EPIC: Path of Demons and Dragons

With the Rating Game scheduled for that evening, in real-world time, Rias had everyone gather around a large rectangular dining table in the Ending Zone of the Second Stratum's Fifteenth Floor to enjoy a feast.

"First off, I would like to express my gratitude toward the members of Sona's Peerage for accompanying us in this training endeavor. We could have done this without you, but your presence and companionship during this period made this extended training venture much more endurable and pleasant for everyone," expressed Rias, raising a thin champagne glass of sparkling juice in a toast.

"Hear, hear~!" exclaimed Issei, beaming as he clinked his own glass with Tsubasa and Kiba. Around the table, everyone followed suit, clinking their glasses together in a gesture of camaraderie, provoking smiles all around.

Waiting for everyone to take a drink and settle down, Rias narrowed her eyes in appreciation, adding, "Second, I'm proud of how far everyone has come these past two and a half months. I could not have asked for better subordinates and friends, and I'm confident that if we give tonight our all, Riser and his Peerage won't stand a chance. So let's do it...!"

In response to Rias's vigor, everyone gathered around the table raised their glasses high, emulating her gesture as they responded with cheers and affirmations. Issei made a comment about having Grilled Chicken for their post-game meal, prompting a round of laughter. Then, for the rest of their time in the Corridor, everyone feasted and made merry, completing their protracted stay on a high note...

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"You've finally returned. Welcome back," said Sona, wearing a faint smile when she saw the members of her Peerage, the ORC, and Vahn reappear at the same positions they had departed from.

"Thank you for coming to meet us, Sona. Did you encounter any issues while we were away...?" asked Rias, crossing her arms and reciprocating with a broad smile of her own.

"Before that..." said Sona, shifting her violet-eyed gaze to her Peerage as she instructed, "Saji, Tsubasa, Tomoe, Reya, Ruruko. Return and get some rest. We are responsible for hosting and helping to maintain the barrier for tonight's Rating Game, so I need everyone in peak condition. I will check your progress individually later."

"Understood."

"Hai, hai~"

"Yes, my Lady."

"Yes, Kaichou."

Noticing that Saji was just staring at her rather than offering a response like the rest of her Peerage, Sona raised her right brow slightly and asked, "Is something the matter, Saji-kun? If you're worried about your siblings, I ensured they were well cared for during your absence."

"Nothing's the matter," responded Saji, shaking his head before forcing a smile as he added, "And thanks for looking after my younger brother and sister. I greatly appreciate it...Kaichou..."

As Saji typically referred to her as Sona-sama or without honorifics, Sona hummed thoughtfully, crossed her arms, and asserted, "We'll talk about it later. For now, return to your family and rest well."

"Understood..." responded Saji, offering Sona a courteous bow before departing with Ruruko, who was waiting for him with Reya and Tomoe. The four of them had grown much closer after fighting alongside one another and spending nearly every hour of every day together for more than two months, so, much like Issei, Saji had likewise acquired himself a girlfriend during his stay in the Corridor. More accurately, he had acquired three, causing him to feel lost, confused, and somewhat remorseful after seeing Sona for the first time in months...

"Issei, Kiba, Koneko. The three of you should also go and rest," suggested Rias, shifting her gaze to Akeno and Asia as she added, "As for the two of you, please go and prepare tea and snacks. Sona and I have a great deal to discuss."

"It would be our pleasure," stated Akeno.

"Leave it to us~!" appended Asia, followed by everyone mentioned filing out of the room, leaving Vahn with Sona, Tsubaki, and Grayfia.

"I will also take my leave to issue my report. Good luck during tonight's Rating Game, Lady Rias. And I greatly look forward to seeing you again, Vahn-sama," stated Grayfia, offering bows to Vahn, Sona, and Rias before raising her head and turning to depart, vanishing in a flash of crimson light after three steps.

Finding Grayfia's words and bowing to Vahn first to be a little odd, Sona turned to Rias, her brows slightly raised as she questioned, "Did anything happen during your stay in the Corridor?"

"Quite a lot, but not what you're imagining," assured Rias, supplying a curt nod before looking at Vahn, tilting her head in the direction of Sona as she asked, "More importantly, are you forgetting something, Vahn...?"

"I haven't forgotten..." replied Vahn, shaking his head and approaching Sona as he adopted an affectionate smile and asserted, "I missed you, Sona..." before placing his hands on her waist and kissing her. He was a little surprised when she escalated things by wrapping her arms around him, cupping his butt, and drawing their lower bodies flush against one another, but instead of showing it, he reciprocated by slipping his hands under her skirt and giving her soft yet toned butt an affirming squeeze.'

"Mmnn...I hope you know you're mine for at least the next week..." said Sona, separating from Vahn's lips and licking her own as she turned her eyes up at him with an almost predatory smile.

"I'm pretty sure we'll be together the rest of our lives..." responded Vahn, causing Sona to blink in surprise, the smile on her face becoming notably more prominent as she leaned into him and softly affirmed, "That's right..." before initiating another lengthy kiss.

Pulling out a pocket watch and keeping track of the time, Rias waited for precisely three minutes before stating, "Alright, you two. You'll have plenty of time to catch up after tonight's matter has been settled."

"I suppose..." responded Sona, separating from Vahn and licking her lips one final time before gesturing to the pair of sofas nearby. Rias moved to the one slightly further away, so when Sona moved to the one opposite of her, Vahn found himself in a slight predicament.

Noticing Vahn's slightly wide-eyed expression, Rias exhaled an amused chuckle and expressed, "It's fine, Vahn. Go ahead and sit next to Sona. You can even have her sit on your lap or have her and Tsubaki sandwich you between them. In fact, why don't you show her what we discussed previously before we kick off our chat...?"

"You mean...?" asked Vahn, pointing to his hair.

"Precisely," confirmed Rias, leaving Sona and Tsubaki staring at them with confused looks until Vahn's hair abruptly turned inky black, his distinctive aquamarine eyes shifting to a familiar shade of violet.

Sensing the change in Vahn's aura, Sona experienced genuine perplexity and a fluttery feeling she could best describe as expectation in her heart and lower abdomen. Vahn looked handsome normally, but with hair, eyes, and the aura of a member of her clan, Sona felt, for the first time, that she could understand why her older sister was so obsessed with her...

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Following a lengthy discussion regarding the various revelations that had been made during their stay time in the Corridor, Rias recommended that Vahn spend the rest of the day with Sona while she completed a few last-minute preparations for the Rating Game. He had no reason to refuse this, so after relocating to Sona's villa and bedroom, Vahn found himself in the rather envious position of having her ride him while Tsubaki massaged his head and scalp, lending him her hot and moist crotch and inner thighs as pillows.

"So, you wish to make me a mother...?" asked Sona, eyes narrowed and an almost sadistic smile adorning her face as she rolled her hips nearly three times a second.

"I do..." affirmed Vahn, his passion-filled gaze fixed on Sona as he flexed the muscles in his jaw, doing his best to endure the incredible pleasure for as long as possible. He had learned that he could technically hold himself back indefinitely, but since that would be inconsiderate to his partners, he allowed himself to experience the indescribable pleasure they vested him without a filter or crutch.

Feeling her composure begin to slip, Sona slowed down a bit, moving her hips in a figure-eight motion and panting as she revealed, "To be perfectly honest...I would prefer to wait at least two centuries before actively trying for children. Devils being too close in age to their offspring creates a lot of issues, both socially and politically..."

"I know..." exhaled Vahn, his chest heaving as he revealed, "Rias...and Grayfia-san...told me the same thing. We even talked about me having kids with Tiamat first...but I don't know her that well or want to have kids with her...not yet, at least..."

"Then how about starting with my sister...?" asked Sona, explaining, "She is a mature Devil, one of the Four Satans, and people have been pestering her to pass on her genes for a long time..."

"Honestly...it kind of bothers me that people keep nominating girls I've never even met to carry my children..." confided Vahn, exhaling from his nose as his breathing gradually returned to normal.

"That's perfectly understandable," affirmed Sona, nodding. Immediately after, however, she contended, "But, in a way, it reinforces how important you are to us. I wouldn't arbitrarily nominate my sister to bed or bear the child of just anyone. I'm only willing to do so because I have faith in you and know what kind of person she is. Sera is bound to test you or meddle in our relationship the moment she learns about it, so including her in the mix will make things easier for everyone..."

"If that's what you believe, I can at least meet her..." responded Vahn, feeling slightly exasperated but willing to do whatever it took to ensure Sona and Rias were happy while simultaneously securing his position in Devil society. During Grayfia's and Rias's many conversations about the future, they deliberated on having him form a Peerage of his own from the daughters of various houses and, given time, possibly having him become the fifth Satan. It all sounded a little absurd, but since there was no upper limit to his growth, Vahn was willing to become whatever he needed to be to secure the futures of those he cared about and for...

"Excellent. I will arrange a meeting between you in the very near future..." stated Sona, smiling as she gradually accelerated the shaking, twisting, and bobbing of her hips. She would truthfully prefer if her sister, Serafall Leviathan, never learned about her and Vahn's relationship, but since that was an impossibility, proactively arranging for them to meet and become a couple was the path of least resistance. And if Vahn were able to form a contract with her sister...

Feeling Vahn's value and her sentiments toward him compound, Sona's violet-eyed expression became especially sultry. She hadn't been a part of Rias's and Grayfia's discussions, but with a Dragon Queen as a Familiar and one of the Four Satans as his contracted subordinate, it didn't matter that Vahn was currently only around the level of a Low to Mid-Class Devil. He could easily gain recognition as a contender for the position of Satan...

With such thoughts in mind, Sona redoubled her efforts, determined to ensure that, even if she couldn't become Vahn's first wife, she would at least be able to remain in his inner circle. If he created a Peerage, it was almost assured that Rias would become his Queen, so even though they had yet to discuss the possibility, she reserved herself a position as one of his Bishops...

Unaware of the various plans forming within Sona's head, Vahn focused solely on enduring her ministrations as long as possible. At the same time, unbeknownst to all of them, the gem-like eye of a large teddy bear in the corner of Sona's surprisingly girly room twinkled slightly...

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