryce's eyes narrow at the mention of Sona, the brunette knew right there because of the conversation they had earlier, the Sitri heiress was now on his list of people that were distrustful to him. "However, in letting Mittelt and Asia in, we would do a small favor for her in return."

"So, we were screwed from the start? Unbelievable." Bryce growled in anger. 'So that's what Sona meant by cashing in her favor… Now I got two princesses to take care of.' He thought to himself.

"Bryce, calm down."

"Calm down, Izumi why the hell are we here again? Why in hell are we here in Japan surrounded by selfish princesses and their peerages? Why should we have to help them out? All because of a damn favor!?"

"Sona asked us to give Rias a chance."

"Sona can kiss my foot for all I care. She had no right bringing up the fact I was acting like Rias. Do you believe we should help the redhead because of not wanting to be married to a jerk?"

"Well…"

"I'm willing to bet that this is probably the only bad thing that's actually happen to her. She's making it sound like it's the end of the world for her. She's throwing a fit because she can't escape her marriage from a guy who cares more about her body than her herself? And the only way she could was to beat him in a rating game since it was one of the only two options she had." Bryce stated as he glared out the window.

"One of two options?" Izumi questioned.

"A rating game or if both sides disagree. The second option is gone so her only option is the first one and she's really screwed that one up. Instead of training her peerage or finding others, she spends her time dilly dally here and doing a half of a job of watching over this territory, will only find someone if they interest her by manipulating them into her hands. That's what she wanted to do to you, remember?" He said.

"I remember very clearly." Izumi gave him a glare as she spoke in a harsh tone. "I warned her that I would do worse to her if she tried it again or did something similar to the girls or you."

"Then why do you want to help her then? Like I said Rias doesn't know anything. She had the luxury to grow up in a nice home with a family. She isn't us, She didn't have to deal with being bullied, She didn't have to deal with being abandoned, living in a psych facility or being called murderer on the spot." Bryce growled as his sclera were switching from white to black. "She is lucky, she should be more grateful for the life she has but instead she's a spoiled brat who's not use to hearing no and will do anything to get what she wants. She wants us to solve a problem for her when she can't take the initiative to do it her damn self… what kind of sense does that make and how will it benefit us? Answer is, it won't."

Izumi remained silent and calm as she listened to him rant. She could tell that he probably had more to say but he was only saying the important parts. They were all true, Rias's approach on them was not a very welcoming one and she is manipulative but she's also a child… Izumi knew that Rias and Sona were teens but they were still children because they've been sheltered from the true evils of the world.

"Despite it being a favor… I actually want to try and lessen the tension between us." She answered and Bryce eyes widened in shock.

"You actually want to give her a chance…"

"Sona keeps telling me that she isn't a bad person. The marriage has been stressing her out and causing her to make stupid decisions revolving those around her and herself, it may have softened my anger a bit." She explained as Bryce was slowly breathing trying to keep his emotions in check as he could hear the voices in his head. "I have no intentions of interacting with her until she herself tries to make amends with us, and her peerage, since they all were involved…. Well except for the little neko. Also, Rias wouldn't really lose anything."

"Wait what?" Bryce raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"I asked Sera about the terms of a political marriage when she was here, she said that Riser was being married to her, meaning that he would have no control over her or her peerage." She explained. "Rias is an heiress to her family while Riser is not to his, he's the youngest brother of four and the older brother to Ravel. His oldest brother Ruval is the heir of the Phenex clan. So even if they both did get married, Riser would have no control over Rias and her peerage."

"So the redhead didn't even read the full contract?" Bryce asked as Izumi nodded her head and sighed.

"Exactly. Though, I doubt she would still marry him even if she knew that. Izumi deducted.

"Nope. That's it, I'm done, I'm not helping her." Bryce finalized as he turned to leave.

"Bryce please…" Izumi stopped him and pulled him on the bed before straddling him leaning herself over him.

"Get off me."

"Nope, not until you listen to me. I know you don't want to help her and don't trust her and neither do I but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. I want to see if she really is different person than who she was before." Izumi pressed a finger to his lips as he was about to interrupt her. "That being said, we don't have to interact with her. Once this is over, we can just go back to our lives and let everything go on from there. You don't have to talk to her but you do need to cooperate if there is a problem that involves all of us and that will be the only time you have to engage with them."

Bryce remained quiet as he seemed to be thinking about on what he should do.

"Do it for me." Izumi said in a soft tone as she moved a hand to his cheek. "You don't have to trust them but you can trust me. I told Sona that I was willing to give Rias a chance so she'll be judged and evaluated by me, that goes for Sona and the other members as well. If anything happens to the girls or us because of them it is on me, I will take full responsibility for it okay?

Bryce let out a small sigh as he stared into Izumi's emerald eyes.

"Fine…." He answered before giving her a small glare. "But… if they step out of line or make one false move that revolves around hurting you or the girls then I will give them their own personal hell." He said as his right eye glowed black before reverting to normal. "Other than that, I will follow whatever you decide."

"That's all I ask for." Izumi said as she gave him a soft smile.

"So what is your plan then?" He asked her.

"First we need to call up Sera." She started as he gave her a blank look, but she ignored at gave him a small glare. "Just do it."

Standing up, she walked over to his drawers and pulled out item staring intensely at it before setting it on top and pulled out a phone and quickly called a number.

*Ring* Ring*

"Sera-nii!"

"Bryce-chan!" Serafall answered in surprised tone. "I didn't think you would call me this late, is something wrong?"

"No, I have a question to ask you." He turned to Izumi as she nodded her head at him.

"Sure what is it?"

It was the day of wedding as many nobles were gathered for the marriage between the Gremory heiress and Phenex heir, everyone enjoying the party.

Rias however, was far from it. She had a frown on her face as she stared at the mirror gazing over her dress that was very similar to a wedding dress. Thinking about her last night before her fate is sealed.

"Rias… I'm sorry that things turned out like this…" Akeno apologized with a frown as she stood beside her king. She was wearing a black kimono with a white obi sash.

"No…" Rias gently shook her head as she turned her queen. "I brought this on myself. You, Kiba, and Koneko, you all did eveyrhting you could to help me be free and got hurt because of it. Even after all the training we did, it still wasn't enough. I should've been a better king. If I was, then all of you wouldn't have to follow me down this path of unfortunate."

"Rias…" Akeno called out to her king, feeling incredibly sad at how the redhead was feeling. Grayfia also felt bad and wanted to be more of help but could not since she was only a maid of the family, not being able to do anything more.

Outside the room, Kiba and Koneko were silent as they heard the king and now, they couldn't do anything about it.

Far down the hall, watching the two was Izumi who only smiled as she was simply waiting for her other half to come. She was dressed in a dark blue maxi dress with black heels. As she left the peerage, she made her way to the hall and looked around trying to find a certain person and a moment later she found her target.

Making her way over she greeted a certain Sitri member.

'Now to play my part.' Izumi said to herself before coming up to the Sitri heiress. "Hey there, Sona-chan."

"Izumi-san…." Sona replied, a bit surprise at the arrival of the brunette. "I didn't think you would come."

"Really?" Izumi questioned before placing her fists on her cheeks and pouted at Sona. "It sounds like you weren't expecting me too."

"Well, considering your um… predicament with Rias and with your partner…" Sona worded as Izumi then giggled in reply.

"Oh, don't worry about that." Izumi waved off as she put her hands behind her back. "It's something we have to work out eventually so why start a fight?"

"Are you okay, Izumi?" Sona asked as the brunette gave her a confused look.

"Yes, is there something on my face?" Izumi asked with a head tilt.

"No, it's nothing." Sona shook her head as the brunette nodded her head and stared at the altar where Riser was who had an arrogant expression on his face.

'Oh such arrogance…. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I eat his flesh…' Izumi thought hungrily as she licked her lips, but sighed as she realized that she wouldn't be able to. "Drats, I forgot I can't do that. Well there is always next time."

Sona who was watching noticed her behavior and was wondering why she was like that. She met the girl as a calm and peaceful girl that cared about her sisters, so why was she acting funny and playful all of a sudden?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard people start murmur and turned their attention to the carpet floor where they saw Rias slowly walking to the front with a straight face but Sona could tell that she was keeping it up for appearance and knew that she was hurt inside.

However, she and everyone else were unaware of what was about to happen next.

As the wedding was ongoing, Bryce was standing outside the doors that led to the hall. He was staring at it for a few moments complementing on what to do as they heard Riser's speech on the other side.

"Wow, he really is an arrogant groom." He said with an annoyed tone. He was wearing a costume consisting of a black spandex suit with black gloves and black boots with white stripes around his wrists and ankles. He had a bunch of tears all over his suit, the way they were cut though was similar to cutting up a stuffed animal as if it was falling apart. And he was holding a mask in his right hand. All of this hidden by his cloak covering everything but his face.

He then wondered what kind of an entrance he should make, but then he heard the minister that was reaching to the end of his speech.

"If there's anyone who like to say a few words as to why these two younglings should not marry, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Bryce eyes glowed black with white pupils before pulling his right foot back and said one word.

"Boom."

Before the minister could marry Riser and Rias, an explosion occurred at the entrance where the doors were blown off the hinges and onto the ground with dust clouds appearing.

As everyone freaked out, Izumi only smiled as she knew who it was that crash the wedding.

"Who goes there!?" Riser spoke with fury that his wedding was interrupted. His reply was met with the sounds of footsteps as a figure emerged from the dust clouds.

Leaving them, was a person in a black cloak with a hoodie making his way to the front as people silently murmured at the newcomer.

Now in front of the cloud, Bryce looked up and stared up scaring both Riser and Rias as the facemask. It was blank and had a half expression on his face. The left side was smiling and the right side was frowning and had two red lines running down from the eyes to the end of the mask.

"Hello there." He spoke in a monotone.

"Who are you peasant? How dare you enter our realm?" Riser said glaring at him.

"Relax, child. I'm simply here as I was handed this invitation." Bryce said as he pulled out an envelope with a Gremory seal on it. "Sorry about the mess but I just couldn't help myself."

"Well even if you are here as a guest, could you please step aside as I marry my bride?" Riser ordered him.

"Hehehehehe." Bryce chuckled but it was not a normal chuckle, the way he laughed it sounded like a devil that was revive from the depths of hell. "Now that would be rude because your future bride is unattainable."

"What!?" Riser shouted, not believing that someone had just insulted him.

"Because I came here for a different reason. I didn't come here to watch the wedding between two high-class devils, I came here to dissolve it." He said earning gasps from the room. His words attracted trouble as devil guards came all around him and held spears towards his body. "Is there a problem?"

"You dare ruin the wedding between me and my bride?" Riser roared as Bryce shook his head.

"More like arranged wedding." He said as he pointed a hand towards Rias. "I can read her emotions loud and clear. I think everyone in the room can, she doesn't want to marry you." He then pointed to Riser. "And you clearly don't know what the word rejection is so I guess you're just about as dumb as a headless chicken."

"If I may…" Sirzechs interrupted them. "Would you be so kind to remove your mask, we wish to know who is the mysterious entrepreneur that wishes to disrupt this engagement."

"Of course." Bryce said as slowly lifted his hand up to his mask, grasping the edge and then slowly removed it. As everyone watched him, a few faces had their eyes widened in shock and one brunette with a smile on her face. Kiba, Koneko, Akeno and Sona were speechless as they saw Bryce's face as he stared at the Maou.

Rias was staring in awe at the person before her. The boy that wanted nothing to do with her, the same boy that had given her the harsh truth about herself had come to save her.

'Did he… did he come here to save me…" Rias thought to herself before shaking her head negatively. She remembered that the boy made it clear that he didn't want anything to do with her, so Sona must've asked him for help. She turned to look at Sona but the Sitri also had her eyes widened in shock. Which meant…. 'He came here…. Of his own free will.'

'He told me straight that he wouldn't come here, he made it very clear that he wanted nothing to do with Rias... unless….' Sona quickly turned her head to Izumi who simply winked at her before gazing back up front.

"You maggot!" Riser recognized him with fury his flames slowly igniting.

"Hi." Bryce just gave him a mocking wave before pointing towards the back. "And right behind me is my plus one."

Izumi giggled as she made her way out of the crowd and into the opening.

"Hello~" She greeted with a cheerful grin.

"You!" Riser said again as he remembered the brunette from his last encounter. "Why are you here?"

"We came to stop the wedding." He said and pointed to Izumi. "Well I did, she came here because of the excellent food and whatever."

"Aww, that's mean you know." Izumi pouted.

"You didn't deny it. Plus you always wanted to go to a fancy gathering and wanted to judge their food." Bryce replied in the same tone. His words earned him getting his cheeks pulled by Izumi.

"Not funny."

"I will kill you." He said in a normal tone as people around them sweat drop at the site.

"Enough!" Riser interrupted as his wings materialized with intense heat, the two teens stopping what they were doing. "I find it unacceptable that you two peasants came here to interrupt the marriage that I have earned, and for that your actions shall be punished!"

"Now calm down, Riser." Sirzechs interrupted once again before facing Bryce. "There is a better way to settle this. You wish to dissolve the marriage of my sister and Riser, therefore a duel shall take place."

"I smell a challenge." Izumi said with eagerness.

"It's not really a challenge when we're facing an arrogant Phenex with no actual battle experience." Bryce stated as he shook his head. "Such a shame."

"You dare mock me, boy?" Riser said with disgust in his tone, not taking the insult lightly.

"Well, it would be fun if I was fighting all of you but since its just the king it's not a fair fight." Bryce joked as he simply shrugged his shoulders, his comments angering Riser every second.

"You wish to fight him and his peerage?" Sirzechs asked, his voice filled with curiousness while the people around them looked at Bryce like he was crazy…. Which he was.

"Well, it would be more entertaining. And don't all devils like flashy events or something like that?" The puppeteer voiced, earning a small chuckle from the Maou.

"Hmhmhm, you're a curious one." Sirzechs stated as Bryce shook his head negatively.

"She's the curious one, I'm just mentally unstable." He explained, everyone around him didn't know whether to take it a joke or seriously.

"Well Riser, do you accept these terms?"

"Tch, I will not require my peerage to defeat a lowlife like you. I will end this battle and incinerate you within an instant." Riser stated.

*Sigh* And here I thought you were a man Riser, a very prideful one at that. A Phenex that backs down from no challenge but you are simply not, if anything you are a dog." Bryce said with a shrug in his shoulders as if he found it boring.

Rias looked at him like he was crazy, is he trying to rile Riser up and add fuel to the fire?

"What did you call me?"

"*Giggle* you heard him, dog. You're all bark and no bite Mr. Yakitori. I mean most nobles back in our world would relish the chance of beating lowly peasants and watch them suffer the sting of defeat in humiliation but you say you don't need your peerage to beat us. And you think you can take us on by yourself. *Giggle* I find that funny." Izumi commented with a playful expression.

"You were almost taken out by Rias who despite the lack of peerage members she was still able to bring you to just you and your queen on the battlefield and it was her first Rating Game. You're confident enough to think that you beat a human like me but you have no idea what I can do, it's only because of arrogance like that that will lead you to your downfall." Bryce stated.

"If you are so eager to die then I shall will give you your request. I will have my entire peerage facing against you two, and when I win, I will take her from you and burn you into nothing but ashes!" Riser declared, earning wide eyes from everyone but Sirzechs who remained calm and was curious to see how this would all play out.

"May I ask for your names?"

"Bryce Hayate." The puppeteer went first and then the brunette.

"Izumi Hyoudou."

"The battle between Riser Phenex vs Bryce Hayate will commence underway. If Riser wins, he will claim Rias and her peerage along with Izumi Hyoudou and if Bryce wins then the wedding is canceled and he will have one wish granted." Sirzechs announced as a teleport circle appeared underneath all three of them.

Suddenly, Bryce, Izumi and Riser were transported to another place in time. As soon as they were gone, Rias was approached by her peerage and Sona.

"Rias, are you okay?" Akeno called out to her.

"I'm fine… but…" the redhead thought for a second before speaking. "I didn't think that he would be fighting for me." She said in disbelief.

"Yes, it's quite shocking…." Sona added as well.

"…do you think he can do it?" Koneko spoke the question that they had on their minds.

"…I do…" Rias admitted. "Both of them are strong, from Koneko's observation of Izumi and our battle with Bryce they won't be taken down lightly. If anyone can beat Riser it's them."

"But to fight the entire peerage, don't you think that's a little too much to gamble?" Kiba asked.

"Hmhmhm, I think we should have some faith in them. Otherwise they wouldn't have so casually mocked Riser." Akeno said as the sitri beside her nodded her head in agreement.

"Only one way to find out…" Sona said as they all watched the screen above them, ready for the battle to come.

As they were transported, Bryce and Izumi found themselves on one side of the battlefield and noticed their surroundings. There were in an abandoned city with broken windows, fallen debris and overturned cars.

"Looks like we're here."

"Good." Izumi sighed in relief as she looked down at her dress. "I'm not used to wearing heels." She said as she took them off and in an instant, she was in a different attire. She was wearing a black blouse with a white mini skirt, black knee length socks and white sneakers, with fingerless gloves. "Much better."

"So, when do we start?" Bryce asked as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Beats me." Looking down she saw Riser in battle clothes and his peerage members all around him sitting in different spots or they were standing. "But I guess it's whenever they start attacking or when he announces it."

"Let the battle begin!" Sirzechs announced immediately.

"Why does the universe do that to me?" Izumi said with a deadpanned expression.

"You just make it more fun." He said as he turned to her. "Should we go all out or no?"

"Nah, these people won't be worth it. Don't get me wrong I don't usually get cocky but with the power we're feeling right now, these guys are just toys as Aunt Tia would say." Izumi stated as Bryce nodded his head. "Plus, I want to keep our identities a secret just a little longer. They'll find out about us in due time."

"Very well."

"Split up." Izumi suddenly said as her best friend turned to her.

"Wanna take half?" Bryce asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well…." Izumi said as a chin was propped in her right hand before she shrugged her shoulders. "…eh why not?"

Suddenly they both felt an intense amount of heat, looking up they saw a fireball coming their way causing them to jump and dodge. As they were separated, they found themselves in different locations with half of peerage members surrounding them consisting of 1 bishop, 1 knight, 1 rook and 4 pawns each. Riser and Yubelluna were floating above wanting to see their members demolish their opponents from above.

Bryce came face to face with Marion, Burent, Ile, Nel, Ravel, Siris, and Isabella, while Izumi had Mira, Shuriya, Ni, Li, Xuelan, Karlamine and Mihae.

As the puppeteer was wondering which girl, he should go for first, both twins ran at him first.

"Hey Ile, he's all dark looking and shadowy. I don't like it." Ile said as she stared at Bryce.

"Me neither Nel, let's go ahead and dissemble him." Ile shouted as she revved up her chainsaw, her twin doing the same thing.

"Yeah, cutting time!" Nel exclaimed as their chainsaws were roaring and they were engulfed in flames. As soon as they rushed, they attempted to hit Bryce only for the boy to jump back and dodge their attacks. One would cut after the other but they kept missing his body as he dodged by sidestepping and back two feet away.

"Hey! Stop dodging!"

"Let us cut you into pieces! Hold Still!" Nel added as Bryce did exactly that. He stopped moving as both of them became confused before they decided to attack together and jump in the air, doing a downwards slash to hit him.

But instead of hitting him, Bryce delivered a powerful kick to both bellies of the chainsaws and knocked their weapons out of their hands. They were caught in surprise before both of them were caught by Bryce who delivered a quick neck chop, knocking them out before he set them both down on the ground.

"That's two down."

"Oooh, someone's confident." Marion stated as she started running towards him, Burnet was above him coming down for a kick on his head.

"Let's change that." Burnet added. However, Bryce grabbed both of their feet shocking them and before they could do anything, he quickly pulled them forward and delivered neck chops once again before setting them down.

"Four."

"You better not go easy on us…" Isabela stated as she took a stance. "We're stronger than we look."

"Relax, I only knocked them out because they were overconfident. You two however, don't underestimate your opponents and want to see how strong they are. Am I right?" Bryce guessed as Isabela and Siris nodded their heads.

"Why didn't you count me?" Ravel asked wondering why he left her out.

"You don't seem much of a fighter." He answered bluntly.

"Hey!"

"Sorry." Bryce said before suddenly right beside her. "But, I'm gonna have to ask you to be right with your brother." He said as he patted her on the back and suddenly, she vanished from site causing to other two to look at him in alarm.

"What did you do to her!?" Siris asked. Bryce didn't say anything as he simply pointed his finger straight causing them to look behind them and their eyes widened as they saw Ravel flying right next to her brother.

"W-What!?" the blonde shouted in surprise.

"He teleported her?"

"How he did he do that, there was no signs of him using any magic?" Akeno asked.

"Why did he send her back though, to not fight her?" Kiba asked.

"….He should've taken her out." Koneko stated.

"No, that's not it." Rias said earning their attention. "He wouldn't have sent her up there unless he did it for a reason and it wasn't because he didn't want to fight her, it's something else."

"You're sure of this?" Her queen asked.

"If there's anything I learn from those two, is to expect the unexpected." The redhead summarized as she turned her attention back to the battle before her, averting her eyes over to Izumi who seemed like she was humming.

The said brunette was indeed humming as she simply dodged or parried physical attacks from Xuelan and Karlamine. She had already dealt with the other 5 members by simply moving fast and sending a punch to their solar plexus knocking them out quickly as for the cat twins she simply bash their heads together which knocked them out cold.

As she jumped away from them, with her hands tied behind her back, she noticed that both girls were very fatigued and she tilted her head at them.

"You girls tired? I was hoping we could play a little longer."

"Play?" Xuelan growled in annoyance at the brunette. "You haven't been doing anything but dodging and taking us out in one shot." Xuelan

"You're fighting like a coward, simply waiting for us to tire out and then attack." Karlamine said as she regained her breathing.

"Oh, am I really? Or are you Chun-Li over here just too slow?" Izumi mocked playfully. "Because true fighters wait for an opening to attack or was that lesson not engraved into your brains by your egotistical and sorry excuse for a king, Yakitori?" Izumi said as she blew a raspberry at him.

"Why you little…" Xuelan quickly lit her fists and feet on fire before rushing towards the brunette. Karlamine enchanted her blade to be engulf in flames and wind magic before she rushed forward as well.

Xuelan delivered a bunch of jabs, then followed up with kicks to Izumi who continued to parry the attacks, the fire not even burning her hands. Izumi then followed up with her jabs and kicks, boxer style, causing Xuelan to get back and try to parry them. However, every attack seemed to be getting faster every Izumi struck causing her to lose her track of the attacks giving the brunette and opening, Izumi punched Xuelan in the gut staggering her and spitting out a glob of blood from her mouth. Before she could regain her stance, Izumi delivered a right hook to Xuelan's cheek and sent her flying over to a car and crashed against it before falling down to the ground.

"Xuelan." Karlamine gritted her teeth before going after Izumi. She slashed upwards, downwards and then tried stabbing her but the brunette blocked the first two and dodged the thrust attacks. With a battle cry, Karlamine jumped back and swung her sword forward sending off a blast of fire and wind at Izumi, who smiled at the size of the fireball. Izumi emitted a blue energy blast from right palm and then shot it forward firing it against the magic attack. As soon as her energy ball touch the fire it was simply absorbed into the ball causing Karlamine's eyes to go wide in shock.

"It was absorbed!?" She called out before feeling a punch to her chin. Izumi gave her an uppercut with her right hand before opening her left hand and the energy ball flew towards her hand like a missile. Once it settled on top of her palm, she fired it at the knight and on impact caused a huge explosion, sending the girl flying over the Xuelan and onto the ground skidding a few feet before stopping.

"*Sigh* well that sucked." Izumi sighed as she stretched her arms over her head. "I wanted a real challenge, but this turned out to be boring. I wish auntie and uncle were here." She complained before simply going over to her partner who should be finished up with his fight by now.

And she was right. As she came over, she saw Siris knocked out by a tree and Isabella panting as Bryce held one arm against her.

"You're strong." Bryce said as he looked down at the rook.

"Hmhm, so are you. I've never met someone that as strong as Riser…." Isabela could feel her conscious starting to fade away. "I would like… to fight you again…. Someday…."

"I look forward to another match." He said nodding his head at her, the latter gave him a small smile before succumbing to her injuries and was gently set down on the ground. "When this is over, we're healing them. It's the least we can do for them."

"Of course." Izumi nodded her head before turning her head up to Riser, Ravel and Yubelluna. She let out a smile as she smashed her fist into right palm. "I get the queen."

"King and Bishop for me then." He said as he moved his left hand behind his back, his fingers moving weirdly like he was trying to signal for something. Izumi got it as she held out her right and closed it into a fist like she had caught something before putting it in her pocket.

Riser was gritting his teeth in anger. These two teenagers, no worms had dare come into their world and ruin the wedding that he so rightfully deserves. They taunt him, mock him and they beaten his peerage as if they were nothing and now, they were looking at him with bored expressions that pissed him off.

Ravel saw her brother's face and quickly move away knowing that he was about to explode as did Yubelluna.

"RRRRRRAAAAA!" Riser roared into the skies as his flames grew brighter and burned with such intense heat. "I will not let a peasant like you do this! I will not—ugh!" Before he could finish, Bryce had disappeared and elbowed him in the gut.

"We're going somewhere else." He said cryptically as a portal opened behind them and they went through.

"Riser-sama!" Yubelluna and Ravel shouted in unison as Izumi suddenly appeared in front of the former.

"Now its just us!" She said before aiming a swift kick towards Yubelluna who had barely dodged in the nick of time. Izumi sent two more kicks to her, the latter dodging before she sent a bomb blast towards the brunette. The bomb was barely medium sized as Izumi knocked it away before punching the Queen in the face and sent her hurling towards the ground, crashing on impact and making a crater.

"Bull's eye!" Izumi shouted as she rushed down towards the purple-haired woman.

Grunting, Yubelluna looked up before gasping and quickly moving away from the crater as Izumi foot stomped in the same spot missing her target. Yubelluna quickly created three balls of purple energy and fired them all at once. Izumi dodged by jumping away and landing behind a tree, but soon looked up and smirked.

"Now we're getting somewhere." She said as she saw a barrage of orb bombs heading her way. Izumi took off running and jumping from tree to tree as each bomb had hit its target missing her by every few meters before the last one came and caused a huge explosion. Izumi rolled on the ground before skidding on her feet to stop herself and then saw a giant orb coming down on her from above.

Yubelluna panted as she was in the air watching her bomb rained down on Izumi, she needed a recharge and she needed it now. She was surprised when she saw Izumi's fist become covered in a green aura as she punched straight up into the air, a blast of air firing into the bomb dispersing it immediately catching her by surprise.

'This is not good. It's time I use the Phenex tears before she-what?!" Yubelluna was thinking calmly until she reached into her pocket and felt the inside was empty, where the Phenex tears was suppose to be stored at. 'Where is- where's are the tears?'

"Looking for this." Yubelluna looked down and saw Izumi tossing something in her right hand, her eyes widening as she saw the vial of tears in her opponent's hand.

"What!?" Several people exclaimed as they saw Izumi with the vial.

"She has Phenex tears, how?" Kiba asked as Koneko remained silent as she watched in awe.

"She swiped it off of Yubelluna but when did she get it?" Akeno wondered, trying to figure out how Izumi took the tears.

"I don't know. The whole time Izumi's been fighting she hasn't made a single move for grabbing." Rias answered while Sona was thinking to herself.

'She didn't but I think I know who did…' Sona thought as she remembered seeing Bryce do something with his fingers, it almost looked like he was playing the piano in thin air but she knew that he was doing something else entirely.

Speaking of which, Bryce and Riser were now in an abanoded battlefield as the boy threw the arrogant heir down to the ground who crashed with a hard thud while he landed on his feet.

"Alright, Riser. Let's settle this once and for all." He said as dome of flames lit up in front of him as Riser emerged from the spiral vortex with rage in his eyes.

"I'll reduce you to ashes!" He roared as he created two fireballs in his hands and threw them at Bryce. The said boy raised an eyebrow before raising both of his hands and caught the fireballs before smashing them together emitting a small explosion. As the dust clouds clear, there was no damage done to him or his hands with nothing but smoke rising.

Riser was shocked at this before grunting and decided on a new plan of attack. Forming a giant fireball, he flung at it Bryce as the ball got larger and larger while getting close to him. The puppeteer's eyes widened as his hand made a claw and he swung his arm sideways and suddenly the flames were dispersed in a single slash, passing by him.

Back in the hall, everyone was shocked at seeing the Phenex flames become ineffective against a human. A human who entered the devil world with no problem and is holding his own against someone who could be seen as an immortal.

"Is that it?" Bryce taunted angering the heir as he suddenly rushed to meet with the Phenex head on. Riser not being prepared, quickly flew upwards barely dodging a swift axe kick and grinned, since he couldn't fly the Phenex heir knew he had the advantage in the air.

"Ha ha ha! Too bad you can't fly like us devils, human!" Riser taunted back as he raised a hand to form multiple fireballs and aimed them at Bryce. Before it could reach him, they were all sliced out of thin air like the giant fireball. "What!? How is that possible!?"

"Simple. You're arrogant, prideful and you rely on your power too much especially your immortality." Bryce said, rolling his eyes at the word immortality.

Riser laughed at this. "My immortality what makes you different from me. It is only a power that runs in my family, and it is because of this power that you cannot beat me."

Laughing was heard once again but this time it didn't come from Riser. He stopped laughing and looked at Bryce who was laughing darkly and his head was tilted.

"There you go again… acting like your invincible and nothing could touch you… It's that kind of thinking that makes you nobles arrogant." Bryce looked up with blank eyes. "Let's change that."

Riser then yelled in pain as his chest started burning, which he found impossible that his own flames were hurting him. Looking down he saw lines that were entered inside his body and trailing from his to Bryce, and before he could say anything something was tugged out of his chest.

"AAAHHH!"

Riser looked and saw Bryce holding an orb that was white with flames circling around it.

"Huh, and here I thought be a little bit bigger." He commented as he opened his right hand before suddenly crushing the orb. "And there we go."

"Hmph, was that it? A tiny ball was all you could gather from me, you really are weak boy." Riser mocked with arrogance.

"Riser, what would you lose first, your leg or your arm?" Bryce questioned him. Before Riser could answer he suddenly heard a slashing sound and saw his right arm flying in the air, descending to the ground. "Arm it is."

"Heh, you really are fool boy." Riser smirked thinking that the human still didn't understand that he couldn't be beaten, he was waiting for his arm to regenerate except…. he felt nothing but pain in his right arm. "AAHH! What's happening!? Why can't I heal!? Why can't I feel my magic?"

"Remember what I just said…." Riser saw a pair of feet meaning that Bryce was now standing in front of him. However, when he looked up he flinched as he saw his eyes covered by his hood. "….I would change that mind set of yours, your arrogance, your ego and your pride… it's going to be taken away from you…"

"What did you do to me, you worm!?" Riser roared.

"Is it not obvious…. I completely removed that family trait of yours… the thing that makes you a Phenex…." Bryce then opened his eyes instead of his normal brown eyes, they were black sclera and white eyes. "I took away your immortality."

All guests were frozen at his words…. This human in front of them used magic and not only stop Riser's regeneration, he completely removed his family trait keeping him from healing his wounds.

"No way… he can… he can do that." Kiba stuttered at the display.

"I heard of seals and spells that can block off regeneration but..." Sona thought as she looked straightly at Bryce and couldn't help but lightly shutter at his eyes, how soulless and empty they looked. "…there's no spell known out there that could take away someone's magic."

Rias was silent as she stared at Bryce and Izumi, these two humans weren't just people with magic. She completely underestimated them, it made her wonder to her first fight. Could he have really taken away her own magic, had she pushed too far? Could Izumi do the same?

'If anything, I'm lucky I just got bruised in that fight.' Rias thought to herself. 'Still, its amazing how strong they are…' She then looked down at her own gloved hands. "Can I be that strong too…?"

Izumi was chuckling as she tossed the vial in her hands before catching it and destroy it in her hands completely.

"Now that that's out of the way, what should I do with you?" She questioned as she stared at Yubelluna and then Ravel, and frowned. She vanished from the air and suddenly grabbed the blonde and carried her bridal style. "Sorry, little one but I can't have you here for this part." The brunette then flicked Ravel on the forehead and was put to sleep before being transported away. "Now, let's get to the fighting."

Izumi raised her hand into the air and suddenly the world around them was shaking. Yubelluna looked around but didn't see anything coming for her until she looked up and her eyes widened in shock. Coming from above was a giant meteor accompanied by multiple small meteors hurling towards them.

"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit." Izumi said in a gentle tone before tilting her head and her pupils turned black with white eyes. "This is going to hurt a lot!"

"You cannot do this, return my powers now!" Riser roared in anger before getting kicked in the chest.

"You are no position to demand anything." Bryce said in an emotionless tone. "I control your fate now."

"My fate, you don't understand what you are doing you worm!" Riser insulted him as he stood up clutching his bleeding arm. "This marriage is an impact for us Devils. All the Pureblood Devils are dying out and that will not be accepted! You are ruining this factions' future!"

"Future… you ruined your own future." Bryce started as he was now in front of the downed Phenex. He made a motion with his hand causing the blonde to grunt as he felt his body in pain.

"What are you-?"

"I'm controlling your body." Bryce revealed as there were white threads trailing from his hands down to Riser. "I planted these threads on you right before we came here. I can control these threads like a puppeteer and make you do anything, but that's just a hint of my power. I can use these to bind, slice and control anything or anyone and I think I will use it to shred you from the inside out."

"You can't do that!"

"Oh, I think I can. You can think of it as payment for what you said the other day. In your words, you said once you were done with Rias, you would deal with me and take my best friend or as you called her a whore." Bryce stated, his voice dripping with venom. "and then after that you would move onto my sisters who are only a year younger than me and have them inclined to serve you… to think you would do that to my own sisters…. Is pathetic…"

He DESERVES DEATH!

'Death, huh?" Bryce wondered before shaking his head. 'No I have something better.'

"Do you fear death, Riser?" Bryce started as a black aura slowly surrounded his form. "Because I think that would be fitting for someone like you. Someone who only relied on his talents became an egotistical brat thinking he get anything he ever wanted…." As he was speaking, he was slowly formed his hand into a fist which was making Riser screamed in pain as he felt his insides being all twisted. "….too bad, such a shame."

"Let me go, you filthy—AAAHHHH!"

"I'm sorry, what was that-?" Hearing a different voice, Riser looked up and his eyes widened as he saw something that made his fear for his life. He saw an image of a dark shadow with a white mask smiling like a ghost and strings all over its fingers, and Bryce was smiling just like it…. But it was terrifying. "I didn't hear you clearly…."

"Y-you…. What are you….! You can't be…. Human!" Riser was stuttered in fear as he stared at the phantom before him, that was giving off this aura of death and without his regeneration, he felt like he was going to die.

"Do YoU FeAr DeAtH!?" He said once again and this time he smiled as the aura increased tenfold sending off powerful shockwaves. "BeCaUsE ThIs Is YoUr FiNaL BoW!" He then raised his hand as the entity behind him raised its hand as well before following its masters' movements and swung its claw down at Riser, performing a giant explosion.

As the dust settled and dispersed, it revealed Bryce eyes covered by his hood and his arm still hovering over Riser. The said blonde wasn't dead however, he was actually whimpering as Bryce's hand was embedded in the ground beside him, inches away from his hair.

Bryce then removed his hand and he stood up, staring at Riser with a blank expression before grabbing him by the shoulder.

"We're done." He announced and he was suddenly teleported from the battlefield.

Bryce was back outside the mansion as he looked around and saw the ORC along with Sona, Sirzechs and Grayfia looking at him in stunned silence.

"Wonder what's got them quiet?"

"You did, dum-dum." He turned over and saw Izumi with her hands on her hips, a playful smile on her face. "Everyone here thought you were going to kill playboy over there."

"No, that would be unnecessary. Besides, I think I scared him enough." He said before turning to Sirzechs. "Sorry for the horror show sir but it was necessary to someone like him. He threatened my sisters."

"Hmhmhm, that is quite alright young man. I can understand your intentions considering what we have just watched and heard." The redhead Maou spoke in a calm tone. "It was very entertaining and intriguing to watch. Therefore, as the winner of the match the wedding between Rias and Riser is officially off."

Rias felt a huge weight of her chest as her eyes started to water and labored breathing trying not to cry, she was free. She was finally free from her arranged marriage.

"And as the winner you are granted one wish."

Bryce nodded his head. "I don't have any to think of at a particular moment, is it okay if I save my wish for a later date?" He asked as Sirzechs nodded his head.

"Very well."

"Bryce-sama, Izumi-sama, you should leave before anyone sees all of you talking so casually." Grayfia suggested.

"Of course, until then let's we meet again under better circumstances." Bryce said as the both Grayfia and Sirzechs nodded their heads in agreement. The boy then turned around to the ORC and Rias. "Ready to go home?" He asked, Rias who gently nodded her head in agreement.

They were back in the human world as they saw it was nighttime and they were in front of the academy.

"Looks like we're back home." Izumi announced as she stretched out her arms. "Mmm, I need a bath."

"Well I guess, this is where we part ways…. And …" Rias was trying to find the right words to say to Bryce but was stopped as he held his hand out in front of her.

"Before you start, I need to say something…. to all of you…" He said catching their attention.

"Both of us, actually." Izumi added as she walked over to him.

"I just have a few words so I'm going to make it short. I don't trust you and the only reason I did this was because Izumi asked me to." He said earning shocked looks from them and then gave them a hard glare. "You all have earned my wrath because of your actions, and I don't care whether you hate me for this or not. I'm only to give you this." He said as he held up a finger.

"One chance?" Akeno guessed.

"No, one wrong move. That's all it takes to set me off now because of your foolishness and blindness. If you do one wrong step that hurts Izumi or any of my sisters, or do not treat them like normal people than I will personally kill you in the worst way possible. It doesn't matter whether you are royalty or not." He said earning a glare from Kiba.

"Is that a threat?" He growled which seemed to be a mistake as Bryce suddenly appeared in front of him and gave him a bone-chilling glare.

"It'S A PrOmIsE! AnD I KeEp My PrOmIsEs!" Bryce said darkly scaring all of them with fear before he turned around and started walking away. He stopped by Rias and turned his face towards her and gave her a harsh glare. "OnLy WaRnINg, RiAs!"

As he walked away, Bryce turned to Koneko who was visibly shaking at him, he let out a small frown before walking away with his going around him disappearing into the night.

"Well that could've gone better." Izumi chirped as came up to them.

"Do you have something similar to say, Izumi?" Rias asked with a frown, thinking that she was going to do the same thing Bryce did.

"Actually, I do. We saved you because of favor from Sona. Asia and Mittelt would be enrolled in school and in return we save you from your marriage." Izumi stated.

"….So that's what he meant when he said treat them like a normal person instead of treating them like enemies." Koneko thought as the brunette nodded her head.

"Hai, you guys really screwed up with him. And like him I don't trust you either because of everything that has happened." She said as Rias looked down knowing that she had deserved this. Izumi let out a sigh as she spoke. "But… I'm willing to give you a chance."

They all looked up at the brunette with wide eyes.

"You're wanting to start over?" Akeno asked in surprise.

"Not start over, more like redemption." Izumi explained as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "If anything, you should thank Sona for this, she's been really stubborn on trying to get us to look at you differently. Your stress for your marriage combined with us coming in and causing you problems had affected ability to make rational decisions." She said.

Akeno was about to interrupt but Rias held her hand up and shook her head negatively stopping her Queen from speaking. She needed to hear this.

"I want you to work your way up. Trust is something that is like glass, easy to break and hard to reform. You are going to work yourself and your peerage to earn our trust, not just mine but Mittelt and Asia's as well." Izumi said in a stern tone as Rias nodded her head in agreement.

"I know I have a lot of work to do. I've also took Bryce's words to the heart and admitted to my own failures. There were times where I did have free time to help Akeno, Kiba and Koneko, I could've helped them moved on from their past but instead I pampered them and avoided it. All I've done was keep them from reaching their potential, including my own and look where it got us." Rias said as she was angry at herself for holding her family back from reaching their strength.

"….Buchou."

"Rias…" Kiba and Akeno had frowns on their faces as they watched Rias berate herself.

"And that's why I want to get stronger… so I never have to put them in situation like this ever again. Next time, I will be strong enough so I can fight my own battles and my friends won't have to worry about me."

'Well at least she's starting somewhere.' Izumi thought before turning around. "Good, now I will see you tomorrow at school. I have other matters to attend to at the moment." Izumi said as she gave them a playful wave before leaving them going in the same direction.

Soon she caught with Bryce and ran up to him before jumping on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Surprise~" She teased as she pressed her breasts against his back and leaned her head against him.

"Nice to see you too." He said before wrapping his arms around her legs and started walking home, both exhausted from the day's events.

Author's Note: Chapter has been re-uploaded with different parts in the middle and ending. I will explain the reasoning next chapter but if you have any questions, please ask in pm.