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 10: A Secret Audience
Belldandy opened the door to find Keiichi next to his bed; a strained expression melting from his face as she smiled.
"Keiichi, how are you feeling? Did you have a bad dream?"
K1, still reeling from the events of the past hour, seemed bemused for a second before answering in a shadow of his usual warm tone. He peered into her concerned face as he spoke; his thoughts guarded as he did so.
"Ehhh….yeah, Bell. Just a nasty dream, but I'm feeling better after all that madness earlier."
"I'm so glad. I thought that your injuries might not have healed properly."
"Sorry to worry you Bell, but I'm fine, really. Just a bit worn that's all."
"Are you sure." Her face becoming etched with concern as her sapphire eyes ran over her love. "After what happened, I thought that Hild may have done something to you?"
K1 fought to suppress his fear as he answered; terrified that the malevolent third entity within him was about to be discovered. He moved quickly to reassure her.
"Well after the….em….."incident" with Urd, she did a pretty good job; everything seems to be working fine and dandy. All things considered, I feel pretty good after I had the Daimakaicho fix me up." His words were warm even if what he described was incredibly strange to his ears.
"Good. I'm so pleased to hear that...I…….I thought that after you had been taken by my sister that you might have………."
The Goddess's voice was filled with straining emotion as she struggled to speak; the thought that K1 may have past from this world still fresh in her mind. The young man watched the emotional conflict on her divine visage. In the deep pools of her eyes he saw the terror she had felt as he was spirited into the night with Urd; a feeling still potent in her as he watched. As a solitary tear made its way down her cheek, K1 took her hand, entwining it with his as he brought her close to him.
"I'm sorry Belldandy, but it really wasn't Urd's fault." He squirmed inside as he knew who was really to blame; the dual meaning almost painful to him. "But, in the end, it was Urd who saved the day; I'm just sorry I couldn't do anything to help."
The tearful Goddess smiled a beautiful smile as she gazed into the eyes of her love.
"I know dear. Sorry for falling to pieces, but I was so worried that………….that I may have lost my Keiichi."
Internally Keiichi felt horrible as the words rolled around his mind; each word punctuated with an image of a similar creature with hazel eyes and a long cascade of brunette hair. He struggled with these images as he lifted a hand to her soft cheek; his forefinger slowly wiping away the tear which stained her face.
"It's alright Bell……I'm here. I c…couldn't part from you." The words he uttered cut his soul like a sword as he knew that he, Keiichi Morisato, had just deceived her; Belldandy, his love of four years and his partner through so many terrible trials.
"Keiichi………." She smiled at his reaffirmation. K1 leaned forward and the couple embraced. The physical union seemed to last forever but as Belldandy took pleasure in her love, Keiichi's visage became one of sorrow; this reflected as he bit his lip any revealing emotions now threatening to come forth. This tortured look faded though as they released their embrace. Belldandy dabbed at her eyes as she spoke.
"The quarantine will be ready soon and Rind would like to speak to us in the tea room when she gets back."
"Sound's good. Hopefully we can clear this mess up soon."
"I pray that we can."
The couple stepped out of the room intending to go to the place for discussion in times of crisis, otherwise known as the tea room, when K1 turned to Bell.
"Sorry Bell, you wouldn't mind if a got a bit of fresh air before we begin would you?"
The Goddess smiled as she turned to her boyfriend; her expression returning to her usual radiance as she did so."
"Of course; it'll be a few moments yet before Rind completes the defences. I'll be in the tea room when you're ready, dear."
"Thanks Bell, be back in a jiffy."
The Goddess turned and walked down the hallway as Keiichi quickly turned in the opposite direction; his conscience now unleashing its wrath on his deceitful words and the involuntary images of Sumiko Kasai. It came as no surprise to him as that frustratingly tranquil voice floated up from the recesses of his mind.
"Well that wasn't too bad and you're quite convincing; I particularly liked the embrace but, my word, her anguish was a symphony; delicious, fragile and so very sincere……."
The possessed young man gave a silent answer; his thoughts alive with anger and a palpable self- loathing.
"You're enjoying this aren't you……….my god, you are unconscionable!" The words seemed hollow as he recalled what kind of creature was inside him.
"Of course K1, Belldandy's fragile heart is something of an interest for me or, perhaps, for us…………"
"But I don't intend to hurt Belldandy that way…..I….I just have to explain things to her."
The young man turned a corner and walked along the veranda until he stopped; his heavy eyes gazing across the courtyard as rain tumbled from a dark sky. For a long moment there was only the faint drumming of the rain against the roof; the young man partaking of the fresh air as he worried. It was then that K1 closed his eyes while leaning against the wall. He then opened them; now no longer his usual hazel but reptilian red. Lifting one hand to his mouth, Mephistopheles extended K1's tongue to an inhuman length through strangely elongated teeth. He then ran it over K1's fingers, still wet from Belldandy's tears then returned it to the mouth. The demon savoured the apparent taste; his pleasure palpable to Keiichi, now only a voice, as Mephistopheles assumed control.
"Ahh……truly the nectar; the profound and sincere tears of the divine. Their terror, anguish and fear all locked into a few drops of water. A most delicious tonic, don't you think so?"
"I……I really wouldn't know." The young man answered; his response suffused with a barely concealed disgust.
It was then that the Mephistophilis reassumed the guise of Keiichi as he spied out of his peripheral vision a small creature; its head marked with a four-point star-burst. The demon smiled humourlessly; it was most fortuitous that Velsper should pass the young man by, allowing Mephistopheles to speak with his fellow demon.
The kitten passed; Velsper silently showing his distain for the mortal through narrowed eyes when the immediate world became a blur as the feline found himself in the comfortable but secure hands of Keiichi Morisato. The enraged creature succumbed to his body's instincts as he struggled; looking up into the human's face he hissed his objections.
"Keiichi! What the Hell do you think your doing, you miserable creature! Put me down now or I'll…………"
The reincarnated demon's remonstration's were cut short however as he suddenly acknowledged that it was the face of Keiichi but the eyes that appraised him were not and neither was the demonic sigil upon his forehead. The emblem its self was distinct; the look of horrific recognition apparent even on Velsper's compact visage.
"Oh…..The Mephistophilis" The feline intoned; his words now a product of shock and a growing fear.
Keiichi gently lay the now still feline in his arms; one hand now on top of Velsper's back to ensure a secure grip. It was then that the senior demon's voice sailed out through K1's lips.
"Yes Velsper, you're quite right in your deduction but you don't seem to be well predisposed now, do you."
"……………I…eh….I'm really not here for Keiichi; he is merely the subject of misplaced affection by Belldandy."
"Though it is remarkable that you would still seek to accompany Belldandy, in such a form, and after your exceptional transgressions."
"Belldandy is of great interest to me and it is why I think you are here."
"Precisely so, but I, as you will have guessed, I am most concerned about your interest in Belldandy and if your allegiances still lie with Niflheim."
"With all due respect, that's not the issue. I'm here as part of my sentence and have not deviated from it." The kitten's words were more forced bravery than an assertion. K1's lips curled into a small, but cruel smile.
"Really, Velsper? I think it is. I do not recall that Demon Central allowed you to retain your mind and a semblance of your powers. But of course I don't believe that your love for the Goddess is common knowledge; something I think the Daimakaicho would frown upon."
"You…you can't do anything to me…..your out of your jurisdiction…….what happens here doesn't concern your emperor."
"Then why am I here, little kitten? Would I be here without her Excellency's knowledge and consent?"
Velsper's heart sank, followed by his terror rising to barely suppressible levels. It was in those few moments of realisation that the feline saw his prospects for life after this becoming slim. He considered many answers but decided on conceding to the senior demon; a wise course of action considering that the possessed man now holding him could easily cave in his ribcage.
"What do you want from me, Mephistopheles?" He asked in a quiet voice.
"I know that the Goddess is dear to you, Velsper, but I merely ask that you recall your position and refrain from interfering in my affairs, as I know you have the ability to do with your limited power and "Blue Lance".
"And……if I refuse?"
"Then you shall suffer horribly, Velsper."
"………..But she is my…..my true love."
The young man looked down into the face of his charge; the crimson eyes narrowing until the kitten could see his reflection in the reptilian pupils.
"Remember the implications, my feline friend. There may be more than one way to skin a cat, but there is more than a thousand and one ways to destroy a soul; methods the Daimakaicho is exceedingly proficient in."
The small feline considered for only one moment before answering; the fear now apparent on even his tiny features.
"I will not interfere in your plans."
"Good, you have my gratitude Velsper." The senior demon responded as he gently placed the feline down. Velsper only turned to look at the possessed mortal once before darting of towards the shrine; his small silhouette disappearing into the rain.
The demon watched the feline go as silence returned; the body's original occupant questioning the demon's methods
"Did you really have to threaten him like that?"
"On the contrary Keiichi, I only allowed our feline friend to reaffirm his loyalty's………………………….though I don't think you found it too unpleasant?"
K1 considered this for a moment; not particularly fond of threatening to destroy a kitten, but it was satisfying to see the usually arrogant little demon have such a terror put in him. The demon, laughing softly, responded.
"Schadenfraude I think you are looking for, Keiichi."
"Suppose you are right………"
The young man turned and walked to the tea room. Mephistopheles relinquished control; Keiichi's features returning as he approached the familiar room; the sounds of several voices within reached the young man as he opened the door with just a hint of trepidation. He entered into a scene of tense conversation; the atmosphere inside the room was palpable with anxiety and concern. For a moment all eyes were drawn to him; Belldandy the first to speak.
"Hi K1, do you feel better."
"Eh….yeah…sure, Bell. I feel much better after a little walk around."
I'm glad to hear that and I wish it was our only problem just now." The first-class Goddess's face broke into a pensive expression as she cast uncharacteristically tense eyes over the room's occupants.
"…………But it seems that the situation is more dangerous than we first thought."
The young man settled down opposite Rind as a cup of Darjelling tea was placed in front of him. After this Belldandy, her visage now devoid of its usual radiance reclined adjacent K1 with a quiet Skuld just behind her. Peorth took the place on K1's left; her hazel eyes seeming distant. At this Rind spoke.
"Keiichi, as Belldandy has told you, it seems that the demon has managed to distort reality to his own designs and, it appears, that we are also victims of it."
"How so?."
"The spell cast was extremely potent and has now effectively incapacitated our support in this situation." The young man wondered for a moment before he realised the gravity of the Valkyrie's words.
"You mean that you can't call your angels! At all?" he turned to Bell in surprise; her countenance betraying the reality of Rind's findings.
"Rind's right, dear. I've tried and Holy Bell does answer but she just can't physically manifest; it's the same with Rind and Peorth. Skuld also cannot call forth her angel and even Urd hasn't been able to do it. It appears that within the last twelve hours it took effect, so we can no longer call upon our angels now.
"Were in a tight spot then aren't we?" Keiichi sighed as he stated the obvious fact of the matter. Rind only reflected for a moment before continuing.
"In addition to this, the spell has also repressed several of our innate abilities which further enhances the demon's position." K1 hoped with all his soul that one of the repressed powers was the Goddesses telepathy; lest they discover just how changed the mortal sitting before them was.
"Not good then."
"Oui, Ma cheri." The Rose goddess added; her voice lacking its customary vitality.
"Then were do we go from here then?" Keiichi openly wondered as he contemplated, with a profound guilt, the being which had assumed a guardianship of him; the third entity within him he could feel along every nerve and vein and yet the goddesses were oblivious to his presence. Rind appeared contemplative momentarily before speaking.
"Keiichi, I think it is best for the situation if you and Belldandy fully understand the creature we are dealing with; especially in such unusually difficult conditions for us."
The couple nodded their agreement as Rind lay one armoured gauntlet on the coffee table and for a second it appeared strange; the gesture its self was almost uncharacteristic and yet it seemed that the Valkyrie was mulling over something difficult; perhaps even painful to speak of. Finally the Goddess raised her ocean blue eyes to a set of equally anxious ones.
"The demon we are dealing with is not a denizen of Niflheim or a part of Nidhogg. This particularly unpleasant being heralds from the Hell perceived by those with a more occidental culture. This place is similar to yet distinct from its neighbour. The "Imperium Magnum Infernalis" or the "Great Infernal Empire" as it's known, maintains control over a multitude of demons through its own computer system, known as "Legion" and, at the very top, is the being that presides over this; the Infernal emperor, officially known as the HaSatan. He administers the empire through the ruling political body called the "Council of Devils" and its here we find our problem. The demon responsible for these problems is Mephistopheles, or by his formal title" The Mephistophilis", the emperor's first lieutenant and a member of the council. It seems that the Daimakaicho has requested the Hasatan's support and, in turn, he has dispatched his infamous lieutenant to aide her. Keiichi, are you aware of the Faust legend?"
The now pale young man was silent before answering in a lifeless voice.
"Yes, I know about it."
"Then you have an impression of what we are dealing with. The legend of Faust is much more than just European myth and folklore. The events described, portrayed and reinvented over the centuries all stem from a series of real events in the sixteenth century. The powerful, subtle and calculating demon known in the legend has turned his attention to Nekomi and now we are compelled to counteract his maleficent influence."
For a long time the only sound that punctuated the silence was the rhythmic motions of the grandfather clock. Keiichi's throat suddenly felt parched, at which he raised the cup and its aromatic liquid to his lips; the room feeling odd as the mortal digested the information before him and reconciled it with the creature that possessed his body. He looked up; his words seeming almost alien in the unnerving silence.
"You mean that the things in the legend were all…..true? Even Helen of Troy?"
"Yes, Keiichi. All true."
"But wouldn't that lead to a paradox in space/time, I mean we wouldn't know but I thought Yggdrasil couldn't allow it."
To this the Yggdrasil system manager spoke; her voice reflecting the gravity of K1's question.
"Oui, K1. There would be a paradox but it is a testament to Legion and his unsealed power that there is no contradiction to speak of, but most disturbingly of all, is that in doing so Mephistopheles does not breach the demonic concordance." K1 was silent as he digested this mind-bending information; the shock evident in the young man's eyes.
"He's that powerful unsealed? Then his powers would normally be……………oh my god!"
The Valkyrie continued her exposition as the shock began to subside.
"Keiichi, Mephistopheles is one of the most powerful demons in existence and as such you would have to understand that, superficially, he and the HaSatan could be compared to Mara and the Daimakaicho, except that Mara isn't Hild's political lieutenant and nor is she a member of Niflheim's ruling council."
"So, in other words-"
"If you want a relative comparison, Mephistopheles with his powers sealed as they are, is closer to the Daimakaicho than Mara."
"And with his powers unsealed?..."
"With the exception of the Faust incident, only the highest members of Heaven, the Infernal Empire and Niflheim truly know the unsealed power of the demon."
"Though he must have some weakness……………….. there's gotta be something we can do……." This came from Skuld who seemed profoundly unsettled by the prospect of meeting such a demon; know doubt recalling the trepidation when Hild first visited.
"Exactly." Rind answered. "The Mephistophilis is a creature of absolute and undiluted darkness; the name its self means "He whom likeith not the light", if you translate it and in this I believe we can remove the threat. If the demon is shadow then we can remove it with divine light; which is perhaps his most recognisable weakness."
"Sounds like a plan." K1 nodded as Rind elaborated on their most effective technique and yet internally a great fear had developed. As they had spoken, the enchanted young man had began to wonder how the others would react if they found out about his dealings with the demon and his new love. Would they…….harm him? And If Bell harmed Sumiko………….He didn't want to think of it. Within the heart and mind of K1, Mephistopheles augmented and twisted these fears to incredible proportions. As they reached their apex, the demon's voice echoed softly within his mind.
"Oh dear, it seems that they could become rather unpleasant if you had to tell Belldandy now………."
"Awww damn it!" Keiichi wondered to himself, "If only I could speak to Belldandy alone; if I explained things she would understand but the others might take it the wrong way."
"Quite a pity isn't it, Keiichi."
The demon's inflection was caught on by Keiichi.
"You have a plan then, Mephistopheles?"
"I can remedy your current situation."
"Ehh…….Alright then, but don't hurt them; any of them."
The young man placed his cup gown gently; his shoulders slumping as if all his muscles had simultaneously relaxed. It took several moments for the goddesses to notice K1's new posture; Belldandy's eyes gazing at her love for a few moments; wondering how he would take this latest problem.
"K1 are you all right?"
The young man did not respond; an odd reaction which elicited Bell's concern as she tried again.
"K1, dear is something wrong?"
It was at this moment something truly horrible happened; a reaction which scythed through the room's atmosphere, bringing all eyes to the young man. K1 spoke, except that it wasn't the voice the rest of the rooms occupants were used to.
"Belldandy, it is a pleasure to finally meet you and Rind," The surreally tranquil voice continued "How long has it been now? Four and a half, maybe five centuries?" Belldandy's reaction was disbelief as she stared at her love; her visage one of dawning horror as the young man looked up and surveyed the occupants.
There was chaos in the room immediately after.
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Sorry for taking a bit longer but I am back at college and so I don't have as much free time, though I hope to remain reasonably consistent. Also, please overlook some of the errors in the last chapter (using unfamiliar software can be a pain to get to grips with). As always reviews and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely
Sorcerer's Familiar
