In the meantime, near the entrance to the old Biolab in the Forest of Spirits, Lucia was nervously perambulating around. The blue haired alchemist's breathing was unusually laborious, and she kept going back and forth a few more times until she eventually managed to steady herself. As she returned in the laboratory, she was greeted by the now-familiar face of one of the six-tailed kitsune helpers.
"Do you need assistance of any kind?"
"Thank you Akyia, I just… Need some rest away from our newest collaborator."
The kitsune soberly nodded as Lucia sighed. "And you, you're fine with… with someone who did what she did to you not so long ago? She did play with us back then and now..." Lucia shivered.. "I still remember her groping attention each time I look at her..."
Akyia shrugged. "I used to act as a courtesan. I endured worse for lesser reasons."
Lucia once again loudly exhaled. The kitsune came closer to support her, delicately patting the alchemist's back.
"However, I trained for years to be diplomatic and to accept being groped on a regular basis, and even amongst my numerous experiences, the scylla ancestor was something else entirely. But I'm confident that mistress Tamamo sent her here because the Ancestor's interest in chimera will keep her busy for a long time... And not on gorging and groping everyone."
Lucia remained silent for an instant, pondering what the kitsune just said. "You're right. She's too busy working, and her attention is turned on Promestein's work for now. Thank you for supporting me."
The kitsune humbly bowed. "This is why I'm here. If you need any help of any kind, I can help you as much as you want."
The duo returned in the apparently dilapidated manor to reach a high-tech laboratory manned by several other kitsunes as well as a few select humans Lucia had recently recruited. At the very center, working on the desk was Hiruko, her small humanoid form difficult to distinguish amongst the mass of tentacles that she was using to simultaneously perform several complex tasks such as operating on an unconscious elf transformed by Kagetsumugi while was simultaneously reading a series of report. Lucia was both awed and afraid of the scylla's prowess.
"Neither Tamamo nor Alice told me that I would have to hunt some chimeras myself… A few of them seem on the wild side. Did Promestein just create a bunch to use as weapons and dropped them on the world without a plan to deal with the aftermath?"
Lucia grimaced. "She considered it would be up to Ilias to deal with that matter."
"Figures. They would make for a good occasion to stretch my tentacles. I'm pretty sure I can increase their efficiency by a solid twenty percent. Seriously, this one is just overkill: Integrated weapons, an additional genitalia set with a procreation matrix, a stealth system, redundant organs..."
Lucia took a peek over Hiruko's shoulders. "That's Assassinroid, she was created to easily take down queen class monsters. She's been known to attack people in Gold Port, but since nobody died or even complained, she was left to her own devices."
"Well I'm not a queen, so I'll wreck her day!" Hiruko gradually retracted her tentacles until only the usual pair coming out from under her skirt remained. She examined the elf she had just finished operating on. She scowled.
"That Kagetsumugi did a pretty bad job on that one. Some of them were impressive work, but this one and a few others are pretty sloppy."
"Any idea as to why?"
"Nope." Hiruko stretched herself. "Anyway, I'm getting hungry… Anyone interested in joining me for tonight?"
As the scylla left to her bedroom with two eager men in tow, Lucia focused on what she just heard and associated Kagetsumugi's work with Promestein's own creations: The scientist had created mediocre chimeras only when Ilias readied her second wave on the world, as she was getting both low on resources and desperate. Kagetsumugi herself had been taken by surprise by Lilith, so she might have still thought that she had time to prepare for war, but then again if she kept track of what happened through the world, she knew that the Monster Lord's hands were now free of the Ancestors… After a few more minutes, she walked to Akyia.
"Could you send a message to your leader, please?"
Micaela briskly walked on the restored plaza located in the Navel of the World, reading a report while her two large white wings were periodically flapping in her back. Around her, several angels were still working on the large temple that made for her new home under the severe gaze of Power Berryelle. The seraph was still cautiously eyeing the fruit-like angel, as she had been part of the lot that had fallen victim to Minagi.
She had been surprised when the succubus held her promise and released the angels that she had captured and removed their memories of being physically involved with monsters, even if strange tattoos silently testified to their past. Fortunately, the complete absence of a monster's signature reassured everyone, and soon, several angels thought lost started flocking to her to get the same tattoo that would help them keep their holy energy inside their bodies.
Micaela refrained from grimacing or expressing any emotion when she entered the structure: She hated this oversized temple. The sheer amount of time, effort and resources that had been sunk in building this structure when some of them were still resting outside was staggering. She even hesitated to raze it, but she had been advised against it: If those angels were busy commemorating Ilias that way rather than by doing anything like the genocide she attempted not so long ago on humanity, then they could waste their effort. And fortunately, since there were only angels, she didn't have to take into account basic needs like food and water for other purpose than leisure, so their manic work didn't compromise their survival. Granted, the result was as grand and impressive as the old temples of Heaven, with its white marble pillars outlined with gold solidly holding an already elaborate ceiling… After the limited comfort of Enrika, she had difficulty with the attention of her new subordinates. As she entered a room used for reception, she saw two of her most trusted valkyries discussing with an angel soldier. The trio instantly kneeled, further unnerving her as she focused on keeping a stone-faced mask.
"Your eminence, this one came from the fringes of the Ilias Continent to receive The Blessing."
Micaela looked at the angel newcomer. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. The seraph kneeled and gently smiled.
"Why did you travel from so far to join us? It must have been exhausting."
"I… I wanted to rejoin with the others before they moved on Ilias Village, but I arrived too late. They told me that if I joined them, there was a way to return to the glorious time of Ilias and stay far of those monsters."
"Don't worry, it doesn't matter anymore. You will be safe here. Now, come and let us safeguard your life."
She looked at the two other angels. Their behavior reminded her of the time she led Heaven's armies to a gruesome fight. Soldiers to the end…
"I will take care of her. You are dismissed."
The two valkyries bowed and left while Micaela stepped away, timidly followed by the angel soldier who kept nervously kept checking around her. They arrived into a large room that made for Micaela's office, and the seraph directly made her way to a large, locked ornate chest. She inserted her hand in the lock, and the chest opened to reveal several massive rolled up scrolls held with elaborate golden thread. Micaela kept a neutral expression as she grabbed one before closing the chest, and gestured for the small angel to stand at the center of the room where the sun was shining the strongest.
"Don't move, it won't last long."
The angel kept standing as Micaela wrapped her in the parchment while solemnly chanting.
"May the grace of the Goddess accompany you until the end of time. May her light guide you in this troubled era. May you find peace in her love."
And may you never find out how those are crafted…
The scroll glowed for a moment before disappearing. The next second, the angel could see a small mark on her chest, and looked down, ashamed.
"It's already over. Are you alright?"
After a small hiccup, the small angel burst into tear and hugged Micaela, who returned her embrace.
"Why did she have to die?! Why couldn't the hero save her?! Why did Heaven fall and why are all those horrible monsters walking the world?!"
"Shhhh, it's okay…" Micaela motherly patted the angel's back. "We're safe in this haven. No monster can pierce our barriers. Ilias wanted us to survive at all cost, and I will make sure this is what happens."
"Thank you…" The angel sniffled elegantly. "Thank you for following her vision…"
"Now go take a rest, you look exhausted."
A few minutes later, Micaela was leaning at the balcony of her home, watching over the tens of angels that were working through the street under the severe gaze of their superiors. Between the ones she saved from Minagi, those that were now given a second chance, their numbers had increased a great deal, even if they were still way less numerous than those still outside of their newly-built sanctuary.
And that wasn't accounting for those that were still missing. She wondered where were the like of Ranael or Wormiel…
Even not taking into account the still missing angels, minor issues kept popping up. Founding an independent settlement in such a short time lapse hadn't been done without difficulties, and those challenges had been compounded by the fact that she and Mariel herself had to do most of their deals in the dark to get some of the resources necessary.
A kingdom built on lies… Will it be that different from the old Heaven led by Ilias?
Of course, she still aimed to preserve peace with monsters and humans while trying to make her subordinates integrate into society instead of trying to take revenge, but it would take years for some of them to simply consider the idea of not attacking monsters. In the meantime… She would simply do her best to lead them, no matter how obstinate in their desire for vengeance they were.
As if on cue, she heard someone step not far behind her. She didn't even need to turn to guess who it was.
"Does someone need my guidance, Ariel?"
The archangel kneeled behind Micaela.
"I heard rumors that angels mingling with monsters would be interested to come to our new haven, not to join us but simply as visitors."
Maybe I'll have to reward Aphroa. She did a good work those last days.
"I heard that. As long as they do not bring company, they will be welcome."
"Is this wise?"
Ariel's tone left no doubt about what she thought about her senior's decision. Micaela turned around to face her.
"While I understand your concern about welcoming angels who enjoy the company of monsters, we shall not completely isolate ourselves from our kin. Do not mix protection with isolation."
"May I invite you to reconsider your position?"
If you told that to Ilias, you would be killed on the spot.
"Yes. I will take a moment to consider it, however I wish to remind you that even if we don't need the outside world, cutting ourselves will only bring doubt that can bring negative attention. Staying transparent in our lives will help us stay in good term and help us fulfill the will of the goddess."
Apparently the last sentence had been enough to sway Ariel, if only for a short time. The archangel was humbly looking down.
"Very well. I apologize for my impudence, and will leave you to your tasks."
Micaela felt a weight of her shoulders when Ariel left. She kept an eye on the active angels for a moment, even enjoying the sight of the sun setting and the moon rising as warded stones strategically placed around their new hamlet to create a safe barrier started glowing. She then retired to her apartment. Theoretically, she didn't need to sleep and did it to meditate the word of the goddess. But in reality…
…She put on her concealment ring and sat on a large rune on the floor before closing her eyes. When she opened them again, she was in a small, wooden room in the style of Yamatai. She opened a sliding door, and was greeted by the sight of Tamamo and Mariel sitting on their knees around a small table covered with food. The kitsune hailed her with a smile.
"Greetings! How was your week? You can remove your ring and go wild if you want, I warded the room, nobody can see what happen inside."
Micaela sighed and sat herself. "Thanks, but I'll pass on your offer… I'm coming to associate my angelic form with taking care of a bunch of dogmatic babies."
"…It's that bad?"
"It's not that horrible, there are some good ones that are just afraid of the outside world. …And then there are the likes of Ariel, who are still in the old "We will save the world from monsters" mindset.
Mariel smirked. "She had the direct attention of Ilias after the fiasco with Heinrich. You cannot convince me that it didn't make her completely loyal to her work, no matter how insane it was."
The first seraph answered with a shrug. "You can thank Aphroa by the way. I didn't consider that getting a rumor spread would be the best way to approach that touchy subject."
"Well, if you're done…" Tamamo gleefully rubbed her hands and licked her lips at the meal positioned in front of her. "Enjoy your meal!"
The trio enjoyed the food, discussing and sharing gossips as they ate sushis, buns and noodles without a second thought. Once the meal was over, Mariel excused herself and left the two ancient beings. Once they were alone, Micaela laid down on the ground, enjoying the surprising comfort of the tatamis.
"It looks like Mariel is starting to relax now, isn't she?"
Tamamo nodded. "Yes. She's gradually recovering and returned to her job as a mediator in San Ilia. Most angels that caused her troubles left. The ones that remain just want to live on their own… You're sure you don't want to remove that ring for the massage? It will be more effective if you do.
Micaela conceded, and she turned on her stomach to make way for her wings. Tamamo straddled her legs, and started using her tails on the seraph's back. The latter closed her eyes and moaned in relief as she felt stress leaving her.
"Sheesh, if Mariel only endured a tenth of the pressure you're currently bearing, I understand why she was such a nervous wreck!"
"It's a shame we can only do that once a week… I'll be back to being a bundle of nerves in three days at most…"
"Yep, but if we do it more often… My scent might not wash off you that easily, and I don't think your subordinates will appreciate discovering the leader posing as their goddess is getting personal with monsters."
Micaela groaned. "You don't have something else that would be more effective?"
"Well…" The seraph could imagine the kitsune grimace behind her. "There are ancient Babylonian relaxation techniques, but-"
"Nevermind, I know where this is going… Does it involve your sister too?"
"No, but it does involve her skillset and favorite activity… Sorry for even bringing that out."
"By the way where is she? If her or her cute little daughters attack Haven, I don't think our wards will hold them back."
"Her daughters have settled down for now, and she's herself imprisoned for a bit… You know I'm using her energy for those holy-binding scrolls, right?"
"Yes. Thank you for that by the way… How did you manage to remove the need for a monster so fast?"
"I worked with Endiel and Vale. The former kinda creeps me out with how enamored she is with Minagi, but she gets the job done."
Micaela didn't answer, simply relaxing deeper as Tamamo focused on the base of her wings, making them flutter uncontrollably.
"Now we only have to find where those remaining angels are hidden… Any clue?"
"Nope, still not a single one those last weeks. We're combing through the whole world, but we can't find anything."
Micaela tried to consider what she could do about them. They were angels that had shown they were ready to face the whole world by joining that true faith movement, but their plans had been incidentally crushed by Saja. Since then, they had completely disappeared.
However, if they aren't threatening anyone… I can as well leave them alone and just keep the occasional eye out.
After all, who's going to chase them?
A thought lost to the past... The day she bent the knee to satisfy the ego of that goddess of light and disappeared with her daughters from the surface. What could have been? Why could it have been?
Should it have happened differently?
Would everyone's future be better if the world had done long ago with that pseudo-goddess of light long ago?
And what if the world did away with her back then instead?
It all started that moment Ilias contacted her the second Minagi left the throne room...
...What the end of the Great Monster War could have been?
Elsewhere 1 : Devouring Darkness
As Minagi started stepping away from the Throne room, ready to join back with Saja to get that party on Ilias Continent started, a sudden doubt filled her guts. Something was happening in the throne room with her mother and... was it an angel? She hesitated for a moment. Her mother would likely be able to handle it without an issue, but maybe...
No. She had to see what was happening on her own. She cloaked herself with a spell to conceal her presence and returned to the throne room. Indeed, she could see a projection of Ilias discussing with her mother, and both of them as well as the guards were too engrossed to make any effort to check for her intrusion. As stealthily as possible, she made her way to her mother's side and observed Ilias' expression.
"Do you care to elaborate? I do know for a fact that you are quite one for violent, destructive schemes, but I didn't think you would be quite as insane as planning to destroy the world you live on."
"Oh, but you are entirely right..."
As Ilias explained her plan, Minagi could feel her body heat up in an anger that she had never felt in her life. That angel threatened everything that made that world good and enjoyable for the sake of her ego. She offered a bargain that would put the Ancestors out of comission and leave free reign for angels, even as they were on the brink of being defeated. When she saw her mother consider the deal, she hesitated to reveal herself, but she was concerned that she would disregard her advice as she just snuck back in.
"Do you swear you and your angels will let my monsters live alone?"
"I swear we will not meddle with them directly."
Minagi saw something in Ilias' expression that made her react on instinct, breaking her cover.
"You are lying."
"Excuse me?"
Everybody turned toward Minagi who revealed herself. The succubus remained calm even as she felt the pressure around her increase.
"You. Are. Lying. I can tell it by your expression. I can tell it by your tone. You don't intend to leave our children alone should we comply to your bargain. You want to exterminate every single last one of us, and you are already scheming into your golden palace."
Ilias snarled. "Alipheese! Put that whore of a pet on a leash! She's a kid meddling between us adults!"
Alipheese glared at Minagi for her interruption, but when she saw that her daughter stood up to her, she decided to focus on Ilias again.
"She brings up a good point. What guarantee do you give that you will leave monsters alone if we seal ourselves?"
"I gave you my word!"
Minagi stepped closer to the illusion, glaring at Ilias all the while. "The word of a liar. The word of someone who has no other goal in mind than to be praised. Of someone who built cults around her with hollow words and empty promises."
The projection of Ilias recoiled. "Get back you filthy whore! Alipheese! Whether it's that penis-eating flytrap, that demented tentacle abomination or any of those perpetually impaled idiots, you need to have these skanks on a leash!"
Alipheese's eyes narrowed dangerously. "This is the last time I will hear you insult my children. Disappear." She casted a spell that instantly destroyed the projection. She then looked down at Minagi.
"Thank you for your assistance. Now... It is time to change our plan. We will crush Heaven."
"When you mean we..."
Alipheese got up from her throne, crossing her arms under her chest in an imperious posture.
"I am sure that narcissist has a throne as gaudy as her ego is bloated. I won't slow down until I'm sitting on it while she gurgles on her own blood in front of us."
In her temple, Ilias was blinking repeatedly, her throat still dry. Her last gambit had failed. Minagi had seen through her and called out her bluff. Of course, she wouldn't destroy the world. She couldn't. She was forced to accept that she wasn't omnipotent. A tear fell from her eye to hit the red, thick comfortable carpet on the ground.
The world was now truly doomed. Her angels weren't enough to hold the monsters. Her two most powerful seraphim were too weak to hold up to the Ancestors right now, and the third could barely do so even at her apex. She cleaned her face. A leader had to remain strong... She had to remain strong... Or at least pretend to be so that her loyal angels would still keep their morale up and stand a chance. Once she thought herself presentable, she requested her seraphim's presence. A minute later, Micaela, Lucifina and Eden were all present, kneeling in front of her.
She perambulated in front of them, her hands behind her back while her tone became extremely solemn. "My loyal seraphim. This is a grave hour. The Monster Lord and her cohorts will soon attack Ilias Continent with the plan to take Heaven by storm, and finish us once and for all. For the first time since the beginning of this war, we will have to be ready to defend the sanctity of our home." She pumped her fist up. "But we won't let them! We will push them back until we reach their damnable home they call a castle, and crush them like the insects they are!"
The Goddess of Light then looked at her subordinates. "I know that you have been weakened by one of their devious trap, and our number is lower than it should be because of them. But this will only make our victory all the sweeter!" Her wings opened dramatically as she raised her hands to the sky. "Prepare yourselves! Micaela! Ready our defenses! Lucifina! Prepare a force to counter-attack! Pick your best angels! For they will be the ones to storm the Monste Lord's castle! Eden! ...I have a special mission for you. Now go!"
Micaela and Lucifina got up and started walking away, and Ilias could even hear Lucifina already sharing her desire to pierce the Dark Goddess' throat with her own blade as they left. Meanwhile, Eden was still kneeling in front of her Goddess.
"Get up. And look at me."
Eden obliged. Ilias looked at her straight in her eyes and talked again in barely more than a whisper.
"I want you to take the most loyal angels and hide into the basement of the Hall of Frugality. This is the place monsters will likely be the least thorough with when they ransack Heaven."
An expression of incomprehension appeared on Eden's face. "Ransack... Surely you jest, oh, mighty Goddess? I have no doubt Micaela and Lucifina will kick those monsters from Heaven, and, with our support, we will-"
"We will all die! We are doomed!" Ilias face decomposed as she snapped, and she shed a tear again. "The Six Ancestors will walk on Heaven and kill us to the last, no matter how hard everyone tries. They're too numerous, too powerful, too..." Ilias shook her head as she started crying. "Too much... They're too much for us... If only I acted earlier..."
Ilias embraced her lieutenant, and a surprised Eden returned the display of affection as the goddess sniffled unelegantly.
"...What do you want me to do, my lord?"
This was for this exact moment that Ilias had chosen Eden. Micaela's pragmatism would have recognized that they were indeed screwed and would just organize a final defense. The bloodthirsty Lucifina would have thrown every last ressources in a pointless attack. And Eden would just unconditionally follow whichever order her goddess gave her.
"I want you to take as many loyal angels as you can and escape. Then I want you to fight monsters for as long as you can. Small attacks with a few troops at the same time before fleeing, keep humans safe." Ilias sighed and finished in a trembling voice.
"I want you to carry the light that will fall tomorrow until the end of times."
The next day, and for the first time for long, the Dark Goddess personally guided the monsters on their assault on Ilias Continent. While most angels tried to do their best to hold the dark tide, several were already disheartened as rumors of desperate wails coming from the room of the Goddess Ilias had spread like wildfire, and their defenses fell easily.
Then a simultaneous assault was launched from the Gate of Heaven and from Ilias Temple to storm Heaven. At first, the last powerful angels under Ilias' orders put up a fierce resistance, but they were soon broken by the seemingly desperate situation, and several killed themselves while their fellows were thoroughly violated by monsters even as the fight still went on. Micaela's defenses collapsed fast, and Lucifina's counter-attack failed as the seraphim still had not fully recovered. While Lucifina died in the chaos of the battle, Micaela ended up captured, and the Dark Goddess offered her to Minagi as a gift the succubus thoroughly enjoyed breaking.
Eventually, Ilias threw herself into the fight against the Dark Goddess. Both of their power clashed in a titanic fight that shook Heaven, but a demoralized Ilias had been quite easily beaten by a furious Alipheese before being beheaded. However, Eden managed to escape in the chaos with a few loyalists, and the Ancestors were all too eager to celebrate their victory to worry about the small fry that was the Third Seraph. They would take care of her later.
The victory wasn't with negative consequences, though, and the following years the climate radically changed. It was as if hell rose from the ground in an attempt to swallow the earth. Lava and poisonous lakes formed, seas dried up and fertile plains became barren wastelands. It was only thanks to a massive effort from the Four Spirits that the world found some semblance of stability, and even then they died soon after from exhaustion, forcing Alipheese to create four new spirits from the ambiant elements.
When the last natural catastrophe stopped, monsters celebrated once more and happily feasted on humans, whether they were a past follower of Ilias or one of their own didn't matter. And for most humans, it didn't matter either, until monsters got more and more demanding, more and more numerous, more and more competitive to get their hands on their prey, and as such became stronger and stronger and consequently more and more ravenous, eager to consume pleasure and lives alike. Most humans became not much more than cattle and a currency to be spent by the thousands, with only a chosen few being remarkable enough to be kept as closer lovers for more powerful monsters until the latters tired and switched of partner with often fatal consequences.
In the end, it didn't matter for most humans, as long as they got to enjoy the pleasure monsters could provide and as long as they had the hope to have a chance to thrive, they were okay with the situation. A small number of them, however, wondered what this world could have been without the crushing weight of the Dark Goddess and her Ancestors.
Those quickly forgot the issue when wallowing in the pleasure of the flesh offered.
Elsewhere 2: Blinding Light
Ilias was currently waiting in her sanctuary, contemplating her options as the defense at the Navel of the World fell: The last angels had fallen back and were now forced to establish a line of defense this side of Heaven, something that she initially considered impossible even in her worst nightmares. And yet, today, angels were now standing at the entrance of Heaven, ready for a hostile incursion from those damnable Ancestors at any time.
Her angels were no longer enough. Her seraphim were now wounded. She was at her lowest point and considered the options available in front of her.
She could wreck havoc on the world and try to destroy it... But her powers were too limited and she would be unable to hold if that Dark Goddess attacked her. Maybe she could just threaten the Dark Goddess herself with this...
She shook her head negatively. There was the not negligeable chance that she could see through her bluff and push forward. Killing herself to deny this pleasure to the Dark Goddess was just as viable.
She got up and started wandering in her own temple, nostalgically thinking about the good old times, when humanity worshipped her without thinking about debasing themselves with those parasitic abominations of monsters... The moment she saw one of the men she loved being forced to mate with one of those things, she instantly stepped in to save her creation... And since then, things went downhill. Half of humanity repudiated her and fully embraced monsters. And those monsters had been a stronger bane than she anticipated.
Eventually, her steps led her to the Hall of Creation, where she personally used to birth angels before delegating this task to her loyal Eden. One of the angels that had come in contact with humans had called it a workshop, and had been imprisonned for her insolence.
Comparing the glorious Hall of Creation of the Goddess to a workshop... Putting her work on the level of those humans... Granted, they were her chosen, but it remained insulting.
She looked around her. There weren't many weapons in stock, and all of them were quite a few grades below what her angels were using. Here remained the framework of an armor that was supposed to protect her against Alipheese's darkness but that she could never finish because it actually required part of Alipheese herself to be effective. There, the support for a weapon that was now in the end of those damnable monsters, in a corner was a station where she crafted a shield to deflect the most powerful spells and which was currently in Lucifina's hands...
And at the center, a symbol with a still quite filled mana pool. She had created her seraphim to finally have someone to talk to at this very spot, but the experience had been so much fulfilling only for a time...
It didn't matter anymore.
She looked in a corner to see the remains of one of her creation: Her ultimate biological weapon, something that should have taken care of Alipheese once and for all... And somehow, that sorry excuse of Dark Goddess had copied her and had created one such weapon herself. Then both weapons became uncontrollable and almost annihilated each other as well as the whole Gold region. She examined the plans and the remains again. When the project had initially failed, she never had the opportunity to take the time to find out what went wrong... Well, maybe she could try again. It's not like she could do much else anyway. And besides, that mana pool had so much energy waiting... She could still maybe create something that would hold those Ancestors back for a moment.
As she examined the plans, ideas started fusing in her mind: If the weapon was less powerful but if there was more loyalty naturally ingrained in it, maybe she could do something...
Ilias sighed. No. Creating abominations was the specialty of her opponent. She was better off creating more angels. Then another idea came to her mind. Why not just create an angel and integrate this inside her?
She brought the remains of her old weapon, and used it as a base to create a new angel. Then she started pouring energy. At first, little by little, then more and more as she realized the frame slowly took form, then more carefully... Until frustration got the better of her and she poured enough energy to create an angel barely below Micaela or Lucifina in power.
A short haired angel was now kneeling in front of her. The newcomer looked up and opened red eyes, filled with a wrath the goddess recognized as her own. As she analyzed her creation, she realized that indeed that angel could hold against one of the Ancestors.
Even better, the mana pool had still a lot of energy in stock. If she refilled it with her own mana, she would be able to create four, maybe five more.
"At your service, oh, goddess."
"Yes..." Ilias started laughing. If she continued, she would have more than the shadow of a chance against those damnable monsters. She could probably even be able to strike back and maybe reconquer the world before finishing that damn Dark Goddess herself.
Still... One angel per ancestor was a risk, and she herself would have to face that damn Alipheese. Micaela would be the perfect leader. Her strategical mind would likely allow her to exploit the strength of those new angels to the best of its value and allow them to take down those rabid monsters.
"Yes, you will serve me well... Uriela."
With those new angels, those parasites didn't stand a chance.
"How were we reduced to this..."
The Dark Goddess was wallowed on her throne, an expression of despair on her face even as she felt Tamamo No Mae's fluffy tails caress her side in an attempt to sooth her. She tried to remember what happened those last days. It all started when they attacked the Ilias Continent where they met those new, strange angels led by that first Seraph Micaela. They had appeared from nowhere, and what was supposed to be another victory thanks to the absence of the seraphim had turned into an ignonimous defeat that had seen the deaths of the Lilith Sisters as they tried falling back. Surprised, but not down, the Six Ancestors and the Dark Goddess had decided to reinforce their position on Sentora with each of them deciding to focus on a region.
Those Seven Archangels picked them one by one and scattered the monster's armies with their own might. They then kept pushing forward, slaughtering any monsters and their human lovers in their ways while violating a few themselves under the pretense of punishing sinners. Sooner than she imagined, the Monster Lord's forces had been pushed back to Hellgondo and were preparing their last stand. And for this day, only Saja and Tamamo were still standing by her side. The flying lamia still had a certain confidence in her expression, something that was thoroughly lacking in the remainder of her family.
"Bah! We may be beaten, but we will make them pay dearly each drop of our blood spilled with twenty dead angels. We will show them the valor of monsters in a display they will remember for eternity."
Tamamo shook her head negatively. "No... We can't win. We shouldn't waste everything into a last stand, and instead disappear into nature."
Saja frowned. "Do you intend to offer them the Monster Lord's Castle as well?"
Tamamo returned her sister's glare. "We will blow it up before leaving. Then we will use our limited numbers, magical abilities and speed to hit them and disappear in the cover of the night. We will be able to do way more damage that way!"
The yoma's snakes started hissing. "We won't abandon this place. We won't give the angels an inch!"
The kitsune answered with a snarl while her tails menacingly waved around. "They don't want an inch. They want to kill us, to annihilate our very existence!"
Alipheese was aghast at the scene in front of her.
"This is how hard I failed you..."
"Mother?"
The conflict instantly stopped as both Ancestors looked at the Dark Goddess. The latter was shaking her head left and right periodically, still in shock.
"I'm... Sorry... If I had taught you the value of teamwork instead of letting you compete against each other for each and every ressource, you would have been able to band together and stand a chance against those Seven Archangels. Instead..." Alice sighed heavily and wallowed ever more slightly on her throne and gestured to the two monsters in front of her.
"You're ready to jump at each other's throat when the enemy is at our door over a difference in strategy."
Both Ancestors looked down in shame. Alipheese raised a conciliatory hand.
"Don't apologize. You're both right in your own way. We will simply conjugate your actions to get a better result. Saja and myself will fight until the end, forcing angels to pour as much ressources as possible on their assault, and Tamamo will blow up the castle once the angels are victorious to deny our most valuable assets."
"Wait, you..."
"I said I'll stand in the castle with Saja. If Ilias doesn't see me there, she won't pour as much ressources, and..." A tear appeared at the edge of the Dark Goddess' eye. "I can't bear being the last one standing to be captured by Ilias and tormented each day for failing to protect my own children. I want to be dead and deny that egomaniac the chance to taunt me one more time."
Tamamo No Mae kneeled. "Your wish will be done."
"And please Tamamo... Survive. Don't throw your own life away. I want you to be a thorn in the side of the angels until the end of the world. Make us proud."
"I will, mother. I will."
"Great... Both of you come here."
The Dark Goddess and her two remaining daughters hugged each other into a display of affection.
"Please, don't let Ilias lure every life in her grasp with her false promises..."
The next day, and for the first time for long, Ilias' forces attacked the continent of Hellgondo. The remaining monsters tried their best to hold against them, but it was clear from the beginning that their time was over, and several fled in hope of surviving, leaving alone their peers to die, and the defenses around the Monster Lord's castle fell easily.
Then the angels entered the Monster Lord's castle by every way available. At first, Saja and the last defenders put up a fierce resistance, but they were also soon broken by the seemingly desperate situation, and they were killed to the last one by angels in a display of vulgar and cruel violence. Saja's defenses collapsed, and soon the First Ancestor was cornered in the throne room with the Dark Goddess herself.
Eventually, Alipheese threw herself into the fight against Micaela. Both of their power clashed in a titanic fight that shook the continent of Hellondo, but a desperated Alipheese was quite easily beaten by the first Seraph, the new leader of those Seven Archangels, all while Ilias was watching from afar. However, Tamamo managed to escape in the chaos with a few loyalists and blew up the castle in her escape. While the explosion was enough to kill several minor angels, they barely wounded the Seven Archangels, who were all too happy to celebrate their victory over the Dark Goddess to be worried about a single, lone desperate Ancestor. They managed to pull out of her hidden lair and to eliminate her fast enough, but another threat appeared as an all-too blood crazed Lucifina snapped and escaped the grasp of the goddess, becoming a new opponent Ilias decided to ignore.
The victory wasn't with negative consequences, though, and the following years the climate radically changed. It was as if the coldness of space filled the atmosphere in an attempt to freeze the earth. Most of the world ended covered in snow, and the situation was only worsened by the death of the Four Spirits. Fortunately, Ilias and her Seven Archangels had managed to come up with a solution to deal with that issue, although its secrets remained closely managed.
When the last natural catastrophe stopped, angels celebrated, and finished exterminating the last humans that had turned away from the light of the One True Goddess, no matter how little their deviations were. And for most humans, it didn't matter either at first as cities grew more grand and impressive, with their living conditions becoming better and better. Then the law of Ilias became the law of the world. She demanded more attention, more churches, more prayers, and made more choices for humanity in their stead until down to their diet and their love life was managed by a large bureaucracy of angels. Most humans were accepted only if they fully worshipped her day and night, and the deviants would be thrown into slums, or even one of the capital cities that had been turned into a giant jails where all sinners were punished. Only the most sycophantic followers got to enjoy the purest sanctity of Heaven.
In the end, it didn't matter for most humans, as long as they got to enjoy the safety of this world provided by the Goddess of her angels, they were okay with the situation. A small number of them, however, wondered what this world could have been without the crushing weight of the Goddess of Light and her Seven Archangels.
Those quickly forgot the issue as they were forced to follow Her Word.
Dreams Denied
The Dark Goddess was pulled from her reverie in a panic. She checked around her with an unusual nervousness, and sighed in relief when she detected the lingering scent of her descendant and of the nephilim. Those nightmares rattled her surprisingly much, and she wondered if those were vision of what could have been or her own guilt for letting everyone down after so much time.
For the first time since her discussion with Tamamo, she observed the world again. She saw the hero and her descendant returning at the castle and discussing about politics with human kingdoms. She decided to check another place entirely. They deserved tranquility. Humans and monsters were now happily going on with their lives and had apparently already moved on from the fear of the threat born from the return of the Ancestors. Even the few angels she could see were happily living with them, sometimes with tension, but more often than not as if they were all friends.
She continued looking around and saw that alchemist discuss with a kitsune and another monster about the fact that several chimeras were uncooperative, and she could see the scientist grimace briefly when Hiruko's name was mentionned.
Another look in the Monster Lord's Castle showed her that Tamamo was apparently preparing to explain her disagreement with her sisters in an old-fashionned way, while a nervous servant informed her that supplies in food were threatened by her sisters' enormous appetites.
In the end, the only monsters that looked unhappy with their predicament were the ones that were still acting like raiders, taking men against their will and still fiercely opposing co-existence. She recognized the looks in their eyes as the same ones humans had when they preyed on weaker monsters, or even that some angels had for monsters.
A part of her wanted to step in and solve all those issues with her divine powers, using her natural aura to make every rebel obey, and make sure that peace thrived and would last. However...
I would be just like Ilias. I observed this world for a long time, and I even changed it, but after so much time... I realize I never fully understood how it grew and changed without me. And, as the Dark Goddess, I will never be able to.
Maybe as someone else...
Alipheese closed her eyes. The seal holding her back was now beyond weak, and she could easily cast spells across the world. She could even break it if she wanted to, and considered the option for a time before eventually taking a decision.
She closed her eyes, and gradually, her body changed: Her tail disappeared to make way for two mountainous legs, her hands shortened and became smooth, and her horns disappeared while her skin took a pinkish, human hue. Simultaneously, her scales formed thigh-high stockings around her legs while her upper body was covered by a purple frilly dress that revealed her shoulders.
Once done, the Dark Goddess re-opened her eyes again, and summoned a mirror before looking at herself. She pouted when she saw her reflection: her likeliness to her great granddaughter was making their link too obvious: the grey mane, the flower in the hair... And worst of all, those red, supernatural eyes of her that could attract anyone's attention.
She worked on altering her appearance again. Her long, wavy white hair became black and straight, only reaching slightly below her shoulders. Her outfit changed from an elaborate dress to a brown travelling coat, her stockings became white linen pants, the flower in her hair disappeared and, when she opened her eyes again, they were a sober, unremarkable brown and didn't show any trace of her inhuman nature. As she checked herself again, she smirked as she was finally satisfied with her new appearance. No human would guess that she was the Dark Goddess.
The now-disguised Alipheese examined the seal. Right now, it would collapse with just a touch. However, she didn't want to alarm anyone, and instead of breaking it violently like her daughters did a month ago, she more thoroughly examined it: avoiding the creation of an echo that would warn everyone of her escape would take no effort if she was careful, and yet, none of her daughter had deployed the effort back then.
They hadn't cared enough to do so. At least, her bad education had been a boon for humanity if only once...
She focused her magic on the seal, and, a minute later, the spell collapsed like a wet puddle, and her feet touched the floor of the cavern. She enjoyed the sensation of the damp air on her skin, and made her way to the entrance of the cavern at a slow strolling pace, appreciate each breath even as the outside's light gradually filled the cavern in front of her. As soon as she reached the entrance, she basked in the sun for a minute as she considered where she would start to go to finally experience this world under a human guise. Would she enjoy that colosseum in Grand Noah, see by herself the peace between all three species in San Ilia... Or do like her descendant, and go on a gourmet tour? She chuckled, elated by all the possibilities offered to her.
Maybe she would be fine living in this world as someone else than the Dark Goddess Alipheese...