Chapter 14

Sentaro sat beside Arael and gently moved the hair from her face. The Angel was still asleep, and though there had been much shouting the night before, as well as this morning, she hadn't awaken. He supposed that all her energy was going towards regenerating. She did look slightly healthier.

"Rest Arael." He said softly, rubbing the back of his hand along her cheek. "I'll still be here."

Arael let out a soft sigh and leaned in towards the hand. Sentaro then stood up and walked over to where Mana sat. The Demoness was glaring out the window.

"Still annoyed?" Sentaro asked.

"Yes." Mana replied, "and confused."

"Confused?"

"That ghost, Sayoko," Mana replied, "She's done all this stuff to fix her future, and it's only become worse. We've already lost Hell, Earth, part of Heaven, what's next?"

"She has a plan." Sentaro pointed out, "These Vikings……"

"Retired here." Mana finished, "They left. Do you really think they want to go back?"

Sentaro frowned, then glanced at Arael.

"I don't know." He finally replied, "But the least we could do is ask."

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"No."

"What?" Mana stared at the Skuld. The Norn remained unfazed.

"We made a pact when we came here." Skuld said, "That pact was we would not return."

"But……"

"What has happened in the old world is not our concern anymore." Urd added, "Our only concern is this world."

"But if Yggdrasil falls…….." Mana started to say.

"There was a universe well before Yggdrasil started," Urd stated, "There will be one afterward. That is all. Now go."

Mana frowned, then left the hall.

"That girl is quite interesting." Skuld said.

"Strange ideas," Urd added, "for a demon."

"The Queen of the Demons." Verdandi said, stepping out from the shadows.

Skuld and Urd frowned.

"What do you mean sister?" Skuld asked.

"Hild doesn't rule anymore." Verdandi replied, "At least, that is what they say."

"Demons lie at the drop of a hat." Urd pointed out.

"And the mortal," Skuld added, "he only knows what he has been told. The truth could be hidden from him."

"and Arael?"

"Even you have doubts regarding the Messenger."

Verdandi frowned.

"So," she said, "you're dismissing what they have to say."

"What do we care of what happens over there now?" Urd asked, "We did our duty, and that duty has passed on to others. Our time has ended."

Verdandi's frown deepened. She then turned and left the hall, heading towards her own quarters.

She slammed the door closed and locked it. She moved across the room to her bed and sat down on it. She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

"Our time has ended." Verdandi muttered, "I think not."

She walked across to a small table and sat down in a chair. In the center of the table was a candle. She lit the candle, then lay her hands on the table top, palms up. Closing her eyes, she murmured words in old Norse. The candle flickered, then grew.

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"Stupid idiots." Mana grumbled as she paced the floor.

"Forget them." Sentaro said, "Maybe we can talk to the Vikings directly."

"Like they'll listen to us." Mana said, throwing her hands up in the air. "The mortal and the Demon Queen asking for help."

"It could work."

"You don't even speak Norse."

"I…..well…no."

"So you can't exactly talk to a Viking can you?"

"…….."

Unnoticed by the two, Arael's eyelids began to flutter.

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Arael looked around, confused. Somehow she had ended up on the moon, or what appeared to be the moon. The Earth was visible, just appearing over the horizon.

Arael took another glance around. She recognized where she was on the moon.

Near the Lunar Prison.

She had never actually gone to the prison, nor had she ever come to the moon of her own free will. She had awoken, underground near here, and then broken free. That was in the year 2015.

"Remember this place?" a voice said, "This is where we buried you."

Arael turned to the side to see Verdandi.

"Does bringing me here make you feel better?" Arael asked, "Or is this an attempt to make me feel bad."

Verdandi just glared at her.

Arael turned back towards the Earth.

"I know you hate me." Arael said.

"Hate is not powerful enough a word to describe what I feel towards you." Verdandi said.

"You are welcome to your feelings." Arael replied, "I deserve it for what I have done." Arael glanced at Verdandi. "I've tried to hate myself as well," She looked back towards the Earth, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "….but my friends wouldn't let me. More so now that they know Father exercised control of me and my brothers."

"The Link." Verdandi said.

"Yes." Arael said, "It still doesn't excuse what I have done." Her tears fell freely now. "Nothing will."

"You feel guilt." Verdandi whispered, "How can this be?"

"I feel a lot of things now." Arael replied as she wiped away the tears.

"You have changed." The Norn said, "The Arael I knew felt nothing. She killed both Demon and God alike without pity or remorse."

"She is still apart of me" Arael said, looking away, "And I am haunted by her actions everyday and night."

Verdandi remained silent for several minutes.

"Your friends." The Norn asked, "Would you kill for them?"

Arael whipped her head around towards the Norn.

"If it meant they would live, I would die for them." She replied.

"I see." Verdandi paced about for a moment. She then turned back to the Angel. "Mana is the Queen of Hell yes?"

Arael nodded. "Queen Hild was killed by the Rogue Demons."

"She has asked for us to return." Verdandi said, "along with the Viking Warriors."

"She doesn't make the request lightly."

"Skuld and Urd have rejected it."

Arael frowned.

"That is unfortunate." The Angel replied, "Without help, Heaven will fall." She looked away. "Sentaro might…….." She closed her eyes.

Verdandi frowned.

"You have feelings for the mortal."

Arael nodded.

"He is the son of a good friend." Arael replied, "And…….I believe that I love him."

"Love." Verdandi whispered.

"Yes."

The Norn looked away.

"I need to think." She finally said. With a wave of her hand, the surface of the moon shattered.

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Arael's eyes snapped open. A wooden ceiling met her eyes. Turning her head slightly, she could see the Soultaker and Mana pacing about. Sentaro was sitting in a chair before the fireplace, apparently asleep. She thought for a moment about Verdandi and what she had said. She didn't know what Verdandi was planning on doing, just thinking of the Norn still sent shivers down Arael's spine.

Arael looked back up at the ceiling. Her left arm still burned with pain, as did other areas of her body. Though she didn't mind it, she was tired of sitting on her back or being carried.

It was time to see what exactly she could do.

Arael slowly pulled herself into a sitting position, letting out a slight groan of pain as she did so. Mana and the Soultaker both noticed.

"Arael just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Mana asked.

"I'm sitting up." The Angel replied.

Mana blinked. "Since when do you use contractions?"

"Sentaro asked me that as well." Arael replied, "Does it really matter?"

"Not really." Mana said, "But back to the point, should you really be sitting up now?"

"I'm tired of laying down and doing nothing." Areal then began to rise to her feet.

"Hold on one second." Mana said, "You shouldn't be……."

Arael turned and glared at Mana.

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do." Arael said. "I will be the one to….." She had started to take a step when her leg gave out. Mana caught her before she hit the floor.

"You were saying?" Mana said with a slight smile.

Arael took a deep breath, then let it out in a long sigh. She looked up at Mana.

"Can you help me?"

"Wouldn't you rather wait for Sentaro to wake up?"

Arael blushed and looked away.

"That would only make me more……clumsy." Arael replied softly.

Mana smirked.

"I would have thought you would want to trip and fall on him."

"Mana……."

"Then he'll worry all over you and……."

"Mana!" Arael said louder, "I swear if you do that I'll hurt you."

"Oooo now she's threatening me."

"I'll get Sayoko to help." Arael said, "She did say something about pajamas that you own." She then smirked. "Something about teddy bears and duckies."

Mana blinked.

"You wouldn't."

"So help me, I will."

Mana glanced at the Soultaker who was giving her a curious look. Mana turned back to Arael.

"Let me help you for a bit. After all, Sentaro does need his rest and everything."

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Freya blinked.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that."

Verdandi smiled.

"I'm asking if you would be willing to return to Heaven." The Norn asked.

"I thought we were to be here forever."

"We were." Verdandi replied, "But the Queen of Hell has asked us to return."

Freya frowned. "When did Hild……?"

"Hild is apparently dead. That demon, Mana, she rules Hell now."

Freya sat back in her chair.

"I see." She then frowned. "Your sister know that yes?"

"They do."

"And they have told the Queen they would not return?"

"They have." Verdandi confirmed, "But, I do not."

"What has brought you to this decision?"

"The Messenger." Verdandi replied, "She isn't how she was. She has become more."

"That Messenger has caused more pain and suffering……."

"She feels guilt for what she has done." The Norn replied, "She even shed tears."

"So does the crocodile when it suits his purpose."

"This was more. The Arael we came to know is gone. I find myself liking this one."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Anymore harder then a mortal in love with a messenger?" Seeing Freya's eyes widen, Verdandi continued. "You saw the way he held her, how he helped her, carried her. He has stayed by her side all during their time here."

Freya raised her hand.

"But if he knew what she had done…….."

"He knows." Verdandi said softly, "His mother is the Goddess that the Messenger attacked."

Freya's eyes widened.

"And he has forgiven her!"

"Apparently so." Verdandi looked out the window. "What do you say? Will you return?"

Freya looked at the floor for a moment, then rose to her feet. She walked across the room and lifted her sword from it's place on the mantel. She looked back at Verdandi.

"I'm always ready for a fight."

Verdandi nodded. "Go, speak with the other Valkyries and the Viking Leaders. Find out who is willing to return."

Freya nodded, but looked at Verdandi questioningly.

"What will you be doing?" she asked.

"I will be talking to my sisters."

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"Are you mad!"

Verdandi sighed.

"No, I don't think I am." She replied.

Urd shook her head as Skuld stared at their sister.

"You must be to argue this." Skuld said, "We have already decided. We stay."

"No." Verdandi replied, "You decided. I disagree."

"You need the Queen of Hell's permission to return." Urd pointed out.

"The Queen of Hell has asked us to return!" Verdandi replied, "The Queen is Mana!"

"The Queen is still Hild until we find out otherwise." Urd replied.

"But we have found out! The Mortal says it to be so. The Demon Mana says it to be so. Even the Messenger……"

"Leave the Messenger out of this." Urd snapped, "What do we care of her? She is a treacherous being created out of desperation."

"Yet she and her brothers did clear the world for the mortals." Verdandi said.

"Only to try and take it for themselves!" Skuld added, "Really sister, to take her word……."

Verdandi was quiet for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was soft but forceful.

"The Messenger we thought we knew is no more. A new one resides in her place."

Urd waved her hand.

"It doesn't matter. We've already decided….."

"YOU DECIDED!" Verdandi called out, pointing accusingly. "My thoughts were not considered!"

"We hold a majority." Skuld said.

Verdandi raised an eyebrow.

"Do you?"

From out of the darkness behind the Norn of the Present stepped out Freya. Following her from the darkness were the other Valkyries, as well as several Viking Chieftains.

"What's this?" Urd asked.

"The Majority." Freya replied.

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The Soultaker watched from the corner while Mana helped the Angel walk about the room. She rolled her eyes as the Angel stumbled. At this rate the Angel would have more broken bones then what she started with. And though she was better, the Angel was far from being fully regenerated. This made the Soultaker wonder exactly what else was wrong with Arael. Enough time had passed, she should be fully healed.

A shout then broke her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Arael walking on her own, albeit with an awful limp.

"All right Snowflake." The Soultaker said, clapping her hands, "You can walk……somewhat."

Arael glared at the Demoness. Unnoticed by the others, Sentaro was awakened by the clapping. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then looked around. His eyes widened on seeing Arael on her feet.

"Arael!" he shouted, "What are you doing out of bed!"

Arael jumped, as did Mana. Both turned around, though Arael did so looking at the floor, her face a bright red.

"I….I….." Arael stuttered.

Sentaro moved up beside her and gently grabbed her right arm.

"Tell me." He asked softly.

"I didn't want to burden you." She whispered, still looking at the floor.

"You're not a burden." Sentaro replied, allowing his hand to slide down her arm. Arael shivered as his hand continued down her arm until he reached her hand. He then gently grasped it and gave her a soft squeeze.

"Oh this is just so damn sweet."

Mana glared at the Soultaker.

"Shut up old woman."

"Old woman!" The Soultaker shouted, "Is this anyway to treat your Grandmother!"

"A lot better treatment then you deserve." Mana replied.

"Oh? What do I deserve?" The Soultaker walked right up to Mana. "Death? I've been dead! Your precious goddess friend made sure of that! I paid for my deeds with my life. I can't help that I was brought back by your enemies! I didn't ask for that! What would you have me do? Kill myself? Will that make you happy?"

Mana just glared at the Soultaker. Then a voice spoke from the door.

"It might make me happy." Verdandi said, "Demons always did give me headaches. Your death would definitely lessen mine."

Mana smirked while the Soultaker glared at the Norn. Sentaro looked curiously at Verdandi, while Arael moved slightly behind him, unsure of what was happening.

"What do you want?" Sentaro asked.

Verdandi looked over at Mana.

"You didn't tell him?"

"Tell me what?" Sentaro asked.

"Yeah," Mana said, "what am I supposed to be telling him?"

"The Queen of Hell asked for our help against the Rogue Demons." Verdandi stated.

"You said no." Sentaro replied.

"Urd and Skuld said no." Verdandi pointed out, "I, and several others decided otherwise."

"What?" Sentaro, Mana, and Arael asked together.

"It's been awhile since I've been to Heaven." Verdandi said wistfully, "I wonder how it's changed."

"You are welcome to Heaven." The Soultaker grumbled, "Mana and I will be elsewhere."

Mana frowned and looked at her grandmother.

"What?"

"If we are to be successful," the Soultaker said, "We must cut off the supply of clones. We shall go to Hell."

"Now wait one damn minute……"

"She has a point." Sentaro said.

"A valid one." Arael added.

"And while you're taking out the clone supply, we'll get Arael to the infirmary."

"Yes we'll get……" Arael's voice trailed off. "What?"

Sentaro pointed to her broken arm.

"Any reason why that hasn't healed yet?"

"Well I…..that is……."

"Exactly. You're going to the infirmary. That's final." Sentaro turned back to the others. "So what's next?"

Verdandi snapped her fingers. Behind her, Freya entered in full armor.

"Ever seen a Valkyrie charge?" Verdandi asked.

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"Having problems?" Loki asked.

Draco waved his hand and continued to watch the battle from his position. The Evangelion was ripping through the Demon ranks.

"You did expect the Eva did you not?"

"Shouldn't you be on Terra 2?" Draco asked, his eyes still on the battle.

"I was hoping to fight the half-breed." Loki replied, "Though I'd prefer to when she isn't behind several feet of armor."

"That can be done." Draco replied. He then beckoned a Demon to him. "Inform the 3rd and 4th divisions. The gloves are off."

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Muffled explosions echoed throughout the entry plug as Sayoko piloted Unit-4 across the battlefield. She could feel the vibrations from the Eva's footsteps, as well the sounds of force bolts bouncing off the armor.

"How are we doing?" Sayoko called out.

An image of Mist appeared in the corner of the Eva's screen.

"Surprisingly well." The Valkyrie replied, "The Rogues still haven't recovered from charge."

Yui's face then appeared besides Mist's.

"Sorry to interrupt." The Guardian said, "But we have a problem."

"What's that?" Sayoko asked.

"There are more Rogues coming up." Yui replied, "They seem to be armed with small lances."

"So?"

"Sayoko." Yui said, "Dad said they're THOSE type of Lances."

Sayoko paled as did Mist. Then something hit the arm of her Eva, sending shooting pains up her arm.

"GAH!" Sayoko shouted. She looked down to see a small red lance sticking out of the arm of the Eva.

"Auntie!" Yui shouted, "Are you alright!"

"Damn it." Sayoko swore, "I forgot how much that……. YEOW!"

"Sayoko, maybe you should try avoiding the lances?"

"Shut up Mist! I'm a big silver Eva! How the hell are they going to…..excuse me a moment." Sayoko pushed the controllers forward. The Eva slashed out with it's hands, tearing through the ranks of demons.

"Feel better?" Mist asked, her eyes narrowed.

"Much." Sayoko replied. She slowly looked over the battlefield. The tide had turned again. Now the Valkyries were slowly being pushed back.

"This doesn't look good." Sayoko said.

"I know." Mist replied, "I'm pulling back our forces. We'll regroup at the second defense line. Move your Eva to the Norse Sector."

"Right." Sayoko replied, "I'm on my….Unnggghhh!" The Eva rocked backward as something exploded against the chest of the Eva. Looking downward, Sayoko could see a large hole had been blown through the armor there.

"Sayoko!"

"I'm fine." Sayoko shouted. She reached over and flipped several switches. A diagnostic screen appeared, listing the damage. Several areas on the diagnostic blinked yellow, the chest area blinked red.

Her core was partially uncovered.

"Auntie!"

"I said I'm fine." Sayoko replied, "Minor problems."

"You call missing part of the chest armor a minor problem!" Yui shouted, "Dad says to get back now!"

"I'm fine." Sayoko repeated, "I'm…ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

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Loki smirked. He watched with glee as the Eva reeled backward, a lance having scored a direct hit on it's exposed core. Sparks spat out from the crack in the core. The core began to glow, first a dark red, but it grew stronger by the second. Loki lifted a small communicator to his lips.

"Draco, you may want to have the troops back away from the Eva."

"Why?"

"It is about to experience a severe malfunction."

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Sayoko clutched at her chest. A burning sensation was beginning to build there. All around her sparks shot out from one display after another. The LCL was also becoming tinged by a red substance.

Her own blood.

"Auntie!"

"I'm fine." Sayoko grunted. She glanced at the diagnostic display. The entire Eva was now flashing red. Her eyes widened.

"I'm fine….." she whispered.

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With a roar, the core detonated, engulfing the area around the Eva for almost a mile in white hot flame. The mushroom cloud climbed ever higher into the sky.

The cloud finally vanished after several minutes, all traces of the Eva with it.