Standard disclaimer
I know I've neglected this story. Much like I neglected all my stories, just no time as of late. Final year of college is coming up, new job, and lots of other issues are prohibiting my earlier desire to do a lot of writing. Oh well I'll try by best
And I feel myself needing to remind you that this is a darkfic. This chapter will be fairly dark as well so.you've been warned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Fallible Chapter 5 - Decent
Belldandy stood before her father again, Holy Bell majestically over her shoulder. She looked as if the events that lead to her banishment from the Morisato home had never happened.
"My child you have done well in the past two weeks. You have made much progress," Kami-sama addressed the Goddess before him.
On one knee, Belldandy smiled to herself, 'The old fool, I see things for what they are now.' Raising her head to see, in her eyes, the betrayer "I have done as you wish father that is all."
Smiling at his recovered child, Kami-sama mentally relaxed. He was worried that Belldandy's feelings for that mortal were at a dangerous level and the she would have rebelled. "You may rejoin your fellow Goddesses at the Relief Agency. You will be monitored for a time and not allowed visitation rights to the country of Japan."
Trying to keep her mask of compliance in check despite the disgust she felt for the being before her, Belldandy nodded. "Your wish is my command father."
His tone adding in sentimentality, "I'm glad you are yourself again Belldandy. I was worried for a time." Looking at his daughter and how she easily responded positively to her new post, Kami-sama momentarily thought it too easy but dismissed it. Holy Bell was a perfect mirror of Belldandy's soul and she looked happy so Kami was hard pressed to be suspicious.
"I am better now father," she said sweetly. Unfortunately the two weeks she had spent in absence of Keiichi had allowed her time to think of darker things. Her mind slowly being pulled into the darker recesses of experience. She had passed the boarder for help when she had sealed Mara. Who had yet to be noticed as missing. "Skuld has been a great help in my recovery."
"Ah, our young surface world trainee. I must thank her personally for your speedy recovery then."
'You'll just try and pervert her too won't you?' Belldandy's mind retorted to itself. Having no faith in her father as a competent source anymore. "By your will, I'd like to take my leave."
Seeing only what he truly wanted, Kami-sama turned a blind eye to the anxious feeling he had been experiencing while talking to Belldandy. Although Belldandy was behaving as he wanted a gnawing suspicion hinted that something was amiss. "You may. And again I'm sorry for what has transpired but I had no choice in the matter."
"Speak no more of that matter," Belldandy said as she rose from her kneeling position and exited Kami's throne room, Holy Bell in tow. Once she had returned to her room Belldandy smiled at her performance.
"Holy Bell I have succeeded! Now that I have freed myself of the yoke of his watchful eye I can act freely!" Her eyes glazed over slightly as she spoke. Holy Bell took on a similar position. Recovering her viewing mirror, Belldandy caressed Keiichi's form. "We'll be together again soon my love, and when we are we can become one again."
Her angelic companion flew in circles of happiness as she was washed over by Belldandy's feelings of relief and joy. Putting the mirror back down, Belldandy began thinking of what she needed to do next to further her plan.
--------------
As Belldandy set forth preparing the next stage in her plan, Urd was just starting on fulfilling her plan. As of late said plan was the same thing. After the disastrous meeting with Belldandy two weeks past, Urd had done only one thing but she did it well. She was opening a fresh bottle of saki with the full intent of getting drunk and fast.
Pulling the cork out of the bottle and savoring the smell, she reflected on the past half month. Keiichi was slowly gaining ground on recovery, as was Skuld. The pain was still there, and she reasoned it would always be to an extent. Right now Skuld was off acquiring parts for her latest toy and Keiichi was on campus. The only missing player that could be around was Peorth, and Urd didn't really want to see said Goddess.
Urd nearly dropped the bottle when a soft voice whispered into her ear, "Drowning your sorrows again Urd?"
Gripping the neck of the now corked bottle, Urd waved it menacingly at her guest, "Don't you talk to me Peorth. I know what you're doing"
Sitting down by the kitchen table Peorth rested her chin on her palm, "And what would that happen to be?"
"You slept in Keiichi's room last night," Urd said in a flat voice.
Smiling at her small step toward her own goal she said simply, "Jealous?"
Rage started to build in Urd's chest; she was slowly starting to dislike Peorth. Snapping that she was upset at Peorth for taking advantage of Keiichi in the situation. Peorth just continued to smile. She had loved every moment of her sleep the previous night. Two weeks of working on Keiichi had finally resulted in him breaking down and letting her stay in his room.
"You're sick Peorth. Using this situation to your advantage. When Bell gets back how will Keiichi." Urd's repose was cut short as the Goddess of the Roses interrupted.
"I got the call from father Urd so you can drop the act. She ISN'T coming back. Why didn't you tell me this?" Peorth's tone a mix of anger and joy.
Finding herself exposed, Urd could only stare. She had hoped that by keeping Belldandy's full punishment secret she could have done something to prevent Peorth from going to far with Keiichi. That if she kept it secret she could help Belldandy redeem herself and return.
"I'm waiting Urd. Why didn't you tell me? No answer? I bet I know why you didn't tell me," she ended the smile growing on her face.
Urd finally opened the bottle and let the sour liquid slid down her throat. She knew that what Peorth said next wasn't going to be pleasant so she wanted to dampen her mind again.
Clearing her throat Peorth gave Urd her detailed analysis of the situation. "You hoped to get her back and get rid of me. You didn't want me to know so I could tell Keiichi. You'd rather he be alone! Alone than with me!"
Urd tried to interject but Peorth was not to be stopped.
"I bet you ARE jealous of me. Jealous that Father made me the Goddess of his wish and not you. I saw how you acted when you first got here. How many times did you tempt him? How many times did you act to provoke Belldandy while you really wanted him for yourself?"
Urd sat speechlessly as Peorth recounted the number of occasions she witnessed in the past two weeks alone that shown that Urd had more than just a passing fancy for the boy. When the Goddess finally stopped on talking about Keiichi she turned to a subject that was even closer to home for Urd.
"That's why you're a damn alcoholic now. You're just drinking to escape the reality that Belldandy's gone and not coming back. That now that I'm his Goddess there is no reason for you to be here anymore with him."
Urd's silence was finally broken as she erupted, "That's a damn lie and you know it!"
Peorth's eyes narrowed as she struck out, "Which part? The idea that you love him or the fact that you haven't been fully sobers for two weeks?"
Not wanting to believe things Urd raised the bottle to her lips again and stopped in horror. Peorth just nodded, said one more line then teleported out of the room, back to Keiichi Urd reasoned. Left alone in the kitchen where her family used to eat happily together, Urd thought. 'Is it possible that I do love him? That my teasing, jokes, and goading were.were.'
"She's right."
She couldn't deny it anymore not even to herself. She had thought her feelings were purely platonic, more attuned to a big sister, but it didn't equate anymore. Walking over to the sink, Urd tried to pour her saki out but found her body resisting, Peorth's line replaying in her mind.
"I bet you didn't even tell Keiichi that she's never coming back yet either."
She drank the rest of the bottle. ---------------
Roughly the same time that Peorth had forced Urd to first jumble her bottle, the Morisato siblings were sitting in a café on campus eating lunch. Megumi was glad that she was finally able to speak to her brother alone. She had been waiting a chance to talk to him about his behavior ever since Belldandy left for home.
Savoring the taste of the fairly expensive French roast Keiichi started talking. He asked his sister how school had been going, if the bike gang still called her Queen, and other small details. She answered his questions quaintly and directly. After he had exhausted his bout of questions, Megumi found it time to start with her own.
Hiding her mouth behind her coffee mug, "Keiichi, what's going on with you and that Peorth woman?"
Slightly startled by the question he responded with his own question, "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean Belldandy's only been gone for two weeks and your already cavorting with another girl. This isn't like you K1," Megumi explained.
Irritation slowly began to build inside of Keiichi. He had kept Megumi in the dark about the real reason Belldandy had 'gone home.' "Peorth is a friend, a good one. I don't see anything wrong with me spending time with her."
"So you're just going to drop Belldandy for a pretty face then? Doesn't she mean anything to you? How can you act like this?"
The irritation boiled over into anger. He had been the one to see his love in the arms of another man. He had been the one to see his love act out of selfishness. Why couldn't he seek even the most remote comfort? His voice fueled by his anger was sharp, "And what about her? She can do whatever she wants without worrying. She doesn't have to care how her actions hurt me!"
"Keiichi," Megumi looked shocked. Her brother rarely spoke like this, never regarding Belldandy. "Keiichi.did something happen between you two?"
Realization struck the poor boy, and hard. The blood drained from his face leaving him deathly pale. Trying to speak, he found his voice didn't respond his tongue was lethargic. Megumi took the signs in and was worried. "Keiichi, can you tell me about it?"
Drinking his coffee to hopefully relax his agitated throat, Keiichi said that he could, but only if she swore to secrecy. She did and leaned closer to her brother at his request. "Belldandy left because I caught her in bed with somebody."
Megumi slammed her hands on the table and shouted, "You lie!"
Shushing her, Keiichi went into further details. He told her that Belldandy had somehow gotten drunk and slept with somebody that looked like him. He hoped she'd believe his edited story, as he didn't have the strength to tell her about the whole Goddess issue.
Looking at her brother in a new light, Megumi wanted to cry, for her brother and for herself. She had looked at Belldandy as perfection personified, but she had done such a thing to Keiichi. "So for all this time you suffered in silence? You didn't tell me your sister about this."
"I wanted to, but I didn't know how too," Keiichi admitted.
Megumi opened her mouth to speak again but was stopped as she saw the pain etched on Keiichi's face. She wondered how she had missed it, and how he had handled it alone. 'He hasn't.'
Noting as understanding crossed Megumi's face, Keiichi spoke, "Like I said, Peorth has been a good friend as of late."
She simply nodded. Surely he'd needed some comfort during this. She just hoped that Peorth didn't make matters worse. "Just be careful Keiichi. Don't do anything you'll regret ok?"
Clueless to what she was implying, "What do you mean?"
Before she could elaborate that she meant to be wary of Peorth, said woman walked into the café. On spotting the siblings, Peorth latched onto Keiichi's arm and asked if he wanted to head home. Paying for the drinks, Keiichi bid his sister goodbye and the two left, arm in arm.
--------------
Having lost interest in her current project, the youngest Norn found herself lightly rapping on the door of her loving older sister. Not wanting to talk to Urd, and not having Keiichi around to protect she had grown bored enough to teleport to the heavens.
Belldandy allowed the younger girl into her room, offering a quick but sharp smile. The promise Skuld had made with Belldandy had failed in her eyes. "Skuld what brings you here today?"
Smiling softly Skuld admitted her reasons were boredom and the usual missing of her elder sister. "You look better, did something happen?"
Taking Skuld's hands into her own, Belldandy almost sang, "I spoke with father today Skuld. Things are looking much better."
"So you'll be coming home soon? Keiichi'll love to hear that!"
Belldandy's eyes narrowed quickly, "Speaking of Keiichi. I thought you were going to protect him from Peorth."
Horrified that Belldandy knew that she had failed to a degree in her promise, Skuld didn't know what to say. By looking in Belldandy's eyes, Skuld knew that she had upset her. "I'll try harder sister. I promise I will!"
"Please do Skuld. The more time she has the more desperate she will become. Eventually she may force herself on him or use her magic," Belldandy's voice dripping with detest.
Surprised to hear such animosity in her sister's voice, Skuld tried to change topics. "I hid the CD like you asked. Nobody will ever find it!"
The slight frown on Belldandy's face turning into her usual smile, "Excellent Skuld! For that I think you deserve a present."
Nodding fiercely at the idea of not only being praised by her sister but getting a gift too, Skuld was overjoyed. "Really a present?"
Laughing softly, Belldandy placed a small ring in her sister's hand. "I made it especially for you. As thanks for all the help you have given me."
Not wasting a moment, Skuld had the ring on her finger and looked at it lovingly, "Thank you so much!"
"Of course dear," the elder Norn said. 'Skuld will be an integral part in my plan but I can't be to careful,' she thought. The ring would insure Belldandy had full cooperation when the time was right. The two sisters quickly started talking about various trivial matters. Time passed late into the night and eventually the younger Goddess was lulled to sleep by the peace that being with her sister offered. As Skuld slept, Belldandy set her next act into motion.
-------------
Finally free from the constraints of his bandages, Aoshima was on the prowl. He was feeling surprisingly good considering his previous beating. All he wanted now was a quick score. Some simple girl he could coheres into a night of sensual bliss, and he could easily rid himself of after he had gotten what he wanted.
Looking up at the night sky, "To bad the lovely Miss Belldandy isn't around." He could still see his 'dream' vividly. The smell, sound, and even the taste seemed so real to him. However he wasn't that picky at the moment. 'Hell right now I'd take that girl Morisato has with him.' He slowed his car and parked at a small nightspot. 'I can't wait to tell Belldandy about what Keiichi did, she'll practically jump into my bed.'
"Aoshima-san, is that you?" a voice chimed from behind.
Not realizing he was actually hearing a voice, "I can almost hear her now."
"It is you. Hello Aoshima-san."
Facing his calling, Aoshima's breath caught in his throat. "Belldandy! I thought you were out of town."
Standing in front of the man, Belldandy was clad in a very form fitting silk dress. Hanging tightly to the curves of her body, Belldandy knew the dress got his attention. "How are you doing?"
Quickly turning on his charms, he smiled roguishly at her. "I'm good and yourself?"
Putting her hand to her forehead in mock fatigue, "I'm feeling a bit faint actually. I'm staying in this hotel, could you help me to my room?"
'If I didn't know better I'd say she was trying to lure me into her.' The smile on his face grew, 'She must have learned about Morisato cheating on her and left him.' Taking her hand in his, he led her inside the nearby hotel according to Belldandy's instructions. 'I'll make my dream come true tonight!'
Now that Kami-sama had stopped actively watching her, Belldandy had set up a small surprise for the male. As they stepped into the room Belldandy claimed was hers, they in fact stepped into a miniature dimension that she had created using her amplified powers. The dimension took the shape of the room Urd had changed Keiichi's into, a complete replica of a quickie motel.
Looking at the flustered look on Belldandy's face, Aoshima's mind turned to perversion quickly, 'By damn she is going to sleep with me. I'm going to enjoy this.'
Shutting the door behind her, Belldandy stepped towards the bathroom, "I'm going to 'freshen' up. You may stay if you want." With that she stepped into the other room, leaving the man to determine his own fate. 'I gave the pig a chance to escape. If he truly is wicked enough to sleep with the love of another he will deserve the punishment I have prepared.'
Waiting five minutes, Belldandy stepped back out into the main room. She found exactly what she had thought she would. Aoshima had stripped of his clothing and was laying under the covers of the bed smiling sickly at her.
Sauntering over to the edge of the bed, Belldandy's voice turned cold, "Aoshima-kun, do you remember when I told you I was a Goddess?"
'You're a Goddess alright, a sex Goddess,' the thought before saying, "Of course I do."
Showering the light in the brilliance of her light, Belldandy's clothing changed from the dress to her Goddess uniform. "You should have believed to me, and now as a Goddess I'll punish you."
Thinking it a trick, Aoshima decided to play along, "And how will you punish me?"
Her eyes glazed over completely, now dark and foreboding her voice filled the room, "As you have violated human bodies with your putrid flesh, you shall have said flesh ripped from you. As you have corrupted the senses of young women, your senses shall be stolen."
Fear began to emanate from his very soul; Aoshima realized Belldandy wasn't playing some game. She was serious. As he tried to jump from the bed, he found himself bound in a torrent of air. Each appendage was being pulled away from his torso.
"W-w-what are you doing?"
The runes on Belldandy's face flashed with power as she called out to nature to come to her. "I shall let my friends partake in this endeavor."
In a flurry of feathers and fur, a menagerie of creatures beset Aoshima. Trying fruitlessly to defend himself from them. Belldandy smiled as the birds rendered him deaf and blind, squirrels castrated him, and he screamed for forgiveness. "You have been judged guilty of unforgivable crimes," was all that Belldandy said. The deeper recesses of her mind tried to stop her actions, but she no longer listened. The only thing that drove her onward was getting Keiichi back and punishing those who were to blame for trying to take him from her.
After her creatures had finished their work, Belldandy looked at the bleeding body before her. At one time she would have been mortified at her actions, now she pleased. Leaving the dimension she created for the heavens, she sealed it forever. Leaving Aoshima to leave his remaining time alone in darkness and silence.
Finding Skuld still asleep on her bed when she returned. Belldandy kissed her sisters forehead, she would make the prefect alibi if she were to ever be questioned.
------------
Still arm-in-arm, Keiichi and Peorth entered the darkened temple as the moon shone brightly in the night sky. After leaving Megumi at the café, Peorth insisted the pair go see a movie to pass the time. As Keiichi was growing fonder of Peorth's company he happily obliged.
"Thanks again Peorth, you've been a great help during this," Keiichi said as he finally removed his arm from hers.
Bowing lightly to him, "I should be the one thanking you," she smiled at him.
Making his way to the kitchen, Keiichi asked if Peorth would like some coffee. She did and followed the boy noticing the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. "Urd have you come to something to Keiichi and I?"
Stumbling into the light of the kitchen, Urd was staggering due to her inebriation. 'Damn Peorth! She's going to wait until I tell him that Belldandy's not coming back! She wants me to destroy his hopes!'
Rushing to the side of the drunken Goddess, Keiichi helped her to a chair. "Urd are you ok?" He had noticed the bronze Goddess had been getting drunk more often since Belldandy had left, he didn't blame her. He had often tried to block that memory from his mind, but he got by on knowing she'd be back eventually.
Her voice slurred, Urd spoke in uneven bursts, "And.where have you.guys been? Huh?"
Draping her arms around Keiichi's back, Peorth all but cooed, "A movie. We wanted to spend some time alone together."
Trying to put Peorth's advances off as mere a joke, Keiichi added, "I felt bad about Peorth being forced to do this until Belldandy gets back and we can talk about things."
'He still doesn't believe Peorth is truly in love with him,' Urd reasoned, 'otherwise he wouldn't be allowing this.' Urd tried to stand but found her legs had gone out from underneath her. "Keiichi."
Again removing himself from Peorth's embrace, Keiichi stood and walked over to Urd. "Maybe we should put you in bed. It's getting late. Want some help?"
"Keiichi's right Urd. It is time for bed isn't it. Let him help you then we can all go to bed," Peorth said. Making sure to stress the right words to give Urd the impression that she would again be in Keiichi's bed.
---------
Lifting the Goddess off her chair, Keiichi propped her against himself and lead Urd to her room. Laying her on the unrolled futon, Keiichi noticed that Urd had sobered up a bit. "Feeling better?"
Urd just shook her head, she was far from good. Ever since Peorth had left earlier that day she had been thinking. Thinking of Belldandy, Keiichi, and herself. For the first time that she could remember she was furious at not only Belldandy but also herself. 'I'm mad at her for getting him. For having such a man in her life and then doing this. I'm disgusted at myself for being jealous of their love! Even now he loves her more than words describe.' Her hands slowly went up to Keiichi's face and felt its contours.
Keiichi blushed softly at the contact and again asked Urd if she was feeling better. "Keiichi.about Belldandy." She was going to tell him, let him know the truth. The truth that they would never see each other again. Maybe then she could have a chance before Peorth stole it from her.
Keiichi, after hearing Urd mention Belldandy, was paying rapt attention. Over her absence he often asked both Urd and Skuld about Belldandy. Each time both said they couldn't talk about it. Urd didn't talk out of fear, while Skuld didn't talk out of ignorance. So his face light up after hearing Urd's opening declaration.
Upon seeing the expression of anticipation on his face, Urd lost her will. "She said she loves you." She saw that even though such words brought a smile to Keiichi's face, it wasn't what he was hoping to hear. He brought her a glass of water and helped put the covers on then left for bed. As Urd heard his footsteps recede down the hall she felt the first of her own tears. Tears she had been withholding for some time. Mouthing the words 'I love you,' she cried herself to sleep, knowing that when he woke up Peorth would be with him and not her.
------------
Changing into his bed clothing in the bathroom, Keiichi wondered if Urd was really ok. She had been more distracted than usual. Walking into his room, finding it still altered, he sighed lightly. He was grateful that Peorth was there to help him, but sometimes he thought she took her job a bit to far.
Peorth had insisted that she needed to sleep in his room to fulfill her part of his wish. He politely refused her over and over again until finally he couldn't anymore. He felt bad about letting her sleep with him. He also felt bad that she was forced to deal with him, so to help her out he finally let her.
So he wasn't surprised to find a large form already in his bed as he climbed into it. "And how was Urd?" Peorth whispered into Keiichi's ear as he lay down.
Fighting off a blush he answered, "I think Belldandy's absence is starting to get to her as well."
'She didn't tell him. I was counting on her telling him and then we could finally.' she cut that thought off as she noticed Keiichi's eyes slowly lowering. Wrapping her arms softly around him she was thrilled that he didn't cringe away like he had the prior night. He was letting her in she was gaining ground. 'Eventually we'll be together. Belldandy's err will not be totally unpleasant.'
Watching the slight rise and fall of his chest, Peorth couldn't resist the urge she had within her. 'He'll think it a dream so.' Propping herself over his prone body she kissed him deeply. As she had hoped his mind had already entered R.E.M. sleep and was dreaming. She debated on how far to press her luck but held at only a rather intimate kiss.
In the heavens Belldandy watched this. The last shred of her previous self was lost as Peorth reveled in the taste of Keiichi's lips. Raw power surging through her body, Belldandy had all the motivation to proceed. "She'll be sorry for ever touching him. He's mine! Mine and only mine!" The mirror shattered in her hands.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author notes
Told ya it was going to be darker. I tried to make this part as believable as possible. Hopefully I succeeded. Hope you enjoyed the read and any comments/suggestions will greatly be appreciated.
About Urd.I always thought that Urd had more feelings for Keiichi than she let on. On many occasions she'd hug him, try kiss him, just hang around him seeming depressed when she had to leave. The love potion that was already nullified comes to mind. So don't think she's OOC.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
I know I've neglected this story. Much like I neglected all my stories, just no time as of late. Final year of college is coming up, new job, and lots of other issues are prohibiting my earlier desire to do a lot of writing. Oh well I'll try by best
And I feel myself needing to remind you that this is a darkfic. This chapter will be fairly dark as well so.you've been warned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Fallible Chapter 5 - Decent
Belldandy stood before her father again, Holy Bell majestically over her shoulder. She looked as if the events that lead to her banishment from the Morisato home had never happened.
"My child you have done well in the past two weeks. You have made much progress," Kami-sama addressed the Goddess before him.
On one knee, Belldandy smiled to herself, 'The old fool, I see things for what they are now.' Raising her head to see, in her eyes, the betrayer "I have done as you wish father that is all."
Smiling at his recovered child, Kami-sama mentally relaxed. He was worried that Belldandy's feelings for that mortal were at a dangerous level and the she would have rebelled. "You may rejoin your fellow Goddesses at the Relief Agency. You will be monitored for a time and not allowed visitation rights to the country of Japan."
Trying to keep her mask of compliance in check despite the disgust she felt for the being before her, Belldandy nodded. "Your wish is my command father."
His tone adding in sentimentality, "I'm glad you are yourself again Belldandy. I was worried for a time." Looking at his daughter and how she easily responded positively to her new post, Kami-sama momentarily thought it too easy but dismissed it. Holy Bell was a perfect mirror of Belldandy's soul and she looked happy so Kami was hard pressed to be suspicious.
"I am better now father," she said sweetly. Unfortunately the two weeks she had spent in absence of Keiichi had allowed her time to think of darker things. Her mind slowly being pulled into the darker recesses of experience. She had passed the boarder for help when she had sealed Mara. Who had yet to be noticed as missing. "Skuld has been a great help in my recovery."
"Ah, our young surface world trainee. I must thank her personally for your speedy recovery then."
'You'll just try and pervert her too won't you?' Belldandy's mind retorted to itself. Having no faith in her father as a competent source anymore. "By your will, I'd like to take my leave."
Seeing only what he truly wanted, Kami-sama turned a blind eye to the anxious feeling he had been experiencing while talking to Belldandy. Although Belldandy was behaving as he wanted a gnawing suspicion hinted that something was amiss. "You may. And again I'm sorry for what has transpired but I had no choice in the matter."
"Speak no more of that matter," Belldandy said as she rose from her kneeling position and exited Kami's throne room, Holy Bell in tow. Once she had returned to her room Belldandy smiled at her performance.
"Holy Bell I have succeeded! Now that I have freed myself of the yoke of his watchful eye I can act freely!" Her eyes glazed over slightly as she spoke. Holy Bell took on a similar position. Recovering her viewing mirror, Belldandy caressed Keiichi's form. "We'll be together again soon my love, and when we are we can become one again."
Her angelic companion flew in circles of happiness as she was washed over by Belldandy's feelings of relief and joy. Putting the mirror back down, Belldandy began thinking of what she needed to do next to further her plan.
--------------
As Belldandy set forth preparing the next stage in her plan, Urd was just starting on fulfilling her plan. As of late said plan was the same thing. After the disastrous meeting with Belldandy two weeks past, Urd had done only one thing but she did it well. She was opening a fresh bottle of saki with the full intent of getting drunk and fast.
Pulling the cork out of the bottle and savoring the smell, she reflected on the past half month. Keiichi was slowly gaining ground on recovery, as was Skuld. The pain was still there, and she reasoned it would always be to an extent. Right now Skuld was off acquiring parts for her latest toy and Keiichi was on campus. The only missing player that could be around was Peorth, and Urd didn't really want to see said Goddess.
Urd nearly dropped the bottle when a soft voice whispered into her ear, "Drowning your sorrows again Urd?"
Gripping the neck of the now corked bottle, Urd waved it menacingly at her guest, "Don't you talk to me Peorth. I know what you're doing"
Sitting down by the kitchen table Peorth rested her chin on her palm, "And what would that happen to be?"
"You slept in Keiichi's room last night," Urd said in a flat voice.
Smiling at her small step toward her own goal she said simply, "Jealous?"
Rage started to build in Urd's chest; she was slowly starting to dislike Peorth. Snapping that she was upset at Peorth for taking advantage of Keiichi in the situation. Peorth just continued to smile. She had loved every moment of her sleep the previous night. Two weeks of working on Keiichi had finally resulted in him breaking down and letting her stay in his room.
"You're sick Peorth. Using this situation to your advantage. When Bell gets back how will Keiichi." Urd's repose was cut short as the Goddess of the Roses interrupted.
"I got the call from father Urd so you can drop the act. She ISN'T coming back. Why didn't you tell me this?" Peorth's tone a mix of anger and joy.
Finding herself exposed, Urd could only stare. She had hoped that by keeping Belldandy's full punishment secret she could have done something to prevent Peorth from going to far with Keiichi. That if she kept it secret she could help Belldandy redeem herself and return.
"I'm waiting Urd. Why didn't you tell me? No answer? I bet I know why you didn't tell me," she ended the smile growing on her face.
Urd finally opened the bottle and let the sour liquid slid down her throat. She knew that what Peorth said next wasn't going to be pleasant so she wanted to dampen her mind again.
Clearing her throat Peorth gave Urd her detailed analysis of the situation. "You hoped to get her back and get rid of me. You didn't want me to know so I could tell Keiichi. You'd rather he be alone! Alone than with me!"
Urd tried to interject but Peorth was not to be stopped.
"I bet you ARE jealous of me. Jealous that Father made me the Goddess of his wish and not you. I saw how you acted when you first got here. How many times did you tempt him? How many times did you act to provoke Belldandy while you really wanted him for yourself?"
Urd sat speechlessly as Peorth recounted the number of occasions she witnessed in the past two weeks alone that shown that Urd had more than just a passing fancy for the boy. When the Goddess finally stopped on talking about Keiichi she turned to a subject that was even closer to home for Urd.
"That's why you're a damn alcoholic now. You're just drinking to escape the reality that Belldandy's gone and not coming back. That now that I'm his Goddess there is no reason for you to be here anymore with him."
Urd's silence was finally broken as she erupted, "That's a damn lie and you know it!"
Peorth's eyes narrowed as she struck out, "Which part? The idea that you love him or the fact that you haven't been fully sobers for two weeks?"
Not wanting to believe things Urd raised the bottle to her lips again and stopped in horror. Peorth just nodded, said one more line then teleported out of the room, back to Keiichi Urd reasoned. Left alone in the kitchen where her family used to eat happily together, Urd thought. 'Is it possible that I do love him? That my teasing, jokes, and goading were.were.'
"She's right."
She couldn't deny it anymore not even to herself. She had thought her feelings were purely platonic, more attuned to a big sister, but it didn't equate anymore. Walking over to the sink, Urd tried to pour her saki out but found her body resisting, Peorth's line replaying in her mind.
"I bet you didn't even tell Keiichi that she's never coming back yet either."
She drank the rest of the bottle. ---------------
Roughly the same time that Peorth had forced Urd to first jumble her bottle, the Morisato siblings were sitting in a café on campus eating lunch. Megumi was glad that she was finally able to speak to her brother alone. She had been waiting a chance to talk to him about his behavior ever since Belldandy left for home.
Savoring the taste of the fairly expensive French roast Keiichi started talking. He asked his sister how school had been going, if the bike gang still called her Queen, and other small details. She answered his questions quaintly and directly. After he had exhausted his bout of questions, Megumi found it time to start with her own.
Hiding her mouth behind her coffee mug, "Keiichi, what's going on with you and that Peorth woman?"
Slightly startled by the question he responded with his own question, "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean Belldandy's only been gone for two weeks and your already cavorting with another girl. This isn't like you K1," Megumi explained.
Irritation slowly began to build inside of Keiichi. He had kept Megumi in the dark about the real reason Belldandy had 'gone home.' "Peorth is a friend, a good one. I don't see anything wrong with me spending time with her."
"So you're just going to drop Belldandy for a pretty face then? Doesn't she mean anything to you? How can you act like this?"
The irritation boiled over into anger. He had been the one to see his love in the arms of another man. He had been the one to see his love act out of selfishness. Why couldn't he seek even the most remote comfort? His voice fueled by his anger was sharp, "And what about her? She can do whatever she wants without worrying. She doesn't have to care how her actions hurt me!"
"Keiichi," Megumi looked shocked. Her brother rarely spoke like this, never regarding Belldandy. "Keiichi.did something happen between you two?"
Realization struck the poor boy, and hard. The blood drained from his face leaving him deathly pale. Trying to speak, he found his voice didn't respond his tongue was lethargic. Megumi took the signs in and was worried. "Keiichi, can you tell me about it?"
Drinking his coffee to hopefully relax his agitated throat, Keiichi said that he could, but only if she swore to secrecy. She did and leaned closer to her brother at his request. "Belldandy left because I caught her in bed with somebody."
Megumi slammed her hands on the table and shouted, "You lie!"
Shushing her, Keiichi went into further details. He told her that Belldandy had somehow gotten drunk and slept with somebody that looked like him. He hoped she'd believe his edited story, as he didn't have the strength to tell her about the whole Goddess issue.
Looking at her brother in a new light, Megumi wanted to cry, for her brother and for herself. She had looked at Belldandy as perfection personified, but she had done such a thing to Keiichi. "So for all this time you suffered in silence? You didn't tell me your sister about this."
"I wanted to, but I didn't know how too," Keiichi admitted.
Megumi opened her mouth to speak again but was stopped as she saw the pain etched on Keiichi's face. She wondered how she had missed it, and how he had handled it alone. 'He hasn't.'
Noting as understanding crossed Megumi's face, Keiichi spoke, "Like I said, Peorth has been a good friend as of late."
She simply nodded. Surely he'd needed some comfort during this. She just hoped that Peorth didn't make matters worse. "Just be careful Keiichi. Don't do anything you'll regret ok?"
Clueless to what she was implying, "What do you mean?"
Before she could elaborate that she meant to be wary of Peorth, said woman walked into the café. On spotting the siblings, Peorth latched onto Keiichi's arm and asked if he wanted to head home. Paying for the drinks, Keiichi bid his sister goodbye and the two left, arm in arm.
--------------
Having lost interest in her current project, the youngest Norn found herself lightly rapping on the door of her loving older sister. Not wanting to talk to Urd, and not having Keiichi around to protect she had grown bored enough to teleport to the heavens.
Belldandy allowed the younger girl into her room, offering a quick but sharp smile. The promise Skuld had made with Belldandy had failed in her eyes. "Skuld what brings you here today?"
Smiling softly Skuld admitted her reasons were boredom and the usual missing of her elder sister. "You look better, did something happen?"
Taking Skuld's hands into her own, Belldandy almost sang, "I spoke with father today Skuld. Things are looking much better."
"So you'll be coming home soon? Keiichi'll love to hear that!"
Belldandy's eyes narrowed quickly, "Speaking of Keiichi. I thought you were going to protect him from Peorth."
Horrified that Belldandy knew that she had failed to a degree in her promise, Skuld didn't know what to say. By looking in Belldandy's eyes, Skuld knew that she had upset her. "I'll try harder sister. I promise I will!"
"Please do Skuld. The more time she has the more desperate she will become. Eventually she may force herself on him or use her magic," Belldandy's voice dripping with detest.
Surprised to hear such animosity in her sister's voice, Skuld tried to change topics. "I hid the CD like you asked. Nobody will ever find it!"
The slight frown on Belldandy's face turning into her usual smile, "Excellent Skuld! For that I think you deserve a present."
Nodding fiercely at the idea of not only being praised by her sister but getting a gift too, Skuld was overjoyed. "Really a present?"
Laughing softly, Belldandy placed a small ring in her sister's hand. "I made it especially for you. As thanks for all the help you have given me."
Not wasting a moment, Skuld had the ring on her finger and looked at it lovingly, "Thank you so much!"
"Of course dear," the elder Norn said. 'Skuld will be an integral part in my plan but I can't be to careful,' she thought. The ring would insure Belldandy had full cooperation when the time was right. The two sisters quickly started talking about various trivial matters. Time passed late into the night and eventually the younger Goddess was lulled to sleep by the peace that being with her sister offered. As Skuld slept, Belldandy set her next act into motion.
-------------
Finally free from the constraints of his bandages, Aoshima was on the prowl. He was feeling surprisingly good considering his previous beating. All he wanted now was a quick score. Some simple girl he could coheres into a night of sensual bliss, and he could easily rid himself of after he had gotten what he wanted.
Looking up at the night sky, "To bad the lovely Miss Belldandy isn't around." He could still see his 'dream' vividly. The smell, sound, and even the taste seemed so real to him. However he wasn't that picky at the moment. 'Hell right now I'd take that girl Morisato has with him.' He slowed his car and parked at a small nightspot. 'I can't wait to tell Belldandy about what Keiichi did, she'll practically jump into my bed.'
"Aoshima-san, is that you?" a voice chimed from behind.
Not realizing he was actually hearing a voice, "I can almost hear her now."
"It is you. Hello Aoshima-san."
Facing his calling, Aoshima's breath caught in his throat. "Belldandy! I thought you were out of town."
Standing in front of the man, Belldandy was clad in a very form fitting silk dress. Hanging tightly to the curves of her body, Belldandy knew the dress got his attention. "How are you doing?"
Quickly turning on his charms, he smiled roguishly at her. "I'm good and yourself?"
Putting her hand to her forehead in mock fatigue, "I'm feeling a bit faint actually. I'm staying in this hotel, could you help me to my room?"
'If I didn't know better I'd say she was trying to lure me into her.' The smile on his face grew, 'She must have learned about Morisato cheating on her and left him.' Taking her hand in his, he led her inside the nearby hotel according to Belldandy's instructions. 'I'll make my dream come true tonight!'
Now that Kami-sama had stopped actively watching her, Belldandy had set up a small surprise for the male. As they stepped into the room Belldandy claimed was hers, they in fact stepped into a miniature dimension that she had created using her amplified powers. The dimension took the shape of the room Urd had changed Keiichi's into, a complete replica of a quickie motel.
Looking at the flustered look on Belldandy's face, Aoshima's mind turned to perversion quickly, 'By damn she is going to sleep with me. I'm going to enjoy this.'
Shutting the door behind her, Belldandy stepped towards the bathroom, "I'm going to 'freshen' up. You may stay if you want." With that she stepped into the other room, leaving the man to determine his own fate. 'I gave the pig a chance to escape. If he truly is wicked enough to sleep with the love of another he will deserve the punishment I have prepared.'
Waiting five minutes, Belldandy stepped back out into the main room. She found exactly what she had thought she would. Aoshima had stripped of his clothing and was laying under the covers of the bed smiling sickly at her.
Sauntering over to the edge of the bed, Belldandy's voice turned cold, "Aoshima-kun, do you remember when I told you I was a Goddess?"
'You're a Goddess alright, a sex Goddess,' the thought before saying, "Of course I do."
Showering the light in the brilliance of her light, Belldandy's clothing changed from the dress to her Goddess uniform. "You should have believed to me, and now as a Goddess I'll punish you."
Thinking it a trick, Aoshima decided to play along, "And how will you punish me?"
Her eyes glazed over completely, now dark and foreboding her voice filled the room, "As you have violated human bodies with your putrid flesh, you shall have said flesh ripped from you. As you have corrupted the senses of young women, your senses shall be stolen."
Fear began to emanate from his very soul; Aoshima realized Belldandy wasn't playing some game. She was serious. As he tried to jump from the bed, he found himself bound in a torrent of air. Each appendage was being pulled away from his torso.
"W-w-what are you doing?"
The runes on Belldandy's face flashed with power as she called out to nature to come to her. "I shall let my friends partake in this endeavor."
In a flurry of feathers and fur, a menagerie of creatures beset Aoshima. Trying fruitlessly to defend himself from them. Belldandy smiled as the birds rendered him deaf and blind, squirrels castrated him, and he screamed for forgiveness. "You have been judged guilty of unforgivable crimes," was all that Belldandy said. The deeper recesses of her mind tried to stop her actions, but she no longer listened. The only thing that drove her onward was getting Keiichi back and punishing those who were to blame for trying to take him from her.
After her creatures had finished their work, Belldandy looked at the bleeding body before her. At one time she would have been mortified at her actions, now she pleased. Leaving the dimension she created for the heavens, she sealed it forever. Leaving Aoshima to leave his remaining time alone in darkness and silence.
Finding Skuld still asleep on her bed when she returned. Belldandy kissed her sisters forehead, she would make the prefect alibi if she were to ever be questioned.
------------
Still arm-in-arm, Keiichi and Peorth entered the darkened temple as the moon shone brightly in the night sky. After leaving Megumi at the café, Peorth insisted the pair go see a movie to pass the time. As Keiichi was growing fonder of Peorth's company he happily obliged.
"Thanks again Peorth, you've been a great help during this," Keiichi said as he finally removed his arm from hers.
Bowing lightly to him, "I should be the one thanking you," she smiled at him.
Making his way to the kitchen, Keiichi asked if Peorth would like some coffee. She did and followed the boy noticing the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. "Urd have you come to something to Keiichi and I?"
Stumbling into the light of the kitchen, Urd was staggering due to her inebriation. 'Damn Peorth! She's going to wait until I tell him that Belldandy's not coming back! She wants me to destroy his hopes!'
Rushing to the side of the drunken Goddess, Keiichi helped her to a chair. "Urd are you ok?" He had noticed the bronze Goddess had been getting drunk more often since Belldandy had left, he didn't blame her. He had often tried to block that memory from his mind, but he got by on knowing she'd be back eventually.
Her voice slurred, Urd spoke in uneven bursts, "And.where have you.guys been? Huh?"
Draping her arms around Keiichi's back, Peorth all but cooed, "A movie. We wanted to spend some time alone together."
Trying to put Peorth's advances off as mere a joke, Keiichi added, "I felt bad about Peorth being forced to do this until Belldandy gets back and we can talk about things."
'He still doesn't believe Peorth is truly in love with him,' Urd reasoned, 'otherwise he wouldn't be allowing this.' Urd tried to stand but found her legs had gone out from underneath her. "Keiichi."
Again removing himself from Peorth's embrace, Keiichi stood and walked over to Urd. "Maybe we should put you in bed. It's getting late. Want some help?"
"Keiichi's right Urd. It is time for bed isn't it. Let him help you then we can all go to bed," Peorth said. Making sure to stress the right words to give Urd the impression that she would again be in Keiichi's bed.
---------
Lifting the Goddess off her chair, Keiichi propped her against himself and lead Urd to her room. Laying her on the unrolled futon, Keiichi noticed that Urd had sobered up a bit. "Feeling better?"
Urd just shook her head, she was far from good. Ever since Peorth had left earlier that day she had been thinking. Thinking of Belldandy, Keiichi, and herself. For the first time that she could remember she was furious at not only Belldandy but also herself. 'I'm mad at her for getting him. For having such a man in her life and then doing this. I'm disgusted at myself for being jealous of their love! Even now he loves her more than words describe.' Her hands slowly went up to Keiichi's face and felt its contours.
Keiichi blushed softly at the contact and again asked Urd if she was feeling better. "Keiichi.about Belldandy." She was going to tell him, let him know the truth. The truth that they would never see each other again. Maybe then she could have a chance before Peorth stole it from her.
Keiichi, after hearing Urd mention Belldandy, was paying rapt attention. Over her absence he often asked both Urd and Skuld about Belldandy. Each time both said they couldn't talk about it. Urd didn't talk out of fear, while Skuld didn't talk out of ignorance. So his face light up after hearing Urd's opening declaration.
Upon seeing the expression of anticipation on his face, Urd lost her will. "She said she loves you." She saw that even though such words brought a smile to Keiichi's face, it wasn't what he was hoping to hear. He brought her a glass of water and helped put the covers on then left for bed. As Urd heard his footsteps recede down the hall she felt the first of her own tears. Tears she had been withholding for some time. Mouthing the words 'I love you,' she cried herself to sleep, knowing that when he woke up Peorth would be with him and not her.
------------
Changing into his bed clothing in the bathroom, Keiichi wondered if Urd was really ok. She had been more distracted than usual. Walking into his room, finding it still altered, he sighed lightly. He was grateful that Peorth was there to help him, but sometimes he thought she took her job a bit to far.
Peorth had insisted that she needed to sleep in his room to fulfill her part of his wish. He politely refused her over and over again until finally he couldn't anymore. He felt bad about letting her sleep with him. He also felt bad that she was forced to deal with him, so to help her out he finally let her.
So he wasn't surprised to find a large form already in his bed as he climbed into it. "And how was Urd?" Peorth whispered into Keiichi's ear as he lay down.
Fighting off a blush he answered, "I think Belldandy's absence is starting to get to her as well."
'She didn't tell him. I was counting on her telling him and then we could finally.' she cut that thought off as she noticed Keiichi's eyes slowly lowering. Wrapping her arms softly around him she was thrilled that he didn't cringe away like he had the prior night. He was letting her in she was gaining ground. 'Eventually we'll be together. Belldandy's err will not be totally unpleasant.'
Watching the slight rise and fall of his chest, Peorth couldn't resist the urge she had within her. 'He'll think it a dream so.' Propping herself over his prone body she kissed him deeply. As she had hoped his mind had already entered R.E.M. sleep and was dreaming. She debated on how far to press her luck but held at only a rather intimate kiss.
In the heavens Belldandy watched this. The last shred of her previous self was lost as Peorth reveled in the taste of Keiichi's lips. Raw power surging through her body, Belldandy had all the motivation to proceed. "She'll be sorry for ever touching him. He's mine! Mine and only mine!" The mirror shattered in her hands.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author notes
Told ya it was going to be darker. I tried to make this part as believable as possible. Hopefully I succeeded. Hope you enjoyed the read and any comments/suggestions will greatly be appreciated.
About Urd.I always thought that Urd had more feelings for Keiichi than she let on. On many occasions she'd hug him, try kiss him, just hang around him seeming depressed when she had to leave. The love potion that was already nullified comes to mind. So don't think she's OOC.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)