Absolution: Chapter 10

An Uneasy Peace

Hell, as Absolution would find, was quite a lovely place. Despite the demonic energies that permeate the air, he couldn’t help but find the rolling green hills and tall snow capped mountains that surrounded the city of Lucifaad to be a captivating sight. Even the ancient fortress capital of his predecessors hated foes was a wonder to behold.

He had to admit, while Heaven was far prettier with its tall mountains of pure white clouds and marble columns, Lucifaad with its wrought iron metalworks dotting its winding cobbled streets and monuments that lined the main plaza was an impressive sight as well. It wasn’t just in the buildings alone but what was just simmering under the surface as well.

Within the tall imposing walls that surrounded the city, he could feel the magic thrumming through the street. He could feel them, the bastardized copy of the script that was used in heaven, drawing from deep beneath the ground; taking directly from the rivers of magic that converge in this very city. He could hear its pulsing beat echoing and reinforcing the giant walls that surrounded it, ready to repulse any would be invaders if they so dare and even thank a shot from the likes of a god.

It was quite ironic that the defense made with the intent to defend against him was now being used to protect him as he recovered from his wounds. He and his children were welcomed by this city, letting them all recover from their battles. They had won but he and his children had not come out unscathed from that fight. While his children could be healed by their siblings, his injuries were a bit more complicated.

As it turns out, an injury that’s grievous enough that it sticks to someone like him would actually take time to heal. Given that it was self-inflicted in some sense, having taken in the pain of suffering of those that died from the Conquistador’s rampage in the new world, these wounds that he now sported ran deep.

It was painful but it was a much needed and painful reminder that even in this new and powerful form, he could still get hurt. These bruises and cuts that painted his body purple, yellow and red was plenty proof enough on its own, one which the recently reinstated Seraphim was taking glee in tormenting him with.

“God damn it Azazel!” He hissed, gritting his teeth as his wayward son tightened the bandages over one of the many wounds dotting his body, “Do you really have to tighten it that hard?” He asked as he sat on bed, unable to push him off.

He was still reeling from the fight despite the rest having taken inside one of the rooms provided to him by the Satans. With his angels standing virgil around the fortress, he was quite surprised that they didn’t expel him outright or worse. He had been weakened but they had offered aid and he was more than happy to accept. Now if only his son wouldn’t actually try his hardest to hurt him.

Glaring up at the man, he’d find him scowling as he continued wrapping him in bandage and ignoring his pleas. “Funny you keep spouting about not using your name in vain but here you are,” The man muttered out as he tied the bandage to an almost uncomfortable degree burning turning his attention to Absolutions wound. Dabbing Absolution’s wound with some painful and foul smelling poultice, he chastised him, “Which might explain why you’re so bone headed as to get out of the shield wall made to protect you.”

Turning to his fellow seraphim, the blonde then requested, “Uriel, can you hand me some of the ambrosia?” Nodding the brunette would give the man an amphora whose contents he poured into a cup. He then pushed the cup of golden shimmering liquid to his hands and told him, “Drink this, you’d need every ounce of it after that little stunt of yours.”

With a sigh, he took the offered cup and drank from it. Despite the refreshing feeling of the divine drink filling his form, it did little to ease the embarrassment and bitter taste of failure he felt. He was supposed to be the ones protecting them but he gave out when his will was tested. It took his children suffering to wake him up, reminding him of what crown he wore. He was their creator and what kind of father would he be if he just let that happen.

“I was trying to protect you!” He blustered despite how his ears burned. He then reminded them, “He had surrounded and he got some of your brothers and sisters bound up. What was I supposed to do?” he asked, clenching his fist at the reminder. Tezcatlipoca had his children and he would have gotten away if his fellow god did not stay there. He got lucky and he hated it.

“And look at where that got you!” His son fired back, shaking his head as he gestured at his bandaged form. Reaching up to his, he pinched the bridge of his nose as he cursed out, “Damn it old man, You’re sturdy, not invincible and all powerful.”

Absolution wanted to shout back, to continue arguing but Azazel was right. His predecessors all died before him, he should have remembered it yet he had been so drunk in his own power that he forgot. He wasn’t some omnipotent and omnipresent being… he was simply a man with god-like powers in the end.

Sighing, the man’s shoulder sagged as a look of sadness washed over his weary and tired face. Reaching out to him, Absolution felt his calloused hands ruffle his golden hair as he told, “We’re also not children anymore you know? We could have helped you or something, anything but why did you have to do it alone?”

Absolution felt his heart sink at his words. Why couldn’t he live up to their expectations? Why couldn’t he have done more…

Walking up to the other side of the bed, Uriel would kneel down beside him and rest their hands upon his shoulder. Smiling up to him, they whispered, “What Azazel is trying to say father is that you made us for a reason. We can help you if you let us do so. Have faith in us Father.”

“I know… I just,” He whispered before pausing as he felt the weight of this responsibility upon him. Heavy was the crown that he now wielded and he was afraid, he was afraid that he would fail. Sighing, he told them, “I didn’t want to fail you all again.” If he died, he was afraid of how the hope that he had falsely given them was going to fade. It took centuries for this body to have him… how long would it take for another one?

“Just… just don’t jump off like that again father?” Azazel begged him as he reached out before pulling away. “You could have warned us or something you know…” He told him as he turned towards the door. Looking back toward him, he then said, “I’ve cleaned most of your wounds and patched you up the best I could. That should keep you from keeling over until Raphael finally gets through or that little angel you picked up, Asia” before he walked away but Absolution wouldn’t let him go far.

Reaching out to him, he felt the man freeze on his tracks. “Can you stay for a bit?” He asked, just wanting him to be by his side. It was childish and all but… it didn’t feel right to have him go away on his own. “I can’t have you sulking off, you know. Remember what happened the last time that I let you off like that,” he joked.

The man grinned before letting out a chuckle. Shaking his head, he turned around and sat by his side, “Alright old man, but just this once,” he told him as a soft smile spread across his face.

“Sure,” Absolution replied with a coy smile as he turned to Uriel,“Just this once,” he then replied, with a winking making the seraphim laugh and the man bluster. He might not have been the best god so far but he swore that he was going to make up for his shortcomings or die trying.

Their short moment of respite would soon be broken as a frantic and haggard looking Gabriel came barging through the door. With her flaming sword in hand, she looked around with a wild look in her eyes before her gaze landed on him. “Father!” Gabriel shouted in joy before it was quickly replaced by anger as her eyes found Azazel. Pointing her sword at the former fallen angel, the woman hissed out, “Azazel!”

“Gabriel!” Azazel jumped in surprise as he whirled around and came face to face with his sister and another one of his siblings coming through the door after Gabriel. With a look of bewilderment in his face, he exclaimed, “Michael!?”

“Father!” Michael then called out before his gaze found Azazel’s wings. “Azazel!?” He shouted back in surprise.

Caught between his confused children, Absolution reached out, pulling his sheets to call for some semblance of calm when Uriel suddenly jumped in. “Uriel!” The seraph shouted as she got up, making everyone turn their eyes on them. Under their shared attention, Uriel wilted and shied away before replying, “... I felt left out,”

As the Seraph sat back down, Absolution made sure to give his neglected angel a pat on the head, “There there, I’m sure they’re just all surprised,” he told them.

It wouldn’t take long for Gabriel to get her bearings back as she turned towards Azazel before pointing at him,“What? How! White Wings,” she exclaimed, looking all red faced as she went back and forth between Azazel and Absolution. “When!” She demanded.

Concerned, Absolution called out to his daughter, “Gabriel breath!” which gave the woman just enough air as she breathed in deeply. For a second there, he thought she was going to pass out. Sighing in relief, he then reassured her, “And it’s a long story but rest assured, everything is fine. I just got beat up a bit, punched a good, no big deal. Everthings fine now at least…”

To which Azazel would roll his eyes at. He would have scolded him if not for the  woman’s sword burning brighter and hair bursting into flame at his words. “You’re injured!? Who caused this!” His daughter rage as the fires of righteous fury burned brightly in her eyes. Pacing around, she shouted, “Once I get my hands on them I swear!”

He let out a nervous chuckle at her anger. Reaching out, he reassured her, “Come on Gabriel, I’m not made of glass and I’ve already handled it, really!”

As his hands grabbed her, his daughter’s fire would dim as she faltered, “But!” She stammered, concern clear upon her eyes. She was worried sick for him.

Thankfully, Azazel would help him calm her. “He’s fine, Gabby. He’s just being his old stubborn self again,” The man snarked as he ruffled Absolution's hair again. “He just took on the suffering of an entire continent just like that one time in Jerusalem,” he explained.

For a moment, Absolution knew fear as Gabriel’s radiance almost matched his own, before her fires melted away as she started sobbing. “Oh father!” She cried out, tugging at his heart strings. As she threw herself at him, all he could do was hug her and reassure his softly sobbing daughter.

With a distant look on his face as he bit thumb, Micahle then said, “That certainly explains why I felt your light all the way in Kuoh Academy. It certainly gave us both quite the fright,” looking down to the ground, he then knelt down before asking forgiveness, “But that doesn’t excuse my absence. I should have gotten here sooner father, please forgive us”

“It’s fine, really. It actually took me by surprise as well!” He told them once more before he sighed, “Ok, why don’t you sit down so I can explain everything that happened.” Reluctantly, the two would nod, letting him give them a recount of what happened while they were away.

-x-x-x-

It wouldn’t take him long to get them up to speed. From the attack on the Fallen Angels Camp to his eventual intervention and even the fight he had with a foreign god intervening on Kokabiels behalf, he told them everything.

Looking back at things, it should have been clear that Kokabiel was going to stir up trouble. He already did so in another time, why wouldn’t he do so now? He had neither talked or made his presence known to him but what had happened already happened. The best thing he could do was just learn and move forward.

“And that’s why I landed myself here, wrapped in more bandages than a mummy and bed bound before you two got here,” He told them as Gabriel’s soothing light washed over his form. His wounds, while remaining stubborn and refusing to heal faster, no longer hurt as much as his daughter attended to him.

“This is concerning,” Michael muttered as he bit his thumb,“To think that the Jaguar Lord would be so bold as to brazenly attack you, father. There’s definitely more to this than meets the eyes,” He whispered. It was certainly concerning but why he attacked was even more so.

“Aye and it wasn’t just one god,” Absolution told them, remembering the scent of Ash in the magic used and the Poisoned Dagger that the doppelganger wielded. “Tezcatlipoca might be a god of many things but that doesn’t make him a master of those crafts. His assistant wielded magic that even I couldn’t pierce through and there was that earlier attempt,” He then noted.

“That would certainly explain why that twice begotten son of a bitch was that confident,” Azazel growled out as he looked down on his clenched fist, “I should have gutted him when I had the chance.”

A look of sadness washed over Michales face as he told his sibling, “The twice damned traitor can wait for we have a bigger problem at hand,” Turning to the other angels in the room, he then said, “There’s a conspiracy against our fathers and we don’t know who all the players are.”

Absolution grimaced at that. As the god of Abraham, he was not one without rivals. “It also doesn’t help that I have more enemies than I could count,” he told them. His predecessors made a lot of enemies, enemies that came about as his religious influence spread across the world. As the god heading it all, he earned a lot of envy from his peers. What’s worse is that it wasn’t just gods that hated him but he at least knew who he wasn't directly opposing him right now, “But I think we can discount the Satan’s for now.”

His views might have been colored by the works he had read from a previous life but Hell was not his enemy this time around. Still, his children wouldn’t quite believe him as Azazel questioned him, “But didn’t Tezcatlipoca speak of being in league with certain elements in hell?”

Michael however would be a voice of reason on this matter. “That might be so but do remember brother, there is Sirzech and the new rulers of hell and then there is the ilk that clung stubbornly, claiming dominion over despite having long their positions as the overlords of these lands,” He reminded them.

“The Old King faction huh? They’re certainly a rowdy bunch from what my tell me but what would stop the new Satan’s from supporting their fellow devils?” Azazel would argue, “We are their enemies after all. Even the death of Lucifer didn’t stop the war we have with them.”

“But they helped us Azazel.,” Absolution interjected, “They were the ones that offered the rooms within the bastion for myself and your brothers and sisters. This might no longer be the capital of hell as it once was but to have them accept me within this city is an assurance of their innocence on this matter.”

“Even now, my Legions stand vigil over this fortress and they allow it,” He then said as he looked out of the window. His angels stood guard along with the devils that were loyal to the new Satan’s. If there was any sign that they were not his enemies then this was it. They did not need to offer this city to host him but they did.

Gabrie nodded in agreement as she quickly added “They could have also attacked father while he was down,” Looking up to him, she would ask, “From what you’ve told us, all four of them came to meet you father, isn’t that right father?”

“That’s right,” He replied, “They have acted in good faith so far so we must give them the benefit of the doubt. What kind of guest would we be if we did otherwise?” There was also the matter of trickery at hand. Could Tezcatlipoca just be merely playing tricks with him… or was he being obtuse about it, taunting him about the matter. He shook his head, refusing to believe so.

Sighing, he then said, “Yes, they have attacked us but we must not be too hasty. We must be sure on who we must fight as this war we now face can spiral out of control if we jump to conclusions too early.” The world was at peace, there was no need to spread the conflict to parties that weren’t involved in the first place.

Azazel frowned as he growled out, “Well, whoever Tezcatlipoca’s mysterious benefactors, we’ll find them and when we do, there will be hell to pay,” gritting his teeth in frustration, he told them, “They might have run and scattered to the four winds but they’ll come out sooner or later.”

“It was their mistake that they let themselves be known so early, now we must show them we will not take this lying down,” Uriel spoke before turning to him, “What shall we do father?” She then asked, eagerly awaiting his command.

There was no other way he could respond than to fight. They had struck not only him, but his children. They dared try and take them hostage so now he shall answer in turn and he was going to make sure that they will regret this for the rest of their miserable life. With a sense of righteous anger burning in his chest, he declared, “War.”

Standing in alert, his children stood as one. They were his angels in shining armor, clad in golden armor and his burning light, and they asked as one, “Your orders father?,” All he needed to do was speak and his will would be done.

Breathing in deeply, calming his beating heart as he turned to the Former Fallen Angel. “Azazel, I need you to meet up with your brother Raguel and your sister Raziel. I want you three combing through the world to find any signs of their whereabouts. I give you my authority to use the resource of heaven as you see fit,” He commanded him.

Raguel was his executioner while Raziels was his eyes and ears. With Azazel to guide them and his throne to keep track of the world, there will be no place in heaven, hell or the world above that he wouldn’t know about.

Azazel gave him a cocky smirk as he replied, “You pick the right man for the job. We’ll find them in no time.”

Nodding, he then turned to his daughters, “Gabriel, Uriel, I want you two to alert the church and call to arms. I want them to be on high alert. I have no doubt for a second that they would not hesitate striking the populace.” He was fighting an Aztec God after all. It wouldn’t be far of a stretch to have them strike and nip away at his heels now he showed he could fight them head on.

It wasn’t just his followers that he was worried about but also what they guard. While the Sacred Gears were safe and secured, those weapons and Artifacts that they had hidden away were not so easily turned off especially since some of them were from foreign gods or in the Excaliburs case, the Fae.

The two would nod, “Understood father.”

Turning back to Azazel, then said, “And before I forgot, Azazel, have Baraquiel meet up with Remiel and Sariel. I would need those who have been operatives to train the legion in fighting insurgents,” Turning to the angels outside, most of them former fallen, he knew they shall be his greatest asset in this fight. They were far more experienced in moving around and hiding.

“They will not fight us head on. They will probably use tactics similar to those that you used,” He then added. There was also the matter of his opponent's strength. He is a god of the night. It was simply to his advantage to strike from the proverbial darkness, in places where he least expect.

Grimacing, he muttered, “They already demonstrated that they can teleport their soldiers en masse,” a deadly ability given how fast it was. Azazel couldn’t even catch up to them. One moment they were there, the next thing he knew they were gone. It was a miracle that none of his angels were taken away, “They will be a slimy opponent to deal with.”

“Got it,” Azazel replied.  

With his Seraphs given their respected task, he now turned to his greatest; His Archangel, Gabriel. “As for you Michael…” He whispered before pausing, hesitating as he wondered if he really needed the man's help now.

Kneeling, Gabriel asked, “What will be my task, father?” He was tempted to ask him for help, to have him be at his side as he faced this challenge but did he need so?

“As much as I need you now, I need you to stay in Kuoh town for now. Like I said before, you need some time to rest,” He told his greatest son. Seeing the frown on his face, he smiled softly as he reached out and gave him a pat on the head. Stroking his hair, he then told him, “Still, thank you for checking if I'm ok. I know I can always count on you.”

Things weren’t so dire as to call him just yet and he wasn’t one to break his words just because it was convenient. Was it pride? Maybe, but he gave him a promise.

The man pursed his lips, clearly trying to hold back before he sighed and smiled. Looking up to him, his son promised, “I will always be ready to come to your side. Just say the word father.”

“I know you will,” he replied, feeling their love for him. To be the person of their worship, truly he couldn’t be luckier. Their smile was worth everything and he was going to make sure that no one would ever take that away from them.

Cracking his neck and rolling his sore shoulder, he then shifted before hopping off the bed. “Welp, that’s enough rest for me now. Time to go back to work!” He exclaimed as his children cried out in concern. Ignoring their pleas, he closed his eyes and extended his sense as he whispered, “Now where are those Satan’s? I haven’t thank them yet and since I’m already here, might as well talk to them about some matter”

“F-father?!” Gabriel babbled out as she grabbed him, making him turn to her in confusion! “Wait, you’re still injured! Raphael hasn’t arrived yet!” His daughter reminded him.

He snorted as he gave her a cocky smirk, “This?” He asked as he poked at his bandaged head, biting the insides of his cheeks as he accidentally poked a deep wound. Powering through, he asked them, “Come on, do you really think this will keep me down?”

“Yes,” Their response was unanimous.

Rolling his eyes at them, he replied, “Oh ye of little faith,” Stretching his arms and showing his range of motion, he then said, “It might look bad but it’s just some minor flesh wound. It’s not like it put me out of commission. Still plenty-!” Before a sharp tearing pain spread through his back. With tears in his eyes, he smiled as he admitted, “Ow, Well, mostly ok,”

“Just a flesh wound he says,” Azazle muttered, shaking his head in dismay. Looking up to the ceiling, he lamented, “He’s still so much like that ass who used to sit on the throne.”

Absolution chuckled at the sight of the strained smile in Michael's face. “I’m right here Azazel,” The man gritted out through clenched teeth.

Azazel shook his head in response, ignoring his brother as he said out loud, “So very much like him.” Turning to Absolution, Azazel then asked, “Kidding aside, can you atleast stay in bed for a day?”

He was still tired, drained but he could continue. Before he could answer, Uriel cautioned, “You might feel fine, father but considering your current state, is it really wise if we continue?” They asked him. Even now he could feel his body protesting. “You have just fought off Tezcatlipoca mere hours ago and you’ve sustained some pretty grievous injuries from the fight,” They pointed out, “Injuries which required urgent medical attention.”

His already weakened resolve would be further tested as Gabriel joined in the. “Please?”

He wanted to listen, to rest but there was still work to be done. “It hurts but I still have a lot of things to do, so many more things I need to do before I rest,” He told them before shrugging, “Besides, I’m already here. Might as well talk with them right?”

There was a reason why he didn’t just opt to pull back to heaven after the fight. This was a fight that happened in their territory so they needed to no and who else would be best in getting them informed than himself. He wanted to create dialogue with them and now was a great time. It was an opportunity he couldn't miss.

Azazel sighed in frustration as he asked him with a wry grin, “We’re not going to talk you out of this are we?”

Absolution grinned back as he answered, “Nope!”

“I swear, the things we do for love,” The man whispered exasperatedly before he threw up his arm in surrender. “Welp, if that’s the case then best do this in style!” He then said as Absolution suddenly found himself hoisted up in the air.

“H-hey!” He cried out in surprise as his legs kicked uselessly beneath him, “Put me down this instant!” he shouted in protest as he tried pulling away from the man's grasp but he had a good grip on him. He couldn’t fly away even if he wanted to.

Smirking back at his pout, Azazel then said, “You said your going to meet the Satan’s and I don’t see you walking out of her with your own legs so you either hop on or I’ll strap you down to bed,” He demanded and Absolution felt his cheeks burn. Did they really intend on him to sit on their shoulder of all things? Him, the god of the bible, atop his angel’s shoulders. It was an absurd idea but they were intent in making it happen so that they could spite him.

Before he could even point at the wheelchair up against the wall, Gabriel already grabbed it and tossed it out of the window. Gaping, he stared at the window in disbelief before glaring at them, “I hate you all so much right now,” He grumbled. Was he really going to embarrass himself just so he could work? Yes, yes he will and thus Azazel was made to carry him around.