I am sorry it took so much time to finish.
This chapter is rather long, but I just could not stop writing.
I hope that reading it would be as exciting as it was to write it.
So please share your thoughts.
Javier Delgado
The order of the Mortal Knights
By Javier Delgado
Fan fiction, inspired by "Oh My Goddess" by Kosuke Fujishima.
Chapter XIV
The battle of the Tarikihongan temple
Segi mjök Sundrbornar Norns ek vera, Thaer ætt Eiguer saman-t;
eru áskunngar add, add alfkunngar, Thad Meyjes koma
Theimer RÓ vitandi marg þrjár sae, und er þolli stendr;
Urd Hétu eina, Adra Verdandi þriðju Skuld ina;
Thaer lög lögðu Thaer alda Bornum lif kuru, ørlög seggja
Those words echoed in Keiichi´s mind. The access to Yggdrasil had overwhelmed him with information but those simple verses recited by Urd in an ancient language were the key he had needed to understand. Thanks to his brain altered by the predictive defense program, he could understand clearly the word:
- Of many births the Norns must be, nor one in race they were;
some to gods, others to demons are kin.
Thence come the maidens mighty in wisdom,
three from the dwelling down 'neath the tree;
Urth is one named, Verthandi the next and Skuld the third.
On the Yggdrasil, three laws will make,
and life allotted to gods, men and demons.
Keiichi looked to the delicate girl whose head was leaning on his shoulder. Belldandy, a goddess among goddesses, procreated with the purpose of ruling the fate of the gods, and who would be the future Kami-sama. Her sister Urd, procreated to be the future Daimakaichō and rule over Hell, and finally Skuld, procreated so one day she would be the ruler of human destiny. They were the Norns, intended to be the most powerful beings in the multiverses.
The previous day had been a day full of revelations. Nevertheless, the explanations given by Urd and Belldandy had only fueled his sensation that there was still much to understand. He understood that Urd had parted ways from her mother and maybe never would be the Daimakaichō, but also seemed Belldandy rejected her future.
In addition, the preparations against a potential threat and witness the power of the goddess, reminded him how fragile life is.
Today he had been thinking about the implications. Belldandy seemed to sense his concerns, but she also had been silent. Keiichi after living four years with her, sensed something was wrong but did not want to push her, he trusted her and decided wait.
Keiichi and Belldandy were now sitting in the temple´s garden, Belldandy had told him there would be a beautiful sunset, and she wanted to share it. That was an experience Belldandy had taught him to enjoy, but he understood this time that was not the real purpose. Belldandy wanted to be alone with him.
Words were unnecessary, all they needed was to feel their mutual presence and share it along the rhythms of nature. Keiichi had learned to perceive the delicate yet powerful magic of Belldandy, while she enjoyed being surrounded his beautiful aura, they complemented each other.
Nevertheless, Keiichi´s thoughts were running in all directions. He continued hearing those words and all that entailed. Belldandy was the Norn, the powerful goddess, but more important, she was the one he loved. What he could do for her? Could he help her to find her way to the future? He was only a mortal. But then maybe it was his own mortality, his own life, the most important thing he could offer. If he needed to give her his life, he would do it.
Moreover, he wondered, what would be the destiny of his goddess? The three sisters were born with a purpose. However, it seemed something had gone wrong. Their father had died too soon. He had dreamed to end the conflict between gods and demons, but his unexpected death had prevented him to make sure that happened. Urd had left Hell, Belldandy struggled against her given purpose, and Skuld seemed to lack the great magical powers of her sisters. In addition, there was opposition in both universes. Opposition that seemed could reach deathly proportions.
Keiichi was shocked by the though and hugged Belldandy. She seemed surprised, but embraced him as if guessing his thoughts.
- Keiichi-san, please do not let anguish to flood your hearth. The problems of demons and gods are not yours.
- Belldandy, I care about you and about the matters that affect you. If the gods and demons want to go to war, let them 'coz I'll always protect you. I know compared to you, I am just a weak mortal, but something tells me I can make a difference. For long, I have been thinking about this. You are an immortal, my life is insignificant compared to what you have lived and when I die, you will continue to exist for an eternity.
Belldandy shuddered at these words; she knew what Keiichi meant to say.
-Keiichi-san, please do not think about death. You must think about life. You always will live in my heart.
Keiichi leaned to rest his head on Belldandy. He knew something had changed. In the past whenever he had tried to approach her, he had felt, no rejection, but something more subtle, it was as if she feared contact. Now it was different, this time he felt Belldandy longed that contact. They were so close, he felt the warmth of her body, and then he took her hand again and felt Belldandy responding to the contact. He held her hand tighter but Belldandy avoided his gaze.
-I know someday I will die, but I am not sad about it, since you give a meaning to my life. It does no matter if I live to be old or die next week. My life is yours.
Belldandy sighed deeply and kept her face away to avoid Keiichi. She did not want him to see her eyes as they filled with tears. She felt fear at Keiichi´s words and yet they filled with the greatest happiness. She Breathe slowly to try to prevent her voice failed.
-Please Keiichi-san. Say no more. Let us share the moment, the sun goes down, and we know it will come back, yet this moment will not be repeated.
-Will not be repeated?
Keiichi thought about the meaning, he dropped Belldandy´s hand, then gently took her face and forced her to face him. At the sight of her eyes filled with tears, his heart sank. He knew that for some reason, he was the cause of those tears. The emotion overflowed him, and then he knew there was only one way to stop those tears. It was something he never dared to do. Mastering anxiety, he slowly got neared Belldandy´s face. Belldandy shuddered as she realized his intentions.
- Keiichi-san, please don't, you do not know what will happen after that.
For a moment, Belldandy remembered her nightmares, but the sound of Keiichi´s breath so near to her dissolved them.
- Belldandy, I love you. I know you already know that, but for me always have been hard to say. No matter what happens tomorrow, you told me this moment would not be repeated. My life is very short compared to yours, but at least I hope it will be a bright and beautiful spark, even if it lasts so little.
Keiichi was closer to Belldandy, He now could feel her breath, and knew that despite the words of the goddess, she also wanted this.
She closed her eyes, and there was no going back, but did not dare to approach, so she eagerly waited for Keiichi. Slowly, their lips meet and for them the world disappeared.
Meanwhile, the sky was now full of stars completely indifferent to the scene they lit. Around the world millions of couples sheltered by night, shared the gesture, but only the simple act of this special couple could change the destiny of the stars.
The place was full of large and complex equipment, however, was it was relatively lonely. Many studies were done on an automated mode, so it could be done without human supervision, but in front of one of most complex equipment, there was a lonely girl.
Jenny Rosenthal could not stop expressing her anger in words that seemed not very appropriate for this place. She was sure to be just wasting time, but her postgraduate supervisor had placed great emphasis on this particular study and Professor Yoichiro Nambu was not an easy person to ignore.
Three times, she had done the study and three times had obtained impossible results.
- Damn! - She shouted again, when the computer display presented a new series of data.
She had asked already Professor Nabu to stop this nonsense, but he had insisted her to continue, since he considered she was her brightest student and the best operator for the "Circle Huber diffractometer for synchrotron radiation", the most complex equipment in the section of "Advanced Photon Source" at the Argonne National Laboratory.
With despair, she examined the graph again. - This is impossible! – she screamed with rage.
The result was meaningless; it was against everything she knew about quantum physics. Maybe the equipment was faulty, but she had already run a diagnosis.
She was Professor Nambu brightest student, but for a moment wondered if he would have something against women. What reasons could he have to force her do this farfetched test?
It had been innocent enough, Professor Nabu just asked her to verify the alleged properties of a crystal. However, the ridiculous letter she had received along the sample, invoked special properties beyond logic and it was from a person who was not even physics. She smirked at the thought of the e-mail sent to the author in response. She expected to have cut him into very small pieces.
Finally, she tried to calm down, and then decided to compare this result with the previous ones. Maybe then, she could find the source of error.
She opened her data files, then compared the results and suddenly just froze.
She had four tests and all had exactly the same results within the range of experimental error. Such a coincidence was almost a statistical impossibility. Now she wondered, maybe the result was not so outlandish. She closed her eyes, and made some mental calculations. Then her heart began to accelerate and swallow hard.
The equipment had scanned the structural properties of the samples with an accuracy of microns. She had also used X-ray spectroscopy and fluorescence. In addition, the entire test matched.
Her pulse quickened, again she review the results to make sure she was not missing something important. Then she closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and yelled a resounding:
- Yahoooo!
It was a cry appropriate for a teenager at a concert, not for a physics graduate student in a sophisticate laboratory, but she did not care. This was extraordinary, she had to confirm it again, but her doubts had vanished. Now she knew there was something special here and as soon as she wrote the report...
Suddenly froze and screamed in horror
- The E-mail!
She swallowed, a young woman in the competitive and essentially male world of physics, is not someone who is accustomed to apologize, but she would have to. With slightly trembling hands, she sat in front of her laptop and began writing an email.
It was a difficult moment; she was just discovering the difficult art of apologizing, without coming to accept that she was wrong. After several failed attempts, finally she was satisfied with her literary efforts and sent the mail.
After this unpleasant moment, she began to develop a work plan. She read with contempt the description of the procedure used to obtain the sample. The she thought to herself:
- Those chemists, they believe they know everything; I needed much more material than this.
Then looked around and smiled. She could use diffraction Resonance techniques to duplicate the crystalline structure, and since an experiment had been canceled, the equipment was available. Soon she would have all the necessary material and her mind began to imagine hundreds of possibilities to explore.
Suddenly the world seemed so be a better place. She was just 23 years, and this would lead her to the big leagues. Then a thought made her laugh aloud. When receiving the Nobel, her name Rosenthal would be called before Shugahara.
It was a small hotel room, one of those gaudy rooms, which are still found in many European cities.
At a small table, Dr. Shugahara was checking his emails, but he did not look like the sober doctor. Sitting in the room´s bed, Professor Sripathi was watching him with some concern. He knew, despite his tenacity, it was obvious tension was making a dent on the man. He knew the weight of responsibility that he had imposed on himself. As new discoveries were made almost every day along the world, the responsibility increased.
Like a chain reaction, one discovery had led to another, and then even more. Nevertheless, even more surprisingly, he had moved people and organizations around the world. In less peaceful times, he would have been a great general.
However, there was something more important that a simple war. The nature of what they were uncovering could be disastrous. From what he had told him, it was a source of power beyond measure. In addition, there was the lack of news on the whereabouts of Urd, who probably was the only one who could understand that power.
Suddenly Dr. Shugahara began to laugh. However, it was not his usual and gentle laugh that revealed his sense of humor, it was a laugh that has and hysterical overtone, as if he were about to lose control.
Professor Sripathi got up a little alarmed. He approached him from behind, but suddenly stopped. Reflected on the computer screen could see then man´s face streaked with tears. He didn´t knew what to do, He knew for Japanese to show his tears was very difficult affair and he did not wanted to bother him. However, he needed to help him; he knew Dr. Shugahara was not the kind of man used to share his burden.
He finally decided to act. He put his hand on the man shoulder, and focused his sight on the computer screen to avoid looking directly to his face, then tried to start a conversation to distract him.
-Looks like you got good news, or at least something unusual.
Dr. Shugahara was startled at the touch of his hand, and suddenly became aware that his laughter was not natural. He tensed his body and tried to regain control. Now he felt so embarrassed and cut his laugh in an unnatural way. Took a deep breath, and without turning to look at the professor, since he did not show his tears, commented:
- I want to apologize. I have driven you by half world on this crazy scheme of mine, I really never asked your opinion, and today I am not sure what would happen next.
- Please Dr. Shugahara, I would have not missed this for anything in the world. First, you gave me a mission I never dreamed of, to help you to protect a Devi. Now we are on a journey that will change everything we know of human history. I am who must thank you for this opportunity.
- Then you approve what we are doing? You were very frightened when we got the first crystal.
- Yes, I was afraid, the unknown always scare us, but then you explained me the crystal origin. In a way, the truth is much terrible, but is no longer something unknown. Then I thought, the people Mai-m-min, was about to disappear, you save them and brought relief to their lives. If they had disappeared, outsiders would have discovered the Hild´s tears. I do not dare to think what might have happened. You explained me how it can bring madness and unlimited power to human beings.
Dr. Shugahara sighted. Closed his eyes pondering the words of the professor. Slowly opened his eyes, but still fixed hi gaze on the screen and said:
- Yes, those crystals are dangerous. Somehow, humankind knew. Each one of the civilizations that had contact with them and suffered the ravages of their power, hide them as best they could. A group of faithful protected one crystal for millennia, other was in a cave hidden in a volcano, another in a pre-Hispanic pyramid, and there was other on under a block of granite over a thousand tons. There were one hid in a maze in hidden passageways in an Egyptian pyramid. I have begun to wonder if is not unwise to take them back to light.
- That is what has been worrying you? Do you realize that probably you are the first human to resist the power of the crystal? However, think about this. Eventually they would have been discovered. The curiosity of humankind has grown, and our technology as well. The passages of the pyramid of Meidum were discovered 10 years ago using optical fibers. Someday someone would get inside. They just were waiting to organize a proper expedition. The Mai-m-min people were on the verge of extinction. That cave in Mexico was about to be explored. I have concluded that we are actually avoiding a catastrophe. You were exposed to the power of the glass and did not succumb; I believe in destiny, I think you are the one that should take care of them. The power of your Devi can protect you. You told me that Urd, somehow is related to the crystals.
- I am no sure to be the right people, I was about to succumb to their power, had it not been for the memory of Urd. Yes, in a way she protected me. However, it is true; at least we understand why the glass is capable of driving men to madness. No human being has been able to pay the price to use that power. My anxiety is not whether these crystals are the solution. I will never dare to use them, but now I wonder if Urd can help me; we must take them out of the hands of humanity. I realized they are not the solution I was searching.
- So you feel you are back to square one.
- Yes, I think a lot about Urd. I do not know where she is, Belldandy assures me they have taken defensive measures, but I cannot help but be concerned. After reading Urd manuscript, I think i have an idea of how powerful the gods are, but also what are they weakness. In addition, one of their greater weaknesses is to stay on earth.
- How is that?
- There was a war, and they almost destroyed earth. For some reason, earth is very important for gods and demons so they agree on a system to avoid causing too much damage. They have to use power limiters to be able to stay on earth. Therefore, they are weaker on earth.
Professor Sripathi felt how he began to tense again, so decided to try to change the subject and distract him.
- You haven told my about the email you received, what is?
Dr. Shugahara. began to laugh again, but this time it was different, the previous talk had relived him, at least to allow his sense of humor to come back.
- Oh, is from a young and arrogant physics student...
The professor interrupted.
- Young, arrogant, and physics student? I always thought those three words were synonymous. Physicists are always reminding us from the "soft" sciences that only they have the keys to secrets of the universe.
Shugahara relaxed with these words and began to laugh. However, this time it was his usual laugh.
- True, but I also recognize that sometimes they are right. Do you remember what I told you about the special compound extracted from the Urth´s flower?
- I remembered you were excited about this compound, but I cannot understand its implications, that talk of higher dimensions sounds to me like modern magic.
- It is also out of my area, so I asked Dr. Yoichiro Nambu, from the physics department to take a look at it to study its properties. He was no easy to convince, but eventually he assigned the job to his best student. When this girl read my notes about the properties of the compound and found I am just an ordinary botanist, she wrote me a beautiful letter saying I was completely nuts.
- And that is what you found funny?
- I think that at her age I was just as arrogant. - He smiled, and began to relax - well, she made some experiments and seems she had to change her mind. This mail is her attempt to apologize, and then to pretend nothing happened. She also reminds about young Urth, she is so passionate about what she does. I really cannot take any offense from her. She even put a name to the compound. Despite her arrogance, she has a sense of humor.
- Because of the name she chose?
- Now, its official name is "dilithium crystal"...
- That name sound familiar - The professor thought for a moment, trying to remember where he had heard that before - Yes! I remember it. It is from an old science fiction series.
Both men began to laugh, partly because of the joke, but also because they realized they understood each other. Then Professor Sripathi was silent for a moment while he meditated and said:
- Dr. Shugahara, I think it is time you to return with Urd and her sisters. I have a bad feeling.
- But there is still much to do, I cannot leave now.
-Nonsense. I can handle it. We have developed the protocol to take care of Hild´s tears. We now they are dangerous, and since we have explained to archaeologist they have a kind of dangerous radiation, everyone seems to be happy we are taking care of them. After all, almost everywhere they are to be found there are dark legends about them. By now, there are only a few other places to explore, so i think you can leave. In addition, I have good news for you. The Somasindhu transfer has been approved. He will have to wait to then next semester at the Tokyo University, so I will ask him to help me. He is one of the few who can really understand what we are doing and he would do anything to help us.
Dr. Shugahara finally turned to see Professor Sripathi, his eyes were moistened again, but this time he was not ashamed to show it. He found difficult to accept he could inspire so much confidence in other people, yet the evidence was here. He got up and grateful, made an elegant bow and simply said:
- Thank you.
Walharen, third class demon, finally arrived at the central palace and stood before the vizier in charge of keeping the curious and petitioners outside from Hild´s view. Only the most insistent could reach her, but unfortunately for Walharen, his position in Nidhogg gave him some privileges.
A row of petitioners looked at him with hatred when access was granted immediately despite his low rank as third class, they did not knew he would have gladly given away that honor.
A guard escorted him to the room where the council meets and Hild used as office, but there was an unusual agitation in the air. Then, to his surprise, the guard did not let him stay in the room, instead took him to an anteroom. After interrogating the guard, he learned that perhaps there would be a council meeting. Walharen was surprised; there had been none in a long time. Hild seemed to dislike them.
Finally, the guard pointed to a seat and simply said - Wait here. - And left the place leaving it locked.
Walharen was relieved; his encounter with Hild seemed had been postponed. Unlike humans, gods and demons do not need to eat or drink, so he could wait all the time in the world. He sat and waited patiently.
The boy looked astonished at Skuld manipulations. Since they met, he had known she was special, not only he has seen displays of magical power, but also had seen the beautiful creature she called angel. However, he had never questioned or asked for explanations. For him it was enough to know that she was simply Skuld.
However, a couple of days ago, Keiichi, Skuld and her sisters had received him with a serious attitude. He had felt very nervous about being the center of their attention, but that was only the beginning of something much more special.
He still did not fully understand everything they had told him, but two things were clear. The three sisters were goddesses and a serious threat was hanging over the place. Everyone who was close to the goddesses would be in danger, and they had asked him to stay away from Skuld.
He had refused, if Skuld was in danger he did not want to get away like a coward. Fortunately, Keiichi had intervened. Keiichi was a mortal like himself and he thought he could help them. Despite the protests of the goddesses, they had finally decided that Sentaro-Kun could be of help and so he should learn about the temple defenses.
Now he was with Skuld, she was explaining to him the handling of various weapons, defenses and mechanisms that her mechanical genius had conceived. The girl had in her hand what appeared to be a crazy mix of toys and garbage yet, but Sentarō had seen it worked.
- ... And remember, the detonator should not be activated until shortly before firing...
Skuld stopped irritated because Sentarō was not reacting to her words.
- Sentarō, listens to me! Pay attention, this is important.
Skuld then stopped talking when she saw his wondering eyes and realized she was the cause of Sentarō distraction. She could not avoid blushing. Then the boy reacted nervously at being caught.
- Skuld, I´m sorry, but still seems incredible, you are a goddess! You are amazing! - Skuld felt uneasy, since she was only a second-class goddess
- Maybe I should have talk about this before, but I was not sure. I want to thank you; I think you are very brave.
- Skuld I would do anything for you, and I...
They looked at each other, but nervously turned the other way, there were words that were very difficult to say. Skuld had been moved when Sentarō had gone against her sisters, in order to stay with her. Anyone who dare to confront Urd, had to be considered brave. For a few moments they did not know what to say, so Sentarō tried to change the subject:
- Your sisters think we will be attacked by demons. Is there a war?
Skuld meditate for a moment, and replied in a serious tone that Sentarō had never heard.
- It is not exactly a war. Between gods and demons, there is an agreement. We will always be rivals, but it is not allowed to kill. There is a system to prevent it. There have always been struggles and rivalries. However, something happened. A goddess has been killed and we do not understand why. Seems there are demons who want to end up with the agreement. It is not a war, but a revolt.
- And is it true that the queen of demons is the Urd´s mother? - Asked Sentarō with shyness, he though Urd was very beautiful to be half demon. - Urd does not seem to be a bad person...
- She is not a Queen, is the Daimakaichō, the great demon leader. She is a terrible person, but I would not call her bad, at least as the humans understand it, the difference between gods and demons is much more complicated.
The boy scratched his head, it was easier to divide the world into good and bad, if the leader of the demons was not exactly bad, then what was it?
- But that does not matter, what matters is that our presence here on earth, irritates demons so they constantly try to expel us from here. Like Marler.
- Who is Marler? Is she bad? Does she hate you?
Skuld could not help laughing; Sentarō was trying to understand the world in a simple way.
- Urd and Marler have been friends since their childhood.
- What! Then why she attacks you?
- Because it is her duty as a demon.
- And then she is the one that is going to attack?
- No, Marler is dangerous, but she only seeks to expel us from the earth. However, seems there is a rebellion, in the past demons had tried to kill Urd and to overthrow her mother. This is something that I did not know. -Skuld then commented- It seems there is a lot about Urd I don´t know.
- All this is very complicated. Is it true that Urd flies on a broomstick? Do you fly on a broomstick, how is heaven? Would you teach me to fly?...
The child produced a barrage of questions, which Skuld was not fast enough to answer. Finally, she covered his mouth with her hand.
- Not so fast, you have so many questions! I am Goddess, not an information system.-
Sentarō stared to her with a contrite air, so Skuld began to laugh, then smiled to him and both began to laugh.
Skuld suddenly stopped, as if she had heard something. Sentarō gave her a puzzled look, he had not heard anything. Skuld ran to the main room followed by the boy, there she found her sisters and Keiichi.
- Belldandy, Did you feel it?
- Yes, something very powerful thing is not the way, the alarms worked. I think it would arrive at the rear of the temple and it´s more than one. Keiichi-san, Sentarō, please remember, both of you, try to stay within the boundaries of the house. The barrier I put will keep you safe. If you have to do something outside, get inside as soon as possible.
- Belldandy, you must also promise me to be careful.
Keiichi and Belldandy hold hands together and meet their eyes. Keiichi was able to see something different. Betraying the sweetness of her face, there was fire in her eyes. She was willing to do anything in order to protect Keiichi. She spoke with determination on her voice.
- Keiichi-san, I promise you, I will, but only if you stay safe.
Then from her handbag, she produced several discs of polished metal. They were small and filled with runes that emitted a soft glow. Even Keiichi could perceive they emanate powerful magic she offered them to Keiichi, who took them with some reverence. He knew a mortal had never been entrusted with something like this, and then put them in his pockets. Belldandy bowed to apologize
- Because of me, you have suffered things no other mortal had to endure, and now I am giving you more responsibilities.
- Belldandy, you know it is an honor to do all this for you. The goddess just nodded shyly and continued giving instructions
- Skuld, you should also try to stay inside. As a goddess, you can hold better and attack, but your magic is not strong enough to endure.
Skuld answered in a defiant tone.
- I have my mechanisms to protect me.
- Skuld, I know, and I count on them. Whoever expects comes, he will expect magic, not technology, and your mechanisms will give us an important advantage. - Skuld looked astonished at Belldandy for this unexpected recognition of her skills. - But remember, you must wait until the last minute to use them.
Meanwhile Urd had been observing from the other side of the room. Then she approached Belldandy and took her hands. Belldandy asked
- Urd, are you ready?
- Ready, also I have some surprises. - Urd laughed in a way that Keiichi felt his blood run cold, for a moment recalled the Hild´s laughter - Demons, like gods, do not take seriously my potions, since today they will.
Urd's eyes gleamed with a savage determination. The safety of her sisters was above everything.
-Keiichi, do you have the potions ready?
Keiichi nodded, he had a small metallic case with some curative potion: some for mortals, and some for gods.
Belldandy then went to the entrance, and approached Sentarō´s bicycle and Keiichi´s motorcycle. She leaned over them and touched them. She felt how those machines were filled by their owners care and love. She bowed to them. She could feel their kami. She called them, and pleaded.
- The lives of two people I loved may depend on you, I ask you to give your best effort.
Keiichi could not see anything, but he knew Belldandy could communicate even with inanimate things. Yet he felt a wave of feeling emanating from them. It was not the first time Belldandy invoked the spirit of a machine. Then Belldandy stood up and exclaimed:
- We are ready. We will welcome our visitors as goddesses.
Belldandy raised her arms and a light surrounded the three sisters. Her dresses were dissolved to be replaced by a dress Keiichi rarely had seen. It was their combat uniform.
The group then went to receive their visitors. They arrived in time, as they could see many portals opened at the same time. The violence of their appearance was testament to the power of the visitors. A shock came out of each portal destroying anything beneath them. The beautiful garden of the temple was being torn apart. The noise was terrible, and soon they could see the figures coming out of the portals.
Keiichi's heart shocked with terror at the sight. He hoped to see a couple of enemies, but instead it seemed to be a complete army of demons. A dozen of them wore uniforms, and behind them, there were others with strange ornaments that spoke of his high rank.
The high rank demons floated in the air. The guards fell to the ground and began to form. Keiichi impressed, commented:
- There are too many of them, who are they?
Urd spoke, there was tension in her voice, she knew enough of Hell and was able to recognize them.
-I never expected a threat at this level. They are Demons of very high rank. Those in front are guards, third class demons. We will have no problems with them despite their numbers, their weapons are designed to immobilize gods, but do not work well against mortals. In the wars, they´re task was to take prisoners and humiliate the fallen. But those in the back. They are tribunes and Shaikh. This seems to be a real rebellion against Hild.
- What are the Shaikh?
- The Shaikh is the next level after the Daimakaichō. The next Daimakaichō should come from their ranks. The tribunes have a lower rank.
- That sounds very bad.
- A Tribune is more powerful than a first class goddess. Only a Valkyrie would dare to face one of them.
- Then, the Shaikh…
- Do not think about it, you would not like to know. Just think of this. Even a Shaikh can be sealed. It is not the size of the body that counts; it's the size of the heart.
Keiichi looked at Urd; she just nodded to confirm his suspicions, and replied:
- Thanks Urd. I will remember it.
Keiichi gulped, he was afraid, but no matter, He took Belldandy´s hand, and at the touch decided to face any danger, no matter his fear. Belldandy trusted him and he would not disappoint her.
They waited for all their visitors to appear, and then Belldandy floated in the air followed by Urd. She headed to the one that appeared to be the most important, ignoring everyone else. She spoke without fear and with a cheerful and friendly tone, as greeting a group of tourists.
- Welcome, we were expecting you. If you come in peace, you will receive our hospitality.
For a moment, the demon let his surprise to be shown at this reception. He had expected to inspire surprise and fear, and here was this goddess, who seemed on the verge of offering him some tea as if he were just a late guest. Immediately brought to mind conspiracies and betrayals, but his course of action was already decided. He confronted the young goddess.
- In peace? There can be no peace between gods and demons.
He looked at Urd with a profound expression of contempt.
- Let alone with abominations like that.
Urd felt her blood boil, and had to make a great effort to restrain. She recalled Lind's words about thinking before acting. To face with a threat of this level, she could not risk a false step or that would be the end. She managed to restrain her anger and just answered.
- I remember you, Shaikh Anang-Reng. - She managed to put so much contempt on her words, Hild would have been proud. - You always have been so subservient to my mother. However, I did not imagine you were such a coward. You come with an army to defend against two goddesses?
Her words seemed to hit the target. Reng Anang shook with rage. Urd wondered if it was the right thing to provoke him. Nevertheless, she knew they would never survive an organized attack.
- Defend from you? You are nothing, you and you´re sisters are here just because Hild incompetence and her more incompetent assistant. We will teach Hild how things should be done. Guards get them.
Four guards floated toward the goddesses. They yield their weapons and something that looked like nets. Urd remembered them, among the demons, being caught in a net was a symbol of shame. Anang-Reng planned to display them as trophies.
She to see Belldandy and her smile, so far everything was fine. Then Belldandy smiled at Anang-Reng. Her jovial and serene expression impressed the demon, who had hoped cause fear. Then the goddess performed a gentle bow and then without ever looking at the approaching guards, made what appeared an elegant dance movement, she raise her left arm, traced a magic symbol in the air and pointed toward the guards.
- Elements of the earth and air, listen to my orders!
The sky darkened slightly and before the guards appeared a tape that seemed made of translucent wisps of clouds. They seemed harmless, but their sound was not. From them emanate the angry sound of the wind.
One of the guards foolishly tried to touch one of the strands and immediately his arm seemed to be sucked. He just screamed in surprise. At the same moment, the other ribbons wrapped the other guards with the strength of a hurricane. That is what they really were. Belldandy was making a display of power and control by confining four powerful hurricanes in just a few inches of space.
The she released them and the wind crashed violently the guards against the floor. Suddenly, Keiichi leaved the safety of the temple; the guards were immobilized by the raging wind. He approached one of the guards and put a disc on his chest. The wind did not touched him.
The guard barely screamed when a flash of light engulfed him, trapping him and then leaving it sealed in the disk interior. Soon four guards were sealed on the discs, and Keiichi quickly returned to the safety inside the temple. The other demons had been taken by surprise and could not react.
Anang Reng was stunned by this demonstration of control from the goddess. Belldandy smiled sweetly, as if she had not done any effort and said:
- I am the Belldandy, first class goddess and I declare you are not welcome. Your army has already suffered four casualties, but still we can avoid a major conflict.
The Shaikh's eyes narrowed with fury. She could be very powerful, but he and his allies were much more. So he shouted, pointing to two of the tribunes.
- Attack them. I do not mind the double system. Kill them if you need.
Then he pointed to the guards.
- You must go after the mortals, kill them.
Two of the tribunes separated from the group, Urd had been slightly away from Belldandy. Anang Reng, smiled, he thought she only wanted to get away from danger.
Belldandy she went to meet the tribunes, and then turned to see Anang-Reng, and gave him the most innocent of her smiles, and then she crossed her arms on her chest, and spread again with the elegance of a ballet movement. Immediately a strong and angry wind surrounds her. The wind grew spinning furiously and suddenly, just disappeared. The sudden decompression of air caused the condensation of moisture so a cloud appears and the goddess disappeared from view. The move came as a surprise to Shaikh.
-Why are you waiting? Attack her!- screamed Anang Reng
The two tribunes hesitated, then approached the cloud, but were no willing to enter; they had seen a demonstration of the goddess power. One of them cross his arms and invoked a curse. He throws a powerful beam of light into the cloud. The cloud expanded wrapping around them.
The other demon launched another beam, which dissipated the cloud. Belldandy had disappeared. Suddenly Reng Anang screamed a warning. Suddenly Belldandy and Urd appeared behind each of the tribunes, floating peacefully. Then, with the most delicate movement, they took a piece of paper, attached them to the tribunes on the exposed skin of their back, and floated away.
The demons were puzzled. What kind of attack was that? The goddesses were smiling to them. Suddenly one of the tribunes began to scream. His body was beginning to petrify, the other also began to scream, the other demons came to try to help them, but it was too late. They had completely transformed into rock and fell with a crash to the ground, where Keiichi was already waiting them to seal. The guards had been distracted with the cries from the tribunes, so Keiichi had an opportunity.
- What kind of magic is this? - Reng Anang exclaimed in amazement.
Urd floated toward the Shaikh, she was euphoric. She had never dreamed on beating a tribune, that was a remarkable achievement.
- Magic? - She laughed so naughty - It is just a bit of human technology mixed with magic. Something mortals call transdermal patch, useful when the victim does not want to drink a potion, instead it can go through the skin - She knew the scorn of demons upon the mortals. To suggest they had been defeated with the aid of human technology was humiliating. Then she dropped a piece of paper, and winked toward her sister.
Belldandy nodded, took her fingers upon her lips and blew gently. A soft wind took the paper toward Anang Reng.
- No! - He shouted, fleeing from the paper.
Urd laughed. The powerful Shaikh had fled form a piece of paper in front of his subordinates. It had been a great tactical trick, but they were still outnumbered. The situation was serious; she had to maintain the illusion of great power.
Then they heard screaming coming from the temple grounds. Several guards remembered their orders and had attempted to enter the temple. Urd smiled, the first trap had worked, and the containment field had done it´s work. The numerical advantage had diminished, but still they remained at a disadvantage. There were still three Shaikh, each one of them immeasurably more powerful than a first class goddess.
Belldandy turned to see Anang Reng, and with a quiet voice, told him:
- Shaikh Anang-Reng, it seems like you're running out of people. Still we can end this amicably.
All the demons turned to see Anang Reng; they had been told this would be simple.
Anang Reng, only gave a terrible cry and without warning and throw blinding beam of energy toward Belldandy. She barely had time to react, and put her physical barrier. That was the strongest defense from a goddess. Yet the impact was terrible. The Shaikh had shown that his power was almost at level with Hild; Belldandy knew she could not stand much more, but she knew she needed to resist.
At that time Urd was surrounded by the other two Shaikh. Urd decided to attack first, to get rid of them in order to help Belldandy. She remembered what had happened in the training camp, she could not risk to loss control. She invoked her powers. It was easier but needed to keep within her limits. Began to form a fiery incandescent sphere in front of her. The Shaikhs hesitated, a second-class goddess should not be able to generate such power, one of them recovered and began to invoke a counter spell, Urd recognized, it was a high-level spell, so decided to attack first, even if she was not ready.
At the ground level, Keiichi watched in horror as Anang-Reng attacked Belldandy, he could see the pain in her face, and he called Skuld.
- Skuld, Now, it's your turn. Sentarō, we have to distract the guards.
There we still had six guards, blocking the entrance. It was time for the boy to show his skills. He got on his bike, it was the model used for stunts, he pedaled furiously and went to a ramp that had been prepared, and he leap over the guards, some of then ran after the boy. Three guards were left behind, but Keiichi was ready, he had removed the Side Car of the motorcycle, he also knew how to do stunts.
- Skuld, are you ready? As we distracted them, you will have time to aim.
Keiichi turn on his motorcycle, which responded immediately, accelerated at full throttle, the front wheel was lifted like a spirited horse and set out to ram one of the guards.
This was something unknown to them, one of them ran and the other is move aside. Keiichi stopped and turned to check they were follow him, shouted and throw them on of the Skuld bombs, they were noisy artifacts. It angered them and ran after him. He smiled as Skuld prepared her machines and began to provoke the guards to distract them. Sentarō was doing the same.
Skuld left the temple with her android Bampei-kun. But he was unrecognizable. In his back there were several menacing tubes that look like missiles. The android moved outside the church, anchored his feet on the ground and under the orders of Skuld pointed at Anang-Reng, who continued his relentless attack against Belldandy.
Suddenly Anang-Reng was hit in the back and screamed. That was magic unknown to him. Due to his power Skuld missiles could hardly harm him, yet could cause him pain so he stopped his attack on Belldandy.
She was exhausted by the attack; her energies on earth were limited. She dissolved her shield and fall to the ground, but managed to stop her fall, just in time. She could not leave her sister alone with three Shaikh. She needed more energy she would have to break her limiters seals. So he began the complex spell that would remove them. While it was not the first time she had to do it, it was always a hard decision. It was strictly forbidden to remove and she could be banished from earth, but there were things at stake more important than a simple prohibition from heaven.
Meanwhile one of the demons that were attacking Urd was writhing in pain. His hands were blackened, apparently by Urd's attack, but he was far from being defeated, he was too powerful yet Urd had proven to be more than they expected.
On the ground, Skuld changed his target, and shot one Shaikh that as upon Urd. He cried in pain, but appeared to be more resilient to pain and reacted quickly. He turned to see his attacker and looked in disbelief at the girl down below, then reacted before the next attack from Banpei-Kun, he casted a spell to the earth and a column of rock rose creating a barrier to intercept other missiles.
Bampei-kun could not move, because it was anchored to the floor for more precision. So Skuld put the little robot on automatic mode to shoot as soon as any demon were on sight, then Skuld took another of her weapons an ran to have another view. She ran to get behind the column, but suddenly in front of her appeared the Shaikh who looked very surprised at this little goddess. Skuld looked at him defiantly, fearlessness she throw to him the grenades she was carrying. The grenades did impact, but the demon did not move, even though it seemed they caused pain.
Skuld soon was left out of ammunition. The demon realized and prepared to attack, but Skuld still was not defeated. She closed her eyes and concentrated; her angel emerged from her and floated to the remains of the temple pond. Skuld element was water, but her magic was still undeveloped. She searched from within all the strength she had, and finally succeeded in creating a powerful column of water that went to the demon. But he was a powerful Shaikh, he stood and just received the attack, then before Skuld reacted fired a powerful fiery bolt against her.
- Look out! - was the last thing Skuld heard before she felt an impact that throws her out of the bolts way. The lightning struck into the ground causing a crater. Skuld attempted to get up and then realized what happened. Sentarō had rammed her with his bike out of the way of the bolt. Her goddess body had withstood the impact, but now Sentarō lay unconscious on the floor. She screamed at the unconscious body and tried to help him without realizing that the Shaikh approached her and was preparing to launch another shot.
Skuld only saw a blinding flash and then the demon was thrown several meters away, then saw up to the sky and found her sister Urd, who with a fierce voice shouted:
- Nobody touches my sister!
But that distraction cost her dearly, Urd was hit by a powerful force that impacted her in the ground. The other Shaikh had recovered from the pain on his hands. He floated towards her to continue his attack.
Meanwhile Keiichi had just rammed a guard with his motorcycle guard; he jumped out of his machine to try to seal the guard. The guard was much stronger than expected, and grabbed him by one arm and threw him several meters away. Keiichi crashed into the ground and banged his head. The pain was unbearable but did no lose consciousness. He felt something wet, so he touched his head and felt the warm blood flow. He was stunned when the guard went to attack him, suddenly he saw something had appeared at the temple gates.
A bewildered figure had crossed the gate. Dr. Shugahara was stunned looking what was happening around him. Due to the Belldandy magic, nothing that happened in the temple area could be seen from the outside. To cross the gate had been like being transported to hell.
The doctor saw Sentarō lying unconscious on the ground while Skuld was trying to revive him. He saw Keiichi lying on the ground his head covered in blood, Urd writhing in pain and Belldandy floating on air, while two sinister figure were ready to attack.
His worst nightmares had become reality. The impact was so great he could not react. He barely heard Keiichi´s voice trying to warn him.
The demon that was about to attack Keiichi also saw the Doctor went to attack him. The surprised doctor managed to avoid him, his experience in expeditions saved him. Nevertheless, the ground was covered with rubble and he slipped, then the guard took something like a sword that glowed ominously, and lunged at him. However, he would not give up easily, instead of waiting the blow, he jumped to meet the demon and prepared for the worst, when a light glowed around him, and as if in slow motion, he saw as the weapon bounced off from the light. The guard had used all his strength against him, and fell back. The doctor then saw a battered Keiichi, running to help him. He saw how he pulled something from his pockets, and placed it on the guard. The creature disappeared in a flash...
- Doctor. Are you OK? What was that light?
- Keiichi what is going on here?
- We are under attack by several demons. They are much more powerful than Belldandy and Urd . We need help. A magical shield protected you. Where it did come from?
- A magical shield? - Dr. Shugahara attempt to focus, then recalled the package he was carrying.
Form the edge of the box, a light could be seen, then he realized. The medallion from Urth´s sisterhood. He opened the box, and they were glowing. She had created them to protect members of her sisterhood and her manuscript mentioned that they use and amplified the vital energies within each human being. But how to use them? He tool one and gave it to Keiichi. Maybe they acted before a magical power.
- Take this, maybe it can help, it was created for protection and I think we could...
Keiichi had taken the medallion; his face seemed transfixed, and to the doctors surprised, began to read the runes. The software implanted on his mind allowed reading the Yggdrasil writings. Then he read aloud the invocation that was written:
- "Skarpt Gnesta world,
world Skjöldr brest,
koma í Hlif hjalmgagarr world.
(The shaft will break,
the shield will shatter,
and the sword will be useless)
At these words, the brightness of the three medallions increased, and around them, a magic barrier appeared.
- Yes, It is a magical shield! -
Then they heard Skuld cries. One of the guards tried to attack her while she defended the unconscious Sentarō. Skuld and its angel were using the water of the pond to stop him, but Skuld was losing strength. She would not hold him for long. Keiichi climbed back to his battered motorcycle, it started at the first try as if it remembered Belldandy´s pledge, Keiichi turned to the Doctor and throwed him a disk, saying: -Take it, you saw how to use it .
He went to attack the guard, while the Dr. was running behind him.
This demon was extremely strong. Seeing Keiichi´s approach prepared to receive the impact and with his powerful arms stopped the motorcycle. Keiichi then accelerated to the maximum, he did not mind if he destroyed his machine, the smell of burning rubber filled the air, yet it seem useless against the demon strength, so he applied the brakes. The demon then tried to grab Keiichi out of the motorcycle, and suddenly Keiichi accelerated to the maximum, the demon slipped and Keiichi step over it. The motorcycle advanced a few meters when the gears gave up. It fell down to the floor like a wounded animal. Keiichi step out of it ready to confront the demon. The demon tried to get up, but before succeeding Dr. Shugahara leaped over him and put the disk on him.
Keiichi saw how the demon was sealed, then kneel to touch his fallen machine and offered his gratitude, then ran to help Skuld. Keiichi came in time just to support her, she was about to faint. Her angel disappeared into her. Dr. Shugahara came immediately to take care of Sentarō. He began to react, slowly opened his eyes, but almost jumped when he to see the unconscious Skuld.
- Skuld, what happened to you? - He screamed, but Keiichi calmed him down.
-She is very tired, but she is not hurt.
-Dr. Shugahara, please take care of her.
- Sentarō, take this - and the Dr. gave him the third medallion. - It is a magic shield; it will help you to protect her. - The doctor looked around; trying to decide what was next. There was war in the sky, and another on the ground. Urd was again fighting in the sky. Keiichi pointed to the two remaining guards.
- We still have two guards to defeat. The medallions will make it easier.
The doctor looked at the demons that slowly approached them. Their attitude was cautious, as they had seen the other demons defeat.
Then Dr. Shugahara saw one of the weapon left behind by the demons and took it.
- What is this? The demons tried to attack me with this.
- It is a magic weapon; you can freeze a god with it but not a mortal, although I would not like to be beaten with it.
- Against a god? Will it help against a demon? – He said fiercely while he was pondering the weapon. It was heavy; it would not be useful for fencing.
Keiichi watch one of the demons, he seemed to be nervous at the sight of the doctor wielding the weapon - I think they are afraid. Seems it's our turn.
Meanwhile in the sky, Anang Reng, vented his anger against Belldandy. She was still protected with her physical barrier, helped by her angel, but her face was in pain.
So far Anang Reng had not used all his power. His plan had been to use the attack against the goddesses to provoke Hild and break the truce. He could not afford to waste his power; since he was planning to confront Hild. Nevertheless, the goddess was tenacious. Finally released a beam more powerful than the previous ones, and watched with satisfaction the breaking the barrier.
The impact made her cry in pain and then fell down. Anang Reng prepared to help the other two to finish with Urd...
Just a few seconds had passed and He heard a voice behind him.
- I am still not defeated - Belldandy rose slowly, her face showed pain, but also decision.
As she felt down, Belldandy had seen the bloody image of Keiichi and was horrified. Then realized that he was alive. But that image had brought her nightmares. She decided to give her life if that was necessary.
She rose again ready to face up Anang Reng. He saw with astonishment the defiant attitude of the battered goddess. Her uniform was torn, she had burns on various parts of the body, but her eyes were shining with the same intensity.
Furious, he released a burst of energy still more powerful. Belldandy received it and tried to block it. She could stand for a moment the tremendous punishment, but collapsed again and fell down.
Keiichi watched as she was falling to the ground, and screamed. He hesitated for a moment about what he had to do, he did not wanted to leave the Dr. alone, but he yelled.
- Go to help her, I'll take care of those demons. - And he headed straight at the guards.
Keiichi ran to get Belldandy, cried at her battered body, and hold her in his arms
- Belldandy!
The goddess slowly opened her eyes when she felt Keiichi´s arms and whispered - Keiichi, I have failed you
- Belldandy, this is not over yet, do not give up. We still have hope. Let's fight together.
Keiichi saw Anang-Reng approaching, he had decided not to give another chance to the goddess and had decided to end her life.
- You've been a great rival, but really never had a chance, now you will die along with that mortal. I do not care if a demon dies with you, his death will be an honorable.
Keiichi embraced Belldandy. He did not believe the medallion would stand much as it was supported on his meager mortal body, yet he was ready to try. He took the medallion with the other hand, recalling when he has supported Lind´s angel of Lind, and how it took out his energy. He was ready, he relaxed ready to give all he had. He closed his eyes and thought about the medallion, he was willing to give up his last drop of vital energy, if this could help Belldandy.
Anang-Reng raised his hands and began performing a deadly spell. The goddess was exhausted; he could take his time to accumulate energy for a final blow. Slowly spread his hands and with a furious cry came a blinding light from his hands.
Keiichi gasped, but the medallion did not yield, yet he felt how quickly it was taking out his energy. He held tighter Belldandy body. At the pressure she opened her eyes and saw a field of energy holding the attack. And then she felt the energy was being extracted from Keiichi.
She could not leave him alone, so she summoned his last bits of energy and hold Keiichi tightly. She joined her physical barrier to Keiichi´s shield. They joined their forces in such a way that it was stronger than the sum of their parts.
Reng Anang could not understand what happened, that energy blast should have finished them, but they were resisting. But he was still using only a fraction of his power, so he began to increase it.
On the ground. The doctor had wielded the arm and started to make some exercises that his father had taught as a child to assess their weapons. His fencing was a very basic, but in the eyes of the two remaining demons that had seen the defeat of other demons, it seemed that he knew what he was doing. Then he walk briskly toward them, screamed and lunged toward them. He strike down with the weapon ... and it fell on empty space. Turning around and could not see sign of them. Then he saw one of the portals was shut down. They had fled!
He stood with his mouth open. Dropped the weapon, and then started laughing. Keiichi, Skuld and Sentarō and filled them with fear ... But his laughter was short-lived, in the sky Urd was also about to fall.
The Bampei-Kun, little droid had fulfilled his mission, with its missiles. He shoot them with great precision, and had prevented the two Shaikh to attacked simultaneously Urd, but he had run out of weapons and now demons were joining forces.
Urd was between of them. Her body looked like a glowing object. She had managed to contain a plasma field around her, which she used as a shield and as weapon. With accuracy rivaling that of her sister, she made the plasma generated igneous spears that attacked the demons, but she was weakening. She was descending to the ground, while the two Shaikh threw volley after volley.
The doctors almost screamed when he was able see the burns covering her body, but she did not let her pain to show. Her eyes were like glowing coals.
Dr. Shugahara then saw Belldandy and Keiichi, who were resisting the attack of Anang Reng. Then decided what he needed to do.
He took a little case that hung from his neck. It was not the golden idol from the Mai-m-min, but a modern alloy of tantalum, tungsten and thorium, they were an effective block for the emanations of Hild´s tear. Now it was time to use it and he was willing to pay the price.
He released the lock and opened the case. It now shone fiercely, as if it responded to the large amount of magic in the air. Again, he felt how the crystal was trying to invade his mind, but this time he was better prepared. He closed his eyes and concentrated on a single thought. He now knew what the crystal wanted. He did not fight back; he opened his mind and accepted the crystal. IT reacted like a living being. He now knew it was not madness, but a thought trying to communicate through millions of years of evolution. An ancient race and a young one. His body began to shake violently and suddenly everything went black. He could not see anything, his senses have been blocked. Suddenly heard a voice in his brain, a voice which spoke without words. A voice without conscience, yet with intelligence.
- "Link established"
I was not a word, but a pure though, a though as pure as a geometric figure, devoid of all emotion and conscience, it was pure logic, cold and inhuman. Then, just an idea.
- Question? -
I was not a word; it was so pure that burn into his brain as a laser. Finally, he understood, it was asking what he wanted. He was not sure how to communicate his primitive thoughts. He recalled the image of Urd, fighting, suffering, and her power diminishing. The crystal sucked those images from his brain like a sponge. In addition, everything was light. He knew there was only light in his brain. He realized he perceived the world through the crystal. He saw Urd and the demons, but it was a vision beyond his imagination, because he saw the true essence of the goddess. Her ten dimensional being, her inner code, and her goddess hearth, slowly losing power. He also saw the demons, and a measure of her power. Suddenly all went black and the crystal offered information. Cold and precise.
- Subject cannot handle more power. Power blocked with Level 9 encryption, Daimakaichō's personal code. Solution: Remove blockage. Command?
Shugahara could not understand the information, it did not make any sense, yet it seemed there was a solution. Yet he could not tolerate that cold logic peering into his brain. Now he could understand why everyone went mad. If there was a solution, she would take, so tried to send just one though.
-Proceed!
Instantly the crystal left his mind, his senses returned to the ongoing battle. All this had been just a fraction of seconds. The he saw Urd collapsing into the ground and whittle in pain. A soft glow from the crystal in his hand rose and surrounded Urd. She was so tired and wounded, she could not perceive it, yet she screamed at the contact. The doctor ran to hold Urd, while the demons descend to the ground. They lost a few a seconds, while they saw with curiosity this new mortal, who was trying to help the goddess. Then they proceeded with their attack.
Urd´s body began to shake, the doctor was sure it was the crystal doing something.
Urd was barely conscious, she knew her power had almost gone, and she had failed to weaken the Shaikh, their power was too great, yet she would try to resist. She had felt Shugahara's presence; she would not allow he would be harmed.
Then, she felt as if a gate would have burst inside. Her exhaustion disappeared. The unexpected flow of power seemed to drive her crazy. Her body began to fill with anger. How could these two pitiful creatures dare to face Urd, the daughter of the great Daimakaichō? She was now drunk with power and began to laugh. It was a laugh that the two Shaikh recognized and feared.
Urd then felt something around her, something warm, soothing, comforting... What was it?
She tried to fight it, she didn´t like it. It could make her weak, yet... it was so soothing, so warm. Then heard a voice.
- Urd, can you recognize me? I am Kenji, please listen to me!
Urd felt that voice was like fresh air around her. She had the feeling mist was clearing. She put her hand on her chest and touched Kenji´s hand. He has holding her. She breathed deeply to clear her mind, and remembered where she was. It was like waking from a dream. Then became aware about the two demons that were attacking her. But the attack did not touch her. A magical shield surrounded her. A magical shield that emanate from Kenji´s aura. Somehow, he was protecting her. She felt a deep surge of emotion, the two Shaikh were trying to harm the man she loved.
She felt anger again, but this time she kept her control. Instead, she used the emotion to drive her powerful mind and began to assess the situation. She felt a new power inside her, but did not know it was enough to defeat two Shaikh. She could not risk underestimating them. So decided to give all her power in a single blow and hope it would be decisive.
The she felt Kenji´s pain as energy was extracted from him. But then heard his voice. - Urd, take all the time you need. I will hold until then. Urd realized Kenji trust her, and she could trust him. Then began making a slow and powerful spell to build energy. The two demons saw the spell and increased their attack, but the magic shield form the medallion absorbed more vital energy form Kenji and absorbed the attack.
Urd finally knew she was ready. Everything around her shone, her energy seemed boundless, but she knew could not hold control. She felt the warmth of Kenji´s body and remembered his trust. Unlike Fafnir, he would live, no matter what. She let the energy con concentrate a bit more and then release it against the demons.
The energy released was so bright that nothing could be seen. It was the purest white, a painful white like the core of a star, she felt the earth tremble, then heard shouting, screaming and more screaming, but the noise was so loud she could not recognize who was screaming.
Gradually the noise faded. Also the light began to fade but now everything went black, and now as every bit of energy from her body had been released, Urd finally fainted.
End of Chapter XIV-rev1.2
Notes:
- "Of many births the Norns must be": Taken form the Eda. I changed a few words.
- "Skarpt Gnesta world" fragment from the poem Darraðarljóð. Stanzas 2-4 . I took certain poetic liberties.
- "Hidden passages in the pyramids": I am referring to the hidden passages in the Meidum pyramid. They were discovered using fiber optics technology, but since nothing important was detected, they have not been opened.