Up until Ravel intervenes!

"Piss off already!" Ravel cried out as she flung another fireball, intercepting a Light Javelin from Raynare. She risked a glance down towards Riser, where he was being steamrolled by the teamwork of Rias's Peerage. Her mind was racing as she attempted to put up another fire wall to buy herself breathing room, but Raynare was wise to it this time, barrel rolling her way around it, and flinging another Javelin at Ravel, who got grazed in the side from her hasty dodge before she could fire anything at whoever was going to hit Riser next. She once again was on a retreat to avoid any further hits from Raynare, lookng for any kind of opening to intervene.

Riser meanwhile, flailed in some desperation, managing to send some fire at Koneko, but only succeeded in blasting the tiles she was currently holding out of her hands. Naturally, this wasn't sufficient to buy himself any time, as Akeno just zapped him before he could do anything else, followed by Issei punching him through the back.

Ravel grit her teeth as she made a snap judgement. This... was going to suck, but it was the only chance left at this point. She immediately turned, and began preparing an attack... completely ingnoring Raynare, resigning herself to simply eating a couple of hits from Holy Attacks. Sure enough, a Javelin went through her gut from behind, and Raynare closed the distance, punching her through the chest with the cross, also from behind. Ravel let out a cry of pain, but powered through it, throwing down two fireballs, one for Issei, the other for Koneko as they moved to strike Riser in succession again. Koneko cried out as she was hit, and Issei dodged on instinct.

"Shit!" Kiba shouted, running forward. Akeno needed another boost in magic from Akeno, Rias had just fired her Power of Destruction, and was in the midst of charging another blast, and Issei and Koneko had just had their part in the stun lock interrupted. He immediately flash banged Riser again with a conjured blade, as he gathered himself with the opening Ravel had just taken painful hits to buy him. Unfortunately, Riser had expected it... and for what he was about to do, he didn't need to aim.

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!!" he bellowed, throwing his arms up, and releasing an omnidirectional blast of flame, a massive explosion with him at the epicenter. Koneko acted without thinking, tackling Issei and shielding him with her body. Any other time, Issei would have loved the fact that she was naked against him. Kiba jumped back, conjuring a large blade that was more like a shield as he got in front of Rias. The blast hit everyone, Koneko, Issei, Kiba, Rias, Akeno, Asia, Ravel and Raynare. Issei, Asai and Rias got off fairly lightly, given they had been shielded somewhat, Asia by Akeno, who had moved to help her, and those two were further away than anyone, save Ravel and Raynare. Ravel was immune to fire, being essentially made of it herself. Everyone else? Hit almost dead on, save Kiba, who had his blade, but lacked the durability of a Rook, or even a Queen.

The blast cleared, and Issei groaned as he got up, the building they had been standing on obliterated, depositing them to the ground below. His top burned was burnt off, showing his toned, albeit slightly scorched physique. Riser was panting slightly, and Issei looked around frantically, looking for everyone else. Raynare was still present, hanging in the air, scorched, and barely conscious, several holes in her uniform, one breast exposed, and the cross missing, no doubt dropped when she had been hit. Asia had most of her own clothes burnt away herself, down to just panties and half of her bra, which was basically pointless, as it hung off her right shoulder without covering anything. And Rias was topless now, with almost all of her skirt burnt away. Issei then froze as he realized that Kiba, Akeno and Koneko were nowhere in sight. Before he even had a chance to wonder where they went, he got the answer.

"Rias Peerage. 1 Rook, 1 Knight, 1 Queen, retired," Grayfia's voice spoke up.

Ravel, still regenerating from Raynare's attacks, nonetheless whipped around, and prepped a fireball. Raynare immediately dug in the remains of the uniform, frantically pulling out a flask of Holy Water. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to use it, as Ravel blasted her. Raynare dropped the Holy Water to the grassy courtyard below, and as she fell, glowed, and vanished. "Rias Peerage. 1 Pawn, retired."

"Issei!" Asia shouted, getting up, and running to him, immediately starting to heal him, paying her exposed state no mind as Rias also got up. "Are you alright?"

"I'm-" Issei started to say, before Asia cried out as she was struck with flame from an extended hand from Riser. She started to fall back, and Issei immediately extended his arms to catch her, but before she touched them, she was gone.

"Rias Peerage, 1 Bishop, retired."

"Shit, SHIT!" Issei cursed as Ravel, wheezing, landed next to Riser.

"...I commend you for making it this far against me... but it's over. Surrender, Rias," Riser demanded, catching his breath. He'd had to use almost half of his magic reserves for that blast, but it had gotten the job done. His answer was his head getting blown up in a show of defiance from Rias.

"Ddraig, I need to make the deal with you!" Issei immediately spoke to his left arm, still covered in the gauntlet. He and Ddraig had already discussed the terms, so he knew what the deal was. He would get temporary access to a power up, and in exchange, he'd lose his left arm, replacing it with that of a dragon's. But not a Devil's, and Issei glanced towards the courtyard. The cross and Holy water flask both gleamed as he spotted them.

"I'm afraid at the moment, it would do little good," Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind. "Your body has already been strained, and that last blast did it no favors either. You wouldn't be able to handle my power long enough to make a difference in your current condition."

Issei started to swear. Asia had started to heal him before getting retired, but it had barely done any good. He **** himself to stand, trying to think of a plan as Riser's head regenerated. "...I see. So you intend to be stubborn to the end..." Riser sighed. "Fine. We do this the hard way."