I would like to hear your opinion.. really!.

The Order of the Mortal Knights
by Elnauhual

Fan fiction, based on the characters and universe of "Oh my goddess" by Kōsuke Fujishima.

Chapter XI

Heaven and Hell

The sound of thunder echoed through the small valley, if such a name could be applied to this strange and wild landscape that looked more like an open scar in the middle of the forest than a natural formation. The hard rock was exposed and almost no vegetation grew thereby increasing the contrast with the nearby forest. The sound bounced back and forth between the bare walls giving it an unreal sound.

On one of the valley walls, at the sound of a thunder, the rock disintegrated, leaving a crater, another series of explosions followed, each one left a new crater similar to the previous.

But those scars on the wall were not the only ones. Along the wall, could be seen hundreds of similar craters, some seemed to be very old, the oldest were smaller than recent ones.

As the smoke and dust from the explosion began to dissipate, a female figure could be seen floating a few feet off the ground.

The beautiful woman, with long white hair, closed her fists in anger as examined her work with a critical eye, then uttered a curse in an incomprehensible language, apparently she was dissatisfied. She lifted her arms and whispered a long spell as she moved her hands as if dancing; they glowed with small flashes of electricity that ran along her fingers. A smell of ozone filled the environment. There was a powerful flash much more intense than the others and soon a new crater ornamented the wall. This was considerably bigger than the previous one.

Urd finally breathed a little relieved. This always had served her to release her frustration and the rugged landscape was a silent witness of how many times it had been necessary to do so along her life.

This place was one of the few wild places still left in this perfect world and maybe that's why she liked it. Surely Heaven was a beautiful place full of order and harmony, but in search of that order, the gods had subjugated the nature of this realm and, at least at the eyes of Urd, who was born in a landscape completely different, everything looked like a giant artificial and monotonous garden.

Urd's heart rebelled against an order so perfect that it seemed to rub into tyranny. She imagined that if possible the current Kamisama, the title received by the ruler god of this universe, would have given certainty to the uncertainty principle, and would have tried to remove the chaos part from the chaos theory.

As the tension is released, she could not avoid bursting into laughter at these thoughts. It was not the best way to think about the "number one". Her ideas were almost heretical in a world obsessed with perfection and order.

Maybe she was not alone in thinking so, but she was one of the few who openly expressed her rebelliousness. For some reason she was tolerated with those attitudes. It was really a gentle tyranny, yet it accepted only few disagreements. More than once she had confronted directly to rules that she considered ridiculous.

And today was one of those days. Her plans to have direct access to Yggdrasil had failed by the most ridiculous reasons imaginable.

She had prepared everything. Since technically she was punished to stay on earth, Peorth the beautiful goddess of roses, was the administrator and Urd was only called in emergency cases. Yet as the main SYSOP of the system, she had always had been granted an open access.

Taking advantage that since her visit to earth, Peorth had developed a fondness for some products of the earth, especially romantic fiction, she had brought as a token lot of shōjo manga. Urd smiled, from personal experience she knew how addictive were these products of human ingenuity for the goddesses. Any outside observer would have recognized this as a symptom of dissatisfaction with their way of life, but Urd was not an outside observer.

But her cunning efforts have given not results. For some reason, there was a system alert, although no one knew the reason or would not say it. Peorth had received her greeted like old friends, despite the frictions they had in the past, now there were respect between the two goddesses. At least the magazines have been well received, but at the request of accessing the system from the SYSOP console, Peorth had refused emphatically, arguing that they were on at Indigo level alert.

An indigo alert simply meant an unknown menace was suspected and security levels were raised, so all standard access to the Yggdrasil system had been blocked and high level access was restricted only to first class gods. So despite being the official Sysop, the highest level operator, she was not a first class goddess, so she was not allowed to have access.

That of course was ridiculous, in times of crisis; she is the one that should have priority access. It was a ridiculous rule, but to add to the insult, Urd remembered she had approved that rule since she had not expected it would be applied to her. And to add a Kafkian touch, Urd had the authority to override it, but not during and indigo alert.

She was about to cause a mess, when she perceived a trace of panic in the face of Peorth. Maybe it was a little more than just an "unknown" menace. Urd had finally yielded, but on leaving, Peorth had approached her and whispered a word "Giörel."

And that name had led only to more frustration. She vaguely remembered Giörel, a young goddess that just had achieved first class status. But she had never spoken to her, just knew she was in training to replace Belldandy at the Goddess Relief Office. What would she have to do with the current alert?

But every attempt to contact her had been futile. She had just met a wall of silence. As if anyone wanted to forget about her. She had just seemed vanished without trace.

Meanwhile a gentle wind managed to clear the last traces of dust that still hung in the air and Urd was able to see the whole valley wall.

She could not help noticing that soon she would run out of space and smiled with some bitterness. Would she ever fit in this place? No matter how much she tried, something always happened.

She rose a few feet more in the air, and floated along the wall examining the craters. She could not help but feel nostalgia when looking at some of them. Each one had a story and each one also testified as her power had grown over time. It was like a diary carved in stone.

Finally she came to the first ones.

There were two small craters, one smaller than the other and Urd smiled while her eyes moistened; she approached the wall to touch then. She ran her fingers around one of them to relieve the memories of its formation. The small one had been produced by a very young Belldandy, who had brought her sister to this place. Always thinking of how to help her older sister, somehow she had known she would feel at home in this rocky place.

But alongside these small craters, there was something different. Amid the scarred wall, there was a section, which for some reason, seemed had escaped the angry outbursts of the goddess.

Urd sighed, it had been long time since she entered her hideout. She raised her hands and started singing the password of the site.

- "Thaer Austr ok vestra enda phallus: Thar Atti lofðungr land to milli"

The wall began to dissolve, showing it was only an illusion, behind it appeared an arch richly ornamented. The arch was carved with figures completely alien to this world, they belonged to another place, they belonged to Hell.

The sight of that arch gave her mixed emotions. On one hand the pain of separation from her home world, but also there was tenderness.

It had been Belldandy. As a very young and small goddess, Belldandy had created this place for her. A little goddess she was, and yet had made an immense effort to create this and all for wanting to help her older sister, who felt so strange in this world. She did not know where she got it, but had located a picture of one of the underground rooms from the demon world and had carved a copy for her beloved sister.

Since then it had been their secret place. A piece of her other home in this orderly world. Urd slowly descend to the ground. Then walk slowly toward the entrance. This place was so full of memories; maybe that is why she had not returned in a long time. For a few moments she forgot why was there as she become immersed in memories from her childhood.

She had entered a large room with a high ceiling, like the halls of her home realm. It had been a natural cave, amended by magic. The walls were covered with elaborate carvings; however, any demon would have noticed something strange. Some of the figures were delicate flowers, completely unrelated to Hell. Belldandy was unable to avoid giving her personal and delicate touch to this place.

In the middle of the room, there was a stone pedestal with a crystal Jewell that glowed softly, but when Urd approached it, increased its brightness, as if were recognizing her.

Carved on the walls were shelves filled with foreign objects. Those were the objects that she had brought from Hell. They were memories of her childhood in another universe that now seemed so distant. But they were also items that had an aura which frightened the gods, and therefore she had to hide them here with the help of her sister, who with a skill beyond her age had succeeded in creating a shield that prevented their aura to get out of this place.

Then she approached the crystal, the only object that her mother had given to her. Her feelings toward her were contradictory and the greeting glow of the crystal only exacerbated them.

Urd felt a spasm of pain and anger. She recalled how the admiration and awe to her mother had inspired on her and then the pain of being separated.

She had felt like a hostage in an exchange of powers. Her mother had never told the real reasons why she had been isolated and sent here, she knew the tragedy that had started all, but never understood why.

This was a large chamber excavated deep underground, with the rock walls richly and artistically carved. To a god this would have seemed grim place because their chiaroscuro, but to a demon this was a warm place. Over a highly ornamented carpet, two girls played and fought furiously, one of them wanted to snatch a toy from another. It was obvious that girls were not common. The camera was well guarded. Large and surly demons were guarding the place. Their hypertrophied muscles and vacant eyes identified as the personal guard of Hild. Stupidly powerful and deeply faithful.

There were two guards at the entrance and three more inside. They idly watched the irate actions of the girls, while they were arguing and fighting. They job was to protect them, not care for them.

- Urd, that's mine, I brought it- Claimed a skinny girl of golden hair and from her little hand came out a flash of light. Urd easily avoid it, as the flash left a mark on the wall, another more of the hundreds that already existed.

- Marler! I want it, and I will get it

A similar flash came out of her hands; it was bigger than the one from her companion, who also easily avoided it, the light crashed into one of the guards, who barely moved.

- No, it's mine, and I'm going to keep it.

Due to the lack of success of her previous attack, the small girl jump like a little fury on her partner, and soon the two rolled on the floor of the chamber.

For a moment there was only a furious confusion of arms and legs, but eventually the two fell exhausted, and for a moment remained lying on the floor. Soon they began to laugh together.

Despite the apparent ferocity of their struggle, they had not done any harm. These games that even a god would have considered violent were encouraged in this world as a child's game and part of their learning. Their superhuman bodies were hardly damaged. Finally the two kept quiet for a while and then Marler launched a theatrical yawn of boredom

- Urd, I do not understand why you cannot leave this place; it's very boring being cooped up here.

- I cannot leave without them, - pointing to the guards- and they chase away everybody from me. So I cannot have fun.

- But you're the daughter of the Daimakaichō; you should be able to give them orders.

- I tried, but it does not longer work, mother must have put a spell and they just ignore me, look:

With her child's voice, issued a curse, raised her arms and launched her most powerful beam towards one of the guards. The victim shuddered slightly, and gave a brief look at the place where he had been hit. Although some smoke came out, he made no further gestures.

- See! It's useless. Previously there were only those in the door, but since the last time we escaped they are inside now. Mother was furious and gave them new orders.

- From what I hear today she is more angry than usual. Something is happening, there was much movement and they did not let me came in. I had to use the special passage.

Suddenly they watched as guards stiffen. They felt the proximity of their mistress. Heard some angry words and the door opened violently revealing Hild, Urd's mother, accompanied by an important looking demon.

- Shaikh Aman-Reng, your title does not mean I should accept your insolence. The others Shaikh agree with me. We already have seen the results of a direct war. My plan will prevent more dying. We are not so many, and we have few children. If too many dies, we will be extinguished.

- That is why we must subjugate the gods quickly. Just now some brave have risked their lives, and two of the most powerful gods are now dead. This is our best chance.

The impassive face of the Daimakaichō was altered with a fierce expression full of pain.

- Those rebels disobeyed orders. They will be captured and punished; I'll take care of them personally. If they survive, they will never again disobey me.

- But...Hild-Sama! They are considered heroes! If you do it, attacks against you and "her" will increase - The demon looked at Urd with a disdainful attitude. - How many more guards you will sacrifice protecting her?

Angry sparks began to grow between Hild's fingers, buzzing furiously.

- She is the future Daimakaichō. Her life is more valuable than those guards. Now get out of here, this is my private place. I have to talk to her.

The man looked down on the girl.

- Someone who is half god will not be accepted as Daimakaichō.

- Measure your words. They will accept anyone with enough power. She is my daughter and she would grow more powerful than me. Remember, someday you'll have to answer to her.

The man could not avoid showing a momentary expression of anger, which quickly changed to a submissive attitude.

- My Daimakaichō, I just want to be a humble adviser and show you the truth.

Hild look straight to the demons eyes, who looked away to not being able deal with those fiery eyes.

- I know you Aman-Reng. I know your aspirations. I know you are powerful. The most powerful of all Shaikh But you will not occupy my place. You would lead our people to extinction. I would not allow it no matter what I have to do. Now go, I may forget your title and treat you like any lesser demon.

Aman-Reng took a deep breath, trying to control his anger, he seemed about to say something, but finally made a pusillanimous bow at Hild, and retired.

Hild looked as he went away and then went to meet her daughter with all the majesty of her position. In human terms, the beauty and sensuality of her body were overwhelming, but there was much more. She exuded authority and power. Her dress was full of knots and locks that allowed her to keep her power under control, the large number of these denoted a power that almost nobody in this world would dare to challenge.

Her face now seemed serene, yet her eyes were penetrating and inhumane, they felt like a high-power laser. No one dared to face that look, a few seconds were enough to make anyone feels they wanted to cover up and hide. There was only one person in this world able to support her eyes.

- Mother! - Urd automatically adopted an attitude trying to imitate her mother, and looked directly and without hesitation into her eyes. - Why we were interrupted? We're playing!

Hild did not change the expression of her haughty face, however there was a hint of a smile at that little one who dared to do what no one in this world. She could be a worthy successor... If she survived enough. Already ten of her private guards had died protecting her from the rebel's attacks. How long she could go?

- You must be ready to go. You have to go to heaven. You'll meet your sisters.

- I hardly know them, why would I want to be with them? I want to see my father. He had not come recently.

Hild looked at the girl, her face was obscured, as if she tried hiding pain, then without any attempt to lessen the news, she told the girl:

- Your father is dead. He died along with "her".

And then waited to see the reaction of the girl. She became slightly pale, but did not change her knew her mother would not tolerate sentimentality.

- No! I do not believe you. He is a mighty god. You told me, you would not have accepted someone weak. You're lying to try me.

- Yes, you are right. He was powerful, but he had a weak spot. He attempted to protect ... "HER" - The emphasis on the last word was said with a coldness that would have frozen the mythical underworld of mortals. - Despite my efforts, the truce is broken, and he died, killed by a lesser and unworthy demon. War can come back and I ... I have also a weakness that needs to be corrected. The gods are not our only enemies. Do you understand it?

- I do not understand. What is this weakness of you? I am strong, I want to fight with you and eliminate your weakness.

For a split second, there was a glow of pride in those terrible eyes. But she could not afford to lose time.

- You will leave this place. You are my weak point. Everything is ready. You'll go to Heaven.

This time the child could not help but react.

- No! please mom! I do not want to get away from you. Why do you send me away? I am not weak, and I can get stronger.

- I already made my decision. Heaven would consider having my daughter as a guarantee to avoid war, and you will be protected with all their might. Here I cannot.

The girl was incredulous and deeply angered. She could not understand what was happening and shouted:

- That is why you send me? You're going to buy peace with me? So you already said you'd do anything?

- Do not argue with me! I'll let you alone a few moments. Prepare what you have to take, you cannot return until is safe.

The girl screamed at her full of fury. Raised her arms and shouted a furious spell, then used all her power to send a bolt to her mother. But Hild did not even seem to notice; after all she had power to destroy a solar system with a gesture. That show of power was nothing for her. But the words of the girl had been much more powerful, after all there was a mother behind that impassive face.

- Urd come closer! I have to give you something. - The girl was furious and refused, so Hild turned to use her voice of command. It had power that no one could resist - That's an order! Come closer!

Then she took a jewel from one of her earrings, and for only once in her life, her voice had a glimmer of tenderness.

- Take this crystal, one day you may need it to return. This is your key. It can only be used once and only a by a demon. So it will be useless to gods.

He took the girl's hand and gently placed the crystal on her hand. And then leaned a bit closer of her daughter and whispered something in her ear.

- And you have to do something. You must protect your sisters. You're too young, but this would be a contract between you and me.

- I do not want to do it, I do not know them.

- It´s an order... No! wait...

Hild bent down until her eyes were at level with the girl. She trembled; she could not remember ever being so close to her mother's face. And this woman used to order and be obeyed, did something unexpected. She begged.

- Will you do for me? It´s a promise I made, and I need to transfer it to you. Urd was left speechless, she knew this was a very and unusual special request. She hesitated, but finally said:

- Yes, Mother, I will do it.

- Now listen to me. I know there is a chance the gods will put you against me - The girl made a gesture of anger at the suggestion. - So we will make a very special deal between us.

With both hands she took the girl from her waist and lifted her like a doll despite her protests. Then began a chant containing complex magic instructions. Those took visible shape, before penetrating the girl's body. Finally returned the girl to the floor and said:

- With this spell, the next time we meet and you call me "mother" any alliance or feelings that you acquire to the gods will be erased. This is my protection. I will not risk losing my successor. Now you must go.

The girl was furious at what had done to her by her mother. To cast a spell upon her! And worst, it was loyalty spell as she did with her stupid guards. She was the daughter of the great Daimakaichō. That was unbearable. .

- And what if I never say "mother" again?

Hild could not help but smile at her rebellious attitude, she had been like that, but she could not afford to spend more time.

- You will do it when the time comes. Everything is ready. Soon a special escort will come to protect you. I will not be able to see you again for a long time.

Hild straightened and returned to her haughty attitude.

Meanwhile Marler had remained perfectly still, frozen by fear of this powerful being, the most formidable and fearful of their world. But she could not help making a noise, which reminded Hild of her presence.

- Ah! Marler!, come with me, I have plans for you.

Hild retired, without even turning to see if the girl obeys her. Her orders were always carried out; she did not need to make sure the girl followed. Marler barely had enough time to make a gesture of farewell to Urd, and ran behind the great Daimakaichō

Urd was left alone in his room. Despite being surrounded by guards, she felt all alone. All her attachments to this world were broken now. Nevertheless, she did not cry. Hild had taught her well. She just shut the hand pressing hard the small crystal, they key to return here. She felt betrayed by being expelled from there. Then formed a resolution. She would never use the crystal, never would call her "mother." That would prove to her mother she did not need her.

Hours later, the girl was faced with two small, frightened goddesses. Only then she was aware that her father, one of the most powerful gods had really died. She had never been much with him, but his brief visits had been a flash in her dark world. And now those two terrified girls, her sisters, were there, helpless and alone as herself and she acknowledged that they shared something. So the took a decision. She would protect them. But not because of Hild's orders, but because the memory of her father and because of herself. Nothing would take them apart.

Then Urd awoke from these memories, and floated to the crystal. She felt the reborn of the animosity towards it and her mother. She had been forced her to leave as a hostage in a power play. Then took the crystal and felt its demon emanations. No god would dare to touch it. But she was, after all, the daughter of the Daimakaichō. That power was not concerned for her.

At the touch of it, she remembered the whisper of Hild -"You must protect your sisters" -

-Protect? - Protect from what? The only possible threat to them could only come from her and her people.

Would it have to do with the threats predicted by Belldandy? Hell and Heaven, had remained bitter enemies yet forced to a truce, but ultimately that was better than the terrible war that had been about to destroy the multiverses. But few demons seemed to share Hild goals, and preferred the returning of an open war.

Hild maybe feared a rebellion. Urd did not try to think more. It hurt her to think of his mother. Then she felt the crystal was pulsing. She had vowed never to use ... but she had to accept that might need it´s help.

As a girl she had been unable to curb the power of the crystal, but now she was an adult goddess. She took the crystal in her hands, and started a magical chant to seal its power so no god could perceive it. It took just a few minutes. She was proud, since she had created that particular spell.

Urd smiled, as least, she would be able to teach her mother one or two tricks. Then took the sealed crystal and placed it on her earrings. Finally gave a last look to the objects in the room, to keep their memories. Suddenly she heard a noise behind her. She had been so focused with the spell that has neglected to close the entrance.

She Turned to see the source of the noise and exclaimed:

- Lind!

End of Chapter XI- rev2