Chapter 73: Radiance
I returned to consciousness gradually, awareness bringing with it the feeling of a warm, soft body nestled up next to me. I had a good idea of who it was just from the feeling of their curves pressed against my chest, but that was confirmed as I took in a breath through my nose, the scent of flowers tinged with blade oil entering my nostrils.
“Hmm.” I breathed out, for once not wishing to rush towards my duties for the day, eyes still closed as I held onto the feeling of relaxation flowing through me, “When did you arrive? Not that I am complaining, at all.”
“Towards the night. They were hogging you, so I made them leave.” Kasane spoke, her voice relaxed, content, “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” I smiled, leaning down and giving the top of her head a kiss, “If you wanted to cuddle, you could have just asked, you know?”
“I will just take them if I need to.” she responded, getting a chuckle out of me, her arms tightening around my chest as I did.
A comfortable silence emerged between us, Kasane shuffling her head to lie directly over my heart. The two of us merely relaxing atop the bed. It allowed me time to reflect. The massage and relaxation given to me by my Queen and Ranni had yet to fully flee, allowing me to bask in the remnants of the feeling.
It came to my mind that this would be a great base to attempt to meditate, perhaps finding out more about my Seal. However, the thought was unpleasant. That was an act of love, a gift that they had given me. Tainting it with my worries and issues like that seemed almost sacrilegious. I was a Devil, a bade creature of greed and sin, but in my mind all that meant is that I had the freedom to choose what I found worth caring about.
Instead, I decided to use the feeling in the spirit it was intended, enveloping myself in the comfort and company that was being shared with me. Our breathing synced, Kasane also seeming content to relax within my embrace. I knew that I had an important meeting soon, but I decided it could wait.
I trailed my fingers softly up and down her hips, causing her to let out a rumble from deep within her throat, “Mmm, that feels nice.”
I felt a smile come unbidden to my face at that. The ‘Blade Fairy’, she was a figure of fear and dread for those who she found in her duties as the STC’s main security guard. Yet, here, when she was alone with me, she could be surprisingly cute and unguarded. Usually this sort of state only came after we indulged in each other, but appeared that it could surface even in situations like this.
“I’m glad.” I spoke, eyes still shut, “I enjoy touching you.”
She huffed, a sound of amusement warming my chest, “Of course you do. All boys love playing with their toys.”
“I wouldn’t exactly put it like that.” I grinned, amused at her phrasing.
“I like being yours.” Her frankness caused my heart to skip a beat, I will freely admit.
I didn’t know exactly how to respond to that, the admission striking and touching. Instead, I moved my empty arm, fully embracing the woman and opening my eyes, greeting her shining red irises, looking up at me with a soft smile.
I leant down, softly claiming her lips before pulling back, a soft ‘pop’ marking my departure, “I love you Kasane.”
“I love you too.” She whispered back, leaning up to chase me, pressing our lips together again.
There was warmth, but no heat in the action. Passion was small part of this embrace. Instead, our kiss was soft, slow, intimate. Warmth built between us as we embraced, lips slow to part, before reconnecting again shortly after. Time fell away, the world shrinking to only her soft lips, her content gaze, her soft curves.
It could not last forever, however.
A knock sounded at my door, causing Kasane to part from my, looking like a disgruntled cat. He eyes narrowed towards the interruption, only a hiss missing to seal the comparison.
“Yes?” I called out, wondering who would knock but not just come in.
“Damocles.” Naomi’s voice sounded out, “I-”
She was cut off by her sister, Kasane calling out to the door, “Come in.”
“Oh, okay-” She opened the door, only to pause as she was greeted by the sight of Kasane straddling me, our position undeniably intimate.
“Want to join?” Kasane teased her rapidly reddening sister.
“There’s more than enough space.” I joined in, grinning at the blonde.
“Uh, wha- Bwa- Both of us at once?” She stammered out, “That’s not, I mean I don’t want my first-”
“What are you talking about?” Kasane asked, head tilting, “We were just cuddling.”
The fact she admitted that with such a deadpan delivery and no embarrassment caused me to hug her tighter, my amusement spiking.
“Yeah Naomi, are you that against cuddling with me?” I questioned, causing her to cover her blushing face with her hands, a high pitched noise escaping her.
“Stooop teasing meee, please!” She whined into her palms.
“Okay, okay.” I laughed, “Sorry about that. We were just having some fun. What did you need me for?”
She pulled away her hands, revealing an adorable pout, “Breakfast is going to be ready in 5 minutes. Shiro said she wants your pancakes though, so I went to make sure you were up.”
She mumbled her message out. I sighed, slapping Kasane on the rear and causing her to jump as I started to move to get out of bed.
“Sorry Kasane, duty calls.” I spoke getting a look from the white haired girl.
“It’s fine. I will just finish this later.” So saying, she also made to get ready for the day, getting out of bed and stretching, revealing her state of dress.
Or not, as the case happened to be. Hearing a squeak from Naomi as I entered the bathroom to wash my face, I found myself grinning once again.
---XXX---
The level of guest determined the level of reception one should receive. Sending Naomi to greet all the Noble visitors from the Underworld sent a very clear message. I viewed them all as unimportant, honoured guests to enough to receive an escort, but not of enough worth to bother greeting them myself.
Gabriel, Archangel of Heaven, was not an unimportant guest however.
My interactions with her were one and the same as my interactions with Angels as a whole. Should I offend, the game I have been playing against the rest of my race would easily backfire. Choosing between abandoning me and all out war, I knew which the New Satan’s would prefer. Of course, such an occurrence would force their hands anyway unless they wished to invite a revolt, causing a reignition of the war between us and Heaven.
Something that I very much would like to avoid the hassle of. With Ophis and Ranni, I was in an incredible position, but the calmer I kept things between the Devils and the rest of the supernatural world, the more predictable events would be.
Starting Ragnarök in the fashion I did was counter to those goals, but I didn’t really have any regrets about that. The moment he attacked Shiro, Loki’s life was forfeit.
Still, Gabriel needed a delicate touch. Which is why I was standing in my Manor’s entrance hall, awaiting the arrival of the Seraph. Her letter spoke of concerns regarding Ragnarök, but it was also vague. I don’t know exactly why she wanted me of all people to participate in that, but I was resolved to not get involved regardless.
Perhaps her history with Remora meant that she felt that she should guide me, nudge me away from falling into the same holes my ancestor did. If she wished to hold the lives of innocents over my head, those that would be affected by action in killing Loki, she would be sorely disappointed.
We just had too different of priorities and viewpoints.
I remembered her gently admonishment of the slaves I killed in the assault on Castle Tepes. Until she mentioned it, I hadn’t even given the matter any great amount of thought. Even afterwards, I was not at all contrite.
Someone attacking me because they were forced to was still attacking me, after all. Yet somehow, I doubt such a justification would do much to sway an Angel.
As I said, too different.
My thoughts were broken by the glow of my teleportation circle, shining with an unforgettable, golden light. Accepting the connection, Soon I was greeted by the radiant sight of the Hope of Heaven once again.
It hit me once more, the desire to possess her, to break her, to defile this creature that was flaunting her purity towards me. To see that devotion shattered, twisted to my own ends instead.
Having expected it, I ruthlessly crushed the feeling, my instincts buckling under my will. Lowering myself into a bow, I offered a hand towards the smiling Messenger of God, my every action controlled.
“Lady Gabriel. The Sagan Manor welcomes you, our hospitality is yours for as long as you wish.” I intoned formally.
She placed a gentle hand into mine, the softness of her skin sending a shiver down my spine, “My thanks, Damocles. I shall not impose upon you any longer than I am needed, but your offer is most appreciated.”
I focused on her hand, not her kind eyes, as I gently lifted her hand to my lips, laying a chaste kiss on the back of it and rising from my bow, “The offer remains regardless, my Lady.”
She giggled into the hand I had kissed, eyes shining with pride that caused a strange sensation to strike my heart, “My, Damocles. Please, call me Gabriel. You don’t need to fight yourself so. I promise, I will not be offended by any slips of composure. I understand the curse that drives you and will not hold it against your person.”
I shook my head, smiling at her, “Thank you for the consideration, but It would be a case of me forgiving myself. You have been nothing but courteous to me, to not return the same favour is something I would view as a failure.”
“Earnest effort shall reap abundant rewards. Well done, Damocles.” Her words were accompanied by a smile, one that almost made me break my composure.
Instead, I turned on my heel, an arm extended, “Please, Gabriel. This way, I have prepared some snacks and tea that we can have while we discuss your business.”
“Oh my.” She exclaimed, hands clasped over her chest as she walked past me in the direction I indicated, not an ounce of suspicious in her posture or voice, “This I have to see. It’s incredibly rare for a Devil to offer me something they made for me personally.”
“I hope it matches your expectations.” I spoke, knowing it would.
I didn’t trust her words either, she likely got tons of fan mail from horny devils. Although, maybe they were screened by the other Angels before they reached her.
We didn’t have time to converse deeply on the way to the living room, the walk a short one. Only enough time to confirm that we were both in good health, yet another social nicety that was hardly needed between beings of our power but helped break the ice regardless.
I poured the tea and sat down, making sure to take a bite of the same type of biscuit she had chosen to show it was not poisoned, “So, Gabriel. You asked to speak to me about Ragnarök?”
“Yes, although I must admit that there was something of greater import I wished to discuss with you, the issue with our Norse friends is merely a convenient cover.” She took a bite of the biscuit, eyes widening, “These are delicious. I can tell the skill that went into them.”
“Thank you.” I responded, I liked baking and Fairy Feast allowed me to indulge freely, “It must be something serious if it was not mentioned at all in your letter.”
“It is.” She nodded, turning more serious than I ever remembered seeing her, her blue eyes staring into my own, “I have a suspicion that much is being hidden from you, by the other Devils.”
“Of course there is.” I responded, taking a sip of my tea, “I am not well liked. Any information I have is something that I gathered for myself.”
“No, you misunderstand. There is something about your bloodline that has the potential to cause great strife, but just as much potential to heal that which has been broken for so long.” She spoke, cryptically, “That is what I wanted to discuss with you.”
I furrowed my eyebrows, “My bloodline? You mean Remora?”
Her eyes saddened at the name, but she shook her head, her blonde hair fluttering as she did so, “No, not about her. It is about who she had Pandora with. Please Damocles, I ask for your patience. If I told you all right now, you would be put in great danger and the results could be unpredictable.”
I wracked my memory. Remora’s lover? Pandora’s, my mother’s, father? I don’t remember hearing anything about him. It was not as odd as it appeared, many Devils died and were forgotten in the Great Conflict.
“Why can you not explain more?” I questioned.
“Because, there are those in the Underworld who would stop at nothing to kill you once the truth is known. What I have to tell you can change not only your fate and those of the Devils, but Heaven’s as well.” Her voice was serious, causing me to try and puzzle out the possibilities.
She stopped me, hand grasping my shoulder gently, “Please, I know it is difficult, but do not try and find out for yourself. It is knowledge that once you learn, it will be impossible to hide. I can see that it is being held inside you, even now.”
My eyes widened. The Seal. She was talking about the Seal.
“You knew about that?” I asked, shocked.
“The cage around your soul? Only once I knew what to look for. Pandora was a genius when it came to these things, I told her before.” She smiled, softly, “She didn’t appreciate it. She thought I was being patronising.”
“I can see that.” I answered, mind still whirling, “How does this tie into Ragnarök?”
“I am here to officially request your aid in that matter, Damocles. It will provide enough confusion for the truth to revealed to you. I have asked one of my most trusted Angels to join the delegation that we are sending to the conflict, whose role will be to help you with the Seal and guide you.” Her voice held a hint of pleading, subtly tugging on my heart to accept her offer.
However, this was too fast. Too convenient. More to the point, she was an Angel, but I was a Devil. We were natural enemies, even more so because I was a Sagan. I couldn’t trust her, no matter how innocent she may seem, Gabriel had killed more of my race than any other Seraph, twice over.
“I see you feel deeply about this.” I spoke carefully, slowly removing her hand from my shoulder, “But I cannot agree. I do not wish to involve myself further in Ragnarök. Loki attacked me, that was the only reason I was involved at all. With him dead, I have no need nor desire to interfere further.”
Left unsaid was the fact that I simply couldn’t trust her or the other Angel that apparently knew this information. If she could sense the seal, if could merely be a ploy in order to draw me out from Ranni and Tiamat's aegis.
Her eyes lowed with sadness, seeming to understand, “I see. Precious little reason is there for your to trust me. Of course, I would not ask you to risk so much for nothing. Every quest needs a suitable reward, does it not?”
With that, she held out a hand, power swirling above it. I could feel Ranni’s attention sharpen on the room, ready to intervene at any moment, but all that happened was that an old, powerful relic appeared upon the Seraph’s palm.
One that I recognised instantly, seeing as I had been searching for it for the last two years.
“I can only ask that you trust in my sincerity and my word, Damocles. I will not ask you to take such a risk for nothing.” She spoke, voice firm, “Should you assist with Ragnarök and hear out the Angel that I sent there, I shall give you this. You were looking for Babylonian artefacts, yes? What greater one is there, but Ea?”
Indeed, grasped by the Archangel Gabriel, laid the weathered hilt of the Sword of Kings.
The last item I needed to find from Tiamat’s stolen horde.