49 Invitations (1/2)
At the buzzing street inside of Gremory's territory, Rafi was seen walking together with Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Sakura, and Karin, as they savored the cityscape of Gremory's territory.
”So, now is your doppelganger's turn ah, Rafi. Hm, I really envy Altria, spending times with your original.” Sakura looked at him with a smile as she said.
”...cough, cough, well, It is just the same, Sakura. This 'me' is also Rafi. Our senses will be shared later, when I merge back with my original. So no matter what I experience now, will be known to him later.” Looking at her smile, Rafi felt a heavy feeling weighed on his heart as he replied weakly.
”Eventhough I know that, but still, it just feels different you know.”
”Ufufu, Sakura is right, Rafi. You owe us an explanation for this.” Minamoto no Yorimitsu pinched his back slightly as she said it with a fake smile.
”Oh, oh! Is this the scene of a wife's jealousy upon a cheating husband?! A good material for my novel!” Karin said spiritedly as she took out her notes and started to write.
”...he, he, I...well, what do you all want to do? I will try my best to accompany it, haha.” Speechless at Sakura and Yorimitsu's blaming look, Rafi's clone could only said weakly as he thought to himself, 'If I can't, then I will leave the rest to the original. It serves him right, leaving this mess of jealous women to me. Even a clone also have a feeling!'.
And looking at the excited Karin, Rafi's clone only sighed inwardly, as it seemed Karin's habit started up. Because after Karin became one of his woman, she spent most of her times at his side, when the others were journeying outside. She helped him managing the intels from Zetsu, keeping touch with war's planning, and other various matters. Due to that, she started to write the events happening around, inside a note. To her surprise, when she started writing, a feeling of enjoyment appeared inside her heart. That finding startled her, as she then consulted with Rafi over it. Rafi then said to Karin about the idea of writing a diary or novel as her side hobby. Though, Rafi didn't know at that time, the intensity she had when her writer's instinct kicked in. Thus, even after the war was over, her habit of writing still continued, with her new goal of making a novel of their adventures.
”Hmm, you've said it yourself. Then, accompany us looking around the city for these times. And also, if we request something, you may not refuse it.” Sakura tiptoed gently, walked in front of him as she looked at him mischievously.
”Eh, that is all?? No problem for me.”
Those four people then started to visit the Gremory territory's various scenic places. Due to the pressure they emitted, and the Lucifer's medallion on Rafi, many Devils didn't dare to slight them. The medallion was a proof of special guest of Underworld, given by Sirzechs as part of the deal, to give Rafi a necessary identity in Underworld.
And thus, when they visited all what the city could offer, they went to the next cities, Agreas and Lilith, to do the same thing. Though, if the place there was not to their liking, the girls left those places quickly, as it didn't align with their original goal. Because, their original goal were to find best places for their own dates with Rafi's original body at later times.
.....
Meanwhile, Koneko looked shaken after hearing the truth. Her petite figure was trembling slightly as her tears started to fall quietly. Amidst their silence, the sound of her falling tears was the only sound that filled the room as her figure looked more lonely, like a kitten that just lost her home. As Koneko was feeling lost, Hanabi then embraced Koneko tightly, as though wanting to ease Koneko's feeling. She felt that she might understand Koneko's feeling at the moment, as both of them were similarly little sister. While Hinata, looking at her little sister embracing Koneko tightly, then approached the two little girls as she patted their head gently. Because in her heart, she could sympathize with what Kuroka went through, as both were similarly older sister. If her clan's rule would bring harm to Hanabi, her heart would be torn as she didn't know what she might do about it. As in one side was her clan's old tradition, while the other was her beloved little sister.
It was only after some times passed that Koneko began to calm down. She looked at Hanabi and Hinata in front of her, looking at her gently, as her heart felt warmth with their care. She then looked at Rafi with a newer determination after knowing the truth.
”Good, that is a determination we need for your training, Koneko-chan. We will begin your training shortly. Are you prepared now?”
”Yes. Please, guide my training, pervert sensei.”
”Hehe.” Hanabi giggled a bit after hearing how Koneko addressed Rafi.
”I wonder what is the change, but it seems you are more daring eh, Koneko-chan. I will not go easy then.” Rafi's lips twitched a bit as he then looked at Koneko with a smirk.
.....
At other places, after having a talk with Azazel previously, Rafi's clone then went to check on other mythology's territories. After confirming their locations, he disappeared in a flash as he then proceeded to each mythology's territories and leaving them an 'invitation', except for the Norse mythology in Yggdrasil. The places such as, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Xumi, Realm of The Dead, and other sacred places the dwelling of Gods have been patronized by him in silence. His operation of Invitation was done in stealth, as he left only a text imprint in front of their territory's gates, without the need for a frontal fight. Although, even if he did it as stealth as possible, some of the stronger Gods proved to have keener detection, and thus almost caught him in the act, causing him to quickly teleport. Tough, those moments only happened when he went to the dwelling places of the top ten strongests of the world.
The top ten strongests weren't ones from top ten in each mythologies, but the acclaimed and approved strongest beings of the world, despite the many creatures and mythologies inhabiting the world. Those top ten strongest beings were;
Dragon God of Infinity Ophis,
God of Destruction Shiva of Hinduism three Great God,
God of Preserver Vishnu of Hinduism three Great God,
God of Creation Brahma of Hinduism three Great God,
Heavenly Emperor Taishakuten (Indra) of Mt. Xumi,
Norse Mythology God of Thunder Thor,
Norse Mythology Demon Wolf Fenrir,
Greek Mythology God of the Netherworld Hades,
Egyptian Mythology Sun God Aten,
Celtic Mythology God of Light Lugh.
Although, even if it was acclaimed of the strongest, there were still beings out there that could stand on par with some of them. Those beings, for example, were Great Red, Ddraig and Albion(before they were sealed), and those Exceed of each races such as Super Devils. Great Red could be said on par with Ophis in power, as a True Dragon God himself. Though, because of his inactive involvement in world's affairs made him excluded from the list.
While Sirzechs and Ajuka both were still hiding their true powers, as they focused on rebuilding and preserving the Devil's faction and being pacifist themselves, rather than to content for the world's authority. If Sirzechs and Ajuka decided to show their power, they should be placed between the fifth rank and tenth rank, considering their power as Super Devil. Because, the first rank until fifth rank position was undisputedly the strongest out of those ten ranks.
Rafi didn't send his invitation to Ophis as she was with Chaos Brigade at that moment. With their HQ kept moving, and changing coordinates continuously in another space, thus preventing Rafi to find it in short time. While the Norse Mythology was also excluded, as it already showed its goodwill by Odin came himself to sign the Peace Treaty. Thus it was excluded from Rafi's list of the places needed to send an 'invitation'.
Because, his invitation could also considered a challenge, if it was seen from other God's perspectives. As who would be so bold to sneak in their territories and leaving a text imprint imbued with the culprit's own's aura on it. Moreover, the written text is not necessarily polite either, as it only informed them a place and time for a meeting, without any polite remarks suited to their standing as a God.
After he did send all those 'invitations', he went back to Gremory's Mansion, tired from all the runnings.
”Ah, it is done. Now, let's just wait whether they will show up there later. Time to go back to main body then. Hmm?”
”Ha, you are there, Rafi! Where have you been going just now? I've been looking for you for a while now, huft..huft... Azazel said you have something to talk to me? Like..., the talk with other Gods I mean.” Serafall waved from afar as she finally found him. As she was closer, she looked at him blamingly for being hard to find, and stared at him suspiciously at the talk of other Gods.
”Ugh, ha, ha, actually there is nothing wrong with the other Gods, Serafall. Azazel has just tricked you.” 'damn that Azazel.' as Rafi thought silently, while assuring Serafall that there was nothing wrong.
”Really?? Why do I feel that you are lying now??” Serafall kept staring at his face as her hands on her waist, looking at him suspiciously.