Dragon of the Eldritch Chapter 6 Preview

"I'm sure you all have questions given the past twenty-four hours."

Rias kept up a calm yet stern face as she stood before her peerage of Akeno, Kiba, and a now-less-pale Koneko.

"Well, considering all the gossip going about the new girl being a girlfriend to one of the Perverted Trio, I'm sure we're not the only ones," Akeno stated in an attempt to lighten the mood.

The lack of smile on Rias's face sombered them all relatively well.

"As you all know, there are many different factions among the supernatural community," Rias remarked. "Aza Rabufuto is a being from one faction that rarely interacts with the Devils, or any others for that matter; The Eldritch."

Koneko flinched while the other two looked surprise. "Not to be too blunt, but as in things like tentacle-space monsters?" Kiba asked for clarrification.

"Honestly, yes. Unlike the rest of the supernaturals on earth, they are entirely otherworldly in origin. Just like the Eldritch are with the majority of humans, they often don't care for our affairs unless paths are crossed.," Rias explained.

"How did that pervert get involved?" Koneko asked suddenly.

Rias sighed. "We have no idea. All we know is that Issei Hyoudou is somehow an interest to the Eldritch and that we all should avoid the ire of Aza Rabufuto at all costs," Rias explained.

"Rias, who is she, really?" Akeno asked in concern.

Koneko looked up at that. "Her name is-"

"Don't!" Rias cut in quickly, sighing at their looks. "That's another thing. Saying the name of an Eldritch, especially a deity, is to draw their attention. Most of them are ancient, predating all known life on earth, and their powers are...strange to say the least, their minds alone having powers and their true pressence reduces most humans to insantity over a time."

Koneko paled harshly at that. "Rias I-"

"Its okay, Koneko," Rias assured gently. "Technically speaking, Aza is one of the exceptions. She seems to ignore whenever her name is casually envoked, or just doesn't realize when it is. That said, its better safe than sorry while she is here," Rias explained.

"But couldn't the Great Satans inquire to the leaders of the Eldritch as to why one their own is in Gremory Territory?" Kiba suggested diplomatically.

Rias gave an empty smile. "That would be easy in theory, seeing as the Queen of the Eldritch just transferred to this school."

Dead silence greeted her as Koneko turned white as a ghost. "A God-Queen....is dating Issei Hyoudou?" Akeno summarized slowly.

"In the shortest terms, yes," Rias agreed, giving them all one of the most serious looks they had ever seen from her. "Aza Rabufuto could easily destroy this entire planet if provoked. Once my brother finds out she's HERE, he might just order us all back to the underworld for our own safety. I only wanted to stay when I thought retreating was premature, but the situation matured rather rapidly with someone like her on our door step. That said, I'd rather not draw anyone's attention by disappearing all of a sudden. Not to mention we need to get Gaster ready to leave when we do," she explained before taking a breath. "Any questions?"

"Should we be at all concerned about the human students?" Kiba asked, feeling both awkward yet concerned. "Because I heard this Aza is less than thrilled with the insults about her....boyfriend."

"Kiba, I say this with full honesty: there is nothing we can do to help them if She becomes displeased with them," Rias explained solemnly. "Sona is already giving a similar speech to her peerage. If you have anything unfinished business, I suggest getting it done within the next day or two."

".....Why weren't we ever told about this?" Koneko asked with a scowl.

Rias almost flinched, but did look apologetic. "Because we didn't think it would be an issue. Sona and myself only know about the Eldritch as a formality, not because we ever expected to have a serious run in with any of them. If there's nothing else?"

Everyone shook their heads, Kiba and Koneko leaving as Akeno approached her King. "Are you alright?" the half-fallen asked in concern.

"No, no I'm not," Rias remarked with a long exhale as she leaned against the desk. "I thought I was being rational, standing my ground and choosing to stay after I first heard THAT name. I thought Sona and I could be the ears on the ground, keeping an eye out for anything happening here. Now that she's here and definitely knows who we are, I'm starting to think I was just an arrogant fool, who couldn't swallow her pride to protect her friends."

"Rias, you know that's not true," Akeno remarked sternly. "You're not a coward, so of course its in your nature to hold firm and adapt to struggle. That's part of what makes you great. But I know, if you thought the situation was truly hopeless, you'd make the right decision for everyone," she assured, putting her arm around Rias in a hug before grinning. "Besides, who would have imagined someone so important would ask out one of the pervert trio?"

"Haha, I suppose you're right," Rias said with a grateful laugh. "..."