Chapter Forty-Two
Help
Day 12
Wednesday
Lucifer took a shaky breath as he gathered his nerves. It's just a meeting. It's just a meeting.
With his siblings. About getting help looking for the Child of God. Yeah, just a meeting. No biggie.
Oh Father, why couldn't you have executed me instead of exiling me?
While in this instance it was a form of reprieve from the anxiety he had knowing he was going to see his siblings, at other times he has wondered about this before. Father was not above killing, having done it to His creations when He felt the need to, and yet He did not kill him. And He had plenty of reasons to do so.
Tempting humans, taking Eve as his lover, making the Mother of Mankind eat the Apple, instigating two separate wars against Heaven; the list can go on further but it would be pointless to bring it all up. The point still stands that these are all very valid reasons to have him erased.
Maybe continuing on like this is the punishment worse than death, Lucifer mused to himself with a melancholy smile on his lips.
While the fallen seraphim would not be caught dead entering the Heaven Embassy building, he didn't exactly have an excuse anymore. Angels did not have clearance to enter Hell's infernal land outside of the Extermination or with special permissions from God Himself. While Lucifer could grant an exception in the most extreme of circumstances, he also did not have the power to stop them should they decide they needed to go into Pride.
Like when they demanded to see Naruto after he fended off the Exterminators in the Entertainment District.
"Lucifer Magne," an Exterminator angel greeted the man respectfully, but disdain can be heard as well. "The Elders are waiting for you. I will guide you to them."
Lucifer nodded his head once and let himself be led further into the holy halls that radiated God's touch. It left him even more uneasy, almost nauseous, as he tried to not let his nerves get to him on the way to his siblings. Constant deep breaths quelled the feeling but every step was sluggish in their trek to his doom.
"Here's the room," the Exterminator told him while indicating to the door they've approached. "They're inside, just knock before entering."
With that, the angel retreated back the other direction and left Lucifer to stand in front of a beautiful white and gold door. He messed with his hair and clothing to draw more time avoiding knocking on the door. After a few moments, he straightened his back and took a breath before knocking thrice on the door.
"Come in!"
He opened the door and found his two brothers sitting at a small table. His twin brothers Michael and Gabriel. Unlike him, they had not changed physically from the time they were all in Heaven.
"Hello, Luci- fer," Michael made sure to correct himself before he said his brother's old name. "I was surprised to hear that you wanted to talk with Gabriel and I. We haven't talked face to face in… forever."
Gabriel elbowed Michael when he noticed the souring atmosphere before giving a bright smile to Lucifer. "What do you need of us, Lucifer?"
The King of Hell bit his lip before grabbing a seat across from the two Elders. He leaned his cane against the table and folded his hands in front of him.
"I need the help of the Elders," Lucifer started professionally, his eyes meeting that of his brothers. "The fallen angels, the fallen gods, have kidnapped a Sinner of importance; Naruto Uzumaki."
The two angels' eyes widened at that and Michael leaned forward anxiously to question. "How do you know?"
"They attacked his restaurant during his meeting with you twelve days ago," Lucifer informed them with a sigh. "I've been trying to handle this by myself, granted he had just been one Sinner until I had been informed of his true identity. He's the Child of God, isn't he? The Promised One?"
Michael grit his teeth as he sat back, frustrated that his brother had not spoken up earlier, but he knew it wasn't even to do it. Indeed, over a normal sinner it would not be necessary or even possible to get Heaven involved. But there was always the exception, and a prophetic individual fits this criteria.
"Twelve days is a long time for a trail to go cold," Gabriel softly spoke while tapping his fingers on the table,
"Themiel can go to Naruto's apartment to see his current future and location. We can go from there," Lucifer told his brothers, knowing Themiel could use his visions to accomplish it. "His angelic presence will have to be hidden, I'm sure you know that."
Michael nodded his head and made a note to gain one of the nullifying artifacts that hide heavenly auras. Traditionally used for Earth when needing to interact with mortals covertly, it can be useful in this situation.
"We will let Themiel know, and he will be down by tomorrow at the latest," Michael told his brother with a nod. "Thank you for trusting us enough to get involved. The sooner we find out his location the sooner we can save him and get rid of the heretics once and for all."
And there's his battlelust, Lucifer sat back while trying to resist pinching the bridge of his nose.
Michael was a warrior in every way. He craved a righteous fight, an honorable battle, and all holy wars. It had been respectable when their only worries had been nurturing the Garden, Adam and Lilith, and killing any and all Darkness. But now it was a bitter sight, a reminder of what it used to be.
It made his stomach feel sick and he bit back a scowl as he knew they would take his reaction the wrong way.
"By the way, Luci," Gabriel smiled as he sat forward while scooting his chair closer. "We heard we have a niece!"
Urk! Lucifer bit back a gasp while weakly asking, "how did you hear about that?"
"Eve found out and told Themiel, and she shared with the rest of us," Gabriel answered honestly, much to Lucifer's silent annoyance. "How is she? What's she like? She takea more after you or her mother?"
Lucifer was quiet as he had no idea how to answer his brother at the moment, and glancing at Michael he could see he also was curious.
With a sigh, he decided to just talk to his family for once where there wasn't shouting or an awkward tension. "Her name is Charlotte, but she really only likes being called Charlie. She's the most inspirational, good hearted girl in Hell, which is surprising considering her parents and her environment. Even now, she is interested in Heaven and her Grandfather."
Lucifer smiled as he began spacing out about the product of his love with his wife. His family, which he held so protectively. "I haven't pinned much of her down, at least for dreams or anything, but she has been becoming her own woman after the nasty breakup with her ex boyfriend. She's a strong girl and I wish that I could claim at least some credit for that but I can't."
"She's in a relationship with her former school bully as well as with Naruto - I think, they haven't said anything officially but I'm also not too pushy about finding out."
During the rambling and reminiscing smile on Lucifer's lips, he never noticed his brothers watching with wide eyes. They never expected to see this, especially since the last time they had been face to face had been in battle during the last Heaven-Hell war. Some colorful insults were given, things that were said and could never be taken back, and yet they are sitting and talking like the old times.
On top of that, the love and innocence on their brother's face as he talked about his daughter stunned them. This was not typical of their "King of Hell" brother that has avoided them at every chance he had. No, this was like looking into the past when Lucifer talked about what Adam and Lilith did. Or how Adam and Eve were acclimating to each other.
Adam and Lucifer were such bros back then, it was sad how much things have changed.
Change. Gabriel thought to himself with a smile. Maybe that's the key.
Day 13
Thursday
"The angels should be arriving soon," Tayuya said out loud while she and the others waited inside the partially rebuilt dining room. "I still find it stupid that Mito-sama can't be here."
"Mito -sama is a former Virtue, she would be recognized by the Elders immediately," Jiraiya reminded her but understood why his new protege cared.
Mito is one of if not the only one they know that can stand against the Elders. The fact that she can't be here to keep them in line meant they could be pushed around if so wished. But he had a feeling it was not in the nature of heavenly beings to behave in such a way.
Granted, he didn't really understand much about the religion but Haku was calm so he will be calm as well. The boy seemed more prepared or expectant of the angels, which was a good thing in the Sannin's eyes.
"Here they come," Haku stated and stood up from his seat as he continued to look at the entrance.
The doors opened and three people walked in. Jiraiya recognized one immediately and bit back a hiss at the sight of the Angel of Death.
"Greetings, Elder Angels, my name is Haku and I currently handle all of Naruto's operations and responsibilities while he is missing," Haku bowed his head in respect. "With me are Tayuya and Jiraiya. May we learn your names and titles?"
The first to speak is the blindfolded brunette. "My name is Themiel, the Angel of Visions. Nice to meet you three."
"My name is Remiel, the Angel of Hope," the pink eyed angel stated with a brilliant smile.
"Azrael, Angel of Death," the familiar man stated lazily.
"I know you want to use your powers to find Naruto, may I ask what you need to do so?"
Themiel nodded his head at the polite question. "Of course, Haku. I need to have contact with something solely used and owned by Naruto. The more it's used the more clear the vision will be."
Haku nodded his head. "No one else enters his room so you are free to use the objects in there. Please let us know if there is anything else needed."
"Of course. We appreciate your assistance and patience," Remiel thanked them while Themiel began walking to the back.
"Are the rooms back here?" Themiel asked back over his shoulder as he reached the doors.
"Continue past the door to the back and head to the right, the stairs to the upper floors will be right there," Haku waved at Tayuya to help them. "Tayuya will show you where his room is."
Tayuya grumbled before walking past the three angels. "Yeah, yeah, follow me. Just don't stab me in the back, huh?"
"Wouldn't even dream of it," Themiel answered while trying his best to not sound offended. "We're here to help you."
"Uhuh," Tayuya grunted without a second glance. "This way to the shithead's room."
The angels followed her as she led them up the stairs and to the closed door to Naruto's room. It was not decorated, the boy finding little inspiration to "make it his" as the others have, and it was still locked from when he left for Heaven's Embassy. Tayuya produced a key and unlocked the door before turning to leave.
"Just holler if you need anything. Please don't destroy or take anything of his."
Themiel nodded his head at the request. "Of course, we will leave it how we entered."
He could understand how none of them wanted anything to change, allowing the room to freeze in time as if the Promised Child had never left. They cared deeply and did not want to give up hope that he would come back. He admired the quality from these people, their honest devotion to their friend.
Once the woman had left without another word, he opened the door and pushed it open. The room was pretty empty with the bare necessities being the most occupying this room. A bed with no frame, just the box spring on the floor and the mattress on top. A dresser with a lamp and nightcap on top. A table with some notebooks and papers spread over the surface.
"Let's pick something and find out where he is so we can go," Azrael told them as he entered the room and began looking around.
"Don't rush, Izzy," Themiel chastised his brother as he walked in and shook his head. "Your impatience will not rush the visions to me."
Azrael sighed and nodded his head. "I'm sorry, Themiel."
Themiel gave a grin before sensing the presence of a vision nearby. He needed to wait for moments like these to get the visions he is looking for. It was hard as there needs to be a "footprint" left by the person tied to what he desires.
The pillow.
Themiel followed the trail and put his hand on the soft surface of the pillow.
Immediately he stood in a room that was darkened to be barely visible inside. He no longer was blinded by his blindfold now that he is taken by a vision.
"Ah!"
Themiel shivered and turned around to see where the moan came from and what he saw made his face burn brightly.
Laying on a bed is a hellbon woman with kraken features. Her legs are spread with her knees arced up and quivering.
Between her legs is a blonde woman in only her bra and panties. Her fingers were between her legs while her face is in the hellborn's crotch.
It took a moment for Themiel to understand why the blonde looked familiar and it dawned just when the woman raised her head.
"OH FATHER NO!"
Themiel staggered back as he screamed out. He fell on his ass, making Remiel and Azrael rush to his sides.
"What happened?" Azrael's question is concerned for his brother.
Themiel shuddered and grabbed the side of his hair as he tried to wash away what he saw. "The vision latched onto two people close to Naruto. One was a hellborn, and the other was… Luci's daughter."
"Why did you panic from that, though?" Remiel asked worriedly.
"They are… having a moment of intimacy."
Remiel's eyes widened and Azrael snickered as it clicked for him quicker than his cousin.
"O-oh!"
Themiel shook his head and got back to his feet. "Let's just… forget about it."
Azrael snickered at his brother's plight until Remiel nudged him with her elbow and a stern look.
"Don't be mean, Azrael," Remiel told him.
"What? It's funny," Azrael defended himself, still chuckling lightly to himself. "These heathens still have the time to have sex yet say they are concerned for their friend. I find it ironic."
"People deal with stress in different ways, and those who love each other tend to seek comfort from the other," Remiel told the Angel of Death.
"And if Remiel says so, then it is true," Themiel piped up while trying to find another presence in the room.
His hand lightly touched the surface of the dresser before stopping. He felt another presence present itself to him and he reached for the nightcap that was left on the dresser.
The room is completely black.
He looked around but he couldn't see anything. It is as if he is trapped in a void where all he could feel is dread.
Oh, that's a lot of dread.
He gripped his shirt anxiously as the overwhelming feeling began to eat at his defenses. But he could hear crying somewhere around him. It sounded like… Naruto.
"Where are you?"
Themiel hoped to communicate with the boy but it seems that the presence was not strong enough. Instead, all he got was the scraping of stone or metal in response.
"NO!"
Themiel was thrown out of the vision the moment Naruto screamed. He grabbed his chest as his breathing became erratic and sweat pooled on his forehead.
"We're getting close," Themiel whispered as Remiel used her power to take away the feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. "He's alive. They're doing… something to him."
"He's held out after all this time?" Azrael asked with a skeptical arched eyebrow.
"He's breaking, I don't know how much longer he can stay like that," Themiel admitted hesitantly. "With that much power, Darkness has to be involved. If not directly, they have some presence there."
Azrael did not say anything but his mind did drift to his dreams - visions - and he took a shaky breath to calm himself. He had been chewed out by Uriel and Eve enough already he didn't need to give them more reasons to do so. But if he turned out to be right he won't let them hear the end of it ever again.
"So much negativity," Remiel muttered as she collected the negative emotions before cleansing it and dispersing it into the air. "It's a wonder he is still sane. I guess he is the son of God after all, one cannot corrupt His work that easily."
"Lucifer found that out the hard way when Jesus was fasting," Azrael cracked a grin.
It was an amusing thing to this day that Lucifer, out of spite or just not believing Jesus was the Son, had tried tempting Him with worldly possessions. It failed, of course, but it was an amusing event to look back on nonetheless.
But then again, Darkness was something else entirely. Their power was not greater than God but it could corrupt Naruto's ningen soul. His ningen birth makes him not completely resilient to Darkness, although his divine creation makes him better than most.
"Oh," Themiel gasped as he felt dumbstruck by a loud presence in the room.
This presence screamed at him, begging his attention, and he took a few steps toward it. His hands had barely touched it, finding it coming from a notebook, before he was thrown back into the world of hopelessness.
He heard crying but this time he can see everything around him. The crying is coming from Naruto, finding him locked up against the wall. He is covered in a black, fleshy mass that reeked of corruption.
He wanted to help the boy, give him some assurance from beyond, but… she refused to go near that thing. It could latch onto him if he wasn't careful and that would be disastrous in many ways. Walking through visions like this was not like facing them in person. He would not be resistant to their corruption as well as if he was physically here.
"Don't worry, we will save you."
He turned around away from the scene, a pit in his stomach as he heard a whine from the boy, and found the door to the cell. He walked through it and found some kind of cave corridor. He picked a direction and made his way through.
He walked for quite a while before he found an open room. It was gigantic, almost like walking into the main hall of the embassy in Hell. Some torches are lit across the walls and nothing occupies the room except a large statue.
"Wait, it can't be," Themiel's eyes widened as he stared up at the large statue.
No, it wasn't a statue. It was the husk of the World Tree Devourer. A space-living entity of Darkness that evolved from the seed of the World Trees once it has drained enough Life from the planet. The only husky in existence is… from Naruto's home planet.
Themiel came back out of the vision and gathered himself, leaning against the desk for stability while rubbing his forehead.
"Any luck?" Remiel asked as she approached to ease Themiel's worries if needed.
"I need to talk to the Sinners downstairs," Themiel answered and took a breath before leaving the room. "We have a location."
Remiel and Azrael followed Themiel as he rushed for the stairs and to the lobby.
"All done?" Haku asked when he saw them rushing out. "Did it work?"
"Do you know where the Devourer husk is?" Themiel asked quickly. "In your language it's called…um, the- the Juubi. It's where all the nine Biju of your world are joined together to create the original beast."
Everyone's eyes widened but it was Jiraiya who was the most shocked of all. "That's what Akatsuki was doing. They wanted to recreate the complete beast."
"Do you know something, toad?" Azrael asked, ignoring the elbow in his side. "Tell us now, the Child does not have much time."
Jiraiya glanced at Haku to silently ask if it was alright to share, mostly out of respect that with Naruto gone he was the one to decide what to share. He also didn't trust the angels entirely, but that was just for his first experience when first arriving. He got a nod in response to speak what he knew.
"When I was alive, I was investigating a mercenary organization that was collecting the Biju from their hosts. They were based in Amegakure, the Land of Rain, but they also had multiple smaller hideouts. I don't know for sure where the husk would be held but it would have to be near Amegakure."
Themiel nodded his head and turned to Haku. "We will take what we've learned to the others. We will be in contact once we have found where he is."
Haku nodded his head. "Thank you, Themiel. And you too, Remiel and Azrael."
The other two bowed their heads respectfully before departing.
"It seems they found where we are keeping the Child," Shibai mused to Mortifer.
"Negligible consequence as we have already gained what we needed," Mortifer smiled as they watched the corrupted recreation of the Child. "We can move the husk back to the moon for the time being."
Shibai nodded his head and looked into the field with their corrupted Child. He was slowly learning his mobility with some simple tools meant for children. It was necessary as he was practically an infant with the appearance of a young adult.
The Child looked strikingly similar to the original but was corrupted by Darkness. The noticeable difference is that his hair is longer, reaching to his shoulders, and his eyes are a ruby red. But the most peculiar feature are the two black bone horns growing from the crown of his head.