"Sayo... Sayo...!" moaned Hajime in his sleep, calling desperately to the image of his ex-girlfriend. Despite the lingering acrimony between them, there were still so many words left unsaid. Beneath his heartbroken anger there was still love. It was directed at the false image of a noble priestess who had mankind's best intentions in mind, the strong woman who saved his life from Shishima's clutches. Unlike all his other exes, he actually longed for her warm presence in his life once more. Had she been right all along? Was he indeed jealous? No, she was a youkai, not a human. The horrifying image of Nekohana interposed itself over that of Sayo in his mind until he finally awoke.
Hajime was back in his bed, no longer in his tracksuit jacket, he just wore the white undershirt and tracksuit pants, both soaked in sweat. Much to his surprise, Ben was sitting on a chair by his side, in a casual attire which he rarely wore: emerald green sweater and cyan sweatpants.
"Hajime, thank goodness you're safe! I thought that duel might've done you in!"
That was surprising. Never before did his partner show this level of concern for his sake. Despite his general attitude which was cold and rational, perhaps Ben was looking out for him in the end. No, that was weak thinking befit to Hajime's past emotional self. He had grown stronger since then, he may as well act like it. His stare growing cold, Hajime said:
"Why do you even care anyway? It's not like the world ends once I'm gone." Ben was left silent. He just stared back at him, surprise and a hint of sadness in his icy blue eyes. It was obvious he could not find an answer, so Hajime continued, "If you're concerned about your income, I can always write you a check which will leave you assured for at least a decade."
"I don't care about any bloody checks!" Ben snapped back. "I thought we were more than work partners after all these years of collaboration."
It was Hajime's turn to stare back all stunned and confused. "Look, Ben, I'm not sure I can even allow myself to have any actual friends anymore."
"Why would that be the case?"
Maybe the cold mask of formality could be dropped, considering this was the most intimate discussion they both had so far. With a tired sigh, Hajime got up from the bed and walked to his bedroom window. "I once had a really good friend whom I almost viewed as a brother, but Shishima came and took him away from me. Then I thought I had found two new friends with whom I could get along despite our differences, but Shishima came along and crippled them. Now they don't want to have anything to do with me. And then I believed I had finally found the love of my life... but once more, that blasted Shishima had to come and ruin everything! Don't you see, Ben? I'm cursed, and I fear that if I'll let anyone get close to me again, I'll lose them as well."
Ben shook his head and gave him a sympathetic smile. "There's nothing to worry about. Nothing will happen to me because I'm always keeping my identity a secret and am being extra cautious when going outside. It comes with the profession, but you'd know that already."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," Hajime replied as he turned to face Ben once more. "Shishima can always find me and try to get to me through my loved ones. That's why we must bring this whole nightmare to an end... permanently!" he declared with a clenched raised in the air for further emphasis.
"I agree." Ben adjusted his glasses and pointed to a cup of tea on the nightstand. "I had the cook prepare your favorite lemon tea. Take it and come to my bedroom, there's something very important that you need to see!"
In a couple of minutes they both found themselves in front of Ben's three screen setup. On the largest one he had opened an onion link to the main Spawns of Shishima website. There, written in bright red letters, was the following message:
ATTENTION ALL SIBLINGS IN POWER!
THE TIME FOR HIDING IN THE SHADOWS IS FINALLY OVER. TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT WHEN WE ALL RISE FROM THE SEA OF MEDIOCRITY THAT IS THE GENERAL CROWD TO STAND TALL AND PROUD AS SPAWNS OF THE ALMIGHTY. NO LONGER WILL WE BE OPPRESSED BY THE SOCIETY WHICH BINDS US DOWN WITH ITS FAKE MORALS OF TRADITION AND CAPITALISM. NO LONGER WILL WE BE COGS IN THE MACHINE WHICH EXISTS SOLELY TO FEED OFF OF OUR OWN LIVES. NO LONGER WILL OUR LIVES LACK MEANING AND BE CONTROLLED BY THE RICH ELITES.
ALL SPAWNS OF SHISHIMA ARE THEREFORE CALLED TO JOIN EACH OF THEIR PRIESTS TONIGHT AND, IF POSSIBLE, BRING FORTH SACRIFICIAL MEAT AS WELL. AT MIDNIGHT, JAPAN STANDARD TIME, WE WILL ALL PERFORM A LIVE STREAMED RITE OF SACRIFICE ALL AROUND THE WORLD AS OUR GREATEST TRIBUTE TO LORD SHISHIMA. PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY, WITH OR WITHOUT THE SACRIFICIAL MEAT. ALL MEMBERS WHO DARE IGNORE THIS MESSAGE WILL BE DISGRACED AS TRAITORS AND BE AMONG THE FIRST VICTIMS OF OUR MASTER'S GLORIOUS REIGN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR TRUE DEVOTION SOON.
GLORY TO SHISHIMA!
"You can't be serious..." Hajime muttered after reading the entire text.
"I'm afraid it's no joke either," Ben replied while typing quickly and making statistics appear on the other screens. "All around the world there are reports of sudden disappearances, in high numbers too. There were a few cases where the local authorities managed to stop the kidnappers, but of course nothing could be garnered from the captives. You're now part of their 'brotherhood', Achilles. What are you going to do tonight?"
"Seems like I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Hajime said and took a quick sip of tea. "If they do manage to summon Shishima in that theater, then I'll need all the possible backup I can get."
"Good idea!"
"Wait!" Hajime stopped Ben as he was about to call the police on his laptop. "Before you go ahead, I was wondering when we should have the authorities intervene. Before or after the ritual?"
"What kind of question is that, mate? Of course we must prevent the ritual! Innocent lives are at stake here!"
"But will Shishima reveal himself before or after the ritual? Don't forget that he must be dealt with once and for all so the nightmare will be over."
"The main reason we're opposing his cult is so no more lives will be lost. Are we willing to sacrifice so many people just to stop Shishima? If yes, how are we any different from the crazies who blindly worship him?"
Hajimed sighed in defeat and lowered his shoulders. "I guess we'll have to find another way to deal with Shishima. Perhaps Sayo or Borof will have some answers. But you're right, now our main objective is putting an end to that cult."
Ben turned to give him a quick smile. "I suggest you go eat and rest some more. You'll need all the strength you can get for tonight. Don't worry, I'll contact the authorities, give them the address and instruct them to meet up with you by the university campus. You can explain the plan to them on your way to the theater. 11 PM is a good time, I presume?"
"Yes it is. Don't forget to contact the other police departments and tell them to search every corner of their cities too. Tonight we must bring an end to this deadly mockery of a religion before it marks the end of civilization as we know it!"
A strong perfume of mixed flowers filled the main living room of Count Kage's mansion. Purple fur, leaves and multicolored petals lay scattered all across the expensive carpet. Shishima and Nekohana lay on the couch in their true forms, albeit human sized. Their arms wrapped around each other, their foreheads pressed together and their vocal chords emitting low moans of post-coital bliss, there was no care in their world. The TV hummed in the background, a news anchor relaying the worrying story of a sudden string of disappearances happening all around the world.
After a few more moments of savoring the sight of her beloved, Nekohana got up from the couch and reached her hand into the nearby bag with chess pieces, pulling a white one out. She waved her hand over it and soon the piece took the form of Ben.
"And who is this?" a curious Shishima asked as he glanced lazily from the couch.
"Hajime's newest ally. Apparently he's either a spy or detective, seeing how he's so secretive that he wouldn't even introduce himself to me," Nekohana explained as she placed the piece behind the one representing Hajime, to symbolize Ben had his back while he kept Shinobu in check.
"How very interesting! I am definitely looking forward to seeing tonight's events unfold! I will make my grand appearance in front of the Spawns when the moment will be right."
"Is tonight the night that humanity's fate is decided?" she asked and he gave a short nod in response. "Good. I've done my part, now the rest relies on Hajime."
Dark clouds gathered as night fell upon Sagakin, blocking the moon's silvery rays from casting their reign upon the terrified city. The air was humid, there was no sign of life outside, a chilling wind blew through the streets and alleyways, rustling posters, street signs and rusted leaves. With the exception of a few street lights, it seemed as if brightness had completely left the once cheery city whose sights were much more picturesque and welcoming during the day. Now it sat alone in seeming ruin, almost akin to a ghost town. This was the power that fear had over human beings, and Hajime swore that he would do his best to bring an end to said power and restore Sagakin to the pleasant coastal city it once was.
Under his Achilles disguise and in black robes, he wandered down the empty streets all alone, but unbeknownst to any observers, there were at least two police agents hiding by each corner, armed and ready. In his pocket there was a small red button which Ben had instructed him to press and it would alert each policeman on their cell phones that the time had come for them to barge in. Everything was ready for the grand showdown and deep inside, Hajime was all the more eager to finally handcuff Shinobu and bring her to justice after she spent the last five years evading the law and threatening everyone's lives. Soon he found himself knocking on the theater's front entrance door once again.
"You're late!" Keiichi was quick to berate him as he opened the door. "Everyone else has gathered, but it's good you made it before the ceremony. Come in!"
The atmosphere inside was more suffocating than Achilles last recalled. He was quick to notice that there were no guards and that there was a multitude of footprints on the dusty floor. Trying to test the waters and get a better idea of his situation, he asked:
"How did you know I was late when there are so many Spawns?"
"Hmph, I have every single Spawn member's information archived in my computer's database," Keiichi replied with a snarky 'matter of fact' voice. "I've kept count since late afternoon, and now with you here, I can confirm that all one hundred and seventy seven Spawns from Sagakin and its vicinity are united for this grand event!"
Keiichi opened the auditorium's doors wide to reveal a most surprising sight. All seats were occupied and there were plenty of robed people standing up on the sides. A figure which stood out was the man dressed in a purple lion suit going by the moniker Mashi, the friendly lion. Hajime had only seen him in security camera snapshots found by Ben, but his reputation preceded him, since over thirty child kidnappings had been pinned on him. As he made his way through the crowd, he saw that there were a dozen unconscious citizens tied down on the stage, their ages ranging from five to fifty at a first glance. Burning candles surrounded each victim and a single occult symbol was painted on the surrounding walls: a circle with a horned lion's head inside - the sigil belonging to Shishima. Shinobu emerged from the curtains' shadows, took off her hood and turned to face the ecstatic crowd as Keiichi set a camera on her, preparing the recording equipment. In the online field, the red room had already been started and now it was the time for the cult's High Priestess to speak up.
"Brothers and sisters in the faith, we have gathered tonight to bring the ultimate tribute to our Lord Shishima. Once the ritual is finished, the master will finally return to bring forth the new world. The promised day is now upon us all, so let us rejoice in the freedom that awaits past the midnight hour! Remember, we are the only humans worthy of Shishima's mercy and nobody else! For it is not the meek majority, but the strong minority who will inherit the Earth... Glory to Shishima!"
"Glory to Shishima!" the crowd cheered back.
"I hereby invite the following to join me onstage for the tribute that we will pay," Shinobu said and she began to read names off a list.
"Press the button and alert the policemen to stop this madness!" Ben spoke in Hajime's headphone. "All the agents have surrounded the building and are poised to barge in at any moment, they're just waiting for your signal!"
"...and Achilles," Shinobu concluded her list.
The disguised Hajime straightened up and climbed the stage, doubts beginning to seep into his mind. Should he wait until the very last second or press the button then and there? A part of him was grateful that he was wearing a mask, for his real face was sweating with nervousness. Each cultist was offered a dagger by Shinobu once they joined her on stage. At her orders they all were poised in front of an unconscious victim, their blades in the air, ready for the order. Their leader clasped her hands tight and with all of her conviction she uttered her master's prayer, "Flesh is of earth and soul is of air..."
Panic filled Hajime's thoughts as he stared at yet another innocent victim which he was forced to gut. Would he give in and call the police right then and there to avoid the unnecessary bloodshed, or did he have the stomach to go through with the murder if it meant his sworn enemy would at last reveal himself?
All of a sudden, the stage started to shake and the auditorium's lights flickered wildly. Shinobu gasped at this unexpected turn of events, as she did not even get to finish her prayer, let alone perform the required sacrifice. From the burning candles a purple smoke arose and everyone froze in awe as they saw Shishima's face gazing down upon them all. Ecstatic, Shinobu ran towards it, fell on her knees and cried out:
"Master, you're back once again! We are bringing you a great sacrifice tonight from all over the world! In exchange, I beg of you, appear in the flesh at last and bring the new world upon us!"
"Yes, Shinobu, I am very pleased with this upcoming tribute of yours. But before any drop of blood is actually shed, I have a different demand," Shishima spoke with an ominous tone.
"What is it that you wish, master?"
The smoke face turned to Achilles with what seemed to be a knowing smirk and said, "I demand that you duel this fellow once again. After the match is done, you may begin the ritual."
"Thy will be done, Lord Shishima," Shinobu loyally replied and pulled out her deck, motioning for Achilles to join her at the dueling tables once again.
Hajime was surprised by this development. What could Shishima possibly gain from delaying his own ritual for a mere duel? Unless... he figured out who Achilles really was and he intended to set them both up into another duel for his entertainment! Immediately he recalled Sayo's words about how Shishima wanted to see who would prevail in this conflict and then the true significance of that duel became clear. Not wasting any time, Achilles set the dagger aside and pulled out his own deck, heading to the dueling tables as well. Both players shuffled their decks, set up their shields and drew their hands, five rectangular blue panels materializing above them to mark the beginning of their fateful match.
"I cast Wozurek's Inquisition," Shinobu said and forced her opponent to reveal the cards in his hand: Emeral Trickster, Absolute Shield Knight, DG Parthenon ~Where Dragons are Created~, Mage of Cursebreaker and Lightning Sword Paladin. "Discard DG Parthenon."
"Galaxyshield 2, I set Jyuu Ni Shin Ki as a face up shield," Achilles said.
"Lucky draw, but that won't hinder me! I cast Brain Touch." She drew a card and her opponent randomly discarded Mage of Cursebreaker.
"At the start of my turn since it's face up in my shield zone, I cast Jyuu Ni Shin Ki as if its cost was paid." He looked at the top four cards of his deck, added one to his hand and slid the rest under the bottom of his deck. "Then I summon Emeral Trickster, set Absolute Shield Knight as a face up shield and return another shield to my hand. Absolute Shield Knight's effect, I check the top two cards of my deck, add this one to my hand and set I Am Justice If You Want as a face up shield. While I Am Justice If You Want is face up in my shield zone, all of my shields gain shield trigger!"
"Your shield play may have helped you in our previous duel, but this time things will be different! I cast Demon's Light, draw two cards and give -4000 to Emeral Trickster, destroying him."
"Since they're face up in my shield zone at the start of my turn, I summon I Am Justice If You Want and Absolute Shield Knight as if their costs were paid!" A small blue robotic humanoid sitting in front of a giant golden golem appeared alongside a round robotic knight donning pale golden armor and sitting in the lotus position. "While I Am Justice If You Want is in the battle zone, all of my creatures can't be attacked or blocked. And now Absolute Shield Knight's effect again - I check the top two cards of my deck, add one to my hand and set Paranormal, Task Produce as a face up shield. While Paranormal is face up in my shield zone, your creatures constantly get -3000! Then I cast Goten! Ginga MAX and set Cromwell, Iron Cannon as a face up shield too. While Cromwell is face up in my shield zone, all of my creatures gain speed attacker! I Am Justice If You Want, triple break her shields!"
Shinobu took cover as the two robots dashed through three of her shields and shattered them into pieces. She immediately checked the cards and revealed one of them, saying:
"Shield trigger, I cast Team Tech's Wave Go! With its effect I destroy Absolute Shield Knight!" A dark blue wave of energy came out of nowhere and hit the rotund mechanical knight, causing him to disappear in an explosion. "And now it's my turn, I expand Cyberdice Vegas, Gambling Expert of D." Their sights shifted to those of a futuristic casino with slot machines and roulette tables, a blue cybernetic dice floating in its middle. "I end my turn and draw a card from Cyberdice Vegas."
"Galaxyshield 3, I set Azure Rising General as a face up shield and draw a card. Then I expand Joe Star of Hope." The casino's sights were fully replaced with those of the cosmos, a small planet resembling Earth floating in the middle. "Now all cards lose their civilizations. I Am Justice If You Want, break her final shields!"
The robotic duo dashed ahead once more and shattered the two opposing shields. Still, Shinobu would not back down so easily, even defenseless. She revealed one of the cards and replied:
"Shield trigger, I expand another Cyberdice Vegas!" The casino reappeared once again, fully replacing the cosmic sights and the small planet. "Now my turn begins anew, so I cast Hyperspatial Jenny Hole, choose and discard a card in your hand!" Her opponent carelessly tossed Jyuu Ni Shin Ki into his graveyard. "Then I bring out Diabolos Zeta, Temporal Ruler!" A dark blue skeletal serpentine demon wielding two spears and with two large cannons resting on its shoulders descended from a hole in the ceiling. "I end my turn and draw from Cyberdice Vegas."
"Since he's face up in my shield zone, I summon Azure Rising General as if his cost was paid and draw a card." A blue robotic knight wielding a glowing lance appeared by Achilles' side. "Then I summon Emeral Trickster, set Lightning Sword Paladin as a face up shield and return another to my hand. Now, I Am Justice If You Want, todomeda!"
"Not so fast - Denjara Switch! I turn Cyberdice Vegas upside down and cast Hyperspatial Gallows Hole which sends Emeral Trickster back to your hand and I bring out Black Ganveet, Temporal Soldier who will destroy your tapped I Am Justice If You Want!" A demonic knight riding a skeletal horse emerged from a hole in the ceiling and used its blue scythes to slice the small robot and its golem to pieces. "Now it's my turn, I shuffle Cyberdice Vegas from my battle zone, Hanzou, Menacing Phantom from my mana zone and send Black Ganveet back to the hyperspatial zone to awaken Diabolos Zeta into Devil Diabolos Zeta, Evil Awakened!" The demon got enveloped in a bright multicolored aura and grew in size, transforming into a humanoid donning blue armor and wielding two purple swords, two large copper dragons, each with three blue wings sticking out of its body floating behind him. "Then Super Infinite Evolution, I evolve Devil Diabolos Zeta into Storm Genji Double Cross, the Super Temporal!" The psychic creature grew even more in size and transformed into a giant red dragon with a long flowing blonde mane, donning a metallic red armor and wielding two sharp orange swords with blue X marks. "I cast Round One to send your Lightning Sword Paladin shield to the bottom of your deck and swap it with a face down top card. Lastly, I cast Miraculous Snare and send Azure Rising General to your shield zone." The robotic knight got surrounded by a dark blue aura which crushed him and turned him into another shield belonging to his owner.
"It can't be... I'm out of finishers to end this. What am I going to do now?" Hajime thought with worry.
"You are not alone!" a hopeful voice echoed in his mind, one he immediately recognized.
"Partner..." He mentally smiled as he drew his next card, then he spoke in his fake Achilles voice, "I summon Kirazeus Savark!" A winged serpentine dragon made of gold and purple crystals, with a red eye on his chest and a sword of brilliant light in his hand appeared in the battle zone, shining brightly in the dim auditorium. "Kirazeus Savark, todomeda!"
"Ninja Strike 4, Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja turns Storm Genji Double Cross into a blocker! Now go, block and destroy Kirazeus Savark!" A small plane creature appeared and made the giant red dragon be enveloped by a golden aura. He jumped in front of the crystal dragon, stopping his attack and their swords colliding.
"With Kirazeus Savark's effect, I burn my Paranormal shield and he's spared!" The stronger dragon failed in destroying his opponent, but he managed to shove him back, ending the encounter of their blades.
All of a sudden, Shinobu burst into psychotic laughter, unleashing years upon years of restrained madness. At last, her time had come. "Meteorburn Awaken – I send Devil Diabolos Zeta back to the hyperspatial zone and flip Storm Genji Double Cross into Last Storm Double Cross, the Super Awakened!" The dragon gave a mighty roar which shook the entire theater building and transformed into an even bigger dragon, donning a sharp metallic white armor and its two swords fused into one. "I expand another Cyberdice Vegas. Now I attack with Last Storm Double Cross and put all creatures from my hyperspatial zone into the battle zone!"
Achilles took a step back as a large hole appeared in the ceiling and out of it seven creatures descended, those being Black Ganveet, Temporal Soldier, Diabolos Zeta, Temporal Ruler, Victorious Volg Thunder, Thunder Tiger, Victorious Gaial Kaiser, Victorious Prin Prin and Victorious Ryusei Kaiser.
"Black Ganveet destroys your tapped Kirazeus Savark!"
"I burn the Cromwell shield to save him!"
"Prin Prin stops Kirazeus Savark from attacking or blocking next turn. Then Victory Psychic Link – Gaial Kaiser, Prin Prin and Ryusei Kaiser unite into Gaial Ore Dragon, the Vainglory!" The purple-haired princess opened her umbrella and waved it above the red-armored and blue-armored dragons, the three of them fusing into a giant dragon which shone with the colors of the rainbow. "Last Storm Double Cross, break all of his shields!" Shinobu ordered and the creature slashed away all of her opponent's shields with the giant sword.
"Shield trigger, I summon Mage of Cursebreaker and set I Am Justice If You Want as a face up shield!"
"Victorious Volg Thunder's effect kicks in - whenever you play a creature or spell for no cost, you must discard a card at random from your hand!" The skeletal wolf that was colored blue, black and red howled eerily towards Achilles, forcing him to discard DG Parthenon ~Where Dragons are Created~.
"Then another shield trigger, I cast Goten! Ginga MAX and since I have a Light and Water creature in the battle zone, I use both of its effects - I set Absolute Shield Knight as a face up shield and send Gaial Ore Dragon back to the hyperspatial zone!"
"Link Release - only Prin Prin goes back, but Gaial Kaiser and Ryusei Kaiser stay! Also, Volg Thunder discards you again!"
A flag depicting the symbol of Team Ginga - a yellow and blue G with a star in the middle appeared and fired a bright beam of energy upon the giant rainbow dragon, breaking its bond and banishing the princess, separating the other two dragons. Then Achilles was forced to discard Xf Croce Fuoco, Dragment Symbol.
"Absolute Shield Knight's effect, I check the top two cards of my deck, draw one and set Lightning Sword Paladin as a face up shield."
"Gaial Kaiser is still a speed attacker, so I attack and destroy your untapped Mage of Cursebreaker! I end my turn here and draw from Cyberdice Vegas. Your stalling can only get you so far - you can't choose Last Storm Double Cross, and whenever he attacks I can just spam my entire hyperspatial zone over and over!" Shinobu declared, certain of her impending victory.
"That doesn't mean I can't try!" Achilles declared with a higher pitched voice which took many by surprise as it sounded achingly familiar. "Since they're face up in my shield zone, I summon I Am Justice If You Want, Absolute Shield Knight and Lightning Sword Paladin as if their costs were paid!" The robotic duo and round knight reappeared, this time alongside a golden armored knight wielding a sword of lightning. "Lightning Sword Paladin sends Victorious Volg Thunder back to your hyperspatial zone. With Absolute Shield Knight's effect I check the top two cards of my deck, add one to my hand and set Cromwell, Iron Cannon as a face up shield. Then I also summon a second Kirazeus Savark!" Another golden and purple crystal dragon appeared and joined the army of brilliant Light creatures. "While Cromwell is face up in my shield zone, all of my creatures get speed attacker. While I Am Justice If You Want is in the battle zone, all of my creatures can't be blocked or attacked. It's over, Shinobu - I Am Justice If You Want, todomeda!"
"Never!" she defiantly shrieked as she turned her D2 Field upside down. "Denjara Switch - I cast Hyperspatial Gallows Hole to send I Am Justice If You Want back to your hand, then I bring out Victorious Prin Prin who stops your Absolute Shield Knight from attacking! Victory Psychic Link - I unite the three into Gaial Ore Dragon again!" Her giant dragon glowing with the colors of the rainbow appeared once more, but unfortunately it could not protect her from what was about to happen.
"Lightning Sword Paladin, todomeda!"
"Diabolos Zeta, block!"
The serpentine demon blocked the golden knight's attack with his spears and then shoved his lightning sword aside, stabbing him, the brave warrior giving a pained moan as he vanished in an explosion.
"Then it's time to finish this - Kirazeus Savark, todomeda!"
Before she knew it, Shinobu was slashed by the crystal dragon's sword of light, her back soon colliding with a nearby wall. The gathered cultists all gasped and stared in shock at their leader who then fell on her knees on the stage. Was a newbie really stronger than the very founder of their cult? Shishima's laughter then filled the room, it was obvious that this offering had been much more satisfying than any flesh sacrifice.
"Humanity's fate has been decided tonight," he declared. "Hajime, call the police!"
"What?!" Keiichi exclaimed and ran from behind the cameras. "Master, has Hajime Shirayama infiltrated us?!"
Achilles panicked; so his hunch was right, Shishima did know. But why would he betray his own cult in such a manner over a single duel unless... Sayo was right. Not wasting any time, he pressed the button in his pocket and in a matter of moments the policemen barged through the windows and doors.
"Nobody move! You're under arrest! Anything you say can and will be used against you!"
What followed next was pure chaos. Since the cultists outnumbered them, they tried assaulting the policemen with their blades, only for a loud gunfire to ensue. Shinobu stared at the bloodshed in utter shock, watching how one by one her loyal followers fell and their numbers began to shrink.
"What should we do?" Keiichi asked her, but she got up and shoved him aside, running to her master.
"Lord Shishima, why are you allowing this to happen? We have been most loyal to you, we've shed all this blood in your name!" she desperately tried to reason. "You promised I would be your most favored when the day of your return would-"
"The promised day will never come!" Shishima roared, his voice sinking fear into all present humans. "The Spawns of Shishima have failed me in the game which mattered the most, so I have no more use for them!" Those words hurt his most devoted followers worse than the cuts of a thousand knives. "As for you, Shinobu Matsuda, here's the reward you so desperately wanted!"
With the speed of light, the purple smoke entered her body. Shinobu's screams of utter terror were clouded by the battle which raged in the auditorium. She felt her nightmares come to life all at once: a consuming darkness, the ghosts of her disappointed parents, the bullies she gleefully wounded, all of the victims she murdered in cold blood, they all surrounded her and started feeding on her flesh and soul. Her pain and fear were only overshadowed by the enormous weight of the guilt she had been avoiding her entire life. Said weight would press heavily against her soul for eternity as Hell's gates claimed their newest prize. For not even Shishima wished to grace her by turning her into his demonized servant.
Shinobu's body collapsed on the stage, dead from a heart attack. The purple smoke emerged from her nostrils and turned to Keiichi, who fearfully shouted, "You've betrayed us! Stay away from me, you monster!" He turned to run away, only for a policeman to tackle and immobilize him in an arm lock from behind. Keiichi had no physical strength to fight back, so he lowered his head in defeat, accepting his fate.
Two glowing red dots appeared in the smoke and stared right at Achilles with an excited giggle. Then Shishima vanished as soon as he appeared, leaving behind a trail of murdered or arrested cultists. When the chaos was finally over, more authorities came to the scene to take the criminals into custody, help dispose of the dead bodies and free the surviving victims. Hajime took off the mask and sighed with relief. He stared at Shinobu's dead body, inspecting the terrified look on her one-eyed face.
"At last, it's all over..."
The clouds dispersed above the mansion on a hill, allowing the moon's rays to be cast upon it. An odd sense of peace began to fill the gloomy area, similar to a calm after the storm. In the warmth and comfort of his living room, Shishima knocked Shinobu's piece off the chessboard and placed Hajime's piece where hers once stood, plainly declaring:
"Checkmate!" He then turned to Nekohana, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table, browsing through his collection of books. "Your side has won, congratulations. As such, I will keep my promise and spare humanity."
"Thank goodness!" she exclaimed, a relieved look on her feline face.
"However, Hajime's fate has not yet been decided," he grimly added.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, slightly worried.
Shishima gave her a knowing smile and motioned with his eyes towards his deck. All the scores had been settled on that night, except for one - his own rivalry with Hajime.