Ah! Tragedy and Rebirth

by mnementh2000

CH 3 finished. Keiichi and the goddesses have more questions than answers, which they need desperately. What are the sacrifices that will be made, and by whom? Will the couple get their 'forever', as Keiichi wished? Slight OOC and some spoilers early on.

3. Chapter 3

Author's Notes:
OK, the story has finally reached it's ending, for now. If it continues, the newer pieces will be under different titles, as this 'arc' will be complete. I know I said to some that it would be up sooner, but life - real life - got in the way. However, as all can see, it is finished, finally.

A few words on the story. I chose Thor for his instant recognize-ability, along with Mjolnir. I had this sudden brain-storm that Mjolnir wasn't a literal hammer, but in fact Thor's angel. Furthermore, I took the basic premise of his downfall, which is talked about in many stories, not just the Marvel Universe, and took his punishment further than ever, the complete loss of his physical body, so that Keiichi would get an angel and taste what it was like to protect those he loves. My wife and I tossed about ideas for a couple weeks before the story idea (Chapter 1, actually, first, and then the whole Thor / Mjolnir aspect of these last two chapters), finally gained a solid basis. Then, other ideas (his mother, for example, who always seemed more than she let on in the manga, to me) began to slip in and fit the plot-line.

I apologize for not inserting a warning about plot spoilers or the OOC aspect earlier on when I wrote the summary, but as I stated, this IS my first fanfic ever. I do hope that you have enjoyed this fic, as that is the purpose of anything written and posted here.

And, without further waste of your time, on with the final chapter of "Oh! My Goddess: Ah! Tragedy and Rebirth"

OH! And before I forget, I own nothing about Oh!(Ah!) My Goddess - not the characters, nothing (with the notable exception of this storyline, as humble as it may be)!

Chapter 3

Come What May / The Sacrifices We Make

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Part 1

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As the couple pulled up near the port where Keiichi stored his motorcycle, and he began to push the old BMW in, they began to feel that something was very wrong. Sharing a quick, concerned look, they bolted towards the front entry to the house, the bike all but forgotten where it sat in the dying light of the day.

Arriving, they stopped briefly, panting for breath, preparing to face whatever faced them within the confines of the building that they had both called home since that fateful day three years before.

The now-immortal took a steadying breath then opened the door silently, and both Belldandy and he stole a look through the portal. A wall of water rushed them from the interior of the building, but leaving the hallway completely dry.

Skuld's definitely improving her skills! It seems like yesterday that she couldn't even control levitating a bolt or calling forth to the water, now this, Keiichi thought to the goddess on the other side of the entryway, knowing that she would hear his comment. A grim half-smile was her only response to his ill-timed humor. I'll go first, just in case.

She nodded her assent.

Thor, Mjolnir, I could certainly use your expertise. I'm rather new to being able to do anything other than problem solving.

So be it, replied Mjolnir, emerging.

The young man took another quick peek around the corner of the door, then rushed through the doorway as the angel erected a barrier around the two of them. Keiichi could feel the drain upon his reserves as the shield came into being.

A renewed blast of water smashed into the force-field, and it took a conscious effort to keep it in place, even with the assistance of the mighty angel.

Skuld, Nee-san, can either of you two hear me?

Faintly, the reply came back: Belldandy, is that you? Are you the one in the hallway?

Yes, both Keiichi-san and myself. Please allow us through so that we may find out what is going on.

The torrent of water suddenly abated, then retreated back down the hallway, leaving not a drop to be found in it's wake.

Let Skuld know, very good control, Nee-san! I know she's concentrating her hardest.

Yeah, yeah! Well, if you two love birds wouldn't mind hurrying up, I don't really want to give them the opportunity to enter the house.

Understood, Nee-san. "Keiichi-san, we need to hurry to the Tea Room!"

They ran at full speed through the halls, as the wall of water took it's place behind them again. At the room they entered, they found an Urd who had definitely had better days, as evidenced by her frazzled hair, sour expression, and dress that was torn in several places, making it that much harder to stay modest in a garment already designed to reveal too much skin. Skuld was in a similar state, her cloths in tatters, but still somewhat in tact, though her face was set in a permanent scowl as she sat at the low table, her knuckles white from grasping said furniture too tightly, her eyes staring off into space in concentration. Sweat beaded her young brow from controlling the walls of water for an extended period - especially when you consider that she, up to this point, never had to do this with her magic. Her faithful companion, Noble Scarlet, floated beside her, hands clasped in front of her chest, chanting a boosting spell to bolster her partner's slowly flagging powers.

"Another attack from the front door! They're trying to make a break for it through that momentary breach in the defenses."

The youngest goddess only nodded her understanding, her face becoming even more serious, her eyes narrowing. The sounds of rushing water was able to be heard through the building, as well as screeching and howls of rage and pain.

"What's going on here, nee-san? Who's attacking us, and why?"

"We're not entirely sure, ourselves. The only warning we had was from Banpei and Sigil. We heard a brief flurry of battle, ran to investigate, and were set upon by what we assumed were minor minion demons. I don't even know how much intelligence that they have, as they are acting more like rabid beasts, than anything else. Much as I hate to admit it, we haven't heard anything from those two since that time. I can only assume the worse, though.

"Whoever or whatever these guys are, they are extremely persistent - we've been at this for over two hours, now. On top of that, they' been mum om the reasons for the attack.

"Skuld, deck entry - two of them!"

The young goddess only turned her head slightly in the indicated direction, cocking it to the side, and the sound of flowing water was audible a moment later.

"I've been reduced to trying to coordinate a defense here, since we got taken so flat-footed. After being so miserably surprised, we retreated in here and I have only been able to watch as Skuld wears herself down, even with Noble Scarlet's aid. Now, with you here, maybe we can go on the offensive, bring the fight to those... beasts."

A look of unbridled hatred twisted her face so fierce that both Keiichi and Belldandy took an involuntary step away from the older goddess.

"Let's go, Nee-san, Keiichi-san. Let us drive them away from our home, never to return."

Belldandy's determined expression was as hard and unforgiving as Urd's hateful look, and it galvanized Keiichi's will. It was rare to see such a look upon the face of his love, and it took much to get her to that point, but when she got to this point, the object of her ire beware! She was normally a very sweet and forgiving girl, but when what she held dear was threatened, then a steel much stronger than expected would show itself.

Let's teach them a lesson! I don't want my family bothered anymore, be it from outside forces or the feeling that they need to protect me. I wish to be able to protect them on my own now, to repay all that they have had to do for me over the years.

Belldandy's head whipped around as she caught the strength of his thoughts, if not their exact content, and her heart jumped within her with pride in the man she wished to spend her life with. She nodded to him, and the trio stepped out of the Tea Room. The thunderous sound of battle sounded from the entry, and they moved in that direction.

Skuld, prepare to open the wall of water at the front door. We're stepping outside to properly welcome our 'guests', thought the brown-haired girl, an edge to her voice that froze Keiichi's spine. Sudden memories of other times she had been angry flashed through his mind, but at no time was she this perfectly in control in those instances - and that scared him like he never had been before.

I don't know much about battle, tactics, magic, whatever, let alone your own abilities, so I will have to rely upon you, Thor, Mjolnir. Just remember, though, that if you kill them, then somewhere, a god or goddess also falls, and I refuse to be responsible for that. This is the Doublet System, instituted to prevent wholesale slaughter anymore.

Understood. Please prepare yourself, Morisato-san, the voice of the mighty angel within him intoned. I will withhold myself from sight until necessary. Remember, you are able to control the elements with our assistance - not just the one or two that the three goddesses who reside with you can, but all three that they can control. Thor was the 'God of Thunder', but he also commanded great tempests. However, your energy will be depleted the faster by high-level spells.

Gotcha! Only, how do I go about using these abilities?

Usually, a god or goddess uses a chant to channel the necessary energies. However, with us, you need just think it for most spells. For high-level spells, though, you will still need to use the correct incantations to unlock the powers required.

Right! Here goes, I suppose!

The barrier of water slid silently to the side of the hallway, then behind the trio, before once again covering the hall behind them. They moved forward to open the front door, and it fell off in their hands. A figure stood on the opposite side, barely visible, it's toothy maw a malevolent presence. It began to raise it's gnarled hands, the grin broadening in anticipation, when a sudden blast of arctic wind blew it from the doorway. Ice formed upon the frame as the wind continued to lash at the beast, keeping it from gaining it's footing.

Skuld, I'm going to freeze the water at our back to ease a bit of your strain, thought Belldandy.

Thanks, One-sama!

The wind suddenly shifted directions, and, within seconds, the liquid wall behind them flash-froze, leaving a solid two-meter thick wall of ice where once stood a wall of water.

"My turn," said Urd with a wicked smile, as she struck a pose, legs slightly apart, hand held high. "DEPTH CHARGE!"

A bolt of lightning struck her foe as it began to rise from the ground. All at once, a chunk of earth flew through the doorway, colliding with the goddess of the past, carrying her into the sheet of ice. She started to rise, groggily, brushing her snow-white hair from her face.

"Belldandy, step back into the house and erect a shield. I have a plan! Try to cover the entire house, if you can." Kami, I hope this works!

She didn't question her beloved, merely acted. She raised her hands before her, chanting in that arcane language of hers, glowing a pale blue, and a field of green energy snapped into existence, quickly growing to encompass the building they all called home, repelling the attacks that landed upon it.

Keiichi straightened his back and strode forward, until he was exactly an arm's length from the field. He began his own incantation:

"Spirits of Air, arise and blow before me..." a calm sounded inside the building, whilst outside the wind whipped into a fury...

"Spirits of Water, gather and meld to my will..." the moisture inside dropped drastically, and droplets formed within the rising tempest...

"Arise, blend your powers to wash away thine enemies. Spirits of Lightning, SURGE FORTH AND FIND YOUR TARGETS. PUNISH THOSE WHO WOULD HARM THOSE I HOLD DEAR..." his voice rose in volume and intensity to be heard over the roar now sounding through the residence, the walls and roof vibrating from the power barely contained, barely under control. The air itself crackled with pent-up electrical energies, the water droplets outside providing points of contact for the electricity to jump across. The final two words thundered forth, cracking wood, rattling the walls, shattering the remains of the doorway, searing through the din, shattering the ice at their backs, deafening in it's intensity...

"CELESTIAL TEMPEST!"

The two goddesses at his back gasped, recognizing a high-level spell that was even above their abilities once unbound, one of overwhelming power, even for one in Keiichi's position as an immortal human, one he shouldn't even have access to, let alone know of. Even most low-level spells should have been out of his league right now, but this... And how had he learned the language required in the casting?

Well, this is Keiichi, we are talking about, A certain platinum-haired goddess thought wryly.

The man in question stepped a half step further, placing his hands upon the shield, as all this coursed through the minds of the two women. Where contact was made, a locus of energy arced out, over the half dome. A terrible lightning storm played over the barrier, while outside the wind and moisture whipped in frenzy. Dirt and debris was lifted into the air to mingle with the moisture, swirling around the building, eventually lifting the five assailants off their feet. With frightening speed, the tempest without drew in to encircle and isolate those five beings, holding them aloft in cylinders of powerful elemental energies. Without warning, the lightning crackling over the barrier shot forth, unerringly finding five marks, eager to make contact. Hundreds of thousands of volts of raw, unchecked power poured forth into those hapless creatures, searing flesh, bursting the pathways that allowed them to tap their innate magics, burning them out permanently. Their nervous systems went into overload at that point, thankfully shutting out the tortured screams and howls torn from their throats while in the midst of the bombardment, as they fell into blessed unconsciousness. Still, the power flooded over them, cauterizing the channels that allowed magic to flow through them, shorting their motor functions for some time to come.

Belldandy stared at the quintet of opponents on the ground, her anger of earlier now forgotten, replaced with a dread as she peered at them, fearing them dead, wondering which gods or goddesses have just perished. Then, the spirit of Thor informed them, through Keiichi:

"Fear not. We have not slain them. Restraint has been exercised in honor of the Doublet System. They will never be able to use magic ever again, though. Moreover, they will need assistance in returning to their own realm."

With that statement, the young man's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed, his energies spent in the all-out attack. Outside, the tempest was subsiding - it's wild, destructive gyrations coming to an end, as dust devils swirled into nothingness.

---

He was hovering in the sky, buffeted by the wind and rain at his beck and call. A flash of lightning illuminated his chiseled features for the briefest of moments. His appearance was of a man in his late thirties, long, flowing blond hair, full mustache and beard of the same color whipping about in the wind that he had so recently brought into being; strong, muscular body clad in a platinum-appearing body armor, a pair of similar-looking bracers upon his forearms, trimmed in a gold filigree; his fists clenched in anger and his steel gray eyes smoldering as he narrowed them to stare at his opponent.

Said opponent stood upon the foothills below, easily two hundred feet tall, red skin the color of blood. It stared back at the previous being with eyes glowing red with their own inner fire, like glowing coals; great horns swept away from it's head, while it's broad mouth curled into a sneer at the puny being that dared to stand against it. Great bat-like wings spread away from it's body, and with each pass they made, drafts of wind flatted grass and snapped trees round about.

The two foes eyed each other in hatred, sizing up their opponent. The god had challenged Hild directly, but the up-and-coming, soon-to-be-ruler of the Demon Realm had sent this abomination in her stead, not even deigning to show up herself.

Had he known so, the god would have been more charitable; however, he was unaware that this being was Hild's champion, her finest warrior. This creature had been hand-selected by the female demon, specially trained, groomed to be her finest tool, able to accomplish whatever task she set to it.

As he looked on, it crouched low, then leaped back into the air, away from the ruined buildings and gardens it had crashed through only minutes below. The monster's wings swept downward in great arcs, gaining altitude, drawing it closer to the being in the sky above, wind pressing debris to the cobblestone roadways. Mortals too foolish to run earlier were blown about like so much chaff.

Pointing his mighty arm, knowing there was no way to lose - for had he not surpassed any and all who stood before him to this point in time? - he called upon the power of Mjolnir, the angel beside him, to do his bidding. The angel glowed like a miniature sun, flashing brighter as the pair rushed the oncoming beast.

He roared his defiant challenge, drowning out the foul creature rising to meet them. The elements themselves swirled about them - wind, water, lightning - ready to smite the upstart enemy. A tremendous wind began to whip around him, driving the rain into a hail of ice crystal shards that he ignored, but which tore through the flesh of the ascending horror, rending muscle, shredding the massive wings. Pointing once more, a blinding bolt of lightning shot forth from his hand, burning it's way through the right-hand wing, shattering bone, charring and cauterizing the ragged stump that remained.

---

Keiichi shot upright, eyes wide, the dream fresh within his mind. His skin was covered in sweat, yet clammy. It had seemed so real, he could clearly hear that...thing's... laughter, feel the elements swirl to his commands, feel the power of the magic within him, hear the screams of the mortals as they fled and/or died beneath the battle. He panted as he worked to bring his breathing and heart rate back under control, his mind back to reality.

From where she had dozed off, Belldandy stirred back to consciousness. He no longer used the low cot for sleeping, and was back to sleeping in a futon, but his beloved still insisted on watching over his rest - still worried after his health since nearly losing him a little over a month prior. She quickly awoke fully at the sight of him sitting straight up in bed, breathing heavily, sweating, and obviously agitated.

"Are you alright, Keiichi-san? You're sweating terribly! Are you ill?" she inquired, concern evident as she took in his state of mind, emotions, and body.

"A ...dream...I think?" he replied, uncertain. "Yet, it was so real, felt like so much more."

He smiled weakly, rubbing the back of his head.

That was a memory, one of Thor's. It was of the final battle he ever fought as a flesh and blood being. I'm terribly sorry, Mjolnir intoned quietly in the back of his mind.

Belldandy gasped: "A memory, of Thor's final battle?" after hearing Keiichi mulling over the new information in his head.

"You heard that? Are you hearing my thoughts that easily?"

"It's getting easier to read your thoughts again. Normally, with most people, I wouldn't do that, but your case is a little unique. For a while, I started having trouble reading your thoughts or emotions and aura, and I thought it was just that I was no longer needed to act as an antenna to Yggdrasil for your wish. Now, because we are no longer being pushed apart by my sister, I am finding it less and less of a problem to see your thoughts and emotions. At first, I could only see your emotions and strong surface thoughts and desires. Recently, however, I've been picking up more and more - possibly also because I kept such a close watch over you while you were injured, consciously scanning your mind so that I could detect anything that might be wrong."

"I see. Oh, by the way, what happened back there, with the attack?"

"You repelled it, yourself. You then reassured us - or rather, Thor through you - that none had been killed out of respect for the Doublet System. Immediately afterwards, you collapsed on us, your energy reserves completely used up. That was two days ago."

"Two...DAYS!"

"Shhh! The others are still resting, too, trying to regain their own strength. But, yes, you sapped all your energy with that stunt of yours! If you ever scare me like that again, I'll... I'll..."

She broke off, tears welling up in her eyes, crying quietly as she looked away from the once-mortal man. He moved beside her and drew her into an embrace, comforting her.

"I'm sorry, Belldandy, my love. I didn't know that I would be expelling that much energy. All I wanted to do was protect all those that I love, you and Holy Bell especially, as you have all done for me so many times before. I could not bear to lose you - any of you - not now, not when we've finally been able to express how we feel for each other. Your sisters are my family now, as much as you or my physical relatives. You... you are so much more than that to me. I would not be able to live if you were gone. I would not want to, as you are my everything."

He held her even tighter, never wanting to relinquish hold of this most precious treasure within his arms, the one thing he would give anything and everything for - the one thing he would gladly lay down his own life to protect. He could feel Belldandy's own arms work their way desperately around him and tighten as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Don't ever leave me, Keiichi! Don't make me go away, don't make me go on without you. I could not exist without you, now. You are my everything, my joy, my reason for getting up in the morning. Without you, I would waste away in anguish!"

"I will never leave you, or send you away!" he assured her firmly.

"Promise me this?"

"I promise you!"

"You know, you can trust in us, too, you crazy fool of a human!" Urd said as she pushed her way into the room from her listening spot just outside the door, as she wiped sleep from her eyes. Her snow-white hair was in complete disarray, proving that she had only just awoke from her slumber. "I hope you're aware that you were leaking that dream of yours all over the place. It woke me from a sound sleep a few minutes ago. How do you plan on repaying me, Keiichi?" she demanded with mock severity. He knew by now, after all the time that they had been around one another, that she was only partially serious.

"S-sorry, Urd! I didn't know! Apparently, it was Thor remembering; I was only along for the ride."

"Just try harder, next time, to suppress the broadcasting, you hear. If it happens again, I won't be so nice."

With that threat, she turned and stalked out of the room, a crackle of electricity playing across her fingers and hand in support of the threat. Skuld jumped out of her way, likewise awakened by the 'dream', and with a look of disgust at Keiichi, she too returned to her interrupted sleep.

---

Part 2

---

Keiichi and Belldandy walked through the door of Whirlwind, and heard a distracted: "Welcome to Whirlwind! I'll be with you in just a moment!" coming from the back corner, behind a stack of boxes - obviously a new shipment of stock. A half heartbeat later, Chihiro rounded the boxes, her pace stopping dead, eyes widening in surprise, her face lighting up at the sight of the two people who had entered.

"Morisato-kun! How are you feeling? Better I hope? Are you healed?" she rapid-fired at the young man.

She rushed forward to embrace him in greeting, a little rough in her excitement.

"HNGH!" Keiichi's face scrunched in pain. "Chihiro-san, please, a little less rough!"

She looked, saw the pain in his expression, and immediately broke away with an apology.

"I'm quite a bit better, though not one hundred percent, yet. The doctors reluctantly gave me permission to return to work, though with a warning to take things slow, careful. Has all been fine here?"

He noticed the clipboard and pen in her hands.

"Actually, lately I've been fairly slow, for the most part. I've managed, with a little help from Otaki and Tamiya," she said, making a momentary face at the memory. "To be honest, I know Belldandy has been here, but her mind isn't completely here sometimes, though I can't blame her," she said, smiling to ease the sting, "so I'm really looking forward to you getting back to work. Then I can get some real work done again. As it is, there are a couple of things that I have that need to get done, but I am having to wait on some special parts to get shipped in. It'll be a few days before I can get to them. Anyway, I would say that those two idiots were a part of my decline in business, as they don't have your way with the machines or Belldandy's way with the customers."

"Well, we are offering to begin again. It's that I'm to ease back into things."

"Then today's the perfect day! I'm only doing inventory and restocking today! It would certainly make things easier and more enjoyable with you two to help."

The trio labored diligently throughout the day, going through everything in the shop, on the shelves, and in the garage. They took frequent breaks so that the young man could rest, his body still not ready for the stresses of being up and about the whole day through. His abused muscles, joints, and bones ached often, causing him to wince in pain, as he pushed himself, determined to get back into shape, to be useful again. Belldandy made tea for the trio during the frequent breaks, surreptitiously sending healing pulses of energy through him to help keep him going.

Chihiro began to notice small things, not just about the couple in general, but Keiichi in particular. They seemed more comfortable with each other, more at ease together. They also tended to hold hands more often and more openly, not to mention being more free - well, for them at least - with their feelings to one another. True, Morisato-kun was still a bit nervous about expressing his feelings, but not to the same extent that he used to be. Belldandy was more relaxed, as well - smiling, humming, and singing to herself more than usual.

At one point, Chihiro bumped into Keiichi's arm, and she could tell that he had something under the long sleeves that he wore, despite the fact that it really was pretty warm out. When she had hugged him, she had thought nothing about it, caught up in the moment of joy as she was, but the knowledge suddenly struck her in that instant. What drew her attention to them, though, was the fact that , whatever they were, what he was sporting were not casts - they weren't bulky enough.

Finally, she couldn't handle it any longer.

"You know, as much as I adore cute and adorable things, this is a bit much," she said, deadpan. "I don't know all that has happened since I gave you that time off, and I am glad that you seem to have worked out things between you, but come on already!"

They stared at the slightly annoyed woman over the rims of the cups they were in the process of sipping from, having just raised them to their lips.

"The whole Lovey-Dovey thing!" she exclaimed, while pressing a thumb and forefinger on either side of her nose, sighing in exasperation. "You know, some of us have to do without, and it's a little distracting, not to mention disturbing, at times."

Before she reopened her eyes, Belldandy had moved over to her side and wrapped the older woman in a huge hug. Keiichi's eyes bugged and he spewed the tea he had just sipped all over the floor.

"I'm so sorry for you, Chihiro-san. That's so sad! Is there anything we can do for you?"

Her own eyes bulging, her arms thrashing about as she attempted to extricate herself from the younger girl's arms and bosom, Chihiro stuttered and stammered.

"T-that's n-n-not what I-I m-m-m-meant!" She managed her escape, gaining control once again. "Besides, there's something else, other than the fact that you're still recovering - that I still can't quite put my finger on, about you, Keiichi-san."

Chihiro rushed to his side and grabbed him by the arm, lifting the sleeve up to stare at his forearm. There, plain as day... was his flesh and blood arm. Letting the fabric fall back down, she released his left appendage and applied the same treatment to the right. She stared, confused, at the offending flesh, sure she had felt a cast or something on them.

"Chihiro-san, what's the matter? Are you feeling well?"

"I could swear..." she shook her head in bewilderment. "I thought you still had a cast on your arm or something." Her voice trailed off for a moment. "Anyways, about that. Did they ever figure out what happened that night?"

The couple shared a secret, relieved, look, then Keiichi spoke up.

"Not yet, no official word yet. Neither of us really knew what happened that evening. All I can recall is sitting, looking at the sunset with Belldandy in the room, after dinner, enjoying the quiet. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the hospital, wrapped in bandages and casts. I was covered in cuts, contusions, burns, broken bones - you name it, I probably had it. I couldn't move, do anything, without help.

"Apparently, Belldandy was spared the brunt of the blast. She was already up and about by the time I awoke, not taking hardly any harm. She kept watch over me the whole time, from what I hear. She's been helping me through the recovery period, along with her sisters, ever since."

That was the truth, as far as it went. It wasn't until later that he found out anything about what had transpired that evening. Oh, he had his suspicions, of course, but there was a world of difference between suspecting and certain knowledge. Besides, there was no way he could tell his employer about the three sisters' secret.

Still, they had managed to sidestep her main questions, spoiling her attempts to spot the bracers. Somehow! It was a fortuitous thing that they could transfer on thought. How would they explain to Chihiro that Keiichi was now, for all intents and purposes, immortal? Everyone he knew and loved would eventually grow old, die, while he and those from the Heavenly Realm would still be around. They no longer counted their lifespan in decades - in fact, they would still be alive when his great grand-nephews and nieces a million times over were growing old. It was a startling fact that still had to completely sink in for him, but he was starting to slowly wrap his mind around over the last couple years. His wish meant that both he and Belldandy would last forever.

And then, there were Mjolnir and Thor to consider.

His thoughts were cut short.

"Well, anyway, I think we did a good job today. It's late enough that I can't see starting a new project right away, so I'll see the both of you after the weekend, then."

"Of course!" the couple exclaimed in unison, Belldandy sporting that radiant smile of hers that could melt the hardest of hearts.

---

The ride home began pleasant enough, but before long Keiichi began to get a feeling of something very wrong, very off, in the pit of his stomach, twisting it in knots, a feeling of impending danger, of wrongness so profound he had to pull off to the side of the road. Belldandy was picking up on his anxiety, and was clutching at his arm, herself scanning the surrounding area, trying to pinpoint the cause of her love's premonitions.

"Belldandy, something is not right, as if a very bad thing is about to happen, or arrive." He continued to hold his stomach as the twisting continued.

"I can sense something as well, an evil presence more vile than anything I have ever felt before. However, I can't locate it's position, nor am I having such a violent reaction to it," she answered, fear in her tone - fear for whatever was near, and for the man she loved so much.

RUN! Go Now!

The urgent screaming of Thor, not Mjolnir, in his mind spurred Keiichi into action. He couldn't have disobeyed if he wanted to, so forceful was the Command. He opened the throttle of the old BMW to it's fullest, and it responded instantly, due to all the loving care that Keiichi poured into it's upkeep. He sped away from the side of the road, and Belldandy was glad that there were no other vehicles around at the moment. He moved just in time to avoid the attack that neither knew was about to occur, nor could they hear the howls of disappointment and outrage from their stalkers over the thrumming of the bike's engine and the beating of their hearts in their ears.

Off the side of the road, hidden among the underbrush, a set of wicked teeth were bared, accompanied by a snarl of contempt. After all these ages, it's master will have it's revenge upon that accused angel and then the god. It was only a matter of time - and a little more patience.

---

His foe screamed in pain and loathing, it's howls echoing off of the surrounding mountainsides, causing one whole range to crumble. What remained of what was once the being's right wing was nothing more than a burnt, useless stump, forever ruined, never to regrow. The tattered stump would take centuries to heal, though neither combatant knew that fact. The monstrosity spun as it began it's descent, it's one wing unable to keep it aloft, backhanding the puny god-ling that dared to oppose it's master, Hild - she who was it's mistress, who would soon rule all demon-kind. It fell to the earth, smashing to rubble what, only minutes before, had been part of a mighty city, the capital of the ruling civilization, dazed momentarily by the impact.

The god crashed into a slab of rock that was part of the opposite range, likewise winded and addled. His angel grabbed him by the shoulder, shaking him to bring his mind back to the here and now, to what he was doing. He shook his head once, twice, and then again to shake off the mental fog. The god stood finally, free of the stone and the stupor caused by the collision with the rock face. The battle was beginning to take it's toll - on both the god and the angel, not to mention the monster he was currently facing off against - as the sun began it's descent below the horizon for it's fourth time since the beginning of the fight. As the battle dragged on, the more weary he became. It had been quite some time since he had this much trouble with an enemy - especially only one. The only consolation to this fact was that his adversary seemed to be getting just as worn out as he.

The god, Thor, rose once more into the air, preparing to unleash the elements anew. This last gambit had to work, for if it did not, then the whole battle will have been for naught. He rose up, proud, defiant, the angel, Mjolnir, at his side. The pair began to draw upon the elements again, drawing in the energies required for the final blow, chanting in their otherworldly tongue.

---

Keiichi came to in his room, all three goddesses around him, staring at him in concern. He was covered in sweat, his shirt plastered to his skin, which was at the same time chilled. Belldandy had looked almost frantic when he first opened his eyes, as she held his hand in both of hers against her chest, but now she appeared to be calming down.

"What's going on?" he managed to croak out, his throat raw and painful. He swallowed, wincing at the pain, wondering what had happened.

Skuld looked at the mechanic with real fear in her eyes, while Urd spoke up matter-of-factly.

"We need you to tell us, Keiichi. You rode your bike into the courtyard like a bat out of Hell, Belldandy clamped onto both your arm and the sidecar, white-knuckled. Whatever possessed you, you scared her half senseless with your hysteria. We brought the both of you into your room here and spent the next two hours trying to calm her enough to unwrap her fingers from your arm, let alone trying to learn anything. She mentioned your stopping alongside the road, your general unease - as well as her own, though admittedly less severe, feelings - and then your unexplained mad dash home, driving like a maniac, not even hearing her calling your name. No matter what she tried during that ride, she was unable to reach you, which is unusual."

"You've been thrashing and screaming the entire night, and into the morning," Belldandy informed him, and, as he looked at the clock, he could see that it was indeed the next morning.

The once-mortal looked down at his hands, clutching and releasing the covers, over and over, unconsciously.

"Thor... warned me to run... back there - no, forced me to take flight, into that headlong rush back to the temple. I don't remember the drive back, only the certain knowledge that, if we stopped, both of us would die. Given her power, and my current immortality, that was more than enough incentive to flee. And then came the 'dream'. Gods above, the dream! All I can conclude is that it was a continuation of Thor's memory of that final, fated fight. Just the presence of that... thing... in his memory was enough to drive me mad, turn my legs to water. And then there was it's voice - no words, but as it screamed, I felt as if my head was being torn apart, as if my very mind was being ripped asunder, my being torn away. I have never felt anything like that... that... complete, abject, uncontrollable terror... in my entire life."

"That is because of whom and what that thing is," injected a new voice into the room. It was a resonating voice that they all knew well. With that, Kami-sama entered the room. "Yes, I know about the memories. I also know of the difficulties Thor and Mjolnir have in conversing with you. That is because Mjolnir is not bound to you, as other angels are bound to their respective god or goddess."

"I had wondered at that. It always felt like Belldandy and the other goddesses were able to communicate with their own angels on a more regular basis, without any hindrance."

"Yes, well, that is not the reason for my visit, which I normally do not do as it is too dangerous for the mortal plane for me to be here long. As it is, I am having to severely limit my powers, just as Hild must, when visiting this plane. However, I am getting off track. What is important are these 'dreams' you've been experiencing. As you have already concluded, they are in fact memories from Thor; more like warnings, actually, through Mjolnir. This fiend has reawakened as well, and Hild lost control of it. It is planning on returning, to finish what it started so long ago with Thor. It is purely evil, from the Lowest Circle, and is coming with but one thought - revenge. Thor broke it, humiliated it, with that one battle, and it has never forgotten, nor forgiven. At one time, it was Hild's champion, her right arm for carrying out her will - and it took great pleasure in doing so with the maximum amount of pain and suffering it could. After that battle, because of the mental state she got it back in, it, too, was finally shackled and bound, forced into eternal slumber, for it had raged throughout the Demon Realm for some time before they were able to subdue it. Now that Thor has awakened, somehow, it has as well, frenzied with unforgotten hatred.

"Hild lost control of this monster, and it broke free again. She contacted me shortly thereafter to warn me that it had escaped, as well as the all-too-real possibility that it may attempt to storm Heaven. Right now, there are extra safeguards and security measures being erected on the gates leading to and from Heaven to help forestall that occurrence. If Lind and the Valkyries fail to hold it back, if that eventuality comes to pass, then I may have to step in and take action, perhaps even removing my own limiters. That is not something that I wish to do, but if the need arises, then I will do so. As it was, Thor only fought it to a standstill the last time they met in battle."

"What is this thing? Where did it come from?"

"Let's just say that there were other gods long ago, before our rise to power, who held sway through power and fear. They created some very awe-inspiring things - both good and evil. This thing is one of the latter, and I thought that all of those vile creations had been wiped from existence. Then this thing showed up and ended up battling Thor as Hild's personal champion. I had not been aware of it's continued living after the fight that it had with Thor, as it had also collapsed from total exhaustion, was transported back to the Demon Realm, and then subsequently imprisoned in what was supposed to be eternal slumber. Then Hild contacted me a couple days ago, with the warnings about it's recent revival and escape."

"How are we supposed to fight such a thing as this, if even Thor could only battle it to a stalemate? Then you say that the Valkyries might not be able to handle it, even Lind, who is considered the most powerful of them. Then, mother told me that the reason why Thor is in his current state is because of wiping out an entire civilization in their last meeting. How do we stop something so powerful?"

"Truthfully, I am not sure, Morisato-san. As I said, it was created before our ascension to power, and we are even now dealing with a few of the more... diabolical... remnants of those before us. I'll talk to our Research Department about delving into the more obscure records in the Yggdrasil system, with a focus on this thing and how to stop it. It may take some time, though, as it has been quite some time since we last dealt with this fiend or it's ilk. I hate to leave this problem at your doorstep, maybe more literally than any of us like to think, but we are busy up there preparing for the worst."

"Thank you, Father, " Belldandy finally chimed in. Keiichi had almost forgotten about the presence of the three goddesses in the room, so quiet had they been throughout the discussion.

"It's the least I can do in the current situation. As I said, I'll have the Research Department do some searching - it'll give them something to do other than inputting old records into the computer system. They will have orders to contact you immediately, with emergency interrupt authorization, should they find anything of use. I just wish I had more to offer you at this juncture."

With that, Kami-sama rose from his seat, followed closely by the quartet that resided in the house. He quickly hugged each of his daughters, then made His leave. The group sat back down, hashing out the situation they now found themselves in, each thinking the same thing, though none saying it aloud: Why do things like this always happen to us?

Several hours later, Belldandy stood up wearily.

"I'm going to start dinner. Skuld, would you accompany me? I could really use the assistance tonight."

"Okay, Onee-sama," she replied, equally worn out by all that had transpired that day.

The two goddesses walked through the sliding door that separated the Tea Room from the kitchen, closing it behind them. There, the two clung to each other in silent worry for several minutes. Under normal circumstances, neither would allow anyone else to see this level of uneasiness, but these were hardly normal times. After their reassuring embrace, they pulled away reluctantly to begin the evening dinner.

Meanwhile, Keiichi and Urd stared at each other. Finally, she broke the silence and asked the question that had been bugging her since the attack.

"How did you know about that spell, during the attack, let alone cast it with your limiters on? That was one of the spells that only a First Class or above specialist, without limiters, should even know, let alone be able to cast. It combined water, wind, and lightning. Most spells only use one or two elements, even most high-level ones."

"I'm not really sure, myself. I only told Thor and Mjolnir that I wanted to protect those I love, my family, and that I was tired of always being a burden on all of you. You have given of yourselves time and again in defense of me, saving me, whatever. I wanted to do the same for you, for once.

"Then, all of a sudden, that incantation popped into my head, along with a way to use it in conjunction with Belldandy's barrier.

"All I can figure is that it was the doing of one of those two. As for casting it with the limiters on, your guess is as good as mine, if it's as high-level as you claim."

"That's probably the truth. In any case, it did work out - even if it did drain you completely." She stood and slid open the door to the hall, regarding the young man that sat before her, the one that defied all convention on a regular basis, with a much kinder expression than ever before. "I'm going to my room to do some research of my own. I would suggest you bathe before dinner. I may join you in a short while to help out since Belldandy's busy with dinner, and I know you are still not moving as well as you need to to get completely clean. It will still be a while yet - no, don't make that face at me, and don't try to refuse the aid - as your body has been horribly abused. We've accelerated the healing process as much as possible, but that is all we've been able to do. Normally, it would take several months to mend the broken bones, let alone all the other traumas, so stop your protestations. Most guys would jump at the chance, even though I plan on only helping you bathe; then, you can return the favor by washing my back."

The once-mortal looked at her, still blushing a little, even after all the times that the two goddesses had helped him bathe, battling not to utter the protestations that came to his tongue, finally giving in, knowing that she was right. Then he chuckled a little, holding his shirt away from his body in disgust.

"I had already planned on it," he replied.

She nodded and quit the room at that point, leaving him to go to his room and collect a change of clothes, then adjourn to the bathing room.

Keiichi gratefully eased his battered, sore, body into the hot water, letting it's warmth envelope him, relishing the sensation. He washed a bit, what he could without assistance, anyway, before settling back to just soak and relax.

---

He spread his arms wide, the wind swirling around him with a renewed vengeance. The water in the air began to form droplets, the droplets floating puddles, and the puddles eventually merged into a veritable river of water spiraling around Thor. The air itself groaned as it struggled to hold the sheer mass of the liquid aloft, bowing to the will of the god commanding it. Drawing in more energy from the reservoirs within Yggdrasil, he began to twist that same river and the gale-force winds accompanying it to his will, bending it about, and hurling it at his enemy, who even now, was beginning to brace itself for the barrage. The torrent of wind and water struck at the fiend, pushing it back a ways, before it dug it's feet into the ground to anchor it's position, and splashing down and around it. Mjolnir attempted to warn Thor about the mortals still alive on the land below, but he only commented that they should have already fled. Those that remained would witness the glorious victory of Thor, mightiest warrior of the gods - even if it was their last sight on the mortal plane, he mused.

Resigned, Mjolnir backed him up, adding his strength to that of the god. It was true, this abomination had to be defeated, beat back into the depths from whence it came - one way or another. He watched in horror and anguish as the flood, held aloft by magic, not only pushed their adversary back to the brink of the portal through which it escaped the Lowest Depths, but also washed away land, flora, fauna, and those mortals still clinging to life below.

The monstrous being rallied to push back, and a ball of molten red and black energy formed in front of it, brushing aside the wind and water that crashed around it.

Thor frowned, soon replacing the frown with a look of unadulterated rage. How dare this beast rally at this point! Didn't it know whom it battled against? He, who had never lost a battle, swore out loud. In anger, he had Mjolnir strike at the being before him, that which had the nerve, the audacity, to oppose his will. Little did he know that, at this exact moment, in the Demon Realm, Hild smiled her most devious, malicious smile, knowing what was about to happen. After all, she had planned everything to lead to this particular eventuality, and the god was playing right into her hands. She couldn't have wished for a better setup.

Mjolnir struck out with the mightiest bolt of lightning at his disposal. Pure energy as hot as the surface of the sun lanced forth, straight and true, striking the ball of opposing energy dead on. The incompatible energies vied back and forth for fifteen to twenty seconds, instantly vaporizing the water round about, blasting the already denuded land in the heat. In one final, cataclysmic burst, the two battling energies exploded against each other, throwing the towering fiend backwards through the open portal at it's back, the backlash overloading and destroying that same gateway. Thor's body was blown halfway through the Realm, to crash into a mile-wide crater of his own making. The resultant explosion had finished what the battle had begun: the entire continent - water, earth, plant-life, animal-life, mortals, everything - was consumed. It all disappeared in that one instant in time, in the expanding sphere of destruction that was the all-devouring shock-wave. Nothing escaped it's fury. Where once a thriving, beautiful community that was at one with the surrounding ecosystem had stood, now there was nothing, everything reduced to molecules, down to the base bedrock some miles below the level of the ocean floor. The encircling waters of the oceans that surrounded the new crater rushed in, eager to claim the empty void that only moments before had been an entire continent. All visible traces of the battle were erased, save for the new, poisoned, sea that now stood where once land, life, and peoples had once thrived. The poisons, caused by all the energies that had been brought to bear, spread insidiously through the waters, killing all that it touched. The weather that had, until so recently, been controlled into pleasantness, now raged out of control, spurred on by those same cyclonic magics, further reducing the Realm to chaos and destruction - never again to regain it's equilibrium. For all eternity, the Realm would remain uninhabitable, a poisoned blight upon existence.

Only those mortals who had fled early on were spared oblivion, though they would never be the same. They applied to Kami-sama for aid, and he ordered their evacuation to another Realm, one favorable to their unique physiology and taste. Gone were the once spiraling towers that defied gravity and convention, gone was the music that rippled with beauty among the countryside, off the mountains, the knowledge of ages of thought, the music of a civilization, the beauty of a race in tune with the world around, and with the gods and goddesses above. Hild's plan found fruition in an unprecedented way, to an extent that even she had not expected. The race that now clung to life, on the verge of extinction, had been an eye-sore for her and the Demon Realm, a race favored of the gods, and favoring them alone.

As the creature was found, bound, and summarily transported back to the Lowest Circle - it's punishment for failure assured - Thor was likewise retrieved amidst the howling winds and tornado storms, a special branch of the Valkyries dispatched to bring him before Kami-sama. Total Limiters were placed upon his wrists and neck, cutting him completely off from the power that he was so used to employing on a daily basis. Kami-sama's expression spoke the volumes that he dared not utter in His current state, as He passed judgement on the spot. The errant god, once champion of the gods, could only stare in shocked silence as his fate was pronounced, and sentence carried out immediately. His cells began to lose cohesion, starting at his extremities, working inward, upward - finishing with his mind. Before it had reached his torso, Mjolnir was drawn out of Thor's body, to watch in horror at what was becoming of the once-mighty god, as sigils began to form and wrap themselves over his body, tracing along his limbs, torso, face, burning into his 'flesh', glowing to life as the last bit of Thor's physical body dissolved into nothingness. Instructions were given to the angel, who listened and accepted them in solemn silence, head bowed. Even though his body was gone, Thor's consciousness remained intact, and he, too, listened to the final instructions, numb from the fate he now found upon himself, as the mighty angel turned towards him and opened his arms. Thor felt himself drawn in, and that was the last that he knew for so long, so very long.

---

"KEIICHI-SAN!"

Belldandy was attempting to hold his head above the water of the bath, as Urd tried to hold his body half-way still, to keep the convulsions from damaging anything that had only recently healed. Belldandy was still wearing the same flowing dress that she had been wearing when she had begun working on dinner for the household, only to hear her older sister's urgent summons shortly thereafter. Urd, on the other hand, was wrapped in the towel she had put about her as she changed in preparation of aiding her sister's beloved in his bath. While changing in the small room attached to the bathing area for that purpose, she became aware of the irregular sounds emanating from within. Upon sliding open the separating door, she found the young man almost totally submerged, limbs flailing about, body spasming, in the throws of yet another dream / memory. Both goddesses were soaked from head to toe from the water splashed about during the man's convulsions.

Skuld stood in the open doorway, watching as her sisters struggled to keep Keiichi from harming himself or drowning. She was unsure of what action she should take - on one hand, she was upset that something terrible was happening to the young man; but on the other, she was torn between the stipulations placed on her continued residence within the Tariki Hongan Temple grounds, and the thought of her older sister being in the same room as her naked love - even if he was in danger. Even the fact that he was immortal would not help him if he had hurt himself too badly, as even the goddesses themselves could perish from too much damage.

At long last, the seizures subsided, and Keiichi fell limp into the supporting arms of the two goddesses, startling them with it's suddenness. Skuld blushed and looked quickly away as her sisters lifted him out of the water, drying him off. He was unconscious, unable to assist in any capacity. They wrapped the limp form in a towel, instructed Skuld to ready his futon, and carried him behind her to his room. The three quietly lay him in his bed, wrapping his covers about him with great care.

"I'll watch over him for a while. You two go on ahead and fix yourselves plates. I'll eat later, when I know he is better."

"Belldandy, I'll bring you your dinner in here. You need to eat, as well. You're weary, worn out."

"Hai, thank you Nee-san," she replied, exhausted. "I only pray that this doesn't go on much longer. I worry, not just for us, but for his safety, also. This is not good for Keiichi-san, being so recently healed and all. He could easily injure himself if this continues, especially if he is doing something at the time, like riding his bike or testing a customer's vehicle."

Urd's expression softened. "We'll work through this, just like we always do. He does seem to beat the odd, after all."

She then smiled, wrapping her arm around a frazzled Skuld's shoulder, and guided her to the kitchen. A few minutes later, Urd returned with a tray for her worried sister. Welsper slipped in around her legs at that point, and wandered over by Belldandy, to look at the sleeping human.

"I hope you don't mind the company, but she has been bugging the hell out of me to come here. She seems to still have a connection to him that tells her when he is in trouble."

The cat / demon looked like it wanted to spit at the thought, as well as the object of his angel's worry. She emerged, and he gave her a withering look before slinking back out of the door, leaving her to stare with a concerned expression at her former host.

"Thank you, Wasp of the Blue Lance. I know you love him as much as we do, and he could use all the support he can get right now," Belldandy said quietly. She turned her attention to her sleeping love, eyes clouding over in pain and uncertainty. "We all could," she said to herself, not meaning for the angel to hear.

She had heard, however, and wrapped her arms around Belldandy, resting her head on the back of her former host. Holy Bell emerged and followed suit. All three sat like that for a time, until Keiichi began to stir. They turned their attentions to to the troubled man before them.

---

The group sat before the low table of the Tea Room, their unofficial meeting spot. Keiichi was along one side, Belldandy on his left, followed by Skuld. To his right was Urd, then Sigil, the human-shaped android, and then Banpei. Welsper was once more on his favorite perch, the television, where he could watch over the whole scene. The respective angels hovered over their respective hosts, listening intently.

"...and that was where the memory ended."

A silence fell over those assembled as the thought on what Keiichi had related to them. He had told them of the dreams he had been having, around mouthfuls of of the delicious dinner that Belldandy had made, finishing his plate partway through the telling. It became easier to talk about the further along he made it.

They all began questioning him, clarifying this point, expounding that one, fixing another firmly in mind. The once-mortal answered to the best of his ability, but something kept bothering him, nagging just out of reach. If only he could just tease it out...

"Hold on a minute. Something about what Kami-sama said has been bothering me. He said that, when Thor reawakened, this thing went berserk and escaped, right? How did it know? Did someone inform it; and if so, had they been watching us, or for that particular event, or what?"

This again brought silence to those within, as they contemplated the implications.

"Let me hook into Yggdrasil," Skuld finally offered. "I'm sure that I could find something. Besides, once I begin my inquiries, since they will pertain to that thing, it will alert the techs up there about our own lines of questions. That might give them a few ideas, also."

"Thank you, Skuld. That would help tremendously," Belldandy said, causing the youngest goddess to beam at the praise.

---

The human and the goddesses spent all Sunday searching for answers. For each one found, new questions were raised - and what they found was scant, at best. All the while, Keiichi was positive he was overlooking some vital clue that was right in front of him.

Monday rolled around, and, though they wanted to put it off in light of the current crisis, Belldandy and Keiichi made their way to Whirlwind. Chihiro was already there setting up for the day, having just opened a few minutes prior.

"We have a good bit of business today. I have a fairly heavy job that I will be working on today that I will require your assistance with later, changing out an engine for one customer, as well as several tune-ups and some upgrades that you will be handling. I don't want my employee injuring himself on his first day back at work, now do I?

"Why don't you start on the tune-ups while I begin on the other job, and Belldandy, you need to crosscheck our stock against what will be needed for the work we have. Whatever we don't have, please track it down and make a list of shops that carry the parts, then one of us will go out and pick them up later."

They each went about their assigned tasks, the young couple working diligently, while still trying to puzzle out their situation. Around one o'clock, Belldandy handed the list of parts and shops to Chihiro, who was at that point attempting to remove an all-too-stubborn motor block from the motorcycle in front of her, with Keiichi's assistance. She called for a break as she studied the paper in her hands, absently rubbing them on her coveralls.

While outlining her next set of plans, Chihiro sat with both employees, sipping the tea that Belldandy had prepared and eating the lunches she had brought to share.

"Keiichi, why don't you take our truck and pick up the parts that I have highlighted from the stores I circled. The rest we will be able to get in the morning, since we won't be able to get to everything today. Besides, it will give you a chance to catch back up after all that heavy work. I'll continue wrestling with that piece of cr... stubborn machinery. I can tell that you are definitely not up to full throttle, yet." She gave him a warm smile and a pat on the knee to reassure the young man.

"No problem, Chihiro-san," he replied, clearly worn out after fighting with the motor alongside her.

As he wiped the worst of the grease and grime form his face and hands, his beloved approached and handed something to him. He looked down to find a small velvet bag in his hand, the top drawn closed with a string. Upon opening it, he discovered about ten colorful pills, about the size of aspirin, instantly recognizing the pills as the work of Urd. His expression turned sour as he worried about what she had concocted this time.

"I had Nee-san mix up some medicine to boost your energy and stamina, nothing else, I promise. Make sure not to overdo it, though. I do not know what would happen if you took too many at one time. Take one now," and he obliged as she waited, "one in fifteen minutes, another at half an hour, and then one more at one hour intervals, until they are gone. Your energy levels are dangerously low right now, and I am concerned."

The man could tell, just by looking at her face, how worried she was, and reassured her with a quick smile and a hand squeeze.

"Thank you, Belldandy. Um, should I eat or drink anything when I take these?"

"Nee-san didn't mention anything about it when she gave me the instructions, so it should be fine."

"Thanks, again. I had better get going. I'll see you in a little while."

Stepping outside, he got into the truck that his employer kept for such purposes, and left to collect the required merchandise, unaware of the scrutiny he was under. His gut told him that he would be facing trouble soon enough.

---

The goddess watched as the man that she loved drove away, an uneasy feeling churning her insides.

What's causing this? All he's doing is picking up the parts Chihiro-san wanted. He'll be back in a short while.

She stepped back into the building, not seeing the shape that moved around the side, little more than a faint ripple of light, nor the one that settled on the edge of the roof, keeping silent vigil - waiting, watching. Both were cloaked in fields of invisibility, a natural trait for their species, their powers likewise cloaked, which would hold as long as their movements were slow and deliberate. When they moved too fast, they appeared as mirages - faint, fleeting. Their master had set them to observing these others, while it finished awakening and planning, soon to ascend to this Realm. They were careful, as five of their number had already lost their abilities to these beings at the place of their residence, and subsequently their lives. Much had been learned at that time - the goddess' abilities, those of Thor after his reawakening, and his shackling. Whether that puny, weak body was truly his or not, remained to be seen. Their master was proud of their work, nonetheless.

The pair settled down to wait, eying the building and the surrounding area.

---

Part 3

---

Urd arrived at Whirlwind just as Keiichi was pulling in, about an hour and twenty minutes after his departure. They mounted the steps together, as the oldest goddess was saying that they needed to talk with Belldandy. She met them just inside, motioning them to the side, picking up on her sister's agitation.

"I'll call Chihiro-san in a moment. First, what have you found?"

"We've found out what this thing is, and I refuse to utter it. That said, there was some information buried deep in Yggdrasil's memory banks. That Thor accomplished what he did - the loss of that Realm notwithstanding - was a miracle. Only the Elder Gods had destroyed them previously, but no one knows how. There are vague references to a sacrifice, and nothing more - not even what that sacrifice was."

They all felt the all-too-familiar feeling at the same instant - the feeling of something terrible, foreboding. Keiichi looked to the other two in a panic.

"Chihiro!" he exclaimed. "Belldandy, call her as calmly as possible; I have something to prepare."

She nodded and turned to the door.

"Chihiro-san, the parts that you require are here."

"Be right there."

She walked through the door a minute later, saw the serious looks on the three faces, and stopped in her tracks. Because of his position in relation to the door, Keiichi was able to see abound her, catching the tell-tale flicker on the other side of the entry, as it dropped from the roof.

"Chihiro! Get down!" he yelled, lunging for the door, while at the same time grabbing her by the arm and throwing her towards the waiting goddesses. He just managed to shut the door with a slam and lock it when the thing slammed into it.

"What is going on?" she exclaimed, looking at the door as it shuddered in it's frame.

"Chihiro-san, please. You have to trust me. Do you trust me?" he pleaded.

She looked over to her employee, kneeling beside her, his hand extended. In all the time that she had known him, she had never seen an expression like the one that adorned his face at this particular moment - fear, determination, and not a little uncertainty. She nodded slowly as she accepted the outstretched hand.

Keiichi glanced to Belldandy, caught her slight nod, even though her expression looked slightly pained at the necessity, and wrapped his arms around Chihiro from behind.

"Don't get any funny ideas about me, but this needs to be done - right now! I'll try to explain later, when we get a chance."

She was attempting to push Keiichi away, not expecting his forward actions, but stopped when she felt Belldandy's hands settle anxiously on her shoulders.

"Please, Chihiro-san! Trust him!" she cried. "We have to leave, and he is the one that has to do this."

She nodded mutely at the goddess's plea, only then noticing the abject terror in Urd's eyes, as well as her two employees. She felt a stab of fear chill her to the bone and ceased her struggles.

What is going on? What's gotten into them? Who, or what, is trying to get in to us that has them so scared?

Suddenly, the building began to shake violently, as if caught in the midst of an earthquake, engine and motorcycle parts falling from shelving.

"Grab hold of me, and whatever happens, don't let go!"

Chihiro did as instructed, but tried to twist around to see what was happening behind her. What she saw defied conventional belief - a large male torso exited Keiichi's back, with enormous pearlescent wings partially furled within the enclosed space. The huge, glowing male wrapped arms equally too large to be true around the pair and looked up at the ceiling. The young employee forced the both of them into a crouch and tensed his muscles and readied his power for the all-important leap up. All in the room stole a quick glance at the door as the metal began to bend and buckle from the constant onslaught of the invaders outside.

"When I say, jump with all your might. I'll do the rest, but I will require some assistance to start out. I'm rather new to this," Keiichi said tightly, concentrating. "Urd, Belldandy, are you ready?"

"Do it, Belldandy!" Urd all but shouted over the din.

Belldandy's own angel, Holy Bell, emerged, and a bow made of divine light appeared within her grasp. She aimed directly overhead, and both she and the goddess spoke a few words of power, then proceeded to take most of the roof of the building off once releasing the arrow. A strong wind of Belldandy's creation followed the arrow, further pulling at the jagged edges, as well as providing an updraft to aid in the ascent.

"NOW!" roared Keiichi.

The group shot through the tattered remains of Whirlwind's roof, the shop that she had opened to help fulfill her hopes and dreams. Keiichi was the first through, with Urd and Belldandy but a split second behind.

"Mjolnir, get us to the temple as fast as possible!" The angel acknowledged by turning the appropriate direction and taking off with all possible haste. Meanwhile, Belldandy and Urd had turned briefly back to the minions hounding the door to the shop and also their escape. Urd charged a Depth Charge attack and released it at them, as Belldandy fired another of her arrows at one of them. They quickly turned to follow the fleeing Keiichi.

Belldandy, as soon as we arrive, we'll all enter as soon as we can. You and Urd erect some sort of barrier to protect Chihiro-san. Then, we will figure out a way to deal with the situation together.

I understand, Keiichi-san!

Off to their side, at about the two o'clock position, a tear in the fabric of space itself was manifesting, a portal to the Demon Realm. Inside, the unnameable fiend could be seen, pulling it's way through. It's searing eyes locked onto the flyers as they raced for home, and, hopefully, some good news from Skuld and the research team. It's eyes picked out the form of Mjolnir, and grinned it's malevolent smile, brow wrinkling, teeth bared.

Chihiro saw a sight that no mortal had been privy to in ages... and promptly screamed, arms tightening reflexively, almost passing out in shock and fear. However, she forced herself to stay in the world of wakefulness, being sure to maintain her grip on her savior.

---

They made it to the temple and deposited Chihiro in the Tea Room, followed by the two goddesses beginning their task of erecting a barrier. It was at this point that Skuld entered at a run.

"What's going on? What's with the earthquake?"

"It's no earth tremor, kiddo! It's a portal to the Lowest Circle, and that thing decided to come for a visit!"

Skuld paled noticeably, and decided to let the kid reference pass, at least for now.

"Here? Now? We're not ready! We need to talk, formulate a plan, Keiichi needs to be told!"

"Tell us on the fly, Skuld. That thing is about to cause havoc on a massive scale. If Thor's memory is to be believed, that thing is going to take perverse pleasure in every minute of pain, misery, and destruction it causes.

"You begin filling me in as your sisters finish the barrier field and some wards. Sigil, Banpei, can you give us some intel on what is happening out there, without leaving the protective field?"

They all went about their separate tasks, only later realizing that the old Keiichi wasn't usually this assertive and commanding.

Although he has always been good at solving problems on the fly, when needed. Of course, that never applied to his relationship with Belldandy - he was pretty clueless in that regard for so long, thought Urd to herself.

Skuld began an abbreviated explanation of the discoveries made by herself and the other goddesses and gods in the Research Division.

"We know that these things were created to guard and torture those sent to the Lowest Circle - the worst of the worst, or those hated most by those in charge. They took great pleasure in their duties, often times going to extremes, and were endlessly inventive in those methods. Most had been destroyed at some point, though no one knows when or how. As Kami-sama said, there were references to a sacrifice, but no details.

"Anyway, before Hild came to power as the Daimakaichou, she found this one somewhere and latched onto it, the last. She made it her personal tracker, champion - whatever adjective you wish to use - because of the particular, singular glee it took in it's responsibilities."

Urd grunted from where she toiled next to the middle sister.

"Most of it's activities drop off the map at that point - with the few exceptions of those who had brush-ins with it as it went about some business or other for Hild - until it's battle with Thor. By then, there were some changes with it, with it's powers. As you saw in your dreams, it seemed to be more powerful than ever, as if to be the equal or better than Thor. Now, the odd thing about this is how quickly it's powers grew - as if overnight, as one reference noted."

For the first time since the mad dash for the temple, Chihiro spoke up.

"Are you saying that thing is some kind of demon or devil?"

"We deal with demons and devils all the time," Urd said as she and Belldandy finished their task. Both exhaled sharply. "I'm afraid this is far older, and infinitely more evil. You don't want to name it - it's name, or the name of it's species, is enough to drive even we goddesses into a state of permanent madness. One of the goddesses who uncovered the name of it's kind will never be the same again," she informed them, as her eyes closed in extreme sadness. Belldandy's eyes misted over in horror and sympathy for the unnamed girl.

"Keiichi-san, just so you know, these will not last long once it turns it's full attention upon us."

"I figured as much, Belldandy, but we've got to try. Any bit of protection we can afford Chihiro-san, is that much longer she can survive this, while we figure out how to deal with that monstrosity. Even in the dreams, that thing shook me to the core - and that was just Thor and Mjolnir's memories of it - so I'm still trying to find a weakness to exploit."

The quaking ended abruptly, followed by two heavy, earth-rocking crashes. Sirens belatedly reached their ears, just as Banpei and Sigil rushed in.

"Whatever that thing is, it just finished coming through the gate," Sigil reported.

"The sirens are a little late, don't you think?" Urd joked to no one in particular, nervously.

Before anyone had an opportunity to berate her on the timing and appropriateness of Urd's humor, an evil, grating, voice boomed out, rattling the walls, causing people to cower in fear, or to faint dead away. Those on the outskirts of the voice range got away with only headaches. Those too close, however...

"Thor! I know you have awakened. I've seen your little toy, Mjolnir. Or are you too afraid to face me once again, little god-ling?" it taunted. "Hmm? What's this? Mortals! How long has it been since I've had the privilege?"

It laughed, the sound horrible, knives upon raw nerves.

"I've got to draw it's attention away from the people, keep it focused on us. Are you able to get a few Valkyries down here to help us?"

Belldandy rushed to the phone, clicked the button a few times in a vain attempt to get a dial tone, then replaced the receiver back in it's cradle. She returned to the room and shook her head.

"It is dead," she pronounced.

"We're on our own, then. Nothing for it, I've got to go face it."

He started forward, to be stopped by Belldandy's hand wrapping around his own.

"We will do this together! We will walk side by side 'till the end of life', remember."

They smiled at each other, grasping hands tightly, stepped through the front door...

...and into chaos! The wards place about the temple had created a zone of calm and peace, but outside, it was Hell on Earth. Heat radiated from the still-open portal, causing Keiichi to begin sweating almost immediately. Screams could be heard as minions terrorized the populace, both near and far. Buildings crumbled or were knocked down with every move the behemoth made. The wings on it's back were clear for all to see - or, rather, one good wing and one withered, ruined stump that had once been a wing.

As they emerged from the barrier, the colossus swung it's head in their direction, it's demonic smile broadening further.

'Oh! So you show yourself, Mjolnir. Tell me, where is your god-ling, Thor? I would very much enjoy playing with him once more. Perhaps this time he could destroy the entire realm, not just a single continent!" It laughed horrendously. "I can feel his presence, but I do not see him."

At that, the spirit of Thor manifested itself beside Keiichi, Mjolnir, and Belldandy.

"You will return to the Lowest Circle, creature! You do not belong in this realm!" Belldandy shouted. "I, Belldandy, Goddess First Class, Second Category, Unlimited, order you so!"

"Hahaha! You, order me? Amusing, little 'creature'! I do not recognize your authority!"

With a motion almost dismissive, an after-thought, it lobbed a ball of energy at the awaiting duo. It splashed over the temple's entry gate and outer wall, melting them away, as well as a large chunk of the courtyard. The barrier crackled and fizzled from contact with the incompatible energy, but held firm. The two stared in petrified horror at the instant devastation caused by that casually tossed sphere, knowing all would be lost if one of them were to be caught by one of those blasts.

Suddenly, Belldandy was knocked back by a shimmering form. Before he could react, Keiichi was likewise snatched off his feet by another mirage-like form crashing into him.

For the next half hour to forty-five minutes, they found themselves caught in a back-and-forth struggle for their lives. Urd had joined the fray moments after it started. They were starting to run low on their energy when Skuld stuck her head out the door and asked if there were any way for her to help.

"Hit and run, Skuld! Strike at one group to give one of us a moment, then hit another as quickly as possible at random; keep them off guard. That will give us enough time to pull ourselves back together and form a counterattack. As it is, we're all beginning to get exhausted; I've even used up the last of the pills that Urd concocted for me, so that I could keep going!"

With the addition of the youngest goddess, the group of fighters began to turn the tide of the battle. Even with the desperateness of the situation, they refrained from actually killing any of the minions. The thought that these minor creatures didn't have doublets (a god or goddess linked to their life-force) never even occurred to them.

"So, little insects, you defeated those that were sent to deal with you. I'm surprised. It appears that I will have to deal with you personally. Be honored!"

With those words, it lunged forward, toward the temple courtyard. Everyone threw everything they could muster at it, only seeming to anger it more, not even really slowing it.

"What does it take to stop this thing? We're barely scratching it, and I really need to find some sake soon!"

Urd turned to rush inside to grab a sake bottle - only to get hit by a fireball in the back. She flew forward, landing on her stomach and sliding, stopping a few feet from the minimal safety of the sigil powered field. Skuld, who had collapsed to her knees on the building's deck, tried to rise and reach her oldest sister - only to also receive a fireball, throwing her through the door to her room, coming to a rolling stop when she struck the wall on the far side of the room, unconscious.

Why is it using such low-level attacks against us, considering what it is capable of? It definitely wants us dead - doublet system or no - and it hasn't worn itself out from fighting. So, why the light-weight fireballs?

Keiichi pondered.

As he paused, Belldandy and her angel fired a wind arrow past him at the fiend. She was nearly spent, as well, and it showed in the way she fought to keep herself standing.

"Belldandy, are there any more of those tablets Urd made left inside.

"Some, Keiichi-san, on the kitchen counter. I was going to try helping you along over the next few weeks, until you get used to working with Mjolnir and his energy requirements.

"OK, let's get the others back inside as fast as possible, and watch your back. I'm going to grab those tablets and then try to see what I can do about this... this... this ... thing. "

They scooped up Urd, the mangled robotic remains of Banpei, a torn up Sigil, and rushed inside the house, barely escaping a hail of fireballs. The encircling field sparked and sputtered, but otherwise remained intact.

"That barrier is going to fail fast, Belldandy! By the way, you said that those pills are on the kitchen counter?"

"Hai!"

As he ran for the kitchen, after setting his burden down gently in the hallway, he passed a terrified Chihiro, pausing long enough to give her an encouraging thumbs up. She jumped up and gave him a quick hug, even as she kept her eyes on him, wondering who this young man she thought she knew actually was.

"It's thanks, Morisato-kun, for saving my life. I don't know what you are, and if we survive this, you will have a lot of explaining to do, but I owe you my life."

"It was nothing, Chihiro-san; but it's not over yet. If anything, it's about to get a whole lot worse!"

Her face drained of color, and she swallowed loudly, when she heard the pronouncement, but he gave her a smile to encourage her. He turned his attention back to the task at hand - looking for the pills on the counters.

"Hey, Belldandy, do you have any idea why that monster is only using such low level fireball attacks? It hasn't really been attacking much, until now, other than physical attacks. It should have all it's power at it's disposal, then."

He spotted the pills hidden behind a container on the far counter, wrapped in a similar way to what Belldandy had handed him earlier. He rushed back to his love, just as another blast hit. Reaching into the pouch, he removed one of the brightly-colored pills, went to pop it in his mouth, thought about it, grabbed a second, and downed them both. It was a risk, considering his love's admonition, however, they were in a bit of a bind at the moment. Almost immediately the effects could be discerned.

"I have no idea. It wants us dead - I'm positive of that - and it isn't worried about the doublet system, so I just don't understand. Is it toying with us? It's not that I mind that it's holding back, but the implications could be worrisome."

The once-mortal could feel the restorative powers of the medicine rushing to energy-starved extremities, the power lifting him up. Behind him, Mjolnir also looked rejuvenated. His girlfriend, however, was at the end of her rope, ready to pass out on the spot. Only through sheer force of will was she still awake, although there was no telling for how much longer.

"I have to go to sleep, Keiichi-san," the azure-eyed said, as she moved into the room with Chihiro and the unconscious forms of Skuld and Urd (which she had retrieved from their respective places while Keiichi was looking for the energy boosting pills). "I don't have a choice, my energy is spent. I'm going to split a portion of myself off to..."

A blast of overwhelming force smashed into the energy wall outside, causing an angry buzzing, before it sputtered out of existence. A second blast, not even two seconds after the first tore away a large section of the roof, while a third took the section of the wall facing the horrible creature. Keiichi scrambled to his feet, scanning the debris wildly for any sign of his beloved - or any of the others, for that matter. He spotted one of her feet protruding from under a section of the roof that had collapsed about her, as well as Chihiro, peeking out from under a section that fell against the wall she was sitting against a moment before, which formed a small covered space to hide under/ behind. A mini-version of his beloved flew to him and landed on his shoulder, coming into being before her main body had passed out.

"How are you? Are you hurt in any way?"

"Battered a bit, but my body is fine for the most part. Don't worry about me, just take care of that thing!"

"Alright! Do what you have to, but, please, don't ever leave me! I couldn't bear losing you, and if it means that I face this alone, so be it.I will protect you now, as you have me so many times before."

Before he could do anything more, a massive hand brushed aside the wall that covered the unconscious goddess. Keiichi stared in horror as the hand wrapped itself around the long, flowing hair of the woman that meant everything to him, laughing, and lifting her into the air by that same hair, clearly enjoying it's position of power.

I can't imagine a life without you by my side! ran through his mind over and over, freezing him in place as he watched his love lifted unceremoniously into the sky by that malevolent, evil,... beast. It held her limp form in front of it's face, eying her contemptuously, and grunted. You are the light in my life, my bright center, he heard himself from before, as well as: I want a goddess like you to stay with me forever - the promise he made all that time ago, what seemed like ages, but was little more than a few years.

Rage suffused his being, twisting his features into something barely resembling the normal, happy, caring, man that he was, and he began to stalk dangerously toward the fiend slowly, methodically.

"PUT! HER! DOWN!" he roared. Mini-Belldandy started at the vehemence in his voice, and did so again as she caugh sight of his countenance and the color of his aura. "I said, PUT! HER! DOWN! NOW!"

The very air shook with the anger infused in those words, and, with each word, a burst of energy shot forth from him, to strike that monster that had ascended from the Demon Realm.

The fiend turned it's full attention to him, moving only it's head, narrowed it's eyes, then bellowed out laughter.

"Why, little mortal? You may have Mjolnir, but you are no Thor, to be ordering me about. I would have more inclination to obey this one than you, and you saw how far that was." It's eyes widened as it finally realized a major factor. "Oh,ho! You care for this one, have feelings for it! Now that is amusing, and surprising. But, I don't think that I will oblige you. In fact, I think I will... " it leaned it's head back, opened it's great maw, and dropped Belldandy in, swallowing. "...do that instead."

Chihiro gasped in fear and despair. Belldandy's... gone? No more warm, inviting smiles; no invigorating, infectious laughter; no uplifting singing; innocent questions? No more... anything? Tears rolled from her eyes, her gut clenching, her breathing labored. Belldandy was simply... gone! What were they going to do? What was she going to do? What... what about... Keiichi?

Belldandy! No, we were just barely beginning our life! I can't lose you!

"Keiichi-san!" the voice of the mini-goddess penetrated the haze of hopelessness and loss that had fallen over the young man. "Did you notice? When your energy rose, as well as that of Mjolnir (and by extension, Thor), so too did the energy of the creature. You don't think that..."

"...it's power is tied to those two!" he finished her thought for her. "It is almost like, I don't know, an early form of the doublet system, only on a much closer scale than the system. It's bound their energy together.

"We'll figure out how to put that to our advantage later. First things first..."

The man's face hardened as he turned to face his opponent fully. To Thor and Mjolnir:

I need your help. Please aid me in saving Belldandy. I need her in my life, and would not be able to go on without her.

Through our connection to you, we know what she means to you, and how much you care about her. We will gladly join you in this endeavor.

At that very moment, the phone rang, startling the man and his unseen companions. Wait, wasn't the phone dead earlier, when Belldandy tried using it? He rummaged around his feet for a moment, finding it against the remains of the wall, along with the destroyed table it had resided on. He picked it up, already aware of who would be on the other end of the line.

"Morisato. I hereby authorize the removal of your limiter. You will need to be at full power to face this enemy. However, please exercise some restraint, and don't fall to the same misfortune as Thor. Good luck."

With those parting words, he hung up. Keiichi replaced the receiver.

You have all our strength at your disposal, once-mortal. We will give our all to you. To that end...

The bracers on his arms disappeared. New energy surged through him, visibly building about his body. He lifted about three inches above the ground and hovered there.

"I warned you for the last time to put her down safely, and you decided to ignore me. I will now take her back, and I can assure you that you will not enjoy the experience!"

Like a bullet, he shot forth into the sky, gathering elemental energies into himself. The fiend followed his trajectory, frowning. Keiichi raised his arms out to his sides, focusing the gathered powers at his command, chanting the requisite mantras, and threw the storm winds and driving rain at the unnameable behemoth.

"Do you plan on doing the same thing as the little god-ling once did? Do you know what happened last time? How did he justify the destruction of an entire civilization, I wonder? What did Thor's father say, hmm?" it mocked, making the man and god's spirit both angrier by the moment. Keiichi refused to lose himself to the anger, though; instead, he used it to focus himself and his resolve.

The behemoth raised it's own hands in front of itself, again forming that sphere that the trio recognized so well. Narrowing his eyes, the once-mortal waited, biding his time, awaiting the appropriate moment. Soon, now,he would be ready to make his move. He watched as the ball of plasma grew, getting so large that he could no longer see his foe's face behind it. Good, good! Now, if it would just...

The creature continued it's taunts.

"Hahahaha! Doesn't this look familiar, Mjolnir? Would Thor recognize the situation we are now in? Hmm, how did it go from he...eh, ulp?"

Once it began it's baiting speech, Keiichi angled his body so that he was angled straight at it headfirst. He launched himself toward it, having Mjolnir launch a spear-thin lance of lightning into the ball, through it, and down the throat of the despicable monster behind. He followed the bolt at great speed, shooting into it's mouth, down it's throat. The monster's mouth blistered where the energies enveloping Keiichi and Mjolnir contacted it's flesh.

---

The heat inside was excruciating! It felt like he was inside molten rock - an analogy strengthened by the appearance of the space he now found himself passing through. It appeared to be a cinder, with red-hot coals just below the surface, fighting to break forth from their prison.

After a while, Keiichi came to what seemed to be a floor, and was immediately assaulted by minions. He fought back, all the while searching for the object of his affections. The heat and haze were stifling, and after a time, he realized that the inside of this thing must lead directly to the Lowest Reaches, somehow acting as a gateway in and of itself. The idea boggled his mind with the logistics involved.

He found himself assaulted from all sides by minions, intent on making him a permanent resident. Constantly, inch by inch, foot by foot, he fought to reach the side of Belldandy. After an eternity, he saw her, lying on the ground, still asleep, surrounded by foul creatures poking and prodding her prone form, as others attempted to drag her along. She was no more than fifty feet away! Her energy levels seemed so weak! Keiichi swallowed another pill, and his own reserves swelled. With renewed vigor, he made his way to her side. The underlings were flung away from them by a barrage of wind and lightning, giving him the time he needed to lift her into his arms.

Mjolnir, we just need to make it back out now. Please, lend me your strength for a little longer.

The angel nodded, and they began to backtrack through the oppressive heat. Finally, they reached the vertical shaft they had descended through a short time before, looking up.

Gentle, strong arms encircled the man and woman, and the angel admonished Keiichi to keep a tight grip on Belldandy. He squeezed her to his chest, holding her as tightly as he could, tears falling from his face to land on she who he had lost his heart to so long ago, for all eternity. Mjolnir rose from the ground, quickly gaining speed. Before long, they broke through the sound barrier, the sonic repercussions sheering the walls behind them, cutting through the air like a bullet. Mjolnir erected a force-field about himself, and, by extension, his precious load, shaping it into a cone in front of himself, at once resembling physically the bullet that he resembled in speed. Still, they increased speed, the energies in Keiichi dropping at an alarming rate, as the angel ate through them to fuel his supersonic ascent.

The walls to their rear no longer sheered off, so much as exploded with so much force that, to conserve his own dwindling power, the angel opted to ride the resultant shock-wave, wrapping the shield fully about himself now to harness the full force of the explosive compression, much as a real bullet does within the barrel of a gun.

The fiend opened it's mouth to scream out in agony and surprise; however, all that emerged was a strangled gasp, followed by a shaft of pure white light encapsulating three forms, and a cloud of cinders, heat, and ash. It reeled, clutching at it's throat, gagging, coughing.

The massive angel slowly, gently, lowered his own burden to the ground outside the ruined temple. A look of profound joy lit his face, no sign of the pain and sorrow that he had carried with him for untold generations. His eyes were clear, bright, and guilt-free as he gazed upon the couple that he had just deposited. Keiichi clung to Belldandy, determined to never let her go, never lose her, his eyes closed, his own countenance one of complete peace.

Mjolnir looked at them, over his shoulder at the monstrosity they just escaped from, then back at the lovers before him. Thor materialized beside him, a faint shimmering form, contemplating the same pair, then laid his non-corporeal hand upon Mjolnir. He looked at the great angel, his dearest friend and companion since time immemorial, the one who had carried him for these past ages. Peace settled in his heart, and he knew what had to be done. There was no regret, no second-guessing; there was only what was needed, and the joy of an ending.

Perhaps... perhaps it is time, dear friend, he thought to Mjolnir, knowing full well that Keiichi would hear. Keiichi looked at him, not yet grasping the implications of that statement. You know what we need to do, don't you?

I do. Please allow me a moment, Thor.

As you wish. You have earned the right, after all these years.

Mjolnir wrapped the couple in a huge hug, encircling them with his wings. Love and gratitude flowed from him, to warm the couple and suffuse them. He then moved to the other two goddesses in turn, as well as Chihiro, and performed the same act. The angel then drifted back to Thor's side.

Then Keiichi, host of my spirit and the angel to whom I am bound, the one who finally opened my eyes to the lessons that I was to learn, that Kami-sama attempted to instill in me all those ages ago - I bid thee a very fond farewell. You have your own life to live, with this beauty at your side always, with a family and friends who would likewise give anything to stand by you, who would gladly give their own lives to aid you, he said, gesturing to the forms of Urd and Skuld (both of whom were beginning to stir slightly), Chihiro, Sigil, Banpei - then to the world about them. This is no longer my world. I do not belong here, neither does this creature. We should long ago have withdrawn. It's life force is tied to mine, and I to it; as long as I remain, so, too, will it. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. Thus, we hereby give you your life back, your future - and gladly so. Protect those you love, build your lives together, and never regret our decisions. However, do not lose sight of those virtues that make you who you are. I did, and this was the result.

At long last, 'tis over. Come, my friend.

He gestured reverently to Mjolnir, and took one last, long, look around him, at the world, at the couple at his feet. Drawing himself up to his full height, he smiled and began walking to the fiend. It was beginning to regain it's composure, staring daggers at Keiichi and Belldandy. Mjolnir and Thor moved side by side among the debris littering the streets. They neared the object of their attention slowly, inexorably, and began to glow - brighter all the time. Thor began singing in the old tongue, his voice etherial without a physical body, yet clear as a bell to those at the temple site. The song grew in strength, and those listening recognized the familiar refrains of one of the strongest restoration songs. Brighter still, they glowed, as waves of healing power poured forth from them, and the song rose toward the crescendo. All around them, the world repaired itself - houses returned to their former glory, roads mended, autos became like new. The energy poured over everything, restoring inanimate objects, wildlife, and people alike.

As everything around was restored through the song and healing powers, so, too, did Thor begin to regain substance, until he appeared flesh and blood as he once was. At last, the song came to an end, the world finishing knitting itself back together, as the creature they had been fighting roared in pain, anger, and defiance. The pair turned around, almost out of sight of those at the temple - serene, tranquil, at peace, happy. They raised their hands one last time in farewell, and disappeared with a flash of light, and a burst of thunder. When they were able to see again, it was evident to those at theTariki Hongan Temple that the monster that had been hounding their heels was likewise gone, as was the portal it had opened to enter the realm of Earth.

---

Keiichi held Belldandy in his arms, but stared after the god and angel that had resided inside him since just after his birth. He had heard the words of Thor, but his mind refused to comprehend what had been said, and thus would not motivate his body to move or his mouth to say anything. He mutely watched as they began their slow, purposeful, walk away from him, toward their destiny, feeling a tugging at his mind. It told him that something was off about the situation, but not what.

Urd had joined Keiichi, as had Skuld and Chihiro, all looking the worse for wear. None had known the full extent of what the middle goddess had been through, nor the lengths to which the man she had pledged herself to had gone to as her savior. It was obvious that she was asleep, with a mini-version at his shoulder, holding to his ear for balance. Keiichi used the ring he had gifted to Belldandy to transfer energy from himself to her, to help speed her recovery, hoping to get her to open her eyes. The trio of women, the young man, and a mini-goddess watched as Thor and Mjolnir finished their speech to Keiichi, then went on their way to their own task.

Keiichi's mind finally thawed from it's stupor, and he began to beg of them to stay, to return - but it was getting more and more difficult to hear them, let alone make them hear himself. It was as if he was attempting to shout across the ocean, in a windstorm blowing in his face.

Don't leave! You don't have to! We can find another way.

Faintly: You know that there is no other way. We must go, taking it with us. You are a good man, Morisato Keiichi, and it has been my privilege to have known you, to have shared your life untl now. Please, do not hold on to us, move forward with your life. Farewell, once-mortal.

The group watched as the pair finished their song, turned, waved, and vanished. A sense of deep emptiness opened up inside Keiichi, a chasm where once half of his being had resided. He never realized how much one could lose until this very point in time, and finally understood the plight of the goddesses during the Angel Eater incident. He now knew first-hand how they felt, how much they lost, what they went through when half of their very escence was forcefully ripped from their soul, and he cried for them - for all throughout the ages who had lost themselves.

Keiichi's eyes went blank first, and mini-Belldandy tugged at his ear earnestly, willing her real body to wake up and move, to get up. His eyes finished unfocusing, rolled back in his head, and he collapsed upon the body of his beloved, the one that he so recently saved from certain death, and tears ran from his vacant stare.

Belldandy's mini-form yelled for him to come back to her, to himself, not to leave her, as she had promised him. Over and over she pulled at him, until her real body was able to move, then she began to shake him. This time she was unable to enter his psyche to retrieve him - this was a different circumstance all together. This time, half of him was gone, lost forever, and she knew of the all-consuming loss he felt. At least her angel had been restored to her, but for her love...

---

Unbeknownst to Keiichi, lost as he was with emptiness, the gate to Heaven opened up directly over the temple courtyard. Belldandy turned her attention skyward, but couldn't focus through the tears in her eyes, that streamed unchecked down her face, through the despair in her heart.

Father, how do I go on - how can I go on? I need him in my life now! He promised that I may walk with him, beside him - forever. He can't leave me alone! I know it's a selfish request, and forgive me for it, but please, return him to my side! I cannot continue living without my Keiichi-san. His smile is my light, his touch my every wish, his warmth my very life, his wishes my hope! Oh, Father! Help me, Kami-sama, what will I do if he leaves me alone? Father, hear my pleas, heed my selfish wishes just this once, and bring my love back to me! Please, my Father, please...

She broke off as massive sobs began to wrack her body, and she grasped her broken lover to her chest, rocking back and forth in pain.

Thunder rolled forth, and a commanding voice was heard by all - commanding, yet infinitely kind , gentle, comforting.

"Rest easy, my daughter. Do not despair."

She blinked back her tears, trying to focus on the voice, to latch on to the life-line it provided. Soon, even through her tears, she could discern forms within the gate and the energy beam emanating from it - the unmistakable forms of gods, goddesses, and Valkyries, as well as their angels - descending upon the Mortal Realm. Behind them all, a being that shown brighter than the sun was following.

"You heart has been laid bare for all to see, your prayer heard by all here. There is not a dry eye in Heaven, for you have moved even the most stone-hearted. In fact, I have had trouble limiting the number of the host that is accompanying me. Behold, we come unto thee, my daughter!"

With that pronouncement, hundreds of beings poured forth from the gate, alighting on any available surface, yet leaving a large circular space around the temple's residents. The three goddesses - Urd, Belldandy, and Skuld - all stared, dumbfounded. People stopped in their cars, on the sidewalks, peered from windows, exited buildings, all to observe the momentous events before their eyes.

Lind and Chrono stepped through the throng of beings and up to the couple, their own faces mirroring Belldandy's sorrow. Every being there was weeping with and for her. Carefully, and with the greatest respect, the two Valkyries lifted Keiichi into their arms, as Belldandy rose with him, her hand locked on to his, not wanting to let go.

"We have specifically requested this honor, and will carry it out with pride and love," Lind informed the grieving goddess.

Kami-sama walked the path that opened before him as the host bowed in respect, moving out of the way, right up to his distraught daughter, hugged her, then surprised all by lifting her into his own arms. She threw her own arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest, and sobbed once more.

Chihiro, Banpei, and Sigil all rushed forward to see all that was transpiring, worried for their friends.

"Be at peace, calm your fears. Morisato has earned great respect. He has given of himself - more than he had - for the sake of others' health and well-being. He has shown love and compassion to a degree not shown by humanity as a whole. He has provided physical, emotional, and psychological aid to humans, angels, gods, and goddesses alike. He has also earned the love and respect of those same beings - especially my daughters, foremost of which is Belldandy.

"I will not harm, nor allow harm to befall, this man while he is in my care. So, please calm your hearts, stay your worry. There is something that I must do for this man, something that has not been done in a very long time. I do this, for I have heard the wish within your heart, Belldandy. I know your true wish, your desire, and I do this so that those may be granted. Accompany me, and we shall begin."

The humans round about watched in wonder as the various celestial beings began to rise, following the ascending pair of Valkyries carrying the once-mortal man. They led the exodus, with Keiichi held between them. Chihiro looked on, longingly, wishing to go with the man whom she had come to care greatly for.

"I shall grant you the opportunity to join us this once," Kami-sama said over his shoulder, pausing mid-step. "Humans and other mortal souls usually are not permitted within Heaven, but I will make an exception this time, that you may also share in that which is to come. To that end, Peorth, I task you with the retrieval of this man's sister; and send two of your most trusted, diplomatic, goddesses to summon his parents. I trust your judgement in this, considering his father's... insecurities. Urd, please bring Chihiro along with you."

The rest of the host passed through the gate, with the exception of those with tasks to perform, leaving the temple grounds empty, save for two robots.

---

Part 4

---

Keiichi opened his eyes to a blinding light - blinding, yet warm and inviting. He blinked profusely, attempting to take in his surroundings. Finally, shapes began to coelesce. The glare caused his eyes to water, and he blinked several more times to clear the moisture away. Soon, that glow began to dim a little bit at a time.

His first clear sight as his vision cleared was of Belldandy kneeling over him with a look of supreme joy.

"Keiichi-san! How are you feeling?"

He took a moment to take stock of his body's condition. It was with great surprise that he found that all of his previous injuries from Skuld's attack several months before were gone. But there was more, as well. There was a power within him, a life-force all it's own. He flexed his hands, then his arms, experimentally. He could feel several rings upon his fingers, as well as the four metallic bands on his arms - one on each wrist, and one on either upper arm. Having all this metal on him was an odd sensation for the young man - odd, yet not totally unpleasant for some reason. Upon closer examination, it was revealed that each band was carved with an intricate pattern - one portraying water, one fire, another a mountain range (earth?), and the final a swirling pattern (wind?). He frowned slightly as he pondered them.

"Keiichi-san?"

He looked back at the worried expression on the face of his beloved, dawning realization on his own visage. Surging forward, he pulled her to himself, tears of joy and relief bursting forth. He grasped at her desperately, burying his face in her shoulder and neck.

"Belldandy, I thought that I lost you, that I would never see you again!" It was all coming out in a rush, as if he felt that he had to say everything right now, before she faded from his life once again. "I saw that thing with you, and I couldn't think anymore. I had to get you back. I need you!

"I also now understand, I know - what happened with the Angel Ea..."

"Morisato-san."

He froze at the sound of that voice, even though it was kind in it's tone, and turned to face Kami-sama.

So that's where that light came from.

"You have earned your new place, a position few mortals have ever attained. I am also proud to grant you my daughter's hand, as your life's partner. You have proven yourself more than adequate in my eyes, especially as this is the true wish in each of your hearts."

The man stared blankly at Kami-sama for a moment, at a loss for words. Then, a very familiar feeling brought him back to reality, and with incredulity, he peered over his shoulder. There, hovering over him, was an angel,one clearly attached to his back, as well as his soul. A stray thought entered his mind, and he reexamined himself - his garb, surroundings, body - trying to make sense of all that his body (and what were these weird senses(?) that he seemed to be able to access?) was relaying to him.

He stood up, to find that he was indeed in the temple's main hall, the statue gleaming brightly, surrounded by familiar faces. He saw the three goddesses whom he had resided with for the better part of three years, Lind, Peorth, Chrono, the robots, Chihiro, Megumi, his parets. There were Kami-sama, Welsper the cat / demon - along with an ecstatic Wasp of the Blue Flame - not to mention all of the others' angels.

Warmth enveloped him, to spread out over the assembled, as they smiled their encouragement to him. It was at that point that he decided that, even though he was no longer human, he was home.

"Everyone, we are home at last. Home... it is where those that you love and care for are, where those that you would gladly sacrifice everything to protect are. I stand here, in this temple full of memories - not just of our making, but certainly containig those of the happiest days in my life - among my family, both by blood and by bonds of friendship and caring, and I find that this small parcel of land has brought all of us together. This temple, which I moved into, with Belldandy, as a destitute student who was granted a rash wish one evening, has provided shelter, a safe haven, and a place to welcome newcomers into my ever-growing family.

"I humbly request that you continue to aid me, and to accept who I am now, as you did with who I was then, and hopefully will do with who I will eventually become. Each and every person - mortal, god, goddess, even demon," and he smiled fondly at Wasp and warmly to Welsper, "all of you within this room, and others besides, have welcomed me into your hearts, just as I have welcomed you into my family. You will forever remain special to me."

Keiichi then looked at the angel hovering just behind him, that now shared his soul with him, that had filled that deep, wide chasm inside him that had opened with the loss of Thor and Mjolnir, the newest addition to his family.

"I now have the solemn task - and great privilege and honor - to name you, thus binding our souls forever more. The name I give you must properly identify you, your part in my life, and our future together. It is not a task undertaken with brashness, and definitely will have a lasting impact. Because of the life that I now have, after all that has transpired, and your part in it, due to who I hope to become in the future, and the part that you will play within that dream, I know the name that I give you." He turned back to those assembled, grinning broadly, and then wrapped his arm around the woman that he so desired and loved, looking deep into her eyes meaningfully. He then looked back to everyone else: "Everyone, please say hello to my angel, Hope's Assurance."