Chapter 37
Messiah
"You old bastard." Yami glared at the High Priest."What do you mean you don't know what a Magic Stone is? What the hell have we been risking our lives for then?"
"Calm down, calm down." The old man rose his hands."You said stone, so I assumed it was a stone. But I don't know what it does."
Just then, a familiar bird dived in straight for Asta's forehead, pricking him with a blue object.
"Ouch! Nero! Where have you been all this time?" Asta winced, stepping back from the bird."How did you even get here?"
"Forget about that." Yami pushed Asta aside."What's that in his beak? Is that...the Magic Stone?"
"Oh. So that piece of rock is the Magic Stone?" The High Priest seemed unimpressed."I was imagining a precious metal or something like that. Sure, take it."
"Don't mind if we do." Yami reached for Nero, until someone yelled at the top of their lungs.
" MALEFIC WATER CREATION MAGIC: SHARK PREDATORIAN ARMADA!"
Out of nowhere, the group was attacked by water sharks that flew from seemingly everywhere. Their goal wasn't to kill but to steal mana by grazing them, increasing their size as they began escaping the temple.
"What the hell is going on?!" Raiden grabbed Charmy and covered her from harm using his body as a shield. Gauche pulled Grey down while the others dropped to the floor as well.
"I heard "Malefic" in there. It has to be one of the Children of Sceva!" Finral deduced, having experience in fighting their kind."They're taking our mana and adding it to their own."
The more mana the sharks stole, the bigger they became almost human size. In the middle of the chaos, Leviathan, who was in her shark form, grabbed the stone out of Nero's beak and followed the sharks outside.
"You bastard!" Yami had enough, setting Abel on the floor and pulling his katana out."Shit...she's mixing our stolen magic and camouflaging herself with the sharks. Even using Ki, I can't detect her specifically. Any of you got any mana left?!"
"I have some, but it's not much." Raiden rose to the occasion, opening his Grimoire.
"Count me in too." Gauche forced himself back up.
"Don't forget about me! I can still help!" Noelle rushed to their side once the sharks stopped manifesting.
"Good. Hit those sharks with everything you have before they escape into the ocean!" Yami commanded, preparing his spell."Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash!"
"Inferno Magic: Serpent to Dragon Crusade!"
"Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Roar!"
"Mirror Magic: Giant Reflect Ray!"
The seven inferno serpents appeared above the water dragon, followed by the beam of light cast by Gauche. The dark slash trailed behind them.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Leviathan kept cursing, freaking out."Vetto is dead and the others left! I have to escape or they will capture me! But I have the stone that Licht was looking for. If I can get this to him, our mission will be complete!"
From the corner of her eye, she noticed a great number of sharks being cut by a black slash of magic that easily rendered them useless. Looking back, she noticed the remaining spells coming after her. Noelle's spell destroyed a great number of sharks and Gauche's ray left another hole in their formation. Since she was in the middle, only her side remained."No way! They found me!"
The inferno serpents ate through the sharks as they converged into one, forming a dragon and gracing her right side, evaporating her arm and a bit of her leg. Ignoring the pain, Levi screamed in feral determination until she finally reached the ocean and proceeded to swim away into the abyss.
"D-did you get that thing?" The High Priest asked. His question was answered when everyone but Yami fell on the floor, exhausted.
"Shit...We were so damn close!" Yami grinded his teeth, beyond frustrated."Now the enemy has another Magic Stone and we couldn't do a damn thing to stop her."
"I didn't even know...that there was another one." Noelle tried standing up, but her legs felt like jello."I thought you guys drove the others away."
"Raiden and I tricked one of them into one of my portals." Finral informed them.
"Bloody Mary left before she could have killed us." Raiden supplied."I don't know where she went after that."
"She came to help her "mother" Baby." Yami responded."They both ran away through the mirrors."
"There was another guy earlier." Asta earned their attention."He looked like a monster with a skeleton for a face. He brought Abel so it's safe to say Abel lost to him."
"But the one just now looked like a shark if I'm not mistaken." Vanessa bit her thumb."Did they call for backup?"
"Whatever the case, it's our loss. " Yami groaned, ruffling his hair."It's fine. At least we all came out alive. Barely."
"We also uncovered information about the Children of Sceva." Raiden said."Their spells, their transformations, etc. It could help us narrow down the search and help uncover their identities."
"You can worry about that later. For now, you must rest and heal." The High Priest offered his hospitality."Let me take you to get treated."
As the Black Bulls embarked on their mission, Cain and Johan were in the Golden Dawn cafeteria, having a conversation.
"So when are you supposed to go on that date?" Johan asked, causing Cain to nearly choke on his food."Calm down, man. It's not that serious."
"It's not a date." Cain said after drinking his water in one go, hitting his chest."But it's tomorrow...I still don't know what to wear or what will we even do. She said she wanted to go shopping but I doubt that'll be the whole trip."
"Never went out with a girl before?"
"And you have?"
Johan let out a boisterous laugh, roughly slapping Cain on his back."You got me there. I don't particularly have MUCH experience with girls. There was one girl I was in love with but things didn't work out. Ever since then I've been going solo, making sure my boys are taken care of. Which is why I'm always telling Raiden to be honest about his feelings. And I am doing the same thing to you too."
"I see. It's not like I'm romantically interested in Luna or anything like that. It's just...well...she was nice to me when we first met and also was the one to motivate me to make up with Abel. I just want to thank her for it."
"That's a good mentality you have." Johan nodded with a smile."A man's at his strongest when he got a debt to settle. But even stronger when they have something they care about to protect."
"Huh? That sounded awfully poetic." Cain rose a brow, pointing at Johan with his fork."Where did that come from?"
"I read it in a book. My dad was a player back in his day. It's how he met my mom." Johan gave a fond smile."Man, I miss my dad. Sorry. I was reminiscing a little bit."
"It's fine. You haven't seen him in a while, right?"
"Nah. Not ever since I became a Magic Knight." Johan rubbed the back of his neck."I promised I wouldn't go back until I have something to show. Something that'll prove my hard work and dedication."
"Huh. That's some discipline you got there." Cain couldn't help but admire."But I don't get what you mean. I mean, look at you. You're an accomplished Magic Knight and part of the best squad in the kingdom. I'd say you have plenty to show for it."
"Maybe. But I still have ways to go. Hopefully, I can go home soon." Johan placed his hands behind his head."I still have to help get rid of all evil in the world."
"So you're that serious about the whole purging evil from the world?" Cain leaned forward, resting his arms on the table."Is that even possible?"
"Sure it is. You come from a religious background too, right? The way it is, either people are born evil or born good. But sometimes it's a little more complicated than that because we believe that evil comes from somewhere."
"Yeah? And what would that be?"
"Reasons. A person's heart can change depending on their reason for existence." Johan began explaining."You see, it all depends on what you're fighting for. Say we have two people. Person A and Person B. Person A is a Magic Knight. Person B is a thief. Who is evil?"
"Obviously the thief."
"In hindsight, yes. But sometimes things are different than they seem. Now, what if I were to tell you that Person A is the worse type of Magic Knight? He goes behind his squad and partakes in illegal activities, threatens people for money because of his status, and only cares about the fame and glory of the job. On the other hand, Person B steals food and money so he can provide for his family. They are poor and finding a job has been challenging for the family, especially during winter years."
Cain remained silent, processing the information he had been given but was unable to come up with an answer.
"Sometimes things aren't cut and dry as you might think they are. Someone's reason determines whether they are good or evil. These are just examples I came up with on the go, but there are others. And maybe one day you'll come to see them yourself. If we could classify people's actions purely based on good and evil, then this world would be a whole lot more simple."
"Sounds pretty complicated." Cain closed his eyes in thought."The way I see it is that either you're evil or not based on what you do, not for the reasons. If you go around killing people because you think it's the right thing to do then that's just stupid."
"Heh, ain't that the truth." Johan's smile turned into a thin line. He spotted a familiar figure up ahead, carrying a tray of food."Hey! Yudachi! Get over here!"
"Why the hell are you calling him?" Cain hissed next to him."He'll probably ignore us or just throw a jab."
"Nah, he's coming."
In effect, Yudachi wordless made his way over to their table, taking a seat in front of them."What?"
"Hey, you actually came." Johan shot him a playful grin."Growing fond of us already, sir?"
"No. But you did catch me in a good mood." Yudachi admitted, surprising them both."By the way, Cain. My parents told me that you helped them out. Why?"
"I just felt like helping, that's all," Cain responded, still feeling mixed emotions about Yudachi. He disliked how he treated his parents, but they also told him the reason he was this way. For now, he had to put up with it."So, may we know why you're in a good mood?"
"Glad you asked." Yudachi smirked."I met this gorgeous girl the other day. I think she's into me. It was like love at first sight."
"Wow. Look at you go." Johan chuckled."I didn't think you'd be into girls that much."
"And what does that mean?" Yudachi slammed the table with his right fist.
"I think he meant that you look like you're more focused on yourself than those around you." Cain elaborated, hoping that Johan wouldn't say stuff like that and hoping that nudging him with his elbow under the table would send the message across.
"True. But like I said, it was love at first sight. She's lovely. I just have to play my cards right and she'll be with me in no time." He continued gloating."I am a strong, elite mage after all. Any girl would like to go out with me but not all of them are lucky."
"Yeah...that's great."
"By the way, you guys heard? Apparently, the Order of the First has increased its activities. More ritual sites have been found with human remains."
"I heard about that." Cain nodded."The Black Bulls have encountered a few Children of Sceva. Turns out they are hiding among the citizens of this kingdom. Some haven't been identified."
"And you're sure they're the Order of the First and not someone else?" Johan asked, wanting to get the details straight.
"It's the same M.O as usual. People cut up and then burnt. They have caught a few perpetrators, but they commit suicide before they are fully restrained."
"Suicide?" Cain parroted.
"Yes. They have rapid-acting poison pills in their mouths at all times." Yudachi informed them."Presumably, this is to avoid leaking information or being questioned about their brass. Which is very counterproductive if you ask me. I mean, look at what we know now. We know one of their officials' names. It's just a matter of time before the rest come surfacing. I've been hunting down any cult members I can find in my spare time hoping I can find a big fish."
"Wait, you've been going around trying to uncover information about this psychotic cult who sacrifice humans to whatever God they worship by yourself?" Cain incredulously asked, earning a nod in response."You're insane! That's too dangerous!"
"Maybe for you, but not for me." Yudachi narrowed his eyes."I've already saved a couple of people from being sacrificed. The Captain doesn't approve of this, but it's fine as long as he doesn't find out. Besides, I know the Children of Sceva are ranked based on their power. Obviously, I wouldn't go for the number 1. I always try to go for the lowest number. But I haven't found one yet."
"Yudachi, that's crazy. What if you get caught? You'll be killed!" Johan cried out."Or worse. Torture to death. We don't want anything to happen to you."
"I don't need concern from people like you!" Yudachi snarled."I'm supposed to be above the rest. This isn't something I can't handle, understand? I will get a Child of Sceva and become stronger. Once I do, I'll be recognized by everyone in our squad and they'll finally see me fit to be here!"
"Yudachi..." Cain muttered, feeling remorse for pushing his buttons like that."I'm sorry. I-"
"No! Don't look at me like that!" Yudachi stood up, averting his gaze."That look...full of pity...I don't need your damn pity. I was destined for greater things than this and you'll see!"
"Wait, Yudachi!" Cain cried after him, but the boy was already gone."Great."
"What did his parents tell you?" Johan inquired."I mean, before you used to ignore him but now you look like you feel bad for the guy. What's his deal?"
"It's complicated. But I was hoping I could talk some sense into him. His parents are worried. The short version is that he wants to be more than what he is. He's in denial. And for some reason, he thinks he's always at the lowest point of his life."
"Huh? But he's part of this squad, like us. You don't think he believes we're somehow better than him, right?"
"I don't know. He's insecure but I don't know to what extent. Regardless, I'll inform Captain Vangeance about what he said. We can't have him going around getting into danger like that. It worries me."
"Agreed. I don't like the guy but I don't want him dead either." Johan agreed."That aside, I have to go. Got some errands to run. Good luck on your date and say hi to Luna for me."
"It's not a date. And she doesn't even know you."
"Maybe but if you guys click together I'll get to know her soon enough, right?" Johan gave him a thumbs up as he exited the dining room."See ya!"
"It's not a date though..." Cain's shoulder slumped."Is it?"
In one of the Order of the First hideouts, Baby sat on a makeshift throne in the middle of the room, resting.
"Damn Yami Sukehiro...to think he was that powerful." The leader of the Order of the First moaned, holding her forehead."We messed up."
"It's too bad you don't have regenerative abilities like us, Mother." Mary sat at the bottom of the stairs leading to the throne, playing with her hair."You'd be feeling all better now."
"At least someone had fun." Troy rolled his eyes at her behavior, standing around near her."Must have been hell in there."
"Oh, no. It was fun." Mary gave him a sardonic smirk."I had the time of my life there. We were never in any danger."
"Didn't you flee because that Captain was about to serve you on a platter?" Hazama threw a jab at her, entering the room with Rose."And you weren't even supposed to be there anyway."
"Hey, you're the one who ran from a pack of children." Mary didn't let his comment get to her."Besides, it's a good thing I did go. Otherwise, you all would have led Mother to die because you're so weak you can't even protect her at all times."
Hazama clenched his fists, anger cursing through his veins. But he knew better than to start trouble with someone who was two ranks above him.
"Good boy." Mary enjoyed his submissiveness."So, where are little Joseph and Levi? Don't tell me they bit it."
"Outrageous~!" Rose sang, nearly bursting Hazama's eardrums due to how close he was to her."Sorry. But I doubt they'd be killed so easily~!"
"I don't know. Joseph does tend to play with his food." Troy reasoned."Maybe he got overconfident and it caused him dearly."
"And Levi is new and also the weakest among us." Mary pointed out, shifting her gaze to Hazama."Weren't you supposed to have kept an eye on her?"
"My mask was destroyed so I had to transform. I couldn't maintain it for long. Also, I tried to go after her but I had a problem with Abel." He commented, catching their full attention."He went berserk. His magic went out of control and-"
"Did his hair turn black or suddenly had a mask?" Baby asked, cutting him off."Started talking weird?"
"Yes to the first one. And he was just yelling like a wild beast. A mad dog."
"And his magic...was there something off about it? Anything new?" She continued pressing the club manager.
"Well, he used two weird spells, if that's what you're asking. He shot a ball of magic or something at me." He furrowed his brow."What, do you know about this? Is this why you have us trying to retrieve him rather than kill him?"
"Please. Like you have it in you to kill a child." Mary chuckled at him."That's why you can't maintain your transformation for long. You don't consume as much flesh as the rest of us. It baffles me how you became this strong."
"Mary, not now." Baby silenced her, earning an eye roll from the oldest child."But she has a point, Hazama. Your abilities to transform and regenerate as well as your magic increase goes around the amount of human flesh you consume. The more you eat, the stronger you become and the more you can control your Alternate transformation. Of course, you can pick whoever you want."
"I don't care who I eat." Mary shrugged."As long as I can hear their screams as I tear them to pieces. Joseph is a weird one though. He prefers to keep women around as his playmates. He makes them play house with him and shit. Have you ever been to that doll house of his? What was it called again?"
"Woodwork Extravaganza." Troy elaborated, receiving a thumbs up.
"That's it! Good one, Troy."
"Can we please get back to the point?" Hazama gritted his teeth, fed up with Mary's presence.
"Indeed~. I'd like to know more about the importance of this kid as well." Rose chimed in."Why must we keep him and his brother alive? I do not understand~!"
"It's part of the plan. They both hold a special power that I hope we can tame for our benefit." Baby explained, crossing her legs."But don't worry about that for now. All will be revealed in due time."
"But if we let him live, he'll become even stronger." Hazama protested."If he masters whatever power you speak of, then what will we do?"
"My, are you afraid, Hazama?" Baby quirked a brow, unamused."I thought you were better than that. You are ranked Third in this organization. Surely you can maintain a "mad dog" under control if needed."
"If not, you can always call me or Joseph to handle the heavy work." Mary taunted him."But you know it's best to handle your work diligently. After all, now they are going to start sniffing around your club. The girl whose body Levi is possessing is now considered lost, so they will most likely go ask around at your place. You are the first suspect if I had to guess."
"I'm aware of that. Not like I had much of a choice." Hazama said, dejected."I had to send an innocent girl to death so that Leviathan could take over her body...Is that what's going on with that Abel kid? Is he one of your kind?"
"Our kind?"
"You can't be humans." Hazama forged on."I mean, we aren't human anymore. We're Alternates. But you must have had contact with something. Something that granted you these powers. This goal...to eradicate humanity. It can't be accomplished, even with our strength. You said our goal is to revive the Antichrist, right? Just what is this Antichrist you speak of? What do you-"
"Man, you sure can't read the room, can you, Mr. Hazama?"
The voice belonging to the youngest, but the second oldest in rank, Joseph, reached their ears. He closed the giant wooden door behind him, his body covered in dust."Hello!"
"There you are. Thought you died." Mary mused, snickering at his appearance."Seems you had it rough."
"Nope! I had tons of fun! That was the best fight I ever had!" The young boy cheerfully ran around the room, bumping everyone."I want to do it again! Big meany Raiden and his friend teleported me to some weird cave. I almost died but I found my way out!"
"Good boy, Joseph." Baby beckoned him over, patting him on the head."You will all know the truth eventually. You are not ready for what's to come yet. There's still a lot of work to be done. Our goal goes in parts. First, we amass power and continue our offerings to the Lawless One. Second, we support Licht in his plans. It'll help us in the long run. Third, we do our thing. Don't worry. I'll elaborate further as we go."
"I need to know more. I need to know that my daughter will be safe." Hazama tried approaching Baby, but a blade to the neck stopped him. A puppet was in front of him, controlled by Joseph."You little-!"
"Go ahead. Make a move." Joseph invited with a sadistic smile."I want to fight you. Give me a reason...little brother."
"Hey, hey. If there's going to be a fight, I want in." Mary stepped in between them, a murderous glare sending chills down their spines.
Troy and Rose exchanged worried looks, feeling the tension that the three strongest of their group created.
"I guaranteed your daughter's safety. That promise is still in place." Baby stated, not at all disturbed by their shenanigans."So relax. Just keep your head down for now. And keep in contact with Ray Lazarus. We can use his connections and his counterfeit cash. Find a way to steer the attention to him without rousing suspicion. As it stands now, only you and Rose are the only ones not being hunted down by the Magic Knights since your faces haven't been recognized."
"Okay..." Hazama gave in, lowering his arms and stepping back from Joseph."I will do as you say. For the sake of a new world, right?"
"Now that that's over..." Joseph called back his puppet into his Grimoire."When are we getting our final member? I want another sibling!"
"Beat it, brat. This time I will be the one choosing. Right, Mother?"
"Mmmm." Baby hummed in thought."Sure."
"Is he worthy to join us?" Troy inquired."I mean, you said we can't just recruit anyone, right? Are they perhaps another person you know?"
"Not this time. He'll join soon enough of his own volition. We just have to wait and see."
"All good things must take time, do they not?" Rose bemoaned."I hope we can have our formation assembled soon~!"
"The Seven Children of Sceva will finally be seven!" Joseph beamed."Cool!"
"Well, we don't know that for sure." Mary folded her arms under her chest."We lost contact with Levi. She could be dead for all we know. Or captured."
"No! Not my little sister!" He wailed, stomping the ground.
"She can't be dead..." Hazama shook his head."After I got intercepted by Abel, she ran away. She couldn't have been captured."
"At ease. She's still well and alive." Baby remarked, pointing at the door."In fact, here she comes."
In effect, someone kicked the door away, blasting the door against the wall. Leviathan returned to her human form, panting as she landed on her knees."Son of a bitch..."
"Oh, look. She's alive." Mary nonchalantly commented."I knew you'd come back. You're a hard one to kill. Always have been."
"Fuck you!" She snapped, surprised at how loud she sounded."I...I nearly died. Vetto is fucking dead! We have to go back, Abel-"
"Wait, Vetto is dead?" Baby interrupted her, jumping over to her side and grabbing her shoulders."Take deep breaths. You're in shock. Calm down."
"I had to swim from all the way over there to here and I was so scared and-"
"Leviathan." Baby's voice was firm, forcing her to face her."Deep breaths."
"Shit...Vetto died? That's crazy." Mary scoffed, scratching her hair."But it's not like we didn't account for it, right?"
"Licht won't be too pleased with us, will he?" Joseph shuddered."Oh well! Who cares? At least we didn't die."
"You should be more sensitive to them, Joseph." Troy approached his comrade, leaning forward."They knew Vetto longer than the rest of us. Must be quite a blow."
"Oh, please. Mary doesn't care and Mother knows that this world will come to an end anyway to start a new one. We'll see him eventually. Besides, this is just the consequence of growing attached to flesh and bones. It's too bad I couldn't turn him into a puppet. He deserved to be saved..."
"It's not like I don't care." Mary snorted in his direction."But as you know, I'm not their favorite person. You see them glaring at me whenever we meet up. Back then we weren't very close either. So you won't see me shed a tear."
Baby waited for Levi to calm herself before asking her to give her a report. After telling her what happened, Levi lowered her head, offering the magic stone to Baby. She gladly took it, embracing her youngest child lovingly."You did well. You were courageous. Mary and I barely escaped that monster of a captain alone but you evaded all of them attacking you."
"Abel...he's still..."
"We can't go back now, I'm afraid." She soothed, brushing her hair with one hand while looking at the stone in the other."But you will be reunited with him. Just give it time. He will be safe and will be in your arms soon. I assure you." She released her from her hold, patting her back and turning to Mary."I changed my mind. I suppose we should tell them the full scope of the plan so they understand."
"I guess." Mary gave a half-shrug."I don't particularly care."
"Very well then. I'll tell you all the real reason as to why this world will be destroyed...to give birth to a new one. But before I go on, there is another major detail I have to explain to you."
She took a moment to compose herself and get her thoughts sorted out.
"As you know, our group is dictated by destiny. Our goal to revive the Antichrist is already set in stone. Meaning that no matter what anyone tries, it's bound to happen." Baby began, pacing around the room."So said the angel who entrusted me with this tremendous task. However, given that we've come to this point in time and also how we're progressing, it's time I inform you of something important. Something that poses as a threat to our goal."
"The only thing that can stop the Antichrist." Mary chimed in, hands on her hips."The one who opposes destiny. Created by God to serve as His will and His new image."
"Just as there is darkness, there is also light. What we fear we might face in the future is something that the angels call a Messiah."
"A Messiah? Created by God?" Hazama narrowed his eyes at that."What do you mean? And why didn't you tell us this before?"
"It never came up, that's all. At first, I thought it was a silly legend. Something that the angels gossiped about." Baby explained."But given the circumstances and what we know, we have reason to believe a new Messiah may be born. Before I continue, I suppose I should explain what a Messiah is. But for that, I have to tell you a tale."
The Children of Sceva exchanged looks amongst themselves before turning back to their leader.
"Before humanity existed, God created a being in his image and likeness. Adam, the first human. Also known as the original sin. Later on, He created Eve from Adam. Long story short, they rebelled against God because they felt oppressed by him and the other angels after they consumed the fruit of the Tree of knowledge after they were tempted by devils to consume said fruit to achieve power that could rival God. This led them to be exiled from the Garden of Eden. They were considered God's greatest mistake. That's why he made humans different, full of flaws, unlike the original two. Because he felt he needed to control humanity. But he also believes that the original evil will one day surface. This is why the human race is doomed to carry sin, no matter the age or whatnot. Even a baby will carry sin. The sin inherited from Adam. This is referred to as "The will of Adam".So ever since then, God's been making Messiahs over time. Well, it's more apt to say that Messiahs aren't Messiahs until a certain point."
Raising her left hand, she showed them four of her fingers."Messiahs are divided into four categories. The first and lowest are regular humans. The second one is the Messiah Candidates. These two are closely connected because every human has the capacity of being a Messiah Candidate, but only a handful get to become them."
"How are Messiah Candidates made then?" Joseph cocked his head to the side."And can there be multiple Messiahs? Or is it just one?"
"Good questions. Messiah Candidates are those who harbor a great amount of trust in them from those around them. Take a look at today. Right, Mary?"
"Right. I have reason to believe that Raiden Zareth has become a Messiah Candidate. He demonstrated strength he didn't possess before when he was at his lowest. But when his little friends began cheering for him, genuinely believing in him from the bottom of their hearts, his power skyrocketed. Messiah Candidates carry the so-called feelings of their friends and family and use that as a power to fill their own."
"Wait a minute...I was fading in and out of consciousness, but that kid...Asta, the one with no magic. He was giving Vetto a hard time. And he was just a pushover. But with those two mages backing him up, he was driving him to a corner. Before Abel showed up..."
"I was thinking the same thing. I saw him fighting back during the Nean thing." Baby further elaborated."He could be a Messiah Candidate as well. How curious. For two candidates to be so closely connected. This could mean there are more out there as well. As for your other question, Joseph, what I'm going to say connects to that. No, there can't be multiple Messiahs. There can only be one. At least, at a certain time. There have been other Messiahs in the past. We call this a "Messiah Trait" that only an individual every Millenium shows. A Messiah is fully created when a great number of people, if not the whole world, believe in them and put their trust and feelings blindly in them. They are the only threat that can stand up to the Antichrist."
"So you're saying that this plan can fail?" Troy seemed taken back by the information."Is there any way to prevent this? If you're saying that these Messiahs become stronger depending on the amount of trust they have, then could we even stand a chance against them? I mean, even Mary was having trouble, right? With that Raiden kid. And he's just a candidate. If we face the real deal..."
"All we have to do is kill the Messiah Candidates before one of them becomes a Messiah." Mary interrupted."I should have killed Raiden, but I was having so much fun with him. But I will have to kill him next time I see him."
"So killing it by destroying the roots?" Rose surmised, earning a nod from Baby.
"Yup. Kill the problem before it becomes a bigger problem. Suffice it to say, it's really hard for a Messiah to show up. In the world we live in, no one wants to put their trust in a person. Much less a huge number of people. But I digress. I also need to mention there are other categories of a Messiah. These are above a regular candidate but below the real deal. The False Messiah, the Fallen Messiah, and the Anti Messiah."
"The False Messiah is the fake prophet. He who claims to be blessed by God but couldn't be further from the truth. He seeks to be the real deal but will never achieve it and instead is cursed to watch as the real Messiah is born. The Fallen Messiah has lost their way and was tainted by darkness, straying from God's path and choosing their own. And the Anti Messiah is the God we're trying to revive. There can only be one type of these Messiahs as well."
"That's...a lot of information." Hazama admitted, folding his arms."New things to keep an eye out for."
"No. It looks like they were always there." Troy glanced at his comrade."We're just aware of them now."
"So we're rebelling against God, huh?" Hazama dryly chuckled."Aren't we too in over our heads?"
"What, you a follower of God?" Joseph asked, receiving a scoff from Hazama.
"I stopped believing in God the moment He let my daughter die of sickness. At first, I didn't believe in Him or destiny. But ever since joining, I realize that it's all too real. So what I want is to march up to God and demand answers. I want to know why he ignored my pleas."
"You'll most likely get your chance." Baby shifted her gaze over to him, shocking him with her statement."Angels are real. And much like devils, they can make pacts with humans to access the human world. They are a threat to us more than anything else."
"Humans with angel powers?" Levi parroted, shuddering."How can that be possible? God is backing them up? For what purpose?"
"Most likely because God wants to make a gateway from Heaven to this world. I would imagine that right now it's a race between devils and angels to see who can conquer this plane of existence. But they don't know that the Alternates are here with a lead. We'll seize this world and destroy it. And we will create a new one. A new universe where God has no control over us. We will be free like Adam and Eve when they are consumed from the Tree of Knowledge."
"Who is the one who provided this information?" Hazama inquired."You mentioned it was an angel who came to you. But why would an angel plot against God?"
"Who knows?" Baby shrugged."Not even I know that angel's identity. Could it have been Adam or Eve presenting their will to me? Or a fallen angel? Perhaps we will know as time passes. But for now, you know your mission and what we must do. We have over a year before this world comes to an end. Get Abel and Cain safely and prevent the birth of the Messiah. Our true goal is the destruction of this existence...and the creation of a new one."
"Create a new world?"
"Yes. Like I just said before, one year from now, the world will come to an end at the hands of our God. Why this particular time, you may ask? Well, one year from now, there will be a special event that will cover the entire galaxy. It is prophesized that on that day, the universe itself will make all planets and stars become one. All the stars will align with earth, forming a perfect line for a brief period of time. This cosmic phenomenon is called the Awakening and is key to casting the spell that can destroy existence as a whole. The Antichrist will descend and obliterate life on earth before marching to Heaven."
"Wait...to Heaven?" Hazama asked, receiving a smirk from Baby.
"That's right. The real goal is to slay God and take His place, His throne."
"Killing God?" Joseph pursed his lips."Is that even possible? Isn't He supposed to be almighty and omnipotent?"
"Under normal circumstances, yes. God can do whatever he wants within Heaven. Since angels and Himself aren't able to directly come into contact with the human world because they exist in a higher realm. But God can be killed. You see, God's power is similar to the Messiah's. Except at a much larger scale. All living things believe in an entity that created the universe and gave it life. It is often said that God's blade is mankind's love. If you were to take away humanity from the equation..."
"Then that would weaken God considerably." Mary finished for her, hand on her hip."Subsequently, God is the one that powers up the angels, including the humans serving as hosts for them. So not only does God get weaker, but so will His bothersome angels. That will be the opportunity we need to storm Heaven and raid it, taking over everything."
"And once we do that, the Antichrist will take his rightful place as the strongest being in existence and will acquire God's throne. He will create a new universe where our dreams will be realized."
