Arthur:
I threw a glare at my great uncle while nursing a cup of Irish coffee.
"Rough night?" Michael asked.
"You try tracking down a bunch of swamp monsters terrorizing a town in bumfuck Louisiana." I muttered as I took another sip of my coffee, "I got swamp water in places I didn't even know I had."
"Perhaps next time wear a wetsuit beneath your clothes?" The Archangel offered.
".."
".."
"Fuck you and your good ideas." I muttered.
"Well aside from activities in the swamp lands of America last night, let's begin today's lesson." Michael began, "There are many ways to approach sword fighting."
With a snap of his fingers, a dozen different swords of various makes appeared. All of them were suspended in a holographic light as they lazy rotated around.
"Two-handed, one-handed, duel wielding, sword and shield combinations, power builds, speed builds, all have been mastered by swordsmen throughout history. Both mortal and divine alike."
Dismissing the blades with another snap the Archangel looked me over.
"The exercises with footwork and stances I've had you doing are for more than just improving your form. They've also been giving me an approximation of what form would be best for you." He informed me.
I nodded, "Alright then. What have you determined?"
"That most of the normal rules simply don't apply to you." Michael shrugged, "I've taught the top Knights and Exorcists of the Church for millennia. Some learned duel wielding better while others took to fencing. Yet no matter whether they were Nephliem, Human, or Magician they were limited by their strengths and weaknesses. Some were stronger, they were capable of breaking through the guard of others with but a few strikes. Others were faster and more flexible. They couldn't crash down onto you like a blast of lightning, but they could slip into your guard and deliver a dozen strikes before you comprehend what was even happening."
Walking towards the desk that sat within the office, the Archangel picked up a sheathed blade, "Even most Angels have this problem. Their supernatural strength and differing dispositions limit them to only certain styles."
Walking back towards me near the center of the room Michael graced me with a smile. A smile that every teacher would wear when they finally found a capable student.
"But you, nephew… you're like me. You have a true spark of divinity that makes up your essence via your mother. Just like I. Tell me, have you ever wondered why despite almost every source saying that my sister was the favorite of God and the most beautiful angel to ever exist, why I have remained the strongest? Why I was always left in charge?"
"I suppose it's not entirely because of you being the oldest." I mused, "I'll take a wild guess and say the name is a clue. Michael in your tongue is "who is like god?" and while the supposed answer is "there is none as famous and powerful as God", that's objectively false based on the myriad of pantheons that exist. You're more like Yahweh than you let on, it's the reason you're more powerful than even Lucifer and Satan combined. Why you've been able to create new Angels."
Michael smirked, "You've noticed."
"I have rather good perception. I know about your holy clean rooms that let Angels bang, but there's no way just that alone would produce the number of young Angels I've seen. Both here in Heaven and down at Lucifuge Academy."
I paused as I put the clues together. Two theories came to the forefront of my mind. The first seemed less likely and like a cheap rug pull, but the second one made sense.
"To clear my first theory. You're not Yahweh just masquerading as Michael, correct?" I asked.
The Archangel shook his head, "While I often wish that I was, no. I am not God."
I nodded, "Well that just leaves one theory left then. You're not Yahweh, but you have some of his power."
Michael clasped his hands, "Correct."
"So how did that work out?" I asked.
"All of my siblings were made from complete scratch. But when creating me he slipped in a sliver of himself. Of true divinity. Hence I am part god and God." Michael shrugged, "Having true divinity within oneself makes one's potential almost unlimited. Which is why I know that you'll be able to master every sword and spear style I teach you."
"And how many is that?"
Michael smirked at me with such emphasis I could practically feel the smugness and excitement radiating from behind his sunglasses.
"I did infer that I've taught all styles for millennia, no?"
A shiver ran down my spine.
Fuck. What did I sign up for?
"Nephew by the time I'm done with you, the supernatural world will know you as the greatest bladed weapons fighter to have ever lived."
I sighed. This is what I get for accepting a pact from a war angel.
"Also after we're done, I have a favor to ask of yo-"
"I'm so sorry I'm late!" A girl's voice cried out as the door to Michael's office slammed open.
Looking over my shoulder and towards the door, I saw a girl probably around my age with red hair rushing forward. My magic vision snapped on briefly and I saw she was absolutely brimming with Holy energy. More so than even a 6 winged Angel should have had. Impressive for someone her age.
An observe quickly afterward confirmed that she had pretty damn high health and magic for someone who should've been my age.
A Super Angel in the making perhaps? It was plausible. Satan class had originally been at the top of the food chain and held the likes of my grandmother in it. Then came Sirzechs and Ajuka, two Devils born with so much potential that they literally had to redefine the class system for them. The Super Devil class literally just held those two.
"Ah, Ananiel." Michael greeted with a tired smile, "What have I said about arriving late to places you need to be?"
The girl came to a stop in front of Michael and looked sheepishly, "To not do that. As it's rude to keep people waiting. Sorry, father."
Father? I suppose that makes sense if Michael is making them.
The Archangel apparently saw my questioning glance and gestured towards the girl, "Arthur, meet Ananiel. The first of the new Archangel. She'll be joining in on our training and will spar with you occasionally."
Well, seems my theory was somewhat correct.
I sighed internally. So Heaven could create new Archangels and…
Wait a damn second. Didn't Hades have Lilith captured and was making an army of Super Devils?
Fuck.
Heaven having new Archangels and Hades making Super Devils was just a political powder keg waiting to go off.
I needed to figure out how to explain this Zeus. More Archangels would bolster our new Triple Alliance, but it would most likely piss off the Devils, Fallen, and other Pantheons. Same with Great Uncle Hades making an army of Super Devils.
Great for us, but everyone else would probably get mad.
There was always the chance old Thunder Gramps was aware of what his brother was doing and even signed off on it, but I had to make sure.
Hmm, maybe I should run this by someone smarter than me?
"So are we thinking Pizza or BBQ tonight?" Annabeth questioned as she poked my side.
"Meh," I muttered as I buried my face further down into my pillow.
I felt the pokes increase in speed and power as my girlfriend decided she wasn't taking no for an answer.
"You've slept the past 18 hours already, you lazy bum. You need to get up at some point." The blonde informed me.
"No, what I need is more sleep. I've been training a lot." I muttered.
"We both know your healing factor gives you almost unlimited stamina. You specifically don't need a whole day to be back at 100%." She said dryly.
"But I want to sleep?"
"Yet your girlfriend wants food and attention." Annabeth pouted.
I sighed as I flipped over from my stomach to my side, "Don't I give you enough attention?"
"No such thing." She said as she flung herself at me. Taking advantage of me now laying on my side and my now exposed chest. A pair of arms wrapped around me and her face buried itself into the crook of my neck. I knew my fate was sealed when her legs intertwined with mine and locked me down.
"I thought you were hungry?" I asked in amusement as one of my hands snaked around and began rubbing circles down the middle of her back. Something I had learned she enjoyed a week or so ago.
"I am." She muttered as she attempted to snuggle into me even more, "But we can lay like this for a little bit longer.
"And where am I taking you afterward?" I asked. Already knowing full well what she said earlier was only offering me the illusion of choice.
Annabeth's head pulled away from my neck momentarily and she pressed a kiss on my cheek, "Pizza."
Knew it.
"Oh and sweetheart?" I asked.
"Yes?" Annebeth muttered as she moved back to snuggling into me.
I chuckled nervously, "Can I run something by you that has the potential to start an even bigger war than we are in right now?"
".."
"Annabeth?"
"I swear by the gods I can't let you go anywhere by yourself without causing trouble." I heard her mutter, "We'll talk over dinner."
Fair enough.
"So this is the town that Michael asked you to check out?" Percy asked as he closed the Impala's trunk, "Why can't monsters ever be hiding on a sunny beach in Florida or Cali? Why out in butfuck Iowa?"
"Because that would be too obvious." I replied, "No one gives a shit about some small town in the midwest."
Well, calling it a small town was a bit of a stretch. This place actually had more than just one strip mall and a few neighborhoods. Even from where we parked I could see signs advertising multiple shopping centers. Which already made it larger than the town full of Vampires Percy and I had cleared a couple of years ago.
So more like a medium-sized town.
"Well, you aren't wrong." Percy scoffed, "So besides people going missing and some murders. What did your Archangel buddies tell you was going on? Any other signs that would point to a specific type of monster, maybe the Titan's army, or that Khaos Brigade you were talking about?"
"All Michael and Uriel told me was that one of their pantheon's retired exorcists works at the church here. Apparently, he noticed some strange shit going on and he passed it up to his buddies at the Vatican. Which they passed on to Heaven." I said.
Percy nodded, "So we should talk to this priest dude?"
I gestured to the building next to us, "Why do you think I parked next to the church?"
Walking into the church was somewhat off-putting and not at all what I expected. For the briefest of seconds, a sense of foreboding attempted to come over me. Like the building itself didn't want me here. Whatever blessing was in place didn't seem to like that I was a Pagan and Lucifer's grandson.
'Weird.' I thought. Even when I went to the biggest one in the country a couple years ago I hadn't gotten this kind of welcoming. Maybe Uriel's presence had negated it at the time?
The negative feeling didn't last long surprisingly.
Something tried to scan my soul and I felt Michael's blessing flare for the briefest of seconds. Filling my veins with its fiery power. The presence backed off at Michael's warning and instead a warmness that almost reminded me of Heaven spread throughout my body and for the briefest of seconds I thought I heard a choir singing. It had an almost ethereal tune to it.
"Well, I'll be." A voice chuckled, "I didn't think the rumors that Michael had finally found his sword were true. Personally, I thought it was just baseless drivel and rumors from Heaven and the Church."
Leaning on the podium in the church's stage area, a man in priest robes eyed both of us as we came in.
Wait, he felt that? Was he tied into the church's wards or something? Or was Michael's blessing just noticeable to anyone who could sense magic? The latter made sense I suppose. An Archangel's blessing and infusion of his power into your soul probably left one hell of a mark.
My eyes did a quick observe over the guy. He was pretty strong for someone probably born completely human, but other than that he didn't seem too special. Then again my view of strong and special had gotten pretty warped as of late.
"There's always some truth to every rumor." I shrugged in indifference, "I'm Arthur and this is Percy. So what's this about monsters and murders?"
The man raised an eyebrow, "Straight to business then? My oh my how professional! Are you sure you wouldn't like some refreshments first? Or perhaps you would like to participate in mass today?"
Percy and I shared a look.
"Sorry old man, but we're Greek Demigods. We're just here because we have an alliance with your Angels right now." The son of Posideon decided to break the news, "We don't exactly pray to your god."
"Oh… I see. A shame they sent me two heretics as help, but desperate times and all that I suppose." The man laminated with a sigh, "To think Michael would choose one of you as his sword."
I bit down hard on my tongue. I could practically taste the fact that he wanted to call us "filthy pagans" instead of heretics by just his sheer tone. A part of me wanted to remind him that the Western Hemisphere was Greek/Roman territory and he was only allowed here because Olympus was relatively tolerant of other pantheons. Operate in peace and don't start shit? Olympus will leave you alone. The Gods got their power from the fact the West started from their culture and still is based on it. It didn't matter who the people prayed to as long as the West's fire stayed strong.
But I held my tongue back. Michael had made mention of a little quirk of mine I had already somewhat realized and was taking steps to counter. Namely that sometimes I had a bad mixture of a young Zeus's arrogance and a young Lucifer's pride before they had both mellowed out.
Sometimes it gave me a bit of a temper and made me look like an asshole.
Normally I'd just roll my eyes and continue as is, but I was publicly Zeus's favorite grandson and Michael's Sword now. Given that Zeus could very well bring me on more diplomatic missions in the future and I now represented Michael and Heaven as well, I decided to try and curb the attitude the best I could.
Plus I have a girlfriend now. If there was anyone I wanted to look good for, it was her.
Instead, I just released a deep breath, "Well I think we can both agree that we don't want to spend much time around each other. So just tell us what's wrong, we'll investigate, kill the monster, and be on our way."
The priest sighed, "Some children have gotten hold of a book of dark magic. Whether it was Devils or some errant dark magician who gave it to them, I have no idea."
Percy rolled his eyes, "Children? I thought we were called here to kill some monsters, not swat some kids."
"Don't misunderstand, this isn't some children playing with an ouija board." The priest shook his head, "They have been summoning monsters that now stalk the woods, casting curses that turn people's intestines inside out or causing blinding rage, and bringing forth blights only talked about in the book of Apocalypse."
Alright yeah, that sounded pretty bad.
"Well, now that sounds a lot more interesting." Percy said cheerfully, "So Padre, mind telling us who these kids are?"
A secure location in the Underworld:
"So the Angels have joined the Alliance. Where does that leave us?" Zekram questioned calmly, "It's quiet the power block. Not something that can be ignored."
The head of the Bael clan was currently in attendance of a meeting only a privileged few were allowed to attend. Namely, the leaders of the Underworld, which included both Devil and Fallen. It meant the room was currently hosting some of the most powerful beings in the world.
The four new Satans, powerful clan heads such as himself, and a few fallen Archangels and Seraphim.
Some of the latter who Zekram was less than enthused to be in the same room as. Especially since one of them hadn't quite fallen. He toed the line certainly, but he did it on orders of the blonde bastard that currently sat on Heaven's Throne.
Zekram didn't trust Uriel as far as he could throw him. Given the fact that Uriel was an Archangel, that wasn't very far.
"That is an understatement." Serafall agreed, "Even if it is because of a common enemy, working together may just bring them permanently closer. The Norse and Heaven being close is bad enough, that puts almost the entirety of Europe in the human world under their control. Olympus being a part of it adds the entire Western Hemisphere."
There were nods of agreement at the Satan of Foreign Affairs' words.
Another Satan, Falbium spoke his own thoughts on the matter, "We must proceed with caution. All three members of this new alliance hold some form of bad faith against us because of past aggressions of our predecessors. We cannot risk angering them or provoking them into an attack. Fighting Heaven would already be hard enough, but with Zeus and Odin backing, Heaven would surely win this next great war."
A small bit of silence descended upon the room. For no one could refute the military leaders' words.
"Well then, why don't we just ask to join ourselves?"
The room's attention turned to the most powerful being in the Underworld. A crimson-haired man who everyone would agree was the strongest Devil to ever live.
"You think they would just let us join? Just like that?" The leader of the Fallen, Azazel, asked him incredulously.
Sirzechs Lucifer shrugged, "I don't see why not. They're after the Khaos Brigade and their allies. We have intel that the Old Satan Faction is working with Khaos Brigade. Hence they'll be going after the Old Satan Faction as well. Since we both want them gone… I see no reason why we can't work together. Perhaps even try and foster a permanent peace afterward."
Zekram clasped his hands in thought. The former Gremory heir had a decent point.
"There's only one problem with that." Azazel said.
"That being?" Sirzechs asked.
"My dearest older brother." The Fallen leader snarked, "He's only been onboard with peace this last millennium because he's been biding his time on rebuilding Heaven's numbers. Now with Heaven's armies mostly rebuilt and powerful allies, I'm not quite so sure he'll be willing to play ball. Especially if this new little rumor I've heard about is true."
Sirzechs quirked an eyebrow "And what rumor is that?"
"Apparently a powerful Demigod who was in attendance at the meeting at the Vatican helped in its defense. Kid slaughtered a good chunk of the force by himself and even iced its general. A Titan." Azazel rattled off as he swirled around a glass of whiskey, "Afterwords or during, not quite sure which, Michael made him his champion."
Another silence descended upon the room, this one far heavier weighed down on the room.
Azazel continued, "I'm sure the older occupants in the room can remember but for you young whippersnappers who may not know much history. The last time Michael chose a mortal sword, they melded together to fight. Michael with his vessel became powerful enough to slaughter a quarter of a million rebelling Angels with the amount of effort it would take you to swat a fly. The only reason Fallen and Devils currently exist is because we were able to kill his chosen sword when they were temporarily disconnected and he was never able to find a right match after. If this one is a right match and a Demigod… well if they merge together, pray they don't decide to come down and clean house."
Zekram frowned, "Are you saying Sirzechs and Ajuka couldn't stop them? These two are Super Devils. They are in the top ten strongest beings in existence, surely they'd have a chance at winning?"
"Oh, absolutely they could." Azazel agreed, "Hell I'd say those two combined would possibly even beat Michael and his mortal host. The problem is that there wouldn't be an Underworld left after that kind of slugfest. And that's if Zeus and the Olympians don't get involved. I'm sure old thunder pants would get mighty pissed if you killed his favorite grandson."
"Favorite grandson?" Serafall asked with curiosity, "Michael chose a decadent of Zeus as his chosen sword? Why would he choose someone not even in his pantheon? Surely he would meld with a host who held Biblical blood."
"Well that's the best part, he did. The boy is not only a Demigod, but he has Archangel blood in him. Makes him the perfect vessel. Of course, Uriel already knows this, but I'll go out on a limb and say our dearest sister doesn't?" The Fallen leader asked with an innocent smirk.
The eyes of the room shifted to the two Archangels currently in attendance. Uriel's normally cool and collected self shifted uncomfortably as the person sitting next to him frowned heavily.
Few things in the universe could strike fear into a being like Uriel. One of those things was the few rare moments when his father was wrathful.
Another was when his eldest sister was angry. The Morningstar was truly a sight to behold when her anger was invoked. Especially when it involved her family. His sister fell. After all, she loved her family too much, because she refused to follow their father's orders to love humanity more than he and her siblings. That love for family hadn't faded despite the eons, especially now that she had blood decadents that came from the son she birthed from her own body.
Personally, Uriel found it ironic that in the end, it had been a human to give her that son and family, but that was a conversation for another time.
And there was only one Demigod in the entire world who had Archangel blood.
Her youngest grandson.
"Now Lucy-"
"How fucking dare you, Uriel." She snarled.
The Watchman gulped as his sister's deep red eyes glared daggers at him, "I didn't know until recently."
Her fist slammed into the table and cracked the reinforced material slightly "Yet you didn't tell me before this meeting? Instead, I had to hear it from that lazy ass prick?!"
Azazel snorted, "That hurts me, sis. It truly does."
"Sister calm do-" Uriel tried.
"I'll calm down when my dickbag of an older brother isn't planning to wear to my grandson like a used condom for a power boost!" She growled.
Uriel sighed, "If you'd let me finish then you'd know he can't."
The former Queen of the Underworld frowned, "What do you mean "He can't"."
"I mean he literally can't." Uriel explained, "Arthur's mental shields are incredible. They are impossibly good. Even if Arthur gave him permission to enter his body and merge, I don't think Michael would even have control."
"How good are we talking?"
"Maybe stronger than father's."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
She frowned, "That still doesn't make me feel any better about Michael having him as his champion."
"He's not going to harm the kid in any way. Hell if anything he's helping him." Uriel reasoned with her.
"Why would Michael willingly help my decedent?!" Lucy demanded.
"Because he likes him."
".."
".."
"You keep lying straight to my face, little brother." The Fallen Archangel snarled, "And it's really starting to piss me off."
"I'm not. Michael truly does like the boy. He even praised him to me."
There was a brief moment of silence as a look of incredulity passed over Lucifer's face.
"Now I know you're lying to me, Uriel." Lucy deadpanned, "No one lives up to Michael's standards. He's just like dad in that way. Has there ever been a time when Michael has praised any of us?"
"I'm truly not lying sister." Uriel pressed, "Sure, he has mentioned Arthur is a bit too much of a hot head and has some arrogance in him, but he's also a young man who's gotten almost to the high end of Ultimate Class levels of power in less than 4 Years. That's to be expected. Otherwise, he has taken a liking to him. Arthur shares his no-nonsense approach to combat and agrees that protecting humanity is of the highest precedence. And well…"
"And what?" She asked.
"And to quote our eldest brother: "Finally a descendent of father and us who is not an utter degenerate."" Uriel recited, "Arthur has expressed that he is not interested in most forms of debauchery that our siblings and your descendants regularly participate in. Other than some cigars and beer, I've not seen anything to suggest he is lying. Michael respects disciplined and relatively morale warriors, you know this."
Uriel knew this argument was far from over, but for now, his sister seemed to be done. Oh, he knew she was still smoldering with utter anger on the inside, he could still see the veins pulsating near her temple. She was probably just waiting for a more private setting.
He couldn't really blame her for being angry in all honesty.
Lucifer and her twin brother never forgave their brother for siding with God over them and for personally throwing them out of Heaven. It took Uriel himself years to win her trust back, but she had always been closer to Michael, so for his betrayal of them hurt far more.
He was sure it was absolutely eating at her that Michael and her grandson were getting along.
He couldn't lie though, the fact that Michael had predicted her reaction and anger with such accuracy was more than a little funny.
Azazel clapped his hands together, "Well that does indeed confirm the rumors I've heard. Which presents us an opportunity."
"How so?" Serafall asked.
"Simple, we need someone to convince at least ⅔ of their alliance to hear us out." Azazel explained, "That someone is Arthur. He's Zeus's favorite grandson and Michael apparently gets along with him. If anyone can at least get those stubborn asses to the negotiation table, it'll be him."
Uriel audibly groaned as he saw the fire relight in his sister's eyes at Azazel's mention of using her grandson for negotiation.
As she started chewing the Fallen's current leader a new one, Uriel contemplated just going back to Heaven and locking himself in his room. At least there no one would be able to stress him.
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