Chapter 15

The next day brought a surprise. An unexpected one which baffled both Robb and the Gods and made them cautious. They had to be prepared for anything, because if this was a trap, they couldn't hesitate.

Robb was lost in his thoughts as he was walking towards the edge of the barrier at the point where the ruins of that old restaurant was with the stone table.

He thought back on his brother. How he was in the past before he and his followers fell from Heaven. That was an old but still painful memory – especially for Robb and Samael. They were rejected for standing up for themselves and their belief. And now his little brother wanted to meet with them. But why?

The bearded man knew that he's always been the more reasonable one from the twins, but... it was a long time ago since they've met and a lot could've changed since then. That's why Robb could only wonder about the motives behind this meeting. Well... soon they will see...

Christos was already sitting there, lost in his thoughts. He was always the one who had dreams about the possible outcomes of the future. And this very meeting was one that appeared in his dreams. So when he saw Lucifer arriving, he nodded to him with a smile and calmness.

The negotiator role was not unknown to Lucifer, who had to do a lot of that after the Fall to get them – and most importantly to Samael – shelter and help. This situation brought up those memories, but maybe it was more because of the recent arrival of Azmodan and talking about the past. He suppressed a small smile remembering how both of them had to convince his pair now to stay back with Azi. Samael could get quite protective over his pair, which always made Lucifer smile to himself.

That small smile stayed on his lips as he spotted the reborn God waiting for him. "Lord Christos," he nodded back as a sign of his respect then sat down too. "How are things after your return?"

"Lucifer!" Christos’ smile grew wider. "Things are good. I am accused that I have changed much. But you know how it always gets with my returns," he chuckled and all together seemed more laid back and cheerful. Which was not like his previous behavior. "How is the family reunion going? We have great plans with the demon," he added mysteriously.

Blinking slowly a few times, Lucifer's smile grew too. "Yes, I remember. But if I may say so, this suits you just as much as having a loving pair... and a doggie now. You made him immortal yet?" he asked with one hand resting on the weather-worn surface of the stone table. His heavily ringed fingers were slightly tapping against the stone, the only sign of him being a bit nervous about this meeting.

"Oh the reunion is going great. Azi is as great as ever and Samael is on cloud nine," Robb chuckled a bit dirty. "You know how they can get... But yes, such a great demon deserves big plans. Tell me once the timing is... more appropriate," he said, slowly straightening his back as he was sitting on the stone bench, his senses alerting him.

From the shadows a hooded man walked towards them. Slowly and very nervously. He kept looking around from under his hood. Gabriel sat down beside his older angel brother and pulled the hood halfway back to show only a bit of his face to the other two.

"Greetings. And thank you for accepting my invitation. I... First of all, I must apologize for... this all…" he waved around with his hands, signaling to the burned up world. "I know it's not much. And really doesn't count anymore. But I really am sorry. My twin… Michael has crossed a line and I cannot bring him back. I can only be there for him. Anyway. I asked you two here because you both lived among humans, taught and cared for them. You and the ones allied with you are the only ones by now from the deities who stand against Michael. And with the war gods who answered that horrible call, he is planning to destroy the Sanctuary and use the most powerful ancient gate to reach out for our Father," Gabriel spoke low and visibly very scared. Eyes kept jumping from Christos to Lucifer to scanning their surroundings.

Both men kept staring at him. One with his usual collected calmness, his face not giving away his thoughts. The other, though, he seemed a bit worried. Not just from what Gabriel just revealed to them, but from how he looked. He might have had a hood on, but a few faint but visible bruises could be seen on his skin that was left uncovered.

"Little brother..." Lucifer sighed bitterly and with sorrow glistening in his brown eyes. "He is hurting you..." It was not a question but a statement. "It is very brave of you to be here, warning us," he said low. The urge to reach out and touch him comfortingly lingered in Lucifer, but in the end only his look gave that to the angel he once loved dearly. And maybe a part of him – despite all – still did. "You did always care about Father's creations. But... reaching out to Him?" Robb finally frowned. "What makes Michael think that he would find Him or that He would answer?"

From Lucifer's statement Gabriel pulled the hood a little more into his face.

"You shouldn't be ashamed for his actions," Christos said calmly and reached across the table to put his hand on the angel's. Only a gasp of Gabriel gave it away how the God sent his healing energies through his body.

"I am sorry," Gabriel wept weakly and lowered his head. Silent crying shaking his body, but he quickly collected himself as much as he could.

"He always wanted His love more than anything. Michael hated His created humans, and the ones from other parts of the Earth even more. He wants to make Him proud. I… I can't just watch and go along with all this anymore. He is getting more and more paranoid and lost in his plan to… wipe all of the Earth and start over the whole planet."

"Yes. Elohim had worked only with a small group compared to the entire globe," Christos nodded, stroking down his beard. "And he needs you and the force of creation to fulfill that plan. I remember him being angry with you many times because your Father only gave you such powers and you rather lived as a simple human on the surface."

In the end, Robb's comforting hand stayed on his angel brother's back, feeling and also seeing what a mess he was. Far from the usually calm and collected Gabriel he remembered.

"I remember that too, brother," Robb murmured then watched Gabriel for a long moment, as if he could still look into him. It wasn't the case, but he knew him well enough to see there was something more. "Gabriel... I know you love him and want to be there for him. But... are you willing to stop him by any means necessary if it comes to that? You say he is beyond the point where he could be turned back..." he said gently, but it was a valid question probably on Christos' mind too.

"Yes," the angel replied with a nod and without any hesitation. "I came here to warn you and to do that. There is an ancient Dom at the border of the Sanctuary. It is important for the Nephilim and Samael to be there in two nights from now. Michael and I will be there too. Lord Nabu," he pulled his hood back again to let the God see him more as he looked into the eyes with a slight silver glow. "There is a way still to turn this around. You are one of the Ancients. And all of your kind on any continent taught the same about this world and humans. Please remember that. I must hurry now…" Gabriel gasped in fear and in panic as he pulled his hood down and left them there at the stone table.

Robb let out a bitter sigh as his small brown eyes met the God's. They looked at each other in silence for a long moment. Entwining his own hands on the top of the stone table, Robb's sadness was evident to the ancient being sitting opposite him.

"He seemed sincere enough. I doubt he was lying. Are we going to let the others know and do this?" he asked quietly.

"He is horrified from his own twin with whom he has the closest bond and soul," Christos said low and sad. "I don't think he was lying. And yes, tomorrow in the afternoon we will hold a meeting in the library. I have to talk with my other parts and make preparations," the God nodded and reached out his hand as an offer to an easier ride back home.

***

The next late morning Matt was out on his favorite clearing near the cliffs to practice with his katana and powers. He was too tense and upset to be able to calm himself enough for a proper meditation, so he rather chose the physical exercise to work out some of the tension that kept building between him and Corey.

And they say he is the stubborn one...

Not even spending time with Paolo and Jim could take away that constant nagging feeling that there was more that they should know about Azmodan. He tried to put it to rest, but couldn't. He also knew that his pair could probably feel it too not just from the looks he gave him but the slight irritation he could feel through their bond. Which only upset Matt even more.

So there he was, that thought making his blade swoosh through the air more forcefully than necessary – but with the same deadly precision like always.

Corey was done and didn't want to bring up the topic of Azmodan to Matt anymore. Yes, his pair was silent about it. But if it was possible, he was more annoying with the silent suppressed energies and swallowed down questions than when he kept talking.

The fact that Paolo also stood up for the war demon and did not understand why Matt had issues with Azmodan staying fueled Matt even more. Even if he kept more silent since that... Which… yeah… was fucking irritating to Corey. But he has to talk to him anyway about the meeting.

Knowing the favorite spot, he landed there in all his devilish glory, horns, wings and red eyes. He knew Matt noticed him there just ignored him. And it was good. That way Corey could adore the fluid moves of his beloved mate for a while.

"I need to speak with you, Matt."

To that Matt finished the complex steps of the attack he was practicing and exhaled slowly, making his katana disappear in his pocket dimension. "I know," he said quietly on his deep voice and turned to his mate with a serious expression, preparing himself for whatever might come. "I'm listening."

Corey let out a giving up sigh and decided to be formal first. "We all are summoned into the library of the Gods. Important war meeting," he said trying to stay calm but all the stuff he felt from Matt just tipped him over and added: "There you probably will get to know what's the Gods’ plan with Azi too…"

In return Matt's expression hardened and he pulled his walls up in order to protect himself – like in the past. Which was already fucked up since he shouldn't have to do that with his mated pair. But he felt like Corey completely rejected Matt's observations and worries.

"Good. At least there hopefully you'll finally believe that I was right, not just paranoid..." he snapped back then went silent, turning his face away to stare onto the grassy ground.

"Yeah well... You keep saying that 'yes I know he did good and in the thousands of years proved to be trustworthy yet there is something'," Corey grumbled. "There is always something. You think I was going around Earth for millennia looking for YOU, my made for my Doom pair and told everyone who I was and where I was from??? Did you? When you were on that superior holy crusade with those asshole angels... You always told fully and honestly one hundred fucking percent who you were and what you do and what world you came from and allllll???" the usually calm demon by the end almost yelled. Because saying it out loud once again was just as ridiculous as it sounded.

"Of course not!" Matt did raise his voice as he snapped at his pair then held himself back a bit to lower his voice, but it stayed just as tense. "But this is a different situation! We are about to go to war. And you haven't seen him for hundreds of years. That's a long time for things to change, even if he appears to be the same. His timing can be explained, yes. Because he had heard The Call! He is a war god now, isn't he?" he frowned then sighed. "I'm just worried for all of us and our whole world!" Matt opened his long arms in the air as a sign of trying to make Corey finally see it.

Corey frowned as he gave a thought about what Matt was saying. "Yes, I guess he is a war god now if he did hear it. But he came now when there was an opportunity to finally come at all," he sighed. "You know... a lot of times you still act like how you did when I had met you with those angels. And still thinking you can judge someone better with your age and less than like a quarter of the knowledge of the dimensions than ancient deities have. You’re still thinking you are the most right and center of it all. The poor victim who only wants good for everyone. Just say you don't like him.... You know... it's sad to see that when something comes up you just go back to being that and forget everything you've learned in Japan."

Corey's words hit Matt hard, making his heart sink and his expression darken. He swallowed hard a few times as he looked back at his mate. Yes, he was young, but wiser than back then. "I never said I know it better than the Gods. I wouldn't dream of that. They probably have their reasons like with everything else," he said, curling his hands into fists by his sides. They were lightly trembling.

"I haven't forgotten Japan. What I've learned there are exactly the ones that are telling me these," he dropped his eyes to the wildly pumping vein on Corey's neck. "I think, you are the one who's blinded by the fact that you grew up around Azmodan. But at least now I know how you really think of me..." he whispered at the end, blinking away the burning in his dark eyes.

"Not everyone raised by him are 'blinded' here," Corey murmured trying to stay collected. "What should I think of you the way you’re acting now??? What should I think? You DO act like you know better and it's your duty to save us all poor blind sheep… Hmm now… from where is that sooo familiar... Hmmm... I wonder..." Corey mocked with sad bitterness in his voice and whole being. For he was thinking so, so much more of his pair... And yet there they were...

Matt stopped the urge to reach to his chest to ease the dull throbbing pain there caused by both of their emotions. Corey's mocking tone only cut deeper. "I'm sorry if trying to look out for us comes off as a hero complex or paranoia. But I guess you're right... I'll stop with it then. I'm more than my old self... I'm sorry for hurting you with my actions and feelings," he added barely audible. 

"We should get going anyway...We'll be late," Matt said, on a hollow voice, spreading his half-demon, half-angel dark cherub wings and took off, quickly wiping a stray tear away once Corey didn't see.

***

The huge library of the Gods looked surprisingly... empty... Massive amounts of books and scrolls were missing and the whole inner center of the sacred caves felt different.

By the time Corey and Matt arrived, all the others were sitting alongside the long table. The Trinity at the head of the table in their usual order: creator – preserver – destroyer. Christos, Sotiris and Seth.

At Christos side there were Brent, Lucifer, Samael, Azmodan, Vega and Mick. On Seth's side Paolo, Jim and the seats were waiting for Matt and Corey.

Everyone could feel the air freeze and the low chatter stopped as Matt stopped at his chair staring at the fully armored and painted demon of Pandemonium.

Seeing the library so... empty reflected much of Matt's feelings as he glimpsed around. The Gods were probably preparing for the war by moving the ancient knowledge to safety in case anything happened to this place. Which was wise and necessary not to let all that get to the wrong hands or get destroyed. Which was a more likely scenario.

From that and staring at the big demon made the bitter taste stay in Matt's mouth. He didn't hate Azmodan, but maybe Matt did go too far and was just too stubborn about this. Maybe not... But it didn't mean he wasn't hurting just as bad as his pair.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Paolo and Jim's worried glimpses too, but he stood the painted demon's look for a long moment before staying silent and sitting down with a straight back next to Jim. "Sorry if we are a bit late," he murmured.

"You are just in time," Seth raised his glass of wine to his lips and studied the last two ones to arrive, but didn't comment on the way they acted or felt. Instead he sipped then lightly smacked his lips. "We gathered here because my brother and Robb had an interesting meeting with Gabriel just outside our border," he cut right in, earning a few huffs and gasps and raised eyebrows – which he enjoyed for a moment or two. "He warned us about Michael's plans of destroying Sanctuary, us and resetting the world..." he added calmly then mentally gave the word to his brother.

"We are doing preparations as you can see," Christos took over and waved to the empty shelves. "But after throughout research we agreed that this place will go. Gabriel gave us a head start. There is an old cathedral just at the border of our Sanctuary. A temple dedicated to archangel Michael. While the horde of the fallen ones destroys this place, Jim, Samael and I will go there to face Michael."

"The warriors will be led by Paolo and Brent and Seth while Lucifer and I" Sotiris took over "will create the temporary base with the help and guarding of Robb."

"There are many changes coming. We will get on the road. In groups and start a new strategy. But for now..." Seth smirked like a jackal and raised his glass to his lips again "we keep those hidden." He just couldn't help himself and earned a groan and eye-roll from Christos.

"I think I should be on Jim's side. I'm his guardian, after all," Mick suddenly spoke up once the Gods finished talking and he felt that the Nephilim got a bit nervous about the biggest task he's got so far. To that he got a grateful look. Not that Jim would've doubted his skills, but this was important and even with such strong allies like Samael and Christos himself, every help would come in handy.

"Agreed," Christos stroked his long beard then his eyes jumped at Kerim, who looked better than for a very long time. "How about you?"

To that direct attention Kerim's cheeks turned a slight pink as a big smile spread on his face, looking at each of his Gods. "Since my Light is back and it can support creative energies, I think my place would be with Master Sotiris and Lucifer."

"Good thinking," Seth smacked his lips as he finished his wine and grinned wide, looking around. "Must say that we love when you are independent and know your worth, and make suggestions for a better outcome to everyone. It's sort of like... a passing test," he giggled and Sotiris joined in for that.

"Also Vega will be out of the way of the renegade angels this way," Christos added meaningfully as it was an important factor for them. "Azmodan can be at more than one place at one time and his powers will be in good use to face the ones allied with the twins."

Kerim bowed his head with that same smile in acceptance of Christos' words. They were right and he knew and accepted now how important his safety was for his beloved Gods.

On the other hand, Matt was getting fed up with 'the Great Azmodan' by then and his fight and tension with Corey probably didn't help on his next words either.

"Yes, King and I will help Seth and Paolo and Brent's army. But my question is..." he forced himself to keep his voice more or less normal, though it came out a bit cold "why is Azmodan so involved? He is clearly a war god who had heard The Call. He himself said that he did. And alright, no one from his world will side with the twins and he loves and respects many of you here... But what's the guarantee that the demons of Pandemonium won't change their minds and attack in the end?"

"Oh I know that!" Sotiris giggled. "The guarantee is his wife's word. And yes. Yes, he became the strongest in his world and became a war god. Isn't it just... grand..?" the Sun God sighed with a dreamy look at Azmodan and Seth on his side giggled and nudged his pair's side as if saying 'Watch it, babe...'

"Oh that is GRAND!" That was Samael who also had heart-shaped eyes for the… War God beside him. "I knew you became more powerful and you’ve said you have to be away for the ranking battles... but bagging the queen..." the seraph let out a long approving whistle.

"Yes. All those are true. And I feel like I have to answer the other questions," the demon spoke calmly and quietly like always. His dark eyes were kept on Matt's face. "Only a few knows about my origin and why I’m connected to this world. My mother was one of the first Nephilim warriors, the goddess of battle in the humans’ eyes. When many fled, she got shelter with her Pandemonium war lord, my father."

"He belongs to this world as he also has awakened Nephilim powers. And his position now can be used to help us out too," Christos cut in on his cold tone that usually meant that no other objections should be said.

"He meant Athena, right?" Jim couldn't stop his mumbled question to Paolo, who chuckled and nodded, patting his love's long thigh under the table. "Whoaaa... So that's why... Now I get it why you felt so strange yet familiar to me..." Jim told Azmodan.

"Yes," the demon turned his head with a cheeky grin on his painted face. "You felt the Nephilim in me. You just didn't know what it was since as I've heard, you haven't met another before."

"So cool, dude..." Jim added, clearly in multiply shock from what was revealed and also the amazement. Which earned a few more giggles and pats from Paolo, but he didn't mind, just kept staring at the demon. Clearly with a lot more questions, but by then Azmodan's eyes were back on the silent Matt again.

The difference was palpable. Matt's back relaxed somewhat as he leaned back in his chair and glimpsed at King meaningfully. Then he returned Azmodan's gaze and nodded in acceptance. "Thank you for revealing this. Now everything makes more sense. And I apologize for my behavior. I was reminded that I've crossed a line. Though my intentions weren't bad."

"As far as this 'I will hold onto the suspension and fuel my bad feelings because nothing else underlines that beside that something is hidden' attitude goes, it is not cool. We are not like this in this family. He could've kept hidden a secret wedding or something for you by this logic," Lucifer finally spoke and Samael hugged the side of his pair clearly very proudly. "And the other logical question… What about the gate?" with that Lucifer turned to the Gods.

"Yes. I always have my faith in you to think ahead," Seth nodded. "We seal the gate and disguise it to look crumbled down. After this battle we are going to reach out to other parts of the world and its beings. As it's a battle to be won over the souls of this world."

Matt was a bit surprised by Robb's scolding, but as his cheeks and even his big ears began burning from it, a small smile appeared on his face too and he found himself taking Corey's hand under the table. This time his throat closed off not because of sadness, but from feeling moved. He never had a father to scold him if he did something wrong, but Corey's father just did it. Also still considering him as part of their family. It was a brand new experience for the cherub and it warmed his heart as he sent a grateful look at Lucifer before glimpsing at Corey sending the question 'well, did he?' half-jokingly through their bond.

Corey shook his head a little then focused on the main topic again. His pair was all okay for now...

"Are we going to wander again?" Vega asked Seth with interest, because he always liked that. They did that a few times in the past too, though this felt somewhat different. It was probably going to be longer as more damage was done to the world.

"Yes, Vega. We will pick up the nomadic life once again," Seth smiled nostalgic. "For who doesn't know... we had been circling around from places before too. But now we will have a mission and will go out in groups. The gate won't be active and all our private places will be hidden by magic too. We will have help from Azmodan and his older brother, though. They both are half-breeds and connect to this world. And they can open portals," Seth hummed at the end with a jackal-like smirk.

"Oh yes. My brother is a high lord in Pandemonium. That means he has such powers and he will arrive tomorrow. Fair warning: Inferno can be a bit of a grumpy asshole," Azmodan added.

"Yeah, we know that type just in a younger brother version..." Seth grumbled, taking a side glance at Christos.

Who in his newborn mindset laughed out and leaned forward so he could face the God of Darkness. "And when did we three, born from the same energy at the same time, decided that you are the older one?"

To that a round of stifled and outright laughing went around the gathering.

Jim's Nephilim curiosity was right away taking over once more and he leaned a bit onto the table too, turning his mismatched eyes on the still smiling Azmodan.

"Inferno as in... a huge purging fire?" he asked with shining eyes. "Is he as big as you, though?"

Samael started giggling from that question, taking glimpses of his big lover as he knew Inferno too.

Azmodan laid his thick forearms on the table and leaned forward to lock eyes with Jim as he answered. "Yes. My brother is the big purging fire of ‘Hell’ as Pandemonium was where the ever-changing lords of this land liked to throw not behaving creatures," he said low, almost as a whisper while leaning even closer to Jim. "And he is bigger than us, Jim…" he even added a few little nods to underline his words. To Samael's utter enjoyment, of course.

"Ohhhh..." That's all Jim could react to the war god's kinda playful and suggestive words. Of course he was already trying to picture an even bigger, grumpy warrior in his head and he found himself leaning back in his chair, playing with the hairband on his fingers as he giggled and maybe blushed a bit. To Paolo's utter enjoyment, too...

"You will like him, Jim," Corey seemed to find his voice now that everything was sorted out. "I know you all said that we will focus on this world's beings. I have a feeling that and the wandering around means human kind…"

"Yes, King. If we look at it, we all came from other worlds. Even Elohim and his creations did. Humans are born from this world. And no matter how some try to teach and bend or modify them, they are the true beings and all have the potential to evolve. We have to wake them up for it and help them form their new world," Christos said with the agreeing humming from Seth and Sotiris.

"It's the right thing to do. We have friends across the pond. The biker gang my Mercy brothers and I used to guard. Jim was a member there too. Once the war is over, I'd like to check in with them. They are good people," Mick voiced his thoughts, earning a big smile and a hand on top of his from Kerim for that.

"Will the shamans join us for the fight?" Matt finally found his voice too, now coming off much calmer than before.

"We’ve been consulting with them and other beings and agreed on these moves. Tomorrow Jim's meeting with the twins will be a turning point for a new beginning. And with the help of the brothers we can go anywhere. We’ve been making plans to include that gang and the remaining Mercy demons too," Sotiris replied to that.

"The shamans will be in connection and helping out when needed, yes Matt," Lucifer answered that with a kind smile for his son-in-law.

Matt smiled back at Robb while Mick bowed towards Sotiris for his answer. After that they talked some more about the details of the upcoming war plans.

They all knew that the following day was going to be an important turning point indeed. And the Nephilim would have a big role in how the world's fate would go. Just like how Seth had told him back when he was still mourning the loss of his own Corey. To that thought, Jim put a hand on his chest right over his second ruin.

It was the final countdown now...

Next chapter

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