Chapter 16
"He must be humble of heart, strong of arm, be savage in war, loyal to hearth, and follow deeds of Glory. He must keep honor with all, banish cowardice from his doings, and bring his House no shame. He must serve the Emperor and defend the Imperium.
— The Chivalric Duty, Aquitainus Malory Cadmus, M31"
ORC building Wednesday night.
Kiba looked at the bird again tonight and saw what he so desperately wanted. Honor. He saw his dreams of that merge with something new. He saw Great War machines. They were massive. They would be the mighty shield and the delivery of weapons onto the foes of humanity. Their war horns would shake planets. Their armor would guard humanity in all forms. Their weapons are the fury of titans.
They would make humanity sing war cries of jubilant praise. They would make the enemies run in pure fear of their size and strength. Kiba saw himself piloting these machines always acting with honor towards his allies. He could channel his wrath into his enemies and never feel shame again.
He wanted to give to the Red Angel and to Issei this. They had given him a chance with faith again. He had been desperate for it. His pride was now not just for Rias. His deeds of honor and glory would be for the Aquilla and for his god. He knew no fear.
He and Koneko were the only ones here. Rias had gone off training and Akeno had called her father before joining her king. Momo had gone back to the student council and had touched her Aquilla and had sworn to give more to him on Terra.
Kiba and Koneko did not know who he was, but they shared the sentiments.
Koneko when looking now at the bird saw her family reunited. Kuroka and she were smiling with more of their species. It was a good dream. But Koneko had hope now. The divide was still there between them, but Koneko had begun today to doubt the official story of her sister. She had not been acting stranger than before. She was still the same sis-con that she had been before.
Did she really go mad? Koneko did not know anymore. The hug from her new god had never left her. It was so very nice. Like having her parents back. He would never leave her alone again. He was trying so hard to be good for everyone. The nekoshou could see that.
She would give more. She would give everything to beating Riser. Then she would give everything to the Aquilla. To like Momo had said him on Terra. Whomever they were. She was determined to never again repress herself and to never know fear again.
The two devils enjoyed the comfortable silence in the chapel. They were happier than they had ever been. Koneko sent a prayer to her god asking him to tell her sister that she would find her and the truth of that day. Her god had touched her soul and then left for but the hint of a second before returning to her.
Kuroka felt something touch her soul. Her sister had converted too it seemed. The black cat felt her god's touch and had been more gladden. She was an Alpharius. Not the head of the hydra. But a single one. She had converted to the faith when one of the others in the cell had a dream of the Aquilla. That dream had shaken him so much he began preaching it to the others. She had liked the idea of this god.
She had prayed once in just trying and the god had held her like her own father once had. She had a breakdown crying to it about her problems. It had kept holding her. She was now part of the growing number of the faithful. To believe in that was amazing. She hoped that she and her sister would reconnect.
When she had been recruited for the hydra her price had been made in a great mocking way to the recruiter.
"I want my species to come back without my sister or I becoming broodmares. Do that and I am willing to join."
The no faced man had simply shrugged before asking for a hair. She had humored him. Two weeks later she had been shown a picture of a new baby Nekoshou. She had been stunned.
Kuroka had demanded from him how that was possible. The no faced man had shrugged and simply said that her possible new employer could do many things that were considered impossible. Kuroka had joined the hydra immediately. She had asked what the baby's name was. The Alpharius had said that was her brother and that she would be given the right to name him.
That had laid the first brick. She had wept because her new lord had given both hope and the right to name her brother. She had thought long and hard. She had then given the name. The other had nodded, and the baby was now growing up safe and sound under that name and was going to be given to her after she was done with this shit. His pictures were sent every week to her.
That and now her new faith had helped her stay sane here in this place of darkness. Her team were good people. Her boss was great. She was a battle fanatic, but she looked out for them. She never did any of the shit the rest did and told her team that if they ever did anything like that she would kick them from the team and then kill them.
Kuroka loves Vali for that. She likes her other teammates too. They were all good people who had gotten to this place in sad ways, but they were truly loyal to Ophis. Unlike the rest of the snakes.
The black cat did not like the infinity dragon much. She could stop what her underlings did but she never did. The dragon loli had truly never cared about anyone of them. But Vali was loyal to it because the dragon had given her information about her bastard family.
Biwko was nice and Kuroka liked joking around with him. Arthur and his sister Le Fay were both nice people. Arthur was a great man in how he treated the rest of them, and Le Fay especially followed that example. The magician was a little stiff, but she was kind to people. The two others were also nice.
Agamemnon was the reincarnation of the original and his brother was Perseus. Both were good people who like the Pendragons had been from the 'hero' faction. Those monsters were not heroes. They were evil.
Team Vali was a good group. They were all right in this crap hole.
Kuoh academy Thursday lunch time.
Sona was talking with Issei about Vulken. She had thought over what the other had suffered and had come to accept him. Momo kept up because of her ever increasing control and she had been scared of that tree. Tsubaki had asked a few questions about unification and Tomoe had joined in.
The rest of the club was also joining in with questions about the dream. It drew everyone in.
When lunch had ended the student council had broken off and gone to classes. Sona before leaving squeezes Issei's hand and gives him a smile that promises more. He was beginning to love her. Sona was amazing. He had already made several donations to her dream in terms of teachers and books.
Rosswiess was currently being his secretary and she was given some information about her new duties but she was reassured that her desire to teach would be upheld. The Valkyrie was so incredibly happy about that. Her three friends had been taken aside and the picture they painted for the Norse was not good.
One of the three had immediately volunteered to join the shadow network as an Alpharius and get more information. The two others had joined the guard and had been sharing how Odin's army fought and the weakness.
Overall, Rossweiss was a good secretary and she had made the paperwork more tolerable on that end. She was a fascinating woman to work with and her degree in magic was utterly impressive. She was willing to teach the small but growing cabal of magicians that were usually in support roles but some of the new ones wanted to serve in the wall.
Those Magicians were being incorporated into the new regiments and they were more fire power for the guns. But the next gift had finally come from the abomination.
Camp of Light China after school
A young woman had come to the camp and had almost been shot by a sentry. She was beautiful but the sentry had been utterly disgusted by her mere presence and was still ready to kill her. He was only stopped by his new Aquilla pendant. He was a new convert to the quickly growing faith that had exploded onto the base. A voice hit his ear.
"Please do not shoot her. She is a gift for the Emperor. I understand she makes you sick, but we all have a part to play. Her's is just as important as you."
The man had been surprised by that but had nodded before gesturing the weird woman into the camp. He stayed with her and the two moved.
Other guardsmen did not like the mystery woman either. They turned their noses at her, and the sentry felt worse for this woman. She took the insults sent her way well. The duo had arrived at a building and the man had said softly to her.
"I will get the commandant's second. I am sorry. I do not know why you make me feel sick, but it is probably not done on purpose. Who are you asking for?"
"I wish to see the Emperor. And it is ok good sir. I know I am a freak and that what I am makes people sick. It has been that way all my life. Thank you for being somewhat kind to me. I know it is hard."
The sentry felt worse now. This woman had experienced this her whole life? The faith he was now following had one of tenets tell people to treat your fellow humans with respect regardless of their status. He would talk with the commandant. Those who had been saying the insults had not been of his new faith.
Despite the sickness that built up in him this good man named Oren put his hand on the stranger's shoulder.
"I am so very sorry. I will tell the commandant. You do not deserve that. I am Oren. What is your name milady?"
The stranger was incredibly surprised. No one asked her name. They were usually just throwing insults at her. This man was truly kind.
"I am named Ellen. Do not worry much on me good sir. I am like I said a freak. Thank you for being kind."
Oren had felt something build in him and then the sudden sickness that being around Ellen had just vanished. His Aquilla had burned for just a second and both had been supremely surprised to hear a voice together.
"Let this be my gift to you. My young daughter who has suffered so much and to the man who genuinely believes in my tenets. She will not make those who have faith sick anymore. My avatar knows about you miss Ellen. He will be here soon. I am so sorry that you have that curse."
They both were stunned at the voice. Oren sent a quick prayer to his god and bade farewell to Ellen.
Ellen waited in the building for ten minutes before the door opened again and a man had walked in. Ellen knew this was her new lord.
He was young. But he had knowledge and wisdom that was far beyond his age. Ellen had found a father.
She was sitting on one of the unused beds and just watched as he walked over to her and sat on the bed across from her. He wore a school student's uniform. He was not arrogant. He spoke of humbleness and kindness. Just like Oren.
He looked her in the eyes. He does not show the disgust. He just extended a hand to her.
"You do not need to do that milord. I know I am a freak. Please tell me what I will do to serve unification. I understand if it is to be locked up. I cause too much pain for others."
There was the clear self hate. Ellen hated herself so very much.
Issei saw her life story. She was a blank. Her father had almost killed her multiple times in childhood. Her mother treated her with only regular apathy. Her brother had seriously tried to help his sister. He could be around her much better than most people. She had failed school in her town. The teachers had failed her despite everything she ever tried. The students had hated her.
Her brother had never stopped trying. He had given up on so many things for his little sister. He had worked three jobs to support them after their parents had kicked both of them out. They struggled. Her brother could not keep a relationship with anyone else because of her.
She had tried three times to end it. He had always saved her and had held her after each time. Begging her to never do that again. He absolutely loved his sister. She had tried to help with everything. She took jobs that never had good pay. They only lasted a month at most. Her brother knew she was trying to help their lot in life. He never was bitter about that.
"You will not be imprisoned."
That shocked the woman. She genuinely thinks that is the best way of life for her.
"But milord. I am a freak that."
"You are not a freak. You just were very unlucky. You are what is called a blank."
"What is a blank?"
"It is an exceedingly rare genetic mutation. You make others nervous and disgusted by your presence because you suppress the psychic field that all humans produce. You appear to have no soul. But you absolutely do have one."
There was the truth. Ellen knew the Emperor spoke the truth. She and her brother had never found an explanation for why she was like this. The words made such sense. She wept.
To know that fate had hated her so much and all the suffering of her family was brought on by losing the genetic lottery. She wanted death now more than ever. Ellen was getting ready to bash her skull in on the floor.
The Emperor shocked her. He grabbed her and held her in a hug. No one else but her brother had ever done that. Her mother and father had never attempted that. Her brother could do it, but she knew that he had great difficulty with doing that. The emperor did this with no difficulty.
"You will not do what you planned to do. You are not the only one with terrible gifts. I cannot truly ever die. This mutation is nothing compared to that. I have a role for you. It will help you and your brother. He can get the life he so clearly deserves. You can get the life denied to you. Please believe me. I heard what Oren said happen when you two were here. I have something that can help that further."
"There is no hope for me. Please let me die. I who should take this curse with me to the grave. I must do that to prevent this from spreading like a virus. Nothing can help me. That voice was just delusional. I must die."
"No. You will live. For your own sake."
He brought out a pendant similar to the one Oren had. When it came around her neck she felt much better than before. The Emperor spoke something into his ear and two humans in armor came in un helmed and both got near her and there was no hint of disgust or unconsciously being uncomfortable.
"Stay here for twenty minutes."
The two warriors had nodded. Twenty minutes later and the hate never came. It was usually started in only three. Ellen looked at the pendant with amazement. Faith blossoms forth. The Emperor smiles.
"That blessing the voice spoke of is enhanced further by the pendant. It contains technology that will suppress the unease further. You will be a regular human. But your talents can be used to help Unification. But only if you want that. The pendant and the blessing are free. You and your brother deserve a good life."
The tears fell without stopping now. Ellen wept for her new gifts. To be accepted. The guards were supremely surprised by the weeping. The Emperor had gently told them parts of her tale. They both looked at her with such empathy before the male guard hugged Ellen. The female guard joined a second later.
They could do this! Ellen wept more now. She had found her new family. The Emperor was her father who had given this too her. The voice from before had said with such kindness that she would never be alone again.
Ellen wept. After the hug from the guards ended she kneels before her new father. She loved the ground he walked on. The pendant was in the shape of the two headed eagle that had led her to this place. She was still weeping as she swore herself to him.
"I am forever yours father. Anything you want me to do. I will do it without hesitation. Please help my brother more than me. He deserves the stars in the sky. I will do anything you want my curse for. My life is meaningless."
The Emperor knelt next to her. He looked this daughter in the eyes touching her face.
"You matter Ellen. I will help your brother. What you can do in my service is help with a problem that is coming to our species. You will help me find your opposites. They who are called psykers. You will be the one who will find them. They who can become something unbelievably bad. You will find them and bring them to the schools that will be set up for them. You will help stop them if they turn to the night. Those like Oren will be the wall protecting from without. But you will be the one protecting from within. You and the others who will come. Your gene is in humanity's genome. It will never go away. You will help those who come next. Give them the same hope as you feel now."
Ellen would. The silence before from the hate of others was now replaced with a song of music that was so beautiful. The song did have bad notes. Those bad notes would lead to people getting hurt. Ellen would bring her silence to the psykers who were struggling badly. She would give them hope too.
"I will father. Let me be your first daughter of silence. So that my kin know what we will do. We will silence the notes of evil. We will be more than just monsters. We will be your sons and daughters who silence the night."
"Then rise my daughter of silence. Please try to love yourself more. Your brother is not the only one who deserves the world. I will have people come and collect him. Where did you start this journey?
"Hong Kong milord. Train me when possible. I understand father that you will have many duties. But I need help."
He touches her again.
"I will have things delivered to you. They will help you with your control. Life will change. You are rising now. Just like the Aquilla. Take heart now. Because you never did anything wrong. My Inquisitor Lord whom you will answer to will direct you in service to my Inquisition. You will have family. Never be afraid to message me. I might not answer immediately. But I will. Have faith in the Aquilla. Have faith in yourself."
"I will father. Thank you. I will never go back to the night."
In the warp.
Buddha was talking with several other gods preparing them to meet the new. He and Indra had asked what the new would like to be called. The new had considered before choosing its divine name.
"Call me Neoth. My first true name. Let that be mine forever again. My avatar is now the Emperor. I grant that title to him fully."
Indra was with other gods. Hestia and Baldur were with him and Baldur in particular was very supremely surprised that there was a new member to their club. The last new member had been a god from the Americas before they had died violently by their followers stopping belief all in one moment of weakness for them.
Most of the club had been neutral on the last but Baldur had liked them. This club was Baldur's escape from the ever growing problems of his pantheon. Hestia felt the same. She was slowly dying because she had very few followers left.
A lot of gods were like that now. The age of the gods was beginning to truly be over. To know that a new one was formed and that it was actually gaining power was a very big surprise.
Neoth entered this realm that Indra and Buddha had built for this club and the participants saw him for the first time. Many did not like him immediately. He had very alien ideas and concepts. Hestia had actually gasped at first seeing him. Baldur had winced at some of those concepts. But Indra and Buddha had welcomed him some what warmly.
The two had thought long and hard on the sights they had seen. That tree Neoth came from was cursed so very badly. Light was exceedingly rare there. But Neoth had tried for his people. He had been resentful of them for four thousand years. But in M thirty five he had finally accepted his path.
The Reign of Blood and Vandire had forced him to. He did try but he was fighting an unbelievably bad losing battle. That end was the best he could do. He had hated every single second of being a god.
Indra smiled at Neoth and invited him over to Baldur and Hestia. Neoth had smiled kindly before joining them. Baldur looked more at the concepts that the new one had.
Some were very nice. Hope and leaving fear behind in all things were positives. He was the first to see Big G and his system. That was a surprise. Indra began the conversation between the four.
"I see that you caught that Baldur. I was surprised too. This is Neoth. He is not bad. Just is like Buddha. Yes he is from another tree. Do not be too off put by him. Neoth is trying to be like the rest of us and help the humans. Even those who are not his followers."
Baldur could see that concept. Unification. That concept was remarkably interesting. Unification for what purpose? Hestia saw the surprise too.
"How did you take the system? It was always incredibly hard to get access to. Big G was a master of his works."
Neoth had smiled and spoke to answer.
"His faith is very close to mine in my old tree. It was easy to step in and begin repairing what I could. I am still learning it. But I will when I learn it fully do more miracles than he did. Sacred gear is something I never did. That will be the hardest part."
That was very interesting. Baldur saw parts of the other tree. He was sick by it. Extremely impressed by these Space Wolves that followed the ancient ways of his pantheon in that far future. But the things there were evil. Especially the tumors.
"You are definitely close to Big G. Why destroy other faiths however? They could often help your cause."
Hestia stiffened she could not see everything Baldur was seeing. To know Neoth had destroyed faiths was something she really did not like. Neoth had nodded in understanding.
"By the time of M 27 the tumors were in everything. Even the unborn one. I had to try and kill that plain of power nearly everyone here now was long gone. The tumors ate most of you as they grew. Negative emotions outnumbered the good. That is why the warp was so bad. It was literally a hell scape. I had to kill them because the tumors were already powerful and were only getting worse. I did not ascend willingly to that point. Had a very good son with crippling dad issues. He put me on the couch."
Baldur winced at the fight he saw. The Norse god was very impressed by that human who stood against a Demi god. The more he saw the more he could see the other was right. To know that it had come to that. Baldur understood Neoth more. The other hated religion because it had become to intertwined with the four.
"I see. Your tree had interesting things. The one who you called a furry a lot. What was his name?"
Indra saw the Wolf King and had laughed at the title. His new possible friend was funny. Hestia and several others around them who had begun to come closer to the four in curiosity had seen him too. Many had chuckled at that. Neoth smiled and replied.
"That was Leman. He was something else. And yes there were too many wolves in his sons. He was a good son. Just really leaned into that. He technically followed your faith. If you can ignore the death world."
"I can see that. Did they really make beer that was that toxic? Just so they could get drunk?"
Neoth grimaces but nods.
"The Wolves were transhumans. They had extra kidneys. And yes they did. I always hated that. Damn grandkids."
Baldur had laughed. That was funny. They would have fit in with the current Valhalla. He did like the Wolves. Until he saw that library world burning. He saw that story. It made him sad.
"Why the burning? What did the red one do?"
Hestia had like the red one. He was very in tune with her. She saw more than Baldur.
"He did that to your project? I see how bad that was and how it was the hope but what you were going to do to him after if was done was very bad. He did not deserve that."
Neoth winced.
"That last part was after he broke the project. Before that he and I would have rotated off the couch and he would have been treated a lot better. I know that the plan was not right after the break. But that is what I could see on how to fix it."
"That still was not right. But I see how bad your people had it in the web way. That first one scares me. How did you fight it?"
More had come and more were seeing the tree. They all hated so much of it. Neoth was not a good person. But he had been dealt a very shitty hand there.
"I did what I could with my pull. Drac was very bad and I am thankful that in the end it was bugs and not it that was my doom."
The bugs scared everyone. They ate a galaxy. Probably several. Baldur asked the question.
"Are most of those things here? The Xenos of your tree are bad. The bugs. Are they here too?"
Everyone was here now. They all did not want to know the answer. Indra and Buddha had hints. Neoth thankfully shook his head no.
"The bugs and most others are not here. They came from the old ones. They did exist along with many of their client races. But they are all dead. The old ones here never made the bugs."
The club all sighed in relief. But Hestia had to ask the next question.
"If they are not here then what is? I am now seeing why you are defending Sol. Zeus and the others never understood that. They just assumed that the barrier that I can now see is clearly yours was just Big G playing some kind of prank."
Baldur and the rest of the gods here nodded in agreement. That had been the general thought of everyone in the pantheons. Neoth looked to each face in the crowd.
"It is not good. The barrier stopped an invasion by our local Xenos that would have hit us in the Second World War. They are not too powerful. We actually have better technology now even without my avatar and Terra's future ruler making his war machines. But we would have only fought the reptiles to a stand still. They would control significantly large chunks of the planet. Many of you from South American Asia and Africa would have died trying to help the humans fight them. Their god would help them. But he would have been severely injured. That line does end with us taking victory over them. But we would be forever changed. That is just the first Xenos. The second are worse and we would all die in two months. That god the second have is stronger."
That was not good. The concepts that Neoth was now made more sense. The fact his avatar was so active and that he was trying desperately to get the planet ready to fight the Xenos and their gods made the club understand more. Many of them were dying. They knew that. Neoth was only going to get stronger as more joined his faith. The fact his avatar was an exceptionally good man made more doubts about Neoth go away.
One of the Slavic deities said softly.
"I will send dreams to my faithful. Tell them to help your avatar. I and the rest of my pantheon do not have many left. We have a few decades remaining."
Another deity this time from South America nodded in support of the European.
"I will do the same. I and those with me have less than a decade left. We will try to help. But we need to see a hint of them."
Indra and Buddha spoke up in support.
"We have seen some. He is right. Please show them Neoth."
The new did. The club recoiled collectively. He was right. They were bad. An African god spoke up.
"I am with you now Neo. That is bad. My faithful will have the dreams tonight. I do not have many either. But we have to stop them."
More of the gods spoke up in support. If they were going to die soon because of the lack of faith humanity was going through then they would let this sacrifice be made for their followers. Neoth had taken the support.
"I appreciate it. But there are ways to keep you here. My faith does not have to be completely uniformed. My tree had a million worlds. They each saw me differently. I am not going to subjugate you. But let the faithful see me in your image. Humanity is stronger because of its differences. This way we can all be here to fight the Xenos. The second could easily wipe me out. But together we can hold it off longer and your sacrifices will not need to be made. But we do have to get rid of our parasites."
That impressed and worried the club. Impressed them because he was willingly sharing his faith power with the weaker ones, and it was very cleverly done. It would take the strengths of Monotheism and Polytheism and mix them together. Worried because he was right. They did need to clean their parasites.
The vast majority of the Olympians and the Norse were unbelievably bad. Same with many other dead end faiths. Seeing the hesitation on their faces Neoth had said.
"You do not need to be the one doing the blows. My avatar will do that. You all can be like Buddha and Indra and do not have to help me with that. My avatar knows of the club. He knows you all try. You cannot help everyone, and people slip through the cracks. I get it that many of them are your kin. But that faith needs to go to us, so we are more prepared. If you still want to do the sacrifice then I will take the help. But I hate that some of you who have been around for so long have done good things. I saw that while you all did not see me. I am an excessively big hater of religion because of my tree. But I am trying to be better. You all do not have to die."
That was reasonable. Many of the minor gods felt hope for the first time in a long time. This was a way to keep living. Yes they would technically be an aspect of Neoth. But his plan had been shown to them and while to the humans this was the case in truth Neoth was going to just be the head of a new senate of the gods. Plus, with Big G system they could help their followers more with miracles. The age of the gods did not have to end completely. Just transform. Change with the times.
A North American native goddess spoke up to agree with Neoth. She was near death.
"I will take the offer. I know what your suggesting will work. But did some of your tree's worlds really believe you just were in their solar systems sun?"
"Yes. But it worked. I appreciate the support. I will share some of my faith with you when I can. How much longer do you have?"
"Five years. I will send dreams to them now. My people deserve better. And your idea of Unification will help them too. Just please let your avatar know that they cannot give much other than faith."
"That is all they need to do. Here is some of mine now. The system is being refined right now so that I gain increased power from very true believers and all of mine are that. I am gaining converts by the minute. Thank you."
Neoth let some of his faith flow into that goddess and her old looking face de aged back to early late age. She smiled thankfully.
"Thank you. I will do what I can tonight."
Many of the gods who were her kin nodded their heads in support. That goddess was extremely popular among the faiths of the natives of the continent. More spoke up in support. They were not near death, but they could see the plan would work too. They wanted to live.
Indra and Buddha liked this part of Neoth. He understood the fundamentals of being a god. He still hated it, but he was definitely trying to be better. They redoubled their own commitments.
The mood at the party changed from suspicious to welcoming. Many of their number still did not like Neoth and his concepts but he was trying to help them just as much as the humans.
That Thursday night dreams from the new senate flowed into the minds of their faithful. The bird of the Imperium was very present. Nearly all took the dreams seriously and began to try and find those who were Alpharius. Once they would find them they would become Alpharius too. The hydra tripled in strength and the two Alpharius heads were incredibly surprised. But they took the new people.
Many would make their way to the guard. Others would find their way to the companies that were run by the Emperor. Others would start laying more foundations. In multiple countries political parties would be formed with the ideas of Unification in their platforms. Many denizens of Terra would ignore them. But just as many saw them and now wondering what they spoke of was perhaps possible.
Those who were open minded enough would try and get into contact with these future parties. These parties were not coordinating. Not yet. The ideas many had were made fun of by many. There were no such things as aliens. There was no way that the world could unite easily. There was definitely no way that humanity could fix the continued breakdown of their planet's biosphere. These ideas were just for nuts and idealism. But like always dreamers build more than naysayers. The parties would get popular. Not yet but they laid the seeds. Terra was slowly changing.
Friday morning China.
A squad of new Tempestus Scions were given orders by their tempest captain to begin looking for a young blonde hair woman that had information about Unification. The number of those volunteers for enhancements had jumped and increasingly more were stepping up for them. Thanks to Daliea the process was further refined with it now taking just three days and thanks to the first volunteers the pain and possible after effects had lessened significantly.
The squad had new hell guns in a new mark, and they were to begin looking for this Alpharius. It would take a few days to find her.
New hospital ward connected to the Forge of Dreams Friday morning.
Freed was next to Agna his new sister. Agna was around his age, and she was quite timid. They had the same white hair and the same facial features, but Freed's red eyes were contrasted to Agna and her pink.
Freed liked Agna. She just needs a massive confidence boost. She liked to work with machines and Freed had mentioned to her the Cult Mechcanicum. Agna had liked a lot of what she had heard. Freed promised her that he would introduce her to the Fabricator. His sister had smiled happily at that. Heinz was busy somewhere else and so Freed and Agna were going to check on Lint.
The two clones had passed several new doctors and nurses and they arrived at the room where Lint was being kept. Freed knocked on the door in two quick knocks and it was only a minute later that it opened and Kalawarna had answered. Seeing the Aquilla on Freed she let the two clones into the room.
There lying on a bed unresponsive was Lint. She was clearly remembering her traumatic experiences. Freed and Agna took seats next to her and Kalawarna had given the Lord-Commander and his new first sister the diagnosis.
"She is completely unresponsive. We cannot get her to say anything, and we are having to feed her via tubes. I personally think your being here will help Lord-Commander. Lint does react when we say your name. How long before your duties catch up?"
"I set aside my work for two days. My new command staff is managing the paperwork. I will be here for my sister. When my small vacation is over I will visit every day for an hour. I want to meet my brave sister."
Kalawarna had smiled at the two of them. The new angel deeply enjoyed her new job. She and her brother were very well treated here, and she liked the fact she was helping people more.
Kalawarna was also getting close to a possible relationship with Ramiel. The other was just as happy with his new lot and the two of them had really clicked. He was taking her to a restaurant in Kyoto that a new nurse Youkai had recommended to the two of them and it was a hopeful experience to come.
Freed touched Lint's hand and it was incredibly gentle for a man that had once been an utter psycho. His sister did not react to the touch. Agna was sad about that. She liked her new brother, and he was trying to build something with each of his tank kin.
Lint did not move towards anyone. She just continued looking at the ceiling. Freed and Agna stayed with her. An adept of the Cult Mechcanicum did visit them, and the angel had taken Agna to a more private corner to talk.
While they talked Freed kept holding Lint's hand and the man began to whisper to her his story. All of it. Freed was not taken in by the faith spreading like wildfire through their ranks. He liked a lot of it. But he had given up on belief. But here holding Lint's hand he said a small prayer to the god. He would never be truly devote but he wanted his sister to get better.
Friday morning Heaven.
Gabriel was finally done talking to the last of her cadre. Many had been in pure disbelief at her new wings and words. They had all asked how that had happened. The Seraph had smiled and told nothing but the truth.
They had not believed her at first. A true miracle? That was impossible because their maker was dead. Their leader had talked to each of them. Then they began to feel it. The presence of the new god. They had started to have hope.
He was not perfect. But he was learning each of their names and stories. The wings began to change. Slowly at first. But faster with each minute. The cadre began to have hope. Many wanted to join the avatar. To truly make a difference. To live with the second children.
The chance to live without falling. That was something they were hoping was true. They would all talk to each other. The hope was building.
Kuoh academy lunch time.
Rias had come to the student council table with her peerage. They had asked Sona for permission to sit with the student council. Sona had considered for a moment before nodding. This was the ORC's chance to build a relationship with Issei.
They took it and smiled. Kiba asked about sword styles. Akeno about lighting magic. Koneko had smiled and began talking about sweets with the student council. Rias and Sona began talking about various things. Issei and Saji were discussing his sacred gear. Murayama and Katase and began talking with Ruruko since she was the student council member they had grown to know most. Everyone had fun and seeing the now better atmosphere the table between the two clubs further defused the tension.
Kuoh Train station Friday after school.
Ravel had finally gotten to the human world! Her plan had finally come to fruition. She would see her other today. Ruval was happy to see her so excited. He had brushed off her desire to come up here before like most of the family but now seeing how happy she was made him regret not agreeing to bring her up sooner. They had gone to a restaurant and there Ravel had enjoyed the food.
They had gone to a park and in it was there that Ravel seemed to hyper focus on a wall before moving to it with a frightening speed. She dragged Ruval with the speed and Ravel stopped near the wall and focused hard on the names.
This was a memorial wall. Ravel focused further and then stopped on two names. She touched both names before focusing again on something that Ruval could not see before Ravel began dragging her brother off in a direction out of the park.
Issei's home Friday after school.
Issei was with Sona and Tsubaki and he was telling the story of Magnus to them. They both liked the Crimson King. The fact he was like their peerage in his pursuit of knowledge had been something that they both liked. They were amazed at the idea of planet libraries and had really enjoyed the description of the city Magnus had grown up in.
They had begun to pity the man as his tale continued. They felt worse and worse as they reached the Council of Nikaea. They were saddened by the results. The two women had understood why the edict had been passed.
The Age of Strife scared them badly. To think of five thousand years of suffering because of psykers mass appearance and the fact that the monsters of the immaterium had scoured hundreds of worlds.
That feeling would never go away. Psykers would forever be hated. Magnus had tried to change that. He failed. He tried so badly. But the fact that the unofficial name of the Council of Nikaea had been the trial of Magnus.
They really did not like the burning of Prospero. To think of all that knowledge burning. The lessons and information that left the universe during that battle had made Sona cry. Issei had held her. Tsubaki had gotten a far off look and had said sadly that it was like the burning of the library of Alexandria but a million times worse. Issei had nodded at the comparison.
The fact that the burning had taken place because of the god ordering Magnus to be captured and then dragged to Terra in chains. When they heard what Magnus had done they were incredibly sad to understand why the order had been made.
The heresy. Magnus had tried to stop it and had failed. He then had called up his father and then broken the ward scheme around the web way project had killed humanity's chance of alternative travel. He had unknowingly killed the future.
They both hated Horus for changing the order from capture to kill. The fact that the man sent to grab Magnus had been the brother who hated him the most had made the situation worse. Thus, the burning.
Issei said that Leman had been against the order and had tried to talk with the Crimson King but just received silence. Magnus had fucked up badly by not answering the hails. That had softened the opinion the women had on Leman just a little bit.
But the burning could not have been stopped. The Thousand Sons had fought the Space Wolves so bitterly. They had just reinforced the view of psykers more to the wolves. The fact the wolves were massive hypocrites made them both mad. Every other Astartes legion had stopped using psykers. But the wolves had openly defied the edict. That made them incredibly angry. Issei did not defend Leman there.
The very end of the burning had made both of them realize more the dangers of gods. Magnus had sold his soul to save his sons to a tumor. His sons suffered immensely from that. To think of your body undergoing completely random violent mutations. That had made both extremely sick.
The end had made them hate both sons. Leman for being an utter jerk and hypocrisy. Magnus for his hubris and plain stupid stubborn ways. Sona and Tsubaki felt more pity for Magnus. In their opinion he had both done nothing wrong and had fucked up horribly.
"He tried to help. He just did not think of the consequences of his actions. Magnus was not perfect. None of the sons were perfect. Each had massive character flaws. So many were crippling. But they each tried to do well. My favorite personal son is Sanguinius. He was an amazing person. He had his flaws too, but he treated people correctly. He was loved by all the primarchs. He however was closest to Horus."
That shocked Sona and Tsubaki. Sona gapping before asking.
"Sanguinius was close to Horus! Was Sanguinius a traitor?"
Issei had shaken his head.
"No Sanguinius was the most loyal. He had foresight like me. He was a glorious man who put words into action, and he was the most human of the primarchs. He is my favorite because he was always selfless. I will tell you his tale tomorrow. Your welcome to join us Tsubaki-San."
Tsubaki was happy at that. She was becoming good friends with Issei. He was a good man.
"I will join. I want to hear the ones you spoke of too Sona-sama already too. I want to help in remembering them."
That had led to Sona having her stomach growl and said woman blushed. Issei and Tsubaki had teased her gently before the three made their way to the kitchen.
Together they had started making something for dinner and they were joined by Daliea who surprised Tsubaki who had yet to meet her. The Ai had smiled and introduced herself and soon she and Tsubaki fell into an intense discussion about magic.
They were all about to eat at the table when Sona had noticed that there were two extra servings. She had raised an eyebrow at him.
"We are having guests very soon. I think in about five minutes. Maybe seven. It is a big thing. I do not know who it is. Just that they are important."
Sona had raised an eyebrow further. That was strange. She shrugged but had the tiniest hope that maybe it was the first. She wanted to openly say to Issei that she loves him.
He was holding back because he wanted things to play out right and Sona knew that she was really loved by him. He just wanted things to play out where no one was hurt.
It was four minutes later when the doorbell rang, and Issei had gotten up to get it. He was very uneasy about why the Skeins had been nice to him today. The line had been going very well and he was shocked when the line broke itself in several directions that were all coming from this moment.
He opened the door and standing on the porch were two devils a middle-aged man and a young woman near his age both with blonde hair. The man had short hair and blue eyes while the woman had blonde drill hair. Time seemed to stop completely when he and the young lady met each other's eyes.
Ravel had squealed so much internally. This was the moment! Her other was right in front of her! She had followed the trail here. He was beyond handsome. He had a very unusual tri colored hair, and his eyes were pure gold. He was better than anything she had ever pictured. Their eyes met and they read the other completely.
Ruval had been very disturbed by how fanatical his sister had been pulling him to this random home. She had seemed possessed. Nothing had slowed them down, nothing had fazed her. When she had rang this random house's doorbell he had been about to take her and run but Ravel had shot him a look that had scared him shitless. It warned of incredible pain and suffering if they left before the door was answered. Ruval had whimpered. That look was one their mother had taught Ravel.
The young man who had answered was strange but had not really interested Ruval until he saw the hearts in his sister's eyes. Oh no.
Issei saw his first. She was an immensely powerful psyker. That she was a pure blood devil was remarkably interesting. He was amazed by her mental control and by how in that moment of their eyes meeting they just seemed to click instantly. Ddraig was cheering so loud that he had pissed off Revelation and the two were now arguing with each other of it. Why did fate like to fuck with him.
Issei smiled and then spoke to the duo.
"I see we have a lot to talk about. I made extra servings because I felt like they would be needed. Come inside. My name is Issei Hyoudou. What are yours good sir and milady?"
Ravel squealed openly before doing a happy jig on the porch shocking her brother. The Phenex woman had finally heard his voice! He was so very perfect! Ravel had answered for the both of them.
"My name is Ravel Phenex! This is my brother Ruval! I have wanted to meet you for so long Issei-San! We would be happy to join you for dinner! Ruval get in the house now! I am so happy!"
Ruval had been about to say something against that but that look that scared him very badly was back again. He openly whimpered. Before nodding to the very unspoken order.
Issei and his two occupants sweat dropped horrified at that look that Ravel had sent her brother. First that evil giggling from Sona and now that. The sweat drop grew more. Ravel pulled her brother into the house and past Issei towards the dining room. His first Sigillite was scary!
Ravel had been so happy with meeting her other that she had pulled her brother's hand roughly and had actually popped a finger. That was very loud causing Issei to sweat drop again. He was now unconsciously making a rule to never anger Ravel.
Sona, Tsubaki and Daliea had heard that ultra loud squeal and Sona was very surprised when two members of House Phenex entered the dining room. The three had also sweat dropped at the enthusiasm that the fourth child of the house was showing.
The eldest was openly whimpering as he was shoved into a seat next to Daliea while Ravel took the seat that had been empty on Issei's right. Sona gaping. This was the first! What the fuck!
Ruval had attempted to get up and try to rein in his sister who was usually so prim and proper. That look of pure death was again sent his way by her. Ruval saw a millennium of torture promised in that look. He wanted to openly cry now.
The other four people in real space and the two in Issei had sweat dropped massively at that promise of torture. They all felt really bad for the blonde haired man. Ravel had smiled at Issei so sweet like after that look. The Emperor of Mankind was now very scared of what would happen if he ever truly angered her.
Issei quickly sat next to Ravel slightly shaking. Issei gave food to Ravel and Ruval while only shaking only slightly. Ruval had sent the other man a look of pure pleading for help. Issei now really felt bad.
Ravel was so very happy. She had smiled at Sona Sitri and her queen who both also looked scared. Sona now knew who the ruler of the Sigilites would be. She was terrified.
With unbelievably bad shaking Ruval had eaten his first bit of dinner and he had just tasted something that was so incredibly good. He immediately calmed down. Ravel was so happy for everything to hopefully be better from this moment on. She broke the ice that had formed.
"So, Issei-san. I think you should explain to my brother why I have been acting super strange today."
Issei was not surprised by the fresh look of fear that Ruval had sent towards his sister. Issei had sent the man a calm smile that helped calm that fear.
"I can try. But we are clearly playing off two different scripts. Where did your line with me start?"
Ravel smiled brightly while Ruval looked extremely confused.
"My line with you started ten years ago. Back when you flashed for the first time. It was brief but that started my line."
That made Issei blink. Really? When he had first unleashed his psychic power. That was when the line was made? What the fuck skeins.
"I see. How did you develop your control? Your quite good."
That compliment made Ravel smile further.
"Multiple ways. Mainly your presence and the bird. Plus a few other anchors. I have seen several other trees. You are vastly different here. But I can understand bits as too why."
The rest of the room was now getting the conversation. Except Ruval. What the fuck were they talking about with lines and trees?
Issei smiled softly at that last bit.
"Yeah the others are more. Shall we say, very open about what they want. But I like how I am here. Some of the stuff my others do is very. How you say, Cringe worthy."
Ravel laughed at that. So did Sona. She had seen several of his others. They were very oftentimes cringe worthy. Especially the tv show. Ruval was now ultra confused. Issei sent him a look of understanding.
"Heir Phenex. Your sister and I are talking about our shared gift. It is an exceedingly long story."
Ruval was surprised again. This human clearly knew who he was. He looked at the others at the table. What the fuck was heiress Sitri doing here! The human knew they were devils. Yet he was not actively being weirded by that fact. What shared gift did a human and a scion of his noble family share?
Ravel took a very tiny amount of pity on her brother. She was still very bitter that it had taken blackmail to get up here.
"Brother. I know that you watch some of the tv programs that the humans largely regard as trash science."
Ruval was more confused. Before getting scared again. How did she know he watched that stuff? That was his and his queen's guilty pleasure that they never shared with anyone. His voice trembling replied.
"Ravel I. I do not know what you are talking about. I do not watch human shows."
He laughed nervously. He did not convince anyone. Ravel was not impressed.
"Brother I know you do. Remember that one show about the fortune teller lady that your queen really likes."
Ruval was very scared. But he nodded. Before he widened his eyes immensely.
"Your saying sister that you and this human can do something like that?"
Issei had more pity than his first.
"Your sister and I are both what are called Psykers. She knew you watched the shows because you were probably broadcasting your excitement out and she noticed it. When we were talking about trees we were meaning how some of us see our reality. She and I probably saw other versions of ourselves. As for lines we are referring to timeline paths."
Issei frowned. He quickly saw several other versions of Ravel. She served him as his bishop in many trees. She was usually the second in command. Huh. That was very interesting.
Ravel smiled noticing what her other had done while Ruval had his mouth drop to the floor. That explains so very much. Like how when Riser would get extra into his harem and Ravel would run from the floor of their mansion looking green. She was getting away from hearing the thoughts. He paled again. He was in an incredibly happy relationship with his queen. Ravel sent him a knowing look. Fuck.
"You can do all that Vel? Really do that?"
"Yes Ru. That and more. Issei is my other. Your going to like what ideas and plans he has."
Ruval gaped more. His sister could read minds! Double fuck. No wonder she was the one you would ask for thoughts on a situation. Triple fuck. What did she mean by the fact the human was her other? His eyes widened again.
"You are saying."
"Yes brother. I want to court Issei. Again, he has many plans."
Ruval did not understand what was going on. Was this why she had asked to be traded from Riser to their mother? So, she could reincarnate this human as her queen? Ravel narrows her eyes when he thinks that. Oh, Big G help him. Before Ravel prepares to snap at him Issei steps in having seen the panicked thought broadcasted.
"Ravel please take it a little more slowly. I understand that you want to jump into the deep end. But we need time to get to know one another. From what I can see right now that the fog of you has lifted. I really like what I see. We are really eachs other. But I am not like the other trees. I will not play favorites. It would be wrong to do that to the others and you. Heir Phenex. I will not ever reincarnate. It is physically not possible even if the Satans themselves tried. It would fail. I am not interested in ever becoming a devil."
Ravel looked a little hurt before understanding what her other had said. She smiled softly. He was an exceptionally good man here. She saw Sona smile softly at that too. Ravel had not liked some of the other versions of him. He would often play hard favorites with some in the group. She hated that those hers often just accepted that. That was not right.
Ruval could not believe what he was hearing. His sister wanted to be with just a regular human. Yes he had psychic powers, but her sister wanted to marry a regular human. That just was not done. He was about to say something. Before he heard more of what the other man had said. He wanted a harem. But he would not be playing favorites. He understood what drove most of these things apart. Favoritism. He if Ravel married him would love her equally. That was kinda sweet.
"Vel. Even if our parents would let you do this. Your human would die after eighty years. He has nothing to offer our house. Even if he did. There is nothing that can justify an arrangement between you two. Apologies Hyoudou-san. I am not trying to look down on you. Just explain why it will not work."
Ravel and Sona looked at each other. They then both grinned very evilly. They shared the same brain cell. Oh no. Not again. They were mood kindred! The two pure blood devils began giggling. Tsubaki got up from the table before she ran to a corner to hide. Issei was shaking again. Daliea had horrified Tsubaki and Issei by also sharing that brain cell. She joined in. Ruval was now very scared again.
The three non brain cell sharing people began quivering as the trio continued their giggling. Ravel was smiling so very much.
"Brother. Issei can offer us so very much. Isn't that right dear."
Issei nodded hastily still shaking. He could see the line moving.
Ruval was now ultra scared. Why were the three of them being this evil! His voice cracked asking.
"Like what? Little sister. Please do not hurt me. I just."
That smile was still there. The other two mood kindred shared it. It was like looking into a pack of very hungry sharks. Ravel smirked.
"Issei can do so very much good for devil society. Was it line one or two dear? I lost count on either how many ways."
Issei knew now to definitely never make Ravel angry.
"With how this is going we are heading to line one. Plus, that is the better line. It is an exceptionally good bargaining chip. And I am now very scared on what your half of that line is."
Sona was also very happy. She had seen bits of that line. It is why she had laughed at her sister when she said something similar. The mood kindred smile and Tsubaki was now openly weeping behind a door. Ravel smiles more.
"That is very true. Line one usually does the most good. But you have to do that one thing. It is fun to watch but it is painful for my dad. But I promise what I am bringing to the table is ultra good. Your deal. I double it."
Issei widens his eyes. Ultramarine fuck. That is incredibly good for them. Ravel keeps talking.
"I also bring several minor houses to your personal service. You just have to develop that drug. Not so bad am I right."
Issei nodded. He looks at Ravel with a new eye. That is exceptionally good realpolitik. Minor devil houses serving a human. Now he sees why they had been giggling. And it just needed that drug. He really likes his first. His shark grin joined the other three.
Ruval wants to cry and have his queen hold him. His sister was so very evil! What the fuck kind of deal is she bringing to the human, and it includes land and minor houses serving him directly. What is the key! Ravel smile grows softer. She looks at her brother with a very knowing look.
"Brother. I know you and your queen have tried so extremely hard for a baby. The key is simple. Issei can make a drug that fixes our fertility problem. You can have the child and more. Our species will not have to rely upon the evil system anymore. He can also offer me several other things. Like how I can become enormously powerful. More powerful than the Satans. Just support me with mom and dad. Why do you think I convinced father to step up Riser's betrothal. So that this line would happen."
Sona glared at Ravel for the admission. Before she understands it was not done out of a hate for Rias. Ruval feels like he is in a very lucid dream. A fix for their fertility problems. Plus, more. He and his queen want a little one. Most devils do. If he can fix that issue. Ruval pales further. The nobility would do anything to kiss this human's ass. Plus, more. Wow. No wonder his sister had been so insistent on coming up top. This was a deal that could change the balance of power drastically in the underworld.
"I see. Can you really do that Hyoudou-san?"
The other man just nodded.
"I can. Just need samples. Daliea."
"Oh dad. I figured that this would eventually come up. I might not be a psyker, but I know you so very well. Plus, I doubled my effort upon learning that Sona was the second. You two are really good for each other. And I can see why Lady Ravel is also the first. Great plan. I like you already. More land and minor houses. That is funny. I will have a working prototype ready in a few more weeks. We have plenty of samples to draw from."
"How much processing power?"
"Just five. Like I said i made the foundation for this earlier. We can make more Stcs with this. Really start the land slide. Plus, we can begin the scola. That sound good Sona?"
Sona grinned more. That sounds so exceptionally good. She sweetens the deal more.
"I will have our contract started tomorrow Ise. I will quadruple the land. Plus, with my school starting there I am free to run it however I want. I am assuming your first deal made the land independently owned yes?"
Ravel, Issei, and Sona are all smiling so very evilly. They were all beyond a doubt mood kindred. Issei nodded.
"Oh absolutely. Run the school well. I have teachers and books ready for you. Plus, I have found a really good second in command for the school. She is a Valkyrie. Knows a lot of Norse magic equations. Daliea. Start gathering more servers. There will be six more joining us with Belisarius coming online this Sunday. Sound good?"
The new imperial family giggled again in agreement. Ruval wants to never hear this noise ever again. They fed each other so very well. They sounded like they were preparing for world dominance. He does not want to know. He just wants the baby. And many more. If it meant signing on with this new house then he would do it. However, one thing was still bothering him. The aging problem. Ravel smiled at him again. Ruval wanted to die now. She scared him so very much now. His sister was a megalodon with the others now. He felt like a ridiculously small fish. He did not like that.
"Brother. Issei is with me forever. He is immortal. Say hello to your forever brother-in-law. I promise he is very nice."
That broke the camel's back. Ruval fainted finally. His last thought before unconsciousness was that they would torment him forever now.
An. There is why Ravel is the first. Plus, Sona building onto the deal. The three are very much mood kindred. The drug for fertility. That is the plot point. That is how you sell the idea of a human marrying into pillar houses. There is the alternative to the evil system. I hinted at it in Sona learning about the warp for the first time. I hope this wins you back if you stayed around or did not like the part where Masori lost his knight.
Six Stcs plus Belisarius plus Daliea. That is a lot of forges. More daka for the daka god. Plus, more civilian equipment. Belisarius builds the tanks and artillery on top of the regular las guns and the carapace which is the standard issue armor yes it is more expensive to make but the new marks are improving on them making it easier and easier to make. The cult mechcanicum is growing fast too. Their prayers will triple war production while still starting with the same beginning amount. Daliea can go more to special weapons and genetic work.
The senate of the gods. Fun concept. Yes I am leaning more into the fact that the imperial creed did have multiple interpretations of how Neoth was viewed. It is definitely highly likely that several planets in the old imperium did in fact believe that Neoth was the sun. Probably very primitive worlds tho. Yes technically it is Polytheism. But the imperial creed was ultra diverse. A few basic things across all versions. Like do not help chaos. The idea is that other gods can merge with Neoth to make a very many faced god with many aspects. You choose what aspect you want to follow. I hope that makes it clear that the faith can adapt more quickly to new worlds and to the existing faiths on terra. You have to be adaptable if your imperium is going to last an exceptionally long time.
My first child of silence. She is inspired by Bequin. Beautiful woman. She just makes you uncomfortable. Neoth knows this. The gene was bound to come up at some time. So, to counter that a blessing working through Big G's system and the new pendants with the mumbo jumbo. Blanks will live very much better lives here. Yes technically they will still serve the same role as the sisters of silence. Being the psyker finders. But instead of driving the psyker half mad just by being somewhat near them the new systems just make them feel a little discomfort. Both mutations deserve better.
Ann. Thanks everyone for one hundred reviews. i appreciate them all. i have some news for the people who have stayed. Im going to take names for scion and guard regiments that will be formed. Yes. I have a few names chosen already but i want the vast majority to be your ideas. Just PM me here with a basic rundown of the regiments. I do like the community. I do really enjoy doing this.