NMHA Ch. 26 - Faith


Lunarunn wasn't exactly the religious type.

She grew up in a Christian household in her previous life, but she never bought into the religion itself.

In all honesty, even at a young age she may have felt something off about the way it was taught to her.

Yet that didn't stop her from having a spiritual focus.

She always felt as though there were something missing, something more to the world, and there was a not insignificant part of her that wondered if, perhaps, that 'something more' involved religion in some form.

It was somewhat validated, considering her soul, forcefully separated from her then-male body via Truck-kun, was then shunted into a new world, one where all those religions of her old world were mashed together in a hodgepodge of personalities and tense ceasefires.

But it did make Luna wonder; if her soul had been passed along to a new Earth, what would that have meant about the old one? Was that too the creation of a 'higher' mind. Was there an infinitely-expanding chain of alternate worlds where people could travel higher or lower after they died?

It was an interesting theory, and one that she'd thought about more than once given the circumstances of her... sudden wake-up in the DxD-verse.

But that was distanced from the main point.

The brunette wasn't religious, but she was spiritually-inclined, and that spirituality may have manifested in her reluctant agreement to break the mold and follow along with Masaomi's suggestion that she entreat with Heaven through prayer.

Though to be fair, it wasn't as bad as she was expecting it to be.

As the Devil and exorcist passed the threshold of the church, Luna was half-expecting to feel a migraine quickly approaching. Yet, instead, it was more a sense of lethargy. She could almost imagine the similarities with her old body's reluctance to get out of a comfortable bed. In a sense, it was an almost pleasant experience.

Were it not for the fact that she could feel the vitality leeching from her body in doing so. In an active holy place such as this, Luna could tell her physical ability was likely reduced to that of the black-haired man beside her.

Not that she believed he'd attack, but the weakness was still a galling experience after knowing strength for as long as she had.

The church itself was all but abandoned, as was expected on a weekday evening in a largely secular or pagan country, but even so Luna could tell that the holy aura emanating all around her was far greater than the one that the Kuoh crew would likely experience when they faced the rogue exorcists and Fallen for the first time.

As they walked up to the pews, the brunette took a glance at Masaomi, who noticed the expression on her face and frowned thoughtfully.

"You know, we don't need to do this. If you don't want to, you don't have to."

Luna paused, then smiled, then walked around to the cross behind the pew. "I appreciate the out, Masaomi. But... you weren't wrong when you said that maybe Heaven might help where man and Devil can't."

"Even when you may well go through a lot of pain asking for help?"

"Yeah. Even then. Often, the right thing to do and the easy thing are directly opposed to each other." The brunette knelt, getting on her knees in front of the cross as her hands came together. "...I don't want to do this. But it's... it's the best chance I have right now at speaking with someone who might understand what I'm going through personally. So I have to."

The exorcist seemed inclined to disagree, but seeing as he'd already convinced Luna to follow through with his harebrained prayer scheme, he decided not to insult her choice and instead stood off to the side, watching her intently, most likely to help if she ended up harmed in some way.

The brunette certainly hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Hands clasped, kneeling in front of the cross, overseen by a combat-oriented priest who still was a priest... it was about as holy a place as she would likely be able to get.

'Dear father in heaven-' Luna cringed as the first of what she knew to be many lashes of feedback struck home, but even then she had to continue. '...No, that's not quite right, is it. I pray... but I don't pray to God. I pray to the system He left in His place, which runs even after His passing.'

She had to hold in the whimper as the feedback kept coming, turning her head into a jumbled mess of pain and words she knew she had to let loose.

'...I... really, really don't know how to do this. It's been so long since I last prayed, and even then I wasn't sure if there was a God around or not. Now I know there is, but he's not around any more.'

It felt like a stake being driven into her mind, and with the prayer continuing the aforementioned stake kept being driven in further, as though being hammered in like a carpenter hammering in a nail into a piece of plywood.

That the supposed son of the big guy upstairs was a carpenter himself was not lost to Luna's senses.

'I don't know what to do.' Despite the pain, once the words themselves started forming she couldn't stop them if she'd tried. 'I've done things I'm not proud of, things I justified to myself were to help others... but how can I be proud of my accomplishments when I've climbed over the bodies of innocent people to do so? How can I keep myself from being pulled into Zekram Bael's game, and keep the freedom I've fought so much for? How am I supposed to succeed in the Underworld, when succeeding means I have to give myself up in that most intimate way, betray myself so totally, to have a child that I don't want?'

Had she not been situated on the ground Luna would be swaying at this point. Even now, her trembles were visible to the exorcist watching her, sweat trailing down her face to mix with slowly shedding tears. 'I don't want that. Not for the kid, not for Ruval or whoever I end up doing the deed with, no. I know that I'd resent them for it all. I know that. And I don't want that, I don't want to become bitter to people who deserve better. But if I don't... everything I've tried so hard for will fall apart, and I don't want that either.

'I want to be a good person. I want to try and make things better for the people around me, I want to make the world a better place for my actions... but what good is that, if I have to violate myself so thoroughly to do so? I'm not God. I'm not Jesus. I'm not that selfless. But I want to be. God, I want to be so badly. At least then I could accept all the shit I put myself through for the sake of others.'

Her teeth grit together, and she could almost hear a cold wind blowing. Was that in her mind? Was that stake cracking something within her open? Or was the pain making her hear things that weren't there? 'I've given, and given, and given, and now I have... I've nothing left to give, that wouldn't destroy me. And I know that even then, it wouldn't be enough. But... but I owe it to those people I killed to do so anyway, don't I? I... I don't know. I don't know, and I know that I won't know unless I get help. And to whoever is listening... to whoever might hear me... I. I need help. I need it so badly, that I feel like I'm drowning.

'I know that with God dead... you can't do much. Whoever is listening. Michael. Gabriel. Whomever it might be. But... agh... even so. Please, help me. Help me. However you can. Please... I beg of you...'

She swallowed, hard.

The last words came out as a hoarse whisper. "...I'm not strong enough to do this on my own."

The nail to her head that was Heaven's System kept digging, and digging, stilled, and then faded as her prayer finally finished.

When she got back up, Luna did feel lighter than before, even as hot tears streamed down her face, mixed with cold sweat.

Though whether or not that was just venting her emotions into the System, or because she felt dizzy from the pain, of which Luna was unsure how she kept from crying out in response to, she wasn't quite sure.

"W-whoa!" Strong hands held her firm as the world listed to one side, the brown-haired Devil in the church needing much longer than she was comfortable with to realize that Masaomi had kept her from falling over.

One hand drifted to the brunette's face to wipe away the fluids that found their way onto it, hot tears and cool sweat limply being brushed aside.

"...This is your fault, y'know," she mumbled out, though she lacked the capacity to glare at the exorcist in question. God, she was tired.

"Interesting..." The Devil's patron echoed in the back of the brunette's head, almost... speculative?

'W-wha...?'

"...I'll explain once you have recovered."

As the voice - and likely the being in possession of it - faded, Lunarunn shook her head to try and shake off the fatigue with only minimal success.

"Did... did anything happen?"

Masaomi was quiet for several seconds, before speaking again. "...It doesn't appear so. That's... unfortunate. And it looks like you're not doing so great right now either; I underestimated how hostile Heaven's System was to Devils even passively. Sorry. This definitely didn't go how I was hoping."

"It's... it's 'kay," Luna mumbled, shaking her head again. "Y'never were... a Devil. Never had to deal with it."

"Let's at least get you someplace that won't drain you like churches do. C'mon, I'll help you out to the car."

The brunette felt her arm get looped across the back of the exorcist's neck, with a grunt as she was propped into a better standing position. With that additional assistance, she found herself able to start walking, though albeit shakily.

"Guess we're... just gonna... do things my way, huh?"

"Yeah, unless something happens in the next couple days, that's probably for the best."

"Mmh. 'least the hard part's over..."

As the two crossed the threshold of the church, Luna felt the fogginess start to disperse, as strength started to return. That didn't mean her head hurt any less, though. Even now, she felt herself struggling not to fall outright.

Apparently, the same was true for Masaomi. "Once we get to the car, you can pass out. If you end up conking out before then though, I'm dropping you."

Luna gave him a disbelieving look. After the trauma she put herself through at his request, he really said he'd drop her? "What... the fuck? Most guys would kill to have a hot chick all over 'em like this."

"Considering it's my fault you're like this, I don't think it'd be right for me to take any pleasure in this current situation."

"Huh. Knew you had a heart." The disbelief broke in favor of a quiet chuckle, before shooting Masaomi a weak grin. "Implies you'd be enjoying yourself otherwise though."

To his credit, the exorcist didn't back down, only shrugging a little as they continued onward. "You said it yourself, didn't you? Most guys would be pretty jealous of me right now."

Luna laughed a little. "I know I'd be."

Masaomi didn't immediately reply to that, making Luna wonder just what she said.

Oh wait. Hm. Did he take that as a flirt, an ego comment, or a hint that her orientation was beyond that of a 'traditional' woman?

Her free arm rose to her hair to run through it exasperatedly. "Ugh. That was supposed to be a joke. Musta come out not right. Shit, must be more out of it than I thought."

That got her a lifted brow. "You're talking more than you were, though."

"Am I?" She blinked, and realized they were back outside, and walking toward the car. "Guess I am. Huh. Head feels in the stratosphere still."

"I can tell."

The brunette winced as a pulse of pain threaded through her mind. "Look, where's the damned car so I can head to the hotel and sleep this off?"

"'Damned car'?" The exorcist turned his head to grin at the Devil. "Ironic, considering my occupation."

"Ha, ha, ha," the Worldweaver drolly shot back. "I'd probably be more amused if my head didn't feel like it got drilled the whole way through, so you'll have to forgive me if my patience is a little thin at the moment."

"Do I need to bring up the arm I broke helping you last time?" he countered lightly, as though speaking of the weather.

Luna grimaced, lifting her own to her eyes to cover them. "Ugh. That's dirty, Masaomi."

She felt him chuckle, even as she saw the lights of a parked car blink, as though being unlocked, in the distance as her arm lowered.

Funnily enough, she felt a little better too, after some of their byplay.


When the brunette was finally able to get some rest, she found herself back in that empty world, the stars above shining brilliantly once more.

Last time she'd been here, the ground beneath her was nonexistent, but it seemed at least now there was something there. A stirring within the black, though she could not tell any further what was disturbing the endless void beneath her feet.

She climbed back to a standing position, cricking her neck to work out a slight stiffness, perhaps from conking out immediately after getting into Masaomi's car. "Guess this is you wanting to talk about what happened at the altar, huh?"

"Indeed. You were too focused on your prayer to notice, but I was not."

Luna turned around to see Ulan once more, with the pronged crown gleaming brilliantly on her queenly image's head. The eyes containing all colors were cast downward, still apparently in thought.

"I gotta figure out how you keep appearing behind me," the Devil commented, though let the matter drop for actual business. "But I'll digress. You said you noticed something, during my prayer. Did it have to do with the reaction from Heaven's System?"

"Yes."

The single word answer hung in the air for several more seconds, before the Worldweaver pressed the issue.

"...Are you going to share it with me?"

"Yes. I am... simply deliberating how to word it."

"Did Heaven's System end up bugging out when I triggered it with that prayer?"

"No. It was acting just as it should. It is simply the nature of the reaction itself that puzzles me."

"That doesn't exactly give me much confidence, especially since it was still pretty hostile. What was the thing that caught your interest?"

"It... paid particular notice to your words," the conceptual being explained. "Perhaps that was why the feedback effect kept growing to the point where you nearly passed out. I almost feel like that would have been a mercy."

"Passing out in an area that passively saps my vitality, while severely debilitated after performing a ridiculously painful act? How would that not have been a bad idea?"

"I..." Luna was not sure the last time she'd seen a conceptual entity seem unsure of itself, if she ever had at all, but at that moment hesitation was written all over Ulan's expression. "I do not believe it prudent to share quite yet."

"Dangling that information's only going to make me want it more, y'know."

"I am aware. And I will inform you of it in due time. Until then, however, I apologize for the frustration caused by my poor choice in words."

The brunette supposed she'd have to live with that for the time being. "...Okay, so what else did you want me here for? If it was just to share that, our normal link would have sufficed."

Ulan inclined her head in a nod, waving a hand to the side. The ground stirred, and the black of the abyss rose. It adopted the shape of a table and chairs, and then sloughed to the ground, leaving behind an actual table with a pair of chairs across from each other. Without another word she went to sit, then gestured with a mildly surprised Lunarunn to do the same.

"That's new," she commented as she took the proffered seat.

"As your powers grow, so too does my ability to affect this inner world without compromising your own capabilities," Ulan explained.

That... caused concerns to rise, and quite quickly at that.

"...Is this the kind of scenario where you could take over my body?"

"No. I gave you a body, it would be remiss of me to attempt to steal it for my own after the fact."

"You're suggesting that you could, if you wanted to," the brunette pointed out with a growing sense of alarm.

The queenly doppelganger simply smiled, locking eyes with the soul she'd stuffed into the original Luna's body. "I... likely could, yes. But my nature would suggest that even if I were to have you strengthen yourself for my own eventual takeover, Lunarunn's body would be unable to host me in my entirety."

Luna swallowed, forcing down her suspicions. Ulan hadn't lied to her yet. Why go through all the trouble of keeping her in the dark when she could have just performed an incursion into the DxD-verse any time she wanted?

Well. Her not being able to fully be hosted by even a prepared vessel is a good explanation.

"So when you say your nature would prevent you from doing that... what do you mean, exactly?"

"I am a conceptual being. Perception, potential, that which could be." Ulan's hand came to rest on the table, tracing slow circles. "But I am not a being which is, like you are. I may be able to influence the world to a certain degree even outside of it, but I am unable to insert myself into the world."

"You say that like you've tried before."

At that, the hand tracing circles stopped. Luna could see Ulan's smile turn small. Almost sad, even.

"I did."

The simple answer hung in the air, as the human-turned-Devil took in that information.

Ulan did try before?

Why?

How?

When?

"So... what happened?"

"I was rebuffed by the rules of the world."

Luna frowned, tilting her head. "By Heaven's System?"

"No. I simply could not enter." Ulan shook her head from one side to the other a single time. "Unless the world were edited to such a degree that beings of conceptual status such as I could freely interact with it then my entering that world is as impossible as teaching a human to fly."

Lips pursed and a brow lifted. "We do have planes, you know."

The conceptual entity gave a knowing smile. "Indeed. And while I myself could not 'board' such a vessel to transport me to the other side, giving someone else access to my powers and having them 'board the plane' is a much more feasible option."

Oh, that made sense. "Which is where I come in?"

"You catch on quick."

Luna looked down in thought at that, drumming her fingers on her knees as she mused over everything she'd just learned.

"So... that does answer some of my questions, but I've got a lot more."

"But of course. I did drop something of a knowledge bomb on you. I will answer what I can, and inform you if I cannot answer. Or choose not to."

There was that, again. The Worldweaver grimaced.

"...I really don't like the being strung along."

"I know. But to share everything before you are ready would end... badly, I imagine."

Well that did not inspire confidence as to Ulan's end goal.

Said conceptual being noted Luna's narrowing eyes and smiled again. "Case in point. I understand that you are leery of trusting others in positions of power given your past experience, but I have yet to lie to you, and that will extend to the three statements I now share. Firstly, I have only the best of intentions for you. Second, I have only the best of intentions for the world I brought your wayward soul into. Third, I will never force you onto any particular path; only offer my input should you desire it."

That brought up another question though, and a brief flare of irritation from the human-turned-Devil.

"Then why do you vanish every time my emotions end up getting the better of me?"

"Because those are yours to work through."

The Worldweaver deadpanned at her counterpart.

"Sounds an awful lot like you don't want to deal with them yourself."

Ulan pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before conceding the point. "Perhaps not. There is a certain level of clarity to be had from distancing oneself from emotions, even if it does result in something of a... reduction in empathy. Regardless, I will not infringe upon your mind when you are already in a sensitive state, even via our bond."

Luna got the impression that Ulan was trying to be a good patron, but at the same time she couldn't help but think of the more selfish reasons why Ulan acted the way she did, and have a stubborn belief that those selfish reasons were the real motivating factor.

"...Are you suggesting that while you're in my mind, you feel the same emotions I do?"

"To a degree, though I watch and feel what you do in such a way that is not unalike watching a television." The conceptual being cracked a joking grin. "As it so happens, I am not one who enjoys angst."

Luna smirked at that. "No wonder you've been so absent as of late then; my headspace is kind of a junkyard for that stuff right now, isn't it?"

"I will neither confirm nor deny that."

The brunette broke into giggles, while the prismatic-eyed copy chuckled.

After the moment of brevity the Worldweaver got back down to business. "But in all seriousness, if you've tried entering the human world before and failed, then why would you use a proxy vessel with someone else pulling on your powers instead? Seems to kind of defeat the point of wanting to enter yourself, especially since you have such a lasseiz-faire approach to what I do regarding... well, just about everything."

"In due time. For now, I will not answer that question."

Luna clicked her tongue, forcing down the brief flare of irritation. "Well, can't say I didn't try."

"Indeed. But I can say this; I appreciate the opportunity you've granted me to see the world in a closer light, rather than as a mere observer."

It was a rather touching notion, but it also gave rise to another question. "You really get that much of a kick from being able to piggyback from my own senses, huh?"

Ulan hummed thoughtfully, looking up into the starry 'sky' before returning her gaze to Luna. "I suppose I do. It is... a novel experience."

"Novel," the brunette parroted, face falling flat once more. "Considering just what this world is in the one above it, was that a pun?"

She was met with a wry smile.

"Why, I believe it was."


"Hey you, you're finally awake."

"I swear to all that is good, if that's the freaking meme..."

"What?" Masaomi blinked in complete bewilderment at the brunette's groaning comment as her eyes reopened. They then shut briefly as the pain registered once more.

"Oh, right." It was the early 2000's. That particular game hadn't been released yet.

She took a brief glance at her surroundings, and noted that they were currently parked at a gas station. Night had fallen, suggesting that a good chunk of time had passed. In fact, Luna herself was still in the car while Masaomi was currently outside of it, helping himself to what looked to be some cup ramen.

First things first. "Never mind, then. How long was I out for?"

"About five hours. You were practically dead to the world the entire time; even when I shook you, you didn't wake up." A brief expression of consternation flickered across Masaomi's face. "You had me worried there for a little bit. I didn't realize that praying would be such a draining task for you."

"I'm not really the praying type to begin with, but you can blame Heaven's System for the jackhammer to the brain bit that comes with being a Devil," Luna looked out the other window, where she could see the skyline of downtown Tokyo in the distance. "Can't say I'm surprised it went that way."

"In hindsight, asking a Devil to pray wasn't the... smartest idea," the exorcist admitted, almost sheepishly.

The Worldweaver fixed an incredulous look on him, before shaking her head with a slight chuckle. "Well, then what does that make the Devil that actually followed through?"

"True!" Masaomi laughed, before taking something off the top of the car, another cup of instant ramen, already made, and handing it over to Luna. "I'd say that Devil is one that at least deserves some dinner on me."

"Ah, a ramen dinner of the cup variety. Truly, your magnamity knows no bounds." Though her delivery was as dry as the ramen before Masaomi had taken boiling water to it, the way she took it and started eating told a far different story to her reception of the food offering. That, and her stomach gurgling dangerously again.

The brunette paused, before continuing to eat, with a slightly downcast expression. Compared to the stuff she'd been sharing with Kuroka for years now, the cup ramen just did not compare at all. Still, it was a refreshingly familiar taste, one she welcomed all the same.

She then turned to Masaomi again and smiled. "Seriously though, thanks for the meal. It's not much, but it'll tide me over until I get to the hotel."

"Yeah, I'd have brought you there myself, but... well." The black-haired man's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Wasn't sure where to find it. Or even which hotel you apparently have a room reserved for."

"Being unconscious definitely makes telling you difficult," Luna snickered, prompting a smile from the person on the other side of the window. "Get in. I'll give you directions to drop me off, then you'll be able to head back to wherever you have as a hidey-hole for the night."

That got Masaomi pouting. "At least let me finish my ramen first!"

She just gave him the bird. "This stuff's not even 100 Yen a cup, you don't get to play the quality card!"

"Alright, alright." Good, the man saw reason. "I guess I'll just need to figure out a place to keep it while I drive you to your hotel."

"I'll hold it," Luna offered.

"And have you eat them both?" He met her affronted glare with a raised brow. "Don't give me that look Luna, I know you're hungry enough for mine as well."

The brunette paused, glaring down at her stomach, which almost in time, made a somehow guilty-sounding gurgle.

"Traitor," she hissed down at herself, making Masaomi chuckle as he rounded the car and climbed in. A startup later, and they were on their way.


"Do you all not see how important it is that we do something about this Lunarunn Bael? If what the Governor-General says is true then we must act!"

Azazel grimaced as he listened to Kokabiel speak, cursing his choice to leave the girl be after crossing paths with her in Akihabara. At least then he wouldn't have to immediately shut his brother down once he had his turn.

Much like he'd warned Ajuka, once Azazel shared the other scientist's findings with the upper echelons of the Grigori the warmongers jumped on the opportunity to try and push for more confrontations with the Devils.

Specifically, this girl who seemed to be coming up so frequently in meetings and reports on the internal affairs of the Pillar aristocracy.

The Governor-General could almost laugh at just how much she was shaking up events, to be quite honest; it appealed to the side of him that drove him to Fall in the first place, that being his rampant curiosity. Also his affection for women, regardless of it was human, Angel, Devil, or anything else in that same branch, but that was neither here nor there.

Some would call it a lustful obsession. Azazel would call them prudes.

'Yeah, if Michael weren't so stuck-up about not Falling, he'd probably understand just how much he needs to get laid.'

But the Fallen could still respect his archangel brother for his steadfast dedication toward filling their Father's very, very big shoes, even if he did fall short far too often.

'Or even if not get laid, at least listen to metal, or rap, or hip-hop, or anything but gospel. Seriously, how does he think that doesn't come off as sanctimonious?'

Oh wait, right, he was at a meeting.

"We are doing something about her," Azazel finally interjected, once he realized he'd gotten lost in his thoughts and that Kokabiel was sneering at his apparent lack of attention. He could multitask, and it wasn't as if he hadn't heard much of what Kokabiel was spouting off before. His singlemindedness was admirable in a way, but in times like these it certainly left something to be desired. "Lunarunn Bael has been identified as an anomaly of special interest, both in the circumstances that have led to her rise to prominence within the Underworld as well as with the findings that Lord Beelzebub thought prudent to disclose to me. She is being monitored even as we speak."

"And I'm saying that isn't enough," the Fallen cadre countered. "You know exactly what happened last time. We were both there to see the impact firsthand."

"I know, and I'm not pleased with this information either." He waved off the implications with a practiced nonchalance. "But what are we supposed to do? Kill a girl who, by all means, seems to be doing good things for the direction of the Underworld? That would mean war, plain and simple, especially with her currently in the spotlight. That's not even considering the likelihood that her presence is as a harbinger rather than a catalyst."

"But there is a chance she is a catalyst," Kokabiel pressed.

"There is." Azazel looked around at the others in the meeting, then continued. "Just like there's a chance that we could all be terribly wrong and reignite a war of extinction for no reason. There is a chance, but it is so fleetingly small that to call it within the margin of acceptable risk would be an understatement."

The other leader stood, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, before stepping behind his chair and setting his hands on them. His gaze, now reopened, shifted between each cadre present.

"It wouldn't be the first time we've erred. Even our brothers in Heaven do. There has never been a living soul to make not a single mistake in their life." Kokabiel lifted a hand to stare intently at it. "But if it means protecting that what Father died to save, then I'd gladly run the rivers red, even if this girl is just the messenger."

"And that is why Azazel and I want to wait before committing to an irreversible action," Shemhazai added in, glancing over at his superior and continuing once he was given a brief nod. "Until more information becomes known, acting subtly will give us the greatest opportunity to act should the worst come to pass. That doesn't mean we can't prepare though, and Lord Azazel does have plans in store."

"So then why are we not doing that? Why are we not mobilizing?" the Fallen warmonger threw his raised hand out to the side, fingers splayed. "Why are we entreating with Heaven rather than adding to our own numbers? Why are we sharing a living space with Devils rather than making a home for ourselves?"

"Because if these signs are true, then we will need all the help we can get."

Kokabiel's hand lowered back to the chair, and started tapping it. "Even if it means shackling ourselves to playing nice with the creatures that steal from the well of humanity's potential, and the hypocrites who would hold an endless vigil over the empty throne of a dead creator?"

"Even then."

The long black-haired Fallen's fingers stopped drumming the top of his chair.

"Please pardon my language, but that's bullshit Azazel."

Azazel, who had been nonchalant before, perked up with the gaze of the leader of the Grigori, even as the others in the room recognized the sudden shift in intensity.

This was new.

Kokabiel always held himself as an exemplar of the Fallen, even as a warmonger. That the cadre would swear directly at his Governor-General was both indicative of the increasing divide between them and the fervor he held toward this topic.

This conversation had just taken a dangerous turn, and the worried glances toward him from both Baraquiel and Shemhazai only emphasized the matter.

"Please explain to me why you believe our current course of action is an untenable one then, Kokabiel." He spoke, and his voice was but a murmur, yet it carried across the room loud as though he'd said it through a megaphone.

"We Fell because we didn't agree with the rules our Father placed upon us," the cadre replied, meeting Azazel's gaze evenly. "We sought to protect humanity, nurture it, guide it, much like He did when He lived. We loved His creation so much, that we tarred the wings and threw away the home He gave us so that we might live true to our own values."

Kokabiel gestured now to Azazel and his bearded vice-general, breaking eye contact to glance at the others. "For you and Baraquiel, it was to experience the affections of mortals despite their fleeting lives. For Sahariel it was to delve into knowledge He had deemed taboo, even when it led to events that helped kick-start the human Renaissance era. For Tamiel and I it was because we thought we might help look after humanity when it faltered, like in the second World War.

"We may have Fallen from the grace of Heaven, but that does not mean we have not done good in this world by choosing our own path." His red-eyed focus, which had shifted between the other cadres, shifted back onto Azazel. "So why are you insisting that we stop doing so now by making peace with the very same factions that are so stubbornly fixed in their deceptive ways, and by sitting by whilst we receive notice of a returning armageddon?"

"That, I believe, is somewhat disingenuous," Sahariel spoke up, adjusting his glasses. "Even now, the Underworld is softening its stance on both their superiority and evading accountability. Ironic that you would seek to dispatch the very same individual who appears to be spearheading the efforts to do so."

"And what of Heaven?" Another cadre pushed a strand of violet hair out of her face as she offered a counterpoint to Sahariel's argument. "What of the Church led by them? Last I checked, they're still covering up scandals left and right, right up to the biggest secret of them all."

The scientist had the sympathy to wince. The Fallen knew full well what a shitstorm that would be once the truth regarding a number of priests finally made it out into the public. With good reason too. To say nothing if the truth of Nietzsche was revealed. That'd be doomsday in its own right.

"Thank you, Penemue," Kokabiel nodded her way and got a slight smile back before turning to Azazel once more. "I think the fact that this single anomaly, as you put it, is making waves in the Underworld in such a small period of time from her debut is indicative enough. Of how dangerous she could become, should she be left to her own devices. Her climb has only sped up since her initial appearance, and shows no sign of slowing down."

The long-haired Fallen cadre's face twisted into a scowl. "There is something going on with that Devil girl, something big, and that is why I want her dealt with as soon as possible now that you have shared the information Beelzebub disclosed. She's a centerpiece in some grand design, and I do not like the idea of standing idly by while the pieces fall into place around her."

Azazel sat and digested Kokabiel's point of view, because in one sense he had a point.

"Are you concerned that with her rapid ascent she might one day prove hostile to the Grigori?"

The warmonger's eyes slid shut. "Devils are descended from Demons. They're creatures of instinct and ambition. If they end up with another Sirzechs Lucifer then there's no telling what they'd do with that extra power. It may well be the end of all angels, be it Fallen or no. At the very least, I'd rather free the world of Devils in the process if we are to fight to extinction."

The two-toned Fallen gave a lopsided smile. "I don't think that will be the case."

"Don't you?" The other Fallen glared at Azazel again. "How can you say that when it all lines up? The appearance of the girl, the new Devil bloodline she bears, the shifting of the political gears, and now this? Even if the information that Beelzebub gave you was tampered with or outright false, the fact still remains that her reach is expanding at a rate that should be alarming to everyone here. I don't understand why you would have us make peace when the balance of power, which has already been sliding in the favor of the Devils, is about to come flying completely off the table!"

"You have a point, I won't deny that. The Evil Piece system basically means that Devils have the opportunity to replenish their numbers, especially if it becomes an aspect of Devil life that not just the one percent can obtain." Azazel tapped a finger on the table. "The fact of the matter is, we're all hurting, and Devils have always been the quickest to adapt to adverse circumstances. But then you also have to take into account outlying factors. For instance, Evil Pieces are relegated solely to the one percent due to High-Class rank requirement, plus the status and influence a Peerage can bring to a King."

Seeing that the others seemed to understand what he meant, the Governor-General continued laying out his own explanation. "At most, a single generation of Devils, following the one percent rule, will only be able to increase their numbers by fifteen percent of that generation at the very maximum, and that is not including members that take more than one piece or pieces that go unused outright. Of course, the real numbers would show that the Devil population with access to Evil Pieces is even smaller, only in the low triple digits."

"That's still a significant amount of additional power. They tend to hunt for Peerage members with significant skill or gifts such as Sacred Gears," Kokabiel tacked on.

"It is, but we also have the experience advantage," the heterochromatic-haired Fallen riposted. "Devils as a race are adaptable, but new ones still take time to grow into their strength. Decades, if not centuries, for many. I'd say our current balance of power has a good half century before any one faction ends up becoming notably more powerful than the other. At the rate that we're going, I'd say we could have an actual peace treaty in thirty at the latest."

"You know how I feel about trusting Devils to hold their end of the bargain if they are in a position of power," Kokabiel growled.

"Which is why Michael is also taking part, and not just as the third party; he's always had a keen eye for sniffing out loopholes and details in formal agreements, and as much of a pain as that has been on our end before, it now helps ensure we all do our part. Devils may be crafty, but they have always held true to their deals, at least as far as the wording goes. If we do achieve a peace deal, then they will abide by it without fail."

"I'm aware." The curling of Kokabiel's upper lip was indicative to the extend of his distaste. "I still don't like it."

Azazel smiled indulgently. "I'm aware. But I've led us this far, haven't I? I would hope for you to put a little more trust in your Governor-General."

Kokabiel knew he could hardly argue that point, and so discarded the topic to pursue the main meat of their discussion. "...And what about this Lunarunn Bael herself? We still haven't gotten to the point where you explained why you feel it prudent to not dispatch her."

"Well, that's simple. You're not wrong about that information about Luna being a bad sign, whether that's as a messenger or catatlyst, but the girl herself seems to be... mostly harmless, as an individual."

Kokabiel scowled again. "How so?"

"Have you heard the circumstances around her revival?"

"She's been likened to Lazarus, yes. So?"

"Funny thing, that. As it so happens, she claims to have been a human before, though her lineage is strictly Devil in nature."

The Fallen cadre scoffed, shaking his head with derision dripping from his tone. "Delusions and nothing more."

Azazel hummed. "I wouldn't be so sure. Though the details of her prior life is sparse, I recently heard something that lends credence to her claim. As it so happens, our brother the Archangel recently contacted me with a request..."


"So, before you go on any further, let me just repeat back to you what I heard." The black-and-gold-haired Fallen set his drink down, a fine wine, as he sat across the table from the brother leading their late Father's kingdom.

Michael took a sip of his own drink, simple water, before continuing, one brow curtly arched from under the hood of his cloak. "I believe you heard me just fine, Azazel, but I will not stop you."

"Right, right, so." The Governor-General checked the privacy seal around them to confirm it was still working before he continued. "Just a couple hours ago, the conceptual system that Dad himself built saw it fit to notify you of a prayer."

A nod. "That is correct."

"Of that notification, you came to realize that whoever was praying was suffering through the effects of the Heaven's System backlash effect on Devils, and kept praying anyway?"

"Indeed, I was rather surprised myself."

That he even asked Azazel to meet in a cafe like this was telling. "So after doing a little digging through your memory, you recognized the person as the girl that Sirzechs had come to tell you about, who gave off warning signs in that particular area?"

"If she was willing to put up with the hostility of Heaven's System, then I can only imagine the sort of struggle she is going through."

The Fallen leader couldn't help but snort. "Yeah, no kidding. Heaven's System isn't exactly known for being gentle after all. What I find a little hard to believe is that she has a unique color of prayer."

Michael just smiled in a self-deprecating manner. "Colors are about the most I can make of the prayers that pass by, and most of those are white on the usual black backdrop of Araboth. Red-rimmed white would be easy to pick out, even if the System itself hadn't brought it specifically to my attention."


Kokabiel stared Azazel down. "And are we really supposed to believe that such information so conveniently plays into your argument?"

"I mean, you don't have to, but then you'd be acting irrationally," the leader of the Grigori floated back, tone layered with facetiousness before his false cheer faded for a serious expression. "It does add up rather well, though. My sources have informed me that after waking up, Lunarunn expressed shock at the size of her parents' own home, which by Devil standards is incredibly modest. She has a fascination with magic that outstripped even her prior interest, and is able to blend in with human populations almost seamlessly. Furthermore, she has expressed curiosity for the Underworld as a whole and has repeatedly mentioned her lack of familiarity with the standard level of Devil wealth, much less those in the high class. All very human traits, particularly for one who was never before aware of how the Devil's Underworld works."

He leaned forward, placing elbows on table and chin atop hands. "Plus there is Satan Beelzebub's introduction of her, as a Reincarnated Devil without an Evil Piece. It is not wrong to doubt information, but all the evidence points to Lunarunn Bael's soul, at least as of the past seven years, being that of a human's. Considering the reason you fell from Heaven, Kokabiel... "

The cadre shook his head once. "If she was human before, she isn't one now. She bears the blood of Devils and body of one, so a Devil is what she is, even if not by way of Beelzebub's reincarnation process. And so she will be until her soul is shed from its shell."

"How... materialistic of you." Considering they were angels that wasn't exactly a common viewpoint, but considering Kokabiel Azazel figured that would be his reasoning. "Allow me to continue about the brief chat I had with Michael, though."


Azazel leaned back and took another drink, before setting his wine down with the exaggerated swagger of a regular bar-goer. "Why bring this up with me? It's not quite like you to get in touch with me just to share this."

"You don't get it?" The archangel made an expression of surprise, but Azazel could see through the act plain as day. "You always were one of our smartest. Hm. Truly, it is a shame that you Fell."

Oh, Michael was going to be passive-aggressive. "Don't be like that. What's done is done, and I for one am happier."

"Happier for abandoning the lives Father had set out for us? For you?"

"Spare me the sermon, Michael. I made my choice, and even if He didn't agree He accepted it all the same. Much more than most of His children." The Fallen with two-toned hair muttered the last part to the side, but the other angel heard it clearly. Just as intended.

"I can see your selfish tendencies have aged quite well." Michael's expression at that point could be described as chilly disdain.

Azazel did so dearly wish to continue. But enough was enough. "Look, why don't you just tell me why you're here so we can stop acting like the estranged brothers we are and get back to our own lives?"

"Of course." The golden-winged archangel took a deep breath, looking almost pained to say what he was about to, but then spoke.


"So... let me get this straight." The violet-haired Fallen who'd previously aided Kokabiel's side of the discussion spoke up again, one brow lifted, one eye squinted, and both staring at Azazel with disbelief. "The leader of Heaven itself came to you and asked you to try and help this Luna girl with whatever it is that provoked her to pray?"

"Yep." Azazel popped the 'p'. "Said that Heaven's System singling her out was important for some reason. As much as Michael and I have our differences, we definitely agree on that matter."


"Eh? Heaven asking a crow like me for help? I'd have thought the skies would be red with the fires of doomsday before that happened."

"If you would kindly listen, rather than run your mouth, I would explain why."

"Sure, sure." The Governor-General waved his hand flippantly at the archangel. "Fire away, Golden Boy."

"Kh." Michael's nose twitched as he knew that Azazel was intentionally provoking him. Even in a ceasefire, he always pushed the limits of what he could get away with. Though, in this case Michael had technically started it. "Heaven is not the bastion of light it once was. With Father dead, our power has diminished significantly, even if our religion remains one of the most influential and powerful in the world. Were He still alive, I would go to the girl myself and offer what wisdom I could. As it stands, however..."

"Let me guess." The Fallen Governor-General lifted a brow. "You need to keep things fair, to keep from stretching yourselves too thin, so even if Heaven's System itself notified you of her prayer you can't act on it?"

"That... is about the gist of it, yes." Michael sighed, letting his eyes slide shut and head tilt to one side with arms crossed. "It is also why I now ask you to keep Gabriel out of this. She is biased after hearing Miss Lunarunn's story, and may see the girl's prayer as a reason to act with rapidity, rather than with the discretion that has kept Heaven intact after Father's passing."

"Keeping secrets from dear sister? Dad's empty throne must weigh pretty heavily on you."

The archangel's eyes reopened, colder than before. "I do what I must to protect Heaven and its people. If that means keeping secrets from my siblings, then I will gladly bear any guilt I feel in doing so."

"Heh. Always the self-sacrificing one. Then the only reason you're asking me to hunt this girl down and give her the 'wisdom of the heavens' is because your own hands are tied?"

"I already know you have also been keeping tabs on her, both as a rising star in the Underworld and as an anomaly based on the information we both received from the Satans. Stepping in to reconcile the strife that led her to pray would not be difficult for you, I imagine." Michael's nose scrunched up in distaste. "Plus it might 'win' you some 'points' with her, as you would put it."

Azazel laughed. "You really do know me too well, huh?"

The leader of Heaven's harsh gaze and expression softened. "I am your brother. And as much as I would prefer it not to, I've come to understand that sometimes Heaven's light alone can't reach the people who need it."


"To cut a long story short, Michael's basically given the Grigori the okay to start interacting with Lunarunn, without interference on their end. The Underworld may be a different matter, but somehow I doubt Luna would care overmuch." The Governor-General pressed his fingertips together and pointed them at Kokabiel with a sly smirk on his face. "If a Devil prayed? Well, that can be indicative of a strained relationship with the Underworld in general. And we as Fallen have always been good at exploiting such things, haven't we?"

That rhetorical question hung in the air for several moments, before Kokabiel spoke once more.

"So the reason you would not have us dispatch this girl..." A brow lifted. "...is because you want to have her join us?"

"It's because we have an opportunity to gain another ally, yes. One that has the attention of all three factions at that, and is as you mentioned rapidly growing in strength to boot, yet remains... inexperienced. Perhaps even naive. The White Dragon Emperor is one notable Devil which has defected to the Grigori, though the impact was limited by his hybrid nature and his relative obscurity at the time. But if another Devil defects, and one as high-profile as Lunarunn Bael at that...?"

Azazel's smirk had twisted into a grin. "Once is coincidence. Mephisto Pheles, self-imposed exile in protest of a static aristocracy, now affiliated solely with Grauzauberer. Twice is happenstance. Vali Lucifer, defection due to the Underworld's inaction regarding the 'True' Satans. He's technically unaffiliated, but after my taking him in he's part of the Grigori in just about every matter that counts. Three times though? That's a pattern. With Luna, the Grigori would be on strike two for defections, but for the current state of the Underworld? Strike three."

The dawning realization on the other cadres faces made the Governor-General's day. Truly, they were blessed to have such a cunning and intelligent - 'And handsome, if I do say so myself~' - leader keeping them all in one piece.

"Fine, I get what what you have in mind." Indeed, the loathing that the warmonger felt from having to concede even that point was practically palpable. "But again, what happens if she does prove to be a catalyst?"

"Simple, really." Once more Azazel pointed to Kokabiel with his hands pressed together at their fingertips. "Keep our friends close, and enemies closer. I would rather have her as an ally at the least, or a part of the Grigori should our fortune be for the best, but if she does turn out to be someone that needs removing..."

"...You..." Kokabiel ran a hand through his hair, clearly fighting down his frustration. "Why would you not lead off with this first instead of taking us on your convoluted tangential reasoning?"

"Because it's fun to lead you around by the nose?"

"I-" Azazel nearly snickered at the twitching vein that had appeared on his most battle-hungry cadre's head, as well as the groans from a couple of the cadres present. As well as a small smile of amusement from Shemhazai. Truly, he and Shem had a rapport. "-have many things I would like to say to you right now, and all of them curses."

"I can't say I blame you." He'd gladly take the implied threat as a compliment. "That being said, do you have any further complaints regarding what our course of action with the Bael girl is?"

Kokabiel worked his jaw in both directions. "...No. But I plan on pushing for execution again if there's even a hint that she is a threat. And I have every intention to be the executioner."

The Governor-General's grin widened. "I don't think anyone here could think of a cadre better suited for the job."


A/N:

Helluva Boss is hysterical. Also gave me a new perspective on life in Hell, though I may have been too busy laughing to write anything down. Oh well.

Late chapter is late. I blame job hunt, then work, then Steam Summer Sale. Then a lack of motivation to write again. I almost feel like this chapter could use a little retooling, but at this point I need to set it in stone since it's already been two weeks.

Eh. It's here though. Hope y'all enjoy the chapter, as well as my depiction of Kokabiel!

Also six and a half months since i started this and i am still writing this semi-consistently, holy shit

The poll is pretty neck and neck right now. I'll give it another week before I make a choice either way regarding the 'prologue'.

Tempura Wizard out.