Oh my God ?
An Oh My Goddess FanFic
by
Brett Handy
CHAPTER 9:
The days leading up to Christmas were happy ones, once
Nekgmi had finished until the new year, I had plenty of free
time. Most of it was spent with Okuda, we spent a lot of time
just walking around, or sitting in the park talking. I'd have
to say that I considered Okuda my *closest* friend since
leaving home, which was pretty amazing since I hand only know
him for a little over a month.
"Oh come on...", I said to Okuda, "It'll be nice and
relaxing". It was two days before Christmas and I had found
the perfect place to occupy some of my time, a heated pool.
Perhaps I should explain Christmas in Australia, it's hot,
usually sunny and the best place to be is at the beach. I
think I've been swimming every Christmas day since I was about
2 years old, my parents love the beach and I've yet to miss a
Christmas there.
"Swimming?", Okuda said again, he seemed quite disturbed
for some reason.
"Yeah", I said, "What... can't swim?".
He shook his head, "No.. but it's *winter*", he
complained.
I shrugged, "That's why we're going to a *heated* pool",
I said grinning.
He frowned, "I'm not sure....", he began.
"That's good", I said, "Cause I am.. it's traditional to
swim on Christmas". It took a little more encouragement, but
he agreed to meet me at the pool.
The complex that we went to was huge, easily the biggest
indoor swimming area that I'd ever seen (or read about). The
heat that hit us as we walked inside was a welcome relief from
the chill outside, "Come on, let's get changed", I said,
heading for the change-rooms.
He shook his head, "I changed at home, I'll wait
outside", he said.
I grinned, "What?, shy?", I said, and then laughed at his
expression. I shook my head, "I didn't realise how inhibited
he was", I thought to myself. After a couple of minutes I got
back to the edge of the big pool, walking up behind Okuda I
placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You *can* swim mate?", I asked again.
At his nod, I grinned, "Good!", I said, and with that I
picked him up and threw him in at the deep end. Admittedly
Okuda was a small guy, but I didn't expect him to be quite so
light, he sailed in a lovely arc ending in a muffled
scream/splash.
"BLUB... what did you do that for!", he demanded,
treading water.
I dove into the water and swam up to him (I'm a pretty
good swimmer - after 18 years of swimming at Christmas - I'd
either be good or fish-bait), "Hey, that's another tradition",
I said grinning.
He batted some water in my direction, "Well next time try
something new", he muttered.
The rest of the afternoon went well, we used the wave
pool for some very limited surfing, mucked around on the
slides and finally just ended up relaxing in the big pool. "I
told you this would be a good idea", I reminded him after we
got out.
He nodded, "Alright, that's *one* good idea you've had",
he said.
I laughed, "Well, let's get back into our warm clothes",
I said, indicating my own board-shorts, "I don't really want
to freeze off anything important".
He stopped mid step, "What's the problem?", I asked,
noticing his expression.
He seemed to want to say something, but held back. "Come
on", I said, "It's not like it makes much of a difference...".
He nodded and began walking again. I dunno what his
problem was, but he seemed to get over it, we bid a fond
farewell to the swimming pool (well I guess it should be
complex.. it was rather too impressive to be called a pool).
There was one thing that disturbed me about the
afternoon, I noticed one particular guy studying us intently
as we swam and then again as we left the complex. He was just
under six feet tall and was wearing a white polo shirt and
Khakis pants. I nudged Okuda, "See that guy?", I asked him,
indicating the fellow with a nod.
"Yeah?", he responded, still pre-occupied with something,
"what about him?".
I shrugged, "Oh.. I was just wondering why he was
following us", I replied, "You don't owe *him* money do you?".
He frowned and examined the guy thoughtfully, "No, I
don't think I know him", he said, "But he seems familiar".
"That's exactly the same feeling I got", I replied, then
I quickened the pace of my steps, "Let's see if we can leave
him behind".
Okuda hurried to keep up, "What's wrong Brett?", he
asked, "Why are we leaving so quickly?".
I brushed aside his questions, "Never mind, let's just
say I don't want to find out why he's following us", I
explained. I took us on a round about trip back to NIT,
hurrying, knowing that if that fellow was a Demon, I would be
hard pressed to defend not only myself, but Okuda.
Finally we arrived at the Men's Dorm, where Okuda was
staying. "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow night at the Temple", I
said in farewell.
He nodded, "Tomorrow.. bye 'mate'", he said, smiling
slightly. I nodded and headed away from the dorms and for the
nearest isolated clock. Hopefully a quick trip back to the
Temple would throw off our pursuer.
******
"Damn, I lost him", Chia-Yao muttered to himself, the God
of Truth was not having a good day. He straightened out his
polo shirt and took a seat on a bench.
It had been several weeks since he had trailed Nilthar
here and he still had yet to *see* his nemesis. He was sick
and tired of this surveillance job. "Why can't I get a little
action?", he thought to himself, it had been three years since
he had agreed to accept a third category license and since
then he had little to show for it.
"Even *Skuld* has gotten a permanent post on Earth", he
grumbled, "You'd think *I* could manage to come up with
something as interesting to do.. but no.. I've got to chase
around a bunch of misguided demons for the rest of my
days...".
He swept a hand through his thick grey hair and closed
his eyes for a minute. Suddenly he felt a surge of power,
looking around quickly he pinpointed it as coming from the
Dorms. He jumped to his feet, "Brett must have gone inside",
he thought to himself, but then he noticed that the spell
seemed very precise and well controlled, "Well that rules
Brett out then", he muttered.
Realising that he had been neglecting his duties he
quickly turned and headed for the Temple, "I think we've got
another player in the game", he thought to himself, "I hope
whoever it is, is friendly".
******
Christmas eve finally arrived and I was busily wrapping
up my gift to Urd. It had taken quite a bit of searching (and
a quick trip back to Australia), but I finally found something
nice. "I hope this goes well", I muttered as I tied a bow
neatly on top.
Checking that I had everyone's gift sorted out I piled
them up on the bed. I was a little depressed about not being
able to spend this Christmas with my family, I planned to
visit for a few days in the new year, but that wouldn't really
replace Christmas. Frowning I checked my watch, "Okuda should
have been here by now", I thought to myself.
I walked outside and looked around the courtyard, I
spotted Urd walking towards the gate, "Hey Urd!", I called,
jumping down the steps, "Where are you going?".
She turned with a frown on her face, "I've got something
*important* to do tonight", she said, "Sorry I can't meet your
friend".
I shook my head, "What's so important that it means you
have to miss Christmas with your family?", I asked.
She shrugged, "Look, you wouldn't understand", she said,
"If I don't do this now I don't know when I'll get the chance
again".
And with that confusing comment, she walked out the gate
and down the street. I looked after her, a little worried at
her words. "Hey!", I called, "I got you a gift, so don't be
too late".
She just continued walking around the corner. "That's
weird", I thought to myself, "I wonder if Belldandy know's
what going on".
I had just closed the gate and turned to walk inside,
when a knock echoed at the door. "You're back?", I asked,
flinging open the gate, expecting to see Urd.
"Ahhh.. no, I just got here", said a confused Okuda, who
still had a hand raised in mid-knock.
"Sorry mate", I said, stepping back so he could walk in,
"I thought it was Urd".
"Was that the lady who stalked past me?", he asked, "She
seemed in a hurry to get somewhere".
I nodded, "Yup, that was probably her".
"She's a knockout!", he said smiling.
"That's exactly what my reaction was when I first saw
her", I replied, grinning.
I turned and walked back up to the main house, Okuda was
looking around curiously at everything, "Nice place", he
commented, looking at the gardens.
I nodded, "I've got no idea how they manage to keep it so
prefect", I admitted, "But I'd love to get the number of their
gardener".
Okuda grinned, "I know what you mean", he said,
"Everything I touch turns brown".
We headed inside and I took him in to introduce him to
Belldandy, Skuld and he already had met Keiichi. "I'm very
pleased to meet you all at last", he said, bowing politely.
Belldandy smiled, "I've heard quite a bit about you", she
said, after I introduced them. Then she looked at him
strangely, "Have we met before?".
Okuda smiled a little thinly, "No I think I'd remember
meeting anyone as beautiful as yourself", he said charmingly.
Belldandy blushed slightly at the compliment, "Why thank
you", she said smiling.
"And this is Skuld", I said, introducing the two of them.
"Oh", he said eyeing her carefully, "This is the one who
likes to vanquish vicious ice-cream shops, single handedly?".
Skuld poked her tongue out at him, "Pleased to meet you
too", she said sarcastically. Dinner was a little way off, so
I decided to show Okuda around a little, first stop was my
room and I gave him a quick tour of my library. Next we
visited Keiichi's auto shop, getting a guided tour of each nut
and bolt from it's owner. I decided to skip showing him my
magical studies room, it might have been a little much for him
to handle.
After a couple of hours Belldandy had an incredible
dinner prepared and we all consumed it with gusto. I have to
admit it was great, even better than Belldandy's usual
dinners, I sat back contentedly.
"That was incredible", Okuda exclaimed, "I don't think
I've tasted anything like that before".
I nodded, "You've outdone yourself this time, Belldandy",
I said.
"It's a pity Urd couldn't join us", Keiichi said, looking
at the empty place at the table.
"Hey!", Skuld interjected, "speak for yourself... I like
to get a break now and then from her".
"Why is that?", Okuda asked, frowning.
"She's such a pain, always criticising me", Skuld said,
"Nothing's ever good enough for her...".
I shook my head, "Skuld, I'm sure Urd has your best
intentions at heart", I said, "It's just that she doesn't have
much subtly in her".
Okuda frowned, "Not subtle?", he asked, seeming a little
confused.
Skuld laughed, "Oh don't worry", she said, smiling, "I
know big sister means well, it's just nice to have a break
once in a while".
******
{ Author's Note:
<...> - These indicate telepathic messages}
<NILTHAR!>, came Marller's telepathic cry, <Urd's not
here>
Nilthar frowned thoughtfully, <Are you sure>, he sent
back.
<OF COURSE I'M SURE>, she replied, <She's gone>
"This complicates matters", he muttered to himself, <You
must locate her as soon as possible>, he sent.
<OH EASY FOR YOU TO SAY>, she responded angrily, <Find
her yourself, I'm busy....>.
Her link was suddenly cut and Nilthar ground his teeth in
frustration, "It's so hard to find *bad* help these days", he
muttered. Jumping down from the tree he had hidden himself
in, he began walking quietly towards the Temple that Marller
was suppose to be watching, "If you want a job done *wrong*,
you've got to do it yourself", he grumbled.
******
It was getting late and I was starting to worry about
Urd. We had spent most of the evening talking about various
things, watching a little TV and just relaxing.
"I wonder where Urd is?", I said aloud, voicing my
concern.
Belldandy nodded, "It's not like my Sister to miss
dinner", she said, "Did she say where she was going?".
I shook my head and turned to Okuda, "Which way did she
go past you?", I asked.
"Uhhh... err", he said, trying to remember, "Umm well she
walked off towards Nekgmi".
I frowned, "Why on earth would she want to go there on
Christmas eve", I mused, "and that's a hell of a long walk".
Okuda shrugged, "I dunno, she could have gone anywhere
after she went past me", he said, and then he looked at me
with an impish expression, "Have you decided to ask her out
yet?", he asked.
At this Belldandy looked up curiously and smiled, "You're
going to ask Urd out?", she asked.
Skuld and Keiichi also looked at me curiously, I grinned
a little nervously, "Ahh yes.. I was...", I said. I grabbed
hold of Okuda's arm, "Would you excuse us for a minute?", I
asked everyone, not waiting for an answer I pulled him bodily
from the room.
I stopped when we reached the veranda, turning, I looked
him straight in the eye, "What did you have to go and tell
them that for?", I asked angrily.
He looked at me wide-eyed and spread his hands
defensively, "I thought they were your friends?", he said.
I nodded, starting to get a little more in control, "They
are my friends", I replied, "But that doesn't mean that I
share *everything* with them".
He frowned, "But I thought that you and Keiichi were good
friends?", he said, "You didn't tell him that you were
thinking of asking Urd out?".
I shook my head, "Keiichi and I *are* good friends, but I
didn't tell him that", I explained, "I don't usually tell
*everyone* what I'm planning to do".
He frowned, "But I thought that...", he began.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's ok mate", I said,
"You didn't know that about me, but I'm usually a private
person, not given to sharing my thoughts with everyone".
He frowned, "But you told me?", he asked seeming a little
confused.
I nodded, "That's cause your a friend that I have
confidence in to keep it quite", I replied, "Keiichi might
have blurted it out to Urd by accident and I certinally
wouldn't have told Belldandy and Skuld, I guess you could say
I wouldn't feel comfortable discussing my love life (or lack
there of) with a girl".
He nodded and looked at the floor, "I think I
understand", he replied quietly, "I'm sorry if I've betrayed
your trust".
I smiled, "Well that's alright", I said, "THIS TIME". I
clapped him on the shoulder, "let's go back inside, it's
almost Christmas day".
He smiled a little sadly, "Alright", he said, starting to
follow me in quietly. He still seemed to be a bit upset.
"Hey!", I said, trying to lighten the mood, "Let's leave
the depression thing until Urd turns me down".
He shook his head, "Sometimes I don't think Urd is good
enough for you", he said, turning and walking inside.
I frowned at that statement, he had never even met her.
But when we got back inside I decided to leave it be.
******
"Where the hell is Urd?", thought Chia-Yao, "I would have
expected her to be here tonight".
He was lying face down in the roof of the temple, looking
at the gathering from above. His face was phased through the
wood ceiling, allowing him to observe without notice. Brett
and Okuda (there was something strange about that one), had
just returned from outside and had sat back down.
Chia-Yao smiled, "So Brett's looking to take out Urd?",
he thought, "Well at least he has good taste in women". Chia-
Yao had never really gotten along with Urd, she always seemed
to look down on him whenever they had an argument. "And then
there was the time that she used me as a test subject for one
of her potions", he thought, shuddering at the memory.
He looked a Skuld thoughtfully, "Well she's come along
since I last saw her", he thought, "Looks like she'll turn out
to be a nice looking young woman". He grinned thinking of all
the times he had called her 'bug' - she had absolutely hated
that nickname. "If only I could talk to them all again", he
muttered quietly.
******
The clock struck midnight, "Present time!", said Skuld
enthusiastically, clapping her hands.
I grinned at her, "Usually *we* wait until morning", I
said.
"But it's Christmas *now*, so we can open them *now*",
she pouted.
Belldandy smiled tolerantly, "Alright Skuld..", she said,
"But only just this once".
"Here you go!", I said, handing her an envelope, I also
handed Belldandy and envelope, "That's for both you and
Keiichi".
Skuld looked at it and frowned, "That's it?", she asked.
Belldandy frowned at her, "Skuld!", she said, "You're
being rude again".
I grinned, "Open it", I insisted.
Skuld huffed and opened it carefully, revealing a card,
"Have a look on the inside", I suggested.
She opened the card and a small piece of plastic fell
out, "What's this?", she asked bending and picking it up.
After a moment she finally read what was on the card and
her eyes went wide, "Is this a joke?", she asked,
breathlessly.
I shook my head, "Nope, it's valid for one year", I
replied, "All the ice cream you can eat".
I don't think I *ever* gotten such a reaction to a gift,
Skuld practically bounced off the walls with glee. She held
the card to her chest possessively, "Thank you.. Thank
you...", she repeated.
I grinned again, "If you don't like it we can always
return it", I suggested.
She looked shocked and held the card closer, "Don't you
dare", she said. I had just turned to Okuda when she gave me
a quick peck on the cheek, "Thanks Brett", she said happily.
I nodded, "Well Okuda and I both picked it out", I
replied, "Oh and speaking of Okuda...". I passed him a small
gift-wrapped box, "This is for you".
He smiled and opened it quickly, what it revealed was a
small computer-like device. "What is it?", he asked, turning
it over in his hands.
"Well remember when you told me you keep messing up
experiments cause you get the wrong measurements?", I asked,
at his nod I continued, "Well you can program that with about
200 different mixtures and it will tell you how much item to
add and when".
He looked at it with respect, "I could have used this
years ago", he said, "Thank you".
I nodded, "That's alright", I said smiling, "you've been
such a good friend that I'm happy to give it to you".
He grinned a little sickly, "Ahh.. yeah.. well", he
began.
"Brett-san!", called Keiichi from the other side of the
room, "What is this?!?".
I walked over and examined the tickets and documents that
he was holding up, "That's your Christmas present", I replied.
"But... When..", he began.
Belldandy smiled, "Thank you Brett", she said, "I'm sure
we *both* will enjoy it".
I grinned, "So long as you like the beach", I replied.
Skuld was about to burst, "What are you talking about?",
she demanded, not being able to see what the tickets were for.
"Brett has organised a small trip for us", Belldandy
explained.
"Where are we going?", Skuld asked, confused.
Keiichi spoke up, "I'm afraid that the tickets are only
for myself and Belldandy", he explained, "and I have no idea
how he afforded it".
I shrugged, "It wasn't *that* expensive", I replied, "I
can drop the two of you off and that saves on air-fares".
Skuld was frowning, "Where are you two going?", she
asked.
"Well the place is called 'Day Dream Island'", Belldandy
said, "It sounds very nice".
I nodded, "It *is* very nice", I decided to explain,
seeing that everyone didn't know what or where 'Day Dream
Island' was, "It's a smallish island in what's known as the
Whitsundays, a group of islands in the Great Barrier Reef.
I've been there and it's a *very* nice place".
Skuld looked a little petulant, "But why can't we all
go?", she asked.
I frowned at her, "You think I could afford both the Ice-
cream pass and a trip for all of us.. it was either getting
you that.. or you could go along with Belldandy and Keiichi",
I said.
She held the pass protectively in her hand, "That's
alright", she said quickly, "I'm happy to stay here".
I smiled at Keiichi and Belldandy who were looking at
each other carefully, when Skuld left to get her presents for
us I whispered to them, "The room I ordered has two beds",
they looked a little shocked at my suggestion, I shrugged
innocently, "I'm sure you can change that if you want....".
Before they had a chance to reply Skuld walked back into
the room and handed me a box. "Open it", she said, smiling
happily.
I frowned and pulled it open, what was inside was about
the same size as a paperback book, it had a glowing dial that
pointed straight ahead and a series of buttons on the bottom,
"Uhh it's great Skuld", I said, not really knowing what to
think.
She frowned, "Oh here", she said, picking it up, "Since
Urd seems to have forgotten to teach you to detect magic, I
fixed this thing up".
I hushed her slightly, glancing over at Okuda, who seemed
to caught up in his own thoughts to overhear anything. "How
does it work?", I asked quietly.
She glanced at Okuda and then whispered back, "You turn
this dial like this to detect active spells....", she began,
turning the indicated dial. Then she stopped and frowned at
the device.
She thumped it on the side and turned the dial again,
"Something must be wrong with this", she muttered.
"What?", I asked looking at the arrow, it was turning as
Skuld moved, rather like a compass. Belldandy got up and
walked over, "It something wrong?", she asked.
Skuld looked around the room, "Someone's using magic
nearby", she whispered to her sister, "Nothing real big.. only
just noticeable".
I frowned, "Where's it coming from?", I asked, wondering
if the Demons were about to attack.
Belldandy and Skuld exchanged glances and then Belldandy
turned her back on Okuda and began gesturing and quietly
reciting a spell. Okuda still didn't seem very happy, he was
examining the little computer I had given him.
After a moment Belldandy finished her spell and looked
around the room, "It's him", she hissed, point at Okuda.
By now he had realised that we were all looking at him
and he stood uncomfortably, "What's wrong?", he asked
nervously. Then he noticed the device Skuld had in her hand,
"NO!", he said suddenly, "You didn't give him that stupid
detector of yours...".
Skuld and Belldandy stood in front of me, carefully
raising their hands in preparation of a spell. I was shocked,
"Okuda.. how would you know...", I said slowly.
Belldandy looked at him sternly, "Unless you get rid of
that disguise spell right now, I'm going to...", she began.
Okuda raised his hands, "No need for that", he said
quietly, "I'll do it myself".
He looked at me sadly, "I'm sorry for betraying your
trust Brett", he said and then began to chant and gesture.
A shimmering spread for him body, the air around him
shimmered like waves of heat. As he continued to chant his
voice became higher and his body became slimmer and more
feminine after a few more moments he (make that *she*) stopped
chanting and a silence filled the room.
I stood shocked, open mouthed and very shaken. "How
could you do something like this?", I said carefully, trying
to keep my emotions under control.
******
Another person who was not taking Okuda's transformation
too well was the guest in the ceiling. "How the hell did I
miss that?", he thought to himself. "I gotta get a new
detection spell", he muttered, missing such an important
detail would almost be enough to get him kicked out of the
Security Daemons.
--------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 10:
Belldandy was stunned as the form that was Okuda regained
a familiar shape, "SISTER!", she exclaimed. Keiichi and Skuld
were shocked into silence and just stood gaping at Urd.
Brett seemed to be shaking slightly as he turned and
carefully made his way to the front door, stopping only once,
to hurl the gift he had so carefully wrapped across the room.
He literally ripped the front door from it's frame and stalked
out into the night.
Belldandy watched his departure sadly and then turned an
angry expression on her sister, "How could you do such a
thing?", she asked quietly.
Urd hung her head and sat down cross legged in the middle
of the room, "I didn't mean....", she began softly.
Keiichi was red with suppressed anger, "You never seem to
*mean* for these things to happen", he accused, "You've done
something far worse this time than making a mistake with a
love potion or ruining a dinner".
Urd nodded, "I know", she said sadly and then looked up,
"Maybe if you talked to him....."
"ME!", Keiichi shouted, getting angrier, "You think he's
gonna want anything more to do with *any* of us?".
Belldandy placed a hand on Keiichi's arm, calming him
slightly with a look, "Sister", she said seriously, "It's up
to you to put things right and your going to have to deal with
it yourself".
Skuld, who had been quite during this exchange walked
over and retrieved the broken gift, from where it lay against
the wall. She silently gave it to Urd and left the room
without a word. Belldandy and Keiichi followed her, closing
the door to the dining room.
Urd sat for a few moments looking at the gift sitting in
her lap, then she violently ripped the wrapping paper off,
revealing a small wooden box. What lay inside was a smashed
crystal rose, it's stem broken in several pieces and a deep
crack through it's tip. She carefully placed the box on the
floor and removed the envelope that lay beneath the destroyed
rose. Her expression was unreadable and she carefully opened
the letter and began to read.
Urd....
Ok well I've never been good with words and I find it
easier to put my thoughts onto paper. I guess that it's a bit
strange to give a letter to someone who lives under the same
roof, but I don't want everyone to know my feelings, just you.
You've been teaching me so much in the last weeks and
I've been getting more enjoyment out of our lessons than I
thought possible. I enjoy the learning part well enough, but
what I enjoy most is spending time with you.
I've had lots of female friends in my life, but none that
I really wanted to be very close to. Our talks and studies
have given me a chance to get to know you well enough that I
feel comfortable enough to go a little bit further.
Well, what I really wanted to ask was if you'd like to
join me this new years eve at the Auto Club's party? How
about it? Aw Geeze I can't believe that I'm asking you out in
a letter, well as my friend Okuda says, "Nothing ventured,
nothing gained"...
Your Friend,
Brett
PS: You've gotta meet Okuda, he's a great guy and I'm sure
the two of you will get along fine..
PPS: I hope you like the rose, it took me a lot of effort to
think up and find...
The letter slid out of her grasp and Urd began to cry
quietly, looking at the destruction that her own curiosity and
need-to-meddle had caused.
******
Skuld trudged back to her room, her thoughts dark. In
one hand she clutched the gift Brett had given her and in the
other she held her gift to him. "This is probably all my
fault", she muttered. But even as she said it she realised
that it was no one's fault but Urd, her sister had brought the
problem down on herself.
She looked at the small magic detector, "Why did this one
have to work?", she thought to herself. Frowning down at the
object she noticed that it still pointed back into the house,
"That's not right", she muttered, "Urd's turned off the
spell".
Fiddling with the controls for a few minutes, she
concluded that there was no malfunction and someone was still
using magic in the house. Turning on her heel she made her
way back towards the dining room. The device beeped at her
and she quickly ran back around behind the house, looking up
she noticed a figure in purple, huddled on one corner of the
roof. She eased her mallet out of it's holster and moved
quietly towards it.
******
Chia-Yao shook his head slowly, "No one deserves that",
he said quietly to himself. Brett was long gone and he had to
get started if he was going to be there in case of trouble.
looking around he stood and walked towards the temple's outer
wall.
He ducked quickly as a white blur passed within inches of
his head. Diving and rolling forward, he muttered a quick
spell and a shimmering sword appeared in his hand. He rolled
back to his feet, just in time to block a thrust from what
looked like an oversized mallet.
Ignoring that strange fact for the moment, he furiously
began blocking and dodging the oncoming attacks. He began to
riposte more aggressively when he saw that his opponent was
beginning to tire. Pivoting back, he sliced at one of the
temple's many trees, severing a branch from the main trunk.
He smiled grimly as a muffled shriek announced that his
would-be attacker was caught up in the branch. Chia-Yao
carefully examined the fallen branch, it wouldn't have been
heavy enough to kill anyone, but he'd better check. As he was
bending over to examine his opponent, Belldandy and Keiichi
came running around the corner of the building.
Startled slightly, he failed to noticed the mallet
speeding towards his stomach. He flew backwards a few meters
and landed with a 'huff' on the ground. Quickly regaining his
feet, he crouched in preparation of the renewed fight, his
opponent seemed to have some skill.
Belldandy motioned for Keiichi to stay behind her and
advanced on the newcomer, "Who are you?", she asked, her hands
half-raised in preparation of a spell.
Chia-Yao looked at her a little nervously, "I'm Chia-Yao,
God of Truth, First Class, Third Category, unlimited", he said
in explanation.
Belldandy frowned and looked at him closely, "When did
you start carrying the sword?", she asked, "The last time I
saw you it was right after you go in trouble for tying Skuld's
pigtails in knots".
Chia-Yao blushed and grinned a little sheepishly, "Well
she started it", he said smiling, "But after that the 'Boss'
decided that I might benefit from a little 'discipline', hence
the Third Category licence".
"So why are you attacking my sister?", Belldandy asked,
frowning all the more.
Chia-Yao looked at the figure pulling itself from the
bush strangely, "That was Bug?", he asked incredulously.
Skuld, who had managed to regain her feet, raised her
mallet, "You know I HATE that name!", she said, advancing
towards him.
Belldandy smiled and placed a hand lightly on Skuld's
arm, "Oh come on Skuld", she said, "Aren't you happy to see
your old playmate again?".
Skuld bristled, "Hey, he always picked on me", she
complained, "Like I'm gonna enjoy seeing *him* again".
******
Nilthar watched as Brett stalked from the temple, he
could feel the anger radiating and could see the fiery
expression on his face. <Marller>, he called.
<What now?>, Marller called, getting an good dose of
annoyance into her telepathic tone.
<Why is our target so angry?>, he asked, following Brett
at a safe distance.
Marller quickly explained the evening's goings on,
placing particular emphasis on the appearance of Urd and
Brett's reaction. <Are you sure she's not on our side?>,
Nilthar gloated.
He followed Brett for nearly half an hour, before they
came to a darkened NIT. He watched as Brett made his way to a
long seat, in the middle of a courtyard, Brett sat down and
placed his head in his hands.
<Nilthar!>, came Marller's call, <Your pursuer has shown
up>.
Freezing for a moment, Nilthar recalled the Security
Daemon that had been following him ever since he had dealt
with Brett's predecessor. He had been told by his superiors
that the God of Destiny must die. After much effort and
planning, the first God's destruction had been completed, but
then they find this replacement. <That changes nothing>, he
replied, <be ready to give them my ultimatum>.
<You've got to be kidding!>, Marller responded, <There's
no way I'm gonna reveal myself with him around>.
<You'll do as your told!>, Nilthar shot back, <Otherwise
I'll have to replace you>.
******
I looked at the clenched fists sitting on my lap,
carefully I attempted to relax myself, taking a few deep
breaths I looked around. I was sitting on my favourite bench
at NIT, I had spent countless hours, just sitting here over
the last two months. Often I had been joined in my relaxation
by Keiichi, Megumi and more recently, Okuda.
"Not Okuda", I muttered, getting angry again, "URD!". I
smashed my fist into the seat beside myself, wincing at the
slight pain that it started. I had never been quite this
angry in my life, the sense of embarrassment was overwhelming.
I had only a few friends that I had chosen to talk to about my
feelings, I had left them all back home in Australia when I
had come here. It had been like having a great weight lifted
off my shoulders, being able to talk with Okuda... URD! - I
reminded myself again.
"I wonder why I even bother", I muttered out loud, it
seemed a lot easier just to not talk to anyone here about
those things, perhaps it would be easier just to trust those
people that I already know.
"I understand how you feel", came a voice from behind me.
Suddenly realising that I was not alone in the middle of
the night didn't do a lot for my nerves. I stood quickly and
turned to the sound of the voice. Standing in the shadows was
a man who was looking at me with sadness in his eyes. He
seemed to be only slightly shorter than myself and talked with
a slightly English accent. He was wearing a deep blue set of
clothing, very similar to what I wore while in uniform.
"Who the hell are you?", I retorted (still not having
regained my good manners), "and what do you know about how I
feel?".
He stepped forward and took a seat at the other end of
the bench, "I know more about you than you realise, Brett", he
said.
"You're a God?", I asked.
He nodded, "That name fits as well as any", he replied,
"But what I'm here to talk to you about is how you can go back
to a normal life".
I looked at him suspiciously, "What do you mean?", I
asked.
He smiled reassuringly, "Just what I said", he stated
firmly, "You can go back to being just a plain guy".
I frowned, "How?", I asked.
He gestured for me to sit down, and when I complied he
continued, "All you have to do is simply cancel the contract
you have with the Goddess Relief Office", he explained, "And
when that is terminated you'll be just plain old Brett Handy,
student and would-be author, again".
I sat shock still, "But I thought that contracts were
unbreakable?", I said.
He shook his head, "That's not true", he replied, "All
you have to do is ask and it will be cancelled".
I leant back to think for a moment, looking up at the
stars and wondering if I *could* go back to a normal life.
"Is this really you?", he asked, gesturing and chanting a
spell word. My clothes changed back into the light blue
uniform, that seemed to move with a will of it's own.
Glancing down I looked at the beautiful material, never
feeling quite so out of place. "Maybe this isn't me", I said
slowly, "But it's what I'm becoming".
He frowned, "I thought you didn't want any of this to
happen", he asked.
I nodded, "In the beginning I guess that as how I felt",
I explained, "But now I don't really know how I'd feel back
home".
He shook his head, "Your only saying that because you
feel obligated to live out the role that's been chosen for
you", he argued, getting a little angry.
"That's not true", I replied, shaking my head, "I've come
to realise that there's a reason why I got this job and that
*maybe* I can make a difference to the world".
He stood angrily, "Well you're wrong", he said, "You're
not going to make a difference to anyone, anymore". With that
he muttered the last few words of a spell and I found myself
surrounded by a transparent sphere.
The man's clothing deepened to a darker shade of blue and
seemed to hang around his body like a black fog, his face
dropped into a sneer and he gave me a contemptuous look, "You
are a fool", he said, "I would have let you go if you'd agreed
to terminate the contract, but now it looks like I'm going to
have to terminate you and your friends instead".
I punched at the sphere to no effect other than making my
fists sore, "Who are you and why are you doing this?", I
asked, desperately trying to think up a counterspell.
He laughed, "The name is Nilthar", he said, "Oh, don't
bother trying to smash you way out with a spell, the bubble is
unbreakable, as your predecessor found out".
I looked at him closely, now recognising him from the
dream of a month back, "What do you mean, 'my predecessor'?",
I asked, testing the boundaries of the sphere.
"Oh", he said sarcastically, "Didn't anyone tell you?,
the former God of Destiny also died in a bubble, it's amazing
that your early warning ability doesn't pick up the
possibility of a death due to lack of oxygen".
My eyes must have widened because he laughed
unpleasantly, "Well you can take heart that your going to live
longer than your former teacher", he said, "I'll tell her that
you said 'hi', or should that be 'G'day'?".
I think I muttered something unpleasant that this point,
I was more concerned with what a become of Urd in that dream,
"OH, don't tell me you are worried about her?", he asked,
"After all she's done you still care?". He raised one wrist
to his forehead, dramatically, "I must rescue her, the woman
that humiliates me continually". He snorted and turned to
walk back into the darkness.
"YOU BASTARD!", I shouted, banging futilely on the
sphere. I continued to pound my fists on it till they began
to bleed, then feeling slightly light headed I sat down where
I was. Running through my memory I tried to find a spell that
would get me out of this. I noticed that it was beginning to
get a little difficult to breath and I glanced at my watch, I
had been in here for nearly twenty minutes. "Now what the
hell am I suppose to do?", I asked of no one in particular.
******
Chia-Yao smiled apologetically at Skuld, "Sorry about
that", he said, "I didn't know it was you".
Skuld frowned at him, "What were you doing hiding on our
roof in the middle of the night?", she asked.
Belldandy and Keiichi also looked at him closely,
awaiting his response, "Ahh well you see it's kind of a long
story", he began.
"Then perhaps we should go inside", said Belldandy,
shivering slightly, "There's a strange chill in the air".
Keiichi draped an arm over her shoulder as the four of
the walked towards the temple. They avoided the dining room,
where Urd was still sitting quietly and chose to talk in the
kitchen. Belldandy passed tea around to everyone as they sat
down to listen to Chia-Yao's explanation.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, sipping on his drink,
"Well I guess you could say that this all began when my
brother died", he said softly.
Belldandy smiled sadly, "We were very sad to hear of his
death", she said comfortingly, "It was a great tragedy".
Chia-Yao's face transformed into one of pure rage, "There
was nothing 'tragic' about it", he snarled, "He was murdered".
Belldandy and Skuld gasped, "How, by who??", Skuld asked.
Chia-Yao began pacing, "He was killed by a Demon named
Nilthar", he said, practically spitting out the name, "That
bastard suffocated him to death in a force-bubble".
Belldandy lowered her head onto Keiichi's shoulder for
some comfort and Skuld began to sob, "Tlesta.. ", she said,
remembering the friendly young god that she had grown up with.
Keiichi looked at Chia-Yao grimly, "I thought that you
were immortal", he said.
Chia-Yao shook his head, "We can be killed", he said, "It
takes a bit more effort, that's all".
Keiichi tightened his arm around Belldandy, protectively,
"So what's being done about this?", he asked.
The God of Truth sat down and resumed drinking his tea,
"Well, I've been assigned to hunt Nilthar down and bring him
in for trail", he said, "The murder of the God of Destiny has
shifted the balance out of alignment, that needs to be
corrected".
Keiichi frowned, "I thought that Brett was the God of
Destiny?", he said, confused.
Chia-Yao nodded, "He was chosen as Tlesta's replacement",
he explained, "So that the balance would be corrected".
Skuld, who had recovered slightly, frowned at him, "If
that's the case, why aren't you out hunting this Demon down?",
she asked.
Chia-Yao sighed, "I've been hunting him for nearly six
months", he said, "I traced him here about two months ago".
Belldandy looked up at that, "You've been here for two
months?", she asked, "That's almost the same amount of time
Brett's been here".
Chia-Yao nodded, "It seems that Nilthar wants to
eliminate the current God of Destiny too", he said.
Keiichi surged to his feet, "Why didn't you just TELL
US?", he asked angrily.
"Ahhh... well I thought that if I kept an eye on Brett
for a while...", Chia-Yao began nervously.
"Eventually Nilthar would make his move and you'd have
the chance to get him", Urd concluded from the doorway.
Skuld narrowed her eyes at the now nervous God of Truth,
"You've been using him as bait?", she asked dangerously.
"Not really", Chia-Yao said quickly, "You could say that
I've been taking care of him while you three have been busy".
Skuld was about to say more when she realised something,
"Where is Brett?", she asked.
Chia-Yao looked guilty, "Well after his sudden
departure", he said, looking pointedly at Skuld, "I got a
little distracted".
Urd (who now looked a little more like her old self)
walked over to Chia-Yao, "Can you find him?", she asked.
Chia-Yao nodded, "Easy", he said confidently, "I put a
tracer on him the first week".
He muttered a few spellwords and gestured a few times,
then he stopped and frowned. "That should have worked", he
said, repeating the procedure, "No, nothing, either my tracer
has been dispelled, or....".
Belldandy finished his thought, "Something's happened to
him", she concluded.
Urd motioned to Skuld, "Have you still got that
detector?", she asked.
Skuld nodded, pulling it out and turning it on,
"According to this", she said, fiddling with the switches,
"Someone who's radiating magic is walking towards our front
door".
Urd frowned, "I doubt that Brett would be back so soon",
she said quietly.
Skuld nodded, "Your probably right about his feelings for
once", she said scathingly.
"That will do!", Belldandy said, stopping the fight that
was about to break out, "Urd knows exactly what she's done and
we don't need to keep reminding her of it".
Skuld sighed, "You're right Big Sister", she said, then
she turned to Urd, "I'm sorry Urd".
Urd had winced visibly at Skuld's comment and for once
she didn't have a ready response, she lowered her head sadly,
"I'll work things out with Brett later", she said, "For now I
think we had better concentrate on keeping him alive so that I
have the *chance* to talk to him".
Skuld nodded, "Well whoever that is they're just about
here", she said, sliding her mallet out of its holster.
Chia-Yao spoke a few quick phrases and then nodded,
"That's NOT Brett out there", he concluded.
Belldandy pulled a piece of chalk from her pocket and
drew a quick pentagram on the floor, inscribing it with a few
runes, "Stay in this", she said to Keiichi, "It will keep you
safe".
Keiichi looked like he wanted to argue, but she silenced
him with a quick kiss, drawing him over to the circle, "Please
stay here", she asked. Keiichi nodded and after another
lingering kiss she withdrew from the circle and drew in the
last rune, the circle flared brightly and then began glowing
with a soft white light.
The other three had not been idle while Belldandy had
been seeing to her mortal love, Chia-Yao now carried a pair of
glowing swords and his purple uniform had been replaced with
some kind of body armour. Skuld looked at it admiringly,
"Where did you get that?", she asked, liking the futuristic
design.
The God of Truth grinned, "I designed it myself", he
said, stretching his arms, "Want me to make you a set, Bug?".
"Thanks", Skuld said, "But I'll design some of my own
later", then as an afterthought she added, "Don't call me
that!".
******
Marller knocked nervously at the door to the temple, it
was one thing to observe from a distance, but quite another to
walk up to the front door and knock. Her worst fears were
recognised when she saw, not only the three Goddesses, but the
Security Daemon, all carrying weapons.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you", she said a little
nervously, as the four began chanting a variety of nasty
spells, "Not if you want to see that 'upstart' mortal again".
Belldandy broke off her spell and gestured for everyone
else to do the same, "What do you mean?", she asked angrily.
Marller smiled, she had them, "Well, I'm sure you realise
we have him", she said, slouching against a statue, "My
partner's the only one that can release him before....".
Chia-Yao narrowed his eyes at her, "Before what?", he
asked dangerously.
"Well you see", Marller began sweetly, "He's got about 30
minutes of air left".
Chia-Yao paled slightly, and then grew angrier, "You WILL
TELL ME WHERE HE IS!", he said furiously, raising his sword
suggestively.
Marller took a small step backwards, "*I* don't know",
she said, "You'll have to talk to Nilthar about it".
"Where is he then?", the God of Truth asked.
Marller smiled, "Oh I don't think he wants to talk to
*you* about it Daemon", she said, "But he will talk to Urd
about it".
Urd, who had been pre-occupied with her own thoughts,
looked up, "Why me?", she asked.
"He probably wants to congratulate you on how well your
destroying Brett's self-confidence and ruining any chances he
has of completing his education as a God", she concluded,
smiling.
Urd bowed her head and then nodded silently, "All right",
she said after a moment, "I'll meet with him".
Chia-Yao looked ready to split Marller in two, "They're
trying to divide our strength", he said, "It *will* be a
trap".
Urd nodded, "Probably", she said, moving past to follow
Marller's retreating form, "But what choice do I have?".
The other three remained silent as she walked out into
the cool Christmas eve. After she had disappeared Chia-Yao
turned and hurried back into the temple, "By god I'm not going
to let it happen again", he muttered firmly.
Belldandy and Skuld followed him into the temple, "What
are you going to do", Skuld asked.
Returning to the dining room, he drew out a pentagram on
the floor and sat in the middle of it, closing his eyes, "If
Brett's out there, I'll find him", he declared. A moment
later the circle flared with power and he rose off the floor a
few inches, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Belldandy and Skuld looked at each other and sat down to
keep watch, "He's certinally changed a bit in the last five
years", Belldandy said, indicating Chia-Yao's silver-grey
hair, "I can't believe he's only three years older than you
are".
Skuld nodded and looked at him thoughtfully, "At least I
won't have to worry about him tying my hair in knots", she
mumbled, then she looked at him closely, "I hope", she added.
******
Urd followed the Demon, carefully keeping an eye out for
possible danger. She still couldn't understand why she was
doing this, "What is Brett to me?", she muttered under her
breath.
"He's a guy that has a chance of being your equal",
Marller said over her shoulder.
Urd stopped in her tracks, "What the hell would *you*
know about it?", she said angrily.
Marller stopped too, "Oh, I see more than just comings
and goings at the temple", she said, "And this is the first
time I've seen you *ever* this threatened by a guy".
Urd frowned, "What do you mean 'threatened'?", she asked,
getting a little less angry.
Marller sighed, "Look", she said, "It's quite simple, how
many Gods do you spend time with?".
Urd frowned, "None", she responded promptly.
Marller raised her hand, "What about Brett?", she asked.
Urd blinked, "But he's not a God yet", she replied.
"Oh come on", Marller said, "You know better than that,
would Nilthar be after him if he wasn't?".
Urd shook her head, "I still don't see what that means",
she said.
Marller put her hands on her hips and took a long look at
Urd, "What do I look like", she said, "A shrink??... do I have
to connect the dots for you?".
Urd flushed, "It's not like that... I like him, but...",
he began anxiously.
Marller turned and kept walking, "You like him, but this
is the first time you've been faced with a relationship that
you haven't had the upper hand in", she said, continuing on
the way to the meeting.
Urd silently followed, her thoughts turning to what
Marller had said, "Am I really that insecure?", she thought to
herself. If Brett had been a regular guy she would have never
even given him a second thought.
Turning her thoughts aside for a moment she hurried to
follow Marller, "Sorting out my feelings can wait", she
muttered. She shivered at the thought of not being able to
apologise to him for the hurt she had caused.
******
Nilthar paced backwards and forwards in the small grove
of trees that he had chosen to meet Urd. "Where the hell are
they", he muttered. He doubted that the sphere would hold
Brett for too long, unless he had seriously underestimated the
new God of Destiny.
He wondered again, why he had been chosen to fulfil this
mission, he had been quite satisfied overseeing the
infiltration of the CIA, and now here he was in the backwater
dealing with something that should have been worked out years
ago. For some reason the Gods and Goddesses seem to come in
groups of three, while Skuld, Belldandy and Urd represent the
Future, Present and Past (respectively), the Gods of Destiny,
Truth and Mystery represent something more tangible.
He turned as Marller approached, followed by Urd. He
grinned broadly, "This is too easy", he thought to himself,
walking forward to meet them.
"Greetings Urd", he said, smiling, "Thank you for all the
help!".
Urd gave he a flat glare, "Where's Brett?", she asked
bluntly.
Nilthar cocked his head to one side, "Why would you be
worried about him?", he said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh.. so you
care about him too, how touching".
Marller took a few steps back from Nilthar and he turned
to look at her, "What leaving so soon?", he asked, "And I was
going to give you the privilege of finishing the job".
Marller shook her head, "Do it yourself", she replied.
Urd, who had been silent up to this point quickly cast a
defensive spell, surrounding herself with a shield. "I take
it your not going to be helpful?", she asked rhetorically.
Nilthar nodded and gestured in her direction, a bolt of
lightning smashed into her, throwing her backwards, despite
the shield she had erected. Urd pulled herself to her feet
and blasted at Nilthar with a bolt of her own, it impacted
into Nilthar's own shield, staggering him slightly.
"Not bad", he said, grudgingly, "But can you beat this?".
A sudden explosion of dirt punctuated his question and
Urd found herself thrown through the air, as the ground below
her ripped from the earth. She jumped out of the way as the
huge piece of earth flew at her head. Turning she blasted it
with a quick spell, destroying it mid-air.
"I'm afraid that you're out of luck", Nilthar said, as
Urd turned back to him, two bolts of lighting hit her, one
from behind her and the other from in front. Urd collapsed to
the ground in the scorched crater created by the force of the
explosions. Marller looked at Nilthar disgustedly, "I thought
you were going to take care of this yourself", she said.
Nilthar looked her straight in the eye, "No stomach for
this?", he asked.
Looking at Urd's body he shook his head, "What a waste",
he muttered, "I wonder if the new God of Destiny is going to
get out of my trap". He glanced at his watch, "He's just
about out of air", Nilthar noted. What he failed to notice
was a glow beginning around the edges of the watch.
******
Belldandy and Skuld were sitting quietly watching Chia-
Yao floating in the middle of the dining room. "I wonder how
long until Urd get's back", Skuld thought out loud.
Belldandy was about to answer when she felt a feeling of
sharp pain, followed by a wave of nausea, "URD!", she
screamed, as her sister felt the impact of the twin lightning
strikes.
Skuld also felt the attack and stared around aimlessly,
"What's happening to her?", she asked desperately.
Belldandy hurried to the door, "She's to the north", she
said.
"BRETT!!", shouted Chia-Yao suddenly, he opened his eyes
and looked at Belldandy, "They're at the park, they need
help".
Belldandy nodded and hurried from the temple, Skuld was
two steps behind her. Chia-Yao however remained floating in
his pentagram, "Brother.. hear me...", he said quietly.
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E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
-Albert Einstein
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