Deepest Darkness

8. Hard Truth

Naturally, the moment everything calms down is also the moment further excitement stirs up.

The first sign is when the front door unexpectedly opens. Anos speaks without looking at who enters, although their magic betrayed them anyway. "We're closed."

The second sign are the words that are said as an immediate response follows.

"I can enter at any time," Her voice was still so eloquent, "This is still my territory after all. Regardless of who builds upon it."

Anos could tell from the way she spoke that there was some anxiousness rising to the surface of her usual confident demeanor.

"I suppose I can't deny my landlady," Anos finally looks up at her, "Is there something urgent, Rias?"

"That's Gremory to you, Voldigoad." Rias lightly huffed, seating herself opposite of Anos with her arms crossed under her impressive bust. Her legs crossed. Anos was almost surprised. Though she masked her true intentions well, was she still that much of a child to act in such a way?

He eyes her for the first time this evening and the devil nearly sighs, any animosity she had or built up was not to remain.

Rias would admit she had a small inclination to Anos, the man who warmed his way into her life so unexpectedly, but, Akeno's news about his supposed victory over Sona got to her. The Gremory was also just generally intrigued to begin with.

The redhead is well aware of her own smarts, but Sona just isn't fair. So Anos defeating Sona in a game of wits — chess, no less — further gave Rias the motivation to figure out all she could about him.

The magical power to exceed a Gremory and the intellect to outwit a Sitri. And he's not even a devil. The supernatural world would turn over if he were to make too much noise. There's a word Rias is looking for and she thinks she has found it. To describe him.

Misfit; Anos is a misfit in her eyes.

What breaks Rias out of her thoughts are the sounds of Anos moving around, turning the sign around to its closed side with some sort of magic before walking away from the devil.

"Where are you going?" Rias asks, and Anos doesn't respond until he makes his way into his kitchen, responding from there as he tightens on an apron.

"I have things to attend to, but I'll keep you company for now," Anos speaks as he stands by the kitchen door.

Rias didn't notice it right away but looking Anos up and down was a small treat. His arms; they were well-built. He had a good bit of muscles that wasn't hidden under those long sleeves of his school uniform. He wasn't overly buff by any means, a nice even in between lean and muscular, she could tell he was definitely in shape.

"I'll whip you up a quick bowl of mushroom gratin, a bite to eat should ease the tension. Then we can talk about whatever is in that head of yours," Anos' words left no room for argument.

The cherry-eyed man dipped into the kitchen and not even a minute later did he come back out, in his right hand was a bowl of mushroom gratin, still steaming with light tuffs of air. His left hand had a pitcher of a beverage— lemonade if the subtle aroma it gave was anything to go by.

Placing the meal in front of Rias, Anos waved his hand, casting Iris to create two glasses. After that, he poured just about half way down the respective glasses.

Such precision and skill with magic Rias had not known before. She could tell the glasses were made down to its very atoms. Anos' training in magic must have started early.

Anos sits across from her and Rias minded her manners. As a sign of goodwill, she accepted the dish he went out of his way to give her. And she couldn't lie, the food's presentation looked great but looks are not everything.

Rias took the spoon that came with the bowl and scooped up a sizable bite. She smelt it as she put it in her mouth, and it almost drove her over the edge. When she lowered it upon her tongue, it was as if her sense of taste had gotten sharper. The flavor and the spice were incredible. It all mixed into an explosion of flavor.

It was safe to say that the food wasn't just for show. Rias took another bite, and another, and then another one after that. It was only the beginning, yet the end came almost instantly.

Just under two minutes and the bowl was empty. Rias, content with her meal, sighed as she took in her last bite. Anos was a far better cook than she initially thought he'd be. She could confidently say that Akeno had competition. Perhaps they could share recipes.

Nearly forgetting her place, Rias quickly looks to her front to see Anos not paying her any mind. Enjoying his glass of lemonade with a steady pace, making the most of his drink with closed eyes.

Rias coughed in her hand to get his attention onto her, somehow she is able to make such an awkward action look as beautiful as she is. Anos doesn't respond right away, only making the effort to look at her upon finishing his drink.

A small way to remind her that she was on his time.

Brass tacks, Rias, brass tacks, she reminds herself before speaking, "Akeno tells me you defeated Sona in a game of chess."

Anos doesn't verbally reply but he does nod at her words, confirming what Akeno said was truth. Rias continues after his acknowledgment.

"Naturally I affirmed with Sona before coming to see you about the matter," Rias' voice lowers and there is a small break between her first and next sentence.

Subtly, Rias is fighting a battle: either say what is on her mind or withhold information. But, as with all battles, Anos knows the best way to win them is by simply not starting them. Rias seems to have picked up on this fact and relents.

"There are certain responsibilities you have to bare upon besting Sona in a battle of wits."

"Go on," Anos has already engineered the idea that his win against the violet eyed devil held greater stakes than that of a simple good job notice.

"As discussed before, you're aware the 72 Pillars are in a bit of a bind. Our numbers have been cut severely, and to recover those numbers, the remaining 34 Pillars have come to the decision heavily involving the old ways. Ties need to be made. Traditions need to be upheld. But mostly, it is the idea that securing political power and continuing the already existing bloodlines are top priority. In Sona's case, she won't accept any proposal of those whose intellect isn't at least equal to her own. In short, if you're able to meet that single requirement then you are qualified to wed Sona."

In other words. Anos was affianced to Sona.

"I see," Anos' voice was pleasantly surprised for a change, "so such rules existed."

"Are you going to accept the proposal?" Rias asks with her voice even as can be. But Anos sees it, beneath the surface, he can tell the admission of the question pains her like a sword against the heart. Anos' answer might just be the final push of the blade.

"No."

But he isn't and not even Rias could have stopped the very slight, very unnoticeable -- to anyone not named Anos Voldigoad -- upwards curl of her lips at the response. But she does not relax, not visibly anyway.

"This isn't something you can just brush off, Anos. There are laws." Rias says but interestingly enough, her tone isn't entirely disapproving. Just a bit. In a way, it's like she was relieved Anos said no.

Setting that note of intrigue aside.

Laws? What a joke.

In fact, a moment passes where Anos sits still. He begins to shake. Then, laughter erupted. Rias saw Anos laughing his heart out.

The Gremory was more confused than she'd ever been before. What was so funny to him?

"Rias," Anos starts, the redhead refocuses her complete attention to him, "has anything been finalized as of now?"

"Well, no, however-" Rias isn't afforded the chance to continue.

"So there is still time," Anos says it in such an obvious manner, like mentioning the sky was blue, "I'll deal with it later."

The conversation goes into a resulting silence, Rias actually sighs in a quaint manner. As much as she would like to argue otherwise, Anos is right. These things take time and it wasn't exactly a publicized event... yet.

Ultimately, Rias backs down. She had only come to confirm one thing for her piece of mind and she got what she wanted. Anos made it clear that he wasn't willing to wed her rival and tie the knot, so Rias would kindly leave to a less stressful night of sleep.

"What about you?" Anos says suddenly.

At least she would if Anos hadn't stopped her with his sudden curiosity. Seems he wasn't done with this talk as she was. Rias also felt she knew what he was asking, vague as he was. Still wouldn't hurt to verify. She gives him the look of the lost and Anos explicates.

"You are part of the 72 Pillars," Anos mentions the obvious to lead into his actual point, "What of your silly engagement terms?"

Rias almost forgets to look surprised at the audit. She answers truthfully anyway.

"I didn't have the luxury. I'm already spoken for." Rias expects a reaction from him, she didn't get any.

Of course she doesn't. Anos does not notice Rias in the way she notices him.

Instead, Anos gets a certain reaction from her. Pure disdain behind her sea-foam eyes, and the words to match the expression hidden under the need for cordiality. Whoever was engaged to her was assuredly not in her good graces.

"Are you unhappy with your chosen partner?" Anos apparently catches Rias off guard with the way she looked, as if she really didn't know how obvious she was making it.

"What brings about this inquiry?" He hears her words. Was she being clueless on purpose? For a moment, Anos contemplates if she is pretending.

"It's plain to see," Anos points from in his seat, "Rias, do you realize how cross your eyebrows are? How tense you've become? Even your magic gave you away, pulsing ever so slightly if the cracks in my table and floor hasn't made that clear."

Of course Anos is right in his deduction. He had an eye for that sort of thing, and he isn't talking about his Magic Eyes either.

Rias herself looks stiffened and she promptly gathers herself. The Gremory House would have scoffed at her. Maybe Lady Grayfia was right, it looks like she really wasn't done maturing.

"Another thing," Anos begins, garnering Rias' focus, "You're young, even by mortal standards. I would assume you have many more years to resolve an out for this unwanted engagement."

Rias shakes her head in dissent, the former Demon King could visibly see how the action pains her. The once bright look in her turquoise eyes are as lit as the inside of a cave, underwater. She isn't bothering to hide how she really feels on the matter.

"I'm against the clock. Time is not my friend. I am as certain as my fiancé is impatient. I might very well be forced into this union anytime this year, if even." Rias' words are so genuine that even they get Anos to pity her situation.

He knows for a fact that she isn't lying or acting. Bated breath aside, she is showing far too much emotion in between each syllable. It's not a conscious mistake on her part, she just can't fully control the tone so the execution is telling.

Anos wants to know, however difficult it was for Rias to tell him. Knowledge is knowledge, and trying to stop Anos from having it is a fruitless endeavor.

"How are you planning to free yourself from this?" Anos' words echo through the air with the sort of certainty that only ever comes from experience. He knows there is a way to get out of this bind. There is always a way.

Rias is unable to manage a response right away, there are mainly two ways but the one she is currently fixated on requires a more... intimate approach. Her tasteful imagination is rewarded with an even more tasteful idea. One she isn't entirely against; to give up what made her pure to Anos.

Still, she had more tact than that. Only if she were very very desperate and if -- only if -- Anos was willing as well.

Not losing herself in the fantasy of her making, Rias tells him of the Rating Games. Its rules, purpose, benefits and history. Even the bits of her fated opponent. It wasn't like she needed to hide these certainties from Anos.

The Rating Games are, in all likelihood, an event he will never find himself participate in. And the man she would be facing is, in all likelihood, a man he will never meet.

Also, the facts were patently obvious: Anos is not dangerous, to Kuoh at least -- which would extend to its inhabitants, which then would extend to her. He is an ally and she knows that well. There is also the little part of her that hopes Anos would assist her.

When she is done explaining, Anos is just a few inches shy of being visibly amused at the concept these devils have developed and upheld.

"As I understand it, you're fighting an uphill battle, and you seem to be holding onto the chance at victory," Anos' expression could only be described as daring, "your most recent addition seems to be what carries such unforgiving odds."

"Oh?" Gremory tilts her head to the side in exaggerated curiosity, eyes a bit narrow. It was, cute.

"Surely his potential isn't lost to you, Rias," Anos isn't asking a question, if Rias doesn't notice Issei's latent abilities then she might as well be married off by tomorrow.

But, its not that Rias isn't aware of Issei's worth. Before Akeno had diverted her attention elsewhere, the crimson King had been in the middle of briefing Issei on his new role and giving him his first mission. He came back with the story of another close encounter with a third fallen angel and a Twice Critical. She had tried to determine the class Issei's Sacred Gear belonged to but had no such luck.

"Your words surprise me," Rias responds. Her interest picks up, quick, well, and fast, "while I agree Issei is a key addition, I have faith in my whole peerage. And while I am fortunate for him. He isn't anymore important than anyone else I place said faith in. Say, even a familiar."

Rias must have felt she made her point, until Anos says something that causes the cogs in her head to turn until sparks are visible.

"Very heartfelt words, but you misunderstand me," Anos enjoys a laugh for the second time tonight when Rias adopts a look that is easily measured, "You mean you didn't figure it out? Very well then, I'll explain. Your Pawn, Issei Hyoudou, is the Red Dragon Emperor."

Rias had this sudden look that graced her beauty. She looked like she was going to squeal. Finding one of the thirteen Longinus wasn't exactly an easy feat. It is a rare phenomena so the reaction was undeniably justified.

"I wouldn't celebrate just yet, he is still a weakling," Anos dampers her small victory, but it is only the truthfulness that he reminds her of.

"The boy would require training," Somewhere Anos rationalized maybe it was him who Issei would need training from, "In fact, all of you do."

One might call it a gibe, another might call it irreverence. Rias calls it reality. She is fully aware of her weaknesses and limitations and that extends to her peerage.

"To tell the truth, you're right. But I am somewhat surprised. You're not particularly subtle about what you want." Rias says. Now there's an unexpected reply; Anos didn't think Rias would pick up on that in the slightest.

"And what is it that you think I want?" Anos doesn't exactly disagree, but he needs to be convinced.

"To help us. Train us even," Rias voices her idea and Anos allows himself to grin at her theory.

"And why is that?" Anos goads her on, "What are you to me that I would consider such a meager proposal and use of my time, one with seemingly no benefit?"

The thoughts Rias has at present are harsh but they are true; they match the tone she speaks them in.

"I am amusement to you, Anos," Rias' voice is steady, terrifyingly so.

It hardly needs to be said. Deep down, it made sense. She wouldn't be alive if that weren't the case. She could have very well died the night they first met; but she didn't and she understood why.

"Well done," Anos' smirk is rich and profound.

Rias wants to sigh but she doesn't, even if the tension has already long since left.

"Lets work well together, Rias. But if I am to teach and train, then you best be prepared to die," Anos sees that his joke causes Rias to shudder. In another time, he would be met with a frenzy of laughter; but that is neither here nor there.

'A bad joke,' Rias thinks before standing up. At least he has some flaws.

"Will you be leaving?"

"Yes," Rias answers, drawing the magic circle for transportation on his floor, she pauses mid way, "thank you, Anos."

"Don't thank me for anything, not yet," Anos replies, "be on your way."

Rias softens her gaze to him before she smiles sincerely. "Goodbye, it was lovely talking to you again, Anos."

The Gremory symbol surrounds the red-haired King and before long, she disappears, leaving behind scarlet sparkles that dissolve without a trace soon after.

After Rias' departure, it takes a singular second for Anos to address his next guest, "How much longer will you keep hiding?"

A beat.

But there is no reply.

"Do not make me repeat myself."

It is an age old threat but it works. There isn't any possible reason to conceal her presence any longer so she doesn't. Heavy magic cascades into the air and Ophis reveals herself in a boring vengeance.

Wordlessly watching him as he did her. Regarding him no longer, Ophis speaks in tongues of detachment, "All this time you knew I was here?"

"Of course, nothing in this world remains hidden from my eyes," Anos replies. He does not look surprised; nor is he shaken at all. His visage is calm. Not for the fact that the overwhelming difference in strength is in his favor, but rather— Ophis herself.

"I'm glad you decided to see me again." He adds, and his gaze travels to her face.

She does not adorn the look of emptiness nor indifference. Her false eyes from before now bore a curious glint.

Ophis speaks nothing, only looking at Anos with a hint of skepticism and anticipation, her thoughts are an open book to him.

She's been outmaneuvered and she knows it. Anos has done to her what she had done to so many others.

In her experience, she understands the only reason she is still alive as of now is because Anos wants something from her. You don't kill those weaker than you when their resourcefulness may come from something other than strength.

As revealed in the conversation he had with the devil girl, he kept her around for amusement.

Now the question for her is the same. What could he want Ophis for?

Ophis ponders for a second, considering her options and weighing the risks for coming actions. "I'm still alive..." She utters, "Why?"

"I can imagine that my actions make no sense. That worries you. After all, enemies who don't make sense are either of two possibilities: insane, or acting on a level beyond your understanding. I'll leave it up to you to decide which is worse." Anos says, getting up from his seat.

Ophis does not look pleased.

"I will let you in on a little hint Ouroboros, for swallowing your pride and coming here. The mentality you have now will get you killed. Change it and I might entertain you with the answer."

"I do not understand. Are you saying my actions up until now have been wrong?" Ophis hears Anos give a small singular laugh.

"To recognize that much means you're on the right path, deluded dragon," He replies and leaves it at that.

He understands it well, that feeling, she will do next to anything for her piece of mind-- something only he can give her willingly, for the second time in her life, there is something she can't take by force at her leisure. Her curiosity allegedly, would be a nice bridge for them, a perfect way to develop a bond of sorts.

"I wished to speak with you for understanding, but I am left with greater indecision," Ophis allows herself a pointed look and directs it at Anos, "I'll be watching you, child of man."

Anos thinks for only a moment, he isn't against the idea of Ophis being an observer, but moving forward, he needs to set one thing straight.

"Do what you must, but restrain yourself from any interference. You get one warning. Remember, you are not qualified to test my strength," Anos reminds her of this truth and Ophis... well... Ophis doesn't hesitate to leave sooner than she'd arrived.