Elfen High 2: Gotterdammerung

[Nationstatelandsville]

There was a horrific, earth-shaking shriek.

D smiled, "Mom's up."

The door to Aziraphale and Calliel's room was kicked open violently enough that it flew across the room and smacked into the wall, smashing into pieces. Entered Megan, dressed in hospital robes, the side of her head bandaged. She grabbed Sanchez by his collar and lifted him off his feet.

"WHERE!" she shouted, "IS! MY! DAUGHTER!"

Sanchez blinked. "At Elfen High. She'll be safe there. No matter what we think of Aleister Crowley, he really is not stupid enough to risk your wrath. I was going to bring her along, but she tried to kill me when I did." Sanchez said with a sort of shrug. "Um...can you put me down now?"

Megan exhaled very loudly and dropped Sanchez back to his feet.

She would've apologized, but she had a headache, her daughter was alone, school had just been attacked, she'd been dragged off to a military base in God knows where, her class had been interrupted, and she had been kissed by Aleister fucking Crowley. She was, to say the least, in a foul mood.

To convey this, she promptly buried her fist in the wall.

"Why am I here?" she demanded.

"You can take one, Caesar," D said.

[Norvenia]

Zoryana gave a smile. "Well, it's worth recording the words of a handsome fellow like yourself." she joked. "As for the invasion- well, let's hope things go the best, but let's prepare for the worst. I'll bring in some of my contacts and tell Crowley to get his as well. And Raphael will be full of advice, with any luck." she stood up. "No need on going outside- I've been having to make constant trips to and from Heavensgate, and just decided to get a small portal generator for my room. Come on with me." she gestured.

They went up the stairs, taking one left turn and came up to Zoryana's room. It was quite messy, with the blanket on the ground, off the airbed, and a bookshelf stacked with hundreds of novels or research books, in no particular order at all, some even on the ground. The blinds were closed, leaving the room dark. Other than these things, it was quite spartan and bare, the white walls giving off the impression of emptiness quite well. There was what appeared to be a video projecter sitting on top of the bookshelf.

"Bit of a mess, sorry." Zoryana apologised, before flicking a switch on the wall.

A green ray of light emitted from the projecter, shining on the wall. A swirling green vortex appeared there instead, a portal. "Leads directly to Heavensgate. Just outside Raphael's office, in fact, and only to his office. It's a limited one, because the big ones...well, ISSR owned. Too much trouble to steal, too expensive to buy." Zoryana explained. "Might want to remove your coat, it gets warm there, in Heavensgate."

"So I noticed," Daniel replied drily. He shed his heavy overcoat, and buttoned his tan blazer so as to hide the handguns in their shoulder holsters. The priest glanced around the bedroom, curiously. Daniel had lived his whole life on the move, and so his quarters - wherever he happened to be staying - displayed the obsessive neatness of a man who had few possessions and was intent on knowing where all of them were at all times. The mess of Zoryana's bedroom, Daniel realized, meant that she must feel comfortable staying in one place - that she wasn't prepared to get up and move on, with all that she owned, at a moment's notice. The priest felt a sudden pang. Maybe someday I'll have that kind of life too, a voice whispered with fragile hope at the back of his mind, and Daniel felt a flash of terror that he had allowed himself even to consider the possibility.

Don't worry, said another voice, the grim part of Daniel's soul that knew exactly how the world worked, and couldn't quite believe that the Sabbatanos had survived this long already. You'll be dead long before you get the chance to gain and lose this kind of life. You'll be mouldering in the ground at last, old man, without ever having known the unimaginable luxury of a messy room.

Briefly, Daniel Andreas grunted, and turned to Zoryana. He waved a hand at the room. "It's wonderful," he said quietly, and his voice was slightly hoarse. And then he tossed his overcoat onto the bed, rolled his neck with a crackling pop of vertebrae, and stepped through the portal and into what lay beyond.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

The soldier roared in pain, falling on the ground and proceeding to bleed to death, which is rather what happens when you take a knife to the balls.

He did drop his gun- but now his buddies were firing randomly into the crowd, including anti-tank rifle man.

What sort of quarry do they hunt around here that they need anti-tank rifles? Sir Nilark had thought before Rosalind started attacking the soldiers. The knight's thoughts swiftly sank into a frothing mess of obscenities from various languages and dialects as he began dodging the various bullets shot at him.

"Well, as I was going to say before that brat went mental and started stabbing people, we're lost travellers. We were searching for something an acquaintance of ours had misplaced, and wound up here," the Englishman said.

The soldiers slowed down then, lowering their guns. "Alright." one said, holding his fire and speaking through his cupped hands. "Any of you lot have a goddamn medic? Our friend is quite severely hurt. And will someone bring that girl back and keep her under control? We apologise for losing control, we really do. Was anyone injured?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Sanchez blinked. "At Elfen High. She'll be safe there. No matter what we think of Aleister Crowley, he really is not stupid enough to risk your wrath. I was going to bring her along, but she tried to kill me when I did." Sanchez said with a sort of shrug. "Um...can you put me down now?"

Megan exhaled very loudly and dropped Sanchez back to his feet.

She would've apologized, but she had a headache, her daughter was alone, school had just been attacked, she'd been dragged off to a military base in God knows where, her class had been interrupted, and she had been kissed by Aleister fucking Crowley. She was, to say the least, in a foul mood.

To convey this, she promptly buried her fist in the wall.

"Why am I here?" she demanded.

"You can take one, Caesar," D said.

"You were severely injured and in a coma back at Elfen High." Sanchez explained. "The medical bay was, I must mention, in ruins and was still regenerating. The staff weren't doing too well. Doctor Horn suggested we bring you here. A few other injured parties from the Elfen High medical bay are here as well, healing. We brought Aziraphale and Calliel as well- partially for the healing, and I admit frankly, partially because we need to know what we're up against. Angels have been falling to Earth, Megan." Rick Sanchez said quietly.

A holo screen appeared, showing a world map. Sanchez gestured. "Months ago, one fell down in Kenya. Then, suddenly, one in Ireland- caught by the Faerie University- one fell in Luton, England. Then one hit Upstate New York- lucky shot there, thank God nobody lives in Upstate New York. One fell down in Cardiff to spite us. One in rural Japan. All very recently and very fast. We're working around the clock to figure out why and how."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Zoryana gave a smile. "Well, it's worth recording the words of a handsome fellow like yourself." she joked. "As for the invasion- well, let's hope things go the best, but let's prepare for the worst. I'll bring in some of my contacts and tell Crowley to get his as well. And Raphael will be full of advice, with any luck." she stood up. "No need on going outside- I've been having to make constant trips to and from Heavensgate, and just decided to get a small portal generator for my room. Come on with me." she gestured.

They went up the stairs, taking one left turn and came up to Zoryana's room. It was quite messy, with the blanket on the ground, off the airbed, and a bookshelf stacked with hundreds of novels or research books, in no particular order at all, some even on the ground. The blinds were closed, leaving the room dark. Other than these things, it was quite spartan and bare, the white walls giving off the impression of emptiness quite well. There was what appeared to be a video projecter sitting on top of the bookshelf.

"Bit of a mess, sorry." Zoryana apologised, before flicking a switch on the wall.

A green ray of light emitted from the projecter, shining on the wall. A swirling green vortex appeared there instead, a portal. "Leads directly to Heavensgate. Just outside Raphael's office, in fact, and only to his office. It's a limited one, because the big ones...well, ISSR owned. Too much trouble to steal, too expensive to buy." Zoryana explained. "Might want to remove your coat, it gets warm there, in Heavensgate."

"So I noticed," Daniel replied drily. He shed his heavy overcoat, and buttoned his tan blazer so as to hide the handguns in their shoulder holsters. The priest glanced around the bedroom, curiously. Daniel had lived his whole life on the move, and so his quarters - wherever he happened to be staying - displayed the obsessive neatness of a man who had few possessions and was intent on knowing where all of them were at all times. The mess of Zoryana's bedroom, Daniel realized, meant that she must feel comfortable staying in one place - that she wasn't prepared to get up and move on, with all that she owned, at a moment's notice. The priest felt a sudden pang. Maybe someday I'll have that kind of life too, a voice whispered with fragile hope at the back of his mind, and Daniel felt a flash of terror that he had allowed himself even to consider the possibility.

Don't worry, said another voice, the grim part of Daniel's soul that knew exactly how the world worked, and couldn't quite believe that the Sabbatanos had survived this long already. You'll be dead long before you get the chance to gain and lose this kind of life. You'll be mouldering in the ground at last, old man, without ever having known the unimaginable luxury of a messy room.

Briefly, Daniel Andreas grunted, and turned to Zoryana. He waved a hand at the room. "It's wonderful," he said quietly, and his voice was slightly hoarse. And then he tossed his overcoat onto the bed, rolled his neck with a crackling pop of vertebrae, and stepped through the portal and into what lay beyond.

What lay beyond was actually relatively simple.

Same wooden desk, same quiet room, same archangel sitting behind it, scribbling on something with a quill. He glanced up at Daniel. "Never could get used to the blasted pencils and the like." Raphael acknowledged, setting down the quill and seeming quite unsurprised by the priest's appearance. "Was actually just writing up some paperwork for transferring over...what was his name, Charles. South African ISSR soldier, was on your squad on Armenio before dying. We found him in Hell and managed to get him back to safety a week ago, which you'll likely be glad to know." Raphael said with a brief smile.

"Now, do have a seat. You as well, Miss Kovalenko." he addressed Zoryana, who had a brief look of surprise on her face.

"I never told you my that name." she said, regaining her calm admirably fast, though there was still a hint of accusation in her tone.

"And I simply would not be the leader of the angel community in Hell unless I was good at figuring things out, hmm? It was remarkably easy to find out what your real name was, not the fake name you tend to carry around. But I digress." Raphael leaned back in his chair, waving a hand and producing three cups of tea. "I can make them something stronger if you like." said the evidently unholy archangel. "But tea is lovely in my own opinion. Now, you have questions. I assume "Zoryana""- a much underappreciated talent of Raphael's was his remarkable ability to put sarcastic air quotes into sentences verbally without moving a hand- "showed you the memory of Ivy in Heaven. It was not particularly pleasant, I will admit."

[Swith Witherward]

The soldiers slowed down then, lowering their guns. "Alright." one said, holding his fire and speaking through his cupped hands. "Any of you lot have a goddamn medic? Our friend is quite severely hurt. And will someone bring that girl back and keep her under control? We apologise for losing control, we really do. Was anyone injured?"

Fen stood on top of a patch of ice and maintained her balance, but she slid to this side as she tried to remain centered on it. It seemed like things had settled down. They'd stopped shooting and were talking. At least she was still alive.

She toyed with the idea of just dropping Loki and asking whatever powers to take her home, but that wouldn't be fair to the unconscious fellow on her back. Sighing, she began to trudge back to shore using the same method as when she'd trotted out. She returned to the group and dropped Loki as gently as possible to the sand.

"Is the shooting part over?" she asked a bit timidly. She looked down at the injured man and added, "Does he need help? I'm sorry our companion stabbed and bit him."

[Constaniana]

The soldiers slowed down then, lowering their guns. "Alright." one said, holding his fire and speaking through his cupped hands. "Any of you lot have a goddamn medic? Our friend is quite severely hurt. And will someone bring that girl back and keep her under control? We apologise for losing control, we really do. Was anyone injured?"

"Look, you don't have to apologize. Our group is the one that attacked yours, even if it was only just the feral child," William replied. "And I can help with any sort of healing. As for Rosalind-that's the girl that attacked you lot-I'm not sure chasing after her is a good idea. Though I've luckily avoided dealing with her much, I don't think she really listens to what people tell her to do unless it's her mum. Besides, she'll probably eventually come crawling back to us in the night or something."

Sir Nilark then stepped over to where the bleeding soldier was, putting a hand on his chest and using healing magic.

"Yeah, the shooting bit's over, kid," Dunefiend said to Fen, even though she was only about ten years younger than him.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

The soldiers slowed down then, lowering their guns. "Alright." one said, holding his fire and speaking through his cupped hands. "Any of you lot have a goddamn medic? Our friend is quite severely hurt. And will someone bring that girl back and keep her under control? We apologise for losing control, we really do. Was anyone injured?"

Fen stood on top of a patch of ice and maintained her balance, but she slid to this side as she tried to remain centered on it. It seemed like things had settled down. They'd stopped shooting and were talking. At least she was still alive.

She toyed with the idea of just dropping Loki and asking whatever powers to take her home, but that wouldn't be fair to the unconscious fellow on her back. Sighing, she began to trudge back to shore using the same method as when she'd trotted out. She returned to the group and dropped Loki as gently as possible to the sand.

"Is the shooting part over?" she asked a bit timidly. She looked down at the injured man and added, "Does he need help? I'm sorry our companion stabbed and bit him."

"Yes, do you know how to heal?" the man asked, setting their bleeding and now unconscious companion on the ground.

The soldiers slowed down then, lowering their guns. "Alright." one said, holding his fire and speaking through his cupped hands. "Any of you lot have a goddamn medic? Our friend is quite severely hurt. And will someone bring that girl back and keep her under control? We apologise for losing control, we really do. Was anyone injured?"

"Look, you don't have to apologize. Our group is the one that attacked yours, even if it was only just the feral child," William replied. "And I can help with any sort of healing. As for Rosalind-that's the girl that attacked you lot-I'm not sure chasing after her is a good idea. Though I've luckily avoided dealing with her much, I don't think she really listens to what people tell her to do unless it's her mum. Besides, she'll probably eventually come crawling back to us in the night or something."

Sir Nilark then stepped over to where the bleeding soldier was, putting a hand on his chest and using healing magic.

"Yeah, the shooting bit's over, kid," Dunefiend said to Fen, even though she was only about ten years younger than him.

The man frowned. "Alright then. We won't hunt after her. Now though, what are you searching for? Heal my friend and I'll help you."

[Liriena]

Ludo was happy to follow Alison into the hotel, still levitating and paying little to no attention to the inferno before her. "Ms. Alison, be careful! You might trip and sprain your ankle!"

The fire did not affect her, thanks to her already mindless habit of popping in and out of existence, although she did feel increasingly hot and sweaty, to the point that she was considering removing her hat. She was not even sure why she insisted on participating in Ms. Alison's adventure in Syria, but some things in life were better off underthought.

She absentmindedly explored the burning wreckage of the hotel, her mind distracting herself with thoughts of the Cosmos and feline eugenics aimed at producing the perfect breed of fluffy, brightly colored and cuddly kittens. She really wanted a new baby kitten for her cottage, since the six cats and eight dogs she already had were getting old.

With no sign of Corvallis as far as she could see, Ludo's attention was drawn to a half-burnt newspaper lying on a table besides a blackened corpse. Syrian corpse...no biggie.

As she waited for Alison to complete her own search, she read the news, or at least she intended to, until she realized that the newspaper was from last month. ...Syria.

"Ms. Alison, have you found your 'dumb cunt'?" She shouted across the room as she threw the crumpled newspaper into the flames and sat on a couch with practiced grace, sighing in utter disappointment. "I really need to catch the midnight train from Switzerland to Liechtenstein, and I want to get on board before they run out of chocolate and strawberry cake."

"No! He said that he needed help, but he's not here. Where the hell is he? We need to get out, and then I'm going to see if I can contact him. He's going to need an ass-whooping for this."

Alison was just a little worried about that dumb cunt. If he tricked her so that he could escape and tell the ISSR or Crowley while she was lured to die, she was going to have to punish him. She didn't want her plans to be ruined.

The Metatron tis-tisked inside of her head. This is why you don't let your thralls out of your sight, he said. Now you're going to ruin everything for me, all because you let the thrall go.

No! It's not my fault! We needed him to see what was going on! Alison's brain cried back.

But you lost him. If you fail and get captured, is it not your fault?

SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP

Meanwhile the fire raged on. The ceiling started to fall now, as the structure weakened due to the heat. And there was a worrying sag just right above Alison's head, where she was standing. Alison didn't notice though, too caught up trying to not think of this as a failure all because Corvallis had dissapeared, seemingly without a trace.

Ludo had no idea what Alison was talking about, or what was going through her mind, but she was very quick to notice that the ceiling was collapsing. Though she did not particularly like Alison, since Ludovika Zamenhof was a woman who did not appreciate foul language or bad attitudes, she was not uncaring enough to let her die squashed by the ceiling, so she kindly teleported both of them outside of the burning hotel.

For a moment, the blonde was fascinated by the fire and the slow but quite noticeable fall of the building onto itself. A small spectacle.

"Well...that was a tad bit unpleasant..." She said, mostly to herself, taking a moment to apply some mild lipstick to her lips and accomodate her hat. As she did so, she noticed that Alison was still awfully distracted, and seemed to have hardly noticed that they had left the hotel.

"Are you alright? You seem upset...Do you want a puppy? I think I have a newborn Poodle in my purse..."

Ludo searched through her infinitely deep purse, only to frown as she pulled her hand back out of it. "Mmm...it's gone."

[Nude East Ireland]

"Coincidences, I find, aren't really coincidences," Francois replied. "Let's just hope that we get out of this alive."

"Alive is my middle name. Well, no, my middle name is Alexander and my first name is Edward. But Alive and Alexander share the same first letter in Latin script, so there's that to be considered." he acknowledged. "Now then-"

There was a stomping sound heard, and a snort and a growl. Crowley paused. "Francois." he said quietly. "We are not alone here. Just stay cal-"

Then a bloody pack of velociraptors screeched, running out of the cover of the trees and charging toward them. But there was something to these ones- their bodies were a sort of wooden-looking shade of brown, and their tails were black with a golden line sticking through them. Crowley paused. "Well, fuck."

"Dinosaurs? Seriously?"

Francois sighed, and picked up a large rock. "This is some dumb bullshit."

[Agritum]

Black Forest, Baden-Würtemberg state, Germany.

A small clearing rested into the deep of the forest, shielded from the sun by the leaves of the ancient pine trees that surrounded it. Through it passed a placid, shallow stream, which continued to deposit pebbles on its shores, as it made its way down the mountain. The tender gurgle of the water could be heard in all of the clearing, working as some sort of instrumental for the elaborate songs that the birds of the forest chirped, while nestled on the pine branches. A gentle smell of pine leaves was being carried around by the wind.

Three animal, quadruped figures emerged from the dark of the forest. Three red deers, one of which was a young, inexperienced cub. The three, led by the adult male of the group, stumbled upon the stream and slowly approached it, leaning down to drink the pure mountain water and satiate the thirst.

Then, a series of gunshots began to ring through the clearing, as bullets landed next to them. After about seven shoots fired in rapid succession, the deers quickly turned upon themselves, ready to escape again in the deep of the forest.

"Shit! Shoot, fast! Schnell, schnell!" a shrill, authoritative female voice yelled in German from the other side of the stream. A few seconds after, the barrels of a dozen hunting rifles poked out from the woods, and sprayed out the whole area with bullets for half a minute. The deer cub promptly ran away, while its parents found their bodies pierced by an hail of iron bullets, and swiftly fell down.

The shooting stopped just as the cub disappeared from the surroundings. The smell of gunpowder had began to crowd the clearing in all its nastyness. The stream acquired a rosy colour, as the vermillion blood of the adult deers began to flow and mix itself with the mountain water.

An entirely female group of individuals, numbering a dozen, marched into the clearing, passing through the shallow stream. Each member of the group also happened to be an albino, though its members were differing in age, stature and haircuts. Clad in the uniforms of the NFPD and wielding their rifles, the girls inspected the corpses of the deers they had just killed.

Leading them was Reichsleiter von Wulfbern herself, scanning the spoils of the two animals in a cold, analytical manner. While she had not managed to kill her prey, her loyal and numerous 'sisters' had accomplished this task through sheer firepower. One of them, a distressed-looking child, tugged at the coat of Hildegard.

"Why do you disturb me, Edelgard? Can't you see that I am admiring the triumph of human discipline and technology against the stupid, bestial forces of nature. Granted, said triumph is not unexpected: since the dawn of time, the human race has dominated this planet and its fauna, which lends even further proof to the superiority of our species." Hildegard started to reply, kicking the corpse of the male deer out of her way. "If these beasts have perished at our hands today, it is simply due to natural law: we are the most fit species on this planet. Our weapons can kill millions, our industries can churn out even more millions of weapons, and we polluted this weak planet to a breaking point. As harsh at it is, the Law of the Jungle didn't manage to block our superior species from progressing to nightmarish levels."

Hildegard stopped in her tracks, finishing her monologue. "And now, I ask again: why did you disturb me, Edelgard?" Hilde said, shooting a glare at her sister. The small child promptly looked down, holding her beret between her trembling hands. "...I w-wanted to inform you of the latest p-polls, Reichsleiter..."

Hildegard smirked, and made a motion at her sister. "Go on."

"CDU/CSU....49% of approval....stable.... SPD... 42% of approval...diminishing....NFPD..." Edelgard began to recite, looking down at a smartphone she had in her hands.

Hildegard leaned closer. "I am all ears."

"NDPD...40%....rising."

Hilde smiled in glee, flicking her fingers. "Excellent."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Black Forest, Baden-Würtemberg state, Germany.

A small clearing rested into the deep of the forest, shielded from the sun by the leaves of the ancient pine trees that surrounded it. Through it passed a placid, shallow stream, which continued to deposit pebbles on its shores, as it made its way down the mountain. The tender gurgle of the water could be heard in all of the clearing, working as some sort of instrumental for the elaborate songs that the birds of the forest chirped, while nestled on the pine branches. A gentle smell of pine leaves was being carried around by the wind.

Three animal, quadruped figures emerged from the dark of the forest. Three red deers, one of which was a young, inexperienced cub. The three, led by the adult male of the group, stumbled upon the stream and slowly approached it, leaning down to drink the pure mountain water and satiate the thirst.

Then, a series of gunshots began to ring through the clearing, as bullets landed next to them. After about seven shoots fired in rapid succession, the deers quickly turned upon themselves, ready to escape again in the deep of the forest.

"Shit! Shoot, fast! Schnell, schnell!" a shrill, authoritative female voice yelled in German from the other side of the stream. A few seconds after, the barrels of a dozen hunting rifles poked out from the woods, and sprayed out the whole area with bullets for half a minute. The deer cub promptly ran away, while its parents found their bodies pierced by an hail of iron bullets, and swiftly fell down.

The shooting stopped just as the cub disappeared from the surroundings. The smell of gunpowder had began to crowd the clearing in all its nastyness. The stream acquired a rosy colour, as the vermillion blood of the adult deers began to flow and mix itself with the mountain water.

An entirely female group of individuals, numbering a dozen, marched into the clearing, passing through the shallow stream. Each member of the group also happened to be an albino, though its members were differing in age, stature and haircuts. Clad in the uniforms of the NFPD and wielding their rifles, the girls inspected the corpses of the deers they had just killed.

Leading them was Reichsleiter von Wulfbern herself, scanning the spoils of the two animals in a cold, analytical manner. While she had not managed to kill her prey, her loyal and numerous 'sisters' had accomplished this task through sheer firepower. One of them, a distressed-looking child, tugged at the coat of Hildegard.

"Why do you disturb me, Edelgard? Can't you see that I am admiring the triumph of human discipline and technology against the stupid, bestial forces of nature. Granted, said triumph is not unexpected: since the dawn of time, the human race has dominated this planet and its fauna, which lends even further proof to the superiority of our species." Hildegard started to reply, kicking the corpse of the male deer out of her way. "If these beasts have perished at our hands today, it is simply due to natural law: we are the most fit species on this planet. Our weapons can kill millions, our industries can churn out even more millions of weapons, and we polluted this weak planet to a breaking point. As harsh at it is, the Law of the Jungle didn't manage to block our superior species from progressing to nightmarish levels."

Hildegard stopped in her tracks, finishing her monologue. "And now, I ask again: why did you disturb me, Edelgard?" Hilde said, shooting a glare at her sister. The small child promptly looked down, holding her beret between her trembling hands. "...I w-wanted to inform you of the latest p-polls, Reichsleiter..."

Hildegard smirked, and made a motion at her sister. "Go on."

"CDU/CSU....49% of approval....stable.... SPD... 42% of approval...diminishing....NFPD..." Edelgard began to recite, looking down at a smartphone she had in her hands.

Hildegard leaned closer. "I am all ears."

"NDPD...40%....rising."

Hilde smiled in glee, flicking her fingers. "Excellent."

"Hi whore." said an Indian man, popping into existence next to her. "Yo, as the kids say. I mean the demon kids, of course. That piece of slang has largely passed out of usage in the human Anglophone world, but remains well-used in the demonic world. It's really, really quite fascinating when you get down to it. Cool stuff. Anyway, you likely don't know me, and that's fine. My name's Ganesh, Hindu God of wisdom. And will you please ask your fellow whores to put the guns down? They're quite irritating and we don't want some sort of accident."

Ganesh sat down in a chair that just magically appeared for him. Another chair appeared for Hilde, as well as a cup of whisky. "Have a drink. Good stuff. Of course, you're German, you know good beer. Have a seat now, Hilde."

[Agritum]

Black Forest, Baden-Würtemberg state, Germany.

A small clearing rested into the deep of the forest, shielded from the sun by the leaves of the ancient pine trees that surrounded it. Through it passed a placid, shallow stream, which continued to deposit pebbles on its shores, as it made its way down the mountain. The tender gurgle of the water could be heard in all of the clearing, working as some sort of instrumental for the elaborate songs that the birds of the forest chirped, while nestled on the pine branches. A gentle smell of pine leaves was being carried around by the wind.

Three animal, quadruped figures emerged from the dark of the forest. Three red deers, one of which was a young, inexperienced cub. The three, led by the adult male of the group, stumbled upon the stream and slowly approached it, leaning down to drink the pure mountain water and satiate the thirst.

Then, a series of gunshots began to ring through the clearing, as bullets landed next to them. After about seven shoots fired in rapid succession, the deers quickly turned upon themselves, ready to escape again in the deep of the forest.

"Shit! Shoot, fast! Schnell, schnell!" a shrill, authoritative female voice yelled in German from the other side of the stream. A few seconds after, the barrels of a dozen hunting rifles poked out from the woods, and sprayed out the whole area with bullets for half a minute. The deer cub promptly ran away, while its parents found their bodies pierced by an hail of iron bullets, and swiftly fell down.

The shooting stopped just as the cub disappeared from the surroundings. The smell of gunpowder had began to crowd the clearing in all its nastyness. The stream acquired a rosy colour, as the vermillion blood of the adult deers began to flow and mix itself with the mountain water.

An entirely female group of individuals, numbering a dozen, marched into the clearing, passing through the shallow stream. Each member of the group also happened to be an albino, though its members were differing in age, stature and haircuts. Clad in the uniforms of the NFPD and wielding their rifles, the girls inspected the corpses of the deers they had just killed.

Leading them was Reichsleiter von Wulfbern herself, scanning the spoils of the two animals in a cold, analytical manner. While she had not managed to kill her prey, her loyal and numerous 'sisters' had accomplished this task through sheer firepower. One of them, a distressed-looking child, tugged at the coat of Hildegard.

"Why do you disturb me, Edelgard? Can't you see that I am admiring the triumph of human discipline and technology against the stupid, bestial forces of nature. Granted, said triumph is not unexpected: since the dawn of time, the human race has dominated this planet and its fauna, which lends even further proof to the superiority of our species." Hildegard started to reply, kicking the corpse of the male deer out of her way. "If these beasts have perished at our hands today, it is simply due to natural law: we are the most fit species on this planet. Our weapons can kill millions, our industries can churn out even more millions of weapons, and we polluted this weak planet to a breaking point. As harsh at it is, the Law of the Jungle didn't manage to block our superior species from progressing to nightmarish levels."

Hildegard stopped in her tracks, finishing her monologue. "And now, I ask again: why did you disturb me, Edelgard?" Hilde said, shooting a glare at her sister. The small child promptly looked down, holding her beret between her trembling hands. "...I w-wanted to inform you of the latest p-polls, Reichsleiter..."

Hildegard smirked, and made a motion at her sister. "Go on."

"CDU/CSU....49% of approval....stable.... SPD... 42% of approval...diminishing....NFPD..." Edelgard began to recite, looking down at a smartphone she had in her hands.

Hildegard leaned closer. "I am all ears."

"NDPD...40%....rising."

Hilde smiled in glee, flicking her fingers. "Excellent."

"Hi whore." said an Indian man, popping into existence next to her. "Yo, as the kids say. I mean the demon kids, of course. That piece of slang has largely passed out of usage in the human Anglophone world, but remains well-used in the demonic world. It's really, really quite fascinating when you get down to it. Cool stuff. Anyway, you likely don't know me, and that's fine. My name's Ganesh, Hindu God of wisdom. And will you please ask your fellow whores to put the guns down? They're quite irritating and we don't want some sort of accident."

Ganesh sat down in a chair that just magically appeared for him. Another chair appeared for Hilde, as well as a cup of whisky. "Have a drink. Good stuff. Of course, you're German, you know good beer. Have a seat now, Hilde."

"A god paying visit to me? I can't say that I am not pleased by such an happening. Party members, lower down your weapons: they would just pollute what seems to be a pleasant and tranquil conversation." Hilde said to her sisters, who had quickly aimed their rifles at Ganesh. The girls quickly obeyed.

"Granted, I'd like to specify that my profession, and the ones of my sisters, are in no way similar to the ones of prostitutes: while a whore is greatly paid for a lowly service, statesmen like me and my sisters are lowly paid for a great service. One could say that we are slaves of the national good."

The party leader sat down, politely pushing the glass away. "I am what some people call a teetotaller'. Definitions and beliefs aside, I still commend your gracious offer, God of Knowledge: It is surely the proper demeanour for one of the Gods of the Aryanic race. That said, why did you seek me, God of Knowledge?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Hi whore." said an Indian man, popping into existence next to her. "Yo, as the kids say. I mean the demon kids, of course. That piece of slang has largely passed out of usage in the human Anglophone world, but remains well-used in the demonic world. It's really, really quite fascinating when you get down to it. Cool stuff. Anyway, you likely don't know me, and that's fine. My name's Ganesh, Hindu God of wisdom. And will you please ask your fellow whores to put the guns down? They're quite irritating and we don't want some sort of accident."

Ganesh sat down in a chair that just magically appeared for him. Another chair appeared for Hilde, as well as a cup of whisky. "Have a drink. Good stuff. Of course, you're German, you know good beer. Have a seat now, Hilde."

"A god paying visit to me? I can't say that I am not pleased by such an happening. Party members, lower down your weapons: they would just pollute what seems to be a pleasant and tranquil conversation." Hilde said to her sisters, who had quickly aimed their rifles at Ganesh. The girls quickly obeyed.

"Granted, I'd like to specify that my profession, and the ones of my sisters, are in no way similar to the ones of prostitutes: while a whore is greatly paid for a lowly service, statesmen like me and my sisters are lowly paid for a great service. One could say that we are slaves of the national good."

The party leader sat down, politely pushing the glass away. "I am what some people call a teetotaller'. Definitions and beliefs aside, I still commend your gracious offer, God of Knowledge: It is surely the proper demeanour for one of the Gods of the Aryanic race. That said, why did you seek me, God of Knowledge?"

"Actually dear, a prostitute does one hell of a good job. Whores can be very much important. Just ask that bitch in Babylon. Oh, she was good." Ganesh grinned, in a fond memory. "Anyway, racist. Got it. Well, I have some good news." he said, speaking in effortless German now. "You, my friend, are to head on out to Syria. I got a prophecy saying so. I'd read it to you, but it'd be incomprehensible for a human. But, yes, anyway- head to Syria, my dear. Some very important events are about to transpire in Damascus."

[Agritum]

"A god paying visit to me? I can't say that I am not pleased by such an happening. Party members, lower down your weapons: they would just pollute what seems to be a pleasant and tranquil conversation." Hilde said to her sisters, who had quickly aimed their rifles at Ganesh. The girls quickly obeyed.

"Granted, I'd like to specify that my profession, and the ones of my sisters, are in no way similar to the ones of prostitutes: while a whore is greatly paid for a lowly service, statesmen like me and my sisters are lowly paid for a great service. One could say that we are slaves of the national good."

The party leader sat down, politely pushing the glass away. "I am what some people call a teetotaller'. Definitions and beliefs aside, I still commend your gracious offer, God of Knowledge: It is surely the proper demeanour for one of the Gods of the Aryanic race. That said, why did you seek me, God of Knowledge?"

"Actually dear, a prostitute does one hell of a good job. Whores can be very much important. Just ask that bitch in Babylon. Oh, she was good." Ganesh grinned, in a fond memory. "Anyway, racist. Got it. Well, I have some good news." he said, speaking in effortless German now. "You, my friend, are to head on out to Syria. I got a prophecy saying so. I'd read it to you, but it'd be incomprehensible for a human. But, yes, anyway- head to Syria, my dear. Some very important events are about to transpire in Damascus."

Hilde yawned. "Given that I am kind of bored with the obnoxious, bourgeoise political life here in Germany, I'd guess that an useful vacation in a different place would benefit the morale and status of me and my party." the Reichsleiter replied, tapping her fingers on the table. "Could you arrange a supernatural transportation to there, by chance, God of Knowledge?"

[Constaniana]

Fen stood on top of a patch of ice and maintained her balance, but she slid to this side as she tried to remain centered on it. It seemed like things had settled down. They'd stopped shooting and were talking. At least she was still alive.

She toyed with the idea of just dropping Loki and asking whatever powers to take her home, but that wouldn't be fair to the unconscious fellow on her back. Sighing, she began to trudge back to shore using the same method as when she'd trotted out. She returned to the group and dropped Loki as gently as possible to the sand.

"Is the shooting part over?" she asked a bit timidly. She looked down at the injured man and added, "Does he need help? I'm sorry our companion stabbed and bit him."

"Yes, do you know how to heal?" the man asked, setting their bleeding and now unconscious companion on the ground.

"Look, you don't have to apologize. Our group is the one that attacked yours, even if it was only just the feral child," William replied. "And I can help with any sort of healing. As for Rosalind-that's the girl that attacked you lot-I'm not sure chasing after her is a good idea. Though I've luckily avoided dealing with her much, I don't think she really listens to what people tell her to do unless it's her mum. Besides, she'll probably eventually come crawling back to us in the night or something."

Sir Nilark then stepped over to where the bleeding soldier was, putting a hand on his chest and using healing magic.

"Yeah, the shooting bit's over, kid," Dunefiend said to Fen, even though she was only about ten years younger than him.

The man frowned. "Alright then. We won't hunt after her. Now though, what are you searching for? Heal my friend and I'll help you."

"Well, we're looking for an enchanted weapon; specifically a hammer. I'd imagine it's rather well-crafted," Sir Nilark responded, continuing to heal the unconscious soldier. "You haven't seen such a weapon, have you?"

[Nationstatelandsville]

Megan exhaled very loudly and dropped Sanchez back to his feet.

She would've apologized, but she had a headache, her daughter was alone, school had just been attacked, she'd been dragged off to a military base in God knows where, her class had been interrupted, and she had been kissed by Aleister fucking Crowley. She was, to say the least, in a foul mood.

To convey this, she promptly buried her fist in the wall.

"Why am I here?" she demanded.

"You can take one, Caesar," D said.

"You were severely injured and in a coma back at Elfen High." Sanchez explained. "The medical bay was, I must mention, in ruins and was still regenerating. The staff weren't doing too well. Doctor Horn suggested we bring you here. A few other injured parties from the Elfen High medical bay are here as well, healing. We brought Aziraphale and Calliel as well- partially for the healing, and I admit frankly, partially because we need to know what we're up against. Angels have been falling to Earth, Megan." Rick Sanchez said quietly.

A holo screen appeared, showing a world map. Sanchez gestured. "Months ago, one fell down in Kenya. Then, suddenly, one in Ireland- caught by the Faerie University- one fell in Luton, England. Then one hit Upstate New York- lucky shot there, thank God nobody lives in Upstate New York. One fell down in Cardiff to spite us. One in rural Japan. All very recently and very fast. We're working around the clock to figure out why and how."

Megan looked mildly concerned.

"Well, fuck," she shrugged, "but I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do about that. Was anyone hurt?"

"This asshole," D nodded at Aziraphale, "crashed right into the fucking school, as you may remember, and knocked one of the cafeteria workers unconscious. Luckily, she has total amnesia, so she won't remember enough to sue us. The poof is the only one who's been androidified, from what we've been able to tell."

" 'Androidified'?" Megan said.

"I'm a scientist," D replied, "It's a science word."

[Swith Witherward]

"Yes, do you know how to heal?" the man asked, setting their bleeding and now unconscious companion on the ground.

"I-I can try," Fen answered. She knelt down on the sand next to the man and leaned over to examine the laceration. Awkward.

Fen took a deep breath and laid her hands on the wounded area to mend... things. She remained focused on the task but she wasn't necessarily proficient at it enough to make it instantaneous. She only hoped she could heal him before he bled to death.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Alive is my middle name. Well, no, my middle name is Alexander and my first name is Edward. But Alive and Alexander share the same first letter in Latin script, so there's that to be considered." he acknowledged. "Now then-"

There was a stomping sound heard, and a snort and a growl. Crowley paused. "Francois." he said quietly. "We are not alone here. Just stay cal-"

Then a bloody pack of velociraptors screeched, running out of the cover of the trees and charging toward them. But there was something to these ones- their bodies were a sort of wooden-looking shade of brown, and their tails were black with a golden line sticking through them. Crowley paused. "Well, fuck."

"Dinosaurs? Seriously?"

Francois sighed, and picked up a large rock. "This is some dumb bullshit."

Francois now holds a large rock.

A dinosaur whacks him with its tail and sends him flying off, smashing into a tree. The rock falls. He should have thrown it.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Actually dear, a prostitute does one hell of a good job. Whores can be very much important. Just ask that bitch in Babylon. Oh, she was good." Ganesh grinned, in a fond memory. "Anyway, racist. Got it. Well, I have some good news." he said, speaking in effortless German now. "You, my friend, are to head on out to Syria. I got a prophecy saying so. I'd read it to you, but it'd be incomprehensible for a human. But, yes, anyway- head to Syria, my dear. Some very important events are about to transpire in Damascus."

Hilde yawned. "Given that I am kind of bored with the obnoxious, bourgeoise political life here in Germany, I'd guess that an useful vacation in a different place would benefit the morale and status of me and my party." the Reichsleiter replied, tapping her fingers on the table. "Could you arrange a supernatural transportation to there, by chance, God of Knowledge?"

Ganesh paused, looked at a tablet and facepalmed. "Did I say Syria? Sorry. I meant Elfen High. I mixed things up a bit. Syria's later. Elfen High- you ready to return?"

[Agritum]

Hilde yawned. "Given that I am kind of bored with the obnoxious, bourgeoise political life here in Germany, I'd guess that an useful vacation in a different place would benefit the morale and status of me and my party." the Reichsleiter replied, tapping her fingers on the table. "Could you arrange a supernatural transportation to there, by chance, God of Knowledge?"

Ganesh paused, looked at a tablet and facepalmed. "Did I say Syria? Sorry. I meant Elfen High. I mixed things up a bit. Syria's later. Elfen High- you ready to return?"

Hilde giggled at the slip that Ganesh had just committed. "Oh, Elfen High it is? I'd really love to go back there, both for personal and political reasons. And given that I could try influencing whatever is going to happen there at my benefit...well, I guess that I'll have to accept, Ganesh." the Reichsleiter added, with a confidential nod.

[Nude East Ireland]

"Dinosaurs? Seriously?"

Francois sighed, and picked up a large rock. "This is some dumb bullshit."

Francois now holds a large rock.

A dinosaur whacks him with its tail and sends him flying off, smashing into a tree. The rock falls. He should have thrown it.

"Pattern De-"

Francois suddenly realised that his FU companions were not present. He sighed, and proceeded to fling himself from the tree at the dinosaur. His feet came into contact with the ground, and he slid through the dirt until he came to a halt just in front of the dinosaur that had swatted him away. He grabbed the dinosaur's head, and took a deep breath.

"Listen," he telepathically said to the dinosaur. "We are not your enemies. Do not fight us."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Yes, do you know how to heal?" the man asked, setting their bleeding and now unconscious companion on the ground.

"I-I can try," Fen answered. She knelt down on the sand next to the man and leaned over to examine the laceration. Awkward.

Fen took a deep breath and laid her hands on the wounded area to mend... things. She remained focused on the task but she wasn't necessarily proficient at it enough to make it instantaneous. She only hoped she could heal him before he bled to death.

Loki was now awake and standing up, looking quite irate at the knock out he had received due to the rifle. "Fuck you." he muttered to the now scared guy holding said gun. He looked at William and Fen trying to heal the injured man and pointed at them.

"Alright, you two? Not safe here. I'll teleport you up to the surface so you can heal him properly and in a sterile environment, alright? Now-" he pulled out his staff - not that one- and waved it at the trio.

They found themselves in the Elfen High medical bay, the man's bleeding now stopping. A few nurses rushed up to them. "Who's he?" one asked, glancing at Fen and William.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Ganesh paused, looked at a tablet and facepalmed. "Did I say Syria? Sorry. I meant Elfen High. I mixed things up a bit. Syria's later. Elfen High- you ready to return?"

Hilde giggled at the slip that Ganesh had just committed. "Oh, Elfen High it is? I'd really love to go back there, both for personal and political reasons. And given that I could try influencing whatever is going to happen there at my benefit...well, I guess that I'll have to accept, Ganesh." the Reichsleiter added, with a confidential nod.

"Excellent." Ganesh said, snapping his fingers.

Hilde then found herself standing next to William, a Polynesian girl and a bleeding white man on a hospital bed. She would also notice a half-demon nurse now helping William and the Polynesian with healing said white man.

She would also notice herself now in a two-piece bikini.

---

In Germany, Ganesh grinned widely and looked at her band of sisters, now also in two-piece bikinis to their shock. "Now, now, ladies...would you care to see my elephant trunk?"

[Agritum]

Hilde giggled at the slip that Ganesh had just committed. "Oh, Elfen High it is? I'd really love to go back there, both for personal and political reasons. And given that I could try influencing whatever is going to happen there at my benefit...well, I guess that I'll have to accept, Ganesh." the Reichsleiter added, with a confidential nod.

"Excellent." Ganesh said, snapping his fingers.

Hilde then found herself standing next to William, a Polynesian girl and a bleeding white man on a hospital bed. She would also notice a half-demon nurse now helping William and the Polynesian with healing said white man.

She would also notice herself now in a two-piece bikini.

---

In Germany, Ganesh grinned widely and looked at her band of sisters, now also in two-piece bikinis to their shock. "Now, now, ladies...would you care to see my elephant trunk?"

"Scheiße!" Hilde replied, the moment she noticed that her wardrobe had seemingly shrunk to a quite inappropriate swimsuit. While covering herself with her hands, she made a mental note to just tell Ganesh to go fuck some Pakistani call girl, the next time he would have appeared in front of her.

And it was there that Hilde noticed William. Something that made her instantly snicker and look in scorn at the British knight.

"Ahh, Villiahm, ich remember you..." Hilde said in an heavily accented English.

---

All of Hilde's sisters promptly turned on their backs and ran into the forest like NASCAR cars speeding down Indianapolis' main lane. Well, except for Edelgard, who hopefully was still clothed into an ordinary uniform. She's like, six, man.

The homunculus child looked up at Ganesh, naively. "Do you have a zoo?" She asked in German.