Sona Sitri wasn't in the best of mood while reading the paper in her hand. Letting out a heavy sigh, she put the paper down on her table, together with some other papers before she removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. She had been reading the papers that she received for quite some time, and they seemed to be the main source of her apparent headache.
"Just this once, I'm unhappy with the fact that Rias is currently dealing with her engagement," Sona, who was also known among the student body as Souna Shitori, muttered to herself. "With her currently busy dealing with her own problem, now I have to deal with this thing on my own. So unfair," she grumbled. It was rare to see the usually-composed and calm female student like her, who was also the president of Kuoh Academy's Student Council, to act grumpy like that. The vice-president of the Student Council, Tsubaki Shinra, who was also currently in the Student Council room, saw it, and tilted her head.
"Kaichou," Tsubaki addressed the president after she adjusted her glasses. "Did something happen?" The long-haired, bespectacled beauty asked, putting down a book she was reading as she looked at Sona.
Sona looked at Tsubaki before she answered, "This happened." She took the papers from her table into her hand, showing them to the vice-president. "There's a serial killer out there who seems to be targeting the students of Kuoh Academy. There are at least six victims, all females."
Tsubaki quirked one eyebrow as she walked over to Sona's table. "A serial killer targeting female students?"
"Yes. An announcement will be made soon to inform the student body to be careful while outside the school grounds," Sona said. "And to make things even worse, we also have to deal with this matter as soon as possible."
"Do you mean we have to get involved too?" Tsubaki asked.
"Of course." Sona nodded.
"Kaichou," the vice president took the papers from Sona but she didn't read them yet as she looked at the president, "I thought we shouldn't be involved in that sort of matter. While it is our responsibility as the Student Council to ensure the safety of the student body of Kuoh Academy, I think this matter is best left to the police…"
Sighing, Sona pushed her hair behind her ear before she spoke, "Under normal circumstances, yes, we should leave this matter to the authorities." After a pause, she continued, "But, what if I told you that all six confirmed victims are also Devils?"
"Devils?" Tsubaki blinked. Some students of Kuoh Academy were Devils, and most of them were reincarnated ones. While there were two Devil peerages that belonged to two High-Class Devils, Rias Gremory of the Gremory Clan and Sona Sitri of the Sitri Clan, there were also a few Devils who were enrolled in Kuoh Academy that belonged to some peerages back at the Underworld.
"Yes, Devils. While none of the victims belonged to the Student Council or Rias' little fun-time group, it still doesn't change the fact that someone has been killing Devils in this territory." Sona's expression was grim as she clasped her hands together. "And unlike the exorcists from the Church, the culprit left behind the corpses without even disposing them first. Their corpses were found by civilians at back alleys, and most of them were in a rather… undignified state when they were found."
Tsubaki frowned before she read the papers in her hands. Her eyes widened as she read the papers, which were actually the autopsy reports of the corpses of the victims. There were also a few photos clipped on the papers, depicting the state of the corpses when they were found at the crime scenes, and Tsubaki immediately brought her other hand to her mouth, swallowing the urge to retch.
"This… this is more than just undignified," Tsubaki said, a few moments after calming herself down. "No, undignified isn't enough to describe this. This is beyond deplorable…" There was a hint of anger in her tone as she said that. "The one who did this has to be a monster…"
Sona nodded. "That is something that I can agree with you, Tsubaki." She got up from her seat as she crossed her arms. "Based on the reports, the victims were tortured and… violated before being killed in a gruesome manner. And there were some traces of occult powers being used at the crime scene, indicating that whoever this culprit is, there are some supernatural elements involved. It is safe to assume that whoever did this, they have knowledge regarding the existence of supernatural entities." She went to the window, looking outside. "The culprit might be a stray Devil who seems to have a taste for young, inexperienced female Devils, or a psychopathic magician who hunts down Devils for fun."
"It seems to be a rather difficult task for us to handle," Tsubaki commented.
"Yet we have to do something about this, considering that Rias and her minions are currently engaged in some sort of altercation," Sona said. "I hate to say this, but we, the Student Council, are on our own in this matter. We have to stop this serial killer with everything we got."
Tsubaki stared at the president before she nodded. "Understood, Kaichou. In the meantime, the student body will be informed to be careful while outside the campus."
Sona nodded and said, "Yes, and it is best for them to avoid going to places like backstreets. Most victims were found in back alleys. It's hard to tell if the culprit will only target Devils or not. There's a chance that humans might get involved too, which is something we'd like to avoid at all costs. I want all the members of the Student Council to be informed about this matter…" She pushed her glasses up her nose. "We have a psychotic serial killer to deal with."
"Understood," the vice-president said.
Meanwhile, outside the room of the Student Council, without both Sona and Tsubaki noticing it, a ponytailed girl with bluish-gray hair was standing near the door, and she seemed to have listened to the conversation between them. Thanks to her nature as a battle android, the girl, Labrys, was able to take all the details from the conversation between Sona and Tsubaki perfectly. There was a grim expression on the ponytailed mechanical maiden as she digested the information she received after eavesdropping their conversation.
"A serial killer…" Labrys muttered before she walked away from the Student Council room. She learned from the conversation between the two Devils in the Student Council that someone had been targeting female Devils who were also students of Kuoh Academy. And the culprit might end up targeting humans as well if the culprit wasn't caught.
While she knew she shouldn't get involved, there's no way she could allow suc thing from happening if she could help it. Labrys would like to hear the culprit answer to all the heinous crimes he'd done to all his victims, even though all the victims were Devils. Thanks to her interaction with Issei and the rest of the members from Rias' peerage, she had come to the conclusion that despite them being Devils, they were also like people with their own feelings and emotions.
But first, she needed to inform Mitsuru regarding this. After all, she needed some confirmation and authorization from the leader of the Shadow Operatives first before she could do anything. And because her sister, Aigis, was currently busy with her own business, she decided to not trouble her with this matter for the time being.
As a member of the Shadow Operatives, she believed that she could handle this all by herself. After all, she believed that she's strong, just like her sister.
Heart of a Butterfly
Persona 3 and High School DxD Crossover
Chapter 19: Riser Phenex
"I see…" Aigis mused after she listened to Rias' explanation. "You wish for me to join your peerage so that you are not to be married with the person you mentioned…" She looked at Rias, whose expression was unreadable while she was seated on the sofa.
"Riser Phenex…" Rias began. "A High-Class Devil from the House of Phenex." She looked up to see Aigis' face. "You certainly remember what I have told you before, right? About the outcome of the war between all three biblical factions. Due to the war, as well as the civil war between Old and New Devils, we have lost a great number of pure-blooded Devils. And considering that even though there is currently a truce between all factions, I'm sure you remember that occasional scuffles happen, just like the last time," Rias reminded Aigis of the incident which involved the Fallen Angels and Asia Argento that happened before. "It means that the pure-blooded Devils who are the successors of the households can fall in battles anytime, which may lead to the extinction of the households themselves. And the low birth rate among the pure-blooded Devils doesn't help either."
"So… arranged marriages are unavoidable in order to prevent the extinction of the households," Aigis said. "But, what does this have anything to do with me joining your peerage, Gremory-san?"
"I'm getting to it," Rias said. "A while ago, Riser Phenex himself showed up here, in person, telling us about our engagement and the upcoming arranged marriage. I…" She looked aside. "I naturally objected to it. While I do not object to the idea of getting married, I want to be married with someone I acknowledge. I… I want to have the right to choose with whom I am to be married with."
Aigis was starting to get the full picture of Rias' situation. She wanted to be in full control of her own future. She wanted to be given the right to choose with whom she would spend the rest of her life with, and it seemed that she didn't approve of this person, Riser. Still, the redhead had yet to explain to her about the significance of her joining her peerage.
"Due to my objection, Riser has suggested that whether I am to be married with him or not is to be decided through a Rating Game," Rias stated.
Aigis raised one of her eyebrows, not knowing what a Rating Game was. "Rating Game?"
Seeing that the mechanical maiden was unfamiliar with the term, Akeno decided to give an explanation to her. "Let's just say that it's a battle match between Devils, in which the Devils use their servants, Pawns, Bishops, Knights, Rooks and Queen in the match. The social standing of Devils can be reflected by their performance during the game…" The raven-haired beauty held out a finger. "That would mean Buchou's peerage and Riser-sama's peerage will have to battle each other to death, fufufu…" She chuckled creepily.
"Umm… Aigis-san, Akeno-san is just joking," Kiba informed the android girl. "Well, about the last part, that is. The rest is correct. Still, considering that Buchou isn't a fully-matured Devil yet, she technically cannot participate in a Rating Game. But, although this is a matter between two pure-blooded Devils, an unofficial Rating Game between the two of them can still be held."
Aigis mulled over the information she received from their explanation. "So, if Gremory-san emerges victorious in this Rating Game against him, she will not have to marry him. And if she loses, she has no other choice in this matter. I see…" Aigis mused. "I think I understand now. You want me to join your peerage so that you can stand a chance against Riser Phenex."
Rias nodded. "Yes. Riser Phenex has a full peerage and is a mature, pure-blooded Devil. He has already participated in the official game and has won most of the games he participated. And he is also a pure-blooded Devil from the Phenex Clan, one of the remaining 34 Devil Clans of the 72 Pillars, which holds the rank of Marquis. The members of the clan possess the inherent power of the legendary creature itself, Phoenix, which means they are able to regenerate almost any wounds immediately and are almost impossible to defeat in battle. So, in order to stand against someone like Riser, we need more power." She looked at Aigis. "And I believe that you are strong, Aigis-san. I know this is selfish of me to ask for your assistance just so I can escape this predicament, but… what else I can do?"
"You seem to think highly of me, Gremory-san," Aigis said.
"After learning so much about you, I can't help myself," Rias admitted dryly.
Under normal circumstances, Aigis might have accepted Rias' offer to join her peerage, considering the situation she was currently in. But, accepting her offer would mean having herself turn into a Devil, something that she didn't really want to happen. She needed to decide the best course of action to be taken regarding the offer.
[Do you believe you want to sacrifice your own ideal for someone else's sake? Do you think that turning into something more inhuman is worth it just to help someone?]
Aigis could hear Boudicca's voice inside her head. The Warrior Queen of Briton was the Persona born from the Imperatrice Arcana, a bond that Aigis made with Rias. That would mean she could see through different perspective thanks to the bond she forged with her, thus gaining an understanding in the bond she created.
[Becoming a martyr for someone else's sake is admirable. But… will you be happy with the outcome? She may get a positive outcome, but what about you? Do you believe that sacrificing what you stand for is worth it for her sake?]
Aigis closed her eyes. She understood that as a Wild Card, her power not only could affect her, but also those she interacted with.
[Sometimes, a little bit of selfishness won't hurt.]
After hearing Boudicca's advice, Aigis opened her eyes and looked at Rias. "Gremory-san, I can sympathize with your current predicament. I also have a friend who was in the same situation as this, but…" her expression hardened as she continued, "I'm sorry, Gremory-san. I'm afraid that I cannot accept your offer, no matter what the situation is. Becoming a Devil would be going against everything I stood for, and there is no compromise in this matter." Her tone was calm, even though it pained her to see Rias' sad expression upon hearing her declinature.
"I see…" Even with disappointment written on her face, Rias still managed to smile. "I understand, Aigis-san. I guess we can't help it, then."
"Even so, something about this matter has to be done," Aigis stated.
"Eh?" Rias, as well as the rest, blinked as they looked at the mechanical maiden.
"Do you not have enough faith in your servants' abilities, Gremory-san?" Aigis asked. "I believe that all of you can stand against this Riser Phenex." She remembered seeing them for the first time during her mission, when they fought valiantly against the Shadows. One thing that she could say about them was that they were strong together.
"Well…" Rias seemed to be struggling to come up with words but was having trouble while doing so.
"Even though I cannot accept your offer of becoming a Devil, I can still offer my free time to assist you all with training for the match," Aigis said, smiling. "I will not claim that I am stronger than any of you, but I believe I have the power to help you to grow stronger."
"The Personas…" The one who didn't say anything since the beginning, Koneko, spoke. "Just like you did with Issei-senpai."
"Ah…" Kiba understood what Aigis meant. "So, you want to use your Personas to help us train, huh? Well, I guess that's an acceptable alternative." He remembered Issei's training with Pallas Athena, and he had to admit that even though the training might look painful, the outcome of the training couldn't simply be denied.
"I agree," Akeno said, nodding. "How about you, Rias? Considering that Aigis-san won't be joining us anytime soon, if not ever, I cannot think of any better alternative than this."
Rias brought her hand to her chin, closing her eyes as if she was deep in thought before she opened them, looking at the android girl. "Alright. I suppose this is acceptable." She smiled. "Thank you, Aigis-san."
"Please do not mention it, Gremory-san. Because there are things that I cannot compromise, I believe this is the best thing I can offer to you, and I apologize for that," Aigis said, bowing her head slightly.
"I-it's fine, really," Rias insisted. "We can't think of any better option, honestly. So, if you're offering to help us train, that would be great. You have my gratitude," she said before she extended her right hand, offering Aigis a handshake. "I'm looking forward for the training sessions with you."
Smiling, Aigis shook her hand. Deep inside her, she could feel the Imperatrice stirring, radiating comforting warmth from within. She could feel her bond with Rias Gremory growing stronger.
"Hello, this is Labrys speaking," Labrys said. Using her internal phone, she contacted her superior, the leader of the Shadow Operatives, Mitsuru Kirijo. She was currently in the apartment that she shared with her sister, Aigis.
"Hello, Labrys," Labrys heard Mitsuru's voice. From her tone, she deduced that the red-haired Persona-user was tired. "Is there something you wish to report to me?"
"Umm… you alright, Mitsuru-san?" Labrys asked. "You sound kinda grumpy there."
"Grumpy, huh? Well… truth be told, I've just finished with my meeting," Mitsuru told the ponytailed mechanical maiden. "Dealing with those imbeciles can be quite a chore, I'll tell you that. It took almost the entirety of my willpower to refrain from executing all of them in the meeting room." After a pause, she added, "It's just that turning people into ice statues is frowned upon these days, so I had to stay patient and suffer their stupidity for a while."
Labrys chuckled. "I bet ya got 'em all sweaty from start to finish." She imagined Mitsuru staring down some poor souls while in the meeting room while discussing business.
Mitsuru also chuckled before she said, "Seeing those old fools drenched in their own sweat and stupidity makes attending the meeting all the more worth it. Still, I don't think that you're contacting me just to learn about my latest escapade as the leader of the Kirijo Group, Labrys. Is there something you wish to report to me?"
"About that…" Labrys took a while to think of the suitable words to tell her superior. "Yes, I got somethin' to report to ya, Mitsuru-san."
"Very well. Report," Mitsuru ordered.
Labrys made her report to the leader of the Shadow Operatives, telling her about the serial killer who was at large in the city near Kuoh Academy, and this serial killer was targeting the students of the school. She also told her that the victims were females and Devils.
"I see…" Mitsuru mused. "So, you are saying that there is a serial killer who is hunting the students of Kuoh Academy, and the victims happened to be females as well as Devils."
"Yes, and I want to receive an authorization from you so that I can hunt down this serial killer," Labrys said.
"Labrys… you do realize that whatever happens to the Devils has nothing to do with us?" Mitsuru asked.
"I know…" Labrys said. "But… after knowing Issei-kun, Kiba-kun and the others, I… I just thought to myself that maybe, just maybe… they ain't so bad, after all." She closed her eyes as she continued, "They're Devils, that's true, but… after knowing 'em, they're just like us. They're people, just like us. Permission to continue?"
"Go on…"
"We are the Shadow Operatives, and we protect people. Didn't you say t' me that we will right the wrong done to all people?" Labrys continued. "Even though they are Devils, they… they are also people. I wanna… fight to protect 'em. I'm sure Sis will think of the same thing too…"
"I understand…" Mitsuru said. "I know that you cannot stand injustice and wrongdoing, and I commend you on your desire to protect those people. Even so, I still cannot grant you the authorization to commence the mission…"
"B-but, Mitsuru-sa-"
"But whatever you do behind my back, that is another matter altogether," Mitsuru's voice softened. "You are a Shadow Operative, bound by a set of rules. But you are also Labrys, and you are free to decide what rules to give for yourself." Labrys could tell that Mitsuru was smiling while saying that. "Just do whatever you think is right. While I cannot approve of your request as the leader of the Shadow Operatives, as a friend, I will always support you."
"M-Mitsuru-san…" Labrys was honestly touched by Mitsuru's words before she smiled. "Right! Thanks, Mitsuru-san!"
"And one more thing…" Mitsuru said. "When you see the culprit, make sure to execute him thoroughly. Make me proud, Labrys."
"Aigis-san…" Kiba spoke to Aigis as both of them walked down the street. They were on their way home after they were done discussing about their future arrangement for their training for the Rating Game. When Kiba said her name, Aigis stopped walking and glanced over her shoulder, looking at the handsome blond Devil who was walking with her.
"What is it, Kiba-san?" Aigis said.
"About your offer earlier, thanks…" Kiba said, smiling. "Even though you didn't accept Buchou's offer to join her peerage, you're still willing to help us train."
"Please do not mention it," Aigis said softly, turning to face the blond boy, smiling as well. "I just do what I believe is the right thing to do without compromising my own belief. Still, I'm sorry because I had to reject her offer."
Kiba nodded. "It's okay. We understand you. And while I have no objection with my current situation as a Devil, it's not like I had much of choice when Buchou turned me into one." There was a sad smile gracing Kiba's visage, as if recalling the time when he was first turned into a creature of the Underworld by Rias. "I was the same like Asia and Issei, you see? I couldn't remember it very well, but I believed that I might have died before Buchou found and resurrected me as her Knight."
Aigis understood what he meant, and she couldn't exactly blame him for being a Devil due to his situation. Also, besides the change of species, there weren't any real changes in one's personality after being turned into a Devil. Well, Aigis thought that being vulnerable to anything holy was quite disadvantageous. "And you were thankful of her for resurrecting you, right?"
"Yeah, I'm thankful…" Kiba said, nodding. "At the very least, she has given me a second chance in life, even though I have to spend the rest of my life as a demonic being from the Underworld." There was a self-deprecating smile on his face as he continued, "And I am thankful that Christianity isn't all that common in Japan, or else I may end up spending the rest of my day with crippling headaches."
Aigis smiled dryly. "I don't think a Devil can survive a week at Vatican City."
"Heh, probably, that city being a holy place and all. And let's not mention the exorcists…" Kiba said. "Well, let's get going, then. I don't think it's nice to stand in the middle of the street while chatting."
"I suppose you are right, Kiba-san." Aigis nodded. Both of them continued walking.
"Hmm… by the way, Aigis-san, I haven't seen Labrys-san today," Kiba said.
"She's been hanging out with some friends she made at school," Aigis informed the blond boy about her fellow ASW and her sister. "And I think she's already at home while we were discussing about our training arrangement."
"Well, probably it's just me, but I believe that Labrys-san seems more distant than before," Kiba said. He remembered the first time he met the ponytailed mechanical maiden while she was searching for Aigis' apartment. Unlike her sister, Aigis, Labrys was more energetic and outgoing. But after returning from her one-week break, she became more distant. There were some occasions when he saw the ruby-eyed android girl deep in thought. She wasn't as energetic as the first time they met. "And it's probably not my place to ask this, but do you know what happened to her recently?" Kiba couldn't help but worry about that particular mechanical maiden, due to the fact that he befriended her when she first showed up in this city.
"She's… having some sort of personal problem that she hasn't shared with me yet, even though I am her sister," Aigis said. She couldn't help but feel a little saddened because her sister wasn't willing to share her problem with her just yet, but she knew that she simply needed her time before she was ready to tell her everything about the thing that had been troubling her. "As her sister, I am worried."
"As her friend, I'm worried too," Kiba admitted. "If there's anything I can do to help her, will you tell me?"
"I will tell you once I get a good idea about what really happened to Labrys," Aigis said. "And thank you for looking out for my sister. If there is one thing she really needs here, it would be some good friends." Aigis smiled sadly as she recalled the tragedies that happened in Labrys' life, about how much her sister had suffered just because she had grown a human heart. "She had experienced tragedies and heartbreaks before, and I'd like to prevent such things from happening again." She brought her gloved hand to her chest. "I suppose this is a case of sisterly affection. If there is something that I will never deny about our relationship, it is that I love her dearly as a sister."
"Then, you are a good sister, Aigis-san," Kiba said. "And Issei also seems to look up to you because you saved him too."
"I just did what I believed was right at that time," Aigis said. "Issei-san is my friend, and there is no changing that fact. Helping him out is a natural course of action to me. I believe that other people would also do the same thing as well."
"Is that so, huh?" Kiba mused. Then, he realized that they had finally arrived in front of Aigis' apartment, where the blond android lived together with Labrys. "Ah, we're already here."
"Indeed." Aigis nodded. She turned to face him again and gave him a polite bow. "Thank you for accompanying me, Kiba-san."
"Well, this is the least I can do to repay you, after all…" Kiba shrugged. "Again, thank you for the offer you made with Buchou."
"Again, do not mention it." Aigis shook her head.
"I suppose we'll meet again tomorrow…" Kiba said. "I'm looking forward for whatever you're preparing for us tomorrow, Aigis-san. Well, at the very least, I can prepare myself mentally in case if the training you have in mind for us is just like the one your Persona gave to Issei." He recalled the time when Issei was thrown over Athena's shoulder many times and imagined how painful it might be if such a thing were to happen to him, and he had to suppress a shudder while imagining it.
Aigis smiled. "Believe me in which I say that would not be the case. I don't think throwing you over and over again is not the most suitable form of training for you. I believe I need to consult my Personas first in order to figure out a suitable way for you to train," she said. "And this is the least I can do for you. While I don't believe I'm necessarily stronger than any of you, my knowledge has to be enough to help you all train."
"Ah, I guess that's right," Kiba said. "Bye, then. Please take care of yourself in the meantime."
"Understood." Aigis nodded. Kiba waved his hand to Aigis as he left, leaving the mechanical maiden right in front of her apartment that she shared with Labrys.
Once Kiba was gone, Aigis brought her gloved hand to her chest, feeling the warm sensation that she felt while interacting with Kiba. She could feel her bond with the blond boy growing. The Star was stirring deep inside the sea of her soul. Thanks to her being a Wild Card, the bonds that she forged with others could help her to see through various views and perspectives, allowing her to understand others much better. Not only that, the bonds that she made could also make her grow much stronger, because as her bonds with the others strengthened, so did her Personas.
"The power to understand others and understand one's place in the world…" Aigis muttered as she looked on her palm. She was among the few chosen ones who were granted with the power of Wild Card, and while her power as a Wild Card had yet to be fully developed, she had learned how useful this power was in helping her understand herself and her place in the world. "I wonder if he also found out the reason for him living…" She closed her eyes, picturing the face of the one she loved the most, the one who was currently out of her reach.
He had sacrificed his own happiness and future for the sake of the mankind, and it would be proper to honor his sacrifice by living a fulfilled life, as well as protecting humanity just as he did but in her own way. Aigis had vowed to spend the rest of her life doing just that.
"Sis?"
Aigis heard Labrys' voice before she turned around and saw Labrys, whose body was shrouded in her illusion, cloaking her true appearance. She looked like a normal human girl thanks to her capability as an illusionist. "Labrys?" Aigis blinked as she looked at her sister.
Labrys smiled. "Welcome back, Sis."
Aigis noticed that Labrys was wearing her shoes, indicating that she might be going somewhere. "Are you going somewhere?" Aigis asked.
"Yeah." Labrys nodded. "Got somethin' t' do in the city. I'll probably be out until nighttime, so I'm gonna be late tonight."
"I see…" Aigis mused. She figured that Labrys had something to do, probably hanging out with her friends. "Please be safe, then. If you get yourself in trouble, please do not hesitate to call me."
"Right, I'll do just that," Labrys said and walked past her sister.
"And… Sister, if there is something troubling you," Aigis said, and Labrys stopped herself, "I'll listen to you. Just take your time if you do not feel like telling me just yet."
"…Sure," Labrys said as she left.
"Sister…" Aigis just looked at Labrys as the latter left their apartment.
As for Labrys, she left the apartment with determination in her heart. She would not trouble her sister with the knowledge that she would be hunting down a serial killer, because she didn't want her to get worried about her.
After all, she believed that she was strong, just like her sister.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note: Hello, this is me, Prince Arjuna. So, this is Chapter 19 of Heart of a Butterfly. I'm sorry if this took long enough, but I've been thinking hard to come up with ideas for this story. So, please forgive me if there is something unsatisfactory about this story, and you can tell me about them so all those mistakes can be rectified. Also, while this chapter is named after our fabulous fiery douchebag, he has yet to make his appearance in the story. Perhaps next time?
Also, special thanks for Sorata Shioya for beta-reading this chapter. It's so nice to work alongside you. So, please, like usual, leave some reviews for this chapter, so that the author won't suffer existential crisis. Please look forward for the next chapter, Chapter 20: Crawling Chaos. Until then, farewell.
Prince Arjuna (2015)