Chapter 12
Peorth walked quickly down the hallway, dreading the report she was about to give. She turned a corner and approached the massive ornate doors which were flanked on either side by 4 Valkyries. Peorth stopped just short of the door.
"I am here to...." began Peorth.
"You are expected." replied one of the Valkyries, "Enter."
Peorth frowned slightly and approached the doors. The doors opened, admitting her into HIS office. She approached the desk. Behind her, the doors closed with a loud bang. When Peorth was 5 feet from the desk, she got down on one knee and bowed. Kami-sama turned his chair slightly, bringing her just within his sight.
"Your report?"
"Sir," began Peorth, "The Doublet System crash approx 3 hours ago, all attempts on our end to restore it have failed."
"Why did it crash and what is preventing us from restoring it?"
"Yggdrasil was compromised much like the incident with the demon Velsper. It and the demon system then both attacked the Doublet System, causing its failure. It appears that both systems will be required to restore it. As of yet, we still have no contact with hell."
"Very well." replied Kami-sama, "Now what of your other project?"
Peorth began to pale slightly. "Sir?"
"You have been trying to create a new........ user access on Yggdrasil, for a goddess. A goddess who is somewhat.......before her time."
Peorth sagged. "I'm sorry sir. I'll accept whatever punishment you see fit."
Kami-sama finally turned his chair and brought Peorth into his full view.
"Circumstances being what they are, I think punishment in this case is............unnecessary."
Peorth looked up in surprise.
"You have my permission to create and activate an account for the goddess in question. She may then proceed at her discretion with the help of Lind, Skuld.........and even the demoness. That is all."
Peorth bowed again. "Yes sir." She then stood up and headed towards the door. Just as she reached it......
"And tell her........good-luck."
Peorth turned back to Kami-sama and nodded before leaving. Kami-sama turned his chair back to face the window.
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Queen Urd smiled at the demons assembled before her.
"The time is close at hand. Go and prepare your troops."
The demons bowed and exited. A few moments later, 2 demons entered holding a very unhappy Urd with them.
"Ahh...If it isn't mind goody goody twin."
Urd frowned. "What do you want now?"
The Queen smiled, "I wanted to see if you'd changed your mind. Feel like being a demon?"
"No."
The Queen frowned slightly. "Well it won't matter. Soon the heavens will be under my rule, and you will have no choice in the matter. I would rather you became a demon willingly, rather then forced."
"There is no way I will become a demon."
"Even if it means saving your sister and her husband?"
Urd stared at the Queen, "What?"
The Queen smirked, "She is my sister too........in a way. I mean after all.......even when I had the chance, I couldn't kill her. I just left her to rot in a cell." The Queen began to snicker. "The best part was, that actually helped me to twist her kids. They blamed Skuld and the heavens for her 'death' and were more then happy to join up with me. You have no idea how fun it was to go down into that cell and tell her what her kids had become."
"You're sick." said Urd, "Getting enjoyment out of making others suffer."
"No....That makes me a demon," replied the Queen, "and I most happily admit that Belldandy was absolutely miserable. And I look foreword to doing it again." The Queen motioned to the other demons. "Take her back to her cell. I'll give her time to consider my new offer."
The demons led Urd out of the room. They moved down the darkened hallway away from the room. From the shadows by the door, a figure stepped forth and watched them. She then turned and stormed off in the opposite direction, having heard every word said by the queen.
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Old Skuld, young Skuld, Lind, and Mara all sat around the table in the temple.
"Here's the plan." began old Skuld, "Mara and Lind will go down to the dungeon area and free Bell, K, and Urd. While you're doing that, I'll be keeping the demons distracted by raising hell......in hell."
"I don't want to work with her." said Mara, "It's just not right."
"I agree." added Lind, "I find working with a demon to be......disturbing."
"You two will work together and get along." said Old Skuld, "Mara knows the layout of hell. Lind is the best Fighting Goddess we have."
"But I haven't been in hell since the Queen fell!" said Mara, "They're going to want to know where I've been!"
"So lie. You're a demon, demons are good at lying."
"What about me?" asked young Skuld, "What am I going to do?"
"You're going to stay here."
"WHAT?!" shouted Skuld, "But I wanna go too!"
Old Skuld looked at her younger self. "You'll stay put right here where it's safe. Belldandy would kill me if she found out I'd let you......me......us......" Old Skuld frowned. ".......Hell, you're staying put and that's that. Banpei and Sigel will make sure you stay."
Skuld frowned and crossed her arms.
"When are we going?" asked Lind.
Old Skuld sighed, "As soon as Peorth gets me my...." Old Skuld's eyes widened. Her markings began to glow. Seconds later, they returned to normal. Then the phone rang. Young Skuld went and answered it. She then turned to her older self.
"For you."
Old Skuld grabbed the phone. "Yes?"
"You have complete access to Yggdrasil." came Peorth's voice, "We've boosted it enough so that you should have power in hell."
"Thank you Peorth."
"One more thing. I have a message for you. The Boss says 'Good Luck'."
Old Skuld went silent. When she did speak, her voice cracked."
"G-give him my thanks."
She then hung up the phone. When she returned to the table, she had a determined look on her face.
"Alright. We're going."
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Belldandy remained sitting in the same corner of the cell. Keiichi had fallen asleep, his head on her lap. She moved her hand, stroking his hair. After Sayoko had left them, he had renewed his efforts at breaking out the bars in the window. The bars had moved further, but still not enough to let them out. Belldandy sighed. If only she had access to her powers, but somehow the Queen was blocking them out. She looked down at Keiichi.
"Don't worry K." she said softly, "We'll get out of here."
The lock let out a clank and the door swung open. Belldandy turned to see Sayoko walk into the cell. She carried a bundle of dark clothing in her arms. She looked down at Belldandy.
"Wake him."
"Why?" asked Belldandy.
"Just.....wake him."
Belldandy rocked Keiichi slightly. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Belldandy's face. He then realized they weren't alone. He quickly sat up and stared at Sayoko.
"What do you want now?"
Sayoko dropped the bundle at their feet. "Put these on."
Keiichi lifted up a black cloak. "What are these for?"
"Put them on." Sayoko repeated, "It will look less conspicuous if I'm seen in the company of two demons."
Belldandy looked at Sayoko in surprise. "You're helping us? Why?"
Sayoko closed her eyes, "I just found out everything I've been told for the past 200 years is a lie." Sayoko opened her eyes and looked at Belldandy. "Hurry up and get dressed. The guards will be coming by soon."
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Old Skuld, Lind, and Mara appeared on a cliff over looking a dark valley. Cracks in the bottom of the valley glowed red, hinting at the fires they contained. Every once in a while, a particularly loud scream would echo across the valley.
"Welcome to hell." said Mara.
"Nice place." muttered Skuld, "Real garden spot."
Lind remained silent.
"Alright." said Skuld turning to the other two, "You know the plan. You two go rescue the others. I'll distract the demons."
"I am still unclear on how you will distract them." said Lind.
Skuld smiled, "Me just being here will distract the Queen. Now get going."
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Queen Urd sat up.
Something was not right.
She quickly looked over her monitor screen. Everything seemed alright in both hell and the demon system. The doublet system was still down, despite the efforts of the Yggdrasil operators. The queen frowned. What could it be? She called to her guards.
"Go check the prisoners."
The guards bowed and quickly went off to carry out her orders. The Queen then sent for her niece. Moments later, her guards reported back.
"Milady, the goddess and the mortal are missing. The other remains though."
The Queen frowned, "Bring Urd here. Begin a search for the prisoners."
"Yes ma'am."
The Queen then opened her mind to her niece.
* SAYOKO! *
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Sayoko jumped. Behind her, Belldandy and Keiichi looked at her confused. Both wore a demons cloak with the hood pulled over to hide their faces. Sayoko glanced back at them before replying.
* Yes Auntie? * asked as sweetly as she could. 'God did I really sound like that?
* Belldandy and Keiichi are missing from their cell search for them. They can't have gotten far. *
Sayoko glanced nervously back at the 'missing' prisoners. * Yes Auntie. *
Sayoko felt her Aunt break the connection. She immediately took off, Belldandy and Keiichi right behind her.
"We have to hurry. She knows you're missing."
"What about Urd?" asked Belldandy, "We can't leave her here."
"She's being held in the main complex." replied Sayoko, "Even if we could get to her, we'd never......" Sayoko's voice trailed off and she slowed to a stop.
"What is it?" asked Keiichi.
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The Queen continued to pace about her throne room. She still felt as if something was wrong, missing prisoners besides. The door opened to reveal two guards carrying Urd between them.
"Ahh Urd. Have you reconsidered?"
"My answer is the same as an hour ago." replied Urd, "No."
"Too bad.......I really didn't want to kill Keiichi and Belldandy. Looks like I'll....." the queen's voice trailed off. Her face then turned to one of pure rage. "How dare she.....That little.....I'll kill her!" She ran to her throne and press a button. "All sections to full alert! There's a goddess on the loose!"
A loud explosion added an exclamation point to her warnings.
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The floor vibrated as the sounds of the explosion echoed throughout the complex. Belldandy stared at Sayoko.
"Are you saying........that's Skuld?"
Sayoko nodded. Belldandy was stunned.
"How can she be like that?" she asked softly, "I taught her to be better then that."
Sayoko looked down at the ground. "She.......took Keima and mine's defection pretty badly. When we did face each other, we didn't make it easy for her." She looked up at Belldandy and Keiichi. "I've done a lot of evil things, almost all of them against the heavens. Skuld took everyone of those incidents personally."
"You have to call her telepathically," said Belldandy, "She needs to know we're here."
Sayoko looked down at the ground. "She won't want to hear from me."
Belldandy placed a hand on her shoulder. "No matter what you have done, there is always a chance at forgiveness if you only ask."
"She won't listen to me......"
"Give her a chance." Belldandy said softly, "You might be surprised."
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Skuld smiled as she a section of the main building burn.
"Knock knock Urd dear. Your little sister has come to call."
She raised her hands above her head, forming a huge force bolt. She then tossed it at the building. The bolt slammed into the side of the building, spitting out rock and debris.
"Yes!" shouted Skuld. She smiled at the building. "Well has that gotten your attention yet Urd?"
* .......Auntie Skuld? *
Skuld almost fell over. * Say.......Sayoko?? *
* Yes Auntie......*
Skuld frowned. * What does Urd want you to do now? Hmm? More taunts and insults? *
* Auntie, I have......Mom and Dad with me.......I'm bringing them out. *
Skuld continued to frown. * Yeah sure......I bet you do. *
* Auntie, I ....... I really do have them. *
* If you're tricking me......I swear.... *
* No tricks Auntie. *
Skuld looked about. 'To trust her or not.....' * Mara and Lind are heading towards the dungeons. I'll tell Lind to head to where you are. *
She then looked at the building. * I have a date with the Queen. *
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The Queen snarled at her minions. "Where the hell are they?! They can't teleport! I blocked out her powers! And why don't I have Skuld's head yet!?"
"Milady, We don't know where they are!" replied a trembling demon, "and we dare not face the goddess, she is too strong!"
The Queen grabbed the demon by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "I don't like excuses! And why are you reporting to me? Where's Sayoko?!?"
"S-s-she was moving towards the entrance with 2 of her minions, looking for the prisoners."
The Queen frowned a second. "She was with two demons? Who?"
"I-I-I don't know, I couldn't see their faces. The were wearing their hoods."
"Why would they....." The Queens eyes went wide. "THAT TRAITOROUS BRAT! She has them! Go after them you fools! Bring all three to me!"
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"We're almost there." said Sayoko, "Just around..." A force bolt slammed into the wall next to her, just as she rounded the corner. She flew backwards, slamming into the wall behind her, then falling to the floor. Keiichi grabbed her and pulled her out of the way.
Belldandy peered carefully around the corner.
"There are 6 demons out there." Belldandy looked back at Keiichi. "If I had my powers, I could drive them off."
"You'd need to disrupt the Queen's blocking spell." said Sayoko.
"How do we disrupt it?" asked Keiichi.
Belldandy looked at Sayoko, then back at Keiichi, "Either cause her to lose her concentration, or attack and defeat her....."
"Which in this case would mean killing her." finished Sayoko.
A force bolt slammed into the ceiling above them, raining debris on them. A large chunk slammed into the top of Sayoko's head, knocking her out. Keiichi and Belldandy turned to see several demons running up the hallway from which they came. Keiichi looked down at unconscious Sayoko, and then at Belldandy.
"We're in trouble."
Peorth walked quickly down the hallway, dreading the report she was about to give. She turned a corner and approached the massive ornate doors which were flanked on either side by 4 Valkyries. Peorth stopped just short of the door.
"I am here to...." began Peorth.
"You are expected." replied one of the Valkyries, "Enter."
Peorth frowned slightly and approached the doors. The doors opened, admitting her into HIS office. She approached the desk. Behind her, the doors closed with a loud bang. When Peorth was 5 feet from the desk, she got down on one knee and bowed. Kami-sama turned his chair slightly, bringing her just within his sight.
"Your report?"
"Sir," began Peorth, "The Doublet System crash approx 3 hours ago, all attempts on our end to restore it have failed."
"Why did it crash and what is preventing us from restoring it?"
"Yggdrasil was compromised much like the incident with the demon Velsper. It and the demon system then both attacked the Doublet System, causing its failure. It appears that both systems will be required to restore it. As of yet, we still have no contact with hell."
"Very well." replied Kami-sama, "Now what of your other project?"
Peorth began to pale slightly. "Sir?"
"You have been trying to create a new........ user access on Yggdrasil, for a goddess. A goddess who is somewhat.......before her time."
Peorth sagged. "I'm sorry sir. I'll accept whatever punishment you see fit."
Kami-sama finally turned his chair and brought Peorth into his full view.
"Circumstances being what they are, I think punishment in this case is............unnecessary."
Peorth looked up in surprise.
"You have my permission to create and activate an account for the goddess in question. She may then proceed at her discretion with the help of Lind, Skuld.........and even the demoness. That is all."
Peorth bowed again. "Yes sir." She then stood up and headed towards the door. Just as she reached it......
"And tell her........good-luck."
Peorth turned back to Kami-sama and nodded before leaving. Kami-sama turned his chair back to face the window.
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Queen Urd smiled at the demons assembled before her.
"The time is close at hand. Go and prepare your troops."
The demons bowed and exited. A few moments later, 2 demons entered holding a very unhappy Urd with them.
"Ahh...If it isn't mind goody goody twin."
Urd frowned. "What do you want now?"
The Queen smiled, "I wanted to see if you'd changed your mind. Feel like being a demon?"
"No."
The Queen frowned slightly. "Well it won't matter. Soon the heavens will be under my rule, and you will have no choice in the matter. I would rather you became a demon willingly, rather then forced."
"There is no way I will become a demon."
"Even if it means saving your sister and her husband?"
Urd stared at the Queen, "What?"
The Queen smirked, "She is my sister too........in a way. I mean after all.......even when I had the chance, I couldn't kill her. I just left her to rot in a cell." The Queen began to snicker. "The best part was, that actually helped me to twist her kids. They blamed Skuld and the heavens for her 'death' and were more then happy to join up with me. You have no idea how fun it was to go down into that cell and tell her what her kids had become."
"You're sick." said Urd, "Getting enjoyment out of making others suffer."
"No....That makes me a demon," replied the Queen, "and I most happily admit that Belldandy was absolutely miserable. And I look foreword to doing it again." The Queen motioned to the other demons. "Take her back to her cell. I'll give her time to consider my new offer."
The demons led Urd out of the room. They moved down the darkened hallway away from the room. From the shadows by the door, a figure stepped forth and watched them. She then turned and stormed off in the opposite direction, having heard every word said by the queen.
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Old Skuld, young Skuld, Lind, and Mara all sat around the table in the temple.
"Here's the plan." began old Skuld, "Mara and Lind will go down to the dungeon area and free Bell, K, and Urd. While you're doing that, I'll be keeping the demons distracted by raising hell......in hell."
"I don't want to work with her." said Mara, "It's just not right."
"I agree." added Lind, "I find working with a demon to be......disturbing."
"You two will work together and get along." said Old Skuld, "Mara knows the layout of hell. Lind is the best Fighting Goddess we have."
"But I haven't been in hell since the Queen fell!" said Mara, "They're going to want to know where I've been!"
"So lie. You're a demon, demons are good at lying."
"What about me?" asked young Skuld, "What am I going to do?"
"You're going to stay here."
"WHAT?!" shouted Skuld, "But I wanna go too!"
Old Skuld looked at her younger self. "You'll stay put right here where it's safe. Belldandy would kill me if she found out I'd let you......me......us......" Old Skuld frowned. ".......Hell, you're staying put and that's that. Banpei and Sigel will make sure you stay."
Skuld frowned and crossed her arms.
"When are we going?" asked Lind.
Old Skuld sighed, "As soon as Peorth gets me my...." Old Skuld's eyes widened. Her markings began to glow. Seconds later, they returned to normal. Then the phone rang. Young Skuld went and answered it. She then turned to her older self.
"For you."
Old Skuld grabbed the phone. "Yes?"
"You have complete access to Yggdrasil." came Peorth's voice, "We've boosted it enough so that you should have power in hell."
"Thank you Peorth."
"One more thing. I have a message for you. The Boss says 'Good Luck'."
Old Skuld went silent. When she did speak, her voice cracked."
"G-give him my thanks."
She then hung up the phone. When she returned to the table, she had a determined look on her face.
"Alright. We're going."
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Belldandy remained sitting in the same corner of the cell. Keiichi had fallen asleep, his head on her lap. She moved her hand, stroking his hair. After Sayoko had left them, he had renewed his efforts at breaking out the bars in the window. The bars had moved further, but still not enough to let them out. Belldandy sighed. If only she had access to her powers, but somehow the Queen was blocking them out. She looked down at Keiichi.
"Don't worry K." she said softly, "We'll get out of here."
The lock let out a clank and the door swung open. Belldandy turned to see Sayoko walk into the cell. She carried a bundle of dark clothing in her arms. She looked down at Belldandy.
"Wake him."
"Why?" asked Belldandy.
"Just.....wake him."
Belldandy rocked Keiichi slightly. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Belldandy's face. He then realized they weren't alone. He quickly sat up and stared at Sayoko.
"What do you want now?"
Sayoko dropped the bundle at their feet. "Put these on."
Keiichi lifted up a black cloak. "What are these for?"
"Put them on." Sayoko repeated, "It will look less conspicuous if I'm seen in the company of two demons."
Belldandy looked at Sayoko in surprise. "You're helping us? Why?"
Sayoko closed her eyes, "I just found out everything I've been told for the past 200 years is a lie." Sayoko opened her eyes and looked at Belldandy. "Hurry up and get dressed. The guards will be coming by soon."
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Old Skuld, Lind, and Mara appeared on a cliff over looking a dark valley. Cracks in the bottom of the valley glowed red, hinting at the fires they contained. Every once in a while, a particularly loud scream would echo across the valley.
"Welcome to hell." said Mara.
"Nice place." muttered Skuld, "Real garden spot."
Lind remained silent.
"Alright." said Skuld turning to the other two, "You know the plan. You two go rescue the others. I'll distract the demons."
"I am still unclear on how you will distract them." said Lind.
Skuld smiled, "Me just being here will distract the Queen. Now get going."
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Queen Urd sat up.
Something was not right.
She quickly looked over her monitor screen. Everything seemed alright in both hell and the demon system. The doublet system was still down, despite the efforts of the Yggdrasil operators. The queen frowned. What could it be? She called to her guards.
"Go check the prisoners."
The guards bowed and quickly went off to carry out her orders. The Queen then sent for her niece. Moments later, her guards reported back.
"Milady, the goddess and the mortal are missing. The other remains though."
The Queen frowned, "Bring Urd here. Begin a search for the prisoners."
"Yes ma'am."
The Queen then opened her mind to her niece.
* SAYOKO! *
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Sayoko jumped. Behind her, Belldandy and Keiichi looked at her confused. Both wore a demons cloak with the hood pulled over to hide their faces. Sayoko glanced back at them before replying.
* Yes Auntie? * asked as sweetly as she could. 'God did I really sound like that?
* Belldandy and Keiichi are missing from their cell search for them. They can't have gotten far. *
Sayoko glanced nervously back at the 'missing' prisoners. * Yes Auntie. *
Sayoko felt her Aunt break the connection. She immediately took off, Belldandy and Keiichi right behind her.
"We have to hurry. She knows you're missing."
"What about Urd?" asked Belldandy, "We can't leave her here."
"She's being held in the main complex." replied Sayoko, "Even if we could get to her, we'd never......" Sayoko's voice trailed off and she slowed to a stop.
"What is it?" asked Keiichi.
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The Queen continued to pace about her throne room. She still felt as if something was wrong, missing prisoners besides. The door opened to reveal two guards carrying Urd between them.
"Ahh Urd. Have you reconsidered?"
"My answer is the same as an hour ago." replied Urd, "No."
"Too bad.......I really didn't want to kill Keiichi and Belldandy. Looks like I'll....." the queen's voice trailed off. Her face then turned to one of pure rage. "How dare she.....That little.....I'll kill her!" She ran to her throne and press a button. "All sections to full alert! There's a goddess on the loose!"
A loud explosion added an exclamation point to her warnings.
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The floor vibrated as the sounds of the explosion echoed throughout the complex. Belldandy stared at Sayoko.
"Are you saying........that's Skuld?"
Sayoko nodded. Belldandy was stunned.
"How can she be like that?" she asked softly, "I taught her to be better then that."
Sayoko looked down at the ground. "She.......took Keima and mine's defection pretty badly. When we did face each other, we didn't make it easy for her." She looked up at Belldandy and Keiichi. "I've done a lot of evil things, almost all of them against the heavens. Skuld took everyone of those incidents personally."
"You have to call her telepathically," said Belldandy, "She needs to know we're here."
Sayoko looked down at the ground. "She won't want to hear from me."
Belldandy placed a hand on her shoulder. "No matter what you have done, there is always a chance at forgiveness if you only ask."
"She won't listen to me......"
"Give her a chance." Belldandy said softly, "You might be surprised."
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Skuld smiled as she a section of the main building burn.
"Knock knock Urd dear. Your little sister has come to call."
She raised her hands above her head, forming a huge force bolt. She then tossed it at the building. The bolt slammed into the side of the building, spitting out rock and debris.
"Yes!" shouted Skuld. She smiled at the building. "Well has that gotten your attention yet Urd?"
* .......Auntie Skuld? *
Skuld almost fell over. * Say.......Sayoko?? *
* Yes Auntie......*
Skuld frowned. * What does Urd want you to do now? Hmm? More taunts and insults? *
* Auntie, I have......Mom and Dad with me.......I'm bringing them out. *
Skuld continued to frown. * Yeah sure......I bet you do. *
* Auntie, I ....... I really do have them. *
* If you're tricking me......I swear.... *
* No tricks Auntie. *
Skuld looked about. 'To trust her or not.....' * Mara and Lind are heading towards the dungeons. I'll tell Lind to head to where you are. *
She then looked at the building. * I have a date with the Queen. *
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The Queen snarled at her minions. "Where the hell are they?! They can't teleport! I blocked out her powers! And why don't I have Skuld's head yet!?"
"Milady, We don't know where they are!" replied a trembling demon, "and we dare not face the goddess, she is too strong!"
The Queen grabbed the demon by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "I don't like excuses! And why are you reporting to me? Where's Sayoko?!?"
"S-s-she was moving towards the entrance with 2 of her minions, looking for the prisoners."
The Queen frowned a second. "She was with two demons? Who?"
"I-I-I don't know, I couldn't see their faces. The were wearing their hoods."
"Why would they....." The Queens eyes went wide. "THAT TRAITOROUS BRAT! She has them! Go after them you fools! Bring all three to me!"
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"We're almost there." said Sayoko, "Just around..." A force bolt slammed into the wall next to her, just as she rounded the corner. She flew backwards, slamming into the wall behind her, then falling to the floor. Keiichi grabbed her and pulled her out of the way.
Belldandy peered carefully around the corner.
"There are 6 demons out there." Belldandy looked back at Keiichi. "If I had my powers, I could drive them off."
"You'd need to disrupt the Queen's blocking spell." said Sayoko.
"How do we disrupt it?" asked Keiichi.
Belldandy looked at Sayoko, then back at Keiichi, "Either cause her to lose her concentration, or attack and defeat her....."
"Which in this case would mean killing her." finished Sayoko.
A force bolt slammed into the ceiling above them, raining debris on them. A large chunk slammed into the top of Sayoko's head, knocking her out. Keiichi and Belldandy turned to see several demons running up the hallway from which they came. Keiichi looked down at unconscious Sayoko, and then at Belldandy.
"We're in trouble."
