Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners.
Feeling a sense of loss as the comforting hand vanished from his shoulder, Michael snapped out of his daze, finding his fellow Seraphs coming to the same conclusion as him. After all, with thousands of years together as companions, a simple glance was enough to have a good idea of the thoughts running through their minds.
Whether this was truly their father or an unexpected reincarnation, Heaven's slow decline may finally be at its end. And Michael could tell that this expectation alone was enough to have him and his brothers easily ignoring the odd… proclivities that their new lord seemed to enjoy.
"Now, how about showing me what you've done with the place while I've been gone," their father said, Gabriel still clinging onto his side for whatever reason.
"O-Of course, father. Where would you like to start?" Raphael eagerly asked, and Michael could see Uriel's disappointment that he'd not spoken up first.
"Good lad," his brother received a winning smile for his excitement. "Let's take a look at what you've been up to on the Fifth Heaven," their father decided after a moment.
It made sense, Michael thought. Their father always had a passion for new inventions, But after thinking about the many researchers occupying Fifth Heaven, he couldn't help worrying about how much of an uproar their visit would create.
"Ah, father, if I may," Michael spoke up, continuing after seeing his father wave him on. "I worry about the commotion your sudden appearance will cause. How should we proceed?" he asked, his father's nod of approval making him feel like all those terrible years without him had never even occurred.
"You're right son, but you don't have to worry about that, I won't be letting the world know about my return anytime soon," his father told them, and he internally sighed in relief. Michael knew he would have had to deal with so much more paperwork than he already had to if the Biblical God suddenly made himself known.
"Now let's get a move on," his father said, snapping his fingers before a circle of golden runes formed under foot, their location changing in a flash as they found themselves surrounded by the familiar faces of Heaven's primary research facility.
"Father, I thought you wanted to remain…" Michael began before realizing that all eyes seemed to be ignoring their groups presence.
"Ah, I apologize for my doubts, Father," he hung his head low. How could he think his father would overlook something so simple?
"Kid, you need to chill out. Not everything has to be so serious," his father chuckled, and he froze at the words that again reminded him that this father of theirs was quite different from the one he remembered.
"R-Right… as you wish, father," he awkwardly replied, his father rolling his eyes at the formal speech that he couldn't stop himself from using.
"I'll show you to the main lab," Michael cleared his throat, trying to move past the incident, the silent walk through the pristine white halls only increasing the tension he felt.
And seeing his father pick up one of their failed experiments near the lab's entrance hadn't at all helped, his lord giving them a look as he held the cracked gauntlet.
"An attempt at replicating your Sacred Gears," Raphael answered the unspoken question while glancing off to the side, clearly trying to avoid their father's eyes.
"I see," their father hummed, placing the failure back before wandering further into the room, the many researchers still paying no attention to their group.
"And this is?" their father asked, holding up a playing card.
"Hmm, where to start?" Michael thought aloud. "Long story short, the devil's found a way to reincarnate other races into devils and this is our attempt to do the same for angels," he explained, a nod of approval sent his way. Heh, it seemed he was getting the hang of this casual way of speech that his father now seemed fond of.
"Of course, now that you've returned, there should be no use for such creations," Uriel added, making their father shake his head.
"No, I like the idea. And if the devils are running around turning every race into their kind, we might as well do the same," he told them, and while Michael found the reasoning odd, it wasn't like it was his place to object. Either way, it would only increase Heaven's power.
"I'll help with this project later, but for now, I'd say that that's enough excitement for the day, I'm sure I've been keeping you from your duties for long enough," their father said, a golden circle forming under his feet before he hesitated. "One more thing. Find a girl named Asia Argento in one of the Italian churches, and after you do, send her to Gabriel to look after," he ordered before disappearing along with his sister still holding onto their father's waist, leaving them in a stunned silence.
And after looking between his brothers, it seemed that they were also worried about their sister's innocence. But no, something like that would never happen, Michael told himself, deciding to instead focus on the task they'd been given.
~A New God's Conquest~
Tywin knew he was a stubborn man; a quality he believed served him well over the years, but there came a point when even he knew when it was best to cut his losses. And after receiving the same unbelievable reports from multiple trusted sources, he knew that time was now.
A city like no other raised within mere moons, a canal spanning the continent somehow created within the same timeframe, and ships that could somehow take to the skies like the Targaryens of old.
While the first two claims were easy enough to confirm—hundreds of ships passing his lands from the north with plenty stopping for trade at Lannisport—he'd have never believed that last one if he'd not specifically sent a cousin to Braavos to see it with their own eyes.
Apparently, magic was back, meaning he could no longer play the game as he had. But as he sat at his solar's desk, waiting for the man he'd summoned, Tywin vowed that these unforeseen circumstances wouldn't hamper his ambitions.
"Enter," Tywin allowed, his younger brother opening the door with a nod.
"You called, brother?" Kevan asked, getting straight to the point, sensible as always.
"Yes, take a seat. We have much to discuss," Tywin told his brother, a frown on his face after realizing that something serious must have happened.
"I'm guessing this is about the North. Have we discovered anything other than the self-proclaimed King's name?"
Tywin hummed in acknowledgement. "Sending our own spies has been a lost cause, but from what I've gathered from the Braavosi traders, following Robert's ambitions will only hasten our family's destruction."
"Is it that bad?" Kevan raised a brow.
"It appears that the rumors were not the mummeries we'd assumed them to be." Tywin agreed, the words putting a grim expression on his brother's face. "Magic… and at heights likely greater than that of the dragons is now what we must contend with."
"What are you planning, Tywin? You wouldn't be acting so calm without something up your sleeve," Kevan suspiciously asked, narrowing his eyes as he met his.
"Be at ease, brother. I know what you are getting at and let it be known that I have no desire to come into open conflict with such an enemy," Tywin confessed before Kevan could get himself worked up. "Here, read this," he told him, sending a letter with a golden seal across the desk, his brother letting out a small snort of amusement after reading the words.
"I never thought I'd see the day when the Tywin Lannister chose to bend," Kevan said, making him scowl.
"I do what I must for the Lannister name," he replied, nearly growling out the words. After all, choosing this path was just as unpleasant for him as it was surprising to others.
"Peace, peace, brother. If what you've told me is the truth, I too would rather this not come to blows," Kevan conceded before continuing. "Now, let us talk about this letter. Is that not why you called for me?"
Tywin nodded. "You'll sail to this King's new capital for a parlay. I've been assured of your safe passage through the canal."
"And what of Cersei? Shall I prioritize her release?" Kevan asked, and Tywin couldn't help looking at him like the fool he was acting.
"Cersei has no further use as the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms," he explained, tapping his finger along the desk's wooden surface in thought. "She's still young and beautiful. If you could offer her hand to King Tenebris, I'd consider that the best outcome."
"It's as if you're already writing off our beloved king as a dead man," Kevan chuckled. "And what makes you think this King doesn't already have a Queen?" he asked.
"You're not wrong, I'm gambling on Robert not lasting much longer," Tywin hummed his agreement with the jape. "As for the King's Queen. I'm already aware of the fact that the position has been filled, but it seems that playing the role of a god has its benefits. King Tenebris is known to keep the company of multiple women openly and without scorn from his people."
"Selling off his only daughter as a paramour, now that's the Tywin I know," his brother commented, making him grunt his unamusement.
Ignoring the attempted lighthearted jab, Tywin simply stared his sibling into silence before getting down to the important things he'd need to know before the coming negotiations.
~A New God's Conquest~
Pacing around his room in utter boredom, Oberyn again realized that sending his paramour and eldest daughters off to a hostile land with only a few guards as protection wasn't his brightest idea—not that he'd ever admit to these supposed mistakes, but with nothing else to do while under lock and key, he couldn't help the thoughts.
But after hearing a pounding on his door, he quickly took a seat, leaning back in relaxation as if everything was under control before the door opened without invitation.
Raising an eyebrow as his brother's guard entered, his brother slowly following behind with his cane in hand, he was already beginning to have a bad feeling about how this meeting was going to play out.
"What's the occasion brother? You know you could have called for me instead of showing up yourself," Oberyn drawled, taking a sip of stale wine while trying not to show his discomfort.
"I felt that you may have gotten some enjoyment from the short walk and thought better of it," Doran rasped as he took a seat across from him. The fucker.
"Then I must unfortunately inform you that I've been able to keep myself quite entertained these past days," he smirked seeing his brother's scowl.
"Go ahead, keep playing your games, Oberyn, I've only come to give you this," Doran told him, tossing a bundle of parchment into his lap. "Your little plan has already failed."
Ignoring his brother's barbed words, Oberyn took the hint, skimming over the letters sent by his family, his anger growing with each sentence read.
"Fuck!" Oberyn roared, shooting to his feet before throwing his chair across the room. "I told you. I told you, Doran. And what did you do? You've done nothing as your daughter goes through the same as Elia has." He continued to rage, pacing through his chambers until everything not nailed down had been broken or crushed.
"Are you done?" his brother asked as he stood in place, panting.
"Will you still do nothing?" Oberyn answered the question with one of his own.
"I don't know why I must tell you this again, but you and I both know that this is not the same as what befell Elia. Arianne has seduced the King of her own volition, and the influence we've gained is far greater than any match I could have hoped for," Doran rattled on, making him grind his teeth in frustration.
"Influence? Is that all you care about in these games you play? How can we even know if what's written here is the truth," he growled, irritated to see no change in his brother's expression.
"I've made up my mind, Oberyn. This is only a curtesy to inform you of your family, not a discussion," Doran told him, standing and leaving him to seethe alone.
~A New God's Conquest~
Lazily gnawing on a fresh horse femur, one of his Rider's mates scratched that good spot behind his horns, Hannibal let out a snort, the plumes of smoke and flames shooting out his nostrils sending the nearby servants scurrying a step back. At least someone around here was showing him some kindness, he thought, letting out a content rumble to show his appreciation.
Of course, he had to thank his Rider's familiar—the golden one who wasn't a complete menace—for teaching him the magic that allowed him to take on a more reasonable size. If he were limited to his natural state, he wouldn't even be able to feel the tiny hand on his impenetrable scales.
"My Goddess, a khalasar approaches with a messenger riding ahead," Hannibal heard someone report, his eyes opening in interest only because he knew that the words meant more tasty treats in his near future.
"Lead the messenger to my pavilion, I'll at least listen to what they have to say," his Rider's mate gave her orders, and realizing that there wouldn't be an immediate battle, Hannibal returned to his rest, still enjoying the kind lady's ministrations.
"You stand before The Lady of Spears, The Mother of Hosts, The Goddess of War. State your intentions, Dothraki," a soldier announced, making Hannibal wonder if all those titles were even necessary. He didn't think these barbaric horse lords would even understand half of their meaning.
"Scourge of The Stallion, my Khal offers an alliance. He does not wish to fight against your dragon," the man said, nervously looking in his direction, and Hannibal didn't think this man would be lasting long. The audacity to refer to his Rider's mate as a scourge was already a mark that he'd remember against the Dothraki's livelihood.
"Your horde shall lay down their weapons, free their slaves, and renounce their plundering ways. That is the only way this day shall not end with bloodshed," the goddess magnanimously offered, not seeming to mind the insulting words prior.
"Maegi! You ask too much! Don't think we won't fight to the last man if it means protecting our way of life," the stupid man argued before spitting towards the goddess's seat, making his eyes narrow.
Hannibal knew that he couldn't let the offense go unpunished, not if he didn't want another beating from his Rider.
Without giving the bastard a chance to react, Hannibal pounced, and even in his smaller form, he moved far faster than something of his size should have been capable of, pinning the man to the ground with a clawed hand to the chest, the Dothraki's face showing the panic that was to be expected.
And knowing who was truly in charge here, Hannibal looked back to his Rider's mate for judgment.
"Thank you, Han. How about you take this man back to his leader," she suggested, a kind smile on her face even while ordering the deaths of thousands. "Just remember to spare the women and children this time," his Rider's mate chided, making him huff in annoyance as he took to the air.
Hmph, you accidentally set one tent of infants ablaze and you'll never hear the end of it, Hannibal internally complained while taking to the air, the man still in his talons screaming all along the way.
~A New God's Conquest~
Damn, playing the part of the biblical god was exhausting, Lux thought as he left the Seventh Heaven for the mortal plane.
But he knew that any efforts would be worth it, if only for the beauty that was the Archangel Gabriel, the woman he'd just had to pry off himself while promising over and over again that he'd be returning.
He honestly hadn't expected the Seraphs to be so gullible. Then again, from what he'd seen going over the heavenly system, The Big G of this world laid down some pretty harsh conditions on his creations. Unfortunately, the paranoid god had never expected someone like himself to show up after his demise, and Lux had no problem taking advantage of that particular fuck up.
Leaving his angels for another time, Lux figured he could take the time to visit the famous Diagon Alley, Bella's memories letting him appear in one of the magical street's designated apparition zones.
But instead of the bustling shopping district he expected to find from the books and movies he'd been a fan of, Lux was only met with utter chaos—wizards and witches screaming their lungs out as falling papers scattered above their heads.
And after grabbing one from the air, Lux frowned after reading the headline.
Breaking News: Gringotts destroyed by dragons. Has the Goblin Nation fallen?
Deciding to put his exploration on hold, Lux Apparated away. There were two troublesome witches that needed more than a few spankings.
AN: Reader interaction fuels me, so leave a comment or review and the collective dopamine hits will probably have me pumping out more chapters.
Read ahead on my pat reon
Link: patreo n. com (slash) CodeKingu
My pat charges every 30 days so it doesn't matter which day of the month you join.
My pat also requires Discord to view content, so if that's something you don't want to deal with, join my subscribe star
Link: subscribe star. com (slash) codekingu
Join my Discord: discord .gg/VP2q8XPk4d