Absolution: Chapter 9 v2

Crown of Thorns

The battlefield stilled, with none daring to breathe, as the Absolution faced off with a fellow divine. Even the demonic beast that attacked his children remained quiet, bowing before the foreign god as he stood beside Kokabiel.

He gritted his teeth, clenching Samael’s haft until his knuckles turned white, as he found himself in an unenviable position. He knew that eventually he’d come face to face with those that could claim to be his peer, those wielding the crown which was divinity, but he did not expect one to be his foe so early. Worst of all was the identity of the god before him with the obsidian mirror the man wielded.

Tezcatlipoca, his foggy memory told him, was unknown for all intents and purposes. He knew the jaguar lord but he did not know him like Azazel and Kokabiel. Hell, he knew more about Issei’s friends than the god before him. He did not know him, thus he does not know what to expect. Still, he had some inkling of what he was. He merely had to rely on the memories his body had.

They… they knew each other, all gods do in a sense. All of them could feel each other's domains and the god before him had one of the most distinct scents. No wonder the place smells heavily of Tobacco and blood and now it clings to Kokabiel as well. He was having difficulty seeing through the blasted fog and breathing in the miasma his fellow divine brought forth unpleasant memories from his previous lives and his own.

He coughed, grimacing as tobacco smoke filled his lungs with each lung full of air. He could feel it stealing his breath away, sapping away at his strength. Worst of all was how it clung to him and his light, smothering him as it grew heavier with the other gods' presence. This… this was not good. Was this why Kokabiel refused to flee? Was this all a trap?

Kokabiel laughed as a crazed and blood thirsty grin stretched across his face. “Surprised father? Did it not occur to you why you couldn’t peer through the darkness? Why are you finding it harder to breathe each second?” his former angel mocked him as he gave him a look of pity and disgust, “You really are getting old which makes what we have planned for you all the more fitting.”

“Cheeky little brat, don’t get ahead of yourself. Remeber who’s the one who here asked for help.” The man rasped out, chuckling darkly as his pale blue eyes locked against Absolutions and all he saw was the sheer unbridled rage just simmering under the surface. “Besides, I’d rather not spoil the fun that we have stored for your old man,”

He kept quiet, not raising to the bait as his mind raced; his heart pounding hard against his chest. He could feel the blood rushing in his ear, his hands trembling and legs locked even as he reminded himself that he stood above him… yet the man before him held a certain menace to him, like some beast sizing up his next victim.

It was Uriel that would break that silence as they stepped forward, wings flared, and questioned the god before them, “Tezcatlipoca, Lord of the Near and the Nigh, you have trespassed into my father’s domain.” They declared before pulling out her flaming sword and pointing it at the man, “You who broke the sacred covenant between all the gods, what do you have to say for yourself?”

There was a reason why gods in this world rarely fought one another, why christianity had spread despite the presence of the other divine. A fight between gods shouldn’t normally happen, often discouraged even… but here he was.

The man smiled, barring his sharpened teeth as he fired back, “Oh? Claiming what’s not yours I see. For shame Jehova! For shame!” Shaking his head in mock dismay as he walked forward with his arms wide, gesturing at the blasted land around them, “Do you not recognize the lords of this land? Do you now claim the citizens of this domain as yours by right of conquest?” he asked, challenging him to refute him.

Yes, this was part of his domain but he was no lord to its people. They might fall under his banner; they were not his and he was right. He was just a mere trespasser to the denizens of hell. Even the very ground he stood on rejects his very presence.

Tezcatlipoca sneered at his silence, spitting upon the ground as he then said, “Considering your track record, it should really come to no surprise,”

Baraquiel, who had remained quiet all this time, could no longer hold himself as he stepped forward, lighting arcing between his hands, “You dare!-!” The man who towered over his companions growled out as he stomped towards the god but Absolution stopped him, hands barring the man's way.

Absolution was afraid of what was happening right now, of the god who stood before him. He was terrified and he knew it but he could not let it rule him. As scared as he was of the unknown, scared of what they had planned, this man dared lay his hands on his children. If the man wanted a fight, he was more than willing to give it to him.

“Cut to the chase Tezcatlipoca,” he spat out, taking deep calming breath to steady his beating heart as he stared back against those eyes, “You stepped into my domain and touched my children. You better have a damn good explanation for this or I swear not even the heavenly truce between all gods would save you,”

The god reared back in mock fright, holding his hands over his heart as he asked “Oh me?” Absolution clenched his fist, holding himself back as he let the man explain himself. “I’m merely doing my job, you see. The land of this land asked me to deal with an infestation and when I heard who’s the cause of the infestation, I just couldn’t resist.” He replied, smiling widely as he taunted him.

Absolution felt a leaden weight fill his stomach at his words. Uriel themself couldn’t hold back any longer as they shouted, their emotions running hot, “I swear if I see even a single scratch on my siblings I’ll-!”

Tezcatlipoca tutted, shaking his head in disapproval, as cut him off. “I’m not sure that’s the proper tone you should speak to me when I have something of yours that you really don’t want me to break,” the god purred as the veil of smoke obscuring the battlefield was lifted and Absolution felt them. The cries of his children fill his ears as they are held captive, half buried under shadowy claws. Their hands and feet held aloft by magical chains while the light from their body streamed out from them to the barrier above.

He shook as he felt their terror and their pain. It was all too much seeing the naked terror behind their eyes. He… he stood there, frozen indecision. His angels, his very children that he had come to love after they were entrusted upon him, was now in mortal danger. He moved only to stop as shadow tentacles wrapped around the necks of his children, squeezing down and making them cry out.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you and don’t bother even trying to speak out and command my shadows. Do you really want to test your control against my mastery?” Tezcatlipoca warned him, forcing Absolution back.

He could force them here, keeping them in place but his adversary still had his children hostage and he didn’t have the might at hand to force him to give them up. His angels would soon come to his position and so will the devils but could he distract them long enough as for them to not turn against his children? He needed time to think.

“I was simply going to remove the infestation one by one but… removing the very source of it is a far more effective use of my time,” he chuckled as his eyes turned on him, boring into his very souls. “So here I am, partnering with you little angel to lure you out and make it look like a family affair. There were no gods involved… After all, a god that just woke up from his slumber is often at their weakest point. It wouldn’t be out of the picture to have one taken out so easily.”

“Kokabiel you sick fuck! You sold us out to another god for this? Revenge!” Azazel raged as he held himself back, tears streaming down his cheeks. The light of his soul blazed, flaring with the anger now burning in their chest. Their anger was palpable, and their pain for all to see. “You’re a dead man Kokabiel! You hear me? Not even your new boyfriend over here could save you once I get my hands around your neck!”

His rage however was met with a mocking grin as Tezcatlipoca pointed at him, “Hah! I like that one. It’s always the feisty ones that are the most fun to drain at the altar,” Looking over to Kokabiel, he then asked “Our employer would probably love their skull beside a certain someone,”

Ice flowed in Absolution’s veins as he felt his time running short. He listened to their words, letting them flow so that his mind eye could find falsehood yet all he found were twisted words. It was true that Tezcatlipoca was affiliated with a lord of hell but… it was not a full truth. He did not fully lie however. He had a few people that fit such descriptions but…. Was he really sure? Could the devils find his return so disturbing that they’re willing to call upon such a bloodthirsty god to do their bidding?

“Did Hell really betray us?” Shemhazai whispered as doubt crept into their tone. Hell was still his natural  enemy even after the tenuous peace set up by Sirzech and Michael but he knew better than to doubt his son's judgment.

“No, Michael rarely ever makes a mistake” He whispered back, shaking his head. He refused to listen to such a notion. If Micahel would believe that Sirzechs word for wanting peace then he had every reason to believe him. The man was a siscon but not a warmonger. Not him nor anyone of the current Satan’s of hell. Even the bald one was simply the embodiment of sloth.

“As much as I hate the pretty boy and his perfection, dad’s right. Sirzech is a pretty nice guy so long as you don’t break your words,” Azazel growled lowly as his eyes flashed around, looking for something amongst the crowd, “Those two are stirring shit I swear,”

Absolution nodded in agreement as he turned back his attention to the two. As it stands, there were simply too many unknowns. He was angry, he was afraid, but he shouldn’t let it cloud his judgment and add confusion to the already volatile mix. He simply had to have faith because that was all he had right now.

“As if I’d let you, you old codger. Remember our deal,” Kokabiel laughed as he swung his sword, letting its blade cut through the fog. “I’ll be dealing with him personally while you get to have those that did not follow me… and off course you can deal with my father,”’

Thankfully, their goals made his task all the easier. They were after him so that was easy enough, he needed to disarm them… but Kokabiel made it all the more complicated. It was clear however that the, while allied, held no love and respect for each other. They were merely working together. Maybe he could work with that.

“So it’s a fight that you want then…” Absolution whispered lowly before he turned to his traitorous son. “Before that however, I wish to talk to my son one last time,” he asked, seeking answers from the man himself.

“By all means, have a shot at it,” Tezcatlipoca replied with a dismissive snort as Kokabiel quirked a brow at him.

“Kokabiel… Why?” He simply could not simply comprehend why he’d turn against him. Did he really hate him so that he’d turn to another god for help? Was there more to this than simple revenge?

Kokabiels smile melted away to be replaced with confusion before it gave way to that of anger. Frowning, he asked him “Are you going deaf as well old man?” All that remained behind Kokabiels eyes when he stared at him was hate, hate and disgust for everything that he was. “I want you dead but I know I’m not strong enough to kill you. Thankfully, someone reached out to me that could.”

Spreading his arms wide as if daring Absolution to strike him down, he smirked once more as Absolution remained silent, “Seeing that you haven’t killed me yet and how you have only free’d a single angel from our grasp, I think we’ve made the right choice jumping ship. At least they can appreciate my talents.”

Absolution frowned at his words. Who were they that he talked about? It soon became clear to him that this wasn’t merely just a one god vendetta, there were more involved. The dagger of such potent poison, the illusion that hid the twisted devil, the barrier of magic that survived his power, the beast that surrounded them, the chains that held his children? Could multiple gods work in concert against him or would it be just gods?

Looking around, all he’d feel to have some substantial weight behind them was the robed figure standing by the wayside. They might smelt of divinity but they did not claim it, it merely clings to them. A divine item perhaps? The book they held certainly had a unique presence but it wasn’t one of his own. There were simply far too many magic wielders to pin them down.

He closed his eyes, scolding himself for letting them get the best of him. They had taken one of his sons and turned him so thoroughly against him that he wasn’t even sure he’d listen to his words yet the little voice in the back of his head wanted him to speak out, to reach out and hopefully turn things around even if it was mere naive wishful thinking.

“Kokabiel,” He called out and the man glared back at him. Bowing his head, he gave one last plea; his one last shot in the dark, “I’m sorry that I’m not able to make amends with you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t set things right,” They are not truly his by blood, this was not his sin yet…he still took it upon himself. He set out to set things right and he will die upon that hill. Kneeling down, he begged the man even Tezcatlipoca looked at him in disgust, “Please Kokabiel, don’t do this,”

For a second, he could see the man falter, his eyes betraying emotions. He saw in them shame for one’s self and the love that he once held but those mere embers were smothered as hate took hold. Hate and anger burnt brightly as the man spat out, “You had your chance old man but it’s too late, several thousand years too late!”

Marching up to one of the hostages, he growled out. “They’re intended to be my payment to them so that I can continue might but fight but I can just as easily replace one once you’re dead for good, Grabbing one of his sons by the hair, he lifted up their necks as he held his blade against them. His angels cried out as he felt the embers of those before him wept, a tear rolling down his cheeks as he stood up.

“Kokabiel,” Tezctalipoca called out warningly yet the man refused even his own ally’s council.

This served only to enrage him further, madness now swirling behind his gaze as he shouted, pulling back and making the angel he held captive cry out in pain. “Now I’ll make you feel what I felt when you took everything from me starting with him! You want that? Huh!”

With those words, Absolution knew that he had lost Kokabiel fully and utterly. There was no turning back now at this moment. The man before him had abandoned everything for the sake of revenge. He had allowed it to consume him and where once was an angel was nothing more than a beast in angelic guise. “At least now I know I wouldn’t feel bad for what I’m about to do,” Absolution whispered as he wept, hardening his heart for the task at hand.

Kokabiel snorted, tightening his grasp before asking, “What are you gonna do? Beg for-!” His raving would be cut short as he let go, staggering forward as cried out in agony. The fallen on his side cried in alarm as the man's face contorted to that of pain. He choked out a cry of mercy as he doubled over before bending backwards, his very bones creaking as light started to stream out of his body, draining from every cell until all that was left was his core.

As the light from his core faded leaving nothing but a blackened and cold core, Kokabiel would find momentarily relief. This however would prove to be just a brief respite as his gaze turned to watch a lone feather. Turning around, he watched in horror as his wings started to fall apart.

“No, no, no!” he cried out, as he grabbed his wings, trying to use the light that he once held but he’d find none. Without his light, Kokabiel’s wings started to wither. Black glossy feathers started to rot before falling off and replaced with leathery membranes.  “M-my wings!? W-what have you done!”

“I did nothing to you Kokabiel,” Absolution would simply shake his head as he replied, “I merely stopped doing anything to you,” Kokabiel was no longer a fallen angel, he had become something else. As Kokabiel had rejected him, so too will he reject him.

“When I casted you out of heaven, it was in my misguided attempt to make you learn to be a good man. I have now realized that I made this mistake and I offer my apology.” He then paused as he turned his gaze towards the angels that were in the clutches of the evil god before him. “I expected to be shouted out, to be cursed and maybe even spat upon but you! You out of all your brothers and sisters decided to betray not only me but your very own siblings,” the anger that’s been burning in his chest swelled, turning into rage for Kokabiel.

Looking straight into one of his… creations, he gave them his judgment, “For your actions, for the sin of betrayal, you are no longer my son. I cast you out Kokabiel! I cast you out into the land never to rest! You will find no refuge in the land you will tread, this I swear.” He declared, letting it become the law of his very being, a parting gift for he was now on his own.

Kokabiel roared in anger, cursing him as he knelt there trembling. Absolution could not even muster the strength to feel pity, his heart ringing hollow, as he stared at the man. He had chosen poorly. His cries would soon be broken as laughter echoed in the field. “Hah! Such ruthlessness, such cruelty! Now that’s the god that spat upon me and my siblings. That’s the god that destroyed my land!” Frowning, he then pointed at him, “Now I see why he hates you so much.”

Kokabiel rose up, blackened sword in hand, only to stumble as his legs failed him. Tezcatlipoca’s shadows caught him in their grasp, holding him in place as he struggled against the god's hold. “Stand down Kokabiel, you are in no state to fight. I’ve made my promise and I intend to keep it,” The man growled before sneering at Absolution, “Not unlike your creator and his angels over here.”

This struck a cord from Uriel as the angels shouted, “We’ve kept the word of the law! It was all purely mortal matters, nothing more and nothing less,” It was how things were supposed to be between the gods, we kept to ourselves while we merely observed, “When you asked for a council amongst the gods, we heeded your call-!” They added before they were cut off by an enraged Tezcatlipoca.

“And all we met was your precious Archangel!” The god roared as his shadow roiled, his angels crying as he squeezed even harder. Absolution gritted his teeth, feeling his time growing shorter and he had yet to find a way through. “If not for your weapons, my people would not have died wholesale. Your tools broke the spirit of the law you yourself have set and you know it!”

“Your son was right, you are not worthy of anyone's worship which would make my revenge all the sweeter,” the god growled out as the shadows around them grew darker, their form growing larger as they squared up against Absolution.

Absolution faced them head on, refusing to be bowed now as he replied, “Tezcatlipoca, I know we have our differences but please reconsider this. You have your grievances against me, grievances that I’m willing to pay but this is not the way,” He was willing to give him a way out, a way to end this peacefully. He did not want to shed blood for such simple matters. “Release my children and go. I will forget your trespass, I will forgive you for the wrongs that you have done to me, I will even let you have Kokabiel but let my children go. This is the mercy I grant you,”

Silence reigned between them for a moment before the world trembled as the very shadows themselves boiled. The monsters that his enemy brought with him flinched back, crying in terror while the fallen that stood with the foreign god scrambled to the air, fleeing from the darkness that rose up from the earth itself. Even Kokabiel reared back, taking to the skies in his new wings. Only Absolution’s light kept the darkness at bay as it consumed the camp, leaving nothing but an island amidst a sea of darkness.

“Mercy? Mercy!” Tezcatlipoca raged, teeth gnashing in anger as the rage hidden beneath welled up to the surface. Veins popped in his head as he shouted at him, “Where was your mercy when your champions cut my people down! Where was your mercy when you trampled upon the spirit of your laws! Where was your mercy when we begged you to reign in your champion?”

Absolution flinched as he could not muster an answer. How could he when the people of the god before him died under the blades of the conquistador? What could he even answer the question he asked?

Tezcatlipoca breathed heavily, straightening himself as he stood to his full height. “Yes. That's right…” He breathed out, trembling at the rage he had barely reigned in.”You remained silent and so did your right hand man. All we heard was silence,” he whispered. “You are a cruel and spiteful god,”

Forcing himself to look back at the man, he shouted, “Killing me or my children would grant you no peace!”

Tezctalipoca nodded, stepping back as he melted into the shadows until only his eyes and the reflection of Absolution on their mirror remained. “Yes, killing you would not bring them back, all the millions that died from the conques,” the man whispered as the world around Absolution started to spin as the screams of the damned echoed in his ears, “but they’ll finally be silenced.”

Absolution reeled, forced to his knees as a wave of emotion overcome. Pain, sorrow, hate, anger, all of it mixed as the world around him faded, his sense overwhelmed as the cries of people, countless people dying from famine, disease and war called out from the darkness.

“Father?” Uriel and his angels called out but he could barely hear them as he saw them from just beyond the shadows, the souls lost from the conquest of the new world. There from the shadows they came, pulling themselves up as they wailed and cried out. His angels flinched back as they noticed the shadows surrounding them and cried out to them.

“Can you feel it Yahweh?” The god called out, his mocking laughter echoing before it faded to the cries of the multitude, their terror seizing his heart. He clutched his chest, the pain, suffering and anguish forced upon him overwhelmed him. He felt their pain and for the first time since he stepped into this world, he knew agony. “Can you feel the pain and suffering you’ve caused, all the lives you’ve snuffed with your inaction call to you and they demand blood!”

“W-wha-!” He slurred out, crying out as more of them came forth. Hundreds become thousands and these thousands become millions and all called out for justice, justice for the wrongs that had been caused. “No! I didn’t do it, I never wanted anything about the conquest to happen! Listen-!” he begged them but they could not be swayed.

“Oh they’re listening all right! They’ve been here all this time, they’ve been waiting in the darkness, seeing what kind of tyrant you are!” Tezcatlipoca roared through the din as the sea of souls around them roiled, circling around them and forming a storm of tortured spirits. “Feel the anguish they felt when they were cut down by your four horsemen, feel the pain and sorrow that you’ve caused! All these years they’ve been waiting to talk to you so hear them!” The storm screamed and he screamed with them as visions of their final moments were forced into his mind.

“Father!” Azazel cried out, breaking through the din. He could barely make him out as he found himself on the ground, unable to feel anything but the emotions amidst the storm. “Shields! Protect father at all costs! Let not a single misbegotten soul reach past our formation!” his son cried out as his angels converge around him, raising their shields and forming a barrier than numbed the pain if only a little.

“What’s wrong Adonia, can’t handle a little heartbreak? It’s just a few thousands years worth, what’s this to all that you’ve caused?” Tezcatlipoca mocked them before a great force struck the barrier. His angels cried out, with some falling to their knees as blood poured out of their eyes and mouth before the barrier buckled.

The souls soon followed, clashing against the barrier before squeezing down. Their hands reaching out to him, their eyes staring back accusingly as his nightmare came to life. Why couldn’t they be saved, why did they have to die, they roared at him.

“N-no, I can’t, I can’t do this anymore,” He tried to answer as he forced himself up before reaching out, forcing what little light he could muster to help his angels; trying to force back the multitude banging at the gates, demanding entry.

“You said you were willing to pay for the crimes that you have committed to my people? That you wanted to atone for the very sins caused by your inaction?” Tezcatlipoca shouted, demanding an explanation as a second blow came rocking the barrier and Absolution’s knees buckled once more. “Then pay for it! Pay for it a thousand fold with your blood so that my people can finally find peace from not just their death but for the future you have taken away!” He roared out and the souls roared as one, their cries piercing the barrier he held up.

Absolution puked as the world around him melted together. His vision wavered while the cries of his children were drowned out by the curses and the vitriol of those who died. It hurts, it hurts so much that all he wished for was it to end. He no longer wanted to fight but now he wanted to flee, to run away and hide from it.

Why did he accept this post, Why did he choose to carry this burden. He could have fled, he could have told the very truth the moment he was thrust into the throne yet he lied, he accepted the post knowing he was not worthy of it. Why did he choose to carry it when all it gave him was trouble and problems to fix. He had all these people relying on him, worshiping him and praying to him yet could he answer them all? Could he really be the god that they needed?

In his moment of weakness, he closed his eyes, wanting nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare. He shouldn’t have shouldered the weight of the world when he could have just simply not accepted it.

And are you going to let them down? A voice called out and there, through the gaps of his angels as they closed in on him, back against the proverbial wall stood a figure not unlike his own. He did not know if it was his own delusion from the pain he felt or another being but there  in the middle of the storm stood someone who he knew but couldn’t recall. The being stared back at him before shaking his head and fading away.

He reached out to them but he stopped as he felt Uriel's heel against his palm. “Hold! Don’t let them get through! Our father needs us! Do not fail him, never again!” they cried and in that moment, he felt the angel's belief in him, in the being he was supposed to stand for. There in his moment of weakness he was reminded why he decided to claim the crown of heaven.

Pulling back, he pushed against the hard unforgiving ground beneath him. He was knocked out, he remembered, laying down upon the filth he puked out. Samael was no longer in his hands but in the hands of Azazel, using it to channel the very light around them. Why was he on the ground? He had been forced to his knee but it was ok. He just simply needed to get up.

Through the haze of the pain he pushed, forcing himself to stand. He did not resist it but accepted it, letting it in his heart. He heard their cries and pleas and he listened. As he got up, he staggered, the barren earth beneath him gave way and for a second he thought he would be knocked down until he saw the earth spring to life beneath him as the light he held shone brightly.

Standing up, he looked up and saw the light of his children shining so brightly, their belief in him being their shield against the darkness. How could he deny them of their beliefs, how could he tear their faith apart just for a fleeting sense of relief. What was a little pain for the joy they would have with him. He accepted the crown of heaven because it was simply the right thing to do, to wish joy for others even if one has to lie or experience a little hardship. He had to fight for their happiness because who will if not?

“My children, I’m sorry for what I am about to do,” he whispered as he pushed forward, slipping past surprised angels and past their lines. As he reached out for the barrier, a hand held on to him, stopping him in his tracks. Looking back, he’d find the tear streaked face of his angels staring back at him. Uriel, Azazel, Shemhazai, and even the stoic Baraquil held on to him, refusing to let go.

“Father no! Please no, not again!” Uriel begged him, unable to hold back tears any longer.

Absolution smiled back as he held their hands before pulling them away, “It’ll be alright” he promised, holding on to the hand before letting go and plunging into the raging torrent of souls.

He stepped through the barrier and the souls flinched away, giving him space as he walked to his adversary. There he stood before him, grinning as he stood there without his weapon.

“Finally found the courage to face me, have you?” Tezcatlipoca taunted as he peered from the shadows, his form wreathed by the souls of those who worshiped him. Their form leered at him as they launched themselves at him, making him stagger as he took them without resistance and soon the sea crashed against him. “I promise it’ll be quick… or not!” the god laughed out before he was drowned out by the souls of the dead.

The pain was intense as he felt himself being ripped apart. The souls around him might be tiny and faded compared to his own but they were numerous and ceaseless, all seeking to have their pound of flesh. Still, he powered on, standing amidst the storm as he shouted, “Tezcatlipoca, I accept your terms.”

Gritting his teeth, he knelt down, unable to bear the weight as they bit and tore away at his very flesh. Gold ichor dripped down his form as his very essence was being ripped from him yet he ignored it as he continued, “I accept the price you ask from me, that your people have their share of my blood and flesh. I offer myself to their judgment!”

He cried yet he held firm, his gaze locked on to the halo, this crown of thorns, he had been carrying all this time as it shone through the darkness like the morning son. It felt so warm and inviting even as it hovered just inches above his head with its deadly spikes.

“Hah! You fool! You sacrifice yourself for their sake?” Tezcatlipocaj jeered at him as he gestured at his angels who stood helpless, unable to get near him even as they tried to power through the storm. “What kind of god are you to stoop so low, to be a mere lamb for the slaughter!”

Absolution smiled as he reached out for the crown and seized it, grabbing it with both hands even as its many spikes dug into his hands, tearing at his flesh with ease that not even Samael or the Longinus could replicate. Holding on to it, he whispered, “A loving god that wants rid this world of pain.”

Closing his eyes, he pulled down and placed the crown atop his head and the world around them exploded into light. Even as the spikes dug into his flesh, he found peace as the souls around him stilled. Like a ripple, his light spread out, slowing down the storm as all eyes were now on him.

“W-what!” Tezcatlipoca gasped as the shadows around him melted, revealing his form. Seizing one of the souls, he threw it at Absolution yet none would heed his words as they stared into the light that Absolution held. “He’s just standing there! Stop him! Tear him to pieces!”

With shaky hands he pulled back from the crown, letting it rest upon his head while golden ichor flowed down his form. Clasping his hands together even as he trembled, his mind slipping as the memories flowed to him, he prayed, “To the Mexica, I speak unto you. Hear my words and my plea for I ask forgiveness! I kneel before you oh people of the new world and ask that you open your hearts and listen and see that my plea is of pure heart,”

“They will not heed your words Yahweh for they are my people!” Tezcatlipoca shouted as he reached out to him only to find the light blowing him away, keeping him at bay while the souls of those who perished started to converge towards Absolution; the shadows wrapped around their souls melting away to reveal the men, women and children beneath it all. From the mightiest of chiefs, to the humblest of peasants they gathered, heeding Absolution’s call.

“I offer you my flesh and my blood as my sacrifice! Accepti it so that you can have your fill, so that we may become one in communion and truly one at heart,” He called out and they came, reaching out to him and he welcomed them. They went to him, becoming one with him before passing through him to the world beyond. He accepted them all, refusing non entry. Even the conquistadors that walked with them, those trapped by the souls of the damned, were let through as they filtered through purgatory.

He heard their wishes, their apologies and their dreams and he smiled. “Through my flesh and blood, I become a sacrificial lamb. Let go of your sorrows and pain so I may carry them and make you pure!“ With their joy came their sorrow, he carried it all so none would ever be burdened with it as they moved on. He engraved their names upon his soul, remembering them even as they faded away into the light.

“No!” Tezcatlipoca cried but it was too late as he pulled the souls and shadows, letting it through his heart. Slowly, the captives the god held were freed as their captors joined their fellow brothers and sisters. “No! Stop! Don’t listen to him!”

“You are not just the people of your land but my people as well!” He called out and he became one with them, forming communion with those long past so that they would no longer haunt the living. As they stepped through, his light reached a fever pitch and the very barrier holding everyone in started to break, cracking as it was unable to hold him back

“You are all my children regardless of your creed and nation, of your blood or race. I accept all within me and I give all my love regardless,” He declared as each memory passed by, their lives melting into one another as he relieved their experience with these souls. “Through me you shall find redemption and through my love, I seek Absolution!” The light flared, becoming blinding as it shattered the barrier before fading away revealing what was left.

It was all over in an instant and all that was left in the rapidly fading haze was Absolution and those who witnessed his miracle. Tezcatlipoca staggered forward, feeling his body for any injuries but finding none before looking at him and shouting in panic and despair, “What have you done! My followers! My believers! My people!”

“I-I accepted them Tezcatlipoca,” He answered as he held his hands close to his chest, smiling s he felt the warmth left behind by all those that had passed, “You in your grief made them feel sorrow eternal. I took their pain and in turn gave them hope. They no longer are bound to Xibalba for they are free to choose.”

Smiling widely at the god who stared back at him in confusion, he added, “Don’t worry though, some of them still love you till the very end so they remain!”

It was then that the adrenaline started to fade away and the temporary strength he found melted away. Getting down to his knees, he coughed, panting as he said, “F-fuck that took a lot out of me but fuck it,” He did not remain on the ground however for too long as he picked himself up, standing tall once more as he raised his hand and clenched his fist. His people were free and his enemy neutralized but he still had business he needed to settle.

“It’s just you and me now” He then said as he wiped the blood off his eyes before he challenged the god, “It’s me that you want right? How about we drop the weapon and let's settle this the old fashion way, just the two of us and no one else. How does that sound?” He was injured, the souls taking a chunk of his light that had yet to recover but he would not back down, not when he had the smiles of his angels and all those who believe in him to protect.

Tezcatlipoca dropped his shield as he roared back in challenge, muscles straining as he shouted. Even without his shadow, he was a formidable foe and Absolution met him head on, waiting for him to make the first strike. “Don’t fuck with me!” He shouted at him, running at him in full speed before taking a swing.

Absolution’s knees buckled, head turning, and bone creaking as the punch landed flush against his cheeks but he remained standing. Taking in his pain, he reared back, cocking his fist before he lunged forward and used up everything he had left. Hips twisting, knuckles clenched tight and aimed right at the man’s face. The air screamed as he threw his punch and it was Tezcatlipoca who blinked first.

He gritted his teeth as his fist clashed against the shield of Tezcatlipoca after the good recalled it. He recoiled, jolting as he felt the force of his very punch reflected back at him, forcing him to step back and cradle his aching fist. He was in pain but he won. “H-hah! Made you flinch,” he laughed as Tezcatlipoca cowered behind his shield.

The god blinked as he looked at the shield he now held before he took a step back. He then gazed to the horizon as the light of the angels and the darkness of the devils came into view, reinforcement had arrived. Growling, he spat out, “This isn’t over!”

The shadow beneath his feet stretched, wrapping around his form and those of his allies as they sunk in and Absolution found himself spent, unable to muster anything to stop them. His angels on the other hand were not. “Oh no you don’t!” Azazel shouted as he gave chase, Samael in hand as he struck out yet he was far too late. They had gotten away.

Azazel cursed while Absolution shook his head, giving his son a comforting path. Pulling away, he hobbled forwards as he faced into the sky ahead. Breathing in deeply as he shouted, "If you want war, then I’ll give it to you!” He allowed his voice to be heard, letting his declaration be carried to the four winds, “Meet me at the next council of the gods! Lay your grievance before but do not bring those not involved in our fight into this. The next time you do, I wouldn’t be so merciful,”

Unable to hold on any longer, he collapsed and found the sweet embrace of the ground. Raising his hands, he then asked “I… need help. Please carry me.”

A/N:

It took me a bit to rework this cause... this is an entirely new chapter, All 7k words in it. As for the old Ch 9, I'm keeping it in reserve. It does have the blue print I want but I need to set things up. Demiurge will be around, he's even in the chapter, but maybe not now. Let Absolution have his victory for now.