A/N: And thus ends Rebirth. It's been my pet project for over a year-and-a-half now, and I'm happy I managed to see this through. :) It was nice to see just how my writing changed and improved over the year!

But I can't say that I like the beginning/middle of this fanfic as much as I do the end. Despite my best efforts, I've used too many cliches. E.g. Marie's death was gratuitous and unneeded, especially with her coming back to life a mere chapter later ("Death is Cheap" trope, even if I stylized it as being a shout-out to Seras and Pip's moment from Hellsing OVA), and as Some Magician noted, Alucard's part in the plot vanished from existence in the finale.

It's worth mentioning though that Alucard has had a much more elaborate role in the beta drafts. There he'd testify in front of the tribunal on his dad's behalf, but that was scrapped when Gabriel chose to pull a "Redemption equals Death" on us all. But then again, considering the number of drafts I've done for this story, it's not surprising so many potential plot lines were scratched. But that was the original design I've had in mind for Alucard and his Maelstrom jumping.

I've been intending to create a workaround to eliminate these problems, but I don't know if I'll have the spirit to rewrite this whole 75k+ word story. Probably not. But I will be doing some editing. Merge some chapters to make them match their latter equivalents, and add some extra scenes. And if there's gonna be interest, I'll be doing some prequel drabbles set in this universe. Like explaining just how Ikayiel had fallen or how Archangel Gabriel had fared in Heaven. Or writing some what-if scenarios, because I've had two people asking me to write a "bad" ending to the story. Where Dracul takes up the Demon's offer and allows for it to escape with his body. It won't be canon – obviously – but it's still quite an idea, eh? But in any case-

Hopefully you liked my vision of the canon Lords of Shadow 2 ending, and if you want more LoS fanfics from me, visit my other collab story called the Progeny. That one is more character-centric than this one, but I think you'll like it all the same. It is also there where you'll find more about the Knaves and other world-building material.

These are some final notes. lazykelpie on Tumblr has asked me to elaborate on the terminology and certain characters I'd introduced in this story, so I deliver! Should've made a list a little it earlier, but, eh, better late than never. :D

-[CHARACTERS]-

The Four Layers of Heaven (Atziluth, Beri'ah, Yetzirah, Assiah)

God – the Creator and Ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the Supreme Being. Occupies the highest layer of Eden and watches over humanity. Most of the time prefers to appear as a slender humanoid with brass skin and cyan eyes. Cannot tamper with free will.

Archon Knower - a spectral, butterfly-like creature who acts as an "intermediary" between God and the three remaining layers of Heaven. Has a special ability that lets her open portals in-between planes. Was killed by Gabriel in a fit of Decay-driven rage.

Archangel Gabriel (unofficially deceased) – God's Left Hand and His Representative on Earth. Dracul's good twin brought forth into existence after Satan's first incursion into the Prime Plane. Personifies the man's innate goodness and pacifism. Was amply aware that his brother's redemption would destroy him, but remained steadfast in spite of the odds. Was killed alongside Dracul.

Archangel Michael (deceased) – God's Right Hand and His Representative in Heaven/Limbo. Zobek's angelic counterpart is the very embodiment of the Necromancer's virtues. After the demise of his fellow Founders, Michael took it upon himself to introduce Gabriel to every aspect of Heaven, as well as his rights and duties. Over the span of several centuries, the two became incredibly close friends. Was killed alongside Zobek.

Archangel Raphael – angel of illusion, flight, and travel by air. Chief Ambassador to humanity. Was directly responsible for abducting the day-old Gabriel and handing him over to the Dracoduh Apostates.

Archangel Uriel – angel of mentality, fire, behavior, and attitudes. Protector of Eden. Accompanied Raphael on his quest.

Angel Eliana – angel of time, chronology of events, and history. Posed as a prophet for the Dracoduh Apostates. Accompanied Raphael on his quest.

Angel Azrael – angel of death, travel by water, and ferrymen. Acts as a psychopomp, guiding the souls of the dead which escaped Zobek's grasp to Heaven.

Angel Cassiel (deceased) – angel of communication, interaction, speech, and messengers. Cornell's good twin.

Angel Remielle (deceased) – angel of benediction, rescue, help, and doctors. Carmilla's good twin.

Justicar Rinaldo Gandolfi – the greatest weaponsmith of the Brotherhood. Creator of the Vampire Killer and its assorted replicas, as well as other equipment like the Cyclone Boots. After his death of old age in 794 AD became a Justicar.

Justicar Marie Belmont – Gabriel's devoted her ascension in 1047 AD, joined Gandolfi in the Council. Eventually persuaded the Almighty in permitting her to see Gabriel's fallen half. Arose against God's set decree in an attempt to preserve both sides of her husband.

Justicar Clemente Volpe – the head of the Brotherhood of Light. A brilliant alchemist and thaumaturgist in possession of the Philosopher's Stone. Fell prey to one of conspiracies involving one of his paladins in August 1555 AD. Was claimed by God and appointed the eldest of the Justicars. Is one of the major canon characters of the Progeny.

The Seraph – the ultimate soldier, the six-winged Seraph can only be created from an embodiment of both good and evil. From there on, they live on solely to fulfill the Almighty's will and combat His enemies with blistering resoluteness.

Penumbra (The Shadow Plane)

Archangel Ikayiel (fallen) – angel of knowledge, writing, teaching, mentors, and scribes. Creator of the Maelstrom. Originally Lucifer's closest compatriot, he was cast out of Heaven as punishment for exploiting humanity and posing as an Old God. Unable to stay on the Prime Plane, he formed his own dimension – later to be known as the Shadow Plane – and became its Sovereign. Made a deal with the Paragons and made sure Gabriel would steal his power.

Unknown Greater Daemon (a.k.a Bernhard's Demon) – one of the earliest prototypes of the new daemon race that Ikayiel created to fend off Satan's demons. This one is renowned for its skill at mimicry – assuming the guise of their foe. Was summoned by Walter Bernhard in 782 AD. The warlock bound the nameless creature and commanded it to merge with his castle. It obeyed. Defenseless against Earth's toxic (to daemons) influence, it mutated and began to leech power to survive. Its true desire is to escape its material prison and return to Penumbra.

Gehenna (The Nine Circles of Hell)

Archangel Lucifer (fallen) – God's onetime favorite, Lucifer the Morning Star fell after leading a failed rebellion against the Almighty. He was sent to Hell to pay for his crime. However, he managed to subdue the horrors of the dimension and soon became its King. In his pride, equals himself to his Father. Lucifer is completely immortal – whenever he "dies," his soul is sent back to Hell to be reborn. Fighting him in Hell is equivalent to suicide. Created his own personal caste of lesser demons to serve him.

Angel Azazel (fallen, deceased)– angel of alteration, water, and ever-changing aspects of life. Lucifer's top dog. Was dispatched to Earth to determine what happened to Dracul, but quickly got distracted in his petty pleasures. In the end began to scheme against his master. The only one, beside Ikayiel, who knows about the Maelstrom's powers.

Earth (The Prime Plane)

Lord and Lady Cronqvist (deceased) – Gabriel's parents. Both were killed when the Apostates assaulted their mansion. Their names are intentionally left unclear as a shout-out to the lovely Eiahmon.

Helena (deceased) – the last of the Dragonsouls and the leader of the Dracoduh Apostates. Was killed in retaliation for the massacre at the Cronqvist manor by the Brotherhood of Light.

Eve Belmont – Victor's (overprotective) mother. The leader of the Brotherhood of Light c. 2020s AD. Set to appear in the Progeny alongside Victor.

Nicolas, Linus, Bogomir 'the Hammer', Olga – Eve's companions.

Naparca, Sarpe and Krait – the Knaves of Darkness, a trio of highborn vampires turned by Dracul himself. All three receive a lot more characterization in the Progeny. Their real names are Clara, Mirtus, and Norachai.

Siam – Norachai's little sister. Died of typhoid fever in 1160 AD.

-[HEAVEN-BASED ORGANIZATIONS]-

Governing Paragons – the chosen five of archangels (Lucifer, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel) who supervise Heaven and its inhabitants with God's permission. Normally quite passive, but can be mobilized if there is a threat to their borders. Lucifer was their original superior, but after his exile that duty fell upon Michael's shoulders. Later, Eliana took the Morning Star's place. The lesser angels follow their orders.

Council/Tribunal of Justicars – a highly secretive fellowship of justices and magistrates. They are in charge of choosing whenever to absolve or condemn a departed soul. Because of their obligation they're effectively immortal, and cannot be killed by normal means. Only they have the power to descend to Earth without God's aid.

-[EARTH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS]-

Dracoduh Apostates – a barbarous cult of brigands and marauders dedicated to the worship of the Old Gods. Their leader is a Dragonsoul, a human whose soul was substituted with the essence of dragons. The cult's origins trace back thousands of years and innumerable dozens of Dragonsoul humans.

Innocent Devils – a group of elite demon hunters from the Brotherhood of Light. They form the 'offensive' branch of the Order, devoted to bringing the fight to the horrors that haunt the night.

Order of the Dracul – mentioned only. Exactly what it says on the tin. Because of the more involved world-building, the organization gets a lot more nuanced characterization in the Progeny. Because if Dracul wasn't worshiped at one point or another then I'm a granola bar.

-[TERMINOLOGY & ITEMS]-

Sundering – a ritual of divine origin which fragments a human being's essence into two self-reliant parts. These slivers embody good and evil respectively. The Brotherhood Founders had used this rite to ascend into Heaven. In Gabriel's case, it was invoked when he broke the spell separating the Earth from the Heavens and banished Lucifer. The process of Sundering is painless.

Decay – deterioration of the Dissevered (i.e. victims of Sundering). The two parts of the same soul, due to prolonged estrangement from one another, start to shift toward the morally ambiguous "gray" area. This causes all sorts of trouble if the pace of their "trek" differs.

Convergence – the opposite of the Sundering; the act of fusing two slivers back into one. Convergence cannot be forced and nullifies all abilities acquired prior it.

Horn of Truth (a.k.a Gabriel's Horn) – a 3'-long brass trumpet that was stolen by Lucifer when he was expelled from the ranks of the Paragons. The Devil scattered the fragments across planes of existence, hoping no one would be able to find and rebuild the artifact. Its true purpose is to announce the Second Coming, though it can also be used to call forth various creatures. Due to the origins of the relic, it is drawn to the sources of divinity present throughout the planes. Yes, that includes fallen divinity.

The Maelstrom – a basin that weaves short-lived dimensions based on the user's memories and thoughts. Because of the highly individualized nature of the relic, the created environments appear real to the user. The user has no power over the dimension. Originally was created by Ikayiel as a means to let him stay on Earth for longer periods of time, but was scrapped when the Paragons recognized his ploy.

Thank you for reading and I will see you later!