Beyond the Outer Gates Lies... The Heart of a Lion?
Friday, January 23rd. The end of our first week back at school. I was getting ready to walk home, alone. I had stopped at the StuCo room to see if they needed any help. But Sona said that I could just go home. There were a couple of reasons she usually did that.
The usual reason was that they needed to talk about something without me. Something I, as a normal student and not an official council member, was not supposed to know. Something related to the Devils, or just the Sitri house; I was a trusted an ally but I was also still a Human. Or they wanted to talk about me behind my back.
The second most common reason was that Sona knew I had work to do and was hanging out with them to procrastinate. Which to be fair, was true today. But after two weeks of working on coats in most of my spare time, my fingers were covered in bandages and I would probably Fuego the next needle I saw into slag.
Or it could be something more than that, as when I reached the Academy gates, there was a familiar figure waiting for me.
"Hiya, Harry-chan," Serafall proclaimed brightly.
"Hi, Levi-tan. What's up?"
"Why does something have to be up?" she pouted, "Maybe I just wanted to see you."
"You're still in your suit," I pointed out, "Given how quickly you usually shed it for something more comfortable, or at least more Mahou Shojou, that means you are here on business. Plus Sona all but told me to come meet you, so..."
She sighed, "Fine. Business first. I have a semi-urgent job for you. One of the Accords' allies needs you for a job. A wizard PI job. ASAP. Pronto. LOL."
"Okaaay," I glanced at her dubiously. She gave me her most sincere look.
"Really," she insisted.
"So let's go back to my place and grab my gear," I relented, "Then we can go."
"Actually," she glanced away, "It's in California. So it's still the middle of the night there. We'll teleport over there at about ten. So we have some time, first."
"And why do I think you didn't mention that part to Sona?" I rolled my eyes.
"Because they get to at least see you every day, and I haven't seen you since last Friday?" she suggested innocently.
"Well, we can get some dinner," I smiled, and took her hand. She grabbed my digits tightly and happily. A few of the other students leaving looked at us, but I ignored them.
"Then I can put you to work helping me sew," I added with equal false innocence. She grimaced. From what Anna had let slip, both of her girls had gone through 'traditional noble daughter' training. An outdated practice which would have annoyed me, except I knew Sona couldn't cook, and thus doubted that either Sitri lady had been a good or willing student. Indeed, according to her mother, Serafall was more dangerous with a needle and thread than she was with her magic... at least to herself.
"Or we could relax and play a few games," she suggested instead, "I've got a new deck to try. And since you might want to change, we could play for articles of clothing..."
I didn't say anything. And I definitely did not pick up my pace.
Of course we did not play strip Brave Duel. I just got changed into my nicest jeans, made sure my sneakers were clean, and set one of my clean Kuoh uniform shirts aside, to put on just before we left. We had sandwiches and chips. We played a couple of rounds of BD. Completely normal games. Then Serafall fired up my PS3 while I worked on Seekvaira's jacket at the table. With the dividers open, of course.
Finally, the clock struck ten. At least proverbially, since I didn't have a mechanical clock. I pulled the dress shirt on over my t-shirt. Peeled the band-aids off my fingers. Put on my duster and sneakers, while Serafall put on her shoes, too. I picked up my duffle, and took Serafall's hand. I had practiced my teleportation spell with Sona on Wednesday, and could move a whole foot and control which direction I was facing when I reappeared. Which according to the Sitri heiress was remarkable progress. But I wasn't ready for a transoceanic jump yet.
Serafall dropped us in the middle of a cul-de-sac. It was still dark, and was cool. Well, cool to me, who was still used to Chicago and had the Winter Mantle. From what I had heard of Californians, they probably considered this mind numbing cold and bunkered down in their houses. So there was no-one around to witness our arrival. There was a hint of predawn light, but we still had probably an hour before sun-up. I wondered if Alice White was out jogging, before remembering the Whites were living in Colorado now.
The houses around us were very nice. Not as big as Hyoudou house or even Sona's place. But the smallest were about three times the size of my place, and most were about four times the size. And much better appointed.
Serafall pulled me along towards one of the more reasonable looking homes. She led me right up to the door and rang the bell. A moment later, the door opened and the man behind it gave us a harried smile.
"Thank you for this, Serafall," he said, offering her his hand. My Maou shook it.
"And thank you for coming, Mr Dresden," he turned and offered me a handshake, too.
"It's my job," I told him, "And I can't really say no to people who need my help, Mr..."
"Sorry," Serafall said, "Harry-chan, this is Kevin Sorbo, also known as Heracles."
I blinked and inclined my head slightly in confusion. See, while I had access to Molly's giant TV, on Butter's suggestion I had watched the first two seasons of Andromeda. And I had seen the occasional episode of the Hercules series. And the man in front of me was not the Kevin Sorbo I was familiar with.
First, where as the Sorbo I was familiar with was shorter than I was now, and full half-foot shorter than my impending maximum height, this one was the same height as I was. He was also more muscular, though still not too bulky. He had shining green eyes, and the skin tone commonly called 'olive'. His nose and mouth were wider, and his lips were fuller. And most interesting was his hair. It was jet black, except for an electric yellow streak that started above his forehead and zig-zagged and forked its way backwards through his hair.
This was not the same person. But then, the Sorbo in my original universe was just a normal human actor, not a literal demigod ascended to full divinity.
"You seem surprised," he said, "and call me Kevin."
"Well, Serafall didn't tell me who we were meeting," I answered, "And also..."
I inclined my head towards the woman in the background. I did recognize her, she was the same Samantha Sorbo.
"Actually, I knew who he was before I ever met Kevin," his wife said.
"You did?" I protested.
"This is the seventh time I've married her," Kevin said affectionately. I looked at his nose, frowning.
"Please come in, Serafall, Mr. Dresden," he invited us and stepped back.
"Call me Harry, please," I echoed him.
He led us inside, and we sat down.
"We are waiting for someone, so we may as well tell you a bit of our tale," he told me, though he included Serafall, "What comes after the more famous parts of my story."
"So after the Gigantes?" I mused, "I suppose you would have a couple thousand years of potential adventures between then and now. But if you two have been married seven times, are you a goddess as well?"
"No, I'm Human," Sam said gently, "I simply keep reincarnating and find him. Though I don't have all of my memories, especially of my earlier lives, I generally remember enough by the time I'm about twenty, to track Kevin down. There were a couple of lives I couldn't find him, back in the olden days of poor maps and slow travel."
"Wait," Serafall interjected, "so then you are..."
"In my first life, I was Megara," she confirmed. I cringed slightly, recalling how Megara ended up in the myths. Though I suppose that could be wrong.
"So you keep coming back, and finding you true love," Serafall sighed happily, "That's so romantic."
The other couple looked at each other, and I could see the love and bond they shared. Then they looked at us, and smiled knowingly.
"So where are the kids?" Serafall asked, ruining the mood.
"They are with my parents," Sam said, "After the break-in, we were a bit worried."
"I'm no great shakes with magic," Kevin informed us, "But Hermes helped out with the wards here. So whoever broke in has some mystic clout and skill. Or at least a good trick. And since the burglary was so odd, we were worried they might come back."
"Odd how?" I prompted, settling in to detective mode.
"They were very careful not to damage anything," the god told me, "In fact, if Sam hadn't noticed the closet was open, we might not have figured it out anything was missing."
"What did they take?" I asked.
Kevin picked up a picture of his family off the end table. He held it out to me, and tapped his image's shoulder. In the photo, he was wearing suede jacket.
"Your jacket?" I was confused again.
"My one of a kind, lion skin jacket," he answered pointedly.
"Lion skin?" my eyes widened, "As in the Nemean Lion skin?"
He nodded.
"You had it made into a bomber jacket?" I demanded incredulously. He chuckled at that.
"No, actually it changes automatically these days," he answered, "to fit the era. I've had it for so long, it has picked up some..."
He was interrupted as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Sam said.
"It has picked up some of my divinity," he continued, "And it is so linked to me by legend, that it changes to stay close to me. To be appropriate 'armor' for my current situation. Back in the Civil War, it looked a lot like your coat, Harry, just tan instead of black. During the middle ages it was boiled leather armor instead of a hide. And so on."
"Hello, mom," I heard Sam say warmly, "Come in. They're already here."
I wondered why Sam's mom was here. Until the older woman passed the wards on Heracles' home.
I froze up. First as a wave of raw power swept into the room. Pure magical energy, almost on par with Serafall when she went all out. But more divine in flavor and unrestrained. So I couldn't be sure if this was the full of the newcomers power, or if she was restricting it.
Then she stepped into view. Chocolate brown hair, perfectly drawn back into a loose braid. Mahogany eyes spoke of love, patience, and wrath, all in equal measure. Pale skin. And a perfect figure; hips and breast that shouted of fertility and sensuality, without being overly abundant. She was wearing a blue pullover sweater and matching silk shirt, simple but also very expertly tailor and high quality. But most of all, was the pendant she was wearing. A peacock.
I began to trickle power into my watch and wished my bracelet was on my wrist instead of in my bag. Because if she was here, I doubted this would end in anything less than an ear splitting argument. A house leveling battle seemed more likely.
Until Kevin stood up, crossed the room, and causally and fondly hugged her.
"Thanks for coming, mom," he said openly.
"Of course, Kevin," she told him. Then, sounding genuinely worried, she asked, "Is everything alright?"
"So far," he answered, sounding uncertain.
"Umm," I raised a hand nervously, "Just to be sure I'm not understanding anything... You are Lady Hera, right? Queen of Olympus?"
She looked at me. And then she looked sad.
"Given your encounter with Argus, Mr Dresden, and my own responsibility therein, I can hardly blame you for being cautious around me," the daughter of Chronos said gently, "But rest assured, if you are thinking of my past history with Kevin, minor inaccuracies aside, he and I have moved past it. I have moved past it."
That put my mind a bit more at ease. But only enough to put me back to DEFCON 3.
"Would it help to know that, despite what the myths claim," Sam told me, sitting down, "Mom, Hera, was not responsible for my first death?"
"She wasn't?" I queried evenly, not wanting to sound like I was doubt Sam, or either of the divine entities present.
"While I can understand why the blame has been placed upon me," Hera sounded regretful, "Given everything I did to Kevin back then. However, that was one crime I did not commit. Let me ask you, Mr Dresden, what are my domains, my godly aspects?"
"Please call me Harry," I said almost on autopilot, before answering, "You are the goddess of marriage, fidelity, family, and childbirth. Though you share the latter two areas with Hestia and Artemis, respectively."
"Not the goddess of madness," Serafall added, probably having heard this before. Then Lash reminded me of the exact circumstances of Heracles' insane slaughter of his own family.
"You aren't the goddess of madness," I repeated, "Even if you hated him, he was praying to thank the gods for helping him to protect his family."
"An honorable and honest family he truly loved," Hera said sadly.
"Right. There's no way you could have driven him to kill them. It would go against everything you were, everything you stand for. It would be like me giving up my magic to spite my mentor. Or worse than that."
My eyes suddenly narrowed, "If not you then... Dionysus?"
He was the next obvious choice. Most people thought of him as the god of booze and wild parties. They tended to forget the whole 'madness' aspect, and that said wild parties often included ritual murder.
Both gods nodded.
"My... other stepson... thought that he could curry favor with me," Hera sounded disgusted, "I was not impressed. No matter the actions I had taken against 'Heracles', I did not involve innocents. And by that time, much of my antagonism towards him had cooled."
"Can I ask why?" I asked carefully, "I mean, I believe you, but..."
"My anger at demigods, most of whom were an affront to my domain, is legendary," Hera sounded a little embarrassed, "in both senses. Most of them were born from gods and goddess violating their marriage oaths..."
"Out of everything that Disney got wrong," Kevin said reflectively, "They got one thing right. I may have been raised a prince, not a farm boy, but my young life was rough. I couldn't control my strength, and all these strange and dangerous things happened around me..."
Hera looked down.
"So when I was fourteen, I went to the gods for answers," he continued, but set a comforting hand on Hera's, "Not to a temple of Zeus, like the movie said, but to the Oracle at Delphi. She told me that I was at a rare crossroads of choice. I could leave without an answer. And the strangeness around me would fade, and I would live a normal, happy life. Or I could hear her words. If I did, I would live a life of great turmoil. I would have happiness at times, but I would struggle for it. And in the end, I would fight a terrible evil and save the world. And my name would live for as long as the sun."
"You saved the whole world? Not just Greece? Was that before or after you became a full god?" I asked, slipping back to normal.
"It was the battle with the Gigantes," Hera said, "Had Kevin not been there, they would have won and we would have died. But they would not have stopped there. Their wrath and destruction would have spread across the planet, engulfed all the other pantheons."
I nodded, able to see that.
"I was tempted to leave. But I couldn't risk this great evil. So I listened. Learned of my birth and my power."
"And I was listening, too," Hera said, "Hearing that he would save us, and seeing him accept the challenge, I... softened. Part of me wondered if I could even blame Zeus, or if the Fates had forced this on him to create 'Heracles'. I still 'tormented' Kevin after that, but my actions were more to train and strengthen him. Then he saved me twice over from Porphyrion."
Like Athena, she reached into pocket that her outfit did not seem to have. And pulled out something that would have been obvious if it had been in a pocket. It was a sheathed dagger, Well, actually more of a short sword. The blade was about sixteen inches long and curved. It was a simple wooden sheath. The crosspiece was a rectangular, bronze block, but was intricately carved. The pommel was a bronze disc, carved with a peacock and a peahen, rubbing their heads together. The grip was blue dyed leather and a twist of golden wire wrapped around it. Then she cracked the seal, and revealed the blade. It wasn't bronze, or even iron. It was a smooth white material. Bone, or maybe...
"Ivory," I said, "That's the Lion's missing tooth."
Both of the Greeks looked at me oddly. Then Hera inclined her head.
"Yes," she confirmed.
"After my Labors were done, I had Hephaestus craft a tooth I took off the Lion into that blade. I made it an offering to mom, to thank her for guiding King Eurystheus in assigning my tasks, and to try to appease her."
"And when the Gigantes attacked," Hera continued, "This dagger allowed me to keep Porphyrion at bay long enough for my husband and Kevin to arrive and finish him. It is also what I used to slay Phoitos, again, contrary to what the legends say."
"So is that when you two made up?" Serafall prompted. Both gods chuckled sheepishly.
"Not exactly," she said, "I was more positively inclined to him, and supported his ascension. And I offered him my handmaid Hebe as his second wife."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I never married Deianira," Kevin said, "she told people we were married, but I was still guilty over Megara, And I didn't love her, so I rejected her as gently as a could."
"And given what she did to you, and was trying to do to you..." Sam said angrily. Lash reminded me Deianira had nearly killed Heracles, giving him a poison she thought was a love potion.
"And I also was not interested in marrying Hebe," Kevin hugged his wife with one arm, "Besides, I suspected mom just wanted to use her to spy on me."
"Not unwarranted," Hera admitted. Then she addressed me and Serafall again, "No, our relationship only became what it is now about a millennia later."
She inclined her head to Kevin, who chuckled.
"It was 824, BCE," he said, "my so-called father was tired of me moping over Meg, so he dragged me out, took me to a mortal wedding. He claimed it was to have fun, and perhaps hook me up with one of the maidens. Except it quickly became apparent that it was less about me and more about his own interest in the bride. He did offer to help me seduce one of the bride's sisters. Two of whom were married and the youngest was betrothed."
"What did you do?" Serafall asked intently.
"I pulled him out of the wedding and told him off," Kevin said evasively.
"Ha," Hera laughed, "That's not how I remember it.
She held up her hand. And an image appear. Kevin, or rather Heracles, dragging Zeus out of a temple by his shirt. Then, once they were far enough away to not be seen or heard, the younger god pivoted with the grace of a veteran warrior and drove his fist into his father's face. Zeus's nose snapped like a twig and the king of the Greek Pantheon fell to the dirt.
"You have a wife," past Heracles growled at a sputtering Zeus, "An amazing and beautiful woman who is far too good for you and somehow keeps forgiving your bullshit. A better woman than that girl in there, no offense to her. A woman you promised love and fidelity to. Who you still claim to love. Who you can be with whenever you want..."
"Heracles..." it seemed even past Zeus wasn't oblivious enough miss that level of subtext. And Sam hugged her husband again.
"I'm leaving," Heracles said, "And if I find out you did anything to that girl other than bless her family from a safe distance, I don't care if you are my father and my king. I swear by the Styx I will drag you to the Lethe and hold your head under until you are a blank slate. Then I will give you to Aunt Hestia to mold into her ideal of the perfect husband and father before returning you to Hera so you can treat her right."
The projection end. Serafall was barely keeping from laughing. There was a tear running down Hera's cheek, because she was so touched or so amused. Probably both.
"He never touched that girl," Hera told us, "And while he hasn't stopped completely, he has been much more faithful and attentive since then. That was when my relationship with Kevin changed. And when I went down to Elysium, and reminded a certain shade that she could reincarnate. Told her her husband was still pining for her. And taught her a special trick to come back with most of her memories intact."
"And when Meg, or rather Larissa, found me again for the first time," Kevin said softly, "That was when I started calling Hera 'mom'."
'I wish our world had a history like that,' Lash said softly.
"Well," I exhaled, "I guess I'm not worried about being in the same room with the two of you at the same time any more. But we should probably get down to business. I'm guessing that is why you came, Lady Hera?"
I pointed to the dagger, still in her hands.
"I understand this will help you find Kevin's stolen armor," she confirmed, "So I will lend it to you. Though I expect it back. It is important to me for multiple reasons."
"It might help," I said, "Though I'm worried the Skin might be on the other side of the planet by now. That's more than a bit outside my range."
"Why do you think that?" Kevin asked me.
"Well, from the scuttlebutt I've heard, the Zero Faction's main base is in China."
Serafall nodded.
"You think Dean took it," he mused.
"Dean?" I prompted.
"Dean Alexander Bakersfield," he said, "My three times great grandson, from Sam's previous incarnation. And the little twerp who it using my name as has own on that stupid, racist crusade."
"So that's Herc's real name," I smiled slightly, "Good to know. And yeah, since he's oh and two versus both me and Tsubasa... that's Tsubasa Yura, one of Sona Sitri's Peers... I'm thinking Dean was looking for a power up. I'd bet Georg or one of the Zeros' other magic-users helped him break in here."
"That would make sense," Kevin sounded annoyed.
"We don't know it for sure yet," I reminded myself as much as him, "That's just a deduction."
"What is the range of your magic, Harry?" Kevin asked, recalling my previous statement.
I considered it for a second. With Lash's help, the stalking and predatory nature of the Mantle, a few tweaks from my new calculated magics, plus the improved control I gained in learning that... If I could use both the dagger and Kevin as connections to the Skin.
"I'd say seventy miles, if I really, really push it," I said, "but anything beyond forty-five to fifty miles is going to be really fuzzy."
"That's fine," he said, "It has to be within one marathon of here."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes. Thanks to its connection to me, if the Skin is more than 26 miles from me or my home, it will snap back to whatever is closer. But because I have lent it out before, in battle, it can be that distance from me. So it is still close, just it is still a big area to search, since I don't know how long it will take whoever stole it to server the connection. At least that's what I assume they are doing."
"Okay, I can work with that. But that gives me another idea. Do you have a van or SUV? Something you and I can work in the back of, while Serafall drives?"
He blinked, and nodded.
"Where to now, Harry-chan?" Serafall called back from the driver's seat.
"About one thousand feet straight ahead," I said airily, "But also up. Maybe 200 feet up, too."
I was sitting cross-legged in the back of Kevin's Lexus Hybrid. I had sketched the bed with a chalk pentagram, reminding me again of the need to try to make a portable pentagram rug. Kevin was sitting in another point of the star, and the dagger in a third. Focusing on their connection, I was able to get a clear direction on the Skin, right inside the area Kevin said it would be. Driving through the LA suburb, I gave Serafall directions. Now our likely goal was in view. A moderately high-end hotel, eleven floors tall. Not what I would have expected for Herc, but not out of line for Georg or Cao Cao.
We parked and went inside. The woman at the front desk gave Serafall and me an odd look, but she recognized Kevin. He gave her a slight smile and a nod. She didn't interrupt us. Which was good, because Kevin was carrying my duffle bag. And Hera's dagger tucked inside.
Once we were in the elevator, I took out the fang blade and my tuning fork. Now that we were this close, I didn't need the pentagram or Kevin. The fork pointed upwards, and slightly to the right of the doors. We rode it up to the top floor, and as we passed the seventh floor, the fork leveled and then pointed down. We went back down to floor seven, and tracked the coat, or at least its essence, to room 708. I put the fork and knife in my duffle, and looked at them.
"So how do we want to do this?" I asked them softly.
"What do you mean, Harry-chan?" Serafall asked.
"If it's the Zeroes and you or I knock on the door, they'll probably attack," I said, "but they are less likely to attack Kevin, since he's one of real Heroes they claim to worship. Plus, he's DAB's ancestor. But if it is anyone else, they are more likely to recognize and attack Kevin. Since, you know, they did just rob you."
He nodded.
"And personally, I'd like to avoid starting a brawl in a hotel with who knows how many innocent guests and staff," I told them, "So my best idea is that we knock on the door, and hide, and see what they do. Any better ideas?"
"You could start a fire and we could pull the alarm," Serafall joked. Or half-joked.
"That would get everyone out," I agreed, "If the thieves leave, great. And if not we know they'll be the only ones in danger."
"I'd rather not get arrested," Kevin said, "Or risk burning down someone's property."
"That makes sense," Serafall agreed, "Oh, what if I change my shape and pretend to be room service? I can say it is the wrong room if they answer."
"I could take my coat off and stoop," I said, "I've done that before."
"What if I just teleport us inside?" Serafall suggested.
"They might attack then," Kevin countered dubiously, "even if they normally wouldn't."
"And they could have defenses against it," I reminded her, "Especially if it is Georg."
Suddenly the door opened. A resigned and slightly familiar voice told us, "You might as well come in."
Tensing slightly, we stepped in. Serafall relaxed when she saw who was inside. I, on the other hand, started channeling power into my shield items. Kevin didn't seem to recognize our... host, so to speak.
Instead of his fancier combat gear, he was wearing simple slacks and long-sleeved shirt. His orange hair had grown out maybe an eighth of an inch since Rias burned it nearly down to the skull. He seemed to almost be pouting.
The jacket was spread out across the king size bed. There were candles at the four corners of the bed, burned low. There was a dip in the mattress next to the Lion Skin, indicating he had been sitting next to it for almost long as it had been stolen.
He caught up the coat. For a moment he seemed about to angrily hurtle it at Kevin. But he caught himself and gently tossed it back to the god instead.
"Before anything else," he told us, "I just want to say that Lord Bael doesn't know any part of this. Nor anyone else in his Peerage. They all think I am training to become stronger."
"Which isn't entirely a lie," Serafall fixed him with a keen eye.
"You two know who this is?" Kevin asked us.
"You didn't watch the first round of the tournament, Kevin?" Serafall's voice warbled and she stuck out her bottom lip.
"No," he shook his head.
"Then let me introduce you to Sairaorg Bael's Pawn, Regulus Nemea," Serafall's fake mood did a 180 and her eyes twinkled.
Kevin's eyes widened, and then he glanced from the coat to the young Devil.
"So this is..." Kevin asked for confirmation, but looked ready to pounce if needed.
"Yeah," I sighed, "You killed the Lion, skinned him, Jehovah turned him into a Sacred Gear to keep him from resurrecting, and then Sairaorg was able to give the Sacred Gear a Devil form with his Evil Pieces."
I purposely didn't mention the tooth, since the dagger was back in the bag.
"It's okay, Kevin," Serafall stepped between them, "He doesn't want to cause Sairaorg-kun any trouble, so he's not going to try anything. That's why he let us in, right?"
"Yes," Regulus said softly, "I am not who I was when last we met."
"What I don't get is, why do this in the first place?" I asked the former Lion, "Even if you found a way to keep the coat, if you tried to wear it in a Ratings Game, chances are someone would recognize it. I mean, there were at least four major Greek gods at the last round, so odds are they'll keep watching, even if they don't attend in person."
"I didn't intend to wear it," Reg said darkly, "I wanted to reintegrate it."
"Ah," we all exclaimed more or less in unison.
"I never expected to perform that poorly," he continued, "First the kitten hurt me."
"The kitten would have won, if she had known who and what you were," I defended my friend. He scowled for a moment. But then he nodded.
"Then I lost to two noncombatants. And finally, the Sekiryutei broke my Balance Break form. I hoped if I could regain the original skin I had lost, I would also regain my past power. But it isn't working. Maybe I I had more time, and probably some help. But as it is, that thing is more a part of you than it is of me."
"Well, maybe if you didn't look down on people," I told him angrily, "And put in the work to get stronger instead of taking shortcuts, you wouldn't keep getting your proverbial butt kicked."
"What does that mean?" he shot back.
"Anyone who think Ria-tan is a noncombatant is an idiot," Serafall told him off, "And Asia-chan spent two weeks before the tournament match working hard to overcome her limits. What did you during that time?"
"The same with Ise," I added, "And his exponential growth doesn't seem to be tied just to the Boosted Gear. And if you are pissed about losing, did you try anything to improve yourself? Learn martial arts? Magic? Or even just work out in all of your forms? Or did you whine and mope and decide to steal something? I know that skin was originally yours, but it's Kevin's trophy by ancient rights. You should know that."
He sighed and his head drooped.
"So what now?" Regulus asked Serafall and Kevin. I guess she was the law and he was the aggrieved party. I was just the tracker.
"Breaking and entering and petty theft," the god mumbled, "At least by mortal standards. By the ancient laws, I could demand reparations from his master."
Regulus flinched. But then Kevin flashed a smile.
"But honestly, I'm just relieved to have my coat back, and to know why this happened. I don't have to worry about Sam or the kids, right?"
"I never intended to harm your family," Regulus said, "Or even you."
"So if you tell me how you managed to get past the wards on my house, I think we can call it even," Kevin said firmly. Regulus relaxed visibly and inclined his head.
"And then I will take you back to Sairaorg," Serafall said brightly, "And you will tell him what you did."
The Lion turned Devil's skin went pale.
We went back to the Sorbo home. Told Sam and Hera what we had learned, and introduced Regulus. The Queen of Olympus looked like she was brewing for a smiting, until Kevin and Serafall told her of Reg's deal.
"I see," the goddess of marriage smirked, "Given what I know of the young Bael, finding out one of his Peerage was taking the easy route to power... I imagine the training you will be subjected to is far worse than any punishment I could derive. At least without violating the treaty between Olympus and the Devils."
Regulus nodded glumly.
"Alright, let's talk," Kevin headed towards the master bedroom with our de facto prisoner. Serafall went along, both to avoid letting Reg out of her sight, and curiosity.
I was also curious. But I hadn't been invited. And there was a couple of something elses.
I opened my bag. Took out the fang blade. And handed it, hilt first, back to its owner.
"Thank you for lending me this, Lady Hera," I told her.
"You are welcome," she said, and seemed relieved to have the dagger back, "And if what I have heard of you is correct, it must pain you to call me 'lady'. I would not mind it you refer to me by just my name."
"Woo," I sighed in an exaggerated fashion, "Thanks, Hera. That's a weight off."
"I think you will find many of we old gods are much more casual and relaxed these day," she told me, amused.
"If that's true," I braced slightly, "Can I ask you a couple of questions?"
"I may not answer," she said, "But feel free to ask."
"Have you talked to the Angels?" I asked, "I mean recently, and about their sex and baby issue. I was told you gave them a blessing, among others. Have they told you it didn't work?"
"Not directly," she said, "But I am aware. And for your first question, no we have not spoken since then."
"And I'm guessing not Athena, either," I mused. She looked at me in confusion.
"That's a no," I sighed, "A while back, I was talking to the Raphael about this, and Athena was there."
She nodded her understanding.
"And I suggested part of their issue might be that the Angels are not married," I explained, "Since that is a tenant of the Christian faith. Raph and Az thought it was an interesting idea. But knowing how distractible Az is, and how insular Raph seemed, I was wondering it it had gone anywhere. So, since I have you, a goddess of marriage and family, I figured I would ask you for them. What do you think? Do you think being married, honestly and legitimately, would at least help Angels to have sex without Falling and conceive?"
She considered that for a moment.
"I am not sure," she admitted, "I do not have much experience with other pantheons, other than an occasional gathering with Frigga and Parvati. I would know more if could meet a pair of Angels who were married, as you said, honestly and legitimately. Though I have not heard of any of them falling in love. At least not without Falling. At the very least, it would not hurt. It would likely help, though I cannot say to what degree."
"Well, thank you for that," I said sincerely. I might have only been tangentially connected to the Angels' issues as a whole, but I wanted Ise and Irina to be happy.
"I wish I could be more help," she said, "but we try to stay out of each others' domains. Unless help is requested. And we are still stubborn when it comes it interacting with other faiths. Though these Kuoh Accords are helping."
"Ironic that the Chaos dorks are indirectly encouraging cooperation and friendship when their goal is isolation and bigotry."
"A fact not lost on many of us," she agreed with a smile.
We paused for a moment. And I started fidgeting.
"There was something else I wanted to ask you," I said carefully.
The goddess looked at me intently.
"Are you aware of my... relationship status?" I continued with caution.
"I have heard a few rumors that you are dating the Leviathan, from my husband," she told me. Then her eyes narrowed, studying me, "Something about a forum argument. But since you are here, asking me..."
"Ah," she said, and then raised an eyebrow at me, "Aren't you a greedy one?"
"Not..." I started to deny it, and caught myself, "Not exactly. They started it. But I did decide to accept it. To accept them. Does that... upset you?"
"No," Hera smiled gently. Motherly.
"You care for them," she continued, "More than you are willing to admit. You are doing your best by them, and no-one is being deceived... At least about your relationship."
I froze, worried.
"I cannot read your mind, Harry," she reassured me, "Well, I could, but you would know. And from what I've heard, it would likely be unpleasant for me. No, it is just the sense of you from my domains. You are keeping things to yourself, but most do. So long as the secrets are not directly related to your relationship, I cannot admonish you for it."
I wasn't sure that my real age and alternate universe origins didn't fall into that category. But then, she was the expert.
"I am not going to chastise you, Harry," she told me, "I am the goddess of marriage and fidelity, not of monogamy. I believe that so long as there is love, honesty, and respect, it does not matter who is involved in a relationship. You are not cheating on your girlfriends, and they are fine with sharing you. So long as you all remember that, I will wish all of you well."
Almost like she was listening, Serafall came out of the bedroom, one hand firmly clamped on Regulus's wrist.
"Well I better get you back, Harry-chan," she said, "Kevin, we'll send you a bill later."
"It was a pleasure to meet all of you," I told the Sorbo family, "Hopefully next time it won't be for something like this."
"Your PI fees aside," Kevin shook my hand, "I owe you one. Or at least the Kuoh Accords."
"And if you ever need an investigator again..."
"I have Serafall's number," he agreed.
"Maaaybe I should give you mine," I frowned slightly.
"Time to go," Serafall very deliberately dragged me out. And then blinked us back to Japan.
Next: Beyond the Outer Gates Lies... Crow and Snow?