After a few days, Nozomi had received private correspondence from Mari about the incident that had occurred and whilst she was pleased to have more help, there was always the risk that information would leak. As long as nothing caused a hysteria, then she supposed everything was fine. But this was particularly delicate matter, in highly religious times.

But the problem lay more and more with Eli. She hadn't done any public visits or graced anywhere with her presence and rumour was beginning to spread that she was ill with some kind of affliction that not even a trained healer could cure. Whilst it wasn't entirely true, there was certainly an element of the truth that lay within it. And the staff were becoming concerned as well.

Nozomi herself had began to worry that whatever God presided over this realm had abandoned them, leaving them to their own devices and letting whatever existed in malevolence enter and do as they pleased. It wasn't an ideal situation of course, but humanity persisted as God's people, true creations of a divine entity, to be merely influenced, yet not overtaken by any kind of hellish force. Of course, that was supposed to be the idea, but whether or not a human gave into influences depended on both willpower and personal alignments.

But, perhaps God was simply there, but left humans to their own free will and watching his creations deal with things with nothing more than His mere presence to help them. She supposed that everything worked out in the end that way. Humans were the most resilient of creatures, arguably.

Nozomi unfortunately felt as though she only thing she could do was wait and clean up the aftermath as best she could.

News was spreading.

A holy building catching fire? Madness.

It couldn't be true.

Of course, Maki hadn't nearly liked how slowly the news was spreading, so she had brought it upon herself to torch another building, this time, with devout worshippers of the church still inside. None had survived.

God couldn't allow something like this, could he? A benevolent being, holding the powers of the universe and letting those who followed him as devoutly as could be, die in a hellfire? Who was to say that it wouldn't happen again?

Church attendees began to drop. Many attempted to worship within their own homes, yet it was never the same, yet condemned by those who continued to attend, calling those who had perished within the fires sinners. So Maki had shown them no mercy either.

Unrest began to spread. If God wouldn't protect them, then their rulers certainly couldn't. Even as kind a ruler as Eli had been, nothing could quell the worries of the citizens living within city walls, on the outskirts. Holy buildings weren't even safe.

Many priests had attempted to re-bless their churches, but Maki appeared to have taken those as a challenge upon herself. News spread to other kingdoms, but it was soley confined to Eli's. But there was the constant looming question of what would happen next and whether it would spread.

And that was where Maki thrived. Right in the centre of unrest, challenge and complete and utter all-encompassing despair. Revelling in the wrath that grew, crime began to spread, as if God wasn't sparing even the most loving and kind people, then what was the point? Maki didn't like to compare herself to God too much, but with all this being attributed to such, she couldn't help but feel proud of herself. She could have sworn she even saw Umi crack a smile at some point upon hearing about her work.

It had started off as something small, a minor crime committed in a market, that soon grew and twisted out of control into a full scale riot. The guards could do nothing as the citizens, once proud and sophisticated, reduced to Godless savages. With nothing to smite and nothing to lose, the movement warped and twisted into mindless violence. It had been too little too late when Eli heard the news and soon there was simply a bloodbath left over. Healers who had retained what few scraps of faith they had decided to go and help, if not for God, out of the goodness of their hearts. The spread of despair was unpreventable. Kingdoms offered condolences, but nothing could bring back the dead, who had been consumed by grief.

Naturally, Eli had gone on damage control, unfortunately followed by the Devil that had started it all. There was very little that she could do, except give a public address. So, with her appearance as brushed up as she could possibly manage, which still wasn't as much as she would have liked, she had headed out the castle for another one of the few times she spent outside nowadays.

But nothing could quite compare to being amongst the wreckages that were left behind, hopelessness written on people's faces and not only that, but many people felt as though royals could never quite sympathise with those of the 'lower classes.' And whilst that may have been true to some extent, it wasn't like Eli lacked empathy.

But Eli was beginning to feel anger welling inside her. If there was nothing she could do, what was the point? Resignation for the royal family was starting to grow and she knew it. But staying strong was just about all she was good at, even if she could feel herself starting to break under the pressure and the constant smell of smoke that followed her around and stuck to her clothes, yet remained ever potent to no one else except her was maddening.

Thus, the first cracks began to show on Eli's visage. There was barely a time when she was without a malevolent presence and once again, the thoughts began to surface of subjugation and tyranny, which she fought against as best she could. Unfortunately, in the fallout of a riot and the increase of crime, she would have more to judge.

"You know, who would stand in your way if you said that future criminals were to be executed instead of coming to you? A workload would be lifted off your shoulders for definite," Maki suggested, examining her fingernails, Kotori popping up beside her in that obnoxious grey puff of smoke.

"Besides, it doesn't really matter, does it? Kings and queens are chosen by God so you can do whatever you want. It's God's will and all that."

Maki looked like she was about to tell Kotori go leave, but a hard to discern smirk from Kotori caused her go to silent. Eli didn't raise her head to look at either of them.

"That's exactly why I have to not fall into temptation. Because I was chosen."

"Well, maybe it's your destiny to fall, if you put it that way? Fate is fate and fate is unchangeable," Kotori laughed, "I sound like Nozomi-chan, don't I?"

Eli couldn't help but clench her fist, "Don't say her name like that; like you know her."

Kotori smirked, knowing the soft spot she'd found, "Are you sure I don't know her at all that well? I know where she came from, the old woman who's like a mother to her and I know she's worried about you. Maybe you should take control of things and show some strength, for her sake."

"She wouldn't want me to do it like that," Eli said, walking her way through the silent halls after dismissing the guards for the day, "If you're going to use her as a leverage at least convince me she's something she's not."

Kotori only chuckled, instead of being thrown off like Eli had expected she'd be, "Secrets are kept all the time, Eli-chan. Whether you think they are or not."

Eli grunted and shook her head, the seeds of doubt planted thoroughly.

It had started off small. Eli had never been a ruler who had used the death penalty before, but after a former priest had begged to be sent to his maker, she had assented with a swift execution, even if her guards had seemed somewhat reluctant. Granted, her had been guilty of murder, but even then, her moral compass had always been strong.

More executions followed, most of them simple beheadings, but soon, Eli had executed a high ranking official that was sure to make her some enemies. But she didn't find herself caring too much, even as a series of letters made their way to her. She hadn't found herself caring too much about its contents, so she growled to Maki to make herself useful, who happily obliged in burning the letters.

Instead of fighting against any of the outside influences, she found herself not speaking to them altogether, or just giving small grunts of affirmation. It felt useless to fight anymore. Chosen by God to rule or not, she held no special powers or abilities. And whilst she had always thought her will was greater than most, with no one seeming to answer her prayers, there was little she could do against darker, otherworldly influences.

As if trouble hadn't already began, approval of the monarchy was starting to plummet.

Kotori sighed, puppeteering another illusion to stir up yet more trouble. She was never one to actually commit anything physical when it came to a target unless in very special circumstances and this was just routine. Sowing the seeds of a cross-kingdom affair between nobles was nothing to take lightly, but it all felt so easy and natural. Eventually, she would be able to sit back and watch the events unfold for themselves.

She had put the idea of an affair within both party's heads. One of them held very little desire in a relationship with a man so invested within his kingdom's rapidly crumbling economy and civil unrest. The other just simply wanted something new.

She posed as the little maid girl at a party for the aristocracy. Part of her was disgusted at such a scene, but another part of her morbidly wondered just what kind of things occurred. She could witness events unfold and soon manage to bring about a group of witnesses, or people who simply suspected something illicit was going on. Such high ranking people weren't supposed to cause scandals, nevermind cross-kingdom. This would do more than turn heads, it would already sour the view of Eli's kingdom. They were involved in Godless times and savagery almost, spread amongst upper and lower classes and soon, other kingdoms would take it upon themselves to purge the wicked through blood and anguish.

And Kotori thrived even at the mere thought of that.

Of course, everything went according to plan. The two officials had made their way off into a secluded room and now was the time to strike. She asked in her innocent tone for a few maids and servants to go and clean one of the rooms, as a drunken guest had made a mess inside. It wasn't anything too bad, but if anyone were to go inside it would surely ruin the tone of the rest of the house. They diligently left, not even bothering to ask who Kotori was, as it wasn't uncommon for aristocracy to take on new staff when it came to hosting these displays of grandeur.

The duo were of course, caught in the act immediately, whether their thoughts were blurred with liquor or not, it was still a sin. As much as things tried to be kept under wraps, it was of course, inevitable that news would leak out from many sources.

It surely wouldn't be too long for any crusades to begin. The already mustered troops towards the south were surely itching for a fight and any excuse for their army to march was one that the ruler was willing to take.

So, with that, the invasion began. Guards were scattered, the army in disarray and the aristocracy in shambles, due to the crippled economy and scandals that had occurred, so it wasn't difficult for the army to advance.

Nozomi had ran to Eli's aid, who seemed preoccupied and distanced, even more so than the past few days. She looked at Nozomi with tired eyes beyond her years, sick of seeing horror upon horror and to be subjected to such torment was enough for a mere mortal to become sick of life and what it had to offer.

But she seemed to snap out of it, when Nozomi didn't hesitate to pull her into a tight hug, teary eyed and her heart thumping with anxieties and pure love. Eli had been hesitant to return any affection, but what did she have to lose now? Out of everything that had happened to her, Nozomi's support had been almost unwavering. She had been silent through her punishments and even if she morally objected, she still loved Eli. Of course she did. Nozomi had stood tall with her by her side and Eli had barely realised. And now it was too late to rely on her; too much had occurred.

So for the first time in a long time, she cried into Nozomi and she seemed to understand. Sickened by what she had done and what she had become, she knew that she didn't deserve Nozomi, especially not at a time like this. Nozomi deserved only the best.

"Nozomi-" She choked, "I love you…"

Nozomi nodded and stroked her hair, "I love you too… Forever and always."

Loud thumping began to ring throughout the throne room, of which they were only a corridor away. Eli herself couldn't flee. It was time for her to face the consequences of her actions, even if it did mean that a malicious power was able to enter the world. The world was in a constant struggle of light and darkness, so she was certain this wasn't selfish. The universe would always rebalance. Another loud bang to the wooden door, splintering and shuddering under the brunt of a ram, snapped Eli out of her reverie and she pulled back just a bit from the hug, keeping her hands on Nozomi's shoulders.

"Nozomi, I have to face this," She said, looking into the eyes of the woman she loved, "And I won't make it out the other end, I know this as a fact. But I can't take you with me. There's a passageway in our bedroom, hidden behind the fireplace. Twist the candlestick and don't hesitate for even a second, please."

"Elicchi please… It can't end like this," Nozomi said, trying her best to remain strong even as tears appeared in her eyes, "I wanted us to grow old together… I didn't care for being queen, I wanted you and only you."

Nozomi had never been selfish before. But now, even as much as she wanted to do as Eli said, another part of her wanted her to be with her so they could die together, no matter how young or how old. But Eli only shook her head, her former stubbornness leaking through, "You know I can't let you do that. I swore I'd protect you no matter what happened."

The thumping on the door only intensified and Eli knew it would only be a matter of time before the old wooden door gave out. Eli pulled Nozomi in for one last blissful embrace and a passionate kiss, holding back any more tears before pulling away.

"Live on for me, Nozomi. Please."

Then, she gave Nozomi a gentle push, turning on her heel and striding her way to the throne room, attempting to retain her air of regality to face the oncoming onslaught. She didn't look to see if Nozomi had followed, but judging the fact it was just her inside the old, empty room, she had gone. That thought brought her comfort, as her world came crumbling down around her. She dismissed the small troupe of guards that had remained loyal to her, instructing them to escape the castle through the same route Nozomi had done and to protect the queen with their lives. They were reluctant to oblige, but Eli had been unnecessarily harsh when it came to hurrying them along, raising her voice. But before they went, they knew she was thankful.

Just as the last ram was about to be delivered to the door, her vision swirled and she was faced with seven devils, those who had made her life a living hell, the moments of reprieve only being cruel periods of drawing out the inevitable.

"I suppose this is what you wanted," Eli said, refusing to give away any weakness, "Why call me now?"

"Quite simply," Umi said, stepping forward, "We're here to take control."

"What makes you think I'll give it to you?"

"You misunderstand," Umi shook her head, "I'm not asking your permission. This has gone well enough and there's nothing you can do."

"Been lovely doing business with you," Nico said, with faux-sweetness and an infuriating grin, "Be seeing you around."

Umi snapped her fingers and her vision faded back to that of the fateful moment where the door, her last line of defense, splintered and bent backwards and where her limbs moved of their own accord. Something was disgustingly wrong, even as she stood tall, the stance wasn't hers. It was too prideful and it looked down at the soldiers that came barrelling into the throne room, hands behind her back.

The ruler of the southern kingdom strode before his soldiers, clad in armour and raising a sword at the bottom of the series of steps in the direction of Eli's throat, "It's over. Your tyranny is at an end, Ayase, and I will claim this land in my own name, for all that remains holy in the world."

"It's funny; that you think your God is with you."

Her tone was cold and her words weren't her own, yet she couldn't muster any kind of strength to break the control that had been exerted over her.

"I stand before you untainted by hellish influences, even after walking across your treacherous lands. Of course He is with me." The king seemed somewhat perturbed by what he thought was Eli's performance, in the face of certain death.

"If your God was with you," She brought her hand from behind her back, "Would He allow something like this?" Her fingers clicked and the shadow behind her grew and twisted, soon rising and coalescing into a hulking beast that resembled a bird, with numerous red eyes, ebbing feathers, a jagged beak and oozing an awful black substance.

Obviously panicked soldiers drew back, a few of the braver ones standing to their king's aid, whilst Eli's face remained stony, reduced to the vessel for another. An archer attempted a shaky shot at the monster, but the arrow only bounced off its hide and it tilted its head curiously, like how a human would react to a fly briefly hitting them.

"What kind of deals have you made Ayase?!" He demanded, "Nothing good ever came of those who dabbled with demons!"

"You still think you're talking to Ayase?" Her voice effortlessly rose above everyone else, her eyes a sharp brown instead of their normal blue, "She's gone. Just a hollow vessel at this point. She made no deals, she simply succumbed to torture beyond her power."

"And what are you then? A demon? Demons can easily be defeated."

She gave an unamused chuckle, before dark blue smoke billowed from Eli's torso, who slumped to the ground from fatigue, soon swirling to reveal Umi's form, "I'm more than a demon. And there's more than one of me."

Maki took the opportunity to lift her cloaking, raising her arm alongside Umi's as their magic enveloped their arms and shot towards the door, moulding a portal where it once stood and separating the army that stood. The trapped forces were beginning to crumble in fear, as hellish screams and sounds emanated from the portal, tormented souls swirling around the room and between the soldiers, before five other figures pushed their way through. Nico took centre stage, striding her way towards the bottom of the stairs.

"Well, I have to hand it to you. You've done a pretty good job here," She said with an infuriating smirk, "Probably couldn't have gone off better."

Kotori had glided her way up the steps, reaching to pet the monster that screeched happily when it saw her and she giggled, leaning into the nuzzling she received from its massive beak.

"God isn't with you within the confines of this room. The only afterlife you see here is one of hellfire," Umi glanced to Maki, who made her way down the steps, "Let us see how your God rescues you from this fate."

After a vague gesture in Maki's direction, Maki grabbed the still pointed sword's blade, her hand melting through the metal with worrying ease, before she grabbed him by the collar and dragged him towards the portal, "I am not a man to be bested! I will take your test of faith!" He declared, before Maki growled and took the remnants of scalding liquid metal in her hand and poured it on his face, his screams ringing throughout the room before she drowned them out in the portal.

"Show's over everyone!" Nico declared, throwing her arms out in the direction of the terrified and broken soldiers, "It's been lovely having you all here and I'm sure we won't be seeing each other again. Kotori!"

"Hey, hey, you can't rush her," Kotori playfully frowned, rubbing the top of the bird's head, "She's actually quite shy." The bird made a small noise, which Kotori quirked an eyebrow at, "Oh, what's that?" She leaned close and the beast opened its beak and licked almost the entire length of Kotori's body, who laughed aloud, even though a large part of her body was now covered in a viscous ooze, "Okay, okay, good girl, do you want to go ahead?"

Kotori gave it one final pat, before the bird let out another screech and took off, wrapping its claws around the chain of the chandelier and leering at the crowd beneath it, numerous eyes flicking around. It yanked the chain down, allowing the weighty chandelier to come crashing down on anyone unfortunate to be underneath it. But some may see it as fortunate to be granted such a quick death, as the bird swooped down, plucking up soldiers, as well as snapping them up in its serrated beak.

Whilst the rest of them seemed to be watching the carnage amusedly, Umi looked at Eli's unconscious form and lifted her up with ease, "When I go through, pull the portal down and start expansion."

She turned on her heel, away from the rest of them, the bird just about finished at this point, as Umi stepped over the bodies and disappeared into the howling abyss. As Nico and Kotori took the portal down, the bird took the opportunity to pounce on the forces outside and let out a piercing screech.

"Well, everyone I'd say this has gone off pretty well. Don't let your guard down though," Nico said, her hands over her hips as she surveyed the pile of bloodied corpses, "We still got a ways to go."

Nozomi had watched her wife leave, lacking in the regality she had once owned. It had been a more than tiresome period of time for the both of them and a small part of Nozomi was glad it would be over. But of course, she was now powerless. Powerless to stop anything. She didn't even know what she was truly up against.

Along the corridor, she poked her head through the doors, gathering up whoever she could to bring them through the passageway. A few brave - or foolish - souls decided that they would stay to combat the hellish onslaught that would follow. Nozomi only felt sorry for those that she couldn't save, but she had managed to instruct the kitchen staff, a few of the guards who would admit to their desertion at this point and the castle's physician, Riko.

Most were confused, but Nozomi swore to answer all questions as soon as they were all to safety, but even she wasn't sure when that would truly be. Nozomi grabbed a torch and led the way through the passageway that was as musky as she could imagine, but it was either this or face and army and certain darker forces.

"Your majest..." Riko began, Nozomi nearly flinching at the use of formality, but saying nothing, "Eli-sama told me about this. That something like this would happen… I got into contact with one of my friends and they said they'd bring their boat over from the dock to where this passageway came out and that she'd take us to the next kingdom over."

"Thank you, Sakurauchi-sa- I mean… Riko-chan. The barriers between us are about to crumble, so let's forget about royalty."

Riko nodded silently, falling back to the rest of the staff before daylight soon shone through once again and the passageway slid open to reveal the outside again from the stifling and confining stone. It was surprisingly serene, in comparison to what was happening inside. The silence was cut through with a distant screech, which did little to alleviate any nerves, if the small whispers were any indication but everyone stepped out onto a stone platform, a decently sized boat floating on the water beside it.

"I was wondering when you'd all show up," A sturdy, stocky woman hopped off the boat, raking her grey hair back with one hand, seeming quite cheery despite the circumstances, "We better get going. Caught a glimpse of somethin' that didn't fill me with confidence. Oh, and it's good to see you again Riko-chan. And everyone, I'm Watanabe You, happy to be taking you all to safety! Yousoro!"

She smiled to Riko, giving her a hug, before bowing her head in respect to Nozomi. Nozomi would come to hate that, she thought.

"What did you see?" Riko asked.

"Ah, wasn't too sure… But it looked kind of like a bird? Huge, black, nasty looking."

There were a few murmurs of worry, but soon, a cheerful looking ginger made her way out of the main cabin, hopping out as well.

"Chika-chan?" Riko looked confused, "Aren't you supposed to be at the inn?"

"Jeez, what a great way of saying hello after all this time… I mean, with the army marching past our doorstep and all the religious stuff, no one wanted to stay or do much travelling around the kingdom," Chika shrugged, "So when You-chan asked me if I wanted to come with, my family didn't seem to mind me going."

"I-I am happy to see you though, you know…" Riko said sheepishly.

"Yeah, I know. Oh-! Your majesty!" Chika startled, as though it was just clicking now in her head she was standing in front of the current queen of the kingdom. Or, well, former queen.

Nozomi only let out a nervous chuckle, "Let's not worry about status right now. I'd prefer to leave." She said, as much as it pained her to say it, not knowing the fate of Eli.

"Where's Ayase-sama?" You asked, peering over the crowd.

A few uncomfortable stares came Nozomi's way, at which she looked down at the ground.

"She's not coming with us."

A silence ensued, aside from the waves lapping at the boat and platform, broken only by the sound of Nozomi's boots hitting the stone and soon the wood, as Chika stood aside to let her onto the boat first. Everyone followed her and You and Chika managed to get the boat sailing.

Nozomi felt nearly overcome by blackness, as she watched the castle fade into the distance, feeling her soul gradually crushed at leaving her soulmate for what was most certain death. She knew it wouldn't have changed things to die with her, but at least they would be together. As cliched as it sounded, Nozomi almost felt as though she would have been happier with that. But that was a selfish wish and now she had to live on, to find out more about their invisible enemy that didn't seem so difficult to reach now. She knew that she was still powerless against them anyway, but there had to be some way to change things.

She asked You if she could take a small strand from one of the thicker threads she had as part of her shipment and she agreed, even if Nozomi couldn't help but feel it was because of her status. With a small sigh, she took her ring off her fourth finger, putting it on the thread and fastening it behind her neck and letting it hang freely. She rubbed the indent where it once was, but she didn't shed any tears.

She couldn't.

Nozomi was by no means nasty, no person to get angry, or hold grudges. But this was beyond a grudge, a petty act of thievery, betrayal of trust and worse than some of the worst crimes she could put together. This was an imbalance of the universe, hellish powers rising up to take things that weren't theirs.

Clenching the ring tight, she wondered what she could possibly do. But there would be something.

After all, there was a thought that was primary in her mind, growing ever so slowly; a small threat now, but with the potential to take her over.

The desire to exact revenge.

A/N: so ah, i mean i dont want to sound too needy, but it would be really nice to get some feedback on the story thus far? i mean, to confess, most of my ideas and excitement for this fic surround all the shit that's about to go down after this, so the story should hopefully start to pick up from here, sorry if this chap feels a little rushed,,,

but i mean, i've written more than 22,000 words thus far and i'm not getting a lot of feedback and it kinda sucks because i don't know what i'm doing wrong or if people are actually enjoying it. i got nothing last chapter and i literally have one review on from chapter one, but i really would love a comment/review or something?

but aaa sorry if this sounds rambly or just plain old annoying, but as i said, all the excitement should be from here on out!