Chapter 13
Buried in Stone
"So this is the place?" Takumi asked stepping out behind Tai as they appeared under cloudy skies on the southeastern side of the island.
"We shouldn't even be here," Skuld said walking beside him following Tai and Sora up the hill.
"I thought you were winning," Takumi muttered.
"This a bad place," Skuld remarked by way of reply.
"Because of Belldandy?" Takumi asked.
"And because it's the spot where the demons almost got Sora."
"What?" he replied stopping. "Are you kidding me?! Doesn't it strike you as odd Belldandy met her end on the same island Sora was rescued from? Is she right Sora?"
"I - I don't know. Something was chasing us, closing in I think. We jumped to another location - then she made me leave."
"Why was Bell even here? She must have been looking for something."
"No one knows," said Skuld.
"No one?" he questioned.
"C'mon. The tree is this way," Tai said urging them forward.
"The tree?" Takumi asked.
"It's up ahead . . . up there," he said pointing.
Takumi saw it now. Ahead of them stood a large tree rising from the surrounding forest. Even at this distance he could tell there was something peculiar about it. Approaching it the forest grew more fair, more green as they came within range of its limbs, ferns marking the path through the underbrush to its base. Reaching the trunk he could see it appeared to have weathered several attacks, perhaps from vulcanism; perhaps something else. As though someone had tried to hack it. Yet no scar on it seemed long-lasting or deep. The tree, as the forest surrounding it, appeared to grow stronger and evergreen. He put his hands to it, standing alongside Tai who rested against it. So this is the true power of a goddess, he thought feeling warmth emanating from it, or perhaps it was just his imagination. He tried not to think about it being the last connection to Belldandy on the planet. "It's almost like it's humming," he said moving his hand upward.
Skuld reached out placing her hand on the tree, as instantly an image sprang forth. They looked on at the ghostly visage stunned, an image of Belldandy poised serenely before them.
"Big-sis!" Skuld cried jumping back and the image dissipated.
"I think this is something else," Takumi replied putting his hand on the tree once more. But no image was forthcoming. "Have you ever put your hand on this tree Skuld?" he asked.
"Of course we have!" she replied.
"Have you ever seen this?"
"No of course not," Skuld said replacing her hand on the tree; still without result. Only when Tai reached out once more did the serene image return.
"So I guess I'm really not needed. I don't blame her," Sora said to herself dejected.
"I'm not so sure -," Takumi replied suspiciously. "Here, take my place," he said. But as she did the image faded.
"You see?" Sora replied.
Still he was not convinced. "Skuld, let me take your place." But the image did not return. "So I and the two of you are not enough," he mused. "Tai let Skuld take your place," he suggested. The image returned causing Sora to brightened almost to the point of tears. "So it needs you, I and Skuld, and at least one of our young comrades. Otherwise - nothing. Does that configuration mean anything to you?"
"No."
"-It means there was no way we could see this message until you were released," replied Tai Morisato.
"But I couldn't see it alone -," Takumi observed. "My guess is you're right Skuld - this is a bad place. Without at least three of us here there seems to have been no point in showing us whatever it is she wants us to see."
"If that's what this is at all," remarked Sora. "It may be a trap! Remember they tried to get Auntie Skuld only a few days ago!"
"Please don't call me that," said Skuld.
"If that's true then they made a big mistake," observed Tai. "Because Sora with you and I here - these oldies are protected beyond their wildest dreams!"
"Supernova?" asked Sora.
"Exactly," replied Tai. "In either case, if it has something to do with Mom or what happened to her I want to know," he said.
"Should I be worried about that discussion?" Takumi asked Skuld.
"I'm not sure," murmured Skuld. "They're both quite powerful, on the scale of Belldandy and Urd themselves. But more than that they're - in sync. They may have explored means of concentrating or fusing their power."
"Hey old man, are we doing this before the entire demon army shows up?" Tai asked impatiently.
"Right. Let's do this," he nodded, raising his hand. They stood quietly in the grove as the ghostly apparition reappeared. He was surprised how much he had forgotten about her, her kind eyes, her patient countenance as she seemed to bow turning to raise her arm northward. She was pointing, pointing toward –(BOOM!).
"Down!" Takumi cried as the air burst swept over them, the explosion shattering the surrounding calm. Through the damaged trees they could see a lone warrior approaching over the uneven ground. ". . . I always wondered who it was that would come," Takumi mused gravely. "Now I know . . ."
The smoke cleared as the Valkyrie brushed past him calling on Sora, "Come away from his place Leaf. It's not safe here. Powerful energies are at work in this place!"
"Are there now?" Takumi replied coolly. "Energies not safe for her – or you?" he said watching her.
Tiredly she turned, "I've had enough of your interference Takumi Sato."
"I'm sure you have," he hissed.
"What are you getting at?" asked Skuld.
"- Just that I find it strange how she always seems to be at the right place at exactly the right time. Tokyo, Urd, The Citadel, and I'm going to take a wild guess and say she was the one who told you about Belldandy's demise. "When we came here I knew someone would come. I just didn't know who. And now here you are – Lind the great protector of the peace in the realm, come to guide us; come to help us through all our troubles," he growled.
"Why are you being like this?" demanded Skuld. "She's only trying to help!"
"-Is that what she's doing? I seem to remember her wanting to take you away from Keiichi and the temple not too long ago. But that was her first mistake."
"You seem intent on creating problems," Lind murmured coming toward him.
"-And you know all about problems, don't you commander?" he retorted. "How to reduce their numbers - make them go away. Heaven's guardian - of all its dirty little secrets. . ."
"What are you getting at?" shouted Sorano.
"Nothing. Far be it for me to question the motives of the great commander. I simply find her interesting – yes, interesting is the right word. A psychologist might call you fascinating."
Lind bristled at the taunt but ignored him. "We should depart and remove ourselves from this place."
"If Lind says so, we should go," insisted Sorano.
"Oh? Is that what we should do - One Wing?" he continued mockingly. "That's what they call you isn't it? Because of . . . your angels."
Lind's irritation was growing palpable. "What is it you want?! Out with it!" she hissed turning on him.
"Something that's been bothering me a long time. That day - the day you tried to take Skuld from us. I saw something, something I knew I could never convince them of, and so I never spoke of it. But I saw – fear in your eyes. Why? You had an entire squad of Valkyries against Keiichi, Skuld and myself. So what was there to fear? I could not fathom it. But then that's the problem with giving people time in your prison – it gives them time to think. And I had time. The years we were deprived of Belldandy's company, Keiichi and I had many evenings on which to speak. And it was then I remembered - the night he told me a story about a most peculiar goddess. I admit - it took me a long time to figure out the truth, much longer than it should have. But I know Lind - I know. . ."
"What are you saying?!" yelled Skuld.
"Haven't you ever wondered why she's stronger and faster, even than the other Valkyries?"
"Because she's the best," Sorano snapped defensively.
"Right. She and her two angels. Why is that exactly?"
"Because . . . she is one of the greatest Valkyries," Skuld stammered.
"Really? Belldandy didn't have two angels. Nor Urd. Nor any senior goddesses I've ever heard of - and I have looked."
"Shut up -," whispered Lind.
But he would not be quiet. He was now quite beyond being silenced, "Tell me commander, what is the name of that angel of yours? You know the one I mean. The one with the red eyes. Cool mint, isn't it? I find that . . . interesting."
Watching Lind's growing discomfort Sorano now leapt to her defense confronting him. "Don't you dare say anything about my, my - !"
"I hope you're not going to say your mother," he replied contemptuously. "Because I have a few things to tell you about 'your mother' . . ."
Takumi moved to defend himself, but the Valkyrie was far too quick for him, her hand around his throat picking him up, squeezing the life from him. He struggled for breath but it mattered little against her superior strength. "What are you going to do Lind?" he wheezed. "Kill me? . . . The way you killed Belldandy?" Those around him froze in shock. Lind's face grew sallow, her eyes widening. Instantly she released him as he fell to the ground. "How could you even think I -!"
"She killed my mother?!" Morisato said as the winds around them began to swirl.
Takumi looked up to see the equal measure of shock and horror in Lind's face. "No -," he choked out shaking his head. "But I wasn't certain of that until just this moment!"
"How do you know now?" demanded Tai. "Because she let you go?!"
"No. Because if she had killed Belldandy most of us would be dead now," he said slowly standing up.
"Why would you suspect her at all?" Sorano shouted angrily.
"It's time commander -," he said. "Time for all the lies to end. Time to speak the truth." Lind looked down shaking her head.
"I never told you this, but I respect you commander. I do.
I can't imagine what it must have taken to leave everything behind, to walk away from everything you knew."
"Please . . . no," she said her eyes beginning to tear.
"How old were you? From Urd's descriptions, you couldn't have been more than -."
"What are you saying?!" cried Skuld.
"That she is no goddess. At least she wasn't born one. Unless I miss my guess she's the most completely transformed demon in history." The group looked on in shock waiting for some sign it was untrue. But Lind said nothing, turning her back to them.
"Cool mint isn't an angel, is she? At least not originally. She was something that came with you out of the demon realm. And when you attained your current status and Spearmint became your angel, did it cause some kind of instability due to your unique makeup? Was that the origin of the One Wing effect? Is that why they let you keep Cool mint? Because it somehow stabilized and strengthened the overall architecture?"
Now everyone fell quiet. Everyone except Sorano. "Is it true?" she asked approaching.
Lind choked back her tears, "I'm sorry Leaf. Sorry I couldn't tell you . . . sorry I couldn't be everything you deserved," she said crying.
Sorano threw her arms around her, "You silly old bird," she said hugging her. "You're the only mother I've ever really known. What possible difference do you think it could make to me?!"
Lind turned putting her arms around her, "Leaf . . . thank you," she said holding her, the closest thing to a daughter she would ever know in this world. "They found me half dead on the outer reaches of the frontier and eventually made a place for me. It was kept a closely guarded secret, even at the highest levels."
"That's why you're stronger," observed Takumi.
"Individually we are stronger than goddesses. But they trained me to become stronger still."
"That day in the courtyard. You hesitated because -."
"Because in your highly agitated state I thought it likely you would attack upon any further provocation regardless of your chances, and in the ensuing frenzy might make contact with me, which would have strengthened you tremendously while creating potentially catastrophic consequences for everyone else."
"Yes I imagine that would have been difficult to explain had that happened - as would your reluctance to get involved had things escalated. Which brings up the most critical question. Do you know who killed Belldandy?"
"No, nor Urd since it will be your next question," Lind replied.
"You are certain?" he asked catching Morisato's eye.
"The truth is we're no closer to understanding what really happened to them than on the day it occurred. That is the truth Sato. Whatever you might believe."
"Show her what we've discovered," exclaimed Sora.
They stood together on the hillside, watching the image of Belldandy as she once more raised her hand pointing north.
"Of course. She's pointing home," assured Lind.
"She's pointing toward the volcano!" Takumi shouted. "As you can clearly see. What's up there?!" he demanded.
"I don't know, and after all these years it doesn't matter. What I do know is . . . this is not a good place. We should be on our way. For there are strange things afoot here," she said listening to the woods.
"It matters to me," Takumi replied. "And Belldandy apparently."
"We cannot know her true intent - or even if it is her intent."
"I said the same thing," agreed Sora.
"Because you're thinking objectively," muttered Lind.
"I'm going to the mountain, with or without you," Takumi declared.
"I am too," agreed Tai.
"As am I," nodded Skuld.
"Have you given any thought to what MIGHT be up there?"
"I know that if we don't go we will never know."
The warrior paced, "At least let me go in front," she said proceeding.
"I'm going with you," Sora said ascending with her.
As they walked Skuld dropped back beside Takumi as they trudged on up the route. "You could have told me your plan," she said. "You took a big chance back there with everyone's life," she whispered.
"Did I? I assumed no matter what happened she wasn't going to attack Sora. And because of Sora's attachment to Tai, I anticipated both of them were relatively safe. Leaving her only two choices: either she would attack you, or me. If she attacked you I believed the chances were good I could get a hold on her somewhere with Sora and Tai's help, strengthening myself in the process. Of course as we heard, she too is aware of that possibility. Therefore I assumed her most likely course of action would be -."
"To try to kill you first."
"Indeed. You saw how I reacted when she charged."
"You moved to protect your core."
"Exactly. What's going on up ahead?!" he called out.
"Lind has asked us to hold up here," replied Tai.
They watched as Lind walked ahead of them, slowly moving through a grove of scorched trees.
"Do you need me to come in too?" Sora asked worriedly.
"No stand back Leaf. Let me do this part alone," she said.
"Tai come up behind me, just in case," Sora said raising her hand, creating a narrow gap between her thumb and forefinger.
"Looks like a large stand of trees killed by a previous pyroclastic flow," Takumi observed.
Lind moved in further. "There's an evil wind here," she said.
"It's going to take more than burned trees to frighten us off," Takumi retorted.
Eventually satisfying herself she pressed on with the group close behind. Between them and the mountain the forest rose now into a shallow hill, the path descending on the far side into a deep defile which submerged into the water; ahead before them lay a dark roughly circular pool approximately 100 feet in diameter.
"End of the path -," Lind said looking back.
Takumi walked on approaching the edge of the volcanic pool, "We need to get it out; all of the water from the pit," he said.
"That may be unwise. It could be covering something," said Lind.
"We'll know when we uncover it," replied Takumi.
"I'd' be more comfortable going back for a team," said Lind.
"I'm sure you would. But I think we've had enough secondhand reporting for a while. And as to your comfort, it doesn't concern me, only removing this barrier".
"It might be better to wait," Sora suggested trying for some middle ground.
"Anyone who doesn't want to proceed can go," Takumi said searching the rim for the best way to drain the water.
"Tai you're pushing too hard," Skuld whispered.
"She can stop any time she wants," he replied brushing her aside. "So can any of you for that matter."
"Tai . . ."
"I'll empty it by hand if need be! I didn't come this far to be stopped."
Lind began to ascend with Sora at her side. It will be alright," she said to Sora's uncertain eyes.
"-And if something should happen to them in our absence?" she said looking back at Tai.
Below them Takumi, Skuld and Tai stood along on the south crater rim, "You can move it can't you Skuld? Or should I go get a cup?" he asked.
Her eyes flashed skyward. "I don't think it's going to be an issue -," she said stepping back. The flash that struck from the heavens came faster than the eye could follow. In an instant the waters froze before being struck by the terrific blow, the sound echoing as shattered blocks of ice rained down around them.
"DRAW!" Morisato shouted, as together they drew out successive blocks of ice until the floor of the pit revealed itself. Now cleared, Tai quickly climbed down reaching the bottom pressing his hands upon the floor. He chuckled grimly running his hands through the material. "Sand," he shouted up to them. "Nothing but sand," he muttered disappointed.
"No," Takumi replied dropping down beside him. "For you see - I've seen this this part of the story before," he muttered. "Move it away. There is something buried underneath."
Tai raised his hand as they drew back, winds beginning to tug at them as the sands were pulled toward the center of the cavern, drawn up as a whirlwind. Using his considerable power he drew it all from the cavern floor, pulling it up and out dissipating in all directions. Beneath him now he could see that there was something, something unnatural, some strange fusion of rock and metal beneath his feet covering the entire surface.
"Look!" Takumi said scrambling across the floor to push his hand down into the the depression running the width of two fingers along the floor. Gathering his strength he looked up to Sora above him along the rim, asking the question which had sat heavily upon his heart all this time. "Is it . . . a 'U'?" he said scarcely able to breathe.
Above him Sora looked down shaking her head. "No - an 'H'."
Takumi's blood ran cold closing his eyes. He had hoped. But now he knew he was wrong.
"So now we know . . . what became of Hild," Lind said coming to stand beside him.
Takumi looked at the floor of the cavern numb.
"It is as I feared. A magma vent. In which they buried her. Buried in a tomb by her own people - the savages." She shuddered. "At least now you have your answer."
"They - threw her in?" he asked.
"I'm quite certain she didn't go willingly," Lind replied with a certain satisfaction.
"You mean she was buried alive?" he asked walking to investigate the symbol at the center of the crypt.
"Far worse -," Lind murmured. "For you see this is no normal vent. It plunges beyond our world, falling into the emotive core of the Demon Realm."
"You mean, like a Demonic gate?"
"No, a gate can be traveled by those with proper knowledge and privilege. This - falls directly into the central core of the Demon Realm itself. Haven't you ever wondered what powers the Demon Realm? Or why those in the Heavens fight so hard against it? Why we are opposed to those who side with it? Because the core of the Demon Realm is – chaos. The Primal Chaos of the universe."
"You mean this vent -?"
"Connects directly with that primal chaos."
"It was constructed by someone?"
"Perhaps. I suspect it was set up as a trap. The only thing powerful enough to hold a creature of Hild's power."
"Why would they do that if she was their leader?"
"The Demon Realm is all about freedom," Lind said sarcastically. "Don't like your current leader? Kill them . . . if you can. Even from what little the Heavens reports of their history (which I'm sure is a sanitized version), Hild has survived more than a dozen assassination attempts during her reign. Don't believe me? When she left to establish the lower realm she brought with her five members of the high council. By the time it was incorporated no more than two were still alive". Lind surveyed the hellish chamber. "At least it explains why we didn't know she'd been killed or moved off-world."
"So someone wanted to remove her, but didn't want you to find out?"
"It would appear so."
"I see. In that case we need to open this -," he said tracing the edge of the seal.
"Are you insane?!" Lind cried. "That would open a path to the core of the demon realm. Believe me there's no reason to see whatever is left in there, and whoever sealed her would certainly be alerted to our presence. Besides - this is the best news we could possibly have. It means defeat of the Demon Realm is all but inevitable. It explains why their attacks have become so erratic."
"But does any of it make any sense?! Why would they do this? Why?! There is something here we can't see, something hidden that she alone may know. We must try to find out!" cried Takumi.
"Then I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. The seals on the tomb confine the occupant to the core of the Demon Realm. It's the only thing that could have contained her from breaking free. Do you have any idea what lies in there Takumi? Primal chaos - beyond anything you could imagine. Nothing subjected to that power could withstand it for long. It corrodes everything, destroying it, melting it away until there is nothing left; nothing but madness. If there's anything left of her, that is what it is now. Pure madness. And this tomb is old. Whatever happened here happened a long time ago."
"Then there's no harm in looking is there?" he said pressing his hands to the seal.
"You don't seem to understand. There is no way I will let you open that tomb. For there is much of Hild you do not know. She was once a brilliant general and chief tactician in the Heavens, and she knows much of the ways of the Valkyrie. As such she is far too dangerous to let loose; even if only a fragment of her remains. Leave her there - where she belongs," Lind scowled.
"You're just trying to keep me from Urd."
"No Sato! You don't know what she is. Not really. She was once a Valkyrie! The Valkyrie who killed Belldandy's mother - my commander and friend!" she said close to tears, her words echoing in the chamber, the pain as fresh in her heart as the day it happened. Its venom now fully seized her, "She's a murderer! She deserves her fate!"
"And that's all you really care about isn't it Lind? Revenge. Right from the beginning. Why didn't you attack during her rule? Because the council wouldn't let you, would they? And why? Because the council saw what you couldn't, that she kept the balance of power. The current situation must be quite favorable to you, Lind. It gives you and your allies a free hand to exact whatever revenge you believe her followers deserved. Don't think I don't know about your strike on the demon capital! Tell me, how many met their end that day? When the long-held doublet rule finally fell? Your, unique features must have proved invaluable in identifying a means to get in."
"In repayment for those who killed Belldandy. They who removed a last shining fragment of hope and ripped open the wounds of the world? I didn't lose any sleep over it," she said.
"Except you assumed it was done by Hild's forces. And that's who you went looking for her that day didn't you? Did you injure her in the raid? Did you even see her in your raid? Does it matter you may have been playing into someone else's hands? Or did you know she was already entombed at that point?!"
"That's not fair Takumi!" shouted Skuld.
"Isn't it? Did you wonder why Keiichi wanted no part of it? Did you even listen to what he had to say when you returned? Yes, I know you were there as well Skuld."
She gasped. "You don't understand. Big-sis . . ."
"-Wanted you to be better than us Skuld."
He turned to the group. "I think I understand now why Belldandy's message couldn't be read without all of us present. I believe she knew or suspected something in her final moments that we do not. Something buried here. But to get it she knew we would have to work together."
"Belldandy was well aware of who killed her mother. Why would she want this opened?" queried Lind.
"Why indeed," replied Takumi. "And as to her mother – Hild once showed us an orb she said killed her."
"Us?"
"Urd, Belldandy and I."
"Convenient no one can confirm your story."
"Just thought you might like to get to the bottom of it, you know, before you killed anyone else over it," he shrugged.
"With everything I hold dear standing in the balance? No."
"You cannot stop me from opening it."
"I hardly need to. For you possess neither the skill nor power to breach a seal of that magnitude."
"I wonder. Perhaps we should see who's the better predictor – you or Belldandy? That is if I can get a little help."
Skuld looked between them but soon walked to Takumi's side. "If Big-sis has pointed the way there must be a reason," she said folding her arms. Takumi looked over wondering if it was her true desire, or simply guilt over his knowing of the citadel.
"My mother's wishes outrank your commands," agreed Tai coming to stand with them. Sora hesitated before walking to Lind's side.
"Thank you Sora."
The young goddess put her arms around her. "I meant what I said. I could never have asked for a better mother. But I'm going to help them open the seal." She hugged her tightly. "There's nothing in my life that could ever replace you. Ever. But I need to know out what happened to my mother. I'm sorry if I disappoint you."
"It's not that. We have no way of knowing if things are still as when Belldandy set them."
Takumi placed his hand upon the central section of the seal as Lind watched closely. A moment later it began to glow faintly.
"How? It was not you who placed her into that - HILD! So, I'm not the only one with secrets. I always wondered about the means of your return."
"I was given form by her power it's true," he admitted. He pressed on the seal but it did not move, as now Sora, Tai and Skuld put their hands to it. For a moment the seal seemed to hold but then the sigil ignited, sending faults radiating outward.
Pressing on the central seal they rotated it 30 degrees counterclockwise then clockwise before it fell away to the magma beneath. They backed away as the floor began to fall inward in all directions to the magma until fully 70 percent had been there rose a sudden fount of lava intruding upward carrying with it horrendous scream of agony echoing in the chamber, only to fall back into a burbling mass. They looked on but saw nothing. Nothing but endless billowing plumes of lava gurgling in the pit.
"You see?" Lind said surveying the grim infernal scene. "That's all that's left now, the endless flow of the demon core, its power corroding its victims, eating away at their souls until there is nothing left. Nothing but primal chaos and madness."
The group shuddered taking in the awful sight before turning to go. Only Takumi remained, his eyes desperately searching the endless upwelling plumes of magma for some presence, some hint or sign. Eventually even he could see it was hopeless. The flowing river of molten rock continued to boil as he turned to join them. "Perhaps deeper in the realm there is -!"
The shriek caught them by surprise as the entity burst forth from pit, its formless shape tumbling onto the ground before them. Everyone froze. Slowly the molten mass attempted to draw itself up, flowing away several times, attempting to will itself forward lurching toward them. "Takumi!" Lind shouted taking her guard, seeing he was caught between them and the creature as it drew near.
"Stop! We're not your enemy!" he said raising his hands. "We – we're the ones who freed you!" he shouted, his voice rising higher in pitch with each step the creature took toward him.
"You . . . have a remarkable grasp of the obvious," the form rasped. The sound reverberated as a low rumble, garbled and wandering in its tenor but he could tell it was her. Slowly she continued toward him, part of the form outstretched now, reaching out until the closest part was little more than a point before his forehead. "Focusing the core of my mind for so long seems to have left me with - a bit of a flutter," she rumbled reaching him. "Ah there it is - I remember now," she said drawing back as the magma transformed into fingers then a fist, the change taking hold, the miraculous transformation passing down her arm and chest, over her torso and across her body. A moment later it was complete, as he now stood face to face with the naked form of the ruler of all Demonkind. She raised her arms on either side of her, pulling a red garment from what appeared to Takumi to be the very walls of the chamber itself.
"Ah, that's better," she said to no one in particular, flexing her fingers as the cloak drew around her, her irises still retaining a disturbing cat-like property. She turned taking in the rest of the group as a smile flashed across her face. But just as quickly Takumi saw something come and go in her expression.
She tilted her head. How long has it been?" she murmured to herself. "Sora?" she questioned looking at her finally.
"Yes it's me Grandma," she replied embarrassed.
Hild strode around the edge of the cavern hugging her tightly. "Look at you!" she said rubbing her head with uncomfortable familiarity. "Oh dear you look so wonderful!" The Demon Lord let her go, taking in the scene before turning to address Takumi, "Well I would love to stay and chat - but I have just soooo many people to kill," she said moving off.
"Still think this was a good idea Sato?!" hissed Lind standing by the entrance.
"She's leaving Takumi! What's your plan?" warned Skuld.
"Um well, I thought maybe you would want to help us Lady Hild?" he suggested humbly.
"That's your plan!" cried Skuld.
"It's good to want things -," Hild replied reaching the exit.
"Great plan Sato! We just gave the Demon Realm back their greatest commander!" Lind scowled.
"Well of course you must do as you please Lady Hild," Takumi said bowing behind her. "I mean if this is truly how you'd like things to remain for all time," he said.
In the doorway the shadow of the Demon Lord halted. "What do you mean by that?"
"I just mean that no matter what you do from this point onward, no matter how many people you kill, it won't change the fact that you were beaten. If you're happy with that version of events then I suppose -."
Something between a sigh and a growl was heard within the confines of the cavern, "I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," she muttered turning to him. "And what is your plan?"
"First things first. Where is Urd?!"
"You're right, first thing's first!" she said smacking him, her blow sending him tumbling against the far wall. "Doesn't feel good does it?" she said leaning down.
"No . . .," he said standing up only to fall down once more. "But, I think you know I've spent every day since attempting to rectify that error."
"I'm not certain how useful you'll be in that regard."
"Really? Because if you're so good how come we had to thaw you out of a volcano?!" he cried.
Hild bristled, "As it happened they caught us on a swimming day and . . . not all of us move at the same speed," she said with a look to Sora. "Of course my real mistake was not taking their malevolence seriously enough during the winter solstice."
"The night we were at the pools! Urd and I saw an explosion in the city!" said Takumi.
"Yes. Though I think we can agree now that was nothing compared to what they pulled off two years later."
"Tokyo . . ."
"Problem was we didn't know it at the time, given their efforts to keep their fingerprints off it. But I know it now."
"Convenient. But I still have a few questions," said Lind.
Hild dismissed her. "Oh and let's not forget the role you and Belldandy played in all this," she retorted.
"The role we played?" inquired Lind.
"Of course. When you and Belldandy buried the remains of the people you pulped into Oshima's caldera, you did the Watchers a favor – well I doubt they would see it that way but it's true. Your early arrival interrupted their plans, inadvertently capturing them and thus keeping them off our radar."
"How is that exactly?!" she demanded
"Because in amongst those you crushed -."
"I let you get away with that once!" Lind scowled.
"-You managed to bury them together with the bones of the ship," Hild continued. "If only you'd been more thorough . . . Killing them would have informed us of their presence immediately."
"What are you talking about?!"
"Yes, what are you talking about?" echoed Takumi. "Belldandy arrived with only seconds to spare."
"Hmm, not brains of the contingent I see," replied Hild.
"What she means is given the period in which it happened had they been killed it would have triggered a response in the doublet system – with both sides knowing something was up."
"Meaning non-Terran entities were aboard the ship yes. Which I believe would have prevented a great deal of suffering. Wouldn't you say Takumi?"
"My god. You mean . . .?"
"Yes. As it was the arrangement kept them 'inactive' (and thus out of sight) for the better part of the next two years."
"Why?" said Takumi.
"I assume they spent most of that time digging," replied Hild.
"What?!"
"She's kidding," replied Skuld. "They must have spent the majority of that time healing from the tremendous level of damage Big-sis's implosion inflicted on them. Perhaps in place. After all, they clearly intended to jump away a second before the blast. That didn't happen, and due to their proximity to the device they must have suffered terribly as a result. If that's true, when they got out they must have been none too happy. And went looking for revenge."
"Yet for them it seems every misfortune has a silver lining. For during that time they discovered something nearby. Forty-five miles to the south on this very island they found something they could exploit. Something they could coax and develop. The anomaly upon which we now stand. And so they waited for their opportunity. Two years after Tokyo they decided they'd found one. A chance to get me while distracted, my grandchild, and Belldandy's sister all at once."
"The day you returned to meet us on the yacht."
"Yes. Not the best meeting spot as it turned out."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed? The place we met at that day is 190 miles almost directly due east from this location."
"But why go after you? Weren't they taking a big risk?!"
"For reasons I won't get into now, I suspect assassination was always their ultimate goal. So coming after me eventually was inevitable. In addition, they knew if we ever identified their role in the Tokyo detonation we would come for them. So it became imperative for them to strike first; before we discovered their role and acted."
"- And yet they missed," Lind observed in a manner that made their heads turn.
"Yes. But fate gave them a second chance that day."
Takumi lowered his head. "How did Urd find you that day?"
"It was I who found her when I sensed something was wrong with Sora."
"And how did you know that?!" asked Takumi raising his head.
"Yeah how did you know that?" echoed Sora.
"Why have you been quiet for so long?" inquired Skuld.
"Oh for Pete's sake, those two have been making out in the chamber entranceway for the last ten minutes," muttered Hild.
"Hey!" complained Tai.
"Not cool grandma!" protested Sora.
"The question remains . . . ," said Takumi.
"Grandparents prerogative", shrugged Hild.
"You mean you put some kind of tracking imprint on her when you visited us at the temple! Didn't you promise us you wouldn't do that?"
"I believe what I said was: I confirm I hold no ill will or intent toward any member of the household and will do no harm," she replied. "When I sensed trouble I acted. And when I arrived as they say, 'all hell broke loose'."
"Urd?" he asked with quiet desperation.
Hild shook her head. "We were together in the heat of it for a moment, but it was all I could do to get Sora out. As soon as we were secure I convened a meeting of my - senior staff. They could find nothing. Given the nature of these recent events I wasn't prepared to risk any more members of my family. So Sora and I went off on our own."
"Sounds like that meeting didn't occur in the demon realm," Takumi pressed. "Also, am I not part of 'the family'?"
"By that time you had already made your own plans – well beyond my dominion of control. Also no," she replied. "Given the circumstances, I preferred to do my own work, both in looking for Urd and teaching Sora."
"What she really means is: her group was much more concerned than she's letting on - and they didn't know how deep the rot in their organization really went," Lind speculated.
"So cynical -," replied Hild.
"But it would answer the question as to why you didn't just go to the demon realm when all this happened," said Takumi.
"-Or why she didn't pull in her bodyguards," added Lind.
"So you stayed on Terran during your time with Sora?"
"Well if she's going to run the place someday she might as well see how it works," replied Hild.
"Hard to know if she's telling the truth," muttered Lind to Skuld. "But if she is it might explain the relative calm we observed in the demon realm over the following 10-15 years.
"So you just gave it all up?" inquired Takumi. "Ruling the demon realm?"
"Well, the job's not a glamorous as it sounds. I left several 'hunting' operations to my trained associates and transferred day-to-day management of the realm to those most qualified. Things seemed to stabilize. But given what had occurred we were always on guard. For I knew they might be watching, waiting for another chance. Eventually that was what happened, somehow they deduced my location and gave chase. We took flight, but eventually they got ahead of us, ultimately cornering us to this island. Its energies made me think it might provide some protection. Clearly, I was wrong. Things reached a state where I had no other option but to let Sora go – and alert the Heavens."
"It was you who alerted us?!" questioned Lind.
"It seemed preferrable to your normal response time." she replied.
"-And then they caught you," Lind smirked.
"Caught is a relative term. They ambushed us here with more than 300 trained disciples. But I assure you I made them pay very dearly for it.
"A total lie - as usual," Lind said dismissively.
"How do you know?" said Tai.
"She didn't seal 300 people! And she certainly didn't kill them. If she had -."
"-It would have been felt in the doublet? No I didn't kill them. After all, we all know I'm not the one who broke the covenant . . ."
Lind seethed as Hild cocked her head, "But why do you wonder? After all, you've seen the result with your own eyes."
Lind looked back at her puzzled.
"Surely you passed the slopes of the mountain on your way here, did you not?" she said stepping forward.
"Yes but -! Lind gasped suddenly, her eyes wide in horror.
"What is it?" said Skuld.
"The grove of denuded trees . . . you didn't!" she breathed.
"I'm surprised one versed in Valkyrie Fire would even need to ask," Hild smiled. "When the Watchers converged on me they were many. And their traps well prepared. When it was over they were . . . fewer."
"That sense of dread I could not pin down in the forest. Now I see. It was because -." She stopped unable to go on.
"I'm guessing, I don't want to know?" asked Takumi.
"You're right," said Skuld. "Ever see what happens when lighting strikes an organic object? Kind of like that, except her attacker's couldn't defend themselves as it pierced through their hearts linking them."
"She used the Valkyrie Fire, a force normally used to heal but employed it in some corrupted manner, conjoining it with her energies to burst through the hearts of her enemy, striking like branched lightning connecting them, fusing their bodies and souls," said Lind. "The resulting amalgamation was confused and powerless, no one part strong enough to form a cohesive whole. The trees of the ghost forest."
"I don't see the problem," shrugged Hild. "They wanted to be part of something greater. I simply granted their wish," she observed grimly.
"Perhaps we could resurrect some and find out what they know," suggested Takumi.
"Well, that's a bit like paint -," mused Hild. "Easy enough to mix pigments together. But un-mixing them? That's . . . a problem. Alas when it was over there were less than twenty remaining. But with sufficient power and skill to entomb me in my depleted state."
"I suppose the devastation of their ranks she describes could have taken them years to recover from," remarked Lind. "During that time they would likely have grown more cautious, fading into the background until they were ready to strike."
"Yeah I can believe they didn't want people coming here," muttered Takumi. "If word got out that hundreds of their followers got incinerated in such a gruesome manner - it might put a bit of a dent in their recruiting drive."
"It still doesn't explain Belldandy," Skuld said suspiciously.
"Why did she come here, alone and without an escort?"
"Of that I have no explanation," said Hild. "I always did think her too naïve for her own good."
Skuld and Takumi exchanged glances. "One more victim of the Watchers?" he asked
"Possibly," Hild replied.
"For enemies of yours you seem to be aware of suspiciously little of them," Takumi observed.
"Well, I've been a bit busy lately . . ."
"And what about you Lind? What did you know of all this?"
"I knew of Urd's dissipation, as you're aware, I knew of Sora's call for help; and I knew of Belldandy's demise."
"But nothing of Hild?"
"No. If she didn't jump realms with Urd and Sora, and her assailant's placed her here in this realm rather than killing her - there's no way we would have known anything further."
"Sounds like these 'Watchers' knew what they were doing. Maybe it's time you tell us what we're really facing."
"Put simply. Evil."
"You mean like you?"
Hild smiled. "No, not like me. Like something you've never encountered before . . . evil, whose goal is only one thing - power, through the primal force of chaos. And they will do anything to achieve it."
"So . . . you, basically," he reiterated.
She closed to within a hair's breadth of him. Me? I think you'd find there are plenty of things I wouldn't do to living beings."
"Really? 'Cause it seems like you'll do quite a bit," said Lind.
"We created Demon Realm to counter the hierarchical tyranny of the Heavens. To secure individual freedom! Our purpose has always been clear."
"Your approach to 'freedom' looks a lot like chaos," said Lind.
"I was thinking the same thing," said Takumi. "Maybe you and these Watchers are really on the same team?"
"Laugh it up hyenas," replied Hild. "When you meet them you'll know the difference. For mercy is not a word in their vocabulary . . ." At that moment the air seemed to still. Takumi looked at the others, his skin beginning to crawl. "Perhaps we should - !" Down from the rim of the caldera something dropped into the pit, striking the ground between him and Hild. Everyone jumped as the figure rose. At the same time in the entranceway Sora and Tai froze as a silent hand gripped their shoulders. "AUGH!" they cried as Tai tumbled the air currents powerfully in the confined space of the entranceway, causing their assailant to hit the wall before spinning upside down. "Sparkle Fairy?" Sora inquired of the ungainly figure looking up at her from the ground.
"Sparkle fairy?" everyone repeated in unison.
"It's a long story-," Mara said scrambling to her feet. "She caught me one night and I had to tell her something!"
"So you told her you were a 'Sparkle Fairy?" Takumi mused.
"Eh, kids will believe anything," Mara shrugged.
"There's no way you got into the temple!" Skuld hissed.
"But you didn't have her sleep in the temple every night did you?" Mara replied. "Sometimes she was outside, having an outdoor adventure in her princess tent!"
"As fascinating as all this is we have an appointment to keep," Hild said embracing the figure beside her.
"You, the woman from the alley," observed Takumi.
"You know this person?!" asked Skuld.
"I caught the tail end of a run-in he had with one of the Watcher's creatures," Idunn replied in response to Hild's stare. "Once I sensed your trace on him I followed, keeping him in one piece hoping it would pay off."
"I take it this is not a Watcher?" said Lind.
"If she was you'd be dead by now," replied Hild.
"You don't remember me?" Idunn asked, wiping her own brow in the position of Lind's scar.
The Valkyrie's eyes narrowed, "Whatever did this came from behind."
"Maybe don't attack people in their homes," she replied.
"- Not to interrupt, but I must say it was nice of the two of you to finally show up," Hild observed.
"You didn't exactly keep us well-informed of your whereabouts after you went off – and we did have a few minor distractions like a civil war in the Demon Realm and war with the Heavens to fight so - it kept us busy. Which reminds me," Idunn said drawing her spear down on Skuld and Lind.
"Whatever this is about we don't have time for it now," Hild said scanning the structure of the cavern. "Unless we all plan to become permanent attractions here."
"So this one - isn't Sparkle Fairy?" Sora asked of the intruder at her feet.
"She's kind of your godmother," Takumi said as Mara beamed.
"She is?!"
"I - don't think there were a lot of choices," he replied.
"Hey!"
"And now?" Skuld asked, taking up position in front of Tai and Sora.
"Now Tai and Sora get out of here," Lind demanded. "Whatever they're planning, you've played your part and then some," she said, unnerved by the current numbers of powerful demons; attempting to get them out while she could.
"Can they leave?" Hild asked her companion.
"I think we have control of the situation," Idunn mused.
"What does that mean?" asked Takumi.
"It means that when you opened the seal you set off a signal, one attracting unwelcome visitors. A signal we are currently suppressing," said Idunn.
"That only helps us if you did it before the seal was broken!"
The demon shrugged.
"In other words -."
"I've been on you since shortly after you reached this island."