WebNovels

Chapter 99 - The Burdens Of A King

The Seraphic System

Chapter: 99

Disclaimer: I don't own High School DxD or any other universe used in this story. However, all original characters, plotlines, and world-building elements created in this story are my own.

Pa/ t reon details below the chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance.

A longer chapter like the last. Hope you guys enjoy this as always and I'll see you again for the 100th chapter of seraphic! Leave any suggestions you may have if you wish to see them potentially added :)

(The Burdens of a King)

-{Ares}-

Ares hung his head low, the vines around his wrists cutting into his divine flesh. The dark wooden room felt suffocating, vines creeping along the walls like they were alive and watching him.

He didn't wince as the thick spikes that made soft trickles of blood leak out from open wounds shifted ever so slightly, or even with the feeling of his relatively pure divine power being sapped out. 

Ares could only do what he had been doing since waking up.

Think.

He'd been so sure. 

That cocky Demigod's words had been exactly what he wanted to hear. Heaven's downfall, sweet retribution for all the times those self-righteous Angels had gotten in his way. 

His plans with Aphrodite were ruined now, and that Angel had humiliated him in front of everyone. 

Had it been so wrong to want to get revenge? 

It wasn't like this had been the only reason for his joining this attack. They'd promised him Angels. A few for his own entertainment, along with riches from Heaven's vaults.

It seemed like easy pickings. 

God was dead, after all. 

That knowledge had filled him with confidence regarding Heaven. Especially with all those powerhouses joining the attack, it should have been a sure thing. 

The Khaos Brigade as he had come to learn was a powerful budding coalition after all. 

It was that confidence which was why he'd pushed to the front lines, wanting to claim as much as he could before the others got their share.

What a load of shit that turned out to be.

The Angels, no matter of what rank, had shown themselves to be as old and experienced as some of the oldest gods. 

The sheer tactical knowledge they displayed was frightening from a war perspective. The army in whites had met a force that had been meant to overwhelm and honestly, he had at least been expecting them to push the heavenly army back. 

Yet, they hadn't. 

The army of golden angels had displayed themselves in a formation that had made left him mesmerised. 

They pushed back again the tide with a contemptuous ease.

Then the Arch-Angels had appeared and Ares realised they'd miscalculated. The Angels weren't weakened. They were even stronger than Gods.

Gods who were supposed to be at the apex of this world. Perhaps only matched by Dragons. 

After all, Divine power was the most versatile energy in existence, maybe only matched by faith energy or draconic power. 

It allowed Gods like him to connect with concepts of reality and bend them to their will. It could create, destroy, end, or begin. It did not have leanings like other energies had. And domain skills gave Gods an unfair advantage over everyone else.

The potency it had in its input and effect ratio was superior to all energies barring a few specialised ones. 

That's why he had been so confident about his first encounter with an Arch-Angel. That confidence had died with a resounding screech as a phantom born out their blows whispered in his ears, a horrifying revelation. 

The Angels somehow had their own version of domains. Not as potent as a God's, but they still gave them an edge. Uriel had proved that. Even being around the same power level,Ares' domain skills should have outclassed Uriel completely. But they hadn't. 

Ares would never admit it but he had been relieved when another God had distracted the Arch-Angel, letting him face that girl instead. Someone who was woefully outmatched.

While he had enjoyed the thrill of the battle with Uriel, it had become clear that no matter how much efforts he put in, he wasn't going to win the battle. And while he wouldn't acknowledge it, the battle with the blonde-haired girl had helped soothe his wounded pride as he dragged her to the edge of death.

Then the target of his hatred had exploded out of Heaven's gates. 

He had been thrilled. Ares hadn't been sure if that vile Angel would be in Heaven, but fortunately, he was. Ares was glad that his brutal display had drawn him out. 

Then it hadn't taken him long to realise that whatever had happened before wasn't a fluke. 

The Angel who had embarrassed him in the eyes of his fellow Gods, who he had known were watching. Then, for a lack of other words, proceeded to beat the living shit out of him. 

His thoughts came to a screeching halt, as light briefly pierced his vision. The door had creaked open, interrupting his brooding. A silhouette was made within the light, his vision adjusting to watch as the Angel stepped in. 

Those cold, emotionless eyes fixed on him without a hint of mercy.

Despite himself, he glared at his captor.

There was a brief silence between them and Ares wouldn't show how unnerved he really was. This didn't feel like the fierce person he had fought at Heaven's Gate. 

He decided to break the silence.

"I bet you're feeling rather proud of yourself." Ares bit out.

"You'd be surprised." his voice replied evenly.

"Oh yeah?" He gritted his teeth. "I'm guessing the others got away?"

"Some did, some didn't." he replied unhelpfully.

"So what are you going to do?" he asked, hiding his wariness. "Kill me?"

"No. You'd just revive," the Angel said with boredom. "You have better uses despite your rather useless and sullied existence."

Ares scoffed derisively.

"I doubt my Father will approve of that." he bit back.

"Your father doesn't know where you are." the Angel pointed out. 

"Oh yeah?" He challenged. "I felt the presence of Hestia and Aphrodite. I am sure, the news of my attempt at conquering heaven may reach his ears anytime now."

He briefly paused, expecting their attention to be directed at the usage of their names.

The Angel smiled for the first time.

"What makes you think they would tell Zeus?" he asked, using his father's name intentionally. A challenging glint in his eyes. 

"Because we are family," Ares replied seriously and defensively.

The Angel laughed, sounding genuinely amused at his remark.

"I mean, I'm not even going to start on about Aphrodite's thoughts on you. Frankly? I think you know better than me. As for Hestia, why would she go against me for a cretin like you? You're a traitor, you aren't exactly pleasant to be around, and you're hardly irreplaceable," the Angel said.

Ares laughed back, attempting to match his demeanour which was having the effect of unsettling him

"You think you're important enough to gain her trust? I've known her for thousands of years!" he replied, subtly trying to dissuade him from whatever purpose he had in mind.

The Angel looked considerate, as if debating whether something was worth it. 

Light pulsed out and Ares prepared himself. While there was a muted sense of shock at the Angel being so unchivalrous to outright attack a defeated enemy, he prepared to be attacked.

However, the attack didn't come as the light bent the space around him, a picture coming overlaying reality. What he saw left him shocked. He was suddenly sitting on a field, shadowed by two large trees whose magnificence took his breath away.

What caught his immediate attention was his aunt, who stood in front of the Angel. His aunt had a look that Ares had never seen as she leaned in and kissed the Angel.

It was just a brief moment and Ares looked on, pure shock rattling his body and pushing the vines' thorns deeper into his skin. 

Then, as swiftly as it had come, the illusion faded. 

The light left the room and Ares was returned back to the dark interior of the prison he was supposed to be in. 

These harrowing shadowed walls somehow felt much safer than before. 

W-what… what the hell.. 

The Angel seemed content to pretend as if nothing had ever happened. 

"Maybe. Either way, I'd probably tell him eventually, even if Zeus finds out, so what?" He shrugged. "You aren't leaving these confines until I feel like it."

Ares had to quickly shake his head to remove the thoughts, regaining his composure. 

"So I ask once again, what is your plan?" Ares asked, keeping a calm facade. His eyes burned as he hoped that at least they wouldn't betray his thoughts to the enemy.

The Angel's expression remained unchanged, but something cold shifted in his eyes.

"I'm going to ask you questions and you're going to answer them." He said, as if it was just that simple. "You can choose how easy you want to make this, Ares."

What unnerved Ares the most was just how unconvincing he was being… it was as if he didn't really care either way and actually wanted him to resist. Ares straightened as much as the vines allowed.

"And if I don't?"

"Then things get unpleasant." The Angel smiled as he stepped closer, his body too close to his. "Tell me about the Khaos Brigade."

Ares almost laughed. "You think I'm going to betray them? They're a much bigger threat than you realise. You have just defended one attack of theirs. They have resources to employ even more. You can't imagine the terror they are capable of spreading."

"Right…" he said blandly. "How about you start by telling me about these supposed resources?"

Ares grimaced.

Despite his status… he honestly didn't know much. 

He hadn't exactly planned to stay on their side when the war he had desired broke out. He only knew there were some heavy hitters and serious resources involved. 

"I see." The Angel raised his hand, pointing directly at him. 

Horror filled him and for the first time, he genuinely felt a slither of fear, looking up into those cold eyes. 

"Wai-"

"Judgment."

The world did not dissolve. It snapped. One moment he was in the wooden prison, the next he was a Spartan farmer named Lycomedes, his hands caked with the soil/mud of his farm/homeland. He felt the sun on his wrinkled neck, the ache in his back, the fierce, consuming love for the boy who was his world. A son with eyes as bright as the Aegean Sea.

Then he watched himself, the God Ares, whisper promises of glory into the Spartan king's ear. He felt Lycomedes' pride as his son marched off, spear held high. And then he felt the world-ending emptiness as they brought the boy back on a shield, a ragged hole where his bright eyes used to be. The grief was not a memory. It was a physical force, a spear through his own chest, carving him hollow from the inside out. He screamed a father's scream, a sound of pure agony that tore his throat raw, cursing the very Fates/gods who had orchestrated his pain. His own face smirked down from the uncaring sky.

He snapped back to the prison, gasping, sweat and tears mingling on his face. Not even a second had passed. The Angel's eyes were exactly the same. Unmoved.

"That was just one life, Ares," the Angel said softly, his voice a venomous comfort. "One family you broke for sport. We have thousands more to get through. Shall we meet the wife Lycomedes' son left behind next? Her story doesn't end well either." He raised his hand again. "Or will you tell me about your supposed resources?"

The God of War, for the first time in his long, blood-soaked existence, began to feel emotions opposite to his domains. He could feel his connection diminishing slightly so he held his head high as the war he was, father of dread and terror. He would not break. He would never yield. 

But it did not end there.

The world dissolved in a fine mess of incomprehensibly coloured liquids, melding together to paint a different picture than before.

Ares found himself standing inside ancient Greece, watching a younger version of himself. 

The first time he'd truly embraced his nature as the God of War. He watched himself manipulate two city-states into conflict, whispering poison into the ears of their leaders for no reason other than his own amusement.

He watched as he used his Domain to help speed up the results of his less-than-subtle manipulation. He realised quite early on that he didn't have a talent for wordplay.

Then the colours shifted again and a new painting emerged. This time, however, his body was changed. He was a farmer whose son died in the first battle, clutching the boy's broken body and screaming at the uncaring sky, begging the Gods to help him. 

He felt everything. Every single drop of tear that flowed through the eye, along with the tides of sorrow that ravaged his old heart. The grief was overwhelming, a parent's worst nightmare made real. 

The screams of those he had thoughtlessly killed rang out of his own mouth, the times he descended and the times he had caused wars for fun became his torment. 

He was a boy picking up his sword, swinging it against the grown man who had just beheaded his sister. Sweat pooled from his forehead, determination born from hatred. 

He needed to kill this man. He had taken everything from him, his hand lashed out and swung with the sword he had picked up. The blade cuts through the air. He poured everything into it. 

The man chuckled and swung his great axe, deflecting the attack and driving it into his stomach. Pain, fear, worry and despair. 

He had failed.

His sister and family would never be avenged. 

The man laughed and continued over, his vision blurring just in time to miss his littler brother, the one who had been hiding, getting strung up as a display. Slowly forced to die a slow death to warn the captured slaves of resistance. 

The scene shifted again, colours dancing in mirth. 

He was a lady, once living peacefully forced into slavery because he had found it funny. She cried, watching her son beaten for her actions in dropping a loaf of bread by accident. 

Then he was a mother who watched her husband march off to war and never return.

He felt all the sorrow that had tainted her blood. She felt how her bulged stomach invited the stares full of judgement, pity and disgust. She felt her skin burn at their scathing glares, which condensed her blood into a noose that tightened around her neck.

She ended her life a year later. 

The colours rejoiced and blended again. He was now a child who didn't get to grow up as he died of starvation because his father never came back home and his mother had gone away to meet Hades. 

Every death, every broken family, every life destroyed by wars he'd started for entertainment. He lived through them all.

Sin after sin, death after death. Millennia of casual cruelty experienced from the perspective of those whom he caused suffering. The pain, the terror, the despair of thousands upon thousands of people whose lives he'd ruined.

He could do nothing but look on as the colours shifted again, having grown accustomed to their rhythm and change.

But this time it was different.

He snapped back to the present, gasping. Ares gritted his teeth. His divine flesh was drenched in sweat, every muscle trembling. Barely a moment had passed in real time.

That hadn't been as nearly as easy as it had been to shrug it off in battle. 

With no distraction or focus he could only bear the full brunt of the mental assault he had been put through. Countless memories warring in his mind, as he fought for a sense of identity. 

The only mercy was the fact that it had all happened so quickly, he didn't feel like it had been the years of torture he had just gone through all by his hand.

He looked up at the Angel's careless, emotionless eyes. The same expression as before, like Ares' suffering meant absolutely nothing to him.

There was silence once more and Ares gladly took it to try to regain his composure. 

"You know, a part of me is grateful for this." The Angel said. "In truth... I was growing too comfortable, surrounded by my family. Too soft. That won't serve me going forward in the current conditions. I can't afford it, not until I have taken care of all that wish my family harm."

"When one is bathed in a sea of never-ending kindness, one forgets that predators like you exist. Beings who see kindness as weakness, and treachery as strength," The Angel's tone carried a hint of malice. "A ruler who operates purely on mercy, no matter how powerful, will eventually be devoured by those who mistake compassion for weakness like you. Just like Yahweh."

Ares scoffed, mostly in an attempt to regain whatever semblance of resistance he could. Though something in the Angel's demeanour made him uneasy.

"Yahweh was hardly merciful. Have you seen the carnage he unleashed among the pantheons?" Ares shot back with forced bravado. "The old God died because he couldn't keep to his own realm. He went around sealing other Gods, making enemies of entire pantheons. His arrogance caught up with him."

"Exactly." The Angel nodded with chilling approval.

Ares blinked, caught off guard. He had expected the Angel to defend his creator.

"If he had simply killed them instead of wanting them to change and repent in their seals, we wouldn't be dealing with this mess." The Angel's shrug was casual, almost conversational. "He had the power to end the Devils and Fallen for good. But he chose to forgive and give them chances, again and again. The moment he showed his kindness to those undeserving of it, he wrote his own downfall into fate."

Despite himself, Ares found the logic resonating with him as a war god. Yet, he couldn't help but feel disturbed at what the Angel was saying. Killing Gods… was not something to joke about. And still, he could only sense determination in the Angel's words.

"But that doesn't matter." The Angel's smile turned predatory. "What should concern you now is how much suffering you're willing to endure before giving me the answers that I want."

His finger rose before Ares could respond and for the first time since his capture, the War God truly grasped the hopelessness of his predicament.

-{Kai}-

I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me with a quiet click. I let out a sigh and took a moment to let the darkness recede.

I hadn't let that side of me resurface for a while. 

The information I'd extracted from Ares swirled in my mind. It was annoying that the war god didn't know more, but it made sense. Ares wasn't exactly leadership material. 

At least I had a few Gods' names but other than that it was just an overall confirmation of my knowledge. 

That left the question as to what I should do with Ares. 

I knew I'd have to tell the Greeks eventually, just to stay on the "good" side of things. They can't argue against a direct attempt to destroy Heaven. Right now I have the leverage and honestly, I wouldn't give Ares back even if they tried to pay me. 

The God would be useful for some of my experiments in the future.

Once more I was thankful for my Judgement skill. It had taken a long while. 

Ares was after all, for all his faults, a God. But experiencing his sins from the victim's perspective was brutally effective and I didn't have to get my hands dirty with more traditional methods.

"Father!" A familiar voice exclaimed.

I broke out of my thoughts and turned to meet a smiling Michael.

"Here you are." He said, walking up to me. 

"Michael." I greeted, my mood shifting considerably to good.

He seemed to sense something but he was perceptive enough to not mention it. 

"Father, I've been looking for you," he breathed. "I'm glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

"I'm good, a bit sore but much better than before I woke up," I laughed.

Michael looked at me inquisitively.

"What?" I questioned.

"Nothing, your power has grown massively," Michael commented. "I can sense how much it's grown, even though I see you've used quite a bit of Holy power recently."

"I told you I get stronger in conflict," I shrugged.

Michael sighed.

"Your words do not bring me comfort," he replied flatly.

"Well, now that I've passed the barrier, my training will probably speed up a bit. So that's a positive." I tried to comfort him. 

I had a lot to do. 

My holy power manipulation had been upgraded and I had gained a skill to help with artefact-making, though I was still learning the theory. The Architect had shown me how much a powerful artefact could help. My gravity magic, which had proven its versatility so many times already, being enhanced by an artefact was an idea that somewhat scared even me. 

Michael grimaced, his thoughts obviously travelling to something else

"What do you plan on doing with Uriel.. being unavailable?" he asked seriously.

Ah…

He was my normal training partner… 

I frowned, my face becoming slightly blank. "I've got a plan. In fact, that's where I'm heading right now."

He stared at me for a moment and nodded even when I didn't elaborate.

"Let me know if you need anything, as always," Michael replied.

His gaze then flickered to the newly built wooden structure curiously.

"A new addition?" Michael questioned.

"I made it to interrogate Ares," I explained simply.

Michael's face darkened.

"Ah, the scum of the Greek" he said. "May I ask why you decided to place him here?"

"I figured this place was the best location to keep him secluded." 

Michael nodded. "Do you wish for me to relocate him with the other prisoner?" 

"The other prisoner?" I questioned.

"The God Tezcatlipoca was sealed by Miss Frieren," Michael informed me.

Another prisoner.

I had to surpass a grin. 

"What have you done with him?" I asked. 

"We took him to a secluded place within the Sixth Heaven and I had her unseal him. He was further bound and questioned," Michael replied dutifully. "What about Ares? Would you allow me to help with that?"

"That won't be needed," I replied. "I took care of it before you arrived."

Michael sighed. "You shouldn't have to be subjected to such things. Would you permit me to take charge next time, my Lord?"

I blinked at the formal addressing.

"I mean, it wasn't too hard with Judgment," I replied easily. "Those who have lived and sinned for as long as Ares, fall quicker when confronted with their crimes. It certainly helped in my efforts." 

"That's not the point," Michael shook his head, crossing his arms.

"You shouldn't have to put up with it either," I responded defiantly.

"Perhaps, but I am your General for a reason," Michael replied, looking like a particularly upset puppy. 

Which was weird considering he was the second most powerful being currently in Heaven.

"Very well," I sighed and relented after a silent staring match. 

"Good," he beamed. "What did you find out?"

I relayed everything I knew and he looked pleased.

"It seems he told the truth or potentially a cover given to them. Tezcatlipoca said roughly the same with a few more names involved," Michael informed me. "From what I've gleaned from the small amount of information I've been given, it seems like we've uncovered a powerful organisation that wishes to destabilise the supernatural world."

"Destabilising the supernatural world... I doubt they're just doing that for the sake of it," I replied thoughtfully. "Probably to achieve another goal, which if the supernatural world needs to be destabilised for them to do it, is probably not good for anyone else."

Michael paused and seemed to agree with my assessment.

"Indeed, I reached the same conclusion," Michael replied. "I'm concerned about just what or who is keeping all these beings connected and who has the resources to unseal so many Gods. Names such as Loki and Apophis being thrown around isn't a good sign."

"Someone powerful, is all we can theorise about them." I vocalised. 

"Incredibly so," Michael said, a small hint of worry entering his tone. "I suspect they would have to at least be beyond the Super-class and maybe even above that."

I grimaced. 

"Some of the Gods escaped the battle, right?" I questioned.

"Yes, they did," Michael replied. "Unfortunately, Gods are hard to capture at the best of times, since they can merely turn off their divine forms and kill themselves to reform."

"Which means they may report back, depending on how the arrangement was between them," I responded.

"Should we prepare for another attack?" Michael asked conflicted.

"Yes, but we should be preparing anyway out of principle," I replied. "It's time we start upping our defences and empowering every Angel left in Heaven."

Michael perked up.

"Do we have any other prisoners?" I asked after a moment of thought.

Michael's expression grew more serious. "That does remind me of something else we found." He paused. "Among the attacking force, a group of cherubs found a pureblood devil with his peerage."

A devil?

Michael continued, anger lacing his tone, "He was not killed on sight because one of the angels realised his peerage was made up of missing former holy maidens. Also, we wanted to question them as to how they were surviving even breathing the air of Heaven."

Instantly, I had an epiphany as to who it was. I had forgotten all about that. Since it had probably been the furthest my canon knowledge stretched. The devil who kidnapped the Holy Maidens and abused them.

A flame of anger started burning my heart, one that wouldn't have existed if I hadn't come to Heaven.

"It's been revealed that the Holy Maidens were forcibly reincarnated," Michael said, his voice tight with controlled anger and sadness. 

I felt my own annoyance flare. "Keep him confined for now. And have the holy maidens healed. See if it's possible to remove their memories of.. this piece of thrash can be removed. I'm sure merely keeping them in Heaven will go a long way."

Being surrounded by kind Angels tended to have that effect.

Michael nodded. "Understood."

Something made me pause.

"Does Heaven have a prison?"

Michael's demeanour turned complicated.

"We do, in a sense," he revealed. "Though it's not within Heaven."

That made sense.

"What's this prison called?" I questioned.

"Cocytus."

-{Michael}-

Michael watched his king and father leave, disappearing around the corner, leaving for the small pocket realm within the dimension of Heaven.

It had been a busy few days.

Battles always left chaos in their dusk, but this one had been tactfully managed. The death of his siblings was naturally painful, but war was not without loss and he would not dwell on it. 

Especially considering the angels were perhaps the luckiest beings in the supernatural world to have one of the very few beings in existence who could perform the miracle that is resurrection.

He had already mourned the few who had not been recovered. He had silently gone over all their names, visiting the board of angels and giving them the silence of his thoughts and tears of his eyes. 

He was just glad his father had made it back with the sealed enemy leader, which had been both a shock and a relief. 

Michael sent an amused glance towards the many angels secretly positioned defensively around the area. He didn't think his Lord knew how overprotective his angels could be. 

That stunt definitely hadn't helped his case.

Michael's thoughts had spiralled after their conversation.

Cocytus. 

The supernatural prison within the underworld is surrounded by a barren magical frost that could freeze even Ultimate-class beings alive if they were unprepared.

He knew his Father had become interested in the place, especially since it was mostly shared at this point due to Heaven's lack of presence there. 

The Devils and Fallen tended to use it when they could manage to find a safe way in without killing the prisoners. Or dying themselves. 

While he wouldn't admit it to anyone, he found it amusing when the devils complained about the traps that had been left behind. Which mostly resulted in deaths on their behalf.

They always tried to pressure Heaven into giving up something after that, but they had no justification for that. Besides outright going against the morals and rules they pretended to follow. 

It was the only way Heaven ever got them to shed their blood with no consequence, even on their conscience.

Michael's light smile faded. 

He was worried about his lord's interest in the cursed place. He would rather not traverse into the underworld ever again. Especially with the apparent continued existence of Demons, which hadn't gone unthought of after his lord's ascension back to the throne.

Michael had opted to merely sit back and continue growing Heaven's might. Striking now wouldn't end well. Especially if they were as powerful and deadly as they once were. 

That led his thoughts to the two trees and his Lord's hint. With the blessing from the two trees, he found the bottleneck his power had been stuck with disappear for the first time in his existence, and it made him incredibly excited about what more he could achieve.

What more could he become?

He was also excited at the prospect that his lord had suggested. Finding a way for all the Angels to have this ability by finding a way for them to all gaze upon the trees.

Which would allow them to grow once more. 

He turned to leave. 

Michael had his own plans to make for Heaven's continued security. 

He stopped and glanced at the wooden construct, briefly debating if he should go within to make sure Ares was being truthful to his Lord before deciding against it.

There will always be a next time. He was sure of that.

-{Kai}-

I left Eden and made my way to the sixth realm of Heaven, heading toward my sub-dimension. 

I'd been putting this off, but it felt like the best place to do what I needed to do. Prepare Uriel's body for future resurrection and give him a place to rest in the tree's light.

I couldn't resurrect him now, but I'd find a way eventually. Whether that was gaining more power or finding another technique. Perhaps my semi-divine form could do the trick.

It was good knowing he wasn't permanently dead. If he had been, I doubt I would be as rational as I was now. Once again I thanked myself for downloading a resurrection skill. 

I entered the sub-dimension and decided to walk a bit into the forest. 

The familiar warmth of the place helped ease some of the tension I'd been carrying.

"Kai." A soft voice chimed. 

I blinked and turned to see Aphrodite appearing between the trees. 

She looked tired, but relief graced her face when she saw me.

"Aphrodite," I greeted.

I hadn't seen her since when I was here with Azrael and Hestia. 

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "I'm glad you're alright."

I returned the embrace briefly before she pulled back, falling into step beside me as we walked deeper into the forest.

"It seems everyone has been told of my rather unfortunate experience with the former Architect," I replied with amusement evident in my tone.

She smiled. "It would be more surprising if someone didn't know, considering how close all of Heaven is and the few allies you've allowed in your sub-dimension." 

"Yeah, in any case. It was close, closer than I've been admitting." I replied with a sigh. "I was tired, incredibly so and I only followed him to stop him from capturing Gabriel."

She nodded, looking sympathetic.

"At least you succeeded." She said, kindly. She shifted to hide her expression.

I picked up on it. 

"How are you holding up?" I asked, sensing a conflict in her.

Her expression darkened slightly

I tilted my head at her strange demeanour. 

"I apologise for not being able to greet you immediately, Olympus had an emergency meeting and they forced me to attend." Aphrodite sighed. 

"Is there anything to worry about?" 

"I'm not sure, I didn't pay too much attention. Apparently, Artemis has gone missing again, she's probably in a huff." Aphrodite replied idly. Her eyes, however, weren't quite as idle.

I got the impression that she was thinking about something stupid.

"What's wrong?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

She was silent for a moment.

"I just wish to do more," she admitted.

Yeah, she is thinking about something stupid.

"Why?" I questioned lightly, out of both curiosity and the need to know what made her feel this way. 

"I feel like I could do more. Watching everyone else fight my abusers while I couldn't do anything is making me feel like some sort of damsel. Ares, Ishtar... others dealt with them while I just stood there. Then not even being able to help when Heaven was being attacked," Aphrodite sighed. "I've done so little for you." 

"You're not useless," I said incredulously, to drive home my point. "It's not like you've signed some agreement to help me, we are friends and you're welcome in my sub-dimension purely because I enjoy your company. If I truly needed you at that moment I would have asked."

It wasn't like Heaven had been at the edge of destruction. Michael had even reassured me that Heaven had done incredibly well for such an attack, especially with so many unknown variables.

"Dite, You are not useless." I repeated again in a softer voice. I turned completely towards her. Watching unshed tears in her lovely eyes.

Her face became slightly sour for a reason I couldn't place. 

She laughed, a fragile, broken sound. "Then what am I, Kai? I am the Goddess of Love who stood by while others fought the monsters of my past. Michael duel Ishtar. I watched you capture Ares. My abusers... and I was a spectator in my own story. I even watched Adonis fade (i mean optional tbh as you don't talk about your ex but again not sure as she's greek goddess & he was her 1st love)" She clenched her fists, her knuckles white. "I am tied to a family in Olympus that has never once felt like a home. That 'station', as you call it, has become a gilded cage that keeps me from... from what matters."

She inhaled. 

"What has Olympus ever done for me? I'm the daughter of a Primordial. I should be strong, but the Fates were cruel to me. While the rest of this so-called family merely ignores me. "

I could hear the pain in her voice.

"I'm relieved that Ares is captured," she continued, "but I'm frustrated I didn't get to confront him myself. Same with Ishtar. Michael fought her, then Jeanne, then you. Always someone else. I am the Goddess of Beauty and I am not a stranger to using someone else by holding their desires above them. Yet, those people weren't you. I don't want to do that to you, Kai."

"Sometimes that's how it works in battle," I replied as soothing as I could to a literal Goddess. "I haven't got a close circle of allies outside of Heaven but the few I do are important. Ares and Ishtar were both just as troublesome to Heaven. Don't worry, I don't think you are using me."

I paused, reading her face. 

"But that's not what you're trying to lead up to, is it?" I questioned.

"N-no, it's not." Aphrodite admitted slowly. 

"Then what is it?" I asked gently, trying not to push too far.

"It's a thought that appeared at Tiamat's joking words. One I have found myself… troubled by." Aphrodite started. 

She looked uncertain. 

She looked uncertain, like she was standing on the edge of something and couldn't decide whether to jump.

"I've been thinking," she started, then stopped. Her hands twisted together. "About what it would be like to... to not be here. In Olympus."

I stayed quiet, letting her work through it.

"Not just visiting somewhere else," she continued, her voice getting quieter. "But actually leaving. For good."

There it was.

"You want to leave Olympus," I said. Not a question.

She nodded, then shook her head, then looked frustrated with herself. "I don't know. Maybe? Is that crazy? It feels crazy." She laughed, but it sounded hollow. "I'm a daughter of a Primordial. This is supposed to be my home. My family."

"But it doesn't feel like home," I said.

She took a hesitant step closer, her gaze searching mine. "I'm so tired of that cage. I've thought about it for so long... about leaving. But leaving to go where? The world is a lonely place for a god without a pantheon." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But here... with you, with Hestia, with the others... for the first time in so long, I don't feel lonely."

The words came out faster, as if a damn had exploded open. 

She didn't need to say "I want to leave Olympus." The desperate hope in her eyes said it all.

I didn't find myself surprised. I didn't even have to ask why, in the time I had come to know her. The one conclusion I had come to was that the Olympians hadn't been kind to her. 

Oh, sure. They'd back her up if an outsider attacked her. As was the tradition of their majorly fucked up family, but they hadn't reached out to help in any other regard. 

"I've got no true allies there anymore and if it's stopping me from acting in the ways I consider to matter above all. Then I want no part of it." Aphrodite replied seriously.

"What about your throne of power?" I asked, thinking it over.

In truth… I would jump at the chance to add her to Heaven. 

Aphrodite was a kind goddess who was much more lovable than her mean reputation suggested. I had met her purely by chance and I had never been more grateful for it

"It's just a thing," she breathed, dismissing it. "My power... my domain... it feels more real, more true, when I'm here than it ever did there. And for that throne …" 

"It can be moved." She replied uncaringly. 

"Won't your domain be hurt? I mean, you are considered an Olympian Goddess." I pointed out.

She laughed mirthlessly. "More than it already has?" 

"Ishtar already betrayed the base of it by making everyone think I used to be her, then Ares made it rot with his manipulations," Aphrodite said, with hurt in her voice. 

I paused in my steps, turning fully to her.

"I have no priestess or churches to speak about. I am a daughter from a direct Primordial and yet I am weaker than Zeus' own children." She finished, seeming drained.

"I lost children, Kai. When they died, I lost parts of myself too." Her hands clenched at her sides. "I had tried to use them to combat Ares at first but how could I not love them? That's against what I am." 

"Persephone lets me visit the underworld to see them, but I don't want to disturb their peace in Elysium. I don't want to bring up sad memories for them."

My eyes flickered and I briefly considered going back to have another chat with Ares. I did the best thing I had learnt to do in these situations and wrapped her in a warm hug, to which I felt her head come to rest on my shoulder.

"I just don't want to go back."

"Sorry for not asking sooner." I finally decided on saying. "I've been busy and I found many things outside of Heaven put on the back foot of my mind."

"You don't need to apologise for that." She replied, but the joy in her voice was unmistakable. 

"I think leaving Olympus is a great idea. I hadn't brought it up sooner because I had compared your situation with Hestia's." I said thoughtfully. "In your case, I urge you to leave Olympus in the best way you deem possible. And you needn't only limit yourself to an ally, you could join a new family, one that cares for you."

I grinned.

"How about you join Heaven?"

"Join Heaven?" She asked, blinking in pure surprise. "You'd allow another God in your Pantheon?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I questioned.

"I.. you have such a powerful position. No other pantheon merely had one God. I wouldn't want to threaten that." She replied quickly.

"Do you wish to threaten my position?" I asked knowingly. 

"No." She breathed. 

"What do you want, Aphrodite?" I urged. 

She met my eyes. "I want to leave the Greek pantheon. I want to be free from all of it." She paused. "I want a future… free of pain."

"Then there's no problem," I replied calmly. 

Gaining a Goddess couldn't hurt.

I wasn't sure how the faith part was translated but I'm sure something could be worked out. Since technically it was Angels that were worshipped in place of the Gods. 

"I'm more concerned about your domain of love," I replied with a frown. 

"You needn't be. Maybe it can mean something different now. Something real instead of whatever the Fates intended." She said mysteriously. "I can only see it getting stronger from this point." 

"Perfect," I replied chipperly.

Honestly, this was unexpected when Aphrodite had suddenly appeared and I was thoroughly taken off guard. But this was good. Now, if only I could convince Hestia.

I nodded slowly. "We'll figure it out together."

Relief washed over her face and for the first time since she'd appeared, she smiled genuinely.

We reached a clearing where I raised a pillar with a thought, releasing Uriel's body from my inventory. 

Aphrodite fell silent, watching as I pulled out the vial of Phoenix Blood. 

The shimmering fiery liquid swirled inside the glass.

I had decided I would use this reward on Uriel. 

It'd heal his body and hopefully give him some more benefits in the future. 

I looked at the massive puncture wound in Uriel's torso and grimaced. 

Learning that his sacrifice hadn't just helped defend me but also stopped the Dragon from escaping had been comforting, but seeing the damage up close was sobering.

I thought about my gym bro of a seraph for a moment before shaking my head. He would have laughed at that comparison. 

I dropped the blood onto Uriel's body, hoping its healing properties would help. The resurrection aspect normally associated with phoenixes might do something too.

The blood shimmered as it made contact, wounds closing and veins glowing briefly, as if flame was coursing through them.

That was the first part done.

His body was healed. I could have healed his body another way but I wanted him to have it. 

Perhaps there was a better choice for this like Tiamat or Hestia, but Uriel would gain the most and as the flame of God I felt it was suitable. He certainly deserved it. 

The Angels were basically just extensions of myself. 

My hand raised and I called upon my novice visualisation magic.

"Elanor lótë."

A field of flowers erupted around Uriel's body, delicate petals of white and gold spreading outward in gentle waves. The blooms seemed to shimmer with their own inner light, creating a peaceful meadow that stretched for several yards in all directions.

I smiled softly.

I could tell why Frieren loved this spell so much. It truly matched even the beauty of the two Trees that grew overhead. 

"Galadriel," I called to my large snake familiar. 

She had quietly followed us this entire time. 

"Protect him."

The massive serpent nodded, coiling around the base of the pillar. 

I didn't think any being could harm Uriel in my sub-dimension, but I'd feel better knowing someone was watching over him.

Now that was done, it was one item checked off my list. 

I considered a few other things, like the prison situation for Heaven. I'm pretty sure it contained a former Arch-Seraph, Samael. I'd have to see if his situation would ever be curable. 

As for the Khaos Brigade, I wondered if freeing Ishtar from my inventory to question her would be a good idea. She had seemed to be in a more important role in relation to the likes of Ares. 

While I was content to go around knocking out gods and putting them in my inventory like some sort of Pokémon collection. Along with the batteries of Pontus, whose energy had been diluted and sealed into batteries. An impressive and costly endeavour. 

I did need to get around to dealing with that. 

The list of objectives to attend to after the battle was coming to an end and I needed to start thinking about how to better deal with Heaven along with its enemies.

-{Aphrodite}-

Aphrodite watched Kai leave with a hand held up to her chest. 

She felt the soft tickle of his passive aura fade and allow her to focus on the love domain, which was practically bursting with excitement. I feel more connected and strong than it had for a long time.

There was no more denying it.

She was in love.

Aphrodite wanted to sigh.

How complicated.

She knew she wasn't his only interest.

She felt the massive development that he had made with Gabriel. Then there was Hestia as well who was smitten. 

It was no surprise that the one person she had found herself loving was the one person who could very well reject her. 

She wouldn't blame him either.

Gabriel was a beauty that outmatched Aphrodite's true form, which she wasn't currently using. Hestia was nothing to scoff at either, and both of them were kind to a fault.

She smiled with giddy excitement. She had never expected to be invited to Heaven. 

She could admit she had been acting on the hope that she could reside within the sub-dimension with her new family, but never in her wildest dreams had the goddess expected to be casually be invited to join the most reclusive faction next to the Hindu Pantheon.

In truth, this topic had been on her mind long before she met Kai, but she had never had the courage to act on it. The supernatural world could be a dark and lonely place.

There was a reason not many Gods outside of pantheons ever appeared. Sometimes she could feel them going through apotheosis only to be snuffed out, and it frightened her.

Not even the Gods knew what happened to them after the death of their soul.

But now, with the strange Angel she had once met, she found a family of her own. Even Medusa seemed different, and merely residing in the sub-dimension had become her life outside of her duties as a Goddess.

Which was why being forced to sit out so many events due to her position had finally given her the courage. She couldn't continue like this. She had found a new home that was infinitely more caring, and not being able to do anything made her feel useless.

She began thinking about how she would be going about the long, arduous process that leaving the Greeks would be. While she had made it seem simple and Kai had replied to it in a simple manner, the situation wasn't simple in the slightest.

The Greeks wouldn't want to let go and she would have to make a few moves before even attempting it.

Aphrodite, despite being an old goddess, couldn't help but feel giddy as she finally set a plan she had been brewing in motion. 

-{Kai}-

I walked back through the corridors of the palace that resided in the sixth realm of Heaven, my mind thinking over the past few days. 

"Father!"

I turned to see Raphael approaching, her face lit up when she saw me.

"Raphael," I greeted with a small smile. "How is it going?" 

"Amazing! Thank you for the gift, I've never seen such a canon. It's massive!" Raphael said in quick succession. 

"Oh? You liked my gift did you?" I asked amusedly. 

"Absolutely, it's a fascinating cannon," she said, genuine excitement cutting through her tiredness. "I've been studying it for hours. Where did you find it? The enemy base?"

"No. It was made with my own power during one of my power bursts," I replied bashfully.

She accepted it easily. 

Mentally, I was relieved she'd accepted that explanation. 

The system's random item generation needed some cover story and attributing it to a God's natural ability to create seemed to work well enough. Especially since that was the path I was on.

Raphael's eyes practically sparkled and I could see her joy at the revelation. 

Instantly, as if she felt indebted to me, she launched into her analysis.

"The design is absolutely incredible. The cannon is massive, easily fifty feet in length and standing nearly twenty feet tall. Its sheer size will allow for easier gathering of larger attacks." Raphael said.

She gestured animatedly as she spoke. "Each spike is inscribed with symbols, I don't know what they do yet but I'm certain they're integral to the firing sequence. Some kind of focusing array, perhaps. The spikes connect to an ornate barrel forged from some unknown pristine white metal. They are also covered with some sort of different runes."

I nodded, letting her continue her technical breakdown and showing I was listening. It was weird I could understand her now I was reading into artefact-making theory.

"The base is reinforced with the same sort of white material, and veined with a golden alloy. Its massive size is supported by four massive legs ending in clawed feet designed to anchor into any terrain, and that's so helpful for us! You're great at creating objects, father. Anyway, it could be mounted on the gate of Heaven. We haven't tested it's full capabilities, but it's a brilliant piece of engineering." Her voice took on that particular tone she got when discussing complex mechanisms. "But what really fascinates me are the conduits running along the barrel's length."

"What do you think they do?" I asked, prompting her with an amused expression as we walked. 

"Power distribution, but not for any conventional energy source. I believe they're designed to channel some sort of magical magnetic projectile formed of magic." She paused, noting my curious expression. "If so, it would have massive piercing power and by the looks of it, a rather small cooldown."

"Magical magnetic projectiles?" I asked.

"Yes! It's a fascinating design and I can't safely experiment without using it. But I suspect it's more dangerous and powerful than the holy cannons currently on the wall. Which admittedly had been designed more for the sake of having cannons by your previous self." Raphael's enthusiasm was infectious. "The weapon will be capable of piercing magical defences and causing extreme amounts of damage."

I whistled low. "You certainly didn't waste any time."

"It's the most fascinating piece of magic and technology mix I've examined in a while," she admitted. "The implications for both defensive and offensive applications are staggering."

"Do you think you'll be able to recreate it?" I questioned seriously.

"Maybe, I still haven't identified the materials and the runes aren't angelic," Raphael replied thoughtfully. 

"It'd be good if we could get even two of them on the wall," I replied seriously. 

She nodded in agreement. 

We discussed it further before Raphael changed the topic to a lighter one. 

"What have you been doing in the meantime?" Raphael asked, her analytical excitement settling into more personal concern. "How are you holding up?"

"Tired," I replied honestly. "Catching up with everything after the attack. There's a lot to process and organise."

Raphael nodded understandingly. "It's been overwhelming for all of us. Though I have to say, Gabriel's been acting since the last day." Her tone carried amused curiosity.

I carefully kept my expression neutral and didn't respond to that observation.

"Perhaps it's Uriel's… temporary departure." She breathed, glancing at me. "They were always rather close."

I ignored the sharp pang at that. 

"He will be back," I said firmly.

She gave me a soft smile. 

"Speaking of catching up, there's something important about Valerie I need to discuss with you," Raphael said, transitioning to a more serious topic.

"Oh yes, you checked up on her, didn't you? How is she?" I asked, my attention sharpening.

"I finally completed the comprehensive tests to determine how to heal her from the effects of the two Holy Grail fragments." Raphael's expression grew serious. "The damage to her soul is more extensive than we initially thought."

I waited for her to continue.

"The fragments didn't just drain her power or cause temporary damage. They've integrated partially with her soul structure, creating a parasitic relationship." She rubbed her temples. 

"So she can't be healed?" I asked, already thinking over some more unconventional ways to heal the girl.

Having another being who could use the holy grail with such a proficiency would be a great boon. 

"To heal her properly, the Holy Grail fragments will have to be completely removed," Raphael replied. "I am sorry Father, I know you hoped she could wield them." 

I felt a pang of disappointment but pushed it down. A person's life was more important than a weapon. "It's okay, do it," I commanded. "Her well-being comes first."

Raphael looked at me shamefully. "Once it's removed we will be able to heal it. I understand you would have preferred if she kept it though… I apologise I couldn't find any other way."

"It's fine, I'm sure there is someone else who's just as compatible," I reassured her. "Valerie will have uses beyond just the holy grail."

Raphael beamed. 

I guess it was a good thing my next destination was to the heavenly throne. 

-Scene Break-

I sat on the heavenly throne, staring at the extraction process taking place before me. 

Retrieving the Holy Grail fragments from Valerie was necessary to help her heal from the accumulated spiritual damage that she had suffered through, but watching it wasn't pleasant.

Raphael knew what she was doing and was there to help, having put Valerie in a magical sleep so she wouldn't feel pain. Still, seeing the two fragments of the Holy Grail being torn out of someone's soul made me grimace. 

The extraction process was apparently quite brutal, something to keep in mind. 

I sighed as the process completed. 

That meant finding another user.

For a moment I simply went through the names in my head, looking at my angels first. 

Michael, Gabriel, Uriel. Nothing. I considered prominent church members next, but still no compatibility readings appeared.

I tried Azrael, figuring surely she would have some connection to such a powerful artifact. Nothing there either.

Out of curiosity, I decided to try myself. The system immediately displayed a result that made me blink in shock.

100% compatibility rate.

I stared at the number for a moment, processing what that meant. Then I thought about it more seriously. Why not? Especially when I showed the most compatibility out of everyone I'd tested.

I pressed the button and felt a shock run through my entire being.

-END-

if you wish to read up to sixteen chapters in advance among my stories and other things please visit pa/t reon * / Snipez818, the app is charging a lot more for some reason so I suggest using the website. 

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