(***Zero POV***)
A faint green mist was released from Hel’s palm and flew towards Valna who turned her head to look at Zero causing her to be unable to dodge. When the mist touched Valna instantly cuts and burns appeared all over her body. The numerous wounds caused Valna to fall on 1 knee and use her spear to keep herself from collapsing.
Zero was shocked by how quickly Valna’s condition deteriorated before his very eyes. When he looked over at Hel he saw that the light wounds on her body were vanishing into green mist rather than healing. Hel sighed as she waved her hand releasing another mist that enveloped Valna. Zero was shocked by the action but didn’t move since he sensed no malice in Hel’s actions. The mist then flew back to Hel’s palm revealing Valna completely healed.
‘Hmm, I’m guessing it’s an ability to take damage from a being and transfer to another. It also seems that she can multiply the damage before transferring it back to the attacker.’
[Yes I concur. It’s a dangerous ability please be advised.]
‘Oh, you’re chiming in now.’
[Remember if you die I die.]
‘Whatever’
Zero saw that Valna had a confused look on her face so before she could say anything he used their communication method.
{Valna don’t say anything about me ordering you to come here. Just say you came here on your own and what Hel was doing. You come to my room tonight and I’ll bring us to my space and we’ll discuss this situation in greater detail.} said Zero
{Understood my lord.} said Valna
Valna then stood up and walked over to Zero and kneeled. Then she looked up and said, “My lord I must report that when I was visiting Yoko because I felt her aura decreasing I saw that woman attempting to do something to Yoko’s soul. I attempted to restrain her which is why you saw the sight before you.”
Zero’s eyes began to glow purple as he turned to look at Hel. Even though he was releasing a fair amount of pressure the smile on his face didn’t change. He then said, “Well let’s hear your side. I’m assuming you have a pretty good explanation for this.”
Hel looked at Zero her eyes still glowing the eerie green glow. They both released pressure but Hel took the first step back and dispelled her pressure. Her eyes stopped glowing and using her power returned her body back to its human form. Hel then sighed and said, “Like I was trying to explain to this girl while she kept attacking me I wasn’t going to hurt Yoko. All I was doing was inspecting Yoko’s soul.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Why were you checking her soul?” asked Zero
“When a goddess or god in few cases gives birth their soul changes sometimes for the better and other times for the worse. Luckily in Yoko’s case, it was for the better. You can take a look and verify if you want.” said Hel
Zero nodded and handed the infant to Valna while he walked over to the unconscious Yoko. While walking over Zero asked his system, ‘Is she telling the truth about souls changing during birth?’
[Yes that information is correct. When you make contact with Yoko’s soul I shall scan for the new changes and any possible alterations made by the individual Hel.]
‘Looks like you’ll actually be useful for a change.’
[I was always useful you were simply too simple-minded to know when to best use me.]
‘Whatever let’s just get this over you hunk of junk.’
Zero then kneeled next to Yoko and with an ethereal hand reached into her chest.
[Commencing scan]
[55%]
[Scan complete]
[2 changes and 0 illegal alterations found]
[However individual Hel did attempt to tamper with the soul link between the host and individual Yoko.]
‘What’s the point of her doing that?’
[Unknown. The link remains strong but it is advised for the host and your subordinate to create defenses around your souls.]
‘I’m sure you’ll explain what that is later. For now, just explain the change in Yoko.’
[Individual Yoko has now gained the skill Weakness Detection from the unnamed child. The main change however is individual Yoko’s sin seed of lust has matured as a side effect. Due to her soul link with you rather than failing to inherit the skill Sin of Lust, she has the unique skill Desire for Knowledge.]
‘Why on earth does the universe hate me. So now you’re telling me this group is now on the hit list of 2 of the most powerful demons to ever exist.’
[Precisly]
‘Damn you that was rhetorical. Why can I never relax?’
Hel looked at Zero who had gone from a curious look to an annoyed look. She then asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you making so many faces?”
Zero removed his eternal hand from Yoko’s chest, stood up, and scratched his head while making a frustrated noise. Valna walked over to Zero and placed her hand on Zero’s shoulder to try to calm him down. She then said, “My lord what is wrong? I have never seen you like this before. Please confide in me and I shall do all I can to help.”
Zero let out the biggest sigh of his life and said, “We can discuss this with the others once Yoko wakes up. Carry her and we’ll head over to see them now.”
Heeding Zero’s instructions Valna handed the infant back to Zero before picking up the unconscious Yoko. Zero opened up a gateway to the NetherRealm and motioned for Hel and Valna to follow him. They reappeared outside of the temple and Hel walked forward and opened the temple doors. Zero’s group entered the temple to find it becoming more like an office building rather than a temple. Azalea and Dahlia were busy working on a see-through terminal screen floating in front of them. Nova was also here playing dolls with 2 lampads in the corner.
When they notice the group enter the temple Azalea and Dahlia stood up causing their screens to disappear. Nova ran over to Valna worried about Yoko. Zero ordered Valna to place her on the floor and handed the baby over to Azalea who had been annoying him by asking to see the child constantly.
Zero walked over to the unconscious Yoko and slit his wrist and placed it over Yoko’s mouth. As Zero’s blood dripped down her throat she suddenly awakened and grabbed Zero’s wrist and desperately sucked Zero’s blood. Zero used his blood as a medium to transfer some of his mana to Yoko who was drained from giving birth. After a few seconds, Zero yanked his wrist away allowing it to heal and Yoko sat up off the floor still groggy.
“What’s going on?” asked Yoko
Zero took the baby from Azalea and Dahlia who had been ignoring all the commotion to play with the baby. Zero then sat across from Yoko and said, “I have 2 things to tell you. First thing this is our child and I get to name him. The second piece of news is that we’re screwed.”