Chapter 34: Sometimes the Hardest Problems Require the Simplest Solutions
The trio departed Mittelt's mind and reopened their eyes, "what the heck was that about," said Mittelt, it appeared the clone got lost in her own emotions, "seems some sort of trauma from mental manipulation also you're crying again."
Mittelt touched her cheek and again she was indeed crying but much more than last time, "but it makes me wonder what is going on."
"So what am I supposed to do I have a mentally unstable god locked inside of me," it was weird having someone else thoughts and emotions inside of her unable to determine if she was feeling was true. Sensing that Mittelt probably entering into a downward spiral of doubting her sense of self Anos placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't think too much into it look into your own memories and remember the emotions attached to them," comforted Anos meeting her eye level.
Mittelt turned away with a blush, "as if I need comforting from some shitty devil," after hearing that remark Anos chuckled, it had been a while since she said that, "See wasn't that hard."
Anos turned to the door feeling a large amount of animosity, the door to Mattel's room was cracked slightly but he could see Koneko glaring not at him but at Mittelt.
"Hey there Koneko how can I help you," the door swung open slamming against the wall then breaking off its hinges, and finally crashing on the floor.
"What the hell stupid cat," screamed Mittelt jumping out on her bed and summoning lighting in both hands ready to beat Koneko into the ground if she could this time, "ehhh…you too seem close?"
"Don't ignore me," threatened Mittelt as Koneko walked toward Anos completely ignoring Mittelt, "how can I help," Koneko said nothing and just stared at him with a neutral expression, Anos half-suppressed a chuckle and rubbed her hair and she blushed with a smile.
"Could you come to our training area Sairaorg and I want your help while we are testing Touki," Anos was about to remove his hand to get a good look at her face as they spoke but Koneko leaned forward to continue being pat, "are you sure?"
"No matter come," Anos was about to just say yes to hear what the both of them wanted but he told Irina he would come back after he finished his business, "sure but I need to get back to Irina," Koneko sighed but nodded, "hey would you too stop flirting she needs to fix my fucking door."
Koneko gave Mittelt a displeased look for interrupting her and Anos, "You're still here crippled crow," Mittelt cocked her head back in disgust, "cripple, how dare you disgusting moggie."
Anos removed his hand and stood, "When you're done come find me," Koneko cocked her head with an inflamed look in her eyes, "moggie you say? Don't worry this won't take long."
"Look who's getting cocky," said Mittelt as the lighting in her palms started to crackle more strongly matching her anger.
"You are still 0 for 2," said Koneko snarling back at her, Anos teleported out of the room, and that signaled the start of the fight as both girls lunged at each other.
Reappearing right where he left from Irina nearly cuts off Anos head but it is stopped by a barrier, "seems I popped in at the wrong time," Irina jumped back and started apologizing, "Sorry," started Irina but he cut her off, "No need I'm the one cutting in on your training. So what did you want to discuss?"
Irina then bowed, "I want to thank Lord Anos for what you did," Anos smiled, "No need I was just helping out a friend's friend," Irina looked up at Anos from her bow.
From underneath her hair, Anos could tell something was eating away at her inside, "is something else on your mind?"
Irina looked away nervously, "by the way you don't have to keep bowing. I rarely care if people are formal with me," "But you have done so much for me and I don't know how to repay you."
Kiba, Irina, and Tomoe had stopped their training and were now watching Irina's weird interaction with Anos.
"Hey Xenovia what's up with Irina, why's she being so formal with Anos," asked Kiba since it was extremely weird for her to be so formal around anyone except Lord Michael.
Kiba asked this because if anyone knew why she was acting this way her closest friend would know, "Anos was the one who led Lord Michael to decide to make Irina his brave saint."
"Well that's surprising why would he recommend Irina no offense of course," responded Kiba surprised Anos would stick his neck out for her.
"I only just learned recently when but after losing her arm, willing to walk away from the church and becoming excommunicated like me, and having her entire world shattered after learning of god's death."
Kiba listened to Xenovia feeling guilty he never even noticed though they had hung out together for so long, judging by both the looks on their faces Xenovia could tell they felt guilty for not being able to provide any support to Irina when she was in a dark space.
"No need to feel bad I wasn't even able to bring her out of it fully, plus there is another reason why she has been so down but I can't say more it isn't my place," said Xenovia disappointed in her ability to help her friend.
"But thanks to Anos he was indirectly the reason why she got her arm back and gave her a new purpose in life and because he did so much for her without even asking or having a reason she feels guilty like she owes him a life debt."
Anos kept saying Irina didn't need to be so formal but Irina couldn't help, Irina just felt so indebted and didn't know how to pay him back, "who needs a reason to help someone in need," "no there isn't but."
Anos placed his hand on Irina's shoulder, "I honestly don't need anything but as a payment can you improve enough to help protect my sister? It makes me feel at ease knowing she is surrounded by people who can protect her when I am not around."
Irina was even more amazed by Anos he could have asked for anything and all he asked for was to get strong so she could protect Rias, "how can he be so selfless I thought devils were supposed to be selfish by nature," Irina thought as she slowly got lost his soft black and red eyes.
"Wait how long have I just been staring into his eyes, bad Irina he has a fiancé with another on the way," she pondered turning around with a slight blush, "so does that work," asked Anos since Irina never gave him an answer.
"Ohh…uhh yes if that's all you want then I guess that's fine I'll make sure to work hard and if there ever a moment you can't protect Rias then I will in your stead."
A devastating blast of the power of destruction exploded through the side of the mansion where Mittelt's room was located, speaking of Mittelt, she and Koneko were sent flying away into the forest.
"what is the meaning of this my home isn't a battle arena take it outside," Anos knew this tone of voice all too well when, especially when he accidentally broke objects in her mansion. "
Anos this has your handy work all over it where are you," Venelana peered her head through the enormous hole in the side of her mansion.
Her tone of voice was unsettling and calm and when her gaze landed on Anos, he knew for a fact if she had the power to punish him properly she would.
But she mastered another way of punishing the most powerful existence her world has ever known, a personal skill known as a mother's disappointing and disapproval gaze.
Anos rubbed the back of his head although he didn't have anything to do with Mittelt and Koneko fighting each other he could have stopped them but chose to let them handle their problems.
"Hey Irina I have another way you can pay me back," Anos said jokingly, "Sorry Anos but I think even this is beyond, even my power," said Irina laughing, winking, and pointing two finger guns at him before cartwheeling away.
"Is Mittelt, not your pawn, my son," questioned Venelana with her scrutinizing gaze, when his mother put it that way he was at fault, "also why is part of my forest gone?"
Venelana was looking past Anos to part of the forest that surrounded the estate that was now missing, Xenovia was about to fess up for the destruction forgetting that Anos said he would take the fall.
"That would be my fault the instruction I gave Xenovia got a little out of hand," said Anos keeping the promise he made to Xenovia.
Venelana let out a deep dissatisfied sigh and turned back into the house, "are you in trouble Lord Anos," asked Xenovia, "Yeah and I bet I'll be hearing about it later," responded Anos.
Mittelt and Koneko started to limp toward him after being blasted out of the mansion with apologetic looks on their faces, "sorry we got you in trouble," said Koneko.
Anos just shook his head not at all upset but finding this whole situation laughable, if his people saw him now they would think he was under a hex.
Anos knelt down and took the liberty of healing their wounds, "It's fine no need to apologize," said Anos as he finished healing both of them.
"Now where is Sairaorg," he elaborated further, Koneko dusted off the dust on her clothes and pointed, "he's waiting in that general area," the three of them made their way there with Rin following in silence.
It didn't take long for them to reach the training area there were destroyed trees along the way and small impact craters in the ground.
They reached an open area where Sairaorg was talking to Tsubasa while Ruruko was practicing some combat styles on a tree close by.
"Seems all of you have been having fun," said Anos looking over the destruction they left behind. Ruruko stopped what she was doing and Sairaorg smirked at Anos, "Glad you came mind helping us out with an experiment?"
"Sure I can spare a few minutes, how can I be of assistance," "We just need you to use that spell you used on Riser on me," Sairaorg said doing some stretches, "no questions just do the spell it will be faster this way than explaining."
He continued, stoping Anos from asking any more questions, Anos gave a final glance to Koneko who waited with anticipation in her eyes.
Anos extended his hand activating the waning crescent moon magic circle, "Now what," "Suppress my movements by about seventy-five percent," with a wave of a hand Anos slammed Sairaorg to the ground.
Under the increased pressure Anos subjected him to Sairaorg groaned, "So this is what Riser felt," Sairaorg took a deep breath and struggled to one knee.
"Sairaorg try it now," said Koneko, "Remember you to need activate Touki first," all Sairaorg could do in response was nod.
Sairaorg activated Touki seconds later and was able to stand, "Anos can you increase the pressure even further," asked Koneko and did so forcing him to one knee again.
Anos didn't know what they were trying to achieve but just continued with restricting his movements, Sairaorg fell over to his hands hunched over coughing up blood, "Don't give up I know this can work," supported Koneko from the sidelines.
Anos could see Sairaorg's skin start to turn red and surmised this from the stress he was putting on his body, "Sairaorg I think it's working?"
Anos observed how the veins in his arms started bulging with his skin growing redder, and to his surprise, he started standing up like before even though Anos continued to increase the pressure.
And in a shock wave of power, Sairaorg stood up, Anos looked on in wonder and surprise at the fact he was still standing, "Anos that's enough," listening to Koneko Anos released the spell.
Sairaorg fell onto his back letting out an enormous sigh, "That was intense but I'm sure if I can do that you can too Koneko," after saying that snoring started and Sairaorg fell unconscious.
Anos turned his attention to Koneko wanting to know what he just did but she just smirked at him, "You will see at the end of the week," she said with a playful wink.
At this time the sun was starting to set, so they grabbed Sairaorg's unconscious body and made their way toward the mansion. Koneko, Tsubasa, and Ruruko were a few steps ahead of Anos whispering amongst themselves.
"Are you sure we can learn this technique we know nothing of Touki," "If Sairaorg can do it with no magic power, then teaching the both of you Touki is the only thing we need to achieve and with two of us it should be possible."
"Anos what are those two trying to do," asked Mittelt overhearing their conversation, "No clue but she might be trying to replicate something she saw in a show."
"Is that possible," Anos nodded while saying, "The purpose of magic making is the impossible…possible," responded Anos as they walked inside the mansion.
A male servant walked up to Anos to take Sairaorg, "Could you put him in one of the spare rooms," "Of course Master Anos," the servant took Sairaorg onto his back and went to one of the many guest rooms.
The door opened again as Akeno and Yubelluna walked inside, physically they didn't look exhausted but from the exhausted look in their eyes, he could tell they were.
"Hello Lord Anos," both girls said, "hello girls how was the first day," "It was very instructive for me but," Yubelluna paused while looking at Akeno out the corner of her glasses.
"I'm sorry Anos I got distracted and wasn't able to take full advantage of today's training," said Akeno while Baraqiel was training them she wasn't fully focused and was more concerned with learning Jirasd.
"Well did you learn anything," questioned Anos, "Yes I did," Anos then placed his hand on her shoulder, "Good that's all I wanted," Akeno's mood brightened, "Don't worry I'll continue to work hard but can I start to learn the spell now?"
Anos didn't have anything else going on and there would be a minute before it was time for dinner, "Sure let's go outside Mother is already upset that I was responsible for her home being damaged and I don't want to damage it further."
Anos leaves back outside with Mittelt, Koneko, Rin, and Akeno to teach her how to use the spell, and once outside Anos takes a few steps away from Akeno to demonstrate Jirasd.
Anos outstretched his hand summoning Jirasd, "This is Jirasd, a very powerful and destructive spell of my creation," Akeno nodded just staring at black red lighting in wonder.
"The spells require extreme focus to wield and if you lose concentration," Anos then pointed the spell away from the group as the spell grew before exploding seconds later in his hand.
Anos then showed Akeno his hand and it was completely charred.
"Oh my gosh are you okay," practically screamed Akeno preparing a healing spell, "yes, and thank you," responds Anos as Akeno starts to heal his hand.
"But that was still a little controlled if I had lost full control," Anos said this last part while looking at Mittelt who had first-hand experience with losing control of the spell.
"When I first learned to use Jirasd I blew myself up and nearly the entire training room," commented Mittelt adding in her own experience with the spell giving Akeno a better example.
"Jirasd is powered by your negative emotions which is why Mittelt was so compatible with using the spell and another is that the spell doesn't require a lot to activate of magic but the little magic it uses increases the power of the spell drastically," after Akeno had healed his hand Anos would now have her attempt to use the spell.
"Hold out your hand and don't worry I won't let anything happen to you," Akeno followed his instructions and Anos positioned his hand under hers.
Anos was going to funnel his own magic through Akeno and allow her to control the spell through her emotions instead of letting her control the spell through magic first.
"Let your negative emotions flow into the spell but don't let those emotions consume you or the spell will consume you," Anos cast Jirasd again but this time allowed Akeno to control the spell.
Anos knew Akeno couldn't cast Jirasd she was no demon and wasn't one of his descendants.
But maybe she could recreate of version of the spell through memory generating, a version of Jirasd in this world.
Was this a stretch, it certainly was, but Anos was a man who could make the impossible possible but first, he needed to recreate a mental memory of the spell.
Hence why he was having her use the spell through emotion alone and gradually move towards using her own magic, and if he had done it the other way she would have suffered from mana exhaustion.
One of the fundamentals for using the spells was controlling your emotions and if you couldn't you would be lost inside emotions driving you to lose control of the spell and ultimately kill you're self.
Akeno closed her eyes and tried to think negative thoughts. It didn't take long as memories of the night her mother was killed started flashing in her head, Anos watched as Akeno's facial muscles slowly twisted, and immediately later the spell shot to the sky in an explosion of power.
Anos expected the spell to react to her emotions and even expected Akeno would get lost in her emotions, but what he didn't expect was for the spell to react the way it did.
Anos immediately encased them in a barrier to protect her mother's home from being damaged, Akeno still had her eyes closed and was crying, "Akeno," said Anos in a much more direct tone but she was still unresponsive, "I'm stopping the spell," "No wait I can do this, please just a few more seconds," said Akeno in an exhausted tone of voice.
"I need to let my emotions fuel the spell, like you said while also keeping my emotions under control," Anos looked down at Akeno's hand as the skin started to burn turning black.
"How are you feeling," he thought she was still losing control, "My whole body aches, and the overwhelming grief inside me is eating me inside, I feel as though I could roll over and cry but the pain is the only thing stopping me."
said Akeno as every word drained her further.
The spell started to fizzle down becoming a small spark, Anos smiled she conquered the first hurdle but this was only the beginning the hardest was actually creating a variation of the spell that she could use.
Anos dispersed the spell as Akeno dropped to the group completely exhausted, Anos sat on the ground since Akeno seemed too mentally exhausted to stand.
"How are you feeling," asked Anos since part of using the spell requires negative emotions, and using the spell draws said emotions out.
Even though Akeno used the spell for only a few seconds mentally she had to live through her mother's death again and the feelings she felt that night were increased ten-fold during the time she used Jirasd.
Anos could see tears falling from her face, "how can you use such a spell," she said with a whimper, Akeno couldn't understand how he could use such a spell.
It required so much pain and suffering and she almost lost herself using it, so Akeno could only wonder how Anos could use the spell.
"How is never as important as the why is it," said Anos questioning back, "I would never compare my past to yours but I do have my own form have trauma but, not too gloat I have good control over my emotions."
Anos then opened his palm toward Akeno, "But when I use this spell it allows me to feel emotions while also staying under control."
Akeno looked at Anos with tears in her eyes, she wondered what feelings he was keeping buried inside, "What is it that you are keeping bottled up," "My frustration at my failure and my anxiety for the future."
"Huh," was all Akeno could say in response, what failure was he referring to, and what about the future made him anxious?
Anos just winked at her instead of responding, "How about we call it a night and pick this up tomorrow," Anos extended his hand further but this attempt at changing the subject didn't change the burning questions in Akeno's mind.
Akeno may not have known what Anos was talking about but Mittelt, Rin, and Koneko knew what he was referring to.
Anos was angry that it was taking so long for him to find his home, he had all the power in the world yet couldn't find his home.
Although he wanted to go home he would be lying if he said he wouldn't miss this world, he made so many memories and met so many people, and he didn't want to leave them behind.
Anos helped Akeno to her feet and walked her back inside, while the three girls followed behind him.
The next day Anos was back in Ajuka's laboratory but this time it wasn't just him, Azazel, Ajuka, and Rin, were there to work on the Stargate.
Mittelt was back at the mansion still inside the barrier, and if Death took over he could get back at a moment's notice.
Azazel read the reports on their findings but wanted to see with his own eyes how the machine worked.
There was also something else he wanted to try out, the Stargate powered up, and the space inside the Stargate warped into a blue-like liquid.
Azazel analyzed the Stargate, "and what is this blueish liquid," Azazel stopped typing on the keypad to answer Azazel, "It's just a by-product of the Stargate activating. It's safe to touch if you are still curious," Azazel hummed in response and reached out and touched it although it looked like a liquid and his hand should have passed through it, it had the same texture of jello.
"Oh nice it even ripples when I poke it," Azazel nodded once more and gave Ajuka the signal to continue, Ajuka started typing and brought up a world that was one of the safest to observe, "so this is another world, doesn't look any different from Japan."
"We found numerous worlds that are similar to this one but unlike the majority, they don't have magic and are normal," Azazel smiled at Anos explanation, "Oh really worlds without magic but, I guess most humans here believe magic doesn't exist so to them nothing would change."
Ajuka nodded and wrote down a few words on his notepad, "Are you able to go back," Ajuka was about to type but froze as he thought about Azazel's request, Anos had never requested for him to try to go back.
"There is no going backward," "What do you mean," Ajuka wasn't sure he understood what Azazel was asking so Azazel wanted him to clarify.
"There should be a world before this one right so just go to it," said Azazel thinking his request was a simple one, "Sure let me type it in," "No just go back instead of entering the world manually," responded Azazel stopping Ajuka before he could input the world.
Ajuka looked down at the keyboard they didn't really have a key for that, so he would have to make some modifications to the system.
While Ajuka made the modifications, Anos took the time to understand what Azazel was testing hopefully this time he wouldn't cause another earthquake.
"What are you up to," "Oh me just confirming a hypothesis," responded Azazel closing his notebook, "and what might that be," wondered Anos.
Azazel thought for a second if he should wait or reveal his hypothesis but it, didn't take him long as he was curious about Anos thoughts on the matter.
Azazel opened his notebook and handed it to Anos, the first thing Anos noticed was a circle with arrows pointing to the circle of the names of the worlds they had noted.
Anos then read over Azazel's hypothesis and chuckled and handed him back the notebook, "You know this might actually blow up the entire lab. But I think it would be best to consult the expert."
Azazel's eyes sparkled, "you don't mean the Magus of Flowers," there was a breaking sound of metal being snapped.
Azazel and Anos looked toward Ajuka who was holding a wrench that had been broken under his tightened grip.
Ajuka had an unamused grip on his face, "Great that old fart again, thirteen years wasn't enough time I need another two or three hundred years."
Sighed Ajuka in exasperation, "Don't worry we won't mention you are here," said Azazel waving off Ajuka.
Anos then prepared the two magic circles taking into note to keep Ajuka out of the background, the window opened to reveal Japan and moments later it distorted to the infinite flower world, the mirror twisted around to reveal Merlin in his tower waving with an eager smile.
"Oh my if it isn't his highness and who might this one be," asked Merlin leaning into the window to get a better look at Azazel.
"I am Azazel it is a pleasure to meet the legendary Merlin again even if his form is slightly different," "well it seems the demon Azazel is much more well-mannered in your world would, you mind switching Anos," Anos laughed at that, "unfortunately not he has been a great help."
"I happen to be a Fallen Angel here Merlin," clarified Azazel to let Merlin Know his race, "Oh a Fallen Angel you say, you really are from another world but I'm guessing this isn't a social call?"
Asked Merlin curious as to what they wanted from him now, "I have questions about this," said Azazel opening the book for him to read his hypothesis.
"I see a very interesting hypothesis," said Merlin nodding in appreciation, Azazel was able to think of a brand-new concept from very little information.
"With that being said it's a good thing you came to me first you might have blown up half your world," continued Merlin watching as both of the men in front of him reacted in their own way to his answer.
"What do you mean by blow up the world surely something as simple as going backward wouldn't cause such a massive reaction," responded Azazel in a tone that showed that something that serious couldn't be possible.
Merlin frowned and pointed to himself, "Do you take me for a liar," "Of course not but," Merlin cuts off Azazel with a tsk tsk sound and waved his finger at him.
"How unfortunate and here I thought you were smart but you're just like Ajuka a second-rate caster."
In the background, Ajuka broke the hammer he was holding, "Is there someone else there," asked Merlin after hearing something crash to the floor, "just Ophis but she is watching my memories."
"Oh the Dragon god is with you," but before they could trail off again Anos encouraged Merlin to continue with what he was saying.
Merlin then explained what would have happened if they had tried going backward.
"You have part of the answer already on that notebook. Remember in my demonstration with the bubbles how they orbited around me that is kind of how your circle works the cause of that flow if you want to call it that is Infinity. Since infinity always grows and continues forward trying to go against that will cause a collision and the epicenter of this collision will be your world."
Melin let out a big cough his throat was dry from all that talking he then clapped, "Okay kids any questions," there was silence for a few seconds as both of them analyzed everything Merlin explained.
"What if we can contain that energy to allow us to go backward," asked Anos if it was that simple of a problem he was positive he could contain the energy.
"Do you really think you can contain the power of Infinity," said Merlin skeptical Anos could contain that much energy even though he knew of Anos power.
Anos glanced at Ophis with a smirk, "Most definitely," and she looked back at him with a glare after hearing him answering that question too fast for her liking.
"Well if you theoretically could contain that much energy then going against the flow of Infinity would be possible," said Merlin deciding to just shrug and not try to fight the matter.
"Any more questions," Azazel flipped the notebook and asked another question he was curious about "Can you open two portals to the same world," "That's an easy one, hey Anos try creating another window," Anos followed the request but spell failed in an awfully familiar way.
"See that's what happens only one mirror or portal per world of course you can open more to different worlds but it is all the same," Azazel nodded in understanding and was about to ask his next question but a shadow was cast over Anos face and it was giving him a bad feeling.
Ophis stood up and turned her attention to Anos clenching his fist, she recognized this feeling it was the same when the Stargate failed, she could sense his frustration even though he was hiding it perfectly but now it was different there were visible signs, unlike the others.
"Merlin does the spell always fail like that when there is already a mirror or a portal to the world," said Anos slow and steady tone but Merlin could feel the frustration all the way in his dimension even though there was nothing physically connecting them.
Anos didn't wait for the answer and just created a demon transportation spell from his world and it failed the exact same way as the earlier spell, "yes when there is it will fail like that."
It didn't take long for everyone present to pick up on what was revealed, "Anos it's not your fault you didn't know," said Ajuka cautiously while putting down his tools, "Ajuka you are here, did I say something wrong," asked Merlin in a worried time.
"Thirteen no eighteen years have been wasted searching when the answer has been here the whole time," "The spell Anos used was a transportation circle from his world," said Ajuka responding to Merlin's.
Anos then started to chuckle softly but there wasn't any sense of amusement in his laughter, "I guess it's true when they say some of the hardest problems require the simplest solutions."
A green magic circle appears below Anos but Ophis covers the gap between them grabbing his arm, "Where are you going," Anos doesn't look back at her and responds in a neutral tone, "I am going to the past to rectify the problem."
"I don't think you should act so rashly you can run more tests correct," Ophis didn't know why she stopped him her body acted before she even realized she moved.
After going through years worth of his memories Ophis was the only person in this world who knew Anos like the back of her hand.
That's how she was able to tell at a glance that something was bothering him even if he was trying to hide it, "I have wasted enough time if I arm myself with the knowledge I have now I can save more time."
The spell started to glow more and if Ophis. Wanted to stop Anos she would have to fight but as he is now she doubted he would hold back and probably most of the underworld and the world would be destroyed, "Anos took a second and think this through.
Changing the past doesn't mean that you will find where the mirror is," implored Ajuka.
"Ajuka is right take a second to think," agreed Azazel next to him.
"I have done enough thinking, my people need me," "And what about the people here do they not need you," said Ophis gripping his hand more tightly.
Azazel and Ajuka just watched as there was nothing they could do to stop Anos if he activated the spell.
But Azazel was just as surprised with Ophis, she was supposed to be an emotionless entity but as he watched her he could see so many buried emotions behind those emotionless eyes.
Anger, fear, and sadness just to name a few, he could hardly recognize this new version of Ophis and he believed it was all due to her being around Anos.
"And let's not forget about that Zecht we made, I didn't take you for a man who breaks his promises," finished Ophis but she didn't miss Anos reaction to what she was saying.
"I could erase her memories of me," "Don't say stuff like that even if it was a joke," "Don't make a mess I wouldn't do something like that to her."
This was the conversation running through Anos's mind with Sona, along with the memories he made with everyone else since coming to this world.
He would be erasing all the fond memories he had with his family plus they were right even if he did go back he could spend just as long looking for wherever the portal was inevitably wasting even more time.
"Do you really want to erase everything you have done? Just because it took you this long to find out the truth it doesn't make you any less of the man you once were and I doubt your people will despise you for it."
For a few moments after she spoke there was silence except for the humming of the magic from the time spell on the floor and then it disappeared allowing everyone to let out a breath they didn't know they were holding.
"Merlin is there a way to find the portal or mirror," sighed Anos relaxing his fist, "since it is foreign magic it should be leaking magic from the other side but since you haven't sensed it after seventeen years then someone probably placed a seal around it ti keep the magic from spilling out."
With that explanation, it opened another door of problems Anos hadn't sensed any ounce of his world's magic in this world,k which be because the portal opened in another realm that hadn't been to yet but still what if it didn't then it meant that there was someone or someone's that had a portal to his world.
Anos now needed to formulate a new plan on what to do going forward and for the first time he didn't know how to.
Merlin provided his own advice on what they could do but there was only so much the four of them could come up with and after an hour they ran out of ideas.
Azazel and Merlin decided to call it a day for now to decompress, during the conversation, Anos seemed distant and deep thought not adding his own thoughts as much.
Azazel left to fill in Sirzechs on what they just learned giving Anos his sympathies before leaving, Ajuka did the same saying if he needed to talk then he lend an ear anytime.
Anos then left with Ophis back to the estate, after teleporting he reappeared in his room and sat in his chair.
He crossed his arms and leaned his head back to the seat closing his eyes and losing himself in his thoughts.
Ophis just stood there in silence not really knowing what to say at the moment, a thought then flooded her mind as she teleported out of the room.
Moments later she reappeared with a deck of UNO cards, she then walked to a nearby coffee table picking it up before dropping it in front of him.
She then dropped the cards on the table, "Let's play," Anos opened his eyes to see Ophis sitting on her heels with seven cards in her hand and seven cards across from her for him with the deck in the middle.
Anos eyed the cards but shook his head, "Maybe another time I am currently deep in thought," "It was not a question play," she said back not leaving room for an argument.
Anos stared at Ophis and she stared back, and without further protest, Anos picked up the cards and started playing a silent game of UNO.
They ended up playing twenty rounds in thirty minutes and Ophis didn't win a single round but this time she actually didn't care if she won.
"So it seems you are close to your home, are you excited," said Ophis putting down a red two, Anos let out a deep breath, "Excitement wouldn't be the word I would use. But I guess it is nice to know it is closer than I once thought."
Whispered Anos while putting down a red draw two, "Well it's better than continuing to search in the dark in the dimensional gap through those portals."
Anos nodded in response as he watched her put down another green draw two, "Yes that is better than nothing I suppose."
A knock then a knock came on the door interrupting their game, "come in," said Anos putting down his cards and turning his attention to the door.
The door opened slowly as Asai poked her head inside, "excuse me Lord Anos do you have a minute," said asked nervously.
Anos paused for a moment but Rin spoke seconds before him, "Yes what would you like him to do," Anos looked at her and Rin just stood putting down her own cards.
Anos hid his emotions and got up from his seat to hear what Asia needed.
For Asia as she watched Anos approach her, something about his demeanor was depressing, and made a mental note to ask him about it afterward.
As Asia walked inside she was followed by two of Sona's bishops Momo and Reya, "Lord Anos they wanted your help," both girls stepped in front of Asia and bowed saying in unison, "May we request your assistance?"
Then they pulled out their orbs with defeated looks on their faces, "We tried infusing magic into the orbs but we aren't strong enough to shatter them."
Usually, Anos had the aura of a very approachable person but at the moment there was a very depressing atmosphere in the room that was emanating from Anos.
So they both felt very awkward and nervous in his presence, "Mind if I take a look at them," Momo handed hers to Anos and he inspected it creating a similar one in his opposite hand.
He then started infusing magic but not from his own reserves but from the surrounding area, "Have you tried infusing the magic from the surrounding area instead of the magic from within your bodies?"
The girls looked at Anos hoping he would elaborate further but he just continued to analyze the orb, Rin saw their faces and understood that they had questions even more questions.
"Listen devils for I will not be repeating myself," said Rin taking the orb out of Anos hand, "there are two ways to use magic. From within our body and from the surrounding area."
Rin extended her hand toward them next streaks of magic started flowing to her open palm forming an orb of purple magic.
"This same process can be used on objects," Rin turned around breaking one of the arms of a nearby chair, and started pulling magic from the outside into the broken arm.
"Ummm…thanks but how do," started Momo but Rin shushed her, "I'm not done, devils," Rin then continued her explanation and as she did so Anos went back to his seat and started to think as to what he should do going forward.
Momo and Reya were too concentrated on Rin's lecture to notice him leave the conversation but Asia did find it strange he wasn't helping.
She approached Anos cautiously as it seemed he was too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice her approach.
Asia tapped him on the shoulder but he didn't respond, "Umm Lord Anos," Anos opened his eyes and turned to her with a warm smile, "How can I help you young Asia?"
The warm smile she was used to seeing on his face wasn't the one she was used to it felt forced like he was hiding behind it.
"Are you okay you seem upset," she asked while staring into his eyes, "I am fine just a lot on my mind," responded Anos patting her on the head, "Do you need someone to talk to I don't mind listening even if I don't know the answer?"
After saying that Asia finally saw a real smile form on Anos's face for the first time after coming into his room, "Where to begin," pondered Anos.
"What would you do if you spent the majority of your time doing something hoping to receive positive results but then you learned a clue to the answer realizing it was simpler than you thought? How would you feel about that?"
Asai rubbed her chin to think upon his answer and after a few seconds, she gave her thoughts on the matter, "I guess it would bum me out at first but I would then be happy that I finally got part of the answer even.
Because that would mean I was finally closer to my answer than before."
"If you had a chance to go back in time to get the answer earlier would you," this answer came quicker than Anos thought would.
"No I believe everything happens for a reason plus if I overdid everything by going in the past then it would make the progress I made before meaningless even if the answer was simple in the beginning."
Their conversation ended when Rin wrapped up her lecture to Momo and Reya, "Now does that make sense young devils?"
Even though it was weird Rin kept calling them young devils even though they were sure she knew their names but her explanation was actually clear.
"yes miss Rin I am sure we will be able to crack the orbs now," "Yea I am positive we can do it now," cheered both girls giving each other a high five.
"Good now leave Lord Anos is busy playing UNO," but before they could comprehend what she just said she pushed them out of the room.
"Sorry I couldn't stay longer Lord Anos but I hope my advice was helpful," "It was more helpful than you realize," thanked Anos giving her a heartfelt smile.
Rin then ushered Asai out as she returned to Anos, "Thank you I was a little lost in thought," "Not a problem but," Rin then looked to another direction of the mansion, "The Fallen you were teaching yesterday is approaching."
Anos snapped in recollection and looked at the time realizing that it was almost time for their instruction, "Ahh yes it's about that time," "You aren't in the right spirits to be instructing," she said out of concern for Anos mental state.
"Thanks but I like to keep my promises," he said winking at her then advancing to the door, "If you say so."
The duo walked to the front door of the mansion to meet Akeno, they stopped in the lobby as she walked through the door with Baraqiel and Tsubaki following behind him.
"Hello Anos I came to observe this lighting spell you are teaching Akeno in hopes that I might be of assistance," said Baraqiel bowing his head to Anos.
"I don't mind the extra observers," responded Anos not minding the extra people around plus any help is always welcomed.
They went back outside to begin Akeno's training with Jirasd, "So what will I be doing now," Baraqiel observed as Anos outstretched his hand with Akeno placing hers above his but there was something else he observed.
"Is Anos alright he seems…what's the word distracted, upset maybe disheartened," said Baraqiel tilting his head as if to get a better grasp as to what was bothering Anos.
"You notice it too Leader of Fallen's," like last night Anos placed them both in the barrier to protect the surrounding area, "He seems off did something happen recently?"
"You will find out soon enough but, it's safe to say no he is not fine even though he is trying to act okay," Tsubaki blinks in surprise as Anos activates Jirasd.
"Wait what's wrong with Lord Anos," "In simple terms, one of his tests failed and has put a damper on his mood."
Baraqiel picked up on the hidden meaning knowing the only test that Anos was running was the one to return to his world.
But Tsubaki knew Anos was always working on secret projects in Ajuka's laboratory after becoming his disciple.
"It must have been one he was working on a long time to upset him this much," said Tsubaki, watching Akeno struggle to keep Jirasd and her emotions under control.
"You could say that," responded Rin without a shred of emotion in her voice or face that Tsubaki could see but, Baraqiel couldn't help but think he imagined worry in her voice.
"The Dragon of Infinity is this concern I hear in your voice, have you finally started to awaken to your emotions," thought Baraqiel now watching Rin instead of Akeno's training.
Rin looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "You are staring Fallen," criticized Rin since he was supposed to be helping his offspring train, "Apologies I was lost in thought."
"You got this Akeno let those emotions flow through, you don't have to let them go completely but don't let them linger and hold you back from becoming the best you…you can be."
Akeno finally opened her eyes realizing that she would also have to forgive her father for abandoning her mother and her that day.
But deep down she knew it wasn't his fault but after years of being alone after the fact she had no one to blame but him and all she had left with was her hatred.
The sadness Akeno felt turned to Anger but she tried to not direct it toward her father the human who killed her mother but instead of letting the spell make her emotions run rampant.
She subconsciously started to control Jirasd through her emotions and not let herself get lost in her emotions through Jirasd.
Anos smiled in appreciation at her achievement but his smile turned nostalgic.
Anos the Akeno started to play with the spell causing it to twist and turn forming different shapes showing her fluidity with the spell.
Assessing that she wasn't going to lose control of the spell Anos lowered the barrier, he allowed her to continue to play with the spell because once she started using her own magic that is when the true problem would arise.
Baraqiel, Rin, and Tsubaki approached the duo, "So this is the demonic form of holy lighting, Jirasd," questioned Baraqiel outstretching his hand to touch it inquisitively.
"I wouldn't do that it packs quite a punch even in this form," Akeno had the spell in the shape of a square, "Really something of this size can't be that dangerous."
Anos decided to humor him for a minute, "You know what sure reach out and touch it," after saying that Baraqiel was skeptical but since he asked he would look like a fool to back out now.
Baraqiel reached out for the spell with his pointer finger, seconds later there was a tiny spark, and immediately after he was sent flying back scurrying across the dirt.
"Foolish fallen," commented Rin, "Lord Baraqiel are you alright," said Tsubaki running to help him up as he started coughing up smoke.
"I did try to warn you Baraqiel it is a very powerful spell," Akeno chuckled after seeing her father go flying back, earning a surprised look from Baraqiel having never heard his daughter laugh in such a long time.
Baraqiel smiled it was worth getting blasted back if he got to hear his daughter laugh again, "Are you smiling," questioned Tsubaki not understanding what he was smiling about.
"It's fine this pain was worth it in the end," he said taking Tsubaki's hand to stand to his feet.
Akeno continued to distort the spell as she questioned Anos with eager anticipation to continue, "I seem to have the hang of this so what next," but her anticipation started to lose some of its fire seeing that Anos didn't share her same anticipation.
"This next part will be much harder than before. I am not trying to scare you but this may very well leave you seriously injured," warned Anos as her smile turned to a nervous grin.
Anos then explained what they would be doing next, now instead of controlling the spell through her emotions she would be doing so through magic which would be the toughest challenge until she had to combine them both.
Like before Anos positioned his hand under her's but would be controlling the emotional side of the spell while she controlled the magical portion of it.
"Remember the amount of magic you will need is minuscule but when you grow to master the spell you won't even notice," after that last bit of advice Anos cast another barrier and secretly started matching his magic's wavelength to Akeno's.
He then converted the magic to demon magic then started funneling that magic into her hand, Akeno twitched at the weird sensation.
It felt familiar but different somehow but chucked it up to be being prerequisite of her casting Jirasd for the first time.
"Akeno are you ready," she nodded and focused on what Anos told her and braced herself for the inevitable.
"Begin," was the only signal she was given as she slowly started generating magic.
Akeno didn't know what happened after but she awoke on the ground completely exhausted, "seems you are awake how do you feel," asked Tsubaki as Akeno sat up from her lap, "Ouch my head and not in a good way. What happened?"
"Well…" Tsubaki then started to recount what happened an hour ago.
Akeno cast Jirasd and the moment she did her she felt all the magic leave her body as the spell ignited destroying the barrier Anos created but the moment it did he casted another one to contain the explosion in power.
Unfortunately, he did suffer some burns from the explosion, honestly not expecting this much of a reaction from the spell.
Anos also made sure to protect Akeno from the blast encasing her in a barrier so she wouldn't be harmed.
"After that Lord Anos examined your unconscious body and. you were suffering from mana exhaustion.
But in order to get your body accustomed to using the spell it is best to let your body get used to the drain that came with using the spell."
"Anos you are being too hard on yourself," Rin said flatly, they have been going in circles, and when Akeno activated the spell there were two reasons why.
The other half that wasn't revealed to Tsubaki was that Anos emotions also caused the spell to activate stronger than it should have due to his own negative emotions.
Although something like this wouldn't have caused such a reaction, Akeno was the one controlling the spell which played a part in the outcome.
Rin had been trying the best she could to voice that he wasn't to blame but Rin wasn't good at doing things like this.
Baraqiel also tried to explain to Anos that he wasn't the sole person involved in what happened, he was just glad that he protected Akeno in the end.
"I was the one responsible for the training so any failure is a product of my carelessness," Rin narrowed her eyes in annoyance it had been an hour and they had gotten nowhere.
Anos was just too prideful, "Your pride is getting in the way of your sense of reason," "I don't think so, it is the spell wouldn't have reacted like that if was more self-aware of my emotions."
Rin was seconds from punching him but when Akeno groans sitting up from Tsubaki's lap she holds back her itching fist.
Anos walked over to Akeno to assess how she was doing, "Hey how are you feeling," asked Anos taking a knee in front of her.
"I am but I guess I got more training to do before I can control the spell," said Akeno rubbing the back of her head nervously.
Rin grabbed Anos by his collar and threw him away knowing him well enough to know that he was going to say something to take blame which wouldn't help Akeno's growth.
Before Akeno or Tsubaki could process what she just did Rin interjected herself into the conversation, "Listen Fallen leaders child, you need to learn to activate powerful spells while utilizing less and less magic.
From what I believe Holy Lighting uses a considerable amount of magic so before we try Jirasd again master using Holy Lighting with as little magic as possible then we will resume using Jirasd."
Rin then turned to Baraqiel, "Is that understood Leader of Fallen's," she said staring blankly at Baraqiel and all he could think to do in response was nod.
Rin then turned on her heel as Anos floated to the ground, "Well you heard Miss Rin, Akeno once we get Holy Lighting down good we will move onto Jirasd but I will do my best to speed the process along."
Anos tilted his head at Rin with an impassive look, "What's the problem you're acting strange," "You should take a look in the mirror," Rin rebutted back stopping in front of him and staring directly back up at him.
"I'm thankful for the help but you are getting a little aggressive," said Anos crossing his arms and staring back at her.
"I did not take you for a child who needed to be pampered," Rin said back narrowing her eyes, Anos snickered at that he understood she was trying to help him in the best way she knew how.
But this type of help wasn't the best, although he was thankful she was trying to help him, "You're right I'm not and I'm thankful you are trying to help in your own way."
Anos couldn't see her face physically soften but he could see it in her eyes, "it is my pleasure," Anos could even hear the slight softness in her voice.
"So what other plans do you have," asked Rin since at the moment there was nothing for him to do.
Anos let out a deep breath he wasn't passed everything that he learned at the laboratory, "Well if you want to help, I could use another distraction to clear my mind to think?"
Rin gave Anos a blank stare but he knew she was thinking. She then snapped, "How about you train me," there were two things Anos noticed first when did she start snapping like that and what does she mean train her?
"Well, what do you wanna know," "I have seen in your world their powerful magical abilities and I am strong but I can see there may be a chance where I might be in trouble."
Anos remembered her saying that a while ago but thought she might have changed her mind about now, "Sounds like you don't want to return to the Dimensional Gap."
Rin held her chin tilting her head in thought, "It is my home true but I can let that dumb dragon home sit for a while. I want to kick him out with my own power."
Anos arched his eyebrow at her answer, "Sure I have a few ideas on where to improve," Anos and Rin then teleported to a barren wasteland in the underworld, things may get a little destructive.
Anos then walked ten paces away if he wanted to improve her abilities, "so what can you do," said Anos while creating a chair to sit in.
Rin then flexed her arms, "I am strong," she then lightly pressed her heel into the ground, seconds later the earth split creating a new ten-mile-long canyon in the earth.
"I am also invulnerable to attacks physical and magical," Ophis then reached into her chest yanking out her heart with no reaction then crushing it in her hand.
Almost instantaneously her body regenerated, Anos also noticed there wasn't any blood like when the first time they fought, "I can teleport instantaneously and I am a shapeshifter."
Rin then sifted her form to her Loli one then back to her adult form, "I can manifest my power in the form of snakes."
A snake then slithered out of her arm wrapping around it, "and as you know they can vary in size plus give them to people."
Ophis then dispersed the snake as it sunk back into her arm, "As a god I am capable of bestowing blessings onto people with no limit, and as a dragon I can either turn fully into a dragon or do partial transformations."
Ophis body started to glow as she grew in size turning into a midnight black-scaled dragon with emerald purple eyes.
She was so large she created a shadow that stretched for miles and Anos had to strain his neck just to see the top of her head.
She started glowing again as she shrunk down to her adult human form, "That is it," Anos raised an eyebrow was that truly it, he thought she was the living embodiment of infinity.
"Why are you looking at me like that," "I mean I knew all of those except for at least one of them."
"I never had a reason to grow stronger plus no one rivaled me except for Trihexa and when Red became a Dragon god," Anos couldn't really hate her logic without any motivation to grow in strength she never developed any unique abilities.
"If I am not wrong you represent the nothingness of infinity,"
Ophis nodded in response, "Here's a thought you say you can teleport. If infinity is everywhere all at once do you really need to teleport?"
Rin tilted her head confused by what he was implying, "Here watch, you see that rock," said Anos pointing to a rock at Ophis foot.
Anos outreached his hand creating a red magic circle, space distorted in his hand and around the rock.
Anos then closed his hand and the rock was in his hand, "Something like this if Infinity is everywhere at once shouldn't you be able to do something like this?"
Ophis then straightened her head and snapped, "I believe I understand," Ophis closed her eyes and tried to visualize what Anos was implying.
Infinity existed everywhere at once and thinking along those lines she can exist anywhere at once.
With that being the case she should be able to grab the rock from right from where she was, Ophis started to feel weird but not, in the same way, it felt natural like she was at home in the dimensional gap.
Suddenly everything around her felt within arms reach like with the rock it felt so close she didn't have to reach out and grasp it.
For Anos his eyes shot open in genuine surprise, "Her presence I can feel it everywhere and nowhere at the same time," the more he tried to comprehend what was happening he felt himself slowly get drawn into the depths of infinity.
To stop this effect he activated his eyes of destruction and the feeling disappeared but he could still feel the pull, Rin's hand slowly closed and the rock was there.
No spell was activated, no magic even activated it was just there in her hand, "Interesting very interesting," he said laughing in amusement.
"That felt natural," said Rin analyzing the rock, she then started pulling random things from around the world brooms, chairs, books, and even UNO cards.
"How have I never thought of something like this," said Ophis in genuine bewilderment, "Don't be so hard on yourself, you never had a reason to seek power so you never had to expand your mind to increase your power."
Ophis analyzed Anos words like she needed them to survive then a thought came to mind as she thought about how she was able to pull things from anywhere.
If she could physically do it could she do it pulling those things to her, Ophis emersed herself in the sensation she felt while opening her hand and pulling fish from the ocean.
"Seems that one suggestion opened your eyes to new possibilities," said Anos watching her play around with her new ability.
Rin then had another thought if she could pull things to her from anywhere using Infinity, could she also do the reversal with Infinity?
Anos just watched Ophis begin to ponder something, he was then smacked by an invisible force sending him flying back.
The sheer force of the blast sent him flying miles away and he when dusted himself off, he looked up and could only laugh.
There was a hole better yet it was a gorge that didn't have a bottom that he could see without magic, in the distance he could see Ophis just hovering in the sky.
Better yet she wasn't in the sky she was at the level where the ground should have been but she was now hovering.
"Well this is a problem," while using earth magic Anos restored the earth, after refilling the hole he teleported in front of Ophis, "So what was that," "All I did was instead of pulling things to me I did the reverse and that happened."
But there was something else on her mind, she unintentionally hit Anos with the full force of infinity and got up like it was a simple inconvenience, "Every time he finds a way to amaze me," she thought.
"Is there any way you condense it down instead of destroying the surrounding area," "Infinity can not be contained it is ever expanding," Anos was about to speak but Ophis opened her mouth first.
"But I can see what I can do." Like last time she immersed herself in the sensation she felt before thinking about how she could keep the ever-expanses of infinity contained.
"Use your imagination, if you want to learn new abilities you need to open your mind and think in ways you haven't before," was the only hint Anos provided.
"He says to think in ways I haven't before utilizing my imagination but I lack imagination. Better yet I haven't even dreamed before."
Ophis then started to reflect on what she learned, she could pull objects from anywhere in the world and teleport but how could she contain the power of Infinity from destroying the surrounding area?
A thought then crossed her mind if distance from her is now irrelevant could she…was the last thought Ophis had before she started implementing her idea.
Ophis opened her eyes, "Seems you came up with an idea," said Ophis with a smirk that tugged at her cheek.
"Touch me," was the only thing she said, "Touch you," said Anos questioning back but she just nodded in response.
Anos decided to humor her and shrugged reaching out to touch her shoulder but an invisible stopped him mere inches from her shoulder.
Anos tilted his head inquisitively, no his hand wasn't being stopped it was like the distance between him and Ophis was growing by the second making him unable to reach her.
Anos increased his speed and his hand twitched forward an inch but the distance between them grew even larger.
Anos then tried to pull his hand away but it seemed even going backward was the same amount of distance.
"Want to explain what's going on," Anos was genuinely interested in this new ability she manifested, he was pulling his hand miles away at this point but it wasn't moving.
"This is infinity by manipulating the space around me I can make the distance between us grow even though it appears we are inches apart," Ophis then lifted her hand to Anos face, "I can also do the opposite."
Before Anos could ponder what she meant he suddenly started getting pushed back against his will, "Oh how nice did you really think something like this could stop me?"
Anos pulled his opposite arm back slamming it into the invisible force, the earth shook from the power behind the blow but it didn't halt its approach.
"Not even your monstrous strength can stop the ever-growing power of Infinity," Anos activated his eyes of destruction but to his surprise, they didn't stop pushing him back only slowing it down.
"you can't destroy this, it isn't fully magic." Anos chuckled, "I can destroy anything," now this was funny, a conceptual attack that wasn't fueled solely by magic.
Anos couldn't neutralize it fully with his eyes of destruction but there are ways of fighting conceptual abilities that don't require magic.
Ophis was releasing the power of infinity like she did earlier but now she was keeping it under control by using magic.
Anos could keep erasing the magic all day but the magic was like a dam holding back water and the water behind the dam is the infinity.
Anos then used teleportation magic in an attempt to get away and was able to get free from her ability.
"Seems you managed to get free," Anos analyzed his hand seeing that it didn't suffer any damage from her ability, "What a troublesome ability but let's what else you can do."
"Do you're worse," in response to her declaration Anos cast, "Jio Graze," with his. open palm outstretched to Ophis a magic circle formed.
A miniature jet-black sun formed from Anos magic circle before launching at Ophis at high speeds.
The spell started to slow before coming to a halt, Ophis walked up to the unmoving spell and then touched it with her pointer finger.
The black sun-like fireball disappeared, Anos leaped back from the spot he was standing on as the earth exploded.
"She can even alter the direction of spells using her power," Anos continued to throw numerous spells at her with all of them being caught up in her power.
He did have other spells he could use but then a devious idea formed in his mind. Anos cracked his fingers then he closed his eyes as a smile crept on his face.
"Let me ask you do you think Infinity can be destroyed," Ophis narrowed her eyes she didn't like that look on his face that said he had all the answers in the world, "Something infinite can not be destroyed.
"Do you truly believe that after everything you have seen," Anos smiled even wider, Ophis narrowed her eyes Anos had a lot of tricks up his sleeve but there was one that she couldn't fathom.
In his earlier memories, she waited patiently to see them and even Anos declined to show her but when she did see them the battles didn't last more than seconds so she couldn't fully understand them.
They were called the Eyes of Chaotic Destruction, Anos's ultimate ability, from what she learned this power was what humans would call a broken ability.
Anos then closed his eyes, "You asked me a while ago to tell you about the power of Chaos but I can do you one better."
Fear was a concept Ophis could never hope to understand but this sensation was nothing but that feeling.
Ophis felt her very existence in danger even though Anos said he wasn't going to kill her but this was beside the point.
A blue hue was seen under Anos eyelids and Ophis felt completely powerless, with no magic, her divinity was gone, her connection to infinity gone, and couldn't muster and lost her strength to stand as she fell to her knees.
Ophis eyes were wide as she looked at her hands they were shaking and she couldn't believe it, her power was gone.
"So this is the power of Chaotic Destruction, such a monstrous ability," her eyes then widen again as her power returns as if it wasn't gone.
Ophis looked up at Anos breathing rapidly, he was sweet on his face and was breathing heavily, "Yep that was reckless but I couldn't help myself." Anos drops to a knee exhausted, "Are you alright, you look exhausted."
Ophis had never seen Anos so exhausted, "Yes but it was tough keeping it from destroying Infinity completely, keeping it contained to a small area, and making sure I didn't destroy your connection to Infinity only separating you from it."
Another reason why Anos was so exhausted was because those eyes used a tremendous amount of magic and using it for those few seconds drained him of twenty percent of the demonic magic reserves that he built up.
Ophis growled in annoyance, "You just had to one-up me. Now look at you panting for air like a baby."
Anos laughed at that a few moments ago she had a look of fear for the first time on her face, "You are one to talk since you were just shaking in fear moments ago."
Ophis scoffed while turning her head from him, "I don't know what you are talking about I am unable to feel emotions."
Even now Anos was replacing the magic he nearly used up but it would take time to get back to where he was originally, "Before all of that earlier was this training useful," even though they ended up fooling around at the end there was a point to them coming out here.
Ophis sat cross-legged on the ground and nodded, "Yes this opened my eyes to ways I can use my power that I thought I mastered long ago but how are you feeling?" Anos rubbed his chin while sighing thanks to Ophis taking his mind off things he was in better spirits but he wasn't completely over what he learned.
"This was helpful and I am truly grateful for all the help you have provided," Anos bowed his head in appreciation and Ophis smiled in response, "I was only trying to help with that being said can you activate zecht?"
"Sure but why," wondered Anos activating his pact with Ophis, "I am altering our pact, instead I want you to teach me so I can have the power to through that pest out of my home. I want to be able to defeat him with my own strength."
A communication circle appears next to Anos's right ear and he accepts it, "Where are you," screamed Rias from the other side.
"Hello, Rias are you trying to break my ear," "Never mind that when were you going to say that you and Ruval were participating in a promotion game this Friday."
With everything that was going on that information moved itself to the back of his mind but Sirzechs did say information would be released around this time.
"Oh yeah, information about that was supposed to be released today," "What do you mean you forgot this is big news it's all anyone is talking about on the television.
Where are you they are talking about turning this into a tournament" "Tournament?"
Rias didn't feel like explaining and just urged Anos to get back as soon as he could so he wouldn't miss the announcement.
A teleportation circle appeared underneath Anos and Rin and they disappeared before reappearing back at the gates of the estate.
They made their way inside to where everyone was gathered watching the announcement all present were his parents, Rias, and everyone in her Peerage except Issei.
Sona's peerage was also but she was absent most likely with her parents preparing for her chess match with Anos and Saji was also absent.
Azazel along with Baraqiel, Mittelt, and Ravel are also there present.
"That is right you heard it here everyone not only will we be having a promotional game but a tournament as well and the peerages competing will be none other than the Rookies Four which was previously the Rookies Five and after the tournament, we will have newly instated Ultimate Class Devil Anos Gremory go up against up and coming Ruval Phenex."
The news program continued on to explain how the game would proceed, "What this Rookies Four they are talking about," asked Asia.
Ravel was the one to answer the question, "It is a title given to Rias, Sona, Anos, Sairaorg, and another person you haven't met named Seekvaira.
The reason they are called that is because they have strong peerages even though they are so young."
Ravel also mentions something like this has never occurred before in the history of the Underworld.
Ravel claims the Rookies Five and their servants belong to something that is out of the ordinary, mostly because they are still young Devils who have yet to mature.
Most pure-blooded Devils would not train; instead, they would depend entirely on the demonic powers that they inherited and would simply trade off any of their servants that they deemed weak.
However, the Rookies Five would rather train their servants instead of making trades with other Devils. Source
"I believe Rias is known as the Princess of Destruction, and Anos is known as the strongest magical youth," said Ravel finishing her explanation to Asia which answered other people's questions as well.
However this did raise one question for Xenovia, "They said four earlier but you talked about five is Anos a part of them or not?"
"I never officially joined since I previously never had a peerage but you could say I became a member when Mittelt joined but, now that I got promoted some can argue I am no longer a member."
Said Anos answering her question, "I don't like being an opening act for you," says Rias with a roll of her eyes but inwardly she was happy that her brother was finally getting proper recognition for his strength.
"But this does alter how this week is going to end," commented Azazel thinking that now a tournament was happening they may need to alter the timeline of everyone's training.
After the announcement Sairaorg left due to him having to prepare his own peerage for the mini-tournament which left Koneko in charge of training Momo and Tsubasa.
Rias left to inform Sona but chances were she already knew but just wanted to make sure since she was focusing all her attention on beating her brother in chess.
The knights left to continue with sparing with the puppets, and Asia and the other bishops went back to the work they were doing earlier.
Venelana was off somewhere to prepare for the next part of Rias training and they would continue after Rias finished talking to Sona.
Mittelt and Ravel also left with Koneko, Momo, and Tsubasa to keep observing whatever it was they were trying to do.
Epilogue 1: Two Pawns One Dragon
Issei Tannin and Saji were sitting at the tip of a mountain's edge camped around a campfire eating a magical beast they had killed.
"Issei tell me how your transition is coming along," "Transition," questioned Issei with a tilt of his head but understood what he was asking, "Oh you mean with my heart."
Issei then started to open and close his hand to test his grip strength, "Fine but I have broken a few doors, how did you know," asked Issei wondering if it was Azazel or Anos who told him.
Tannin just pointed to his nose, "You smell of dragon so I could tell."
Issei then remembered during the rating game when Koneko said he did smelt differently, "Koneko said the same thing is it a bad smell," Tannin shook his head, "No it's just a normal Dragon smell."
Saji was silently listened to the both of them but was wondering what they were talking about and decided to speak up to find the answer.
"What are you guys talking about, I don't smell anything," Issei and he hadn't showered since they left so they did smell but it sounded like to him they were talking about something else.
Tannin pointed his claw at Issei, "He has been partially turned into a Dragon, and judging by some of the physical changes I saw yesterday, I would guess it was your heart or brain but I'm leaning more towards your heart."
Tannin then learned his nose toward Issei to get a better sniff of him, "Yeah I would say heart," Saji twisted his head to Issei genuinely surprised by this revelation.
"What you're part Dragon now but it makes sense how you were able to catch that bolder earlier. But how did you do it?"
Issei swallowed the meat he was eating and then spoke, "It was Ddraig and let me tell you it was the worst pain imaginable," Issei then spent a few minutes telling him how horrible the experience was.
Saji's skin was crawling, Issei's bones shattered and expanded, and his heart destroyed, he could only imagine based on Issei's story how it felt.
"I'm surprised you didn't lose your mind in the process," Issei didn't really think about that part and started to wonder why he didn't.
"It was due to your own strong will and determination," answered Ddraig from the jewel on Issei's hand, "I concur whatever was driving you was the reason why you didn't go insane," agreed Tannin nodding.
He then stood cracking his fingers, "Well that's enough lazing about lets get back to training I don't won't your joints getting stiff."
Epilogue 2: To Catch a Group of Rats
Vali and his ground had been summoned by Shalba to seek their assistance with retrieving Katerea.
For their part he wanted them to be the ones to go in there and get her out while the rest of them distracted the Devil's forces.
Their numbers were low due to the loss they suffered at Kuoh, "How do you know which prison she is being held in?"
Asked Vali curious as to how they knew she was being held, "Diodora Astorath," Vali narrowed his eyes he didn't recognize the name but from what he knew the family Astorath was a part of the 72 Pillars.
But just because he is a Nobel it wouldn't mean he has the information network to gather such sensitive information.
"How do you know this information is Valid, did he get anytime of proof of her being at this prison," said Vali questioning even further.
His job was to gather as much information as possible and pass it on to either Anos or Azazel.
"What's with all the questions," asked Shalba trying to hide his suspicion, "Pure curiosity that's all."
"I see but that much information is classified. So can we count on your group's assistance," asked Shalba closing the file he was reading.
"Sure but we don't work for free," said Vali standing from his chair, "We can talk compensation once the job is done just have your people ready by next week."
With only a nod in response Vali leaves, a few minutes later he calls Creuserey, "It's done let see if our hunch is correct," "Yes and Chao Chao said he would be delighted to handle Vali if the need arises."
Epilogue 3: A Field Trip with a Hidden Agenda
Athena was walking to her father's throne room at a brisk walk with Artemis following behind with her hands behind her head whistling.
Athena was on her way to ask her father for permission to go to the underworld to investigate Anos to surmise whether or not he was a threat to Olympus or not.
With that being said there were two problems, she needed to find a way to get down there without alerting people that she was investigating a possible suspect, which may lead Olympus to go down there in force.
And two if he was this shadow she wanted to discern if peace was possible and why he was here, "You seem to be in a hurry Athena did you find a clue to our mystery Shadow?"
Athena didn't stop her advance to her father's throne room but did glance up to see, "Hermes," Athena didn't have time for his tricks at the moment.
"Don't be like that you have been held up in your chambers so long I forgot what you looked like," Athena just rolled her eyes, deciding to ignore him would be best to get him to leave.
"You can try to ignore me all you want but I am headed to father as well," Artemis stopped her whistling to ask him what message he was delivering to Zeus.
"What message do you have for Zeus," Hermes shrugged, "same old same old just more vague information on this Shadow. What about you Athena you haven't submitted a report yet?"
Athena knew what her half-brother was doing, he was probing for information he may have been the messenger of Olympus but he had loose lips.
Luckily they had arrived so Athena finally decided to address his presence, "Well if you excuse me I have business with father," Athena and Artemis pushed open his throne room double doors walking inside.
Hermes dropped from the ceiling, "same here," responded Hermes under his breath pulling out a scroll, since he did follow them here for a reason.
Zeus was talking to Hera before they arrived and stopped talking to her for a few moments to acknowledge their arrival before turning back to Hera.
"Zeus is the plan? Ares is getting impatient and is itching for a reason the invade the underworld with the help of Hades," Zeus messaged his eyebrows, "And what would you have me do invade the underworld and go to war with the three factions."
Hera humphed in annoyance, "I didn't take you for a coward, we have the support of Odin, The Shinto Trinity, and even Shiva. I am sure not even they can stand up to this many gods."
Hermes coughed clearing his throat and grabbing their attention, "Apologies for the interruption but based on the information in this scroll I don't think we have Shiva's support."
While he said this he pulled out a scroll and handed it to Zeus who scanned it before his jaw nearly dropped.
Seenig that troubled look on his face Athena questioned him about the contents of the scroll, "Well to sum it up Shiva said he won't be taking any hostile actions against the Three Factions no matter the outcome of the Divine Counsel meeting."
Hera flared her golden divine aura, "On what ground," she said snatching the scroll and scanning it closely, "And he doesn't even say why. Does he not care about his own Pantheon," "I delivered a similar scroll to Odin and Amaterasu," added Hermes.
Zeus then turned his attention to his daughter hoping they had something to take his mind off this matter, "What can I do for you Athena, any new information?"
Athena let out a silent breath, now she had to convince her father to allow her to venture to the underworld to appraise Anos without alerting him to the fact that she had a suspicion that he could be the shadow.
"No nothing to report about yet but I do have a request," Zeus crossed his arms and arched his eyebrows silently telling her to ask her request.
"I want to venture to the Underworld to discern whether the Devils are a threat to Olympus and whether or not they are truly our enemies."
"Unnecessary I need you here to figure out how to locate the Shadow plus what if something happens while you are down there."
Athena was about to respond but Artemis spoke a second faster, "I can tag along as backup and with me around I should be able to help if an altercation breaks out."
Zeus still wasn't convinced, there were still too many unknowns, and if a fraction of what Apollo's prophecies were true then the two of them weren't enough.
"Let them go, Zeus," said Athena interjecting herself into the conversation, "Sitting here staring at scrolls won't get us anywhere, if Athena and Artemis can gather information then just maybe we can rally Shiva to our cause once again."
Zeus rubbed his chin in thought it wasn't totally a bad idea but he couldn't think of a justification to get them in there without raising any suspicion.
"And do you have a way of infiltrating without raising any alarms," Zeus thought he'd ask to see if she did have an answer, "Not yet but give me less than a day and I can come up with a few."
"Actually I may have a way," everyone turned their attention toward Hermes as pulled out another scroll.
"There happens to be an important Rating Game happening in the Underworld between one Ruval Phenex and Anos Gremory for the title of Ultimate Class Devil. This seems like a pretty big event and attending as a guest might get you close to the Devil King's."
Zeus snapped creating a small spark of lighting, "Well there's your way in, request permission to attend the game and gather as much insight as possible, and be on guard who knows what might happen while you are down there."
End Chapter
1: Source: wiki/Rookies_Four