A/N: I did promise right… But you see I was so caught up in MIAB and Sodales last Sunday, I wasn't able to finish typing this since my already poor eyes were complaining. (I am nearsighted.. Tough luck) Yes… I do all my fics in long hand first. I find that words flow easier when I'm holding a pen. But I do edit when I'm typing.
Oh, I also noticed that last chapter was missing a few words and lines so I edited that already.
Many thanks to: aki reinhart, EiRist, thepinkmartini and satomika.
Standard Disclaimer still applies.
Other God by Anne Raven
Chapter 6: Opposition amongst the Congregation of Seven
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?15 What accord has Christ with Belial?Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Tokiya was glad that he and Fuuko had time away from each other every morning when Samael left the barren region of the Sea of Reeds to provide for meals. He needed time to figure out where his relationship with Fuuko now stands.
Screw that! He did not have a relationship with the monkey. He told himself. She was his team mate at least and friend at most. He would never allow their discoveries to make a significant change in their existing symbiosis. But he would have to face her soon and he was still trying to convince himself of that.
Tokiya did not expect what he saw the moment he and Samael arrived where Lilith and Fuuko were. Gabriel was there along with five other angels he was sure Samael recognized. One of them was standing close to Lilith, an angel with short spiked bright blonde hair and warm brown eyes that wrinkled at the sides as he smiled magnifying his electric personality.
"Do you remember who they are?" Fuuko asked as she approached.
"Just Gabriel."
"Which one is Gabriel?"
"That one." Tokiya pointed to the hazel-eyed tenshi with long dark brown hair tied in a loose low ponytail he met earlier. "Who's he?" he said motioning towards the tenshi beside Lilith.
"Raphael. My younger brother figure when I was still in heaven."
"You seem to have a penchant for blondes."
"I can't help it. Raphael and Ganko are both bubbly people. I like bubbly people."
"For what reason are you here?" Samael asked.
"To relay a message, Samael." Gabriel answered.
"All of you?" Samael ran a swift glance at the rest of the angels.
"Is there a problem with that?" One of the angels asked.
"None at all, Michael. I was just wondering." Samael replied meeting the tenshi's gaze headlong.
This tenshi looked severe. He was the only other tenshi, the other one being Gabriel, who carried a sword. His violet eyes were intense. His fair face topped off with short dark red hair, his look screamed 'battle-hardened'.
"Lilith, meet the Angelic Council." Samael stated turning to her.
"Yes, I already know Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael."
Uriel happened to be the one with long snow white hair tied midway. He was the only one among the tenshis who had an earring and cat-like eyes that had a shade close to Mikagami's. Fuuko noted.
"Well then, this is Michael." Samael said pointing to the red-headed angel.
"This is Oriphiel." He motioned to the only female in the group. She had long black hair and a strange inverse teardrop mark on her forehead.
"And this is Zarachiel." This angel had dark blue shoulder length hair and deep green eyes.
"Enough with the introductions, Samael. Let's get down to business." The angel Oriphiel said while tapping her foot.
The six angels faced Lilith and Gabriel moved forward and began speaking for the Council. It was obvious by then that he headed the Council.
"Lilith, the Angelic Council appears before you to relay the message of His Holiness. You are asked to return to Eden and this incident will not be spoken of anymore." He solemnly said.
"You are, however, no longer fit to assume the role of Adam's other half." Michael immediately added after Gabriel. "Eve shall take over that role and she shall be placed under my protection as Adam had been when the traitor Satan, his former guardian, had been cast out." By the way he said this it was obvious that the message was also meant for Samael.
"Who is Eve?" Lilith managed to ask.
"Eve is Adam's new wife." Zarachiel answered.
"Lilith, when you left Eden, Adam called out the Father to tattle on you." Raphael began. "He was told to wait for your return but last night, God took out one of his ribs and created Eve. Earlier this morning, we were dispatched to retrieve you."
"What if I refuse to return?"
"Then we are to relay your punishment." Oriphiel answered.
Tokiya looked at Fuuko. She had that same strange look on her face as Lilith. He couldn't shake off the feeling that the exact same thing was running in their minds. Fuuko faced him when she realized he was observing her.
"She won't go." She whispered.
"What makes you think that?" He asked. Tokiya knew it was pointless to question Fuuko's assumptions. If there was one authority who could speak in behalf of Lilith, it would be her.
She looked back at Lilith and spoke in a voice that was hers yet did not sound like her.
"Because, I can not possibly live with wife of the man who is supposedly my husband. And…" She looked back at Tokiya then at Samael and back at Lilith. She did not bother to finish her statement and Tokiya didn't press any further.
"Your punishment will be severe. You will have to kill, Lilith, a hundred infants daily. You will be cursed by men, angels and demons alike. Is that what you want?" Uriel said looking with concern.
Lilith closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I have decided not to return to Eden. I will break if you bring me back."
"Lilith, don't do this." Samael pleaded as he approached her.
"I have decided." She repeated.
"Then, I have no choice." Michael said out loud and unsheathed his sword moving towards Lilith.
Samael stood his ground and blocked Michael's path while Raphael and Uriel rushed to Lilith's side.
"Stand aside, Samael. Raphael, Uriel, it is not meet for you to take her side." Michael coldly said.
"I can not let you hurt her." Samael sternly replied.
It was so sudden that Tokiya didn't know how it was possible but Samael miraculously held a naked sword in his hand.
"You don't have to defend her. Uriel did not mention that it is part of her punishment that she will be stripped off of any power she may have retained, as well of her wings and her guardian which is you, Samael. She had decided. She is no longer your ward." Michael tried to sidestep away from Samael to no avail. Uriel abruptly aimed an arrow at Michael.
"Lower your weapon, Uriel. It is our duty as Archangels to vanquish demons." Michael added.
"What demon? Lilith is no demon." Raphael bellowed while tendrils of electricity ran along his arms.
"Not yet but she'll probably turn into one." Zarachiel interjected taking Michael's side and brandishing his dagger.
"Until then, we can not let you hurt her." Uriel said.
"So you're willing to wait until then?" Oriphiel asked bringing out her mallet while positioning herself on Michael's other side.
Tokiya gripped his Ensui hidden within his jacket. He knew there was nothing he could do but the tension was eating at him. Fuuko remained calm, much to his surprise, and reflected Lilith's expression.
Gabriel stood in between Samael and Michael. "Enough! We are done with what we came to do. This Council will not fight amongst themselves."
He immediately stretched his wings indicating they were to leave.
The five angels followed suit while Samael returned to Lilith's side.
"Samael, aren't you coming?" Oriphiel asked.
It was then that Lilith realized something she should have noticed earlier. Fuuko's eyes widened. Whatever Lilith knew, she understood without the need of words.
"Kami! It can't be."
"What is it now, Kirisawa." Tokiya asked irritated at the fact that Fuuko seemed to be so in tune to Lilith's thoughts.
She looked at him with a stricken face. "You're the seventh member of the Council, Tokiya. I mean, Samael is part of the Angelic Council of Seven."
She suddenly closed her eyes. Pain evident in her expression. Fuuko screeched and grabbed fistfuls of her hair and doubled over.
"What's wrong?" Tokiya asked meaning to put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me." She panted as her eyes opened, glazed over with visions Tokiya couldn't see.
Then, it was gone. She looked at him and whispered, "I'm sorry!"
Immediately after that Lilith spoke and Tokiya turned to her.
"Go, Samael."
"I can't leave you."
He looked at Fuuko with a dawn of understanding. "What do you remember, Fuuko?"
"Everything…"
"I don't need you. " Lilith said. " I am done with my revenge." She added.
"Revenge?" Samael asked confusion greatly marked on his face.
"Yes… on Adam, on God, on this thrice damned system of oppression. I'm sorry I had to use you, Samael, but you were so willing."
"It seems that we don't have to wait. Why she's a succubus already." Zarachiel said haughtily.
Gabriel intervened once more. "Leave, all of you. Samael, go with Raphael and Uriel. Raphael, Uriel, make sure Samael comes with you. Lilith, if I may speak with you in private?"
"Of course, Gabriel." She replied.
Fuuko was left with Gabriel and Lilith as Tokiya disappeared along with Samael, Raphael and Uriel.
"Are you adamant on this?" He asked.
"I can't go back. I'm no longer fit to go back."
"You do know that by choosing this path, you have chosen Samael's fate as well." He told her.
"It's the reason why Eve was created, right? It's my fault why I no longer have a place in Eden, why Samael had fallen. And I'm the only one who can do something to correct it."
"Roughly true."
"Intervene for him. Please, Gabriel. Intervene for Samael and I promise to never harm any infant whose parents invoke the name or image of any of the Council." She pleaded.
"Yours for his?" Gabriel asked.
"I'd rather it be me than him."
"Be careful, Lilith." Gabriel nodded his goodbye and left.
Fuuko was counting the seconds. She was already expecting his arrival.
A hand grabbed Lilith's shoulder. Gray eyes boring into her. The mark on his left eye distinct on his pale face framed by long black hair.
"I was wondering whether you'd come, Lucifer."
"I am not entirely pleased with you, Lilith. You deliberately made a way for Samael to return to heaven." Lucifer tightened his hold on her shoulder.
Lilith snorted and brushed his hand away. "I know how much you want him but I will not have an equal for your affections."
"Just the same. You'll still have to be punished. But I like the way you think and for that, I will give you an offer you can not refuse. Regain your powers, Lilith, as well as your wings, your beloved wings. Become Queen."
Lilith smiled. "I accept."
With that Lilith felt a prickling behind her. Her smile widened as she unfurled her new set of wings, wings that were darker than her original ones which were white highlighted with iridescent purple. Now, the purple was more striking, the white tainted black quite similar to Lucifer's.
She turned and flicked her finger sending blades of wind that momentarily parted the Red Sea. She was, now, a demon in full.
Fuuko watched as her former self spiraled down a path of evil, fully recalling the things she would soon do. Truly, ignorance is bliss. She steeled herself thinking of the many lives Lilith would take. She scowled as the figures slowly made themselves conscious in her mind.
Fuuko looked at the horizon towards the direction the Angelic Council took wondering what Tokiya thought of her. The beauty of being reborn is that she would be able to tell him the things she never had the chance to explain. If only she had the guts to do so. She followed Lucifer and Lilith letting Samael's name pass through her lips.
May you never appeal to Heaven in prayers so hopeless and so agonized as in that hour left my lips; for never may you, like me, dread to be the instrument of evil to what you wholly love.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
-TBC-
A/N: Okay... Can you guess which anime characters inspired the look of the Council? Most of them were chosen for looks although some of the angels take after the personalities of the character they were borrowed from as well.
Bonus: Lucifer is actually Lucifer... hehe.. From Angel Sanctuary, that is. I'm revealing the others next chapter. Please do review.
This was in no way proof-read. Sorry about that...