Disclaimer: Don't own AS or any of its characters…

This chapter is specially dedicated to IrisEclipsed, LucifaelsBride and Ayashi44. Thanks for supporting my story all the way! You guys really make my day!

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Chapter 8- Recollections

Assiah

"Astarte nee- san, you've returned?"

Heiwa blinked. "Asta…who?"

Astharoth looked at Heiwa in disbelief.

"You are Astarte nee- san, don't you remember? I'm your brother! You said you loved me best, right? You said you'll always be there! How could you forget?" Astharoth was getting more agitated.

A look of disgust spread over Heiwa's face.

"Are you sick, that's incest!" she snapped. Astharoth looked at her in shock as a weird emotion crossed over the faces of Setsuna and Sara.

Aerial winced slightly as she heard what her best friend had said.

Hatter and Asmodeus turned to look at Lucifer, who nodded his head. Both then sprang towards Astharoth and locked their arms around his arms and forcefully dragged him away.

Aerial, who had been watching, walked over to Heiwa, who was gingerly rubbing her arms. "You okay?"

Heiwa grumbled. "I guess…anyway, I'm hightailing out of here. I don't want that guy grabbing me again…pity he's quite good- looking. But, incest? Now, that's gross…"

"Hey…you gotta be aware of other people's feelings too…" Aerial chided her friend.

Heiwa sighed. "Fine, whatever, I gotta head home now. My mom is gonna chew my head off…"

Heiwa passed the book to Aerial, waved her arm at Sara, who returned one weakly. As she turned her head, her eyes came to rest on the stoic figure of Lucifer, before she walked out of the door.

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Hell

"What's this? Now Astarte? Life is so full of mystery! And my husband's twin? What a nice joke!" Barbelo threw her head back and laughed.

As she composed herself moments later, a wicked smile played over her blood- red lips.

"Now…why don't we carry this joke a little further…?"

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Assiah

Everyone had finished their dessert in silence under the wrathful glare of Sara, who was clearly furious with the events that had taken place. Not even Setsuna's feeble attempts at explaining that she had been partly responsible for this had changed her mindset.

A few minutes after Heiwa left, Aerial had decided to leave as well, under the excuse of "private issues". She had gotten Kira to stay behind as she said a hasty goodbye and went after Heiwa.

After Sara had closed the door, she had glared upon them and motioned for them to move to the dining table and finish up the dessert, which everyone promptly did so, for Sara's temper was not one to play around with.

Once dessert was done with, Sara took a deep breath.

"Alright, I had enough. Lucifer…best if you give an explanation of what exactly is going on down here. Uriel, you are next."

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Heaven

"Nee- san…" Rosiel whined as he plucked at another petal of the rose. Katan suppressed a sigh.

"Rosiel- sama, that's the 388th rose that you are currently plucking. At this rate, you won't be able to give any flower to Alexiel- sama…"

"But nee- san doesn't know me! Did you not see the look on her face?" Rosiel wailed.

As Rosiel continued to whine despondently, Katan wondered if it had been a good idea to remove Rosiel from Sara's house after 'Aerial' had pushed him away.

-Oh well, I just have to live with it…-

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Assiah

'So…you're telling me that Astarte is Astharoth's older sister?"

Everyone at the table nodded their heads.

"And Heiwa happened to look like her?"

Everyone nodded again.

"Same thing with the case of Alexiel and Aerial?"

Nod. Nod.

"So what are you going to do now?"

Nod. No –

Everyone snapped their heads to looked at Sara with sheepish smiles on their faces, other than Lucifer and Barbiel, both of whom had not even bothered to nod their heads, partly because Barbiel was copying down the entire conversation.

"What can we do? Alexiel thinks she's a human, and thing is, none of us even detected her astral energies, which is unusual." Raphael said.

"Unusual as in…?" Setsuna asked.

"Unusual as in all re-incarnated angels still retain their astral energies, like your case, Setsuna, Sara. When Alexiel and Gabriel were so- called reincarnated, your bodies were the one to keep that astral energies. Its tightly sealed, but it can be felt by any angels or demons, no matter the distance. Moreover, sometimes we leave behind what we call astral trails." Uriel explained.

"Astral trails…are they something like roads? I mean, it just leaves behind something like an invisible trail…" Sara asked.

"Something similar to your description." Gabriel answered. Sara nodded in understanding.

There was silence for a while as everyone each thought of their own things, before they were snapped out of their thoughts when the clock chimed.

Sara glanced at the wall. "It's already 12, huh? Well, Merry Christmas…belated…"

"Anyway, I think we should get going…" Uriel said. The rest of the angels nodded their head, while the demons looked at their leader.

"Lucifer?" Setsuna asked. "Kurai?"

"I think I'll head back too…I can't leave for that long…" Kurai said.

"Lucifer?"

"The rest of you head back first. I want a word with Sakuya. Setsuna, Sara, both of you stay as well."

Hatter, Asmodeus looked at each other, then quickly turned away as they each hauled up an unconscious Astharoth, who had been knocked out courtesy of Hatter.

Sara then opened the door and waved goodbye to them. She watched as Barbiel mumbled something into a watch around her wrist, and a portal suddenly opened up in front of them. Sara gaped.

Apparently, Barbiel must have felt her presence, for she turned around and smiled at Sara before stepping through the portal. Uriel was the last to enter, and he gave a brief wave as the portal closed behind him.

-In…incredible technology…- Sara thought.

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Mid- way to Heaven

"Ne, Barbiel, why was Sara- chan looking so stunned back there?" Michael asked, his arms tucked behind his head, Kurai walking by his side.

"Nothing much, actually. I think she was thinking we would fly back…"

"That's a lot of energy…'sides, its not like we can show our wings in the lot of humans there…"

As the group walked on, another portal opened up, and a demon poked its head through.

"What the hell…!?" Michael let out a strangled yell, as the others continued to stone there in shock, other than the demons themselves.

The demon, ignoring the stoned angels, bowed to Hatter.

"Welcome back, Pride- sama, Lust- sama and… Sloth- sama…?" the demon looked curiously at the still unconscious Astaroth.

Hatter waved her hand to get his attention. "Nevermind him; we have more pressing issues to attend to. The Lord of Chaos will return later; he has some personal issues with the Messiah to deal with." The demon nodded, then gestured for them to step through. Asmodeus was first, dragging along with him Astharoth. The demon went over to help, and they soon disappeared into the darkness. Hatter let out a sigh, then looked back at the angels.

"Well, we say our farewells here, I guess. On behalf of hell and the Lord of Chaos, I thank you for being patient with us and we hope the treaty issues will be resolved soon."

As Kurai made to step in after Hatter had entered the portal, Michael grabbed her hand. She turned her head in surprise. Michael blushed slightly and coughed. "Erm, have a safe trip…"

Kurai smiled. "You, too!"

The angels waved goodbye to Kurai as the portal closed up behind her. After which, the angels focused her attention on Michael.

Weird sensations were spreading throughout Michael's body as he felt their stare on him. "What?"

Gabriel coughed slightly. "Seems like the rumor was true after all, after all that we witnessed…"

Raphael sighed. "Our All- action- but- no- Talk boy has grown up at last…"

"Nani!? Shut your trap, you damn flirt!"

"Hey, say the person who's got a cannon- like mouth!"

"And even if I have it!?"

"Will the two of you quit it?" Uriel sighed as he stepped in between them. "Now's not the time for this petty argument of yours. In any event, we need to get back to Heaven now and report to Adam Kadamon- sama about…Alexiel…" The Archangel of Earth then spun around and walked past the rest of them.

Gabriel had a thoughtful look on her face. "Seems like he has yet to get over Alexiel…"

Barbiel nodded. "Seems like he can't help it…after all, he won't be the only competitor for the heart of Alexiel- sama…if she ever returns, that is…"

"And some how, I feel that it will be very soon…" Barbiel made to turn around and chide Raphael, but stopped short as she looked at his face. Gabriel and Michael, having noticed the look of surprise and strangely, fear, crossed over her face, they stepped in front of Raphael.

Except that Raphael did not have his usual carefree smile on his face, in fact, it was more like a person who had just made a damning prophecy that would thrown lives and peace on the line.

But the main stake this time, was Alexiel.

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Assiah

"Well, what do you want to know about?" Kira asked, his arms folded over his chest.

"How did you get back alive, Senpai?" Setsuna immediately asked.

Kira leaned over and whacked Setsuna on the head.

"Ow! What was that for? You said ask what we wanted to know about!"

"Haven't you been listening to what I said just now? I said ask anything but that!" Kira shot back. Sara sighed.

"Forget it, Senpai. He never listens…"

"I ain't that bad, okay?"

"Don't count on it, Setsuna, you still look like the dumb idiot I saw years ago…"

"Hey!"

"Will you guys shut up?" Lucifer broke in. Everyone turned to look at him.

Lucifer, without looking up, asked, "So what do you intend to do next?"

"About what?" Kira asked, even though he was clear what Lucifer was referring to.

Lucifer glowered at him. "Don't fool around with me!"

Setsuna grimaced. -Here we go again…-

"Honestly, will the two of you stop getting offensive with each other?" Kira and Lucifer readied themselves to retort, but decided not to as Setsuna was looking dangerously pissed.

Kira sighed and plopped back into his seat.

"Well, what do you want to ask?" he said heavily.

The next question was unexpected.

"Why is Adam Kadamon involved?"

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Hell

The demon cowered in front of Barbelo as her eyes devoured the report he had just delivered to her. After she finished looking at it, she looked the demon. "Is this thing true?"

"Y…yes, my lady. I would never lie…" the demon stammered.

Barbelo smirked. "What a job well done…I suppose I must reward you…"

Barbelo held up a cup to the demon. The demon shrank back.

"Don't worry; this is the best wine in hell…" she assured him.

The demon took the cup shakily. "Thank you for your generosity, my lady…" he then drank deeply as Barbelo looked on.

After emptying the cup, he set it next to him and waited for further instructions. Barbelo smiled and tapped on the armrest.

Abruptly, the demon felt something flame through him. "What…!?"

"I suppose I didn't finish my sentence, did I? This is the best wine in hell...made out of monkshood and nettle juice…added along with my deceased son, Abbadon, blood."

The demon writhed around in pain.

"You thought I failed to recognize you, you filthy thing? You were there when my son died! I may have looked like I did not care, but he was my flesh and blood. So, how does it feel to be eaten by the cursed blood that runs in his veins?" Barbelo laughed maniacally.

"My…lady…for…give me…" the demon said.

"Sure…" for a moment, the demon held his hopes up, then…

"I'll grant you a quick death…"

The blade that he had never seen her hold came down.

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Hell

"Tch, indeed, the blood of a lower ranked demon tastes foul…" Barbelo flicked away the blood on her fingers, then wiped her blade on the demon's body.

"Now…to set out proving that this report…is true…"

Seconds later, the room was silent, with only traces of the demon's silent scream left behind…

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Assiah

"Adam Kadamon?" Setsuna said sharply. "What does he have to do with this?"

"A lot…" Lucifer said.

"I never said he was truly involved." Kira said.

"Liar."

Everyone looked at Sara in surprise.

"Sara…?" Setsuna asked.

"Adam Kadamon is involved. Why else would two people be reincarnated and sent to Assiah specifically? Moreover, both of them are friends in Assiah when they are enemies in Heaven. Where's the logic?"

There was a pregnant pause before Lucifer spoke.

"Sara, I think we did not mention it before, but any angel or demon that are reincarnated normally retain not a shred of their memories, no matter how powerful their astral power. So what makes you think they can't be friends?"

Everyone tensed, having sensed the chilly tone in Lucifer voice.

"No, I don't mean it that way…I mean, it sounds weird…" Sara tried to rectify the mistake. Lucifer only looked at her, then looked back at Kira.

"How long does Adam Kadamon intend to use us as his pawns?"

Kira was silent.

"I can't tell you that much…"

"So you are involved with Adam Kadamon after all!" Setsuna said.

"What else are you keeping from us, Senpai?" Sara asked.

Kira gritted his lips. Since he had revealed it, it was time to let the fish out of the bag.

"Well?" Lucifer said, his onyx eyes searching.

Kira licked his lips.

"Until he can ensure that the prophecy and curse God left behind before you destroyed him will not come true."

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Heaven

"What!?"

The angel flinched.

"Calm down, Michael, you're scaring him! You make take your leave now." Gabriel said. The angel, with a relieved look on his face, all but walked out of the room.

The Archangels had grim looks on their faces.

"We were just gone for a few hours and this is what happens!?" Michael stormed.

"They certainly weren't expecting a hacker, above all, for the hacker to be from the demon realm…" Barbiel said.

"This won't help matters any better…the treaty has yet to be completely finalized!" Raphael said.

"So all the content of the prophecy is completely stolen?" Uriel asked.

"Yes, Uriel- sama. We still have the copy of the prophecy, but it is completely fragmented. We will need a long time to repair and retrieve all the information again."

"How long will it take you?"

"Around a few months, I believe, Gabriel- sama."

"We can't wait that long! The demon realm are made up of several former angels as well! Furthermore, out of the Seven Sins, about 3 of them can read the Old Language!" Michael said.

"Old Language…that'll be Hatter, Asmodeus and Barbelo…then what of the former Throne, Astharoth?" Raphael mused.

"Astharoth was taught the New Tongue, rather than the Old Language. Only a select bunch of angels were taught the ancient Old Language. Barbiel, were you taught?" Uriel questioned.

Barbiel shook her head. "The Old Language was taught specifically to several ranks of angels only. Mainly the Thrones, Virtues and Cherubim. Also, among these ranks, only a few angels were selected. However, I am aware that there was one special case in which a Seraphim was taught…"

"A Seraphim…oh, I remember now! His name was Beelzebub!" Uriel exclaimed.

"Beelzebub? As in the Lord of Flies, Gluttony?" Raphael said incredulously.

Barbiel nodded. "The very same Seraphim. God apparently took a liking to him…"

"So make that four Sins to know the Old Language…" Michael said.

"This is bad…we should have forseen this kind of thing…" Raphael groaned.

"How about this? Let's draw out a list of names who are familiar with the Old Language." Gabriel said, as she raised her pen.

Lucifer

Seven Sins: Hatter, Asmodeus, Barbelo and Beelzebub

"Speaking about it, I just realized something. Michael, you aren't under any of the above mentioned ranks that Barbiel was talking about." Raphael said.

"Now that you mention it…" Michael said. "Barbiel…?"

"I believe its because its necessary for an Archangel to know the Old Language and New Tongue."

"So basically, Michael is the only Powers to be taught?" Gabriel said.

"Impressive…" Uriel said, amused.

"ARGH! TO HELL WITH THIS STUFF!" Michael yelled.

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Assiah

"Old…Language?" Setsuna asked.

Lucifer nodded. "Both of you can speak it, because of the influence by Alexiel and Gabriel."

"The battle back at Etemenanki…?" Setsuna asked.

"That's different. That's an incantation to open up the Tower. The language is only recognized by you, Rosiel and Alexiel."

"Then what of the Enora?" Sara asked.

"There are 3 types of languages. The Old Language, New Tongue and the Enora. However, the Enora is only recognized by the 12 Zodiac Angels and a select few."

"Hang on a moment, I'm getting confused. The Enora used to be the main language of the angels right?" Setsuna questioned.

"Not really, the Enora was rather sacred. Only the Seraphita and the 12 Zodiacs know about it. The Old Language was the common language back then, but during our generation, meaning from the time we were born, the New Tongue was introduced and it is our permanent communication now. Those who knew the Old Language had all passed on, and only a select few from various ranks of the angels hierarchy can learn the Old Language."

"I see…now I have a clearer view…but was there a need for so many types of languages?"

"I won't answer that question." Lucifer said flatly.

"Anyway, where is this prophecy now? And speaking of which, is this prophecy so important that it was written in the Old Language?" Sara asked.

"As of current, the angels are safeguarding it, and yes, it is important." Kira answered.

"But, why?" Sara asked.

"Actually, I wasn't supposed to say it, but…anyway, this prophecy involves mainly Setsuna and Alexiel only…"

"Huh!?" Lucifer, Setsuna and Sara started.

"You see…this prophecy was meant for the Messiah and his 'mother', meaning Alexiel, because they will be the ones to decide the fate of Heaven and Assiah…"

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Assiah

The discussion had taken much longer than he wanted, but he hoped that she was there, like she said she would be.

-I will meet you at the 8th lamppost after you step out of the building where the Mudous live.-

-Why did she…- Lucifer wondered.

Up ahead, he saw a silhouette leaning against the lamppost, and he frowned slightly. He quickened his pace until he was a few feet away from her.

"My apologies, have you been waiting long?" he asked. The cloaked person turned to looked at him, then motioned for him to move into a dark alleyway. Saying nothing, he followed.

Once they were mixed among the darkness, the stranger threw back her hood and fell on one knee. Lucifer held out his left hand as she gently took it and kissed it.

"Have you been waiting long?" he asked once more gravely.

"No, my lord. It has always been the duty of the servant to wait for the master."

"Why…?"

"I will explain things slowly, my lord…"

"Are you aware…?"

The woman nodded her head. Lucifer soon found himself gazing into familiar amber- colored eyes as she lifted her head.

"Sakamichi Heiwa…I will now explain…my Lord…as I stand before you as…"

"Sister of Astharoth, Sin of Sloth: Astarte…"

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A/N: Lack of updates, I know…but its hard when you're juggling exams and homework and other stuff on the go…TT Anyway, in case you get confused over the language stuff, i'm aware that only the Enora was present in the manga...i made up the Old Language and New Tongue stuff...hope it clears your confusion!

IrisEclipsed: Yeah, there will be some hints of it as it goes on, and I'm really sorry I took so long to update, I swear, I'm trying! I hope you will enjoy this chapter! XD

LucifaelsBride: Nah, don't worry, I doubt Alexiel would stick her sword into you…maybe you should buy her a Kira plushie or a Setsuna plushie to keep her happy…(just kidding…) Anyway, no offense intended about the Kira stuff…XD. Anyway, look forward to more Kira appearances!

Ayashi44: Its always nice to have a new reviewer, and wow…you're Spanish…anyway, thanks for your review! I'll try and see if I can adjust the story accordingly, and I've started considering your suggestions. Don't worry, I'll make Mika and Kurai kiss soon, if not, I think Raphael will volunteer…XD

Raphael: Yeah! I'll definitely do it!

Michael/Kurai: Keep out of our love life, damn it!

Anyway, please review! Just click that small square box over there…please?