"So you're telling me," said Kuro. "That a giant tree grew here as soon as we left, and a woman appeared from the tree and gave you a book?"
Masamune stood on the cliff where their estate once sat. Replacing their home now was a humungous tree that towered over the city. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. This wasn't an ordinary tree, it was radiating a powerful magic that affected even the plant life around it. Strange fruits were beginning to grow from the tree and the surrounding area. Not a single trace of the estate remained.
"I'm afraid so," said Sirzechs. "Ajuka and I spent weeks trying to figure out what it was, but even now we don't know anything. We don't know it's origin or it's capabilities. But…"
"The fruits," said Rose as she stepped forward to pluck one of the strange fruits. It was purple and dropping down, with the stem curved…to an extent, it looked like a lock. "I recognize this."
"You do?" asked Sirzechs. "We hadn't considered to ask Lord Odin. Is it Asgardian?"
Rose shook her head. "This isn't of Asgard. But I've heard tales of these fruits. They are an advancement squad, like a recon group, that plant themselves into worlds. Has anyone been up here? Or eaten one of these fruits?"
"I haven't seen it for myself no," said Sirzechs. "But there are rumors going around that people go crazy after eating it, like their minds are being taken over."
Kuro walked forward and touched his hand on the tree. "This feels…familiar."
"What?" asked Masamune.
"Best not to meddle too much," said Bast. "We don't know what it can do."
Masamune walked over to a vine draping from the tree and plucked one of the fruits. It suddenly morphed and transformed into a silver lock…with an orange on the front?
"What the hell?" asked Masamune. "These fruits turn into locks?"
Sirzechs and Rose quickly rushed over to examine it. "I've heard rumors of it too, but whenever any of us pluck it, it's just a fruit. We've conducted numerous experiments, but it's not a fruit on Earth or the Underworld."
"Master…" said Kuro. "This feels really familiar, but I can't put my finger on it."
Masamune examined the lock. There was a switch on the side. When he pulled the switch back, the lock opened.
Suddenly, a tear opened above Masamune as something fell out. Everybody jumped back as the dust settled.
"Master…" said Kuro. "This is…"
Masamune dropped to his knees when he saw what had dropped from the tear.
Bast and Rose walked up to examine the object.
"It's…a tombstone," said Rose.
"Who's Emily Fairchild?" asked Bast.
Masamune felt his heart practically drop to his stomach. His breathing suddenly became erratic as Kuro walked over to him.
"Master…"said Kuro. "This magic pressure…it's from our world."
"Emily…" said Masamune. "These locks are opening portals to our world."
"Who's Emily?" asked Bast. "You two never mentioned her before."
"I remember that name," said Sirzechs.
"Emily Fairchild," said Masamune. "She's the great granddaughter of one of my best friends." He balled his fist. "I buried her….at the base of the original Mt. Olympus."
"So these locks are connected to your world?" asked Bast as she picked up the orange lock. "How is this possible? Dimensional magic on this scale…I've never seen it done to this kind of level before."
"The Forest of Helheim," said Rose. "I remember. The All-Father spoke of it before, a long time ago. It's supposed to be an extraordinarily powerful weapon that covers worlds in a dense and thick forest. It also pollutes the soil around it, and covers it with it's own plants. But…how has it not expanded? It's like the area of affect is contained to this cliff."
"Ajuka had a theory about that," said Sirzechs. "He said that the woman who appeared must have acted as a countermeasure, containing the tree to this one area."
Kuro balled his fingers around the melon lock and crushed it to pieces. "This is despicable. You're suggesting that the same thing happened to our world…and that's why they're connected."
"N-No," said Rose, startled by Kuro's sudden aggression. "F-Forgive me Master Kuro, I was simply recalling my knowledge."
Kuro took a deep breath and regained his composure. "I'm sorry I didn't mean it in that way. It's just…if this really is as dangerous as you say, then…"
"We'll have to be prepared for the worse case scenario," said Masamune as he stood up. "Say that this world and my world are connected, and these locks are what opens the portal, who planted this tree here? And who is this woman?"
"She left us a book," said Sirzechs. "I've been storing it away for years now since we couldn't find anything from it. I'll bring it over as soon as you guys get settled in."
Kuro sighed. "Settled in where? Our house turned into a tree."
Sirzechs smiled. "I've prepared a place for you guys, for when you all came home."
…
"This is utterly humiliating," said Susanoo as her eye twitched. "To make a goddess dress in a uniform and make her go to school as a lowly human…is this how Kuromaru felt?"
Mihiro chuckled nervously as she readjusted Susanoo's vest. "It's Lord Masamune's orders Lady Susanoo…Please just deal with it."
"I do not understand what is to be gained from the two of us attending this school," said Susanoo.
"He said that we'll be staying in Kuoh for good, so it'd do us some good to get acquainted with the town," said Mihiro. "Plus…I've always wanted to attend school with other humans."
"You were raised during the Sengoku Period, I had completely forgotten," said Susanoo. "I suppose meddling around humans for a bit might entertain me some."
Mihiro smiled before Lady Rias entered the club room. The two had stayed behind after Lord Masamune and Lord Sirzechs left to check out the tree that had grown on that cliff. Mihiro could hardly believe she was really looking at Lady Rias. She had grown up tremendously, a true beauty. She was starting to resemble Lord Sirzechs and Lord Gremory more and more.
"It looks like you both have finished changing," said Lady Rias with a smile. "How's the fit?"
"It's stuffy and hard to move in," said Susanoo as she twirled back and forth. "Are human skirts usually this short?"
"She means it fits great, Lady Rias," bowed Mihiro. "Thank you for lending us the club room to change."
"You speak to me as if we know each other," said Rias. "Do we?"
Mihiro smiled saddenedly. "I guess you don't remember me. I was a maid at the Gremory Manor for a long time, Lady Rias. I even played with you when you were younger."
"You did?" asked Rias. "I-I apologize…I don't remember much of my childhood."
Mihiro giggled. "It's alright Lady Rias. But…may I ask how my father is doing?"
"Your father?" asked Rias.
"Yes," she said. "Arashikage Yukimura."
Rias dropped her jaw in shock. "Yukimura is your father? But you two don't even look like you're more than 10 years apart."
Mihiro smiled. "We get that a lot. We actually were both assigned to work for Lord Masamune, before I chose to leave. He must have gone back to Lady Venelana."
Rias cleared her throat. "Yes, Yukimura's been in my mother's peerage for years. He's doing just fine. You can come by to see him whenever you wish, just let me know."
Mihiro felt a tear drop down her cheek. "Thank you…Lady Rias."
"Speaking of which," said Rias. "L-Lord Masamune…he's the leader of the Jaeger Faction, isn't he? I've heard rumors of your faction, but not much I'm afraid. I didn't think you existed to be completely honest."
"Masamune's known you since you were a kid," said Susanoo as she jumped on the couch and crossed her legs. "He said he really wanted to come back and see how you were and Sirzechs were doing."
"I…I see…" said Rias with sad eyes. "I faintly remember his face, but yet I still don't fully recognize him. I do know that there was another man that I called my big brother, and yet…"
Mihiro took her hand. "Lord Masamune cares very deeply for you, Lady Rias. He never stopped talking about what kind of woman you'd turn out to be. I'm sure he'll come by and talk to you soon."
Rias smiled. "Thank you, Mihiro."
The doors to the club opened as a familiar face walked in with some of the new people she met. She recognized Hyoudou Issei and Asia Argento, however there was also a tall blonde boy…as well as a small girl with short white hair and golden eyes.
"S-Shirone…" said Mihiro under her breath.
Susanoo suddenly grabbed her wrist and shook her head. "We promised Kuroka, remember?"
Mihiro gritted her teeth.
"He Prez," said Issei. "What's going on?"
"New students?" asked Shirone.
"Mihiro-San, you look so cute in our uniform," said Asia as she walked forward.
"R-Really?" asked Mihiro. "It's my first time wearing a school uniform, and going to school actually."
"You look absolutely adorable," said Asia with a smile. "You too Susanoo-San."
Susanoo stood up and frowned, however she had to look up seeing as she was shorter than Asia, which lowered the intimidation factor quite a bit since she wasn't using any of her power.
"I am a goddess, remember?" asked Susanoo. "This is so demeaning."
"Would you rather go back to your sister Lady Susanoo?" asked Mihiro. "You remember when we ran into Lady Tsukuyomi, don't you?"
Susanoo suddenly shivered. "Please…don't remind me of that hell."
"Hmm?" said Asia as she tilted her head.
"They'll officially be students tomorrow," said Rias. "Lord Masamune wanted them to attend the school. They'll be joining us for the Peace Summit soon."
Shirone walked forward to Mihiro. "Do we…know each other?"
Mihiro bit her lip and hardened her heart. She wanted to tell Shirone everything that's happened, everything about Kuroka, but that would destroy the reason why Kuroka is doing what she's doing. Besides, they all promised Kuroka that she would be the one who tells Shirone.
"I don't think so," Mihiro forced a smile and reached out her hand. "I'm Arashikage Mihiro. It's nice to meet you."
"Koneko," the white haired girl returned her handshake.
"And I'm the great Susanoo," declared the goddess of storms.
"If I may ask, Lady Susanoo," said Rias. "Why did a goddess like yourself choose to be Reincarnated as a Devil? You're a Devil, yet you're not allied with the Devil Faction."
"The Evil Pieces Masamune received were a gift from Ajuka Beelzebub himself," said Susanoo as she manifested her cloud. "Rather than Reincarnate us Devils, it's more like we're linked to Masamune. Bast and myself do not possess wings since we have divinity running in our blood, same goes for Kuromaru. It seems Ajuka altered the original Evil Pieces, though Masamune has already registered as a King."
"Using Evil Pieces…but not considered Devils?" asked Issei. "I don't really get it."
"You and me both Red Dragon Emperor," sighed Susanoo. "Speaking of which, how have you been Ddraig? I haven't seen you since your little squabble with Albion."
A green orb appeared on Issei's hand. "It's been a few thousand years, Susanoo. I'm surprised your not disguising yourself as a man right now."
"You think anyone would take me seriously in a fight in this form?" asked Susanoo with a sigh.
"I'm surprised a deity with your level of pride would be willing to serve anyone," said Ddraig.
Susanoo smirked. "I thought I could get an opportunity to fight some strong opponents. Besides, the God Slayer managed to beat me in a match. If it weren't for the Sitri girl, he would have killed me."
"W-What?" asked Rias, completely shocked. "Lord Masamune almost killed you? You're one of the strongest of the Shinto gods."
"How do you think I felt?" asked Susanoo. "I only came to Kuoh because I was tipped off of the first God Slayer in thousands of years, and he beats me with my own weapon. I guess I was intrigued. He's shown me combat like you wouldn't believe. He even gave that White One a run for his money, though the little coward ran away with his tail between his legs when he realized he would lose."
"H…He fought Vali…and almost won?" asked Issei.
"Sitri girl…" said Rias. "Do you mean Sona?"
Mihiro shook her head. "Serafall…I believe you would better recognize her as Serafall Leviathan, the former Devil King."
"She's the former Devil King?" asked the blonde boy. "I heard that she gave up her title to Lord Sitri and disappeared. So she was with the Jaeger Faction this whole time."
"Speaking of Sera," said Susanoo. "Where is she?"
"Dulio told me that she was going to see her sister before he left," said Mihiro. "I hope everything's okay."
Suddenly, a magic circle opened by Mihiro's ear.
"Mihiro," said Lord Masamune. "Can you hear me?"
"L-Lord Masamune, what is it?" asked Mihiro. "Has something happened?"
"No, I'm going to send you my coordinates. Can you and Susanoo meet me here? Looks like we found a new place to stay."
…
Sera stood in front of the Student Council Office, scared stiff to even pull the confidence to knock let alone open the door. Why the hell was she so scared all of a sudden? She's faced gods, slain monsters, and even piloted a freaking pirate ship that flies! Yet she couldn't pull the confidence to face her sister? That's completely stupid…
No, don't be wuss. You're the former Devil King, Serafall Sitri. Just knock dammit!
Sera took in a deep breath, before knocking a few times.
"Come in."
Sera opened the door and walked inside. Sitting behind a desk littered with paperwork was a girl with short black hair and violet eyes, framed by red glasses and her bangs. She hadn't seen Sona in so long, but she wouldn't forget her face.
"Sona…" said Sera as she closed the door. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Sona looked up at her with confusion in her eyes as she dropped the papers in her hands. "Y-Y-You're…"
Sera smiled. "Do you remember me?"
"Sister…" said Sona. "Onee-Sama…You're back?"
Sera walked over to her desk and smiled. "Yeah…I'm sorry I never contacted you. How have you been?"
"How have you been?" Sona echoed. "You leave for 10 years without telling me where you went, not even a letter…for 10 years…and all you have to say is how have you been?" Sona slammed her hand on the desk. When she looked up at her again, her eyes were overflowing with tears. "Where have you been? Father told me you left on an important mission, but we never heard anything from you…I thought…I thought you were dead."
Sera walked around of the desk to face her sister. "I'm sorry…It was a really important. We couldn't tell a lot of people about it."
Sona balled her fist. Sera closed her eyes and prepared for a thorough beating to the face. However, Sera was met with a pair of arms around her neck. Sona planted her face onto Sera's shoulder and cried.
"You…Complete…Bitch…" said Sona. "Welcome home."
"You really grew a foul tongue didn't you?" Sera smirked. "I'm home, Sona."
"Can you at least…tell me what this was all about?" asked Sona. "At least tell me why you left?"
Sera parted from her sister. "Will you be attending the Peace Summit?"
"Y-Yes, along with Rias," said Sona. "Why?"
"Then you can learn the rest then," said Sera. "For now, all I can tell you is that we left on a treasure hunt, to track down Divine Artifacts that were going to be used to release a powerful monster into this world."
"A…A monster?" asked Sona.
"But nevermind that," smiled Sera. "I have a lot presents for you."
Sera and Sona spent the next hour or so talking. Sera told her all about her adventures and all the people she'd met.
"You really…battled gods?" asked Sona. "Why would you be so reckless?"
"We had no other choice," said Sera. "The world might end if we hadn't…I'm sorry Sona."
"Onee-Sama…this magic pressure…" said Sona. "Did you-"
Sera smiled. "I was Reincarnated as Munecchi…Masamune's Queen. I figured I might as well since I renounced myself as a Devil King, so if I was going to run away with Masamune, I might as well make it official."
"I see…" said Sona. "The Underworld isn't going to like this, Onee-Sama. Not only did you give up on being a Devil King, but you went and got Reincarnated as the Queen of someone not even a Devil themselves."
"They think I'm a traitor…don't they?" asked Sera.
She knew what the consequences were. Only the heads of the Gremory, Sitri, and Phoenix families know the truth about why she had gone with Masamune and the others. The only people who know the truth. Of course she would be branded as a traitor. She found out while on their journey that she was officially disowned by the Sitri family. She couldn't face her family anymore…
"Well…Why don't you just tell them the truth?" asked Sona. "I'm sure if you tell the Devils the truth, they'll understand. Father…I'm sure he-"
"If the Devil Kings declare anything, their reputation will come into question," said Sera. "They might think that Sirzechs and the others are playing favorites."
"Onee-Sama…is the situation really that bad?" asked Sona.
Sera nodded. "That tree that grew on that cliff…Munecchi told me that it's dangerous and that the fruits that come from the tree are connected to his world. He thinks it might be the most dangerous Artifact he's ever seen. We've spent the last 10 years collecting every Divine Artifact we could find so that the Khaos Brigade wouldn't be able to break the seals but…"
"This monster," said Sona. "What exactly is it?"
"You'll get more information at the Summit, once we pull our information together," said Sera. "But it's called the Trihexa. It was sealed away by God."
"I see…" said Sona.
Noticing that the tension was growing, Sera smiled and opened a magic circle atop the coffee table. Dozens and dozens of souvenirs poured out. Everything from a post card to bottles of sand collected from Egypt, even a jar filled with lightning from Olympus.
"Did you…collect all of this?" asked Sona.
"I may not have gotten to see you," said Sera as she took her sister's hand. "But I never stopped thinking about what I'd say to you when we did meet again. I collected all of this for you."
"Onee-Sama…." Sona smiled.
Just then, a magic circle opened by her ear. Apparently their house had been destroyed by that tree, and Sirzechs found them a new place to stay.
Sera stood up and stretched. "Sorry Sona, but looks like I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Sona stood up and nodded. "Of course. Have a good night Onee-Sama."
Sera took one last look at her sister, before closing the doors to the Student Council office.
…
"T…This place is huge!" declared Sera as he ran into their new loft.
"At this point, I'm not even surprised anymore," sighed Kuro.
Masamune, Kuro, Sera, Susanoo, Bast, Rose, and Mihiro all walked into their new home along with Sirzechs. It was on the top floor of a tall hotel building in the inner city of Kuoh. A spacious loft with an open veranda and large living room smacked right in the middle. The couches were plunged into the ground with a table in the middle. Through the right side was the kitchen and even a small dining room. This entire place was decorated like a party room.
"Grayfia and I have been keeping this place since the estate was destroyed," said Sirzechs. "What do you think?"
"Thanks Sirzechs," said Masamune. "We appreciate the help."
"Not a thing," smiled Sirzechs as he jumped onto the couch. "I forgot how cozy it is here."
"Is that really how a Devil King should be acting?" asked Bast as she walked to the glass windows acting as the wall to the veranda.
"It's tough being a Devil King," said Sirzechs with a relaxed smile. "I deserve a break once in awhile. Plus, with the Leader's Summit in a few days, all kinds of hell is going to break loose."
"Speaking of which," said Kuro. "Sirzechs, can you take Bast and I to go see that book? We might be able to discover something."
"I'd like to see if I can read what's written in there," said Bast.
Sirzechs sighed and stood up. "Yeah, does anyone else want to come?"
"I'll go too," said Susanoo.
Sirzechs opened a magic circle. "You guys can just get some sleep. We've got a long day tomorrow."
"We'll be back Master," said Kuro.
Masamune waved as the four of them disappeared into the magic circle. Sera stretched her arms and yawned. "I'm going to go to bed, it's been a long day. Good night guys."
"Good night Lady Sera," said Rose.
Masamune walked to the back wall and looked out into the city. "Mihiro…have you found anything on the Hero Faction?"
Mihiro smiled as she joined him. "If you mean about my mother, then I haven't found a single thing my Lord. I still don't know how she's still alive…and I don't know how to bring myself to tell my father."
"I see," said Masamune.
"Don't worry Mihiro," said Rose as she placed a hand on Mihiro's shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find something soon."
Mihiro smiled and nodded. "I think I'm going to go to bed as well. Don't stay up too late."
"No promises," said Masamune as he watched her go up to the stairs to the second floor.
Masamune sighed as he sat down on the couch. "What a day…"
"Would you like something to eat Master?" asked Rose.
"I'm okay, but I'm thirsty," said Masamune as he jumped up onto the ground and walked with her to the kitchen.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down at the dining table with Rose across from him.
"How do you think Kuroka's doing?" asked Masamune. "We haven't heard from her in awhile."
"Kuroka is a strong girl Master," said Rose with a reassuring smile. "She's Asa Masamune's Bishop after all, I'm positive she'll be okay."
Masamune smiled. "Are you sure you don't want to go to bed? It's getting pretty late."
Rose shook her head. "I'll go to bed when you do."
Masamune raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I might be up for awhile."
"Then I'll stay by your side until then," said Rose.
"Loyalty is great and all Rose, but you should take care of yourself more," said Masamune. "Don't push yourself too much."
"I know Master, it's just…" said Rose. "I know how hard it'll be for everyone once we get back. Lady Gabriel and Lady Sera both left their posts as heads of their factions, Mihiro hasn't seen her father in 10 years and found out her mother is still alive, and I know how worried you are about Kuroka. I just didn't…I didn't think you should be alone, that's all."
"Rose…" said Masamune, genuinely shocked. He smiled and rested her cheek on his palm. "I don't think I've ever said it, but I'm really grateful you're with us."
Rose looked to him with wide eyes. "M-Master?"
"We're hanging around two goddesses, a former Archangel, a former Devil King, a 300 year old samurai assassin, and 10,000 year old Nemean Lion," said Masamune. "I know you're not one, but you bring a sense of humanity to us. You're always there to lift us up and you take care of all of us. So…I'm really grateful."
Rose smiled as her cheeks turned pinkish. "Of course Master. I'm your Rook after all. However, I'm also here if you want to talk?"
"About?" Then Masamune realized what she meant. "The tree."
"The Forest of Helheim," said Rose. "It's a weapon of complete unknown origin. Master…there's a chance that-"
"That this weapon was planted on my own world as well," said Masamune. "And now that it's here, it's linked the two worlds once again."
"Can you tell me…if you want, about the original Jaegers?" asked Rose.
Masamune smiled. "Well Kuro and I were two of the original 9. The other seven, believe it or not, are pretty much the exact same as the rest of you. The diligent yet sometimes naive Gabriel, the reckless but passionate Sera, the overly loving Kuroka, the battle hungry Susanoo, the cunning and intelligent Bast, the fierce and loyal Mihiro, and the strong but caring Rose." Rose blushed. "They were all exactly like you. They had ambitions about saving the world and the people they love. They were the ones who taught an immortal like me a very important lesson."
"A lesson?" asked Rose.
"I've never really had any dreams or goals like they did," said Masamune. "I was always the type to help my friends achieve whatever they wanted. Since coming here, I thought that restarting the Jaegers could bring me that sense of nostalgia again. But even now, there's still nothing that I truly want to do."
"But…defeating the Trihexa…"
"That's just something I have to do," said Masamune. "It's my fault that that monster is awakening, it's my responsibility to stop it. But something that I personally want to achieve…a goal…a dream?"
"D-Don't talk like that Master," said Rose. "I'm sure you-"
"No, it's not like that Rose," said Masamune with a smile. "That's what they all taught me. Even if I don't have a dream…I can at least protect the dreams of others. Those small and fragile humans. They're so weak, living in a world designed like a game. If they win too much or lose too much, you'll be disregarded and alone. And yet, they're all so strong in their own way. There's people out there with the potential to change the world, in ways that I could never. They can give hope to those who in need, unite the divided world, capable of so much love. Even if I don't have a dream, I'll protect theirs."
"Master…" said Rose.
"I'm okay Rose, don't worry about me," said Masamune as he got up. "I'm going to bed. You should hurry and get some sleep too."
"Master," said Rose. "Will you speak to Lady Rias? You've been talking about seeing her again for awhile, haven't you?"
"Yeah," said Masamune. "Maybe in the morning."
Masamune was halfway through the living room when he and Rose stopped dead in their tracks. This magic pressure, and that noise. The two ran to the window and looked outside. Above the city of Kuoh, the Heliomatrix sailed across the skies and parked right above the hotel building.
A magic circle opened in the middle of the living room as Gabriel walked forward with a satchel and smiled.
"I'm home!" cried Gabriel as she ran over and hugged Masamune and Rose.
"L-Lady Gabriel," said Rose. "Welcome home. Did you finish what you wanted to do?"
"Yeah, I got the gist of it," said Gabriel. "But what happened to the estate? There's a giant tree there, and we're staying at a hotel?"
Masamune sighed. "It's a long story. Sirzechs prepared it for us."
"I see," said Gabriel. "I found some pretty interesting information, but it can wait till tomorrow."
…
"Well?" asked Kuro. "Can you read it Bast?"
He watched as Bast examined the strange grimoire in Sirzechs's study. Kuro had never been to Sirzechs's study before, but he's heard Master talking about how it was always a mess…and Sirzechs definitely didn't disappoint. Save for the grimoire sitting on his desk, there were papers littered all over the floor and a weird pungent odor that smelled like rotten food. Was this really the study of a Devil King?
"I can barely," said Bast. "It's an extremely old language, predating even Enochian. I can hardly make out what some of it says, but I can tell you that it's about the Forest of Helheim."
"The Forest…of Helheim?" asked Kuro.
"I've never heard of such a forest," said Sirzechs.
"Of course you don't," said Susanoo. "Even to us, it's a myth."
"Explain," said Kuro.
"The Forest of Helheim is considered the first Sacred Gear," said Bast as she put on a pair of glasses. "Or to be more precise, it's the defense mechanism designed to protect the first ever Sacred Gear. Mother told me that it was created after Adam bit into the apple."
"I've never heard of such a Sacred Gear," said Sirzechs as he rubbed his chin. "But then again, not much is known about the origins of the Sacred Gears themselves."
"The Forbidden Fruit," said Susanoo. "As far as I know, it's one of the most powerful Sacred Gears to have ever existed. Apparently it has enough power to reshape the world."
"And what happened to it?" asked Kuro.
Susanoo shook her head. "Like I said, even to the gods the Fruit was just a myth. Some say that the Fruit grew bored of this world and moved onto the next, some say that it was lost during the Great War, some say that Lucifer destroyed it."
"But one thing's for sure," said Bast. "The fact that we didn't detect this thing at all in the past 10 years, it must have hidden itself somehow. And…"
"It could have enough power to break the seals," said Susanoo.
"If the Forest was activated, then does that mean that the Fruit is in Kuoh?" asked Sirzechs.
"How do you guys know about this?" asked Kuro. "A tale that even the gods think is myth?"
Susanoo and Bast exchanged a look that Kuro could recognize as…nervousness.
"You're not going to like the answer to that, Master Kuro," said Bast.
"Please be sure that this is something you really want to know," said Susanoo.
Kuro couldn't believe what he was saying. Susanoo of all people being polite? Has the world come to an end? Okay…well, not yet.
"Tell me," said Kuro.
"The Forbidden Fruit," said Bast. "According to Mother, was used as a prize for a competition between the gods. The Fruit would choose several people to fight for it, and the sole deity would obtain the Fruit's powers for a short period of time. It can be used to do virtually anything, an endless cesspool of divine power."
"Even I have heard the tales," said Susanoo. "The Primordial Gods would kill and slaughter one another over it…but the Fruit was lost somehow. To think it would be back like this."
Kuro sat down on the couch. In over 10,000 years, he's never heard of such a thing. A mythical object that even the gods fight over in order to obtain power…why the hell would it manifest here of all places?
"Wait a minute!" Kuro exclaimed as he shot to his feet. "You said you saw a woman? What was she like? What was she wearing?"
"H-Huh?" asked Sirzechs. "She had long blonde hair…gray eyes…wearing a long dress and silver platings."
"Describe her armor," said Kuro.
"What are you getting at?" asked Susanoo.
"It was silver and covered her chest, arms and waist," said Sirzechs. "There was a strange symbol on her chest…"
"An omega symbol?" asked Kuro.
Sirzechs widened his eyes. "Y-Yeah…She said she was a goddess of wisdom, but she didn't look like the Athena of this world."
Kuro balled his fist. "She's alive…"
"Who?" asked Bast. "Athena?"
"Lady Athena…" said Kuro in shock.
Suddenly, the doors burst opened. Kuro was startled when he got a shiver down his spine. This feeling, why was it so familiar? It was like there was a tingling sensation of fear tugging in his heart…no, not fear. Was it…embarrassment? Humiliation?
"Master Kuro!" cried a familiar voice.
"Oh…god…no…" Kuro gulped.
Elise and Anna burst through the door, once again carrying a maid's outfit and a camera.
"No! Get the hell away from me!" Kuro jumped to Bast and used her as a shield.
"W-What the hell is wrong with you?" asked Bast, flustered at being used as a human shield.
"Here we go," sighed Susanoo.
"Oh how I've missed this," smiled Sirzechs.
"C'mere little kitty," smiled Elise with a maniacally wicked grin.
"Just stay and put this on," giggled Anna. "We've waited 10 years for this…after you left us without so much as a goodbye. We're going to make up for 10 years worth of loss time."
"Call of your guard dogs you stupid Devil King!" whimpered Kuro. "Call them off right now!"
"Get em girls," Susanoo.
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!"