Flesh is Weak

The passing of an age begins.

The mood inside the base was a huge difference than pre battle. There was a massive celebration going on inside the cafeteria as Maéva and Neri passed out food and drinks of Astaroth wine to the victorious Skitarii. Chants of for the Legio and Lightbringer were loud and echoed along with the regular cheers. The joy from these men and women over this victory echoed in the halls of the school as I moved past the cafeteria.

That noise was heard by the few humans and devils in the gymnasium. The dead Skitarii were laid out across the gymnasium floor with Manakel getting their names for their families if they had them from the watchers. Of the twenty dead from the battle fifteen were humans and five were devils. The wounded were split with thirteen humans and three devils. Our medical team had been extremely effective at keeping people alive as many of the wounded had rejoined the battle for the end. Three humans however had lost limbs from the fighting. The two men and woman had asked me for new limbs which they got without hesitation. As I left the ward, I saw Saiyo smiling kindly at the patients and playfully teasing a brave man who was trying to chat her up.

It had been when I entered the command center when I felt pure tension in the room despite the victory. Almost as soon as I was here, Heniya went on the offensive throwing multiple curses at me. She had at the end of her tirade said that I was in her own words.

"A smart secretive rat. You're lucky that I like you and you protected my Ria-tan and city!"

Heniya glared at me hard while Wu and Vladimir were watching their king amused. More so when I said back to Heniya.

"If I told you who he was you would have charged straight towards him and kicked his ass through the stratosphere. However we would have had the Great War go red hot again."

Heniya was ready to shout at me for that assessment but was stopped by another person in the command center.

"My son is right Heniya you would have done that indeed. I get why you want to speak to Serafall now Alex. After all it isn't every day that the three factions have members all in a room together without weapons drawn."

Ajuka had arrived here after the battle ended when one of Heniya's people brought this to his attention. He was stone cold like me observing Baraqiel and Mirana. Bariqiel was gazing at him with a sneer while Mirana was smiling peacefully at my dad while keeping a hand on Winter's Touch.

The room was split into five camps with Ajuka, Nikola, Grace, Heniya, Wu and Vladimir representing the devils. Bariqiel was with his second Suriel and three eight wing fallen watching the others. Mirana was by herself but kept her serene smile going for the other camps.

Standing apart from the three factions was Suzaku and Slash Dog watching everyone silently along with Jin. The final group was the Legio with my peerage except for Murayama, Rias's peerage, my Alpha primes and a still fully armored Issari. Ajuka looked at Bariqiel then Mirana and then me. His eyes looked at the scar before he seemed to make up his mind.

"Why did you do all this Alex?"

The three factions people turned to me.

"To bring an end to the Great War. That's why I have done everything here. It needs to end for all our sakes."

That was finally voiced for the room. The three faction members stilled as the three camps watched each. No one was willing to be first to acknowledge that very clear fact. That was till Ajuka got a half smile. Mirana and Bariqiel eyed the other two. Bariqiel looked at Akeno before he took a deep breath. Mirana kept the serene smile, but her eyes showed she agreed. My dad finally said the words that needed to be spoken.

"A good enough reason. I'm not Serafall Leviathan who is our official diplomat. However unofficially as Beelzebub, I agree with that."

Mirana smiled a bit wider.

"I'm not the Archangel who is the speaker of Heaven. I as his unofficial ambassador here agree this needs to end."

Bariqiel looked at Mirana with wrathful eyes mentioning Michael. He was ready to say nothing till Suriel jabbed him. Bariqiel grunted before he again looked at Akeno and I harder than ever before.

"I'm not Azazel who is Governor-General of Grigori. However as the highest ranking fallen here, I am in agreement. The younger generations should not be subjected to the older generations grudges."

That released most of the tension between the three. Ajuka was now smile smirking.

"I will inform Serafall and Sirzches about this situation. Since it will take time for this possibility of peace to happen I think we should have my son act as an intermediary between the three factions. After all the Legio Solar is made up of members from each of us. Any objection to that?"

Mirana smiled incredibly wide.

"No objection from me."

Bariqiel grunted.

"No objection from me either."

Ajuka took their agreement and then turned to Nikola.

"We will go tell Sirzches. Grace, I would like you to go and finish upgrading the machine with the others. Alex I would like to talk to you about this and more things later today. Just the two of us."

Mirana's smile was so wide and she gave me a look.

"I will inform Metatron of this development and he will take it to the Archangel. However, I would like to permanently join the Legio after that. This organization and its goals are commendable despite its brutal fighting style."

Bariqiel was still watching my dad and Mirana before he said something.

"Azazel is busy at the moment trying to find the remaining plants that Kokabiel has likely placed in all of the cadres. Two of his former allies have already been targeted by them and one died after a light knife to the heart less than an hour ago. Luckily we captured one of the assassins and hopefully we can sort them out quickly."

Ajuka gave a brief look at Bariqiel and then nodded.

"I say we meet in a few weeks to begin the proper talks on this. Heniya would you be averse to us perhaps having the talks here in Kuoh?"

Heniya got excited.

"We can modify the wards and increase the security to make this into the safest option for these talks."

I however looked at the three camps thinking of the Brigade.

"I offer this base as a second option just in case."

Mirana didn't object nor did Baraqiel. Ajuka gave a nod then he looked at me again. His eyes seemed to take on sadness seeing my scar before he looked again at Heniya.

"Thank you for your cooperation Heniya. I'll get with you later today on that and you Alex. Now if you will excuse me, I have a train to catch."

Ajuka, Nikola and Grace were about to leave when I stopped them.

"Go through my machine again dad on setting five. You will land in my forge city then you can portal out to see Lord Lucifer. It will be instantaneous travel for you."

Heniya had her jaw drop to the floor as Ajuka nodded and his smile smirk grew larger.

"Thank you for informing me about that Alex. Don't be surprised if I drop by more often now."

With that said my dad and his people left the room. Heniya turned on me and she said while pissed and hopeful.

"Rias show me this machine now."

Rias bounced and then dragged Heniya out of the room while Wu and Vladimir followed behind their king. Akeno and Kiba pulled Issari out of the room followed by Kiya while Shirone and Xenovia both inched toward me. I quick nod to my peerage who all except for the queens left. Mirana took the meeting breaking up and started moving out of the room toward the cafeteria when another cheer erupted from that direction. The door closed and Baraqiel looked at Tobio and Slash Dog.

"Tobio, Lavinia. You and the others are welcome to rejoin Grigori at your convenience."

Tobio shrugged his shoulders and smiled at Bariqiel before he shook his head.

"We are happier with my cousin and her group. No offense Bar but it was always difficult for us in Grigori outside of Azazel. Besides I want to get to know my new second cousins. Tell Azazel that we appreciate the offer."

Bariqiel looked at the other members of the team who all nodded in support of their leader. Bariqiel shrugged before he gave a look to Suriel. The purple haired woman smiled and pulled a sword from her hip. I see the crest of the Uvalls on the hilt guard and the woman gave me the blade. I take it and throw it in a pocket before Suriel gestured to the three fallen behind her to follow. They do and the four left the room and I noticed that they started whispering as soon as the door closed. Trina and Paula take their leave too after I gave orders to my guard captain and Alpha Prime. Bariqiel was not amused by his people and he grunted at me.

"Your two people are making my cadre whisper too much."

Bariqiel was a hard disciplinarian and I smirked.

"That sounds like a you problem."

Tobio barked out laughing with that along with the other dude in Slash Dog. Lavinia tisked at my response while the two other women were amused softly giggling. Bariqiel was not amused but Tobio kept laughing.

"He's got you there Bar. It's nice to meet you finally Alex. I'm Tobio Ikuse."

I turned an eye to Tobio and half smiled.

"Apologies for not knowing you. It's nice to meet you too. Call me Gregor."

Tobio wasn't offended and he kept the good-natured smile.

"It just means we are in the same boat. I am eager to know other people from the family who aren't bastards like the rest of them. Suzaku and your pawn told me bits about you on the way here and from what I saw from that battle you are indeed pretty cool like your pawn said."

Raynare blushed beet red and I pulled her closer in a hug as she laid her head on my shoulder. Suzaku watched us there and her smile was a real one of happiness. I turned to my cousins and Slash Dog.

"You all are welcome to stay here for a bit if you want."

Suzaku rushed towards me again and pulled me into a deep hug.

"We would love to Alex but we can't stay long. If they learn we are not close to our base of operations they will strike and try something against our charges."

I got that and hugged my cousin back. I whisper softly to her.

"I want to help end the cycle with them. For mom and Aunt Shuri."

Suzaku looked ready to say no. Yet Tobio gave a look at her.

"We could use the help Zaku. Considering everything."

Suzaku sighed and reluctantly let go of me

.

"We will take the help Lex. Before we leave, I'll give you a badge to present at our camp at this location."

The situation with the True Clans must be worse than I thought. Tobio gave a nod to Lavinia and the ice princess gathered her teammates up and they with their animal avatars moved out of the room. I looked at my cousins and I ask.

"How bad is it with your group?"

Suzaku didn't want to say it aloud and neither did Tobio. Suzaku looked at the queens then me before I sent them a look asking for privacy which they gave us. Suzaku started to explain the situation.

In the inner courtyard of the school Hetvia was directing the three robots to put up a massive solid steel wall next to the original wall of martyrs. Mr. Cuddles and his comrade were screwing things into the building's side while Mr. Sparkles was using a blow torch to etch the names of the dead to the wall. Manakel read out the names to the robot as a few humans and devils watched on in grief. Tobio, Suzaku and I watched from a corner of the courtyard near an apple tree as Tobio explained their situation fully.

The True Clans were not in a good position. The indoctrination of abuse that the Pure Clans used was effective for controlling the older clansmen and women. However Suzaku's stand with the other heirs had made many in the younger generations consider joining her rebellion. Despite that feeling the True Clans had only a hundred fighters. The clan heirs were doing what they could with those fighters training them to even the odds while looking for ways to encourage more defections. However, most of their faction was actually children saved from the Pure Clans in a massive raid on what was called the Nursery in Tokyo two weeks ago. Suzaku had ordered the raid to try and save the huge number of children there. The nearly three hundred children saved in that raid were being watched and cared for by the non-combatants in the faction.

As names are added I consider how to help them. Suzaku saw my pensive state and Tobio said his piece.

"The only reason the Pure Clans don't attempt to attack us now in retaliation for the Nursery is because of Reni and me. Our gear might be hated by them but no one wants to fight two Longinus users at the same time. They however have a large number of forces at the ready to attack us when we show a hint of weakness. We have been getting a few older people defecting from the Pure Clans like Ohashi and his sister every so often but that is not enough. They stamped down harder and harder on the rank and file each time we get people."

Suzaku had told me when I asked that Ohashi and his sister had finally found their courage and with Murayama's dad and brother ran taking with them twenty children from the Doumon's main compound. Suzaku was a little angry with her statement.

"The Shinto can't break ranks with the Pure Clans with how they need them to protect the home islands. They desperately want to do it."

I watched another name etched onto the wall while considering how to help.

"I will hard commit to helping the faction in whatever way I can."

I learned several things from Suzaku. My bastard grandfather was now the head of the clan after Suzaku and her supporters left and the old head had a stroke. Our Grandmother was his right hand and I along with Alex were eager to see them again. As another name was placed on the wall Suzaku looked at me with our red eyes.

"What we need most is equipment if you can get us that. The Pure Clans have contacts in the JDF who 'lose' equipment to them on a regular basis. They have modern weapons and body armor that they then add to our old samurai armor suits. They have several blacksmiths in the know and are close allies of theirs churning out katanas and naginatas for them. The standoff has continued because despite Tobio, Lavinia, and the others we are behind them in everything."

My eyes looked at my cousin seeing the worry

"You will get equipment and help from me starting tomorrow. I will stand with you who protected us from them."

Suzaku let out a sigh of relief while Tobio was watching the robots with a keen eye.

"We appreciate it Gregor. I want to see the gear. I know it's a Longinus and you can probably guess why I'm asking."

Considering everything I expected nothing less from Tobio. I pulled out the anvil and Tobio looked at it in curiosity while Suzaku was inching towards it. Tobio was amused and his eye looked to Jin was panting happily next to his user in the shape of a medium sized dog.

"A very curious gear. You made the robots with this?"

Suzaku widened her eyes looking at the three robots now and I give Tobio credit he's smart.

"I did. Everything I use comes from it."

Tobio smiled a little more and his eyes fell on Jin again.

"So where is your partner?"

I ask Koriel if she is busy and the answer I got was to piss off. She was busy with the reader prototype and didn't have time right now for flesh bags. I rolled my eyes there and Tobio caught that while Suzaku being unfamiliar with gear asked.

"Partner?"

What I saw was my cousin fighting the last remnants of the disgust she had been taught for gear while now trying to understand it fully. I also saw that she and Tobio were very close. As in they were almost a couple. I saw that by their body language and the fact Suzaku would glance at Tobio with a keen look every so often and vice versa. I approve of them together just by a single deep look of love the two shared for a second. Tobio took her hand gently and explained.

"All Longinus users generally have a partner piece in them. You know Jin is mine. He has one too Zaku. I'm guessing you have a happy work relationship with yours?"

Koriel called me another name while she was tinkering making me chuckle.

"We are like siblings. They are very busy on something important and don't want to be disturbed."

Tobio chuckled too and then he smiled at Jin petting the dog who barked something before he panted happily again.

"We get that. There are days when Jin wants nothing more than to sleep on my face and some days, he will snap at me trying to take my hand off. I'm sure you have something similar."

Jin barks at me and then sniffs my leg. He whines something that Tobio understands.

"He says you smell of metal, oil and blood. He also says that you smell old. Like your years will be long."

Tobio pats Jin who now looked at me in curiosity as I shrugged.

"It's something recently returned to the world."

Tobio shrugged his shoulders.

"That's a normal on this side but I get it's private. I won't press further. Zaku I will go make sure our people are ready to move out in an hour."

Suzaku gave him a nod and Tobio left towards a door. When it was the two of us Suzaku brought me into a massive hug and then tears come down her cheeks hitting my shoulders.

"I'm so sorry Alex."

I returned the hug as Suzaku let tears down her face to my red shirt.

"I finally have you both back after a decade and now I have to leave you again. I don't want to leave Alex. I want to hold you and Keno again like when you were younger. My special little cousins who would always jump around in circles when you saw me. I want those days we had back then and not now."

I get her so much hearing that longing for childhood. I hug my new cousin tighter than ever before.

"I can make something that can reconnect us. I have something called the Noosphere and it is basically a new internet. I want it to one day be available to everyone. Keno has started a thing where she and her partner are doing a cooking channel on what is essentially our YouTube. You are welcome to watch that and message us whenever you want."

That was amusing to learn as Akeno and Issari had started the channel after Issari said she wanted to learn how to cook. The channel had three subscribers and Rias being her competitive self challenged Akeno to who could grow faster. I wasn't told the bet prize, but Akeno had licked her lips sadistically when I had asked her about it. I picked up my hammer while Suzaku kept hugging me before I made her a cogitator. When I tapped Suzaku's shoulder, she turned to see my hand with the device. My cousin smiled at my offer, and she took her new item.

"I'll look into it. What do you have on this Lex?"

Her red eyes were on mine with desperation to know.

"I haven't decided yet. I might tell stories of people, things, and places so alien to us."

The queens had pounced on Monday night saying to me that I should have a channel on Deviltube. There was a deep curiosity to learn everything about the 40k universe from all of them. I tried to fight it saying I was not the right person to do that. That resistance started breaking when they all smiled pervertedly and gave me a look that promised something very fun at a later point. I was broken from that memory by Suzaku who smiled wider and then hugged me again.

"I want to hear them all Alex. I don't care that your dad is a devil and a Satan. You're still my baby cousin who loved to get on my lap and point to the stars excitedly saying you would go up there. You were always so cute when you wanted to play rocket ship when it was the three of us. I want to again get to know the man who the Shinto are calling the Chikatetsu no eiyū. A hero that they tell me means it and has rebuffed rewards from them time and time again because it is the right thing to do."

I want to blush a bit but don't as Suzaku and I stayed under that apple tree for another minute in comfortable silence before duty made the two of us part. Suzaku told me where the True Clans were based. It was in an old once abandoned clan compound in the countryside close to Tokyo. I asked Suzaku to describe the place and or give me an address. My cousin gave me one before she hugged me again deeply. Her smile soon turned into a frown when she saw the time. She reluctantly went off to be the leader she has become. Before I left the courtyard to see the next people who want to see me after I quickly check my phone.

Murayama had been with her uncle and mom inside an old pottery classroom here in base that we had been storing old furniture in. I knocked twice softly before I heard a come in and slowly opened the door. Inside I saw Ohashi, Murayama and her mother talking about something while leaning against several old desks. When Ohashi saw my face he gave a respectful nod from one warrior to another. Murayama brightened and stood up quickly. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the group who had been near old school desks. Once there she introduced me.

"Mom this is Gregor. My king and future husband."

Murayama's mom immediately shows she didn't like that claim. She looked exactly like Murayama except with several grey hairs creeping into her brown. She grimaced at me and was about to say something. Ohashi put a hand on her shoulder while Murayama tightened her hand on mine. Murayama's mother eyed me again before she sighed looking at me with less harshness.

"I'm sorry for the hostility. I'm still getting used to my baby being a devil."

Murayama let go of me and hugged her mother again. The two were silent before Murayama's mother looked over her daughter's shoulder at me once more.

"I won't fight her desire to be with you. The moment she became a warrior she became an adult by Doumon standards. Mura has told me that you love her and support her in every way she wants or asks for. That is not what I expected to hear as most young men are too busy thinking about just sex. You are thinking of the long term, and I can appreciate that. I just ask that you both don't make me into a grandmother just yet. I want Mura to finish school before that happens."

I understand that was hard for her to ask for.

"We are too young for kids, and I am in no hurry for them. Murayama will never not have me supporting her in her dreams whatever they might be."

That made Murayama's mom relax and my wonderful knight squeezed her mom before surprising me.

"I plan to graduate early mom not for a little one but for other reasons. Greg will change the world in so many ways and I want to help him do that like he helps me."

I looked at Murayama and her brown eyes focused on mine. I remembered something that Murayama had mentioned.

"I heard your husband likes cars."

Murayama's mother rolled her eyes and smiled remembering something.

"He does and he won't shut up about them. I'm guessing Mura has told you about that. Since we are eventually going to be family, please call me Taira."

Murayama looked pleased that we were starting to get along. I smile thinking of a way to win points with them.

"She told me about that indeed. I think I know of something that might make him very happy."

That led into a conversation between the four of us about Murayama's dad. The mood between Taira and I improved as we talked. This lasted until a member of Slash Dog peeked through the door to the room to inform Ohashi and Taira that they were moving out soon. As the woman moved away I saw that the two were unwilling to leave easily. The two Doumon reluctantly left the room after giving Murayama a deep hug. As soon as they were gone Murayama pulled me into a kiss that lasted a few seconds before she pulled back to kiss my scar.

"Roka is right that scar makes you sexier. We will have to keep you safe from the fan girls at the school and have our work cut out for us."

I shivered thinking of fan girls while Murayama giggled. She whispered something in my ear and then twirled on her heels and left the room. I had a single drop of blood flow from my nose before I cleaned it up. Despite her promise which was enticing, I do have a few more things to do today before I get my next round of possibly being screamed at.

One of those things was standing in front of a window near the entrance to the school looking at the wall of martyrs reading the names of the dead. Mirana was wearing a sad face while praying for the departed. Her sorrow was genuine, and I carefully stepped to her side and waited till Mirana acknowledged me. She did by tilting her head to the right and her eyes now held pure joy catching sight of me.

"You are a hero now Heir Astaroth. To this country and to so many people unborn, here and gone. Because of you we might have finally found a way to end the war that has plagued humanity for most of history. I appreciate your queen for helping me get back to Russia faster with this news."

I was focusing on the names as I wonder how many more will fill that wall and more of them before the end. I banished that thought for now and pulled out of a pocket spell the four Excalibur and Galatine before I offered them to Mirana.

"Please return these to their proper places."

I will miss Mimic as would Tsuda yet I will show Irina along with Heaven that I keep oaths and am committed to peace despite my love for Mimic. Mirana smiled and took the swords from my hands. She noticed my reluctance to part with Mimic.

"You are attached to that blade."

I nodded while gazing at the blade as it gleamed brightly. I heard Mimic desperately begging me to keep it. It called me Lightbringer despite the darkness in me. When I began taking my eyes off it the blade started its song and kept begging me to keep. The song grew louder and louder and its beauty made me almost reach for the blade only to stop myself through sheer force of will. I closed my eyes before opening them and looking at Mirana.

"My battle companion likes the blade as do I. She says it's like being held by her husband again when she is inside it. I however want it returned to its proper place despite her and my fondness for it."

Mirana put the blades on her back and then bowed.

"I see. I will return these blades to their proper places."

I remember my promise to the woman who had begged for her uncle.

"If it is at all possible please find a way for maimed exorcists to be brought to me. I wish to give them something for their service."

Mirana nods.

"I will make the attempt. I have heard your faith's tenants and ideas from your Magos of faith and the Crimson Dragon of Righteousness. I can see the appeal that the ideas will have and hope that our two faiths can continue to get along. They both share the same goal and I pray that continues as yours evolves."

I pray for that too. Mirana prepared to leave the hallway and only stopped again to look at the names of the dead. She made a cross over herself and then left towards the doors where Kiryuu and Kuroka had a portal ready for the exorcist. I heard the portal open then close. Kuroka smiled at me catching my eye. Her smirk was filled with a promise for fun later before she moved out with Kiryuu. The pair started talking about Kiryuu's new DevilTube channel. I heard the premise for that channel was Kiryuu's new hobby of illustration.

I again looked at those names and how I had led them to death. Their spirits clustered around me and said that I had done everything to make them safe in that battle. They told me that they would do it again without hesitation. Many told me that they want to pilot new robots we make while others said they will enjoy their afterlife. They continued telling me what they would do now and that only ceased when a person came up behind me.

"I'll hold onto the armor until we have our special vault. We need to watch out for him."

I turned to my best friend and the worry I saw was genuine.

"Thank you for that. I'll make the vault in my new manor when possible. As for him I agree. He is regarded as the strongest White Dragon Emperor ever. How far are you on your balance break?"

Issari was silent before she admitted to me with a small voice.

"I can get into the first stage of it for two minutes as something is holding me back. Gecko doesn't know what it is."

Vali it seemed had hit something in her with his taunt. Issari looked at me and saw the concern.

"I will still use it as I modify my scale mail to fuse with the armor. I appreciate that you're keeping me unknown to the world but that will eventually fall away. I'll wear the bracelet till then. What about you you found your balance break yet?"

I shook my head.

"I have tried to several times to force it through along with Koriel when she has time but nothing seems to work."

We had tried everything to get it going starting from the training week of the game. Issari shrugged while also thinking.

"It takes time from what Gecko tells me. I'm only as far as I am because he shared the general concept for it. You will get it eventually. Also, thanks for being my wing man for Asia. She and I have a lot in common and we hit it off fast."

I smile and saw the pleased face she has as I teased her with that wide grin.

"You are welcome Iguana."

Issari perversely laughed rubbing her hands together gleefully. I stopped that laughter by asking.

"Where is Asia anyway?"

Issari grinned and had several drops of blood come from her nose imagining something.

"She is busy with Senpai and Irina at the house right now. Now I have a swordsman to collect. Have fun with your dad."

With that said the perverted dragon went off to find Kiba. Watching Issari leave allowed me to do my last thing to do before heading home.

Inside my pit I activated the noise dampening stuff and prepare for the last servitor I will make for a while. I pulled out Kokabiel from the pocket spell strapped the stumps of the bastard to my table and then released the stasis spell on him.

Kokabiel suddenly jerked and then started where he left off screaming. The screams only stopping as he saw me and he desperately tried to move.

"Cur release me!"

I smile smirked then punched his chest getting him to shut up and groan. I then pulled out the anvil. Koriel grunted at me for having her show before she looked at a shocked silent Kokabiel. She then eyed me to explain as I smirked in pure glee.

"We can use him for the project as a basic repair servitor till the end of time. After all this way he would be useful for once in his life and he can see every single glory we will make."

Kokabiel was about to scream at me, but a second punch made him shut up again. Koriel nodded and then said her piece also smile smirking.

"That is a good idea. Now let's get started. I can spare a little bit of time for this."

Kokabiel tried struggling to break free from his restrains and kept failing as expected. I lower the table and I kept that sadistic smirk facing him. Before beginning the surgery and making new bionics for my servitor. Kokabiel fought the entire time to no avail. After I was done with E-1 thirty minutes later it was prepared to do its new purpose in life. I made a 'mistake' as I felt the sole eye of E-1 watch me in hate from the corner of the room as I began making Suzaku's people their equipment.

It was less than two minutes of being home before I was met by my biggest fan who jumped me near the staircase to the second floor. Alaric hugged my leg hard while looking up at me with happy eyes as Neri watched her son with a wide smile from the kitchen. Alaric excitedly began talking up a storm.

"Greg Mommy says you beat the bad fallen man!"

His enthusiasm was infectious and brought a wide smile to my face as well. Alaric bulldozed ahead in his pure excitement that he almost always had.

"I want to be a hero like you, Greg! I want to beat up all the bad guys and save the world!"

I gently pat his back and caught Neri's worry on her face.

"There are many ways to be a hero buddy. Your mom was one today too. She actually did more than me when it came to beating the bad guys. What she did took more bravery than me."

Neri blinked at the idea she was a hero like I once did. She looked ready to say something but was immediately swarmed by Alaric charging from me to her quickly. She picked up her son and Alaric began excitedly asking how she had been a hero. Neri sent me a look of thanks before her eyes widened and then she moved Alaric and herself back into the kitchen. I knew why she did that as I felt the barest hint of pressure. There behind me was Ajuka and he had seen the whole thing between Alaric and me.

His face was blank but I swore I saw the barest hint of a smile for a second. He had relaxed the pressure once the pair were gone and then gestured towards the stairs. I followed him up them before he opened the door to the office and waited till, I was inside. After I was inside and facing him he shut the door.

Ajuka moved fast and brought me into a deep hug.

"Why didn't you tell me about this Alex? I could have helped you. I would have helped you in an instant if I knew."

I hear the hurt in his voice and the pure worry.

"I didn't tell you dad because you're so busy with your work and other things. You and the Satans couldn't have done anything about this considering we are practically a pariah state in the supernatural world. I could do something because of my status and my patron's closeness with the Shinto. I saw the chance and took it because I don't want kids like him to suffer what we have had for so long."

Ajuka was silent listening to me explain. When I was done he put his hand on my face near my scar.

"You're still a kid too Alex. You shouldn't have to be fighting to fix the mistakes of the past. You should be worried about school, playing games with your friends, and enjoying being with your betrotheds. You should not be this warrior that has seen so much blood and war at your age."

I understand what he means.

"Yet this world isn't going to fix itself Dad unless more people are willing to try. I want to make it better for us here and the new generations coming."

Ajuka hugged me tighter and we stayed silent for a few seconds before my dad sighed.

"I want to fix it too and will support this thing you made and fought for. Just please don't keep me in the dark about your plans again. I want to help build a new world with my son who has made me extremely proud of why he fights. You are exactly like your mother."

He hugged me the tightest yet. I looked at him and he was indeed proud of me showing it was his sin.

"I will Dad. I have something for you to give to Serafall. It and today should help us in new talks with the youkai. Fair warning it's not pleasant."

I pulled out Himura's preserved head and my dad barely reacted to it. He however recognized the person that they had been.

"This should indeed help us. Serafall was extremely angry that day when the talks failed. She described the person who destroyed three years of work in great detail to us. I'll get this to her. She told me that she wants to talk to you soon about this possibility of peace."

Ajuka took the head and threw it in a new pocket before looking at me again. I tilt my head Ajuka's way.

"I'm free anytime now with this having been dealt with."

Ajuka was stone cold.

"I'm assuming you know that this peace proposal will be an extremely difficult thing to get past the parliament in its current state."

I smile smirk and that sets off Ajuka's own. He looks at me to explain said plan and I gave him the details of it. That conversation lasted for the rest of the afternoon.

Ajuka had left the office and house after our conversation ended only stopping momentarily to get food that Neri and Maéva made for him. Ajuka had not liked some of my scheme but his desire to help me with this was clear and apparent. He had helped by adding to it several things in case my attempt failed.

I was considering a few things when the door to the office opened and flooding into the room was the queens. Everyone was here including a now very happy Xenovia who was not her ice queen self. Rias and Ravel were at the head of the group and Rias were excited beyond belief. Kuroka carried food and drinks in via levitation spells while the rest of the group came in with various party things. Rias practically pulled me into the group and excitedly told me with a wide smile.

"Greg Aaron leaked videos of me fighting fallen to the devil net an hour ago! I will never be called weak again especially after it showed me fighting two eight winged fallen by myself!"

That news made a loud cheer go up from Murayama, Raynare and Kuroka while Shirone was pure smiles for Rias. Even Ravel who had not been Rias's closest friend before was happy for her fellow. My smile was so wide and genuine that I got blushes from several people here.

"That's wonderful Ria! No one will ever call you weak now my Lady of Iron. Now you get back at them for being needlessly cruel. I love you."

Rias blushed prettily but was beyond pleased with that. Her wide smile started the party. Rias deserved this moment of glory for showing her tormentors that they were wrong.

As the party continued and I was pulled to a couch by Rias and the rest of the queens, Rias took my right arm, Ravel my left and Raynare took my lap after a look at Shirone who gave a nod of yes. The only times during the party where Rias or I were not next to each other was when she would answer her phone to text someone or when I sent a text to Suzaku of hello over the Noosphere and got one back fast. When we ended the first half the now agreed upon seven queens pulled me to our room for the next half of this party.

Mirana stepped out of the portal to the grounds of an old Orthodox chapel on the outskirts of Moscow. She would have to thank him and his queen again when she returned to Japan for this speedy move. It has saved her time, and she didn't have to go through a passenger liner. Mirana was not a fan of the sea getting easily seasick. The noble Princess of Russia and the Orthodox Church was considering what her role in his organization would be. She was leaning toward being a teacher as she had enjoyed that while there.

This certainty of joining the Legio was soon replaced by a flood of doubt as Mirana walked up the cobblestone path to the chapel. These doubts she felt were not over the Christian church's mission to protect the flocks of humanity from evil. Her doubts were stemming from the fact that the faith growing in the Legio was so tempting for her to accept and follow.

It was so similar in structure and ideas with Christianity that the connections were easy to spot and make. Yet it was different enough to be a completely new faith. Mirana had first thought hearing their creed that Mechanists hated the human body and desired its absolute destruction. However, after asking questions for clarification to the Magos of Faith on Sunday and the Crimson Dragon of Righteousness before she left Mirana finally understood it. It wasn't hatred but rather a desire for evolution. To be better and stronger in all ways physically and mentally. Iron within and without finally made sense at that moment.

The Cult Mechcanicum was going to explode out fast when it came into the limelight for many reasons. The biggest and most obvious reason was easy for Mirana to see. It had a living deity, unlike Christianity. A deity that was becoming more and more active in the world and was unlike any other Mirana had ever known or experienced.

This reason hurt Mirana deeply having long known the hidden truth of Christianity. She had slowly figured it out in the years she had served Metatron's cadre after hearing things said offhandedly by the angels and by doing her own tests. Remembering this made Mirana feel her doubts grow large and stronger as she once more thought about the analogy that Mechanists used to describe themselves and others. A humble cog in the great immortal machine that was reality.

This comforting idea and their song echoing again hit the Romanov hard once more as she passed a tree. It continued to echo as those thoughts and hundreds more poked at her as she entered the chapel through well-worn oak doors. Mirana closed them before she moved towards the alter that was beneath a stained-glass window depicting Michael. There she saw her earthly handler standing.

Before her was a two-winged angel dressed in a stereotypical black ninja uniform. The only part of their body besides white wings not covered in it was his face and red hair. Mirana smiled wider than ever before seeing the man.

"Castiel."

Castiel brightened seeing her too and moved towards her with his long red hair flowing behind him.

"Did you find him Ana?"

Mirana saw Castiel have the desperate hope on his face for that answer. Like all the members of Metatron's cadre he wanted this attempt to succeed.

"I did. He was everything that I was told of and more. They are starting the process in the other sides thanks to him. He also gave me these to safeguard and return."

Mirana pulled out five blades and watched Castiel widen his eyes before he took one of them. As the blade gleamed from the evening sun Castiel nodded.

"I am glad your mission was a success. I'll inform Metatron of this and have the blades returned to their proper owners."

Mirana had seen how much he had wanted to keep Mimic and felt the blade yearn deeply for him in return. Mirana had also felt his battle spirit behind him looking at Mimic with pure longing. Yet he and his spirit let it go and she knew how hard that was especially for Excalibur users.

"He is an admirable person Castiel. He willingly gave up a holy blade he formed a deep bond with. Please let the Archangel know that I want to join his organization as the representative of Heaven in it."

Castiel looked past the blade to Mirana.

"I will mention that to him. He can use holy swords? Is this because of his supposed God?"

Mirana nodded while looking past Castiel as the doubts grew again and got louder.

"He is a true divine champion. The faith he and a growing number of people are following is one that the Archangel should look into. It's so similar to us yet so different. Devils can follow it without pain and it accepts fallen angels. I witnessed something that has done the once thought impossible."

Castiel noted those observations in disbelief. Yet they were minor things compared to what he saw on Mirana's face. He had been Mirana's friend/handler for seven years and saw her doubts show despite her trying to hide them. The angel wanted to pull her close and love her as she very clearly did him. However his duty to Heaven and the fear of them being thrown out had held him back.

"I will inform him. What is the first tenant of this new faith so I may begin understanding it."

Mirana felt her doubts and the ever-growing desire to join them hit her full force uttering this now easily seen truth.

"Flesh is weak."

Castiel was confused by this statement and this idea with that showing on his face. The angel quickly masked that by turning away to prepare for the journey to tell the Archangel this information. All the while desperately wanting to hold Mirana seeing her doubts. Both were so lost in doubt or the want to banish it that neither saw a feather on Castiel's wings turn from white to silver then back quickly.

Zekram Bael watched with his son and several other members of the family the newly released videos of his great granddaughter. In them she was facing down multiple fallen in the battle that had taken place topside today. Zekram was genuinely impressed by her performance and the ease of which she was ripping apart fallen with that roaring sword. An eye turned to the left to show Sairaorg was embracing his battle fanatic self living vicariously through his cousin. That eye returned to the TV as Zekram saw the power of destruction coating the sword at all times and how well she controlled it. Her swordsmanship was excellent and it seems she was indeed not stupid like he said and that was another point for him.

The Great King was now very interested in the halfbreed. He had taken one of the weaknesses in the Bael family and made it into a true strength. Activating the power of destruction was one thing. Making a new weak user of it powerful quickly was something else. His son was not excited about this new development unlike Zekram and spat in pure rage.

"How by the Primogenitor did he do this! The girl is completely and utterly weak! This must be fake!"

The patriarch was so angry that a ball of destruction was thrown from the rage filled man. It slammed into a wall of the room making a basketball sized hole through it. Sairaorg watched his father with a now bored expression used to him doing this while his useless weak half-brother recoiled in fear and hid behind Sairaorg. Zekram was silent about this uncouth display before he returned to watching the videos.

He watched as his great granddaughter fought against a human with a very interesting blade. It was a partly reunited Excalibur and Zekram saw the kill she made on the wielder. It was brutal taking his jaw off. It fell to the ground and Zekram was more impressed with her. To kill a holy sword user was no small feat for a devil. Especially one whom Zekram recognized. That was Freed Sellzen easily the second strongest exorcist that the Protestants had. The Great King was watching the girl glare at the rapidly disappearing man before moving away from her foe.

The Great King smiled wider as he continued to watch the next video of his great-granddaughter chopping apart a six winged fallen while barely breaking a sweat. Their head rolled to the ground before disappearing from the power of destruction.

The new tale of the heir to House Astaroth defeating a powerful fallen who had wanted to reignite the Great War had spread across Devil society like wildfire that afternoon. The nobility who were not focusing on Rias Gremory's new strength now completely accept the halfbreed who had defeated a seraph fallen angel of such infamy. Yet this tale about the Astaroth was not the only one spreading amongst the nobility.

The Old Satan Faction leaders were now very concerned by this new development brought to them by spies. The halfbreed was making more startling jumps towards becoming a super devil. The three main heads of the faction and a fourth ultra lazy one chose one of several plans that they had drawn up for his death. This plan made Agrat Leviathan smile as it finally gave her an opening.

It was in the devil lower classes that massive things for the underworld were happening hidden like always from the nobility. Commoners regardless of pillar were now daring to openly whisper to one another that perhaps the Great War was finally drawing to a close. Despite the eagerness of some of the nobility for the conflict to continue on, the commoners nearly universally wanted it to end. This hope began to grow larger and larger as the day continued.

The victory of the Omnissiah today was celebrated by the Cult of the Cog loudly in their gatherings in the underworld. It proved that the Speaker's vision and words were true. The victory hardened the cult's resolve to make the bright future their prophet represents. What some in the cult were starting to call the Great Work. The cult was now beginning to spread like a true landslide as the speaker spoke at more gatherings and veterans within the cult spoke to their fellows reborn in iron. The uninitiated veterans listened to those they had served with and trusted explain this secret. After hearing the miracle tale and testing the claims their comrades made they were in wonder. This cult's vision of a bright future of light they would help make quickly won them over to it as the day continued yet they were not the only ones being told this secret by the veterans.

Two people who were new believers to this cult debated with another an ultra-radical decision. To help build the Great Work now. This dreamed future they wanted grew again as they looked at a face here in their village out of a window in their home. That face and again making sure of something made the doubts leave them. It was with a bright future in mind that they started another pebble moving.