Aftermath - 2

As the night passed and the chaos of the earlier battle began to settle, the group gathered in Rias's clubroom.

The atmosphere was quieter now, a stark contrast to the intense events of the day. Everyone was seated, their expressions a mix of fatigue and curiosity, waiting for Rias to speak.

Rias stood at the front of the room, her crimson hair flowing over her shoulders, her usual commanding presence evident. She took a deep breath before addressing her peerage.

"I wanted to inform you all about an important development," Rias began, her eyes scanning the room. "As of today, Xenovia Quarta has officially become a devil and joined our peerage."

A collective gasp filled the room, followed by murmurs of surprise and curiosity. Xenovia, standing beside Rias, wore a calm yet determined expression, her blue hair framing her face as she looked at the others.

"Xenovia will serve as my new Knight," Rias continued, her voice steady. "Her skills with the sword and her strength will be a great asset to our team."

Issei blinked in surprise, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process the news. "Wait, Xenovia's a devil now? And she's part of our team?"

Xenovia nodded, her gaze firm. "Yes. After everything that happened, and finding that there is no god. I decided that my place is here, with all of you. I've made my decision."

Kiba smiled warmly, stepping forward to offer his hand to Xenovia. "Welcome to the team, Xenovia. It's an honor to have you as a fellow Knight."

Xenovia accepted his handshake with a small smile. "Thank you, Kiba. I look forward to working with you all."

Akeno clapped her hands together, her usual playful smile returning. "Well, this certainly is a pleasant surprise. Welcome, Xenovia. I'm sure you'll fit right in."

Issei scratched his head, still looking a bit dazed. "Man, this is gonna take some getting used to. But hey, welcome to the team, Xenovia!"

Rias smiled, her expression softening as she looked at her peerage. "I know this is a big change, but I'm confident that Xenovia will be a valuable member of our family. Together, we'll become even stronger."

Raizel, who had been quietly observing, gave a small nod.

"Thank you, everyone," Xenovia said, her voice steady but filled with gratitude. "I won't let you down."

As the group continued to welcome their new member, the mood in the room lightened. The events of the yesterday had brought them closer together, and the addition of Xenovia marked a new chapter for Rias's peerage.

...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and crimson, Raizel stood alone on the rooftop of the school building.

His dark hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, and his eyes reflected the fading light. The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by the subtle shift in the air—a strong presence approaching.

Without turning, Raizel spoke slowly, his voice soft and calm. "What do you want, Azazel?"

From the shadows, Azazel, the Governor of the Fallen Angels, stepped forward, his usual cheeky grin plastered across his face.

"Ah, Raizel, you're as perceptive as ever," he said, casually strolling closer. "After what happened to Kokabiel, I thought I'd drop by. You know, just to see how things are."

Raizel remained still, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "And?" he prompted, sensing there was more to Azazel's visit.

Azazel chuckled, his grin widening. "I have another request. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the sword you used in your fight. Mind showing it to me?"

Raizel finally turned, his expression unreadable. "Curiosity is a dangerous trait, Azazel."

Azazel raised his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged. But can you blame me? That sword was something else."

Raizel regarded him for a moment before summoning the sword with a flick of his hand. The air shimmered, and in an instant, 'Excalibur' materialized, its golden blade gleaming in the fading sunlight.

Azazel's eyes widened slightly, genuine admiration in his gaze. "Impressive. So this is the famed Excalibur. Not the one from this world, but a recreation from another. You really do have some unique abilities."

Raizel held the sword out, allowing Azazel to get a closer look. "It's merely a tool," he said, his tone dismissive. "Its power lies in the one who wields it."

Azazel chuckled again, taking a step back. "Modest as always, Raizel. But you can't deny the craftsmanship. It's almost as if it holds a life of its own."

Raizel dispelled the sword, the golden light fading into the ether. "Tools, no matter how powerful, are nothing but tool."

Azazel leaned against the railing, a relaxed smile on his face. "You know, Raizel, you're quite the enigma, you've already caught the attention of other, from what happened yesterday."

Raizel's expression remained unchanged. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Azazel."

Azazel laughed, clearly enjoying the banter. "Ah, but it's worth a shot. You're not an easy one to read, and that makes you all the more interesting."

Raizel's gaze returned to the horizon, the sun now barely visible. "Is there a point to this conversation, or are you here to waste my time?"

Azazel smirked. "A little bit of both, perhaps. But in all seriousness, I wanted to thank you. Kokabiel's actions could have caused a lot more damage if you hadn't intervened."

Raizel's eyes narrowed slightly. "I did what needed to be done. Nothing more."

Azazel nodded, his demeanor becoming slightly more serious. "Still, I appreciate it. The balance between our factions is delicate, and your intervention helped prevent a catastrophe."

Raizel said nothing, his silence speaking volumes.

Azazel pushed off the railing, his grin returning. "Well, thanks for humoring me with the sword. It's not every day I get to see something like that."

Raizel gave a small nod, his gaze unwavering.

As he turned to face the fallen angel, he asked with his usual calm demeanor. "Is that really all you wanted to talk about, Azazel.''

...