"The Queen, is the second most powerful" Sirzechs said "And usually in charge of the peerage during the King's absence. The Queen has all the benefits of the other three pieces, though to a lesser degree."
'Sums up Byakuya who's well rounded on a master level.'
"And finally, we have the Pawns." He said while gesturing over the vanguard. "The most versatile of the pieces. With the King's permission, a Pawn can 'promote' and take on the characteristics of any of the other pieces."
Ichigo soaked up all the information like a sponge. "So by the fact that only one pawn isn't red, I'm gonna guess you have fourteen other servants."
"Actually," Sirzechs smirked. "I only have a total of seven servants. You're going to make number eight."
"I don't follow.' Ichigo stated, his brow furrowed.
"Depending on the strength of the potential servant," Sirzechs specified, "They may take up more than one piece. My Knight and Bishop used up both their respective pieces. And I only have two Pawns that used up my other seven."
Ichigo's mouth twisted on a sour note. "So I'm only worth one Pawn then?"
"This, little beauty," he said holding up the untaken Pawn, "Is what is known as a mutation piece. It's an extremely rare piece that is more valuable than any other. They are generally reserved for extremely powerful pieces. Luckily, they're easy enough to get when your best friend from your childhood invented them."
"You're going to waste it on me?" Ichigo asked incredulously.
"I'm starting to think you have insecurity issues, Ichigo-kun." Sirzechs chuckled quietly. "Trust me. You're far from worthless."
Ichigo rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. He never was comfortable with praise.
"As I've said," Sirzechs continued. "You have Hell itself flowing through your soul currently. To me, that screams potential."
"Not to mention you may even regain your previous powers…maybe not your shinigami ones but," Sirzechs lips curved in a, dare he say it, devilish smirk. "You may just regain your Hollow ones."
That certainly brightened Ichigo's day considerably. His powers…ever since he lost them he'd been feeling as if a section of his very being was missing.
"Now," Sirzechs said folding his hands in front of him. "Before you jump and make a decision, why don't I let you know just what you're getting into?"
So, for the next hour, Ichigo listened as Sirzechs gave him a crash course on how things were run down, he assumed down, in the Underworld. The nobility and the Seventy-Two Pillars, the different tiers of devil rankings and the rating games.
He even told Ichigo what would be expected of him as member of a Satan's peerage. The pressure and scrutiny that would be heaved on him. The duties he would have to preform and what level he would have to preform them. And most importantly, the level of power and strength he would have to maintain and show at all time.
"Oh," Sirzechs said. "I forgot to mention one last thing."
Ichigo gave him a questioning look.
"Due to your unique situation and affinity to Hell, I may ask you to manage the Sinners and even track down a few escapees every so often."
"Does it happen often?" Ichigo asked, his own foul experience with the situation.
"Every now and then, we get some sort of idiot necromancer trying to dig too deep. I normally assign the cleanup job to whoever's territory is closest, but we'll make it part of your official duties."
"Lucky me," Ichigo said dryly.
"Oh don't be like that," Sirzechs smiled. "We can even give you a cool epithet. Hmm…how bout the Overseer of Hell! Or the Hunter of the Damned! Oh! I know! The Sinful Strawberry!"
"That last one sounds like a porno," Ichigo said flatly.
"Huh," Sirzechs adopted a thoughtful countenance. "It does doesn't it?"
After a few seconds, they both doubled over in wild laughter. Several moments later they both straightened and Ichigo locked eyes with Sirzechs who rested his cheek against his fist. "So how about it, Ichigo-kun? What do you say?"
Sirzechs reached down with his other hand and picked up the black piece and slightly held it out to Ichigo. "Will you join this Sirzechs Lucifer?'
Ichigo stared hard at the glistening piece of metal in Sirzechs hand. On one hand, he would be giving up his humanity and possibly leaving everything behind for good. On the other hand, said life was drastically cut short and Sirzechs was offering him life as well his powers back.
Ichigo laughed suddenly as he blew bangs from out his face. "It's so cliché. I'm actually making a deal with the Devil."
"Just wait until we get to the dancing." The Devil said with a smirk and it wasn't lost on Ichigo on how Sirzechs eyes began to redden.
Ichigo reached out and just as his fingers were about to touch the twisted metal, he pulled back and averted his gaze from Sirzechs. The Devil didn't say anything and Ichigo was left to stew in his thoughts. The cold dread of rejection if any of his family or friends found out gnawed at him painfully.
He closed his eyes, a crushing darkness falling on his soul. The ultimate irony as one already existed within and was slowly eating away at him.
"Is it wrong," Ichigo whispered uncertainly. "To want to live?"
"The lover of life is not a sinner, Ichigo," Sirzechs said smoothly.
Taking a deep breathe, Ichigo recalled his very first lesson as a Shinigami.
"Why do you run, Ichigo? You still have not called on me. Face forward, Ichigo. You should be able to hear it now. That which blocks your ears is worthless fear. The enemy is one - You are one. What is there to fear? Cast off your fear! Look ahead! Move forward! Never stand still. Retreat, and you will age. Hesitate, and you will die. Shout! My name is..