It hadn't been long since she had gathered them. Beelzebub's death was the last time they had convened. Her little chaotic group of misfits. All of them had their own ambitions and plans. All of them were prepared to backstab her at any moment save a few. Yet, they knew not to. They were too terrified of her to even lift a finger. And, like the gracious boss she was, she permitted their existence and even offered power to forward their own goals. Goals that would no longer matter once she achieved hers.
Underneath this dark sky, amidst a world torn. Glass shards that reflected the possibilities she stored in her heart. Stars born and died in the sky above. It was an orgy of life and death. A cacophony of creation and destruction all at once. That was Origin itself.
She could hear Perun's voice booming through her own Pleroma.
"Tch! Even if Mammon got what we needed, there was no need to pull me out! I could have finished those kids right there and then!" Perun yelled.
"From what Leviathan told me, that didn't seem to be the case." A feminine voice said. The arrogance in her voice was palpable.
"I can't believe I have to suffer through this again. I've been listening to him rambling about the millions of ways he could have turned the battle on its head even with the Old Man there. Considering how he almost invited death to himself." There was a hint of annoyance in Leviathan's voice.
"It's only the six of us this time. The others are all off on their assignments. How lucky. I'm considering inviting death myself."
As she entered the central light of the meeting place she had created, her hair lightened and her eyes reverted to their original color. The mere pressure that her presence created caused the room to go silent almost immediately. Even Leviathan ceded herself to this presence.
"Let us convene."
Her voice reverberated and oozed power and authority. Even Perun submitted to her authority, knowing full well that she could easily defeat him if he dared to challenge her.
"Big Sis, we've been waiting. What took you?" Mammon asked, leaning back in his seat. He placed his feet on the table of his booth and took a sip of the wine he had conjured with his Power of Sin.
"M- Mammon! Show some respect! Our esteemed, venerable older sister is here and you dare act this nonchalantly before her?" A devil said. She had long, silky black hair and yellow eyes, similar to Mammon's, hers, and Leviathan's. She wore a revealing white dress, interlaced with golden embroidery.
"Hah? Big Sis doesn't care about formalities anyhow, Naamah," Mammon said, waving off her concerns.
"Khhhh!"
"A Walpurgisnacht, now? Surely you're not thinking of calling one just because of what Mammon was supposed to find, Lady Lilith," a dark-haired young woman asked. Her red eyes twinkled within the dim light of this world. She adjusted her position and relaxed in her chair.
"Ara, Ruby, you'd be surprised at what we found," Leviathan said, smiling serenely at her.
"So? What did blondie find?" another woman asked.
Lilith gazed at her out of the corner of her eye. The woman had large, curved black horns that adorned a head with silvery-blue hair. Her pinkish-red eyes had an impish look, which was accompanied by a smile that resembled that of a goblin. She wore a black and white crop top with detached long sleeves that exposed her midriff, shoulders, upper arms, and cleavage. Around her waist was a white skirt with thigh slits. She wore a single black thigh-high knee sock on her left leg.
She was a Dragon. A Black Dragon. A malevolent ancient dragon who was said to be at the apex of all Evil Dragons.
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's important considering you're calling us all in here, Princess," the woman said, giving Lilith a fanged smile.
"Oi! You too, Bakunawa! Elder Sister rescued you! How can you blatantly show disrespect like-"
"Naamah."
A single word from Lilith silenced her immediately.
Naamah bit her tongue, squirming in her seat and sending not-so-subtle hostile glances to Bakunawa and Mammon.
Lilith felt the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration. She waved her hand at Mammon. "Ne, Mammon, you can start now."
Mammon nodded and got up. He waved his hands, creating a magic circle that rotated until it stopped, displaying a unique combination of glyphs and runes. A stream of data began to flow from it before projecting a topological map of the world. A flattened version of Earth was projected, along with two more layers, one above and another below.
"Our little mission to utilize the Mimisbrunnr was nothing short of a resounding success. Not only were we able to glean information on different locations and entrances to the Underworld, we've also secured our backdoor to her," Mammon said.
"From here, we can proceed with the second phase of Project Rapture. As of right now, with the combined threats of the Alliance, Blacklight, and Khaos Brigade, our plans of triggering the Final Trumpet means that… we'll have to mix up our plans. But! With this new backdoor and the location of one of our trump cards, we don't have to worry about that much longer."
"By backdoor," Ruby said, stroking her chin. "You mean to Tartarus. A way we can get to Cocytus and retrieve… Samael."
"Hey, hey! Samael? You know she's bad news to someone like me, right?" Bakunawa protested.
"I know. But Samael's cooperation is necessary after all. Both sides possess the Heavenly Dragon Emperors and Khaos Brigade is backed by the Ouroboros Dragon God. We need Samael to level the playing field against their… draconic compatriots," Mammon said.
"Tch! You don't need Samael then! If you need someone to go rip Ddraig and Albion in half, let me do it!" Bakunawa said, expelling jets of violet fire from her mouth.
"You idiot! I'm more than confident that you can rip the current dragon emperors apart but… Ophis is a whole different story. Even among Ascendants, well, El and Great Red are the only ones capable of giving her a fair challenge," Mammon said.
"Dumbass, even I'm not foolhardy enough to challenge Ophis," Perun said, crossing his arms.
Bakunawa growled, expelling jets of violet flames from the sides of her mouth.
"Enough. Get back on track, Mammon," Lilith said.
"R-Right. With a backdoor into Cocytus, we can retrieve Samael and be out without them noticing."
"Still."
Everyone turned to Leviathan, who had been watching the whole exchange with amusement in her eyes. "That doesn't mean we won't be noticed, Mammon. Don't forget. Tartarus is under the jurisdiction of the Great Evil of Senescence," she said.
Hades.
The Great Evil of Senescence and among the most powerful of the Greek Gods. In the Era of Strife within the Underworld, Hades was one of the Gods responsible for overthrowing Hell's Ancient Gods. Now, even Tartarus and Nyx wouldn't dare to go near him. The amount of power and influence he commanded in both Greece and the Underworld was immense.
"Of course I know that. But there's nothing I can do. Trying to evade a Great Evil's sight would require another Ascendant to interfere just so we can slip by and… I'm sure Big Sis would be happier monitoring the Lamb's progress," Mammon said.
Lilith closed her eyes. "Hmph, I would be. Ise-chan has grown into a man after all." She had a wistful tone about her. "Naamah, Bakunawa. Infiltrate Cocytus once we have the necessary preparations done and retrieve Samael."
"Finally! I've been sitting on my ass the whole time while this little bitch here gets to fight, only to get his ass kicked!" Bakunawa said, stretching her arms.
Perun silently seethed, still nursing his wounded pride from the battle he just had with Issei and the others. His glares failed to intimidate the dragon as she gloated about her apparent mission to him.
"If Samael doesn't comply, then, I give you full permission to… persuade her," Lilith said with a menacing smile on her face.
Naamah's eyes lit up in joy while Bakunawa returned her smile with an excited, fanged grin.
"Now, moving on to what this meeting is all about. I've managed to locate one of them. Specifically, we located your Key, Sis. Well, locate is a generous term. Even Mimisbrunnr was unable to pinpoint its exact location. I guess that's what a God Key is for right? A fragment of a Boundary," Mammon said.
"Cut to the chase, Mammon," Naamah hissed.
"Alright, geez. No one's into theatre play anymore. Netzach is in Greece."
Lilith's eyes widened slightly. Greece… so, he must have retrieved it after I… and after he…
Her breath hitched for an instant. Horrid images of a man with silver hair lying in a bed. His once silver lustre was now fading to a rustic red and he had lost much of his color. Various wounds and bruises littered his otherwise perfect features. Wounds that she had trouble healing.
"Thinking about him?"
Lilith saw Leviathan giving her a concerned look out of the corner of her eye. "So Greece?" she asked.
"C- Close. It's not in Greece proper per se. It's in the little collection of islands off of Greece's southern tip. Problem is, we don't know which one," Mammon said.
"All that and we can't even pinpoint, Netzach, Mammon?" Perun asked.
"It's a Divine Key. A fragment of a Boundary whose wielder is long dead. Finding it is not an easy thing. Especially since these things have a weak resonance through Yesh if even a remnant of one of the First Ascendants can't locate it exactly," Mammon said.
A long silence followed soon after. A few of them had begun to lose interest in the meeting. A few of the matters didn't concern them after all. Lilith sat in contemplation before finally looking at Mammon. There was still one thing she had asked him to locate specifically.
"Da'at."
Mammon stiffened in his chair.
"Did Mimisbrunnr tell you where Da'at is?"
The very name caused everyone to look up at her. Even Bakunawa, who was dozing off, looked up at Lilith with a startled expression on her face.
Da'at.
They all knew what it was.
The ultimate Divine Key and Lucifer's personal weapon.
Rumor had it that the Key itself had the power to kill an Ascendant. Aside from that, no one knew what the key could do other than its very existence became hushed whispers that spread from the Underworld. These whispers were nothing more than words laden and twisted with fear.
"No, it didn't."
Lilith frowned. She was sure Da'at still existed. After all, her mother took it with her before disappearing.
"Then keep looking. Da'at is as essential as the Lamb is to the plan. If you can't find it, then I'll hunt it down myself," Lilith said.
Mammon nodded, not wanting to incur Lilith's wrath. As calm as she looked, his older sister's patience had an endpoint and he was not someone who was daring enough to try to see where it ended.
"What's so important about Da'at that you need it? You're an Ascendant yourself. Can't you just kill an Ascendant?" Bakunawa asked.
Lilith sighed before standing up.
"Don't be absurd. Just because I can kill another Ascendant doesn't mean we don't need it. No… Da'at is one of the keys to making sure our little plan at the end of the year is a success. It's our key to victory," Lilith said.
Mammon nodded, alongside the others. Bakunawa still had a slightly confused expression on her face but accepted it nonetheless. She shrugged. "If you say so boss, then I won't argue. I still don't understand though."
"Don't worry, Baku~. Everything will make sense in the end. Don't forget that helping me achieve my goals will help you get yours. I haven't forgotten the promise I made you to avenge your sister for her death at the hands of the Gods," she said.
Bakunawa nodded, seething internally at the mention of them.
"Now then, the last thing. I'm sure the Well also told you the locations of the Terminals. One of them is a Terminal we can't reach but the other three have their physical locations on Earth," Lilith explained.
"Terminals?" Perun raised an eyebrow.
"Perfect~! We have a volunteer! Perun, go get the locations from Mammon after I explain what I want you to do," Lilith said.
Perun sighed and then nodded.
"By the Terminals, you mean…?" Naamah asked.
"Yes. When Grandfather built the System that governs and stretches from Heaven all the way to the Underworld, he assigned four administrators. Their true selves are terminals which are located and bound at four different locations. You can essentially call them Heaven and Gehenna's Anchor Points. One of them is located in Araboth, the highest point of Heaven. The other three are located on Earth. Where I don't know. Only Mom knew where they were. But with Mimisbrunnr, I'm sure we were able to secure their location at least with the Boundary of Generation?" Lilith asked after explaining.
Mammon nodded in confirmation.
"This is why I'm sending you, Perun. Terminals need to be secured before the year ends. And that location is in the territory of the Mesopotamian Gods. If anything, sending you there will be better than pulling anyone else off their current task. After all, of all the Cardinals aside from Levi and Baku, you're the most combat-capable."
Lilith kept her gaze on Perun, who had an unreadable expression on his face the entire time. Of course, she had an understanding of everyone's personalities here. Gathering and keeping such a group under her control without resorting to such heavy-handed methods such as fear required her to have some level of knowledge as to what kind of person they were.
After a few seconds, Perun couldn't help but allow a smile to break across his face. Lilith's face remained relaxed and maintained her casual, yet calm composure.
"It seems that you've realized your greatest asset here, Lilith. Worry not. If those Gods try to stop me, well, then it'll be a good opportunity to add such powerful authorities to my Boundary," Perun said.
"Well, Perun. If need be, avoid being detected, alright~? By the Terminals or by the Gods. If Heaven finds out about this, our whole plan will be in shambles and we really don't want that," Lilith said, flashing him a smile.
A smile that was anything but friendly.
"Of course, who do you think I am? I don't cause chaos for the sake of chaos like Bakunawa," Perun said, understanding the thinly veiled, implied threat behind Lilith's words.
"So, everyone, you have your assignments. Ruby, I need you to do something special for me," Lilith said.
"Something… special?" Ruby asked. She quirked an eyebrow at her boss's request.
"Mmm. That's right. It's something only you can do given your position," she said.
Ruby's eyes widened upon hearing the request.
Lilith opened her eyes as the space distorted. Remotely summoning her Pleroma in a different location and dragging people into it. It was a feat that took a lot out of her. The mechanics behind it were too complicated to explain and she'd rather not dwell on the details of how she achieved it. She opened her eyes and stared at the white ceiling of her room.
Lilith let out a quiet breath as she returned her focus to the papers on her desk and the small photo on the right.
"Heph…" the name exited her mouth and sent warm sparks coursing through her body.
"That was dangerous."
Her pleasant memories were interrupted when she heard a voice next to her.
Leviathan hovered in the air, now in her child form. Small clumps of water circled her and budded off her skin.
"Oh? What's dangerous, Levi?" Lilith asked with an innocent smile on her face.
"Ruby."
"Ah… right."
"You were the one spouting a few days ago about how she can only cover up so much for us. Now you want her to go and do that? That's… kind of reckless, isn't it?" Leviathan asked.
Lilith shook her head. She crossed her legs and flicked her hair back. "Ruby knows what she's doing. Her clearance should get us enough information we need."
"Information on what exactly?" Leviathan asked.
"The location of the final battle of the Great War. Mom kept it a secret even from me. However… Blacklight has a secret backer. How else were they able to amass so much information in such a short period of time? Especially when they were born during the Great War? I doubt Dantalion would have even been able to provide them with that," she said.
"What's… at the place where Mom died? And who knows this?"
"Metatron."
"Metatron? One of the Seven Archangels? That Metatron?"
Lilith nodded. "Metatron was there the day Mom died. Of course, that also means she knew where she and Grandpa met for the final time, which means if I'm right and she is Blacklight's secret backer, then that means they know where it is too. After all, Blacklight wouldn't have allocated a lot of resources into researching… it."
"It?" Leviathan asked.
"The Primeval Enemy. But enough of that, what I really need Ruby to do is nudge Issei and Mii in the right direction. Get them to ask questions and… find out from them where Da'at is."
"Where… Da'at? Why would Issei know where Da'at is?" Leviathan was confused. Was there something she missed?
"Issei's deal is mine." Lilith summoned a rolled up piece of parchment. It was wrapped in a series of dark chains that crackled and violated reality with its very existence. "No doubt, the Old Man told Issei that. After all, Issei's resonance through Yesh might be muddled because of it. So… since he can't break it himself, the most logical next step would be to…"
Leviathan's eyes widened. "And then he… because it can only be activated by… ahaha! Ahahahaha! Unbelievable…"
Lilith closed her eyes and began twirling the pencil that had been sitting on her desk. "Mmm. In order to bring forth that painless world we all want, some sacrifices have to be made. And a lamb needs to be fit for sacrifice before we do it. No need to overcomplicate things. From here on out, radio silence will be our best friend. Of course, I'll need you to continue doing what you've been doing from the start, Levi."
"Hah? You mean keeping the heat off you, Big Sis?" Leviathan asked, flipping over onto her back.
Her response came in the form of an appreciative smile from her older sister.
"Of course, not forever. Just until everything falls into place. I need to hide. Satan and Heph are out there. They'd recognize me in a heartbeat if I went out there and did things, you know. Can't you do your big sis this one favor~?" Lilith asked.
"Fine, fine," Leviathan replied, waving her off.
She opened her eyes and smiled.
"Sometimes…" Lilith held her hand out and created two black chess pieces in her hand: One King and one Pawn. "You just have to move your pieces into the right spots and everything will work out in your favor."
Mammon
One of the Seven Prime Demons and the son of the Archangel Lucifer.
Frugal and deceptive, he prefers theatrics and manipulation to the overwhelming power displayed by his siblings.
His drive is his greed and hedonism. A Power of Sin that manifests in the hoarding of all the world's treasures.
Though to him, the greatest treasure of all is an idea that is unattainable.
"Paradise is a treasure sought by all living things. To bring that idea into the world, that is the greatest form of Greed."
[]
Bakunawa
An Ancient Dragon from an archipelago in South East Asia, who is regarded as a Black Dragon.
She is arrogant and fleeting, constantly demeaning those she deems weaker than herself. Her respect lies in those with strength.
Revenge is what drives her. Vengeance for the loss of her older sister. To rebel and devour the Gods, that is her supreme goal in life. A goal that has destroyed six celestial bodies in the process.
To meet this goal, she took up the offer given to her by the Serpent. She has long since deluded herself into believing that whatever atrocity she would commit, none of it would matter as long as she brought peace to sister whose face she's long since forgotten.
And that's that. That's the end of the fourth arc! It wasn't long. I never planned it to be that long. It was meant to be a segue arc into the rest of this volume. And we've been introduced to the rest of our main antagonists for the volume! The Cardinals of Serpent's Seed. In the previous iterations, Til Midnight 1.0 and Til Midnight 2.0, we never had a real concrete council of villains inside the villain's circle. Next arc I planned for it to be somewhat lore heavy since it does play into the later arcs down the line.