Chapter 48

Keiichi barely made it inside the temple before the tremendous pain overcame him and made him fall over. His skin was still burnt to a pitch black, every muscle and bone in his body hurt like a thousand elephants trampled over him. He had a severe headache, and magically, he was flat. As a God, Kei would have been immune to the pain of a physical beating doled out by a human attacker.

But a beatdown by a former Rage Magician as well as a formidable Demon was another matter entirely. Urd took one look at him and immediately called the Medical facility in Heaven that treated Belldandy and by calling in a few favors, as well as making a few threats, got her old classmate and supervisor Frigga to handle the case. She then got hold of Ilse and put her charge of running the outpost while Keiichi was gone. Belldandy tagged along to make sure Keiichi made it into the facility. She also took advantage of the opportunity to talk to Kami-sama.

Frigga looked at Keiichi, shook her head, and wheeled him into the treatment room. Frigga and her assistants put him on a table and started to work on him. After poking and prodding him, Frigga told Bell that Keiichi was pretty shaken up, but only needed a couple days of rest to heal. Bell was very happy that her husband did not suffer permanent damage. Confident that she was leaving Keiichi in capable hands, she headed over to the palace to see the Almighty One.

As a Norn, Bell had exclusive access to Kami-sama without needing an appointment and didn't have to wait in line. But Belldandy being Belldandy, she felt bad about using her privilege to skip to the head of the line. For that, she apologized profusely to those who were waiting to see the Ruler as she entered his throne room. Kami-sama sat upon his throne reading some paperwork and looked up at Bell as she came in.

"Belldandy, my daughter. What brings you here?"

Bell bowed respectfully and said. "Excuse me Kami-sama. I apologize for coming here without an appointment. I am here to ask you a few questions about Keiichi's battle with Torvald."

Kami-sama straightened up and said. "Ah, yes. An interesting contest. Give Keiichi my compliments for a splendid victory as well as an impressive show of magical skill. I expected Hild would try and attack the temple. I didn't foresee her using Torvald, however. A formidable foe. I did not expect a mostly physical fight. I figured that Torvald and your Keiichi would lob spells at each other. But Keiichi acquitted himself very well."

Bell said. "Keiichi is currently in Medical being seen to by Frigga for the wounds he suffered in the battle. He's pretty shaken up, but with rest, he should make a complete recovery. But I have some questions for you, My Lord."

"Speak my dear." Kami-sama responded.

"My first question is, did you influence the battle in any way? Keiichi used an attack that is very unusual and unorthodox. It is odd that he was able to use a Tier Zero spell that only Goddesses can cast."

'The Chains of Love spell. I'm familiar with it." Kami-sama said. "A very potent spell indeed. But just the right attack against a Rage Magician. What better way to defeat magic based on hate than with the power of love."

"No doubt that Keiichi made the right call with his choice of offense, Kami-sama. But I remember you saying that you allowed Kei to override Yggdrasil's programming when he used Lava Wind Barrage to defeat Hild. Was this the case with Chains of Love?"

Kami-sama said. "No. I didn't interfere with this battle at all. Everything Keiichi did, he did on his own."
Confused, Belldandy asked. "But if you had nothing to do with his decision, how was he able to cast such a spell? I cannot even cast Chains of Love and I can cast most of the Tier Zero spells. "I don't understand."

Kami-sama stood up, put his hands on Belldandy's shoulders. "Does it bother you that Keiichi was able to cast a spell that you weren't able to cast? Are you a little jealous?"

Bell had to admit that she was a bit resentful that Keiichi outdid her in this one case. Belldandy was one of the most powerful Goddesses in Heaven, magically speaking. She was one of the few Goddesses who could cast seven of the ten Tier Zero spells. Spells that took most First Class Goddesses a lifetime to learn. Spells that required masterful concentration, the ability to correctly and safely wield tremendous levels of power, and intense focus. Most First Class Goddesses were lucky if they could cast one of the Tier Zeros. Bell could cast seven. But Keiichi was able to cast one of the three that eluded Belldandy's grasp.

And as a Goddess who prided herself on her magical prowess, to be shown up by a rank beginner, was something that did not sit well with her. Even if that beginner was the love of her life who plucked Chains of Love out of thin air.

Bell said with some remorse. "I have to admit that I am a little bothered that Keiichi was able to do a spell that I couldn't. I had tried for years to do Chains of Love. I tried over and over again for years and years, but I could never pull it off. And here comes Keiichi, one who had only been a God for a short time, who was still new to First Class powers, who was able to perform that spell perfectly the first time. And what's more, he's a God. Gods aren't supposed to be able to cast Chains of Love." A note of bitterness in Bell's voice.

Kami-sama joked. "Well, Keiichi threw that belief out the window. But it's like I said to you and Keiichi when I was at the temple. He has a tremendous amount of untapped power just waiting to be unleashed. Casting Chains of Love is but one example. He is one of a kind. The first human to be made a God. Not only that, he passed the First Class test on his first try. He has the potential to change Heaven for the good on so many levels. That's why I want to tap him to be my nominee for Kami-sama when I step down. There is something about that man, that makes me think that he can go far here with the right type of training and…" Gently rubbing Belldandy's shoulders. "The right Goddess by his side. Kami-sama's words comforted Belldandy greatly.

"One thing that I believe, Belldandy. Just because something hasn't happened before doesn't mean that it can't happen at all. Keiichi casting Chains of Love is an example of that saying in action. But if I were to make a guess as to why he was able to cast that spell, it would be because that Keiichi's love for you is real, genuine, and true. He and Torvald have something in common. Both of them can take their feelings, emotions and thoughts and create energy from them to power spells. Torvald relied on hate, rage and anger. Keiichi can rely on almost any emotions or feelings. When he battled Hild, he used the anger and hatred he felt towards Hild when she struck you down and mixed it with the feelings of love and joy that he felt with you. He was able to channel that energy into an immense source of power to drive that Lava Wind Barrage spell.

"Against Torvald, he used those same intense feelings of love and joy from spending life with you and made energy out of it. The difference being the trigger. When Kei saw you injured and hurt, that caused him to use that moment to channel and build that energy. When Torvald said that he could have used that Rage Token to make Keiichi rape you, that was enough to cause him to enter that place where he wanted to destroy Torvald. And you see what happened. He not only drove the spirit of Rage out of Torvald, but he also made him no longer a Demon. That is incredible as well as unprecedented.

"But for this to work, Keiichi has to have that trigger. He cannot call up Lava Wind Barrage and Chains of Love on a whim. And you know what those triggers had in common?"

Belldandy quietly murmured. "Me."

"Correct, Belldandy. You are the cornerstone of Keiichi's power. You are his rock, his anchor, the thing that he clings to in his hour of need. You give him everything he needs to conquer great obstacles. And I'm sure that if the roles were reversed and he was in trouble, your love for him would give you the power to protect him with deeds that were well beyond your ability. Do not ever underestimate or take for granted the power of love between two people."

Kami-sama finished. "And everything I told you applies to you too. Keiichi gives you everything you need. He is your cornerstone, your rock, your anchor, the thing that you have to cling to in your hour of need."

Upon hearing those words, Belldandy broke down in quiet tears. Never had she heard words that filled her strength and quieted her doubts and fears.

Kami-sama sat back down on his throne. Belldandy realized that she didn't need to be resentful of Keiichi. She understood that while there were things that Kei could do that she couldn't, it was her job to continue to love, support, defend and take care of her man, just as she always did. That was one thing that she knew that she could do better than anyone.

After Bell composed herself, she asked. "Thank you for those words, Kami-sama. I feel so much better now. But, now. What do we do with Torvald? He's neither human, God nor Demon. We're letting him help out with the outpost. But where will he go. Is there a place for him in Heaven? Can he be made into a God?"

"I'm afraid that he won't be made into a God, Belldandy. The only way that could happen is if another Song of the Goddesses were to occur. And I don't think that will happen for a long time, and you can't petition for another Song. Only one petition per Goddess. He can't go back to Hell. Hild won't want him. I do not believe that she has the ability to make him a demon again. And even if she could, there's no way he can once again take up the powers of a Rage Magician. His soul is too pure. My suggestion would be to let him work with the outpost and try to regain your trust. If he's successful, I may be able to grant him limited visitation privileges to Heaven. But you have to be assured that he has truly reformed. Are they any other questions, Belldandy?"

"I have one last question, Kami-sama. Do you believe that Hild may try another tactic to destroy the outpost?"

Kami-sama warned. "Never put it past Hild to try and stop you. You and your sisters have been a thorn in her side since you went to live with Keiichi. From the results I've seen so far the outpost is working very well. Significant increases in contracts created and accepted and customer satisfaction. You and Keiichi are to be commended on a fine job. I am very sure that Hild is seeing our success and is right now trying to figure out a way to disrupt it. Keep your eyes open. She may be down, but not out."

Belldandy left the Palace and returned back to the medical facility. Frigga gave her permission to stay with Keiichi until he was cleared to leave. Keiichi was conscious and able to speak, but he was under strict orders not to move. Bell was content to talk to her husband and comfort him. She spoke to him about the words that Kami-sama said to her. They served to brighten Kei's spirit. A few days later, Frigga cleared Keiichi and gave him a clean bill of health. His skin was back to its normal color, he had regained all his power and the rest made him feel better than ever.

Keiichi and Belldandy left Medical hand in hand. As they emerged into the bright sunshine of Heaven's sky, Belldandy turned to her husband and gave him a powerful kiss. She then turned to look in the direction of a place that they both knew very well and said. "Keiichi, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I think so, Belldandy. Windsong Ridge, it is."

Bell's smile lit up Heaven.