Kokabiel's POV

  After Hastur's revelations, we didn't talk much.

  Perhaps both of us felt a bit awkward standing there on that ruined balcony, two cosmic entities who'd just had what amounted to the universe's most emotionally vulnerable conversation. We were Outer Gods, beings who existed beyond mortal comprehension, who'd witnessed the birth and death of countless realities.

  We were not known for being social butterflies.

  And sometimes, words were unnecessary to convey something. Silence could be more than enough—more meaningful, even, than any attempt to articulate feelings that defied language itself.

  I stood there looking out over Carcosa, processing everything. The revelation about the Omniverse's cycle, about my predetermined fate, about Hastur seeing himself as... as my father.

  That last part kept echoing in my mind. What father would not feel sadness when their children suffer?

  Hastur remained silent beside me, that tattered yellow robe shifting slightly in winds that didn't quite exist. The Pallid Mask was turned away now, giving me space to process, to think, to feel whatever I was capable of feeling.

  After what might have been minutes or hours—time was meaningless here anyway—I finally turned to leave.

  Reality began to crack around me, responding to my unspoken desire to depart. The dimensional barriers between Carcosa and the greater omniverse started to fracture like glass developing spiderweb patterns.

  "Be wary of our kin."

  Hastur's voice stopped me mid-step. I turned back to face him.

  "They don't think like you or me," he continued, his tone carrying genuine warning. "They only care about consuming everything. Existence, non-existence, it's all just fuel for their endless hunger. They won't negotiate, won't show mercy, won't even comprehend why you'd want to protect something instead of destroy it."

  He paused, and I could sense something behind those words. Concern, perhaps. Or as close to concern as an Outer God could manage.

  "If you need it, seek my help."

  I turned around fully and smiled—a genuine expression of gratitude that felt strange on my face. "Thank you. It means a lot."

  More than he probably realized. Knowing I had someone in my corner, someone who understood what I was, what I'd become, and still offered support... that mattered.

  "But don't count me out just yet," I added, letting confidence seep into my voice. "I will definitely protect my world. No matter what."

  Hastur's mask seemed to shift slightly, perhaps forming a smile of his own. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

  With those words, I turned around completely. Reality cracked open properly this time, revealing the Infinite Corridor—that vast pathway between dimensions that I'd learned to navigate during my time as an Outer God.

  I stepped into it with lighter steps than when I'd arrived, vanishing into the void between worlds.

  The weight of Hastur's revelation still pressed on me, but somehow it felt less crushing now. Less like a burden and more like... purpose, maybe. Or at least understanding.

  I flew through the vast and colorful pathway, crossing countless worlds. The Infinite Corridor was always beautiful in its own terrifying way—impossible colors that shouldn't exist, geometries that hurt to perceive, the screaming silence of spaces between realities.

  Worlds flashed past me like images in a cosmic slideshow. Some were familiar, dimensions I'd visited before or seen through my omniscience. Others were completely alien, operating on rules and physics that had nothing to do with anything I understood.

  I saw a world where time flowed backwards. Another where gravity was a conscious entity that demanded worship. One where the concept of "individual existence" didn't exist and all life was part of one collective consciousness. A strange world where people tried to contain dangerous anomalies to protect humanity.

  The multiverse was vast and strange and beautiful and horrifying all at once.

  Then finally, after what felt like both seconds and eternity, I reached it. The DxD world. My world, I supposed, since I'd spent the last three thousand years there. Home, even if I hadn't always thought of it that way.

  Just as I was about to step through the dimensional barrier into my world , I felt my King piece hum softly within me. A gentle pulse of connection.

  I sighed softly, knowing exactly who it was.

  I had a lot on my mind right now—Hastur's revelations, the upcoming battle with Shub-Niggurath, the training I still needed to do, the mysteries I still needed to solve. But perhaps this distraction would be helpful to clear my mind, give me something normal to focus on for a moment.

  I answered the call and spoke lightly, "Hello Katie. I believe it hasn't even been a day since I left."

  Katie's cheerful voice came from the other side, as if she was standing right in front of me instead of dimensions away. The Queen piece created a perfect connection, transmitting not just words but tone, emotion, presence.

  "Hi Arthur!" She sounded genuinely happy, almost giddy. "Just wanted to check if you reached safely. I know there isn't a lot of things that can harm you, but I just needed to be sure."

  Then her voice softened, becoming quieter, more vulnerable. "I just wanted to hear your voice."

  I couldn't help but smile helplessly at that admission. There was something endearing about a goddess of the night, a being of immense cosmic power, admitting she just wanted to hear someone's voice like a normal person missing their... boyfriend, I suppose she'd call it.

  "It's alright, I don't mind," I said gently. "I reached my world safely, then went to my personal dimension to train a bit. Get a better understanding of my full capabilities."

  I paused, then added, "I actually met up with Hastur a little while ago in his realm. Had a... enlightening conversation. Now I'm about to return to my world properly."

  There was a brief pause on the other end. Then Katie spoke hesitantly, "Wow. You talk about meeting Lovecraftian horrors like it was a walk in the park. Like 'oh yeah, just popped by to chat with an entity of cosmic dread, no big deal.' At least he is not a bad one. I owe him for my second chance."

  She laughed nervously. "I still have difficulty processing the fact that my boyfriend is one of them. They're... they're horryfying and disgusting, most of them. All tentacles and impossible angles and sanity-destroying forms."

  Then she hurriedly added, voice rising in panic, "But not you! You're beautiful and perfect! You don't have tentacles for eyes or some weird incomprehensible form! Even if you did, I'd still love you the same! You could be the most eldritch thing in existence and I'd still—"

  She stopped abruptly. "I'm talking too much, aren't I?" Her voice became low, embarrassed.

  I chuckled lightly, the sound genuine. "It's alright. I enjoy conversations like this, actually. Makes me feel more... normal. Considering the things I deal with on a regular basis, a little normalcy is appreciated."

  Katie perked up immediately, her voice brightening. "Right?! It's so exhausting talking to people who either speak too respectfully and bow every other word, or curse me for being stronger than them and controlling the night!"

  She sighed dramatically. "When I'm talking with you, it just makes me forget everything else. The duties, the responsibilities, the weight of being a goddess. I can just... be Katie."

  "By the way," she continued, her tone shifting to cheerful excitement, "I've already talked to my church about the whole situation. My followers are building your statues as we speak! Can you believe it?"

  I rubbed my head awkwardly, even though she couldn't see the gesture. "I told you, that's not necessary. I don't need statues or worship or—"

  "Too late!" Katie interrupted happily. "The church of the Evernight Goddess is officially going to become the Church of Eternal Light, with you and me as the sole deities! Isn't that romantic? We'll be worshipped together for all eternity!"

  I sighed. "How did they take it? Your followers, I mean. Finding out their goddess is... involved... with someone?"

  Katie laughed, the sound bright and carefree. "They accepted it rather happily actually! Many people in my world have been trying to walk the Eternal Night pathway, your pathway. But nobody has found any clue on where to even begin, what the first steps are, what sequences exist."

  Her voice took on a slightly smug tone. "So now that there might be a divine connection to the pathway's origin, I'm going to be getting a lot of new followers soon. The Church is going to explode in size."

  Then she added quickly, "But don't worry! I won't let them bother you. I'll handle all the prayers and requests and desperate pleas for power. You just focus on your training and preparing for the battle."

  I replied with a sigh, "Take care of them, though. Although I don't like being worshipped and all that ceremonial nonsense, humans tend to do it anyway when faced with beings more powerful than them. Since they're following you, choosing to put their faith in you, it's your duty to guide them properly."

  Katie groaned dramatically. "But it's sooo boring! Listening to prayers, granting minor blessings, managing godly politics and schemes, dealing with theological debates about the proper way to worship... I want to drop everything and just stay with you."

  I smiled at the petulant tone. "Soon. One decade, remember? Until then, take care of yourself. Take care of your responsibilities."

  I paused, then added, "And maybe keep an eye on Klein too. He tends to be a loner and do everything on his own, try to shoulder every burden himself. But sometimes you need a helping hand, someone to watch your back."

  Katie replied seriously, her playful tone dropping away. "Of course. He's your friend, so I consider him a friend as well. I'll keep an eye out, maybe arrange for some fortuitous encounters or timely assistance. Nothing too obvious, just... nudging fate a little."

  Then her voice softened. "And Arthur, take care of yourself as well. I can't be there to watch over you, to protect you like I want to. So I just have to hope for the best and trust you'll be okay."

  I felt the warmth and genuine concern from her words wash over me through the connection. It was strange, being cared about so deeply by someone. Strange but... not unpleasant.

  I replied gently, putting as much sincerity into my words as I could manage, "I'll try my best, Katie. I have lots of people who are counting on me. I will protect them all. Including you. That's a promise."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Katie's voice carried a smile when she spoke. "That's all I ask for. As long as you're safe and happy, I can wait however long it takes."

  She paused, then added with obvious reluctance, "Anyways, you must be in a hurry to get back to your world, so I won't keep you longer. But remember to call me every day! I want to hear about what you're doing, how training is going, everything!"

  Another pause, longer this time. Then she spoke softly, vulnerability clear in every word, "I love you, Arthur."

  Unlike before, when those words had just been sounds I understood intellectually, I felt something when I heard them this time. Not full understanding, not the ability to return those feelings properly. But there was a spark. A tiny ember of something that might, eventually, grow into what she felt.

  Maybe feeling wasn't as impossible for me as I'd thought. Maybe I was more capable of emotion than I'd believed.

  I replied softly, "Thank you, Katie. I hope to say those words back to you soon, when I truly mean them. When I can feel them the way you do."

  Katie sighed, but it wasn't disappointed. Just... patient. Understanding. "I know. I'll be waiting. I've waited this long already, what's a little longer?"

  "Take care, Arthur."

  I replied with as much care as I could muster, putting genuine emotion into the words. "You as well, Katie."

  As the connection disappeared, the Queen piece settling back into dormancy, I shook my head with a small smile.

  This was new territory for me. Being close to someone. Being loved so deeply. Being unable to fully return those feelings but wanting to, hoping to, trying to learn how.

  Perhaps someday.

  I took a breath, unnecessary for me, but the habit remained. Then I stepped through the dimensional barrier into the DxD world . I arrived in Heaven with a thought.

  I was immediately greeted by absolute chaos.

  Heaven was in an uproar. Angels were running around with documents, flying in formation with weapons drawn, busy with some kind of frantic preparation. The normally serene and orderly realm looked like someone had kicked over an anthill.

  What the hell happened here? It had been less than a day since I left!

  Sariel, my loyal follower and a ten-winged guardian angel who'd served under me since I was appointed by Yahweh, beamed as he noticed my arrival. His expression immediately shifted from stressed to relieved.

  He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice carrying across Heaven with divine authority, "Everyone, stop your preparations! Lord Kokabiel has returned to us! We are safe!"

  The angels let out a collective cheer that was almost deafening. The tension that had been thick in the air dissipated like morning fog under sunlight.

  I was left slightly confused by the extreme reaction. "What happened, Sariel? Why are you all in such a panic? I was only gone for a day."

  I could have just used Omniscience to know everything instantly, read every event that had transpired in my absence from the cosmic record. But I preferred the normal way of learning things when possible. It felt more... human. More real.

  Sariel's face scrunched up in anger and frustration. "Lord Kokabiel, you remember,how the devils were fighting among themselves before you left the day before yesterday, right? Civil war brewing, tensions rising, no communication?"

  I nodded.

  "Well, it's become serious now. Extremely serious." Sariel's wings flared slightly with agitation. "Rizevim Lucifer, Lucifer's son,and his mother Lilith decided to gather anyone who has grudges against Heaven and the current Satans. And apparently there were a lot of those when you seemed to be absent."

  He continued, speaking faster, "They've somehow managed to gather several strong beings, create an actual army, and declared open war against Heaven and the Devils. Not just posturing or threats—actual war. They have already taken over a part of the underworld."

  I frowned. That was concerning but not unprecedented. The devils had been restless since the Great War ended, since I'd killed the original Satans. Some nostalgia for the "old ways" was inevitable.

  "But that's not even the worst part," Sariel added grimly. "They somehow managed to summon a being not of this world. Something as strong as Great Red, or even stronger according to the reports we're getting."

  That made me pause. Great Red was the strongest dragon in this world, a being of immense power. Something comparable to or exceeding that was a legitimate threat.

  "It even killed Falbium Asmodeus," Sariel continued, his voice carrying shock at that revelation. "Killed him, Lord Kokabiel. One of the four Satans, just... dead. And it injured both Sirzechs Lucifer and Ajuka Beelzebub severely enough that they had to retreat."

  He shook his head in disbelief. "Serafall Leviathan somehow managed to rescue them before they could be killed too. That's why we haven't been able to reach them for confirmation, or so they claim."

  Sariel spat on the ground, an uncharacteristically crude gesture from the normally composed angel. "Personally? I won't be surprised if they faked the whole thing and are planning to join forces with Rizevim. Those filthy devils have never been trustworthy. They don't deserve your mercy."

  I was trying to slowly process this information. A being strong enough to kill a Satan and injure two others? That wasn't something that should exist in this world naturally.

  "What kind of being have they summoned exactly?" I asked carefully. "Do you know anything about it? Its nature, its origin, what it looks like?"

  Before Sariel could answer, Azrael came rushing in with his characteristic lack of grace, nearly bowling over several lower angels in his haste.

  "Brother!" He skidded to a stop in front of me, grinning widely. "Perfect timing! Me and Michael were about to go check on the situation ourselves. I heard it's pretty bad in the Underworld currently—the new devils are basically hiding while the old Satan faction is causing destruction everywhere."

  I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of responsibility settling back onto my shoulders. "Can't even get a single day of peace. One day. That's all I asked for."

  Azrael slapped my back enthusiastically, then immediately winced and shook his hand like he'd hit solid steel. Which, to be fair, he basically had. "Ow! When did you get even harder?"

  He shook out his hand, then grinned anyway. "Peace is overrated anyway, brother! Let's go commit some random violence! It's been too long since we had a good fight!"

  I paused and took a long, careful look at Azrael. Who was this guy and where was my normally serious, composed brother? The Angel of Death who took his duties with solemn gravitas?

  Azrael noticed my scrutinizing look and shrugged unapologetically. "What? I'm the Angel of Death. Is it really that weird if I want to kill some devils? That's literally in my job description!"

  He waved dismissively. "Only Michael is interested in peace treaties and endless paperwork and diplomatic solutions. Before, I would have been hesitant about just going in and solving things with my fists. But with you here? I know we've already won. So why not have some fun with it?"

  Michael appeared beside him in a flash of golden light, his expression long-suffering. "Violence is never the solution, Azrael. How many times do I have to explain this?"

  He turned to me with visible relief. "And it's good to see you're back, Kokabiel. We were starting to worry."

  Azrael muttered under his breath, sulking like a child denied dessert, "Violence is totally the solution. It's only not the solution because you're not using enough of it."

  Michael's eye twitched. "Please don't start that shit again. I can only handle one genocidal maniac at a time, and Kokabiel already fills that quota."

  I couldn't help but laugh at the banter between my brothers. This right here was why I cared so much about protecting this world.

  Not for the grand cosmic purpose or the philosophical implications. For small moments like this, where we just forgot everything else and talked and teased each other, yet always had each other's backs no matter what. Just like a real family.

  Before I could continue my musings, I was suddenly tackled by a blonde blur moving at speeds that defied normal perception.

  "Brother! You're back! "

  Gabriel wrapped around me like an octopus, squeezing with enough force to crush mountains. Her wings wrapped around us both, creating a cocoon of white feathers.

  I pretended to wince and let out an exaggerated cough. "Ouch! Gabriel, I told you to stop doing that. I appreciate the enthusiasm, really, but do it less forcefully. You're going to hurt me."

  Gabriel pulled back slightly and rubbed her head with an adorable pout. "I'm the one who got hurt, though! Your body is harder than steel. I think I actually cracked my skull."

  "You don't have anything in your head anyway, so even cracking it won't be a problem."

  We both turned to see Penemue arriving with a stack of administrative papers balanced impossibly in one arm. She gave Gabriel a sultry smile while somehow making the simple act of carrying documents look seductive.

  Gabriel pointed at her with righteous fury, her halo actually starting to glow brighter. "You! At least I'm not a shameless harlot like you!"

  Penemue placed a hand over her heart in mock offense. "How dare you! My body is pure and untainted. Only Kokabiel-sama has ever touched me, and nobody else is allowed to do so. I've maintained my purity for three thousand years specifically for him."

  She turned to me, batting her eyelashes in an exaggerated manner that somehow still managed to be attractive. "Speaking of which, Kokabiel-sama, do you wish to play with me a little before you leave for the battlefield? I heard it's a human custom for women to comfort their men before they depart for battle."

  Bang!

  My sweet and innocent sister had just dropkicked Penemue directly in the face with enough force to send her flying across Heaven.

  "Ouch," I muttered, wincing in sympathy despite myself.

  Michael and Azrael were both slowly backing away from the brewing fight, years of experience teaching them when to evacuate.

  I just grabbed both Michael and Azrael's shoulders and teleported away before I could get dragged into it. When women fought, especially angels with several thousand years of accumulated grudges, the smart play was to be literally anywhere else.

  We arrived in the Underworld with a flash of displaced air and crackling energy.

  Michael looked around curiously at the gloomy landscape, the perpetually dark sky, the oppressive atmosphere. "This place looks gloomier than ever. Someone really needs to introduce the concept of interior decorating down here."

  He turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "But did you really have to run away like that? Gabriel and Penemue aren't going to be happy when we return."

  Azrael smirked knowingly. "It's called a tactical retreat, dear brother. When women fight, especially women with divine powers and thousands of years of repressed frustrations, men should be far, far away. Otherwise, you get dragged into it and there are no winners."

  I looked at him with genuine surprise. "When did you start being wise? Did someone finally take the stick out of your ass?"

  Michael immediately started laughing, actually doubling over with the force of it. "Hahaha! Even without proper emotions, Kokabiel can still insult you perfectly! That's how bad you are, Azrael!"

  Azrael glared at both of us, his dignity clearly wounded. "Unlike you two barbarians, I have class. Refinement. Culture. So I will not dignify that crude statement with a response."

  I sighed dramatically. "So some of the stick is still stuck there? Need some help removing it? I could use my cosmic powers, make it painless."

  Azrael sputtered, his face actually turning red—an impressive feat for an angel. Michael was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, tears actually forming in his eyes.

  It was nice to see him so carefree after so long. Michael carried the weight of Heaven's leadership, the burden of maintaining peace, the responsibility of protecting all the angels. Seeing him just... laugh, like a normal person, was rare and precious.

  "Ehem!"

  We all turned around to see thousands of devils awkwardly standing there, weapons drawn but lowered, clearly having watched our entire exchange.

  A heavily bandaged Ajuka Beelzebub was studiously looking away, probably embarrassed. Serafall Leviathan was the one who'd coughed to get our attention.

  Ajuka cleared his throat and spoke respectfully, his voice slightly strained from his injuries. "Greetings, Lord Kokabiel, Lord Michael, Lord Azrael. Welcome to the Underworld. I wish the circumstances were better for our meeting."

  He met my eyes briefly. "It's good to see you are doing well, Lord Kokabiel. I was rather worried hearing the rumors that you'd left our world."

  I replied casually, "Who said I was dead?"

  Ajuka shook his head frantically, wincing at the movement. "No, no! Not that! The rumor was that you're capable of traveling to other worlds and had left ours for good to explore the cosmos. That you'd gotten bored with our dimension and moved on."

  Azrael scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, interesting. Who spread that rumor? Because it's partially true, which makes it more dangerous than a complete lie."

  Serafall joined the conversation, her usual playful demeanor subdued by the serious situation. "We don't know the source. But Kokabiel-sama has been missing for over half a century, so many people believed it. That bastard Rizevim wouldn't have dared to act otherwise. Your reputation and fear was the main thing keeping the extremists in check. We had no incidents at all over the years when you were there."

  I sighed as I looked around at the gathered devil forces. "Alright. Forget about tracking down rumors. Rather than standing here talking, how about I show them I'm very much alive and still very much invested in this world's stability?"

  Azrael cracked his knuckles, grinning with anticipation. "Finally! I've been itching for a good fight. Do you know how boring Heaven gets during peacetime?"

  Michael sighed like a disappointed parent. "You two..."

  I added with a smirk, a nostalgic feeling washing over me, "Want to throw holy glitter bombs at them like we used to before the Great War?"

  A genuinely nostalgic smile appeared on Michael's face, years seeming to fall away. "Yeah. I'd like that. Just like old times, the three of us fighting side by side."

  Serafall gasped. "Wait! that was you two ! We thought it was god's punishment for devils! My mother used to scare me as a kid, saying if I was bad, God will throw divine punishment at me!"

  Azrael interrupted, "Are you two going to stare at each other disgustingly like lovers, or are we actually going to reap some devils?"

  I retorted immediately, "You talk big for someone who got his ass kicked by demons. Wasn't it just three century ago you needed me to bail you out?"

  Michael raised his hands placatingly, though he was still smiling. "Now now, let's compromise. We go and kill them all quick and mercifully, and we can still be back at Heaven for dinner. Gabriel's making her special dessert tonight."

  Gulp!

  Ajuka and Serafall both swallowed nervously and took several steps back at the casual genocidal talk, their devil armies shuffling uncertainly behind them.

  Serafall muttered in a low voice that she probably thought we couldn't hear, "They're insane! My magical girl senses are urging me to punch them! The power of justice compels me!"

  Ajuka paled and immediately covered her mouth with his hand. "You idiot! Do you want to wipe out our entire race?! We have absolutely no say in what they decide to do here! Be grateful we're not on the receiving end of their wrath!"

  We ignored the whispering Satan duo and teleported to where we sensed Rizevim's army gathering.

  The Underworld was about to see another drastic decrease in population.

  And honestly? After the emotional rollercoaster of the past day, I could use some simple, straightforward violence.

  Sometimes, you just needed to hit something really, really hard.