Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Faded Divinity
Chapter 8: The End of the Demon King
Kaguya began to explore the area, as she began to head towards Tokyo Station, before she found a familiar figure nearby.
"Well, I didn't think we'd meet so soon again." Kaguya remarked, walking up to Demeter, who noticed her coming towards her.
"So we meet again. What perfect timing. I have a bit of a problem. Could I ask for your help again?" Demeter stated. "Do you recall I said that I wanted to turn Tokyo into a fertile land with a wonderful harvest?"
"Go on." Kaguya stated.
"In order to do that, I require a divine instrument known as the Horn of Plenty. Given the vast expanse of this land, I could probably do with one more, but I digress…" Demeter said. "Now then, will you assist me in finding a Horn of Plenty?"
"Of course." Kaguya answered back.
"Hehehe, I had a feeling that you would say that. Thank you. The Horn of Plenty, then. I shall leave it to you." Demeter said.
Kaguya then immediately decided to back away, before consulting Omoikane.
"Omoikane, where do you think we can find a Chimera around these parts?" Kaguya asked him.
"You already have the answer to Demeter's request?" Omoikane answered back. "...Indeed, the Chimera's horn is what Demeter wishes to ask for, for it is from a creature that the Horn of Plenty came to being."
"This should be easy, considering the challenges that we had to face in order to reach this point." Kaguya stated.
"There is one such demon in the eastern section of Chuo City." Omoikane reported.
Kaguya nodded, before the group immediately confronted the demon. Being far stronger than the demon itself, it didn't take long for the demon to fall, as Kaguya took the dislodged horn from the disappearing remains of the Chimera, as she returned back.
"Here's your horn." Kaguya remarked, pulling it out for Demeter to see. "It wasn't that hard of a task, since the Chimera ain't no Tyrant or anything serious on the matter."
"Ah yes, the horn of Chimera, a beast that was abandoned by my youngest brother, Zeus. So this is where it ended up." Demeter stated, as she took the horn. "For the sake of a fertile land, I ended up sacrificing this beast for its horn. How do you feel when it comes to making sacrifices?"
"Sacrifices only matter if there is any worth to it." Kaguya responded back. "And only if the sacrifice is made on the choice of those who are involved. A father would only sacrifice their child if their child truly understood and accepted their sacrifice. A man would sacrifice his wealth to give others better lives, if he believes that kindness has more worth than his wealth. And… a true husband… would sacrifice himself for the sake of protecting all his loves, to ensure that no-one could suffer like he did."
Demeter noticed the solemn expression on Kaguya's face upon listing her last example, as it caused a twinge of sympathy in her, as the harvest goddess's expression dropped into a sad frown.
"...Everyone made sacrifices to get to where we are now. For good and for bad…" Demeter answered back. "...That is why respect must be paid to everything that is sacrificed. As the one doing the harvesting, it's the one thing that is kept foremost in my own mind. Even when I…"
"When you what?" Kaguya asked back.
"...You must think I'm strange for asking such a question, I apologize." Demeter answered back, after a moment of silence. "Thank you for everything. I hope you will help me again should something else crop up. Actually, I have one more favor before I move on from this place."
"Go on." Kaguya stated.
"It's a task not unlike what you did when you slayed the Tyrant before. A long time ago, there was a shop known to harvest meat in Awajicho. It would seem another Tyrant has taken position atop a roof there. And like the Tyrant that appeared in Tennozu, this is another god who hungers for sacrifices. How about it? Will you slay the Tyrant for me?" Demeter said.
"No way I'm leaving this unchecked." Kaguya declared firmly.
"I knew I could rely on you." Demeter smiled back. "In any case, good luck. I expect you will deliver me a grand harvest."
Kaguya then began to proceed forward, before Idun and Kaguya sensed something, which caused them to stop.
"Wait, someone is coming." Idun remarked. "...And I think it's… my father-in-law."
"Odin, huh?" Kaguya remarked, before the Norse pantheon leader made himself known, a metallic being clad in golden armor, with a blue cape, and blue highlights on his body, with one eye green and the other a flaming blue, with winged ears, and a spear with a zig-zag shaped blade, and a raven perching on his hand.
"It seems that we have met at quite the opportune time. My daughter-in-law, and the slayer of Surt, gathered together." Odin remarked.
"Father, I do not wish to-" Idun tried to argue.
"Your presence with this princess doesn't concern me. In fact, I am willing to allow it, for it is her right for saving you from Loki." Odin remarked, as Idun was shocked. "Not much is left out of the sight of my ravens, Idun, do not be so bewildered that I do not understand what has happened to you, especially when your guardian Valkyrie begged for punishment for her negilence."
"Alright then, what are you here for?" Kaguya asked.
"I simply wish to help you." Odin remarked. "You see, there is a certain irksome queen of the heavens who has been preventing anyone from passing through Tokyo Station. Her name is Ishtar, and she commands lightning that is rivaled by only a few. With a single gaze, her lightning will scorch armies to ruin. You are far too under-powered to pick a fight with her, even with Idun on your side."
"What do you propose then?" Kaguya asked back.
"Simple. The reason that she is so powerful is not her longevity. No, it's because of the seven personal accessories that channel a powerful, constant flow of Magatsuhi in her." Odin declared. "Many fools let their greed take their minds, and seek to steal these accessories to enjoy the same taste of power she has. But their efforts gave them naught but a wrathful smiting. And yet, the only reason they remain so powerful is because the flow is directed by seven devices, one for each of her accessories."
"And what will it take for us to learn from them?" Kaguya asked back.
"Since I have nothing that I seek from you, and that you have taken good care of my daughter-in-law. I seek no compensation." Odin declared, as he put a hand out. "All you need to do is let your Proto-Fiend connect with me, and I will give him all the locations of the devices."
"And if I seek to find them on my own? Will you spite me then?" Kaguya asked, with narrowed eyes.
Odin glared back at Kaguya for a moment, as Idun was about to try and break the tension, only for her to back down, when she could tell that the atmosphere turned cold upon their confrontation.
"...So it is true, you have quite the low opinion of Bethel, it seems." Odin remarked. "Very well then, if you do not trust me, then I will not force you to. However, finding all of those devices will be a great chore upon you, and by the time you find them through blind exploring, the battle may very well be over. In my generosity, I will let the offer remain."
"Thanks. If I want your help, I'll come to you." Kaguya stated, before she then walked past Odin.
"Kaguya, are you sure it is wise to cross Odin like this?" Idun asked. "Odin is not the kind of person who would take nicely to slights like this."
"I know. But if I let myself be cowed by him, it wouldn't matter." Kaguya stated. "Besides, the offer is open and shut. And I'm formulating a plan to deal with Ishtar without having to resort to dirty tricks."
"You actually want to… That's preposterous!" Idun exclaimed. "Odin wouldn't lie about the strength of his enemies, it is not in his nature. If he doesn't even consider Surt a worthy fight, then Ishtar actually warranting his caution means that she is not someone to be challenged so bluntly."
"I have my ways. Just trust me on that." Kaguya assured Idun. "...Besides, if I defeat this Ishtar, perhaps I can convince her to see things my way, or even cow the rest of the forces of Chaos, when their ace in the hole gets humbled so easily in her full power, making it far easier for Bethel to be done with this war."
Kaguya then managed to find the Tyrant that Demeter was referring to, as he was a bull-headed demon with a serpentine body, that was lifted by a pair of arms in cyan metal, which covered most of his body up to his shoulders, where another pair of arms were, made of black flesh with white fingers, a frilly collar of white.
"This building shall become my temple of flesh, and it shall be filled with my sacrifices." The demon declared.
"Sorry, but someone already said that… and I sent him to death for that." Kaguya remarked, as the demon looked down.
"Hm? You? Ha ha ha! You have saved me the trouble of looking for you. You are the one who slayed Belphegor, are you not? Ah yes… I like that look in your eyes. You're just like me, back when I was but a fierce prince." The demon remarked.
"Oh please, I am more than just some princess. After all, you said it, I'm the kind of princess who slays Tyrants." Kaguya scoffed.
"Such bravado! That tempestous soul within you, is that the source of your conviction? I find it intriguing indeed." The demon laughed. "You have caught my interest. Now, do not hesitate, and offer yourself to Moloch!"
Moloch then immediately summoned a trio of demons to his side, two being a humanoid demon with his head being situated on the chest of his own body, with black arms that bore spiked golden gauntlets, and blood-orange furs everywhere else, and black steam stacks on his shoulders and where his neck would be, known as Flauros, and a humanoid equine beast with brown fur and a green mane, known as a Orobas.
Kaguya then immediately used the same silver-light attack that she used against Surt, as the ice attack hit the entire group once each, which managed to stagger them all, with the larger demon tyrant taken aback by the sudden attack with his own weakness.
Artemis then flexed her arms, as she then gathered energy, before casting down a massive rain of ice that attacked the entire group, as it managed to severely damage Moloch's minions further.
"You will need this!" Idun remarked, as she then gave everyone her golden apples to boost the group's strength.
"Here's a new trick that I've been getting. Been a while since I had to deal with a boss and their minions…" High Pixie stated, as she then cast Mazionga, as the attack managed to be partially guarded by Moloch, although the same could not be said about his minions, who were zapped to oblivion.
"Such strength…! It seems that you have come prepared for this battle, to take my minions down with such ease!" Moloch exclaimed.
"And you're next on the chopping block." Kaguya remarked, before she then landed a Ochitsuki, as the bull god was left buckling from the attack, while Artemis hit him with a Bufudyne, the ice pillar hitting Moloch hard enough to make him flinch.
"Take this!" Idun remarked, as she hit Moloch with a Bufudyne of her own.
"Hah… I'll crush you all!" Moloch roared, before he then immediately drove his fist down, creating a massive fissure, as the attack seemed to only hit Artemis, who withstood the attack. "Tch… to think that you would be able to avoid this attack…"
"You're far too slow to be hitting all of us!" Kaguya remarked, before she then hit Moloch with another beam of silver, as Moloch reeled back from the attack.
Idun and Artemis immediately took the chance to weaken Moloch with several more Bufudyne spells that struck upon his body, while High Pixie weakened Moloch by making him even slower.
With the opportunity secured, the group immediately began to charge themselves up, as Kaguya and Artemis both cast Matarukaja to boost their offensive strength of the group sky high, while Idun healed the group with another set of golden apples, boosting their own defenses and speed as well, and High Pixie slowed Moloch with another cast of Sukunda.
"Burn!" Moloch roared, as the attack hit Idun, who was struck hard by the attack, before he then began to gather Magatsuhi.
Kaguya quickly struck Moloch with a Bufula spell, buying her group the time needed for them to hit Moloch with some more ice spells from Artemis and Idun, while High Pixie decided to concentrate her power to prepare for a bigger attack.
And while Moloch was recovering, Kaguya and Artemis quickly began to gather their strength, and Idun immediately used her own beauty to charm Moloch, as it barely managed to succeed, with the demon too entranced to even attack.
Moloch was unable to act, as he fought against the charming, which gave the group the chance to strike him while he couldn't counter back at them. At that opportunity, Kaguya immediately unleashed the group's Magatsuhi.
Kaguya began to lead off, as she began to apply the silver light to her own naginata, as she then began to make rapid slashes through Moloch's entire serpentine body, with Magatsuhi spilling from the open wounds, and Artemis leapt into the air high to land a crushing blow on Moloch's head, with her kick breaking one of Moloch's horns off.
Idun then fired a Bufudyne spell right into Moloch's mouth, as the spell exploded inside, causing ice crystals to erupt outside of it, and to be set off, when High Pixie landed a powerful Ziodyne spell that managed to cause the bull demon to involuntarily clench his own jaw, detonating the ice crystals.
"Time for you…" Kaguya remarked, as she leapt into the air.
"...to go down!" Artemis roared, as she then readied her arm's crossbow, as the two of them attacked at the same time, as the crushing blow from above by Kaguya's Ochitsuki, and Artemis's Astral Saintstrike, empowered by the Magatsuhi, shattered Moloch's body irreparably.
"Impressive… Even the might of a great king was no match for you." Moloch remarked. "Know this, the one to crush you will be the true king, the king of gods. Until that day, do your best to survive alongside that lesser of a Fiend."
Moloch laughed, before he then evaporated into Magatsuhi. After confirming his defeat, Kaguya headed towards Demeter, who was waiting for them.
"Another Tyrant bites the dust." Kaguya told her. "Seems that's another on the list who are after me now."
"I see, So now the Tyrants have set their sights on you." Demeter stated. "I am responsible for that. After all, I was the one who sent you. For a golden ear of rice such as yourself, I suppose it's natural that some demons take notice of you."
"It's fine." Kaguya stated.
"No, I insist. I shall take greater care to watch over you." Demeter stated. "If I sense any danger, I will notify you immediately. Stay ever vigilant! Now then, good day to you!"
Demeter then floated away, as Kaguya then returned down to the main area before Tokyo Station.
"Alright, now all that's left is to deal with Ishtar." Kaguya stated.
"Kaguya, I implore you, please do not rush into this battle without aid." Idun pleaded. "I understand your reasons, but it is not worth it to risk your life."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to go there yet. Because I haven't done my preparations for it." Kaguya answered back.
"What… preparations?" Idun asked.
"I think that it's better I show you, rather than tell you." Kaguya stated, before she then pulled out an Essence. "You see, after doing some research on the Essences, I learned that I can have you all inherit the elemental properties of certain demons. If I can get you a set of demons who would laugh at any lightning thrown at them, then that's a good part of her set dealt with, ain't it?"
"But still… Odin says that her lightning is extremely strong. That alone won't be enough." Idun argued.
"Which is why I'm going to do some… 'gathering', to put it in terms that would be understandable to the rest of you." Kaguya stated. "After I'm done, even at her full power, we won't be at any risk of defeat."
"And how shall you do that?" Artemis asked.
Kaguya decided to whisper something into her ear, as Artemis's expression turned shocked.
"By the gods, you are truly clever to think of such a method." Artemis stated. "Then if that is how it is, we should proceed on that plan immediately."
Kaguya nodded, as the group began to put Kaguya's plan into motion.
Several hours later…
Kaguya and her group began to walk towards Tokyo Station, their preparations done, ready to take on the queen of heaven herself.
"Show yourself, Ishtar. Your next challengers await you." Kaguya declared.
"Who stands before me this time? More of the Jealous One's crazed fanatics?" A female voice rang through the area. "I pity your blind acceptance. Do you not endeavor to see the truth for what it really is?"
"Oh, I know the truth already." Kaguya answered back. "But no, I'm not here for the sake of Bethel. I'm here for the sake of defeating the Demon King for the sake of the humans in the other world."
"Your cause will not be fulfilled by standing against the forces of chaos." The female voice remarked, before the speaker made herself known, as a woman scarcely dressed in a simple white bra, and a white skirt, with a golden ring anklet, and flowing long blonde hair, with a pair of curved horns on her head, and eyes closed. "In his eyes, all have fallen short of mercy. Pledge what faith you may, you will always be unworthy. He even thinks of the Queen of Heaven beneath him. The arrogance… I am but one among the multitudes he's spurned."
"It doesn't have to be like this, Ishtar." Kaguya stated, as an attempt to persuade Ishtar, for the sake of either shaking her conviction enough to weaken her fighting spirit, or even outright prevent the fight. "I only seek what is best for the humans. We too wish to put an end to the binding order that Bethel's God forced upon others, causing them to suffer through madness and despair, demons and humans alike. But letting the Demon King and the forces of chaos cause all of this harm will not help anyone. The Demon King would not care for you."
"...Yes, I can hear your pure resolve in your words. However, despite this, your actions seek to undo everything that I have done for the sake of oppressing this tyrant god who has taken so much.." Ishtar responded back. "So, in respect of your words, I shall grant you and your companions death, quick and painless, so that you will not have to suffer this cruel world any longer."
"Then we will fight." Kaguya stated. "As the princess of the moon, you would do well not to underestimate me."
Formidable Target Detected
Ishtar
Babylonian Goddess Of Love and War
Ishtar then floated down, before she then flexed her body, as massive streams of red Magatsuhi flowed into her, forming a dark red aura that made the group uneasy.
"I currently possess the same powers I did 5000 years ago, from where my prosperity was at its apex." Ishtar declared. "My powers as the queens of the heavens shan't be overcome by a Nahobino, much like simple demons like yourself. Your resistance will only add to your suffering. Give up and let me end you peacefully, a mercy compared to the rest of the world."
"I didn't come this far to lose, Ishtar." Kaguya responded back, before she then struck Ishtar with a powerful darkness-infused strike, which managed to cause Ishtar to flinch from the blow. "Even with all the power you have, I will defeat you and prove that I am strong enough to break this world order."
Artemis then immediately landed a powerful somersault kick that managed to hit Ishtar dead-center, as the Babylonian goddess felt the attack hit her hard, causing her to reel back.
"Take this!" Idun remarked, as she struck Ishtar with a Zandyne spell, as the wind spell managed to cause Ishtar to flinch even further.
"Please die for me." Alice remarked, as she summoned dark spears that managed to pierce through Ishtar, as the attack hurt her considerably.
"Alright, here goes… Onikiri!" Kaguya remarked, before she then slashed across in a dark red light, as Ishtar felt her own power being drawn out into a massive dark magic circle, which was then cut into two, as she was knocked back by the attack.
"Take my power!" Artemis remarked, as she used Matarukaja to strength the entire group even more, while Idun guarded.
"You may have some modicum of strength… but it ends here!" Ishtar remarked, before she then opened her eyes, as there was a blue glow to them. "Dreadful Gleam!"
As Ishtar channeled power to herself, she found that there was no attack, as she attempted again to use her attack, only for it to do nothing.
"...What? What have you done!?" Ishtar remarked, as her confusion turned into horror.
"I sealed your magic power away. You won't be casting whatever you're trying to cast upon us." Kaguya remarked. "Nor will you be casting anything on that matter. I knew that a direct fight would kill me several times over, so I made some precautions."
"Damn you…" Ishtar growled, before she then immediately attacked the group after several failed casts in a row, as she then struck Idun, who managed to successfully block the attack.
As soon as Ishtar was done attacking, Kaguya immediately began to attack Ishtar with another attack from her darkness-infused blade, as Ishtar reeled back, while Artemis immediately caught her head between her legs mid-jump, and smashed it into the ground with a flick of her waist, causing the Babylonian goddess to reel around from the impact, leaving her open for Idun t hit her with Zandyne, and for Alice to hit her with more dark spears, further damaging her.
"Is this all of the power that the goddess of love and war has mustered for the millenia?" Kaguya remarked in a mocking tone. "I would have expected that you would have been able to do even more. A single sealing move, and you're rendered useless."
"You… I shall make you pay for that remark!" Ishtar growled, as her animosity was focused on Kaguya.
"Not if I can help it! We won't back down!" Artemis remarked, as she cast another Matarukaja, as the group's power grew ever stronger.
"Take these apples, Kaguya and everyone, you will need it!" Idun remarked, as she then gave the entire group her golden apples, as it managed to heal Idun's slight bruising from Ishtar's strike.
"Now then, with that infernal sealing done, it's time for you to pay!" Ishtar remarked, as she then summoned lightning down right upon Kaguya, who just smirked, and absorbed the attack. "...What!?"
"Like I said, I prepared well for your battle." Kaguya answered back. "And now that I have insulated myself and my team against you, all the power on your fingertips won't stop us winning."
"N-No! I will not be intimidated by you!" Ishtar remarked, as her voice betrayed a sense of fear.
Kaguya didn't deem to make a response, as she immediately used Ochitsuki to knock Ishtar down slightly, before Artemis immediately used the chance to charge herself up, while Idun and Alice used their attacks to further strike on Ishtar's weaknesses.
"The funny thing is that you're pretty strong." Kaguya admitted. "If it wasn't for the fact that I prepared well for this, death would have been my fate. But I didn't let that cow me. I pressed on, because if I cannot protect those I care about… then I have no reason to face life again. I may not know humans well enough, I admit it. But that's no reason to abandon them, when they have done nothing to deserve what the demons brought upon them."
Kaguya's words seem to have struck a chord in Ishtar's heart, as she was left speechless for a moment, as Kaguya managed to land a powerful strike, which managed to cause the goddess to fall down, as her strength was fading away, before she was sent flying by a charge-empowered Astral Saintstrike, and hit from both sides by Idun's and Alice's magic.
Ishtar's mouth was about to open to say something, only for her to immediately steel her resolve, before she then cast Dreadful Gleam, as the entire group were hit by the attack, with the lightning shocking them.
Ishtar then went to work on them, hitting them with Hamaon and Ziodyne spells that weren't so effective against the group, much less so with Ziodyne against Artemis, who parried the non-enhanced thunderbolts away.
As soon as Ishtar was done, she fell down into a slump, as Kaguya unleashed her group's Magatsuhi, and then attacked as one, as their combined attacks hurtled towards her. Faintly, Ishtar smiled in a melancholic way, before the attacks landed, kicking up a massive cloud of sand that blocked the group's vision.
The cloud then faded away, to reveal Ishtar, who was bleeding Magatsuhi, as her expression was calm, despite her impending fate.
"In the end… despite all of my power… I am left broken at the feet of my enemies." Ishtar remarked. "Perhaps your words are right in a sense… amidst it all, I have abandoned the people who once looked upon me. I should have sought to find a way to preserve the legacy of the people who revered me… but instead, I did not believe in the humans, who were beneath me. And now, I am forced to be a guard dog for chaos, for the sake of being able to live for myself… and no one else."
Ishtar then lowered her head. "...End me. There is nothing that I can do at this point. The angels of Bethel will not grant me a fair death. They will tear me to shreds like the savages that they are." She pleaded. "I would sooner die in the hands of someone who I respect in my last moments, than to accept that fate."
Kaguya looked at Ishtar for a moment, as she was about to say something, before Idun walked over to Ishtar, and knelt over to her, plucking out a Golden Apple.
"What… is the meaning of this?" Ishtar remarked, as she stared at the golden fruit before her.
"I feel like you don't deserve to die." Idun remarked. "Despite everything, you never treated us with true contempt. And after hearing that you once sought to protect something… and then gave up after reality crushed you, I feel like that you deserve better to die."
"It will not change. If the demons of chaos cannot defeat Bethel, then the order will last forever." Ishtar answered back. "...And I cannot bear it any longer."
"Then join us." Idun offered, as Ishtar was shocked. "...Kaguya is someone who wants to do what is best for everyone. Humans and demons alike. After being in her company for quite a while, I have come to understand that she is a kind person inside. She may be harsh and cruel at times, but that is only towards those who would seek to do harm against the demons and humans who are both oppressed by the system."
"You would… welcome me with open arms?" Ishtar stated.
"I would. You're powerful enough to help create change in this world." Kaguya answered back. "I think the reason you surrendered yourself is because you were alone. You had no peers who could help you in your time of need. And I understand that. There were times where I felt the same. But as long as you keep hoping, and as long as you keep standing and fighting, someone will come under your cause. That's how I got this far. I made friends with many demons across this place, and convinced them to fight for the same cause: For the sake of peace in both the human world and Da'at."
Ishtar looked at the golden apple, and back at Kaguya, before she then took the golden apple from Idun's hand, and gently bit into it. As she did, the flavor and sensation of the apple felt so strongly in her, as she began to tear up, while eating the rest of the apple, as she gently sobbed.
"You.. you are too kind for someone like me… who has condemned so many to unjust deaths from prejudice…" Ishtar wept, as her voice was shaking. "...I…I…"
"It's fine. Cry all you like. No-one is going to judge you for it. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to have a great sobbing before they can start getting themselves together." Kaguya smiled back.
Ishtar's emotions then burst forth, as Ishtar wailed into the sand, crying uncontrollably, before it then stopped, as she rose back up, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"There is a great change in the air. The world calls out for a new purpose, a new order." Ishtar remarked. "...And I believe that the answer lies with you. Tell me your name, princess of the moon."
"Kaguya Houraisen." Kaguya answered back.
"Kaguya, princess of the moon… I, Ishtar, shall aid your cause loyally." Ishtar declared majestically, as she bowed her head.
"I'm glad for your help, Ishtar." Kaguya nodded back. "Now then, I'll need to send you somewhere. I don't want some certain people getting the wrong idea."
"I understand." Ishtar stated, before she then faded away in a flash of blue light.
"I'm glad… things ended up well." Idun stated with hope in her eyes."
"...To be fair, I didn't expect her to join my cause so readily." Kaguya stated. "...But it's truly worth it in the end, for her to realize that there is a better path to a better world."
As the group proceeded forward, they were greeted by Abdiel, who flew down with a contingent of angels of varying forms.
"Well, it seems your skirmish with that demon was a success." Abdiel remarked. "Well done, Kaguya. As the archangel of Bethel, allow me to thank you for your assistance. All that remains is the castle, and the rightful execution of the fallen angel within."
Abdiel then looked up into the skies. "Oh Lord on high, we vow to carry Your order throughout this blighted, lightless land of chaos." She chanted. "Hark, forces of Bethel! Wipe the demons of chaos clean from this earth! Push them back into the darkest depths of the abyss!"
The entire force of angels roared as one, before they then took off, with Abdiel leading them, leaving behind several Powers to guard the entrance.
"Our orders are to guard the castle entrance from demonic reinforcements." One of the Powers told Kaguya. "We humbly request your aid in the infiltration of the castle, Kaguya."
"Bah, you don't need to ask me for that." Kaguya stated. "But still, it would do well to look around and see if there are any other threats that are around here."
"As you wish." The Power answered back.
The group began to explore the rest of Chuo City, finding another of Omoikane's essences, as the artificial god immediately absorbed it, to peer into its memory.
"Come in… Oh, you're holding a bowl of medicinal soup for me."
"I hope you'll enjoy it. I made it like your friend Gus suggested me to."
"...This is delicious. How did you manage to get all of this to taste so beautiful?"
"I had a lot of help from Gus in finding the right ingredients. Even your friend in green helped out."
"Heh. Link did help out a fair lot around these points. Especially for me."
"...Do you think that you'll recover from this? The Perfect Possession incident having caused this sickness… Would it have been-"
"No, it's not Shion's fault at all. I may have taken a few curses in fighting her, but if it was something serious, I wouldn't be just bedridden, I would be hospitalized in ICU by Eirin's order. Thankfully, this will pass through the week."
"Is there… Anything that I can do to help you get better quicker?"
"They say that the warmth of a loved one heals the soul and body well."
"Are you saying you want me to cuddle up with you in that bed?"
"Well, are you going to do it, Kaguya?"
"You smug little… Fine, just this once!"
"..."
"...You feel so warm to me. Almost as if it was a caring embrace."
"It is one, you idiot. If I'm going to cuddle up with you, I may as well go the extra mile."
"...Hey, Kaguya."
"Yeah?"
"...Thanks. I'm glad that I got to meet someone like you."
"...So am I. So am I."
Omoikane then returned to reality, as the warmth in his heart began to grow even further, as it blossomed into the rest of his body.
"Strange… this memory grants a sense of warmth that I never ever felt before." Omoikane remarked.
"Something hot and steamy?" Kaguya teased.
"D-Don't be ridiculous!" Omoikane exclaimed, as his tone was flustered, uncharacteristic of an artificial god, and more like an actual person with developed emotions and feelings. "I have no such urges within."
"Sure you don't~" Kaguya chuckled lightly, teasing Omoikane further.
"I… Let's just continue on. The memory has installed something within me more stronger than the rest." Omoikane stated.
'You're finally showing yourself.' Kaguya thought to herself. 'Just a bit more… and I can be able to see Richard from him… or at least a fragment of him, that is.'
Kaguya then thought about it some more. 'But to be fair… should I be forcing Richard upon Omoikane… What if all of this is overwriting who Omoikane is. Existential overwriting is not a gentle crime, and might cause repercussions down the line.'
Kaguya was left deep in thought, before High Pixie snapped her out of it, with a gentle slap on the cheek.
"Hey Kaguya, are you in some sort of dream-land or something?" High Pixie asked. "We called you out, but you weren't responding."
"...I was just thinking about something." Kaguya answered back, not intending to disclose her inner thoughts yet.
"Well, we met an Angel along the way, who's been looking for you." High Pixie answered back.
"Oh?" Kaguya remarked, before approaching the angel. "What is your request?"
"You are the one who set out to slay Lahmu, did you not?" The Angel answered back. "Then perhaps you saw the massive hole at the Shinagawa North Pier. I've heard the hole was made by a rampaging demon who completely obliterated the area. One of my brethren was keeping watch in the area, but I suddenly lost contact. If you could spare the time, could you go to that hole and find out what happened?"
"Hm… Well, if that's what you're asking. I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Kaguya answered back.
They soon headed to the specified location, noticing how the hole was large enough to crack the infrastructure around, with only a few platforms as the path to get back up.
Kaguya then noticed a paralyzed Aitvaras, who were flailing around like it had gone mad.
"Hey, hey! I don't like the looks of that! We don't get outta here now, we're dead!" The Aitvaras squawked.
"What's the matter?" Kaguya asked.
"Some demon went on a rampage the second the full moon came around!" The Aitvaras shouted. "Freaky little thing was crazy powerful for how small it was! I managed to get away, luckily, but this one angel stood his ground and got himself killed. Unless you got a death wish yourself, you better steer clear of this place any time there's a full moon. Seriously!"
"Not a chance, we're taking this demon down." Kaguya answered back, as the Aitvaras screeched before running away.
Kaguya then approached the demon in question, before she and everyone was shocked to find that said demon was Amanozako.
"A-Amanozako!?" Kaguya exclaimed.
"Ahhh… It hurts… What's happening to me? Am… Am I dying!?" Amanozako remarked, before she then began to convulse, as her eyes began to turn full yellow. "No… My power… I'm losing control… Aaaaahhh!"
"Kaguya! Amanozako's on the verge of going berserk! Her power is building up rapidly!" Omoikane warned Kaguya.
"I can't… I can't hold it back! You… You have to take my power, Kaguya… AAAAHHH!" Amanozako cried out, before her own willpower gave out, as she turned feral.
Formidable Target Detected
Amanozako
Goddess of Wrath
"Amanozako, hold on!" Kaguya remarked, as she used the silver light beam to hit Amanozako, as the tengu was knocked back by the attack.
"Kaguya, we have to stop her quickly!" Artemis declared, before she then landed a somersault kick that managed to hurt the tengu considerably, before Amanozako raised a hand, before creating a massive claw of darkness that attacked Artemis, with her barely dodging it. "...And she seems to be able to react to physical attacks…"
"Then we have to rely on magical attacks." Idun remarked, before she then cast Bufudyne, as the attack managed to weaken Amanozako even more.
"I can help stop her!" Alice remarked, before she launched Agidyne, as the fireball managed to hit Amanozako and damage her further.
"We might want to get ourselves stronger." Kaguya suggested, as she immediately used a battle dance to strengthen herself.
"I agree, the sooner we end this fight… the better." Artemis nodded, before she then immediately cast Matarukaja, while Idun gave the group her golden apples to further boost their strength, and Alice used Matarunda to weaken Amanozako.
"Haah…" Amanozako breathed, before she then began to inhale, as Kaguya felt her magical power being sapped from her, as well as some of her life, although Amanozako didn't seem to look any better, only absorbing Magatsuhi around her.
Kaguya then immediately hit her with a beam of silver light, before Artemis then hit her with a powerful head-crushing attack that managed to keep Amanozako woozy, and Idun and Alice hit her with more fire and ice, which began to cause her severe damage.
"Alright, I'm going to make sure that we finish this within the next few rounds." Kaguya stated. "Sorry, Amanozako, but this is going to hurt extremely much."
Artemis began to charge, while Idun fired a Bufudyne to weaken her further. As soon as the attack finished, Amanozako threw a massive burst of lightning, which hit the entire group badly, except for Kaguya, who absorbed the attack with the essence that she kept for the time being.
"NOW!" Kaguya roared, before she then unleashed the group's Magatsuhi, as Kaguya lead the attack with a series of ice-infused slashes from channeling the silver light through her blade, while Artemis hit Amanozako with a barrage of strikes, which managed to bring her to the edge of defeat, as Artemis guarded against the counter-attack, which sapped some of her strength. And with another burst of ice from Idun, Amanozako was defeated, as the tengu flopped onto the ground, as the light faded from her eyes.
'Ugh… My power… it's…" Amanozako wheezed.
"We've acquired a concentration of Amanozako's power." Omoikane remarked, as he held a bright blue orb of energy in his hands. "It can be used as an Essence."
Soon, Amanozako's eyes snapped wide open with a gasp, as she looked around.
"Where is this? Where… Where am I? What happened to me?" Amanozako remarked, before she then noticed Kaguya. "Oh! I remember! I couldn't control my power and started losing it, right? Totally. And you. You swooped in and saved me, didn't you? Seriously, you did, didn't you!?"
"Of course." Kaguya nodded back.
"Oh, oh, oh! And then you took my power, huh? Looks like you got a little something out of it, at least." Amanozako stated, noting the orb of her power resting in Omoikane's possession. "Good thing! Ahh… I'm so tired… Welp, I guess I'll see you around. Bye, byeee!"
Amanozako then flew away, as Kaguya let out a sigh of relief.
"I still have to wonder… what the hell happened for her to have this kind of power?" Kaguya remarked.
"I have a feeling that the answer will come soon." Omoikane stated. "Come, we have delayed enough. We must infiltrate the Demon King's castle and finish what we started."
"That's right." Kaguya nodded back, as she used a leyline fount to return her own affinities back to normal, as they headed back to Tokyo Station, as they noticed that there was a portal that transported them into the castle, which was a dark place with pillars of rock that had glowing red runes on them, and a large maze of passages that went in all directions.
"So this is the Demon King's Castle…" Omoikane remarked. "Kaguya, the archangel already sent a team of troops ahead. We should take care not to let them get too far."
"...Fine." Kaguya sighed, at the notion of having to directly help Bethel, after the cold shoulder she got from most of them, except those directly helped by her.
It didn't take long for Kaguya to manage to fight her way through the castle, as the demons of chaos were no match for her diverse team, as Ishtar even lent her aid to the team, her powerful lightning powers disposing of many a demon along the path.
As they were about to reach the inner sanctum, where their final foe would lie, Kaguya met with Abdiel and Ichiro.
"Kaguya, look at you! You made it all the way!" Ichiro cheered.
"Dazai, the hell are you doing here?" Kaguya asked, as Ichiro was taken aback.
"He managed to fight his way here through sheer grit and mind." Abdiel answered back, before turning to Ichiro. "Now, perish the thought of advancing, for the peril lying in wait would annihilate you. As for you, Kaguya…. I will admit, I did not expect you to make it this far. Clearly I underestimated you."
"You think?" Kaguya scoffed.
"However, I've received word that all contact with the Dominion has been lost. Regrettably, this confirms my suspicions of the danger ahead. Brave though you may be, hone your wit to its keenest edge should you intend to proceed." Abdiel continued.
Kaguya opted to remain silent, as Ichiro decided to speak in her stead.
"Hey, Master Archangel? I know that Kaguya is fine with everything and all…" Ichiro stated. "Once we take down the Demon King, Tokyo and the rest of the world will be safe, right? In that case, let me help! Even if it does mean putting myself in danger. I'll give it everything I got. That's why you've done everything for me, because you know that I can be of some use, if I just try!"
"I understand you are eager to walk the path of righteousness in the service of our Lord. But good intent does not guarantee good outcome. Dazai, you are merely fodder for the Demon King's footsoldiers as you are now. Turning back here will surely save your life, and ease the heart of your friends."
"For once, I agree. You're really pushing your luck, Dazai." Kaguya firmly stated. "You don't need to prove anything by taking on the Demon King with me. Just getting this far is proof enough you're the best."
"I… I guess you're right. Guess I'll head back to the entrance and hold off any reinforcements. That oughta help some." Ichiro stated.
"Fear not, I shall escort him to his gate." Abdiel remarked, as Ichiro turned around and left. "You go on ahead, and use whatever power you possess to its full extent and vanquish our sworn enemy."
"Go ahead." Kaguya remarked, as she walked past Abdiel. "...I don't need you to beat down the Demon King anyway."
Abdiel turned around with a furious expression on her face, only to find that Kaguya had already passed through the doors, as the archangel seethed for a moment, before she then turned to escort Ichiro.
Into the deepest depths of the castle, Kaguya continued to fight on, only stopping for Idun and High Pixie to heal the group, until they were right at the door of the throne chamber, as Kaguya tapped into the leyline fount nearby, prepared for what is about to come.
"This is it. The Demon King, or whatever crony he put in his place, awaits ahead." Kaguya stated, before she then summoned Ishtar. "Hey, Ishtar, would you like a chance to roast the bastard who put you in this deal in the first place?"
"...I shall." Ishtar nodded with conviction.
"Then you're with me, Artemis and Idun. High Pixie, take a seat." Kaguya remarked. "We'll get this done easy-peasy."
"Go sock the demons right where it hurts!" High Pixie cheered, before she followed behind the group.
As soon as the doors into the throne chamber were open, Kaguya and the group saw the mass of bodies that belonged to Bethel, as they were all torn apart, with Magatsuhi spilt everywhere.
"Such a bloody scene… who could possibly be the source of this cruelty!?" Idun remarked with unrestrained disgust and horror.
"I believe the culprit is ahead." Artemis remarked, pointing at a bulky floating figure in the shadows, as the group approached them.
"Now, what do we have here? Another angel here to spit on my castle, mouth afoam with pieties?" The figure remarked with a screechy male voice.
"No peities, only judgment for you." Kaguya retorted back.
"Ahh, it would seem I've misjudged this group of demons." The figure remarked, before an Angel rushed out of the shadows to attack the figure only to be bisected by a blade, as the light revealed the figure, as it was a extremely thick-bodied demon with purple pus-filled skin, filled with red marks, with a pair of devil wings, and a sword in one of his short arms, and a massive maw where its stomach was, vertically oriented to stretch from his neck to his waist, massive tongue lolling out. "I am the Demon King Arioch. Legions await my command. I take it you're of Bethel?"
"No, but I don't need to be, to go and fight you." Kaguya scoffed.
"You are quite formidable to have come this far. Thus, out of respect, I will grant you an audience." Arioch declared. "The Creator that these wretches worship, who once sat so proudly upon the throne… He is no more. Now tell me, why you've come."
"Slaying the Demon King who ordered the attack on the other world." Kaguya declared, as she drew her naginata. "Call it retribution."
"Ahahaha, such bluntness. It won't matter. Very soon, what divine spark may be left in this world will heave its final cry. I will not sit idly by though, as you dig around and scatter dirt. The throne is now godless. The time to reclaim knowledge and reform is at hand! Death shall befall our opposers! I will crush you in the jaws of retribution!"
Arioch then summoned two star-fish demons, known as Decarabia to his side.
Formidable Target Detected
Arioch
Fallen Angel Turned Demon King
"You can very well try." Kaguya answered back, before she then immediately hit Arioch with a barrage of lightning that conducted well through the large demon, causing him to cry in pain.
"By my father's power, begone!" Artemis cried, as she then fired lightning from her open hand, as it surged towards Arioch, as it managed to do considerable damage to him.
"Let the light purify this battlefield." Idun remarked, as she immediately used Mahamaon, as it managed to hit all of the enemies, and even weaken both Decarabias.
"He hides behind his minions. So allow me to help you. Dreadful Gleam!" Ishtar declared, before she then immediately called down a massive storm of thunder, as some of it turned purple, severely injuring the Decarabia, and weakening Arioch more, by sapping the magical strength from him.
"You wretched… goddess!" Arioch exclaimed at the betrayal. "You dare raise your hand against the one who let you live, and gave you this power!?"
"I no longer serve you. This woman has opened my own eyes to my own hypocrisy." Ishtar answered back. "Since I no longer have any reason to join your cause, and that my savior intends for your destruction, I will not hesitate."
"Ishtar!" Arioch roared with hatred.
"And you won't have the chance to get your revenge, because by the end of this, you're dead." Kaguya growled, before she then summoned light arrows, as they managed to hit the Decarabia many times over, as they were destroyed by the attack, leaving the Demon King alone to fight. "So much for your legions, eh?"
"A wretched being like you… has no right to exist!" Artemis remarked, as she then cast Matarukaja, as the group's strength increased, while Idun gave the group the golden apples, in order to strengthen them further.
"Lightning!" Ishtar declared, as she launched a Ziodyne on Arioch, as it managed to do considerable damage to him.
"Wretched insects…!" Arioch remarked, as he fought to undo the sealing that was upon him, as it had limited his own strength greatly.
"And while you try to struggle, how about some more shock therapy?" Kaguya quipped, as she struck Arioch with more lightning from a Ziodyne spell.
"You will not escape justice!" Artemis roared, as she immediately landed a powerful kick on Arioch's lower maw, which managed to shatter every tooth in it, and left Arioch reeling in pain.
"Here, another apple. We have to defeat our foe!" Idun remarked, setting the group up with another batch of golden apples, while Ishtar continually slammed thunder on Arioch, staggering him even more.
"Alright, time to settle this!" Kaguya remarked, as she began to charge her magic, while Artemis began to gather her strength into her fists.
"Hrah!" Arioch roared, before he then thrust his blade forward, as it managed to hit Ishtar, giving her a nasty wound, before he then swung his blade around and hit Kaguya, who barely managed to dodge the heavy cleaving attack.
"Time for you to be disposed of!" Kaguya remarked, as she then crossed her arms, before launching a massive salvo of lightning upon Arioch, while Artemis danced around in the rain of thunder to hit Arioch with multiple barrages of punches from varying angles, and Ishtar gathered the thunder to her fingers, before then striking Arioch with a direct barrage of thunder that pierced through his body fully, causing him to fall down.
"Is this how I meet my end? Not by the Archangel's sword, but the hands of a simple demon…" Arioch remarked, slowly raising his head before noticing something. "No… you are a Nahobino, that power burns so brightly within, much like the other… So, I have seen firsthand why God forbade such power…"
"Other?" Kaguya remarked, as she walked over, hand tightened around her weapon. "Start talking now, what other Nahobino!?"
"She is a woman much like you, except that she has accepted her power and utilized it. She slumbers now, as my minions seek to wake her and use her to put the wretched peons of Bethel to the blade." Arioch remarked. "And with her, we shall have the right to usher in the next age, at the twilight of the current era. For she is the epitome of freedom, born of chaos, to nurture this world-"
Kaguya's instincts then flared violently, as Kaguya quickly back-stepped away from Arioch, before a mass of familiar tentacles rose from the ground, and skewered Arioch, with Magatsuhi dripping down it.
"...Ah, she has awoken… Long live chaos, long live-" Arioch remarked, before a final tentacle through his head silenced him, as he evaporated into Magatsuhi.
Kaguya watched, as the Magatsuhi flowed into someone in the darkness, who then stepped out, revealing Sahori herself, who has transformed greatly, as her hair turned both long and red, to the point that it reached past her shoulders, and flowed out further to be connected to purple tentacles not too different to that of Lahmu's. Her eyes were also permanently turned yellow, and she was clad in a skin-tight suit of gray fabric, with golden highlights that connected several parts of her body, from her chest to her feet, and black fur along the collar and the waist of her attire, and a red glowing mark on her abdomen, and her own bare feet glowing red on the toes.
"S-Sahori?" Kaguya remarked with shock.
"Sahori? Do you know this person?" Artemis remarked.
"Yes, I do. She's the one who I tried to save, only for her to be lost to Lahmu… So it really did happen. She became a true Nahobino…" Kaguya remarked, as her tone turned melancholic. "Sahori… please tell me that it's you in there."
"Leave…" Sahori stated weakly, as if her mind was tired. "Please, leave…"
"Sahori?" Kaguya asked.
"...Kaguya, I'm sensing something evil within her. It's so strong that I can feel it!" Idun warned Kaguya.
"Lahmu… he's still got control over her!?" Kaguya exclaimed.
"Kaguya… I'm sorry… I couldn't… stop it…" Sahori said, as tears began to leak from her eyes. "And now… I'm nothing but a monster…"
"Sahori… I can help you. Come with us." Kaguya stated. "You just need to keep fighting."
"No, it's too late. Please, I don't want to-" Sahori pleaded, before she then began to clutch her head in pain. "Aarrrghhh!"
"Sahori!" Kaguya cried out.
"Get away… get away before I kill you!" Sahori cried, before her voice began to distort to the same tone as Lahmu, as she then growled, poised to attack.
Formidable Target Detected
Nahobino Lahmu (Sahori)
The Girl Lost In Darkness
"There's no choice…we have to fight!" Kaguya exclaimed, as she immediately prepared herself, as she then immediately threw fire at Sahori, only for it to fail. "...So she didn't keep the same resistance as her predecessor…"
"I shall see for myself what this woman is weak to…" Artemis remarked, before she then crossed her arms, casting Bufudyne, as the ice hit Sahori which managed to cause her to yelp. "...It seems that ice is her weakness!"
"So Lahmu has indeed changed, after taking this human girl… How terrifying." Idun remarked, as she used her own Bufudyne to damage Sahori, and keep her down.
"Lahmu… so that is where that traitor of a demon went." Ishtar remarked, as her voice turned hostile. "...It seems that while Kaguya intends to keep the girl alive, I intend to erase all traces of that god within."
Ishtar then threw thunder, as it managed to hit Sahori firmly, although she was able to endure through it.
"Looks like I better safeguard myself." Kaguya remarked, as she bolstered her strength through her battle dance. "...Who knows what she could do with this power."
Sahori then immediately threw an Agidyne right at Artemis, which managed to do considerable damage, despite her weak figure, while chaining it into a Mamudoon, which hit the group hard, as Ishtar was protected from being killed instantly by the attack thanks to newfound strength, and Kaguya weathered the attack well, despite her weakness to the dark element.
Sahori then fired another Agidyne, aimed at Kaguya, who was on her knees from the attack.
"Shit… she's in a whole other league compared to Arioch…" Kaguya cursed, as she slowly pushed herself up on her feet. "With that kind of firepower, it's going to be a race between who falls first…!"
Kaguya, Artemis and Idun quickly moved as one, as they fired their Bufudynes from three different angles, as Sahori was left unable to dodge the attacks, all three hitting their mark, while Ishtar used Marakunda to soften Sahori's defenses slightly.
"Sahori, you need to snap out of it!" Kaguya cried, as she immediately used Ochitsuki, as the attack managed to hit hard, and make Sahori flinch.
"For the sake of your friend, please come to your senses." Artemis said, as she cast Matarukaja to strengthen the group for the battle itself.
"Golden apples here!" Idun shouted, as she tossed the apples, as their restorative purposes came in handy to help the group recover from the devastating blows that Sahori landed upon them.
Sahori immediately raised her arm, before a large tentacle rose from it, as she then slammed it down with full force, creating a massive shockwave of darkness, as purple mud sprayed upon the group, with Kaguya falling under the effects of the poisonous substances.
She then used Marakunda, causing the group to feel their own bodies feeling weaker themselves, before she then began to gather Magatsuhi.
"Gh… I can't believe this!" Kaguya remarked, as she quickly attacked Sahori, despite her own poison, who attacked her own body after she managed to land her ice attack on her.
"Hold on, Kaguya, Idun will help you out with your poisoning!" Artemis told Kaguya, as she hit Sahori with a powerful somersault kick that managed to break her guard down in response.
"Here." Idun remarked, as she created a massive green shower of light that healed the group, as Kaguya felt the poison being purged from her body.
"Let us see if she is capable of this." Ishtar remarked, before she then used her signature attack, although the lightning failed to seal away Sahori's magical power. "Tch, it seems she is a defiant one."
"Like you wouldn't believe." Kaguya stated, before she then smashed Sahori with a powerful Bufudyne attack, which managed to stagger Sahori considerably, while Artemis and Idun capitalized on, by applying their buffs, and Ishtar firing a Ziodyne to try to take Sahori down before she can use the Magatsuhi to attack, as it still left the enemy Nahobino standing.
Sahori then raised her hand, before she then fired a massive blue sphere of energy at the group, which suddenly exploded with a massive blasting force that is pure energy, as Kaguya managed to evade the attack barely, with the blast-wave scraping her own face when she fell prone away from the blast.
"Fuck… That must be a Megido spell right there…" Kaguya remarked, as she quickly unleashed her group's Magatsuhi. "In that case, I can't let this fight drag out. Sahori, we're almost done here!"
Kaguya then immediately began to throw a large Bufudyne spell right into Sahori's face directly, which managed to blind the Nahobino slightly, before Artemis smashed her with a powerful head-lock using her legs, and Idun fired her Bufudyne at Sahori's feet, which managed to keep Sahori down. After her mobility was weakened, Ishtar immediately unleashed her divine thunder, as it hit Sahori hard.
Kaguya then took a deep breath, before she then charged forward, while a triple-blast of elemental magic flowed behind her. At the same moment, Omoikane revealed himself, as he merged with Kaguya, turning her into her Nahobino form, which the elemental attacks gathered on her blade, creating a massive geyser of ice to form around her blade, with lightning dancing on it.
She then roared, as she brought the blade down across Sahori's chest, as the attack sliced through her armor, and for ice crystals to burst right through her body, with streaks of lightning.
The crystals then shattered, as Sahori fell onto her knees, as Magatsuhi dripped from her wounds, while her own movements began to turn slow and sloppy, but her eyes became focused once again.
"Kaguya…" Sahori remarked.
"It's alright, the fight's over." Kaguya stated. "...Was it…?"
"Yes, it was Lahmu. He tried to control me to kill you and finish what he started." Sahori nodded back. "However, he didn't anticipate that there was a mysterious benefactor, who made me and my mind stronger, keeping it in a struggle. After you managed to exhaust me, it did the same with Lahmu's power. So I was able to banish him away to the deepest pits of my mind. Now that I'm in control of this body now… he'll never hurt anyone again."
"I'm glad that you made it through." Kaguya stated, as she reached a hand out. "...Tao would be extremely happy if you came back."
"...What if I can't? I'm a Nahobino now, that voice told me. If I go back, Bethel will kill me." Sahori argued. "...And I don't feel like I deserve to see Tao, after everything I have caused her… and after what I did to you."
"That's not the truth. You weren't yourself. And we were stupid." Kaguya stated firmly, before patting her own chest. "I was stupid for thinking that it was so simple. But you stopped Lahmu from killing Tao and me. You saved us both at that moment. So don't say you deserve to disappear, because you are as much a hero as the rest of us."
"But… those girls…" Sahori stated.
"You'll live with it. I'm not saying that you should shrug it off, but you should let that be an inspiration to be better, so that no-one will have to die like they did, and no-one suffers like you had." Kaguya assured her. "And besides, it's not like you to give up on your happily-ever-after, when you're so close."
Sahori looked at Kaguya for a moment, as if she grew an extra head, as Kaguya merely gave a smug smile, which caused Sahori to chuckle lightly, before she then began to laugh at how hilarious Kaguya's expression was.
"...You're right. Perhaps I deserve better than this." Sahori admitted. "...Alright, I'll go off. Now that the Demon King is dead, everything should be over. Once I learn how to disguise myself as a human once again, I'll come back and see Tao. And then… we can be happy together like it was back then."
"...Take care." Kaguya stated, before she then pointed at a side-passage. "You can take this to leave the castle without anyone finding out you were here. I was actually going to take it myself, because I wanted nothing to do with Bethel anymore… but on second thoughts, I should stay a little longer, to keep an eye on Tao and the others."
Sahori nodded, before she then took the side-passage, and disappeared through it.
"Confirmation of the defeat of the Demon King." Omoikane reported, as he separated from Kaguya, returning to their normal forms. "Let us report from Bethel at the castle's entrance."
"Yeah…" Kaguya remarked, as she then exited the throne chamber, only to notice someone was waiting by the doors. "...You…"
"Good of you to wipe out Arioch for me. One less ugly sore to deal with." Yakumo remarked. "With the Demon King out of the way, humanity's future just got a little brighter. Soon enough, we'll be on even footing with the demons."
"Just a moment, ladies and girls." Kaguya told her party, before de-summoning them. "Well, well. I didn't expect for you to come in at the last moment? What do you want, Yakumo?"
"I merely come to congratulate you for your victory… and to tell you that you are a fool to let that Nahobino run." Yakumo stated.
"Hah?" Kaguya remarked, as her expression twisted with anger.
"She is a rival to your claim to the throne." Yakumo declared bluntly. "Letting her live will only make your journey to it far more difficult."
"Oh please, like she would go against me, or me against her." Kaguya stated, as she flipped the naginata towards Yakumo. "No, I think that I understand the idea of what you're saying. And let me tell you: Don't even FUCKING try it. She is my ally through and through, and I will end you if it means keeping her safe. In fact, go ahead and give me another reason, won't you?"
Yakumo merely remained silent, as Kaguya scoffed.
"And what do you mean by even footing with the demons?" Kaguya questioned. "You think that Bethel dominance is going to make the demons easier to deal with? And here I thought that you hate Bethel with a passion."
"Think about it. Your friends are human, yet they fight against demons, even pitting other demons against them. If this doesn't spell a brighter future, I don't know what will." Yakumo declared.
"Alright-" Kaguya was about to say, before Omoikane stepped forth. "...Omoikane?"
"You must be truly callous and dim if you think that works out." Omoikane remarked. "Demon summoning powers are rare among the people, because of Bethel's limitations. Very few have the talent to be trained in it, and fewer still are on the level of Yuzuru Atsuta, the only notable demon summoner who has been active to this point. Those who can't, and that is a great many, will perish in this world with no-one to answer their cries. You think that by killing Arioch, the demons will be able to bite at each other ferociously, and kill each other over petty conflicts? What about the humans in the cross-fire?"
"Speak only when you're addressed, Bethel construct." Yakumo growled.
"I do not take orders from a renegade like you." Omoikane answered back. "My orders are for humanity's best interests, even more so than the vulnerable that you so shun with that doctrine of yours. Your actions run counter to humanity itself."
"Hmph, so says the slave to his programming." Yakumo scoffed. "Listen, without the will to fight, the will to live is meaningless. If someone can't fend for themselves, they're better off dead anyway. Giving in to temptation, betraying one's fellow man… Anyone like that should've never been born."
"So you're saying that the people who died in the demon attacks are right to have died? The children who know not of the suffering wrought upon them? The men who did their best to protect the others?" Omoikane answered back. "Those kinds of people only exist to die off, because they are so 'weak'? And then you say that all it takes for someone to make a mistake, for them to be dragged off to your execution? Then if I told you that you are responsible for the same mistakes, how would you judge yourself?"
"I need not answer the likes of you." Yakumo bit back.
"Then I need not ask. It is apparent enough, after everything that I have recorded." Omoikane remarked, his tone cold. "You suffer from a certain trait known as 'Moral Myopia'. A trait where someone holds themselves above the rest, that it is fine to commit the acts they hate, because they have the right for it. If I were to be brutally honest, your idea of humanity is a twisted image that the ideal humanity shuns, a society built on strength and savagery, no matter how much you dress it elegantly. No girl should have ever been abandoned for being weak for a single moment, no man should ever be looked down upon because they do not have the same drive as the others do. Had it not been for the fact that you would be destroying the Empyrean Throne, then you would be the greatest enemy to humanity, even more so than the angels and demons you detest."
"Be silent." Yakumo growled, as the grip of his blade tightened.
"I will not." Omoikane answered back. "The one who will take the throne will not be Bethel, or the demons of chaos, and certainly will not be you. The one who will take it, will be Kaguya, the one who has seen both humanity and demonkind in its greatest and worst, and have understood the concept of co-existence."
"You spout nonsense. There is no such ideal for it." Yakumo hissed back.
"Then if we speak nonsense, then why do the demons that are not of our force, look upon us with hope and belief? Why do humans speak with us, but never with you?" Omoikane remarked, before his expression turned dark. "Because we are everything that you will never be. We have listened to the demons who only seek independence and peace, while you have cut them down without hesitation. We care for the humans who have been guided wrong, while you too would cut them down. No wonder the only one who follows you is a goddess. Perhaps she's as twisted as you. A fitting company for a mass-murderer like you who believes in a world of strength, where there is no kindness or mercy. And alone, you will become ash to the winds, your cause forgotten like many cruel ones before you."
Yakumo immediately lost his temper, as he brought his blade down, as Kaguya was about to intercept him, only for Omoikane to grab his blade mid-swing, as the executioner couldn't even budge his blade.
"...Pathetic." Omoikane remarked, before he then launched a gut punch that hit Yakumo, causing to gag on the ground.
Suddenly, a wind spell shot towards him, as he floated away from the attack, noticing that Nuwa had a hand raised, identifying herself as the culprit of the attack.
"Take him away. Kaguya and I are done with him." Omoikane firmly stated. "It would be in your best interests to never cross paths with us again. The next time he attempts to kill either of us… I will end him, and then you."
Nuwa then noticed the killing intent behind Omoikane's words, as it made Kaguya's malice pale in comparison before, as she felt like that she was under the contempt of something greater than even Bethel's God. She quickly slung Yakumo over herself, as they slinked away.
"...Holy shit, Omoikane. You really ripped him a new one." Kaguya remarked. "...Wow, the old you wouldn't have been so emotional."
"...That's because I feel like I'm myself again." Omoikane remarked, looking at his hands. "...I think I understand now… I… I am this Richard who you have been fighting for."
"So, you acknowledge it!?" Kaguya remarked, as her heart soared at the fact, that the fragment of Richard was finally before her.
"I cannot be sure if I'm truly him or not, but I am certain that I am at least a part of him." Omoikane stated. "...Actually, since you look upon him so much… please call me by that name from now on, when we are alone."
"You got it, Omoi- No, Richard." Kaguya answered back. "Let's go and see what comes after."
The two of them headed out, as they saw Abdiel with their angels lying in wait, and Ichiro beside her.
"I sense a change in the world… A great demonic power, snuffed out." Abdiel remarked. "It can be none other than Arioch. Which means you have brought that fallen angel to justice?"
"Damn right." Kaguya nodded back.
"Nice going!" Ichiro cheered for Kaguya. "I knew you could do it!"
"Indeed, you have done well. The sacred order of this world is safe once more." Abdiel nodded.
"So Tokyo's safe now! We did it! Right, Master Abdiel?" Ichiro exclaimed.
"Not merely Tokyo, but the mortal world." Abdiel corrected. "Now that the matters have been settled, we can turn our eyes to grander endeavors, and bring about the salvation that our creator has promised upon mankind. We shall continue to uphold His divine order, for his word is the only true path to save this world. Return to Tokyo, and take the rest you have well earned."
Abdiel then raised her blade. "Hark, for the Demon King has been slain! Let all Bethel ring with our victory! Glory and rejoice!" She cried, as the angels cheered at their grand victory.
"Guess we'd better head back too." Ichiro stated.
The group then returned to Bethel HQ, where they found Yuzuru and Koshimizu, as they awaited Ichiro's and Kaguya's return.
"I've heard that the Demon King is dead, then. You're a credit to Bethel Japan… That was no small feat." Koshimizu answered back.
"Yeah, Master Abdiel said that too! So… did we save Tokyo? Is the world safe now?" Ichiro said.
"No… I'd say the true battle is about to begin." Koshimizu answered back.
"What… What do you mean?" Ichiro asked.
"You seriously think that Abdiel gives half a shit about Tokyo?" Kaguya answered back. "God is dead, which means that everything he has done is about to fall apart. This place is on a doomsday clock now. And Bethel won't lift a single finger to do anything about it."
"Kaguya puts it bluntly, but she is correct. So our course is clear. As of today, I will be declaring my independence from Bethel." Koshimizu answered back.
"You're leaving them?" Yuzuru answered back.
"If we want to save Tokyo, we have only one option left: to take the throne of a Nahobino, and craft a new world." Koshimizu continued. "But Bethel HQ is doggedly opposed to this. Which makes them our enemy, I'm afraid."
"So heresy is our only option left? World creation has been forbidden, but…" Yuzuru remarked.
"You're just… ditching Bethel…?" Ichiro exclaimed with horror.
"If not him, then I am." Kaguya firmly declared, as Ichiro's jaw fell open. "...I'm sick and tired of Bethel being too useless to do enough to help the rest of us. Because of them, Sahori ended up a casualty along with so many students, and Tao was left in a deep sleep. Who else would you blame, Ichiro Dazai? The demons who I easily disposed of? If I could do it, then Abdiel wouldn't have to lift a finger to take care of the problem, but she didn't."
"But she… Master Abdiel was good to me. I'm nothing special, but she still helped me!" Ichiro pleaded. "Why do we gotta betray them like this? We could just ask them-"
Kaguya then grabbed Ichiro by the collar firmly, silencing him.
"Dazai. Stop, please just stop." Kaguya said. "I know you want to look at the good of it all, but the only reason she gave any care about you, is because she chose you. Look at how she treats me, from the first time we met, to now. Nothing has changed. She views humanity as beneath her, as something that she protects. You are chosen by her, and so of course you see no problems. But what about the rest of us? What about Sahori?"
The mention of Sahori caused Ichiro to slump down, as any argument he could make died in his mouth.
"That begs the question. We are but humans. How can we be able to face Bethel's angels and demons?" Yuzuru asked.
"Isn't it obvious, the answer's staring at you in your face." Kaguya remarked, turning to Koshimizu. "Now that I think about it, Omoikane mentioned a god, Tsukuyomi, in particular. He seems to dance around the topic, but I can tell that you're his owner in a sense. And that first time I met you, I sensed something divine about you. But that's the entirety of you. You ARE a god. You are, in fact, Tsukuyomi."
"That is right. I am Tsukuyomi, of the Amatsukami. One of Japan's oldest guardians." Koshimizu answered back. "Bethel's cooperation did help us protect Japan. And I am grateful to God for saving Tokyo. However, with the Creator dead, we are no longer bound to Bethel's will. Instead, we will fight to protect our home, even if they refuse to."
"So the truth comes out." Yuzuru answered back.
"I'll cut to the chase. Sometime soon, Bethel HQ is going to hold a summit. A meeting between all international branches. I would have you three accompany me." Koshimizu said.
"What, us? Seriously?" Ichiro said.
"I expect many other branches in attendance. And depending on how the discussions go, things may escalate. Violently." Koshimizu answered back. "However, Bethel Japan's lost most of its regular fighting force. Casualties of Armageddon. As such, you three will be attending as my bodyguards. 'Security detail', at least on paper."
"Uh…" Ichiro blurted out.
"Understood." Yuzuru nodded back.
"Sure." Kaguya answered back.
"When the dates are set, I will contact you. Until then, your time is yours to spend." Koshimizu told the three of them.
The three of them left, as they began to go on their own routines, as Kaguya managed to find Sahori, who had disguised herself back to being human, waiting by the Jozoji Temple.
"Sahori… Everything alright?" Kaguya asked, to which Sahori nodded back silently. "I'm glad that you made it through. I don't know if Tao has woken up yet, but she's been asleep for days… I wonder if she'll ever wake up."
"...She has to. I… I can't bear to handle it if she…" Sahori remarked with fear, as she clutched herself. "...I can't even show myself around, because of everything that happened. I'm human… but I'm separated from this world, for my own safety."
"Hold on a little longer. We'll be able to get you to meet Tao." Kaguya assured her. "...Did a red-skinned monk help you to get here?"
"No, I didn't seen someone like that." Sahori denied.
"Hm…" Kaguya muttered, as she left the temple, heading for the roof of the dorms, where Ichiro and Yuzuru were, as they looked out to the rest of the city, where there was already parts of the city falling apart, with hollowed frames.
"Well, damn. So this is how Tokyo is going to go out." Kaguya remarked.
"Tokyo… is vanishing?" Omoikane remarked. "...So this is what Tsukuyomi has feared for so long."
"Tokyo was actually destroyed once, almost two decades ago. But God copied it back into existence, preventing any further anarchy. That was God's greatest miracle: The Sheikinah Glory." Yuzuru explained. "However, with God defeated, that miracle has begun to dissipate, along with the city that depended on it. If we don't act fast, Tokyo might disappear forever."
"Incoming message from Bethel Japan." Omoikane stated. "Tomorrow, a pandemonic summit will be held with all of Bethel's leadership. The summit will be held in the Netherworld. We are to await further orders at the Tokyo Diet Building."
"I… I see." Ichiro remarked, before he then walked away.
"I'm going to turn in for the day." Kaguya stated. "All the fatigue in being responsible for the defeat of the Demon King is catching up to me."
Kaguya then left, as she headed back down to her room, as she noticed that Tao was still sleeping soundly, as she placed a hand to gently stroke her head.
"Just a little longer… Tao. Just a little longer… and everything will be right again." Kaguya gently whispered to her.
Proto Omoikane (Blood Moon) Lv. 48
Elemental Resistances: Ice, Light, Lightning, Force
Elemental Weaknesses: Fire, Dark
Notable Skills: Great Mana Spring, Safeguard, Critical Aura, Muramasa
Muramasa: Severe Dark damage to one foe, scales with Strength, Debilitate
Nahobino Sahori Lv.57
Elemental Immunities: Dark, Fire
Element Resistances: Force, Light
Elemental Weaknesses: Ice
Notable Skills: Eridu Lost, Agidyne, Mamudoon, Megidola, Marakunda
Eridu Lost: Severe Dark damage to all enemies, 50% Poison