Chapter 84

Everything felt a little to the left.

My ears were ringing, my chest felt burnt, my back hurt, one of my arms might have been broken, and of all things, it felt like I had stubbed my toe. My vision had a spiderweb of cracks running through it as well, and I was looking up at the sky with one working eye.

Someone was tapping my cheek in that annoying way that didn't quite hurt, but you certainly wished they would stop. I tried raising an arm, but the motion felt clumsy and backwards. A flutter of silver hair passed through my vision, and something slid under my back, helping me sit up.

I couldn't seem to get myself to say anything, but managed to turn my head away when I saw the exact shade of a healing potion red flash near my face.

"...set bones first..." A voice filtered through the ringing in my ears, "Help get her coat off."

The scent of leather, something touching my lips, I opened my mouth and bit down on it. A moment later my back and shoulders felt like someone had tied a train to one arm and started pulling. Ears clogged by static sound, resounded with a liquid pop, and I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming.

My sunglasses were removed carefully, my left eye feeling like someone had put salt in it, my right eye clear of that spiderweb of cracks. Delly landed on my face and gave my nose a pat. Her dress looked like I felt, but she wasn't bleeding anywhere, just a bit soot covered. She motioned to my left, then reached down to grab something out of view.

I bit down again as my left eye started to burn, but a moment later the jagged sensation was gone, replaced by a sort of minty feeling. The leather was tugged out of my mouth, and I saw the red of the potion bottle again. This time I opened my mouth.

Raspberry and fire filled my mouth, washing the raw feeling out of my throat and the noise out of my ears.

"That bastard." I said, coughing once, "Now it's personal."

It was only due to the influence that Rias and Sona had, that the 'human' authorities never showed up. The explosion had wrecked much of the shop, flipping over power tools, scattering projects, setting small fires, and throwing me clear through the outer wall. My respect for Rossweisse went up a half dozen notches too. In that instant look of 'something is wrong' I must have had on my face, she had thrown up a magic shield, and protected herself. That wasn't all. She had (by luck?) also shielded the eggs, (all intact and untouched) and more importantly, the forge.

You know, the thing connected to the gas line. Sure, I'd covered it with metal practically from day one, just in case, but the explosion was big enough to tip over my power hammer. Easily enough to throw my forge out the door and uncap the gas line.

And that was just the 'mundane' damage. Once the initial survey of the shop was done, and my magical sunglasses were fixed and put back in place, Sona, myself, and her two bishops went over the place with the magical equivalent of a fine tooth comb.

There were dozens of magical traps all over the place. Even on my favourite hammer. Not nearly as powerful as the one on the safe, but Sona, after looking at what was left (not much at all) said that the safe was one of the only things in the room capable of holding the power for such a blast. My anvil (the other thing in the room able to hold that much power) was also trapped. Had I so much as tapped my hammer against it, I'd probably have a hole in the roof.

"Thank you, Asia." I said, taking the bandage off my eye and blinking, "You've saved me from a half hour of feeling like I'd poured salt in my eye." She gave me a worried look, but accepted the headpat.

"Sensei." Rias confronted me, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Sona and her bishops were using the school's 'repair' function to put things back in place again, so I was really only going to have to tidy up in the shop, but... "Physically, I'm fine. How's the rest of the building?"

"This was the only place with any trace of tampering." Rias replied, "Sona?"

"The basement wasn't touched at all. While I know our best work went into its security, I find this surprising." She replied.

I shook my head, "He got my safe. I can't find any trace of what I had in it." I clenched my fists, feeling the leather glove of the gauntlet I had touched the safe with crack, "This is potentially very bad. The prototype I had in there is gone. Along with a dozen or so cubes, a bunch of my fur, and a few other things. Thankfully, I keep my paper notes someplace else."

"Prototype of what?" Rossweisse asked, one hand giving Delly (who had been only partially protected by the blast by Rossweisse's shield) a pat as the fairy rested on her shoulder.

"The sword I was going to give you." I shook my head, "People say I use magic like science. That's almost totally correct. This was the element sabre I'd made with the pure energy blade."

"Kiba mentioned that. He said it was just as dangerous to the owner as the opponent." Rias nodded.

"Well, I'd been working with it on and off, and I'm pretty sure it is the sharpest thing to have ever been made." I replied, "The thickness of the blade was about three microns or so. About the thickness of a strand of spider web. I'd just managed to give it colour too, so the person using it would know where the blade was."

They all looked at me as if I'd grown another head.

"You were trying to make a virtual sword?" Rossweisse asked.

I couldn't help but smile, "Yes."

"A what?" Rias asked.

"Basically a sword that is one molecule thick." Sona said, "Such a weapon would ignore non magical protections."

"The nature of the cube makes it as strong as the person's will. It has limits, but the more power you have the longer you can push against a magical barrier." I nodded, "Looks like I have more work to do..."

"Why would you even make something like that?" Rias asked, a little angry.

"Because I'm being paid to make gear for the house of Gremory." I replied, feeling a little heated myself, "I hardly expected a god to show up and steal it. Though, I should have..." I shook my head, "If you see Vali, tell him to come here, Issei too. Sona? Is it all clear?"

"Yes." She replied.

"Delly? I'll need your tiny hands for some fine work. Rias? Hand over your side arm. Sona, I want everyone's bracer returned. Tsubaki's spear, Tsubasa's gloves, Tomoe's sword and Maki's side arm as well." I took a breath, "I'll need some assistants as well, don't care who." I took another breath and yelled into the air, "Okakai! Fukawa!"

Again with the 'grown a second head' look. But I was out of patience, and we were all running out of time.

"We have until tomorrow, NOW people!"

The forge is hot, the anvil's ringing, blah blah blah I was never good at singing... A half hour after the word 'Now', I had everyone in the shop and working on something. This included both Oni, who were helping me at the anvil.

My tasks were all 'basic craft' related. With the two Oni bringing down heavy sledge hammers, I was working on new weapon blanks for the front line fighters. The blast hadn't wrecked my power hammer, but it was damaged enough that repair would take too long.

Maki, the most experienced in the shop after me, (best little sister I could ever adopt, seriously) was working with Delly. She was handling the crucibles, big and small (but not the extra large one) making alloy for me to work with, as well as melting electrum for Delly.

Delly, after the electrum had been poured and cooled enough, was enchanting new defensive cubes. With her ability to work in fine detail, her own magical expertise, and some extra help from Gasper, these would actually be full body 'force fields'. They were not very high powered, but it would stop the most dangerous thing to leave my workshop long enough to save a life.

The two rooks, Koneko and Tsubasa, were working with chisels and breaking apart one of Fenrir's teeth. The fragments they made were then taken by Tsubaki and Kiba, who were using my belt sanders (also tipped over, but only the belts needed replacing) to smooth them out to Hida's specifications. (Gasper was given an extra head pat for building Hida tough. The blast had thrown the holographic projector across the room, but only the wall had been damaged.)

Rossweisse was helping with infusing the solid weapons with the bits of bone, using her magic and a good old fashioned file to do so.

Even Shinkage was working, using his 'lightning breath' to electroplate things.

"Vali, Issei, gonna need to talk to your dragons." I said between hammer strikes, "And get some glasses on at least."

"Yes Sensei." Issei said without hesitation.

"Why wou-" Issei paused in mid step, backed up, and started pushing Vali towards the safety gear shelf. Vali put on the pair of glasses Issei handed him and continued, "Why would you need to talk to them?"

"Because something I made is now in the hands of our enemy." I replied, "Albion? I respectfully request you talk some sense into him before I bury him head first in the lawn outside so I can talk to you."

"Oh... Sensei is angry." Issei held out his left hand, summoning Ddraig's gauntlet.

"I hope this isn't as taxing as swinging around that hammer." Ddraig said.

Vali's hand also changed, even though Vali himself was looking irritated, "I am still distressed about being called the Butt Dragon Emperor."

"At least your host isn't as loud about his perversions."

"Focus." I stopped hammering, and nodded to the two Oni, "Take a break, water is in the back, food should be here soon."

"Yes ma'am." They nodded together.

"I know you," I pointed to Ddraig, "took on that sword. Do you think you can take in something else?" I looked to the white gauntlet, "You too."

"This boy doesn't understand impossible."

"I am sure the will of my host can handle it."

"Delly? They ready?" I called over, "Maki, I think we're done with the crucibles, strip the sidearms."

"Aye 'sa!" Maki called out.

"All set Boss." Delly flew over, a cube of metal in each hand, "Didn't know when they would be by, so they were the first ones I did." She dropped one off to each of them.

"The weapon stolen is the magical equivalent to a mono filament blade. Since you two can't wear the normal model of the new shield cubes like everyone else will be, you're going to have to adapt these into your sacred gear. As a barrier, it's not much, but against this weapon, it's the exact thing you need."

"Huh." Vali looked down at the little cube, "Like a shield spell against magic missile."

"Nerd!" Maki called across the room.

"I am not! Imagination is the foundation for magic!" Vali growled back.

"Dinner has arrived!" Akeno called out, holding a bunch of cloth wrapped bento boxes. Asia, beside her, was carrying more of the same.

"Turn off all machines, make sure your hands are clean, and eat fast! We have more work to do!" I called out, "And thank you." I said to Asia and Akeno.

September 24

Once the bulk of the projects were done, I gave the order for people to clean up their work station, take their new equipment home with them, and sleep. I had a few other things to do, since yet another casualty of the explosion was my scale coat. Its tough exterior and various alchemical treatments had stopped the fragments of safe from killing me. But, as armour, it was now too compromised to function to my standards.

"You should get some sleep." Akeno said, "I the meeting it today, and we all need to be at our best."

I felt my anger bubble suddenly, my tails flicking around for a moment, before I clamped down on it, "I let my guard down." I set my tools down, took a deep calming breath, then, "If Sona hadn't done such a good job, the dungeon fragments and the bits of Fenrir would likely be gone too. Not just the stuff in my safe."

"I know. Even for us, the school has always been 'safe'. If not because we worked hard to keep it that way, but because if we couldn't, the Gremory and Sitri families would step in." She put a hand on my back.

The warmth of her hand felt similar to Hestia's, and I found myself relaxing, "If I had a real chance at it, I'd volunteer myself to take Issei and Vali's place. I want Loki's head on a pike, next to the wolf." The words were angry, but my tone was resigned.

"Ara... So violent." Akeno sighed, "Maybe sleeping on fur is bringing out your wilder instincts?"

"I have a thing against Gods bothering me and my family." I looked over to Delly, who had curled up inside my now ruined coat, "I can do that at least..."

"Hm?"

I motioned towards Delly, "If not for Rossweisse..." I shook my head, "As luck would have it, she put the fragment of Fenrir with the rest of the stuff in the basement. Of all the bullets to dodge, I'm glad that was one of them."

"What are you planning on doing with it?" She asked, picking one of my tails and running her fingers through it, "A little brother to Shinkage?"

"I hope not."

"He's not a dog person." I said, "Maybe though." I picked up my tools again, then put them down, "No... you're right, I'm losing my edge."

"I will keep watch." Shinkage rumbled, flexing his hydraulic jaw, now lined with bits of Fenrir bone.

"Thank you. Hida?"

"I'm here! Hm... I think my sensors are still a little out of alignment. Could you run a sample scan?" Hida popped into the holographic tube, but she looked a little out of focus.

"We can do that later. Can you keep watch as well?"

"I'll ring your phone if anyone other than..." A pause, "Giant metal feline object 01 enters this workspace." Hida's image saluted.

I made sure to collect the snoring Delly, and Akeno helped me lock up. "Are you..." I looked at her.

"I am making sure you get some sleep." She said, "I know you stayed up all night last night."

I tried to sleep. Even with the warmth of Akeno against my back (she actually complained that the phoenix eggs had taken her spot as 'little spoon') I just couldn't relax. Loki had done something that reminded me of what happened back in Orario, where the Ikelos Familia had invaded with a small group of people, and kidnapped Weine. They'd also hurt Asuka, and only the efforts of Takemikazuchi had kept the orphans safe.

Those people were dead now. They dared strike at my home, and they had paid the price for it. Not all by my hand, but close. Ikelos had been sent back to Tenkai, and His Familia had two members left.

Now Loki, a god of this world, had struck my home, robbed me, nearly killed me, nearly killed a friend, and nearly ended my attempts to revive an extinct animal. His attempt at my life also destroyed the last intact piece of my original equipment. I needed to finish my new armour more than ever now.

So at the risk of 'bad Miko Karma', I slowly slipped out of bed.

It was done. My new suit of plate was finally done. All the crystals were in, all the enchantments lined up, and thanks to the best spider I've ever gotten to give a very tiny high five/leg, I had a pair of nice silk gloves.

I was just about finished sewing in the special thread to the backs of the gloves, the ones with the binding/sealing/clothing swap enchantments, that let me bring the armour out of 'hammer space' and onto my body... When Akeno walked into the room.

Her hair and body were very faintly giving off little sparks, and her smile was ever so slightly less pleased than usual. She even had her Miko robes on.

Aha, bad Miko karma.

"Just in time." I said quietly, tying off the last stitch, and comparing my work with my notes.

"You should be sleeping." She took hold of one of my ears, not quite pulling... not yet.

"I'm about to do something that, in theory, should work. If not, it will be dangerous." I didn't shake her off, but I did reach out an arm around her waist so she couldn't pull my ear while walking away.

She growled at me, but let my ear go. "You really are hard to stay mad at."

"One of my many talents." I let her go, stood, then had my tails nudge her back a little. Laid out on the table before me, was my armour. All assembled, as if someone were actually wearing it, it was the very best work I could do, with the skill I had. Layered plates like wide scales over the abdomen and sides and back for mobility, fluted plates over the longer parts that didn't need mobility, like the legs and calves, rounded pauldrons, articulated gauntlets... I could use every single part of this suit to strike with, yet would get maximum protection in return. Gaps, such as the underarms, elbows, backs of the knees, inner thigh, all protected by remnants of my scale armour.

And being a woman, and opting for a more rounded 'uni-boob' design, I had put potion bottle storage under a couple of the plates. Far less storage than I was used to, I could still keep my promise to myself, to never leave home without a potion or two. The inner forearms also had small spaces for potions, though they were for the slightly longer tubes I used for smoke or the like.

And lastly the mask. A full head enclosure, it would act as the old one did, enhancing my senses, protect my head and hearing, and be the key component for the aura of fear. The thing that allowed me, a mortal, to kill a God back home. Unlike the previous one, I could still see through the solid metal 'lenses' at the same time as projecting the aura of fear. I'd really have to make something extra special for Cime's horse.

"Here we go." I said, listening as Akeno backed up another step.

The first step was the 'dematerialization'. Converting the solid armour to mana. Thanks to the crystals, Azazel's advice, and using a 'control' device (in this case, three of them, Dohnaseek's hat and my new gloves) It required much less effort than say, bonding a familiar of similar size and weight.

The effect was rather pretty. Black, purple and blue sparkles lifted out of each piece of armour, only to be absorbed into the crystal attached to those pieces. Finally, the armour was gone, leaving only the crystals, hovering in place.

Next, was establishing a framework. Much like the first step, it was basically tying the now floating crystals to the Core. No fool I, the Core hadn't actually revealed itself until the armour was gone, its place would be protected by armour and salamander wool, and rest firmly between my breasts, where I could feed it power directly.

Not as many sparkles this time, instead a ghostly projection of the armour itself. Looking much like a wire frame model, this was pulled in by the Core, until it alone hovered over the table.

And lastly, the control device. I took a deep breath, feeling Akeno's hand slip into mine as Dohnaseek's fedora and my new gloves soaked up yet more sparkles, the Core dissolving, until there was nothing left, save a small blue bead on either glove, and a marble sized blue crystal set into the black band of the hat itself.

I let out the breath I was holding, gave Akeno's hand a squeeze, let it go, and approached the table. It was done. With my glasses, and my own magical senses, I looked/felt the three innocent looking objects on the table, and couldn't find a single flaw.

Excited, I opened up a box nearby, and pulled out something that looked a lot like Xenovia's usual body suit. Thanks to Hida, and one of Riser's girls, I could order these any time. Xenovia herself was quite happy about that, but as much as I didn't like 'revealing' clothing (in public at least) this was just the thing for a close fitting suit of armour.

"That looks just as good on you, as Xenovia-chan." Akeno fu-fu'ed, "You do know I'm going to tie you to the bed until noon, once you prove this works."

I finished pulling on the catsuit, giving myself a little jiggle to settle my bust into place. I then turned to Akeno, put my hands on her shoulders, and said (with a perfectly serious voice) I will willingly submit to the one to whom my wife has trusted my care. I then touched my forehead to hers, turned, and put on the hat and gloves, and spoke the words that would bind it to me, and only me.

"To leave, and return, bringing honour to Her name." I said in Kione, gently pushing my mana through my skin and into the objects. That done, the gloves feeling tighter to my skin now, the hat settling perfectly on my head, I said, "Pardon if this sounds a little silly." I touched the brim of the hat.

Akeno didn't let me get out of bed until exactly 12:01pm. Even with my skipping sleep the past day, and getting maybe three hours of sleep after the success of building my new armour, I was still awake and ready for the day at around 10:30 or so. Being away from the shop at my usual time got me a few texts, that Akeno read out to me, (she had taken my phone) and replied with 'I've been naughty so Akeno has grounded me until noon'.

Delly was laughing her little wings off, but was still pleased I was able to finalize the project. She was less than thrilled that she couldn't sit on my shoulder (or anywhere) while I wore it, since it still had iron in it, but she was still happy I would be protected.

We also gave the spider a name, Mr. Skitters.

I figured, since I was grounded, that I'd do a little catching up. So, with Delly on my wrist, and Akeno wrapped up in my tails beside me, I held out Ganesha's card.

"Friend Kodori! Miss Delly! Shadowy person from the naming day!" Ganesha was, as usual, full of energy and silly poses. "Why yes I am talking to myself!"

I couldn't help but smile as he looked like He was walking through a crowd, holding up a hand, much like someone would a cell phone during a video call. Around him were shadowy forms, though as he moved, they thinned out. "Sorry for the odd timing of the call." I said.

The last of the shadows around him vanished, and he stopped to work something with his free hand, "Since you last called," His energetic voice had turned serious, and I could hear the ghostly sound of a large door closing, "I have kept the card Master Welf made close at hand."

"How is the city?" I asked.

"With King Marius's help, we are keeping the dungeon suppressed. Orianos and his Familia have sent word to all the other Gods and Goddesses that we may need to break the rules if the dungeon gets any more unruly..."

"You know I'm unfamiliar with the history, but I'm guessing something like when the tower was made?"

"Indeed. This time however, since the field it no longer as... equal between Us, there is worry that once he allows the use of our Divine power, some might not turn their power off again." Ganesha sighed, "I myself would readily agree, for I love the people, and the peace we have. But others, not so much."

"If it makes you feel better, Friend Ganesha, my quest here is meeting with some success. Lady Hestia says you've been going on about mushrooms?"

His excitement sparked again, "Yes! I have found, far back in my personal library, records similar to these 'Fairy Circles' little Delly mentioned!" He grinned like the lovable idiot he pretended to be, "I have imported many different kinds of mushrooms, and I'm using some of the spare cages in the zoo to contain them."

Delly perked up, "Oh! Pictures! I need pictures! Only some will work, and well, they'd be from two different worlds, so it still might not work..."

"I Ganesha have thought of this already!" He held up a bit of paper, depicted on it were a few different kinds of mushrooms. Some were tall with round caps, others thin with little heads, "Do any of these seem to be the right one?"

"That one!" I had to put my hand over Delly's legs so she didn't fly away and maybe lose the connection, "Yeah! Two from the top, third one, wide flat top, grey that gets darker as you get to the middle of the cap!"

Ganesha promptly put the paper down, nodded His head a couple times, then circled it with a pen, "Excellent!"

"Boss! We can start right away with this one!" She looked back to Ganesha, "On the next full moon, pluck one of those, toss it onto a clear patch of grass, and in a couple of days it should start growing outwards!"

"Understood." He smiled back at us, "Thank you Friend Kodori, Little Delly, and shadowy person who was at the naming day! Please call again if anything changes, or you have more ideas!"

The card had been getting hot for a little while now, but He was hiding the look of discomfort well, "We will. Thank you again, Lord Ganesha." I put the card down, cut my mana from it, then picked it up again to wave it in the air to cool. "Delly? What do you need?"

"A full moon and one of those mushrooms. Oh, and a nice clear patch of ground no one will care about if it goes barren." She replied, "This might work Boss!"

"That's it?" Akeno blinked, "I would have thought it would be more complicated."

"Creating the Fairy Circles is either an accident, or very deliberate. That's why you hear stories of people randomly finding themselves lost in the woods someplace. The mischievous types like to lure drunks into a circle then send them from like... Ireland to Iceland or something. But the more serious types, usually the court Fairies or messengers, make them ahead of time and hide them properly." She hovered in front of us, doing a 'hand on elbow, finger pointing to the ceiling teacher stance, "But if Ganesha and I make one, of the same mushroom, on the same day, when the moon is the most powerful, it has the best chance of making a connection!"

"That's wonderful!" Akeno smiled, "But... Is the full moon the same?"

"Yes." I said instantly, "It's a weird coincidence, but our moons are the exact same."

"Then... If this works..."

"The first thing to return will be the bits of dungeon. You heard Him, the dungeon is losing its mind, and the Gods might not play so nice if they have to suppress it again like they did a thousand years ago." I shook my head, took her hand, and continued, "Since I spent all night working, I have a bit of free time now. If you wanted to pose for me, I'll make a card of you."

"Aww." Delly sat on Akeno's head, "See? She does care."

The time for the meeting was upon us, and we had all gathered for one last meeting. Beside me stood Okakai and Fukawa, each with a bone tipped spear in hand. Their stance was casual, but they were both over two metres tall, and kind of loomed over everyone. Everyone else was also armed, and looking ready for battle. I had my new hat on, and was wearing my gauntlets over my new silk gloves. I had also put on my trench coat, since I didn't walk about like Xenovia, who was in her cat suit again.

"Before Lord Odin, Azazel and Baraqiel show up, have we all made sure everything works?" I asked.

Everyone nodded, even Rias and Akeno, who now wore pendants with the new shield cube in them, since their arms were occupied with the bracer/magic circle combo I'd made.

"We've also tested the shield cubes under the two lasers in the science room." Sona added, "The results were hopeful, but do not rely on it."

"Hmph, I'll admit this is a clever trinket." Vali's body glowed slightly, "You better keep up Issei."

"I won't slow you down." Issei nodded.

"Well aren't you two getting all buddy buddy." Bikou chuckled, "Man, I hope the old man doesn't show up too..."

"Azazel seems to be one for joviality, but if he wanted to tell your great ancestor where you were, you'd likely be found already." Arthur mused, "Ah, I see the legendary steed approaching."

"Nyaa... I would rather be napping." Kuroka sighed.

"There there, sister." Koneko reached up and gave her elder sister a pat on the head.

Sleipnir and the huge carriage landed, and out stepped Odin, Rossweisse Azazel and Baraqiel. They saw how we were all armed, and Odin paused to stroke his beard, "If I didn't know better, I'd almost feel threatened, by how you are all armed." He looked directly at me, his eye glancing left and right at the two Oni.

"If you wish it, Lord Odin." Rias looked back at all of us, then at him again, "We will dispose of these when the fighting is done. We're only carrying these weapons because we believe in the peace you are trying to build with us, the three factions."

"Lord Odin, Azazel, Baraqiel." I started, "Loki has tried to strike at me already, and has something I've created. Delly?"

"I've got the spares right here!" Delly flew out of my trench coat pocket, little bag in hand, "I like this coat better, more places to nap in."

"I warned you about getting careless." Azazel examined the little cube, "Oh... You've gotten better again."

"She had help." Delly said proudly, "The instructions are simple, put a little mana into it, and that's it."

"It's the direct counter to the scariest thing that was in my safe." I replied, "Just to be safe, keep it on at all times if you can." I didn't think that would be a problem, I mean... two ten winged fallen angels and the All Father of the Norse Gods... No shortage of power there.

"Very well." Odin put his cube in a pocket someplace, "Let's get this foolishness over with... I still have a reservation at one of Azazel's establishments!"

I was... very surprised. Usually, this wasn't a thing for me. Since attaining the -power- of Hestia, Her blessing of Falna, and gaining the -skill- of long hours of training and experience, 'surprise' was just... not a thing. I planned, I expected, I prepared, I acted.

So imagine my surprise, when Odin told (asked politely, while everyone was looking at me with that 'you better go' look) me to escort him instead of Rossweisse. The Valkyrie wasn't even upset!

But that wasn't the real surprise.

The place where the meeting would be held, was one of the local (recently built as well) Five Star hotels. It didn't take a genius to notice the Gremory's Camel on display, tastefully worked into wall motifs or huge tapestries that adorned the walls. It was still done in the Japanese style, with that clean simplicity that gave the guest the impression of wealth, while not waving it around like a stack of bills.

From my impressions of the guests and staff however, everyone save us was human. Odd, and in my opinion reckless, but I suppose that feeding the local economy was just another way for a devil to grow in power. Even the security here was human.

It was the security people who were giving me (dressed in my nice trench coat and hat) the most sideways looked, but Azazel waved them off. We rode the elevator upwards, the numbers ticking up towards the penthouse.

When we arrived (yes with the universal happy 'ding') Odin simply led the way. There was only one guest room on this floor, directly across from the elevator. "We're here." Odin said simply, tapping his short cane once on the carpet.

Without anyone behind them, the door opened, allowing us entry. Without hesitation, Odin stepped in. Azazel motioned me to enter ahead of him, and the Fallen closed the door behind him as he entered. Aside from being done in a tasteful Japanese style, (this one making no effort to hide its 'wealth') the first thing I noticed was the huge window. Half the room was a dome of glass, giving the occupants a glorious view of the city and the countryside beyond. Being the tallest building in sight, it was unobstructed by anything but the metal framework holding the windows in place.

The second thing I noticed, was a giant white fox, who suddenly filled my view as I pulled my eyes away from the huge observatory window. No where near the size of say, Fenrir, it was still tall enough at the shoulder to loom over me and look down at my face. I hadn't heard it move, caught no scent of it, and didn't feel it with my tails. If this fox wanted to bite me, I'd have been bitten.

But no. It simply looked me in the eyes with bottomless yellow orbs, and loomed over me.

I wanted to reach out to it, maybe see who's fur was softer. But I felt, deep down, that I might lose a hand if I tried, or give some deep offence for not asking first.

"Now now, we have heard of this one." A quiet voice said from somewhere behind the fox (to be fair, the entire room at this point was behind the fox) "Odin-san, Azazel-san, you honour us with your presence."

The fox stalked away, making no sound, hardly disturbing the air as it moved. This revealed three people to me.

The first, my gaze drawn to Her by following the fox, as it stood behind Her and lowered itself down, to curl protectively and offer a place to lean back against, was an elegant woman. Dressed in a very ornate multi layered Shrine robe (much different than Akeno's yet still easily identifiable as one), Her hair was light brown, almost blond, while her eyes were a bright yellow. Her expression was calm and composed, as She lifted a hand and gave the big white fox a pat on its long nose.

The second, sitting on Her left, was... It was like... if you took everything 'Japanese' about the women of Japan, and had Her sit before you, in a perfectly dyed sakura coloured kimono. She wasn't the prettiest woman I'd ever seen, not the tallest, or even the most striking. Her look was average in every way. But perfectly average. That was what stood out the most. Some part of Her simple features could be found in every woman in Japan. Even the ornaments in Her hair looked common, but perfectly in place.

The third, sitting to Her left, was a lean figured man. Clad in a very simple sky blue robe with black hakama (those flowing pants that samurai favoured) and wearing one of those square panelled hats over His black hair, His two most prominent features were a proud moustache (but no beard) that curled from under His nose to about the mid point between the nose and ear, and a long straight bladed sword. The sword only caught my attention because it was so... simple. Yet, I could practically feel the history of the blade from all the way across the room.

"Lady Amaterasu, Lord Susanoo, Lady Inari." Odin addressed them in turn, likely in order of 'rank'.

"We hope that this will be our final meeting, that our two realms can achieve harmony, and become one under all." Susanoo, the Man with the sword said. His voice was a little rough, nothing like what you'd expect from a priest, as He was dressed. No, His was a voice used to shouting orders and striking with a ringing 'Kia!'.

"Yes." The lady in the middle, Amaterasu, said quietly. "Yet, I feel there is one more obstacle to this."

As She finished speaking, She turned her head slightly, as if listening to something far off. Then with a pressure that I felt, impossibly, through the thick windows of the roof, the clouds that were just thick enough to obscure the moon parted and Loki appeared. He floated high above, his hands outstretched his face full of anger.

Through that distance, I could feel him looking at me, but just as he pointed at me, and summoned two wolves, (not nearly the same size, but sharing the exact same colour as Fenrir) I felt a ripple of magic, saw a dozen flashes of light as Rias, Sona, both their peerages, Vali in his balance breaker form, Bikou on his cloud with Kuroko riding behind him, all streaked towards Loki, and vanish.

"If all goes well, that obstacle will be removed in short order." Odin smiled.

Then I felt a second ripple of magic. This one unfamiliar at first, yet... it suddenly felt like the walls themselves had eyes, and the air itself was waiting for you to look the wrong way.

"Hm, seems Loki was just a little quicker on the draw than little Sitri." Azazel said, rubbing his chin, "Sensei?"

"It feels like the dungeon." I replied.

Then something hit the window, the sound of cracking glass mixed with a wet snap of broken bones. All of us looked towards the red 'splot' on the window. Then another one appeared next to it. Then another, and another.

"Hallway, now." I said, "Those are Ignazu!"

"With respect," Azazel said, oddly enough, with actual respect in his voice, "It would be best if we moved, right now."

Then the windows shattered.

Chaos. The air was suddenly filled with red streaks, shards of glass, and a veritable storm of blood. Ignazu were one of the oddest creatures in the dungeon. They lacked any sense of self preservation, so much so, that they would have hundreds die to take down prey, so that the handful left might feast. They were very brittle monsters as well, the near super sonic speeds that they could achieve destroyed them on impact, yet their beaks were needle sharp and hard as steel.

I did the only thing I could think of that might protect everyone in the room, and summoned a huge fox. While I could make its body as solid as I wanted, I chose to make it more like water, instead of something harder. The ghost sensations of dozens upon dozens of hammering impacts buried themselves into the projected fox was nearly blinding, but behind me I heard Azazel.

"We're out! Clear the room!"

I jumped backwards, feeling several impacts, real ones, against my chest and leg, but as I stumbled a hand grabbed the back of my coat and I heard the sudden roar of fire. The air itself seemed to scream, then as soon as it started, it stopped.

"Pardon the trouble." Odin said calmly, waving a hand and summoning a barrier over the door, "It seems Loki has taken a personal interest in killing Mrs. Fox here."

"Oh? And what has this small Kitsune done, to earn the ire of Loki?" Susanoo looked at me, ignoring the blood covering his nice robes.

"I killed Fenrir." I said, checking myself over as well as everyone else. Azazel had a couple of small cuts on his clothes, but seemed to be fine. Odin's black cap had a single slash mark across the top, though this too looked to be done by a bit of glass. The three Japanese Gods seemed unharmed, though the big white fox was licking at one of its legs. I had taken the worst of it, so I reached into a pocket for a potion pill, "I also told everyone who Sleipnir's mother was."

Azazel snirk-ed as the three of them blinked at me, "Being awfully polite there Sensei. If I remember the word you used was -ow!" My golden tail flicked at him like much like a wet towel.

I offered one of the pills to the big white fox, "While my Goddess will always be Hestia, and I'm not so familiar with the Japanese pantheon, I do know who Inari-sama is." The fox didn't turn its nose up at the offered pill, but didn't take it either, "It will heal your leg." I said to it.

Inari nodded to the fox, and it curled a long tongue around the pill and took it from my hand.

"You seem familiar with these creatures." Susanoo grunted, "And it seems what ever Loki has done has sealed this area to teleportation." He frowned.

"Lord Odin, we have come to you, so we are in your care." Amaterasu said, the splatters of blood over Her once perfect sakura coloured kimono oddly not detracting from its beauty.

"If Loki survives this, I may just kill him." Odin sighed, "This seal is something unfamiliar to even me. I suppose we will have to find the source of the barrier and dispel it directly."

The building shook slightly, and that sensation of being watched by the walls increased, "Let's head downstairs then." Azazel shrugged, "Something this powerful would have to be connected to the ground."

"I agree." Odin looked at me, "Since you're not on my payroll, I suppose I'll have to ask you to help."

The building shook again, this time however it was from above. Then, with a screeching snap, the elevator door exploded outwards, an instant before the elevator itself could be heard falling down the shaft. As the dust cleared, there was a slow Thump...Thump... as something heavy moved towards us.

A troll. Similar in size to an orc, it had much broader shoulders, longer arms, and a hunched back. Tough warty leathery skin that was tough as hardened leather, and strength that matched its primitive appearance made them fairly dangerous to mid range level two adventurers.

"Looks like we aren't taking the elevator." I said, "Lord Odin, Azazel, I'll handle the bigger stuff, keep everyone protected." I settled into a fighting stance, "Delly? Time for work."

Delly appeared over my shoulder, her body arcing electricity, "Yes Boss! ZAP!"

A solid bolt of lightning slammed into the troll's chest, as I ran forward to meet it, aiming to punch its head off.

NOTES!

Well, seems things are going to be a littttttttttle different than what's in the books/anime. I mean, Kodori isn't there to see what happens to Loki or the other tricks he brings along... So yeah.

Oh, and before I get a sea of puzzled looks, a 'Virtual Sword' is a reference to the book Ring World. In the book, its a very thin wire that is held in place by a force field to keep the wire from breaking. There's even a little knob on the bottom to make the wire extend or retract.

So here's your homework!

I am taking a vote in the comments. I would like you all (those who want to participate) to name three people from the Danmachi series. As you might guess, there may be a little exchange happening soon, and maybe (not 100% sure but maybe) they will arrive here in DxD. There are a couple rules however!

Rule 1: Bell, Hestia, Haruhime and the children are NOT on the list. They are busy, and thus not going to be anywhere near the place this happens.

Rule 2: ... I can't actually think of anything here. So make sure you re-read rule one.

Direct message or comment your three choices. No guarantee this will happen at all, so yeah. Just keep that in mind.

Merry Christmas or what ever you want to call it. :)