The Seraphic System
Chapter: 81
Disclaimer: I don't own High School Dxd or any other universe used in this story.
Pa/ t reon details below the chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance.
(The Heavenly Crypts)
I stood frozen, staring at the endless sea of white open coffins.
The chamber stretched further than I could see, each coffin housing the body of an Angel, their wings displayed in peaceful repose. My heart thundered in my chest as the magnitude of dead Angels.
"Gabriel," I said, my voice low. "What is this place?"
Gabriel's eyes were downcast, a deep sorrow etched into her features that I had never seen before. I knew this had been hiding underneath that facade but seeing it was a different thing entirely.
"This is the Hall of the Faithful. The Crypts of Heaven, the place that was meant to temporarily hold our fallen." She replied, looking around.
I took a hesitant step forward, images suddenly flashed across my vision.
Not memories I recognized as my own, but what I knew to be from the divine shard as it shifted in my chest. While the Divine shard didn't exactly have consciousness it was connected to me and fragments of what it had been. The sight before me was enough to make it go crazy as it had done when I had first absorbed it.
Battlefields stretched across my vision. Angels with wings of burning light clashing against Devils below. The sky was torn asunder by the power of Angels and Devils clashing.
The scale was huge, and above that, even stronger powerhouses fought. I stumbled slightly, steadying myself against one of the coffins.
"Kaiel?" Gabriel was at my side instantly, concern etched into her features.
"I'm fine," I managed.
There was a lingering sadness in the air.
I moved deeper into the chamber, my fingers trailing lightly over the cold stone of the coffins. Each one contained an Angel, their expressions peaceful and their bodies showing no signs of the fact they had probably died dozens of centuries ago.
"How many?" I asked, not quite really knowing if I wanted to know the answer.
"Too many," Gabriel replied softly. "Most from the Great War itself, but many..." Her voice faltered. "Many are from the aftermath."
I turned to her, confusion on my face.
"After Father died," she continued, her voice and gaze distant. "Heaven entered a darkness unlike anything we had known. Without your light, without your guidance, many Angels didn't make it. Some died in battles with Devils or fell into temptation and joined the Fallen of our kind. While many sought to take advantage of our weakened state. Others simply... lost their will to continue."
I frowned.
I knew God's absence would cause major problems but I didn't think it would be this bad.
My jaw tightened. My fists clenched.
A familiar anger built up inside me. Dark thoughts entered my mind. Heaven had given me a reprieve from the darkness that seemingly swallowed the world.
My mind went back to my belief when I had been fresh out of death. It seemed that good people kept getting screwed over by evil, no wonder God had been so harsh on sinners.
I wonder if the Heavenly System mentioned anything on that, considering there was some sort of soul function.
I let out a breath. I had met a handful of Angels outside the Arch-Seraphs. Seeing how happy they seemed to be with my arrival, the thought of them ending up like this made me want to burn something.
I shook my head and disregarded those thoughts for now as I moved deeper into the crypt.
My Angels, the six I had created since my return, had felt like my first true connection to what it meant to be what I now was. But these Angels... they had all been created by my predecessor. That didn't change anything though.
Maybe it was the attitude they had shown towards me or the touchy subject of my family. I certainly couldn't have predicted that I would have been put in this situation. Of course, I had been planning on telling them, unsure of what that would have entailed.
But it seems everything had worked out, even if running Heaven had proven a hard task.
"They should have been reborn," Gabriel said, following behind me. "That was always the way. Angels who fell in battle would eventually return to us."
"But when God died..." I trailed off.
"The cycle was broken," she confirmed. "The resurrection ability he had possessed was taxing even at his full strength. Without his presence, we had no way to bring them back."
Another flash of vision hit me. A massive battlefield. Angels falling from the sky like shooting stars, their light extinguishing one by one. An overwhelming sense of grief.
I blinked, and it was gone.
I reached out to touch the face of one of the Angels. A young woman with three pairs of wings, her golden hair spread around her like a halo. She looked so peaceful as if she might wake at any moment.
An image flashed, not from memory but a prayer from the system. A beg for me to somehow return from the dead. A face much less peaceful than this crying silently within the comfort of her own home.
"This is why Heaven is so weakened," I said, understanding dawning on me. "Not just the loss of... myself, but the loss of so many. I imagine many of Heaven's army have been lost."
Gabriel nodded, her eyes shimmering. "We are a fraction of what we once were. Michael, Raphael, Uriel, myself... we've done what we could to preserve what remains, but without you, we could only slow the decline."
I wandered through rows upon rows of fallen Angels. Some coffins were closed, and I didn't need to ask why. I can imagine that the Great War had been vicious beyond comprehension. Especially with the Devils.
I stopped before one particular coffin. Inside lay a male Angel with shoulder-length brown hair and four wings, his hands folded peacefully over his chest.
"Gophiel," Gabriel said, noticing my attention. "He was commander of Heaven's third battalion. He fell protecting a monastery from a devil incursion."
Gabriel stepped closer, her voice gentle. "I know this must be strange, and I understand that you are your own person, Kaiel. But we are still connected. The bond between creator and created transcends memory."
I didn't reply. The images continued to flash through my mind. I saw ranks of newly created Angels, each one unique and perfect in their way.
"Why did you bring me here?" I questioned.
I couldn't help asking.
"I brought you here," Gabriel said softly, "because I wanted you to understand why we are so protective of you. Why the thought of you placing yourself in danger for a quest given by beings outside of Heaven fills us with such dread."
So that's why she was showing me.
Of course, I had known Angels had died, I just hadn't thought they had their bodies preserved like this.
"I understand," I replied simply.
Gabriel nodded solemnly. "A Primordial isn't to be played around with. We can't lose you again if we do. Heaven won't survive."
She said it as if it was an assured thing and I genuinely believed her.
I wanted to sigh.
Talk about pressure.
"And after the Great War we lost so many," she whispered. "Too many to count. The strongest, the bravest, the most faithful. And then in the aftermath, when hope began to fade..."
She gestured to a section of newer coffins. "These are the ones who simply lost their will to exist after you were gone. They didn't fall in battle. They just... faded away."
That was a light way of putting it…
I looked at the countless faces, peaceful in their eternal rest.
My chest ached with a grief I couldn't fully understand.
I need more power. I had such a versatile variety of skills. All I lacked was power. It was a good thing that I had my download freed up.
That wasn't the main thing on my mind at the moment though.
The skill I had gotten so long ago was…
[True Resurrection] (Passive)
A 9th-tier spell, which is capable of reviving the dead. It could resurrect low-levelled beings like Neia Baraja without turning them into ashes during the process. Requires a sacrifice of gold to prevent potential loss of power or failure.
The most valuable skill I had gotten from Momonga.
I walked further into the chamber, taking in the sheer scale of loss.
I could only imagine how Heaven's armies had once been legendary, countless Angels ready to defend creation against any threat. Now they were reduced to a fraction of their former glory, struggling to maintain even basic functions.
A glimpse showed me a sea of gold falling from the sky as if showing me the comparison to what I was seeing now.
Can they be brought back?
I stopped walking and turned to face her fully.
"Now do you understand?" she asked softly.
"It wasn't like I planned on going alone, Gabriel…" I replied, "And certainly not now with everything going on."
That legendary summon was still tempting.
"Perhaps, but it would still be safer to simply not get involved. Especially with no real benefit. Michael is strong, even if he's weakened, a Primordial is still a Primordial." She replied concernedly.
I stared back at the dead Angels… I looked back at Gabriel and simply observed her.
Her large emerald eyes stared back at me. Her golden blonde hair cascaded down in gentle waves past her shoulders, framing a face of perfect symmetry.
My eyes travelled to the peacefully sleeping Angel next to me, a younger-looking man with his hands resting on his stomach.
I made up my mind.
"Gold," I muttered, more in thought as a plan began to form in my mind.
"Kaiel?" She questioned, surprised by the abrupt change in tone.
"I need gold," I said with finality clear in my tone.
She paused momentarily.
"How much gold?" She asked, clearly confused.
"All of it," I responded with a frown.
"Is everything okay?" She asked softly, coming to connect her arm with hers.
"Everything is going to be okay, yes. I need you to arrange for all the gold in the Heavenly treasury to be brought down here." I said to her, looking over the endless sea of Angels.
Gabriel nodded slowly. "That's going to take a while with just myself and even the other Seraphs."
She had a thoughtful look on her face as if she was trying to piece together my intentions.
I thought about it for a moment. "Then allow some Angels from the Silver City to come up and help."
I wanted this done quickly. I was starting to feel the same way I did when Aurel died and I didn't like it at all.
"Are you sure? Don't be surprised if they swarm you. They've missed you dearly." She replied with a hint of amusement, her eyes sparkling once more even as I saw the calculating gleam under that.
"That's fine, I'm looking forward to it. It's a much-needed reprieve from all of this." I said, my voice turning sombre.
Gabriel flinched, lowering her gaze slightly and coming to curl one of her golden locks. "I-I'm sorry, I just felt it was necessary."
I sent her a glance.
She looked genuinely upset with herself.
I couldn't have that. I was glad she had brought this to my attention. It had made what I needed to do clear.
I leaned in and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. She gave me a stunned look in response, her head shooting up.
"No, it's good. Thank you for showing me this. It's helped more than you can know." I replied easily, I was happy I had seen this. I needed to.
Fire was burning in my veins, and this solidified my perspective.
She took a step back, nodding frantically, before disappearing in a boom of speed.
Presumably to go start the transferral of Gold.
That left what to do in the meantime.
I thought about it for a moment, before deciding to go check up on Metatron and the Holy Order while I waited.
I headed towards the training grounds set aside for the Holy Order. The group was already well into their training when I arrived. Metatron noticed me first, his eyes widening slightly before he bowed lightly.
"Father," he acknowledged softly, causing the others to pause their activities.
Asia was the first to react, her concentration on her healing practice broken as she turned to face me.
The green glow surrounding her hands dissipated as her eyes lit up.
"My Lord! You came to watch?" she asked excitedly, her eyes shone and I noticed that she seemed more confident.
Good.
I approached her. "I hear that your usage of Twilight Healing has improved significantly. How is the training going?"
"It's getting easier to control," Asia replied earnestly, dipping her head slightly. "Lord Metatron has been teaching me precision. Now I can heal multiple people without exhausting myself."
Metatron smiled softly from where he stood. "She's doing remarkably well, Father. Her healing affinity is among the strongest I've seen in centuries. With more training, I believe she could heal entire groups simultaneously."
That was to be expected, her affinity with Twilight Healing was incredibly high.
Asia stared at me, her large eyes almost begging for praise.
Isn't she adorable? Honestly, she wasn't any different from most of the Angels here. Maybe more naive.
I gave her head a light pat, something I rarely did but it seemed to be the right move as she practically melted under my touch.
I gave Asia an approving look. "Keep it up. Your progress is impressive."
Asia blushed and looked away. "T-thank you, my Lord."
Grizella approached from beside her, her new Sacred Gear visible on her arm in the form of a bulky gauntlet.
"My Lord." She smiled happily.
"Hello, Elizabeth." I greeted her, using her false name.
She was stronger, not by much, but by a noticeable amount.
Good.
"How is everything going, are you getting used to Ddraig?" I asked, noticing the faint red glow briefly flicker around her gauntlet.
She flexed her fingers experimentally. "Slowly. Ddraig has been a bit grumpy lately, but then again he always seems a bit grumpy,
"Slander!" A voice briefly interrupted her.
"-but we're adjusting. My boosts last longer now, and I can handle the strain better." She continued as if that was a normal occurrence.
"That's good," I replied simply. "Is Ddraig giving you trouble?"
"A bit," she admitted, smirking slightly. "But it can't be called trouble, more so whining."
"I do not whine! I am merely saying that we need to get stronger so that I may gain temporary freedom. You must train more."
"Yeah, that." She replied with a grin.
"Have you been able to access the Balance Breaker yet?" I questioned.
That was another point of interest regarding the balance breakers. It was essentially the Sacred Gear evolving from what I knew, it could be called a super state of these Sacred Gears.
I knew the answer.
It required an emotional response for it to activate and Heaven wasn't exactly a place for that.
"No. Not yet." She denied, looking slightly ashamed.
"Don't worry, Balance Breakers aren't something you rush. It will show up when you're ready." I comforted her.
I saw the gauntlet flash green for a moment before receding.
Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, and I offered a slight smirk. "Keep up the good work." I smiled, I was glad Grizella was having fun.
Grizella nodded seriously, stepping back to continue her exercises.
My attention moved to Jeanne and Vasco, who were finishing their sparring session.
A barrier had surrounded them, containing the two powerful warriors that clashed. While Heaven's realm was enhanced generally, with its slight increase of gravity and overall toughness of things.
That reminded me of my training.
I was close to reaching it. The god-class. And I couldn't say I wasn't excited.
Heavens Library had little on it and since all the Arch-Seraphs had always been within the God-class they didn't know much about it either.
The God class wasn't just a way to measure power from what I learnt. It wasn't like the Low, Middle, High and ultimate class. Besides maybe physical strength, it was mostly about what happened when you had that level of magic energy.
And that went for all energies.
There would be a quantitative change in power.
Jeanne lowered her spear, smiling softly as she saw me approach.
"A-ah! My Lord," Jeanne greeted respectfully, bowing her head. Her blue eyes shone at the sight of me, and I smiled at the more familial tone she had.
Jeanne stood on the training field, her blonde hair pulled back in a simple braid. Her blue eyes were locked onto me. She wore a standard set of light armour over a plain training outfit,
She looked bashful as she greeted me.
Vasco, who had his back turned, spun around at Jeanne's words.
His eyes widened dramatically, and he immediately dropped to one knee.
"My Lord!" he exclaimed, voice trembling with shock and reverence. "I... I did not realize you were here. Forgive me for not acknowledging your presence sooner."
I had forgotten I hadn't officially spoken to Vasco, to him I was a figure he had been devoting himself to all his life. It was easy to forget just how much influence I must hold. Vasco bordered on religious awe.
The younger appearance he now bore thanks to my blessing couldn't hide the decades of devotion in his eyes.
"Rise, Vasco," I said calmly. "How are you adjusting?"
He stood slowly, still visibly overwhelmed by my presence. "It's... it's miraculous, my Lord. I can move as I did in my prime, yet retain all my experience. Your blessing has given me strength I never thought to feel again."
"That's good, I hope it's serving you well," I replied sincerely.
Vasco was a powerhouse.
[Wellspring of Life] (Passive)
Imbues a reservoir of life energy enhancing durability and regeneration. Aids in increasing stamina and eliminating ageing.
The Wellspring of Life, that was the blessing I had given to him. The one I felt most suited him.
The effects of the blessing were certainly showing. His muscular frame practically pulsed with power, and the small wound from his spar with Jeanne began closing slowly.
He lowered his head. "My Lord… I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to serve in the Holy Order."
I briefly paused. While I was growing accustomed to the 'Lord' part, the faith part of what I had become was still very much foreign.
"It's no problem, Gabriel certainly seemed to want you in the Holy Order and I can agree you are more than worthy," I responded with a light smile.
The older man had a genuine look on his face even as he towered above me. He was still dressed in priest garbs, though the garbs he was dressed in seemed to be modified magically.
"You honour me." He bowed.
"What do you think of Heaven?" I asked.
"It exceeds all expectations, my Lord," he said deeply. "In all my years of service to the Church, I imagined this place countless times. But imagination pales before reality."
He gazed upward at the architecture surrounding us, his eyes reflecting the soft golden light that seemed to emanate from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Massive buildings spiralled up in the sky, made from a metal that was smooth and slightly reflective.
It certainly paled to anything I had seen before.
"The feeling of peace here... it's something I've spent my entire life trying to describe to others," he continued. "To finally experience it myself is..." His voice trailed off, words seemingly inadequate.
I nodded, understanding his sentiment. I hadn't even seen what the Silver City looked like yet beyond from afar.
"How is everything going with you, Jeanne?"
She blushed slightly, fidgeting under my gaze.
Honestly, she was like my Arch-Seraphs. She was so adorable, but when she went into battle she turned into a completely different person.
"I'm doing well, my main focus is on increasing my offence so I may defend you better!" She replied, clutching her spear and smiling adorably.
Her eyes shone as she stared at me.
The skill I had given her wasn't as interesting as the others in comparison but it was incredibly powerful for a woman of her power.
[Blessed Fortitude] (Passive)
Immunity to curses, demonic influence, enhanced durability, doubled life force and mana reserves.
"Have you been able to learn any of the angelic spellcraft?" I asked.
"Yes!" Jeanne said excitedly. "Seraphiel has taken time to teach me."
That reminded me of the forbidden spells and God-class spells in the Heavenly Treasury. I wondered if Jeanne could learn any of them. It'd certainly help with her attack power.
We talked a little more about how her training was going before I walked over to Metatron, deciding to let them resume their sparring.
A barrier formed back up around Vasco and Jeanne.
"They look to be improving tremendously" I said, coming to stand by Metatron
He bowed slightly, pride colouring his expression. "They are dedicated, Father. Training them has been rewarding."
"How strong would you say they are?" I questioned curiously.
"Honestly, I can't say. With the addition of Jeanne alone, I fear I would be outmatched. She's quite the warrior. Taking her away, they are still quite the force. Without a doubt, I believe they are the strongest Holy Order to be formed." Metatron replied.
"Good, we need power right now. Especially myself." I said, mostly to myself at the end.
It was hard to juggle growing Heaven's power and focusing on my own.
"I don't believe that to be the case," Metatron interjected. "Heaven is your power, and you needn't put yourself at risk growing. It will either come back to you or it won't."
"It will. Just not fast enough. Even now Heaven is recovering." I said, voicing my worries to him.
"Perhaps, it is as you say. But since your arrival, we have already recovered so much. Multiple times over even. With the twelve new Seraph-level Angels and multiple new God-class warriors." He said calmly, a warm smile on his face. "Heaven has seen its light return. Maybe this enemy will drop their intentions of attacking, maybe they won't. Either way, we have the advantage. They are under the assumption that we are still in the state we were two months ago."
That was true.
It was purely the Khaos brigade that was worrying me.
I hadn't cared about them before because why would I? I was a single entity growing at an absurd rate. If they didn't like me, I'd simply move somewhere they couldn't find me. That wasn't the case now though.
I went to reply only for Metatron to perk up, his eyes growing distant.
"Father?" He questioned after a brief pause.
"Yes?" I said, confused at this abrupt change.
"Are hundreds of my siblings meant to be entering the sixth Heaven?" He questioned, seemingly sensing what Gabriel was up to.
"Oh yes," I affirmed. "Perfect, it seems Gabriel has gotten started with her task."
"Task?" He questioned, a curious look on his face.
"Yes, I'm moving a lot of the Gold out of the Heavenly Treasury," I informed him.
He titled his head. "May I ask for what purpose?"
I smiled. "You'll see."
"Something good then." He smiled brightly. "Do you need any help?"
"I don't think that'll be necessary," I replied with a hint of amusement. "Considering just how many Angels are being sent up to help."
He chuckled. "That's not what I meant."
I sent him a confused glance.
"I suppose it's about time you meet my other siblings. By the way, a couple of thousands of them have just entered the sixth Heaven." Metatron replied easily.
Ah, that's what he meant.
It'll be fine.
Nothing wrong with a couple thousand Avaels.
"…"
I decided to let the Holy Order resume without my presence. Mostly due to the fact they seemingly couldn't concentrate with me around, sending me multiple glances as they seemed to fight just that bit harder.
I left the training area and went to check on how things were progressing.
What greeted me was a massive line of golden carriages, filled with gold and guards by Angels dressed in golden armour.
It looked like something taken out of a fantasy novel. Even with the weirdness that I had experienced since being reborn as an Angel, it was still a sight to behold.
I descended the steps toward the procession.
The moment my foot touched the bottom step, a lot of the angels in the immediate vicinity froze. Their heads turned in perfect unison, eyes widening as they registered my presence.
"Father," one whispered, the word carrying on the wind.
Then another: "Father is here."
And another: "It's truly him."
The disciplined formation crumbled instantly.
The Cherubs at the front, who had been standing at rigid attention with spears of light held vertically, seemed to transform before my eyes.
One dropped to his knees, his golden helmet clattering to the ground as he removed it. Tears streamed freely down his face, which now looked startlingly young despite the millennia I knew he had existed.
Another Cherub beside him tried to maintain composure, blinking rapidly as tears formed in his eyes. His attempt at stoicism lasted only seconds before he too fell to his knees.
Honestly… I was used to it by now.
"It's... it's alright," I said, reaching out to place a hand on the nearest Cherub's shoulder.
The angel shuddered at my touch, more tears flowing freely.
I cleared my throat. "You've done well in my absence."
My words seemed to both soothe and intensify their reactions.
One angel clutched at the hem of my Kimono, pressing it to her forehead against it. More were gathering around me by the second. The carts of Gold were discarded as I found myself hoarded.
And I didn't mind it.
"Father!"
"Daddy!"
"FATHERR!"
Ah, well.
I guess I could spend some time with them.
{Vasco Strada}
Vasco had to calm his pounding heart. It wasn't every day you casually met the being that you had dedicated your life to.
Rare it was to be this excited. As a man who had lived a lifetime, he didn't find himself excited very often. Especially when he had retreated to the Vatican to teach the younger generations.
That had been the case before being chosen to be a Holy Knight.
Now, he had just met his Lord.
Vasco dodged the flash of gold, the spearhead piercing through the spot he had just been within.
His mind was distracted, but he knew even if he tried his best that Jeanne could easily defeat him.
Jeanne paused.
She blinked softly, the corners of her lips curling into a gentle smile. "You seem... distant. I believe I can venture a guess as to the reason why."
"Ah, apologies." Vasco apologised.
She laughed softly. "There's no need to apologise. In truth, I think you're managing far better than I did. I was utterly starstruck for days."
He chuckled heartily, feeling energetic just from meeting his Lord Alone.
"I have spent my life preaching His word, wielding His strength, and walking His path…" Vasco began, his voice low. "But to see Him. Truly see Him with my own eyes… it humbles me more than any battlefield ever has."
Jeanne's smile softened, her stance relaxed but still composed. "I felt the same way, I had always felt his gaze but speaking to him feels so different. He's wonderful."
He sent a glance towards where his Lord had been.
That was an understatement.
{Kai}
I sat and watched from afar as the Angels continued.
My spirit felt lifted. I had spent an hour calming everyone who had been allowed into the Sixth Realm of Heaven. Now, I found myself surrounded by a battalion of Cherubs ready to fight an imaginary foe.
The many carriages filled with gold had paused.
That should be enough right?
Then came the next problem. I didn't have enough power. I knew how I could fix this but that would leave me potentially powerless for any potential attacks.
After a moment of contemplation, I stood up.
The battalion of Cherubs surrounding me noticed my movement and parted like a golden sea.
"Thank you all for your assistance," I said with genuine warmth. "But there's something I must attend to."
"Father?" Kariel asked nervously. "Will we see you again?"
"Of course, I plan to come down," I reassured Kariel, offering a small smile as I turned away.
I walked toward the Heavenly crypts.
The procession of gold had been efficiently moved inside, carts standing empty outside the massive stone entrance.
I descended once more into the chamber of Fallen Angels.
Mountains of Gold were stuffed into the room, and I understood why Gabriel had halted the train of Gold.
There simply wasn't enough space.
A shimmer of light announced Gabriel's arrival beside me. Her emerald eyes studied my face with concern.
-{Gabriel}-
I watched Kai's face carefully, struck by the serious intensity in his expression.
Gone was the warmth and gentle amusement he had shown with the Cherubs. In its place was a determined focus that made my heart flutter with both admiration and worry.
She had been watching him carefully as she left the task of moving Gold to a group of Virtue-ranked Angels.
Gabriel knew that they wouldn't be able to transfer all of Heaven's Gold. It would take months. With the sheer amount, Heaven possessed solely because it was easy to acquire in comparison to magical alloys.
What was he planning with all this gold?
She regretted now the emotional manipulation she had attempted earlier. That was what it was right? She hadn't even realised what she was doing until after. Now, all that was left was a steadily growing shame.
Gabriel made sure to regulate her emotions, lest something tragic happen.
She felt that showing him the crypts had been necessary to understand the stakes but beyond that, she had done it to make him think about the entirety of Heaven.
He couldn't be lost again.
Using our fallen siblings to pressure him into avoiding confrontation with the Primordial...
She sighed softly.
"Kaiel?" She asked softly. "What are you doing?"
That was the main question she wanted to know.
He stopped before the coffin of the young Angel warrior I had identified earlier, Gophiel, commander of Heaven's third battalion. His eyes traced the peaceful features of Jophiel's face, the four wings spread beneath him.
For a moment, he simply stood there, my worried gaze fixed upon him.
I stepped closer, my brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you planning to do with all this gold?"
"Something that should have been done long ago," he mused to himself, but she heard it.
He raised his hands slowly.
His eyes began to glow, and a strange energy crackled around his fingers, unlike anything I had felt before. It wasn't destructive power, but something else entirely, something ancient that sent shivers through her.
It reminded her of Azrael in a sense, simply lacking the holy element.
"Kaiel, what are you doing?" Her voice held genuine alarm now.
He didn't answer. Power explodedout of him particles rising into the air like golden dust only to turn into a black shimmering power.
"Kaiel!" She called out again.
The power exploded outward, a wave of pure energy that would have knocked back anyone less than an Arch-Seraph.
Wings of pure light erupted from his back, each wing radiating holy power. A crackling halo formed above his head, not the simple golden ring of artistic depictions but a complex, shifting crown of holy energy.
His eyes were pools of golden light.
Just what was happening for him to call on his full power?
-{Kai}-
The power surged through me, my angelic magic rapidly turning into pure death magic.
I heard Gabriel's concerned calls, but I was too focused to reply.
The Divine shard in my chest pulsed in response to my actions, and a feeling of… joy? Emanating through me.
I looked down at my hands, crackling with energy, and then at the peaceful face of Jophiel.
Beyond me lay hundreds of thousands more of Heaven's deceased Angels.
I wouldn't be able to resurrect them all.
I had considered going into my semi-divine form but I couldn't afford to lose access to that at the moment.
I had tested many ways to try to speed up the process of charging it up. My tests had included trying to borrow holy power from Gabriel, but it didn't seem to work. For some reason it only worked with my magic.
Perhaps it had something to do with it being a Divine form, but there was no getting around it besides gaining more magical power.
My hand raised.
[True Resurrection]
A hint of shame entered me as I targeted the Angels with multiple pairs of wings. It wasn't fair but Heaven needed power right now. I'd revive the other when I could.
Gabriel had gone silent, an alien almost analytical glint in her eyes as she decided to simply observe what I was doing.
The dark power infused into the mountains of gold and quickly turned them into liquid. The liquid gold seemed to be absorbed into the dark power, golden pillars erupted and Gabriel's eyes widened as she grasped what I was doing.
Pillars of gold erupted by the thousand and I fell to a knee as my angelic magic reserve suddenly hit rock bottom.
The light died down.
There were a few moments of silence before many previously dead Angels found themselves breathing once more.
Gabriel's breath hitched, her eyes were wide as she watched hundreds of Angels rise, confused, and evidently disoriented. I could see both tears and joy fill her emerald eyes.
"W-what?" Gophiel, the angel I had been standing closest to muttered.
They were disoriented for mere moments, before snapping back to reality.
Some of them practically looked at me in pure shock, while others simply uttered 'Father?' As if they had seen me mere moments ago.
The power drained from my body in an instant. The massive expenditure of energy to resurrect hundreds of Angels hit me like a physical blow.
My vision blurred, legs gave way beneath me.
"Kaiel!" Gabriel said quickly, breaking out of her stupor from my actions and moving with impossible speed to catch me before I hit the ground.
I collapsed into her arms, my body suddenly heavier than stone.
That's about what I expected.
Playing with death magic was never going to not be taxing.
"What... what did you do?" Gabriel whispered, her eyes wide with shock and concern as she cradled me.
It wasn't a question that was meant to be answered as she stared at revived Angels.
She looked frantically between me and the Angels who had moments ago been lifeless in their coffins, her features contorted with confusion and worry.
The Crypts were filled with hundreds of gasps, some shot up. As if they were expecting a fight while others were slower to awake. The resurrected Angels were slowly coming to full awareness.
Some remained disoriented, looking at their hands as if they didn't know why they lived. Others had already noticed me, only staring at me for a moment before a flash of hope appeared in their eyes.
A few of the other Angels blinked languidly, looking mildly surprised but unphased. Those were the ones that sent me bright smiles. The Angels who had died before God's Death.
The Angels who had died after my death on the other hand…
"Father?" one whispered, voice breaking on the word, the sound so fragile it seemed it might shatter in the air between us.
I glanced at her coffin, she was one of the Angels who had died by suicide.
"Is it truly you?" another asked, dropping to his knees, four wings unfurled involuntarily in response to her emotions.
Another glance showed the same coffin.
Gophiel, the commander that Gabriel had told me about with four wings, knelt beside where Gabriel held me. "Father? What's happening? The last thing I remember..." His voice trailed off.
There was a crack and I found Uriel next to me staring at the scene in disbelief.
Gophiel blinked before understanding dawned on him. "Ah, I knew that valley looked suspicious. How long has it been?"
Uriel frowned.
"Elder brother?" He questioned.
"Father has brought you back," Gabriel explained, her normally composed voice thick with emotion.
A female Angel with six golden wings pushed forward through the crowd. Unlike the others who seemed disoriented by their return, her eyes were sharp with pain and remembrance.
"Father?" she asked, her voice carrying traces of disbelief. "You're alive? I-I thought-"
I focused on attempting to regain my bearings.
I had forgotten how bad it felt to have all of your angelic magic suddenly hit rock bottom.
"Alive?" Gophiel questioned, on the other hand, he looked confused.
"Uriel, how did you know?" I asked, regaining my breath.
How had he known something was happening? I was going to guess he could sense the death magic.
He confirmed my suspicions a moment later.
"I sensed something happening in the Crypts, and since I knew you were doing something there I decided to make sure you were okay." He replied, glancing at his younger siblings with a complicated expression. "I've come down here so many times… I never thought I would see my siblings revived again." He whispered.
I steadied myself slowly, taking a deep breath.
One of my Angels came up to me and began touching my face as if he couldn't believe I was alive.
That broke some sort of dam as hundreds of the previously dead Angels surrounded me.
Uriel stepped forward, gathering himself quickly. "Welcome back, brothers and sisters," he said, his voice calm. "I know this must feel overwhelming, but you're safe now. Heaven welcomes your return."
"Father…" Another voice whispered, drawing my gaze toward the six-winged Angel again. Her eyes shone with restrained tears. "I thought we'd lost you forever. Please forgive my betrayal, I thought you were gone for good."
I stared at her, feeling the shard pulse in my chest rapidly and I gave her a genuine smile. My heart felt lifted, only slightly.
I gazed over the many other bodies.
There were still many to be revived…
My attention was quickly drawn back to my resurrected Angels as I found myself engulfed from all sides. Some of the Angels were evidently confused, these were the Angels that had died before God's Death. Even still, they didn't question my new form as they joined in the large hug.
It felt natural, even if my heart hesitated slightly at the sheer emotional vulnerability of the moment.
"I'm here now," I replied softly and I felt a genuine connection with them, reaching out instinctively to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
She took a deep, shuddering breath, before abandoning all attempts to remain composed and wrapping around me like a koala, bursting into tears like a child.
Gophiel looked between Gabriel and me, his eyes alight with confusion. "What do you mean, 'return'?"
The room fell silent. The Angels who had died after my death went silent.
Gabriel decided to explain. She moved closer to Gophiel, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
"Elder sister?" He questioned, his eyes alight with concern.
"Father died," she said softly, her voice carrying in the silent chamber. "He was gone for a long time. But he has returned to us, reborn, a short time ago."
Some gasped audibly, while others sank to their knees.
One young-looking Angel with four wings began to tremble uncontrollably.
Gophiel staggered backwards as if physically struck. "Father... died?" His voice cracked on the last word, disbelief etched into every line of his face.
He looked at me for reassurance.
"I'm here now," I said, the words feeling inadequate but necessary.
I could see all of them gain a shine in their eyes and I could feel the overwhelming protectiveness all my other Angels had. As I watched on I felt a sense of sadness.
This was only a few hundred of them compared to the many more within the Crypt.
That was the most I could do without entering my Semi-divine form.
Uriel moved among the newly resurrected Angels, quietly reassuring those who seemed most distressed or uncertain. He was clearly experienced in managing such situations, but not as much as Gabriel as she quickly joined him, her compassion effortlessly comforting those who seemed overwhelmed.
I could see a bit of the darkness that she had been holding either away. This was her true nature. I had seen it myself when she had come from Heaven just to pick me up.
I exhaled slowly, then smiled as naturally as I could, letting my posture relax slightly. "It's alright. You're all home now," I said in an attempt to calm the distraught group of Angels.
Uriel cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention gently. "Let's get you all settled back in Silver City," he announced warmly. "There's much to explain, and I'm sure you're eager to see how much has changed."
A wave of excited murmurs spread through the Angels.
Slowly, Uriel began leading them away, directing them with an easy authority he must have gained from leading for so long. Gabriel sent a glance towards me and I gave her a silent gesture to help Uriel, the smile she sent me was downright beautiful.
As the Angels departed, Michael materialized beside me, his twelve wings folded tightly against his back.
His expression was grave, the lines of his face deepened with concern.
"Father," he said, sending a glance towards the retreating Angels, his expression flashing through multiple stages before he regained his composure.
"We have a problem." He said, his expression unusually serious.
"What is it?" I asked, becoming equally serious.
"Someone was sensed near the entrance to Heaven." Michael replied seriously.
I wanted to sigh.
Of course this had to happen now of all times.
-END-
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