Chapter 6

The End of All Things

The years took their toll on Tariki Hongan temple. On all of its inhabitants really. First of course was the shock they had to deal with from the Nekomi Tech members when informed of Belldandy's absence. They had decided to tell them that she had been forced to return to her home across the sea; and that she would not be coming back. This was followed by several months of club members encouraging Keiichi to go after her with all manner of impractical suggestions. However most eventually accepted the situation when Keiichi told them, "The truth is, I can't get to where she is now." The men in particular made their own interpretation of his words and that seemed to put an end to it. But Belldandy had been a big part of the auto club's shared adventure and without her; well it just wasn't the same. People seemed to have less to talk to one another other about, priorities changed as the clubhouse . . . began to grow empty. Only Megumi seemed dissatisfied with the explanations as given. "Was it - something about your time at the hospital?" she asked. "Something you could not get over?" Through it all Keiichi remained silent, for he could not tell her the truth. He could not tell any of them. Could not say what he longed to tell them, that things had been going so well for the two of them . . .

As for the temple new patterns began to emerge there too.

"It's going to be longer than I thought," Urd remarked one day to Takumi as she sat in the shade atop the temple wall.

"What do you mean?"

"It's Keiichi. He's changing," she replied. "He's . . . it's like he's performing; not really living."

"Can you blame him? He lives quietly now it's true, but I think she still keeps him going. It's why he continues to keep up the temple, I believe. I see him walking, talking to himself as he fixes things. What would Belldandy think, I hear him mutter. At least Megumi still comes by once a week. And some of the others. I think I saw Sayoko's car last week, though it didn't stop."

"And Skuld?"

"Yes it's true, she does seem to have gone into full-on teenager mode. Hard to get a word out of her these days, coming and going as she does like a waif in the night, hiding out with Sentaro in the shadows of the riverbank. But she comes home eventually, and I see Keiichi talk to her now and then - so she's probably alright."

But the truth was they were not the only ones who were changing. Every few weeks Takumi would suggest some new plan or approach which would be quickly shot down by Urd, explaining the complications deeming it unworkable. Weeks would go by, then another plan would be hatched, only to meet the same fate. And each time he returned he was more and more obsessed than the time than before - and with it something else grew. Keiichi could see it. A lowering of his attention to things in the here and now, and of care to those around him.

Fall that year found Urd and Takumi walking side by side down the path leading behind the temple. "A grim memorial," he observed as they walked. "It's been two years."

"I don't need reminding!" she said suddenly. "Do you think I don't keep track of every day myself?"

"Here comes Keiichi, let's not fight," he said.

More and more often now Keiichi heard the raised voices of Takumi and Urd in corners of the temple, disagreements on approach, wondering if he was somehow at the center of it.

Things came to a head when he caught Takumi and Skuld attempting to duplicate gateway setpoints and passwords within the system. As Takumi and Urd began another fight, Keiichi dragged Skuld outside, "Are you crazy?! What do you think you're doing?!" he shouted.

"Why?! Why won't you let me try?!" she cried.

He put his hands on either side of her dark hair, "Don't you understand what could happen? I don't want to lose anyone else! What would I do if something happened to you?"

Skuld stared back into his concerned eyes and began to cry, leaning against him, letting him hug her as she broke down. "We need to look out for each other -," he said to her nodding.

Things inside were also coming to a boil. "I can't believe you drew her into this. Don't you even think about your responsibilities?!"

"I think about nothing else," he replied.

"You don't seem to – or about anything lately! Those gateways guarding Belldandy are sentient. They can't be spoofed by the approaches you two were attempting.

"I didn't realize you were such an expert."

"Do you think this is a game? Do you know what could happen? You have a child! I thought we agreed on what we were going to do?"

"So we're really not going to talk about it?"

"About what?"

"Your mother," he replied. "This has to be her work."

"First: The High Council would have corrected any such extra-corporal influence. Second: In case you've forgotten, following Keiichi's brush with death Hild is forbidden from doing anything that interferes with him or Belldandy – forever! And beyond that, why do it now? What would she have to gain? Inciting a war doesn't make it easier to see her grandchild."

"You don't think someone at her level could have done what we're talking about doing?!"

"Maybe we should go see her," said Urd after a moment.

"You think she'd tell us anything?"

"I think it's harder to lie when you're playing with your grandchild," she replied.

"Just as long as it's in our plane. The last time she visited she talked about how the Demon Realm would be a much better environment for Sora."

"I think she was kidding."

"Do you?" he replied.

A few days later Urd, Sora and Takumi found themselves lying at anchor off the Nigishima Bay lighthouse.

"Is she meeting us here?" Takumi inquired of one of Hild's rather stoic attendants as he paced the deck of the boat.

"She's just arrived, I feel her," Urd replied. A moment later the queen of all Demonkind appeared from below deck. Moving gracefully Urd watched her quietly sheath her weapon before appearing before them. "Expecting trouble?" she asked.

"I've just been traveling a bit," Hild replied picking up Sora.

The day was pleasant enough, the air not too hot and the sky clear with Sora running around the deck to see what new forms of marine life Hild could entice to circle around the boat as they traveled up the coast. "It's a lovely day," Hild observed, scanning the green coast as she passed between her attendants.

"We wanted to ask . . . about Belldandy," Urd said at last.

"Now that's a name I would have thought I would not hear again," Hild replied playfully tossing Sora into the air. "So it seems she can retrieve herself from the higher planes, but not prison?" she asked brightly.

"She's not trying to escape," Takumi replied testily.

Urd stepped in front of her catching Sora. "So you do know something about it?"

"Why? Are you concerned something is not as advertised?

But they do such a good job of advertising up there," she teased playfully biting Sora's hands.

"I'm simply saying an individual of your – experience would likely have considerable knowledge concerning any potential source of irregularities," Urd replied patiently.

"You know - like the kind of reprehensible vermin who would even think of doing such a thing?" Takumi added through gritted teeth.

"Who indeed?" she replied looking at Sora.

As the boat rounded the peninsula, the shockwave echoed suddenly, causing them all to look at the sheer coast as a huge chunk calved away disappearing into the sea. The sheer volume of the mass caused a titanic wave of seawater to rise before them like a huge monstrous beast. Takumi heard Hild's shout as he turned seeing a second monstrous wave bearing down on them now from the opposite direction. Of course, the shockwave moved at the speed of sound striking the opposing wall to generate the second wave, he thought. He reached out but the boat was already tipping, sliding down the face of the massive wave. He hit the railing and then the water, landing with the rest of them in the deadly churning sea. Instinctively the caught his breath before being dragged under, the swirling torrent dragging him down as though from unseen hands. He pulled with all this strength trying to reach Urd. He saw her rolling, disappearing into the blackness as he tried to reach her. But the tumbling currents of the great waves were too much. They were becoming separated as he felt his breath starting to go. Then a second powerful blow radiated through the water, a feeling of compression passing through him as all turbulence around him ceased. The waters simply stopped - their region of the sea becoming as though a great eerie pond. Sensing light, he looked above himself to see Hild floating in the waters above him, surrounded by six of her retainers all illuminated like points of glowing light. Was he starting to hallucinate? He felt the tug and began to rise, higher and higher until he broke the surface of the water sputtering.

He tried to make sense of the shouting around him and the commands being given. From above something passed between he and the rest of them. Gone was the clear day, replaced now by dense fog around them, an effect he assumed of the water cavitation he could see at his periphery. Thirty feet behind him Urd's head broke surface of the water as a beam of light above evaporated the water perilously close to them. Urd raised her hand as instantly through the distant haze he saw the lightning connect, seeming to evaporate the target in the sky as objects plummeted to the ground.

"Get them out of here!" he heard Hild command behind him.

"Sora!" Urd shouted.

"I've got her," Hild called as Takumi realized now that many voices seemed to be approaching, though in the fog he could not tell their distance. They seemed to be coming from all sides, warriors from the sounds of it.

"Ready!" came a shout on his left.

"I've got her!" Urd yelled at his side.

He saw light coming from the water below them now, the sigil's symbols growing clearer as it rose. An instant later they were gone.

As Keiichi and Skuld sat in the calm of the veranda that afternoon their peace was shattered as the group suddenly sprang from the waters of the pond.

"What the hell was that?!" Takumi shouted jumping out.

"Tai I don't know!" Urd replied pulling Sora from the pool.

"Did Hild just try to kill us?! Was that some sort of lesson?!"

"If she did she's now one member less! Skuld please take Sora inside," Urd said pulling herself out.

"Those warriors, what was that?!"

"I don't think they weren't there for us."

"That's does it! We're obviously not safe here. Sora was almost fish food today!"

"And what would you suggest?" she said heading for the house.

"We talked about it before Urd. But I want you to do it now."

"You'd like that wouldn't you?!" she snapped turning to him.

"What are you saying?!"

"Isn't the real reason you want us to go is because you're feeling weighted down? Trapped. With a responsibility that's more than you imagined. Or wanted! You resent the fact that you're longer free to move as you once did, with Sora and I holding you back!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!" he fumed. "That's not true. How could you even say that! Look at me!"

In that moment they should have stopped; to think. But they were too similar in that respect.

"Of course it is! Now I'm a mother and you don't see me the same way. That's why you're different. I'm not as desirable as I once was!"

"That's nuts! You haven't changed at all – literally!"

"I'm just the old ball and chain -," she continued, "the person you have to come home to!"

"Whatever this is Urd stop it. I MEAN IT!"

"Just admit it! You don't love me the way you used - !"

The slap came suddenly turning her head. He hadn't meant to.

He hadn't meant to do anything that day. He didn't know why he was angry. Maybe it was Sora, maybe it was Belldandy, maybe it was himself. He had meant to do things differently; perhaps for a long time now. To say different things . . . kinder, gentler things. But he was here now and its effects before him. In that moment he saw her eyes - a look of shock but something else too, confusion; hurt by the one person she knew would never hurt her. It was that which cut him open to the core, freezing him in place unable to move, a cold piercing pain far more devastating than any physical harm could do. "Urd . . . ," he stammered looking at her stunned, "I - I'm sorr - UGHH!" he groaned slamming to the ground as Keiichi tackled him. He looked up as his punch caught him by surprise. "Okay I deserved that," he said shaking his head but –! HEY!" he cried as Keiichi punched him again, causing his head to snap back, his mouth spitting up blood. "Alright Keiichi I am really starting to - !" he growled after receiving a further blow. Tossing Morisato to one side he rolled on all fours pouncing, raising his hand only to stop when he saw Skuld's shocked expression. He turned away from them to search the house, but realized Urd was already gone.

All through that day Takumi maintained his silent vigil in the courtyard, sitting forlornly in the outer gardens as the skies darkened. By afternoon the clouds had given way to light rain. He sat in the courtyard listening to the echoes of distant thunder trying to search for any clue about Urd until darkness finally enveloped him.

The next morning the skies had not improved as he sat beneath a tree that had served as his nights' refuge. The rain had stopped but large clouds continued to loom overhead, blown by mountain winds. He sat patiently by the temple wall hearing echoes of thunder in the distance. Keiichi and Skuld kept away. Alone he recounted everything that had happened in his mind, noticing how desolate the temple looked now under the grey skies. As light came on the next day he finally detected movement beyond him in the main temple grounds. He lifted his head but all that appeared out of the gray gloom were a group of Valkyries, seemingly appearing from nowhere by the main gate, standing before him like ghostly apparitions. Something in their appearance filled him with a sense of dread.

"Takumi Sato," Lind called pulling back her cloak. "I would have words with you," she said.

"Then speak," he replied irritably, looking out from the shadows of the tree.

"It concerns - Urd," she said as the Valkyries gathered close behind her. In his peripheral vision he saw Skuld and Keiichi come from inside the house.

"Yes?" he replied waiting.

"Perhaps we could speak - over here?" she said approaching.

"You're fine where are," he replied.

The Valkyries looked at one another uncertain as to how to proceed. "I'm sorry to tell you of this Takumi. But she . . . she is gone," Lind said softly.

"Gone where?" he asked as rain fell silently around them.

The Valkyries shuffled looking toward the house. "Her - that is to say her life energies . . . have dissipated," Lind tried again gently. Behind him he heard Skuld gasp as Keiichi stepped out from under the porch into the full shadow of the rain.

Takumi ignored her. In that moment he ignored everything, her words, his own trembling hands, the cries on the steps behind him. Everything but the rain. He put his mind there. It can't be true. No of course not. How could it be? How dare she. He wiped his face finding his voice, rising to come out from under the tree. "I'm surprised she went to the effort of pulling you all into this," he stammered. "We've had our problems of late it's true, but if she wanted to stay out she should have just said so. If she wants to stay away, she should say that too. If she's mad, if she wants to me to suffer – let her say it straight out!" he shouted to the heavens. "If she wants to stay out all night with her friends – so be it! There is no need for such antics!" he spat beginning to shiver.

"Why does he not understand?" Sigrun whispered to Lind. She shook her head unsure.

He wandered out blindly now into the courtyard continuing to search the heavens, "You win Urd!" he cried. "You win. I admit it, I was wrong. About so many things . . ., " he said rambling. "You wanted to teach me - and you have. Now just come home Urd. Please, just come home . . ."

Keiichi stood in the rain, his eyes beginning to tear.

Takumi looked up at them doing his best to smile; a weak pathetic smile. "The truth is I don't even remember what I was mad about . . . probably something stupid - some stupid thing," he said his own tears beginning to fall. "Just please come home," he whispered. He seemed to waver, then drop to the ground. Keiichi rushed to his side. "Thank you for coming," he said over his shoulder. "We'll manage things from here. I'm sure you know the way out."

The group stood still unmoving, shifting uncomfortably in the courtyard. "Actually there is one more matter to discuss Keiichi Morisato," Lind replied reluctantly. "Concerning Skuld. In light of . . . the present situation, it is felt that she should, return with us."

"Keiichi? Don't let them take me!" Skuld said panicking. "I want to stay here with you!" she cried.

Keiichi reached behind himself calmly motioning for Skuld come and take his hand, holding it tightly behind himself, between her and the Valkyries as they began to spread out.

"Of course I'm happy to let Skuld make whatever decision she is comfortable with," he said evenly, holding tightly to her. "However as you can see it seems she would rather remain here with me at the temple at present."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Lind replied coming forward.

Keiichi felt Skuld's cold small hand tightening. "I see," he replied. "Well unless you're planning on reducing the members of this household by one more today we should probably leave it there. Because only way you're taking her from here is - over my dead body."

"I'm sure you're aware we - Morisato could you please tell your colleague to stop doing that!" Lind shouted, as in their altercation Keiichi had lost track of Takumi, whom he now realized was attempting move into the periphery of her vision. She looked at him seeing it in his eyes, if not exactly a reason to live, then certainly something to do in lieu of dying.

Judging the distance between them Keiichi saw Lind move her hands uncharacteristically, motioning for calm.

"This is unwise Keiichi. We are only trying to help," she said.

"Thank you," he replied politely. "But we've had quite enough of your help over the last few years."

Keiichi took a step back as Takumi took one forward, both watching as Lind surveyed the courtyard. She knew of the problems in the heavens and didn't want to spread them further, which injuring either of them would likely do.

"There is no need to settle the matter today," she said after consideration. "We will take our leave - for now." Keiichi watched Takumi stare at her, giving her the oddest look before stepping back. A moment later they were gone as silently as they had come.

"Keiichi what's going to happen?!" Skuld asked in tears. He put his arms around her taking in from the rain. "We're not going to worry about it right now. Go inside. I'll fix dinner in a little while," he said.

"Make no mistake Morisato," Takumi echoed bitterly from the trees. "They'll be back. Tomorrow. The day after. Who knows? But they will be back. And what then will you do?"

He came to stand beside him under the trees. "That doesn't matter right now. I want to talk to you. About Urd . . . and your daughter. I'm so sorry."

"I know. But there is no need. She was your family too. And that part of us is . . . I just can't talk about it now. Not now."

"I'm sorry for punching you."

"No you're not. But it's fine. Because you were just doing what you thought was right. As you always do. I hope you can always do that for Skuld. Now let me be." He sat down watching Keiichi disappear into the house.

Well into the afternoon of the next day Skuld was still in her room with Keiichi questioning. They had talked late into the evening the previous night about all that had happened and what they should do. Skuld stared outside.

"What about him?" she whispered.

"Don't worry Skuld. He'll come in when he's ready."

"But shouldn't we do something?" she asked.

"It's hard to explain. It's just something he has to work through himself."

"They came back so angry after seeing Hild. What happened? Do you think she told them something about Big-sis?"

"I don't know. I hope not. But when he's ready he'll come inside." But Takumi did not come inside. A day passed. Then two. Even the return of the rain did not make him take shelter. Finally Keiichi brought out a bowl of soup in the afternoon.

"Here. It's not much but it's warm," he said setting down the covered bowl beside him. Takumi sat, slapping the bowl away without warning sending it clattering across the stones.

"How Morisato?" he muttered angrily. "Belldandy has been gone for more than two years. Yet still you stand. Urd's been gone for two days - yet the pain of it is more than I can bear," he sobbed. "How? How can you be so strong? It makes no sense. How can you stand there and endure it when I cannot?!" he cried bitterly.

Keiichi leaned down taking hold of Takumi's jacket drawing him close. "Look back there," he growled. Takumi's gaze shifted subtly between the two of them, to find Skuld at the edge of the house, her fingers pressed along the corner of the wall watching them from where she thought no one could see.

"If I fall, what do you think happens to her?" he asked. Takumi looked down silently.

"I don't care what you do. Just don't bring any more pain into her life. If you're going to be here, act right," he said letting him go.

The next morning Skuld went outside. But the courtyard was empty. When Keiichi rose he saw it too but said nothing. "Would you like to come with me? I need to get a few things."

"No, I'll be fine here," she replied.

"Trying to keep me from harm? That doesn't seem like you," he smiled.

"We both know that if they come and make a sincere effort, your being here won't make a difference. If it happens I . . . would rather you didn't have to see it. Not with everything that's happened," she said tearing up.

"I meant what I said."

"I know. And I will always treasure it Keiichi."

They looked at each other for a moment.

"I will see you when you get back Keiichi," she said finally.

"Of course," he replied riding away.

Skuld walked the temple grounds alone that morning searching. Eventually she found what she was looking for up in a shallow cave, on a hillside behind his old grave. Takumi was talking, muttering to himself:

"Perhaps we could make a deal with Hild? No - we don't know what happened; don't know if we can trust her. That's probably where Urd and Sora went. Might not be safe. I wouldn't expect any help from her in any case. After all the Valkyries are doing what she wants, removing all goddesses. Besides what do we have to bargain with? We have nothing she wants. No, she won't help us . . ." Then he caught sight of her. He stared for a moment before speaking, trying to lure her out from under the trees. "Come here," he motioned.

Skuld didn't know why, but for the first time since the night she met him she felt uneasy in his presence. She turned half toward him but came no closer. "It's okay. I- I'm fine where I am," she replied.

"I just want to ask you something," he said moving slowly forward, speaking evenly. "Yes, she could do it," he said as much to himself as her, "She likes gossip. It could work. But it's still a risk. She might not want to get her out," he muttered.

"What is it you want?" Skuld asked.

"You know your friend - the girl in leather?"

"Peorth?"

"Yes, yes – Peorth. Do you think you can get her to come here . . . to the temple?"

"Why?"

"Just tell her I want to talk to her. About important things. Things that others do not know . . ."

He sat patiently, waiting for several hours until he saw Peorth arriving on the east section of the temple. So it begins, he thought. Skuld watched as the two of them spoke, Takumi sitting immobile, gesturing only occasionally with his hands as he told his tale.

"I can't render a verdict on this," Peorth said finally.

"No of course not. Please bring back whomever you feel is necessary. It's just that - Urd told me you were a very important person up there. That you would be the one to speak to if the time ever came."

She straightened at his words. "I suppose there's a ring of truth in that," she said.

"Oh and one other thing. I see no reason to involve them in this," he said with a glance at the temple. "I wouldn't want to raise their hopes to no purpose."

"I understand," Peorth nodded. "I will return soon."

"We'll see," he murmured.

Keiichi had intended to simply go for supplies. But after stopping at the overlook he and Belldandy used to frequent he decided instead to go see Megumi.

"What's up?" she said seeing him ride in.

He shook his head trying to keep it all in. "Urd is gone."

"She's gone too?! Did she go to join Belldandy?"

He nodded wiping his eyes.

"Oh Kei!"

"And now there's a question of whether I can take care of Skuld. She says she doesn't want to go, she wants to stay but - I don't know. I promised Bell . . ."

"I don't think you owe her anything Kei," Megumi said stubbornly. "After everything that happened between the two of you, she just up and leaves?"

"I told you it's more complicated than that."

"Look, I'm sure she feels guilty but – wait a minute! What does Takumi have to say about it?!"

"Looks like he's gone too. It's all coming apart Megumi."

"Kei whatever's going on . . . I think maybe you should move in here. For a while at least," she said taking his hand.

"I don't know. I'll think about it."

. . .

Takumi removed himself further up the mountain to gain a better view of the temple, relieved Keiichi had not returned when he saw Peorth and Lind arriving near the front gate. Still, he told Skuld to stay out of sight just in case.

"I did not expect to see you again so soon," Lind said as he came in from the west side of the garage.

"Didn't you?" he said cocking his head as though trying to size her up. "Somehow you seem more confident today," he observed.

"Some things are easier when I don't have worry about others," she said walking up to him.

"Is that what it is?" he replied continuing to stare.

"Perhaps we can turn to the matter at hand," suggested Peorth.

"I'm told you have new some 'new evidence'?" said Lind.

"You know what happened that day but not why. Who do you think drew Belldandy in, providing her the time and the place?"

"She made no mention of it at trial."

"Of course not. She pled guilty and put it all on herself. In order to protect us."

"So you say," Lind echoed.

"You mean you don't know what happened? Am I the only one who knows what really happened?!"

"Don't be absurd! Of course the High Council knows the truth.

"Then you should ask them."

"I wouldn't presume."

"You're a good foot solider aren't you Lind? Just do what they tell you . . ."

"-And you suppose this will make a difference?" she asked.

"That is not for me to say," he replied humbly. "But I would suggest it offers a . . . graceful exit from the current situation, given that it mitigates a portion of her guilt. In other words: I am the solution to your problem. After all, this whole situation must have caused - quite a bit of turmoil in the heavens.

Lind's eyes narrowed. "What makes you say that?"

"Because you are still talking to me -," he hissed. "Belldandy has been punished, the sentence passed will be fully served. All parties involved have been brought to justice. No one has escaped judgement. It all sounds tidy to me. And during the period of the sentence, I'm sure you can keep her out of view."

"You mean down here?"

"Perhaps."

"A detail which allows Skuld to stay put."

"Hmm that hadn't occurred to me."

The warrior scoffed. "Your plan is not as clever as you think."

"Clever or not is it a deal? It does have the added benefit that you won't have to go down in history as a person who dragged away a crying little girl."

"That is the difference between you and me, Mr. Sato. Valkyries do their duty whether or not it's difficult."

"Oh I know. I've seen-," he replied.

"Perhaps you've seen too much?" she observed.

His questioning gaze returned. "Truer words were never spoken. But then if so, isn't it better I'm out of the way?"

"I have to wonder, why are you telling us this now?"

"To help you achieve justice."

"To help us? Is that why you're doing this? To help us?

"Perhaps not, but what difference does it make? I'm giving you the truth. The complete truth. Do with it as you please. Though even in this plane of existence we've heard the rumors of – disquiet. I remember in the court room I was not the only one who seemed 'surprised' at the sentence. And I know now that disturbance is far greater than even I realized."

"I think we are done here."

"Not quite. I want to ask about . . . Urd's disposition."

"That - her father has already taken care of it."

"Has he now? Tell me, how exactly did you become aware of her fate?"

"Don't go down that path Takumi Sato. For it will only bring you pain."

"Why? What really happened to her?"

She remained silent.

There were many things he could have said in that moment. But he knew now was not the time. For time itself was precious now. At least it was for those he was trying to help. Only after would there be time to grieve for Urd and Sora, time to find out what really happened. Following agreement on the details of the transfer, the two parted ways.

When she had gone Takumi sat down, drawing breath having a long last look at the temple. He thought of all that had happened there since he had come. "Oh Urd . . ." he murmured looking out at the trees.

He arose early in the next morning, packing his things away before ritually bathing, trying to memorize every detail of the house. He passed out on the steps only to find Keiichi already waiting for him. "It's hard to get the drop on you these days Keiichi," he observed squinting in the sunlight.

Morisato simply shrugged in reply. "It's not that. It's just that I talk to people.".

"Skuld told you we had visitors yesterday then? I was trying to find out more about Urd and Sora."

"Did they tell you anything?"

"Not really. I'm sorry to leave you like this Keiichi, but all things considered I think it's best if I go off on my own. Thank you for everything."

Keiichi looked at Takumi, who appeared suddenly old in the sunlight, noting with concern that he carried no pack with him. "I just want you to know you will always be welcome here," he said swallowing hard. "I can't begin to . . ."

"-Me as well," Takumi replied walking out into the forest.

Keiichi paused a moment, then returned inside.

He found Lind waiting for him at the appointed place.

"You did not say goodbye to them. You didn't really say anything."

"If things go as planned I won't need to. If not, what difference will it make? The truth is no one there will really miss me."

"Then let us go." She raised the gate and they stepped in. Before he knew it he was moving, walking forward down a brightly lit open corridor, illuminated from the skies above, a fantastic city of interconnected rings of towering vistas at different levels above the ground. He looked out catching glimpses as they walked, seeing the river turn and twist below them, its blue waters spilling down into tributaries over the uneven ground. Above him he saw overhanging vines of the green roofs closest to him, hung with flowers he could not place. A part of him longed to be able to stand there forever, taking in the view of the city and the mountains beyond. "Keep moving," instructed the voice behind him.

"Where are we going exactly?" he asked.

"As you say, what difference does it make?"

"I suppose none, given that Skuld has informed me high level Valkyries always keeps their word," he said hoping the statement might stem, or at least prune, any alternative plans she might have.
"We are going to the place we must, the prison subsection of the Valkyrie hold."

"Are all prisoners kept there?"

"No," she said without elaboration.

As he now caught sight of sections of a large building on the walkway ahead he began to notice the looks on the faces of those they passed. "Why do they look at me like that? Of course, I suppose it's to be expected in matters concerning someone like Belldandy."

"It's more than that. They identify you with Urd."

"I would have thought they'd have gotten used to her."

"Normally yes. But reports of Einherjar in the Western provinces have put Hild and her kindred on everyone's mind."

"I was told they are Hild's army," he ventured.

"So it is said," Lind replied.

Why is she doing this? Has Hild gone insane? Is there another problem? Does it have something to do with Urd? Perhaps Bell and Keiichi can figure it out, he thought.

They walked on as the walls of the stronghold began to close in around them. The walkway's airy vistas starting to close off as it gave way to more substantial structural surroundings. Lind directed him down the ramparts, to the lower reaches of the section that indeed seemed more prison-like. But as they continued down one of the lower hallways his spirits lifted when, he saw a familiar face at the far end of the darkened corridor. Peorth appeared, escorting Belldandy with her arm around her. He smiled seeing the familiar buckwheat tresses, the face he had not seen in more than two years! But something was different, her eyes seemed dull as she shuffled, forward leaning on Peorth.

"What is this?! Is this a trick?" he said suspiciously.

"She's alright," Peorth replied assuring him. "She's still waking up from stasis. She will be fine in a little while."

He approached her looking into her eyes. "Belldandy?"

She looked back, the recognition coming slowly. "Takumi?"

"It's me," he nodded. "You need to get going. These people are going to take you home," he said with a look to Peorth.

Only now did she seem to become aware of her surroundings.

"What's going on? Why are you here?" she asked.

"It's not important. You need to go with her now," he said pushing her along.

But Belldandy was beginning to come around. Her movements started to slow.

"We don't have time for this," warned Lind. "We are pushing it as it is. If the prisoner doesn't . . ."

"Keiichi's waiting for you Bell. If you don't leave now you will never see him again," he said.

Something appeared in her eyes, "Mr. Sato . . ."

"Forget that name," he said shaking his head. "If you ever had any faith in me, if you ever believed in me, even the slightest bit. Please go."

She tried to right herself, looking between them confused.

"GO!" he repeated pushing her away, moving off into the darkness with Lind.

Takumi had prepared himself for everything up to this point. Up to this point. But now he knew he didn't have any idea of what was to come. Alone now in the dim light he felt suddenly afraid, closing his hands at his sides trying to hide it from Lind.

"Step down," Lind told him above the pit.

"Down there?" he asked as she nodded. He dropped down into the close-walled pit. He couldn't imagine Bell had spent over two years in here. And he . . . he didn't want to think about it.

Something, some kind of fluid began to inundate the pit.

"Calm your breathing," Lind said unsympathetically from above him.

"She's right. Don't fight it," Peorth said appearing now behind her as the feeling of constriction grew. "It's taking you under," Peorth said in reply. "The sensation is something like . . . dreaming," she mused searching for the word. The fluid continued to fill in around him drawing him down into the blackness. It was certainly not like dreaming. More like drowning he thought. The fluid passed over him as he pushed his head back gasping once, then disappeared.