Beyond SSS-Rank After Getting The God System-Chapter 261 - 260 : The Game Of Life

As Carl sat there chuckling to himself, Samael helped him up and patted him on the back before heading over to Margo.

As the usually energetic god stood there motionless and silent, his old friend patted him on the back and tried to gauge what was going through his perpetually divided and contradicting thoughts.

"Margo, we failed and nothing we do will change anything. It was the best idea at the time, but the future revealed a better one.

Come on old friend, there's nothing else to do but look at what's in front of you. You're children are alive and you need to start making that dream of yours a reality, you can't stay broken."

While that happened, Lillim sent the crowns back to get the realms of Hell in order, deciding not to tell them Raziel would be keeping them pinned in order to ensure they all treated her great-grandchildren with the proper respect.

Of course as they tried to portal away with no luck, Lillim was also happy to let them look around like idiots for a moment.

Lillim then went over to Carl and gave him a fiery shave that left the horrid smell of burning hair to fill the air as she asked Carl what their next move was.

Carl looked over to Samael, Ishtar and Margo. "I don't know, but I think you and Samael should come with me and them to go put this to rest once and for all."

"Fair, might I suggest Margo stays in hell? He and Samael have always gotten along well enough, it might help him to stay with friends." Lillim was starting to sound too tired to hide it, even Carl could tell she had expended the last of her malice and sated her bloodlust.

Carl nodded and said he'd leave it up to her, then clicked and told the crowns they were free to follow orders before he approached the space between Ishtar and where Samael was with Margo.

He then stopped just short of asking Ishtar to lead the way and gritted his teeth as he apologised to Sis and decided he couldn't just end it there.

He wanted to, he really wanted to just unilaterally call it quits, but that wouldn't be the best option. Sis had asked him to try and figure out a way to get on with them, not just let them live.

"Sorry, I can't just act like nothing happened. Grandma, can you and Samael accompany Ishtar? I need to clear the air."

Lillim tapped him on the shoulder and told him to be aware of his own feelings, then gestured to Samael and Ishtar before the three of them disappeared.

Margo was bouncing from what foot to the other. "Fisticuffs with your old man is it?"

Carl darted towards him and punched him into the ground with enough force to decorate the entire planet's surface in an intricate spider-web pattern.

"Stop messing about. Please, for once in my life, just give me what I need! I'm sick of this! Family means everything to me, but how the hell can I preach that to my kids when I hate my own parents."

Margo was laughing, but there was a deep and obvious pain in him, it was a frustration Carl understood fundamentally but knew he couldn't fathom the degree.

He sunk low, told him not to worry about it, assured him words weren't what he needed. "... I know what it's like when you can't get your thoughts and feelings across. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in that state constantly though."

Margo continued to laugh, but then he saw something most unexpected, a small fox jogging along the cracked glass surface of the world.

Illuminated by the spectrum of refracted light, the fox pattered over at her own pace, the mad god watching intently as it jumped over a particularly large crack before slipping on the glass and sliding along on its belly as its limbs splayed out.

"What a little cutey! Coo-coo! Ha! My boy seamlessly knocked me certainly senseless!"

As Carl looked about, trying to see whatever held the mad god so entranced, she had stood and shook off the indignation before making her way over to the mad god and sitting in front of him.

Suddenly the glass around them all shattered and raised into the air in a blinding and disorienting display as the fox transformed into a small girl and thrust a pair of daggers into Margo before changing back and scurrying away in the confusion.

When the glass fell to the ground and began to shatter, Carl suddenly realised that Margo had fallen into a heavy seizure, throthing at the mouth as he shook violently.

Carl looked at him, not sure if to help or how to if he should, he didn't even know if he needed to help. For the first time, Carl was face to face with a man he knew beyond all doubt was his father, a father that genuinely done what he felt was best to the point of attempted martyrdom.

It was a twisted plan, with so many flaws and weaknesses that only a mad-man could consider it good, but that's exactly what he was and no one should really expect it from a man who quite literally can't stop himself from regularly doing the opposite of what he wants.

It felt like something was forcing him to care about him, but as many excuses as he had, he had a greater number crimes beyond redemption to answer for.

Carl was confused, he wanted a fight not an on the spot ultimatum, especially one which fate had seemingly thrown at him just to see the animosity put to rest once and for all. It then seemed further angered by the hesitation and Margo's teeth suddenly bit through his tongue.

Carl gritted his teeth and blinked his eyes, when they opened they were identical to the ones that covered Levi's body and Margo suddenly froze solid. Carl then created a pillow and placed it under his head whilst healing his body, clearing his airways and even regulating his breathing and heart-rate.

As he did, he noticed that there were two puncture wounds in his divinity channels, not just those in his physical body, but also his mind-forms' and soul-forms. At first he wondered if it was the result of some sneak attack, or delayed effect from a wound he sustained at the hands of either Ishtar or Gilgamesh, but on closer inspection that wasn't the case.

The punctures were precise and landed to cause a chain reaction of some kind, which Carl realised was separation, one which was slowly causing his divinity channels into two distinct systems running side by side.

One channel system was filled to the brim with divinity structured on a foundation of Mind, while the other was built upon a foundation of Chaos.

"Dammit Ki-ko, you really think I wouldn't figure you out? Do you really want the fighting to end all at once? Yeah, that sounds about right..

Fine. I think I earned the right to ask a few concessions, so why don't we all just move on? Not that I changed my mind and forgive everyone, I'm just saying we talk instead, what are the chances two inversion sufferers can understand each other during an episode?"

As Carl mumbled to himself, a pulse suddenly washed over everything, Carl observed it spreading throughout the entirety of Thingness and then he returned his attention to his unexpected patient as he wondered why he was hardly surprised by how the situation came to an end.

Then he chuckled, his life hadn't started the way anyone would have expected, or progressed the way anyone expected, why the hell did he think this specific saga would end the way anyone expected?

"Old man, I bet in your wildest, most delusion dreams, you never considered the game would end with the hero being emotionally blackmailed into quitting the game as he got to the final boss."

As he finished speaking he noticed the process plaguing Margo had eased and he released the paralysis. "You're right, never in my most twisted times or deepest delusional dreams did I see that one coming..."

Carl, looked at him, the purpose of Kitsunoko's not as sneaky as she thought mission laid bare.

"Seems you owe your daughter your life and my daughter your sanity. Let's get back to everyone, I'll beat the final boss when no blackmails me away from the controller."

Carl grabbed his collar one moment then the next they were with Lillim, Ishtar and Samael, then he pulled Margo to his feet and told him to get started on apologies and thanks whilst he went to announce the end properly.

Lillim took the time to tell him about the punishment plan for Jupiterran and the others, an issue he was all too happy to delegate unilateral authority of and just punish them as instructed, Carl then turned to leave but stalled.

"Before I go, Samael. I would have made some serious mistakes and been without Grandma, so thank you. That said, if I find out you had something to do with my daughter's makeover without telling me...

Oh and on that subject Grandma, nice job giving our biggest wild cards whatever you gave her."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Whatever you're annoyed about though, I'd say it helped everything work out for the best, so maybe bare that in mind when she's sent to her room." Carl grunted, the fact Lillim wasn't even trying to hide how much she was lying through her teeth spoke volumes about how much she cared about the sudden shift in power.

Carl however found it comforting having her remain the mellowed out grandmother that had held his hand as they all took those first steps into the world of divine warfare and cosmic insanity.

As he reappeared in front of the others, he caught them all up on exactly what had transpired, including their daughter stabbing the crazy out of Margo.

The only bit he left out as to not risk having an impact on the future, was how much Raziel would change over the years, on that subject he only scooped her up and told her to stay his little girl long enough to actually enjoy having her parents around while she was one.

Raziel didn't particularly understand, but she wasn't going to turn down cuddles and got comfortable until he set her down to give a proper apology for his actions whilst enslaved to his other form's instincts.

"Oh shit! We left Noah behind!" The moment Gillian said it, everyone covered their mouths as they gasped, all except Grenda who opened a portal and disapeared for a second before returning with Noah covered in volcanic ash, soot and deep-red skin.

"I might be immortal thanks to being a Householder, but I don't have the natural inclination, you are so lucky I found things to hunt in that hellscape. No idea what they are though, I think Carl's divinity mutated them a bit."

As they laughed at Noah being Noah, everyone gathered the forces together and Tiamutael started sending them to where they wanted to go, but then Kitsunoko appeared out of nowhere.

"I just woke up! What did I miss!? Forget that, Tiamutael, Raziel, I need you to help me with something. If we do this, it will stop anyone holding a grudge." Kyubi pinched her ear, then activated her authority and retrieved the daggers that once belonged to Illerion.

"Who exactly do you think you're fooling young lady? Do what you want, but please have the decency to not treat us like fools along the way..." She hastily confiscated the daggers before looking at Raziel and Tiamutael, making sure they knew they weren't fooling anyone as to their involvement as well.

When the trio subsequently apologised, they were given leave to perform whatever miracle Kitsunoko intended to pull out of her bag of tricks next, but she had other plans and they disappeared from perception.

Suddenly allowing all the demons to start moving, including the crowns who upon seeing the tired expression on Carl's face decided it would be best to carowl the demons before tiredness gave way to extreme reaction.

Carl however was not interested in that course of action, opting instead to take on his son's usual duty and transporting everyone who didn't call the place home to where they did before any unnecessary fighting broke out.

A few moments later Carl and everyone but Lillim were sat in Alysse's palace in silence, it felt so strange.

A few short months prior, sitting about with no grand plans to make felt so normal, but now it was unsettling. It left them all feeling on edge, like they were missing something, like something big was about to shatter what was usually an all too brief illusion of peacefulness.

As they did, Lydia arrived, looking at them all in turn before she walked around and handed everyone a slate.

"What is this?"

"This is the role I had prepared to play in the war... Patching up you and everyone else who took part, body and mind alike. Fill out the questionnaire, then head to the hospital all of you and don't even think about missing therapy because you think you're okay.

If you try that shit I'll break out the pheromones and make you all regret opening that can of worms.

Kids, you'll be seeing me three times a week no matter what realm you're living in and no matter what kid-vids, pranks and cookies you have."

The questionnaire was brutally specific, asking how many lives they had taken, the range. If it was too hard to answer there was an option to simply submit a full report, but everyone knew that was a prime example of detachment that Lydia would clock onto immediately.

She was very good at what she did, meticulous and dedicated, making the most of her ability to make sleep optional if she had patients needing her attention.

There would be no escape for anyone, even if she had to do house calls that took her to every corner of existence, but as everyone stared at the slate in front of them she told them to stop being stupid.

"The questionnaire is mandatory, but fill it in at your convenience over the next twenty-four hours, anyone happy to see one of my new recruits please tick the box so I can adjust hospital rotations accordingly."

Lydia then left, but Leanna followed after her, leaving all of the others to stare at the slates in front of them.

"Guys, why is it that this feels more daunting than the war itself?" Alysse asked as she started to tear up, still not having adapted to her more emotional mentality, but surprisingly it was Blanc who answered first.

"Because when the war began it was forced on us and we told ourselves it had to be fought, this is where we have to admit that the reason we done it is because we chose to." Blanc started filling in his slate as soon as he finished, the others each dispersing, to fill them in privately.

"Before you guys go, we'll be leaving now. I'll be honest, I'm not quite done adjusting and I'll start overloading if I don't get rest." Carl's announcement wasn't a surprise, but it still shocked them.

Then Leanna ran back into the room, telling Alysse to activate every camera feed she had. "That damn granddaughter of mine really needs a lesson on humility Carl..."

As the screens surrounding them flickered on and started cycling, what they were watching left them unsure of what it was all even for in the end, every death was being undone, bodies pulled themselves back together and life flowed back into them.

It was stupefying how quickly she had decided to treat life and death as casually as freezing and melting water, but it was also something Carl, Klaire and Kyubi knew they would have to have a serious chat with her about.

"Carl! Don't forget my wedding mate, need a best man and now you're retired you have no excuse." Gillian slapped him on the back and said goodbye to everyone else, then Scylla followed his lead.

As the did though, they suddenly jumped back, changing into their true-forms and snarling until Lillim's voice echoed down the hallway telling them not to test a tired old woman.

Their weariness became clear however when she appeared with Margo, Ishtar and Samael in tow, explaining that they came to apologise in person.

Margo immediately dropped to all fours and apologised, it wasn't long winded or overly pleading, just a blunt and sincere expression of apology. He then stood and walked over to Carl. "...I know where I stand with you, but now I have a proper voice, I would like to say this at least once so there is no doubt. I love you and I will do whatever it takes to make amends for my wrongs.

Klaire, Squidge, I can never undo the damage I did to you by exposing you to my externalised divinity. I swear I will never show myself to either of you again but by your request.

Levi, in all my time, I never thought I'd ever find someone so willful even my madness couldn't break it. You do your parents proud and if you ever wish to test your abilities I will be more than happy for you to try."

Margo then walked away and rejoined the others, as Ishtar followed his lead.

"It seems I failed to be a mother yet again, but I will heed your advice and work out what a mother is and try again. I also need to apologise for not telling Susanoo not to hand it over, that was my failsafe to provide you both a means for empowerment and to combat that Chaos at play."

"Well, you two better sort yourselves out before Sis wakes up. Blow that and I'll definitely never forgive either of you. Anyway, I'm not a hero anymore, I'm officially retired, so I'm going to go make up for lost time and rest, be a husband and father and I'll see you all when you want to see me I guess."

"Hey Carl, before you go, I have one question." Blanc shouted from across the hall.

"Shoot."

"Did you check your comm-slate?"

Carl cocked an eyebrow, checking his pockets instinctively and only remembering it had been semi-permanently stolen by Kitsunoko and Tiamutael when he found it.

"So because you were a jerk, we thought it would be fun to rub this in your face."

The message stung to read, but he was curious as to what "this" actually was as he moved to play the vid-attachment underneath. The moment his finger pressed it however and he watched the video showing Gillian and Tiamutael cheering "Me-cha fight! Me-cha fight!" his disappointment was palpable.

To make things worse he could see the shockwave propelled dust storms blowing past them and hear the sounds of the mechs doing battle, he watched the video with anticipation building every step, but every time he thought it was the moment of the grand reveal, the camera panned back to the two cheering.

Finally, the video came to a stop as they all apologised he couldn't be there to see it and his dreams died.

"Carl, couldn't you just make your own now?" Klaire asked, patting him on the back as he slipped the slate back into his pocket.

"Yeah, probably... But it wouldn't be the same..."

"How did such a child ever pull this off?" Kyubi laughed as Carl deflated completely.

"I didn't, I got lucky every step of the way and then all of the sudden Samael spilled his guts on the whole thing. All I did was deal with Gilgamesh in the end and I only done that thanks to future assistance.

Ultimately, I was pretty useless on my own, but that's probably a good thing. I think if I had pulled it off and competently handled every challenge every step of the way, I would have just become the next villain when everyone started to worry about what I intended to do with that power."

Kyubi wrapped her arms around him. "Yeah, well you could be right, but it's hard to imagine them getting concerned about what someone with such an unusual taste in facial hair aesthetic would do."

As everyone laughed at the memory of seeing him, Carl stared self-consciously at them and exhaled. "Die the hero or live long enough to become the villain, maybe if someone had shaved his facial fluff without him knowing. this whole thing could have been avoided."

---Message from the author---

This has been great fun writing and I hope you had great fun reading.

This is the end of the main story, but not world. I will be taking a break from this project, but fully intend to right side-stories.

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