Unlike other times, Diehauser didn't bring Yuzu to have lunch or walk around and have a conversation. He actually listened to her comments and instead brought her to his personal training facilities, which were used by his peerage and him alone. Obviously, but apparently this place became a luxurious facility that the Champion of the Underworld sometimes rented to high-ranking Kings that were doing well in the games.
Honestly, that didn't matter to her. It was obviously deserted when the two Belial got to sparring. His attempts at getting Yuzu to be 'caught up' with the Underworld's trends and customs sometimes felt overwhelming, given how its society ranged from devils with single-digit ages to ancient beings that saw the dawn of mankind and its fall over and over again.
She never thought an explanation about how capes never went out of style could go on for hours, but there she was. Training with someone who was at least 10 times her age, fighting as if the man was in his prime. And he wasn't considered particularly old for his race, she could only guess as to how much more context reincarnated devils had to study to walk around the streets of the Underworld by themselves.
Granted, their common sense didn't differ all the time. But the similarities were far and in between. For example: Diehauser chose to train in the official uniform of his peerage, whereas Yuzu kept her suit-like attire she usually wore. In both cases, they chose to train in the clothes they were the most likely to be in while fighting. However, whereas Yuzu trained for real combat, Diehauser did it for the Rating Games. And it showed. Even in his actions.
"Stop going in close range so quickly. Give your spells time to buy you an opening." The man's words were severe as Yuzu's spell broke down into particles of demonic power. Lingering in the air for seconds before dissolving harmlessly in the air.
"It usually works." Yuzu stated as she stepped out of range of Diehauser's blast, feeling the heat passing close to her face but coming out unharmed by it.
"Usually isn't good enough," Diehauser replied as she thrusted her projected sword forward. Forcing the older devil to move backwards to conjure another attack "You already know I can just undo your spells, I could easily catch you."
Yuzu knew that he didn't actually want to hurt her, so she exploited this fact to get as in his face as she could. Knowing that he'd create gaps due to her recklessness, but Diehauser obviously didn't like the approach.
"Unlikely. Devils aren't that used to close combat." Yuzu spoke as she moved, keeping her breathing thanks to her senjutsu and casting lightning while the older devil conjured blasts of demonic power.
Diehauser rendered the lightning worthless before Yuzu could throw it out. But she simply changed it to fire since no lightning spells would come out while Diehauser used his Privilege Magic.
"You're not…" Diehauser took her flames head on. Undoing them as he stopped in his tracks, with his expression telling Yuzu that she'd gotten on his nerves a little too much "...Taking this seriously."
She surged forward, and the older devil actually sealed away her projection magic before she could swing. Leaving her with an empty hand that had closed like she wielded a sword.
"I am." Yuzu closed her fist properly and threw a senjutsu-reinforced attack. Diehauser's devil body took it, but he was pushed back as Yuzu swung the opposite leg to get another hit in.
The devil blasted Yuzu away, and she could feel her regeneration quicking in as she rolled on the floor. Not healing anything major, but unmistakably repairing some damage.
"You're the one not taking me seriously." Yuzu added as she stood up, wiping the dirt off her clothes "I'm not a baby, I can fight."
"The difference in our power is too wide." Diehauser closed his eyes "The point is that you correct those bad habits of yours so we can go through the basics. Using tricks is fine, but it's not an optimal strategy."
"It's not as big as you'd think." Yuzu didn't change her expression. She understood that someone used to be at the top would look down on her a bit, but that didn't mean she'd let herself be walked over. Not even so gently "You're just older, is all. More experienced."
She showed him her hands, pushing her demonic power while magic circles slowly drew out in the air. Partially made, unfinished. Yuzu struggled against her uncle's Worthless to draw out lightning power but wasn't really getting around it.
"Such is the advantage of Belial's blood." Diehauser cradled his chin, looking with interest at Yuzu's attempt to bypass his power nullification "You're talented, I'll give you that."
Yuzu stopped and motioned as if she had a sword between her hands, getting in position to strike.
"Mom taught me the fundamentals of my Worthless, just like my dad taught me how to use the sword and be on my feet." She swung the invisible blade, tilting her head and sticking her tongue out while keeping her expression even. As if her playful cut had popped her head "I can't change my fighting style now. For the longest time it was all I had."
"You're used to having Worthless on your side, not against you. That's the point I'm trying to make." Diehauser pointed at Yuzu, palm up as demonic power condensed into a small dark blue flame at the front of his index finger "Had I wanted, you'd have ran directly into this. I could've made you weaker, virtually with nothing to take the hit. It's fine if you're quick enough to do something about it, but I think you don't understand how having no power in a pinch can hurt you."
Yuzu considered his words for a moment, but her pride won out as she shrugged.
"Then show me by taking me seriously."
Diehauser frowned.
"Your mother was never this belligerent. Is this attitude coming from your father's side?"
Yuzu felt her chest tighten up painfully.
"Dad was a saint. Strict, but a saint." Yuzu replied with half-lidded eyes "What was mom like, anyway? Very… Devil-like?"
That broke down Diehauser's clinical expression, warping it into something that Yuzu naturally understood, but didn't want to put a name to.
"Kind, earnest… Very, very curious." Diehauser frowned as he spoke "I think no one in the Underworld was as angel-like as Cleria, to be honest."
Yuzu looked away, remembering the cheer of a face half-forgotten. A voice that didn't resemble a voice, simple words that Yuzu's mind clung to. Some of them only resembled sentences because of the context. She didn't always remember her right, and as time went by her ability to recall that woman got worse and worse.
"Do you have any photos of her?" She hadn't asked before. Talking about her mom distressed them both greatly, and if her talk with Miyuki didn't make it obvious; Yuzu wasn't exactly the most assertive about her feelings by any stretch of the word. Asking almost took the wind out of her chest, and she had to bite her tongue to avoid just calling it a bluff immediately after.
"Photos? I have portraits of her." Diehauser moved his head as if he wanted to stretch his neck, but Yuzu suspected it was a simple nervous reflex "The clan all but got rid of her existence, but I do have a couple of things hidden… Would you like to see them?"
Yuzu had to fight against the immediate disappointment when she heard they weren't immediately available.
Visiting or spending time with Diehauser was always awkward, annoying, and left Yuzu with a bitter taste in her mouth. The feeling of distance and having next to nothing in common overwhelmed her, and all the things left unsaid bothered her more than she'd care to admit. Every time they talked about her mom, the sentences felt incomplete. And when he listened, the reactions to the parts of her dad always left her feeling even farther from Diehauser. Feeling almost like he blamed her dad for everything.
Heaven and the Underworld's war spanned centuries, if not more after all. But to Yuzu, he was being unreasonable about one of the few things that genuinely had given her joy in her relatively short life if compared to his.
"…!" She should've said yes immediately, but that bitter taste returned just as quickly as he'd offered. Part of her didn't want to move, to get closer to the clan. Even though she wanted to have the backing like she'd told Miyuki.
There were just too many things she didn't know. One too many details that Diehauser had willfully omitted even though Yuzu could tell.
She was scared.
Yuzu closed her eyes, thinking. If nothing else, wouldn't having something to remember her mom be worth it?
"I…"
The room became a little darker. As if the light all around the two Belial had diminished as Yuzu's senses detected someone's arrival. She locked in on the pillars closer to the walls and the corridors surrounding the main training area, separated by an elevation that was covered in roman-like stairs. Simply something to show off, mostly.
One of the pillars produced an enshadowed shape close to the ceiling, and Yuzu barely noticed Diehauser following her gaze as Sin Devourer popped from behind one of the pillars and soundlessly dropped to the corridor. The Miracle Child seemed to ooze out of the blind spot before letting gravity do its thing, and it actually felt a little disgusting seeing the hooded figure contort his obviously solid body in a way that seemed almost snake-like. Only to act completely normal once he stood on his feet.
Disturbing might've been a better word to describe it, but it didn't account for the way her stomach turned at the sight. It felt like Yuzu saw something she shouldn't have.
Diehauser's alarmed reaction when he noticed what had stolen Yuzu's attention was understandable, but the Belial girl still managed to gather her wits and reach out to the devil before he could attack the newcomer.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" The older devil switched mental gears. Staying firm but without attacking, letting the admittedly suspicious newcomer walk down the stairs and get closer to them.
"I am Sin Devourer, and I am Sin Devourer." The Miracle Child fixed the dark cloak that he wore, pulling from the hems a little as if it had visibly moved in an awkward position. Although Yuzu saw no difference.
"Don't try it." Yuzu told her relative "He's not keen to offer information."
"I believe I've explained enough things to you all to not be considered stinky in that department." Sin Devourer put a hand on his back and motioned with the other "Can't a man keep things interesting with a bit of secrecy?"
"If you're a man at all." Yuzu pressed her lips tighter, simply implying her point in spite of accusing the half-angel of anything.
"Well, if you two must know, I have… Not the authority, but… Permission. Yes. I have permission to break a few rules to my own convenience." Sin Devourer closed the hand he had out, as if he was crushing something with it.
"Some sort of Privilege Magic, then." Yuzu tried to fish for a reaction, but it was difficult when Sin Devourer showed nothing of his appearance and his lifeforce was… Weird. Almost like Yuzu couldn't actually see it, only for it to be there when she stopped focusing.
"Is this the sort of person you get involved with when you spend too much time in the Human World?" Diehauser cut into the conversation with some distaste "You know, I'd have appreciated at least a warning."
"I didn't invite him." Yuzu defended herself "He has a bad habit of appearing out of nowhere."
"If he's not welcome by you, then he's not welcome by me either." Diehauser faced Sin Devourer fully "I'll have to ask you to leave. This is my property, and it is my call who can and cannot get in at any given time."
"Getting rid of me would be a waste of time and effort." Sin Devourer spoke while still approaching, only stopping when he was a couple of meters away from him "As I am merely here to deliver a message to the young lady."
Yuzu didn't like the sound of that.
"And if she doesn't want to hear it?" Diehauser got between the Miracle Child and the Belial girl.
"The Nemesis is going back to base, as he had a minor disagreement with the little sister of Lucifer." Sin Devourer put his free hand back as well. But Yuzu didn't care about him, but rather about what she was hearing "Which, of course, means that you should all let things settle down before appearing in front of the Demon Lords again."
Her uncle didn't understand the half-angel's words, but that was both to be expected and completely irrelevant at the moment. Yuzu walked around him and got at hand's reach with the Miracle Child, drilling holes into the void of his hood.
"Are you sure?"
"I was there." Came his answer.
Yuzu's eyes darted around, thinking.
"Don't concern yourself with the worst possible outcome. It is indeed a minor disagreement, but Sirzechs Lucifer is known to dote on his little sister a bit too much." Sin Devourer explained without seeming to be concerned "Besides that, I must drag the nekomata away from her little sister. And attend to other business, so I'd like to ask you to move at your own discretion."
Yuzu felt a little calmer thanks to the last part.
"So this isn't a disaster evacuation."
"Indeed."
"Okay." Yuzu sighed and turned to face her so-called uncle "I'll go with them."
"Really? There is no harm if you stay here for a little longer." The older devil sounded more troubled than disappointed.
"I wouldn't want to impose." Yuzu replied neutrally.
"No such a thing. Although I'd have to ask for a bit of discretion…"
Yuzu felt disappointment again.
"I'll get going." She reinforced her choice, bowing a bit before speaking "Thank you for your time. I understand that you give me more than I can ask for."
"Nothing is too much for family." Diehauser seemed to give up at this point "Will you be going with…?"
He turned again, but when Yuzu's gaze followed his, Sin Devourer had completely vanished from sight. Not even his presence lingered, which troubled Yuzu a great deal more than expected. Making her try to find him around the halls with her senses, but being unable to.
If he chose, he'd be such a huge problem to deal with that Yuzu couldn't even guess at how they'd do it.
"I… Suppose I'll have to ask you for a safe transport back?" Yuzu spoke as calmly as she could, swallowing the discomfort of feeling more indebted to this man.
"Of course." Diehauser nodded "Give me a minute."
The older devil had her go to the showers before they got going. He seemed to be under the impression that Yuzu wasn't in any actual hurry, but respected her decision and carried on as they departed the training rooms from a secret passage. Diehauser attracted too much attention, and a small crowd had gathered outside. Waiting for him to appear with cameras and other such artifacts, some of which Yuzu didn't fully understand. But Diehauser used his Privilege Magic as soon as they got close to the door to the outside, so she guessed that at least some of them were meant to try to peek or find the devil.
This, of course, made the reporters and fans act up. Given that only a member of the Belial clan would be able to render their tools so useless so soon.
"Are there no magic protections around?" Yuzu had to ask as they discreetly got into a strange vehicle a few blocks away from the building.
"There are, but these people become even craftier by the day. It's the only department in which Ajuka has some sort of competition."
The car-like vehicle passed some streets that looked specifically designed for transition in this way, rather than being the main pathways that traced the city. It seemed that, at least on this side of the Underworld, people either walked or used their ability to fly to move around. With only just a few vehicles moving around. And even then, some were empty according to Yuzu's senjutsu.
Maybe they were meant to fool people into thinking someone was there? But why? Was this method used only by celebrities? Then why use it instead of another method?
"Is there any reason why we're using this instead of teleporting?" Yuzu finally asked, looking through the darkened window as people's attention followed the vehicle until they could no longer see it.
"Is it uncomfortable? I thought you'd be more used to this sort of thing." Diehauser made a face.
"No, it's okay. But it feels kind of out of place here." Yuzu reassured him. Not really feeling bad about, but also not wanting the man to get all over her about this.
"Well, yes. Only the highest ranking devils use the motorized transport. We're talking clan heads, Demon Lords, and the highest Rating Game players." Diehauser explained. But his voice lacked any pride in the fact "They have some blocking magic, and trace the city to teleportation points and offices, or even the manors if needed be."
Yuzu opened her mouth as it clicked.
"Oh, so an 'official business' sort of deal."
"That is so. Sending you back to the Human World will be faster this way, since you're a reincarnated devil." Diehauser looked to his own window "I know just the person that won't ask any details."
That made Yuzu frown.
"Is transportation a problem?"
"What do you mean?" Diehauser sounded a little taken aback by the question.
"Like, why do you have official portals?"
"Because it's an alternate dimension, of course." Diehauser blinked, surprised by Yuzu's lack of knowledge "They go through the Dimensional Gap or Limbo, so of course it's not so simple as to just teleport between locations."
"That can't be it. Lucius had a device that allowed him to teleport between the human world and the Land of Oz." Yuzu put her hands in the air as if she was carrying a box "It can't be that difficult."
"Well, most advancements are made and approved by the Lord of Beelzebub." Diehauser mulled over Yuzu's words for a moment "I suppose that it makes the flow in and out of the Underworld easier to keep tabs on. Even if there are techniques that can do the same. It's not like most people would invest in them."
"Not many…?"
"No. Why would they? Even the Demon Lords simply build their own teleportation points." Diehauser shrugged "But they run the Underworld, so there's not much to do."
"The Khaos Brigade made those though." Yuzu insisted "You've never seen them?"
"I have. But I'm not saying it's impossible, just that the innovations going on in the Underworld are centralized around Beelzebub." Diehauser crossed his arms "As far as I know, the closest there is to someone interested in magic tools is a young blood devil. A child of the Vassago with an interest in creating magic tools."
"I don't get it."
"Blame the pursuit of power rather than advancement. Even the Khaos Brigade mostly innovates in the realm of gaining strength and secrecy." Diehauser looked bothered by his own words, but Yuzu didn't press on the subject. She knew how people got oddly crafty when it came to trying to murder each other. Her own powers revolved around this, to begin with.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Talking about the Khaos Brigade put a damper on Diehauser's mood, and every time Yuzu tried to breach that topic he turned up vague answers that all they did was to make Yuzu angry. She'd get more out of Stain if she sook it out, so she didn't bother. Instead she kept her mind busy with keeping tabs on the presence of those around her, keeping an eye out in case something or someone appeared out of the blue in their periphery. Exercising her guard, as it were. While the devil lord busied himself with his own thoughts.
The station where the teleportation circle was looked like a subway entrance, but a lot neater and overly decorated like most places in the Underworld. They were led via a lateral passage before anyone could recognize Diehauser, and he spoke with someone who looked like a creepy old man coming out of a wall section. He let them pass, but eyed Yuzu with some resentment. Which wasn't new, but she had to wonder whether she'd be able to come back there or not.
Few times she'd come to the Underworld in the time she knew Diehauser, but those meetings had been in private rooms or places that he owned. They usually teleported around, without the need to go through this process for commodity's sake.
Did Diehauser care that much about Yuzu knowing how life in the Underworld was?
"Hope to see you soon." Diehauser sounded reticent to let her go, but Yuzu hurried along so she'd be out of his presence before any unnecessary dialogue could start.
"Take care." Was all she said before leaving the Underworld.
Getting back to base was easier once she arrived in Japan. She didn't even need to contact any of the Hounds, although it still took some time. Mostly because she wanted to get her bearings before going to hang out with everyone.
She didn't want her useless thoughts clouding her mind. Plus, she knew that at least some of the people there were sharp enough to notice her bad humor. And she didn't feel in the mood to figure out if that'd be bad or not.
Case in point…
"You suck at this." Abigail put her hands on her hips as she spoke, immediately accusing Yuzu once she explained where she'd been "Like, honestly? How can anyone suck so bad at asking for favors? Do you have negative charisma? Are you cursed?"
"Isn't it a little too far to jump right into esoteric intervention?" Sin Devourer had arrived before Yuzu, and got in the way as the blonde Invader huffed like Yuzu had just said something outrageous.
"Are you kidding me? I can't think of another reason to suck so much at communication. She has everything in her favor. Ask about the family, do some cold reading. Hell, aren't devils obsessed with power? And just now it occurred to him to train together? C'mon, girl. At least put a little effort into this." Abigail scoffed "I can almost see my dad rolling in his grave. You'd be the worst disappointment he'd ever seen."
"Your dad is dead?" Himejima asked from one of the couches. She and Kiba were brought along, and Kuroka had spent several minutes arguing about how they could leave Shirone out. With neither Lucius nor Abigail paying her much attention as they explained things. But she'd largely stuck to the Knight, checking on everyone as they did their own thing.
Analyzing them.
"Oh, yeah. Gone, reduced to atoms." Abigail showed them a pained smile that seemingly retreated once she changed subjects. Yuzu had to admit, it was hard to tell if she had faked the expression or if she was that good at holding it back "Mom raised us until I became 17 and… Cricket?"
"Hmm?"
"How was mom when you arrived?"
"Fine, busy. I think she missed you when you moved out, but I can't be sure." Lucius shrugged.
"I didn't move out." Abigail stated.
"It looked like that to us. I didn't think anything about you cutting contact until I came here." Lucius pressed his lips together to the side. His cute face made it look like he was pouting, but his eyes looked like he was pondering his options.
"Right." Abigail's attention came back to Yuzu "At any rate, how are you such a disgrace?"
"Cut it out. She's been fighting for her life thus far." Lucius interrupted from his side of the room.
It wasn't like it didn't bother Yuzu, but she didn't want to give the blonde girl the satisfaction of seeing her pissed off. They needed her, sure. But Yuzu knew very well that this girl was nothing but trouble. So she'd rather keep her distance instead of falling for one of her games.
"Sorry, sorry. It's just… I could never, y'know?" The red-eyed blonde chuckled awkwardly "Can you imagine? Not being able to even establish one connection?"
"Mom would probably slap me." Lucius admitted.
"If you were lucky!" Abigail threw her hands in the air.
"You're trying to use a fork to eat soup, meow." Kuroka, who'd calmed down a little more by this point, argued. Lying on the backrest of one of the couches "Yuzu's a fighter, not a diplomat. You'd have more luck asking Bel to do these things."
"Bel's also not that charismatic." Lucius commented, mostly to himself.
"No, but that's the point." The nekomata argued.
"I suppose that's part of the importance of education." Himejima chimed in, looking at Yuzu as she spoke "Rias and I received extensive classes on it."
"You think you'd do better?" Lucius perked up, his expression twisting completely out of the blue.
"Oh, my. I know I'd do better." Himejima put a hand on her cheek "Don't misunderstand, it's not a jab at Miyuzuin-san. It's…"
"Don't call me that." Yuzu hissed "If you must, use Yuzu like everyone else."
"But Luciel-san uses 'Miyuzuin'." Kiba interjected.
"I forget sometimes." Lucius admitted.
"And I forget to call him Luciel too." Yuzu closed her eyes, a bit dejected.
"That just sounds unfair." Himejima said with a smile.
"My child of light," Yuzu sighed, trying to let the building anger go with her breath "I'm asking you nicely."
Himejima's smugness simply seemed to grow, but she didn't press it.
"Is everyone here insane?" Abigail tilted her head and caressed the side of her forehead like she was having a migraine "Why do you have so much trouble being civilized? I get Kuroka, but the rest of you?"
"Is it because I am a youkai?" Kuroka didn't sound offended, but her tails did react to the jab.
"Of course not! You've been on the run since forever, right? I meant it more because of the company that you'd have to keep." Abigail quickly waved her hands in front of her "Cricket didn't get you for long before getting no-diffed by Starry-eyes, right?"
"Doesn't sound that convincing, meow."
"Forgive my sister, the closest to the supernatural she's been before this was that one time one of her exes pretended that his house was haunted to get back in touch with her." Lucius said with annoyance.
"Mom raised no doe-eyed romantic." Abigail crossed her arms "You're either a completely irresistible heartbreaker or you end up pregnant at 16 by some useless idiot."
"That's, umm…" Kiba looked increasingly uncomfortable in his spot.
"That's a bit unfair, isn't it?" Himejima tilted her head demurely "Would you let Luciel-sama fall in that category?"
"Eat your own heart, little crow." Abigail smiled with pity "There are no men like those in our family. The last one almost died twice, I should remind you."
Himejima did not take that well, but she just tightened up and kept her expression of polite amusement up. Putting a hand on Kiba's lap as he tried to get a comment in.
Lucius eyes the two girls neutrally.
"I don't think that's very nice to say in front of him. Isn't he your brother?"
"You're playing the nice girl wrong, like Starry-eyes." Abigail almost spat as she moved around the room "You need to go all-in. Look offended, cover Cricket's ears. And don't pretend like you didn't try to one-up our silver haired cutie here."
"You almost make it sound like you care about me." Yuzu added.
"I won't pretend I don't enjoy cutting loose with you guys." Abigail turned to Yuzu, then to Gen "It feels so nice just treating you like I treat Cricket. Take it as you will, but I don't mean to make you think I don't care about you."
Yuzu stole a glance toward Lucius, using him to measure Abigail's sincerity.
Even he doubted her, but he still kept himself from saying anything.
"As I said, I don't want to make it seem like I want to put Yuzu-san down." Himejima shook her head, hand on her cheek "I know how hard it is."
"Yes, because you too have daddy issues." Abigail turned around, spinning in place until she pointed a finger toward the raven haired reincarnated devil "You speak like you wouldn't turn around and flee if you saw your dad here. The only reason you can even say that with a straight face is because you were transported directly to this spot in the facilities."
Himejima's expression fell and lightning cracked around her.
"Abigail-san, you're going too far." Gen got closer to Himejima once he saw the sparks "Weren't you talking about civility and making it hard to communicate? Isn't being this antagonistic against what you're trying to say?"
"I hope you have a point, Sis." Lucius spoke up, eyeing his sister with suspicion "It's not like you to be this harsh."
"Don't you feel bad for Yuzu? I do. It doesn't sit right with me when a test subject speaks like they're hot stuff." Abigail grinned toward Himejima, now making Kiba put a hand on the girl's shoulder as the blonde Invader continued "But yeah, no. My Sacred Gears help, but my soul is still split. I feel like I'm going insane."
"It is a pressing concern." Sin Devourer chimed in "Regardless of the Tiebreaker's attitude, her powers are indeed necessary on our side."
"We can tell she's breaking down." Kuroka added "It's slow, she recovers, but she won't get better any time soon."
Gen nodded, although Yuzu was pretty sure he just did it to back Kuroka up.
Yuzu did the same.
"Is her case similar to Luciel-sama's?" Himejima asked while clearing her throat, trying to get back her bearings "I don't see any damage in her."
"The Nemesis got his soul put back better than before, more in sync with the snake that keeps him alive." Sin Devourer replied "The Tiebreaker has her soul split with her Sephiroth Graal chalices. Kept alive by her vampire blood and some complex rituals on the other side, just so they can keep using the other two chalices. While the first sustains injuries due to his soul partially merging with another vessel while inside his own body, the latter is under the constant stress of becoming undone and not actually being able to die because of it."
Gen's heated up expression dropped.
"Oh."
Yuzu turned to Luciel.
"Is there an easy way to fix this?"
"We get the other two Sephiroth Graal pieces back with her." He shrugged "The problem is that one is in the possession of a vampire lord, and the other with the third super devil."
"Question: If we don't know something, we're just supposed to ask either Sin Devourer or Luciel-san?" Kiba raised his hand while speaking "Because it feels like they're the two that just know things."
"Lucius has random information about most things." Yuzu nodded "Otherwise, yes. Just ask Sin Devourer if he's present."
"I'm the one telling truths." Abigail pointed at herself with both hands.
"Sis, please." Lucius walked up to her, and led her to the couch where Kuroka laid "Calm down for a bit. That's our current goal, right?"
"Ahaha…" Abigail's voice broke a little.
Yuzu had to admit she made a really pathetic impression. It almost made her feel moved for the blonde Invader.
"Okay. Given that this might be more pressing than expected, and that we're all here, let's make things clear." Lucius got onto the same couch as his sister, but sat on the armrest instead of the couch proper. Kuroka crawled a bit closer to him, placing the top half of her body on Lucius' lap, balancing weirdly as the small guy put his hands on her to help her stay there.
Abigail eyed them before pretending not to notice.
He only resumed talking after making sure everyone was paying attention.
"There's a list of things we need to do, but the ultimate objective is getting everyone to join hands and deal with the Beast of the Apocalypse." Lucius projected an image with his magic, creating a beast made out of darkness resembling a cerberus but more demonic looking "This thing is stronger than anything that has existed, exists, and will exist. It cannot be killed even if every major God and supernatural creature joins hands. It will not stop until the world ends."
"The Beast will end all life, and then our reality will be culled altogether. It's not death. It is annihilation." Sin Devourer came closer to the figure, regarding the whole room "Existence, as we know it, will no longer be. It is okay if a creature exists that wants to end all life. Death, in the end, shall do its job. But this thing is different. There will be nothing left if it is allowed to roam freely."
"I kind of see what Yuzu-san meant…" Kiba murmured.
"Okay. But what do we do about it?" Gen sounded nervous. And Yuzu couldn't blame him, but she didn't ask anything because her voice would betray her feelings.
"We need you to lead the way." Abigail answered "This is why I'm so insistent on you guys learning to behave. And I'll go as nuts on you as I must."
"You want our connections." Himejima's expression turned sharp "You want us to help convince everyone to fight this thing."
"Duh." Abigail scoffed.
"How do we know this thing exists?" Kiba asked.
"It does." Sin Devourer crossed his arms "Although we don't know where it is at the moment."
"That's convenient." Yuzu murmured.
"It isn't." Lucius shook his head, probably not understanding the sarcasm "It's a bother to us."
Yuzu frowned at the comment.
"This thing is the reason why the God of the Bible is dead." Lucius added.
"Wait, what?"
"It was sealed away, because it was too strong to be killed and…"
"No, no, no." Yuzu interrupted "Go back. What do you mean the God of the Bible is dead?"
"Miyuzuin, let's focus on what's important right now." Lucius gave her a look "We're too late to prevent its unsealing. As I understand it, Rizevim Livan Lucifer hasn't sent it to wreak havoc because he wants to enjoy the process. Have his Batman and Joker plot only to use it at the last moment."
"Lucius!" Yuzu insisted "What do you mean God is dead?!"
The smaller guy seemed taken aback by Yuzu's voice.
"Oh, yeah. Big dead." He nodded.
"Wait. So the church is following…" Gen's frown was only overshadowed by his realization.
"An empty throne." Sin Devourer nodded.
"Do they know?" Kiba's voice had become harsh all of a sudden.
"Not all, no. The system works, mostly. But it's not something that most of humanity is privy to." Sin Devourer shook his hooded head "It would've failed a long time ago, but the Voice of God partially merged with the Heavenly System to stop its degradation. The absence of the One is what created things like Balance Breaker and the existence of the Longinus."
"Oh, so that's why Michael runs Heaven. Metatron is just gone too." Lucius looked amazed by the revelation.
The boy looked at everyone, kind of processing their reactions while his sister did the same.
He sighed. Sighed, at the knowledge of the most influential deity of all times being dead.
"Okay. Let's cut this short. I sort of forgot this was a big deal, I really need to take things easy." Lucius caressed Kuroka's ear, searching his words as everyone else slowly came back from the shock "First things first: Aside from Akeno, we'll begin planning to recover the chalice in possession of the vampires. We'll also prepare for Stain on the side. Okay?"
The answer came in varied shades of understanding and caring. Lucius noticed how he'd have to explain this later, but he let them deal with the baggage instead of pressing the topic.
"We should all rest for the day." Lucius finished.
"Nemesis, don't forget the Mechanical Angel will try to contact you for explanations."
"It'd be a great help if you talked normally for these sort of reminders."
"Shidou Irina."
"Ah, right." Lucius scratched his head "Well, planning might take a few days at least. There's no problem."
"If I tap on Akeno's nature, it might take longer." Abigail reminded him.
"Right. We're taking things easy for now." Lucius nodded, then regarded Sin Devourer "You can buy us those days, right?"
"Of course." The Miracle Child nodded "As well as I can give them, you'll have time to focus and prepare."
"Thanks."
"Then, if that's all…" Sin Devourer walked out of the room, his steps vanishing once he was out of anyone's sight.
The room had changed. Gen hurriedly talked with Himejima and Kiba, while Lucius focused on his sister. Kuroka hung around with them, but didn't really contribute. Content to be given some attention as the Invaders talked between each other.
Yuzu felt a little out of place in the middle of all of this.
She'd hated the church, their moral superiority, the hand they played in losing her parents. It hit even harder to know that everything bad happened because they believed their God backed up their actions. That they were right in fighting devils because of their history. Because they had literal Heaven on their back.
Yes, they had it. But the throne was empty. Salvation would not come while the slaughter continued.
Fleeting, meaningless… Life carried on while Heaven closed its gates because no new teachings would come. No call for peace or understanding. Simply a broken record that came back to the same doctrine taught during centuries.
"Miyuzuin." Lucius suddenly was just at arms' reach, looking at Yuzu with some worry "Do you need to sit down?"
"I…"
Lucius took her by the elbow and led her to sit down, carefully helping her along while Yuzu unwittingly let herself be moved.
"Yuzu-san?" Gen came to her almost immediately, looking between Lucius and her.
"Get me some water, Genshirou. Please." Lucius patted him on the shoulder "I got this."
"I… Okay. Be right back."
Lucius saw him go, but Yuzu couldn't focus on something so far away. Or, well, something that felt so far away from her.
"Breathe, Miyuzuin. Deep breaths." Lucius ran his hand on Yuzu's back, softly talking to her while she started doing as instructed "It's alright, you're alright. Just… Breathe."
"Abigail." Yuzu said breathlessly.
"Yeah?" The blonde looked like she wanted to correct Yuzu. Eli, was it? It didn't matter. The Invader had enough presence of mind to not do that at the moment.
"The difference between death and annihilation matter to your Sacred Gear?"
"Yeah." Abigail nodded.
Lucius stayed silent, but his expression changed. Understanding, and a bit of sadness. Yuzu chose not to take him into account.
"What's the difference?" She pushed on.
"Annihilation, as Sin Devourer spoke of it, is close to what would've happened to Cricket." Abigail shook her head "Nothing to salvage, just oblivion. If you die, I can take your soul and revive you. That's what I did with Starry-eyes."
Yuzu closed her eyes.
"Can you do the same with someone who's been dead for a long time?" Yuzu opened her eyes, and Himejima had stopped in her tracks to stare weirdly at her.
Yuzu heard Abigail chuckle.
"I don't really have the experience to explain it properly, but no. I can't."
Something inside of Yuzu's heart broke.
"Why?" She pleaded.
"It takes longer with powerful souls, but they just… Degrade and become… Something else." Abigail explained slowly, putting care in every word "The constituting parts are different. The revenant will probably look and feel like the person. But it's been too much for too long. I just…"
"She's also weak right now." Lucius added "Even if she could, she'd mess it up at this stage."
"My Sacred Gear lets me understand life and death for as long as it is active." Abigail ignored her brother's comment "So understand these words, and understand them well: They're gone. Forever. They no longer belong to the living. And, whatever that means, is important."
Yuzu stood up violently, almost pushing Lucius out of the way. But he moved with her, giving her the space she needed to storm out of the way.
She almost didn't see Himejima do the same.
"I'm sorry!" Abigail managed to get out before Yuzu slammed the door closed.
She didn't care. She kept walking out of the apartment, and only stopped because Gen got in the way.
"Yuzu-san…"
"Get out." She gritted her teeth, looking away.
He looked away… No. He looked at Himejima, who'd stopped just a bit behind her. They all stared at each other, sort of seizing them and not really knowing what to do.
"I…"
"Gen." Lucius' voice came from the door. He'd opened it silently, so they didn't notice him "Let's go back inside."
"But…"
"Give them space." Lucius looked at Yuzu "That's what they need right now… Right?"
Gen looked down.
"I also lost my parents." The blond murmured "I… Yuzu-san, Akeno-san… I understand."
He balled his fists, his expression growing rough as he made up his mind.
"Please, don't feel like you're alone! We're all here for you!" He opened his arms, inviting the two girls. When neither took the initiative, he dropped them "We'll… We'll be here when you need us. So please, remember that. Okay?"
Yuzu took a deep breath. Even in her confusion, she didn't want to lash out on him.
"I know." She whispered "Thank you."
Gen nodded.
"Akeno-san. Regardless of what the others said, you're more than welcome here. Please don't deal with things by yourself."
"I can't." She smiled bitterly "There's a bastard that is also involved in this."
Yuzu stole a glance toward Lucius, wordlessly inquiring about it.
Lucius made circles with his finger. A confirmation, but he wouldn't tell her right then.
She could work with that.
"I… Thanks, Gen-kun." Himejima smiled bitterly at the blond "I'll just… I need to rest."
"Take your time." Lucius motioned for Gen to go with him "Both of you."
"The end of the world waits for no one." Yuzu scoffed.
"Well, it will for you. I'll make sure of it." Lucius looked away.
Yuzu scoffed.
"You couldn't even help yourself before your sister came. What do you mean you'll slow down the end of the world by yourself?"
Lucius smirked sidewise. It fit a lot better in this cute face of his.
"I don't have to do it by myself. We have the Demon Lords, the 3 Heavenly Dragons, and even Abby's Sephiroth Graal. We'll be fine."
Yuzu frowned.
"Three?"
Lucius put his hand on Genshirou.
"I mean, I know Vritra's not one. But this bad boy might as well. He has better powers than both of them."
Gen looked as taken aback as Yuzu and Himejima were bemused.
"Luciel-san, I don't think… I haven't even reached Fate Weaver's…"
"We'll take the compliment." Vritra manifested then and there "We'll also play our part. If not even death remains after the Beast, then we have no choice but to act. Right, my Otherself?"
"I-well, right." Gen raised his fists "Of course!"
Lucius nodded.
"You'll forgive your brother if it means winning?" Yuzu asked more calmly. The sudden shift in topic, and the ancient dragon's presence having helped to clear her mind a bit.
"We don't have time to remove him from his place." Lucius shook his head "While Trihexa exists, that is."
Yuzu scoffed.
Lucius offered her his hand. It was small and filled to the brim with scars. It almost looked like he wore a scab-like glove.
At least he had nails now.
"What now?" Yuzu closed her eyes for a moment.
"You don't have to humor me if you don't want to." Lucius said without placing his hand down.
She looked at it, then at Lucius' cheeky smile. She pondered it for a moment, checking his presence. Seeing that even Gen was confused.
She smiled.
"It's nothing… Isn't it?" Yuzu guessed.
"You got it." Lucius dropped it down "I can give you a hug, if you want. But I thought that distracting you a little would help more."
He turned to look at Himejima.
"Nothing for me?" She tried to use her teasing tone again, but she wasn't in the right mindset to do so.
"I think I get you a little more now. You wanted to see Gen and Miyuzuin, right? See how they acted around us." Lucius shook his head slowly "If I'm evil, you can just leave with them. You know for a fact that they aren't."
"Luciel-san?" Gen chimed in "But… You're not evil. You're trying to help us. Help everyone and…"
"Don't misunderstand, Genshirou." Lucius interrupted him "I am not good."
He regarded the three of them, shifting his stance before speaking.
"I can turn a new leaf, I… Even Abby can probably become good. You're too nice for us, too pure-hearted." He glanced at Gen as he spoke, and the blond seemed to be embarrassed by the praise "But that'd defeat the point. It'd be bad now."
Lucius shook his head.
"I can be the good guy, or the one that saves the world. But I can't be both. We will probably have to sacrifice things and subdue people in our path to victory."
Himejima had forgotten her sour mood by this point as well. And Yuzu didn't feel like adding anything to Lucius' words.
They helped, but she still felt bitter in the end.
"Rest. There's no rush, at least for now." Lucius turned around, ready to walk back into the apartment.
Yuzu didn't really know where to go outside of it, but a glance with Himejima told her that they'd figure it out together.
"Ah, Yuzu, Akeno." Lucius' voice stopped them. He hadn't fully turned around to see them "I'm glad you remember them with joy."
Yuzu couldn't figure out what to reply even after he disappeared behind the door.
