Author's Note: Yo. Chapter 4 here.
Yes, the last chapter number was a mistake. I'll sort it out once I reach ten chapters.
Please note that Mei is in no way, shape or form a knock off of Medea, the Witch of Betrayal. Absolutely nothing to do with her whatsoever.
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Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DXD.
"Rias" - Speech
'Issei' - Thought
[BOOST!] - Sacred Gear Ability/ Ddraig and Albion Speech
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The first time I met the person who would become the second [Pawn] of my group, Amakusa Chiaki, was when she summoned me out of instinct when the Yakuza killed her parents. Her situation was so heartbreakingly similar to my own when I was twelve that I slaughtered the trash before they could so much as blink.
I adopted her as my little sister and made Amadeus reincarnate her as a Devil. She required two [Pawn] Evil Pieces to do have that done, even with no Sacred Gear. This showed that my eye for talent was not wrong.
Her talent for Martial Arts and Demonic Magic was very evident and I did all I could to nurture her talent. Unlike me, she used Shōrei Ryū Karate, one of the ancestor styles to Shōtōkan, the most widely practiced Karate style in the world. Her affinity for Demonic Magic manifested in Lightning and Fire magic, although I taught her a few tricks with Gravity Magic to help her along.
Leaving her behind was one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. However, I will have my last remaining sister back someday. This I swear.
- Mei Schwarzwald, The Queen of Blood and Betrayal.
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Chapter 4: The Fourth Move: Fool's Mate
The Next Day, After School
Kuō Academy
Issei found that, while he had adjusted to the general insanity of the supernatural world, occasionally something happened that made his blood boil.
Such as a perverted Dragon King demanding Asia's panties -the exact same pair she was wearing at that time- as an offering to establish a pact between them. Issei had almost cried when Asia had removed the undergarments, a pair of virginal white panties, and offered them to Fafnir without hesitation.
"My poor Asia…" Rias muttered from her place hugging the blond ex-nun, "You are so brave. I am proud of you."
The rest of the Gremory Group, as well as the Sitri Group, stood off to one side, eyeing the massive form of Fafnir, the Dragon King. Azazel, Sirzechs and Serafall stood with them, in a deceptively relaxed manner. Ophis stood nearby, as emotionally blank as always.
Issei swore that he would pay that perverted dragon for humiliating his sweet Asia like that!
"Now then…Awaken, Ddraig!" Fafnir boomed after he had positioned his newly acquired panties over two of his horns. A golden glowing light surrounded Issei's [Boosted Gear] and the green gems embedded in the gauntlet shone with a bright inner light.
[Ano…where am I?] A child-like voice spoke inside Issei's mind, [Are you a friend? I'm Ddraig, a baby dragon!]
"What the hell?! Ddraig?" the Sekiryūtei yelled in a shock.
"What's wrong?" Azazel asked.
"Ddraig's regressed back to being a kid, that's what's wrong!" Issei said heatedly, "What the heck is going on here?"
"I passed only enough power to him to awaken him, as was the request from my contractor. He must have really overused his power to have reverted to the mentality of a chick." Fafnir replied, "I cannot pass any more power to him without possibly damaging both him and you from saturation of my power. You have Vritra's wielder here. Why not have him complete Ddraig's awakening?"
Saji jerked as all the attention of the gathered Devils, Angels and Fallen Angels was brought upon him.
"E-Eh…but I-" he stuttered.
"Saji, try it." Sona ordered her [Pawn], "Issei-kun needs all the power he can muster if he is to face the Queen of Blood and Betrayal at some point."
"Hai, Kaichou…" Saji replied in a resigned fashion. He couldn't disobey the orders his master gave him. In a flash, he activated his first Sacred Gear, [Absorption Line].
He reached out, attempting to contact the consciousness of Vritra, the Prison Dragon King. He had only spoken with him twice, once when he first integrated all of the remaining Scared Gears containing Vritra's power and once when he had first used [Vritra Promotion] at the Grigori HQ, so he wasn't confident he could do so again.
[So, my wielder seeks me out again] a voice boomed in his mind, [Ohhhh…? Fafnir's here…so is Ddraig. What has brought two of the Dragon Kings and one of the Nitenryū together like this?]
Swallowing heavily, Saji explained the general situation to the ancient king, including Ddraig's overuse of his power and his current mental state.
[Hmmmm….for Ddraig to have gone so far for the sake of the one who bears him speaks well for this Issei person.] Vritra mused. He then spoke aloud, [Hyōdō Issei, your name is? You wish for me to lend you my aid, do you? Fight my wielder without the aid of Ddraig's prison and I will consider it.]
"That's ridiculous!" Xenovia snarled angrily, "Issei hasn't any way to fight without the [Boosted Gear]! What do you expect him to use, his fists?!"
The blue-haired girl moved in front of a surprised Issei protectively as she spoke and glared at the lizard-like gauntlet on Saji's arm in anger.
[Ohhhh? A concubine of yours?] Vritra asked in amusement, making Xenovia and Issei flush bright red.
"She's someone who cares for me and someone I care for in return." the Sekiryūtei said after he calmed down, "And someone who wishes for me to become her [King] once I'm a High-Class Devil…which I will do my best to do."
"Issei…" Xenovia was deeply moved by his words. This was the first time he had admitted his feelings for her and declared his intent to make her his [Knight] once he received his own Evil Pieces in front of other people, aside from Asia.
[Heh…I see. Still, have you nothing to fight with other than Ddraig's prison?] Vritra asked in amusement.
"Ascalon!" Issei called out.
[Blade!]
The [Boosted Gear] ejected the Holy Sword from within itself, allowing Issei to grab it by the hilt. The sword glowed slightly, as if sensing the presence of Fafnir and Vritra.
[The Dragon Slayer Holy Sword? How did a Devil get his hands on one of the Four Holy Swords created by the God of the Bible?] Vritra asked indifferently.
"The Archangel Michael gave it to me." Issei replied. He held the Holy Sword carefully. He wasn't really a swordsman, but he could use the weapon if needs must without cutting himself up with it.
[Who is that meanie?] Ddraig's childlike voice asked from the crimson gauntlet, making everyone look at it in surprise.
"Ddraig…he's just being stubborn, that's all." Issei said soothingly.
[What, in the name of all things holy and unholy, are you talking about?] Vritra growled.
"I do not have the time to spend talking. If Saji and I are going to fight, let's fight." Issei said as he assumed a stance.
[Hahahahahahaha!] Vritra guffawed, [No one has called my bluff like that, boy. For amusing me, I grant your request! Wielder, extend part of [Absorption Line] to the [Boosted Gear] and I shall do the rest!]
"Got it." Saji said, looking rather relieved that he didn't have to fight an Anti-Dragon AND Anti-Devil weapon. He shot a line over to Issei's waiting left arm, where it attached itself to the [Boosted Gear].
[Ddraig! Return to who you once were!] Vritra commanded, [Transfer!]
A blue glow shimmered across the line as the power of the Prison Dragon King into the Crimson Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet, restoring the power of Ddraig and helping him recover from his reversion into childhood.
[Uhhhh…Partner? What happened?] The voice coming from the gauntlet now sounded groggy, but the important thing was that it was now the voice of an adult; Ddraig's old voice.
"Ddraig, it's good to have you back!" Issei said with a grin.
[Why is it I feel like that time I went head to head with the God of the Bible?] Ddraig asked in confusion.
"Because you drained all of your power in order to keep your partner's soul bound to yourself, not to mention combining with Great Red and using the [Longinus Smasher]." Fafnir said with a snort, "As always, you are one of the most reckless dragons in existence."
[Fafnir?] Ddraig said in surprise, [Who let you out of that pact orb?]
"My pact with Azazel is over. I've now made a pact with this blond cutie over here!" Fafnir said as he pointed a claw at a teary Asia.
[…don't tell me you did something perverted as a pact price?] Ddraig asked in an almost resigned way.
"So what if I did?" the Dragon King asked.
[My Partner used the [Juggernaut Drive] when he thought Asia Argento was killed. Do you really think he'll hesitate to use [Cardinal Crimson Promotion] or [Illegal Move Tríaina] against you for perving on one of his girls, especially her?] Ddraig asked flatly.
Asia had to blush at being called 'one of Issei's girls.'
"Considering Vritra and I were the ones to help bring you back from a twenty year coma, I think he'll give me a pass." the Gigantis Dragon replied dryly.
Issei flinched at this, before relaxing slightly. As much as he was angry with Fafnir for humiliating (perving) on his Asia, he did owe the Golden Dragon one for helping out with Ddraig, so he figured that, just this once, he'd let the Dragon King off the hook.
"I see you have recovered your strength, Sekiryūtei." Amakusa Chiaki said as she emerged from a portal alongside Sairaorg Bael.
[Not entirely.] Ddraig admitted, [If I push too hard in the next day, I might fall into another coma. We shouldn't use [Cardinal Crimson Promotion] today, although [Illegal Move Tríaina] is viable.]
"Makes sense." Rias nodded, "Issei, stay by Akeno and I. We will not permit that woman to come near you. Xenovia, you stay nearby and be ready to draw EX-Durandal if she gets too close to my Issei."
"Roger, Rias-Buchou." Xenovia nodded.
"It's almost time for Mei to show up." Azazel said as he looked at Chiaki, "Are you prepared for this? She had gotten very strong."
"I have trained for this moment for three years." the last survivor of Amadeus Bael's Peerage replied, "I will avenge my sisters if it costs me my life."
"No, you will not." Sirzechs interrupted, "Your goal for this match is to keep her occupied while my Peerage surrounds her. Once that is accomplished, you are to fall back so that Mei can be taken into custody."
"Why not slain?" Chiaki demanded heatedly.
"She has not devolved into a monstrous form after slaying her master." Sirzechs replied, "Other than Kuroka, who had her Evil Piece removed by Azazel, no Stray Devil has retained their original form after doing so. Ajuka wishes to discover how it was that she prevented the mutation from happening."
"…if I do kill her before your Peerage gets into position, there will be no arguments, will there?" Chiaki said after a moment.
"Should you slay her, I will appease Ajuka personally." Sirzechs replied, "I doubt that you will be able to slay her though. Mei taught you everything you know. She knows how you fight, how you cast your magic, everything. There is no shame in being outmatched, child."
"With respect, Sirzechs-sama, there is." Chiaki replied, "The shame of being unable to lay my past to rest, the shame of feeling my sisters' souls crying out for vengeance and being unable to do so…that I cannot live with."
Turning around with those words, the young Devil stalked off to warm up. Sirzechs stared after her in a forlorn manner.
"We should have made tracking down Mei a priority." he said to Serafall sadly, "That poor girl is being torn apart by rage, betrayal and grief. I don't believe that she has ever fully recovered from Mei's actions."
"We had a lot on our plates three years ago." Serafall replied in an unusually serious manner for the so-called 'Maō-Shōjo', "Hopefully seeing Mei defeated today will give Chi-chan some closure at last."
"Sirzechs-sama." MacGregor said as he teleported in with Grayfia, "It is time."
"Finally!" Chiaki hissed and snapped her fingers, transforming into her battle outfit, a black cat suit with the crest of the Bael family emblazoned on the back, a set of blood-red gauntlets and grieves and a red domino mask.
"That was your outfit when you were a part of Amadeus' Peerage." Sairaorg remarked.
"I've updated it so I can kill Mei-nee-sama in it." the girl replied as she flexed and stretched her body, adjusting to the new weight of the gauntlets and greaves.
"Why do you still call her '-nee-sama' if you hate her so much?" Rias asked curiously.
Chiaki looked at her for a moment. "Because, regardless of her eventual betrayal, she is my sister. She saved me, persuaded Amadeus-sama to take me on as a [Pawn], despite the fact I have no Sacred Gear, and treated me like her blood sister for two years. I call her 'Mei-nee-sama' out of respect of the person she once was, rather than the insane monster that stole my other sisters from me."
"True." Sairaorg remarked, "Mei, the Mei I once knew, would be horrified at what she has become. She would beg for death rather than to exist as a slayer of her siblings."
Issei felt something inside him whack him over the head at this, the disparity in the two descriptions of Mei Schwarzwald ringing a dissonant note in his head.
"Issei? What's wrong?" Rias asked in concern.
"Nothing." he replied with a shake of his head, dismissing his concerns, "I was just musing that I keep drawing people who want to steal my Sacred Gear, and causing you problems, Rias."
"It is hardly your fault, Issei-kun." Akeno objected, "Raynare was overstepping her authority because of her ambition and everyone after that has just been trying to kill or kidnap you or someone close to you."
"Raynare-kun was in love with me actually." Azazel said lazily, "I think the [Boosted Gear] and [Twilight Healing] were supposed to be gifts to entice me into a relationship with her."
"Brrr." Issei shivered, joined by Asia, who shared his unease when talking about the Fallen Angel who had killed both of them as humans.
"If I had the option, she would have suffered for all of time for the crime of hurting my Issei and my Asia as she did." Rias said angrily. She had been the one to slay Raynare, but she now dearly wished she had drawn it out.
The Fallen Angel had died far too easily and quickly for the severity of her crimes.
Whatever Azazel or anyone else would have said about that was drowned out by the enormous sound of a drum being smacked…from the perspective of being inside the drum.
"What was that?!" Issei yelped.
"Mei-nee-sama is knocking to be allowed in." Chiaki said, pointing at the large dome-like barrier that had been erected over Kuō Academy.
Floating outside was an army of gargoyle golems, at least a hundred strong. Even as the gathered Peerages watched, ten of them fired some sort of energy blast at the barrier, making the loud noise resound throughout the Academy, even managing to break a few windows.
"The barrier is down to seventy percent strength." MacGregor remarked idly, "This barrier is stronger than the one used for the Three Factions Peace Conference, but weaker than the one we deployed yesterday. With only ten of those gargoyle golems attacking twice, it has been reduced by thirty percent of its strength…quite impressive."
"Indeed…lower the barrier so Mei does not feel it necessary to smash through it." Sirzechs directed calmly.
MacGregor clicked his fingers once and the dome covering all of Kuō Academy flickered and faded from sight, letting in the swarm of gargoyles in. They flew around for a minute before perching on the various ledges and roofs of the Academy buildings.
"…she's here." Chiaki said as she gazed towards the front gate of the Academy.
Standing there was the figure of Mei Schwarzwald. Dressed in her black robes and white/black facemask, she also exuded an intimidating aura that was felt by all present.
Mei advanced into the Academy with slow, deliberate steps that just oozed confidence and self-assurance. Even when MacGregor raised the barrier once again, her poise never wavered so much as an inch.
Rias and Akeno tensed as they prepared to defend Issei if she made a move to attack him, as did Xenovia, Koneko, Ravel and Irina. Despite their easy poses, as were the two Maō present.
"Chiaki-chan…it has been a while." Mei greeted her former Peerage member warmly once she stopped four meters away from the gathered Peerages, "You've grown into a beautiful girl, haven't you?"
"You lost the right to call me that honorific three years ago, Mei-nee-sama." Chiaki said icily, "Why are you wearing that mask?"
"This?" Mei raised her hand and stroked it with one finger, "I suppose you could say it is something I will wear until I accomplish my heart's desire, the symbol of my quest."
"Whatever it is, I will not let you spread more pain and suffering to others!" Chiaki snarled, finally losing her cool, "Your life ends today!"
"I am a [Queen]. You are a [Pawn]. Even a [Promotion] will not change this fact." Mei said calmly, "I cannot lose, not until I accomplish my goal."
"Do you seriously think we will let you escape from here, Mei Schwarzwald?" Sirzechs asked calmly.
"Ara…Sirzechs-sama. It has been even longer than the last time I saw Chiaki-chan since I have seen you." the Stray Devil said in amusement, "You seem to be doing well."
"I am, rather." Sirzechs acknowledged.
"So then…that is the Sekiryūtei." Mei finally turned her masked gaze to Issei, prompting Akeno and Rias to step in front of him.
"Keep away from my Issei, wench!" Rias snarled. The Power of Destruction pooled in her hands as she prepared to attack or defend at a moment's notice. Akeno also had lightning crackling around her.
"I am here to answer the challenge of my sister. Nothing more, nothing less." Mei replied in amusement, "Had I wished to take him, I would have done so as you walked to school today. Your guard was appalling, even with knowledge that I was after him."
Ignoring the murderous looks from the Gremory Group, Mei returned her attention to Chiaki. "Now then, Chiaki-chan…what are the stakes for this match?"
"I'll win and kill you!" Chiaki said angrily.
"In which case, I will be glad to die by your hands…should you actually do it." Mei replied with a giggle, "For my part then, when I am victorious…I shall take you with me."
"No!" Serafall shouted angrily.
"Mei…what trickery are you plotting?" Sairaorg asked.
"Botchan…it is good to see you again." Mei actually sounded happy to see him, "I saw your match with the Sekiryūtei; you were magnificent."
"My thanks." Sairaorg nodded, "Now, could you answer my question?"
"Stubborn as always, Botchan." Mei sighed dramatically, "I want my sister back. That is all. Now, do you agree to my terms, Chiaki-chan?"
"I do!" she snapped, "Now change out of those ridiculous robes so we can fight!"
"As impatient as ever, Chiaki-chan." Mei sighed, before cocking her head slightly, "Sirzechs-sama, are you aware that there are fifty Devils hidden over there?"
She gestured towards the nearby gym sheds idly.
"I am. They are not companions of yours?" Sirzechs replied easily.
"No. Khaos Brigade, would you say?" the Stray Devil suggested. The pair of them were acting as if they were discussing something over tea.
"I would say so." the Maō Lucifer replied before turning to the sheds and calling out, "Come out now. We know you are all there!"
"Shit!" a muffled male voice cursed. The roofs of the three gym sheds exploded outwards, expelling a small army of Devils belonging to the Old Maō Faction of the Khaos Brigade.
"These guys again?" Issei groaned, "They're like cockroaches!"
"Shit! Sirzechs! You false Maō!" one of the Devils shouted, presumably the leader, "Prepare to die!"
"Do you mind if I take care of this trash, Sirzechs-sama?" Mei asked politely.
"If you like." the brother of Rias replied graciously.
"My thanks." Mei replied and stepped towards the panicking Khaos Brigade troop.
"Mei Schwarzwald?!" the Devil who had spoken first growled, "What are you doing here?!"
The Devil had pale skin; long black hair tied up in a ponytail and wore black clothes with red belts tied around his arms. He also had a tattoo on his cheek that was an old symbol for 'revenge' according to Rias.
"Arbitrage Asmodeus, descendant of the Original Maō Asmodeus and younger brother to Creuserey Asmodeus." Mei said with a nod, "I am surprised a coward such as yourself decided to show your face in such a bold manner."
"I will avenge my brother and continue his will!" Arbitrage yelled angrily, "A foul Reincarnated Devil such as yourself has no right to accuse me of cowardice! Especially since you slew a pure-blooded High-Class Devil!"
"Oh? So you don't call fleeing to the most distant part of the Underworld before the Three Factions Peace Conference and staying there until two weeks ago cowardice?" Mei asked amusedly, "I would, as would almost every Devil, Angel and Fallen Angel present. Even your followers, I would say."
"Shut up!" the Devil howled, "Kill the bitch!"
With a roar, the army of Devils charge at Mei, who assumed a pose familiar to those who had seen her battle with Azazel.
"I call upon the noble soul of Morisato Natsuko, my ever loyal [Pawn]. Your mistress commands your presence!" she chanted.
A plain black short bow appeared in her hand, making her grin and Chiaki gasp.
"[Hunter's Chance!]" Mei declared.
"Natsuko-chan's Sacred Gear as well?!" her former [Pawn] said, taken aback by this turn of events.
Drawing the bow's string back, Mei grinned as an arrow appeared before she loosed it at the incoming Devils and said, "[Great Gravitas!]"
The first Devil struck by the arrow shrieked in pain, but was then surrounded by a black aura. The next moment, all the Devils within ten meters around him were sucked towards him, turning into a planetoid of bodies struggling to break free.
"A Gravity Bow?" Koneko asked with a frown.
Mei pulled back the bowstring again and another arrow appeared. Loosing it at the mass of Devils, she called out, "[Fire Flare!]"
The arrow turned into a blazing lance that pierced through the packed mass of Devils and set them on fire, making them shriek in pain.
"That's…!" Kiba said with wide eyes.
"Exactly like your [Sword Birth] Sacred Gear." Azazel said with a nod, "Just as your Sacred Gear is known as [Creation of the Demonic Sword], [Hunter's Chance] is known as [Creation of the Demonic Arrow] and possesses the ability to create arrows of any attribute except that of light. It is as rare as the [Twilight Healing]."
"You…!" Arbitrage hissed, "Even with that pathetic Sacred Gear, you cannot stand against all of us!"
'All of us' composing of all of those who had been outside the AoE of the [Great Gravitas]arrow, about forty Devils.
"True. Which is why I shall do this." Mei replied, and spread her arms, "Morisato Natsuko, by my will and power, I call upon you in my time of need! Fight in my stead and grant me victory!"
A blaze of black energy surrounded her and when it faded, a tall Japanese girl dressed in the uniform of a Kyūdōka. She had waist length brown hair and a serene look on her face.
"N-Natsuko…-ch-chan…" Chiaki stammered out in shock.
"Chiaki-chan…we will speak later for your attempting to kill Onee-sama." Natsuko said before turning to the Khaos Brigade Devils, "For now…I have to take out the trash. [Balance Break!]"
The bow in her hand grew into a full-sized Japanese Kyūdō bow and around her, several hooded figures emerged from a glowing ball of light, until ten of them stood around her, wielding the same kind of bow.
"[Hunter's Chance Balance Breaker]…[Raiding Rangers of the Queen]" Natsuko declared softly before she ordered, "All Rangers, commence bombardment. Slay those who dared to raise their hands to Onee-sama!"
The Old Maō Faction Devils found themselves peppered by highly accurate and powerful arrows, all of which had some sort of special characteristic. Ice, Fire, Darkness, Water, Poison, Gravity, Raw Power…the number and variety of the arrows was endless.
Those who tried to shield themselves discovered that the archers could move very quickly and acrobatically, leaping to a side that the Devils were not shielding against and getting shot that way, or else they successfully defended against one archer, but be shot by another one.
While some tried futilely to defend themselves, some tried to attack the archers in order to eliminate them. This was easier said than done, as the moment they focussed on one archer to attack, another would perforate him with holes.
Of them all, only the leader saw that there was no hope of victory. Arbitrage Asmodeus turned tail and fled, vanishing in a magic circle.
"Coward." Natsuko snorted as the last footsoldier fell to her Ranger's arrow fire. She dismissed her Balance Breaker and then found herself with an armful of a teary-eyed Amakusa Chiaki.
"Natsuko-chan…how…why…what happened?!" Chiaki begged, "Why did Mei-nee-sama do what she did to you?!"
"What happened to our sisters was inevitable from the moment we became a part of Amadeus' Peerage, Chiaki-chan." Natsuko replied sadly, "I cannot tell you what happened. All I will say is that Onee-sama did what she had to do."
"She killed you! Stole your Sacred Gear!" her sister cried with anger, "How was that what she had to do?!"
Natsuko gently pushed Chiaki away from her and wiped her tears away in a gesture that was practiced and familiar to the Bael Devil.
"Still a cry-baby, eh Chiaki-chan?" Natsuko said with a small grin, "I have to go now. Before I do, I'll tell you this: my loyalty was always with Onee-sama, never Amadeus Bael. It always was…and still is. Goodbye, little sister."
Natsuko backed up a couple of steps before being surrounded by the black aura again. When it cleared, Mei stood in her place.
("What was with that Balance Breaker?" Kiba frowned, "It was just as flexible as my [Balance Breaker: Glory Drag Trooper]."
"[Raiding Rangers of the Queen] is a Subspecies Balance Breaker." Azazel replied, "The Original Balance Breaker is [Royal Longbowmen of the King], which is actually fairly weak as Balance Breakers go. It creates five to ten archers armed with longbows that can fire any one type of arrow that is determined at random when the Balance Breaker is invoked.")
"How…how did you do that?!" Chiaki screamed at Mei, tears falling from her eyes, "First Arisu-nee, now Natsuko-chan! How are you assuming the forms of our sisters!"
"Not just their forms…I assume their personality and memories as well." Mei replied quietly, "The personality and ego known as Mei Schwarzwald retreats in order to allow the person whose Sacred Gear I am using to take control…thanks to this."
Mei raised her hand to her chest and created a magic circle the size of a small plate before thrusting her hand inside of her own body. She rummaged around inside herself for a moment before withdrawing something and holding it up for all to see.
"Th-that's…" Chiaki breathed in shock.
What floated above Mei's hands was a collection of Evil Pieces. In the centre was the [King] Piece, while the [Pawn], [Rook], [Bishop] and [Knight] Pieces floated around it in a loose circle. Above the [King] floated the [Queen] Piece.
"By taking the Evil Pieces of my Peerage, I used them to emulate the presence of a Master, keeping the power amplification in check and preventing myself from turning into a monster." Mei explained, "In addition, they contain information about the people whom they used to reside within, essentially a set of brainwaves and a copy of their personality, allowing me to draw upon their knowledge of their respective Sacred Gears and even manifesting them in this world again, using my body as a base. I cannot alter or coerce them, nor do I have any influence on them once they are out."
"You…you…stole their bodies and ripped their Evil Pieces out!" Chiaki yelled in horror, "How could you do that?!"
"I hardly ripped the Evil Pieces out; once Amadeus was dead, they came out all on their own once I used that little magic circle I just used." Mei replied as she returned her Evil Piece collection to within herself, "And suffice to say, I did only what was necessary. I couldn't risk devolving into a monster, not before I achieve my goal. Once I have done so, you can cast me into the Cocytus for all I care."
"You are not the kind sister I once loved with all my heart." Chiaki said coldly as her fists clenched, "For all you have wrought…I shall end you here and now, so that the you who once was can finally rest in peace, alongside our sisters."
"By all means…bring it, Chiaki-chan." Mei replied as she changed her clothes into a black one-piece bodysuit that hugged her curves, "If you can bear the weight of what I bear…bring it!"
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Next Chapter: The Fourth Move: Queen Takes Pawn
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