House of Alphas Chapter 39: Gambling King (Patreon)

“Alright…” you huddled with your alphas standing on the opposite side of the cave.

The opposing team stretches and flips their weapons cockily, grins to match their attitude.

You released a little scoff looking at your group, “…Tell me about their abilities… everything you know.”

Nanami nodded toward the lead alpha, “Hakari is known as the master of fists. He’s close range.”

A fighter.

“Also…” Gojo began with slight irritation, “…he has a lucky dragon talisman.”

A fighter with a shit ton of luck…

You hummed rubbing your chin. Most fighters had good strength and defense but their resistance couldn't be too high. The problem was that talisman. Any dragon item was top tier. For a moment you second-guess this match. An item such as that was end game. Was Hakari that strong? You did hit him with your shadow blast and he did get a sneak attack in so there was no telling how strong the man was without seeing the little boss bar at the top of your screen followed by boss music.

Perhaps if you could get him surrounded and get a good hit off on him then you could win. But then there were the others. “What about his mate?”

“Gravity.” Sukuna muttered- A sorcerer…“…they can affect the gravitational pull on the targets they mark. Bringing them together or apart.”-so don't get touched.

“And the others?”

“Pawns.”

“Pawns are still soldiers. I need to know what they do.”

“ I got you...” Getou began, “B.J. is good with a bow, Spades is a sword user, Ace axes, and Jack works with javelins. I heard that their team has a hard time against elemental runs so they normally stick to strength matches.”

That would explain why all the gear Hakari sells is normally for raw armor and weapons, they normally don't have good magic items. Cool. A well-rounded team that doesn't do well against magic. You shut your eyes for a moment trying to imagine the battlefield in ‘game’ form. What would you do if you were fighting a team with a strong captain? Defeat the add-ons. That's strat 101.

You opened your eyes with a soft nod, “so…here’s what I'm thinking… If we can get rid of the pawns we can focus on Kirara and then Hakari. I don't think any one of us can go toe to toe with him and actually defeat him. Sukuna if you can dance with him for a little that would be good, shoot at him do whatever just keep him busy, don't exert too much energy though. Toji and Nanami I need you front line handling the big guys. Getou if you can help them with that, that would be great, summon Kirin, the chain lightning can assist in dispatching the meat shields and stunning them. Gojo and I will focus on Kirara and after that, we take care of Hakari… Any questions so far?”

“Yeah, why am I dancing with the opponent.”

“Sukuna... You are faced with someone who is faster than you and super lucky at that.” Which calls for easy crits- no wonder why he took everyone else out with one hit. “…you aren't going to beat him with brute force. I know your strength out matches his but one wrong move and he gains the upper hand. We need to counter luck right now and to do so is to higher our chances when we all attack him. We can lower his speed and guard, but only if we work together. Teamwork makes the dream work.”

“What does my team have to do with my dreams?”

“Uh, we help them come true! Duh!”

“You haven't the slightest idea what my dreams consist of.”

You sighed, “Listen! We gotta work together to defeat our enemies. This is important for any battle we get into. We are strongest as one, and it's especially important to understand when the enemy can outclass you, it doesn't mean they are better it just means you need to think of a counter, a different path. Understood?”

Toji grinned, “I love when you get all commander on us.”

“She’s so cute when she does that.” Gojo agreed.

You felt heat touch your face, “Uh~ well I like strategy games you know. You gotta learn how to make your disadvantages your advantages. Hakari’s team is strong but they also underestimate us. Let’s play them right into our hands.”

“Yes…she makes a good point Sukuna. ” Nanami is also pleased with you.

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say war chief.”

Getou snickered, “Oh you must join Nanami and me in a game of chess, it would be nice to go against an opponent that uses their brain for once.”

“Oi! What does that mean?”

“Nothing my sweet boy.”

You chuckled at Getou and Gojo who was making a pouty face.

-“Heeeeey~!” Hakari called for your attention.

Looking over your shoulder you watched the alpha jump around like he was Goku getting ready for the funnest fight of his life. Kirara on the other hand, looked forever bored like you guys were beneath their time. “Are we ready to do this?!”

“We were born ready!” Gojo yelled back, but truthfully Hakari and his pack only found anything your guys said or did amusing. Not even Sukuna’s glarey eyes were doing anything. It was like you were little pups trying to beat the elders.

You must gain your respect! “Hmph! Let’s wipe the battlefield with them.”

“Agreed.”

Your team spread out to get into position, you were in the center, Toji and Nanami took the front line, Sukuna and Gojo were to the left and right, and Getou was beside you.

Hakari and his pack hollered as they got excited.

“FINALLY”!

“Thought you guys were getting cold paws hm~!”

You kept your mind on the prize, ignoring the taunting words.

“I’m going to fuck them up…” Sukuna growled under his breath.

It was obvious their words were irritating your alphas. Especially so when…Hakari pointed a finger toward you, a wide grin on his face, “You're mine princess.”

What- he’s targeting you.

Toji stepped in the way, blocking you with his body, “Keep your filthy hands away from her.”

“I’m going to rip his arms off.”

Shit…

It wasn’t just Toji and Sukuna that inched subconsciously closer, it was all of your alphas. Getou even went as far as placing his foot in front of your own.

“Don’t worry about me.” You tried to reassure them, “Focus on the plan I can handle myself. If Hakari comes for me… Gojo and Getou snipe Kirara and the archer.”

“Got it.”

You are going to go on the defense if Hakari puts a target on your back. It looks like you will have to dance with him along with Sukuna and heal your team while you are at it. The good ole turtle formation.

Momo and Inumaki were on the sidelines with a sleeping Junpei. Your blonde beta stood as she raised her hand in the air, beginning the countdown.

“On the count of three…one-! Two- destroy them Raven-! THREE!” karate chopping her hand down she began the fight.

The front line yelled like barbarians as they charged each other and clashed.

Toji swung his large sword in a whirlwind attack deflecting the archer's arrows while simultaneously knocking the front line back. Nanami stayed by his side slicing at anyone who came close.

“KIRIN!” Upon Getou’s yell an electric horse came trotting from the summoning cloud. The majestic creature was white and blue with a blue horn and white clouds around its legs and chest. Sparks followed its steps while it galloped and shot thunder at the group.

“Ah-” They cried out from the electric current that had them twitching.

“I got you now!” Toji flipped his sword as he slashed at Jack sending him flying and Nanami did a leaping attack at Spades.

“Yes-“ you grinned but a shadow flew over your head.

“YOOOOO SHOW ME YOUR BURNING PAAAASSION!”

Hakari’s entire body blazed with a purple aura as if he were going super saiyan.

He was just leaping into action!

“MOVE!” Someone grabbed you around your waist and you were flung backward just as Hakari touched down with his exploding punch.

Your eyes widened as the whole cave shook and the ground opened up as everyone caved in.

“FUCK!”

“HAKAAAARIIII!” Gojo yelled as he fell with you in his arms.

“KYAAHAHAHHAHA!” The wild alpha had his arms tucked to his side as he came torpedoing at the two of you like a heat-seeking missile.

Fuck! This man was insane!

“RED!”

“SHADOWBOLT!”

Gojo and you shot blast after blast while Hakari spun and dodged in the air like some graceful Ariel acrobatic.

“Charge-PUNCH-ack!”

Sukuna came flying through the air tackling the other man before he could get to you. “You’re fight is with me!”

“Gojo! You need to slow our fall!”

“Hm!” Gojo flipped backward as the two of you glowed white and fell much lighter.

Getou flew down with Kirin who was shooting lighting at the falling archer. BJ spun in the air while shooting arrows, jumping from rock to rock until he hit the ground with a roll.

“Ah! Getou look out!”

“Rrrr!” Jack threw his javelin at Getou, he dodged it just in time but wasn’t able to recover in time before Ace flew at him and chopped his axe down upon the two.

“Ugh!” Getou let out a pained cry as he fell off his summon and onto the stone-wet floor.

“GETOU!” You and Gojo were off to help the alpha.

After taking two steps forward, Toji came flying across your view with what seemed to be every rock coming at him.

“Ugh!” He was having a hard time punching each rock away but with the explosion the swarm of rocks was like a tornado.

Fucking dammit!

Looking up you saw Kirara flying above on their rock, touching each falling piece and sending it at Toji.

Hakari! He didn’t punch the ground for no reason- he was doing it to create more weapons for his mate and to split all of you up. The wild genius!

“Gojo stop Kirara! Nanami on Getou!” You slid to Getou as Nanami jumped in front of you with his gem out, he clutched it as it glowed.

“Barrier!” He yelled holding it into the air as the others clashed against it with a loud clang.

Throwing your hand out you summon the healing staff. Grabbing it tightly your light energy glowed vibrantly. “HEALING CIRCLE!” You screamed throwing the staff up, your energy burst into feathery-like energy healing your alphas.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Getou sighed getting up, his wounds closing as the light touched upon them. “Can’t believe I let my damn guard down.” The summoner hissed as he watched Kirin neigh one last time before being dispatched by Ace.

“It’s okay, summon Orochi.”

“It’s going to take me a moment.”

“That’s fine…”

Getou knelt as he touched the ground, a bright circle shining underneath him as he began to mumble.

“AYE! Hiding behind a barrier!?”

“Pretty weak!”

The goons laughed as they slashed and hit the shield Nanami held for you. It began to crack and break.

“We don’t have much time princess.” Nanami grunted low with each hit.

“Understood… when I say now you let go of the shield and you go for the archer.”

“But you-“

“I got it…” You sucked in your dark energy allowing your staff to disappear. You breathe deeply, channeling your darkness until it was oozing from you like little seeps of shadow. “…now!”

The shield was released, and the sudden change took the others off guard. They expected Nanami to attack them but instead, he ducked down and lunged forward, charging straight for the archer.

“FUCK-“ the archer shot an arrow at him but with a battle cry Nanami cut the arrow down the middle and slashed at their chest.

“BJ!”

“SHADOW EXPLOSION!” You released the shadow energy around you, blasting the others away as they yelped.

Once the shadow is expelled from your body, you release a gasp feeling quite a bit of your energy being drained. That move took a lot out of you. Just when you thought you could breathe you felt a presence behind you.

You gasped turning your head just in time to see Hakari’s manic grin “Boo!”, and then you were soaring in the air having been kicked in your side.

You heard your alphas and betas all cry out for you, and yet all you could think was, the alpha was a damn monster.

“YOU BASTARD!”

Within that split second you had taken to breathe Hakari juked Sukuna and appeared behind you, round-house kicking you and Getou simultaneously. How- how did he…

All of this happened so fast you didn’t get a chance to land before assessing what actually happened.

“Dammit-“ you hiss sitting up on your elbows, gaze widening. You were shocked to find Hakari standing with a feral smile, one arm missing.

“Did you like my dodge Sukunaaa~?”

No way! Did he sacrifice a limb just to take you and Getou out?! He gambled his life for that?! Who’s alpha is this?!

Sukuna was in his true form, growling and snarling as he charged Hakari with fire oozing from his mouths and hands. “I’LL RIP YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!”

“You already got one!” Hakari chuckled while dancing around the fiend. He wasn’t actually fighting Sukuna. He was doing what you told Sukuna to do… tire him out… in Sukuna’s lunatic mode, he goes ballistic for a good moment before he crashes out completely. It was clear he was getting played like a bucking bull.

“Sukuna!”

“Princess! Stay out of this! We will handle the rest!” Nanami was having a hard time juggling the pawns by himself while Gojo was trying to free Toji from Kirara’s rock-bending prison.

Getou was dragged to the sidelines by Inumaki, taken out of the battle. That was one-for-one.

Momo was already rushing over to you to remove you from the battlefield. Hell no! If they think you are just going to tap out they were wrong!

“Shit…” you cursed as you place a hand on your stomach, “Heal.” With just that one ability you still weren’t able to stand. Damn Hakari. His speed was much higher than yours, you barely felt his presence before he was upon you. “Heal!” You cry out again. This time you were able to push upon your hands just as Momo got to you.

“Here let me help you up-“

“No! I can still fight!” You were stubborn as you got to your feet. You can win this! Hakari had one arm for crying out loud!

Nanami got hit by Ace, your alpha crumbled to the ground with a painful grunt. The sight of it made your gut twist horribly. Mock battle or not. This all felt too real. The sound they were making was akin to the noise they’d make when their life points reached zero followed by a sad speech. Something in you coiled and that pain in your stomach had your energy fueling.

“Nanami! No! SHADOWBOLT!” Sending the spell forward you hit the enemy square in his chest. He let out a groan falling to his side. You sent more blasts as you got closer to your blonde alpha.

The others fall from your outburst of magic, you barely notice but your spells are bouncing off one and channeling to the other with light mixed into it. At this point, you were just grabbing your energy and sending it flying.

The pawns were knocked out once you got to Nanami.

“Kento-“

“Princess look out-“

At least you thought-

You got down to Nanami but Spades jumped up with his sword. “I’m not done yet!” He growled.

Something pulled you out of the way and then you were in Gojo’s arms, his fingers swirling with purple, “Purple!” The purple ball swirled with a powerful suction before blasting off in a huge orb. The Add-ons let out a screech as they were swept away from the attack.

“Nice one-“

“Don’t forget about me!”

Without even a moment to pause the ground around you rumbled and Toji along with a rock slide came tumbling after the two of you.

“DAMMIT!” Gojo pushed you away as the commotion swept him. Your two alphas yelling.

“Ack-“ you fell to your knees, snapping your gaze to Kiara, they winked at you with a peace sign.

They are the key- if you can get rid of them you can get Toji and Gojo back into the fight and crush Hakari and his one arm!

“HHHHRRRRNNN!” The loud yell caught you off guard, you looked toward Hakari who was yelling into the air as if he wanted Tengen to hear his cry, and the energy around him exploded in hot waves pushing everything around him back. “LET’S GO LET’S LET’S GOOOO! ULTIMATE GAMBLING KING!”

What the- was he charging up for something or about to hit a transformation? Well, this isn’t any anime you were going to attack him while he did it! Unfortunately the mere power of his ultimate made it difficult for you to even move. If you didn’t dig your nails into the ground you would have been swept away from the strong winds.

Hakari began to dance as sparkles sparked around him and a dark slot appeared over his head. There were only two symbols on it, a skull and an angel.

“HA HA HA-!” He hit more dance moves as the slots began to roll quickly. Each drop burst with more and more energy as he got all three angels. The cave exploded with more energy as Hakari screamed “YAHHHHHOOOO! ULTIMATE JACKPOT!”

You couldn’t believe your eyes. Hakari’s arm grew back and then his body seemed to beef up in size as he practically went into his ultimate super saiyan form and then proceeded to disappear within a flash, his movements too quick for you to even see him until he was on Sukuna with a flurry of hits.

“YATATATATATTA!”

Ultimate- he just used his ultimate attack! Your team wasn’t even at a high enough level to unlock your ultimates yet! You were suddenly smacked with the realization, that Hakari would have been skull-level if you were to face him in the game. You should have known when Gojo said he had a dragon talisman. Hakari was end game.

“Gah!” Sukuna coughed up blood as he was sent tumbling your way.

You hated this. You hated seeing your alphas defeated. You were running toward Sukuna without a second thought but then Hakari stepped in your way, his energy radiating.

“Bastard!” You yelled as you threw both of your hands forward your dark and light energy swirled as it shot at him in a beam together.

“Hooo~!” Hakari spun around the blast, “Nice nice nice! Dark and light energy! A passionate combo!”

“Gah!” You swept yourself around trying to hit the alpha with everything you got.

The two of you dancing in a wild show.

“I got this one, Kiara.” He had yelled during the mix of it.

You didn’t even remember that there was another enemy here, just hell-bent on hitting the stupid grin off Hakari’s face.

He had already dropped his energy, practically just swaying and moving around your spells with effortless dodges.

Then he grabs your wrist and spins you around so that he is holding you to his chest.

“Agh get off me!” You wiggled around charging your energy until you were sending it out like a shockwave but it did nothing but tickle the alpha. You had exhausted your mana.

“So much fire! Exquisite little omega!”

“Hakariyoupupofabitch-!” Gojo tried to yell from the rock pile he was stuck in.

“Don’t-don’t touch her you filthy slug!” Sukuna struggled to fight his way up but fell back down with a grunt.

You grit your teeth as you shake your head, “It’s obvious you are stronger than me! I have lived in a castle most of my life without an ounce of training! Surely you should win against me.” The fuck was his level like eighty? “You made your point. You win now allow me to tend to my alphas!”

He spun you around, “The fight isn’t over until-Oh-.” He gasped in surprise as did you, feeling frustrated tears run down your cheeks.

You chase them away with quick fingers- you can’t help the tears. They had betrayed your moment of trying to accept your defeat with dignity.

“Oi oi oi~…” The alpha looked uncomfortable as he rubbed his neck. “Uh…Kiara?”

“Why are you calling me?”

It was clear the man hadn’t a clue on how to deal with your emotional tears. “You win…” You spoke as you quickly got to Sukuna, leaving him in his reboot stage.

“Sukuna…” you dropped to your knees as the man grumbled in annoyance.

“Damn- fucking bastard…”

“I know… I know…heal…” you heal Sukuna’s wounds but one wasn’t enough. As you moved to the next spot he reached up to cup your cheek.

“Why are you crying omega…”

“B-because… I don’t like seeing my alphas hurt…now sit still so I can heal you…”

Sukuna hummed as he sat silent, allowing you to tend to his injuries. While you did that, a new camp was set up since Hakari had destroyed the previous one.

After Sukuna was able to get up you moved to your other alphas. Each one apologizes for the defeat.

“I’m sorry baby girl…” Toji spoke softly as you placed your light energy upon his cuts. “I messed up…when I let that omega sneak up on me like that…”

“Shh… it’s okay don’t apologize… none of you have a reason to.”

“Yeah, I can’t believe how strong they are…” Gojo sighed. “Are we the weak ones?”

“I almost had him…” Sukuna scoffed. “Speak for yourself.”

Nanami shook his head, “We clearly have a lot more training to do.”

“You’re…hm…” you fell forward as you finished healing your alpha.

“Oh- are you okay?” Toji questioned with worry as he held you to his chest.

“Hm…tired…” It was like you were running on fumes and after you healed everyone your body had finally thrown in the towel.

“You did good sweetheart, rest now.” Getou rubbed your arm sweetly.

Momo your cheerleader threw her fist into the air, “Yeah, Raven! You were using your dark and light energy! That was pretty cool! I bet if you get more training you will beat that cocky alpha!”

“Cocky alpha?”

“Eek!” Momo threw herself at Inumaki as he caught her.

“You wouldn’t happen to be speaking about me little beta?” Hakari smirked as he jumped down to a squat, wrists hanging on his knees.

“No-no not at all! That was Inumaki!”

“I didn’t say it out loud but I do agree. If Raven had more training I think she can beat you.” Inumaki took that flag like a champ.

The alpha chuckled as his gaze shifted to you, “I have no doubt about it. She’s a fabulous omega.”

“Hey! Keep your eyes away from our omega.” Gojo growled in annoyance.

“Your omega your omega.” Hakari taunted, “How could she be your omega when you have yet to claim her on the mating moon?”

“She is ours.” Nanami spoke up with a clipped tone. “We’ve been with her long enough for our scents and energy to mingle, don’t get any funny ideas.”

The alpha laughed with a wave of his hand, “Such a heated pack, I love it! So passionate for each other. However, you all did lose so~.” Hakari snapped his fingers as his crew brought over crates and bags full of crystal rocks.

“What is this?” Getou question but by the tone of his voice it seemed he might have already known what was coming.

“Crystal rocks smart guy.” Hakari picked on up as he tossed it up and down, “It’s why we were holed up in this cave. Your pack gets to crack them all open for me so I can get the crystals.”

“No way!” Gojo hissed.

“Losers don’t get a say.” Ace chuckled.

You didn’t understand how much manual labor something like this required. Usually, when you got crystal rocks you’d take it in town and they’d just crack them open for you. “Why don’t you have the townspeople do it?” You question.

“That- comes with a fee. You guys well… you guys will be doing it to pay for the fight.”

Man, he was really rubbing your faces into this defeat.

“This can take us all night…” Nanami muttered looking at the large amounts of rock that needed to be worked on.

“Aaah~?” Hakari hummed as he tapped his chin in thought then he rolled his eyes to you with a little twinkle, “Or~ I can spend a night with your omega, your choice.”

“AYE!”

“YOU STUPID BASTARD!”

“YOU WANT TO GO AGAIN!”

All of your alphas were sent into a growling frenzy as Hakari chuckled loudly.

“I’m joking I’m joking fuck don’t bite my head off.” He waved at you all as he jumped up, “Have fun with the rocks!” Hakari and his crew were dispatched into their tents with victorious laughter. However, before Hakari could get into his tent you witnessed Kirara giving him a few punches.

Your alphas were pouting as they grabbed a bag and began to crack the rocks open.

“Guess we better get cracking.” You shift trying to reach for a rock but Toji pulls you back to his chest.

“We got it, you should go rest.”

You released a little snort, “No, we lost as a team. This will just be a good lesson that we need to work harder and get stronger. We aren’t even strong enough to produce an ultimate ability as strong as Hakari’s.” You had no doubt Sukuna and Toji were close to unlocking theirs but you needed all of your team to be to that point.

“I’ve heard about that move that he used before.” Getou commented while breaking the rock open gently and picking out the crystals. “He doesn’t use it often. If he fucks up it can backfire.”

“Then I guess that I’m proud of us for at least making him use such a strong ability huh?”

“That’s an optimistic view.” Nanami chuckled.

“Thanks, Nanami.” You smiled while trying to crack your rock open. It was like a little walnut and you had to get your nails inside to break it open inch by inch. What a bloody tedious job. “Next time we fight him we will be ready.”

You will make sure of that. It was like he was your very own Pokémon Red trainer that you had to beat after the game was over. Hakari was truly an opponent you inspired to beat. You were both happy and depressed about this situation. Happy you were shown some of your weaknesses and depressed that if this were real you wouldn’t have come out of this alive. Every time you shut your eyes you remember how your alphas looked and sounded as they fell. You will burn the image in your mind and make sure you strive to never see it again.

The reality check was real. Power of friendship be damn you bout lost it all. Now you sat here with your tails tucked in between your legs.

However…It was kind of fun…

Cracking rocks with your alphas and betas as you guys all joked and laughed during this punishment.

“MY FACE WAS TO TOJI’S ASS IN THAT ROCK CACOON!”

“Pffftahahaha!”

“I said I was sorry Satoru, I couldn’t move either!”

“At least you guys were still in the fight I got knocked out twice.” Getou mumbled.

“I got someone.” Nanami boasted lightly.

“I got one before I got crushed!”

“I was dealing with the strongest one.” Sukuna rolled his eyes, “If I had to deal with the extras they would have been done for!”

“Oooh pshhh yeah right!”

“Haha…” Your vision becomes blurred for a second and the noise around you sounds distant but you quickly snap your gaze open jolting upright.

Toji grabbed your chin pulling your head back as he glared down at you, “Did you almost fall asleep?”

“…n-“

“Don’t you dare lie baby girl.”

“Yes- but I’m okay-Ai! Toji! Put me down!”

The alpha wasn’t listening as he took you to your tent, “Say goodnight to the brat.”

“Good night brat~!” Everyone (except your betas) called to you as you were carried away with a few small kicks of your feet and fists, but then you huffed in exhaustion finding your fight to be futile as your eyes shut before you even got into the tent.