Josh gaped in awe at the two people who just walked in. One was a 10-foot woman with golden skin and long dark brown hair. She was dressed in dark blue and had eight sky blue wings tipped with gold. A crown made from golden light hovered above her head. The other person was a 12-foot man with golden skin and platinum hair complete with a long beard. His eyes glowed blue, seeming more like gleaming sapphires than normal eyes. He had ten wings, which were made from pure light rather than feathers. He was dressed in robes that shimmered in many colors that seemed to flow through the cloth and dance with each other. A crown of iridescent, rainbow-hued light floated just above His head. Both figures had wise, kind expressions on their faces.
Penemue ran over to the pair and hugged them. "Dad! Mom! I'm so glad you could make it!"
"There's always time for you, Penemue," God smiled as he hugged Penemue back, "even in these chaotic times."
Josh hastily bowed, realizing who he was looking at. "Your Majesties!"
"Ah, you must be Josh Church!" God said, approaching Josh and extending His golden hand to Josh. "I am King Jehovah Caelestis, better known as God."
"And I am Queen Asherah Caelestis," said Asherah. "You can call me Mary, of course. That was my name when I incarnated on Earth to bring my eldest Son into the human world. We both owe you a massive debt of gratitude for defending Penemue from that wicked man who has the nerve to call himself my Husband's loyal servant."
"And you two really don't mind that I'm Rev. Church's son?" asked Josh. "I even have the same first name as him!"
"Bloodlines do not make us who we are," God answered. "One of my own younger sons started the Salem Witch Trials because a woman named Tituba chose a duke of Hell over him. His response was to torment some children in spirit form to start a panic and then come to town disguised as a human to loudly accuse Tituba of witchcraft. I revoked his lands until such a time as he can re-earn them through good deeds. If one of my sons can turn out a vengeful sinner, why can't a son of Rev. Church turn out a hero?"
"Please, Your Majesties, have a seat," Parthenope said, pouring her King and Queen some wine.
"I wish all of you luck down in Hell," God said as He took a sip. "I understand some of the nobility still resent Me and My loyal subjects. Pity. I remember many of them fondly from their time as angels. Lucifer became like another son to me after his parents died fighting Tiamat and Apsu. He and Jesus grew up as honorary brothers." God sighed wistfully. "That's why I'm troubled by the possibility that Lucifer is probably a target in this conspiracy."
"Do you really think so?" asked Penemue. "The assassin went for Rachel, and Rev. Church is at large. Isn't it more probable that she and her mother are the targets?"
"We think they all are," said Asherah. "The Iron Knights were founded in 1194 by King Richard the Lionheart of England, and in his inaugural speech to the founding members, he vowed that they would one day slay the Devil himself."
"Why am I not surprised that it was the same House of Plantagenet that tried to steal France from the House of Valois who started this madness?" Parthenope sighed.
"Believe Me," God said, "No matter who the original target was, Rev. Church and his comrades will never be able to resist trying to murder Lucifer. He is the ultimate prize. They may even conspire with other demons to get closer to their target. I know for a fact that there are infernal nobles who would gladly betray Lucifer for a chance to steal his throne."
"I never did trust Beelzebub," Asherah remarked. "I'm sure his devious words are what turned Lucifer against You during the rebellion."
"I'm just glad things between him and Me were largely mended at Remeila and Charon's wedding," God said. "I do agree that Beelzebub is worryingly ambitious... and eager for renewed hostilities that Lucifer isn't giving him. We can't accuse him without ironclad proof, of course. It would be unjust, and Lucifer would never believe that his 'best friend' is disloyal to him unless given no choice."
"Michael will find that proof," said Parthenope. "I'm sure of it."
"I hope so, General Parthenope," said Asherah. "It may take some time, of course. Beelzebub is cunning and will no doubt cover his tracks well. And if he's working with the Iron Knights, he has the power to grow the conspiracy. He has access to all souls being punished in his circle, and quite a few Iron Knight souls will be arriving in the Eighth Circle."
"I took out so many and they can still cause us problems?" Parthenope groaned.
"That's the Iron Knights for you," God said, taking another sip from his wine, "always a headache. Well, I'd better not keep you. You have quite a journey ahead of you. Good luck, Parthenope. And thank you once again, Josh." He and Asherah gave Josh one last smile before leaving. "Welcome to Our family."