Very Important Note:
It's a sad day for me. My dog was admitted to the hospital for a few days… and I just received the heartbreaking news that he didn't make it.
So if this chapter feels sadder than usual, I sincerely apologize.
I hope you still enjoy it, and please, if you can, leave lots of comments and votes! I may not be in the right state of mind to continue writing this week, but your support would mean the world and might help me recover a little faster.
🧡 🫶
Word Count: 4.4k
***
First Person
You know… when I thought I'd finally get the thrill of fighting someone as notorious as Sukuna, I didn't expect it to go like this.
Right now, every building around me in the city square is wrecked and damaged beyond recognition, courtesy of Sukuna, of course.
He'd looked down at me with that same arrogant expression he always wore… It's funny knowing that he actually thought he had a shot at killing me.
What a fool.
Good for him — I off‑screened him.
All that remained in front of me were his ashes.
First I had to paralyze him so he couldn't escape or do anything stupid, then I brought Gojo's domain into the equation and paired it with Hollow Purple.. The final result was pretty obvious.
He died.
I admit, his immortality was annoying…little shit kept coming back even from a single strand of hair every time I threw Purple at him. But if there was nothing left of him, he couldn't come back—and that held true.
I ran a hand through my hair and looked at Sukuna's ashes again mockingly. "I know you're not the same, but still… this is what you fucking get for killing Gojo‑sensei."
Then I looked up at the sky like I was paying tribute to someone. "We met in a dream, but still… I finally avenged you. Hope you still give me that reward we agreed on."
Then I resumed my steps, heading back toward the same subway station where I'd left Kobeni behind.
An ache of guilt twisted in my chest. Leaving her there like that… yeah, that was kind of a dick move, no matter how I tried to justify it. Knowing how easily she gets terrified of everything, it didn't make it feel any less awful.
If she died… that would be on me.
The last thing I ever wanted was another death hanging over my head.
The trauma from my first mission still haunted me. If I failed again, if I let someone else die under my watch…I don't think I'd ever have the courage to face Gojo again.
He'd probably be disappointed, and maybe even disgusted. He'd think I was just some kid who got handed immense power but didn't have the resolve or discipline to properly use it.
Kobeni… she was different.
Out of everyone I'd met in this world, she was perhaps the most normal…a rarity in a place where insanity was basically a normal trait.
And somehow, after everything that happened today, I realized something unexpected.
She might actually be the first real friend I've made in this world.
I clenched my fist while making up my mind.
"Don't worry, Kobeni," I murmured under my breath. "I'll protect yo—"
But then I felt my entire body freeze—and my voice cut off.
No, something cut me off.
Every part of my body went stiff. Every muscle locked, every nerve went numb. I couldn't even twitch a finger.
Then, through my Six Eyes, I sensed a pulse of energy surging beneath me, causing my gaze to dart downward.
A massive magic circle had bloomed under my feet, glowing with intricate, unfamiliar symbols that flickered like they were alive.
That feeling… it was familiar. No, it was too familiar.
Someone was trying to summon me.
Wait—summon me?
My mind raced, connecting dots faster than my heart could keep up.
The crystals!
Makima and Reze both had one. Those things were supposed to be used as a last resort…
So if I were being summoned now…
My heart dropped in realization.
It could only mean one thing…one of them was in danger.
Makima or Reze…who was it? What the hell happened?
***
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in… an apartment?
The interior was meticulously decorated, eerily similar to Makima's place.
The walls were lined with eccentric paintings, one such catching my attention…an angel with broken wings being embraced from behind by a devil with an unsettling grin.
Creepy.
Bookshelves filled the corners, stacked with the kind of literature I could easily imagine Makima reading.
While I was still taking it all in, I suddenly felt a pair of familiar hands wrap around me from behind…just like the painting.
My eyes caught the faint glimpse of light red hair…and then a strong pleasant scent filled my nostrils.
God….she smelled nice.
Her body was also pressed against my back…and I could clearly feel her soft big breasts touching me.
Her gentle touch… it felt so nice that I could feel butterflies in my stomach.
For a moment, I felt like I could stay like this forever.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Did you miss me that much to use the crystal… Makima?" I asked, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
She blew hot breath against my ear, and I shivered involuntarily, a rush of pleasure running down my spine.
"I miss you every second of my life, Aleks-kun… you've been working so hard. I thought you deserved a break~" Her voice was soft and soothing. They were like music to my ears, something I can never get tired of hearing.
Then, she proceeds to bite my neck gently, leaving a hickey behind. Feeling her teeth biting my neck made me aroused…earning an erection.
I know she was teasing me..probably she even wanted me to corner her and make out with her.
Then her hands moved to my shirt, unbuttoning it slowly, one button at a time.
I knew where this was going… and part of me really really wanted it.
But something about this situation didn't feel right.
I couldn't relax, not when Reze was still out there.
I caught her hands mid-motion, stopping her. That small act alone surprised her.
"…Is something the matter, Aleks-kun? I thought this would make you feel better," she asked out of concern.
"As much as I'd love to, Makima… we don't have time for that right now. The barrier's still up, and our enemies are still out there. I can't stop thinking about it."
Which was true.
Then, as if a wave of disappointment washed over her, she withdrew her hands and stepped around to face me.
My blue eyes met her beautiful golden eyes which were layered with concentric red rings.
She wasn't in her Public Safety uniform this time, but a one-piece dress that made her look like…a housewife. Her damp hair also told me she'd just taken a shower.
She smiled faintly, her tone deceptively warm as she reached for my hands again.
"You don't have to worry, Aleks-kun… just enjoy this moment. Think of it as the date I promised you after the mission~"
And before I could reply, she led me gently toward the sofa.
A moment later.
We were now on the burgundy sofa, her gentle hands cupping my face as she sat on my lap, facing me.
Our tongues intertwined as we continued our lewd exchange. This time… she was a bit rougher, and honestly, I didn't mind it at all.
Then our lips met again in a tender kiss, our hands entwined together. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, lost in the moment, until we finally parted.
When my eyes fell on her figure, on her face, with that smile and that expression, I couldn't believe how stunning she looked. In that moment, she seemed like the most beautiful person I had ever met. She was… hot.
"I love you, Makima," I blurted out, subconsciously drawn to her.
She tilted her head and smiled. "I love you too, Aleks-kun~"
God… I love this woman.
***
My head rested on her lap as she ruffled my hair with her delicate fingers. My eyes were closed, and I finally let myself relax.
Today had been unexpectedly long….waking up, the train ride, and wandering around the city hunting those pesky youkais… yeah, a long day indeed.
And yet, here we were, spending quality time together even in the midst of all the chaos outside. I loved it. Sometimes, just existing could be exhausting, and a little time like this was exactly what I needed to feel human again.
Clearing my thoughts, I gently opened my eyes, only to meet her gaze.
It felt like the perfect moment. I wanted to ask her something… to finally know her better.
We'd been together for almost a month, yet I was still unaware of her goals and intentions. I had my hunches, but I wanted to hear it from her directly.
"Is there something you want to ask me, Aleks-kun?" she said softly, as if reading my mind.
I took a deep breath and finally spoke out loud. "Yes… Makima. I have to ask you this because I'm really curious. What is your goal? What do you really want? I want to know… and please, be honest." My words carried a subtle urgency.
My question hung in the air for a moment, and hearing me, she only widened her smile, as if she'd been waiting for me to question her.
"I'm glad you asked," she said quietly. "It's about time I finally tell you."
Her gaze softened, it became almost affectionate. "What I want," she continued, "is to create an ideal world where there is no human suffering."
An ideal world…? I almost scoffed aloud. More like enslaving everyone, right? Even if I loved her, I couldn't forget who she truly was—the Control Devil.
Worse, if she ever used me to bring that world to life, I'd never be able to forgive myself.
"Hmm. Ambitious as it sounds, that's not all of it, is it? How are you going to achieve it?" I asked, pushing myself up from her lap.
Makima smiled again…the same way she always did when she was about to say something dangerous.
"Aleks-kun," she murmured, "what I'm about to tell you is a secret that must stay between us. I'm sharing it because I love you. Do you understand?"
Her voice was gentle, but there was a strange weight behind it.
My eyes narrowed. A secret? What is it this time, Makima? Who did you kill now?
Every time she spoke like this, I ended up learning a disturbing truth about her, and every time, it made me feel more conflicted.
I nodded silently.
She lifted her hand, her delicate fingers curling under my chin to tilt my face toward hers. Her touch was warm…too warm for a cold-hearted person like her.
"You promise you won't hate me?" she asked softly. "Not many humans would tolerate my existence if they knew who I really am."
Is she going to say what I think she will say?
My heart raced, but I forced myself to calm down. I couldn't let my reaction give anything away.
"I know it'll affect me," I said, forcing a small smile, "but that doesn't mean I'll hate you. Love doesn't care about what race you are. Even if you are a devil… I don't mind."
Her golden eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering there. It was barely noticeable to the point that most people wouldn't have caught it. But I did.
"Alright then," she said finally, exhaling. "I'm a devil from another world."
I blinked.
"I am one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," she continued, her voice low and even. "Specifically, the Devil of Conquest."
For a second, the room seemed to be still around us.
"I was reincarnated into this world around three hundred years ago," she said, eyes drifting to the window as though staring through time itself. "And throughout my existence, I have seen a lot of suffering. One thing is common in every world I've known…humans always suffer, no matter how much they try to change."
And then she brought her hand out to me, her smile wide and her eyes glinting with an unusual energy.
"As the devil of Conquest, I wish to end suffering in humans by conquering the supernatural world. So will you help me Aleks-kun?"
Did she just… confess?
Even though I expected it, hearing her say it herself it felt exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
She just revealed her true self to me. Was I supposed to go along with it?
No.
She expects me to join her side, and she even asked me once before. But I never gave her an answer.
Right now, I couldn't dodge the question any longer.
I had to be honest with her.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself, feeling ready for whatever was coming.
"So..if I am getting it right, you're planning to enslave the entire supernatural world?" I finally revealed what I had been holding in.
Her smile didn't falter, but I saw her eyes narrow ever so slightly. Probably surprised by my confrontation.
"Why? Why do you care about them? You wanted an equal relationship, right? Don't you have me? Am I not enough?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.
"I thought… I thought you'd stopped chasing that suicidal dream when you said you wanted someone equal."
Makima tilted her head while a hint of amusement crossed her lips.
"This isn't about love, Aleks-kun. It's more than that. There's a cause and a significance to it."
"No, there isn't!" I snapped. "You just want to fulfill your twisted fantasy at the cost of countless innocent lives! Conquering the supernatural world? You know that's impossible!"
"There's no point in chipping away at something you can't ever achieve!"
I said while letting all of my frustrations pour out. I know I could not hold back my words anymore.
Meanwhile, she gave me that same unsettling look that made my blood boil even more:
"You're so arrogant, Aleks-kun. If it were you, you could do it yourself, couldn't you?"
"And yet here you are," she continued, her tone still maddeningly calm, "trying to convince someone else that what's possible for you… It is impossible for them."
Huh? What the hell is she getting at? My mind raced, trying to catch up with her words.
"Just… what are you trying to say?" I asked, a mix of confusion and frustration in my voice.
She smiled, this tike genuinely, A rare sight that caught me off guard.
"If I had you by my side… then this foolish ideal of mine would feel a lot more grounded and real, don't you think?"
Then she leaned in, with her breath warm against my ear, and then she whispered softly,
"I've been chasing this goal my entire life… and I've already made my decision. Now, all that's left is to do whatever it takes to achieve it, no matter the cost."
She had made up her mind and I could tell she would stop at nothing.
This side of her…I had never seen her like this before.
Is this the true Makima? To think she could be this scary…
Sigh.
Am I going to yield and give in to her request? Absolutely not. I have to man up and show her I'm not someone she can manipulate.
"Makima… what do you want from me? Be honest." I finally said out loud.
Hearing my words, she cupped my face and leaned in closer, our foreheads touching, and our breaths heavy and uneven.
"I want you to help me achieve my goal," she whispered. "You're the only one I could ever ask for… because you're someone I've come to love." She paused briefly, her eyes softening.
"I want to create this ideal world for us, Aleks-kun… a world where only the two of us have control. So will you help me?"
Her voice was heartfelt and almost vulnerable. It felt as if she were truly opening up to me.
There was no hint of deceit in her tone, and Johan's talent confirmed it.
She genuinely meant every word and wanted my help, not out of manipulation this time, but because she loved me.
She even imagined a position of control beside her…
Truly, this woman was committed. It almost moved my heart.
Almost.
Because—
I could never help her with this goal.
Realizing her dream would mean committing genocide… doing things I could never live with.
Am I going to accept her request?
No chance.
"Makima… I'm moved by your devotion and commitment to our love," I said slowly, "but I must confess… I can't help you with that."
I didn't hesitate this time. I wasn't afraid of her or anyone else.
Hearing my words, I saw her eyes flicker with sadness and disappointment, like someone who'd just been handed an answer she did not want to hear.
Our faces were so close that I could practically read her like an open book.
"It's a no, huh… I should've known," she muttered, voice trembling. Then she gently pulled away, breaking eye contact.
A long, heavy silence filled the room.
And then…I saw something that made my heart stop.
Tears.
Tears were flowing down her cheeks.
Makima, the Control Devil, was crying.
My chest tightened painfully at the sight.
I wanted to hold her, to comfort her, to tell her I was still here… but how could I, after rejecting her so completely?
"Makima…" I murmured, cupping her face as my thumb brushed away the tears on her cheeks.
She looked at me, and God, she looked miserable. She looked like someone who had just lost everything.
"Please don't cry," I said softly, voice heavy with guilt. "It hurts… it hurts seeing you like this."
She didn't reply. For a few seconds, she just stared at me with an unreadable expression before finally speaking.
"…Hug me."
It wasn't a request. It was a command.
Complying without question, I leaned closer and wrapped my arms around her with my head resting on her shoulder. Then, I caressed her back gently, hoping to reassure her somehow.
"I'll never leave your side, Makima," I whispered as I held her.
She hugged me back with a firm grip. She rested her head against my shoulder with our cheeks brushing softly.
"…To be honest, I'm very sad," she said quietly. "The boy I came to love rejected me… after everything I did for him."
I flinched as my pulse quickened.
Her words felt like daggers stabbing my heart.
"…I'm sorry, Aleks-kun," Her tone was cold now, it sounded almost lifeless. "I never wanted to do this… but you've broken my trust."
"What? What are you talking—"
Before I could finish, I felt a sharp sting at the back of my neck like a needle piercing my skin.
"M-Makima… w-what are y—"
My words slurred as my vision blurred. My limbs grew heavy, and my strength began to drain away.
Second by second, I felt myself weakening, until everything went black.
My last thought…
What the fuck just happened?
***
Ugh… my head.
It felt like I just had the worst migraine of my life.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. My vision was blurry at first, but gradually, everything began to come into focus.
I found myself lying face-down on a carpeted floor, as if I had collapsed after being knocked unconscious.
When my sight finally cleared, I saw her…looking down at me with that same calm expression with a faint smile resting on her lips.
My strength returned all at once, and I sat up quickly. This time, I didn't avoid her gaze.
A thousand questions flooded my mind. What the hell did she just do to me?
And why was she smiling? Didn't she just cry moments ago?
My instincts screamed that something was horribly wrong with me, but I couldn't tell what it was.
Only she could answer that.
"Makima… what did you do?" I asked.
For a few seconds, she only looked at me with quiet amusement. Then, finally, she spoke.
"I poisoned you, Aleks-kun. It's a poison that restored the Control I once had over you. From this moment onward… your fate belongs to me."
Her words hit harder than a truck.
Poisoned me?
So that stinging pain earlier…she was drugging me.
"What… what kind of poison was that?" I managed, my voice heavy.
Every emotion inside me clashed together…but one overtook the rest.
Anger.
Pure unfiltered anger.
"All I did," she said in that soft, controlled tone of hers, "was fix things back to normal. I simply restored the order that should have existed from the beginning."
I clenched my fists, seething; but I couldn't attack her…not yet. She likely held the trigger for whatever she'd done to me.
I'd be a fool to confront her blindly.
"What do you mean, back to normal?" I demanded, my tone sharp; not of questioning, but of command.
Upon my words, she rose from the sofa and knelt in front of me, leaning closer.
Her hands gripped my shoulders, forcing me to look at her.
Her eyes were cold and deadly serious. They felt more terrifying than anything I'd ever seen before.
"You thought you could keep fooling me? I'm almost insulted, Aleks-kun," she said, tilting her head with that chilling little smile.
"Our original contract… it meant nothing to you from the very beginning, did it? You nullified it with whatever power you had, pretending all along that I still held control over you."
"But since you were so devoted to me, I decided to let it go, perhaps even give you a chance to earn my trust again… if you helped me achieve my goal."
"But things aren't that simple, are they?"
"You denied me, and now… I had to resort to unconventional methods."
My eyes widened in shock.
She knew. She knew I'd broken the contract. I'd been careless, so so careless.
Right now I felt like a complete idiot. Even knowing who I was dealing with… I still fell right into her trap.
"How… how did you find out the contract was broken?" I asked, no point pretending anymore.
Makima smiled faintly, her tone disturbingly calm.
"You know who I am, right? I'm Conquest. I can control anyone I deem inferior to me.
So when I considered you bound to me by the contract, I thought that meant I could use my control over you freely.
But guess what? You're immune. No matter how many times I tried to subtly control you… It never worked."
I was speechless. No words came out of my mouth.
It felt like my consciousness was slipping away…crushed under the weight of what I'd just seen and felt.
My mind couldn't even form a coherent thought to hold this point of view together anymore.
***
Third Person
Seeing Aleks zoning out, Makima wondered if she had gone too far. His silence, his hollow eyes ..even she could tell something had broken in him.
But then, she reminded herself: this was necessary.
She needed her Aleks by her side. No matter the cost.
Her hand rose to his cheek, brushing his skin with a strange tenderness. He was unusually cold to her touch.
"You're cold," Makima murmured softly, as though genuinely concerned. "Should I make you some tea to warm you up?"
Aleks didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the floor, empty and distant.
Moments later, they sat together on the sofa while a faint ticking of a wall clock echoed through the silent room.
Makima rested her head gently against his shoulder, as if seeking comfort, while Aleks sat motionless with a cup of tea trembling faintly in his hands.
Makima's gaze drifted to the untouched cup.
"The tea's gotten cold," she said with a faint smile. "Shall I make some more?"
This time…Aleks finally spoke..
"Makima… tell me. Is this all a dream? Did I knock myself out, and now I'm just… trapped inside it?"
…although his voice felt hollow and empty.
He turned toward her with an expression unreadable.
"I thought I had a shot at a normal life… if I could just convince you to give up those ideals and walk beside me. But now… all I see in this dream is everything crumbling apart."
Makima stared back at him in silence while her golden eyes remained unwavering and terrifyingly calm.
Then, her lips curved into a smile.
"Pff—"
A soft chuckle escaped her. Then another.
Until suddenly—
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
Makima burst into laughter. Perhaps for the first time in a century, she felt genuine delight, so much that it escaped her in uncontrollable laughter.
"Ahhh… that was a good laugh," she murmured, turning her gaze to Aleks once more.
Her right hand found her cheek, supporting her as she drew Aleks's head back into her lap. He didn't resist; he let her do as she wished.
Their eyes met again. Even under the weight of such brutal mockery, Aleks did not waver. His eyes still held life in them.
"I am your new normal, Aleks-kun~" she whispered, her tone sweet yet terrifying.
"Any happiness you find outside of me… I will be the one to destroy it."
"And if you somehow find the courage to run away from me… to start a family… know this: I will not allow your wife or children to live long."
Aleks's mind raced. So this is how far you're willing to go… for love. And I still can't bring myself to hate you more than I hate myself.
Reze was right, Makima would really be the reason for his death one day.
"What's the matter, Aleks‑kun?" Makima asked, her golden eyes sharp and curious. "Lost in thought? Don't you want to know what I've done to you?"
Not wasting time for him to react, she went on to explain the poison.
She described it as a divine poison she had 'acquired' from the Greek pantheon.
Its function was simple, yet terrifying. When injected into someone for whom she harbored romantic feelings, it marked them as her subject and she became their trigger.
As a trigger, she could issue an instant death command, and the subject would die permanently. It wasn't the body that would be affected…it was the soul.
The second function acted as an observer: if Aleks ever acted on any intentions of betraying her, she would be notified through the metaphysical link between the subject and the trigger.
"So… if you betray me, I can kill you anytime I want. I had never wanted to do such a thing so I hope you understand." Makima commanded.
Aleks blinked.
He felt like he had heard something so outrageous that all he wanted to do was laugh.
To think she had gone to such lengths to acquire that detestable thing… something that countered every method he had to fix himself.
He finally realized he couldn't do anything to cure the poison without alerting her.
And in that moment, Aleks understood one undeniable truth:
This is checkmate, huh.
***
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Author's Note (Again):
Oh, howdy! How did things come to this? How will our boy Aleks find a way out of this mess? Things just keep getting worse for him… what he really needs now is a break, but of course, Makima won't give him one.
What fate do you think I have in store for him? Drop your thoughts in this paragraph comment!