Unholy Pleasures

War

Key Twenty-Three: War:

Oh yeah, there is still a war going on. That has always been in the background. It's always going on. But it's never stopped, now has it? The war is a rather odd tell. Who were they fighting against? They used to know. Or at least they thought they did.

What was the point anymore? If the living world felt it, it didn't blink. Still, the angels go on. That is all they know how to do. But what does it cost?

Most of the angels on the battlefield are either dead or missing. Heaven doesn't have time to look for them all. The war is spreading them thin as it is. It's only a matter of time before...

Heaven cannot stop. It's like there is something at stake if they do. But this war can't go on. Does the enemy know? Does the enemy even care? Do they even exist? Who knows anymore? Somehow, that stopped mattering. The soldiers keep calling for aid and backup. Both of which are running out. It's only a matter of time.

How many soldiers are left on the battlefield? The higher-ups have stopped counting long ago. Are you surprised? There is so much going on in Heaven. Every time they turn around, there is another little fire springing up. If can't catch a break was a physical being...

But we need to back up and look at every element closely. Let's start with the soldiers.

Heaven sent many of them off to fight. They are still sending more. The angels used to not complain. But now everyone was just tired. This war can't go on. It's always the same in the reports. Who's even reading those anymore? Some of them might have ended up in the trash. Speaking of which, the generals aren't making the reports either. They are just on their own. Alone with an unseen an enemy.

Things aren't going to so well on the battlefield. That's actually an understatement. How many angels are left? There isn't a clear answer. Some of them are still fighting, believe it or not. There are still hanging on. That's all they know how to do. They aren't stupid though. This is all they have. Heaven was going to ship them back out again. Some even believe that the war isn't going to end. However, there are still some holding on to hope. There is still one lingering question.

"What's going to happen after the war?" one private asked. The other angels stared at them. That actually isn't a stupid question. Was there an exit plan? What was it? Even the commanders didn't know. Were they going to keep fighting this war forever? Some of them hoped that.

"This is not normal," another angel said. They aren't alone in that thought.

Half of the soldiers are missing on the battlefield. Some of that half was already dead. You already know what happened to Allen and Lavi. They aren't the only ones in their fates. The list of the missing and dead keeps growing. It never stopped. Is anyone checking the list anymore? They are just adding to the list and moving on. It shouldn't have to be like this. It really shouldn't. However, all might not be lost. "Might". There is some hope. "Some". The angels in the living world can be easily recovered. But the question becomes do they want to go back? Some of them have made lives for themselves. How do you tear them away from the roots they have laid down?

Heaven has been tracking its angels in the living world. There is one in particular they have been tracking.

Lavi Bookman.

There was a baby involved. Not just any baby. There was a Nephilim out there. Heaven didn't know that such a thing was possible. Now, they had another problem on their hands. What did this all mean? Right now, the child is a baby. Still, they couldn't take any chances. They didn't know how a Nephilim would change the playing field. Some have had dreams of said Nephilim bringing more destruction. But what will they do with the child? Some of them want the baby dead. Others want to study the child. Heaven hasn't come up with a final verdict. There has to be a decision made soon. Still, that is nothing compared to other problems that keep building up. There is that war, after all. Plus, the other missing angels. Oh yes.

Lavi isn't the only one in the living world.

Heaven has lost count. (Are you surprised?) It just keeps getting worse. They are trying to find the angels in the living world and bring them back. Some of them are living better lives than on the battlefield. But how have they not tried to eat anyone? Where are the bodies? Has anyone been reported missing? They have their own ways.

It would be cruel to make them go back to the battlefield. They are tired of fighting. They just want to live quiet lives. How was Heaven going to convince them to come back? The living world wasn't perfect but it was better than that hell on the battlefield. Some of them didn't care anymore. It wasn't their problem anymore. If the world was going to end for good, let it. At least they didn't have to fight in an endless war anymore. Heck, some of them already started making preparations for the end. However, that is just them.

The Fallen City is a different story. Once an angel goes there, they are lost for good. There is no way to track what goes on in the city. Heaven has tried but something keeps interfering. Most of the higher-ups have already given up. There are still some that are still looking for them. Lenalee comes into the office every day asking about Allen. The results are always the same. They have no answers. What was she expecting by this point? Hope can be such a bastard. The same rules applied to Heaven.

Hasn't anyone tried? There isn't any record if they have. No one really talks about the Fallen City in Heaven. Oh they know about it, alright. They were angels after all. Those that have tried to open a conversation ended up being shut down really quickly. Lenalee isn't the only one not to give up on Allen after all. There are others still looking for him. He wasn't in the living world. Half believed that he was "dead". Otherwise, they would have to believe...

They might not have a choice anymore. Okay, so what can they do about it? Lenalee refuses to give up. She believes that something has to be done. They don't want to have to break it to her. Now, it looks like they might not have a choice. Because things are about to get worse. It's been said before but it is the truth.

So what is the point of this war? Why keep doing this? When will it ever end? No one has the answer anymore. The coming days will change the landscape of the Wasteland. It will shift this endless war. Some angels can already see it coming. No, they all know what is coming. Some of them are pretending it's not happening. After all, there is still that "holy" war to fight. They have to try and win. They have to try and protect the living world. But it is all lies. It will all be in vain. After all, it was the late Imamura Shohei who said it best in his Japan segment in 11′09″01 September 11.

Holy wars do not exist.