Chapter 28
Faith is light, and where it burns, there is no night.
Life of Saint Hermeticus 5.23
Kuoh Academy Thursday Lunch time.
Shirone was glued to Issei's left. She was still purring. Sona was as always amused. She did not want the sight of this to end. But it would soon. Issei was graduating early in two weeks. The school was sad to know that. Everyone would miss him. From the SoSeei club to the very few harden fan girls left. But Sona was not worried. She had her human. That is all that mattered. Her family was coming this weekend to have dinner again with them. Everyone. Ravel would have Sunday. There had been wonderful news today.
Ingvild had taken her first steps in over a century. She had been extremely excited. Hadrian and Rossweiss were too. They had helped the purple haired woman move around her room. It was a nice break for Rossweiss. She was still dealing with houses. The ones who were not getting what their possible new lord wanted.
They had again come back with further concessions on everything but the truth. Utter loyalty. These were the snakes. The bandwagon. They just want the drug and are prepared to backstab him once they have it.
The true loyal houses were sorted fast. Those in the middle are long gone and are now very loyal to their new pillar. They are giving everything they can. Men for the Guard. Sons and daughters for the administration and or military. Money for the new country. Builders and favors for building up. Two houses had joined the Gremory, and they were using their pull in Canada to get their victory.
Elon had TSC ready and started work on Rias's ship. Adepts had been smuggled in fast and they plus the quickly converting original workers are making the ship. Daliea is with them as an overseer. She is not alone. The new Ai is awake.
Her name was Koriele Zeth Hyoudou. She was in charge of the ship building forge. Cawl had understood why they would still have him making guns. They need the ships now to move the relay. Koriele is like Cawl. She has a bit of the old soul of the first Zeth.
The Mechcanicus now long for Mars. Their world. Charles is eager to see the first forge world. The first world of colonization. The Unification parties heads see the ship being started. They understand more than ever that they need to win in Canada. Every party is now sending the Canadian party their support. The new Eastern European parties send what they can. The parties in Africa are desperate to help more. They ask themselves if they will do revolution. Many want to. They have many terrible governments in their land mass. The Asia countries send more workers and money. They see the dream and understand they can build new places for themselves amongst the stars. The first big political event has happened in China.
Members of the communist party who are Unificationists are preparing to put a motion on their countries floor. They hope they will not need a third revolution. The government has done well in lifting people out of poverty. But the Unificationists want a party system like the British. They are reformers. Not revolutionary. They have prepared themselves however in case. The Chinese hydra is with them. They have made sure that there will be no major threat of Nuclear problems.
The Guard are on standby. They might be needed to help the Unificationists. They are prepared. There are now eight regiments of them. Seven more are forming. Recruiting has tripled in the last three months. They are coming from all over the world. Men and women with nothing to lose but everything to gain. The uneducated come for a better chance of life. The higher education come because they have found a cause worthy of their belief. Cawl has started rolling out tanks and artillery faster. Guns are at all time highs and The next Ai will be focused solely on guns and armor. Leonardo will get his forge after the next one. He wants to make his cars.
But Canada must win. Guard with citizenship there are being given paid leave for the duration of the election. Jane Shepherd has family there and has urged them to vote for Unification by telling them her story. They do not believe. But they do once a picture of a tank is shared with the slogan. They now march too. More volunteers are coming from the United States and Mexico. They are determined to win. The Canadians are happy for the support they are getting. Their candidate is humbled by the outpouring of support and the fact that Neoth has told her that she will make history. She will get to see the first ship of the Imperium.
Oriana Storm-Cloud believes she will win. Her people do too. There is significant support for her in the trial polls. That is scaring the Liberals and the Conservatives. They do not understand how a no name party has gotten so popular so fast. And why the Unification party keeps winning supporters.
Issei gently whispered to Shirone something, and the cat girl giggled. She was extremely happy. She was winning against Kuroka! Issei would be hers! But there was a problem. Kuroka was coming to visit tonight. She was going to lose her bishop. That was the opening the black cat had been waiting for.
Camp of Light China Thursday
Kuroka would win the strongest man! She had been bugging Le Fay for hints. The magician had just been amused.
"Your thinking he is a pervert. Issei-sama is not one. He likes personalities. That is his kink. Not Oppai. Your sister might win honestly."
Kuroka had yowled at that! She had personality! She will get the Emperor! She wants to be an Empress! But she does have a regret. She had drunkenly slept with a stormtrooper. The man was great. He had been a good lover. Despite them both being shit faced. He was not Irish. He was actually from Wales. He was more silent than his Irish comrades. But apparently he was very brave with drink.
Kuroka liked him a lot. They had both awoken this morning and he had been sweet. Made her hangover potion. He was nice. She did thank him for an exceptionally good night. The man had blushed before saying he had fun and would not be opposed to a second night. Kuroka was thinking about that. Maybe.
She was going today to see the Emperor and finally be free. This was long overdue. She was excited to meet him. To thank him for saving their race. For helping get them out of the pit. For everything.
Issei's home after school Thursday.
Ravel just enjoyed watching a movie with Issei. He and she had settled down for it after they saw this line. It was nice. The line and the movie. Rossweiss was in a nearby room doing paperwork. Mainly just approvals. She was happier than earlier this week. Hadrian had gotten her a small gift in apology for making her freak and then drink. It was sweet. A five yen coffee mug! Read the world's greatest secretary!
Rossweiss loved the cup. She had great coworkers! She sighed and stamped another approval. This one was for more funding for a new project. It simply reads Astartes.
Ravel kissed her dear's cheek after the movie was done. He had ordered them dinner and it was going to be here in five minutes. Ingvild had been helped downstairs to try this food. Pizza. She was curious about it. Sona had arrived three minutes before the food came and she her peerage and Rias's were coming over. There was a new face for both peerages.
Jiro Takada was a new pawn for Sona. He joined on Wednesday. He was just a regular dude. Great martial artist but no gear. He was a second year and had been a contract petitioner. He was fascinated by the idea of being a devil. So, he asked Sona to join. Sona had blinked but then made sure he was serious about that. Told Jiro the hidden truths. The young man had not cared. Living longer and magic is bad ass! So, he reincarnated. He had taken the last three pawns. Sona had welcomed him and then told him that he would be joining the student council as a new member for next year to help Saji.
Jiro was ok with that. Saji was cool. He had relaxed significantly since getting a girlfriend. Jiro was interested in meeting his king's betrothed. He heard good things about the dude. No one had said anything bad about him. He knew it was Issei Hyoudou. But that was it. Jiro liked the king of the school. Was sad with the fact the king was graduating soon. But the other man was a genius of unparalleled aptitude.
Rias had a new rook. A girl named Hanako Sasaki. She was a third year and he been like Jiro a contract petitioner. She did have a gear. It was a body enhancement one and was decent. Hanako was happy to be here too. She was curious about the chapel the ORC had. She was agnostic. But she saw the rest of the peerage and their pendants. It was interesting. It surprised her that Issei Hyoudou was aware of the supernatural. But that was easy to see in hindsight. Especially when Hanako learned about the student council being devils too.
The two noobs had been welcomed in by Ravel along with their kings and new friends. Hanako saw the pizza stacks. Her mouth watered. Like Shirone her sin was gluttony. Jiro was more laid back. He was a sloth. But he did like that there was room for everyone. He was curious about everything. He liked Tomoe the most of his new peerage. She would not stop talking about something called a knight. That sounds kick ass!
Rias also was hungry. Her contracts this week sucked. Way too many weirdos. Some dude had asked her to sing an anime song. Rias had been down for that. Until she learns that it was a hentai song. Not so much after that. Issei saw the request. He smiled in sympathy. Hanako had fangirled a bit, but she saw Sona watching like a hawk. The blonde haired woman who let them in had been less direct with her looks.
Jiro had just lazily raised his hand in greetings.
"Sup. You my king's betrothed huh. Everyone says you are nice. I believe them. Sona says you have kick ass powers too."
Sona faced palms. She did not say that. Issei is, however, amused.
"Yeah I do. You will not believe them till you see it a bit. Your awesome Jiro-san."
"I get that a lot. You are really able to see other things? Something about trees and lines?"
"I can. Your debating on whether to have cheese pizza or meat lovers. You are leaning meat."
Jiro and Hanako blinked. Jiro laughed.
"I was. But your cheap parlor tricks do not impress me bruh. Show me something good. Then I will believe."
Issei shrugged. He pulled a knife and just jammed it into his hand. Hanako shrieking. Jiro watched interested. The knife came out. The wound closed immediately. Hanako and those who did not know about this gape.
Ravel saw why that had been done. That sort of thing still amazed Rias. Shirone did not like that Issei had done that. Before a rare, perverted thought crossed her mind. Mark mate. She took that as a future challenge. Jiro was impressed now.
"Cool. Did not know that was a thing. You are also a devil? Or something else?"
"Pure human. Long story. You will not regret helping Sona. She is kick ass. I do love her a lot."
Hanako and the SoSeei club awe at that. Sona blushed but took the compliment. She was pretty kick ass. Ravel introduced herself.
"I am Ravel Phenex. Issei's other betrothed. Be nice to my future husband! He has a pillar too. Is just an ironic man."
Issei chuckled at the looks from Hanako and Jiro.
"I still do not get how I got the pillar. I just expected a middle house at most. But the commoners are scary. I am humble so do not really worry about offending me. Our last guest should be here in two minutes. She is a weird person."
That settles the issue. The peerages began eating their pizza. Ingvild meets the rest. She is still weak. But Hadrian is there helping her. The party goes well. Kuroka joined a minute late and then she sees her Shirone. She began a chase after her baby sister. The devils and Issei watch in amusement. Jiro just likes the food and good company. Hanako devoured an entire pizza. She likes the human. He had gotten her favorite! After Shirone is caught and snuggled for five minutes Kuroka joined for pizza. She tried to flirt with Issei. Shirone does not like that. That starts fight two electric boogaloo.
Kuroka will win! The two yowl and hiss at one another. Ravel cheers on Shirone. Sona is impartial and Issei just sweat dropped. Ingvild sees that Shirone is winning. Kuroka howled and then trapped Shirone in a noogie. They fight despite Issei trying to break them up. Rias just patted his hand.
"It is a nekoshou thing. You do not want to break them up. They are establishing dominance. They will sort this out. Shirone use the chair!"
A wooden chair comes flying at Kuroka. Issei tears up. That chair was expensive! He is frugal. Sona pats his hand. She will miss that chair too. Kuroka finally goes down and is sat on by her sister. They both are panting. Shirone is triumphant. She has won this round! Kuroka whined.
"I want strong kittens! He is the strongest. Come on Shirone. Let me have a chance."
"No. My human. Get your own. He is the hero I want. He is not perverted. He will treat me right. Get reckted noob."
Issei sweat dropped further. Sona is amused now. Her money is on Shirone. Ravel cheered for the Hell Cat. Kuroka will not give up.
"You are getting it sister. He will want me! I have personality too!"
"Sure. And Great Red is not a delinquent."
Great Red is loving the dreams now man. He sees that Canadian people are dreaming of something else besides maple syrup and snow that they export. Nor is it about curling. He wants to fly next to the ship. The dragon of Dreams and the Apocalypse sneezed. He narrowed his lizard eyes. The cat girl will pay!
Kuroka sees a new ally. Ah yes.
"Be ready sister. I will have the kittens! Their papa will be the strongest of the strong! I will win. I am destined for this. How about a private night you and me mister human. I will show you I am the better choice. My stick in the mud sister has nothing on me."
Sona is more amused. Issei was not like that. The furthest they have gone is kissing. She wants more but knows that he wants their first time to be perfect. Ravel sighed. Their human was so perfect. Issei only blushed slightly.
"Interesting offer, but I will pass. Are you ready for your freedom soon? I have to play paperwork on a new project and talk with Sona and Ravel about it tonight. It is big."
That gets the two's attention. Ravel can see the question. She gasped. That is sweet. She sees her boy. He will be something. Sona is curious. Kuroka just nodded.
"Yes. I want this piece out of me. I still get the feeling my bastard king has a hand on my shoulder sometimes. After food. Still hungry let me up!"
Shirone does. But cracks her knuckles at Kuroka when she tried to hug Issei. Shirone wants to see the ritual. Ravel is ready to do her part. The rest of the peerages talk, and Rias is extremely happy to know her ship is being made now. She has a name.
"Prometheus. He stole fire from the Olympians to give to the humans. I will steal the stars and give them to mankind."
Issei appreciated the name. Jiro and Hanako do not understand. Hanako asked.
"What ship Rias-senpai? A space ship? Those are not real. Just sci fi."
Issei smiled before activating a data slate video. He sets it down for all to see. There in a hanger in Canada is the beginning of a space vessel. Jiro and Hanako have their eyes widen and their mouths drop to the floor. Rias sighed. She will get her ship. The others look in awe.
"Three more are being made alongside it. The first of the Imperial Navy. I have two other captains ready to set sail. One is a youkai tengu. The other is an angel. He is determined to see the stars. They will be helping you with the objective Rias. The fourth ship is for launching terraforming devices at Mars and Venus. They will start working on that. It will also set up mining stations in the asteroid belt. It is the Mechcanicus first ship. They are calling it the Metallica. After that world of the future."
Rias is happy for the tech adepts. They deserve a ship too. She was eager to see new worlds. Her family has already committed a hundred men and women for her crew. Four squads of the now newly named Tempestus scions regiment the Deltic Hawks have volunteered to serve as armsmen for the ship security. The Prometheus will sail the stars. Rias was skipping classes to learn how to captain her ship. The training for Kuoh has now gone to command for her ship.
Jiro was awestruck. Not fair. Hanako gets to be on a ship! Hanako understands now the chapel. She will ask for a pendant. She wants to see the stars. To see the void. To see the unknown. Her family once served on the Imperial Japanese navy ships. Now they will serve on the Imperium of Man's vessels. She will get them to vote for this dream. They had always been proud of that past.
The party continued and everyone was excited. Ruruko wanted to serve with Skanderbeg. She wants to be his second. But she will earn her way up. School was being fast tracked now.
Kuroka weeps as her piece is broken and laying on the ground. Ravel burns it. Sona stands tall. Ingvild sings. Issei just frees her. Shirone watched in awe. She is now leaning towards this. But she will wait. She will be the Hell Cat for now.
Issei's home after the party Thursday.
The three Sigilites are here in Ingvild's room. Issei is talking ready to start. Ravel awaits with bated breath. Sona is simply curious. Ingvild sees the lines. They listened.
"We are going to make Astartes. The more I see of the massive threat and now the Reapers shows me we will need them. I do not want to ask this of you three and eventually the others. But we need to do this. I have had Daliea start looking for the first volunteers. It will take a bit with her and now Asia building this. Will you all consider lending your DNA to this? Our sons will make the first primarchs here. We will have other kids regularly. But this is something I can proceed with on my own if you say no."
Sona gasped. Ravel bounced. Ingvild considered. Sons of war. The great generals. This was a big step. This was earthshaking. Sona sees her son. He is like the first Roboute. He has sons of his own. She nodded.
"I will commit. I want my Roboute to be like his namesake. I want his sons to be called the Water Dragons. He will be able to change it."
Ravel bounced up and down.
"I am in. I want my Alpharius! I want the Alpha Legion to be his legion. Mom is going to love this. More grandkids!"
Ingvild cannot decide. She does not want her baby boy to be a primarch. But Issei touched her hand.
"You can say no Ing. I am not offended by that. I know you are of peace. Our son can be that too. He can enjoy the good. I have a way to give the primarchs a way for a head start. I have bits of the old one's souls. I can implant that into our sons. I know you like Angron before the nails Ing. We can give him a life of peace."
Ingvild gasped. That was tempting. She sees a line with her son. He has her hair. Issei's eyes. She sees him taking people's pain away. He loves that. The part of Angronius of the Red Sands that had longed for peace could have it. She nodded to that.
"Give Angronius peace. My baby deserves that. He will love his brothers and his sisters. He will resent you for a year. But he will see you are not Neoth. That he can do what he wants."
"I know he will resent me. They all will. But I hope we can have them the regular way then enhance them up rather then the whole I'm two years old after three days then fifteen after three years. I have enhanced myself up and I am now to where Neoth was at the end. I can do the same to them. We do not have to give up happiness for them."
That is so much better. They can each enjoy their children. Spoil them proper. Ravel giggled. She sees Le Fay and her primarchs.
"That is funny. You are a wizard Magnus. In fairness I thought he would be from Sona. But that is better. I do want to eventually have two. Perturabo was a mega prick later in life and a man child but the parts of him that were an engineer were cool. He would like peace."
Sona considered her second son. She remembered Lorgar. She remembered the pity she had for the lost baby boy. He was abused. But she could give him a mom that loved him. A father that would care what his opinion was of him. Issei was not a god. Lorgar would understand that. But she would tan his ass scarlet red if he took his I was right all along bullshit. Ravel giggled at that.
"Poor Roboute. He and Lorgar will be blood brothers. But this could help them too. I want my first son to be Alpharius. He was ok and he was a kick ass spy! He and I can meme on the Citadel! I am Alpharius and this is my favorite store on the Citadel!"
They all laugh at that. Ingvild sees her second son. She tilted her head. Great. She will get a storyteller. Magnus will love that. But Ingvild will hang Leman up by his pants if he makes fun of Magnus and will kick his ass should he start to like wolves too much. No son of hers will be a furry!
Issei sees the new lines made. He sees a big family reunion where they are all hanging out. Sona is death glaring Roboute and Lorgar for something they say. Ravel is with Alpharius and the two are hosting a podcast about spies. Perturabo is in his red robes, and he is working on something Issei cannot see. Magnus is with Leman and the two are arguing about their achievements as very good brothers. Sanguinis is with Angronius and the two are with partners of their own. Sanguinis is with an angel. Angronius is with a fox girl. Issei blinked. What the. That's Kunou. Wow. She does fail with him. But she gets her man in his son. Weird.
The four of them enjoyed the rest of the evening. The Astartes will come. But their boys will be happier. They had time. Sona and Ravel want to marry Issei by the end of the year. He tells them that they can get pure blood kids for their pillars. Would be easy. Sona and Ravel appreciate that. But Ravel does not care.
"It is sweet dear. But I am ok with a half devil kid. It does not bother me. Maybe it would my other selves but not me. Proud to be a Phenex. But I am more proud of my kids. They will be cool. Alpharius and I get along really well. Sanguinis will get my Phenex pride. I am sure mom and dad will love my boys too. Dad is happier now. Mom is over the moon spoiling Riser and Yuna. They are getting married soon. We are all invited!"
Sona gets the reasons. Her pillar needs a pure blood sadly. It was in the contract. Her dad added that, but he knew that it was easy to do.
"We will be happy. Tell your father we would be honored to come. I have just the dress I can use."
Ravel pumped her hand.
"Nice. So do I. Hopefully we can get Ing there and we can really start bonding. Ruval is being spoiled by his soon to be wife. Kate said she is waiting till they get married before kids. Ruven has a very strange request Issei. He wants to get married in your country. He finally revealed his gal pal. She is a fallen. It is still pretty closed doors with her but with the peace conference coming up he can capitalize on that. My family is shocked. I am not. He thinks about her a lot."
"Huh. That is weird. Sure, he can marry there. The next Ai is coming online this weekend. Cawl somehow saved Koriele from Daliea and now the sisters are bonding in Canada. Koriele was pissed at Neoth. But she is happy to have her database. She is glad that she did not have to have that forever denied. I have a suit I commissioned for the wedding. Have to show Riser I am supporting his marriage. Plus, he has really smoothed the immigration system and his peerage are happy to act as Arbites. Apparently they are happy to have good paying jobs. The cat girls and the chainsaw twins are going to form buddy cop duos. How is the book Sona?"
Sona sighed. Behemoth was extremely excited to be writing it. He and Renee had teamed up further and they had pitched the first draft to a publisher. The publisher liked the idea. Hell, they said they will have it ready soon after a few more changes. Sona had liked most of it. She did correct the scene in the alleyway and then destroyed a part that Serafall had snuck in. No magic girl got them together! It was because Sona had been fair and utterly understanding.
"It is mostly good. Behemoth wants to dedicate it to us for the wedding. He offered the big royalties. But I said he can keep about sixty five percent. The rest is going to our school system. I do have a name for it. The Prospero Academy. It will be the first school. Right in that new city. Thanks for offering me the teachers and the books. I have everything ready for a new semester to start in the fall. The nobility is now trying to call me the next great thing since you. Even the GKF. They are now desperate to give me things hopeful they can have a degree of control of the school. They do not know it is in your country. Fuck them. Stay mad. You had your chance."
Ingvild laughed. She had decided to help with the school once she was better. She wanted to open a singing program and help encourage the arts. She was almost there. Hadrian had not left her side. Ingvild saw a thing forming. She had been poking her Custodian. Mentioning that Rossweiss was extra pretty some days. Others that the Valkyrie was a fan of certain things. He was being there for Ingvild. She will help him get his white rose. She spoke up.
"I am eager to see a modern wedding. I have only been to one my human friend married a noble woman, and she was kind. He was happy with her. But I am pretty sure his family is dead. I read what happened to his son. Was bad. I miss him."
Issei saw Franz Joesph. The old Emperor of Austria. He had been kind to Ingvild. He had been her friend. Losing his son and his empire was good and bad. Bad for the empire, the region never really recovered from the empire's break up. Good because while he had been a good friend he did oppress people in the balkans. Ravel saw that too.
"Devil weddings are weird. Like human ones to a degree but they include a few very anarchic traditions. My dad thankfully has gotten rid of them for Riser."
"Oh. Well, I want to see it. And yours. I want inspiration for mine. I have been messaging Le Fay and we are discussing holding ours together. I wonder how she is doing today. Don't you guys have your club tomorrow? I see that Akio is trying something different and will win against Irina. Or am I seeing that right?"
Issei frowned. He then sighed.
"He will win. He is bringing a wii and they will be playing Mario cart. I am not going to join. The lines are totally against me there. I break three wii remotes. Le Fey will have fun. Irina will not. But that is ok."
The four talk about more stuff in regard to the Underworld. Issei will have to meet with the Satans. Serafall had been kick ass about keeping them off his back for now, but Ajunka was desperate to tie Issei to the government and to talk about the drug. They will meet this Saturday.
Underworld Serafall's office Thursday.
Serafall kept her happy week going. The NKF was crushing the GKF on reforms. The dam had finally broken. They were getting stuff done fast. New requirements for reincarnated to be screened for mental manipulation. New laws forbidding the killing and then forcibly reincarnating of people. More harsh punishments for abuse. That plus a massive new education bill for the commoners. Serafall had finally seen the game. Issei was much more dangerous than he let on.
Issei was the Angel. He was building an empire. He had massive support and pockets. Serafall was impressed by how cunning her brother in law was. He had set them up. He had the hydra. The Alpha Legion. She had learned that was what they were called. Her spies had caught a small gathering of reincarnated and they had been talking about going stray. Issei could supposedly break evil pieces. That was bad. But he had provided the drug to replace that. He wanted them to live but not enslave people. Serafall was now watching him closely. But she was entrapped by him now too. He had the original information she had gotten.
Serafall never wanted to really piss him off. Especially with what they had found of Kokabiel. The Angel of the Star's head had been delivered to Azazel while he had been meeting with them near the DMZ. A giant golden armored man had delivered the head. Serafall gaped at the human. Ajuka was deeply interested. Fabium had not been lazy for once and watched the golden man with hawklike precision. Sirzechs had just smiled his happy smile. He had a daughter on the way. Grayfia had made that fact known amazingly fast.
The hydra was everywhere. Even her own peerage. A pawn had after she confronted her spilled that she was Alpharius. But said that Issei and Serafall had the same goals. They both wanted a better world. He was just grander. He wanted that for everyone. The pawn did say she never sold secrets of Serafall's out. That had been backed up by truth spells. The pawn had just been asked to watch her and that was it.
Serafall had confronted her sister that week. Sona had simply smirked and replied.
"You figured it out faster than I thought you would. I did know. Issei is wonderful. He has good reason to slaughter every devil he sees. But he will not. We are also children of humanity. No one can stop my human easily. He is not your enemy. He is a real friend for you four. His goals are larger than just humans and us. He will be the Emperor of Man. I an Empress. Help him and you will never regret it. An Immortal Imperium is coming. We all will march for it. He is killing the OSF. Their days are numbered. The sun will never set on this Imperium."
Serafall saw the end of their independence. But her sister had spilled more. Issei was immortal. He would rule star systems. Humanity would become a galactic superpower. Devils would be there and have worlds of their own. He expected Unification. He expected his subjects to not mistreat each other. Serafall cannot stop him. The game had been rigged from the start and far in advance. She was wary of him more now. But he had presented a peace offering. A good one. Serafall had been given a picture. It was of Sona and him. They were older. They had a son. A boy with their features. Issei had simply shrugged and said this boy was now ninety eight percent sure. She would be a very cool aunt. Even better she would have adoring fans in her nephews. He had shown her that. Serafall had wept to know that her family would be big. Roboute would call her kick ass. He would be having a stick up his ass saying it, but it would be true.
She was now just along for the ride. She would not help him. But she understands he will work around that. Sirzechs had when she talked to him shrugged. He had figured it out too.
"We cannot stop him. He knew our weaknesses. I figured it out after the game. Rias has become better than before. He helped repair the relationship between my Ria-tan and our parents. I have seen the ship. Her space ship. Glory in discovery and not war. He has my support. I will fight to keep us mostly independent. But I know that is as far as I will get. He will get a namesake. Grayfia is insistent on calling our daughter Isseina. I am not stopping her. Devil children will look on his name as a source of inspiration. Not shame. He will push our people to the stars and beyond. I'm not helping him. But he is helping us. The peace conference started because of him. Azazel had his second reach out to his daughter in Rias's peerage. She gave the information to Rias and then me. It is genuine. Michael is very willing to end this between all three of us. We will be better off. I'm just going to be there the day the ship and its sisters launch. Rias has been gushing about it to me. I'm happy to see her believe in something bigger than herself."
Serafall wants to see the ship too. She will mark that day down forever. She envied Rias. To leave terra firma. To go where no devils have gone before. But damn paperwork was here. As punishment for spying on her Serafall made the pawn her personal paperwork bitch for two centuries. Her pawn had nodded in understanding and taken the punishment. Thus, Serafall was drinking a bigger martini and cracking a whip on her paperwork secretary.
Heaven.
Kangelia was introduced to her new coworkers. Gabriel had welcomed her openly. So had the rest of the Greats. She was now the fifth one. Michael had named her the speaker of the common people.
"Never let their voices be ignored by us. Your words to Gabriel were correct. We would have betrayed humanity in our efforts for peace. You had faith in the children where we did not. Uncle showed us the lines where we did that. We would have ignored their plea to defend themselves. We would have fought their rebellion to show that their thoughts mattered and then brainwashed them to obey. Dad got mad at us for that. Speak for them. We will never ignore you. You deserve more. But Uncle says you will be the one to keep angels humble. I see it now."
Kangelia was a legend for angels. The old and the new that Neoth was slowly beginning to make. A four winged angel who had had faith and lived the human experience. Her rise to Great Seraph had made more angels hope to be like her. But Kan had been humble. Galen had done something for her. She had seen her children again. They had crowded her. Called her the greatest of angels. The soul of her most dearly missed child had told her that he was proud of his mother who had held him in the end. He called her the best thing to ever be made.
He hugged her. Kangelia had faith and she could see the dawn eternal. Faith will kill the night. She will never back down for them. Her children who will protect humanity as the wall. She was the Great Seraph of the Imperial Guard. The first saint of they who bleed. She will be remembered across hundreds of worlds. That was her legacy.
Grigori headquarters.
Azazel looked at his wings more now. They were turning from black and the gold to a new color. Silver like the strength and certainty of steel. He was clicking with the machine god. He understood the scientific. But he was science and faith. Azazel wants to see Mars now. He wants to see the red planet. Where he and his brothers and sisters will make great machines and great technology. Team Slash Dog has seen the light too.
They want to serve humanity. They will. They see the rosette. They will make that their new purpose. Azazel does not stop them. Let the young dream. He had gotten in contact with Dohnaseek. They had talked. Azazel was happy for his son. He had found something worth fighting for. He had a partner, and she was a strategist. Dohn was not drinking heavy anymore.
The Grigori know now that their days are numbered. But many do not care. Kokabiel was dead. That had made a huge party be thrown by the peace faction. The conference was going to be held in a new place. The new country in the underworld offered up by the Red Angel. They would meet on neutral ground. Azazel appreciates that. He knows the truth too. He is a horn dog not an oblivious Red Dragon. This human had made history and would continue to do so.
He wants to see and learn everything. But peace first mad scientist later. He will give his people their lives and dreams back.
TSC dockyards Canada.
A new truckload of workers have arrived for their first day on the job. Many are curious about what they are building. The description was vague on the hiring site and by the recruiting people. Many are here because of the great pay. They need the money, and the benefits are great too. The new workers are met by the big man himself. Elon Musk. He is wearing red robes. That is weird. Next to him are two women with the same tri color hair style and gold eyes. They are smiling at them.
Elon tells the new workers that there will be plenty of overtime and that it will be unlimited. That excited many. So many new workers are coming from the indigenous people of Canada. That they get extra money for their communities is wonderful. Finally, a brave man from Alberta asks what they are building. Elon smiled so brightly.
"I will show you. And you are free to discuss this with your families. Tell them what you are all building."
The workers are now dying of curiosity. They follow their ok boss and the two women. They entered a massive hanger. What the new workers see is nothing short of a miracle.
The beginnings of a spaceship. It is massive. The prow has a battering ram. The Aquilla is proudly there. Red robes adepts are being helped by hundreds of other people. Some are flying with silver wings like the angels of the Bible. Others are tiger people and foxes also in the robes of red. There are so many different things to see and gape at. Elon smiled more.
"We are building the starships for the people of our world. Tell your families this. Our funding is limitless. They need jobs they are welcome to join. Show the world your pride. Let them know it was all of us who made this dream reality. Vote Unification party this election. This is just the beginning. You will learn many strange things about our world. But you are the cogs who will get us to the stars. There will never not be overtime for people who want that. And this will never slow down."
The workers are in awe. A very brave woman asked what the ship is called. The shorter of the two tri color haired woman answered.
"It is called the Prometheus. And it will be flying int hree months. It will work. I did the calculations myself. My name is Koriele Zeth Hyoudou. I am the builder of ships schematics. My father is the one who made this dream come true. He who lift us up. But we must lift each other up too. We are all doing our part in the Great Work of Unification."
The workers are now filled with pride. They will be many cogs in the machine. But they will build a legacy that will be remembered by their communities. By Terra. Many of these workers will bring their families in. Just like the many who had seen the ship before. They will in many cases convert to the Cult Mechcanicus. Many are desperate to see Mars. Their home.
The rumors are spreading on the internet. The forums of many are crying to those who see them that a light of gold is coming. The night of the age of Earth is ending. The stars are coming. Many are regarded as mad men. But others dream. The new drug from the hydra entered testing. Volunteers are found and they are often times desperate for any hope.
Sarah McIntosh is dying. Her body has cancer. She is a single mom. Her daughter has been helping her. But her daughter had brought a strange paper to her attention. A new drug is being tested that might help her. Mary McIntosh is certain this will help. She is in the Unification Party here in the United States in the state of Ohio. They had been handing this flyer out to people. Mary took it. She has faith. Her gold Aquilla pendant had burned when Mary saw it.
Sarah has little hope. But her daughter insisted that they try this. They need to try all options. Sarah just sighed and then shrugged. It would not hurt to try. They report to the testing clinic. There are five other people here for the testing. The six are welcomed by a kind man who introduced himself as Dr Gordon. He says that the drug they are testing is free to them. That the testing phase is a month. That they are free to tell their doctors about it and then have them do additional testing.
A male tester asked if they need to come here a lot. He does twelve hours shifts. Dr Gordon says no. They will only come in once a week on the day that is best available for them. The rest of the data will be collected through an app. That relieves the testers. Sarah sees the pendant that the Dr is wearing. Just like her daughter. She will ask about that later. They get their drug.
Mary smiled as the week passed. Her mom who had been undergoing chemo treatments and had been lethargic seems to get new life in her step. They see the family doctor on Wednesday. The woman who has been in practice for over twenty years is dumbfounded. She pulls in two other doctors. One is a cancer specialist. They gape. The cancer cells are dying. And the ground zero is healing. The specialist asked what they are doing differently. Sarah cannot believe it. She pulled out her box.
There is the drug. The three new doctors crowd around it. They do not believe it. The specialist asked them to get her the doctor who is doing the testing number. Mary gives it with a smile that is brighter than Sol. They talk with Gordon. They began to believe. They insist that Sarah be careful. They will come see the in visit on Friday.
The six testers and their doctors meet with Gordon on Friday, which is the best day for all. The doctors ask what the drug was made from. The medical people are gaping. That simple a thing? Gordon smiled and said the world is still a mystery. One doctor, however, sees the hidden message. He was a contractor of a devil. He honestly believed now. He helps convince the others to get more test subjects. Twenty more people in various stages of cancer are found. They volunteered.
Sarah believes in Neoth now. An old church in their town has started holding services for those who believe. Sarah feels Neoth tell her that the cancer will go away forever. She sees that three other testers are here too. Sarah and the testers and their families will vote for the Unification party. The mocked party by the big two. Their town is up for a new mayor. The woman running is a former democrat. Sarah had been republican. She now marched with her daughter. The mayor will win.
City of Kuoh ORC building Friday morning.
Hanako has a pendant now. She believes. Her king is kick ass. She has seen the las gun. She wants one! She learned that Kiba wanted to pilot a mech walker. Gasper and Akeno work for an Inquisition that saves humans. That Shirone is healing the environment. Hanako dreams of being a ship captain. She asked her dad and her grandfather to tell her stories of the sea.
They had blinked. Then smiled. It seems that Hanako had just bloomed late. They ask what brought this on. Their daughter just smiled and replied that she feels the call. They are happy for her. Her younger sister felt it too. The ten year old demands to hear them too.
The blue haired rook has decided to talk to her friend. A boy named Kenji. He is interested in joining the ORC. Wants to be near Rias. He has a crush on her. Hanako knows he does like her a lot. She brings him in to talk with Rias. Kenji had blushed but he started a conversation with Rias. They seemed to hit it off. Kenji hears a small inaudible voice. Know no fear. He takes heart.
"Rias-senpai. I would like to join the club. I know I am not anything special, but Hana has said you guys are looking for people. If that is not trouble?"
Rias smiled. Her pendant burns. Kenji is nice.
"We would be happy to have you Kenji-san. All in or just for an activity for your school sheet?"
Kenji blinked. All in? He keeps his courage.
"I guess all in. Hana says you guys are special. Says that you have big plans after school. I want to see them."
Hanako touched her friend's hand. Rias just smiled. She extended her bat wings. Kenji just blinked in surprise. Hanako extended hers in support. Kenji is wide eyed now. Rias smiled.
"Kenji-san. I am a devil. Like the one from the Bible. The world is bigger than you know. It will get much bigger soon. We here in the ORC have dreams that people would call impossible. They are real. We have a particularly good friend who is the maker of dreams. Be open minded. Now what is your favorite chess piece?"
Kenji blinked more. His crush was a devil? Hanako was one too? And why the question about chess? The brown haired young man just answered in a daze.
"Pawn. I like that piece."
Student council office Friday morning.
Jiro likes Issei a lot. Dude is very cool. Jiro had asked if he could do something to help with everything. Issei had just shrugged and asked what he liked.
"I like tanks and planes. You got those?"
"I do. Whatever you want to do."
Jiro thought. He wants to fly fast as fuck boy!
"I will pilot any kick ass planes you got. What I wanted to do originally."
Issei smiled and then began describing a storm bird. Jiro likes the description. It is kick ass!
Sona just sighed at that. Men and their guns. Well humans and their guns. Ruruko has joined Jiro in his gun maniac giggling. The female pawn was a good shot with the las gun and had begun to use a bolter. She called it Mara-senpai.
Tsubaki was simply happy. She and Jeanne had thought up several things they can do with their Asari girlfriend. Tsubaki had discovered her minor sin. Lust. She really likes the nerve thing too. She giggled perversely. Sona again sighed. Her peerage were becoming weirdos.
But Issei was worth that. The peerage had become better. She had a new knight in the wings. The woman was from the kendo club and wanted to go professional. She was decent. Tomoe had been sparring with the new and said she had potential. Sona was nervous for Saturday. Her entire family was coming over. Serafall had learned the truth. But she had not yet tried to kill Issei.
Sona was hopeful. Her dad would be bringing beer to drink with his son in law! Renee had warned her ahead of time. Sona was hopeful. She was going to fuck with Serafall again. Ingvild was invited. Vengeance for all the sis-con shit! Let Serafall suffer till her due was paid.
Serafall sneezes. She is scared again. Sona is going to screw with her again. The paperwork pawn just whined. Her fingers hurt. But Serafall gets her bull whip. The pawn whimpered and then gets back to work.
Sona wants to see her folks and Serafall's faces when she introduced a real Leviathan. And a nice one too. Ingvild is sweet and so kind. Thus, the invite. She would be a technical Sitri. Sona had luckily found a way to stop her dad drinking. A clever ward above the door would empty his pockets.
Kuoh Academy lunch time Friday.
Kenji is in awe at sitting here at the lunch table with the cool kids. Shirone is glued to Issei. The school thinks she has become his koui. Jiro is talking with the two gun nuts at his table. Tsubaki has a far off look and the others are just chatting about school. Kenji cannot believe he is a devil now. He had surprised Rias. Taken half the pawns. Hanako was asking questions to Issei about ships of all things with Rias joining in.
Kiba had joined the gun nuts which has now included Maruyama-senpai and Katase-senpai. Kiryuu is giggling perversely with Akeno over something. Kenji just feels lost. But he is dragged into a conversation about trees by Momo.
The lunch ended with Kenji still lost. But he has found a friend in Jiro. They both like planes.
Forge of Dreams Perpetual club Friday night.
Akio is ready for vengeance. He will make Irina take away a grudge. He is excited. The dwarf and magician who had the name of Bob of all things had returned with the counter brand. They had tried it out on a female branded. She had blinked and this time unlike Tim everything was there. Gasper had been brought a brand. He had destroyed it with glee.
New orders were given to the now twelve squads of stormtroopers. Any brands found are to be destroyed immediately and the head maker of them was to be killed on sight. The troopers led by Patrick had let loose cheers and then began moving branded to the operation room. Asia had earned a title from the newly freed ones. The Angel of Mercy.
Akio was so happy. He and Akeno had a date tomorrow! She had followed through on his reward for losing earlier this week. The session was great. He got to do fun things. A supreme surprise was had when Le Fay walked into the room with Arthur.
Le Fay is ready for a break. Kuroka had been pestering her nonstop on how to win over her knight. The cat was determined. She was practicing something new. Making a non seductive personality. Le Fay just sighed. But seeing Akio with his grin was a little terrifying. It was hungry. Arthur was just as tired. Vali was manically in her power fist. She punched things to pieces often. Percy just egged her on.
Arthur sees the Wii. He sighed at the game box. Great. Le Fay gets her competitive face on. She kicks ass at Mario Cart! Akio smirked at her.
"Help me beat Irina and I will get you a good present. I need this. Deal?"
Le Fay considers. Yes. Irina needs to know that she needs to win her approval for Arthur.
"Deal. You know why."
Arthur sighed. Le Fay was very protective of him. But he just sits and began to watch practice games. Issei comes next and he had the food. He sees the Wii and sighed too. He looked for permission from Arthur and then Le Fay. Arthur signed again but nodded. Le Fay got greedy. She smiled big. Issei kisses her hand. Like a true knight. Akio wisely did not make the choking sound he wanted to. Issei smiled and then sat down next to Le Fay.
"You will win tonight Fay. Also, I have a question for you. The others have said yes to it, but you do not have to. I will show you all the Astartes."
Le Fay is curious. What is an Astartes? Akio just pumped a fist in congratulating that.
"Kick ass. I see the names of the first two legions. Really though. Water Dragons and the Alpha Legion? Boring, I like the Fire Hawks dude."
"Quit your whining Akio. Maybe you can float your way out of the room. That is what Ravel and Sona want. The other names are for the second sons and their legions. Fuck off dude."
Arthur is curious now. Legions of what? He is about to ask when Irina comes in with Jeanne. The brown haired young woman froze. It is the Wii. Jeanne just enters and then drops a fresh baguette. She sees the Wii. She smiles. She can drive cars. Her street buddies often made her the getaway driver and she had done grand theft auto before. Akio had rigged the game. Issei did ask her.
"How far are you in your game Jeanne? Got the Asari yet?"
Jeanne grin and became hungrier. Tsubaki had been watching her play and was now considering making her own character. They are both down bad for Liara.
"Soon. Just finished the one mission on the ice world. Don't like the bugs. Feel bad for them. Same with my gal pal. She will not have that happened. I want my nerdy scientist!"
On Thessia a certain future professional tomb robber sneezes and her mother joined her. This was happening more, and they do not know why. Liara T Soni is both scared and somehow eager to know something. Benezia is scared because she feels the eyes of something or someone who is very down bad for her baby. She will triple her daughter's guards.
Issei sighed but understands. He likes the Asari too. But he is not much of a xenophile. Le Fay sees the thirsty look on Jeanne. She giggled. You go sister! Issei just shrugged.
"You might want to get with the Ordo Xenos. They are also playing, and Xenovia is also down bad for Liara."
Jeanne frowns. Then narrows her eyes. She likes Xenovia. Very cool sparing partner. But Liara is hers! She will increase her beatings of Xenovia!
Benezia feels the eyes again on her daughter. No, she will quadruple the guards! Someone wants her Thessian rose! Liara, who in many trees has no experience with dating before the Commander will not have that problem here. She feels that. And started laughing maniacally. Thank you Goddess!
The Asari Goddess had been enjoying her day. She was not dying thankfully. Plenty of her people believe. Even if it is just a small bit. She frowned. Then she feels a line connection. She turned to one of her devotees. Huh. What is this line? She traced it back to a barrier around a star system in an unexplored part of the galaxy. She blinked what the? She sees a small hole and enters the system.
On the other side is the most handsome being she has ever seen. Athame gasped. Oh no. He is ultra hot!
Neoth blinked. What the? Athame is here? How? He sees Jeanne being ultra down bad. He sighed. Gaia is with him, and they confronted the goddess. Athame is now panting openly. He is so hot. He has a gal pal. Athame narrows her eyes. She will have the male Asari god! Neoth does not like the look that Athame was sending his way. Gaia is amused. She opened the exchange.
"Well, what a surprise. We did not expect to meet you for a while. Hi, I am Gaia. And the big asshole next to me is my friend Neoth. No, we are not together. We do share a champion. But your not going to ruin the surprise for your people."
The three teleport out and into a pocket dimension in the warp. Athame was so down bad now. She rethinks what she heard. Her smile grows seductive. She has a chance! Neoth does not like this at all. What the fuck Gaia! Why are you throwing him under the down bad bus! Athame smiles more. It is scary from an Asari.
"I like you Gaia. Remarkably interesting concepts. I am here because of a line my future champion will have. But I see that hunk next to you and I am extremely interested. He is an ass. But that is one of my kinks. I am very eager to get to know you Neoth. Very weird you are from a different tree. But I can work with that. You are right. I will not spoil the surprise. My people need a great shake up and I like the sight of male humans. My daughters will like your people a lot. Same with the blonde one. She will be good for my champion."
Gaia smirked. Neoth face palmed. Athame woofs. Lonely existence be gone! She has a man to court! Gaia bumped Neoth. The god looks betrayed. But Gaia speaks up.
"Our people will like your daughters too. But there is one thing. The cuttlefish. Why have you not warned them?"
Athame sighed. It was a good question.
"The starfish have tech that prevents us from doing that. Hence why my champion would be so important. She was determined for that Commander person. But I see that was for a nearby reality where I am weaker. The blonde will be good for my champion and teach her new tricks. The others for the council species have long ago left the age of the gods. You have not. I will win your heart Neo! I need a man that is not some grumpy planet spirit. I like what I see. Strong warriors are also my kink. You and that dragon are kick ass. So be ready. I am ready for a good man to help me and my daughters. They are noisy brats but so many have crippling daddy issues. I will also help the bird man. Now that I know he is in trouble I will do what I can to keep him afloat."
Neoth sighed. Said bird man comes in. He is a great eagle with massive wings. He looks at Athame. Weird. Why do the humans and the Asari look the same? Just different color and head tentacles. The eagle crows.
"Appreciate that. But the humans will help my people first. Yours cannot. Hey dude. Thanks for the help and for giving me visions of your champion. He is kick ass. My people will name lots of the male kids after him. The females will be after the red one and the white puncher. I do appreciate that we will get our own planet back. The Race's god is an ass. I am weak enough that he thinks I am dead. But I will have the last laugh. My people are ready for the help."
Neoth sighed. Athame is sending heart eyes at him. Athame thinks he is so cool. Helping another species get their planet back is so hot. Gaia pushed Neoth forward and he tripped into Athame's arms. Neoth is scared. Athame smirked seductively and winks at Gaia in thanks. Athame then whispered into his ear.
"Give me a chance. I am not that bad. I see you did horrible things. But you were dealt a bad hand. I do not judge you for that. You are sweet and I like that you are trying to be better. That shows me your true aspect hidden under everything. Regret. I want a strong person who is not perfect. Your that. Please try for me."
Neoth sighed. He likes Athame's concepts. He will give her a chance. He had once liked aliens back in his youth. Before the Eldar. Before the Orks. Before the Rangdon. He just sighed.
"Ok. But I am a bitter old man who resents his place here. You do not want me."
Athame sees that. But she chuckled.
"Same. I was like you once. I too ascended. I used to hate that and them so much. But I saw I was needed. I can relate. I will go and start bothering my champion. Get her ready for my mood kindred the thirsty blonde. They will be sweet together."
Athame disappeared. Neoth sighed. Why always the horny. Eagle man just watched in amusement. He left too. Gaia pokes her friend.
"Your welcome ass. Just be nice to her. She for whatever reasons likes you. You will both click well. You have been playing matchmaking for the kids. Take this one for you."
Neoth sighed. Gaia was definitely his friend.
"Whatever. I need to fix the hole. Damn horny bastard kids."
The two left the pocket and it collapsed. They and the rest of the senate fix the holes. Nothing got leaked. That is good.
An. Yes. More mood kindred. Athame is thirsty. She likes Neoth a lot. Damn Asari. Damn Xenovia and Jeanne. But hey new peerage members plus kick ass spaceships and Astartes am I right. Next chapter is the end of Arc 3 arc two. More hints! Especially for Africa and China. Africa here is not great. Lots of dictators and corrupt governments. Revolution is a very important thing to always consider. But only do if there are no choices besides that. China is like that too. The Unificationists are a sizable faction of the communist party here. They want a British system in terms of parties working together. Not so much the monarchy. They are in command of significant chunks of the Red Army and the other branches of the military. The guard will have to fight the Unification wars. It will just be strange in places and will eventually have orbital superiority. The cancer drug. I took that from my own mom. She is kick ass. I wish we had it here. But it will provide a popular front for the United States Unification party.
The Astartes. Yes each mom will hopefully have two primarchs. One loyal and one traitor. No Konrad. No Horus. Alpharius being a troll with Ravel is funny. Them hosting a podcast for humans is also funny. Lorgar. He gets a good mom and dad. Perturabo gets to embrace peace just like Angronius. Kunou just failed the roll for luck check. She gets the real Red Angel. Roboute gets a kick ass Aunt and a kick ass mom. I will make the joke again. You are a wizard Magnus. Le Fay will be a great mom for the nerd. Leman will get to really play up his storyteller aspect. He will have a better voice for it. And finally, the peace conference. Not in Kuoh. That favors the devils. But having it in the neutral Country where yeah devils have power but the fallen and the angels have a say. That fairer and Issei can slap them if he gets too annoyed with the three if they stall. Just be nice guys.
Ann. i remember Quebec. Had two really good friends from there at one point. both met on the same mmo. liked both of them. As for mass relays i have speculations on them further in story. but i am glad im not only one who finds that weird.