The truth

Question.

Within the dim, violet lights of the laboratory, a portal composed of black magic opened in the middle. Artemis crossed and closed the vortex behind himself. He then snapped his fingers to turn on the lights to reveal the white walls covered on boards with gribbles on them as well as numerous holograms and machinery as far as the eye could see.

"Ah, home sweet home." He stretched his arms behind his back, walked further into the space, and glanced at one of the hologram screens, swiping his finger and passing through different information.

'Will you tell us what your plan is now?' Goliath questioned.

"I plan to wait," he scrolled across the holograms with his hands.

'Are you serious?' Kuro growled in annoyance.

'I see you still are lacking in patience,' the lion chuckled cheekily.

'Quiet, you old cat.' The dragon scowled.

"Gentlemen, let's not turn my mind into a battlefield," Artemis interjected, his hands resting on his back. He maintained his calm, pacing around and humming as he observed the holograms.

Kuro grumbled and quieted down, the tension in the air thick and palpable. 'You didn't answer my question. Are we seriously just going to wait for the gods to notice this fool is gone, and they do something about it?'

Artemis chuckled a bit. "Oh, my dear associate. You underestimate the god's desire for control. As soon as they notice that the mortal realm is no longer no man's land, they'll do anything to have it beneath their greed-filled gaze."

'Is that why you let Muramasa go back to the Takamagahara?' Goliath questioned.

"Precisely," Artemis turned around with his hands on his back. "With his intel, they would know I hold your power within myself. It's only a matter of time before they send their regards."

After he finished those words, a golden projection emerged behind him. 'Demon child Artemis,' an ethereal voice resounded among the room's walls.

"Right on cue," He grinned and turned around once more. "That is indeed me, to what I owe this communication?" his tone was formal, yet with a knowing energy to it.

'The Takamagahara has been informed you possess the mortal realm's possessed beast. State your intentions immediately,' the voice responded, each word making the hologram glow momentarily.

"Now, now. I believe this is no way to speak about such an important matter," he said, placing his hand on his chest. "If you'd holiness be so kind to allow, it'd be delighted to explain in person."

The holographic light remained silent for a couple of seconds. '... proposition accepted.' With that, the shimmers expanded until they created a star-bright gate—the entrance to the realm of the gods.

Artemis grinned with a low chuckle as he watched the sparks brightening. "Splendid." He stepped inside, the portal closing as soon as he crossed. Yet even then, the holograms continued to shift and scroll around.

On the other side, Artemis witnessed the light of the heavenly realm. The wraithlike cloudy landscape and otherworldly structures compose a pearly metropolis as nothing imaginable in the demon realm.

The

"Huh, they have a favorite color," he mumbled as he walked ahead.

"Greetings, demon child." An angel bowed before him, or as they are better known in this realm, Hiten. He stood up and turned around, "Follow me; the high court wishes to speak with you."

"I would assume so. That's what I suggested." Artemis followed him; as he advanced, he could see the celestial citizens passing by, both Hiten and female angels, better known as Tennyo. Their eyes followed him as if he were a strange animal that broke out of containment.