A few things to say first.

There will be more of these chess interludes dotted throughout the story, sometimes within chapters themselves, but then they wouldn't be called interludes if that were the case. Each and every one of them is symbolism heavy, or at least as much of it as I could fit or even do a good job on. So keep those eyes open. The character that appears here goes off on a short speech about one of them. Hell, the chessboard and the pieces itself are already symbols for certain things.

It'd be fun if any readers would attempt to find out what those symbols mean. You don't have to, of course.

Well, with that said, here you go.


"Siesta."

The maid looked up from the tea she was pouring the Killer7's aged leader in his personal room.

"Would you kindly take me to the Viewing Room." Harman smiled in a way that was unlike all his others. This one looked almost... excited. "It seems an old friend has finally come to pay a visit."

'An old friend?' Siesta wondered. 'Wait... but how?' The only way to enter the Viewing Room was through Louise's Room, and certainly she didn't hear anyone come in.

'A mage, perhaps?' Siesta guessed. 'Or maybe someone like Master Harman?' The latter was the most likely. While a mage could possibly enter Louise's room without detection, they won't be able to see the door leading into the Viewing Room; only Killer7's members can see it. 'I wonder what his friend is like?' The maid wondered.

Siesta clutched the handlebars on her Master's chair and pushed him comfortably out of his room and into the door straight across.

The Viewing Room was larger than both Louise's and Harman's Rooms combined and was designed with a sophisticated and refined sense in mind while keeping the feeling of a cozy home. The side walls were covered in a in a brown wallpaper with repeating patterns of gold flowers painted onto them. Two wooden armoires, one tall and wide and another small and thin, both crafted beautifully, stood next to each other to the right wall beside a long dresser with a few potted plants, various tea sets, and pictures of people resting on its top. Above them were even more pictures hanging from the walls along with a pendulum clock that tick-tocked a relaxing rhythm. To the left wall was a more comfortable area. Sinfully plush sofas surrounded a low table in front of an unlit fireplace. There were more pictures on the wall and on top of the fireplace were a few of the many knick knacks that Harman had placed on small tables around the room. A large bookcase filled with all manner of books stood next to the fireplace. From the high ceiling hung a beautiful chandelier, bits of sunlight reflecting off of the crystals that provided its main framework.

But what Siesta loved the most about this room was the large glass window that made up nearly the entire back wall. The view from the window was simply one of the best things Siesta had ever seen. Fields of green stretched on for miles, mountains off in the distance, and a forest dotted off to the side all under a vast blue sky.

In the middle of the room was the chess table. It and its accompanying chairs were jet black in color. It was on one of the chairs that Siesta saw her Master's friend.

"It's been a while, Harman."

Sitting in a chair at one end of the table, his posture radiating an odd combination of nonchalance and kingly grace with a smile on his face, was a man. His features were exotic; slick, black hair, slightly upturned eyes with a long face, his skin color an odd, pale gray tone. He dressed in a green, tailored suit with a flamboyant bright green jacket with an upturned collar, the color contrasting sharply with the modest interior and Harman's own pure black apparel. The most striking features of the man were his luminescent pink eyes that seemed to glow. The look within those eyes reminded Siesta of Harman's eyes that encompass the entire world, its people, and its fate.

But this man's eyes glinted with so much insanity and evil that Siesta could not bear to look at them for more than a moment. Even his voice caused a chill to run down her spine.

Harman tipped his hat slightly in greeting. "That it has… Kun Lan."

"Kun Lan?" Siesta repeated silently, testing the strange name on her tongue. She shivered at the man's name, as if even hearing or speaking it was evil. A desire to run welled up inside her. She squashed it down.

Kun Lan eyed Harman with a raised brow. "I was wondering where you ended up. It's not like you to miss our weekly matches."

"Sorry," the elder Smith replied, "had to take an unexpected business trip."

Kun Lan cast his pink eyes upon the maid. Siesta froze. His eyes danced at her obvious reaction.

"And who's this?" The pale man questioned, still eying the frozen maid like a predator. He blinked, as if realizing something. Then he raised his eyebrow and smiled widely. Siesta shivered.

Harman frowned at his maid's discomfort. But it was to be expected. Not many people can stand to be in the presence of Kun Lan. "Siesta. Please leave us."

Siesta... wanted to disobey her master's command. The pale skinned man didn't even hide the darkness within him, evil seeping out of him in waves. She had to wonder how Master Harman could look so comfortable with Kun Lan and how the elder Smith could even consider this man as a friend. Even being in the man's presence made the air just a little colder.

But if she stayed, then she would be disobeying her Master. She didn't want to do that to the kind, grandfatherly Master Harman.

As if sensing the maid's internal conflict, Harman turned to her, "It's alright, Siesta. I will be fine."

Siesta looked to her Master, biting her bottom lip in trepidation. Reluctantly, Siesta bowed, turned around and slowly exited the room. She glanced at the two men, shooting Harman a look of worry, before closing the door.

Kun Lan smiled, looking at the door. "What a nice girl."

"She is. I don't know what I'd do without her," Harman agreed, wheeling himself to the other side of the table.

Kun looked at his friend with a raised eyebrow. "She is one of mine."

"A fourth. But yes, she is."

"Hmm. And you're alright with that?"

"She has already given her services to me. That's all I need."

"Hmm."

"So... Chess as always?"

"But of course," Kun Lan replied excitedly, "I've already set up." He glanced at the board and its pieces, "I noticed you've gotten a new chess set. Got bored with the old one?"

"No," Harman shook his head, "Merely a change to match with the new scenery."

Kun Lan chuckled, "Quite. White moves first."

Harman responded by moving a pawn forward.

The two fell into silence, both fully concentrated on the match, the only sounds in the room made by the pieces clicking on the board and Kun Lan's occasional chuckle. The two never rushed their moves, both politely waiting for the other regardless of how long they took. To them, this was a pleasant game lit just right by the afternoon sun. No worries, no ill thoughts, just a fair game between two good friends in a moment of peace.

It's ironic that with every move they make they destroy that peace a little at a time. Not theirs, of course.

Everyone else's.

Almost an hour later into the game, Harman spoke. "I have to ask, Kun," Harman questioned as he moved his knight, "How is it that you've arrived here? I expected you a little later. The paths aren't always so easy to see."

Kun smirked. "To tell you the truth, Harman, I've visited this place a few times, quite a long time ago." A black pawn takes its white brother. "It was after one of our games that I first stumbled here by chance. Someone opened a door for me."

Harman contemplated his next move. "And you left it open?"

"There was no reason to close it."

"Heh."

Another silent moment.

"Are you awake from your dream?" Harman asked, a white pawn moving forward.

Kun Lan placed a hand under his chin, staring at the board, giving a noise of affirmation. "Hmm. Our little game has just gotten a bit more fun."

"How different this world is compared to the other."

"The normal laws don't apply here." A black knight takes the white pawn. "So much potential, don't you think, Harman?"

"Indeed." Harman moves his bishop, the black king now in its line of attack. "Check."

Kun Lan moved his rook to take the offending bishop. "And I've already planted a few seeds during my first visit. Little things, really, and only now did they begin to bear some fruit."

Harman stared at his friend. "Did the fruit grow to your liking?"

The sallow skinned man's eyes danced. "Much better than I expected. But you would know. You've already partook in it."

A white knight avenges its comrade bishop by taking the black rook. "Sorry. Couldn't help myself."

Kun leaned forward. "Was the crop good?"

Harman smirked lightly. "Indeed. I must commend you on your usage of the terroir."

Kun chuckled. "Yes, the terroir. The world isn't just divided in two here." Kun Lan gestured a hand toward the large window overlooking the land, "It's a bunch of tiny nations constantly trying to sink their tiny fangs into each other. The sheer potential on this world made the land perfect for the seeds."

Harman sighed. "Their magic, contempt and arrogance on all sides just make it easy to instigate conflict."

The sallow skinned man smiled viciously. "More water for the crops." He moved his second rook confidently across the field, the white king in its sights. "Check."

"Hmm." Harman did not hesitate and took the attacking rook with his own.

"Your goal for this world?"

"Oh, you know me, Harman, world domination and all that."

"There isn't an East or West here. Nothing for us to fight for."

Kun Lan's eyes seemed to shine. "There's always something to fight for."

The elder Smith laughed in response. "Now that is something I can agree on. But don't you get tired of it?"

Kun moved his pawn forward. "The both of us have been at this for a long time. But tired? Not really."

"We barely have time for fun anymore."

A familiar smile. "Now, Harman, there's always time for fun."

Harman laughed. "Of course." Harman moved his queen right next to the black king. "Checkmate."

Kun Lan blinked and stared at the board. Indeed, the black king was surrounded. He could take the white queen, but it would put his king in the white rook's sights. He laughed as he stood up, unaffected by the loss. "This time Harman, the game will be mine." He began to laugh again, this time more crazed, a savage laugh full of insanity.

"Because you're far too late!"

And then he vanished.

Harman smirked.

"No matter how many times you try, Kun, the result will always be the same."

The game has begun once again.

The day when laughter disappears from this world is drawing near.


To all who do not know him, I am pleased to introduce Kun Lan, Harman Smith's equal, rival, friend, and chess partner. He is the cause of much of the grief that happens in Killer7, and will no doubt have his time to shine here. He only showed a small portion of his powers here, but I can guarantee that he is much more powerful.

As always, please leave a review. Criticisms welcome.