(NEZIRA)

I felt an amused smile stretch across my face in the anticipation of this next battle of chess pieces.

I had watched it for many, many years, but I never found myself bored at these battles. Especially ones where so much was at stake.

“Why do you care so much about the fates of mortals, or as you call them “chess pieces?”

I turned around to see the man I had been traveling with, as a slight chill went up my spine.

Seeing his corneas go from solid black that helped enhance the glow of his purple eyes, back to its original white. The fan shaped scales sinking back into his skin, and the aura that threatened to swallow up everything.

I had been quite sure when we first met I’d be able to beat him, but overtime I noticed he seemed to grow at rates beyond even my understanding.

Every second I could feel the strength of his aura, his speed, his intelligence, his understanding of his abilities. It all seemed to increase, as if it were an instinct within himself.

But as I took a look over his shoulder, seeing the purple flames that threatened to reach space itself, with bodies burned to a crisp as the eye could see behind him. I couldn’t help but want to continue watching and see just how far he can truly go.

“Because that is what they are. Mere pieces on a board in a game we play for our own entertainment.”

“It’s a fun game really, once you get to learn all the rules. Have you ever thought about trying out yourself?”

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“We’re above them in every way. You, and I, the other true gods. We’re fate itself, even if I wanted to show interest in them, they are mere specks in time. We both already know what will happen in this fight.” Responding with an answer that gave no invitation for objections.

“But what if they were able to surpass fate? Would you have an interest in them then, Miklaus?”

“What a joke, mortals like that could never even hope to alter fate.” Immediately scoffing at my question.

“Do you not believe in your own creations?” I asked with a toothy grin.

"They are Reiji's creations, not mine."

"Would Reiji believe in them?"

He paused for a moment before answering during which I could have sworn I saw a flicker of a frown cross his lips.

"No. Not anymore."

Was that…

“Then what interests you? Why are you doing all of this? You really expect me to believe that someone such as yourself really needs training? You and I both know, you’re boundless in terms of your power.”

He regarded me for a while without saying anything more, clearly done with this conversation.

“You’re right. I do have another purpose for doing all of this.”

I watched as he took in a deep breath, and I felt all of his aura get sucked back into his body.

For the first time since I had met this boy, I couldn’t feel any of his aura. That dark, overbearing pressure I had watched him put onto people that caused them to suffocate as they bleed from their eyes, mouth and ears was gone.

If it wasn’t for his eyes, he’d easily be mistaken as just another man.

“It was hard to learn to do this, mainly because my aura is always increasing and in turn the power of it goes up with it. But now I’ve mastered the control over it.”

“I’d like to say I’m impressed, but it’s a given you can do anything. However I’m still curious as to why you’d want to learn this. It’s not like you’d need to hide your aura.”

“You keep watching your chess pieces, old man. I’ll return once I’m done.” Creating a portal out of thin air, that only he knew where it led.

“May I ask where you’re going?”

“It’s time I pay Reiji a visit.”

And with that he disappeared. Leaving only the destruction he’d caused on this planet behind.

“This game truly just keeps getting more interesting.”

Turning back around, I returned to what I had been doing.

“Now Angel against the Demon. Paladin vs conqueror.”

“This is the best game we’ve had yet. What do you think?”

I asked, looking over towards my opponent.

A single slit opening up on its otherwise featureless face.

And it smiled.