Ch 7: A Trip Down Memory Lane
"How did he even get all of this stuff back here in the first place?"
"Maybe he swallows it and then regurgitates it? You know, like a bird feeding her young!"
Kunou looked skeptical about Irina's claim, her ears and tails twitching doubtfully as she replied, "Possibly...it's probably some kind of magic, none of this stuff looks melted, which it would be if it was kept in his stomach..."
"Good point, that-wait...is, is that the Holy Nail of Helena?!"
Kunou glanced over her shoulder, finding Irina staring in open horror at a rather plain looking piece of metal...but even at a distance she could sense the holy energy pouring off if it.
"How did he get ahold of...wait, isn't that the Jinbutsuga Zōkyō?! Where the Hell did that Lizard get all of this?!"
It was Asia who thoughtfully cupped her chin, much calmer than her companions.
"Well he said he's 'borrowed' many things from other pantheons before...maybe he's just taken a great number more than we gave him credit for?"
Both girls had a horrified expression at her theory, Asia unable to help the small smile that crossed her lips at their expression.
As much as she liked her new friends, they tended to easily overreact to some of the things Ddraig had in his nest. Just this morning they had taken a small side passage and found this fairly-sized cavern, filled to the brim with priceless artifacts. Having spent more than her fair share of time amongst the halls of Vatican's Church, she could say with confidence many of these 'priceless' artifacts would have just been put on display or carefully guarded 'until they were needed'.
They were receiving just as much use in the Emerald Emperor's hoard than they would be elsewhere.
Her attention was instead drawn by the various bits and pieces of artwork scattered around the edges, even going so far as to carefully pocket a few of them.
Ddraig did love to explain the stories behind them, often going about his narration with an enthusiasm akin to a gleeful child.
She was about to head back to said Dragon when her eye caught sight of a discarded bit of what looked like tile, covered in dust and dirt. Carefully blowing on it and brushing the detritus away she felt her eyes widen as she recognized one of the four figures inscribed on it.
It was Ddraig, alongside a pure white Dragon, a snake-like Dragon and a much larger crimson Drake.
...When had it been made? It looked old.
So lost in thought as she walked out she failed to notice Irina and Kunou stumbling over themselves as they found a rather...risque painting drawn across a canvas three times as tall and wide as they were.
More specifically, of an orgy.
An orgy of women with incredibly large breasts.
Women of various races who all had a look of rapture on their faces.
"W-w-why does a Dragon have this, this thing?!"
"I don't know, how could I know?!"
They both stared at the thing...for a fairly long amount of time.
Both would have sooner died than admit it was...interesting? In a forbidden kind of way?
Another minute passed.
"...Burn it?"
"Burn it."
Golden fire sprang to life in Kunou's hands, holy light manifesting behind Irina.
In their zeal to destroy the abomination, they failed to notice a note on the painting's corner that read,
"Sup Ddraig! I know you were never all that much into boobs or any of that, so I figured you might change your mind after seeing this! Consider it a gift from your traveling buddy!
...Also it's too big for me to carry. Keep it safe and intact for me, so I may one day hang it from my mansion's biggest wall!
-Issei
"Ddraig?"
[Yes, what is it, Little One?]
Ddraig was, as usual, sprawled out in the heated pond, not even bothering to open an eye as Asia approached.
"I found another batch of pictures and such and was wondering if you could tell me more about them. This one especially."
Interest piqued the Crimson King cracked open one eye as Asia held out the slate with him and the other three Dragons on it-
-and the Nun almost jumped as the Drake jerked upright, both eyes wide and staring at the slate.
[Little One...where did you find this?]
Her curiosity roused even more by the Dragon's openly shocked tone Asia replied, "It was in one of your treasure hoards, quite dusty before I cleaned it off."
To her surprise Ddraig shifted into his Human form, this time remembering to avert her eyes lest she catch a glimpse of the Drake in his more...natural state.
Once she felt the plate being lifted out of her hands she glanced back, her own emerald orbs widening as she found Ddraig looking...almost tender, his hand gently tracing the edge of the picture.
"Ddraig? Who are the other three in there?"
Distracted, the Unlimited Drake mumbled, "Albion, my younger Brother. And my two sires, Ophis and the being you would only know as Great Red."
The nun almost choked, her tone one of open bewilderment as she clarified, "A-as in the White Dragon Emperor, Albion? And the Ouroboros Dragon? And the Dragon of Dragons? They're your family?!"
To her immediate shame Ddraig looked melancholy, distractedly replying, "Were my family. My sires no longer exist while my brother and I are...estranged."
Wincing, Asia quietly asked, "How...how did they, well..."
"Die? It was a long time ago, Little One...and it's not a tale I enjoy reminiscing on."
Immediately understanding the dismissal for what it was Asia made no further inquiries, instead awkwardly shuffling her bare feet around, playing with the water flowing around her ankles as the silence became more and more oppressive.
Eventually Ddraig sighed, asking, "May I ask of your parentage, Little One? Perhaps it's unfair of me to do so, seeing as how I declined to share my own past..."
Just glad to have the conversation moving on to a new topic Asia waved her hands and quickly said, "Oh, it's fine! It's just that there's not much to tell, really. My parents either abandoned me or died shortly after I was born, the Faith is all I have ever really known."
The Dragon gave a low rumble in his chest, finally meeting her eyes with an oddly honest smile on his face.
"Cruel as it may sound...I believe that they have passed on. No parent would ever willingly leave behind as kind a soul as you are, Little One."
Feeling something oddly warm and fuzzy spring to life in her chest the nun blushed, her head downturned and foot embarrassedly kicking the water.
"Oh, umm...that's an incredibly sweet thing of you to say, Ddraig."
Another hum echoing through his chest the Dragon stared at the slate for a while longer before saying, "You have my sincerest thanks for bringing this before me, Little One. I had long thought it lost or destroyed. May I make a request of you?"
Blinking at the sudden offer Asia quickly recovered and beamed with happiness.
"Of course you can! After all, what are friends for?"
The Crimson King blinked once before chuckling, warmly replying, "You are such an uncomplicated soul, Little One...anyway, may I entrust you with keeping this tablet safe for me? It...means a great deal and I have already lost track of it once."
Touched at the Dragon's faith in her Asia took the offered object with sure hands, her expression compassionate as she promised, "I will guard it with my life, you can-owie!"
She rubbed her forehead with teary eyes, Ddraig having suddenly flicked it with annoyance dominating his expression.
"Not with your life, you dolt! It's just a picture, I would infinitely rather lose it than you, that slate wouldn't be able to hold an interesting conversation to save it's life!"
Eyes closing and opening in fluttery blinks Asia blushed heavily before quietly replying, "Oh, um...I'll remember that then."
"See to it that you do. Now, I believe you said there were other paintings and pictures you wished for me to explain?"
Before the nun could reply she let out a startled 'eep!' as the Drake picked her up in his arms like a bride, effortlessly leaping atop one of the comfortable rocks scattered about the water, setting her in his lap while wrapping his arms and tail around her.
It was...warm, and felt safe.
Instinctively shifting deeper into the Dragon's embrace Asia got comfortable before pulling out the first record she had found.
Before either could delve into it's history, however, Ddraig started sniffing, looking around in mild confusion.
"Is something burning?"
Asia could only shrug in response, neither hearing the ghostly wail of despair that reached across the boundary of life and death as it's greatest prize was torched.
Oh, contemporary art...how you occasionally lose to wonderful works of the past :D
ThatOneGuyUpstairs: Meh, it was both. And while this may not be the most professional thing to admit out loud, I'm not paying TOO much attention to personality of the characters in this story. I basically have a vague outline of each one and follow that, no doubt there are slips and such. So yeah...not a great excuse, but hopefully that answers your questions.
Dark White Fang: You don't?! Sacré bleu, I've been doing it wrong this whole time!
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Just kidding, hope you'll keep it enjoying as I write!
