Chapter 153

Chapter 153
Arviel
He looked shocked at first, then defensive.
“Now is not the time for speeches like that.” Xaxas growled, but I took my grandson’s hand. He was shaking, hesitant, but at some point, all of us who’d had children sat in the same seat. Delivery became what I practiced first when I picked up the idea of being ‘Dr. Sampson’. “Why are you helping us?”
“Because if you claim me as your grandfather or not, the Lord of the Lesser Gods is born, and a little less yoke is off my shoulders for it… And for what it’s worth, the war’s over. We have mates…. I cannot allow someone so precious to be in danger like that again…. Harmony, once they are removed, I’ll sew you up.”
Evil
To be fair, that level of darkness from a baby is impressive. This is a Night child, he is supposed to make that energy.
“Alright.” Harmony watched us both. 
I held his hands, and he cut her open carefully. This procedure was honestly simple enough. She had no issues other than sort of needing the C-section, and I’d done so many I stopped counting. One of my many hobbies was having a more successful practice than Zuviel because I’m not out for anybody’s soul.
The mortals already belong to me. I made most of them… but I won’t lie and say that I didn’t crave their admiration…. But I know better now.
Mortals worship me or they don’t.
It makes me no difference as much as I would like the veneration. But I shined my light on them, and washed away my doubts on the brood of the Night Court. 
“You’re already done. Now pull out the one you want born first.” I said taking hold of her hand gently. “May you feel the light of the sun. This will prevent you from hurting.”
“I don’t… thank you.” She said full of every emotion. Xaxas put their son in her hands. Looking at my great grandson was bittersweet. He will never accept me, and this may be the only time I am invited, but I earned that…
I know now why father used to say, ‘let your conscious be your guide, but do not let your guide deceive you’…. On my own, I thought I was right, and that my light was a testament of it… I will not let the children be like I was…. 
“Our son is to be their big brother.” Said Xaxas a little dazed. He held their daughters, looking at them like he looks at his mate…. “How unreal… We’re parents. Welcome to the world.”
Their son had black hair, not brown. He had their horns though, and they were already razer sharp now that they were exposed to the air. I could probably cut paper on them.
My little girls were also placed in Harmony’s hands. To be so small they were so heavy. Her inner wolf, Lummi yipped and danced now that they were born, and she wanted Harmony to shift so she could tend to them the wolf’s way. However, they were born with human forms. 
“What are their names Xaxas?” she asked. The babes awaited their names.
“No…. You did all the work, please my songbird, that is your right.” He encouraged.
“Then I want you to…. They will rule all the Lesser gods…. I don’t want to pick something non-traditional.” She said as they slept. They couldn’t stay awake as much as they really wanted to.
I didn’t say anything. I tried staying out the way of their special moment, scrubbing up, and making sure she was sewn correctly. I did everything by myself, as did Zuviel. Without the restriction of masking ourselves, we used the natural energies of the mothers for them to heal.
Harmony would heal faster with their court’s magic, not mine. About the same time, Asanguis and Arviel had delivered those babies. They cried, as they did need air. 
And seeing Harmony so excited… so excited to be a mother. I silently blessed them. 
“Zulliba our youngest is the Goddess of Redemption: The nickname of ‘The Lawyer’ , Zohlliba the Goddess of Persecution: Nicknamed: ‘The Prosecutor’, and Zairiel our eldest, the God of Obliteration, Nicknamed: ‘the Executioner’. Those titles are almost as important as their godship, as it gives a bit of clarity to their jobs.”  He said warmly.
“You didn’t go for Zuzu’shevaal?” I asked surprise. By rights, he should have either his father… or claimed grandfather’s name segments… not mine.
“Fuck no.” Xaxas rolled his eyes.
“That’s stupid!” Shouted the Horned One.
“Then I’ll accept the honor. Lia would have come, but she’s waiting the full term with ours.” I left…. I know I shouldn’t have, but I just needed some air. Just a moment Above.
“My dear, are you Sure you don’t want to go down?!” I asked excitedly. “All 6 are adorable!”
She was in our bedroom, looking at colors for the realm I was making for our unborn son. He will be the God of Protection, the counter to Zairiel. My hope is they will be fond friends.
Zairiel will have a few hundred thousand years to establish a reputation for himself. Good or bad, it will be his own doing.
“No Sunny.” She giggled. I did glow right now, but how couldn’t I? Today is a joyous one.
“I’ll be back in a moment.” I smiled, stealing a peck on her forehead.
“I must also right a wrong for my daughters.” Said Xaxas, looking at them fondly. He’d always wanted children, and now he has his 4 greatest wishes. “My little ones, I am the Judge, but you are the Jury. Of all the gods in the realm, only you two may overrule me, besides the Queen, or those who share One. Because of this, you may not gain my sword’s skill, but your talent with magic will be on par with your brother’s sword… I give you the ability to warp reality. Don’t abuse it.”
“So, our daughters have their father’s magic, and our son has his swordplay…?” Harmony asked feeling a little anxiety for them… Their girls are like Eskaal… strong… but physically defeatable alone.
“I like that. That’s fair.” I said nodding my head. “And don’t worry little one. I can see their souls both have ‘ineligible for deletion’ stamped on them, meaning they may even traverse the Pit or Summit’s inner sanctum. That must be through the mate bond.”
…one of them is attached to my old cat….
Where IS he?!
He’s just like a housecat, never coming when called!
“Yes my love…please don’t worry.” Xaxas came over to gently place his hands on each of their heads, and kissed her on the forehead. “They may not have physical strength, but they hold my authority. When they speak, it will be as if it is from my mouth. When they sit upon their thrones that I just finished this morning, souls will tremble. And Zairiel will be just as good with his sword. I can’t wait to train him.”
“By their words they can pardon or condemn… by their order will their brother swing his sword to behead sinners on the spot, or entire worlds… or gods who get out of line.” I saw the quality of his soul…He has potential. “I really like Zairiel… Train him well Xaxas.”
He is a Bringer of the End, but he will do so with justice… that is good.
“I intend on teaching him cataclysmic magic.” Said Xaxas. “He’ll be able to warp reality too, but not nearly with as much skill. I’ll add a one second delay to his magic. He should be able to blow up a sun by 5 and a galaxy by 5 thousand.”
I nodded. Sounds about right. I’d add the suggestion to- there was a timid tap on my shoulder.
“I think I need to transfer realms sir.” Said Zumitas, appearing as a bolt of black lightning, and actually nervous I’d be upset. “I felt drawn to come, and I wondered why until I arrived… It seems one of them is my mate.” He pointed to Zohlliba.
“Lulliba… how cheeky.” I grinned a little wider than usual, because I discovered her little plan already. “Go help Zytherian. Did you know?” 
“No.” both Xaxas and Harmony said at the same time.
“I like the idea.” Harmony said as the little ones still slept. “Heralds cannot be destroyed or killed… and their caretakers share that with them.” 
I did as well.
With Zytherian as Zulliba’s mate, and Zumitas as Zohlliba’s mate, Life is permanent. They won’t be able to die, or be killed. That was done so no one targets the messengers of the gods. Plus, my herald finally has someone who will love him. until now, he’s been literally a virgin drowning at the bottom of the damn ocean…. Not even knowing the Keys to the Moon Realm was inside his foot.
“Why do I keep coming down here?” Asked Aris’s herald, Devastation, the Great Bone-Eating Vulture.
He’s a great devourer of the worlds who are ruined by War…. He looks like Aris too, except his hair is bone white, and a well-kept, braided beard that stopped at his pecks. He turns into an off-white bearded vulture… “Lord Asanguis, I believe we’re in-laws.”
So he’s going to that world too.
“I believe so as well. Come see which daughter is yours.” Said Asanguis.
“I’m glad she didn’t pick Aris.” Said Xaxas.
Why’d he have to go and say it though?
He’s over here, ruining the moment! I’ve heard of other pantheons who, like mortal nobility, marry cousins and such but we ruled unanimously against that. It may keep powers in the family, and bloodlines the way the elves like it, but I find it in poor taste. I find it so because eventually, it leads to stagnation.
“Noxxen, my eldest seems to be the Demigod of the Grave, and Rest.” Said Asanguis, to change the subject. “Nazza and Nezzi share Dreams and Nightmares.”
“….So now the mortals resting places will be protected…. Grave Hounds will become even rarer… but this isn’t a bad thing… It meant less people are going to be raised again because they were disturbed… or that their graves were being robbed.” Said Xaxas.
“Zumitas you are barred from Urth until Zohlliba turns 20.” I said, firmly. “Same with you and Nezzi.”
“…. I’ll help Zytherian then.” Zumitas bowed. “The connection is muted there, since that realm’s portals and gateways are closed off to the In-between, and magic travel.”
I went home, yet as soon as I sat on my throne, Apythmenous gave me a black letter, an invitation to come babysit ….
I blinked twice.
“Sunny, you’re glowing again.” Sang Lia, and I handed her the letter. “Why are you surprised? I’ve told you for years the same thing.”
“You did.” I chuckled. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen…. That I was a terrible husband, and father to our children… that I chased the skirt of every female who leered at me… that I-”
A hand was placed on my cheek, and I powered down.
“Enough. Your actions speak louder than your words.” she said shaking her head. “Now help me with the nursery realm. I don’t want blue. Blue is so overdone. I’m thinking green!” she beamed.