First, an apology for taking so long on this update. I am back.
The order of the Mortal Knights
By Javier Delgado R.
Fan fiction, inspired by "Oh My Goddess" by Kosuke Fujishima.
An intruder in Hell.
Chapter XLIII
The ancient god was incensed. Even with his currently limited access to Yggdrasil he knew about the gods doing and thinking, all his attempts to censor the information had failed. In the minds of the inhabitants of heaven there was a theme that dominates everything: Belldandy.
Control techniques that had been infallible in the past now were useless. Not only censorship, but even the attempt to disseminate false information had failed, it had been quickly identified and discarded. Somehow the truth was being spread, even records that should had been top secret were being unveiled and now the goddess's exploits were known to everyone.
In the past it had been easy to suppress inconvenient ideas, with his power he even had even had alter the minds of god to sow false memories, but now he no longer had that power. Not only had he been terribly weakened after the attack, but now he could not recharge using Yggdrasil's energy because he could not run the risk of becoming infected with madness. He knew that not even his high-level divine codes that protected him with the highest level encryption could keep him safe from the strange virus.
His irritation was even greater after he realized that his attempts at censorship had produced an unusual wave of celestial creativity to evade the filters and blockages he had created. Had he known a bit of human history, the ancient god who once again held the title of Kamisama, would have heard about the "Streisand effect." When something is forbidden, a great curiosity is generated, in that sense the gods were not very different from mortal humans.
The god finally accepted that he was no longer omnipotent, so he tried to calm down, he now had to resort to using the power of others. He concentrated once more, and risking a limited access to Yggdrasil he could finally perceive the echoes of the thoughts of the gods. In his mind he could hear countless songs and sagas telling the story of the unfortunate goddess.
A shiver ran through the body of the ancient god. It seemed that the gods were gathering the bits of scattered information and came closer to what had actually happened. There must be a leakage of information. Someone with access to strictly confidential records!.
The were songs that told the triumphant entrance of the goddess with her squad of Valkyrie after the destruction caused by the suicide of the traitor god. Others continued with the story of how the goddess had guided the reconstruction of her world, and her fight against infection, they included secret details of the activation of the Ragna protocol and the heroic sacrifice of the Valkyries. He found heroic sagas about Belldandy's confrontation with the remanentes of her father, and how she had managed to cure the gods of the madness, the sagas ended with their final confrontation against Kamisama, that had led her to exile to the mortal realm, where she had miraculously survived.
Furious, Kamisama lost his control, a scream of frustration was heard as he momentarily lost control of his power. The delicate crystals of the government hall burst into a thousand pieces at the unexpected release of energy.
The god, trembling with anger, closed his eyes to regain control. He could not waste the little energy he had available. Uncomfortably he touched his arm where, hidden by his robe, there were 10 lunar bracelets of mortal manufacture. That didn't help his mood. With all those bracelets he was even more powerful than any current god, but they represented only a tiny fraction of his former power and now he was terribly aware that on how much of his position as supreme ruler of the gods depended on his power and now, even that, depended on the goodwill of mortals.
At that moment an unexpected wave of magic surrounded him. Gently the shattered crystals recovered their original form, while a familiar voice told him:
- "Your current power is limited, you should not waste it on that kind of outburst"
The angry god did not even bother to turn around, he knew that voice too well. That he had been there without him noticing it only increased his barely contained anger:
- Chancellor Myr. How long have you been spying on me? - he said in a defiant voice-
His reply was received with a soft laugh.
- I didn't want to distract you while listening to those beatiful sagas about Belldandy.
Kamisama stood up abruptly and looked menacingly at Myr ... Then he sat down slowly, there was nothing to win confronting the chancellor. After all, the god did not seem to seek an open confrontation. He asked curiously.
- How many bracelets are you wearing? Five, maybe six ...?
The casual way in which the chancellor spoke of something that was humiliating to him was too much. He rose menacingly and approached Myr shouting in exasperation:
- I use ten of those artifacts ... I'm Kamisama and I can use as many as I want.
With a defiant gesture he raised his tunic exposing the ceramic bracelets, but Chancellor Mir ignored the gesture, he simply raised his eyebrows with exaggerated surprise, after a brief pause he exclaimed with an exasperating calm.
- It must be uncomfortable, we can ask the mortals for a special model that brings together the power of all those bracelets in just one piece ... Since they started providing them they have been making improvements and apparently they like challenges. For some reason that one I cannot not quite understand the mortals with whom we are in contact are very willing to cooperate with us. They are interesting and complex race . Every day that passes I want to know more about them.
- "Willing to cooperate…?And what do they ask for in return? "- He exclaimed furiously -" power, wealth, to dominate each other? It is a disgrace that we have to depend on that primitive race that we help create. "
- They ask surprisingly little. They only have requested myths, stories, songs and some knowledge of the past. Although we have granted several wishes to the mortals involved in making the bracelets, the attitude that seems to prevail in them is mostly curiosity. However, the same mortals we have contacted have insisted that not all of them are like that, and that there are many mortals like the ones you have described. Perhaps you should request an updated report about mortals from the agencies in charge of granting wishes, so far all new contracts are suspended and they would be happy to have some work to do.
- "I don't want to know anything about mortals ... But if they really ask for so little ..." - The god looked at his arm and ended up smiling bitterly- " Request that special bracelet. But I don't think that's the reason you're here. What are you looking for?".
This time Mir stopped smiling, like someone who had to take off a mask ,then spoke seriously
- "How long are you going to stay here, drown in your own bitterness? As much as I disagree with your actions, our people needs a leader, not a whining tyrant. There are important issues to attend to. "
The god made a threatening gesture ... But then stopped abruptly. The chancellor's words had hit the mark. His anger slowly vanished and then it transformed into fatigue, finally he collapsed on the throne.
- "Leader? How can I be a leader if I lack power?"
- "If you really think that power is the only thing that makes a leader, you shouldn't be there."
- How can I fight against those songs that ask for Megamisama ́s return...
- Belldandy is not your enemy, although it seems that you have done everything possible to make it so. Our people are in danger. Yggdrasil is still infected and Nieghog. Even more, we don't know the identity of our common enemy.
The ancient god reacted to those words, smiled and exclaimed.
- That's the answer, we need an enemy. That will help me recover my people trust. We can only have one enemy. Hell! I will call the council, we need to take steps to defend themselves and prove that Hell is the true enemy.
Myr tried to speak, then realized it was useless. He lowered his head and with a with sadness walked away, meanwhile Kamisama began to convene a council meeting while devising a new plan.
In the JAXA operations center, some jaw dropped technicians were looking at a screen, there were contemplating a beautiful miracle. From one of the data screens that received data from the space station emerged a pair of very womanly legs and then the most beautiful creature they had ever seen appeared. As she materialized an authoritative female voice from the back of the room exclaimed indignantly.
- "Please gentlemen ... Could you close your mouths and be a little more discreet with our guest."
Urd, who was now floating in mid air, laughed happily and answered:
- Please Dr Ohta, don't be so strict with them, it has taken me some practice to learn how to achieve that effect ...-
Dr Hotta. made a disapproving gesture, but finally sighed in resignation and said:
- Professor Sugahara had to leave, he said something about Odin arriving? - She paused waiting for some reaction and not getting it added- Is that some code name? - Urd smiled slightly, but did not answer, so Dr Hoota. continued - "Sugahara san asked me to give him this, he told me it was needed to help you to recover your energy. "
She handed her a vessel with sake, which she held as an offering
Urd looked at the vessel (too small for her taste), took it and drank its contents avidly, and finally smiled with satisfaction as she recovered from the long journey. Then she looked at the woman and said:
- "The mission was a success that exceeded all my expectations. But as Shugahara san said, we have a very important visit to the temple and that I must attend. On my return we will talk. "
Urd floated and threw himself quickly against one of the data screens.
A loud bang was heard and then everyone saw the goddess lying on the ground in a very undignifying pose, while touching her head and throwing a curse in a language that fortunately no one understood.
- What's going on! There is no connection to the temple terminal.
After the initial surprise, JAXA technicians made some quick diagnoses, one of them exclaimed. The terminal of the Tarikihongan temple is offline. Galileo has just confirmed to me that there is no other connection available in the area within a radius of two kilometers around the temple. He also reports that he lost contact with the process that was operating in that terminal, so he has no records of what happened.
Urd paled, something was very wrong, then she looked around and to everyone's surprise she said:
- Can you lend me a broom?
Urd flew as fast as he could, without worrying about being seen, yet time seemed like an eternity, finally at the distance she saw the silhouette of the temple ...
A column of smoke came out of it. She tried to establish mental contact with Belldandy, but could not feel her or anyone in the temple and her heart beat fast. She finally arrived and screamed in horror at the sight.
Some of the temple rooms were destroyed and collapsed, there was no fire, but something had been burned inside out. She extended her hands and tried to feel the presence of life. She felt several sources of energy and sighed in relief. But all electronics in the vicinity had been fried. A powerful burst of energy must had occurred.
As she arrived she could sense the presence of three physical barriers and could recognize them, they were from Belldandy, Skuld and Ghadril. They should be somewhere under the rubble.
She raised her arms and began a spell that would remove the debris and began the repairs the temple, it was not the first time she used it on the temple, but that did not reassure her. With magic the collapsed ceiling was raised, and soon the temple began to be repaired. She sighed in relief as the saw the silhouettes of the goddesses, still protected behind their physical barriers. Whatever it was, they had resisted the force that had destroyed the temple. But her relief was momentary, Urd couldn't avoid a cry of horror. Keiichi was lying on the floor, his arm was blackened and only one bloody stump was left of his hand. Kenji, with his face full of anguish, was pressing the stump to try to contain the flow of blood. Belldandy and the Valkyrie seemed to be on the verge of collapse because of the effort to maintain the barrier. They had been using all their magic to keep it at full capacity, unable to attend to the young man.
Upon recognizing Urd the goddesses disappeared their barriers, with teary eyes Urd hugged Kenji relieved that he was wit no harm, then concentrated her attention on Keiichi. The young man made an heroic effort to endure the pain. Despite Kenji's efforts, the stump was bleeding profusely and tattered skin hung, as if something had exploded in his hand. Due to the loss of blood it was obvious that the young man on the verge to lose consciousness. Belldandy seemed about to collapse in anguish, but soon she recovered and began a healing song. But in her confusion she could not concentrate so Urd hugged her gently, and began to sing with her, then the Valkyries joined. Blood loss was stopped and Kenji rushed out to Urd's room, looking for some healing potions.
Finally Keiichi began to breathe calmly. The goddesses finally managed to put him in a healing trance. Repairing a living being is more complicated than fixing a house and it would take time, fortunately the damage was not irreparable, especially with the power of three goddesses and Urd potions.
Finally, a tearful Belldandy, with the help of the Valkyries who kept singing her songs, took her young husband to his room to continue the treatment.
Urd was left alone with Kenji, hugged him again and touched him to make sure he was really okay. Looking in at of Belldandy's room, she asked:
- "Kenji, what happened here? Where is Odin? "
Kenji took her hands as if trying not to lose his balance, his gaze was still confused, it was hard for him to order her ideas. He took a deep breath to calm down and said:
- "It seems that Odin went crazy, he said something that he could not allow the information we had to be made public and at that time he cast what must have been a powerful destructive spell. The demon began to shine and finally exploded. "
Urd paled and said:
- He activated his self-destruction spell! A god or a demon can violently release the energy from his body and destroy everything around him, including himself. It is a terrible relic. A curse from the time of the wars between gods and demons. But the destruction should have been much greater, equivalent to megatons of human weapons, not even the physical barriers of a god should have resisted it ...
Kenji interrupted her.
- I think it was Keiichi who saved us. I don't remember it clearly, but I think that when he saw what Odin was up to, he materialized his first-born weapon and attacked Odin. As Belldandy reacted and created her barrier, Keiichi's weapon crossed the barrier as if it did not exist and passed through Odin. It was at that moment that a great explosion occurred. Keiichi's hand was out of the barrier that is why he suffered so much damage. Somehow he prevented all the power from being released.
Urd felt a chill, she concentrated on her senses and was able to detect the remains of the energy that the god had released and recognized the spell. It was indeed the self-destruction spell ... The demon had attempted suicide and destroyed everyone with him.
But something had interfered, the weapon of the first born although it was powerful, it should have not caused that, instead it should have only destroyed the god but it would had not stopped the destruction around him .. Then an idea came to her mind.
- Did Keiichi tampered with the operation of the weapon?
Kenji looked at her and then said with some guilt.
- Oh, that ...! Keiichi has been studying it ́s code and routines , he even had merge it with some of the functions of the medallions, so that now not all of the weapon functions are destructive.
Urd drop her jaw... it meant Keiichi had managed to interfere with the self-destruction spell of a high-level demon, something that even Kamisama had been unable to do.
Apparently Keiichi's system level as judge and knight were much higher than she imagined. Now Keiichi had had the ability to modify the magical characteristics of those objects. If Heaven or Hell found out about it, they would surely panic!.
But what had happened to Odin? The energy released had been a lot, but not enough to obliterate such a powerful demon.
They heard a faint whimper ... Just under the newly restored tea table.
Urd made a gesture with her hands and the table floated. Kenji and the goddess shouted at the sight.
Instead of the old and ruddy god, they found the unconscious body of a demon of powerful muscles and haughty face . His body was partially disintegrated , part of his abdomen was missing, and the coils and light flashes of his source code were slowly demon was dying and if they didn't stop the damage his code would dissolve into nothingness.
- Who is he? - Kenji asked in amazement, what happened to Odin? Was he supplanted?
Urd looked at the demon, his face was familiar, she closed his eyes and then abruptly exclaimed.
- I think this is the Oddin true form ... ! I have seen that face in some old history registries, he is a hero of the past, who disappeared many eons ago. Knowing my mother, she must be aware that this is his true image, it would be impossible to deceive her, but why this disguise?
Urd knelt beside the god. He touched his forehead and began a healing song ... The intricate designs of the code exposed in the demon's body stopped dispersing, but after a moment she said.
- "It's all I can do a lot for him. The damage is too big. We must take it as soon as possible with an expert demon healer, then we can interrogate him to find out why he did this. Maybe he is infected with madness. "
Kenji interrupted ...
- "If your mother knows that this is his true image, she must have very powerful reasons to hide it. I think it's a secret she must want to keep .. "
- "But he can die, my magic can't cure him." - Urd protested
- "But maybe we can do something for him." - Sugahara said while scratching his chin - "The same tools we use to repair Belldandy's code can help us to treat it, at least enough for him to live , as we contact Hild discreetly and find out what is happening .. "
- Kenji. Are you sure? "- asked Urd
The professor shook his head.
- "I'm not sure, but I feel that it is the right thing to do. I also want to know why he tried to destroy himself and take us along with him. I don't think your mother tried to hurt you. "
Urd nodded and knelt beside the unconscious demon and whispered menacingly:
- We will save you, even if you have attempted against those I love most. - She smiled and turned to look at Kenji, with a resigned sigh she said
- I think Belldandy has finally infected me with her ideas of helping everyone ...
Dr Kawazu walked quickly from side to side along the corridors full of equipment of the "High-Performance Computing Infrastructure", the great facility that housed Galileo's conscience, he was thinking . He had received an emergency call explaining the situation and knew that a "patient" would soon arrive whose identity should be kept as secret as possible.
He growled, he was an engineer and all of that sounded like part of a scene in a medical drama, but then decided it wasn't a proper line of thinking, he needed to find the best way to act. It had taken them years to repair Belldandy's code, but the goddess had been submerged in a stasis state so they could have taken all that time without the goddess's life being in danger, but in this case it seemed that patient only had a few hours to live.
Besides, this time his patient was not a god but a demon. Although Skuld had told him their basic routines were the same, he knew that the encryption codes and many other functions could be radically different. How could they repair so many fragments of unknown code in such a short time?
While walking thought of all options. He stopped abruptly ... he had an idea, so he spoke out loud.
- "Galileo. As I recall that Urd is partly demon. Would it be possible to take her basic routines and use them to replace the damaged codes of ... Our patient?
The voice of artificial intelligence resounded in the facilities:
- "Not all of Urd's code is demonic, but comparing it with Belldandy's information we could mark the routines that are different and transfer them. maybe we would probably skip the damaged invalid code, enough that we could get more time to study it, then look for equivalent functions. The biggest problem would be the system protection. Each god and demon has its own encryption code. Urd is the best donor candidate, but we need to find the demon encryption keys first in order to modify his functions.
- I know, we have the main encryption key of K that we managed to break it to save the goddess Belldandy, but our patient is a demon, it means we would need the encryption key of the ruler of Hell, something that surely must be very difficult to get.
Galileo replied:
- "We can put try to put the patient in a stasis state, similar to Belldandy's, and transfer the functions that are compatible. That will give us time ... "
At that moment he heard the sound of an approaching helicopter, which seemed to be landing in the building's helipad.
- It seems our patient has arrived. It is time to do everything that is within our reach.
Anang-Reng was on a large terrace, in the distance there was a strange series of buildings, but despite its size, it was not possible to call it a "city." The demon did not know the human world, so that he could not relate its appearance to that of a large industrial complex, he simply perceived that it was a strange and cold world, devoid of all emotion.
But at that moment he could not express any emotion, although his body was now physical and throbbed with living flesh, his soul was dead. His blank eyes scanned the view. The long "entertainment" sessions to which he had been subjected had broken the spirit of the once proud demon.
A mocking voice was heard behind him, but he didn't react, only a restlessness invaded him ..
- "The time, you just had to show a little cooperation. As I promised you, you will soon have your own kingdom. We'll give you the survivors of Hell and Heaven. You just have to follow my orders and you can do whatever you want with them. We will give you a little world to rule. "
Anang Reng heard those words, but did not react. But somewhere in his mind, a hint of horror caught fire inside. He imagined his world, his culture, his civilization, his friends ... All that would be destroyed and reduced to a sad memory, he knew that his world had no chance against these beings. But at that moment a wave of pain made him writhe and fall to the floor. He made a pitiful scream of pain.
- "Surprising, you still have a bit of resistance, but don't forget that I can see your mind, you can't hide anything from me. But I will leave that little feeling, it will be more fun to watch you."
The demon stopped twisting. The physical pain was gone, but for a moment it had a revelation. The mere idea of seeing his world destroyed produced more pain than physical pain. He got up slowly, and he got into a pleading attitude, at the same time clinging to that deep inner pain. I wanted to keep that pain in order to feel alive.
- Well, I see that you have accepted your defeat, so it will be you who will guide us in our victory. The time is closing.
Ana Reng got up, and heard behind him, the sound of thousands of footsteps approaching the distance. He hear murmurs and laughter ... but he had not received orders to turn around and didn't even have the will to act on his own. He could only imagine those mysterious beings, as they seemed to rejoice in the destruction that lay ahead.
- "You want my mother's encryption keys? - Urd exclaimed surprised. - There is no way to get them. Just trying to access some of the highest level keys and Nieghog could destroy us. I was already warned once. There must be another way. Let's try to copy my demon codes, in order to save him. "-
Meanwhile the technicians had placed the dying demon in the center of the magical circuits of the installation, the Valkyrie were next to him, singing a spell that would keep him in stasis, but consumed them a lot of energy. Despite their strong discipline they already showed fatigue on their faces.
Dr Kawazu was supervising the work, then stopped, scratched his chin and told them worried.
- "We will try, but we can only replace the more superficial functions, the preliminary analysis shows deep damage to vital low level functions".
Kenji commented:
- "It seems to me that Odin is an important demon in Hell. Wouldn't your mother really help us save him?
- I don't know if my mother considers it important, but I do know that if the word spreads that there is a dying demon, the fault would lie with the gods. It would be the beginning of a new war. We cannot risk using any means of communication to contact my mother. Even if I open a portal to go to her, returning to Hell without Odin's company could cause many questions. I also need to be here to transfer my codes.
- So, is there no other way to go to Hell without opening a portal?
Urd's face lit up when he remembered something. He took one of his earrings and separated a strangely colored crystal, carefully giving it to Kenji, who couldn't shudder when he touched it ... He could feel Hild presence, yet it wasn't as strong as with Hild's Tears.
-What is this? Is this from Hell?
- "That's right, my mother gave me this when I was a child and I was sent to Heaven, It was meant for use in an emergency. I will go to Hell passing all security systems. It's magic from ancient times that I don't understand. "
Kenji, very carefully, returned the crystal to Urd. He felt relief as he stopped touching it, then said worried:
- "I think it's better if l go, it's not like I want to see Hild, but I think even your mother has some consideration for me.
Urd shook her head.
- "It is too dangerous, you don't know anything about Hell security systems, if you activate something you could die. It has to be someone with training in Hell's systems but it can't be a goddess either. Its mere presence would activate all alarms ...
Despite the situation, Kenji smiled.
- "I understand, she must not be a goddess, but she must have training on handling security system . I think we have the perfect candidate. I just hope Hild appreciates the irony. "
Hild, the great lady of Hell, was striding along the throne room. Her beautiful face showed anger. The room was empty, because nobody dared to show up in her presence knowing ..
- Odin, old cunning demon, what are you planning? We have serious matters to attend to and you decide to go to the mortal world at a time like this.
The lady of the demons stopped and activated several information screens. With Nieghood operating at a minimum capacity to avoid the risks of infection, the information and surveillance systems were severely couldn't even get a picture of the Tarikigonhan temple and there wasn't any demon in service in the mortal world addition, Odin had ordered his guards to return to Hell without him.
She thought of sending a spy, but few of the demons she trusted had experience on earth, and Marler had important tasks to do. Although they had managed to recover much of the operations of their world, not being able to identify their hidden enemy resulted in many demons feeling resentment towards the only enemy they knew: The gods.
Even if they have no leader, Hild knew that were many who did not agree with the current truce so she could not act as free as she wished. The deactivation of the doublette system had made some foolish demons to beat at the lure of the old days of war. It was important to avoid giving them an excuse. Although she was the absolute ruler of that world, among Hell's unwritten rules, eliminating the ruler in turn was an acceptable way to get a change of government.
Hild gritted her teeth impatiently ... When suddenly she noticed a warning. Surprised, she put her hand on one of her earrings. One of the crystals she wore emitted a soft vibration.
A shiver ran through her body, it was a pair of crystal gave to Urd when she was sent to heaven. It was a sign that the other crystal had been activated and was starting to create a hidden portal.
It was part of an ancient system that would create a portal operating with a minimum of energy, it was unstable and inefficient, but it had the advantage that it could not be detected by the palace's security systems, it was an entrance that only she knew, the portal was programed so it would open right in Urd's room.
But in a rebellious attitude, Urd had deactivated all surveillance systems in her room and they had never been reactivated. Whoever was coming through the portal would not be detected. Yet maybe the security systems outside the room see something.
Hild activated the surveillance monitors, but nothing was observed ... however she noticed a brief flicker. It looked like a glitch of the system ... but it was too much coincidence. She watched closely, other monitors flickered in a similar way ... it wasn't enough to activate the alarms, but SOMETHING was moving. Hild raised a surprised eyebrow. Maybe Urd could be able to do something like that, but she would not be so subtle, she surely would have shattered the sensors instead. Someone or something with great skill was moving towards the throne room. She had only detected it because she was waiting for something different.
She hesitated, then decided that whatever was approaching could not be enough threat to her. As she watched the monitors, there was no doubt the glitch was moving, but not to the throne room but to her personal room. Not even Urd could enter her room without her permission. She waited a moment, and he realized that the presence had stopped in front of the entrance, as if waiting. But somehow it was hidden . The guards in her room apparently had not perceive her.
Hild waited. Nothing could be seen in the sensors, but she knew there was someone there. What was it doing? Did it expected an invitation?
No one should know about the existence of those portal crystal, so only she should attend to the intruder. With a sight she opened a communication channel and with a tone that would freeze the blood of most demons said.
-"I will go now to my personal room, I DO NOT want to see anyone, I am not in the mood"
She smiled as she noticed the guards in front of his room looked at each other in fear, and immediately withdrew. She smiled satisfied. At that moment, something appeared, it was just a slight shadow in front of the entrance. It could barely perceive, but I was there, still waiting.
With a gesture of her finger Hild opened the entrance of her room. The shadow entered quietly, as if it had been waiting.
Hild smiled, apparently she had a guest. She needed to take proper care of it. She left the throne room, but on the way she extended her hands and began to generate a nuclei of incandescent plasma on her palms. She needed to be prepared in case the intruder needed a proper reception.
-xxx-
End of chapter XLIII