Chapter 24: Pursuits
Power.
In the end, it eventually all boiled down to it. I could be clever, using guile and cunning tricks to work my way around it, but without power I was always going to be working on borrowed time.
I stared at the list in my hand, going over the options in my head. All of the last three before Infinity would be far, far beyond my ability to resurrect as it currently stood. There was of course, also the loophole closers that Catharsis had placed on my method of visiting other worlds. There were some things he missed, of course, though I doubted that was unintentional.
I stared at the three names. Mentally I crossed out two and was only left with one. The first was impossible for me to get sufficiently far enough in a single day at my current speed. The second was populated with far too many monsters that would not take kindly to me causing chaos. The last one left had a similar issue, of course, but they had the benefit of no guiding intelligence.
My mind made up, I closed my eyes and went searching for a version of the world that matched my needs.
Tiamat was settled in my Manor's lands and all my Peerage had assignments. I had notified CC that I would be gone for a while, I trusted her to be able to handle any unforeseen occurrences. The situation was precarious, but the sooner I started, the better. I would only be able to attempt this again in 30 days and time was of the essence.
I was suddenly surrounded by stone, a massive door sealed tight behind me. I breathed in the dead, stale air, taking stock of my slowly depleting Demonic Power. This world was governed by a jealous, spiteful shit of a God. Anything that was not natural to it or specifically allowed by him was not welcomed here.
Meaning the very world itself rejected my presence. It was passive for now, but I was sure that if I stayed for a while it would very swiftly become a lot more active in removing my presence. Thankfully, the Labyrinth I was in was built specifically to frustrate the God and his followers, so for the 24 hours I had I was likely safe.
You see, I could only transfer to a world if I intended to recruit my target. However, if I could not reach my target in that time, well… as long as I fully intended to recruit her if I did reach her, so long as I was moving towards that goal it would be allowed.
At least that was my theory, so far it seemed I was correct.
My attention was brought to some shambling, weak looking skeletons moving towards me, brandishing rusted weapons. I slashed my hand in front of me, the blade of disturbed space making quick work of them. I noticed that even that, a spell I knew inside and out, took more effort than it should have to cast. Interestingly, it was also far weaker than it should have been, seeing as a few of the undead had survived the assault, even if not wholly intact. It seemed the world made the spell deteriorate even as it executed.
Involuntarily, a smile split my face.
Perfect.
My Bloodlust rising, I swiftly started moving, seeking out more enemies, more challenges. This maze would be the rock against which I would sharpen myself, until I could cut those that currently were far above me.
I couldn't wait.
Ajuka carefully placed the blackened feather into the beaker, the arrays of his masterpiece all pointed towards it. He turned around after securing the glass tube and moved to an ornate box, malefic runes lining it. Opening the box, he reached in and pulled out a small, ornate golden cross.
The cross burned, its consecration from the Orthodox church still holding strong even in his grip. Of course, he was more than strong enough to resist such a relic, especially one that was only created in modern times.
It would have been so much easier if he did not have to rely on such things, converting Holy Energy into a form that could be interacted with by his magic and then back again was exceedingly difficult. Unfortunately, he had attempted this with only Devil magic and had failed spectacularly. The Conceptual weight behind the natures involved were just too much to overcome.
Placing the Cross into the prepared crevice of the machine, he waited as it was integrated into the complex, intricate spell work that he had painstakingly constructed. What he was attempting was decried as impossible by almost the entire world, but he would prove them wrong. Even if it was successful, of course, it would still need to be tweaked and integrated into a system similar to the Evil Pieces, the full scope of his achievement unlikely to ever see the light of day.
He understood why, of course. The three way stand-off was the only reason peace was even possible. If it came out that two of the factions had a way to completely re-approach each other… well, they wouldn't need the third then, would they? Diplomacy, was, as always, a balancing act.
That's why he would convert the Evil Pieces, it would be the perfect offering. The Angels got to increase their numbers, the Fallen got to corrupt and tempt more Angels and the Devils got the peace agreement that the New Satans had staked so much upon.
Win, win, win.
But that all started at this first step, however. Ajuka held his breath as he started his creation, the holy glow disappearing from the cross as it was converted to his familiar, green magic and then back into holy light by another precisely placed Relic.
His grin had never been wider as the black feather slowly started turning white.
He was right. He was right! With enough effort and understanding, even God himself could be proven wrong.
"So, you are the one the little Sagan made his Queen?" The rumbling voice questioned.
"Why, do I disappoint in some way?" Came the uncaring response from the green-haired immortal.
"You are." Was the blunt reply, "I expected someone that he was willing to go to war with his entire race over to be more impressive."
CC scoffed, "You are talking about things you don't understand."
"I understand ingratitude very well, little witch." The Dragon glared at her, "You should have learned that debts have power."
Her large eyes stared into CC's own, "Especially the ones we do not wish to acknowledge."
"Whatever." The witch dismissed, the dragon finding her flippancy strangely refreshing, "I did not come here to get lectured."
"Fine, continue to deny the obvious. Why are you here then? Invading my den for amusement?"
"Hardly. I am here because a messenger from Ajuka arrived looking for you. Apparently your new residence has become common knowledge."
"Ah." The Dragon considered this information, "Are you not worried that he will call in his favour to get me to leave?"
"As you have insinuated, I am very old, Dragon." The witch was unamused, "You would not sully your reputation so easily."
"Wiser then you appear. Perhaps that is intentional…" She sighed, the large exhalation of air ruffling the long green hair of her conversation partner, "Do you know what he could be wanting of me, seeing as you are so sure that it does not run counter to your King's interests?"
"It's likely to do with their response to the recent debacle that you alluded to earlier." The veredette replied, "Supposedly they are going to introduce some 'neutral arbiters' to watch over the games and ensure that such interference does not occur again."
The Dragon regarded her, "You disapprove of the plan?"
"You find me someone down here who is truly neutral and it might work." The Dragon smiled at that response, "As it is, this is all likely just lip service."
"Appearances often matter more than the actual substance of the matter when it comes to rulers."
The witch snorted, "Isn't that the truth?"
"Kasane, I need to talk to you." Naomi seemed very hesitant, "It's about Damocles."
"Hmm?" The white haired girl hummed, looking up from the floor plan she was studying.
"I…" Naomi swallowed, "I think he killed someone."
Kasane blinked, surprised. She stared at her sister, before blankly asking, "...and?"
Naomi looked shocked, "What do you mean and?!"
"He was going to kill Diodora. I've also killed people before." Kasane explained, her voice level..
Naomi flushed, "But that was in combat, I'm talking about killing someone innocent. A murder."
"Oh." Was all Kasane said.
"Doesn't that bother you at all?" Was the incredulous reply.
"Not… really?" The statement came out more as a question, "There is still a lot of things we don't know about this world. If he thinks that it was necessary… I guess I trust him."
"But, killing someone who isn't an enemy…!"
"I was going to kill Yuito." Kasane's statement shocked Naomi into silence, "II was told it was the only way to stop the Kunad Gate from expanding and killing everyone."
"That's… That's insane." Naomi struggled to comprehend what her sister had just admitted, "But that's different, that was to save the world, it's not like what Damocles…!"
"I didn't care about the world." Kasane was staring seriously at Naomi, her red eyes showing the resolve behind what she was saying,, "I was going to do it to save you. If killing him was what was needed to reverse your otherization, I would have still done it."
The blonde was shocked speechless at the ruthlessness on display, but Kasane wasn't finished, "Damocles and I are alike, I think. We would both do anything to protect those close to us."
As she finished her sentence, Kasane smiled softly.
"Oh my word…" Naomi breathlessly whispered as she watched her sister's expression, "You like him."
"Of course I like him. He's a friend, no?" Kasane tilted her head.
"Not like that, romantically. You're attracted to him!" She seemed a bit numb, "His plan is working…"
Kasane went slightly red, "No, uhm, I don't think… What do you mean his plan?!"
She quickly tried to change the topic.
"He loves us. That's why he's going so far for all of us, why he almost killed Diodora, he wants all of us. Romantically."
"Oh." Kasane blinked, "Is that… normal?"
"Of course it isn't! Did you hit your head?" Naomi wildly gesticulated with her arms, "It's supposed to be one man and one woman! That's the proper way it's meant to be done!"
"But you like him too." The blunt response scored a critical hit, "You always watch him and fret over him whenever he pushes himself too hard."
"That's, uhm, he… I'm just looking after him because he's our employer!" Kasane narrowed her eyes at that, staring at her sister who eventually deflated.
"I'm just worried, Kasane. He was so casual about it… have we been caught by a monster? How far would he go?"
"Of course we've been caught by a monster." Kasane unfurled her wings, "He turned us into monsters too, remember? When he called himself a Devil, I was expecting to pay a much steeper price for him bringing you back to me. Instead, he's welcomed us into his family and made sure we are safe and comfortable."
Naomi looked at the floor, torn. She knew that Kasane was speaking sense, but her morality was still screaming at her that the situation was wrong. She started when her sister stepped up to her and wrapped her into a hug.
"Whatever happens." Kasane whispered to her, "I swear I won't let it come between us. We can always rely on each other, right?"
Naomi nodded, wondering when she had started crying, "Right."
She remembered the look on his face. Her beloved, gentle brother, his face twisted with soul deep hatred. She had hugged him, surprising him and snapping him out of his rage, but when the anger left she saw what lay behind it. Fear.
Fear for all of them, the fact that they were being targeted so blatantly. She was happy that she could snap him out of it, in the corridor after the fight, allowing him to make a plan. However, she was feeling useless.
Everyone else had a task that was assigned to them to help with the business and fallout of the Reveal, except for her. Kasane was supposed to guard and protect the warehouses where their product would be stored before being transferred back to the Yokai, Naomi was negotiating agreements between interested parties and the new Sagan Trading Company and CC was organising the personnel for the whole endeavour.
And here she was, sitting in the library reading while everyone else helped her brother. Surely there was something she could do? She knew she was weaker than Kasane, was that why she was not trusted to help?
She brought her index finger and thumb of her right hand up to her eyes, watching as the red plasma arced between the two digits. She was getting very good at lightning magic, her brother's explanations allowing her to use the element almost like a second nature. But it wasn't enough.
She needed to be stronger. She needed some way to prove to Nii-san that she could be trusted to help with the adult things too. Some way to tell him that she would support him no matter what he did. With that in mind, she started to go through various plans and scenarios, focusing on her tummy as she did so.
She would help her brother. It was the least she could do to pay him back for everything he did for her. If only there was some way to get more people to help him, the thing he needed now was allies…
A plan formed in her head, and she stilled. Her belly pulsed with warmth, causing her to smile widely. Yes, truly she should be able to do this easily. After all, her brother was the best one in the world.
Showing others that should be simple.
Smile still on her face, she pulled out her phone.
He sighed, leaning back and stretching. The investigation into the person who tampered with the recall wards was concluded, leading to a ward technician who had decided to commit suicide soon after the reveal. The note that was found with his body explained the fabricated reasons for his actions, but no one with a brain actually believed that.
This had Bael written all over it.
Of course, with no evidence they could not directly implicate him. Additionally, this caused massive distrust in the integrity of Rating Games to surface, forcing a response. To which, they had implemented a Referee system, to ensure tampering of this sort did not occur again. Ajuka had pulled some strings to get some big names to agree, but that opened up it's own can worms.
Somehow, the Sagan kid had got Tiamat of all people to agree to nest on his lands. The message was clear, if the Satans wanted to assault him directly they would have to go through the dragon. Sirzechs could admire the balls of such a move, but it did speak to some exceptionally high paranoia.
Like he would be stupid enough to attack the Sagan directly. Handing ammunition directly to Zekram in a gift box was always a stupid move. He looked over his desk, eyes landing on the calender.
The meeting was tomorrow, wasn't it?
His Mom would be meeting with Damocles, although in her words, 'it id going to be quite difficult to un-fuck this situation.' The lecture he had to sit through after the Reveal was truly a thing of legends.
They had messed up spectacularly. Though, to be fair, Damocles did not act at all like the child he was. It seemed like he a was a step ahead of them at every turn. It would have been impressive, if it also wasn't so infuriating. Still, at least Falbium said he would handle it…
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door, "Onii-chan?"
He smiled widely, "Ria-tan! The door is open!"
His adorable little sister opened the door, timidly looking in before walking into his study. She stopped before his desk, hands clasped in front of her and a nervous look on her face.
"Onii-chan…" She started, "Why was Damocles so angry at us?"
Fuck.
"Listen Rias, Serafall was a bit heavy handed with him when she found him, which scared him a bit. From what we could figure out, that was twisted by CC to make him think we were enemies to him."
"So that's why you forced him in to the Rating Game? To get CC away from him?" She asked, looking unsure.
"Of course. With her gone and not controlling him, we would have been able to be friends with him. It would be much better if we got along, right?"
"And about what he said about Akeno, you wouldn't let someone do that to her would you?"
"Of course not sweetie."
"Thanks Onii-chan." She smiled at him, still obviously looking uncomfortable.
Just one more thing the Sagan messed up, Sirzechs noted down. After talking to his sister some more, she bid him farewell and left him to his work.
As the door closed, Rias placed her back to it, barely holding back her tears as she pulled out her phone and stared at the messages on it.
Why, oh why, couldn't Shiro have been wrong?