The order of the Mortal Knights

By Elnauhual

Fan fiction, inspired by "Oh My Goddess" by Kosuke Fujishima.

Chapter XXXII

Son of Gaia

The world was all darkness, yet that did not stop Urd , she continued cursing and struggling to maintain her magic working. She had never given up before any demon or god, and would not do it under that invisible enemy that hide behind the appearance of a hostile universe. She felt her consciousness fade so she cursed once again and screamed fighting against the unconsciousness that was about toconquer her.

She felt as if she was about to become part of that universe that kept silent at her curses, It had always done so , then she was shocked at hearing a familiar and friendly voice that echoed in her mind.

- My Princess Urd, for now your work is over, it's time to rest. Save your anger for future battles.

Urd realized that the pain had disappeared and struggled for a moment to feel it again as it reminded her that she was still alive, but her body was not responding, and now instead of pain she felt comforting arms holding her. Urd tried to curse again. Outraged she realized that someone was carrying her in his arms, as if she were a little girl. She tried to fight those arms and was surprised at realizing that not only she could not do it ... but that she did not wish to, they felt so good and relieving. Yet she made a last attempt to protest.

As an answer she heard a soft laugh that filled her with a deep magical warmth.

- I'm not your enemy, my princess. It's strange, I never thought I would say that to Hild´s daughter, but today you have earned my respect.

Somewhere in her mind, the voice echoed with warmth and Urd stopped fighting, she was terribly tired, and nonexistence somehow seemed attractive, then she recognized the voice.

- Wotan? - What?, What happened?

As answer, Urd hear his deep voice begin to sing a song of full of magic, it was a beautiful ancient healing chant. She felt a warmth that enveloped her body, and gradually the darkness in which she was immersed began to disappear. Urd shuddered at the power of that old magic. A part of her began to observe it comparing it with her own magic, this magic was simpler, more primitive and perhaps more powerful as befitting of an ancient demon. Then she heard words:

- My princess, you are better than i thought if you are willing to analyze my magic . Later I will let you study it as much as you like, you've earned it, I will have no secrets for you. But for now just try to open your eyes.

Urd felt like a child scolded by a teacher after trying to steal the results of a test, and that helped to tidy up her mind. She sighed and tried to open her eyes.

She closed them immediately; all she saw was a confused glow full of green and blue flashes. Then she forced herself to open them again. At first everything was out of focus but gradually began to take shape, it was hard to recognize what she saw.

The world had become a beautiful filigree of lace fabric. But it was not lace but magic power lines woven into a subtle fabric of blue and green, slowly tying with each other, forming a grid of lace around the entire space as far as she could see. It was a network that had grown and now protected the walls of the great cavern, while other lines of lace went around the insane guards. They tried to repel it to no avail. With an unimaginable delicacy the lace was irresistible yet gentle. It grew and began to wrap the guards that became motionless as it touched them, as a delicious slumber invaded them.

That was the magic of an ancient demon, subtle yet complex and powerful. Urd watched mesmerized. The lace had all the beauty of the magical song that old demon had chanted. It´s beauty was overwhelming and Urd felt embarrassed by her previous display of blind and destructive fury. Then she noticed that at the inexorable advance of that magic, many guards began to disappear. -They are running!,- she exclaimed concerned:

- We must go after them, before they cause more damage, I ... - Urd tried to move, but her body refused to obey ...The demon simply held her a little closer and gently pressed her against his chest, as if comforting a little girl.

- We will do it my princess, but your work here is done.

Then Urd remembered something and cried.

- Bragg, what happened to him, let me go, I want to see him!

Wotan spoke softly

- He still it´s alive, no one weak manages to became an Elite guard, but I cannotguarantee he will survive, For now I have placed him in a suspension cocoon.

Then before them, amid a soft glow, two figures materialized, When the newcomers saw Wotan carrying Urd´s battered bodyin his hands they lowered their heads embarrassed. Urd recognized them and with some effort asked:

- Ekur, Shulgi! What happened?

One of them, Ekur, raised his face and had to fight his tears at the sight of Urd´s hurt body, not only was it was covered with burns and wounds, but a broken glow in some parts showed some of her inner core was also damaged. He answered with a quavering voice.

- Urd-Sama, All suspended guards have been reanimated and freed from their loyalty spell, but we took some time to make sure they would not be infected. As you said, Hjörþrimul, Sanngríðr and Svipul were the leaders and willingly they have sworn a new allegiance to Hild . We have ordered them to locate and capture the infected guards without harming them. It will be difficult, but not impossible, Shulgi had a wonderful idea on how to locate them using their power supply channel. The freed guards are not using them now so we can track the infected ones. We were able to communicate with Walharen and he says it's possible. The leaders of the freed guard agreed on the plan, in a few hours all the infected will be captured. We ask your forgiveness for taking so long, it is entirely our fault that ...

- Silence. - Urd said, with pain on her voice and Ekur fell to the ground in fear, but Urd told him with some effort - Ekur, Shulgi, I will ensure that my mother ratifies the titles I have given to you. You followed me when everything seemed to be against us, you fulfilled my orders and show me you are able to make hard decisions. Get up, I do not want to see you prostrate before me, I want you to look directly into my eyes. - The two young demons rose slowly and looked shyly at Urd, she swallow to overcome her emotions, smiled at then and just said,

-Thank you!

Behind them, another demon materialized, he was the head of healers, he looked at Urd first and then sternly looked around him

- I see that some of you have begun to use healing magic. - He exclaimed with mock severity - Wotan, I know that you are considered an expert in magic chants, but I am the only certified healer here..

Urd looked to the healer and was able to say.

- First you must attend Bragg, It´s an order, his condition is more serious than mine, I ...

The old healer could not avoid softening his gaze and interrupted her

- My Princess Urd, Wotan already told you, your work here is finished. From now on, you are just another patient and you can no longer give orders. I promise I will look at Bragg, but I am the only one that will give orders from here on.

Urd tried to protest but the healer began chanting a spell. She tried to fight when she felt she was being wrapped in a cocoon of light, then uttered a last protest until she saw what the other demons also began to sing and to unite their magic to the healer. Urd finally stopped struggling and sighed with resignation. Apparently there was another rebellion on the works ... Fortunately this was friendly ...

Keiichi felt he was losing consciousness. Without warning the god had raised his arm and murmured a few words, immediately he was surrounded by darkness. Something had entered his mind and he tried to fight the intruder, he knew he had to fight the gods' magic that was trying to destroy his disembodied consciousness.

The god had mercilessly attacked him without any attempt to verify his accusations.

His innate sense of justice rebelled, that was bad of a human, but that was an intolerable way of acting for a major god. From Keiichi heart emerged a will to fight that surprised him. He was not going to fight for his own life , but because he had a duty to perform. A powerful thought came over him: He was a judge, a judge of the Order of the mortal Knights. He had received the authority to judge for the sake of mortals, demons and gods. He had authority!

He had authority ...? What was his authority?

At the ceremony where Belldandy, as Kamisama, had appointed him as a judge of gods, he had protested:

- But I know nothing about the laws of gods and demons. How can I be a judge?

Belldandy had looked at him with her beautiful blue eyes and in a tone that reflected eons of wisdom, then told him

- True justice is not in the laws but in the ability to understand what is good and bad. You must trust the judgment of your heart, trust your ability to recognize the injustices and trust the judgment of your mind to balance the evidence. Keiichi I have seen your heart and know it´s wise. That is your strength, that's why your life has the power to change the heart of the gods that you have touched, So just in order that you remember it I leave you my protection,

Then Belldandy had approached him, gently took his face in his hands and had given him a gentle kiss on the lips that had shaken the young mortal to the depths of his inner being. Such was the power of Belldandy, goddess among goddesses.

Now, remembering that, Keiichi felt a force that he had never felt before, a pride that he had never felt before and a resolution he had never felt before, and then he fully realized that HE WAS A JUDGE ...

He had the authority of his heart and the protection of the kiss of the goddess among goddesses.

As if suddenly awakening from a dream, he drove out the alien presence that faded away as if the torn away a nasty spider web. He realized it had taken only a fraction of a second. He stared as his attacker and was reward by an expression of surprise.

- You're just a mortal How did you survive that?

Keiichi looked at him, he blushed at the memory of Belldandy's kiss, but then overcome his natural shyness and factually said:

-I have the protection of a goddesses love.

The god extended his hand forward, and muttered an incantation. but this time a slight glow appeared around Keiichi and the god exclaimed surprised.

- There is a magical barrier around you, I recognize that magic. Why are you protected by Belldandy?

Keiichi tried to speak, but the god ignored him and said.

- No matter, I have no time now for you, I must take control of Yggdrasil, I will study you later.

With a sneer he materialized something in his hands and threw it against Keiichi. Keiichi recognized it immediately, it was a metal disc surrounded by magical symbols that Keiichi was able to read. The disc was identical to discs he had used to seal the demons in the battle of the temple.

Despite his timid appearance, Keiichi was an expert driver and his reflexes were the best. With a slight smile, he extended his hand, threw the mental command had Urd had taught him and disabled the magic seal. The disk fell harmless on his hand. He smiled, He knew it had been risky, but he was aware that now his credentials were the highest in the system, the magic seal had just accepted them.

The god looked at the young man again, this time he was definitely intrigued ...

- You disabled the seal ...? But you're just a mortal - The gods attitude of contempt disappeared, this time he look more attentively at the young mortal. - How did you learn to do that?

Keiichi cautiously looked at the god. For the time being he did not seemed eager to attack again, maybe if he could make him talk ...

- Belldandy and Urd taught me, I have used those to seal various demons at the battle of Tarikihongan temple - the god stared at the mortal analyzing his words. Keiichi tried to use that opportunity to reason with him. - I do not want to fight you, but I want to be certain of why you attack me for no reason, and above all, i want to make sure you are really Belldandy's father, I heard you were dead long ago.

But the god reacted angrily at Keiichi's conciliatory words.

- Just for a few tricks, you will not make me deliver information, I do not owe anything to mortals - Then with an imperceptible gesture, he made something appear between his hands, Keiichi felt a chill, he had seen Hild using something similar. That spell could transform any living thing into something unrecognizable. When Hild had tried to used it on him, Belldandy had barely managed to stop it with all her power. That was magic from Hell, he did not know how to stop it. Keiichi knew it was time to use the magic that have been given by the rulers of heaven and hell. Even if that would trigger all the system´s alarms, but the god seem to be eager to use forbidden magic. Before the god had time to react, Keiichi utter the words that would call ancient magic, the secret magic that would protect a judge:

- Vindum vindum vef darraðar þann er ungr konungr átti fyrri. Fram skulum ganga ok í folk vaða þar er vinir várir vápnum skipta.

Immediately he heard a voice in his mind, it was deep and inhuman – Invocation approved. A Judge's authority needs to be endorsed. Releasing defense and offensive measures. Activating full privileges.- Immediately Keiichi´s mind was flooded with ancient knowledge, and in his right hand he felt something solid. He did not need to see it, He knew what it was and how it worked. It was the weapon of the first born. A weapon designed to fight gods.

The god felt something strange emanating from the mortal, so he immediately threw the magic object to Keiichi. In Keiichi´s mind an analysis of the object appeared and automatically a shield was formed, now Keiichi knew what to do. He extended his hand, his palm facing the object. Then it crashed against his hand and burned with a magic fire. This time the god was stunned. Something had changed in the young mortal, then he looked at his face. He HAD MAGIC MARKS!

Keiichi spoke again but this time his voice was different, he could barely recognize his own voice, but knew the reason, he was now Keiichi judge of gods and demons, there was power, real power behind him.

- I have told you before, I am Keiichi Morisato, judge of the Order of the mortal Knights. I can feel that your heart is full of hate and ambition. You have attacked without provocation and to my request for an explanation of your reasons, you have repeated your aggression. It is an assault on a judge and so I have to judge your actions. I am ready to hear your reasons and your circumstances to be fair. Speak up!.

The god looked at Keiichi, he could feel he was in the presence of power, a power long forgotten, for the first time he doubted, This mortal had the marking of an ancient judge, yet his heart could not accept it. He had always seen mortals as inferior beings, so after a moment, hatred was back on his face:

- The ancient judges belonged to the greatest of the ancient races, so this can not be. Only madness has transformed this dignity into an empty title in order to give it to a mortal. Lets see what the title is worth, get ready mortal, you will know what is the true fury of a god.

The man laughed madly as bullets tore the clothes of the young girl, while women began to scream in terror. Soon everyone else started screaming too. The bearded man almost finished emptying the clip. Despite the midday sun, a shiver ran through him, without thinking, he had futilely continued pulling the trigger of his weapon.

In front of him, instead of a broken body, the young girl was still standing up, her clothes were tattered but her attitude was not defiant anymore, instead now her face displayed a dignity that was breathtaking. Underneath her torn clothes her white skin looked completely intact.

- What sorcery is this? - Shouted the bearded man, his bulging eyes were bloodshot with rage.

His men looked confused at the young girl ,they knew that what they were watching was something supernatural, they began to shout with fear.

- A demon!, a demon! At that cry, the dignified figure raised her hand with a gesture that forced everybody into silence, then spoke in a soft voice yet it penetrated the depths of their hearts:

- I'm not a demon!.

With a gesture of contempt the man screamed,

- Demon or not, you can not save those women, He raised the detonator, but before he could use it, the figure said with a voice full of authority:

- I'm a goddess.

At that moment from her body emerged a creature. It was the most beautiful creature they had ever seen, she was an angel with great wings and a sweet smile.

The men screamed, some with horror, some with wonder and surprise, and others throw themselves to the floor and started praying. The bearded man quickly recovered and screamed.

- You can be no goddess, you're a demon and I will punish you ... - he tried to press the detonator, but before that the angel stretched out her hand and the detonator became ashes.

The bearded man shouted in surprise, still his face showed only hate, before anyone could react, he snatched a sub machine gun from one of the prostrate men around him and without a word began shooting toward the women.

But faster than the human eye could perceive, the angel flew in front of the women, spreading her wings. Bullets ricocheted in all directions, wounding some of his own men as they were repelled by her wings.

The confusion now was total among the terrorists, then to add more, one of them pointed to the minefield cried an unintelligible warning.

Being engrossed with the angel, no one had noticed that a group of armed men in unmarked military uniform came running through the minefield. They zigzagged from side to side with inhuman speed and dodged the places where the mines were. Before the terrorists could react, the armed men were upon them screaming as madmen.

The confusion among the people was complete, men shouting, women crying, invaders screaming, and all these mixed with the sound of the prayers and cries of superstitious terror.

Still some managed to react and there was a brief battle, while many of the terrorists were lying on the floor praying, there was shootings before all were submitted. Soon many men from both parties were lying wounded on the ground.

Those remaining began to throw their weapons down and were soon captured without further resistance. The sight of the fallen on the ground and the floating angel on the sky filled them with superstitious fear. They barely dared to protest when they were tied.

The bearded man had been in a stupor by the sudden invasion. There was fear in his face. He looked at the goddess and screamed.

- Goddess or demon, I do not care, the power remains mine, albeit it´s the last thing I will do with my life. - He took a bag he was carrying in his belt and pulled out a small vial wrapped in cloth. The vial contained a crystalline substance and without saying anything he threw it to the floor and with the last gun bullets he shot at it.

The vial broke into pieces scattering its contents in the air ... And then ...

NOTHING! ... Nothing happened.!

The man screamed at the top of his lungs ...

- Why does it not explode!, I saw its power …!

A man from the armed invaders advanced to him and said:

- Because it´s only salt, common salt completely harmless.

The man looked at the speaker, immediately recognized him:

- Hervieux ... How did you? ... - He was incredulous. - ... What did I see?, I saw the power it contained, I saw this girl make them explode.

- That power was not in the crystals, what you saw was the power of a goddess, she was only pretending to be a weak girl.

Hervieux looked at the goddess in wonder but was interrupted by the bearded man.

- So you betrayed us from the start. You had it planned, you betrayed your people, you have betrayed us all.

- Silence - Hervieux shout angrily - I'm not the one who has betrayed his people. You have brought death to this people, you have sacrificed innocent people at the altar of your hatred. You almost made me your accomplice but ...

Without finishing his words he advanced toward the young girl and knelt before her.

- I am honored by the opportunity you gave me to redeem myself. You are not a goddess from my religion, but still I thank you.

She looked at him, she lifted her arms and she was wrapped into brilliance, her torn clothes were turned into a beautiful uniform that looked like a military dress, she was not longer a fragile girl. She was now the image of a proud warrior goddess, she was Ghadril the Valkyrie. Hervieux observed marveled at the transformation, and said:

- So this is your true form. - And then he looked down, feeling unworthy of looking at her.

The goddess looked around and everyone looked down ashamed unable to meet her gaze. The she looked at Hervieux and said:

- You do not have to kneel before me, you still have a mission to accomplish toward your people, I can feel that your heart still aches.

Ghadril then turned to look at the women behind her and they cried in fear of the goddess's gaze. The goddess extended her hand and produced her ax pole. With precise movements that the human eye could not follow she cut the bonds of the women, the explosive charges fell to the floor, the she disintegrated them with her ax.

Her angel descended among the women, extended her pristine hands and touched them. At her touch the surprised womenstopped their mournful cries , they felt the wonder of being honored by her, now they were filled with a peace.

Then Hervieux ran towards the women, he knew several of them since his childhood, when he was just a small boy with big dreams, he began to cry as they embraced him.

But the bearded man was not finished and shouted:

- You can not leave me so soon, remember that you killed one of those foreigners, they'll never forgive you because ...

- We can forgive him, because he has not killed anyone ...

Among the men in uniform an especially brawny man, spoke with a heavy French accent. The bearded man looked at him in horror.

- You should be dead, my men saw your bloody corpse, they would have not dared to lie to me.

In response with a mocking voice he said

- That was just an old movie trick with artificial blood.

Hervieux wiped his tears and separated from the women. He advanced towards the newcomer and said humbly:

- Sergeant Valois. Can you ever forgive me for what I did, for endangering so many people, especially that young girl...

The bearded man cried with despair, his world began to fall apart. He bent down to pull a knife he had hidden in his boot and with a shriek he ran against Lieutenant Valois screaming in rage.

- You should be dead ...!

Valois saw him and set his feet. He received him with a quick movement from his left arm that deflected the knife and with his right threw a powerful blow to the man´s stomach. He collapsed breathless. Immediately Valois men ran and immobilized him on the floor. The action had lasted just a few seconds, Valois felt a slight outrage feeling that everything had been so easy, He looked down at the prostrate man and then ignored him. He advanced to meet Hervieux, extending an open hand and told him.

- I have nothing to forgive, I have seen the kind of man you really are and the dangers you have faced to correct your actions. With the information you obtained by pretending to be one of them we could catch all the hidden agents and now ... - He said gesturing around- we have captured the most dangerous one, thanks to you, the world will be a safer place.

Hervieux hesitated and looked at Valois, he repeated the gesture, finally Hervieux also extended his hand and took Valois hand, both men shook hands vigorously, the would never again be strangers, there was a bond between them. Finally Valois said:

- Now our work ...

- Still is not finished ... He was interrupted and everyone turned at the newcomer. It was Shugahara and Sentaro. They had covered the last few meters of the minefield, but this time avoiding detonating more mines to avoid drawing attention. Shugahara continued. - We still have a lot to do. All these men are still full of hate ...

Hervieux and Valois looked at him and saw that Shugahara pointed all around, not just to the terrorists.

Valois released Hervieux's hand, then clenched his fists, he felt that it was an unfair claim, he spoke unable to contain his irritation:

- These are the men you asked me to gather, it is true that many of them are full of hatred, but their hatred is justified, most of them have lost a loved one at the terrorists hands, or have been their victims, that is why they agreed to help.

Shugahara looked closer at them. In some of them he could see signs of old wounds, or lost limbs and he needed no guessing to know what was in their hearts. Most of them had accepted Valois invitation with the expectation of revenge, then Shugahara nodded and bowed his head as apologizing and said:

- I did not say that their hatred is unjustified, I just said that it should go away, but first I need to attend to those men.

He signaled to some figures prostrate on the ground, they were the terrorists who had tried to repel the attack and had fallen to the bullets of the military.

- They are terrorists, - growled Valois , we must first attend to my men, some of them were also injured.

- Those are very badly hurt, I will not let them die, at least today hatred should not cause more deaths.

Shugahara asked them to gather the wounded men. Their bloodied bodies barely showed signs of life. He took his small metal box and then began to use Urd´s magic potions to address them, the magic effect was stunning. All exclaimed in wonder at that new miracle that occurred before them. Shugahara signaled them to bring the rest of the wounded. There were at least a dozen man more.

Shugahara was so engrossed with treating them that he did not see some else was kneeling at his side It was Ghadril, she said.

- Let me help you , You have shown your bare heart at helping your enemies, you really deserve the title of judge.

Then Ghadril started a healing chant that increased the power of Urd´s healing magic. Man and Goddess began to treat the wounded without regard to their identity, everyone received the same treatment.

A murmur began among the people of the town, the terrorist and the soldiers.

- The gods and their envoys have arrived. - Before their astonished eyes a goddess was walking among men, treating their wounds..

Finally Ghadril and Shugahara healed all the wounded. The men looked astound where their wounds had been. Only then Shugahara payed attention to the bearded man lying helpless, now tied on the floor. He pointed at him and ordered to the men around

- Bring him along, it's time to treat him too.

Hervieux and Valois looked puzzled ... Treat him? He showed no wounds.

Shugahara looked around, signaled to a building and asked.

- Is that the school where the young teacher was killed?

Hervieux nodded, his face began to be filled with tears.

- Yes, that girl was my niece, I convinced her to be a teacher, I paid her studies and asked her to help our people and because of me she paid with her life. He must now pay for it.

Shugahara looked at Hervieux with sadness and shook his head, then just said.

- Come with me.

The group began to walk towards the old building. Shugahara walked along Ghadril while her angel was flying above them, it was a wonderful vision, gradually everyone joined them in a procession.

Finally they arrive at the old school, the angel flew through the walls and went directly to the blood stain still visible on the floor. Slowly she descended to the ground and knelt. she touched the stain and it began to emit a soft glow while her silent face began to show pain and sorrow.

Shugahara and the rest entered into the room, he glanced at Ghadril and she nodded, Ghadril looked at her angel , after a silent conversation the winged creature floated toward the bearded man. He became filled with horror at the sight of the beautiful creature advancing toward him.

- What kind of torture would you give me? But he was silenced when the creature stretched out her hands and gently stroked his face before taking it between her two hands ...

The man was petrified, his face gradually abandoned his expression of terror mixed with hate, to be filled with sadness. Tears started running down his face as the memories and the feelings of the young teacher flooded his mind. There was a world that he ha never imagined, a world of promises and now shattered dreams.

The angel released him and then disappeared through the roof but after a few seconds it returned through the door, she was floating and was trailing two people by their hands, one was a little girl, the other a soldier with a missing hand. They were so fascinated by the angel that they did not realized that the bearded man was there. They suddenly stopped at his sight, the girl began to cry in terror, the man swore with hate. Still they could not protest when the angel pushed to get near and made them put their hands on the man's face, then the magic of the goddess and her angel bought their minds together.

The bearded man shuddered, his mind began to feel the fear of one and the hate of the other, along with their visions of him and fragments of their life. Butalso the girl and the man could also feel the feelings and life of the bearded man. They saw a miserable life full of injustices real and otherwise, which he had manage to survive only sustained and fed by fanaticism and hatred.

In return the bearded man received pity from the girl and comprehension while not forgiveness from the man, Shugahara spoke to Ghadril:

- You've really been able to understand the hearts of men. So help me heal all these hearts full of fear and hatred.- while pointing all around him - That is an enemy far more terrible than any you have fought against.

Ghadril then advanced in front of Shugahara, knelled down with one knee on the ground as a sign of respect. In the minds of everyone the vision of a goddess kneeling before man's made then awe.

Who could be that man? Ghadril got up and started singing, it was the most beautiful song they had heard, a beautiful hymn that filled them with peace, while her angel continued bringing people to share and release the burden that they hid in their hearts, not only with the bearded man, but between everyone nearby and that night, in a small village in the desert, mankind lived a glimpse of what the future could bring.

Belldandy separated from Lind, they knew there was still urgent business.

- You must get out of my mind before it's too late, I am starting to feel my protection barriers attempting to shut you access.

Lind agreed, it would be much easier now that she had all her powers, she rose in the air and rising looked around, this world was Belldandy's mind and now it had recovered all its beauty and complexity, this was the mind of a great goddess and she felt the satisfaction of having helped free her.

Gradually the landscape began to dissolve, as she entered the data stream that connected the real world with the mind of the goddess and then ...

...Lind opened her eyes.

The other Valkyries were still sitting around Belldandy's body, but the exhaustion on their faces was evident, and not only that, their bodies were now translucent

- Welcome Lind.- said Herja- Your mission has been a success, we have completed our last big goal. To protect Kamisama. Thank you for entrusting us in this mission.

Lind rose slowly, still trying to understand what was going on, but soon she knew it. The self-destruct code had already startedand there was little time left. Soon they would disappear.

Lind felt a deep sadness, yet could not understand the reason, the purpose of a Valkyrie was to protect their world, to protect Kamisama. They had given their lives for that purpose, she should not be sorrowful, yet her heart ached and her eyes became wet. So she closed her eyes unable to meet the gaze of her peers and said

- Herja, Oth, Rota, Eir. Belldandy is safe now and soon will regain consciousness, you can release her body.

The Valkyries interrupted their concentration and gradually rose, then they advanced and surrounded Lind. Herja spoke first:

- Lind, I think you've softened - she said while extending her hand to touch one of Lind´s tears and smiled at the feeling it transmitted, the other Valkyrie followed her example - Thanks , I appreciate this because I understand what it means. We will leave soon, now you should report what happened here, as the one that started the Ragna protocol you still have some time before accompanying us. We trust you, so that our name can be remembered with honor.

They were interrupted by a voice ...

- NO!, I have to try to save you!

It was Belldandy´s voice as she struggled up ignoring the wounds of her physical body.

Hearing their voice, the Valkyries went in front of her put one knee on the ground, bowing their head respectfully.

- Belldandy-sama. We have been your shield, it has been an honor to give our lives for you, we have done our duty, we now must fulfill our destiny, there is nothing we need to be saved from.

One by one, they began to dissolve, while Belldandy's eyes became filled with tears. She knew they were right and yet felt the pain of knowing that despite being the most powerful being of their universe, she had not the power to save them. Then she accepted it and bowed her head in respect for the vanishing warriors.

- Herja, Oth, Rota, Eir and Alruna, The highest among the Valkyries, you will be forever in my heart. -Thank you!

A few moments later Lind and Belldandy were alone in the ruined cavern. Lind spoke:

- We must go to the high council, my duty now is to present a full report on what happened, so that their names will become free from guilt and dishonor. After that I must join them. We must hurry, there is not much time left.

At these words, the face of Belldandy flooded in tears again.

Could she save Lind? . Then she remembered her father´s words, there was a way but it was too cruel. He had not said what it was, but now Belldandy had guessed ... What else could be more cruel to a Valkyrie?. Could she be that cruel in order to spare her life?

Belldandy made a decision and a painful expression came over her face at realizing she could be cruel, she knew there was selfishness in her action since she would go against her friend´s will. She had once said if she had a choice between saving Keiichi´s life and saving the earth, she would choose Keiichi. Yes, that was part of her selfishness; she felt better at recognizing her imperfections, then faced Lind and said:

- Lind, I hope sometime you will be able to forgive me. I just discovered that I am a very selfish person and I can not bear to lose you.

Belldandy advanced toward Lind, who looked bewildered as she placed the palm of her hand on the Valkyrie´s face, Lind was unable to turn away from her authority, and Belldandy started singing a complex spell. Lind screamed, yet was unable to move away, she was bound by the power of Kamisama.

- Please Belldandy, Stop!, I have to fulfill my destiny ...

- Forgive me Lind, please forgive me.!

At Yggdrasil´s control room, an alarm sounded and the god´s hearts were petrified.

It was the sound of an alarm they had never heard, yet everyone knew it´s meaning. The Ragna protocol had been invoked. It meant the Great Council of the Valkyries had acted against Kamisama and now the leader of the rebellion should appear before the council to explain her actions before being executed.

Peorth dropped to the ground, after all the misfortunes that had happened, this was beyond anything she could bear, how could Lind and the other Valkyrie act against Belldandy? What reasons might have had? This was the greatest crime that could be conceived on their universe. Kamisama was thesupreme god´s authority.

But the Ragna protocol was clear and it had been imbued within each and every one of the gods so they were bound by it. Everyone knew now what to do. As in trance, Peorth and the other gods began chanting a dirge, that was the law, they should unite their voices in song to erase the crime and prepare to hear the trial of the Valkyrie ...

Then a voice shouted.

-Stop that nonsense- Everyone fell silent immediately, not only by the order, but because someone had dared to call nonsense to one of the most sacred rituals of their world, and that someone was a senior member of the council. It was the Tyr´s voice - It´s useless to sing, there are millions of gods who can do it and still we have a job to do. We can not leave it now. Something quite unusual is happening, we can not ignore it.

Peorth looked at the god in awe, Tyr smiled and said.

- Do not worry. This time I will assume all the blame ...

Keiichi turned around quickly, and almost as a reflex acted as Ghadril had taught him, he put forward his weapon, it opened and extended as a long pole that crossed the dark mass at the center.

Upon contact with the weapon, the ominous dark magic exploded violently, Keiichi´s weapon automatically created a protective barrier, but he could see it´s effect with the data around him. Then Keiichi heard a scream and turned to see the cause.

The god watched his hand in surprised. The feedback had caused a burn. Keiichi look at him worried, it had not been his intention to hurt him:

- Sorry about that, but if your intention was to scare me, I must say that compared to Hild you are just an amateur.

This time the god was more than astounded, he looked carefully at the human, but not at his virtual image but to his bare code.

- You know about the magical seals, and you have faced Hild - he observed Keiichi's weapon - You have one of the weapons of the first born. You can not be an ordinary mortal, that ability was not part of your design.

The god looked at his hand in disgust and focused on healing it, then turned his attention back to Keiichi and especially the weapon, he could no longer hide his curiosity.

- All those weapons were destroyed eons ago and only the Valkyries had been safekeeping a few. How did you get it?

Keiichi sighed, that curiosity was better than the god's anger, and he had really nothing to hide.

- It was Lind who handed it to me, she trust me. I exchanged vows of friendship with Lind after carrying her angel, Cool-mint, for a short time.

This time the man gasped.

- Impossible, I knew that cold Valkyrie and she never could have been friends with anyone, she was just interested in being more and more powerful, much less she would allow a mortal to take her angel.

Keiichi felt that if he could get him to talk, he could avoid fighting. He continued his explanation.

- Then you did not really know Lind. She just wanted to be able to invoke her twin angels Spear Mint and Cool Mint simultaneously, and she thought she had to have more power for that, but we found she was wrong

- Do you even know that? Very few knew about her twin angels. How did you know their names?

- They told me their names, and I can tell you I miss them, - Keiichi pointed to his chest - since one of them had been inside me, now I can understand god's more than I ever thought. The feeling of emptiness I knew after her angel had to return to Lind would be unbearable if not for the Belldandy´s love.

Upon hearing the latest the man's face softened, he finally understood there was something extraordinary in that mortal, then carefully inspected his aura, until then he had not paid attention to it.

The god began to understand. He was a mortal that could bear a god´s angel, a mortal who could wield the weapon of the first born and a mortal who could count on the love of a goddess, the love of the goddess among goddesses, the love of his own daughter ...

Keiichi felt his change of attitude, he contracted the weapon until it fit in the palm of his hand and hid it, slowly he began to approach the god. The god look at him and wondered: .

- You should not exist, it´s too early, only a careful handling of generations of mortals could ... And also we would need her permission ... - The man shuddered as receiving a revelation, he was getting excited and fascinated -Yes, the predictive defense programs should have done it, they hastened your appearance, that should be the answer, the program must have predicted that a major threat hovered over the multiverse and speed this up ... But ...

Keiichi was already in front of the god and without saying anything, he extended his hand, The god did not knew why but he also extended his. At the contact he felt a sense of peace that came over him, slowly his plans, his hatred, his ambitions, all that seemed now to be so childish ... Suddenly his face filled with pain as he realized what he had been about to cause ...

He looked directly into Keiichi´s eyes, trying to read behind them. Yes, there was no doubt. Young, inexperienced, but he could feel it now. He closed his eyes as a current of empathy established between them, then slowly open them and said to the young mortal.

- You are welcome, son of Gaia.

End of Chapter XXXII