Well, before we check back on Arisu-chan, I should take a few moments to address a few questions myself.

 

 

What do you, yourself, think of the Archdemons, who we never saw?

 

 

To be honest, that was something that bothered me even when I was still writing GOSPEL. In spite of its absurd length, I was afraid I would not be able to develop the Archdemons well enough. This, of course, carried the risk of them becoming “just another villain group”, which I obviously did not want. I wanted them to be memorable opponents for the Archangels. They are Arch-motherfuckin’-demons!

 

 

I would have probably devoted most of Book 5 on making them look as vile and despicable as possible. Well, them and Takako. She really goes batshit crazy in that book. She later tops it in the last Book, but that’s a wholly different matter.

 

 

On the other side, concerning the Archdemon not as plot villains, but as combat opponents, well…they’re awesome. Their powers were amongst the first things I decided when Project GOSPEL began. DC’s, Takako’s, Rika’s, Tai’s and TK’s fights, as well as the final battle against Moloch/Satan, are actually almost completely written in my computer. Hikari’s is about half-done and the others have vague outlines of how they begin and how they end. I still sincerely believe they are the best fight scenes I have ever written (or will ever write).

 

 

What is your favorite Instrumental Weapon, Daneel? Who's your favorite Supernal?

 

 

I think I said this before: I love Merodach. The idea of a weapon of pure darkness which can destroy probability itself gives me really nice shivers down my spine. That’s probably the reason I actually gave Merodach a story of how it was created. You’ll see it in the Chronology when I release it.

 

 

As for my favorite Supernal, well, that’s a tricky one. No, it’s not Lilith. Or any of the three wives, for that matter.

 

 

Well, I obviously like Adam a lot. We are continuously told about his supreme power, but, besides Seder Hishtalshelus, what do we know about his powers, about what he can do? Also, we know what his Script does. How does he accomplish this and why can’t other Supernals, not even Lilith, accomplish the same?

 

 

Explaining the mechanism of Seder Hishtalshelus was the main reason I began to develop Reality Code instead of keeping it as an obscure reference.

 

 

Adam is interesting, not because he’s all-powerful, but because he’s mysterious. Even if his powers are sealed throughout the Last Holy War, his presence permeates the whole story. At the very end, when the full extent of Adam’s influence was to be revealed, I expected my readers to go “God DAMN!”

 

 

Oh, and there’s Micael, of course. When I conceived the idea for Micael, I was really nervous. “Daneel, do you really want to turn the reincarnation of Jesus Christ into a fanservice gag character?” “Bu-but it works SO WELL!”

 

 

On the other side, I also like Suzie, for the opposite reason. Adam cannot really grow much stronger than he already is. Suzie starts off as a fallen Goddess with most of her powers lost and her level in the high tens, and she ends as a powerful Aeternal in the fifties. Watching that growth, and just how much she struggles to succeed and survive, is really one of the high points of GOSPEL.

 

 

If we go with Supernals outside of Takato and his friends, I had soft spots for Ares, Karna and Yami. Then again, I like Hindi mythology a lot, because it’s frickin’ badass.

 

 

Well now, I’ve done my part. Let’s see if we can get something out of Arisu-chan today. How was it, hmm…

 

 

>> Con svataa prarthe samsara RAKSHA_SPHIIRA << HAPHVYASHTHARVA;_

 

 

Takako: Oi, Arisu.

 

 

Arisu: *smiles* Ah, Auntie Takako. Good morning.

 

 

Takako: Hnn. So, what are you up to? It’s not your style to lock yourself in your bedroom the whole day…huh? What the hell is this?

 

 

Arisu: Um. I got a formal request to respond to these questions, so I’m gonna do my best.

 

 

Takako: What the hell? So many of them! What kind of inconsiderate bastard-

 

 

Arisu: *flat stare* A-Auntie Takako, please don’t start.

 

 

Takako: Aww, sheesh! What a hassle. You’ll take the whole day to get this done, so I guess Takako-sama will have to help you. And we’ll have to get the others for some of these.

 

 

Arisu: *bright smile* Really? You’ll help! Thank you, Auntie Takako! Love you lots!

 

 

Takako: *flustered* I-Idiot! I-It’s not like I care or anything! You-you’d just look way too pitiful wasting your time with these things! Too pathetic! Pathetic, I tell you!

 

 

Arisu: *kind smile* Hai, hai, I get it. Thank you, Auntie.

 

 

Takako: D-Don’t give me that onii-chan-like look!

 

 

1.      “How do the Archdemons get along with each other (since most of them are brothers and sisters)?”

 

 

Takako: “Ah, well…I hung out around hell for a while, so I guess I’ll handle this one.

 

 

You might be surprised to know they generally tolerate each other quite well, as long as they don’t get in each other’s way. They’re demons, so they’re naturally very selfish and self-centered. Problems begin when two Archdemons suddenly gain an interest in the same thing: a particular soul, place or enemy. They will not share, so you can imagine what happens. Usually a beat-down follows and the strongest one gets to take the spoils.

 

 

And some of them are actually able to work together when the circumstances call for it. It’s one of the reasons they’re actually a threat: unlike lesser, twisted demons, Archdemons are actually able to put their differences aside for a short while and cooperate for the greater…well, evil.

 

 

So, yeah, your children are not completely lost causes, Sophia.”

 

 

Arisu: *depressed* “Ha-haa…somehow, the way you put it doesn’t really comfort me, Auntie Takako…”

 

 

Takako: “Oh, before I forget, the exceptions here are Moloch, who is an obnoxious bastard who thinks he owns the world, and Belphegor, who is too lazy to bother getting into fights with her fellows. I guess Satan's the same as his twin, too.”

 

 

Arisu: “Ha-Haa…”

 

 

2.      “What about the Archangels?”

 

 

Takako: “Oh, well, I’m sure they’re all very happy and merry, holding hands and singing and dancing at the end of the rainbow-“

 

 

Arisu: *embarrassed* “Auntie! That’s mean!

 

 

A-Ahem…Archangels are not perfect. Nothing in this world is. Of course, they are also prone to discussions, arguments and conflicts when their opinions differ and their wildly different personalities clash.”

 

 

Takako: “Like Kamael who got into arguments with everyone even when she didn’t want to?”

 

 

Arisu: “Ye-yeah…”

 

 

Takako: “That girl needs to relax a bit. She gets in situations like that because she’s too stiff. Maybe spending this Incarnation with onii-chan will help her a little. And speaking of onii-chan’s help, when are you gonna ask him to do you?”

 

 

Arisu: “A-A-A-AUNTIE TAKAKO! He’s my FATHER!”

 

 

Takako: “He’s everyone’s father. When has that stopped us before?”

 

 

Arisu: “Uuuu~bu-but, I’m too young…”

 

 

Takako: “You DO realize you won’t age any more now that you’ve undergone your Epiphany, don't ya?”

 

 

Arisu: “Hauu…”

 

 

Takako: “Well, whatever. I just want to remind you that I won’t be able to scratch that itch forever.”

 

 

Arisu: “A-Auntie, not in public…”

 

 

3.      “What do Moloch and Metatron think of their underlings?”

 

 

Takako: “Moloch and Satan are tyrants true and through. The denizens of Hell are their servants, and they expect them to be at their beck and call, ready to please any and all of their whims. They’re very, very annoying.”

 

 

Arisu: “Metatron is a stern but just leader. He insists on the importance of the Hierarchy, so he expects the utmost respect and obedience from the denizens of Heaven, but he will not oppress them. Everyone in Heaven knows their role and is aware of the importance of their role in the overall workings of Paradise and Reality itself, so everyone does their best not out of obedience to Metatron, but because they know it’s for the best. To Metatron, his followers are the important gears that keep the order and stability of the Eternal Static Realm of Paradise and, by proxy, the whole of Creation itself. They are valuable and important; after all, the lowest ranked of his followers is his twin brother.”

 

 

4.      “What were Lilith's first thoughts of her sisters?”

 

 

Takako: “Ufufufu, what a delightful, delightful question!”

 

 

Arisu: “S-Scary…”

 

 

Takako: “Oh, I admit, Shekinah pissed me off at the beginning. How come I had to share MY partner? I think I had the right to be bothered by that!

 

Things got better with time, of course; Shekinah is an excellent woman. And she didn’t really get on the way, so it was almost like when I had Adam all to myself. And she’s undeniably beautiful. It’s a shame she’s not really into girl-on-girl action…”

 

 

Arisu: *sweatdrops* “A-Auntie…”

 

 

Takako: “And then there was Sophia. You see, she has this unfair power to make it absolutely impossible to hate her. I probably fell for her together with Adam.”

 

 

Arisu: *red face* “Ha-hau.”

 

 

Takako: “And she’s more open to experimenting! Seriously, she’s such a darling.”

 

 

Arisu: “I-I’m still here you know…”

 

 

5.      “What were her first thoughts about Adam?”

 

 

Takako: “My…” *faint blush* “How’s that for a personal question…?”

 

 

Arisu: “I-I’ll go get Auntie Ruki.” *walks off*

 

 

Takako: “My first memory, huh. I remember…I came into existence in his embrace. The first thing I ever experienced was his encompassing warmth, enveloping me and that primitive universe. 

 

 

I was pure, innocent. I did not care about power, about who was the more powerful of the two. Cradled by his radiance, embraced by his infinite presence, the very first thing I experienced was the ultimate happiness.

 

 

I hopelessly, inevitably fell in love with that feeling.

 

 

‘Your name is Lilith. Welcome home. I want to be with you for eternity.’

 

 

I could not respond. I could only enjoy the ecstasy of his warmth. But I think he understood that I shared his sentiment.

 

 

‘I am Lilith. I am home. I want to be full of this feeling for eternity. I want to share this feeling with you.’

 

 

I fell in love.

6.      “What were Shekinah's?”

 

 

Ruki: “So, I heard I was needed here-are you crying?”

 

 

Takako: *rubs face* “Wa-watch your words, boob head.”

 

 

Ruki: “Boo-boob head! YOU ROTTEN PETTANKO!”

 

 

Takako: *haughty* “Mine are perfectly proportional to my height! Now be quiet and get this done! I’ll go get a drink or something.” *walks off*

 

 

Ruki: “Tha-that disgustingly self-centered woman…ah, whatever. So, what is this…my-my first thoughts about Adam!?” *blushes* “Why-why would anyone want to know something like that!? How stupid!

 

 

…

 

 

…Aah, mou! We-well! If, if you really have to know…

 

 

‘Welcome to your Paradise, Radiant Brothers, Metatron, Sandalphon, and Most Glorious Sister, Shekinah. Please build a wonderful Realm for those who will come after you.’

 

 

I remember…my brothers, staring in awe at this Supreme Being. He called THEM ‘radiant’! He called ME ‘glorious’. And he was not joking!

 

 

‘You are the reason I am here.’

 

 

Those were my first thoughts.

 

 

Let Metatron and Sandalphon build the wonderful Realm you asked for. I came to exist in this Reality for your sake. I do not understand why such a great and powerful being, blessed with the most beautiful companion, would want to be close to the likes of me, but…I need you. I want to be with you. I want to be a part of your happiness. I want to make you smile every day. Please, let me be a part of your life.

 

 

‘You are important to me. Please stay by my side forever.’

 

 

I fell in love."

 

 

7.      “What were Sophia's?”

 

 

Arisu: *walks in room* “Anoo, Auntie Ruki, are you-gyah! Auntie Ruki?

 

 

…She’s gone...maybe it was too embarrassing…so, what’s next…eh? EEEEHHH?

 

 

M-M-Me too!? N-N-No way! No way! It-it-it’s way too embarrassing! Ha-ha-hauu…

 

 

…Hau.

 

 

Umm…do I…do I really have to do this?

 

 

Bu-but, Auntie Takako and Auntie Ruki answered, so it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t…hau.

 

 

Ah-aaa, well…I…I was very nervous.

 

 

When I came to exist in Atziluth, I was alone. When I noticed others arriving, I quickly hid, because I was really nervous and scared.

 

 

That’s when I met him.

 

 

Lilith and Shekinah were with him, of course. I was terrified. Who was this being, who filled Atziluth with radiance of such magnitude? Who was this incredible being, who was followed by such beautiful attendants?

 

 

Then, he asked his wives to leave him alone for a while. When he was sure he was alone, he spoke.

 

 

‘You may come out now, Sophia. I want to see you.’

 

 

N-n-no way! How could I? How could I possibly show my shameful, minimal self before such greatness? Such magnificent power and glory, how could I possibly reveal my pitiful face before his light? I would die!

 

 

‘Please come out now, Sophia. I have been waiting for you.’

 

 

Eh? Waiting? For me?

 

 

Is he…Adam Kadmon? The one for whose sake I came to be?

 

 

N-N-N-No! No way! Impossible! What could such a great being want from the likes of me…? Why would the mightiest of all beings want me, when he already has the most radiant beauties of Creation as his consorts?

 

 

‘I beg you, Sophia, come to me. I long to see you.’

 

 

Ah-aaaa-awa-wa-waaaah!

 

 

I-I-I…how could I…how can I…?

 

 

…Hau.

 

 

Reluctantly, hesitatingly, I showed myself before him. Thinking back, I believe he knew where I was from the very beginning. He could have found me no matter where I hid. But he wanted me to appear before him.

 

 

‘…I’m sorry…I’m sorry I’m not like them. I’m sorry I’m not beautiful like those two. I…I’m afraid. Nervous. Insecure. Your radiance is so strong it blinds me. I want to escape. I want to escape from this light and this warmth I do not deserve.

 

 

You must be disappointed. I…I do not know what expectations you had of me, but…I…I’m terribly sorry! I-I do not know…I do not know why I came to exist in this Reality, but I…I…’

 

 

I want to be with you! Your warmth, your embrace, your immensity…I want to feel them, closer to me! Now that you’re so close to me, I can’t…this feeling, it’s too painful! It’s unbearable!

 

 

I want you, but I do not deserve you! How selfish, how worthless I am!

 

 

Bu-but…even if you don’t need me…even if you don’t want me…I want to be close to you.

 

 

So, even if it’s only as your maid, as your servant…as your errand girl…please, let me be with you! PLEASE!

 

 

‘You are what I was missing all this time. I need you. I love you. Please, let me hold you for all time.’

 

 

I fell in love."

 

 

8.      “What did Adam first think about his wives?”

 

 

Takato: “Arisu, you here?”

 

 

Arisu: “GYAAAAAAAAAAAH! Do-do-DON’T LOOK AT ME!”

 

 

Takato: “What the hell!?”

 

 

Arisu: “WAAAAAAA-WA-WA-WA-WA-HAUUUUU!!!!!” *runs away*

 

 

Takato: “And away she goes…what the hell was that? Takako and Ruki were also acting all weird just now…huh? A request for answers? Hmm…my, she sealed the whole thing. Just what was she typing…? Oh well, I might as well take over from here.

 

 

So, let’s see…oh, too bad. This is a question I cannot answer yet. There are things, important things, you need to learn before I can share this with you.

 

 

…No, I’m not embarrassed to share my feelings. Really."

 

 

9.      “Who was Adam's first child? I assume Michael, as he's Shekinah's first born.”

 

 

Takato: “You assume right. Adam Kadmon’s first child was Michael, followed by Lucifer. There were no more children until Sophia came to existence. Their first son was Kamael, followed by Raphael and Baalzebul, who would later be known as Beelzebub.”

 

 

10.  “What were Adam's first thoughts about his son?”

 

 

Takato: “You are the first born of me and another. You are the fruit born of my seed. You, who were born of my beloved Shekinah, are Michael. You will praise your Father by castigating those who pretend to be like him.”

 

 

11.  “What does Adam think of his children who've Fallen?”

 

 

Takato: “I don’t like to think about ‘what if’s. The Original Holy War happened, and I lost my children to the darkness in their souls. As long as there are humans, there will be evil in this world. As long as there is evil, the Horde of Hell will thrive on the polluted souls of the wicked. My children in Heaven are able to take care of themselves. I can only cry, and pray, whenever brother is forced to fight brother. I can only comfort my most beloved Sophia, whose suffering at the sight of our children fighting each other makes my own pale in comparison.

 

 

Even by being evil, those children are fulfilling their role in this Reality. I watch over them, just like I watch over my children in Heaven.”

 

 

12.  “How does Adam usually fight (before the Seal and Takato)?”

 

 

Takato: “Well, most fortunately, when you have the title of ‘Supreme’, you get to avoid fights very easily, if you get my point. Against most opponents, Adam can simply request his or her disconnection from his or her Agendas, rendering him or her completely powerless. If the opponent has a specific weak point, he uses Seder Hishtalshelus to bring it into the battle.

 

 

Against Aspects it gets trickier, as they can more often than not resist disconnection. That’s when Adam uses SUPERBIA=HALO to drop his opponent’s stats, followed by Manipulation of Probability for offense and defense.

 

 

Sophia and Lilith are difficult opponents because their Reality Code is extremely complex and, in the case of Lilith, she uses a different protocol, which makes it even harder to counter. Sophia always holds back when sparring with her beloved, so Adam would win anyway. Adam and Lilith could easily destroy anything and everything if they clashed seriously, so they have to hold back.

 

 

13.  “What about Metatron?”

 

 

Takato: “Metatron’s Innate Format Algorithms are known as Dictums in the Lower Realms. They can be used in two main ways: either to impose the denial of a sentence of Reality Code by the processing server (technique negation/counterdispelling), or to command Supernal Structure servers to devote additional processing power to his code (multicasting/rapid casting/instant casting). He can also mimic techniques being used against him, summon other members of the Hierarchy, and even remotely synchronize other Angels so that they input the same code as him to increase its power.

 

 

He can make a really huge beam cannon like that.”

 

 

14.  “Moloch?”

 

 

Takato: “Moloch always sets up his Reality Script beforehand, establishing a condition to ensure his opponent will not be able to harm him. Then he just goes crazy with his blasphemously named ‘God Arts’. They’re the same as Demon Arts, so it’s just Moloch being Moloch.

 

 

To be honest, it’s not that great a strategy. But Moloch hits really, REALLY hard…or so I’ve been told. He never really got to touch me when we fought.”

 

 

15.  “Takato?”

 

 

Takato: “Me? Hahaha, how nice of you to ask!

 

 

I think I showed my own fighting style plenty enough in the last Holy War. Once I got the hang of Boundaries, it was really interesting. It’s a fascinating Agenda, Boundaries. I guess I should try my hand on an article about Boundaries for that wiki of yours…but maybe an introduction to Reality Code would be better first?

 

 

But Reality Code is harsh…

 

 

Creating boundaries for defense, manipulating existing boundaries to attack…it is a very versatile Agenda, so I could try different things on different fights. In the end I almost completely discarded Instant Movement and instead relied on Boundary Travel. It has better range, even if it’s technically slower.

 

 

Of course, if I could, I always tried to fight with friends by my side. It’s just convenient, right? And Dual Forces are really cool.”

 

 

16.  “Of his children, who is Adam most proud of?”

 

 

Takato: “Oi. What kind of person asks something like that to a father?

 

 

All my children have achieved great things. Virtuous things, horrible things. But all of them carry the mark of greatness.

 

 

That’s why I do not complain or curse when the Archdemons do something particularly abominable. I cannot blame my children for being ambitious, can I?”

 

 

17.  “Who is Adam's best friend?”

 

 

Takato: “Hmm…

 

 

If you mean Adam, the Supernal, before the last Holy War, then it’s gotta be Sandalphon. Metatron’s more of an aide and Micael is a confidant and secret-keeper.

 

 

If you mean my current existence as Matsuki Takato, then it’s gotta be Alice and Ruki, of course. They have both seen my best and my worst, so I can talk to them about things I would not share with others. Then there’s Henry, Takako and Taichi, my drinking buddies.” *chuckles* “I would like to add Takeru and DC to this list, but I don’t see them as often as I would like to. I got along pretty well with Rei-san and with Natalia…while they were around.”

 

 

18.  “Who is Metatron closest to?”

 

 

Takato: “To his siblings, of course.

 

 

He has never had a permanent companion, if that’s what you’re asking. He loves everyone in Heaven equally. He will rarely refuse an angel that offers herself to him, however.” *chuckles*

 

 

19.  “Does Moloch trust anyone? If so who?”

 

 

Takato: “Trust is hard to earn. Amongst demons, who only think about themselves and acquiring more power, it is impossible to trust anyone. Everyone is a potential rival.

 

 

You might wonder about Satan. Those two are identical in pretty much every way that matters. Moloch would never trust himself; why would he trust one who is so much like him?

 

 

As you saw, he did not even trust his Digimon partner, and willingly discarded him when it was better for him.”

 

 

20.  “Were Moloch's thoughts about his Mother ever different?”

 

 

Takato: “Of course. There was a time when Moloch, Satan and all the others loved their Mother dearly. Sophia never did anything to earn their hatred. It was only after the end of the Original Holy War, when the defeated were exiled to the Pandemonic Depths of Inferno, that the bitterness and disgust that simmered within them corrupted them and turned them into what they are now. Lilith helped a lot in that regard, if I remember correctly.

 

 

The Original Holy War was a war of angels fighting angels. The demons came afterwards. There’s a reason Lilith, and not Sophia, is the Mother of Demons.”

 

 

21.  “What did Moloch think of his Father?”

 

 

Takato: “You’ll have to ask him, how could I possibly know?

 

 

What I can tell you is that he was ambitious even before the War. He wanted to be powerful, as powerful as his Father. Even when he reached the limit of what his Agendas allowed him, he wanted more. Unlike the others, Moloch and Satan did not see Adam Kadmon as an ideal or as the pinnacle of Supernal power. They saw Adam as an objective; a target worth reaching for. Maybe they joined Lucifer’s Rebellion because they saw an opportunity in there.”

 

 

“…saa, those three still haven’t come back. Now I’m getting a little worried. You won’t mind if we stop for now, will you? Thank you for your kindness and your attention. Now, let me disconnect you…”