Chapter 28

Angel of Her Mind

"Well?" Penitence asked, cocking an eyebrow at them. "So what is your answer?" Temeraire paused, glancing around the room. All eyes were on her, for this decision would most likely affect them all. However, it was her decision and hers alone. And so, she spoke;

"I thank you Lady Penitence, for your offer. I have considered it as best I could, in the time that you gave us and I considered it to be a fair one".

"Penny in the air…" her angel said.

"And I have this to say… you can take your off and stick it right up your jumper!"

"And the penny drops!" This caused a certain amount of muttering among the crowd, as they tried to work out what on Earth that was supposed to mean, until someone had the bright idea of enlightening people and revealing that this is fact meant "shove it up your arse". Penitence frowned at this, glaring at Temeraire.

"And you are quite certain of this?" she asked, coldly.

"Of course I'm sure!" Temeraire snapped back. "I would be a bloody idiot to trust you! You have brought more pain and suffering than just about anyone who has ever lived! Not to mention what you did to Anzus!" She glared at the ex-Empty, her face burning with righteous fury. "No Gracious Penitence, I will NOT come to you to talk! But I WILL come… and when I do, I will have the full might of Weth's Guardians behind me!" Weth nodded her affirmation; she had been against siding with Penitence from the get-go and if Temeraire was going after her, she would support her as best she could.

"Then you shall suffer for your poor choices" Penitence said, her voice as calm and flat as can be. "I will kill you and all of those who support you, for when I rise, there will be no time for FOOLS in my world". Temeraire shrugged at the screen.

"Perge, Scelus, Mihi Diem Perficias" she said, earning a laugh from her father and a deepening scowl from Penitence.

"I suspect that you think you're very clever" she said. "Well we'll see just how clever you are, when I rip your angel right out of you!"

"Why don't we play a game of "fuck off" Penitence?" Temeraire said. "You can go first!" And at that moment, the ship's tech team were finally able to find and disable Penitence's beacon, ending the conversation before the angel could reply.

"So that's it then?" one of the Councillors said. "We're still at war?"

"Of course we are" Weth said. "Was there ever any real alternative?" She glanced at Osiris, who had been the main advocate for Temeraire going alone. "I mean, besides sending her into the lion's den?" She paused and stood. "I think we should break for coffee" she said. "We'll all meet back here in an hour". The others agreed and filed out, all in need of some time to collect their thoughts.

"Perge, Scelus, Mihi Diem Perficias?" Lind asked, glancing at Temeraire. "Go on, from wickedness, for me the day is made perfect?"

"Well yes" Temeraire said. "If you want the literal translation".

"So how did you mean it?"

"Clint Eastwood style". Lind cocked her head, confused, so Jago said.

"What you just heard was the Latin translation for the most baddass phrase ever invented: go ahead punk, make my day".

8888

Penitence sighed as she lay down on the bunk, beside Troubadour.

"So?"

"They fell for it" she said. "Hook, line and sinker".

"Good" the old Earth spirit said, wrapping an arm around her. He paused as she laid her cheek on his bare chest and glanced at her. "Tell me" he said, "Would you really have talked about surrender if they had accepted her offer".

"Surrender? No…" She paused. "The end of the war? Perhaps… but never surrender. You know that's not my thing". Troubadour grinned.

"And now, you get to take the new Seraph…" He paused. "You never did tell me… why do we need this new Seraph? Why couldn't we use Anzus's girl?" He snapped his fingers a few times, trying remember her name.

"Alpha and Omega?"

"Yes her; why couldn't we have used her?"

"My plan for my old Master requires a Seraph… preferably one who has not yet reached her full power. It was easier to kill Alpha and Omega and then take whoever came next than it was to defeat the original".

"I see…" Troubadour said, then paused. "Do you really think that you can defeat this girl? I mean, Anzus was unprepared, unready for an attack and her power was limited. This new angel however… chances are, she's going to be at full power and she'll be ready for you. Not to mention that she will most likely have an army at her back".

"An army? Not likely… a few trained fighters? Perhaps. However, our spies should be able to deal with them".

"Ah yes" Troubadour said, grinning. "You do so love spies… so how are they coming along?"

"The male is doing fine… he doesn't even know that I'm controlling him. As for the female? She is more difficult… but she is breaking. I don't suppose it will take much more to bring her fully over to our side".

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure" she said. "She will join us and when they come, she will strike at their hearts". Troubadour nodded but then paused as she went to kiss him.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think? I haven't had a good shag I weeks" she said simply.

"Oh not tonight" he said. "I've got a heada-" He was silenced as Penitence held up a box of aspirins.

"Take a couple if pills and shut the Hell up". Troubadour sighed. There was no point arguing…

8888

Weth sighed as she stirred sugar into her coffee.

"Why did I agree to this job?" she muttered to herself. "I should have said no and settled down for a quiet life…" Then she grinned. "Then again… I never was the quiet type".

"Excuse me, Paladin Weth?" Weth glanced up and saw Hagall standing in front of her.

"Daimankaichō?" she asked.

"Hagall, please" she said, smiling.

"Very well… Hagall". Weth cleared her throat. "Anyway, how can I help you?"

"I was wondering if I could speak to you" she said and gestured towards an empty seat. "May I?" Weth nodded and so Hagall took it.

"So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"You can probably guess" Hagall said, tearing the tops off of two coffee sachets. "There are two things in fact that I need to talk to you about. One of them is of course Temeraire and her new angel… the other is the problems that are being caused by Osiris".

"I see" Weth said. "So how can I help?"

"I think we both agree, we can't let Temeraire go alone into Penitence's lair. Jago and company probably have their own plan but I think that it would be best if we made our own".

"Our own plan?"

"Yes". Weth thought about this for a second and then nodded.

"That would make sense. Is there anything in particular that you would suggest?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure what they're planning" Hagall admitted. "But I reckon that it would be best if we were to send a shadowing force to follow and protect them. It needn't be large; a few dozen maybe… just enough so that in the event of something going wrong, there will be someone to get them out of there".

"I have some Outriders in the area" Weth said, with a frown. "They should be able to provide some degree of protection".

"How many?" Hagall said. "If you don't mind me asking?"

"About twenty" Weth said. "That is, twenty around Pyongyang itself. There are more who patrol the thirty-eighth parallel although their main job is stopping idiots from trying to go North".

"Idiots?"

"You know" Weth said, waving her hand dismissively. "Stupid tourists after photos and souvenirs and shit, arms dealers trying to make a fast buck off of stolen weaponry, that sort of thing". She paused. "You know, some fool actually tried to make off with an entire MiG at one point?"

"A MiG?" Hagall asked, surprised.

"Yes… stupid bastard was shifting it across the border in pieces. A MiG-23 I think it was… anyway, we only caught him because the stupid bastard forgot to check if it was still radioactive or not, which it was". Hagall shook her head.

"There are some real idiots in this world" she said. They both glanced at Osiris, who was sitting alone, surreptitiously pouring brandy into his coffee.

"Agreed…" Hagall paused and took a sip of coffee. "Now, about this plan… would you be willing to take some of my demons and press them into the Outriders? I can think of at least a few who might be useful".

"Mara?" Weth asked, testing for a hidden motive, at least on that front; Mara had been a staunch supporter of Urd, even after she had lost her position as Hell's Ambassador. If Hagall's decisions were politically motivated…

"You can have her if you want" Hagall said, dismissively. "Really, she's not that important either way. Personally, I would have taken some more professional soldiers but then again…"

"She acquitted herself well during the war" Weth said. "In fact, she knocked out a Jötunn tank on her own, with no magic and a worn-out RPG. You gotta admit, that took guts".

"Indeed it did…" Hagall said. "Very well, you can have her if you must. I'll also put a call in to the Niflguard and see if I can scare any volunteers up".

"That seems reasonable" Weth said and smiled. She didn't sense any politics here… nothing that should worry her unduly. She chuckled at a thought; what if this turned out to be the first totally honest conversation between politicians in history? It might well be.

"There is also Osiris however" Hagall said. "He's a fool and I wouldn't put it past him to try something incredibly stupid".

"I agree" Weth said. "I fear that he might do something unusually stupid, even for him and perhaps it would be best if we were ready for it".

"In that case, might I suggest that we sign a mutual assistance pact, in case he does in fact try something?"

"A mutual assistance pact?"

"Yes" Hagall said. "In the event of one of us coming under attack or in the event of an agreed preemptive strike, we would come to each other's aid".

"I do know what a mutual assistance pact is" Weth said, frowning. "But yes, that would make sense. I have the Guardians, such as they are…"

"And I have the Niflguard" Hagall said. "Between them, there should be more than enough to deal with anything that Osiris might attempt".

"Agreed". Weth paused and took a sip of coffee. "I'm guessing that we will have to have this treaty properly ratified with various legal officials, with all their flowing language but at least for now, shall we have it as say… an official promise?"

"That seems satisfactory" Hagall said and then paused, cocking her head. "Umm… Paladin Weth, do you mind if I ask you something? Something… personal?"

"Well that depends what it is" Weth said. "Go on".

"Are you single?" Weth looked surprised but blushed and nodded.

"Yes" she said. "Why do you ask?" Now it was Hagall's turn to blush.

"No reason…" she said but then after a long pause. "I am too…"

"So much for the first totally honest conversation between politicians" Weth's angel, Solar Radiance, said to her.

"Shut up you" Weth said… but she couldn't help but blush every time she and Hagall shared a glance.

8888

"It's odd…" Damascus said, removing her hands from Temeraire's head. "I can sense something; some source of power but not like anything I have ever sensed before. It's like an angel but then again, not quite".

"Well if you could compare it to anything" Jago said, "what would it be? I mean, what is the closest thing you can think of when you sensed this thing?" The devil frowned, trying to think how best to phrase it.

"It's almost like… half an angel. I mean, I can sense power and some kind of intelligence but if it were an angel, I would be able to sense a body as well". She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I have no idea what's going on in here". She wrapped Temmy on playfully on the forehead with her knuckles.

"It's odd…" Damascus said, removing her hands from Temeraire's head. "I can sense something; some source of power but not like anything I have ever sensed before. It's like an angel but then again, not quite".

"Well if you could compare it to anything" Jago said, "what would it be? I mean, what is the closest thing you can think of when you sensed this thing?" The devil frowned, trying to think how best to phrase it.

"It's almost like… half an angel. I mean, I can sense power and some kind of intelligence but if it were an angel, I would be able to sense a body as well". She shook her head. "I'm sorry but I have no idea what's going on in here". She wrapped Temmy on playfully on the forehead with her knuckles.

"So… I might be crazy and just hearing things after all?" Temeraire asked, rubbing her head where Damascus had tapped it.

"Could be" the devil said. "However, I have my doubts".

"In there any way to tell for sure?" Lind asked, frowning as she leaned against the wall.

"Not without going into her head".

"Seriously?" Temeraire asked. "You would have to go inside my head?"

"Yes" said Damascus. "To be specific, to your angel's Inner World…"

"And then what?"

"Well I'm guessing that whoever went would have to see if she was actually there or not" Jago said.

"Ok…" Temeraire said. "Then what are you waiting for?" This was met with stunned silence. "What?"

"Temmy, no offense, but do you have any idea how serious a violation it is for even an angel's Master or Mistress to enter her angel's Inner World?" Damascus said.

"No, I-"

"It's like someone breaking into your house, robbing you and then groping your private parts! You NEVER enter an angel's inner realm without her-"

"She says you're welcome to enter" Temeraire said, stopping Damascus mid rant.

"Oh… really?"

"Yes, really" Temeraire said. "She's curious as to whether she's actually here or not herself, so she's invited you all to come and take a look around".

"Well that was extremely generous of her" Lind said, straightening. "So who's going?"

"I opt out" Jago said. "I have no interest as to what is going on inside your head".

"Really?" Temeraire said, cocking her head.

"You're my daughter" he said. "I have no interest as to what goes on inside your head… I probably wouldn't understand most of it anyway".

"Well I'm going" Lind said. "Although Spear Mint and Cool Mint will have to stay here".

"Awwwwwww…" Spear Mint said, appearing behind her Mistress.

"But we wanted to meet our new niece!" Cool Mint put in.

"No" Lind said firmly. "You two are to stay here. Besides, the last time you went into anyone's head, besides mine Cool Mint, you caused a time paradox!" This was true and it made the angel wince. Following an incident where Papa Jupiter had kidnapped Jago's ID, Lind, the Mints, Lamb and Damascus had gone into Jago's mind to try and find the rouge Opal-Essence, with the assistance of Brother Pluto. However, following an incident where Cool Mint had tampered with a memory, it had permanently altered Jago and had ultimately set him on the path, which had eventually led to his meeting Lamb and through her, Lind and the Mint Sisters.

"So Mum's going…" Temeraire said. "Anyone else? Damascus?"

"Not a chance" the devil said. "I'm evil, remember? Not just figuratively evil either; actually, properly evil. If she's in there and I meet her by accident, then there's a good chance that something bad might happen".

"What she means" Lamb said, appearing behind Jago, "is that she's afraid that if she meets Temmy's girl, she'll end up getting turn all pure and innocent".

"I am not!" Damascus said, her face burning with red indignation.

"Oh shut up" Lamb said, shaking her head. "Admit it; it's what you're thinking. There's no point in denying it". She chuckled as Damascus grumbled at her, then turned to Lind. "However, it might be best if I go with you. I am this angel's mother after all… perhaps I can make a connection with her, if she really is there?" Lind paused and nodded.

"If that is agreeable with Temmy?" Temeraire nodded. "Good. Then Lamb, you are coming with me. The rest of you, stay out of trouble while I'm gone".

"So how does this work?" Temmy asked, as the pair crouched beside her.

"It's quite simple" Lamb said. "We're going to establish a mental connection between out IDs and yours and from there, we will be able to project ourselves into your head".

"From there" Lind said, "you will have to guide us to your angel's Inner World and then let us in".

"But how?" Temeraire asked, looking confused. "I mean, I've never been there myself, so how am I supposed to know where to even start looking?"

"It'll come to you" Lind said. "I promise… although if you get lost, it's ok to ask your girl for a little help in finding your way. Ok?"

"Ok… thanks Mum". Lind nodded and then both she and Lamb placed their hands on her forehead. "Um… just one more thing. How long will this take?"

"I honestly don't know" Lind said. "To get to the Inner World takes about as long as a synapse takes to fire. However, the time spent IN the Inner World will be the same as that on the outside... it could take a few minutes, it could take a few hours; we just don't know".

"I see" Temeraire said. "Well then… let's go". The other two nodded and together, the three of them closed their eyes… and went very stiff.

"So…" Jago said, drawing a deck of cards from inside his jacket pocket. "While we're waiting, does anyone know the rules to Cripple Mister Onion?"

"What the heck is that?" Cool Mint said, wrapping herself around Damascus and kissing her cheek, which made her blush.

"Heck if I know" Jago said, shrugging. "But I thought it might be a fun way to pass the time, while we wait".

"Sure" Spear Mint said. "It's not like there's a great deal else that we can do right now…"

8888

"Temmy? Temmy, where are you? It's dark in here!" Lamb asked, as she glanced around.

"Hey Lamb, can you see anything?"

"AHHH! SOMETHING'S GOT ME!"

"Sorry, that was me".

"WHO'S THAT?!"

"What do you mean "who's that"? It's me!" Lind said, slapping the back of the angel's head… or at least, she hoped that's what she slapped. It was too dark to be sure.

"Oh…" the angel said. "Sorry Lind. So where are we?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Lind said. "It's too dark for me to see anything… how about you?"

"Can't see shit" Lamb said, frowning. "Do you think we made it?"

"Into Temmy's head? Probably. WHERE in her head? Well that's another matter entirely. We could be anywhere… whoa, wait a minute; I can see a light".

"You can?" Lind asked, swivelling.

"Yes" Lamb said, pointing… and the fact that Lind could actually see Lamb to know that she was pointing was enough to convince her of the light's existence. "Are we dead?" Lamb asked but Lind shook her head.

"No, I can see it too".

"What is it do you think?"

"I don't know" Lind said and started heading towards it. "I guess the only way to find out is to-" Then the whole dark space filled with light.

"Sorry" Temeraire said, appearing as if out of nowhere. "You're hard to find… there's more space in here than I originally thought".

"Hi Temmy" Lamb said. "It's good to see you".

"So now what?" Lind asked, glancing at her. "Do we have to do like we did with Jago and go through the memories?" Temeraire blushed at the thought of this; there were things that she didn't want her parents knowing about... even if one of them WAS Lamb.

"No" Lamb said however and Temeraire breathed a sigh of relief. "As an angel, once I get a fix on her Inner World, I will be able to take us there directly". She took a few steps and closed her eyes in concentration. "Just give me a minute and I'll take us there".

"Sure thing" Lind said and went to stand beside Temeraire, while Lamb went about her business. "So… Temmy… mind if I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Temeraire asked.

"You and Beregond…?"

"Yes?" Temeraire said blushing.

"Are you and him… seeing each other?" Lind asked.

"Seeing each other?" Lind blushed, thinking how best to phrase the question.

"You know…" she said.

"Ohhhh…" Temeraire said and blushed furiously. "What? No, no! Never!"

"Never?"

"Never!" she insisted and turned back to watch Lamb, while Lind sighed and turned away.

"Damn fool" she said. Temeraire blushed even harder and took a deep breath.

"Butwedidhaveaonenightstand" she said, as fast as she dared.

"What?" Lind asked.

"Nothing". Lind gave her daughter a quizzical look but decided to let the matter rest, for at that moment, Lamb stepped back, having opened a gate to their destination.

"There we go!" she said, beaming and turned back to them. "Ok girls, are you ready to go?" The pair nodded and so, they stepped through together.

8888

"So we've gone from dark to cold and windy…" Lind said. "Nice".

"Is this really what my angel's home looks like?" Temeraire asked, glancing around and frowning. "I thought you said it was beautiful".

"And it is" Lamb said. "Or at least it was… it was sunny when I last came here". Both Temeraire and Lind frowned and looked around sceptically. They were near the peak of a high mountain, with snow falling all around them and coming up to their waists. There were dark clouds above and below, which were lit with flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder that echoed across the slopes. But it was clear that SOMETHING was or had been here; there was a great tower that rose high into the sky, carved from the living stone of the mountain itself. Whoever had built it must have been an extraordinary craftsman, as this tower was being battered by constant wind and ferocious blizzards, which threatened to send the whole edifice crashing down into abyss below. Looking down, they could just make out the shape of two smaller, lower peaks beneath the, appearing occasionally from between gaps in the raging storm. It was then that Lind had a realisation.

"I've got it!" she said. "It's been bugging me for ages but I finally got it!"

"Got what?" Temeraire asked.

"I worked out where this is supposed to be!" she said triumphantly. "This is the Zirakzigil!" The other two gave her blank looks.

"The what?" Lamb asked, confused.

"Oh come on!" Lind said, sighing. "You know, the Zirakzigil? From the Lord of the Rings?" All she got was more blank looks, so she ploughed on. "I don't believe this… right! The Zirakzigil was one of the three mountains under which lay Khazad-dûm and the mines of Moria, the other two being Fanuidhol", she pointed at the smaller of the two other peaks, "and Caradhras", she pointed at the final peak. "It was on this peak that stood Durin's Tower, at the top of the Endless Stair, which ran from the Mithril mines at the roots of the mountain, to here at the peak. However, in the book, the tower was destroyed by Durin's Bane, the balrog and the stairs blocked, during its three day battle against the wizard Gan-" She stopped herself suddenly, when she realised that the other two were staring. "Sorry…"

"I'm impressed" Lamb said. "I remember reading the books but I don't remember anything about Zirakzigil or anything like that".

"I just like the books" Lind said, not meeting their gazes. "I enjoy the stories and I got really engrossed in them".

"So it would seem…" Temeraire said. "Who would have thought; my mother, Valkyrie Commander and former Almighty One, is a Lord of the Rings fan?" She grinned at her mother's embarrassment. "So who's more evil? Smaug or the balrog?" Lind paused and tapped her chin.

"A very good question" she said. "Most people would say Smaug but in the origin stories, the balrogs used to RIDE on dragons or at least did during the siege of the elven cities of the First Age, so-"

"We don't have time for this" Lamb said pointedly. "We're supposed to be finding Temmy's angel, if she's here and finding out why her energy signature is so unusual".

"She is right" a voice said, almost as if out of nowhere. They looked around but saw no sign of a speaker. "Lamb… my mother… is right" the voice said again. "You SHOULD be looking for me". There was a shift in the air; a slight shifting in the natural fall of the flakes, where no shift should have been, as if something was moving there; as soft and quiet as the breeze…

"Are you my angel?" Temeraire asked.

"Yes my child" the disembodied voice said. "Or at least, I am part of her… but come; it would be more comfortable to talk if we were inside the tower". They all nodded and followed the voice and shifting snow up, towards the tower. "Please come in" it said. "Please make yourselves comfortable". Cautiously, they sat… all except for Temeraire, who stood facing the invisible thing.

"So… you are really my angel?" she asked.

"Yes" the voice said, "I am your angel; Seraph Class, Limited Licence, Daughter of Astrakhan Lamb, Temporary Designation Number Four and officially hosted by Lady Temeraire Lind-daughter, goddess Second Class, Special Category, Unlimited Licence". She paused. "Or at least, that is what I have been able to discover so far".

"Well I'm convinced" Lamb said.

"Thank you mother" the voice said. Lamb smiled but Lind was still unconvinced.

"How can we be sure that you are an angel?" she demanded. "Don't get me wrong, what you have said so far seems to fit and when you take this place into account," she gestured around at the tower, "it seems likely. However, I would feel better knowing for sure".

"Well what would I have to do to convince you Lind?" Lind frowned, thinking.

"Tell me something that only an angel will know".

"Why would I do that? If only angels know it then I could tell you anything and you could never know for certain that it was true. Would you not prefer something else?"

"Like what?" The voice gave a long pause.

"Did Jago ever tell you what that pendent around your neck actually does?" Lind frowned and pulled the white gold and palladium charm from inside her leathers. Jago's present to her; her angels, crafted from precious metals and with gems for eyes…

"I worked that out for myself" she said. "It lets me know if any of my family is ever in any kind of danger".

"Yes and no" the voice said. "True, it's a warning system but that is only a part of its power". She paused. "Are you familiar with the concept of a "big lipped alligator moment?"

"A what?" Lind glanced at the other two but they seemed just as confused as she did.

"A big lipped alligator moment" the voice said. "Seriously? You don't know that one?"

"I've heard of it" Lamb admitted, "but many years ago… and I'm wondering just how YOU know about it".

"I am First Class, Unlimited Licence; I can read minds. Plus I'm a Seraph, so rather than just a coloured aura, I can see actual memories and so, while we were talking, I decided to read up on the world, so that I might better fit in".

"AHH!" Lamb said, covering it with her arms. "Get out of my head! That stuff's private!"

"You needn't worry; I was as discreet as possible and have already left, after collecting what I needed to know. Lind on the other hand…" They all glanced at her. "The amount of stuff in here! I could dine out forever on what I'm learning in here! I never relaised that there were ninety-six ways to make love!"

"Oh come on!" Lind said, her attention firmly on the other two. "Like you two haven't read the Karma Sutra!"

"Oh… I lie" the voice said. "It would appear that the seventy-forth is the seventy-third but with your fingers crossed". All three blushed.

"Ok, I'm just going to pretend I can't hear this" Temeraire said, blushing.

"Me too" said Lamb.

"I apologise" the voice said. "I appear to have gotten carried away and alienated everyone".

"It's not that" Temeraire said. "It's just that usually people don't talk about those kinds of things… especially in front of their mothers…"

"I see" the voice said. "It would seem that I have a lot to learn before I am ready to integrate fully". She paused, apparently thinking. "We appear to have become side-tracked; you were asking what a big lipped alligator moment is".

"That's right…" Lind said. "So what the Hell is it and what has it got to do with my pendent?"

"A big lipped alligator moment is a scene that comes right out of nowhere, has little to no bearing on the plot, is way over the top, even in the terms of whatever world it so happens to happen in and once it's over, nobody ever speaks of it again…"

"I still don't get it".

"Ok, I'll put it this way; what you have around your neck is an artefact that contains one of the most powerful spells in all of existence. We're not talking a destruction spell or anything like that though; this thing basically twists the fabric of reality for you, most likely to useful ends". Lind frowned.

"So it can change all of reality?" There was a suggestion of a hand being wiggled or at least, of something without hands trying to wiggle one.

"More like within a small area; everything around you would be affected to within a certain degree…"

"So what would it actually do?" Lind asked.

"Not a clue; it could cause all-consuming fire, it could turn everyone around you into a bunch of tap-dancing dinosaurs. That's the beauty of that spell; it's the universe's big lipped alligator moment! You never know what it might do!"

"Why would Dad give you something like that?" Temeraire asked, looking at it cautiously.

"It's a weapon" Lind said simply. "If anything REALLY went wrong, then I could use it to fix it". Then she glanced across at Lamb. "Although neither her nor you or Damascus told me is a mystery".

"I honestly didn't know" Lamb said. "I was kept in the dark about the spell part… neither of them told me".

"Then we're going to have to have a talk with them when we get back" Lind said.

"Well are you satisfied?" the voice asked.

"What you have told me seems satisfactory" Lind confirmed. "You are an angel or as near to one as I can tell".

"Good" she said. "So could you answer something for me; where the fuck is my body?"

8888

Valmeyar sighed, as she pulled off her helmet and unbuttoned the front of her fatigues, ignoring the cold.

"Long trip?" one of the Guardians asked her from across the changing room.

"I just got back" she said. "Three months in the field".

"You're an Outrider?"

"Of course". The man shrugged.

"You look old for one of them… most of them are hot-headed kids who need to let off some steam by going to fight behind enemy lines".

"It's the only opening that I could find" she said, shaking out her grey hair. "I had to go to Paladin Jago personally for it…"

"You know Jago?"

"Of course; he's my son-in-law". The man's face paled and he bowed to her.

"I apologise Commander Valmeyar! I didn't recognise you!"

"That's quite alright" she said, grinning. "Like I said; I've been away… and I have to say that it's good to be back in Seoul". The man grinned and she shared it. After joining the Outriders, Valmeyar had been assigned to the Korean detachment. Almost immediately, she and a number of other former Valkyries had been dispatched North, to replace several units that were stationed along both the thirty-eighth parallel and further afield. She had personally been stationed at Onchon airfield, about forty-seven miles West of Pyongyang. Years before, it had been the main airfield from which fighters had been scrambled to defend the capital. Now, it was a Guardian Corp outpost and the main forward operating base for the outriders of the Korean peninsula. It was where anyone in the North came if they needed help or supplies and attracted people from as far away as the Chinese border. Now however, Valmeyar and her squad were back in Seoul.

"So what are your plans?" the Guardian asked. "Perhaps I can buy you a drink?"

"I'm a bit old for you boy" she said, with a grin.

"Who says? Older means bolder or so they say". Valmeyar glanced at him and grinned. He was tall and handsome enough… why not?

"Sure" she said. "Know anywhere good?"

"Well there is this one place" he said. "It's just down the road; nice and quiet, at least most days".

"Sounds great" she said, tossing her fatigues into her locker and shutting it, pulling on her coat. Just then, her phone jingled and she snorted in annoyance. "Oh bother…" she said, pulling it out and glancing at the screen. The number there however made her pause… "Excuse me" she said to him. "I need to take this". He nodded and she turned away, answering it. "Hild? What the Hell do you want?"

"It's taken you long enough!" the former Daimankaichō snapped back. "I've been trying to get through to you for hours!"

"I've only just got back in to Seoul… so anyway, what's the matter?"

"I just got a message from Urd; there's a major force of Urabi heading straight for Earth and another for Hell! We've got forces ready to stop them but unless you guys get your act together-"

"Say no more" the former Praetorian Captain said and spun, handing her phone to the Guardian. "Get this information to Paladin Jago at once!"

"But… Jago isn't the Paladin anymore; Weth is".

"What? When did this happen?" She paused. "You know what, it doesn't matter, just get it to whoever is in charge!"

"Then what are you going to be doing?"

"I've got to get to Japan, pronto. If I know anything about the idiot who's caused all this, he'll be going after the embassy there". She paused. "Is there a Gate in this base?"

"Yes there is" the Guardian said, becoming increasingly flustered. "But-" He was silenced as Valmeyar kissed him, then patted his cheek.

"I'll take you up on the drink some other time, ok?" She grinned as he stood there, dumbfounded and then she departed, heading off to find the Gate. In the end, he never did get that drink…

8888

Cool Mint glanced at the other three from over the top of her cards; all of them were watching each other cautiously. She was certain that she had won; she had a Great Onion, with five aces and five picture cards, from the eight suit deck. This was a hand that only came up once or maybe twice in a lifetime and now, she planned to end this match with a win.

"I'm all in" Jago said finally, pushing his entire pile of Starbursts (*1) into the middle of the table. They all shared glances, wondering exactly what he was up to.

"Well if you're all in then so am I" Spear Mint said, pushing her much smaller pile into the middle of the table. Fate had not been kind to her and at one point, she had almost been forced to relinquish her top, in order to keep going. Luckily however, that hadn't actually happened and she had managed to win back a tiny handful of the sweets… which were now all going into the pile. Cool Mint pushed her much larger pile into the stack as well.

"I match" she said, trying to keep the smugness from her voice and then all eyes went to Damascus. She was down to her last sweet…

"Like I really have a choice" she said resignedly, flicking it into the stack. It was done; all bets were in. Time to show their cards. Jago went first, setting down a Wild Royal; three eights from any suit.

"God damn it!" Spear Mint said, flicking her cards down; a plain Royal; three sevens. "You guys always beat me! How the Hell do you do it?"

"You give a little shiver whenever you have a good hand" Jago said. "It's pretty easy to spot".

"Oh, no fair!" the angel said, pouting, while the others just laughed.

"So what about you Cool Mint?" Now it was her turn to look smug, as she laid her cards down on the table.

"One Great Onion" she said, with a smug grin.

"Oh, now THAT isn't fair!" Jago said, to which she giggled and blew him a kiss.

"You win some, you lose some!" she said and reached for the sweets.

"Hold on" Spear Mint said to her. "Damascus, what have you got?"

"What does it matter?" Cool Mint said, picking a lime and popping it into her mouth. "There's no way she can beat my Great Onion".

"Oh contraire" the devil said, grinning wolfishly, as she laid down a nine card running flush. "I have just Crippled Mr Onion!" Cool Mint tried to gasp but the sweet got stuck in her throat and she nearly choked, until she received a firm slap on the back, which sent it hurtling away.

"That's impossible!" she said, coughing. "How in the world did you Cripple Mr Onion?"

"Luck and talent" Damascus said. "I guess that I'm just VERY good at this game". She picked a sweet of her own and started sucking on it, with a smug grin. "Besides, when was the last time you saw me LOSE a card game?" They all went silent at this. "My point exactly". Just then, there was a gasp from behind them, as Lamb, Lind and Temeraire returned to consciousness.

"So how'd it go?" Jago asked. "Did you find her?"

"We found her alright" Lind said, rubbing her face. "She was genuine".

"Well that's good to know" Spear Mint said.

"She's miffed about not having a body though" Temeraire said.

"Yah, I've been meaning to ask; what's up with that?" Jago said. "I mean, as you say that she's real, how is it that she has no body… in fact, how is it that she's there at all?"

"I'm afraid we drew a blank there Master" Lamb said. "We spoke to her but were unable to see her… as to how she came to be there and why it was only her spirit is still a mystery.

"Umm… I think I know why" Damascus said, causing all eyes to turn to her.

"You do?" Temmy asked.

"Yes" she said. "I've been thinking about the seal we placed on her… I think I cocked up with it…"

"How so?"

"Well…"

"Go on".

"It was all kinda confused and panicky and everyone was shouting and your body was about to explode from too much energy and then Master- your father sorry, he told me to make the strongest seal I could and I… I guess I panicked and I threw up the first seal that I could think of".

"And that was?"

"I'm not sure… but I have a nasty suspicion that it MIGHT have been the Soulless Seal…" Lind growled at this, although most of the others just gave blank looks.

"A what?"

"A Soulless Seal".

"You've got to be kidding me" Lind said.

"Why? What is it?" Temmy asked.

"It's a nasty little spell cooked up by the demons as a way to seal away the most troublesome goddesses. Unlike most seals, it doesn't require any kind of artefact like a CD or a mirror as unlike most seals, it does not affect either the powers or the spirit; the two most costly things to seal. Instead, it separates the soul from the body and while the soul remains here, the body is trapped. Essentially, your angel is a disembodied consciousness; little more than a reverent".

"I'm sorry…" Damascus said, looking downcast. "I should have paid more attention to the spell I used… if I had-"

"Then we would have ended up sealing her completely" Jago put in. "Temmy would have been without an angel completely and we would have no Seraph. As it is, this appears to be the best compromise".

"I agree" Lamb said. "Your girl… my girl… may not have body but this way, you can get to know her without having to worry about her accidentally destroying your body, like what happened last time she was summoned. She can observe your strength and temper hers to match it".

"Not so bad then?" Temeraire said hopefully.

"No, not so bad at all".

"There's still something to consider though" Lind said. "What about summoning her? She will have to summon her eventually and that might be a problem if she doesn't have a body to summon".

"Well actually, breaking the seal is fairly easy" Damascus said. "At least, once you know exactly what has happened. All she would have to do is for both of them to concentrate together on breaking the seal and with minimal force, it should give way".

"As simple as that?"

"As simple as that" she confirmed.

"I still don't like it" Lind said and frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "There are too many "ifs" and "maybes" here… and I know that as a former politician I'm supposed to be used to it but… I don't know. Especially if she's supposed to fight Penitence".

"Mum, you don't have to worry; I have my angel now and I can free her if I need to; something which I only plan to do if and when things start to get REALLY bad".

"But what if your body starts breaking again… Temmy, we're dealing with just about the most powerful force in the cosmos here. A Seraph can reshape the entirety of creation with a wave of the hand… it's not a force to be taken lightly. One slip-up and…" She snapped her fingers.

"Yes, I KNOW that" Temeraire said. "But it's either this or we seal her up for good… and I'd rather not have to go through with that. It nearly killed me when I woke up without her anyway…" Lind frowned again but finally nodded.

"I don't like it… not in the slightest… but if you can guarantee that you can keep yourself safe then I suppose that I have no choice".

"Thanks Mum" Temeraire said and hugged her.

Lind wasn't quite sure what to do for a moment and so settled for hugging her back, after a few seconds.

"Just… try not to do anything stupid".

"I'll try not to". She paused and grinned. "And "she" says the same". They both chuckled as they released each other, at which point, Cool Mint floated up.

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you plan to call her? Your angel I mean?"

"I… honestly don't know" Temeraire admitted. "How did you and Spear Mint get your names?"

"That's a long story" the angel admitted and glanced up at the Councillors, who were gathering up once more. "Perhaps another time?" Temmy nodded.

"Ok…"

"Well are we ready then?" Lind asked.

"Yes… let's go".

8888

Belldandy hummed softly to herself, as she worked to cut the carrots into thin strips. It was quiet today, with hardly anyone about… Keiichi and the boys were on their way home from Avalon but even by antipodal scramjet, it still took time. Jarrett was still with his father and would most likely be staying there for the foreseeable future, especially after what had happened… she had been impressed when she had heard about his skills with magic; there were few indeed who could stop a blade thrown by a Nazgul dead. And with Hell's ambassador Ehwaz away on business, that left just her father and her daughter… She paused at that thought. Her daughter… Yukio… She set down her knife. She hadn't seen much of her daughter since she had got back from Africa; she was spending all of her time in her room, not speaking to anyone and that worried her. She had asked Jago to take her with him because she had wanted him to help reduce her innocence, open her eyes to the ways of the world. When she herself had come to Earth, all those years ago, she had been far too trusting and willing to forgive, thinking that everyone was as kind and decent as she was… heck, she still had those same faults and her daughter had had them too. That is why she had insisted that Yukio accompany the expedition into Somalia; to try and break down some of her innocence and prepare her for the real world. However, from what she had heard, perhaps it had been TOO successful… she had never wanted Yukio to KILL someone…When she had returned, she had hardly recognized her… she had been dirty and sullen, with sunken, haunted eyes, almost like those of a war veteran. Pretty much since then, she had disappeared into her room and not come out, the door sealed with a spell that prevented THEM from getting in. The only time she appeared was when she was hungry and that was only long enough to grab a plateful of whatever happened to be around, before disappearing again. She never ate with them anymore… heck half the time, the figure that emerged was her sad faced angel, who would simply collect the food, without speaking and leave, ignoring anyone who would try to talk to her on the shoulder.

"Perhaps you should talk to her?" she suggested, as Belldandy glanced up at her.

"How? She doesn't want to talk to me… she doesn't really want to talk to anybody…"

"But you still need to try. She's our daughter after all; if anyone can talk to her and coax her out of there, it's us". Belldandy sighed.

"You're right of course". She paused and then glanced back up at her angel. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"Was I right to ask Jago to take her to Mogadishu with him? I mean, I thought it would do her good and I was hoping that she would come back changed… but I thought changed for the better. Not like this". She turned and hugged Holybell about the waist. "I never thought she would end up like THIS! She's practically a zombie!"

"She saw… and did… some terrible things" Holybell said, drifting lower, so that she could embrace her Mistress properly. "She's not so little anymore… but I think what she really needs is a talk with her mother, possibly explaining WHY she had to do those things she did and perhaps, with a little time and a lot of love and care, you can help her go back to what she was like before". The angel paused, thinking. "Scratch that… she might end up as we're hoping she will, with the love and charm but also with enough street-smarts to survive on her own…" She smiled and Belldandy met it with one of her own.

"You think so?"

"Yes… although" the angel said, "I suggest that you take some tea with you. It is after all, the universal lubricant".

"Good idea". A few minutes later, Belldandy was outside Yukio's rooms, a cup of tea in her hand. She raised her had to knock.

"Who is it?" Yukio asked, before Belldandy could knock.

"It's me" she said.

"Go away…" Belldandy sighed and was about to do so, when Holybell intervened.

"You have to talk to her Mistress" she said. "It's now or never". Belldandy sighed and nodded, slowly pushing the door open. Yukio was face down on the bed, her head buried in her pillow.

"I said I didn't want to talk to you" she said, not looking up as Belldandy entered.

"I'm sorry" her mother said, taking a seat beside her and putting the tea on the nightstand, "but we have to talk". Yukio remained silent. "Look" her mother said, "I know you're still upset about what happened in Africa… I didn't mean to put you in any kind of danger and-"

"It's not that" Yukio said, catching her by surprise.

"It's not?"

"No… sure, it was upsetting but I'm over it… no, it's just… I never thought that I would have to do something like that".

"Like what?"

"Take a life…" Yukio sat up and her mother saw that there were tears in her eyes. "I didn't mean too… all I saw was that guy and he was going to kill them and…" She paused and shuddered. "If I hadn't…"

"Then two of our closest friends would be dead" Belldandy said and drew her into a tight hug. "You did the right thing".

"But-but-but I-I took a life!" Yukio said and buried her face in her mother's dress. "I killed a man in cold blood! How could I have done something so evil?! HOW?!" She started weeping openly and Belldandy held her close. She rocked, making soothing noises as her daughter cried into her, until eventually, the tears ceased. Slowly, she looked up at her mother. "Mum… you were a Valkyrie once, right?"

"A Valkyrie licensed Auxiliary" Belldandy corrected.

"Well… you've killed people before, right?"

"Yes…"

"Does it always hurt like this?" Belldandy frowned and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her daughter's ear. "When you have to kill someone?"

"No" her mother said. "The first time is the worst… it hurts so badly. Later, it gets… easier. But the pain never really goes away".

"I see…" Yukio was silent for a long time, then looked bit her lip. "Mum, there's something I need to talk to you about".

"What is it?"

"I know that Cousin Temmy has just become the Seraph host; Dad told me over the phone. And I know that means that soon, she'll be going after Penitence or Oracle or whatever she's calling herself now…"

"Yes?" Belldandy said, curious as to where this was going.

"Well… I want to go with them, when they go to Pyongyang". Belldandy looked at her in surprise.

"You want to WHAT?!"

"You heard me; I want to go with them".

"But why?" he mother asked. "You only just got through telling me that you don't want to fight".

"Exactly and that's why I NEED to go to Pyongyang with them; if nothing else, I might be able to persuade them to bring Penitence out, without bloodshed…" Belldandy was silent, just listening.

"So… you think you can end the war on your own?"

"No… but I do know that even though she killed grandma, I don't think she deserves to die, which she will, if the others get to her first". Belldandy nodded.

"I see… you really think that you can do that?" Yukio nodded. "Then… we shall speak to Jago as soon as we can". Yukio gave a grim smile and nodded, before hugging her.

"I see… you really think that you can do that?" Yukio nodded. "Then… we shall speak to Jago as soon as we can". Yukio gave a grim smile and nodded, before hugging her.

"Thanks you". Belldandy nodded.

"If you don't mind me asking" she said, "what has brought this on? I would have thought that you would want as little to do with Penitence as possible?"

"It's simple; I think that everyone needs a chance… even if they don't want one". Belldandy smiled at this but just then, there was a knock at the door; a loud and insistent one.

"Oh bother" she said with a slight sigh of exasperation. "I'm sorry, I've got to go". Yukio nodded.

"It's ok… thanks Mum". Belldandy bowed her head and headed back into the corridor, shutting the door behind her.

8888

The knock came again, as loud and insistent as any she had ever heard.

"Coming" Belldandy said, heading for it. She had expected possibly a petitioner, come to beg for the favours of Heaven or Hell, as this was an embassy now, after all. What she did NOT expect, was for an extremely battered and tired looing Valmeyar to push past her, as soon as the door happened. "Why Valmeyar" she said, surprised by her sudden and rather rude arrival, "what are you-"

"Get inside and shut the door" the old goddess said. "Then gather everyone in… wherever you would usually have meetings".

"Why? What is it? What's happening?"

"Just do it!" Valmeyar turned away, drawing her rapier as she and began to stalk through the house, turfing everyone out of their rooms and herding them into the tea-room.

"What is this?" Tyr demanded, as the last one in the room. "Why are you here Valmeyar?"

"It's the Urabi!" she said. "They're everywhere, rounding up people in the town… and they're coming this way, in large numbers!"

"The Urabi?" he asked sceptically. "Why would THEY be here?"

"I just got a call from Hild" Valmeyar said, ignoring the slight twitch he gave at the mention of his former wife's name. "This is a full-scale invasion of both Earth and Hell. The Gate's to Hell, they managed to seal but the ones here are still open and they're pouring through in HUGE numbers!"

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Belldandy asked. "Has anyone tried contacting Weth and the Guardians or maybe Jago?"

"Apparently they tried but they're all on-board the Isolus; we can't get hold of them".

"Then what do we do?" It was then that they heard the crash, as something big broke though the outer wall of the compound.

"We fight" Valmeyar said. "And pray to whoever might be listening that we get some help soon".

8888

There was much muttering as they all filed back into the Council chamber.

"So what are you going to say to Osiris?" Lind asked, as she and Temmy passed through the door.

"I'm going to reject him of course!" she whispered back. "But first, there's something that I need to find out".

"What is it?"

"My angel told me that she snuck into his head and after doing some poking around, discovered that he's planning something… I want to find out what it is". Lind nodded and then took a step back, as the Councillors took their seats and she was placed at the forefront of the discussion once more.

"Well now that we've had out coffee break" Osiris said, "perhaps we can get back to business?

"Already on it!" Temeraire's angel said, slipping from her mind and into his.

"Yes" she said and then paused. "Remind me what we were talking about again?" she asked, stalling for time. Osiris scowled.

"We were discussing whether you should join me in Heaven and become my Apprentice" he said.

"Well it certainly is an interesting offer" she said, thinking as fast as she could. "And it would certainly be interesting to be the Almighty One's Apprentice".

"Nice touch".

"Thanks".

"So are you accepting my proposal?" he said, hopefully and Temeraire gulped, licking her lips nervously. All eyes were on her now. This was it… the big one.

"I will have to say… no to your proposal" Temeraire said.

"And WHY is that?" Osiris asked coldly.

"Why?" Temeraire repeated.

"Yes, why? Are you being deliberately stupid or does it just come naturally?" Temeraire scowled and bit back a retort… and a good thing too because at that moment, her mouth began to move on its own free will, with a voice other than hers coming from between her lips…

"BECAUSE YOU HAVE JUST COMMITTED AN ACT OF WAR!" the angel said, to much shock and amazement, from around the table.

"Miss Temeraire?" Hagall asked. "Are you-"

"It's not my Mistress talking" the angel said and Temeraire said and found herself bowing unexpectedly. "Greetings to you all; I am Seraph Number Four or at least, I will be until such time as someone thinks up a suitable name for me". She paused for a second. "Oh and sorry Mistress; I didn't mean to take over your mouth like this, but I REALLY needed to get this out".

"What's going on?" one of the Councillors said. "I'm totally confused".

"I was just inside Osiris's head" Number Four said, "speaking to his angel, who is about as intelligent as a block of cheese, by the way… and I learned that he's ordered a series of full scale attacks by Urabi forces, at strategic points all over the world!"

"What proof do you have of that?" the Almighty One snapped back but at that moment, the main screen lit up, with the worried face of the Islous's Captain.

"Lady Weth, sorry to disturb you but we've got trouble!"

"Go ahead Captain" she said.

"We're receiving reports of unregistered Gate activity at a number of spots across the globe! On top of that, I've just received a message from the Embassy in Nekomi, saying that that they're under attack by Urabi and are in need of assistance!" All eyes to turned to Osiris… who had inexplicably vanished, so fast that his seat was still spinning.

"That fucking coward!" one of them hissed.

"This adds to it ma'am" the Captain said. "We're receiving information that they are attempting an attack on Hell as we speak! So far, they haven't been able to establish a successful Gate contact but int's only a matter of time!"

"Understood" Weth said and stood as the screen went blank.

"So now what?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave" Weth said. "As of now, the Guardians are in a state of war and I can't afford to have civilians aboard a military vessel, as I'm sure you can appreciate". There was a chorus of affirmative murmurs from the crowd. "Good… now, Temeraire, Jago and Lind, if you would care to follow me…"

"Why? Where are we going?" Temeraire asked, having regained her voice from Number Four.

"To war" Weth said. "To war…"

*1 Starburst are a popular British sweet, coming in strawberry, lime, blueberry and orange flavours

Authors Note: Hey guys! Bloody, fucking hell, the last week and a bit has been EVIL! I had this chapter almost ready to go on the 23rd but as I had been up all night working and needed some kip, while my pc needed its standard Windows update, I turned it off and went to sleep. When I woke up, the update had done its thing… and I was unable to log onto my user profile. I don't understand how or why this had happened; all I know is that it DID happen and after spending a full day tinkering, I basically had to wipe my harddrive and start again. This wasn't TOO bad, as far as this was concerned, as I had about 6,500 words stored on Fanfiction anyway but I lost ALL of my university work… including the two pieces of VERY important coursework that were due in for the following week. Anyway, that's why it's taken me so long to update; I NEEDED to get my coursework finished (and even then, I missed one of them). Still, I'm back now and as such, I hope this chapter is ok!