Kokabiel PoV

  As I stepped into the void between worlds, I let out a light sigh that probably would have been inaudible if there was actually air here to carry sound.

  My mind was rather overwhelmed with the newfound revelations and responsibilities I'd somehow acquired.

  It was like watching a movie about your life after waking up with amnesia except this particular movie was significantly more unbelievable than anything Hollywood could produce.

  I'd had the intellectual knowledge that I used to be human in another life. Kazuma had mentioned it once in passing, back when I'd first joined the chat group.

  But actually seeing it for myself, experiencing Katie's memories of Arthur Morgan, changed something fundamental in me.

  Like a piece of a puzzle I hadn't known was missing suddenly clicked into place.

  It still wasn't enough to restore my actual memories of being Arthur. Those were gone, fading when I became an angel, then further obliterated when I transformed into an Outer God.

  But having context, understanding the shape of what I'd lost... that was helpful. Somewhat.

  Except now I was facing an entirely new moral dilemma about what to do from here on.

  Do I try to act more like my former self? Try to recapture some of that humanity I'd apparently once possessed? Or do I continue as my current self, the detached cosmic entity who barely understands emotions?

  And what the hell do I do about Katie?

  She loveda me—or rather, loves the memory of who I used to be. Could I truly return those pure, deeply rooted emotions? Was I even capable of love in my current state as an Outer God?

  Just great. Even as an omnipotent cosmic entity, I still experienced existential crises. Some things apparently transcended dimensional barriers and fundamental transformations.

  A notification pinged in my peripheral vision. The chat group interface.

  Of course.

  I sighed again and opened it, noting there were over a hundred unread messages.

  Apparently the others had been quite busy chatting while I was dealing with Klein's resurrection and Katie's emotional revelations.

  I scrolled through quickly—lots of speculation about my "lover," Kazuma making inappropriate jokes, Jin Woo threatening Kazuma, Yoruichi encouraging the chaos, Robin trying to be the voice of reason, Ritsuka malfunctioning with weird imaginations.

  Standard group dynamics.

  But a particular message caught my attention. It was latest, and from an unexpected source.

  [DxD World Will: Yo, aniki! Someone is trying to bully your adorable little world will! I need your help ASAP! UwU]

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to erase the mental pollution and cringe that single message had inflicted upon me.

  This was the problem with sentient world wills. They developed personalities. And mine had somehow developed the worst possible personality.

  [Heaven's Wrath: First of all, you are neither adorable nor little. Perverted and annoying? Absolutely.

  Second, why are you suddenly acting like some weird light novel character and speaking complete nonsense? That's not really your usual communication style.

  Lastly, explain the situation in twenty words or less without being intentionally vague.]

  [DxD World Will: Tch. I'm going to ignore that insult—not because you're a terrifying Outer God who could unmake me with a thought, but because I am a magnanimous and forgiving world will. smug emoji]

  [Heaven's Wrath: ...]

  [DxD World Will: Ahem... Are you done with your casual trip to terrorize another world? Then please come back soon!

  One of your outer god pals approaching our reality in person. I need my big scary bro to beat them up and save this poor, defenseless world! pleading emoji]

  [Heaven's Wrath: Setting aside the situation for a moment, when exactly did I become your 'big bro'?]

  [DxD World Will: Well, you technically live inside me, which makes us family by default. But you're way stronger than I am, so naturally I rely on you for protection! Isn't that enough to qualify as a sibling relationship?

  Not to mention how you violently wrecked my insides during your transformation, which made me tingle all over~ suggestive emoji]

  I was genuinely speechless for several long moments, just staring at the messages in disbelief.

  [Heaven's Wrath: You're intentionally doing this innuendo thing, aren't you? This is a deliberate attempt to make me uncomfortable.]

  [DxD World Will: Are you really gonna ignore a cute little innocent world getting violated by dark, writhing tentacles of cosmic horror?

  The terrible suffering that this pure maiden will face without her strong, reliable big brother to protect her? crying anime girl emoji]

  [Heaven's Wrath: If it's you specifically, I just might ignore it out of principle. Sadly, I have my siblings living in your reality, so I suppose I'm obligated to care.]

  [DxD World Will: ...Give me back my feelings, you heartless bastard!]

  [Heaven's Wrath: How long do I have before this entity arrives? Which one .... Ah, I think I know who might it be.]

  [DxD World Will: About a year, maybe less. And yes, it's your another stalker. You know how time becomes somewhat pointless when dealing with beings of our caliber. Linear progression is more like... wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff.]

  [Heaven's Wrath: Did you just quote a human television show at me?]

  [DxD World Will: Maybe. What are you gonna do about it? tongue out emoji]

  [Heaven's Wrath: Still not pointless enough for me to suffer your stupidity indefinitely.]

  I closed the chat interface, ignoring the world will throwing what I could only describe as a digital tantrum with excessive emoji usage.

  With a single thought, I appeared on the outskirts of the DxD world—technically still in the dimensional space surrounding it rather than inside the reality itself. I wanted to check the overall stability before entering.

  Everything looked fine from here. The world's barrier was intact, if slightly worn from the Great War's aftermath. The flow of time was normal. No obvious signs of dimensional tears or reality corruption.

  I should have enough time to return to Heaven, explain to my siblings why I'd be vanishing periodically like a deadbeat dad going out for milk, and prepare for whatever cosmic threat was approaching.

  I paused mid-thought.

  Where did that comparison come from? "Deadbeat dad going out for milk" wasn't the kind of reference I'd normally make. I'm capable of humor, certainly, but usually I employed it deliberately in social settings to blend in better.

  But lately I'd been making inside jokes without conscious thought, smiling more genuinely, sighing like an old man experiencing life's absurdities. I'd been changing internally without fully understanding or acknowledging it.

  How interesting. Perhaps Katie's memories had affected me more than I realized. Or maybe interacting with the chat group was slowly restoring some of my lost humanity.

  I shook my head and took a step forward, crossing the dimensional threshold into the DxD world proper.

  The world will made a playful, inappropriately suggestive moan as I entered. "Ahhnnnghhh~"

  Of all the World Wills across infinite realities, THIS is the one I'm stuck with. Just my luck.

  I ignored it completely and teleported directly to Heaven's Gates with another casual step through space.

  The massive pearly gates stood before me, gleaming with divine light. But something was odd, there were no guards stationed at their posts.

  Usually Ezekiel and Amael would be here unless they were off duty. But even then, there should be replacements. The gates were never left completely unguarded.

  I reached forward and knocked politely on the gates themselves.

  Then I chuckled at my own action. "Literally knocking on Heaven's door. How appropriate."

  The gates opened with a slight creak that shouldn't exist, divine constructs didn't develop mechanical problems. Someone must have added that deliberately for aesthetic effect. Probably Azrael.

  The head of Raguel, one of my direct subordinates and a capable middle-management angel, poked out through the gap. His eyes widened when he saw me.

  "Lord Kokabiel!" His face lit up with genuine joy and relief. "You're back! You're actually back!"

  He immediately turned and shouted back into Heaven, projecting his voice with divine authority so it would carry throughout the realm. "INFORM EVERYONE IMMEDIATELY! LORD KOKABIEL HAS RETURNED! WE HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT ANYMORE!"

  That seemed like a slight overreaction to my return, but Raguel was always a bit dramatic.

  I walked through the gates as they swung fully open, giving Raguel a questioning look. "What's going on, Raguel? Is there some kind of trouble I should know about?"

  Raguel sighed deeply, the sound carrying years of accumulated stress. "Yes, my lord, unfortunately there is. Your extended absence has caused some... unsavory individuals to start testing boundaries and causing problems."

  "Extended absence?" I frowned slightly. "I've only been gone for a year at most."

  Raguel nodded quickly. "Yes, this time, my lord. But nobody outside Heaven knew you'd returned after your 50 year absence.

  So when you left again so soon, the other factions assumed you were gone for good. They figured they'd test the waters, see if Heaven was truly vulnerable without you."

  He fell into step beside me as we walked through Heaven's outer courtyards. Angels were already gathering, word of my return spreading like wildfire. Many bowed or saluted as we passed.

  "What kind of problems are we talking about?" I asked.

  Raguel's expression darkened. "Nothing too serious yet, just some rogue devils from Lucifer's old faction causing issues in the borderlands. But the implications are concerning."

  He continued, speaking faster as he warmed to his explanation. "You remember Ajuka Astaroth? The devil you appointed as the new Beelzebub after you killed the original Satans?"

  I nodded. Ajuka was brilliant, genuinely one of the smartest beings in this world. Cold and logical, but with a strong sense of justice underlying his calculating nature.

  "Well, he invented something similar to your Angelic pieces," Raguel said. "He calls them Evil Pieces. It's actually quite ingenious—allows devils to recruit other races and grant them devil characteristics while boosting their powers.

  With this system, the devil population can finally start recovering their numbers after the Great War's losses."

  "That sounds like a positive development," I noted. "What's the problem?"

  "Rizevim Livan Lucifer," Raguel practically spat the name. "Lucifer's son. Arrogant, cruel, and utterly lacking in his father's strategic brilliance

  . He snuck into the Underworld and stole several sets of the Evil Pieces before Ajuka could properly secure them."

  Raguel's hands clenched into fists. "Now both sides are clamoring for war. The devils want the pieces back and are demanding Azazel hand over Rizevim since he's technically taking sanctuary with the fallen angels.

  Meanwhile, Azazel is insisting it's not his problem since Rizevim isn't officially part of his faction and denying He is there.

  Then we have old satan faction trying to ignite war after recruiting some strong people."

  "And Michael?" I asked.

  "Lord Michael sent official letters requesting dialogue and peaceful resolution," Raguel said. His tone made it clear what he thought of that approach.

  "They didn't even respond to his messages. Just ignored them completely, as if Heaven's requests were meaningless."

  I felt something stir in my chest. Not quite anger—I was still too calm for that. But definitely irritation. A slight hint of the emotion that I usually kept suppressed.

  Several of the decorative pillars lining the courtyard suddenly developed hairline fractures.

  They cracked with sounds like breaking ice, then disintegrated completely without a trace, turning to cosmic dust that faded from existence.

  Raguel didn't look scared by this display. Instead, his eyes practically sparkled with awe and admiration. "Yes! Exactly like that, my lord! That's what they need to see! A reminder that Heaven still has you!"

  I shook my head and stared at the empty spaces where the pillars had been. With barely a thought, two identical replacements materialized, looking as if they'd stood there for centuries.

  "Where are Michael and the others?" I asked, deliberately changing the subject. "I need to speak with them about several matters."

  "They're in the main meeting room, my lord," Raguel answered immediately. "Lord Michael, Lord Azrael, Lady Gabriel, and Lord Raphael are all present. Penemue was giving a report on the latest intelligence when I left to check the gates."

  He hesitated for a moment, seeming to wrestle with something internally. Then he spoke carefully. "Can I ask you something, my lord? If you don't mind?"

  I shifted my expression from a slight frown to a more approachable smile. "Of course, Raguel. I'll try to answer to the best of my capabilities. We've known each other for centuries, you don't need to be so formal with personal questions."

  He looked down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable. "Why don't you just become our leader like before, my lord? Everyone would support you.

  We all respect Lord Michael deeply, but he's often too passive in his approach, which causes the other factions to behave more and more arrogantly."

  Raguel's voice grew stronger, more passionate. "When you were actively leading Heaven, none would dare to even look up disrespectfully. Those devils wouldn't even THINK about ignoring our communications. But now?" He gestured helplessly. "They treat us like we're weak. Like we're not worth their time."

  He looked up at me, genuine confusion in his eyes. "I just don't understand, my lord. Why won't you lead us again?"

  I sighed and placed a hand on Raguel's shoulder, making him look up with nervous pride. He knew this casual gesture wasn't something I gave freely, most angels received formal distance from me.

  "Raguel, I understand your doubts completely," I said gently. "And I know many others share your feelings. But you need to understand something about leadership."

  I continued, choosing my words carefully. "Leadership is a terrible burden, best suited for those who genuinely care about people and are willing to sacrifice everything for their wellbeing.

  I lost too much during the Great Wa. lost pieces of myself that can't be recovered. That loss made me unable to properly shoulder that burden anymore."

  Raguel opened his mouth to protest, but I held up a hand.

  "As for Michael," I said, "he is a kind and gentle soul who doesn't want any of you harmed. We're already so few in number after losing so many in the war. Michael is ensuring you all remain safe and protected."

  I looked Raguel directly in the eyes. "If Heaven went around provoking others without overwhelming strength to back it up, some of you would die. Enemies might kill you in their ignorance or anger.

  Yes, we would retaliate, we'd end their entire pantheon or race if necessary. But that wouldn't bring you back from death, would it?"

  I squeezed his shoulder gently. "Peace is a luxury we earned by losing thousands of our brothers and sisters. Don't take it for granted or throw it away cheaply."

  I paused, then added, "From now on, I'll try to be present in Heaven more consistently. Although I will still have to leave periodically for extended periods.

  There are terrible things approaching this world. beings that could erase everything with a snap of their fingers. I have to stop them to keep you all safe. That's a responsibility I can't delegate."

  Raguel nodded slowly, clearly still torn between his warrior instincts and my logical explanation. "Understood, my lord. I will respect your decision and trust your judgment."

  He hesitated, then added quietly, "But we miss having you around, Lord Kokabiel. Heaven feels more like home when you're here."

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  I gave him a genuine smile. "I've missed being here too, Raguel. More than I realized."

  I continued walking toward the meeting room. Angels lined the corridors, and they all bowed respectfully as I passed. Some whispered excitedly to each other, others simply stared in awe.

  I gave them casual waves and nods, trying to maintain an approachable demeanor rather than the cold distance I'd maintained for centuries.

  As I approached the meeting room, I could hear voices inside. Penemue was speaking, giving what sounded like a strategic report.

  "Sirzechs Lucifer has personally gone out to search for Rizevim," she was saying.

  "And Ajuka is working on a method to remotely deactivate the stolen Evil Pieces. But so far, we've received no response to our diplomatic letters and no updates on their progress."

  I could hear Gabriel's gentle voice respond. "Um, maybe they're having issues with communication infrastructure? Perhaps we could give them a few more days before taking any action?"

  Michael sighed audibly. "We need to set a precedent, sister. If the devils act this way with impunity, what message does that send to the other factions?

  They'll think their suspicions are correct—that Kokabiel truly isn't here in Heaven anymore. Then they might grow bold enough to attack us directly."

  He paused. "And while we could certainly defend ourselves and win, how many angels would die in the process? How much would we lose?"

  Azrael's voice came next, dry and resigned. "So we do nothing? Just accept their disrespect?"

  I decided to offer a helpful suggestion from my position just outside the door. "We could just erase them from the planet entirely. That would solve the problem quite efficiently."

  There was a moment of stunned silence.

  Then Michael's voice, with a vein of frustration clearly audible. "We are NOT eradicating entire species for diplomatic insults! That's exactly the kind of—and only Kokabiel would suggest something so... wait."

  I could practically hear him processing, realizing mid-sentence that the voice hadn't come from anyone actually in the meeting room.

  "Son of a—" Michael cut himself off abruptly.

  I pushed the door open and walked in casually, smiling at everyone. "When did you come back?" is what you meant to ask, right, Michael?"

  Before anyone could respond properly, two figures launched themselves at me from different directions.

  "Brother! You're finally back!" Gabriel's voice was muffled against my chest as she collided with me in a tight hug.

  "Kokabiel-sama! I missed you so much!" Penemue wrapped her arms around me from the side, squeezing enthusiastically.

  I hugged them both, actually feeling something warm in my chest at their genuine affection. Then I looked up at Michael with an amused expression.

  "You were about to say something not very angelic there, oh brother mine," I said innocently. "Interesting. When exactly did you start swearing?"

  Azrael, standing near the far window, grinned widely. "Dealing with centuries of political bullshit and administrative paperwork does that to people. Welcome back, brother. Looks like your timing is perfect as usual."

  Michael rubbed his forehead tiredly, looking far older than usual despite his eternally youthful appearance.

  "I genuinely feel like joining Azazel in the Fallen sometimes. At least he doesn't have to deal with this bureaucratic nightmare you left on my desk when you disappeared."

  Raphael, who'd been studying some complex anatomical structures on a floating light screen, dismissed her work and smiled brightly.

  "Welcome back, Brother Kokabiel! Now that you're here, I can finally abandon these boring political meetings and return to my research. You have no idea how tedious it is listening to trade negotiations and border dispute resolutions."

  I chuckled as I carefully escaped from Gabriel and Penemue's embrace—Gabriel reluctantly released me, but Penemue tried to hold on until I gently but firmly detached her.

  "I appreciate the warm welcome," I said sincerely. "It's good to be home. How have you all been during my absence?"

  Gabriel looked up at me, still clutching a handful of my coat like she was afraid I'd vanish again. I patted her head gently, running my fingers through her golden hair.

  "It's okay, sister. I'm here now."

  Penemue immediately pouted. "I want head pats too!"

  I sighed but relented, giving her the same treatment. She practically purred with happiness, making satisfied humming sounds.

  Then suddenly she stopped, her expression shifting. She sniffed the air near me suspiciously.

  "Wait a minute!" Her eyes narrowed. "I smell another woman on you! Perfume, divine energy signature, definitely female!"

  Gabriel went very still. Then she also started sniffing, her angelic senses analyzing the traces of Katie's presence that still clung to me.

  "Yes! I can detect it too!" Gabriel looked up at me with an expression of betrayal. "Is this your way of 'helping out a friend,' BROTHER??"

  Raphael, always helpful, added more fuel to the fire with clinical precision. "So what if he met someone? Kokabiel is nearly perfect in every measurable way. It's actually surprising that more women haven't tried to pursue him romantically."

  She continued mercilessly, "Did you all forget how many female angels literally Fell because of lust when he was first born three thousand years ago? His appearance caused a minor crisis in Heaven's stability."

  Michael and Azrael, demonstrating impressive survival instincts, both took several steps backward to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Smart move.

  I tried to explain before this escalated further. "I did go to help my friend, yes. But some unexpected things happened, and I encountered someone I apparently knew before.

  Through a series of complicated circumstances, she became my Queen piece."

  Gabriel looked genuinely shocked, her anger momentarily forgotten. "You actually recruited another follower? I've been trying to build my peerage for decades and I only have one member so far!"

  I gently but firmly pushed away Penemue, who was attempting to invade my personal space while examining me for further evidence of female contact.

  "She somewhat insisted on it," I explained. "Very forcefully. I saw no good reason to refuse given the circumstances."

  Raphael asked with genuine academic curiosity, "I still have difficulty comprehending how you travel to completely different worlds.

  The dimensional physics involved should be impossible. And you're planning on actually bringing people from those other realities here?"

  If only she knew the rest. I hadn't told any of them the full details about the chat group, the missions across different universes, or exactly what kinds of cosmic threats I was regularly dealing with.

  The chat group system couldn't actually do anything to stop me from revealing its existence, but I'd chosen not to share everything. I wanted to spare my siblings the extra worry whenever I was gone.

  Sometimes ignorance really could be bliss. If they knew the full scope of the threats I faced, knew how absolutely powerless they would be against those entities, they would resent their own weakness. That resentment would poison their peace.

  Better to let them think I was just unusually powerful and occasionally dealt with problems outside Heaven.

  I deliberately redirected the conversation. "So, Gabriel, who did you choose as your follower? You mentioned I haven't met them yet since I left before you found someone suitable."

  Her entire demeanor brightened immediately, anger completely forgotten in her enthusiasm. "Oh yes! You haven't met her yet! You'll absolutely love her, she's the cutest, most dedicated person!"

  She turned toward the door and called out loudly, "Jeanne! Come inside please! I want to introduce you to my brother!"

  I looked toward the door with curiosity as it opened.

  A young woman entered, moving with careful, practiced grace. She wore a modest but well-made dress in Heaven's style, and her posture was that of someone who'd received extensive training.

  She was pretty in a wholesome, girl-next-door way—blonde hair cut practically short, clear eyes that held both determination and lingering trauma, an honest face that had seen too much suffering for someone her age.

  She bowed deeply and respectfully. "I'm here, my lady. Do you have any commands for me?"

  Gabriel immediately moved over and grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to the group. "I've told you repeatedly, don't be so formal! You're one of us now, part of the family. You can just call me Gabriel, or even just Gabby chan if you want!"

  Jeanne shook her head firmly. "That would be great disrespect toward you, my lady. You saved my life and gave me a chance to enter Heaven after my mistakes and failures. I shall dedicate my entire being to proving worthy of your trust and redemption."

  Gabriel pouted adorably and pulled at Jeanne's cheeks. "Mou! You're embarrassing me in front of my brother by being so formal! We're supposed to be friends, not superior and subordinate!"

  She released Jeanne's cheeks and gestured at me enthusiastically. "Anyway! Jeanne, meet Kokabiel, my brother and the strongest angel in all of creation. He's usually traveling around dealing with cosmic problems, but he just returned today."

  Jeanne immediately slipped out of Gabriel's grasp and knelt formally, head bowed. "It is an immense honor to meet you, Lord Kokabiel. I have heard so much about your legendary deeds from the other angels.

  You are admired fervently throughout Heaven. I have been looking forward to meeting you in person since Lady Gabriel first mentioned you."

  She looked up, her eyes shining with genuine reverence. "I strive to become someone even half as capable and dedicated as you someday, my lord."

  I smiled gently and reached down, patting her head before she could protest or pull away.

  She flinched slightly at the contact, clearly not expecting such casual affection from someone of my status.

  "Come on, it's fine," I said warmly. "Like Gabriel said, no need for excessive formality. We're basically family now that you're part of her peerage."

  With a single glance, I could perceive her entire history—one of the benefits of Omniscience.

  Jeanne D'Arc, the Maid of Orléans. She'd led her people to multiple impossible victories against overwhelming odds, driven by genuine faith and love for her country.

  And then those same people had abandoned her. Betrayed her to their enemies. Let her be tried as a heretic and witch by those who'd always resented her success.

  When they'd tried to burn her at the stake, Gabriel had been moved by her sincere prayers—not for her own salvation, but for forgiveness for those who were about to kill her.

  That kind of pure, selfless faith was rare.

  Gabriel had descended in a dramatic display of divine power, arriving with light shows and angelic hymns right as they were about to light the pyre.

  A beautiful angel descending with overwhelming holy authority while they were executing someone as a heretic... that didn't go over well with the executioners.

  The people thought Jeanne truly was a saint and they'd been bewitched into trying to kill her. They'd broken down sobbing when Gabriel looked at them with disappointment and left, carrying Jeanne to Heaven.

  A huge rebellion had erupted. The king of Britain hadn't dared attack when France reformed into the Holy Empire of Francia with Gabriel's implicit backing.

  Even the Vatican had tried to investigate, and Gabriel had firmly told them to officially canonize Jeanne as a saint or face her displeasure.

  Jeanne, meanwhile, had clung to Gabriel as her light in darkness and willingly became her Bishop piece.

  I looked at Jeanne thoughtfully and spoke with deliberate interest. "A saint condemned to burning at the stake. No wonder that particular Sacred Gear chose you as its wielder. Life can be deeply ironic sometimes."

  At my words, a manifestation appeared—a holy cross burning with beautiful azure flames. It pressed against my palm affectionately, radiating warmth and recognition.

  Jeanne's mouth fell open in surprise as her Sacred Gear materialized without her conscious command.

  Incinerate Anthem—one of the 14 Longinus-class Sacred Gears that Yahweh and I had designed together millennia ago.

  Of those fourteen ultimate weapons, I'd worked personally on the top ranked ones.

  True Longinus, Sword of Genesis, Zenith Tempest, Annihilation Maker, and Telos Karma as something of a practical joke.

  Incinerate Anthem had been primarily created by Yahweh, but I'd added the final modifications.

  I'd changed the flame color from purple to azure blue and infused the concept of stellar heat using my authority as the Angel of Stars. The flames could now burn with the intensity of a star's core.

  No wonder it was reacting to me like this, it recognized its creator.

  Gabriel quickly reassured the startled Jeanne. "It's alright! Kokabiel helped Father design most of the Sacred Gears. It's completely normal for yours to recognize him as one of its creators."

  Jeanne visibly relaxed. "Ah, I understand now, my lady. That makes sense."

  I gently stroked the burning cross, which hummed with what could only be described as joy. "I'm glad to see you again as well, old friend. You've found the perfect host, take good care of her."

  The Sacred Gear pulsed warmly in acknowledgment before fading back into Jeanne's soul.

  I looked around at all my assembled siblings and took a deep breath. Time to deliver the bad news.

  "I need to speak to you all about something important," I said seriously. "There's trouble coming. The world-ending kind."

  Michael straightened immediately, his earlier frustration forgotten. "What kind of trouble?"

  "A being approximately as powerful as me is approaching our world," I said bluntly. "I have to stop it at all costs. We have about a year at most before it arrives."

  The room went very quiet. They all understood the implications immediately. A being as strong as me meant something that could casually destroy pantheons, rewrite reality, unmake existence itself.

  Michael sighed heavily. "Of course there is. Can we help in any way, brother?"

  I shook my head. "Even Great Red would be one-shotted by this entity. Ophis wouldn't last ten seconds. This is something I need to handle personally."

  I tried to lighten the mood with humor. "Maybe you guys will get to watch a good fight for once. Just don't start selling tickets or I'll be offended."

  Azrael shook his head wryly. "Not really the time for jokes, brother."

  Gabriel looked at me with tears forming in her eyes. "Are you absolutely sure you'll be fine? You won't get hurt or..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Or just disappear again and never come back?"

  I moved over and patted her head again, more gently this time. "Of course not. I'm fighting to protect you and this world. everything I care about. Your brother is the strongest being in this reality, remember? I don't plan on losing."

  Raphael added from the side, "Strongest idiot, perhaps."

  I smiled at her. "Yet still the strongest nonetheless."

  Michael coughed, clearly trying to move past the heavy atmosphere. "You just returned, brother. Go freshen up, rest, and join us for dinner. We can discuss strategy and contingencies later. For now, just be home."

  I smirked, unable to resist. "You still haven't finished explaining when you started swearing, Michael. I'm very curious about this character development."

  He just sighed deeply, looking exhausted. "Damn it, Kokabiel. Just... damn it."

  The room erupted in surprised laughter. Michael swearing, even mildly, was so unusual that it broke all the tension.

  And standing there surrounded by my siblings' laughter, feeling their genuine affection and relief at my return, I felt something I'd almost forgotten existed.

  I felt like I was truly home.