Chapter Twenty
Final Preparations
"This room will be for the kids that find refuge here. It is filled with toys, games, and other entertainment items to keep a child and teenager distracted from what is happening above."
The room has wood floors and panel walls, giving it a very comfortable feel to it. It is filled with board games, a television system with some games, and a few tables of air hockey and pool. It was every kids dream playroom, it was definitely what Naruto envisioned having when he was still alive and not yet fully in the shinobi training system.
"It doesn't look very sturdy from here but surrounding the entire bunker, including all of the others, is a ten-inch steel casing. I felt that steel walls and floors would not be very comforting so I was about to manipulate everything to look as it is."
Naruto turned around to look at his guests with a proud smile on his face. The bunker he is currently in is the one under his restaurant in the Entertainment district. It would serve him as the place he can protect his closest friends and other people in need.
But it wasn't his friends he was showing the new basement to.
"Quite the task you've undertaken," Stolas commented with wide eyes, surprised the blonde had done this so quietly. "How long have you been working on it?"
"About three weeks, there was some complication getting all of the bunkers furnished," Naruto shrugged as he responded.
"And what, you'll hole up here?" Blitzø looked around, mostly annoyed as he was dragged here by his daughter.
"For the most part, I won't be," Naruto told the two men and turned to the wall he stood near. "This will be the safe room for your daughters and other hellborn."
"Wait, what?" Blitzø looked at the blonde with a confused stare.
"Our daughters?" Stolas asked, just as confused as Blitzø.
Naruto pushed the wall and opened a secret door, the lights flickering on the moment the release mechanism was triggered. Inside is a couple of couches and a large bed. It looked like a studio apartment, which surprised the two men as they weren't sure why they needed to be livable.
"The bed was Loona-chan's insistence as she wanted the ability to sleep if she had to stay in here," Naruto smiled as he looked around the room. "The loveseat is Octavia-chan's choice, and the thick furry rug was Charlie-hime's."
"Stop, stop, wait," Stolas raised his hands as he softly interrupted the blonde Overlord. "The agreement was that our daughters will be returned back to us."
"Yes, that was my intention as well. Sadly, your daughters refuse to leave and want to stay here with Charlie-hime, Helsa-chan, Tayuya-chan and my other friends." Naruto looked at Stolas and he could see gray and lapis in the man's aura - which is now melded to his own. "Honestly, isn't this what you wanted, Stolas-dono? Your daughter imprinted on me and chose me as her mate, which you knew as her father, and yet still chose for her to come work for me."
The Goetia Prince nervously looked at the blonde and his lips twitched into a frown. "You found out about that, hm?"
"No, Helsa did, and you wouldn't believe how it came up," Naruto chuckled to himself, surprising the demon with how not upset he was. "I'm not upset, but I would rather you be honest. Do you know what kind of shit you put me through doing that?"
Stolas smiled at the boy's carefree question and he couldn't help his own laugh. "I will remind myself that in the future. I want to talk to my daughter before I agree to anything, if that's alright with you."
Naruto nodded his head in understanding. "She should be upstairs with Loona-chan."
Stolas nodded his head. "I'll be seeing you, Naruto. And you too, Blitzy."
Blitzø groaned in disgust but Naruto found it humorous that his aura did not display such an emotion. Instead, he had red and pink but also a bit of lapis.
Even hellborn are such simple creatures like us, Naruto thought to himself before sighing. "Listen, Blitzø, I know we've not talked since I helped with the adoption center but you should be more truthful with yourself. It's pointless to live a life acting like you hate everything and everyone. Isn't being selfish a little… boring?"
"I don't know what you mean, shithead, but I'm very happy with how I am." Blitzø crossed his arms but the black in his aura showed how he truly felt.
However, Naruto could see that he was closing off quickly and if he pushed it would likely make the man hostile or violent. He did not want either so he sighed and nodded his head. "Okay, I was just sharing an observation. I care about Loona-chan and you are her father now so I care about you too. If you need anything, I'm your man."
The imp did not express it but his aura did. He appreciated his words, even if it was just a little bit.
Driftwood Cathedral. This solitary place is situated on an elevated cliff along an ocean coast. The main building, the actual Driftwood Cathedral, is more like an abbey than a cathedral. With gothic architecture and stained glass windows that made a kaleidoscope of colors, this building looked daunting with the spray of crashing waves.
The Cathedral is the home of the Angel of Death and is where he carries out his duties of maintaining the process of death and dying. It is a horrible task, especially when he was tasked with going to Earth or Ninkai to claim the soul of a believer. The elderly usually welcomed him with a smile, appreciative of the end to their suffering, but it was the children that hurt him the most.
Everyone had an hourglass. Their time was predestined upon their creation, when the first sigh of life was given to them by God. Their death was a date given and while choices can sometimes speed up this process, there was no way to avoid the final one. Even those who claim to have found a way to cheat him.
If he wished for it, they would be dead. There is none that could stop him. None of those ninja techniques can stop his scythe once it cleaves their soul from their mortal shell.
The matter of whether he desires to fix the abnormalities that occur from Ninkai was entirely up to him. Lately, he had not cared for his tasks in the mortal realms and instead had been focused on the upcoming climax that is bound to happen. With the death of the Promised Child and his subsequent disappearance into Hell, he has been expecting a war with the Darkness and a fallen savior.
The prophecy may speak of the Child as a savior or destroyer, but Azrael would be damned if he accepted the end without a fight.
So far, he has recruited and trained nearly ten thousand hellbeasts to be the bulwark of his army. One third of them were Legates already from their constant tests against Darkness abominations, a quarter being Tribunes, and the rest filling the rest of the pack positions. He was confident that, by the end of the year, he could storm Hell and kill the Child before he had a chance to fall to Evil.
You won't do it, his internal voice teased him at the thought of killing the Prophecy Child. You know you can't. Not only are you not strong enough, you want the future you see in your dreams.
"I do not." Azrael grabbed his head as a migraine began forming. "I will not become that. I am better than that!"
You say that, the voice chuckled as it began bringing up bits and pieces of his dreams. But you and I both know that this is your true destiny.
He stood in a battlefield of death and carnage, a veil of stars and infinity consuming everything in its path. It moved like a shimmer as it claimed those that tried to run, and those that accepted their end were changed. They ascended beyond their former selves.
This power was not his, no, it belonged to the blonde behind him.
Tall with golden blonde hair but red eyes as unholy as the blazing fires of the Wrath Ring. His glorious black and red wings were spread out and flapping majestically as he stared down at the carnage he was causing. Two horns sprout from his head made of a black bone-like material and curled up half a foot.
Despite the radiance of power, Azrael himself had been changed by the blonde's insistence. He was owned by the blonde now. In every way, evidenced by the beautiful collar with a swirl around his neck. His power, which was used for good And balance, is now at the command of the destroyer of all existence.
"I will not become that!" Azrael clenched his eyes shut and tears welled up in the corners. "I don't want to be that."
You cannot deny your destiny. Accept it and you can live out the end with the love of another.
The Child had to be too far gone to be their savior if this is what he was dreaming.
I'm so exhausted.
He should have caught on earlier. She had said she had an interest in her, why the fuck would he expect something different? But why are you just openly displaying the marks?!
The employees of the restaurant were all eating together after a long day preparing for the Extermination. The restaurant had been closed for the finishing touches of the bunker and clones were going around telling the entirety of the district about the bunkers. In the meantime, he was enjoying the energy of his close friends. Their auras were invigorating him and he enjoyed their company.
This is what he thinks home would feel like if he had a big family. Loona and Octavia were talking about music and new fashion clothes that fit their goth and punk styles. Haku and Stephen were sharing new recipes with each other and cracking jokes that only they seem to get. Tayuya and Helsa were bickering back and forth trying to get a rise out of each other while Charlie kept keeping them in check in case they began to go too far.
And that was how he had caught the sight of the mark under the Princess's shirt collar. Ever since, he has been staring at her neck at the dinner table while eating his own meal in shocked silence.
On Charlie's neck are a set of lovebites that were clearly fresh considering their pigmentation. So that meant it happened within hours of the dinner, which made Naruto even more stunned as Helsa and Charlie were doing something to the bunker safe room at that time. There was a bed there.
Charlie looked over as she took a bite of her baked potato, meeting his gaze. She smiled into her fork but said and did nothing before turning back to mediating Tayuya and Helsa. It just so happened that her collar had lowered just a bit more when she did so and he got to see that the marks trailed further down her shoulder.
Well, I guess Helsa took the leap. Naruto glanced at the girl before chuckling and shaking his head. Good for her, I guess.
"So, Naruto," Haku spoke up, getting the blonde and a few others' attention.
"Yeah?"
"What's the plan for Extermination Day?"
Naruto shrugged immediately in response. "Keeping you guys safe, that's for one. Other than that, I have a few things I want to do but no one is getting involved."
"Will it be dangerous?" Charlie asked anxiously, finding her hand going under the table to grasp Helsa's.
"It's Hell, it's dangerous to be sitting in one spot for too long," Naruto shrugged his shoulders but saw that only made the Princess more anxious. "I'll make sure to be careful with whatever I'm doing. If it gets too much, I will come back here and wait out the rest of the Extermination with all of you."
Charlie smiled appreciatively and nodded her head. "Good."
Naruto nodded back before his eyes turned to Loona and Octavia. "You two are getting along well, huh?"
"Yeah," Loona shrugged while smirking and showing a pic from her phone to Octavia. "We like the same shit so there's a lot to talk about."
Octavia elbowed the girl with an annoyed stare.
Naruto smiled, ignoring the collage of colors coming from the two girls' combined auras. "That's good, I'm glad to hear. How was the talk with your parents?"
"Blitzø wouldn't argue with me after a while so," Loona left the statement there and the blonde just had to assume that he relented and agreed.
"And you, Octavia-chan?"
She nodded her head quietly. "Yeah, dad said it was fine. He will talk to mom about me being at some prospective Duke's son's house or something."
Her mother would not argue with that. While Stolas was high ranking as a Prince and the next in line to be King of Paimon's line, a Duke would currently have more court authority. Considering, for Stolas to be King, Paimon would have to die, and that meant Octavia will not have a Goetia title for many, many centuries. Her only hope for a high standing is to marry another Prince, of whom nearly all of them are twice or more her age, or to gain the attention of a Duke's son.
Add in what Helsa said about her having feelings for him, that means that it would be problematic if her mother found out. She may even try to forcefully separate them if she sees them getting too close for her liking. At least, that's what it seems like would happen.
One step at a time. I still haven't even agreed to this harem business.
Not like he has a choice.
"Come on!" Bee grabbed his hand and led him up the cobble stairs.
Naruto let himself be dragged along the way, smiling at the Sin's excitement at showing him to her father. They were able to fit this meeting in before the Extermination Day but the King had to come to Pride himself as he was unable to leave. So they were in the Goetia mansion in Pride, which is currently lived in by Marquis Andrealphus but the demon was not home at the moment.
That gave them privacy as they had their meeting.
"Dad!" Bee swung open the doors as she entered. "We're here!"
An imp servant grabbed the door and quickly closed the door while the two of them continued walking into the mansion.
It did not take long before Bael came out from a room to the side of the main room and he grinned upon seeing his daughter. "There you are! And this must be Naruto. Good to meet you, young man!"
Naruto bowed to the man. "Nice to meet you too, Bael-dono."
"Ah, I'm not so stuck up as my kids! Just Bael will be fine," he nodded his head and his eyes twinkled upon seeing their holding hands. "So my little girl got to you, huh! Must be special to not just be another toy."
"Dad!" Bee whined out in embarrassment. "Come on!"
"I'm just teasing, hon," Bael chuckled and winked at Naruto. "Good luck, my boy, I'm surprised you can still walk."
Naruto tilted his head in confusion while Bee began fuming and blushing. Then it clicked in his head. "Ah, you mean sex. We haven't done that yet."
Bael blinked a few times before his head went back in a roaring laughter. "No sex yet! Hahaha! And my daughter sticks around! Oh, dear Creator, you don't know the significance of what you've just said.
He held his stomach as he continued to laugh and that only served to make Bee more embarrassed. Naruto cracked a smile and squeezed her hand a few times to show that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. It should be expected, parents have a duty to embarrass their children in front of their prospective partners.
Especially for one such as Bee who has gone through more partners than there are Seraphim alive. Her father never expected a day where she would be with someone officially as more than just a living dildo and not have sex. He would have expected it with women but hey, he won't complain!
"Come, come!" He still chuckled and waved the two into the room he just came out of. "Let's sit and talk! I want to hear more about my future son!"
Naruto chuckled at the man's joyous voice and followed him in with Bee.
The room was spacious and orange with plenty of decorations to fill the emptiness. Portraits, antique armors, vases, flower pots. It was a sign of grandeur that had a bit of a… flair to it.
Bee leaned over and whispered, "according to Asmodeus, Andrealphus is gay. The fruity kind."
Naruto shrugged at that. "Hope he finds love, I guess."
Bee chuckled at the blonde's nonchalant response as they sat on a comfortable sofa. Because of course he would only wish the best for a stranger he has no prior knowledge of. That's why your vibes are so sweet.
Bael sat down in his armchair as he kept a close eye on the two. He can honestly say he was surprised and very much in love with the way his little girl was looking at the ningen Sinner. His wife was the emotions-sensing type, which Bee inherited, but he did not have such abilities. Instead, he had the power to know when someone was truly in love or was just lust.
He could manipulate the two, but it was the feeling of genuine love that he absolutely loved to see. His daughter, her eyes looking at the blonde fox demon so happily, radiated in nothing but love. It was a sapling in its current stage but if they nurtured it right it will become a strong tree.
With the way the boy looks at her, he doesn't stay around out of something as ficial as lust. He smiled and sat back into the back of the chair. "How are you recovering, Naruto? I heard you had a little trouble on the way to one of Beelzebub's parties."
Naruto smiled at the man and shrugged carelessly. "I'm alive and so is Tex, so I'd like to say I came out on top. I found out that my… father is being used by one of the people hunting for me. They did the same at Kōtaishihi Denka's party, too."
Bael nodded his head at that. "I heard about that little event. I was sadly at home and could not make it. Do you know who is trying to get to you?"
"Yeah," Naruto nodded his head. "In Ninkai he is known as the Shinigami. I do not know what he goes through in Hell but he is powerful enough to travel to and from my world easily."
Bael put a hand to his chin at that and hummed. "Not many can do that so I understand your hesitance. I do not know of who would go by that name, but understanding your language he is trying to make himself worshiped as a death god."
"Yes, but the fact that he controls over a dozen strong ninja from my home from the contract made alone is even more concerning." Naruto shook his head and sighed. "I can only assume they will try again. I fear that they may choose Extermination Day as a time to attack me in the chaos."
"That would be concerning," Bael nodded his head in understanding. "Just be safe, young one. The Exterminators do not discriminate against their targets so long as they are Sinners. They may not attack your enemies but you instead."
Naruto appreciated the demon's concern and smiled. "Thank you, Bael-dono, I will heed the warning. On the topic of the attack, though, I was wondering if you could help me with my demon transformation?"
"Help you transform?"
"No," Naruto shook his head. "I was told my form is not a demon transformation. I guess it was more like how you or Tennō Heika would transform."
Bael glanced at Bee after he heard this and she nodded her head. "Tex recalled the form clearly when I asked him about it after."
"Hm. I would like to see it, if you don't mind."
Naruto looked hesitant for a second before shrugging. "Alright."
He squeezed Bee's hand before getting up and moving away from the couch. It was easy to feel for the power of his transformation, a simple tug away, and he inhaled deeply to prepare himself for it. Just a little…
It was easy. Too easy. He barely grabbed hold of the energy inside before he exploded in an aura of power. The wings tore through his shirt and he was left bare-chested with his six wings spread out completely. His power circled around and whipped up a furious wind for a moment but everything started calming down. The natures were still held in the various arms along his back, which were fully in the open for the two demons to see.
Naruto sighed and curled his wings in and turned around to look at Bael and Bee. The father and daughter were both surprised at his appearance, their wide eyes taking in his appearance quickly. Oh, right, Bee did not actually see my transformation.
He cracked a nervous grin and held out his arms. "So. What do you think."
Bee had jumped up and zoomed over him with the help of her wings. She landed behind him and was running her hands through his feathers with a manic and open grin on her face. "Oh my fuck, you look so hot like this! These wings are so soft!"
Bael stood up and his more inquisitive look got Naruto's attention. The King hummed to himself as he walked around, only giving a soft chuckle at his daughter still touching the wings, before stopping back in front of the blonde. He was concerned, however, as just by a glance he could tell this was no ordinary transformation.
It is just as they said, this was not a demon transformation. But it was not an angelic transformation or even a fallen transformation, either. This was nothing he had seen before, seeing both angelic but also a worrying amount of corruption as well.
He could feel something similar to Darkness connected to his power while not entirely encompassing it. If he had to guess, it probably had something to do with those Biju that are a product of the Shinju. Whatever it is, it is causing an imbalance of energies that is causing the corruption.
"It isn't a demon transformation, but it's not a fallen one either," Bael finally answered before walking back to his seat. "I don't really know what it is. I will have to look over some of my books to gather enough clues to make an educated guess. I don't think it should be an issue to use, just be careful as even angels may take you as an abomination and will hunt you just on that."
Naruto nodded his head and his large left wing twitched and he looked to see Bee rubbing her face into it. "Bee, I have to transform back."
"No," Bee shook her head with a grin. "Stay like this until we have to leave."
Naruto sighed and his gaze lowered to see the remnants of his shirt. Not like transforming back will give me my shirt back.
"By the way, Naru," Bee suddenly spoke up and hugged the boy from behind. "When's your birthday? You're, what, fifteen?"
Naruto chuckled and nodded his head. "Yeah, I'm only fifteen for now. My birthday should be soon."
"Ooh? What day?"
Bael chuckled at his daughter as she was clearly planning on making an extravagant birthday party for the boy. She had always had the mentality 'go big or go home' and it was sometimes overwhelming for others. The boy took it easily though and he shook his head.
"I know what you're planning and no, I'm not telling you or having a big birthday."
Bee gasped before whining, "why not?"
"I just don't see the point," Naruto shrugged and his response got a curious gaze from Bael. "I didn't really celebrate with anyone while alive and now that I'm dead I won't really age so long as I don't die from the Exterminations."
"Yes, but-!"
"Bee, let it go," Bael told his daughter gently. "If he doesn't want to celebrate then he doesn't have to. Respect his wishes, hon."
Bee pounded and buried her head in his neck. Naruto lightly scratched her ear as he knew he upset her now. "Maybe in the future once I've warmed up to the idea but for right now I don't want birthdays, okay?"
"Mm." The Sin did not answer beyond a grunt into his shoulder.
Agatha was spacing out as she looked at her black helmet. She ran her hand over the smooth screen and took in the little details that she could see. The one scratch that could barely be noticed. The one broken LED bulb down at the bottom.
Why am I so nervous?
She had been the best of her exam class! She is one of the top fighters, second only to her mentor! So why is it that she feels afraid of the Extermination?
"Hey, Aggie," Kushina called as she walked over.
The Uzumaki woman is dressed completely in the Exterminator uniform and her bearded axe is hanging from her waist. She has a red swirl on the chest of her shirt, the only defining feature to set her apart from the rest of the angels. It's her clan's mark and she always wore it even when Adam had made the rule that there were no modifications to be made on the uniform.
"Hi, hermana," Agatha forced a smile upon seeing the woman.
"You doin' okay, dattebane?" She sat next to her with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just nervous," Agatha sighed as she hung her head. "I don't know why but I just have a bad feeling right now. I feel nauseous and scared. It's not exactly fear but… I don't know how to explain it."
Kushina smiled softly and wrapped her arms around the young girl. "It's okay, Aggie," she cooed and rocked to the sides gently. "Everyone gets their first time jitters. It gets easier and you'll learn to deal with this in the future."
"Will it go away?" It doesn't sound like it.
"Not entirely." Kushina started to space out now. "You will always feel that doubt creep up and try to tell you this is wrong. You have to ignore it because what we do is necessary. Some of us do it for selfish reasons, like me, but at the end of the day we are taking care of the balance of all existence."
Agatha nodded her head and smiled at her mentor. "I appreciate it, sis. I think I'm good now."
Kushina grinned and nodded her head resolutely. "Good. Now, let's get going."
It's almost time. Naruto stared at the clock tower as it began counting down the time.
The streets were filled with Sinners trying to make their way to one of the bunkers in the district. Everyone wanted to make it quickly so as to not get caught out in the open when everything finally kicked off. But they were not the only ones. According to his clones, there were even Sinners coming from other districts as well.
It seems word has spread to more than just his district and there are lines of people trying to get in. Even his restaurant has a line of more than just his regulars.
"Hey, Naruto!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow and turned to see Octavia climbing up the ladder to the roof. "Octavia, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you!" She mumbled softly as she approached him. "I just… wanted to see you before we had the bunker locked up."
Naruto smiled at the young girl. "What was it-?"
Dong!
The clock tower chimed once as a warning, halting a lot of Sinners down in the streets. That is the only warning that is ever given by the tower. It is to tell Pentagram City that there is one hour left until Extermination Day.
"You should get down into the bunker," Naruto told her seriously without looking back. "You don't wanna get caught out here."
"I just… I wanted to say that," Octavia rubbed her arm as she tried to get the words out before she groaned. "Why is it so hard to talk to you!"
Naruto's smile turned soft and he turned to look at the young Goetia. She was no longer facing him, her eyes downcast with an angry frown on her face. She scratched her arm a bit and a few feathers fell off and blew away in the wind.
"She's molting." Helsa's words appeared in his mind.
He was the reason that she was molting and going through all these constant changes. She was in love with him, whether instinctively or some love at first sight stuff, but she liked him. This was her trying to talk to him about it all, judging by her aura, and he was more focused on the Extermination.
Okay.
"Octavia-chan," Naruto grabbed her hand and fully faced her. "Look at me."
Her red eyes looked up at him and all of her worries washed away. Pink bloomed easily and readily as she looked into his eyes.
"I want you to know that no matter what you look like I will find you beautiful. No matter your colors or designs, you are beautiful." Her eyes widened at his words and her knees buckled suddenly but he quickly grabbed her by her waist. "I understand that you have feelings for me and that you don't know how to approach me about it. I'm not very good with this type of thing so forgive me if I seem to forward. I just don't want to see you suffer."
She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Come on! This is your chance!
"You do not have to speak, Via," Naruto smiled when he noticed her struggle. "I want you to get back to the bunker. Understand that I like you not for your looks. You're fun and you are a very good artist. You have a lot of good qualities as a person and I appreciate you more than I let on. But for you to continue to love me… you need to understand that you aren't the only one."
Apparently EVERYONE loves me.
"Talk to Charlie and Helsa," he finally said with a shake of his head. "I'm not denying your feelings or saying no. I want you to talk to the others first, okay?"
Octavia understood what he was saying, glad he elaborated because she almost felt like he was rejecting her. She nodded her head. "I will. Thank you, Naru."
Naruto smiled and cupped her cheeks. "Of course, little bird."