Chapter 17

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: Refer to the first chapter

"..."-Indicate Speech

'...'-Indicate Thought

:TWF:

Alternate Netherworld, Former Tower, Cliff

Laharl flew down silently to meet with his friends.

"It's over?"

Etna asked in a soft tone. Laharl nodded.

"Yeah. Raol no longer had the power to sustain himself, so he's faded away."

Laharl stated. Priere gave a loud sigh.

"About time, too. I never thought he'd show up again after a century passed."

Priere said.

"Now that you've absorbed his power, it's unlikely he'll make a comeback either. Hopefully all of our worlds will finally and truly be able to walk down the road of peace."

Michaelangelo said.

"You shouldn't get your hopes too high, Seraph. Through the ages there will always be some threat to peace. It's unfortunate, but a true fact of life. We should all cherish the peace we fight for."

Etna said. The other three could only agree with her logic. Etna turned to face Laharl.

"What are you going to do now, Laharl? Since the tower was decimated, you can't really make it your home anymore."

She told him.

"It would be easy to rebuild it, but I'd rather not. The pile of rubble that remains in the aftermath of this fight should serve as a grave marker. Despite all the problems he caused, Raol was fighting based off the Demons ancient belief in being the most powerful in the whole universe. No matter how much I'd like to blame him for crushing the white flower with Baal's body, it won't do a bit of good for Flonne's soul, so I'm not going to hold anymore grudges against him this day forth."

Laharl said.

"I guess that would be for the best. Hate only begets more hate, anyway. I guess since it's all over I'll head back to my castle. You three take care of yourselves. Oh yeah, and your all welcome back here anytime. See ya."

With that Priere spread her wings and took off for her castle.

"I think Priere has the best idea. Laharl, could you open a Gateway to Celestia? I would also like to go home and take a long nap."

Michaelangelo said. Laharl nodded.

"Sure."

He agreed, doing as the Seraph asked.

"I also would like you to stop on by when you have the time, you two. Farewell."

Michaelangelo stepped into the Gateway before it disappeared soon afterwards, leaving the last two Demons alone.

"I guess it's time you went back to the Netherworld now, Etna."

Laharl said. Etna turned to look at him.

"What about you? Why don't you return to the castle with me?"

Etna offered. Laharl thought about it for a brief moment.

"Alright. There's nothing left here anyway."

Laharl finally said. He opened another Gateway that linked to the Netherworld. Etna was the first to go through, while Laharl lingered on the cliff. He looked towards the fallen tower one more time.

'Farewell...'

He closed his eyes in silent prayer to the fallen giants who, for now, would be the last Demons to represent the old traditions of the almighty Tyrants. Weather they had been forced against their will, like in Baal's case, or if they accepted their fate, as Raol had. Laharl turned, walking silently into the Gateway.

:TWF:

Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Throne Room

"They've been gone for a while...I wonder..."

Aramis said to himself, but was interjected by Manty.

"Don't lose hope yet, Aramis. We can't expect a battle with the Lord of Terror to be a cakewalk, as nice as it would be if things were that easy."

Manty stated. Aramis nodded.

"Your right. All we can hope is for a happy reunion."

Aramis said, his eyes shining with new resolve. Everyone agreed silently.

"Why so quiet? Did someone important die or something?"

All Vassals gazed wide-eyed at the entrance to the throne room when they heard the familiar voice.

"Your highness...you made it back."

Everyone breathed out. Etna smirked.

"Of course I did. Was there ever any doubt?"

She said, trying to brighten the dark mood that had swept the castle in her absence. She was soon swarmed by her many Vassals as they welcomed her back heartily. Laharl leaned against the frame of the doorway with his arms crossed, his lower face hidden within the confines of his cape. Once the Vassals had welcomed Etna back, they did the same with Laharl. A huge party had been thrown to celebrate both their return and Raol's end.

:TWF:

Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Balcony

The celebration spanned most of the night and a good portion of early morning. Laharl was sure everyone was asleep by now and stepped away to bask in the solitude on the balcony. It was actually going to be a clear day for once, from what Laharl could tell, and he decided to watch the sunrise, something he rarely ever did at all in his life. He continued to watch, but something caught his attention and he narrowed his eyes dangerously as he felt a foreign presence.

"Who's there?"

He said with a small growl.

"Your senses have grown so much keener since our last true physical meeting, hasn't it? Even as a spirit, I could not slip past your senses like Raol had. I might have to ask him sometime how he did it."

The familiar voice made Laharl visibly relax and he turned to face the individual.

"Still using that lame get up of Mid-Boss, huh, Old Man? But more importantly, why are you showing up now of all times? Shouldn't you have already gone through your reincarnation process centuries ago?"

Laharl asked bewildered. His father always had that annoying knack of surprising him when he least expected. The former Overlord chuckled.

"Of course I have. Didn't you know that Vyers is my reincarnated form? Of course since I''ve attained the rank of a Guardian Spirit, I've been allowed to keep my memories. Something that will be both a blessing and a curse to me."

Vyers stated in a low voice. Laharl looked at the spirit with questioning eyes.

"You were allowed to keep your memories...that's a blessing and a curse?"

Laharl said in a small tone. He wondered briefly if maybe Flonne might be able to undergo a similar state as his father had, but brushed the thoughts out quickly.

"You do know that you would be more tormented that way even if she did attain such a rare gift. The two of you could not be together that way, so it is best you move on, Laharl. In fact, that was Flonne's message that I wanted to bring you: To keep moving forward with your life. But I also have something I would like to share with you."

Vyers said. Laharl realized the spirit was telepathically reading his mind, and for privacy's sake, closed off his thoughts from the spirit.

"I see...and what would that be?"

Laharl asked, his emotions kept in check. Vyers chuckled softly before going to stand next to Laharl.

"What if I told you that Flonne being sent down to the Netherworld to assassinate me all those years ago was a carefully devised plan to bridge the gap between worlds together so that peace could reign between all of the races?"

Vyers asked.

"...Excuse me?"

Laharl asked slowly, his mouth going into a tight, thin line afterwards.

"I've wanted to tell you for sometime Laharl, however before I could reach the Sacred Alter in Celestia, you already killed Seraph Lamington and fled. I could not follow because I had reached my staying limit, and had to continue my reincarnation."

Vyers explained. Because he cut off anymore thoughts from being able to be read, and his hair covering his upper face, Laharl's expressions and thoughts could not be read. Since no outburst occurred, Vyers continued on.

"I was able to convince the King of the Spirits to postpone my reincarnation so that I could try my hand at my long time dream: To reunite the worlds as it had once been in ancient times. With my request granted, I made contact with you mother, who was undergoing her Prinny stage, and also Lamington. I was given quite some time on in the living world, and with both your mother and Lamington's help, we were able to scout out the very person who had the ability to bridge the gaps between worlds. One who had not been tainted by other Angels about how the Demons supposedly reeked of evil."

Vyers explained.

"Flonne..."

Laharl said silently. Vyers nodded.

"Yes. All of your encounters with me were simply tests done by me to see how your deposition was starting to become. To see if you were starting to absorb the teachings of love and actually begin to care about others over yourself and your own needs and desires. Although most of the scenario was worked out by me and Lamington, Volcanus worked out a part we didn't expect...that the Earth would get involved in going on a conquest against the Netherworld through Volcanus' vile deeds. That's what led to you all heading towards Celestia...something we didn't expect to happen for many more years to come, because we had hoped the process would be more gradual. Of course that all led to your face off with Lamington himself. When he turned Flonne into a flower, he did not mean to kill her at all, simply punish her by making her transform into a Fallen Angel. But you ended up killing Lamington, thus sealing Flonne's fate to remain as a flower."

Vyers told him. Laharl remained deathly quiet.

"Listen Laharl, that was not your fault. You never knew what we had planned in the first place. I know it's far too late to apologize, but that's all I can do now. I would have told you sooner, but you had disappeared, only to reappear, fight and get possessed by Raol who had been in control of Baal at the time. Then afterwards, I still remained quiet while you sought out your own atonement, because I was afraid you would not be able to get over your guilt if I said Flonne's state could not be undone from the flower because you killed Lamington in the first place."

Vyers continued on.

"Why are you telling me now? What's the purpose?"

Laharl asked, his voice still low.

"Now that I've told you Laharl, I'm going to give you a chance to truly get your just reward if you so decide to take it. I can request to be disassembled and remain a wandering soul who will never find the solitude I have over these past centuries, nor the pleasure to reincarnate ever again. This is truly the saddest of all fates that penalized souls undergo, never able to live in the mortal world through reincarnation and for all eternity to remain within the darkness of the void, suffering in unlimited madness. If you so wish for this revenge then I'll gladly do it to bring you peace of mind once more."

Vyers said. Laharl kept silent for a long time. After a long pause, Laharl finally turned towards his former parent.

"Had you asked me before absorbing Raol I probably would have told you to without much hesitation, but I've already decided to let go of all the hate brought on by all the hurt caused to me. So I'd rather you not share the fate of those lost souls. Neither mom or Flonne would want me to do something like that to you, anyway. I've moved on with my life farther than you may ever know...dad. I don't hold anything against you."

Laharl said. This time Vyers remained silent.

"The past is the past now, and no matter how much I want to wish to turn back the clock, I can never do that. The only thing to do now is to live in the present and prepare for the future, something that is a struggle for everyone no matter who or what race they are. Such is life."

Laharl continued speaking, beginning to see a few small rays of light coming over the horizon.

"I see...I'm relieved to know that your resolve has become so strong. I always knew you would grow up to become a fine Overlord."

Vyers said. Laharl looked back towards him.

"Shouldn't you say those words to Etna? She's the Overlord, not me. I'm simply former royalty now."

Laharl stated. Vyers didn't look convinced.

"I'm not so sure. You may find yourself the Overlord again someday. When you propose your love to Etna."

Vyers stated.

"Whoa, who said I was going to do anything like that!"

Laharl asked in an uncomfortable voice, his cheeks red with embarrassment. Vyers chuckled.

"It has become obvious enough. And even if you don't, she may end up taking the stand and proposing to you."

Vyers told him. Laharl thought on the spirit's words for a bit.

"You may be right..."

Laharl whispered, more to himself than Vyers.

"I should be getting back to the to the Spirit World now. Take care of yourself, Laharl. Maybe we'll talk again someday."

Vyers said. Laharl nodded.

"Sure, I'd like that. Say hi to mom and Flonne for me."

Laharl told him.

"Sure. Take care of yourself."

And with that, Vyers faded out of existence. Laharl continued looking at the sky, waiting for the sun to continue its ascent.

"Looks like it might be a clear day for once here in the Netherworld."

:TBC:

Note: Well another chapter done. Anyway, to the people who asked, there will finally be a decent amount of Laharl/Etna Fluff in the last remaining chapters to tie up everything. When I can get around to the next chapter of course is hard to say, but I'll do what I can to get it up hopefully within the middle of next month if I'm lucky. To burnfist, I read in your review that you wanted to write a story using my version of Baal and some of his history I created for this story. That's fine with me, just give credit where it's due. Anyway, I hope people are still enjoying this story. It's been tough to write in the long run, but it's almost over so hopefully I can complete it within the next few months and start working on other stories I have yet to write.