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The Goddess's Checkmate in 99 Moves
13th Move - Under Dim Moonlight, We Plan Our Destiny

13th Move - Under Dim Moonlight, We Plan Our Destiny

When all the heroes gathered once again at night, the group shared the information they had found.

"Okay, to sum it up: we confirmed the existence of three resurrected demon lords, the blue-haired one whom Reginn identified as Zealot, the second demon lord. The white-bearded, bespectacled one calling himself Karudo and a third unknown zombie-like necromancer. There was also the one in a cloak, though his identity is a mystery" said Siege

When Reginn heard the name Karudo, he felt like he was close to remembering something, but couldn't quite remember what. Zealot on the other hand brought him memories distinct as if it was yesterday, though to be fair, it had only been a few weeks since he last saw the demon lord from his perspective.

He had the aura of a kind, benevolent man, one that felt so greasy it made you want to puke. He was an insane man with a distorted view of strength, the world and morality. He was a firm believer that paradise was achievable by the culmination of all life on the planet, a total subjugation under his rule. With the world's resources at hand, he believed that they could come together and harness the power of mana for infinite things. Reginn knew that this was impossible, unlike Zealot, he had knowledge of the gods and their world. Since he was the only one on his way toward conquering the entire globe, they were forced to fight, which ended Reginn's glorious reign of humanity. If he was back, Zealot would surely try to restart his plans.

"We've also learnt a bit more about our resurrections. Orchestra had a contract which should have been activated on her death, but instead, she woke up in the current period. However, she still has the memory of dying, up to her final moments. This means that we aren't technically resurrected, just restored and transported to this era before our death" said Blodelshein

"And how does that matter?" asked Kallen

"This means that the ones who've summoned us most likely have the ability to bend spacetime, not resurrect people. They are far more potent than I could've ever imagined. I propose that we split up into units to recruit more heroes, search for clues on who transported us and deal with the demon lords"

They began to organize each group based on the individual's strengths and weaknesses. For the Recruiter group, Orchestra and Poda-Bruss volunteered while the Seeker group was composed of Blodelshein and Siege. The rest: Kallen, Kaizer, Solas and Reginn were designated as the Destroyer group.

"But what do we do about Dune?" asked Siege

"I suppose one of the groups could just bring her around. She doesn't seem that threatening" said Orchestra

"However, estimating potential opponent can prove fatal" added Poda

"Well, if she turns out hostile, I'm sure we can take care of it" said Reginn

Dune shivered at the statement. He did not mean disarm or incapacitate when he said that, he meant cold-blooded killing. While she was treated warmly by the heroes, Reginn, Solas and Kaizer all treated her as less than an animal. These were the heroes of the tales she heard about back at her hometown, where elders would discuss the tales of demon lords fighting valiantly against the heroes and the soldiers of the human kingdom. The Dominion of Sonosis was a sacred location which gave life to the demons, if the heroes managed to destroy it, all surface demons would die.

"In that case, can we bring Dune along?" said Orchestra

"And why is that?" asked Siege

"Firstly, I think the Destroyer team would probably just kill her... Secondly, I think a hero's reaction to meeting a demon says a lot about their character. Such as how Solas acted against Dune"

"My actions were completely justified. Do not treat me mad, woman" said Solas

"Eh... Thirdly, she has the ability to point toward the best path right? We can use that to find heroes efficiently since the path to more heroes should be the good path"

"...That makes sense, anyone against the idea?" asked Siege

"Tch... It makes no sense to spare a demon lord like her..." said Solas

"Come on now, she didn't actually kill anyone during her time on the throne, since I was able to protect the kingdom"

"That is no matter. Demons must be purged"

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"How about you use your Karma detection skill on her? Then you can see for yourself"

Solas stared deeply into Dune's eyes, which frightened her a bit.

"What trickery is this...?"

The meeting was concluded with every member leaving with a concrete idea on what they were doing. However, when everyone left to attend to their own tasks, Blodelshein pulled Reginn over to talk.

"What do you want?" said Reginn, slightly annoyed

He was already displeased by the fact that Zealot was back, the only one who couldw stand par with him in a fight. It was a busy day at the academy as well, training all those kids. What was it now?

"Let's talk somewhere more private"

Blodelshein grabbed Reginn's hand and both were instantly transported to the Psyche. This time, Reginn saw the realm as a dark void, with haunting blue lights scattered across space. Each flame burnt with different intensity and size. Some had slightly different hues as well. As moments passed, some died away while new small sparks began to gather, forming a new flame.

"...I would like to properly introduce myself"

To Reginn's surprise, Blodelshein was sitting on a throne behind him. The space around him changed once again, this time it was a church at night, the stars strangely too bright and the moon engulfing the sky.

"My name is Blodelshein, the Emperor"

"The Emperor?"

"I do not know if you know this - not many do - but we heroes each have a title instilled within us the moment that we become heroes. This is a piece of a divine word that seals our fate forever, binding us into the role of a hero. Each of our's is unique, and you're...?"

"Reginn... the Absolute"

Reginn felt a strange sensation as if a hidden memory was unlocked. How could he have ever forgotten a title given to him by the Goddess?

"How do you know all this?"

"..."

Blodelshein merely smiled, as if to say 'You already know, don't you?'

"...Did you read the mind of the Goddess?"

"Don't you mean a Finger of the Goddess?"

Reginn was shocked that a mere mortal like her knew that the true Goddess was never seen and that her servants played the divine part. He thought that only he, the divine apostle, knew the truth.

"...This shouldn't be possible"

"But it is. The day I lost my eyesight was the day I could truly see the world around me. By reading the minds of others, I could finally see the truth"

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know how powerful you are. I see that your mind has a unique protection from the Goddess and you're even immune to mana"

"Heh, I could say the same about you"

"... perhaps. But now you see, don't you? We're on a different echelon than other heroes"

"Is that why you called me here?"

"Yes. I propose a special alliance"

"I thought we were already allies?"

"Of course, but what I want is more... intimacy? Perhaps that isn't the right word. I want to have a special communication between us. We know things normal mortals shouldn't, and it should be kept that way. With the two of us together, we can protect this world in ways no heroes can"

"...Heh. I can see that you aren't doing this for your own selfish gain, but I just have one more question for you"

"Go ahead"

"Do you know what this tattoo on my right arm means?"

"...'Mankind shall inherit the world'"

"I need you to understand that I'm not fighting for the good of the world or anything dumb like that. I am but a soldier, and the herald of Goddess's will"

"Aren't we all?"

"You'll be surprised"

"So do you agree to this alliance?"

"Sure, but on one condition"

"That is?"

"Never read my mind again"

"...Of course"

"Oh, and by the way, if the first ever gets resurrected, we'll have to include her too"

"If you say so"

"Then I suppose that this secret alliance is official. Anything else you want to tell me?"

"...Do you want to know why my title is the Emperor?"

"Sure"

"This entire realm. It's mine"

"...Huh?"

"The Psyche. When I became the hero, one of the first things I did was subjugate the creatures of the realm. It was relatively simple since I reign supreme within the realm"

"What do you mean crea-"

To Reginn's surprise, he saw a variety of critters appear, entering and exiting the church. Some looked like jellyfish while some looked like an amalgamation of a crayfish and a centipede. They were disproportionately large, glowing semitransparent blue. It was like scenery under the sea.

"...It seems that I've critically underestimated you"

Blodelshein lifted herself from the seat and walked down the stair, approaching Reginn. She then touched his shoulders once again and they were back to the real world.

"But you see, in the Plane of Existence, I am but a feeble child. While in my realm I reign supreme, in this, I believe you are the strongest. That is why we two emperors must stick together"

"...You are right. As the strong, we have to responsibility to use our powers efficiently"

"Here, take this"

Blodelshein pulled a small seashell out of her pocket and gently placed it in Reginn's hands.

"If you destroy this shell, a creature from the Psyche will come to your assistance as well as notify me"

"Heh, I do not believe such an occasion will ever arise"

"You never know..."

With that, Blodeshein left for her room, leaving Reginn pondering along in the living room. What could she mean by that? Did she know something he didn't? He soon ceased the thought, it all didn't matter. He was the Absolute, and he was sure everything was going to be fine as long as he was around.

He began to think about what he should do after everything was over. He didn't have any plans after destroying Sonosis, even when he lived with his caretaker. He once believed that he would just live comfily in his domain forever, but that clearly was not the case. Perhaps he would explore out into the world, there were too many unknowns after all. He also wanted to meet the new World Beasts as he knew a few during his time. He ended the night, dreaming about sailing away on a boat to foreign, mystical landscapes.

However, while all but were aslumber, Grimm began her day.