The Red Hand

*WOOSH* *WOOSH* *WOOSH*

All around the Demon, there was naught but a vast, unending, black ocean that stretched as far as the eye could see. Its inky black water reflected the low red Sun on the horizon and made for a truly awe-inspiring and terrifying sight that looked like something from a nightmare. Though, despite how peaceful it looked, the stillness of the 'water' hid great motion below as vast 'currents' swirled about in great torrents larger than entire cities.

"More..." Akagi said quietly as she floated above the 'water,' her arms outstretched as she concentrated on the flow, directing it as it moved beneath the still surface. "Every time I come here, there's always more."

*WOOSH* *WOOSH*

"At this point, I can't even say where it ends... Or if it ends." Akagi said as she continued to manipulate the vast torrents of 'water' while creating nary a ripple on the surface. "And it seems that it will only continue to grow as time goes on, and the more effort I put in to refine myself." She paused, letting down her arms as she opened her eyes to take in the strange sight. "Can I even successfully muster it all if a foe truly demanded it?" She shook her head. "I suppose only time will tell." Akagi said before opening her eyes yet again, this time finding herself in a secluded room at the base. It was a quiet location that was shielded against outside interference and allowed for peaceful meditation when she wanted to engage in deep introspection. "Stop skulking outside the door." The Demon said as the metal door slid open behind her, revealing the Goddess Elariel.

"A Demon Lord meditating? Now I've seen it all." Elariel commented as she entered the room. "I would've thought your mind far too active for such delicate things. Perhaps you've found enlightenment in that midfield of a head of yours?" She laughed.

"Clearing my mind completely isn't possible." Akagi replied without turning to look at her. "It's not possible for me to shut it off like a monk and do the whole empty head thing. Though I can quiet it somewhat when the time calls for it. I don't get the chance too often, but from time to time, it's nice to look introspectively at myself. Believe it or not, just because I was born a Demon Lord and granted knowledge about my existence doesn't mean I understand everything about myself, even after spending several centuries pondering my own existence."

"Centuries? What do you... Ah, that's right. You can manipulate the flow of time within your own mind." Elariel hummed in thought. “She'd seen others do similar things, though it was never for such great lengths of time.”

"I don't like to advertise that part much." Akagi replied. "As far as Kana and the girls understand, I'm not much older than them. Finding out I've technically experiencedmore time than they have via my abuse of time dilation will throw them off. Though in the end, I suppose it doesn't really matter. Time marches on, taking everything with it."

{It's the one thing I can't really stop, and even if I could, I shouldn't. Not everyone is cut out for eternity. Most would see it as a curse and it takes a special kind of crazy to willingly accept it.} (Akagi)

"That's why one must make the most of the moment." Elariel said, enjoying the fact that she actually had something useful to add on the topic. "I've told all my followers that they shouldn't allow themselves to be fixated on the past or the future. What has been cannot be changed, and focusing too hard on what will or may be can easily cause you to lose what is. I've seen far too many people go down that road before, and it never ends well."

{People often seek revenge for past transgressions, most of the time, the death of a loved one, and lose focus on the fact that others right then and there care for them. They spend their whole lives either bound by the past, unable to move on, or become so fixated on some future revenge that by the time they get a clear head, everything they had is already gone. Even I've made that same mistake.} (Elariel)

"Did you come here just to impart some unwanted Divine 'wisdom?' Or was there something of substance you wished to discuss?" Akagi figured that the Goddess was here for a reason, and had a good idea as to what it was.

"I came to ask if you've come to a decision on my request?" Elariel asked as she stepped into the room.

"You've asked to have my bindings removed so that you may return to your real body." Akagi replied, still not facing her. "A bold ask considering the relationship between us. Is it not obvious that I don't trust you even the slightest?"

"You might not trust me, but you're generally a logical and pragmatic creature, no?" Elariel continued. "Allowing me to return opens up the possibility that I create a bridge between the Heavens and the material world."

"And if you could so easily do that, then why say nothing until now?" Akagi replied, her eyes moving to match the Goddess' pacing movement behind her. “And what of your plan to self destruct? If you go incarnating in your full form then you couldn't blow open the bridge as you mentioned, and on top of that you could be killed or captured since they'll probably be waiting for you.” She knew that the Gods were well of aware of Elariel's betrayal, but that Gale was happy to leave things alone for the time being as he thought of Elariel as no threat.

"I didn't bring up the idea of my return because I thought a safe method of incarnation was impossible." Elariel answered as she continued to pace the room. "But if Hilare is capable of producing items to allow for incarnation without destroying Enoris, then if I get my hands on one, you should be able to use it to find a way of breaching the dimensional barrier without collapsing the world.” She continued. “As for my self detonation, that idea is still in the cards. Just because I've incarnated into the material world doesn't mean I can't still do it. All I'd need to do is return and then come back down without the artifact. While I've resigned myself to taking that path it would ultimately risk the entire world's destruction which would doom everyone on Enoris at that time. If possible, I'd like them to survive, though stopping Gale is more important and their deaths may simply be required."

{Perhaps. I care not whether the people of this world live or die, so it really doesn't matter to me. Them sticking around would be convenient, hence why I gave that deadline, but ultimately they are expendable. From what Cheofla told me before she left the Gods' ritual will fail as long as Kana does as I expect her to. Without that a connection forged in blood and fueled by souls they won't be able to flee and the second part that consumes Enoris' population will not activate properly. Which means we have a bit of leeway, enough leeway that I'm willing to indulge those Fairies and see what kind of plan their Master has cooked up. That stupid Hero may still have a role to play here after all and I see no harm in letting things play out.} (Akagi)

"The idea does have some merit, I'll give you that." Akagi nodded. "Though the issue is still that you may either betray me or otherwise find yourself compromised. Do you really think Gale is just going to sit around while you steal whatever it is you're looking for? You and I both know he's got your body under tight surveillance. The second he sees that you're back, he'll probably move to kill you or otherwise seal your movements. The only reason he hasn't done so until now is that I've rendered you impotent. Well, that and he probably has some use for you still. Perhaps he'll consume you as part of his ritual?" The Demon laughed, though the Goddess knew that was anything but a joke. "The essence of a God must be quite the powerful catalyst."

"Do not even say such a thing, even in jest." Elariel shivered at the idea of a God being turned into a glorified battery. "Though, while you are correct that Gale has me under close watch, there's about to be a lapse in his concentration."

"When the other idiots come down." Akagi said. "Yes, I figure he'll be quite busy with the final preparations for his little ritual. Even a God can't be everywhere at once, and something of that scale will most certainly take up his full attention. Though by that point, isn't it safe to assume it's too late? Won't the six Gods coming down here have taken all the artifacts for themselves?" Cheofla had said previously they were intended to be single usage items. Once activated they'd do their duty and crumble into dust. From what Akagi had been told Gods returning to their domain didn't create the same kind of disturbance as coming down so this wasn't a situation where they'd be trapped in the material plain when all was said and done, hence why these items were made with a one way trip in mind.

"You don't know Hilare as well as I do." Elariel shook her head as she stopped pacing. "That man would never make exactly the number of something that he needs. There will always be backups and prototypes, and I know where he'll keep them. If I can get my hands on what I think is up there and bring it back that will allow you to analyze it. If it works like I think it does, then Hilare's artifact will make the perfect backdoor into the Heavens since you should be able to use it to tunnel just like how you came from your world. With the combined analytical power of you, Cheofla and those two engineers you have in your employ it should be doable."

"Hmm... You may be right." Akagi thought about it for a moment before agreeing. "And attempting to have one of our collaborators grab one now would prove quite difficult. The others would surely overpower even the three of you together."

"Gale alone would prove a problem, let alone two dozen other Gods. Especially if you throw Marret into the mix." Elariel said. "And speaking of other Gods. I may be able to use this chance to speak to Reflia if I get lucky." She continued. "Loathe you as she may right now, if I explain to her that Penelope is alive, she may be willing to work with us. If I can convince her to join us, then we don't even need these artifacts to get you up there since she could just open the portal herself."

"Though you've said in the past that she is firmly on Gale's side." Akagi said as she stood up and turned around to face the Goddess. "I find it hard to believe that she'd so easily become a turncoat."

"Again, you don't know my kin as well as I do." Elariel replied. "Especially since you've got her favorite child as a hostage." She smirked. "Even we Gods can be coerced into action, and a few implied threats could work wonders here."

"Oh?" Akagi hummed, finding the Goddess' idea quite amusing. "You believe she'd actually respond to such a thing? A God of all people succumbing to a threat against their child?"

"I can't say for sure, but if I toss around the idea that Penelope is alive and that you're willing to stop the 'torture' you're inflicting on her if she cooperates, then we might be able to get Reflia to cooperate." Elariel said as she inspected her nails. "Remember that this is a game I've played for a long time, and I'm not above twisting the arm of my kin if need be. I couldn't do something so brazen before, but with a Demon Lord's backing, I think I could get away with it. Especially if you successfully repel Gale's invasion and defeat Marret and the others. Reflia will likely feel backed into a corner, and if you offer her a truce..."

"She might concede, believing that Gale can no longer win since the ritual would be stopped." Akagi paused as she thought about the Goddess' suggestion for a moment, running the idea through her countless minds. Naturally, she had many concerns, the largest being that she didn't trust Elariel, and she was also worried that once she got out from under her thumb, placing her back there would be difficult. Though the fact remained that Elariel's suggestion was the best idea to actually finish the Gods off without blowing Enoris into interdimensional dust. Her search for Labrys had stalled hard despite the Cult's best efforts, and Imp was completely at a loss for how to open a stable connection as it stood now. With the self-imposed deadline looming, not long after the Gods' second invasion of Earth, it was looking like the Demon would have no choice but to destroy Enoris, which was something she wanted to avoid if at all possible.

"Fine." Akagi sighed before locking eyes with the Goddess. "But make no mistake if you step out of line even once..." She paused before instantly putting the Black Sunrise to Elariel's neck. "There will be nowhere to hide. For if you cross me, then rest assured, I will hunt you down across all creation to ensure that you die a slow and painful death. One that is more horrific than even you, a God, can imagine."

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