Chapter 42: Cast Down Your Kings (Finale)

"...That's not a bad view, I have to say."

Reclining on the open air throne atop The Tower Harris looked down on Lucifaad, idly noting that the view was certainly impressive, if one was willing to ignore the pesky thought that in any number of homes, mansions or barracks there were violations and cruelties occurring with depressing regularity that he currently couldn't do anything about.

Although it was amusing to note that the hovering estates - despite Lucifer's death - still made sure that they floated lower than the highest point of The Tower, a small but tacit admission that everyone was waiting and watching for him to make his next move.

Twelve hours since the death of a Satan and an entire city waited with bated breath for his action to set the tone.

"I think I could get used to that."

[You will have to, as 'Widespread' conditions have been fulfilled. Most excellently done, you have quickly achieved a not inconsiderable amount of your desires.]

"Well it helps when the boss gives you all the tools you need to succeed."

[Be that as it may, you have received the honor of having complete and unfettered access to all the strength that was agreed upon during our covenant. Do with it as you will, this shall be the last time we speak.]

"Seriously? I'd figured you would stick around a little more."

[There is no need. You have the traits required to make of this world a better one…is that not what your desired fourth soul's purpose shall be? To offer your own eternal reward to those that follow in your wake?]

Harris smiled, cheerfully remarking, "You know me so well. That said, you're alright with simply leaving? Just giving me some of your power and moving on without a backwards glance?"

[You have proven capable of understanding and making use of what was granted to you. There exists no reason to oversee what has been established. Whether it be victory or defeat, they now belong only to you.]

Nodding in acceptance the male paused for a moment, eventually stating, "Well I know that this is a little bit late but I think I owe you a bit of gratitude regardless. If you hadn't picked me up from wherever I was headed when I died, well…yeah, wouldn't be doing any of this right now. So thanks, universal consciousness or whatever."

Reality was silent, Harris waiting with a raised brow before musing, "Huh. Not really sure how to feel about a divine construct just dipping in the middle of a conversation."

Deciding that if Monad had felt like the discourse ran its course then he wasn't in any real position to argue, instead closing his eyes and focusing on the now familiar sensation of otherworldly strength entering his body…except this time it was no small increase, the shapeshifter releasing an instinctive hiss as fire raced through his veins and ice clawed down his spine, the marking upon his chest glowing like some kind of overcharged Saint Elmo's Fire-

-and with a ragged wheeze the event came to an abrupt end, Harris gasping for air as he grumbled, "Who knew powerups hurt so fucking much? The last two weren't anything like this…"

Despite the complaints his smile hadn't diminished in the slightest, the male reaching outwards with both body and intent as he sought to bring forth his final companion, the one who would be his personal Guardian Angel and perform the one final act he was critically missing in this universe.

Wishes are portrayed in a variety of interesting ways. Sometimes they're wondrous things that save the day and vanquish evil, or bring about a happy ending when before there might not have been one. Sometimes they're cautionary tales, of the proverbial monkey's paw where desiring the impossible brings about a much worse scenario, or perhaps your wish is granted but in a twisted way.

She knew a thing or two about wishes, considering they had come to define the last weeks of her mortal life and had been the cause of her death and subsequent ascension. And with her experience she knew full well that a wish truly gone awry could sometimes be so traumatizing that only eternal paradise would assuage it.

Again, she would know. After all, she had become something akin to a deity in order to safeguard and comfort those very same souls that had found themselves betrayed and beaten by wishes made in an incomplete and hasty manner. By design, granted. She and countless others had been used as glorified generators by creatures that understood nothing of the pain and horror they were causing, only the most efficient means to create it.

She hadn't been able to stand it, the thought that both strangers and people she had come to care about very deeply were suffering and dying for a cause that was so nebulous and far off that it might very well have not existed. And so she had made of herself a wish, becoming something more than just a normal girl no different than those she had so feverishly wished to save. And it had worked. She had beaten an unjust and mathematically 'perfect' scenario, crafting her own domain where she could save as many as she possibly could.

…And then arose once more the problem of wishes with unintended consequences. She didn't regret becoming something greater than human, and she certainly didn't regret being able to help and save so many people that had mostly been victims of another's designs. What she regretted was being unaware of the costs and taxing nature of a goddess meant to provide salvation to souls undergoing incredible pain and stress. How many broken and shattered minds had she welcomed into her arms, how many tales of tragedy and exploitation had she weathered and how many tears had she wiped away with a smile even as she held back her own at the brutality of it all?

Scattered or absent families, rampant loneliness, unrequited love, betrayal from comrades for precious resources…those were the easy ones, the familiar ones. Some were so repugnant and callous that death truly seemed like the kindest thing to happen in their short and miserable lives.

…

She knew her friends had always described her as overly friendly and emotional, feeling too intensely for mere strangers and she suspected they might have been onto something. The very nature that had led her to confidently walk down this path was the very thing that made her weary of nothing but tragedy and misery in her never ending crusade.

And it had been then that she was reached out to with an offer, one that had brought a sad smile to her face as she made to decline…and paused as more details were made apparent. The deal was simple in overall nature. Take with her the burden and difficulty of her current trials and add many more realms to that task, vastly expanding the harshness of her ability to look after and guide the souls of the dead.

In return? She would never have to be alone again, never have to suffer through her wish with no one to help ease the burden, to walk the world as a mostly normal girl once more.

She was familiar with the dangers provided by wishes…but she couldn't help but feel like this one was going to be okay.

Lucifaad had remained tense and on edge in the following hours since the Satan that had ruled over it for centuries was deposed in just a few minutes, the city holding its breath as nobles, slaves, soldiers, retainers and spies alike aimlessly waited for something - anything - that would provide a concrete direction and measure of authority they could respond to, whether that was to obey or rebel.

And yet nothing had really happened, most beginning to wonder if the Lucifer faction was about to descend into anarchy as the seat of power was left empty-

-and they weren't kept waiting any longer as atop the highest point of The Tower an impossibly bright light burst to life with an intensity that would have outdone Sol, cries of surprise, distress or shock echoing through estates and barracks alike as the light resolved into the bone-chilling sight of Angelic wings blanketing Lucifaad in their flawless illumination.

Many of the older Devils quickly noticed something odd, however. Instead of the searing heat and brightness that naturally would have come with such heavenly radiance there was no such discomfort, in fact staring at the enormous constructs was downright soothing, brilliant feathers as large as a house hypnotically flexing as a second, mysterious wave struck Lucifaad with noticeable effect, this one intangible and invisible but far more impactful.

Fear and aggression shriveled into nothingness, seamlessly replaced with warmth and ease as emotions ran rampant. The honest, honorable or stalwart felt their souls be uplifted as a sensation that was comparable to a warm embrace nourished their very being, all of them standing straighter on instinct. The downtrodden, hopeless or repressed had the fire of hope and resilience once more flare to life within their chests as they eyed their chains with renewed contempt and hatred, invigorated to not think of themselves as mere slaves any longer. The black-hearted and cruel experienced unfamiliar shame at themselves and their actions, an irresistible compulsion to look inwards and decide if they enjoyed what they saw.

While the phenomenon only lasted but a few seconds its effects were felt for minutes afterwards, every eye in the city staring upwards as the wings slowly shrank and retreated, eventually compressing themselves into a pinprick of light too distant to see with the unenhanced eye before it descended upon The Tower, Lucifaad coming to the abrupt realization that their new leader was the one who had summoned such a strange being.

As for the leader in question? He couldn't help but warmly smile at what he'd just experienced, wryly reflecting that it had gone far above and beyond what he'd expected.

"You know how to make an entrance, Madoka."

"Was it really that flashy? I hope I didn't make anybody awkward…"

Shaking off the last vestiges of ethereal light stood the flagship heroine of Madoka Magica in her 'final form' as a literal goddess, flawless dress of a color somewhere between white and pink complimenting winged boots and angelic wings, soft and caring eyes meeting his own with genuine curiosity as her gaze was drawn to the city below, expression pinching slightly as she murmured, "Down below feels…unclean. Dirty, even."

"I imagine it would, considering all of the various less than reputable individuals that reside down there. But we already made a list and if your arrival was any indication I bet all of those souls got a good, hard look at themselves."

"Eh? My arrival? What happened?"

Chuckling at the adorable head tilt of genuine confusion Harris explained, "I'll tell you later tonight, for now I think we need to get started on the day's monstrous list of activities."

A frown seamlessly replaced his grin.

"Now that I think about it, most of you have been brought in during the midst of trouble. That's a bad habit I kinda wished I'd broken before now."

A sunny smile was Madoka's only response, happily chirping, "I don't mind, I'm actually quite excited to meet my new friends~! It's been…well, a long time since I've been able to properly interact with anybody."

"Guess we're fixing that particular issue right away. And speaking of…"

Kneeling he gently gathered the girl into a warm embrace, Madoka hesitating only a moment before fiercely returning it, Harris figuring that if her 'lore' was accurate to the end of the show then she'd been working tirelessly for quite some time to provide salvation for countless and innumerable people.

"You did incredible things and should be proud of them. I just wish I could give you a total retirement instead of an increased workload with hopefully worthwhile compensation."

"The hug is a good start."

Stepping back as the tiny goddess seemed just that much more at ease with herself she quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him along while exclaiming, "Now hurry up, I want to meet these new friends already!"

Grayfia tried and failed to not stare at her brother, worry and apprehension swimming within her gut like voracious parasites as an all encompassing silence spread between them, made only worse by the cavernous echoes of the hallway leading to the tallest point of The Tower.

There was simultaneously an uncountable amount of things to talk about yet nothing to be spoken of all at the same time, the Devil instead running through the current situation one more time in a desperate hope some kind of satisfying conclusion or path could be reached.

Lucifaad had ground to a standstill over the past hours, all present waiting with various levels of apprehension for some kind of proclamation or announcement that would give the bare minimum direction for what they should do moving forward.

…Grayfia quietly envied those that had been smart enough to leave, not so much as glancing back and fleeing to their distant estates or properties. Granted, they would no longer be among the first to hear of whatever grand vision Xavier put forward but they would also not risk being at ground zero for whatever purges, reformations or rebellions could potentially break out.

In fact it was something of a miracle that nothing of the sort had already happened. Even if Xavier hadn't performed any such acts then someone else - given the unstable social and political climate - would. A power vacuum was a breeding ground for all sorts of individuals to make their mark, either by moving into the vacancy or creating their own breakaway all factions were quiet, waiting and watching for someone to make the first move.

It spoke to the surreal and entirely abrupt nature of Xavier's appearance and actions that the golden hours of any potential coup were slipping away minute by minute yet not a single soul felt confident enough to commit to a takeover. A state of affairs Grayfia found morbidly amusing because she was certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that there were countless plans and possibilities dreamt up by her former master's enemies and allies alike, schemes or campaigns that could be embarked upon when Lucifer finally perished.

Except no one had apparently thought it would happen so suddenly and at the hands of such an unknown soul, Grayfia more than willing to wager that those myriad of plans were all but useless without some manner of forewarning or contemporary threat to form a basis around.

A humorless smile appeared on the woman's lips as she once more came to the conclusion that not launching an immediate rebellion and attempted coup was probably the smartest thing any of these potentials could have done…because not only had a nearly complete unknown appeared out of nowhere, challenged Lucifer's authority and won he'd also made it seem easy.

Forms that looked more like amalgamations of metalworking and gunpowder research than they did magic. Creatures that commanded a variety of powers ranging from esoteric shields and elemental manipulation to caustic blood, topped off by that demonic body that had felt more primal and corrosive than any member of their species. And let them not forget Est's contribution, Grayfia begrudgingly admitting that the lithe girl was so much more than a simple paramour or shapeshifting weapon as she had assumed, easily neutralizing her former master's powers as if they were no more impressive than a freshly born Devil's stumbling attempts at shooting fire from their fingertips.

There were already rumors even within the palace that Harris was one of Yahweh's whispered attempts at granting Humans the strength and abilities of their own kind, mythological souls compressed and squeezed into a mortal shell.

In short? Nothing about this change in fortune had been expected, predicted or calculated in the slightest, even the most ambitious of hostile takeovers unwilling to get underway when for all anyone knew Xavier could turn the tables on them as well.

Thus they waited, precious minutes and then hours slipping by as an entire city waited and wondered what was in store for them.

"We should not serving this…man."

Letting her eyes briefly close as Euclid at last broached the subject they had been tacitly ignoring Grayfia heavily replied, "We serve Lucifer. And this one proved that he is more than capable of carrying on that title, observing and following the precedent set by the Lucifer before him."

It was with a more firm tone her brother concluded, "We shouldn't be here, we should be at Rizevim's side. He is Lucifer's son and the truest descendant of that line, not some Human pretender."

Grayfia felt the briefest of grim smiles adorn her lips, forgoing all the practical reasons this could be better for them at the moment as her sibling was clearly rattled and in need of a more emotional appeal.

"I doubt Xavier is as Human as he makes himself out to be. And our family did not follow the first Lucifer because of his heritage, we did so in spite of it. We followed the Morningstar's rebellion because his ideals and beliefs were ones worth following. We owe our fealty to an idea, not the red that flows in some mere container's veins."

"And you believe our new 'master' is an embodiment of those ideals?"

Grayfia didn't need to see Euclid's face to see the doubt openly plastered across it, merely replying, "In a fashion, yes."

Briefly sighing as she sensed her brother's justified incredulity Grayfia merely posed, "Think of things this way, brother. Will Rizevim appreciate you abandoning Lady Lilith and your post just to possibly serve some manner of administrative task he could not have others or himself do? Or to not have seen Xavier's initial actions through all the way to their end?"

That prompted a grimace from Euclid, Grayfia taking pity on her brother as she gathered him in a rare embrace, whispering, "Patience, brother. Hold true to our duty and where they lie will be made apparent soon enough."

She felt her sibling's taut form relax under her attention, even as he petulantly complained, "Why is it that you always seem to be the victor in our debates, sister?"

"Because you have the unfortunate habit of acting too much and thinking too little."

"Aww, well isn't that a Kodiak moment?"

Both Devils started as Harris silently appeared behind them with a massive grin on his face, Euclid scowling as Grayfia settled for hastily clearing her throat, responding, "Are you prepared to properly assume your duties, Milord?"

"In a moment, first I need to introduce you to the latest and greatest of my entourage and then we need to visit a VIP."

On cue a teenage girl skipped around Harris' side, Grayfia experiencing the strangest sense of…calm, at her presence. Even her brother lost some of his jaggedness as the girl offered a cute curtsy, beaming up at them as she enthusiastically announced, "Hello~! My name's Kaname Madoka, it's a pleasure to meet you~!"

There was a moment's pause, both Grayfia and her brother cautiously staring at her angelic wings despite the utter lack of 'holy' energy coming from the pinkette, the girl mistaking their caution as confusion as she hurriedly added, "Wait, is it Madoka Kaname, then?"

"Your intro was fine, Madoka. These are my two attendants, Euclid and Grayfia Lucifuuge."

Regaining her wits - and wondering just what kind of beautiful monster Harris had brought forth this time - Grayfia bowed low, Euclid following a moment later even if he didn't bother hiding his suspicions of current circumstances.

"And for the moment they're going to be accompanying us to see a rather unfortunate lady trapped inside of a tower. Feel up to serving Lilith, you two?"

The siblings exchanged quick glances, caught off guard by the open and abrupt mention of Lady Lilith, Grayfia slowly responding, "While the health and status of Lady Lilith is indeed paramount there are countless others waiting on your-"

"If they've been quietly waiting this long then they can afford to wait another hour or two more, this likely won't be all that long. C'mon, time's a wasting."

One final glance between the siblings was shared before they fell in step behind the male, Madoka giving them a friendly smile - which Grayfia eventually decided to return with a small nod - as they made their way through The Tower, the woman holding no small amount of both curiosity and trepidation on what Harris had planned for the widow of her former master.