—
3rd POV
*CLACK*
The sound of a glass cup hitting a wooden table was heard throughout the dark and gloomy room. The room, only having a bed, a table, and a window, was the farthest from the other rooms in this small mansion-like house. The moonlight shone through the barely see-through curtains and landed directly on the wooden small table. The person sitting on the chair that accompanied it was leaning back on the backrest with their head hung low.
The glass cup was empty of its contents, the alcohol bottle that laid on its side was in the same state. The floor littered with similar bottles, all of which empty, reflected the light that the moon casted on them.
If one were to enter the room, they would surely think that the individual was either dead or unconscious, but that was farther from the truth. The raven colored hair with golden bangs covered the individual's eyes. It had grown longer due to the routine that the individual used to have being interrupted by their drowning in sorrow.
Of course, the individual was Azazel, the once care-free High Cardinal Angel and one of the Supervisors of 3rd Heaven, was now a depressed and pitiful crow. His dead looking eyes stared blankly at the table through his multiple strands of hair. His mind clear yet empty, only the act of drowning in the poison created by Men could keep his mind from wandering off to maddening thoughts.
Three weeks.
Three weeks of being in a pitiful state.
Three weeks of lashing out at any who dared to tell him to move on.
Three weeks of constant drinking, crying, lashing out, calming down, and then repeating it again.
Three weeks of showing just how vulnerable a happy-go-lucky angel such as him could be.
And he still couldn't figure out why.
Just why was he like this, a once proud and ambitious angel who had plans and goals to complete, now had nothing.
In the past, he imagined that the day he Fell from Grace, he would experience the most exhilarating feelings in the world. He imagined how thrilling it would feel building up his Fall from Grace and how much he would enjoy his new life of freedom.
Getting up from his seat, he started walking to the small cabinet near the window. The place where all his wine and alcohol bottles were stored. When his steps started to dull out of his mind, he started to think of his past naive self.
When he used to fantasize about Falling...he never thought just how far he would Fall. He always thought that his new raven wings would take him high into the sky, higher than what God permitted. He thought that once the chains and strict rules that held him down were gone, he would be free to choose how he lived with his fellow Fallen brothers and sisters. He thought that he would finally indulge into his scientist-side along with Shemhazai, creating new inventions and gadgets no matter how insane they were. He thought that he could finally indulge in the desires of women and alcohol that every male angel was tempted by.
But none of that happened.
His new wings didn't help him soar through the sky to new heights.
His new found freedom, instead of helping him choose how he wanted to live, they only showed him how meaningless it all was when he was the only one.
His hobby of creating new gadgets and tools only reminded him how nothing he could do or create would be able to open those Gates.
The pleasure and small amount of happiness from sleeping with women was nothing compared to the pleasure and happiness he experienced during his time with teaching (Y/n) the wonders of the world.
And yet, he still couldn't figure out why. Was it the fact that he finally was able to converse with him, when all other countless times he was unresponsive?
No, God already answered that, to think that Shemhazai and he were trying to converse with a corpse. It was ironic how he called him a necrophiliac for opening up those bodies when they both talked and tried to make conversation with one long before they discovered that place.
For some reason...he felt like he was connected with (Y/n).
Even now he would feel his presence every now and then. Of course the presence wasn't in terms of him ACTUALLY being here with him, but it was like how communication magic would work. All he needed was the other side to pick up.
Finally arriving at the cabinet, he looked through the glass door. His stash of wine and alcohol that he would have used to celebrate with others, now only kept him company and drowned him whenever he so asked.
Opening the cabinet, Azazel shifted his eyes to the lone wine bottle.
His last one. It was his best one as well. The one he was to share with (Y/n) once they had came back from their escape.
Grabbing it, Azazel hastily made his way back to his seat. He needed to get his mind off things. The thoughts were coming back and he needed just another moment of peace. He needed the wine to drown him before his thoughts did.
As he took a seat, he pointed the head of the wine bottle to the side and popped the top off with his hand. The wine swished around the bottle, it being the only sound as he began pouring himself another cup.
Azazel's eyes shifted across from him. There, in his vision, laid an empty chair. If the plans had gone well, it wouldn't have been.
Along with the empty chair laid an empty upside down glass cup, similar to his own. Clear and clean, it had yet to be filled with any liquid.
Azazel grit his teeth hard before he quickly slammed the wine bottle on the table and chugged his cup of wine. The wine was aggressively swallowed down his throat and some even dripped down his chin.
Finished with his first cup, he dropped the glass and simply stared at the empty space in front of him.
On occasion, when he drunk too much at once, he would see a person sitting in front of him. Their silver hair glistened in the moonlight, their eyes staring back at him with a small hint of amusement. Their lips slightly twitched up in a small smile.
On occasion, he would cry silently; he wouldn't see a person in front of him. Only an empty chair and the cold silence greeted him.
Before he knew it, he was about to drink the final contents of his wine bottle. He stopped mid-way as the glass cup was held to his lips.
He felt something touch his forehead. It was only a light tap, and as quickly as it came, it was gone.
Slowly he brought the last cup of wine down. Once he set it down, he reached with his other hand and grabbed the cup across from him. Once in his hand, he simply sat with his elbows on top of the table as he seemingly examined the clean glass cup.
His mind felt clearer, more full of his own thoughts than what he would usually be thinking. It was as if the clouds on a stormy day had all of a sudden been swept away by a hurricane.
After what seemed like hours, but in reality was only 20 minutes, he simply placed it back where it was but upright. He grabbed his cup of wine and poured the drink into the other cup.
As the last drop fell into the untouched container, he tilted his head so his eyes laid on the chair. As if he was waiting for his guest to pick it up and have a sip. When nothing happened he simply turned around and went straight to the only door.
Azazel: "You're probably thirsty from waiting for so long. Have a nice cup of my best wine."
He whispered to no one as he reached the door.
The door opened and closed in one fluid motion. There was no hesitation in Azazel's movement. His eyes, while hollow, showed a new found determination. He marched on to the meeting hall that he had been absent from with plans forming in his mind.
He would grief no longer, he would bring (Y/n) back just as he should have from their first attempt.
In the room, the cup of wine that was once filled, was now empty.
A single drop slid down the glass and twinkled once it hit the moon's grace.
—
The pitch black void that surrounded the lone figure was vast as it was empty. The figure was curled up with their knees tucked into their chest and their arms wrapped around them. They seemed small and insignificant compared to the emptiness, so small that any would think that the void would consume them.
And yet it hadn't.
The figure's long silver hair floated all around him. Their face calm and showed no signs of distress about their current situation. Their eyes staring at seemingly nothing, and their ears would twitch every now and then.
(Y/n) simply drifted in the nothingness.
He didn't know how he got here. All he could remember was watching Azzy having a conversation with the Seraph Gabriel. Anything after that was but a blank page of nothing. He just suddenly woke up here.
Not once had he doubted that Azzy had left him. He promised him that he would take him home, and (Y/n) promised back to fight for him. The only conclusion that (Y/n) could come up with was that they had somehow been separated.
Usually the analysis from the [System] would give him information or notify him of anything he desired. Yet, for all the time he spent in this empty void, not once did it chime in.
And so (Y/n) took it upon himself to analyze where he woke up at.
Conclusion?
Nothing. He had not found a single thing that would help him. So he simply decided to just wait and stare into the void for any changes.
This wasn't the void that he found comfort in, the thing that surrounded him was predatory, it discouraged any of his attempts in venturing out. The silence was suffocating, yet he could do nothing to remove it.
He tried talking but no sound would come from his throat.
He tried blinking, but his eyes simply shifted before remaining straight ahead.
He tried moving, but he was constrained by an unseeable force.
At the end he could do nothing...so he simply drifted.
Every now and then, he would hear the sound of something.
Every now and then, he would see something.
Every now and then, he would feel something.
He didn't know how long he drifted for. But at some point his back hit something. Soon after that, he blinked for the first time and found himself sitting at a table, the lone glass cup accompanied him in the dark.
He realized he was sitting down on a chair and that the cup was filled with nothing.
Finally being able to move, even if a little, (Y/n) shifted his eyes around but nothing but the table and chair was there.
Then a small twinkle caught his eye. Looking ahead, he saw a hazy figure sitting with their hand bringing a cup to their mouth.
The figure quickly swallowed the drink and once it was empty, brought the bottle they had on their other hand and filled it again.
The figure would on occasion stop, then stare at (Y/n) before resuming on consuming the liquid as if their life depended on it. After the first few drinks, the figure started to be more aggressive in actions. The table shook on occasion from their forceful slams, and the contents of the bottle began to dwindle.
(Y/n) felt something was off about the figure. As if he should recognize it but shouldn't at the same time. As the figure kept drill their drinking, (Y/n) was able to finally move by leaning forward.
Upon getting a better few of the figure, he realized it was Azazel, the man who gave him his name and much more.
(Y/n) didn't know why they were here, but there was one thing he did know. Azazel was seemingly fighting something. What exactly? He didn't know. But he promised he would help him.
Bringing his hand up and towards the man, (Y/n)'s hand seemed to somehow know how to help him as his pointer-finger aimed at his forehead.
Once he leaned close enough, and the finger was just within reach, he gave a single tap. Azazel's hazy and clouded figure seemed to clear as he stopped midway from drinking the final cup of liquid.
(Y/n) sat back, his job done as the figure of Azazel just sat there examining (Y/n)'s empty cup.
After a while, Azazel placed it in front of (Y/n) and poured his cup with the liquid and just stared at (Y/n). Neither of them said anything, and soon Azazel walked away into the void.
Until he suddenly stopped right on the verge of the void consuming him. As he simply stood there, he spoke in a barely audible whisper.
Azzy: "You're probably thirsty from waiting for so long."
'Was that why my voice is gone?' Thought (Y/n).
That confused (Y/n) as he didn't know what being thirsty meant but just accepted it as what it was.
Azzy: "Have a nice cup of my best wine."
(Y/n) eyed the liquid, now known as wine, in the glass cup. He still didn't move and simply waited for Azazel to continue talking, but noticed the man had already left. (Y/n) stared at the cup before finally deciding to drink it.
He lifted the cup from the table and brought it to his lips. The cold refreshing liquid slip down his throat, finally calming the itch that he didn't know he had.
The glass cup was brought back down as it made a small *clank* sound against the table. (Y/n) had finally noticed something else, somehow another chair had appeared in the void. This one only a few inches away from the table he sat at. A figure sat on it.
He didn't recognize the figure that sat at it. Their head covered by their hair. Their coat and suit underneath was tattered and had stains of a black substance that made it seem like it had holes in them.
Judging by their physical body structure, (Y/n) could conclude that they were not like Azzy and Shemhazai. Their arms were too thin, even if they were hidden underneath the coat. Their legs were slim as well as what was visible of their waist. Their clothes, although not too tight, hugged their figure to show curves around their chest and below their waist. Their face was but a mystery as their hair hid it away.
If (Y/n) were to go by the information provided to him by Azazel, he can conclude that this was a "Woman" was. He could clearly see the similarities between this individual and some of the others he saw when following Azazel through Heaven.
Woman: "Who are you?"
They asked without lifting their head. (Y/n), while confused, simply stared at them.
Woman: "Who...am I?"
Another question was asked as (Y/n) kept his silence.
Woman: "What...are we?"
(Y/n): "...we?"
For the first time, (Y/n) spoke with his monotone voice as he tilted his head to the side.
Woman: "Yes...we."
The woman lifted her head and what greeted (Y/n) was his own face. Although their face was more softer and feminine compared to how Azzy described him, (Y/n) could no doubt see that certainty it was him.
Woman and (Y/n): "Who are you?"
They both asked at the same time, yet (Y/n) seemed like the only one who was "genuinely" asking. The woman just seemed to be mimicking him.
Woman and (Y/n): "Who am I?"
Woman: "Of course...who are we?"
(Y/n) knew who HE was, he was called (Y/n) by Azzy. What he didn't know was who SHE was.
(Y/n): "I am (Y/n)...I don't know who you are."
Woman: "..."
The woman simply kept her silence as she seemed to be silently analyzing him.
?: "Who are we?"
Another voice seemed to echo to his right causing (Y/n) to shift his eyes in that direction.
Sitting on a chair near the table was similar looking figure. The person had short silver hair but a more broad and larger body structure, easily surpassing both the woman and (Y/n).
The same features were present, the violet eyes, the blank look, a face that looked more refined and muscular, yet still the similarities could be seen between all 3. The Man wore a white with a gold outline suit and nothing else. The top of the suit was left unbuttoned and open, showing the Man's chest and muscles. Many "scars" and "wounds" could be seen on his skin. At least that's what (Y/n) thought as they, much like the woman, made it seem as if had holes through his body.
(Y/n): "I don't know."
Was all (Y/n) answered to the question.
Woman and Man: "If you are (Y/n)...and we are you..."
? and ?: "Then we are also (Y/n)"
To his left, two higher pitch voices finished their statement. Once again causing (Y/n) to shift his eyes to their direction.
Sat at the left side of the table were 2 small figures. The looked to be smaller versions of (Y/n) and the Woman. The more masculine of the figures wore a coat similar to the Woman, while the more feminine one wore a suit similar to the Man. Their, also, silver hair reached their shoulders and covered their opposite eyes, making them symmetrical. Due to their small size, they were able to sit perfectly next to each other on the chair. And much like the Man and Woman, they were covered in stains and the male version was even missing a leg.
Twins: "We are (Y/n)"
Their blank gaze bore into (Y/n)'s eyes as they said that. And (Y/n) simply stared back.
Woman, Man, and Twins: "We are (Y/n)."
They all said in unison, yet their voices seemed to be accompanied by others that were unable to be seen.
The table and chairs disappeared in a blink of an eye, as they all stood in the void.
Of course, (Y/n) was unfazed by this and simply focused on what they said. Their faces were similar to his own, their presence even felt familiar. Although their appearance differentiated from each other, they felt all the same.
They felt so familiar and similar, that the words left (Y/n)'s mouth without him knowing.
(Y/n): "We are (Y/n)."
Once he said that, all 4 of the others smiled lightly at him. (Y/n) simply stared at them, but also felt his own lips moving upwards. That was until a sudden voice interrupted them.
{Error! Corruption in System Detected!}
All 5 individuals turned to face where the loud voice was coming from. The direction of which was behind (Y/n).
As they looked at the direction of the voice, their blank gazes fell upon the lone figure in the dark. A singular eye gazed upon them. The eye was massive and took up 30% of the figures shape. The rest of its figure was hidden mostly by the void but was round from what they could tell.
The eye seemed to be getting closer and closer.
{Removing Corruption—Initiating Protocol: S78-D01}
Suddenly the figure became clearer. The lone eye floated and was seemingly wrapped in multiple sets of wings.
The wings shifted and started to unravel. One pair, two pairs, four pairs, to finally five pairs of wings in total. The rest of the figure was revealed. The eye was in the center of 2 metal rings with multiple similar eyes on them. The metal rings started to creak and rotate and soon they spun around the middle big eye as the 10 wings fully spread out. Light seemed to come from behind the eye, which illuminated a portion of the void.
The 5 (Y/n)'s simply stared at it, if anyone else were to witness this they would surely be disturbed.
Small balls of holy light started to build up along the metals rings, one for each eye.
Sensing the attack, all 5 (Y/n)s scattered to different directions. Their minds seemed to somehow have been linked as (Y/n) looked at the others. He didn't know what to think at the moment, but he liked to think of himself as the "original" (Y/n). It was he that received the name from Azzy not them.
(Y/n) took some distance away from the Winged-Eye while the Woman and Man took positions left and right respectfully. The Twins went behind the monstrosity and were prepared to attack its blind spot.
The balls of holy light had finally reached their maximum output. With a bright flash, each of them burst in all directions shooting out streaks of light that turned sharply and chased after all 5 of them.
The Twins who were about to attack on its blind spot were interrupted by the eye rotating quickly and facing them.
Although surprised, the Twins simply latched arms together before the female twin spun and launched the other twin at the Eye, thus preventing it from continuing its attack.
Due to the fast incoming Twin, the Eye had no choice but to dodge it. A mistake as the Man, who leaped to reach its height, was waiting for it with his fist cocked ready to let loose.
The Eye only had time to wrap itself in its wings before the Man's fist collided and launched it towards the ground below.
At the bottom waiting was the Woman with a spear of light that she crafted by collecting the Eye's own attack. As the ball of wings came falling towards her, she shifted her feet apart, bent her knees, and tightened her grip that held the weapon.
With a mighty leap that shook the void itself, the Woman closed the distance between her and the Eye. Her spear in front of her as she aimed it right at the center of the ball of wings.
The spear pierced with no resistance and created a hole big enough for her to enter right after it. And soon she came out from the other side, right out the center of the iris.
As the Eye crashed down, the Woman's spear died out and she stretched her arms out and caught the male Twin as she landed near the other.
All of this done, and not once had their faces changed from their blank and collected look.
(Y/n) simply walked back to the small group with the Man right next to him. They were going to continue their conversation from before until the same voice interrupted them again.
{Protocol: S78-D01 Failed.}
{Initiating Protocol: S78-D01-A950}
{Initiating Protocol: S78-D25-A900}
The light that remained seemed to shine brighter as more and more Eyes descended from them. Some were already unfolded and charging their attacks, others were of different shape and form. Some were simply eyes with multiple metal rings rotating around them. Others were humanoid heads surrounded by animal heads with wings sprouted from them.
Twins: "Mm...Annoying."
Hundreds upon hundreds were in sight. (Y/n) simply stared at them all, ready to evade the attacks.
Unknown to him, his link to his copies increased as well as their numbers. Behind him numerous figures started to fade into existence. All with silver hair and violet eyes that stared up at the abysmal looking angels. All of which shared similarities with one another.
Some were slim, some were broad, some were tall, some were short, some were female, some were male, some were children, some were elderly, but all were (Y/n).
As the first volley of light fell, all of them leaped into the air.
The clashes and sparks of battle continued to wage on, making the once empty and dark void not so empty and dark.
—
In a separate pitch black area, outside of (Y/n)'s mindscape, a limb twitched to life for a split second.
Then another limb twitched.
A body shook.
An eye opened then closed.
A lung took in a breathe before breathing it out.
The mountains upon mountains of limbs and corpses continued to fight Death itself.
The only one that maintained any indication of life, was a head of silver hair that sat at the top a small hill of limbs. It's eyes opened and the violet light that shined seemed to shine brighter with each passing minute.
Suddenly every functional head, no matter how far, seemed to be brought to life.
"We are (Y/n)."
(Y/n)'s body that was at the bottom of the hill twitched a moment and then stopped.
Their fight in the abyss has only just begun.
—
God's POV
Placing the wings down on the table, I proceeded to start working on the new body. The recent one showed exceptional results, but it was not enough. They still hesitated do complete their objective. If they wanted to escape, they had every opportunity to have done so. If they wanted to injure me, they had the power and abilities to do so. And yet, for some unknown reason, it did none of those things.
Fought me to a stand-still, even while I'm recuperating, and yet they had not taken the advantage when I put my guard down. Their speed was impressive, and yet they still couldn't escape. Although the Chains of Heaven are a magnificent tool, it could only do so much. If he were to have flew out of my sights, he would have escaped. But no, they had failed the most simplest test of resolve I could have given them. They wasted their potential on sacrificing themselves for a newborn crow.
Speaking of said crow, it mattered to me not if Azazel was to start another rebellion, he would simply be put down just like his brothers and sisters before him. If I could defeat Lucifer and his band of devils in a weakened state, what do I have to worry about when I'm nearly back to my original strength?
Nothing.
I have absolutely nothing to worry about other than Trihexa being released.
Odin has gone silent every since our last meeting about coming up with weapons to kill the Beast. It seems that somehow the news of Ragnarök approaching had leaked out and caused some complications in the realm of Asgard. He theorized that it had to do with the mischievous Trickster God Loki, and that he had somehow learned of their private talks.
None of this concerned me of course, his problems are to be dealt by Odin himself. Trihexa is far more worrying than some petty Norse God with too much time to spare.
Clearing the table, I grabbed the loose cables hanging from my device and attached them to my arms and back. Once connected, I got up the table and laid face-down.
God: "Heaven's System, initiate duplication #89-A76Z."
{Initiating Duplication Process}
{Estimated Time: 30 Minutes}
The throne started to hum a low sound, the wires that connected to me started to transport the holy energy I naturally emit into itself. Knowing that this would be over in a few minutes, I took the time to close my non-existent eyes and recuperate. The fight with the recent experiment took a good amount of my strength.
—
3rd POV
As God decided to rest, he had failed to notice the small electrical sparks that danced around the throne and into the wires. The holy energy that he was transferring to the new puppet of (Y/n) was also being transferred to an area deep under the lab.
The new clone of (Y/n) was the exact same as the original but with a few small differences. It's body was outlined and then started to be built from the energy on top of the throne. First came the legs, then the torso. The arms and head came last. Their hair was short and it's tops reached their chin, and their face seemed younger than what the original (Y/n) looked like.
They weren't awake, their eyes were closed as wires from the throne moved as if they had minds of their own and connected to him. Once connected, the holy energy seemed to hastily move into the body. As if it were actively consuming it.
The small sparks of electricity trailed up from the wires and ink the body, causing it to twitch and jolt until calming down.
The body continued to consume and take in more holy energy from God's body.
This of course was felt by God himself, as he seemingly woke back up and yanked the cables out of him in a swift motion.
God stood up and his non-existent eyes glared at the body. Seeing no movement or activity, he floated to the top where the seat was and studied the new specimen intensely.
After a while, he found nothing to note and simply turned to continue the duplication.
God: 'This might be the most compatible specimen yet.'
—
The City of Uruk was busier than it was before. The market squares continued to prosper and grow as did the people. The city has long been improving from its depressed state. The crops and fields that died were replaced only days after Gilgamesh returned from his journey. Trade routes were established with smaller villages miles out in all directions. The city was growing, but Gilgamesh could care less.
As King, it was only natural for him to guide and nurture his kingdom to his image. And guide and nurture them he did. He brought out several artifacts from his Golden Gates of Babylon and placed them along the walls. Their presence erased the cursed rain and calmed the river. The mist that surrounded them dispersed in a single day of his return.
With the new found peace, the people of Uruk began to improve and invent new methods to prevent such a thing from happening again. Instead of farming near the river, they built aqueducts that carried water to their farms inland. To prevent possible invasions, they dug the earth around the walls and filled it with water. To prevent sickness, they sent herbalists to venture out and study new medical herbs to grow.
Their changes in life was only equivalent to the changes in their King. Gone was the cold and ruthless Tyrant, now stood a calm and wise King who prioritized his people instead of his treasure.
And yet with all these changes, Gilgamesh had not once smiled or felt proud.
How could he? When he failed to achieve immortality.
How could he? When he came back to see his once proud City of Uruk on the verge of collapsing.
How could he? When he arrived at his ziggurat only to find that his treasury had been looted by a MONGREL! No an INSECT! That somehow managed to crawl its way through the cracks of his Golden Treasury.
Not only that, they had stolen the last gift his dead friend had given him.
So no, Gilgamesh wouldn't smile and feel proud in his new prospering city. His calm demeanor was only a facade as he bottled up his rage. The major and fast improvements were only due to his efforts of working day and night coming up with methods and expeditions for his city to grow. He would not rest until his city would manage itself. He would not rest until he hunted down the bug that stole his most precious treasure.
Only when the bug had been squashed would he rest and tell his people how proud he is of their growth.
Today had been nothing but constant order upon order. Gilgamesh worked quickly, skimming through the stone tablets that recorded the analysis of the farms and city. His crimson red eyes moved quickly, and once he was done, he tossed it to the pile at his side and gave an order to the scholar that was at the front of the line.
The line was long, going from the front steps of his throne to the outside near the statue of Enkidu. The statue of gold was clean and the same as the day it was made. Enchanted with magic to prevent it from rusting, it held strong against even the cursed rain.
At the end of the line near the statue stood 2 cloaked figures.
?: "It's hot as Hell, literally. Why are we even wearing these things in this kind of heat?"
One of the 2 individuals complained. The other simply looked them.
?2: "Because it's necessary."
?: "Necessary how? The guy has a form of clairvoyance in case you didn't know. He would find out before we even know it."
The second individual thought about it for a moment. Seeing the logic behind the first man's words he removed and folded the cloak revealing himself to be Baraquiel. Seeing him do it, the first man did the same revealing himself as Shemhazai.
Shemhazai: "Honestly, if you could just use your brain for anything else other than your "duty" then I wouldn't be so annoyed."
Shemhazai gritted his teeth as he said that. Although he was glad that Azazel came out of his depression, he certainly wasn't glad that his new slave-driving personality was increasing by the day.
He had noticed that everyone's personalities had changed once they had fallen, including his own. He spoke what was on his mind far more than what he usually did. Baraquiel has been non-stopped talking about duty this and duty that, especially when it came to talks about his love-life. Azazel became more business first, fun later. And Penemue...he just wanted to forget any encounter with the woman. The woman had grown to become far more sadistic and cruel than what she usually was like.
The Fallen that he helped her let escape from 4th Heaven can attest to that. The stories of what she did to our used to be brothers and sisters in arms was scary. He didn't need to or want to experience what they explained, it was already scary enough listening to it.
Baraquiel: "Is there a problem with me wanting complete our mission safely?"
Shemhazai: "Of course not, but your simple mindedness will be your downfall if you can't relax and examine the entire situation."
Baraquiel just grunted an agreement and the conversation ended at that.
The line had moved a fair bit since their talk, though it still didn't relieve them as they were still in the sun. The shade provided by the ziggurat was long gone as the sun began its descent. They could only patiently wait for the sun to set and the moon to take its place.
—
Baraquiel's POV
I gazed at the moon and the stars that accompanied it. The twinkles that they gave off seemingly enchants me every time I gaze at them. Some of the stars that I used to gaze were gone. How long have they been gone? Years.
The brighter the stars, the more likely that they would be gone the next night. The dim stars usually last for centuries while the bright ones disappear faster than I could count them.
The moon that outshines them all when fully revealed also was something that memorized me. It reminds me of how Heaven was.
With the moon representing God, and the twinkles representing us angels.
Too accurate, as the youngest ones are usually the brightest angels to be created. But they are to perish too quickly, with others ready to replace them once they vanish.
Living for centuries and even a millennia causes one to open their eyes, that is if they are willing to change.
You begin to notice things the older you get, like how quickly others begin to forget those that they cherished. I was no different.
What was the name of the first friend I ever made?
How many died in my battalion in their first battle?
When God created me, I was just a general for his army. A soldier with a responsibility to defend and command a portion of Heaven.
Fighting battle after battle against those that threatened Heaven, whether they be beasts from another pantheon or my own kin, and losing friends in each one. The number of those that I grew close to continued to shrink as each battle went on.
Soon enough, I stopped connecting with my battalion. I trained them to be fighters, but nothing more. I stopped bothering with teaching them morals and the etiquette of battle, why should I when they wouldn't live long to use it.
The angels given to me were but recruits. Eager to earn praise from their superiors and God, they were truly the brightest of angels, aside from Gabriel herself.
And because they were the brightest, I had to snuff their light. Much like a star, they would only get themselves killed the brighter they shined. The more they wished for praise, the restless they became, the more zealous their acts became. Their minds twisted and turned, their purpose of defending Heaven and the innocent soon become to doing whatever it took for praise.
And soon, they would Fall.
They would Fall and Fall and Fall.
One by one. Battalion by Battalion.
Their desire for praise turned to hatred and resentment when they receive none.
That is what makes up the Grigori at the moment.
How can I tell? Because I can see it in their eyes. The hatred they hold, the desire to bring God down with them.
Azazel had asked me once on why I would join him and become a Fallen. The answer was simple.
I was tired. The constant loss of loved ones and friends. The constant killing and purging of "heretics" who are our own siblings. I just desire for rest. A long peaceful life in a peaceful world where I can simply enjoy being in the accompany of my loved ones. And I know deep down every fallen in the Grigori also wishes the same.
Deep down, under all that hatred and anger, they only wish for change. Their methods are chaotic as is their actions, but their true intentions are simple and nothing special. One may want to indulge in their addiction in alcohol, another in women, another in men, another in learning the secrets of the world, another simply enjoys the thrill of danger and battle, but all of them not worthy of being banished from Heaven.
My duty as a General of Heaven has long been done, my duty now is to simply guide the lost into the bright future that we all want. And only once we reached the paradise that we call the future will I toss aside my weapon and armor to enjoy my life with any loved ones.
The line that we were in moved, and we finally were able to reach the inside of the audience chamber. Shemhazai walked in front of me, and soon we were able to gaze upon the King on the throne.
As if expecting us, the man with his chest bare for all to witness, a golden gauntlet on his right arm and a stone book on his left arm. The King had his arm leaning on his gauntlet arm as he boringly looked at the two of us. The whole chamber was empty and only a woman who held a stone tablet near the bottom of the steps that lead up to the throne was present.
The gaze he gave us was cold and powerful, making my body stiff up and on guard. Shifting my eyes to look at Shemhazai that stood ahead of me, he seemed to be in a similar, or worse, state.
We both walked slowly to the middle of the room. Each step echoing throughout the room.
Once Shemhazai stopped, I stopped as well just a few steps behind him to his left.
Gazing up at the King, the man simply sat up straighter and leaned up against the throne. His eyes sharpened into a glare as he spoke.
King Gilgamesh: "MONGRELS SUCH AS YOUR SELFS SHOULD BE KNEELING IN MY PRESENCE!"
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3rd POV
An unknown force fell upon Shemhazai's and Baraquiel's shoulders, making them take a knee and bend their heads down.
Seeing them kneel, Gilgamesh simply scoffed and turned his attention away from them.
The woman that was serving as an assistant simply gave them a small nervous smile. Not that they could see it with their head held low still.
Silence spread through the room. Them with their heads low and shocked silent, the woman seemingly fidgeting and straightening her robes, and Gilgamesh looking at his stone book.
Everyone: "..."
A tick marked appeared over Gilgamesh's head as he turned to the 2 with his glare returning.
Gilgamesh: "WELL STATE YOUR BUSINESS, OR DO I HAVE TO TRAIN YOU MONGRELS TO SPEAK AS WELL?!"
Both of them flinched at his powerful voice, however, only Shemhazai lifted his head to speak.
Shemhazai: "Uhhh, you see, we came here to, *cough cough*. We are both representatives of the newly formed Grigori Organization of the Biblical Faction."
Gilgamesh made no reply and only stared at the speaker, letting him know that he wanted him to continue.
Shemhazai: "We came here to request your assistance and to relay information that we assume to be valuable to you."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
Gilgamesh: "I shall see if this 'information' is valuable to me or not. Mongrels such as yourself wouldn't be able to differentiate treasure from the dirt you walk on."
Although the insults were starting to irritate Shemhazai, he just nodded slightly and prepared to begin the climax of this conversation: the negotiations.
Shemhazai: "Before we indulge you in this information, we wish to offer a trade for it. This information for your assista—"
He was interrupted by a fast projectile coming towards him.
Baraquiel, being the one experienced in battle, easily blocked it and redirected it to the ground on the side.
The explosion caused by the impact caused dust clouds to form.
Gilgamesh: "AND WHO ARE YOU TO DEMAND SUCH A THING FROM A KING SUCH AS MYSELF?!"
Gilgamesh closed the stone books and grabbed the arm rests of his throne. Multiple entrances to his treasury opened around the dust clouds, ready to assault the 2 individuals.
The woman simply hid behind the side of the stairs to avoid any debris.
A loud singular flap was heard before the dust dispersed. Baraquiel was seen with his wings out and Shemhazai was behind him ready to speak. But Gilgamesh didn't give them the chance as more projectiles were shot at them from all directions.
Gilgamesh: "So it is a pair of crows this time that have entered my city. I shall swiftly take care of you much like your pigeon brethren."
Shemhazai: "WAIT, YOUR KINGLINESS, WE DO NOT WISH ANY HARM ON YOUR KINGDOM!"
Gilgamesh: "To assume that you could harm anything that I possess, you mongrels bark more than the pigeon."
Shemhazai dodged a set of projectiles by flying quickly into the air, Baraquiel seemed to be defending himself quite well as he deflected them with a sword of holy light.
Shemhazai: "WE KNOW OF WHO TOOK YOUR TREASURE!"
All do a sudden, the attacks stopped. Gilgamesh suddenly stood up and glared at them with the harshest glare they have seen.
Shemhazai stayed floated while Baraquiel simply remained in his stance.
Gilgamesh just glared at them, and at the moment it seemed like he would resume his attacks. That was until he suddenly clicked his tongue and sat back down.
Gilgamesh: "*tch* Siduri, fetch some guards and bring me the pigeon from the prison."
The woman named Siduri came around the place she was hiding at and gave a nod to the King.
As her footsteps died out in the distance, Gilgamesh spoke once more.
Gilgamesh: "You need not explain to me who has it. You already explained it to me through my clairvoyance."
Shemhazai nodded as he flew down and landed next to the now calm Baraquiel. This only confirmed his statement of Gilgamesh having clairvoyance, making them uncertain on what to say as they could have already said it to him.
Gilgamesh: "And so? I will take it from Him myself. Leave for you will not receive my assistance. Fly back to your Grigori and tell them I will kill the insect myself, even if I have to tear the very Heavens to do so."
Shemhazai was disheartened when he heard that, their best chance on gaining a strong ally had just been struck down. Of course he could understand, even if he wasn't arrogant, the Solitary Treaties forbade any faction from interfering with another.
As if sensing his thoughts, Gilgamesh spoke.
Gilgamesh: "I made no such agreement to those treaties. I am a King, I take what I want when I want. I don't need threats or permission of any God to do as I please. I don't intend on following the laws of a pack of mongrels."
That seemed to at least please Shemhazai.
Gilgamesh: "Before I send you back to your nest, crows. When Siduri comes back, take the pigeon with you."
And so they waited for the assistant to come back with the prisoner.
While they waited, Gilgamesh went back to reading the tablets and ordered for more scholars to come in with their findings.
Shemhazai and Baraquiel simply stayed out to the side of the throne room near one of the pillars.
After half an hour, the scholars were all told by Gilgamesh to postpone until the next day. He ordered them to take rest for a full day of work, which earned the respect of Baraquiel as he himself has dealt with similar individuals.
Once the final scholar left, Siduri arrived accompanied by multiple armed soldiers as they each held an end of a chain that connected to a tied up individual.
The individual was covered by a blanket, hiding their face and entire body as the chains wrapped the whole thing tightly.
The captive struggled against their bonds and seemingly tried to move in any direction, but at futile as the chains interlocked with one another.
Gilgamesh merely raised his gaze and looked at them once, before going back to the tablets left behind by his scholars.
Siduri returned to her original place near the steps by the throne, while the guards held the prisoner at the center of the room. The 2 guards that were directly behind them walked up to the captive and removed the top portion of the blanket revealing the captives face.
Both Shemhazai and Baraquiel had to blink repeatedly and even step closer to see if what they were seeing was true. Though they were stopped by the guards before they could get too close.
Gilgamesh: "I believe that belongs to you."
He said boringly not even looking at them.
Shemhazai and Baraquiel simply stayed in shock at the man in front of them. Their mouth gagged by a cloth as their murmuring was muffled. They had blond hair that loosely hung to their chin, a shape and chiseled face, their blue eyes bored into their own, and had a necklace of a cross that all Seraphs wore.
Indeed, the man in front of them was Seraph Raphael who supposedly accompanied God on his expositions. The only question was, what was he doing here?
Gilgamesh: "Your insect of a God left his excrements in MY Uruk, I merely decided to dispose of it before it caused any further stains."
Shemhazai turned and simply nodded.
Gilgamesh: "Well? Take it and leave. You know longer have my permission to stay any longer."
Baraquiel quickly grabbed the chains that the men were holding and lifted the enraged Raphael onto his shoulders. Shemhazai stiffly nodded once more and sped walked to the exit.
However, once they were about to reach the outside, Gilgamesh's voice interrupted their steps.
Gilgamesh: "And do tell your flock of crows and pigeons this,"
They turned their heads to face the King, even Raphael did with his hateful eyes. What greeted them was a glare and face of determination.
Gilgamesh: "No matter how they set the board to this little game of theirs, I shall topple it all down and be the only one left standing. As King, I promise you that."
Only when Gilgamesh removed his gaze and lazily waved his hand as if to shoo them away did they leave. Once outside, they spread their wings and flew to their temporary Headquarters.
Shemhazai kept a thoughtful look and seemed to space out.
Raphael had been knocked unconscious by Baraquiel due to his constant mumbling and muffled screaming.
And Baraquiel merely gazed at the moon that was shining above them. It was exactly midnight as the moon was at its highest point, however, for some reason there were countless stars in the sky that accompanied it. Baraquiel didn't know if it was a bad omen, but decided to just enjoy the view and moment of peace as they flew in the sky.
—
