Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Mirror ❯ Act III ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Mirror

Volume II

Act III

--------------------

A knight watched his charges go upon their two seater bike of BMW note, his suspicions confirmed yet again.

“He's still jittery? It's been a week now.” ..the said Knight Lord heard from a certain white blond haired exhibitionist. Imladris just sighed as Urd floated in close. “I think I didn't anticipate what that Spirit's effect would be over them both.”

Urd just shook her head. “And it's usually me that screws such things up.” ..as she also sees the BMW's distance growing from the Temple. Urd however quickly noted, knowing the said relationship far more than the guardian next to her did.

“Don't worry, something usually comes up that reaffirms their love for each other.”

Imladris turns at that and walks past Urd. “That's what I'm worried of.”

Urd smirks.. “Yeah, never a normal reconciliation around these parts.”

Imladris went back to finish up some paperwork in the Buddha Temple, Lind taking the morning away to keep tabs with Mara, after the episode Entropia caused, this leaving the bloke alone to catch up on the mounting paperwork that made fore Keima's successful glasswork business. A very successful one at that, given there were six nice and neat piles for out going, and thrice that many incoming.

The knight walked up to a nearby stack and pulled one as yet to do receipt.. “Heh, didn't think I'd end up doing all this, doing all that knight in shining armor crud.” ....as he rounds to his pillow seat to find a well worn pen.

Urd meanwhile just reentered the residence, stretching like the lazy goddess she rarely hides, passing by the tea room, though in doing so she stops what thoughts she was about to have, and sees instead a look that unnerved her on the spot.

“Mother?” Urd spoke, seeing Frigurina and Peorth sitting at the plain, long since emptied of breakfast, table. At this the said elder goddess looks up with a start, as much as Peorth does in fact. “Oh... ah, daughter dearest!”

Urd cocked an eye. “Uh....” ..set in a tone of having seen this scene before. Peorth gulps a bit, as Frig just puts is a bit too defusing sounding. “...it's nothing really. Really.”

Urd.. “Oh goddess, we're going to die.” ..this Peorth just frazzles. “Do you mind, idole sexuelle!!” ..this Frig rolls her eyes at. “Okay, this time I mean it! Nothing is going to happen.” ..this Urd feels a bit more safe in hearing.

“I think.” ...or Urd did. “Mother!”

“What's with the yelling `now'?!” ...Skuld snaps dryly on entering. Urd just looks at Skuld in surprise, before Skuld looks in and sees the façade Frigurina is trying to hide. (You'd think after an Eternity, one would have a better poker face.) Skuld notes this and gulps.. “Aw man.”

“I swear to goddess nothing is going to happen!” Frig tries to steel her tone with. The other three goddesses try to sigh in relief.

“I hope.”

(x3 goddesses: ) “Hey!!”

Afar, a certain knightly set of ears note this keenly. “Eh?” ..before he feels something odd beneath his legs. “Eh #2?”

--------------------

“Aw man! Not him again!”

Chihiro just wilted through her weak smile. “Sorry, he's still a paying customer. Even if his writing still hasn't improved any.”

Belldandy just smiled as usual. “Do we get to become his assistants again?”

Keiichi gulped at that. “Can't Dr. Moreau get this via UPS or something?” ..this as Keiichi shoves the box of E clips (double checked, they made sure of this iota,) toward Chihiro. Said boss just growls back. “You saying no to the boss?”

She smirked as a moment later, Keiichi and Bell were already gone. She turns and picks up the check said mad scientist sent in advance. “The boy knows how to follow orders.

And at least the money is always good.” ..she stops and wonders.. “Must get a lot of grants for all that robot stuff.” ..wondering just how said mad robotics nut kept sending such good checks. She shrugs that off and smirked along the same lines of spending lines.. “Time to get that new model kit I had my eyes on.” ..and turns to outright forget the chassis work waiting on her, to go blow some dough.

As she stepped outside the door to her shop, she realized dryly. “Suppose I better lock the door fast too.” ..and turns to complete this, before feeling the same thing Imlade did kilometers off. “Eh? Was that a tremor?”

--------------------

“Man...” Keiichi just whined again, before Belldandy put the mind to the matter. “Now now dear, it all really isn't that bad. I expect he's learned from his encounter with Sigel and Banpei. Besides, there's always something new to learn from each new time we meet someone.

Sometimes even more than the first meeting told.”

Keiichi just smiles.. “There's good and bad to such things sometimes.”

Bell just giggled, both not `really' all that dour with said Dr. Kiochi Morozumi, rather just mindful of past events. This was however not all that Keiichi was mindful, walking next to the goddess of his life.

One he thought he knew.

Keiichi tried to say something, something that normally wouldn't be hesitant about, which caught on his tongue, as he looked at Belldandy.

And then looked away.

Belldandy saw this, and herself ended up mirroring all of this, the two having another uneasy walk somewhere together.

Both were stuck on how to combat all this, and so stuck when they arrived.

As they arrived, Keiichi blinked a bit.. “Eh? Did you feel shaking?” ..this Bell only shook her head. N.. no, I was thinking.”

Keiichi just nodded as they reached the door. “Guess it was nothing.” ..this as Bell holds the door for her uncertain, yet laden love, looking back with a twinge of worry, before following.

--------------------

Elsewhere, Lind thought she felt something beneath her feet as well, but she had her own more pressing problems to deal with. The type where her, and her Axe, faced down a foe that well should not be.

Across from her on the roof of their hideout, Mara watches with a mix of wariness, and disinterest, as the real focus looks back, with Entropia's dour state accompanying. As such, a Valkyrie and fallen Norn `enjoy' this nice and clean.. “You going to waste our precious time any longer wench?” ...meeting.

Lind just smirked, holding her Axe at an angle upon the ground. “I'm here on request, you can guess from whom. That and no more than.”

Entropia just returned with a way too character making snarl of her own. “The wench goddess elder has no interest to me, save for when I wish to mess with all she is attached to. It's fair game in my warped eyes.”

Lind didn't seem to flinch, though she kept such a twinge well in check. “You readily call yourself such? Is that all you wish to feel?”

“As if I was allowed the same during my incarceration.”

“Is that all Hild allowed to you?”

Entropia held her words for a moment, and then replied way too calmly.. “Allowed may have been too free form a word to use. Should I describe how I was really treated?”

Lind didn't hide her shiver this time. She instead returned to her original task at hand. “I was asked, since I'm neutral in all of this, to ask the same of you to remain neutral with your kin. There is much at stake with...”

“Yes I know. We both are not fools. I was there when your toy was remade for us.”

Mara got edgy on hearing that, and for `good' reason, when Lind didn't hide her next emotional reaction either, and shot right over to hold Entropia's neck in her left, and the Axe of her right hand, squarely at the Norn's neck.

“I would be careful of your tone about my beloved. I still hold scars from that day, well in my heart most true.”

Entropia learnt what not to say next time, but no reason to actually heed the rest of Lind's request now. Mara just held her breath, shaking a bit more than she intended. (Though not realizing...)

Lind just cut the terse moment short by jumping away, Entropia gasping for breath as she was warned far more sternly this time. “Now I would impose neutrality for yourself. I'm not of games for another episode as from that previous night.”

Entropia just seethed in equal dire.. “Whatever.”

Lind was about to respond, when she finally noticed the on and off rumbling. Enough that even Mara stops being lackadaisical, and looks about her. “The heck is going on, Skuld playing with another machine again?” ..this as Entropia looks around the same with annoyance.

Lind isn't sure what to make of it either.

--------------------

-More uncompromising ground shaking-

“Argh! I knew it!!”

“Hrmmm! What'd you say Assistant?!”

“Careful! It's heading for the...” ...SLAM.. “...wall.”

Keiichi just ducked as robot parts and wall plaster flew over his head, as he moaned again. “Don't you need a hardhat for this work Prof?”

Bell just leaned over the opening of the wall, where the latest attempt of a... “My Bipedal-tri double set pure autonomous Ped-strider is safe enough when it works properly! What'd went wrong this time!?” ..this as a more complex machine to mimic human walking capability, lies inert with ozone whiffing from it's ports. Bell just offers.. “Maybe it was the lack of room.” ..this as Bell looks back at the Professor's Lab space, which was nonexistent by now. “You've been busy since we met last Professor.”

The so named Doctor Moreau just proudly states.. “Hrrmm! I had brainstorms! Genius! The will to create! My dream for all mankind keeps having more dreams than I can create as fast by! The more I attempt, the more I find where to improve!

And I have it this time! I swear it!”

Keiichi tries to be comforting, even if still weirded out again.. “You could prove it if you had more space as Belldandy said. I mean even `we' can't step around in here.”

The Prof looks around, and for the first time in... goddess.. months, ever since that ill fabled incident with Sigel and all, that he realized.. “My... hrmm.. I need a maid.”

Bell just blinks cutely for a moment.. “Then maybe I can..” ..before Keiichi throws a hand in.. “Ah.. I think Chihiro would be mad at us for being late.” ..this knowing if Bell got into this, it'd be an all day affair. (Not that Keiichi knew Bell wouldn't mind at all.) Bell just smiles back.. “Yes, I imagine she'd miss us terribly.”

Keiichi sighs a breath of relief, before Professor Morozumi just asks.. “Hrmm.. this still works.” ..and reaches down to start hefting the machine up. Keiichi sees and realizes before he even is asked, to step over gingerly, and to Bell's happy eye, help the Prof he is exasperated by so much, with righting up the machine that meant so much to the Professor.

“Hrmm?” ..Morozumi realizes quickly, as Keiichi just apologies.. “Sorry, if it had more room I bet it'd work fine. I should give it more of a chance too.”

The next thing Keiichi feels, as the machine is uprighted, is a nice and hard slap to his back! “Hrmm! Think nothing of it boy! You should be proud to be called my Assistant! I had you both in mind to show when I asked for those E-clips!”

Keiichi blinks though his pain at this. “Pardon?”

Belldandy listens with a growing pride she wasn't expecting at all, when Moreau offers. “Of course miboy! Ever since we met, I've been inspired! Who else would I show my prize creation to, but the ones that taught me a lesson I needed to hear!”

Keiichi just kept blinking. “Okay.... pardon?”

Belldandy however just offers.. “Have you felt more fulfilled by walking your own road?”

At that, even Keiichi was soft eyed as the Prof turned teary eyed again. “Yes... hrmmm.. yes I have Assistant B.”

“Belldandy's her name you know.” Keiichi just blanched lightly, as Bell just giggled. “Oh, that is quite alright dear.”

Keiichi just chuckles... which leads to more from all three... and healthily so for long enough for their own good. Much more for than just the three of them in fact.

And enough to miss it all starting.

Keiichi is toning down his version, when he starts to notice around him again. “Eh.... eh? Isn't that machine off Professor?”

The three look around as Morozumi.. “Hrmm? It should not... oh dear.”

Belldandy blinks, not feeling something like this since... “It's like that time with.... with...” ...not speaking that name of Wraith note. Keiichi looks back, just as the shuddering in the room, starts to double so..... and triple..... and pile on higher and higher...

“Earthquake!!” Keiichi yells as they and everything in the room, and outside of it starts to shudder tremendously!!!! Small articles fly all over the place, the lights flicker as then the shelves join the smaller articles. Attempts to grab anything fail, before footing does, and then sight completely, as the lights fail with the power grid. Shouts fail to reach ears as the shattering noise defeats all other sound, as fear grips in a panic none were expecting this day.

And such, none are prepared when feeling fails before spells can be uttered, as the known heights above also fail.

“Wind barrier!!” ...at the moment failure could not be actually allowed.

The shaking does not stop for a good minute even after this point.

--------------------

All over Nekomi, and in face for a good two hundred kilometer area, the effects of nature in full and indelible effect strike once more, a terrible reminder of who truly rules this world in all such finality. All around, familiar faces try to weather this traumatic event as best they can, some more capable of ability than others.

The Nekomi mortal faithful for the most part, are both fortunate and knowledgeable. Even Tamiya and Otaki in make up classes (again,) know well enough to find a safe spot, others under desks and other sturdy material, this as the buildings around them are well designed as such code requires in this unstable region.

Most of them at least, though they weather better than the power poles and other utilities that are struck harder by the sudden movement of the earth.

The souls of the region however, have one unexpected ally they didn't expect to count upon. This about thirty seconds into the ride of even the goddesses lives...

--------------------

A knightly tumble stumbles up as he tries to work his way to the residence in all the shaking. “Guys!!”

By the time he manages to get close, the shouts within of obvious note, come complete with a elder version emerging with great floating haste! She sees Imladris.. “Should I bother guessing!?”

“I.. I.. I.. doubt... it's good... either...”

Frig looks outward generally, and decides enough is enough, for her own caring reasons. She shoves her arms out and commands in deafening voice.. “Know me as one that makes worlds in my Beloved's guise, as one that knows secret to control what is that most natural, though tragic the same!

Bend thy will at my arms, to safeguard for those that cannot endure as easily as the sodden Earth!”

All of a sudden, a pulse of bright light spreads from her arms, and all around her for many a hundred kilometer around. Most that day that noted this at the time, lay blame of other kind in due part the shaking. And that they from that moment on, were not harmed in any way because of it. None knowing that any of soul in living, would be extinguished from it from this event that day.

Those before the spell was cast that be.

Imladris even felt this, as a slight clench to his soul was made to `anchor' him into it. “H... ho... holy...” ..as the shaking nonetheless continued on for the remainder of time imparted.

Meanwhile Skuld suddenly tumbled out from the residence as the roof above nearby suddenly collapsed! Urd and Peorth shoot out just in time to avoid this. “Mon dieu! Keiichi's home!”

“Not just his I bet.” Urd adds, as they both float as much as their wise goddess elder, the same not so said for Skuld and Imladris at that moment.

--------------------

Nor for Sentaro in his class, as he weathers this all under a table. However before that spell was uttered, as he was screaming.. “Skuld!! Mommy!!” ..unbidden, before part of an overhang florescent lamp suddenly snaps loose and falls down to his left arm! “Owwwwwwww!!” ..before the spell hits the area, and no one else suffers the same as mentioned further.

And he was the fortunate one here.

--------------------

The stories are replete this day, as the shaking continued unabated, as many endure the terror of the earth, many feeling time come to a cruel crawl forward. Some gain more scars to the mind during this time, than their own flesh is subjected, as even the most grown and `manly' learn their place in this event most rough.

One that only lasts as long as the energy that the tectonic plates that caused it all, to finish releasing the pent up energy of untold decades.

And soon enough, the shaking begins to subside, if slowly... slowly down from more and more, to triple of shaking... to double.... and down from there before the rumble is all but faint, this before most fear stricken can even realize it.

And then it is over, save for the aftershocks to come, all too many to come at that.

And from this, the sounds in wake of this event, water mains burst, electrical poles frazzling sparks, animals howling, sirens and alarms ceaseless..

..and despite the sounds, one sound that is not there, is the most deafening of all...

..the silence of fear, in those first few moments.

Only when sounds of calling out in the smallest of places, for wellbeing and more of others, does fear begin to be weighed out by concern for others.

And from here, a situation is assessed.

--------------------

“Keima.... Keima dear!? Dear!?!?”

“-coughing- I'm here... fine...”

Takano, as disheveled in appearance as her abode now is, is more than relieved enough to see Keima manage to stumble out from his workshop. She however notes. “Dear your hand!”

Keima is quickly joined by his love as he fruitlessly waves her off. “It got burned when the quake made my fire go haywire. Luckily it went out before anything else happened.” ..this Takano cradling/inspecting it all the same. She however then remembers her emergency training for earthquakes. “We need to shut off the gas.” ..this both head out, and soon see others readily following similar advice throughout the immediate neighborhood. Some however are not as fortunate to reach, as a few fires seen from a couple of houses show others were not as lucky.

Takano sees this and feels her heart break, as Keima manages to reach and turn off the house gas line with his good hand. He then manages to reach back to a shaken Takano, as both look around at what they had begotten into.

This lasts for only a moment, as Takano then realizes. “Dear, the other guys!”

Keima nods. “We'll need to walk it. Save the road for emergency crews.” ..this both just flat out start off with little else thought. They'd take a bit to make a distance that is now hazard littered, as worry begins to turn from themselves, to others.

--------------------

-Satellite campus-

More of the same, though in this case.. “Everyone stay calm, and stay put! We've just had a major earthquake!” ..this a member of the teaching staff needlessly told, though in this time of shattered nerves, voices that commanded were honed upon for guidance.

Not that two of the many that heard in this classroom, needed to heed much further than this, sitting under their mutual table.

Shaking for all each of their fears were worth.

“A... a... at least someone is steady.” ...this Megumi chatters out, as she is held tight by Keiba, both swearing they both were about to see their mutual ends. And hadn't move from this embrace since the shaking stopped either.

Others were moving around from between curiosity and lack of patience, but these two just held place as their nerves slowly were set in check by the feeling of each other.

“D... did you mean that....?”

Keiba suddenly stopped shaking. “S... say again?”

“That you loved me?”

Megumi felt his shaking stop like ice just then. She found it cute, a moment that she needed more to hear upon as it was.

“Y... yeah.” ..and so.

Megumi suddenly felt tremendously safe at that one moment, even if Keiba wasn't one hundred percent certain about it. Course when Keiba realized this, he then also realized how close he came to not hearing Megumi's voice anymore.

What Megumi felt next, was even more comforting to her, than his admission.

Keiba then just put through the embrace. “I think... our evening race is postponed Megumi.”

Megumi... “Damn.”

--------------------

Chihiro started to ruse, and look around. “Man...” ..as she looked around, and at first thought, fearful that her coworker had gone haywire again, those memories of that battle still in her mind quite forcefully, before she realized that this time, it was the earth that was the enemy.

She weathered it out under a park bench, just a street away from the hobby store she was heading to. She rose and on habit unto this, looked, and saw smoke coming from the very area she was heading.

“Aw man.” ..half a split concern for her purchase, before piled ten times more upon with human concern. “I hope Ito is okay over there.

She then heard the first sirens and looked reflexively back towards the campus area, though not intending it.

As soon as she does, she sees a sight that is ten times more heart rending. She feels cold at the sight of the usual sight of the iconic campus building of main, partially collapsed as far as she could see, much of the façade the look of crumble, even at this distance.

As was her voice... “No.... they were....” ..and suddenly starts off at a pace she never knew she ever had.

--------------------

“Beloved!!”

Imlade by now had regained balance, as did the rest on solid (now) terra. All were looking up as Lind quickly appears, and gloms unto him fearfully. “Are you aright love?!”

Imladris nods. “Aye. Everyone else?”

“Better than this place.” Skuld notes behind her. She however is quickly chided by Frig. “Poor form daughter. This place means a lot to you as well, you know.”

“Yes mother.” Skuld apologizes, as Urd then remarks. “Jeeze, so this is what they keep squeaking about on TV.” ..this Peorth comments over to Imladris.. “Your world is a troubled one. Even from the earth itself.”

Imladris however admits in Lind's worried clutch. “Actually this is a first for me too on this world. The worst I ever saw otherwise was a snowstorm in Montana. I just hope no one is hurt.”

“I tried to prevent such.” Frig quickly put, though Imladris questioned. “Not to sound outright impudent, but...”

“Husband will see my way if he has a problem with my actions. Seeing life extinguished is not in my vein to allow, by my powers. Not while I am present all the same.”

Imladris nodded.. “Left at that.” ..and then noticed over at his own beloved. “You okay Lind?”

The Valkyrie started to shudder herself, as she heard sounds of things way outside what she was accustomed to, in similar veins of chaos. This version containing many a voice of disconcerting and panic mixed in great amounts. “All those souls.

So many innocent.....”

Skuld cocks an eye.. “Huh?” ..as Peorth quickly puts.. “Her phobia about innocents unto harm or death.” ..this Skuld shuts up quickly of. Imlade just cups her head into his chest, before looking afar. “Such is a way of this world as well. A great fortune up to now we have not been apart.

A change we must learn from.”

Frig nods, before then starting to hear a far off sound, one familiar to her lobes and senses, which comes to her lips.. “The elder parents...... oh...” ..she then flicks her mind unto. Imladris realizes, and then back at the collapsed house with no probable phone service of note. “Them!”

Skuld snaps her own mind and calls.. “Sigel! Banpei!?” ..as Imlade notes at the still intact, if lacking of roof tiles here and there, Temple. “My transmitter!” ..as he and Lind quickly head to gather a needed item. Frig meanwhile starts to grasp her fall colored dress. Urd sees this and then remembers.. “Oh man. You don't mean mother...”

“Mean no.... Foresight `yes'.”

Urd thought she felt chills before. Not even Hild could cause this version so deathly. A moment later, as Skuld sees Sigel and Banpei emerge from behind the residence, the latter having protected/trapped the semi-dainty former, Imladris and Lind quickly reemerge.. “Scetu! Come in bud!”

“// Yes Master? \” ..this over the communications link, Imladris just snaps over.. “We had an earthquake here! I need location beacons on all tasked protectorates!” ..this Peorth asks.. “Qu'est-ce que est ceci?”

Imladris quickly replied. “I placed beacon nanites into everyone's accouterments, ever since Hild's affairs that since past and come. I thought it prudent to my duties. This time if an example.” ..he spoke before to the commlink.. “Scetu?”

“// Searching.... searching...

Tracking several native biological units in currently in route to your location, or in place. Most are registering nominal bioreadings. \”

Frig `asked'.. “Most?”

Scetu, more than hearing this, replies a bit too mechanically.. “// Three signals are registering lower readings than normal. One is not in current danger. A second has yellow bioline readings indicating physical injury of a level two situation.

The last is closing in on redline. \”

They all froze at that. “W.... who...” Frig eked out...

Scetu answered.......

--------------------

Takano and Keima has just reached the second roadway tier before the last to the Temple itself, when they both stop at the sight of movement, only they were half expecting. This on above... “Oh...” ..this Takano also notes at a rate of speed she drew immediate renewed panic from. “.....no.”

Keima saw this, as two different `lines' angled in separate directions. Keima noted with familiarity they went towards two other familiar locations. Keima just held to a shaking Takano quickly.

“Just pray.” ..he could only muster.

Takano didn't know if `she' could.

--------------------

Chihiro's furious pace came to a quick stop of skid, as she saw.. “Sora! Tamiya!!” ..as she saw the larger carrying the smaller of the two. Sora cried.. “Oh Miss Chihiro!”

Chihiro came up, and before saying anything, just hugged the two generally. “Oh thank god.”

“Yous alright Laduy Chihiro?”

Chihiro looked up. “Yeah. You?”

Sora just noted. “My right leg got banged up in class, Tamiya came and found me.”

“Otaki went to chuck on his laduy Satoko ma'am. I'm fine douh.”

Chihiro was gladdened to hear that much. She hoped more would be with that.

Which made the next hard to ask, when she looked and saw the damage to the campus building, worse than it first appeared. “Where.... where are....”

The two looked back. It took a moment to register...

..and when it did. “Oh my god.” Sora cried best.

--------------------

“Oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please....” ..Peorth kept hearing Skuld pray over and over endlessly.

Peorth didn't stop her, she was doing likewise under her own breath. Never mind Skuld's command of flying had suddenly increased in just this one short span of a moment, as why was coming up all too readily, as they shot over a span of buildings, and towards one that Skuld saw with increasing edginess.

Peorth saw.. “Not too much damage. Let's stay calm.”

“Not until I see him!” ..and Skuld shot forward with! Peorth silently followed suit, as they soon landed near without caring if anyone saw, (not that any were looking anyway.) As soon as she did, she gave one solid look at the chaotic scene, and rushed forward. “Sentaro!”

Peorth gulped and followed.

--------------------

The sight all around the goddesses, nevermind one misplaced awe struck quasi-mortal with, gave them all equal pause. Even Frigurina was shaking at the sight of so many black columns of smoke, rising from spots all around Nekomi. (And many father than this, most towards the outlying areas towards Tokyo.)

“How..... horrible.” ....Frig only put.

Words were not minced here, they just concentrated on approaching the sight of the one red bioline they were told of.

The location became apparent when they saw first detail of the same sight Chihiro grew chills from.

And as soon as they did. “N.... no.... NO!!” ..a hyper-emotional elder goddess shouts, as Urd shouts after. “Mother! Wait!” ..and chases after fast. The others swiftly follow, though concern is as one when they soon arrive!

The scene was even more chaotic, as they were able to land just as unnoticed, save for one that all but felt them arrive. “Guys!” Chihiro yelled in a tone of great hope. Frig's voice however was totally opposite. “Where's Belldandy and Keiichi!??!”

“I... I... think in there.” Chihiro fearfully stuttered out, as she points at the last place that the mother did not want to see. Frig just feels her heart go south, as Imlade rushes forward on split haste.. “We got to...!!!” ..and is held back suddenly by Urd. “Wait! Too many people for our normal flair. We need to plan this one out.”

Imlade snaps back behind.. “As if I care right now!”

“Chihiro, Sora and Tamiya listened as a short spat of needless note occurs. “We will if we have the wrong people on top of us afterwards.”

“My daughter is worth that step-daughter!” Frig put in a rare tone that put Urd in a place, the half-goddess never did care for. However Urd understood that much, yet is supported when Lind adds. “We should use means to not be too obvious. There's too much panic in the area for people to mentally accept our usual actions.”

“And we let them suffer while we ply semantics!?” Imladris quickly supports in Frig's favor, more in line with his overly loyal sensibilities. Lind cringes a bit, but stands firm. “If it's more the same after, what will be the difference?”

Sora however just cries out. “I don't care what you do! Just save them!”

“Are we sure they're in there?” Urd quickly puts, as Frig answers that by thrusting her arms forward, towards the accordion collapsed building façade. “Seek to my mind, the minds of those that live still, within fallen stone and trapped dreams! Reveal truths of life from them!!” ..with a glowing orb of white Intracellic code projecting out from them. Lind and Urd make blocking of sight movements ahead of the elder goddess, while a released knight watches.

And a spell finds shuddering truth apparent.

--------------------

A suffocating feeling, but one he could feel still. A mind trying to use that to claw consciousness from. Eye that didn't see when he felt them open, but not with out any light to call upon notice from.

“Dear?”

And a voice that he badly wanted to hear. “B..... Bell...?”

He managed to move his head enough, as debris rolls of his face, seeing far more bluish light as a result, as well as from whoms.

“Oh thank Goodness.” Belldandy admitted outright. Keiichi smiled, but then started to feel other things. Things that tell a body things are badly wrong.

“A... are you okay?”

“Yes.” Belldandy told, though her mind past this told her far different. Keiichi meanwhile looked around, as they seemed to be in a bubble made of rocky debris. He wondered about that before he remembered.. “The... the earth... quake..”

That was when he noticed why there was a bubble, this as Belldandy had Holy Bell produced, both sitting in a meditative state, as a shimmering blue field surrounded them. Them.. “H.. hey.. where did...”

Belldandy told, her eyes straining to Keiichi's sight. “Behind you. Unconscious as far as I can tell.” ..this as he tries to move his head, but finds it pinned in place by a large piece of what was once a metal shelf. He takes Bell's word.. “Does this mean he's....”

“I... I don't know.”

Keiichi gulped at that, and in so doing, felt something weird and clammy down his throat. He then realized he was feeling all sorts of weird feelings, and realized at least one arm was broken, and given his half buried state, this was not his only ailment.

However this all paled when he asked.. “Are... are you alright?”

The second time he asked that, it was more personal feeling in format. Belldandy just tried to steel her self to keep concentrating. “We will be soon. Our family should be here even as we speak. I... I just need to keep this spell going until they can reach us.”

Keiichi felt some hope in that, but felt something more and raw when Bell whispered.. “I promise...”

“Bell?”

Keiichi then started to wonder how long he had been unconscious, how long her spell had been active like this. From the strain he saw on the goddess's brows, it had already been too long by his book.

And then his own body strained back, as one of his unknown injuries caused him to growl in pain. “Owww.. dang it...”

Bell gasped at that moment and shouted.. “Keiichi!” ..and lost her concentration just long enough to cause her spell shield to weaken, and the `dome' roof crack from pressure. Keiichi realized what this meant on sight.. “Belldandy!”

A quick recovery later and they both now realize the situation they are entrenched in.

For a moment, neither say another word.

The next.. “So, you got any plans?” ..this Bell manages a giggle from. “No more then you.” ..this as they both try to hold onto hope.

--------------------

Six...

“Six are still trapped.”

A number of concerned whines lightly ply from many, equal to the tone Frig just used. She adds.. “The rest I sense, are on the unaffected portions of the floors. I... I feel my daughter not of these fortunate souls, and neither...”

Imladris suddenly stamped unto the ground. “Damn this terra!!” ..which Lind snaps back.. “Imladris!” ..which at first the said mortal recoils on an expected chide that never comes.

Rather.. “Instead, ask of it.”

The knight blinks, before Urd realizes. “Uh... you mean..”

“Whut?” Tamiya blankly asks, before Frigurina realizes. “Yes. That's perfect Lind! If they will listen that is.”

“Who?” Sora..

“Asking them in a time like this would be..”

“Ahem!” Chihiro snarls quickly, Urd replying. “The Earth Spirits.” ..this Chihiro goes blank in hearing, and promptly shuts up. Imladris just continues from before. “...would be problematic. They `like' the movement of the Earth, gives them new life and all.”

“Which means they should be more willing to listen at a time like this.” Lind offers.. “As if finishing from a feeding.”

Imladris nods, if uncertainly. A look at Frig however unnerves him. “Alright. So how...?”

Frig answers that by laying a palm to the ground. At this, all she imparts is... “Heed my help of beg, please.” ..with a strange sigil spreading from her hand, one that reminds Chihiro to be not totally comfortable with these beings again.

Moreso when in turn, after a strange moment of waiting...

`Are we so summoned with honest purpose?'

At this, Sora just points to the ground. “Uh... why is the ground talking with a mouth?” ..this as a formal, human looking mouth literally `talks' up at them!

Urd then just cracks.. “Because talking with a nose is silly.” ..this Lind smacks the love goddess. “Not now!”

Frig just ignores them all. “We need your help. My precious kin are in grave danger because of the actions of this area of Earth. I lay no blame, but beseech all help in your time most satiated. I am prepared to give payment appropriate as you seek in any measure.”

Imladris gulped at that, as the Class Two Spirit, acting as the medium between goddess and Spirits, considered the words. The Spirit considered for a moment, and then asked.. `Of whom is your objective.'

“My daughter Belldandy and her beloved Keiichi. Other souls trapped within, of the living as well.”

The ground actually gasped at that, and swiftly sank back within like quicksand. (So fast Chihiro jumped in same fear of!) Imladris just gulped.. “Okay....?”

A moment of silence later, Lind wondered.. “Did we fail?”

“Hardly.” Frigurina quickly replies, just before a tremor starts hitting the area again. Imladris gulps.. “Great, aftershock... everyone... eh... EYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!” ..just before the shaking ground suddenly starts `gabbing' with the sight of several dozen mouths suddenly talking all at once!! And loudly at that!!”

`Oh the Lady Belldandy is so kind!'

`She sings so sweetly to our cousin Tree Spirits!'

`The Earth Spirit guardian speaks of her with such longing and honesty!'

`We love her caring of the Earth!'

`I want her to sweep upon me again!!'

Imladris just wondered. “Who let loose the mass Wall of Mouth spell here!?” ..Chihiro more crazily.. “I'll never spit at the ground again!!” ..this as Tamiya hops him and Sora away from fear of being literally eaten by the ground!

Frig however heard enough in all of this to ask. “We need you to help shift the Earth in distraction.”

Lind blinked. “A what migoddess?” ..this Imlade adding. “As if this isn't enough one?”

Frig however wasn't joking around, and her tone imparted the same. “We'll need it for what will be required. Do you agree to help Spirits?”

`Whatever you require of us Goddess. The Lady Belldandy is more than worth this.' ..this Frigurina thanked fully in tone, before looking at the other beings in her rapidly formed plan. “Alright, this is how I want to conduct this with all speed!” They all then heard, a rather brute, yet extravagant plan for salvation, but in the same hearing, one of them drew a dour reservation from it all soon quickly after.

“What did you say Elder Migoddess!?!?”

--------------------

“Eh? Skuld!?”

“Sentaro!!” ..this a raven beam of mixed emotion rushes over into the school courtyard, now one of numerous mini-triage areas that were all over the city by now. As she approached however, a teacher most stressed out blocks her way. “Hey! Who the heck are you?”

Skuld considers an outright Skuld-bomb, but Peorth quickly defuses even half-thoughts of this with.. “We're friends of Sentaro. Please allow us to free your hands to others of need.”

The highly frazzled teacher just nods, not overly worried given the responsible sounding tone given, one that indeed noted to others needing help. She backed away, as Skuld just skid right over without fail to Sentaro. She sees him however. “Oh goddess, your arm!”

Sentaro winces on hearing to thought of this, but waves it off. “A light over my desk hit it, no worse than some of my scrapes on my bike. I'm okay though. Really.”

Skuld just whimpers at this and gloms onto him anyway. At this, one of Sentaro's classmates, blinks at the sight. “Hey! That must be that international school girl he talks about anymore.” ..this a few other students look over, all the while Sentaro blushes. “Aw gee Skuld.” Peorth sees this with a calm grin.

Course in usual fashion, Skuld pulls back to then start shaking the poor bloke! “You scare me like that again and I'll experiment on ya!!”

Peorth grimaces while Sentaro sees sixty of everything. That same student just gulps out. “He can have her.” The other students just look away from this `loving' scene.

Just then, a sound even Sentaro didn't expect.. “Sentaro-kun!!” ..as three heads turn around at a name called, from a new voice two haven't heard from yet all this time. Sentaro looks up and cries out.. “Okaasan!! Oneesan!!”

Skuld's grasp of Japanese was more than well enough to gasp at the sight of.. “What?”

--------------------

“Keiichi please!”

He dearly tried to listen. He really, truly wanted to. His eyes didn't seem to want to heed however. “B... Be... Be...” ..he gasped, not realizing oxygen in the enclosed space was already getting thin from lack of enough cracks in walls to give seepage to the same, partially an unexpected fault of the Wind shield being held up. Air pressure and such unheeded physics always present.

But this was only a tenth as bad as the cold feeling his right leg was having, one that had been creeping up his body much faster than he liked. To his credit on many fronts, mainly to keep Belldandy focus on their mutual survival, he'd held his tongue.

The unknown gash to his leg, and the losses from it however, had their own effective `voice', and they were being spoke through his struggle to stay awake now. Belldandy had grown aware of this over the passing minutes, and now was growing split in all mind allowable. “Keiichi please! Please stay with me!”

“Bell... Belldandy...” ..he weakly forced out, not realizing he was feeling the first effects of shock. Bell almost lost grip of her Shield, but had to hold it.

“Keiichi, I can't keep doing this without you.”

Keiichi heard, and managed out. “You... you're so strong. We'll... we'll make it if we both.... hold on..” ..he spoke, dearly trying to keep speaking.

“Keiichi...” ..she only whispered back helplessly. Not through her own power, one she'd use entirely up to her death, to save him, but rather from an inability to do more than listen to reaffirm this belief. All her strength, all of it keeping them and tons of concrete from outright finishing the job of the same cruel physics present.

And then, as she kept straining mightily into her powers, the words started to flowed out in stutters.. “I'm.... I'm sorry Belldandy.”

“Keiichi?”

“I've.... I've been afraid of you... since.. since that Spirit came. I shouldn't... should not have let if affect me so.

I... I just never thought I'd see you... that way.”

Belldandy responded back with something unexpected. “I'm sorry. I.... I only wanted to show you something different of myself, with the chance given. I didn't mean to hurt you any. I've been mindful of such as of late, because of those lessons.

I only wanted to show you more of myself that even I wasn't fully comfortable with. I... I wanted to be more exotic to you. All just to make you happy. That was all.

It seems I went too far however.”

Keiichi weakly nodded.. “I.... I still prefer my sweet, gentle Belldandy.... though.

I just wanted you to know that. Know that... you.... you know.”

Belldandy heard something in that tone that froze her code. “Keiichi. Please stay with me. I don't.... don't...” ...her mind and heart raced... “...I'll call for that Spirit again... if... if...” ..a growing sense of panic in this suffocating moment and space. Her normally calm mind truly pressed in all manner and strain, as it was all currently focused.

Keiichi just chuckled, half of it coughing however... “That'd.... that keep me awake.” ...though his eyes weren't convincing of this. Bell tried another empty chide. “I mean it, I'll do something you won't like.”

Keiichi... “I... know you..... you... wo... woul....”

“Please, I love you too much! Please stay awake!”

Keiichi struggled, but was finding it increasingly difficult to comply.. “B.... Bell....”

Suddenly.. “I'll let go!”

Keiichi `found' an anchor.. “Wh.... ha..?”

Belldandy literally cried the next out. “I... I can't lose you! I.... if you... if you........

I'll let go! I love you too much!! I mean it! I'll let go and.... and.............”

Keiichi really tried to fight now for strength, knowing full well what this all meant for them both! “Bell... no... y... you can't... I won't.....”

“I don't care! I won't live without you!!”

Keiichi all readily heard this, and tried to command his body, and anything he hoped would hear him! Almighty please! Please god help us! Help me stay awake for Belldandy!! PLEASE!!!!

Belldandy and Holy Bell both gasped when Keiichi shut his eyes, thinking `the' worst in that moment. And for a split, split in split moment, between life and a death she was ready to embrace, she felt `the' worst, all selfish intent of it all.

And she dropped the barrier....

...and had it raised at the next split in split second, when THE last thing started to occur, that they couldn't hope to have anticipated! This as a glow `not' of her own, began to rise from her true love? “K.... K.... Keiichi?!?”

...and then she saw something that started changing the name towards... “Ce... Ce... Celes...... Celest.....”

--------------------

Imladris just snapped.. “ARE YOU MENTAL!?!?!”

Urd growled.. “You always fight these things you turd.”

Imladris just glared badly at Urd, as Frig just calmly repeated herself. “It'll work if you just rust yourself. The scale of my plan calls on the skills you possess in direct note.”

Imladris, despite the want to save his friends... family... more. Having it all pinned on the use of powers he still was direly fearful of, didn't justify in his mind. He balked in tone as such.. “The Spirits here should be able to...”

Lind replied for a agitated goddess elder.. “They cannot conduct the measures needed, save for keeping eye away. They cannot levitate with precision that your Angelic powers can. We need ourselves to concentrate on the extraction that results, with all expediency.

Please trust in yourself with them, and for us! Please!”

Imladris however couldn't see enough past this. “Y.. you give me too much credit beforehand. Wha... what if I cannot measure... cannot...” ..this as Urd was growling at this display unfit for the Title, but is cut off when a lunge from Frig grasps at his collar with a mother's panic.

“Please. I beg this of you! In need your help to save my children!”

They all around were stunned, Imladris more over so, as he realized Frigurina was not speaking only of Belldandy. It was iron pinned down further... “My godson needs you as much as he ever will. Please.”

The knight gulped, looked at Lind, whom had a pleading look as well, and then of note over at Chihiro, who had unexpectantly, the `same' look on her own façade. A mutual note that seemed to ignore utterly, the fears he `thought' they all had of him in the first place.

And this, added, when he thought of whom he was called unto to help.

He gulped, but then steeled his breath, and began to take those fateful steps into a godhood yet to come. “Yes. Yes...

Just... just give me space and a moment.” ..this as he didn't waste further and outright leapt up to head high into the hazed air Frig breathed a great deal of hope, before a Spirit voice suddenly asked.. `Is that the one that is also of recent legend?'

Frig nodded with eyes closed. “You know as well as we then.”

`When this is over, speak of unto us further. We need no payment, rather an owe of honor to bestow.'

Frig gasped at this unexpected generosity. (And one not to happen again, that was for sure,) as she looked to Lind. The stare however changed to more business demeanor in kind in short order.

“On my mark then everyone. The Heaven with the consequences.”

Lind nodded, Urd responded by then shooting out into multiples, to help with the distraction, and extraction, while the mortals just prayed where they were. Lind was then told by Frig. “Get to them and other survivors within `fast'. I mean it warrior, if your honor meets my challenge.”

Lind just growled to the challenge. “I won't dare fail that.”

Frig nodded, and quickly raised her hands again, as the Spirits spread all around the area for their part underground. The elder just whispered harshly, most determined.

“I'm coming my children, hold on.”

--------------------

Belldandy gasped of a kind she didn't know she could feel.

And Keiichi felt something he swore he felt once before, a fact a miracle enough given he was `feeling' to begin with. “W... wha..... I... I'm feeling....”

“Keiichi your hand!” ..Belldandy yelled, as Keiichi looked over and saw something ELSE familiar to him! “HOLY!” ..as they both realize a small, oval shaped lifeform capsule is attached to the mortal's left hand!! Belldandy recognizes the lifeform unit outright.. “Celestine!?”

A familiar chuckle most calm is `heard' by them both. One warm and inviting at that. Keiichi gulps.. “Uh....”

“Don't worry. I am here to help you both. Or mainly, the mortal boy here that prayed for the same.”

Keiichi gulped, realizing he was feeling much better than he had been, as Belldandy starts to quickly cry a sobbing stream. “B... but how... you were...”

Keiichi remembered it all... all of it back then, just as well too. The Plans, that event, the battle, his own experiences from it all, Morgan, the Gate, and then..

...how it ended, seeing the lifeform unit sparkle away into what was thought... “We thought you had died!”

“I did, though it seemed I wasn't either. Something unexpected from the state of my incarceration.” ..this they both wondered at, as Celestine's voice just carried. “Worry not, your mother and help is coming very soon. In moments I'd wager even.”

Keiichi however balked, almost managing to rise to end up bonking his own head on the `ceiling'. “wait a minute! What do you mean...?!”

Even Belldandy was baffled despite all she knew, which was quickly dispelled by words off.. “I didn't anticipate this. I thought when that moment came of my realization, that my time of life was ended.

I forgot how powerful Almighty's Commandment was, at the time of my Punishment. When I was told to be unto Incarceration for all time, He really meant it.

It was not the Luna Dungeon that was my prison, save for a guilded cage. This form was the prison, stripped of my powers, and all else that gave me recognizable form. When I thought I faded, I realized I was floating amongst the Cosmos, drifting forever it seemed.” ..he put with unexpected longing tones. The two lovers heard, when Celestine then informed. “And then at some unknown point, I began to drift back here. I did not know why.

Until I came across you all, that night when you were in such competition.”

Keiichi gasped. “That race! So it was `you' that smacked into my hand that night!!” ..before adding.. “That hurt you know.”

The `lifeform' chuckled again. “Indeed, Belldandy chose her love very well. Your mind is fluid enough as if one of us. Apologies for the harm I inadvertently caused.”

Keiichi just blushed, as Belldandy chimed out, completely forgotten of her strenuous task. “Then all this time since then...”

“It's been a circus, an amusing affair that gave me insight of why you chose so well. And why your tears are more silver than even I dreamed. Your laugh as if world being born.

I am glad, if reasons unknown, I returned here. Almighty in his Wisdom only knows why.”

Keiichi however `had' to ask.. “Uh... what... what about all that....”

Celestine anticipated that. Heck, after all `that' kind of history, who would blame such a query incoming. “I assure you, those plans are as dead as you nearly were. Your life was slipped to the point I could not keep myself withdrawn. My last true strength flows in your body for the time being.

I could not allow your death become a mutual one. I know how much Belldandy `means'.” ..this as Belldandy blushed, and Keiichi gulped. The latter however soon responded, not caring for whatever else.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving Belldandy.” ..said despite whom `was' saved. Both of them knew it.

“My pleasure.” ..and Belldandy blushed ever more from it.

An alliance of fate she prayed eternal thanks for. Here and beyond the after.

And `then', the first new shaking began. Keiichi blinked, before Celestine replied in anticipation. “You also chose your new family members well.

Plus, seeing a Precursor in activity interests me greatly.”

Belldandy just joked. “Your old fetish Mentor?”

“Of course my dear. Of course.” ..a lifeform put.

And before they knew it...

--------------------

First came the fake aftershock, a good steady one that made everyone forget surroundings save for their own immediate circles, some for others of adjacent such circles, but no further. Old animal instincts of fear and self-preservation coming forth and fore.

“Wow, Spirits doing good.” Sora warbled nervously, as the shaking was doing it's part. Frigurina meanwhile had already localized the life signs of the still living. She was glad she found `all' of such alive, none dead by far. Her spell from earlier had done it's miraculous job.

She found them, relayed them via direct mind links to Lind and the Urd's, before snapping in mental command.. “NOW MY NEPHEW!!”

Imladris, floating about seven hundred meters above all this, both from wanting not to be seen too much from below in doing this, as much as operational span and error control of his Angel, heard Frigurina's command, and he dug his fears into a grave, and let his grown into command act unto the auspice of his Angel. He exposed Evolution fully, and shouted.. “Today we make all of Heaven and Earth proud! This is for you too good buddy!” ..a stiff nod unseen by the cowled, cloaked Angel, is followed by his own shoving of hands forward, a needless gesture, save for personal confidence, into the uttering of his Spell.

“I, the command of Element that helps create Formal Form, and is empowered by Matter of the All, I call Heed as a New Master, to the aid of those that believe in this Power, for the good it all really is!!

Bring my grasp to lift by the All, the Mass that I bend to my Will, and salvage into salvation I Wish for with all my heart!! Break these normal bonds as I Command absolute!!”

At that, a grayish-black ball shoots out, but this time he spread it out into bands that strip apart into `many' telltale strips of the same substance, before being encapsulated in his Incarnum powers, as his measure of control over them. From here, they race into the rubble and begin grabbing `all' matter heeded, down to the dust of atoms.

Chihiro saw this, as did her friends of kin, when the spell bands smacked deep into the building façade ruins. She whispered.. “Come on dude. Come on.” ..as it was answered in short order.

More than was expected in fact. In retrospective, the act was overdone, as the rubble is literally lifted beyond the defeat of normal gravity to command of it all. From here, within the rubble, the trapped within that were aware, noted the massive shifting of the rubble. Most screamed, thinking the worst, before they `blinked' into the realization they had ended up outside, on the ground somewhere nearby.... safe.

The unconscious were deposited the same near EMT groupings, in the confusion the shaking caused. Their tending was not long in surprised waiting.

The ones most of need by the spells called for, realized when Belldandy shouted within the bubble. “It's Cousin! It's Cousin's doing!!”

“Wha... Wow.... wha... WHA!?!” ..a split moment into realizing the impossible, when he felt himself, and saw Belldandy `enveloped' in a new Sphere of Light! Celestine felt this by garnered sight, as salvation indeed had come, as a Mother promised. “Impressive.”

For their parts, Urd and Lind handled most of the other souls trapped, as they appeared in cracks large enough to work through with their impressive speed. But it all came down to Frig's pointed focus to where to look, her commands and will of titanium diamond, that willed the salvation to come to pass.

This as a Mother landed to the gasping sight, of her accepted kin, blood and beloved all the same to her. As soon as Belldandy and Keiichi landed near her. “My children!!” ..and rushed forward with `no' reservation, clutching them both quickly. Belldandy.. “Mother!!”

Keiichi.. “Ack! My shin!”

The three just shared this moment, before another voice.. “My my..” ..as a Mother gasped.. “That voice...?”

..and then a CRACK just made `everyone' look. Most shouted anew at `the' impossible sight, as Frig realized. “Aw crud, he's overdoing it.” ..as to their impossible sight, in quick succession, the façade of the entire building outright is `fixed', as if some weird movie scene playing before the watching.

And to be sure, at least three broadcast crews no less.

Lind saw this and then gasped back at, as in that focused state of overdoing it all, Imladris went for broke, undoing the breaking in the process.

“I'm not afraid of my destiny. Help me prove it.” ..this in an overdeveloped sense of melodrama, that ends up for the good, in a fashion that probably was disconcerting all the same. And then, he forgot to realize he `had' finished, and was in a trance of a new kind he didn't expect to have.

Two Souls realized the good they could do together, based off what one was used to doing naturally. The understanding of that day was reached.

“Beloved!!” ..a sudden snap voice that cut this thankfully short. “Ah!? Eh?!” ..he looked around, and then behind in usual character. “Lind?!”

The Valkyrian Commander just smirked. “Can't you learn restraint?”

He blinked, and then looked.

Far below Frig just sighed. “More lessons.” ..this as a few shouts `toward' said floating area from around, makes Frig look and realize. “Uh oh.. Lind, get him clear now!” ..said mind link. Before Imladris can react, Lind complies, glomming and teleporting both away, to save the sight of even cameras trained on some winged, far off form, from being viewed any further.

Something of an act that just would lend to something else in the immediate future.

For the present, Frig just looked to her saved kin. “We better clear out ourselves. We sure don't want to be noted.” Bell and Keiichi just nodding wearily.

Chihiro just added.. “Uh.. yeah, this day is just an overload man.” ..this they all keep chatter till back at the Temple. There plenty was to be had and all.

--------------------

Skuld and Peorth just looked to Sentaro, whom was being carried by his obvious mother unto back. “Well this has been a banner day.”

Sentaro just smiled. “Yeah, and everyone is alright to deal with it all too.”

Peorth just looked from him, towards the kin of Skuld's heart, as Ichigo and Fusuchi just kept trying to keep up mentally. Ichigo the mother of the two, just smirks. “So this is why you've been so secretive all this time.

More than just a mother's hunch indeed.”

Sentaro just gulped, as the elder sister of the bloke, Fusuchi, just egged. “Yeah, Brothers are such a pain.”

Skuld just cracks. “Sisters too. Wait and see.” ..this the two new mortals in the, albeit fuzzy still, circle of truth, just blink in confusion. Still, it was `all' preferable to the worse they all feared for the one of center, being mocked and carried.

And this as they arrive at the Temple, as Skuld is anxious to learn of another certain Sister's fate.

--------------------

“Belldandy!!” ..answered a split moment into seeing. Belldandy sees and rushes over to hug. “Skuld, you're safe.” ..and looks up.. “Peorth... oh, thank goodness for Sentaro... and... oh my.”

Other heads look over, as Ichigo and Fusuchi look around at the Temple. “Wow.” ..both utter. Introductions are made, though true truths withheld for the moment, as wellbeing of others comes first. However Takano, she and Keima of note, having been taken care of by Sigel and Banpei, saw the arrival of the goddess party, with one they were incredibly glad to see.

For the most part Keiichi was able, as he was being tended by a paladin's healing spells and tools, freeing up the goddess's need of their own spells. He looked up now, and noted. “My, the family keeps growing.”

“A good family always manages to.” ..a hollow voice responds, even the knight stunned in knowing whom it belonged. Meanwhile, said Takano rises and walks over to Ichigo. “Welcome to my son Keiichi's home. Are you all alright?”

Ichigo nods, and Sentaro gives his main ailment. Takano just points over.. “If you'll hold off on hearing explanations, that bloke can help fix ya all up.”

As Ichigo brings Sentaro over, small talk ensues, while Keiichi looks over as another soul that was brought over at the same time in the same salvation, sleeps with a good snore. He mentions to Urd tending. “He's going to have a rude awakening, the Prof. over there.”

Urd nodded generally. “But at least he'll wake up. Step by stem from there.”

Keiichi just looked back at her. “Boy, must be all those gas fumes all over town. Are you still Urd.”

A playful `bonk' from Urd just made Celestine still attached, chuckle. That much just made Frig shift over from a spot near the still collapsed residence. She most of all, was shocked at one present that had no recourse it seemed to be amongst them.

She put her hand to Keiichi's left, as he and Urd looked, the elder goddess of beauty asking... “My old friend.

Beyond what I was told by my daughter, just...... how?”

“That should not be the question. There is another that is bidding me beyond you all, and this time to a place I fear even breaks Almighty's Commandment.”

Keiichi heard Urd and Frigurina gasp, the latter imparting. “You used your all up to save Keiichi. Your life force in all form?”

“It was my Will to use. I had a Penance to conduct as it was. It is fitting.

I will pass on with no more regrets.”

Frig however cupped Keiichi hand, whom by the way blushed like mad, but held enough curiosity to witness this. Frig just remarked in combat of a death coming on from a sacrifice. “No. I think We will have a better place for you.

If you can stand in Judgement once more.”

Without a face to nod with, Celestine replied.. “Please, the walls of old I would like to see once more.”

Keiichi just blanched. “You guys talk too flowery. Was Shakespeare a god too?”

Urd just cracks.. “Now.” ..this makes the mortal urk enough to garner laughter from the three around him. They didn't mind him joining in either, by any measure.

A short while of more small chatter, as the sun began to wane, there as more of the family arrived. Otaki and Satoko with Yamano, all well and good, and then Megumi and Keiba the same late in the day, having had to take a detour through town, due to the usual course route being blocked by a landslide. The NIT Motor gang all joined to find Sora in better spirits, as Chihiro joined Takano and Keima to greet the Megumi and her all but betrothed now.

If there was a place to find hope after a day like this, this `was' it on Earth. That moment, that time, in truth.

And all safe.

--------------------

-two days later-

“Do they always sleep this much? Or is their power level just that low?”

Keiichi, his arms and body still in a strange body cast of a sort, made of magical bandages that were applying constant healing energies, chemically extracted from photosynthesized sunlight and other processes he was told were effective. (And were, since he could move his arms better today,) just looked over as they lay all about the grasses of the Temple, the sunlight well and warm over them all, at the sight of two rather lazy goddesses.

Urd and Peorth don'tchaknow. Keiichi just replied back to Chihiro. “Actually, it's their human traits coming out.”

“Ah.. lazy.” ..Chihiro rolls her eyes and looks over at Sentaro being cared for by another set of humans, while Skuld slept comfortably `right' nearby. Keiichi smiled, as he noted his own right shoulder was nice and warm as well.

Though not quite asleep. Belldandy just remarked in her kind demeanor, if still weary. “They deserve it for once. Everyone was so busy helping tend to friends, and friends of friends, when they learned Cousin was a good healer.”

Keiichi chuckled at that, after seeing the previous day turn the Temple grounds into another ad-hoc medical center. At a time like this, those good in the medical arts in any way were like flame to the moths. The locals having learnt enough weirdness, found this use in a mortal that was still going at it, even at a time like this. When they came, the goddesses went unto Imlade's experienced direction, treating it no differently than a military first aid station. Hence why the goddesses were so pooped.

Now they knew what those ER shows were like. (Megumi wins the TV sometimes off of Jenga games.) Over thirty hours of helping to heal others ended them all like this. Chihiro just sighed at all the bandages and healing salve tubes that were littering the now less than pristine grounds. “Well, he'll earn a paycheck, depending if I still have a workplace.”

Keiichi and Bell in quick simult. “You do.” ..which gave hope for the boss. At that however, they looked to the main Temple where their so called `healer' was resting. Chihiro noted to `this'. “I think he's a snoring type.” ..this as some similar sounds kept whiffing from within.

Keiichi just chuckled again, though this time his still sore ribs retorted the lung pressure. He winced. “Ow..” ..and all but had Bell upright into his face again! “Keiichi!?!”

Chihiro fell over as Keiichi remembered Bell's protective impulses were still on overdrive right now. Chihiro just moaned. “Down grrl! Down!” ..as Keiichi just appreciated. “Don't worry, I'm okay.

Though, my eyebrow itches.”

Chihiro just looked away as Bell itched said area, and K1's left leg twitched like a happy doggie.. uh.. “Not going there.” She then looked around, Sentaro and his family accounted for, she remembered Keima having gone back with an arm sling wrap, to help Takano check on their own place. Otaki, Tamiya gone with Satoko and Yamano for pretty much the same. Sora now home, her own dorm still standing, as her club mates (and a certain admirer amongst them. Think glasses and goggles.)

Megumi and Keiba.. “Uh... those two are getting as bad as..” ..Chihiro looks over at the strange loving/scratching display still ongoing. “...rest my case.”

Beyond the rest of the `medical' cases that came though here in the past day or so, the final injury tally came down to Keiichi with a broken arm and leg, with deep lacerations from said leg to his pelvis. Sentaro a broken arm, Sora a sprained leg, Keima with ligament damage to his wrist, a bunch of soiled undergarments, and lots of beauty damage. (Lots of bad hair and cosmetic problems in the days to come.)

Still, Chihiro sighed calmly, as the radio in the background kept squawking...

`...estimates put the damage at seven million Yen for the local Nekomi area, over fifty for the affected region, this as the 8.2 scale quake leaves lasting reminders for some time to come. However the tally for human cost is far more optimistic, as local health services report less than a thousand casualties, mainly broken limbs and burns in the worst cases, but no fatalities as far as any services division can report.

Work still continues as power services work through the nights to restore electricity, the same for other services, including the road division, whom report most roads will be open for service by tomorrow evening. Still, the city warns all travel be kept to emergency only, and save road space for emergency crews, as well as for military units and humanitarian workers to get to the worst affected regions.

A curfew is still in affect at 1800 hours local time, and is in strict effect, after looting attempts were thwarted last night in the commerce districts. Meanwhile aid relief is flowing in from many areas, including overseas and American installations as sources, with distribution being handled in orderly manners, through the local learning institutions, this including Nekomi Institute of Technology. All those seeking relief rations are asked to wait their turn in an orderly fashion.

Meanwhile, word of condolences arrive continuously, as world leaders remark on the magnitude of this disaster, but many also praise the local building codes, as the area suffered very few structural failures. The recent building upgrade codes seem to have borne fruit, despite taxation referendums that met with resistance two years ago. Lawmakers in the region that supported the referendum for the upgrades, tout success, even despite the real congratulations being saved for the engineers that originally brought them up.

Currently, there are...'

Chihiro stopped listening. “Man I miss the oldies music that station played.” ..this before she thinks she hears a weird sound.. “What was...” ..before she reactively turns her head from the Temple in sight, instead to a fallen pane of window glass, as from it, a shimmer becomes the sound Chihiro was noticing. From this, she gulps as the unnatural (to her) act of Lind appearing from the window remains.

Belldandy finally turns away from Keiichi. “Are they alright Lind?”

The Valkyrie just nods. “They are in formal session as we speak.”

Chihiro just looked to Keiichi, as Belldandy just holds her hands in hopeful prayer. “Then I hope his Sins are repentant enough to grant him chance at recovery.”

Course, before Bell even finishes this, they all hear a new, weird sound nearby. Keiichi blinks. “Was that a dog barking?” ..and just as he says that, he sees the icing on this weirdness cake, as Velsper, hardly injured either and all through all this, suddenly pops out from a bush, and hisses, before being suddenly chased by what looks like a medium sized husky dog! Chihiro blinks as much as Keiichi does! “What the HECK!!?”

--------------------

-Holy Council Chambers-

Frigurina stood behind, as upon the presentation platform, a small lifeform pod is floating with assistance from the chamber itself, to be addressed before the gathered council chamber. Those watching are greatly mixed in emotions, no where near as absent in memory as lower mortals are, to the history this one lifeform represents to them.

The fact that Frigurina was behind Celestine, rather than amongst the Council, in her normal seat though, was something speaking volumes, before the Council even uttered a Syllable.

None of them even did further anyway, after they all learned the manner of Celestine's return, given the link his old pupil, Belldandy, had with the lower realm of note. (So many webs of connection, between this Council, the lifeform of Celestine, and that beautiful Norn that all otherwise would not have the same Council of most part, to even `give' notice to the lower realm of said note.

Certainly for One watching most of all though, His mind was already made up as soon as the details were told.

His decision was to have serious repercussions for the redemption to come.

“Celestine. Are you ready for your Amendment to your previous Judgement.”

“I am My Lord.” ..he put simply.

The others learnt of this new consequence as follows. “Celestine, your previous actions still weigh heavily on all our minds. The actions still are too grievous to simply ignore, even despite your actions, and the report the Lady Frigurina imparted on your behalf.

For the most part, your Sentience is still valid as it remains to this day. This has not change for whole part, from the time you were Sentenced.”

Celestine just replied in lieu of a nod. “I understand.”

“However, you have made the step away from tyrant, to the god you were once respected for. As a result, you are remanded from the following, in accordance with your continuing punishment.

Given a demonstration to safeguard the life of a representative of the world you once wished to have radically changed, via temporal evolutionary format, gives credence you are open to learning more of how to make amends over time, to equal what would amount as a formal pardon for your crimes. This is not condoning to the same however, and forgiveness is a step even beyond formal pardoning.

As such, I have decided on the following changes, in accordance of remanding protocol. Celestine, your current lifeform stasis is suspended, and released into an evolutionary format track, to last one thousand years standard, or the world type you found yourself upon. The symmetry of this should not be discounted. That world was your original target, as is the home of one you taught so well.

And also where your redemption appears to have begun.”

Celestine was hopeful more than he ever thought he would. A second chance was being given to him. Frigurina heard the wordy language, and drew the same.

“So in a thousand years, Celestine would be capable of returning to us formally?”

Almighty responded to Frigurina. “Indeed. His actions demonstrate he may be worth to rise again amongst us, if history proves merit from this time forward. But to begin, he must evolve as one of the creatures, of the world he originally intended great ill upon.

As such, evolution will be of these creatures over time, to relearn the things he once taught so well.”

Celestine understood. “So I am to be lower than the lifeform of humanoid note, to begin my new sentence?”

“By your choice.” Almighty responded. Celestine `and' Frigurina gasped at that. Almighty added. “As reports understand it, the demons have allowed a similar situation to occur on the same world of our mutual intents. I would garner a suggestion in accordance with this new Sentence.”

Frig held her chuckle, as Celestine realized he was being `prodded' towards something. As ever, politics took place in many forms, and sometimes many along the same vein. (And sometimes crashing into each other when even not seen as such.)

Frigurina however remarked to this. “It would be fair to him to understand the current era he would be entering, since it seems he would be sentient much above the level of the creatures he would be incumbent as.”

Celestine heard this, before his mind suddenly began to learn more than it had already known, when he was attached to Keiichi. A product of Almighty allowing all relevant history to be learned. Reasons were as relevant as to the idea Almighty had in mind, though unsaid.

Celestine after this, remarked.. “It is still a place awash in mistakes. I suppose to learn best would to be attend the place you both have such singular interest in.

May I choose the form that I would appear as amongst them?”

“I will allow this.” ..Almighty responded. Frigurina smiled at this. Another voice however objected. “Should we allow such? I can sense your minds.”

Frig just sighed, as Freyana piped up as the voice of contention, not as much to annoy, but to keep everyone realistic. (Someone had to.) Almighty responded calmly. “His powers will be limited to the same as the one mentioned in the report. The Reincarnated one will be his oppose as far as any need of duty lies for us. However the Sentence supersedes this save for dire circumstances.

This should be enough even with a Familiar to content with.”

Frig even blinked at that one, as Freyana retorted as `supposed'. “That leaves too much in doubt. I remain uncomfortable due to this.”

“So noted.” Almighty just replied. Frig then heard a huffy voice step in amongst. “I may have a solution to this.” ..this the War Master spoke up, Freyana just growled. “There goes Existence.”

“Says you wench! I too have a similar vein in all of this, moreso now that Celestine's own former pupil, is now related to my own former same.”

Almighty liked the sound of this. The tone was obvious. “To keep in charge of Celestine's future conduct, to a Guardian already tasked to the same below for others, is an admirable idea. Unless there is further objections.”

Freyana spoke across the chambers from her orifice seating. “I still have reservations enough in that one. Reservations are not objections however.”

“So dully noted.” Almighty `agreed' with.

“Booyah!” ..a thunderous voice just egged in. Even Frig just shook her head. “I want another Brother. By all creation.” ..this a healthy laugh from Celestine's form echoes out. A tone that softens the mood in the chambers, just before Almighty imparts. “Do you accept your current terms then Celestine.”

“I do.”

Frig seemed satisfied, before then adding, her next tone returning to seriousness. “Before we end this convention, I need to have information imparted of Level Classification under the Voluspa guidelines.”

Almighty responded to `that' quickly, when the voice of Intracel spoke up. “Confidential file creation, VLS-ITC 7728132.56/S. Lock priority code encoded to data transferred at this time.”

Frig.. “Accepted authentication via my code string parameters. Transferring now.” ..this she waited silently as her code was transferred via the Links. As soon as this was done, she knew her words could only be heard by the other High gods in the room. The Lower gods that had been hearing the refurbished Sentence at the time, were locked out.

For good reason as it turned out. “I discovered new evidence concerning Wraith Lord Caceroth. This from a Class Two Spirit I enlisted aid during the crisis on the mortal Third Dimensional surface.”

“Go on.” Almighty prodded. The rest that did hear, realized they wished they did not.

“Apparently, the nature of the shock tremor event that encapsulated us all down there, our kin and protectorates, was exacerbated prior hand, during the events Caceroth caused during his attempt against the code named Catalyst.

One I say is..”

“Milady.” ..Almighty gruffed, an attempt to prop up Belldandy's love he readily recognized. (If Keiichi only knew.) Frig just exasperated past this, to the meat of the matter. “It would seem Voluspa's touch is at partial cause of the events I readily take good and ill for combating of, though I cannot be ascertained to whether this was either premeditated in foresight, or retroactive without the same.”

Celestine, technically not of the System, was in a unique position to actually hear all this, whether realized a mistake or otherwise, he heard in reaction to this. “It would seem a time withheld is approaching. Signs are apparent.”

Frig blinked. “Signs?”

“Worry not of it. The gift I received knows what will come. The Tool is in place and ready.

Keep your eye on him as Instructed, but say no further than even We know, as also instructed.”

Frigurina just bowed her head. “Yes my Love.”

Almighty then Commanded. “Lock Confidential file VLS-ITC 7728132.56/S into personal archives. Code sequence under my Auspice alone”

“Processing.” ..was all Intracel spoke in turn, as Frigurina wondered to herself, where this all as well would lead.

Celestine meanwhile, having heard all this, and realized something far more apparent was in works, than it at all first seemed. Not that he had much time to ponder this. Frig then asked of the former lifeform pod. “So, what do you wish to begin renewed life as?”

Celestine had only one thought at the time. “How about...”

--------------------

This is what Chihiro and Keiichi blanched at, making others around wake up. “Eh? Wha...?! What's with the racket?”

Frigurina just looked over at Urd. “You won't believe it.” ..this Keiichi/Chihiro turn gawked eye unto. A split moment later however, Velsper just scrambled at them all. “HELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPME!!!” ...before leaping into Belldandy's arms. “Oh my!” ..and a said husky breed like dog trots up. Urd sees all this and quips outright. “Can we keep him?!”

Velsper hisses at Urd, while Chihiro leans down. “My, what a cute wittle doggie!” ..this, done way too in new character, the said Husky waggles his busy tail and pants all happy like, petted just right by one that had weakness for such cute things. Keiichi however sees this, and then `sees' something else on the forehead.

“URK!!” ..this many turn back, though Frig does not, (rather eyes in a hidden sidelong glance of knowing,) making Belldandy looks down. “What is it Keiichi dear?”

“H.. T.. A... His... bluh.. Th.. At... the head! Lookit!!”

Peorth just cocks an eye. “Did Chevalier's medicine warp your mind?” ..this before Urd reacts the same as Keiichi did, when she looks more closely. “Like hell his mind is. Look!!” ..and yanks Peorth's head over at the Husky's own.

And a goddess's code goes thin. “Mon dieu....”

The Husky just pants for a moment, as Belldandy does the same, and without intending to, is surprised just as greatly to the point of dumping Velsper out of her hands, in reflex of gasping her hands to her mouth! “By our Father!”

As soon as realization sets in of whom this is, the Husky just cuts short of just `how' much this is a certain former god, by quite consciously winking. Keiichi just gulps.. “I think I know what to name the god.. er.. dog.”

Chihiro by now, on seeing the other's reactions, goes from thinking it was a cute dog, to.. “Uh... should I pet him or bring sacrifices?”

Velsper just hisses. “I can think of a sacrifice here and now!”

The Husky just reacts by growling heavily, and outright chases the heck out of the neko-demon! Urd just reacts.. “Uhboy..” ..as Belldandy shouts in vain. “Uh... bad... uh... dog.... uh... god... uh? Please stop!”

By now Frigurina was on the ground in laughter, tear filled in fact. “This is the most worth... ..I can ever seek.” ..and busts her gut all but literally.

Keiichi just sighs and looks over towards the separate group of Skuld and Sentaro, with his kin, all of whom look at all this with plain confusion. K1 just remarks at sigh of this.. “It just gets better and better.” ..this Frig adds.. “Yes it does my child.”

Keiichi wonders at that, as one other that had been watching, keeps a strange level neutrality on her façade. Keiichi wondered in reflex what Lind thought of all this, and then began seeing something new... and disturbing.

“Lind?” ..Keiichi said, which drew a few glances that had otherwise needed a distraction.

What they saw grew reservation unto them, something they did not need at this time. This as Lind stood seemingly stoic. Heedless.

“Uh... hey.. warrior babe?” Urd asked, but got no response.

“Uh oh.” Frig responded, before they were distracted by something `else'!

“GUYS!!” ..all but one head look, as Chihiro sees.. “Aw crud, not them not `too'!” ..as just above the wall line of the temple, Mara appears, but not alone. Frig sees and gasps.. “Wha... what did..” ..this as Mara lands, a sight the new mortals nearby hardly believe. Mara just runs forward, shouting.. “I couldn't do as she wanted anymore. She got hurt in that quake that hit us too!” ..this as she stumbles and accidentally drops the carried form of Entropia, whom has a `bad' head wound. Frig and Bell easily let go of current `relations', and rush to help, the motherly looking version of the three same looking beings, shouting. “What happened to my daughter?!”

Urd watched however with reservation, as Mara explained. “Our hideout collapsed. Damn thing was too old to hold up. We tried to get out, but she was hit when we just got to the door.” ..this Bell yelps.. “Mara, your arm!”

“Screw that!” Mara just retorted. “You just have to help her!”

A few were surprised to hear that, since they didn't figure Mara had any loyalties.

Frig just nodded. “We will. I swear as a mother to that.” ..she then looked over at Lind, not realizing from before. “Lind! Wake Lord Imladris! We need.... eh?”

When she didn't even see a head move, she shouted.. “Valkyrie Commander!”

That was when Lind responded out of total character. “I... feel stunned.....”

“Huh?” Chihiro has only time for, before events just ripped sane minds apart. Just then, they all are turned to the sight of the same sound Keiichi `did' hear earlier. “What the... oh my LORD!” ..as he and they all see gold static, in intense amounts, stutter flood out from the temple steps and opening.

And then a moment later, the cause tumbling out, and landing hard onto the grass below! As soon as a knight ends up as such, Lind snaps out of it.. “Beloved!!” ..and races over with Peorth. Chihiro just shouts out. “Will you people stop screwing around!?!”

“We wish.” Urd just puts, which gets across this isn't all an act.

Lind reaches and reaches to her beloved's face. “What is...” ..and has to pull back from a nasty static shock snap her hand gets, as if trying to connect with an overcharged capacitor! Peorth shouts.. “Etre prudent!!” ..before the static snaps again.

However a moment later, the static tones down, but doesn't fully stop.

By now, even Velsper and Celestine stop at the sight, as Sentaro asks from afar. “Okay, tell me you have an idea what just happened.”

Skuld.. “No... I hope it's not from before.”

Ichigo heard that and warned. “Before better not mean...” ..just as Frig shouts out. “Peorth, Urd! Handle my Nephew! Bell and I with Mara under my daughter here.

Do what we can.”

Keiichi meanwhile saw all this, unable to move to help any, but noted Chihiro also not moving, her mind shone in her eyes, of filled fears from times before. Chihiro just dropped to her butt, and shivered out. “What... now what do we do?”

Keiichi just gulped, as uncertain as ever at times like this. “Pray.” ...never thinking this all would end up occurring.

This how the Trials of Tears entered it's second phase.

(End Act III - Vol. II )

--------------------

Author Notes: Whuboy, I pushed it this time.

This all started as a three part fic Act, and was actually much darker in my mind than this turned out. I decided that while I didn't want to resort to any character killing, a rather heavy pet peeve I realized to myself over al my years as an amateur writer, once again in fact, I did want to push an element of angst in some way into this series.

Nevertheless, I expect some consternation with this all, and accept that. But I planned all this to lead to other things later in this series, no less than also bring in a character I wanted to write in all and ever since the first of Volume I. Get used to him, Celestine is here to stay. (In my version. Hope I pulled it all off at that, just right.) I did write all this as a hybrid of the manga and the movie combined, so this is logical at least in that much, in the end.

Hope everyone enjoys this one, it gets better with the next one. (Or worse, I dunno..)