The Seraphic System
Chapter: 114
(The Sleeping God)
A brief silence accompanied us as we casually made our way through the Labyrinth. We had begun walking through the small, inconspicuous passage that I had spotted.
Which had led us into a narrow hall with many turns and a very small amount of noise. The absence of monsters was noticeable, especially when we had encountered them consistently through most of our time down here.
The only difference in this area was the lack of a maze and the change in the patterns on the walls.
A rather apparent shift in design.
I'd noticed such changes throughout our journey.
The Labyrinth didn't maintain consistency. Stone would give way to brick, smooth surfaces to rough. Ancient Greek architecture would transition into something more modern, then back again.
Each section seemed to follow its own aesthetic, its own time period.
Like the maze was built from fragments of different places.
"You know, I have to wonder who came up with the name 'ultimate class.'" Percy's bored voice rang out.
I had taken the lead, with Michael next to me as always.
Perhaps I shouldn't have bothered with this detour.
After all, I didn't want us to be noticed before we were able to deal damage to whatever plan they were attempting. But having Michael made the decision a lot easier.
"What?" I glanced at him.
"I mean, it just sounds stupid. Like, I trained so hard and came so far just to be called an 'ultimate class being'?" Percy said incredulously. "It sounds like a video game rank."
Annabeth snorted. "It does sound ridiculous when you put it that way."
"Being called a God-class being at least sounds impressive," Percy continued. "Ultimate class sounds like someone gave up halfway through naming it."
I looked thoughtful. "It's not like I came up with it."
"You and Lord Michael seem to use it a lot though?" Percy pointed out.
I squinted at him.
Why was he referring to Michael with that title and not me?
Michael coughed, and I caught the faint embarrassment on his face. "I only use the terminology because of my l-Kai, actually." He gestured at me.
I felt heat creep up my neck and sent him an annoyed glance.
Michael's composure wavered and he stuttered slightly. "It's widely used by the Devils though. I know they created it."
"Why would devils create such a dumb ranking system?" Percy asked.
"You'll have to take it up with them, I imagine it's so people don't worry about casual city destroyers walking around," I said with a smile.
"How did you learn of it?" Annabeth asked curiously.
I cleared my throat, trying to recover from my embarrassment. "I learned it from a Devil heir that attacked me early on in my time in this world. First real look at how they categorised power, so I used it."
Michael's expression shifted.
The friendly facade dropped away, replaced by something serious and assessing. His gaze locked onto me with an intensity that felt almost invasive. But he didn't ask anything.
"I defeated them pretty quickly," I added with only a minor amount of haste evident in my tone. "It wasn't much of a fight."
Percy nodded slowly, then scowled. "Devils sound like they suck even more than Gods."
"Percy!" Annabeth gasped.
"What? I'm right." Percy retorted.
"Well, yes, but just don't get caught saying it." Annabeth conceded.
Zoe Nightshade's voice cut through sharply. "It is bad enough thou hast insisted on this detour when my Lady's well-being is at stake. Now thou insults the gods as well?"
Percy stared at her flatly. "You're really defending the likes of Zeus?"
I rolled my eyes at Percy casually saying a God's name in a confined realm like the Labyrinth.
Even if the God himself couldn't hear it he was just asking for trouble.
Zoe stuttered slightly, her grip on her bow tightening. "I... my loyalty is to Lady Artemis, not to the King of-"
"Then why defend 'the Gods' in general?" Percy pressed.
"Percy," Annabeth interjected. "We should probably focus."
Zoe's eyes narrowed. "Why are we even taking this path? We should be making haste to rescue my Lady, not wandering through these cursed halls."
"I feel something and it's only a quick detour," I said. "Since it's the only other link to the forbidden area that was being hidden, it might help us delay the enemy's efforts or find something valuable. We leave straight after."
The Hunters frowned.
All four of them. Zoe and the three younger huntresses who had stayed mostly silent during our trek.
They'd all retrieved their bows at some point, much to their visible relief, which were now attached to their backs, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. Their fingers never strayed far from their quivers.
"So we follow this unknown and treacherous path based on a feeling of yours?" Zoe asked with a hint of annoyance.
"More like a sense, do you really not want to halt whatever is going on here a bit more?" I asked, turning my eyes towards her. "Do you not want to interrupt the beings who would have chained you up like animals?"
Zoe let out a breath, looking away with annoyance.
"I would, but such a task is derailing us from our most ardent task of rescuing our lady from the most perilous of situations," Zoe replied.
I went to answer only for a tremor to grab my attention, alongside Michael's, as evident in the subtle shift of his footing and the subtle tensing of his hand.
The Labyrinth ground shifted with a large click.
Walls groaned. The corridor ahead twisted like something alive, stone grinding against stone.
Michael's eyes narrowed.
The small corridors widened and the area began stretching into an open space.
"It seems your guess was correct, Annabeth," he said quietly.
Zoe drew her bow in one smooth motion, a silver arrow appearing on the string.
Annabeth and Percy meanwhile didn't even bother with their weapons.
Then, the walls opened in dozens of different areas, some showing rooms that were in the process of moving towards them with the strange shifting of stone, while others were already there.
All of these rooms seemed to have only one thing in common.
The monsters residing in them.
Appraisal showed me that a massive group of Laistrygonian giants emerged with clubs first, looking slightly confused at the situation. The next was a group of large wolf-like creatures that seemed to have only just woken up.
More rooms like this began opening and I realised we were being actively stopped.
An army of monsters began assembling around them, as a hound neared a giant, the giant turned and didn't hesitate to smash its large club onto its head.
That allowed the chaos to begin… for the noble anoint of two seconds. Zoe drew her bow and nocked an arrow.
The monsters died before she could even string the arrow all the way back.
Michael had phased out and was already in the process of wiping his sword, the sheer difference in power between him and the monsters making the task menial at best.
It was only after a flash that reality caught up with his actions.
The giants collapsed mid-stride, their massive bodies hitting the ground, black blood spilt in waves. The large hounds practically vanished into pools of blood.
The dracaenae dropped their spears and fell.
The various monsters that had assembled had been killed in moments.
The hunters flinched as they took in the sight, and then saw the slaughterer standing right by my side, as if he hadn't moved at all.
Before they could even start recovering from the grotesque scene of carnage and blood, more areas opened up in what seemed like a desperate attempt to keep us away. Out of the new openings, Cyclopes with hammers, Empousai and even minotaur-like creatures charged forward with various weapons.
I grinned.
It seemed like we were finally getting somewhere.
Zoe raised her bow again, a bit hesitant, as if wondering if her effort would even be needed.
Sure enough, they weren't.
Michael's power simply killed them. The cyclopes' single eyes widened before they fell. The empousai scattered and disappeared. The minotaurs slumped lifeless.
Then walls began forming and shifting from other areas in a confusing array, trying to block the path.
"Destroy them," I ordered in a light-hearted manner.
Michael didn't even need to move his hand.
The walls shattered and we began walking forward.
Zoe looked genuinely put out as she lowered her bow.
Percy grinned at her. "Welcome to the team."
"Who are you people?" One of the younger hunters murmured.
The maze shifted again.
Trying to redirect us, block our path.
We pushed forward through the resistance with ease.
Monsters kept coming.
Michael kept ending them with barely a gesture.
The Labyrinth's attempts to stop us failed again and again.
Finally, we broke through into a large chamber.
And stopped.
The room was circular, maybe fifty feet across. Chains hung from the ceiling and walls, but not tautly and were imprisoning. They draped gently around a figure seated in the centre, almost like a hammock. Like they weren't actually meant to restrain at all.
'Appraisal.'
{Name: Pan}
{Title: God of the Wild, The Fading One, Lord of Nature}
{Race: God (cursed)}
{Power Level: 23,430}
Pan?
He sat cross-legged, head bowed.
The God of the Wild looked wrong… weak even.
He looked smaller than I expected.
Not physically, but his presence felt diminished.
His skin had the weathered bronze tone of someone who'd spent eternity under the sun, but something was off about it.
Red veins crawled across his exposed arms, pulsing faintly.
Not blood vessels. Something else. They looked almost like cracks in pottery, spreading from his hands up toward his shoulders, disappearing under his simple tunic.
The patterns weren't random.
They formed networks, branches, almost like the roots of a tree.
His eyes remained closed.
I flinched slightly, an action Michael caught as I observed the energy surrounding him. Divine energy was present but weakened and taking a back step for an acrid amount of demonic power.
What was this? Why did a God have such demonic power? A God of the wild no less.
The symbols felt like they should mean something and I felt the divine shard shift at the sight of them.
No one spoke for a long moment.
"This is what was being hidden?" Annabeth whispered. "A man?"
"It's a god," I commented, looking over him.
Zoe's eyes widened, as did the rest of her hunters as they stared at the man. "They're holding a God?"
"To what end?" Another hunter asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was just for the sake of it. The Khaos Brigade is basically an alliance of the supernatural outcasts from multiple Pantheons." I shrugged, though I looked at the marks on him with a hint of seriousness.
Unsurprisingly Labyrinth grounds began to rumble.
The grinding sound was different this time. Louder. With dozens of clicks. Stone split apart in the walls surrounding us, revealing dozens of alcoves I hadn't noticed before.
The God remained seated and was left as almost an afterthought.
Bronze figures stepped out.
Warriors. Dozens of them. Their metal bodies gleamed in the dim light, celestial bronze worked into humanoid shapes. Each one carried a weapon. Swords, spears, axes.
They moved with a mechanical quality to their steps, all of them stepping forward in unison.
"It seems like someone doesn't want this place to be found out," I said idly, feeling a dark sense of amusement.
Did this have to do with the strange demonic power? Pan was a God-class captive, but he didn't feel that valuable with the sheer number of Gods the Khaos Brigade had.
"To this extent, I'm almost certain it's Daedalus or someone has taken his place," Annabeth said with an annoyed frown. "He was known to have feared death to the point he built this place to run from it."
More alcoves opened.
More warriors emerged.
I counted at least a hundred, possibly more still hidden in the walls.
"Another cowardly man housing and protecting the interests of such beings, as expected," Zoe said with disdain.
The momentary silence of the small gathered army of bronze was broken by the whistle of a bronze arrow launched with a thunderous amount of speed.
It flashed in the air, only to be snatched by my Angelic Shikigami, who used it akin to a spear and threw it with enough force to blow away multiple bronze soldiers.
The bronze soldiers that were impacted broke into many pieces of metal and golden coils, allowing me to glimpse into the admittedly masterful design.
Mahoraga didn't share in my appraisal, as he jumped forward without the need to wait for orders. The shikigami moved with power. Its massive fist crushed the first bronze warrior into scrap metal.
It grabbed another by the head and ripped it clean off. Sparks flew as circuits tore. The bronze warriors attacked from all sides and actually managed to get a few hits, which was an impressive display.
That didn't matter much though as Mahoraga ramped up his speed.
Their movements were coordinated, professional in a way that having a lack of self-preservation allowed for. It also helped that they were living bodies of armour, a strong armour at that.
It didn't matter.
Mahoraga tore through them like they were made of paper.
Percy grinned with excitement, Annabeth even held her daggers as she sent a sideward glance towards the unmoving Michael, who stood beside me with a calm smile.
The hunters drew their bows.
Percy charged toward a bronze warrior on the left, Riptide raised. He got within five feet of it.
Mahoraga's fist came down and obliterated the warrior into fragments, the Angelic Shikigami moving past in a tearing blur of destruction.
Percy stumbled to a halt, staring at the pile of bronze pieces where his target had been a second ago.
"Seriously?" Percy asked with an annoyed click of the tongue.
He spotted another warrior and ran toward it.
This one was closer, maybe ten feet away. He raised his sword, already planning the strike.
Mahoraga spun and backhanded the warrior into the wall. The bronze body left a crater in the stone.
Percy lowered his sword. "Come on!"
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.
Mahoraga's hand whipped around and swept the warrior's legs out. The automaton hit the ground and the shikigami stomped on its chest, caving in the metal.
Annabeth sighed and sheathed her knife.
The Hunters weren't doing much better.
Zoe had an arrow knocked, tracking a warrior who was trying to flank us. She drew back the string, her aim steady.
Mahoraga grabbed the warrior and threw it through three other automatons. All four crumpled into twisted bronze.
Zoe's arrow hung uselessly on her bowstring. She slowly lowered the weapon, her expression caught between frustration and disbelief. She finally fired that arrow but Mahoraga caught it out of the air and used it to stab into bronze armour.
Only for the arrow to break and the large angelic beast to send a punch instead.
"I… feel offended." A hunter admitted, a confused tone accompanying her equally confused face.
The three younger hunters had similar experiences. Every time they aimed at a target, Mahoraga destroyed it before they could lose their arrows.
"This is ridiculous," one of them muttered.
I laughed, enjoying the easy moment and allowing my Shikigami to move around for more than just display. I was allowing him to build a resistance, which was mainly why he had remained out for the entirety of this quest.
Michael stood beside me, completely relaxed disregarding the slight pout he watched with.
His eyes turned slightly more serious and protective as the room shifted again, this time in a different location from the large gathering of bronze warriors.
The far wall split apart, revealing a massive doorway. The opening was at least thirty feet tall and smoke began pouring from the opening in copious amounts.
A head emerged. Reptilian. Covered in dark green scales. Then another head. And another.
"A hydra?" A hunter said, looking with no small amount of shock
The creature squeezed through the doorway, its multiple heads swaying on long necks. I counted nine heads total. Each one had rows of sharp teeth visible in its open maw. The body followed, massive and serpentine, covered in those same dark scales.
'Appraisal.'
{Name: Lernaean}
{Title: Child of Typhon, Regenerating Terror, Guardian of the Labyrinth}
{Race: Hydra}
{Power Level: 18,542}
Around the same level of power as Mahoraga was.
And by the feel of it, this was a magically prominent creature.
Even in the ultimate class, one could possess a God-class worth of magic. It merely meant an unbalanced amount of power within its other attributes and left a glaring weakness.
Another thing I had come to realise about the power level system is that labelled power.
I knew this, considering I was a lot physically weaker than my magical capability.
I looked on with genuine intrigue.
The hydra was powerful. Not close to Michael or me, but strong enough to be a legitimate threat to most demigods. The regeneration factor would make it especially difficult to kill without the right knowledge.
It was a dangerous combination.
The sacrifice of pure physical might into pure magical might with a potent regeneration factor.
The hydra's nine heads all focused on us. It opened its mouth and roared. The sound was deafening in the enclosed space.
Michael finally moved, sending me a glance for a moment as if asking.
I nodded.
He smiled excitedly and stepped forward. His sword appeared in his hand. Golden light flared along the blade. The hydra lunged. All nine heads struck at once.
Before the gathering energy could be released into an undoubtedly potent attack, Michael moved. Unlike the creature, Michael seemed to have power in both aspects
His sword cut through the first head cleanly. The second fell a moment later. Then the third, fourth, and fifth. Each strike was precise, no wasted movement. Golden light burned along each cut, and I realised what he was doing.
The holy power cauterised the wounds. No regeneration.
The hydra tried to pull back, its remaining heads hissing in what might have been fear. A gas began leaking from its maw but it was too late for the large and dangerous creature.
Michael finished it in under ten seconds. The massive body collapsed, all nine heads severed and burning with holy fire. The corpse slumped to the ground with another weight to make the area tremble for a second.
Then, in a casual display, Michael sheathed his sword and walked back to my side.
Percy stared at where the hydra had been. "That's just not fair."
"No," Annabeth agreed. "It really isn't. You're amazing, Lord Michael."
Michael smiled politely. "I appreciate your kindness, Annabeth."
I had to admit, going on a death quest with someone this powerful was nice.
No worrying about surprise attacks. No concern about whether we could handle whatever the Labyrinth threw at us. Michael's presence made everything easier.
Good thing I'd only brought him. Anyone weaker would have needed constant protection. Michael could protect himself and everyone else without breaking a sweat.
The bronze warriors were now only scattered pieces of metal after Mahoraga's efforts.
And I saw the hunters assessing it in a different light, realising the angelic Shikigami was immensely powerful and a blur to their gaze was probably able to do that.
The Labyrinth went quiet.
Pan remained seated in the centre of the chamber, head still bowed. The red veins pulsing across his skin seemed brighter now.
"What now?" Percy questioned curiously.
I went to speak only to frown.
Black smoke was trailing on the floor, coming out of the Hydra's mouth and onto Pan's leg.
The chains shattered.
They exploded outward in fragments that embedded themselves in the walls. Demonic power surged through the chamber, thick and rancid. It made my skin crawl.
That demonic power mixed with divine power, becoming something weird and twisted.
Michael moved instantly. His hand caught my shoulder and he pushed. Hard. I stumbled backwards. The others were already being forced back by a wave of holy power.
Pan's head lifted.
His eyes opened.
One was completely black. Empty. Like staring into a void. The other was normal, green and earthly. But it is vacant. No consciousness behind either of them and yet there was an intelligence to it.
He vanished in a blur of black and yellow power.
I barely registered the movement.
One moment he was seated. The next time he was in front of me.
His hand closed around my throat, squeezing with enough force that I felt my neck begin to break.
I tried to summon my power.
"Sleep." The word echoed, becoming repeated in hundreds of different voices around me.
Something moved towards my soul.
It felt disgusting. Wrong in a way I couldn't describe. Like rot spreading through my core. Like decay eating through everything I was. The sensation was maddening. It burrowed deeper, hooks digging into places I didn't know existed.
I tried to defend. Tried to summon my power.
Nothing happened.
Lust, Greed, Wrath, Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, Pride.
I felt it all.
My instincts screamed.
The corruption spread faster. My vision darkened at the edges. Fear flooded through me. Real fear. The kind that came from knowing you were about to die and couldn't do anything to stop it.
What was this?
Dark emotions overtook everything and vision began forming in my head.
My angels were being killed. Gabriel was suddenly trapped in a cage, her eyes wide with fear. Azrael's head separated from her body. Uriel torn apart by a laughing God. Raphael's brain carefully removed and placed in a jar, connected to a pair of eyes that looked around with horror.
Scene after scene played out.
Every being I knew. Every angel I cared about. Destroyed in different ways.
My heart exploded with rage.
Then I saw myself appear. My angels were with me, more powerful than ever. The cage shattered and a darker version of Gabriel walked out, completely unbothered. Azrael's head regrew and she laughed at the attempt.
Uriel exploded into dark flames that destroyed the very soul of the God that attacked him. Raphael smiled as she conducted experiments that would leave even evil Gods speechless.
All of them knelt at my feet, looking at me with worship and awe.
Then Gabriel sat on my lap. Azrael joined her. Hestia pushed between them, all three fighting for space. Tiamat and Aphrodite wrapped around my throne, looking down at the hundreds of women bound around me.
A darker version of me smirked and the power around him was visible in the air.
Then-
I grit my teeth, letting holy power explode around me without any care for my surroundings. The Divine shard picked up on my conviction and pulsed painfully.
I was just able to make out my surroundings and the strange corruption seemed just about to touch my soul.
Then Pan was gone.
A boom shook the chamber, followed by a spray of blood that made a puddle in front of me.
Michael had appeared behind Pan. His entire body was wreathed in golden light so bright it hurt to look at. His fist connected with Pan's back and sent him flying through the wall. Then through the next wall. And the next.
The sound was deafening.
I collapsed to my knees, gasping.
The disgusting feeling was still there, fading slowly but leaving no traces behind.
Mahoraga had shielded the others. They were pressed against it, barely able to react at the plane of existence that was being stood on by the rest of us.
Michael stood where Pan had been. His wings were fully extended, fourteen of them radiating power.
"Father," he whispered.
So quiet I almost didn't hear it.
I regained my thoughts and was a second away from activating my Semi-Divine form.
"Do you know what's going on?" My voice came out steadier than I felt.
"No..." Michael's face went cold. His expression hardened into something I'd never seen before. "But it feels... like a demon..."
"Pan is a demon?" I asked in bewilderment.
When did that happen?
The subject of Demons was a touchy subject and after they had learnt that there was still around, just locked up. The Angels had become awfully cautious.
"No. That's why I'm not sure what's going on. He is without a doubt a god." Michael said with a cold stare.
I looked at the holes in the walls.
At the destruction.
"Knock him unconscious and restrain him."
"Yes, my Lord." Michael said in one of the rare times he was truly serious.
Michael vanished.
I activated Appraisal, pushing it toward where I could just glimpse Pan's body.
{Name: Pan/Sloth}
{Title: God of the Wild, The Fading One, Lord of Nature, Lord Of Sloth}
{Race: God (Corrupted)}
{Power Level: 59,015}
What?
When had he gained the new titles? it didn't miss my attention that his status had changed.
I stared at the information.
What the hell was this?
He was at the peak of the God-class? What sort of power-up was that?
I thought about the weird power that had tried to enter my soul. How corrupt it had felt. How utterly helpless I'd been.
I hadn't been able to defend.
It was so sudden.
I cursed my lack of caution.
Michael had made me feel too safe. Made me forget that things in this world could still kill me if I wasn't careful.
Another boom echoed through the Labyrinth.
Then silence.
Michael appeared through the holes in the walls, dragging Pan's body. The god was unconscious. His limbs were gone, severed cleanly. But even as I watched, they began to regenerate. Slowly, but visibly.
I opened my inventory and Pan's body vanished inside quickly.
Michael let out a sigh, looking unharmed but clearly alert. "Should we retreat?"
The question wasn't rejected immediately and I realised just how alert I was…
"No."
"Are you sure?" Michael asked. "I had sensed the demonic power on him before, but that wasn't the mere traces we had felt… if this Khaos Brigade is testing such things I'd rather you stay in the safety of Heaven…"
"No," I said once more. "There's a reason they had him chained and not already active. If this were truly the case of this being a widespread testing program he would be far more protected and there would be multiple of them attacking us right now."
Michael pursed his lips. "Then why do you think they have him?"
"I don't know," I replied, my tone becoming colder. "But it felt more like they were trying to contain him rather than experiment on him. For now, we have him in a place he can't escape from. The quest should continue. This isn't anything we couldn't handle."
Michael sighed but nodded. "I shall be more vigilant."
"As will I," I said, only whispering it to myself as my fists clenched.
The first danger on the quest.
I wasn't going to hide away from it. That wasn't who I was. At worst, I called for reinforcements. I wasn't retreating.
We stood in a momentary silence.
The group approached cautiously.
"What the hell happened?" Percy asked. His sword was still drawn.
Michael looked at me.
I forced my expression to remain calm. Casual. "Nothing important. It seems the Khaos Brigade laid a trap on Pan. It's been dealt with."
The hunters looked doubtful. Zoe's eyes narrowed, studying me. But she didn't ask.
Percy and Annabeth exchanged glances. They seemed to accept the explanation.
A wide, devious grin spread across my face, a grin that hid my unease.
Percy's expression shifted to match it a second later.
"Since we've disrupted whatever they were doing here, we can get out of here," I replied, stretching.
"About time," Zoe said. Her bow was already back on her shoulder. "My Lady awaits."
"Then let's go. I believe I have the way mapped out," Annabeth said, still holding the book safely within her arm.
We turned and headed for the exit. The Labyrinth didn't try to stop us this time.
Percy paused near a pile of broken warriors, studying the scattered pieces. "You know, I wonder if-"
A glittering form erupted from under my clothing. A snake. Beautiful scales that caught the light, shifting between silver and white. But massive. The head alone was the size of a car.
Percy stumbled backwards. "I'm never getting used to that. She's grown massive."
Galadriel slithered past us, her body coiling around the remains of the bronze warriors. Her jaw unhinged and she swallowed a destroyed automaton whole.
Then another. She moved with purpose, consuming every corpse in sight.
"Of course, that wasn't meant as an insult." Percy hurriedly added.
I watched with mild satisfaction.
She'd been coming out whenever we left monster corpses behind, devouring them so nothing went to waste. An efficient system. And apparently, eating them helped her grow.
She'd been developing new abilities too.
Galadriel finished with the bronze warriors and moved toward the hydra's remains. She coiled around the massive corpse and began swallowing it section by section.
Another hunter spoke up, gesturing toward the path we'd entered from. "We should return to the correct path.."
I sighed and nodded. "We got what we needed here."
Zoe let a pleased smile appear on her facial features.
Percy grinned, clearly pleased we were moving on. He started to turn, leaning back casually on a far wall.
His shoulder hit something on the wall.
Some sort of hollow plate.
The stone clicked. Gears ground somewhere in the walls. A section of the chamber that I'd thought was solid stone split apart, revealing another passage. This one descended at a sharp angle, disappearing into darkness below.
I blinked. "Another passage?"
It was hidden.
What were the chances of that?
"It's probably a trap," Annabeth said, but she was already moving closer to examine it. "Though the activation mechanism seems quite hidden."
"Of course it was," Percy muttered. "Why wouldn't there be a secret passage in the secret room?"
Michael stepped forward, already positioning himself at the entrance. His expression was alert, protective. "What do you wish to do?"
I became thoughtful.
In truth, I wasn't rushing… especially after finding the base of an enemy I wanted to destroy.
Surely they wouldn't be that stupid though?
That was where the Hydra had come from after all.
Zoe let out a frustrated sigh. "We don't have time for more detours."
"We'll only be quick," I said, almost wanting to go just to prove I wasn't put off by what had just happened.
The dark amusement I'd felt earlier returned. Two hidden areas in one trip? Someone really didn't want this section of the Labyrinth explored. Which meant it was probably worth exploring.
"Quick," Zoe repeated, her tone making it clear what she thought of that promise.
"It could be a shortcut." Percy shrugged.
Zoe glared. "Your presence is a distraction."
"Thanks…? Your hair is shiny." Percy said awkwardly.
I ignored them with the only sign I was listening to being the slight quiver in my lips and followed Michael into the passage.
All of a sudden, the passage began closing and attempting to shift around in confusion patterns.
"Michael…"
Michael looked all too pleased to oblige and once more stared at Mahoraga.
The descent was steep.
We walked for maybe two minutes before the passage opened up.
I stopped at the entrance, genuinely shocked.
The chamber beyond was massive. Easily three times the size of the prior opening. But where that room had been ancient and worn, this one was deliberately designed.
Black stone formed the walls.
Spikes jutted from the floor and ceiling at irregular intervals, creating a forest of sharp points.
Seriously?
Like before, people moved throughout the space, coming in and out of a massive cathedral-like building with walls made of the same black spikes that stuck out of the area.
This looked more like a fortress.
"It seems like you managed to find another hidden entrance, good job Percy."
Percy looked oddly happy at the praise.
"Hah, I totally knew this would happen!" Percy cheered.
-{Daedalus}-
Daedalus slumped back in his chair.
He wanted to hit his head against a wall at the rare display of stupidity, but he had been so sure!
The Hydra had been meant to finish them.
The tremors had stopped. Whatever he'd sent hadn't been enough. He'd felt the vibrations through the maze, multiple presences, demigods and Hunters if he had to guess.
That much was expected.
But the speed at which his defences had fallen?
That wasn't normal.
The bronze automatons should have slowed them down at least. Celestial bronze wasn't easy to break, even for demigods. He'd designed those machines himself, centuries of knowledge poured into their construction.
Then there was the Hydra. That had taken time to redirect through the shifting corridors, the creature didn't move easily, especially when the Labyrinth decided to be difficult.
But once it arrived...
Nothing.
It had died, from a series of powerful attacks.
Daedalus rubbed his face tiredly.
Two thousand years and he still couldn't predict everything.
He had rushed. The hydra had been close to the other base in the maze' structure, acting as a guard for this exact situation. So when the intruders had made a quick move to a… prisoner, he had rushed in shifting the maze.
Which had brought the other base with the Hydra.
Moving entire rooms and controlling the maze wasn't quite as unrestricted as it seemed. The entirety of the maze came in blocks and while he could move around those blocks, every structure within them would follow along.
This… wasn't good.
-{Gabriel}-
The portal shimmered a bit before closing behind Gabriel as she stepped into Asgard's Royal Palace of Valskajalf.
Asgard was one of the nine planes belonging to the Norse Pantheon, one out of their Nine Realms. It housed the majority of the Faction, and was home to the ruling Asgardians.
It was different from Heaven, but no less mystifying. Where Heaven was all white stone and golden light, Asgard had a rougher edge to it and yet was beautiful in its own right.
The Palace was especially breathtaking, with the white and golden pillars supporting ceilings that contained frescos of different myths playing out, almost like a movie. The walls were similarly decorated, just with gifts of nature. Vines spread over them, creating patterns that disappeared with a gust of wind.
Surprisingly, the heads of magical beasts lining the walls blended in without any trouble instead of sticking out.
Gabriel let her eyes take a look around before finally regarding the people in front of her. She kept her smile in place in front of the Asgardians who had greeted her. The same warm, gentle expression she always wore.
Inside, however, her chest ached.
She missed Kai.
She supposed everyone missed him. Without much thought, she picked up the offered glass of red wine and drowned it in a show of trust.
Every Angel in Heaven felt his absence like a missing piece of themselves. It didn't matter to any Angel that he was different, that his personality wasn't the same as it had been.
He was still their Father.
She could feel that much and at the end of the day that was always what had mattered. They had never truly cared about what act their creator had deemed to put on.
But in the time Kai had returned, her feelings had grown beyond even that attachment.
It made it more infuriating that she hadn't even been able to argue about the danger with Michael.
Realistically, Michael existed in a realm of his own.
Along with Azrael in that realm of power that separated the powerful from those who transcended even that concept. The type of power that would cripple any faction with its loss. The power that factions were built around.
And Kaiel wasn't weak himself.
She sighed, a finger coming to rub the surface of the warm ring that sat on her dainty finger.
Gabriel honestly didn't know how her feelings had come to be, she had been assured that he would find it strange. And yet, her love had been reflected and she had been accepted.
She closed her eyes, now sitting on a comfortable chair. A moment passed, and it lasted an eternity as she took that time to reel in her thoughts and push them aside.
Now was not the time for her endless pondering.
She was here for a meeting with the Norse, arranged to reopen Heaven for trade. It was an admittedly good move with the surge in Heaven's might.
"Ah! The beautiful Lady Gabriel graces Asgard with her presence!" A voice said, reserved and yet filled with amusement and warmth.
Gabriel turned toward the voice and found Odin approaching from his throne.
The Old God looked exactly as she had remembered. Long white beard, elaborate robes, and that eyepatch over his left eye. He moved with the ease of someone who'd lived for millennia but still had plenty of vigour left.
Gabriel maintained her smile, her expression radiating innocent warmth. "Lord Odin. I would like to thank the Norse for agreeing to meet with us."
"How could we refuse such a lovely messenger?" Odin stopped in front of her and shook her hands before taking his own seat, opposite hers. His gaze lingered on her figure for a moment longer before returning to her face. "Though I must admit, I'm curious why Lord Yahweh has suddenly decided to open its doors for talks. You've been quite closed off for quite some time."
Gabriel's smile brightened. "I must first apologize for my Lord's absence. He sends His regards but remains occupied with matters that require His direct attention. I hope this small token conveys His respect for our meeting."
She produced a bottle from seemingly nowhere.
The glass was ancient, the liquid inside shimmering with faint golden light. "It's Mead that our Lord made himself. From Heaven's vault. One of the oldest reserves."
Odin's visible eye widened slightly. He accepted the bottle with genuine appreciation. "Well now. This is quite the gesture. Ah ha, I remember the last time he showed me up when I sent him my own Mead. I shall enjoy this! Your God honours me and there's no offence taken. And sending the messenger of Heaven is much better than most of these other godly brats they send."
"Heaven has undergone significant changes recently," Gabriel replied, her smile widening. "We believed it was time we rejoined the broader supernatural community in a more active capacity."
"Changes?" Odin's eye sharpened with genuine curiosity beneath the calm exterior. "That's quite interesting. Last I heard, you angels and your Lord were keeping to yourselves, focused entirely on internal matters."
"I imagine your Lord has been grief-stricken after the Great War and focused on inward projects but..." He waved a hand. "Well, you know the rumours. Heaven has been isolated for so long and it leads people to wonder.."
Gabriel's expression remained pleasant, almost childlike in its innocence, but her mind worked quickly.
This was the delicate part.
Heaven's resurgence was real, but explaining it without mentioning Kai would require careful navigation. She couldn't outright lie and the assumption her Father was alive in his old form was good.
She doubted he would mind, but she didn't want it out in the broader picture. Not yet, at least.
"The rumours aren't entirely wrong," Gabriel admitted, her tone warm and open. "We have been focused inward for some time. But we've grown stronger through that focus. Our Lord has done remarkable work stabilising Heaven's core functions and we are ready to match anything sent towards us."
The words she said had multiple meanings, meanings that Odin caught.
"I imagine so." Odin stroked his beard, clearly interested. "Forgive an old man's bluntness, but Heaven and by extension your Lords isolation has been lengthy. So long without much contact with the broader supernatural world. Yet here you are, talking about trade agreements and strength. May I ask what changed?"
Gabriel was almost impressed by the cunning of this old God. Yet, she couldn't afford to divulge too much. She kept her expression innocent while her mind calculated how much to reveal.
"Several things changed," Gabriel said, trying to fish out a reaction to measure how much information would satisfy his curiosity.
Odin studied her for a long moment. "I hope you understand I am merely inquiring as a former ally of course. Heaven has been shut off for such a long time and with all these rumours floating around of recent activities from Lord Yahweh has made this old man find himself curious."
The fact that Gabriel was older than him went unsaid.
Gabriel's smile widened slightly. Behind the innocent expression, her mind appreciated his directness. "I understand and yes, Heaven has regained significant strength. And our Lord is open once more. No faction is so powerful that it doesn't benefit from allies. Isolation almost certainly leads to stagnation."
"Not in your case with your Lord," Odin added. "Rumours of him being weakened have reached my ears, it could explain why you've been so closed off."
Gabriel smiled. "Or our Lord merely wanted to focus on Heaven after a lengthy war."
Odin stared at her and nodded, his eye shining with a hint of respect.
"Fair enough. I can respect that. Now, let's discuss these matters properly. I must say I am undoubtedly excited. Especially with how close we used to be."
Gabriel increased her focus even more, trying to focus on each syllable Odin spoke.
This was important after all.
Heaven held the biggest vault of resources in the supernatural world.
In fact, it was best if Heaven appeared just as powerful as it once was in Odin's eyes. With her Lord being assumed to be alive, which was technically true. It made their position a lot better.
Odin snapped his fingers and the previously silent room experienced the movement of servants.
She noticed guards positioned at strategic points around the hall. Valkyries, from their armour and bearing.
The servants brought another glass of wine. This one, different from the one she got at the entrance.
Gabriel accepted a cup with a gracious nod but didn't drink. Odin noticed but didn't comment, instead taking a long drink from his own cup.
"So," Odin said, leaning back in his chair. "Heaven wants to trade after so much isolation. What exactly do you have to offer? And more importantly, what does your Lord want from Asgard?"
Gabriel folded her hands neatly on the table, her posture perfect. While her expression remained warm and innocent, her tone gained a thread of businesslike efficiency.
She could tell Odin was more curious about her Father.
Good.
"Let's start with economics," Gabriel said. "Heaven has certain resources that would be valuable to Asgard. As you already know, we still hold our large vaults. And beyond that, we offer the unique attribute of holy power. We can offer you a lot of resources that can be used against creatures of corruption and darkness. Here's a list of what we have to offer."
She pushed forward a sheet of paper that contained accounts of all substances that Heaven produced or in better words, was willing to trade. Odin took it and his lone eye scanned it within seconds.
"Indeed, this is impressive enough. I remember the vast amount of resources Heaven held and still seems to hold. And Lord Yahweh is someone to overlook in the slightest." Odin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Though we've managed well enough without these so far. It begs the question, how far does your Lord intend to take this alliance?"
"You have," Gabriel agreed easily. "But the supernatural world is changing. New threats are emerging constantly. The Khaos Brigade is a prime example of the upcoming uncertainty. Having additional tools can only help." She paused, her innocent expression not quite hiding the sharp mind behind it. "We also have extensive knowledge of healing arts. Angelic healing operates on different principles than Norse magic."
"Along with that, we have a great many Sacred Gears that could be loaned out," Gabriel said idly. "And there might be techniques we could share that would benefit your warriors. Especially our Lord himself."
Odin's eye sharpened at that, his interest clearly caught. "Now that's interesting. Are you trying to let out some new information Lady Gabriel? From my knowledge the Sacred Gear System is uncontrollable. The King Of Heaven made it that way."
Gabriel laughed politely. "I'm not sure I can say I understand what you mean, Lord Odin. The creator of a system would naturally be able to access it. But perhaps as an ally, you could find out more later?"
Odin remained silent for a moment, taking a long sip from his glass.
"My people are warriors, Lady Gabriel. We value strength above most things, but we're not fools." Odin said. "Your Father has always been a paragon of strength after all."
Gabriel nodded, pleased that he was engaging seriously. "Exactly. Heaven understands the value of preserving life and strength. And in exchange, Asgard has resources Heaven lacks. Your realm has access to certain metals and materials that don't exist in Heaven. Bone steel metal, for instance. The craftsmanship of your forges is legendary throughout the supernatural world."
"You want dwarven metalwork," Odin said bluntly.
"Among other things," Gabriel said, her pleasant tone never wavering. "We understand the dwarves of Svartalfheim operate under your influence. Access to their crafts would be valuable. We also hope that the Norse can provide us access to the alchemical ingredients that one can only find in the Nine Realms. Rare herbs from Yggdrasil's roots. Materials that have been touched by the World Tree's power. But such things can be discussed in more detail over contracts."
"Fair enough." Odin took another drink, his eye never leaving her. "Economics aside, what else? I doubt Heaven's isolation ended just for some trade goods. Does Lord Yahweh have other things in mind?"
"War and defence," Gabriel said, her tone remaining pleasant but gaining an edge of seriousness. "The supernatural world isn't at peace, Lord Odin. The Great War between the Three Factions may have ended, but threats remain. The Khaos Brigade grows bolder. Rogue elements are getting more out of hand lately."
"And Heaven wants military cooperation?" Odin's tone carried scepticism. "You understand that after Heaven broke our alliance, we found another source in the form of the Fallen to recover the abrupt disconnection with your Lord. This may come into conflict."
"You're not wrong," Gabriel admitted, her innocent expression remaining steady. "But if such a thing happens, you need only stay out of it. We and our Fallen brethren have nothing to gain out of squabbling over mutual benefits, not when the world is shaping up to be what it is."
Odin hummed in agreement, not letting his thoughts on that show.
"You'll also find Father isn't as merciful as he was before." Gabriel added.
Odin focused in on that statement seriously.
Gabriel smiled once more. "Other than that, Asgard could benefit from Heaven's defensive expertise in return. It's not an insult to acknowledge that different factions have different strengths. I think you'll find that Heaven's seclusion has led to a misinformed interpretation of what its current happenstance is."
"Heaven has found its footing once more," Gabriel said. "And our Lord is once more active."
Odin looked suitably serious for a moment, before he let out a resounding laugh. "I like you, Lady Gabriel. You don't dance around the point. A trait your Lord also possesses."
Gabriel allowed a polite look to adorn her features.
"I appreciate your comment, Lord Odin." Gabriel pushed the praise aside.
"Heaven also proposes an exchange of military protection," Gabriel continued, sensing his receptiveness. "And to deepen our old but considerable bonds, we suggest a continuation of the old traditions regarding the exchange program."
"A troop exchange program," Odin said, his tone considerate and reminiscing. "That brings me back... I can admit it's been a while since anyone would host my own. If this did come to pass I'd want guarantees. My warriors go to Heaven, and they come back. Your angels come here, they return. No poaching."
Gabriel giggled, a sound that made Odin perk up.
It was wise words from him considering how many Christian warriors they had poached, but she didn't mind.
He would find it easier to convince a brick wall then the remaining number of her siblings, those who had stayed till the end.
"You must be so tired of dealing with the Fallen and the Devils. Please don't mistake us. We may exist in a trio of sorts but Heaven was always first and our Lord doesn't need such things." Gabriel said, her tone friendly and more than polite. "This would be purely about combat training and building mutual understanding between our forces. Nothing more."
"And intelligence?" Odin pressed. "You mentioned threats in the supernatural world. Sharing information about common enemies would be the logical next step."
Gabriel had been waiting for this. "Yes. We would provide sufficient information."
"I imagine you're further ahead on such aspects than I am currently, especially with the recent attack on the Vatican. Along with the lack of an angel presence. It has certainly been a busy year for you and your Lord." Odin replied calmly.
He was suggesting Heaven got attacked.
And he was correct.
"Quite," Gabriel replied kindly. "We are open to sharing information about common threats like the Khaos Brigade, rogue supernatural entities, or hostile factions? That only makes sense for both our security."
Odin perked up. "The Khaos Brigade? I've heard whispers of such a threat. Are you saying you have more information on such a group than I do?"
"Indeed," Gabriel replied.
"And you're willing to share? Good." Odin leaned back, his visible eye gleaming.
"What else?" Odin asked, leaning forward with renewed interest. "You've covered economics, military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and territorial arrangements. What other benefits are you offering?"
Gabriel allowed her expression to show more genuine enthusiasm. "Several additional elements. Heaven would welcome Norse representatives to visit our realm-"
They continued discussing the details for the next hour. Exchange programs between Heaven and Asgard. Knowledge sharing, runes and certain interests that were shared, carefully controlled on both sides.
All the while Odin tried to get more answers about the presence of her Father and more importantly what he wanted.
The broader political expectations for the supernatural world would be if two major factions formed a genuine partnership.
Heaven would be brought once more into the spotlight, even more so with the recent actions that had been witnessed from an outside view.
Odin listened, asked pointed questions, and pushed back on certain elements.
Gabriel negotiated, clarified and adjusted where needed. Odin was quiet for a long moment, his visible eye distant as he considered everything she'd laid out.
His fingers continued drumming on the table, a rhythmic pattern that suggested deep thought.
"This is far more than I expected," he finally said. "When Heaven requested this meeting, I thought it would be some minor agreement. A few favours exchanged for some metals and herbs. This is...considerably bigger. This is a genuine alliance framework."
"Like the old times. Heaven is serious about reigniting our alliance," Gabriel said, her tone sincere. "We spent years in isolation, focused on internal matters and maintaining our core functions. But isolation isn't sustainable long-term."
"And you chose Norse?" Odin asked.
"We chose Norse to be the first among the many" Gabriel corrected. "Heaven is reaching out to several neutral pantheons. But yes, Asgard was a priority for many reasons that I am sure you can think of."
Odin took another long drink, his eye never leaving her face. "You know, when Heaven fell silent decades ago, many of us wondered what had happened. Some assumed internal strife. Others thought your God had simply grown tired of the outside world's noise."
Gabriel's smile remained pleasant. "We're aware of the speculation."
"I'll bet you are," Odin said. "And yet here you sit, offering partnerships from a position of confidence. Heaven proposing alliances as an equal rather than as supplicants. What changed, Lady Gabriel? Really changed?"
"We adapted," Gabriel replied firmly.
Odin sighed. "You understand that coming back into the light could lead to complications? Factions will have questions about Heaven's long silence."
Gabriel's smile turned sharper.
"Perhaps."
Odin stared for a long while.
"This partnership you're proposing," Odin said, stopping behind her. Gabriel didn't turn, showing trust. "It would commit Asgard to a long-term relationship with Heaven. Tie our factions together once more, economically, militarily, politically. That's not a small thing."
"No, it isn't," Gabriel agreed. "Which is why we're being thorough in laying out the terms."
"And if I refuse?" Odin asked, his tone curious rather than threatening. "What then?"
"Then Heaven would respect your decision," Gabriel said simply. "And you can continue your alliance with the Fallen in peace."
Gabriel said.
It would be a shame to disappoint Kai.
But the Norse wasn't that valuable in her eyes.
"No threats, no pressure," Odin said, coming back around to his seat. "I'm glad to see you Angels are still the noble beings that everyone remembers you to be. Not that I ever presumed Lord Yahweh would resort to such."
"Heaven isn't looking for forced partners. We are looking for those willing to join us as a new age begins." Gabriel said simply.
Odin settled back into his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I'll need time to consider this."
"Of course," Gabriel said. "Heaven isn't expecting an immediate answer. Take the time you need."
"And more importantly I'll need to speak to Lord Yahweh himself." Odin said casually.
She tensed but recovered quick enough.
"… I'll inform him of this term." She said coolly.
"Good." Odin refilled his cup. "Though I'll tell you now, Lady Gabriel, I'm inclined to accept."
"I'm pleased to hear it," Gabriel said. "Heaven has always valued the Norse."
Odin raised his cup toward her. "To potential partnerships, then. And to beautiful angels who negotiate with steel behind their smiles."
Gabriel raised her own untouched cup in acknowledgement.
Odin laughed at that, genuinely and loudly.
Gabriel maintained her pleasant expression while her mind worked through contingencies and adjustments. She missed Kai. She wished he could be here to see her success.
But she was clever enough to handle this herself. Heaven's representative, building alliances that would strengthen their position in the supernatural world.
She stood up and they exchanged a quick but polite farewell.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Azrael sends her regards." Gabriel said brightly, feeling a joy as Odin's calm demeanour shattered. "She's rather missed talking to Hel."
With that, she left. Only pausing for a second to figure out why she had done that, before realising it was something that Kai would do. She smiled with a blush.
Perhaps Kai had rubbed off on her.
How delightful.
-Scene Break-
"We're nearly there," Annabeth said, looking up from the book in her hands. "If this is correct, the exit should be just ahead."
I glanced at the long spiked path stretching before us.
The other base had naturally belonged to the Khaos Brigade. It hadn't contained as much, but burning it down had been worth the detour along with the many formation circles that had been created.
I didn't know how many bases the mazes housed but two of them were burning.
I focused on the sight of a massive gate carved into the Labyrinth's stone. Spikes protruded from the walls at irregular angles, some rusted, others gleaming with fresh metal.
The maze had continued sending monsters at us at a dwindling quantity, falling to Michael's or Mahoraga's swords as for the first time I had truly not lifted a finger.
A fact that Michael was getting increasingly pleased with.
Percy let out a relieved breath beside me.
"Finally, staring at a bunch of walls while Annabeth figures out a bunch of riddles was becoming boring." Percy sighed.
Considering we had probably killed hundreds of monsters in our time here, travelled through multiple strange rooms and had found two Khaos Brigade bases.
I couldn't say this had been as boring as I had thought it would be.
"I'm pretty sure we've done more than that Percy," I replied with a faint smile. "And don't be too happy, we took this path to sneak past all the hassle before going into the real problem."
"You've done more than that." Percy huffed. "And, yeah. I get it. But I'm pretty sure you have some sort of plan or Michael wouldn't be as relaxed."
Percy's smile became slightly nervous.
Michael merely regarded him curiously.
"Do not wish for trouble, boy," Zoe said with narrowed eyes.
"I guess we shouldn't pray for it either, considering your Goddess wouldn't answer." Percy's snide remark came instantly.
Zoe and the hunters reacted explosively, while
Annabeth giggled.
In the middle of it, a gate stood thirty feet tall, carved from black marble streaked with bronze. Ancient Greek letters ran along its frame in vertical columns, weathered but still legible.
Two massive doors made up the gate itself. Steel reinforced with bands of celestial bronze.
"That looks like an exit if I've ever seen one," Percy said excitedly. "Good job Annabeth."
Annabeth smiled, her cheeks warming.
"Percy is right. Well done." I said sincerely. "We've got a lot done while we were down here and you managed to get past most of the puzzles with ease."
"T-I'm glad I could have been of use, the maze having a way to traverse it was a welcome surprise even with its constant movements," Annabeth said excitedly. "But I admit I was a bit too hasty, I hadn't realised how strong the beings down here would be…"
"Pride is an easy attribute to pick up, don't mistake it for confidence," Michael interjected. "Be careful to assess your options, but don't bring yourself down."
Annabeth nodded, looking starstruck.
We began to move toward the gate.
The chamber was empty, except for a large statue.
I raised an eyebrow.
Then the statue moved.
The decorative pillar beside the gate cracked and shifted.
Zoe frowned. "It seems this gate has a guardian. I had heard that such things happen."
Stone grinding against stone.
A massive figure unfolded from its pedestal, easily fifty feet tall. Bronze plating covered its chest and arms. Empty eye sockets flared with pale blue light. It raised a sword the size of a tree trunk.
"Oh come on," Percy groaned. "Of course, I activated the secret passage. Why wouldn't I? It's not like we have anywhere important to be or anything."
The guardian took one thunderous step forward.
Michael launched a powerful attack and the statue exploded. One moment it was moving, the next it was rubble scattering across the chamber floor. Chunks of stone and bronze clattered harmlessly around us, prompting Percy to kick one of them lightly as if it would move.
The hunters almost seemed used to the casual display of power.
Percy stared at the debris. "And it looked so epic too. I guess the power didn't match the design."
"Can we just leave?" one of the younger Hunters asked quietly. "I do not wish to stay in this place any further."
"Indeed, let us make haste," Zoe said, already moving toward the gate.
I walked up to the doors and pushed. They swung open easily, no resistance, no tricks. Cool air rushed in from outside, carrying the scent of pine and earth.
We stepped through.
Sunlight hit my face.
Real sunlight, not the dim glow of the Labyrinth's bizarre lighting.
The sky stretched overhead, blue and clear.
I took a breath of fresh air and felt... underwhelmed.
After everything we'd seen in there.
The corrupted Pan. The shifting walls. The endless monsters that died before they could even attack. It had all been too easy. Excluding the situation that had transpired with Pan, which I had put to the back of my mind, something felt wrong about that.
But that was probably because he was used to fighting for his life.
Being the King of Heaven seemed not to allow for that in the job description.
"It seems we made it," I announced.
We both looked up at the massive mountain looming before us.
That was easier than I thought.
-{Rizevim Van Lucifer}-
Rizevim crouched beside the multiple bodies that had been left behind, curiosity pulling at him more than disgust. His crazed eyes looked over the scene with a sort of pleasure.
The broken remnants of the forces that had been stationed to guard this location were sprawled across the stone corridor. Too cleanly. Whatever had killed it hadn't struggled. Hadn't even broken a sweat, probably.
So a powerful figure.
He ran a finger along one of the cuts. The flesh was still warm.
Recently, then.
But something else caught his attention. A faint shimmer in the air around the wounds. He leaned closer, inhaling deeply.
Holy power.
His grin widened.
Angels?
The kind of energy that made devils itch just by being near it.
It was pure.
Rizevim straightened, his mind already working. This wasn't just any angel's work. The efficiency, the lack of collateral damage, the absolute certainty in each cut...
He pulled dark energy from his reserves and let it pool in his palm. Magic twisted and writhed, reaching out toward the lingering traces of holy power.
Then, he shifted to the fading soul of the monster in front of him and grabbed it. The soul resisted, but not for long and a strong orb came to hover in the palm of his hand.
He inspected it lazily, before shattering it and diving into the information it had collected most recently.
The scene unfolded before him in fragments.
The forces he had left at one of the two bases had made a valiant attempt, but that hadn't done much against the admittedly powerful amount of holy energy in the air.
The holy signature was strongest around those kills.
Rizevim's eyes narrowed as recognition sparked.
An image formed, the image gave his mind confusion and a hint of wariness… the confusion and slight amount of shock from knowing a certain Arch-Seraph had been so close pierced even his mind.
Michael?
He didn't bother remembering the weaklings that surrounded him, his eyes glancing over them until they settled on a familiar figure. The figure who holds the last fragments of the holy Grail.
An Angel.
The one who'd slipped through his fingers by being surrounded by such powerful Angels.
He let the magic dissipate and stood, brushing dust from his hands.
A laugh bubbled up from his chest. Genuine amusement mixed with anticipation.
"Well, well," Rizevim said. "What are the chances of such luck coming my way? Perhaps bathing in the blood of a luck God held its merit after all."
Rizevim liked this feeling.
It was rare for something not to come about by the strength of his own ridiculous amount of power.
It was less lucky that the infected God had been stolen away. Moving him had been too troublesome and risky. He had to wonder how the Angels had managed, but he was sure the God gave them a sufficient amount of trouble.
Suddenly, Daedalus and his irritating maze seemed a lot less annoying. The old inventor had done him a favour, actually.
If he had gone and killed the Angel he would have robbed him of what was rightfully his.
Now, he knew the Angel was outside of Heaven.
Rizevim tilted his head back and sniffed the air.
His senses spread outward, tracing the lingering holy power. It was faint but present.
A trail leading deeper into the maze, unfortunately it faded pretty quickly but he was sure he could make do. He could follow it, especially with Daedalus having kept an eye on them.
His grin widened until it hurt.
The hunt had just gotten interesting again.
This was the reason he had joined this bothersome chore after all.
Now he had a direct path.
Excitement burst through his chest like fire. His heart pounded faster than it had in centuries. This was what he lived for. The chase. The moment when prey realised they'd been found.
Rizevim turned toward the exit, already calculating. The angel had left the maze.
Perfect.
"It looks like the Holy Grail is within sight once more," he murmured to himself, demonic power already gathering around him in a mass that ruptured the air.
Lucky indeed.
-END-
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