×Chapter 180×Luminous Era

~~~~

*Dxd World*

*Human World*

*Japan*

*Kyoto*

*Youkai Kingdom*

*Palace*

.""Maybe I should, I-I can't just leave it like this, I.. .no no I can't, he is evil, I exist to balance the world, no I can't"".

.""But wait, if he loves me I can change him, I can lead him to the right path....but maybe not, but, *sigh*"".

.""Why is life so hard and unfair, why can't everything just go right for once in my life, I hate it Agh!!!"".

Walking up and down her bedroom talking to herself was Yasaka, she right now was under alot of stress and regret, not knowing what to do.

Her daughter stopped talking to her, her guilt and regret was eating at her, it was like the entire world was falling apart and down on her.

."*Sigh* what do I do...."Yasaka said to herself almost pulling out her hair, her heart ached, the world was spinning and her head was light.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

Just then someone knocked on the door and to Yasaka's surprise the person didn't wait, they just opened the door walking in making her angry, but her expression changed.

Who it was brought even more guilt to Yasaka.

It was Kunou, her eyes were red and under them were baggy probably from crying."Mama, I'm running away again, I'm not coming back."She said turning around and walking away, not even bothering to run.

Yasaka just stared at her daughters back in shock, she can't believe what she just heard."Wha, Kunou come back here this instant!."She said sternly coming back to her senses, quickly she walked out the room also.

Kunou didn't even answer her, she continued walking with a calm expression, one that portrayed that she was serious about her decision.

."KUNOU, I will count to 3, stop right now!."Yasaka said as she bit her lips, her heart beating faster and her chest becoming heavy hitching her breath in her throat.

.""1"".

Kunou's eyebrow twitched but she still didn't stop her steps, she will go to Haile no matter what, she doesn't want to stay here anymore, she is not happy here.

.""2"".

Yasaka clenched her fist, if she is being honest with herself, she would also like to just run away, but she had been doing her duty for over a thousand years, how can she suddenly just quit, it didn't feel right at all.

.""....."".

Kunou went around the cordor's corner disappearing from her mother's view not yet hearing the 3rd number of her mother's threat, she in all honesty sighed in relief just a but not letting it show on her face.

Yasaka remained silent as she looked at the now empty cordor, her hand lift slightly but she stopped herself."...Take...take me too...."She whispered to herself as she entered her bedroom again shutting the door behind herself.

~

Out in Kyoto Yasaka's place, somewhere in the city underground, a new force at been awakened or better yet, created, a power to rule the world from the shadows, as ghost of the Gods above, they are, Luminous Era, The light of the darkness.

In this secret underground base of the Luminous Era, the balance and power structure of the world is frequently discussed.

In a dim hall 10 large stone pillars stood tall, on them was 10 black thrones seemingly carved out of this very same pillar, seated on these thrones were 10 beings, all humans in the flesh, they were the 10 Great Popes, most of them were dressed in white robes, the other's more freely expressed.

Infront of the 10 pillars, 33 shorter ones existed slightly lower, these were the first 33, the 33 Stars Of Domination, they were sitting on the pillars covered from head to toe in a long beautiful black cloak, embroided with various expressive jewels and runes.

Standing below all of this was a lone girl nervous, head bowed not looking up at them, not daring to even breathe too loudly, she had long blonde hair, yellow-gold eyes and a small petite figure, she was cute and looked innocent.

.""Child, raise your head, you are in the sacred place of our God, the safest place on earth, Luminous Era, you can call me Pope Ciaa"".

One of the Popes spoke, it was a woman, green hair, light blue eye, seemed to be in her 30s but also remains beautiful and full of youth, her figure being hidden by her large robe, which being white carried a pattern of her rank on her chest, number 1, though it was hard to see so one probably wouldn't notice it.

The girl down below looked up stiffly, she was obviously scared."He-hello.."She said in a small voice, her eyes began to get watery maybe from fear.

The Popes and 33 Stars Of Domination nod at her greeting, Ciaa smiled."Do you know why you are here Liz?."She asked gently seeing her being so fidgeting.

."..Yes..I mean n-no..um I don't know..."Liz said unconfident, her head dropped again as a timid expression appeared on her face.

Ciaa tilt her head at the girl, she looked at the other Popes who shrugged it off, she wonder why the girl was so frightened of them, she was the one that contacted them first wanting to join their organization.

."Liz, didn't you fill out one of these forms on the internet?."Ciaa asked as she held up a form with all sorts of information and greetings, basically a run down of the organization rules, what was expected of the members and what they stand to gain from joining.

Liz gained an expression of realization."Oh yeah, I did sign up on a strange website I saw online...I didn't really believe that it was..real.."She said playing with her finger even more nervously.

."Mm, I see, matters not, the reason we accepted was we believe that you could be a very valuable asset to us, an up and coming Idol with hundreds of thousands of fans so far, even I must admit I enjoyed your music, so does Inanuma, he's a fan."Ciaa said as she glance across to another Pope.

Pope Inanuma, short black hair, green eyes, a fairly normal face, not very handsome or remotely ugly but with a confident and uncaring expression he released an extraordinary natural charisma.

He is one that chose not to don a robe and wore a more casual and layed back wear, he had both his feet over the armrest of his throne."Yo".He said giving a small two finger salute, that brought attention to a number behind his head carved onto his throne, number 2.

."Ni-nice to meet you sir, tha-thank you for liking my music."Liz said bowing her head shyly, but it warmed her heart that even great people like them had heard of her songs.

Ciaa smiled at her, she's so cute."Alright moving on, it said here on your application, you are willing to join in exchange for 1 million dollars, is that so?."She asked looking down at her.

."Wou-would you, I-I can bring it down i-if it's too much."Liz said losing more confidence, she didn't want to make these people angry.

Inanuma look down at her calmly."Why so fidgety and frighten, we don't bite, we only sometimes destroy, speak, is that what you want in exchange for your loyalty, use your chest to speak li-girl."He said glancing at her casually.

."I-i umu...Ye-ye-yes...please...my-my mother..."Liz said as tears came from her eyes and her body trembled slightly as she squeezed her hands together.

Inanuma looked at Ciaa who was looking at a paper, it was information on Liz they had gathered, Ciaa looked back at Liz."We know of your situation, about your mother, in the hospital dying, no money cause you are being taken advantage of by your agency, barely any care from the doctors, it's tragic really."She said calmly as she rest her hand under her chin.

."Will-will you really help me then?."Liz asked with hopeful eyes.

Ciaa smiled as her eyes glint slightly."Yes of course, but are you will to do something for me, with us you will have riches beyond your wildest imagination, connections to every agency in the world, wanna be a popstar, Rockstar, Rapstar, anything we can help you, want to go down in history we can make that happen, for your mother we can give access to our greatest doctors, she will be taken care of."She said her eyes gaining a more potent light.

."...Wh-what will I ha-have to do."Liz took a step back as she asked, she read the form, she saw the things they talked about, world domination, new order of the world and stuff like before creating anew destruction must first come.

.""Hahahaha, frightened now"".

Another Pope chuckled at her expression, he was a scary looking ball head man, even with a white robe one could see his large muscular frame, he was like 3 meters tall, on his face was a long scar, his robe and on his throne marked number 3.

.""Eek!!!"".

Liz jumped a bit as she saw this person, he was like a big demon casting a shadow on the whole world.

.""*~Stop scaring the girl Jono, your face is not to be taken likely especially in this dimly lit hall Hahahaha~"".

The Pope on his right spoke laughing at him, it was a lady, much younger than Ciaa, she had long dark black hair and pitch black eyes which seemed to be a bit dull, she wore a long dress and held an umbrella which she propped on, the throne behind her was marked number 4.

Jono breathed out a puff of smoke."*Hmpm* children love my face, too bad we won't be able to test that out on yours, no man would ever lay with you Imoia, you dull emo witch."He said looking away from her.

."You, overgrown bastard, come say that a little closer, I'll fry you like a pig, I'll be doing a favor to the world, even a mother can't love your face."Imoia said as she gripped her umbrella tightly ready to fight.

.""Alright alright spoiled children, let us remain calm, please do not quarrel infront of the guest, it is unbecoming of a great Pope"".

An old Pope said with a warm smile, he was dressed in a well tailored suit, he had a homely old face like warm butler and a mouthstash, his throne was number 5.

."*Gasp* i-i know you, ar-are you not Sir Larfred Vernis Navillion Von Goldberg Ashton Wesley???."Liz said as she pointed to the old man in the suit with surprise."Wow, aren't you supposed to be dead, ah um I-I mean, uh uh, sorry..."

The oldman smiled warmly."Indeed, it is I, you can call me Pope Larfred, I guess we can do that, why don't we all introduce ourselves to the girl, I feel like it interrupts the flow."He said looking to the other's whose names she had not at least heard.

.""My name is Pope Neon"".

.""I am Pope AIavalanch"".

.""Crissy, nice to meet you"".

.""Pope Hansha"".

.""....My...name...is Saint...my dear"".

Pope Neon was a short man, even while sitting down one can tell this difference, he wore a hat and suit reminiscence of an american mafia boss, he had no beard or visible hair, his eyes were pure red, his throne was marked 6.

Pope Alavalanch was a strange one, it was a woman who looked in her teens or early 20s, she looked almost sickly like a scientist who never sleeps, long white hair with strands of black, deep blue eyes like the sky and sea, dressed in her white robe, it was marked 7th.

Pope Crissy was the most normal of them all, she looked like a random mother, everything about her from top to bottom was ordinary, normal black hair, normal black eyes and average face, nothing stood out, but for some reason taking your eyes off her would be a difficult task, she had a unique charisma unlike any other, one that draws you in like a blackhole, she just sat with a smile like she was just happy to be there, her throne marked 8th.

Dressed in the usual white robe, Hansha still appears majestic, he resembled an ancient warrior of the past, that would hunt both pray and predators with a rock tied to a stick, long dirty brown hair, brown eyes so brown that he actually looks blind as they appeared dull, his throne numbered 9.

Pope Saint, was an old lady, the one that you would help to cross the road and even carry her groceries, she was walking on her last leg, if she lived another second she would be lucky, her throne was number 10.

."Nice t-to meet you, b-but, aren't you um, supposed to be secretive people, why tell m-me."Liz said holding her head down not looking at them.

Ciaa sighed."First thing we have to work on is that confidence, how are you a singer but so shy, it's a miracle, but that's why we want you so bad, even going as far as to tell you our identity."She said smiling.

."So now, you have no choice but to join us, your only option is us or death, choose now."Ciaa said still smiling casually as she lap her feet.

Liz face turned pale like paper."Wha-what do I have to do, k-kill people?."She ask nervously.

."No no nothing like that, you simply have brainwash the masses with your music, we will help you with it, you will also become another mascot for us, like our little pup so to say, just do what we say and all doors will be open to you, so what will it be little Liz."Pope Crissy said with her motherly smile.

Liz gained a worried expression, she didn't want to hurt anyone.'But mother....'If she doesn't agree then her mother will also die when she does, she isn't ready to die yet, she still has so much dreams to accomplish.

."I-i-i-....I accept..."Liz said with guilt bubbling in her throat, she sort of regret filling out that form now, what was she thinking.

*Clap*

Ciaa clapped her hand once."Wonderful, then Liz welcome to Luminous Era, we will organize a transport for your mother to our own medical facility, she will be taken care of, also when next you check your account, you will find the million dollars that you ask for, think of it as a gift."She said smiling.

."Ah, t-that easy, thank you very much, thank you thank you!."Liz bowed her head happily as her cheeks flushed red with shyness, they just gave it all to her.

Inanuma nod his head at her, his expression was calm on the surface but within he was fanboying, he was her biggest fan, every concert she had he was there, no one knew who he was so it wasn't a problem.

But he can't fanout, he must maintain the quiet dignity that he cultivation as a selfmade billionaire entrepreneur.

That was one of the reasons the other's treated her so good, they know about his obsession, they hear him all the time listening to her music and he was the most eager to bring her in when he heard that she filled out the form.

."Alright you can leave Liz, we will send someone to fetch you later in the week, for now you can relax."Ciaa said as she look at the documents of some other applicants.

Liz bowed her head."Thank you."She said before hurriedly walking towards the exit disappearing out, the atmosphere was crushing her, she was very glad to leave.

When she left everyone of the 10 Popes beside the 10th, 9th, 8th and 5th Pope slouched as they sighed with tiredness, the second Inanuma was deliberating with himself.

."Will that be enough though, maybe I should personally send her another million, Mm, I'll have to think about it."Inanuma said rubbing his chin casually, his money, he worked hard for it, he doesn't just give it away on a whim.

Ciaa shrugged her shoulders, she stretched also a bit tired."*Yawn* should we call that it for the day, she was our 79th interview for the day, I'm getting a bit sleepy."She said rubbing her eyes a bit, she was still human after all.

The other 9 Popes didn't see any problem with it.

.""It is no problem, you are human, you need rest less you passout and fall ill, we can't have that, can we"".

*Gasp*!!!

The 10 Popes stiffen up and stood straight and tall as they looked to one direction, the entrance, it wasn't just them all the 33 Stars Of Domination stood as well before kneeling on their pillars.

The 10 Popes place their hands on their chest in respect bowing their head slightly.""We welcome you Goddess Sona, Goddess Tsubaki and Goddess Rias...."They all said in union.

Sona smiled at this, it was her handiwork, she drilled it into their minds hard that they must show the utmost respect at all times less they be punished, it was so slip ups wouldn't happen when Haile comes visit.

."You know respect is good and all but you guys need not do this everytime you see us, now be at ease."Rias said shaking her head, it was Sona who has them so whipped.

The 10 Popes sighed in relief but they still didn't dare sit, though the old lady the 10th Pope was shaking a bit as her old bones were already giving out.

Jono seeing this jumped over to her pillar and propped her up with his own body, Pope Saint looked up at him smiling."Thank you sonny."She said gratefully.

Sona frowned at this."You Popes are all allowed to sit, the 33 Stars Of Domination are to remain standing, this is the power balance."She said comprising a bit, she likes to remain solid in the status structure, otherwise some might get other ideas.

."Thank you for your kindness Goddess Sona."Jono said bowing his head a bit before putting Saint to sit down.

Looking at Pope Saint one might ask why would they allow someone like her to be a Pope of a secret organization like theirs, but looking around they would see that no one showed signs of disagreement, there must be some reasons why.

She was personally chosen by Tsubaki, for a very good reason.

Most of the other Popes were throwing glances at Rias with curiosity but they didn't ask any questions, to question the Gods is blasphemy, as Goddess Sona says, it is either Yes or Yes, no in-between.

."Alright the reason we came here today is to bring a gift, straight from God Almighty himself, the Supreme Wings Of The Luminous Era, GodKing Haile."Sona said grandly, she always makes him seem grander than he actually is, just to keep their expectations high.

The all looked excited and curious of what it could be, even the stars of domination were excited.

Sona looked to Akeno"First before that, as said before, the Luminous Era was created for the GodKing of all creation, as the King of Gods he also has many beautiful Goddesses surrounding him, well another came to check on you, so be on your best."She said motioning to Akeno.

9 Popes stood and place their hands on their chest again to show reverence, the 33 stars knelt.""It is an honor to meet another great Goddess of the awesome God Almighty"".

."Yes great to meet you all as well, I am Akeno, one of the Goddesses Of The Supreme Wing Pantheon."Akeno said with a smile as she looked at all of them, Popes and Stars."You all seem to be getting along fine as well, for humans, individually I can feel you all are very special and unique, each already having a divine gift from my darling."

Ciaa as the undisputed leader spoke for everyone."Thank you very much for your praise Goddess Akeno, we can only hope to live up to the faith of the great GodKing."She said with appreciation.

."Good, then continue as you were then, Sona."Akeno said as she then turned to Sona who was supposed to give them something.

Sona stepped forward."Now for the gifts from GodKing Haile, he has granted you access to a taste of his divine power, for the Popes, the greatest power, Faith Transfusion."She said calmly as she pointed to the 10 Popes, a blue light came from her finger tips and to them.

The 33 stars of domination were looking a bit down seeing that only the Popes were favored by their God.

The Popes looked stunned, number 3 Jono was even more shookth."Is this even possible, no way, my God...."He said as he glanced at the 33 Stars Of Domination below him then Sona caught his attention.

Sona looked at him and placed a finger silently on her lips, she smiled after."Yes indeed, this is to protect the Luminous Era from enemies, both supernatural and natural, worry not Stars Of Domination, you are not without a gift, here."She said giving the information.

The stars looked up happily at that, they remained kneeling infront of their thrones.""33 Dominating Star fields, we are thankful!"".

Imoia smiled excited as she hit her umbrella on her hand."I can't wait to use this new power, Jono do you want to volunteer to be my extra large punching bag?."She asked grinning.

."You, how dar-."Jono said as he was getting fed up with her, but just then he was interrupted by some loud sounds.

*Boom*!

*Ts* *Ts*

*Ts* *Ts*

*Ts* *Ts*

*Boom*!

*Boom*!

Everyone turned to the same direction.

~~~~

*Dxd World*

*Human World*

*Japan*

*Kyoto*

*Underground*

*Luminous Era*

Loud sounds of explosions and gun warfare shook the building they were in, Ciaa frowned."What now, why now."She said rubbing her temple.

."Seems you spoke too soon, guess you will have a chance to use your new powers, all of you, have fun we will watch, consider this a test."Sona said pushing up her glasses, she knows it might be a bit harsh to do it while they just got the power but it's called a test for a reason.

Number 9 Pope Hansha cracked his knuckles calmly."I haven't had a good fight since I left the village, to go against guns and bombs as I currently am will be fun."He said as his eyes flashed.

."May I ask you a question great my Goddesses?."Inanuma asked them calmly as he bowed his head to maintain reverence.

Sona looked at him."Go ahead, ask away, but we will not help you, you have everything you need."She said definite.

."No no, I wouldn't bother you with that, they are not worthy to trouble beautiful Goddesses like yourselves, all I want to know is how much of them are they."Inanuma said as his eyes flared brightly and menacing in the dim hall.

Akeno smiled."Confident huh, hope it is not hollow, Tsubaki can help you with that."She said, it would be a bit fun if one of them dies.

Tsubaki remained still as she used her ability to see the reflections of everything in the entire underworld base."46 in all highly trained soldiers coming in, 9 snipers outside waiting and 3 helicopters in the sky."She said looking at them.

Ciaa put her hand on her chin."Mm, what to do, what to do."She spoke to her self, she looked at Inanuma."When can you bring over some of your people, we will need some help."

."About 7 minutes, 10 tops, we will destroy them."Inanuma said.....