chapter 39

Castiel P.O.V.

This must be one of the toughest moments of my life. I mean seeing one of the most influential man in the world, the leader of the fallen angels and Grigori, a man that was capable of battling the Hebrew God himself and survive, a man known for his superior intellect and control of the light element, being beaten down by his 16 years old daughter is hilarious, pure gold.

Especially since his adopted child, Vali, was watching with an expression that was a perfect replica of a dead fish.

CLICK,

I just couldn't resist that and discreetly took a photo (with the flash turned off).

"My precious child I am so happy to see that you are fin-"

CRUNCH

"M-My f-f-f-f-f-future descendants..."

And that was the sound of her foot connecting to the region between his legs, plus the resulting whimper.

Pretty sure that with the force she applied, Emily must have made every male within a couple hundred miles feel phantom pains on their crotches which resulted in them covering them protectively.

I'm sure as hell no exception. (Hey, even I'm a virgin, you know!)

As the man that barely stood up left those words before falling again, I could only think that this is hilarious despite my situation.

Unfortunately (in my opinion), this show needed to stop. I could not allow for her to keep beating the man, no matter how much he deserved it (leaving the woman he said he loved the instant she said that she was pregnant is a VERY low thing to do).

"That is enough Emily." I said putting a hand (the one that was not holding Miku's surprisingly soft hand) on her shoulders. It was not just to stop her from continuing, but also to show that I am here for her in this complex moment.

This is the first time in a long while that she has seen Azazel and it always brings out bad thoughts to her. I remember once when she told me that she was a bad girl because she was the reason why her parents separated, I told her that it was not her fault and that she should punch her father for doing it instead of feeling bad for herself.

Hoh, now that I remember I also held her shoulder back them just like this. Except that my other hand was not holding another girl, but that is beside the point.

Seeing Azazel getting up, not that anyone helped (Vali was just staring at it all with a perplexed and amused face after regaining his composure), Azazel looked at my direction and shot me a look of appreciation for not allowing his daughter to continue beating his 'little me'.

Well, the appreciation lasted until he noticed my hand on Emily's shoulder. After that, it was just what I think would be parental anger and protectiveness, not that I will care in the slightest for the thoughts of an absent father who ran away from his responsibilities much like my mother.

Not one bit.

As Azazel tried to take a step forward I noticed that he could not do it well as his legs were bent a bit and he could not walk properly. Seeing this I realized that Emily might have hit him a bit too hard in there. If there is actually a wound that could negatively affect his virility, and that wound being caused by a member of the Tower no less, those fallen that just wanted an excuse to start fighting would try to wage war against us.

Damn politics and warmongers. Those two never should be together, but they tend to be closely connected more often than not.

I turned around to look for one guy that could help in this situation.

Good thing I found him quickly otherwise this could have gotten ugly.

"Okuyasu, would you come here and heal this guy?" I said to the others in the room.

"Sure thing Cas." He said and then walked toward Azazel, but before he could touch him Vali put himself in the way.

"That would be enough. I can't allow for you guys to continue to beat Azazel any further, he is the one who raised me and is my step-father after all." Vali said and at that moment I felt Emily tremble a bit.

Before I could stop her she ran out of the room, leaving without another word. I need to go see her as fast as possible, because I know that, despite how she likes to portrait herself, she is actually very sensitive about this subject.

But first I need to deal with this prick that with one sentence made my friend sad.

"We are just trying to offer Azazel-sama treatment, nothing more. Now please step aside, lizard bastard." I said to Vali, who responded by giving me an amused look and said.

"Try and force me, pathetic heir." And then he tried to punch me away.

Main word being 'tried' since at the moment he tried to move in for a punch he was surrounded instantly by Serenity and Kuroko. Serenity with a dagger close to his neck and Kuroko with a black-key directly positioned towards his heart.

"Hoh, and I was thinking that you guys were completely useless, at least you have some bite to accompany the bark." He said with the cockiest smile I have ever seen.

He probably believes that he is fully capable of surviving anything we throw at him, fool. I heard that he developed a giant ego, but this goes beyond what I remember from the last time we met and he never needed to have a bigger ego.

"That is enough of the three of you." Azazel said, liberating part of his power.

It is massive. An amount that showed that he could crush me with the tip of his pinky without even trying, a power fitting of someone on the Leader-class.

As we all felt that Serenity and Kuroko both took a step back. Then Azazel looked at me and asked.

"It has been a while, Castiel Emyia. The son of the sword incarnate." He asked me after he stopped flashing his powers.

"It is an honor to meet you again, and I must apologize for the outburst of Fujimura-chan but she could not control herself. I think she never had a strong paternal image to teach her how to act, but again, she never really got an option, wouldn't you say?" I said, noticing how for an instant got a hurt look on his face.

Seeing that look I needed to force myself even more to keep smiling at him. How could he act hurt after what he did to Taiga and Emily? He abandoned them like that when they needed him the most and now he acts like this, how can he dare to call himself a man if he can't even take responsibility for his actions?

No, Castiel you must calm down. You must act in an appropriate way to your position. Any and all actions may reflect on the Tower so I cannot act like that. Hide your emotions for now, you must not let them see you as weak. Just keep it inside and when you are strong enough you can go and teach this feathered bastard a lesson.

"I see, and no harm was done my boy." He then looked at the state of things and said. "And I also apologize for Vali's reaction, he is always looking for new people to fight and he heard of the Tower and how some of you guys are strong so he must have been too excited."

Vali did not look bothered by any of it, just kept staring with a condescending and 'holier than thou' attitude. Again, he is a prick.

Seeing that Vali was not moving a muscle Azazel looked a bit pissed and said.

"Vali, stand back." And, after a bit of a face-off, he did. "Now, you were saying something about healing me, correct? Normally it would not be necessary but, in this case, I might need it." He said while showing that he could not take one step forward without wincing.

I will buy Emily an ice cream for this, in part to help calm her nerves but mostly to congratulate her in inflicting pain in someone who deserved it.

"Yes, we would like for Okuyasu here to heal you." Okuyasu waved a bit in the back, not afraid or bothered about all of this. He was raised with monster teachers and as I was raised in a similar setting I know that it makes someone deal with those with greater power much better.

"Hoh, and how does he intends to heal me? Is it a healing magic, or perhaps twilight healing?" He asked, clearly curious.

"Okuyasu here has a sacred gear capable of-"

"Sacred gear? Show me, show me, show me." Azazel said, and there were almost stars coming out of his eyes.

He was a well know sacred gear fanatic so wanting to see a sacred gear and getting that excited by it was a natural occurrence, or so I heard.

I'm just surprised by him not acting like this with Kuroko, but that is likely because her gear is internal and don't have much of an external vibe so it could be confused by just normal magic.

"Fine, fine calm down. Okuyasu would you mind healing him?" I said.

"Sure thing, let's get this shit over with." And with those words, Okuyasu's hands were covered by the two gloves. However, before he could touch Azazel and heal him Azazel took his hand and… a microscope?

I don't know exactly why but he got a microscope and started analyzing Okuyasu's sacred gear with extreme interest. The excitement in his body visible for all to see.

How a man can act like that when his daughter just punched him in the face and kicked his balls before leaving the room like that is beyond my understanding, but I need to put an end to this as I don't know how long I can keep myself from saying something that he deserves to listen. And who knows how he would react to my words, maybe even kill me from hearing too much truth.

"That should be plenty enough admiring Okuyasu's hand, now let him make the healing." And, no answer. The man was completely engrossed with Okuyasu's sacred gear.

Sighing I motioned for Okuyasu to just touch Azazel in any way and be done with it.

As Okuyasu touched Azazel's hand (or more like Azazel touched Okuyasu's sacred gear) the effect was immediate. Azazel no longer felt anything whatsoever, which is kind of a shame.

As Azazel was marveling with the effects of the sacred gear I turned to Sirzechs.

"Lucifer-sama, I am sorry but we will be taking our leave now. It would be improper for us from the Tower to stay in the middle of your two sides when you are discussing business. No need to worry as we will be going to some of our trusted allies sides now so we will surely see the spectacular performance of your sister in this game of pretend war. Now then, until the next time for you and your entourage." I said while motioning for the others to follow me.

Even this little farewell with him had meaning, and it could be counted as another stab at him. I mentioned that we were going to be staying with an ally, meaning that I am not seeing him as an ally at the moment and also by putting that Rias is in a Game and not in a real life and death situation would put some pressure on his side as no matter how well she goes it doesn't mean it will go just like that well out there in real life.

I must say, talking with all those hidden meanings is quite tiresome. I'd much rather be direct with what I want to say, but there is a time and place for everything and acting in a certain way is necessary when you got some responsibilities to bear.

As we were all leaving I noticed how Vali looked to Serenity's ass. I normally would try to contain myself, but today is already too tiresome and I am not in the mood to keep talking in all this encrypted bullshit.

"Hey, white lizard. Keep staring and I will pluck those eyes of yours and use them as a trophy as well as broadcast a VERY interesting story I heard from Ivankov about two lizards in their fight for 'supremacy'." When I said that Vali did not seem to understand, but when his sacred gear came out of his back and started flashing a lot. I know the message came across.

Not wanting to stay there for another second I left the room and directed everyone else to the Bael's room. I knew that the only one there right now is Sairaorg and his peerage and the dude is a longtime friend so he would not mind at all. I wanted to go to the Phoenix room, but I know that it would be improper of us to go there right now as we did train the ones fighting against Riser. Shame, I wanted to see if Ravel is doing okay, she is a childhood friend of mine after all, just as Riser is.

The two are among the best devils someone can meet out there, but thinking about Ravel usually makes me absolutely mad thanks to a certain ASSHOLE! SON OF A BITCH! HOPE HE DIES A THOUSAND DEATHS AND THAT HIS SOUL IS PUT THROUGH ETERNAL TORTURE ON THE DARKEST PITS OF HELL FOR WHAT HE ALMOST DID TO THAT INNOCENT AND SWEAT GIRL! HOW CAN HE DARE CALL HIMSELF A MAN, HE IS THE WORSE BLASPHEMY TO THE VERY TERM! DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DI... wow, I really went out there. I must not think about him right now. I already am not in the best state of mind and thinking about that... individual is not doing me any favors.

Let's leave these thoughts and images of possible tortures to put him through when I am going to sleep later tonight because if my dreams are filled with his shrieks of pain and suffering I am sure I will sleep that much better. Like a sweat and wonderful lullaby.

I asked Yuno to go lead the others to Sairaorg's place while I left I went to search for Emily. I knew that she would be in some corner around here, probably not wanting to talk with anyone.

Soon enough I found her. She was on a corner, hidden from the general view by some plants that were there.

I saw that her eyes were a bit swollen and red, obvious signs of her crying alone, but choose not to mention that. I simply smiled at her and said.

"There you are. Come on, we are going to watch something fun and everything will be just fine. We have relocated to Sairaorg's room so you will not have to deal with that again." I then offered a hand and said. "Are you coming with me or what?"

Hesitantly, and without saying anything she took my extended hand. You know, I rarely ever hold her hand but it is surprisingly good to touch. It is like her hand is comfortable like a feather to touch, kind of reminds me of her wings.

As I started guiding her to where the others were Emily decided to break the silence.

"*weak laugh* This brings me back."

"What exactly?" I asked.

"You come looking for me whenever I am feeling down and bringing me back to the others. It is just like back then." She said in a way like she was looking at a distant memory.

I could not help but give a giggle from that comment and talk back.

"Yeah, I remember. Like the time when you got upset about your father and after I brought you back Yuno saw us and started chasing you across the Tower, but with a chainsaw instead of knives." I said, enjoying her shudder at that memory.

"Y-yeah," she then used her free hand to punch me on the shoulder, it hurts a bit but not much. "THAT was for showing her 'The Texas Chain Saw'. Dick move by the way."

I could only start to laugh, and she started laughing as well. The mood she was on was mostly gone by now.

After that, we continued walking hand in and until we got to Sairaorg's room. It looked mostly the same, except for the addition of Sairaorg and his queen Kuisha Abaddon, one girl that was calm, accepting, and understanding. She is the closest thing to a Yamato Nadeshiko I have ever seen among devils.

"Hey dude, sorry for barging in." I said, noticing that everyone else was already seated and enjoying themselves. Not surprisingly Sairaorg was talking with Okuyasu and getting along very well with him. "Our place was kinda invaded by some people and we rather leave than stay there."

Sairaorg turned to me and said with his usual confidence.

"No problems. Watching this together with you guys is better than just with me and Kuisha here alone in this big room. The more the merrier." He said with a smile, not noticing how Kuisha dropped her head and sighed a bit on the back. Considering that it was just the two of them n this large room I bet Kuisha sent everyone else from his peerage away so as to get some time alone for the two, there is even some roses and perfume in the air. She definitely does NOT want us here, but there aren't any other places we can go now and Sairaorg did say that he doesn't mind. But did he really not notice this obvious signals?

Is Sairaorg seriously this dense?

I mean, does he not realize how the girl right next to him feels? Thank God I am not that dense and always realize how the girls around me feel.

As I and Emily went to the couch Serenity almost materialize at my side and clung to my arm, Emily on the other side saw this and did just the same. They must really like me as a dear friend, and was the AC this cold for them to stay this close? (Writer's Note: pot calling kettle black)

"Hey man, did we lose much of the match?" I asked Sairaorg.

"Nah, no fighting happened yet. But it will soon enough. Rias sent Kiba and Issei to the gymnasium while Riser sent his two knights and a rook there so we can expect a lot of fighting there. Rias also sent Gasper to the woods while Riser sent six of his pawns and one of his bishops. And last Rias has sent Koneko to the pool area while Riser has sent one of his rooks and the last two pawns." Sairaorg said.

I got to give it to Rias, that is a solid strategy.

Issei and Kiba are not good for sneaking around at all so sending them to an area of interest where they can fight freely is good.

Koneko being in the pool area was also well thought out as it is an area where a long distance attack can be performed by the enemy sending someone that can evade it or tank the hit was a nice thinking.

Gasper is a damphir (half-vampire) so he being in the woods where he can send many shadow familiars so as to keep a look at them at all times was good thinking. Normally it would not be recommended but considering how strong the little guy got it would not be a problem.

Rias really has grown if she managed to think of all that and plan it in such a way.

Now, it is time to see how the game will unfold. And for that, I got the perfect thing.

Pudding!

///---///

In the previous room

"Was it fine like this, Azazel-sama?" a man that had just entered the room asked after hearing about what happened.

Azazel looked torn for a moment, but then laughed it out and waved his hand.

"It is fine. I never hoped for it to be any different." He then showed a down casted look. "I did something terrible and for my daughter to hate me is natural. Wouldn't you agree, Baraquiel?"

Baraquiel nodded, knowing exactly how his leader was feeling. Baraquiel was a large man, with black short hair, a well-made beer that showed of his masculinity and purple eyes. He was wearing a black cape and a body fitting armor.

On the past, Baraquiel was married to Shuri Himejima and was the father of Akeno, but due to him leaving them for one night because of a mission he was not present when members of the Himejima clan invaded his home for 'cleaning the dirt blood out of our sacred walls'.

When he got home all he saw was the dead body of his wife and no signs of his daughter. More than one year later, when he finally found her she turned herself into a devil and did not want to ever see him because he 'abandoned' her.

Ever since he has continued to berate himself because of it. 'Why was I not there', 'It is my fault' and 'I am to blame' keeps rolling on his head over and over again. He doesn't even know if he has the right to call himself her father anymore as he failed her just too much.

But, if there is one difference between the two fallen angels is the reason behind the disappointment. For Baraquiel is that he was always when assassins killed his beloved, while for Azazel was because he freaked out when he heard the sentence 'I am pregnant' and escaped, he literally disappeared and it was only three weeks later that he was found in the desert close to Vegas without a shred of clothing, strapped to a cactus while still so drunk that if he was a human his liver would have given out on him long ago. His only consistent memory was meeting a man named Mr. Chow, after that, it was only a blur to him.

Even if they regret it with all their hearts their actions now, there is no turning back the time. Now the two are just trying their best to deal with the situation at hand and try to make amends for their mistakes, not that it was going that well for either of them.

"*sigh* The two of us really are a duo of unqualified parents." Baraquiel said to his boss.

Azazel nodded at that. Vali, on the other hand, was just looking at all of this with mild amusement but was more interested in the other occupants of the room. The 'new' Lucifer and his peerage, a group that was on his list of future targets to fight.

"Well, let's forget about all of this and watch the game. You are the one that asked me to come to see the game because you were curious about it." Sirzechs said, acting as composed as ever (except when it was about his baby sister or his son, when it was about them he was NOT composed at all).

The others in the room composed themselves and then all sat down to watch the game.

A very interesting one.

///---///

Omake: What is underneath

Without anyone knowing anything there were two men in the room with a similar secret.

Both of them were wearing a specially designed shirt under their formal clothes.

One of said man had a shirt with electrical signs on it with the words 'Akeno is my baby girl'. The other had a crimson red one saying 'proudest oni-sama in the world'.

For unknown reasons for the two of them, when they looked at each other they could feel something special.

The feeling of having found someone similar. A strange comradery was thus formed, one more step towards peace talks has been given.