Goddess Genesis

Chapter 5: Satan's Courtyard

There it was, the ultimate challenge and gamble that even the gods are stoked to see. Joshua made his way down just after Lakia patted him on back.

"Yeaaa you go chad!" Lakia's said as she crossed her legs and took his seat. She gave Mizune a smile as she looked back at the center stage. He did the same. Lucifer hadn't moved yet she waited until he made it to the bottom. For some odd reason Lucifer felt drawn to Lakia. She tilted her head and eyed the woman b4 Michael snapped her out of it.

"Get going, show Salem her mages will never be on the level of angels" Michael patted her back. Lucifer teleported in gold light to the destination. Lakia looked at Michael from a distance and smiled. Michael felt drawn to her as well but maybe he thought she was beautiful is all. Mizune noticed it happened and he asked her

"So where were you? Aria wanted to know about her headaches this morning" Lakia turned her head curiously

"Headaches?" She asked back. He didn't seem like it was a big deal so he shook his head and said

"Don't worry about it" Lakia shrugged and kept watching. Like Aria and Alicia, Lucifer and Joshua stood on the circles on the ground connecting to each other by a white line. Lucifer eyed her opponent intently. Salem raised her hands in the sky

"Alright! Although this isn't an official match, oh but a match nonetheless! Joshua of The Hourly Apostles Blackgate must land one clean hit on Archangel Lucifer! The condition is, if he doesn't, Lucifer is allowed to take his life." Salem explained eagerly like she knew nothing would happen or rather didn't care. Lakia began clapping.

"Are we really sure about this?" Mizune asked. Lakia smiled at him deeply while holding his hands in a motherly like fashion

"Everything will be fine." Lakia demanded. For some reason, he believed it. He wasn't sure why... but it's like it was law the way she said it.

Joshua cracked his knuckles and his neck. Lucifer just crossed her arms. Lucifer's battle get up was rather revealing. It was all black, showed alot of skin, although it was undeniable the spots that were protected WERE protected. It was made of Hell marble, a material only produced in hell, specifically made to resist harsh Divinity energy. In other words aside from her aura, perfect material for fighting. Her beautiful long red spikey hair complimented the outfit and Joshua might have agreed since he was in awe but he was able to pull himself together. After all its not exactly easy to resist one of the top 3 most beautiful creatures in creation. Though,that's not entirely effective, some would think lusting after Satan would make them end up in hell. Lucifer was shorter than he was.

"Beautiful..." Odin complimented the Angel from afar. Now that he was thinking about it he never got to see her figure in its entirety. Loki just nods in agreement and they both chuckle. Michael seemed annoyed his younger sister was being thirsted once her full figure was on display. Amaterasu rolled her eyes.

"Let this special battle... begin!" Salem said after they sized each other up. They too disappeared. Joshua was terrified by what he saw. It was an area with a dark purple sky. It was freezing. The ground consisted of charred skeletons and black marble. There was massive black marble flaming snake statues all over the place. He felt himself shiver so he put up his red aura.

"Shielding yourself from Hell's harsh weather using aura... aren't you a clever one." There was a blood moon in the sky, and the beautiful Archangel was floating in the air blocking most of it. Joshua was bewildered and so was the crowd. Lucifer had her 6 golden white wings out which flapped slowly. An angel's wings was always a magical experience. Joshua had to convince himself she was the devil in order to focus. Somehow, the cold harsh scary environment was not as big a deal as seeing her wings.

"Where are we.." Joshua asked intimidated. There was a pause. Salem now had two fights broadcasted to all.

"So that's what she did...I had planned to send them to my own world, but it seems like she had other plans.." Salem said with a neutral expression.

"Hell's Courtyard." Lucifer said sternly. Joshua eyes widened.

Everyone in the crowd gasped in horror and shock. Lucifer began laughing hysterically.

Lakia had a bored look on her face.

"You're full of shit, child. All you did was create a replica to scare the boy." Lakia thought with one hand resting on her left cheek.

"Sister... Grow up" Michael said also annoyed with his hand resting on his left cheek. They were doing the same thing yet not realizing they were. Athena however did. She didn't make it obvious, but she couldn't ignore it. She didn't know what to make of it but she did notice. Something happened that shocked Lucifer. She heard a clock tick. Salem crossed her arms.

"Lucifer, surely your intention wasn't to bring him somewhere else just so he wouldn't be revived by Hour Hand?" Michael noticed how surprised she was to hear the tick.

"Despicable. She was trying to find a loophole where Salem's spell wouldn't take effect. Just for malicious purposes." Hera said disgusted.

"She wouldn't be Satan if she wasn't a little cruel eh? Ohoho" Odin held his stomach laughing to lighten the mood.

In Aria and Alicia's world

"You lot are an interesting group. Betting your lives? For what reason? Because you were disrespected? You won't be able to be disrespected at the bare minimum when you all die." Alicia said. Aria paused

"You're right. It's pointless. But we are extremists. We live for these life or death moments. Only when your life is truly at stake, may your true potential be revealed. Will I die an hour from now? Absolutely. I am prepared for us all to die as we sing legendary tales in heaven...for these tales.. are all I have.." Aria answered deeply. Alicia seemed shocked. The archmage teared up and wiped it. Everyone was kind focusing on that fight now since they felt Aria's words.

"Aria..." Lakia said quietly.

Aria went on as she looked at her palms.

"Truth be told, I have no idea what my past is. I cannot remember anything before age 17. I think I had a family? I..." Aria began to tear up too. Alicia looked away as if her words stung

"Its strange. The moment I unlocked my Divinity, its like precious memories are fading away. Its almost like... I popped out of no-" Aria continued but Lakia cut her off.

"Aria! What are you doing? You are wasting precious time, you only have 57 minutes!" Lakia's words made Aria snap out of her sudden depression. Salem looked at Lakia curiously but Lakia ignored it. Aniel looked at Lakia. The two shared glances for awhile. Something happened that made Aniel's hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Lakia looked over at Odin, and then back at Aniel. Aniel had never felt such horror in her entire life.

"What? Why did she look at Odin and then me? Does she know? Who the fuck is she? Was that a coincidence? Am I already found out and they are waiting for the meeting to execute me?! Was somebody already lurking? Did Adam rat me out to Michael? If so why wouldn't he confront me? Should I leave right now? Fuck fuck fuck!" Aniel began discreetly hyperventilating as she thought a dozen things off a simple look. When she looked back at Lakia the pink haired sorceress was already watching the fight again.

"It was a coincidence. Calm down. Its fine. If she does know ill kill her. That's right. I learned one of Hell's 100 Judgement spells from Astaroth. I can stage an execution and have it seem like Lucifer or Lilith did it." Aniel thought as she smiled calmed her breathing and smiled in relief.

"All is according to plan. Not even Athena can snuff me out" Aniel thought arrogantly as she flipped her beautiful red hair. Ra tilted his head

"My my.." Ra said quietly. Amaterasu ears twitched and heard it.

"All this scheming makes me anxious." Ra followed up.

Continued on

Chapter 6: Invasion.