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 6: In the darkness, I laugh

As Keiichi was experiencing some unpleasant truths and terrible temptations, another member of his house hold was also wrestling with their emotions. Urd sat cross legged on her bed trying to concentrate on suppressing the thoughts and desires which were unmistakably demonic. Her features reflected this conflict; strained, frustrated and saturated with perspiration from her spiritual exertions. Scattered on her work table lay the various potions and elixirs which she had concocted to suppress her rebellious blood but to no avail. Trying to exercise control, she recalled all of her ingredients and formulas, systematically naming them and in doing so, subconsciously, licked her lips; she shuddered. Her tongue had slipped across her fang like canines and had brought her back to her unpleasant situation. Considering what else could be done to hide this she wondered if any bars were open this time of night and chided her self; she knew that alcohol only made her more indiscreet, which in her current condition would have terrifying consequences. She sighed and resolved to get up. Opening her weary eyes she met a disturbing but inevitable sight; brushing platinum locks out of her vision, she looked upon her reflection with now crimson eyes. She bowed her head for a moment; trying to compose her self mentally, the feelings of anger and self-loathing now mixing into a heavy melancholy. Urd's contemplations did not go unnoticed however as a second occupant rose from the Goddess's back. She turned to meet the concerned face of World of Elegance, her bi-morphic wings closing around her partner in a comforting gesture. Urd smiled as the angel's wings embraced her but it was expression pregnant with fear. Just as Urd's demonic blood had begun to manifest, an indelible change was occurring to her angel; the dark patterns indicating demonic lineage becoming larger and more elaborate. Of course the angel ignored this slow metamorphosis as she entwined her fingers with that of her goddess. Urd looked into her face as the angel silently conversed with her.

"I know……..I know, we must be careful," Urd said softly, "Y'know, I really couldn't hold it together as long if you weren't here."

The angel nodded and Urd leant forward to hug her and for a few moments her fear and anger seemed to dissipate as these two most inextricable beings embraced; a short eternity full of loving companionship and warmth. The moment could not last though as a surge of strange energy pulsed through the house, eliciting Urd's full attention. She quickly moved from her bed and, with considerable caution, looked into the dark hallway. After some considerable time, she slipped quietly into the darkness and made her way to where the surge of power originated: Keiich's bedroom. Along the way she passed the partially open door of Skuld's room. Glancing in, she noticed the shadowy bulk of Banpei and then the sleeping form of the youngest Goddess curled under her sheets. Urd smiled at the almost innocent expression on her siblings face; a face that she had argued, fought and spoken with for so long and yet now she seemed so tranquil ,serene and……….defenceless. She only realised that she was grinning as she shook the disgusting thoughts out of her head; ashamed that she would consider such things but, as she closed the door fully, she knew that her darker side would always relish the prospect of harming those around her. Dismissing such thoughts one more, she continued to Keichi's door. Looking in, she prepared to wake him up when she noticed something very unusual: Keiichi's room was completely empty.

Urd leant against the wall for a minute, trying to figure out what was going on. She knew that the power surge earlier was connected to his disappearance but, if she wanted to follow it, she would have to leave now and at top speed without alerting the still dreaming Belldandy. She swore under her breath and quickly left the silent house. Once in the garden, faintly illuminated with pale moonlight, she looked around for a vestige of the power and found it; a faint trail leading north east into the forests surrounding Nekomi. Launching herself into the air, she propelled her self after the strange power; a sense of curiosity and caution filling her as she went.

Sora Hasegawa stopped her fiat's engine and slowly got out. Looking around, she acknowledged the tall, almost malevolent trees next to the small road and wondered why on earth she had come here in the middle of the night. It seemed strange; no, make that very, very strange that she had suddenly developed an indelible desire to go to this isolated spot and to do what?…..something……she couldn't quite remember but it was but it was a desire that would not stop until satisfied. She took in her surroundings until she caught sight of the moon, full in the night sky above her.

"Nice night." She reflected to herself. Her strange fascination with this place was interrupted however as her heart began to beat faster in her chest. Gasping at this sudden change, she grasped at her top as she leant against the door of the small car. Trying to calm her racing pulse, her blood shot eyes caught something odd; she blinked and it happened again. Incredulous, she erected herself and raised her bare arm. Her hand twitched and the flesh seemed to pulsate before her very eyes. Her shock was interrupted as a strange writhing sensation suffused her; the feeling running along every fibre of her form while perspiration ran down her face. With a choked cry she fell to the ground.

"Just my luck," She thought grimly to herself as the pulsations became intense," to be some kinda werewolf." Then the darkness washed over her. A few moments later the lithe and graceful figure of Sumiko Kasai arose, picking up her glasses as she did so. She grimaced momentarily as she felt the tightness of her clothes; clothes which now accentuated her toned physique more so. Brushing long brunette strands out of her eyes, she slipped the glasses on and breathed deeply; almost savouring the fresh night air. Looking into the dark recesses of the forest, she set of to some predetermined location.

"I will be there soon my Keiichi…my love."

Keiichi Morisato found himself standing in the middle of an opening surrounded by tall trees. He wondered where they were; the last thing he recalled was his room as it seemed to fade into darkness and then finding himself here. He turned to his shadowy companion.

"W..where are we now?"

Mephistopheles, watching him quietly until now, answered softly," We are in a quiet spot in the hills around your town. I considered it to be quite apt for your request, Keiich."

He looked around; he vaguely recognised the type of trees and guessed that they were a few miles outside the town, perhaps close to the Inorkura pass road.

"All the way out here?" he asked, trying not to sound too aggressive to the mysterious demon before him.

Mephistopheles smiled softly," Of course. In order to ensure a degree of privacy, I selected a spot that can be free from interruptions." He said, indicating with one gloved hand the dark, almost forbidding forest around them. "I do apologise if something different was inferred, but I do not wish to harm you, K1."

Keiichi, still unable to shake the surreal feeling, nodded," Emm……Okay, I guess, but how will she know I'm here." He almost chuckled under his breath at the strange question.

The Mephistophilis smiled his secret smile. He gestured to the edge of the clearing," Behold, Keiichi."

He turned in the direction of the gesture and his senses seemed intoxicated by what he saw. There, bathed in the soft lunar light, was the girl that haunted his mind and heart. As he gazed at her he experienced the feelings that so washed over any recollection of his love of Belldandy; these emotions supplanted by desire for this earthly beauty. Then the moment ended as she spoke; the soft, sensuous voice melting his heart.

"Hello Keiichi, its been so long but I'm here now………"

As she approached the heavily enchanted Keiichi, the demon, with the merest hint of satisfaction, faded into the shadows. He knew that the rook would now take the king leaving the queen's delicate heart vulnerable. From his new vantage point in the trees he spoke in soft Latin; the spell now complete would have the appropriate affect. Far below the two embraced slowly; Keiichi, with tentative hands, encircled her small waist as she draped her arms gently against his shoulders. The two embraced for a long moment then drew back as to allow their lips to meet………..

Urd landed soundlessly between the trees; the energy led here and she considered her course of action. She would have to careful; it may be one of Mara's better attempts at trouble but she couldn't be complacent, not now. As she quickly made her way towards the origin of the power, she halted and leant against a tree. Her demonic side was becoming more assertive by the minute and She could feel the tell tale pulsing in her right eye, its iris now crimson; the pupil alive with infernal energy. She groaned, becoming frustrated at her weakness and her new vulnerability from any potential foes. Brushing a lock of platinum hair from her eyes, she continued. Ahead there was an opening in the trees and the origin of this strange power. Entering the opening, she discerned in the pale light and shadows two figures. As she approached her curiosity led to shock at the discovery of Keiichi holding Belldandy tightly; an embrace which, by the struggles and muffled cries was not mutual. Urd's shock became consternation and finally anger at the actions of the man that had seemed so perfect for Belldandy; a young man who would not think of hurting his love. She quickly approached the struggling pair; her fury now indelible.

"Hey!...Hey! Keiichi, Bell doesn't feel like it so move yourself!"

The couple continued to struggle; Keiichi seemed not to acknowledge the existence of the infuriated Goddess.

"KEIICHI! Keiichi! You little rat, get off of her now! Okay that's it Jerk! Urd Lighting bolt STRIKE!"

The energy arched down from the sky but it was different; a mixture of light and dark energy that struck the occupied Keiichi on the shoulder in a flash of light. Even at this, Urd's fury did not subside as she quickly stalked over to the motionless form of K1, intent on beating him black and blue. Yet as she arrived by the inert young man's side, the figure of Belldandy wavered and finally faded, revealing a girl Urd did not recognise. The girl then ran off into the darkness, leaving a confused and bemused Urd and moaning Keiichi. Urd turned to him, still angry.

"Well K-boy you gotta whole lot of explaining to do and make it fast before I boot you back home!"

The still prone form of Keiichi did not respond; only faint groaning could be heard. The first tendrils of concern now entered Urd's mind as she walked over to him.

"Hey K1, c'mon get up it wasn't that bad was it?" He still didn't respond to her calls. Urd, now very concerned that he was not responding knelt by him and rolled him over. The sight disturbed her profoundly. The bolt had been stronger than she had intended and had seared across his shoulder with unrelenting power, leaving the skin destroyed; the flesh punctured and haemorrhaging badly. Under his shirt the ground was wet with his blood, now oily black in the moon light. Terrified at what she had committed, she leant over him.

"Oh God no! nonononono! Please no! Keiichi wake up! K-boy move, do something! Say something please!

The first tears slipped down her face as she tried access the extent of his injuries. Her tears became a torrent as she tried to wake him with out a reply. Urd looked down at the deep wound; her hands now wet with blood and tears and she found that she had punctured his chest and that this remarkable young man may be dead by her own hands in a matter of hours.

"Oh God no! Oh heavenly father no! What have done?...What have I done," She uttered to the darkness.

High above on his hidden eyrie the demon chuckled softly to himself as he observed the calculated development below.

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Sorry for the long wait (I've been a bit preoccupied lately) and if this chapter seems a bit more macabre than normal.

I'd like to thank Devil-Urd for your encouragement and support, it's greatly appreciated. I would also like to assure you that I have every intention of completing this fan fic in regular instalments as usual

Yours gratefully Sorcerer's Familiar.