Reptile - Janus Angst

Chapter Twenty

Pain noticed Janus move. Noticed his brow furrow slightly and his head turn to the side. He was fidgeting as if something was causing him discomfort.

It must be starting, he thought.

Janus and Blü sat on opposite sides of the table; opposite sides of the chessboard.

Janus studied the board for a moment, trying to identify any potentially rigged pieces or other hints that the game would be to his disadvantage. Then Blü extended a hand to him. His friendly smile was back. Janus quirked an eyebrow at him.

"To a fair, clean match," he said.

Janus slowly took his hand in return.

"To a fair, clean match," he echoed.

They began.

Blü moved his white pawn forward two spaces then rested his hands on the table.

Janus moved one of his own black pawns forward one space. It was in the same position as Blü's, assuring its safety.

They went on for about a minute until Blü's pawn caught Janus' rook.

"Hard luck," Blü said softly.

Janus sighed inwardly. While he'd rather not lose more valuable pieces he tried not to dwell on it. He could get it back if all went well.

All wouldn't go well.

Almost immediately after Blü removed Janus' captured rook from the board, Janus felt a stabbing pain in his side. He let out a quick gasp and grabbed at the ache.

"What?" he mumbled under his breath.

Blü looked at him, his head tilted slightly.

"Something the matter?" His voice was sickly sweet.

"You said it would be a fair, clean match. What did you do?" Janus asked through his teeth.

Blü smiled.

"It is fair. Each time one of us loses a piece there will be a slightly painful sensation."

Slightly painful my ass!

The thought echoed around the space and Blü looked up. He laughed a little.

"I'm sure Patton would love to hear that kind of language," he said with a smirk.

Janus rolled his eyes.

"What's the point of adding pain to this game?" he asked his snake half.

Blü eyed the chessboard as he planned out his moves.

"The idea is too see how well you can focus while under stress."

Janus eyed him for a moment but said nothing.

The match continued.

Pain watched Janus' body jolt slightly and grab at his side. His face twisted with pain and he moved a little onto his side as if he didn't want the area he was grabbing to touch anything.

The others had also noticed and Patton had immediately come over.

"What's happening? Is he ok?"

He went to grab Janus, to pull the suffering side into his arms, but Pain blocked his way.

"Don't touch him," he growled in a low voice. "If you mess with his body now you could mess up the whole process!"

Patton backed away, whimpering under Pain's cold gaze, back to the other side of the sofa.