So. Wow.

It's been a while, huh? I was supposed to finish this months ago (oops) but I got busy with test week, then my laptop died, then I got a new laptop but my beloved bunny passed away quite suddenly, followed by another test week and... I got two new bunnies and one of them passed away too (she was already sick when we got her, but we only found out about that later). So yeah, it's been quite hard for me.

Also, this chapter kept getting longer and so I split it up. Luckily, the last chapter is already halfway done, so I can finally finish this project!

Well, let's get to it, then!

~'0'~

''How are you alive?''

Kurosaki's tense voice breaks the silence, his red eyes hard as he stares at the brunet. Tenma, for his part, doesn't seem the slightest bit intimidated and instead meets his gaze head-on, his own eyes shining a bright gold.

And then Saryuu is leaning an elbow on Tenma's shoulder, smirking. ''Well, you know,'' he says, ''when a man and a woman love each other very much-''

His younger brother elbows him harshly in the ribs before he can continue, causing him to wheeze, and turns a gentle smile towards Kurosaki and the other Clan leaders. ''Reincarnation, I'd say,'' he tells them. ''I haven't quite found an explanation for it.''

There's a tension, hidden but noticed by them all.

''Whatever the reason is, it's great to see you again!'' Endou pipes up from where he's leaning by the wall, grinning brightly as he reaches out to ruffle Tenma's brown locks. ''Gotta say, the hair suits you,'' he adds, slinging an arm around the brunet's shoulders in a quick and gentle half-hug.

The mortal leans into the touch a bit before pulling away, his smile melting as he turns serious. ''We have a lot to discuss and not much time,'' he tells them, gesturing towards the smaller meeting table in the middle of the tent.

Without much fuss, everyone takes their seats at the round table, and once they've all been seated Minamisawa gives the brunet an impatient look. ''Now that all the tearful reunions are out of the way, I'd like to know a few things. Why was Raimei here, at the temple, and why was Ixaal there?'' almost everyone tenses at the name. ''And maybe more importantly, why are you human?''

Tenma closes his eyes for a few moments, rearranging his thoughts, before launching into an explanation, giving a short description of his knowledge of Ixaal's inevitable return, his reunion with Raimei and the following two years and his findings about Ozrock – where both Saryuu and Taiyou put in a few words of what their own Clans have been doing – before eventually settling on the newest developments.

''I am mortal, yes, but as you may have noticed during the battle today, my powers have not weakened,'' he tells everyone, shooting Minamisawa a silent look when Gassan Kunimitsu's leader looks like he's ready to interrupt. ''I needed Caerira to unlock my powers, which is why we're here – we knew that the moment Ixaal returned, it'd be impossible to get to the temple.'' He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and weaving his fingers together. ''I need to know. Are you willing to stand by Raimei?''

At the surprised looks, he smiles ruefully. ''No one can deny the danger Ixaal represents,'' he tells them quietly. ''Thinks aren't as black and white as they were two hundred years ago, and we have all seen what he can do – in fact, I have experienced it first-hand, so I would completely understand if you choose the safety of your Clans over our alliance. I would never force you to do something you feel uncertain about, so if anyone wishes to back out now, I want to know, so we can grand them a safe leave.''

There's a heavy silence that follows his words, conflicted expressions all around the table.

And then Saryuu scoffs, drawing all eyes towards him.

His violet gaze is hard, quietly challenging the human to contradict him. ''I saw you die, the only family I had left. I'm not losing you again.''

The brunet can't complete hide the sudden flare of warmth and sorrow washing through his mana, a small smile forming on his lips. He doesn't say anything, but the look in his eyes says more than words ever could as he nods.

''You should know I wouldn't let you face this alone, my Storm,'' whispers Taiyou quietly, sharing a look of resolve with Saru – no way are they going to let the brunet do this on his own. ''Arakumo has been allied with Raimei for centuries and that won't change now.''

''Raiton,'' Endou speaks up, his smile having disappeared, ''has taken Raimei under our wing hundreds of years ago. We will not stand by uselessly.'' His aura, warm and welcoming and overwhelmingly powerful, swirls around them for a few moments, a reassure brushing past Tenma's own mana.

And that causes the brunet to relax, just a little, because the honesty in Endou's aura can't be faked, and there is no doubt that while Raimei is currently seen as the powerhouse in Clans, it is only because Raiton has made their unity clear as day – one does not come without the other.

Raiton might not take to the spotlight as often as they used to in their earlier years, but their power is undeniable.

And again it seems to work as a catalyst, because the doubt that lingered in the other Clan leaders is fading away. ''Kidokawa Seishuu will stand beside you,'' says Kishibe, and soon enough they all follow – Seidouzan, Teikoku, Genei, and all the others.

Tenma takes a look around the table, at his allies. There is no hesitation left, only a fierce fire that burns in all of them, and he smiles.

''Thank you.''

~'0'~

''Ozrock, please!''

The god in question didn't bother to look in the girl's direction, although his shoulders tensed at her trembling voice.

''Please,'' whispered another girl, clutching her sister's hands tightly. ''Brother, please, don't go.''

Ozrock glanced at the two of them, his gaze softening. He sighed and made his way over to him, kneeling down before gently pulling them to the floor as well. ''I have no choice,'' he told them silently. ''Either I take the fall, or you do.''

''Then let us!'' cried the darker-haired girl.

The god's eyes lit up with an angry flame, and she wilted like a dying flower. ''Lalaya, I have sworn to protect the both of you, and I will stand by that oath. It would've been one thing if this attack was directed only at Arashi and I, but they pulled you two into it as well. The High Council is dangerous, and I know Arashi will protect you, but it's not enough. I need to be sure and this is the only way.''

Lalaya nodded, her eyes filling with tears, and her sister watched them both with worried eyes. Ozrock sighed, gently cupping the lighter-haired girl's cheek. ''It's okay to cry, Katora,'' he told her softly, and finally did she allow tears to fill her eyes as well.

The god pulled them both into a tight hug.

''Take care of yourselves, alright?'' he told them, and they both nodded, clutching him tightly. ''I will miss you.''

''Do you see now?''

Tenma's eyes snap open as the voice registers in his mind, together with the vision – dream? – he just had.

He finds himself in his tent, the darkness telling him it's still night or early morning. He pushes himself into a sitting position, eyes flaring with gold, both to enhance his vision and to examine his surroundings with mana. There's absolutely nothing out of place and he would've relaxed if he hadn't known better.

Which is exactly why, when the soft brush of mana lights up the inside of his tent, he can immediately launch himself from his bed while grabbing Caerira, landing in a crouch and letting his own mana pour into the staff freely, two sharp blades forming at its end.

''We are not here to harm you, son of the storm,'' a sweet female voice, echoing with an ethereal power, reaches his ears and suddenly he sees them.

Two girls, younger than he is, in appearance at least – because their auras of power, confined but impossible to completely hide in such close quarters, are clearly those of goddesses – are suddenly standing in the middle of his tent, both glowing softly with mana, one a gentle violet and the other a shimmering lilac.

His eyes widen as he recognizes them, because how could he not, and he lowers his weapon while his head inclines respectfully. ''Lady Lalaya, Lady Katora,'' he greets them, his mind flashing back to his dream – the goddesses had been there too, only looking much younger than they do now.

Katora smiles gently at him. ''Please, we merely wish to speak with you,'' she says softly and Tenma can't hide the confusion her words cause him.

He lets his mana fade away, Caerira returning to its staff form, and pushes himself out of his crouch and into a standing position. ''What could the goddesses of life and death possibly want with me?''

This time, Lalaya answers him. ''We require your assistance,'' she tells him, her hands clutching her purple dress. ''We attempted to contact you during the last war, but we unfortunately failed.''

And as Tenma watches their faces, the shadows in their eyes and the concern they can't hide no matter how hard they try, he lets himself forget the fact that these are two of the most powerful goddesses in existence and instead turns to light a candle on his desk. ''Please, take a seat,'' he tells them, already starting to prepare some tea.

The two are clearly startled by his reaction, but they do as he asks and soon enough, the three are all nursing a steaming cup, and with some gentle encouragement the goddesses launch into their tale.

''Ozrock, he is our brother,'' starts Katora, chewing on her lower lip nervously. ''We have kept our eye on you, so we know you are aware that our brother wasn't to blame for the attack on the High Council, however...''

Lalaya gently places a hand over her sister's and then looks at Tenma, her head held high and any sign of weakness gone. ''A thousand years ago, the High Council of the gods was attempting to recruit a new member. There were three candidates. Your father Arashi, our brother, and Sanjes, god of harmony, and Ozrock's closest companion – the two of them balanced each other out, as harmony and hysteria. All three of them were suited for the role and all of them were good friends, as well – inseparable.

''It didn't matter to them if they weren't chosen. It was a great honor, of course, but they would be happy for whoever became part of the Council. Unfortunately, not everyone wished to follow the rules.'' Her gaze darkens. ''Our grandfather, Ireid, was one of the elder members of the Council. He believed that Sanjes would be the perfect candidate, and so he set up an ambush to take out both Ozrock and Arashi.

''Sanjes, he- he wasn't supposed to be there that day, but Katora and I convinced him to play with us. Because of that, we were all there when the attack took place and Sanjes, he...'' her voice breaks and she closes her eyes tightly for a moment before continuing, ''he protected his friends, at the cost of his own life, dying in their arms...''

Katora lets out a soft sob at that point and Lalaya wraps an arm around her, but she still continues her story. ''Everything was in chaos, but the election for the High Council couldn't be postponed. Ireid wasn't caught, but he was... displeased with the results, so he spread the rumor that Ozrock was responsible for the attack. It worked. My brother became distrusted, and Arashi was chosen for the role.''

Her lighter-haired sister seems to have composed herself a little, taking Lalaya's hand and gently squeezing it, before looking at Tenma. ''The night after your father was chosen, Ireid confronted us – and Ozrock, as well. He told Ozrock he was holding us down, that he had to get out of the way for us to unlock our full potential.'' She shivers. ''Ireid wanted to use our powers over the living and the dead to conquer the human realm, but...''

''Ozrock protected us,'' finishes Lalaya. ''Or attempted to, at least, because Ireid was powerful. It almost seemed like he would lose, but Arashi arrived just in time and together, they defeated him. Ireid fled, and in his desperation, launched an attack on the High Council. There were great casualties, but Arashi managed to stop him before he could wipe everyone out, whilst our brother was left in our care, suffering from great injury.

''Ireid fell in the battle, but his followers were with many, and they framed Ozrock for the attack. The problem was that many of his followers were part of the Council themselves, so no one could go against them and our brother was banished. He left, because if he tried to fight the decision it would've led to an all-out war between the gods, and he left us in Arashi's protection.''

''He went mad,'' whispers Tenma softly, the realization hitting him. ''So much death and chaos caused him to lost control over his own domain...''

The goddesses both nod and Katora picks up where her sister left off. ''In his madness, he blamed Arashi, and attempted to conquer the human world – which is why he hates you so much. You are the perfect image of your father at this age.''

Tenma frowns – he has only seen his father a handful of times, and the blond hair and golden eyes make them look alike, but he never realized just how much he apparently takes after Arashi.

''Your father has become an important member of the High Council,'' adds Lalaya, ''and taken care of Ireid's men in the past centuries, but Ozrock... our brother is still suffering,'' she whispers. ''Many cry for his imprisonment.''

The mortal can't help but feel his heart ache for the two girls – goddesses of life and death they may be, they still look so young – and he reaches out, covering their entwined hands with his own. At the shocked looks he receives, he gives them a bright smile.

''I will save your brother, I promise.''

And with that simple sentence, the painstaking relief  that comes over the two girls convinces him of their honesty.

A sudden realization washes over him and his eyes widen in disbelief. ''Tenma?'' asks Katora, taken aback by his sudden shock. ''What is the matter?''

The brunet stares at them. ''You two-'' he pauses, trying to rearrange his thoughts. ''Did you two... are you the reason I was reborn?''

The two sisters blink at the sudden change in topic, and then share a slightly mischievous smile. ''We knew you were the only one who could bring our brother back,'' says the lighter-haired goddess, and then her eyes dim slightly in sadness. ''Besides... your death had such an impact on the world...''

Lalaya takes over when the other girl trails off, smiling warmly. ''We couldn't let such a kind person die,'' she says softly.

Tenma stares at them for a little while longer, and then he inclines his head. He doesn't speak, but there's no need – his gratefulness is impossible to miss – and then he focuses on the matter at hand.

How to pull an insane god back from his out-of-control powers?

~'0'~

This war will be even more brutal than the first one, and everyone knows it.

Their armies have been gathered, the challenge has been given, and there's only one battle to fight. ''The longer we drag this out, the more casualties will fall,'' is what both Kishibe and Shindou – the two strategists of their army – had agreed upon.

Which is why, exactly four days after Ozrock's resurrection, no one is surprised when his army is upon them just as dawn breaks.

The alarm rings long before the army has reached them and no one hesitates with preparing for battle. Tenma, his eyes already flaring with power, changes into his bright blue leathers – and a hint of a smile touches his lips as he notices the countless protective spells woven into it, courtesy of his Clan, no doubt – and straps on his shoulder, arm and shinguards. He hates the boots he's forced to wear, but he doesn't really have a choice.

Within minutes he's out of his tent and making his way through the camp towards the commander's pavilion, soon joining the other Clan leaders. Their army gathers in front of the temple, just outside of the protective fields, and soon enough they are tensely awaiting the other army.

Tenma is pulled from his worries when he feels a gentle hand on his shoulder and he looks up to meet Taiyou's warm gaze. The sun demigod smiles at him and holds up a leather cord, and the brunet laughs softly, allowing his Sun to twists his long locks into a high ponytail to keep them out of the way.

And then there is no time for talking, because Ixaal's army is upon them.

~'0'~

Tenma wipes the blood out of his eyes, grimacing at the cut on his forehead that causes his bangs to stick to his face. There is a short pause in enemies and he takes the chance to scan the battlefield. Many have fallen, but not as many as it could've been, considering they have been fighting for hours.

He sees many of his allies and friends – Yuuichi, dozens of blades dancing around him, Taiyou surrounded by flames as hot as the sun itself, Endou striking down enemies left and right, Shuu and Hakuryuu combining their powers as they face of against one of the enemy Generals – and then his attention is caught by the real enemy. Ozrock, deep purple mana that screams in its sheer wrongness, cutting down demigods everywhere, and there's no hesitation when Tenma calls upon his own mana and launches himself at the god.

Ozrock sees him coming just in time to deflect Caerira and Tenma twists out of the way of the black swords, and then the two of them are entangled in a deadly dance. Their auras clash, their weapons flashing, and the storm that has been brewing on the horizon this whole time breaks loose.

Lightning splits the sky in two as they exchange blow after blow, as they have so many times before, pieces of rock crashing through the sky and the craters left by their strikes turning the battlefield into a world of destruction.

Ixaal, his pitch black swords coated in flames of dark mana, every single one of his hits meant to kill, sky-stepping with such speed he is nothing more than a blur. Tenma, surrounded by gold, dancing through the air and swirling his double-bladed staff as if it's an extension of himself, easily keeping up with the god.

For every injury the mortal sustains, Ozrock takes as much damage. They are evenly matched, as they have always been, but never before has their fight contained such sheer conviction.

Gold locks with green, and both know, without a doubt, that this will be the end.

There will be no coming back, no second chances – this time, right here and now, it's all or nothing.

Tenma grits his teeth as he doesn't completely manage to dodge Ixaal's next attack, one of the black swords missing his neck by a hair and instead digging into his shoulder, and he jumps backwards to create some distance between them. He feels blood trickle down his arm and he takes note of his other injuries – a deep cut on his forehead and one just above his knee are the most worrisome, although certainly not the only ones. His ribs are definitely bruised, he may have sprained his ankle during a bad landing, and many more, smaller injuries are scattered over his body, but his mana can keep those contained until the fight is over.

Ozrock himself isn't looking much better, his hair matted with blood, favoring his right leg after Caerira almost cut the other one off, and dozens of smaller cuts covering him as well.

They're both going on their reserves now.

Their armies are weakening as well, although it doesn't seem like it. Tenma takes barely a second – he can't afford a longer distraction – to check on his friends. Raimei is fighting as one unit, like they always have, and they seem to be doing alright.

It allows the brunet to shake his worries away and focus on his own fight.

With a cry, he launches himself forwards, Ozrock barely managing to dodge the attack. Tenma is already dancing out of the way of the black swords, calling upon his lightning, and the sky flashes brightly as he sends a bolt of pure electricity at the god.

Ixaal is slammed into the ground and it gives the mortal the few precious seconds he needs to remember Lalaya's words from a few nights before.

We would like to give you our blessing. It will give you a power surge, for only a few moments, but it will hopefully be enough to defeat our brother. But you can only use this when the time is right.

Tenma has absolutely no idea when the time is right, but there's one thing he's sure of – if this goes on any longer, countless lives will be lost. Before he can act on that realization, however, Ozrock is there again, and he has to dodge another rain of strikes.

He reacts fully on instinct, going on the defensive - there's simply no chance to counter, Ixaal's fervent attacks slowly starting to drive him back. The god seems to realize it too, for a crazed grins splits his face in two and his eyes shine like beacons in the dark. In reaction, his mana, so dark and twisted it's nauseating, swirls around them both, so potent it becomes tangible.

It crashes over Tenma like a tidal wave and he calls forth on his own mana to shield him from it, but the reaction is too slow and the golden energy is like a flimsy paper sheet against a sea of daggers.

It takes Ixaal only a moment to break through it and when he does, it forces the brunet to his knees.

He stares up at the god, his breathing heavy under the pressure, and Ozrock's cold eyes stare back at him, an amused tilt to his lips. ''You struggle,'' he says, his voice smooth and pleased, ''you can't withstand my mana and yet you believe you can defeat me?''

His eyes flare sharply and the energy surrounding them both skyrockets to inhuman heights. Tenma gasps for air, but the pressure makes it almost impossible to breathe, and with a sickening realization he can feel his grasp on his own mana slipping quicker than he can react.

Within a second, the last spark dies out and his golden eyes return to their mortal grey shade.

''Pathetic,'' hisses the god and the brunet only has a split second to react when Ozrock brings down one of his swords. The mortal rolls out of the way and it strikes the ground where he laid a mere moment ago. Ixaal narrows his eyes, adjusting his grip on his swords, and slowly advances. Tenma scrambles onto his feet, tightening his hold on Caerira in its staff form, the blades having retracted at the lack of mana.

He inhales shakily and then brings the staff in front of him, falling into a defensive stance with easy that comes from centuries of training. Part of him wonders if his Clan has noticed his situation already, but with the lack of godly reflexes, there's no possibility for him to check on them.33

Ozrock pauses for a moment, surprise coloring his expression, and then his eyes narrow again. ''Do you never give up?'' annoyance creeps through his voice. ''If you stand down now, I might even let you and your little Clanmates live.''

''And let you destroy the human world?'' Tenma counters, inching backwards slowly. ''Not a chance. And besides- whether you kill me or not doesn't matter. My friends won't simply stand down, even if I were to fall again.''

The god doesn't seem bothered. ''No matter,'' he spats, and then he's launching himself forward at godly speeds. Tenma barely manages to dodge, his senses weakened to mortal heights now that his mana has forsaken him.

He holds out barely a minute in his mortal form, and he gathers more injuries in that time than he did during the entire battle. He staggers to his knees and, through his heavy panting, stares up at the god that killed him once already.

Ixaal stares back, quiet, and then he's moving so fast the mortal's weak eyes can't follow him anymore.

And in the next second, all Tenma knows is pain.

A strangled gasp pries itself from his throat and when Ozrock pulls his sword - buried deep into the brunet's back - out, the mortal crashes to the ground, a pool of blood forming within moments.

Through his darkening vision, he can see Ixaal walking around his fallen form, barely sparing him a glance. He only just manages to discern the words spoken by the god.

''Now, time to take care of your pathetic little army.''

It has Tenma's entire being screaming in protest, but the soft ''no'' he manages to mutter is little more than an inaudible breath, his fingers twitching as he tries, desperately, to reach for Caerira.

When the time is right.

Lalaya's voice echoes through his mind and the brunet stills. Right now, there's no chance to wait for the right time anymore - either he acts now, or it'll be too late for him to do anything.

So he closes his eyes, for barely a second, and calls forth the boost of power that comes with the goddesses' blessings.

Something inside him lurches, mana not his own coursing through his veins, powerful and burning and divine, and he screams.

Purple electricity crackles around his skin, through his skin, tearing him apart and he tastes blood in his mouth. His eyes fly open and he catches sight of the sky lighting up, gold, purple and every shade in between as the storm reacts to the raw energy he exhibits- it's too much, too much!

''Don't fight it!''

Katora's voice and then the ghost of a caress on his cheek, soft and gentle, relieving the overwhelming agony, and he lets himself relax, lets the godly energy shape its own course, feels it mix with his own mana, as he slowly rises to his feet again.

The storm roars.

He catches a glimpse of Ixaal, whipping around at the sudden wave of pure power from behind him, and the god's green eyes are wide and shocked. ''What are you doing?!''  he screams over the thundering of the sky.

And Tenma's fingers close around Caerira, the staff singing in his hand and shining like an actual star.

With a wordless scream, he calls upon his lightning and it comes to his aid immediately, brighter and stronger than it has ever been. He doesn't control it, like he usually would, instead lets it flow through him, gives it free reign towards the world outside.

It crackles underneath his fingertips, and then the world explodes in light.

He's not sure how much time passes – it could've been eons or seconds. Pure mana, like he has never felt before, swirls around him, blinds him, humming and screaming and singing all at once.

It passes, eventually, and Tenma blinks up at the dark clouds.

He's lying on the ground, silence surrounding him, and he pushes himself into a sitting position, his long locks falling over his shoulders – his ponytail must've come undone in the explosion, the hair tie not magically protected like his clothes. His entire body hurts, blood slowly seeping from his many wounds, but his mind is clear and the fatal blow Ixaal dealt him has stopped bleeding, courtesy of the goddesses' blessing. He finds Caerira lying next to him, still in its double-bladed form, and his fingers automatically curl around the golden staff which sparks with energy.

And then he catches sight of the battlefield.

Destruction is putting it mildly.

He's in the middle of the largest crater he's ever seen, dust settling down around it. He can't see anyone else, but he can feel the auras of his friends, stirring but further than he remembers – they must've been thrown back by the blast.

The brunet pushes himself to his feet, grimacing when his muscles scream in protest, and for the first time he notices the other person.

Ozrock is just starting to move as well, but it's clear he's defeated. Blood is pouring from countless cuts and if he were human, or even a demigod, he would've been dead already. His swords are lying a few feet away, out of his reach, and his eyes are closed – not quite unconscious, but too out of it to be a threat.

''Tenma!''

The voice, filled with unbridled relief, catches his attention and the brunet turns around, catching sight of Kyousuke. Immediately he calls upon his leftover mana, sky-stepping towards his shieldbrother, and then he's catching him in a hug. Kyousuke immediately returns the embrace and within seconds, the rest of Raimei is there as well, drowning in what must be the best group hug of the century.

And Tenma can only laugh, blinking tears out of his eyes, as their mana swirls around the group, uncontrollably. No one cares, though their elation at being together and alive too strong to contain.

Aoi doesn't hesitate for a second and immediately starts applying her healing mana and the brunet can feel his many injuries start to disappear, although he wouldn't be surprised to find a few new scars later on. Once the girl finishes, she immediately wraps her arms around him, which is apparently a sign for the Clan to instigate another group hug.

Too soon they have to pull away to focus on the situation at hand, but the way Raimei surrounds their leader warms his heart, even as he focuses on surveying the situation. Ozrock's Generals have been captured and Arakumo is keeping them contained, the other Clans constraining the less important soldiers of the opposing army.

A weak twinge of all too familiar mana pulls Tenma's attention back to their main enemy and, even though he can feel their alarm and protest through their auras, steps away from his Clan to stand in front of the god, who is just sitting up. The brunet spins Caerira and rests one of the blades at his enemy's throat.

Ozrock stills and glares at the brunet with such venom it's a miracle the mortal doesn't falter. In response, golden eyes shine even brighter and the storm on the horizon roars dangerously.

For a few moments, silence reigns everywhere.

But then, Tenma's grip on Caerira slackens and with a sigh, he twists the staff so that it's held vertically next to him instead of at the god's throat. His eyes fade to a gentle grey again, even as a ripple of unease goes through the demigods behind him.

Ozrock stares at him in stunned disbelief and then he growls, low in his throat. ''Is this some kind of insult?'' he hisses, his fury like poison. ''Am I not even worthy of death?!''

A gentle breeze is the only thing that breaks the silence after his words, the clouds in the distance slowly dissipating to allow the sun to break through.

''Of course it's not,'' says Tenma and while his voice is soft, it's as clear as a thunderclap and Ozrock gives a start, eyes narrowing at the lack of anger. ''You're giving me two options here. Either I kill you and free the land, or I don't and you will take over again.'' A quick, fleeting smile. ''But you should know that I've never been one to follow the rules.''

''What?!'' the god rears back as if slapped, the air around him rippling with purple for a few moments. His Generals react to their leader's unease, but Arakumo has a good grip on them and even when auras of power flare around them, they don't manage to break free again.

Tenma's eyes shoot towards the scene, guarded and cautious as years of war and fighting have taught him, and he meets Taiyou's gaze. The sun warrior gives a slight nod, his lips twitching up into a smile, and the brunet relaxes in the knowledge his shieldbrother can handle the captured gods, eyes fleeting back to Ozrock.

''Isn't this enough?'' the human asks quietly, ignoring the second flare of Ozrock's power in the air. ''Hasn't there been enough bloodshed and pain? You're the god of hysteria, not evil or death. I don't know what sins have been committed against you, Ixaal, but isn't it enough now? Isn't it time to let go of the past and look towards the future now?''

The god stares at him with almost palpable disbelief, and then grits his teeth in fury. ''Bullshit! You just want me to accept everything quietly and allow your father and his company to punish me?!'' he spats out the words as if they're burning him, hatred dripping from his voice.

But he halts in surprise when Tenma shakes his head.

''No,'' whispers the demigod. ''I would never ask that of you.''

And the brunet holds out a hand.

Ozrock stares at it, uncomprehending, and then looks past the offered appendage and at the mortal's smiling face, but Tenma isn't done yet. ''I would speak in your defense. I may not have your hatred for the High Council, but I certainly don't like them either.'' And his gaze softens, flecks of gold dancing in the grey. ''Help me build a future where no one, god, human or demigod, will ever be denied their rights again.''

For a few moments longer, everyone is silent, disbelieving, yet also waiting for Ozrock's decision.

And the god himself can feel something spark, something that takes his breath away for it's strangely familiar, as if it's a memory long forgotten that has returned to him.

Hope.

Slowly, so very slowly, he reaches out to take the hand offered to him. Raimei tenses, but Tenma doesn't seem to care, instead smiling encouragingly as Ozrock places his hand in his, gently pulling the god to his feet. Then he turns, holding out a hand to Kyousuke, and his shieldbrother silently hands him the twin black swords. The brunet turns back to Ozrock, offering him his weapons.

The god accepts them slowly, carefully, almost afraid of it being a joke, but he relaxes slightly when all Tenma does is smile wider. His hands close around the hilts, taking them from the mortal, and the blades seem to shimmer with mana – not violent and rough like before, but instead calmer – before their pitch black color fades to a glinting silver.

Out of nowhere, a gentle mix of lilac and violet mana dances through the sky, a soft, strange hum following it, as if the sky itself is alight with energy. Instantly everyone reaches for their weapons again, all except Ozrock and his people and Tenma himself.

He has only felt this particular mana once before, but it already brings a smile to his face. ''They're here,'' he whispers quietly and the god next to him tenses, disbelieving eyes meeting his own. Tenma gives him a slight nod and the last bit of tension flows out of Ozrock's form.

The soft light is centered in one spot, glowing brighter and brighter before changing, taking the distinct shape of two people, before fading away.

''Finally,'' whispers Katora, her hands folded together like a prayer and a beautiful smile on her lips. Tears gather in her eyes as she stares at her brother. ''Ozrock...''

The girl next to her seems just as happy and relieved, walking forward with all the grace of a goddess of her status. ''My beloved brother,'' she says quietly, stopping a few feet in front of the god in question. She tilts her head, a bright grin splitting her face in two, and her voice trembles as she whispers a heartfelt ''welcome back.''

And then Ozrock is lunging forward, wrapping his arms around Lalaya, clutching her tightly. Katora doesn't need any other encouragement and joins the hug, embracing both of her siblings with all the force she can muster.

''Lalaya- Katora- how?'' whispers the god, not breaking their embrace. His lighter-haired sister pulls away slightly, just enough to be able to look over her brother's shoulder. Pink eyes meet grey ones, and the smile she sends Tenma is blinding – and, consequently, all the answer Ozrock needs. His eyes widen and he gapes at the brunet. ''You- why would you help me?''

Tenma feels his shieldbrethren come to stand beside him and he relaxes, giving a shrug. ''You needed help,'' he says, as if that's the only logical answer he could give, and smiles, his Clan's auras filled with amusement at his simple words.

The god stares at him in disbelief.

A soft breeze blows over the battlefield and Tenma freezes.

''Wha-'' he can feel the alarm suddenly taking over Saryuu's aura, because of course he realized it too, but before anyone can react to their sudden shock, there's a flash of lighting, overwhelmingly bright and loud, and then the battlefield is drowning in mana.

Mana that is very, very familiar to many of them.

When Tenma manages to blink the black spots out of his eyes, he can't do much more than gape at the figure standing a few feet away from him.

''F-father?''

~'0'~

Dun dun duuuuun!

So, someone asked me about the ages of the characters. To put it simply:

- Tenma and Aoi lived in the Demigod Camp since their births and they met Kyousuke when they were five years old.

- They spent the next fifty years in camp and then escaped and in the next five to ten years, they met the rest of their Clan.

- About a hundred years later, the whole Saryuu thing went down (at this point, Tenma is a little over 150 and the rest of the Clan is somewhere between 150-200).

- About thirty/forty years after that they meet Endou and after another forty to fifty years later, they find Yuuichi at Raiton's HQ (Tenma is about 250, then).

- A century and a half later, Ixaal kills Tenma (he is around 400 years at that point, much like the rest of his Clan).

- Two hundred years pass, Raimei's ages range from 600 to 650, and Tenma is reincarnated. He meets his Clan when he is fourteen in his mortal life and then doesn't see them for two years, so at this point in the story, he is sixteen (or if you want to be precise, he's somewhere around 430, give or take a few years).

Until next time!

- Yara & Archie