The Gloomy Stream

A sense of relief finally caught up to Rias. He took a relaxed breath, and made the deer conduit swallow what it had been about to release mid flight.

Rias held the deer's antlers and spun to stand over deer's sacred looking head. He then sat down, and ordered it to soar higher, and higher into the clear sky above, close to the pillar of green and black flame.

The young Game Master drew more crows to glide around him, and then sent one of them down. The crow found itself staring down the original Vali, and the woman stared at it for a moment before looking up at Rias.

"You see pretty relaxed," Vali said.

Skullius and Gabel flashed to Vali's side just in time to hear the crow flying before her speak with Rias' voice.

"Why shouldn't I?" it said, presumably projecting Rias' thoughts. "After all, try as you might, it's all over. Even if you somehow manage to kill me."