The Seraphic System

The Seraphic System

Chapter: 119

(The Transcendent Reward)

-{Kai}-

I took a moment to glance down at the new mark on my skin, the place where I had directed the seal for Kronos.

It wasn’t burnt into my skin despite how it had felt when I’d gained it. It was more like paint than anything else, a symbol resembling my seal but altered slightly.

I didn’t need soul sight to tell this was probably a big deal… and I took a suitable moment to reflect on that. I had just sealed a Titan, a being that was closer to a Primordial than a mere God.

A Titan who was also immensely powerful.

So powerful that even his sealed form was probably considered worthy of being a Major God of a Pantheon.

I grimaced.

To think he had still held up at the end.

It gave me a new realisation. I needed to focus on sealing more, along with my inscription ability from the shard. And that technique I had performed with my Rinnegan.

The damage that had been caused by using it was not extensive either. My body didn’t take a moment in slowing down to tell me, lances of pain arching through my veins.

Galadriel revealed her fangs up at the hundred-headed dragon glaring back at her.

This wasn’t going to go well. Luckily Leto was with us or this would have been a pain to deal with.

I turned towards Leto.

“Hey. Is there anything you can do-“ I began, only to stop at the sight of no one.

I blinked. Then a long sigh escaped me.

Seriously?

I looked at the distance where Michael's battle still raged. I couldn’t even make out what was going on. All I knew was that the sheer concentration of power was causing visible ripples in the surroundings.

Golden light clashed against bronze, shockwaves travelling outward with enough force to flatten what remained of the lower peaks.

In my current state, I’d outright die if I went close to them, because of the sheer concentration of Divine and Angelic energies there. It would almost be easier if the attacks were more widespread, allowing me to block the input of energy around me.

But the way their attacks simply bypassed the shackles of reality…

Leto had probably gone there, rushing to Artemis the moment she assumed Kronos was neutralised.

Which he was.

The dragon above us, however, was not.

Not ideal, but I couldn't blame her for wanting to reach her daughter. I would have done the same in her position. The unfortunate part was that it merely left my defenceless self with a very confused and very, very pissed off hundred-headed dragon.

Mahoraga's form finished knitting itself back together, the wheel on his back spinning lazily as he rose to stand beside me.

Diverting my attention, I took a moment to look at our surroundings.

Scorched earth would be an apt description for the sloped wasteland that greeted me. Massive chunks had been torn from the mountain, craters dotting the landscape where the attacks had landed.

Miles of terrain had been reduced to rubble and ash.

When the Domain of Time had been let loose the attacks had all been unleashed, which explained why the very sky looked apocalyptic. Bolts of energy randomly erupted, zapping into the earth and forming new craters.

A High-class being would probably struggle to even survive here.

Even with Kronos rewinding some of the damage during our fight, the destruction was staggering.

But seriously, did Leto really just leave?! I mean, I probably would have done the same. But she could have at least waited to see if everything was safe.

I tried to push myself up. My arms trembled, before giving out entirely.

It was going to take a while to even get myself to move.

Damn. I haven't felt this bad in ages.

I didn’t have to look at the flurry of notifications appearing from my system.

Ladon finally registered the scene he had awoken to and apparently did not find anything remotely to his liking, letting out a large roar. The sheer strength behind it made the air vibrate, like a hundred throats were screaming in unified rage.

My body glowed slightly, the actual force merely washing over uselessly.

‘Master.’ Galadriel’s voice said urgently.

Mahoraga came to stand in front of me.

“Try to hold him off while I recover.” I reluctantly decided, clenching my fists.

I didn’t like giving the order to her but we’d found ourselves stuck in a fairly tricky predicament.

Galadriel let out a hiss of agreement, her tongue flicking out in excitement as her body slid across the ground effortlessly.

The dragon moved suddenly, its massive form shooting down the slope at a pace I couldn’t even perceive.

One moment it was at the peak, a silhouette against the stormy sky.

The next it was almost upon us, scales glinting, each head weaving independently with bared fangs, eyes glowing like embers in the stormy sky, highlighted by the flashes of light Michael released in the far distance.

Galadriel shot forward, her serpentine form expanding as white scales rippled along her length, their bright ethereal glow deepening.

Power gathered in her jaws, mouth stretching wide to unleash a beam of concentrated whitish-blue light, the ray lancing out in a brilliant pale streak that slammed into Ladon’s descending bulk, splashing against his central chest scales.

Naturally, it did nothing; the attack splashed against the scales and was snuffed out by their sheer toughness, along with the crackling of draconic power that briefly flared.

But that wasn’t its intended effect, as it forced its massive claws to dig deeper into the rock for traction.

Galadriel’s body coiled tighter, muscles bunching under her skin as she threw herself against the dragon’s momentum, her comparatively tiny form ramming into his underbelly with a thunderous impact that echoed up the slope.

Ladon’s heads snapped at Galadriel from multiple angles, necks whipping like striking serpents, jaws unhinging to reveal rows of dagger-like teeth that gleamed with venomous saliva.

She phased just in time, her body shimmering into a mist, and the bites simply passed through her like fog, translucent scales rippling as the attacks disrupted her form slightly, edges fraying before solidifying again out of the maw.

I found myself wincing at the display.

She’d have died if she had been a split second slower.

Once more, I attempted to stumble up to my feet with a varying degree of success, keeping my eyes on the battle taking place.

Galadriel reformed mid-dodge, twisting to rake her teeth across exposed scales of the one neck that had descended on her prior location.

I blinked, catching the foreign power that made the long fangs glow pure white. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sense it with a lack of any reserves. To my astonishment, they actually cut through the scales. Not deep nor large, yet blood began seeping from the small wound.

Ladon adapted to the attack quickly, more heads converging on her in a blur that far outmatched Galadriel’s speed. A few of them released bursts of poisonous gas that clung to the air in a green fog, forcing Galadriel to phase again as the area around her burned into a green sludge.

Her misty form was wavering as the toxins ate at the edges, slowing her reformation, scales flickering back into solidity with visible effort. Her movements grew sluggish as she struggled to maintain the astral shift under the relentless assault.

The moment Galadriel’s form flickered, I forced myself up, rapidly approaching her even as my body screamed in protest.

My efforts found themselves to be unneeded as Mahoraga soared upward with a thunderous hump, his massive frame cutting through the wind, golden tattoos pulsing brighter along his grey skin as the wheel on his back spun with increasing speed.

He was huge…

As if he had been adapting the entire time while frozen in time.

I frowned.

Once again I had learned something crucial in this battle. As I always did when I was pushed close to death. I really needed to utilise my physical attributes more.

After all, that’s why Dragons were so dangerous. They had a natural armour that probably conducted draconic power to an insane degree and a natural innate born physical prowess.

The Super-Shikigami arrived at the correct time; his blade arm swung in a wide arc, the edge gleaming as it met a cluster of Ladon’s necks, slicing into scales that had previously resisted and drawing thin lines of blood that sprayed in arcs.

The dragon’s heads recoiled with roars that loosened the stones embedded within the slope.

The next instant Ladon countered in fury, twenty heads lunging as one, fangs clamping down on Mahoraga’s limbs, teeth sinking into flesh that visibly hardened as he was hit with a fatal blow.

I was almost tempted to call on the other Shikigami, if I even could without magic, but they wouldn’t be much use besides the healer.

With blood oozing from wounds, my Shikigami hung between massive piercing teeth that no doubt oozed copious amounts of venom into him.

Despite this, his arm didn’t remain idle, shooting up and piercing through the mouth he was held in with a brutal thrust. It didn’t stop there, his fingers slowly tearing through the roof of the maw and quickly freeing himself as a pained roar resounded.

The other heads instantly went for him in a dive and Galadriel darted in, phasing through a sweeping tail that whipped the air with enough force to part the skies with ease, causing a visible shockwave to follow.

My Heavenly Serpent reformed to blast another energy beam point-blank into a cluster of eyes, blinding several heads temporarily as they thrashed, corneas scorching and smoking.

Yet the dragon pressed harder still, flames building in multiple throats, necks arching back before unleashing coordinated jets of fire that bathed the sky in an orange inferno.

I was forced to back away, the fire taking on an oil-like quality as they moved in a rippling wave.

Galadriel once more had to phase repeatedly, her astral form flickering longer each time, edges blurring as the heat disrupted her cohesion, scales materialising with cracks that bled starry light.

She clawed at throats, long teeth enhanced with that strange energy, ripping scales free in bloody strips. But Ladon’s size allowed him to endure, a head snapping back to bite her tail, teeth grinding against her phasing body, pulling her solid for a split second and drawing a hiss of pain as flesh tore.

Mahoraga charged through the flames, his body charring black but regenerating in steaming layers, the wheel spinning frantically as adaptations layered on, skin thickening to armoured plates while muscles bulged for more power.

He reached Ladon’s flank again, causing multiple heads to divert attention, his blade arm thrusting deep into a joint where necks met their torso, twisting to widen the wound, ichor gushing in thick fountains that splashed the slope below.

Multiple heads unleashed torrents of fire combining into a massive fireball that engulfed Mahoraga, his form vanishing in the blaze, emerging as a charred body that quickly fell.

A head closed in, just in time as light gathered along his blade arm, the edge glowing a brilliant white as energy erupted outward in slashing beams, the forearm weapon extending into a radiant sword that cut through several necks in sweeping arcs, spraying jets of cold blood and viscera in the air.

The severed heads crashed to the ground like felled trees, scales cracking under the holy-infused light. The damage wasn’t substantial, but once more it shouldn’t have been possible with the sheer power difference.

Ladon bellowed in rage, the remaining heads converging, their combined maws opening wide to unleash a unified blast. A sea of flames exploded outward in a tidal wave of fire, the inferno roaring across the mountain, and Maharaga finally found himself consumed.

He was either dead or out of the fight.

Leaving only Galadriel.

The blast consumed everything, Galadriel phasing desperately but the flames’ intensity disrupted her form, sending her spiralling away with scorched scales.

The fire surged toward even me, the slope turning into a molten river, forcing me to leap far back with a grimace, feet pushing off cracked stone. Sailing through the air, I landed on a distant ledge, heat singeing my clothes and skin blistering from the proximity.

Galadriel luckily managed to twist through the dragon fire, her scales charring at the edges as she phased in and out, but Ladon’s flames clung like tar, disrupting her astral form with each burst, her body solidifying against her will in unpredictable flickers that left burns blistering across her flanks.

A head lunged in, jaws clamping down on her midsection, forcing her to once more phase out and rapidly attempt at backing away.

The hundred-headed beast turned its gaze on her fully, necks coiling like a nest of vipers, flames building in multiple throats as it advanced through the air, its wings beating with gusts that whipped ash and embers into whirlwinds.

My familiar gave me a look before a soft glow gathered around her retreating form, energy swirling in golden and silver threads that wove through her scales like living veins.

The same aura that Laurelin and Telperion produced. Evolving in the water that was directly blessed by them had done more than just shine in her eyes it would seem.

The glow intensified, her body arching as laurel-like branches of gold sprouted along her spine, blooming with fiery leaves that shed sun-like warmth.

While silver tendrils twisted from her tail, flowering with petals that cast cool gleams, her entire form expanded and transformed,leaving her eyes shining with dual lights that pierced the smoke.

I felt a flash of surprise run through me. I didn’t need to use my chakra eyes on the familiar power to realise what it was, but the strangest thing was this hadn’t come up on the skill list.

Was this the effect of bathing in the waters below the two trees?

“…”

Should I start bathing in the waters?

She rose up renewed, with the addition of golden branches around her body, channelling bursts of solar power. Galadriel opened up her mouth, showing two fangs and a gathering power that released into concentrated beams, slamming into Ladon’s central heads with explosive force.

Once more the force did nothing but knock back a few of the heads, expectedly leaving no marks… or so that would’ve been the case until the orbs expanded from the impact points and quickly transformed into spreading roots—thick roots that encased multiple of their heads.

Ladon’s other heads looked on in confusion.

Silver petals quickly blossomed a moment later and to my astonishment began releasing waves of frost that encased a dozen heads in ice, cracking under their struggles but slowing their snaps.

Ladon let loose a roar of fury, his draconic power exploding out of him, making quick work of the branches and annihilating the frost.

All of this still had the intended effect of giving Galadriel the chance to lunge skyward, her serpentine body coiling around a cluster of necks, she began unleashing more blasts and moving rapidly, phasing in and out of reality in bursts.

The tree-like appendages constricted with crushing strength, branches piercing hides and drawing thick blood sprays. The dragon staggered mid-air as she beat him back momentarily, heads thrashing wildly, flames sputtering as frost and fire clashed in mid-battle.

But the advantage faded fast.

Ladon’s sheer size and strength overwhelmed the attack, heads breaking free from ice with shattering cracks, flames melting the frost, while venomous bites landed on her branches, withering golden leaves to ash and silver petals crumbling black.

She struck again, another beam blasting cleanly through a neck, but more heads converged, tails whipping around to slam her side with bone-jarring impacts that snapped branches apart, her form shuddering as her energy drained.

A shockwave rolled over the area as Ladon unleashed everything, its massive wings blocking the sky and dozens of heads thrashing before Galadriel was finally blown back.

Her form lost its flow under the sheer barrage of power.

Finally, Ladon turned its attention to me. Dozens of beady, draconic eyes locked onto my form.

I couldn't move. I couldn’t fight. I could barely even think through the fog of exhaustion. But it looked like I wasn’t going to have a choice, I had to hold out. Long enough for Galadriel to recover and perhaps for Michael to finish his fight.

I had been in worse states before anyway.

Once again, I forced myself up on shaky legs.

‘Let’s get this over with then.’

Then light exploded across the sky.

Not golden like Michael's. Not the white of my earlier attack. A new attack that streaked through the air in a blink of pale streak, a sliver of energy being absorbed into me as it pierced the sky.

I felt myself relax despite everything…which meant I crumpled to the floor like a bag of bones.

That would be the reinforcements.

Gabriel descended, twelve white wings glittering in the golden light she produced. With Azrael beside her, both of them looked over the scene for just a moment.

Then anger entered their gazes.

The dragon recoiled, a head finding itself pierced and exploding with burns spiralling down its long neck. It let loose a roar, feet stumbling back on its path across the mountain.

A ray of heavenly light covered me and before I could hit the ground a soft lap cushioned my descent.

I knew that presence. Gentle hands lifted my head, tracing my face softly and allowed me to rest in a familiar lap.

A very comfortable lap.

I looked up into emerald eyes filled with worry and barely contained anger.

Gabriel.

"Hey…” I managed.

Only to earn myself an angry frown.

-{Michael}-

Michael briefly sent a look towards the barrier he had erected around the mountain, its golden power weaving through the air like threads, just in time as he felt the fleeting brush of a god’s gaze.

The god’s presence had flickered before retreating, followed by the distant pricks of other divine eyes turning their way, presumably to see what was happening at this location.

He knew the first god had seen the event, not ideal but he just about managed to cover it up before any other God was able to gaze upon them.

Such an output of power couldn’t be contained for long after all.

With the powerful concealment wards created by the Titans themselves shattered, certain… interruptions loomed from Olympus and beyond, amongst other Gods.

Something Michael had realised his Father wouldn’t want. It went against the entire point of not having brought a Heavenly Host with him to this plot.

The shield would buy them time, holding back prying immortals while the chaos here resolved. It wasn’t even close to being able to last long without any materials.

Atlas stood before him, the Titan’s bronze form scarred and heaving, ichor dripping from gashes that steamed against the cold mountain wind, his protective aura diminished.

Michael tightened his grip on his sword, wings letting off a burst as he dove in, blade slashing in a horizontal arc that cleaved through the air with a fizzling sound, heralding the burning of the air around him.

Atlas blocked with a raised arm, the clash resounding through the sky, sparks flying as Michael’s holy energy bit into the divine-infused sheen, opening a fresh wound that welled with blood.

Michael backed away, just in time for Atlas’ fist to blow past him in what would have been a devastating blow. An aura quickly came to aid the wounds, warding off the holy power that sizzled at the Titan’s flesh.

The Titan continued with narrowed eyes, unleashing another sweeping punch, fist cutting the sky, Michael twisted mid-flight, his body blurring to avoid the blow that cratered a floating chunk of debris instead.

Rizevim’s absence had shifted the balance drastically, which wasn’t even including Artemis into the mix, leaving Michael confident of his victory in this battle.

His concern was the varying powers he felt from the battle Father was having with Kronos, now including the fire of a Dragon, which he could only assume was Ladon.

Atlas pressed, his enlarged hands grabbing at Michael’s wings, fingers closing like iron vices.

Michael spun free, feathers tearing loose in the grip as pain shot through his back.

At the same time he unleashed a point-blank blast of light from his palm, the beam slamming into Atlas’s face, scorching skin and forcing the Titan’s head back with a grunt, large burning eyes watering from the glare.

Michael followed with rapid sword thrusts, the sharp edge piercing the aura in quick stabs that drew more ichor, the Titan’s movements slowing as wounds accumulated, with his bronze skin cracking like overheated metal.

Atlas gritted his massive teeth, arms glowing red as he clapped his fists, causing roaring winds to blow out from him.

The Arch-Seraph resisted it, forming a barrier that shattered as the red winds passed, absorbing most of the damage.

Then he shot forward, eyes only able to slightly flicker down at his preparation before he weaved through the Titan’s flailing arms, dodging a stomp kicked up a storm of debris.

The debris was easily ignored as it shattered against him, the two burning eyes that lit up alongside the powerful punch—cut through the cover the storm of debris provided—however, were less easily ignored.

He narrowly avoided the swing, only for a titanic leg to shoot up from under in a deep shadow through the dust.

Michael exploded upwards, attempting to remove most of its momentum; as he blocked, the barrier of light that formed around him shattered from the impact, his arms rattling from the blow.

Before he knew it, he was high up in the sky from the absurd impact, his arms red from the blow and pain ringing throughout his body. He observed an arrow hit Atlas in the side of his head, snapping it sideways and making him glare at the Goddess.

Without a pause, Atlas quickly shot towards her, his speed not giving her time to even react.

Michael dove back down immediately, streaking through the sky like a meteor, shaking off the pain with ease even as the sword in his grip shook. His eyes looked carefully down at the scene.

He wouldn’t make it on time…

Artemis was far too slow, her bow raised and eyes gradually widening at the figure that dominated the area in front of her.

The Titan arm was already parting reality as it moved in a streak.

The Goddess’ form was glittering, her divine form was activated at its max. Meaning she would die permanently if that attack hit her. And the attack would hit her, before anything Michael could unleash from where he was.

He let out a sigh, breath escaping in a visible puff amid the cold heights. His trap had been ready since the moment the two super-class foes cornered him.

With a gesture, Michael unleashed it.

A monstrous construct birthed from Annihilation Maker’s dark genesis erupted into existence, a colossal beast of light and golden limbs that towered like living pillars from the sky around Atlas.

A titanic amount of power flowed through all its limbs, coming around from beneath and around a very startled Titan.

Each appendage thick and pulsing with energy that formed into the golden eyes on top of the twisted cage of tendrils.

It was a scene that suited a devil's creation more than an Angel’s, but Michael didn’t find himself caring.

Its limbs slammed into place to weave an inescapable cage of writhing golden edged tendrils that contracted inward, coiling around the Titan’s limbs to squeeze them against his body, bronze skin compressing with audible creaks and groans.

Naturally, the Titan resisted and the limbs struggled to contain it; under his assault, the shell around the limbs began cracking apart.

Atlas thrashed wildly, his fists pounding against the beast’s hide that bent under the blows, before reforming immediately with snapping cracks, sparks of annihilating essence flying as his aura flared desperately, the monster’s maw-like gaps gnashing in response.

Michael quickly activated his Heavenly Power Domain, a purple glow reinforcing the monster temporarily.

Michael hovered before the cage, sword poised, his finishing blow a downward thrust that pierced through a gap. The blade sank deep into Atlas’s chest, holy light exploding inward to sear flesh and crack ribs, ichor gushing in thick streams as the gleaming edge drank his life.

The Arch-Seraph stared at the damaged Titan coolly, unaffected by the shift in the battle.

He had begun preparing this creature for this exact moment. To prepare a solid killing blow that would quickly take one of his opposing enemies out of the equation.

The Titan slumped, body shuddering. He considered ending it there, blade twisting to finish the kill, but paused. Father should decide, especially as atonement for Michael’s own faltering strength against such foes.

Withdrawing the sword, he dashed forward quickly; the Titan attempted to recover but he slashed under the arm that swung at him, severing the tendons and further weakening the divine being.

A similar cut was sliced through both of his legs, finally forcing the Titan down for good.

Long, exhausted breaths escaped the Titan, two wide, burning eye slowly realising the truth.

Michael remained in the air, watching the blood leak out from his fallen opponent sternly.

Atlas stared a second longer, then let out a sigh.

His body shrunk, divine power fleeing his frame.

The monstrous cage shrunk with him, gaining more power as its limbs compacted and the energy in its frame was able to condense.

Satisfied, Michael turned, descending and landing near Artemis, who stood with bow lowered. Her silver eyes met his, cheeks flushing faintly as he approached, her form still glowing with residual divine power.

The Titaness had appeared beside her daughter in a gentle glow, her hands immediately cupping Artemis’s face, fingers brushing away stray hairs matted with sweat.

Her eyes were scanning for injuries as she fussed, turning Artemis slightly to inspect a scorch mark on her arm, her touch light but insistent, brows furrowed in maternal worry.

“What happened?” Michael asked, his voice steady as he glanced between them.

If she didn’t answer correctly he’d have to dispose of her as well.

The Titaness could be in leagues with Kronos after all.

Deceit was not an exclusivity of Devils and Demons.

The Titaness looked up, her golden hair shifting with the motion, a small smile breaking through her concern.

“Kronos was defeated.” She revealed.

He looked over at that location. There was a lack of temporal energy… which either meant she was lying or the battle had concluded. He wasn’t going to wait on the chance a Titan was being truthful.

He looked back at the Goddess.

The objective was still there and the least he could do was deliver her. It seems she was in need of rest… easily sorted.

The transporting of Atlas would have to be taken into consideration as well, lest he attempts to escape while he is occupied. He approached the Goddess.

Watching her look up at him.

A brief spark of tension hung between them.

The Titaness blinked.

He scooped her up gently, wings folding around her as she nestled against his chest, before she tensed and scowled deeper.

“Hey!”

“Oh my.” The Titaness exclaimed.

He rose, commanding the monster to follow along.

Then, he vanished and appeared in a burst of speed…

His eyes narrowed into pinpricks as he observed the sight of Kai, sprawled across Gabriel’s lap, his clothing ripped and blood splattered across his body as if he had bathed in a pool of gold.

Artemis stared at him silently.

With a comical start, Michael dropped her. Arms fumbling, Artemis yelped out, falling on the ground with a thud.

She looked up at him with indignation.

Michael rushed downward to check on Kai, wings carrying him swiftly over the ravaged terrain.

Then he paused, finding himself glared at by Gabriel and Azrael.

-{Kai}-

It was safe to say the Dragon hadn’t found himself welcome once Azrael and Gabriel arrived…

Dead or alive.

I looked up at Ladon.

The hundred-headed dragon had become encased in a prison of dark ice that gleamed like obsidian under the fading light, his large body frozen solid, trapped inside a large block of inky black ice.

Its crystalline surface contained nothing but shadows, Ladon’s body merely appearing as an even deeper shadow within its embrace, courtesy of Azrael's heavenly domain skill, the frost edges crackling with holy energy.

Azrael and Gabriel had arrived in time.

Or before I had to fight for my life at least.

Which, speaking of…

Gabriel's emerald eyes bore into mine, her usual warm smile replaced by a tight-lipped frown, brows furrowed deeply as her hands trembled slightly while hovering over my wounds.

She wasn’t happy.

The beautiful face of my Arch-Seraph stared back at me, her long blonde hair coming to surround my face along with her arms. Her touch was still gentle, but the displeased look in her eyes and the barely controlled anger still glinted within.

She had already begun channeling healing light, golden streams flowing from her palms into my body, mending my body and soothing the pain that had barely allowed me to stand.

I had used the Holy Grail in the fight to speed up my regeneration, but without any magic that wasn’t a very feasible method as of this moment. Which it didn’t need to be with Gabriel’s healing being on another level of powerful.

The pain I felt on a physical level receded, leaving only the ache that came from deep within me, which I almost wanted to attribute to my overuse of chakra and magic

Her fingers pressed firmly yet carefully against me, while her expression stayed stern even as I came to return her gaze. It was adorable as it was disheartening.

Azrael looked similarly annoyed.

Her usual blank look was a lot colder than normal.

I felt my face heat up, bashful under her intense gaze. While Gabriel frowned deeper, her hands paused as she tilted her head.

Nothing had been said yet.

"You’re still in pain?" She stated, frowning deeply and looking confused at my discomfort.

Azrael sat beside me, her robes pooling on the ground, leaning in with focused eyes, her face close as she scanned my form, hand waving slowly over my chest.

She flinched slightly, her eyes glowing and becoming wider as they transitioned into their red colour.

"That would be because the injuries aren’t merely external, you’ve somehow managed to damage your soul," she murmured, voice grave, fingers tracing invisible lines in the air that glowed.

Gabriel reacted to the reveal visibly, while I frowned in contemplation

I didn’t need to be a genius to know what aspect of my power had done that. So that technique had a backlash. It made sense if I'd done what I suspected, summoning Yahweh himself or some form of his avatar.

Gabriel's worry overtook her anger, eyes widening as her hands resumed healing with quicker motions, light intensifying, her lower lip caught between her teeth, shoulders tensing as she leaned closer.

“How did this happen? I… I can't heal the soul.” She said, looking up at Azrael with a mild amount of panic.

Azrael leaned back slightly, her expression calm but eyes serious. "I can heal the damage, but it'll take a few sessions.”

“Are you sure?” Gabriel asked firmly.

“It's only when the soul becomes too damaged that it shatters does one die permanently. God or no god. And Kaiel has a powerful soul that's easily able to bear the damage for now…" Azrael assured her.

Gabriel looked down at me, her controlled anger resurfacing as her eyes narrowed, hands pausing on my shoulders with a firm grip.

“Now tell me, what happened?” She asked again, directed solely at me.

"In my defence, we were close to doing everything without any incidents." I said, sounding weak to even my own voice.

It could even be said it would have been the perfect heist, or close enough.

“Oh?” Gabriel said, slowly turning her eyes up to look at our surroundings. “And yet it ended up with so much damage, along with multiple energies in the air. Suggesting at least two ‘Super-class’ opponents and two powerful God-level opponents you yourself fought. Not only are you hurt, you’ve managed to damage your very soul.”

She was quite mad.

“Do you think this gives me the sense that you were close to being able to do this without any incidents.’” She asked, visibly controlling herself.

“We were close, but ultimately the plan failed and escape wasn’t possible” I replied with a weak chuckle. “We got interrupted and it only escalated from there.”

Gabriel stared. “Would this have happened if we had been by your side?”

“I mean the battle would have been… shorter.” I winced. “And perhaps less damage would have been done, with a dedicated attack instead of trying to do us in subtly.”

My response earned an unimpressed look.

“You shouldn’t need to resort to sneaking around.” Gabriel finally said. “We will have to speed up the creation of the Night Scripture if you insist on such things.”

“Indeed.” Azrael nodded. “Damage alone of any capacity isn’t worth it. Not considering the sheer danger that has been brought upon you today. Just who have you sealed into yourself?”

Gabriel’s grip tightened further.

“…Kronos.”

“You fought a Titan? Not just a Titan, the strongest of them all…” Gabriel’s eyebrows twitched.

“He was using a host since his true body is sealed…” I tried.

Gabriel closed her eyes, hands still gently moving across my body as if making sure no part of me was missing. Then she opened her eyes, clear emerald gems staring down.

“Never again.” Gabriel finally declared. “We should have known Atlas would have been powerful…thinking everything would go well was simply too wishful.”

It wasn’t as if I hadn’t wanted them with me.

Gabriel turned her glare toward Michael, emerald eyes flashing darkly as she straightened.

"I apologise. I should have been at your side sooner.” Michael offered, coming to stand besides me. “I'm afraid the anomaly that interrupted our plans turned out to be a rather powerful devil long thought to be dead."

“A Lucifer…” I voiced out.

Gabriel and Azrael snapped their heads back to me, eyes widening in mild shock, Azrael's hand freezing mid-gesture while Gabriel's grip tightened on me.

I winced once more.

It was all compiling up to paint a dark picture.

Uriel and Raphael would hear about this, then all my Seraphim would.

“The spawn of Lucifer.” Michael clarified, looking slightly confused as to how I knew. “Rizevim Livian Lucifer.”

I half-enjoyed the way I was pulled further into her lap.

“The dog was here?” Azrael asked coldly.

Gabriel sighed.

“I was able to hold them both off.” Michael said, gaining both of their attention. “But… for some reason I am not sure of, he suddenly decided to flee.”

Michael’s wording was weird and he looked at me carefully, as if puzzling through something.

“He ran?” Azrael blinked. “With the benefits so stacked in his favour, that’s surprising.”

Once more, I found myself at the subject of two angered looks.

I offered a weak grin. “I guess my plan for secrecy wasn't quite as good as I would have liked."

"I don’t believe all is lost, I managed to set up another barrier after the pre-existing ones fell, in that time only two gods have gazed briefly upon this scene." Michael helpfully added.

"Still, the point was to save Artemis without any interference." I frowned. "I assumed the combined force of me, you, Galadriel and Mahoraga would have been enough to do it with ease.”

Mahoraga had definitely adapted into the God-class. The fact he hadn’t shown up was worrying and that blast of fire hadn’t looked weak in any capacity.

Gabriel’s glare softened just a fraction, but her hands stayed firm on my shoulders. “No more kisses until you’ve learned your lesson,”

Her tone was lighter but I could tell she was still deeply annoyed. In a way only an Angel could be.

I’d have to make it up to her.

For now… the way she said it…

A turn of her cheeks and a blush, as if it was some real punishment, which admittedly, it was. I think I felt less panicked than when Kronos was about to kill me.

Gabriel looked at Artemis and Leto, her voice coming in a whisper besides my ear, along with a minor usage of magic I knew to be an Angelic spell that would stop anyone nearby from hearing.

“You are the king of Heaven and, most importantly, mine.” Gabriel said sternly, voice dropping into a whisper. “You need to stop forgetting that Heaven is your power… while I understand your reasons, and yes, it could cause a lot more problems, that’s for Heaven to deal with.”

I sighed, letting my head drop back against her lap, the exhaustion making me more compliant than usual. “Fine, no more kisses. I agree, lesson learned.”

I just didn’t want Heaven to suffer for what was mostly a selfish desire, the khaos brigade, while important, was a flimsy excuse.

Gabriel’s eyes widened in panic, her cheeks flushing as she leaned down quickly.

“You weren’t meant to agree, I believe you’ve learnt your lesson already.” she exclaimed, her lips pressing against mine in a soft, urgent kiss, her hands cupping my face gently.

I smiled into the kiss, enjoying her warmth before she pulled back, becoming slightly reserved as her eyes flickered to Azrael and Michael.

Leto watched the scene closely, while Artemis watched on with only a sliver of judgement.

Gabriel sighed. “As long as you remember. Next time I’ll hold out longer.”

Azrael glanced away briefly, her fingers twitching at her side before she cleared his throat, refocusing on the group.

Artemis huffed, approaching with measured steps that wobbled slightly as she visibly struggled to stand up, her silver bow slung over her shoulder.

Leto beside her with a graceful stride.

I found myself glaring at Leto, eyes narrowing as I pushed myself up slightly on my elbows. Gabriel once more held onto me,before gently pushing me back down.

Ignoring that, I spoke. "You left rather quickly."

Leto blinked, her golden hair shifting as she tilted her head. "I apologise, I merely wanted to check on my daughter and potentially help her."

"While leaving me behind with the big dragon?" I asked blandly.

She blinked and then her eyes widened minutely in realisation, her eyes drifted to the entrapped Dragon and at the landslide that had come down the massive mountain as a new addition.

Then she looked back at me. "I… am sorry. I shouldn't have left with such haste."

I observed her for a moment.

A God taking accountability seemed shocking enough, even if Azrael was sizing her up.

Something that obviously affected her by the slight twitch of her fingers.

I suppose it didn’t matter, though she could consider my charity finished.

Finally, I became serious once more, mind drifting to Michael’s opponents.

Rizevim had fled, presumably at what I had summoned which led more credence to my theory.

As for Atlas…

"Where is Atlas?"

Michael gestured to the monster cage hovering nearby, its golden limbs twisted around the shrunken Titan, eyes glowing faintly. "Captured for now, I decided that you may want to deal with him.”

“It won't hold much longer though.” Michael warned.

I frowned, my quest still incomplete, the system notification lingering in my vision.

"Okay… we should probably leave.” I finally said under the gazes of my Angels. “If I had any chakra I'd have tried to make an effort out of… maybe fixing up the place to a certain degree but I’m all spent. And at the end of the day we saved their Goddess."

Azrael snorted. “It wouldn’t last long with all this energy floating around.”

Artemis was still watching me with narrowed eyes, arms crossed, while her mother assessed with a tilted head.

“It’s the attempt that counts.” I replied with a smile. “If they have a problem with us acting on their behalf due to a conflict of interest, I’m sure Raphael can suitably cook up a defence.”

“And what shall I do with Atlas?” Michael asked.

“Put Atlas back in his prison.” I replied, thinking over the best way to handle it.

Azrael blinked. “Are you sure that’s wise? Should we not kill him?”

“While we could, he’s no longer in his divine form so he’ll just reform, and this works out for us.” I said as I attempted to rise only for Gabriel to pull me back into a hug, only allowing me to prop myself up.

I flatly stared at Gabriel, who pretended to look elsewhere.

There was another reason I was allowing Atlas to survive, besides the concessions I could probably squeeze out of him. Saving a Goddess, then putting an enemy of Olympus back into his prison? Along with beating one of the strongest enemies of Olympus?

Zeus could only make himself look so bad if he went against us.

And I was pretty sure my quest involved Atlas, the fact it hadn't been completed yet was suspicious. But I could be wrong and it could be that I was meant to kill him…

I’d rather take the safe road either way.

“And you two should go back to Olympus or wherever you feel is safer." I said, turning to Artemis once more.

"Do not command me." Artemis replied with a scowl.

I raised an eyebrow.

She released a breath, silver eyes narrowing. "I am... not ungrateful for your assistance. Olympus would have suffered greatly had Kronos risen unchecked."

The words seemed to cost her something, her jaw tightening briefly before she continued. "But do not think this matter is concluded. There are questions that will be answered. My father will demand it, and frankly, so do I."

Leto sighed.

“Questions?” I repeated curiously. “Don’t you know everything considering you’ve been here the entire time?”

Artemis frowned. “You are Angels.”

It was more of a statement than a question.

I regarded her for a moment, then turned.

“Azrael.” I addressed her.

Artemis’ eye twitched at my casual dismissal.

Azrael perked up from her position, the incomplete flaming sword grasped in her hand.

“Can you take Atlas back to the mountains’ peak? A palace should reside there.” I informed the Arch-Seraph. “I believe Kronos rewound the damage on it when I had escaped. There’ll be a sealing formation, I need you to trap Atlas back in there.”

Azrael regarded the Goddess and Titaness respectively for a moment, then nodded once. “It will be done.”

Staying here for too long wouldn’t do.

The statement about the gathering of too many people causing a destabilisation of power still held true; the unsuppressed might of such existences coming together in an unwarded space was beginning to show effect.

Atlas observed silently from afar, eyes lowering slightly but giving no other sign of resistance.

“I will assist her.” Leto supplied, earning an annoyed look from Artemis. “I had a personal hand in the seal, so it’ll be easier with my expertise.”

Azrael regarded her without care for a long moment, sending an annoyed look at the Goddess besides her before nodding.

“I expected you to be more resistant to this.” Michael commented, staring at Atlas.

He merely grunted. “The tides have turned once more. I am outmatched thoroughly against the Angel alone… not counting the monster in black and the being whose lap you lay in.”

The Titan looked away.

“Yes, we are.” I finally answered the goddess’ query, grabbing her attention again.

“Then you are from Heaven.” The Goddess stated strangely.

“That would be the case.”

“You’re Kai.” Artemis then stated.

The shift in what I had expected left me slightly bewildered.

Michael shifted, his demeanour turning mildly cold, as did Gabriel.

“I am.” I said, not at all nervous.

“I know of you due to your connection to Hestia, who you’ve become rather close with.” Artemis said accusingly.

Now I was completely thrown off.

“Yeah?” I asked. “We have spent some time together.”

“I hear it’s progressed far beyond that.” She replied with a hint of annoyance. “Is that the reason you came to save me?”

“Not particularly." I replied, not elaborating any further.

“Then I have to ask, on behalf of Zeus-“ the words came with a strike of lightning, the gaze of the God once more felt, yet even Artemis seemed momentarily confused by its… wariness. “What was Heaven doing operating on Olympian grounds?”

“Saving you.” I replied blandly.

What followed was a drilling from the Goddess, who seemed to instantly have a grudge to pick with me. As if she wanted to confirm something but couldn’t accept any other possible answer than what she had wanted to confirm.

At the end I tuned out the conversation, my attention shifting inward as I pulled up my system. I ignored the expected stat gain. It was bound to happen when I pushed my body past its limits.

Gabriel’s arms hadn’t moved and I could see her staring at me, used to the way I zoned out by now.

However, I did not ignore the quest completion as I eagerly read over its contents.

[Quest Complete!]

The Huntress's Burden

Description: The goddess Artemis has vanished. Whispers speak of a terrible fate, a weight no mortal should bear, a curse older than Olympus itself.

The Oracle's words echo: "Where father once stood eternal, daughter now suffers. Where earth yearns for sky's embrace, a Titan's prison becomes another's cage.

Seek the Mountain of Despair, where fruit once grew, and giants held the heavens. There, beneath the weight of stars, the Huntress fades."

Objective: Locate and rescue Artemis [Completed!]

Bonus Objective: Seal Atlas [Completed!]

Reward: [Zanpakuto Spirit Infusion Orb], [The Mortal Cup]

Bonus Reward: [Golem Of Eden]

I looked at the main rewards.

[Zanpakuto Spirit Infusion Orb] [Legendary]

Description: An orb containing the condensed essence of an Asauchi's potential.

When pressed against a bladed weapon, the orb will dissolve into the metal and bond with the wielder's soul, transforming the weapon into a true Zanpakuto.

The newly created Zanpakuto will develop its own spirit based on the wielder's inner world and spiritual nature.

Through communication and training with this spirit, the wielder may eventually learn the sword's name and unlock its Shikai release. Further mastery may reveal the path to Bankai.

A legendary ranked reward. An orb that could be pressed into a sword to transform it into a zanpakuto. A soul cutter with its own spirit, capable of growing alongside its wielder.

This alone would also be hugely beneficial.

[The Mortal Cup] [Legendary]

Description: A sacred chalice forged by the Heavens. When a mundane drinks from this cup, they are infused with angelic blood, transforming them into half-Angels. This version of cup doesn't have any backlash or debuffs from the transformation.

I blinked at yet another Legendary ranked reward.

I could see why it held the rank. It wasn't just a singular power or a simple boost. This was a method of creating an entirely new species.

A way to grant angelic abilities to those who had none.

Would this extend the lifespan of church members?

That was the biggest boost.

The church has had many powerful members who succumbed to age in the end.

What would have happened if they had been able to live a few hundred years more?

I stared, mind going into a frenzy of activity despite my tiredness.

The applications were endless.

Then came my final reward.

[Golem Of Eden] [Transcendent]

Description: A colossal golem crafted in the image of Adam, the first man, representing the pinnacle of Eden’s power.

Standing at over 30 meters tall, this construct is not merely a familiar but a soul bound Golem that can grow infinitely with its user.

The Golem of Eden can also be stored in the soul, acting a shield against any soul-based attacks. Alternatively, the Golem also has the ability to transform into a powerful and defensive set of armour, adaptable to its host’s physique.

This Golem in whatever form can repair itself infinitely if touching the ground.

The Golem also comes with a variety of other branching abilities.

-END-

If you wish to read up to 19 chapters in advance among my stories and other things, please visit pa/t reon * / Snipez818. I appreciate all the support!