It all happened so suddenly, and to the point where I didn't even notice. I felt many different ways about this, my pride being hurt was the least of my concerns right now however.
I needed to consider carefully how this escaped my notice when I had time.
At the moment, my focus was almost entirely on the Archangel that looked to be on the precipice of falling.
I quickly moved next to Father Strada and dropped the kids off, Jeanne was nearly just as fast as we made sure they were immediately safe.
"Will, what's going on!?" Jeanne asked in panic.
"I have no idea…." I looked around, truly confused about how this all happened. It was rare, and annoying where I was completely and utterly in the dark about how a situation went so pear shaped. "Pandora's Box just left my storage by itself!"
Through Father Strada's efforts, a very powerful barrier of Holy Power formed around the children with him at the center.
At a glance, I could tell it wasn't…detailed, intricate? It was someone brute forcing the method with just an obscene amount of strength.
"Can you help her?" Father Strada asked. "We do not have much time. I have only ever seen an Angel fall in person once, and this is much different than that time. Whatever is happening, it appears that she is fighting against it."
"I'll help her!" Jeanne declared, standing up and shooting towards her.
The malevolent energy around Gabriel swirled outward as she approached, like a barrier almost, perhaps not in function, but it wrapped around the area Gabriel was hunched over and swept Jeanne back, pushing her away.
Her light protected her, but that seemed to only intensify the malevolent energies that were focused nearly entirely on the Archangel.
They whipped around like a hurricane, Father Strada's Holy Shield seemed to be slightly eaten away as the energies collided with it.
The powerful Priest had to exert more Holy Power to keep the barrier from fading. At the same time, it was as if the Malevolence treated the Holy Power as its arch enemy, fighting with it in an almost…..intentional way.
Jeanne's banner entered her hand and her own Holy Light burst out, pushing back the waves of Malevolence and hateful energies, only for the source of it to burst out of Gabriel at the core.
Her Wings grew darker by the moment, and the energies conglomerated again, hovering above her and once more, those Seven Heads reappeared, a bit more solid than before, each with its own horns and glowing eyes.
It was by no means weak.
It felt like a remnant, a wisp of something, and just that was enough that an Archangel was nearly falling as it was trying…. to possess her?
That's what was happening, that's why it wasn't like a normal falling. It was trying to override her, to bring her down to the point where it could take over.
I reached out and touched the Malevolent energies that were crashing against us like a tidal wave.
My Demonic Energy seemed to….stir, oddly enough. It by no means parted for me, but it didn't seem as hostile as when it collided with the Holy Power. The difference between a seemingly directed hatred and an unconscious desire to devour was how I felt when comparing them in that brief moment.
{She will not last much longer. You need to act quickly.} My Zanpakutō spirit spoke. {We can ponder the peculiarities of this situation after. The immediate concern is saving the Archangel.}
As soon as he said that, I felt something else shift. It was something I hadn't felt in a very long time, since I fought those disgusting creatures in the Soul Cairn and truly used the spear for the first time.
It was faint, like a whisper in the back of my mind.
The Spear, that was barely healed back to full after suffering so much damage, but an insignificant and dying will remaining within the powerful weapon, it reached out to me.
"Please….save my daughter."
The voice sounded so utterly weak and decrepit, pained and broken.
….how much effort did it take for what was left of the Biblical God within the spear to actually speak to me like that?
My Demonic Energy erupted out of me, and I left the safety of the barrier.
"Will!" Jeanne shouted in concern as I pressed against the wave of Malevolence.
My own Demonic power fed into my bloodline, and my Power of Destruction began to rend apart the Malevolent energies that slammed against me.
Oh it nearly swept me off my feet at first. Whatever the source of this was, it was not something to be taken lightly and that scared me.
Like a literal wave, it crashed down and I had to push through. The few dozen steps to reach her were slow, and I couldn't even think about using Shunpo as my entire body was impeded by this disgusting power.
The Seven heads seemed to stare unblinkingly at me as if….measuring me? Like I was some interesting toy it had just found.
And the implications that there was an intelligence in there didn't do anything to assuage my worries.
I pushed through it, ignoring the feeling of many more powerful presences descending upon the area. I could feel many more Angels coming down quickly, but I focused on the priority at the moment.
My Demonic Power was quick to clear away the immediate concerns around me as I closed in on the Archangel.
She was crying in pain, clutching her own arms as her veins filled with an inky blackness that crept up her limbs. Her eyes were bloodshot themselves, and wisps of Malevolent energy spilled from the orifices on her face.
If I wasn't concerned about the side effects, my first instinct was to summon my Authority and disperse this malevolence. But right now, I had a feeling that Gabriel would be affected and harmed.
I had no immediate thoughts, no clever ideas as this happened so suddenly. I liked to think I was quick on my feet when situations popped up, but I was caught completely off guard and I was turning a blank.
The only option I had was the stupid one.
Demonic Power and Holy Power do not mix.
It took barely a nudge and the Holy Spear shot out of my ring between me and Gabriel.
A burst of Holy Power pulsed out, faintly touching the Archangel and amidst the screams of pain one word stood out.
"Daddy?"
The Malevolence seemed to react in turn. The Malevolent energy collided against the Holy Spear's own, causing a rippling effect to pulse through the entire area.
It really did not like Holy Power for some reason.
I could taste the hatred behind its instinctual response.
The only thing keeping me from getting swept away amidst the torrent of energy was the fact that my Demonic Power and subsequent Power of Destruction were warding away the worst of it.
"Grab it!" I shouted, not sure if she could hear me amidst the whipping winds underneath these two colliding forces.
The Archangel Gabriel grabbed hold of the spear, but it didn't do much other than seemingly push away the energy within that singular hand.
I mentally sighed.
Demonic Power and Holy Power do not mix.
I reached out and grabbed the spear too.
My Body began to fill with Holy Power as it normally did when wielding the Spear. Normally I would have the protection of the Spear itself to stop my Demonic Nature from causing problems.
My Demonic Nature was running rampant due to utilizing the Hogyoku.
I could feel my skin peeling away where I was grabbing the Spear. Burning it, cleansing it as the two opposing forces unintentionally waged war within my body. My Aura was doing what it could, but both these aspects were essentially a part of me right now.
I ignored it and pushed on. The Holy Power I had access to, I directed it towards Gabriel.
Without action on my part, Wings sprouted from behind me, and a Halo appeared above my head.
Even with injecting Holy Power into her, it wasn't enough. This….thing, this energy was violent and fought tooth and nail against any semblance of Holy Power it had to be used more than just a hose to wash the other energies out of her.
It hurt, everywhere hurt as I was wrapping my head around my options. The wings on my back felt like they were searing away my flesh, the Holy Power in my body felt like it was thorns pushing through my internals, yet I found myself smiling.
Perhaps it was the ridiculousness of what I was about to do.
I knew a lot about the Church, but I wasn't entirely privy to their secret methods. What they teach to the Burial Agency, the things passed down only to the most devoted.
But there was one Magical Miracle that was freely taught to anyone by the Church back home. And I had the back door to the entire foundation of their Cosmology in my hands.
I felt the presence within the spear align with me. Its intent bubbling up to combine with my own.
So….I'll pray.
"I kill, I give life. I injure, I heal. There are none who escape from my hands. There are none who escape from my eyes."
As soon as I spoke the initial words, the spell began.
The Baptism Rite.
I, a Half-Devil, was going to perform a Baptism Rite on an Archangel.
The Symbol unique to this spell appeared below us, glowing brightly as the Spear fed into it.
The Malevolent energy around us hissed in fury as the line began to shine through the clouds of corrosive energy.
"May it be so that you are shattered."
"I Welcome the Defeated, the aged. Surrender to me, learn from me, obey me."
A returned light flashed in Gabriel's eyes as the Malevolent power around her rampaged and began to recede, being pushed back. Wisps of it were escaping from her body, from the pores of her skin.
"May you be at rest."
Gabriel reached out her hand and I took it warmly.
"Do not forget song, do not forget prayer, do not forget me. I relieve you of all your burdens."
"I am the light and relieve you of all your burdens."
The Malevolent power was furious as it rampaged, but the light shining from the spear was…focused now. Directed, purely to combat this source of….evil in the purest form I've ever felt.
The Symbol of the Baptism Rite below us intensified, the brightest light filling the room even among the Angel inhabitants.
The Evil power began to dissipate and was forced to retreat at a touch.
It was like two sides of the same coin. They were both each other's enemies and the Evil portion was slowly being pushed back.
"Retaliation unto forgiveness, betrayal unto belief, despair unto hope, darkness unto light, death unto life.
"May you rest in my hands. Let there be a mark of your sins. Eternal life is found only in death!"
Gabriel stood up together with me, her hand gripping the spear tightly while I held her other as the Malevolent aura around her was visibly leaving her body at astonishing speeds. Like smoke drifting up to the sky, and dispersing once it drift too far away as the Cleansing light was making short work of it.
The Heads of whatever wisp of 'will' within it were roaring furious, each one of them making a distinct sound as it became the last hold out, clinging to Gabriel with everything it had.
"Forgiveness is before you, and so my incarnation vows."
Gabriel smiled warmly as her former radiance returned in full. Her wings the purest of white, and the Halo above her head shined golden.
The last vestiges of the malevolence were above her struggling as the light from the Baptism Rite surrounded it and pressed down.
"Kyrie Eleison."
"Amen." She finished and like a thousand blades, the Light pressed down severing the last bits of the Malevolent power completely as it dispersed into nothingness.
Comically, I was the one who nearly fell over once it was finished.
I let go of the Spear and I couldn't feel my hand. The Archangel caught me, not letting me fall over completely.
"You're hurt!?" She exclaimed as a Fiery Sword entered my vision. "Uriel." Her head snapped towards the source with a glare I never thought I'd see on a woman with such an innocent demeanor.
"Gabriel, he –"
"Sword away." She intoned.
Before he could utter another word, the ground below us began to crumble and break apart. Gabriel grabbed me and guided me off the point of collapse over towards Jeanne who was quick to wrap me up in a big hug.
"Will, you're hurt! Are you okay? What happened? Let me help you." She panicked seeing the various burns on my body.
"It's alright, I can't even feel it anymore." I gave her a smile.
"That's not a good thing!" She let out a squawk.
"Wah, it's my fault!" Gabriel also seemed to mimic her, and they both started panicking.
I….didn't know how to react.
Especially with dozens of Angels all standing around us, most of which were glaring dangerously in my direction.
Thankfully, the Holy Power finally receded, the Wings and Halo disappearing so they were no longer fighting against my Demonic Power. I also relieved my Demonic nature back to its original state to start healing properly.
My Aura was working overtime, and I would need to visit Artoria to get a Sheath healing when this was over…
The Kids were being taken care of by Father Swole, so that was one less thing to worry about.
But my eyes narrowed in on the leader of the Heaven Faction as he walked over. My second time meeting him, the Archangel Michael.
"Gabriel, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, brother." Gabriel forced a smile. "I'm a bit weak right now, but I'll recover, thanks to him."
"And he is at fault in the first place!" Uriel raised his blade up, pointing at me.
I guess Father Swole filled them in on what happened.
"Gabriel, Saintess, remove yourselves from his person and I will smite this defiler while he is weakened."
"You're still far from my match." I let my Spiritual Pressure seep out to add to my words.
It was one thing to take responsibility for what happened, but I would be damned if I let him actually move to kill me. It's not like the kids where it was an instinctual response to their training and they didn't really know much better.
"Uriel, please." Michael raised his hand, pushing down Uriel's sword. "Let's figure out what happened first before we start finding blame."
"She nearly fell, Michael!" Uriel roared in response. "What more do you need to act? Does it require her wings to turn black completely before you realize the danger these things propose?"
Gabriel's aura…changed, and she was…glaring, that's not something I think I'll ever get used to.
"Hmph." The Archangel twitched slightly, and after a moment of Gabriel's intense stare, he lowered his weapon with a scowl and took a step back.
The other Angels, they seemed to start the beginnings of shielding the area most metaphorically and very literally.
Michael put a hand on Gabriel and he frowned. "Gabriel, you're much more than weakened." He said with a noticeable amount of concern.
"Ah?" Jeanne voiced her concern much less pointedly.
"I'll be fine." She reassured him. "I just need to stay in Heaven for a few weeks and I should be back to full health soon enough."
"That's good." Jeanne let out a sigh of relief.
Michael seemingly was about to argue with her but also wisely closed his mouth after noticing his own glare from Gabriel.
Right, I was the one who helped her, there was no way in hell – Heaven, that she was going to recover so quickly. Whatever that was, it wrecked her insides pretty badly.
….she didn't want to worry Jeanne, did she?
Michael seemed to reluctantly accept that and turned to me. "I need to know what happened. I don't believe you intentionally did anything but…." He paused and glanced at the surroundings then at me. "You're hurt as well. This is a mess."
"I'll be fine." Oh it hurt like a bitch, Holy Power still fucking hurt like some people couldn't understand, but I wasn't in danger of dying.
I'm fairly sure the Spear helped somehow, staving off the worse of it.
Note for the future, don't use my Demonic Side and the Spear at the same time.
"The Box." I looked around, remembering the initial cause of everything.
Michael held his hand up and it appeared in a burst of Holy Light. "Father Strada told me that this was the….cause? I did not know what to do at first, so I sealed it immediately." There were Golden Chains wrapped tightly around it, all composed of Holy Power. "I admit, it gives off a very bad feeling, but I don't know what it is."
"It's….Pandora's Box." I didn't want to go into detail, but I was stuck between a rock and a hard place here. This was a fucked up situation and I was pretty much forced to be truthful. "Loki used it and tried to corrupt the World Tree some time ago. There was something inside that he wanted to insert into the Tree, but I thought it was….empty at this point."
I was negligent.
Michael frowned, floating the box back over to me. "That doesn't explain what happened. From what Father Strada spoke, this was merely a catalyst for the events…."
As if to answer his question, several more stone tiles broke off falling down the pit that appeared.
We shared a look and I slowly pulled myself out of Jeanne's arms as she was being very protective.
"Will, you're still hurt." She said softly.
"It's alright, trust me." I found myself kissing her forehead like I did with my girls and already finished before I caught myself.
She made an awfully cute noise that seemed to heal my soul more than my body.
"Uriel, you probably wish to join us?" Michael stated, rhetorically of course.
The other Archangel had been glaring at me without hiding his intent to lop my head off.
"You are far too trusting of the Devil Spawn." He snorted, moving by himself and jumping into the pit that had formed.
God, it fucking hurt still, but I pushed past the pain.
I wanted, no I needed to know what happened. This was a fuck up that seemingly originated from me, and I would find out what happened to rectify it for the future.
Seeing the state of St. Peter's Basilica I sighed in my heart.
I absolutely despised destroying historically significant things.
I followed Michael and jumped down into the pit.
Gabriel and Jeanne would be fine together. And I doubt Father Strada would be gone for long. Making sure the kids were fine, then coming back was my guess.
The pit was…. surprisingly deep.
It took several moments for my feet to hit the ground.
The light of the two Archangels illuminated the enclosed space.
An old stone room, half caved in except…this looked much older than the original building, like it had been sitting here for a very long time.
Centuries, thousands of years?
However, the remnants of the Malevolent energy were….obvious.
At the center was a sarcophagus and I immediately guessed who's.
"This is Saint Peter's tomb." I voiced aloud.
Michael's expression meant I hit the nail on the head. "Father oversaw his burial himself. The original Basilica was built on top of it, and when it was destroyed, it was rebuilt again into what it was….earlier today."
"Have…neither of you actually seen this before?" I looked at them in surprise because they seemed confused as I was currently.
Actually, it made sense, why would they care about the burial of a Saint when he's up in heaven manning the front doors?
The only thing noticeable….the Sarcophagus was slightly ajar as if something was pushed out.
I took another moment to inspect things and there were carvings on the walls, words from a language I didn't recognize. They filled the room in minute proportions and even the Sarcophagus was inlaid with them.
"It's Enochian." Michael seemed to notice my gaze. "Much of it is destroyed, but it roughly translates to suppressing Evil."
"It's a seal." I stated. "Whatever….that was, it was sealed down here. The Biblical God used Saint Peter's Tomb to act as a seal."
"….I didn't know." Michael said softly. "Father merely said that this was an important location and I did not think to ask for details."
I held my hand up, testing a few things on my end. "Space is sealed down here as well. Time isn't moving properly. If I had to guess, our location would be obscured by Divination as well."
{It was the Seal.} My Zanpakutō stated. {An unintentional side effect. It was seemingly created intentionally to suppress this….evil entity or this wisp of its power. The Box contained another fraction of it from somewhere else if I were to guess. The Seal itself was hiding its own existence as well through various measures. All in all, it did what it was supposed to, but there was no expectation that someone would bring this….fragment from somewhere else.}
And If we're still going on that train of thought, the one I had resonated with this one and probably attacked from the top while the other attacked from inside. It wasn't built to defend against the evil thing coming from the opposite direction and basically poked a hole through it.
I raised a hand up, covering my face in exhaustion.
What a fucking mess.
I retrieved a Healing Potion from my ring, drizzling it on my hand where probably the worse of my pain was coming from.
"You're hurt." Uriel stated, staring at me.
"No, It's normal for me to flay my own flesh to pray away Evil." I snorted.
On that note, whatever this entity was, it was enough that it could overcome my Magic Resistance. I didn't think about it at the time, but it was able to 'touch me' so to speak.
This did not bode well.
The Archangel scowled. "….you have my thanks for protecting our sister." He grunted.
I let out a long sigh. "It's technically my fault in the first place."
Well, he didn't argue with that, nor did he demand my head or rub it in my face.
So…..progress there.
I should have sealed the box.
I should have immediately taken it to Pandora.
I should –
{It was not a misguided assumption.} My Zanpakutō interrupted my pity party. {You can claim that you were negligent, but no one else around you showed further concern either.}
….I just don't like being taken off guard like this.
"Do you have any idea what the source of this power was?" I finally asked.
Uriel turned to Michael, and I was guessing that he didn't know either and was wanting answers just as well.
The Leader of the Heaven Faction shook his head. "I'm afraid that I am in the dark. We….will need to investigate further. I was completely unaware that this was down here other than the tomb itself…."
He seemed lost.
I pitied his position, leading a Faction and finding out that there was something like this under one of the major capitals of their faction?
"I assume we're being deported?" I said it humorously, but also with seriousness.
Michaels smiled awkwardly. "I believe it would be for the best if you leave. It will be difficult to placate the masses after they learn what has occurred and your presence here. However, your actions are undeniable, so I believe we will be able to salvage the situation."
Right, sprouting Angel Wings and praying the Evil away would probably lend credence to my innocence here…
"Many will demand answers." Uriel crossed his arm with a low growl. "Such as why a Devil was inside the Vatican in the first place. The coincidences line up to make it appear as though it was a timed attacked." He turned to look at me.
"….if you don't mind me asking, why were you here?" Michael also seemed to realize.
"Did….you not know I was coming? Yasaka sent requests through the proper channels and it was authorized."
Michael's lips twitched and his continuous smile seemed forced. "I did not receive any such missive. And while I do not police every action that occurs within the Faith…such a guest should have reached my ears."
"But it does not explain why you were here." Uriel reiterated.
"Jeanne was responding to Gabriel's letter, and we were being polite to observe the niceties that came with that. We can't exactly send mail up to Heaven. And….." I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "It was something like a date to see the sights."
Uriel blinked in realization. Did he expect something much more nefarious? "…..why did you wait until this moment to respond? I recall Gabriel handing that parchment during the gathering."
"Uh…it took Jeanne awhile…" Shit, I'm really going to have to tell them this, aren't I? I groaned, relenting. "Jeanne doesn't know how to read or write; I was helping her learn both and she wanted to do it by her own hand. Please don't tell anyone, she doesn't need to feel self-conscious about it."
I teased her about it, but that was mine. I wouldn't allow anyone else to make fun of her for something like that.
Both of them seemingly had the same look about them after I explained that.
Michael awkwardly coughed into his fist. "We will not speak a word. I believe we have enough information to sway public opinion away from immediate anger. However, the immediate concerns remain."
"I'll leave immediately." Even with the Holy Power searing my body hurt, telling Jeanne that we were kicked out, well, that was going to hurt much more.
Can't I just have a normal fucking day, is that really too much to ask for?
One simple day where something doesn't literally blow the fuck up in my face, that's all I want!
Maybe I should go back and visit Yoruichi, find some Hollows to beat up because I really needed to vent my frustration right now.
God I'm tired.
I was supposed to be relaxing, but the last few days of mine had not been slowing down whatsoever.
Well, better get this over with.
I got what I needed below, I roughly know what happened even if the peculiarities of it are still unknown to me.
Suffice to say, we've encountered two different instances of the 'thing' so far, that means it stands to reason there are more.
The Biblical God was apparently aware of it and thought highly of it enough that he sealed it away.
Once more, this did not bode well.
The circumstances of his Death are also a mystery, and I'm starting to wonder if it's connected.
"Will." Jeanne smiled happily as I flew up from the hole in the ground. She seemed to be happily chatting with Gabriel, which made it even worse. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, we figured out what happened, I'll tell you later." I just wanted to hug her and my arms seemed to unconsciously wrap around her tightly.
"Ah?" She squeaked. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
"We're being kicked out."
"From…the Vatican?"
I nodded.
"…oh."
"I….I'll talk to Michael!" Gabriel interjected. "You helped me! That – "
"It's alright." Jeanne interrupted her. "Thank you, Lady Gabriel, but….I don't want to cause any problems to stay."
The Archangel pouted.
"I'm sorry for ruining your trip." If I had been less of an idiot, maybe things would have been different.
Jeanne though, she just smiled beautifully like she always did. "You said it earlier. It wasn't enjoyable because I was here, it was enjoyable because I was here with you."
I wasn't blushing.
There was a tug on my sleeve by Gabriel who looked at me with warm eyes. Before I realized what happened my face was pushed between her sizable bosom and her arms wrapped around me.
"Thank you." She whispered. "I was scared, and you reached a hand out to me. I even felt like Father was there, it was a feeling I think I almost forgot."
"….I'm glad to help." Better not mention anything.
"If you make her sad, I won't forgive you." She whispered very quietly, just enough for me to hear, in a tone I had never heard from her before.
Did….she just threaten me?
I am conflicted because that felt like a genuine threat on her part, but I was also appreciating my face wedged between her boobs.
Wasn't she supposed to be the nicest one of the bunch?
{Actually, the Archangel Gabriel has slain more enemies than all the other Archangels combined.} My Zanpakutō helpfully informed me.
…wonderful.
[***]
A/N
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can't use the above under the same name.
Archangel Michael POV
"How have our followers taken the news?" I asked once everyone had gathered. It was rare to have so many of us together on such short notice. "And how are you feeling, Gabriel?" Perhaps the most important point.
"I'm doing better." She smiled.
"To be able to overpower the protective light of Father innate to us and attempt possession, what wickedness did we discover?" Metatron spoke, loudly as usual, but that just so happened to be a quirk of his. It was a serious enough discussion that he was not keeping up the persona of the 'ninja' play he liked to do.
"I think I would have fared better if I knew what to expect." Gabriel admitted, not out of hurt pride or any such derivative. A statement of fact as she merely explained her circumstances. "I felt as though Father's Light was both its antithesis but also its prey as it tried to invade my core."
"A strange contradiction." Uriel grunted.
Yes….very strange.
Even sitting upon Father's Chair, I couldn't help but feel lost about how to proceed. I had a few ideas of what to look into but I was hesitant to voice them. If even Father did not speak of this…..evil to us, then I felt as though I should investigate quietly just to be sure.
I truly hoped my guess was wrong, otherwise I feared for the safety of mankind.
However, it felt as if too many things have been moving according to someone's hands recently.
As if we're only hearing the music from a distance while the conductor was completely unknown.
The only solace I had right now was one of the final fail-safes that Father left within the system that I'm able to access. If all else failed and Heaven was unable to protect humanity, then we would all willingly sacrifice what little we had left.
I only hoped I didn't have to resort to our last means.
"The hate too." Gabriel shivered. "It was almost overwhelming. Pure hatred and Malice. It almost drowned me. All of us need to be careful from now on and be on guard."
"I have begun to lead a prayer around the Basilica to remove any lingering presence. I have yet to notice anything abnormal on the surface, but I believe it pertinent to be careful." Raphael spoke.
"Thank you, Raphael. I'm sure it also helps alleviate the concerns of our followers." I smiled towards my brother.
Just his presence alone lifted the spirits of our believers, it was a good judgment on his part.
"Father Strada is doing well to stem the tide of anger. Rightful anger, I might add." Uriel noted. "I acknowledge that the Devil spawn did not have intentional goals of chaos, but the consequences of his presence cannot be ignored."
"Uriel." Gabriel frowned.
"Do not look at me like that, sister. I have taken many steps back at your request, I am speaking the truth in this moment and nothing more."
Yes, Uriel was being much less headstrong than normal at Gabriel's ushering. I could understand both their standpoints so it was difficult to make a judgment.
"I have yet to meet this young Devil." Metatron's voice boomed despite the casual way he rubbed his chin in contemplation. "But even from your words, Uriel, I feel as though the blame does not rest on his shoulders."
"He should never have been allowed inside." Uriel pointed out.
"Yet he went through the proper channels and did everything requested of him." Metatron countered. "Is that not all we can ask for? Is that not what Father would have wanted? Contemplating it, my brother, a Half-Devil willingly wished to tour the Vatican. We have the human's 'security footage' that shows how happily they admired the sights. How are we to find fault with their actions when they clearly came without ill intentions and were invited?"
"…..I had one of the children ask me if I laid eggs." Uriel growled.
Admittedly, Metatron looked away because he had to stifle a laugh and even Gabriel held a hand up over her face.
Yes, Father Strada was…. precise in his report of everything that happened from the moment the Young Half-Devil arrived.
I wonder how Father would feel if he saw the Devils of today? Not the soul stealing, pillaging and raping monsters that killed and tortured for fun. Now, they convince children that Angels lay eggs and put fake facial hair on his depictions.
I wonder if he saw this himself which was why he never removed them when our fallen brother first introduced their existence to the world.
"It helps that he has a living Saintess at his side." Raphael noted. "I am saddened that I was unable to meet her myself. Both times now I have missed the opportunity. If Father wills it, I hope I will not miss a third."
Yes, the Living Saintess, of which we were still unable to answer the question of her existence. But her presence, her light are utterly undeniable.
"They're cute together." Gabriel held her cheeks.
Did you also see this, Father? The son of 'Lucifer' and one of your Saintesses…..together?
"Despite her existence, our followers are not happy." Uriel continued. "There are conflicting stories and stances. But a not insignificant number of the Church's hierarchy are calling for a response."
What a headache. "We need to be aggressive with calming any dissidents."
"Surprisingly, we may not need to step in." Metatron hummed, looking far off into the distance.
The Voice of God was able to perceive things that even I, who sat upon Father's chair, was unable to.
"Do you have something to add, brother?" Uriel asked.
"There were enough witnesses that things seem to be spoken favorably among the rumors." Metatron explained. "The Children present were speaking highly of the young Half-Devil even without any guidance from Father Strada."
A welcome surprise then.
"Remind me, what was the Half-Devil doing in the Vatican and why was he speaking to budding Exorcists under Father Strada's watch?" Raphael asked.
I don't blame him for his confusion, it would not be strange for the exact opposite to be occurring per Uriel's arguments.
It was no secret that the majority of Exorcists are…..trained a certain way. Hardened hearts that require certain tough decisions to be taken for the greater good of humanity.
We cannot safeguard humanity by locking them in a cage. They must be able to stand on their own feet, both shouldering the good and bad that come with that. Thus, we did not overly interfere with their in house….teachings.
"It took far too much effort to receive the….letter from the Youkai leader regarding their intent." I made a verbal note and I did not need to elaborate further there for them to understand my current annoyance with how the procedure was handled. While we don't police them every waking moment – for good reason – we should have been informed if such a high-profile individual intended to appear within the Vatican.
Even Father Strada was under the assumption we were aware when things reached the point where he was allowed entry.
A fair assumption and I did not fault him there.
It seemed we needed to talk with the Pope and Cardinals about proper management in the future for certain situations.
I only hoped it was incompetence and not maliciousness that set these chains of events.
"The intent from what Father Strada verified and we did so as well, was for the two of them to relay a message proper from the one Gabriel had given at the meeting. I suppose they also had the intent on…..sightseeing."
"I gave her a letter at the meeting and I was waiting for a response. I guess I forgot about how she would respond…." Gabriel looked down.
Uriel grunted, crossing his arms. "At the very least, it is…..acceptable the that they used the proper channels."
Well, even Uriel cannot fault them for the actions they took. They did everything proper and 'by the books'.
And even if we did, our hands were tied. Ignoring how the Youkai had seemingly risen in recent months to a place at a minimum on our level, Asgard now stood at their side. And it would be foolish to believe Asgard was 'weak' even after suffering through their Ragnarök.
"That was the most recent class of Exorcists in training before we signed the peace agreement, if I'm not mistaken." Raphel spoke. "That the Half-Devil spoke in front of at Father Strada's request?"
"Yes." Uriel affirmed.
"Ah, I believe I understand his intent." Raphael nodded. "Father Strada continues to show his wisdom. It's good that the children aren't forged into unthinking weapons that only know how to hate their enemies. To show them an object of 'hatred' that they can sympathize and communicate with should have given them the opportunity to question their own motivations."
Yes, it is obvious what Father Strada hoped to achieve.
"Thankfully they were able to witness the 'Devil' praying to save our Sister in front of their eyes." He said humorously. "I wonder what our Fallen brother would say to this."
It was an amusing thought to see the look on Lucifer's face as one of his 'spawn' saved our Sister through prayer of all things.
There has been a noticeable shift in prayers I heard over the past few months and I've even heard many that reference our living Saintess. Was this the signal of the times changing?
"What prayer did he use? I wasn't able to get a good explanation." Raphael asked.
Gabriel tilted her head. "Actually, I don't know. I recognized the first line but…"
"Baptism Rite." I answered unconsciously.
I blinked myself, because it came out without any prompt on my part. Before I could ask myself where that knowledge came from, I felt it fill my mind. Sitting on Father's chair, I had a connection to the entire System even if I had very constrained access, and it was just there.
I could see it, every aspect of it, how it worked, what its purpose was, how it got stronger the more faithful that believed in it.
A Holy Spell for lack of a better term that was able to be taught to anyone and everyone without reservation. No need to keep it guarded, no need to pick out only particular Exorcists to learn secrets that we didn't want our enemies to uncover.
Something….open for anyone who was willing.
It was perhaps one of the most practical and accessible teachings I'd ever come across. Purification, an elevation of sending wayward souls through the teachings of Father to their 'throne'.
"…..Baptism Rite." I whispered.
"Michael, are you alright?" Gabriel looked at me in concern.
"I was just…surprised." I forced a smile because I didn't want to concern her.
Why was there a new 'prayer' suddenly lodged in the System that was most certainly not there before?
And why did it come from a Half-Devil of all places!?
[***]
Wilhelm POV
Returning home felt great. Despite how shitty I felt having gotten us kicked out and our little trip cut short, it was always nice to be home.
The first thing I did, however, was grab Jeanne and wrap her up in a big hug. She was surprised for a moment, but she accepted it all the same.
"I'm sorry." I apologized again.
"Will." She said softly. "You have nothing to apologize for. Any time we spend together is something I cherish." She smiled beautifully. "Besides, I was able to do what we set out to do in the first place!"
"You gave Gabriel your letter."
Jeanne nodded happily. "So don't worry, please."
"You know, people say to 'not worry' when you should in fact worry." I said so more with tongue in cheek than anything else.
Jeanne puffed up and grabbed my arm. "No more beating yourself up."
"Fine, fine." I held my hands up in surrender.
"I can tell when you're lying." She pouted.
"Look, it's not something I can just turn off." I sighed, relenting to her pressure. "Despite you saying so, I'm the one at fault, I ruined our time together. I ruined our…." I decided not to day the 'D Word'.
"Close your eyes." She demanded, grabbing my arms.
I was about to ask her why, but the seriousness she had on her face, well, I acquiesced to her request.
I felt her hands still grabbing my arms.
"You're not allowed to peek!" She had a slight tone to her voice that really made me want to know what she was doing. "...please don't peek." She added on very quietly.
She pulled my hands down and through her guidance I felt something very soft between my fingers.
It didn't take a genius to know where she put my hands, and it wasn't the first time I felt up her butt.
Though I was genuinely surprised and kinda speechless.
"Y-you like doing something like this right?" I was picturing her very red right now. "S-so be happy, please? I promise I'm not upset, so I don't want to see you upset."
"Well, it's hard to be upset when I'm holding a piece of heaven in my hands." I squeezed very thoroughly.
She made a cute noise. "Don't say it like that!"
"How should I voice my excitement about having your nice round butt in my hands, mmm?"
"No! You're not allowed to say it out loud!" She whined.
While I was enjoying her very pronounced rear, I did feel something interesting as my fingers brushed passed.
I grabbed hold of it and pulled without the slightest hesitation.
"Eeeeeh!?" She let out a high-pitched squeak as I pulled on the thong, she was apparently wearing that peeked out above her shorts. "You bully!" She started hitting my shoulders as I opened my eyes.
She was the brightest shade of red I've seen since the Bikini incident.
Worth it.
I pulled on it again.
"Neh!?" Her eyes widened as another noise escaped her lips in surprise.
Before she could lay another barrage on my poor shoulders, I leaned down and kissed her forehead like I did earlier today. That calmed her down, though her tomato impression was getting practice it seems.
I also did, very reluctantly, let go.
"Ah….um…" She looked down. "M-mom said that when a boy….when we come back I'm supposed to do something."
I didn't even have time to question what she was talking about as she very quickly stood up on her tip toes and put her own kiss on my cheek.
"IhadfunIt'slatesoI'mgoingtobed!" She quickly escaped from my arms and ran upstairs.
….It's still mid afternoon.
[***]
Artoria Pendragon POV
I peeked my head out of the kitchen, not wanting to interrupt the moment Jeanne and Wilhelm were having.
Wilhelm noticed me immediately and before I knew it, I was holding him in my arms with his face buried in my chest.
He was hurt, the severity of which I could not guess based on first impressions, however the torn clothes of his spoke well enough to give me an idea. By his actions, it was safe to assume he was not in overt danger or harm.
My first instinct was to seek answers but…..this attitude of his was not normal.
I used Avalon to immediately start healing him as I ran a hand through his hair.
Wilhelm, even when he was at his worst usually showed a confident side of him. It was rare to see him so….tired and dispirited. Especially so when molesting the Saintess was not enough to raise his spirits, nor was he moving to do the same to me.
In another situation, I may have laughed at the thought of measuring his mental well being based on the presumptuousness of his wandering hands, however, I was concerned.
"You have had a difficult time." I said softly.
"I'm tired, Artoria." What he said was simple but it truly conveyed his feelings.
Yes, he felt tired.
"Then let us rest. I will accompany you for as long you require."
"Can't, still have something I gotta do." He muttered somewhat audible with his face still pushed into my bosom without the usual enthusiasm. "The Box, there was an issue while we were –"
"Hush." I cut him off. "We will speak later when you are feeling well. If it is not a pressing matter, then leave it for now."
There was very clearly a story to accompany his state, but it would wait. I will not have my man dwell in such a state without myself attending to his well being.
He let out a small noise of acknowledgement.
"Tell me what you require, I will assist."
"I need to go see Momma Pandora."
Ah, his 'adoptive mother'. I did not ask why, nor argue with him. "Very well, I will accompany you. Let us proceed."
"Yeah, let's quickly deal with this. I don't want to push it off and have something else happen that fucks everything up." He grumbled.
I quickly took out my device and sent a message to Yasaka for her and the others to talk to Jeanne and ask her about the situation. If a situation arose where they had visited, it was perhaps important that Yasaka be the first to deal with it.
Wilhelm was quick to use his Magic and connect us to where we needed to go as he uncharacteristically was very flippant with his use of it.
He really did wear his heart on his sleeve, didn't he?
I followed him as he stepped through and the world changed.
"Eh!?" A feminine voice sounded out along with a loud 'thump' as I saw a body fall off a couch and hit the ground. "My son!"
Wilhelm became enveloped in a hug from a petite woman, even shorter than myself, with long violet hair and a white dress.
"Hi mom." Wilhelm seemed to force a smile.
"Kyah, you called me mom!" She exclaimed, hugging him tighter.
Wilhelm spoke a few words about this woman, but seeing her in person, her actions and enthusiasm were genuine so I felt relieved as Wilhelm relaxed in her embrace.
"Not going to flash me this time?"
"Bad, bad!" She started slapping his arm. "Don't bring that up in front of guests! They're going to think the worse of me."
Her words cemented the acknowledgement of how much information she has obtained from Wilhelm thus far.
If she knew Wilhelm's full story, she would most certainly know that such a thing had become commonplace for him.
"You need not worry, I am well aware of Wilhelm's sense of humor." I offered her an out.
She smiled brightly, straightening her dress as she faced me. "I'm Pandora, the All Giving Mother." She held her arms open to express herself.
"I am Artoria Pendragon, Wilhelm's girlfriend. Though, perhaps you would know me better if I introduce myself as Arthur Pendragon?" I offered.
She choked, nearly stumbling over. "W-what?"
I looked at Wilhelm who was all but giggling to himself and shared a smile with him.
I very much preferred his smile over his earlier self.
"You already know about Raikou, is this so weird?" He asked.
A valid point.
"Well, I suppose…." She muttered. "Now that I think about it, the Heretic God running around as 'Lancelot' is also a woman…."
….that was a strange sequence of words to hear.
And apparently Wilhelm also believed so if the blank expression he had was any indication.
"Wait!" The Small goddess shouted. "You're not a God!"
"Yes, that is an astute observation." I quipped.
"No, but my rabbit is." Wilhelm retrieved his familiar from where he kept it, holding up the mighty animal for her to see.
"Why is your Rabbit a God!?" Pandora squawked.
"Oh well, things happened. He got crowned the King of Asgard…"
The Goddess fell over, looking dizzy.
"I believe you should perhaps tell her the truth at this point." Even if he was enjoying it, and I did not wish to ruin the fun he was having while his mood seemed to improve a smidge. However, I was beginning to feel sorry for his adoptive mother.
"Your mother can't handle this!" Pandora grabbed onto Wilhelm's shirt. "Next you're going to tell me that you have a God in your pocket!"
"….Wilhelm." I looked at him.
His lips quivered and it seems the intrusive thoughts won over as the Holy Spear of his was deposited onto the ground.
"Nope, I'm going to rebel!" She threw her arms up, running towards what I assume was the metaphysical door of this strange room that existed not within the normal world.
"Mom, alright I'll explain properly!" He grabbed his adoptive mother before she could get too far. "I'm from a different world, we –"
"Oh, that makes sense." She stopped in her tracks. "I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier."
"….what?" Wilhelm blinked.
I shared a similar sentiment.
Pandora laughed. "Did you think I would be surprised by that? Oh my sweet child, you're not the only one of my children that travels to Parallel worlds. Though that troublesome child of mine rips a hole through the multiverse every time she uses that Authority of hers." Pandora sighed in exasperation. "Wait, I haven't heard of that happening lately." She looked at Wilhelm. "….you wouldn't have an Authority like that either."
It appears that Wilhelm was unaware of this just as I was. An interesting reflection of what normally occured when he revealed his origins.
"Uh, it's complicated." Wilhelm scratched his head. "I use Magic."
"There is no Magic powerful enough for that. It would have to be a Godly Authority." Pandora argued.
"Capita 'M' Magic." Wilhelm punctuated.
"…I don't believe we're speaking of the same thing."
"Like I said, It's complicated."
"I apologize for interjecting, but Wilhelm came here with a purpose that seemed pressing." I gently guided him back on topic. It was no secret that he could be distracted quite easily.
"Right, yeah." Wilhelm's expression changed. "I found your box."
"My what –"
Wilhelm merely took it out and I felt a strange and uncomfortable feeling. A strange box with many different inlays and designs about it and it was wrapped in a powerful holy light in the form of chains.
"….where did you get that." Pandora's expression changed drastically. "That shouldn't exist."
It appeared she recognized it immediately.
"Not from around here." Wilhelm reiterated. "And I was in a conflict with….Loki, and he was using it to try and poison the World Tree back home. I had it with me when I visited the Vatican and while I was touring, apparently it triggered something that caused a big commotion. I was wondering if you could look into it, see if there's anything you could find? Because I don't want a repeat of that incident."
Oh Wilhelm was that what happened? I could see why you're in a sour mood if this was what caused your date to be ruined.
An unfortunate turn of events that realistically, you had no hope of anticipating yet at the same time fault would default to your hand due to the circumstances.
"This is not what I expected when you popped in again." Pandora stared at the box unmoving.
"What did you expect?" Wilhelm asked.
"I thought you were dropping in to stop the fight between your brothers." She sighed. "Godou was going to fight your eldest soon as he arrived in Japan recently looking for a fight."
Wilhelm closed his eyes, sighing. "I guess I'm already here, I may as well go deal with that."
"No." I interjected.
"No?" Wilhelm blinked.
"No." I said firmly. "It is not something that requires your immediate concern. You will rest after finishing up here."
"But –"
"No." I said sternly. "You are more than capable of returning after a few days of rest." I would not budge on this, your welfare takes priority. "If need be, one of us can remedy this situation, but you will be resting. Are we clear?"
It had only been a handful of days since the incident in Asgard!
I gave him a very stern look to know that I was not wavering.
"…fine."
"Good." I gave him a smile.
I love you far too much to see you suffer.
As much as I loved him for his willingness to help those around him to the fullest extent of his ability, he also seemed to prioritize everyone else over himself at times as well. I knew if I did not stop him he would run over there and engage in a fight while being tired like he was.
I would message the others after we leave. Wilhelm has done so much for all of us, I believe it was appropriate that we reciprocate. I believed he mentioned wanting to play around at the beach? That was something that could be arranged for tomorrow.
"I'm glad my son has someone to keep him in check." Pandora smiled brightly. "If only my other children had someone to keep them in line. Such troublemakers." She sighed in exasperation. "Let me see the box. I cannot guarantee anything, but I feel a…..connection to it."
Wilhelm wordlessly handed it over to her and she hesitantly accepted it. The light chains around it snapped at her discretion as she held the vile object within her grasp.
"Let's see what mysteries hide within the memories of the void." I could feel her Divine Power begin to seep out and her eyes glowed brightly. The room around us shook and the box began to vibrate, and I felt as though I could hear the faint cry of several different animals overlapping. It was a cry of anger and rage if I were to hazard a guess based on the tone. "A Lion, no a Leopard, no…it's both, Also a Bear, a Dragon, A Goat, a Snake, and an Eagle? That didn't make sense, there are too many contradictory characteristics. A snake and an Eagle are opposites in nearly every myth. Not to mention a Dragon and a Snake? A Dragon and a Snake cannot coexist. One is above the other and the other envies the former…"
"What did you see, mom?" Wilhelm asked.
"I saw a beast with 7 Heads, but it was too faint and distorted. The Memories held within the void couldn't take hold of anything substantial to give me a proper vision." She looked pensive. "Give me a few days, I have a handful of tricks I can use. If you're going to return to see your younger brother, then that should be enough time for me to figure things out."
"Alright, I'll be back in a few days." Wilhelm relented.
Pandora nodded, setting the box down then threw herself at Wilhelm. "My son is going to visit again~!" She said excitedly.
"Mom…" Wilhelm sighed.
"Thank you for your assistance, Goddess Pandora." I expressed my thanks as well.
"You can call me mom too!" She released him and I found myself having a smaller Goddess hugging me. "I've never been able to meet one of my son's lovers before! This is the best day ever!"
She was certainly excitable. I could see why Wilhelm accepted her into his life in such a manner.
I grabbed Wilhelm's arm after being released by the Goddess. "Come, let us return home. I will have you rest your head upon my lap."
Seeing him smile was all the satisfaction I required.
And it would give me plenty of time to coordinate with the others to surprise him tomorrow.
@***@
A/N
To calm things down, we got beach episode for a couple chapters. Then we're back into the thick of things.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have boosty if you can't use the above under the same name.
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