There is still one more chapter left for Arc 2 to end because I did not want to make this chapter too big.
Please do the poll at the end. Thank you.
(No seggs for you…sorry not sorry. There will be one in Arc 3. Trust.)
Third Person
Morning.
Today marked the first day of Makima's happy life.
It began like any other.
Wake up at six a.m.
Hygiene.
Feed her dogs.
And then prepare breakfast.
It was a routine she had followed for years with mechanical precision. And yet… today, it felt different.
It felt like something that had been misaligned for a long time had finally settled into place.
In the past month, the time she had spent with Rein had already altered her rhythm in some ways, but after yesterday… after his return… that rhythm had finally been perfected and stabilized.
Rein.
The man who had been a mystery to her, and, more annoyingly, far too human.
That had been her main problem.
Makima had realized early on that Rein, as he was before, would eventually drift away from her. Not out of betrayal or anything, but out of incompatibility. And this incompatibility stemmed from their natures, their morals, and also the way they perceived the world. Moreover, all of these differences would have eventually grown into fractures, and these fractures would have led to their separation.
She could not allow that.
If he was to remain by her side, then she needed to change him. She had spent a great deal of time thinking of the best way to shape his mind.
Stripping away his humanity outright would have been inefficient. Humans resisted such force too violently. Poisoning him had only been one step. She had many methods in mind, and many things to try and test.
Breaking him, then making him emotionally rely on her for support, had been her initial strategy to erode his moral framework. She found no joy in doing it; it was simply part of her process. She did it because she wanted him, and because she cared for him…even if it was in her own twisted way.
Humans, after all, were simple-minded creatures. Guide them, influence them for long enough, and before they realize it, they will become the very thing they once swore they would never be.
But none of that mattered anymore.
She didn't know what exactly had happened to Rein in the Aging World, not like he had given her any specific details about his metamorphosis.
All she knew was this:
He was finally like her.
A devil. The Human Devil at that.
And after the night they had spent together, she had finally had sex with him… and she wasn't disappointed in the slightest. On the contrary, it was an experience that made her feel something close to true happiness. They had been at it for hours and barely slept, not that either of them needed sleep to function normally anymore.
For the first time in her existence, Makima could finally say it with certainty: Rein was no longer beneath her.
***
Makima, still dressed in her nightwear, opened the window and let the orange tint of the morning sunlight spill into the room.
Then she moved toward the kitchen counter and began preparing the usual Western-style breakfast she always had.
She put the bread into the toaster, cracked a few eggs into the pan, and let them fry while a few sausages rested beside them. After that, she cut some tomatoes and prepared a salad with lettuce and tomato slices arranged neatly on top.
She worked in silence, listening to the faint echoes of the Tokyo city outside. The food was simple, nothing extravagant, but she liked it, and so there was no reason to change it.
When everything was ready, she arranged it onto a tray.
Then she reached for another..but she didn't get the chance as a pair of hands wrapped around her from behind. Not in a restraining manner, but in an affectionate one.
Makima didn't blink. She simply smiled.
"Good morning, Makima," Rein murmured into her ear.
She could feel the warmth of his body against her back, along with the steady breath brushing her nape. His hands rested at her waist, skin to skin, relaxed, his fingers loosely interlaced as if they belonged there.
Makima continued arranging the tray for a few more seconds before finally shifting her attention to him.
"You're up early," she said softly.
"You usually wake up at 6:37 a.m., take a thirty-minute shower, stand still in front of the mirror for two minutes and forty-eight seconds, then sigh once before leaving the bathroom. What changed?"
Her smile never left her face.
Rein's arms tightened around her waist, just a little.
"…You memorized all that?" he asked.
"Isn't that a bit weird?"
Makima laughed quietly.
"Weird?"
"Isn't taking a thirty-minute shower and then staring at your own reflection for over two minutes every single day stranger than me memorizing your routine?" She tilted her head slightly. "What takes you so long? I wonder."
Rein's smile twitched, but he didn't pull away.
"I think," he said, "I'm just an introspective guy. I reflect on myself more than I should."
He paused, then added lightly,
"…Anyway, today I wanted to wake up with you."
There was a brief pause after he said it. Then Rein leaned in just a bit closer to Makima, with his head resting on hers.
"So, did you enjoy last night?" he added with a low yet amused voice.
Makima's hands stopped for a moment.
She turned her head slightly, just enough to look at him from the corner of her eye. Her smile remained calm and composed, yet there was faint curiosity hidden beneath it:
"Is that a genuine question or are you seeking reassurance?" She asked.
Rein chuckled softly.
"Why can't it be both? I wanted to know if I lived up to the great Control Devil's expectations."
She studied him for a moment before she continued.
"…Hmm… you don't seem like the type to be anxious about it," she said.
"But still, the fact that you're asking makes me wonder…do you have performance anxiety, Rein?"
Her smile only sharpened further.
"Performance Anxiety?" he repeated. "No way."
He loosened his arms and stepped back slightly to give her some space.
"I just like knowing if I am good enough."
Makima hummed thoughtfully, then reached for the tray again.
"I enjoyed it…very much so," she said plainly without any hesitation.
Rein blinked once, then smiled.
"I'm glad to know that."
She glanced at him again.
"That's all you needed to hear right?"
"Perhaps," he replied easily.
She picked up the tray and nodded toward the table.
"Then come eat, If we let the eggs cool, they won't taste as good." She said.
Rein followed her without argument.
Then they sat down across from each other, letting the quiet morning settle between them.
***
First Person
The dining table was quiet as we ate our breakfast in peace. Five minutes passed, and yet neither of us spoke a word.
I took a bite of the crunchy toast, chewing slowly as my eyes drifted toward Makima. The woman in question was calmly savoring her black coffee with a relaxed posture.
To think that just ten years ago, she was the same woman who poisoned me… the same woman who also wanted me to do things I hated at the time.
But now…things have changed.
I had finally made peace with her…with myself...and strangely enough, I prefer things this way, even knowing that a part of me now finds delight in chaos.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds and enjoyed my toast. Surprisingly, the bland toast with butter spread tasted much better than it should have. I didn't know if it was because this was my first proper meal after ten years or if Makima's hands had magic in them.
When I opened my eyes again, she was looking at me with a serene expression. She had a faint smile on her lips while her chin sat on her palms. From the looks of it, she had already finished her portion, now she was looking at me like I was something precious she didn't want to miss.
"Does it taste good?" Makima asked softly.
I simply nodded with my mouth partially full.
"Yeah…it tastes way better than it should normally."
Makima's lips curved a fraction.
"I was a little worried for a second. I thought you wouldn't enjoy simple things anymore." She said.
Simple things?
Ah. So that was what she was really asking.
"Y'know," I said while leaning back a little, "just because I changed races..doesn't mean my preferences changed too…at least when it comes to food. "
Being a devil came with plenty of perks and surprisingly few downsides… especially for someone like me.
The biggest benefit was that I could still use the Path of Human God.
I think I know why.
Even after becoming a devil, I didn't leave humanity behind.
I became the embodiment of the very concept of "Human."
It's pretty ironic, when I think about it.
It was this very power that served as the trigger for my ascension…
…and it was this same power that filled me with revulsion toward human cruelty.
"Makima..you think I am that far gone?" I questioned her quietly.
I didn't blink and looked straight into her golden eyes with calm confidence.
"I am the Human devil now. Loving what humans usually love is my nature."
Makima simply hummed while her eyes never left mine. Though it appeared like a lot was going on in her mind.
"Rein, I'm curious about something." She said in a calm tone.
Then she paused, just long enough to make her command feel heavier.
"What, exactly, can you do as the Human Devil?"
I didn't answer immediately, instead, I remained quiet for several seconds.
Meanwhile, Makima continued in a calm, almost casual voice,
"I knew a Human Devil back in my world," she said softly. "But…she was much weaker than I thought."
Her smile sharpened, just a little.
"I just want to see if you both share any similarities."
What can I do, huh?
For a second, I almost laughed.
And the fact that she was comparing me to another Human Devil from the Chainsaw Man world, a weak one that never even got mentioned in the canon.
I wondered.
Was she looking down on me because my concept was Human?
She had never once asked me about my abilities.
So why now?
Maybe I was overthinking it, and she was just curious.
Or maybe she wanted to confirm something.
Perhaps she wanted to see if I was stronger than her.
Honestly, the answer was pretty obvious. Even without considering my template powers… I could do many things. And the ways I can mess with people? She wouldn't see half of them coming.
What I had become almost made me smile.
Devil of Humanity.
As if humanity needed a devil to represent it.
As if humans weren't already their own worst enemy.
Humans, including me, were hypocrites.
They prayed for peace, and then built tools that did nothing but manufacture suffering.
They cried about wanting control over their lives… when, deep down, most of them just wanted to be controlled.
And now?
I was the embodiment of that hypocrisy.
Before I could get lost in thoughts any longer, I came back to my senses. I watched Makima over the rim of my toast. She was still there, smiling like she had all the time in the world.
And she was still waiting for my answer.
I set the toast down slowly.
"I have three unique abilities," I said at last, not wanting to keep her waiting.
I paused, leaning forward until my elbows rested on the table.
"First is shapeshifting…you have already seen that in action."
Yesterday when I turned into Kobeni, I had used this power, and Makima had seen it too so I didn't need to explain her any further.
I know it was a boring ability to have, especially when I couldn't even gain the abilities of the people I shapeshifted into.
But here's the thing: the stronger I am, the harder it becomes for anyone to spot me as a fake.
And I'm pretty sure even Makima agrees.
"Hmm," she hummed. "That's a pretty handy power." She tilted her head slightly, amused. "If I hadn't known Kobeni's personality… you could've actually tricked me."
The way she said could've made me roll my eyes. Yeah as if there was anything in this world that could trick you that easily.
I didn't waste my time and moved on.
"Second is Synergy," I said while tapping my finger against the table.
"In simple words…" But before I could go any further, I stopped myself.
Then without warning, I stood up from my seat and walked around the table until I was closer to her. She turned right, towards me, wondering what I was up to.
"Makima… I want you to be really honest with me."
"Do you trust me?" I asked as I extended my hand to her.
Makima remained silent for a couple of seconds, as if she was carefully weighing my question.
The fact that she was taking this long to even consider an answer made me feel quite sad. It seemed she still didn't trust me completely.
It's a no, huh.
I wasn't surprised. Of course, she wouldn't trust anyone whom she can't control. How could I possibly forget that?
So I proceeded to lower my hand—
…but I couldn't.
Not because I changed my mind, but because I literally could not.
When I looked at my hand again, I saw Makima holding onto my right hand with both of hers, while her fingers gently brushed my skin.
I looked her in the eyes again.
Her expression didn't change, it remained calm and unreadable.
Then her lips parted.
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't let you have sex with me." She said softly.
So you did trust me… that was great. It meant that using Synergy had become a lot easier.
Without wasting any time, I brought my left hand closer, placing my palm over hers as she held onto my right.
Makima tilted her head in quiet curiosity. She knew I was up to something… and yet she still chose to trust me.
I won't disappoint you, Makima.
Trust me.
"Merge."
The moment that word slipped from my mouth, the world twisted…
…and I lost consciousness.
***
Third Person
Fear.
That was the primary power source for devils like Makima and Rein.
The more their concept was feared by humans and supernatural beings alike, the stronger they became.
While fear derived from humanity served as the main foundation, supernatural beings also contributed to the collective fear surrounding that same concept.
Maybe that was why Rein, who had just awakened inside Makima's body, immediately realized just how much stronger Makima was in this world.
He found himself sitting in the same place Makima had occupied moments earlier.
When he looked down, he saw that he was wearing her clothes. Worse, his chest felt heavier than usual. He felt real weight and a quick inspection confirmed it. They were real breasts… unmistakably Makima's.
Strands of light red hair also fell into his vision, as the familiar hair color unmistakably reminded him that he was no longer himself.
He turned toward the glass window.
And for the first time, he saw himself.
He had become Makima.
No.
He was possessing Makima.
"…Interesting."
He heard a familiar voice in his head, the same soothing one that sends chills down the spine of everyone.
"Though I cannot move my body, I can still feel everything," Makima continued.
"And I am…a bit stronger than before." There was a faint note of curiosity beneath her composure.
"Tell me, Rein. What is this power?"
"Makima? Thank god you are still conscious." Rein heaved a sigh of relief, glad he could still communicate with Makima
"Of course I am," she replied evenly.
"Now answer the question."
"Right…" And then Rein proceeded to tell her everything.
Synergy, his second ability.
It allowed him to merge with another devil, assume control over their body, and amplify their power. The process wasn't simple domination, it was synchronization, the merger of two existences that were occupying the same vessel. While only one remained in control of the body at a time.
"It works on most devils," Rein added.
"The only exceptions are those who embody, fundamental concepts like Death and Darkness."
"…"
Makima remained silent, unable to find the words to describe her reaction.
She had finally grasped it…the true weight of his ability, and what it really meant for both of them.
Rein noticed her silence. He knew that whatever cheat-like existence he had become, it was enough to force even someone like Makima into quiet calculation. So, for the moment, he chose to leave her alone.
Makima knew Rein was someone she could trust, at least enough to believe he wouldn't do anything foolish.
He stood up from his seat and quietly made his way out of the kitchen, passing through the living room until he reached the door that led to the penthouse's expansive balcony.
Stepping outside, a cool breeze instantly washed over him.
He was several stories up in the sky and he could see it, the world felt so so distant.
As he looked down, the Tokyo city stretched endlessly beneath him, its lights and buildings laid out in razor-sharp detail.
Rein let out a slow breath as he looked down at it all.
It was only after possessing Makima that Rein realized just how much his red-haired lover had been holding back.
And no matter how he turned it over in his head, he couldn't justify why.
If she didn't hold back, things would have been lot easfor for her…of so he thought.
"Makima… why have you never told me about your true strength?"
His voice was calm, but there was weight behind it.
"Why hide it from me?" he continued.
"You know you could have done so much with this power. Why do you even need me at this point?"
At last, Rein spoke the thoughts he had kept to himself.
"I never saw the need to display my true strength, Rein."
Makima's voice flowed through his mind again. It sounded steady, composed, and it felt as if she were standing right beside him.
"There are beings you know well who surpass my current capabilities," she continued calmly. "I have always known that."
Her voice didn't waver.
"No matter how strong I am, I cannot do everything alone." She paused for a brief moment.
"All my life, I searched for someone who could stand beside me, not beneath me." Then her tone softened just slightly. "Someone who could see the world the way I do…and still choose to remain close to me."
"That's why I need you, Rein." She said.
Normally, he would have smiled.
And in truth, he was happy, but he didn't show it. If this were the man he used to be, he would have turned to her, thanked her for trusting him, for believing in him. He was sure he would have said something cheesy again.
But he didn't.
Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the city below
"Makima..I don't understand why you wanted my help to break this world," Rein finally said, his voice calm. "When you possess enough power to destroy an entire continent by yourself."
Makima didn't answer.
She just listened like she always did.
She knew he wasn't angry with her. Not really. But his reaction was believable. Because when you find out your lover has enough power to qualify as one of the strongest beings in this world… it's hard not to start questioning your own importance.
Coming back to Rein, 'his' golden eyes, with concentric red rings, reflected the city as he continued.
"Creating a perfect world…it sounds impossible on paper..but it's quite easy, really." He said slowly.
"Remember this..before creation," Rein went on, "there should always come destruction."
He lifted his hand, his index finger extending slowly, pointing toward the city and the countless innocent lives below.
"So maybe the easiest way to end human suffering…is to erase humanity altogether."
"We are devils, beings like us were never meant to save humans…or the world," Rein said quietly.
Then a single voice cut through the moment.
"Rein. Put your hand down."
Rein didn't listen. Instead, he simply smiled.
"Makima… this is what you wanted, right? I'll give it to you."
He set the effective range of his attack to roughly the size of Australia.
And then he finally said it:
"Bang."
***
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***
Author's Note:
I know uploading bi-weekly isn't good enough, but I promise the next chapter will come soon enough this time. Also… Reze is finally coming back after God knows how many chapters, so yay.
This chapter was really important to display Makima and Rein's bonding after his transformation.
Also, I usually don't do targets because my upload schedule is so inconsistent that I end up getting less reception due to the algorithm… but I'll do it this time:
If we pass 100 power stones in the next two days, I'll upload a new chapter before or on New Year.
Anyways, here's the poll.
What are you most excited/scared to see in Arc 3? (This will help me adjust my planning.)
Rein fucking up the supernatural world
Reze's return as the best waifu
Yoru
Fami (Death Devil)