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 9: A Devil's Counsel
The young man sat still on the bed; the only movements that of his laboured breathing and a faint sigh. Lifting one hand he attempted to massage his left temple; a feeling of profound exhaustion and spiritual shock now becoming prominent as the terror of the previous moments began to subside. His massage became inconsistent as he felt the blood draining rapidly from his head; his skin now, no doubt, characterised by an odd lividity as his vision became punctuated with spots. The world seemed far off as he absently brought one hand to his now damp brow. He remarked quietly; knowing what was coming.
"Awww...dammit. Why do these things always happen to me?"
As he uttered these words the room began to spin and K1 fell back into his bed; the world fading away as he fainted.
The first sounds Keiichi was aware of was the gentle lapping of water and the faint sigh of a breeze; both, to his curious mind, synonoumous with being close the sea shore. Keiichi groaned as he lifted himself up upon soft grass; his eye sight focusing on the world around him.Turning, he found himself at a familiar strech of sea shore; the sea caressing nearby rocks on the around the harbour as it expanded out to the horizon. K1, wondering why he was dreaming of this place, got up and looked around. The beach was empty, the sea placid and the sky a light, clear blue around the warm sun. The young man walked along further and, scanning the area, found the spot where he , Bell and a regressed Peorth had enjoyed an afternoon. Recalling that day, he couldn't help but smile; the tranquillity of this place seeming to soothe his anxious and ambivalent soul.
"Yeah right." He reflected as the bitter memories of the previous days returned. His thoughts turning to Belldandy, K1 turned to the sound of approaching footsteps. There he beheld a figure that had become strangely familiar; Mephistopheles, glancing occasionally at the tranquil scene below as the gentle breeze caressed the folds of his cloak and ebony locks. The mortal sighed as he spoke.
"Fascinating isn't it; a complete reproduction of a memory in its entirety. The textures, colours, sounds, smells, sights and feelings all recreated lovingly by the dreamer's subconscious."
The demon stopped as he arrived beside Keiichi. A soft smile passing over his countenance as he appraised K1.
" One of the great Muses I think."
Keiichi faced the demon and anxiously pondered why he had brought him here.
"I guess...but why did you bring me here, Mephistopheles?"
"Me, Keiichi?...I can assure you we stand in this place by your power, not mine."
" But you're..." He hesitated, trying to suppress a shudder; an act which elicited a secret smile from his companion.
" In me... though I thought the possessor now had full control."
The demon seemed curious for a moment, then answered.
"You have my apologies, Richie, I did not expect your body to react in such a way, but it was necessary to allow us to speak once more. Though to answer your query, this is a token of my good will; I do not intend to excersise control over your memories as you once thought" The demon lied as he eased the mortal's troubled mind. " Though, I suspect that your subconscious has taken you to a place that you felt at ease at."
" Maybe...but the reason why I'm stressed is because I've almost been killed; something I think you had a hand in!."
"Oh...though I don't suppose your malady is the result of a mind which is now facing the gravity of a unpleasant situation, Keiich. The spell I cast only peeled away the facade of affection, though only momentary, that Urd has for your relationship. But, of course, the person you embraced may have been influential in that."
The young man sighed, rubbing his weary jowls.
"...Don't you ever get tired of the sound of your own voice." The remark, borne of frustration and anger at the demon's unfaltering calm, only elicited a small chuckle from his companion.
"We all have to speak, Keiichi; though you may be an exception."
"And what might that be?"
"The reason why you are stuck in this situation is attributable to your lack of intimacy with Belldandy; a problem compounded by the unatural relationship and your own conscience."
"Bell and I...we...it doesn't feel right and my conscience has nothing to do with it."
"Are you so sure?...I know of the odd feelings of guilt you have around her or even after a moments touch; a profound feeling that you, by your nature, may be corrupting something holy and pure with your inner desires."
"..."
"But even then your mind and heart were alerting you to the unnatural situation; a situation made all the more acute by the appearance of Sumiko Kasai, a woman born of this earth in which you can find true love."
The pair were silent for a moment; the only sound that of the sea lapping against a silent beach as Keiichi struggled with the truth of what he had been feeling since he laid eyes on the enchanting girl in his German class. Finally, and with a sad heart, K1 turned to the figure who eyed him with a quiet interest.
"I love Belldandy, but...I also love Sumiko. That is the truth of the dilemma."
The demon's features remained passive but the Mephistophilis was secretly gratified; Keiichi now had openly conceded and admitted his love for another which in turn moved this enchanted king further across the demon's chess board.
"Though," the mortal began, his tone softening as his anger subsided," I've been doing a bit of research and I know who you are, Mephistopheles. Your are the demon from the Faust legend and I know how those that cross you end up."
The demon returned his crimson gaze to K1; his face bearing a hint of recognition. For a moment the young man thought he saw a faint glimmer of crimson light in the thin pupil of the creatures left eye...or maybe it was his taxed mind playing tricks.
"Your perceptiveness is truly a virtue, Keiichi. One of your most remarkable characteristics as I have heard but you are correct in your deduction. For nearly a quarter of a century, I served as familiar to the wizard Doctor Johann Faust. In exchange for my services and augmented power, he entered into a contract with me at the conclusion of which his soul would become part of my majesty's empire. Though, judging from your inferment, you are more concerned with what happened when my contract ended?"
"It makes it difficult when you know something like that."
The demon smiled softly as he reassured K1; his voice bearing just a hint of reflectiveness.
"The physical death of Faust was the consequence of his own making. He reneged on the contract during it's last days; his intention of denying me my legal right clear. Thus, on the evening, of my requisition he intended to resist. In such a context, I am authorised to take the necessary measures to fufill the contract."
"I suppose so...but the way it was described..."
"All a consequence of the wizard's resistance, Keiichi. But don't worry; You and I have no contract, wither verbal or legal, which could lead to such things. You can have that peace of mind, I promise you."
"Yeah...em...thanks." Keiichi quietly intoned; his mind still mulling over what he had previously read on the death of the legendary wizard.
"But your rather grim thoughts don't only concern me, do they?; you are worried what Belldandy and the others may do if your duality is exposed." Mephistopheles openly pondered, the crimson depths of his eyes studying the young man as his anxiety became greater.
"Yes...but not for me; I'm worried what will happen to her...Sumiko, I mean."
"Probably nothing; but there is a slim chance that Belldandy could, inadvertently of course, harm her with her own wounded heart. I wonder what a " Jealousy Storm" would do to a human being?" The demon mused quietly; a faint, cruel smile forming.
"I...I know." K1 answered; the weight of his possible actions bearing down on him like a ton of concrete. "...My god...I love them both..but.. how will I tell Bell after all we've been through; it'll destroy her but I cant lie."
"Now you discover the terrible consequences of this unnatural "love"; a relationship doomed and yet it might destroy your hope for a new, true love. An affinity unburdened by interference and jealous siblings or by Heaven and Hell's caprice."
"We've overcome so much and now it has to end this way... all because I'm caught between heaven and earth."
"It was inevitable, Keiichi. Your love for Belldandy was unnatural; something that was doomed by the very nature of the divine and the physically mortal. The very nature of your union was unfeasible from the start."
Keiichi was silent for a moment but his eyes betrayed the feeling of loss, pain and regret he now felt gathering in his innermost soul. He sighed as he looked across the beach to the spot where he and and Peorth had spoken.
"I always wondered how we had lasted so long...against everything...but I feared that what we had would end one way or the other. But I suppose our love couldn't last; it was apparent to her people but Peorth was the first to speak up. She made it all so clear..."
The Mephistophilis chuckled softly; the sound one of contempt and criticism. Gesturing with his one, visible gloved hand at the beach.
"Peorth, "The goddess of the roses"...I sincerely advise that you do not take anything Peorth says seriously. She may equal to Belldandy in class and type, but Peorth lacks Belldandy's conviction and sincerity. Peorth, Keiichi, is a career-minded technocrat who suffers from bouts of eccentricity. The so called, "Goddess of the Roses" is also very good at espousing ideas and philosophies that she has very little experience of. Her "tete-a-tete" with you is a profound testament to the goddess's lack of appreciation for mortals, as you see now."
"You've heard of Peorth then, Mephistopheles?"
"Yes. I have heard of her positions and experience with Belldandy. But, like most of the divine, the Rose Goddess cannot comprehend the nature of mortals beyond their own limited experiences with them; her view that " The people we goddesses love live forever in our hearts " is completely meaningless to those whom are not physically immortal.
Keiichi winced, though he tried to gloss over it with by looking up to the sky; the demons perfect imitation of Peorth's voice and the others unsettled him. Mulling over the demon's opinion, his mind returned to the terrifying prospect of telling Belldandy and its consequences.
"How could I protect her from Bell when she finds out...I mean I've seen her storms do many things but could Bell harm a person without even knowing it?"
"I doubt Belldandy would intentionally but, as you now know, the heart is something which is not easily denied and can be a bit tempestuous; especially in the case if your "girlfriend".
"Then how can I protect Sumiko without harming Bell" The young man returned; a faint trepidation in his voice.
At this, the was demon passive but internally knew that his enchantment of the mortal was reaching its apex; the spell had extended deep into K1's inner most soul and, like a viper slowly constricting its prey, was suppressing any vestiges of resistance. The young man before him was completely subject to the spell and he had absolutely no conception of it, even when considering things that would have been inconceivable only a few days ago.
"It's a tricky problem but, perhaps I can provide a solution to your dilemma." His voice cutting through Keiichi's growing terror. K1 turned, a wry almost cynical smile twisting his lips.
"I thought you might say that."
The demon nodded then gestured behind Keiichi. Turning, the young mortal gasped and stepped back from the apparition before him. The creature that hovered beside Keiichi was an angel, or at least it bore a resemblance to a goddess's spiritual companion but, as an angel was divine, this was unmistakably infernal. Its hair was a long cascade of darkness across its shoulders; framing a face which had an almost vampiric beauty. The creature's eye's were distinct in that one was an unnatural purple while the other was a sea of crimson with a thin reptilian pupil. The young man's incredulous eye's ran across the creature; his gaze passing over a dark, perhaps armoured bodice which covered its modesty to the armoured right arm which culminated in a cruel looking gauntlet. Across the chest and along the other, bare , arm was a twisting series of arcane symbols which extended to dark fingernails. The wings were feathered, but ebony with the tips a dark purple. Standing there in awe of this creature, he noticed that there was something odd about the beings dark lips and lower jaw; a taunt look that he found difficult to describe. The silence was broken by Mephistopheles's satisfied tones.
"What do you think?"
Keiichi turned; his expression incredulous with a hint of fear.
"Wha...what is...it?"
"The product of an almost lost art. For some considerable time I have studied various magics in addition to own; mystic sciences and obscure arts, including the almost forgotten art of Alchemy."
"Alchemy?...you mean lead into gold and such."
"Yes. Though Lead into gold may be the most famous, the art itself was one, essentially, of change. The process of change or, if you will, transmution could be applied to any thing on the spiritual spectrum. The spiritual reflectiveness of an angel makes it a very potent subject for the science; the fruition of which you behold now."
"You mean that was once an angel?"
"Precisely. I..." The demon's eyes becoming almost nostalgic as he smiled humourlessly. "..."requisitioned" it some time ago and through various arts you no longer behold an angel or a Niflheim servant demon but my majesty's equivalent; the sentinel spirit.
"Does it have...eh...a name?"
" Virtues Apostate "...rather apt I think."
"Virtues Apostate" Keiichi echoed; the young man's voice seeming hallow as he beheld the creature and for a moment he suddenly felt cold. K1 knew the nature of the union between a god and their angel; the fact that their eternal companion was the reflection and a significant part of their soul he knew for some time but...to see it changed into this..." He shuddered. He didn't want to think how this powerful demon had "requisitioned" a fully grown angel that had once been part of a divine soul...
"Of course, this is merely a projection to satisfy you of its existence."
Keiichi almost gasped as he spun on the demon; incredulity with a hint of fear written on his features.
"You want me to act as host for that!...I couldn't do it even if I wanted to."
"Ahhh...but this is a most apt solution; it will allow you to inform Belldandy truthfully but will also act as guardian if she should take it badly."
"But humans can't support angels; the incident with Blue Lance was a one off!"
"Fear not, Keiichi. The interface between Apostate and yourself will be no great strain. She is compatible with you and will easily integrate with your soul; though it will not reflect upon her. I promise you, with my modifications to Apostate, you will easily host an angel."
The demon's argument was convincing and the mortal turned once again to the hovering spirit. As he gazed at the apparition he was afflicted by a great ambivalence; just to behold this...creature was to know, even subconsciously, that something Holy, pure and beautiful had been desecrated and yet she was the key to a profound and natural love which Keiichi now felt. In the end, as the Mephistophilis quietly calculated, K1 conceded and turned to the demon once more; his face bearing the spiritual strain.
"All right. If I must do it to save both of them then I will but only as a precaution."
"You are most prudent Keiichi Morisato. But I also have some business with the goddesses to attend to."
"That's fine as long as Bell dandy and the others aren't hurt."
"As you wish. This is excellent timing because you appear to be waking from your rest." The demon answered with a thin smile.
Just before the beach, sky and sea faded, Keiichi Morisato reflected on how he would make sure the demon kept his word. It was then the young man hoped to Kami-sama that he would because, in reality, he had no choice but to agree.
K1 awoke to the sound of rain drumming against the roof as he sat up. The darkness of his room familiar as he felt the indelible second presence of Mephistopheles. The voice seemed to rise up from the dark recesses of his mind.
"Your opinion is very agreeable Keiichi and perhaps you may find natural love. The item you now seek is under the magazine in the first drawer of your desk."
Fumbling for a moment, K1 found the light switch. Padding over to his desk, he withdrew the drawer and looked under the magazine. What he took into the lamp light was an angel egg; dark with small purple veins evident within. For a moment he thought how strange it all was and then, with only a moments hesitation, he lifted the egg to his lips and swallowed. Waiting for a few anxious seconds he wondered if it would work. It was then an odd, writhing pain seemed to encompass him; face wet with new perspiration as he grimaced with the momentary strain. As it seemed to climax, his right hand grasping at his shirt, the mortal was relieved as a feeling of release overcame him. Dropping to his hand's and knee's, he thought he saw in his peripheral vision a small shower of black feathers with purple tips tumble to the ground then fade. In the faint light of the lamp he slowly turned two anxious eyes to his back.
The spirit looked upon its new partner with dispassionate features; a pair of hazel eyes met one purple and red, then it seemed, to the awed young man's enchanted mind, to give the faintest of smiles before vanishing back into its new host. The silence that followed as Keiichi drew himself up was almost painful as he wondered how things had come to this, thus it was a relief when Belldandy knocked on his door.
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My apologies if this is longer than usual, though I wanted to develop the new Angel idea in greater detail. Also, as always, opinions or constructive flames are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Sorcerer's Familiar
