Strongest
Chapter 5: Mysterious Baal
Written By Illuminet
Disclaimer: The cast of characters from Makai Kingdom : Chronicles Of The Sacred Tome do not belong to me, and are the rightful property of N.I.S (Nippon Ichi Software) America.
"..."-Indicate Speech
'...'-Indicate Thought
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Zetta's Netherworld, Overlord's Castle, Throne Room
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Salome was sitting with Trenia, both of them kept hidden behind a large draping curtain. Zetta would not tolerate any of his vassals or other retainers of his castle to know that Salome was here at this very moment. No words about her staying would leave the castle walls as long as he had a say in the matter. The female Overlord had obliged to his wishes and Trenia decided to keep her company while Zetta was going to get his nose attended to by a Medic, who had yet to show up. Why he didn't let Trenia take care of it was anyone's guess, though he was probably still very miffed about the little girl laughing at his expense due to his reaction when Salome's night gown nearly came off.
"Will it always be like this now? Can I never be seen on his Netherworld by his side when any other people are around? It's been like this for practically the entire month since I've been revived...he seems to avoid me more and more."
Salome sighed out softly as she looked longingly at Zetta from her hiding place, her crimson eyes following him as he paced about in the center of the Throne Room waiting for the Medic to arrive. She was broken from her melancholy state when Trenia patted her back reassuringly.
"I'm sorry about this, Lady Salome. I should have looked further into the future to foresee this happening. I didn't want to give Zetta any false hopes that his body was ever coming back, no matter how many Overlords wished upon the Sacred Tome. That was one of the main factors that pressured him into preserving his self-image as the strongest Overlord and start avoiding you. Because, as you know, he's far more an imposing figure in his body than he'll ever hope to be as the Sacred Tome. I was hoping this phase of his would disappear soon once he achieved in keeping that image up to the media, but before I could dwell further, the visions that came to me became nothing but blank images. That was earlier in the morning before the sun even came up, when I met you along the way to see Zetta and talk to him."
The little girl explained, putting on her brightest smile to cheer up the female Overlord.
"Don't worry about it, Trenia. I'm sure Zetta would rather know the truth about his body rather than trying to give him false hope, like Pram originally did. So I don't really mind that. I was jumping to conclusions much too fast when I saw him react the way he did when he almost caught a glimpse of me naked. He never was like that with any of his one-night flings in the past, so I thought maybe today was my best progress of entering into his heart than any other times before. Don't be concerned about my love life though, Trenia. I'm no longer a Human with a life span of about a hundred years or so. As a Demon, I'll hopefully have plenty of other chances in the future, so I won't be giving up that easily after working so hard already."
Salome said, her frown upturning into a small smile.
"I'm glad to hear that. Your love has helped Zetta steadily become a better person, even if you don't outwardly see the results. Please continue to be strong for Zetta, Lady Salome...because as much as I pray otherwise, I believe there will be a great commotion entering into this universe soon."
This time it was Trenia's turn to be melancholy, and she turned from Salome to watch Zetta for a few brief moments before lowering her gaze and sighing heavily.
"What do you mean? What is this...great commotion you were mentioning?"
Salome asked with concern at the girl's look of sadness and the sight twinge of fear that shown in her eyes. The female Overlord was baffled because Trenia was starting to act out of character again by showing these negative emotions which were never witnessed by any other before.
"I can only speculate, but these feelings within me are so much alike to the ones I had in the past...that it makes me wonder if -that man- has gotten free. If -he- is the other factor subtly altering Zetta's course of mind..."
Trenia spoke, her body beginning to shiver as her fear became more apparent, and Salome's concern deepened further.
"Who is -he-? Trenia, who is this person your talking about?"
Salome asked, grasping onto Trenia's shoulders to try and steady the girl.
"Lady Salome...you've heard his name mentioned before...the Demon named...Baal."
Trenia was barely able to get the name out of her mouth, her teeth chattering so much in fear, it was a surprise she was still able to speak clearly at all.
"Baal...that name...wait, isn't he the legend that Demon parents use to scare their children into submission? Isn't that just what he is, though? Just a legend."
Salome inquired after letting the name roll off her tongue to be thought over. Trenia's eyes darkened, her lips nothing more than a thin line as she stared at the floor stoically.
"Baal is very real. He was one of the first Demons to ever come into existence here, a good 481 trillion years ago, though they existed long before that in an alternate universe that is connected via a dimensional rift to this universe. All the Demons that came were strong and able enough that they were all considered Overlord classed, and due to their tyrannical mind sets, many waged war with others in hopes of becoming the strongest and making their Netherworlds shine brightest..."
Trenia began explaining, Salome interrupting without meaning to, but the words just came out of her mouth.
"That sounds almost exactly like the conquest campaigns I participated with Zetta in when we were trying to become more powerful during our master and apprentice days..."
Salome said, just above a whisper. Trenia nodded, having not taken any offense to the interruption and just continued to speak.
"Yes. That was the first of those ancient traditions when too many Demons became so powerful, they battled it out to become the most qualified Overlords. In fact, both Baal and Babylon existed in that time frame."
Trenia's word made a slight gasp escape Salome's mouth.
"Old gramps Babylon, the Dragon Overlord? I had no idea he existed that far back in time. Wait a minute...how is it that you know so much about the past? Is this another ability you have?"
Salome questioned after getting over her genuine awe at how old Babylon really was.
"My knowledge of the past comes from the fact that me and my family lived during that time as well. Every female born in my family has the same ability to see into the future, and every male born is charged with the duty of protecting us. Those customs died out during the ancient war of Overlords to determine the strongest. I'm actually only about six billion years younger than Babylon is in terms of age, but my knowledge of the universes far exceed his own. The reason I appear much younger than I truly am is because..."
Before Trenia could continue further, the two double doors opened as two Muscle Demons pushed them aside, a flustered Medic rushing into the Throne Room, his helmet having fallen off his head.
"LORD ZETTA! I'M SORRY FOR BEING LATE! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
The Medic hollered as he went straight towards Zetta. The Medic was going so fast across the slick floor, he wasn't going to be able to stop in time. The Medic realized this too late, eyes widening in fear of hitting Zetta. Zetta growled in annoyance, also noting the Medic coming to close to him at rapid speed.
"Lord Zetta, your going to be hit!"
One of the Muscle Demons warned, but Zetta didn't pay them any attention, only bringing himself back before head butting the Medic in the face. Everyone watched in a mix expression horror and surprise as the Medic flipped through the air on impact, smacking into the floor with his back very hard.
"What the hell took you so long? You said you would be here the next one second and fifty three milliseconds ago from the time given without the need for me to instantly confine you here. Was that one little weakling of a rogue monster more than you could handle at your post than you described? Well was it? I'm a busy Overlord here and I have things to do, got it! You and the rest of the slackers at the castle are even lucky I give you a five second break between work thanks to your damn Unions and labor force crap. Your also lucky that I'm in a good enough mood to leave you with a warning, but if this ever happens again, I'll Zetta Beam you until your eye balls pop out of your head and your body becomes nothing more than a pile of black dust. Now hurry up and get this over with, idiot!"
Zetta ranted on without even giving the poor guy a chance to respond in his own defense, not that it would probably matter anyway. The Medic thanked his lucky stars for just getting a warning, because he had heard of Zetta doing much worse to his vassals when he actually was in his original body. Not wanting to get on Zetta's bad side again, the Medic quickly got up to do his assigned task. It wasn't even that long of a task either, and once the Medic was done, he ran out of the Throne Room as fast as he came in, only stopping by the entrance to give Zetta one salute before leaving to go back to his post on the outskirts of Zetta's castle. Zetta then addressed the two Muscle Demons who guarded the room.
"I am having some clients over, so I don't expect to be disturbed. No excuses. Even if this Netherworld were to burst into flames...well, I take that back, if and only if the Netherworld is going to burst into flames do you two even think about entering into this room. Is that clear?"
Zetta responded, his eyes glaring at the them with the promise of a not so quick and painless death to await them should they brake that rule. The two nodded quickly before leaving, slamming the doors behind them none too gently along the way in their haste to get out of Zetta's line of vision.
"Alright, little girl, you had better have a damn good reason for sneaking into my room earlier."
Zetta muttered angrily as he watched Trenia and Salome come to stand before him. Trenia nodded, her face stoic. Something that Zetta had never seen in her facial expressions before.
"Zetta...my ability to see into the future is no longer working. You may or may not be the cause of this."
Trenia stated bluntly. Zetta's eyes narrowed.
"What the hell...your not making any sense."
He responded, confusion apparent in his voice. Confusion that soon turned into rage.
"Enlighten me. You had better not turn out to be a fake like Pram, or else...I may not be able to kill you myself, but I have other ways of getting around that little mishap."
Zetta threatened, teeth bared in a feral snarl. Salome stepped in front of Trenia.
"Zetta, she's just a child so there's no need to act like that. Please...just let the two of us hear her out and keep calm. Your anger won't help in this situation."
Salome told him. Zetta's features softened, though only a slight amount.
"Yeah, I know...anyway, what makes you think I did anything, Trenia? I don't know even the first thing about your abilities and the like, so how would I know a way to halt their workings?"
He questioned. Trenia averted her gaze.
"It's as I said, you may or may not be the cause. Now that I think on it more...you may even be a mixture of both. At first when I realized your future could no longer be traced about a week ago, I passed it off believing you may have found the way to shield yourself and keep your future a blank slate."
Trenia said. Zetta looked intrigued.
"You mean there really is a way to prevent your powers from predicting my future? How did I achieve that without prior knowledge?"
Zetta questioned, more to himself than to Trenia.
"Everything, whether physical or otherwise, is composed of Mana power. You know this already, Zetta. Only living beings can manipulate other Mana energies, and those who can manipulate their own composition of Mana have the ability to render my powers useless against them. Thus, their future becomes their own to witness, not for me to foresee it. I thought that's what had happened with you...that you learned how to manipulate your Mana in that way, but it was only on this day that I began to think otherwise. The fact of the matter is, not a single creature here in the whole universe can be read by me any longer, and that's something I knew was out of your grasp and yet your resonating with that power. Only the three Overlords from the past could achieve it, but only one actually used it: Baal, the Overlord of legends long past."
Trenia explained to him. Both Zetta and Salome stared wide eyed at her, and at the sheer thought of an Overlord who could not only disrupt the flow of Mana in oneself, but in all other beings at the same time.
"Baal...?"
Zetta murmured softly to himself.
"This leads to me to wonder, Zetta. Baal is still very much alive, but there should be no way that he can exist here and have this kind of influence on an entire universe. Like you, he also lost his original body, and can only continue to exist by confining to other bodies or objects. The Seal that holds him could have weakened, but not only is that unlikely, he would not have a powerful enough body to even leave his Netherworld anyway even if that were the case."
Trenia continued explaining further.
"If Zetta is emanating with this ability that only Baal possesses...then the real question would be how Baal can be pulling it off even if he's sealed away."
Salome mentioned. Trenia nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Baal would only be able to do that if he was confined to Zetta, or rather, the Sacred Tome. Even with the deeper connection between them would not explain how Baal could be doing all this through Zetta..."
Trenia answered, but Salome interrupted with shocked look on her face.
"What do you mean? How can Baal and Zetta have any connection to one another if they are from two completely separate generations?"
Salome questioned. Trenia turned back towards Zetta, preparing to say more when the Overlord grunted in pain for no apparent reason.
"Ugh...what is this...? This...infernal ringing...!"
Zetta growled out, his eyes closing sharply.
"I don't hear anything. What are talking about, Zetta?"
Salome said, her expression concerned. Zetta did not answer, all consciousness leaving him.
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Unknown
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"Whoever's doing this...had better stop right now, because I'm really getting pissed off."
Zetta stated viciously. The ringing suddenly halted.
"Your weak...pathetically weak..."
Zetta opened his eyes quickly glaring at whoever dare call him weak, but was met with nothing.
'Not again...I'm in space, but...I'm still the Sacred Tome. Is this another dream? Dammit, and right in the middle of a conversation! Maybe I'm more sleep deprived than I thought...'
Zetta found that he could actually move.
"Okay, who the fuck said that to me? I'll have you know your dealing with the most powerful Overlord there ever was!"
Zetta shouted out. He was not given an answer for a few brief moments.
"You...will you really let them walk all over you like that once more?"
That voice came again. What unnerved Zetta so much was that the voice sounded exactly like his own.
"Who the hell is this? Stop hiding already and show yourself, asshole!"
Zetta declared.
"You've brought this all on yourself...these weaknesses...have you not learned anything, you fool!"
The figure that materialized before him was none other than his Demon self. It was almost like looking into a mirror in some sense.
'Am I...really that gorgeous...?'
Book Zetta thought to himself losing focus on the conversation, momentarily forgetting that he had just been insulted by his original body.
"You've disregarded some of the most sacred of rules upheld within Demon society. You would be the last person I ever thought to break them. Taking care of one of your enemies as if she were your own child...Falling in love with a Demon who was just a pathetic human in her former life...I'm very disappointed with you."
Demon Zetta spoke, some unknown force pulsing from his body in waves. With each pulse, Book Zetta could have sworn he was seeing his original body change into another Demon briefly. A giant silhouette of a Demon with eerie glowing red eyes. He could not dwell further on it since the pulse stopped.
"I've never been used by Trenia or Salome nor will I ever allow something like that to occur...I'm the one using them for my own personal well being. Is that not the true way of a Demon to exploit others for personal gain? Love doesn't exist for Demons like myself, so don't even dare imply I have a thing to do with Salome. Your not the real me either...I can see through your stupid illusions easily!"
Book Zetta declared. Demon Zetta chuckled darkly.
"Wrong...hah, your so messed up in the head that you have no perceiving of who the real -you- is anymore! Your such a sad sight to behold...maybe I need to remind you of the sins you committed upon yourself that should have been committed on others...show you your pathetic weak heartedness that no true Demon would possess."
Demon Zetta claimed, moving in closer ever so slightly. Book Zetta's eyes twitched between confusion and anger.
"Pathetically weak am I? Ha! We'll see who gets the last laugh, you damn imposter!"
Book Zetta said angrily. Before he could react, however, Demon Zetta charged him, smashing a fist right in between Book Zetta's eyes. Darkness overcame Book Zetta as he felt himself being hurled backwards by the force of the blow.
"Open your eyes...and witness your moment of being used by Trenia. Then you may yet finally begin to understand what she really is and to piece who you really are and what your purpose was meant for."
Demon Zetta remarked. Book Zetta prepared to retort back, but his mouth was not working.
'Son of a...not this again!'
His eyes opened and he peered at the same vastness of stars he always did whenever he was in space.
'Nothing's changed...but I feel so strange for some reason...'
He felt almost completely numb, and a strange wetness around him. A figure stood over him. A middle aged looking Demon who's hair was as red as his original body's was. Red hair framed the Demon's face, ending in a long beard at the chin, while at the back the long hair was fastened with thick blue straps, and it moved about in similar motions that reminded Zetta of Babylon's swishing tail.
'Who is this guy...he reminds me of someone slightly, but who...?'
Zetta pondered to himself, but his thoughts were interrupted when the Demon opened his eyes to look down at Zetta. Those eyes reminded him slightly of Pram's, because they were black with crimson irises.
"So...this is the boy...what a horrible fate he had to endure at the hands of...no, it doesn't matter. Trenia...I've decided that I will save his life. Please don't try and stop me."
The Demon said.
'Trenia...? She's here? Where?'
Zetta could not move so trying to locate where the girl was proved futile.
"His future is just as empty...I don't think it's right, but...he was a victim of circumstance and nothing more, I suppose...very well, if you want to save him, both his mind and body must be altered so that his life may start anew. I will only accept if you follow these terms."
He heard Trenia's voice speak out to the Demon.
'Are they...talking about me? Trenia wanted to alter my body and soul? No way...I refuse to believe that! Why...? What kind of twisted shit is this? I don't remember this happening in my life! But then again...if my memory was wiped out then of course I wouldn't remember.'
Zetta complained.
"I see...then I suppose I have little choice but to comply. This boy is still too young to experience death without ever feeling true life. And so I am willing to keep him alive at the cost of these terms you have placed."
The Demon said before he pulled out an object from within the long blue robe he wore. Zetta looked at it in abject horror.
'The Sacred Tome!'
The book was still it's original blue color. The Demon let it drop from his hands, letting it hover as it opened to a blank page. The Demon took a pencil, hesitating for a brief moment and taking a deep breath before writing his wish.
"Gaurrrgh!"
Zetta roared as his body surged with a pain even beyond his own tolerance level, his world going black.
"Do you not see it, now? She simply had him transform you from who you really were...she contributed to your current weaknesses. Will you really allow that to continue further? You've already let it get too far out of hand to begin with."
Zetta could not see his Demon self as his world was still black, but he contemplated those words spoken to him.
"Trenia...did she really do that to me...? I was dying...by the hands of that other red haired Demon? If he's an Overlord, I've never met him before, or I'd recognize that face. But why was he trying to save my life afterwards, and from who? Why did he have the Sacred Tome with him like that?"
Not a single conclusion could be drawn, which further aggravated him. His Demon self was laughing at him now.
"Why keep asking questions that only breed more questions? The fact of the matter is...Trenia is not to be trusted. Forget about her predictions of me never returning to you...it is only a matter of time before I arrive anyway. All you have to do is tell me where your Netherworld is located."
Demon Zetta stated.
"I don't think so. This is just another stupid dream like the rest of them anyway. And besides, if you really were me, you'd know the location yourself."
Book Zetta countered back.
"Hmmm...your perception seems to be coming back more clearly. You may yet be undone to the twisted webs of deceit those two have put you through and finally continue the path to become stronger. It's too bad your not quite so easily swayed when it comes to doubting that other woman, Salome."
Demon Zetta claimed.
"Whatever. Salome and me have no problem. I don't give a damn about her. She's just another Overlord. Sheesh...I don't know why I'm even talking to myself about this. Your not even my real body anyway, because my real body was destroyed in the flames that consumed my Netherworld a month ago, and it will never come back. Plus that personality of yours is way off compared to me. Your nothing but some half baked concoction of my imagination, just like that flying fortress before. I own you, not the other way around, so why don't you just disappear already and let me wake up or just have a pleasant dream for once? Go on, get the fuck out of here."
Book Zetta ordered. With that, the force binding him subsided and he could open his eyes, finding himself still in space. He looked around, not seeing his Demon imposter.
"Well looks like I'll be getting a pleasant dream about sleeping out in the universe. Who cares about the irony of it, just as long as there's peace and quiet!"
Zetta declared, closing his eyes.
"Then why did you save her and return her Mana energy?"
Zetta opened his eyes in surprise, finding himself face to face once more with his Demon side.
"Any normal Overlord would have taken all that power at the cost of the person's life, yet you did not. She is an even greater weakness to you than Trenia will ever be. You know it to be true. Now gaze upon your other moment of weak heartedness."
With that, Demon Zetta disappeared, replaced by Pram in her more bestial form, her body radiating with white energy. Trenia was standing behind her.
'This is...'
Zetta realized he was witnessing the time when Pram declared she would revive Salome for him. His body automatically looked to see Salome within the Gate of the Dead. Seedle's battle cry sounded soon after.
"DIE!"
Zetta automatically turned to see Seedle charging at Pram. His body then went forward to shield her from the blow. The damage dealt to his book body went to both Seedle and Pram, yet oddly didn't affect Trenia, now that he noticed it more clearly. Both Overlords were sent reeling back from the backlash.
"Damn...she's still conscious."
Seedle said as he stood up, watching Pram. She was breathing heavily, her aura fading slightly, only to return back to normal and kept generating with Mana power.
"Zetta you have to hold him off somehow...one more hit with that much power will knock me out for sure, and then the wish won't be granted."
Pram warned him. Zetta heard himself growl.
"Dammit...if I'm hit, I lose the ability to confine anyone. I can't...do anything."
He said, his tone hopeless. Seedle laughed at him at this point.
"Zetta, you've always been far too weak to stop my ambitions. Here and now, it doesn't matter who I strike, either way, The Oracle's wish won't come true and Salome will be gone forever. You should have just turned your back, Zetta, after you had been strengthened from your battle with Salome."
Seedle said smugly.
"How the hell did you figure that out so fast?"
He responded to the Samurai Overlord.
'Stop this...I've seen it already.'
Zetta said to himself, but everything kept going as he remembered it, from Alex's interference to Salome's rebirth. His body once again stood before him.
"You should have had your way with her and then killed her when the two of you first met. Now she's taken over too much of your own heart. She will drain you completely of the Mana you worked so hard to obtain and leave you high and dry. Her influences upon you have gotten even more out of hand than Trenia's have. They must both die."
Demon Zetta stated, his eyes narrowing and becoming darker and darker. Book Zetta turned away from him.
"Shut up! I thought I told you to go away already!"
He began moving away, hearing the displeased sigh of his imposter.
"I see...I guess it's fortunate you were destined to die then."
Demon Zetta said with an all knowing tone in his arrogant voice.
"What...?"
Book Zetta turned swiftly around to face Demon Zetta with disbelief in his eyes. Demon Zetta's lips turned into a smirk.
"You heard me. You were destined to die..."
His eyes flared crimson as his form began to change into the massive shadowy black giant.
"...BY MY HAND!"
Before Zetta could react, the black beast swallowed him into darkness.
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Space Battleship Yoshitsuna
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His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the bright light overhead. He was lying down naked on a cold steel bed, though the back of his body had already adjusted to the sensations, numbing them out. He lifted himself into a sitting position as the sliding door opened, a Prinny doctor stepping inside.
"Your awake much earlier than usual, Lord Zetta...!"
Before the Prinny doctor could finish, a large hand clamped over his neck (not that prinnies have much of a neck to begin with anyway), crushing his passage of air. The Prinny doctor writhed about as he dangled in the air, gagging. He stared into the ice cold gaze of the Overlord.
"Lord...Zetta...? I...can't..."
The Prinny doctor's eyes dilated as he felt his body beginning to go limp. He said the only thing that came to mind at that point.
"Please...Lord...Baal..."
Before the Prinny doctor could say anymore, he was released, smacking against the floor audibly before going through coughing fits as air painfully filled his lungs again. He looked back up into the eyes of the Overlord in possession of Zetta's body once his coughing fits subsided..
"Lord Baal, is it really you, dood?"
The Prinny doctor asked. Zetta-Baal left the bed to stand at full height.
"For the time being, I was able to tap into -his- subconscious even further now and force -him- into a deep sleep, but there's no telling when -he- will become aware again..."
Zetta-Baal said as he surveyed the room, finding his clothes hung up in a small locker.
"...-he- must be found. Did you manage to interrogate the Overlord from the Underworld?"
Zetta-Baal questioned as he began putting his clothes on.
"Unfortunately, we found no trace of him, dood."
The Prinny doctor said nervously. Zetta-Baal spared him a slight glance.
"Did you even look? That Overlord was injured badly and couldn't have gotten far...! Hmph! Your incompetence matters little...there are still plenty of Netherworlds that remain and they will all be scoured of their Overlords until I find -him-. It has been awhile since I've had any fun, after all. Once -he- dies, this accursed side effect should disappear, and this universe will be annihilated. Then the next objective can be met."
Zetta-Baal threw on the last remnants of clothes before leaving to head back to the bridge.
'Hm...good move on Trenia's part to try and erase his memories by using Babylon as the wish maker, though. They only succeeded in fragmenting his mind, but it still prevented him from completely falling under my control none the less. They will not be the only interferences any longer...that Salome has weeded her way into his heart through the chasm Babylon and Trenia carved into his memories ages ago. That woman will most likely prove the greatest nuisance...hah, but I WILL have my way in the end. There is no stopping the events that have been put into motion...'
A violet flame began arising around his palm.
"...there is no stopping the Overlord of Legends, Baal! Ha ha ha...HA HA HA HA!"
:ToBeContinued:
Note: A long and confusing chapter...unfortunately, it's just mostly the plot kicking in without any real shred of action to go along with it. Baal does finally speak a little bit, but otherwise, I guess there isn't much else worthy to note.