Finding A Godlings Heart [Demonic Incursion Aftermath]

This was it, huh?

The sounds of chains shackling echoed throughout the highest most point of The Castle of Causality. On this lone range was The Tower of Khala. None too long after the events of our holy crusade against the Soul Society, The Heart of Deveta was taken into this imprisonment by The Demon God. Out of unwillingness to allow his heart to open further, Deveta sealed his beloved heart within this barren chamber. Yet -- there was still more to the story than just that. She had been hurt. He saw that because they were one in the same. Waging war of that magnitude had left her body strained and on the point of hibernation to strive off her injuries.

Therefore, taking into account Khala's critically injured state, Deveta saw fit for her to be placed here under his watch until she had recovered. And although The Demon would never openly admit these things, there seemed to be a burning concern for the woman as much as there was an urgency for himself. The status of her crimes against the Soul Society were no doubt in the millions and she'd be a wanted fugitive no matter where The Godling ran to. So staying here, in the deepest pits of hell, the depths in which they called their home, was the best option they had.

And indeed, the damage done to The Goddess's body was great. The right side of the Demoness's face seemed to be melted clean off; leaving nothing but a charred crisp in its place. Much of the same could be said for her right arm as it was vaporized clean off. Nothing was left of it but a stump that was Khala's upper bicep. Tattering her body were numerous bruises, burns and wounds that were difficult for her to regenerate in this crippled state.

The metaphysical damage that was inflicted to the demonic maiden was great. The words of Iriko still rang within her heart and soul even while the creature lay tucked away in the bliss that is slumber. The perception of his words, life and warmth were enough to make the ravaging Imperfect God reconsider her path. In that clashing moment, the realization that her own religion allowed for the heart to escape nirvana -- was crushing on The Demon. The fact that she so blindly forgot that -- was paralyzing and stunning.

Thus, in going again her own principles, it conflicted so much with The God's powers. New meanings had to be forged, outlooks had to be carved out and rehabilitation was most needed as The Godling's body and mind was so frail. It brought that which was The Demon God, Deveta, to even become humbled by these events.

Throughout the process of altering the 666th Layer, there used to be nothing but eternal darkness; with the only light being that of Death's final release. Following the results of The Shadow Throne's crusade -- there was light all throughout this realm. The opening of her heart allowed for the transference of souls to freely roam and detach themselves across the separate boundaries of Hell.

Khala -- could no longer force them into her afterlife -- but the option was there for those who sought their salivation.

And this -- baffled Deveta.

How could such a profound change occur within him? Why did this even happen in the first place? He -- couldn't really make heads or tails of this. In fact, The Demon God wasn't sure WHAT EXACTLY had changed in him, but he could feel it affecting him. Since he had no one solid form to call his own, and having long since forgotten the original shape that he was birthed into, it was difficult to pin-point where the physical injuries began and the metaphysical began to begin with. Yet, even if it was not so easily seen, it WAS there.

The inside -- it was so torn up. If one were to peer inside the innermost depths of Deveta, they'd find that his soul could be riddled in what would be considered numerous scars. So many scars that it was hard to tell who, what and where he was. Metaphysical wounds so deep that it even further cemented the title as "Imperfect God". The Godling could feel it -- his power -- wasn't what it used to be. There was a heaviness, a tiredness and difficulty in trying to summon Surpassing Law for some reason or another.

The power was there -- but it felt so distant from him and this gap made it so hard to reach for.

The Wicked God should have been able to decimate and render the remnants of the Soul Society to ash -- but he couldn't. Was his heart THAT badly injured? Or perhaps -- was his mind changing? Cringing at the thought, there were was the echoing of physiological pain beginning to creep into Deveta and Khala's mind from their hearts opening. As much as Deveta tried to erased it, no matter how hard he tried to beat it and despite the godlings greatest efforts -- this thing -- his mind and emotions -- were returning to him.

What was once an emotionless creature whom only acted on instinct -- was turning -- more mortal? No. It couldn't be. He wasn't quite mortal, nor was he quite a god either. Instead, the creature was stuck between the path of a Demigod. The blood of the divine flowed within him, but the traits of his mortality beginning to become more dominant within.

It almost -- scared him.

To face this reality, confront these fears and cope with the fact he was no longer an absolute being -- was terrifying. He tried denial and forced it to the greatest extent with his almighty powers, but that wasn't working too well for the godling in the long run. The fillings he used to fill those inner cracks were bursting at the seams and that part of himself could no longer be sustained. So without his blanket of delusions to protect him -- how would he face this new dawn?

The Demonic Creature -- didn't have the answer on how to cope with such a dilemma. Therefore, not being able to face his own creations in this state, Deveta remained by Khala's side in The Castle of Causality throughout a majority of her captivity. There were times where he stepped out, of course, but they were one in the same. What pain he felt, she felt. What pain she felt, he felt. It was an endless loop and they both affected each other like reflections of a mirror.

And it posted the question: was his heart really -- that fragile? That was something he dare not thought of as he curled upside Khala.

Clenching the right side of his chest, all of the experiences of this woman were coming full force into Deveta's soul. The lust that was burning for Iriko, all of the sensations of abandonment that she endured during her lengthy existence, the fulfillment of finding salvation for her people and the whirlwind of -- love-- within her spirit was spiraling down into his own.

It drove him mad, pushed the godling to a low and made The Demon God question everything about themselves. As the physical pains worsened within Khala, Deveta felt the strain within his mind and spirit as it pressed against him like a claw to the heart.

Why did -- everything hurt? Shouldn't his powers have prevented that? The very thing he had spent countless years building to form an impenetrable wall -- how could it have been failing?

With Khala's hole of a heart being filled and bonded with Iriko's -- was this -- even that bad? The emptiness within -- felt warm for the two godlings. It nudged them towards a direction of purpose and perhaps awakening to the truth of things around them. Apart of Deveta even felt -- drive. It was suppressed, but there was indeed a desire to perhaps enforce their religion and ways in an alternative direction and guide their children towards salivation.

But -- just who was that talking anyway? Khala? Deveta? Iriko? Neoveta?

It didn't matter anymore. With Iriko calling forth for the gods to see him once more, The Goddess would not allow for his calls to be unanswered. Awakening from her slumber, although her physical body was not yet released, the mind of Khala was allowed to flow outward. It flung like a loose breeze and hit like a hurricane against the mind of Neoveta -- her lone daughter.

Now, with uncertainty creeping behind him like an unwanted shadow, Deveta's hostility was brewing, but it was so weak compared to before. Yet -- still -- the demigod felt the need to express it regardless. So begrudgingly, The Demon God was thrusted forth alongside Khala and the awakening would soon begin for the souls who call themselves the broken divinity.