Chapter 6
"You're a Goddess?!" Mana shouted.
Sayoko smiled, "Since the day I was born." Her smiled vanished. "Now free them."
Mana's mind went into overdrive. If Sayoko was a goddess, then obviously her Aunt was one as well. The third person who looked like Hild was most likely a Goddess as well. Three to one, she really didn't like those odds.
"Give it up." Skuld said stepping forward, "You can't defeat all three of us." She then held up Welsper, whom she was still holding by the scruff of the neck. "She knows it."
Mana's eyes widened. "Welsper……..you betrayed me."
"No!" Welsper shouted, "I didn't…..I……" Welsper sighed, "Mana…..It's your choice."
Mana however didn't hear a word he said. Instead, her mind had drifted back to the past.
'Run Mana!!' a female screamed, 'RUN!!'
'Thought you got away from me did you?' a male voice rumbled through her mind. For the next several moments, loud piercing screams echoed throughout her head. Then the image of a body turn into pieces entered her mind, followed by loud laughter.
Something in Mana snapped.
"I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HER!" She suddenly cried as formed a force bolt and sent it hurtling at the goddesses.
The three leaped out of the way just in time. Sayoko landed just in front of the explosion. Urd landed off to the side near Touji and Hikari, while Skuld, dropped Welsper, and landed near Rei and Asuka.
Mana let out another scream and charged at Sayoko, throwing force bolts, lightning and punches. Sayoko easily dodged each of the Demons attacks. Skuld watched in a kind of stunned awe.
"What does she think she's going to do?" Skuld wondered out loud.
"I don't know." Skuld turned to see Welsper standing beside her. "That is not the Mana I know."
"I HATE YOU!" Mana cried out, "I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!!"
Sayoko continued to avoid Mana's attacks. As she did, she noticed the attacks seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. Mana, like all Deities, did have limits to their powers.
And she was reaching hers.
Mana finally leaped at Sayoko, grabbing at her throat.
"You can't take her away!" Mana shouted again, "I won't let you!"
"Her?" Sayoko asked, struggling against Mana, "Who is her Mana?"
"HE KILLED MY MOTHER!!" Mana suddenly cried.
Sayoko blinked, "Who did?"
"My…my…." Mana muttered, her grip weakening, "I lost my Mother…." She whispered.
"I lost mine too." Sayoko said.
"Was yours murdered in front of you?" Mana asked bitterly.
Sayoko blinked. Something about this conversation ticked at the back of her mind.
"She died in a plane crash….."
Mana blinked. Her mind suddenly reengaged as she began to remember something from her youth.
"You have my sympathies." Mana said, repeating words she had said before.
"As you have mine." Sayoko said, also repeating words from her memory.
"Guardian of Light….." Mana whispered.
"Guardian of Shadow….." Sayoko replied.
Both girls eyes flashed, and soon, they found a past long hidden, opened to them.
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2005
"Mana!" her mother called out, "Time to come in!"
"But Momma!" a little four year old Mana, "I wanna play some more!"
"It's getting dark Mana. You can play some more tomorrow."
"Yes Momma." Mana replied unhappily.
Mana walked into the house and looked up at her mother.
"Why can't I play outside in the dark?"
"Because bad things like monsters exist in the dark." her mother replied, "Now why don't you go to your room and change."
"Ok Momma."
Mana ran down to her room and pulled out her PJs. As she was changing, she heard the doorbell ring. Her mother ignored it, as was her habit at night. The doorbell rang again. Mana was just staring to climb into bed when the front door exploded.
"I see you my pretty." A male voiced boomed, "Remember me?"
"No!!!" shouted her mother, "Get out of my house!"
"We had a lot of fun a few years ago. Didn't you enjoy it?"
"NO!!! NO!!! NO!! NO!!! NO!!!"
"You were supposed to die that night, instead, you produced a half-breed!" the male shouted, "Where is she? Where is that brat!"
"NO!! RUN MANA!!! RUN!!!!
"You thought you had gotten away?" The man shouted, suddenly she heard her mother screaming. "Nothing gets away from me!"
Mana peered out towards the living room. A giant of a man with glowing red eyes and red marking on his face held her mother off the ground by her neck. Mana's eyes went wide as the giant man saw her.
"So..." he said, "There is the little half breed." He returned his glare to her mother. "I no longer have need of you." He grabbed her mother with both hands and pulled. Mana screamed as blood sprayed in every direction. The man dropped what was left of her mother and then turned towards her. Her mother's blood dripped off of his body. Mana backed away,. Her eyes getting wider. This must have been one of the monsters her mother told her that lived in the dark.
"Now my dear….." he said, "Let's have a little reunion. You see…..I'm your father, but then again, you were never to have existed."
Mana closed her eyes as the man reached for her. Suddenly there was shouting in some strange gruff language. Then someone lifted her up.
"I found the half breed!" a voice said.
"Bring her with." another voice said, "The Queen wants to see it."
Little Mana, having seen her mother torn apart, and then almost meeting the same fate couldn't handle it any more, and passed out.
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Mana let out a yawn and slowly opened her eyes. She realized she was still in her PJs and wondered if the night before had been a dream. A quick look around showed her that the room she was in was definitely not hers. It was mostly done up in red and black. The red sheets she lay on were very shiny and slick. She slid off the bed and wondered over to a set of windows, covered by a black curtain. She moved the curtain to the side and peered out. The sight that met her eyes surprised her.
The room she was in appeared to be high off the ground. A look up showed not a blue sky, but one of rock. Below, several areas glowed bright red and flames burst out of cracks ever now and then.
Mana quickly closed the curtain and ran back to the bed. She dove onto the bed and hid herself within the covers.
'Where was she?' was the first thought that went through her mind. 'Why was she here?' was another.
Before she could think of anything else, the door opened. Mana carefully lifted the sheets just enough to peer out. She saw a set of deeply tanned legs walking towards the bed, as well as a small black and white spotted cat. The cat seemed to be staring right at her. Mana quickly pulled the sheet back down.
"It's alright." came a voice, "You can come out. You're safe."
Mana waited several more moments before poking her head out. The woman that the legs belonged to had long platinum hair, as well as a red star marking on her forehead. She smiled as she saw Mana's face.
"Oh there you are! You're such a little cutie." The woman pointed at herself, "You can call me Auntie Hild. This…" she pointed at the cat, "is Welsper."
"Where's Momma?" Mana asked.
"I'm sorry my dear. But your mother is gone."
"What about the monster?"
Hild mouthed the word monster for a moment. Then she realized what Mana meant.
"Oh no child, he was not a monster." She said, "He was a demon, like me."
Mana's eyes went wide in fear. "You're a monster?"
"No, I am a Demon." Hild said, "Do not worry, you're safe from that man. He will never harm you again."
"He said he was Daddy." Mana said softly.
"Yes," Hild said, kneeling down next to Mana, "He was your father. That makes you a demon too."
Mana looked up, tears in her eyes. "I'm a monster?"
"No." Hild said, placing a hand on one of Mana's. "You are a Demon. You have the power to have whatever you want, and to punish anyone as you see fit. But you must be trained to use your power." Hild pointed at Welsper. "Welsper here will train you."
"The kitty?" Mana asked.
"I would prefer you called me 'Welsper' or 'Teacher'." The cat replied.
Mana's eyes widened. "You…can talk?"
Welsper nodded. "Come along. We have to catch you up on many things."
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2007
"Mana," Welsper said. "This is the day that many Demons dread. This is the day you meet your Doublet."
Mana nodded. "I understand Teacher."
"Without this system, the Heavens and Hell would be in a constant state of war." Welsper continued. "When you leave the room, you will forget who your doublet is. This also keeps the peace. Do you understand?"
"Yes Teacher."
"Then enter."
Mana walked through the ornate doors and found herself within a glowing circle. Darkness surrounded the circle. She slowly walked around the room. She no longer knew where the door was, nor could she find the door to the gods.
Then she was no longer alone.
Within the circle with her now was a girl, apparently the same age as herself. This girl had long dark brown hair and blue markings on her face. She also wore a bright blue and white outfit, making her stand out from the darkness, where Mana's outfit allowed her to blend in.
"Hello." The girl said, "I'm Sayoko."
Mana blinked. The girl was very cheery.
"I'm Mana." She replied, "You're a Goddess?"
Sayoko nodded. "Yep."
"So what's it like in Heaven?" Mana asked.
Now it was Sayoko's turn to blink. This girl was nothing like what her Auntie had said Demons were like.
"I….don't know." Sayoko said.
"Why not?" Mana asked, "You're a Goddess. Goddesses live in Heaven."
"I don't. I live on Earth with my Auntie. She's a Goddess too."
"Why do you live on Earth?" Mana asked slowly.
"Mother wanted me too." Sayoko said, "My Mother was a Goddess to, and Daddy was a mortal."
"I used to live on Earth with my mother." Mana softly, "But….. I lost her……..I lost my mother."
"I lost my mother too." Sayoko said softly.
"I watched her die." Mana said, "My father, a Demon, killed her."
"My mother died in a plane crash," Sayoko said, "along with my father."
"You have my sympathies." Mana said.
"As you have mine." Sayoko replied.
They were quiet for several moments.
"I suppose we should start." Mana finally said.
Sayoko nodded. Both stood across from each other, just barely holding hands.
"We, closest strangers. We, most distant twins." They said together.
"Thou who art with me always, Guardian of Shadow." Sayoko chanted.
"Thou who art with me always, Guardian of Light." Mana chanted.
"When fails the light," they chanted together, "when fades the shadow. Let shadow guard light,. Let light guard shadow. One existence, entangled souls, life shared as one."
"For all gods, "Sayoko chanted, "I, Sayoko, do swear!"
"For all Demons," Mana chanted, "I, Mana, do swear!"
Lightning flashed overhead, then all was quiet.
"It is done." Sayoko said.
"When we leave here," Mana said, "We will forget each other."
"I know." Sayoko replied, "It's there to protect us."
"I wish we could meet again." Mana said, "There aren't any half demon, half mortals in Hell."
Sayoko smiled, "There aren't any half Goddess, half mortals were I am."
Mana gave the goddess a smile. "Maybe we'll meet again someday."
Sayoko nodded, "Maybe we can be friends."
"Maybe." Mana replied.
They waved and then both exited the circle. As they exited, spells engaged, locking the memories of the events away in the back of their minds, for not even heaven, nor hell has the power to completely delete a memory.
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2019
Mana blinked a moment, then released Sayoko from her grasp. She sat down beside the goddess, looking down at the ground.
"Did you mean what you said?" Mana asked softly, "That we could be friends?"
Sayoko nodded. "I meant every word."
Mana closed her eyes and was silent. She then raised her hand and waved it in the direction of Shinji's cage. The cage vanished, a surprised Shinji letting out a shot. Asuka immediately ran to Shinji and tackled him, placing kisses all over his face. Sayoko stood up and walked over to where her Aunts were now standing with the others.
"Forget the Demon," Urd said with a smile, "Save him from her. She's going to smother him."
"Yeah, "Touji said, "But at least he'd die happy."
"Can we go home now?" Hikari asked.
"What about….?" Rei began to ask, looking over at Mana.
"She won't be causing anymore trouble." Sayoko said, "Just let her……"
A loud cry echoed throughout the room. Everyone turned just in time to see Asuka charging at Mana. Mana didn't move at all.
"Asuka! Wait!" shouted Sayoko.
Asuka didn't listen. She pulled her fist back and released it, catching Mana right in the cheek. Mana flew backwards a bit before landing on the floor. There she stayed. Asuka was about to attack her again when Shinji grabbed her.
"Enough Asuka." He said, "Let it go."
Asuka gave the fallen Mana another glare before turning and walking off towards the others. Welsper padded over to Mana, with Sayoko right behind her.
"Yoko?" Skuld asked curiously.
"I'll be along in a bit." Sayoko replied, "Take them home." She then knelt beside Welsper, rolling Mana onto her back.
"But…." Skuld began. She immediately broke off her sentence when Sayoko looked up at her. It was a look that meant business, that she was serious and could not be persuaded to change her mind. It was also a look that Skuld and Urd had last seen on Sayoko's mother's face. That thought sent chills down their spines.
"Alright!" Urd said, "We off!" They then vanished in a flash.
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Mana sat up in the dark. She looked around and at first, couldn't tell where she was. As he eyes got adjusted to the darkness though, she soon made out the familiar things that made up her room.
Not caring that she was still in her black demon outfit, Mana climbed out of her bed and stood up. Just as quickly she sat back down as her head throbbed. She sat there for a moment before rising to her feet once more. She shuffled towards the bathroom and flipped on the light. She blinked several times before her eyes adjusted to the light, then looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes had gone back to green, and her demon markings had vanished. They only ever came out when she used her powers. What did attract her attention was that the entire left side of Mana's face was a bruise. Mana gingerly touched it and winced. She pulled out a bottle of aspirin and down a couple, before moving out towards the kitchen in search of ice.
In the kitchen, she filled a small plastic bag with ice, then wrapped it in a towel before pressing it against the side of her head.
"I see you're awake." A voice said.
Mana turned to see Welsper sitting on the counter.
"How long was I out?" Mana asked.
"About 3 hours." Welsper answered, "It's almost 5am."
"Great." Mana muttered, "School in 3 hours." She walked out into the living room and sat down in a chair. Welsper followed.
"Thank you for bringing me home." Mana said to Welsper when she has sat down beside her.
"I didn't."
"Then who did?"
"Sayoko." Mana turned and stared at Welsper. "She also helped your bruise to heal quicker. Believe it or not, it looked worst awhile ago."
"Why?" Mana asked, "After everything I did, why did she help me?"
"Because of who and what she is." Welsper said, "I knew her mother. She never held a grudge against anyone. It would seem Sayoko has taken that to heart."
Mana nodded. "How did you know her mother?"
"It's a long story."
Mana waved her hand. "I have plenty of time before school, so spill."
"Well……it starts back many years ago to when I met my doublet……"
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Several hours later.
Mana entered her school and, after a quick stop at her locker, headed towards her class. Many students had their eyes on her, but only because of the bruise that covered the side of her head. When people asked, Mana said her door stuck and when she finally got it open, it smacked into her. This excuse was readily accepted by those students.
A few minutes later, Mana was outside the door to her class. Part of her dreaded entering, but she knew she really didn't have a choice. She had barely taken three steps into the class went she felt six sets of eyes boring into her. A quick glance confirmed her intuition: Asuka, Hikari, Rei, Shinji, Touji, and even Kensuke were all glaring at her. Mana looked down at the floor and hurriedly went to her desk, which was unfortunately right next to Shinji. She tried her very best not to look at him, even though she knew he was still glaring at her. She opened her laptop and then stared at the screen. As she did, she could just make up Asuka saying something to Hikari.
"How dare she…….like nothing……..better stay away from Shinji……….demonic bitch……"
Mana let out s sigh and set her head on her desk with her eyes closed. In all her dreams she never expected her plans to end up like this. Right now, Hell seemed better then remaining in the class any longer.
"Good Morning Mana." came a cheerful voice beside her.
Mana turned her head and found herself staring up at the smiling face of Sayoko.
"How are you doing today?"
"I…uh……" Mana stuttered.
Sayoko leaned closer. "That's a nasty bruise."
"Why are you being so nice?" Mana whispered, "I don't deserve this, especially….."
Sayoko raised a finger. "As a goddess," she whispered back, "I am to forgive those that seek it. I know that you would never ask for it, but I forgive you all the same."
Mana closed her eyes as a few tears came from them. "Thank-you."
Sayoko smiled and then headed to her desk. Mana watched as she opened her laptop and powered it on. A few seconds later, the goddess frowned at something on her screen. She quickly typed something and then closed the laptop. Around the classroom, six specific laptops let out a loud bleep, before smoke poured out from the vents.
"What the hell is going on?" the Class Rep shouted, "Sohryu, Ikaris, Aida, Suzuhara, Horaki, What did you do to your laptops?"
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Asuka was still furious at lunch.
"How could Sayoko be nice to that………..that………….that bitch!"
Shinji, Touji, Hikari, Kensuke, and Rei all looked over at Asuka.
"I mean it's not bad enough she wanted MY Shinji, " Asuka continued, "But then she went and beat the shiest out of us. How could Sayoko associate with someone like that?"
"I think there is more to it." Rei said, "Remember, after we returned to the apartment, Skuld was saying something to Urd about a Welsper and Sayoko's mother."
"That's right!" Touji exclaimed, "The double thing. But what does that have to do with Sayoko being nice to Mana."
"Yeah," Kensuke added, "She and her Aunts are really powerful, why didn't they crush Mana when she was down?"
Asuka was silent for a moment. "Come to think of it, they weren't fighting to kill Mara either when Sayoko and I got stuck in the past."
"Maybe because she didn't want to effect the future?" Shinji asked.
Asuka shook her head. "No. We figured out we were in an alternative past and even the Goddesses there didn't fight to kill Mara." Asuka thought for a bit more. "Actually….when Mara was fighting them, she didn't seem to want them dead, just hurt."
"So why wouldn't a Goddess or Demon try to kill one from the other side?" Hikari asked, "Isn't it supposed to be some kind of epic struggle or something?"
"It is."
All six teens turned around to see Sayoko walking up to them
"It is a battle between good and evil." Sayoko said, "But we can't kill the other side."
"Why not?" Asuka said,
Sayoko stared back at Asuka. "Because if a demon dies, a god would die as well. Same if a god were to die, a demon would die. That is the Doublet System." Sayoko sat down. "Oh by the way, Mana will be joining us."
Asuka was on her feet in a second. "WHY?!?!"
Sayoko stared right back at Asuka. "Because I asked her to."
"SHE'S A DEMON!!"
"Yes she is." Sayoko said, "She's also sorry for what she did."
Asuka glared at Sayoko. "A simple 'sorry' won't make up for what she put us through!"
Sayoko glared right back at Asuka. "She was doing what she has been trained for all of her life, just as I have been doing what I have trained for."
"She's a Demon!"
"She posed as our friend." Rei said, "She lied to us."
"She's a Demon!" Asuka repeated
"And she never asked to be one, but she is one!"
"Sayoko?"
Everyone turned around to see Mana standing nervously nearby. Mana took several steps back at the glares she got.
"Hello Mana." Sayoko said, "Come sit over here."
"Are you sure?" Mana said, still feeling the others glares, "I can go elsewhere if it will be a problem….."
"There will be no problems." Sayoko said.
"Because I'm leaving." Asuka said. She stood up and stormed off. Shinji gave Sayoko a 'what did you expect' look and followed his girlfriend.
Mana sat down and stared at the ground. "I knew this was a bad idea."
"Just give her time." Sayoko said.
Mana looked up at the goddess, then looked over at the remaining four teens.
"What about you?" she asked them.
Rei, Hikari, Touji, and Kensuke all glanced at each other.
"It's not that we hate you………….." Kensuke said.
"But after all that has happened…….." added Touji.
"We don't trust you." Rei finished.
"I understand." Mana said softly.
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For the next several months, that was how it went. Everything that they planned to do, movies, arcades, shopping, etc, Sayoko would bring Mana along with them. Eventually, Rei, Hikari, Touji, Kensuke, and even Shinji became more relaxed around her, even including her in their conversations, but it was still nothing like it had been before what was now known as 'the Hell incident'. Asuka however still refused to even acknowledge her presence.
Finally, the end of the school year came and it was time for graduation. Plans were made for college entry exams, as well as finals. Plans were also made for a Graduation Party for the teens. Misato and Skuld went around getting food and decorations together.
"Finally." Asuka said on the final day, as they walked home from school. "I can't wait to get out of this school."
"Why?" Hikari asked, "We'll just go on to College."
"Not me." Asuka said, "I've already got my Degree." Asuka then looked over at Shinji. "So where did you finally decide?"
"Toyko-2." Shinji answered, "It is the number one school in Japan."
"We all decided on Tokyo-2." Touji said, "All that is but Kensuke."
"That's right." Kensuke said, "I'm joining up with the UN. I intend to be right up there with Misato one day!"
"In your dreams stooge." Asuka muttered.
"How about you Sayoko?" Rei asked.
Sayoko shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. Mom got a college degree, so I'm thinking about it. It's just…….I don't know which school to go for."
"Easy. Go to Tokyo-2 with everyone else." Touji said.
"I could." Sayoko replied, "But certain family members and friends of the family want me to go to Nekomi-2 Tech."
"The Motor Club wants you hmm?" Asuka asked.
Sayoko nodded. "Auntie says it's up to me." Sayoko then glanced at Mana. "How about you Mana?"
"I don't know." The Demon replied, "I still want to earn my First Class, but Welsper said I should move to a new area."
"Good riddance then." muttered Asuka. Sayoko ignored the comment.
"Where were you thinking?"
"I haven't been to my old home since….you know." Mana said, "I think I'll go there, see Mom, and go from there."
"Why don't you go see Daddy while you're at it." Asuka said, "I'm sure both he and your mother are very proud of the monster they created!"
Mana drooped at Asuka's words. She then looked at Sayoko.
"I…..have to go….." She then turned and started to run.
"See you at the party!" Sayoko called out. She waved at Mana who gave a weak wave back.
"Demonic bitch." Asuka muttered.
Sayoko whirled about and glared at Asuka. "What the hell is wrong with you? Mana has done nothing to you, she's tried to apologize to you at every opportunity she gets. Everyone else has forgiven her, why won't you?"
"Because it was MY Shinji she tried to take!"
Sayoko crossed her arms. "What about when I tried to take Shinji?"
"That was different." Asuka said, "Mara had me under a spell and you had other things on your mind."
"You forgave Mara."
"Only because Urd's Mom sent her to Alaska."
"You decked Mana."
"So? It still doesn't make up for it!"
"You decked me," Sayoko said, "back when Shinji was stuck in his Eva."
"That was different. I was upset. Besides, you forgave me."
"Why did I forgive you?"
Asuka thought back. "You said I was under a lot of stress, and as a goddess, you were to forgive those who asked for it."
"….because it is my duty as a Goddess." Sayoko said, "Mana has a duty too. She is supposed to cause suffering, destruction, all the things I fight against. That is why I forgave her, she was only doing her job."
"We understand." Shinji said. Behind him Touji, Hikari, and Rei all nodded.
"Well I don't." Asuka said.
"One more thing." Sayoko said. "You know Mana's parents are dead?"
"Shinji said that."
"Here is what you don't know. Mana's mother was attacked and raped by a demon, then left for dead. Her mother survived and later gave birth to Mana. Until the day she died, Mana's mother was afraid of the dark, fearing the monster that had attacked her." Sayoko walked right up to Asuka. "She is like Shinji in a way. She saw her mother be torn apart by her father. She was next before Hild's guards caught him. He was punished severely by Hild, and that is saying something. To Mana, her father is a monster that she never wants to be. I'd remember that before you start attacking her about her parents, especially her mother." Sayoko then whirled about and walked off towards her apartment, leaving six stunned teens behind her.
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Much later.
The Graduation Party.
Mana walked nervously up to the Apartment door of the Goddesses. At her heels was Welsper.
"Are you sure your up for this?" she asked.
"I don't know." Mana said flatly.
"They won't hold a grudge against you." Welsper said, "The Goddesses at least. They know ours is a business not to take personally."
"I know." Mana replied. She then took in a deep breath. "Here goes."
Mana pressed the doorbell. A few moments later, the door opened to reveal Sigel standing there.
"Hello Sigel." Mana said.
"Hello Ms. Kirishima." Sigel replied with a small bow. "You are expected."
Sigel led Mana into the apartment, followed closely by Welsper. As she entered the apartment, Mana could easily feel the presence of several goddesses. Rounding the corner, she found herself engulfed by a hug from Sayoko. Over Sayoko's shoulder, she could see Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Touji, Hikari, Kensuke, and Misato. There was also the Platinum haired Goddess, as well as a brown haired goddess she didn't recognize. There were also two additional female mortals she didn't recognize.
"I'm soooo glad you made it." Sayoko said, her voice slurring slightly.
"Don't worry about her." said the platinum haired goddess, "She's a bit drunk."
"Am not!" Sayoko said, "I haven't had……"
"Actually, you did." The older goddess said with a smile, "We have to celebrate somehow."
Sayoko's eyes widened then turned and went toward the kitchen, "AUNTIE!!!!!!!!"
"Ohhh Skuld is going to be pissed." The goddess said. She then turned and looked at Mana. "So you're the one mother said was her 'little niece.'"
Mana looked at the goddess confused.
"Oh…you don't know. See, My name is Urd. My mother is Hild."
Mana's eyes went wide. "How can you be a goddess if your mother is her??"
Urd smiled, "Because my father is Kami-sama." Seeing Mana's eyes get wider, she continued. "When I was younger, I had a choice, join Hell or join Heaven. I decided to stay with my sisters, in Heaven."
"How did she take it?" Mana asked.
"Mom was very unhappy. It really irked her for many years. But recently, we started talking again." Urd was quiet for a moment. "So, how have you……."
"URD!!!!!"
"Uh oh." Urd smirked at Mana. "Gotta go!"
There was a large puff of smoke, and Urd exploded into 6 Mini-Urds who ran off in different directions, causing several of the partygoers to shout.
Skuld raced into the living room.
'Where did that witch go!"
"Well," Rei said from where she was sitting, "Some of her went that way…that way…..that way…and that way."
"Grrrrr." Skuld glanced over at the brown haired Goddess. "Peorth! Come help me get Urd."
Peorth nodded. The two goddesses also exploded into mini versions of themselves racing off in the directions the Urds had taken.
"Hey!" shouted one of the other mortal females, "Eleven vs. six isn't fair! Besides, Sayoko and I helped her do it!"
"Aunt Megumi!! Aunt Sayoko! How could you?" Sayoko called out from the kitchen.
"It got you relaxed didn't it?" replied the elder Sayoko.
"Some things never change." Welsper said with a sigh.
Mana let out a chuckle which caught the attention of the mortals.
"Hi Mana." Shinji said with a wave. The other teens followed suit, except Asuka.
"So this is the new Demon?" Megumi asked. She then gave Mana a quizzical look. "You're not going to turn me into a car are you?"
"Uhhh no." replied Mana, confused.
"Good. I like you better then Mara already."
"Which isn't hard considering it's Mara." the elder Sayoko muttered.
"You've never been on the receiving end of her have you?"
"No, I just put up with her freeloading back when I was at odds with Belldandy."
"LEAVE ME ALONE FLOWER GIRL!!!" came several shouts from down the hall, "DARN IT BRAT!! GET OFF ME!!!"
"YOU TRIED TO GET HER DRUNK!!!" came Skuld's voice, "YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SHE GETS DRUNK?!?!"
"SHE'S UNDERAGE!!!" came Peorth's voice.
"THAT DIDN"T STOP HER A FEW YEARS AGO!!!" was Urd's reply.
"Ah memories." Welsper said with a sigh.
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Several Hours later.
After much shouting and fighting, the three elder goddesses had returned to the party. For the next several hours, everyone had talked and had a very good time. There was also some reminiscing from the past, where several embarrassing stories from Sayoko's youth came up, much to Sayoko's horror.
Mana had stepped away from the party for a moment out on the balcony. She leaned against the railing and looked out over Tokyo-2 from the peaceful quiet of that spot, the noise from indoors barely heard. Suddenly the noise got louder before it was cut off
"Wondered were you went." came Sayoko's voice.
Mana didn't turn around. "Just needed a bit of quiet."
"I know the feeling."
For several minutes, Goddess and Demon remained silent beside each other.
"They don't know." Sayoko said softly.
"What?" Mana asked.
"I didn't tell anyone that we're doublets."
"Oh." Mana was silent for a moment. "Welsper doesn't know either."
"You know he was my Mother's doublet?"
"He told me. So where is she? If he's alive……"
"I'm not really sure anymore." Sayoko said, "I felt her in my EVA, but it was destroyed during the whole Tokyo-3 incident. But she's out there somewhere."
"I hope you find her." Mana said softly.
"What about your Mom?" Sayoko asked, "I could poke around heaven and…….."
"Don't."
Sayoko looked at Mana confused. "Why not?"
"I don't know what I could say to her. I am what she feared."
"You are not your father."
"I know." Mana turned and looked at Sayoko. "It just……when I see her….I want her to be proud of me."
The party noises got louder again as the door opened. When they closed, the voice that spoke caused Mana's blood to freeze.
"Sayoko can you give me a minute with Kirishima." Asuka said.
Sayoko glanced at Mana, who gave a small nod. Sayoko then turned and started back into the apartment. Before she closed the door, Sayoko looked at Asuka.
"Don't do anything you might regret later." The door then shut.
For several minutes, Asuka and Mana just looked at each other. Finally Mana spoke.
"Asuka, I…."
"Quiet." Asuka said, "Let's get this straight. I hate you. You hurt me. You hurt Shinji. You hurt my friends. We thought you were a friend. We trusted you. And you tossed it all away. I am not a Goddess. I am not required to forgive anyone."
"Nothing would forgive what I did." Mana said.
Asuka stepped closer to Mana.
"I told you to be quiet."
"Sorry." Mana dropped her head.
Asuka waited a moment. "I shouldn't forgive you, but I am going to do it anyway."
Mana looked up at Asuka confused.
"You heard me. Sayoko made a convincing argument, so I am willing to 'forget' what happened." Asuka then stepped right up into Mana's face. "Let's make this clear though. If you ever, EVER mess with me, Shinji, or any of my friends again, you will regret ever even thinking of becoming a first class Demon. You understand me?"
"Yes." Mana said.
"Good." Asuka then turned about and left the balcony. Sayoko returned.
"Are you alright?" Seeing Mana nod, Sayoko continued. "So what did you talk about?"
"We reached an understanding." Mana said.
"Ready to rejoin the party?"
Mana shook her head. "I think I'd rather just enjoy the view for now."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
Sayoko joined Mana at the railing and looked out over the city. Both enjoying the view as the party continued on behind them. Both wondering what the future held in store.