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 11: Echoes of Innsbruck (Part 1)

After a time the only sound that could be heard was the tick of the grandfather clock as it punctuated the tense silence in the room. The coffee table had remained where it was, as did its sole occupant with a cup of Darjelling tea before him. The other occupants of the room had initially sprung back at the revelation before them to the positions they now occupied. Belldandy, her visage one of utmost grief, was inert as her hands clasped over her mouth. Skuld was cautiously peeking out behind her older sister; the terror she felt also etched into her youthful features. The other goddesses had taken measures instantly: Peorth adopting a combat stance with three roses mounted between her practised fingers while Rind had her halberd in hand in the blink of an eye; its spear head gleaming in over head light as its owner adopted a defensive position. The only individual not disturbed was the possessed young man; the demon now casually appraising the tense and shocked expressions now directed toward him. The almost painful silence was broken as the demon's voice escaped through K1's lips.

"You have my gratitude Rind; that must be the best profile anyone has given me in decades, though I had thought that you would endeavour to forget our encounter………….what's that saying? " Time is the best healer."

The response to his question was a rather protracted silence before Belldandy could no longer contain her concern; her voice suffused with a terrible fear as she spoke.

"……..Keiichi?...wha…what have you done to my Keiichi!"

"Belldandy……" This came from Peorth as she tried to contain her fellow goddess's straining emotions in the face of this horrible discovery.

The two reptilian eyes swung around to the goddess as the demon smiled softly; his voice tranquil though devoid of concern.

"I do apologise if I gave you a fright but it was essential as you seem to have discovered my presence here, but I can assure you, your….."beloved" is unharmed; my technique has not endangered his body or soul as you'll be pleased to discover. Though, I am most interested in your two colleagues," The demon turning his gaze to first the Rose goddess and then the Valkyrie, continued.

"The system manager of Yggdrasil herself and, of course, the Valkyrie renowned as heaven's most formidable soldier; I'm truly honoured by your presence."

"The sentiment is not reciprocated, demon; I advise you leave Keiichi now. Vous n'avez aucun autre choix ."

"Je n'ai aucun autre choix, Peorth?" The demon observed her with a puzzled look. "In terms of choice, several routes are open to me but it would appear that your group is not so well disposed: Keiichi is in my possession, Belldandy would not allow her precious love to be harmed, your abilities appear to be lacking, your angelic companions are restrained and one of the most powerful of your group is currently fighting her own battle with her soul. Thus, it appears that I have the advantage in our negotiations though it is open to contention." The Rose goddess glared at him, her contempt for its presence indelible.

"We shall see."

"I don't advise you listen to this………..creature." Rind's first words against the demon were devoid of emotion as she continued to gaze at the possessed human before her. Mephistopheles smiled at her comment; Keiichi's lips peeling back to reveal four distinctive fangs as he turned to her once more.

"Ahh…Rind, I'm so glad your training doesn't restrain your courtesy in company. I trust you found my welcoming committee to your liking?"

"The act was despicable; of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from you, demon."

"Despicable? Then I suppose she gave you more trouble than you first thought. You must be wary of humans, Valkyrie; under the appropriate influence they can be quite potent even against a superior force which, no doubt, you presume yourself to be."

"Your words mean nothing to me."

"I see that you haven't changed much; still Heavens finest toy soldier and yet I hear your not the "One-winged Rind" anymore, though a second angel hasn't given the closure you so covet, has it Rind?"

"One day, demon, I will take great pleasure in showing you the depths of my "closure". The demon seemed curious for a moment as he narrowed those crimson eyes; reflecting an almost implacable gaze from the royal blue depths of the Valkyrie. He smiled once more.

"Perhaps, Rind. Though the day may be closer than you first imagine; maybe then I shall give the peace now experienced by your comrades……….."

For a moment Rind glared at K1; her grip audibly tightening around her weapon as if contemplating a moments action that she may come to regret, and yet it seemed that the demon's words had a strange significance for the Valkyrie as they endured this surreal verbal duel. The demon finally turned his attention back to Belldandy.

"Belldandy, I presume that you wish this unpleasant situation to end." The goddess had recomposed her self to a degree; her emotions still apparent but now mixed with a sombre conviction as she spoke to the demon now inhabiting her love.

"Yes."

"Good. In order that we do, I have a small proposition for you."

"I will consider it, but not until I have proof that Keiichi is safe and unharmed." The demon lightly nodded his agreement.

"Very well, Belldandy, if you so desire it, but I will hold you to your word." The hypocrisy of a demon questioning a god's sincerity was overlooked by her as she too agreed."

"Of course." With that the demon was silent for a moment; his eyes and limbs still before Keiichi opened them. Belldandy almost cried out with joy as a pair of warm, familiar hazel eyes turned to her with a weary smile.

"Belldandy……"

"Keiichi!" The goddess began to approach her love when Skuld strained against her.

"Belldandy don't! You can't be sure it's him."

"Skuld, I……" K1 interjected here; anxious to stop Belldandy's worrying.

"Belldandy, I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry but things have changed and we have to talk."

"Keiichi? But why? What would you want to speak about now?"

"I…..I can't say Bell, not here but with you and I alone."

"Keiichi, why must we be alone……….." The goddess uttered as her voice filled with a faint trepidation. At this, Peorth intervened against what could only be a cruel demonic game.

"Take no notice, Ma Cheri. This thing is only playing mind-games with us. That isn't Keiichi." The young man sighed as he turned his gaze to the Rose goddess.

"Believe me, Peorth, I sincerely wish it wasn't but you are speaking to me; Mephistopheles isn't influencing here."

"I can't believe you." Peorth replied; her voice suffused with a cutting scepticism.

"I'm sorry that it had to come to this, Bell."

"Keiichi……………" Belldandy intoned; her pain written clearly in her voice and countenance; to be so close and yet so far from him as he brought her this strange message, so unsettling in its sentiment. K1 was still once more when Mephistopheles opened his eyes which now looked even more alien in the mortal's face. The demon gestured to the inert goddess with a satisfied look.

"Quid Pro Quo, Belldandy."

"Very Well." K1 sipped the tea, a cruel smile dancing around his lips, before continuing.

"Belldandy, as you know, Keiichi wishes to speak with you in more private surroundings but in order to do so I would have to depart your home without impediment."

"That may not be possible Mephis-"

"That is out of the question!" Rind interrupted; her words harsh and commanding and yet she didn't turn from the demon before her.

"Rind, please. Keiichi is-."

"Belldandy, No. That wasn't Keiichi. This creature is using him to undermine us. He will not leave. I won't allow it." The Valkyrie's declaration left silence in the room and Belldandy with an agonised expression in her eyes. Even Peorth seemed taken back by the vehemence of Rind's statement.

"Well, that seems to place us in a very difficult position. A position which isn't very promising for either of us, but I will have to depart; even without your consent, Rind."

"You won't leave this place."

"I see that you're still as resolute as the first time we met, though I was wondering how things have been since our initial encounter, Rind?" K1's face shifted into a cruel expression as he continued, "And can Kara smile now? Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on your part." What followed elicited a terrible fear and consternation in the goddesses as Rind's visage became odious then, in the blink of an eye, the Valkyrie's weapon was centimetres from the possessed mortal's face; the spear head threatening to touch the demonic sigil on K1's forehead. The demon's reaction to this was unnerving as he lifted the cup and sipped the tea while looking directly into the Axe goddess's strained visage. Belldandy gasped as Peorth eyed nervously the goddess of the Axe; the former in terror of what the divine soldier intended to do while the latter wondered if the demon's spell on reality had altered something the goddesses weren't aware of. The demon on the other hand, a faint smile hanging from his lips, responded.

"I see your hate remains potent; even after almost five hundred years, Valkyrie."

Beneath his cruel expression the demon was satisfied; the calculated experiment had proved to be very effective in probing the Valkyrie's wounded heart and, suffice to say, the pain was still fresh while he was safe in the knowledge that he could have avoided the blade if need be. With his guess confirmed and the goddesses now at a profound disadvantage, the time had come to reveal his ace in the hole and leave to await the final stage of his plot. Placing the now empty cup down gently, he continued.

"It appears that I can't persuade you?"

"…………………."

"Very well, but you should understand that Belldandy isn't the only one concerned with K1's well being."

At this the atmosphere of the room changed and a familiar sound was heard; the unfurling of purple tipped, ebony wings and a small shower of feathers marked the emergence of Virtues Apostate. It cast its asymmetrical gaze around the room before finally coming to rest on Rind. The reaction in the room was similar but now tinged with incredulity though, with an irony the demon smiled upon, the most animated was the Valkyrie herself; her features alive with a twisted recognition. She seemed to whisper something as she stared at the creature before Peorth found her voice; her tone as alien as the former angel seemed to be.

"Mon dieu! ……….Imposssible?"

"Impossible?" Mephistopheles intoned softly. "A guardian spirit is not the sole preserve of the gods; a fact you can now see." He returned his attention to Rind; her face a mask under which a myriad of terrible memories danced, fought and were suppressed, lest they break her dispassionate visage.

"Rind, I don't believe that you can take myself, even in this form, and K1's guardian on and hope not to harm Keiichi. Thus it seems that I shall be leaving, even without your consent." With this he rose, walked around the table and through to the hallway; the goddesses retreating from him as he did, with the exception of Rind. Before going though, he turned to a tortured looking Belldandy; her features wet with long suppressed tears.

"You have been most courteous Belldandy and I know that we shall meet again soon; albeit under more favourable circumstances." With a snap of his finger's K1 was dressed; his distinctive helmet clasped in his gloved hand. Making his way down to the front door, the goddesses following cautiously several meters behind, a

Door opened behind them and Urd glanced out, trying to get a better view due to the quarantine.

"Hey, what's all the commotion abou……………." Her voice trailed away as she caught sight of Keiichi and, in particular, the very conspicuous creature that was providing a rear-guard for the mortal.

As K1 approached the front door he turned, with look of modest gratification, and spoke to Rind; the Valkyrie still in a combat stance as she and Peorth blocked the hallway.

"Oh yes, before I go I have something for you that you failed to recover the last time we met, Valkyrie." K1 clenched his free hand then threw something small towards the goddesses. Rind, not detecting any energy form the item and without taking her eyes of the possessed mortal, effortlessly caught it.

"It is only appropriate that it be returned to you, Rind." K1 continued as he strapped on his helmet and stepped into the wet darkness outside." And now if you would be so kind as to drop the shield." The Valkyrie was still for a moment, her breathing almost inaudible, as she considered the situation. After a moment she gestured with her free hand; her glove momentarily alive with a faint light before it subsided and the demon smiled; the satisfaction apparent even under the helmet.

"Thank you, Valkyrie." The words seemed almost insulting to her before she watched K1 and his guardian vanish into the darkness. Turning to the small item thrown by the possessing demon, Rind opened her hand and stared at the thing in the centre of it; the faded silver distinct against her purple gauntlet. The small item was a ring with a weaving pattern on the out side of the band and with words inscribed inside it. The Valkyrie's features seemed strained for a moment as a look of recognition passed over them; a momentary agony of the soul, heart and mind which Belldandy detected. The tear stained goddess looked over to her with concern.

"Rind?...Wha..what is it?"

She had only uttered the tentative words before the Valkyrie curled her armoured fingers tightly around the ring; her visage now one of unmistakable resolve; a resolve, which Belldandy felt, was suffused with a great melancholy. Turning quickly, the goddess of the Axe spoke.

"Peorth, Belldandy please listen. I'm going after him. I'll finish this and if possible remove him from Keiichi, but do not follow me; if not an order then a sincere request from a friend." With that the Valkyrie dashed out into the rain leaving the three goddesses confused as the quarantine reactivated itself, effectively sealing Rind of from them.

At the front gate Keiichi briefly shuddered as Mephistopheles removed himself from the mortal; a feeling of supreme exertion washing over him as he returned to relative normality. As his strength returned Keiichi watched the shadows around him extend and distort until the familiar sight of the demon appeared to him with a small smile. The mortal though, did not seem amused.

"Was that really necessary?" The demon, as always, did not seem perturbed at the momentary threat to his life in the tea room but only seemed satisfied at how things were going.

"Fear not Keiichi. The Valkyrie would not have struck us; there are many things that would not allow her to do such a thing and our plans, as a result, are unimpeded."

"Maybe so but……." K1 trailed of as Virtues Apostate alerted him to something approaching slowly from the darkness; her eyes scanning for the potential threat to her partner. At last, Rind became visible; the Valkyrie completely indifferent to the heavy rain and wind which cascaded down form the dark heavens. The demonic angel turned to the potential threat with wings fully extended in preparation. It was then that Mephistopheles spoke quickly to Keiichi as he gestured to the steps and his waiting motor cycle.

"It would be prudent to go now, K1. The college will be open to you. I advise you go to your love as she awaits you."

"Ehh….okay. I'll get going, but please try not to hurt her." The mortal quickly descended the steps with his guardian spirit. Finally the sound of an engine was heard and then gradually faded into the night. The demon turned from watching the indistinct figure of the Valkyrie and prepared to vanish until a cry rang out; the anger and hate clear to him.

"Demon! Come forth now!"

He smiled his secret smile then turned to watch the now still enemy; his expression one of interest and familiarity. After a time Mephistopheles spoke.

"I never pegged you as the cliché type, my dear Rind. Your request is something on an oddity when you cannot change what has transpired."

"……………………."

"As you wish Valkyrie, though the consequence of your choice may be great, I shall indulge you." With these words the demon, strangely dry under the rain, lifted back his cloak and brought his free hand around. From the dark recesses of the reiment, he seemed to withdraw a long but indistinct shadow. Closing his cloak, he lowered the shadow in a casual stance. The Mephistophilis then snapped his wrist; the shadow forming in an instant into a long, swept- hilt rapier; the weapon distinct with the demon's sigil and series of symbols engraved above the hilt. The blade itself appeared cruel as it tapered to the ground; the demonic steel briefly reflecting the light from the nearby street-lamp. Rind now assumed her combat stance; her halberd readied. The demon, in a strange echo of courtesy, saluted with his weapon.

"Come Rind. Come great Valkyrie of Heaven. Let us complete our dance of so long ago."

For a long moment the only sound was that of the rain and the occasional sigh of the saturated wind as it caressed the uniforms of these two combatants; their stillness almost statue like. Then, forms vanishing as they shot forward, their blades met………….

As always opinions and marginally constructive flames are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Sorcerer's Familiar.