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| THE |
| ULTIMATE |
| PAWN |

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| Life 1-6 |

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"Ise-san, does this look good on me?" Asia said as she put on a pair of glasses. It has a light shade of brown on its lens and thin black frame.

"Yeah, you look really cute in that." I answered her, honestly.

"The-There's no need to flatter me, Ise-san." The blond girl blushes and squirms under my gaze as she turns back at the mirror. How cute of her.

Currently, we are standing inside an accessory store in the downtown area. Today is a day off for us, and while I previously chose to stay at home and let the nun get used to my house, it was her who suggested us going on a date so that she could have a better grasp of my hometown – which I accepted in less than a heartbeat, and... Hey, don't look at me like that! I'm just a normal teenager guy, you know.

I have to admit that it is fun hanging out with Asia because of her innocent and naïve yet adorable reactions to everything around her, as if I was watching a child learning something new; although I can't help but feeling a bit worried over how she had acted two nights ago. The story she told me, I assume that it was a summary of her life, save for the last part where she predicted she would die alone on her own.

It's not right at all. No one should deserve suffering that kind of living, especially when it was such a beautiful person like her, both inside and outside.

The problem is that after the sudden confession of her sad life, Asia has closed up any other mentioning of the topic in the next day as well as stopped coming to my room, and I was too reluctant to bring up the subject myself. No matter what I tried, there seems to be an invisible wall separating us.

Thus, I am glad that she is able to express herself quite freely today. In my opinion, the date was a way to break the ice between us and help me to get closer to her and... Hey, don't look at me like that again! It's normal for a boy to be eager learning more about a pretty girl.

"Then, what about this?" I picked another pair of glasses and gave it to Asia. She studies the silvery frame for a few seconds before putting it on herself.

"How do I look with this one?"

"It's great."

Yeah, a glasses-wearing Asia is one of the best definitions of 'Moe'. Well, at least I could have some fun knowing that it is safe around her and that she is not some «Fallen Angel» pretending to be my girlfriend.

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We spent some more quality time going to many famous spots of my town, albeit not all of them. It's an enjoyable experience knowing that my partner won't stab me in my chest with a light spear when we finish this date.

I was waiting for Asia as she was being in a restroom somewhere around the shopping district when I took a look at my surprisingly silent companions.

I didn't felt any strange thing yesterday as «Aries» and «Taurus» were the same as ever, with the former throwing sarcastic remarks at times and the latter attempting all sort of pranks on me. This morning though, I woke up with «Taurus» and another unexpected Chibi self of mine. Judging from the «Zodiac» sign on his forehead, I can say for sure that he is «Aquarius».

The first thing I noticed about him that he was a quiet guy. His unresponsive attitude was kinda rude every time I inquired him on what ability he grant me, or when exactly he was awakened as I don't remember hearing the distant sound of unsealing and seeing the mental of image of his «Pawn» piece. So far, I still haven't got any valuable information from him yet.

«Taurus» is also not helping either as he became rather reserved, contrary to what he had been doing to me ever since he was awakened. But unlike «Aquarius», his silence doesn't reflect his personality at all. In fact, I have a sneaky suspicion that he was plotting something unhealthy for me.

At the moment, I'm trying to ask the quiet guy again.

"Hey, can you at least say something?"

«Aquarius» looks up at me with uninterested eyes. Somehow, those eyes of him remind me of a suppressed bomb, ready to explode in any minute, which is slightly odd considering the way he has been acting until now.

I half turn away, assuming that he had nothing to say to me like how he had been acting since this morning, when he suddenly spoke up.

"Dah buh."

...

What?

Did he say whatever I think he just said?

"He said that you were annoying."

As if hearing my inner question, «Taurus» answered me with a poker face. What are you, an interpreter?

But that brought even more confusion. How the hell does 'Dah Buh' mean 'annoying'? And why does he have to express himself like an infant?

For some reasons, the name Beelzebub comes to my mind, which is strange as Ajuka Beelzebub-sama definitely doesn't have any relation with these guys.

"Dah buh ah buh ah dah!" «Aquarius» rambles while thrashing his arms randomly.

"'Go stick your face in a bush and die somewhere, please' he said."

Now that was really irritating. «Aquarius» is not making sense at all with his babbling, and «Taurus» seems to be enjoying himself which I'm not even sure he was really interpreting what the former said or just using it as an excuse to mock me through his fellow's words.

Again, another unfamiliar image comes to my mind. This time, it's a butt naked baby with green hair and a pacifier in his mouth.

Am I being around these guys too much that I'm finally going crazy?

Mentally brushing off the ridiculous and out of nowhere image, I speak to «Aquarius» again, trying my best not to burst out in anger for whatever they are going to say next.

"I need you to be serious. Can you say something coherent?"

He stared at me with a blank face.

I stared at him with the same blank face.

...

After two minutes have passed, he opened his mouth.

"Dah."

Then we resume our staring contest again for another two minutes.

...

Unable to contain my annoyance any longer, I shout at him.

"WHAT THE HECK IS 'DAH' SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

"Dah?"

"Stop saying 'Dah' and speak like a normal person please!" I grabbed him and shook him violently.

That seems to be the wrong course of actions as «Aquarius» got irritated by it and suddenly bit me in the hand.

[Chomp!]

"Gaaaaah!"

Why you little? He is chewing down onto my poor fingers with his shiny fangs. I try to yank him off but to no avail.

"«Taurus», do something about him, will you?"

The other Chibi self of mine shrug his shoulders.

"Why should I? It's amusing to watch. Plus, I am bored."

What the? These pricks are really unbelievable!

I was struggling with prying «Aquarius» off my hand when I heard a voice behind me.

"What are you doing, Ise-san?"

Crap, I forgot that these guys can't be seen by any person other than me. Worst of all, Asia has to witness me acting so silly. I could feel blood rushing into my face.

Wait, why is blood rushing OUT of my face?

"Gyaaaah!"

God damn it! That little Chibi release my hand and bite into my cheeks instead. His teeth are so sharp that I have blood spraying out of my face all over. What the hell are they made of, chrome or diamond?

I hold my cheeks in horror while running around the place, making the sight look like a scene from some comedy manga or anime.

Seeing me in such a state, Asia hastily reaches me as she speaks, her voice filled with concern.

"Ise-san, calm down! You are bleeding heavily. Please let me heal your wounds."

After hearing her soothing words, I cool down somewhat. But the atmosphere turns awkward as I could feel the bewildered and puzzled stares of all people presenting here.

Ignoring the trails of blood on my face, I grab onto Asia's hand and ran as fast as I could, away from the place.

That day, in the shopping district of my town, a new rumor had started about a boy having conversation with ghosts and his blood burst out mysteriously. Said boy could also use his blood to wrap and kidnap anyone around him. A nun has become his first victim, according to the rumor.

It's so uncomfortable and embarrassing to know that the rumor was about me, not to mention that the last part is really exaggerating.

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"Are you fine now, Ise-san?" The blond nun asked when she finished her treatment on both my face and my hand.

"Yeah, thanks a lot for that, Asia."

I gave her my gratitude with an uneasy smile while sneaking some hard glares at the troublesome duo hovering on my head. I swear, someday these guys will be the death of me.

Apparently, after the whole fiasco in the shopping district, we managed to find somewhere quiet in the less turbulent part of my town. A common park, to be precise. We are sitting on a bench for two people, which make us look like a couple dating on a beautiful Sunday; if Asia wasn't wearing her religious clothes, that is.

I was busy letting my mind wander in self-imagined fantasy when Asia gave a solemn face as she asked.

"Say, Ise-san, do you believe in God?"

Now that was one weird question.

It's not simply weird in a normal sense. It's outright blasphemous if I was someone coming from the Vatican Church. Why did Asia ask such a touchy subject while she is a nun herself, not to mention that I am a «Devil»?

On another note, I can feel that aura of resentment and remorse, which is unusual as the two never come hand in hand with each other, logically speaking. Also, that air of fragility and delicacy I have seen on the night she slept in my room came back as well.

Deciding to be honest with her, I answer.

"Well, if you ask me whether I do or not, then it's both."

"Eh?" Asia raised an eyebrow and covered her lips with one of her hands in surprise, may be confusion too.

I guess that anyone would have done so when they heard my ambiguous response. Nonetheless, I continue without hesitation.

"What I'm trying to say is, I do believe in the existence of God since we are taught that he governs all the «Angels» and «Heaven». But I do not believe in the theory that God watch over all of us. We are the sculptors, the authors, the masters of our Fate, and none shall have the right to do whatever they please with our lives, not even God himself."

When I have done speaking, I instinctively scratch my head in embarrassment. I may be talking big and mighty, but in truth, I have been tossed around by numerous people and forces ever since I turned into a «Devil».

However, Asia didn't notice my behavior as she is looking at me with eyes of... appreciation? Or is it admiration? I don't know what exactly that expression of hers is, but she seems to be happier after hearing my words.

Oh well, I have no objection if that wacky answer of mine satisfied her.

Suddenly, a bunch of kids – five girls and three boys – playing nearby come to us. One of them, the oldest girl donning a pair of big round glasses with long brown hair tied in a braid and seems to be twelve years old, speaks as she points at me.

"Hey hey Onii-san, can you be our referee?"

"Huh? A referee for what?" I replied with a perplexed tone, partly because of the sudden request, the other because of how friendly these kids are showing us despite the fact that we barely knew each other. After all, this is not the neighborhood that I'm living in.

"We are playing volleyball..." the boy with bluish gray hair (now that's a rare color) replied while holding the said ball for their games "...but since we have equal numbers of players in both sides, we need one referee to judge."

A volleyball game with four players on each side? Now that's unusual.

Anyway, trying not to put my mind too much on his odd speaking manner – he somehow remind me of a pervert but with wise and reasoning intelligence – I looked over to Asia, silently asking for her permission. The blond girl nods and says.

"Go play with them, Ise-san. I have enough fun for today, so you go and have fun yourself, too."

"Ah, if you say so..." I reluctantly responded. But another boy – this one with darks blond hair and tanned skin (A foreigner?) – interrupts me.

"Nah, you can come and watch us playing too, Nee-san."

Oh, nice one, boy. I mentally thumb up with his suggestion. Certainly, I can't be the only one having fun here and leave Asia all alone like that. Besides, I still haven't broken the emotional shell that she has been creating from time to time, so this may be a chance for me to understand her more.

With that resolve made up in mind, I take Asia's hands (Which are soft and pretty just like how she would give an impression on our first time meeting. I'm amazed at myself that I didn't notice it earlier when I grabbed her hand to run away.) and walk together with the kids leading us to their playground. The blond girl hesitated as first, but she relents after hearing some encouragements from these kids.

"Please, onee-chan. Kiri-chan and Miki would be really happy if you come with us, too." The girl with light brown curly hair and a seemingly cheerful personality (if I'm not mistaking it, she was referring to herself in third person as Miki) said as she pushed on Asia's back.

"The more the merrier. And I would love to see another beautiful girl here." The bluish gray haired boy who held the ball said as he smirked mischievously.

I don't know why, but I suddenly get an urge to strip him naked and hang him on the rooftop of a skyscraper for days. This only proves that my intuition about him being pervert was right (which was such an irony considering that I am the same as him). However, I let it slide as we all get to our awaiting games.

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By the time we finished our last match, it's already late in the afternoon. Misato – the glasses-wearing girl who approached us – bows as she says her farewell.

"Thank you for hanging out with us and going along with our selfish request, onii-san, onee-san. I hope we will see each other again."

That girl, she is quite polite and mature, not to mention her busty chest, which is unusual for girls her age.

Wait, wait, wait, wait... since when I become a pedophile? Perhaps I should blame Matsuda's preference for lolicons rubbing off on me. I shake my head to discourage the unhealthy picture forming in my mind and reply.

"Ah, it's nothing. We had fun too while we were at it. Right, Asia?"

The blond nun nods in response as those kids around us start saying farewell as well.

"Good bye, onee-chan, onii-chan. Kiri-chan and Miki will miss you."

"Bye, nee-san, nii-san."

"I really wish you were my sister, Asia-nee." The bluish gray-haired pervert boy said as he wrapped his arms around Asia's waist with fake innocence.

That damned Taichi – his name – is too clingy to Asia for my taste. Hey you, get away from her immediately! I walk toward the boy and try to pull him off Asia.

Then a surge of discomfort washes over my consciousness, halting my advance. When I turn my head in the direction that gave me such feelings, I notice that there are a lot of loud sounds – fighting and exploding kind of sounds – coming in our way.

"This is not good." «Taurus» mumbled with a serious expression, which he took on once when I was dealing with that «Fallen Angel» two days ago. That alone was enough to make me put on my cautious side. The guy might be a prick at times, but from what I can gather, his battle sense is not to be doubted.

"Wha-What is that noise?" One of the kids shouted out.

Following this, the others also start getting panic at the restless sounds.

Before I could tell them to calm down, a huge humanoid figure was flying hurriedly toward our location as if it was being chased by someone. My eyes widened at the sight of that thing.

What, the, hell, exactly, is, that?

It is at least 2 meters tall with a curvy body of an adult woman, dark blue skin which is covered under many magical like glowing tattoos. The thing also has hair that float with bright burning light, as if it was flame itself. She – I think it was obviously a female judging from her (...ahem...) gorgeous body – holds an aura of elegance yet menace and deadliness.

Poetically speaking, she is a beautiful and abominated woman who was cursed by the wrath of Inferno.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time for sightseeing or gawking because instantly after her terrifying entrance, she crashes into one of the nearby benches.

Before I could ascertain the situation though, several figures also made their presence known at where we were, and once again, my eyes widen in shock at the new arrivers. Still, a part of me has already anticipated them to be here, given the circumstance.

Rias-senpai is, as always, standing tall and proud with her reddish «Devil» wings sprout out completely. Akeno-senpai is in a Shrine Maiden outfit – which really accentuated the beauty of her voluptuous body – and positioning right beside our Master. Kiba Yuuto is holding a sword with a battle ready stance. Koneko-chan is keeping the same stance, albeit with no weapon. Except for Akeno-senpai, the rest of them were wearing casual clothes, which I am slightly pleased at the sight of them (not counting the guy with the «Knight» piece, of course).

Cutting off my dilly-dally state, I switch my view back and forth between my fellows «Devils» and the fiery woman, wondering if this is what I thought it to be.

There's no point in pondering something when you can ask about it. So, after telling Asia to look after the kids, I run to where my «King» was and do just that.

"Ojou-sama, what is going on?"

Rias-senpai's response confirms my suspicion as she talks to me while the others began charging forward.

"I didn't expect you to be here, Hyoudou-kun. Nonetheless, we are on a hunting mission. That thing-" She turns her gaze in the unidentified being's direction. "-was somehow let loose in the middle of town and destroyed an area before we get the report and act accordingly. We were able to corner it into a less populated area, which is where we are now."

I was listening to her explanation while watching the scene transpiring in front of me. This is the first time I have seen the other members of Rias-senpai's peerage in action.

Kiba Yuuto, with his speed as a «Knight», quickly traversed from side to side, frequently slashed out with his sword at every opening. The hunted being tried to shoot many fireballs at him, but he swiftly evaded them like nothing. When the fiery creature was distracted enough, Koneko-chan jumped in and gave one simple but devastating blow to its torso, sending it flying away. Akeno-senpai finished the job by raising her hand with one finger up. A lightning bolt roared from the sky and struck down right at the creature, rendering it unmoved for the moment.

I stand mentally gasping in awe. It was a short but effective combination of all their attack styles. The way they performed it, the way they executed it, it's like they have been practicing for years. Which is contrary to my...

"You fight like a savage brute compare to them." «Taurus» said as if he knew what I was thinking.

Although I am annoyed by his words, he was speaking the truth since I realized how reckless I tend to be in battles. It's hard to admit this, but I wholeheartedly need to improve my skills.

While I was drowning in my thoughts, the strange being woke up and howled in a distorted voice. Everyone around me seems to be surprised that she had recovered faster than they have expected her to be as each of them stifle at the ear-tearing sound.

Without being told, Kiba Yuuto, Akeno-senpai and Koneko-chan all ready themselves again, until they hear a command from our Master.

"Step back. I will handle this."

Oh wow. Is this for real? Rias-senpai personally steps into a battle? Despite my idiocy (Yeah, I know that I am stupid) and ignorance of certain things, I do know how much of a reputation Rias-senpai has as well as what people call her: 'The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess.'

And now, I could witness that power which is so befitting of that title, the «Power of Destruction».

Just as the fiery creature launches one large fireball – one that is twenty times more powerful than what she had been shooting at Kiba Yuuto – Rias-senpai intercepts it with a scarlet beam of energy only by moving her hand nonchalantly, immediately vanquishes the enormous fireball into nothing.

Pals, that's what I call an overwhelming strength.

Not seeing the visible power gap between her and Rias-senpai, the burning sprite concentrates flame in her hands and continues her barrage of fireballs.

The same thing happens again. For each of the fireball it unleashes, Rias-senpai would eradicate them all with her scarlet energy beams, making it more like a game than an actual fight.

Eventually, my Master decides to end the meaningless struggle by shooting a wave of her power at the creature, blasting her away and leaving some marks on her body.

I don't want to say this as if I am sympathy with the creature, but somehow, she stirs an unfamiliar emotion within me.

The strange being coughs as she scrambles on her legs, appeared to have lost her floating ability. She mutters something incoherent under her breath, although it's so faint that we can barely hear anything.

Then all of a sudden, we all put on our guard at the same time for an unknown reason. Each of us looks at each other with confusion while Rias-senpai narrowing her eyes at the burning sprite.

"Dah dah!" «Aquarius» abruptly threw me off my tension. I'm lucky that nobody can see him, or they will all be staring at him right now, which I'm currently doing.

"What?" I whispered to him, trying my best so that none could hear this.

"...'Save her.' he said." «Taurus» quietly spoke after a pause, looking confused just like me at the meaning of his words.

'Save her'? Who is he referring to? And why do I have to 'save her'?

"What do you..."

Before I could find out what the baby-like «Zodiac» was hinting at, the fiery woman stood up and faced us. I soon understand why we were forcibly put on our guard.

The tattoos on her body glows brighter than its previous state, exuding sparks everywhere. Flame gathers all around her in a large armor-like aura.

Suddenly, Asia shouts something over my way.

"Please save her, Ise-san! I'm begging you!"

What? Not you too, Asia? What with this ridiculous request of 'save her'...

Wait, was «Aquarius» talking about the burning figure as 'her'?

To my dismay, I don't know what to do in this situation. Asia and my Chibi self are telling me to save that thing, who is encasing herself in deadly flame. When I glance to the blond nun, she is using her body as a shield to mask those kids from the obvious danger.

Moreover, what's coming next almost had my heart stopped.

Without any warning, the burning figure releases the flame in multiple random directions at once per wave. The torrents of heat phenomenon melt everything they touch. Akeno-senpai reacted in time by erecting a barrier – one with magical runes as base, unlike the ability that «Aries» granted me – and protect us from the assault.

As bad luck as it could get, her barrier didn't cover us entirely, and I can see some of the fire getting through the barrier's edge and goes straight at Asia with the kids behind her.

"Kyaaaaaahhh!" The kids yelled in fear.

"God damn it!" I mumbled as I compelled myself forward to where the nun was. But the flame was faster than me in that regard.

NO! I must do something! Anything!

[Splash!]

"!"

Then, before I even realize it, a gush of water erupted from the ground, creating a liquid wall that extinguished the incoming fire.

What on earth... How did that happen?

Everybody seems to have the same opinion as me since they share a baffled expression. Asia, who had closed her eyes due to the attack, is now looking at the water wall in shock, not knowing what triggered it.

Feeling something wet above me, I look up and see something out of ordinary.

Numerous streams of water are circling around my body, from up top to down below my feet. It is then that I notice «Aquarius» standing in front of me with a triumph stance.

So, water controlling is his ability, heh? I should have guessed it sooner since his «Zodiac» sign does have a tight relation to water.

A torrent of flame approaches us. But this time, I confidently raise my hand to intercept it. And just as expected, a second wall of water erupts and shields us from the harm.

I am getting used to this better than I have thought.

"Dah dah buh ah!" «Aquarius» snapped me out of my daze as he spoke.

"'Use water to save that creature' he said." «Taurus» interpreted his words, as usual.

In other words, he wants me to use his power to rescue that thing from... whatever she is suffering from.

When I glance over Asia's way again to check her condition, she is trying to calm down the kids while giving me a pleading gaze.

Well, that means her request is still there.

Steadying my breath and nerves, I put both of my hands together, clapping them as if making a ball within my palms. Water erupts everywhere to my command and envelops the creature. Some of it vaporized by the flame, but it advances nonetheless until forming a massive orb of water, trapping the sprite inside.

I hold the orb of water still while the creature thrashes violently but helplessly with water slowly extinguish her flaming hair and her tattoos gradually losing their lights.

When she became completely unmoving, I release my hand and let out a breath that I didn't know I was keeping in. The giant ball of water broke and splashed all over the place.

Another unexpected thing occurs as we all gaze upon the figure dropped from the remnants of my water orb.

There, lying face down unconsciously on the ground, is a little girl with long violet hair and pale skin, completely different from the burning sprite image of her earlier.

I sigh to myself.

Great, things just gets a lot more interesting.

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| Life 1-6 | Luckily, I didn't get killed on my second date

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Author's Notes: You know what I hate most? It's writer's block. Really, whenever I try to type something, it just doesn't come out as I want it to be, especially this one. Guess I have to work more on my writing skills. So anyway, if this chapter isn't good enough in your opinion (It's definitely not good IMO, and it is short, too), then I can't help it but trying to be better next time. Until then, have a good day.

P.S. There are three X-over references in this chapter. Do you think you can name them all?