The Guardian Temple

Table of Contents
Chapter 17 l Chapter 18 l Chapter 19 l Chapter 20 l Chapter 21 l Chapter 22 l Chapter 23
Chapter 24 l Chapter 25 l Chapter 26 l Chapter 27 l Chapter 28 l Chapter 29 l Chapter 30 l Chapter 31
Chapter 32 l Chapter 33 l Chapter 34 l Chapter 35 l Chapter 36 l Chapter 37 l Chapter 38 l Chapter 39 l Chapter 40 l Chapter 41l Chapter 42l Chapter 43
Chapter 44 l Chapter 45

Rasper

I awoke from a horrific dream, laying in my bed.

At least, I knew it to be my bed, somehow.

Like I had seen a film of myself in this room before. It was mine. I had memories of it, but I don't recall ever doing anything here.

My covers were tossed off of me and I was naked. That was normal, I always prefered to sleep naked. I was sweating, in a panic as I sat up, I could feel my muscles tensed, ready to pounce.

“Wot the ‘ell?!” I shouted.  

The last thing I remembered was that I was about to die, or was dying… was that the last thing I remembered?  

Polites was startled awake by my screaming, “Rasper?! What’s wrong?” Polites looked me over, a blush coming to his face, as he placed his hand on my abdominal muscles, “Babe…?”

My heart was hammering in my chest still, as if I had just come from the battlefield, I was panting.  My attention was on Polites, who was still covered, “...Pol? What’s… Where am I?”

Polites lifted a sculpted eyebrow, “Our bedroom? You’re in our bed. Naked, I might add,”  Polities slid over to me, taking my hand, moving his free hand from my abs to my chest, “Your heart’s beating like a rabbit… What did you dream about?”

“We… It was on the battlefield…  Da horde was upon us and then I saw dat light…” I tried to phrase it properly for Polites.

Polites hugged me quickly before I could continue, “It’s okay, babe. You’re safe, here. It’s just a memory from one of your many wars,” he smiled warmly at me, “Wars you won, remember? It's okay.” His other hand caressed my cheek as he kissed me softly.

I returned it, though I was still on edge. 

Polites could clearly tell, “Come on… Let's get you a nice scalding shower and some coffee. I bet in a few minutes, you won't even remember the dream.”

“It wasn't a-” I tried to state before Polites kissed me again.  

“I know, babe,” Polites said, now taking both my hands, “The wars? They're over. You are safe. You're with me. You aren't on a battlefield… but you are sweaty and you reek a bit,” Polites teased, “So, shower and coffee?”

I was still confused but I just caved to Polites's insistence, “Aye… Dat sounds good.”

“Allright, then!” Polites got up out of bed, himself wearing nothing but a pair of tight underwear, showing off his tight arse. Polites was smaller than me, heighwise, but still lean and agile. “I’ll start the water running, then I’m going to get the coffee going!”

“Ight,” I said as Polites walked out of the room. I swung my legs out of our bed, looking to the wall.  I was so confused.

Was this the afterlife? Just me and Pol? Together without any major troubles?

The visions I last had seen were certainly those of that final battle alongside Zithero. I know I had called forth the power of the sun itself to burn those fucking demons.  

But, I have so many other memories jumbled in between.

As if they were memories of another time. I remember coming back to Terra, but with Ragna, and Ragna alone.

There was no Xyphiel, nor Xei in those memories, not the new ones.  

The old ones weren't gone. I knew them well. I recalled Xyphiel, the bastard. I knew of every fucking atrocity he made me perform.  

But between the final battle and now, I had a strange new feeling.  

While I didn't like it, I tried to parse through the fresher memories that had invaded my mind.

Ragna arrived to find Rachel, but when she did, a demon also arrived: Lucifer.

Penthasil was forced to come out of the shadows, and when infighting had caused multiple countries to fall to a demonic uprising, Ragna soon rallied the American Nations under her banner.

Ruthless as she was, Ragna and Zepherina still conquered the United States, pushing into Europe not to do the same, but seen as liberators against the demonic threat.

More memories filled my mind. Memories of Ragna’s death, of her giving Zepherina the Alexandratta. 

I felt a tear run down my cheek as I recalled Syria’s death. It was nearly identical to her first death in her final moments against Xyphiel.

She had stood to defend Ragna, her Mistress, but in doing so, Xyphiel had killed her.

It was then that Lucifer engaged in battle with Ragna, only for Xyphiel to intervene and destroy both of them, seizing power over the forces of Hell.

The cardinal sins had all fallen one by one. Most by Zepherina, some by the remnants of The Guardian Temple. Rachel had even done battle, and though she was victorious, it was announced she had perished from her wounds.

Even now, as I sat in my bed, the final memories gathered in my mind. I knew the greater war was over, in this reality.

Maybe this is the afterlife? Just a rosier version of the events that happened? No Xyphiel? But then… Why isn't Xei in the new memories? I thought to myself.

I knew a few things. Zepherina had only held onto her power as the General of all armed forces as a statute of a Global Martial Law.  

But that time was ending, Zepherina was to end the Martial Law, as the final embers of the Demonic Incursion were snuffed out.

“Oh, babe!” Polites called out from the hallway, “Your ceremonial uniform is hanging on the door! I had it pressed for you! Can’t have the Captain of the Royal Guard of Penthasil with wrinkles on his jacket!” 

I grunted, “Stuffed shirt day…” I chuckled, as if falling into a routine as I got to my feet.  

I saw the garment bag hanging on the door. I opened it up to look at my uniform.

I knew, and did not know, this uniform.

In my new memories, I had worn it many times. Though it was still somehow alien to me. 

A dark violet wool jacket, slacks and black shirt underneath. A black tie with bright violet etchings showed a flame, Greek lettering for the planet Mercury and the seal of Penthasil. 

“If this is real… If this is a dream… If this is Elysium… I don’t care,” I thought to myself with a warm smile, “I got all I need right ‘ere.”

I headed into the shower and Polites had set it as scalding hot as he could. My preference.

After a shit, shower and a shave I was dressed in my uniform.

“That's the second best thing I've seen you in today, babe,” Polites gushed as I sat down at the table.

Polites hummed as he dropped a plate of black pudding, sausage, beans, toast and eggs on my plate.

“Dare I ask wot da first is?” I questioned.

Polites blushed, and as he did I couldn't help but remember why I loved this damn little twink.

“I know da answer,” I said as I cut into the black pudding, taking a bite, “So, while I'm out there playin’ toy soldier, the hell do you plan tah do all day?”

Polites rolled his eyes, “Well, I'm going to do what I always do: Clean up your mess.”

I chuckled, “Always da lady o’ da household.”

Polites fake gasped, “Did you just call me a Hestie?!”

“Yeah,” I finished my breakfast, standing up and pushing his shoulders against the wall, “...Am I  wrong?”

Polities blushed deeper and bit his lip, “...Babe,” Polities mock whined.

I kissed him, Polites kissing back before I broke the kiss and grabbed his ass, “Just be ready fer me when ah get home, my lil’ Hestie,” I said with a wink.

Polites let out a squeal and scurried off to do whatever it was he was going to do for the day.

I headed out the door, knowing where I needed to go.

I was still tied to Zepherina. Grand General Zepherina, to be more precise.  

I made my way through the village before I found a large stone platform, with the royal seal of the Hypolyte family adorning it, mixed with Ragna's ‘Omega’ Crest.

From here, I saw precast runes that clearly only myself and the other Titans could use. I activated them and appeared within a large war-room of sorts.

A number of Penthasilean Valkyrie were mulling about, none batted an eye at me as I made my way through the large room, seeking Zepherina.

I approached her office, and once I did, I gave a firm knock on the solid oak door.

“Come in Rasper,” Zepherina's voice called.

I walked in, looking around to see if Zithero or Alexis were here. Neither were, it was just me and Zepherina.

Zepherina was sitting at her desk, looking bored. She was jotting something down on a tablet. She was dressed in ceremonial armament. A full set of platemail not unlike Ragna's, that strange stone-like material she had developed.

She wore a violet cape over her left shoulder, the long violet cape attached on her right hand's shoulder pauldron, making the left side of the cape hang over Zepherina’s left side, her right mostly uncovered.  

The desk was littered with a myriad of unorganised papers, random figurines, a few knives (one shoved point down into the desk). The walls behind her were decorated with a number of demonic looking blades and bits of armour.

“Rasper,” Zepherina said firmly, “Good. I was afraid you'd be late.” Her tone was shorter than I recalled, succinct and to the point.

“Yeah… Had a nightmare…” I paused, figuring it was worth a shot.

Zepherina was my Mistress, I couldn't hide much from her anyway.

“Wot da ‘ell is goin’ on?” I asked.

Zepherina looked up from her large desk, “You know what's going on…” She paused, her violet eyes fixed on mine, a half smile on her face, “...Wait, did you wake up for real?

“Aye,” I said, lifting my eyebrow, “I tend to do it ‘eryday… But uh, fer real? Whaddyah mean?”

Zepherina paused, “No, I mean… Did you really wake up?”

I took a measured sigh, figuring I had a good idea what Zepherina was on about, “Aye, I think I did, Mistress. I'm a bit confused. I can recall the current day but…” I had trouble forming the words.

“Oh, thank Mom!” Zepherina laughed, “No, seriously… I was getting so damn impatient!” Zepherina walked over to me and hugged me tight, “I mean, I knew it was still you and everything but it's just good to not have to pretend none of it happened.”

I gasped as Zepherina forced the air out of my lungs, “None o’…wot… happened?”

Zepherina dropped me and started talking way too quickly, “Well, mom remade the world but kind of reset everything and made me younger and brought mother back for a bit and we had an actual family life for like 13 years and then Hell literally broke loose, then the war enveloped the world!” 

I just nodded and smiled, watching Zepherina ramble.

“And then mother had to ‘Die'” Zepherina said the word with hand quotation marks, “Then Mom ‘Died',” Zepherina said again with the air quotes, “And we had to start doing everything ourselves… But Zithero and Alexis woke up like, a few months ago and I've been waiting for you to wake up too!” 

I chuckled, “Well, anything else?”

Zepherina smiled, “Today is the day we end Martial Law and I hand over the keys to the Empire.”

I crossed my arms, “Right, Martial Law…” I cleared my throat, “So wot exactly is going on from ‘ere on out den?”

Zepherina’s enthusiasm died down quickly, “Well… So, we lost a lot of people. Friends, family and such… Some went on to Heaven, those who didn’t make the cut? Well, they’re getting a second chance.”

“Didn’t make da cut?” I snapped, “So… Wot, I was gonna go tah Hell?”

Zepherina cleared her throat, moving to her desk, “You didn’t really lead a… bloodless life, Rasper.”

“Oh, right,” I chuckled in jest, “I forgot about all the horrible things I did wot with my immortal soul owned by anotha!” I glared at her.

“...And before?” Zepherina spoke firmly, an odd gaze in her eyes. I never recalled her being this cold.

“Before wot?” I asked.

“Sparta?” Zepherina asked succinctly.  

I let a grunt out as I considered what she was accusing me of, “Wartime, following orders, I suppose those are horrific things?” I argued.

Zepherina heaved a sigh as she stood behind her desk, her palms falling flat on the top of it, “It’s not that serious. Rasper, you likely would have passed into Heaven for a few decent enough reasons. But, I needed you,” her gazed moved upwards, “...And I think Mom gave you a pretty decent life, all things considered. You and your husband.”

“Husband-” I shouted before catching myself, clearing my throat. I did recall Polites and I tied the knot. Though, I’ll admit, it was the edge of what I wanted.

In my memories, the wedding itself was something Polites insisted upon. Not that I was against it, I just didn’t see the point in a ceremony. 

“There’s nothing that could have happened in this life that you wouldn’t have wanted, Rasper,” Zepherina explained, her brow furrowed, “You just have your current life and the past mixed together from here out. Not everyone is awake yet or will wake up for some time.”

I paused the conversation there, “Hold on, just pump the brakes.”

Zepherina lifted an eyebrow.

I took a measured breath, “So.. Me aside,” I looked up to Zepherina, “You said those who didn’t make the cut are gettin’ a second chance? Howso?”

Zepherina’s smile returned, “Well… All the damned souls of Hell? They have a choice. Remain in Hellfire for eternity or be reborn to give life another try. A crack at redemption. It’s going to be our job to help rehabilitate the damned souls that we already have.”

“And… wot happens after those souls are redeemed?” I asked.

“They go to Heaven, return to eternal bliss with their loved ones or can wait around in Sheol,” Zepherina said, a slight smile on her face, “Eventually, the old God will leave, along with a number of the lesser Gods. Then Mom’s in charge.”

I paused, the pit of my stomach dropping, “...When you say ‘Mom’, yah don’t mean…?”

Zepherina’s smile dropped, “Ragna. My mom, yes. Do you have a problem with that, Rasper?”

I narrowed my eyes on Zepherina’s. She was never so quick to anger and yet I could tell what I had said somehow flipped a switch in her, “I do, actually. Yer Mom ain’t no saint, sure as shit ain’t worthy of bein’ a God.” I didn’t 100% believe it, personally. Ragna had lived a long time and I sure had met less scrupulous deities in my travels.

Zepherina’s eyes flashed green for a moment, her white wings shimmering a slight vermillion hue, “Rasper… mind your tongue around me, especially when discussing my Mom.”

“Is dat an order?” I asked, “Mistress.”

Zepherina’s eyes narrowed on mine, “It is.”

“...Back to da same den,” I said, “Just like with Xyphiel.”

Zepherina crossed the distance between the desk and me in an instant, her fist gripping my neck and hefting my shoulders against the wall. Through her feathers I could see a glimmer of green flickering within.

Something was inside of Zepherina, deep inside. Something not originally a part of her and yet it was intrinsically melded into her being.

“...Provin’ me point, ain’t yah?” I managed to ask, despite her grip on my throat.

Zepherina closed her eyes and took a deep inhale through her nostrils, the green vanishing from her wings as she released me.

I coughed a bit, landing on one knee.

When I looked up, Zepherina’s face was in a bit of turmoil, her eyes closed tight.

“...Wot happened to you, Zeph?” I asked firmly, suppressing the natural desire to call her my mistress.

“A lot,” Zepherina said through gritted teeth, turning from me, “Why were the others waking up so much happier than you?” She asked.

I got to my feet, “I dunno… Maybe I’m just a bastard? Black sheep o’ da family, like Eva is for you.”

Zepherina paused, turning to me, lifting her eyebrow, “Who?”

I blinked, rubbing my throat, “Eva, yer ol’r sista?” I reminded.

Zepherina looked genuinely confused, “I don’t have an older sister. I’m the first daughter of Rachel and Ragna Misho.”

My confusion only grew, “Wait, yah don’t remember Evangeline at all?”

Zepherina’s brow furrowed, “You do? That…” Zepherina crossed her arms, “That doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t forget someone, that’s not what my Mom did.”

“Yer anger,” I said, curtly, “Yer anger isn’t your own. That’s not you.”

Zepherina sighed, “I know I have a temper and I’ve been working on it, okay? I will not have another outburst like that.”

“Long as I don’t provoke yah,” I pointed out, “But yer anger wasn’t anger. It was Wrath.”

“And?” Zepherina asked.

I didn’t mince words, “In yer final battles against the sins, one of ‘em took something from yah, an’ you took something from them.”

Zepherina considered this, “I mean… I fought a few sins but-”

“An’ who was the toughest one yah went against? Who did you almost lose against?” I questioned.

Zepherina turned to look at her desk, “...Wrath.  Bella.”

I nodded, “Yah have a shard of her in yer very soul.”

Zepherina shook her head, “No. I… I couldn’t.”

“Yes, yah do,” I said, walking to Zepherina, placing my hand on her forearm, “I can see it in your eyes, yer wings and in yer attitude.”

Zepherina shuddered, “Get it out.”

“I can’t,” I explained, “Soul merges aren’t easy tah undo, damn near impossible. Just to give an example: Xeisha’s still herself, ain’t she? Tasha and Xei are gone.”

Zepherina nodded.

“Well,” I patted Zepherina on the back, “Good news is, I’m well versed in being an esteemed and noble advisor.”

Zepherina turned to me, a half smile on her face.

“And I’m pretty sure that I can help you out plenty,” I grin, “If you actually listen to your advisors.”

Zepherina nodded, “I will, Rasper,” she sighed, “Just… Call me on my bullshit whenever you can, if you see that shard coming out.”

“It isn’t coming out,” I frowned, “It’s always gonna be there. I’m just gonna make sure it doesn’t cloud yer judgement too much, Mistress.”

Zepherina nodded, “Well… I guess we need to check on the others, see who’s up.”

I gave a nod, “Aye, I agree wit you there. But I do gotta ask,” my smile faded, “You got a bit of Bella’s anger, but it ain’t so simple. She got a chunk o’ yah.”

Zepherina frowned, “Meaning what? Is that good, or bad?”

“Souls have power, Mistress,” I explained, “It might not seem like much, but yer no ordinary soul. Something tells me that Bella didn’t take the offer at another life, and if not, den she’s still a lord of Hell,” I shivered, “She may just be the most powerful one in existence.” 

Zepherina chuckled, “The good news there is, at least, she’s stuck in Hell.”

“Right… But my question is still: Where is Eva?”

I heard a noise from the door to Zepherina’s office. I turned, noticing the door had changed.

Now it was an ornate, wooden door.

The door to the Guardian Temple.

I turned to Zepherina, “You uh, want to show me something?”

Zepherina stared at the door, confused, “It’s not here for me. I didn’t summon it.”

I walked to the door and opened it.

Zepherina chuckled, “Well, I’m going to go drop by Demond and Timothy if you’re going to go visit The Temple. Have fun Rasper, say hi to my mother for me.”

I had passed through the threshold before that last bit hit me. I turned, confused, “Wait, Mother?” the doors slammed shut.

That’s when a familiar voice called to me, or at least newly familiar?

“Rasper Alexandratta? I suppose I should bid you welcome,” the disembodied voice called to me.

I turned to see Vael, floating behind me about a meter from the smooth white floor of the Temple.

I looked them over, confused as I considered the inhumanly pale and nearly stone skin, the jewelled eyes of their halos rotating around their head. “Vael, was it?”

Vael’s featureless head nodded, “I am the custodian of the Guardian Temple. I see you have awakened, Rasper Alexandratta.”

I frowned, looking around the large foyer.

Through the normally empty halls, I saw a number of angels passing back and forth. All were Nephilim. I couldn’t spot any Seraphim or Cherubim angels - clearly only the Nephilim avatars remained in the Guardian Temple.  

Though which angel’s avatars were here, I couldn’t really determine.

The twin statues which once represented the cowled angelic figure on the right and the statue of Timothy, however, had changed.

While the sword wielding angel on the right remained, the left-most angel was clearly a depiction of Rachel.

Rahcel’s face was looking down to her feet, eyes closed, an expression of humility on the expertly crafted angel’s face. Her body was clad in holy robes, with a possible depiction of a veil pulled back over her long hair.

“Yes, this is your first time here, at least in this timeline,” Vael’s explanation pulled me from my observation.

“‘Ight. So, why’d ya summon me?” I asked.

“Are you asking me if I opened the doorway for you?” Vael asked.

I nodded.

“I did no such thing,” Vael explained, “The doors of the Temple open for those whom are worthy, when they are most required. Do you know for what purpose that might be, Rasper Alexandratta?” Vael questioned.

“I ‘aven’t the foggiest,” I chuckled, “Though…. Me Mistress did tell me tah say ‘Hi’ to ‘er mother.  Last I checked, however, she was dead.”

“By the events in your previous memories, I was as well,” Vael stated, “However while I was physically destroyed, I was awarded for my sacrifice with continued existence. Though my individual memories from my parents are more limited.”

I lifted an eyebrow.

“Ah, you’re not aware of my origins,” Vael stated, their eyes almost rolling, “Apologies to you, Rasper Alexandratta. My existence in what you consider time is, at best, alien to me at most times. With allies restoring memories of a timeline long since remade, you can see how my confusion may grow considerably.”

“Right,” I cleared my throat, “So, Rachel lives?”

“Indeed,” Vael stated, “The Metatron does live.”

I turned my head to the side, eyes narrowing, “Rachel is the Metatron?”

“It was her right, as always. Now she serves the role she once abdicated as penance for past sins she no longer recalls,” Vael explained.

“How… Noble…” I frowned, “I suppose I oughtta meet ‘er, yes?”

Vael cocked their head to the side and then moved their right arm, pointing me to the left in the foyer, “The Council Amphitheater is where she resides. I would suggest you find her within.” 

I made my way through the hallways slowly, glancing at the angels who were walking through the halls.

All paused as I did so, looking me over curiously before they continued on.

I wondered how many could see I was a Titan and how many even considered me a threat.

I didn’t need much hints to tell me which doors I was heading to.

They were almost ten metres tall, standing from the base of the marble flooring to the towering ceiling above.  

Crafted into the door’s material was a grand epic. A depiction of the battles between Heaven and Hell, with the forces of Heaven clearly victorious upon the top of the doorway.

As I approached, the doors cracked open.  

“Curiouser and curiouser…” I said to myself as I walked into the room.

Several older angels were standing from their seats, and while they regarded me with some mild concern, they walked past me and out of their chamber without too much thought, let alone a word to me.

The only one not moving was Rachel, who sat upon the largest seat in the centre of the large ampathreater’s towering structure.  

Rachel’s eyes were closed, her red hair smooth, though a few streaks of white were visible.   Rachel’s face was immaculate, her robes a mixture of soft reds, whites and trimming of silver. On her head was a thin silvery crown.

Slowly, Rachel’s familiar icy blue eyes opened, revealing to me that clearly no change in parentage had been made. “Rasper, was it? You’re my daughter’s servant, yes?”

I nodded, “Aye, I am. She told me to say ‘Hi’ but…” I looked around, “I somehow don’t tink dat’s why da Temple doors opened fer me.”

“Did something occur prior to the doors opening, Rasper?” Rachel asked, slowly rising to her feet. Her large white wings folded demurely behind her.

This wasn’t the Rachel I knew from my time with Xyphiel. “Yah seem… Calm,” I remarked.

Rachel took a measured breath through her nose, exhaling slowly, “You recall a version of myself who was misled by demonic influence and lust.”

“Yeah… Xyphiel and Belial didn’t make fer good role models,” I reasoned.

“I do not recall any time with Belial,” Rachel shook her head, “Nor time with Xyphiel, outside of an adversary. I do recall my times with Ragna and they are spotty in places.”  Rachel’s face took on a sombre expression, “My mother took that sin from me and suffers now for it.”

I nodded, “So… Least yah could do was take up the task she had originally given yah?” I asked.

Rachel’s attention turned back to me, “Indeed, Rasper. I am now taking on the role I once was too afraid to take on, in her memory. L Because of her sacrifice for me.”

“Right, so… yah see this as a punishment?” I asked.

“Mostly,” Rachel chuckled, walking down the steps, “It’s the only sin I seem to have been left with. Well, major sin.”

“I wouldn’t call ‘not wanting to be the voice of God’ a sin. Just sounds like nerves and normal reservations to me,” I reasoned, “Dat’s a lot to put on a person.”

“Less now, with the changing of the guard,” Rachel said with a slightly mischievous grin.

“So, you’re the Metatron,” I said, trying to keep things on track, “Vael is the custodian, Zepherina the Empress of the Penthasilian Empire…”

“For now, yes,” Rachel said firmly.

“Dat leaves the only mystery as to why the Guardian Temple doors opened for me,” I said out loud.

“Was there something you spoke of prior to the doors opening before you, Rasper?” Rachel asked.

I nodded, “Aye. Yer daughter.”

“Which one?” Rachel asked.

“Eva,” I said.

Rachel’s brow furrowed, “I have no daughter ‘Eva’. You must be mistaken, Rasper.”

I narrowed my eyes on Rachel, “If you don’t remember her, and neither does Zepherina, den what’s going on?”

“Maybe this person no longer exists?” Rachel said, shrugging, “Things did change.”

“Do yah recall Timothy?” I asked.

Rachel turned from me, “I do… that sin I know of, though my memories are poor. I knew not of Xyphiel’s sins against my mother. Even in this reality, the act that led to Timothy is… less than scrupulous. Still, he is my first born, and I cherish him from afar.”

“Timothy had a sister, a fraternal twin,” I said, “Her name was Evangeline.” 

Rachel didn’t react. She didn’t even breathe.

I turned and looked out the doorway, spotting an angel standing perfectly still, like a statue.

Time had stopped.

Before me, not far from Rachel, a bizarre fluctuation in the air occurred. As if a wave of heat had distorted the air around it. From its center, I felt a powerful pull, before the distortion vanished and Ragna appeared.

Ragna was her usual height and build. Her wings jet black, as was her long hair. Her armour was bronze, however, and her cape was long and white.  

“Ragna?!” I shouted, confused.

Ragna glanced at Rachel and then to me, “Good. Caught you right on time.”

“Pardon?” I narrowed my eyes on Ragna.  

“Time’s… difficult to tell when you exist outside of the universe as its overseer,” Ragna said with a smile and shrug, “I’m still adjusting.”

“Overseer?” I asked, concerned as I looked Ragna up and down.

Ragna chuckled, looking at the cape and armour, “Hmm.. Yeah, I know,” she sighed, “It’s uh… A lot.” 

“A lot?” I asked, “You’re telling me-”

“I am She who is called I Am,” Ragna smiled, “I took over for the old Management, the Guardians needed a break after so many eons.”

“So, all dis is by yer design, den?” I asked.

“Some mild redesigns, but I kept most everything the same,” Ragna explained.

“Except Evangeline,” I added.

Ragna’s expression hardened, “Eva,” Ragna emphasised the name, “Made her choices and decisions. She’s where she intended to be and had little desire in adhering to my visions.”

I furrowed my brow, “So, you know about…” I paused for a moment, “Eva?”

Ragna let out an exasperated sigh, “Yes. And while it seems that most who know of Eva’s transgressions are quite understanding of where she is, you’re the outlier.”

“Oh?” I glared at Ragna now, “Yah mean to tell me you changed my sibling’s memories? All of ‘em?”

“No,” Ragna snapped, “Your siblings just have the good sense to not try and torment Zepherina and Rachel with that name. A name that was torn from their very souls.”

I started to grasp what was going on now, “Really? And who made my brotha hop onto dis lil’ agreement?”

“My mother spoke to Zithero and Alexis,” Ragna smiled, “She was convincing, apparently.”

“Zithero’s a softie,” I chuckled, shrugging, “Me? I’m much more pragmatic.”

“Are you now?” Ragna asked.

“Aye,” I said with a grin, “Pragmatic enough to know that you, in your inexperienced nature as ‘Overseer’ risked tearing a hole in reality to stop me from pressin’ the issue wit yer wife here means that I’ve got power.”

Ragna’s expression hardened.

“Gettin’ Rachel or me Mistress to rememba Evangeline throws a wrench into the proper order o’ tings as yah have ‘em, don’t it?” I asked with a sly grin.

“Unfortunately,” Ragna hissed through her teeth, “It is a situation that can’t be removed… And I would have hoped that you’d be very happy where I placed you in my new reality.”

I now hardened my expression, “Excuse you?”

“Polites could have died in the war. He didn’t. You could have died. You didn’t. Instead the two of you are happily married, with a lovely home and a charmed life,” Ragna stated.

“And wot… you thought you could buy me with a ‘Happily Ever After’?” I chuckled, “I thought you knew me, Ragna.”

“Rasper…” Ragna growled, her fist clenched, “This isn’t an ego thing, do you understand? Your little bit of knowledge, if unchecked, can cause actual damage to all of creation as it stands.”

“Oh, yeah,” I chuckled, “And trust me, it’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought, but… uh… Well Ragna, I don’t want you tink’in you’ve got one over on me when I have such a juicy bit of leverage, yah know?”

“Leverage?” Ragna chuckled, “Rasper… I could remove you with a thought.”

“If yah could do it dat easily, yah’d have done it,” I pointed out, “But all ya came to do was intervene directly.”

“As a courtesy,” Ragna hissed.

“Sure,” I shrugged, “But if I felt so inclined, I could just zip out of here and find someone who’d be more than interested to know about this lil’ flaw in yer design.”

Ragna narrowed her eyes.

“I’m sure things are a bit too orderly for her tastes these days anyway,” I smiled at Ragna.

Ragna lifted her hand up, her fingers ready to snap, “I’m about to rescind that courtesy.”

I smiled confidently.

“You seem overtly calm, Rasper,” Ragna growled.

I just grinned to Ragna, “You tink she wouldn’t notice yah comin’ all the way to this reality just to pop me outta existence?”

Ragna’s eyes narrowed.

“Calm down, Goddess,” I chided, “I got no desire to unmake reality or help the spirit o’ Chaos.”

“Not the guarantee I wanted,” Ragna said, her hand wavering.

“Just tell yer daughter to ban me from mentioning Evangeline and all’s well dat ends well,” I smiled.

“You can disobey an order, Rasper. It just causes you insurmountable pain. Why should I trust you?” Ragna asked.

“Well,” I walked towards her, placing my hand on her wrist, “Let’s just say you found me useful enough to keep me ‘ere.”

Ragna scoffed, “Your sins kept you here.”

My face fell, “...Sins? I followed orders most o’ me life. Wot Sins are yah on about?”

“Rasper, you were a Spartan. A warrior. You didn’t fight for country or for honour,” Ragna’s face fell, “You fought for the love of the kill.”

I narrowed my eyes on Ragna.

“I did the same,” Ragna admitted as she lowered her hand, “do not think of me as someone who wanted to condemn you.”

“But I’m ‘ere and not in Elysium or the Aegean Fields, because o’ sin?” I growled, “What o’ all the good I did do?!”

“What good, Rasper? Siding with another army for your final moments?” Ragna shook her head.

“Plenty would argue dat’s enough, don’t yah tink?” I growled.

“A decision that would be decided in Uriel’s Court in my mother’s realm,” Ragna smiled, “Do you trust the Angels of old to judge your deeds properly? Uriel is a pitiless angel.” 

“I ain’t askin’ fer pity!” I snapped, “I’d be askin’ fer fairness!”

“Fairness,” Ragna smiled, “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

I lifted an eyebrow, “Wot yah mean?”

“Truth is, Rasper, this world was given to me under a specific condition: New souls will slowly filter in, surely, and I will have the right to judge those souls however I deem is fair,” Ragna sighed, “But for the old souls in Hell, and those who have yet to pass the Guardians judgement, I will usher them to a second chance.”

“Second chance?” I asked, looking around at the frozen space around me.

“All souls are going to live another life. Be given another chance and thus judgement. Upon their final judgement day, they will either be passed on to the Guardian’s Heavens or cast into my Hell,” Ragna sighed, “Only then will the new souls begin to get created. When there is no-more of the old sans the debris.”

“So…” I paused, confused, “Dat’s why I’m ‘ere? A second chance?”

Ragna nodded, “You’re getting one, certainly. But you’re mostly here because Zepherina needs you,” Ragna gave me a weak smile, “...And so did Polites.”

I turned from her.

“I think what you have is rather nice, Rasper,” Ragna added.

I recalled my memories with Polites, old and new and heaved a sigh, “Yah it’s… It’s nice. I tank yah fer dat. It alon’ weren’t nuff to get me to just take yer new world at face value, tho.”

Ragna nodded, “You would be the pain in my ass, Rasper.”

I smiled at her, “Always will be.”

Ragna chuckled, “So… you’ll keep this to yourself?”

“Aye,” I looked at Rachel, “Tho… yah came ‘ere just fer me?” I asked.

Ragna smiled warmly to Rachel’s frozen form, “No. I am going to spend some time with my family,” Ragna’s smile faded, “It’s harder and harder for me to manifest each time. More time passes on the mortal plane as I grow my power over the universe.”

“Omnipresence yields Omni-absence?” I asked.

Ragna nodded, “The first time it was just a few months. Then a year. Now it’s been five or more years since I last visited them,” Ragna turned to me, “I don’t know if the next time I’ll see them is a decade or a century.”

“But yah speak to Rachel?” I asked.

“When she reaches out, I hear all of her prayers and requests. They come to me together and separate all at the same time,” Ragna sighs, “It’s difficult to pick and choose when to speak to her and how. I’m unsure of how long ago I spoke to her, even if she believes she spoke to me today, it may have been answered years ago or in the future,” Ragna shook her head, “Existing outside of time and trying to interact with those within, is difficult.”

I gave a nod, “Seems difficult to understand. Vael said the same.”

Ragna nodded, “Vael… Talk about an anomaly. Their creation was entirely accidental, you know? They exist and I cannot get them to un-exist even though her existence should be a paradox.”

I chuckled, “They seem to fit in around here.”

“A being created outside of time and space,” Ragna nodded, “They are, indeed.”  Ragna’s eyes focused on Rachel, “Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to spend time with my family, Rasper. I suggest you do the same.”

“Aye,” I frowned, “But before I go silent on the point all together,” I narrowed my eyes on Ragna, “Where, exactly, is Eva?”