Chapter 26: The Game
Ezekiel arrived in the underworld together with Michael and Gabriel. Since many high-ranking devils and at least three of the Satans would be present, they decided to include another Seraph. Gabriel insisted to join them this time. All her brothers were worried and cursing about lustful devils and fallen left and right. Ezekiel wasn't fazed about it. If she wanted to join them and have fun, why not? If anyone were to insistent or became grabby, he could just blast them into oblivion, if one were to ignore that she was Heavens strongest woman.
"Up ahead is the viewing area. Satan Lucifer, Leviathan and Beelzebub are already present."
Ezekiel let out a small sigh at the young devil in front of him. Though he was young, he was still older than Ezekiel himself. The leader of the underworld sent Sairaorg Bael as their guide, probably a poor move from the older generation. Many of them suffered at the hands of Michael and Gabriel, so they sent who they thought of as inferior to catch them.
"No need to be so polite, Sairaorg. I'm even younger than you are. Did guests from other factions already arrive?" Ezekiel answered. He liked Sairaorg. Compared to most of these stuck up devils from noble families he was laid back from what he heard. Some nervousness couldn't help but show when he met these three people, however.
"I was instructed to be at my best behaviour, Lord Ezekiel. Lord Azazel and Lord Odin already arrived with their escorts." He replied stiffly.
Ezekiel was glad that Odin was present. Roping in another pantheon was crucial to get further allies in the future. Many Gods were hesitant to advance their relationship with the Christian Pantheon considering the many conflicts that came from it. Odin was one of the exceptions since he knew the cruelty of war and strived for peace for his own people. Shaking his head, he concentrated on Sairaorg again. He was more of less the same height as Ezekiel and even more muscular. This was praiseworthy considering how much Ezekiel trained. He heard of some rumours about Sairaorg and though it was expected from their society, he was still stumped how narrowminded the older generation could be sometimes.
"I heard you can't use your clan trait?" Ezekiel inquired. Michael sighed and wanted to apologize as Gabriel shot him a glare.
Sairaorg stiffened. Of course, they would look down on him, why would they be any different. Ezekiel's next words surprised him, however.
"You have my respect for your determination and dedication. You are obviously stronger than most people of your generation, devil or not. I'd like to have a spar with you if you don't mind."
Sairaorg was stumped for a moment before replying with a genuinely comfortable expression this time: "It would be my honour Lord Ezekiel."
"Just Ezekiel is fine. As I said, our age isn't even that far apart, and I doubt you mean any disrespect if you aren't speaking formally. Honest people like you are sadly very rare." Ezekiel responded while patting Sairaorg onto the back.
Sairaorg just laughed a bit in response: "Alright Ezekiel. Please call me Sairaorg then."
As he nodded, he noticed that they arrived in front of large open doors, leading to the venue where all the higher-ranking members gathered. As they were announced and the people turned to take a look, Ezekiel did the same. First, he spotted the three Satan's together with Azazel and another old man. Odin looked like a weak gramps, but even if hidden well, he could clearly sense the overbearing power and presence under that calm smile. He was one of the few Gods, that constantly waged war in the past and made it out alive every time. Behind him stood a flustered but beautiful Valkyrie trying to correct his relaxed conduct.
As he further scanned the room, he spotted a few of the younger generation mingling by themselves. Compared to the young Bael he didn't spot anyone promising and just some young people that weren't interested in fighting or brats that thought themselves superior because of their clan traits.
The only other thing standing out were a few of the older members. Rias' and Sona's parents were present, easily recognisable by the similarity of their features. Their strength was relatively high but not on the top levels. No, that spot was reserved for one more person aside from the leading members.
Zekram Bael. He was one of the first Devils and a person his father spoke about once. If Shiva didn't tell him, he would have thought his strength was only at High-Class but his experience helped him to hide better than most. Though not at the level of Sirzechs and Ajuka, he was still at least as strong as the other Satans. Coupled with his experience and cunning nature, he wasn't to be underestimated. It was no secret that he was the actual ruler of hell, even if he did so out of the shadows. In the future it might be a good idea to have a talk with each other. Thoughts for another time.
Feeling a slight tug from Gabriel, he joined them and walked over to the public rulers, Azazel and Odin. As they greeted each other, Azazel tried to sneakily take a picture while Odin's hand began to wander. Only a moment later they froze, unable to move.
"Let's behave, don't you think?" Ezekiel said with a smile, but they knew they would push their luck if they continued.
Gabriel just giggled. Even her younger brother was that overprotective when it came to her.
Trying to ease the atmosphere Sirzechs took charge of the conversation: "How do you think your chances of victory are Ezekiel?"
Everyone aside from Michael and Gabriel turned to him at the question. The odds were clearly against him, but he looked confident. Even Michael and Gabriel were far too calm.
"Who knows? But I don't think I have to worry much. I managed to recruit a few promising individuals." He smiled while answering. All of them were curious but they would see his team in just a few minutes.
"Boy, why do you even fight that youngster?" Odin asked. He probably already knew part of it, but not everything.
"It is easy actually, I want the people in his peerage to be free since they were taken either by force or tricked. In case my Angels win, they will be free of servitude toward him and Heaven would take care of them if they chose to come with us. In case of my defeat, his family wanted me to become a devil serving them. They were probably scared that my father would retaliate if they demanded my head, though making me their slave wouldn't make him any happier." Ezekiel laughed at the end of his statement. He could take care of himself and live with his decisions, but other people couldn't know how his family would react. The Satans smiled wryly at that while Azazel and Odin began to laugh out loud.
"I will tell Tiamat to start then." Ajuka declared, speaking for the first time. Seeing nobody object, he contacted the Dragon King.
-o-
Diodora was standing together with his peerage atop a small tower overlooking the battleground. Their match a was simple one. They would fight each other until either every enemy was retired or the king of one side surrendered. I seems that buff old man was the substitute king since Ezekiel didn't take part.
"All of you gather around me." He ordered his peerage. His plan was simple, he would just use their numerical advantage in a frontal assault.
-o-
"What is that fool doing?" Ewald questioned no one in particular.
"Maybe it is a trap and he wants to give us the illusion of being an easy target with everyone in one place?" Jeanne chimed in.
Meredith facepalmed. They obviously put too much thought into it. She knew that Diodora was just another fool. Like many he was born with above-average power and benefits his family brought. He was born "superior" and his obsession with Asia seemed to cloud his judgement. Did he honestly believe Ezekiel would offer becoming a servant of his family when the stakes were against him?
"I will deal with him. I want the rest of you to incapacitate his peerage as softly as possible." Vasco stated, far more focused than everyone else. They in turn adopted more serious expressions as well.
As they turned their gaze back toward their opponent, a voice rang out starting the Rating Game.
The chosen field was barren with a few ruins to the side. As they advanced toward each other, Diodora took a first good look at the other team. Though he was surprised at Vasco's built, he wasn't impressed, as he didn't recognize him and there was no way a few muscles would beat his magic. After dismissing them he focused only on the girl in the back with desire rising in his eyes.
Vasco let out a sigh of relief as he saw a few of the girls in Diodora's peerage widen their eyes in recognition when they saw him. It seems it wasn't to late to free them of their oppressor. His thoughts came to a halt when an annoying voice rang out.
"You can still surrender. If she joins my peerage, I am even willing to give up on making your master my dog." Diodora said with his usual squinted eyes while pointing at Asia.
All of them wanted to rip him apart for his insulting words. Ezekiel was both their family and even if he tried to deny it, he was target of their worship.
"Just follow the plan." Vasco chose to ignore him after taking a deep breath and rushed forward directly onto Diodora, who slowly lost his arrogant smirk upon seeing his speed. Before he could fall back, a heavy sword fell onto his hastily erected barrier.
He quickly fired attacks with his demonic energy while falling back, but Vasco didn't stop rushing and sending attacks his way.
As he looked around, he already saw part of his peerage retiring as Tiamat's voice rang out and announced their inability to battle.
"How long do you think you can-arrghh!" As he wanted to mock Vasco further, his left arm got cut off and he fell on his butt.
His mind was in turmoil, that was not how it was supposed to be. Even while he was using "this" he was weaker than a random middle-aged man? His thoughts further came to a halt as a fist wrapped in holy light descended onto his face, breaking his nose, and knocking a few teeth out, he did his best not to swallow.
"How pathetic. To think a degenerate like you got his hands on these girls." While talking, Vasco only got angrier and continued to beat him.
Asia who was unsure what to do, tried to stop Vasco, who halted for a moment. Using his lack of attacks, she began to heal Diodora, who regained a little hope. She didn't like Diodora one bit, but her mostly sheltered life and pure character made her shy away from violence.
Diodora's hope didn't last long as another fist descended onto his face, knocking a few more teeth out of his mouth.
Asia was taken back. While she understood Vasco, she couldn't just let another person die, regardless how evil he was. Sometimes she took the teachings of the church too serious and started to heal him again.
-o-
Meanwhile in the viewing area Azazel spat out his drink. Silence reigned until he and Odin burst into loud laughter. The earlier ridicule from different noble devils wasn't to be seen. Ezekiel's team didn't even have to show many of their abilities. How could they know he managed to rope in the violence of Heaven? Even that young magician girl gave them the chills. Ezekiel had a small grin on his lips while shaking his head about his healer's anticts.
It actually looked really comical how Asia was acting and if Diodora wasn't one of theirs, the devils probably would have laughed themselves.
"Alright, since that is decided, I think we are free to take his former peerage with us? Any objections?" Ezekiel asked as his gaze swept the whole room.
A few of them wanted to speak up, but upon crossing eyes with him they closed their mouth again. Surprisingly Zekram was only calmly observing, minding his own business. Ezekiel really looked forward to meeting this old man.
"Thought so, I'm going to meet them then." He said as he left the room with Gabriel in tow.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Tardigrada
Tardigrada Hello there!
Finally an update again, the next should follow in a day or two.
I actually have some difficulties to get into writing again. I thought about creating another slightly different fiction on the side and will publish the first chater, when I update again in 1-2 day. Thanks to the people still voting after these weeks. :)
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