Chapter 164 - 59.2

Looking at the watch again Akeno was caught by surprise on how much time she spent studying herself and the Evil Piece. As things stood she lost breakfast and was late for the beginning of her training.

Until she realized her routine had to change because she had changed. "Can't do the same things anymore." Lightning and Thunder sparked on her hand and the chain with an arrowhead returned to the world. "Because I refuse to lie to myself anymore."

The Akeno in the mirror smiled and nodded together with the original, the best she could do to give Shirou's metaphor about more than one of her life.

"If nothing else this explains why one of us is an M and the other an S." Her shoulders were shaking at her own joke but soon the illusion was broken. Akeno knew very well there was only one of her, it was what solidified her resolve after all. "Time through the day. After a long bath, of course."

And a long bath it was, the moment her body landed in hot water Akeno felt her muscles relax and release all exhaustion she didn't know was holding. While her reserves recovered quickly she wasn't used to the physical strain that were the fights in the arena, not the close and personal variety at least.

Intellectually she knew that was normal, not even Twilight Healing could restore stamina, but Akeno really expected to be back at 100% since her mana was completely restored. It showed how little she actually knew about herself as while Akeno did exercise regularly, she was never pushed to her limits.

Except on the previous day where she went beyond every limit she had.

While relaxing in the bathtub, Akeno studied herself even more. When there were plenty of bubbles in the tub she began to relax and just enjoy the moment as her muscles rested. Thanks to the exercise from the previous day the rest was far more fulfilling than the ravenhead could ever hope.

Peace had come to her at last and Akeno didn't know she was missing it until she really began to relax, washing away all her problems and worries. It didn't last long, she couldn't just waste the day away in the tub nor intended to. If anything Akeno was curious about her new capabilities.

Her new limits. "Pity the only person I could talk about being a hybrid is a known terrorist." Remembering Vali, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Wouldn't that be a funny conversation? 'Hey cousin, I am a True Hybrid too'. Fufufu. 'What? You are my cousin. Can't see the family resemblance?' Wonder how everyone else would react…" Mentioning family brought other thoughts and she was impressed how easy it was to accept them. "Family… I suppose I have a lot of uncles and cousins now?"

All angels were direct children of God and by accepting one Akeno knew that she accepted them all. In fact it surprised her how easy it was to accept them.

Turning around the tub she used her arms to support her head. "Hmm~ Questions for later. Not like I will talk with most of them." Closing her eyes she could picture her father's face perfectly before growing uneasy. "Should I just…"

A few minutes later Akeno departed the bathroom and began to separate her clothes. As she was planning to mostly rest she tried to pick something normal after having dressed in her undergarments. The hybrid wasn't even sure her old training regime would work on her anymore.

Except that there was a part of her she still had to explore. "I am part fallen angel and this place is full with them." She commented while fitting a black bra. "And I need to know more about that part… But I am more than that too." Her chain returned, this time with a sphere at the tip. "Lightning, Thunder…" Focusing on the sphere she began to channel the power long since buried and forgotten. "Light."

And so it was as the darkness in her room was banished by her Light, fully manifesting itself throughout her whole chain. It felt nothing like her other Elements; not as savage as Lightning nor as unfocused as Thunder. Gentle and easy to control, Light embraced her just as much as Akeno did the same.

Then she cut the mana off just as her Lightning and Light began to mingle and a new power threatened to burst out. "No, no, no. Not yet anyway. Don't even know what Holy can do to me in these circumstances." Akeno wasn't going to risk it, no matter how a little voice in her head told her she would be fine. A sigh escaped her as she sat on the bed almost naked. "My father has it and for him it is safe but I am not him. I am not God's Lightning."

In her mind a voice, her own filled with curiosity, insisted that she at least tried. She was in her room, alone and the Holy Lightning was part of her nature and power, logically speaking it shouldn't be dangerous to her.

Another sigh held her back as everything she learned as a devil contradicted that. "If I didn't have an Evil Piece maybe it would be safer… Actually even thinking about taking off my Evil Piece is too big of a risk." The Queen suddenly realized with a giggle. "My, oh my. Did I get too excited or what?" Dropping on her bed, Akeno mused some more. "If God was still around I suppose I could ask… That is it! Medusa!. She can help."

The idea had merit and Akeno almost jumped out and ran around the facilities naked to find the goddess and ask for her assistance. It also made sense to her in a more amusing way since Medusa was the one that started her on the path to discover herself. The Arena provided the obstacles but the initial question came from the former Gorgon.

Just as she was about to reach the door Akeno chastised herself again. "No, you aren't giving everyone a show and you don't know what to ask yet." Then another idea bloomed in her mind and she laughed. "Then again, maybe just asking and not giving anything isn't fair. And I know something dear Medusa is sorely needing."

Looking at the clock again, Akeno suddenly grew extremely aware that she hadn't eaten anything.

Throwing some clothes on, just some jeans and a conservative top since she was planning to change for a more fitting attire later for what she was planning, Akeno walked to the lunchroom to grab a quick meal.

Despite having not eaten the previous 'night', too exhausted after the fights, and using a lot of her energy, Akeno didn't feel particularly famished. Her plate was still filled with some of her favorite foods as she treated herself for her victory, finishing with a strawberry cake for dessert.

Once she was done Akeno marched straight back to her room to change into suitable clothes for what she had in mind. Getting naked once again, she dug through her closet to collect the white and red uniform. The clothes that should belong to a miko but were instead used by a devil.

One of the few things she held because of her mother.

The ravenhead also knew they were actually not necessary for what she had planned but it had been a long time since she dressed in those clothes and if she was going to start a new chapter in her life she wanted them to be part of it.

Fully dressed once again Akeno directed herself to the mirror and imagined her mother by her side. A hand landed on her own image and the ravenhead saw her lost parent.

Himejima Shuri was a beauty in her own right, Akeno knew she inherited many of her mother's features and it wasn't hard to see the reflex as her even if the daughter knew she was more blessed on the chest department, thanks to her fallen angel heritage, and her much longer hair.

All memories Akeno had of her mother were of a kind but normal person, her but with shorter hair and far less contact with the moonlit world's side. 'Our family was supposedly blessed by the gods but did you lose that when you fell in love with my father?' Mused the young woman with a serious face even as 'Shuri' smiled. "Even if I can forgive him, I can't forgive your family, sorry."

Then Akeno blinked and the illusion was over, she was looking at herself dressed as a miko and no one else.

"Wish me luck, Kaachan." She still said just before departing the room.

Akeno made her way to the elevator and then to the main lab without hesitation, feeling stronger than before dressed as her mother and confident the woman would approve of her actions.

Shuri would be proud of the woman her daughter was becoming and Akeno refused to have it any other way even as she prepared to walk her own path. Still she also knew that her mother would be sad if she still hated her father and that was something the hybrid needed to deal with.

However she wasn't rushing on her actions and when the elevator opened Akeno realized she was comfortable with what she was about to do.

'I need to thank Medusa and talk with Azazel. Azazel first.' Akeno decided firmly, knowing the man waited long enough too. 'He is also family. Still a hard pill to swallow.'

And when the elevator opened she heard Azazel's voice exposing something out loud. "And that is why the moon is full of holes."

Then Shirou's voice cut through the lab. "You are telling me there is still a war going on? On the moon?"

"Pretty much." Azazel replied confidently.

Akeno walked into the lab to see the Cadre's smug face, Shirou ready to rip his own hair, a confused Xenovia sitting on a platform surrounded by wires, Medusa flipping a page from her book, Liz who looked close to fall asleep in her chair and the assistants from both camps looking unsure of what to do.

And then Shirou hit his head on the table which made Akeno giggle. "For the love of- Why are people fighting over the moon?"

"Have you counted how many moon gods are out there? There is a ton!" Azazel reminded him with mirth.

Which only made the redhead groan. "And that led you all to fake the moon landing. Why again?"

At that Azazel looked even more smug. "We didn't fake the moon landing, we replaced the images with a more safe and edited version. There is a difference." He folded his arms and nodded confidently. "I mean, do you have any idea how much work it took to put a crew, rehearse the whole thing and hold a ceasefire long enough to stage a peaceful moon landing?"

"How bad was the original?" Xenovia asked with morbid curiosity.

"Let's just say it was a good thing it wasn't live. It was supposed to be but someone in the American government remembered that there are at least 5 or so gods fighting over the moon all year round."

"Are you trying to trick me? Again?" Shirou finally asked, hoping against hope he was.

Azazel gave him a serious look and shook his head. "Nope. The moon is actually one of the most disputed territories in all dimensions. You can ask Sirzechs if you want confirmation." He chuckled at the deadpan stare Shirou was giving him. "Hey, one of the bright sides of not having a god, or not having a moon god at least, is that we aren't involved in that mess. Just need to run interference once in a while when someone like Tsukuyomi or Artemis pick a fight with each other. Earth needs the moon, after all."

The Mage knew he was telling the truth. "Goddamned." And hid his face on his hands, a headache incoming. "How many moon gods are there? And are they just fighting over our moon or are they also in the ones from Jupiter for example?" Horror filled his features and he looked at Azazel with true fear. "Please tell me nobody is fighting over the sun."

"By Father's beard hell no. That is too far for everyone. Takes me days to get there at top speed. That is why there is fighting over the moon, the others are too far." A pensive look later, the Cadre clicked his tongue. "Honestly? Just one moon was a design mistake. Then again if we had two or more I bet the gods would be fighting over them either way. Moon Divinities are mostly volatile… and violent…"

"Dated one?" Because Shirou recognized the tone.

With an amused grin, Azazel replied. "You made me promised to not talk about my exes anymore but if you want to know~"

"No, forget I asked."

While the discussion was going on, Akeno approached Medusa and greeted Liz before speaking with the goddess. "Do I want to know what this is all about?"

"The Noble Gears aren't panning out as they expected and the two started hashing out ideas to try and facilitate Durandal's 'upgrade', as they called it." Medusa turned a page. "Then one of the assistants suggested the moon as an energy source since its light has transformative energies. Something about a TV show giving them the idea."

Noting the goddess sounded a little bored, Akeno looked at the ongoing debate before her eyes returned to the purple haired girl. "And you find it boring?"

Lowing her book, Medusa gave the Queen a flat stare. "It was interesting 20 minutes ago before Azazel began to recite the Wars Over the Moon and how much of a mess that place is." Then she looked at Akeno and tilted her head. "Any reason why you are dressed like this? I thought you had outgrew the outfit."

"Fufu. When I was living at the temple I used it everyday, you know? A true miko." She did a small spin and held her hands beneath her bosom, lowering her head to Medusa respectfully. "What do you think about it?"

"Very stylish and suits you well. Not my favorite colors though." The goddess studied the outfit carefully, noticing how it really embraced Akeno's curves. "Any particular reason why you are dressed like that?"

Akeno was even more amused than before but managed to hold most of it beneath a mask that Medusa failed to see through. "Lots of them. Lots of them indeed." The touch of humor in her tone only made the goddess more suspicious. "Actually some of them are related to you." Clear amethyst eyes looked more confused than curious. "Yep, with you. The goddess Medusa. Aren't you technically a Japanese Deity now?"

"Since when?" The high pitch question got everyone's attention dn the purple haired girl blushed before glaring at the ravenhead who was all smiles. "What are you playing at?"

"Nothing at all~" The hybrid noticed Shirou approaching and her smile grew a tad bigger. "Can we talk about this in a bit? I need to take care of some things first." Still confused, Medusa waved her away before returning to her book, ignoring whatever teasing Akeno had planned. "Oh, one more thing; thank you for the advice."

Flipping another page, Medusa relaxed as the subject sounded more serious. "My protector informed me you managed to improve your way of thinking. Congratulations."

Respectfully Akeno bowed. "It wouldn't have been possible without your guidance. Now with your permission…" When Medusa didn't react, the Queen giggled and moved towards Shirou. "Hey."

"Hey, how are you? Already feeling better?" The Mage didn't bother hiding his concern. "You passed out just as Liz was putting you in bed."

"That reminds me." Quickly she turned to Liz and bowed again, just a little this time. "Thank you for carrying me, Sensei. Did you also change my clothes?"

"And gave you a small bath." Liz informed factually. "You're really tired."

"Once again, thank you. And thank you for letting me… do what I needed to do." She turned to the redhead in the room again who just shrugged. "Yesterday was fun. We should go out again some other time. And no, not to the Arena." Akeno giggled at his dumbfounded expression. "Like I said, that was a one time thing."

His shoulders dropped and his face relaxed in relief. "Well, glad it helped."

"That just isn't fair. She got to fight and I didn't." Xenovia commented petulantly yet there was a good nature smile on her face. "Say, Akeno, did you really fight in a lake of lava? Master was being skittish with the details."

"Oh yeah, the island we were on also fell apart so a single mistake and I would have melted." Akeno turned to watch how some in the room squirmed, most of her attention on the highest authority in present. Azazel looked like he had swallowed a whole lemon. "It was still one of the most fun fights of my life. All of them were."

Xenovia dropped from the platform and jumped on Shirou's shoulder. "Can't we really go back there, Master? I want to fight in lava too!" She began to swing Durandal around, the scenery already playing in her mind.

Shirou had to hold back or face palm even as he wanted to respect his newest lover's desire. "I don't know if you could since you don't feel like a devil enough to be registered." He said with a meaningful look towards Akeno.

Who promptly undermined him by saying. "We can find a lava lake and a few monsters if you want. No reason to get you in a tournament." The bluehead's interest and the redhead's dread had her giggling. "Rating Game's arenas are safer too so you won't have to worry about slipping and falling to your demise."

"But that is half the fun." Some snickers could be heard after Xenovia's statement.

"It is also an extremely dangerous hazard. There is a reason why Rating Games had lots of safety measures no matter the battlefield." Azazel felt safe enough to point that out before revealing a smug smile. "Then again, the truly powerful don't care about small things like lava and such. I am sure one day you will be able to take a bath in it."

"Really? We can?" If anything the idea was appealing to Xenovia.

However she was too eager and the Cadre almost retracted the statement. "Well, in your case I have no doubt you can do it once we get the Noble Gear working. Especially with Durandal as its core."

"Until then please no lava baths. For anyone." By the banging on his soul Shirou was sure that Bellerophon was telling him they could do it. Not that the redhead was willing to try. 'It is lava! I am not getting close to it unless I have to, thank you very much.' The answer he received was quickly identified as an insult. 'I am not whining. It is lava for the stars' sake!'

While the conversation was amusing Akeno needed to do a few things before fully setting herself in the path she had chosen and for a clean beginning the ravenhead knew some things needed to be said.

And as the new and improved version of herself, Akeno refused to stall. "Azazel, can I talk with you?" The question was innocent enough and the man was already nodding his consent. "In private." The Cadre eyes almost jumped off his head.

Alarm bells rang over Shirou's head almost immediately. "You want to talk with Azazel alone?" The question caught Medusa's attention and earned Xenovia's confusion for a moment.

A moment was enough for her warrior mind to remind the bluehead that Akeno never had stayed in a room with Azazel alone or even talked to the man unless someone else was in the conversation or at least around.

From all interactions between them that Xenovia observed, she was sure of something. 'I thought she hated fallen angels.'

But none was more surprised than Azazel himself. "Sure." It wouldn't last long for his mind was sharper than anyone else and had already processed everything in the span of a millisecond. "Do you want to talk now or…"

"Yes please."

"Akeno, are you alright?" Shirou asked again, his concern evident.

"Why yes, Shirou-kun. Perfectly fine. Never better." She gave him her usual smile and that just made him more suspicious.

"You are not going to challenge him to a fight, are you?"

Opening her eyes the hybrid blinked several times in surprise before giggling and replying. "Jumping the gun a bit, aren't you?"

"Considering yesterday? Because I omitted a lot of what you went through in that arena." Shirou's expression and tone were completely flat. "I swear I lost years of my life watching that mess."

"Now I really want to know what happened…" Medusa commented openly for everyone to hear.

Xenovia nodded her agreement wholeheartedly. "Master just gave us an abridged version and I didn't think much of it besides the lava lake."

That surprised Akeno. "Didn't he mention that I faced a giant devil?"

"Bah, you faced a giant, you faced them all." Said the former Exorcist dismissively. "Slow, too big for their own good, sometimes smart enough to use their size properly but those are rare."

"Gertrude is a professional fighter and she figured out how to become giant by using a process similar to turning into a Stray but without turning."

"That is a thing?!" One of the assistants asked in shock and Shirou couldn't help but nod in agreement with her words.

"Yeah but there was something wrong with that form…"

It was the ravenhead turn to nod in agreement. "Too much demonic energy isn't good even for pureblood devils. She was too unstable and lost her mind." Didn't take long for every devil there to start taking notes. "Power, speed, it was like she was Promoted to a Queen even without Evil Pieces but was getting more sadistic by the minute."

"Also I am pretty sure that wasn't coming from her own body." Shirou pointed out with a frown.

Which earned another nod from Akeno. "Her team was giving her raw demonic energy the same way someone can share mana."

"Demons could easily mutate their bodies when they were still around." Azazel observed with a pensive look. "Either by possessing someone or sharing a body, a demon could change their appearance at their leisure without negative consequences." Memories began to take hold of the Cadre's mind, dark memories. "Moving their heart or brains wasn't odd for demons of a certain caliber. Damn, the strongest one was a mass of… You know what? We are getting off track."

"Lord Azazel, I must insist that you continue." One of the devils stepped forward with a nervous face. He thought he was being brave. "Demons… They are akin to gods for us. If we can know more about-"

"Knowing about a dead race isn't going to bring Goetia back." Azazel quickly hit the nail in the head, shutting the devil up. "Most of the information is known by your top scientists. Go ask them but I won't say anything else…" At the fearful looks from some devils the fallen angel let out a sigh. "Goetia also was another thing entirely. Standard rules and knowledge never applied with them so anything that I say will be pointless." His focus shifted to Akeno who only looked curious. An amused roguish grin grew in his face. "So, do you want to just talk or should I prepare to go a few rounds?"

"No, just talk." The Queen turned to Shirou and held her hands up. "Can I borrow your 'privacy swords'?

The Mage looked confused for a moment until realization settled down. "The Instantaneous Boundary Field Creation Blades?"

"Privacy Swords sounds better." His lab partner couldn't help but chime in.

"I know the name sucks, alright? Just didn't think of anything better yet." Four swords were Traced in Akeno's hands. "You know you could just go to another room, right?"

"Are you saying it is fine if I leave your sight with Azazel? Aren't you afraid he is going to try anything?" Akeno asked in her more playful smile.

Chuckling and close to the point of laughing, Shirou replied with, "Everybody knows that, if anything, you are the one who is going to rip him in half. The Grigori needs their Governor General, you know."

"Humph, your concern is noted." Azazel commented with a smile before moving to the side of the lab, Akeno following his lead.

Much like the rest there were dozens of wires and computers working on something or another together with an anvil and some equipment for a forge. Nothing much really as there were others around but that section of the place was used by the smiths to try and replicate Shirou's metal through other means.

Not much success on that front and Azazel was growing more convinced that It was impossible but nobody wanted to give up just yet as they managed to create different kinds of metal.

When they were close enough to the wall, Azazel glared at his crew. "What are you waiting for, folks? An invite? Get back to work." All fallen angels did but the devils and Mage just stared. "Can't we have some privacy."

"Some, not much." Shirou replied easily and the Cadre was about to retort when Akeno stabbed the last sword on the floor.

"Couldn't let me have the last word?" Azazel asked with amusement while turning to Akeno who raised an eyebrow. "What? Something in my face?" Didn't take too long for his demeanor to turn serious. "Look, I sorry if about-"

"You did nothing wrong. None of you." Akeno cut him off with a harsh but honest look. "I have been… blaming you all for my mother's death for too long… It wasn't your fault. If anything, it was mine."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a second. Don't you dare to say that again. If you do, your father is probably going to kill me." Azazel flinched immediately at mentioning Baraqiel. "Right, sorry, I shouldn't-"

"The Himejima Clan, supposedly chosen by the gods, saw my birth as heresy." Akeno's smile was sad but still honest. "So it was my fault. I am a being… a person that shouldn't have been born." Raising her hand she stopped him from talking. "Please, don't interrupt me, let me finish. Please, Ojisan." His eyes grew wide in surprise but Azazel nodded in silence. "Thank you."

Taking a deep breath Akeno gathered her thoughts for a moment that seemed to extend into eternity. Just because she found her resolve that didn't mean taking the appropriate steps was easy. There was fear, confusion, anger and bitterness inside her she carried most of her life.

With another deep breath she let it all go, the young woman feeling clarity and resolve. "I, Himejima Akeno, Daughter of Baraqiel, am a True Hybrid." Saying the words made it all feel more real and while she saw that her uncle had dozens of questions she was grateful he held back. "My family, no, those people who should be family, hated me for it. Hated my mother for giving me birth. What they did… " She bit her lip, drawing some blood. "What they did…" Tears threatened to leave her eyes.

Nobody in the lab could see her, only Azazel could as she used his body as a shield to hide her display of emotion. The little girl who was chased and hunted for her birth wanted to connect, to finally find a real family. The young woman she became was just grateful the man in front of her did nothing but place a hand on her shoulder.

He wanted to hug her, to tell her their family would accept her fully regardless of what she was but didn't want to invade her space, to push more than he should as the woman in front of him worked hard to open her heart of her own accord.

A hand of support was too little for him but to her it was enough.

With the sleeves of her haori Akeno banished the tears. "They would have attacked us anyway. If it wasn't that day then it would have been another. You calling my father just… gave them the opportunity to do it." The look in his eyes told he wanted to say something but refrained at her request. Grateful, she giggled. "You can speak now."

"I should have insisted that my brother brought you to us." Azazel said the second she gave him permission. "Japan was under devil influence as its Pantheon focused on fewer places. Lots of old families would do anything to try and please them, even things they wouldn't approve of." He gently touched her cheek before retreating his hand, fearful he went too far. "When he told me he had a kid I should have insisted on moving you to our territory. Both you and your mother."

"Then they would have attacked us in transition and my father… my father would have to kill to protect us." While the present Akeno wouldn't mind that, she didn't want to think what her innocent child self would have to deal with if that happened. "One way or another there would be blood."

"But not your mother's blood." His fists began to shake. "If I was just more careful-"

"It wasn't your fault-"

"It wasn't yours either! True Hybrid or not." Never before had man been more glad for the boundary field. Even Azazel knew he had been too loud. "Sorry but please don't blame yourself. You were a child and I didn't know how fanatic those people were… I wonder why Baraqiel didn't kill them all yet."

Akeno decided to go with the reason why she didn't seek vengeance herself. "Because they are still my mother's family. Some of them didn't know better." Another deep breath later she was feeling way better. Didn't change the fact the script in her head had already gone out of the window. "Wasn't planning to talk about any of that."

Massaging the back of his neck, Azazel couldn't blame her. "This isn't where I wanted this discussion to go either. Damn, if I knew we would be talking about this I would be drunk."

"Can we even get drunk?" Never a drinker but curiosity caught her.

"I can if I drink Divine wine and other similar drinks. You thought…" He paused to look at the ravenhead, really look at her. "A True Hybrid huh? Not a devil?"

Looking to the side and massaging her right arm timidly, Akeno felt embarrassed. "Promise to not tell anyone?"

"For your secrets I will die first." Azazel wasn't kidding or playing around either. It was in his eyes how serious the subject was.

So Akeno told him a summary of what she discovered in the Underground Arena and how the Evil Piece was affecting her. "If anything I am a fake devil. Or a Faker to be more precise." She said, referring to how some people called Shirou once in a while.

"Sheesh. Yep, I could totally see that happening." Not what he expected but his mind easily caught up with the facts.. "As a True Hybrid you are really superior to everyone, at least biologically. Perhaps you only quote 'Reincarnated' unquote, because you were a child at the time." Azazel's eyes suddenly had an edge. "Also it was a good idea not to mess with it. If I am right then the moment you extract the Piece, if you really can do it, then you won't be able to put it back ever again."

"Then I will stop being Rias' Queen." At his nod, Akeno smiled. "That isn't going to happen, Ojisan."

"Suit yourself, just try to be happy. It is the secret for a more fulfilling life." Azazel said proudly. "So, about your dad…"

"Not so fast." Akeno was still smiling but there was a sadness in her eyes that both knew well. "While I am willing to accept myself, accept him… can you give me some time before we meet again?" Contrary to before her voice was now full of confidence. "After all I went through I think, no, I need to really prepare myself for when we are going to meet again." Then she relaxed a little. "But I wouldn't mind getting to know the rest of the family. The fallen angels back there, are they my uncles and aunts too or…"

"Those youngsters? They are your cousins. Distant cousins even." The Cadre smiled at her sadly. "Unfortunately I think the only uncles and aunts you have left are all in the Bible or in Heaven so good news, we are all famous."

"I see…" She did her best to hide any sadness behind a smile. What was left unsaid was how many of those weren't around anymore but obviously Azazel didn't want to talk about it. "By the way, I am going to change my training a little as well." Neither did she.

"Oho, really? Is that why you are dressed as a miko?"

"Also because I thought these clothes were the best for what I have planned."

"And what would that be?"

"It is a surprise~"

"Sure, sure."

"Fufufufufu." Shaking her head, Akeno remembered something else. "About the instructor you assigned me before-"

Azazel waved his hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about her. She was glad to have helped but I can understand if you want another instructor or something. Heck, since you are a True Hybrid I can even give some points since I helped Vali."

"Who is also my cousin, right? Distant or otherwise. Our family tree is a mess." Both laughed a little at the notion.

While Akeno's laugh was calm and refined, Azazel's was booming and uncontrollable. "That is what we get for having God as a Father. Or in your case, Grandfather." He saw the moment the information caught up with her and laughed harder. "Don't be like that, Lucifer was also a Son of God. Which also makes him your uncle. If that is an honor or not for a devil, that is up to you to decide." He concluded with a small wink.

Amused and with her spirits a little higher, Akeno shook her head and controlled herself. "That woman… I didn't even ask her name. I was being a bit of a brat." She acknowledged easily in highsight. "Can I talk with her personally?" The man winced. "Did something happen?"

If anything the question only made Azazel feel worse but the man was the Governor General of Grigori and wasn't going to be cowed by his niece or by his own mistakes.

Taking a deep breath the Cadre prepared himself for the potentially worse confession he would ever have to deliver. A really deep breath that took far longer than it should considering a man of his size.

But he was a fallen angel powerful enough that breathing was unnecessary so in reality the man didn't know when it was the appropriate time to speed sucking air or maybe was just stalling for his own benefit.

His niece had just called him family after all and Azazel didn't have many of those around anymore, at least not those he had some sort of relationship with since most of the time he remained the distant leader.

All that crossed his mind until he let out all the air he had taken in slowly, still stalling.

"Thanks for giving me a moment." Akeno's brown arched at the words as she patiently waited. "If we are going to have a good relationship, I think starting it with a lie is a terrible idea so here we go." Fiddling with his hands for a moment, Azazel slapped them together and lowered his head in apology. "Sorry, that was your father!"

He spoke too fast and was almost hard to understand. "What did you say?" However the disbelief in Akeno's tone showed it was clear enough.

Still he owned her a story, however short. "My brother wanted to help you… To spend time with you." Licking his lips, the man bit the bullet. "So to make sure he could at least have some contact I gave him a voice modulator and had him controlling your training room." There, he had done it. "I mean, I even gave him a fake name to give you and had a fallen angel with a similar voice on standby just in case you wanted to meet her personally but it never came up but, well, all lessons before were from my brother."

Azazel didn't dare to call Baraqiel her father, not yet at least and especially not when he feared the fury the young woman before him could unleash. Fact was he had tricked her, manipulated the situation to make it more bearable for his brother and it wasn't fair if he at least didn't come clean.

Preparing himself for the worse, the Cadre finished his confession. "Don't blame him for that, it was my idea. If you want to throw some Lightning at me then I can't blame you."

"Fufufufu." He was expecting hell and feminine fury, not a barely restrained laughter. "Is that why people call you Scapegoat? Because you make a habit of taking everyone's faults?"

"Thinking for a moment, maybe?" After thousands of years he can barely remember why the name stuck. Not what concerned him in the present. "Aren't you upset?"

"Oh, more than you can imagine. Still debating on taking your offer or not." Lightning sparking around her body for a moment. "But no, I am not going to throw a hissy fit or anything like that because, in highsight, it makes sense." The Lightning retreated and her genuine smile returned. "You are the kind of person that cares about your brother, all your siblings. Maybe if I haven't asked anything then this could have ended in nothing but you even offered the truth, free of charge."

"I wouldn't say free of charge. I just don't want you to not be mad at Baraqiel." Confessed Azazel.

Something that Akeno expected and even nodded in agreement. "Well, I don't think I can grow madder with him than I was but still don't like how you two tried to play me." A finger rested on her cheek as she let out a dramatic sigh. "Perhaps 'play' is too strong of a word but 'trick' can still qualify."

"Again, my idea."

"That he agreed to." Akeno wasn't letting him get away with anything, much to his remorse. "Noble intentions aside, if my… father isn't going to respect my space then he must be punished, don't you agree?" Azazel failed in replying, too stunned over how easily she said the word 'father'. "Let's see~ Hum, I think not talking to him was punishment enough but remember, keep him away until I am ready."

Nodding quickly, Azazel planned to do just that. "Right, sure. Don't worry. Baraqiel will be working with a VIP for a while and will be going wherever he wants to go. Maybe he will drop by Japan, the VIP likes to visit places like that," Akeno gave him a challenging look, "but- but, odds are that you won't ever see them even if they drop by Fuyuki."

That statement made Akeno doubt him a little. "Why did you say that?"

"Because your father is going to do everything for you to forgive him." Azazel replied confidently. "Niece, you have no idea how much guilt he feels over all that happened. No idea. If you wanted to see him or were a hostage for the devils in any way there would be no peace treaty that would stop him from leveling the Underworld to find you." He meant every word too. If anything, the person stopping Baraqiel from finding his daughter was himself. "I will explain to him that you aren't ready yet and everything is gonna be just fine. I promise"

"I think you are jinxing us with that promise." Either way Akeno was ready to accept the promise.

"Murphy Law and all that. Yeah, I know." Azazel wasn't there when the guy had the idea but when he first heard it the Cadre facepalmed and acknowledged that Murphy Law made too much sense to not be a thing. "Still, for you, my brother will move the heavens and earth. Until you are ready you won't see a hair if you don't want to."

"Great. Also you can't tell anyone I am a True Hybrid." That was what made the man hesitate. "I am serious, Azazel."

"'Azazel'? What happened to 'uncle'?" He sounded a little depressed.

With a small smile, Akeno explained. "After the stunt you pulled you will have to earn the title again." Then her face turned serious again. "Jokes aside, my true nature must remain a secret. There is no knowing how the Ancient Devils will react to it. Or at me staying as Rias' Queen."

Considering everything the man had to admit her caution was warranted. "Can't I tell your father?" Azazel asked carefully, making her pause before shaking her head. "Right then, won't tell anyone the truth but you have to be careful if any other True Hybrid pops up." Akeno's confusion was evident so he sighed. "If another shows up and isn't properly Reincarnated, or worse, suddenly stops being devils and reveals their true nature, it won't take long for everybody to suspect you are hiding your own."

She waved his concerns away. "Most will think I was just a fallen angel."

"With Holy Lightning and as powerful as you are? No they won't. You just need a paranoid old bastard to raise the alarm and people are going to ask questions. Uncomfortable questions." Her lack of concern was starting to worry him until he remembered something. "You are using your Holy Lightning, right?"

Akeno's playful smile made a grand return. "Not yet~"

At that point Azazel knew that no matter what he asked Akeno wasn't going to give him a straight answer about her own nature and how comfortable she really was with it. Experience told him that wasn't uncommon, she was just coming with terms with everything and her powers were part of the process.

"Fair enough." He decided to let go quickly, making Akeno pout. Obviously she wanted him to put up a fight. "Still, what about 'uncle'? I was looking forward to being the cool uncle for a change."

"Fufu, sorry but you are going to have to work for it." She turned around and quickly grabbed one of the swords.

The boundary field fell fast and Azazel barely noticed. "I never get to be the cool uncle. That just isn't fair." Then he noticed the echo around the lab and how everyone looked at him in silence. "You all heard that, didn't you?"

"Yep." Shirou elected to reply as Medusa turned a page loudly. "And you aren't cool enough to be the cool uncle."

"Right?" Akeno added playfully as the sword in her hand disappeared.

Matters were made harder for the Cadre when every devil in the room nodded in support. Were they trying to suck up to Shirou or just backing up Akeno he didn't know but the fallen angel was sure he couldn't win.

Surrender was Azazel's only option. "Father must be laughing wherever He is." He was pretty sure of it.

Akeno had already moved on from her uncle and returned to her friends. "Thanks for the privacy."

"No problem." Shirou nodded confidently. "Did you let everything out?"

"Not everything." Admitted the ravenhead. "But what I needed."

Then Xenovia came around and embraced Akeno's shoulders. "Does that mean we need to make a schedule while we share? Or are we going to sleep with Master at the same time?" The Mage let out a groan as the Queen freely smiled and devils and fallen angels alike glared at the redhead. "Ah, we also have to talk with Rias about it, right? She was the first so she got dibs."

While watching Shirou squirming was always fascinating for her, Akeno wasn't going to mislead Xenovia. "Unfortunately my relationship with him isn't at that level yet."

"Thank the stars!" Azazel praised, earning him a glare from his niece.

"We are taking things slowly." She concluded while looking at Xenovia.

"Gotcha. Just tell me when you want to spend the night with him."

"Do I get any say in this?" Shirou managed to ask and both girls looked at him, amused. "Guess not."

"Glad that is over but we have more things to discuss, more practical things." Azazel started quickly before he was pushed out of the conversation entirely. "My niece just revealed to me she wanted to change her training and, as the cool uncle I am-"

"Trying to be."

"-I want to know how I can help." Azazel ignored Liz even if his face didn't hide his surprise at her interruption.

The maid couldn't help herself. While she didn't know anyone who could be classified as 'cool uncle', Maya was always called the 'cool aunt'.

"Well~ I don't know if you can help with this. Actually I need to talk with my new instructor first to see what she thinks." Reasonable enough that had everyone nodding in acceptance, the whole room was shocked when Akeno marched towards Medusa and said. "So, what does my goddess have for me?"

None other than said goddess herself. "Wait, what?"

Akeno couldn't help but find the confusion on Medusa's face absolutely endearing. "Oh, but my lady, your instructions were fundamental for me to reach victory." She made sure her tone was as posh as possible. "Not only that but your wise words were my guide in my time of need-"

"You are teasing me." Closing the book, Medusa turned to challenge Akeno only to watch as the Queen sat in a seiza, making sure she was smaller than the goddess. The shift was sudden and with the previous words everybody knew it wasn't a joke. "Why?"

"You are a goddess, aren't you not?" Akeno lowered her head with a smile, hands touching the ground. "I am just showing you the warranted respect."

Medusa froze for a moment but just a moment. "You don't need to do this. All I did was give a little advice. You reached the proper conclusion and found your own path."

"Doesn't mean that I shouldn't be grateful. Nor that you don't deserve to be treated as the goddess you are." A sad look took over Akeno's features with a gentle but similar smile. "You aren't used to this, are you? Being worshiped?"

A heartbeat later the goddess looked like an animal searching for an escape route. "Why would anyone worship me? I am a goddess of nothing."

"I wouldn't say that. You are a goddess of Beauty-"

"One of hundreds."

"Snakes-"

"More like a monster."

"And better than most gods out there because you know us monsters." Akeno's words shocked the whole room but her eyes were only on Medusa. "Being a monster doesn't make someone bad, nor did you who became one to protect your family." She waved at herself. "Do you like my clothes?"

"This again? I already answered that question." Medusa was happy to just change the subject.

"But as a goddess to a faithful, do you like these clothes?" Medusa was stunned into silence. Akeno gave her a moment before shrugging her shoulders. "Well?"

"Those are- they are Japanese in origin." Finally the goddess took a hold of herself. "And I am not a Japanese goddess."

"Hum~ I disagree with that. You were brought from another culture to our land and spent a good time there helping more than harming." Akeno sounded quite smug. "Isn't that how gods move around?"

"Usually it is like that, yes." Said the person who brought her and by Medusa's glare she didn't appreciate Shirou's input. "Does she get extra points when a person of the land brings her home."

He asked Azazel who, while confused, chuckled before replying. "Are points followers or something? Perhaps a couple of myths? 'The Gorgon Queen and the Island Invasion'?" The goddess glare intensified but he didn't care. If his niece wanted dMedusa flustered that's what she was going to get. "Traditionally it should be a merchant ship or someone who studied her proper means of worship who should bring her to a new land."

"I studied her during the trip back to Japan, does that count?"

"You were just asking me questions, my protector!"

The redhead shrugged. "Isn't questioning the basis of any study?"

"That- I-"

"Medusa-sama." Akeno sounded more respectful than anyone else ever heard her be. "I would like to pray for you, if you don't mind."

Immediately the goddess' mind went to other matters. "I am not taking the Throne of Heaven."

"That is fine." Akeno replied swiftly. "Devil, remember? I am not praying to God or the Goddess you are going to be." There was a faith there, a belief Medusa could do it. More so than the goddess had in herself. "But to the goddess you are today." The Queen concluded gently, touching one of the girl's small hands. "So, if you don't mind, can I believe in you?"

Sobering up faster than she expected, Medusa's amethyst eyes focused on Akeno's violet. "Are you sure that is what you want? It would be just you, not enough to call it a religion."

Akeno shrugged her shoulders again. "We have to start somewhere." Then Medusa's grip in her hand grew tighter and she tried to pull the ravenhead to her feet. "Huh?"

"Stand up, I don't like people kneeling." That was the Olympian way, not hers. Either way Akeno did as commanded with a small smile. "... I confess that I never had to do this. Sure I had followers but that was with my sisters and they… they were better at this guidance thing."

"Oh, I don't know~ You certainly know your stuff. Especially about fighting." Giving Medusa something she couldn't deny clearly helped with her confidence but Akeno wasn't done. "Anyway, as your priestess I will help you in any way I can. One step at a time."

Blinking quickly, Medusa managed to react before anybody else got a word in. "You are my priestess now? Don't remember giving you the job."

"Since when do gods appoint their faithful? As far as I know, most of the process is amongst ourselves." Akeno mused whimsically. "Same way when a woman decides to become the knight of a stubborn fool."

"Preach on, sister." Xenovia said loudly, making some of the room laugh even as others stared at the event nervously.

Medusa didn't know what to do but deep down in her Core she felt something click. Like a piece of a puzzle that was missing, Akeno's sincere words and real devotion became part of a picture she didn't know was there. That the purple haired goddess couldn't see but knew for a fact it was more complete.

Either way, her course was set. "The first ones... The first one, I shall name." Medusa said loudly, power being carried in each syllable. "Henceforth you shall be Himejima Akeno, High Priestess of Medusa and my Representative in all matters." There was a shock in the area, almost like a silent explosion had shook the world but only in that room. "When you speak and I say so, you speak for me. When I command, I expect it to be done. In return… In return I shall teach my ways. To hunt… to think… to feel in manners only we can comprehend."

A warm feeling raced on Akeno's arm and made its way to her chest, her senses told her it was a fraction of Medusa. Be either power or mana she was unsure but the hybrid let it in and connected with the deep of her being.

Her own soul sang and if her true wings opened for all to see they would have witnessed something majestic.

Akeno could feel the change, the completion of her being in a way that only pure angels would be able to describe.

And would still fail for it was beyond description.

"I hope you are ready." Medusa continued with a confident smirk which would fit perfectly a predator or a warrior ready to march for war. "My protector informed me more than once that I can be really demanding when I want to."

"Goody. Feel free to punish me if I am too bad." Akeno just couldn't help herself.

Medusa felt an eyebrow twitch and saw the Queen's smile grow larger. "You do realize that is a thing gods do, right?"

With a flourish of her hand Akeno placed it below her bosom and lowered one knee slightly. "But you are a merciful and kind goddess. I am sure any punishment will be fair and perhaps enjoyable."

A part of Medusa made her lick her lips, much to her surprise. "Perhaps." Immediately it was gone, much to the goddess' confusion. "Or I can just make a rule that you can't tease me." Akeno's pout was all the answer she needed and Medusa quickly felt bad about it. "Just don't do it too much."

Her smile returned swiftly and Akeno repeated the previous gesture. "Yes, milady."

"And no 'lady' either. For some reason I never felt comfortable with that title." Admitted a pensive goddess. "It feels right but at the same time, not."

Clapping his hands, Azazel took a confident step forward. "Well, congratulations either way, for the creation of a new religion. Or the return of a old one." He chuckled at the thought of such a thing starting in the Underworld of all places. "You know you would have way more followers if-"

"Akeno, as my High Priestess, if Azazel finishes that sentence, send a storm in his direction." Her tone was flat and devoid of mercy.

Contrary to Akeno who sounded all too eager to carry the order. "As my goddess commands."

Stepping back a little, the Cadre raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Got the message loud and clear. Still, congratulations are in order, niece." His smile was as playful as it was mischievous. "Now everyone gets to call you the Pope of your own religion."

"I hope you two are ready for the responsibilities of it." Shirou decided to add his own input. "Creating dogmas, writing rules, holding masses to get new faithful." By the looks of things Akeno hadn't considered any of that yet. "I mean, it won't be just you two, right?"

"What do you mean, my protector? You are part of it too." It was Medusa's turn to smile playfully.

"Wait, what?" Dread filled his being.

"But of course. You are my protector and part of my Legend. Surely you belong in it too." Her beautiful smile looked more like a venus trap to the redhead. "Maybe not on the same level as my High Priestess but you are part of it, one way or another."

Shirou blinked and let out a sigh. "I won't get a say in it, will I?"

"Nope." Her redhead protector properly cowed Medusa's attention turned to her newly appointed High Priestess. "We also need to change those garbs."

Immediately Akeno was on guard. "What is wrong with my outfit?"

"Enough gods already use it in your- our land. I want something for myself. In different colors at least, perhaps with more freedom of movement."

Perhaps it was pride that had Akeno defending the traditional vests of a miko. "The hakama is perfect for mobility and protection against the elements."

"Protection yes but it needs more mobility. Or didn't you want me to teach you how to fight." She held her dress to how there was nothing binding it to her legs, giving her perfect movement. "Then you better get ready to fight like a snake."

"What exactly does that mean?" One of the devils asked another in a whisper but the Goddess of Snakes heard him loud and clear.

"That flexibility and speed are essential. To chase, to hunt, to bite and devour as a proper serpent should. Consider that my first Commandment." Her eyes bored into Akeno's own and the ravenhead could already tell that the training would be painful.

She gulped hard but wasn't going to retreat even as something told her, 'Why suddenly I feel that I should have taken gymnastics when I was younger.'

"Can I read your Bible when you finish writing it?" Xenovia asked with obvious interest and a boundless enthusiasm that froze Medusa.

"Bible?" The purple haired goddess managed to ask as Azazel held his laugh back just barely.

"Of course. You need a way to spread your word and rules. I was always interested in reading the wisdom of other gods and now that I am not part of the Church anymore it is kinda interesting." Then the former Exorcist blinked and turned to Azazel. "Is that still called a Bible when it is for other gods or it is just for God?"

"Meh, works well enough. Even if it is more a combination of thousands of texts from hundreds of people." Azazel started with a shrug. "Father began the whole thing with… messages through dreams? Sorry, I had Fallen already at that point so I only have conjecture. If you want more, get Michael."

While he kept an eye on the mess that was the development of the original Bible and its subsequent iterations, Azazel stopped paying attention when one thing became clear: Free Will meant even God's Word could be distorted.

As someone once stated 'the Bible wasn't sent from the Heaven's by fax'. Its texts were written by human hands, sometimes with God's guidance sure, but for the most part by just human hands alone.

Those could lead to a plethora of things to ruin how the texts, excluding the letters and other parts of it which were more personal, should be written. And they did, some for interest, others for malice, others because they didn't know better. People had their own opinions and since God couldn't touch on Free Will those got priority over dreams.

It didn't matter how harsh was the glare Medusa threw in his direction either, he saw it was cute more than anything anyway, there was little that he could do. "Glaring at me won't help you. It was the sort of book that was written over hundreds of years and technically it is still being written." He shrugged again to accentuate his point. "So yeah. Or you could go Father's route with the Commandments and write everything yourself."

Went unsaid that even those were objects of contention in some sects.

However the point still remained since they were the most consistent part of the Abrahamic religions. Altered or not, even if not word for word, all of them had the Commandments in a way or another.

Suddenly the prospect of leading a new religion for herself looked extremely dreadful. "Crude."

"Ah~ Even your curses are adorable." Azazel couldn't help himself.

"My Priestess." The roar of Thunder was the reply.

When it came to Azazel, goddess and priestess were in sync.

…..

Of all the rooms in the Vault of Prosperity there was no doubt that Medusa's was the largest one with two floors for her to use and adjusted to her preference once the goddess took her time to say what she wanted.

It wasn't just books, of those there were many anyway with titles exotic in any dimension, but there were some bars and posts to simulate trees mixed at a high temperature that could be classified as uncomfortable.

For many beings that weren't snakes at least. Those filled her room almost completely, serpents of every size starting from a simple garden snake to a giant python capable of swallowing a child whole.

All of them purple, all of them with amethyst eyes and all of them creations of the goddess who took her time giving life, power and intelligence to all of them. Over the last month Medusa even released some in the forests around the Gremory to see how her 'little ones' dealt with the Underworld's fauna.

Suffice to say many died while others were thriving since unlike Fuyuki were they measly camouflage abilities could assure their survival in a city, the predators in the Underworld didn't take kindly to invaders.

While the deaths of her creations bothered Medusa, that was the law of the jungle and she wasn't going to seek vengeance of any sort. The goddess just made the next snakes she created stronger before sending them out while using the weaker ones to either watch over the Vault or keep her company.

Most days she receives news, a sort of telepathic pulse, with the deaths or triumphs of her creations but those weren't the kind of followers that Medusa needed to worry or even care about.

Despite no longer being a part of her power, those snakes were still Divine Beasts even if not the strongest ones. With a command she could have them jumping, attacking or destroying themselves even if she was dimensions away or ignored them for centuries while they reproduced.

As part of her Domain, even their offspring would obey the Goddess of Snakes above else as they weren't neither strong nor smart enough to break free from her grasp even after thousands of generations.

Always loyal, always following their instincts and living their best life. That was the Fate of Medusa's snakes unless she said otherwise or something else cut their lives short.

Obviously the same thing wouldn't apply to worshipers, those who had Free Will and chose to follow her for reasons Medusa herself failed to comprehend. Even if at the moment she only had one.

Cue to her current dilemma. "Naaaarh! What an annoyance!" The snakes watched as their 'mother', she didn't like being called that, ripped a sheet of paper from a notebook before crumbling it and throwing it in an already full thrash bing. "Fuuuuuu, this is just impossible." Medusa slammed her forehead on the table, frustrated.

The snakes turned to each other before turning to the oldest of them, their leader per their 'mother' orders and the one who receives reports from all the other snakes about the comings and goings on the Vault of Prosperity before informing the goddess about anything relevant.

So far there was nothing but the idea was new and one that Medusa planned to implement in Fuyuki once she got back anyway. If that particular snake would keep its job or be released before her departure was for the goddess to decide but it would accept any decision regardless.

All of them lived for the 'mother' and all cared about her well being so they all were obviously concerned and defaulted to their leader to do something.

And something it did, moving towards its creator until arriving at the desk where she was working before lifting its body enough to look Medusa in the eyes. Its forked tongue and hiss expressed concern not only for itself but for all of its brethren and to garner the goddess attention.

Medusa turned to the snake, fixed her posture and began to pat its head. "Sorry for worrying you, little one." Another hiss was the reply. "For worrying you all. I apologize." She scratched its chin, earning a pleasant hiss. "Ah, if only others were just like you. Then again, that is hardly fair. You were once part of me."

Their birth began as training to test her limits, something Medusa realized she needed to understand ever since the Kokabiel's stunt. Her home back in Fuyuki and all the neighborhood was full of snakes who kept to themselves and by extending her will Medusa could see all the area.

It wasn't enough and not even close to what she needed. Being able to create an army was useless when the army was mostly weak unless she poured a lot of energy in them. Energy she wouldn't be able to use herself if an enemy went for her and the kind which would be hard to hide as the more she poured the bigger the snakes got.

Bigger and smarter. The one she created to fight weeks ago in the Gremory Castle was one of the smartest snakes she ever gave life to. It could plan, observe and anticipate her orders even when she was too busy to give a command. Pity it was dead but again that was the law of the jungle.

Throughout her weeks in the Vault, every night Medusa created more snakes, trying to make them smaller but wiser without putting too much power in them. She also tried to adjust other characteristics like eye and scale color without much success while venom seemed to be missing from her arsenal.

Still they were perfect followers, obeyed every order without hesitation or question and once she cut them loose, let them live their own lives, the goddess knew they would still follow her teachings regardless.

The same couldn't be said about her new worshiper and those that may come after. "If only things were simple." A questioning hiss interrupted her musings. "Sorry little one, I was just thinking about Akeno and other possible followers that may join you… or be part of our cult?" A frown quickly marred her face. "No, I don't like that word, 'cult'. Religion is still better." Still the first snake she created in the Vault remained concerned. "How do I put this? My beliefs are engraved in your being. She doesn't share that because I didn't create her, she chose to follow me."

Suddenly all the snakes in the room hissed in irritation or pleasure at the news someone else recognized the 'greatness of their mother'. While Medusa could capture all her creations' senses with a little focus, they needed to communicate with each other so it was the first time they heard the news.

However that wouldn't do. "Silence." She didn't need to be vocal but it was easier and the snakes all stopped hissing to stare at her. "Yes, she is now… one of us. In a sense. She is also different." And that was both a boon in a curse from what Medusa could feel.. "Perhaps others will join her in the future. But since they aren't born from my power, they need other means to understand my intentions. To receive my guidance." Tapping the papers in her desk, the goddess tried to focus on thema again. "So I must write laws for them and make sure they are the best to express my interests while looking for their well being."

Once more the oldest snake hissed loud and all the others grew quiet while Medusa stared at her oldest creation in the Underworld. It expressed its concerns, as best as a snake could, all the while giving her the pros and cons of having 'two legged' join their 'nest' as the snakes turned to call it.

Despite understanding every word, Medusa needed a minute to process everything and nod her head. "Regardless, I have already accepted her and won't change my mind." With a hand on her chest, now entering the realm of A cup as the girl grew a little, the goddess closed her eyes in contemplation. "Besides, something changed again. It was not like last time I found a piece that was missing but… Like a new piece had fitted in place. A piece that didn't exist before."

There were other reasons as well, reasons that made Medusa both embarrassed and pleased at accepting Akeno and starting to spread her religion. The first effect presented itself right after they all went to dinner.

When Akeno started to thank for her food, Medusa found herself hearing the prayer more clearly than ever before. She did nothing different and yet there was more than just a simple costume or habit nor was something the goddess ever experienced when she shared followers with her sisters.

Like if her priestess had spoken the words with such an intent that they came out with some sort of melody that was only for her.

For the first time since she could remember Medusa had a prayer, however small, reach her Core.

A true representation of Faith that Akeno offered without expecting anything in return and just to show how thankful she was for Medusa for reasons the goddess still couldn't understand.

But it was a nice feeling, a real nice feeling that strengthened her Core in new ways that had nothing to do with her Authorities. It was instead her existence as a goddess that grew and she now could understand why so many gods fought wars to keep their followers. It was a rush, a power source that she never had the chance to tap while sharing with her sisters but now it was all hers.

What she didn't know was that Akeno's existence as a True Hybrid combined to her ascension to priesthood also had an effect but Medusa would suspect something like that sooner or later.

'And if I took the Throne of Heaven. All those prayers…' Now that she knew the rush, the thought was an appealing one. However Medusa quickly mastered herself and dismissed the idea, the image of Athena popping in her mind. 'Is she the original goddess or just her enemy.'

Pushing past the fog of insanity Medusa remembered that Athena needed her help with something. Be either to gain more power by their union or perhaps to turn Medusa into a weapon of some sort the purple haired goddess didn't know. All she knew was that she wasn't dragging anyone into her fight.

Scratching her oldest creation on her head, Medusa pondered what the Goddess of War could have planned. "I won't return to Greece anyway but forgetting about Athena is folly."

A good reason as any to be prepared and if getting more worshipers was going to help her Medusa was all in for it.

She wasn't planning to have any of them fight, if there was even a fight for she didn't know her fellow goddess intentions, but the Goddess of Snakes was going after every other advantage she could get.

And for that she needed to set some rules straight or let her followers do it for her. "At least I had a decent start…"

Two rules were all she managed to write after dinner, the whole process lasted five hours so far to culminate on just these two rules: don't harm a snake unless it attacked first and don't tease people about their size.

In Medusa's opinion, it was a great start. "Maybe I should just copy whatever God used. If I do end up getting His job-" A knock on the door interrupted her musings, hers and every snake's head turning towards it before her eyes moved to the clock in the wall. "Huh, a little late." A hiss from the oldest snake warned of danger but she shook her head. "No, I think I can guess who it is."

With a wave of the goddess hand the door opened and all the snakes watched the tall and muscular man take a step into the room as the oldest snake positioned itself for Medusa to sit in his center, both giving him a better position to extract her if needed while giving her a more intimidating position.

Sure enough, thanks to the oldest snake, Medusa was sitting one full head taller than the man who was standing at his full height and hit two meters of height. To every snake in the room he cut an intimidating figure but not to Medusa who, thanks to her little ones, already knew the man was going to show up sooner or later.

Immediately after entering the room, the man kneeled. "Lady Medusa."

"Baraqiel. Earlier than I expected." Her eyes shifted to the clock for a moment before returning to the Cadre. "Late hour aside. Good for you I wasn't sleeping or else I would be very cross at this moment."

"My apologies but this is the only hour I feel safe coming to this floor." Baraqiel lowered his head further. "I do not know if you are aware but my daughter-"

"She doesn't want to see you just yet, I know." Medusa studied the fallen angel carefully. In her reduced state the man could still annihilate her before any alarm could be raised. Not that he would but she couldn't help herself. "Are you here because of recent developments?"

"Yes." Admitted Baraqiel, his head still low.

Not unexpected by Medusa. "Her goddess or not, I find that forcing people to do something which they don't desire is a fast way to make enemies. You must be aware of that." The words were said with little sympathy. "So don't ask me to force her to spend time with you nor to let go whatever anger holds her heart."

"I would never, my lady. My daughter's decision… I will respect it and wait for her, however long it takes." His voice was sincere and carried all the love of a father who just wanted to embrace his little girl. It was also full of guilt for Baraqiel was also struggling with his own demons born of what he perceived was his failure. "Neither do I have any problems with her following you."

"Or, is that so? I would have thought someone like you was still a little devoted to his Father as you Fell for your family."

"True but perhaps one day you shall be our Mother, perhaps not." The second part was said quicker to avoid Medusa's irritation. "Yet when we Fell, we did so to follow our own hearts and desires. If you are the goddess that my daughter wants to follow, I shall accept it, Mother or not…" For the first time their eyes met and Medusa saw the similarities between father and daughter. "On the contrary, I am here to offer my services if you so desire."

The wording felt odd to Medusa and her instincts quickly clarified what was the problem. "Services but no devotion?"

Baraqiel lowered his gaze again. "You are right. Deep down I am still one of my Father's angels. I just… Unless you become Mother, I cannot, shall not, worship you as I once did Him." Then his eyes met hers again. "However, that doesn't mean I can't be of use to you. All I ask is that you help me keep my daughter safe."

For years his failure gripped his heart and Baraqiel wanted to do something, anything, to avoid tragedy repeating itself in any way he could. As Akeno didn't want his presence in her life, there was little he could do until that moment, the moment his daughter found a goddess to follow.

Still, said goddess didn't understand what he wanted. "She is to be my High Priestess once I have more worshipers. Hardly a position that will be sent to wars and such."

"But it can happen. The World is a big place, full of dangers and I have no doubts you will have enemies and won't be able to defeat them yourself."

For she was a reduced goddess, both knew that. "And is it for those fights you are offering your services for?"

"That and more if you want but I have one request." Joining his hands together, Baraqiel's head slammed the floor, completely prostrating himself to Medusa. "Please, give my daughter power."

"Power?" Obvious confusion filled Medusa's tone. It wasn't an unreasonable request and something she was already planning to do in a sense. "That isn't a problem. I was already going to teach her better energy manipulation and how to channel her Elements like a god would."

That wasn't enough for Baraqiel knew the true extent of what a god could give if they so desired. "As her goddess, you can give her blessings beyond her lessons, comprehension of things above mortal comprehension, Divine Artifacts capable of Miracles-"

"Let me stop you right there!" Medusa's fury was palpable and her oldest little one raised her higher while the other snakes glared at the intruder in their sanctum. "The last Artifact I had, the one thing made from my sisters' and my power, is gone. Already used to make my Gift to my protector." Relaxing on her seat, the goddess calmed down while the man remained silent. "I am sorry but I know no method to just empower someone that wouldn't involve giving them my blood and that isn't happening." It wouldn't be safe either for her or Akeno.

But Baraqiel already expected that hesitation and Medusa's lack of knowledge of what she could do. "Then give me a Quest."

"A Quest?" Something inside her shivered, something pleasant. "What is this Quest you speak of?"

"A mission, a job, something nobody had done before or that can be done in your service." Calmly explained the fallen angel. "Through a Quest I can either collect ingredients or accumulate favors so you can grant me a boon. It can be something simple like killing your enemies or finding a treasure you are missing."

"My enemies are gods of which if you attack would result in your death at least, outright war at most." An image of Olympus, Athena, Zeus and Poseidon crossed her mind. While it would be good to get rid of them, she doubted Baraqiel would be able to. "It would be cruel to send you in such a suicide mission."

"Then ask something else, something hard that nobody ever did. The more difficult the better." Baraqiel was desperate, the snakes in the room could feel it. "Anything to make sure Akeno is safe."

Medusa searched deep in herself, in her Core, to try and understand what she needed to give a Quest in the first place. Her Divine instincts told her Baraqiel wasn't lying and as such she could already send him to do virtually anything. Also, they told her, difficulty was paramount for a bigger reward.

"If I ask for something nobody has ever done before, it will create something greater, correct?"

Baraqiel nodded. "If it is something that benefits you as well then the boon will be better. Other gods confirmed that the more pleased they were with the Quest, the better was the reward they could craft or give." Obviously the man did his research. "Please, ask for anything and I will see it done, whatever the cost."

Stopping to think for a moment, Medusa spent a minute debating the pros and cons while Baraqiel remained sitting there, waiting for her judgment. The idea had merit and was something she heard many gods did for a reason or another and it would be lying to say she wasn't interested.

Journeys of heroes doing great deeds in the name of the gods and earning a reward were a dime a dozen. Sometimes it wasn't a journey even, just an action in the right place at the right time was enough to earn a more kind god's boon. Nothing much, just survival or a favor or a healing but still a boon nonetheless.

That explained why Baraqiel wanted something difficult, he wanted something powerful enough to help his daughter who while powerful in her own right wasn't stronger than the man before Medusa.

He wanted something to close that gap. "Difficult, you said?"

Happy with the question, Baraqiel allowed himself to smile. "Yes milady."

"Difficulty is relative. To someone of your power, it will have to be a monumental if not annoying task. Do time limits affect Quests?" He nodded and Medusa hummed in thought. "Then the shorter the better?"

"That sounds correct…" Even though he was uncertain, that was fine.

It would add to the difficulty. "You will have until I depart from the Underworld." She felt power in her words like when she was accepting Akeno. Not much, but enough to prove something was happening. "When I return to Fuyuki the Quest will have failed."

The man accepted the rule without hesitation. "And the Quest?"

Now Medusa was stuck in a conundrum as she had no idea what to say or any kind of challenge that would be worthy of a fallen angel of Baraqiel's caliber. Sending him to fight something would be the easiest option but the man was powerful enough that she doubted any opponent she could think of would be a worthy adversary.

She was already debating asking for more time to think on a Quest because no good idea came to mind. Worse yet her Core seemed to reject some of her suggestions.

While Baraqiel remained stoic and said nothing, the snakes in the room watched their goddess with concern as the silence was deafening. Not knowing what the fallen angel was and feeling his power made matters worse for them as they feared he had done something to their creator.

It was just that she didn't know enough about Quests to give a proper one so Medusa kept going in circles, trying to find the one idea that her mind and soul would accept.

Fortunately Baraqiel suspected as much. "If I may?" Amethyst colored eyes snapped back to reality and she nodded to the fallen angel. "It must be related to your Domain, to your Authorities as a goddess."

It made sense to Medusa and once he said it was obvious what she wanted to do. Her soul was singing at the new thoughts in her mind, an idea that could help herself and Akeno, her High Priestess even if the title didn't mean much at the moment. That would change, Medusa would see to that.

"If you need some time-"

"No, you gave me an idea." The goddess relaxed in her creation's back and petted its head, pleasing the creature. "Fufufu, it is just a matter if you can accomplish that mission. You certainly have the power to do so but restraint is going to be more important." Baraqiel remained silent, waiting for the Quest he would only have a little over two weeks to accomplish. "Go around the World and all its dimensions and collect as much venom, skins and scales from snakes as you can manage."

"'Skins and scales'?" Surprised, the fallen angel asked just to be sure.

"Yes." Medusa played with her oldest creation a little before ordering it to place her down. Moving her hair, another snake was born from her locks, smaller than her hand. "Observe."

Purple mana flowed from the goddess to her new creation and the other snakes sang a mournful song as the small creature began to change shapes until it didn't resemble a snake anymore but a small purple vase with snake-like images carved in it.

Medusa approached Baraqiel and offered the vase. "Unfortunately it is dead. I dislike using this ability but would have no problems using it on parts discarded by serpents once they grow too much or are unnecessary." Baraqiel took the vase in his hand, noticing how small it was. "I remember creating something for my protector using my treasure, the only Artifact I had. Over the last few months I felt inspired by his magecraft to Alter objects and worked to repeat my previous feat only to realize I am too weak or too limited to work with anything other than snakes."

Baraqiel was starting to understand where the goddess was going with that logic. "If I collect enough skin and scales then you can build Akeno an armor similar to the Mage of Swords'."

"No, I can not." Medusa shot down that thought immediately. "I can only make pretty things, like my Gift which is the most beautiful jewel on the planet." The vase was very similar, a masterpiece with no artist. A gift from a goddess. "However, if you do a good job, I am sure it will have special powers. Maybe then it will become armor or maybe it will just give Akeno power. Honestly, I can't say. Still want to take the Quest?"

"For my daughter." Replied immediately Baraqiel who looked as determined as before. "I will depart immediately."

"Calm down, I still need to give you the rules for the Quest. After all, it needs to be difficult and you are a very powerful man." The reminder was only half playful and Medusa moved to sit down again. Her oldest creation swiftly moved to give her a seat. "First things first, that vase will help you in your Quest. I am pretty sure that it will be able to hold anything that once belonged to a snake and it has unlimited space." The fallen angel's eyes grew wide and the goddess chuckled. "Don't look so surprised. Some sacred gears can do the same, it was from there I got the idea. Only that it is unable to store anything living so don't try it."

"Of course milady." If it was similar to sacred gears then Baraqiel already knew whatever he stored in the vase could theoretically last as long as the vase itself did. "Does this Divine Artifact only work with snakes and their belongings?"

Medusa nodded with a face of frustration. "Unfortunately I am still reduced. Ask again when I am greater." Then her face recovered some humor. "Now, as a proper rule for the Quest, you can't kill a snake. Not a single one." The goddess stated, raising a finger to point at the ceiling. "If you do, and I will know you did, then the Quest failed. You must either retrieve the skins after the snake shed them naturally or find ones already discarded."

That could be a problem and Baraqiel could see how the time limit suddenly became far more important. "Does any snake work?"

Searching in herself, Medusa immediately found the answer. "Yes but that also depends on how much power you want your daughter to have and how much you are going to give to me." She motioned around the room to all her creations. "Technically speaking, despite their different sizes and even colors, all snakes here are the same species. If you were to offer me the skins of each and every one of them, it would be worth just one."

It clicked in the fallen angel's mind that the challenge was greater than anticipated. "So the more varied the skins I bring, the more power you will be able to use." Medusa nodded and Baraqiel knew he would search how many species of snakes existed in the various dimensions of their World. The Internet would help with some, not all. "Do their power influence the Quest?"

"The more powerful, or poisonous, or rare, or anything that makes that particular snake special, the better." Medusa said with certainty, touching her oldest creation again. "That is why my little ones won't help much; I can make them on a whim so to me their skins aren't special. If anything they are more of a hassle to clean up."

At least in the Vault of Prosperity she had help dealing with that but once she was back in Fuyuki Medusa knew she would either have to figure out how to make snakes who didn't shed their skins or ask her friends for help.

"And Legendary serpents? Do they also count?" Baraqiel's question surprised Medusa who nodded slowly.

"Of course. Their power would greatly benefit me and Akeno in turn." Then Medusa felt some clarification was necessary, for her conscience's sake. "I promise you that I will put most of it in the efforts to create something great for your daughter but I can feel in my Core that just taking a little of every snake will make me… more is the only word that comes to mind."

"As my daughter's goddess, you don't need to explain anything to me. Not while she is safe." There was a threat hidden in the words but the former Gorgon found it more amusing than anything.

While Baraqiel was powerful, Medusa knew any of the 12 Olympians was by far his superior and those were the enemies that perhaps she would have to face someday. Truly she hoped that day never arrived but much like with her thoughts about Athena; not preparing would be folly in the goddess mind.

So she shrugged the threat off. "You can come back whenever you have enough skins."

"And how many are enough?"

Fixing her braid, Medusa giggled at the question. "That is to your discretion. You can collect only one, come back here and I will do my best. Maybe my soul will consider it enough to call the Quest complete." She sounded uncertain but honest. "However, quantity has a quality of its own in this case."

"But quality itself still matters…" Baraqiel finally understood the challenges of the Quest and what the goddess meant with restraint.

On one hand he could, under the rules of not killing any snake, hunt down and collect the skins of the most exotic creatures in all dimensions. With his power it was certainly possible if not easy and would be a simple endeavor if not for the no killing rule.

On the other hand he had a short time limit and he had little knowledge about snakes or even how to get their skins. If he wasted too much time going after that knowledge then he would fail in collecting enough to make a difference but if he rushed it he could end without anything of value.

That meant a bigger challenge which was exactly what Baraqiel wanted from a Quest. His smile grew and he stood up straight like the true soldier he was. "I accept the Quest."

Medusa blinked, surprised, as she watched the man carefully as he just stood there, waiting for something. "Good luck?"

"Then I shall be going, milady. Thank you for attending to my selfish request." His eyes gained an edge that the goddess knew belonged to any true warrior. "I shall see you in a couple of days." He said with a conviction that surprised Medusa even more.

Because while he knew little about snakes, Baraqiel was there during the inception of the moonlit world and knew where to get parts from some of the most dangerous creatures that had ever existed.

And he could kill anything but snakes so the man already had an idea where to get the parts of at least one serpent of considerable power. 'Just need to not get caught…'

All snakes watched the intrude leave before turning to the goddess who was still wondering where all that confidence came from. "Then again, he is one of the most powerful fallen angels." Medusa shrugged, deciding that the man would do as he must. "Not my problem anymore."

Turning back to her paper, Medusa stared at her rules with a frown before letting out a sigh and deciding to go to bed.

Most powerful gods didn't need to sleep but she wasn't one of them yet.