C24 Because I Can

"Best deal with them now, so I can go to Earth and chill for a while."

---

Loki, though not the most innocent, still grew a bit uncomfortable hearing the demoness's screams.

He wondered if he shouldn't leave now, while safety was still more certain. For all he knew, that girl may have enraged the Lord, and they'll take it out on everyone here.

However, the screams stopped not long after they started, and he could hear two voices, though not what they said.

This reassured him, as the Lord seemed not in all that bad a mood. And so, he decided to stay and try his luck.

It wasn't long, and a green light appeared above a door further up the spiral. Loki made to enter, but before he did, he saw the girl exit from the laboratory.

She kept stumbling as she walked, leaning against the wall. Her attire was in the midst of repairing itself.

While her body was in a sorry state, her eyes held flames of ambition which burned no less than the fire previously in the lab.

She kept stumbling and then limping as she left, paying no mind to him.

'Interesting… but not enough for me to care.' Turning back to the greenlit door, he entered.

Walking in, he saw a man sitting behind a desk. He looked like an angel but had some demonic features, as well as slightly animalistic ones.

As he walked in, the man sniffed lightly and asked with squinted eyes, "You don't happen to be related to that uncivilized oaf, who threw a hammer at me for no reason, do you?"

Loki froze hearing this, 'Damn you, Thor! Must your muscle brain start a fight with everyone you meet?!'

Clearing his throat, he answered, "Ah—that—would be my brother, Thor. We have been deeply troubled by the lack of—development—in his mental faculties since he was young."

"He was only sent to that demon outbreak because we thought it a simple task where he need only—smash things—with his hammer." Loki stood straight and then bowed to show apology.

Though, on the inside, he was a bit delighted that someone else recognized his brother as the brutish oaf he is.

"Oh, you have my condolences. It must be quite a serious problem if Asgard can't remedy it. Well—no harm was done anyway."

He pointed to an empty seat, "Please sit. Would you care for any refreshment?"

Taking a seat, Loki replied, "No, thank you. I really only came to extend the friendship of Asgard, as you didn't appear hostile, even after my brother met you."

"Well, I never intended to fight with Asgard and only became a Hell Lord to take care of Mephisto. I only stay as one to prevent the other Hell Lords from going after me or becoming stronger and disrupting the fragile balance at play within Hell."

"That's quite heartening to hear."

"Of course, it's nice to know that not all from Asgard are battle-crazed buffoons, and I don't have to worry about you knocking on my door with more hammers."

Loki gives a genuine smile at this, "You know—on second thought—I may very well have that refreshment. You don't happen to have any beer, do you?"

The man's eyes lit up, like he just remembered something, "Only a month ago, I started making some from the fruit that grows here. I've yet to taste it. Would you mind trying some?"

Loki nodded, "I'd be delighted."

…

…

Several hours and a large cask of beer later, Loki exited the office a bit tipsy.

"That was absolutely—fantastic! Seldom have I tasted beer that good, and you have barrels of it! We must do this again sometime."

"Agreed!"

"I never realized illusions could be used to such a level. You single-handedly revolutionized an entire branch of sorcery."

"Well. I suppose I just found out the right things at the right time."

The man snapped his fingers, "There. That portal should put you somewhere desolate, where you can call your ride without disturbance."

"Many thanks."

With a wave, Loki left through the portal, taking with him several barrels of beer.

Both party's gained information.

---

Sitting at a table, Victor was messing around with a cube that had several wires and circuits on it.

It had been nearly four days since he took up residence in this room, and he was using the time to further one of his other projects.

He stopped when he saw something out the corner of his eye. Words were appearing on the table he sat at.

|"You may come to my office adjacent to the lab. I believe you two have waited long enough."|

Putting away the cube, he stood up, "It appears the time has come to see the true face of this Lord."

Grabbing his mask, he headed to the door.

---

'I learned quite a lot from Loki. Especially how God just—disappeared—with most of the angels. Leaving behind a bunch of, what sounds to me, partially dysfunctional 'angels' in what was left of the realm, now known as Heven.'

'Then they pissed off Odin, and—bye-bye—he removed them from Yggdrasil. The whole damn realm was just cut off.'

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I write on my desk and have the same appear where Doom is sitting.

Then I pop open the door and wait.

A couple minutes later, Doom opens the door but doesn't enter. His eyes zeroed in on my horns.

I can only smile wryly, 'I understand that he doesn't like demons, but this is a bit excessive. Mephisto didn't even have horns most of the time.'

"Not everyone with a pair of horns is a demon. I can have them recede if you like."

Doom walked in, "That is unnecessary."

"Then please, have a seat," I say while pointing to a seat.

Though, Doom only continues to stand.

"Victor. Stop being rude and sit down," comes a voice from below his neck.

"Yes—my apologies—"

"Zadkiel. My name is Zadkiel."

"Zadkiel—as in—the Archangel Zadkiel?"

"The one and only," 'in this universe anyway.'

"What are you doing in Hell? Shouldn't you be in Heaven, with God?" Cynthia's voice came.

I smile, "One shouldn't believe everything they read in books, Mrs. Doom, and Heaven isn't all it's cracked up to be."

After a short silence, I continue, "Well, I assume you're here to regain a body for Cynthia and then leave this damnable place?"

"Yes—but, why do all of this? Is it for—"

"Because I want to. Because I can. Because I had nothing better to do," I cut him off.

"While I do consider myself more good than bad, I'm not some saint who's going to help all those in need. Nor am I so bored that I'll contrive some—overly elaborate scheme, like a demon with too much time on their hands."

"No. I am not beholden to such trivialities. My only motivation is my own desire, and at this time, my desire is to help a few abused souls even if I gain little in return, if only because I can."

Silence reigned for some time.

"Then you have my thanks for whatever it's worth. I can only imagine what would've eventually become of me—or Victor." Cynthia's voice range.

I smile in response, "Your thanks are appreciated, ma'am."

Then I look at Doom.

Stretching out my hand, "It seems the lady has decided. All that's left is you. Will you trust this—devilishly—handsome angel—or no?"

Doom looked at my hand for a while before putting a hand under his armor and taking out Cynthia's purple crystal.

Then he slowly put it in my hand, but before he took back his hand, he said, "I give you my trust—but if you break it, I swear on the name of Doom that I will one day, find a way to end you."

"Of that—I have no doubt you would succeed." 'He could definitely find a way to kill me, but it obviously wouldn't be permanent.'

Taking the crystal, I ask Cynthia telepathically, "If there's anything you want to be changed, then now's the time to do it."

I received a response, nothing I wasn't expecting.

Then I crushed the crystal, something Doom didn't like very much.

But before he reacted, a conglomeration of purple particles started to gather in the chair next to him.

"It'll take a moment, as she's been without a body for many years."

After about a minute, Cynthia was back to life, as if she never died to begin with. She had long black hair, a pretty face—and a slightly larger-than-average bust.

With a large inhale, she opened her eyes, "OH—i-it feels so good to be a-alive again!"

Then she turned to Doom, who only kept silent as he watched at her, "I'm back."

"—That you are—Mother."

As I see them start having a moment, I stand up, "Well, I'll leave you two be. I'll be heading to Earth tomorrow, so I can either drop you off on my way, or you can just find me sooner if you wish to leave."

I walked out the door and went to my quarters, where I was going to complete my next task. Something I've been trying to do for some time now but could never do.

Naming my SEs.

Not because something was preventing me, it's just—hard.

What they're named is actually very important. It will determine what they eventually become.

Not because the names hold some special power, but because they will shape my mental picture of them, both conscious and subconscious, and thus, their development.

If I name them like pets, then they will eventually become just that, pets. Both in form and character, albeit with intelligence greater than most humans.

The reason is that they are basically puzzle pieces to my soul. And since they are young and in a very malleable state, the way I view them will determine the 'shape' they ultimately become.

And I'm not going to turn a part of me into something akin to a dog, so they will have proper names like anyone else.

'It really comes down to just one question.'

'Do I want to spend the rest of my eternal life with two little sisters, or two little brothers?'

//Note//

I don't think there will be any more engines unless there is something besides internal and external energies that warrant the creation of another engine.

-- Some info --

This version of God made Humans, Angels, some Demons, and a lot of Earth's animals.

The MC is NOT a chimera or Frankenstein's monster as a result of God playing a Jigsaw puzzle.

Archangels, like the MC, are entirely new life forms. They're made by this God, using all that he learned after creating everything he made before.

They are, this God's, pinnacle creation.

'Devils,' like Lucifer, only had some of their more 'demon' inspired genetics unlocked.

In fact, Archangels are also just shells of what they could be since they only have the 'angel' inspired genetics unlocked.

--

I don't really know what to call his 'species', but I suppose nephalem would be the closest I know of.

Any suggestions?

--

P.S.

I know I have been saying 'genetics' and 'DNA,' but it's just for easier understanding.

God wouldn't be limited to 'polynucleotide chains' or any of that shit. Hell, he could probably build 'DNA' without matter and just use magical energy.

As for what the MCs actual 'genetics' is made from. I don't know yet, but it still works similarly to 'normal' genetics, otherwise, the memories would have been useless.