Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Rias's side
On the other side of the church, Rias and Akeno stood silently, their eyes focused on the dark structure ahead. The muffled sounds of battle drifted through the air, followed by the occasional scream of their enemies.
"It looks like they've started," Rias remarked, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the magical energies shifting within the building.
Akeno, ever calm and collected, smiled slightly. "Yes, and it's our turn to begin as well." Her voice carried a hint of excitement, as it often did when combat was on the horizon. She then turned her gaze to a large tree nearby.
"You know," Akeno said with a teasing lilt, "hiding is unnecessary at this point. We've already surrounded you."
At her words, the shadows under the tree stirred. From the darkness, two figures emerged, stepping into the dim light cast by the moon.
It was Kalawarner and Mittelt, two Fallen Angels.
Kalawarner, the taller of the two, sneered, her blue hair flowing behind her as her black wings extended in a display of intimidation. "Surrounded? You overestimate yourselves, devils," she said coldly, her eyes fixed on Rias and Akeno.
Mittelt, younger and more impulsive, let out a mocking laugh. "You're just a bunch of arrogant devils who don't know their place. We'll take care of you quickly."
Rias, standing with regal composure, didn't flinch. Her crimson hair flowed gracefully in the evening breeze, and her eyes gleamed with confidence. "You're in no position to talk down to us. You've stepped into devil territory and attacked what's ours. Now, you'll face the consequences."
Kalawarner's smirk faltered for a moment, sensing the seriousness in Rias's voice, but she quickly regained her composure. "We're not afraid of you."
Akeno let out a small chuckle. "Oh, you should be." Without wasting another moment, Akeno's hands crackled with electricity as she summoned her magical power. Lightning danced between her fingertips, illuminating the area around them.
Mittelt's wings fluttered nervously, but she raised her glowing spear of light, ready for battle. "You think some flashy magic is going to scare us?"
Rias, her eyes glowing with a devilish red light, calmly lifted her hand. A sphere of destruction energy began forming in her palm, a swirling mass of crimson power that radiated intense heat. "You won't get a second chance to reconsider."
Kalawarner's wings flared out in response, and she raised her hand, summoning her own spear of light. "Don't think you can take us down that easily!"
The tension in the air was thick as both sides prepared for battle. The Fallen Angels, despite their bravado, were clearly on edge. They had expected resistance, but not this level of confidence from the devils.
Akeno, her smile never fading, raised her hand toward Kalawarner. "Let's see how long you can keep that attitude."
With a sharp crack, Akeno unleashed a bolt of lightning, the electricity arcing through the air with blinding speed. Kalawarner barely managed to dodge, her wings flapping wildly as she avoided the attack. The bolt struck the ground where she had been standing, leaving a scorched mark in the dirt.
Mittelt, seeing her ally almost get hit, rushed forward, her spear raised high. "You won't hit me that easily!"
But Akeno was faster. With a flick of her wrist, she sent another bolt of lightning toward Mittelt. This time, Mittelt wasn't as lucky. The electricity struck her directly, and she let out a scream as her body convulsed from the shock. She dropped to her knees, the spear of light disappearing from her hand as she struggled to recover from the powerful attack.
Kalawarner growled in frustration, realizing they were at a disadvantage. "Mittelt, get up!" she shouted, but it was clear that her companion was in no shape to continue.
Rias stepped forward, her eyes locked onto Kalawarner. "It's over. You've lost." She raised the sphere of destruction energy, its crimson glow intensifying as she prepared to strike.
Kalawarner, now cornered, realized she had no chance of winning. Her wings beat rapidly as she tried to think of an escape. "You think you can just kill us? The Fallen Angels won't let this go unanswered!"
Rias's expression remained cold and unwavering. "This is the price of attacking us." Without hesitation, she released the destructive energy.
The sphere shot forward, engulfing Kalawarner in an instant. There was no time for her to react or dodge. The destructive energy disintegrated her form, leaving nothing but a faint trace of magical residue in its wake.
Mittelt, still kneeling on the ground, watched in horror as her companion was erased from existence. Fear gripped her as she looked up at Rias and Akeno. "Y-You… You can't do this…"
Akeno approached her, the electricity still crackling in her hand. "Oh, but we can. You brought this upon yourself."
Mittelt tried to scramble to her feet, but she was too weakened from Akeno's earlier attack. She stumbled, her wings faltering as she attempted to fly away. Before she could even lift off the ground, Akeno struck her with another bolt of lightning, this one even stronger than the first.
Mittelt's body collapsed to the ground, her wings twitching as the electricity coursed through her. She was barely conscious, her body unable to move.
Rias walked over to her fallen opponent, looking down at the defeated Fallen Angel with a mixture of pity and disgust. "You should have known better than to cross us."
With that, Rias turned away, leaving Mittelt lying on the ground. Akeno followed, her smile still present but now with a hint of satisfaction.
The battle was over, and the devils had won.
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