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 13: Twilight of the Mind

(For reader disposition, this is a warning for grotesque imagery)

As the norn and the Valkyrie comforted each other in the quiet privacy of Belldandy's room and the night drew long, the other residents of the house occupied themselves with searching for solutions to the terrible situation that engulfed them. Skuld, possessed of a new pensiveness, worked feverishly trying to design something that might give them the edge over their opponent while Peorth analysed hundreds of programmes in hope of cracking the demon's spell; an endeavour which reflected its lack of success in her unusually stern visage. But, behind the sealed and curtained door of Urd's room, the sleeping norn of the past was occupied with her own struggle. Her waking moments had been ones of a steady but grinding exertion as her darker side, newly vibrant, had begun to exert itself; its new strength eliciting a spiritual civil war that showed now sign of abating. Sleep had already become a victim of the writhing conflict within her but at least it offered some respite, though her dreams had become vague and unsettling, that was preferable to what she was now experiencing. She opened her eyes and slowly sat up, displacing the long mass of her platinum locks as she gently brushed several matted strands from her saturated face. Glancing around before returning her crimson eyes to the opposite wall, she wondered what had woken her; a strange sensation that seemed to run along her hands and into her fingers. The sensation returned once more and her digits, now lying before her, seemed to twitch before something strange happened. She gasped with momentary pain as she felt what her mind wanted to deny so much; her nails had elongated out into tapering claws. Silent for a moment as she lifted them close to her shocked visage and felt the sharp extensions press into her palms as she closed them before wondering what to do. Her heart jumped when she felt her new fangs grow further, followed by others; their new acuteness prominent against her tongue. Feeling the first twinge of terror wash over her like a torrent, she clasped her now clawed hand over her mouth as if in denial of the blade like teeth now filling her gums. It was then she felt it. The consternation of the past moments may have hidden the feelings, but now she felt them with a sensitivity to make her whimper with fright. The sensation now flowed through her was indelible; the feeling of her flesh twitching as the muscle beneath seemed to palpitate. Urd wanted to deny it; wanted to shut it out but could not. She was transforming and felt helpless to stop it. Struggling out of bed, she cried out and was almost instantly overcome by a wave of pain that left her kneeling with her forehead pressed against the floor and arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Her skin seemed so tight; as if her flesh was constricting her from movement and she wanted to be free of it. Her back was now seared with terrible pain akin to two great incisions and she squeezed her eyes shut; she knew what was coming. Her night shirt rose on her back and was torn by two great protuberances. The goddess stifled a cry when she felt the unmistakable sensation of wet membrane stretch in the darkness and finally unfold into two great wings, indelibly demonic in appearance. Moving her head around, she saw her reflection in the darkness of the mirror; a twisted, winged phantasm with eyes like shards of

hot steel.

Upon seeing this she fell silent; the only sound that of her laboured breathing. It was then that she felt herself slip; felt the immediate and profound terror of a being that has seen its darker side; the aspect of her that desired control and power forevermore. She closed her eyes, the tears seeming to burn as they slid down her cheeks and in the deepest recesses of her divided soul, she opened the gates and the pain, loathing and guilt stopped. The demoness opened her eyes and with new strength rose. Free of control and guilt, her mind turned to those in the house until she detected the soft sound of approaching foot steps. The footfalls were followed by a knocking and a muffled voice, though slightly high in its tone.

"Eh….Urd…….Urd are you okay? I heard something fall and wondered if you were alright? Well………."

In the darkness, Urd smiled at the prospect of her prey coming to her and slipped into the rooms shadows to wait. There followed the sound of the door sliding open and the red curtain was drawn slowly back. Then Skuld slipped her head in tentatively and looked around.

"Urd………..Urd are you there? Is something wrong?" She said in hushed tones to the familiar shadows of her older sister's room.

It was then that Urd struck. The young goddess could not even gasp as something grasped her, pulling her in and quietly shut the door behind her. Skuld was raised up as a hand closed around her neck and pressed her against the wall. She struggled as she beat at the hand that had closed around her like steel until she caught sight of the face of her assailant. There was just enough light filtering through from the corridor to turn the room to a dark twilight and the young goddess whimpered as she beheld the crimson eyes that drilled into hers with an implacable malevolence. She cried something to Urd as she renewed her struggle; tears now streaming down her face and between the steel hard fingers of her sister. Urd, though, was indifferent to these cries as she savoured the terror of her divine sister and the horror that penetrated deep into her soul. She considered how to silence her and, with a small smile, forced the goddess's head to the side with her thumb. Skuld caught a glimpse of her sister's mouth; saw her lips part to reveal a mouth full of fanged whiteness. She gasped before Urd sank her teeth into her neck and the world began to swim with fading colour. A few moments later Skuld stopped struggling and as her eyes closed Urd savoured the last mouthful as it spilled across her tongue; the blood of her sister near ecstasy as it passed down her throat……………..

Urd stifled a scream as she sat bolt upright, nearly sending her hand through the wall. For a long moment a brittle silence pervaded, the only interruption the laboured breathes of the norn as she held one trembling hand to her heart while the other tightened around the damp sheets. Finally, and with some trepidation, she raised her hands to her face to find the soft, warm and damp contours that she was accustomed to; the palpitating flesh of the past moments thankfully a figment of her own tumultuous mind. As she was assured that no change had occurred, the norn of the past's consternation gave way to horror at the sickening illusion produced by her own divided soul and for a time she wept silently in the darkness; wept for the thing that lived within and the horror she would have wrought on the ones she loved so dearly. Laying back, her sorrow reclining, she contemplated what could be done on their present situation. It was beyond doubt that the demon now held several distinct advantages, with the bewitched K1 following the creature's instructions not making things any easier. She wondered how Belldandy was holding up; the younger goddess's self-possession in such a terrible time eliciting Urd's deep admiration, but still……….. At this she felt a pang of guilt; once again Urd had been the cause of such great suffering because the chain holding her soul together was loosened. She still couldn't believe how she had trusted her mother back in that apartment; even with reality so subtly warped, she should have sensed something of the spell used to bring Keiichi back from death's door. As she reflected, she suddenly noticed how dry her throat seemed. Feeling such a great thirst, she whispered a small incantation and got up. Padding over to her work table in the darkness, she lifted the newly manifested jug of water and poured herself a glass; savouring the prospect of quenching her dry palette. It was as she imbibed the refreshment that she felt it, and was furious with her self for not having detected it sooner. The sensation was subtle as to be almost invisible to her senses but it was there, and to a being with her unique patrimony it should have been felt the moment she had awoken from her nightmare. It was within the room, in the far corner and, from what she felt, was watching her intently. She let the last of the icy liquid slip past her lips and, feeling slightly better, placed the glass down with no sign of her new knowledge. Remaining in her position but with an exasperated and unseen expression, she sighed slightly before calling into the darkness.

"How long have you been sitting there?"

At this discovery, a shadow detached itself from the wall; the dark shape assuming a bipedal form as it slid over to Urd. By the time the tired goddess turned, the figure of a very familiar person had stridden toward her and stopped, its arms folded in a relaxed gesture. Urd lay one hand on the table top and as she looked into a face so like her own, distinguished by a crest of platinum hair and the hexegram of Neflheim. She smiled as the answer sailed out through scarlet lips.

"Long enough to know that you are having second thoughts after our tête-à-tête."

"Are you so sure? What makes you think that Bell doesn't already know that you're here?"

Hild smiled her soft smile; her eyes shifting towards the door and back to her daughter.

"The situation doesn't lend itself to that I'm afraid; Reality has been warped and their powers weakened considerably, even if they were to look in here all they would see was you reclined on the bed. I don't particularly like interruptions as you know." Urd suppressed her anger as she pondered why the Daimakaicho had chosen now to appear; she was already guessing what it could be.

"I don't have to ask why you're here then, do I. The answer is still no and shall remain no."

"Even to the point of making yourself ill like this? Secluding yourself in here like a prisoner serving some strange sentence…………… but of course you take such pride in your divine blood don't you…….." Urd glared in the soft twilight; the anger at her words suppressed through clenched teeth.

"You aren't getting any concessions; I'm here through my own choice as a goddess, something you cannot diminish even now."

"Ahhh….that's your pride again is it; you take such great pleasure from being the one always looked upon with suspicion, the one who is always thought of with a vestige of fear and apprehension after attaining such a rank as Yggdrasil's system manager. That isn't pride, my dear Urd, that's just glossing over the unsavoury truth with your own reasoning; hardly what I would call a life."

"It doesn't matter. They were my own choice and desire; no one else's." At this, the Daimakaicho countered with a strained look; her words soft but with a new edge.

"Your own choice? You don't know yourself; the nasty little dream you just had is evidence enough that suppressing what you are is making you ill, just as the life in heaven was one that didn't hold your interest. Even here you don't want to admit anything about what you really want." Urd smirked, turning from the figure of her mother to ostensibly pour another glass of water, silently grimacing as the strain of her demon side became acute once her back was turned.

"What I want is to live with my sisters without having to face some disaster every time you have a plot in mind.

"I don't think you believe that. I know of your mind and heart; I know what my daughter desires without having to glean it from telepathy, I wouldn't be a very good mother if I didn't. You desire him, don't you?"

"What?..." Urd returned with an incredulous tone, though not turning to face the demon.

"You desire he whom Belldandy loves with such conviction. At first it was curiosity with an edge of contempt, then a grudging respect but now you love him as much as she does; the same admiration and desire you possess but will not act upon."

"That's nonsense; you've got no right to come away with this crap!"

"Really? It's true, I know it; I've felt it as you look and speak to him. He doesn't look upon you as the part-demon goddess who is rumoured to be linked to the Daimakaicho, but as the powerful, mysterious and knowledgeable older sister of Belldandy whom is a master of divine chemistry. Put simply, everything you have ever wanted to be seen as but have not, save that young man…….."

"Stop it." The words were not abrasive but an assertion as Urd strained. She put down the glass with some effort; her unseen right hand pressed heavily against her chest and the heart beneath; the demon within clawing at her conscience with what she knew to be true. She turned slowly to her mother; her expression leaving no room for doubt.

"What Belldandy and Keiichi have is an affinity; something that unites them always. It doesn't matter what I feel and I know that what ever your new servant is plotting, Bell will be the stronger for it."

"Always so stubborn, even if it is a lie to yourself. Very well, but I know you Urd; better than those who surround you now, and I know that you will always covet him…….ohh, and you shouldn't underestimate the Mephistophilis, my dear; that can lead to a decidedly sticky end for all concerned." She countered; eyeing the goddess with a humourless look.

"I don't presume, I know, but I do wonder what you gave in return for him. Last time I checked, the Hasatan wasn't giving anything without getting something in return, especially with the likes of his lieutenants, so what's the deal this time?" The answer was suffused with a forced sarcasm that made the Daimakaicho smile inside; she could feel her struggling, the profound power that Hild felt pulsate so often and yet she still hadn't yielded to it. It was enough to make her feel proud……… She waved a finger as she shook her head casually, sensing the frustration within her daughter.

"Now, now I couldn't do that; it would be telling when you'll discover that in your own time and, maybe, when you stop trying to torture yourself for the sake of others sensibilities you will understand my position."

"I'll keep that in mind." Her reply punctuated with a painted smile. Hild nodded without comment then prepared to leave.

"I shall see you later then Urd, and I hope you consider my words," Then, with a characteristically small, yet unnerving smile, she vanished as quietly as she appeared, leaving a weary Urd alone in the darkness once more.

She leant against the table for a long moment, feeling for the first time the wetness of her brow and the apparent exhaustion that followed; the little talk with her mother seeming to give the dark power in her new emphasis. Padding over to her bed, she sank down onto the sheets. Her mother's words were conceived to elicit some doubt in her, of course, but they were also potent; peeling back the armour around her mind and exposing the desires within. It was true; after so long, she desired Keiichi more than he could know. In all the years she had been here, she had subjected him to danger, terror and near death and yet he forgave. All her faults, all the chaos and consequence of her being here, he had overlooked and in this she saw him truly. For some time she had dreamt of him; sweet, indulgent dreams in which she was the one to answer his first call; the one to which he uttered those fateful words that day and the goddess with who he would link hands. Forbidden as they were, she had turned her thoughts to him on countless occasions and found in him a kindred spirit; a person who had been an outcast and knew what it meant to feel the cold embrace of solitude. In truth, he was all that she would wish for and yet………..No, she wouldn't go there. The love between those two was a thing of timeless beauty and would not be shattered by others desires: hers or anyone else's.

Sitting up, she wondered how the others would deal with this; the current situation not being one of great optimism. With things as they were, they would have to rescue him; a move made all the more precarious by the enchantment and the demon's power. She didn't want to ponder the consequences of a confrontation that now seemed inevitable; a situation in which all three first-class goddesses would force the Hasatan's lieutenant to release K1 and undo the spell cast over the town. Then there was her and Skuld. She didn't want to risk combat if she could and Skuld, with all that she had gained, would not be any feasible threat to the demon even if she wanted to. Urd gestured in the darkness and immediately lifted the glass to her lips, savouring it once again; her anxious mind milling over any ideas that might help them. It was then she gleamed inspiration as she ran her tongue over her now wet lips; passing over her elongated canines that slid past her upper lip. It was a feeling she had come to despise, but now it gave her the inspiration she was looking for. She had grown tired of being the pawn in the demon's machinations and thus decided to finish it before anyone else was harmed. Incapacitating K1 and then getting away would be her top priority and then returning with the others to confront Mephistopheles would allow her to exact a bit a vengeance on the demon for his manipulations and the pain they had inspired. Lying back, she smiled softly, knowing that it was probably a trap; no doubt Hild desired this and she wondered what part she would further play in Mephistopheles's game but, presently, it didn't matter. She would re-unite the two lovers to hopefully restore the days before this horror had befallen them, and if she had to surrender part of her divine-self to ensure this, then so be it……………….

The journey to Nekomi Tech had been fast, though cautious as he sped down reasonably quiet roads with the sound of the motorcycle's motor and the torrent of water that fell from the dark sky. His thoughts a riot of images, feelings and profound trepidation as he entered the familiar campus, he looked around to find the only entrance lit to be that of the Applied Technology building that also served as the university's main administration. Feeling anxious making his way past the entrance and up the stairs, he reflected on the strange quality a building had at night; the usually bustling corridors now silent, dark places as his footsteps reverberated through them. It was not the most inviting rendezvous as he ascended the shadowy stairwells and for a moment he wondered if the demon was deceiving him in his instructions. His doubts were soon eased though as he walked along the administrative corridor on the top floor to find a most odd sensation. His senses were momentarily baffled by this, then relaxed as he felt a familiarity that reassured; the feeling conjuring images from the pools of shadow around him. He followed this sensation as it led to the office of the department head, a room he was reasonably familiar with. It was not without a semblance of caution that he entered; the handle punctuating the darkness with sharp metallic sound. Stepping into the darkness of the spacious office, he recognised many familiar items silhouetted in his developed night vision. Cautiously he stepped forwards, the feeling of faint apprehension spiking as someone stepped up behind him and, as he gasped, gently pressed their hands over his eyes; this followed by soft, familiar tones into his ear.

"Guess who?..." The feminine voice cooed with a hint of playfulness. Keiichi relaxed, gently raising his arms to lower the hands. Turning, he smiled as he found Sumiko before him.

"Sumiko? Are you all right? The last thing I remember was we were in the clearing then we….eh……"

"It's alright." She answered softly. "We were interrupted, but here we can be alone for as long as we need."

"I've thought about you so much", he intoned gently, taking her hand in his; feeling the strangely reassuring sensation of contact with this remarkable creature. " I know this sounds strange, but we've only known each other for little over two days and yet everything feels right, as if," he chuckled sardonically, " we were meant to be with each other, even after all this……………"

"I know, K1, I know………I've watched you for the longest time but was unable to say anything; unable to tell you how I felt for so long. I prayed that, even if just for a moment, you would see me how I wished to be seen…………..but now, my prayers were answered and you are with me." In the darkness, he embraced her, feeling her warm cheek against his and the almost ineffable scent of her long dark locks. For a long moment the only sound in the room was the faint tapping of the rain against the windows; the couple parting with a kiss as Sumiko gently pressed her soft, wet lips against his, Keiichi returning the gesture with equal desire. Eventually parting, she padded over to the desk where a distinct click was followed by a lamp awakening; its soft light causing the young man to blink as it cast deep shadows around the room. Standing there, K1 was fascinated by this beautiful creature who had so occupied his mind. She smiled; the soft light accentuating the contours of her graceful frame to give an almost unearthly quality. He approached and they leant against the desk, K1 gazing into the hazel pools that so captivated his mind

"I……….I feel terrible, though, Sumiko. I feel as if I'm betraying the one I've loved for so long …………. I feel ashamed after all we've been through that I have to tell Belldandy this………"

"shhh……it's alright. You shouldn't feel ashamed of something that you know was unnatural in the first place. It was inevitable that you would turn from her to seek something that you felt was part of this world, unlike a distant and detached deity that cannot understand what it means to be human or to love as we do." Keiichi sighed.

"I know but………I will tell her the truth, then maybe Belldandy will understand what I've felt all these years and yet I pray that it doesn't destroy her; amongst other things, I fear that terribly." Sumiko ran her hand along his arm; her expression pensive.

"If Belldandy loves you as I do, then I hope she understands the heart's needs and the weight of it upon the conscience."

"I hope so, Sumiko; I pray she will see that………………"

Time passed in the office, the desk lamp giving an almost warm light as it cast shadows across the room. There the two spoke of desire and consequence; the feelings that each had harboured for so long and only now merited expression. The subtle spell cast over the young man had warped his logic and inspired desire for this alluring and yet seemingly innocent creature who now held his heart in her hand's. As they spoke, he would find himself in wonder of her; both in form and thought. The sweet voice lapped at his conscious like a advancing tide while his desires found no disappointment in her sensuous but graceful body; his eyes often running over her toned frame from jeans that hid slim legs to her considerable yet not excessive bosom and her features; an indelibly beautiful visage framed with a cascade of hazel and eyes that held the same in their warm depths, behind the modest ornamentation of her glasses. Soon they tired and each sought some rest before considering what they would do; Sumiko reclining onto the office's couch while Keiichi opted for the high backed chair, the young man's dozing eventually leading him to rest on the desk, arms folded beneath him.

The office was silent in its twilight. The only sounds those of the soft breaths of its two occupants; each occupied with dreams, though the most distinct and profound are those of K1, leaning over the desk in slumber. The dream of this remarkable and bewitched man is not fantastic, for him at least, but introspective. He is currently a spectator within himself; his gaze drawn to the figure amidst a faint shower of blossoms. Here he watches his new guardian; the newly hatched angelic demon Virtue's Apostate seemingly reclined in the darkness. The guardian's head is bowed; eyes closed as if in reverence with its hands holding something close. A few tentative steps later and Keiichi can see that she is cupping a small light; her ebony wings partially folded around herself. Standing there, he couldn't help but wonder what she had been like as an angel, until the night she was taken and, through Mephistopheles's power, transformed into this forbidding creature who was unmistakably fashioned from darkness, and yet still held a vestige of her former grace. The long dark tresses turned and she opened her eyes; her di-morphic gaze spying her partner as she smiled softly. K1 himself was intrigued at the sensation this remarkable being invoked. To another, the former angel would have seemed monstrous; a warped travesty of a god's companion and yet he felt only warmth and trust toward the spirit who had assumed complete guardianship of him. The sensation of her company was new to him, unlike the supreme exertion needed for Cool Mint or the arbitrary power of Blue Lance, there was only the soft warm assurance of her presence. He returned the gesture and was supremely thankful for her presence in this, the most dark of circumstances.

As she returned to her quiet vigil, he suddenly felt ill; a strange sense of vertigo that blurred the scenery around him. He rubbed his eye's and as he recovered, the sensation subsiding as quickly as it came, he found himself standing alone in his room; soft daylight filtering through the door and a voice that was familiar as it was melodic close by.

"Keiichi dear, I found what you where looking for………" Belldandy's voice called from the tea room.

K1 was perplexed; a feeling that was reflected in his bemused features and curious motions as he opened the door then made his way down the hall.

"Eh…coming Bell." He returned. Arriving at the tea room, he slowly pulled back the door to find the room in darkness; only the contours of Belldandy as she knelt facing the table were visible. Running weary eyes around the darkness that, by all means, should be filled with light, he asked in a curious tone.

"Bell, what's going on? Has some-"

Entering, this line of questioning was interrupted as he slipped on something. Groaning, he turned to rub his aching side but withdrew his hand from the floor; something wet had been spilled all around. It was then that the quiet figure of Belldandy rose and turned on the overhead light.

"I'm sorry about the mess dear, though I think I've found what you were looking for; it was here all along…….."

He heard the soft tones and started to rise until the shadow turned into light and the young man froze as he looked at his hands and then around. The wet substance that saturated the floor had the unmistakable pigment and quality of blood. Shocked, his attention was drawn to several red droplets that had fallen past his eyes onto the floor. Raising his head slowly, he found Belldandy, her arm outstretched to him with something in her hand. His horrified gaze travelled along from the wet arm to her chest, saturated also, and the horrible, deep and wet recess in her chest and to her face, spattered as it was, with her smile and clear beautiful, sincere eyes. What she offered to him was unspeakable and yet it was held with all the amiable grace of a cake or cup of tea.

"I found what you were looking and yet I thought we had misplaced it." Her tones amiable and soft, adding to the horrific juxtapose that he beheld. His free hand shooting to his mouth to stifle a scream, he scrambled out of the room, his face drained of colour as he ran; heart, soul and mind numb as the walls fell away and he fell into darkness. It was then something caught him and his world became one of floating, a steady ascent and the flutter of wings.

He awoke with a start, almost leaping back as his hands shot to his mouth once again; his vision swimming until the world settled back into the familiar shapes and silhouettes of the office. He settled back into the chair, his heart beat almost audible and ran a hand across his warm, wet brow. For a few moments he was still, the terror of the dream slowly subsiding as he found nothing changed: the light still cast its shadows, Sumiko still slept peacefully in a silence punctuated by the gentle tapping of the rain against the window. He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them his gaze darted to the silhouette of a tall figure at the windows. Turning from its position quietly, two crimson eyes appraised him from the darkness………………….

Sorry for the long delay in updates for the story, it has been a busy few months with exams and university applications, during which it seemed harder to find time to do some typing. Thankfully, Christmas is nearly here and I can now return to writing the conclusion with more consistency.

Yours sincerely

Sorcerer's Familiar.