-Chapter ???-
"Blood Deal"
Unknown Time, After the Witch's Game
Down a lonely road, rain pounding against the ground... there was no one in sight. No one to look at... and yet, a single dimensional boundary ripped open before the empty space in the air. Still, there was no one to see this occur, but two figures step out of the dimensional boundary as it closes.
"... so, Yukari, out of all places to escape to after the Game, why here? ...is it pertaining to the Institution?"
Bernkastel was relatively calm during the transition from her utter defeat and escorting to this unknown location. However, not even her supposed ally Yukari could answer her question fully.
"You'll see soon, Bernkastel. Now my job here is done, and I'll be seeing you later. Yuyuko wants to meet up with me soon, a close friend of me... Later."
With that simple statement, Yukari soon exited the area through another dimensional boundary, a somber look on her face as if she knew what were to happen to Bernkastel at this hour. Yet, the Witch of Miracles sworn that with the youkai's departure, she was the only one present here. Again... she was wrong.
"... what an odd time to see you once again, Witch of Miracles. Apologies for the strange location. I would offer an umbrella for you... but even with your... cat features, you don't seem that bothered at all."
"That's because there's more to be concerned with other than being soaked in the rain. The Witch's Game turned into a Murder Game. I did what I was told... but knowing you, you must have seen it all. Including it's conclusion."
Bernkastel simply stared at the empty space in front of her, being aware that a certain someone here... someone that she knew. A faint "tsk tsk" echoed through this rainy path...
"Correct. I've been watching ever since the Game was set... and I have very high hopes that you would succeed in the task besides getting yourself the Gamemaster title. Must I remind you the basics of our Institution once more?"
The Witch of Miracles did not answer. A laugh echoed out from the shrill voice that was this unseen force.
"We run a... devoted business, Bernkastel. We ensure 100% success for people that offer up money to us to eliminate a specific person out there... in the neighborhood... in the city... in the country... in the world... in the multiverse. Same goes with our own personal targets, we ensure certain points of people are eliminated."
Splatters of footsteps edged towards Bernkastel's location, giving the mental cue for the Witch to start backing away. She knew this person very well concerning her activity and involvement with this Institution.
"Remember when I sent you and Yukari out to prepare this event? An event that would lead to the eventual deaths of the Endless Witch and the Endless Sorcerer? They should be dead, but yet, they still live..."
A cloaked figure began to evaporate back into reality, staring right into Bernkastel's eyes...
"So... in that case, why should I keep such a liability in this Institution? Not only did you fail at killing the targets I personally requested, but you also put a good number of others allying up in the possibility of working together... Soon enough, attention will be brought to the Institution, especially with the Arch Demon Akibahara, Fiamma of the Right, and Kirei Kotomine out of the picture. Many of the members of our Institution, including myself, wouldn't want to be ratted out of our hard work and profits... now do we?"
In that instant, Bernkastel changed demeanor, summoning her own scythe and swinging it down at the cloaked figure.
"I've had enough of this talk, Exe. If I can't become the Gamemaster, I might as well take over the Blood Institution then!"
Bernkastel had a rather desperate action being made here, attempting to kill this cloaked figure once and for all. However, this turned out to be Bernkastel's final fatal mistake. A flash of purple appeared in-between the two, forcing Bernkastel to back away immediately as if she were expecting something. Yet it was more that she was moving back into a trap herself, suddenly surrounded in a purple field of energy.
"Not so fast there, don't think a miracle would happen that easily. Besides, rules are rules here, so don't try to cheat your way out of the deal, Bernkastel."
Before the man could continue on with this, the cloaked figure simply pushed him to the side as she approached where Bernkastel was imprisoned by his imprisonment field. If it wasn't for the fact that Bernkastel was still recovering from the solving of her Illusion of the Witch at the final stage of the Game, she would've found a way out of this situation... but this might as well be the final nail in the coffin for her.
Due to the small clash the two had earlier before this man had interrupted any chance that Bernkastel had at winning, the hood of the cloaked figure had fallen off. The Witch of Miracles found herself stuck in place, facing the figure who now held a pistol to her forehead.
"... Bernkastel, the Witch of Miracles, have failed to uphold the basic minimum requirements of our Institution. You will now be disposed of... permanently. Uninstall."
Bernkastel didn't get a chance to say any clever final words as the woman pulled the trigger, a bullet definitely making it's mark on the Witch's forehead. However, instead of just plunging into her head... the moment it would make contact with her body, Bernkastel felt everything go black around her, her senses and perceptions failing her. It was almost like... her entire existence was being erased with just a simple bullet.
There would be soon nothing left of Bernkastel, the pounding rain soon obscuring the footsteps on the path that once belonged to the Witch of Miracles. The clean-up done, Exe turned around and faced the man that accompanied her.
"Add, you have a personal target of your own to handle, correct? Go on and find that Elliot you keep on whining about... I have business to attend to back at the headquarters. We need to start recruiting more members into the Institution before the goodie-two-shoes alliances into the Multiverse catch on to our business."
"Sounds like the plan, Exe. I just wonder on the types of people you and Yukari are going to recruit~ Keheheheheheeh."
With that said, Add simply disappeared in a flash of purple light, being a manipulator and traveler through time. Exe only stood there, stepping over to a dry spot under the trees during the rainfall. Silently going over a list she had on her phone... she mentally read the names to herself.
The list seemed endless to her... but there was one name that stuck out to her the most.
Rinato Dormi... codenamed "Lapis Lazuli"
A single smile appeared on this woman's lips.
"... soon enough... we'll meet and settle our scores once and for all. You shouldn't have left us... Lapis."
-End-
