I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
Story 9: I am your shield and you're my sword.
Location: Okita's Residence.
The sound of wood clashing against each other echoes throughout the residence and reaches the ears of the Aegis Dragon. The place looked like an unusually large ancient Japanese dojo that double as a home. The place had a least three different levels and she was still far from exploring the whole place. As she walked through the hallways of the home she took a look at the pictures and scrolls that hung from the walls. Some show a family of four and others showed a new member who had joined not too long ago.
"Isaiah Okita. Both of us now have a family."
She was happy for Isaiah, a family is something they discuss back in the facility but never thought that one day they'll join one. Okita Souji and his family accepted Isaiah with open arms. Although she worried about Isaiah's possible rejectment at first, he seemed to settle well with the family.
Now her only worry was the particular training that he was subjected to.
"Train until you have no more blood in your body. If your goal is to be a swordmaster you must be willing to push your body to the limits."
That was the motto of Okita Soji and he made sure of it. From a scar on his right cheek to several broken ribs; the injuries Isaiah had gained seemed to grow as the days go by.
"Mr. Okita, you're going to kill him at this speed," Tosca told herself as she compared her own training with her mother. "Learning how to use my powers and this draconic body of mine isn't as dangerous as being hit by a supersonic wooden sword across the face. Mom is not as insane as Master Souji."
She remembered the blood and Isaiah's body lying on the floor after seeing the training regime for the first time. She wanted to intervene that time but Isaiah stopped her. He wouldn't allow her to stop him. He was determined and he wouldn't stop.
"I can't stop now, Tosca. I won't let that happen ever again. I will become stronger so that we never have to lose anything else. I'll protect this second chance that we got with all that I have."
Those were his words and she understood what he meant. The day in which they fell into those underground currents, the day in which they lost their humanity, the day in which Pietro and the others died, all of it was still fresh on his mind just like in hers. An unrelenting memory in which they experience the fear of losing everything including their lives. She had a few nights in which those memories tormented her and the pain that losing the grasp of his hand as they were dragged away from each other was something that she couldn't forget.
"... We both need to become stronger."
As Tosca opened the sliding door to the training grounds her eyes found a similar sight.
Master and student exchanged blows with their wooden swords but this time Isaiah had his eyes covered. The boy was doing his best to parry and block the incoming attacks while also trying to attack his master.
"What in the hell is happening?" Tosca asked with a low voice.
"Tosca-chan over here." A feminine voice called out to her.
As the dragoness looked around her eyes found a well-dress smiling lady who was sitting on the sidelines. Her black and white kimono matched her hair which was tied into a bum. Her eyes were barely opened which made it look as if she was unable to open them.
Tosca approaches the lady before lowering her head as a sign of respect. "Ms. Okita. Is a pleasure to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine. Now take a seat with me, they're close to being done." The lady says as she pats the cushion that was close to hers.
Tosca accepts the offer and takes a seat next to the lady while making sure to match her sitting position. "Manners are important Tosca. Make sure to show respect while visiting the home of someone else." Her parents might be a pair of dragons but they taught her many useful things, especially in cases like this. "How long have they been doing this for?"
"Training started at 6 AM today and is right around 9 AM now. Barely 3 hours but it has been fruitful. Isaiah has been able to block at least 20% of the attacks. Is better than last week which was only 10%"
"So he's been taught how to sense incoming danger?"
"Exactly, good job at realizing it. Your own training must be going well."
"Mom says that I still have a long road ahead. Is not just spitting fireballs or cutting an enemy down she says. I need to be able to use all of my senses to react to any enemies that might be facing me no matter if they are far from me or hiding."
"That's indeed true. Anyone that fights should expect the unfairness of the battlefield. Not all enemies will face you head-on. They'll use anything to eliminate their target. There's no fairness when it comes to the real battlefield, is always kill or be killed with little to no room for mercy or conversation between enemies."
"... You sound like you have fought in the front as well."
"No, no. I'm just a housewife with a particular taste for literature and war stories. Soji does enjoy speaking his deeper thoughts over a cup of tea and some snacks. Remember a couple should be able to speak with each other without reservation. A healthy relationship is based on trust."
Tosca blushes. "Wh-Why are you saying that?"
"Because of you two. You two are more than likely to tie the knot one day. You care for the other much more deeply than many young couples these days. After experiencing so much together is hard not to develop deeper attachments."
"... We… We're too young to decide that."
The lady continues to smile and even lets a small chuckle escape her libs. "Is never too early to think about the one that might be your future significant other. Trust me, I do dream about what my life could have been if I had met Soji much earlier in my human life."
"Human life? You're a reincarnated devil? I thought that you were a pure devil."
"I was human just like you and him. I am his queen and real wife, Manami Okita, although we used to be client and contractor. Have you read the novel "A Complicated Contract with a Devil"?"
"No, I'm not one that enjoys novels. Reading is not my strong suit."
"You should give it a chance. Is based on the story of how my daughter and I made a joint contract with Soji back when we used to be humans. For the price of our futures, we gained a father and husband respectably."
"... I might give it a try later on. Devil's contracts seemed to vary from being the simplest to the most complex things ever."
"It all depends on the desires of the client. How hard does the devil need to work to give them happiness? Does the illusion accomplish the objective? What should the adequate payment be? There are many factors that should be taken into consideration and only said devil will come to the decision of what the payment should be. I personally doubt that Isaiah will ever agree to form contracts, his achievements on the battlefield will prove more beneficial to Rias-sama in the future."
A dark aura arises from Tosca at the thought of Isaiah being involved in a contract with a horny woman looking for cute boys or a man with perverse fantasies. "Isaiah forming contracts?... Maybe I should kill any lady or man that tries to get too close." Her tail moved creepily as if it had a life of its own.
Manami smirks. "The feelings of a dragon can't be easily hidden away. Anyway, it seems that is time for them to end this."
As she says this, master and student step away from each other before bowing.
"Much better Isaiah. Your senses are slowly becoming sharper. We will continue tomorrow. Go ahead and take off the cover from your eyes." Okita says.
His student who's still catching his air slowly begins to remove the covers and looks at his body. "I have been injured….. Is less than before but I'm still injured nonetheless. I'm still far from my objective." Isaiah raises his head and looks around only to find his friend waiting patiently for him.
"Let's go, Isaiah. She's waiting for you." The red-eyed swordsman approached him and took the wooden sword away from him.
The pair approaches the ladies but Isaiah notices the dark aura that's rising from Tosca.
"Tosca did something happened?" The boy asks.
"... No…. Come on. Let's get you a few bandages and clean clothes. There's no way in hell that I'll let the others see you in a bloodied yukata." The girl stands up and stretches her tail out to immobilize her friend.
"Tosca-" Isaiah is unable to talk as his whole body is captured by the tail of her friend. Like a snake coiling around its prey, Tosca's tail did the same with Isaiah's body. His mouth was covered and his arms were locked into place.
The boy was helpless against the overwhelming physical strength of his friend.
"Good to see you, Mr. Okita. Now if you excuse me."
"Nice to you too. Go ahead. Make sure to bring him back by dinner." Soji says with a smile. "Make sure to threat some of his injuries before you two leave."
The dragoness nods and walks away while Isaiah asks for help with his eyes.
His parents shake their heads in denial.
"Good luck Isaiah-Kun. I'll have dinner ready by the time you're back." Manami says as she cheers her son.
"Danmit!" Isaiah cursed his luck as he was taken away once more.
Soji turned his face back to his wife. "Tea?"
"Yes. Dorayaki?"
"Suprise me." The devil throws the two wooden swords toward a rack that held even more swords. His precision was inhuman as the pair entered the rack with ease.
Manami stands up before rearranging her clothes and then locks arms with him before they walk away from the training grounds.
Few words needed to be exchanged between them to know what the other felt or needed. Truly an outstanding couple.
A few minutes after. Isaiah's room.
"That hurts," Isaiah said.
"Stop moving and it won't hurt as much." Tosca was tying the bandages around his torso.
This was already a common occurrence although it had been less severe when compared to the first months of training. Soji was a harsh master and Isaiah was a masochistic student which made them a match made in hell. Their training sessions were violent and ignored many common rules that would usually keep students safe.
Although harsh, the training was proving fruitful as Isaiah had not only awakened his own sacred gear but had also learned a proper base for a sword style. Now it just came down to continuing the regime for some years and Isaiah was likely to become a proper knight for Rias and maybe one of the strongest young devils around.
But Tosca couldn't help but worry even if he wasn't a weak human anymore.
As they sat on the bed, Tosca couldn't help but stare at the scars that started to pile up on the torso of the boy. Each one is proof of his determination; each one is proof of the hellish path of a swordsman. He was just 9 and yet he was far more scarred than many human adults.
"Blind training?"
"Just another part of the training."
"... You should be careful. Even the body of a devil has its limits."
"So does the body of a dragon."
"My training is far from being as dangerous as yours."
"Lava baths? Who thought that a lava bath was a good idea?"
"Isaiah I'm a dragon. No amount of heat can hurt me and is quite enjoyable. Is like an onsen for dragons."
The boy doesn't look amused. "Even if you're a dragon you can still be hurt. I have to be stronger so that I can protect you and everyone else. I won't allow that day to repeat itself."
"... I know…. Dummy." Tosca continued to put the bandages around until he was set. "Ready."
"Thanks, now can you give me some privacy? I need to change this yukata."
"...okay." Tosca walks out of the room and stands behind the closed door. She could have waited in silence but she still had a question for him. "Say, Isaiah, would you form contracts with humans once the time comes for you to go with her into the human world?"
"Contracts? I haven't thought about them that much. Rias-nee-san doesn't seem too interested in them either. She believes that being a peerage that is actively serving on the alliance is a much better path for us."
"But there's going to be times in which contracts are the only thing available."
"True if that's the case I'll form a few contracts."
"You will?"
"I have to but I'll be picky about them,"
"How so?"
"Don't want any contracts that involved sexual favors. I'm not that kind of devil and Rias-nee-san already said that none of her peerage members will form contracts such as those. Our bodies are not toys for humans to lust after. We're a peerage of warriors after all."
"I see. So no women?"
"None, personally I see myself as someone that they might ask to look for a missing person or even a butler helping in a cafe. I have read reports of devils working as part-timers for their clients so that might be my field as well."
"You as a butler? Are you joking?"
"I can play the part maybe asking Grayfia-san for some training would be good."
"You'll end up like Raynare."
"Are you worried that I'll become the perfect househusband?"
"I'm worried that you'll become a butler for life if you get her to train you. Grayfia is a scary existence when it comes to maids and butlers. Raynare claims that her training is far too effective and that even the wildest of students will become the best of maids if Grayfia gets her hands on them."
Isaiah laughs. "That's the second time someone has said that about her. I'll have to see it with my own eyes one day."
"Don't, I'll miss the old Isaiah if you were brainwashed into becoming a butler."
The pair laughs with each other as they continue to talk.
"I'm ready. You can enter." Isaiah says.
Tosca turns around and opens the door. Her eyes find her friend dressed up in a dark blue yukata. His hair was getting a bit long so the boy had started to tie it up in a short ponytail. "Maybe he's trying to copy the old man. Everyone seems to let their hair grow out these days."
"How do I look?"
"Like a swordsman."
"Good. I hope to be one. You also look pretty good."
The dragoness blushes as she becomes conscious of her own appearance. She had two long twin tails. Her black dress and emerald punk jacket plus boots were very charming to say the less.
"Thanks…. We should go." The dragoness turned around and began to make her way out of the room.
"Hey wait for me." The boy rush after her.
As they made their way outside the residence, the pair found themselves surrounded by a bamboo forest which keep the residence mostly hidden.
"Get on top of me," Tosca said as she step away from the home.
"I can fly and we could also use a transportation circle," Isaiah said.
"I said get on top of me." Tosca transforms into her dragon form and turns to the boy.
"Alright, you don't have to get violent." Isaiah jumped and settle down between her horns. "Why do you always force me to go along with this?"
"How many guys get the chance to say that they ride on top of their childhood dragon friend?"
"... It does sound cool."
"See? Also, I do need to spread these wings of mine once in a while and the underworld is the only safe place where I can do that. If I transform and started to fly around the earth there's a high chance that a fighter yet might try to shoot me down."
"True. Let's go then."
The young Aegis dragon spread her wings and quickly takes off into the sky. The young devil sitting on top of her holds onto her right horn for dear life.
"This is the greatest. Being a dragon is so good!" Tosca claims cheerfully as she spins around and flies with total freedom.
The boy smiles bitterly as he hears this. He was happy for her but the circumstances behind her current self were a dark part of their past together. "Pietro, Carmen, Meredith, and Gilles could have been alive today if I had been stronger. We could still be humans. We lost a lot." Then he turns to see the sky. "But we also gained other things. Freedom, homes to call our own, families, experiences that we never dreamed about. But above everything else is the fact that we're still alive and together."
"Tosca…. Are you truly happy like this?"
"I am. As long as we are alive and together I'm ok. So let's protect all of this together, partner. I'll be the shield."
"And I have to be the sword?"
"Obviously…. At least for now. The old man told me that he'll get the best blacksmith in all of the realms to make a sword for me. I really want something that can connect to my tail. Having a tail is so useful."
"You do have a tendency to use that tail of yours for everything."
"Is great. Is like having a third arm capable of everything. Stopping my alarm each morning. Grabbing the biscuits that mom and the old man keep hiding in high places from me. Catching my childhood friend that keeps trying to get away from me."
"... Do you have to do that every time?"
"Is the only way to make sure you follow me and don't try to get away when I ask something from you."
"That ice cream was mine."
"I just wanted some of it."
"It was mine."
"All that you own is mine as well."
"No is not yours."
"Yes, it is because you're my partner."
"And who decided that?"
"You did, dummy."
"Greedy flying lizard."
And so continued a back and for between the pair all the way to Grigory. They might have been destined to be together but who said that they'll have a smooth path ahead?
Omake: How it actually went (not).
"That ice cream was mine."
"Nope, it was also mine."
"Why?"
"Because everything that's yours is mine."
"Huh? Who decided that?"
"I did because you're my Isaiah. Everything from your cute blond hair to your charming eyes is mine. You're my property."
Isaiah began to sweat as the tone of her friend turned serious. "Tosca-"
He didn't get a chance to speak as the dragon dived to the ground at full speed. A crash happened and Isaiah found himself pinned to the ground. The small girl was sitting on top of him with a creepy smile.
"This body of yours is mine. Those lips." She lowers her face towards him and licks it. "Are mine as well. There's no way I'll let anyone take you away from me."
Isaiah felt scared and somehow happy. "When did I raise a yandere flag with her?"
Story 10: The Goddess and the Seraph.
Location: Greece.
The cries of a beast died down as her head was cut down. The so-called hero of this legend picks up the head and leaves the area filled with statues.
The land becomes silent as the so-called monster Medusa was slain by Perseus.
But something remained behind.
Orcus the legendary reaper appears on time to recover the soul of the victim of a particularly nasty curse.
"Medusa, the time has come for you. Come, child." Orcus called out to the soul that remained trapped inside the headless monstrous body.
A blue flame arise from within and a female body took shape.
"I have finally been released from this torture?" Medusa asked as she look around.
"Yes. Now is the time for you to go to the afterlife. Come with me, child." Orcus stretches his hand out to the human.
Medusa sees the hope at the end of the tunnel but before she got the chance to touch the reaper, a figure appears.
"Thou has yet to gain mine forgiveness." A female said as she made her appearance. Her body was covered in a golden toga with light armor. A shield and spear were being carried in her hands.
"Lady Athena." Medusa kneels and lowers her head. "Please, release me. I can't go on anymore. All of those people were devoured and killed by my monster persona. I don't want any more of that. I just want peace. I ask once more for your forgiveness. I was weak I'll admit it."
"Thou has tainted a sacred temple. Thou broke the vow of purity and tainted the sacred building with the act of sex. Thou felt for the words of another god and ignored mine teachings." Athena's eyes were filled with anger against her former priestess.
"I was weak and I ask for forgiveness, my lady. I endured the horrible curse for a long time. I became a monster that crave the flesh of man and devour them one after the other. I suffered enough so please allow me to rest." Medusa's soul cried out.
"... Forgiveness can't be offered to someone as thou. As priestess thou were given everything and yet thou felt for the temptation of the flesh. Thou will return to the flesh of the snake to continue to suffer even more." Athena raises her spear ready to seal the soul back into the flesh of the corpse.
She was ready to revive the monster.
And yet before Orcus could move a finger to oppose the goddess, another being appeared.
"You need to learn how to forgive humans, goddess of Olympus." A winged figure stood in between the goddess and the soul. "How much anger is truly left in you to torture this soul for much longer?" Michael asks as he rises his own spear and points it at the goddess.
"Michael! A child of the bible god dares to oppose this godly judgment upon the whore that soiled my temple?"
"Maybe I do for I have seen the soul suffering for far too long. Athena, you're a goddess of reason. You should know that this child is not solely to blame for the act and she has to pay for her deed already."
"Poseidon is currently paying for his sins but Medusa doesn't get the easy way out either. She offered her life to mine temple, to mine teachings, and yet she betrayed all of that as she fornicated for hours to no end in mine temple. She was offered every luxury and yet betrayal was all that we received." The anger was still visible in her eyes.
Michael sights. "If your anger won't settle with just words, I'm willing to be the outlet of that anger instead of her. The child might have turned away from Father's teaching but the eyes of heaven can't ignore her cries for help anymore. This has to end so come at me if that is what you want."
The seraph stood his ground as the goddess stood hers.
Orcus and Medusa were staying silent as they waited for the development of the possible fight.
Athena was completely focused on Michael. Her grip around the spear became stronger as she wonder about what to do. The eyes of the seraph were focused on her and like those of a judge they look down at her. "Danmit why has thou gone so far for one soul?"
Nobody said anything and nobody moved an inch until Athena's spear pierced the ground.
"Orcus take her," Athena says.
"Are you sure lady Athena?" Orcus asks.
"Do it now or she goes back into the corpse for another 1000 years." Athena's eyes glared at the human. "If another life is given to thee, don't make the mistake of ever showing thy face to me ever again whore."
Medusa's soul shakes in fear and nods as she runs into the arms of the reaper. "Thank you, Lord Michael."
"Choose a better path child or you're bound to suffer even more." Michael doesn't turn to look at her.
Orcus bows to both and disappears alongside the soul of Medusa.
"Why has thou descend for the soul of that whore? Has thou ignored her actions?" Athena asks.
"No, father has taught us that all misdeeds deserve some kind of punishment. No evil actions should go unpunished for long at some point all have to pay. She was a priestess who claim to devote herself to your cause and yet she broke the path and soiled the temple. She gained her punishment although it was harsh. Yet she had suffered for 100 years which is far from normal for human lives. 100 years trapped inside that monster is far enough. Even those being punished deserved some forgiveness depending on their sins."
"So thou has forgiven Adam and Eve for their betrayal?" Athena brought up the biggest case of human betrayal.
"... Father has allowed their souls to enter heaven which should answer your question although they will continue to watch humanity without ever getting the chance to join them again," Michael admits.
"Is that forgiveness?"
"A way of putting it but yes. Father has his ways of offering forgiveness. I don't question his actions although I don't personally agree with many."
"Why is that?"
"Because I have a paper to play and doubting him would be a sin. I follow father no matter what even if I don't agree on the inside."
"So a seraph does have its personal opinions? Am I in a dream?"
Michael laughs. The seraph sits near a rock. "Us seraphs are living beings like any other creation with a certain set of restrictions. We can think on our own, we can have opinions but we don't tend to share them nor do we act based on them. We have hearts but we keep them under control. One must control its emotions or we could fall from grace. I have cried for the lives I had to take under the orders of Father but not once did I doubt his decisions. I do what I'm told."
"Complicated thy life feels." Athena was a bit intrigued by Michael's words. Heaven, angels, and the bible god were all a mystery to her. The goddess seats near him and decides to take the chance to hold a conversation with the seraph. "Thou follows thy father blindly?"
"You do as well and yet I dare not to judge you."
"...I…. complicated it is to step away from Olympus yet happiness I don't get from his praises nor do I enjoy to follow his orders. He's…. Not really a father to me."
"So the myth is true. You're not the child of Hera."
Athena shakes her head. "Born from his head; a mystery child that they kept secret; How funny is that some will manipulates the facts to gain favor with Zeus? I crawled my way out of his insides for years after being born. Thou can't imagine the disturbing experience that is to be born inside the body of a so-called father and having to fight mine way out."
"History tends to repeat itself in your pantheon. Kronos ate his children and he ate you before being even born. Not a smart choice if I say."
"Olympus fears change and allowing younger generations from taking over. Those in power won't let go of it even if the younger ones have no interest in it."
"Huh? So the strongest child of Zeus has no interest on the throne?"
"None… too broken, too much drama… I lack the attachment to it and yet a prophecy claims that one day a child born from Zeus and my mother would take his throne."
"Trying to know the future tends to lead to complicated situations if one lets fear take over. Father said the following, "Everyone should live in the present and look towards the future with hope, not fear." I have yet to understand why he looked so confident when he said those words but I do believe there's a reason for it."
"Hope? Does thou really believes in that word?"
"I do. No matter how bad things get as long as there's hope we can continue on and try again. We're still alive after all."
"Huh…. so does thou see a future in which thy fallen brothers and sister would join up with you once more?"
"... Maybe… Azazel and the rest choose freedom to act, to love, and to choose their own path. Well most of them did base on those beliefs but some amongst them won't see eye to eye with those of us that choose father. Maybe one day father and Azazel will seat down to repair the relationship in some ways. Only the future will say."
Athena's eyes were focused on his face. The Seraph was indeed beautiful in terms of his appearance but his words and eyes lacked any sense of lies. A truly pure face filled with hope.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Could…. We meet again like this? Thy mind is a bright one that has caught my interest."
Michael turns to her. "... I also enjoyed our conversation….. Maybe we can meet another time. Look out for my feathers and you might find me."
The seraph spreads his wings and disappears into the blue sky in a flash.
A single golden feather falls on top of Athena's hands.
"... Michael." Athena admires the feather.
And so it began a small connection between a seraph and a goddess.
Across several realms, a girl chased after a winged boy who continue to follow orders.
Their conversations continued. Their exchanges became more personal and yet a line remained in between them. A line in which purity and their positions within their pantheons played a big paper.
Not a kiss, not a word that could make him fall from grace, not a single action that could mean a deeper form of affection.
A platonic connection that YHWH watch over and didn't object to not even once until single until that day.
The day on which the great war began.
Great war, Location: 4th layer of the underworld.
The battlefield was filled with the blood and remains from members of different factions. The scent of blood had contaminated the air of the whole realm as every corner was tainted by it.
Michael arose from the dirt with his whole attire covered in the blood of his enemies. His hopeful eyes had turned cold as the path set in front of him had become one in which he couldn't have any emotions. No regrets, no sadness, no hope, it was to fight with all that you have or be killed.
His golden wings had lost that brightness they once had.
Behind him, a large golem with the power to destroy planets stood as his only partner left as his whole squadron had been lost after so many fights with no end in sight. So many lives, so many of his siblings had died, and yet he couldn't cry.
He couldn't stop for he was given orders and he had to follow them.
"Don't stop until my body stops moving, my son. I'll take care of Lucifer and the others; you and the others must keep any enemies away from our fight. Once the time comes you'll know what to do afterward. So fight and survive until the very end no matter what."
His orders were clear and he had followed them to the t.
Enemy after enemy, gods, youkai, buddhas, devils, even his brethren the fallen angels had all been killed by these tainted hands of his.
A bloodied seraph with only one order. If his hopeful self saw himself now, the shock would be too much for him to bear.
"Michael." A voice called out to him as he prepared to set out to a new fight.
His senses alerted him to the presence of a new enemy. The seraph turned around with his dual blades in hand alongside the golem who quickly pointed its guns at the target.
A single figure stood a few meters away from him. His eyes face is in shock at the sight.
Her lavender eyes were barely visible thanks to her helmet. Her armor was drenched in the guts and blood of enemies. She was standing on her own just like him. No allies just herself.
"No…. not you… please." Michael told himself. His heart began to beat faster as the thought of fighting her became a certain reality.
"Michael…." Athena called out to him once more. As she began to move.
Her steps were not firm. She was barely holding onto her shield and spear. The sight scared him as he expected the worst. Was this the same Athena he remembered? Was she actually going to fight him? He indeed had fought members of her pantheon but she was the one he didn't want to face.
"Michael…."
"Don't…. Please… don't make me take your life as well." Michael continued to point his blades at her and his golem keep his guns pointed at her. "Please…. Turn away. Don't come here, Athena."
"Michael….."
She keep calling his name and with each step, she came closer to him. Her voice was weak. She was almost dragging herself through the filth.
"Please."
"Michael."
"Don't do it."
"Michael."
"Athena!"
The golem opened fire. The first shot scratched her left cheek.
"Why? Why don't you stop?" He asked her.
The second shot knocked her shield away from her.
"..." She didn't reply.
The third shot knocked the spear and yet she didn't stop.
"Please, I don't want to kill you."
Another shot took her helmet away and the sight brought Michael to his knees.
Her eyes were filled with tears. Her cold lavender eyes were crying. Her face was drained from its color and she seemed to lack food for several days.
The goddess fell to her knees in front of him and her head fell onto his chest. She held onto him for dear life. He had no power to face her in that state.
"Why?... Why? Are we fighting for?" Athena asks while crying.
The seraph lies motionless and in silence as he hears her. His own eyes were in tears now.
"... I don't know anymore," Michael told himself as his arms embrace her. He had lost the composure that had kept him stable throughout this whole war.
Maybe it was the heat of the moment but he allowed himself to disobey his orders just this once.
Both cried amongst the corpses and the filth of war. Neither goddess nor seraph knew why they continue to fight anymore.
Millions if not billions of lives were lost, pantheons completely destroyed and Trihexa had attacked all of them in the middle of it, what else was the reason for the fight at this point?
Amongst the tears, a single message reached Michael's ears and his biggest fear became a reality. The magic circle in his ear transmits the voice of the one being that could put an end to all of this.
"Michael, Uriel, Raphael, Gabriel… I don't have much more….. Come to me, my children. Let me see all of you one last time. My end has come alongside Lucifer and the main demon pillars." The bible god had said with a weak voice that had barely any life left.
With tears in both of their eyes, they separated as Athena realized the severity of what was happening.
*Tonari au- The Oral Cigarrettes*
"Go." She couldn't stop him. He needed to go and she let him take flight in that broken state of his.
With tears in his eyes and newly found doubts in his heart, the seraph left his friend behind.
The goddess kept her eyes on him until the very end. "My precious golden wings... will I see you once more?"
It would take 2000+ years until they saw each other again on another battlefield.
*Notes of the author: Maybe my most controversial chapter to date….. Nah... Story 11: Caged dragon: A shoemaker called Uther. Story 12: Cage dragon: A home for us two. Time for that Uther story I was planning on.*