I do not own Ah! My Goddess or any of its related characters or copyrights. These are the property of Kosuke Fujishima and the relevant corporate bodies.

Light's Nemesis

Chapter 5: Eloquent Poison

Belldandy and Keiichi ate quietly, occasionally glancing at the clock. Bell was the first to break the silence. The previous days incident had elicited a profound concern in her; a concern which had motivated her to consider contacting the Yggdrasil system manager but first she would ask her sisters and Keiichi if they had experienced any strange or suspicious goings on.

"Keiichi, about yesterday did you happen to see or maybe feel anything strange at the campus?"

He reflected on this for a few moments but drew a blank; his mind, now under the enchantment, omitting the strange feelings had had felt around Sumiko. He shook his head.

"Sorry Bell, can't say that I did. Though the weather seemed a bit off now that you mention it, getting dark so quickly."

"Then I suppose things were alright at "Whirl Wind" then?"

"Yep, they certainly were. With the exception of Chihiro's friend Sumiko appearing not much happened."

Her concerned expression vanished as she smiled softly, a characteristic which Keiichi enjoyed to no end," Okay then, sorry for the questions dear but I just can not ignore this odd feeling I've been getting since last morning."

"Yeah………em…any idea what it could be, Bell?"

"Well I've considered Mara or, Heaven forbid, Hild but it doesn't seem even to be even vaguely malevolent, though we can't rule them out. No, it's more of a

sensation of difference; as if something has changed but we can't articulate what."

Keiichi smiled," Don't worry Bell, I'm sure you'll figure it out." He reached over the table and, sensing the concern in his divine girl friend, took her hand in his," I know you will." She sighed, then leaned over," Thank you." She punctuated this with a kiss on the cheek. With that she returned the now empty dishes to the kitchen, Keiichi's complexion turning crimson as she went. His pleasure was short lived however as two abrasive, loud coughs brought his attention to Skuld. The younger goddess bearing a very disconcerting expression as she watched him with exasperated eyes.

"Good Morning Keiichi, and just what have you been doing?" she asked in a frustrated voice.

Keiichi raised his hand in protest," Damn, I'm in for it now," he reflected as she continued to scrutinise the embarrassed young man. "I didn't do anything Skuld, I promise."

"Really."

"Really Skuld, I did not."

"I hope so, because I know what dirty thou-"

"Oh, good morning Skuld. Did you sleep well?" Belldandy asked as she returned to the tea room.

"Ehh…. Great, excellent Belldandy," Skuld returned, hoping her scrutiny had not been over heard. As she sat down for breakfast, Keiichi took the opportunity to thank Belldandy and escape to his work shop. As he made his way out to the fresh morning air, he was filled with guilt; thankful that Belldandy had not asked him how he had slept. The question would have needed a lie and that would be almost painful in front of Belldandy. As he sat beneath a tree to attend to his bike, his thoughts turned to last night and the girl he couldn't get out of his mind. His dreams were shameful, the feeling only resurfacing as he considered the pure being he had reassured at breakfast but his thoughts inexorably turned to the other who seemed so like Belldandy, but of this earth. As he opened his tool box he remembered something odd about his subconscious encounters: there was a third presence. He could recall a disembodied voice, urbane and tranquil, addressing him though he was at a loss to put a name to it. His investigation was rewarded though as he turned and peered into the shadows and there he found a pair of eyes, gleaming like rubies in the darkness.

Keiichi Morisato was not the only one trying unsuccessfully to analyse their sleeping exploits. Urd sat on her bed her features wavering between frustration and bemusement. The dreams of the previous night were not uncommon but the feelings accompanying them certainly were. Past experiences had taught her that, occasionally, she would experience the darker desires of her soul, though the intensity of them last night had prompted a reaction; her wet pillow was a testament to that as she grudgingly eyed it. Sighing, she made her bed and summoned fresh clothes; while dreams like that weren't pleasant she felt lighter now, as if the division of her soul was less acute and the resulting turmoil less so. She checked her appearance then, leaning her head against the mirror with one hand supporting, she smiled a thin smile and chuckled, knowing what she felt was the sum of her identity. Walking to the door though, she spied something in the corner of her eye; something strange. Returning to her reflection she was amazed at how imperceptible it almost was; staring into her eyes, she was intrigued. Her right eye was now a shade or two darker, not immediately different from her more natural light blue left eye but, looking closely, the difference was unmistakable. She considered the matter for a moment and concluded that she was suffering from the stress of the dream or maybe there was a problem in her emblem programming. She considered that if her original colour didn't return she would contact Peorth but, for the time being, she would overlook it; it would help getting worked up over something so small would it?

The Mephistophilis reflected on the game he now played and was modestly pleased. Sitting in his temporary head quarters, a deserted apartment on the top floor of a tower block, he smiled at his prudence. The Daimakaicho had requested him to bring her daughter into contact with her by means of her darker side. This request had been anticipated by the demon as he was privy to the strange history surrounding Keiichi and the trio of goddesses. This information had allowed him to pre-empt Hild and cast a most subtle spell on the hybrid goddess; a spell which would secretly suffuse her demonic side with new energy and thus upset the delicate balance which defined her soul. The spell itself also served a secondary purpose which would remove any real defence the weakened goddess would have; her angel. The system of the divine receiving an angelic companion which mirrored the soul had always struck Mephistopheles as fascinating; an entity unique to the individual which served as a companion and, if need be, guardian. But, in allowing the inner soul to be reflected in another being also displayed the possible weaknesses of their personality, though having an agent of supreme conviction and loyalty was an interesting idea. The question of Velsper; the deranged doublet of Belldandy who now inhabited the body of a cat and whom now acted as host for the demon-angel known as " Blue Lance ", would be over come with a new programme, courtesy of his lord. He savoured the prospect of the coming corruption; Keiichi, he now considered, was truly exceptional as a person with remarkable spiritual purity. This rare state of being he had only seen a few dozen times in the long aeons of his existence and would serve his purposes well. The sun had almost set now, the last vestiges of its light diminishing against a tide of darkness in which a few stars twinkled. This pleased the demon as his element came to prominence and the night opened before him; the time for their first meeting was approaching.

The Morisato house hold was approaching that twilight stage between relaxation and the first temptations of sleep; Keiichi and Belldandy were now speaking in the tea room, Skuld was busy improving Banpei, yet oddly Urd had retired to bed without the mini apocalypse that usually occurred over who had got to watch their TV programmes before bed. Keiichi and Belldandy soon followed; something that he was grateful for. It seemed that ten minutes wouldn't go by without the mysterious Sumiko popping into his head. Settling down for the night, he turned off the light and tried to sleep; all the while desperately trying to deny the strange feelings that plagued him. Restless from these odd thoughts and haunted from the carnal thoughts of the previous dream he offered a small prayer to Kami-sama for a tranquil night. Thus, it was perturbing when his silent prayer was answered.

"My apologies Keiichi Morisato, but the heart is not something that is easily silenced, even by Heavens will."

The tranquil tones were frighteningly familiar; the voice echoing through the shocked mind of the young man was the one that had spoken to him during his lustful dreamscapes the night before. Tentatively, the first beads of sweat moistening his brow, he pulled back the sheets and surveyed the darkened room; eye sight made acute by fear, scanning for unfamiliar shadows. It was in the corner of his eye that he saw a shadow slide across the ceiling, onto and finally detach itself from the wall; the shape rising until it was human in form. As the change seemed complete two disturbingly familiar eyes, alive with crimson light, opened; the inert Keiichi could only sit as if mesmerised. The figure, now sitting in a relaxed fashion on thin air, spoke.

"Good evening Keiichi."

A feeling of terrible foreboding crept over him as he struggled to address the spectre. "Ehhh… Hello"

"I really didn't mean to frighten you, but this was our only opportunity to speak without unnecessary interruptions."

"Oh….right. I guess you're not a friend of Belldandy's then."

"Not as such." The demon answered.

It was with this in mind that the thought came to him of alerting Bell; the door was only a few feet away or he could shout." As he considered his course of action his shadowy visitor spoke.

"That's not a good idea, Keiichi. The door is currently sealed and I could quite easily deny you speech or movement if you choose to be imprudent."

Keiichi considered this and, not the type to take things lying down, acted. He scrambled up, a cry in his throat; the door seemed so close. At least until his body seemed to freeze, his limbs becoming rigid while the words died in his throat before they could reach his larynx. Now the truly inert and speechless K1 returned to his bed, his body no longer under his control.

"If you choose the hard way that is fine, but it will be extremely uncomfortable for you….."

Keiichi could only think who this creature was as his body sat down; his fear exacerbated as he wondered why it was here.

"I hope to be able to speak to you without such measures. I will release my control as long as you agree to be more……..courteous." The shadowy figure intoned.

K1, not wishing to make a bad situation worse, nodded.

"Very well."

As feeling returned to him, he looked up to the creature and cautiously asked, his voice trying not to betray his rising fear, "Mara?...Hild?"

"Not quite Keiichi , but you are close."

"W..who are you?"

The lamp flickered into life and yet it seemed different; the light was weaker than usual and the shadows around the room looked deeper but it was enough to illuminate the levitating figure.

"That power I serve which wills forever evil yet does forever good. My name is Mephistopheles, Keiichi Morisato."

"You're a…….demon.", K1 uttered; the name sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn't remember what from.

"Precisely so", he answered, gesturing to himself.

"Then I don't suppose you're going to offer me a contract." The words were filled with sarcasm; a forced bravery that he tried to impress upon his visitor.

This small gesture of defiance elicited a secret smile from the demon as he detected the fear just below the surface of his mind. The demon casually waved a hand as if to dismiss the notion." No Keiichi, I have not come as the bearer of one when you are so entangled in one yourself."

"Wha..What are you talking about?"

"Your wish, Keiichi. The desire for Belldandy to stay by your side and the apparent "love" between you is a fantasy."

"You're lying."

"Oh….am I lying, of course you think that we are all deceptive don't you. As you said, "it's a lie. All you demons are liars!" K1 could only be awed by the sickeningly perfect imitation of his voice when he accused Velsper so many months ago. He looked up as the demon continued.

"No. I do not come here to deceive, but let me offer you a truth."

"Sorry, but that's a bit rich coming from your kind."

"In the matter of ethics Heaven doesn't have a monopoly on truth, just as we don't control lies, Keiichi, as you well know."

"And what is the truth between me and Belldandy."

The demon descended to the ground and with his visible hand gestured to the house." The world around you is a lie, filled with deception and contempt."

"No, your wrong I love Bell."

"I wasn't referring to Belldandy, Keiichi. I was addressing her sisters who have resided with you for the past four years. You have no idea as to their true motivations in being here or their true opinion of you and your friends."

"I know that Skuld over reacts and Urd's a bit ehh…eccentric at times but they both love Bell and like being here."

"Really? The truth regarding the young Skuld is more sinister than you may imagine, as is the reality of Urd."

"What is that?"

"Skuld isn't just the immature, overzealous guardian of Belldandy, afraid that you will steal her away. No; Skuld's protectiveness is based on a more profound feeling that you are unworthy.

"Well that may be true."

"Ahh..but this worth cannot be gained in her eyes K1. To her you are, by the very fact of your humanity, inferior and undeserving of Belldandy's love. Skuld considers your wish to be an aberration, just as Belldandy's love for you is perceived to be."

Keiichi was silent for a minute, digesting the knowledge that had always lingered in the back of his mind." Well…… if that's true she hasn't shown it."

"Skuld wouldn't, she fears Belldandy's disapproval and thus keeps these profoundly odious and acrimonious thoughts to herself."

"Then I don't suppose Urd is any better then?" He asked as he fought the rising melancholy.

"Urd has made considerable progress but you know in your heart of hearts that she hasn't changed all that substantially. Her estimation of you is that of some one who can be used for a bit of fun. She still treats you and your fellow mortals as playthings; creatures to amuse her hedonistic appetites while she toys with the love between you and Belldandy, a love she considers to be the quintessential soap opera with all the expected absurdity."

Keiichi tried to answer but it died in his throat. It all seemed correct even with her more responsible attitude, she still retained some of her more unpleasant ways. Yet even more disturbingly was his apparent veracity which seemed to cut through his every day optimism to the horrible doubts and fears beneath: Skuld despised him completely and Urd was just as manipulative as ever. The weary young man turned to the demon, melancholy and frustration flooding his mind.

"Then why tell me……why I'm even listening to you of all things!"

"Keiichi, I know of your mind and you needn't be a demon to know that your happiness is an illusion. Even you yourself have begun to see that, though you think it is shameful to do so."

His words hit a cord in him and he knew what the wraith like figure was talking about but still his thoughts concentrated on the deception around him; unable to see the truth.

"Even Belldandy is aware of the Heavens disapproval. A physical relationship will be the apex of your wish; nothing more. The Gods will not consider any notion of marriage or, perhaps, even children; a possibility that I know has lingered in you."

These words stirred the first thoughts of betrayal; to think that Belldandy had known of such things only deepened his feelings of a deceptive love that they shared for so many years. Then he prepared to speak; his heavily enchanted mind and heart had become a puppet in Mephistopheles hands and now he uttered the words the demon had anticipated from the beginning.

"What should I do then…….."

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Sorry if this chapter seems a bit long winded. I would also be very grateful for any opinions or flames you might have.