While Ariel was discussing the future of their people with her Father, Akagi and Silfana walked the halls of the Palace. The Demon had been kept up to date with the Vampire Empress' work and was mostly happy with how things were proceeding. However, the discovery of potential Demon Lord power used on the Demon King and Akagi's stirring theories about Halifax's origins only served to make the Demon ever more cautious about moving forward.

"It may be best to have me take things from here." Akagi said as the two continued to walk down the hallway, ignoring the nervous gazes of the servants as they passed by. "I'm growing more and more concerned that allowing the clansmen to run around is going to result in an avoidable tragedy." She sighed. "I think I've humored them long enough. Having them return to Earth is the correct decision."

{They've performed well, but this is now a battle between beings that transcend mortality. Even those who've tasted a my power can't hold a candle to trie Divinity.} (Akagi)

"But even you can't be everywhere at once, and you know well that pulling them out will only degrade our ability to react to the Gods' schemes." Silfana replied, unaware that Akagi had split herself onto each member of the Clan on Enoris, largely because Akagi wanted to keep that information a secret for as long as possible. "Not to mention that I doubt they'd follow that order. The beastkin are so devoted to their Goddess that they'd die for you in a heartbeat. I'm certain that an order like that would be met with mutiny."

"Oh how I wish they'd just let me keep them safe and sound." Akagi sighed, appreciating their dedication but finding it troublesome. "I guess I could suck them into my shadow and force them to be quiet, but they'd never let me live that down..."

{And I don't want to fall into the mindset of needing everything to stay static. Going down that route will likely result in me going crazy over time as I try to cling to everything and demand that nothing change. I can't allow myself to start thinking like that. As nice as it would be, such a world would be horrific for everyone else.} (Akagi)

"I suppose you could scale things back if you're really that worried. They'll probably protest being restricted to purely observational duties, but that should allow our network to operate while minimizing the risk to their lives." Silfana offered a compromise.

{They're one hundred percent going to riot if you try coddling them.} (Yumi)

"I know. I know..." Akagi rolled her eyes as Yumi listed off all the reasons why the Clan wouldn't stand for being treated like children and protected. "I swear, you're all just a bunch of pains in the asses."

{But we're yours and you have to deal with us! Ha! Ha!} (Yumi)

"Don't remind me..." Akagi sighed deeply. "Anyway, I'll figure out what I want to do on that front before I head off to the Dwarves."

"You're heading there once you're finished here, right? I must say I'm a bit surprised that you're going personally. I thought you wanted to take a more hands-off approach in relations with this world's nations?" Silfana had been under the impression that Akagi wanted to sit behind the curtain so to speak and wouldn't take a direct part in any negotiations.

"Originally, I wasn't going to get involved." Akagi said as they paused in front of the large round window at the edge of the hall, the Demon's eyes scanning over the disbursing crowd on the street below. "However, a few things have popped up which made it necessary for me to handle this personally

." She continued, putting her hand on the class. "The Dwarves had a hand in making Halifax, that much is certain. Elariel refused to answer my questions about our Divine friend, but I was able to discern that something must be lurking within the Dwarven Kingdom. Something that might answer a few important questions I have."

"Do you intend to use her against the Gods?" Silfana asked if she was planning on corrupting her and turning the Divine Blade against her creators. "I suppose she would be an excellent weapon. After all, she did kill a Demon Lord."

"She would, but not for the reasons you think." Akagi laughed but did not elaborate. "But no, I do not intend to use Halifax in that way. I'm more interested in confirming my current theory about her origins, a theory that, if true, could shake things up dramatically, and the only way I can prove it would be to either ring the information out of a certain Goddess by force and risk Halifax's life or find records of her creation."

{I've held back from discussing these theories with Halifax herself until I'm certain. If I find the proof I need I'll talk with her once her hunt for Labrys is concluded. If I'm lucky that will make this whole thing easier.} (Akagi)

"Do you actually believe the Goddess' words?" Silfana turned as she leaned against the wall. "It's an obvious bluff. One that I think needs to be called. Whatever she's hiding must be important, and if she's willing to go so far as to risk pissing you off I'd imagine it's because whatever it is would be bad if you were made aware of it."

"It's less that I believe her and more that I've not determined the risk to be worth the reward." Akagi replied, glancing over at her. "Halifax's life matters a good bit to me at the moment, and while I'm more than willing to sacrifice it if there was enough merit, we are nowhere near that point."

"So basically your affection for the Divine Blade has made you unwilling to toss her away." Silfana chuckled. "I'd find it funny if there weren't four other examples of that on Earth."

"Five. Miji's life is basically on the level of importance as Yumi's, so don't go forgetting her." Akagi chuckled. "Gotta have my adorable little squishy screaming kitty as she hugs me!"

{I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing such things from a being like you...} (Silfana)

"The major change here is my direct involvement with Dwarven negotiations, hence why I had Alice step up the attacks to cause maximum chaos in the run up to my arrival." Akagi continued. "I'll need them to be so desperate for relief that they'll happily collaborate with a Demon Lord, though having the Dawn Order show up was certainly an unexpected development."

{Though not necessarily a problematic one.} (Akagi)

"Did you speak to that Elf about them?" Silfana asked about Shinlua who was a former member of said organization.

"I did, briefly. She was surprised to learn that they were still active, and while Shinlua gave me information on the Sun Elf Shiva, she had no idea who the bunny was." Akagi noted that Shinlua had been separated from the Order for some time and wouldn't know about any new recruits. "Naturally, she wanted to come here and attempt to parley with them, but for now, I've placed a pause on that idea. I have no doubt they'll be opposed to me on principle, and I see no reason in attempting to reason with them when crushing them likely nets me more benefit."

{Plus, negotiations are likely to be long and drawn out, not to mention that it could undermine the work I've put into destabilizing the Dwarves. No, the best course of action here will be to wipe out these defenders to send a message to the Dwarves, showing that not even their great Heroes can save them and that I'm their only hope for salvation.} (Akagi)

"But I'll handle all that myself." Akagi waived her off. "Tell me, do you think the rest of the plan will come together? There is a lot hinging on your deft handling of the Demon Kingdom and our unwitting pawns

in the East."

"As of the last report delivered to me things are currently going as expected. The outer Nobles have completely rejected my rule, even after being exposed to the destruction we wrought on their army." Silfana explained the current situation. "Our agent is also working to fan the flames and steer things just as you desired, and last I heard, things were moving toward a continent-scale coalition right on schedule."

"The man is a silver-tongued snake if nothing else." Akagi said with a laugh. "But good. If things keep progressing like they are, then by the time they're ready to strike, I'll have exactly what I'm looking for, and then, the era of the Gods will come to an end."

{And if those fools are really going to do what I think they're going to, then I'll gain prize far more valuable than this world in the process. Foolish Gods. You created one monster, and may yet create another, possibly more dangerous one.} (Akagi)

"I was thinking about releasing those things into the Nobility's ranks to cause more chaos. Is that alright?" Silfana asked about the Copy Boze family.

"That was part of the reason I created them, so yes. Deploy them as you see fit." Akagi nodded. "Just be sure to have them whip the other Nobles into a frenzy. If they're worth the effort we put into making them, those tools will prove their usefulness by making the elimination of my opposition all the easier."

{Of course, this all hinges on the Gods taking the bait. Though I don't think that will be much of a problem, and the odds are quite in my favor on things taking my preferred route.} (Akagi)

_____________________________________________________________________________

Rehael POV

"You want me to run a test?" Rehael asked Gale who was speaking to her by 'video.'

"A small one. I need to make sure the energy from the Reactors are calibrated properly, so gather up a few expendable creatures." Gale said as he waved his hand and created a small red magical formation on the ground next to the Demi-God. "I'll be able to track if they make it to the other side, and this will allow me to make other corrective measurements for the main event."

"Of course, please give me a moment to select a test subject." Rehael said as she stepped back, slashed her scythe, and pulled a large purple wormlike creature out from her summon dimension. It was massive, easily as tall as a five story building, and was very ugly with a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. "Will this do?"

"It should suffice, now have it sit atop the formation and stand back." Gale said as the worm wiggled over to the magic circle. "And now, one... Two... Three." He said as he snapped his fingers, causing a bright light to flash from the circle which quickly swallowed up the worm and upon dimming revealed that it had vanished.

"Excellent.” Gale nodded in approval. “The power output is going to take a bit more dialing in before its fully ready, but I've now got confirmation that the Eridal power supplies can successfully breach the dimensional barrier without the need of additional energy.” He continued. “Continue your work for now, and while I want you to continue collecting creatures for the invasion there's one in particular that I'd like to see if you can collect as its power would all but assure your success in the final operation.”

“Oh?” Rehael smiled in anticipation.

“There aren't many left, but if you could bring a Titan under your control, that would almost certainly be enough force to crush any forces the Demon Lord has back on her home world.” Gale said. Titans were ancient, biological, titanic weapons of war forged by the Archdukes during an ancient conflict between them and the Gods. Most were destroyed all those eons ago but a few lay dormant and could be awoken and subjugated by the Angel's ability. “Even Halifax or the Four Heroes would struggle to defeat one, and its unlikely that anything our enemy has, bar the Demon Lord herself, could rise to such a challenge.”

“I've read about Titans, and I've always wanted to test my power against them.” Rehael smirked as her eyes briefly flashed black and orange. “Do I have permission to use my full power to capture it?”

“From here on out use however much of your abilities as you deem necessary to bring about our victory.” Gale nodded. “There's no need to hide that side of you any longer. Just make sure you succeed in your mission. If my calculations are correct it will only be a few weeks before I'm ready to send you so I want you to be ready to go at a moment's notice. "

"And then the fun will begin." Rehael said excitedly, her eyes glinting in anticipation.

{And I'll get to show this Demon Lord that improvements can and have been made on her kind. Oh how I can't wait to burn her world to the ground and show her just how obsolete she really is.} (Rehael)