Fang returned to the villa, a wide, mansion-like marble building she was supposed to know as home. Fang knew better than to think of it like that. The villa was simply the place they caged her after a long day; home of the Umbra elders, Jeanne, Cereza, and their young daughter of Fang's. Her Umbra escort left her when they reached the foyer with Fang. It'd do no good to run anyway. With the talent of Witch Time at the fingertips of an Umbra's hands, she'd never escaped and never would on any attempt, which had stopped a long time ago when Fang understood how fruitless they were. They only caused her injured clan more pain, a fact that would always be held against her to prevent any sympathetic act from Fang.

Fang started for the kitchen. Jeanne, the tall, white-haired Umbra Elder met her halfway and greeted Fang, who echoed a shallow, "Evening, Elder," respectfully back as she always did. Jeanne cast her that eye of concern back as she usually did and put a hand on Fang's shoulder to guide her to the kitchen where food had already been brought to the table for the two of them. The daughter, Rhea, was nowhere to be seen tonight. Nor was her mother present.

"Rhea and Cereza are visiting Athena's tonight," Jeanne filled in for Fang.

"Will you be requiring me then?" Fang asked simply, knowing this was as good a reason as any for her to fuck Jeanne tonight. It'd become a practice, almost a nightly ritual they shared every other day by now, most always with Cereza.

Fang fulfilled a need, as her prophecy had foretold. And the blooded children of Ragnarok shall not grow old and age.

So spoke her fate. And then Roma of the Umbra Circle of Elders had suggested the possibility of breeding Ragnarok's children as well. As Fang could produce no equipped, full-blooded child with any other clan, thus came in the Yuns, full-bloods, in hopes of breeding another Ragnarok to share more quickly.

Thus explained Fang's recent life in a jiffy.

"…No," Jeanne said finally. Fang had done two Yuns already today, something extremely rare in and of itself. Jeanne's decency was getting the better of her again; there was no other reason to deny this night with Fang, especially when she needed it so much.

"I'm okay; I can sleep with you if you want." Fang said, not out of grandiose sacrifice or a feeling of owing that to Jeanne. She just had a duty to do and would fulfill it respectfully. Fang didn't much want to be alone tonight anyway. Thoughts of Summer staring at her would plague her nightmares. Doing Jeanne with Cereza would keep her busy and distracted, at least. Besides, bad as Fang believed she had it, it would be so much worse if Jeanne wasn't the clan Elder. Whether Fang was numb to kindness or not, Jeanne and Cereza did treat her better than most of their Umbra sisters did. Jeanne still clung to a tad of guilt concerning Fang. It'd preserved their humanity. Fang didn't relish the thought of how much more she'd do without them.

So, she would help Jeanne.

"Fang," Jeanne addressed unexpectedly, seemingly about to make conversation with her. "…You've had a rough day. You should rest." Fang glanced up and tried to read where this was coming from. Jeanne answered that in her next breath. "I was outside your door, Fang."

With those six words, Fang stiffened like a board, rigid down to her knees. She had hoped her guardians had been away, escorting Primrose; nobody had come in at Summer's confession of knowing Fang. She thought they hadn't heard that slip of tongue. "Don't hurt her," Fang asked meekly, in no position to make demand. "She won't say anything."

"Fang— "

"Please," Fang begged, unusually disrespectful in overrunning her words. It was just— Summer had already paid a steep price, being submitted to Fang. The last thing Fang wanted was for Summer to be pulled away or worse for the simple error in remembering Fang. Fang had ruined her enough already without resorting to that. "She won't talk. Any threat against her family will shut her up. You don't have to do anything— "

"Fang," Jeanne overran more firmly, abruptly shutting Fang up from speaking. She looked at Jeanne, feeling ill with pleading eyes. "We're not going to do anything to her or her family." Fang couldn't find it in herself to believe it until Jeanne specified. "I'm not going to do anything," she meant in telling, Fang thought. Jeanne wasn't going to tell anyone about Summer. And if the rest of the Umbra didn't know, Summer was safe. A whole flood of relief overwhelmed Fang.

"Thank you." Fang meant truly, appreciation tripling for Jeanne in that moment. It wasn't something she had to do at all, maybe even something she shouldn't be doing, but of all the Umbra Fang knew and had slept with, Jeanne had one of, if not the, softest spot for Fang. It wasn't something she dared show, for her sisters would consider it a weakness, but Jeanne had been sorry that day, 11 years ago, when she'd sent away Fang. Her kindness couldn't reach as far as forbidding the sharing of Fang, but it was why Fang didn't hate her like most of of them. She and Cereza both held this small, but not overlooked kindness for Fang.

Fang would make extra effort to really please her when she went to bed with Jeanne again.

"Fang," Jeanne gently pressed, her good heart keeping her from being silent. She seemed at a loss for words for a moment, then finally said, "You can talk to me about that girl, Summer? If you need."

"Is that an order?" Fang asked quietly.

"No."

"Then no thank you, Elder." Fang declined respectfully, in no mood for that sore spot to be brought back up again today.

Jeanne stood, seemingly at odds with herself when she finally said, "I won't be requiring you tonight, Fang."

Fang looked down at her feett as Jeanne's gun-heels clicked away, the magically-powered Rose pistols all Umbra wore strapped to their shoes as a heel. Fang sat, devoid and alone again.

XXX

"Lightning, my dear," the wizened, Elder Sage addressed. Worn down by centuries of time and the war that had passed, Barthandelus no longer represented the strong demi-God he'd once been. Blessed with an exceedingly long lifespan, the old Sage was not yet at his end and would probably live for a few centuries yet. It seemed a long time to Lightning and anyone else without that lifespan, but to the mighty Sage he'd once been, Barthandelus was nearing his end.

That wasn't to say he wasn't powerful. Oh no, Barthandelus still was an Elder Sage, and would gain more power until the very, very end. That was the trade-off of being a mighty Sage; as he aged, his powers grew stronger and stronger yet. Barthandelus could do almost anything with his magic and before he died, he'd inflict that on the Umbra swarm.

Physically, though, he remained a weakened, old man. And the old man before her was her guardian in all things; he'd taken Lightning and Odile in as outcasts and protected them from prejudices and dangers of other men. Lightning and Odile owed their lives and every special privilege to Sage. Other women didn't get housed and fed as well as them, and to everybody else, a woman sleeping with another without express command from a man was subject to death or worse in enslavement.

Lightning didn't know what she'd do without that allowance for Odile to share her bed. It was a weakness, Sage called it, her draw to share a fellow Umbra's bed. Lightning hated thinking about it like that; that she'd share this same 'weakness' for any other Umbra she met, and denied it to herself fully, but it let her have Odile, and for that, she was quiet in protesting Sage's speculation. It wasn't like she could disprove it anyway, having never met another Umbra to test.

"Come forth," Sage summoned with an indication of his staff tilted backwards. "Both of you."

Lightning glanced at Odile from her kneeling position where the long-haired beauty knelt beside her. Odile gave her a little smile and picked up off the floor with Lightning. Sage rested back his great staff to the wall.

They approached Sage with reverence, bowing before they stepped up to the side of his throne. Barthandelus smiled warmly at them and extended a frail hand to Lightning's face, which he touched with a gentleness unknown to the likes of man. Lightning closed her eyes as he stroked back a whisk of hair with tenderness, like she'd imagined her father would've if he hadn't been dead. "My darlings," When she opened her eyes, she saw Sage holding Odile's hand with his other one, his fingers still tucking away her black strands. "I have missed you, my dears." Sage said, "Tell me, how fares your birthing statuses?"

Though Odile had little reaction, Lightning was deeply shamed by the question and lowered her eyes. "We're still trying, your Benevolency. We haven't managed of yet."

"Oh, Lightning," Sage dropped his frail hand to lay over hers as well. "Odile," he addressed as well, weakly squeezing her hand. "You both are shining examples of perseverance in our lands. Even when the darkest hours of doubt pass. You visited the physician today, didn't you, Lightning?"

"It's nothing serious," Lightning excused quickly.

"He gave you cream for your sores." Sage said knowingly, "Yet you still bedded a man."

"Before," Lightning specified, in case he didn't know. "He insisted even after I told him I was diseased."

"And you satisfied him admirably." Sage agreed. "This is the kind of commendable behavior that makes me proud, Lightning." He gave her an old, grandfatherly smile. "And Odile," he addressed, commending, "Your willingness to bargain with Shanks in Lightning's place is admirable. The lengths you go to help dear Lightning is worthy of exceptional note. You have a very kind spirit indeed, my bounteous girl." Odile's eyes were troubled, as were Lightning's. That had been part of Lightning and Odile's private conversation. If Sage knew about that so soon after it'd happened, then… "Yes," Sage nodded his understanding, seeming to read her very mind. "I know you two discussed an escape earlier today."

Lightning's blood ran cold. Odile looked scared and took back a step. Lightning was sure she did too, but logic overran the instinct to run. Sage could kill them in an instant no matter how hard they ran. More likely he'd show his great mercy if they owned up right now. Odile seemed to be panicking with wide eyes. She took another step back, stumbled on the decline, and tripped. Something invisible caught her and started pushing her to Sage again.

Lightning panicked. "It was me!" she blurted, freezing Odile's wide eyes on her. Lightning hoped she'd keep quiet. "I came up with the plan."

"No, Lightning." Sage denied calmly as Odile braced taut by Sage's invisible command. "That's not how it was."

"I'm sorry," Odile apologized, usually calm features were clouded with fear and struggle. "I didn't mean it— "

"Of course you did," Sage echoed in that calm tone, "And it hurts my heart, Odile. Both of you hurt my heart."

"Majesty— " Lightning started to say.

"Shh, child," Sage lulled, voice like floating relaxation, despite Lightning's tense, quickly-beating heart. "Shh. I understand your pain, my girls, and your fear of coming to age without a single babe." Lightning swallowed, hoping against hope for his great mercy now. He could slaughter them in a second if he liked. "I know you're afraid," Sage said in understanding, "And I don't blame you for thinking to get away. It's as Odile says," he took her chin in his fingers, looking sadly towards the woman. "Even I won't be able to help you when you come of age without them. These are simply the rules of the worlds. No one can change them, and no exceptions can be made. You understand?"

"Yes," Odile barely breathed with bated breath, eyes linked on Sage's. Her shoulders slowly relaxed, released from the hold. The fear lessoned in her eyes, bit by bit as she stared at Sage. Lightning thought she saw some kind of light touch her skin, but it vanished in a blink. "I… understand, Majesty."

She stared at Odile, who'd completely settled in a relaxed state.

"I know you do," Sage said, finally looking away. Lightning kept her eyes on Odile, who met hers after a moment with a seemingly distanced, contented state, like that after a bout of sex with Lightning. "Light," Sage repeated, hand moving up her arm for her attention. He answered her unspoken question easily. "I have merely relaxed her panicked state," Sage informed, "I could do the same to you, if you are still afraid."

"Will she come out of it?" Lightning asked, concerned eyes on Odile, who looked at Sage with glossy eyes.

"Of course." Sage touched Odile's chin again and tapped it once, saying her name. Odile snapped out of it, eyes wizzing between Lightning and Sage again as she gained her bearings. "Odile," Sage called again, "It's okay."

Odile met Lightning's gaze for only a few furtive seconds, then evaded his eyes to stare at the floor. "I'm sorry," she said again.

"I know," Sage seemed to forgive, "It's only natural that you're afraid. Coming out of your primes with no children to show for it is a difficult shame to take, made no easier knowing it's that half-Umbra flaw that's causing you this pain."

Lightning's eyes flitted back to him when Odile wouldn't look at her again, full of that shame. "We're trying, Benevolency. We only had a moment of weakness. Please."

"I know," Sage said, "And I forgive you for it. Lightning, Odile, you don't have to be afraid."

"Majesty…" Lightning's eyes almost watered with his extreme graciousness, forgiving them of speaking treason, an executable-sin.

"Now, now," Sage stroked her arm to settle her again, "I loathe to see my girls in pain. Come, Lightning." He gestured with a hand, summoning her to bend closer to him. He cradled her cheek and gave the other a chaste kiss. Lightning's heart sped for the father figure she had in him. "All is forgiven," he blessed.

"Thank you, Excellency," Lightning thanked with all her sincerity in gratefulness. "Your compassion for us knows no bounds."

"Yes," Odile agreed quietly, "Thank you."

"In fact," Sage noddingly added, "Your discussion has had me searching for another way, and I might have found one," Even Odile's head lifted at this. "I am in no hurry to lose my two beloveds either."

"Another way?" Lightning asked, confusedly.

"Yes," Sage nodded, then looked to his guardsmen. "Soldiers. If you'd excuse us, please." The few guardsmen saluted and left. Sage turned back gentle eyes to them. "I've been looking for methods to help you get pregnant. Both of you, for some time now."

"You have?" Lightning asked, hardly in belief of this. Above and beyond was the understatement of the century. When Sage had signed on to care for them from Lightning's dying father, she'd have never expected a stretch like this from their highest king.

"Have you found anything?" Odile asked eagerly.

"Yes, and yes," Sage revealed with a little bob of his head, "Don't sound so surprised, Lightning. I care for you both deeply." Sage continued on, "In any case, your discussion with Odile about escaping brought my thoughts to it. I've been pondering for some time, and this thought may work to help save you."

Lightning was speechless. Odile was not. "What is it?"

"Shh, my girls," Sage cautioned, "You may not speak of this to anyone, my dears."

"We won't," Odile readily agreed. Sage looked to Lightning for confirmation and received it with a nod.

"You must promise me."

"We swear," Odile eagerly said.

"Promise," Lightning agreed, meaning this to the depths of her being.

Sage nodded his wizened head. "Ragnarok has been born again." Lightning and Odile both stared for further explanation. "Ragnarok," Sage went on, "Is an ancient, prophesized beast who breeds immortal children. It could return Umbra rule to its full strength again." Lightning's eyes widened. Sage nodded his old head. "Yes, and it has been born already in the land of our enemies."

"Immortal children?" Odile repeated.

"Indeed," Sage agreed, "The gift of everlasting life, bestowed to all those who partake Ragnarok's seed. This is a very troubling thing in the hands of our enemy."

"We should capture it," Lightning said, thinking quickly, "Capture the Ragnarok and bring it here so Umbra can't use it. We could even use the Ragnarok on the women here and make and immortal army to completely wipe out the Umbra."

"You are thinking, my sweet child," Sage rubbed her arm smoothly. "But the Ragnarok is not a thing we can capture so easily. It is powerful, vastly powerful, and no doubt protected by the Umbra hordes, you see."

Lightning paled, in no mood to think of how a Ragnarok-happy Umbra horde would be. They'd flood back into Cocoon again and take them all for slaves. Even Sage's magic couldn't stand against all of them at once. "What do we do?"

"We're Umbra." Odile said suddenly.

Sage smiled easily, "This is where my thoughts lent, you understand. In my midst, I have two tragically-born half-Umbras with little time left until you come of age. Neither of you has borne a child, and time escapes us so easily."

Lightning blinked, trying to follow the train of thought that only seemed to lead one way. "You… you want us to seek Ragnarok for a baby?"

"I have put much concentration behind it," Sage said, "And I see this going simply; a way I can save you, my dears. I would have to let you go but a short time to seek the beast and seduce it. You would blend in Cocoon lands and, as Umbra, perhaps have the most direct access to the Ragnarok. Its seed is legendary. Once you have seduced it, you will get pregnant in time, I am almost sure of that. And then, you can slip away and return home with that seed. The births of Ragnarok babies will fester a new generation of hope for us, and they too, will be able to spread their seed far and wide when they come of age. As you say, Lightning, we can build an army of Ragnaroks in time and turn that prophecy against them on their heads!" Sage captivated her with the thought. Her deceased father could finally have his deserved peace with the Umbra dead.

Sage continued on to say. "You, as the bearers and blessing of Ragnarok's seed, would be as queens to our land. No man would be permitted to touch you again, after Ragnarok's touch, and my beautiful darlings would be revered for bringing the miracle sons into our lands. Age could not matter a thing if you blessed us with this deed! You would never be expected to reproduce again, my loves!"

Lightning could barely breathe. Odile's olive eyes flared with desire for this. "Queens…"

"As glorified and honored as me," Sage agreed, "As my adopted kin should be."

Lightning still couldn't speak in digesting all this. Odile was more than eager for it. "Where do we find it? How do we tame it enough to fuck?"

"Patience, my dear child," Sage tempered, "You will need training and to learn the ways of the kin you seek to infiltrate. I can teach you these things."

Lightning's eyes widened again. Training, infiltration, and lessons of the enemies ways… these were things no woman was permitted to learn being presented to them on a silver plate. All given to them in the great benevolence of Sage! She could weep for the great love he held for them. "What is Ragnarok? I've never heard of it in the men's stories."

"It is a beast," Sage answered astutely, "A beast of mythical powers and great proportions. It will be no easy thing to get to it or tame it to give you its seed, but I will train you," Sage assured, "And I will be with you, mentally. You may call upon me any time you need guidance. My powers are limited at a distance, but I may be able to help you yet and I will always guide you." Sage bowed his head, "You have not heard of it because the beast has only recently come to my attention. It may be that it's just been born, or it may be that my powers have only just attained the capabilities to detect it in its hiding. Whichever the case, we cannot just let it be."

Lightning swallowed back her trepidation. "Do you really think we can seduce it?"

"Oh, I am sure, my darling." Sage assured again, "The Beast is foretold to be sensitive to Umbra scent especially. I have the utmost faith in you and Odile in this task. Your seduction is sure to stir it away." Sage bowed his head again, deeper this time. "I will give you time to think this over, my darlings. I realize what's at stake."

"We'll do it." Odile agreed quickly, drawing both their eyes to her easy agreement. She looked to Lightning like she was insane for not seconding the thought immediately. "We'll do it," Odile said again, "Right, Light?"

Lightning wasn't so confident as her. The treasure sounded unbelievable, for sure, carrying something as important as the seed that would save their world and, more importantly, destroy the Umbra. Lightning would do it for that alone, but then Sage offered them relief, lifetime relief from the pains and torture of men! Could his grace know no boundaries like this? He had such benevolence for them, two half-Umbra caught in his sympathy! Lightning loved him like her missing father so badly.

"Okay," Lightning agreed too, "We'll do it."