Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Eternity

Volume III

Act II

She went down the street on her Yamaha TDM 850 series bike, her pride and joy doing a simple package delivery. A necessity of needing currency, to continue the upkeep of her bike. She just kept a level smile, within her racing checkered bike helmet, her similar checkered racing bike jacket covering a standard delivery company jumpsuit. This rather than her preferred racing suit, that she kept in her shared dwelling. A simple package on the tail end of her bike.

The same of a 'similar' Yamaha TDM 850, which was by no small coincidence of her infatuation, with the male driver next to her. His bike was darker in color than hers, a simple black sheen helmet, a leather biker's jacket, and a face within, that had seen racing on three continents. The fact that he was going to race in a fourth, in South America, was the primary reason in fact, that they 'both' were working as simple delivery peeps. Saving up their Yen, dreaming big, hoping for that breakthrough sponsorship that would make it all worthwhile.

The 'former' Queen of Nekomi's NIT racing 'class', just stopped at the same red light, as he did, as she glanced over at a person she finally felt her equal. At least, not since that Megumi chick and all. The 'deposed' queen just teased over... "Keeping up sport?"

Her companion just rolled his eyes over. "Only if you can." ...his quite mixed Asian bloodline, (about six different countries that all somehow ended up through his mother, into him, all hot blooded at that,) snipped back in heavy tone. This he then hears a good snicker in return. He swore to rectify that later that night, with another good 'spar' on the road.

The former 'queen' then looked back at the package, making sure it was still tied down, all well and good. A package from one Keima Morisato, to an art customer in the art district. The former queen just cocked her eye. "Three buildings and a museum near the campus, makes it a district?"

"Everyone wants to be famous." ...her companion just joked, she in turn sighing and shaking her head. And not just from the discourse either. It was as much because of the name on the package, that kept gnawing at her mind. She just whispered... "Morisato." ...and suddenly had old memories resurface once again. Ones concerning another, of that family name, that caused her queen status to become changed. Of course she then heard... "Will always still be 'my' queen." ...which caught the biker lass off guard! The said lass just replied 'serenely'. "Stop with that title! I told ya I lost it already!" ...which begot a good laugh from him.

All of which was SHOT silent, when all of a sudden, a bike just flat out SHOOTS past her! The duo looks wide eyed, as they see... "Huh? A Honda Valkyrie?" ...from the male well knowledgeable companion! A miracle given the fact the bike shot by so fast! Nevermind in succession, a Two seat BMW, a Domani, and then a FZ1, and finally the KSR that made the former queen just yelp... "Hey! That's her! The one who beat me!"

Not that her companion noticed, given he was wrapping his body all over his own delivery package! He just squeals out! "Not our travel money! Not our travel money!" ...this the former queen just snaps over comically! "Watch it dope! There's glass in there!" ...and bonks his helmet.

They kept focused on her combat hardened sense of vector. This as she seethes within her helmet. "First, I'm gonna save him, and then... I'll kill him."

"Save us a piece." ...Lind 'hears' from Chihiro. This she then 'hears' next from... "Did ya have to do that?" ...from a creeped out 'sounding' Keiichi. And more into the chatter peanut gallery of the mind... "Less gabbing, more following Bro!" ...from Megumi. Lind snickers a bit. "They're like Alliance citizens."

"Who asked ya!" ...from the other mortal biker sources at once! This as she weaves her bike, through traffic, through cross traffic, and through pedestrians, all with ease, without any ill harm, and all with a focused intent that went beyond obeying simple traffic laws.

The cops sure gave up trying after ten minutes of trying to keep up with them all. "Yeah, guess we scare anyone in a vehicle now." ... "Not the time Keiba!" ...Keiba the prior, gets 'lambasted' by Megumi 'and' Chihiro at once!

"Just keep going Lind!" ...Keiichi 'yelps' over, which refocuses Lind's senses. This as they all, as soon as they 'felt' what happened to their cherished delivery team, ALL got onto their bikes, and were on the rescue chase! All save two of the lot, as Keiichi not too far behind, and doing an AMAZING job of traffic weaving, (more so since 'cause of his two seater config,) just whispers... "Who would kidnap Belldandy... and gold dude too."

"Is it 'her' again?" ...Chihiro yelps out, her own barred teeth, 'felt' over the pseudo-link, between the lot. Lind was about to shake her head at...

"No. I don't... wait... huh?" ...this making even Lind jink her head to the 'right' generally! She then 'hears'... "was that Satoko?" ...Keiichi yelps! Now even Lind was confused, as she 'also' sensed Otaki near. As she they all then 'hear'... "Hows tha hecka they hears us too?" ... "How should I know ya lug!" ...this Chihiro cracks back in a light mania! They then 'feel' Chihiro's helmet bonk into Tamiya's chin! Megumi just blanches as much as Otaki, on the 'other' side of town! "That one hurt em!"

And then in short order... "Oh, this is weird feeling... again... ut oh."

"Sora too?" Keiichi yelps! They then 'feel' Suzuki wince in echo!

It was about this time Lind then realized. "This is wrong."

Keiichi in 'turn'. "You said it lady." ...Lind in correction. "Not the mindlinks, the focal area!" ...she then tactically decides. "We need to meet up and refocus."

"The who 'what' now?" ...Suzuki 'blathers' out, before Chihiro decides. "Head for the campus, we'll go from there!"

At that, three entirely different chase vectors, then begin to coordinate towards the old NIT grounds. And all needing zilch GPS navigation or anything. Lind herself was good enough for 'that'!

"Well well." ...A kid sized CEO smirked, as she simply floated on high, as she's joined by two 'others' of her stature. Or at least one, since the 'Other' was beyond even Her. "Come to watch the show?"

"And you're not a part?" ...kid-Frigurina grumbled in kiddy tone, though 'not' in manner. Kid-Hild, and more than just simply this time a mere reduced format of split off power, just remarked back, as she dipped her head backwards, to face an 'upside' down (to her) Frig. "We both know why. As much as We hate Treaties."

"You'd rather see..." ...as kid-Al 'states' back, in well listened to tone. "...what would happen, if we 'did' become involved?"

Kid-Hild just sighed, and then shivered. Really, she did. "Nay, we would not." So did Kid-Frig. Dearly. Instead, Frig then remarked. "Then why allow 'him' the same?"

Hild in turn seethed back. "Maybe we should Seal 'you' for a couple of decades, and witness the results." ...this she stabs a look at an all too calm as Eternity, Almighty. "We 'should' have done such to 'you', in the Beginning."

Almighty just quips in kid sounded format, same of his folded arms. "Such we would not have blamed you for." ...this in turn Hild 'does' throw a fit at! "Dammit! You 'really' will never change!" ...and turns away, knowing attempting to harm Almighty 'was' pointless for her. Frig 'could' have mentioned the Fall again, since that was the subject there, but instead conducted... "Did all such, have to include 'our' daughter?"

Hild just returns to her coy attitude, and quips back, angling her head back. "She chose to accompany him. Fate of choice. Sorry, bad pun there, just like We."

Even Almighty flat out rolled his open eye. (And the same of the eye-patched one.) They all then just float there, like the sky was their own Heaven (or such,) at that moment. The eye and ear endowed, as much as the eye unto mind, of the participants below. They knew where 'all' where the participants were. Such that not being able to properly participate... "Ugh, how drool." ...Hild just grinds. "Can't we get to the bad part with the metal dork already?"

Frigurina even... well... "I too wouldn't mind that. For 'our' part." Frig puts to an ire of the CEO.

"Then both of ye would be remiss in the story before us." ...a kid-Almighty reacts, by then putting on actual pair of spectacles, fit for reading a tome. Hild just cracks out with cocked eyes. "Are you serious?" ...this Frigurina just giggles. "You have to ask?" Hild just continues her dismayed tone. "What, does this make you grandpa Almighty now? And how come ya need a spectacle for your covered eye?"

"Still too young in the end to know apparently." Almighty just jokes back. Hild fumes like an infernal tomato, as Frigurina just laughs at her.

A good flare-flash of light suddenly makes Hild and Frigurina look over towards... "Eh? Who forced open Gate?" ...Hild blinks, Frigurina however sees, as Eihwa now suddenly chasing after whatever emerged from an enforced Gate portal, from the quite afar Temple residence! Frigurina then has to count on her fingers... "How many adventures can we have in only one day?" ...this she hears in turn from Hild. "It would be like 'our' daughters to take our mutual Charge's vessel like that." ...this before they then see well endowed, Peorth now give chase after Eihwa, and... "Boy, Lady Irtasus won't be any happier now." ...Frigurina gulps a bit at. Hild in kind... "Eh, kids never do listen to their parents..." ...a look at Almighty with... "...do they."

Almighty just adjusts his specs, seeing 'all' those stories, all occurring at once! "Quite entertaining, I must say." ...and then a look back, all kid like and Impressive. "And what story wouldn't be fun, it kids always obeyed. We can chastise them out later."

Hild and Frigurina look at their 'equal' kid versions of each other, and then just giggle. They knew what it all really meant. All of it.

As for one story...

Boy she was mad. The Nekomi populace below swore they saw a constant streak of light in the sky that elongated day. Such was her blind fury. "I can't believe mother hasn't Censured him onto her teeth! I'll have to do that then!"

...did we mention 'blind'?

Peorth just blanched as she finally caught up to Eihwa. (Being one of the fastest in Heaven, had its advantages.) This as she yelps. "Where the heck is that dragon girl going already?"

Eihwa just yelps back. "How should I know? I'm not sure where she's even going?"

Peorth just moans out with a blare of arms! "Tres bien! Dragons, Demons, child Seeds, kidnapped robots! What else does this story need?"

Eihwa for uneasy of tone. "A happy ending, all around." ...this Peorth nodded, and gave chase.

The problem was, it quickly became obvious... "Angelus is lost, isn't she." Peorth just eyes dryly. Eihwa just bemoans in kind. "Must take after you Secur."

Good thing they all were too busy giving chase to hit each other there and then. (Sorta.)

Everything was bright here. Did she remember when she opened her eyes? Something felt off, but looking around in this dark haze that was clearing off, as she thought she saw three beings looking over some kind of devices, things that looked technological? Wait a...

"Cousin?"

She felt the voice in her mind, and then realized her own mind was coming back online. Her encoding telling her that foreign demonic code that had shut down her internal code network structure, no less of effect than a mortal not unlike Keiichi, being drugged into unconsciousness.

As such Belldandy blinked away. "Keiichi!"

A happenstance of fate, that would turn out, as Belldandy swore she felt something 'odd', in her Meld link with Keiichi. It's however interjected by the sound of... "So the witch awakens at last."

"Hey!" ...Belldandy looks with quickly clearing eyes, as she sees a rather put off face of her Cousin, whom further retorts... "DON'T call my Cousin that."

"Okay okay." Sayoko seen afar, just throws her hands up defensively! Mishu next to her, is both blushing, and jittering. Belldandy realizes what happened, and cocks her head. "I am fine Cousin, sticks and stone as your mortal phrasing says."

Imladris looks over openly, and whines out... "But it was of ill intent there Cousin." ...this Belldandy giggles in kind.

Aoshima just looks at the two, and wonders out, in his own annoyed way. "What is it with you two? I thought Belldandy and that brat was bad enough." ...this in turn, the 'stare' he gets, from them both, makes him jump behind Sayoko! Mishu just yelps out at Aoshima. "Stop being a baby about all of this, and get the camera ready!"

Both celestial Cousins just blink, and then look about, and of themselves. This, as they, rather than in a dank warehouse of ill format, they are in a clean place of note, tied down into two simple chairs. Imlade notes out of inexperience of seeing a place like this... "Uh... isn't this one of those camera picture thingy places?" Imlade puts, seeing equipment for a camera studio. Sayoko just blinks, as she steps closer. "What, you born in a barn? People take pictures in these places?"

"Oh, how cute." Belldandy chimes out, as if little of the situation. "Keiichi would like this place." ...this making Aoshima grumble in the background, as he's fiddling with a modern camcorder. Imlade meanwhile just espouses more than he should in correcting... "Actually milady, I was born in a shack, not a barn. Or... well... actually it was a log cabin thing with a dirt floor, and more holes to the wind than a kid would like."

Belldandy just remarks over. "Oh, how sad for you Cousin." ...this Sayoko just jitters and eye. Imlade just quips back, again too openly. "At least it was better than being on bare rock at times. Haha!" ...he puts in a Thor best tone. Belldandy giggle again, and Sayoko just blanches. "Great, we kidnapped Paul Bunyan or something."

"Okay." Aoshima suddenly announces, as he holds his camcorder forth, like a deadly weapon. Which for the kidnappers, it sorta was. Belldandy then asks. "Are you going to take pictures of us? Keiichi would like a copy."

Aoshima just throws a wacky fit! "Will you stop saying Keiichi's name already?" ...this Mishu just lunges over and grabs the camera before slapping Aoshima silly! (For some reason.) "And stop shouting! People will hear!" ...before 'she' points the camera at the bound duo.

Off that impart, Imladris and Belldandy then realize their restraints, apparently chains for the knightly bloke, and some form of velvet rope for the Norn lass. Belldandy then asks, unrealizing the trigger value of it... "Why are we tied down?"

"It's not one of those S&M things I heard about, is it?" ...Imlade blanched out.

Sayoko just fingers her lips coyly... "Well..." ...before Belldandy blinks over. "Where may I ask, did you learn of such a term Cousin?" Belldandy asks over openly. And a cousin remarks in return. "Ye 'have' met our dear Cousin Urd, yes?" ...this Belldandy just looks thoughtful. "Indeed. It is in her usual nature."

Mishu just blanches her eyes. "Just what kind of family do they come from?" ...this before Sayoko just yells at Mishu. "Just point the camera already! When they use their witch powers, we got them!"

"Witch powers?" Imlade pulls his head back with. Sayoko just points an over-manicured fingernail into Imlade's nose. "Yes! We made sure those ropes... or... er... chains, were unbreakable, under normal means!"

Imlade and Bell then both wiggle in their bindings, both then commenting in perspective, respective... "Huh, they are good and tight." ... "Mine are soft. Just like Keiichi's skin."

"Huh?" Aoshima pokes his welted head up with, as Mishu just yells back, waving her camera around! (And her arms.) "Will you two act like you're in danger or something here?"

"Why?" ...both 'captives' just put, which makes Sayoko just decry. "Thank the Lord we aren't doing this long haul." ...and yanks the camera from Mishu, whom hisses at Sayoko in turn. The (sorta) lead lady here just points the camcorder at the duo and spouts. "Okay then, how bout this. Our partner unnamed wanted pictures, one way or another. He even said he knew your weaknesses." This Belldandy trades a worried look with a cock-eyed Cousin. Sayoko. "So we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

"I'm afraid to ask what 'he' told you." Imlade rolled his eyes with. Sayoko (and Mishu/Aoshima,) just blink and have frazzled hair, in hearing. Belldandy then sighs too, and nods. "I too suspected, given our bindings."

"Not even two weeks huh." Imlade trades another meek look with a meek, smiling Norn Cousin. Sayoko just eyes the two, and yells out comically! "So what! If you two don't do something amazing here to get out of those bonds, we start playing nasty!"

Imlade for one, asks, uneasy eyed. "And how 'nasty', per say?"

Just then, a cage is pulled out by Aoshima, with something hissy within it. Imlade suspects... "Ut oh." ...just as Belldandy in turn sees Mishu display a large silver plate with a plate dome of silver atop. A smell she recognizes causes... "Oh dear."

The two sense ill tidings, and a camera waiting for them to something about it. But then, Imlade realizes... "Wait a tic."

Belldandy in turn. (And Sayoko blinking.) "Yes Cousin?"

The next sound Imlade makes, puts them all aback!

The rather large lot gathered at the entrance park that had one of the main NIT parking lots adjacent. The cold day made for most souls being inside where they could for classes, so souls around them were sparse. A fine thing as it turned out, as the biker lot met up with two other 'mindlink' groups.

The meeting had gotten long enough along for Lind to have explained 'why' the newcomers could 'also' hear all goings on, concerning the group. Such that Sora just blanched. "Isn't there's supposed to be a thing we 'ask permission' for first, with all of that?"

Suzuki points to Sora next to him, both in ad hoc standard clothing, thrown on in the heat of the rush outside, off of what 'they' felt happen to the kidnapped. "I'm with her."

Otaki just keeps hitting his head, as Satoko wrings at her ears in reflex. Of the former impart. "Feels like the metal dude put speakers in our heads, with all your voices in em."

Keiichi just bemoans. "Good analogy." ...this Megumi then looks about, at the rather large group. Satoko and Otaki both were in normal garb, not unlike their NIT school days, Sora and Suzuki as mentioned, and the rest in their worksuits. Meg then remarks. "How come Satoko and Otaki can her us too, and all that?" ...this Lind in turn over at her in wondering. "Uncertain of that, I am, until we find Belldandy... and him."

The mortal lot just shiver at the inflection used, of that 'last' word. Otaki just whispers to Satoko. "Not getting better there, is it." ...this Lind is interrupted from a good glare over, as Chihiro then remarks off of memory. "What happened to them? It felt like they were being hit by something, before being knocked out by something 'else'.

Lind then looks at Keiichi, as she interprets what 'they' felt more intimately. "It would seem, some tried to knock them out at first, with implements of a blunt nature." ...this Keiichi blanches out rather loud in realizing! "Someone hit Belldandy?" ...this Lind nods, though to the amazed listening on. "However such would be pointless, given the same rules of physics we use as tool to fly amongst this world plane, with little avail of gravity, also means third dimensional physics do not affect us normally. Implements of such a nature, such as a hammer of your world, would not affect us so directly. Normally however, we simply avoid such effects as anyone would normally avoid such. Plus, I sensed Beloved had a protective field around them both, at the time. Such a field would have rendered all blunt force trauma inert."

Chihiro just folds her arms in hearing, with one wary eye open. "Well at least he did 'something' right then."

Keiichi then blinks in turn. "Huh? Then that one time I accidentally hit Bell in the head with my own..."

"What?" ...everyone else of mortal note exclaimed. Keiichi's head is below sight of waist, for that moment. He just creeps out. "But it was Mount Fuji and all that." ...this Lind just cocks an austere eye at the lad. "And one wonders what makes you both special to each other."

"Not like 'that' , it shouldn't!" Keiichi yelp-shoots back up with! Keiba just jokes at K1's expense. "Knocking her up, even that far back eh?" ...this Keiichi about clobbers Keiba with. It's all quickly yanked back to the subject matter, with a Chihiro-esc retort of... "Then WHAT 'did' knock them out?"

Lind just sighs, and then looks up. "It would seem a demon amongst us is still holding a grudge. This as senses Imladris mention Mara's name." ...this making the lot shiver dear and true. Sora just creeps out. "They're not trying to make him 'that thing' again, are they?"

Lind shakes her head. "No. But there is an unattended history, that I believe is behind all of this."

"Satorna." Keiichi remarks. Lind nodding. The rest had been told of the history between the two, what since they 'all' had been a part of the mess, two weeks prior, for the month or so prior to 'that'. Keiichi then imparts. "Would he kill him?"

Lind shakes her head again. "Again no. The Treaty forbids it, plus Hild wouldn't allow it, nor Almighty at the last. I for one would 'argue' against such." ...this time put in a more defending tone that brought a few smirks all around. Keiichi then asks, the only other person present with enough desire to see this through to the end. "Then how do we find them? Belldandy and gold dude aren't likely at the docks, I would bet my wage on."

Chihiro and Tamiya just lean over on the shorty. "When did you get so smart?" ... "Yuhs." ...this Keiichi just yells out. "Guys!"

Lind smirks, and then offers... "You do not sense Belldandy over your Meldlink with her?" ...to a looking Keiichi who rubs at his own hair worriedly. "Well, I was trying that, actually... kinda weird... and really couldn't 'feel' where she was." ...this he realizes with a look at Lind. "Wait, does that mean you can't feel gold dude either?"

Lind sighs in turn, with her eyes closed. "It would seem their signatures are being dampened. And indeed, they would not likely be in the same location, as per their capture. Therefore, we need special means that Satorna would not be aware of."

Megumi just cocks her own eye. "And what would 'that' be?"

Lind just shares a look with Keiichi, before the telling of it...

"Why can't I FIND them? ARGH!" ...a strange version of a Belldandy like voice, cascades out in anything but serene.

Peorth and Eihwa by now, are just sauntering on, as their quarry kept flitting all manner of everywhere, as Angelus just kept flying everywhere, scarring the few birds around, all too heck! Eihwa just eyes around as she sighs. "I seems we have to wait till they reappear."

"Oui." Peorth nods, before the both then feel it, Eihwa fathomlessly so more than her sister. Peorth realizes enough though, and exclaims. "Is Lind and Keiichi..."

"Fantastico." ...in her amazement, and then the logic of it. "Yes, their Meld 'would' find them far more quickly."

Peorth just worried. "I hope Belldandy and Imladris understand."

Eihwa, proud of her Lind, nods. "They will. I'll be certain of that."

Just then a 'third' finally shoots up. Peorth blinks over... "Talos?"

Said dragonslayer just yells out! "You left me back there with all the sweeping!" ...this Eihwa blinks as well. "Ammazza, Takano made you do all that?" ...this Talos threw a fit! "And the trash! By the gods!" ...this he just gets laughed at by both goddesses! Peorth of course the worst with. "Mon Amour, I should keep you at home more often!"

Is Talos fuming, we can't tell...

"Saved, saved, saved. We get to be saved."

Their mortal captors just all cocked 'very' weirded out eyes, as Belldandy blinked over. "Cousin?"

The armored bloke just smiled back over, like 'he' was a male Belldandy version or something. However Belldandy then realized herself, off of what Imladris's own vibes were giving off, and what Imlade just said, that she quipped off of quite extensive knowledge of her Cousin. "A rare chance is it Cousin?"

Imlade just smiled like a peach back.

Mara was well listening on in, both she and her demonic suitor next to her, on top of the roof of the building their quarry were kept, both of them teardropping off of what they are now hearing within. Satorna just frazzles a beet red, while Mara sighs bemoaningly. "Boy, the bloke takes the other side of the coin, too much so."

Satorna just stomps comically once. (And fractures part of the roof with.) He then decries in all angsty fashion. "This moron beat me in that Campaign? They made him a king? ARGH!" ...and he then stomp-struts-stamps all about in a tantrum! Mara just shrugs and quips. "Heh, maybe he had one coming."

She then realizes... "Though him being saved by her might be even worse."

Satorna stops, and actually gulps.

Chihiro just shuddered again. No how many times she saw it all happen, she still wasn't used to it all. By all reasonable rights, she should still be. This as the mortal lot had take up 'blocking positions around Lind and Keiichi, after the plan was revealed, and to the amazement of the others, Keiichi readily agreed. Quite calmly at that. The shadow of the park area tree seemed a fitting accompaniment for what was to come.

"Anything to save Belldandy." Keiichi made of simple an answer. Lind nodded, expecting that. "Then let's begin."

Megumi just held onto Keiba, as Chihiro just quips. "If this works, you're getting a raise for a wedding gift."

Keiichi just giggled, before he noted it was directed at 'both' of them. Lind just blushed a bit and looked away, resetting her mindset before she looked only at Keiichi, and then nodded. Keiichi for one, had a nice lil flashback, from the day Lind transferred Cool Mint to him, to control that fateful day. I mean that face, held that close, kinda caused the said obvious for him.

"You ready?" Lind asked. Keiichi replied. "No." ...Lind smirked. She saw the 'yes' anyway on his face, and proceeded.

Keiichi just felt the soft knife of feathers, begin to 'flow' through him again. This time it was different, as instead of a warm, loving feeling that had no words to describe be, this version was cool and fathomless, with that same sense of power sinking deep within him.

The others had trouble standing, as Lind's Meld into Keiichi proceeded. Keiichi's eyes turned a aura glaze of gold and purple, as Lind just wrapped her arms around him. Her body shook a bit in turn, feeling what multiple Melds with Belldandy, had begotten this wondrous mortal.

Sora just lightly, very lightly, cried out. "No fair."

It was at that time, that stunned Imlade and Bell awake, of prior note.

Speaking of...

""Say that again?" Mishu blinked. Belldandy looked in amazement as well, as Imladris just sighed out... "I said I conducted missions and whatnot, to save other specific souls, in the sum total of thirty-two thousand, eight hundred and sixty-eight times." ...this he then shrugs at. "But who's counting."

Aoshima just weirdos out with... "What is this guy, the Salvation Army mascot?"

Belldandy just remarks over... "Does this include civilizations too?" ...Imlade in shrugging turn, hardly realizing he's being too open. (Imlade and Bell 'must' be family, and all.) "That's a separate count. The point being, it's my turn! Yay!"

Sayoko just goes speechless, as eyeing between the two, as the whole point of this affair, becomes defeated by Belldandy asking first. "So you would prefer Lind come and rescue you in a situation like this?"

Imladris nodding. "Would you not in turn like to be rescued by Keiichi?" ...this Belldandy 'gets it', and coos out. "Oh, that 'would' be most dashing from my Keiichi dear!"

Mishu just deflates in tone... "Oh no..." ...as Imladris remarks to his own point... "I mean, how many times does 'that' all come along? I only got saved in situation like..." ...counting on his fingers behind him... "...two? ...nay, three times. I think the best one of those, was when that elven duo did it, during that one mission. Something about them was always familiar, but whatever. The point is, I get to be saved for a friggen once! Hah!"

Belldandy in now a chiming tune to match, just wiggles around happily. "And I get to see my Keiichi be a hero too. I'll have to reward him later."

Sayoko blinks... "Reward?" ...sensing something off about how Belldandy worded that. Belldandy then asks, concerning their predicament. "Concerning our predicament however Cousin, would it not be simpler to escape our bonds?" ...this Belldandy looks over, and Imladris gulps a bit in return. "Um... we 'could' but... well... these are demon hexed. It could get messy for... well... everyone." ...this Imladris speaks of his 'inner self', Belldandy blinks a worried flutter. "And such might become problematic for us all here."

Imladris just droops his head. "Probably would raze the whole block, if that happened."

Aoshima just drops his held cage, with a good 'hiss' with! "Say what?"

Sayoko however had mind on the 'same' prior 'reward' bit. She blinks out to ask. "What's this about a reward?"

Mishu in stabbing turn... "What's this about the whole block?"

Just then, Belldandy feels it, as well as Imladris. Both then look at each other, and then both just go... "Yay!" ...and start happily wiggling in their bound seats again. Sayoko just loses it, and yells... "Enough! Time to get serious!" ...this Mishu just blinks back. "Are 'you' serious? How can this all work?"

Sayoko just eyes back, rather demonically. "Oh, it'll work."

The two bound stop, as Aoshima is yelled at... "Get the thing ready! We'll make them squeal." Aoshima looking down at the cage. "But it tore up my good set of gloves."

"NOW!" Sayoko shouts, which Aoshima panicky complies, and hefts the cage up again, getting a good hiss from it in reaction!

Imlade just bares his teeth, sensing what is 'really' coming. He just tells Belldandy. "Be strong." ...as the silver platter is unveiled. Belldandy blinks in seeing... "Is that a..."

'- He heard his own strange sigh, within the Meld."Why do we have to be naked in these things."

Lind just folded her arms, as her Twins hovered about her. "I am unaware this should be a problem, my friend."

"Says you!" Keiichi yelps, as he's covering himself as if he was naked in the real world open. (Which he hoped he wasn't, given the onlooking 'outside' the Meld.) He then remembered. "Oh yeah." ..and 'remembered' clothing onto himself. Some simple toga thing or such. He then looked up, and TURNED AROUND FAST! "Jeeze Lind!"

Lind just rolled her eyes, as her Mints just giggled unto both sides of her. She then 'reoriented' her Twins, as she states... "Focus for Belldandy please." ...this in turn Keiichi looks back. He then goes WIDE-EYED again, as he spins back around. "Uh, actually, that sorta even worse." ...as the Twin's just cover over 'parts' of Lind's body, in a scene not meant for... well... imagination well warranted here. Lind just sigh-giggles again, as Keiichi then quips more loudly, forgetting mental thought are the same as open voice speech here. "Wow, gold dude is sure lucky."

Lind really blushes, the same for her Mints. She then feels 'inward', and voices in resonance to this. "I wish I was as so."

Keiichi looks back more plainly this time. "Huh?"

Lind professes her insecurities, within a wrap of her own arms... "My Beloved's inability to conduct the same merit, that you showed Belldandy. I sense his consternation in this, and it's vexing me."

Keiichi could sense more from the Meld, than words could. His own response off of this, came out as. "I think you both are overdoing it again."

Lind looks up, as Keiichi sees Lind's Twin encompassed pose makes him freak-look away again. Lind considers Keiichi words. "You mean, I want my Beloved so much, the wait for the same result you bequeathed, is blinding my emotions to simply... take things, as they come. This if I sense your Meld feelings and all here."

Keiichi just chuckles, and fingers his ethereal chin. "This Meld stuff really brings it all out, huh?"

Lind nods in kind. "Your species will one day learn, like your family is now learning."

Keiichi just rolls his eyes. "Does that mean that tiny robo stuff he put in us? Because I swear, if they make us glow like those glow people that acted a lot like Bell does..."

Lind just laughs. "One might not need flashlights, when you beget that evolutionary course, in the coming path of things, an Era or three down the road." ...this Keiichi throws a comical tiff, before he then hears. "But then, my own course needs some evolution too, does it not."

Keiichi looks back at Lind, whom he responds back well and good. "You're doing it again. Besides, you'll both get there." ...this Lind and her Twins look up at, as Keiichi finishes. "I mean, you'd both not be acting this way if you both didn't love each other and all."

Lind cocks her head(s) and responds back. "How do you 'do' that?"

It comes out on both of their ethereal meld tongues as... "Belldandy." ...this Lind reminds herself 'for' Keiichi. "Yes, I should know better." ...this the Valkyrie General then looks well and true at her lifelong friend. "Then perhaps we can conduct our reason for this Meld."

"Right!" Keiichi flat out changes the subject, and then looks around. He then realizes... "Okay... how?"

He then suddenly senses Lind come up behind him, and then encapsulate him, all three sets of arms, and wings alike, around the mortal Nexus, all without actually touching him. Keiichi then hears... "You should already know, your Meldlink with Belldandy should be far easier to sense now. This as our own Meld amplifies upon those we have already Melded with, in the past."

Keiichi starts already 'seeing' 'bright points' forming, as he hears further... "Off this, I too can focus upon where my own Beloved is, this since proximity, and Meld alike magnifies both the same."

"You mean off of when we all were in that place, you, Bell, and that Italy goddess were stuck together? I think that Eihwa chick might be waiting a bit too."

Lind just teardrops. "One disastrous relationship at a time." ...this Keiichi gulps at, before 'something' yells his name. That something then is 'someone', and the name 'Belldandy' becomes attached, upon his mind. He 'looks' to his left, and then further back. "Did you feel... er... hear that?"

Lind looks as well, all four heads now at that, as she remarks. "And more." ...as to 'them', a semi-bright set of twin points, begins to be 'seen'. They also see some darkened hazing trying to blot the lights out. Keiichi senses, as Lind speaks of it. "That must be them! A demon suppression field is trying to occlude them."

Just then, as the passage of time is uneven here, verses outside the Meld, they then 'feel' a strange screech sound out from the lights! Keiichi feels 'enough' of this, for it to be... "Bell's in some kind of pain!"

Lind yelps... "So is Imladris!" -'

And the next heart attack incident of the day, nearly occurs as Keiichi suddenly is 'thrust' out of the Meld, yelling. "Belldandy!" ...this making all females of mortal note, LEAP into male versioned arms! Chihiro for one in Tamiya's arms, snaps back out with... "Do you mind K-bub!"

Lind has to lean on Keiichi for a moment as Keiichi yelps despite... "We have to get to her!" ...this Megumi blanches in a blushing Keiba's arms. "Where then dang it Bro!"

"That way. Not far." ...Lind says, jutting her head upward to indicate a forward direction, behind Keiichi. Keiichi nods... "Come on..." ...and starts off, though both he and Lind are wobbly on their feet. Chihiro and Sora have to jump off respective arms, to help support them both respectively. Sora just warns... "Watch it you two, you both look real bad off."

Keiichi being helped by Chihiro just remarks for both himself and Lind. "I can rest after I find Belldandy." ...this Chihiro rolls her eyes at. "I think some of Lind got into your brain."

"Then we are of the same objective here." ...Lind remarks in turn. Sora just sighs as they all follow. "Nice to know you guys play it safe."

Keiichi then remarks... "I think they're real close. On the campus even." ...this Chihiro blinks. "Huh? Why here, and not at the docks? And where's my truck at anyway?"

Lind responds... "The truck is in the same place. More importantly, tactics determines our primary foe, plus, we know who else is behind this."

"Lets find ouwt who thens!" Tamiya barks out, and they all gaggle their way towards the NIT arts section of the campus. All less than a five minutes away. Shorter now at their increasing pace.

"And here they come!" Mara shouts. Satorna spins his head around. "Where?" ...this he shoots over to the building's edge and sees all too well. "Damn."

Mara just quips. "Should we move them then?"

"I'll do it."

Mara cocks her eye at him, in turn.

"Ow... ow... ow... ow... ow... OW... ow..."

Mishu just gulps... "Wow, he's tough." ...as she then hears... "Please don't put too much in! Please!" ...as Mishu looks at Belldandy, as she swirls a small china glass pitch of... creme? Even Sayoko jitters an eye some, as she spouts... "I can't believe 'this' is what that weird guy said were their weaknesses to torture them with." ...this as she looks over at, as Imladris has a black, rather mangy cat, on top of his melon, literally using it as a kneading post. Imlade looks all teary eyed, by all rights. "Okay... hurts... really... ow... pain..."

Aoshima just jitters, as Mishu has a tray with a full tea party compliment, all of a china finery best, with some earl gray, and all sorts tea flavoring options: sugar, honey, lemon, crème, and a few not usually seen at a tea party. The BBQ sauce in one china container, and pickle juice in another, makes ill sense here. That is, until Belldandy sees Mishu has one 'extra' sugar cube in some fine silver tongs, hovering over the cup, already laden with too much crème and two cube already. Belldandy whimpers, as Mishu drops the third cube in! "Oops."

Belldandy just sniffs... "Oh, that poor tea."

Sayoko, trying to keep her composure over all of this, just plies her bad gal best, with the camcorder aimed at Belldandy. "If you want it to stop, just use your tricks to get out of those bonds."

Belldandy almost complies, when the BBQ sauce is lifted next, when she hears... "Dang it kitty!" ...as Imlade winces a bit too much, as the cat actually draws a bit of blood. The cat jitters and stops clawing, as Imlade just yelps out with cat-empathy... "Don't you take care of your pets?"

"Eh?" ...all three captors blink, as Belldandy actually almost cries over spilled milk. (Literally, as Mishu almost tipped the creme container over, given Imlade's yelp.) The scraggily haired feline just looks down, as Imladris decries rather ASPCA best in tone. "The poor guy is starving for attention and good food. Come on already!"

Sayoko just gulps out, as she replies. "We got the cat from the shelter, we didn't know it was hungry." ...as this in turn, has a knight, and a furry hair adornment, both just growl back at her. (Yeah, she took a step back, on that one.)

Just then, they all hear... "Over here Lind?" ...down a hallway, beyond the close door! Sayoko just gleeps out... "What? How'd they find us?"

Aoshima just looks all over at the others, in rapid order... "Ahh! Now... now what?"

Mishu just yells back, arms knocking over many of the condiments! "How should we know?" ...which Belldandy in turn sees, and squeals out in a bit of tea trauma induced panic. "Keiichi! We're in here!"

Sayoko just yelps, striking her own panicked look at Bell... "Now we're screwed!" ...just as HEAVY footsteps comes to the door, and a hand jostles at the doorknob! The lot freeze, as the doorknob is rocked again. On the other side... "Dang it! It's locked! Lind!" ...Keiichi's voice says, before a combination, of a shifting set of feet, followed by a good whoosh sound, then accompanied by a hard elbow smash, caused by a twirling Valkyrie, within the adjoining hallway! The door all but BUSTS off its hinges, as Lind and Keiichi appear in the doorway! Belldandy's encoded heart goes all aflutter, thus Imlade leans over... "Told ya." ...with a... "Meow." ...atop.

Their captors however, being seen by the rescuers for the first time, just all but freak! "Ah crap!"

Keiichi just yelps on recognition... "HUH! Sayoko and Aoshima? It IS Mishu too!" ...this said male antagonist then reaches his arm over onto Keiichi's... "And what do you think you're..." ...he touches, but then in rather unexpected character, Keiichi reacts with a Lind best over the shoulder toss! Aoshima is flat out on his back in result! Sayoko is quite shocked, Keiichi himself no less! Of the latter... "Uh... did I do that?" ...this Lind blinks in response... "Must have been the Meld."

Imlade blinks in response... "Ah... so that was what I was feeling. Good call." ...this Belldandy in kind. "Yes. And so dashing my dear." ...this Keiichi snickers per his usual character, as the rest of the mortal lot, suddenly reach the view of the doorway! (A lot of faces crammed in that small doorframe of space.) Aoshima just yells out... "That hurt you dingbat!" ...this Megumi for one goes into 'wow' mode... "Dang, did Bro do that?" ...as Tamiya and Suzuki both just laugh at the overdressed heap on the floor. Keiichi then just walks over, and gives a good 'Lind' stare to Sayoko, whit 'both' Sayoko and Mishu back off. Imlade just cracks at Sayoko. "Good thing your camera thingy caught all that." ...this Sayoko, blushing more than she realizes, just looks at her camera. "Huh? I did?" ...as Keiichi reaches and unties Belldandy from behind. "Hey Bell." ...which gets a quick glom-tackle in return. Everyone else with mind to, just smirks at the sight. Keiba for one... "Well that story ends well and true."

"As for the other..." Chihiro 'eyes' over at Imladris, as he's looking back at one other set of eyes, that just stare him down. Imladris just jokes out... "Ah, Lind my savior." ...as a cat jumps off to get at the spilled creme.

"Cut it out!" Lind just replies in kind, and flicks her fingers at him. "Come on, get out of there already." ...this Imladris blinks. "What? Can't I be saved for once?" ...which in turn gets a hip holding Lind, with face shoved into his face in kind! "Just get your plated butt out of there bub! You're being unkingly."

"Huh?" Sayoko blinks, as Aoshima manages to stand up. "What does that mean?"

Lind looks back at a head holding Aoshima. "It means bucko, that..."

...and then she blinks.

...and then they 'all' do! "Huh?" ...Satoko yelps! "Where'd they go?" ...Otaki in disbelieving kind! "what are they, a bunch of Houdinis or something?" ...this as all sight, now lacks complete sight of Imladris, and his three captors! Lind for one looks at Belldandy suddenly...

"Satorna."

Mara looks around... "Huh?" ...as she looks around wildly! She then realizes... "Dang it bastard, don't do this!" ...and senses where they 'all' went!

So does one other, as Angelus's head shoot towards the NIT campus, but then feels the area 'shift', and then she senses where unto!

A good dragon snarl, and then she shoots off at the mountain area, just outside of town!

Peorth, Talos, and Eihwa see this, the two goddesses also sensing what happened! Eihwa just shouts in fear... "AO! We have to stop them!" ...as all three just rocket off after Angelus!

"Who? What? Huh? Where? What?"

Imlade just adds to Mishu's blinking, head twisting tirade. "You forgot 'why', in there."

Aoshima looks around. "Where are we? Looks like an abandoned... where are we?"

Imladris looks around, seeing human aided grown foliage, within a large enclosed structure of mostly glass windows or such.. "Looks like the greenhouse up in the mountains." ...this Sayoko blinks over. "HUH? How do you know that?"

Imladris's normal answer, is instead turned unto of a lion's type growl of... "Again... the word is 'why'." ...as the three mortals don't realize what happened.

Belldandy, just shouts out... "Go Lind!" ...whom split acts upon, and in seeing the nearby window, and a 'pulse' to vector off of, she literally shoots through the window, opening a portal within it, at combat speed!

Of the others seeing, they all look agape, as Suzuki quips... "She went fast!" ...as Chihiro nods. "For a damn good reason."

Keiichi just yells out. "Why is Satorna going this far?" ...as they all 'knew' what was going on. Belldandy just clutches further into Keiichi's arms. "I fear his anger reaches deep. I hope Lind can stop him, or any of a result that prevents harm to Sigrun."

Keiichi for one gulps. "Oh crud."

"How'd we get here?" ...Sayoko finally snaps, before they all then 'feel', and hear, of demonic mode. "That would be mich, Frau." ...as a demonic presence steps forth, literally from the shadows of a grove of trees within the green house. Aoshima flat out points... "It's you!"

Imladris realizes, and angles his head back, knowing the intent of all of this. This as Satorna walks around, and by presence alone, 'shoves' Sayoko to the side, as she steps away for dear life. Satorna then reaches full sight, and looks at an old enemy. Satorna just seethes at... "If only 'this' could have been of my sight, in our days of war against each other."

"Enjoying the view?" Imladris snips back. Satorna leans forward, and fangs out. "Only so much as I am allowed by my Mistress." ...the tone rather venomous in intent. The three mortals watching, feel 'great' unease, at a sight that flat out made them want to run away. Fear however kept them in place, as this image lasts a bit longer.

The next moment, the greenhouse windows all suddenly glow! Satorna snarls, as much as Imladris smirks. The others just look agape, as from above, Lind's form emerges from said windows! This in full combat mode, jumpsuit, Axe, and an eye of battle on her brow! Satorna snarls even more so, as Aoshima just yells out... "How the hell did she do that?" ...before she lands, and makes one hard swipe of her Axe, at Satorna! The hit never lands, as a demonic teleport allows his escape! And of course now, all the mortals in the small area, are mind numb, as Imladris just smiles out. "My hero."

Lind of course, all but anime big-head and such... "I said knock it off! And 'why' are you still bound down like that?" ...this as she then stands near, and levels her Axe blade, just off Imladris's nose. Imladris just blanches back. "What? Can't you do it?" ...this Lind rolls her eyes in turn. "Enough with the fantasy. I already did this before." ...this Imladris blinks in kind? "Eh? If you only mean that Dark Lord bit..." ...this he nearly freaks with the Axe nearly cleaved into his skull! Lind retorts back... "Not that! Back when my sister and I were disguised Elves, and helped you with that mission once."

Imladris goes WIDE-eyed in turn? "THAT WAS YOU?" ...this about blasting the eardrums of the unaccustomed mortals, off of Imladris's Command Voice! Lind just rolls her eyes, but then sees Imlade have a blushed, far off look. Lind just moans. "Oh sure, enjoy yourself there." ...this before she just elbows Imlade onto his back! This in the same motion Lind uses her right foot to tilt-yank Imlade back upright, now with a good shiner on his forehead!

"Ow."

Lind just grinds back. "Now get your Imperial hind out of that chair." ...this Imladris in kind, semi-whines... "Not with the mortals around." ...this Lind then notes, 'reading' all of what Imladris went through, to a mania tone of... "Who CARES if you got taped! Just get out of those chains." ...which Imladris corrects unto Lind. "Not that! The chains have a hexed backlash Program upon them! I'd have to use Evolution to break free, without peripheral help!"

Lind gulped, and cursed herself silently. She realized that meant, the spell would have killed Sayoko, Aoshima and Mishu, if Imladris had broken free on his own. The same hex had likely been placed upon Belldandy's bonds, to the same effect. She realized... "Then..." ...and looks back at three already blank looking mortals. Lind silently grumbled... "(Damn that Satorna. There is a Treaty in place against this act. What is he doing?)"

"Let's find out." Imladris ironclads out, which Lind complies with a swift swipe of her Axe, but 'not' in cutting the chains. Instead, her Axe 'cuts' the spell hex-threads, which Imladris feels, and then in turn he flat out breaks out of his bonds, with dear ease. Sayoko and Mishu see this, and coo... "Wow." ...this Lind looks back at the two ladies, whom dive right behind Aoshima! Lind in turn sees the camcorder dropped, and then a quick Axe cut into the ground through the device, destroys it!

Imladris just decries a bit. "Aww, it had Keiichi using that sweet move on that bloke there, on it." ...this Lind giggles at. Lind remarks at first... "I think Belldandy already has a memory file of that moment. I think..." ...this before she stops, and all heads hear the sudden approach, and eyes unto arrival, of a draconic madness! This as Angelus just smashes her way into the greenhouse! Glass rains about, but to little harm of blocking arms and all, before Imladris of course... "What the heck is she doing here?" ...as one octave of panic further, three mortals go WIDE-EYED for all heck definition of it! Three mortal panicked tones of... "AHHH!" ...cause three mortals to run about for a couple of seconds, before Mishu and Sayoko just smack into each other, and are knocked out cold! The same for Aoshima, as he runs blindly into a wooden post, and ala same end result.

This leaves two warrior celestials, with an angry Celestial-Dragon, huffing at them! (Well, more 'one' of them, than the Valkyrian other.) After a moment when all the glass and chaos settles, Imladris, behind Lind's back (who looks back rather dryly,) comments... "Is it me, or did you grow another ten feet already?"

"Silence knight-chow!" Angelus snaps back, this before three more forms arrive in the cool midday air that quickly replaces the former greenhouse hot air. Eihwa lands and quickly hops over to... "Are you alright?" ...to Lind 'first', as Peorth and Talos lands, the latter with his back upon Peorth's, as he eyes Angelus defensively! Peorth cascade calls out... "Lind! Chevalier!" ...as Talos keeps eyeing Angelus. The dragon just huffs back, in a teenage format of angst and all. "What are 'you' looking at Slayer."

"Sorry, force of habit." Talos expounds, before Peorth just shoots forward a bit too fast, making Talos land on his back from angle of leverage! Lind meanwhile just pulls at Eihwa, as Peorth approaches. Lind decries to Peorth. "Please get your sister off of me!" ...this Peorth giggles. "Like it would work any better with Imladris."

"Hey!" ...a knight-king yelps. This before A dragon head hovers near, making three goddesses suddenly use Imladris as a shield. (Or simply a sacrifice. More likely the latter.) "H... hey!" ...in further yelping. Angelus just snarls out. "My mother grows impatient."

"And you came here for 'that'?" Imladris blanches back! In breath weapon hissing return, frothing from her mouth. "Hardly chow! All of Heaven felt what happened over here! Your antics are causing too much of a stir, anymore."

"Huh?" Imladris blinks, before Angelus snarls again. "When are you going to ask!"

"Aye." ...Imlade hears behind him, of two close to heart sources. Peorth almost added a third to that, as Imladris blanches even further... "We can't do that sort of thing here?" ...this he then feels his head shoved forward, as Lind offers... "Take a bite, be my guest."

Angelus just snorts as Imlade just yells out to all self preservation. "I think the others wouldn't like to have a funeral today!" ...this Angelus just grumbles back. "One supposes not. A pity."

The next tone from Imladris however, makes them all shiver. One rather dark. "Instead, one should deal with another matter at hand." ...this before they all then see Imladris LEAP into the sky, at a demonic target still looking on from above! (Strange of juxtaposition and all.) Peorth should in fearful kind. "Non! Wait Chevalier!" ...as they all shoot up, leaving behind the three mortals unconscious, but quite unharmed.

Of the said target area, Mara yelps on snap demonic teleport arrival... "Satorna! What the hell do you think..." ...before she sees below, the approach of wrath incarnate! Mara leaps in front of Satorna, (whom just stares with anger,) as Imladris arrives, three goddesses, a Slayer and a Dragon in close concert! The latter bunch however were fearful, as Lind shouts... "Beloved! Temper your actions!"

"Don't hurt him!" ...Mara equally shouts, rather fearful in tone, with a formal demon blade held at the defense of her lover! This as neither Imladris or Satorna were aware of the Doublet situation apparent, that both sides would have regretted immensely. However Imladris's intent just comes across clear, as he combats with words, rather than powers here. This as he accuses. "How DARE you use me in an attempt to circumvent the Treaty! Would you risk formal Censure for you part in this Satorna?" ...as a good 'growl' of the Dark Lord stabs through his tone. It shakes souls all around, as Satorna just pushes past Mara in equal blame!

An ill tone comes out as... "And how dare you Seal me, and leave me helpless like that, for twenty years! And then... to be used as enslaved fodder to 'that' Thing? ...this Imladris winced a good deal at. Satorna's 'use' by Caceroth, was well known all around. Lind would have responded to Imladris's defense, but trying to do so, begot a stiff hand from Eihwa, as a shake of her white tressed head, as Lind looked back at her.

Satorna just kept up the snarl. "So I risked Censure, given those particular mortals are 'slated' anyway, why 'not' use them, in an attempt to make you feel an equal amount of misery, as "I' was subjected to!"

"Fool." ...Angelus spats at Satorna instead, as Imladris just takes unto his own barb of... "Such wouldn't have scratched the surface of what I deserve there." ...this Satorna blinks at, but makes one more angst riddled barb of his own, at the plain clothed knight. "N... no I doubt it. Such would require a 'payment' too high for what you did to me!"

Of course, since it wasn't his banner day anyway, he takes all of this too far unto himself. To the rising dismay of those hearing it... "If you want 'that' kind of a payment, I'm sure Voluspa Herself will comply with that, when this all ends for me!"

As soon as he said that, he saw an unexpected look of shock from Satorna, who just stuttered back... "I... I just meant... being Sealed..." ...as even he realized killing Imladris, was completely wrong. "...I mean even I know about all of 'that' Herr Ritter."

Imladris drew a confused face, one that quickly in turn into dismay again, as he hears to turn around and see Lind... cry?

And Eihwa too? Peorth and Angelus in fact. And in fact 'deeper' beyond, through a burgeoning Link. Talos just sports a hurt, chiding face, equal to the ones the celestials 'also' stare at him with.

Lind just whispers in a barely controlled seethe, mixed with a breaching sorrow... "How could you."

It's the last he hears, as suddenly the Light side of the equation, all vanish. Unseen, Peorth takes 'care' of their mortal pest problem below, with the usual sleeping powder treatment from Gorgeous Rose, leaving the antagonists of both ends of the equation, the demons staring at a lost looking Imladris.

Of said poor form of a knight, Imladris just whispers to Satorna. "You win. Being my own worst enemy does the job better it seems."

Two demons lovers just trade a look, as Imladris turns towards the only place of refuge he can think of suddenly. This as he also adds to a wordless watching demon duo. "And I'm sorry for Sealing you. I can't take that one back, anymore it seems I can't avoid this curse of Tyr, stuck within my soul."

Mara only can utter... "Uh..." ...before Imladris 'does' vanish out of sight. Satorna just sighs, and then in a rather far more amicable tone, asks of Mara behind him. "Perhaps it's time I 'did' get the full update on this situation." ...this Mara rolls her eyes. "About time."

"For more than one reason." ...this freaking out them both, as they spin and see... "Mistress Hild!"

A Kid-Frigurina for one, just quips over to Kid-Al, both floating behind one Kid-Hild, this as Frig points between the present demons. "Do they 'always' react that way to her arrivals?" ...this Hild just snips back. "As if you both don't have a version of fear to rule others by."

Kid-Almighty in turn snips back. "Our version is usually lauded upon us by earned measure, not imposed without choice, young one."

Kid-Hild just shrugs in turn, floating just as nonchalantly as ever. "All akin to the same terrorized coin of mortal soul. Or even immortal." ...this she eyes at a gulping Satorna. This as Hild makes her snap on Punishment for him finally, with a snap of fingers added! A red-black field suddenly encapsulates him, as Mara gasps and reaches over, feeing a good STING in attempting to touch him. "What? Mistress?"

"Your punishment of the failure of the Campaign, is lack of tactile contact for twenty-four hours, with each other. This unless We deem a time frame akin to Satorna's prior Sealing, is more fitting." ...this Satorna blanches! "But that was over twenty years, of that Seal!" ...this Mara just waves her hands defensively... "We can manage just twenty-four hours." ...though Hild clearly hears a whine in the tone. Frigurina just shakes her head. "Demons."

Hild just quips back in turn. "We were about to discuss our mutual Charge's situation, were we not here?" ...this Satorna blinks at. "Yes, though what good it will accomplish now, alludes mich." ...this Mara however more knowing, comments over... "Is it about all this Seer crap?"

Kid-Almighty just states to an iconic moment to come. "It becomes to a final chapter that is only now beginning to unfold. To complete it, will require the Return of one that Stands for us all, and of a Family akin, that will partake in Rebirth, in the same measure of unknowable act. Even by Myself of acquired accord." ...this Frigurina gulped out. "You mean of the Time After... say such not is your Words." ...of a tone equal to how Lind reacted moments before. Hild felt the 'same' sting. Mara and Satorna couldn't fathom such of an imagination that had no right to exist.

But... such was 'said' by the Mighty tone, nonetheless. Of such Almighty imparts. "We have little choice, the Story of Prose continues it's march, and Existence awaits His Return. Such, I too, would like an old friend back. Such, we must consent, us Three of the Beginning after Voluspa, must Test him of his Realizing."

Frigurina and Hild both look at each other, their kid forms filled with ancient fears, and even fathomless hopes, each. This as Almighty looks toward Imladris's current refuge, toward Mount Fuji, as clouds made their active mark upon the summit area. Of further to include, in his Mighty tone. "Perhaps from such Testing, all merit of the Story, will become appeased unto all hearts."

The four around Almighty's kid form, look, and then gaze at the mountain iconic afar.

The remainder of a cooling afternoon, a drawing sun of its amber rays across a planet, saw its inhabitants adjust to the evolutionary course of things. For most of mortality unknowing, their daily content, for most hearts and minds, alludes to their evening course.

For two however, as a truck is retrieved from the evening shadows of the docks area, their discourse is short and silent, as Belldandy takes the wheel this time, with Lind in the passenger seat, holding the package that never got delivered. In all of that traverse back, Lind said little, Belldandy fully understanding why. The reverberations were too crystal to all, and such beheld their silence, on their way back to Whirlwind.

Plus, Lind had expended more energy this day, than Belldandy had, as such Belldandy didn't push. Their dual use of gate method teleportation to reach the 'same' truck they drove in, was of ken here.

Despite all of this, Belldandy then hears at once point. "I'm still going to save him."

"I know." ...was all that Belldandy responded back.

Just then, as those waning hours were fading, as they drew close to their destination, they both then felt 'another', take a lead for once. Lind cocks an eye downward in sensing, as Belldandy smiles. "He'll bring him back."

Lind nods. "I'll still be waiting." ...this as the first streetlights were flickering on.

Lind then snips over, of a 'girls only' thang of tone. Off a prior Meld and whatnot... "And I 'see' you and Keiichi have become adventurous indeed."

Belldandy just meekly smiles back.

The view wasn't unlike the time he found himself haggled and denuded, upon that Glacier, at the end of a life that had only sorrow and amnesia attached to said memory.

This version, was to be truthful, cleaner, the snow falling about him, quite a flurry of white 'bees' that flitted about him, as he sat in the cold, in nothing more than his normal cloth, not even the Whirlwind worksuit from prior, as he changed said such in a fit of continued admonishment.

And there he sat, in the middle of a snowstorm atop the famous volcano of the islands, unknowingly near the same area as back of that prior battle with Xarltoran. Such a memory didn't even occur to the bloke, as his hair blustered in the winter mountain winds, the snow encrusting unto his melon, though his skin was too 'cool' to melt any of it, alluding to a snowed in effect unto his already angelic, feathered hair. The wind would blow enough away to allow vision of afar, as his sight kept eyeing towards the Residence, if not of precise detail at this distance, enough of known vector, to draw eye upon. Such as of said vision, that the landscape below Mount Fuji would trade between snowed over thick, and a snow dust haze of cold that left a haunting impression, upon this lofty viewscape.

Such his ill need or worry about hypothermia, lent instead to worry over his ills of continued mind. And this time, prior thoughts of the day, melded with the 'real' worry, for his inability to close a truly heart's desire type of deal.

Even the howling winds couldn't preclude his mind from echoing this one sentiment. Such prevented realization of strange miracles occurring at said Temple residence, nothing of ill of his final worries of this closing eve, but of echoes that made even time itself pas by all too easily. Enough that before he realized it, the darkening landscape below was of a deep blue, with an earthly carpet of stars, poking through the snowy haze.

He didn't even realize, until... "You gonna be here all night?"

Imladris looks up and cocks a refocusing eye. "Talos?"

Said Dragonslayer, now all but attached to Peorth's side, just floated there, of magicks garnered from his time amongst said goddess. All in the name of helping the one sitting before him, conduct his mission. One Talos readily admitted... "I don't blame ya for hiding away and all, or any of what you do." ...this Imladris chuckles in recognition. Talos then adds... "But much longer up here, and you might get sent to that ship of yours for defrosting. Probably will get an earful too during."

Imladris nods, but then notes a nearby speck of 'red' denoting an active camera orb, which he sighs, but then eyes back to comment to Talos. "One I would deserve. More than fully."

The next thing Imladris notes, Talos simply sits down near him, to his left. A man cushion's worth of space to be sure, as Talos just digs up a good handful of snow. He just comments... "Seems that snow is the same, on any world. Funny how that can be, no matter where one is."

"Seems colder now, more than ever." Imladris bemoans, unto himself, just letting it all out, there and then. "I don't understand myself. Again I pull the 'I'll take Voluspa with me' crud." ...a good sigh to enunciate his head into his cold hands with. "I'm a fool."

For a moment, they both just sit there.

The next thing Imlade felt, was the cool sting of a snowball, pelted onto his face. Imlade of course blinks over incredulously, as Talos just smirks over. "Lighten up."

"Eh?" ...was all of a 'choice' set of words he could have used, refrained from such by wanting to hear further words, comprised such as from the Dragonslayer. "You won't do us much good, moping about all of this, this much, all the time. Kinda taking too much like me, from my old days."

Imladris cocked a snow encrusted eyebrow. "Hmm?" ...Talos nodded, and offered in personal measure. "After my family died, heck, even after the first time Peorth left me. Both times I felt quite lost, roaming Faerun for dragons to collect bounties off of. Both times, a hole in my heart, that I filled up with, with too much anger and worse. All better I am rid of, now that Peorth takes my hand again."

Imladris looked away, considered, and then asked. "All this time... ah..."

Talos knew of the query of intent. "Peorth came to Faerun, on an errand to find... hmm... never fully did say. We ran across each other, as I was hunting my usual fare, when Peorth was being chased by a bunch of harpies. Of all things."

"Hmm." Imladris nodded with, Talos in kind. "The short of it, I helped save her, intended to leave her to continue on my way, and was... well... I think your world called the effect, a Florence Night in something thing. A short term spat of heated passion, to be certain."

It was a wonder the snow around Imladris didn't all melt. "Uh... kay."

Talos chuckled, and wondered if this all would be 'repaid' unto later, off his own skull of something. The Slayer then continued. "It lasted for about a good two cycles of Selune. I think it was more passion than actual love. Plus, when Peorth learned of my nature with dragons, the ills you know better of good sir, she was less inclined to be a part. She remained with me for about another cycle of Selune, before she was 'called' back to her duty."

Talos then sighed. "By then, I didn't realize enough how much 'she' was affecting me. Before, I was a mercenary at best with my parley. After, I grew to care for those around me, that I battled dragons to save from. It all kinda went askew, when she disappeared on me, one morning. Only a note, and a red rose. That was the last I saw of her, before the time unto us now."

Imladris guessed, the howl of the wind not dissuading his thoughts. "I suspect, she was enforced back to her duty per a Commandment of a format. Without a proper Contract of even a Binding measure between you two, well..."

Talos just eyed over with a dry look. "You high types know how to break a heart. I'll give ya that." ...this Imladris defended lightly in turn. "Nay, said duty tends to... hmm... drive one's course, on ever High." ...this Talos then lent back to the full circle. "In any case, you are much like I was then. I am not 'now', because I know from my past, what 'before' me, is important to realize."

Imladris nods, but then counters... "That's my problem." Talos notes the haunting tone Imladris changes to. Such is conducted to a strained one further. "I... I fear to keep that same course, means I risk having the one IO love most, bonded in life, to one that may not have a choice in the final measure of what is to come."

Talos gulps a bit, as Imladris states it... "I don't want Lind to suffer, like Heaven suffered, when Tyr sacrificed himself. I think that is why, I can't gather the gumption to propose to her. My love for her, is being blinded by the fact, that if I turn into Tyr, I may have no choice in the matter against Voluspa.

In fact, if I turn into Tyr, will 'Imladris' even remain afterwards. The same of what happened of my falsity of the Dark Lord. The same of... too many things about me."

And with that, a good deflation of air, causes even the clouds to seem to part around them. A happenstance at that, as just then, a glimmer of moonlight breaks through off to their rear, and showers a silvery light, through the misting snow, the receding orb of the Luna in phase, still effecting enough light to make the snow sparkle like stars. Imladris in turn, almost swore he saw a strange form of rainbow, mist through the effect. It was a scene that made him think of only one being, in that beautiful moment.

And a moment, that changed his tone, and gave back easy hope, to a Slayer that was admitting defeat prior.

"But then, that's all what Voluspa would want. My thoughts should not be on that Seer, but on Lind. A reason to see 'all' of this through, and... maybe... no... will... live through it."

Talos just in turn, slapped a hand on Imladris's shoulder, and remarked. "Not bad."

Finally, a knight-king-something, stood up, and then... "Ohh... but cramp... cold one..." ...as he feels just how stiff his hind is. Talos realizes the same, as his nominal Slayer cloth, didn't do well with the cold either. "Ow... cold... yup, real stiff."

For a moment, two 'heroes', just work their butts back into a feeling shape.

Somewhere, two goddesses were giggling in 'feeling' this, in sonnet mind-tune. A good watching galactic audience too.

After that, Talos just bade Imlade to just come back home finally.

A short side trip later, and Talos and Imladris came home, both with four boxes of cookies each. Of Imladris's part, two of the boxes were of Lind's favorites, the other six cases for all the others he miffed off this passing day. They just land inside the temple wall area. "And here we..." ...Talos quips, before he suddenly feels a Forever wrap, encase him from behind. "..eh?"

"Welcome home, mon amour." ...which begets a good blush from a mainly Slayer.

Imladris looks back with a smile at first, then back at a... "Huh?"

Rather an unexpected sight, as arrayed out on the evening lawn, pretty much the entire family looks over as one, as an intermingled mix of celestials and mortals, all arrayed like a small version of an ad hoc auditorium seating arrangement, of a arched-circle fashion. Of specific points, Kid-Frig is in Belldandy's lap, Kid-Al in Chihiro's, the mangy cat from the prior 'torture' bit, is now a new friend in Satoko's lap, with the usual pattern of loved ones near each other all alike, as even Hild is present this time. Mara was in the back, but Satorna wasn't seen. The reason for all of this, seemed aimed prior, towards Urd, Troubadour, Skuld, Sigrun, the Synthetics Banpei, Sigel, Scetu (again?) as well as a couple of rather glowing reasons, one of which that suddenly comes bounding up right at him!

This as everything of a five year old girl, all but bound-floats up to him, reaching him and cooing out a gushy sounding... "Oooooooooooh!" Imladris in turn cocks a surprised eye, as the kid, of all format of being one, was like the child was made of formal light! A bit ghostly to the eye, possibly ethereal, and all with a strange 'depth of light' effect, that drew light filaments, on deeper of a look 'within' the child. It was because of this effect, that Imladris gasped out... "Are you a Hikari Seed?"

"Give tha bucko a star!" ...as Takano comes up next, with her arms nabbing the boxes. This as he then notes a 'second' light endowed being, this one all slender and elegant. Imladris on immediate recognition... "That's impossible!"

"Told ya all." Urd quipped over, as Skuld bounds over next! Adding a second onion layer of mystery, she then spouts at first... "That's not all Cousin! You won't believe what happened to Sigel and Banpei today!"

"Ah..." Imladris only gets out, as then all of a sudden, he gets bound around, with another round from the child, with... "Yay yay yay yay yay yay!" ...this before he is all but bum rushed by the rest of the mortals, with Keima and... eh? ...the elder Yamano in the lead? This as every mortal that Imladris knew, was here, as Belldandy calls out. "Don't crowd Cousin too much everyone!" ...this as Keima leads off with... "You got some explaining to do bub!"

Imladris just throws his arms up, wincing defensively... "I'm sorry! I keep screwing things up."

"Eh?" ...Imlade hears, then looks through between his arms, as He sees one other soul walk around and over, this as Lind stops off his right, and remarks. "Their intent is the mystery that 'you' put into them."

"Eh? Moi?" Imlade blinks over at, before Lind walks over close, and just claws her hand into his shoulder, making the lil glowy girl-child shoot up above his head. This as Lind then YANKS Imlade with her! She spouts... "Common, time for a good story spiel." ...this Chihiro, Otaki, Megumi, Satoko and Suzuki just push him from behind! "Yeah!" ...with a close gaggle of the remainder on behind!

The lil glowy girl-child just suddenly makes a cute form of a flex pose, with a cutely stressed... "Auntie Lind is awesome!" ...above Talos's head. This the bloke comments... "Is she a girl child of light, or a boy child of light?" ...this before Peorth just yanks him along wordlessly.

As Imladris is situated for a heck of a story evening to come, if not more, Kid-Almighty just rubs at his 'reading specs' again, with a cloth. "The stories are never ending this day." ...this before Kid-Frigurina realizes and NABS said cloth from him, yelping... "That's my dress gown you eternal turd!" ...unto whit she proceeds to bust into a anime cloud-dust laden fight! One that quickly tumbles over and... "ACK! Don't get US involved with... EEK!" ...quickly includes Hild as well!

Everyone else sees this, as Velsper nearby scampers away for dear life! Keiichi just gulps out... "Are we all gonna die now?" ...this Belldandy just giggles... "Urd, Skuld and Sigrun take so much like after them."

Urd/Skuld/Sigrun: "Ah come on!"

This all meanwhile lasts just long enough, for Imlade to be settled in, get a quick lecture about his 'sacrifice' crud, and then have all the cookies and milk passed about, as everyone settles in for the full details to be formally laid out, as the lil glowy kid just orbits around Urd and Troubadour, literally. This as Sigel is closer to Banpei, more than ever now. When all is settled, Imladris asks first... "Is she..." ...a nod towards the glowy child. "...what Lord Ackronus mentioned of?"

Urd just quips rather defensively, pensively, and meekly, all layered upon each other of emotion. "Ah... funny story about that, when we were on that Tree planet of yours."

Imlade then hears off his right ear, with a lap fully taken once more. Lind the source... "Yeah, you really didn't keep track of the kids very well." ...Imlade just blanches back. "What am I, their nanny now?" ...and get a headlock, for his trouble. Frigurina further behind, just floats in and leans on Imlade's head. "Maybe their story will explain all." ...this with an eye at a teardropping Urd, and a hiding behind Urd's back Troubadour. Imlade just blinks in sixteen shades of concussion. "Okay... perhaps we shalt... ow... hear the story. Dang it Valk-girl!"

Before Lind can tear Imlade's skull off, and she could have after this passing day, a story is then told, by three Norn sisters. And the telling... wow, in the telling...

One where apparently ascension didn't only affect one civilization of note. It affected 'three'...

(End Act II)

AN: Yes, all this stuff is happening on the same day. And of course ya'll have to wait for the next chapter to read more. Heh.