I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
What time is it now? Is it daytime? Is it night? How long has he been here? He tried counting the hours but that didn't help in this weird realm. Time was distorted and he couldn't know how many days had gone by since he was dragged into this place.
The Welsh Dragon opened his eyes once more to the shining flowers that surrounded him. He was stuck in that same chair while Ereshkigal's powers kept a hold over his two souls. Even the slightest movement or usage of power meant immense pain for the two souls and Ddraig knew that he didn't want to force his partner to endure that kind of pain for too long.
"I got to give it to you, Welsh Dragon. You're the first one that has ever made her this mad and is still breathing to tell the tale." A voice attracted the attention of the dragon. Then he began to hear a set of steps close by.
The steps got closer and before long a single male began to take form before appearing before him. His skin was pale and blueish. His whole body was muscular and tall but a birdcage sat in place in the middle of his chest while it held a small blue flame. His golden hair extended throughout his back while on top of his head were two small pointy black horns.
His face was rough but a friendly smile helped his appearance.
"… So, you're still trapped within her claws. Enkidu, the wild man." Issei says while looking at the man in front of him.
"Yes, my soul is hers for the rest of eternity. I got used to being here as her guard after the first 500 years but let's talk about you. You messed up, Welsh Dragon. You went ahead and killed her son. She has been waiting many years for a chance to punish you. Centuries have gone since you got sealed inside the boosted gear. She waited patiently for you to escape that jail so that she could get her revenge. The booster gear users were lucky, if any other god had been in her place the first of those users would have been tortured in the worst way possible just for being the host of their target's soul." Enkidu explains while he analyzes the body of the dragon.
"… I know and I thank her for that. She wants me and no other being but I can't give her what she wants."
Enkidu approaches the boy and puts a finger on his chest which is covered by his armor. "You have made her even angrier after using your power to prevent her from dragging your souls out of that body. Your armor has also prevented her from torturing you physically. This is a curious situation, if you move from that chair, her powers attack your souls directly but if she tries to drag those souls outside your powers push her away. No side is winning at this point."
"I don't want to win. This is not a fight in the first place. I want to talk to her and come to some sort of agreement with her. My life is not mine to throw away anymore. Too much is in play and we do need her for our plans for the future. I'm willing to pay any price for her forgiveness but I won't agree to any conditions if it means my death or the death of anyone close to me."
Enkidu shakes his hand in disagreement. "She doesn't want anyone else but you. Her revenge is specific and you are the target. The child with which you share that body is sadly involved due to your situation." Enkidu turns around. "I doubt that she will forgive you or even come to some sort of agreement with you. She is one to hold grudges and there's nothing that can replace what she has lost. Even then, give it your best. I want to see where this ends up. Maybe I'll get to see the outside once more. My descendants might still exist out there."
"Wait, can you tell me if those three are safe?"
Enkidu twists his head just a bit. "They are alright for now. I doubt that either of them will find their way to you. This place is her realm, she hears everything, sees everything, and controls everything. If she wants you to run in circles for all eternity is bound to happen. If they continue to not use their powers, they will never reach this place."
Issei smiles. "Thanks… At least knowing that they are alright makes me feel a bit more relaxed."
Enkidu gets curious. "By the way, what is your relationship with them? I don't know why three ladies such as them would come all the way down here for someone such as yourself. An angel, a devil, and a dragon working together is already surprising but all three working together to save you is even more surprising."
Issei lets out a small chuckle. "It is it. It surprises me as well. Tiamat is my first mate and someone really important to me. That can tell you all that you need to know. She is one of the reasons why I can't die again. She had to endure my death once and that is more than enough for her. Serafall is an ally and… let's just say that she and I are still getting to know each other. We are members of the alliance and she understands my importance for the future. But there's also her more personal reasons which I don't want to discuss. Gabriel and I are allies. She should be worried about my possible demise at the hands of Ereshkigal."
"So, a lover, a really close friend, and an ally. You have changed, the legends don't talk about anything like this. No longer the lone wolf that looks to prove his worth on any battlefield he can get his hands on. A monster that only fights and kills anyone who faces him. Someone who lacks any connections true connections to others."
Issei goes silent for a few seconds. "… I… found a place where I belong. A place where I can feel at ease and something that I cared about. I used to love fighting against Albion. My heart raced like crazy with each attack we exchanged and it felt great growing more powerful. But after being sealed inside the booster gear for so long, I got to see how toxic and destructive our rivalry became. I watched as armies died due to my words and rivalry with Albion. Nations felt due to my hosts and my influence. I pushed my ideals onto the boosted gear hosts and many died because of those ideals. After so long I just lost my will to continue to face Albion and his users on a battlefield. I need to change." Ddraig takes over. "I needed someone that had what I lacked. Someone that could be the reasonable being that I wasn't on my own." Issei then takes over. "I needed someone to grab my hand and lead me when I couldn't move on my own. I lacked purpose and I needed a light within the darkness."
The Welsh Dragon removes his helmet and shows his face. "We needed each other and maybe luck is what led to us meeting each other."
"Maybe, but I'm not someone that believes in luck. We don't control many of the things that happen around us but we do control how we react to them and how we choose to move on towards the future. Keep it up and you might get her to listen to you. Just don't throw a punch or I'll be forced to face you." Enkidu begins to walk away.
"I know but you two should know something as well." Issei looks towards the top of the cave. "Ophis. I know that you can hear me. Please, stay calm. I'll figure this out."
He didn't need to see her or even feel her presence to know that she was close by. Waiting and watching every second of everything that was happening to the Welsh Dragon.
One wrong move from Ereshkigal and everything could be over before any resolution could be achieved.
Meanwhile, Tiamat and the girls.
The cave continued to extend on for what seemed like forever. The path would either turn or twist in different directions while also dividing itself into different paths from which they needed to choose the right path.
"This has to be the worst kind of possible situation we ever found ourselves in," Serafall said as they continued to walk through the cave paths. "How long has it been 3 days? 4?"
"Maybe 2 but I can't be sure. This is her realm and whatever she wants will happen." Gabriel replied. "We just need to continue until we find the depths of this place."
"Is easy to say that but we have continued for a long time and we have yet to find any signs of the depths. Ereshkigal is not making this easier for us. Is her grudge this deep? Does she hate Issei that much?" Serafall turns her face towards Tiamat.
"She… does hate him with all of her soul. The two of us have discussed what gods were most likely to attack him and amongst a list of at least 14 gods she was number two." Tiamat looks tense. "He killed her child, her only child. As someone who has become a mother I can tell that I wouldn't forgive anyone if they ever hurt Tosca or any children of ours." The aura around her increases as soon as the idea of Tosca getting hurt comes out of her mouth.
"The love of a mother for its child is one of the strongest forces. Be it one that has been born or one that has been adopted, a mother's love is something that can be either precious or a strong driving force for the worst kind of actions. We can expect the worst of her when it comes to her revenge." Gabriel argues.
"So, talking to her won't be possible?" Serafall asks.
"No. When we started to discuss which god of the death should we try to recruit, he didn't think twice about approaching Ereshkigal. She had 2000 years to attack him while he was still sealed inside the boosted gear and yet she didn't. She is one of the most reasonable gods around and even if she still holds a grudge against him, there's still a small chance of her listening to our words. If we had tried to approach Osiris, Yama, Hades, or any of the remaining gods of the dead, the chances of them ever joining the alliance would have been 0. She is our only choice." Tiamat explains.
"Our only choice. Our only way of increasing our chances of defeating Trihexa. A chance of binding ourselves into the land of the living after death and fighting against any adversary that tries to destroy our homes. We are really insane for doing this." Serafall smiles but that smile disappears right away.
"Trihexa you say? Is that why you are trying to recruit me?" The voice of a child calls out to them from within the darkness behind them.
The trio turns around and thanks to Gabriel's lantern they can see what was hiding behind them.
A smaller version of Ereshkigal who was holding a small doll was standing right there. The doll was very similar to a certain child that was long gone.
"Ereshkigal? What happened to you?" Serafall asks.
"That is not the real Ereshkigal," Tiamat argues.
"Serafall, don't forget that this is her realm, and what might be in front of our eyes is just some kind of apparition. Tiamat, is her scent different?" Gabriel asks.
"Yes. It lacks any scent. She can't fool me with that kind of trick." Tiamat keeps her eyes focused on the child Ereshkigal.
"I wasn't trying to fool you. I am just a piece of Ereshkigal, one that symbolizes her reason. There are other 3 pieces alongside me. One that looks like a skeleton and another one looks like a grandma. Us three form the real Ereshkigal." Child Ereshkigal explains.
"How can we trust what you said?" Serafall asks.
"You don't need to trust me but all of this is due to Ddraig's actions. If he hadn't killed my child, I wouldn't be in this state. My rage, sadness, and anguish when Ninazu was killed were too much for me to handle. My realm has become unstable since then and the real me isn't able to stay together while inside of this place. I am the one that is trying to accept what happened and move on. The one that looks like a skeleton wants revenge and the one that looks like a much older version of me wishes to see Ninazu again." Child Ereshkigal replies.
"Is something like that even possible?" Serafall looks at the other two.
"Father did separate his whole being into three. Ereshkigal separating into three within her realm due to her emotions going out of control is not impossible. Gods are all different but that also leads to unique cases. Child Ereshkigal, can you help us reach the place in which Ddraig is found?" Gabriel asks the child.
"… No, at least no until you answer a few of my questions." Child Ereshkigal looks at the three girls. "You asked me to join the Alliance and several times I said no but you keep insisting without giving me a reason. It almost seemed like the desperate cries of children. So now, can you confirm for me that this is about Trihexa?"
The girls look at each other for a few moments before Serafall starts.
"One year and six months ago, during the initial days of the alliance, Shiva visited us. His visit came with certain visions regarding Trihexa's freedom and other calamities that would mean the end of all of us. Three calamities which include Trihexa. To face those three calamities, we started certain preparations such as the strengthening of the Welsh Dragon as our ace against all of those calamities. A dragon which has been blessed with the powers of Great Red and Ophis is someone who is capable of becoming a monster that can match Trihexa." Serafall explains.
"But we know that only one being is not enough to face the future and if any of our strongest members die or lose their bodies we are going to be left without any forces to face the calamities. We need you to make sure that the alliance continues even after the calamities but to also bind our death warriors to the land of the living. We want to break the circle of life for as long as possible." Gabriel says.
"You want my contracts of the death and my ability to manipulate souls with ease? Breaking the circle would mean disrespecting the whole meaning of life. Are you insane?" Child Ereshkigal asks.
"We are. Sirzechs, Ajuka, Michael, Azazel, us three, every single one of our strongest members is needed on the battlefield no matter what. With or without a body we each need to fight until the very end. If any of us dies, we need a way of not just saving souls but also bringing them back into the battlefield. We are ready to begin all the preparations necessary to make sure that our strongest members continue to fight until the very end. We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for the future." Tiamat explains.
"… This has to be the most insane plan I have ever heard. My powers are not that great." Child Ereshkigal argues.
"We're ready to make sure that your powers are capable of this. Heaven, Grigori, and us devils are joining forces to make sure that something such as this is possible. We just need you on our side." Gabriel gets on her knees. "For the sake of the humans and heaven."
"For the sake of the devils and other beings such as Youkai and other beings of the supernatural world." Serafall joins as well.
"For the dragons and all of those that aren't capable of protecting themselves. Please, Ereshkigal, bear these sins with us. We are ready to pay the price and protect you from any enemy so just take our hand." Tiamat stretches her hand out to Ereshkigal.
Ereshkigal goes silent for several moments. Her mind thinks for several moments. "… What if I said I want to recreate my faction. Is the alliance willing to protect them and never allow another war such as that one to ever happen again?"
"The alliance goal, in the long run, is to prevent any more wars such as that one from ever happening again. One war is enough and we as members are willing to make sure that your plans become a reality. If you ever have any more children in the future we will make sure that none of them ever dies on a battlefield unless the child desires to fight alongside our forces." Gabriel explains.
Ereshkigal looks into their eyes and remains silent for some time. "Can I do this? Can I really start a family once more? Ninazu, can I move on without you, my child?" Child Ereshkigal walks past the trio. "Follow me. You'll need to calm and convince my other copies down before I can give you an answer. Know this, the one that wants revenge won't be easily convinced. Ddraig might not be able to escape my skeletal self. My anger has grown over the past 2000 years and words might not be enough to stop her."
The trio stands up before they replied. "We know but we have hope in him. If it comes down to a fight, he'll be fine."
"You three are idiots if you think he is going to be fine. Are your feelings towards him blinding your minds?" Child Ereshkigal asks.
"Yes I might love him but he is the most capable when it comes to fights. He won't die a second time no matter what." Tiamat says with a calm smile.
"Love? I wouldn't call it that at this point but yeah. Issei Welsh is our ace and he won't lose to anyone especially after his training sessions with Shiva." Serafall joins in.
But when it came to Gabriel, the seraph wasn't able to answer. Her face was completely red and she was trying to hide her face behind her wings. "Love? Me? Loving the Welsh Dragon? That's impossible. Father, please forgive her for saying such things. Pure, you have to stay pure Gabriel." The memories of that conversation in which he told her about what he wanted to do to her if he let his instincts go wild was still fresh on her mind and any comment that could imply a relationship between both of them would instantly make her blush.
"Is she fine?" Child Gabriel asks.
"She is. Just let her cool off. Don't make jokes like that in front of her. Well, let us move on. He is waiting for us." Tiamat says.
Back to Issei.
While our trio continues to descend, now being accompanied by an unexpected child, the Welsh Dragon finds himself once more at the mercy of a being driven only by anger.
Her skeletal body dragged herself through the field of flowers while holding a large black needle in her hands. "I'll make you suffer until the end of time. I'm sorry for the child that shares a body with you but I won't forgive you." Tears fell from her eye sockets. "This pain is yours to endure and I won't let anyone take this away. You beast, a monster without a heart; you don't deserve any of my forgiveness! You'll die in this place and your soul will endure all of my rage for the rest of eternity."
Issei braced himself for what was about to happen as the grudge-filled goddess approached him. "Ereshkigal, talk to me and we can figure this out. We don't need to turn towards violence."
"Silence!" Screams skeletal Ereshkigal before she rushes in and tries to stab the needle into the chest of Issei.
Sparks fly in all directions as the needle tries to pierce the armor. Issei uses his powers to repel the needle which leads to the hands around his soul gripping tighter around them.
"I'm sorry, partner. Well, get out of this one somehow."
"I'm ready for it, Ddraig. Let's pray that our voice reaches her before Ophis loses her cool."
"Ddraig… if you don't kill her soon, I'll do it myself. Figure this out or she'll face the consequences." The small voice of Ophis reached his ear which told him that her patience was close to being gone.
*Hunting for your dreams- Galneryus*
The countdown continued as the fate of Ereshkigal hung over the edge. Let go of her pain and anger or be killed by Ophis.
*Notes from the author: Another one for you readers. As you might tell, HXH inspired this one. I'll hope to finish this small arc by the next chapter but we'll see if it is possible. I'll see you next time. *