DxD Fan - Thank you! I'm trying my best with my characters and trying not to make them completely overpowered for no reason. And it's okay! I'm just doing this for fun so it's okay, I just want something for everyone to read if they're bored or lonely so I hope this suffices.

5

Heaven seems to have gone to complete shit since the whole ordeal with the High Chancellor happened. Dulio watched for days as Lord Micheal sent countless Angels down to help keep the peace and make sure the whole Vatican doesn't completely shut down. Dulio didn't realize what it meant to help out Toshiro but he knew there'd be hell to pay if Lord Micheal or god forbid Lady Gabriel found out.

Dulio stood behind Lord Micheal in the conference room, a large oval office with a large round table in the middle of the room. The room was filled with white columns with four seats at the ends of the table. In them were each of the Four Archangels, as well as chosen members in their Court.

"I thank you all for convening at such late notice," said Lord Micheal. "It makes me happy to see my brothers and sister safe."

"This isn't the time for pleasantries, Micheal," said Lord Uriel.

Lord Uriel was a man of power. His vessel was that of a man in his thirties, with long blue hair that he kept swept back with a chiseled face and dark gray eyes. He wore a long dark coat with a dress shirt underneath and a tie, and rested his cheek on his fist. As the head of internal affairs in Heaven, everybody in Heaven respected him and his authority. Though he can be a bit…competitive at times, Dulio knew Lord Uriel meant well by it all.

"Only the people in this room know the truth behind the Paladin's escape," said Lady Gabriel. "Brother, I still think this information should be shared with Sirzechs. If we were to work together-"

"We can't risk involving the other factions into our mistakes," said Lord Raphael.

Lord Raphael, the head of defence in Heaven. His vessel was that of a man in his young twenties, with long silvery hair tied back into a tail. He wore a black and gray business suit along with gloves. Behind him stood his Ace of Clubs, Diethelm Waldseemuller.

"That may be, but surely if we were to cooperate with Sirzechs, we can handle this matter more swiftly," said Lady Gabriel.

Lady Gabriel was a buxom young woman with long blonde hair and dazzling green eyes. She wore a loose fitted white sundress with a white flower in her hair. She was normally a shy and withheld woman, but in times of crisis, she was probably the most dependable. Behind her stood her Queen of Hearts, Griselda Quarta.

"That may be…" said Lord Micheal. "But I would like to gather all the information we can before presenting such a matter to the Devil Kings. It would bring us shame if we were to involve them in a matter we did not fully understand ourselves, don't you think sister?"

Lady Gabriel sighed.

"Gabriel, any news from the Vatican?" asked Lord Uriel.

"Griselda?" asked Lady Gabriel.

The sister stepped forward to present her findings. "Our angels have been hard at work to cover up as much information leaking out to the public as possible. It appears as though the Pope has regained control of the situation, but I fear that without a Chancellor for the time being…"

"How is he?" asked Lord Raphael. "Genryusai."

"It appears that he was poisoned," said Griselda. "A mixture of curare and tetrodotoxin B, as well as some form of curse. His muscles have been completely paralyzed and he slipped into a coma not so long after. We haven't been able to figure out what kind of magic was laced into the poison."

"And we've all but cleared the Paladin and his Generals?" asked Lord Uriel. "Are we sure of this?"

"Yes sir," said Griselda. "None of the Generals are well versed in poisons. I proposed the idea of going public with this information, but we do not know anything else. Clearing their names will only bring up more questions and cause civil unrest."

"So we really don't have anything to go on," said Lord Raphael with a sigh.

"Not quite," said Lord Micheal. "We were only faintly able to trace amounts of magic in the poison because Gabriel is adept at someone who is extraordinarily gifted with magic could have done this, or at least prepared the poison itself."

"How was it delivered?" asked Lord Uriel.

"We found a small wound on the nape of Genryusai's neck," said Griselda. "It seems he was grazed by a fast moving object, like a sword, or-"

"Or an arrow…" said Lord Raphael. "So you're telling me that someone extraordinarily gifted with magic was able to lace the poison with a faint amount of magic, and the poison was delivered via an arrow graze. Surely I'm not the only one thinking it."

"Indeed," said Lord Uriel. "The Sorcerer Supreme and wielder of the Epirus Bow…On what grounds did we dismiss the guilt of the Paladin and his Generals?"

"We were able to determine the time of the poisoning between 9 and 10 PM," said Griselda. "During which, all but one General were in the Vatican. The rest of which returned at midnight, and the call for their arrest was made just hours later."

"So then," said Lord Micheal. "With this new evidence, what do you all think?"

"I'm afraid it doesn't look good for them," said Lord Raphael. "Even if they are innocent, no one will believe it. Especially looking at the methods used…it fits their tactics perfectly."

"Too perfectly," said Lord Uriel. "If someone really did frame them, they did it in a superb way."

"Come now brother," said Lady Gabriel. "Let's not compliment someone who almost caused an international incident."

"But it's true nonetheless," said Lord Uriel. "Something doesn't sit right with me."

Lord Micheal smiled. "I'm glad you think so, brother. Griselda was able to track the whereabouts of two other Generals, aside from the three within Kuoh. I propose we help the young former exorcists, perhaps they can uncover more about this mystery from down there than we can from up here."

"You really do love manipulating humans, don't you brother," Lady Gabriel sighed and crossed her arms. "I second it."

"I don't see why not," said Lord Uriel.

"Then it's decided," said Lord Raphael.

"Dulio," said Lord Micheal. "Would you like to go? Our assistance must remain a secret however, so if you do decide to go, keep out of too much trouble."

Dulio sighed. "That sounds a lot of work, sir, but I can't really refuse now can I?"

Lord Micheal smiled. "I'm glad you see it my way."

"So?" asked Dulio. "Where are they?"

"The Pyramids of Egypt," said Griselda. "It seems…a problem, has arisen."

Dulio raised an eyebrow. "A problem?"

Irina shivered as a cold wind blew in from one of the boarded up windows in the church. It broke her heart to see a sanctum of the lord so worn down and on the verge of death. She had never been in a church like this before, a part of her wanted to spend the day cleaning it up and making it presentable again.

Irina shifted positions in the corner of the room. Her head turning to look at Xenovia, sitting by one of the benches facing the broken cross on the back of the church.

"Xenovia, I really think we should at least talk with them," said Irina. "We haven't seen him since the incident. Aren't you the least bit worried?"

"Of course I'm worried," said Xenovia. "Just as I'm worried about High Chancellor Genryusai. But that doesn't change the mission. Toshiro and the Generals tried to kill our leader…why aren't you more serious about this Irina?"

"Because I don't think they did it…" said Irina.

"You can't be serious!" Xenovia shot to her feet. "What more do you need? They tried to kill the High Chancellor and fled in the middle of the night! They ran from us…they left us! How are you so…"

Of all the people that were hurt…betrayed, by what happened, Irina knew that Xenovia took it the hardest. Even before Irina joined the Church, Xenovia was there. She hadn't gone a day without being reminded of the kind of connection that Toshiro and Xenovia had. They practically grew up together, both becoming exorcists and both excelling at their jobs.

"I know you're hurt Xenovia…but aren't you at least happy he's still alive? The High Chancellor isn't gone…" said Irina.

"I…I just wanna know why," said Xenovia. "Why didn't he even tell us about everything? I know Toshiro kept secrets…but I always thought we were past the point of keeping secrets from each other."

"It doesn't mean you're not still friends," said Irina. "And you don't think I want to tell Issei-Kun how much I've missed him? But I can't, because we have a mission to do and I don't wanna make this any more complicated."

"Issei…Rias Gremory's pawn?" asked Xenovia. "That's the guy you were always talking about?"

"W-What about him!" Irina blushed. "He's been my friend since we were kids…I at least thought he'd recognize me."

"Wouldn't surprise me," said Xenovia. "I've seen pictures of you when you were a child, you did look a lot like a boy."

"How rude!" Irina pouted. True, she liked to keep her hair short or at least in a ponytail, but by no means was she some kind of tomboy.

Xenovia sat back down and sagged in her seat. "When did things get so…complicated?"

Irina sighed. "Have our lives ever been normal to begin with? We exorcise demons and protect humans…We've been way past normal at this point."

Xenovia raised her hands. "Fine, I give up. If you want to go see him so bad, we'll go see him. We're already in trouble as it is, letting him escape."

Irina was taken back to the interrogation room. It must have been some sort of trick, the whole amnesia thing. There's no way Toshiro didn't remember them, was there? He couldn't have just forgotten everything, could he?

"Do we even know where he is?" asked Xenovia.

"We'll go check out the town first thing in the morning," said Irina. "And if nothing else, we can go ask Rias Gremory so maybe I can see Issei again."

Xenovia sighed. "You and Issei…You know you two can never be together right? You're a warrior of the lord and he's a Devil."

"I know that," Irina smiled, reminiscing about the old times. "But we can still be friends, can't we?"

Irina wanted nothing more than to just be with him, whether it was romantic or platonic. She never forgot how she felt, spending their days playing in her house. Her father loved Issei, and she was sure that his parents loved her as well. She wanted to just be with him again, to retain at least that normal part of her life for as long as she can.

"Friends…" said a grim voice at the entrance of the church. "With a Devil? How unsightly…my ears are practically bleeding from hearing such words being uttered from the mouth of an exorcist."

"Who's there!" cried Xenovia, jumping in front of Irina.

Who could be here at this time? She and Xenovia even cast a protection barrier around the entire church, they should have been alerted if anyone was coming inside. And yet not a single thing…

"You followers of God, sworn to protect the innocent and exorcise evil…yet you choose to degrade yourselves by working with them," a figure was visible in the darkness of the main door. "I can't sit idly by while you stray from your righteous path. On behalf of God and his angels, I shall rid you from this world and purge the wicked."

"Excuse me?" asked Irina. "Who do you think you are?"

"I am…" the figure walked forward into the light. He was tall, towering over Irina and Xenovia, wearing a black trench coat tattered at the ends over what looked like a white dress shirt. Irina could see weapons strapped to his waist. He wore a hood over his head but his face was covered with…a mask? It looked like a black skull mask with the eyes red. "A Reaper."

In an instant, Irina heard three shots fired. However Xenovia beat her to the punch as she unsheathed her Holy Sword and blocked all the three shots.

"You choose to fire at two exorcists? I hope you know what you're doing," said Xenovia.

"Perhaps I know what I'm doing more than you do," said the Reaper.

The Reaper proceeded to take off the glove on his left hand, revealing a tattoo on the back of it. It wasn't any sigil or rune Irina recognized from her studies, it almost resembled a crescent moon with stars around it.

"The wicked shall be purged," said the Reaper. "And from the ashes of the old the new shall be arisen."

"What is that like a catchphrase?" asked Irina.

"The wicked…shall be purged!"

The Reaper shot at Xenovia with great speed, drawing a curved blade from his trench coat and crossed blades with her. Whoever this guy was, he was fast to be able to keep up with Xenovia.

"Irina, be ready," said Xenovia.

Irina held her hand to her waist as a portal of light shun, and a handle of a sword pushed through. Grabbing it and pulling it out, Irina held in her hands a long curved katana.

"Holy Swords, huh?" asked the Reaper. "Not so Holy of you…"

"Don't do this," said Xenovia.

"The wicked shall be purged." the Reaper repeated.

How…How was he doing this? Irina and Xenovia individually were two capable swordsman, yet this Reaper was completely parrying and blocking each of their attacks. He was perfectly fighting off two people with a sword and a gun?

Irina and Xenovia pulled back.

"What the hell is this guy?" asked Irina.

"Questions later," said Xenovia. "We have to deal with him first."

The Reaper stood tall and dropped his blade. "The wicked…shall be purged."

He pulled open his trench coat at the corners. It was pitch black, the contents of his trench coat, and slowly something flew out of them. They were…bats? Dozens and dozens of bats flew out from inside the Reaper's trench coat, surrounding Irina and Xenovia. Irina tried to focus her vision, trying to her keep her eyes on the Reaper, but he looked to be dissolving into the bats themselves.

"Clock formation!" cried Xenovia.

Irina jumped, and stood back to back with Xenovia as they circled in place.

"I will ask but once," said the Reaper, his voice echoing in the darkness. "Where is Ozora Toshiro?"

"Keep calm Irina," said Xenovia. "Don't tell him anything."

Irina nodded her head. She had been in situations far worse than this, but this was different. This wasn't some Stray Devil or Magic Beast…this was a fully trained and armed killer.

A pair of hands shot out from the darkness, grabbing hold of their throats and lifting them up. The Reaper's body manifested from the bats, his skull mask's eyes staring directly at them.

"I will not repeat the question," said the Reaper.

Irina and Xenovia struggled, grabbing the Reaper's arms and trying to break free. His grip was monstrously strong, not even budging.

"X-Xenovia…" Irina choked on her words.

Xenovia's eyes narrowed with an intense hate, as she stared directly at the Reaper.

"Go…directly…to…hell…" Xenovia said with a smile.

"So be it."

The last words Irina heard, before the sound of an explosion deafened her ears and everything went white.

"We're gonna test something it might be extremely stupid and dangerous," said Kyoka. "Ready?"

"Do I have a choice?" asked Toshiro.

Night had fallen and ended another day. Another day where Toshiro still didn't uncover any of his memories. Another day full of questions and not enough answers. It's been a day since Ryusei and Genta went off to Egypt, and they had spent the rest of the day gathering information and organizing everything they knew to make an appropriate timeline of it all. And now, Kyoka had the idea of testing his reflexes to see if it wasn't just facts and information he remembered.

"Using Archive," said Kyoka. "I'm going to attack you with random attacks. Nonlethal of course, but remember to not think, just let your instincts take over."

Toshiro nodded several times, more to hype himself up than to confirm what she had said.

Kyoka began type in her keyboard, as multiple magic circles opened up besides her. Toshiro watched as lightning began to spark from them and gathered into orbs. Once they got large enough, they shot at him.

Time seemed to slow down in his mind. They were coming at him at such a slow speed, he felt like he could dodge them…in fact he did. He stepped side to side and avoided both of them as the projectiles blasted craters behind him.

"So it's true then," said Kyoka. "Your instincts and reflexes are still there. They're a subconscious part of your mind, hardwired in there from years of battle. Even if you don't have your memories, you can still fight."

"Y-You actually shot at me!" cried Toshiro. "What if I didn't dodge that? Look at the holes in the ground!"

"Oh please," said Kyoka. "You wouldn't be my Captain if you can't dodge that."

"You're insane!" cried Toshiro. "You're completely out of your mind!"

"Duly noted, now get ready!" cried Kyoka as she typed ferociously in her keyboard.

Three magic circles opened up on the ground, as the very earth seemed to be sucked up into them. Three…golems, erected from the magic circles. The golems towered over Toshiro, standing at over 10 feet tall and beady golden eyes.

"You're actually trying to kill me!" cried Toshiro.

"Then don't die!" cried Kyoka with a mischievous smile. "Good luck!"

The three golem charged at Toshiro, faster than a creature of that size should be. He closed off his mind and let his instincts take over.

One of the golem punched at Toshiro, smashing the ground in front of him. However Toshiro jumped up and flipped, his hand freezing the golem's elbow joint solid and shattering them completely. He ran up the arm of the golem before jumping up, crouching on the head of the creature. His right arm began to heat up, a blast of searing white flames completely devastated the remainder of the body. Toshiro landed on his feet as the golem's body crumbled.

Toshiro stared at hands, trembling in disbelief at what just happened.

"Confirmed mastery of Divine Sunderer," said Kyoka. "You remember nothing of Divine Sunderer or how to use it, but your body still remembers."

"W-What the hell was that?" asked Toshiro. "The ice…the fire?"

"Divine Sunderer," said Kyoka. "It's a Sacred Gear that turns the body into a nuclear reactor, being able to absorb natural sunlight and stores it into the body to be used at a later date. Your body is able to absorb, disperse, and harness solar radiation."

"And the ice…" said Toshiro. "That's from Trishula?"

"Trishula is a Dragon of the Ice Barrier," said Kyoka. "They were an old and ancient tribe that lived in what's now known as the Antarctic. Back when the dragons soared the skies, the dragons of the Ice Barrier were fearsome gods who guarded their boarders. Trishula is their king."

Toshiro stared at his hands. From one hand, freezing cold waves radiated from his fingertips and from the other, white flames flickered. What the hell…

"We can stop the tests here," said Kyoka. "Your instincts and reflexes are still in tact, which means I won't have to worry if we ever get in trouble."

"Kyoka," said Toshiro. "I've been thinking. Could whoever set me up, have been a member of the Church? You know if someone really didn't like that I was the Paladin?"

"Could be," said Kyoka. "I haven't eliminated any possibilities, but we don't know enough to make any assumptions right now. All we know is that we don't know anything."

"What kind of…What kind of person was I?" asked Toshiro. "When we walked into Kuoh Academy, I wasn't even admiring the sights, I was surveying the landscape and looking for possible escape routes. I take one look at a person and I can tell you anything from which hand is their dominant hand and how much they weigh. What kind of person knows that kind of stuff?"

Toshiro knew he had struck gold with that question. Kyoka's mannerisms told it all, she knew what he was talking about.

"It's better if you don't know, Shiro," said Kyoka. "Some things, certain things, are better off forgotten."

"That's not for you to decide Kyoka," said Toshiro. "These are my memories we're talking about. Don't you think I deserve to know?"

"You won't like what you hear," said Kyoka. "Not in the slightest."

"I'm not exactly made of tissues you know," said Toshiro. "Hit me."

Kyoka hesitated, but sighed and gave in.

"There's an organization," said Kyoka. "Much like the exorcists of the Church, they kept order and maintained peace throughout the world. But whereas we protected humanity from the supernatural, this organization protected humanity from themselves."

"W-What do you mean…like assassins?" asked Toshiro.

"Exactly," said Kyoka. "The Order of Nobodies, or at least that's what those of us who believe they exist call them. They're a group of highly organized and extremely deadly bunch of killers who target key figures of humanity that they deem are a threat to humanity's independence and free will. Legend says that they were the ones responsible for every major historical event in human history, everything from the holy crusades to the renaissance to the French Revolution, even the American Revolution."

"That's…insane," said Toshiro.

"It should be," said Kyoka. "Seeing as you were a member."

"What?" asked Toshiro.

"You were an up and coming assassin for one of the most secretive organizations ever created in human history," said Kyoka. "And apparently you were pretty spectacular at your job. But then you met the former Paladin before you on a mission, and she persuaded you to switch sides."

Toshiro raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me…I was an assassin that switched sides to become an exorcist?"

"That's as much as I know," said Kyoka. "Whatever else happened, it's been completely wiped off of any records on the planet. Archive can't get information that doesn't exist anymore."

Toshiro tried to process the information as best he could. He was an assassin, is that why he's able to think like this? React like this? Kyoka was right, hearing that raises way more questions than it answers. It feels like that's all his life's been lately, just an endless stream of questions that no one has answers to.

"Wait," said Kyoka with frantic haste. She disengaged the golems as they crumbled to dirt and rock. "Something's wrong."

Toshiro wiped the dirt off his pants and walked over to her. "What's wrong?"

"There's an unknown magic pressure in Kuoh," said Kyoka.

"Define unknown," said Toshiro. "There's a lot of unknowns nowadays."

"This is serious," said Kyoka. "This pressure…it's strong. It's…at the local church."

Toshiro remembered what Rias had told them. "Xenovia and Irina…"

"We have to hurry," said Kyoka. "They could be in trouble."

Magic circles opened up underneath Toshiro and Kyoka. Toshiro fell to his butt, unable to maintain his balance as the magic circle lifted the both of them into the sky as they flew into Kuoh.

"Y-You can fly?" asked Toshiro.

"Sort of," said Kyoka. "It's not great at traveling long distances and it's kind of…easy to see. But we're running out of options here and Genta isn't here to flash us."

Toshiro watched as the magic circles traveled through Kuoh, the city looking so small from up here. The night life of Kuoh seemed so ecstatic…he wondered what it was like down there for the average human. Not having to worry about being killed or being hunted, maybe worrying about exams or work. It seemed like a nice life, a simple life.

"There!" Kyoka pointed.

A cloud of smoke rose from the distance. As the circles drew close, three figures were visible from the sky. A man in a black trench coat, holding Xenovia and Irina by their throat behind the church, which was completely blown to pieces.

"Xenovia! Irina!" cried Kyoka as she jumped from the circle.

Toshiro watched as Kyoka landed on the man in the coat, kneeling on his elbows and turning, kicking him in the face to push him away. Toshiro jumped down to face the hooded man.

"What the hell?" asked Toshiro. The man's face was hidden behind not only a hood, but a black skull mask with beady red eyes. "Who are you? Why are you attacking my friends?"

"Finally…" said the man. "The sky has opened. What took you so long, old friend?"

"Old friend?" asked Toshiro with a raised eyebrow. "Do I know you?"

The man tilted his head in confusion. "You…You're nothing but a shell…An empty husk of something great."

"T-Thank you?" said Toshiro.

"Not a compliment you idiot!" cried Kyoka.

Suddenly, Toshiro's right arm began to throb. It wasn't an overwhelming pain, but it was enough for him to be startled and grab it.

"I see," said the masked man. "Shell or not, you're still you."

Be careful human.

This voice…

"Trishula?" asked Toshiro.

The Black One has awoken as well.

The masked man began to grab his head and laugh. A menacing and intimidating laugh that echoed throughout the entire woods. It was a maniacal laughter that sent shivers down Toshiro's spine.

"You are far too amusing," said the masked man. "Grow stronger, Guardian of the Ice Barrier, grow stronger than all the rest. When next we meet, I shall put on a show worthy of the Four Heavenly Dragons."

The masked man's body began to shift and change. Beginning from his feet, he dissolved into bats.

"Perhaps then," said the masked man. "We can get the Red and White Ones to join our show."

Toshiro watched as his body dissolved to bats and vanished, flying into the night. As confused as Toshiro was, he noticed his breath as he began to breathe. He looked down to see the ground he was standing on frozen in a ring around him.

"Shiro…" said Kyoka. "That…That can't be…"

The pain in his arm vanished.

"How are they?" asked Toshiro, walking over to the unconscious girls.

"Bruised, but they're not at death's door," said Kyoka. "A night's rest after my checkup should be okay. Let's take them back to the warehouse."

Toshiro nodded as Kyoka opened a magic circle under their feet big enough for all four of them. As they flew back to the warehouse, more questions began to arise in her head. Specifically…why did it seem like that masked man knew him more than his friends?

The scorching sun of Egypt's desert beamed on Ryusei and Genta as they approached the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was even more mesmerizing in person that Ryusei had imagined. A great pyramid some hundred feet tall made entirely of limestone and brick. At the peak of it's tip, the pyramid met with the other…the one that seems to be dropping out of the sky.

"This…wasn't always here, was it?" asked Genta. "There was nothing in the history books about a pyramid dropping from the sky."

"Clearly…" said Ryusei. "But something else is wrong here…"

Ryusei placed a hand on the pyramid. It was…vibrating. Ryusei sensed a mechanism from inside the pyramid. He could feel the bricks inside the pyramid shifting and changing, but Ryusei felt like he could…

"R-Ryusei?" asked Genta.

Ryusei poured a small amount of his magic into the bricks. The mechanisms of the pyramid began to shift once again, but this time on the inside. One by one, the bricks parted as a doorway opened for the two of them to walk inside.

"Does this count as vandalism?" asked Genta.

"I hope not," said Ryusei. "Come on."

A pathway led to the center of the pyramid's interior. A single massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Four pathway's led to the center of what seemed like a garden. A single hut sat in the center of the garden with a small table and chairs. The possibility of such a pristine garden filled with green grass and bushes sitting inside a thousand year old pyramid seemed otherworldly, but Ryusei didn't try to figure out how or why seeing as each pathway was over a pitch black hole that seemed to have no bottom.

"How is this even possible?" asked Genta. "Magic?"

"Maybe," said Ryusei, as the two walked to the center of the garden. "But this doesn't feel like magic, it feels more…"

"Divine?"

Ryusei and Genta turned around to see a woman in a white robe, endowed with golden jewelry from her necklace to her arms and legs. She had tanned skin with long white hair and bright eyes that seemed to change color every second.

"You must be little Houki's friends," said the woman. "She said there would be people coming to find her. Might I ask why?"

This feeling…

"Our leader has lost his memory, Your Highness," said Ryusei, swallowing his pride. "Houki is the only one who can help him."

The woman frowned. "I see. I sensed powerful magic pressures appearing on Earth. I wonder if they were connected somehow…"

Genta nudged Ryusei on his elbow. "Dude? Who is this lady?"

The woman cleared her throat. "Apologies, gentleman. My name is Nephthys, goddess of protection. And as such, I just wanted to investigate the intruders who set foot in Egypt before Set gets his claws on you."

"Thank you, my lady," said Ryusei. "But about Houki…"

"Oh yes," said Nephthys. "She is on the royal library. I'm sure she and Thoth are having a grand old time in there."

"Pardon my ignorance, lady Nephthys," said Ryusei. "But I was not aware the gods were on Earth."

"As am I," said Nephthys. "However there's a storm brewing in the distance, our oracles have told us as such. My mother and brother decided it was time we protect our borders."

"But then…" said Genta. "Why let us in?"

"Truth be told, you should be grateful it was I who found you and not my husband," said Nephthys. "If Set were to find two Japanese born exorcists wandering around in Egypt, he would have your heads before you knew you had died. But I would rather like answers to my questions."

"So then Houki?" asked Ryusei.

"She has proven herself to be the farthest thing from a threat," said Nephthys. "If nothing else, she has proven herself to be beneficial to Egypt and her people."

"I see," Ryusei was glad that at least she was out of trouble. But then a terrifying thought came to him. "W-Wait, there's someone else here. Another friend of ours."

"Ah, yes," said Nephthys with a sigh. "The brawler. It seems he and my nephew Horus have taken quite a liking to each other. If nowhere else, I'd wager they're in the arena having a bout as we speak."

Ryusei sighed in relief. He had thought Jushiro would be dead by now seeing as he was all but ignorant and naive.

"Can we see Houki?" asked Genta.

"But of course," said Nephthys with a smile. "Friends of Houki's are always welcome. Come, I shall take you to the library."

Ryusei and Genta followed Nephthys through the city. Upon leaving the pyramid, Nephthys took on a different form. Her body grew to about 10 feet and she sprouted her wings, a kaleidoscope of colors flickered from her wings as she drew the attention of all who laid eyes on her as they walked through the city. Ryusei didn't comment on it, but it seems gods are gods after all. They're vain and seek attention of the humans they rule over.

Egypt was nothing like he had expected. It's buildings were a range of small for restaurants, to towers for hotels and businesses. The technological advancements mixed in with the magical properties created a utopia of vehicles that Ryusei would never have expected to be possible. Hover cars in the skies and even multiple trains using light conductors pathed out from a single large castle like building in the center of the city.

"Oh come now," said Nephthys. "I know you both have questions."

"This wasn't at all what I was expecting from Egypt," said Ryusei. "I thought Egypt was a third world country."

"That's what we'd like the rest of the world to believe, yes," said Nephthys. "Egypt has a long line of Pharaohs who were direct descendants from our bloodline, do you truly think we would let our people live in poverty?"

Ryusei gulped. "Maybe the gods aren't so bad."

"I know you have had your fair share of hardships in the past," said Nephthys. "But know that the gods are always watching."

Hardships, huh? That was one way of putting it.

They reached the bottom of a long staircase leading to a castle atop a man-made half pyramid. Nephthys spread her wings and grabbed hold of Ryusei and Genta by their shirt collars and flew them to the very top.

"I guess that's one way of climbing stairs," said Genta.

The castle was made of limestone and brick, polished columns fortified the outside of the castle with two large kneeling guard statues on either side of the entrance.

"Do be careful to mind your tongue," said Nephthys. "Mother has never taken foreign visitors very gracefully."

The three of them walked into the castle. A large and spacious room with several columns on either side leading to a large throne sitting atop a smaller set of stairs. A long red carpet led from the throne to the entrance. The floors were polished marble, with the domed ceiling being mosaic glass depicting old Egyptian myths…specifically Ra fighting off Apophis.

"I see you've returned, daughter," said a feminine voice atop the throne.

A ball of flame exploded and took the form of a girl, equal to size as Nephthys, with orange hair flowing down her back and blazing red eyes. She wore an X shaped top that covered her chest with a long tunic and pants. She rested her cheek on her chin, looking at the three of them with no emotion in her eyes.

"Hello mother," said Nephthys. "I happened to run into some friends of our visitors."

Nephthys looked to Ryusei and Genta, shooting her eyes down, gesturing them to bow. Ryusei and Genta immediately dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.

This…This was Ra? As in the king of all Egyptian gods? The bringer of day and the deity that fought off the great serpent of night Apophis? Ryusei never once, not once, thought that the Egyptian sun god would be a woman.

"I-It's an honor, your highness," said Ryusei. "Pardon our intrusion in your kingdom, but we're looking for our friends and found out they were staying in Egypt."

"I see," said Ra. "Well feel free to collect your people and leave as soon as possible. Harboring foreigners has never sit well with my conscience."

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Ryusei.

"Say, child of man," said Ra. "Do you know what Ragnarok is?"

"T-The Norse Myth?" asked Ryusei.

"Indeed," said Ra.

"W-Well the stories said that the world will come to an end, but the cycle of life would repeat itself," said Ryusei. "Asgardians would die in Ragnarok, but would come back only to repeat the cycle. Is that what you mean?"

"Indeed," said Ra. "I had wondered what powers had brought your friends to my land, but then the world began to shift. It seems the time is upon us once again. I suppose that Old Man Odin isn't so senile after all."

"Y-Your highness?" Ryusei asked in confusion.

Ra closed her eyes. "Nephthys, have you done what I asked you to do?"

"Of course," said Nephthys. "It seems that Heaven has noticed it as well. I have already sent my scouts to inform the other Pantheons. Zeus, Amaterasu, Odin, and Brahma will be notified by the days end."

"And the Underworld?" asked Ra. "What of the Devil Kings?"

"The order for the arrest of Ozora Toshiro has spread far and wide," said Nephthys. "I thought they already have their hands full, seeing as they've been duped by the Church."

Ryusei widened his eyes. "Y-Your Highness, you know that Capta…Ozora Toshiro was falsely accused?"

"Of course I do," said Ra. "But child of man, please refrain yourself from speaking unless spoken to."

"Apologies great god," said Ryusei. "But can you not clear his name?"

Ra sighed. "And why should I belittle myself enough to interject into the affairs of man? Whatever you and your people do does not have anything to do with me or my people."

Ryusei balled his fist and backed down. "I…understand, your Highness. But might I ask what it is you're letting the other Pantheons know?"

Ra narrowed her eyes. "Very well, I suppose you have the right to know. Nephthys?"

The goddess nodded. "There is a story, older than I and even mother. Four Dragons of War. They were sealed away after the Angels and Devils had their little spout because they were deemed too powerful. However, what people fail to understand is that these dragons were the personal guard dogs of Samael himself."

Samael…"Lucifer?"

Nephthys nodded. "Legend has it that when all four Dragons reappear in the world, the Prophecy of the Starless Night will begin. Lucifer himself will be freed from his prison, and the Sins of humanity will be their undoing."

"Freed?" asked Genta. "But Lucifer died during the war."

"Samael and Micheal were the first two beings to ever come into creation, even before I was," said Ra. "They are effectively immortal, not even your God can kill either of them."

"So it was decided that Lucifer would be sealed away," said Nephthys. "In the lowest pit of the Underworld, behind 666 seals. However these four Dragons, they are the first seal. Their reawakening into this world at the same time heralds the reawakening of the Devil himself."

"So…you're saying that-"

"Your Devil," said Ra. "Lucifer Morningstar will walk this Earth again and with him, he shall bring the downfall of humanity."