04/12/2012, Kuoh's Church, Afternoon.
Makoto is currently heading towards the now destroyed site where the abandoned church stood before the Shadow Azazel event and it's complete destruction. The boy walks the path carved between the forest surrounding Kuoh that leads to the top of the hill where Elizabeth said Azazel wanted to meet him.
Once he's there Makoto looks at the ruins of the building. Looking at it you would never guess that it was a church. Some workers are taking away the debris freeing the area from the rocks and blocks of concrete. The municipality discarded the event as simple reconstruction, an occasion to build something new surrounded by green which was proposed by the mayor of the town himself.
"Makoto!" the messiah hears an unknown feminine voice calling him and soon he's trapped in a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" says the girl hugging him, Serafall Leviathan, who's wearing her magical girl cosplay, crushing Makoto in her hug. "Leviathan could you leave the Messiah?" asks the voice of a smirking Azazel resisting the urge to laugh.
'How has the Councillor dared to call this ludicrous girl Leviathan?' the voice of Leviathan is filled with disgust. 'My respective in this world is really this brat?' says the Juggernaut, feeling for the first time in eons something that is contrary to envy, his characteristic sin, total and complete disinterest almost disappointment. 'First came Lucifer with the devils of this world. Then came the associate of Fafnir and now Leviathan? Oh shining Sun I'm starting to fear that even the great Me could be grimed in this world' says Apollo starting to feel a hint of anxiety. 'What do you mean my companion? I find the ones you just mentioned to be worthy of their name! Even this goofy girl, a laugh is always accepted let us not forget this!' exclaims Robin Hood.
While the personas were talking Makoto was trying to free himself from Serafall's hug. "Would you let me go?" he asks, clearly uncomfortable by the Satan's behaviour. Serafall whines. "But... I like hugging Mako!". Eventually she leaves the blue-haired boy. "Elizabeth told you were the only one I would have met" says Makoto looking at Azazel. The governor of Grigori sighs. "Yes, but Leviathan here wanted to reopen diplomatic dialogue between the Devil race and Grigori, even if it's nothing official yet" answers Azazel.
Makoto looks at the hopping Serafall. "Oh I didn't introduce myself I'm sooo sorry Mako!" the name 'Mako' makes Makoto to frown. "I'm Serafall Leviathan, devil's head of diplomacy, but you can call me Levia!" she says happily, offering her hand which Makoto carefully skahes back, expecting too much energy from Serafall. He was indeed right, the magical girl wannabe takes his hand and shakes it so enthusiastically that if it wasn't for Makoto's personas she could have broke his arm. 'I like her energy hee hoo' comments Jack Frost.
"I don't understand what does reopening diplomatic dialogue mean?" asks Makoto. Azazel's eyes open in realization, no one has told Makoto the dynamics of the supernatural world yet. "You see messiah our factions has been in a ceasefire for some centuries, after the Great W-" Azazel tries to explain the politics involving the three factions, but Serafall stops him. "Levia will explain everything!" she shouts so loud that she's even heard in the working site of the church. "Ops... sorry" she apologizes, much quieter this time.
Serafall explains Makoto the political situation of the three biblical factions since the end of the Great War five centuries prior. The Satan mentions that she wanted to use the menace of shadows to finally finalize a formal peace and a reunification of the christian pantheon as a whole, something that the three factions would need in case of frictions with external pantheons. Azazel agreed immediately, the possibility of a peace among the three factions wasn't a new option, as it has been discussed for decades, but many both in Grigori, the devil race and probably Heaven still had insecurities about it.
"I don't think you wanted to tell me this when you asked to meet me" points out Makoto looking at the fallen angel after he and Serafall are done speaking. "You are right, I wanted to ask if you could come to Grigori and meet the other cadres. It would help me a lot showing you are real" says Azazel. "Wait! Mako has to visit the Underworld first!" objects Serafall planting her feet on the ground. Azazel scratches his neck. "While you New Satans have already spoke with the 'attendant' Grigori is in total darkness about this matter" he says explaining his reasonings. "How do you know it?" asks Serafall back, they took all precautions possible to be sure no one could spy on them while she and her fellow satans were talking to Elizabeth. "I have my ways" Azazel's answer annoys Serafall.
"I thought we were going to work together to make peace Mr. Governor General" the tension between the two starts to heat up a little. "I still need to take precautions Leviathan, our races have been in a cold war for centuries. We both know this won't change in a day, and we both know the devil race does this kind of things too".
Makoto looks in silent at the two leaders waiting for them to finish. 'I'm starting to feel bored' whines Apollo. 'They are taking the path of peace, an hard and tiring one, but the most noble. I vote we help them!' declares Robin Hood. 'We aren't here to be politicians' says Kohryu. 'I agree' nod both Orpheus Telos and Yoshitsune.
"Ok! I'll let you take Mako to Grigori, but I'll be here to take him at 8 pm are we clear?" says Serafall acting like a sister, which makes both Azazel and Makoto to raise an eyebrow. 'Who does she thinks to be?' says the vexed voice of Lucifer. Serafall then takes her way vanishing in a puff of stars.
Azazel turns back to Makoto. "I'm sorry for that. We can go now" the Councillor then prepares a magic circle to teleport them to the HQ of Grigori. "Before we go, for everyone who is not a cadre you are just a sacred gear owner who I found interest in, ok?" asks Azazel looking at Makoto with a smirk. "Why?" asks the boy. "Your identity as the Messiah is a secret for now, it's better to let it be for now" as Azazel finishes to say this he snaps his fingers and they both disappear from the hill.
04/12/2012, Grigori HQ, Afternoon.
After the teleport spell Makoto finds himself in a large white and gray room full of scientific devices and notes scattered all around the place. "This is my sanctuary messiah, my laboratory" proudly says Azazel giving himself a pat on his shoulder. Makoto looks around himself to see lots of gadgets of every kind, from a mundane screwdriver to a complex contraption full of tools sprouting from the main body.
'Fuuka would like this' immediately thinks Makoto smiling at the image of the navigator in this place. 'She wanted to be an engineer right?' Makoto takes a quick look at the rich collection of electronical deviced in Azazel's possession.
"Azazel you are finally back" says Penemue who came in looking at a tablet, not noticing Makoto. "I have a report from the Slash/Dog team, Baraqiel already read it and thinks-" she stops when she sees Makoto she blinks once, then twice. Azazel looks at the secretary with a subtle smile. "He's... He's..." the woman trembles while pointing her finger at Makoto. She takes off her glasses and takes another look.
"Penemue it's kinda rude to behave like this in front of a guest" says Azazel teasing the other cadre. "Guest? He's the Messiah Azazel! you were not joking it's... it's so obvious I can tell it only by watching him!" shouts the violet-eyed fallen.
"Calm down Penemue, what were you talking about the report?" asks nonchalantly Azazel. Makoto has been distracted by Azazel's collection of trinkets and is currently looking at his work bench where a prototype Sacred Gear is placed. 'I don't like iiiit' creaks Fafnir. 'It feeeels like me' a sound of smoke hardly trying to exit clogged pipes is heard from the dragon.
"Oh are you looking at my projects? Penemue can give you the summaries of my researches if you want" says Azazel happy to see Makoto looking at his inventions. Penemue shakes her head retaining control of herself. "It's nice meeting you Messiah" she says offering a polite smile and bowing her head. Makoto nods his head in greeting, not knowing how to properly respond.
"By the way Azazel do you really think no one will notice him?" asks Penemue dubious about Azazel's plan on keeping Makoto's identity secret. "Only us cadres will be able to understand he's who he is. To everyone else we'll just say he has an holy type Sacred Gear" Azazel's answer doesn't fully satisfy Penemue, but she still accepts it understaning it's the best they can do as of now.
"So can you tell me about that report?" asks Azazel taking Penemue's tablet and scrolling through it. "Tobio and his team scouted many rogue yokais in the last weeks, they are targeting our outposts in Japan, but even the church and some devils" Azazel nods his head reading some files.
'Rogue yokai are rare, but I don't see any particular problem' thinks Azazel.
"Why does Baraqiel think this is so important? They seem like a normal bunch of rogues, just a bit more organized" comments Azazel continuing to read. "Tobio fought with one of them, a oni, and had some troubles in finishing him. Moreover even though he killed him, the same oni has been spotted again today in Tsushima. Baraqiel ordered a recon squad to survey the island". At the mention of an oni Makoto turns to Penemue.
"I fought a oni in Kuoh too, two days ago" says the boy. Azazel hums while Penemue takes back her tablet and shows Makoto an image. "Did the oni have something like this?" the image Penemue shows depicts the ornament of an armor, similar to the one Kazan Ishikagawa had. A black withered flower with thirteen thorns, all surrounded by a blood red square. Makoto nods his head to the secretary confirming he already saw the symbol. "We better look into this" says Azazel. "But now we have other matters at hand".
Makoto is following Azazel, he said they would meet up with his second-in-command Shemhazai, meanwhile Penemue is shyly trying to make small talk with the blue-haired boy. "So, Mess- ehm Makoto. You like music? I see you have an mp3 player with you" the talk between the two is quite awkward as Penemue doesn't know how to behave with the boy who could... probably? certainly? rewind her fall. He could do it right here on the spot right? 'Even if he completely rewinds the fall of just one low-class fallen the consequences would be... I don't even want to imagine how Heaven would react' thinks the Secretary knowing that the angels would immediately know if a fallen angel is back in it's pure form.
Luckily for her they soon arrive at Shemhazai's office, located in the Grigori's Ministry of the Interior, where the white haired gallen angel was drinking some tea while reading some papers on his desk. "Ehy Shemhazai! Look who's here" says Azazel. When the vice of the Grigori looks at Makoto he frowns for a second before spitting his tea. "Azazel! Why haven't you told me you brought the Messiah here!" shouts Shemhazai. "That was my reaction too!" whines Penemue. "Surprise!" jokes Azazel laughing after seeing Shemhazai's reaction.
Shemhazai cleans his desk and looks up at Makoto. "I'm sorry for this mess, but someone here decided not saying anything to his vice was a great idea" complains Shemhazai. While the fallen angel is cleaning, hard steps are heard coming towards them. The door is burst open revealing the white dragon emperor looking at Azazel. "Azazel! You brought someone strong here right? Albion says so" shouts Vali looking at Azazel hungry for a challenge.
The three fallen angels look at Vali in disbelief. "Ehy Vali how are you doing?" asks Azazel trying to ignore his question, he knew he was talkng about Makoto and it didn't like it, not at all. Of course Vali could feel something too thanks to having a Longinus, this boy will bring him mad one day, always too reckless. "Don't try that with me Azazel I know what you are doing!" Vali then looks at Makoto smiling widely like he has found a new game to play.
"You are that one right? I'm Vali and let's fight" says the half-devil pointing to himself without a second of waiting. "No" simply replies Makoto. Before Vali can say more he's stopped by Penemue. "Vali it's not kind to challenge a guest to a fight" she says trying to sway Vali away from challenging Makoto to a fight. 'Can't he focus on something else?' she asks herself. This was another reason why she didn't like Azazel's plan for hiding Makoto's nature. Vali. Everytime a new Sacred Gear owner shows up in Grigori it ends with the half-devul wanting to test himself with them. Every single time.
Vali grunts, but doesn't yield. "Don't interfere" says Vali to the fallens. "Why not?" he asks the boy in front of him. Makoto sighs and looks at Vali. "I fight only when I have to" he answers. 'I like the will of this young man' says Robin Hood taking a like for Vali. 'If he really wants to fight us let's give him what he wants. He will learn to not challenge people randomly' declares Yoshitsune metaphorically sharpening his blades.
'The Universe's right. We don't fight if we don't have to' is Orpheus Telos' opinion. 'Do what you think is better' says Kohryu. 'If a kid wants to play let's play hee hoo' Jack Frost vocalizes his thoughts. 'A good fiiiight could be nice' screeches Fafnir. 'Are you all seriously considering fighting for such a trivial matter?' admonishes the All-Father. 'But if you really want to then let me teach this brat a lesson' he says after considering it, it's been a long time since the norse god stretched his limbs. 'Your just as bloodthirsty as that cyber dragon' snorts Lucifer disappointed in the other personas. Wanting to accept a challenge from a kid? Ludicrous and shameful.
"Ehm... Makoto is everything alright?" asks Penemue waving her hand in front of Makoto's eyes. Everyone in the room noticed he's been spacing out for a while now. "Silence means consent" says Vali smirking. "No one has ever said that!" shouts Shemhazai scolding Vali. "Yes, everything's alright" answers Makoto after a while. Penemue sighs in relief and Azazel chuckles.
'Vali give up he doesn't want to fight' says Albion to his partner. 'Shut up Albion I will convince him' Vali ignores the white dragon. "So what do you say?" he asks again. "Vali I think it's en-" before Azazel finishes his sentence Makoto stops him. "If you want it so much ok". Vali smirks at Azazel triumphant. 'Take that old crow' he thinks. "Great follow me, we are going to the traing area!". Azazel looks at Makoto. "Are you sure about this?" he asks. "It's better this way" it's the boy's answer.
They soon arrive in a grand area with two large stands on the sides. Makoto and Vali stand at the opposites looking at each other. "Azazel should we let them fight?" asks worried Penemue. "We both know Vali won't desist and if the Messiah agreed there is nothing we can do about this" answers Azazel. "You just want to see how the Messiah behaves against a Longinus right?" says Shemhazai immediately understanding Azazel's reasons. "You found out" smirks the governor general not hiding his interest in the match.
Vali looks at Makoto. "We start when Azazel says it" he tells the blue-haired boy which nods in understanding. 'Vali use the Balance Breaker as soon as the fight starts' Albion tells him. 'He's that strong? Now I'm starting to feel excited' answers the white dragon emperor stretching his hands.
'Universe, I will deal with this brat if you agree' says Odin. 'No wayyyy!' violently roars Fafnir. Makoto takes his head feeling some pain after Fafnir's roar. "What's happening?" asks Vali. "Nothing" answers Makoto. 'I'll use Odin, Fafnir stay quiet please' asks Makoto. 'I'm sorryyy Universe' apologizes Fafnir.
"Begin!" shouts Azazel.
Instantly white wings appear from Vali's back. "BALANCE BREAKER!" shouts the boy shocking the three fallens. "What is he thinking?" asks Shemhazai, his mouth open. "Wait Vali!" yells Penemue. Azazel silences both of them. "This is nothing, just watch" he says looking at the fight with a smile on his face. "Even the strongest weapons in our world, the longinuses, pale in comparison to what Makoto Yuki can do. I saw it with my own eyes" he says making Shemhazai and Penemue to sit down and watch closely.
"DIVINE DIVIDING SCALE MAIL!" roars Albion as the white armor of the longinus' Balance Breaker envelopes Vali's body. Vali's eyes shine from behind his helmet and the white dragon emperor flies towards Makoto at incredible speed and makes to touch him.
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
Vali is able to divide Makoto's power, but something feels strange. 'Albion why didn't we get power in return after dividing him?' he asks confused at his partner. 'I... We certainly divided him, but his power is too low. It doesn't make any sense. He shouldn't be stronger than a regular teenager' answers the white dragon. Vali rushes again at Makoto trying to land an hit on him, but his punch doesn't do any damage to the other boy who simply looks at him with a neutral expression.
"What!?" shouts Vali seeing his punch doesn't affect Makoto. 'Vali I suggest we stand back and think about a plan, we can't fight him normally' Vali nods mentally his head.
"Are we done?" rhetorically asks Vali the voice of the All-Father. Makoto pulls the trigger of the evoker summoning Odin. It's magnificent golden armour and blue coat shine above Makoto. One of his crows, Huginn gently lands on the god's shoulder. Odin carefully fixes his winged helm on his head and points the golden Gungnir at Vali.
"I am Thou. Thou art I. From the Universe in thy soul I am born. The mighty gates of Asgard open as I walk. Gods and mortals alike bow as I speak. Father of Victory. Father of Gods. Father of Fate. Everything from me is born. I am Odin, the All-Father" announces the persona of the Emperor Arcana hiding a scary grin behind his armor.
Vali freezes, the fallen angels too. This isn't the old, lazy and playful Odin the world knows. This is a monster. A powerful and merciless ruler, the power surrounding this figure tells much. Someone to whom obey out of fear, not respect. Someone who's not afraid of using utter violent power. The Great God of the North looks at Vali.
"Challenging someone out of a feeling? I can respect the courage, but it can just be idiocy" says Odin before delving into Makoto's mind.
"Azazel? W-what was that? It couldn't be Odin right?" asks Shemhazai to his friend. Azazel just shakes his head. "It was Odin indeed" is his answer. "I've already met the All-Father Azazel, those two have nothing in common! Odin's presence gives out calm and wisdom" yells Penemue. "This one is... darker, stronger" she says gulping, not wanting to fully elaborate the consequences of what she just said. Gods aren't to be played with, from the weakest of them to the strongest the result is the same.
Vali just grins. "A God! That is an interesting Sacred Gear you have!" Vali completely ignores Albion's advice and attacks Makoto, his desire for battle taking over him. Vali's wing attacks are parried by Makoto's sword, the Deus Xiphos. "You even have an holy sword! I'm amazed this will be a fun fight!" Vali starts to attack faster with both his wings and hands. While the two boys are fighting Vali teleports himself behind Makoto ready to strike a powerful kick filled by both demonic power and the power of his Sacred Gear. Dozens of magic circles appear around Vali's leg each one a different type of empowerment. A spectral white dragon's head surrounds the kick roaring.
"Odin!" shouts Makoto summoning once again the god. The Gungnir impales Vali's leg on the ground not letting the white dragon emperor to attack the Messiah breaking through all the magic circles destroying them in thousands of magical fragments. "While you are a degenerate when interacting with others, you are quite cunning and talented when fighting. Be proud I usually don't praise mortals" says Odin disappearing again.
Vali holds his leg, the god's spear completely ignored the scale mail. 'Vali listen to me!' yells Albion. 'What do you want? I'm having fun here, how many times you have the chance to fight a god!?' Vali stops Albion from saying anything and restart the fight with Makoto.
"Odin is right! I was a degenerate for not asking your name, I'm Vali" says the silver-haired between fists parried or dodged by Makoto. "Makoto Yuki".
"Tell me Makoto, can I call you that? I heard Odin was much more goofy than your comrade" says the white dragon emperor. "They aren't the same Odin".
Makoto then stops playing on the defensive and starts to counterattack. After blocking another punch from Vali Makoto.
"Ziodyne!" Odin appears for a mere second channeling a powerful lighting towards Vali.
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
Vali manages to divide four times before the lighting hits him reducing the damage. "It hurts like hell even after four divides" grunts Vali flying up. 'Vali if you don't stop right now I will stop you' threatens Albion. 'What the fuck are you saying Albion? We are just getting started!' shouts Vali in his mind before diving towards Makoto like a hawk his arm like a spear aimed at the blue-haired boy.
"Tetrakarn!" shouts Makoto creating a barrier around himself. When Vali hits Makoto the attack is reverted to Vali leaving Makoto completely unscathed.
Vali is launched in the back of the training area hitting the wall and cracking it severely. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Vali begins to laugh as the armor breaks. "I found it! I found someone with whom I can train with!".
The three fallen angels look at each other. "Azazel what did we just witness?" asks Penemue. "Vali is happy?" says Shemhazai not believing his own eyes. "You witnessed to the power of the boy to which our Father entrusted the sake of the world" answers Azazel.
Makoto walks towards Vali offering him his hand. "Are you okay?" he asks. "More than ever" answers Vali accepting Makoto's hand. "We will spar again right?" Vali looks at Makoto with the most serious stare the blue-haired boy has ever seen, even more serious than Mitsuru's, or Akihiko's one when talking about training. 'I misjudged the boy' admits Odin. 'I think we all did' says Orpheus Telos. 'I've always knew it! my companions!' shouts Robin Hood. "Ok" answers Makoto.
'I am Thou. Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond. Thou shalt have the Universe blessing when choosing to create personas of the Star Arcana'.
Azazel approaches the two boys. "See Vali? You know how to make friends when you want" mockingly says Azazel earning a snort from Vali. "Shut up crow" he says annoyed. "Makoto I have to bring you back to Kuoh or else we'll both have to endure Leviathan's antics" says Azazel with pleading eyes. "Yeah... I understand" answers Makoto. "Wait, won't he stay here in Grigori?" Azazel shakes his head at Vali's question.
"He is here as a guest now we must hurry it's almost 8 pm I don't want a devil pestering me about not being a good babysitter for fuck's sake!"
04/12/2012, Kuoh Church, Evening.
In the exact same instant Makoto appears Serafall runs to hug him. "Makoooo! Have the bad evil fallen angels treat you well?" her hug is once again not letting Makoto breathe. "Serafall. Leave Makoto now" says the cold voice of Elizabeth who was just behind them. A chill runs through Azazel's spine. 'Leviathan is doomed' he thinks.
"I don't wanna!" whines Serafall not leaving the boy. Elizabeth takes a step closer a frown forming on her usual relaxed face. "You have three seconds" she whispers. Eventually Serafall leaves Makoto between some cries.
"Liz what were you two doing together?" asks the boy. "While you were forging a new bond I decided to talk with our devil friends" answers the woman in blue. Makoto is content with this answer and takes out the vekvet key from his pocket. "Good night" he says, visually tired, before leaving Elizabeth Azazel and Serafall behind and entering the Velvet Room. "I salute you too" says Elizabeth following Makoto.
Serafall looks at Azazel. "What have you done to Mako?" asks the Satan after seeing her 'dear' future brother going away so quickly. "Can you tell me why you call him as such?" asks back Azazel wanting to clear his mind. "He's my So's boyfriend of course I call him like that!" Azazel sighs at Serafall's answer and decides to head back to the Grigori. 'I've had enough of this' he thinks.
04/12/2012, Sona's Dorm, Evening.
"Sooonaa! It's your beloved big sis!" shouts Serafall knocking on Sona's door. Her little sister opens the door with an exasperated look. "Sister what do you need? It's almost 10 pm and I have school tomorrow" sighs the girl. "Oh I just wanted to say you I approve it so much!" says Serafall a big smile on her face. "You approve what?" asks confused Sona. "Your relationship with Makoto obviously!" when Serafall says this Sona blushes red. "What is in your mind!?" shouts the student council president. "Don't be shy Sona you can tell everything to your big sis!". Not wanting to hear anything else from Serafall Sona decides to slam the door on her.