"Goddess of Fate"

Ariel had decided to shapeshift herself into her adult form, while keeping her short white hair and silver eyes. She liked teasing Ayil by taking a similar form to her; however poor girl had pleaded to do anything else.

While she, as a shapeshifter, could change forms as one would change clothes, she struggled to truly find a form that would truly fit her and was not similar to her sisters.

Instead, she decided to keep her signature short hair and a pair of large white wings, while making herself as tall as Sophia.

The girls that she tricked could recognize her if they peered closely, but nobody would think that a lady in front of them was the same scared girl who led them into being enslaved and tortured.

Ariel leaned against a door, slowly pushing it open.

The manor Sophia had commandeered was quite spacious, which allowed her to have quite a bit of privacy.

Her room was not the largest, merely containing a bed, a table, and a simple wardrobe. The floor was made of fine wood, which was covered by an even simpler blue rug.

This truly was the epitome of a servant quarter, but Ariel did not care about such titles.

She had promised her dear siblings that she would not play with Sophia's pet demons, but it did not mean she wished to interact with such filthy creatures.

The angel stepped forward to the table before pulling out a chair and quickly slumping into it. With a loud sigh, she raised her legs and placed them onto the table.

"The rebellion should be starting just about now..." She stretched her arm forward as she peered over her fingers.

Her lips widened into a wicked grin as she clenched her fist.

Her plan proceeded amazingly, to such an extent that she even got praise from Dad. No matter how many days passed, she repeated the words Father spoke to her. Instead of it growing duller and duller, it filled her with joy each time she remembered it.

Her fingers wiggled for a moment before she hugged herself.

"AGHHH! Daddy! I want more praise!" She let out a manic giggle.

Such an important mission as getting Dad to praise her was paramount. Right now, demon extinction was delayed due to the existence of Chrunus; however, Dad did not know how to enter his realm.

It was such a heretical train of thought to attempt hiding from Cedric. All beings should kneel and accept their rightful judgment.

However, if she truly wished to earn even more of Dad's praise, it meant that she would have to work independently to find a way inside the cursed realm of a false god.

Her eyes closed as she plunged into thought, 'Hmmm... If only I could get my hands on one of those false gods... I would surely be able to force or even trick them to reveal a way inside.'

Yet it was unlikely opportunity would merely present itself. The most she could do was pray to Dad, and perhaps, in his infinite grace, grant her an opportunity to open a path for him.

Ariel's nose perked as she sensed something.

A large amount of Holy Energy, about as strong as she was, coalesced in front of her, knocking Ariel back together with her chair.

Thud

She exaggeratedly rubbed her head before jumping up, and she raised her hands, ready to fight whatever was about to appear.

'Great...' Her eyes darted over the room. Fighting inside Sophia's manor was not wise, so perhaps the beings would talk before coming to blows.

She walked to the fallen chair before taking a seat. No matter what, she had to appear dignified and powerful.

She leaned against her hands as a being finally materialized.

In front of her stood a beautiful girl.

Her golden hair flowed below her white hood and robes, her glowing eyes pierced the soul, and her demeanour truly made her seem magnificent.

But to Ariel, this was exactly what she needed.

This was her prey. While fighting would have to be avoided, she would dominate this interaction.

"Who are you?" Ariel grumbled, her face not betraying emotion.

The woman placed her hands in front of her in a V shape before bowing, "Greetings, Lady Ariel. My name is Fortuna, and I am the goddess of Fate. I am here to ask for your help."

The Angel raised her eyebrow as she tilted her head in confusion. "You know who I am?"

"Of course, Lady Ariel. I witnessed your masterful extermination of demihumans." She bowed deeper.

Ariel smirked, "So you stalked me? Why?"

The emphasis on the word Stalking scared her deeply; she had to rectify it."I... forgive me, Lady Ariel... But the reason is that we, the gods, wish to rebel against Chrunus..."

Ariel's grin widened. "And you came to beg for help, huh?"

Fortuna audibly gulped, "Yes... We are desperate, my Lady. Chrunus is too powerful for us to deal with..."

Ariel jumped out of her seat as she held her hands behind her back, "If you want my help, then grovel and beg for it."

Fortuna blinked.

Ariel had a good reason for this; she needed to test this goddess.

If she had the pride to stand tall against legions of Dad, then she was not trustworthy. However, if she bent her knee and obeyed, she would prove worthy of trust.

Ariel smiled wickedly, fully expecting the goddess to disobey; however, what happened surprised her.

Fortuna dropped on her knees and arms, placing her forehead on the floor, "I beg you, Lady Ariel. We merely wish to depose Chrunus. If it secures your support, I will do anything!"

Ariel's lips twitched; she was clearly taken aback by the display.

It took her a moment before she coughed in an exaggerated manner, "Crawl here and kiss my boot."

Fortuna obeyed; she crawled closer, her lips connecting to Ariel's boot.

"Anything..." Fortuna kissed and licked Ariel's boot as if her life depended on it.

'What...?!' Ariel screamed in her mind. Someone as powerful as her was fully submitting.

 "That's enough... You may stand." Ariel blushed slightly. Where was this girl's pride?

Fortuna nodded before rising to her feet and wiping away her robes, "Does that work as proof, Lady Ariel?"

Her face was still full of disbelief and shock, "Yes. Now tell me, how do you know us? And how much do you know? I will not tolerate lies."

Fortuna bowed, "I used this." She opened her palms before an orb materialized in front of her.

The angel stretched her hands forward, inspecting the orb closely.

"It revealed your and your comrades' level, stats, classes, and even... Patron" Fortuna, choose her words carefully.

"Does Chrunus know?"

"No."

Ariel nodded, she believed this goddess, "So you know about Father?"

"Father? Ah, you mean Cedric. Yes, I am aware of his name, but I was unable to observe him." Fortuna lamented her weakness; however, another question gnawed at her mind.

"Forgive me, lady Ariel. But why do you call him Father instead of Patron?"

Ariel tilted her head while tapping her cheek twice, "Because he created all of us."

Fortuna's soul seemed to leave her body for a moment before gathering her courage. If Ariel was merely his daughter, it meant that Cedric most certainly was on the level of Chrunus.

"May I meet him... I will do anything, even if you wish to keep me as a pet!"

Ariel sighed, "Listen, if you wish to meet him, you will have to prove you are useful. Can you open a path inside the Divine Realm for us?"

Fortuna nodded.

Ariel grinned. This was perfect. Father would surely praise her.

Ariel approached her table before producing a slave collar she wore on her previous mission,"Good, put this on. When speaking to Father, you are not to show pride as a goddess, understood? He would purge you instantly."

With a casual motion, she threw the collar in front of Fortuna.

Of course, that was an exaggeration, but Ariel wished to test just how far she could push this girl's pride.

Fortuna once again shocked her.

While Fortuna hesitated for a minute, she slowly picked it up and put it on. Ariel blinked. She had never encountered someone like this woman.

"I will call Dad. You are to kneel. I do not want to see you standing." Ariel ordered as she turned her back on Fortuna.

[Father! I did something worthy of praise!] Ariel giggled.

[Speak!]

[One of the false goddesses has arrived and asked for help; she is willing to open a way to the Divine Realm.] 

[Great work, Ariel, I will arrive shortly!]

Ariel squealed with happiness.

"Daddy praised me again!" Her gaze snapped back to Fortuna. "You don't have to wear that. It was just to test your limits."

Fortuna shook her head while rubbing her collar, "If it makes it easier to gain your support. I will wear it. Pride matters not when our lives are on the line." She smiled.

With a sigh, she approached Fortuna, "Why do you seem to be into this?"

"Because I am, my lady. You treating me like this feels oddly... thrilling." She squirmed, her fingers stretching the collar.

'I... made a mistake, but if Sophia can have a pet demon, it should be fine for me to have a pet goddess...' Ariel sighed.