The aftermath of the Rating Game had left an indelible mark on Rias Gremory's peerage. The shock of Riser's possession was still fresh in their minds, but they could no longer ignore the larger, darker force that had been pulling the strings. Amon was no longer a mystery. They knew of his existence, his power, and the vast influence he wielded. But even knowing this, there was little they could do to stop him—not yet.
Inside the Occult Research Club's headquarters, the group sat in tense silence. The meeting had been called to discuss their next steps after the revelation that Riser had been possessed by a being far more powerful than any of them could have imagined. Amon wasn't just a manipulator; he was a force of nature, a godlike entity whose reach extended far beyond what they could currently comprehend.
Azazel, leaning against the doorframe, watched the group carefully. His expression was grim, but his voice was steady. "You've learned more than most. Amon isn't just playing with your lives for fun. He has a long-term goal, and right now, we don't know what it is."
"Then we need to find out," Kiba said, his tone firm. "This isn't just about saving Riser or stopping him. This is about stopping whatever Amon has planned before it's too late."
Rias nodded, her face hard with determination. "We can't afford to wait. Amon's manipulations are already in motion, and every second we waste could lead to more lives lost. We need to gather information—find out who he's targeting next."
Issei shifted uncomfortably, his hands twitching as if to reach for something—anything—to act. But even he knew this was no time for rash decisions. "But how do we even begin to stop someone like Amon? If he can possess someone like Riser and manipulate the entire game, what hope do we have?"
Azazel stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "That's the question. The fact is, you don't need to take him on directly—at least, not yet. What you need to do is figure out what his next move is. If you can anticipate it, you might be able to disrupt his plans before they come to fruition."
"But where do we even start?" Rias asked, her voice quieter now, as if the weight of the situation was finally sinking in.
Azazel glanced around the room. "Start with the basics. Follow the money, the influence, the pawns in play. Amon isn't operating in the shadows alone. He's likely already placed his pieces within the most powerful factions."
"And what about the Church?" Akeno added. "Irina and Xenovia—they're our allies, but they're also in danger, aren't they?"
Azazel nodded. "Yes. They've been manipulated by Amon, and it won't take long before his influence extends to them again. The Church is already on edge—he's planting seeds of doubt, of betrayal. If we're not careful, they'll fall into his trap, and it'll make things much harder for all of us."
Kiba stood up, his voice steady but full of resolve. "Then we need to warn them. If Amon's influence is already spreading, we can't afford to wait. We'll go to the Church and try to protect them before it's too late."
Azazel raised a hand. "Be cautious. The moment you tip your hand, you risk drawing Amon's full attention. We don't know exactly what he wants yet, but if he realizes we're onto him, everything could escalate much faster. We need to proceed carefully."
Akeno's eyes narrowed. "So, we wait? We don't move against him?"
Azazel's gaze softened. "We move, but we move smart. You're not fighting some rogue devil. Amon is a god-like being who can alter the course of events with a single thought. You cannot treat him like a normal opponent."
For a moment, the room was silent as each member of the peerage considered their next steps. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on them, but there was no time for hesitation.
Finally, Rias spoke again, her voice resolute. "Then we begin the investigation. We'll track down every lead, every possibility. And if it leads us to the Church, then so be it. We'll warn Irina and Xenovia and anyone else who might be at risk."
Azazel gave a small nod. "That's the right approach. But remember, you're not alone in this. The other factions will soon start noticing the disturbances. Once they do, we'll need to be ready for anything."
As the meeting wrapped up, Rias and her peerage stood up, preparing to take action. Despite the weight of their task, there was a quiet resolve in their eyes. They had come this far, and they wouldn't back down now.
---
Meanwhile, Amon's Avatar continued his work in the shadows. Though his primary vessel was still Riser, his influence was spread far wider, like an invisible hand pushing and pulling on the strings of fate. The devastation he had caused in the Rating Game was only the beginning. With the threat of exposure looming, Amon knew it was time to accelerate his plans.
In the hidden chamber where Amon's consciousness resided, the multiple avatars met once again. The atmosphere was tense as they gathered, each waiting for his command.
"I've been watching," Amon said, his voice calm but tinged with menace. "The Gremory group is already investigating me. Their suspicions are growing, and they're looking to disrupt my plans. But I will not allow them to stop me."
One of the avatars, standing in the shadows, spoke up. "Should we take more drastic measures? Destroy them outright?"
Amon smiled darkly. "No, not yet. The moment we make a move against them directly, we'll reveal our hand. We need to be patient. Let them chase their tails for now. It will be more satisfying when they realize they were never in control to begin with."
Another Avatar, this one appearing as a tall figure in black armor, nodded. "You want to keep the charade going as long as possible."
Amon chuckled. "Precisely. The more they struggle, the more they reveal their weaknesses. We'll take advantage of that. And as for Rias Gremory..."
He trailed off, his smile widening. "She's a key piece in this game. But she will be more useful to me alive than dead. The time will come when I move against her, but that is not today."
As the avatars discussed their next moves, Amon's mind began to turn over the possibilities. There was still much to be done. But he had time. Time was a luxury he could afford.
His plans were already set in motion, and no one—not even Rias and her peerage—could stop him now.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! If you're enjoying the story, toss a Power Stone my way—it really helps keep me motivated to write more. Thanks for reading!