I said I'd return one day, and here I am! With the freshly rewritten version of my story. Now that I've finally finished school and admissions I've got some time to write! Expect weekly updates, and of course, the credit for being my beta for this chapter goes to Chris4th.

~o~o~o~o~o~

In a small unnamed town in Italy, a small whirlpool of light deposited a young blue-haired man at a road junction, with no one paying attention to him, in all likelihood manipulated by magic.

Standing at said junction the young man clenched and unclenched his hand for what felt like the thousandth time, he released a small shuddering breath as he continued looking thoughtfully at his unblemished hand, unmarked by his hardships.

He had been stranded in this strange new world, left wondering about his old world.

How many years had passed since his sacrifice to save humanity? Centuries? A Millennium? It certainly felt like a millennium had passed as his soul was battered again and again by the beast of the end.

Minato released a deep breath, before refocusing himself, it would be impossible to tell. At least by himself, as his soul was oppressed by the beast in the hopes of breaking him in silence.

He never did. Break, that is. Each day the beast came to destroy him, each day the beast merely made him stronger. The silence had jarred him but his friends, his closest companions, had kept him constant company.

Even though they were slightly subdued. It was Erebus' constant attacks that led to his own failure, they flared each day, rising from the sea of souls to ward the beast off.

And it was due to the daily struggle his solitude was broken through with gushes of light and warmth, Minato's lips curled upwards, remembering his Persona. The last memories of the friends he loved so dearly,

He walked on, slightly stumbling due to the lack of practice, before catching his pace and looked around at the unconcerned people as life went on as always, inside his mind he was still coming to terms with his sudden release from his prison.

His knowledge remained incomplete on a great many fronts, especially as he continued observing the town he had been sent to. New revelations had come to him one after another, the Kirijo Foundation did not exist, neither did Port City in this new bizarre world.

Considering it was a brand new world he had been feeling generally apathetic to the world, after his near breakdown of course.

His lips thinned as he remembered the panic that roared through his mind, he'd been left slumping against the wall with wide eyes as his connection to the sea of souls was cut.

Without his constant connection to his Persona he was stuck questioning his own experiences, darker thoughts of lunacy had invaded his mind but thankfully as far as dark phases went he handled it well enough eventually.

He'd got up and decided to busy himself with menial chores, like volunteering at the nearby church.

The first few nights had been jarring to go through, the silence had been overbearing as he only had his breathing to accompany him to his new quarters.

His eyes were vacant as he took in the passage of time, day and night passed by as he mechanically continued doing his chores. Truthfully the loss of coherency was expected.

But at the stroke of midnight five nights into his personal hell, with no warning or fanfare, they finally returned, those who had been by his side even in the darkest pit, with his very soul besieged by the beast that threatened humanity.

The moment he felt their arrival he immediately reached out, doing his best to summon them, refusing to move from his spot no matter what.

'Messiah?' Minato's eyes snapped open at the multiple voices asking the same question, his shoulders shook slightly as he leaned back before letting out a burst of joyous laughter that silenced all the voices from the sea of souls, it was the first time in a long while they had heard him openly laugh.

The ones who refused to let go of him in his eternal prison, the ones that even now held their ground by his side. All of them were back, from minor spirits Jack Frost to the first Seraph Helel, he almost spilt silent tears at the validation of his life.

He had not given his life for no reason, his friends, his experiences, the humanity he sacrificed his life to save -it was all real, so he had talked with them throughout the night, and then the day.

Slowly he had filled the gaping hole in his life, he was the Messiah, he had a purpose beyond the great seal, a reason to live -from ancient times to the information era there was one duty those who carried his title were destined to do, protect Humanity, and so in Italy a new Messiah took his place and the age of preservation when those who professed justice and light had let go of justice finally came to a slow halt after the Great War, old flames would awaken, a new golden generation of heroes would rise, unknown to all the second age of miracles had just begun, with the Messiah at its helm.

But for now, the Messiah had taken his time to mourn the things he had left behind, all the things he had lost and all the things he would never see.

He still remembered the last world fondly, their High School, Junpei's constant uplifting spirit, Fuuka's gentle kindness, Akihiko's protectiveness, Yukari's sarcastic responses and Mitsuru's gentle strictness, even SEES.

What had started as a school club had been the foundations on which pillars that made him a possibility, in many ways they were the reason humanity's saviour was born from bonds forged in a war.

He had taken his leave to mourn for the lost, and those he had been forced to leave behind while, the church kept supporting him through it, the kind nun giving him food freely despite his lack of work in the days following the return of his Persona.

Even when he did his chores in the church he was in deep thought as he conversed with his Persona. Michael had warned him of the mildly corrupt nature of the bishop in the church and but he stayed his hand resolved to not act till he gave any true reason, it was his Persona that had helped him through his darkest moment and let him recover.

Worse was the movements of the fallen, their outrageous movements so close to the heart of Christendom were shocking to the angels in the sea of souls, Sandalphon had wished to purge them from existence but Helel had ended that line of thought with nary a stare and a raised eyebrow at his younger brother.

"Goo-" His words were cut off by the nun despondent walking away from the church with tears in her eyes, Minato narrowed his eyes before turning to glare at the church with an accusatory glare.

He actually had a good relationship with the holy maiden, yet he had been unable to coerce the answer for her recent worries. She had assured him that she had found another path, but it gave him a sinking feeling in his gut.

He glared at the bishop as soon as he entered the church, "What did you do?" he said, quickly up slinging his bag back on, moving in between the bishop and the entrance.

The bishop broke away from his thoughts, "Asia Argento was excommunicated from the Church for her crimes," he said, though his eyes were stuck behind him and they had the beginning of both horror and anger with a tinge of regret.

'Fallen!' Sandalphon roared in his mind, just in time as Minato equipped Helel and let the light hit him, washing all over him.

He sighed, why couldn't any mission go like it was planned to? "How troublesome," He murmured.

"A Sacred Gear holder?" The Fallen murmured with a frown as he smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, but it seems father did not favour you, child, surrender and I'll make this quick" The Fallen said solemnly, a guilty twinge in his voice, the two-winged fallen was quick to prepare another spear only to be interrupted by the bishop stepping up in front of Minato, quivering in fear but his eyes were resolute.

"No! You swore not to spill blood in the church!" he said with a shaky voice, before bracing himself and dismissing Minato, "Please run child, I've sealed my fate bu-but perhaps you can escape! I beg of you, try to save the young girl!" That said he'd tightly clenched a cross in his hand, murmuring a prayer as he readied himself.

"And you swore to be alone, I suppose we both lied eh?" The fallen said, snorting with a frown etched on his face, "The boy's blood is on your hand, choir boy," He launched both the spears one at him and one at the bishop, only to fizzle out halfway through due to the intervention of the Messiah.

Minato smiled at the bishop, not without hope, before deciding to move more openly. Time was of essence, therefore there was a need to go all out, "If you flee now it would save us both time, and time is something I'm short on I suppose," he said, finally letting Helel take over, Minato's blue hair kept darkening until it was as black as a raven and eyes developed golden rings around his Irises.

"You just had to resist, forgive me, father," The Fallen said despondently, quickly firing off his new spears ignoring Minato's change of appearance only to find them dissipated as well, however now he was slightly wary and slowly edging back towards his exit.

It was too late, the black-haired boy had already let Helel take over, as the angel had a fitting punishment in mind, "I forgot why you lot fall in the first place, never listening," Helel said with a wry smile as he moved in front of the bishop, sighing tiredly, sometimes orders were meant to be followed, he thought, annoyed at the rebellious child in front of him before he released some of his power, making sure none escaped the church.

"Kneel," he declared, for once letting some of the power contained within him leak through. He was the lord of the sixth heaven. Impertinence was rarely endearing to him, especially when he was short on time.

The Fallen whimpered at the sign of power, he tried to retreat, to fly or walk back but he gasped as his body rejected his will and kneeled however that was nothing compared to the terror he felt as he gazed at the form of Helel, whose twelve wings now open for the bishop and the fallen to gaze at, "He has given you his light and yet you betray his faith, have you no shame, brother? That you would hunt the defenceless and taint the pure?" Helel said, his eyes blazed white for a moment, gathering information from the fallen's mind quickly, he honestly felt nothing but pity for the Fallen.

Over the years many had given way to crimes and deeds best left unspoken, at the same time so many had fallen because they had taken upon themselves to carry out justice and curb the rising injustice as Heaven fully withdrew from mortal affairs at large. Indignation was fueled in him, Angels shouldn't fall for enforcing justice unless the sixth, 'Oh Michael,' Helel mentally groaned.

Helel shook his head in annoyance, his little brother and he needed to have a long-overdue chat it seems, about how one behaved as the Lord of the Sixth Heaven.

"I-i Apologise my lord," The Fallen said, he was quivering by now Helel had let go of the reigns that stopped held his power, "Please, I swear on my life I'll be better, pl-lease," The Fallen was staring at him in terror, "I-I don't want to die, please," A well of pity was already opened in Helel's heart it only pained him further to see him beg like this, a brother reduced to begging after falling for disobeying orders. It irked him deeply, cutting far too close to his heart for his comfort.

Helel stared at him, without breaking his steely gaze, "Many of our brothers would have you slain for tainting our Father's gift and twisting his light. I cannot confidently say once I would have not done the same to you," Helel said, how could he slay the fallen when the one in front of him had fallen for breaking the policy of non-intervention and dealing his own justice, a policy he was against very firmly, the concepts that made his soul rebelled against such a law!

The Fallen closed his eyes, thinking of his rebellion, of the swathes of dead winged men and women of wings both ivory and raven, before a single thought came to the forefront, 'No More.'

"But I am not the same as I once was, and nor do I wish to slay more kin than I already have," he said, regret-tinged him as remembered the great war. Helel pressed a finger on the fallen's collarbone, and soon enough the fallen wing flickered away much to his horror and Helel's grim satisfaction.

"Live amongst the humans brother, repent but not for father, repent for thyself, redemption comes not from father but from within, and one day join the heavenly host once more serving father and his light," Helel said as his eyes lit up again, balance would be restored, "The great preservation is almost at an end."

The Fallen looked relieved yet aghast at the notion of losing his wings but the look soon evolved to one of grim determination. Usually, he would be averse to returning to Heaven due to why he was banished, yet for some reason, he felt an odd connection to this Seraph in front of him.

And against common thought, falling was not pleasant even if the act that caused the fall might have been satisfactory the fall itself constantly gave a severe feeling that always made them feel like the Lord was disappointed in them, but if the word came from an angel as strong as the one that towered over him then perhaps reconciliation was possible just yet and redemption was not some mad angel's dream.

The Fallen were not mad dogs, a fair few had fallen for minor sins like minor lust, a lot regretted the fall. They would swarm at an opportunity to return to the fold, "I swear it by his name, I will not fail you again my Lord, may we reunite again in a better time in the gardens of heaven," the Fallen said, and he was gently let go off as he left the church silently, "May I know your name, my lord, Heaven has a limited amount of Seraphs and I have no knowledge of one as distinct of you?" His eyes had an uncanny fervour in them.

Helel smiled before letting his aura turn more gentle and warm, activating his projection abilities,

I was father's most trusted son

Helel's wings spread wide open, showcasing his pure white wings, all twelve wings displaying the colour of heaven,

The Leader of his legions

An armour that was lost after the Great Rebellion flashed onto him, a sword long lost to the armory of Hell, and a face lost to time,

The Champion of his peerless light

His light-filled the Church, the eyes of the Fallen nearly popped out in surprise at the outrageous thought that came to his mind, the light was familiar yet so different to him, a light that lost its warmth to rebellion surely it simply could not be!

I am Helel, Eldest son of Heaven

The Fallen slumped down gazing at the angel in disbelief and then at his wings before once more looking at the Angel itself before silently leaving after a nod from Helel, awe present on his face as he left.

As soon as the fallen was out of the church Helel turned to the bishop, his eyes glowing white, "And what is it that you have done?" he said, utilising projection to get the information he needed without hurting the man, he was a man of the cloth after all, and killing a defenceless man was not his job.

The bishop squeaked in terror before quickly spilling his plan whilst flinching at the seemingly angered Seraph, he explained how they would send the Holy Maiden outside the protection of the church and to a rather untimely fallen plot. Helel just sighed at the stupidity shown by the bishop, did he think the Vatican would let him live after such heretical acts?

Looking at the silent bishop he thinned his lips, before raising an eyebrow at the signs, or rather a lack of, protesting against his judgement, "Have you no words, bishop?"

The Bishop kept his head bowed, before shaking his head, "I have sinned deeply, and my sins have led to the endangerment of an innocent. I have one request lord Helel," He finally raised his head and looked into Helel's eyes, "Please save that girl, she is an innocent flower, undeserving of the fruits of my sins."

"It is not often a mortal is able to do what you are, Bishop. It is true, you sinned, and it is also true you have endangered the innocent but no soul is damned by one action, especially one easily solved. I know better than any how one could fall, and be tempted," Helel flared his aura again, this time enveloping the Bishop warmly, "And thus I know better than any, that one can redeem himself from the depths of hell itself!"

The Bishop was crying now, his shoulders sinking in relief with his bravado broken by the mercy of the angel, Helel smiled and rubbed his head, "And thus I know, sometimes all you need to know is that I accept you."

With his hand still on the Bishop's head he put him to sleep, placing him on the floor unharmed and cast a relatively strong ward of light over the church, the Bishop would remain safe now it was the time to save a nun.

Helel withdrew back as Minato's body changed back to normal with a few gold flakes in his eyes being the only signs of Helel ever being there.

The Blue-haired boy was quick to exit and sprint to the direction he could still sense the Nun in, aided by Helel, he was relieved at seeing the nun sitting on the bench with her luggage next to her safely.

He bit his lip nervously, he didn't have the faintest idea if he should have intervened further, or if he should comfort Asia as she had comforted him.

Perhaps it was not his right to intervene, but no hero could leave innocents to despair. He firmed himself, and mustering his courage he took the space next to her on the bench, he might be the Messiah but he was most certainly not the person to comfort the girl. He hardly made speeches like some of his more mouthy Persona.

But he owed it to Asia, she had been one of the few stars that had given him relief from his grief, and he'd rather be damned then give up on her without even trying.

The dive through the Fallen's mind had revealed that supposedly the Nun had healed a hidden devil and the Fallen were keen on obtaining her gear and so they exposed her, pushing the wheels so that she was excommunicated quickly by the bishop who went into this scheme in return for the Fallen hiding one of his secrets.

Curiously he had sent inquiries about the excommunication to Metatron, who was very clear and firm in his mind, 'The rules of heaven are strict by need not want Messiah, but if the assumptions about the girl are right then the girl has not committed a breach large enough to actually be corrupted, I can sense her aura it is still pure.'

"It wasn't your fault," he said confidently, reassured by the Voice of God, the blunt statement startling the blonde nun who almost fell off the bench in surprise.

She hadn't even noticed him sitting next to her, her sad personality was quite the contrast with her usual bubbly personality.

She sniffed, "How would you know, Minato-san?" Asia was quick to hide her tears and greet him politely with a small smile on her face, had he not been here moments ago he might have actually believed about this act of hers.

Minato smiled mysteriously, doing his best to ease the young girl, "Well I have a friend whose brother knows someone in heaven, and they said you're as pure as they come."

Minato winced as he saw the teary hopeful eyes of the nun, "Really? You promise?" she said, excited with hope shining in her eyes, was she really about to trust him out of the blue about knowing an angel?

He hesitated, not knowing what to do before taking a cue from Helel and gave the best imitation of a comforting smile he could have, "Of course, I've got a good source for my information."

"Thank you, mister, although I will be leaving- the church still has me excommunicated and I have to go to the only place I'm allowed in a church," She said, wiping her eyes before smiling brightly at him, "I really appreciate you trying to comfort me."

Minato looked troubled, something deep inside him told him to stop her, to not let her go off to wherever she had apparently been invited to, "And where exactly are you off too?" he asked, trusting his gut, if it could guide him through Tartarus it could guide him through this situation.

The nun looked around a little nervously before leaning in conspiratorial, as if telling him a secret, "Japan."

Minato's eyes widened before a vain sense of amusement accompanied by hope rose in his mind, he was already thinking about going to Japan and check on his homeland.

Besides, he would be better off in Japan regardless, and a large part of him wished to go home even if home was not exactly there anymore, "Don't let me stop you," he said, smiling slightly as he got up after the Nun too dusted her skirt and prepared to leave, "But it seems that both of our destinations," Minato said, smiling for real for the first time since arriving in this world, "are the same."

The Nun looked to stop him before he winked at her before using Helel's powers once more and swiftly vanished in a flash of white light, leaving behind a pure white feather that radiated light and hope. Glowing brilliantly showing the way through the darkness like the Morning Star had aeons ago when he served his father before he had rebelled.

Asia gasped as she clasped the feather clutching it like a precious relic, which in all fairness it probably was, before smiling brightly realising it was an angel that promised her she was not barred from heaven for an act so small, "I promise I won't fail you again, my lord," she said, before mumbling another small prayer Asia got ready once more, before departing to get a taxi- and then go to Japan as the exorcist had told her to go.

Minato appeared in a well warded alley in a brilliant flash of light, Minato stifled a smile at Belial muttering, 'Too bright,' in his mind, mostly to tease the Seraph before withdrawing.

Minato sighed as the events of days flashed by again after he unequipped Helel, before sighing again, 'How troublesome.' Now he had to get to Japan, not that it would be a real problem with his Persona, the main problem would be the reaction of the 'factions,' they would be very wary about his Persona especially if he summoned anyone who was still alive.

So he sat down in the warded alley he had teleported to, beginning to form the framework of a plan.

He'd have to use a Persona unrelated to the pantheons of gods that existed according to the bishop. And the Biblical factions were there too, it stumped him why the Biblical factions would try to establish themselves in Japan, wouldn't it be wiser to situate themselves somewhere not so close to the Shinto gods? In all fairness the home bases of all three were out of Japan, so perhaps were they fighting over Japan? As it stood he'd have to pull a Persona used to disguise himself, and a quite powerful one as well.

He kept on thinking, delving deep into the sea of souls before smiling as the perfect Persona came to his mind, The Archmage Merlin- suitably powerful yet suitably human, the Archmage of Camelot would be the perfect escort for him, he was one of the most powerful humans to live on Earth, calm and collected he seemed inhuman at times but many a time the Great Councillor had proven his wit and might.

With a deep breath, equipping Merlin, Minato let his breath out, "Persona," he said, exhaling as a swirl of energy encircled him, bursting with radiant silver light.

With a swirl of energy a silver-haired man wearing a white overcoat appeared with a smile he winked at his lord.

I am the guardian of Camelot

Minato shook his head with a sigh, "We're short on time Merlin, you can show off later," Looking around at the empty alley he raised an eye, "Preferably when somewhere is actually there to see the theatrics."

Merlin pouted, stopping his projection, before raising his eyebrow, "Go on and ruin my bombastic entry, we'll see who laughs when you're hair is pink," He said with no real bite in his words, but he had done it in the past to Arthur.

"Bad Archmage," the Messiah said, and turned around preparing to leave -the threat of a prank fazed him little- and walked out of the alley they were in, "Come on, we've got a plane to catch."

Merlin snapped his fingers making his staff vanish and his overcoat turned into something of a more modern design though it was arguably a blue trench coat was fitting but he was a mage and mages were known to be the oddest bunch, "And who'll give us the tickets, Messiah?"

Minato looked pointedly at him, "You're an Archmage of immense power."

Merlin chuckled, "Excellent point, Messiah" before he cloaked them and opened a portal. Before closing it after blushing as he remembered the last time he'd been in Italy was Centuries ago.

Minato raised his brow questioningly, "I don't know where the airport is," Merlin said, an embarrassed mumble escaping the Archmage's mouth as he pouted, "Come on this way,'' He said walking to call a taxi and head for the airport.

"I'm not a child you know?" Merlin said, voice a little bit whiny as he followed his lord, taking in the looks of his surroundings, "Do you think we should do some research before leaving? Talk to the pope maybe?" The Pope would be glad to talk to the Messiah, even if he only chose to reveal Helel.

Minato stopped for a moment, before shaking his head, "I don't think so, the entire point of summoning you instead of Metatron, Bael or Odin is entirely to lay low for now, besides I came to know plenty by reading the fallen's mind," As it stood he needed to take a closer look and properly assess the situation, nothing was as it was meant to be. Why would angels allow injustice to pass and withdraw from the world? And the demons be reduced to devils? Just what in God's name had happened here?

Soon enough they were on their way sitting in a taxi with Minato and Merlin gazing out of their windows watching the city as they went.

Merlin was already stretching his magical senses as far and wide as he could whilst maintaining secrecy, spreading his senses to look for any danger or secret in the city and though it took nearly some time after they had boarded their taxi and after a whilst they were at their destination, the airport.

"We're here," The taxi driver grunted as they pulled up to the airport, startling Merlin out of his thoughts on how little magic he sensed during their drive to the airport before turning to Minato who was sleeping. It was rather shocking to see what once used to be the hub of magic be so dry, he could sense those with potential -indeed he had identified two with a mine of untapped potential but there was no grouping of magic like the old times.

Except for light oriented mages but those were presumably the church mages they liked calling exorcists. Well, those and some Fallen Angels he could sense, the absurdity of him actually being able to look over all of Italy whilst maintaining secrecy had baffled him, just what had happened to the mages that were resident to Europe? They weren't of his calibre but they weren't this defenceless.

Minato's eyes flickered open as Merlin poked him a couple of times, "We're here, Me-" he said, stopping at Messiah as his eyes quickly flickered to the driver and back to Minato, "My lord," Some things even a spell could not make the man misinterpret.

Minato nodded and handed the payment to the driver before nodding to Merlin, as he and Merlin walked towards the counter they took tickets that were obtained by Merlin. Japan it seemed, was to be the latest host to the Messiah. And so started a series of events that would change the balance of power completely, because the wild card had finally arrived.

~o~o~o~o~o~

Minato looked out of the window as their plane smoothly landed in Kyoto, he and Merlin were still following the nun, Merlin had already confirmed that his feeling was right so he had cast an illusion spell and they had been on their way to wherever the nun went to.

The nun had gotten off the flight and taken another car though this time it Merlin was quick to warn him of the malice radiating from the being, a white-haired man quite distinctly European in origin. That and the white-haired human reeked of malice even to his senses, and he was barely using any of the sensing ability he had gained due to equipping Helel.

Merlin looked confused, "They're going to… Kuoh Town?" He looked at Minato, "Where's that?" He himself knew much about Japan as he had a lot of time to talk with the other Persona, but he had never heard of a Kuoh Town.

"The Taxi drivers should know the details right?" the Messiah said, shrugging it mattered very little where Kuoh was, especially since he was not about to leave the nun with that horrid man, it wouldn't be surprising if Kuoh was a minor town, there were a lot of those in Japan and he could hardly remember the name of all of those.

Merlin blinked, "Do we have a plan, milord?" Merlin asked, he had faith in the Messiah and his prowess but he had always liked having a well-defined plan and advised Arthur to plan his campaigns as well and this was similar to those times when the promised king would have some bizarre idea and rush through to implement it with the subtlety of a bull, it usually worked, but most things did when you wielded a handheld holy nuclear bomb like Arthur.

"We go to Kuoh and prevent harm from befalling the nun till we find out what's bugging all the Angels out so much and just what's up with the demons," It seemed the Messiah believed the best of plans were the simplest ones, much like Arthur himself. We have no immediate plan Merlin thought with a wry smile.

As they hailed a taxi Minato continued to worry about much of what he learned from that fallen, but much of his worry was fueled by Helel and other angels but he fretted on his own as well. For Samael to be cursed for such a long time and Azrael leaving on her own, in a time when the only faction that he could support, other than humans but that is hardly a faction, was already down many of their strongest angel they could hardly spare two other twelve winged angels.

He had already thought about the devil reincarnation and after convening with Solomon, Bael, Metatron and Helel they all agreed that it was in all likelihood a corrupting and enslaving device no matter the intentions of those who revived the aforementioned humans, supporting his opinion was the fact he knew Bael, and heavens knew that the giant demon was not one who prayed for others, "We have to do a lot of things," he said, as a grimace took over his face as the memory of the Nekomata Massacre came to him, another memory he had gained from the fallen angel, the reason the fallen had fallen in the first place. Going against the wishes of Heaven and trying to dive into hell to save some of the Youkai. It did not inspire any confidence in him about the demons.

Though startled at the prompt change of tone Merlin nodded in agreement, "The situation is dire for Humanity, it's fairly easy to understand why you were sent here my lord."

Minato raised his eyebrow questioningly, Merlin smiled an ever-present twinkle in his eyes, "Well when times are dark and the master of light himself falters who shall stand up and protect the innocent, but the Messiah himself."

Minato nodded in agreement, before finally deciding on his next course of action as their taxi came to a stop as they reached Tokyo, Kuoh was within walking distance- but before that, he walked into an alley to summon a Persona.

One that would protect the nun whilst he left to do something extremely important, gathering the well-remembered Persona to his mind, once more delving into the sea of souls he ignoring Merlin as he set up a small invisibility barrier and a moderate anti-spying field, "Persona!"

With a small flash of grey light, one of the most feared holy swords came into existence, with the standard of the royal house engraved on his breast.

I am the greatest Paladin

His armour as brilliant as the day he fought for his previous lord,

Heathens fear me and the Loyal embrace me

His sword gleamed under the light of the sun, appearing nearly peerless in an ethereal beauty, had he not seen Excalibur he would have called it the most beautiful sword in existence.

My swordsmanship akin to my sword

He had blonde hair and blue eyes, broad-shouldered yet lean, his stance was well-practised, the perfect warrior,

I am the Paladin of Charlemagne

He raised his sword, and it gleamed, in an expression that would make daemons and fallen quiver and angels roar in triumph,

I am Roland, the master of Durandal's peerless Blade.

Minato just looked at the knight with a deadpan stare whilst Merlin looked at him accusingly, "Why did he finish and I get a thump?!" He said, pouting at the Messiah who just shook his head, slightly amused.

Roland smiled before returning to his poker face, "It matters little my magical friend, the Messiah has desires for our aid and we shall give it!" Merlin sighed muttering something about good-for-nothing knights and Arthur before nodding in agreement with an exasperated smile much to the amusement of both Minato and Roland.

Minato had given great thought to the plan he would commit to, in his sleep he had converser greatly with Solomon on how to proceed and they had the beginning of a plan ready, the first item on their agenda? Jailbreak a la Helel.

"I'll be going to the Greek part of the underworld, and try to retrieve Samael and then I shall seek and get back Azrael, that is if she wants to join us. Metatron and Helel will help in redeeming the first and finding the second, whilst I do that you two shall be looking after the nun," He said, waiting for a moment to get affirmative nods before continuing on.

"If anything happens Merlin will open a gate to me and I'll come over. I have faith that two of the strongest Archangels and the king of Olympus can handle not having me around for some time even if they have to deal with Hades for whilst," The first agenda was extremely important, they had to bolster the strength of Heaven in the face of constant decline it had suffered across the Millenia. There was no shorter way of bolstering the strength of heaven other than actively getting back the twelve winged angels they could.

Roland nodded in agreement bowing his head in deference, "As you wish Messiah, you have my word that the Wizard and I shall protect that nun unto our death and beyond!"

Merlin nodded along before casting another level of secrecy, "There, some Youkai were trying to spy on us, that should stop them from even trying," He said, snorting with a huff, "As if they can breach my wards, I will also do my level best to see if there is a way to turn the humans back from devils, Messiah."

"Well then, we should be on our way!" Roland said, his voice booming as he blinked innocently as both Minato and Merlin stared at him, "Is something wrong?"

Merlin looked pointedly at his armour, "You're a gigantic perfect blonde blue-eyed germano-french paladin wielding a holy sword that'll give the daemons nightmares from miles, can you attempt to hide?!" he said, the last part in exasperation, "I swear you holy knights do it to annoy me," he said, mumbling something about Galahad being just as annoying in this matter.

"You are a wizard, hide us, my friend," Roland said his blunt response only making Merlin sigh, though his annoyance had quickly turned into amusement.

"You're lucky I'm me, any normal wizard would never be able to hide you," Merlin said, waving a hand over the paladin, casting a concealing and an illusion spell on his comrade, why did Roland remind him so much of one of the boy scouts?

The Messiah was glad that Roland and Merlin got along, he was slightly hesitant about choosing the paladin above Galahad or Arthur but Galahad did not possess a holy sword, well not one that could do what Durandal could, not to say he was weak, in a fair fight both Galahad and Arthur had a rather even chance of winning. Arthur was probably going to release light all over Japan before restraining himself, that man didn't know what restraint meant.

"I'll see you both in Kuoh," Minato said, nodding at Merlin and Roland, "I have a Greek God to make a request to."

With a flash of silver light Helel once more merged with him whilst this time he equipped him whilst summoning Zeus himself, the god of thunder and drama understanding the occasion and not projecting, though not for the lack of a desire to do it.

"Farewell Messiah!" Merlin said, respectfully bowing before turning away to leave.

"Take care Messiah, I can't think of anyone better to redeem the fallen than you," Roland said, marching ahead of Merlin fairly easily matching Merlin's pace with his longer strides.

With that said Minato nodded towards Zeus, who nodded back and in a bolt of lightning the Messiah and the King of Olympus transported themselves to the domain of his brother, Hades the god of the underworld.

"You're not dropping the armour are you?" Merlin asked with a hefty sigh, why this was like that time he had gone *undercover* with Lancelot.

"Never my friend!" The Paladin said, cheer dotting his reply only made Merlin sigh even more, nay not even Lancelot was this cheery, whilst they infiltrated the coven of death dragon cultists in the Catacombs of Paris.

"God help me," Merlin said sighing in amused annoyance, removing the barrier walking out followed by the Paladin of Charlemagne, "Better look for the nun," He muttered, snapping his fingers and subsequently checking for his tracer when it did not respond before snorting, it would have been too easy had it worked.

"Come Myrdin, there are adventures to be had!" Roland said, his voice boomed as he took off smiling, taking in the new look of the modern city walking towards the general direction of Kuoh.

"Wait for me!" Merlin yelled, running to catch up with the Paladin who had naturally long strides, "Not everyone is a perfect human!"

Up ahead the paladin of Charlemagne boomed in laughter as he kept walking.

~o~o~o~o~o~

Hades was sitting on his throne, as usual with Persephone next to him as he let his bored gaze look over hell before a vast boom of thunder well boomed despite being leagues away from the palace. And the whole complex being underground.

The god of death sighed as he took his more heavenly aspect of a raven-haired man wearing black and red robes wielding his Scepter, "Ostentatious as ever brother," he said, rolling his eyes, why would he ever come discreetly when he could be in his favoured domain of drama.

Persephone looked at him inquisitively, "Father has come my dear?"

Hades grumbled, "Who else is this noisy miles off, I swear he does it to annoy Poseidon and me."

Persephone chuckled as one of the strongest beings complained about his brother being a noisy neighbour, "We should greet father shouldn't we, he is our king?"

"No need the oaf's coming to u-"

Before Hades could complete his sentence he was emphasised by the doors slamming opening with a crackle, "Brother! I see you are well! You as well daughter!" Zeus said, his rumbling voice was hard to miss.

"I see you've yet to change," Hades said with a wry smile as he rolled his eyes.

Zeus roared with laughter as he pulled in Hades for a hug, "Never!" Before hugging his daughter as well whilst the Messiah stood there, waiting for the family reunion to end.

Hades's eye twitched before it landed on Minato who was just watching this happen with a look that said he did not believe what was happening. He could feel heaven's light in the boy, weren't they supposed to be enemies?

"How did you happen to come here, father?" Persephone said, the joyous mood was quickly cooled down by the appearance of the human, he felt odd, holy even.

Zeus suddenly grew serious as he looked pointedly at Persephone, "I'm afraid this is an Olympian level issue, my dear."

She rolled her eyes and left their room, huffing, "Honestly I'm a big girl now, I can attend meetings too you know?"

Hades looked at him warily, raising an eyebrow, "An Olympian issue not being discussed with the council brother?"

Zeus just railroaded onwards, still looking more sombre as he faced his brother, "I shall endeavour to be honest brother, we are here to visit Samael."

Hades eyes narrowed, "cooperating with the Christians again?" he said with contempt oozing through his voice, his eyes narrowing with an accusatory glare.

Zeus sighed, "Brother please, your fight is with the flying cows, not the pigeons," He looked at Hades pointedly, raising an eyebrow, "Or have you begun to aim your bitterness towards the Angels as well?"

Hades just then snapped his fingers and a door appeared, "I have not much against the angels, but beware she who guards the cursed, she was pure once, now… now she is something unique. Though I hardly feel one would face any trouble with her, she is after all greatly weakened."

The angel of death had exiled herself from heaven yet somehow, perhaps because of the purity of her intentions she had not fallen yet, a unique case of an angel weakening so much without dying or changing colours.

Minato just nodded, agreeing to the request by Helel to let him take over, as his twelve wings spread wide he looked at the Greek god, "By his name, which one of my siblings was not scared or foolish enough to permanently reside in the underworld?"

Hades stared at him, narrowing his eyes at the angel, before nodding at the door tersely, "Azrael guards your brother forever hoping he would forgive him," Hades snorted sardonically as his eyes remained fixed on Helel, "It doesn't matter if he's dead."

Helel snorted sardonically at the idea of his death, shaking his head in amused disagreement as he walked towards the door, "I noticed the lack of his constant light over us, he sleeps, he slumbers, he is weakened exponentially. But trust my word on this, killing God," He looked into Hades eyes, "Is Bloody Hard," he said, his self here had fought him four times, and despite being weakened so greatly not once they had come close to the feat of defeating him, not conclusively at least.

Hades raised an eye, staring at the angel's back with an amused yet suspicious glare before turning to face his brother, "Did that angel just swear?"

Zeus snorted, "I doubt he was on Nicky's good list before that either."

"I'll have you know I've only got coal three times over the millennia!" The Angel yelled over his back as he descended into the prison.

Zeus chortled at Helel's reply, before releasing a deeper laugh.

Samael had always been a prankster joking and japing even whilst in heaven and his humour was usually well-received, even by the heavenly father, though that was a low standard, in all honesty, father loved them all.

But his last prank was too much for even her father, he who had remained calm in the face of countless adversaries and his own child starting a war against him, like lava from a volcano his rage erupted furiously, he who had forseen the consequences of Samael's actions- of the great war- had cast down Samael, to be eternally punished for what the events he had unleashed, Azrael had begged father to reconsider- even Metatron tried to get him to consider shortening his sentence, just when it seemed like they would get him to budge both Metatron and he died.

But her father refused to budge even before that, how could he ever forgive Samael when he had imperilled so many of his siblings? Perhaps he would have eventually spared Samael, she would never know for he himself perished avoiding the fate wrought by Samael.

She was shaking as she gazed at the one who entered the prison, she did not have much strength left- for so long she had starved herself of all that Angels thrived off, almost imprisoned with her brother. Thus it was a reasonable error she mistook Helel in his glorious light shining as brightly as the old days when the Morning Star brought father's light to the people, after all Helel was dead, and who else had a light so close to their father? "Fa-Father?"

Helel's eyes widened before rage flooded his veins at the condition of his sister, horrified and furious at the same time, he was thankful for the barriers that separate this place from the main underworld. For he could not control his own light as it radiated pouring onto the small prison as if the ocean was enveloping as island very briefly he felt like those old days, the days when he was filled with anger and rage and only at the insistence of the Messiah he stopped.

Only to be horrified again by looking at his black wings, he had gone into his fallen form unconsciously, with great determination he changed back to his angelic form. His sister needed Helel, the Lord of the Sixth Heaven, the loving brother of all of his siblings. Not Lucifer Morningstar, the rebelling kinslayer.

At the same time, Minato took over briefly in order to summon another angel, before letting Helel take over again, "Persona!"

This one was an angel of metal, his metallic face shining with the same intensity of light Helel released had released, he was Metatron, the Voice of God.

"Aide Azrael brother, I'll see to Samael," Helel said, his voice was soft but underneath its softness, the iron of the former lord of the sixth heaven was still heard clearly by Metatron who nodded and carried a certain edge of steel in his voice.

Metatron walked over to his sister, gently holding her, before wielding the light of his father to do something he had often seen his father do, heal. Light flooded into his sister through their linked arms as she gasped, "B-Brother? You are ali-ive?"

Metatron simply nodded before pushing even more light to his sister, he would never be able to heal her completely, wounds and scars suffered over a millennia in a moment, "All will be alright sister, you have my word," Azrael had already slacked in his arms, her wings rapidly blazing back to their pure white colour, Metatron cracked a rare smile, "Sleep well sister, for today thy brother shall watch over thee, so says I, his voice."

His light was all that she knew as she fell asleep in his arms, he continued his gentle ministrations to her wings, grooming them warmly as they greedily absorbed his light to heal, his eyes solely devoted to his sister, a small whisper escaping his mouth, "I'm sorry. I failed you."

"We both did," Helel whispered.

Helel couldn't help but release a tear at the sight of Samael, his downtrodden form, even if it was not the Samael he originally knew he still loved his brother all the same, hollow eyes leaked blood constantly, his mouth was sealed with fangs poking out.

His wings, the very wings that he was so proud of were nailed and tarnished, looking like the wings of a fallen angel, his legs were gone, replaced with the body of the beasts he was once the bane of. Draconic scales were all he could really see if Helel himself was not a veteran of the great war he would have emptied his stomach.

"Brother, always the radiant prankster," Helel looked down sadly as another tear escaped his eye, "Till one day you took it too far," He shook his head slowly, before gently patting his shoulder and wincing as the angel flinched at his touch.

"How many of our brother and sisters fell or died in the war that begun by thy hands Samael?" Helel said before sighing, what point was asking questions before healing the prankster?

Helel was surprised to hear some mumble come from Samael's bound mouth his hands glowed as they moved across his mouth, ignoring the small cut on his fingers from his fangs, "What say thee, Brother?"

Samael lifter his face, his hollow eyes digging into his brothers stomach deeper than any daggers ever could, "I...said to-too many," before tears began pooling in where his eyes should have been as they cascaded down, "I am so sorry...always sorry, I accept this punishment. For there is no redemption for one who has sinned like I, the daemons merely did the deed, I am the one who killed them all," true regret coming from Samael shook even Helel, who was taken aback, so much regret. His father had clearly underestimated how sorry Samael would be, and it became his undoing for he never repented for he never wished to leave his punishment. He truly felt as if this punishment was just.

Helel gripped his hands slowly pushing his healing light into Samael's body, "Usually I let those who fall discover such for themselves, but, you deserve another chance brother," he said, or maybe it was horror at the condition of his kin that drove him, but all the same he was never going to let such a thing stand, and neither would the Messiah.

He started unravelling Samael's curse, "Thee has repented," His body, once looking like that of a monster slowly turned back into one belonging to an angel.

"Thee has been punished," His arms were healed, his wings turning back to the murky black of the fallen but with each word from Helel they turned lighter.

"But the lesson thee must understand," His eyes healed as in front of Helel stood an angel with twelve brownish wings.

"That so long as thee does not wish in thy heart to serve his purpose again, to once more fly with our brothers of silver, to once more defend the righteous and the innocent from the horrors of the darkness," He finished healing Samael who stared back at him.

Samael himself clinging to each word, and slowly turning back to the silver city, "Redemption comes from within, neither I nor father could redeem you. Only thy can."

Helel looked into his eyes, "I ask of thee brother, who are you?"

Samael clenched his fists, a new flame appearing in his eyes, "I am Samael! The Bane of Dragons" Light flared from a third source as bright as Metatron and Helel, "The Son of God!" His wings as pure as Helel's, white without an inkling of black on them.

They turned to Metatron who had Azrael in his arms, Helel was smiling, "Then let's get out of this hellho-"

He paused as a blue bird flashed in front of him, the angel frowned at the message, and scrunched his eyes, "How troublesome, what now Merlin?"

"We might have a problem," The Mage hesitated and let the sounds in the background seep in.

"MY SPINE!"

"Oh LORD NOT THERE!"

"Ple-ae-s not my-" The voice cut off with a massive heart wrenching screaming sob.

"THIS IS CHEATING, UNFa-"

Merlin gulped audibly, before cutting off the sounds in the background, "Roland might have gone Rambo on a rouge exorcist base and I'm fairly sure the devils sensed him before I cloaked us."

Helel released a sigh, as he massaged his head, "How. Troublesome."

As he was about to leave the Messiah dispelled Helel's persona, summoning him separate to himself and staring at the door with an annoyed look in his eyes, "We might have to fight."

"Brother, what's going on?" Samael questioned, his eyes fixated at the back of what appeared to be a young boy in confusion.

"Later," The angel murmured, "Fight whom, Messiah, surely some exorcists don't require both Metatron and I?"

"Messiah?" Samael murmured with wide eyes.

"They don't. He might," Metatron rumbled, pointing at the God of Death standing in their way, radiating an aura of chilling death with an apologetic Zeus standing behind him.

"I thought I'd been mistaken when I had sensed you, but the voice of God as well," Hades chuckled before abruptly letting out a small snarl, "Do you take me for a fool? How are the dead walking amongst the living, Lucifer?"

~Fin~

There goes the first chapter, suitably different style of writing and timeline to start our story off. Don't forget to review, as always I will try to respond as soon as I can.