Let Justice Be Done

by Silver W. King

The God of the Bible looked into the future, and saw it was boobs and dragons. His reaction? "I can top that." [Self Insert] [God is one of the characters in the story]

7. Arc 1 Epilogues

It wasn't easy to see God's design in a plan, Azazel noted.

Usually it can only be seen after an event had taken place.

Like right now.

"Azazel," Shemhazai spoke as he entered the Grigori's Governor General's office. "Still rewatching that battle? It's been days."

"We're missing something." Azazel said, as recording magical device replayed a hologram of the battle from the vantage point of the Fallen that were there at the time, and those that stayed and hid to gather information.

The recording reached the point where the Banishment was cast, only for the hologram just turned white, and after a minute turned back to show Raguel's death and resurrection.

And then God arriving to rob Zeus blind.

"You've already seen it like a hundred times." Shemhazai sighed as he took a seat.

"A hundred sixty nine times." Azazel said back mindlessly.

"Nice."

"Thanks."

The two looked at each other before chuckling for a moment.

"We didn't suffer the worst," Shemhazai said once they calmed down.

"Oh yeah, Lucifer's fuuuucked." Azazel said with glee, taking pleasure in that knowledge. "Of course, if Lilith sticks around instead of becoming a vegetable again-Seriously Dad dammit Lucy, that's a level of self-destruct even I wouldn't be aroused by-then they might actually have a chance to pick themselves up."

"What can they do?" Shemhazai asked in disbelief. "I mean yeah, they can rebuild quick. Lilith can make a million devils a day, any command structure they have is wrecked beyond belief. And Heaven isn't gonna wait for them." He pointed out. "I suspect our Three Factions is to be Two in the near future."

"Hmm... No," Azazel said in relaxed tone, shaking his head after thinking about for a moment.

"...Okay, how?" Shemhazai wondered with wide eyes.

"There is a way to get a grace period but Lucifer won't go for it. As in, he will rip his own wings off before he considers doing it." Azazel explained. "Of course, if Lilith is there, she can just make him, but that will have it's own complication." He shook his head. "Point is the Devils are going to suffer a lot from this, and while it's a good idea to capitalize on it, we're gonna need to focus on Heaven."

"And the Devils? What, we're just gonna leave them alone?" Shemhazai raised an eyebrow.

"Nah, we'll defend the territories we took. If anyone encounters a devil, fight like normal. No," Azazel looked back to the recording as it started from the beginning from when Azazel and his army arrived to Orkney. "Heaven and Olympus are likely to enter an alliance now. Probably nothing big, unless they accept becoming subordinate to Heaven, integrating into it, but I can't see Zeus going for that. Likely Father will offer to help revive the dead gods for material for his Sacred Gears."

Shemhazai groaned. "Fuck. We're gonna see news ones, aren't we?"

"Better start cataloguing again!" Azazel said with a cheerful smile. Then his smile gained an edge to it. "One of the gods to be reformed soon would be Hades. That ol' bones is definitely gonna have a bone to pick with Lucifer." Shemhazai groaned at the pun. "So he will at least keep the Devils occupied."

"And what are we gonna do?" Shemhazai asked.

Azazel looked at the recording showing Raguel's speech and then Michael's Keter and the results from it.

"He needs to die." Azazel paused the recording on the youngest Archangel's face.

"Sure I guess. I'll have a couple of assassin squads-"

"No." The seriousness in Azazel's tone, pulled at Shemhazai's attention. "It's a pain in the ass trying to parse through Dad's plans, and usually dealing with a direct issue works best." Azazel looked to his second in command, while pointing at the hologram. "Ever since he was created, the minor stuff that he does ends up building up till it came to this. I'm very sure that while the big four, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel are the main structure and combat force to Heaven, like Raziel, Raguel makes things work in-between, but he's been too effective at it."

"So...what? The entirety of the Grigori are changing their goal to focus on killing one Archangel?" Shemhazai asked with an incredulous chuckle.

"No..." Azazel held his chin in thought, then his eyes widened as an idea came to him. "The Summer Fae Court and the Aesir." He said snapping his fingers and pointing at Shemhazai.

Shemhazai looking aside, thinking for a moment. "The Summer Court's power and influence is mainly in Briton. The Saxons and other Germanian tribes are invading the British Isle. Meaning the Norse Gods are likely to pay attention to that area."

"That's right." Azazel said with a smirk. "By the way, what brought you here again?"

"Ah," Shemhazai made a noise remembering. "We got some samples like you wanted. Not many, as the Angels were pretty through in not leaving equipment behind, but a few enough to reverse engineer." He explained. "The Holy Swords are...odd though. They're all practically the same, obviously produced en masse, but with that quality? It shouldn't have been possible to make so many so fast." He sighed and shook his head at the absurdity of it all. "We did get the Demon Sword fragment from the battle between the Lady of the Lake and Lilith."

Shemhazai moved to head to the main labs, with Azazel going with to experiment on the new Magic Swords.

Azazel scowled deeply at the mention of the Christian Winter Fae. "It's not fair."

Shemhazai sighed. "Azazel...just let it go."

"It's not fucking fair that he's got a cute, sexy, stoic wife that can lose her expression and blush heavily at a compliment from the husband she loves. And Father just straight up wed them Himself, basically giving full approval without remorse for that, that...just fuck. It's not fair." Azazel whined. "And not only that, but she's a scary battle wife too! I want that!"

"Are we seriously going to focus all the Grigori's resources to kill Raguel, just because you're jealous?" Shemhazai asked with a disbelieving look.

"I'm not jealous! This is a well thought out, wise tactical decision!"

---

The great hall of the Ice Crystal Palace was silent but for murmurs and quiet gossip. There was only one sound echoing loudly in those halls, that of agony.

The ball usually held by the Winter Queen would be one of awe and reverence, with polite talk, beautiful music and slow dancing expected in it.

If some of those things, be it music or dancing, were to be happening regardless of someone's will, that's just to be expected.

It wasn't just an event to be awed by the beauties and treasures of the Winter Court. A time where is expected for relationships to form, or alliances to be made or broken.

And while this party was but an echo of the Winter Solstice Celebration, it is still an event to observe with most caution. All knew their place, and their roles in relation to the Winter Queen, and wouldn't dare act out of that role.

It's why when a fae messenger, that had already all but sold themselves into slavery, in order to have a Fae Lady, Lady Dodokrov-oh she may use Lady Eleen, but the Winter Queen knew the names of all her little fairies-a self-professed rival of Lady Viviane, make note of her absence, said fae messenger was given a salt bath. Without skin.

It was an annoying, insultingly amateurish move, to have a known opposition to Lady Viviane, be the one to bring up the Lake Lady's absence.

In the middle of the great hall, high enough for all to witness, was a massive frozen cube used as a clairvoyance medium.
The ice's clear surface showed the missing Lady Viviane. Showed her in a way that none had ever seen the reserved, reclusive aloof loner act before.

The testament of the Winter Queen's power to watch any and all her subjects, was ignored in favor of watching the exciting display of a Lake Lady take up arms fighting the First Human Woman.

Not only was there a buzz of excitement at watching this drama, with even bets being made, but Viviane's positioned was reevaluated by many of the attendees.

That the simple blacksmith, who only held a moderate amount of interest in the Winter Court's talks and games, actually had that much power. The might that...some might even compare to the Winter Queen.

It brought up entertaining ideas. Dangerous ideas.

For the Winter Fae, what could be more entertaining but danger.

And then there was the fact that Lady Viviane was married. To an Archangel.

What was almost scandalous, was that said marriage contract was empty of any conditions on either side.

It was a most dastardly, unorthodox and some might even say...risqué proposition. Curiosity was running rampant. The how, why and what was exchanged on every tongue, as the rumor circulated and became it's own monster.

Throughout it all, Mab, the Winter Queen watched all these events with a silent expression on her throne. As one would expect of the elegant, powerful and beautiful Monarch of Ice and Cold.

After all, she was the perfect Winter Fae, the Ruler of the Unseelie Court, the Queen of Air and Darkness.

Mab tapped her finger on her armchair once, and the flayed messenger was now an ice sculpture alive yet silent for all eternity.

All through out this event, Mab watched in amusement thinking on how to approach this.

Awww, Viviane thinks she's in love. How cute.

Should she break up the happy couple she wondered? But that was overdone to the point of cliche.

Should she "share" in Viviane's "treasure" and use that time to interact more with the Fae Lady, and start having grasp Viviane's heart?

So many exciting possibilities.

The common fae would think Viviane converting to the Biblical God, not only following Him, but acting as his Saint would be a challenge to Mab's power. The Winter Queen thought such notion was nonsense.

Couldn't they see the opportunity Viviane's position brought? To be able to interact with the Heaven Faction so freely through Viviane's act, why Mab was tempted to grant the girl a boon for such unintentional act. Not that the Winter Queen would do such of course.

Then there was the husband, the boy...man-Mab noted, as his essence felt older than his physical form-the Archangel Raguel.

She could see why someone reclusive like Viviane would fall for him. He genuinely loves her, and openly expresses so.

When the Sword of Love was created, many fae shouted in glee, and value began to be assigned to it.

Then Raguel began chanting a most powerful and ancient spell. Nay, calling it a spell was a misnomer. A Divine Power would be a more correct term.

"To those of you who do not wish to die, or suffer terrible blindness, turn away from the cube. To those that believe they are strong enough, you can continue to watch as you please." Mab spoke in a monotonic tone, yet instantly nearly all the present attendees followed her words, and turned away.

Only the arrogant, or those who were actually "strong enough", or old enough to understand what's about to happen kept watching with the appropriate precautions.

Then it happen.

The First Light was cast. The Boundless Light before there was Light as a concept.

A truly devastating power, that made even the Winter Queen take notice. It had been centuries since she last saw it, and it was still as awe terror inspiring then, as it was now.

But more than that was what Mab felt happening within it.

Mab, as well as her counterpart Queen in the Summer Court, was connected to the Fae Realm on a fundamental level. She felt it's oncoming and going as one would feel wind on their arm, that they can hold and steer at will.

She felt Time rupture, spin and change in a very concrete matter when the First Light was cast.

An Alteration Path had occurred! Alarm swept through her, though her expression or body showed nothing. She spread her senses outward, looking for the cause, as she was sure the Summer Queen was doing as well.

How could this have happened without her noticing? Right under her nose?

Anger formed in her icy heart, as she thought about what she would do to the culprit once found. It galled her that such a thing could happen without her ever noticing the flow of changes to Time.

Mab found the cause.

And suddenly her anger turned to calm irritation, pointed at a single person.

Lucifer.

The cause for the Alteration Path that irrevocably set the timeline on a different course, had been the cambion she and the Leader of Hell formed together in secret.

Myrddin Emrys.

Child of her own blood. Mab was proud as she was irritated.

She wanted to see more. See what he did in this time, before he vanishes forever, as his existence fades. Such a shame that she wouldn't be able to interact with him, as she needed to act now.

She needed to contract Titania, the Summer Queen, and...work together to regain control of this situation. To ensure the time stream as under the Fae Realm can never be used without their permission again.

I'll need to tell Titania to write with me that invitation to Vishnu. That should get the time gods and spirits to attend the meeting.

A long time ago, the two, then young, Fairy Queen had given aid to the God of Preservation. In return they had been given a favor to call on him for a task that doesn't go against his dharma. However the one favor was given to both Mab and Titania, and thus it was never used as they could never agree on what to use it for.

A large part of their influence, was that theoretically they could called on the Hindu God to aid them. Thus both courts were never to be challenged openly. Ever.

In this situation, simply Vishnu's name and possible presence should be enough to give weight to the upcoming meeting about this Alternation Path and what to be done about it.

It occurred to Mab, that this type of situation might have been exactly what Vishnu saw with his Future Sight, the two Fairy Queens using his favor on, but given what she heard through the grapevine, Vishnu was doing nothing these days, but just meditate on the secrets of the universe. These meditations of his usually take centuries if not millennia at a time, and he only started recently, a decade or so ago. Thus Mab was sure he won't actually arrive to the meeting.

But first, Mab looked to the cube to see the angels of Heaven reviving their brother, and then the God of the Bible arriving to face the politically powerless Zeus.

Mab's eyes lingered on the sleeping Raguel.

I'll need to summon Viviane for a talk. ...Or should I just visit her?

She entertained the thought for a moment, and while seeing the Fae Lady's face at the Winter Queen visiting her...humble home, Mab could never lower herself to such actions.

With that amusing thought aside, Mab took her next action.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

"That was a beautiful show. wouldn't you all say?" Mab spoke getting the attention of all the fae; the excited, the interested and the jealous. "We need to honor the Lady of the Gleaming Lake for such display, and shower her with the appropriate accolades. Well, Lady Llyn, please present yourself."

The attendees looked around, but a lot caught on to what was happening.

"Lady Llyn? Well, present yourself." Queen Mab spoke, as of course no one said anything. After all how could someone not there, arrive to accept their recognitions. Of course, not arriving as well, would be seen as...disrespectful to the host of the party. The Winter Queen.

"She is not present, your majesty." The queen's "daughter", Lady Maeve, informed the Winter Queen.

"Oh my..." Mab covered her mouth to hide her smile. "That just won't do."

---

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ares laughed, slapping his knee. "Damn that was a lot of fun to watch. If only I had been part of that battle." He said with a wide grin, vibrating where he sat after watching the battle of Orkney.

"Technically, you were there." God said back, a content smile on His face.

"Baaah," Ares waved his arms. "Doesn't count at all. Honestly, I'm more pissed off that I missed such a fight, than her having killed me."

The Biblical God and the Greek War God were in a white void. A metaphorical space before a soul, especially a divine soul, that has rejected resurrection could find itself for a last conversation before it fell back to the Astral Sphere. The two sat in a relaxed atmosphere on imaginary chairs.

"I have to say though, you gathering the meager amount of your essence with will left, and then using it all the way at the end to empower Aphrodite's aspect of Beauty, all so that she would be slow enough in not attacking my son, due to curiosity at wanting to know 'whose the prettiest'? That might be spiteful but it was very much impressive." God complimented Ares.

"Thank you, thank you." Ares raised his arms up as it a crowd was cheering him. The sound of crows echoed in the white void, and the Greek War God found himself laughing at the Almighty's humor. "But hey, I can be tactful when I need to." He said with a smile, and the two were silent for a while.

"You seriously don't want to return?"

"Naaah, it's not that." Ares shook his head. "Knowing that my life, my very divinity, and existence as a War God can all be attributed to that bitch, isn't something I want to keep carrying in my life. No, I'll take my chances with reincarnation. I'll end up as a human, but given my power, history and the faith my people still have in me, there are good odds I'll retain my memories." Ares looked at his fist and closed it tight. "From there, I'll make my ascension to godhood through my own efforts, and when I take back my throne as the God of War, it will be by my own strength." He looked back at the Creator with a determined smile.

"If you retain your memories."

Ares smile lessened. "Yeah... that's the gambit."

"What if you don't need to depend on chance?"

"You got a deal for me?" Ares chuckled. "What? Put me in a Sacred Gear without my divinity?"

"Yes."

Ares sat up straight. "Alright. Hit me with it."

"I need certain beings, that would be very empowered, to act as guardians of this world."

"Isn't that what your angels are for? Protecting humans and all that." Ares looked on in confusion.

"Not only humans. The world." God clarified. "Warriors that would be willing to fight even what they are. Conquerors that would fight Conquest. Ill bearers that would fight famine. Death bringers that would fight death itself." God paused, giving Ares a look.

"A God of War that would fight the very concept of war?" Ares blinked in disbelief. "The hades are you going about something that paradoxical. What? You expecting to fight an army of war gods?"

"Something like that." God nodded.

Ares's jaw dropped. His mouth kept moving without words, as if he couldn't decide whether to look surprised or smile in excitement.

"Whaaa..." He settled on chuckling with an incredulous smile.

"It's not something to worry about for now." God waved his concern off. "It's approximately one and a half millennia in the future. In the mean time, what I want you from you is, to be sealed in a Sacred Gear, and train your bearer into a warrior. They should try to learn your skills, and train other warriors. Do know, it is just enough if they use the Sacred Gear you are in. Because when they do, a silver of a silver of a silver of their power will flow into you. It would keep happening throughout their lives, and as you teach them and they grow, so would you. Not only in power but in combat skills." God raised a hand to stop any protest from Ares. "Yes, I know as a War God your skills are supreme and you know all there is about war. However, do not accept that to mean, you can not learn and grow."

Ares grunted, then looked away as he thought about it.

It's not a bad deal, and I would enjoy just spending my time molding new warriors into being. One thing eludes me though.

"How exactly would I help in that future conflict you're being vague about, if I'm stuck in a Sacred Gear?" Ares asked.

"When the invasion of the extradimensional gods began, you and three others will be released automatically from your prisons. Then, you will take up the roles of the horsemen that ride to defy the apocalypse."

"Horsemen of the Apocalypse, huh." Ares sat back running the title in his mind. He liked it.

"Not what I said, but sure. You would be the War Defying Horseman."

"And who are my co-workers in this mystery mess?" Ares couldn't help but ask.

"Thanatos would be the Death Defying Horseman. They other two would be Famine and Conquest. I haven't pick a candidate for those roles yet, but there is someone that will likely join soon."

"Holy shit, you got Thanatos for this job!? How did you get Hades to agree to that?" Ares asked wide-eyed.

"He didn't. I took Thanatos as one of the many parts of the deal made with Zeus for the revival of your brothers, sisters and pantheon members. I offered the role to him afterwards and he accepted."

"...Damn." Ares grew quiet as he reevaluated the Biblical God. "Say...Why would you trust me with this?" He asked something he had wondered about, as this task seemed very important. "I mean, I died with us being enemies, or at least hostile to each other. So why trust me not to screw off and do whatever I wanted once I'm released?"

"Because I can See the Truth within things." Ares suddenly felt looked through in a manner more unsettling than anything he ever experienced. "When you attacked the temples in Constantinople you did so with the intent of not just losing but losing badly. You embarrassed yourself to such a degree, even acting like a child begging for mercy, all to make Zeus look bad enough that he had to pull back from fighting to recuperate his image, as your actions reflected on him, as his son."

Ares looked away. "...Your daughter was a bit scary and part of that was real."

"I know," God chuckled. "The point is, I know you are an honorable person. And while honor and goodness do not always correlate, I think practicing one will lead to the other, especially if you're interacting with good kind-hearted people. Fortitude is a virtue you know. And what could be more courageous than a God of War? And if on top of that a Kind God of War, what could be more divine?" God's eyes were gentle.

Ares found himself looking away blushing. "...I'm not kind."

"Maybe not completely." God nodded. "Certainly not at the beginning, but as you grew and learned, valued honor and discipline, that's where you ended up." An odd feeling grew in Ares's chest, as if for the first time, there was someone depending on him he didn't want to disappoint. "Your life journey lead to who you are right now, and I trust the Ares I see before me. So, will you accept this task?"

"I would." Ares had always been impulsive. He didn't mind that part of himself, as that's when the best-and worst-adventures started from. Yet he really hated that trait now. "I mean," he coughed and looked away. "After thinking about it? Yeah, sounds like a good deal."

"Thank you, Ares."

"Yeah, yeah." Ares said back, smiling.

"If you are carrying on this task though, do you mind doing me a favor?"

"What's that?"

A Light shined in God's hand, and a lance appeared in it.

"Before you take up the mantle as the War Defying Horseman, I think you should at least live a lifetime as a human first. In that time, could you safeguard this lance for me? You can decide to use it's power, or don't. Regardless it will at least serve as a very sturdy weapon."

Ares accepted the spear, moving it between his hands, twirling it around, and tried a few thrusts with it. The sheer power contained in it was awe inspiring. He couldn't believe he was being given such Holy Relic-because it had to be-even if it's only a loan.

"I feel like I've seen this lance somewhere before." Ares said narrowing his eyes at the weapon. God chuckled. "What?" Ares asked, slightly annoyed.

"You'll know soon enough." God stood up and Ares did the same. It was time to go back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I may not look like it but I'm a very busy deity. I have so many tasks to do to keep this universe from imploding, so many issues to keep an eye on, children to talk to, a meeting where I have to profoundly not just advocate restricting time travel to the past and messing with the timestream, but ban it all together. So," God clapped His hands together. "Let's head on?"

"Let's do this!" Ares grinned.

The mortal soul of the War God Ares, along with the True Longinus, was then sent back to the past, to be reborn as one of the knights who will one day go on a quest for the Holy Grail.

===x===

The halls of Olympus felt quiet.

"Zeus! Are you listening to a word I'm saying?" Asked an irate Hestia that was beginning to lose her patience.

"Huh? Yes, yes, I heard you. Go on," Zeus waved her off.

Hestia narrowed her eyes then continued telling him about their loses, and which spirits or lesser gods were taking up the workload of which spirit or lesser gods missing till they are reformed.

Zeus understood why Hestia was on edge. Deep inside, under his calm introspecting face, was the sheer boiling rage at those hospitality breaking FUCKS AND THEIR DAMN BAT-

The Greek God of the Sky took a breath, and then nodded to something Hestia said, approving an order she wanted to send out. He trusted her enough to fix the house that is Olympus, and bring it back to working order. He could barely see the tense anger in the usually kind goddess. She was much better than him at keeping her mind immediate important tasks. It's why he was letting his mind wander.

Back to thinking on why Olympus felt quiet. Of course the place was still populated with spirits and lesser gods, so one can't really say it was truly quiet.

Zeus knew why things felt off. Almost all the Primordial and Greek Gods were missing, and would take a long while to reform, even with the Biblical God's help. Heaven's God wasn't willing to go that far and spend a massive reserve of His energy to revive the Greek Gods. Not that Zeus was in any position to demand anything, but accept the help he was given.

Odd to be on the other side of a deal like that. Especially since he couldn't even be mad since it was their fault. Or maybe that was his dick talking again. Sure Biblical God was attractive, and that Gabriel with sweat running down her back, really was a delicious thing, but he wasn't going to act on that impulse at the moment.

Of course the moment Zeus thought that in the meeting, it felt electricity run down his spine-which just shouldn't happen-and looked around to see the Creator looking like He could see right through him. That shouldn't be possible as gods can't read other gods' minds, but still Zeus decided to just remove the idea from his head, as he had more important things to worry about. He can be responsible given the situation Olympus was in.

The halls of Olympus felt empty, because over half of the Olympians were devoured by Alastair.

Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Apollon, Artemis, Ares, and finally Dionysus. All gone, their thrones empty.

And Ares apparently refused to be revived. Zeus wasn't sure how to feel about that.

Ares...may not have been the most praised god by the people, except warriors in the trenches of battle. Then when the battle is won, most would praise Athena. His son was never bothered by this, at least he never seemed so. The Biblical God said that Ares just plainly didn't want his existence attributed to Aphrodite in any way, and wishes to attain Godhood on his own merits.

Which...Zeus can understand somewhat, but it was an incredibly foolish endeavor. Godhood isn't something mortals can just obtain. Just ask Heracles and what he had to go through. Although his other, very famed, son might not be the best example since upon hearing what Ares did, decided to give up his own divinity and jump into the reincarnation cycle.

Seriously, what the fuck is this "let's throw away our immortality to live as a human" fad that has suddenly arose. Of course beyond those two, no one did such crazy antics.

Honestly, the sheer work Zeus now found himself do, to actually keep the pantheon going, and not implode on itself had been far more than he had ever done in his immortal life. He would prefer to go back to the days of fighting his father, than this.

Even Hestia was forced to take back her place as an Olympian till the other Greek Gods were revived. That was how desperate the situation was.

And then when Zeus joked about Hestia becoming the new Queen of Olympus, Hestia renewed her Vow of Chastity to take up that role, so now her virginity can not be taken or her body approached with intimacy till Hera is revived.

And given how much work Zeus did to ensure Hera would be the last Greek God to be revived, that meant Zeus was stuck with a very delectable woman by his side that he could not touch even if he wanted to. No more than that, he could not take any woman anymore. Or men. One of the stipulation the Biblical God added to their deal.

Seriously, isn't this a bit too much for only a few lewd thoughts about Him and His daughter? It's not like he acted on them!

Now Zeus has to charm a woman, if he wanted to bed her. Which he didn't mind as he liked that kind of chase too, but sometimes he just wanted a quick one.

He remembered begging Hestia to just let go of her Vow of Chastity and renew her virginity later. Just once.

"I'm just really into this fetish of Orgasm Denial. Except the orgasm never comes. Ever. In fact, not even having the thought of sex on your mind. Do you want to join me for that Zeus~?"

Zeus politely-vehemently running away like Hestia was a demon-declined, and decided to pursue his relief elsewhere. Except of course, Hestia decided to hound him to get back to work, and only "rest" after he was done.

He wondered if this was how Hades lived for half the year. No wonder he's always grumpy.

Speaking of Hades, he was one of the first Greek Gods to revive, because he was willing to even use up the majority of his power to reform, all to gather his army, and march on the Devils and slaughter them out of the Underworld. While Zeus and the Biblical God chimed in with their own power. The Creator, as part of their deal, and Zeus not wanting his brother to fight a war, where he might lose against the fucking bats.

Thus Zeus was now weak enough that Hestia can keep him around to do work. It was a hellish cycle of events. Truly.

What could I have possibly done to deserve this? Zeus lamented.

Then there was the details of that deal with Heaven. A deal was quite brutal for the Greek Pantheon.

Hephaestus has to work with the the Heaven Faction building weapons, armor, or items for them 'til the year 1000 A.D. The Forge God was likely to even work on Sacred Gears, with a stipulation not to reveal that method of creation, if he actually discovered it. The oath Hephaestus made was on his own divinity. The other scary part was the implication that in more than five hundred years, the Forge God might not figure out how Sacred Gears are made.

Nah, He's probably just bluffing. Zeus thought.

A hundred spirits had to volunteer to be within Sacred Gears. Although if a lesser god does, that would be equal to 25 spirits. And if a major god does, that would be equal to 50 spirits. If an Olympian or a Primordial volunteer, then that would cover that part of deal on it's own.

Naturally, 100 Greek Spirits were given for the greater good of the Greek Pantheon.

Zeus wanted to cry. Wasn't the Biblical God all about mercy!?

Also there were some stuff about leaving the Christians worshipers alone, and letting them spread their faith as they pleased, but that wasn't important.

The only positive out of this deal wasn't even a positive. Aphrodite was revived in her Areia Mode. However no one wanted to so much as look at her.

Her power was stripped from her to be used to revive the other gods and spirits. It's why the halls of Olympus were as empty as they could have been.

However, that wasn't seen as enough of a punishment. Her divinity was sealed, and she was given an eternally youthful mortal body, told to roam the earth preaching about agape rather than eros till Hera returns, and frees Aphrodite from her mortal bonds.

This was all well and good, but it didn't change Zeus's workload.

He was starting to consider the merits of this whole "live as a human" thing.

"Zeus, there are some prayers for Ares, Apollon, Poseidon and Hera, that you need to answer. No you can't sleep with any of the people asking for Hera's blessing and aid." Hestia broke through Zeus's musing.

"Aren't there any prayers for Dionysus's? Or even Artemis's?...What about Aphrodite's?"

"Those are being handled by the Furies." Hestia deadpanned, ending the argument.

Zeus was aghast at the atrocity of it all.

"No...no this is horrible! SUCH INJUSTICE MUST BE FIXED!" Zeus jumped from his seat, to run out and fix this mistake. Or just to skip work.

"HESTIA TACKLE!"

Alas, the Greek God of the Sky was denied, and dragged back to his desk and paperwork.

===x===

Even in the depth of the Orkney Castle's gardens, Queen Anna could still hear the celebrations in the town, and even in the outer castle grounds.

It had been a month since the Day of Light that averted the End of Days, and the joy and fervor within the common folk to party and be merry will likely continue till Gŵyl Ifan; till St. John's Eve, months away.

As she had been doing for the past month, Anna was making herself unavailable and busy, by aiding her husband behind the scenes be it with mind or magic, to make sure troublemakers do not take advantage of Orkney's current state of openness, with people travelling from all over Britannia, or ever from Europa to witness the site of the Raguel Coast, as it had come to be called.

Or she would be meeting with the wives and daughters of every noble that passed by Orkney, visiting her husband, King Lot, wanting to meet him, or pay their respects before heading to the Raguel Coast. She began to gain the beginnings of a rumor and reputation as a beautiful and fair queen, kind and generous to all.

But Anna never let her true feelings on the matter show on her face.

The truth that it was all a lie.

Everything she was doing, pushing herself to working tirelessly, meeting many people, and listening to everything from their heartfelt concern, to endless useless drudgery; all of it was done with one goal. So she wouldn't meet her brother, Arty.

To those who knew of their relationship, like her son, Gawain, and her husband, it would seem like she is cold toward her younger sibling. Maybe even jealous due to the deceased King Uther, naming Arthur as his heir.

To those that don't know their relation, it may seem like a funny and pitiful scene of a squire that was enamored by a beautiful queen, who wasn't interested in paying him any attention.

The truth was rather simple. Anna simply didn't want to involve or sacrifice anyone else in her life.

One more day. Just bare it for today, and then he's leaving, and I won't see him for a few more years. Anna thought to herself.

"Caaaw!" Her familiar, Agravain croaked. It was a valravn that had been by her side nearly all her life. She practically raised him. He had been a sign of prestige and power. He had been a companion she could depend on with her life. He was a constant reminder of her chains.

She was such a foolish, foolish girl, wishing to have magic, so she can see wonders and gain anything she wanted.

Her mind replayed the memory of the day, for the umpteenth time despite her best attempts to not think about it.

"Oh? So you wish to learn magic, child? You could be truly great. I see such talent within you, but to gain such power is a long road. A costly road. What would you truly be willing to pay to be granted the chance to walk such path?"

"Anything!"

"Fufufufu, very well. May I have your name, my future student?"

"Anna Pendragon!"

Queen Anna closed her eyes, her face a picture of elegance. Inside her heart felt as if it had been stabbed all over again. Foolish, stupid, idiotic girl.

She opened her eyes and they were dry. As always, her eyes seemingly shined with wisdom. The truth was, she simply removed her own ability to shed tears. Or rather, she had trained herself with Fae Magic to such an extent, that she no longer needed spells to control her body's reactions.

No matter what's in her heart, all she showed others was calm serenity.

"He has returned." Agravain told her through their mental link.

Anna was shocked, as she was sure Arthur and Ector just left an hour ago with her husband on a hunting trip. They shouldn't be back so soon. Had something gone wrong? No, the spells she placed on Lot hadn't activated, so there should be nothing wrong.

It occurred to her quickly what might have happened.

Arty, you little shit! You backtracked and left the hunt early, didn't you?!

Anna had just been about to stand up, and head back to her study, and make up an excuse for being busy, when Arthur just turn a corner and entered the part of the garden she was in.

For a moment, Anna thought Agravain had betrayed her, and acted on order of her master to force her to interact with Arthur due to her current task. Well, it was less of a task, and more of an off handed request. She didn't want to use her brother. Yet, all she could feel from the familiar bond was concern, as Agravain felt she had missed her brother.

"STUPID BIRD!" She mentally shouted to him.

"Queen Anna!" He greeted her with a wave and a smile. "It's great to see you, your majesty. You look radiant today as well."

How about I show you how radiant my rings are ON YOUR FACE?

It might shock people if they knew the Orkney Queen's inner thoughts, but being able to use fae glamour, meant you can walk around town, and even to shady places unnoticed and unbothered. And you learn a lot of interesting phrases, and see interest interactions there. Like bar fights.

"Squire Arthur," she said with a calm smile and a nod. "It had been a while, since I last saw you. My, you have grown."

Has your brain become denser from you bashing it against a wall, you idiot wannabe knight!

"Hehe," he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess I have gotten a little taller."

Must be nice having nothing but air between your ears.

"I see." Anna nodded. "Pardon me for asking, but is something the matter with the hunt? Has my husband seen reason to return early?"

"Ah, that's..." Arthur looked aside.

Oh, I am just fascinatedto hear what excuse you're gonna use.

"Um, Llamrei didn't feel well. I think she ate too many carrots, so I brought her back to rest. Ector and King Lot went on ahead." Arthur said.

Ah yes, the kelpie, a god damn magical water horse, had one too many vegetables and upset its stomach. Truly you are a master of deception, Arthur. It is truly a wonder how I keep seeing through your masterful cunning ruses. Why, it must be because you want me to find out, thus hiding your true objective from my eyes. Very terrifying spymaster you are, Arty.

Anna just smiled in content. Her familiar made a voice that could be mistake for laughter.

"How terrible. Please, sit down. Why don't you join me for tea? I'm sure you talking for a bit will ease your worry about your horse." Queen Anna kindly offered.

"Ah, I wouldn't wish to impose, your majesty." Arthur said bashfully.

Oh, nowyou want to be polite! Sit your ass down before I take off my shoe and beat you with it, like when we were kids!

"It's really 0f no problem, and I suppose I could use the company before I return to work." Anna replied.

"Yeah, you had been really busy this month. Things had been crazy since that day." Arthur said as he took a seat.

Anna could already feel her debt bond gentle-thus far-nudging her to where she should steer the conversation.

"Oh, I've been hearing many fantastic tales of that battle, but it all sounds too fanciful. Surely as someone who was there, the truth was more mundane." Anna said, with the smallest hint of curiosity, that a gossiping court lady would normally have.

She could fight against the debt bond. She hadn't been given an order. She could do it.

But then her master would notice. She always noticed, and would ask her why Anna had done such a thing. She had already ordered for so subtle prepare Orkney, to be able to accept the Summer Court's influence once it started to spread there, and Anna had more or less followed that task.

That order Anna didn't mind, as she could also subtle increase the influence of the church, so people wouldn't want to accept a fae deal, and just pray to God and work hard.

Yet, it was her master's suggestion that troubled her.

"Oh, Morgause dearie, if you happen to talk to your brother, do try and find out who the magician with them on their adventure was, could you?"

Anna didn't want to involve her brother. She didn't want to drag anyone else into dealings with the fae.

It's why she gave her firstborn, Hoel, to be raise away and unknown from her, all for the hope that her master can't ask for him, or use him in any way.

Every task she completed, and favor accumulated afterwards, was done to safeguard any child she would have afterward, and ensure the safety of her husband.

Sadly, her brother wasn't free of the possibility of being caught in the Fae Court's nets though.

"Oh the stories are actually downplaying things." Arthur smiled, as he began to regal Anna of the events of the Heavenly Battle of Orkney.

For a moment, for just a little while Anna could pretend they were back in Cardiff in Wales. That innocent time so long ago.

No. Anna closed her eyes for a moment. It had already been too late for me, even back then.

After all, she was already under the control of the Summer Queen, even when Arthur was just five summers. She had thought her family was at least free from the machinations of the fae, but just a hint of her master showing interest in Arthur made Anna understand her lesson.

Don't invest in something you don't want to use or be used against you.

It's why she began to distance herself from Arthur, from her mother and father. Why she agreed to marry the moment she was able to. To get away from the people she loved. To protect them.

Anna opened her eyes, a second passed. Arthur continued his story, reaching the point where he fought Lucifer and defeated him single-handedly, before attributing his victory to the holy blessing the Archangel gave him beforehand.

"Even with such divine help, your efforts are quite impressive to hear." Anna noted.

"I really, really was lucky." Arthur grinned back sheepishly. "Seriously, Uncle told me how stupid I was, and yeah, looking back, the way things worked out, if it had been different, it would have been way worse. Like we saw and felt through Merlin's sympathetic simulacrums that we were linked to."

"Oh? It seemed this 'Merlin' had helped you quite a lot. He must a very powerful magician, yet no one had heard of him before. Everything about him is shrouded in mystery." Anna commented.

Fuck! Dammit! She shouted in her mind.

Anna really hoped Arthur would end his story, and not say anything she didn't already know. Till now she was lucky to have plausible deniability on her ignorance.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised." Arthur looked around to make sure they were alone. Anna felt dread pool in her stomach. "That's because his name isn't actually 'Merlin'."

"Truly?" No, no. Arthur, please don't say anything more.

"Yeah, it's complicated. We talked once we rested in the Lady of the Lake's home. Seriously, it was a really nice place. It felt really homey and cozy." Arthur said looking away in remembrance.

Yes! Pivot away and go on tangents!

"Also Lady Viviane was really scary. Merlin had some bal-great courage to get a promise from her to at least go find him and see if he's worthy taking on as a student."

"Go...find him?" Anna tilted her head, picture of patience and grace. Fuck! She shouted in her head.

"Yeah, it's a bit confusing, and involves an...unbelievable tale." Arthur felt mentioning time travel to be too far away from believability. "But right now he's in a...bad place, under the name 'Myrddin Emrys' but no one know that." He gave a confident grin. "And I intent to go with Uncle and Medraut, if I can find him, and go rescue Merlin."

"Arthur," Anna spoke his name, and Arthur's face grew serious sensing something's off, even though his sister's expression never changed. "You'll...be careful, right?"

"Of course!" Arthur grinned, relaxing as it was his sister just worrying about him. It looked like they weren't that estranged from each other after all. "Danger is inherit, but that doesn't mean I'll be reckless."

It's too late. Anna thought. She found the magician's real name, and she remembered seeing it somewhere before. Her mind, a tool she honed like a blade all these years to ensure her survival, and the safety of her kin, had learned to identify and remember a lot of information, sometimes only from seeing it once.

A mage, especially once that uses Fae Magic, can't afford to miss any details.

Within the Summer Court, the biggest event is by far the Midsummer Festival. For within it, the Summer Queen hosts an auction of priceless unique items gathered from all around the supernatural and human world.

As the "daughter" of Queen Titania; Anna, known as Lady Morgause, had preview to the item list of what will be brought to the auction.

And upon it was a boy of fae and devil blood.

'Myrddin Emrys'.

"Arthur," Anna cut him off.

Her mind ran as she knew where he was going when he said a bad place. But what could she say, what could she tell him, that wouldn't appear as her warning him. Her master will ask her about this conversation, even play out the memory in an illusion to look at all the details. Anna couldn't tell him something that could be seen as an act against the Summer Court. What could she say?

"Anna?" Arthur asked as the feeling of worry returned.

"You won't go alone, right? After all, you didn't against the Devil." She pointed out.

"Well, yeah, obviously." Arthur chuckled.

Anna held a serene smile, and resignation stayed in her heart.

She didn't give herself hope that Arthur would look at her words and find some clue to some vague idea of what she wanted to tell him. To find some company as powerful as the Archangel who helped him, to aid him on this quest. Or maybe Ector would stop her idiotic brave little brother, if they don't find strong enough members for said quest.

All Queen Anna knew was that there was no point to hope. She needed someway to aid Arthur without aiding him.

Or maybe, she thought. I should find some way to stop him from adventuring for a while, when the midsummer comes.

Anna began to think of poisons.

===x===

He was walking on a bridge at night.

The stars could be seen. He supposed the city's light pollution was absent from this place.

Watching the sky, he could see the glimmering with stars, and saw it slowly brighten in color as day was coming.

He couldn't help but think of how beautiful it all was. The splendor that existed in the world, people tend to forget is there, taking it all for granted.

The sky was a bright blue now, day was here, and the sun would soon be up.

There was someone on the bridge where he's heading. He didn't know why but he started to feel anxious. His heart slowly beating faster.

The person was small in stature. They didn't seem violent or scary.

So why was he afraid?

He was getting closer now, he could almost see the person's face. His heart was beating louder now. He wanted to run away, but there is no path backwards.

The sun was coming up the horizon. He saw the person's, the boy's face clearly in the morning light.

He saw himself. He saw Raguel.

That didn't make sense. He was Raguel, right?

He looked down at his hands, and could feel his face turning pale.

His hands were large, pudgy, old and wrinkled.

He looked up to see the Archangel looking at him in kindness and concern. He saw himself looking toward him with kindness and concern.

He wanted to run, to get away. Raguel/Himself extended a hand in worry. His heartbeat was thundering in his heating ears.

The sun was behind the Archangel, his lips moved, but the words couldn't be made out.

He needed to get away. He felt his heavy eyelids were closed.

Raguel ended the dream right then and there.

---

Raguel sat up quickly once he was awake. He held his chest, finding himself panting.

Why was that scary?

The dream didn't make sense. No, rather it didn't make sense why it felt like a nightmare, when nothing scary happened.

Raugel looked around, to see he was in the Healing Room. It wasn't a place that was often used due to Heaven's nature, just making all within it be well, in body and spirit.

The Healing Room was mainly for those suffering extremely heavy battle injuries and needed some place to rest, while others tended to them, to speed up their recovery.

Instantly the memories of battle returned to him, and Raguel let out a shuddering chuckle.

"Yeah, makes sense I would be here." He shouldn't be alive. What he felt in those last moments? He shouldn't have survived. Although there were a few ways he could imagine how he was saved.

Raguel groaned as he pushed off the covers and rolled, sitting off of the side of the bed, feeling the cold floor on his feet, before they felt normal again.

He got up and looked around seeing a wall sized mirror, and went up to check on himself.

Raguel froze. His wings were still black.

"How?..."

No, only one wing was black.

Raguel looked back on his own wings, and just as shown in the mirror, the left was white and the right was black.

His heart began racing. Is this his fault? Did screwing up the Ohr Ein Sof leave a permanent scar on his soul? Did he fuck up so badly that he broke his own self? Why? Because he wanted to focus on the present which is important, rather than the past which is done and he can't do anything about?

He messed up. He seriously messed up. Thinking about it, his intuition from the Chokhmah Sephira was constantly telling him to accept his past. God sent a message from the future telling him to integrate the stuff in his own psyche, in his own shadow.

What the fuck is wrong with me!?

"Raguel," he turned around to see his Father sitting on a chair near his bed. "Calm down, it's not real."

"Huh?" Raguel asked, finding himself breathing heavily.

"Pluck one of the feathers from your right wing."

Raguel blinked at that, and did as his Father order. His hand came away with a feather, and he saw it was white.

"...Okay, what?" Raguel turned the white feather over in his hand. He looked to his right wing and it was still black. He plucked another feather, and when it separated, he realized it was white. It didn't turn white, it's just...the moment it left his wing, it seemed as if it was always white.

"Before you pluck your wing bare, come and sit down with me, son." God said with an amused smile. Raguel pouted as he wasn't about to do that. Just...experiment for confirmation a few more times.

"Why is...one of my wings black? Am I a...Half-Fallen now?" He asked hesitant, as the concept just seem silly, as he felt how he normally did as an Angel. He went and sat on the bed, facing the Creator.

"No," his Father chuckled. "There is no such thing as a Half-Angel and Half-Fallen. Nor is there such a thing as a 'Half-Fallen State'. What you're seeing is just illusion made by your mind."

"I, that's...why?" Raguel asked, not just why he was hallucinating, but why his Father didn't fix this mental affliction.

"Remember when I taught you about the structure of the Soul, and we mentioned how the psyche was part of it, and within the psyche existed the shadow?" His Father asked. Raguel nodded. "The thing about the shadow is, if you don't address it, if you don't integrate its contents, it will manifest in unconscious ways in your everyday life." God gave Raguel a sad yet understanding look. "And whenever that happens, you'll simply think it's your nature, or your fate. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

Raguel looked away, conflicted and ashamed. It did sound familiar. It really, really did.

It sounded far too much like how helpless he felt in his past life. How he felt like any chance he had at being a better, healthier, or more social person were gone a long time ago, as he never developed the habits in his youth. How he felt like it was already too late to mend relationship with his wife, or be closer to his son, because how their relationship was, was already cemented, and they wouldn't believe or appreciate his efforts, so why bother.

"So...what?" Raguel looked at his 'black' wing and moved it a bit. It felt the same as always, and if he focused on it for too long, he could almost see-or maybe he's just convincing himself-that it was actually white. "Am I gonna have a magic evil side to me now?"

God snorted.

The action was so unexpected, that Raguel was startled and leaned back blinking, at his Father chuckling.

"No," God looked to his son, with an amused smile. "You're not gonna have an inner evil dark side. I'm not allowing that kind of chunni in this Heaven." Raguel found himself snorting and smiling too, despite his want to feel bad for his mess ups. "Your soul is completely healed, you don't have to have a worry from that front. However, the reason why I left your shadow to manifest itself like that, is because you needed a reminder." Raguel sat up straight, feeling guilty and forcing himself to listen.

"So I'm being punished." Raguel looked down, feeling that this was right in a way. He messed up, so he deserves this.

"No, you're not." Raguel looked up to see his Father, give him a kind patient smile. "You might see it as punishment, but that's not why I let you shadow manifest in a way that you can see it. It's a metaphorical propellant. So that you know this is something you should work on, rather than forget about it or ignore it. You can see it as a part of your soul's journey in this life, or a spirit quest you must overcome to attend higher wisdom." God then placed a comforting hand on Raguel's shoulder. "But if this reminder is so heavy for you, I can fix it. However it will not change that the problems you struggle within yourself would still be there."

"Can't..." For the first time in this life, Raguel asked something selfish of his Father. "Can't you just fix it? Make it so it's not a problem anymore?" He looked away, ashamed to meet His gaze.

"I will not mess with your free will nor your psyche, Raguel." God said with finality, yet when Raguel looked up to meet His gaze, he only saw understanding. Raguel's eyes felt teary. "To do so, will not make 'you' you anymore. This is a problem, where the only one who can truly 'fix' it, the only one who can save you, is yourself." God gave Raguel a sad smile. "Is your old life truly so abhorrent that you would rather forget about it completely?"

A thought came to mind, of Raziel's fate in Merlin's timeline. Raguel wondered why she was remade, so as to have her personality wiped clean.

"Because in that future, when she was captured by Aphrodite-Farfarello, she was devoured completely body and soul. When the essence that I used to create her was returned to Me, there was nothing of her left, and I had to recreate her from the beginning." God answered that question. Which just brought up that realization Raguel didn't want to give shape to in his mind. The realization he'd been having in any downtime in the Battle of Orkney. "Raguel," the understanding looked his Father gave him, told him they would talk about that topic, but not today. "Back to my question, is your old life really so hateful to you?"

"No, I...I don't hate it. I..." Raguel wanted to say, he didn't feel one way or the other about it. That he didn't care. Only to realize he couldn't say those words. They were a lie. "I don't...like it, but I don't hate it either. It...It was..." he shrugged helplessly. "It was a life. I didn't do anything important. I didn't do something great, I didn't have a spectacular life, but I didn't do anything bad, or suffer some great tragedy. It was just..." He tried to meet his Father's eyes to convey that it wasn't important, and found himself unable to. "It was just a life," Raguel repeated. "And it's over. It shouldn't mess with this one and ruin it." He found himself frowning as he voiced those words.

"There is no such thing as an unimportant life, Raguel." God said. "And yours was very much important." Raguel looked up a rejection on his lips. "You wouldn't have been the kind and brave person you are, if you hadn't lived that life." And the words died on Raguel's lips. His Father looked so loving and proud, yet Raguel felt he didn't deserve it. His past self didn't deserve this.

"I'm brave and kind because you gave me the chance to, but because I was..." Raguel couldn't finish that sentence. To reject his Father's praise would be an insult. And so Raguel kept his silence.

God patted His son's head, making Raguel look up.

"One day," God spoke. "You will see yourself as I see you." His smile was overwhelming and radiant. "And I truly look forward to seeing that day." Father stood up and headed to the exit door. "Come on, your siblings and wife are really anxious to see you."

Raguel found himself smiling at the mention of his brothers and sisters. And Viviane definitely. He really wanted to see her face, and all her wonderful expressions.

The Almighty and his son left the Healing Room, traveling to the Fourth Heaven to the Garden, and saw the angels and most of the Archangels meeting and talking with Viviane.

Raguel had to hold back a chuckle, at seeing his wife acting so dignified, while panicking very much so under her glamour, wondering if she's making a good impression or not.

"Hahaha, just remembering your battle with Lilith, sends shivers of excitement through me, Lady Viviane. It was truly an inspiring display of skills, determination, and raw colossal power!" Uriel said excitingly.

"Indeed," a smiling Gabriel nodded in agreement. "Why, I truly felt like I found a sister in battle with how you kept bashing Lilith's blade, and ultimately broke it with an all out power slash." She said approvingly.

"H-Hold on now, you make me sound like some kind of brute!" Viviane objected.

Raguel found himself smiling, and use a feather to teleport himself behind Viviane hugging her from behind.

"Of course, you're not a brute, Vivi." Raguel smiled. "You're a beautiful gentle lady, that would cut a fly into a million pieces."

"Eeek! R-Raguel!" Viviane looked back in surprise and joy.

""Raguel!"" His siblings shouted in surprise before jumping in, to hug and congratulate him not just on his recovery, but the victory be brought them.

Viviane kept trying to subtly push everyone away, saying Raguel was still recovering and they should be gentle with him. She just wanted more hugging time with her husband.

"Raguel," he looked to the side to see Raziel smiling at him, her eyes losing the glow of her Binah Sephira. "Are you well?"

Guess she was checking if I'm alright, and noticed my emotions.

"No," Raguel smiled as he felt Viviane's arms around his neck. He gave a glance to his black wing. His Father's words returned to him, that He believed in him. "But I'm going to be." He grinned. The words were true.

Maybe he wasn't completely alright, but he felt optimistic about his future. Raguel looked at his Father and didn't need to say anything.

God knew Raguel decided to face his spiritual trial rather than ignore it, and while the youngest archangel's path will be difficult, his future would be brighter for it.

---

Serilina Sitri stood within the Lucifer Castle, all the way in front of the throne room of the Father and Mother of all Devil, and mentally prepared herself to die.

"What the fuck do you mean, you can only make four Malebranches using the Pure Shard as material!?" Lord Lucifer shouted.

Serilina stood outside the throne room, and kept her head down. Occasionally, if she was feeling daring, she would look up for a minute or two, at the two beings that stood above Devilkind, to see if they had noticed her yet to call upon her.

The reason she could see into the throne room, turned office and lab, was due to the door having been blown off, and no one bothered to repair them. The massive throne room looked disheveled in some places. Cracks along the floor. A gaping hole in one of the walls, from someone thrown through it. Blood splashed on some of the walls, floor, and the ceiling from when the...rebels tried to defy the King and Queen of Hell.

"I didn't say we could make four from the jewel." Lilith replied. "I said four at most with other materials. Only one Malebranche will be made solely from the Pure Beast Shard, and the left overs can be used with other materials to create three more."

"ONE!?" Lucifer shouted, his aura exploding and shaking the room. Serilina forced herself to be composed, and not react to the energy and killing intent being thrown around. "Everything! All we just went through! We lost a fucking fully realized Hellgod, and all we got for it was this! So we lost over two thirds of our population, one of the Satans, and my fucking Holy Light! All for for a measly four Malebranche! And only one of them is worth something!"

"Yes." Lilith looked up from her work, giving her husband a cold look. Lilith then took a breath, and went back to work, standing over and reading the real time magical map of their territories in the Underworld, with a stoic face. "We have lost Helel, accept it. However, losing a battle isn't losing the War. We'll have to work with what we have, and rebuild what we lost."

Serilina had come to learn a great many things since the Battle of Orkney.

The first thing she learned, was that she was insanely lucky. When she had been forcibly summoned by Lady Lilith at the start of that momentous battle, not only had she saw how Lilith and Lucifer used the lives of her fellow devils, like cheep currency to heal or power-up. Watching her fellow devils be...devoured alive for the sake of her King and Queen was deeply unsettling. Even if Serilina didn't particularly care for them, and in some cases saw them as opponents that she needed to be higher than to honor her family, and raise the Sitri status, they were still devils like her. Yet, their lives were used without thought or care. It didn't matter how strong they were, even those of Ultimate Class, all were disposable. Not even a Satan was spared if they proved useless.

Yet even in that battle, even while fighting near Lady Lilith as it was technically the safest place, despite the risk, even when the Angels got their second wind and began lighting up their sephira, even when Lilith or Lucifer summoned devils to their side to use as a distraction or as materials, Serilina was there. She was even there when the "Hellgod"-Serilina shuddered at the memory-was born. She didn't want to be, and desperately wished she could escape, but knew it wasn't possible. Or even if she did escape she would be caught and killed afterwards or worse. Over and over, she was in the thick of battle, and somehow survived. She truly was the Luckiest Devil in Creation.

And that luck is about to run out today. Serilina thought, considering what she was here for.

The second thing she learned, was that Lilith was not some mind-broken human that is just being used to populate the Devil race, but the single most terrifying thing in the Underworld. Apparently, Lilith being mind-broken was either some compromise deal she made with Lucifer-which Serilina couldn't imagine what deal that could possibly be-or it was a sex fetish thing. The latter possibility was either the most hardcore thing Serilina had ever heard, or the single most absurd horrifying thing she had heard. The fact that the possibility wasn't dismissed as just hearsay or fantasy was deeply disturbing-and to her shame intriguing-to the Sitri heir.

Lilith was powerful. Not just in demonic might, but also in planning and strategy. The plan involving the Greek Pantheon was apparent a century in the making, according to the hearsay Serilina had hear from those who worked with the Lucifuge Clan. It was a plan that Lucifer discussed with the mind-broken Lilith who understood him, and would offer her insight in the middle of her mad ramblings. Serilina wasn't sure on the validity of that information, but she couldn't dismiss it out of hand.

Then again this was information gotten from the new Lucifuge Clan, not the old one. The new one, devils are still getting used to, but they were pretty efficient in moving about, delivering information from one corner of the Underworld to the next, and between Pillar Families.

The reason for communications in the Underworld being handled by the Lucifuge Clan was because of the multiple small rebellions sparking across the devil territories.

"'Work with what we have'?" Lucifer said with a sneer. "All we have are useless fodder that can't do anything, because they're crippled or too terrified to think of fighting. There's basically a handful of Ultimate Class and nothing else!" He shouted. "This is all that fucking Raguel's fault!" Satan Lucifer gritted his teeth.

The last thing Serilina learned, was that Raguel wasn't the angel she expected. She had thought she understood him from their first encounter. While she trained in royal mannerism of human rulers, she thought of how their next encounter would go. Serilina considered soundedly defeating him, then dragging him to her castle to do with him as she pleased, and pay him back for the humiliation. But then when he fought her best friend, Venelana, things seemed to escalate.

Serilina thought it was just luck. That the encounter with the Vanishing Dragon was pure chance, which Raguel used to escape.

Then the Battle of Orkney happen. The more the angels were pressed, the more Raguel's responses seemed to escalate. She heard of the defeat of Asmodeus and Beelzebub and their armies at his hands, as he armed Heaven against them, then soundly defeated the two Satans moments after his arrival. Then when he descended on Orkney, and even with the damning field, and the angels that just Fell and were controlled by Aphrodite, the Greek Love Goddess herself, he still turned the tide.

Whenever things grew bad for the angels, Raguel would somehow, in someway turn the tide in an even worse manner for the devils.

Finally when Alastair was born, and it seemed like defeat was literally impossible, Raguel still managed to tear down the miracle the devils had gained.

Serilina and many others understood then, whenever Raguel talked, whenever he wasn't trying to kill a devil, he was being kind. They all saw what he did once enraged, they all understood. Against the Archangel Raguel, if his mercy ran out, he will counter their attack in an even more damaging manner to the devils.

The Sitri Heir mentally huffed and smiled, at her old thoughts of pleasuring herself with the cute boy angel, while making him her slave drunk on lust, like some of those stories she would hear her relatives, or servants talk about.

But no, Serilina now understood the terror of the Great War, and how valuable mercy was. When offered it absolutely needs to be taken. Venelana knew the price of refusing it now.

"Move, trash."

Serilina was startled out of her thoughts, as she looked behind her to see Satan Leviathan staring at her. Sher quickly got out of the way, dodging the Satan that started walking before Serilina could respond. The Sitri Heir kept her head bowed as the Satan walked into the throne room. She hadn't heard the Satan due to being lost in her own thoughts, and hadn't been warned, because she didn't bring any servant with her. Her family needed every hand available to run things in their territory.

Leviathan reached the Father and Mother of Devils, bowed but didn't speak. Even the Satans-the two left sans Lucifer-found the mood around Lucifer and Lilith oppressive, and threaded carefully around them.

For Serilina, she understood that despite having an appointment booked weeks ago, before the Satan rules seldom apply. She just hoped she wasn't dismissed today, and needed to ask one of the Lucifuge to book her another appointment again. She didn't know how much of her fortune she needed to use to bribe them this time. She was lucky to get one so quickly. The next one could be months, or years from now.

And who knows if Venelana could hold that long.

"You know, it's funny you should mention him," Lilith chuckled in amusement, only giving the arriving Satan a glance, while Lucifer nodded to Leviathan acknowledging her arrival. "I didn't really figure it out, the first time I felt his soul when he healed my mind, but-"

"What do you mean, 'he healed my mind'?" Lucifer said with deadly seriousness, as he walked up to the Great Mother. "You 'felt' his soul? He touched your soul!?" Lucifer asked with steaming breath.

"Yes, that's how I regained my mind at the start-" Lilith said casually, trying to get to her point but Lucifer wouldn't let her.

"He touched your soul! That damn God cursed bloody rat fucking little ant, dared touch your soul. Touch what's mine!" Lucifer looked absolutely enraged. His hands switching between cupping Lilith's face, or wrapping around her neck. Oddly enough, unlike his demeanor, his hands were gentle, barely pressing on his wife, as if he used all his willpower, not to act on that rage. "How could you let him do that?!"

"Wasn't exactly in a position to refuse." Lilith said with an amused smile. "Back to what I was saying-"

"The Genesis Ultimatum." Lucifer stepped back, folding his arms over his chest, his express falling flat.

Lilith blinked, and her face lost her humor. "Really? Are you serious? You want to go with that plan? Now?"

"If not now then when? We need all the man power we could have." Lucifer said back.

"In this situation we need quantity more than anything." Lilith argued.

"The rebellions must be dealt with. We can just kill all the dissidents, and use them for materials for new devils." Lucifer said back. "Hades had finished constructing his armies, and they are marching to our borders. Heaven hadn't attacked us thus far, due to them resting and regrouping. We need Ultimate Class devils, armies of them!"

Serilina's eyes widened. The King and Queen had such a plan? That changes a lot. It was awe inspiring and reassuring, yet Serilina was forced to grow up in the past few weeks. Newborn Ultimate Class Devils without any training or guidance, would just wreck havoc, as their inability to control their power, or think they are too strong to bother listening to orders, will break a lot of chains of command, or increase the chaos in the Underworld.

That means, all current Ultimate Class devils, or stronger, will have to hand over any duties they have, to look after this new army. The High Class, or the Mid Class in administrative position might be a good idea on paper, but not everyone has the mindset to help the war effort. Most would want nothing more than to take domestic or civilian duties. Serilina thought.

"I would gladly go and gather up all those vile rebels to be used by you, Great Mother." Leviathan offered.

"There is not enough time for that. Capturing an enemy is far more difficult than merely killing them." Lilith snapped at Leviathan, making the Satan pale, and take a step back, before looking down in submission.

Serilina couldn't help the small smile of satisfaction at seeing that happen to the arrogant skank, before quickly schooling her expression again, hoping no one noticed.

"That plan only provides a thousand Ultimate Class Devils per day, and because of God's curse upon me, a hundred will be stillborn. Meaning effectively, we'll only have 900 devils a day." Lilith argued.

"If we focus everything on defense, we can hold out and build our forces. We'll have to awaken the rest of the Malebranche, and with the ones you'll make, it will still be 10 Evil Claws, each capable of making the user into a Hellgod-" Lucifer explained, enthusiasm returning to his voice.

"Nine." Lilith shut him down.

"What?" Lucifer blinked in surprise.

"Nine Malebranche. Farfarello wasn't recovered. The Demon Core made with the Gamchicoth Qlipha as base is gone for good." Lilith explained. "And before you ask to make any of the new ones with it, knowing God, He would have made a counter to that by now. Not to mention the sheer amount of enemies that will gather against us, because there is no way the Olympians wouldn't call upon every favor and connection they have, if they witness a Gamchicoth Malebranche in action again. Simply put, we can't used that card anymore." Lilith plainly stated.

"Even with just nine-!" Lucifer tried to argue.

"This isn't about the viability of the 'Genesis Ultimatum', is it?" Lilith said with a dry tone, and a look of annoyance.

Lucifer scowled and stepped forward, taking Lilith's hand and slamming it on his chest.

"Is my will or resolve different?" He growled. "Has my desire to fulfill our goals changed? I will kill God and take His Throne for us as Overlords of Heaven and Hell. Has that desire changed, Lilith? Is our contract not still held!?" Lucifer shouted.

Serilina's eyes widened, as she saw Lilith's hand sink into Lucifer's chest. For a moment, the Sitri Heir wondered if the Great Mother will kill the Father of Devils. A black light with a small bit of gold in it's core shined from where Lilith's arm sank, and the First Woman smiled and huffed wistfully.

"It still stands, Lucifer." Lilith pulled her hand back, till it laid on Lucifer's chest. "Both your will and desire, for me and yourself." Lilith stepped back, and looked at the map to see a point in it lighting up in a flashing color.

Lucifer saw what Lilith looked at and tsked. "That's the Vapula territory?"

"Yes." Lilith turned to the Satan. "You should go." Lilith then said before he could say anything. "We'll continue this talk later."

Lucifer frowned, closed his eyes, and opened them showing a controlled calm.

He looked down at his hand, as he gathered his Demonic Power and a sphere of white-colored energy with black outlines appeared in his hand.

After the Sundering Day, Lucifer had lost the ability to use the Holy Light entirely. Lilith had to adjust his body and make a new power for him to use. It was a mixture of the Bael's Destruction and the Belial's Worthless. It was called the Power of Oblivion.

"I might as well take the time to test this further." Lucifer said. Lilith bite back a snort, as Lucifer has already tested it on three rebel attacks already, but she supposed her husband wanted an excuse to leave with dignity and test his new toy.

Lucifer and Lilith shared a sloppy kiss, before he turned and flew through on of the open holes in the castle walls.

Lilith turned to face the other devils present.

"Come forward." Lilith order.

"Yes, my lady, I have come to report that there is nothing but order in the territories under my control-" Leviathan began to speak.

"Not you," Both Leviathan and Serilina blinked at that. "You, Serilina Sitri. You had been badgering to meet me for a while now, step forward and speak."

This is it, huh.

Serilina Sitri walked forward, her steps quick as she didn't want to die, due to the stronger beings' impatience, before she made her request.

She reached the Mother of Devils and kneeled, her eyes closed and placed a hand on her heart.

"Speak." Lilith tone showed nothing.

"I have come today to humbly plead your aid, Great Mother." Serilina Sitri spoke what she was sure to be her last words. For, according to Lilith, she had committed the greatest taboo of Devilkind. Asked for help.

Silence ensued.

Then Leviathan started laughing.

"What? This utter trash made all that noise just to plead like a beggar. Like a human." Lebiathan gave a cruel sneer at the kneeling Serilina. The Satan's power rose from her, as she gathered her Demonic Power in her hand. "It seems you need to be reminded of what it means to be a devil, insect. Lady Lilith, excuse me while I wash away this trash-"

"Stop." Lilith spoke, and Leviathan found herself stopping before even willing herself to.

The Satan paled, as she looked at Lilith with wide-eyes, wondering what she did to incur the Great Mother's displeasure that she would use the Samael Depravity upon her.

"You, stand up." Lilith order Serilina who immediately complied. "Look at me," Serilina did so. "Repeat what you just said. Explain yourself in full."

Serilina looked Lilith in the eyes. If these were to be her last moments, she wanted to be brave.

Please let me be brave. Serilina didn't know who she was pleading to. There is no one they can pray to, but right here and now, she wanted her voice to be clear in her last words.

"I have come to beg for your aid, O' Great Mother of Devils, Lilith. To aid my friend Venelana Gremory." Serilina didn't stutter or show fear. "Please save her unborn child."

---

This should be an easy situation to deal with. Yet Lilith found herself stopping and reconsidering killing this girl for wasting her time, or just being merciful and dismissing her.

Lilith felt like she was having an out of body experience. Like this situation, this decision, could be more important than a minor inconvenience. If she wishes for it to be.

Maybe she should just ignore this. Just give the girl a scare and tell her not to bother someone like Lilith again.

"Why are you here asking for aid on behalf of Lady Gremory? Why isn't she here herself?" Lilith asked, half curious and half following a train of thought that she wasn't sure where it will lead yet.

"That's right!" Leviathan spoke, causing Lilith's eye to twitch for a moment. "The Lady Gremory dares send for someone else to call on the Great Mother's power on her behalf? Do you know how great of insult that is!? Why I should march to the Gremory territory, flood it and drown out every last man, woman and child, and let's see beg correctly as she should have." Leviathan declared.

Fuck me, does she ever fucking shut up. Lilith thought, the Satan not seeing her expression, as Lilith was behind her.

When Lilith focused again on the Sitri Heir, she saw the girl not showing any fear. Yet, she kept her head down, if only to make sure Leviathan doesn't see her eyes. Serilina felt fear, yes, but she was more angry than afraid. Huh, interest self-control.

"I'm waiting for an answer." Lilith said, her voice a touch impatient. She also sent Leviathan a touch of killing intent to shut her up, as she didn't need her talking and scolding Serilina again, as she did want an answer.

"Yes, Great Mother," Serilina began. "Lady Gremory can not come, as she is bed ridden, and is plainly unable to move around with a lot of help, as she is dedicating all her energies to preserving her child's life. Four years ago in a confrontation against a group of angels lead by the Archangels Uriel and Raguel, she ended up suffering at the hands of Raguel's 'Summon Dragon' and was in contact with the White Dragon, Albion's energies. While Phoenix Tears adequately served to heal her, the dragon's poisonous energies had infected her child.

"Lady Gremory can survive without much problem, but the child wouldn't. Even using healing spells would end up harming the child, as the sheer amount of Demonic Power needed to purge that infant is far beyond it's body's capacity to handle going through it. It would die anyways. Phoenix Tears wouldn't be enough in this case, as the issue of lifeforce energy, not physical alignment." Serilina explained. "Also, the Lady Gremory doesn't know I'm here. I've come to ask for her aid of my own volition."

The moment Serilina finished explaining, the Satan Leviathan's laughter rang out again.

"Hahahahaha, you're here to do all of this, without Gremory even knowing? What? Are you trying to appear like a valiant hero to sweep her off her feet? There are easier ways of seducing someone without nearly dying for it. Hahahahaha!" Leviathan laughed louder.

Lilith observed Serilina to see her clench her hand, but otherwise keep a calm head.

"Is that why you're asking me to save her?" Lilith asked, because if so it would actually be a bit amusing, and bold enough that she might consider doing it, as she's in somewhat of a good mood, from this humorous situation.

"No," Serilina shook her head, which just made Lilith raise an eyebrow. "I simply wish to help my friend, because a child of our own is a precious thing, we rarely made to obtain. We are eternally grateful to you, of course, Great Mother, but a child of natural birth still holds a special meaning to us. She had extended her own pregnancy for all these years in order to share her lifeforce with the child. I don't want her to experience the loss of her baby, after how hard she worked to preserve it." Serilina looked again in Lilith eyes, showing no fear, only honesty. It...seemed similar to someone Lilith knows. "We don't have an experts on pneuma or Druids on hand. We have looked but couldn't find any. Thus the only option left, the only thing that would guarantee success is you, Lady Lilith. Only you can undoubtedly save Venelana's child." She pleaded.

Ah. Those eyes. Lilith though, as the image of a short soft looking Archangel came to mind. Lilith let out a small huff as her lips turned upwards.

Immediately afterwards, her mind brought up the end of the Orkney battle. The memories coming in rapid succession the creation of Alastair, the declaration of Raguel, the charging of The Spell, the overwhelming fear, the retreat and the Light coming down, burning everything, her whole being over and over and over-

Lilith closed her eyes, and used her magic to control her subconscious reactions so her body gave nothing away of her emotion. Her hands wanted to shake, she didn't allow them. Her eyes wanted to let out tears, she didn't let them. Her mouth wanted to cry out in desperation, fear, exhaustion and relief at being alive, she kept it shut.

And in doing so, her silence was taken by Leviathan to respond in her stead.

"Ha! How quaint. I suppose that's a very good way of solidifying an alliance," Leviathan said with a smirk. Serilina looked down to hide her scowl. "Regardless, given our Great Mother's plan, the Genesis Ultimatum, that single child of the Gremory won't be missed. You can go tell her, she can rest easy letting it die, since it will be replaced by a thousand Ultimate Class devils." Leviathan then had a cruel glint in her eye. "In fact, Venelana Gremory should be reprimanded for wasting her family's resources for these four years on a fruitless endeavor. It's understandable when she tried to save the infant in the beginning, but to drag things out this long? No, she is not only wasting her family's time and resources, but also yours, given that you're here. I think you should go and tell her to end her childish efforts immediately, and if she does not do so in a week, and return to contributing to the war effort soon, I will personally carry out this punishment myself, and drag her to the frontlines against Hades and the Grim Reapers."

Leviathan wouldn't have done so, as she would have forgotten about this conversation a week later, given how unimportant it was.

Yet in the here and now, her order and threat to Serilina sounded very real.

Serilina Sitri eyes were wide at that insane cruelty she was hearing. She clenched her teeth together, and made sure not to show anything on her face, while keeping it down. No matter her feelings, she must not react to the Satan's taunting.

Leviathan started laughing again at Serilina's mental anguish.

Lilith tilted her head, as she evaluated Serilina Sitri in her mind. Thus far, the girl showed an unexpected amount of courage, but also the intelligence to not lash out at the Satan, despite what she was being told to do.

"Am I being dismissed to go deliver the news, O' Dark Ones?" Serilina asked with a stoic voice.

Leviathan started laughing again.

Scratch that, very good self-control. She went for a neutral sounding question, not even trying to be clever with subtle insults, and is planning to go warn the Gremory girl, and help whisk her away to somewhere that could help deliver her child safely. With the Samael Deprivaty, Lilith could see into everything of the devils around her, even their inner thoughts if she tried. Lilith's mental evaluation of Serilina rose higher...just not enough actually help her. Her on the other hand... Lilith's eyes went to the laughing Leviathan.

Leviathan was a know figure and a somewhat charismatic commander, that can force her troops to carry out her orders. No major losses thus far, but that's because she never placed herself in intentionally dangerous situation, and knew when to retreat and make traps for enemies chasing her.

Serilina Sitri doesn't have much going for her, beyond that humorous event where she made the word 'shit' or synonyms of it nearly forbidden in her lands. Yet here, this young woman was undertaking a truly danger task with a great risk, of her own volition. She expected to die here today, but still wanted to plead for her friend's life. Lilith found herself annoyed at this silly behavior, yet...his voice came to mind.

"You just act better. You don't keep score. You don't look at everything like a competition where everyone has to have the same numbers. You just act better, without praise or reward."

Ah, so that's what it was. Lilith came to a decision. This girl made her choice, expecting nothing for herself. No, expecting a detrimental outcome to herself, yet even so...

"Just act better, huh." Lilith smiled, before her face soured, as she looked toward the still laughing Satan. "Leviathan," The laughter stopped as Leviathan turned with a smile hiding her wariness at Lilith's ominously calm tone. "Where were you, when Alastair was born? You should have been there to celebrate with me and Helel that momentous occasion." She pointed out.

"I, well, I retreated to fortify our bases in the Underworld, from the filthy Grigori's attacks. With Alastair's presence, I was sure victory was at hand, and I was no longer needed." Leviathan stated confidently.

"Really?" Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Because I distinctively remember feeling you portalling to the Underworld when the Archangels were still lighting up their Sephiras, and a group of angels blasted you into the ocean. That was far before Alastair was ever made. No, far before Pandora's Box was even opened."

"Lady Lilith, I assure you-"

"You know," the look in Lilith's eyes shut Leviathan up. "You left when things had gotten dangerous enough that it seemed that defeat was the most likely outcome. Her on the other hand," she gestured with her head. "Had actually been a part of the battle from start to finish."

"...Lady Lilith, surely you don't mean that this worthless child had contributed more than-" The words were stopped in Leviathan's throat. She looked down to see Lilith's hand within her chest.

"Leviathan," the Satan coughed, a mix of cry and pain, her eyes wide unable to understand what's happening. "you are dismissed from the Satans."

Shadows exploded from without Leviathan, engulfing her and consuming her. Within moments there was nothing there, but the core and soul of Leviathan within Lilith's hand.

"Serilina Sitri," Lilith spoke, while examining the Leviathan soul, modifying it as needed, removing most of the personality and ego, leaving only what's useable for a leader, while using the memories to add modifications to her power and control appropriate.

"Y-Y-Yes!?" Serilina was stark white, as she didn't expected Lilith's action. The killing of Asmodeus she could understand somewhat, but this? Leviathan wasn't injured or acting un-ideal for a devil. She couldn't understand why this happened?

Serilina found Lilith's hand in her chest. She stared wide-eyed from the arm, to Lilith face, and glowing eyes.

"You're being promoted to the rank of Satan, keep the screaming to a minimum."

Dark purple demonic energy burst out of Serilina's being, and then all her world was soul agonizing pain.

---

"You know, you didn't actually have to bite your tongue to try and keep quiet. I was obviously joking at that point." Lilith pointed out with an amused smirk and a raised eyebrow.

Below her, was the withering, twitching form of Serilina Leviathan on the floor, letting out whimpers from her bleeding mouth, as she had bit on her tongue multiple times to keep her screams down from the transformation, only for it to heal, when she pulled her teeth back, and then do it all over again.

"Ah...ah, aah, ahhaah..." Serilina cried out, her throat hoarse.

"Yes, yes, yes. Calm down, it's over and you're fine now." Lilith waved her arm, and the Samael Qlipha healed Serilina back in full, removing any lingering pain, as the integration process finished successfully. "Come on, clean yourself up, we have places to go."

Lilith estimated that Serilina had rose from mid Ultimate Class to high Satan Class, almost close to Lucifer. She suspected it was the young woman's control of her Demonic Power that helped her integrate the Leviathan soul easier, and gain more benefits from it.

"Y...Yes...My Lady." Serilina stood up, looking at her steady hand expecting it to be shaky. It wasn't. Using magic, she quickly cleaned up, making herself presentable again, and walked behind Lilith with her head bowed.

"Don't."

Serilina looked up wide-eyed in fear, only to have Lilith wave a finger in front of her face.

"That." Lilith then pointed at Serilina's face. "Don't show fear. Don't bow your head. That's not your position, that's not who you are anymore. Understand?"

Serilina stopped for a moment, took a breath, and gained a more focused looked. Finally she nodded, ready to follow the Great Mother.

"Good." Lilith smiled and turned around,

"M..." Serilina coughed, finally able to clear her voice. "My Lady, where are we going?"

Lilith looked back and had a small mischievous smile.

"Just a few places quick."

A shadow portal opened in front of Lilith, then it moved and enveloped her and Serilina.

---

"Hello, Lord Sitri! You're daughter is now the new Satan Leviathan. We're here to take her stuff, and introduce her to her new household." Lilith greeted before her shadow enveloped all of Serilina's essential items, and teleported them away.

"What?" Said the Lord Sitri.

---

"Hello, Tsufaame Tereaku and others of the Leviathan Clan, this is now your new Satan and Head of Clan, Serilina Leviathan!" Lilith said cheerfully as she dropped all of Serilina's stuff in Leviathan's old master bedroom.

"What?" Said Tsufaame Tereaku Leviathan.

"She's your new mommy now."

""WHAT!?"" Shouted both Serilina and Tsufaame.

---

They appeared in Venelana Gremory's room, startling her and her servants.

"Hello, Venelana Gremory, and rejoice!" Lilith smiled and spread her arms. "You and your child will survive."

Venelana was struck silence, just staring with open jaw, her eyes jumping from Lilith to Serilina, then back to Lilith.

"I, um..." Venelana tried to think, but this sudden situation was too bizarre. "Hello...Great Mother Lilith. Welcome to my home?" Lilith raised an eyebrow at the confused tone, which pushed Venelana to pull on her etiquette training, and force herself to adapt. "How may I be of service, my Lady?" Venelana bowed, as much as she could from where she was seated on her bed.

"Oh relax, child." Lilith said in a carefree manner thinking it would defuse the situation, then skipped over to where Venelana laid, and sat next to her. "Now, let's fix the little bugger and bring her out." She said, already sensing the child and getting an idea of what they are like.

"Whaaa..."

Lilith placed a hand on Venelana pregnant belly. In an instant she analyzed the infant, feeling the dragon's aura that contaminated her. Lilith mind move at lightning speed that the outside world would have seemed to halt from her perspective.

Hmm, let's see, first remove-Actually wait. Let's notremove. Let's integrate and improve.

Using both the Samael and A'arab Zaraq Qliphas was a task that took all her focus, as she normally would in one of her projects, but in turn she had a lot of efficiency for what she wanted to do.

First, have her demonic energies absorb the dragonic energies, and gain their traits and power.

Second, heal the child fully, body and soul.

Third, realize the soul had been damaged and had not fully linked with the body due to the dragonic energy, thus would have likely died shortly after birth.

Fourth, used the new modified dragonic demonic energy, to mix with the child's energies and make it her own, and using that link up back to the body.

Bam! The child now has demonic dragon energy like those of the Buné Clan.

Should I give her Dragonification? I feel like that would just be lazy. Hmmm...compression! All the powers of a dragon in a teeny tiny form. Like having some scales on her body, and her limbs-arms, legs, wings-gain dragonic traits. Dragon breath? Nah, too much. Dragon punch! Yep, yep! Hmm, let's see what else?

Looking at what else the child could need to be born alive and healthy, Lilith found nothing else was needed.

Hmm, maybe mental capacities? I should just download some information in her head like I do for all newly created devils. But her parents would want to teach her some stuff. How to fix? Aaah, screw it, super learning. Does this sound familiar to anyone I know? Nope. No, there isn't. Totally not copying what I managed to glean from Raguel's soul. Seriously, why did God make it so overly complex, with multiple layers and codes and protections, like keeping it functional even when divided? It's only a human soul, even if it's in an angel body, why go through all the trouble? Omniscience shit? Omniscience shit.

"...at?" When Venelana finished speaking Lilith was half way done.

"Okay, your child can be born safely now. I should tell you a few thing however, so pay attention and listen up." Lilith said.

"Y-Yes!" Venelana quickly did so, as she felt she can't afford to not displease the Great Mother.

"First, she's a girl in case you didn't know. Second, she will grow up rapidly once born, till her physical body looks 12 years old. I have compensated this by making her learning speed fast enough to match and even exceed that growth. Third, she's not gonna have any strong or large reserves of Demonic Power for a long time, as all the changes I did to her would require too much power, and her body can't handle that yet. I mean, sure I could just make her body grow to it's prime, but I don't think you want to raise a child in a 28 year old body." Lilith pointed out.

"No, ma'am!" Venelana rapidly shook her head.

"Thought so. So, she's gonna have very low reserves in demonic power, the upside is, she should have excellent control over her meager reserves, so teach her to use that well. And also teach her that if she trains, then with time and effort, she should grow in strength to be quite formidable. Just make sure she doesn't get lazy."

"We absolutely won't, my Lady!" Venelana accidently shouted.

"Good, also don't worry, your next kids won't have this issue, and will grow up strong and fine. Now, I'm about to finish up then you'll give birth."

"Wait, wha-?"

Lilith mind speed up again and she dived into her experimentation mode.

Let's see, her soul looks normal enough, if a bit cracked. Patching it up is easy...but why do just that when I can improve it! ...Okay, her soul is fine. Lifeforce and all is working as intended, same with the soul-body link. The psyche however...Hmm, I mean, she would have a hard time forming an identity due to that White Dragon's aura mucking about. Nothing to really do here, but leave her parents to do their jobs...Or, I could give her ego a base that it can build off of. And if it happens to be similar to mine, well, that's just a coincidence.

Lilith then linked her soul to that of the child. Not for any big reason, just to see how the child would develop. She wouldn't be able to use the link to affect the child. After all, if she was going to go through the Genesis Ultimatum-and it seemed like Lucifer will be quite insistent on that-she would want to at least make sure, her pseudo-daughter is doing well growing up.

Let's meet in your dreams, child. I hope you live a spectacular life. ...I hope you are braver than me, and make better decisions than mine.

With her work done, Lilith nodded and then pressed down on Venelana's stomach with one hand, with the other at her vagina.

"-OOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Venelana screamed in the biggest orgasm of her life, as is normal for a devil giving birth.

Knowing painful human births are, Lilith had made sure that when a Devil gets pregnant and gives birth, it will give them the most pleasurable sensations possible. After all, if they went against the odds of two separate demonic energies, both of which are inherently chaotic, managed to merge within a zygote and stabilize into a new form, then they deserve a reward for that miracle.

Zeoticus Gremory had burst into the room at some point, looked at the scene paralyzed in shock, then Serilina explained what's happening to him.

Lilith may have enhanced the pleasure receptors in Venelana's cunt, as she felt the woman deserves some reward for holding onto her pregnancy for so long. And of course, because through her she found her new Leviathan.

Was Lilith prematurely assuming Serilina would make a good Satan? Maybe. But she was sure using her love of family and friends as motivation against failure would push the young woman to excel, whether she wanted to or not.

Lilith pulled the baby girl with ease, and using magic to make a telekinetic board under the infant to float her up, then cleaned her up with magic, and created blanket to cover her.

"Here you are, Venelana Gremory." Lilith held up the new mother, who took the child into her arms, looking at Lilith with adoring lustful eyes-As is right. Thought Lilith-then looked down to her child with relief and a loving look.

Zeoticus sat down next to Venelana looking at their daughter with relief and joy, as the girl who already looked like a one year old, was looking at her parents with curiosity and happiness as well.

"So, I'm afraid I'll have to leave soon, due to being busy. Before I go, what are you naming her?" Lilith said.

The new parents looked at each other, had a hushed quick discussion, which had Lilith rolling her eyes, before they quickly turned back to the Mother of Devils.

"Tuilelaith," Zeoticus spoke. "She is Tuilelaith Gremory."

"A magnificent name. See that she lives up to it." Lilith gave a firm approving nod.

---

"My Lady, I can not begin to express my thanks-" Serilina began to talk, the moment they were teleported back to Lilith's Castle.

"Here." Lilith said handing Serilina a large chest.

"Uuh, what?" Serilina said taking the chest. She opened it to see a crown with three emeralds on each of the front crown throns. The crown gave off a malevolent feeling that spoke of a wild desire of chaos and destruction. Serilina quickly shut the chest. "M-My Lady-"

"That's a Malebranche, an Evil Claw, or a Satanic Arm. This one is Graffiacane. You will tame it. " Lilith gave an order, and leave Serilina no other choice but to accept. "

"I, I, I-"

"Also here." Lilith placed another chest that gave Serilina an ominous feeling. She already knew what was in it. "That one is Rubicante. Give it to Venelana and Zeoticus to give to Tuilelaith when they think she's ready. Or give it to her yourself, when you believe she is so."

"This is too muc-" Seeing the look in her superior's eyes, Serilina quickly amended her statement. "Your will be done, my Lady. I will see to it that everything be carried out as you wish."

"Good," Lilith nodded. "Now I need to modify another Malebranche, just in case."

"In case of what?" Serilina asked.

"In case Hades. I suggest mastering your new strength and taming Graffiacane quickly, since if this one gets used, it will need someone to boss it."

"Y-Yes!"

---

"Honey! I'm hom-What is this one still doing here?" Lucifer pointed at Serilina, before looked at her with narrowed eyes, and a confused look. "Also why does she feel so much stronger than when I left?"

"This is Serilina, she's the new Leviathan." Lilith explained.

"Wait, what!? What the hell happened to the old-"

"Helel. Beloved," Lilith grinned. At her tone, Lucifer stopped and listened, feeling on edge. "You are right, we do need the Genesis Ultimatum." Lucifer grinned at that. "However, in order for that plan to truly work, we need some breathing room. We need the Grigori to back off from us. We need to focus on maintaining our defenses, and on Hades's army."

Lucifer clicked his tongue. "There's no fucking way, they annoying tinkering bastard would let go of this chance to ally with the Greeks. And aren't you forgetting Heaven? They are bound to attack us, any day now. Hell, I don't even know why they are waiting, unless fucking God has another fucking Plan." Lucifer growled.

"Yes, well, first things first. I'll handle negotiations with Azazel as I know how you are around him. I do have something that would interest him to back off for a while. But we will have to let go of the cities he took." Lilith spoke.

"We can't just-" Lucifer started to counter her arguement.

"We will!" Only for Lilith to shut him down. "We won't attack the Grigori unless they attack us first. Give me your word now." Lilith spoke with the familiar aura of Fae Magic that Lucifer recognize. "Your word, Lucifer." She insisted.

"...If they attack us after you get a truce, we retaliate tenfold."

"Done."

The magic of the fae deal rang out and bound Lucifer to his word.

"You said you have something that would interest Azazel-Is that Ciriatto, the old knife? You brought it out of storage? It feels...a lot stronger than before." Lucifer commented at the first successful Prototype of the Malebranche. "Wait! You're not saying you'll trade this with Azazel!? Are you out of your fucking mind-"

"Yes, we will trade Ciriatto. It's weak enough to not be missed, and has a limited number of uses, even after I improved it to full Malebranche status. Also its Demon Core as no qlipha base, so it's just a normal power-up weapon. We can afford to lose this one, and yes! We do need to trade something valuable to get Azazel off our backs! If we are going to bargin for a truce, it has to be something that matters."

Ciriatto was the knife Lilith and Lucifer were going to use to kill the Biblical God at Sodom and Gomorrah, but never got the chance, as God had in this wrath smote those cities out off of the Earth.

"Fucking..." Lucifer took a breath, as when Lilith got stubborn like she did now, he couldn't dissuaded her. He hoped the deal would fall. "Fine! What about Hades?"

"We can manage Hades, unless he brings people from the Realm of the Dead, then it will be tough." Lilith said. "But don't worry, I modified Draghignazzo in case of emergency. It should listen to you now, but you might need the Samael Qlipha to force to heel a few times. I left the details with Serilina. Only use it in. Case. Of. Emergency!" Lilith stressed.

"Why not the A'arab Zaraq?" Lucifer asked.

"That's the qlipha it's built on, it will fight you every step of the way, controlling it's host would be easier. I left you an candidate list from the Buné Clan."

"Okay, fine. What about Heaven? What will we do about God's incoming attack?" Lucifer asked in exasperation.

"Oh that," Lilith smile turned sly and cruel. "I'm gonna need you to do this small little thing for me."

---

In the Grigori occupied city of Ernothor, stood Lilith calmly as she met Azazel for a parley.

Of course, Lilith was standing on a massive magic circle set to go off if she made the slightest move to threaten the Fallen Angels around her. Said Fallen Angels numbering in the hundreds all held their Light Spear, up and ready to throw them at a moment's notice.

Also Azazel seemed to be holding on incomplete Holy Sword.

Lilith thought all of this was cute.

"So, do we have an agreement?" Lilith asked after she presented the terms of the truce between the Grigori and Hell which would be sealed with a fae deal.

"No deal." Azazel said. Lilith tilted her head and waited. "You must be fucking insane if you think we'll agree to a ceasefire for a full 100 years. Fuck that, and where the fuck is Lucifer to beg for this truce. If that asshole isn't here, then I might as well wipe my ass with this paper." He said waving the terms of the truce to her.

"Lucifer is indisposed with carrying out a...most strenuous task." Lilith said, forcing her face to be neutral.

Azazel snorted. "With what? Don't tell me he's doing the babysitting, what with most of your people being ash." Azazel smirked.

Lilith told him, to which Azazel's eyes widened.

Then he laughed.

Not only him, but also his companions and close circuit.

Azazel laughed so hard, he fell to the ground, then took a while to stand up, and wipe his tears.

"Ooooh, boy. That is just plain...you know what fuck it. Give me a memory crystal of that, and I'm willing to negotiate the years." Azazel grinned.

Lilith couldn't completely say she didn't derive some pleasure from what she forced Lucifer to do, since it held the fate of their race in the balance, and their chance in this war.

Also, it might be a bit of petty revenge for the Genesis Ultimatum he wanted her to go through, due to his petty jealously.

---

The Army of Heaven had been preparing to invade the Underworld itself to lay siege to the forces of Hell, even allying Hades's forces when they would meet.

There were some delays as they wanted to optimize their offensive capabilities, and orders from God told those still mentally affected by the events of the Orkney battle to be off duty, to tend to their mental health first.

Now a month later, and all the Angels and Archangels, sans Raguel were ready to march onto the Underworld, and invade the devils lands and territories.

Except on that day, Lucifer had flown slowly toward Heaven's gate, alone, carrying a flag with a sign of truce upon it. The Angels had seen and expected such trickery before, but two things stopped them from attacking right away.

The expression of sheer rage, anguish and humiliation on Lucifer's face to the point of him froting at the mouth, and crying tears of blood.

And because God told them to wait.

"I HAVE COME TO BEG FOR GOD'S MERCY!" Lucifer bellowed, as he stopped a distance away from the angelic army and gate of Heaven. He went down on his knees, placed his hands on the celestial grounds and bowed his head. "I ASK FOR THE HEAVENLY FATHER TO HEED MY PLEA!"

She'll pay. Lucifer thought, as he remembered Lilith using the A'arab Zaraq Madness on him, overriding even his power to use it, and told him to go beg his Father for a period of peace, by calling on His mercy.

Every fiber in Lucifer's being rebelled at that thought, yet he still had to do, as Lilith added a Fae Magic condition on both of them so that if he completed this task, she would carry out the Genesis Ultimatum without resistance at all.

I will make her pay for this. The fact that she would be indisposed due to the plan he wanted to force on her, was not something he bothered to think about.

"Helel," God stood in front of the kneeling Lucifer. "It's been a while." There were some mirth in God's voice as he knew what was happening. "While not in the best conditions, I am glad to see you."

"I have come to beg for your mercy, Father." The words were forced out of Lucifer's mouth.

For a while God was silent. Heaven seemed to hold its breath.

"This can all end, Helel." God said softly. "If you but give up this mad pursuit and repent, you can come home. I will even accept your wayward children after removing the taint of evil from them."

"I have come to plead for the mercy of heaven, Father." Lucifer said, now glad that he doesn't have to mean the words, as they left his mouth.

God sighed, and waved his hand, the magic binding Lucifer fell away. The Devil almost lunged at God, but every instinct in him told him to stay in place. Acting rashly would just mean he came here to died needlessly. Lucifer forced himself to stay in place.

"You know the words don't matter, if you don't actually mean them, right?"

Mean them? That was the point!? Not only did he have to humiliate himself by coming here under Lilith control, but to actually get the ceasefire, he has to actually say those words like he meant them!

The tears of blood flowed heavier. Steam left the Devil's mouth from the sheer rage.

"Son," the kind voice stilled his thoughts. "You can still come home." The phrase was repeated.

Yet the part of Lucifer's mind that still focused on victory, still focused on survival, kept pushing him on.

Not like this! When he entered Heaven once more, it will not be as a shamed son, but as a victor and conqueror. Never like this! Even if it galled him. Even if he cursed his own entire being for this, he knew what he must do.

He couldn't win with all the odds stack against him. He couldn't win with the enemies he made without being cunning like he always was. He looked up and around, and didn't see the one who caused his recent loses, caused his mind to be in disarray.

Good. The thought came as he found one good solace. Odd are God made sure that Archangel is healed, but for now, Lucifer can imagine him dead.

Yet Lucifer came back to this moment, what he must do to have a chance for victory given everything Lilith was putting in motion, for when she will indefinitely indisposed. He would make sure of it.

"Father," the word felt like the most foul thing on his mouth. "I ask only for your mercy."

He will never beg to return. He will never accept that he was wrong being pushed on him.

When he wins, when he kills God and overtakes Him, he will make the perfect world, and prove how wrong his Father and everyone were.

God sighed, the sheer sorrow even cutting into Lucifer's heart. For a tiny part of an instant, Lucifer thought he might have made the wrong choice, yet that part was crushed under the weight of the Devil's determination.

"Two decades, Lucifer. Heaven will not start an attack on devils, but will defend themselves from attacks, and stop devils from harming innocents." Lucifer's eyes widened in sheer joy at callous mercy of God. "That is the last mercy you shall ever receive from I and Heaven."

The finality of that phrase set Lucifer on edge. Fear gripped his heart so tightly, that he fled the gates of Heaven with all haste.

The fear didn't let go of it's grip till days after Lucifer returned back to Underworld.

---

Lilith walked toward take the Dark Lake of Beginnings, letting her clothes fall off her as she entered the water.

She had taken care of all her businesses, done her best to prepare her husband and children for what will come next. Lucifer definitely hated her for making him beg God for mercy, but it had to be done.

Now, she carries out her last duty to them.

Oh sure she's not going to die, but the state she will be in? She might as well be.

Lilith fell to the bottom of the lake, letting heavy demonic waters drag her down. She pulled her legs up in a fetal position, let her eyes close, and her mind wonder as the ritual spell already began its work.

The moment Lilith touched the bottom of the lake, her body bulged and expanded, exploding in size and speed rapidly upward.

A tower of flesh rose out of the lake, with ten birthing chambers along each side.

To create devils from Lilith's blood, a massive ritual needed to be constructed, but the strength level were random. The devils born of this method would be assigned to a Pillar Family based on their ability, which Lilith made in a uniform manner.

However to do so, while ensuring nothing less than Ultimate Class Devils, meant she will have dedicate her full body and mental faculties for this task.

And so as her magic core burst into overdrive, letting her power explode outward, to carry out her body's task, Lilith mind wandered.

First at the possibility of victory she, Helel and her children will gain. The world and Heaven and Hell finally theirs.

A part of her doubted, and now with nothing but her dwindling thoughts, she couldn't push away the doubts. The inner criticisms at choices which only lead to more misery in the world. That it all came from decisions, and all the world's evil is on her head.

She cried out that it's God's fault, yet that mental shouted sounded weak to her.

Her thoughts were growing slower. Her mind went to earlier memories. All her experiments. All her children. Watching them grow in wisdom and power.

She had high hopes for Serilina and Tuilelaith. Lilith really regretted that she couldn't see how they will grow, and if they will succeed in gaining victories in the Great War, or just fail like so many others, that just died before making a mark on history.

===x===

"Hello Adam! I'm Eve, I'm to be your wife!"

"Hm."

===x===

No! No, please not that! Lilith screamed. Don't let my last thoughts be of Adam and Eve!

It was possible for Lilith to return for her state as a birthing pillar of flesh.

There were three methods. One, Lucifer could cancel the Genesis Ultimatum with his power. Lilith didn't count on that one.

Two, Lucifer dies. She wasn't sure if she wanted that option or not.

Three, Tuilelaith could destroy her. If such a thing happens then...the mission of Devilkind would have already been lost.

===x===

"Adam! Adam! Look at the sunflower! See! It's opening! It's opening!"

"Hm."

===x===

"Adam! Do you want to see the waterfall? The way the water moves and shines with the light is amazing. And the sounds are like, are like...really, really soothing to listen to."

"No. You go enjoy yourself."

"..."

"Why are you sitting? Why aren't you going?"

"It's not fun if you're not there. So I'll sit with you!"

"...Let's go watch the waterfall."

"Yay~"

===x===

Yet the memories came, not stopping and unheeding of Lilith's wishes.

===x===

"If you eat this fruit, you'll become like God Himself, able to discern Good and Evil. Although you'll end up kicked out of the Garden, but you can ignore that part-"

"Okay!"

"Wait seriously!? It's that easy!"

===x===

"Adam, you should try this fruit it's really delicious after all!"

"...Eve, that's the Forbidden Fruit."

"Yes, it is."

"..."

===x===

"God. Eve ate the Fruit of Knowledge. I ate one after her. We're ready to take our punishment."

"...You just really don't have any shame, do you. Just blatantly admitting it like that."

"What's 'shame'?"

"Never mind."

===x===

"It was hot in the morning, now it's cold at night, and there are beasts everywhere, and none of them are friendly."

"Hm."

"But it was so exciting! There were so many sights to see. So many things to feel. And, and, and I felt happy when I helped that big doggy. Although it tried to eat me afterward."

"Be more careful from now on. If we get hurt, we could die."

"You're right. I'm sorry for being a burden."

"You're not. But be careful to not get hurt."

"Okay!"

===x===

"Adam, look! It's our child! He's, he's...he's so gross. But I feel so happy looking at him."

"...Yes."

"Adam, are you crying?"

"Yes."

"Adam, why are you sad?"

"I'm not...I have never felt happier."

===x===

"Eve, stay back!"

"RRRAAAAAAOOOORRRR!"

"Adam! Are you okay!?"

"I'm fine!"

"GAAAHH!"

"Oh wow, they're actually crying."

"Eve!"

"Yes?"

"Protect our children. And I will protect you!"

"Yes!"

===x===

"Hey, Eve?"

"Yes, Adam?"

"Why did you eat the Forbidden Fruit?"

"Because I wanted you to leave the Garden. I didn't want you to be sad or bored. And now, while things are sometimes scary and sometimes sad, I'm glad to live this beautiful life everyday, together with you."

"Hm."

"...Hey, Adam?"

"Yes, Eve?"

"Why did you eat the Fruit after me? You knew you would be disobeying God's words and would be punished."

"The Garden would have been boring without you. I would have been lonely."

"Hehehehe, hey Adam?"

"Yes?"

"I love you, Adam."

"I love you too, Eve."

===x===

Lilith wanted to cry. Yet she had no mouth with which to do so. Her mind was fading, and these were her last thought. What utter torment, seeing the life she could have had. She life she had be falsely chasing, yet destroying any sign of it, when she found it.

She really was a miserable person that deserved whatever happened to her.

===x===

"Here, I got you two something."

===x===

Huh? Wait that memory is...

===x===

"And my book?"

"Well, since you were Hell for too long, I thought you would like to read about the world and what humans have been doing, in an entertaining form."

===x===

That's right! Lilith sudden remembered.

The last spark in her mind was about to dim out.

I never...got to read...Raguel's gift...

Lilith had no eyes to cry, and no mouth to smile. But from the bottom of her heart she thought.

I...wish I could have...relived those few days.

The Genesis Ultimatum was complete, as the massive Demonic Power worked through the flesh pillar's organs, and began creating and birth Ultimate Class Devils.

Maybe I would have-

---

End of Arc 1; Uplifted

xxx

AN: Tuilelaith pronunciation: Too-li-laya OR Ti-a-la