Blah blah blah, technicalities and crap.
Fujishima Kosuke owns AMG and its characters. I own Xerangref and Daisen, Kruss, Kyuss and Shantar (previous statements about using all of them stand).
A/N: Certain events and plots are hinted and somewhat revealed in this work. If you haven't read at least up to or past volume 19, you may be confused at some points. And for the rest of the chapters posted, it is VERY strongly suggested you not read on if you haven't read past Volume 23…There are plots that might spoil the manga for you.
The series is drawing to a close. Some may like the ending, others may not. Some of you may even think it's cheesy, but oh well.
Eddie: People say purple, but it looks like a darker blue to me…in all the pictures and figures that I've seen, she has blue hair, eyes and markings.
Major note: The next 2-3 chapters will pretty much follow the manga volumes 24-26 idea of the main plot. I'll add my own unique little twists, but it'll still be close to the same.
Happiness' End
End of Chapter 37:
Normally, gods or goddesses with fighting type classifications were rarely sent to the Earth. The only exceptions seemed to be the four gods that she currently resided with and the new arrival.
"Lind! My, what a surprise. What are you doing here?"
The blue haired woman turned and looked directly at Belldandy, "Belldandy, please call a meeting and make sure everyone here attends. This is most serious."
Belldandy looked at her for a moment in confusion, "What is it Lind?"
Lind sighed and looked back up at the sky, "The Angel Eater…has escaped."
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Chapter 38: Darkness & Light Part III
Soon, the entire temple house was sitting around the table looking at Lind.
"I've asked for all of you to meet here due to some very disturbing news…"
Everyone seemed to nod as she looked around the table, "The Angel Eater has been released…"
Urd's eyes widened greatly while Kyuss and Shantar simply glanced at each other and seemed to thin their eyes.
Peorth looked at Lind, "Comment est-ce que c'est possible? I thought it was under constant watch. How could it disparaissez so easily?"
Keiichi and Skuld looked around at all of them in confusion before Skuld spoke up, "What's an Angel Eater?"
Belldandy turned to look at her younger sister, "It is a form of demon that feeds off of the angels that we goddesses have…it was defeated and sealed away many centuries ago, but now it seems that it has returned…"
Lind nodded, "We need to quarantine items that have been introduced into these surroundings as early as 24 hours ago."
Things seemed to pile up at a strange rate as each goddess, god or mortal seemed to ask Lind several questions about certain items. Her immediate and constant response was always in the affirmative.
After all the things had been gathered, Lind stretched her hands out and things seemed to get an odd blue tint to them.
She turned around, "Alright, the quarantine is in effect. Now we have to set the temple grounds with a shield as well."
Keiichi seemed to blanch, "But…I've got work tomorrow! What am I supposed to do?"
Lind turned to him, "Then you better hope this is resolved quickly."
Keiichi sighed and lowered his head in defeat.
"Alright, I'll get to work and we can relax after that. The perimeter will be secure."
Everyone nodded and seemed to go their separate ways.
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After completing the spell, Lind sat down on the temple porch and seemed to relax. She knew that her spells would give her immediate warning if something were to enter or try to exit the fields.
She closed her eyes and began to meditate, but soon fell into a deep sleep.
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Urd was working on a potion and mumbling to herself when a strange noise seemed to reach her. She raised an eyebrow and turned around to look for the source.
Before she knew it, her angel, World of Elegance, appeared before her without being summoned.
"No!" was all the desperate goddess could shout before something overcame her and she fell into unconsciousness.
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Shantar had summoned everyone to Urd's room to show them the scene inside. He had originally heard a strange noise, then a shout of surprise from Urd.
When he came to see what was wrong, he found the goddess in an odd state. Her life signs were fine, but her eyes were only half opened and looked unclear, hazy and unfocused.
When scanned, Belldandy pronounced that her angel had been taken.
Lind picked up a stray feather that was lying on the floor and looked at it carefully, "It's the Angel Eater…it has to be."
"But what was Urd doing with her angel out?" Skuld wondered aloud.
Keiichi looked ay everyone, "If it's only her angel…will Urd be alright?"
Belldandy turned and looked at him carefully before speaking, "There's no danger to her life yet. But we must reunite her with her angel soon. We goddesses and our angels are of one heart and body…being forcefully separated like this caused great pain and shock."
Keiichi nodded, "I see…"
"This plot stinks of demons."
Everyone turned to look at Peorth, "How else would she have come under siege unless someone was controlling the beast?"
Belldandy nodded, "Yes…I believe that too. For Urd to come under harm here…"
"Or…" Everyone turned to look at Lind, "That means that beast had already invaded her before I arrived."
"Oh dear…"
"We must increase our efforts to find the demon…or things could prove dangerous. Everyone should refrain from summoning their angel."
Skuld repeated her question from before, "But what was Urd doing with her angel out? Wouldn't she know the risk? It's simple to keep her angel in…"
Peorth seemed a bit shaken, but looked to Lind.
"We will start the hunt for it immediately…now we have all the more reason to bring it down."
Everyone nodded and Lind turned to both Shantar and Kyuss, "I want the two of you to guard them. Shantar, stay with the larger group. Kyuss, be the lone bodyguard for those that separate from the others."
Both nodded, and everyone went their separate ways once again.
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As Peorth watched TV in company of Kyuss, the thing that Skuld had said stuck in her mind.
'Yes, what was dame Urd doing with her merveilleux angel out? It seems strange, since she knew the bête was out…'
Kyuss seemed to be entranced with the program on TV, so he wasn't aware of Peorth's thoughts.
Both froze and perked up as they heard a strange sound. Peorth turned and was surprised as she saw Gorgeous Rose appear and head for a certain direction. She also saw Kyuss' guardian appear and head in the same direction.
"Truth's Admission! No!" Kyuss cried as he soon fell on the floor, not moving.
'I see…this call…it is what caused it…it's not that Urd would not…it's that she…could not…'
With those last thoughts, Peorth, too, lost consciousness.
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Lind was awoken from her reminiscing about her past by Belldandy.
"Lind, are you alright? You look upset?"
"No, it is nothing Belldandy, thank you."
Lind dipped her head and sighed, "I'm sorry."
"Hm?"
"There are times when we, in the combat division, can't save everyone…"
"No, it is not your fault. Without you and your brethren, there would be many more fights. We thank those like you."
"I like to fight. I enjoy what I do, there is no need to thank me."
Belldandy stepped off the porch and began talking about certain ideas and things many people overlook, but what should be enjoyed.
"It makes me happy to be able to help and pay attention to those things that many overlook. Don't you feel any of it?"
Lind kept a straight face while summoning a small flower ensemble into her hand, "Fighting…isn't all that makes me happy."
Belldandy smiled, "I see. There are other things that make you happy as well, are there not? For example, to have someone praise your work and what you do."
Lind blushed slightly and was about to reply, but a shout caught both of the two goddesses off guard.
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"PEORTH!"
Everyone rushed to the door to see Peorth in the same state that they had all seen Urd in. When they moved to look at her, they also noticed Kyuss laying face first on the floor with his arm stretched out.
"Even after the warnings…they still didn't listen…"
Belldandy frowned and looked at Peorth, "We must find this creature soon."
"Yes…a salvage operation would be impossible if we don't find it…" She turned to look at everyone, "We must stick together, to make sure we are able to properly defend ourselves."
"But wouldn't that mean more targets?" Keiichi looked at Lind.
"No, if that were true then the monster would've come at all of us initially. I don't think you nor Skuld have anything to fear, but being careful is necessary."
Skuld seemed to flinch and lowered her head. Keiichi noticed and looked over to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
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Hild and Xerangref watched from outside the temple. The field the weak goddess had put up was nothing to the two elder demons.
Xerangref was smiling wickedly while Hild had kept a straight face.
"Now, the fun will soon begin!" She turned to Xerangref and nodded, "Remember your part."
"Of course, My Lady," the tall demon bowed and disappeared from her sight.
"Yes…now the fun does indeed begin…"
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After laying Peorth and Kyuss to rest, alongside Urd, the remaining occupants sat around the table.
After a short discussion and several ideas of how to distract the Angel Eater, Belldandy stood. As she headed to the door, Lind stopped her.
"I thought I would go for an evening bath," was the simple reply.
"I see, in that case let me accompany you."
Keiichi seemed to stare at the two and was prevented from experiencing any nasty thoughts by Skuld.
Shantar also stood, "I think it would be wise for me to watch the door…"
Both Keiichi and Skuld nodded and watched Shantar leave.
"I wonder if we'll be worth anything when this is all over…"
Keiichi looked over at Skuld, "Huh?"
"No matter what we try to do to help, we always fall short. Since we don't have angels…"
Keiichi smiled at her, "But you do have an angel."
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After a short discussion of ideas and Lind herself, both goddesses began to prepare for a bath.
It was after Belldandy's last comment that Lind began to feel dizzy, the last thing she saw before passing out was Belldandy's worried face.
When she awoke after lapsing into unconsciousness for a few seconds, she caught sight of several feathers falling. She turned to see a prone and naked Belldandy laying on the floor.
She finally realized what had been happening each time that she lapsed into a sleeping state.
Skuld opened to door to check on the situation and saw her sister lying on the floor, "What's wrong?"
Lind pushed Skuld back and slammed the door shut before burning as seal on the wooden door.
"It would be best if none of us were to make contact from now on…"
"What? What are you talking about Lind? What's wrong?"
"I think I have just discovered the whereabouts of our enemy…"
"What? Where!"
"It seems to be inside of me…like a parasite…"
Skuld and Keiichi stepped back from the doorway, both shocked.
After a few moments, Skuld regained her senses, "So if you hadn't come…nothing would've happened to onee-sama, Urd and Peorth! Why? Why did you come here?"
"I don't know…unless…" Lind seemed to pause, the reacted with surprise, "I was already being subconsciously controlled by it!"
Suddenly, a black emblem appeared on the ceiling to the bathroom, soon giving way to a small portal.
"A demon!"
Lind summoned her battle axe and was ready, as Hild dropped through the hole.
"Precisely! You've finally figured it out!"
Lind swung her axe, but was stopped and Hild simply caught it. Not to be deterred, Lind slammed Hild into the wall, restrained her with the axe and prepared an energy field to hit the demon with.
Lind drew back slightly as her fist slammed into the wall instead of into Hild.
"What's wrong? I thought you knew already," Hild taunted. "You have already become mine."
"Then why don't you finish me off?"
"Quite simple. Your death would involve the death of one of my demons, and you hold all my precious cargo."
"Cargo?"
"Yes. It's really simple. Urd-chan already has the blood of a demon running through her, but I was wondering…what if a goddess were stripped of their angel? If a demons egg was introduced to the host, would they transform into demonesses?"
"You…would DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?" Lind rose to strike Hild, but still was unable to finish the blow.
"Still no good huh? Let me show you the reality of your situation then." Hild grinned and stuck out her hand, "Come forth, my child."
Lind then grabbed her shoulder in pain and began to scream. Moments later, Lind's famous one-winged angel could be seen, with an immense and ugly looking creature in its grip.
"So then…shall I pull out the final angel and set you all as demons?"
"You can't do that…you see when you invaded…I set up a quarantine around this room. It reflects any and all demonic powers."
"No need for anything like that," Hild replied with a haughty look, "After all…I wasn't the only one who came here."
Lind paused and looked at her, "An angel egg is unnecessary for an Angel Eater, but it is still a prize. Such foolish creatures you are…you can't fight alone, thus you create a weakness. Just by separating that weakness, the host can't act anymore. Why would you wish for such foolishness?"
"By sharing weakness…you share happiness…If I can cut my weakness in half, my happiness doubles…" Lind looked over at her axe, "And my ability to fight…"
Hild looked amused, "So? What would you do? When the one you share with can't hack it?"
Lind looked back at her angel, Spearmint and smiled, "I'll do this!"
Lind reached back and grabbed her angel by the shoulder and slowly began to pull. The result of which finally caused a terrible pain as her angel was ripped from her body of own free will. She then laid Spearmint down gently.
"Ah, you surprised me. You're courage is commendable, but the fact that you can move is slightly scary. And now…you have lost your means of taking advantage of an opportunity."
"We still have one option left!" Lind slammed her hand on the seal mark after reciting an unlocking spell and dashed outside.
"Skuld! Where are you!"
Lind turned the corner to see the images of an intense battle going on. Hild turned the corner as well, "Well Xerangref?"
"A minute, My Lady."
The scene around the temple was an odd one, as Skuld and Keiichi were huddled in a corner and trying to protect each other. Banpei and Sigel both lay outside in various states of abuse. It seemed that the demon had taken them out first.
A shout sounded as Lind looked back to the battle. Shantar seemed to have lost his sword and was trying to fight the demon off with his bow in one hand and stabbing at him with an arrow in the other.
Soon, the warrior god had been subdued and beaten by the elder demon. Xerangref restrained his movements and abilities as he led Shantar over to the group.
"Here is the whelp, as you commanded, My Lady."
"Excellent…Now then…" Hild turned and looked at the three remaining figures.
Suddenly, the Angel Eater burst through the shoji door and tried to attack the last three.
Lind grabbed both Keiichi and Skuld and took off, flying away from the temple.
"Ah, so they ran…"
"Is that alright, My Lady?"
"Yes, dear Xerangref…it is going perfectly as planned. After all…an angel egg is useless…So they will have to rely on little Skuld's angel to save everyone." Hild seemed to giggled slightly. "After all, when that happens we can exchange all of the angels for devils. Turning the whole family and circle of friends into demonic allies…won't that be fun? We'll allow them their little ray of hope…and the snatch and crush it!"
Xerangref seemed to stiffen and gulp. He now realized just how devilish Queen Hild could be. It was like a pre-planned game…a large web that entangled anyone who entered, then trapped and defeated them.
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"WHAT? A devil for onee-sama!"
"Shhhhh!" Lind snapped and covered the youngster's mouth. "We cannot give away our position…or we will lose any chance to save them.
"Don't say things like that! You're the one who hurt onee-sama and everyone else! If you hadn't come, none of this would've happened! Don't you care at all about that?"
"Making me feel guilt about what has happened…won't help at all. I will think about it, but never have any regrets. We need to stop thinking and start acting. Do something constructive."
Keiichi looked at her, "So what are we going to do?"
"That's simple. I will try to save all of you with everything I have."
Skuld looked at her then at the ground, "Saying that…you have a plan, don't you?"
"Of course."
Lind then proceeded to fill her comrades in on her ideas and plan actions, "Got it?"
"WHAT?" Skuld covered her mouth again after Lind put a finger to her lips. She then turned to Keiichi.
"Well? Will you do it?"
"It's worth a shot…let's do it!"
"You're a complete idiot Keiichi!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Skuld," he replied while rubbing the side of his head.
"It's not as simple as that!"
"Maybe…"
"It's not 'Maybe…' you moron! You don't understand it do you? If you knew, you wouldn't take the risk! That would only happen if you knew what was about to happen!"
"Of course I'm not sure. But if Belldandy is in danger, and it turned out I did nothing to help her…then why am I here? Why should I be afraid for only me? I have to help her."
"But…I never heard of something like this…"
"It's alright." Both figures turned to Lind, "If it's Keiichi-kun…it is possible, and he can do it."
She turned to face him, "Are you ready?"
Keiichi nodded, "Ah, I guess so."
A/N: Major work out…I changed things here and there…edited out some boring dialogue, and even hinted out at a few things I have planned for the warrior gods ;) . Mara isn't in it for obvious reasons, so that pretty much the main change in addition to what'll happen next chapter.
2-3 more chapters. That's all that's left.